Considerations related to the decontamination of houses in Goiânia: limitations and implications.
We are considering some aspects related to the decontamination activities of about 50 houses affected by 137Cs in Goiânia. We describe the way these contaminations occurred, the instruments used, and the procedures. We also discuss the dose limits established for decontamination and the consequences resulting from this action. We call attention to the importance of not only the technical aspects in such activities but also the psychosocial implications resulting from them.


Efficacy and Safety of a Mixed Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed and Lespedeza cuneata in the Treatment of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a mixed extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and Lespedeza cuneata (TFGL) for the treatment of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). Patients were instructed to take a placebo or 200 mg TFGL capsule twice per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline in the Aging Males' Symptoms scale (AMS), as well as levels of serum total and free testosterone. Secondary efficacy measurements included changes from baseline in the number of 'yes' answers on the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire, levels of serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, all domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10), as well as changes in body composition. The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in the AMS scores at 8 weeks, total testosterone at 8 weeks, and free testosterone at 4 and 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, 25% of the TFGL group changed to negative in terms of ADAM scores and 34.1% of the TFGL group had negative scores at the end of the study. The TFGL group exhibited a significant improvement in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, IIEF scores, and PSS-10 scores at 8 weeks. The mixed extract of TFGL resulted in significant improvements in symptoms of TDS, as measured by the AMS, ADAM, PSS-10 and testosterone levels.


Nanocomposites of Titanium Dioxide and Peripherally Substituted Phthalocyanines for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole.
Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are often used in photosensitization of titanium(IV) oxide, a commonly employed photocatalyst, as such an approach holds the promise of obtaining highly stable and efficient visible light-harvesting materials. Herein, we report on the preparation, characterization and photoactivity of a series of composites based on TiO2 and peripherally modified metallophthalocyanines: either tetrasulfonated or 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraazaphthalocyanines, with either copper(II), nickel(II) or zinc(II) as the central metal ion. Physicochemical characterization was performed using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, hydrodynamic particle-size analysis, surface-area analysis using N2 adsorption-desorption measurements and thermogravimetry combined with differential scanning calorimetry. The band-gap energy values were lower for the composites with peripherally modified phthalocyanines than for the commercial TiO2 P25 or the unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine-grafted TiO2. TG-DSC results confirmed that the chemical deposition, used for the preparation of Pc/TiO2 composites, is a simple and efficient method for TiO2 surface modification, as all the Pc load was successfully grafted on TiO2. The photocatalytic potential of the Pc/TiO2 materials was assessed in the photocatalytic removal of sulfamethoxazole-a commonly used antibacterial drug of emerging ecological concern. To compare the activity of the materials in different conditions, photodegradation tests were conducted both in water and in an organic medium.


Middle to long-term results of distal femoral tension band hemiepiphysiodesis in the treatment of idiopathic genu valgum.
Idiopathic genu valgum is a common deformity in children. Guided growth is the treatment of choice in severe or symptomatic cases, although long-term results are mostly unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the middle- to long-term results and complications of tension band plating in the treatment of idiopathic genu valgum, and the association between obesity and idiopathic genu valgum. A retrospective review of patients with idiopathic genu valgum treated by tension band plating between January 2007 and September 2017 was performed. Data from 99 patients (198 limbs) were reviewed. All underwent bilateral medial distal femoral tension band plating and subsequent plate removal and were followed by a mean of 56.1 months (12-120 months) after surgery. Full correction was achieved in all patients, with a mean correction rate of 0.52° per month. No cases of infection or premature physeal closure were recorded. Screw breakage at the time of removal occurred in five limbs (2.5%). Fifteen limbs (7.5%) developed a minor overcorrection. 44.4% of our patients were either overweight or obese, which is higher than the national average. A third of our patients complained of an unsightly scar at the latest follow-up. Tension band plating is an effective, well tolerated, and reproducible technique in the treatment of idiopathic genu valgum. The risk of premature physeal closure is minimal. We recommend achieving a minor overcorrection before plate removal in patients with more than a year of expected growth. Also, predicting correction based on the mean correction rate is discouraged.


Genome sequence of the diazotrophic Gram-positive rhizobacterium Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5(T).
Paenibacillus riograndensis SBR5(T), a nitrogen-fixing Gram-positive rhizobacterium isolated from a wheat field in the south of Brazil, has a great potential for agricultural applications due to its plant growth promotion effects. Here we present the draft genome sequence of P. riograndensis SBR5(T). Its 7.37-Mb genome encodes determinants of the diazotrophic lifestyle and plant growth promotion, such as nitrogen fixation, antibiotic resistance, nitrate utilization, and iron uptake.


[Experimental induction and cytogenetic study of yolk sac tumors in Chinese hamsters].
The development of teratomas and yolk sac tumors from displaced yolk sac is well documented in rats and mice. However, precise mechanisms of induction and pathogeneses of these tumors still remain unknown. The present study was undertaken in order to elucidate whether this phenomenon is common to all rodents, to identify the origin of these tumors and to explore specific chromosomal changes in yolk sac tumors. Ten benign teratomas and two malignant tumors with teratomatous elements were obtained from 33 chinese hamsters after fetectomy, followed by displacement of yolk sac. The histological characteristics and the presence of laminin and alpha-FP suggested that the malignant tumors belonged to the category of yolk sac tumors. Similarities of electromicroscopic features observed in the tumor cells and the yolk sac of normal 12-day conceptuses suggested that the tumor originated from yolk sac cells. Chromosomal analyses of in vitro cell lines established from one of yolk sac tumors disclosed that the tumor was composed of clones with XX and XY sex chromosome constitution. The 1P+marker chromosome was identified as a consistent abnormality, which seemed to play an important role for the development of yolk sac tumors in chinese hamsters.


Enhanced treatment of articular cartilage defect of the knee by intra-articular injection of Bcl-xL-engineered mesenchymal stem cells in rabbit model.
Direct intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed as a potential cell therapy for cartilage defects. This cell therapy relies on the survival of the implanted MSCs. However, the arduous local environment may limit cell viability after implantation, which would restrict the cells' regenerative capacity. Thus, it is necessary to reinforce the implanted cells against the unfavourable microenvironment in order to improve the efficacy of cell therapy. We examined whether the transduction of an anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, into MSCs could prevent cell death and improve the implantation efficiency of MSCs in a rabbit model. Our current findings demonstrate that the group treated with Bcl-xL-engineered MSCs could improve cartilage healing both morphologically and histologically when compared with the controls. These results suggest that intra-articular injection of Bcl-xL-engineered MSCs is a potential non-invasive therapeutic method for effectively treating cartilage defects of the knee.


Ertapenem in the treatment of bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli: a propensity score analysis.
This study assessed the impact of ertapenem and other carbapenems on mortality in patients with monomicrobial extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) bacteremia. This non-concurrent prospective study included adult patients with ESBL-EC bacteremia during a 2.5-year period at a 2200-bed teaching hospital. We used a multivariate logistic regression model and Cox's proportional hazards model including propensity score analysis to assess variables associated with 30-day mortality. Of 71 patients who met the study criteria, nine died within 3 days. Among the 62 remaining patients who received definitive antimicrobial therapy, 13 died within 30 days. Male gender, ICU stay, solid tumor, and primary bacteremia were independent predictors of 30-day mortality, whereas definitive antimicrobial therapy using either ertapenem or imipenem/meropenem was protective (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). Adjustment by propensity score found that ertapenem appeared to exhibit more favorable outcomes, but the difference fell short of statistical significance (hazard ratio 0.02, p=0.06). Inappropriate initial therapy was not a significant predictor of mortality. ICU stay, but not initial choice of empirical antimicrobial therapy, was a major predictor of mortality. Using a carbapenem as definitive therapy was a protective factor for 30-day mortality. The choice of ertapenem is reasonable for less severely-ill patients who are at risk of ESBL-EC bacteremia and unlikely to have infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


SIGLEC-1 in Systemic Sclerosis: A Useful Biomarker for Differential Diagnosis.
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous disease that includes an upregulation of type I interferons (IFNs). The aim of this observational study was to investigate the IFN-regulated protein Sialic Acid−Binding Ig-like Lectin 1 (SIGLEC-1) as a biomarker for disease phenotype, therapeutic response, and differential diagnosis in SSc. Levels of SIGLEC-1 expression on monocytes of 203 SSc patients were determined in a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis using multicolor flow cytometry, then compared to 119 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 13 healthy controls. SSc patients higher SIGLEC-1 expression on monocytes (2097.94 ± 2134.39) than HCs (1167.45 ± 380.93; p = 0.49), but significantly lower levels than SLE (8761.66 ± 8325.74; p < 0.001) and MCTD (6414.50 ± 1846.55; p < 0.001) patients. A positive SIGELC-1 signature was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume (p = 0.007); however, we were unable to find an association with fibrotic or vascular disease manifestations. SIGLEC-1 remained stable over time and was independent of changes in immunosuppressive therapy. However, SIGLEC-1 is suitable for differentiating SSc from other connective tissue diseases. SIGLEC-1 expression on monocytes can be useful in the differential diagnosis of connective tissue disease but not as a biomarker for SSc disease manifestations or activity.


Fabrication and characterization of porous tissue-mimicking optical phantoms as a tool for optical sensor validation.
This paper presents porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) optical phantoms with tunable microstructural and optical properties to mimic porous biological tissues (e.g., fruit) during the design and optimization of novel optical setups. A well connected salt network formed using salt particles of various size distributions was used to obtain porous PDMS phantoms of different porous features including porosity, pore size distribution, pore number density and pore connectivity. These microstructural features are strongly related to the light scattering from the phantom where a higher reduced scattering coefficient ( μ s ' ) was observed from the porous PDMS phantom with a higher number of small pores compared to the optical phantom with a lower number of larger pores. The prepared phantoms were used to validate GASMAS (gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy) H2 O and O2 sensors by quantifying the optical path length through the pores and the O2 concentration inside the pores.


