Role of Heterojunction in Charge Carrier Separation in Coexposed Anatase (001)-(101) Surfaces.
A heterojunction made by coexposed anatase (001)-(101) surfaces is studied using an explicit atomistic model of the interface via density functional theory. High photoactivity for this system has been demonstrated recently. Usually, the nature of a semiconductor heterojunction is evaluated by looking at band edges of the separate, noninteracting units, thus neglecting interfacial effects. Our results show non-negligible structural and electronic effects occurring at the junction, but because of the canceling nature of these effects, the alignment of the bands is qualitatively similar for the real interface and for the separated, noninteracting fragments. We also show from first principles that upon light absorption and electron excitation, the junction promotes charge carrier separation via localization of holes at O ions of the (001) side and electrons at Ti ions of the (101) side of the junction. This hinders recombination and is most likely the reason for high photoactivity.


Microbiological and molecular impacts of AbiK on the lytic cycle of Lactococcus lactis phages of the 936 and P335 species.
The lactococcal abortive infection mechanism AbiK was previously shown to be highly effective against the small isometric-headed bacteriophage ul36 of the P335 species, as evidenced by an efficiency of plaquing (e.o.p.) of 10(-6), a 14-fold reduction in the burst size and an efficiency at which centres of infection form (e.c.o.i.) of 0.5%. No phage DNA was detected in the infected AbiK+ cells [Emond, E., Holler, B. J., Boucher, I., Vandenbergh, P. A., Vedamuthu, E. R., Kondo, J. K. & Moineau, S. (1997). Appl Environ Microbiol 63, 1274-1283]. Here, the effects of AbiK are compared on the small isometric-headed phages p2 and P008 (936 species) and on the phage P335 (P335 species). The microbiological impacts of AbiK on p2 were relatively similar to those reported for ul36, with an e.o.p. of 10(6), an 11-fold reduction in the burst size and an e.c.o.i. of 5%. Contrary to phage ul36, replication of phage p2 DNA was observed in the AbiK+ cells. Only immature forms (concatemeric and circular DNA) of phage p2 DNA were found, indicating that the presence of AbiK prevented phage DNA maturation. These distinct molecular consequences of AbiK were also observed for phages P335 and P008, two phages that propagate on the same host. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first time that different phage responses towards an Abi system have been reported.


Biosynthesis of 2'-O-methylmyxalamide D in the myxobacterium Cystobacter fuscus: a polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthetase system for the myxalamide D skeleton and a methyltransferase for the final O-methylation.
The biosynthetic gene cluster for the polyene antifungal antibiotic, 2'-O-methylmyxalamide D, was cloned from myxobacterium Cystobacter fuscus AJ-13278. A sequence analysis of the 12.8-kb region in the gene cluster revealed the presence of two type I polyketide synthase genes, mmxB and mmxC. The involvement of these two genes in the biosynthesis of 2'-O-methylmyxalamide D was confirmed by a gene disruption experiments. In addition, an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase gene (mmxM) was found downstream of the gene cluster and demonstrated, by a gene disruption analysis, to be responsible for converting the known unmethylated precursor, myxalamide D, into 2'-O-methylmyxalamide D.


Chemical promenades: Exploring potential-energy surfaces with immersive virtual reality.
The virtual-reality framework AVATAR (Advanced Virtual Approach to Topological Analysis of Reactivity) for the immersive exploration of potential-energy landscapes is presented. AVATAR is based on modern consumer-grade virtual-reality technology and builds on two key concepts: (a) the reduction of the dimensionality of the potential-energy surface to two process-tailored, physically meaningful generalized coordinates, and (b) the analogy between the evolution of a chemical process and a pathway through valleys (potential wells) and mountain passes (saddle points) of the associated potential energy landscape. Examples including the discovery of competitive reaction paths in simple A + BC collisional systems and the interconversion between conformers in ring-puckering motions of flexible rings highlight the innovation potential that augmented and virtual reality convey for teaching, training, and supporting research in chemistry.


[Paraganglioma of the carotid body. Apropos of a case in a 14-year-old child].
Carotid body tumors are encountered infrequently. We report a case of a fourteen year old boy presenting an inflammatory biologic syndrome with a right neck mass. The diagnosis was first an Hodgkin disease but the surgical approach and histological examination of the neck mass conclude to a benign carotid body tumor. A subadventitial excision allowed a complete recovery with one year follow up. The diagnosis of these tumors is essentially made by arteriography. They are benign in most of the cases but sometimes need for a vascular reconstructive surgery in very extended forms.


Induction of protein oxidation by intravenous iron in hemodialysis patients: role of inflammation.
Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the high prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis, infections, and beta2-microglobulin amyloidosis; and thus, to reduced survival rate and quality of life in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Inflammation induces oxidative stress by production of the oxidants: superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite. Intravenous iron (IVIR), administered in HD patients to correct anemia, can release free iron, that may react with hydrogen peroxide to produce the strong oxidant hydroxyl radical. Inflammation-induced lipid and protein oxidation and IVIR-induced lipid oxidation were shown in HD patients. However, IVIR-induced protein oxidation and a relationship between inflammation and IVIR-induced oxidative stress have not been reported to date. We examined the effect of IVIR administration on markers of protein oxidation in HD patients (advanced oxidation protein products [AOPPs], thiol, and dityrosine) in relation to such inflammatory markers as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Iron saccharate, 100 mg, was administered to 19 HD patients for 1 hour after 3.5 hours of high-flux dialysis. Blood samples were drawn pre-HD, pre-IVIR, and post-IVIR for iron, transferrin, TNF-alpha, AOPP, thiol, total antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and dityrosine levels and pre-HD for ferritin and CRP levels. IVIR administration induced a 37% increase in AOPP level (P < 0.001), which correlated positively with pre-HD CRP level (r = 0.72; P < 0.05) and was greater in patients with a greater pre-HD TNF-alpha level (P < 0.05). IVIR administration did not affect TEAC, thiol, dityrosine, or TNF-alpha levels. IVIR administration induced an increase in protein oxidation (AOPP levels) that was related to the degree of inflammation.


What internal medicine attendings talk about at morning report: a multicenter study.
Morning report is a core educational activity in internal medicine resident education. Attending physicians regularly participate in morning report and influence the learning environment, though no previous study has described the contribution of attending physicians to this conference. This study aims to describe attending comments at internal medicine morning reports. We conducted a prospective, observational study of morning reports conducted at 13 internal medicine residency programs between September 1, 2020, and March 30, 2021. Each attending comment was described including its duration, whether the comment was teaching or non-teaching, teaching topic, and field of practice of the commenter. We also recorded morning report-related variables including number of learners, report format, program director participation, and whether report was scripted (facilitator has advance knowledge of the case). A regression model was developed to describe variables associated with the number of attending comments per report. There were 2,344 attending comments during 250 conferences. The median number of attendings present was 3 (IQR, 2-5). The number of comments per report ranged across different sites from 3.9 to 16.8 with a mean of 9.4 comments/report (SD, 7.4). 66% of comments were shorter than one minute in duration and 73% were categorized as teaching by observers. The most common subjects of teaching comments were differential diagnosis, management, and testing. Report duration, number of general internists, unscripted reports, and in-person format were associated with significantly increased number of attending comments. Attending comments in morning report were generally brief, focused on clinical teaching, and covered a wide range of topics. There were substantial differences between programs in terms of the number of comments and their duration which likely affects the local learning environment. Morning report stakeholders that are interested in increasing attending involvement in morning report should consider employing in-person and unscripted reports. Additional studies are needed to explore best practice models of attending participation in morning report.


A significant role of transcription factors E2F in inflammation and tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor from head and neck with characteristics in remarkable geographic and racial distribution worldwide, which has the important features of vigorous proliferation and inflammatory cells infiltration. By analyzing the expression profile data of NPC, we found that the E2F-related gene sets were highly enriched in NPC tissues. E2F transcription factor family is an important cycle regulator, which can promote the malignant proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here, we showed that E2Fs accelerated malignant phenotypes of NPC cells. RNA sequencing revealed that E2Fs can significantly up-regulate the inflammatory pathways in NPC cells. E2F1, as a transcription factor, can active the transcription activity of IL-6 promoter, and modulate macrophage function through a microenvironment manner. Thus, this study characterized a significant role of E2Fs in inflammation and tumorigenesis of NPC, which provided a promising anti-tumor target in NPC, since E2Fs are highly expressed and activated in NPC.


Global control of vaccine-preventable diseases: how progress can be evaluated.
In the developing world, excluding China, less than 40% of infants receive a third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis or poliovirus vaccines. More than 3 million children still die annually from measles, neonatal tetanus, and pertussis, while more than a quarter of a million children are crippled by poliomyelitis. Acceleration of existing efforts, with the use of approaches that must differ according to the requirements of individual countries, constitutes the overriding priority for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). In evaluating immunization programs, priority should be placed on monitoring immunization coverage and disease incidence. Routine reports are essential for this purpose, although they may usefully be supplemented by surveys. The problems revealed by an evaluation of immunization programs can be taken as being generic to the health services as a whole, until proven otherwise. Therefore, in remedying these problems, approaches that improve the health services as a whole should be sought.


West Nile virus activity--United States, January 1-December 1, 2005.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of arboviral encephalitis in the United States. Originally discovered in Africa in 1937, WNV was first detected in the western hemisphere in 1999 in New York City. Since then it has caused seasonal epidemics of febrile illness and severe neurologic disease. During January 1-December 1, 2005, a total of 2,744 cases of WNV disease in humans were reported in the United States, an increase from 2,359 during the same period in 2004. A total of 1,165 cases were WNV neuroinvasive disease (WNND). WNV infections in humans, birds, mosquitoes, and nonhuman mammals are reported to CDC through ArboNET, an Internet-based arbovirus surveillance system managed by state health departments and CDC. During 2005, WNV transmission to humans or animals expanded into 21 counties that had not previously reported transmission and recurred in 1,196 counties where transmission had been reported in previous years. This report summarizes provisional WNV surveillance data through December 1, 2005, and highlights the need for ongoing surveillance, mosquito control, promotion of personal protection from mosquito bites, and research into additional prevention strategies.


