Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Blood Flow in the Heart and Great Vessels: A Systematic Review.
Four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows multidirectional quantification of blood flow in the heart and great vessels. Comparability of the technique to the current reference standards of flow assessment-two-dimensional (2D) flow MRI and Doppler echocardiography-varies in the literature. Image acquisition parameters likely impact upon the accuracy and reproducibility of 4D flow MRI. We therefore sought to review the current literature on 4D flow MRI in the heart and great vessels, in comparison to 2D flow MRI, Doppler echocardiography, and invasive catheterization. Using a predefined search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria, the databases EMBASE and Medline were searched in January 2021 for peer-reviewed research articles comparing cardiac 4D flow MRI to 2D flow MRI, Doppler echocardiography and/or invasive catheterization. The data from all relevant articles were assimilated and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and chi χ2 test. Forty-four manuscripts met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The review showed agreement of 4D flow MRI to the reference standard methods of flow assessment, particular in the measurement of peak velocity and stroke volume in 55% of manuscripts. The use of valve tracking significantly improves agreement between 4D flow MRI and the reference modalities (79% matching with the use of valve tracking vs. 50% without, P = 0.04). This review highlights that the impact of acquisition parameters on 4D flow MRI accuracy is multifactorial. It is therefore important that each center conducts its own quality assurance prior to using 4D flow MRI for clinical decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.


Inspecting the Mechanism: A Longitudinal Analysis of Socioeconomic Status Differences in Perceived Influenza Risks, Vaccination Intentions, and Vaccination Behaviors during the 2009-2010 Influenza Pandemic.
Influenza vaccination is strongly associated with socioeconomic status, but there is only limited evidence on the respective roles of socioeconomic differences in vaccination intentions versus corresponding differences in follow-through on initial vaccination plans for subsequent socioeconomic differences in vaccine uptake. Nonparametric mean smoothing, linear regression, and probit models were used to analyze longitudinal survey data on perceived influenza risks, behavioral vaccination intentions, and vaccination behavior of adults during the 2009-2010 influenza A/H1N1 ("swine flu") pandemic in the United States. Perceived influenza risks and behavioral vaccination intentions were elicited prior to the availability of H1N1 vaccine using a probability scale question format. H1N1 vaccine uptake was assessed at the end of the pandemic. Education, income, and health insurance coverage displayed positive associations with behavioral intentions to get vaccinated for pandemic influenza while employment was negatively associated with stated H1N1 vaccination intentions. Education and health insurance coverage also displayed significant positive associations with pandemic vaccine uptake. Moreover, behavioral vaccination intentions showed a strong and statistically significant positive partial association with later H1N1 vaccination. Incorporating vaccination intentions in a statistical model for H1N1 vaccine uptake further highlighted higher levels of follow-through on initial vaccination plans among persons with higher education levels and health insurance. Sampling bias, misreporting in self-reported data, and limited generalizability to nonpandemic influenza are potential limitations of the analysis. Closing the socioeconomic gap in influenza vaccination requires multipronged strategies that not only increase vaccination intentions by improving knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs but also facilitate follow-through on initial vaccination plans by improving behavioral control and access to vaccination for individuals with low education, employed persons, and the uninsured.


Positive Bubble Study But No Evidence of Interatrial Defect in a Patient with Recurrent Cryptogenic Stroke.
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) can be asymptomatic or result in a range of complications such as brain abscesses or cryptogenic emboli, which can contribute to morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. To date, there have been several reports of delayed diagnosis of PAVMs, which have been largely attributed to the misconception that PAVMs are too rare to be of clinical significance. Furthermore, because intracardiac shunting secondary to a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal defect (ASD) also results in a positive saline contrast study with echocardiography, PAVM can be easily misdiagnosed as an intracardiac right-toleft shunt. However, there are unique echocardiographic features that differentiate between intracardiac shunting due to a PFO or ASD and extracardiac shunting such as in PAVM. This case details the course of a patient with recurrent cryptogenic strokes that was initially misattributed to a PFO and was only correctly diagnosed with multiple PAVMs after two failed attempts at PFO closure. This case serves as a reminder of an alternative etiology of right-to-left shunt and its presentation on imaging, which echocardiographers must be familiar with.


[Screening of differentially expressed genes for colorectal cancer and prediction of potential traditional Chinese medicine: based on bioinformatics].
This study screened and analyzed the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between colorectal cancer(CRC) tissues and normal tissues with bioinformatics techniques to predict biomarkers and Chinese medicinals for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. The microarray data sets GSE21815, GSE106582, and GSE41657 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO), and the DEGs were screened by GEO2 R, followed by the Gene Ontology(GO) tern enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs based on DAVID. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed by STRING, and MCODE and Cytohubba plug-ins were used to screen the significant modules and hub genes in the network. UCSC, cBioPortal, and Oncomine were employed for hierarchical clustering, survival analysis, Oncomine analysis, and correlation analysis of clinical data. Coremine Medical was applied to predict the Chinese medicinals acting on hub genes. A total of 284 DEGs were screened out, with 146 up-regulated and 138 down-regulated. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in cell cycle, NLRs pathway, and TNF signaling pathway, and the down-regulated genes were related to mineral absorption, nitrogen metabolism, and bicarbonate reabsorption in proximal tubules. The 15 hub genes were CDK1, CDC20, AURKA, MELK, TOP2 A, PTTG1, BUB1, CDCA5, CDC45, TPX2, NEK2, CEP55, CENPN, TRIP13, and GINS2, among which CDK1 and CDC20 were regarded as core genes. The high expression of CDK1 and CDC20 suggested poor prognosis, and they significantly expressed in many cancers, especially breast cancer, lung cancer, and CRC. The expression of CDK1 and CDC20 was correlated with gender, tumor type, TNM stage, and KRAS gene mutation. The potential effective medicinals against CRC were Scutellariae Radix, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba, Arnebiae Radix, etc. The significant expression of CDK1 and CDC20 can help distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissues, and is related to survival prognosis. Thus, the two can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. This study provides a reference for related drug development.


Purification and some properties of alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase from Bacillus subtilis 3-6.
alpha-L-Arabinofuranosidase (EC 22.214.171.124) was purified from culture supernatant of Bacillus subtilis 3-6. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 61,000 and displayed maximum activity at pH 7.0 and 60 degrees C. It released arabinose from O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-x ylopyranos e (A1X2), O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3)]- O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-xylopyranose (A1X3), and arabinan, but not from O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-alpha-L- arabinofuranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-xylopyr anosyl- (1-->4)-D-xylopyranose (A1X4), arabinoxylan, gum arabic, or arabinogalactan.


APUD cells, apudomas and the neural crest.
The most characteristic feature of the APUD cell series is the ability to take up and decarboxylate amine precursors. Other features, regarded as characteristic by Pearse, are the secretion of polypeptide hormones and their origin from the neural crest. An increasing number of APUD cells is being shown to elaborate polypeptide hormones. It is acknowledged that some members are derived from the neural crest, but there is a good reason to believe that others are not, and no good reason to believe that yet others are so derived. It is therefore suggested that the common factor sought in the genesis of the APUD cell, and perhaps other tumours, may be the biochemical, rather than the embryological, relationship of the progenitor cell types.


Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis reveals recurrent genomic alterations associated with histopathologic features in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Recent studies indicate that genomic alterations (GAs) are associated with many human malignancies. Genome-wide analysis of GAs involved in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and association with histopathologic features are limited. To help characterize this relatively rare neoplasm, we collected 32 frozen tissue samples of ICC to study GAs and molecular karyotypes by using single-nucleotide polymorphism array. Recurrent GAs occurring in at least 40% of the patients were further correlated with histopathologic features. Gain of 1q21.3-q23.1 and losses of 1p36.33-p35.3 and 3p26.3-p13 were significantly associated with larger tumor size more than 5 cm in diameter; and loss of 4q13.2-q35.2 with tumor multiplicity. Moreover, losses of 1p36.32-p35.3, 3p26.3-p22.2, 4q13.1-q21.23, 4q31.3-q34.3 and 4q34.3-35.2 were inclined to be associated with high histological grade. As to tumor vascular invasion, gain of 1q21.3-q23.1 and losses of 3p22.1-p12.3 and 4q13.2-q35.2 were significantly associated with tumor vascular invasion. Some regions were concurrently associated with multiple histopathologic characteristics, including loss of 4q13.2-q35.2 associated with larger tumor size, high histological grade and vascular invasion; losses of 1p36.33-p35.3 and 3p26.3-p22.2 with larger tumor size and high histological grade; and gain of 1q21.3-q23.1 with larger tumor size and vascular invasion. Our study indicates that complex chromosomal instability is characteristic of ICC. Detecting crucial GAs will enable risk stratification and development of personalized therapies.


From grape bagasse to graphene-like porous carbon nanosheets for CO2 capture.
Graphene-based materials have increasingly attracted attention in recent years. It is a material is recognized worldwide due to its numerous applications in several sectors. However, graphene production involves several challenges: scalability, high costs, and high-quality production. This study synthesized graphene-like porous carbon nanosheets (GPCNs) through a thermochemical process under a nitrogen atmosphere using grape bagasse as a precursor. Three temperatures (700, 800, and 900 ºC) of the pyrolysis process were studied. Chemical graphitization and activation were used to form high-specific surface area materials: FeCl3.6H2O(aq) and ZnCl2(s) in a simultaneous activation-graphitization (SAG) method. The materials obtained (GPCN700, GPCN800, and GPCN900) were compared to previously produced chars (C700, C800, and C900). A high specific surface area and total pore volume were obtained for GPCN materials, and GPCN900 presented the highest values: 1062.7 m2g-1 and 0.635 cm3 g-1, respectively. The GPCN and char materials were classified as mesoporous and applied as adsorbents for CO2(g). The GPCN800 presented the best CO2(g) adsorbent, with a CO2(g) adsorption capacity of 168.71 mg g-1.


