Liver Flukes Egg Infection and Associated Risk Factors in White Fulani Cattle Slaughtered in Wukari, Southern Taraba State, Nigeria.
Fasciola, Fascioloides, and Dicrocoelium cause liver fluke diseases in ruminants and are of zoonotic and economic importance. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of liver fluke egg infection in White Fulani Cattle slaughtered in Wukari Cattle market abattoir in Wukari, Taraba State. A total of 262 gallbladders were collected and their contents were analyzed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes using sedimentation technique. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 20 for window and Pearson's Chi-Square (χ 2) was used to evaluate the association between variables. Fasciola and Dicrocoelium eggs were encountered. Only 74 (28.2%) samples were positive for Fasciola egg and 211 (80.5%) for Dicrocoelium. The prevalence of liver fluke infection revealed 25% and 28.6% Fasciola eggs for male and female animals, respectively, while lancet fluke had 83.3% for male and 80.3% for female. Fasciola eggs were recovered in 20.8% of animals aged less 3 years (<3yrs) and 29.9% was recorded in animals 3 years and above (≥ 3yrs) while 81.3% for animals ≥ 3yrs and 77.1% for animals <3yrs were recorded for Dicrocoelium eggs. The body condition score-based prevalence for Fasciola yielded 38.1%, 26.8%, and 14% for poor, average, and good, respectively, while Dicrocoelium yielded 85.7%, 79.3%, and 85.7%. There was a significant difference between the body condition scores for fasciolosis. Only 59% harboured single infection with eggs of Dicrocoelium (P< 0.05) while 6.9% harboured Fasciola eggs. Mixed infection associating Fasciola and Dicrocoelium was observed in 21.4% of the sample cattle. Liver fluke infections: fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis occur among White Fulani cattle in Wukari and these infections are associated with the body condition score of the animals. This greatly affects the cattle production. There is a need to institute adequate control programmes complemented with good well-planned management practices in any production system involving cattle in Wukari.


In Vivo Assessment of Brainstem Depigmentation in Parkinson Disease: Potential as a Severity Marker for Multicenter Studies.
Purpose To investigate the pattern of neuromelanin signal intensity loss within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), locus coeruleus, and ventral tegmental area in Parkinson disease (PD); the specific aims were (a) to study regional magnetic resonance (MR) quantifiable depigmentation in association with PD severity and (b) to investigate whether imaging- and platform-dependent signal intensity variations can be normalized. Materials and Methods This prospective case-control study was approved by the local ethics committee and the research department of Nottingham University Hospitals. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment in the study. Sixty-nine participants (39 patients with PD and 30 control subjects) were investigated with neuromelanin-sensitive MR imaging by using two different 3-T platforms and three differing protocols. Neuromelanin-related volumes of the anterior and posterior SNpc, locus coeruleus, and ventral tegmental area were determined, and normalized neuromelanin volumes were assessed for protocol-dependent effects. Diagnostic test performance of normalized neuromelanin volume was investigated by using receiver operating characteristic analyses, and correlations with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores were tested. Results Reduction of normalized neuromelanin volume in PD was most pronounced in the posterior SNpc (median, -83%; P < .001), followed by the anterior SNpc (-49%; P < .001) and the locus coeruleus (-37%; P < .05). Normalized neuromelanin volume loss of the posterior and whole SNpc allowed the best differentiation of patients with PD and control subjects (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.92 and 0.88, respectively). Normalized neuromelanin volume of the anterior, posterior, and whole SNpc correlated with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores (r2 = 0.25, 0.22, and 0.28, respectively; all P < .05). Conclusion PD-induced neuromelanin loss can be quantified across imaging protocols and platforms by using appropriate adjustment. Depigmentation in PD follows a distinct spatial pattern, affords high diagnostic accuracy, and is associated with disease severity. ©RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.


Seasonal variations in the physiological stress response to discrete bouts of aerial exposure in the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea.
Aerial exposure and acute thermal stress have been shown to elicit profound physiological disruptions in obligate water-breathing teleosts. However, no study has investigated these responses in an elasmobranch. To address this, venous blood samples were collected and evaluated from little skates (Leucoraja erinacea) subjected to discrete aerial exposure durations (0, 15, and 50 min) coupled with differing abrupt thermal changes (gradient between seawater and air; winter: ΔT=-3 °C; summer: ΔT=+9 °C) in two distinct laboratory studies. In general, blood acid-base properties (e.g. decline in pH; elevation in PCO(2)) and select metabolites (elevated whole-blood lactate) and electrolytes (elevated plasma K(+)) were significantly disrupted by aerial exposure, and were most disturbed after skates were exposed to air for 50 min. However, the magnitude of the blood acid-base perturbations, metabolic contribution to the resulting blood acidosis, elevations to ionic and metabolic parameters, and delayed mortality were more extreme during the summer study, suggesting that acute thermal stress exacerbates the physiological impairments associated with aerial exposure in little skates. Conversely, a reduced thermal gradient (from seawater to air) may attenuate the magnitude of metabolic and ionic perturbations, resulting in a high physiological threshold for coping with extended aerial exposure.


High incidence of zidovudine induced anaemia in HIV infected patients in eastern India.
Zidovudine (ZDV) is the preferred nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in the first line antiretroviral regimen in India. It is known to be associated with life threatening toxicity like anaemia. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of ZDV induced anaemia in HIV infected patients initiated on ZDV containing antiretroviral therapy regimen and also to find out the correlates, if any, for causing ZDV induced anaemia. This retrospective study was carried in ART Centre, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi between March 2005 to December 2007. HIV infected patients registered at ART Centre were treated according to guidelines of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Patients (n=1256) with haemoglobin (Hb)>8 g/dl were prescribed ZDV based antiretroviral therapy regimens. Patients developing anaemia (<8 g/dl) with other causes of anaemia excluded were recorded. Correlation of baseline characteristics (age, gender, haemoglobin levels, weight, CD(4) counts and WHO clinical stage) with risk of developing anaemia was also calculated. Two hundred three (16.2%) patients on ZDV regimen developed anaemia (<8 g%); 7.9 per cent (n=100) of these developed severe anaemia (<6.5 g%). Females were more prone to develop anaemia (P=0.026). Age, weight, WHO clinical stage and CD4 counts had no relation to development of anaemia. High incidence of ZDV induced anaemia seen in this study indicates regular monitoring of patients, particularly women on ZDV based antiretroviral regimens.


Ultrastructure of regenerating junctional epithelium in the monkey.
It has been established that after gingivectomy the junctional epithelium is reformed from the oral epithelium but there is little information on the regenerative potential of residual junctional epithelium. In this study reformation of the epithelial attachment in the monkey was followed ultrastructurally after surgical removal of all of, or of part of, the original junctional epithelium by internal or external bevel techniques respectively. In both circumstances a new epithelial attachment developed from the adjacent gingival oral epithelium and residual junctional epithelium appeared to persist as small nests of cells adjacent to the cemento-enamel junction. Epithelialization of the gingival wound was rapid, taking place in as little as 5 days after the partial removal of the junctional epithelium by the external bevel technique and by 10 days in wounds in which the junctional epithelium had been completely excised. This difference in the rate of epithelialization seemed to be primarily related to the quantity of coagulum and cell debris present, the greater amount remaining after the internal bevel technique tending to retard epithelial migration and reattachment.


Risk assessment of debris flow disaster based on the cloud model-Probability fusion method.
This paper proposes a new debris flow risk assessment method based on the Monte Carlo Simulation and an Improved Cloud Model. The new method tests the consistency of coupling weights according to the characteristics of the Cloud Model firstly, so as to determine the weight boundary of each evaluation index. Considering the uncertain characteristics of weights, the Monte Carlo Simulation is used to converge the weights in a minimal fuzzy interval, then the final weight value of each evaluation index is obtained. Finally, a hierarchical comprehensive cloud is established by the Improving Cloud Model, which is used to input the comprehensive expectation composed of weights to obtain the risk level of debris flow. Through statistical analysis, this paper selects Debris flow scale (X1), Basin area (X2), Drainage density (X3), Basin relative relief (X4), Main channel length (X5), Maximum rainfall (X6) as evaluation indexes. A total of 20 debris flow gullies were selected as study cases (8 debris flow gullies as model test, 12 debris flow gullies in reservoir area as example study). The comparison of the final evaluation results with those of other methods shows that the method proposed in this paper is a more reliable evaluation method for debris flow prevention and control.


Interactions Between Physicians and Skilled Home Health Care Agencies in the Certification of Medicare Beneficiaries' Plans of Care: Results of a Nationally Representative Survey.
Physicians are required to certify a plan of care for patients who receive Medicare skilled home health care (SHHC) services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services form 485 (CMS-485) is typically used for certification of SHHC plans of care and for interactions between SHHC agencies and physicians. Little is known about how physicians use the CMS-485 or their perceptions of its usefulness with respect to coordinating care with SHHC agencies. To determine how physicians interact with SHHC agencies and use the CMS-485 in care coordination for patients receiving SHHC services. Mailed survey. Nationally representative random sample. Physicians from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile specializing in family or general medicine (excluding adolescent and sports medicine), geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, internal medicine, or hospice and palliative medicine. Time spent reviewing the plan of care and experiences with making changes and communicating with SHHC clinicians. The response rate after 3 mailings was 53% (1044 of 1968). Of 1005 respondents who provided patient care, 72% had certified at least 1 plan of care in the past year. Nearly half (47%) reported spending less than 1 minute reviewing the CMS-485 before certification, whereas 21% reported spending at least 2 minutes. Physicians typically interacted with multiple SHHC agencies by fax or mail. Approximately 80% rarely or never changed an order on the CMS-485, and 78.3% rarely or never contacted SHHC clinicians with questions about information. The mean reported ease of contacting the SHHC agency was 4.7 (SD, 2.3) on a scale of 1 (easy) to 10 (difficult). Self-reported data and 53% response rate. The CMS-485 does not meaningfully engage physicians. Physicians spend little time reviewing or acting on the SHHC plan of care. Strategies to enhance meaningful communication between SHHC agencies and physicians are needed. National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Mental Health.


