Development of the Larval Serotonergic Nervous System in the Sea Star Patiriella regularis as Revealed by Confocal Imaging.
Development of the nervous system in the larvae of the sea star Patiriella regularis was reconstructed in three dimensions. The optical sectioning and image processing capabilities of the confocal microscope made it possible to identify the precise location and timing of development of serotonergic cells in relation to subsequent development of larval features. Similarities between this system and the serotonergic systems in larvae of other echinoderms were explored. Neuronal-like immunoreactive cells and processes first appeared in late gastrulae as a collection of cells scattered across the animal pole. These cells subsequently gave rise to basal axons positioned along the basal lamina. Immunopositive cells located in the stomodaeal region marked the beginnings of formation of the adoral ciliated band. Cells were also present in the mid-dorsal epithelium. Advanced bipinnaria had pyramidal immunoreactive cells within the adoral band and ovoid immunoreactive cells within the preoral and postoral ciliated bands. Processes originating from neurons in the transverse region of the preoral ciliated band extended into the buccal cavity, suggesting that these cells have a sensory role in feeding. An anterior ganglion formed in the late bipinnaria, innervating the preoral and postoral ciliated bands. This connection has not previously been described. It thus appears that the ciliated bands in the bipinnaria larvae of P. regularis communicate via serotonergic nerve tracts.


Characterization of a Liquid Crystal System for Sustained Release of a Peptide BMS-686117.
Liquid crystal lipid-based formulations are an effective approach to prolong pharmacokinetics and reduce burst release of a drug on subcutaneous delivery. The objective of this paper was to investigate the influence of phase structures of a lipid-based liquid crystal delivery system and its associated mechanical properties on the release profile of a peptide. It was hypothesized that release of drug molecules are closely related to the mechanical properties that are controlled by phase structures. Experimentally, the relationship between phase structures of lipid liquid crystal system-soy phosphatidyl choline (SPC) and glycerol dioleate (GDO) in water were characterized by polarized light microscopy and small angle X-ray diffraction. Their rheological properties were evaluated with a rheometer and the in vitro release of the peptide as a measure drug release from the LC-depot injection. Three phases: disordered phase, lamellar phase, mixtures of cubic, lamellar, and hexagonal phases were detected by varying formulation compositions. A significant difference in rheological behavior was observed. The disordered phase displayed some attributes of typical Newtonian fluid with lowest viscosity while the lamellar phase showed a shear thinning behavior. Regarding the mechanical strength, the lamellar phase presents the highest storage modulus due to its layer structure followed by mixed phases. Comparing release profiles, the lamellar phase produced a fast release followed by the mixture of phases. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the ability to characterize LC phase structures with microscopy, small angle X-ray diffraction, and rheological measurements and their link to modulating a peptide release profile.


Studies on some fish parasites of public health importance in the southern area of Saudi Arabia.
The present study was the first attempt to survey the diversity of fish zoonotic parasites in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Najran area, from October 2012 to October 2013. Approximately 163 fish representing seven species (two of freshwater fish and five of marine fish) were examined for fish-borne trematode metacercariae using the compression technique, and for zoonotic nematode larvae. Adult flukes were obtained from cats experimentally infected with the metacercariae on day 25 post-infection The prevalence of each parasite species was recorded. The parasites found belonged to two taxa: Digenea (Heterophyes heterophyes and Haplorchis pumilio) in muscle tissue; and nematodes (larvae of Capillaria sp.) in the digestive tract. The morphological characteristics of the fish-borne trematode metacercariae and their experimentally obtained adults were described. This is the first report of these parasites in fish in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Myripristis murdjan presented higher prevalence of Capillaria sp. infection (22.7%), while Haplorchis pumilio was the dominant metacercarial species (7.9%). Although the number of documented cases continues to increase, the overall risk of human infection is slight. The increasing exploitation of the marine environment by humans and the tendency to reduce cooking times when preparing seafood products both increase the chances of becoming infected with these parasites. Furthermore, our results indicate that certain fish production systems are at risk of presenting fish zoonotic parasites, and that control approaches will benefit from understanding these risk factors.


[Clinical features and therapeutic strategies of acute appendicitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma].
To explore the clinical characteristic and therapeutic strategies of acute appendicitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. The clinical data of 31 patients with acute appendicitis after radical gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma from January 2006 to January 2012 was analyzed retrospectively. The profiles of previous operations, symptoms, physical signs, disease duration, progression time, examination results, peri-operative complications, results of bacterial culture and use of antibiotics were used to evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies. There were 19 males and 12 females with a mean age of (61 ± 4) years. Gastric cancer postoperative acute appendicitis lacked typical symptoms. The presenting symptoms were persistent and progressive severe right lower abdominal pains (n = 31, 100.0%), associated, with fever (n = 27, 87.1%) nausea or vomiting (n = 11, 35.5%), abdominal distension (n = 9, 29.0%), intestinal obstruction (n = 21, 67.7%) and abdominal purulent exudate (n = 31, 100.0%). The average onset time from abdominal pain to peritonitis was (15 ± 4) hours. Perforated appendix occurred in 16 cases (51.6%). Seven patients had no increase of the total number of WBC or percentage of neutrophils (22.6%). Exploratory laparotomy was performed in 17 cases, and the rate of delayed diagnosis was 54.8%. And 31 patients were cured by surgery and anti-infection treatment. There was no intraoperative death. Because of rapidly spreading abdominal infection, peritonitis occurs early with a high incidence rate. Early diagnosis, early operation and rational use of antibiotics are the most important therapeutic modalities of acute postoperative appendicitis in patients with gastric cancer.


Service utilisation in a public post-acute rehabilitation unit following traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes disability in a proportion of survivors across the spectrum of injury severity. Previous research suggests physical changes are the primary focus of rehabilitation, although cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties cause greater concern in the long-term. There is little information about services accessed by those with mild injuries, who often have no physical disabilities. This study investigated factors determining service utilisation in a population-based sample which included 52% mild injuries (PTA ≤ 24 hours). Chi-squares and t-tests were used to examine the impact of demographic, clinical, psychological and physical variables on referral of 175 TBI patients to clinical disciplines in a public, community-based rehabilitation facility in Hobart, Tasmania. Increased service intensity (total disciplines referred to), was associated with greater injury severity (p = .006) and previous TBI (p = .041). Less traditional rehabilitation services (nursing, psychology) received more referrals than traditional disciplines (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work). Referral to physiotherapy and occupational therapy was associated with greater injury severity, functional dependence, hospitalisation and older age. Referral to nursing, psychology and social work was associated with more post-concussion symptoms, younger age, anxiety, depression and assault-related injury. The large number of referrals to psychology strengthens the case for including it as a core rehabilitation discipline.


Hypertension care in general practice: an opinion survey.
An opinion survey was conducted among 60 general practitioners from different parts of West Bengal with 6 prefixed questions covering some practical issues of hypertension. Fifty-eight doctors responded. In the opinion of the majority, 160 mm of Hg (systolic) and 90 mm of Hg (diastolic) are the cut off pressure to diagnose hypertension. Forty-eight per cent of the practitioners opined that a period of observation is necessary before antihypertensives were started. Eighty-seven per cent of the practitioners would start their patients on antihypertensive drugs well before the blood pressure reached 160/104 mm of Hg. High diastolic pressure was thought to be dangerous by 50% doctors and both high systolic and diastolic pressures were thought to be dangerous by 43% doctors. Fifty-two per cent practitioners opined that 140/90 mm of Hg should be the target blood pressure after treatment. Most of them (63%) opined that antihypertensive treatment should be continued life long. Practitioner's opinion were analysed in the light of current international literatures on basic therapeutic approaches to hypertension with emphasis on certain issues of controversy.


Optimizing therapeutic approaches in ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The world-wide increasing of antimicrobial resistance, face the clinician with the dilemma of treating patients in excess or under-treat patients who need therapy. Early empirical therapy, based on local epidemiological and surveillance data, clinical presentation, timing of onset of pneumonia relative to hospital admission, and administration of prior antibiotics, is often necessary. The first-line therapy in patients with early-onset pneumonia, no risk factor and no prior antibiotics, will be direct to community type organisms, while in patients with late-onset (>5 to 7 days mechanical ventilation) pneumonia, and after prior administration of antibiotics, will be direct to multi-resistant and difficult-to-treat organisms. Risk for development of self-resistance appears higher with imipenem and fluoroquinolones. Obtaining reliable samples to adapt therapy does not improve outcome, but may allow withdrawing of therapy when pneumonia is not confirmed, therefore reducing the overall selective pressure in the ICU environment.


Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection in hemodialysis patients from egypt with or without hepatitis C virus infection.
While prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) who are undergoing dialysis has decreased significantly during the past few decades, it still remains a distinct clinical problem. The immunosuppressive nature of renal disease often leads to chronicity of the HBV infection and an opportunity for nosocomial spread of the infection among dialysis patients. Egypt is among the countries with intermediate endemicity of HBsAg (range, 2%-7%). Large-scale geographic heterogeneity in HBV prevalence has been reported worldwide and HBV prevalence is especially heterogeneous in Egypt. To assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection (OBI) in hemodialysis patients with or without chronic hepatitis C (HCV) from Minia and Assuit, Upper Egypt, using HBV DNA assays. Sera from 145 hemodialysis patients with negative HbsAg were investigated for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Only serum samples with repeatedly detectable HBV DNA were considered positive. Patients were divided into 2 groups: HCV RNA positive and HCV RNA negative, based on the results of a third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti-HCV test and HCV RNA PCR. HBV DNA was detected in 6 of the 145 patients (4.1%) and HBcAb was detected in 29/145 patients (20%). There were no statistically significant differences in the age, duration of hemodialysis, biochemical parameters, serological markers of HBV, or HBV DNA between patients with and without HCV infection. Four percent of the hemodialysis patients had OBI. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of OBI between hemodialysis patients with or without HCV co-infection.


The association of estimated whole blood viscosity with hemodynamic parameters and prognosis in patients with heart failure.
We aimed to investigate the association of estimated whole blood viscosity (WBV) with hemodynamic parameters and prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Total of 542 patients were included and followed-up for median 13 months. The WBV parameters had negative relationship with right atrium pressure and positive correlation with cardiac index. The WBV parameters were found to be independent predictors of composite end point (CEP) and all-cause mortality. Every one cP increases of WBV(h) and WBV(l) were associated with 17 and 1% reductions of CEP. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with low WBV quartiles were found to have significantly more CEP. Being an easily accessible and costless prognosticator, WBV seems to be a novel marker for determining prognosis and an emerging tool to individualize heart failure with reduced ejection fraction management.


A personal sampling method for the determination of nitrous oxide exposure.
A diffusive sampler is described which is suitable for the determination of time weighted average personal and static exposures to nitrous oxide. The sampler is based on a commercially available tube design and is analyzed by thermal desorption techniques. The performance of the sampler when exposed to a wide range of nitrous oxide concentrations is described. The effects of humidity changes on diffusive uptake have been tested and shown to be negligible. The precision of the sampler has been determined and the effects of back-diffusion and storage have been investigated. The results of these experiments and those of field comparisons between the diffusive sampler and conventional pump and tube techniques suggest that the precisions of both methods are similar. The diffusive method is preferred because of its simplicity and convenience.


[The new antidepressant tetrindole].
The antidepressive effects of tetrindole versus pyrazidole (pirlindole) and imipramine were studied in animal experiments. Tetrindole was found to be more active than pyrazidole and imipramine in a behavioral model of Porsolt, in antagonism with reserpine, in potentiation with 5-hydroxytryptophan, L-dopa and clonidine. The action of terindole is related to its ability to exert reversible inhibitory effects on MAO A activity. Tetrindole is less toxic than pyrazidole and imipramine.


Co-operative binding interactions in affinity chromatography: Theoretical considerations.
A theoretical relationship has been developed to allow the effect of free ligand concentration on the capacity of an affinity Chromatography matrix to be determined where the protein adsorbed shows co-operative binding. Computer simulations using literature values for association constants show that under optimal conditions resin capacity can be increased significantly in the presence of a small but finite concentration of free ligand. The model also allows prediction of the soluble ligand concentration required for biospecific elution. The results obtained suggest the possibility of a new elution technique, "reverse biospecific elution," that reduces the amount of free ligand required to effect elution.


Mechanism of GABA receptor-mediated inhibition of spontaneous GABA release onto cerebellar Purkinje cells.
gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B) receptor-mediated modulation of spontaneous GABA release onto Purkinje cells was investigated in cerebellar slices from 3- to 5-week-old mice. The GABA(B) receptor agonists baclofen and CGP 44533 each reduced the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), with no significant effect on mIPSC amplitude; together, consistent with a presynaptic site of action. The GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP 55845 blocked baclofen-induced inhibition. The sulphydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide occluded baclofen effects, implicating G(i/o) subunits in mediating a GABA(B) G protein-coupled receptor pathway. Baclofen-induced inhibition persisted in the presence of Ba(2+), a blocker of K(+) channels, and Cd(2+), a blocker of Ca(2+) channel-mediated GABA release. Application of nominally Ca(2+)-free extracellular solutions reduced mIPSC frequency and amplitude; however, baclofen produced a significant inhibition in mIPSC frequency, further suggesting that this pathway was independent of Ca(2+) influx. Spontaneous GABA release was increased by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. However, baclofen-induced inhibition was not significantly changed in either condition. Baclofen action was also not affected by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22536 or the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride. Baclofen still reduced mIPSC frequency in the presence of the polyvalent cation ruthenium red, which acts as a secretagogue here; however, baclofen-induced inhibition was reduced significantly. Furthermore, baclofen produced no clear inhibition during high-frequency mIPSCs bursts induced by the potent secretagogue alpha-Latrotoxin. Together, these results suggest that GABA(B) inhibition occurs downstream of Ca(2+) influx and may be mediated, in part, by an inhibition of the vesicular release mechanism.


Effect of manufacturing process parameters on virus inactivation by dry heat treatment at 80 degrees C in factor VIII.
Dry heat treatment at 80 degrees C for 72 h is used as a virus inactivation step for some coagulation factor concentrates such as Bio Products Laboratory's (BPL) factor VIII 8Y. In the current study, the effect of this process has been tested on a range of viruses. In addition the effect of various manufacturing process parameters on virus inactivation has been investigated. Samples of product intermediate were obtained from manufacturing, spiked with virus and subjected to freeze drying and dry heat treatment. Virus inactivation was determined by infectivity assay. Freeze drying followed by dry heat treatment was effective for inactivating a wide range of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. Sucrose or protein concentration had no effect on virus inactivation. Product presentation or the interruption of heat treatment also had no effect. The inactivation of some of the viruses was greater at higher residual water content but under such conditions the stability of the product was reduced. This virus inactivation step was effective for a wide range of viruses and over the range of process conditions encountered in manufacturing. This demonstrates the robustness of this process step.


Enhancing medical students' reflectivity in mentoring groups for professional development - a qualitative analysis.
Professional competence is important in delivering high quality patient care, and it can be enhanced by reflection and reflective discourse e.g. in mentoring groups. However, students are often reluctant though to engage in this discourse. A group mentoring program involving all preclinical students as well as faculty members and co-mentoring clinical students was initiated at Witten-Herdecke University. This study explores both the attitudes of those students towards such a program and factors that might hinder or enhance how students engage in reflective discourse. A qualitative design was applied using semi-structured focus group interviews with preclinical students and semi-structured individual interviews with mentors and co-mentors. The interview data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Students' attitudes towards reflective discourse on professional challenges were diverse. Some students valued the new program and named positive outcomes regarding several features of professional development. Enriching experiences were described. Others expressed aversive attitudes. Three reasons for these were given: unclear goals and benefits, interpersonal problems within the groups hindering development and intrapersonal issues such as insecurity and traditional views of medical education. Participants mentioned several program setup factors that could enhance how students engage in such groups: explaining the program thoroughly, setting expectations and integrating the reflective discourse in a meaningful way into the curriculum, obliging participation without coercion, developing a sense of security, trust and interest in each other within the groups, randomizing group composition and facilitating group moderators as positive peer and faculty role models and as learning group members. A well-designed and empathetic setup of group mentoring programs can help raise openness towards engaging in meaningful reflective discourse. Reflection on and communication of professional challenges can, in turn, improve professional development, which is essential for high quality patient care.


Measuring alertness.
A generation of research in cognitive psychology has given rise to many tasks that tap at various aspects of attention. It is now widely agreed that attention is not a single thing and that its measurement needs a strategy to study each of its various aspects. While there is no widely agreed taxonomy of attentional operations, there is an important distinction between functions of obtaining and maintaining the alert state (alerting network), orienting to sensory events (orienting network), and regulating thoughts and behaviors (executive network). Neuroimaging has confirmed that these functions involve separate but overlapping areas of brain activity. Neurochemical and genetic studies have also provided some distinctions between brain networks involved in attention. Alertness as a function of one important attentional network is emphasized and methods to activate phasic and tonic alerting are reviewed and individual or group differences in the efficiency of network operations are discussed.


Role of interleukins and transforming growth factor-beta in chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.
To determine the role of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-4 receptor (R), IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRS/NP). Sinus tissue from patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS and CRS/NP was collected. Sinus tissue was then analyzed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect transcription of IL-4R, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-11. Sinus tissue samples were also cultured in vitro, treated with IL-4 for 24 hours, and real-time PCR was used to quantify the transcription of TGF-beta. Twenty patients were evaluated, 9 with CRS/NP and 11 with CRS alone. The mean age was 43 (20-74) years, with 13 females and 7 males. IL-4R, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-11 were identified by RT-PCR in all 20 patients. The transcription of TGF-beta was found to be 3.2 times greater in patients with CRS/NP than in patients with CRS alone (P = .047). IL-6, IL-8, and IL-11 are nonspecific markers of sinus inflammation being transcribed in patients with CRS and patients with CRS/NP. However, patients with CRS/NP demonstrate increased transcription of TGF-beta in response to IL-4 treatment, suggesting an IL-4 mediated mechanism for stromal proliferation in the formation of nasal polyposis.