Seroepidemiological Survey of Cytomegalovirus Infection among Pregnant Women in Sudan.
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading healthcare problem associated with stillbirth and congenital abnormalities. Determining the seroprevalence and the possible risk factors related to HCMV infections may be a cornerstone in preventing its complications. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kassala and River Nile States to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HCMV infection in pregnant women. One hundred eighty-four (n = 184) blood specimens were collected from pregnant women from February 2018 to January 2020. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect HCMV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Socio-demographical characteristics of the women were collected using structured questionnaires. The results showed that HCMV IgG was detected in 170 (92.4%) of the blood specimens, and IgM was detected in 29/93 (31.2%). There was a significant relationship between the history of miscarriage and the presence of IgG and IgM with a p-value = 0.001 and between HCMV IgM and gestational stage (p-value = 0.028). The study found a strikingly high seroprevalence of HCMV infections among pregnant women in the investigated States. This high percentage of illiterate housewives living in rural areas makes it possible to reduce the incidence of HCMV infection in pregnant women by improving their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the route of viral transmission, which may reflect in lowering the rate of congenital diseases in their infants.


Forensics of birds of prey by DNA fingerprinting with 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probes.
Paternity tests on confiscated families of eight species of birds of prey were carried out successfully by DNA fingerprinting with 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Variations in the number of hybridized fragments, depending on the species of birds, are observed using the same probe, as well as differences of polymorphism by hybridizing the DNA samples with several oligonucleotide probes.


Anaerobic infections in the head and neck region.
Anaerobic bacteria form the predominant flora of the oral cavity, outnumbering facultative organisms by 10-1,000: 1. The type of anaerobic bacteria and their concentration depend on the anatomical site and the degree of anaerobiosis in the different sites in the mouth. Three groups of anaerobic bacteria inhabit the oral cavity; the strict anaerobes, the moderate anaerobes, and the microaerophilic group of organisms. The majority of anaerobic bacterial infections occurring in the region of the mouth, head and neck are caused by the commensal flora. These infections include dental and periodontal disease where the predominant organisms are Bacteroides species, Veillonella, Bifidobacteria, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus and Propionibacterium species. More recently, Bacteroides endontalis has been isolated from a periapical abscess of endodontal origin and B. gingivalis, B. intermedius, Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans and Wollinella species in chronic periodontal disease. Treponema species and other strict anaerobes are seen in smears of severe periodontal disease and acute necrotising gingivitis, but have not yet been isolated in pure culture. Until such time, their role in disease remains uncertain. Fusobacterium nucleatum is specially associated with severe orofacial infections which may extend into the mediastinum. Other anaerobic infections include chronic otitis media, chronic sinusitis and mastoiditis, and brain abscess. Treatment of these conditions should include the use of beta-lactamase resistant antimicrobials, such as clindamycin or one of the nitroimidazoles with penicillin.


Multicellular spheroids grown directly from human tumour material.
Human tumour cells from surgical material were grown as multicellular spheroids. In 16 out of 20 cultures spheroids with a diameter of more than 250 microns could be observed. In 6 out of 20 cultures more than 30 spheroids with a diameter of at least 300 microns were obtained, i.e. 30% of the cultures fulfilled the criterion for a possible chemosensitivity test on primary cell spheroids. A study of stained sections from the spheroids and the respective tumours, showed that the morphology of the spheroid was very similar that of the tumour from which the cells were derived. Samples from 9 malignant melanomas, 4 bladder carcinomas, 2 renal-cell carcinomas, 2 ovarian carcinomas, 1 lymphoma, 1 colon carcinoma, and 1 schwannoma were tested for spheroid growth. Spheroids were obtained from at least one representative of all these tumour types. However, investigations involving larger numbers of tumours are needed to find out which tumour types are most suitable for further biological characterization of primary cell spheroids and tests for therapy response.


[The influences of different vegetation ecosystems on heavy metals in soil in semi-arid region].
The ecological environment of semi-arid regions in China is fragile, and the situation of protecting environment is grim. So it is urgent to strengthen environment protection and ecological construction in semi-arid region. Four different vegetation ecosystems were selected in semi-arid region with Wuchuan County in Inner Mongolia as a case study: the bushes, the trees, the alfalfa land, and artificially mixed sowing grassland. The soil was sampled and carried to laboratory for analysis of the content of lead, cadmium and chromium in the soil in May and September (the start of the growing season and the end of the growing season). It was showed that among the four different ecosystems, the lead and cadmium contents in the soil were significantly different in variability, while the chromium is not significant. And the changing rate trend of the content of lead and cadmium is consistent: the contents of the both elements in May are higher than in September obviously. The degree of the order of the content change is also very close. The biggest of the change scope is from the bushes and artificially mixed sowing grassland, followed by the alfalfa land, and finally the trees. Therefore, it is more favorable to plant shrubs and grass for absorbing heavy metals in the soil in the common local vegetation eco-system.


Immunoexpression of aromatase in immature and adult males of the European bison (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758).
Based on recent literature dealing with the role of oestrogens in the male gonad, attempts were undertaken to reveal the site of aromatization within the testis of the European bison (Bison bonasus). Testes were collected from culled animals living in free-ranging populations in Bialowieza Forest, Poland (nine males aged 8 months to 10 years). Moreover, to check for any alterations in the expression of testicular aromatase between American bison (Bison bison) and European bison, testes from one adult 10-year-old individual were also chosen for this study. For immunohistochemistry, 4% formaldehyde fixative was used. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of immunohistochemical staining were performed. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and germ cells exhibited a positive immunoreaction for aromatase in testes of immature and sexually mature bison. A marked increase in aromatase expression was observed in three adult European individuals with impaired spermatogenesis. Consistent with recent data and those of our own, it might be suggested that the strong expression of aromatase negatively affects spermatogenic function in bison testes and may serve as a possible explanation of specific sperm defects observed in European bison bulls. On the contrary, one cannot exclude that differences in the aromatase immunoexpression levels are attributed to the homozygosity, the cause of frequent disease in European bison.


Physical Exercise Improves Total Antioxidant Capacity and Gene Expression in Rat Hippocampal Tissue.
Exercise may exert beneficial effects on cognitive functions and play an important role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Such effects seem to be mediated by changes in anti-oxidative status, but limited information is available on the nature of molecular pathways supporting the antioxidant effects of exercise in the brain. In this study 3-5-month-old male Wistar albino rats were subjected to three times/week moderate intensity exercise on a rodent treadmill for a period of 6 weeks. The tissue antioxidant activity towards various reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined in the hippocampus. In addition, to identify the molecular pathways that may be involved in ROS metabolism, the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and sirtuins (SIRT1 and SIRT3) were measured. Our results showed a higher antioxidant activity in the hippocampus of physically trained rats compared to sedentary controls. Furthermore, exercise induced an up-regulation of NGF, possibly related to an improved redox balance in the hippocampus. These results suggest that physical exercise might prevent age-induced oxidative damage in the hippocampus.


Salt-marsh plant geratology.
Measurement of individual culms of several salt-marsh plants demonstrates seasonal community change in terms of height increments and live and dead leaves. Tissue production and its ultimate transition from live to dead components and culm mortality all suggest a continuum of geratologic processes contributing to the estuarine ecosystem.


How we learnt about iron acquisition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a series of very fortunate events.
The ferric uptake repressor (Fur) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a wide assortment of other prokaryotic organisms, has been mostly regarded as a negative regulator (repressor) of genes involved in iron acquisition (e.g., expression and utilization of siderophores) or of iron-regulated genes involved in virulence (e.g., toxins). However, there is an emerging picture of an even broader role for this protein in basic bacterial biology. Evidence has now accumulated indicating that Fur acts in a positive manner as well, and that it has a considerably wider impact on gene expression than originally perceived. We discovered that in P. aeruginosa Fur directly (i.e., negatively) regulates the expression of two, nearly identical tandem small (<200nt) RNA transcripts (sRNA). Our initial experiments showed that these Fur-regulated sRNAs (PrrF) affected expression of certain genes we initially thought might be directly, but positively, regulated by Fur. However, with discovery of the Fur-regulated sRNAs, first in Escherichia coli and then in P. aeruginosa, it became clear that Fur, in at least some cases, exerts its positive regulatory effect on gene expression by repressing the expression a negative regulatory factor (i.e., PrrF), which acts at the posttranscriptional level. While a clear picture was already available regarding the function of genes (see above) that are directly repressed by Fur (negative regulation), the functional classes of genes that are influenced by Fur-repressed sRNAs (positive regulation) had not been identified for P. aeruginosa. Accordingly we established a set of rigorous criteria, based on microarray experimental data, to identify the cohort of genes that are likely to be directly influenced by Fur-regulated PrrFs. More than 60 genes that fulfilled these strict criteria were identified. These include genes encoding proteins required for the sequestration of iron (e.g., bacterioferritins) and genes encoding enzymes (superoxide dismutase) vital to defense against iron catalyzed oxidative stress. More notably however, we identified more than 30 genes encoding proteins involved in carbon catabolism and aerobic or anaerobic respiration that are regulated by PrrFs. A significant number of genes encoding enzymes (e.g., aconitase, citrate synthase) involved in the TCA cycle are controlled by the PrrFs however, in quite a few instances there are genes encoding proteins with redundant functions (i.e., aconitase, citrate synthase) that do not appear to be influenced in any way by PrrFs. Based on our microarray experiments, as well as on phenotypic data, we propose that the Fur regulated sRNAs (i.e., PrrFs) exert a powerful regulatory influence that permits the sparing of vital metabolic compounds (e.g., citrate) during periods of iron limitation. These and other data to be presented indicate that Fur controlled gene expression in bacteria like P. aeruginosa is considerably more imperative and intricate than previously appreciated.


Dominance and affiliation mediate despotism in a social primate.
Group-living animals routinely have to reach a consensus decision and choose between mutually exclusive actions in order to coordinate their activities and benefit from sociality. Theoretical models predict "democratic" rather than "despotic" decisions to be widespread in social vertebrates, because they result in lower "consensus costs"-the costs of an individual foregoing its optimal action to comply with the decision-for the group as a whole. Yet, quantification of consensus costs is entirely lacking, and empirical observations provide strong support for the occurrence of both democratic and despotic decisions in nature. We conducted a foraging experiment on a wild social primate (chacma baboons, Papio ursinus) in order to gain new insights into despotic group decision making. The results show that group foraging decisions were consistently led by the individual who acquired the greatest benefits from those decisions, namely the dominant male. Subordinate group members followed the leader despite considerable consensus costs. Follower behavior was mediated by social ties to the leader, and where these ties were weaker, group fission was more likely to occur. Our findings highlight the importance of leader incentives and social relationships in group decision-making processes and the emergence of despotism.