Measurement of dose enhancement factor for Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy device using nanoparticle-embedded alginate film and radiochromic film.
Inw nanoparticles-aided radiotherapy, the radiation sensitivity of tumor is increased with the infusion of nanoparticles in tumor. This therapeutic modality is capable of delivering enhanced dose to tumor, without exceeding the normal tissue tolerance dose. Further, the quantification of the enhanced dose using suitable dosimeter is important. The present study is aimed at measuring the dose enhancement factors (DEFs) using the combination of nanoparticles-embedded alginate (Alg) film and unlaminated Gafchromic EBT3 film. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)- and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-embedded Alg polymer films were synthesized and characterized using standard techniques. Further, a customized version of the Gafchromic EBT3 film, i.e., unlaminated EBT3 film, was specially fabricated. The DEFs were measured using Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy device. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and particle size of AuNPs were found to be 550 and 15 ± 2 nm, respectively. In the case of AgNPs, the SPR and particle size were recorded as 400 and 13 ± 2 nm, respectively. The DEFs measured, using unlaminated EBT3 film, for Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy using AuNPs and AgNPs were 1.35 ± 0.02 and 1.20 ± 0.01, respectively. The increase in dose enhancement during nanoparticles-aided electronic brachytherapy can be attributed to dominance of photoelectric effect, due to the presence of low-energy X-rays. The investigation indicates that the Xoft Axxent electronic brachytherapy device is suitable for nanoparticles-aided brachytherapy.


Late-onset post-hemiplegic hemidystonia: CT and angiographic findings.
A 27-year-old woman is described who suffered an acute left hemiplegia at the age of three years and 20 years later she noted the onset of unilateral left limb dystonic movements. Her cranial CT scan showed an area of low density, consistent with longstanding infarction, in the right lentiform nucleus. Cerebral angiography demonstrated aneurysmal dilatation of the terminal portion of the right internal carotid artery, minor irregularity of the lenticulostriate branches of the right middle cerebral artery (suggestive of Moya Moya disease) and occlusion of the right anterior cerebral artery. The dystonic movements improved with levodopa therapy. Clinico-radiological correlation in this case supports recent evidence for a disruption of pathways between the caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus and thalamus in the pathophysiology of hemidystonia.


Natural killer (NK)-dendritic cell interactions generate MHC class II-dressed NK cells that regulate CD4+ T cells.
Natural killer (NK) cells contribute to not only innate but also to adaptive immunity by interacting with dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. All activated human NK cells express HLA-DR and can initiate MHCII-dependent CD4(+) T-cell proliferation; however, the expression of MHCII by mouse NK cells and its functional significance are controversial. In this study, we show that NK-DC interactions result in the emergence of MHCII-positive NK cells. Upon in vitro or in vivo activation, mouse conventional NK cells did not induce MHCII transcripts, but rapidly acquired MHCII protein from DCs. MHCII H2-Ab1-deficient NK cells turned I-A(b)-positive when adoptively transferred into wild-type mice or when cultured with WT splenic DCs. NK acquisition of MHCII was mediated by intercellular membrane transfer called "trogocytosis," but not upon DAP10/12- and MHCI-binding NK cell receptor signaling. MHCII-dressed NK cells concurrently acquired costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86 from DCs; however, their expression did not reach functional levels. Therefore, MHCII-dressed NK cells inhibited DC-induced CD4(+) T-cell responses rather than activated CD4(+) T cells by competitive antigen presentation. In a mouse model for delayed-type hypersensitivity, adoptive transfer of MHCII-dressed NK cells attenuated footpad swelling. These results suggest that MHCII-dressed NK cells generated through NK-DC interactions regulate T cell-mediated immune responses.


Dysfluency and involuntary movements: a new look at developmental stuttering.
Studies using modern imaging techniques suggest that, in developmental stuttering, there is dysfunction within the cortical and subcortical areas of the motor control system wider than that pertaining to speech motor control alone. If this is the case, one might expect motor deficits extending beyond and unrelated to the production of speech in people who stutter. This study explored this proposal by investigating the presence and characteristics of involuntary movements accompanying stuttering. Sixteen adults with developmental stuttering and 16 controls matched for age and sex were audio-videotaped during 5 minutes of conversational speech and reading a passage of 350 words. Audio-data were examined for dysfluencies. Movements of the face, head and upper body considered involuntary and not part of normal facial expression or gesture and not part of the mechanics of speech were identified and described from muted video-data. Subjects who stuttered had a higher proportion of classic (within-word) dysfluencies accompanied by involuntary movements (IMs) than controls during speech (24.4% vs. 4.5%, p = .054) and reading (28.6% vs. 4.9%, p = .033). There was no difference in proportion of classic dysfluencies accompanied by IMs between speech and reading for either group. IMs were also seen in both groups during fluent speech, with a similar incidence during free speech (3.9% vs. 3.0%, NS) but a greater incidence in the subjects who stuttered during reading (2.4% vs. 0.8%, p = .03). In contrast, there was no difference between the two groups for IMs accompanying normal (between-word) dysfluencies. This suggests that classic and normal dysfluency and their accompanying IMs have different etiologies. The notion that stuttering and IMs are due to altered function in a motor control system wider than that of speech motor control alone is supported by a higher incidence of IMs in people who stutter during both classic dysfluencies and fluent speech.


Dutch Adolescents' Everyday Expressions of Sexual Behavior Trajectories Over a 2-Year Period: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Using an extended definition of sexuality, this mixed-methods study builds on existing research into adolescents' emergent sexual development by longitudinally examining adolescents' sexual behavior trajectories (i.e., from less to more intimate sexual behavior). Over a 2-year period, 45 adolescents (M age = 15.9 years) reported on their sexual behavior using questionnaires and on their everyday expressions of sexuality in the form of semi-structured diaries. Cluster analysis using the questionnaire data identified three sexual behavior trajectories: a non-sexually active trajectory (meaning no or minor sexual behavior) (n = 29), a gradually sexually active trajectory (meaning step-by-step sexual behavior development) (n = 12), and a fast sexually active trajectory (meaning rapid sexual behavior development) (n = 4). Qualitative analysis using diaries revealed the following themes: romantic versus sex-related topics, desires, uncertainties, and references to the social context. In general, all adolescents reported more about romantic aspects of sexuality (than about sexual acts) in the diaries, regardless of their sexual behavior trajectory. Sexually active adolescents (i.e., gradual and fast) were more concerned with sexuality in their diaries, especially more with the physical aspects of sexuality, than non-active adolescents. Gradual adolescents experienced more desires about physical sexual contact and reported fewer references to their social network than non-active and fast adolescents. The findings suggest that sexual education that discusses the internal experiences of sexuality, such as feelings and thoughts, particularly the romantic aspects, may help adolescents process their preferences for different sexual and romantic acts and may contribute to healthy sexual development.


MicroRNAs as Clinical Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools in Perioperative Medicine.
Over the past decade, evolutionarily conserved, noncoding small RNAs-so-called microRNAs (miRNAs)-have emerged as important regulators of virtually all cellular processes. miRNAs influence gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of protein-coding RNA, leading to its degradation and translational repression. In medicine, miRNAs have been revealed as novel, highly promising biomarkers and as attractive tools and targets for novel therapeutic approaches. miRNAs are currently entering the field of perioperative medicine, and they may open up new perspectives in anesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of the biology of miRNAs and their potential role in human disease. We highlight current paradigms of miRNA-mediated effects in perioperative medicine and provide a survey of miRNA biomarkers in the field known so far. Finally, we provide a perspective on miRNA-based therapeutic opportunities and perspectives.


The objective structured clinical examination in undergraduate psychiatry.
Inadequate attention has been given to verifying the psychometric attributes of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), yet its popularity has been increasing in recent years. Our 6 years' experience in Nigeria showed that OSCE is practicable in undergraduate psychiatry assessment and there is evidence over consecutive years that it has satisfactory reliability and criterion-based validity. The importance of students' feedback in assessing the quality of examination is reinforced, and subtle, less tangible elements which determine students' performance, such as social interactional mystique and some personality traits, are worthy of evaluative research.


[Study on periodic changes in onset of aortic dissection].
Objective: To investigate theperiodic changes in onset of aortic dissection. Methods: The clinical data of 1 121 patients with acute aortic dissection from Hebei province, treated at Fuwai hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016, were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The regularity for the onset of aortic dissection was analyzed according to daytime (1:00 to 6:00, 7:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 18:00, and 19:00 to 24:00), weekday, month, and quarter. Meanwhile,the differences in various type of aortic dissection patient were also compared. Results: The patients were (51.4±12.0) years old,77.88% (873 cases)were male and 69.05% (774 cases) were type A aortic dissection.The peak period for the onset of the disease in a day was from 13:00 to 18:00 (401 cases. 35.77%),and disease onset was less frequent from 1:00 to 6:00 (196 cases, 17.48%).The peak weekday of disease onset was Monday (173 cases, 15.43%) , and disease onset was less frequent on Friday (153 cases, 13.65%) . The peak month of disease onset was January (135 cases, 12.04%), and disease onset was less frequent in July(54 cases, 4.82%). The peak season of disease onset was winter (349 cases, 31.13%), and disease onset was less frequent in summer (184 cases, 16.41%). Number of disease onset was similar between ≥65 years old and<65 years old groups, with or without hypertension groups, with or without Marfan syndrome groups at different periods of a day, each weekday, and seasons(all P>0.05). Conclusion: There are periodic changes in the onset of acute aortic dissection,which is higher in winter than in summer, higher in the afternoon than in the morning.


Pd(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Oxidative 1,2-Diamination of Conjugated Dienes with Ureas.
A palladium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-diamination of 1,3-dienes with readily available dialkylureas was established by using a chiral pyridine-oxazoline ligand. The diamination reaction exclusively occurs at the terminal C-C double bond of the 1,3-dienes to give 4-vinylimidazolidin-2-ones in high yields and with excellent levels of enantioselectivity (up to 99% yield, 97% ee). The reaction could feasibly be applied for gram-scale synthesis with a 1:1 ratio of the diene and the urea.