[Diagnostics of the presence of once of death and peculiarities of performance of the forensic medical examination in post-mortal facial condition].
The purpose of the research is to summarize the current information about post-mortem interval (PMI) estimating and the peculiarities of the forensic medical examination in postmortem glaciation of the corpse. On the territory of most regions of the Russian Federation, the autumn-winter period passes with a significant decrease in ambient temperature, which makes this topic relevant. The article describes in detail the mechanisms of freezing of human cells and tissues, methods for diagnosing PMI, the peculiarities of the examination in postmortem glaciation, and also put forward directions for further research.


The immunoregulatory protein CD200 as a potentially lucrative yet elusive target for cancer therapy.
CD200 is an immunoregulatory cell surface ligand with proven pro-tumorigenic credentials via its ability to suppress CD200 receptor (CD200R)-expressing anti-tumor immune function. This definitive role for the CD200-CD200R axis in regulating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment has garnered increasing interest in CD200 as a candidate target for immune checkpoint inhibition therapy. However, while the CD200 blocking antibody samalizumab is still in the early stages of clinical testing, alternative mechanisms for the pro-tumorigenic role of CD200 have recently emerged that extend beyond direct suppression of anti-tumor T cell responses and, as such, may not be susceptible to CD200 antibody blockade. Herein, we will summarize the current understanding of CD200 expression and function in the tumor microenvironment as well as alternative strategies for potential neutralization of multiple CD200 mechanisms in human cancers.


Gelatin-based plasma expander effectively reduces renal uptake of 111In-octreotide in mice and rats.
111In-Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-octreotide generally is used for the scintigraphic imaging of neuroendocrine and other somatostatin receptor-positive tumors. On the basis of the successful targeting of octreotide, radiolabeled somatostatin analogs, such as 90Y-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid [DOTA])0-Tyr3-octreotide and 177Lu-DOTA0-Tyr3-octreotate, were developed for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. However, the maximum tolerated doses of these analogs are limited because of the high and persistent renal uptake that leads to relatively high radiation doses in the kidneys. Renal uptake can be reduced by coinfusion of basic amino acids or polypeptides. However, high doses of basic amino acids can induce severe side effects. It was reported that the infusion of gelatin-based plasma expanders resulted in increased low-molecular-weight proteinuria, suggesting that these plasma expanders interfere with the tubular reabsorption of peptides and proteins. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of several plasma expanders on the renal uptake of 111In-octreotide in rats and mice. Wistar rats and BALB/c mice were injected with 0.5 or 0.1 mL of plasma expander, respectively. Thereafter, the animals received 111In-octreotide intravenously. Animals were killed at 20 h after the injection of the radiopharmaceutical. Organs were dissected, and the amount of radioactivity in the organs and tissues was measured. The administration of 20 mg of Gelofusine in rats or 4 mg in mice was as effective in reducing the renal uptake of 111In-octreotide as the administration of 80 or 20 mg of lysine in rats or mice, respectively, without reducing 111In-octreotide uptake in receptor-positive organs. Plasma expanders based on starch or dextran had no effect on the renal uptake of 111In-octreotide. The gelatin-based plasma expander Gelofusine significantly reduced the kidney uptake of 111In-octreotide as effectively as did lysine. Because Gelofusine is a well-known and generally used blood volume substitute that can be applied safely without the induction of toxicity, evaluation of this compound for its potential to reduce the kidney uptake of radiolabeled peptides in patients is warranted.


Application of next generation sequencing for detection of protozoan pathogens in shellfish.
Food and waterborne protozoan pathogens can cause serious disease in people. Three common species Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia enterica and Toxoplasma gondii can contaminate diverse shellfish species, including commercial oysters. Current methods of protozoan detection in shellfish are not standardized, and few are able to simultaneously identify multiple species. Here, we present a novel metabarcoding assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene followed by next generation sequencing (NGS) for simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and T. gondii spiked into oyster samples. We further developed a bioinformatic pipeline to process and analyze 18S rRNA data for protozoa classification. The ability of the NGS assay to detect protozoa was later compared with conventional PCR. Results demonstrated that background amplification of oyster and other eukaryotic DNA competed with that of protozoa for obtained sequence reads. Sequences of target protozoans were obtained across all spiking levels; however, low numbers of target sequences in negative controls imply that a threshold for true positives must be defined for assay interpretation. While this study focused on three target parasites, the ability of this approach to detect numerous known and potentially unknown protozoan pathogens make it a promising screening tool for monitoring protozoan contamination in food and water.


The Renpenning syndrome spectrum: new clinical insights supported by 13 new PQBP1-mutated males.
Since the first reports of polyglutamine-binding protein 1 (PQBP1) mutations in Renpenning syndrome and related disorders, the spectrum of PQBP1-linked clinical manifestations has been outlined from rare published case reports. The phenotypic description is often obtained from medical archives, and therefore, heterogeneous. Moreover, some aspects such as brain imaging or cognitive and behavioral functioning are rarely described. In this study, 13 PQBP1-mutated French patients were subjected to a standardized clinical, cognitive and behavioral assessment. Physical measurements of their relatives were also collected. We report on a recognizable clinical and radiological phenotype. All patients presented with microcephaly, leanness and mild short stature, relative to familial measurements. Three new clinical features are described: upper back progressive muscular atrophy, metacarpophalangeal ankylosis of the thumb and velar dysfunction. The specific facial dysmorphic features included at least four of the following signs: long triangular face, large ridged nose, half-depilated eyebrows, dysplastic or protruding ears and rough slightly sparse hair. An over-aged appearance was noticed in elderly patients. Cortical gyrification was normal based on available magnetic brain imaging of six patients. PQBP1-linked microcephaly (or Renpenning syndrome) is an X-linked mental retardation syndrome, which has clinically recognizable features.


In vitro bactericidal activities of ABT-773 against ermB strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The bactericidal activities of ABT-773, a new ketolide, were compared to those of cefuroxime and amoxicillin-clavulanate against 10 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae containing the ermB gene. MICs and time-kill curves were determined in duplicate per NCCLS guidelines with cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth with 3% lysed horse blood. Viable counts were done at 0, 2, 6, and 24 h. Antibiotic concentrations tested were two and eight times the MIC. ABT-773 MICs ranged from 0.008 to 1.0 micro g/ml. Bactericidal activity was observed with ABT-773 at eight times the MIC against 4 of 10 strains at 24 h compared to 10 of 10 strains with the beta-lactam antibiotics.


Glutamate abnormalities in obsessive compulsive disorder: neurobiology, pathophysiology, and treatment.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is prevalent, disabling, incompletely understood, and often resistant to current therapies. Established treatments consist of specialized cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with medications targeting serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, remission is rare, and more than a quarter of OCD sufferers receive little or no benefit from these approaches, even when they are optimally delivered. New insights into the disorder, and new treatment strategies, are urgently needed. Recent evidence suggests that the ubiquitous excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is dysregulated in OCD, and that this dysregulation may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disorder. Here we review the current state of this evidence, including neuroimaging studies, genetics, neurochemical investigations, and insights from animal models. Finally, we review recent findings from small clinical trials of glutamate-modulating medications in treatment-refractory OCD. The precise role of glutamate dysregulation in OCD remains unclear, and we lack blinded, well-controlled studies demonstrating therapeutic benefit from glutamate-modulating agents. Nevertheless, the evidence supporting some important perturbation of glutamate in the disorder is increasingly strong. This new perspective on the pathophysiology of OCD, which complements the older focus on monoaminergic neurotransmission, constitutes an important focus of current research and a promising area for the ongoing development of new therapeutics.


[Effects on blood flow velocity, wound healing and pain in hand microsurgery patients following heating on non-affected side].
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of heating on the non-affected hand on blood flow velocity, wound healing, and pain for hand microsurgery patients. This study was designed using the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Thirty-nine patients were assigned either to the experimental group (20 patients) or control group (19 patients). Data were analyzed with χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. After treatment in this program, blood flow velocity (F=5.13, p=.008) and wound healing (F=4.11, p=.020) improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. But there was no significant improvement in pain in the experimental group compared to the control group (F=2.40, p=.097). Based upon these results, the non-affected side hand heating was recommended as an independent nursing intervention for the patients who need improvement in blood flow velocity and wound healing such as patients who have microsurgery. As the heating was effective even when applied on the non-affected side, it is the applicable to patients who cannot tolerate any therapy on affected side.


A multiplexed 1,440 and 1,320 nm laser for treatment of chronic photodamage.
The purpose of this study is to quantify the safety and effectiveness of a multiplexed 1,440 and 1,320 nm fractionated laser for the treatment of chronic photodamage. A total of twenty subjects with chronic photodamage were enrolled in this study. Subjects received a maximum of four full-face treatments at an average fluence of 9.5 J/cm2 at 1,320 nm and 2 J/cm2 at 1,450 nm, delivered sequentially using forced-air cooling, at monthly intervals. Digital photographs were taken two months following the final treatment and compared to pre-treatment photographs by two blinded physician observers. Improvement in photodamage, overall appearance, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, enlarged pores, and sagging skin was rated by blinded physician evaluation of digital photographs as being in the 25-50 percent range. Subjective ratings averaged improved for all criteria that were evaluated, including wrinkles, enlarged pores, redness, sagging skin and hyper-pigmentation. The multiplexed 1,320 nm and 1,440 nm fractionated laser improves cutaneous photodamage as assessed by objective and subjective criteria.