[19th century Russian research about collective behavior].
In the 19th century, collective behavior or crowd psychology was given a broad interest in psychiatric research. But until today the focus had always been on French, English or German publications neglecting the comprehensive Russian research that exists. That's why, the authors wish to elaborate 19th century Russian points of view on crowd psychology.Our research revealed that most of the Russian authors discussed imitation, suggestion, and hereditary predisposition - as did their colleagues in the West. Contrary to that, the 1881 monograph by Viktor Kandinsky could be regarded as an outstanding work because it presents an independent hypothesis on crowd psychology. Kandinsky postulated a gradual transition from normal to pathological based on neuro-anatomical und physiological presumptions. He postulated a causal chain which starts with exaltation followed by ecstasy, illusions, and at least hallucinations. He regarded exaltation to be a precondition in which a person accepts notions uncritically. Thus, in an exalted crowd one person that hallucinates may "infect" the others easily. People prone to mysticism, with a passion for mysterious things or on outstanding skills would be at a high risk of being infected. On the other hand, Kandinsky's hypothesis also implies that no one is exempt from such infection.


Magnetic resonance spectroscopic correlates of progression free and overall survival in "glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, WHO grade-4".
The 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumor Classification has suggested that isocitrate dehydrogenase wildtype (IDH-wt) WHO grade-2/3 astrocytomas with molecular features of glioblastoma should be designated as "Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, WHO grade-4." This study analyzed the metabolic correlates of progression free and overall survival in "Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, WHO grade-4" patients using short echo time single voxel 1H-MRS. Fifty-seven adult patients with hemispheric glioma fulfilling the 2021 WHO CNS Tumor Classification criteria for "Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, WHO grade-4" at presurgery time point were included. All patients were IDH1/2-wt and TERTp-mut. 1H-MRS was performed on a 3 T MR scanner and post-processed using LCModel. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the metabolic differences between gliomas with or without contrast enhancement and necrosis. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the effects of age, extent of resection, presence of contrast enhancement and necrosis, and metabolic intensities on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Machine learning algorithms were employed to discern possible metabolic patterns attributable to higher PFS or OS. Contrast enhancement (p = 0.015), necrosis (p = 0.012); and higher levels of Glu/tCr (p = 0.007), GSH/tCr (p = 0.019), tCho/tCr (p = 0.032), and Glx/tCr (p = 0.010) were significantly associated with shorter PFS. Additionally, necrosis (p = 0.049), higher Glu/tCr (p = 0.039), and Glx/tCr (p = 0.047) were significantly associated with worse OS. Machine learning models differentiated the patients having longer than 12 months OS with 81.71% accuracy and the patients having longer than 6 months PFS with 77.41% accuracy. Glx and GSH have been identified as important metabolic correlates of patient survival among "IDH-wt, TERT-mut diffuse gliomas" using single-voxel 1H-MRS on a clinical 3 T MRI scanner.


Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease associated with the PRNP codon 200Lys mutation: an analysis of 45 families.
200Lys mutation in the human PRNP coding region has been identified in 45 of the 55 CJD-affected families thus far presented to our NIH laboratory. These codon 200Lys families have a total of 87 patients, and originate from 7 different countries: Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Tunisia, Greece, Libya, and Chile. Forty-seven patients were neuropathologically verified, and brain tissue from 14 patients transmitted disease to experimental primates. The mutation was found by direct sequencing in 4 patients, and it was detected by restriction endonuclease analysis with BsmA 1 and/or the single nucleotide extension reaction in 36 other patients and 45 of 109 first degree relatives (1 parent, 14 siblings, and 30 children). The mutation is associated with all known geographical clusters of CJD (Slovakia, Libyan Jews, Chile) in which the annual mortality rate is tens or hundreds of times higher than the world average of 1 per million. All patients originating from the cluster areas carried the mutation, but it was seen in only 1 of 103 unrelated control individuals from the same areas, and in none of 102 controls from other areas, indicating a strong association between the mutation and disease. The penetrance of the mutation was estimated to be 0.56. Branches of some families migrating from cluster areas to other countries continue to have CJD over several generations, suggesting that CJD in these families is a genetic disorder, in which the 200Lys mutation is responsible for the disease.


Monoclonal antibody (SBU-1 and SBU-3) identification of cells dissociated from the sheep placentomal trophoblast.
We studied the localization of alpha-keratin in the sheep placenta using an alpha-keratin-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) SBU-1, and examined the feasibility of using this MAb as a marker for determining the purity of isolated uninucleate cells from the placentomal trophoblast. At about 30-50 days of gestation the placentomal and interplacentomal uninucleate cells and some binucleate cells were stained by SBU-1, whereas only the apical region of the syncytial cytoplasm was stained with this MAb. Other cells stained included the uterine and endometrial glandular epithelial cells and fibroblast-like cells in the endometrium and chorionic villi. At about 100-130 days of gestation only the trophoblast uninucleate cells were stained by SBU-1. Approximately 60% of cells isolated from placentomes at 100-130 days of gestation were stained by SBU-1, and they had similar morphological features to the trophoblast uninucleate cells. The number of binucleate cells present was confirmed by their affinity for MAb SBU-3. These results show that MAb SBU-1 is an excellent marker for trophoblast uninucleate cells from placenta of sheep at the later stages of pregnancy.


Continuity of Medication Management among Adults with Schizophrenia and Comorbid Cardiometabolic Conditions.
Adults with schizophrenia and cardiometabolic conditions may be good candidates for co-management by primary care prescribers and specialists. Associated risks for discontinuity in medication management have not been well-studied. This study examines whether medication adherence, inpatient admissions, and emergency department (ED) visits vary by the number and types of prescribers seen by adults with schizophrenia and cardiometabolic conditions. This study used a retrospective cohort of 4,223 adult Medicaid enrollees with schizophrenia and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and/or diabetes from three states in 2009-2010. Logistic regression models were run on outcome variables reflecting medication adherence, ED utilization, and inpatient admissions as a function of the number and types of prescribers. Increases in number of psychiatric specialists were associated with better antipsychotic adherence, but decreasing statin adherence. Increases in number of psychiatric specialists were also associated with a higher probability of inpatient admission and ED visits, while increases in number of primary care prescribers were associated with increases in the probability of ED visits. Greater antipsychotic adherence for adults receiving prescriptions from multiple psychiatric specialists was counteracted by lower statin adherence and greater risk of ED and inpatient utilization. This may help inform optimal care models for these complex individuals.


How to determine free Gd and free ligand in solution of Gd chelates. A technical note.
Gd(III) chelates are often used as reporting probes in magnetic resonance imaging applications. Their use relies on the assumption that their high stability ensures against the release of free ligand and free Gd(3+) ions, which are both highly toxic to living systems. The presence of free Gd(3+) ions may have a profound effect on the contrast in the MR image as they may form highly hydrated, macromolecular complexes endowed with very high relaxivity thus providing erroneous information on the extent of the contrast effect induced by the given reporting probe. Although the stability of a given complex may be high enough, the complexation step could not have been completed. Therefore any Gd complex preparation has to be carefully checked for the content of free ligand and free metal ions. Herein the currently used procedures that allow an assessment of the amounts of free metal ions and free ligand in a solution of a given Gd complex are described in detail.


Production of baker's yeast using date juice.
Baker's yeast is an important additive among the products which improves bread quality and for present time is being produced in different countries by batch, fed batch or continuous cultures. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used in fermentation of starch in dough, giving a favourable taste and produces a variety of vitamins and proteins. The main ingredient in yeast production is carbon source such as beet molasses, cane molasses, and so on. Since beet molasses has other major function as in high yield alcohol production and also due to the bioenvironmental issues and related wastewater treatment, the use of other carbohydrate sources may be considered. One of these carbohydrate sources is date which is wasted a great deal annually in this country (Iran) . In this study, the capability of date to act as a suitable carbon sources was investigated. The waste date turned into juice and consequently production and growth rate of Sacchromyces cervisiae were studied with this juice. A maximum possible yield of 50% was obtained by the optimum medium (P3), at pH 3.4, 30 degrees C, 1.4 vvm aeration rate and agitation of 500 r/min.


Regulation of pH in rat brain synaptosomes. II. Role of Cl-.
1. We have previously shown that rat brain synaptosomes exhibit a very dynamic Na+/H+ exchanger. We have also observed that although synaptosomes lack HCO3(-)-based transport mechanisms, they do respond with changes in pHi upon Clo- removal. 2. Here we show that when synaptosomes are transferred from Ringer solution (RS) to Cl(-)-free RS, there is a cytosolic alkalinization of approximately 0.22 pH units. This phenomenon is DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-3,3'-disulfonic acid) inhibitable. The alkalinization is completely reversed when Cl- ions are reintroduced. The presence of HCO3- or Ca2+ does not modify the response to Cl(-)-removal or replenishment. 3. In acid-loading experiments, the initial rate of pHi recovery is higher in Cl(-)-free RS than in RS. The final resting pHi after the recovery in Cl(-)-free RS is approximately 0.22 pH units higher than that obtained in media containing Cl-. The magnitude of the NaOAc-induced acidification is 2.5-fold larger in the presence than in the absence of Cl-. Similar results are obtained in the presence of HCO3-. 4. These data suggest that H+ movements may be coupled to Cl- movements. To study this possibility further, we developed a technique to simultaneously measure H+ and Cl- by using the fluorescence of 5' (and 6')-carboxy-10-dimethylamino-3-hydroxy-spyro-[7H benzo[c]xanthene- 7,1'(3'H)-isobenzofuran]3'-one (SNARF-1) and MQAE [N-(6-methoxyquinolyl)acetoxy ester], respectively. 5. Our results indicated that the steady-state [Cl-]i in synaptosomes is approximately 56 mM, thus indicating that Cli- is not passively distributed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Direct Analysis of Doping Agents in Raw Urine Using Hydrophobic Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry.
In this study, the direct analysis of doping agents in urine samples with no sample preparation by a modified paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) methodology has been demonstrated for the first time. We have described a paper surface treatment with trichloromethylsilane using a gas-phase reaction to increase the ionization of target compounds. This approach was applied for the analysis of two classes of banned substances in urine samples: anabolic agents (trenbolone and clenbuterol) and diuretics (furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide). Under optimized conditions, the developed methods presented satisfactory repeatability, and an analysis of variance showed linearity without lack-of-fit. Highly sensitive detections as low as sub-nanogram per milliliter levels, which is below the minimum required performance levels proposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, have been reached using the hydrophobic PS-MS analysis without any preconcentration and cleanup step.