Methods of killing employed by psychotic parricides.
Lewis, et al. in 1998 showed that psychotic women are more likely to use a weapon than nonpsychotic women to kill their children. This study presents data concerning psychotic parricide. Analysis indicated that a higher percentage used a weapon (81% versus 36%) than psychotic filicide. Reasons for this difference are discussed.


Efficient copper-free PdCl2(PCy3)2-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of aryl chlorides with terminal alkynes.
Under copper-free conditions and with Cs2CO3 as a base, PdCl2(PCy3)2 showed high catalytic activity for cross-coupling of electron-rich, electron-neutral, and electron-deficient aryl chlorides with a variety of terminal alkynes in DMSO at 100-120 degrees C affording internal arylated alkynes in good to excellent yields.


A new syndrome of tufting enteropathy and choanal atresia, with ophthalmologic, hematologic and hair abnormalities.
Three siblings are reported with a syndrome of intractable diarrhea of infancy (owing to tufting enteropathy) and choanal atresia/stenosis. Additional components of this condition are a mild shortness of stature, a prominent and broad nasal bridge, micrognathia, single palmar creases, chronic corneal inflammation, episodic cytopenia, and abnormal hair texture. Intelligence is normal, and there is no immunodeficiency distinguishing this syndrome from that reported by Girault et al. (1994). Additional features that might occur in this syndrome include bifid uvula, preauricular pits, and 2/3 toe syndactyly. We compare this syndrome with previously reported intractable diarrhea syndromes and speculate on the developmental mechanisms that could account for many of the features demonstrated by this sibship.


Altered phenotype and function of blood dendritic cells in multiple sclerosis are modulated by IFN-beta and IL-10.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is assumed to result from autoaggressive T cell-mediated immune responses, in which T helper type 1 (Th1) cells producing cytokines, e.g. IFN-gamma and lymphotoxin promote damage of oligodendrocyte-myelin units. Dendritic cells (DCs) as potent antigen presenting cells initiate and orchestrate immune responses. Whether phenotype and function of DCs with respect to Th1 cell promotion are altered in MS, are not known. This study revealed that blood-derived DCs from MS patients expressed low levels of the costimulatory molecule CD86. In addition, production of IFN-gamma by blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) was strongly enhanced by DCs derived from MS patients. IFN-beta and IL-10 inhibited the costimulatory capacity of DCs in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and showed additive effects on suppression of IL-12 production by DCs. Correspondingly, DCs pretreated with IFN-beta and IL-10 significantly suppressed IFN-gamma production by MNCs. IFN-beta in vitro also upregulated CD80 and, in particular, CD86 expression on DCs. In vitro, anti-CD80 antibody remarkably increased, while anti-CD86 antibody inhibited DC-induced IL-4 production in MLR. We conclude that DC phenotype and function are altered in MS, implying Th1-biased responses with enhanced capacity to induce Th1 cytokine production. In vitro modification of MS patients' DCs by IFN-beta and IL-10 could represent a novel way of immunomodulation and of possible usefulness for future immunotherapy of MS.


Dietary intakes of carotenoids and other nutrients in the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case-control study in Italy.
Dietary habits have been related to the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but information on a wide range of macro- and micronutrients is still lacking, particularly for low-incidence countries. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in Italy on 198, histologically confirmed, NPC cases of Caucasian ethnicity of 18-76 years of age. Controls were 594 Caucasian cancer-free patients admitted to general hospitals for acute conditions. Nutrients intake was assessed through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated through logistic regression. Dietary intake of carotenoids were inversely related to NPC risk, notably carotene (OR for highest vs lowest quartile=0.46; 95% CI: 0.26-0.79), α-carotene (OR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.33-0.97), and β-carotene (OR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.24-0.75). Increased NPC risk was observed for elevate cholesterol intake (OR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.12-3.05). Study findings suggest a protective effect of carotenoids against NPC in a low-risk population, adding further support to a possible beneficial role of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables in cancers of the head and neck.


Association between attachment anxiety and the gaze direction-related N170.
Attachment theory suggests that interindividual differences in attachment security versus insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) contribute to the ways in which people perceive social emotional signals, particularly from the human face. Among different facial features, eye gaze conveys crucial information for social interaction, with a straight gaze triggering different cognitive and emotional processes as compared to an averted gaze. It remains unknown, however, how interindividual differences in attachment associate with early face encoding in the context of a straight versus averted gaze. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and recording event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically the N170 component, the present study (N = 50 healthy adults) measured how the characteristics of attachment anxiety and avoidance relate to the encoding of faces with respect to gaze direction and head orientation. Our findings reveal a significant relationship between gaze direction (irrespective of head orientation) and attachment anxiety on the interhemispheric (i.e. right) asymmetry of the N170 and thus provide evidence for an association between attachment anxiety and eye gaze processing during early visual face encoding.


Duodenal duplication cyst with profound elevation of intracystic carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): a rare but important differential in the diagnosis of cystic tumours of the pancreas.
Enteric duplication cysts are rare lesions of uncertain incidence and natural history. Pre-operative confirmation of diagnosis can be difficult. This case reports an adult duodenal duplication cyst presenting with grossly elevated intra-lesional levels of tumour markers. A 57-year-old female was found to have a complex cystic lesion of the head of the pancreas. Intra-lesional fluid analysis revealed a grossly elevated CA 19-9 and CEA. Resection was undertaken under the assumption that this was a cystic tumour. Macroscopic examination after opening the duodenum revealed a villous, circumferential tumour in the proximal duodenum measuring 4 cm in length. A cystic lesion was present in the medial wall of the tumour and did not communicate with the duodenal lumen. Microscopically, the tumour comprised Brunner's gland hyperplasia with associated mucosal thickening. The wall of the underlying cystic lesion was comprised of muscularis formed by the outer muscle coat of the duodenal wall. The final diagnosis was of a duodenal duplication cyst. There was no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. This is the first report of a duodenal duplication cyst having elevated intra-cyst fluid levels of amylase, carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Although rare, this is an important differential diagnosis in the management of cystic tumours of the pancreas.


Folliculin interacts with p0071 (plakophilin-4) and deficiency is associated with disordered RhoA signalling, epithelial polarization and cytokinesis.
Inherited mutations in the folliculin (FLCN) gene cause the Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome of familial hair follicle tumours (fibrofolliculomas), lung cysts and kidney tumours. Though folliculin has features of a tumour suppressor, the precise function of the FLCN gene product is not well characterized. We identified plakophilin-4 (p0071) as a potential novel folliculin interacting protein by yeast two-hybrid analysis. We confirmed the interaction of folliculin with p0071 by co-immunoprecipitation studies and, in view of previous studies linking p0071 to the regulation of rho-signalling, cytokinesis and intercellular junction formation, we investigated the effect of cell folliculin status on p0071-related functions. Folliculin and p0071 partially co-localized at cell junctions and in mitotic cells, at the midbody during cytokinesis. Previously, p0071 has been reported to regulate RhoA signalling during cytokinesis and we found that folliculin deficiency was associated with increased expression and activity of RhoA and evidence of disordered cytokinesis. Treatment of folliculin-deficient cells with a downstream inhibitor of RhoA signalling (the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632) reversed the increased cell migration phenotype observed in folliculin-deficient cells. Deficiency of folliculin and of p0071 resulted in tight junction defects and mislocalization of E-cadherin in mouse inner medullary collecting duct-3 renal tubular cells. These findings suggest that aspects of folliculin tumour suppressor function are linked to interaction with p0071 and the regulation of RhoA signalling.


User-friendly stereoselective one-pot access to 1,4-diazepane derivatives by a cyclodehydrative three-component reaction with 1,3-dicarbonyls.
A multicomponent reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyls with 1,2-diamines and aromatic aldehydes is described for the direct stereoselective synthesis of 1,4-diazepane derivatives. Various reaction conditions were tested, including an efficient, user-friendly solvent- and catalyst-free procedure.


Origin of the accumulation layer at the InN/a-In2O3 interface.
We perform first-principles Density Functional Theory calculations for the amorphous In2O3/InN (11̅00) heterostructure. Our results suggest that the interface between InN and its native amorphous oxide is a type "I" interface as observed in X-ray photoemission spectroscopy data for the same materials in the crystalline form. The microscopic analysis of the system reveals the presence of peculiar structural features localized at the interface, such as the formation of N-O bonds and the existence of N dangling bonds, that are responsible for donor states. These findings shed light on the origin of the electron accumulation layer occurring at the interface in spontaneously oxidized InN nanowires, recently associated with the observed increase in conductivity for such systems.


Alcohol drinking patterns and blood pressure.
Although blood pressure tends to increase with average alcohol consumption, little is known about the effects of drinking patterns on blood pressure. Therefore, the effects of average drinks per day and drinking pattern (defined as the independent and interactive effects of quantity and frequency) on blood pressure were compared. Data were obtained from a random sample survey of 1,635 household residents in Erie County, New York. Alcohol-blood pressure relationships were examined using multiple regression analyses that controlled for the potentially confounding influence of 13 additional risk factors for elevated blood pressure. Consistent with prior research, a positive relationship was found between average drinks per day and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Analyses examining the effect of drinking pattern indicated that drinking frequency had a positive effect on both diastolic and systolic blood pressure, whereas drinking quantity did not affect either. Furthermore, there was little evidence that the frequency-by-quantity interaction affected blood pressure. Low average alcohol intake and low blood pressure were associated with infrequent drinking, rather than with frequent drinking of small amounts of alcohol. Results suggest that the standard practice of averaging alcohol consumption may obscure important effects of drinking frequency on health.