Vasodilating effects of perhexiline, glyceryl trinitrate, and verapamil on the coronary, femoral, renal, and mesenteric vasculature of the dog.
We compared the vasodilator effects of perhexiline on canine coronary, femoral, renal, and mesenteric arteries with those of glyceryl trinitrate and verapamil. Intravenous perhexiline produced vasodilation of all four vascular beds and decreased peripheral vascular resistance. High doses of perhexiline sometimes increased peripheral vascular resistance and reduced peripheral blood flow. This increase in resistance was abolished by hexamethonium. Intra-arterial perhexiline caused dose-dependent dilation in all four vascular beds without selectivity for the coronary circulation. Neither the autonomic nervous system nor inhibition of adenosine deaminase was involved in the vasodilator action of perhexiline. Perhexiline abolished renal blood flow autoregulation, an effect which was reversed by simultaneous administration of CaCl2. These results suggest that the vasodilator effect of perhexiline is mediated by its Ca2+-antagonistic activity. However, some differences in its effects from those of other Ca2+-antagonists remain to be clarified.


[Urinary Corynebacterium group D2 infections. A hospital epidemic and antibiotic sensitivity].
An outbreak of Corynebacterium group D2 urinary tract infections was recently observed at Nice CHR. These infections were characterized by alkaline urine. The five first cases were reported in the same department and the ten other cases were latter observed in different departments. Age average was 79 and all patients had either an intra-vesical catheter of a urinary collector. Among samples of material tested, only one gave a positive culture. The 15 isolates showed a similar identification and antibiotic phenotype. These strains presented a multiple antibiotic resistance: resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides (except streptomycin), erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines. All strains were susceptible to rifampin, pristinamycin, fusidic acid and vancomycin.


A novel application of mark-recapture to examine behaviour associated with the online trade in elephant ivory.
The illegal trade in elephant ivory is driving the unlawful killing of elephants such that populations are now suffering unsustainable reductions. The internet is increasingly being used as a platform to conduct illegal wildlife trade, including elephant ivory. As a globally accessible medium the internet is as highly attractive to those involved in the illegal trade as it is challenging to regulate. Characterising the online illegal wildlife (ivory) trade is complex, yet key to informing enforcement activities. We applied mark-recapture to investigate behaviour associated with the online trade in elephant ivory on eBay UK as a generalist online marketplace. Our results indicate that trade takes place via eBay UK, despite its policy prohibiting this, and that two distinct trading populations exist, characterised by the pattern of their ivory sales. We suggest these may represent a large number of occasional (or non-commercial) sellers and a smaller number of dedicated (or commercial) sellers. Directing resource towards reducing the volume of occasional sales, such as through education, would enable greater focus to be placed upon characterising the extent and value of the illegal, "commercial" online ivory trade. MRC has the potential to characterise the illegal trade in ivory and diverse wildlife commodities traded using various online platforms.


Surface plasmonic resonance tunable nanocomposite thin films applicable to color filters, heat mirrors, semi-transparent electrodes, and electromagnetic-shields.
This study proposes a plasmonic resonance-tunable nanocomposite thin film, which applies to a color filter, heat mirror, semi-transparent color electrode, and electromagnetic shield, given that the size and structure of nanoclusters can be controlled by a sputtering power density. The structural and functional properties of silver/plasma-polymer-fluorocarbon (Ag/PPFC) nanocomposite thin films, which were sputtered by ternary composite targets, were investigated with various compositions and sputtering power densities. The growth of Ag nanoclusters of the thin film was suppressed as the sputtering power density increased due to the rich functional group of -CFx- fluorine. As a result, a continuous color change from blue to yellow could be expressed on films given the precise control of the surface plasmonic resonance phenomenon. Grazing-incidence small-angle scattering (GISAXS) analysis indicated that the sputtering power density had a significant effect on the size, distribution, and orientation of the Ag nanoclusters in the thin film. For low sputtering power densities, Ag nanoclusters were forming aggregations along the out-of-plane direction, but as the sputtering power density increased, the nanoclusters showed random distribution instead of large aggregates. We also demonstrated applications of Ag/PPFC nanocomposite thin films to a color filter, heat mirror, semi-transparent electrode, and electromagnetic shield. In addition, the fabrication of a large-area film (400 × 700 mm2) showed that the approach applies highly to industries.


The auditory oddball paradigm revised to improve bedside detection of consciousness in behaviorally unresponsive patients.
Active paradigms requiring subjects to engage in a mental task on request have been developed to detect consciousness in behaviorally unresponsive patients. Using auditory ERPs, the active condition consists in orienting patient's attention toward oddball stimuli. In comparison with passive listening, larger P300 in the active condition identifies voluntary processes. However, contrast between these two conditions is usually too weak to be detected at the individual level. To improve test sensitivity, we propose as a control condition to actively divert the subject's attention from the auditory stimuli with a mental imagery task that has been demonstrated to be within the grasp of the targeted patients: navigate in one's home. Twenty healthy subjects were presented with a two-tone oddball paradigm in the three following condition: (a) passive listening, (b) mental imagery, (c) silent counting of deviant stimuli. Mental imagery proved to be more efficient than passive listening to lessen P300 response to deviant tones as compared with the active counting condition. An effect of attention manipulation (oriented vs. diverted) was observed in 19/20 subjects, of whom 18 showed the expected P300 effect and 1 showed an effect restricted to the N2 component. The only subject showing no effect also proved insufficient engagement in the tasks. Our study demonstrated the efficiency of diverting attention using mental imagery to improve the sensitivity of the active oddball paradigm. Using recorded instructions and requiring a small number of electrodes, the test was designed to be conveniently and economically used at the patient's bedside.


Thrombosis of the Azygos Anterior Cerebral Artery.
The azygos anterior cerebral artery is a rare variant, characterized by the absence of the anterior communicating artery and the union of two proximal segments of the anterior cerebral artery, forming a single trunk and ascending through the interhemispheric fissure. The incidence in the population varies from 0.3 to 2%. The presence of occlusion for this vessel causes bifrontal infarcts, with potentially devastating functional consequences, hence the importance of recognizing this anatomical variation in imaging exams.


Intracellular trafficking of guanylate-binding proteins is regulated by heterodimerization in a hierarchical manner.
Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) belong to the dynamin family of large GTPases and represent the major IFN-γ-induced proteins. Here we systematically investigated the mechanisms regulating the subcellular localization of GBPs. Three GBPs (GBP-1, GBP-2 and GBP-5) carry a C-terminal CaaX-prenylation signal, which is typical for small GTPases of the Ras family, and increases the membrane affinity of proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that GBP-1, GBP-2 and GBP-5 are prenylated in vivo and that prenylation is required for the membrane association of GBP-1, GBP-2 and GBP-5. Using co-immunoprecipitation, yeast-two-hybrid analysis and fluorescence complementation assays, we showed for the first time that GBPs are able to homodimerize in vivo and that the membrane association of GBPs is regulated by dimerization similarly to dynamin. Interestingly, GBPs could also heterodimerize. This resulted in hierarchical positioning effects on the intracellular localization of the proteins. Specifically, GBP-1 recruited GBP-5 and GBP-2 into its own cellular compartment and GBP-5 repositioned GBP-2. In addition, GBP-1, GBP-2 and GBP-5 were able to redirect non-prenylated GBPs to their compartment in a prenylation-dependent manner. Overall, these findings prove in vivo the ability of GBPs to dimerize, indicate that heterodimerization regulates sub-cellular localization of GBPs and underscore putative membrane-associated functions of this family of proteins.


Quantification of cystoid changes in diabetic maculopathy.
In patients with diabetic macular edema and cysts, quantification of the extent of the cystoid formation has been difficult. This study was performed to introduce reliable measurements of cysts, the quantification of the extent, and its relation to visual acuity. Fluorescein angiography generated with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope provided detailed recognition not only of the foveal microvasculature, but also of well-demarcated cystoid formations in the early phases. The sampling area included the central 2.5 degrees of the fovea. Using digital image analysis, two independent observers estimated the area covered by cysts, the number of cysts, and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Twenty-three subjects with diabetes and macular cysts were enrolled in the current study. The mean area of the cysts was 0.315 +/- 0.241 mm2 (0.05 mm2 to 0.9 mm2), and the number of cysts ranged from 1 to 7. Both parameters, area of cysts (r2 = 0.61), and number of cysts (r2 = 0.48) showed a significant correlation with visual acuity (P < 0.01), whereas FAZ (0.08 to 0.58 mm2) showed no significant correlation with visual acuity. Fluorescein angiography allows a reproducible quantification of the extent of macular cysts. The relation of visual acuity to the number of cysts and to the area covered by the cystoid formation is highly significant. Thus, both these measures can provide an objective criterion for the estimation of visual prognosis and an outcome for evaluation therapy techniques.


Identification of an epitope region of the human proliferation-associated nucleolar antigen P120.
An epitope region, located at amino acid residues 173-180 (EAAA-GIQW), of a human cell proliferation-associated nucleolar antigen, P120, has been defined by mutational analysis and competition assays. A synthetic peptide corresponding to this epitope region completely blocks the binding of the anti-P120 antibody to Escherichia coli-expressed P120 and the HeLa nucleolar P120 protein. Adjacent peptides lack inhibitory effects. The antigenic site includes a hydrophilic residue and a hydrophobic stretch. The glutamyl and tryptophanyl residues in this region make major contributions to the binding of P120 to its antibody, since peptides lacking either the glutamyl or the tryptophanyl residue do not block the antibody binding to the P120 antigen. This study provides a basis for drug design for specific binding to the epitope region of the P120 protein.