Naltrexone moderates the relationship between cue-induced craving and subjective response to methamphetamine in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder.
Reductions in cue-induced craving and subjective response to drugs of abuse are commonly used as initial outcome measures when testing novel medications for the treatment of addiction. Yet neither the relationship between these two measures at the individual level nor the moderating effects of pharmacotherapies on this relationship has been examined. This secondary data analysis sought to examine (1) the predictive relationship between cue-induced craving and subsequent acute subjective response to methamphetamine (MA) and (2) whether the opioid-receptor antagonist naltrexone moderated this association in a sample of non-treatment-seeking individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for MA use disorder (abuse or dependence). Participants (n = 30) completed two 4-day medication regimens (oral naltrexone 50 mg or placebo, in a randomized, counterbalanced, and double-blind fashion). On day 4 of each medication regimen, participants completed a cue-reactivity paradigm followed by intravenous MA administration. Methamphetamine craving was assessed after the cue-reactivity paradigm, and subjective response to MA was assessed during MA infusion. Cue-induced craving for MA was positively associated with post-infusion subjective MA effects, including positive (i.e., stimulation, good effects, feel drug, high), negative (i.e., anxious and depressed), and craving-related (i.e., want more, would like access to drug, crave) responses. Naltrexone, vs. placebo, significantly reduced the association between cue-induced craving and positive subjective response to MA. The findings indicate that naltrexone moderates the predictive relationship between cue-induced craving and positive subjective effects of MA, thereby suggesting a behavioral mechanism by which naltrexone may be efficacious in treating MA use disorder.


[Cerebral cavernomas in childhood. clinical presentation and diagnosis].
Intracranial vascular malformations are congenital lesions due to alterations in the development of the arteriolocapillary network. Traditionally they are divided into four types according to their histological characteristics: arteriovenous malformations, cavernous angiomas or cavernomas, venous angiomas and telangectasias. The cavernomas are multilobulated lesions which are clearly delimited and contain blood at different stages of evolution. Histologically they are composed of sinusoidal spaces lined by endothelium and closely interlinked, without intervening nervous tissue. They are usually found at a supratentorial level, and less frequently in the posterior fossa. We made a retrospective review of the histories of 11 patients aged between 2 and 10 years, diagnosed as having intracranial cavernomas in which imaging techniques lead to the diagnosis of intracranial cavernoma. In two patients there were multiple cavernomas. We analysed the method of diagnosis and clinical features on presentation. The clinical features were varied. In six patients the onset of the disorder was with epileptic seizures, three had progressive neurological deficits, one patient had headache and vomiting which progressed to coma and another had a history of non specific fainting and deficit. All but one of the cavernomas were supratentorial. Cavernomas are a type of vascular malformation with specific histological features. The usual clinical features are convulsions and parenchymatous bleeding. They are generally supratentorial. The appearance of MR has permitted diagnosis of asymptomatic cavernomas and is currently considered to be the technique of choice for diagnosis.


Chronic dietary exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide in broiler hens has long-term impacts on the progeny metabolism.
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the most commonly used herbicides in agriculture. Several studies reported possible adverse effects on human and animal models after a GBH exposure. However, the effects of a temporary maternal exposure on the progeny have been poorly documented, especially in avian models. We investigated the effects of a hen chronic dietary exposure to a GBH on the progeny, obtained during the period following the withdrawal of GBH from the diet. Hens were exposed to a GBH via their food for 6 wk, after which the GBH was removed from their food. Eggs from these hens were collected 3 wk after the GBH was withdrawn for 1 wk. We monitored the growth performances, metabolic parameters, and behavior from the progeny of the hens (Ex-GBH chicks, n = 186) and compared them with those of unexposed control-hen progeny (CT chicks, n = 213). Ex-GBH chicks were more likely to explore their new environment than CT chicks during the open-field test. In addition, they had an increased fattening and blood triglycerides level, whereas their food consumption was similar to CT chicks. Quantitative PCR on the chemerin system and FASN in chicks livers indicate a transcriptional activity in favor of fatty acid synthesis, and lipidomic analysis on chicks abdominal adipose tissue reveal a global increase in monounsaturated fatty acid and a global decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Seven genes involved in the synthesis of fatty acids were identified with the open access LIPIDMAP software, and their disturbance in Ex-GBH chicks was confirmed via qPCR. Taken together, these results suggest that the progeny of hens temporarily exposed to a GBH are more likely to fatten, even with a balanced diet. The removal of GBH from their contaminated environment would therefore not be sufficient to completely restore their health, has it could induce transgenerational effects.


Application of high-throughput, high-resolution and cost-effective next generation sequencing-based large-scale HLA typing in donor registry.
Next generation sequencing (NGS)-based human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing was used for ultra large-scale genotyping of registry donors for the China Marrow Donor Program (CMDP). More than 79,000 samples were subjected to HLA genotyping at 4-digit allelic level without ambiguities for HLA-A, -B, -C, DRB1 and DQB1 loci, with throughput up to 2068 samples per lane in a HiSeq flow cell (eight lanes per run), and cost reduced by 95% compared with that of Sanger-based typing. Two percent of randomly selected samples were quality control (QC) tested at 4-digit allelic level by the CMDP QC laboratory, yielded a concordance of 99.72%. These results demonstrate that NGS is a cost effective and valuable tool for HLA typing of registry donors.


Prediction of longitudinal brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis by gray matter magnetic resonance imaging T2 hypointensity.
Gray matter magnetic resonance imaging T2 hypointensity, a marker of iron deposition, is associated with clinical impairment and brain atrophy in cross-sectional studies of multiple sclerosis. Treatment with intramuscular interferon beta-1a limits brain atrophy in the second year of treatment. To test whether T2 hypointensity predicts brain atrophy and whether interferon affects this relationship. Post hoc analysis. A multicenter treatment trial conducted at tertiary care comprehensive multiple sclerosis centers. Patients Patients with multiple sclerosis who took part in a 2-year clinical trial in which they received intramuscular interferon beta-1a (30 mug/wk) or placebo. Deep gray matter T2 hypointensity, brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), and total T2, gadolinium-enhancing, and T1 lesion volumes. T2 hypointensity in various gray matter areas correlated with baseline BPF (r = 0.19-0.39; P = .001-.03). In placebo-treated patients (n = 68), baseline T2 hypointensity predicted the change in BPF in the first year and throughout 2 years (r = 0.26-0.42; P<.001-.03). T2 hypointensity was chosen in regression modeling as the best predictor of BPF change at the 1-year (R(2) = 0.23; P = .002) and 2-year (R(2) = 0.33; P<.001) time points after accounting for all magnetic resonance imaging variables. In the interferon group (n = 65), no relationship existed between baseline T2 hypointensity and BPF change. Gray matter T2 hypointensity predicts the progression of brain atrophy in placebo- but not interferon beta-1a-treated patients. This predictive effect is seen as early as the first year. We hypothesize that interferon beta may exert its effect on brain atrophy in part by reducing a cascade of events that involve iron deposition as a mediator of neurotoxicity or as a disease epiphenomenon.


Clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of symptoms of COVID-19 at presentation.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe the main symptoms associated with COVID-19, and their diagnostic characteristics, to aid in the clinical diagnosis. An analysis of all patients diagnosed by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 between April and May 2020 in Argentina was conducted. The data includes clinical and demographic information from all subjects at the time of presentation (n=67318, where 12% were positive for SARS-CoV-2). The study population was divided into four age groups: pediatric (0-17 years), young adults (18-44 years), adults (45-64 years), and elderly (65-103 years). Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure the association of all symptoms and to create a diagnostic model based on symptoms. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 were anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, low-grade fever, odynophagia, and malaise. However, the presentation of these symptoms was different between the different age groups. In turn, at the time of presentation, the symptoms associated with respiratory problems (chest pain, abdominal pain, and dyspnea) had a negative association with COVID-19 or did not present statistical relevance. On the other hand, the model based on 16 symptoms, age and sex, presented a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 46%. There were significant differences between the different age groups. Additionally, there were interactions between different symptoms that were highly associated with COVID-19. Finally, our findings showed that a regression model based on multiple factors (age, sex, interaction between symptoms) can be used as an accessory diagnostic method or a rapid screening of suspected COVID-19 cases.


Exercise training program for older adults. Incentives and disincentives for participation.
The purpose of this study was to describe the incentives and disincentives for participating in an exercise training program for community-dwelling individuals 78 and older. One hundred forty-seven women and 62 men participated in this descriptive study, and ages ranged from 78 to 95 years (mean 82.7 +/- 4.1). Individuals were interviewed by phone about their decision to participate in an exercise program. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Three main incentive themes emerged: Health Benefits, Psychological Benefits, and Positive Program Features. Disincentive themes included Competing Commitments, Doubts about Exercise, and Negative Program Features. To better tailor an exercise program to the needs of this older age group, nurses working with older adults should keep in mind the lifestyle, age-specific obligations, and set of values affecting this cohort's participation.


