Double-blind, prospective, randomized study of warmed, humidified carbon dioxide insufflation vs standard carbon dioxide for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Patients undergoing warmed, humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy will (1) maintain a warmer intraoperative core temperature, (2) have their surgeon experience less fogging of the camera lens, and (3) have less postoperative pain than patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with standard CO2 insufflation. A double-blind, prospective, randomized study comparing patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with standard CO2 insufflation vs those receiving warmed, humidified CO2 (Insuflow Filter Heater Hydrator; Lexion Medical, St Paul, Minn) was performed. Main variables included patient core temperature, postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, and camera lens fogging. One hundred one blinded patients (69 women, 32 men) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into 2 groups-52 receiving standard CO2 insufflation (group A) and 49 receiving warmed, humidified CO2 (group B). Mean patient intraoperative core temperature change (group A decreased by 0.03 degrees C, group B increased by 0.29 degrees C, P =.01) and mean abdominal pain (Likert scale, 0-10) at 14 days postoperatively (group A, 1.0; group B, 0.3; P =.02) were different. Other variables (camera lens fogging, early postoperative pain, narcotic requirements, recovery room stay, and return to normal activities) between groups were similar. While patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with warmed, humidified CO2 had several advantages that were statistically significant, no major clinically relevant differences between groups A and B were evident.


Evaluation of Radiation Sensitivity in Patients with Hyper IgM Syndrome.
HIGM syndrome is a rare form of primary immunodeficiencies characterized by normal/increased amounts of serum IgM and decreased serum levels of other switched immunoglobulin classes. Since the affected patients are continuously infected with various types of pathogens and are susceptible for cancers, diagnostic and therapeutic tests including imaging techniques are recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, which predispose them to higher accumulated doses of radiation. Given the evidence of class switching recombination machinery defect and its association with an increased rate of DNA repair, we aimed to evaluate radiation sensitivity among a group of patients diagnosed with HIGM syndrome. 19 HIGM patients (14 CD40 L and 3 AID deficiencies and 2 unsolved cases without known genetic defects) and 17 control subjects (10 healthy subjects as negative control group, 7 ataxia-telangiectasia patients as positive control group) were enrolled. G2 assay was carried out for the determination of radiosensitivity. Based on radiation-induced chromosomal changes among the studied HIGM patients and their comparison with the controls, almost all (95%) the patients had degrees of radiosensitivity: 6 patients with low to moderate, 1 patient with moderate, 11 patients with severe and 1 patient without radiation sensitivity. Today, X-ray radiation plays a very important role in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; while increased exposure has devastating effects especially in radiosensitive patients. Considering higher sensitivity in HIGM patients, utilizing radiation-free techniques could partly avoid unnecessary and high-level exposure to radiation, thus preventing or reducing its harmful effects on the affected patients.


Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Platygastroidea.
A revised checklist of the British and Irish Platygastroidea (Platygastridae) substantially updates the previous comprehensive checklist, dating from 1978. Distribution data (i.e. occurrence in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man) is reported where known. A total of 381 British and Irish Platygastroidea represents a 47% increase on the number of British and Irish species reported in 1978.


18F-FDG and 18F-NaF PET/CT Global Assessment of Large Joint Inflammation and Bone Turnover in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves chronic inflammation of synovial joints, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) is a PET tracer whose uptake reflects bone turnover, while 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) shows glucose metabolism and can serve as a marker for inflammation. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of calculating the FDG and NaF mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) in the knee joint, hip joint, and sacroiliac (SI) joint of RA patients and to determine their association with patient characteristics. Prospective FDG-PET/CT as well as NaF-PET/CT imaging was performed on 18 RA patients. The global SUVmean was calculated on FDG-PET/CT and NaF-PET/CT images using a semiautomated CT-based method of segmentation. FDG and NaF uptake were found to be significantly correlated in the knee (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), but not in the hip and SI joints. In the knee, both NaF SUVmean and FDG SUVmean were significantly correlated with body weight, BMI, leptin, and sclerostin levels (p < 0.05). NaF SUVmean was significantly positively correlated with BMI and leptin for both the hip and SI joints (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between either PET parameter and age, height, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and interleukins 1 and 6 (IL-1 and IL-6); however, FDG was correlated with inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and patient global visual analogue scale (VAS-PtGlobal) in some joints. In this study, both FDG and NaF uptake were quantified in large joints of patients with RA using CT segmentation. NaF and FDG SUVmean were correlated with clinical variables related to body weight and adiposity, suggesting that degenerative joint disease may play a larger role in influencing the uptake of these tracers in large joints than RA disease activity. FDG and its correlation with markers of inflammation such as CRP and VAS-PtGlobal suggests that this tracer may serve as a more specific marker for RA disease activity than NaF. Larger prospective and longitudinal data are necessary to gain a better understanding of the roles of FDG and NaF in evaluating RA joint activity in these joints.


IPEX, FOXP3 and regulatory T-cells: a model for autoimmunity.
FOXP3 is the key mediator of regulatory T-cell development in the thymus. Naturally occurring mutations of FOXP3 interfere with this process, resulting in the generation of autoaggressive lymphocyte clones that are directly responsible for the syndrome Immune Dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy, X-Linked (IPEX) in humans and scurfy in mice. Stem cell transplantation is the only cure for IPEX patients. The study of this rare disease has provided important insight into the mechanisms of immunosuppression, autoimmunity and tolerance and future studies may lead to novel strategies to treat not only patients with IPEX, but also those suffering from autoimmunity, graft-versus-host disease or cancer.


Risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among students at the veterinary school of Zaragoza University.
The prevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were studied in veterinary students in Zaragoza. Sera were collected at the beginning and end of the academic year 1994 to 1995 and were tested by ELISA against a pool of Leptospira interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona antigens. At the beginning of the study the prevalence was 8.14 per cent and at the end it was 11.4 per cent. The incidence of the disease during the study was 0.0394. Risk factors associated with leptospirosis included: taking the course specialising in food inspection and technology, on-farm work, contact with pets in general, and particularly carnivores, and contact with animal traders. The symptoms associated with the disease were myalgia and fever, and the treatment of the symptoms provided some protection.


Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.
COVID-19 outbreak and the followed confinement measures have raised concerns to specialists worldwide regarding the imminent increase in domestic violence cases. The present systematic review aims to identify the international trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 epidemic and to examine the possible differences among all population groups and different geographic areas worldwide. The following databases were accessed: DOAJ, ERIC, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Pubmed, PsycNet, and SCOPUS, up to July 22, 2020. A total of 32 studies were considered eligible. Data from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific Area, Africa, and worldwide researches were retrieved. COVID-19 has caused an increase in domestic violence cases, especially during the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown in each country. In children, however, although the specialists' estimations suggested an increase in child maltreatment and abuse cases, the rate of police and social services' reports has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures that isolated students at home seemed to have contributed to this decrease. Domestic violence has been a considerable issue imposed by the COVID-19 epidemic to a worldwide context. The home confinement led to constant contact between perpetrators and victims, resulting in increased violence and decreased reports. In order to minimize such issues, prevention measures and supporting programs are necessary.


Progress towards a submonomer synthesis of peptide nucleic acid.
We report recent developments in the optimization of a submonomer synthesis of peptide nucleic acid based on the Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction. The key steps in the submonomer synthesis are the installation of an appropriately protected 2-aminoethyl group on the alpha-nitrogen of an amino acid and its subsequent acylation with a protected nucleobase derivative. The aggressive alkylation conditions require a scheme of maximal protection for the nucleobases and that is proposed herein for the pyrimidines.


Stabbing facial pain reminiscent of primary stabbing headache.
Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is a transient and localized headache disorder. Facial variants of this rare pain syndrome have not been previously described. Four patients (n = 2 female, 2 male) presented themselves to our headache and facial pain outpatient clinic. They suffered daily from several dozen to several hundred short-lasting stabbing pain paroxysms primarily in the second and third trigeminal branches (V2 and V3) without lateral predominance. These non-neuralgic pain paroxysms did not strictly follow dermatomes, were not accompanied by trigeminal autonomic features and could not be triggered but occurred exclusively spontaneously. They did not fulfill any existing ICHD-3 criteria but appeared clinically to have similarities to primary stabbing headache syndromes. Indomethacin showed no efficacy. Exclusive facial variants of stabbing pain paroxysms should be classified as separate entities and tentatively be called stabbing facial pain.


The (moral) language of hate.
Humans use language toward hateful ends, inciting violence and genocide, intimidating and denigrating others based on their identity. Despite efforts to better address the language of hate in the public sphere, the psychological processes involved in hateful language remain unclear. In this work, we hypothesize that morality and hate are concomitant in language. In a series of studies, we find evidence in support of this hypothesis using language from a diverse array of contexts, including the use of hateful language in propaganda to inspire genocide (Study 1), hateful slurs as they occur in large text corpora across a multitude of languages (Study 2), and hate speech on social-media platforms (Study 3). In post hoc analyses focusing on particular moral concerns, we found that the type of moral content invoked through hate speech varied by context, with Purity language prominent in hateful propaganda and online hate speech and Loyalty language invoked in hateful slurs across languages. Our findings provide a new psychological lens for understanding hateful language and points to further research into the intersection of morality and hate, with practical implications for mitigating hateful rhetoric online.