Aromatic substitution of the FAD-shielding tryptophan reveals its differential role in regulating electron flux in methionine synthase reductase and cytochrome P450 reductase.
Methionine synthase reductase (MSR) and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) transfer reducing equivalents from NADPH via an FAD and FMN cofactor to a redox partner protein. In both enzymes, hydride transfer from NADPH to FAD requires displacement of a conserved tryptophan that lies coplanar to the FAD isoalloxazine ring. Swapping the tryptophan for a smaller aromatic side chain revealed a distinct role for the residue in regulating MSR and CPR catalysis. MSR W697F and W697Y showed enhanced catalysis, noted by increases in kcat and k(cat)/K(m)(NADPH) for steady-state cytochrome c(3+) reduction and a 10-fold increase in the rate constant (k(obs1)) associated with hydride transfer. Elevated primary kinetic isotope effects on k(obs1) for W697F and W697Y suggest that preceding isotopically insensitive steps like displacement of W697 are less rate determining. MSR W697Y, but not MSR W697F, showed detectable formation of the disemiquinone intermediate, indicating that the polarity of the aromatic side chain influences the rate of interflavin electron transfer. By contrast, the CPR variants (W676F and W676Y) displayed modest decreases in cytochrome c(3+) reduction, a 30- and 3.5-fold decrease in the rate of FAD reduction, accumulation of a FADH2 -NADP(+) charge-transfer complex and dramatically suppressed rates of interflavin electron transfer. We conclude for MSR that hydride transfer is 'gated' by the free energy required to disrupt dispersion forces between the FAD isoalloxazine ring and W697. By contrast, the bulky indole ring of W676 accelerates catalysis in CPR by lowering the energy barrier for displacement of the oxidized nicotinamide ring coplanar with the FAD.


[The ECG&VCG's measurement and analysis system based on PC].
The ECG&VCG's measurement and analysis system based on PC designed by the authors is introduced in this paper. The block diagrams of hardware and software are given as well as characteristics. On the basis of clinic experiments, the relationship between the conventional 12-lead ECG and Frank-VCG is studied with the system. At last a new comprehensive measurement method of the conventional 12-lead ECG and Frank-VCG has been brought forth.


Dominant lethal mutation test in male mice exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields.
Adult male ICR mice were exposed to continuous wave 900MHz radiofrequency fields (RF) at 1.6mW/cm(2) power intensity (whole body average specific absorption rate of 0.731W/kg) for 4 hour/day for 15 days. At the end of exposure, each mouse was caged with 3 mature virgin female mice for mating. After 7 days, each male mouse was transferred to a fresh cage and mated with a second batch of 3 females. This process was repeated for a total of 4 consecutive weeks. Sham exposed male mice and those subjected to an acute 2Gy γ-irradiation (GR) were handled similarly and used as un-exposed and positive controls, respectively. All females were sacrificed on the 18th day of gestation and presumptive mating and, the contents in their uteri were examined. The overall observations during the 4 weeks of mating indicated that the un-exposed female mice mated to RF-exposed male mice showed no significant differences in the percentage of pregnancies, total implants, live implants and dead implants when compared with those mated with sham-exposed mice. In contrast, female mice mated with GR-exposed males showed a consistent pattern of significant differences in the above indices in each and all 4 weeks of mating. Thus, the data indicated an absence of mutagenic potential of RF exposure in the germ cells of male mice.


Soybean Fe-S cluster biosynthesis regulated by external iron or phosphate fluctuation.
Iron and phosphorus are essential for soybean nodulation. Our results suggested that the deficiency of Fe or P impairs nodulation by affecting the assembly of functional iron-sulfur cluster via different mechanisms. Iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) are important mineral nutrients for soybean and are indispensable for nodulation. However, it remains elusive how the pathways of Fe metabolism respond to the fluctuation of external Fe or P. Iron is required for the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly in higher plant. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of Fe-S cluster biosynthesis genes in the nodulated soybean. Soybean genome encodes 42 putative Fe-S cluster biosynthesis genes, which were expressed differently in shoots and roots, suggesting of physiological relevance. Nodules initiated from roots of soybean after rhizobia inoculation. In comparison with that in shoots, iron concentration was three times higher in nodules. The Fe-S cluster biosynthesis genes were activated and several Fe-S protein activities were increased in nodules, indicating that a more effective Fe-S cluster biosynthesis is accompanied by nodulation. Fe-S cluster biosynthesis genes were massively repressed and some Fe-S protein activities were decreased in nodules by Fe deficiency, leading to tiny nodules. Notably, P deficiency induced a similar Fe-deficiency response in nodules, i.e, certain Fe-S enzyme activity loss and tiny nodules. However, distinct from Fe-deficient nodules, higher iron concentration was accumulated and the Fe-S cluster biosynthesis genes were not suppressed in the P-deficiency-treated nodules. Taken together, our results showed that both Fe deficiency and P deficiency impair nodulation, but they affect the assembly of Fe-S cluster maybe via different mechanisms. The data also suggested that Fe-S cluster biosynthesis likely links Fe metabolism and P metabolism in root and nodule cells of soybean.


Cryopreservation of Lilium martagon l. meristems by droplet-vitrification and evaluation of their physiological stability.
The aim of the present study was to compare different strategies for cryopreservation of martagon lily meristems and to evaluate the physiological status of the regenerants. The bulblets were stored at 5 degree C or 20 degree C and pretreated with 3% or 6% sucrose prior to droplet-vitrification. The meristems were then assessed for their survival and regeneration. Their photochemical activity was investigated using a Photosynthesis Yield Analyzer MINI PAM 2000 Portable Chlorophyll Fluorometer and their photosynthesis oxygen production was evaluated with a Plant Vital 5030 device. The plant material stored at 5 degree C on medium containing 3% sucrose exhibited lower survival (40.8%) and regeneration (75%) of meristems following cryopreservation compared with material stored at 20 degree C on medium containing 3% sucrose, for which survival was 65% and regeneration 87%. Treatment of lily meristems for 30 min with PVS2 yielded high survival and regeneration. The implemented cryopreservation protocol did not induce any physiological changes in regenerants. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was 0.822 for cryopreserved samples (+LN) and 0.824 for non-cryopreserved ones (-LN). Photosynthetic oxygen production (KphA) was 1.531 (+LN) and 1.410 (-LN). Droplet-vitrification seems to be an effective method for cryopreservation of martagon lily meristems with the aim of its ex situ protection.


HDL-cholesterol and physical performance: results from the ageing and longevity study in the sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been hypothesised to be a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest elderly. We evaluate the relationship of HDL-cholesterol with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in older persons aged 80years or older. Data are from baseline evaluation of the ageing and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study) (n = 364). Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score [short physical performance battery (SPPB)], which is based on three-timed tests: 4-m walking-speed, balance, and chair-stand tests. Muscle strength was measured by hand-grip strength. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship of different HDL-cholesterol levels with physical function. In the unadjusted analyses, physical function (as measured by the 4-m walking-speed, theSPPB score, the basic and instrumental activities of daily living scales scores), but not hand-grip strength, improved significantly as HDL-cholesterol tertiles increased. After adjustment for potential confounders, which included age, gender, living alone, alcohol abuse, physical activity, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, albumin, urea, C-reactive protein and LDL cholesterol, the association of HDL-cholesterol tertiles with the 4-m walking-speed and the SPPB score was still consistent. The present study suggests that among very old subjects living in the community the higher levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with better functional performance.


Fine structure of the epidermal cuticle of some Brazilian earthworms (Oligochaeta: Annelida).
Electron microscopic techniques were adopted to study the epidermal cuticle of 4 species of brazilian earthworms. Basically this structure consists of collagenous fibers arranged in alternate layers and embedded in an amorphous and fibrillar matrix. Of characteristics, the ellipsoidal projections of the cuticle of P. hawayana were found to be enclosed between 2 parallel layers, where each layer consists of 2 electron dense lines, separated by a space filled with an electron dense material.


Epidemiology of Toxascaris leonina infection post-weaning within a colony of dogs.
This communication reports incidental observations on Toxascaris leonina infections in a beagle breeding colony. Regular faecal monitoring demonstrated that T. leonina was endemic in the adult dam population within this colony. Small numbers of T. leonina eggs were also detected in the faeces of weaned pups from eight weeks of age possibly produced by a patent infection. This would mean a pre-patent period for T. leonina of 56 days or less. Worm counts on 10 pups showed that 60% of pups had acquired a T. leonina infection by 12 weeks of age. Since prenatal and lactogenic transmission do not occur and as the pups were kept in an environment which reduced chances of infection with T. leonina and there was no apparent source of paratenic hosts, the source of infection must have been embryonated T. leonina eggs from the whelping environment. These observations on T. leonina demonstrate that, if pups are exposed to an infected environment, patent infections may be seen in a younger age group than is normally associated with T. leonina infections.