[Electroimpedance Methods of Investigation of Cardiac Activity].
of the present work was assessment of possibility to use modern electroimpedace methods for the study of activity of the heart. Electroimpemdace methods of measurement for many years remained in the shadow of other diagnostic methods because of low accuracy in evaluation of various parameters. At present, there are technologies of measurement which allow to carry out electroimpedance investigations of cardiac activity dynamically and with acceptable accuracy. In this article, we present methods of electroimpedace measurements created in Institute of Biomedical Equipment of N.E. Bauman Technical University. These methods allow to assess dynamics of movement of ventricles of the heart, to evaluate volume parameters of cardiac activity and all temporal phases of activity of cardiac chambers. We also present data of studies on healthy volunteers and patients of cardiological profile. It has been shown that patients with atrial fibrillation have substantially increased duration of electrical and mechanical activity of atria and ventricles as well as lowed ejection fraction compared with other participants of experiments.


Influence of L-naphthylalanine in position 3 of AVP and its analogues on their pharmacological properties.
We describe the synthesis and pharmacological properties of two series of analogues: one which consists of three peptides having L-1-naphthylalanine in position 3 and the second composed of analogues substituted in position 3 with L-2-naphthylalanine. All peptides were tested in bioassays for pressor and antidiuretic activities. We also checked the uterotonic activity in vitro. We observed that the activity of counterparts in both series is, in two cases, strikingly different. One of the new analogues, [(L-2-Nal)3,(D-Arg)8]VP is among the most potent antagonists of the vasopressor response to AVP. Moreover, it is the first potent V1 antagonist devoid of antiuterotonic activity. This analogue was designed without modification of position 1, which was previously thought to be essential for substantial pressor antagonism. Two other peptides, [Mpa1;(L-2-Nal)3;(D-Arg)8]VP and [Mpa1,(L-1-Nal)3,D-Arg)8]VP, are highly potent V2 agonists. The second analogue is highly selective. With the exception of [(L-2-Nal)3]AVP, which showed weak antioxytocic activity, (L-Nal)3 modification resulted in the almost complete removal of interaction of our analogues with oxytocic receptors in vitro. Our results suggest that position 3 in AVP and its analogues is important not only for binding and recognition as previously though, but also for pressor, antidiuretic and uterotonic activities. We also assume that the hindering effect caused by bulky naphthyl moiety has a significant impact on the bioactive conformations of molecules which contain Nal residue, and can thus influence their interaction with V1, V2 and oxytocic receptors.


Review of Stantonia Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Orgilinae) from Vietnam, China, Japan, and Russia, with descriptions of six new species.
The genus Stantonia Ashmead, 1904 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Orgilinae) is reviewed for Vietnam, China, Japan, and Russia. Six new species of the genus Stantonia are described and illustrated: Stantonia brevicaudata van Achterberg, sp. n., S. dickyyui van Achterberg & Long, sp. n., S. granulata Long & van Achterberg, sp. n., S. robustifemur van Achterberg & Long, sp. n., S. stilpnosoma Long & van Achterberg, sp. n., and S. vietnamica van Achterberg, sp. n. A new subgenus (Planitoniasubg. n.: type species Stantonia robustifemur van Achterberg & Long, sp. n.) is proposed for the species with a flat clypeus and face, and reduced vein r-m of the fore wing. Three species are newly recorded from Vietnam: Stantonia gracilis van Achterberg, 1987, S. sumatrana Enderlein, 1908, and S. tianmushana Chen, He & Ma, 2004. A key to species of Stantonia from Vietnam, China, Russia, and Japan is provided.


Quantification of intrapancreatic fat in type 2 diabetes by MRI.
Accumulation of intrapancreatic fat may be important in type 2 diabetes, but widely varying data have been reported. The standard quantification by MRI in vivo is time consuming and dependent upon a high level of experience. We aimed to develop a new method which would minimise inter-observer variation and to compare this against previously published datasets. A technique of 'biopsying' the image to minimise inclusion of non-parenchymal tissues was developed. Additionally, thresholding was applied to exclude both pancreatic ducts and intrusions of visceral fat, with pixels of fat values of <1% or >20% being excluded. The new MR image 'biopsy' (MR-opsy) was compared to the standard method by 6 independent observers with wide experience of image analysis but no experience of pancreas imaging. The effect of the new method was examined on datasets from two studies of weight loss in type 2 diabetes. At low levels of intrapancreatic fat neither the result nor the inter-observer CV was changed by MR-opsy, thresholding or a combination of the methods. However, at higher levels the conventional method exhibited poor inter-observer agreement (coefficient of variation 26.9%) and the new combined method improved the CV to 4.3% (p<0.03). Using either MR-opsy alone or with thresholding, the new methods indicated a closer relationship between decrease in intrapancreatic fat and fall in blood glucose. The inter-observer variation for quantifying intrapancreatic fat was substantially improved by the new method when pancreas fat levels were moderately high. The method will improve comparability of pancreas fat measurement between research groups.


PEGylation of gold-decorated silica nanoparticles in the aerosol phase.
Coating of gold-decorated silica nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) was carried out in the aerosol phase. The process involves first functionalizing the nanoparticles at ~225 ° C with a bifunctional reactant, 2-mercaptoethanol (ME), for which one end is a thiol that attaches to the gold surface and the other end is a terminal hydroxyl group, and then introducing ethylene oxide (EO), which reacts at ~440 ° C with the hydroxyl group via a ring-opening polymerization to grow PEG. The morphology, elemental composition and surface chemistry of the PEGylated nanoparticles were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The increase in mobility diameter of the nanoparticles due to PEG growth was measured on-line by tandem differential mobility analysis. The PEG coating thickness was found to increase with increases in gold decoration density, flow rate of ME, and flow rate of EO. Coating thicknesses up to ~4.5 nm were measured on nanoparticles whose initial mobility diameter equaled 39 nm.


Moving the Field Forward: Using Self-Determination Theory to Transform the Learning Environment in Medical Education.
Issue: The learning environment (LE) is known to be the main determinant of physician distress, yet most wellness interventions continue to focus on the learner. Additionally, few wellness interventions that focus on the LE have derived from well-established theory. These limitations represent major barriers in our progress toward improving the LE and supporting medical learner wellness in an evidence-based, humanistic, and scalable way. Evidence: To remedy the situation, I highlight a cross-section of promising experimental research in self-determination theory (SDT) and its potential applications in medical education. Implications: I propose that we incorporate SDT-based faculty development workshops to improve leaders' awareness and motivating style with learners. These interventions are known to improve the LE and thus learners' engagement, performance, and wellness. SDT-trained personnel would be needed to train medical faculty, including about the reciprocal benefits of being autonomy-supportive.


Effect of N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone and 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid on the restoration of alkaline phosphatase in the nervous system of rat during methylmercury toxication.
The study deals with alkaline phosphatase (ALK) changes in methylmercury chloride (MMC) and the antagonists, N-acetyl-DL-homocysteine thiolactone (NAHT) and 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DSA) treated rats. A daily dose of 10 mg/kg of MMC was given to the animals for two days, seven days, and fifteen days. The animals were sacrificed on third day, eighth day, fifteen day (kept for one week without treatment) and sixteenth day. The antagonists (40 mg/kg body weight) were also applied simultaneously except in third group animals where these agents were administered from 8th-14th days. Study reveals progressive decreased activity of the enzyme in all the animal groups with increasing the duration of the dose except two days treated animals. NAHT restored the enzyme level in all the groups except in fifteen days MMC treated animals, while DSA was less effective in all the groups except in two days MMC treated animals. The significance of inhibition of the enzyme in relation to methylmercury toxication has been discussed in detail.


Physiological response and childhood anxiety: association with symptoms of anxiety disorders and cognitive bias.
This study examined the physiological response (skin conductance and heart rate [HR]) of youth exposed to a mildly phobic stimulus (video of a large dog) and its relation to child- and parent-reported anxiety symptoms and cognitive bias in a community-recruited sample of youth (n = 49). The results of this study indicated that HR and skin-conductance response were associated with youth report but not parent report of their child's symptoms of anxiety disorders and that HR response was more strongly associated with anxiety symptoms than skin-conductance response. Physiological response was uniquely associated with youth-reported symptoms of anxiety rather than youth-reported depression. Finally, HR response interacted with cognitive bias in predicting childhood anxiety disorder symptoms in a manner consistent with theories of the etiology of anxiety disorders.


Anti-Chikungunya viral activities of aplysiatoxin-related compounds from the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum.
Tropical filamentous marine cyanobacteria have emerged as a viable source of novel bioactive natural products for drug discovery and development. In the present study, aplysiatoxin (1), debromoaplysiatoxin (2) and anhydrodebromoaplysiatoxin (3), as well as two new analogues, 3-methoxyaplysiatoxin (4) and 3-methoxydebromoaplysiatoxin (5), are reported for the first time from the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum. The identification of the bloom-forming cyanobacterial strain was confirmed based on phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA sequences. Structural determination of the new analogues was achieved by extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with NMR spectral data of known compounds. In addition, the antiviral activities of these marine toxins were assessed using Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-infected cells. Post-treatment experiments using the debrominated analogues, namely compounds 2, 3 and 5, displayed dose-dependent inhibition of CHIKV when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.1 µM to 10.0 µM. Furthermore, debromoaplysiatoxin (2) and 3-methoxydebromoaplysiatoxin (5) exhibited significant anti-CHIKV activities with EC50 values of 1.3 μM and 2.7 μM, respectively, and selectivity indices of 10.9 and 9.2, respectively.


Long-term effects of D-003, a mixture of high molecular weight acids from sugarcane wax, on bones of ovariectomized rats: a one year study.
This study was done to determine the long-term effect of D-003 on bones of ovariectomized (ovx) rats distrib-uted in 4 groups: a false-operated and three groups of ovx rats: one treated with the vehicle and two with D-003 (5 and 250 mg/kg). D-003 significantly prevented, in a dose-dependent fashion, the trabecular bone volume (TBV), trabecular number (TbN) and trabecular thickness (TbTh) reduction induced in ovx rats and the increase of trabecular separation (TbSp) osteoclast number (OcN) and osteoclast surface (OcS/BS) increased in the positive controls versus the sham group. It is concluded that D-003 administered for 12 months prevented bone loss and decreased bone resorption in ovx rats, without evidences of impaired bone quality.