Alantolactone, a natural sesquiterpene lactone, has potent antitumor activity against glioblastoma by targeting IKKβ kinase activity and interrupting NF-κB/COX-2-mediated signaling cascades.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most refractory and palindromic central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms, and current treatments have poor effects in GBM patients. Hence, the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of effective treatment strategies are essential. Alantolactone (ATL) has a wide range of pharmacological activities, and its anti-tumor effect is receiving increasing attention. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-GBM activity of ATL remains poorly understood. The biological functions of ATL in GBM cells were investigated using migration/invasion, colony formation and cell cycle/apoptosis assays. The localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p50/p65 and its binding to the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) promoter were determined using confocal immunofluorescence, a streptavidin-agarose pulldown assay and a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. IKKβ kinase activity was determined using a cell IKKβ kinase activity spectrophotometry quantitative detection kit and a molecular docking study. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed to determine the ability of ATL to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of ATL was also analyzed in xenografted nude mice. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels. ATL significantly suppressed the growth of GBM in vivo and in vitro. ATL significantly reduced the expression of COX-2 by inhibiting the kinase activity of IKKβ by targeting the ATP-binding site and then attenuating the binding of NF-κB to the COX-2 promoter region. Furthermore, ATL induced apoptosis by activating the cytochrome c (cyt c)/caspase cascade signaling pathway. Moreover, ATL could penetrate the BBB. ATL exerts its anti-tumor effects in human GBM cells at least in part via NF-κB/COX-2-mediated signaling cascades by inhibiting IKKβ kinase activity. ATL, which is a natural small molecule inhibitor, is a promising candidate for clinical applications in the treatment of CNS tumors.


Function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system in models of acute stress in domestic farm animals.
In response to stressors, the central nervous system of livestock (and other mammalian species) evokes physiological responses that ultimately result in activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and the sympatho-adrenal axis. The responses of these major systems are presumed to have adaptive and homeostatic value during periods of stress. The major hormone regulating the synthesis and secretion of adrenal glucocorticoids is ACTH. In sheep, cattle, and pigs, both corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) participate in the regulation of secretion of ACTH, and the two peptides seem to interact to enhance that secretion. In cattle and pigs, CRH is the more potent peptide, whereas VP is the more potent in sheep. In addition to its better-known role in regulating pituitary function, CRH also may participate as a neurotransmitter acting centrally to enhance sympathetic activation of the adrenal medulla. Many experimental models of stress have been evaluated that reliably activate the HPA axis and the sympatho-adrenal medullary axis, and some of these model systems also reduce functions of cells of the immune system. Recent data support an important role of stressor-activation of the sympathetics rather than increased glucocorticoids per se in modulating some measures of immune function in response to stress. Thus, current dogma of glucocorticoids as the primary mediator of stressor-associated alteration in immune function of domestic livestock may require reevaluation.


MicroRNA-218 is a prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer and enhances 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis by targeting BIRC5.
One major reason for the failure of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment is the occurrence of chemoresistance to fluoropyrimidine (FU)-based chemotherapy. Various reports showed that ectopic expression and function of microRNAs (miRNAs) played key roles to mediate apoptosis at the post-transcriptional level. To further explore the possible mechanisms, we evaluated the prognostic effect of miR-218 in patients with CRC receiving 5-FU-based treatment and investigated the proapoptotic role of miR-218 in vitro. Primary tumour specimens and adjacent non-tumour sites were used to determine miR-218 expression distribution and explore its potential prognostic value in response to 5-FU-based treatment in patients with CRC. HCT116 and HT29 cells were transfected with precursor miR-218 or negative control, followed by assays to investigate its influence on apoptosis, cell proliferation and pathways involved in molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance to 5-FU. Results showed that high miR-218 expression was associated with positive response to firstline 5-FU treatment in CRC patients. MiR-218 promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation and caused cell cycle arrest in CRC cells by suppressing BIRC5 expression. Furthermore, miR-218 enhanced 5-FU cytotoxicity in CRC cells by suppressing the 5-FU targeted enzyme, thymidylate synthase (TS). In conclusion, we demonstrated that high miR-218 expression had a positive prognostic value in 5-FU-based treatments for CRC patients and discovered a novel mechanism mediated by miR-218 to promote apoptosis and to function synergistically with 5-FU to promote chemosensitivity by suppressing BIRC5 and TS in CRC. These suggest the unique potential of miR-218 as a novel candidate for developing miR-218-based therapeutic strategies in CRC.


Integrating biological pathways in disease ontologies.
Anatomy, clinical features, etiology, and morphology are the major organizing principles in existing disease ontologies. Assuming that biological pathways (including protein physical interactions, metabolic reactions, regulatory networks) will be in the near future key components in classifications of diseases, we have analyzed how information about pathways can be integrated into disease ontologies. We designed a disease ontology in OWL. SNOMED CT was used to provide the initial disease descriptions. In a second step, we integrated information from the KEGG PATHWAY and the GO annotation data-bases into the disease ontology. In the last step, we analyzed the classification of diseases. For example glioma of brain shares 30 pathways with other cancers, and 19 pathways with Alzheimer's disease. As our knowledge about biological pathways is constantly evolving, this approach can be used for integrating automatically this knowledge in existing ontologies. Thanks to the automatic classification associated with formal ontologies, this approach helps identify physio-pathological classes and taxonomic relations in diseases ontologies. It can therefore be used to create new partitions, focusing on pathways, in biomedical ontologies.


Diversity of rotavirus strains among children with acute diarrhea in China: 1998-2000 surveillance study.
As part of a national rotavirus surveillance activity, we collected fecal specimens from 3,177 children with acute diarrhea in 10 regions of China between April 1998 and April 2000 and screened them for rotavirus. Rotavirus was detected in 41% (n = 1,305) of specimens, and in these, G1 was the predominant serotype (72.6%), followed by G3 (14.2%), G2 (12.1%), G4 (2.5%), G9 (0.9%), and G untypeable (0.7%). Among 327 G-typed strains tested for P genotype, 14 different P-G combinations were identified, with the globally common strains P[8]G1, P[4]G2, P[8]G3, and P[8]G4 representing 75.6% of all typed rotavirus strains. Among the uncommon strains, 11 were P[6]G9, and others included P[6]G1, P[6]G3, and five novel P-G combinations (P[9]G1, P[4]G1, P[4]G3, P[4]G4, and P[8]G2). Our results indicate that while the common rotavirus strains remain predominant, the diversity of strains is much greater than was previously recognized.


Characteristics of Singapore lung cancer patients who miss out on lung cancer screening recommendations.
The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) identified individuals at high risk for lung cancer and showed that serial low-dose helical computer tomographic scans (CT) were able to identify lung cancer at an earlier stage and also demonstrated mortality reduction. However, there has been little evidence regarding the effectiveness of the Lung Cancer Screening Criteria in the Asian population. To determine lung cancer patients who miss out on Lung Cancer screening criteria, we performed a retrospective audit from January to December 2018 in our hospital, and describe the characteristics of our patients diagnosed with lung cancer. We found that only 38.1% of the patients in our cohort who were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018 fitted into NLST Criteria strictly by age and smoking criteria. However, those who fitted the inclusion criteria of lung cancer screening would derive significant benefits, as 85.4% presented at advanced stage and 54.6% did not survive one year. We explored using the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria, which increased sensitivity to 58.7% of identifying our patients with diagnosed lung cancer. 15.5% of females with lung cancer in our cohort fitted into NLST Criteria, but their low smoking quantity is a significant contributing factor for females being excluded. Majority of Singapore patients diagnosed with lung cancer would not have been picked up by NLST Criteria, especially female patients. However, those who fitted the inclusion criteria would derive significant benefit, while expanding to an older limit may yield benefits with improved sensitivity.


Nursing Diagnosis of overweight and related factors in adolescents.
The objective of the study was to compare the related factors to the nursing diagnosis (ND) of overweight in adolescents with and without overweight. Transversal study conducted in 2013 with 347 adolescents that attended public schools in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, answered a questionnaire and had anthroprometric evaluation. The subjects were divided into two groups, the group without ND (n=247) and the group with ND (n=100). The prevalence of adolescents with ND overweight was 28.8%. The groups presented an unsatisfactory frequency of physical activity and a low consumption of healthy foods. The group with the ND overweight showed greater chance of consuming sweets and fried foods. The group with ND overweight had higher frequency of history family of illnesses. The prevalence of the ND overweight among adolescents in the public schools of Natal constitute a relevant nutritional deviance and the associated factors diet and family history disease are an alert for nursing in activities of prevention and follow-up for this population.


Essential role of E2-25K/Hip-2 in mediating amyloid-beta neurotoxicity.
The ubiquitin/proteasome system has been proposed to play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, the critical factor(s) modulating both amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) neurotoxicity and ubiquitin/proteasome system in AD are not known. We report the isolation of an unusual ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, E2-25K/Hip-2, as a mediator of Abeta toxicity. The expression of E2-25K/Hip-2 was upregulated in the neurons exposed to Abeta(1-42) in vivo and in culture. Enzymatic activity of E2-25K/Hip-2 was required for both Abeta(1-42) neurotoxicity and inhibition of proteasome activity. E2-25K/Hip-2 functioned upstream of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in Abeta(1-42) toxicity. Further, the ubiquitin mutant, UBB+1, a potent inhibitor of the proteasome which is found in Alzheimer's brains, was colocalized and functionally interacted with E2-25K/Hip-2 in mediating neurotoxicity. These results suggest that E2-25K/Hip-2 is a crucial factor in regulating Abeta neurotoxicity and could play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.


Radical aminomethylation of unactivated alkenes.
S-Succinimidomethyl- and S-phthalimidomethyl xanthates are added efficiently to various alkenes resulting in an overall aminomethylation process. In contrast, under similar conditions, S-pyrrolidonyl xanthate gives rise mostly to oligomers. This unexpected difference in reactivity is attributed to the more important allylic character of the intermediate radical in the case of the imide derivative as compared to the lactam.


Tl2Te and its relationship with Tl5Te3.
The crystal structure of Tl(2)Te, dithallium telluride, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The analysis of the structure shows that this compound is the first known representative of a new crystal structure type. The structural relationship with the related Tl(5)Te(3) phase is discussed.