[Corrigendum] MicroRNA-148a inhibits breast cancer migration and invasion by directly targeting WNT-1.
Subsequently to the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that the data panel for the MDA‑MB‑231/migration/NC experiment in Fig. 2B on p. 1428 was strikingly similar to the data shown for the MDA‑MB‑231/invasion/Blank experiment in Fig. 2C, such that these data appeared to have been derived from the same original source. The authors have referred back to their original data, and realize that the data panel was selected incorrectly for Fig. 2B. The corrected version of Fig. 2, showing the correct data for the MDA‑MB‑231/migration/NC experiment in Fig. 2B, is shown on the next page. The authors regret the error that was made during the preparation of this figure, and can confirm that the error in the assembly of this figure did not adversely affect the conclusions reported in the study. The authors are grateful to the Editor of Oncology Reports for allowing them the opportunity to publish a Corrigendum, and all the authors agree to this Corrigendum. Furthermore, they apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Oncology Reports 35: 1425‑1432, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4502].


Relationship between perceived teacher support and learning engagement among adolescents: Mediation role of technology acceptance and learning motivation.
This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between perceived teacher support and learning engagement and exploring the mediation role played by technology acceptance and learning motivation. It adopted a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, with sampling 467 students from four middle schools in eastern China. The research findings showed that perceived teacher support is significantly associated with learning engagement. Learning motivation plays a mediating role in the relationship between perceived teacher support and learning engagement. There is the chain mediating effect of technology acceptance and learning motivation on the relationship between perceived teacher support and learning engagement. All of these are of great importance for the teachers in the middle schools, as they help to increase students' engagement with learning activities considering the background of the deep integration of information technology and education teaching.


[Etiology of pathogen-induced changes between the toes in patients working under moist conditions].
Referring to recent studies, we discuss the epidemiology of tinea pedis and its position within the range of polyetiological foot infections caused by microbial agents. 201 industrial workers used to wear rubber boots because of moist working conditions were examined with regard to their feet. 107 of them showed clinically altered toe web; in 45 cases, we found ringworm infection (22.4%), in correlation to increased daily wearing time of rubber boots. 85 workers showed colonization of pathogenic bacteria (42.4%), especially gram-negative species (25.8%). Frequently, mixed infections were found. The clinical picture not always allows definite conclusions as to the causal agents. The symptom "maceration" is seen in each of the 3 pathogenic groups of germs (fungi, gram-positive pathogenic cocci, gram-negative bacteria), frequently in bacterial foot infections, especially gram-negative infections. Marked clinical symptoms involve increased infection rates. The predisposing factors to foot infection such as interdigital maceration and the promoting role of rubber boots have been confirmed. The final diagnosis is to be reassured by cultural investigations, in order to set up a specific treatment.


Interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms and experimental gingivitis.
Recently, an association between the severity of periodontitis and specific variations in the interleukin-1 (IL1) alpha and beta genes has been demonstrated. : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the IL1 genotype to the development of experimental gingivitis. Twenty young adult subjects presenting with healthy gingival conditions participated after giving their informed consent. The group included 10 risk genotype positive (P+) and 10 risk genotype negative (P-) individuals. The IL1 genotypes were determined on DNA samples from peripheral blood using PCR-RFLP analyses for the IL1alpha and IL1beta polymorphisms. Experimental gingivitis was allowed to develop in two posterior sextants per subject. Bleeding on probing (BOP%) and gingival crevicular fluid volume (GCF) were assessed at baseline and days 2, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 21. The day 21 results for BOP and GCF as well as the rate of increase of these parameters - mean area under the curve (AUC) and mean increase per day (slope) - were evaluated using risk analyses for IL1 genotype, smoking status and gender. Experimental gingivitis developed with a gradual increase in BOP scores and GCF values (expressed as Periotron units=PU) from baseline to day 21 (BOP, P+: 0.5 to 26.0%; P-: 1.0 to 28.1%; GCF, P+: 36.8 to 138.5 PU, P-: 43.1 to 143.4 PU). No significant risk was associated with P+ and P- for day 21 results, AUC or slope. The results of this study failed to provide evidence that the IL1 risk genotype was associated with higher GCF volume and percentage BOP during the development of experimental gingivitis.


Direct and indirect effects of male genital elaboration in female seed beetles.
Our understanding of coevolution between male genitalia and female traits remains incomplete. This is perhaps especially true for genital traits that cause internal injuries in females, such as the spiny genitalia of seed beetles where males with relatively long spines enjoy a high relative fertilization success. We report on a new set of experiments, based on extant selection lines, aimed at assessing the effects of long male spines on females in Callosobruchus maculatus. We first draw on an earlier study using microscale laser surgery, and demonstrate that genital spines have a direct negative (sexually antagonistic) effect on female fecundity. We then ask whether artificial selection for long versus short spines resulted in direct or indirect effects on female lifetime offspring production. Reference females mating with males from long-spine lines had higher offspring production, presumably due to an elevated allocation in males to those ejaculate components that are beneficial to females. Remarkably, selection for long male genital spines also resulted in an evolutionary increase in female offspring production as a correlated response. Our findings thus suggest that female traits that affect their response to male spines are both under direct selection to minimize harm but are also under indirect selection (a good genes effect), consistent with the evolution of mating and fertilization biases being affected by several simultaneous processes.


Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among School Children and Adolescents Living in Northern Italy and Unhealthy Food Behaviors Associated to Overweight.
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the differences in Mediterranean diet and its components among primary and secondary school children and adolescents living in northern Italy, and the associations with the weight status. Adherence was assessed by the KIDMED (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index) questionnaire on 669 subjects (6⁻16 years) attending five schools of Novara. The adherence was poor in 16.7%, average in 63.7%, and high in 19.6% of the students. Poor adherence was more frequent in primary than in secondary schools (20.7% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.04). Some unhealthy behaviors were more prevalent in younger children. Children of other ethnic origins had a mixed behavior, choosing both traditional healthy and unhealthy foods. Besides male gender and primary school, in Italian children, the risk of overweight was directly associated with eating at fast-food restaurants (OR: 1.890, CI 95% 1.002⁻3.563), and inversely with consumption of vegetables more than once a day (OR: 0.588, CI 95% 0.349⁻0.991), and olive oil at home (OR: 0.382, CI 95% 0.176⁻0.826). In children of other ethnic origins, this risk was associated with skipping breakfast (OR: 16.046, CI 95% 1.933⁻133.266), or consuming commercial baked good or pastries for breakfast (OR: 10.255, CI 95% 1.052⁻99.927). The overall KIDMED score correlated with height (β: 0.108; p < 0.005). Poor food quality is replacing the Mediterranean dietary pattern in children and adolescents, in particular among younger children. Because the risk of overweight was associated with different components of the Mediterranean diet depending on ethnic origins, tailored nutritional programs remain a need.


WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT FROM THYMUS DAENENSIS IN BURN WOUND MODEL: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL STUDY.
Bum wound is one of the most common complications and remains a major public health issue affecting all ages groups in both developed and developing countries. This study was aimed to evaluate the extract from Thymus daenensis and silver sulfadiazine on healing bum wounds in mice. In this experimental study, the ethanol extract from the aerial parts of T. daenensis (Lamiaceae) was used. Second-degree bum wounds were induced in three groups of eight Balb/C mice each. Group-I: the animals were treated with simple cream (control), Group-II: the animals were treated with simple cream containing the herb extract, and Group-III: the animals received the standard drug (silver sulfadiazine). The experimental groups were evaluated based on wound area, epithelialization time and histopathological characteristics. There were significant differences in surface area and the period of bum wound healing between the groups, particularly among Group-II when the animals received the extract of T. daenensis in comparison with control. At the 18" day, there was no significant improvement in healing percentage of the herb treated (94.6%) in comparison to the animals receiving the standard drug (95.8%). The best results of histopathological investigation were obtained with the extract of T. daenensis, when compared to the other group as well as to the control and standard drug. The herbal cream experimentally and histopathologically revealed a bum wound healing activity probably due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of its phytochemical contents, especially phenolic compounds. Therefore, T. daenensis accelerated wound healing in mice and thus supports its traditional use.


IT risk management for medical devices in hospital IT networks: a catalogue of measures and indicators.
Connecting medical devices to hospital IT networks can create threats that must be covered by IT risk management. In practice, implementing such risk management is not trivial because the IEC 80001-1, as the existing state-of-the-art, do not describe sufficiently concrete implementation measures or evaluation indicators. The aim of the present work was to develop and evaluate a catalogue of measures and indicators to help hospitals implement and evaluate risk management in accordance with IEC 80001-1. We conducted a Delphi study with 22 experts. In the first round, we performed interviews to identify implementation measures and evaluation indicators using qualitative content analysis. In the second round, a quantitative experts' survey confirmed the results of the first survey round and identified relationships between the measures and indicators. Based on these results, we then developed a catalogue containing the identified measures and indicators. Finally, we performed a case study to verify the practicability of this catalogue. We developed and verified a catalogue of 49 measures and 18 indicators to help hospitals implement and evaluate risk management following IEC 80001-1. The case study confirmed the practicability of the catalogue. Compared with IEC 80001-1, our catalogue goes into further detail to offer hospitals a stepwise implementation and evaluation approach. However, the catalogue must be tested in further case studies and evaluated in terms of generalisation. The catalogue will enable hospitals to overcome recent difficulties in implementing and evaluating IT risk management for medical devices according to IEC 80001-1.