Long non-coding RNA XIST inhibited breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion via miR-155/CDX1 axis.
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an important member of non-coding RNA family and emerging evidence has indicated that it plays a pivotal role in many physiological and pathological processes. The lncRNA X inactive specific transcript (XIST) is a potential tumour suppressor in some types of cancers. However, the expression and function of XIST in breast cancer remain largely unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression and biological role of XIST in breast cancer. The results showed that XIST was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Further functional analysis indicated that overexpression of XIST remarkably inhibited breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. The results of luciferase reporter assays verified that miR-155 was a direct target of XIST in breast cancer. Moreover, caudal-type homeobox 1 (CDX1) was identified as a direct target of miR-155 and miR-155/CDX1 rescued the effects of XIST in breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggest that XIST is down-regulated in breast cancer and suppresses breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion via the miR-155/CDX1 axis.


Polyglutamine makes the switch.
In worms, a regulator of noncoding RNA directly catalyzes formation of toxic protein aggregates in the presence of polyglutamine.


Structure of a nonadecapeptide of the fifth EGF domain of thrombomodulin complexed with thrombin.
The crystallographic structure has been determined of a complex between a nonadecapeptide from the fifth epidermal growth factor (EGF5) domain of human thrombomodulin and human D-PheProArg-alpha-thrombin. The peptide corresponds to amino acid residues Glu408-Glu426 of thrombomodulin and contains the third disulfide loop of EGF5 and its linker to EGF6. The structure was refined at 3.0-A resolution to an R-value of 0.146. There are two thrombin molecules in the asymmetric unit, and the structure in the crystal is a 2:1 thrombin complex. The folding of the peptide corresponds closely to the third disulfide loop of EGF2 of factor Xa (rms delta = 1.0 A). The peptide is squeezed between cofacial electropositive fibrinogen recognition exo sites of the two thrombin molecules. Since the peptide has a total of seven aspartic and glutamic acid residues, the principal binding interaction with thrombin is electrostatic. A major hydrophobic association, which is highly directional in such a pronounced electrostatic environment, involves a TyrIleLeu triplet of the peptide and Phe34, Leu65, Tyr76, and Ile82 (chymotrypsinogen numbering) of one thrombin molecule. The tyrosine of the peptide is sandwiched between the thrombin aromatic rings and is most likely the prime source of the specificity of the thrombomodulin-thrombin interaction.


Allelic imbalance of HER-2 codon 655 polymorphism among different religious/ethnic populations of northern Greece and its association with the development and the malignant phenotype of breast cancer.
Alterations of c-erbB-2 (neu or HER-2) proto-oncogene have been associated with carcinogenesis and poor prognosis of breast cancer. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 655 resulting in a G to A transition (Ile655Val) in the transmembrane domain-coding region of this gene has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This study aims to determine the prevalence of the HER-2 genotype and its association with breast cancer in the Greek Christian and Greek Muslim population of Thrace, Greece. In this case-control study, we genotyped 56 patients (43 Christians and 13 Muslims) with primary breast cancer and 45 healthy women (32 Christians and 13 Muslims) for the Ile655Val polymorphism, with the PCR-RFLP method. The Val allele and the Val-containing genotypes were significantly more frequent in Muslims than in Christians (p=0.020 and p=0.008, respectively). Among the Greek Christian population, a 5-fold and a 3.1-fold increase in risk of breast cancer was associated with the Val-Val genotype and the Ile-Val or Val-Val genotypes (95% CI, 1.3-18.4; p=0.017 and aOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2-8.3; p=0.025; respectively) compared to homozygous Ile-Ile. No significant association was found in the Muslim population. Among the entire cohort, the Val allele confers a modest increase in breast cancer risk (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 0.9-7.6; p=0.076, for Val-Val and OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-5.2; p=0.079 for Ile-Val or Val-Val). This effect was even more pronounced in younger women. Among breast cancer patients, invasive carcinomas, low differentiation tumors, advanced stages, positive lymph nodes, high number of lymph nodes and HER-2 overexpression were more frequent in patients with allele Val than those with allele Ile. Our study proposes the allelic imbalance of Ile655Val polymorphism between Greek Christian and Greek Muslim populations of Thrace contributes to the inconsistent association between this SNP and breast cancer risk across these two different ethnic groups. The association of the HER-2 genotype with clinicopathologic characteristics and HER-2 expression may indicate its possible implication on the more aggressive phenotype.


Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Unfractionated Heparin versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Hospitalized Patients with Stroke Due to Atrial Fibrillation in Shiraz, South of Iran.
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) make a unique group of strokes. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are among the medications used for preventing blood coagulation. This study was carried out aiming at analyzing the cost effectiveness of LMWH versus UFH in hospitalized patients with stroke due to AF with respect to the Iranian population. This randomized study was an economic evaluation of cost effectiveness with the help of the cross-sectional data of 2013-2015. In this study, 74 patients had undergone treatment in two groups, before being evaluated. Half of the patients were treated by LMWH, while the other half was treated by UFH. Effectiveness criterion was prevention of new stroke recurrence. Average medical direct costs, non-medical direct costs, and indirect costs of UFH were 110375 ± 40411$, 15594 ± 11511$, and 21723 ± 19933$, respectively. Same average medical direct costs, non-medical direct costs, and indirect costs of LMWH were 99573 ± 59143$, 9016 ± 17156$, and 10385 ± 10598$, respectively. The number of prevention of new strokes due to AF in LMWH and UFH was 2 and 0, respectively. Expected effectiveness in LMWH and UFH groups was 0.56 and 0.51, respectively. Moreover, the expected costs were 26737.61$ and 30776.18$, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for stroke due to AF was -150, 201, 26$ per prevention of stroke recurrence (p-values ≤ 0/05). The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis of LMWH versus UFH showed that LMWH is a dominant strategy for patients with stroke due to AF in Iranian population.


Sex variations in the disclosure to parents of same-sex attractions.
The decision whether to disclose same-sex attractions to parents was explored through in-depth interviews with 164 young women and men. Participants were more likely to disclose to mothers than fathers, usually around age 19 years and in a face-to-face encounter. Mothers were told before fathers, largely because mothers asked or because youth wanted to share their life with them; fathers were told by someone other than their child or by the youth because it was time. The reason participants did not disclose to mothers was because it was not the right developmental time; the reason they did not disclose to fathers was because they were not close to them. Sons, more than daughters, feared the negative reactions of parents, who generally reacted in the same manner--supportive or slightly negative. Relationships with parents since disclosure generally had not changed or had improved. Sex of parent mattered more than sex of child on most domains.


4D temperature measurements using tomographic two-color pyrometry.
This work presents a new approach for high-speed four-dimensional (3D + t) thermometry using only two high-speed cameras which are equipped with different band pass filters to capture thermal radiation signals at two narrow wavelength bands. With the help of a customized fiber bundle and a beam splitter, a total number of nine projections at each band were recorded, and the temperature distribution was evaluated by tomographic two-color pyrometry. In order to validate the effectiveness of this method, the 3D temperature distribution of a premixed steady flat flame was evaluated. The determined temperatures were compared to those of other studies, as well as to the results from inverse Abel transform and line-of-sight data. Further, the 3D temperature evolution of a weakly turbulent diffusion flame was observed at a repetition rate of 7.5 kHz. Such 4D temperature measurements are expected to be valuable in understanding turbulent combustion mechanisms especially of practical devices.


Periodontal Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.
Although the fact that the association of the periodontitis and the diabetes mellitus is well accepted, the literature has inconsistent findings regarding this connection. The motive in conducting this systematic review was to define whether poorly controlled diabetes was linked to the development or progression of periodontitis. Databases from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched electronically. All included articles' reference lists were manually searched. Google Scholar was used to research gray literature. For this review, longitudinal studies (prospective) on the association between periodontitis and diabetes were taken into consideration. Studies have to have included at least two parameters of the evolution of health of the periodontium throughout time. The study's design, as well as unadjusted and adjusted estimates, was recorded. This study calculated the combined impact of diabetes-related hyperglycemia on the start or progression of periodontitis using meta-analysis. To look into possible sources of study heterogeneity, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were used. With 49,262 participants from 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 3197 of whom had been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes augmented the likelihood of developing or progressing into periodontitis by 86%, according to meta-analyses of adjusted estimates (RR 1.86; 95% CI 1.3-2.8). On the association between periodontitis and diabetes, there is little data, nonetheless. This study provides proof that persons with diabetes have an increased risk of developing periodontitis. Methodological limitations mentioned in this study should be overcome in upcoming prospective longitudinal investigations.


Outcomes from intracerebral hemorrhage among patients pre-treated with statins.
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, have been associated with improved clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, but with an increased risk of incidental spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated whether the statin use before ICH, was associated with functional independence, 90 days after treatment. We analyzed 124 consecutive ICH patients with 90-day outcome data who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 2006 and 2009. Eighty-three patients were included in this study. Among ICH survivors, univariate Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to determine subject characteristics that were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Statin usage was determined through interviewing the patient at the time of ICH and confirmed by reviewing their medical records. Independent status was defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale grades 4 or 5. Statins were used by 20 out of 83 patients (24%) before ICH onset. There was no effect from pre-ICH statin use on functional independence rates (28% versus 29%, P=0.84) or mortality (46% versus 45%, P=0.93). Pre-ICH statin use is not associated with changes to ICH functional outcome or mortality.