Congenital giant nevi: clinical and pathological considerations.
A clinical and pathological review of 67 cases of congenital giant nevi and of 5 cases of malignant transformation in congenital giant nevi brings out the following. 1. The lesions should be regarded as premalignant. 2. An aggressive approach is advocated to remove the lesion before school age. 3. Staged excisions, combined with skin grafting and/or local rotation flaps, are advocated. 4. Any nodularity or ulceration developing within a congenital giant nevus should be regarded as an ominous sign. 5. A long-term follow-up is necessary in those patients having subtotal excisions.


Adapting ISA system warnings to enhance user acceptance.
Inappropriate speed is a major cause of traffic accidents. Different measures have been considered to control traffic speed, and intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) systems are one of the alternatives. These systems know the speed limits and try to improve compliance with them. This paper deals with an informative ISA system that provides the driver with an advance warning before reaching a road section with singular characteristics that require a lower safe speed than the current speed. In spite of the extensive tests performed using ISA systems, few works show how warnings can be adapted to the driver. This paper describes a method to adapt warning parameters (safe speed on curves, zone of influence of a singular stretch, deceleration process and reaction time) to normal driving behavior. The method is based on a set of tests with and without the ISA system. This adjustment, as well as the analysis of driver acceptance before and after the adaptation and changes in driver behavior (changes in speed and path) resulting from the tested ISA regarding a driver's normal driving style, is shown in this paper. The main conclusion is that acceptance by drivers increased significantly after redefining the warning parameters, but the effect of speed homogenization was not reduced.


Availability of pediatric services and equipment in emergency departments: United States, 2006.
This report presents data on the availability of pediatric services, expertise, and supplies for treating pediatric emergencies in U.S. hospitals. Data in this report are from the Emergency Pediatric Services and Equipment Supplement (EPSES), a self-administered questionnaire added to the 2006 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). NHAMCS samples nonfederal short-stay and general hospitals in the United States. Sample data were weighted to produce annual estimates of pediatric services, expertise, and equipment availability in hospital emergency departments (EDs). In 2006, only 7.2 percent of hospital EDs had all recommended pediatric emergency supplies, and 45.6 percent had at least 85.0 percent of recommended supplies. EDs in children's hospitals and hospitals with pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were more likely to meet guidelines for pediatric emergency department services, expertise, and supplies. About 74.0 percent of these facilities had at least 85.0 percent of recommended supplies, compared with 42.4 percent of other facilities. Among children's hospitals and hospitals with PICUs, 66.0 percent had 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access to a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine attending physician; such access was uncommon in other types of hospitals. In general, little change was noted in the availability of emergency pediatric supplies between 2002-2003, when the initial EPSES was conducted, and 2006.


Calgranulins may contribute vascular protection in atherogenesis.
S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 are considered proinflammatory mediators of atherosclerosis. Known as calgranulins, they are major components of neutrophils and are upregulated in macrophages and foam cells. They influence leukocyte recruitment, and may propagate inflammation by binding TLR4 and/or receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). However, the receptors for calgranulins remain an enigma; we have no evidence for TLR4 or RAGE activation by S100A8 or S100A12. Moreover, gene regulation studies suggest antiinflammatory functions for S100A8 and emerging reports indicate pleiotropic roles. Unlike S100A9, S100A8 effectively scavenges oxidants generated by the myeloperoxidase system in vivo, forming novel thiol modifications. S100A8 is also readily S-nitrosylated, stabilizing nitric oxide and transporting it to hemoglobin. S100A8-SNO reduces leukocyte transmigration in the vasculature. S-glutathionylation of S100A9 modifies its effects on leukocyte adhesion. Both S100A8 forms inhibit mast cell activation, at least partially by scavenging reactive oxygen species required for signaling. Conversely, S100A12 activates and sequesters mast cells. However S100A12 suppresses proinflammatory cytokine induction by SAA-activated monocytes and macrophages, and inhibits matrix metalloprotease activity. We propose that the abundance and types of cells expressing calgranulins in particular microenvironments, their relative concentrations and post-translational modifications may have distinct functional outcomes, including those that are protective, at different stages of atherogenesis.


Ramadan fasting alters food patterns, dietary diversity and body weight among Ghanaian adolescents.
Ramadan is a monthlong fast for healthy adolescents and adult Muslims. The quality of foods eaten and eating patterns in Ramadan may be different from other months of the year. Food intake of adolescents is a concern as energy and nutrient requirements are higher and needed to support the growth spurt of this stage. The objective of the present study was to describe the food patterns, dietary diversity and body weight changes among adolescents during Ramadan. A prospective cohort study design with four measurement points (baseline, midline, endline and post endline) was conducted among 366 adolescents in Junior High Schools. Food pattern was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall was used to assess dietary diversity and body weight was measured using an electronic scale. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare changes in dietary diversity scores (DDS) and weight of pupils. Half of the pupils (50.3%) were female and average age was 15.9 ± 1.8 years. Pupils fasted for an average of 28.3 ± 4.0 days and 14.3 ± 0.5 h a day (dawn to dusk) during Ramadan. The number and types of dishes taken at meal times differed substantially between Ramadan periods and outside Ramadan. Consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and milk and milk products increased markedly during Ramadan. However, fasting came with a reduction in consumption of foods from roots and tubers, legumes and nuts, and dark green leafy vegetables while other food groups remained unchanged. Mean DDS increased significantly during Ramadan (F (2.933, 1070.573) = 7.152, p < 0.001) while mean daily meal frequency decreased (F (2.936, 1071.623) = 51.653, p < 0.001). There was significant body weight loss (-1.5 kg (95% CI: -1.1 kg to -1.6 kg)) among adolescents (F (2.656, 958.95) = 304.90, p < 0.001). Weight loss was short-lived; regained one month after Ramadan. In this prospective cohort study among schooling Ghanaian adolescents who fast during Ramadan, fasting was characterised by marked changes in usual food patterns, increased dietary diversity and significant body weight loss.


[Retaining time of tympanic ventilation tube and aural complications].
To study the relationship of retaining time of tympanic ventilation tube and aural complications. Three-hundred-five patients(659 ears)with otitis media with effusion (OME) received tympanostomy tube insertion. The tube were removed 6-36 months after tube insertion. Then aural complications were recorded in different tube retaining time, followed with a statistic analysis. Fifty-five tubes of 29 patients were removed at 1-6 months after tube insertion, with spontaneous extrusion 3.4%, blocked tube 10.3%, intrusion into the middle ear 0, granulation tissue 0, cholesteatoma 0, otorrhea 6.9%, perforation 0. One hundred and ninety tubes of 96 patients were removed at 6-12 months after tube insertion , with spontaneous extrusion 7.3%, blocked tube 15.6%, intrusion into the middle ear 1%, granulation tissue 0, cholesteatoma 0, otorrhea 5.2%, perforation 0. Three hundred and eight tubes of 156 patients were removed at 12-24 months after tube insertion, with spontaneous extrusion 9%, blocked tube 12.8%, intrusion into the middle ear 1.3%, granulation tissue 1. 9%, cholesteatoma 0.6%, otorrhea 2.5%, perforation was 0. One hundred and sixty one tubes of 83 patients were removed at 24-36 months after tube insertion, with spontaneous extrusion 36.1%, blocked tube 53%, intrusion into the middle ear 6%, granulation tissue 3.6%, cholesteatoma 2.4%, otorrhea 2.4%, perforation 2.4%. The occurrence of complication didn't increase with time going by when the ventilation tube retained less than two years. However, when the ventilation tube retained more than two years, the occurrence of spontaneous extrusion and blocked tube increased obviously.


Natural Bioactive Compounds: Alternative Approach to the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent, primary malignant brain tumor prevalent in humans. GBM characteristically exhibits aggressive cell proliferation and rapid invasion of normal brain tissue resulting in poor patient prognosis. The current standard of care of surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide is not very effective. The inefficacy of the chemotherapeutic agents may be attributed to the challenges in drug delivery to the tumor. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated the chemopreventive role of natural, dietary compounds in the development and progression of cancer. Many of these studies have reported the potential of using natural compounds in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a novel approach for the effective treatment of cancer. In this paper, we review the role of several natural compounds individually and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of GBM. We also assess the potential of drug delivery approaches such as the Gliadel wafers and role of nanomaterial based drug delivery systems for the effective treatment of GBM.


Implementation of the Calypso system: a commissioning experience.
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical implementation of the Calypso system with its potential impact on the treatment delivery. The influence of the electromagnetic array was investigated on the kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (kV-CBCT) image quality using the CATPHAN 504 CBCT images. Then, the QFix kVue Calypso couch top and the array attenuation, and their dosimetric influence on the Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments of prostate was evaluated. Regarding the image quality, a significant increase of noise (p < 0.01) was detected with the array in place, resulting in a significant decrease in signal noise ratio (SNR) (p < 0.01). No difference in absolute contrast was observed. Finally, there was a significant decrease in contrast noise ratio (CNR) (p < 0.01) even if the deviation was only of 2.5%. For the dosimetric evaluation, the maximum attenuation of the couch was 12.02% and 13.19% for X6 and X6 flattening filter free (FFF), respectively (configuration of rails out). Besides, the mean attenuation of the array was 1.15% and 1.67% for X6 and X6 FFF, respectively. For the VMAT treatment plans, the mean dose was reduced by 0.61% for X6 and by 0.31% for X6 FFF beams when using the electromagnetic array. The Calypso system does not affect significantly the kV-CBCT image quality and the VMAT plan dose distribution.