Pseudovitelliform Subfoveal Deposit in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia.
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia may be complicated by retinal hemorrhages, retinal vein occlusion, serous macular detachment or macular edema. We report a patient with pseudovitelliform subfoveal deposit complicating Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. A 56-year-old man presented with hyperviscosity syndrome due to Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. After systemic therapy, a large serous retinal detachment persisted in the left eye. A pseudovitelliform subfoveal deposit was observed in the right eye. Pseudovitelliform subfoveal deposits may be part of the spectrum of ocular complications in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. They could be due to accumulation of macroglobulins.


Shared Communities: A Multinational Qualitative Study of Immigrant and Receiving Community Members.
Community psychology is central to understanding how immigrants and more established residents of their new settings join together to develop a shared sense of community and membership. In our present study, we explored how newer (i.e., first- and second-generation immigrants) and more established community members form multiple positive psychological sense of community (PSOC) with one another. We conducted a multinational, qualitative study of PSOC through interviews with 201 first- and second-generation immigrants and third generation or more "receiving community members" in three contexts (Baltimore-Washington corridor of the U.S.; Torino, Italy; Lecce, Italy). Results indicated numerous similarities among the ways in which participants constructed PSOC in shared and nonshared communities, regardless of immigration/citizenship status, length of community residence, city, country, age, or gender. Small, proximal, and salient communities were often particularly important to building positive PSOC, which was formed around diverse membership boundaries. As intersectional beings, members converged and diverged on many characteristics, providing multiple opportunities for members to bring diversity to their communities while sharing other characteristics deemed essential to membership. Nonetheless, findings point to significant, structural challenges rooted in power and privilege that must be confronted to bridge the community-diversity dialectic and build strong, shared sense of community.


Computerized video tasks as training techniques for driving-related perceptual deficits of persons with brain damage: a pilot evaluation.
This pilot study investigated the modifiability of perceptual deficits by training which consisted of performing microcomputer-generated video tasks. These commercially available remedial programs tapped a range of skills, such as right/left discrimination, color matching, visual scanning, judgment of line orientation, visual search, shape discrimination, visual memory, eye tracking, visuomotor coordination, and visual imagery. Four subjects with acquired brain damage were given 10 hours of training. Perceptual skills were assessed with a battery of seven paper-and-pencil tests administered both before and after the training. Following the training two subjects showed some improvement on several of the perceptual tests used, while two other subjects showed improvement on only a limited number of tests. Based on these results and on the performance changes on the video tasks themselves, a comprehensive evaluation of the potential benefits of this type of training on driving performance is recommended.


Hepatocellular carcinoma after danazol treatment for hereditary angio-oedema.
Hereditary angio-oedema is characterised by recurrent episodes of laryngeal, intra-abdominal, facial or peripheral oedema. Danazol can be used as prophylaxis for recurrent attacks. Hepatotoxicity is a recognised adverse effect of danazol. We report an exceptional case of a danazol-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in a 75-year-old patient with hereditary angio-oedema.


Early Recurrence of a Solid Variant of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Young Child After Resection: Technique and Literature Review and Two-year Follow-up After Corpectomy.
Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are considered to be rare benign tumors that may affect long bones or the vertebral column. Their incidence varies and is reported to be 1.4% of all benign skeletal tumors. The solid-variant aneurysmal bone cyst (S-ABC) is even rarer and constitutes 3.5% to 7% of all vertebral ABCs. We report the case of an Enneking stage 3 S-ABC in a 5-year-old boy at C7 that showed rapid local recurrence after primary excision from posterior and dorsal stabilization requiring ventral corpectomy and posterior excision of the right lateral mass and right posterolateral fusion. Histologic examination disclosed an S-ABC. To our knowledge, this is the first case of S-ABC described in the literature that used both anterior and posterior approaches and complete corpectomy. Over a 2-year period, the patient showed no radiologic or clinical signs of local recurrence with excellent neurologic function. Solid-variant aneurysmal bone cysts are difficult to diagnose and treat, and careful clinical and radiologic assessment should be done to tailor an appropriate surgical plan to prevent recurrence and neurologic sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, there are to date no publications that studied the behavior of this subtype.


Imaging of sternocostoclavicular joint in spondyloarthropaties and other rheumatic conditions.
To retrospectively evaluate the role of the various imaging techniques in the study of the sternocostoclavicular joint, in patients with spondyloarthropathies and other rheumatic conditions and to assess potential pitfalls in the radiological diagnosis. Thirty patients, 11 male and 19 female, mean age 45 years, with involvement of the sternocostoclavicular joint as part of rheumatologic disorders (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Tietze syndrome, SAPHO syndrome, and condensing osteitis of the clavicle) were studied. Conventional radiography, CT, MRI and bone scintigraphy were performed. The following imaging findings were evaluated: soft tissue swelling, bone sclerosis, cortical bone erosions, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, periosteal new bone formation, synovial reaction and intrarticular effusion. All the images were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. Conventional radiography demonstrated only sclerosis of the clavicula in 8 pts (26%) and the sternum in 3 pts (10%), cortical bone erosions in 7 pts (23%), joint space narrowing in 6 pts (23%) and periosteal bone formation in 2 pts (10%). At the CT examination sclerosis of the clavicula and the sternum was observed in 13 pts (44%), cortical bone erosions in 22 pts (76%), joint space narrowing in 10 pts (34%), ligament ossification in 12 pts (41%), subchondral sclerosis in 9 pts (34%) and periosteal bone formation in 10 pts (34%). The MRI was the most sensitive technique in the evaluation of the soft tissue swelling in 9 pts (56%), intrarticular effusion in 13 pts (81%) and synovial reaction in 13 pts (81%). Finally, bone scintigraphy showed an increased uptake at the sterno-costoclavicular joint in all patients who underwent the examination. The radiological evaluation of the anterior chest wall in patients with different rheumatic disorders represents a problem of difficult diagnostic evaluation both for the anatomic region complexity and for the variability of the radiographic findings. The integrated use of X-ray, CT, MRI and nuclear medicine is suggested to avoid misdiagnosis.


Role of cavities and hydration in the pressure unfolding of T4 lysozyme.
It is well known that high hydrostatic pressures can induce the unfolding of proteins. The physical underpinnings of this phenomenon have been investigated extensively but remain controversial. Changes in solvation energetics have been commonly proposed as a driving force for pressure-induced unfolding. Recently, the elimination of void volumes in the native folded state has been argued to be the principal determinant. Here we use the cavity-containing L99A mutant of T4 lysozyme to examine the pressure-induced destabilization of this multidomain protein by using solution NMR spectroscopy. The cavity-containing C-terminal domain completely unfolds at moderate pressures, whereas the N-terminal domain remains largely structured to pressures as high as 2.5 kbar. The sensitivity to pressure is suppressed by the binding of benzene to the hydrophobic cavity. These results contrast to the pseudo-WT protein, which has a residual cavity volume very similar to that of the L99A-benzene complex but shows extensive subglobal reorganizations with pressure. Encapsulation of the L99A mutant in the aqueous nanoscale core of a reverse micelle is used to examine the hydration of the hydrophobic cavity. The confined space effect of encapsulation suppresses the pressure-induced unfolding transition and allows observation of the filling of the cavity with water at elevated pressures. This indicates that hydration of the hydrophobic cavity is more energetically unfavorable than global unfolding. Overall, these observations point to a range of cooperativity and energetics within the T4 lysozyme molecule and illuminate the fact that small changes in physical parameters can significantly alter the pressure sensitivity of proteins.


[Study on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding AIDS among migrant workers in railway construction sites].
To investigate the status and influencing factors on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about AIDS among the migrant workers in railway construction sites and to provide evidence for strategy development and measures on AIDS related health education and behavioral intervention. 943 migrant workers in railway construction sites were surveyed. Univariate analysis, multivariate Logistic regression and correlation analysis were used to explore their influencing factors. The migrant workers in railway construction sites had poor AIDS knowledge as a whole. People with high educational level and income had higher AIDS correlative knowledge than other groups. Only 37.5% (275) of 734 migrant workers who had heard about AIDS felt pity for people with HIV/AIDS. There were 39.6%, 7.3% and 6.9% of 943 migrant workers did not object to "pre-marital sex", "prostitution" or "wenching". There were 90 (9.5%) migrant workers admitted having non-marital sex for the last three months but 22 (28.6%) admitted never using condoms,and only 8 (10.4%) had used each time. It appeared that the higher educational level and scores about AIDS knowledge one had,the higher the rate of using a condom. Both longer time interval away from their families and working time were, the lower they would usage a condom. Migrant workers in construction sites were potential high risk population for HIV/AIDS. AIDS health education and behavioral intervention should be carried out


Link between immune response and parasite synchronization in malaria.
Anti-malaria vaccines and drugs could be greatly improved if we knew which phases of Plasmodium falciparum development in red blood cells are major inducers and which are major targets of natural immune responses. This information should focus attention on relevant immunogens and prove useful in developing immune-based therapies. Here we explore the hypothesis that innate immune responses mediate synchronization between the replication cycles of parasites in different red blood cells which is reflected in periodic fevers. Based on a recently developed, rather general mathematical model, we find that periodicity is highly sensitive to the position of both the inducing phase interval and the target phase interval in the parasite replication cycle. In addition, the degree of variability in the length of the replication cycle also strongly affects periodicity. To produce synchronization, the inducing and the target phase intervals must be developmentally distant from each other. We developed a computer program which prompts for information based on measurements of the numbers of erythrocytes in two replication cycle intervals chosen by the researcher, tests our model, and predicts the two phase intervals most critical to the synchronizing immune response. The program can be obtained from the authors.