Properties of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Dependent Formate Dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermoaceticum.
Li, Lan-Fun (Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio), Lars Ljungdahl, and Harland G. Wood. Properties of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent formate dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermoaceticum. J. Bacteriol. 92: 405-412. 1966.-A nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent formate dehydrogenase has been isolated from C. thermoaceticum. The enzyme is very sensitive to oxygen and requires sulfhydryl compounds for activity. The apparent K(m) at 50 C and pH 7.0 for NADP is 5.9 x 10(-5)m and for formate, 2.2 x 10(-4)m. The enzyme is most active at about 60 C and at pH values between 7.0 and 9.0. The enzyme catalyzes an exchange between C(14)O(2) and formate, which requires NADP, but net synthesis of formate from CO(2) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate could not be demonstrated. The reaction does not involve ferredoxin.


Symptoms of Depression and Risk of New Episodes of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
To investigate the contribution of symptoms of depression to future episodes of low back pain (LBP). A search was conducted of AMED, CINAHL, Embase, Health and Society (H&S), LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We included cohort studies investigating the effect of symptoms of depression on the development of new episodes of LBP, either lifetime incidence or a recurrent episode, in a population free of LBP at baseline. We accepted the original study's definition for a new episode of LBP, and for classifying patients as LBP-free at study entry. Two independent investigators extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Meta-analyses with random effects were used to pool risk estimates. We included 19 studies, with 11 incorporated in the meta-analyses. Overall pooled results showed that symptoms of depression increased the risk of developing LBP (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.26-2.01). The risk was similar in studies that used the diagnostic interview method (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.14-2.42) and in studies using self-report screening questionnaires (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.05-2.70). No statistically significant relationship was observed when we pooled studies that employed nonspecific screening questionnaires (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.48-2.87). Three studies provided results in incremental categories of symptoms of depression and the pooled OR for the most severe level of depression (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.58-3.99) was higher than for the lowest level (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.89-2.56). Individuals with symptoms of depression have an increased risk of developing an episode of LBP in the future, with the risk being higher in patients with more severe levels of depression.


Incidence, possible causes and social aspects of the symptomatic introduction of disinfectant into the peritoneal cavity in CAPD.
The frequency and characteristics of episodes of accidental symptomatic introduction of Amuchina in CAPD patients has been retrospectively analyzed in patients treated with three different CAPD systems with disinfectant (two reusable Y set and one disposable Y set). The rate of accidental introduction of Amuchina was 1 episode every 8981 exchanges (1/8620 with the log Baxter Y set, 1/11,060 exchanges with the short Baxter Y set and with the Bieffe L3 system). One to 15 fresh dialysis exchanges were required to relief pain due to the introduction of disinfectant. Four patients were hospitalized and one had a long lasting impairment in peritoneal ultrafiltration. There were no significant correlations between the episodes and age, sex or time when the exchange was performed.


Coexistent neurocysticercosis and Japanese B encephalitis: MR imaging correlation.
An increased incidence of intestinal helminthic infections has been observed in patients with viral encephalitis in endemic areas. Both Japanese B encephalitis (JE) and neurocysticercosis (NCC) share some common socio-demographic and ecologic factors, and pigs act as the intermediate carrier for both. Our purpose was to show the coexistence of JE and NCC in brain on MR images and highlight the possible role of NCC as an amplifier of JE. MR images from 10 cases of coexistent JE and NCC were studied retrospectively. T1-weighted axial and sagittal, proton T2-weighted axial and coronal, and T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery axial and coronal sections of the brain were evaluated. NCC was diagnosed on the basis of neuroimaging. Diagnostic serologic testing for JE was conducted using paired blood and CSF samples. The JE changes were bilateral and asymmetrical and were more severe on the side harboring the solitary cyst or the side bearing the greater number of cysts or lodging the degenerating cyst. In each of nine of 10 cases, at least one degenerating cyst was found on the side of predominant JE pathologic abnormality. The study suggests that the co-occurrence of JE and NCC is not just a chance coincidence. NCC apparently predisposes a person to JE infection and is a positive modulator of the encephalitic process. The study shows a spectrum of MR imaging findings of coexistent JE and NCC.


On the asymptotic properties of a hard sphere fluid.
An analysis of the expected divergences in thermodynamic properties at the close-pack density (eta(cp) = pi square root(2)/6) along with the known virial coefficients up to 10th order suggests a weak logarithmic singularity in the excess fluid entropy. The corresponding equation of state (EOS) also possesses a singularity at eta(cp). The new EOS accurately describes extant molecular dynamics data up to the fluid-solid transition (eta approximately 0.494) with differences of less than 1 part per thousand. This accuracy is maintained into the metastable fluid regime up to eta approximately 0.52. In terms of accuracy, the new EOS is no better than Pade approximants, but the new EOS, unlike the Pade approximants, diverges at eta(cp). In addition, a new order parameter is defined that enables all system configurations to be classified as either disordered or ordered. Monte Carlo simulations are used to determine this order parameter in the metastable fluid range. Using this new order parameter, evidence is presented to support a thermodynamic glass transition at eta approximately 0.54. With respect to this transition, congruence is found with the traditional ideas espoused by Gibbs and DiMarzio and Adam and Gibbs. It is the rapid disappearance of disordered (random) configurations with increasing density that drives the glass transition and slows the dynamics.


Impact of Obesity on Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Disease Prognosis in Pre- and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Institutional Study.
To investigate the association between obesity and breast cancer clinicopathologic characteristics at presentation along with prognostic impact among Jordanian breast cancer patients. Such data are lacking in Arabian countries. In this retrospective study, 348 breast cancer patients were included. Analyses were conducted for associations between body mass index (BMI) and age at diagnosis, tumor clinicopathologic characteristics, and molecular subtypes. Eight prognostic factors were considered, and total prognostic scores were calculated. The analysis was stratified by menopausal status. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for breast cancer recurrence and death. Mean age at diagnosis was 50.98 ± 10.96 years. Mean BMI at diagnosis was 29.52 ± 5.32 kg/m2. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for overweight and obese patients compared to underweight/normal patients (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between patient age and BMI at diagnosis (r = 0.251, P < 0.001). Grade of carcinoma was significantly correlated with BMI in the whole population examined (P=0.003). Obese breast cancer patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese cases, indicating worse prognostic features at presentation (P=0.034). Stratification of data analysis based on menopausal status revealed significant associations between obesity and each of tumor stage and grade among postmenopausal but not premenopausal patients (P=0.019 and P=0.031, respectively). Similarly, postmenopausal obese patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese counterparts (P=0.007), indicating worse prognosis, a finding which was also absent among premenopausal breast cancer patients. No significant association between BMI with expression status of hormone receptors, HER2, lymphovascular invasion, and molecular subtypes was found among patients. BMI was a significant predictor for disease recurrence in which obese breast cancer patients had greater odds (2-fold) to develop locoregional and distant recurrence compared to nonobese cases (P=0.011). Obesity was associated with advanced stage and grade of breast carcinoma at diagnosis. The impact of BMI on clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis was confined to postmenopausal cases. Jordanian obese breast cancer patients are at greater risk of breast cancer recurrence and reduced survival compared to their nonobese counterparts.


Gut microbiome profiles associated with steatosis severity in metabolic associated fatty liver disease.
The microbiome has been shown to be pivotal in the development of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Few have examined the relationship of the microbiome specifically with steatosis grade. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the association of the microbiome with MAFLD steatosis severity while adjusting for metabolic comorbidities including diabetes. We enrolled patients with MAFLD at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affair Hospital. All patients underwent ultrasound elastography, fasting serum collection, and fecal sampling for 16S sequencing. We examined the associations of microbial diversity and composition with advanced steatosis, defined as a CAP score of ≥ 300 dB/m, with or without the presence of metabolic comorbidities. Seventy-five patients were enrolled. African American were less likely to have advanced steatosis than either Hispanics or Whites (P = 0.001). Patients with more advanced steatosis had higher fasting serum triglyceride (192.6 ± 157.1 mg/dL vs. 122.5 ± 57.4 mg/dL), HbA1c (6.7% ± 1.4% vs. 6.1% ± 0.8%), transaminases, and were more likely to have metabolic syndrome (52.4% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.02). Advanced steatosis and diabetes were associated with altered microbial composition. Bacteroides was negatively associated with advanced steatosis while Megasphaera was positively associated with steatosis. Akkermansia was negatively associated with diabetes, while Anaerostipes and Parabacteroides were positively associated with diabetes. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome are associated with hepatic steatosis severity in MAFLD patients and both advanced steatosis and comorbid diabetes are independently associated with microbiome changes. These results provide insight into the role of the gut microbiome in MAFLD associated with metabolic syndrome.


Therapies with diverse mechanisms of action kill cells by a similar exponential process in advanced cancers.
Successful cancer treatments are generally defined as those that decrease tumor quantity. In many cases, this decrease occurs exponentially, with deviations from a strict exponential being attributed to a growing fraction of drug-resistant cells. Deviations from an exponential decrease in tumor quantity can also be expected if drugs have a nonuniform spatial distribution inside the tumor, for example, because of interstitial pressure inside the tumor. Here, we examine theoretically different models of cell killing and analyze data from clinical trials based on these models. We show that the best description of clinical outcomes is by first-order kinetics with exponential decrease of tumor quantity. We analyzed the total tumor quantity in a diverse group of clinical trials with various cancers during the administration of different classes of anticancer agents and in all cases observed that the models that best fit the data describe the decrease of the sensitive tumor fraction exponentially. The exponential decrease suggests that all drug-sensitive cancer cells have a single rate-limiting step on the path to cell death. If there are intermediate steps in the path to cell death, they are not rate limiting in the observational time scale utilized in clinical trials--tumor restaging at 6- to 8-week intervals. On shorter time scales, there might be intermediate steps, but the rate-limiting step is the same. Our analysis, thus, points to a common pathway to cell death for cancer cells in patients. See all articles in this Cancer Research section, "Physics in Cancer Research."