A randomized controlled trial of mite allergen-impermeable bed covers in adult mite-sensitized asthmatics.
Mite-allergic patients with allergic disease should benefit from avoiding mite allergens. Many physicians, however, are yet to be convinced that allergen avoidance can make a significant contribution to asthma management in these patients. Many allergen-avoidance regimes include multiple measures of allergen reduction, but as mite exposure in the home is most likely to be greatest in bed dust, bedding is usually the first target for intervention. This study selected adult patients considered to be most likely to benefit from avoiding mite allergens, namely diagnosed asthmatics, sensitized to house dust mites and exposed to mite allergen in their mattresses. Patients were randomized into a placebo-controlled trial of the use of allergen-impermeable bed covers for 12 months, without any other form of mite-reduction measures. Adults with asthma were selected from general practices and asthma clinics in south-east London. Their serum IgE to mite allergens and allergen content of mattress dust samples were measured. Those with >0.70 kU/L mite-specific IgE and >2 microg/g Der p 1 were randomized into active or placebo treatments. Information was collected on allergic symptoms and medication use and quarterly peak flow diaries were kept throughout the trial. Dog or cat allergic patients were excluded if they had a pet at home to which they were sensitized. The mean decrease in microg/g Der p 1 was 25.7 (95% CI 8.9, 74.1) in the active group and 4.5 (95% CI 1.8, 11.5) in the placebo group. Der p 1 concentrations in the active and placebo groups at the end of the trial were not significantly different. There was no effect on peak flow or asthma symptoms in a simple comparison of the treatment and placebo groups. In this group of patients, mite allergen avoidance in the bed by the use of allergen-impermeable bedding alone cannot be recommended as an effective way of relieving asthma symptoms.


One-year follow-up of microbial diversity in bioaerosols emitted in a waste sorting plant in France.
Bioaerosols emitted in waste sorting plants (WSP) can induce some adverse health effects on the workers such as rhinitis, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The composition of these bioaerosols is scarcely known and most of the time assessed using culture-dependent methods. Due to the well-known limitations of cultural methods, these biodiversity measurements underestimate the actual microbial taxon richness. The aim of the study was to assess the airborne microbial biodiversity by using a sequencing method in a French waste sorting plant (WSP) for one year and to investigate the main factors of variability of this biodiversity. Static sampling was performed in five areas in the plant and compared to an indoor reference (IR), using closed-face cassettes (10 L.min-1) with polycarbonate membranes, every month for one year. Environmental data was measured (temperature, relative humidity). After DNA extraction, microbial biodiversity was assessed by means of sequencing. Bacterial genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas and fungal genera Wallemia, Cladosporium, Debaryomyces, Penicillium, Alternaria were the most predominant airborne microorganisms. Microbial biodiversity was different in the plant compared to the IR and seemed to be influenced by the season.


Immunohistochemical distribution of type I, II and III collagens in the rabbit supraspinatus tendon insertion.
The collagen fibres in the area of attachment of the supraspinatus tendon to bone were studied immunohistochemically in 12 mature female New Zealand white rabbits. The labelling of type I collagen was uniformly prominent in the bone as well as in the fascicles of the tendon proper but inconspicuously scattered in the unmineralised and mineralised zones of the fibrocartilage. Type II collagen, not detected in the tendon proper, was widespread in both zones of the fibrocartilage. Type III collagen, on the other hand, appeared to be confined mainly to the zone of unmineralised fibrocartilage, in addition to its presence in the endotenon of the tendon proper. The region of the tidemark failed to show immunostaining for any of the collagen fibre types. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that, although all the principal fibrous collagen types are constituents of the supraspinatus tendon at its attachment site, the distribution pattern of immunolabelling varies from zone to zone.


Solvent-free synthesis and crystal structure of (Ph3PI)I5, the third member in the series Ph3P(I2)n (n = 1, 2 and 3).
Red crystals of iodotriphenylphosphonium pentaiodide, C18H15IP+.I5-, appear on cooling the black melt formed by heating a mixture of the commonplace reagents triphenylphosphine and molecular iodine. The compound has the highest I:P ratio hitherto established for a crystalline iodophosphonium polyiodide and constitutes the third member of the series Ph3P(I2)n (n = 1, 2 and 3). All atoms occupy general positions in the triclinic space group P-1. Comparison of the bond lengths within the above series reveals a pattern of primary and secondary bonding that is highly reminiscent of the much studied polyiodides, I(-)2n+1, where one of the I2 moieties has been replaced by a P-I group.


[Controlled release diltiazem in monotherapy of hypertension--time of drug administration and circadian blood pressure pattern].
30 patients with primary mild to moderate hypertension (DBP 95-110 mm Hg) were treated with long acting diltiazem (120 or 240 mg) once daily in the morning (7.00-8.00 a.m.) for at least 3 weeks and after that the administration time was changed to evening dose (19.00-20.00 p.m.) for next 3 weeks. 24-hours ABPM was performed in all patients on the last day of each period. Obtained recordings were compared in different periods of time: total 24 hours, 6.00-23.00, 23.00-6.00, 4.30-8.00, 5.00-11.00, 20.00-2.00. Mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and pressure load (defined as percentage of records above 140/90 mm Hg in day and above 120/80 mm Hg at night) did not differ significantly between investigated dosage regimens. The evening administration of diltiazem did not produce greater decrease of BP at night than the morning dose. For this reason slow release formulation of diltiazem (oxycardil in doses of 120 to 240 mg) can be safely administered in the evening if needed.


A protease inhibitor, NCO-700, improves the contractile function in stunned canine myocardium.
To explore the role of calcium-dependent protease in the stunned myocardium, open-chest dogs underwent 15 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Dogs received a single bolus intravenous injection of either the protease inhibitor NCO-700 (n = 6) or saline (n = 6) 1 min before reperfusion followed by a 30-min infusion at the same dose. Regional myocardial function was assessed in terms of systolic wall thickening with an epicardial Doppler probe. The two groups exhibited comparable systolic thickening under baseline conditions and similar degrees of dyskinesis during occlusion. After reperfusion, recovery of contractile function, expressed as a percentage of the baseline value, was significantly greater in NCO-700-treated dogs as than in control dogs: -14.3 +/- 10.6 vs -48.9 +/- 7.2 (p < 0.05) at 15 min, 10.8 +/- 10.3 vs -31.1 +/- 9.0 (p < 0.05) at 30 min, 42.5 +/- 10.1 vs -16.4 +/- 9.1 (p < 0.005) at 1 h, and 47.5 +/- 8.3 vs -14.9 +/- 9.4 (p < 0.001) at 2 h. The data suggest that the protease inhibitor markedly improved contractile function in stunned myocardium by inhibiting intracellular protease activity.


Association study of SNAP25 and schizophrenia in Irish family and case-control samples.
SNAP25 occurs on chromosome 20p12.2, which has been linked to schizophrenia in some samples, and recently linked to latent classes of psychotic illness in our sample. SNAP25 is crucial to synaptic functioning, may be involved in axonal growth and dendritic sprouting, and its expression may be decreased in schizophrenia. We genotyped 18 haplotype-tagging SNPs in SNAP25 in a sample of 270 Irish high-density families. Single marker and haplotype analyses were performed in FBAT and PDT. We adjusted for multiple testing by computing q values. Association was followed up in an independent sample of 657 cases and 411 controls. We tested for allelic effects on the clinical phenotype by using the method of sequential addition and 5 factor-derived scores of the OPCRIT. Nine of 18 SNPs had P values <0.05 in either FBAT or PDT for one or more definitions of illness. Several two-marker haplotypes were also associated. Subjects inheriting the risk alleles of the most significantly associated two-marker haplotype were likely to have higher levels of hallucinations and delusions. The most significantly associated marker, rs6039820, was observed to perturb 12 transcription-factor binding sites in in silico analyses. An attempt to replicate association findings in the case-control sample resulted in no SNPs being significantly associated. We observed robust association in both single marker and haplotype-based analyses between SNAP25 and schizophrenia in an Irish family sample. Although we failed to replicate this in an independent sample, this gene should be further tested in other samples.


Coordination processes and outcomes in the public service: the challenge of inter-organizational food safety coordination in Norway.
In 2004 Norway implemented a food safety reform programme aimed at enhancing inter-organizational coordination processes and outcomes. Has this programme affected inter-organizational coordination processes and outcomes, both vertically and horizontally – and if so how? This article employs the concept of inter-organizational coordination as an analytical tool, examining it in the light of two theoretical perspectives and coupling it with the empirical findings. The argument presented is that the chances of strong coordination outcomes may increase if inter-organizational processes feature a clear division of labour, arenas for coordination, active leadership, a lack of major conflicting goals, and shared obligations.


Adherence to a sodium-restricted diet is associated with lower symptom burden and longer cardiac event-free survival in patients with heart failure.
To determine whether adherence to a sodium-restricted diet affects symptom burden and cardiac event-free survival in patients with heart failure. The recommendation of an sodium-restricted diet is a standard component of HF management. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether adherence to sodium-restricted diet is actually associated with improvements in symptom burden and cardiac event-free survival. A prospective cohort study. A total of 232 patients [71% male, 65 ± 10 years, 63% New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV, ejection fraction (EF) 30 ± 9%] with HF received 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (24-hr UNa) assessments and were divided into two groups using a cut-off value of 3 g 24-hr UNa. Symptom burden, including the frequency and severity of heart failure symptoms, was assessed according to the modified Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Heart Failure with a higher score indicating a greater symptom burden. Cardiac event-free survival over a 12-month period was determined by reviewing medical records. Patients with 24-hr UNa ≥ 3 g exhibited greater symptom burdens (β = 0·23, p < 0·001) in hierarchical linear regression analyses and shorter cardiac event-free survival [hazard ratio = 1·81, 95% confidence interval = 1·17-2·80) than patients with 24-hr UNa < 3 g in hierarchical Cox hazards regressions, after controlling for age, gender, HF aetiology, body mass index, NYHA class, EF, and total comorbidity score. If sodium intake is limited to less than 3 g/day, symptom burden and clinical health outcomes can be improved in HF patients. Health care providers need to help patients understand the rationale for an sodium-restricted diet to prevent worsening heart failure symptoms and unnecessary cardiac events. Continuous monitoring for dietary sodium intake as well as worsening heart failure symptoms should be emphasised in patient education.