Ameliorating Effects of Iron and Zinc on Vigna mungo L. Treated with Tannery Effluent.
Different dilutions, that is, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, of tannery effluent (TE) were chosen for the present study to assess the phytotoxic effects on Vigna mungo L. For amelioration purposes, different levels and combinations of iron and zinc were supplied to the plants along with 50% TE that is chosen on the basis of prior test under Petri dish culture. Cytotoxic and biochemical analysis and plant tolerance index (PTI) of plant were observed. Mitotic index deceased with increase in effluent concentration whereas abnormality % was increased. The pigments (chlorophyll a, total, and carotenoids) were decreased with increasing treatment levels of TE at both growth stages. However, carotenoid content increased significantly at all dilution levels of TE after first growth stage. Chlorophyll b was increased significantly after 35 days of growth but decreased after 70 days. The protein contents were also significantly decreased with increase in all TE treatments and increased significantly in zinc recovery treatments. Activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes were significantly affected and increased significantly with effluent treatments. PTI showed an enhanced tolerance capacity of plant with treatment of iron and zinc. A negative correlation was found (r = -0.97) between plant height and different dilutions of effluent whereas it was positively correlated (r = 0.95) with iron and zinc treatments. The study represents the ameliorative effect of iron and zinc for phytotoxic damage in V. mungo caused by tannery effluent.


Exploiting the Close-to-Dirac Point Shift of the Fermi Level in the Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 Topological Insulator Heterostructure for Spin-Charge Conversion.
Properly tuning the Fermi level position in topological insulators is of vital importance to tailor their spin-polarized electronic transport and to improve the efficiency of any functional device based on them. Here, we report the full in situ metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and study of a highly crystalline Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 topological insulator heterostructure on top of large area (4″) Si(111) substrates. The bottom Sb2Te3 layer serves as an ideal seed layer for the growth of highly crystalline Bi2Te3 on top, also inducing a remarkable shift of the Fermi level to place it very close to the Dirac point, as visualized by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. To exploit such ideal topologically protected surface states, we fabricate the simple spin-charge converter Si(111)/Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3/Au/Co/Au and probe the spin-charge conversion (SCC) by spin pumping ferromagnetic resonance. A large SCC is measured at room temperature and is interpreted within the inverse Edelstein effect, thus resulting in a conversion efficiency of λIEEE ∼ 0.44 nm. Our results demonstrate the successful tuning of the surface Fermi level of Bi2Te3 when grown on top of Sb2Te3 with a full in situ MOCVD process, which is highly interesting in view of its future technology transfer.


Implications of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for Public Health.
The recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will reduce total federal revenues by about 4% between 2018 and 2027. The law makes multiple changes to the taxation of individuals and corporations. It also repeals the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) individual mandate penalties, which will erase some of the gains in insurance coverage achieved since implementation of the ACA's coverage expansions. The resulting increases in rates of uninsurance will likely lead to increased uncompensated care and deflect hospitals and health departments from addressing other prevention and public health needs. In addition, the law is expected to lead to substantial increases in the federal debt and, consequently, to calls for reductions in spending on entitlement programs, particularly Medicare, and on discretionary programs, including public health. Many other provisions of the law could also have second-order effects on public health.


Effect of 24-hour corneal biomechanical changes on intraocular pressure measurement.
To study 24-hour changes of corneal biomechanical properties and their influences on measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP). Fifteen healthy young volunteers (age range, 20-25 years) were housed for 1 day in a sleep laboratory. Sitting and supine central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured every 2 hours with an ultrasonic pachymeter. Sitting IOP and corneal hysteresis, an indicator of viscoelasticity, were measured with a noncontact tonometer. There were consistent 24-hour variations of CCT and IOP for the group. Nocturnal mean CCT and nocturnal mean IOP were significantly higher than the diurnal mean CCT and diurnal mean IOP, respectively. The peak CCT occurred at 1:30 to 5:30 AM and the trough CCT at 1:30 PM. The peak IOP occurred at 5:30 AM and the trough IOP at 9:30 PM. Cosine fits of each subject's 24-hour CCT and IOP data showed synchronized rhythms. The phase timing of 24-hour CCT rhythm was significantly earlier than the phase timing of 24-hour IOP rhythm. Twenty-four-hour variation of corneal hysteresis was inconsistent and cosine fits of 24-hour data of corneal hysteresis did not display a 24-hour rhythm. In healthy young adults, CCT was thicker, and IOP was higher during the nocturnal period than during the diurnal period. Nocturnal peak CCT occurred a few hours earlier than did nocturnal peak IOP. The twenty-four-hour change in corneal viscoelasticity was not significant. There was no evidence that the 24-hour change in IOP was due to the change in corneal biomechanical properties.


Mouse blastomeres acquire ability to divide asymmetrically before compaction.
The mouse preimplantation embryo generates the precursors of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) during the 8- to 16-cell stage transition, when the apico-basal polarized blastomeres undergo divisions that give rise to cells with different fate. Asymmetric segregation of polar domain at 8-16 cell division generate two cell types, polar cells which adopt an outer position and develop in TE and apolar cells which are allocated to inner position as the precursors of ICM. It is still not know when the blastomeres of 8-cell stage start to be determined to undergo asymmetric division. Here, we analyze the frequency of symmetric and asymmetric divisions of blastomeres isolated from 8-cell stage embryo before and after compaction. Using p-Ezrin as the polarity marker we found that size of blastomeres in 2/16 pairs cannot be used as a criterion for distinguishing symmetric and asymmetric divisions. Our results showed that at early 8-cell stage, before any visible signs of cortical polarity, a subset of blastomeres had been already predestined to divide asymmetrically. We also showed that almost all of 8-cell stage blastomeres isolated from compacted embryo divide asymmetrically, whereas in intact embryos, the frequency of asymmetric divisions is significantly lower. Therefore we conclude that in intact embryo the frequency of symmetric and asymmetric division is regulated by cell-cell interactions.


Kinetic roughening of laser deposited polymer films: crossover from single particle character to continuous growth.
The crossover in kinetic roughening of thin films from a particle-character-dominated regime to continuous growth behavior has been observed in this work. This has been accomplished by atomic force microscopy investigations of pulsed laser deposited amorphous organic films with thicknesses ranging from several nanometers to more than 4 microm. The early-stage random-deposition-like processes end once a closed layer is formed, which grows without saturation on the characteristic length scales. In addition, the influence of oblique film deposition has been examined and interpreted.


Penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoea as a cause of neonatal and adult ophthalmia.
A retrospective analysis of 80 cases of gonococcal ophthalmia revealed six (7.5%) to be due to penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG), five neonatal cases and one adult. All six cases were finally cured, but best results were obtained with topical chloramphenicol and single-dose spectinomycin (40 mg/kg) given intramuscularly. All gonococcal isolates should be tested promptly for penicillinase production, and if this is present systemic treatment, modified to spectinomycin or penicillinase-stable cephalosporin, should be given as single-dose treatment.


Protein kinase C and protein kinase A are involved in the protection of recombinant human glucagon-like peptide-1 on glomeruli and tubules in diabetic rats.
Blockade or reversal the progression of diabetic nephropathy is a clinical challenge. The aim of the present study was to examine whether recombinant human glucagon-like peptide-1 (rhGLP-1) has an effect on alleviating urinary protein and urinary albumin levels in diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats were treated with rhGLP-1 insulin and saline. Using immunostaining, hematoxylin-eosin, electron microscopy and periodic acid-Schiff staining to study the pathology of diabetic nephropathy, and we carried out quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry to identify the differentially expressed proteins. The mechanism was studied through advanced glycation end-products-induced tubular epithelial cells. rhGLP-1 inhibits protein kinase C (PKC)-β, but increases protein kinase A (PKA), which reduces oxidative stress in glomeruli and in cultured glomerular microvascular endothelial cells. In tubules, rhGLP-1 increased the expression of two key proteins related to re-absorption - megalin and cubilin - which was accompanied by downregulation of PKC-β and upregulation of PKA. On human proximal tubular epithelial cells, rhGLP-1 enhanced the absorption of albumin, and this was blocked by a PKC activator or PKA inhibitor. These findings suggest that rhGLP-1 can reverse diabetic nephropathy by protecting both glomeruli and tubules by inhibiting PKC and activating PKA.


AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
In this study, we aimed to compare supraglottic airway devices (Supreme and i-gel laryngeal mask) with tracheal tube with respect to airway control and efficiency in ventilation and oxygenation. The study included 325 patients of ASA I-II who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In group 1, the airway was secured using endotracheal intubation (115 patients). In group 2 (103 patients), LMA Supreme was applied, whereas i-gel mask was used for airway management in group 3 (107 patients). Monitoring parameters were recorded and compared using t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's test and χ2-test. The following parameters were monitored: insertion time, number of attempts for device placement, oropharyngeal seal pressure, etc. Insertion time was longest in group 1 (14.7±1.65 s) as compared to group 2 (15.5±1.05 s) and group 3 (14.1±1.27 s); ANOVA test yielded a statistically significant difference (p<0.01). Insertion success rate was almost identical in all three groups (p=0.907, χ2-test). Comparison of oropharyngeal seal pressure between group 2 (35.95±2.92 cm H2O) and group 3 (36.47±1.43 cm H2O) yielded no statistical difference (p=0.314, t-test). Endotracheal tube, Supreme and i-gel laryngeal masks were shown to be equally efficient in airway management in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All three devices enabled efficient ventilation and oxygenation despite certain pathophysiological changes associated with laparoscopy.