Expression, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of SufE (XAC2355) from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri.
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) SufE (XAC2355) is a member of a family of bacterial proteins that are conserved in several pathogens and phytopathogens. The Escherichia coli suf operon is involved in iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis under iron-limitation and stress conditions. It has recently been demonstrated that SufE and SufS form a novel two-component cysteine desulfarase in which SufS catalyses the conversion of L-cysteine to L-alanine, forming a protein-bound persulfide intermediate. The S atom is then transferred to SufE, from which it is subsequently transferred to target molecules or reduced to sulfide in solution. Here, the cloning, expression, crystallization and phase determination of Xac SufE crystals are described. Recombinant SufE was crystallized in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and diffracted to 1.9 A resolution at a synchrotron source. The unit-cell parameters are a = 45.837, b = 58.507, c = 98.951 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees. The calculated Matthews coefficient indicated the presence of two molecules in the asymmetric unit. Phasing was performed by molecular-replacement using E. coli SufE as a model (PDB code 1mzg) and an interpretable map was obtained.


Pleural Disease in Acute COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study.
Pleural diseases encompass pleural effusion and pneumothorax (PTX), both of which were uncommon in coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to describe the frequency, characteristics, and main outcomes of these conditions in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of inpatients with COVID-19 pneumonia between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2022, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Among 4419 inpatients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 109 (2.5%) had concurrent pleural disease. Ninety-four (2.1%) had pleural effusion (50% seen on admission) and 15 (0.3%) had PTX, both with higher rates of underlying conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, and malignancy. A total of 28 (30%) pleural effusions were drained resulting in 32% being exudative, 43% pseudoexudative, and 25% transudative. Regarding PTX, 5 (33%) were spontaneous and 10 (67%) were due to barotrauma while on mechanical ventilation. We found that the presence of underlying lung disease was not associated with an increased risk of developing PTX. In addition, patients with pleural disease had a higher incidence of severe or critical illness as represented by intensive care unit admission and intubation, longer hospital and intensive care unit stay, and a higher mortality rate as compared with patients without the pleural disease. Pleural effusions and pneumothoraces are infrequent findings in patients admitted due to COVID-19 pneumonia, worsened outcomes in these patients likely reflect an interplay between the severity of inflammation and parenchymal injury due to COVID-19 disease and underlying comorbidities.


Cu(OAc)2-Triggered Cascade Reaction of Malonate-Tethered Acyl Oximes with Indoles, Indole-2-alcohols, and Indole-2-carboxamides.
A Cu(OAc)2-promoted cascade reaction of malonate-tetherd acyl oximes with indoles, indole-2-alcohols, or indole-2-carboxmides provides facile access to polysubstituted 3-pyrrolin-2-ones. The reaction features the generation of two adjacent electrophilic centers at the same time as cyclization to lactam. The subsequent double addition with nucleophiles followed by oxidation realizes the difunctionalization of the imine sp2-carbon and the adjacent α-sp3-carbon.


Online Videos as a Source of Physiotherapy Exercise Tutorials for Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation-A Quality Assessment.
Background: During the last few decades the prevalence of lumbar disc herniation has been increasing constantly, thereby imposing a significant socioeconomic burden. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in both surgical and conservative treatment of lumbar disc herniation, consequently the current COVID-19 pandemic with concomitant lockdowns has led to a shortage of physiotherapeutical care. In the light of these recent events publicly available physiotherapy tutorials may be a useful tool to address this problem. Aim: The main aim of this study was to assess the quality of online physiotherapy exercise tutorials for lumbar disc herniation. Materials & Methods: With YouTube being a widely known and used platform we screened 240 of the most viewed videos. A total of 76 videos met the inclusion criteria and were statistically analyzed. The videos were assessed using Global Quality Score, DISCERN Score and JAMA benchmark criteria and in regard to their applicability. Results: They displayed a wide range of views (44,969 to 5,448,717), likes (66 to 155,079) and dislikes (6 to 2339). The videos were assessed using Global Quality Score, DISCERN Score and JAMA benchmark criteria and in regard to their applicability. Neither the number of "Views", "Likes", nor "Dislikes" was found to have a significant association with any of the quality measures used in this study. Conclusion: Overall quality grade was determined as "moderate". Based on the data examined in this study, the use of YouTube videos as a source of therapy advice for lumbar spine disc herniation cannot be recommended universally.


Microalbuminuria in cerebrovascular diseases.
Microalbuminuria was originally introduced to clinical practice as a useful marker of incipient diabetic nephropathy. The growing body of evidence suggests that increased urinary albumin excretion is related to the increased risk of cardiovascular events and all causes mortality in subjects with or without diabetes. More over, transient increases of albuminuria were found in numerous acute diseases, including trauma, meningitis, myocardial infarction and stroke. Microalbuminuria was found as an important prognostic variable in these settings, but the exact mechanism of its transient occurrence remains unknown. The measurement of daily albumin excretion is a relatively easy and inexpensive diagnostic tool. The predictive value of increased albuminuria is promising but requires further detailed studies. This paper reviews the relevance of microalbuminuria for cerebrovascular diseases, stressing the future research plans and clinical implications.


Retention priorities for the intergenerational nurse workforce.
Retention of senior, Gen-X, and Millennial nurses is influenced by manager interactions and efforts to create a satisfying work experience. The purpose of this project was a generational assessment of job satisfaction, work environment, and desired characteristics of managers in an effort to improve nurse retention. Data from staff nurses at 22 southern hospitals collected by online survey included measures of job satisfaction and perceptions of safety, the Nurse Manager Desired Traits survey, and the Nursing Work Index-Revised. The satisfaction with work environment scores for the whole group (n = 1,773) were high. Subscale scores showed highest satisfaction with nurse/physician relationships; lowest was nurse control of practice. A specific satisfaction question showed the younger nurses were less satisfied than those over age 40. Nurse safety concerns were expressed by 40% of the sample. One third of Millennial nurses plan to leave their job within the next 2 years. Over two thirds plan to be gone within the next 5 years. Especially alarming is the fact that 61% of the nurse group stated they plan to leave their current jobs within 10 years. (a) Create model managers; (b) empower staff nurse councils; (c) stabilize staffing; (d) revamp incentives; and (e) focus on safety.


Reaction moment at the L5/S1 joint during simulated forward slipping with a handheld load.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of load on the net moment response at the L5/S1 joint during simulated slip events. Six young individuals were instructed to take one step with a handheld load. Sudden floor movement was randomly introduced to simulate unexpected slips. Different loads conditions (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% of body weight) were introduced at random. Three-dimensional net moments at the L5/S1 joint were computed via downward inverse dynamic model. Peak joint moment generated at 30% load level was found to be significantly higher compared to no-load condition. No peak moment differences were found among no-load, 10% or 20% load levels. Additionally, the findings from this study indicated a flexiondominant net L5/S1 joint moment pattern during motion phase associated with slip-induced falls.


The rising incidence of type 1 diabetes in south-eastern Poland. A study of the 0-29 year-old age group, 1980-1999.
Studies carried out over the last few years have provided information about the increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in different parts of the world including the European countries bordering Poland. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term trends in the incidence of type 1 diabetes over the 20 years between 1980 and 1999 and to compare the incidence during the decades preceding and following the 1989 economic and political transformation in Poland. The registration of type 1 diabetes among people aged 0-29 was drawn up according to the DERI recommendations using three data sources. We calculated the age-standardised incidence rates for five-year age groups and determined the long-term trend in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in south-eastern Poland. A significant growth in the incidence of type 1 diabetes was observed among people aged 0-29 in the Rzeszów Province in the period between 1980 and 1999. The mean age-standardised incidence rate was 6.1/100,000, and a statistically significant difference was noted between the 1980s and the 1990s (5.3 [95%CI 4.5-6.0] and 6.8 [95%CI 5.9-7.6]). The male incidence of 6.7 significantly exceeded that for females--5.5/100,000. There was also a higher incidence in the group aged 0-14 in comparison with the group aged 15-29 (6.4 and 5.8/100,000 respectively). The highest incidence was found in boys aged 10-14 (11.5/100,000) and a significantly rising trend was observed in children of 0-4 years old. The mean incidence of type 1 diabetes among the study population was low. Nevertheless, we demonstrated a significantly increasing trend in the incidence during the 20-year observation period. The incidence in the 1990s, both in general and for males, was significantly higher when compared to the 1980s.


Dysphagia in severe traumatic brain injury.
Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is a common problem following severe traumatic brain injury and is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition and pneumonia. Management of patients with dysphagia following head injury is complicated by the presence of cognitive, communication, and behavioral impairments. The purpose of this review article is to help physicians taking care of traumatic brain injury patients understand and manage dysphagia. The article reviews the history of the study of swallowing, stages of swallowing, impairments of swallowing, neural control of swallowing, and the evaluation of patients with swallowing difficulties and their management. In addition to the general principles of dysphagia management, this article covers the management of dysphagic patients with tracheostomy and their nutritional management.


Rapid access to polycyclic indolines related to the stephacidin alkaloids using a radical cascade.
A new and very rapid access to indoline intermediates useful for the synthesis of alkaloids related to the stephacidins has been established using a radical cascade process initiated from a sulphur-substituted diketopiperazine.