The silent killer: psychological issues in ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer represents about 4% of all cancers in women and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States each year. Ovarian cancer is associated with uncertainty, anxiety, and depression. Many women present with advanced disease at diagnosis and are faced with aggressive surgical and medical protocols to treat them. To meet the needs of women with ovarian cancer, the effects of their physical problems on psychological adjustment must be identified. Health care professionals must closely monitor women with ovarian cancer to identify those who may require ongoing psychological care or psychiatric intervention. This article presents an overview of ovarian cancer, focusing on the psychological effects, and an intervention by oncology nurse specialists to address both the physical and emotional distress that accompanies ovarian cancer. The importance of screening for psychological distress is emphasized.


Prevalence and risk factors associated with self-reported psychological distress among college students during the omicron outbreak in Shanghai.
More and more attention has been paid to the mental health of students in higher education. The Omicron outbreak has brought renewed attention to this vulnerable group. To understand the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms of college students in a closed state. This large cross-sectional study using data from a survey on the mental health of college students in Shanghai (China), conducted by using a stratified cluster random sampling method between March 15th and April 15th, 2022. To estimate results related to regional location, only data from students with Internet protocol addresses and current addresses in Shanghai were included. The main outcome was self-reported psychological distress (including depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-assessment of health), measured using the epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D), the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and self-rated mental health (SRMH), respectively. Moreover, the Simplified Coping Style Scale (SCSS) was also used to assess how participants coped with negative emotions. Among 13,000 college students who completed the survey, 12,124 students were included in the final analysis, and the total effective rate was 93.3%. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were 14.1 and 9.8%, respectively. By using Multivariate logistics regression analysis, we found that being male and negative coping were risk factors for depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms, while positive coping, such as study or learning, were protective factors. Moreover, linear regression analysis showed that learning or study improved the overall mental health index by improving anxiety or depressive symptoms, and played a partial mediating role. These findings suggest that a significant number of college students, especially boys, will experience emotional problems during the course of closed schools. Therefore, we need to give them proper attention and advise them to adopt positive coping strategies, such as learning or study, to resist bad emotions.


Surgical anti-infective mechanical therapy for peri-implantitis: a clinical report with a 12-month follow-up.
According to previous studies, bacterial infection plays the most important role in the late failures of dental implants. Peri-implantitis has been described as a site-specific infection that causes soft tissue inflammation and bone loss around osseointegrated implants that have performed masticatory functions. To reduce the number of pathogenic species and improve the clinical parameters (that is, probing depth, bleeding on probing, and suppuration) around dental implants, several anti-infective therapies have been developed for peri-implantitis. However, recent reviews have not identified sufficient evidence to support an ideal anti-infective protocol for this disease. This article presents a case of advanced peri-implantitis that was treated with a single surgical anti-infective mechanical therapy. A follow-up visit 12 months post-treatment showed improved clinical features.


Controlling Topology within Halogen-Bonded Networks by Varying the Regiochemistry of the Cyclobutane-Based Nodes.
The formation of a pair of extended networks sustained by halogen bonds based upon two regioisomers of a photoproduct, namely rctt-1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane (ht-PP) and rctt-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane (hh-PP), that have varied topology is reported. These networks are held together via I⋯N halogen bonds between the photoproduct and the halogen-bond donor 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene (C6I2Cl4). The observed topology in each solid is controlled by the regiochemical position of the halogen-bond accepting 4-pyridyl group. This paper demonstrates the ability to vary the topology of molecular networks by altering the position of the halogen bond acceptor within the cyclobutane-based node.


Evaluation of p53 and Ki67 Expression Profiles in Basal Cell Carcinomas in a Usual and an Unusual Location.
Owing to their importance in cell proliferation in cutaneous malignancies, we aimed to immunohistochemically compare the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases in both a usual and an unusual locations in this study. In this study we included 12 in an unusual location of BCC cases and 21 BCC cases in a usual location. Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Ki67 antibodies were studied in 33 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of basal cell carcinoma. We compared the p53 and Ki67 staining scores with clinicopathologic features. The tumor size was found to be greater in BCC cases in an unusual location than those in a usual location. The relationship between age and tumor size was also evaluated in both groups and it was found that tumor size increased with age. A comparative study between the two groups showed no difference p53 and Ki67 expression percentages. There was a linear correlation between the Ki67 and p53 marker staining rates (ρ=0.420; p=0.015). In the samples taken from cases in a usual region, there was a linear and moderate relationship between the markers (ρ=0.513; p=0.017). Median tumor diameter results were similar to the marker staining score (p > 0.05). This is the first study comparing the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 of BCC cases in an unusual and a usual location. No significant difference was found concerning Ki67 and p53 expression levels between the two groups.


A Phase Ib/II Study of Sabizabulin, a Novel Oral Cytoskeleton Disruptor, in Men with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer with Progression on an Androgen Receptor-targeting Agent.
Sabizabulin, an oral cytoskeleton disruptor, was tested in a phase Ib/II clinical study in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The phase Ib portion utilized a 3+3 design with escalating daily oral doses of 4.5-81 mg and increasing schedule in 39 patients with mCRPC treated with one or more androgen receptor-targeting agents. Prior taxane chemotherapy was allowed. The phase II portion tested a daily dose of 63 mg in 41 patients with no prior chemotherapy. Efficacy was assessed using PCWG3 and RECIST 1.1 criteria. The MTD was not defined in the phase Ib and the recommended phase II dose was set at 63 mg/day. The most common adverse events (>10% frequency) at the 63 mg oral daily dosing (combined phase Ib/II data) were predominantly grade 1-2 events. Grade ≥3 events included diarrhea (7.4%), fatigue (5.6%), and alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase elevations (5.6% and 3.7%, respectively). Neurotoxicity and neutropenia were not observed. Preliminary efficacy data in patients treated with ≥1 continuous cycle of 63 mg or higher included objective response rate in 6 of 29 (20.7%) patients with measurable disease (1 complete, 5 partial) and 14 of 48 (29.2%) patients had PSA declines. The Kaplan-Meier median radiographic progression-free survival was estimated to be 11.4 months (n = 55). Durable responses lasting >2.75 years were observed. This clinical trial demonstrated that chronic oral daily dosing of sabizabulin has a favorable safety profile with preliminary antitumor activity. These data support the ongoing phase III VERACITY trial of sabizabulin in men with mCRPC.


Development of an integrated microanalytical system for analysis of lead in saliva and linkage to a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model describing lead saliva secretion.
There is a need to develop reliable portable analytical systems for biomonitoring lead (Pb) in noninvasively collected saliva samples. In addition, appropriate pharmacokinetic analyses are used to quantitate systemic dosimetry based on the saliva Pb concentrations. A portable microfluidics/electrochemical device was developed for the rapid analysis of Pb based on square wave anodic stripping voltammetry, in which a saliva sample flows over an electrode surface, Pb2+ is chemically reduced and accumulated, and the electric potential of the electrode scanned. The system demonstrates a good linear response over a broad Pb concentration range (1-2000 ppb). To evaluate the relationship between saliva and blood Pb, rats were treated with single oral doses ranging from 20 to 500 mg Pb/kg of body weight, and 24 hours later were administered pilocarpine, a muscarinic agonist to induce salivation. To correlate saliva levels with internal dose, blood and saliva were collected and quantitated for Pb by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and by the microanalytical system. The quantitation with the microanalytical system was slightly less (approximately 75-85%) than with ICP-MS; however, the response was linear, with concentration suggesting that it can be used for the quantitation of salivary Pb. To facilitate modeling, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for Pb was modified to incorporate a salivary gland compartment. The model was capable of predicting blood and saliva Pb concentration based on a limited data set. These results are encouraging, suggesting that once fully developed the microanalytical system coupled with PBPK modeling can be used as important tools for real-time biomonitoring of Pb for both occupational and environmental exposures.


Gender and poverty in South Africa in the era of HIV/AIDS: a quantitative study.
Recent research identifies gender inequality as a driver of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The feminization of poverty is also increasingly apparent, as is the disproportionate vulnerability of members of female-headed households. We sought to examine the relationships among sex, gender, age, HIV status, and socioeconomic characteristics, focusing on heads and nonheads of households. We interviewed 6,338 men and 10,057 women. Significantly more males (51.4%) than females (34.8%) indicated that they were heads of households (p < 0.001). Female heads of households were significantly more likely to be infected with HIV than their male counterparts (17.9% vs. 13.1%). Among 15-24-year-old males, those who are often without cash are more likely to be infected with HIV than those who are never without cash (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.17-9.49). Similar results were observed among females, who sometimes had no cash (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.22-2.82), and among adults aged >or=25 years. Results confirmed that age and gender are related to HIV infection in South Africa and that poverty is a social determinant for HIV infection across all age groups. However, sex is a determinant only among the younger age groups. Young female heads of household are more likely to be poor and are more likely to be HIV positive. The results indicate that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa is characterized by gender inequalities. Young women are more likely to be HIV infected, especially heads of households. Young women are also more likely to live in poverty, although this study cannot establish the directionality of a causative relationship between poverty and risk of HIV. Greater attention must be paid to young women, especially those who head households, in terms of treatment, prevention, and poverty alleviation.