Pattern formation in crystal growth under parabolic shear flow.
Morphological instability of the solid-liquid interface occurring in a crystal growing from an undercooled thin liquid bounded on one side by a free surface and flowing down inclined plane, is investigated by a linear stability analysis under shear flow. It is found that restoring forces due to gravity and surface tension is an important factor for stabilization of the solid-liquid interface on long length scales. This is a stabilizing effect different from the Gibbs-Thomson effect. A particular long wavelength mode of about 1 cm of wavy pattern, observed on the surface of icicles covered with a thin layer of flowing water is obtained from the dispersion relation, including the effect of flow and restoring forces.


Methylomics of breast cancer: Seeking epimarkers in peripheral blood of young subjects.
Critical roles of epigenomic alterations in the pathogenesis of breast cancer have recently seized great attentions toward finding epimarkers in either non-invasive or semi-non-invasive samples as well as peripheral blood. In this way, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation microarray (MeDIP-chip) was performed on DNA samples isolated from white blood cells of 30 breast cancer patients compared to 30 healthy controls. A total of 1799 differentially methylated regions were identified including SLC6A3, Rab40C, ZNF584, and FOXD3 whose significant methylation differences were confirmed in breast cancer patients through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Hypermethylation of APC, HDAC1, and GSK1 genes has been previously reported in more than one study on tissue samples of breast cancer. Methylation of those aforementioned genes in white blood cells of our young patients not only relies on their importance in breast cancer pathogenesis but also may highlight their potential as early epimarkers that makes further assessments necessary in large cohort studies.


Effect of aortic valve orientation on arterial flow distribution.
This short note presents the results from experiments performed on an artificial heart valve, in particular, the aortic valve located at the exit of the left ventricle of the heart. The valve was tested in a full-scale elastic model of the arterial system, with a cam-piston unit duplicating the pumping action of the heart. The dependence of the arterial flow distribution on the angular orientation of the valve was investigated and it was found that there was no discernible influence of valve orientation on the arterial flow distribution.


Chemical probing spectroscopy of H3+ above the barrier to linearity.
We have performed chemical probing spectroscopy of H(3) (+) ions trapped in a cryogenic 22-pole ion trap. The ions were buffer gas cooled to approximately 55 K by collisions with helium and argon. Excitation to states above the barrier to linearity was achieved by a Ti:sapphire laser operated between 11 300 and 13 300 cm(-1). Subsequent collisions of the excited H(3) (+) ions with argon lead to the formation of ArH(+) ions that were detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer with high sensitivity. We report the observation of 17 previously unobserved transitions to states above the barrier to linearity. Comparison to theoretical calculations suggests that the transition strengths of some of these lines are more than five orders of magnitude smaller than those of the fundamental band, which renders them-to the best of our knowledge-the weakest H(3) (+) transitions observed to date.


Developing adverse outcome pathways on silver nanoparticle-induced reproductive toxicity via oxidative stress in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using a Bayesian network model.
An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) is a framework that organizes the mechanistic or predictive relationships between molecular initiating events (MIEs), key events (KEs), and adverse outcomes (AOs). Previously, we intensively investigated the molecular mechanism that underlies toxicity caused by AgNPs in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Using transcriptomics, functional genetics, and various molecular/biochemical tools, we identified oxidative stress as the major mechanism underlying toxicity and reproduction failure as the outcome. With this information, here we conducted a case study of building an AOP to link oxidative stress with reproductive toxicity. To validate this AOP, we filled the gaps by conducting further experiments on its elements, such as NADPH oxidase, ROS formation, PMK-1 P38 MAPK activation, HIF-1 activation, mitochondrial damage, DNA damage, and apoptosis. The establishment of a causal link between the MIE and AO is critical for the construction of an AOP. Therefore, causal relationships between each KE and AO were verified by using functional genetic mutants of each KE. By combining these experimental data with our previously published results, we established causal relationships between the MIE, KEs, and AO using a Bayesian network (BN) model, culminating in an AOP entitled 'NADPH oxidase and P38 MAPK activation leading to reproductive failure in C. elegans ( https://aopwiki.org/aops/207)' . Overall, our approach shows that an AOP can be developed using existing data and further experiments can be conducted to fill the gaps between the MIE, KEs, and the AO. This study also shows that BN modeling has the potential to identify causal relationships in an AOP.


Stored wheat insect infestation related to uric acid as determined by liquid chromatography.
Liquid chromatography is used to measure the uric acid content of wheat internally infested by various growth stages of granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius), rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), and lesser grain borer (Ryzopertha dominica). Good correlation exists between numbers of insects and uric acid content of grain infested by a given stage of an internally infesting stored product insect, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.970 to 0.998. Uric acid content of infested grain increases as the insect life cycle progresses, with granary weevil producing the greatest quantities of uric acid followed in order by rice weevil and lesser grain borer. A detection limit for the analytical procedure of less than 1.0 ppm uric acid allows detection of infestation levels as low as one kernel per 100 g grain for late instar granary weevil larvae. This limit is sufficiently sensitive to detect levels of infestation that may be commonly encountered in commerce.


Characterization of cellulase complex of Streptomyces albaduncus.
Exoglucanase and endoglucanase (glucanases) enzymes of S. albaduncus were found to be very stable, showing only 36% and 8% loss in activities respectively after 3 days of incubation at 50 degrees C. In contrast, beta-glucosidase was significantly less stable retaining only 22.30% activity after 30 min incubation at 40 degrees C. The glucanases manifested maximum stability in pH range of 5.5-6.0 whereas beta-glucosidase was completely stable over a broad pH range of 6.5-9.0. Both glucanases were enhanced by some cations whereas beta-glucosidase did not require any cation for activity. K(m) values for crude exoglucanase, endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase were 40.00 mg/ml, 92.30 mg/ml and 1.714 mM with maximum reaction velocities (Vmax) of 0.606, 33.330 and 0.109 IU/mg of protein, respectively. The enzymes were subject to end-product inhibition, with exo- and endo-glucanases decreasing by 20% and 70% respectively, in the presence of 0.3% glucose. However, beta-glucosidase showed marked resistance to glucose inhibition, retaining 59% of residual activity even in the presence of 30% glucose in the reaction mixture. This characteristic may be advantageous in the commercial exploitation of enzyme system. An activation of beta-glucosidase at lower concentrations of glucose suggests competitive inhibition.


The effect of cooling on transmission of impulses in vagal nerve fibres attached to atrial receptors in the dog.
In anaesthetized dogs, the effect of graded cooling on the transmission of the maximum frequency of impulses, evoked by supramaximal stimulation, was studied in myelinated and non-myelinated vagal fibres attached to receptors in the atria. In these fibres, it is shown that first, there is a continuous relation between the maximum frequency of transmission of impulses and vagal temperatures ranging between 37 degrees C and the temperature at complete blockade (no conduction at 0.5 impulses . s-1) for these fibres; second, there is a direct relationship between the maximum frequency of transmission of impulses and the conduction velocity. It is concluded that the maximum frequency of transmission of impulses in vagal fibres attached to atrial receptors in the dogs is related to temperature and conduction velocity. This relationship between maximum frequency of transmission and temperatures provides a quantitative explanation for the previously observed effects of cooling the vagi on the responses to stimulation of atrial receptors which were used to show that the reflex increases in heart rate and reflex reduction in activity in renal nerves involved only atrial receptors attached to myelinated vagal fibres.


Unlocking the potential of lignocellulosic biomass through plant science.
The aim of producing sustainable liquid biofuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass remains high on the sustainability agenda, but is challenged by the costs of producing fermentable sugars from these materials. Sugars from plant biomass can be fermented to alcohols or even alkanes, creating a liquid fuel in which carbon released on combustion is balanced by its photosynthetic capture. Large amounts of sugar are present in the woody, nonfood parts of crops and could be used for fuel production without compromising global food security. However, the sugar in woody biomass is locked up in the complex and recalcitrant lignocellulosic plant cell wall, making it difficult and expensive to extract. In this paper, we review what is known about the major polymeric components of woody plant biomass, with an emphasis on the molecular interactions that contribute to its recalcitrance to enzymatic digestion. In addition, we review the extensive research that has been carried out in order to understand and reduce lignocellulose recalcitrance and enable more cost-effective production of fuel from woody plant biomass.