The performance of RT-PCR compared with a rapid serological assay for acute dengue fever in a diagnostic laboratory.
The laboratory diagnosis of dengue has largely relied on serological assays, although many different RT-PCR protocols have been reported. Owing to its limited use, the value of RT-PCR in the clinical laboratory has not been fully evaluated. During the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Singapore in 2003, RT-PCR to detect dengue viral RNA was used as a rapid diagnostic tool to differentiate dengue from SARS among patients who presented to a hospital designated to manage and quarantine SARS cases. A total of 343 results for RT-PCR and 439 results for serology were analysed and compared with the final discharge diagnosis. Our experience indicates that RT-PCR for dengue can be set up rapidly in a clinical laboratory, with very sensitive and specific results for the diagnosis of dengue, particularly in the first 5 days from onset of symptoms.


Binding and degradation of proteoglycans by cultured arterial smooth muscle cells. I. Endocytosis and intracellular translocation of proteoglycan-gold conjugates.
Proteoglycans (Mr approximately 200 000) isolated from bovine arterial tissue were decorated with 17 nm diameter gold particles for tracing in electron microscopic thin sections and surface replicas. Lysine and arginine residues of their proteoglycan protein core are assumed to be essential for gold conjugation. The resulting proteoglycan-gold conjugates, which appear as pearl string-like gold strands of about 170 nm in length were used to visualize binding, endocytosis and intracellular translocation of proteoglycans by homologous cultured arterial smooth muscle cells. The proteoglycan-gold conjugates bind to coated as well as to non-coated cell surface membrane areas at 4 degrees C. This is followed by the formation of membrane invaginations. Postincubation at 37 degrees C leads to a time-dependent uptake of proteoglycan-gold conjugates via non-coated and coated vesicles which after fusion are translocated to multivesicular bodies and to large sized vesicles within 1 h. After conversion of these vesicles to lysosomal compartments the gold particles are uncoupled from the proteoglycans and are concentrated within residual vacuoles. From these vacuoles the gold particles are extruded. In contrast to the surface-bound proteoglycan-gold conjugates the released gold particles are condensed to bulky aggregates. The results, which include competition, inhibition and pulse chase experiments, extend biochemical data on endocytosis and degradation of proteoglycans.


TT virus infection in acute non-A to E hepatitis in northern Thailand.
TT virus is a novel DNA virus widely distributed in the general population. We examined the prevalence of TTV infection in a population with acute non-A to E hepatitis and in comparison groups located in Northern Thailand. The prevalence of TTV in subjects with non-A-E hepatitis was 19% (21/112), 6% (4/72) in healthy volunteers, 17% (12/72) in those with hepatitis A or B, and 17% (8/48) in hospitalized patients with non-hepatitis illnesses. A significant association with TTV infection and non-A-E hepatitis was seen in all groups (OR 3.9, p = 0.02) and in children (OR 25.8, p = 0.001). Among subjects with non-A-E hepatitis, TTV was associated with higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (significant for AST, p = 0.02). Our observations suggest that TTV in our study population may be associated with non-A-E hepatitis and that children in particular may be at risk of hepatocellular injury as a result of TTV infection.


Using a Continuum-Based Framework for Behavioral Health Integration Into Primary Care in New York State.
Behavioral health integration with primary care has long been shown to be an essential part of improving health care and, more recently, of achieving the "triple aim" as part of national reform. Many states are promoting integration activities as part of Medicaid reform, using different models and strategies. The purpose of this column is to describe a framework developed to support behavioral health integration into primary care settings in New York State and how it is specifically linked to key policy initiatives. The framework is designed to be adaptable to practices of varying sizes and with various resources and organizational structures. Its use in groundbreaking New York State integration initiatives is discussed.


Hematopoietic organs of Manduca sexta and hemocyte lineages.
Cells of the moth immune system are derived from organs that loosely envelop the four wing imaginal discs. The immune response in these insects is believed to depend on the activities of two main classes of hemocytes: plasmatocytes and granular cells. The fates of cells that arise from these hematopoietic organs have been followed by immunolabeling with plasmatocyte-specific and granular-cell-specific antibodies. Cells within each hematopoietic organ differ in their coherence and in their expression of two plasmatocyte-specific surface proteins, integrin and neuroglian. Within an organ there is no overlap in the expression of these two surface proteins; neuroglian is found on the surfaces of the coherent cells while integrin is expressed on cells that are losing coherence, rounding up, and dispersing. A granular-cell-specific marker for the protein lacunin labels the basal lamina that delimits each organ but only a small number of granular cells that lie on or near the periphery of the hematopoietic organ. When organs are cultured in the absence of hemolymph, all cells derived from hematopoietic organs turn out to immunolabel with the plasmatocyte-specific antibody MS13. The circulating plasmatocytes derived from hematopoietic organs have higher ploidy levels than the granular cells and represent a separate lineage of hemocytes.


Bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of Proteaceae species.
The Cape Floral Kingdom is an area of unique plant biodiversity in South Africa with exceptional concentrations of rare and endemic species and experiencing drastic habitat loss. Here we present the first molecular study of the microbial diversity associated with the rhizosphere soil of endemic plants of the Proteaceae family (Leucospermum truncatulum and Leucadendron xanthoconus). Genomic DNA was extracted from L. truncatulum rhizosphere soil, L. xanthoconus rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil and used as a template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA). Construction and sequencing of 16S rDNA libraries revealed a high level of biodiversity and led to the identification of several novel bacterial phylotypes. The bacterial community profiles were compared by 16S rDNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Cluster analysis and biodiversity indices revealed that the rhizosphere soil samples were more similar to each other than to non-rhizosphere soil and the rhizosphere soil contained a bacterial diversity that was richer and more equitable compared with non-rhizosphere soil. A Chloroflexus and an Azospirillum genospecies were restricted to the L. xanthoconus rhizosphere soil and Stenotrophomonas genospecies was identified in all rhizosphere soil samples but was not present in the non-rhizosphere soil. Taxon-specific nested PCR and DGGE-identified differences between the Proteaceae plant rhizosphere soil with a Frankia genospecies restricted the L. truncatulum rhizosphere. Archaea-specific rDNA PCR, DGGE and DNA sequencing revealed that Crenarcheote genospecies were excluded from the plant rhizosphere soil and only present in non-rhizosphere soil.


Joint myocardial T1 and T2 mapping using a combination of saturation recovery and T2 -preparation.
To develop a heart-rate independent breath-held joint T1 -T2 mapping sequence for accurate simultaneous estimation of coregistered myocardial T1 and T2 maps. A novel preparation scheme combining both a saturation pulse and T2 -preparation in a single R-R interval is introduced. The time between these two pulses, as well as the duration of the T2 -preparation is varied in each heartbeat, acquiring images with different T1 and T2 weightings, and no magnetization dependence on previous images. Inherently coregistered T1 and T2 maps are calculated from these images. Phantom imaging is performed to compare the proposed maps with spin echo references. In vivo imaging is performed in ten subjects, comparing the accuracy and precision of the proposed technique to existing myocardial T1 and T2 mapping sequences of the same duration. Phantom experiments show that the proposed technique provides accurate quantification of T1 and T2 values over a wide-range (T1 : 260 ms to 1460 ms, T2 : 40 ms to 200 ms). In vivo imaging shows that the proposed sequence quantifies T1 and T2 values similar to a saturation-based T1 mapping and a conventional breath-hold T2 mapping sequence, respectively. The proposed sequence allows joint estimation of accurate and coregistered quantitative myocardial T1 and T2 maps in a single breath-hold. Magn Reson Med 76:888-896, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Guidelines for objective student clinical education evaluations.
Student clinical evaluations need to take into consideration the many variables associated with the production of quality radiographs. Using performance objectives with correction factors for atypical training conditions and a scale of achievement with an evaluation formula, objective student clinical education evaluations may be realized.


Corticosteroid production by the human foetus: evidence from analysis of urine from women pregnant with a normal or an anencephalic foetus.
The quantities of nine corticosteroids in 24 h urine samples collected by pregnant women (nine with normal foetuses and nine with anencephalic foetuses) were measured after hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase and separation by paper chromatography. The excretion (mumol/24 h, mean +/- S.D.) of prenanetriol (0-85 +/- 0-17), 3 alpha, 17 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one (17 alpha-hydroxypregnanolone, 0-55 +/- 0-17), 3 alpha, 17 alpha, 21-trihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one (tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol, 0-17 +/- 0-14) and tetrahydrocorticosterone (0-65 +/- 0-26) by women with an anencephalic foetus was significantly lower (P less than 0-01 or less than 0-05) than the excretion of these compounds by women with a normal foetus (pregnanetriol, 2-42 +/- 0-62; 17 alpha-hydroxypregnanolone, 2-72 +/- 0-69; tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol, 0-56 +/- 0-37; tetrahydrocorticosterone, 1-95 +/- 0-94). These differences suggest that the adrenal of the normal foetus contributes to the quantity of pregnanetriol, 17alpha-hydroxypregnanolone, tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol and tetrahydrocorticosterone in maternal urine. The excretion of tetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortisone, tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, cortol and cortolone were similar in both groups of subjects. No evidence was obtained therefore to indicate the secretion of cortisol or deoxycorticosterone by the foetal zone of the adrenal of the undisturbed human foetus in late gestation.