Clinical characteristics and microbiota analysis of 44 patients with granulomatous mastitis.
Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a chronic inflammatory breast disease. In recent years, the role of Corynebacterium in GM onset has received more and more attention. This study aims to detect the dominant bacterium in GM patients and analyze the association between clinical characteristics and infectious factors. In this study, 88 samples from 44 GM patients, six acute lactation mastitis (ALM) patients, and 25 non-inflammatory breast disease (NIB) patients were divided into a GM pus group, a GM tissue group, an ALM pus group, and a NIB tissue group; then, 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing was used to explore their microbiota. The clinical data of all 44 GM patients were also retrospectively collected and analyzed to determine their relationship with infection. The median age of the 44 GM patients was 33 years, and 88.6% of patients had primary-onset cases, while 11.4% were recurrences; additionally, 89.5% of patients were postpartum and 10.5% were nulliparous. The serum prolactin level was abnormal in nine patients (24.3%). Samples from 15 GM patients (34.1%) had a Corynebacterium abundance of >1% (1.08-80.08%), with eight (53.3%) displaying an abundance of >10%. Corynebacterium was the only genus with significant differences between the GM pus group and the other three groups (p < 0.05). Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii was the predominant Corynebacterium species. Among clinical characteristics, a statistical difference in breast abscess formation was observed according to Corynebacterium abundance in Corynebacterium-positive and- negative patients (p < 0.05). This study explored the relationship between Corynebacterium infection and GM, compared the clinical characteristics between Corynebacterium-positive and- negative patients, and provided support for the role of Corynebacterium species-in particular, C. kroppenstedtii-in the pathogenesis of GM. The detection of Corynebacterium can predict GM onset, especially in patients with high prolactin levels or a history of recent lactation.


Spatial analysis for the identification of risk areas for schistosomiasis mansoni in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, 2005-2014.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infectious disease with a worldwide prevalence. The objective of this work is to identify risk areas for schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, during the period from 2005 to 2014. We conducted an epidemiological study with secondary data from the Information System Control Program of Schistosomiasis [Sistema de Informação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (SISPCE)]. Temporal trends were analyzed to obtain the annual percentage change (APC) in the rates of annual prevalence. In addition to the description of general indicators of the disease, the spatial analysis was descriptive, by means of the estimator of intensity kernel, and showed spatial dependence by indicators of global Moran (I) and Local Index of Spatial Association (LISA). Thematic maps of spatial distribution were made, identifying priority intervention areas in need of healthcare. There were 78,663 cases of schistosomiasis, with an average of 8.7% positivity recorded; 79.8% of the cases were treated, and Sergipe showed a decreasing positive trend (APC: -2.78). There was the presence of spatial autocorrelation and a significant global Moran index (I = 0.19; p-value = 0.03). We identified clusters of high-risk areas, mainly located in the northeast and southcentral of the state, which each had equally high infection rates. There was a decreasing positive trend of schistosomiasis in Sergipe. Spatial analysis identified the geographic distribution of risk and allowed the definition of priority areas for the maintenance and intensification of control interventions.


A two cases clinical report of mandragora poisoning in primary care in Crete, Greece: two case report.
People in Greece, especially those living in rural areas, frequently consume various plants and herbs as a vegetable meal or as a herbal remedy, which can lead to a number of adverse reactions. These two case reports resulted in a prolonged hospitalisation due to severe and persistent supraventricular tachycardia caused by a vegetable meal. These case reports describe two cases of accidentally use of Mandragora Officinarum identified within the same Greek family, which resulted in hospitalisation. A 47-year-old Greek Caucasian woman and a 48-year-old Greek Caucasian male presented to the local primary care centre with nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, headache and dryness of mouth. Due to serious supraventricular tachycardia, the two patients were hospitalised in the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital for a week. These case reports highlight the importance of ensuring that primary care physicians are aware of the possible effects of mandragora use, for cases when they are involved in the treatment of patients presenting with similar symptoms as those discussed below.


Attapulgite-MXene Hybrids with Ti3C2Tx Lamellae Surface Modified by Attapulgite as a Mechanical Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites.
As a member of two-dimensional (2D) materials, MXene is an ideal reinforcement phase for modified polymers due to its large number of polar functional groups on the surface. However, it is still relatively difficult to modify any functional groups on the surface of MXene at present, which limits its application in enhancing some polymers. Herein, one-dimensional (1D) attapulgite (ATP) nanomaterials were introduced onto the surface of MXene to form ATP-MXene hybrids, which successfully improved the mechanical properties of the epoxy composites. ATP with appropriate content can increase the surface roughness of the MXene lamellae to obtain better interface interaction. Therefore, remarkable enhancement on the mechanical property was achieved by adding M02A025 (0.2 wt % MXene and 0.25 wt % ATP), which is the optimum composition in the hybrids for composite mechanical properties. Compared to neat epoxy, the tensile strength, flexural strength and critical stress intensity factor (KIC) of M02A025/epoxy are increased by 88%, 57%, and 195%, respectively, showing a high application prospect.


Detection of potential pathogenic aerobic bacteria from egg shell and egg contents of hen collected from poultry.
This study was done to identify different pathogenic aerobic bacteria from egg shell and egg contents of hen. Egg shells and egg contents of 150 eggs collected from poultry were tested. Of 150 egg shells, 130 (86.67%) yielded growth of bacteria and 60 (40%) Esch. coli,.25 (16.67%) Providencia rettgeri, 5 (3.33%) Providencia alkalifaciens, 20 (13.33%) Citrobacter freundii, 10 (6.67%) Salmonella spp, 10 (6.67%) Enterobacter aerogenes were isolated. No bacteria were isolated from 150 egg contents. Total 14 (9.33%) Salmonella spp. from egg shells and 7 (4.67%) Salmonella spp. from egg contents were identified by PCR. Most of the identified serotypes were Salmonella Enteritidis (42.86% from egg shells and 71.43% from egg contents). All (100%) Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone.


Continuous postoperative regional analgesia by nerve sheath block for amputation surgery--a pilot study.
A pilot study of continuous postoperative regional analgesia by nerve sheath block for lower limb amputation is presented. At the time of exposure of sciatic or posterior tibial nerve trunks during above- or below-knee amputations in 11 patients with ASA physical status III or IV, a catheter was introduced directly into the transected nerve sheath for continuous infusion of 0.25% bupivacaine at a rate of 10 mL/h for 72 h. Effective amputation stump analgesia was obtained, significantly reducing the need for on-demand narcotic analgesics during this time to a mean dose equivalent of 1.4 mg of morphine compared with a retrospective control group who received the equivalent of a mean dose of 18.4 mg of morphine (P less than 0.0001). No complications related to the technique were observed. A follow-up of the group receiving continuous postoperative regional analgesia for up to 12 mo showed a total absence of phantom pain despite the presence of preoperative limb pain.


Differential impacts of FtsZ proteins on plastid division in the shoot apex of Arabidopsis.
FtsZ proteins of the FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 families play important roles in the initiation and progression of plastid division in plants and green algae. Arabidopsis possesses a single FTSZ1 member and two FTSZ2 members, FTSZ2-1 and FTSZ2-2. The contribution of these to chloroplast division and partitioning has been mostly investigated in leaf mesophyll tissues. Here, we assessed the involvement of the three FtsZs in plastid division at earlier stages of chloroplast differentiation. To this end, we studied the effect of the absence of specific FtsZ proteins on plastids in the vegetative shoot apex, where the proplastid-to-chloroplast transition takes place. We found that the relative contribution of the two major leaf FtsZ isoforms, FtsZ1 and FtsZ2-1, to the division process varies with cell lineage and position within the shoot apex. While FtsZ2-1 dominates division in the L1 and L3 layers of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), in the L2 layer, FtsZ1 and FtsZ2-1 contribute equally toward the process. Depletion of the third isoform, FtsZ2-2, generally resulted in stronger effects in the shoot apex than those observed in mature leaves. The implications of these findings, along with additional observations made in this work, to our understanding of the mechanisms and regulation of plastid proliferation in the shoot apex are discussed.


Controlled nuclear import of the transcription factor NTL6 reveals a cytoplasmic role of SnRK2.8 in the drought-stress response.
Controlled proteolytic activation of membrane-anchored transcription factors provides an adaptation strategy that guarantees rapid transcriptional responses to abrupt environmental stresses in both animals and plants. NTL6 is a plant-specific NAC [NAM/ATAF1/2/CUC2] transcription factor that is expressed as a dormant plasma membrane-associated form in Arabidopsis. Proteolytic processing of NTL6 is triggered by abiotic stresses and ABA (abscisic acid). In the present study, we show that NTL6 is linked directly with SnRK (Snf1-related protein kinase) 2.8-mediated signalling in inducing a drought-resistance response. SnRK2.8 phosphorylates NTL6 primarily at Thr142. NTL6 phosphorylation by SnRK2.8 is required for its nuclear import. Accordingly, a mutant NTL6 protein, in which Thr142 was mutated to an alanine, was poorly phosphorylated and failed to enter the nucleus. In accordance with the role of SnRK2.8 in drought-stress signalling, transgenic plants overproducing either NTL6 or its active form 6ΔC (35S:NTL6 and 35S:6ΔC) exhibited enhanced resistance to water-deficit conditions such as those overproducing SnRK2.8 (35S:SnRK2.8). In contrast, NTL6 RNAi (RNA interference) plants were susceptible to dehydration as observed in the SnRK2.8-deficient snrk2.8-1 mutant. Furthermore, the dehydration-resistant phenotype of 35S:NTL6 transgenic plants was compromised in 35S:NTL6 X snrk2.8-1 plants. These observations indicate that SnRK2.8-mediated protein phosphorylation, in addition to a proteolytic processing event, is important for NTL6 function in inducing a drought-resistance response.


Identification of clinically important anaerobic bacteria by an oligonucleotide array.
Anaerobic bacteria can cause a wide variety of infections, and some of these infections can be serious. Conventional identification methods based on biochemical tests are often lengthy and can produce inconclusive results. An oligonucleotide array based on the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS) sequences was developed to identify 28 species of anaerobic bacteria and Veillonella. The method consisted of PCR amplification of the ITS regions with universal primers, followed by hybridization of the digoxigenin-labeled PCR products to a panel of 35 oligonucleotide probes (17- to 30-mers) immobilized on a nylon membrane. The performance of the array was determined by testing 310 target strains (strains which we aimed to identify), including 122 reference strains and 188 clinical isolates. In addition, 98 nontarget strains were used for specificity testing. The sensitivity and the specificity of the array for the identification of pure cultures were 99.7 and 97.1%, respectively. The array was further assessed for its ability to detect anaerobic bacteria in 49 clinical specimens. Two species (Finegoldia magna and Bacteroides vulgatus) were detected in two specimens by the array, and the results were in accordance with those obtained by culture. The whole procedure of array hybridization took about 8 h, starting with the isolated colonies. The array can be used as an accurate alternative to conventional methods for the identification of clinically important anaerobes.