Viruses within the Flaviviridae decrease CD4 expression and inhibit HIV replication in human CD4+ cells.
Viral infections alter host cell homeostasis and this may lead to immune evasion and/or interfere with the replication of other microbes in coinfected hosts. Two flaviviruses are associated with a reduction in HIV replication or improved survival in HIV-infected people (dengue virus (DV) and GB virus type C (GBV-C)). GBV-C infection and expression of the GBV-C nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) and the DV NS5 protein in CD4(+) T cells inhibit HIV replication in vitro. To determine whether the inhibitory effect on HIV replication is conserved among other flaviviruses and to characterize mechanism(s) of HIV inhibition, the NS5 proteins of GBV-C, DV, hepatitis C virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever virus (YFV; vaccine strain 17D) were expressed in CD4(+) T cells. All NS5 proteins inhibited HIV replication. This correlated with decreased steady-state CD4 mRNA levels and reduced cell surface CD4 protein expression. Infection of CD4(+) T cells and macrophages with YFV (17D vaccine strain) also inhibited HIV replication and decreased CD4 gene expression. In contrast, mumps virus was not inhibited by the expression of flavivirus NS5 protein or by YFV infection, and mumps infection did not alter CD4 mRNA or protein levels. In summary, CD4 gene expression is decreased by all human flavivirus NS5 proteins studied. CD4 regulation by flaviviruses may interfere with innate and adaptive immunity and contribute to in vitro HIV replication inhibition. Characterization of the mechanisms by which flaviviruses regulate CD4 expression may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for HIV and immunological diseases.


Optimization of the 3D Printing Parameters for Tensile Properties of Specimens Produced by Fused Filament Fabrication of 17-4PH Stainless Steel.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) combined with debinding and sintering could be an economical process for three-dimensional (3D) printing of metal parts. In this paper, compounding, filament making, and FFF processing of feedstock material with 55% vol. of 17-4PH stainless steel powder in a multicomponent binder system are presented. The experimental part of the paper encompasses central composite design for optimization of the most significant 3D printing parameters (extrusion temperature, flow rate multiplier, and layer thickness) to obtain maximum tensile strength of the 3D-printed specimens. Here, only green specimens were examined in order to be able to determine the optimal parameters for 3D printing. The results show that the factor with the biggest influence on the tensile properties was flow rate multiplier, followed by the layer thickness and finally the extrusion temperature. Maximizing all three parameters led to the highest tensile properties of the green parts.


Epinephrine doses delivered from auto-injectors stored at excessively high temperatures.
Prompt injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) from epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) is the primary treatment for anaphylaxis in out-of-hospital settings. Storage of EAIs at room temperature (25 °C) is advised; however, storage at excessively high temperatures sometimes occurs. To our knowledge, there are no previous publications on the doses of epinephrine ejected from EAIs after storage at such temperatures. We examined the epinephrine doses delivered from activated EAIs stored constantly or cyclically at 70 °C. Twenty-five in-date EAIs were stored constantly or cyclically at 70 °C (excessive heat) or 25 °C (controls) for 5 d or 10 d. EAIs were activated and the epinephrine doses in the ejected solutions were measured using HPLC-UV. The enantiomeric purity of epinephrine was also measured by HPLC-UV. Control EAIs ejected a volume of 0.300 ± 0.006 mL containing 103.7 ± 3.3% of labeled dose (LD). After 5 d or 10 d of constant storage at 70 °C and activation at 70 °C, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.367 ± 0.008 mL containing 96.8 ± 3.8% LD and 0.373 ± 0.007 mL containing 77.7 ± 3.3% LD, respectively. After 5 d of cyclic storage at 70 °C and cooling to 25 °C before activation, EAIs ejected a volume of 0.311 ± 0.008 mL containing 87.2 ± 1.9% LD. Under the experimental conditions of this study, the resultant chromatographic peaks of epinephrine solutions from all EAIs represented only the pure l-enantiomer of epinephrine. EAIs should be stored under recommended conditions of the manufacturer. EAIs stored at excessively high temperatures cannot be used to treat humans while still hot, and when cooled, cannot be relied on to deliver the labeled epinephrine dose in anaphylaxis.


Cells in auditory cortex that project to the cochlear nucleus in guinea pigs.
Fluorescent retrograde tracers were used to identify the cells in auditory cortex that project directly to the cochlear nucleus (CN). Following injection of a tracer into the CN, cells were labeled bilaterally in primary auditory cortex and the dorsocaudal auditory field as well as several surrounding fields. On both sides, the cells were limited to layer V. The size of labeled cell bodies varied considerably, suggesting that different cell types may project to the CN. Cells ranging from small to medium in size were present bilaterally, whereas the largest cells were labeled only ipsilaterally. In optimal cases, the extent of dendritic labeling was sufficient to identify the morphologic class. Many cells had an apical dendrite that could be traced to a terminal tuft in layer I. Such "tufted" pyramidal cells were identified both ipsilateral and contralateral to the injected CN. The results suggest that the direct pathway from auditory cortex to the cochlear nucleus is substantial and is likely to play a role in modulating the way the cochlear nucleus processes acoustic stimuli.


Autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and spectral imaging for breast surgical margin analysis.
Most women with early stage breast cancer have the option of breast conserving therapy, which involves a partial mastectomy for removal of the primary tumor, usually followed by radiotherapy. The presence of tumor at or near the margin is strongly correlated with the risk of local tumor recurrence, so there is a need for a non-invasive, real-time tool to evaluate margin status. This study examined the use of autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and spectral imaging to evaluate margin status intraoperatively. Spectral measurements were taken from the surface of the tissue mass immediately following removal during partial mastectomies and/or from tissues immediately after sectioning by surgical pathology. A total of 145 normal spectra were obtained from 28 patients, and 34 tumor spectra were obtained from 12 patients. After correlation with histopathology, a multivariate statistical algorithm classified the spectra as normal (negative margins) or tumor (positive margins) with 85% sensitivity and 96% specificity. A separate algorithm achieved 100% classification between neo-adjuvant chemotherapy-treated tissues and non-treated tissues. Fluorescence and reflectance-based spectral images were able to demarcate a calcified lesion on the surface of a resected specimen as well. Fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy could be a valuable tool for examining the superficial margin status of excised breast tumor specimens, particularly in the form of spectral imaging to examine entire margins in a single acquisition.


[Development of plaque-induced gingival pockets in an animal experiment].
Single teeth and resected jaw specimens including periodontal tissue were prepared as saw-cut thin-ground specimens without previous decalcification. The specimens were classified into 4 stages of pathogenesis to allow studies into the mechanisms of gingival pocket formation. Examination of the preparations under the light microscope indicated that the pathologic gingival pockets caused by microbial plaque might be formed by degenerative alterations in the second or third innermost cell layer of the junctional epithelium. The intercellular contacts were dissolved and, thus, cyst-like cavities were formed within the epithelium. The contact between tooth enamel/cementum--basal membrane--epithelial cells, however, was maintained. Artifacts could be ruled out by comparing preparations of single teeth with those of entire jaw segments.


Spectroscopic evidence of spinel phase clustering in solid solutions Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.1).
The diluted magnetic semiconductors Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se (0.03≤x≤0.1) were prepared by the solid state recrystallization method. The structure microanalysis of the Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se compounds, performed by using a scanning electron spectrometer, has shown that the HgCr(2)Se(4) spinel-like inclusions are present in the host matrix Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se and their amount increases when the chromium content grows. ESR studies of Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se samples were carried out in the temperature range 4.2-300 K. ESR spectra of the samples with different chromium contents demonstrate the same g-factors at room temperature and similar fine structure development with the temperature decrease. Numerical studies of g-factors, performed by the modified crystal field approach (MCFA), allowed us to reveal that Cr(2+)/Cr(3+) ions in the tetrahedral environment of the solid solution Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se cannot lead to the ESR signal. The experimental g-factor is well reproduced by a numerical g-factor for Cr(3+) ions located in the octahedral environment, being specific for the HgCr(2)Se(4) spinel phase. The onset of the ESR fine structure is determined by the trigonal distortions of the (CrSe(6))(9-) octahedral cell. From our study it has been found that the spinel clusters are present in the Hg(1-x)Cr(x)Se solid solution even at low chromium content.


Prediction of success and major complications during elective coronary angioplasty.
Complications from coronary angioplasty remain a concern despite improvements in technology and operator's skills. Identification of high-risk patients is important with regard to surgical standby and other precautions that have to be taken for such patients. Prior to elective coronary angioplasty, the probability of success and the risk of complications were estimated on the basis of angiographic and clinical characteristics. A total of 2365 consecutive elective procedures were evaluated. Estimates for success and complications were classified into three categories: high, intermediate or low probability. Angioplasty success was achieved in 1025 of 1056 (97%) procedures with high success probability; in 833 of 914 (91%) with intermediate success probability and 304 of 395 (77%) with low success probability. Complications occurred in five of 271 (2%) procedures with an anticipated low risk of complications, in 72 of 1973 (4%) procedures with a intermediate risk and in 13 of 121 (11%) procedures with a high risk of complications. Out of a total of 28, 22 (80%) surgical bypass procedures were performed in the intermediate anticipated risk category. For groups of patients, reliable prediction of success and complications is possible. However, most emergency bypass surgery after failed angioplasty is performed in patients with a predicted intermediate risk of complications. Interventional cardiologists are not able to identify in advance the majority of patients who will need surgery for failed angioplasty.