Gender associated differences in determinants of quality of life in patients with COPD: a case series study.
The influence of gender on the expression of COPD has received limited attention. Quality of Life (QoL) has become an important outcome in COPD patients. The aim of our study was to explore factors contributing to gender differences in Quality of Life of COPD patients. In 146 men and women with COPD from a pulmonary clinic we measured: Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), age, smoking history, PaO2, PaCO2, FEV1, FVC, IC/TLC, FRC, body mass index (BMI), 6 minute walk distance (6MWD), dyspnea (modified MRC), degree of comorbidity (Charlson index) and exacerbations in the previous year. We explored differences between genders using Mann-Whitney U-rank test. To investigate the main determinants of QoL, a multiple lineal regression analysis was performed using backward Wald's criteria, with those variables that significantly correlated with SGRQ total scores. Compared with men, women had worse scores in all domains of the SGRQ (total 38 vs 26, p = 0.01, symptoms 48 vs 39, p = 0.03, activity 53 vs 37, p = 0.02, impact 28 vs 15, p = 0.01). SGRQ total scores correlated in men with: FEV1% (-0.378, p < 0.001), IC/TLC (-0.368, p = 0.002), PaO2 (-0.379, p = 0.001), PaCO2 (0.256, p = 0.05), 6MWD (-0.327, p = 0.005), exacerbations (0.366, p = 0.001), Charlson index (0.380, p = 0.001) and MMRC (0.654, p < 0.001). In women, the scores correlated only with FEV1% (-0.293, p = 0.013) PaO2 (-0.315, p = 0.007), exacerbations (0.290, p = 0.013) and MMRC (0.628, p < 0.001). Regression analysis (B, 95% CI) showed that exercise capacity (0.05, 0.02 to 0.09), dyspnea (17.6, 13.4 to 21.8), IC/TLC (-51.1, -98.9 to -3.2) and comorbidity (1.7, 0.84 to 2.53) for men and dyspnea (9.7, 7.3 to 12.4) and oxygenation (-0.3, -0.6 to -0.01) for women manifested the highest independent associations with SGRQ scores. In moderate to severe COPD patients attending a pulmonary clinic, there are gender differences in health status scores. In turn, the clinical and physiological variables independently associated with those scores differed in men and women. Attention should be paid to the determinants of QoL scores in women with COPD.


[The usefulness of dual-energy radiographic densitometry (DO) in establishing the composition of calculi].
Dual-energy radiographic bone densitometry is utilized to determine the bone mineral content in patients with osteoporosis. The present in vitro experimental study investigated the usefulness of densitometry in determining stone composition and in evaluating the mineral and non mineral phases of the calculus. For the study we analyzed 114 calculi of 6 different chemical composition (calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, phosphate carbonate, uric acid and phosphate oxalate). The phosphate carbonate calculi had the highest mineral density, whereas the uric acid calculi had the lowest and contained more water. Although densitometry appears to be of little value in determining stone composition, it provides information on the mineral and non mineral phases of the calculus.


Accuracy of cytologic interpretation of pancreatic neoplasms by fine needle aspiration and pancreatic duct brushings.
To investigate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens and pancreatic duct brushings in the detection of pancreatic lesions and to compare the results with follow-up biopsy and/or surgical interpretation. We reviewed a total of 57 specimens (37/20), 37 FNA specimens and 20 pancreatic duct brushings, from 45 patients treated at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, over a 4-year period. The FNA and brushing samples were categorized as follows: positive for malignancy (21/3 = 24), suspicious for malignancy (8/7 = 15) and atypical (8/10 = 18). The results were then correlated with the tissue diagnosis. The 24 cytologic samples positive for malignancy included 23 (20/3) pancreatic ductal carcinoma (CA) and 1 (1/0) neuroendocrine CA; in the suspicious category, 11 (6/5) were pancreatic ductal CA; 2 (0/2) mucinous neoplasms and (2/0) neuroendocrine neoplasms; in the atypical category; 2 (2/0) suggestive of mucinous neoplasia, 1 (1/0) suggestive of serous neoplasia and 9 (2/7) favor reactive; and 6 (3/3) without further categorization. Tissue diagnoses were available in 26 cases: 12 (10/2) cases positive for malignancy, 8 (5/3) suspicious for malignancy and 6 (5/1) atypical. The 12 cytologically positive cases confirmed by histology showed 10 ductal CA, 1 neuroendocrine CA and 1 negative. All 8 cases (100%) suspicious for malignancy revealed positive results, including 5 ductal CA, 1 neuroendocrine neoplasm, 1 mucinous cystic neoplasm and 1 lymphoma. Of the 6 atypical lesions, 1 showed ductal CA, 2 mucinous cystic neoplasm and 3 chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic FNA and duct brushings [table: see text] are accurate methods in identifying pancreatic lesions, particularly ductal CA. Accuracy can be improved in the case of mucinous and other lesions with adequate cellularity of the smear and recognizing the limitations of brush samples in the case of mucinous cystic lesions. False negative results may occur in cases of poor representation of malignant cells or poor sampling.


Deletion of ELOVL6 blocks the synthesis of oleic acid but does not prevent the development of fatty liver or insulin resistance.
Elongation of very long chain fatty acid-like family member 6 (ELOVL6) is a fatty acyl elongase that performs the initial and rate-limiting condensing reaction required for microsomal elongation of long-chain fatty acids. Our previous in vitro studies suggested that ELOVL6 elongated long-chain saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids with chain lengths of 12 to 16 carbons. Here, we describe the generation and phenotypic characterization of Elovl6(-/-) mice. As predicted from the in vitro studies, livers from Elovl6(-/-) mice accumulated palmitic (C16:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) fatty acids and contained significantly less stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1, n-9) acids, confirming that ELOVL6 is the only enzyme capable of elongating palmitate (C16:0). Unexpectedly, Elovl6(-/-) mice produced vaccenic acid (C18:1, n-7), the elongated product of palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7), suggesting that palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7) to vaccenate (C18:1, n-7) elongation was not specific to ELOVL6. The only detected consequence of deleting Elovl6(-/-) in mice was that their livers accumulated significantly more triglycerides than wild-type mice when fed a fat-free/high-carbohydrate diet. When mice were fed a high-fat diet or ELOVL6 was deleted in ob/ob mice, the absence of ELOVL6 did not alter the development of obesity, fatty liver, hyperglycemia, or hyperinsulinemia. Combined, these results suggest that palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) and vaccenic (C18:1, n-7) acids can largely replace the roles of oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) in vivo and that the deletion of ELOVL6 does not protect mice from the development of hepatic steatosis or insulin resistance.


LncRNA ontology: inferring lncRNA functions based on chromatin states and expression patterns.
Accumulating evidences suggest that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform important functions. Genome-wide chromatin-states area rich source of information about cellular state, yielding insights beyond what is typically obtained by transcriptome profiling. We propose an integrative method for genome-wide functional predictions of lncRNAs by combining chromatin states data with gene expression patterns. We first validated the method using protein-coding genes with known function annotations. Our validation results indicated that our integrative method performs better than co-expression analysis, and is accurate across different conditions. Next, by applying the integrative model genome-wide, we predicted the probable functions for more than 97% of human lncRNAs. The putative functions inferred by our method match with previously annotated by the targets of lncRNAs. Moreover, the linkage from the cellular processes influenced by cancer-associated lncRNAs to the cancer hallmarks provided a "lncRNA point-of-view" on tumor biology. Our approach provides a functional annotation of the lncRNAs, which we developed into a web-based application, LncRNA Ontology, to provide visualization, analysis, and downloading of lncRNA putative functions.


Nucleotide sugar transporters: elucidation of their molecular identity and its implication for future studies.
Nucleotide sugar transporters are mainly located in the Golgi membranes and carry nucleotide sugars, that are produced outside the Golgi apparatus, into the organelle, where they serve as substrates for the elongation of carbohydrate chains by glycosyltransferases. They are thus indispensable for cellular glycoconjugate synthesis and, moreover, may have regulatory roles in producing the structural variety of cellular glycoconjugates. Their occurrence has long been well recognized, but studies on the molecular bases of their strict substrate specificities and modes of action have been hampered by the lack of information on their precise molecular structures. Complementary DNAs encoding several of these transporters were cloned recently, which represented a substantial step forward as to the above mentioned issues. The products of these cDNAs are mutually related hydrophobic proteins consisting of 320-400 amino acid residues with multiple putative transmembrane helix domains, and are located in the Golgi apparatus. This review briefly summarizes the present status of the field of nucleotide sugar transporter research, and also presents an outlook of the study in this field.


Serum Serotonin Levels are Associated with Antiviral Therapy Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.
The role of serotonin in contributing to viral clearance has not been investigated in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). In this prospective study we collected blood samples from 39 patients prior to and during antiviral therapy. Participants completed mood rating scales to monitor psychiatric symptoms, and serum serotonin and tryptophan levels were measured. Significant differences in serotonin levels were found between patients who achieved sustained viral responses (SVRs) and those who did not. Regression analysis revealed that serotonin was the only variable with a statistically significant relationship with antiviral therapy outcomes, even after controlling for other variables known to be associated with outcomes. Baseline serum serotonin levels, in combination with other variables such as degree of liver fibrosis, may be clinically useful for identifying patients in whom HCV can be cleared by antiviral therapy. Additional clinical predictors that could forecast treatment success are needed so that interventions to improve SVR rates, and reduce side effects, can be developed.


Surgical strategy for tuberculous brain abscess with dural infiltration: A case report.
Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide. Although tuberculous central complications account for 1% of all tuberculosis patients, there are many cases of medical resistance; and early surgical treatment is required for brain abscess. Reports on tuberculous brain abscesses with dural infiltration are rare, and there are no reports on surgical treatment methods. An 81-year-old man was presented with the right arm paresis. His recent medical history included a 6-month course of immunosuppressants, and steroids prescribed for ulcerative colitis, and four antituberculosis drugs had been started 2 months before for relapse of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early age. Head T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with administration of gadolinium showed two ring-enhanced lesions in the left precentral gyrus and continuous with the dura mater. Surgery was performed and he was pathologically diagnosed with a tuberculous brain abscess. Since the pathological diagnosis revealed dura mater invasion, we removed the dura mater and reconstructed by periosteum. After the surgery, the symptoms gradually improved, and the abscess and edema improved when viewed on the image. Despite the administration of steroids for ulcerative colitis without antituberculosis drugs, no recurrence was observed for 1 year. Recurrence of tuberculous brain abscess is a major problem in immunosuppressed patients, but it is considered that the relapse could be prevented by removing the dural infiltration. In cases of tuberculous brain abscess with dural infiltration, it is considered that the recurrence can be prevented even in an immunosuppressed state by removing the dura.