Counterintuitive effects of double-heterozygous null melanocortin-4 receptor and leptin genes on diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice.
Circulating levels of leptin correlate with food intake and adiposity. A decline in serum leptin associated with calorie restriction instigates behavioral and metabolic adaptation, increasing appetite and conserving energy. Brain melanocortin-4 receptors (Mc4rs) are important mediators of leptin's effects on appetite and energy expenditure. Because subtle changes in function associated with heterozygous null mutations for either the Leptin (Lep-HET) or Mc4r genes (Mc4r-HET) increase adiposity, we tested the hypothesis that combined heterozygous mutations (Dbl-HET) would severely exacerbate diet-induced obesity (DIO) and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice. Serum leptin levels were lower as a function of adiposity in heterozygous Leptin mutants (Lep-HET, Dbl-HET) matched with mice homozygous for the wild-type (WT) Lep gene (Mc4r-HET). Evidence for an additive interaction on adiposity in Dbl-HET mice maintained on a low-fat diet was observed at 10 wk of age. Male but not female mice developed DIO and insulin resistance on a high-fat diet. Compared with WT mice, DIO was more severe in Mc4r-HET but not Lep-HET mice, regardless of sex. However, the response of male and female Dbl-HET mice was different, with males being less and females being more responsive relative to Mc4r-HET. Glucose tolerance of Dbl-HET mice was not significantly different from WT mice in either sex. These results show a complex interaction between the Leptin and Mc4r genes that is influenced by age, gender, and diet. Remarkably, while heterozygous Lep mutations initially exacerbate obesity, in situations of severe obesity, reduced leptin levels may act oppositely and have beneficial effects on energy homeostasis.


Association between MBL2 haplotypes and dengue severity in children from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dengue is an arthropod-borne viral disease with a majority of asymptomatic individuals and clinical manifestations varying from mild fever to severe and potentially lethal forms. An increasing number of genetic studies have outlined the association between host genetic variations and dengue severity. Genes associated to viral recognition and entry, as well as those encoding mediators of the immune response against infection are strong candidates for association studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MBL2, CLEC5A, ITGB3 and CCR5 genes and dengue severity in children. A matched case-control study was conducted and 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were investigated. No associations were observed in single SNP analysis. However, when MBL2 SNPs were combined in haplotypes, the allele rs7095891G/rs1800450C/ rs1800451C/rs4935047A/rs930509G/rs2120131G/rs2099902C was significantly associated to risk of severe dengue under α = 0.05 (aOR = 4.02; p = 0.02). A second haplotype carrying rs4935047G and rs7095891G alleles was also associated to risk (aOR = 1.91; p = 0.04). This is the first study to demonstrate the association between MBL2 haplotypes and dengue severity in Brazilians including adjustment for genetic ancestry. These results reinforce the role of mannose binding lectin in immune response to DENV.


The Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Strains of Borrelia Isolated from Ixodes Tick Vectors in Belarus (2012-2019).
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) is the most common pathogen of medical significance transmitted by ticks of the family Ixodidae in Belarus. Human infection with B. burgdorferi causes Lyme borreliosis, most commonly referred to as Lyme disease. Currently, 20 species of Lyme disease-associated Borrelia and more than 20 relapsing fever-associated Borrelia species have been identified. These etiologic agents belong to the genus Borrelia in the family Spirochaetaceae. Genetically characterized isolates with specific sequences have proven that these pathogens are endemically transmitted in many European and Asian countries. In addition, joinpoint regression analysis is often applied to characterize infection trends over time and to identify the time point(s) at which the trend significantly changes. In this epidemiological investigation, joinpoint analysis was applied to investigate the temporal trend of B. burgdorferi s.l. infections in 4070 ticks collected between April and October 2012-2019. Detection of Borrelia species in ticks is an important tool to determine temporal and geographic distribution and abundance, and to predict the risk of Lyme disease to people in different regions. Our data provide a basis for further studies to determine the distribution and abundance of B. burgdorferi s.l. species in Belarus.


Susceptibility of Various Species of Rodents to the Relapsing Fever Spirochete, Borrelia hermsii.
In a study to determine susceptibility to Borrelia hermsii of various rodents commonly found in or near places where human cases of relapsing fever occurred, chipmunks (Eutamias amoenus), pine squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus richardsoni), flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), Columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus columbianus), golden-mantled ground squirrels (S. lateralis tescorum), wood rats (Neotoma cinerea cinerea), white-footed deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were exposed to spirochetes either by bites of infected Ornithodoros hermsi or by injection of infectious tick suspensions. Daily microscopic examination of blood samples revealed that pine squirrels, chipmunks, and meadow voles responded with spirochetemias of various degrees and length. Pine squirrels were most susceptible and experienced long-lasting and severe spirochetemias accompanied by typical signs of illness. Flying squirrels, Columbian ground squirrels, golden-mantled ground squirrels, wood rats, and white-footed deer mice did not develop demonstrable spirochetal infection.


Continuous shipboard sampling system for determination of triple oxygen isotopes and O2/Ar ratio by dual-inlet mass spectrometry.
A continuous shipboard sampling system was developed for the determination of the isotopic composition of the triple oxygen isotopes and oxygen to argon (O(2)/Ar) ratios in dissolved air. In this system, dissolved air is separated by a hollow fiber membrane degassing module. This system collects dissolved air quantitatively and rapidly. The sample flow rate through the membrane is critical for the fractionation of the oxygen isotopes and the O(2)/Ar ratio and should be < 2 mL/min. Fractionation of oxygen between the liquid and gas phase of the air-saturated water was found to be similar to that of earlier reports. The advantages of this method over existing techniques include rapid collection of samples (30 min/sample), high efficiency in extraction of gases from the liquid phase, and the lack of a sample preparation step (e.g. degassing).


Quantitative approach for small molecules using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.
Recent advances in quantitative approaches to laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) are selectively reviewed. Numerous efforts have been made to use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and related techniques for rapid screening and/or monitoring of biological events. Among the various mass ionization spectrometric analysis techniques, MALDI-MS has exceptional potential for high-throughput analysis. Although quantitative analysis with MALDI-MS is challenging, the expansion of its utility is inevitable. It is notable that practical improvement of MALDI-MS can be achieved by preparation of an uniform matrix using binary matrix systems. Broad applications have been established with a self-assembled monolayer for MALDI-MS, referred to as SAMDI-MS. The method could be an essential tool not only for rapid screening but also as a sensitive probe for surface sciences. Complementary to these approaches, labeling of molecules for LDI-MS is introduced as potential tool for the selective detection of specific target molecules.


Containment relations in anatomical ontologies.
In addition to parthood relations, containment relations are needed for describing the locations of anatomical individuals. My lungs are contained, but not part of, in my thoracic cavity. Urine is contained in, but not part of, the cavity of my urinary bladder. Ontologies such as the FMA and GALEN use containment relations extensively. However, the FMA's and GALEN's usage of containment relations differs significantly. To provide anatomical ontologies with clear semantics and consistent reasoning strategies, it is necessary to precisely determine the logical properties of their containment relations. In this paper, I define different versions of containment relations in a formal theory and distinguish important logical properties of these relations. The formal containment relations are used to partially analyze and highlight differences between the FMA's and GALEN's containment relations.


Colony-stimulating factor 1 positive (CSF1+ ) secretory epithelial cells induce excessive trophoblast invasion in tubal pregnancy rupture.
Tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP) occurs when an embryo aberrantly implants in the fallopian tube, leading to abortive or ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy (AEP or REP). Poor outcomes of REP include maternal infertility or mortality. Current studies on the prevention and treatment of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy (REP) are unfortunately hampered by a lack of the cell spectrum and cell-cell communications in the maternal-foetal interface. Here, we investigate the mechanisms of tubal rupture through single-cell transcriptome profiling of the fallopian tube-trophoblast interface in REP, AEP and intrauterine pregnancy patients. In REP, extravillous trophoblast (EVTs) cells form a dominant cell population, displaying aggressive invasion and proliferation, with robust differentiation into three subsets. Cell communication analysis identified colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), overexpressed by fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells in REP, with CSF1R on EVTs and macrophages, as a ligand/receptor pair that stimulates EVT invasion and macrophage accumulation. CSF1+ secretory epithelial cells stimulate EVTs migration and invasion, leading to a tubal rupture in REP. These results provide a mechanistic context and cellular milieu leading to tubal rupture, facilitating further study and development of therapeutics for REP in early pregnancy.


Savolitinib monotherapy exerted significant benefit in a non-small cell lung cancer patient with osimertinib resistance harboring primary EGFR L858R mutation and MET amplification: a case report.
Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have significantly improved response in all stages of patients with EGFR positive mutations in nonsmall cell lung cancer. However, the primary resistance mechanism of EGFR-TKIs has not been thoroughly revealed. Here, we described a case of a 64-year-old male with lung adenocarcinoma presented primary resistance on osimertinib combined with bevacizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy, next-generation sequencing revealed EGFR exon 21 L858R mutation and MET gene amplification. Afterward, savolitinib monotherapy was started until now, and the treatment was temporarily successful, the last follow-up clinical evaluation was near complete response, the progression-free survival has over 7 months. Our case highlights that EGFR-TKIs may be not the optimal choice for lung adenocarcinoma with primary EGFR -sensitive mutation with MET amplification simultaneously, whereas MET inhibitor alone may be an effective treatment option. In clinical practice, we should fully consider the possibility of primary resistance in EGFR-TKIs administration.


Bark beetle controls epithelial morphogenesis by septate junction maturation in Drosophila.
Epithelial tissues separate body compartments with different compositions. Tight junctions (TJs) in vertebrates and septate junctions (SJs) in invertebrates control the paracellular flow of molecules between these compartments. This epithelial barrier function of TJs and SJs must be stably maintained in tissue morphogenesis during cell proliferation and cell movement. Here, we show that Bark beetle (Bark), a putative transmembrane scavenger receptor-like protein, is essential for the maturation but not the establishment of SJs in Drosophila. Embryos that lack bark establish functional SJs, but due to rudimentary septae formation during subsequent embryonic development, these become non-functional. Furthermore, cell adhesion is impaired at the lateral cell membrane and the core protein complexes of SJs are mis-localised, but appear to form otherwise normally in such embryos. We propose a model in which Bark acts as a scaffold protein that mediates cell adhesion and mounting of SJ core complexes during cell rearrangement in tissue morphogenesis.