Risk factors for foot and mouth disease seroprevalence in indigenous cattle in Southern Ethiopia: the effect of production system.
A serological survey to investigate risk factors for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) occurrence was conducted between October 2007 and March 2008 in Southern Ethiopia. Antibodies against non-structural protein of FMD virus (using 3abc ELISA) were measured as indicator of exposure to the virus. The seroprevalence of FMD was 9.5% (95%CI = 7.7 - 11.3, n = 1020) and 48.1% (95% CI = 36.8 - 59.4%, n = 79), respectively at animal and herd levels. Within herd seropositivity was ranged from 6.7 to 46.7% with 18.6% (95%CI = 14.6 - 22.5%) risk of being seropositive for an animal in positive herds. The most important herd level risk factors identified were pastoral system (OR = 16.3, 95% CI = 2.0 -133.7) compared to sedentary, low altitude (OR = 7.5, 95% CI 1.4 -40.7) compared to high altitude, keeping cattle with small ruminants (OR = 5.1, 95% CI 1.0 -25.2) when compared to one species or alone. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P <0.05) in South Omo than Sidama and Gamo Gofa areas. The odds of seropositivity were 2.8 and 2.3 times higher in the adult (>4 years) and maturing animals (3-4 years) compared to young age category (<3 years). Both multivariable logistic and negative binomial regressions depicted that production system was the major risk factor for FMD seropositivity. Consequently, higher prevalence of FMD in pastoral system where animals are an integral part of life has substantial livelihood and economic implications, which signifies the need for devising control measures.


Janus kinase 2 and calcium are required for angiotensin II-dependent activation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein transcription in H295R human adrenocortical cells.
Angiotensin II- and K+-stimulated aldosterone production in the adrenocortical glomerulosa cells requires induction of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). While both agents activate Ca2+ signaling, the mechanisms leading to aldosterone synthesis are distinct, and the angiotensin II response cannot be mimicked by K+. We previously reported that StAR mRNA levels and promoter-reporter gene activity in transiently transfected H295R human adrenocortical cells were stimulated by angiotensin II but not by K+ treatment. The current study focused on identifying signaling pathways activated by angiotensin II that contribute to StAR transcriptional activation. We show that the angiotensin II-stimulated transcriptional activation of StAR was dependent upon influx of external calcium and requires protein kinase C activation. Furthermore we describe for the first time that the Janus tyrosine kinase family member, JAK2, was activated by angiotensin II treatment of H295R cells. Treatment of the cells with AG490, a selective inhibitor of JAK2, blocked JAK2 activation and StAR reporter gene activity and inhibited steroid production. Taken together these studies describe a novel pathway controlling StAR expression and steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells.


Oxygen levels affect axon guidance and neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Oxygen deprivation can cause severe defects in human brain development, yet the precise cellular and molecular consequences of varying oxygen levels on nervous system development are unknown. We found that hypoxia caused specific axon pathfinding and neuronal migration defects in C. elegans that result from the stabilization of the transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor 1) in neurons and muscle. Stabilization of HIF-1 through removal of the proteasomal HIF-1 degradatory pathway phenocopies the hypoxia-induced neuronal defects. Hypoxia-mediated defects in nervous system development depended on signaling through the insulin-like receptor DAF-2, which serves to control the level of reactive oxygen species that also affects axon pathfinding. Hypoxia exerted its effect on axon pathfinding, at least in part, through HIF-1-dependent regulation of the Eph receptor VAB-1. HIF-1-mediated upregulation of VAB-1 protected embryos from hypoxia-induced lethality, but increased VAB-1 levels elicited aberrant axon pathfinding. Similar genetic pathways may cause aberrant human brain development under hypoxic conditions.


Energy loss of argon in a laser-generated carbon plasma.
The experimental data presented in this paper address the energy loss determination for argon at 4 MeV/u projectile energy in laser-generated carbon plasma covering a huge parameter range in density and temperature. Furthermore, a consistent theoretical description of the projectile charge state evolution via a Monte Carlo code is combined with an improved version of the CasP code that allows us to calculate the contributions to the stopping power of bound and free electrons for each projectile charge state. This approach gets rid of any effective charge description of the stopping power. Comparison of experimental data and theoretical results allows us to judge the influence of different plasma parameters.


Rehabilitative treatment of cleft lip and palate: experience of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies-USP (HRAC-USP)--part 2: pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
The aim of this article is to present the pediatric dentistry and orthodontic treatment protocol of rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate patients performed at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies-University of São Paulo (HRAC-USP). Pediatric dentistry provides oral health information and should be able to follow the child with cleft lip and palate since the first months of life until establishment of the mixed dentition, craniofacial growth and dentition development. Orthodontic intervention starts in the mixed dentition, at 8-9 years of age, for preparing the maxillary arch for secondary bone graft procedure (SBGP). At this stage, rapid maxillary expansion is performed and a fixed palatal retainer is delivered before SBGP. When the permanent dentition is completed, comprehensive orthodontic treatment is initiated aiming tooth alignment and space closure. Maxillary permanent canines are commonly moved mesially in order to substitute absent maxillary lateral incisors. Patients with complete cleft lip and palate and poor midface growth will require orthognatic surgery for reaching adequate anteroposterior interarch relationship and good facial esthetics.


BMP-2 induces EMT and breast cancer stemness through Rb and CD44.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) has been reported to facilitate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and bone metastasis in breast cancer xenograft models. To investigate the role of BMP-2 in the development of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying its influence on breast cancer metastasis, we conducted a comprehensive molecular study using breast cancer cell lines and clinical samples. Our results showed that downregulation of Rb by BMP-2 was associated with ubiquitin-mediated degradation activated by phosphorylation of Rb via the PI3K/AKT signal pathway. In addition, the Smad signaling pathways are implicated in upregulation of CD44 protein expression by BMP-2. It was suggested that cross-talk exists between Rb and CD44 signaling pathways, as recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) was found to regulate CD44 expression partly through Rb signals. In clinical tissues, BMP-2 was positively and negatively correlated with CD44 and Rb expression, respectively. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, we have established an integrated mechanism by which rhBMP-2 induces EMT and stemness of breast cancer cells via the Rb and CD44 signaling pathways, which then contribute to breast cancer metastasis. These findings may be helpful for developing new strategies for the treatment and prognosis of advanced breast cancer.


Case report: optic disc edema without hydrocephalus in acoustic neuroma.
Traditionally, visual disturbance and optic disc edema are regarded as late manifestations of acoustic neuromas indicating increased intracranial pressure as a result of obstructive hydrocephalus or a sizeable mass lesion. We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with visual disturbance and bilateral optic disc edema. Classic features of hydrocephalus were absent. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large acoustic neuroma. However, there was no ventriculomegaly and at surgery intracranial pressure was normal. We suggest that cerebrospinal fluid protein may have a role in the formation of optic disc edema through a normal pressure communicating type of hydrocephalus. Furthermore, patients with acoustic neuromas and a visual disturbance related to optic disc edema may be inappropriate for treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery and should be offered early surgery to prevent visual deterioration.


Risk factors for myocardial injury during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Although off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is now used worldwide for coronary revascularization, the pre- and intraoperative risk factors for myocardial injury associated with the surgical procedure remain to be elucidated. We performed a multivariate analysis to investigate factors that contribute to myocardial injury during off-pump CABG. The study population consisted of 22 patients who underwent off-pump CABG without apparent intraoperative complications. Blood samples were obtained before surgery and at 3 and 12 hours after the last anastomosis and serum Troponin T (cTnT) levels were measured to assess myocardial injury. Patient characteristics and factors related to preoperative cardiac function and the intraoperative process were analyzed to determine their correlation with serum cTnT levels, and the Spearman's correlation coefficient (r(s)) was computed. Neither age, preoperative cardiac function, time required for anastomosis, the number of grafts, nor the total amount of bleeding were associated with serum cTnT levels. Serum cTnT at 3 and 12 hours after completed anastomosis correlated with the product of mean systolic blood pressure and mean heart rate (double product) during anastomosis. The r(s) values at 3 and 12 hours were 0.62 (P = .002) and 0.58 (P = .004), respectively. With respect to the serum cTnT level at 12 hours, creatinine clearance (Ccr) had a slight effect on the serum cTnT values. High blood pressure and an increased heart rate during anastomosis are unfavorable factors for off-pump CABG. However, strict control of the blood pressure and heart rate makes it possible to subject even patients at high-risk to off-pump CABG from the viewpoints of myocardial injury.


Spectral analysis of the weighted Laplacian in slip and no-slip flows.
Slip boundary conditions for the velocity field impact on the spectral properties of the advection-diffusion operator describing transport of passive particles in laminar parallel flows. By considering the Hermitian operator (referred to as the weighted Laplacian), describing the interplay between axial convection and cross-sectional diffusion of a scalar field, we show that the spectral watershed between slip and no-slip boundary conditions is a qualitatively different scaling behavior of the mean of the normalized eigenfunctions of the weighted Laplacian. The occurrence of slip conditions also influences the scaling of the density of states as regards both the leading and the subleading term in the Weyl's expansion.


Effect of treatment on the prognostic value of S-phase fraction in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
To investigate the prognostic value of cell proliferation rate in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, study its association with histologic classification, and investigate whether its predictive value is influenced by the type of treatment given. The S-phase fraction (SPF) size was determined by DNA flow cytometry from paraffin-embedded tissue obtained at diagnosis from 490 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diagnosed in a defined geographic area from 1970 to 1991. Clinical data were collected from hospital records and the files of the Finnish Cancer Registry. SPF size correlated well with histologic grading performed either according to the Working Formulation or Kiel classification (P < .0001 for both). The mean SPFs of low-, intermediate-, and high-grade malignant lymphomas were 4.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2% to 5.5%), 10.3% (95% CI, 9.3% to 11.4%), and 15.5% (95% CI, 14.0% to 16.9%), respectively. Lymphomas with an SPF lower than the median (7.9%) had a 58% 5-year and 44% 15-year survival rate, whereas those with an SPF larger than the median had a 44% 5-year and 40% 15-year survival rate (P < .0001). SPF size was not significantly associated with prognosis in some subgroups, such as among patients treated primarily with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) (n = 114) or cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) (n = 124) with or without radiotherapy (P > .05), whereas a stronger association was found among patients with stage I or II lymphoma treated with radiotherapy only (n = 100; P = .003) and among patients with stage III or IV lymphoma who did not receive chemotherapy (n = 44; P < .0001). In multivariate analyses that included the factors used to construct the International Prognostic Index, SPF had independent prognostic value both in low-grade and intermediate- or high-grade lymphomas, but not in the subset of patients treated with combination chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Cell proliferation rate measured as SPF is closely associated with histologic grading in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and it has independent prognostic value. The treatment given influences considerably the prognostic value of SPF.