Recycling of CO2 by Hydrogenation of Carbonate Derivatives to Methanol: Tuning Copper-Oxide Promotion Effects in Supported Catalysts.
The selective hydrogenation of organic carbonates to methanol is a relevant transformation to realize flexible processes for the recycling of waste CO2 with renewable H2 mediated by condensed carbon dioxide surrogates. Oxide-supported copper nanoparticles are promising solid catalysts for this selective hydrogenation. However, essential for their optimization is to rationalize the prominent impact of the oxide support on performance. Herein, the role of Lewis acid centers, exposed on the oxide support at the periphery of the Cu nanoparticles, was systematically assessed. For the hydrogenation of propylene carbonate, as a model cyclic carbonate, the conversion rate, the apparent activation energy, and the selectivity to methanol correlate with the Lewis acidity of the coordinatively unsaturated cationic sites exposed on the oxide support. Lewis sites of markedly low and high electron-withdrawing character promote unselective decarbonylation and decarboxylation reaction pathways, respectively. Supports exposing Lewis sites of intermediate acidity maximize the selectivity to methanol while inhibiting acid-catalyzed secondary reactions of the propanediol product, and thus enable its recovery in cyclic processes of CO2 hydrogenation mediated by condensed carbonate derivatives. These findings help rationalize metal-support promotion effects that determine the performance of supported metal nanoparticles in this and other selective hydrogenation reactions of significance in the context of sustainable chemistry.


Towards a better understanding of self-management interventions in type 2 diabetes: A meta-regression analysis.
Attributes that operationally conceptualize diabetes self-management education (DSME) interventions have never been studied previously to assess their impact on relevant outcomes of interest in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of existing interventions classified by their delivery of skills or information related attributes on immediate (knowledge), intermediate (physical activity), post-intermediate (HbA1c), and long-term (quality of life) outcomes in people with T2D. PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library/Cochrane CENTRAL as well as the grey literature were searched to identify interventional studies that examined the impact of DSME interventions on the four different outcomes. Eligible studies were selected and appraised independently by two reviewers. A meta-regression analysis was performed to determine the impact of delivery of the skills- and information-related attributes on the chosen outcomes. 142 studies (n = 25,511 participants) provided data, of which 39 studies (n = 5278) reported on knowledge, 39 studies (n = 8323) on physical activity, 99 studies (n = 17,178) on HbA1c and 24 studies (n = 5147) on quality of life outcomes. Meta-regression analyses demonstrated that skills-related attributes had an estimated effect suggesting improvement in knowledge (SMD [standardized mean difference] increase of 0.80; P = 0.025) and that information-related attributes had an estimated effect suggesting improvement in quality of life (SMD increase of 0.96; P = 0.405). Skill- and information-related attributes did not have an estimated effect suggesting improvement in physical activity or in HbA1c. The study findings demonstrate that the skills and information related attributes contribute to different outcomes for people with T2D. This study provides, for the first time, preliminary evidence for differential association of the individual DSME attributes with different levels of outcome.


The Impacts of Simulated Microgravity on Rat Brain Depended on Durations and Regions.
To explore the dynamic impacts of simulated microgravity (SM) on different vital brain regions of rats. Microgravity was simulated for 7 and 21 days, respectively, using the tail-suspension rat model. Histomorphology, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and the expression of some key proteins were determined in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum. 21-day SM decreased brain derived neurotrophic factor and induced neuron atrophy in the cerebral cortex. Strong oxidative stress was triggered at day 7 and the oxidative status returned to physiological level at day 21. Inflammatory cytokines were gradually suppressed and in striatum, the suppression was regulated partially through c-Jun/c-Fos. The results revealed that the significant impacts of SM on rat brain tissue depended on durations and regions, which might help to understand the health risk and to prevent brain damage for astronauts in space travel.


Analysis of the quorum-sensing regulon of the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia cepacia H111 by proteomics.
Burkholderia cepacia H111, an important pathogen for persons suffering from cystic fibrosis, employs a quorum-sensing (QS) system, cep, to control expression of virulence factors as well as the formation of biofilms. The QS system is thought to ensure that pathogenic traits are only expressed when the bacterial population density is high enough to overwhelm the host before it is able to mount an efficient response. In this study, we compared the protein pattern of the intracellular, extracellular, and surface protein fractions of an AHL-deficient cepI mutant with the one of the parent strain H111 by means of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Our analysis showed that 55 proteins out of 985 detected spots were differentially expressed; these are expected to represent QS-controlled gene products. Addition of the respective signal molecules to the growth medium of the cep mutant fully restored the wild-type protein expression profile. In total about 5% of the B. cepacia proteome was downregulated and 1% upregulated in the cepI mutant, indicating that quorum sensing represents a global regulatory system. Nineteen proteins were identified with high confidence by N-terminal sequence analysis.


Cryopreservation and conservation of microalgae: the development of a Pan-European scientific and biotechnological resource (the COBRA project).
Microalgae are one of the most biologically important elements of worldwide ecology and could be the source of diverse new products and medicines. COBRA (The COnservation of a vital european scientific and Biotechnological Resource: microAlgae and cyanobacteria) is the acronym for a European Union, RTD Infrastructures project (Contract No. QLRI-CT-2001-01645). This project is in the process of developing a European Biological Resource Centre based on existing algal culture collections. The COBRA project's central aim is to apply cryopreservation methodologies to microalgae and cyanobacteria, organisms that, to date, have proved difficult to conserve using cryogenic methods. In addition, molecular and biochemical stability tests have been developed to ensure that the equivalent strains of microorganisms supplied by the culture collections give high quality and consistent performance. Fundamental and applied knowledge of stress physiology form an essential component of the project and this is being employed to assist the optimisation of methods for preserving a wide range of algal diversity. COBRA's "Resource Centre" utilises Information Technologies (IT) and Knowledge Management practices to assist project coordination, management and information dissemination and facilitate the generation of new knowledge pertaining to algal conservation. This review of the COBRA project will give a summary of current methodologies for cryopreservation of microalgae and procedures adopted within the COBRA project to enhance preservation techniques for this diverse group of organisms.


Intracranial Bypass of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms: Indications, Technical Aspects, and Clinical Outcomes.
For some posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms, there is no constructive endovascular or direct surgical clipping option. Intracranial bypass is an alternative to a deconstructive technique. To evaluate the clinical features, surgical techniques, and outcome of PICA aneurysms treated with bypass and obliteration of the diseased segment. Retrospective review of PICA aneurysms treated via intracranial bypass was performed. Outcome measurements included postoperative stroke, cranial nerve deficits, gastrostomy/tracheostomy requirement, bypass patency, modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge, and mRS at 6 mo. Seven patients with PICA aneurysms treated with intracranial bypass were identified. Five had fusiform aneurysms (4 ruptured, 1 unruptured), 1 had a giant partially thrombosed saccular aneurysm (unruptured), and 1 had a dissecting traumatic aneurysm (ruptured). Two aneurysms were at the anteromedullary segment, 4 at the lateral medullary segment, and 1 at the tonsillomedullary segment. Three patients underwent PICA-to-PICA side to side anastomoses, 2 PICA-to-PICA reanastomosis, 1 vertebral artery-to-PICA bypass, and 1 occipital artery-PICA bypass. Six out of 7 aneurysms were obliterated surgically and 1 with additional endovascular occlusion after the bypass. All bypasses were patent intraoperatively; 2 were later demonstrated occluded without radiological signs or symptoms of stroke. No patients had new cranial nerve deficit postoperatively. With the exception of 1 death due to pulmonary emboli 3 mo postoperatively, all others remain at a mRS ≤ 2. Constructive bypass and aneurysm obliteration remains a viable alternative for treatment of PICA aneurysms not amenable to direct surgical clipping or to a vessel-preserving endovascular option.


Deep Learning-Aided Automated Pneumonia Detection and Classification Using CXR Scans.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a worldwide catastrophe and widespread devastation that reeled almost all countries. The pandemic has mounted pressure on the existing healthcare system and caused panic and desperation. The gold testing standard for COVID-19 detection, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), has shown its limitations with 70% accuracy, contributing to the incorrect diagnosis that exaggerated the complexities and increased the fatalities. The new variations further pose unseen challenges in terms of their diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The COVID-19 virus heavily impacts the lungs and fills the air sacs with fluid causing pneumonia. Thus, chest X-ray inspection is a viable option if the inspection detects COVID-19-induced pneumonia, hence confirming the exposure of COVID-19. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are capable of examining chest X-rays in order to detect patterns that can confirm the presence of COVID-19-induced pneumonia. This research used CNN and deep learning techniques to detect COVID-19-induced pneumonia from chest X-rays. Transfer learning with fine-tuning ensures that the proposed work successfully classifies COVID-19-induced pneumonia, regular pneumonia, and normal conditions. Xception, Visual Geometry Group 16, and Visual Geometry Group 19 are used to realize transfer learning. The experimental results were promising in terms of precision, recall, F1 score, specificity, false omission rate, false negative rate, false positive rate, and false discovery rate with a COVID-19-induced pneumonia detection accuracy of 98%. Experimental results also revealed that the proposed work has not only correctly identified COVID-19 exposure but also made a distinction between COVID-19-induced pneumonia and regular pneumonia, as the latter is a very common disease, while COVID-19 is more lethal. These results mitigated the concern and overlap in the diagnosis of COVID-19-induced pneumonia and regular pneumonia. With further integrations, it can be employed as a potential standard model in differentiating the various lung-related infections, including COVID-19.