The Contribution of Hepatic Macrophage Heterogeneity during Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice.
In the present study, we investigated hepatic macrophage heterogeneity in murine liver regeneration after 2/3 PHx through immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our research showed that Kupffer cells reduced rapidly in the early PHx and restored gradually depending on local proliferation and replenishment from infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages. The ratio of ly6Chi to ly6Clo subset of macrophages in the liver changed dynamically, and hepatic macrophage function exhibits a significant difference in different stages of liver regeneration. Moreover, blocking infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophage recruitment augmented Kupffer cell proliferation but impaired the restoration of the hepatic macrophage pool, which led to delayed hepatocyte mitosis and liver regeneration. Our data suggest that hepatic macrophage changes dynamically in origin and function during liver regeneration following PHx and macrophage-targeted liver regeneration should consider macrophage heterogeneity.


Experimental investigations of silicon tetrafluoride decomposition in ECR discharge plasma.
The results of first experiments on the investigation of plasma of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharge, sustained by CW radiation of technological gyrotron with frequency 24 GHz are considered. The parameters of nitrogen plasma of ECR discharge in magnetic field up to 1 T were investigated by Langmuir probe in the pressure range 10(-4)-10(-2) mbar under different values of microwave power. Depending on gas pressure and power of microwave radiation, the typical temperature and density of electrons could attain values of 1-5 eV and 10(11)-10(12) cm(-3), respectively. The prospects for using of ECR discharge for plasma chemical decomposition of silicon tetrafluoride (SiF(4)) have been experimentally demonstrated. Plasma was created from SiF(4) and hydrogen (H(2)) gas mixture and heated by microwave radiation in ECR conditions. Using the method of mass-spectrometry analysis of the gas at the outlet from the reactor and the weighting method, the content of the resultants of SiF(4) decomposition as a function of process parameters was investigated. It was shown that SiF(4) decomposition degree strongly depends on the microwave power, gas pressure in the reactor, gas flow rates, and can attain the value of 50%. The possible applications of PECVD method based on ECR discharge for production of isotopically pure elements with high deposition rate are discussed.


A Taphonomic Study Exploring the Differences in Decomposition Rate and Manner between Frozen and Never Frozen Domestic Pigs (Sus scrofa).
This research examined differences in decomposition rate and manner of domestic pig subjects (Sus scrofa) in never frozen (control) and previously frozen (experimental) research conditions. Eight control and experimental subjects were placed in an identical outdoor research environment. Daily quantitative and qualitative measurements were collected: abdominal circumference, total body score (TBS), temperature, photographs, descriptive decomposition stages, and visual observations. Field necropsies were performed at accumulated degree days (ADD) between 50 and 300 (Celsius). Paired samples t-tests of ADD to TBS >3.0, TBS >9.5, and TBS >16.0 indicate the rate of decomposition of experimental subjects was significantly slower than controls at both TBS >3 and >9.5 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). A suite of qualitative indicators of predecomposition freezing is also reported. The differences between experimental and control subjects suggest previously frozen subjects should not be used in taphonomic research, as results do not accurately reflect the "normal" taphonomic condition.


Neonatal hormone manipulations and the maintenance of perineal muscles and their motor neurones in Albino Swiss rats.
Newborn female Albino Swiss rats received testosterone propionate, dihydrotestosterone benzoate or oestradiol benzoate for 4 days after birth. The neonatal administration of all three hormones maintained neurones of the spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus (SNB) complex in adulthood at levels intermediate between those found in normal females (approximately 40 neurones) and those found in normal males (approximately 220 neurones). Dihydrotestosterone benzoate was the most effective treatment. Oestradiol benzoate, while as potent as testosterone propionate in maintaining SNB neurone numbers, could not maintain the perineal muscles which are their normal target. Dihydrotestosterone benzoate and testosterone propionate maintained both neurones and muscles. Newborn male Albino Swiss rats received either the aromatase inhibitor 4-OH-androstenedione, or the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor aza-steroid 17 beta-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one(4-MA). Only neonatal treatment with 4-MA led to reduced SNB neurone numbers in adulthood, but the reduction was modest (-16%). The results of the two experiments suggest that several hormones can maintain SNB neurone numbers in Albino Swiss rats, but that 5 alpha-reduced metabolites of testosterone may be particularly effective.


Comparative characterization of frozen-thawed CD146+ and CD146- subsets of CD73+CD90+CD105+CD34+ human ASCs.
Mesenchymal stem cells are currently used to treat several diseases. Populations of putative stem cells found in the adipose tissue (ASCs) have been shown to possess particularly enhanced functionalities. Nonetheless, there is lack of evidence that evaluates the effects of cryopreservation techniques on well-defined functional ASC populations characterized by immunophenotypical repertoire. We therefore embarked a study to compare the frozen-thawed ASC subsets: CD73+CD90+CD105+CD34+CD146-(CD34+CD146), CD73+CD90+CD105+CD34+CD146+(CD34+CD146+), and CD73+CD90+CD105+CD34+(CD34+). We assessed their characterization in different functional assays. The ASC immunophenotypical subsets-purified by a flow cytometry sorting technique-were frozen in liquid nitrogen. After a period, they were thawed to examine their differentiation ability, colony-forming units, viability, and growth rate. We confirmed that inside the primary cell culture system, the proportion of CD34+, CD34+CD146-, and CD34+CD146+ took up 80%, 62%, and 19% on average, respectively. All populations could be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen with retention of more than 85% of cell viability and displayed comparable stemness characteristics. Most importantly, the CD34+CD146+ subpopulation displayed a higher proliferation rate than other groups. Our data demonstrated that the frozen-thawed CD34+CD146+ cells might represent a promising source for autologous cellular-based therapy. These findings set the basis for ASC subpopulations-based application in future potential clinical settings.


Amino acid-base interactions: a three-dimensional analysis of protein-DNA interactions at an atomic level.
To assess whether there are universal rules that govern amino acid-base recognition, we investigate hydrogen bonds, van der Waals contacts and water-mediated bonds in 129 protein-DNA complex structures. DNA-backbone interactions are the most numerous, providing stability rather than specificity. For base interactions, there are significant base-amino acid type correlations, which can be rationalised by considering the stereochemistry of protein side chains and the base edges exposed in the DNA structure. Nearly two-thirds of the direct read-out of DNA sequences involves complex networks of hydrogen bonds, which enhance specificity. Two-thirds of all protein-DNA interactions comprise van der Waals contacts, compared to about one-sixth each of hydrogen and water-mediated bonds. This highlights the central importance of these contacts for complex formation, which have previously been relegated to a secondary role. Although common, water-mediated bonds are usually non-specific, acting as space-fillers at the protein-DNA interface. In conclusion, the majority of amino acid-base interactions observed follow general principles that apply across all protein-DNA complexes, although there are individual exceptions. Therefore, we distinguish between interactions whose specificities are 'universal' and 'context-dependent'. An interactive Web-based atlas of side chain-base contacts provides access to the collected data, including analyses and visualisation of the three-dimensional geometry of the interactions.


Inhibition of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 attenuates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via regulation of miR-181a-5p.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the cardiovascular complications of diabetes mellitus independent of hypertension, coronary disease, and other heart diseases. The development of DCM is multifactorial and hard to detect at an early stage. Long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1) is emerging as a regulator of DCM, the underlying mechanism of its role in DCM has not been elaborated yet. In this study, we established a mouse DCM model via streptozocin injection as evidenced by cell hypertrophy and cell apoptosis of myocardial tissue, and found that Malat1 expression was upregulated in the myocardium in DCM mice. Meanwhile, elevated expression of pro-apoptotic factors p53, p21, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9 and BAX, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 were observed in DCM myocardium. We further investigated the effect of Malat1 on cardiomyocytes under high glucose condition by silencing Malat1 with its specific short-hairpin RNA. Like in vivo, expression of Malat1 in cardiomyocytes was notably raised, remarkable cell apoptosis and changes in apoptosis-related factors were also observed following high glucose treatment. Besides, we validated that Malat1 acted as a sponge of miR-181a-5p. Inhibition of miR-181a-5p could, at least partially, abolish Malat1 knockdown-induced alteration in cardiomyocytes. In addition, p53, a critical regulator of apoptosis, was validated to be a downstream target of miR-181a-5p. In summary, our findings reveal that Malat1 knockdown attenuates high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via releasing miR-181a-5p, and this mechanism may provide us with new diagnosis target of DCM.


Involvement of dendritic cells in allograft rejection new implications of dendritic cell-endothelial cell interactions.
For almost half a century immunologists have tried to tear down the MHC barrier, which separates two unrelated individuals during transplantation. Latest experimental data suggest that a breakthrough in vitro is imminent. Dendritic cells (DCs), which activate naïve allo-reactive T-cells (TCs), play a central role in the establishment of allo-antigen-specific immunity. Allograft solid organ rejection is initiated at the foreign endothelial cell (EC) layer, which forms an immunogenic barrier for migrating DCs. Thus, DC/EC interactions might play a crucial role in antigen-specific allograft rejection. Organ rejection is mediated by host allo-reactive TCs, which are activated by donor DCs (direct activation) or host DCs (indirect activation). Direct allo-antigen presentation by regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) can play an instructive role towards tolerance induction. Several groups established that, DCregs, if transplanted beforehand, enter host thymus, spleen, or bone marrow where they might eventually establish allo-antigen-specific tolerance. A fundamental aspect of DC function is migration throughout the entire organism. After solid organ transplantation, host DCs bind to ECs, invade allograft tissues, and finally transmigrate into lymphoid vessels and secondary lymphoid organs, where they present allo-antigens to naïve host TCs. Recent data suggest that in vitro manipulated DCregs may mediate allo-transplantation tolerance induction. However, the fundamental mechanisms on how such DCregs cause host TCs in the periphery towards tolerance remain unclear. One very promising experimental concept is the simultaneous manipulation of DC direct and indirect TC activation/suppression, towards donor antigen-specific allo-transplantation tolerance. The allo-antigen-specific long-term tolerance induction mediated by DCreg pre-transplantation (with simultaneous short-term immunosuppression) has become reproducible in the laboratory animal setting. Despite the shortcomings of laboratory animal studies, strong promises are deriving from these studies for clinical kidney, heart, and liver transplantation.