High-throughput screening for identification of inhibitors of EpCAM-dependent growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
The cancer stem cell marker, EpCAM, is an important indicator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation and a functional component of hepatocellular tumor-initiating cells. A high-throughput screening assay was developed to identify inhibitors of EpCAM-dependent growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. EpCAM(+) and EpCAM(-) HCC cell lines were assessed for differential sensitivity to a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor. Libraries comprising 22 668 pure compounds and 107 741 crude or partially purified natural product extracts were tested, and 12 pure compounds and 67 natural product extracts were identified for further study. Three active compounds and the positive control were further characterized in terms of effects on EpCAM expression. Treatment of EpCAM(+) Hep3B cells resulted in loss of EpCAM expression as assessed by flow cytometry. This reduction was incomplete (most cells continued to express EpCAM), but resulted in generation of cell populations expressing lower levels of EpCAM. Sublethal concentrations (~IC50 ) reduced median EpCAM expression to 28% of control after 1 day and 19% of control after 2 days. Reduction in EpCAM expression preceded growth inhibition suggesting that a threshold of EpCAM expression may be required for growth of EpCAM-dependent cells. The identification of compounds with a variety of possible molecular targets suggests a likelihood of multiple mechanisms for modulation of EpCAM-dependent cell growth.


In vivo study of bleeding time and arterial hemorrhage in hypothermic versus normothermic animals.
This in vivo study confirmed impaired hemostasis during hypothermia in a swine model. Group I (normothermic, n = 8) and group II (hypothermic, n = 8) animals were anesthetized and instrumented for continuous peritoneal irrigation and monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure. The effects of hypothermia, hypotension, and inotrope on bleeding time and bleeding from two types of arterial injuries were evaluated. Our findings were that (1) bleeding time was significantly prolonged in hypothermic animals; (2) the differences in blood loss from partially torn artery (PTA) and completely cut artery (CCA) at both normothermic and hypothermic temperatures did not reach statistical significance; and (3) blood loss from PTA was greater than CCA when norepinephrine (Levophed) was infused to elevate blood pressure in hypotensive animals at normal core temperature.


Mast cell sensitizing antibody (MCSAb) response in experimental candidiasis: chromatographic studies.
A single dose of the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans (CA), mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), and inoculated into guinea-pig foot-pads, provoked the productions of homologous mast cell sensitizing antibodies (MCSAb) present in the psiI-globulin fraction only, and of agglutinins localized in the same fraction. Heterologous MCSAb and skin-sensitizing antibodies detectable by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) were constantly absent. These facts are in contradiction to results of previous experiments performed with other antigens; which after similar inoculation elicited production of heterologous MCSAb attaching themselves on rat mast cells (MC) and present in the psi2 fast moving globulin, homologous MCSAb localized in the psiI-globulin and in the psi2 fast moving globulin, and PCA antibodies. The immunogenicity of CA is discussed.


Antibacterial cysteine protease from Cissus quadrangularis L.
An antibacterial Cp was extracted from the stem of Cissus quadrangularis and purified with a 5.39 fold increase in specific activity and 8.67% recovery. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 39kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on Native-PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature for protease activity were around 6.0 and 50°C respectively. The Cp showed pH stability from 3 to 10 and retained more than 90% of its relative protease activity. The addition of metal ions such as Mg2+ and Ca2+ also exhibited relative protease activity. Cp showed a potent antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. About 4.74Uml-1 of Cp from C. quadrangularis was tested for antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium which subsequently showed zone of inhibition of 21 and 20mm respectively. Cp from C. quadrangularis degraded the peptidoglycan layer of bacteria by Cp was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic analysis.


Giant pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery late after surgical repair of type-A aortic dissection.
A 49-year-old man was admitted to our department 6 months after emergent surgery for type-A acute aortic dissection. A chest computed tomography-scan revealed a huge aneurysm originating from the proximal aortic arch, strongly adherent to the upper part of the sternum. Extracorporeal circulation was instituted first, and chest was reopened in circulatory arrest. The mass was a giant pseudoaneurysm originating from a laceration at the base of the innominate artery. Due to tissue fragility and complete distortion of the origin of right carotid and subclavian arteries, we performed an extra-anatomic ascending aorta-to-right carotid artery bypass, followed by Teflon-reinforced suture of the proximal artery stumps. The postoperative course was uneventful.


Modulation of hepatic lipocyte proteoglycan synthesis and proliferation by Kupffer cell-derived transforming growth factors type beta 1 and type alpha.
Soluble mediators elaborated by activated Kupffer cells have been implicated in the activation of liver fat-storing cells. In the present study some of these factors were identified as TGF beta and TGF alpha affecting disparate reactions in the activation process. TGF beta is secreted in an inactive, latent form by Kupffer cells. It is activated after addition to primary FSC cultures and stimulates dose-dependently sulfated proteoglycan synthesis especially that of chondroitin sulfate, whereas the incorporation of [3H] thymidine is reduced significantly. These effects were neutralized completely by anti-TGF beta antibodies which ultimately converted the proliferation inhibitory effect of Kupffer cell medium in a proliferation stimulatory action. The latter is at least partially due to TGF alpha. Both cytokines are preferentially expressed in activated Kupffer cells. We conclude that Kupffer cells modulate the mitogenic activity of FSC in culture depending on the ratio of activated TGF beta and TGF alpha and affect chondroitin sulfate synthesis mainly by TGF beta. The results suggest a paracrine activation of FSC in injured liver by both transforming growth factors secreted by activated Kupffer cells.


A female patient with the Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated with anhidrosis and severe infections of the respiratory tract.
The Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is a rare syndrome which is believed to be inherited in an autosomal pattern. Poikiloderma of the face and extremities is a characteristic feature. Besides this, less common aspects have been reported like alopecia, cataracts, short stature, musculoskeletal/bone defects or small hands, hypogonadism, abnormal teeth, dysplastic nails, anhidrosis and a high incidence of cutaneous and non-cutaneous malignancies. We present a patient with the Rothmund-Thomson syndrome together with anhidrosis and multiple infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Investigation of immunological function revealed a low total number of T lymphocytes with a slightly depressed reactivity. Immunoglobulins were markedly increased.


The knowledge of issues associated with topical corticosteroids using in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory dermatitis, always accompanied by the pruritus. First line treatment comprise of topical steroids, however, there is a particular concern among patients with atopic dermatitis - "steroid phobia", which results in lack of efficacy of the therapy. Steroid phobia arises usually from insufficient knowledge of these drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of topical corticosteroids (TCS) and familiarity with so called safe therapy methods among atopic dermatitis patients. In the study participated 143 adult patients with AD diagnosis made by a specialist dermatologist-venereologist and allergist in accordance with Hanifin and Rajka's diagnostic criteria. Patients filled anonymously authorial survey which included questions concerning disease duration, severity of pruritus, frequency of skin lubrication, understanding of topical steroid therapy and practical aspects of safe TCS application. Correct answers responding incidence to questions related to TCS diminished with the patients age, while on the other hand, it increased statistically significantly with the level of education. What responders were afraid of most frequently were the skin atrophy (56,6%), cataract (52,4%) and teleangiectasias (44,8%), in opposite to neoplasms (16,8%) and obesity (22,4%). Concerns were dependent to the treating physician- patients under the care of dermatologists more often were worried about the skin atrophy, teleangiectasias and cataract. Among participating patients just 3,5% of them (5 patients) knew the finger tip unit term, whereas the majority (56%) had been informed about safe TCS therapy methods. Amidst respondents who answered questions about TCS correctly statistically significantly lower pruritus intensity was observed. Results of our study indicate on necessity of taking action to improve cooperation between patients and doctors insofar as topical therapy of atopic dermatitis.


[Adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene selectively kills breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro].
To evaluate the effect of adenovirus-mediated double suicide gene (CD/TK) for selective killing of breast cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-expressing MCF-7 cells and normal human mammary epithelial cells that did not express VEGF were infected with the adenovirus containing VEGFP-CD/TK-GFP genes. CD/TK gene expression in the infected cells was detected by RT-PCR. After treatment of the infected cells with GCV and/or 5-FC, the cell growth status was evaluated using MTT assay, and the cell cycle changes were detected with flow cytometry. In nude mice bearing human breast cancer, the recombinant adenovirus vector was injected directly into the tumor followed by intraperitoneal injection of the prodrugs GCV and/or 5-FC, and the subsequent tumor growth was observed. The recombinant adenovirus achieved similar infection rates in MCF-7 and human mammary epithelial cells, and the rates increased gradually with the multiplicity of infection (MOI) of the virus. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of CD/TK gene product in infected MCF-7 cells, but not in the infected mammary epithelial cells. The infected MCF-7 cells, but not the mammary epithelial cells, were highly sensitive to the pro-drugs. The CD/TK fusion gene system showed significantly greater efficiency than either of the single suicide gene in killing the target cells (P<0.01). At the MOI of 100, treatment of the infected cells with the pro-drugs resulted in increased cell percentage in G(0)-G(1) phase and decreased percentage in S phase. In nude mice bearing MCF-7 cell-derived subcutaneous tumor, treatment with the double suicide gene system significantly inhibited the tumor growth, showing much stronger effect than either of the single suicide gene (P<0.01). The adenovirus-mediated CD/TK double suicide gene driven by VEGF promoter combined with GCV and 5-FC treatment can be an effective therapy against experimental breast cancer, and produces much greater efficacy than the single suicide gene CD/TK combined with GCV or 5-FC.