A prospective study of serum lipoproteins after coronary artery bypass surgery.
We examined the acute and long-term effects of coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery on serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels. One series of 34 patients having CABG surgery was studied pre-operatively and for six weeks afterwards, and another 22 patients were investigated before and two years after CABG surgery. None of the patients studied received any lipid-lowering drug therapy or specific dietary advice. In both groups, pre-operative serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and serum triglyceride concentrations were raised and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) were low compared to healthy people. Acutely, there were profound decreases of 40-60% in the serum levels of cholesterol (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.01), Lp(a) (p < 0.05) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (p < 0.05). There was a small decrease in serum apo A1 (p < 0.05), and serum HDL cholesterol showed no change. All these variables regained their pre-operative values within six weeks. Two years postoperatively, serum Lpa was 40% less than its pre-operative concentration (p < 0.001) and HDL cholesterol had increased (p < 0.001). Triglyceride levels decreased (p < 0.02) when beta-blockade was withdrawn. The long-term decrease in Lp(a) following surgery is unlikely to be due either to stopping beta-blockers or to life-style changes. Myocardial ischaemia relieved by the operation may have been partially responsible for its previously raised concentration.


Renal function in minahasanese patients with chronic gout arthritis and tophi.
Determine renal function and factors that influence reduction in renal function among Minahasanese with chronic gout arthritis and tophi. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where study subjects are recruited using multi-stage sampling. The data are descriptively processed using T-test, Pearson correlates, and multiple regression analysis. The proportion of mild, moderate, and severe reductions in renal function in Minahasanese with chronic gout arthritis and tophi were as follows: 25 patients (69.7%), 7 patients (19.5%), and 5 patients (11%). According to Pearson correlation, only urinary uric acid excretion (r=0.626, p=0.000). The same findings were found using multiple regression, only urinary uric acid excretion is significant (p=0.001). Most Minahasanese with chronic gout arthritis and tophi suffer from a mild reduction in renal function associated with the amount of uric acid excreted in the urine, but not associated with age, serum uric acid level, duration of gout arthritis, or tophi. Correlation with duration of gout arthritis, or tophi. Correlation with hypertension and use of NSAID are not evident in this study.


Protein kinase C-delta C2-like domain is a binding site for actin and enables actin redistribution in neutrophils.
Neutrophils play a key role in host-defence mechanisms against invading pathogens, using their capacity to migrate, engulf micro-organisms and produce toxic radicals. Protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes are important intracellular regulators of these processes in neutrophils. PKC isotypes themselves are controlled by interactions with lipids, Ca(2+) and proteins. The C2-like domain of PKC-delta (deltaC2) has been identified as a protein-interaction domain in this PKC isotype. In the present paper we have investigated the contribution of protein interactions at this domain to the regulation/function of PKC-delta in neutrophils. Using affinity chromatography we identified actin as a deltaC2 binding partner in these cells. Fluorescein-labelled deltaC2, microinjected into immobilized neutrophils, interacts with filamentous actin (F-actin) inside the cell. PKC-delta co-localizes with F-actin in neutrophils, in lamellipodia at the leading edge of the cell. Stimulation with phorbol ester or IgG-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus results in co-ordinated redistribution of PKC-delta and F-actin, and a PKC-delta inhibitor inhibits these changes. Microinjection of deltaC2 also inhibits F-actin redistribution. Thus PKC-delta binds to F-actin through its C2 domain, and these interactions are important in regulating actin redistribution in neutrophils.


Bile acids as modulators of gut microbiota composition and function.
Changes in the composition of gut-associated microbial communities are associated with many human illnesses, but the factors driving dysbiosis remain incompletely understood. One factor governing the microbiota composition in the gut is bile. Bile acids shape the microbiota composition through their antimicrobial activity and by activating host signaling pathways that maintain gut homeostasis. Although bile acids are host-derived, their functions are integrally linked to bacterial metabolism, which shapes the composition of the intestinal bile acid pool. Conditions that change the size or composition of the bile acid pool can trigger alterations in the microbiota composition that exacerbate inflammation or favor infection with opportunistic pathogens. Therefore, manipulating the composition or size of the bile acid pool might be a promising strategy to remediate dysbiosis.


Pattern of Antibiotic Prescription for Oral Implant Treatment Among Dentists in Saudi Arabia.
To investigate antibiotic prophylaxis prescription behavior among dentists practicing dental implant surgery in Saudi Arabia. An observational questionnaire study was conducted in the period between October 2016 and December 2016. A link to an online previously validated questionnaire was sent to a convenience sample of dentists practicing dental implant placement in the different areas of Saudi Arabia. Absolute frequencies were used to describe the data. One hundred nine completed questionnaires were received. A total of 59.63% (n = 65) of the respondents routinely prescribed prophylactic antibiotics when performing implant surgery. There was a wide variation in the preoperative and postoperative prescription regimens with the majority (67%) starting the antibiotic immediately postoperatively for 3 to 5 days, with no preoperative antibiotic use. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combination was the drug of choice for 50.3% of the respondents, whereas 26.6% prescribed amoxicillin as the drug of choice. Although a small study with a low response rate, a wide variation in antibiotic prescribing patterns with respect to the drugs chosen, timing, and duration was found in implant surgery in Saudi Arabia. Dentists should be aware of the risk of antibiotic overuse and start to share in the efforts that aim to reserve the antibiotics to combat life-threatening infections and to reduce development of bacterial resistance to the available antibiotics.


Elevated excitatory neurotransmitter levels in the fibromyalgia brain.
Consistent brain imaging findings demonstrate that neurobiological factors may contribute to the pathology of 'central' pain states such as fibromyalgia (FM). Studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggest that glutamate (Glu), a key excitatory neurotransmitter, may be present in higher concentrations within the brains of FM patients. This neurotransmitter imbalance is present in multiple brain regions that have been implicated in processing pain information. However, it is unknown if elevated Glu is acting at the synapse. New investigations are needed to investigate the molecular action of Glu in FM and to investigate these findings during treatment that modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission.


ImSpectR - R package to quantify immune repertoire diversity in spectratype and repertoire sequencing data.
An effective immune system is characterized by a diverse immune repertoire. There is a strong demand for accurate and quantitative methods to assess the diversity of the immune repertoire for various (pre-)clinical applications, including the diagnosis and prognosis of primary immune deficiencies, or to assess the response to therapy. Current strategies for immune diversity assessment generally comprise the visual inspection of the length distribution of rearranged T- and B-cell receptors. Visual inspections, however, are prone to subjective assessments and thus lead to biases. Here, we introduce ImSpectR, a unified approach to quantify immunodiversity using either spectratype, repertoire sequencing or single cell RNA sequencing data. ImSpectR scores various types of deviations from the expected length distribution and integrates these into one measure, allowing for robust quantitative comparisons of immune diversity across individuals or conditions. R-package is available for download on GitHub at https://github.com/martijn-cordes/ImSpectR. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


[Clinical significance of leukemia stem/progenitor cell related gene expression in acute leukemia].
This study was aimed to detect the expression of leukemia stem/progenitor cell (LSPC) related genes (ABCB1, BMI-1, HOXB4) in the patients with acute leukemia, and to explore its clinical significance in acute leukemia. Bone marrow samples were collected from de novo acute leukemia patients (41 cases), patients with complete remission (CR, 16 cases) and the patients with non-malignant hematologic diseases (10 cases) respectively. And the expressions of ABCB1, BMI-1, HOXB4 genes were detected by comparative real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) with SYBR Green assay. The results showed that the expressions of ABCB1, BMI-1, HOXB4 were not detected in the patients with non-malignant hematologic diseases, but were higher (relative expressive level: 4.26 ± 2.26, 3.72 ± 1.91, 3.74 ± 2.38) in de novo acute leukemia patients and lower (relative expressive level: 2.14 ± 1.47, 2.07 ± 0.99, 1.47 ± 0.89) in the acute leukemia patients with CR (p < 0.05). The expressions of LSPC related genes were lower (relative expressive level: 1.77 ± 1.29, 2.09 ± 1.26, 1.78 ± 1.49) in the patients acquired CR/partial remission (PR) than those in the patients not acquired CR/PR (relative expressive level: 7.23 ± 1.78, 3.96 ± 0.92, 4.48 ± 2.57) (p < 0.01). Univariate analysis revealed that there were more cases with the expression of LSPC immunophenotype (CD34(+)CD38(-)CD96(+) and CD34(+)CD38(-)CD123(+)) and more hyperleukocytosis cases in patients with any higher expression of LSPC related gene (p < 0.05). Analysis of multiple parameters discovered larger significance (p < 0.01). It is concluded that there is a good relationship between LSPC related genes (ABCB1, BMI-1, HOXB4) and LSPC immunophenotype. The expression of LSPC-related genes is higher in de novo acute leukemia patients, and lower in patients acquired CR/PR. The patients with higher expressed LSPC-related genes display worse response to chemotherapy, lower CR/PR rate and higher leukocytosis, the analysis of multiple parameters may be a good method for assessing the therapeutic efficacy/prognosis of acute leukemia.


Frailty Analysis of SEMG Signals for Different Hand Movements Based on Temporal and Spectral Approach.
Surface electromyography (sEMG) signal is the electrical manifestation of neuromuscular activities. It is an intricate signal that depends on the anatomical and physiological properties of the contracting muscles beneath the skin. In this work, a single channel surface EMG amplifier is designed to acquire the signals non-invasively from the skin by using bio-potential electrodes for three different hand movements. Subjects of age group 1 (18-30 years) and group 2 (60-78 years) are considered for this analysis. The recorded signals are pre-processed using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method to remove unwanted noises. Various error measures and performance index are calculated from the pre-processed sEMG signals to compare the performance of EMD with conventional digital filters. Relevant time and frequency domain features are extracted from the pre-processed signals. It is observed that the statistical analysis performed over the extracted features show distinct variation between the age groups. Thus the methodology proposed in this work could be useful for the analysis of frailty especially for the subjects above 60 years.