Survey of plasmids and resistance factors in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.
A total of 688 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were screened for the presence of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis and were tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Of the isolates examined, 32% were noted to harbor plasmid DNA, ranging in size from 2.0 to 162 kilobases. Only tetracycline resistance was noted to correlate with the presence of plasmids. Plasmids capable of transferring tetracycline resistance via conjugation ranged in size from 42 to 100 kilobases. The Bg/II and Bc/I restriction endonuclease profiles of 31 plasmids examined showed marked diversity in their banding patterns. Although a high degree of DNA-DNA homology was noted among the Campylobacter spp. plasmids, no homology was noted between these plasmids and tetracycline R factors commonly found in the family Enterobacteriaceae.


The expression of nitrate transporter genes reveals different nitrogen statuses of dominant diatom groups in the southern East China Sea.
In this study, the mRNA levels of the Nrt2 nitrate transporter gene were used as a molecular indicator of nitrogen status in two dominant diatom groups, Skeletonema and Chaetoceros, which inhabit the southern East China Sea (ECS). To accurately interpret the abundance of Nrt2 transcripts in situ, maximum and minimum expression levels were determined under conditions of nitrogen deprivation and ammonium addition, respectively. In August 2010, Nrt2 transcript levels in Skeletonema at the inner shelf region exhibited a mean of 111 mmole/(mole EFL); at the mid-shelf region, the mean Nrt2 mRNA levels were 298 mmole/(mole EFL), which was very close to the maximum levels observed under nitrogen starvation. By contrast, the Nrt2 transcript levels in Chaetoceros were low at all of the shelf locations, except at one station in the mid-shelf region. The cross-shelf mean was 2.86 mmole/(mole EFL), which was similar to the expression levels observed in cultured Chaetoceros under conditions of sufficient ammonium. Similar expression patterns were observed in diatoms in the southern ECS in June 2011, but the Nrt2 transcript levels in Skeletonema at the inner shelf region were reduced to a mean of 28.6 mmole/(mole EFL). Regression analysis indicated that cell abundance and Nrt2 expression were closely related to the nutricline depth in the coastward half of the southern ECS for Skeletonema but not for Chaetoceros. These results indicate that the evaluated species differ in nitrogen status, which may reflect their evolutionary strategies to survive in a fluctuating marine environment.


[Auricular alloplastic reconstruction with osteointegrated implants: a new therapy option in microtia].
Microtia has been treated over the years with autogenous tissues, although the results continue to improve, it is technically a very demanding procedure, even in the hands of a well trained surgeon. Osseointegrated implant-supported ear prosthesis, is less demanding, more straightforward, and offers a better cosmetic result. Since 1996 we have treated 8 patients with microtia types III and IV, with titanium osseointegrated implant-supported ear prosthesis in the bone of the mastoid process. The surgical procedure consists in two stages. First stage: when the three titanium screws are drill in the mastoid process of the temporal bone, with a previous CT scan of the area, that is used to measured the bone thickness. Second stage is done 3 to 6 months later. Ear remnants are removed at the beginning of the procedure, three titanium couplings are then secured to the integrated fixtures, a plastic cap is attached to each of the abutments, until healing takes place; three to four weeks later the auricular prosthesis made out of silicone over a metallic structure, will we plug in the titanium screws. Cosmetic results and patients acceptability have been good in all 8 cases, with few postoperative complications. This procedure has become and option for the patients with ear malformations.


Record statistics for biased random walks, with an application to financial data.
We consider the occurrence of record-breaking events in random walks with asymmetric jump distributions. The statistics of records in symmetric random walks was previously analyzed by Majumdar and Ziff [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 050601 (2008)] and is well understood. Unlike the case of symmetric jump distributions, in the asymmetric case the statistics of records depends on the choice of the jump distribution. We compute the record rate P(n)(c), defined as the probability for the nth value to be larger than all previous values, for a Gaussian jump distribution with standard deviation σ that is shifted by a constant drift c. For small drift, in the sense of c/σ ≪ n(-1/2), the correction to P(n)(c) grows proportional to arctan(√n) and saturates at the value c/(√2)σ. For large n the record rate approaches a constant, which is approximately given by 1-(σ/√(2π)c)exp(-c(2)/2σ(2)) for c/σ ≫ 1. These asymptotic results carry over to other continuous jump distributions with finite variance. As an application, we compare our analytical results to the record statistics of 366 daily stock prices from the Standard & Poor's 500 index. The biased random walk accounts quantitatively for the increase in the number of upper records due to the overall trend in the stock prices, and after detrending the number of upper records is in good agreement with the symmetric random walk. However the number of lower records in the detrended data is significantly reduced by a mechanism that remains to be identified.


[Local recurrence after breast conserving treatment: place of surgery].
Since the end of the sixties, conservative radiosurgical treatment is the standard for unifocal breast cancers < 3 cm. Retrospective and randomised trials confirmed identical survival, but an increased second failure's rate. Impact of this local failure on survival is controversy. Different prognostic factors were identified by the authors. Local extension of the local failure and inflammatory signs, the delay of its apparition and its site (witch could difference true local failure and new tumour) the histologic type of the local failure, the phase S cells rate, the N status, and characteristics of the initial tumour such as the N status, the tumour's size. The surgical treatment of the local failure is classically the salvage mastectomy associated with immediate breast reconstruction, often by cutaneous-muscular flaps. A second conservative treatment could eventually be proposed only if breast size and radiotherapy sequels would permit a second carcinologic and cosmetic surgical treatment: wide local excision and re-irradiation, unifocal tumour < 1 cm preferentially intraductal, well differentiated without lymphovascular embole, without extensive intraductal, second new cancer (in other quadrant than the initial tumor after a long enough delay), efficient and long time survey. RMN with identification of the prognostic criteria would contribute to identify the local failure witch could benefit of an iterative conservative treatment.


Characterization of anaerobic dechlorinating consortia derived from aquatic sediments.
Four methanogenic consortia which degraded 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, 2-chlorobenzoate, and 3-chlorobenzoate, respectively, and one nitrate-reducing consortium which degraded 3-chlorobenzoate were characterized. Degradative activity in these consortia was maintained by laboratory transfer for over 2 years. In the methanogenic consortia, the aromatic ring was dechlorinated before mineralization to methane and carbon dioxide. After dechlorination, the chlorophenol consortia converted phenol to benzoate before mineralization. All methanogenic consortia degraded both phenol and benzoate. The 3-chlorophenol and 3-chlorobenzoate consortia also degraded 2-chlorophenol. No other cross-acclimation to monochlorophenols or monochlorobenzoates was detected in the methanogenic consortia. The consortium which required nitrate for the degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate degraded benzoate and 4-chlorobenzoate anaerobically in the presence of KNO(3), but not in its absence. This consortium also degraded benzoate, but not 3-chlorobenzoate, aerobically.


Development of a differential pumping system for soft X-ray beamlines for windowless experiments under normal atmospheric conditions.
A novel design for a differential pumping system has been investigated. This system allows windowless experiments in a soft X-ray beamline under normal atmospheric conditions. The new design consists of an aperture-based four-stage differential pumping system, based on a simple model calculation. A prototype system with a total length of 600 mm was constructed to confirm the validity of the design concept. Relatively short conductance-limiting components allow easy installation and alignment of the system on a synchrotron beamline. The fabricated system was installed on a beamline to test the transmission of soft X-rays through atmospheric helium.


A new species of Sphenomorphus (Squamata: Scincidae) from Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam with a discussion of biogeography and character state evolution in the S. stellatus group.
An integrative taxonomic analysis of the Sphenomorphus stellatus group recovered a newly discovered museum specimen from Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam as a new species most closely related to S. preylangensis from Phnom Chi in central Cambodia, approximately 175 km to the northeast. Most notably, S. phuquocensis sp. nov. lacks the derived condition of having black dorsal stripes that diagnose S. annamiticus-the sister species to S. preylangensis plus S. phuquocensis sp. nov. A BioGeoBEARS analysis recovered the ancestor of the S. stellatus group to likely have ranged across forested regions on an exposed Sunda Shelf from southwestern Indochina to Peninsular Malaysia prior to diverging into northern and southern lineages separated by the Gulf of Thailand. Episodic fluctuations in sea levels and concomitant changes in the physiography of the Mekong Delta contributed to the fragmented distribution within and between species of the northern lineage. Sphenomorphus phuquocensis sp. nov. represents the second species of reptile endemic to Phu Quoc Island.


Epidermal stem cell dynamics.
Wong and Reiter have explored the possibility that hair follicle stem cells can give rise to basal cell carcinoma (BCC). They expressed in mice an inducible human BCC-derived oncogenic allele of Smoothened, SmoM2, under the control of either the cytokeratin 14 (K14) or cytokeratin 15 (K15) promoter. Smoothened encodes a G-protein-coupled receptor protein in the hedgehog pathway, the misregulation of which is implicated in BCC and other human cancers. Chronic injury is thought to be a contributing factor. The authors used K14 as a marker for stem cells in the basal layer of the epidermis and K15 as a marker for epidermal stem cells in the bulge of hair follicles. Upon activation, K14 construct-bearing mice readily formed BCC-like tumours, whereas this was not the case in K15:SmoM2-carrying mice. Upon wounding the epidermis, however, there was widespread BCC-like tumour formation in the skin of K15:SmoM2 mice. The authors conclude that wounding recruited bulge epidermal stem cells to the surface, allowing the cells to escape quiescence in the stem cell niche and to arrive in an environment where the hedgehog pathway becomes activated and therefore tumorigenesis is elicited. While this is a provocative result and the authors' conclusion may well be correct, there are alternative explanations.