Metabonomic analysis of toxic action of long-term low-level exposure to acrylamide in rat serum.
This study assessed the effects of long-term, low-dose acrylamide (AA) administration in rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, low-dose AA (0.2 mg/kg BW), middle-dose AA (1 mg/kg BW), and high-dose AA (5 mg/kg BW). AA was administered to rats via drinking water ad libitum. After 16-week treatment, rat serum was collected for metabonomic analysis. Biochemical tests were further conducted to verify metabolic alterations. Eleven metabolites were identified with significant changes in intensities (increased or reduced) as a result of treatment. These metabolites included citric acid, pantothenic acid, isobutyryl-l-carnitine, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, LysoPC(20:4), LysoPC(22:6), LysoPE(20:3), undecanedioic acid, and dodecanedioic acid. Results indicate that chronic exposure to AA at no observed adverse effect level does not exert a toxic effect on rats at the body metabolism level. AA disturbed the metabolism of lipids and energy, affected the nervous system of rats, and induced oxidative stress and liver dysfunction.


Health status of Air Force veterans occupationally exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. I. Physical health.
The Air Force Health Study is a 20-year comprehensive assessment of the health of Air Force veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for aerial spraying of herbicides in Vietnam. The study compares the health and noncombat mortality of Ranch Hand veterans with a comparison group of Air Force veterans primarily involved with cargo missions in Southeast Asia but who were not exposed to herbicides. This report summarizes the health of these veterans as determined at the third in a series of physical examinations. Nine hundred ninety-five Ranch Hands and 1299 comparison subjects attended the second follow-up examination in 1987. The two groups were similar in reported health problems, diagnosed skin conditions, and hepatic, cardiovascular, and immune profiles. Ranch Hands have experienced significantly more basal cell carcinomas than comparison subjects. The two groups were not different with respect to melanoma and systemic cancer.


Barriers to mental health care access in an African American population.
Emphasis has been placed on understanding the mental health disparities that exist within minority populations in the United States. Disparities are of particular importance when examining access to services. This paper reports findings from a NINR-funded qualitative study that examined the barriers to mental health care service use in an African American low-income population. Barriers were identified at three levels--Individual, Environmental, and Institutional. Fourteen barrier categories were identified within those levels with three categories common to the majority of participants. The identified categories provide insight into the process of seeking services within this population and provide direction for future investigation.


Renal arterial 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels: regulation by cyclooxygenase.
20-HETE, a potent vasoconstrictor, is generated by cytochrome P-450 omega-hydroxylases and is the principal eicosanoid produced by preglomerular microvessels. It is released from preglomerular microvessels by ANG II and is subject to metabolism by cyclooxygenase (COX). Because low-salt (LS) intake stimulates the renin-angiotensin system and induces renal cortical COX-2 expression, we examined 20-HETE release from renal arteries (interlobar and arcuate and interlobular arteries) obtained from 6- to 7-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats fed either normal salt (0.4% NaCl) or LS (0.05% NaCl) diets for 10 days. With normal salt intake, the levels of 20-HETE recovered were similar in arcuate and interlobular arteries and interlobar arteries: 30.1 +/- 8.5 vs. 24.6 +/- 5.3 ng. mg protein(-1). 30 min(-1), respectively. An LS diet increased 20-HETE levels in the incubate of either arcuate and interlobular or interlobar renal arteries only when COX was inhibited. Addition of indomethacin (10 microM) to the incubate of arteries obtained from rats fed an LS diet resulted in a two- to threefold increase in 20-HETE release from arcuate and interlobular arteries, from 39.1 +/- 13.2 to 101.8 +/- 42.6 ng. mg protein(-1). 30 min(-1) (P < 0.03), and interlobar arteries, from 31.7 +/- 15.1 to 61.9 +/- 29.4 ng. mg protein(-1). 30 min(-1) (P < 0.05) compared with release of 20-HETE when COX was not inhibited. An LS diet enhanced vascular expression of cytochrome P-4504A and COX-2 in arcuate and interlobular arteries; COX-1 was unaffected. Metabolism of 20-HETE by COX is proposed to represent an important regulatory mechanism in setting preglomerular microvascular tone.


Infrasonic wind noise under a deciduous tree canopy.
In a recent paper, the infrasonic wind noise measured at the floor of a pine forest was predicted from the measured wind velocity spectrum and profile within and above the trees [Raspet and Webster, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 651-659 (2015)]. This research studies the measured and predicted wind noise under a deciduous forest with and without leaves. A calculation of the turbulence-shear interaction pressures above the canopy predicts the low frequency peak in the wind noise spectrum. The calculated turbulence-turbulence interaction pressure due to the turbulence field near the ground predicts the measured wind noise spectrum in the higher frequency region. The low frequency peak displays little dependence on whether the trees have leaves or not. The high frequency contribution with leaves is approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the contribution without leaves. Wind noise levels with leaves are very similar to the wind noise levels in the pine forest. The calculated turbulence-shear contribution from the wind within the canopy is shown to be negligible in comparison to the turbulence-turbulence contribution in both cases. In addition, the effect of taller forests and smaller roughness lengths than those of the test forest on the turbulence-shear interaction is simulated based on measured meteorological parameters.


Simplified technique of tracheoesophageal prosthesis placement at the time of secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP).
Secondary tracheoesophageal (TE) puncture standardly involves placement of a catheter at time of TE fistula creation. We explore the feasibility of placement of the prosthesis at the time of TE puncture (TEP) obviating the need for a subsequent procedure to place the prosthesis. We describe the technique and evaluate the success and potential advantages. Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients who underwent TE prosthesis placement at the time of secondary TEP from 3/2009 to 1/2011. Fourteen patients underwent the primary TE prosthesis placement at the time of secondary puncture and were evaluated. Assessed outcomes included patient demographics, success of prosthesis placement, need for repeat procedure, early or late prosthesis dislodgement, complications, and specific voice outcomes. Patient cohort included nine males, five females, with average age of 64 years. All TE prosthesis placements were successful. The 12-mm 20 F Blom-Singer Indwelling prosthesis was used in all cases. No complications occurred during prosthesis placement. Two perioperative complications occurred: one case of transient pulmonary edema from general anesthesia, one case of posterior tracheal wall swelling. The second was addressed with placement of a larger prosthesis. All patients successfully achieved good voice at an average of 4 days after the procedure (range: 1-9 days). This initial series of 14 consecutive patients demonstrates successful TE prosthesis placement at the time of secondary TE puncture. Functional voice was achieved in all patients with no significant immediate complications. No dislodgements occurred and no repeat procedures were required. Voice acquisition was achieved at an earlier time (4 days on average) than with traditional techniques and without the necessity of a subsequent procedure. Primary prosthesis placement at the time of secondary TE puncture is a successful option for surgical voice restoration with distinct advantages and minimal complications.


Glycosylation influences on the aggregation propensity of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are the fastest growing class of biologics in the pharmaceutical industry. The correlation between mAb glycosylation and aggregation has not been elucidated in detail, yet understanding the structure-stability relationship involving glycosylation is critical for developing successful drug formulations. We conducted studies of temperature-induced aggregation and compared the stability of both glycosylated and aglycosylated forms of a human IgG1. In parallel, we also performed molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated full antibody to gain an understanding of the polysaccharide surroundings at the molecular level. Aglycosylated mAbs are somewhat less stable and therefore aggregate more easily than the glycosylated form at the temperatures studied. Glycosylation seems to enhance solubility and stability of these therapeutics and thus might be important for long-term storage.


Melt-Mixed Thermoplastic Nanocomposite Containing Carbon Nanotubes and Titanium Dioxide for Flame Retardancy Applications.
The study of polymeric nanocomposites is a possible alternative to conventional flame retardants. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of carbon-nanotubes (CNT) and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on the thermo-mechanical, flammability, and electrical properties of polypropylene (PP). In this work, PP-TiO2/CNT nanocomposites were obtained with TiO2/CNT mixtures (ratio 1:2) through the melt extrusion process, with different weight percentage of nanoparticles (1, 5, and 10 wt %). The PP-TiO2/CNT nanocomposites were characterized by DSC, TGA, MFI, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. It was possible to determine that the thermal stability of the PP increases when increasing the content of NPs. A contrary situation is observed in the degree of crystallinity and thermo-oxidative degradation, which decreased with respect to pure PP. The TiO2 NPs undergo coalition and increase their size at a lower viscosity of the nanocomposite (1 and 5 wt %). The mechanical properties decreased slightly, however, the Young's modulus presented an improvement of 10% as well as electrical conductivity, this behavior was noted in nanocomposites of 10 wt % of NPs. Flammability properties were measured with a cone calorimeter, and a reduction in the peak heat release rate was observed in nanocomposites with contents of nanoparticles of 5 and 10 wt.


Feasibility of patient navigation in resident primary care practice: a screening mammography quality improvement initiative.
Patient navigation (PN) has been used to improve breast cancer outcomes but has not been evaluated in resident practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of PN in resident clinics to improve biennial screening mammography. All participants whose last screening mammogram was at 18 months or after received PN. Feasibility outcomes included practicality (ability to carry out intervention), effectiveness (ability of intervention to increase biennial screening mammography rates), and acceptability (resident satisfaction with PN). Despite difficulty contacting patients, we found PN improved screening mammography adherence in resident practices serving vulnerable populations. Adherence rates increased significantly postintervention. Residents reported interest in using PN in practice.