Conventional Complete Denture in Patients with Ectodermal Dysplasia.
Ectodermal dysplasia is described as heritable conditions that involve anomalies of structures derived from the ectoderm, including hypodontia. In the cases of edentulous young patients, who did not finish their craniofacial growth, treatment with conventional complete denture is a suitable alternative. The aim of this study was to report a case of mandibular edentulism treated with conventional complete denture in a thirteen-year-old patient diagnosed with hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Typical features, such as frontal bossing, depressed nasal bridge, protuberant lips, scarce hair, and brittle nails, were visualized during the extraoral examination. The intraoral inspection and radiographic analysis revealed oligodontia, dental malformation, and prolonged retention of deciduous teeth at maxilla and total edentulism at mandible. A conventional complete denture was planned and constructed following the same steps of technique as recommended in adults. Although this option is not a definitive treatment, the patient and his parents were satisfied with his improvement in chewing and speech, as well as with the aesthetic benefits.


Pulmonary emphysema is a predictor of pneumothorax after CT-guided transthoracic pulmonary biopsies of pulmonary nodules.
Pneumothoraces are the most frequently occurring complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic pulmonary biopsies (PTPB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-diagnostic lung emphysema on the incidence and extent of pneumothoraces and to establish a risk stratification for the evaluation of the pre-procedure complication probability. CT-guided PTPB of 100 pre-selected patients (mean age 67.1±12.8 years) were retrospectively enrolled from a single center database of 235 PTPB performed between 2012-2014. Patients were grouped according to pneumothorax appearance directly after PTPB (group I: without pneumothorax, n = 50; group II: with pneumothorax, n = 50). Group II was further divided according to post-interventional treatment (group IIa: chest tube placement, n = 24; group IIb: conservative therapy, n = 26). For each patient pre-diagnostic percentage of emphysema was quantified using CT density analysis. Emphysema stages were compared between groups using bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Emphysema percentage was significantly associated with the occurrence of post-interventional pneumothorax (p = 0.006). Adjusted for potential confounders (age, gender, lesion size and length of interventional pathway) the study yielded an OR of 1.07 (p = 0.042). Absolute risk of pneumothorax increased from 43.4% at an emphysema rate of 5% to 73.8% at 25%. No differences could be seen in patients with pneumothorax between percentage of emphysema and mode of therapy (p = 0.721). The rate of lung emphysema is proportionally related to the incidence of pneumothorax after CT-guided PTPB and allows pre-interventional risk stratification. There is no association between stage of emphysema and post-interventional requirement of chest tube placement.


Cytomegalovirus as a cause of anterior uveitis with sectoral iris atrophy.
To report two cases of recurrent anterior uveitis with sectoral iris atrophy and ocular hypertension during attacks caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Two observational case reports. Two immunocompetent patients with a history of recurrent unilateral hypertensive anterior uveitis with sectoral iris atrophy were referred to us with the presumptive diagnosis of herpetic uveitis. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination, aqueous humor polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and peripheral blood serologic studies were performed on both patients. Examination of aqueous humor by PCR was positive for CMV and negative for herpesvirus. Serum IgG/IgM titers disclosed past CMV infection. Both patients responded well to antiviral therapy with ganciclovir. The final visual acuity level was 20/20 in both eyes of both patients. CMV infection can produce recurrent attacks of anterior uveitis with clinical characteristics indistinguishable from those previously considered highly suggestive or even pathognomonic for herpetic infection. This observation has implications for the therapeutic management of such patients.


Microsurgical reconstruction of chest wall defect after necrotizing fasciitis.
Chest wall necrotizing fasciitis is a rare and often fatal infection that usually requires extensive debridements and reconstructive procedures. We describe the therapeutical course of an uncommon case of perforating thoracic wound complicated with necrotizing fasciitis, with consecutive debridements and a resultant full-thickness subscapular defect. We agree that free flaps, although seldom required, must be considered when treating more complex defects. Latissimus dorsi free-flap was enough for pleural reconstruction and wall stabilization. There are no previous references in the literature to primary chest wall fasciitis treated successfully with microsurgical reconstruction.


Determination of occupational exposure to alkanolamines in metal-working fluids.
Overall exposure to alkanolamines in metal-working fluids (MWFs) in machine shops was studied by determining alkanolamines in air samples and in rinse-off samples from the hands of machinists. Methods for collecting airborne alkanolamines and alkanolamines absorbed to the skin of the hands were developed and tested. The exposure measurements were carried out in nine machine shops. After a 2 h working period the dominant hand of 37 machinists was rinsed with 200 ml of 20% isopropanol for 1 min in a plastic bag. Personal air samples were also collected during the 2 h working period onto acid-treated glass fibre filters. The filter samples were desorbed with methanol and analysed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS). The rinse-off samples were also analysed for alkanolamines by LC-MS. The median air concentration of monoethanolamine (EA) was 57 microg m-3, diethanolamine (DEA) 64 microg m-3 and triethanolamine (TEA) 6 microg m-3. The workers' overall exposure to alkanolamines was estimated by calculating the amount in inhaled air and the amount on the skin. The median amount of EA on the skin of the dominant hand was 9-43 times the median amount in inhaled air during 2 h exposure. The corresponding ratio for DEA was 100 and for TEA 170. According to this study the exposure to alkanolamines occurs mainly through the skin. EA was the only alkanolamine with a noticeable inhalation uptake compared to the skin uptake. Total exposure to MWFs may be reduced by reducing skin exposure. The hand rinsing method can be used to assess the efficiency of protective gloves.


Effect of Rehabilitation with Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Molecular Mechanism of Apoptosis in Post-Stroke Patients.
Apoptosis in acute stroke is associated with a negative prognosis and is correlated with the severity of the neurological deficit. However, there is no evidence that indicates that, in the subacute phase of the stroke, the apoptosis process might activate neuroplasticity. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on the molecular mechanism of apoptosis, as used in the rehabilitation of post-stroke patients. Patients with moderate stroke severity (n = 48), 3-4 weeks after incident, were enrolled in the analysis and divided into ELF-EMF and non-ELF-EMF group. The rehabilitation program in both groups involves the following: kinesiotherapy-30 min; psychological therapy-15 min; and neurophysiological routines-60 min. Additionally, the ELF-EMF group was exposed to an ELF-EMF (40 Hz, 5 mT). In order to assess the apoptosis gene expression level, we measured the mRNA expression of BAX, BCL-2, CASP8, TNFα, and TP53. We found that ELF-EMF significantly increased the expression of BAX, CASP8, TNFα, and TP53, whereas the BCL-2 mRNA expression after ELF-EMF exposition remained at a comparable level in both groups. Thus, we suggest that increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic genes in post-stroke patients promotes the activation of signaling pathways involved in brain plasticity processes. However, further research is needed to clarify this process.


Early changes of Cl- efflux and H+ extrusion induced by osmotic stress in Arabidopsis thaliana cells.
In various plant materials changes in turgor pressure, following hyper- or hypo-osmotic stress, were associated with the activation or inactivation of the plasma membrane H+ -ATPase, respectively. To see if the turgor changes might indirectly influence H+ -ATPase activity by regulating ion fluxes through plasma membrane, we investigated, in cultured cells of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., the early effects of hyper- and hypo-osmotic stress on Cl- fluxes in comparison, in the case of hyper-osmotic treatment, with its effect on net H+ extrusion. The results obtained showed that hyper-osmotic stress (200 mM mannitol) quickly reduced Cl- efflux (-70%) from cells preloaded with 36 C1- for 18 h. This inhibiting effect was independent of the simultaneous mannitol-induced stimulation of Cl- influx and rapidly reversible after removal of the hyper-osmotic treatment. The inhibition of Cl- efflux was associated with a stimulation of net H+ extrusion, and these two effects showed the same dependence on the external mannitol concentration. Fusicoccin (FC, 20 µM), which stimulated H+ extrusion to about the same extent as 200 mM mannitol, did not affect Cl- efflux. When cells preloaded with 36 C1- for 18 h in the presence of mannitol (from 25 up to 200 mM) were eluted in a mannitol-free medium an early and strong increase in Cl- efflux was found. The increase of Cl- efflux was already detectable for a small hypo-osmotic jump (25 mM), and was reduced (-50%) by the anion channel inhibitor A9C (300 µM). These results lead to exclude a direct causal relationship mediated by Em changes between the effects of osmoticum on Cl- efflux and net H+ extrusion, and favour the view that the changes in turgor pressure induced by hyper/hypo-osmotic stress may respectively induce an early inactivation/activation of stretch-sensitive anion channels.


Chronic moderate hypoxia during in ovo development alters arterial reactivity in chickens.
We previously observed arterial sympathetic hyperinnervation and endothelial dysfunction in the chicken embryo after exposure to chronic hypoxia. We now investigate whether changes in arterial properties could also be observed at 14-15 weeks of life. Eggs of White Leghorn chicken were incubated under normoxic or moderately hypoxic (15% O2 from days 6-19 of a 21-day incubation) conditions. Experiments were performed at 14-15 weeks of life under standard conditions (Hm: males exposed to hypoxia; Hf: females exposed to hypoxia; Nm: males exposed to normoxia; Nf: females exposed to normoxia). Body weight at hatching and at 14-15 weeks was not affected by in ovo exposure to hypoxia. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not significantly altered by chronic in ovo hypoxia. However, isolated femoral arteries were more sensitive to electrical stimulation (frequency in Hz of half-maximal contraction, Hm: 1.62+/-0.33, Hf: 1.92+/-0.88, Nm: 2.49+/-0.49, Nf: 2.83+/-0.31) and pharmacological stimulation of peri-arterial sympathetic nerves (contraction in N/m in response to tyramine: Hm: 5.27+/-0.85, Hf: 4.10+/-0.9, Nm: 2.26+/-0.67, Nf: 3.65+/-0.51, p=0.07) after in ovo hypoxia. In side branches of the femoral artery, the effect of NO synthase blockade with L-NAME on contraction (in N/m) in response to high K+ (Hm: 0.35+/-0.91, Hf: 1.29+/-0.36, Nm: 2.88+/-0.19, Nf: 2.79+/-0.58) and on the sensitivity to acetylcholine (DeltapD2, H: 0.32+/-0.11, N: 0.62+/-0.05) was reduced after in ovo hypoxia. The present study shows that exposure to chronic moderate hypoxia during development affects the contractile and relaxing arterial responses of 14- to 15-week-old chickens. Although hypoxia did not lead to changes in blood pressure at this age, the observed effects on arterial sympathetic and endothelial function may represent early signs of future cardiovascular abnormalities.