Liposarcoma of the Spermatic Cord: An Infrequent Pathology.
To describe a rare pathology, the liposarcoma of the spermatic cord (LSC), and discuss its diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of well-differentiated LSC in a 61-year-old man. The main complaint was painless enlargement in the right inguinoscrotal area that appeared 6 months prior to presentation. Ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous and hyperechogenic mass of the right spermatic cord that was highly suspicious of malignancy. Computed tomography confirmed a heterogeneous supratesticular mass. The mass was surgically removed. Pathological examination showed a well-differentiated LSC. The patient did not receive any additional treatment. The follow-up did not present complications or further symptoms and, at present, the patient is in complete remission. LCSs are a very rare entity. The diagnosis is difficult and often mistaken with common scrotal swelling associated with a hernia, hydrocele, or other tumour. Treatment should include complete surgical excision, usually by radical inguinal orchiectomy. A long follow-up period is necessary.


Understanding the sugar beet holobiont for sustainable agriculture.
The importance of crop-associated microbiomes for the health and field performance of plants has been demonstrated in the last decades. Sugar beet is the most important source of sucrose in temperate climates, and-as a root crop-yield heavily depends on genetics as well as on the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes. Bacteria, fungi, and archaea are found in all organs and life stages of the plant, and research on sugar beet microbiomes contributed to our understanding of the plant microbiome in general, especially of microbiome-based control strategies against phytopathogens. Attempts to make sugar beet cultivation more sustainable are increasing, raising the interest in biocontrol of plant pathogens and pests, biofertilization and -stimulation as well as microbiome-assisted breeding. This review first summarizes already achieved results on sugar beet-associated microbiomes and their unique traits, correlating to their physical, chemical, and biological peculiarities. Temporal and spatial microbiome dynamics during sugar beet ontogenesis are discussed, emphasizing the rhizosphere formation and highlighting knowledge gaps. Secondly, potential or already tested biocontrol agents and application strategies are discussed, providing an overview of how microbiome-based sugar beet farming could be performed in the future. Thus, this review is intended as a reference and baseline for further sugar beet-microbiome research, aiming to promote investigations in rhizosphere modulation-based biocontrol options.


Posttransplant Cyclophosphamide for HLA-haploidentical Transplantation in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidosis.
We successfully used a haploidentical transplantation protocol with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (CY) (50 mg/kg/d on days +3 and +4) for in vivo T-cell depletion in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis using reduced-intensive conditioning regimens, followed by a busulfan-based conditioning regimen, which included busulfan (12 to 16 mg/kg) and fludarabine(150 to 200 mg/m)+rabbit antihuman thymocyte globulin (7.5 to 10 mg/kg) as a conditioning regimen. Cyclosporine or tacrolimus, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone were administered to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). After follow-up for a median period of 1.5 years, all 8 patients without preexisting severe comorbidities and early transplant referrals are alive, with 100% donor chimerism and excellent performance status. Only 1 patient developed chronic GVHD(II). We conclude that posttransplant CY is effective in vivo for T-cell depletion to promote full donor engraftment in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis. In addition, with posttransplant CY, the procedure reduced the rate of GVHD and the cost of transplant and improved the patients' quality of life.


Efficacy and safety of emerging immunotherapies in psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. Current biologic therapies are highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis, transforming the lives of patients with this significantly disabling disease. Advances in the understanding of the immunological pathogenesis of psoriasis have led to the development of new biologic therapies, targeting specific inflammatory cytokines upregulated in psoriasis. These include the IL-17 antagonists, secukinumab, brodalumab and ixekizumab; the IL-23 antagonists, guselkumab and tildrakizumab; and the oral small molecule therapies, tofacitinib and apremilast. Here, we review evidence for the efficacy and safety of these novel psoriasis therapies, providing clinicians with an overview of the next era in immunotherapy for psoriasis.


Computational identification of cis-acting elements affecting post-transcriptional control of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Understanding the regulation of gene expression requires the identification of cis -acting control elements that modulate gene function. The recent availability of complete genome sequences and profiles of mRNA expression has facilitated the development and utilization of computational methods to identify discrete regulatory elements. We have developed an oligomer counting method that identifies sequences that occur significantly more often in a group of interest relative to other genes in the genome. The use of a second parameter, which measures the frequency of oligomers within the group of interest, allows the detection of false positive signals caused by very infrequent oligomers that would otherwise appear as significant. Applying this method to gene groups that have a common expression pattern or shared function should identify oligomers that comprise cis -acting control elements. As a test of this method, we applied this approach to a set of intron-containing yeast genes, where we easily identified the known splicing signals as control elements. We have used this training set to examine how this method is affected by the length of the oligomer examined, as well as the size and composition of the gene group. These simulations allowed us to identify rules for selecting groups of genes to analyze. Finally, application of this method to nuclear genes encoding proteins targeted to the mitochondria identified a new putative cis -acting sequence in the 3'-untranslated region of this family of genes, which may play a role in mRNA localization or the regulation of mRNA stability or translation.


CNTs Bridged Basal-Plane-Active 2H-MoS2 Nanosheets for Efficient Robust Electrocatalysis.
2D 2H-phase MoS2 is promising for electrocatalytic applications because of its stable phase, rich edge sites, and large surface area. However, the pristine low-conductive 2H-MoS2 suffers from limited electron transfer and surface activity, which become worse after their highly likely aggregation/stacking and self-curling during applications. In this work, these issues are overcome by conformally attaching the intercalation-detonation-exfoliated, surface S-vacancy-rich 2H-MoS2 onto robust conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which electrically bridge bulk electrode and local MoS2 catalysts. The optimized MoS2 /CNTs nanojunctions exhibit outstanding stable electroactivity (close to commercial Pt/C): a polarization overpotential of 79 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 and the Tafel slope of 33.5 mV dec-1 . Theoretical calculations unveil the metalized interfacial electronic structure of MoS2 /CNTs nanojunctions, enhancing defective-MoS2 surface activity and local conductivity. This work provides guidance on rational design for advanced multifaceted 2D catalysts combined with robust bridging conductors to accelerate energy technology development.


Combined effects of temperature, pressure, and co-solvents on the polymerization kinetics of actin.
In vivo studies have shown that the cytoskeleton of cells is very sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure. In particular, actin filaments get depolymerized when pressure is increased up to several hundred bars, conditions that are easily encountered in the deep sea. We quantitatively evaluate the effects of temperature, pressure, and osmolytes on the kinetics of the polymerization reaction of actin by high-pressure stopped-flow experiments in combination with fluorescence detection and an integrative stochastic simulation of the polymerization process. We show that the compatible osmolyte trimethylamine-N-oxide is not only able to compensate for the strongly retarding effect of chaotropic agents, such as urea, on actin polymerization, it is also able to largely offset the deteriorating effect of pressure on actin polymerization, thereby allowing biological cells to better cope with extreme environmental conditions.


Ulceroproliferative growth on the heel: epithelioma cuniculatum.
Verrucous papules and plaques on the plantar surfaces should not be assumed to be mere warts, especially if the history is unusual. We present a patient with an ulceroproliferative growth on the heel which was found to represent the epithelioma cuniculatum form of squamous cell carcinoma.


Single feature polymorphism discovery in rice.
The discovery of nucleotide diversity captured as single feature polymorphism (SFP) by using the expression array is a high-throughput and effective method in detecting genome-wide polymorphism. The efficacy of such method was tested in rice, and the results presented in the paper indicate high sensitivity in predicting SFP. The sensitivity of polymorphism detection was further demonstrated by the fact that no biasness was observed in detecting SFP with either single or multiple nucleotide polymorphisms. The high density SFP data that can be generated quite effectively by the current method has promise for high resolution genetic mapping studies, as physical location of features are well-defined on rice genome.


Degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures during lithiation and delithiation at 0.8 and 20 A g-1.
Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures have been expected to provide high energy and power densities for lithium ion battery anodes due to the large capacity of Si and the high electrical and ionic conductivities of Ge. Although the battery anode performances of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures have been characterized, the degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we report the compositional and structural changes of the Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure over cycling of lithiation and delithiation at different charging rates. The Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure holds the core and shell structure at a charging rate of 0.8 A g-1 up to 50 cycles. On the other hand, compositional intermixing and loss of Si occur at a charging rate of 20 A g-1 within 50 cycles. The operation condition-dependent degradation provides a new aspect of materials research for the development of high performance lithium ion battery anodes with a long cycle life.


Nanomembrane-Based Therapeutic Plasmapheresis after Non-Invasive Ventilation Failure for Treatment of a Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by a widespread inflammation of the lungs, causing severe hypoxemia. Several mediators have been associated with it and almost all of them are small enough to be filtrated through a nanomembrane. We present a case report of a 41-year-old man with myasthenia gravis in remission; he developed ARDS caused by pneumonia. Although he performed well on both non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, his oxygenation continued to deteriorate. As a last resort of treatment, we decided to apply nanomembrane-based apheresis to cleanse his plasma from the harmful inflammatory mediators. After 3 sessions of plasmapheresis, his condition improved and he was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation. The obtained results gave us ground to assume that the removal of bioactive molecules can be a useful adjunct to protective mechanical ventilation in ARDS.