Prenatal exposure of testosterone prevents SDN-POA neurons of postnatal male rats from apoptosis through NMDA receptor.
The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in mediating the effect of testosterone exposure prenatally on neuronal apoptosis in the sexual dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) of rats was studied. The endogenous testosterone was diminished by prenatal stress (PNS) or simulated by testosterone exposure (TE) to understand the effect of testosterone on NR(1) (a functional subunit protein of NMDA receptor) expression and neuronal apoptosis. To further study whether the testosterone, after being converted into estradiol, modulates NR(1) expression, 4-androstein-4-ol-3,17-dione (ATD; an aromatase inhibitor) was used to block the conversion of estradiol from testosterone. The expressions of the NR(1) mRNA and NR(1) subunit protein were quantified by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis, respectively. In addition, a noncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptor, MK-801, was used to find out whether blockage of NMDA receptor affects the naturally occurring apoptosis in SDN-POA. The results showed the following. 1) Expression of perinatal NR(1) subunit protein in the central part of the medial preoptic area of male rats was significantly higher than that of females, especially on postnatal days 1 and 3. 2) The testosterone level of male fetuses on embryonic day 18 was significantly higher than that of females, while the testosterone level of TE females or PNS males was similar to that of intact males or intact females, respectively. 3) The apoptotic incidence of intact male rats was significantly less than that of females, and the apoptosis was stimulated by PNS in male or inhibited by TE in female. 4) The expression of NR(1) subunit protein could be inhibited by PNS or ATD-treatment in male, while stimulated by TE in female. 5) NR(1) mRNA showed no significant difference among intact male, PNS male, ATD-treated male, TE female and intact female rats. 6) The low apoptotic incidence of male rats was significantly increased when NMDA receptor was blocked by MK-801. These results suggest that testosterone, after being converted to estradiol, may prevent the SDN-POA neurons of male rats from apoptosis through enhancing the expression of NR(1) at the posttranscriptional level.


The Association of Biomarkers of Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Degradation With the Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The ARIC Study.
Animal and human laboratory studies suggest that the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) involves inflammation and degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. This study prospectively assessed the association between biomarkers for these mechanisms and the presence of AAA during 24 years of follow-up in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The ARIC prospectively identified clinically diagnosed AAAs in 15 792 men and women from baseline in 1987 to 1989 to 2011 using hospital discharge codes and death records. Additional asymptomatic AAAs were detected by an abdominal ultrasound scan in 2011 to 2013. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-9, interleukin 6 (IL-6), N-terminal propeptide of Type III procollagen (PIIINP), and osteopontin were measured in blood samples collected between 1987 and 1992 in participants with AAA (544 clinically diagnosed AAAs and 72 ultrasound-detected AAAs) and a random sample of 723 participants selected from baseline and matched with AAAs by age, race and sex. Higher concentrations of MMP-9 and IL-6 were associated with future risk of clinically diagnosed AAA (hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 1.55 [1.22-1.97] and 1.87 [1.48-2.35], respectively, comparing highest versus lowest tertiles) after multivariable adjustment ( P for trend < .001). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 was also associated with ultrasound-detected AAA. In conclusion, blood concentrations of MMP-9 and IL-6 measured in middle age predicted the risk of AAA during 24 years of follow-up.


Growth, reproductive performance, and manganese status of heifers fed varying concentrations of manganese.
An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary Mn on growth, reproductive performance, and Mn status of beef heifers. Eighty Angus (n = 40) and Simmental (n = 40) heifers, averaging 249 kg, were stratified by BW within a breed and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments providing 0 (control), 10, 30, or 50 mg of supplemental Mn/kg of DM from MnSO(4). Heifers were individually fed a diet containing cottonseed hulls, corn gluten feed, citrus pulp, and ground corn, and the control diet contained 15.8 mg of Mn/kg of DM by analysis. Average daily gain, DMI, and G:F for the 196-d period were not affected by Mn supplementation. Control heifers had reduced (P = 0.04) liver Mn when contrasted with the 3 levels of supplemental Mn. Serum cholesterol was greater (P = 0.001) in Angus compared with Simmental heifers over the course of the 196-d experiment but was not affected by treatment. Dietary Mn did not significantly affect measures of reproductive performance. Results of this study indicate that 15.8 mg of Mn/kg of diet DM should be adequate for growth, onset of estrus, and conception of beef heifers.


Mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias caused by increased dispersion of repolarization.
To explain the mechanism of arrhythmias dependent predominantly on increased dispersion of repolarization, we created a model in which increased dispersion was induced by means of generalized hypothermia (29 degrees C) and regional warm blood (38-43 degrees C) perfusion (RWBP) via a coronary artery branch. In 23 open-chest dogs, hypothermia plus RWBP increased maximum dispersion of repolarization from 13 +/- 10 to 111 +/- 16 ms (P less than 0.001) due predominantly to the increased monophasic action potential duration (MAP) difference of six simultaneously recorded MAP's from the ventricular surface, from 10 +/- 15 to 97 +/- 16 ms (P less than 0.001). The maximal difference between activation times was not significantly changed while QRS duration increased from 47 +/- 6 to 52 +/- 7 ms (P less than 0.01). Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) did not occur spontaneously but was induced by a single ventricular premature stimulus (VPS) in all 23 dogs during hypothermia plus RWBP when dispersion reached a critical magnitude. The requirement of this critical magnitude of dispersion for the induction of VA was documented in 16 dogs by means of stepwise increments or decrements of dispersion. In four dogs an increase in atrial pacing rate by 24 beats/min-1 prevented induction of VA by decreasing dispersion from a critical magnitude of 103 +/- 5 ms to a nonarrhythmogenic value of 86 +/- 9 ms (P less than 0.05). In six dogs, we compared the stimulation-site dependent effects of VPS applied in the region with short and long MAPD. In all dogs VA was inducible only by VPS from the region with short MAPD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Atypical Colonoscopic Presentation of Lymphocytic Colitis Mimicking Hyperplastic Polyposis Syndrome.
Lymphocytic colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of colon usually presented in middle age female as chronic watery diarrhea. Diagnosis is made on biopsy as colonoscopy usually revealed normal appearing colonic mucosa. We present here an unusual case of a 25-year-old female with past medical history of asthma was evaluated for one year of non-bloody watery diarrhea. The symptoms started after a course of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection a year back. The serum chemistries, including liver enzymes, were unremarkable. Stool culture, ova, and parasites were unremarkable. Stool Clostridium difficile was also negative. Celiac disease antibodies were unremarkable. Stool occult blood test was positive. The patient underwent colonoscopy for the evaluation of chronic diarrhea and revealed multiple polyps throughout the colon with inflamed surfaces which were biopsied. The concern was for hyperplastic polyposis syndrome. Genetic testing for adenomatous polyposis gene was done and came back negative. Biopsy from polyps revealed lymphocytic colitis. The patient was started on budesonide which resulted in marked improvement in her symptoms. Our case highlighted an atypical endoscopic finding of lymphocytic colitis which mimic hyperplastic polyposis syndrome.


Connexin hemichannels and cochlear function.
Connexins play vital roles in hearing, including promoting cochlear development and sustaining auditory function in the mature cochlea. Mutations in connexins expressed in the cochlear epithelium, Cx26 and Cx30, cause sensorineural deafness and in the case of Cx26, is one of the most common causes of non-syndromic, hereditary deafness. Connexins function as gap junction channels and as hemichannels, which mediate intercellular and transmembrane signaling, respectively. Both channel configurations can play important, but very different roles in the cochlea. The potential roles connexin hemichannels can play are discussed both in normal cochlear function and in promoting pathogenesis that can lead to hearing loss.


Neutron Reflectivity Study on the Suppression of Interfacial Water Accumulation between a Polypropylene Thin Film and Si Substrate Using a Silane-Coupling Agent.
We measured the neutron reflectivity (NR) of isotactic polypropylene (PP) thin films deposited on Si substrates modified by hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) at the saturated vapor pressure of deuterated water at 25 °C and 60 °C/85% RH to investigate the effect of HMDS on the interfacial water accumulation in PP-based polymer/inorganic filler nanocomposites and metal/resin bonding materials. We found that the amount of water accumulated at the PP/Si interface decreased with increasing immersion time of the Si substrate in a solution of HMDS in hexane prior to PP film deposition. During the immersion of the Si substrate, the HMDS molecules were deposited on the Si substrate as a monolayer without aggregation. Furthermore, the coverage of the HMDS monolayer on the Si substrate increased with increasing immersion time. At 60 ° C and 85% RH, only a slight amount of interfacial water was detected after HMDS treatment for 1200 min. As a result, the maximum concentration of interfacial water was reduced to 0.1 from 0.3, where the latter corresponds to the PP film deposited on the untreated substrate.


COUP-TFI specifies the medial entorhinal cortex identity and induces differential cell adhesion to determine the integrity of its boundary with neocortex.
Development of cortical regions with precise, sharp, and regular boundaries is essential for physiological function. However, little is known of the mechanisms ensuring these features. Here, we show that determination of the boundary between neocortex and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), two abutting cortical regions generated from the same progenitor lineage, relies on COUP-TFI (chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor I), a patterning transcription factor with graded expression in cortical progenitors. In contrast with the classical paradigm, we found that increased COUP-TFI expression expands MEC, creating protrusions and disconnected ectopic tissue. We further developed a mathematical model that predicts that neuronal specification and differential cell affinity contribute to the emergence of an instability region and boundary sharpness. Correspondingly, we demonstrated that high expression of COUP-TFI induces MEC cell fate and protocadherin 19 expression. Thus, we conclude that a sharp boundary requires a subtle interplay between patterning transcription factors and differential cell affinity.


Immunodominant antigens of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with different gastroduodenal diseases.
To detect the immunogenic proteins in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains isolated from patients with different gastric diseases. We performed this study in the Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during July 2003 to September 2004. Total proteins of H. pylori strains isolated from the gastric biopsies of 3 groups of patients were separated by 1D-SDS-PAGE and then blotted with the sera of their respective hosts. In SDS-PAGE the members of each group showed high correlation according to similarity in their patterns, resulting in considering them in the same cluster. The patterns of immunoblots differed from that of Coomassie Brilliant Blue stained gels. The blotting method did not recognize some of the protein bands in the SDS-PAGE. Only the bands of 106 and 45 kDa from H. pylori strains isolated from patients with gastric cancer were significantly (p<0.05) recognized specifically with the sera of their respective patients, and the band of 13 kDa was recognized specifically (p<0.05) with the sera of nonulceric patients. With the exception of these bands, in the patterns of blotting of the sera from all patients no significant differences were observed. By using 1D blotting methods we could find 2 antigenic protein bands (106 and 45 kDa) for H. pylori strains isolated from cancerous patients, and one (13 kDa) for the strains isolated from nonulceric patients, which were specifically recognized with their respective host.