Recurrent intragenomic recombination leading to sequence homogenization during the evolution of the lipoyl-binding domain.
The lipoyl-binding domain is often present, in one or several copies, in the E2 subunit and, less often, in the E1 and E3 subunits of 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes. Phylogenetic analysis shows evidence of multiple, independent intragenomic recombination events between different versions of the lipoyl-binding domain in various bacteria and eukaryotic mitochondria, leading to homogenization of the sequences of the lipoyl-binding domain within the same enzymatic complex in several bacterial lineages. This appears to be the first case of sequence homogenization at the level of an individual domain in prokaryotes.


Additional Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments in Keratoconus.
To evaluate the outcome of additional KeraRing (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) implantation in patients with keratoconus with previously implanted INTACS (Addition Technology Inc, Fremont, CA) segments. The KeraRing was implanted in 5 eyes of 3 patients with keratoconus without removal of previous intrastromal corneal ring segments. Tunnels were created manually. Snellen uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity, refractive and keratometric values, and higher-order aberrations were recorded before and after KeraRing implantation. UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity, subjective refraction, and keratometric values were improved in 4/5 of cases and remained stable during a median follow-up of 36 months. UDVA improved from 20/200 and 20/100 to 20/100 and 20/40 in the right and left eyes of patient 1, respectively, and from 20/200 to 20/40 in both eyes of patient 2. The reduction in mean keratometric value was 2.1 and 4.4 D in the right and left eyes of patient 1, and 1.4 and 1.9 D in the right and left eyes of patient 2, respectively. In patient 3, UDVA (20/100) and mean keratometric value (52.4) remained unchanged after second intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation. Total higher-order aberrations were improved in all cases. No intraoperative or postoperative complication was observed. However, one of the cases reported glare under scotopic conditions. KeraRing implantation in properly selected eyes with previously implanted INTACS could enhance final visual and refractive outcomes.


Mirizzi syndrome complicated by type IV cholecystobiliary fistula to the right hepatic duct.
Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of long-term chronic cholecystitis, characterized by extrinsic compression of the common hepatic duct that may progress to development of cholecystobiliary fistula. Here we report a case of a 38-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram for acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. Intraoperatively, the patient was found to have a Mirizzi syndrome complicated by cholecystobiliary fistula to the right hepatic duct. The gallbladder was successfully removed, cholelithiasis cleared and a ureteral stent was used in reconstruction. The patient was discharged on postoperative two and was doing well on routine follow-up. Ultimately, Mirizzi syndrome is a rare clinical entity that requires careful consideration during preoperative workup and a high suspicion when abnormal anatomy is encountered intraoperatively.


Accuracy assessment of wireless transponder tracking in the operating room environment.
To evaluate the applicability of the Calypso® wireless transponder tracking system (Varian Medical Systems Inc., USA) for real-time tumor motion tracking during surgical procedures on tumors in non-rigid target areas. An accuracy assessment was performed for an extended electromagnetic field of view (FoV) of 27.5 × 27.5 × 22.5 cm (which included the standard FoV of 14 × 14 × 19 cm) in which 5DOF wireless Beacon® transponders can be tracked. Using a custom-made measurement setup, we assessed single transponder relative accuracy, absolute accuracy and jitter throughout the extended FoV at 1440 locations interspaced with 2.5 cm in each orthogonal direction. The NDI Polaris Spectra optical tracking system (OTS) was used as a reference. Measurements were taken in a room without surrounding distorting factors and repeated in an operating room (OR). In the OR, the influence of a carbon fiber and regular stainless steel OR tabletop was investigated. The calibration of the OTS and transponder system resulted in an average root-mean-square error (RMSE) vector of 0.03 cm. For both the standard and extended FoV, all accuracy measures were dependent on transponder to tracking array (TA) distances and the absolute accuracy was also dependent on TA to OR tabletop distances. This latter influence was reproducible, and after calibrating this, the residual error was below 0.1 cm RMSE within the entire standard FoV. Within the extended FoV, this residual RMSE did not exceed 0.1 cm for transponder to TA distances up to 25 cm. This study shows that transponder tracking is promising for accurate tumor tracking in the operating room. This applies when using the standard FoV, but also when using the extended FoV up to 25 cm above the TA, substantially increasing flexibility.


Hepatic expression of glutamine synthetase in rats is controlled by STAT5 and TCF transcription factors.
In mammalian liver, high glutamine synthetase (GS) expression is restricted to hepatocytes surrounding the terminal venules. The most important enhancer of the GS gene is located approximately 2520 base pairs (bp) upstream from the transcriptional start point. The nature of the transcription factors that bind to the enhancers has remained enigmatic. In this study, we purified nuclear proteins binding to the element. Supershift assays and footprint experiments with purified protein identified activated STAT5 as a transcription factor binding to a site within the enhancer. In addition, a second binding site close to the STAT5 site was observed that also binds a protein present in nuclear extracts. Sequence analysis indicated that the second site may bind a member of the LEF/TCF transcription factor family. Reporter gene assays demonstrate that the STAT5 binding site mediates enhancement of expression whereas the LEF/TCF site functions as a silencer of growth hormone-mediated enhancement in normal hepatocytes. LEF/TCF-sites are known to function as silencers in the absence and as enhancers in the presence of activated beta-catenin. In conclusion, the GS 5' enhancer contains elements important for GS expression in cells carrying an activated form of beta-catenin as previously shown in experimentally induced hepatocellular carcinomas.


Image retake analysis in digital radiography using DICOM header information.
A methodology to automatically detect potential retakes in digital imaging, using the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) header information, is presented. In our hospital, neither the computed radiography workstations nor the picture archiving and communication system itself are designed to support reject analysis. A system called QCOnline, initially developed to help in the management of images and patient doses in a digital radiology department, has been used to identify those images with the same patient identification number, same modality, description, projection, date, cassette orientation, and image comments. The pilot experience lead to 6.6% and 1.9% repetition rates for abdomen and chest images. A thorough analysis has shown that the real repetitions were 3.3% and 0.9% for abdomen and chest images being the main cause of the discrepancy being the wrong image identification. The presented methodology to automatically detect potential retakes in digital imaging using DICOM header information is feasible and allows to detect deficiencies in the department performance like wrong identifications, positioning errors, wrong radiographic technique, bad image processing, equipment malfunctions, artefacts, etc. In addition, retake images automatically collected can be used for continuous training of the staff.


'They will be afraid to touch you': LGBTI people and sex workers' experiences of accessing healthcare in Zimbabwe-an in-depth qualitative study.
To examine experiences of key populations (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people, men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers) in Zimbabwe regarding access to, and experiences of, healthcare. Qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus groups, with thematic analysis. Sixty individuals from key populations in Zimbabwe. Participants were recruited from four locations (Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Beitbridge/Masvingo). Participants described considerable unmet needs and barriers to accessing basic healthcare due to discrimination regarding key population status, exacerbated by the sociopolitical/legal environment. Three main themes emerged: (1) key populations' illnesses were caused by their behaviour; (2) equal access to healthcare is conditional on key populations conforming to 'sexual norms' and (3) perceptions that healthcare workers were ill-informed about key populations, and that professionals' personal attitudes affected care delivery. Participants felt unable to discuss their key population status with healthcare workers. Their healthcare needs were expected to be met almost entirely by their own communities. This is one of very few studies of healthcare access beyond HIV for key populations in Africa. Discrimination towards key populations discourages early diagnosis, limits access to healthcare/treatment and increases risk of transmission of infectious diseases. Key populations experience unnecessary suffering from untreated conditions, exclusion from healthcare and extreme psychological distress. Education is needed to reduce stigma and enhance sensitive clinical interviewing skills. Clinical and public health implications of discrimination in healthcare must be addressed through evidence-based interventions for professionals, particularly in contexts with sociopolitical/legal barriers to equality.


Was a child poisoned by ethanol? Discrimination between ante-mortem consumption and post-mortem formation.
The presence of ethanol in human specimens collected during autopsies is generally considered as an indication of recent ante-mortem alcohol consumption. The interpretation of the results may however be impaired by post-mortem formation of ethanol when microorganisms capable of fermentation of glucose to ethanol are present. Since the distribution in the different fluids and tissues remains contentious to conclude on the origin of the detected ethanol, the determination of specific metabolites of ethanol such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG) may be performed to discriminate between exogenous (ante-mortem) and endogenous (post-mortem). Toxicological analysis of specimens from the autopsy of a child aged 14 months displayed a high concentration of ethanol in blood and tissues. In order to discriminate between ante-mortem alcohol administration and post-mortem formation, the presence of microorganisms capable of ethanol production was checked by fermentation tests and the liver was tested for the presence of EtG and compared with a positive control. Fermentation tests displayed in the blood of the deceased the presence of the bacterial strain Lactococcus garvieae capable of producing ethanol from glucose. The absence of EtG in the liver of the deceased compared to the high level (19.56 mug/g) detected in the positive control's liver is a further indication that the ethanol detected in the body of the deceased is of post-mortem origin.


Subunit-Specific Labeling of Ubiquitin Chains by Using Sortase: Insights into the Selectivity of Deubiquitinases.
Information embedded in different ubiquitin chains is transduced by proteins with ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs) and erased by a set of hydrolytic enzymes referred to as deubiquitinases (DUBs). Understanding the selectivity of UBDs and DUBs is necessary for decoding the functions of different ubiquitin chains. Critical to these efforts is the access to chemically defined ubiquitin chains bearing site-specific fluorescent labels. One approach toward constructing such molecules involves peptide ligation by sortase (SrtA), a bacterial transpeptidase responsible for covalently attaching cell surface proteins to the cell wall. Here, we demonstrate the utility of SrtA in modifying individual subunits of ubiquitin chains. Using ubiquitin derivatives in which an N-terminal glycine is unveiled after protease-mediated digestion, we synthesized ubiquitin dimers, trimers, and tetramers with different isopeptide linkages. SrtA was then used in combination with fluorescent depsipeptide substrates to effect the modification of each subunit in a chain. By constructing branched ubiquitin chains with individual subunits tagged with a fluorophore, we provide evidence that the ubiquitin-specific protease USP15 prefers ubiquitin trimers but has little preference for a particular isopeptide linkage. Our results emphasize the importance of subunit-specific labeling of ubiquitin chains when studying how DUBs process these chains.