[Preliminary experience of clinical applications of the 7th UICC-AJCC TNM staging system of esophageal carcinoma].
To compare the instructive value of the 6th and 7th editions of the UICC-AJCC staging system in prognosis of esophageal cancer (EC) patients. The staging and prognosis of 1397 esophageal carcinoma patients undergoing curative resection from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed according to the 6th AJCC staging system and the 7th UICC-AJCC staging system. The 5-year overall survival (OS) of EC patients with curative resection was 38.5% (481/1250 cases), with a follow-up rate of 89.5% (1250/1397 case). In overall terms, both the editions were statistically significant discriminators of OS (P < 0.05). The 5-year OS of stages I, II and III patients were 64.9%, 43.5%, 25.2% according to the 6th edition, and 63.5%, 44.5%, 23.5% according to the 7th edition, respectively. Distinct differences in survival were present among patients categorized as stage Ia and Ib according to the 7th edition (P < 0.05), with a 5-year OS of 80.0% and 58.3%, respectively. Similarly, according to the 7th edition, the 5-year overall survivals (OS) of the stages IIIa, IIIb and IIIc patients were 28.2%, 18.4% and 16.7%, respectively, showing that the prognoses were significantly different (P < 0.05). In addition, according to the 7th edition, the prognoses of patients in stages N0, N1, N2 and N3 were also significantly different (P < 0.01), and the 5-year OS were 50.0%, 31.5%, 18.7% and 16.7%, respectively. Both the 6th and 7th editions of UICC-AJCC staging system are significant discriminators for survival of esophageal cancer patients. The 7th edition is proved to be more accurate in prognosis. The number of lymph node metastases is an important predictor of prognosis.


Mechanistic and Kinetic Study on Self-/Cross- Condensation of PCTA/DT Formation Mechanisms from Three Types of Radicals of 2,4-Dichlorothiophenol.
Chlorothiophenols (CTPs) are known to be key and direct precursors of polychlorinated thianthrene/dibenzothiophenes (PCTA/DTs). Self/cross-coupling of the chlorothiophenoxy radicals (CTPRs), sulfydryl-substituted phenyl radicals and thiophenoxyl diradicals evolving from CTPs are initial and important steps for PCTA/DT formation. In this study, quantum chemical calculations were carried out to investigate the homogenous gas-phase formation of PCTA/DTs from self/cross-coupling of 2,4-dichlorothiophenoxy radical (R1), 2-sulfydryl-3,5-dichlorophenyl radical (R2) and 3,5-dichlorothiophenoxyl diradical (DR) at the MPWB1K/6-311+G(3df,2p)//MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) level. The rate constants of crucial elementary steps were deduced over 600-1200 K, using canonical variational transition state theory with a small curvature tunneling contribution. For the formation of PCTAs, the S•/σ-C• condensation with both thiophenolic sulfur in one radical and ortho carbon in the other radical bonded to single electron is the most efficient sulfur-carbon coupling mode, and the ranking of the PCTA formation potential is DR + DR > R2 + DR > R1 + DR > R1 + R2 > R1 + R1. For the formation of PCDTs, the σ-C•/σ-C• coupling with both ortho carbon in the two radicals bonded to single electron is the energetically favored carbon-carbon coupling mode, and the ranking of the PCDT formation potential is: R2 + DR > R2 + R2 > R1 + DR > R1 + R2 > R1 + R1. The PCTA/DTs could be produced from R1, R2 and DR much more readily than PCDD/DFs from corresponding oxygen substituted radicals.


Effect of canal taper and plugger size on warm gutta-percha obturation of lateral depressions.
This study used transparent epoxy-resin root canal models to evaluate different main root canal tapers and various methods of vertical compaction for warm gutta-percha obturation of lateral depressions. The root canal models had straight main root canals with three tapers and four lateral depressions at right angles to the main root canal, 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm from the apex. Three types of experimental stainless steel pluggers with different flat-tip diameters and tapers were used to compact the warm gutta-percha. The Obtura II was used for obturation. After obturation, the depth of penetration into lateral depressions was measured under a stereoscopic microscope, and the effects of root canal taper and plugger size were analyzed by using two-way analysis of variance. The penetration of warm gutta-percha into lateral depressions using the smallest-diameter plugger decreased with increasing main root canal taper. Penetration into lateral depressions increased with the use of pluggers of the correct size. There was a close relationship between plugger size and canal taper. The results suggest that main root canal taper and plugger size should be closely matched so as to promote gutta-percha obturation of lateral depressions.


Culture, ethnicity, and paranoia.
This paper defines concepts of culture, ethnicity, and paranoia. It then explores the relationship between culture and ethnicity and the development of paranoia both in mental health settings and in the wider world. The importance of cultural awareness training while dealing with an ethnic population in any multicultural setting is emphasized. When exploring paranoia, proper exploration of its genesis is essential to distinguish between pathological and nonpathological paranoia.


[Effectiveness of short course intermittent regimen on different categories of retreated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].
To evaluate the efficacy of short course intermittent regimen in the different categories of retreated patients with tuberculosis. 303 retreated patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were recruited for the study. They were divided into three groups based on the history of tuberculosis and anti-tuberculosis treatment. 87 were in relapse group, 21 in failure group (failure after the initial treatment) and 195 in other retreatment group. Sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and drug susceptibility test were conducted before treatment. The same retreatment regimen (2-3H3R3Z3E3S3/5-6H3R3E3) was employed for all three groups of patients. Drug resistance and the outcomes of three groups of retreatment tuberculosis were analysed. The drug resistance rates and efficacy of retreatment showed no statistical difference among three groups (P > 0.05). In other retreatment group, the drug resistant rate in patients who received anti-TB drugs for more than 12 months (79.5%) was significantly higher than those for less than 12 months (59.8%, 0.01 < P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the successful rates of treatment were 69.4% vs 90.4% between two subgroups, being significantly different (P < 0.001). The successful treatment rate in susceptible patients (93.3%) was significantly higher than that in drug resistant patients (75.3%, P < 0.01). To enhance the efficacy of anti-TB therapy in drug-resistant patients is the key of improving the outcome of retreated patients receiving short course intermittent regimen.


Expression of GCIP in transgenic mice decreases susceptibility to chemical hepatocarcinogenesis.
Transcription factors with helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif play critical roles in controlling the expression of genes involved in lineage commitment, cell fate determination, proliferation, and tumorigenesis. To examine whether the newly identified HLH protein GCIP/CCNDBP1 modulates cell fate determination and plays a role in hepatocyte growth, proliferation, and hepatocarcinogenesis, we generated transgenic mice with human GCIP gene driven by a liver-specific albumin promoter. We demonstrated that in GCIP transgenic mice, the overall liver growth and regeneration occurred normally after liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced mouse hepatocarcinogenesis, we demonstrated that overexpression of GCIP in mouse liver suppressed DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis at an early stage of tumor development. The number of hepatic adenomas at 24 weeks was significantly lower or not detected in GCIP transgenic male mice compared to the control mice under the same treatment. Although GCIP has little inhibition on the number of hepatic tumors at later stages (40 weeks), hepatocellular tumors in GCIP transgenic mice are smaller and well-differentiated compared to the poorly differentiated tumors in wild-type mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate that GCIP functions as a transcriptional suppressor, regulates the expression of cyclin D1, and inhibits anchorage-independent cell growth and colony formation in HepG2 cells, suggesting a significant role of GCIP in tumor initiation and development.


Awareness of Central Luminance Edge is Crucial for the Craik-O'Brien-Cornsweet Effect.
The Craik-O'Brien-Cornsweet (COC) effect demonstrates that perceived lightness depends not only on the retinal input at corresponding visual areas but also on distal retinal inputs. In the COC effect, the central edge of an opposing pair of luminance gradients (COC edge) makes adjoining regions with identical luminance appear to be different. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effect, we examined whether the subjective awareness of the COC edge is necessary for the generation of the effect. We manipulated the visibility of the COC edge using visual backward masking and continuous flash suppression while monitoring subjective reports regarding online percepts and aftereffects of adaptation. Psychophysical results showed that the online percept of the COC effect nearly vanishes in conditions where the COC edge is rendered invisible. On the other hand, the results of adaptation experiments showed that the COC edge is still processed at the early stage even under the perceptual suppression. These results suggest that processing of the COC edge at the early stage is not sufficient for generating the COC effect, and that subjective awareness of the COC edge is necessary.


Electrostatics Generated by a Supramolecular Capsule Stabilizes the Transition State for Carbon-Carbon Reductive Elimination from Gold(III) Complex.
Tetrahedral assemblies of stoichiometry M4L6 have been proven to catalyze a range of chemical reactions including the carbon-carbon reductive elimination reaction from transition metals such as gold. Here, we perform quantum chemical calculations of Gold(III) transition metal complexes in vacuum, and encapsulated in Ga4L612- or Si4L68- assemblies within both a reaction field continuum solvent and in an aqueous molecular environment with counterions, to rationalize the rate enhancements observed experimentally for the reductive elimination reaction. We find that the Ga4L612- assembly lowers the energy barrier of the reaction compared to Si4L68-, which is consistent with kinetic trends observed experimentally. We have determined that the primary factor for catalytic rate acceleration stems from the electrostatic environment emanating from the Ga4L612- capsule as opposed to the water or counterions.


An Overview on Synthetic and Medicinal Perspectives of [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine Scaffold.
[1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine is an important heterocyclic scaffold known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-tubercular, CB2 cannabinoid agonists, feticide, and adenosine antagonists. Several clinical trials and marketed drugs such as Trapidil, Essramycin, Pyroxsulam, DSM-265, Flumetsulam, GNF-6702, and Cevipabulin indicate the potential of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine moiety with various functional groups in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we represent a concise report focusing on the synthetic strategies used for diversely substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine analogs and their pharmacological applications. To the best of our knowledge, since 1980, we are the first to write a review on this emerging scaffold, which reveals the synthetic strategies, and pharmacological activities of differently substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine with special emphasis on structure-activity relationship studies.