[Anti-depression targets and mechanism study of Kaixin San].
This study identified the anti-depression targets of Kaixin San(KXS) in the brain tissue with "target fishing" strategy, and explored the target-associated pharmacological signaling pathways to reveal the anti-depression molecular mechanism of KXS. The Balb/c mouse model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and the anti-depression effect of KXS was evaluated by forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. KXS active components were bonded to the benzophenone-modified magnetic nanoparticles by photocrosslinking reaction for capturing target proteins from cortex, thalamus and hippocampus of depressive mice. The target proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). The enrichment analysis on signaling pathways was performed by Cytoscape. The potential biological functions of targets were verified by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay. The results showed that KXS significantly improved the behavioral indexes. There were 64, 91, and 44 potential targets of KXS identified in cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus, respectively, according to the target identification experiment. The functions of these targets were mainly associated with vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, salmonella infection, thyroid hormone synthesis, and other signaling pathways. Besides, the results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that KXS up-regulated the expressions of argipressine(AVP) in the cortex, heat shock protein 60(HSP60), cytochrome C oxidase 4(COX4), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) in the thalamus, and down-regulated the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) p65 in the thalamus. Therefore, KXS may exert anti-depression effect through regulating vasopressin signaling pathway in the cortex and inflammation, energy metabolism, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways in the thalamus, and the effect of KXS on hippocampus is not significant.


[Analyze of the residue level of acrylic acid in cosmetics by ion chromatography method].
To develop a method for acrylic acid analysis in cosmetics by ion chromatography. Cosmetic samples were extracted by ultrasonic wave, then the separation was carried out on IonPac AS11-HC column (4 mm x 250 mm I. D.) with 30 mmol/L KOH as the eluent. The flow rate of the eluent was 0.8 ml/min. ASRS 300 4 - mm anion inhibitor and conductivity detector were used. Standard curve method was used for quantitative analysis. The linear ranges of calibration curve was 1.16 - 46.4 mg/L for acrylic acid, r = 0. 9996. The limit of detection was 4.8 mg/kg. The recoveries of acrylic acid with three different base materials were 89.1% - 92.6%, 93.5% - 96.2% and 90.5% - 94.8%. The intra-day and the inter-day precision were 1.8% and 5.8%, respectively. The established ion chromatographic method was simple, speedy, sensitive, and can be used to analyze the residue level of acrylic acid in cosmetics.


Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces retinal endothelial permeability of extracellular-superoxide dismutase.
The aim of this study was to determine the reasons why the intravitreal level of extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) increases in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients by the investigation of two possibilities: first, change of EC-SOD expression in the retina; and secondly, leakage of EC-SOD through the endothelial monolayer by the treatment with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducers because ER stress is known to be involved in the vascular impairment in diabetic retinopathy. Intravitreous injection of tunicamycin in mice increased the permeability of tracer dye across retinal blood vessels while the retinal EC-SOD mRNA level was not changed. The leakage of EC-SOD through the retinal endothelial cell layer was elevated by the treatment with thapsigargin or tunicamycin. The expression of claudin-5 was significantly decreased by the treatment with the ER stress inducers. These phenomena were significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of endothelial cells with a chemical chaperone 4-phenylbutyric acid. Our observations suggest that ER stress leads to the down-regulation of claudin-5 among tight junction proteins and may induce the elevation of endothelial permeability and leakage of EC-SOD into the vitreous body.


Fluorescent and Phosphorescent Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles and Crown Ethers: Biological and Pharmaceutical Applications.
Fluorescent molecules absorb photons of specific wavelengths and emit a longer wavelength photon within nanoseconds. Recently, fluorescent materials have been widely used in the life and material sciences. Fluorescently labelled heterocyclic compounds are useful in bioanalytical applications, including in vivo imaging, high throughput screening, diagnostics, and light-emitting diodes. These compounds have various therapeutic properties, including antifungal, antitumor, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. Different neutral fluorescent markers containing nitrogen heterocycles (quinolones, azafluoranthenes, pyrazoloquinolines, etc.) have several electrochemical, biological, and nonlinear optic applications. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which destroys tumors and keeps normal tissues safe, works in the presence of molecular oxygen with light and a photosensitizing drugs (dye) to obtain a therapeutic effect. These compounds can potentially be effective templates for producing devices used in biological research. Blending crown compounds with fluorescent residues to create sensors has been frequently investigated. Florescent heterocyclic compounds (crown ether) increase metal solubility in non-aqueous fluids, broadening the application window. Fluorescent supramolecular polymers have widespread use in fluorescent materials, fluorescence probing, data storage, bio-imaging, drug administration, reproduction, biocatalysis, and cancer treatment. The employment of fluorophores, including organic chromophores and crown ethers, which have high selectivity, sensitivity, and stability constants, opens up new avenues for research. Fluorescent organic compounds are gaining importance in the biological world daily because of their diverse functionality with remarkable structural features and positive properties in the fields of medicine, photochemistry, and spectroscopy.


Copper-Dependent Kinases and Their Role in Cancer Inception, Progression and Metastasis.
In recent years, copper function has been expanded beyond its consolidated role as a cofactor of enzyme catalysis. Recent papers have demonstrated a new dynamic role for copper in the regulation of cell signaling pathways through direct interaction with protein kinases, modulating their activity. The activation of these pathways is exacerbated in cancer cells to sustain the different steps of tumor growth and dissemination. This review will focus on a novel proposed role for the transition metal copper as a regulator of cell signaling pathways through direct interaction with known protein kinases, which exhibit binding domains for this metal. Activation of these pathways in cancer cells supports both tumor growth and dissemination. In addition to the description of the results recently reported in the literature on the subject, relevance will be given to the possibility of controlling the cellular levels of copper and its homeostatic regulators. Overall, these findings may be of central relevance in order to propose copper and its homeostatic regulators as possible targets for novel therapies, which may act synergistically to those already existing to control cancer growth and dissemination.


Expressions and correlation analysis of HIF-1α, survivin and VEGF in patients with hepatocarcinoma.
To investigate the expressions of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in patients with hepatocarcinoma as well as the correlation analysis among them. 65 patients, who were admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as hepatocarcinoma from January 2014 to October 2015, were selected as hepatocarcinoma group, while 50 healthy cases that do not have hepatocarcinoma were selected as normal control group. The expression levels of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in hepatocarcinoma tissues of hepatocarcinoma group and normal liver tissues of control group were detected by immunohistochemical (SP) staining method; then, the correlation among them was explored. The expression levels of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF protein in hepatocarcinoma tissues and corresponding normal tissues were detected by Western blot. The positive expression rate of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in hepatocarcinoma tissues of hepatocarcinoma group was respectively 46.2%, 55.4%, and 61.5%, significantly higher than that in cancer adjacent normal liver tissues of control group which was 2%, 2%, and 2%, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The expressions of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in hepatocarcinoma tissues of patients with hepatocarcinoma were correlated with clinical stage, tumor differentiation degree and extrahepatic metastasis (p<0.05), but were not related to gender and tumor size (p>0.05). By Spearman rank correlation analysis, it could be seen that HIF-1α expression was positively correlated with VEGF protein expression in hepatocarcinoma tissues (r=0.683, p<0.05). Survivin expression was positively correlated with VEGF protein expression (r=0.717, p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between HIF-1α expression and survivin expression (p>0.05). The relative quantitative value of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in hepatocarcinoma tissues of hepatocarcinoma group was respectively 3.04±0.23, 2.26±0.31, and 2.57±0.36, significantly higher than that in cancer adjacent liver tissues of control group which was 1.07±0.17, 1.31±0.27, and 1.42±0.43, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). From Western blot electrophoresis scanning, it could be seen that the expressions of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF in hepatocarcinoma tissues were higher than those in cancer adjacent normal liver tissues. The expressions of HIF-1α, surviving, and VEGF played important roles in the occurrence, invasion, and metastasis of hepatocarcinoma. In hepatocarcinoma tissues, HIF-1α, and survivin protein expression was positively correlated with VEGF expression, but survivin protein was not related to HIF-1α expression, which indicated that HIF-1α and survivin may inhibit the apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells and promote tumor angiogenesis by up-regulating the expression of VEGF protein, thus accelerating the occurrence and development of hepatocarcinoma.


[Towards simplified cesarean section?].
In the past few years, many international publications have reported important improvements in the cesarean section procedure. Considering these improvements, M STARK suggests a new technique for the cesarean section which is called <<Migav-Ladach method>> (=ML). To assess feasibility and efficiency of this technique the authors conducted a prospective randomised study for 4 months including all cesarean sections and compared the ML technique with the classical Pfannenstiel are. The following criteria were noted for each woman. Results showed the superiority of the M.L. technique especially with regard to the length of duration of the post-operative fever and the parietal blood collection, where difference is significant. Regarding the blood loss rate, the post-operation pain, the delay before gas and the duration of the hospitalisation period the M.L. technique seems to be better although the difference is not very significant statistically. Following this study and the international literature survey, authors conclude that the M. L technique is so much better than the pfannenstiel technique that it must be used throughout daily obstetrical practice.