Miniaturized Bio-and Chemical-Sensors for Point-of-Care Monitoring of Chronic Kidney Diseases.
This review reports the latest achievements in point-of-care (POC) sensor technologies for the monitoring of ammonia, creatinine and urea in patients suffering of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Abnormal levels of these nitrogen biomarkers are found in the physiological fluids, such as blood, urine and sweat, of CKD patients. Delocalized at-home monitoring of CKD biomarkers via integration of miniaturized, portable, and low cost chemical- and bio-sensors in POC devices, is an emerging approach to improve patients' health monitoring and life quality. The successful monitoring of CKD biomarkers, performed on the different body fluids by means of sensors having strict requirements in term of size, cost, large-scale production capacity, response time and simple operation procedures for use in POC devices, is reported and discussed.


Aqueous outflow in the beagle. I. Postnatal morphologic development of the iridocorneal angle: pectinate ligament and uveal trabecular meshwork.
The present study examined the postnatal development of the pectinate ligaments and uveal trabecular meshwork of the normal canine chamber angle of the Beagle breed at one day, one through ten weeks, three, four and six months, and one and two years of age. Angle tissue was prepared and examined by standard techniques for light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Developmentally, pectinate ligaments matured by the third week although areas continued to develop through the eighth week. Each primary pectinate ligament possessed a large, posterior extracellular space at its iridal attachment. The uveal meshwork, which developed by rarefaction, was not formed at birth and did not appear adult-like until the end of the second month. Adult trabecular cells were ultrastructurally identical throughout the angle, having been characterized by having cilia and "special" rough endoplasmic reticulum.


Sports Participation, Functional Outcome, and Complications After Ankle Arthrodesis: Midterm Follow-up.
Ankle arthrodesis provides satisfactory functional outcome based on basic daily activities, but information regarding more demanding tasks is limited. Also, studies reporting longer term survival and complication rates are sparse and concern small study populations. This study reports functional outcome with more focus on demanding tasks and sports and reports the mid- to long-term union and complication rates in a large study population. Between 2005 and 2010, an ankle arthrodesis was performed on 185 ankles. Clinical results were retrospectively assessed with the Foot Function Index (FFI), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Information regarding sports pre- and postoperatively was obtained through a questionnaire. In addition, postoperative complications, reoperations, and failures (defined as nonunion of the ankle arthrodesis) were determined. Mean follow-up time was 8 years. FFI scores significantly improved, the FAAM ADL score was 70%, and the mean VAS for pain at the ankle/hindfoot at follow-up was 20. Sports participation slightly diminished from 79.5% prior to the onset of disabling complaints to 68.9% postoperatively. Of the patients, 73.1% were able to hike with a median hiking time of 40 minutes (range, 2-600 minutes). Kneeling could be performed on average 10 minutes (range, 2-60 minutes) in 39.8% and jumping down from steps by 23.5% of the patients. A small selection of patients was able to sprint (14%), and 16.8% of the patients were able to run a median distance of 60 meters (range, 3-1000 meters). Failure occurred in 9.2% and other postoperative complications were present in 21.6%, requiring reoperation in 8.6% of the cases. Ankle arthrodesis led to satisfactory functional outcome and pain reduction. Most patients remained active in sports, but a transition to less demanding sporting activities was seen. The complication and failure rates were similar with previous literature, and the incidence of nonrevision secondary surgery was relatively low. Level III, retrospective comparative study.


HIV Testing in Adults Presenting With Central Nervous System Infections.
Universal HIV testing in adults presenting to a health care setting was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2006, but compliance in central nervous system (CNS) infections is unknown. A multicenter study of adults presenting with CNS infections to 18 hospitals in Houston and New Orleans between 2000 and 2015 was done to characterize HIV testing and explore factors associated with a positive HIV test. A total of 1478 patients with a diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis were identified; 180 were excluded because of known HIV diagnosis (n = 100) or were <17 years old (n = 80). Out of 1292 patients, 642 (49.7%) had HIV testing, and testing did not differ significantly before or after the CDC recommendations in 2006 (53% vs 48%; P = .068). An HIV test was more commonly done in patients who were non-Caucasian, had fever >38°C, or had seizures on presentation, and of those tested, non-Caucasian patients and those with photophobia were more likely to have a positive HIV test (P < .05). HIV testing also varied by type of CNS infection: community-acquired bacterial meningitis (98/130, 75.4%), encephalitis (174/255, 68.2%), aseptic meningitis (285/619, 46.0%), and health care-associated meningitis (85/288, 29.5%; P < .001). Even though HIV testing should be done in all adults presenting with a CNS infection, testing remains ~50% and did not improve after the recommendation for universal testing by the CDC in 2006.


Human fibroblasts maintain the viability and augment the functional response of human neutrophils in culture.
When human neutrophils were co-cultured for 72 h with nontransformed human fibroblasts, 69 +/- 3% (n = 13) survived, as compared with survival levels of 2 +/- 1% (n = 15) and 26 +/- 6% (n = 7), respectively, for neutrophils cultured for the same time period in enriched medium alone or supplemented with 10 pM recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF). Conditioned medium from the human fibroblast cultures enhanced neutrophil survival in a dose-dependent fashion to the same level achieved with neutrophil/fibroblast co-cultures, and its soluble viability-sustaining activity was not inhibited by preincubation with neutralizing antiserum against rh GM-CSF. As compared with freshly isolated replicate samples, neutrophils co-cultured with human fibroblasts for 72 h exhibited augmented FMLP-stimulated superoxide production without spontaneous superoxide generation. This striking extension of survival and associated priming for a ligand response by neutrophils co-cultured with human fibroblasts suggests that fibroblasts may contribute to the proinflammatory properties of neutrophils in tissues.


Cell cycle-specific effects of lovastatin.
Lovastatin (LOV), the drug recently introduced to treat hypercholesteremia, inhibits the synthesis of mevalonic acid. The effects of LOV on the cell cycle progression of the human bladder carcinoma T24 cell line expressing activated p21ras were investigated. At a concentration of 2-10 microM, LOV arrested cells in G1 and also prolonged--or arrested a minor fraction of cells in--the G2 phase of the cell cycle; at a concentration of 50 microM, LOV was cytotoxic. The cytostatic effects were reversed by addition of exogenous mevalonate. Cells arrested in the cycle by LOV were viable for up to 72 hr and did not show any changes in RNA or protein content or chromatin condensation, which would be typical of either unbalanced growth or deep quiescence. The expression of the proliferation-associated nuclear proteins Ki-67 and p105 in these cells was reduced by up to 72% and 74%, respectively, compared with exponentially growing control cells. After removal of LOV, the cells resumed progression through the cycle; they entered S phase asynchronously after a lag of approximately 6 hr. Because mevalonate is essential for the posttranslational modification (isoprenylation) of p21ras, which in turn allows this protein to become attached to the cell membrane, the data suggest that the LOV-induced G1 arrest may be a consequence of the loss of the signal transduction capacity of p21ras. Indeed, while exposure of cells to LOV had no effect on the cellular content of p21ras (detected immunocytochemically), it altered the intracellular location of this protein, causing its dissociation from the cell membrane and translocation toward the cytoplasm and nucleus. However, it is also possible that inhibition of isoprenylation of proteins other than p21ras (e.g., nuclear lamins) by LOV may be responsible for the observed suppression of growth of T24 cells.


Novel Therapeutic Platform of Micelles and Nanogels from Dopa-Functionalized Triblock Copolymers.
Multi-drug delivery systems constructed from a basic polymeric scaffold, and which have the ability to target a variety of biomedical applications, can streamline the development of nanomedicine to provide both environmental and economical relief. Herein, amphiphilic ABA-triblock copolymers are synthesized and assembled sequentially into micelles and nanogels as drug delivery systems following a thorough evaluation on advanced in vitro models to explore their potential for the treatment of cancer and bacterial infections. Short blocks of 5-methyl-5-allyloxycarbonyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one (MAC) are oligomerized from PEG6k and thereafter functionalized with dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa)-functional thiols using thiol-ene coupling (TEC) click chemistry. The copolymers self-assemble into well-defined micelles in aqueous solution and are further formulated into nanogels via UV-induced TEC. The resulting spherical micelles and nanogels are stable nanoparticles, with sizes ranging between 100 and 200 nm. The nanogels are found to be non-toxic to a panel of cell lines and mask the toxicity of the potent drugs until their release. The nanogels would be superior to micelles for the elimination of cancer cells supported by both 2D cell culture and a 3D spheroid model. The opposite conclusion could be drawn for bacteria inhibition.


Estimation of salt intake from spot urine samples in patients with chronic kidney disease.
High salt intake in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may cause high blood pressure and increased albuminuria. Although, the estimation of salt intake is essential, there are no easy methods to estimate real salt intake. Salt intake was assessed by determining urinary sodium excretion from the collected urine samples. Estimation of salt intake by spot urine was calculated by Tanaka's formula. The correlation between estimated and measured sodium excretion was evaluated by Pearson´s correlation coefficients. Performance of equation was estimated by median bias, interquartile range (IQR), proportion of estimates within 30% deviation of measured sodium excretion (P30) and root mean square error (RMSE).The sensitivity and specificity of estimated against measured sodium excretion were separately assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A total of 334 urine samples from 96 patients were examined. Mean age was 58 ± 16 years, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 53 ± 27 mL/min. Among these patients, 35 had CKD stage 1 or 2, 39 had stage 3, and 22 had stage 4 or 5. Estimated sodium excretion significantly correlated with measured sodium excretion (R = 0.52, P < 0.01). There was apparent correlation in patients with eGFR <30 mL/min (R = 0.60, P < 0.01). Moreover, IQR was lower and P30 was higher in patients with eGFR < 30 mL/min. Estimated sodium excretion had high accuracy to predict measured sodium excretion, especially when the cut-off point was >170 mEq/day (AUC 0.835). The present study demonstrated that spot urine can be used to estimate sodium excretion, especially in patients with low eGFR.


Photocatalytic activity of boron-modified titania under UV and visible-light illumination.
Nanosized boron(III) oxide-doped titania was prepared by homogeneous hydrolysis of titanium oxo-sulfate with urea in aqueous solutions in the presence of amorphous boron. The prepared samples were annealing at 700 degrees C. The structure of as-prepared samples was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and surface area (BET) and porosity determination (BJH). The morphology and microstructure characteristics were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM). The method of UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to estimate band gap energies of the boron-doped titania. The photoactivity of the prepared samples was assessed by the photocatalytic decomposition of Orange II dye in an aqueous slurry during irradiation at 365 and 400 nm wavelength. The prepared titania samples doped with boron(III) oxide showed better photocatalytic activity in comparison with the reference TiO(2) sample. These photocatalysts showed better photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation.


Chromatography of arbovirus ribonucleic acid forms on columns of benzoylated-diethylaminoethyl cellulose.
Benzoylated-diethylaminoethyl cellulose (BD-cellulose) column chromatography was found to be useful in resolving most of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) forms from the replicative cycle of group A arbovirus Semliki Forect virus (SFV). The elution patterns were independent of molecular weight and appeared to be related to the degree of secondary structure in the molecule. Fractions of RNA were taken from a sucrose density gradient of cytoplasmic extracts of SFV-infected chick cells pretreated with actinomycin D. In a linear salt gradient, 16S material cochromatographed with the rapidly eluted ribonuclease resistant core of the double-stranded SFV-RNA and with the homopolymer duplex polyinosinic acid: polycytidylic acid. This fraction, therefore, probably contains an SFV-RNA form similar to the completely double stranded replicative form (RF) of several RNA viruses and bacteriophages. Faster moving (>20S) sucrose gradient fractions eluted more slowly, suggesting a decreasing proportion of secondary structure with increasing sedimentation value. The fractions, therefore, seemed to contain replicative intermediate (RI) structures. The two single stranded forms of SFV-RNA (42S and 26S) could only be eluted from BD-cellulose in the presence of urea or dimethyl sulfoxide, suggesting the presence of minimal secondary structure. Under these conditions, the single-stranded viral RNA forms could not be resolved. Molecular sieve chromatography of the single-stranded RNA forms, performed by passage through an agarose column, also failed to resolve these forms. The viral RNA forms containing a high degree of secondary structure, probably the RF and the RI, could, therefore, be rapidly separated from each other and from the single-stranded forms.


In Vitro Assessment of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Antioxidant and Photoprotective Activities of Crude Methanolic Extract of Aerial Parts of Capnophyllum peregrinum (L.) Lange (Apiaceae) Growing in Algeria.
Background:Capnophyllum peregrinum (L.) Lange (Apiaceae) is the unique taxon of capnophyllum genus in Algerian flora. It has never been investigated in regards to its total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant and photoprotective activities. Methods:C. peregrinum aerial parts extracted with absolute methanol. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extract were evaluated to determine their correlation with the antioxidant and photoprotective activities of the extract. Results: The methanolic extract demonstrated a significant amount of phenolics and flavonoids (74.06 ± 1.23 mg GAE/g, 44.09 ± 2.13 mg QE/g, respectively) and exhibited good antioxidant activity in different systems, especially in 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and total antioxidant capacity assays. Furthermore the extract showed high photoprotective activity with the sun protection factor (SPF) value = 35.21 ± 0.18. Conclusions: The results of the present study show, that the methanolic extract could be used as a natural sunscreen in pharmaceutics or cosmetic formulations and as a valuable source of natural antioxidants.


The Parent PrU: A measure to assess personal utility of pediatric genomic results.
We aimed to adapt and validate an existing patient-reported outcome measure, the personal-utility (PrU) scale, for use in the pediatric genomic context. We adapted the adult version of the PrU and obtained feedback from 6 parents whose child had undergone sequencing. The resulting measure, the Parent PrU, was administered to parents of children in 4 pediatric cohorts of the Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research consortium after they received their children's genomic results. We investigated the measure's structural validity and internal consistency. We conducted a principal-axis factor analysis with oblimin rotation on data from 755 participants to determine structural validity. These analyses yielded a 3-factor solution, accounting for 76% of the variance in the 16 items. We used Cronbach's α to assess the internal consistency of each factor: (1) child benefits (α = .95), (2) affective parent benefits (α = .90), and (3) parent control (α = .94). Our evidence suggests that the Parent PrU scale has potential as a measure for assessing parent-reported personal utility of their children's genomic results. Additional research is needed to further validate the Parent PrU scale, including by comparing its findings with utility assessments reported by clinicians and children themselves.


Serous surface carcinoma of the peritoneum: a clinicopathologic study of 22 cases.
Serous surface carcinoma (SSC) of the peritoneum is defined as a primary tumor histologically indistinguishable from serous carcinoma of the ovary, diffusely involving the peritoneal surface but sparing or only superficially invading the ovaries. In this study of 22 cases of SSC, it was found that the main clinical manifestations of SSC were abdominal pain and enlargement. In most cases, SSC evenly involved the entire mesothelial surface but rarely was predominant in or even limited to the pelvis. It frequently invaded the submesothelium, but deep invasion into abdominal and pelvic organs or local metastasis was rare, and distant metastasis was not seen at presentation. Microscopically, SSC was a high-grade tumor frequently showing high mitotic rate, psammomas bodies, and necrosis. The tumor was usually contiguous with hyperplastic mesothelium on either ovarian surface or other locations. Tumor cells in all cases except one showed cytoplasmic or surface neutral or acidic mucin or both. Tumor cells stained positive for keratin (100% of cases), epithelial membrane antigen (100%), Leu-M1 (45%), B72.3 (85%), vimentin (35%), and carcinoembryonic antigen (25%). Electron microscopic studies of six cases showed epithelial differentiation in each. Seven patients (32%) were alive with no clinical disease at 3 to 31 months, one patient (4%) was alive with extensive local disease at 24 months, 11 patients (50%) died almost exclusively of local recurrence at 1 to 70 months, and three patients (14%) died of operative complications. It is concluded that SSC arises from peritoneal mesothelium but has epithelial phenotype. It can be morphologically differentiated from other conditions with similar laparotomy findings, such as malignant mesothelioma, benign papillary mesothelioma, cystic mesothelioma, and benign or borderline peritoneal serous tumors. The prognosis of SSC is poor, and most patients die of uncontrollable local disease.


MR imaging characteristics of pilomyxoid astrocytomas.
Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a recently described tumor that typically occurs in the chiasmatic-hypothalamic region in young children and has unique histopathologic and clinical characteristics. These tumors have been previously diagnosed as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). PMA appears to have a higher rate of recurrence and CSF dissemination than typical PA. We analyzed MR findings in four patients with PMA and compared them with those of typical chiasmatic-hypothalamic PA. MR findings of PMA were chiasmatic or hypothalamic enhancing solid tumor with hydrocephalus, highly homogeneous T2 signal intensity that extended into the deep white and gray matter, and CSF dissemination. Larger series are needed before the MR imaging findings of chiasmatic or hypothalamic enhancing solid tumor with hydrocephalus, highly homogeneous T2 signal intensity extending into the deep white and gray matter, and CSF dissemination can be used in the differential diagnosis of such tumors.


Ovariectomy alters the structural and biomechanical properties of ovine femoro-tibial articular cartilage and increases cartilage iNOS.
To examine the effect of oestrogen depletion produced by surgical ovariectomy on the structural and biomechanical properties of ovine femoro-tibial articular cartilage (AC), and the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine by these tissues. Six aged ewes were surgically ovariectomised (OVX), while six were used as unoperated controls. Dynamic biomechanical indentation testing of tibial plateau AC was performed at 26 weeks post-op. Histological sections of medial tibial plateau and lateral tibial plateau (LTP), medial and lateral femoral condyles (MFC, LFC) and patellar AC were examined for histopathology, toluidine blue staining intensity, and patterns of collagen birefringence intensity. Immunoreactivity for iNOS and nitrotyrosine was assessed in full-thickness biopsy plugs of LFC and patellar AC, and patellar AC explants were cultured to determine in vitro NO release. Phase lag was reduced overall in LTP-AC of OVX sheep (10.9+/-2.2 degrees vs 12.1+/-2.3 degrees ; P<0.0001). Cartilage thickness was reduced in the LTP of OVX sheep (P=0.0002), in association with localised changes in dynamic shear modulus. Toluidine blue staining intensity was reduced in the patella, LFC, and MFC. Histological examination revealed greater histopathology scores in the MFC of OVX animals, and altered collagen birefringence intensity plots in the LTP. Immunostaining for iNOS was increased in patella AC (P=0.008), whilst nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was increased in patella (P=0.03) and LFC (P<0.0001) AC. NO release by patellar AC explants was also elevated. Oestrogen depletion induced by OVX caused regional thinning of femoro-tibial cartilage, with biomechanical and histological changes suggestive of a disturbance in the content and/or structural organisation of the proteoglycan and collagen macromolecular assembly. The observed up-regulation of cartilage iNOS suggests a possible mechanism for these matrix changes.