Up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α enhanced the cardioprotective effects of ischemic postconditioning in hyperlipidemic rats.
Hyperlipidemia is an independent risk factor in the development of ischemic heart disease, which can increase myocardial susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Ischemic postconditioning (PostC) has now been demonstrated as a novel strategy to harness nature's protection against myocardial I/R injury in normal conditions. However, the effect of PostC on hyperlipidemic animals remains elusive. It has been shown in our previous study that PostC reduces the myocardial I/R injury, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) may play an important role in the cardioprotective mechanisms of PostC on normal rats. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the cardioprotection of PostC on hyperlipidemic rats is associated with the up-regulated HIF-1α expression. Male Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, and then randomly divided into five groups: sham, I/R, dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) + I/R, PostC, and DMOG + PostC group. The detrimental indices induced by I/R injury included infarct size, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and caspase-3 activity. The results showed that PostC could reduce the infarct size, when compared with the I/R group, which was consistent with the significant lower levels of plasma CK activity and caspase-3 activity, and that it increased the expression of HIF-1α in hyperlipidemic rats. When DMOG was given before PostC to up-regulate HIF-1α protein level, the degree of I/R injury was attenuated. In conclusion, these data suggested that the up-regulation of HIF-1α may be one of the cardioprotective mechanisms of PostC against I/R injury in hyperlipidemic rats.


Biochemical and structural analyses of a higher plant photosystem II supercomplex of a photosystem I-less mutant of barley. Consequences of a chronic over-reduction of the plastoquinone pool.
Photosystem II of higher plants is a multisubunit transmembrane complex composed of a core moiety and an extensive peripheral antenna system. The number of antenna polypeptides per core complex is modulated following environmental conditions in order to optimize photosynthetic performance. In this study, we used a barley (Hordeum vulgare) mutant, viridis zb63, which lacks photosystem I, to mimic extreme and chronic overexcitation of photosystem II. The mutation was shown to reduce the photosystem II antenna to a minimal size of about 100 chlorophylls per photosystem II reaction centre, which was not further reducible. The minimal photosystem II unit was analysed by biochemical methods and by electron microscopy, and found to consist of a dimeric photosystem II reaction centre core surrounded by monomeric Lhcb4 (chlorophyll protein 29), Lhcb5 (chlorophyll protein 26) and trimeric light-harvesting complex II antenna proteins. This minimal photosystem II unit forms arrays in vivo, possibly to increase the efficiency of energy distribution and provide photoprotection. In wild-type plants, an additional antenna protein, chlorophyll protein 24 (Lhcb6), which is not expressed in viridis zb63, is proposed to associate to this minimal unit and stabilize larger antenna systems when needed. The analysis of the mutant also revealed the presence of two distinct signalling pathways activated by excess light absorbed by photosystem II: one, dependent on the redox state of the electron transport chain, is involved in the regulation of antenna size, and the second, more directly linked to the level of photoinhibitory stress perceived by the cell, participates in regulating carotenoid biosynthesis.


[Specific immunotherapy for respiratory allergies. A modern treatment].
AN EFFICIENT AETIOLOGICAL TREATMENT: Specific immunotherapy or allergen vaccination currently constitutes the only aetiological treatment for allergic respiratory diseases and is more effective in children than in adults. Since its introduction in 1911, it has been much disparaged in spite of its effectiveness demonstrated in double blind placebo controlled studies, for the treatment of both allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and stable and controlled asthma. Its mechanism of action varies depending on the type of allergen (venoms or pneumallergenes) and its administration route (subcutaneous or local) and recent studies indicate that the prevalent mechanism proceeds from a modification of the T cell response by an immunological deviation (stimulation of the Th0/Th1 lymphocytes) or T lymphocyte anergy (reduction in Th0/Th2) or both at same time. The IL-10, immunosuppressive cytokine secreted by the third population of T-Tr1 lymphocytes, would have an important role. The indications for specific immunotherapy have been specified in international consensuses, and its practical administration must respect preconditions and a certain number of rules. Improvement in quality of allergenic extracts by standardization, better knowledge of its mechanism of action and the availability of local administration routes reinforce its place in the global therapeutic strategy for the management of respiratory allergies. A greater use of the sublingual route, together with biological and clinical research will allow the widening of its indications.


On the Application of Microfluidic-Based Technologies in Forensics: A Review.
Microfluidic technology is a powerful tool to enable the rapid, accurate, and on-site analysis of forensically relevant evidence on a crime scene. This review paper provides a summary on the application of this technology in various forensic investigation fields spanning from forensic serology and human identification to discriminating and analyzing diverse classes of drugs and explosives. Each aspect is further explained by providing a short summary on general forensic workflow and investigations for body fluid identification as well as through the analysis of drugs and explosives. Microfluidic technology, including fabrication methodologies, materials, and working modules, are touched upon. Finally, the current shortcomings on the implementation of the microfluidic technology in the forensic field are discussed along with the future perspectives.


Clinical and ultrasonographic changes of the breast after use of soy isoflavones.
Phytoestrogens may be an alternative therapy in control of menopausal symptoms but their definite effects on breast tissue must be determined. Our study aimed to define the clinical and ultrasonographic changes of the breast after use of soy isoflavones in menopausal women. Menopausal women with hot flashes were randomly grouped as cases and controls and cases received soy isoflavones for 12 weeks. Breast examination (BE) and ultrasonography (US) were done at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Tenderness and nodularity on BE were graded 1-4 by breast surgeons. There were 30 women in the case and 26 in the control group. The mean age was 51.3 years and the mean age of menopause was 49.2 years. There was no change in the BE and US at 6 weeks in controls. In the case group, 10% had grade 1 tenderness and 13.3% grade 2 tenderness and grade 1 nodularity in BE accompanied with diffuse small cysts in US. At 12 weeks, there was no change in BE and US in the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the BE of the 2 groups at 6 and 12 weeks (p value=0.36 and 0.41 for nodularity and tenderness respectively) and in the US results. Although the literature contains many facts concerning PEs and the breast, further prospective studies are needed to identify structural breast changes produced by PEs in order to identify the appropriate dosage and indications of use.


[Imaging procedures in parenchymatous lung processes].
Modern radiologic methods for assessment of parenchymal lung diseases are reviewed, with special reference to computed tomography (CT). In bronchogenic carcinoma and lung metastases CT is part of the initial workup, while in parenchymal lung diseases, emphysema and pulmonary infections CT should be used only for special indications. At present magnetic resonance imaging is inferior to CT in evaluating parenchymal lung diseases.


The structure of slip-pulses and supershear ruptures driving slip in bimaterial friction.
The most general frictional motion in nature involves bimaterial interfaces, when contacting bodies possess different elastic properties. Frictional motion occurs when the contacts composing the interface separating these bodies detach via propagating rupture fronts. Coupling between slip and normal stress variations is unique to bimaterial interfaces. Here we use high speed simultaneous measurements of slip velocities, real contact area and stresses to explicitly reveal this bimaterial coupling and its role in determining different classes of rupture modes and their structures. We directly observe slip-pulses, highly localized slip accompanied by large local reduction of the normal stress near the rupture tip. These pulses propagate in the direction of motion of the softer material at a selected (maximal) velocity and continuously evolve while propagating. In the opposite direction bimaterial coupling favors crack-like 'supershear' fronts. The robustness of these structures shows the importance of bimaterial coupling to frictional motion and modes of frictional dissipation.


A review on the relationship between Arachidonic acid 15-Lipoxygenase (ALOX15) and diabetes mellitus.
Arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), as one of the lipoxygenase family, is mainly responsible for catalyzing the oxidation of various fatty acids to produce a variety of lipid components, contributing to the pathophysiological processes of various immune and inflammatory diseases. Studies have shown that ALOX15 and its related products are widely distributed in human tissues and related to multiple diseases such as liver, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and other diseases. Diabetes mellitus (DM), the disease studied in this article, is a metabolic disease characterized by a chronic increase in blood glucose levels, which is significantly related to inflammation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis and other mechanisms, and it has a high incidence in the population, accompanied by a variety of complications. Figuring out how ALOX15 is involved in DM is critical to understanding its role in diseases. Therefore, ALOX15 inhibitors or combination therapy containing inhibitors may deliver a novel research direction for the treatment of DM and its complications. This article aims to review the biological effect and the possible function of ALOX15 in the pathogenesis of DM.


Relationships between Childhood Traumatic Experiences, Early Maladaptive Schemas and Interpersonal Styles.
Cognitive theories of psychopathology have generally proposed that early experiences of childhood abuse and neglect may result in the development of early maladaptive self-schemas. Maladaptive core schemas are central in the development and maintenance of psychological symptoms in a schema-focused approach. Psychosocial dysfunction in individuals with psychological problems has been consistently found to be associated with symptom severity. However, till date, linkages between psychosocial functioning, early traumatic experiences and core schemas have received little attention. The aim of the present study was to explore the relations among maladaptive interpersonal styles, negative experiences in childhood and core self-schemas in non-clinical adults. A total of 300 adults (58% women) participated in the study. The participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, Young Schema Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Interpersonal Style Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the Disconnection and Rejection and Impaired Limits schema domains were significant antecedents of maladaptive interpersonal styles after controlling for demographic characteristics and childhood abuse and neglect. Associations of child sexual abuse with Emotionally Avoidant, Manipulative and Abusive interpersonal styles were mediated by early maladaptive schemas. Early maladaptive schemas mediated the relations of emotional abuse with Emotionally Avoidant and Avoidant interpersonal styles as well as the relations of physical abuse with Avoidant and Abusive interpersonal styles. Interpersonal styles in adulthood are significantly associated with childhood traumatic experiences. Significant relations between early traumatic experiences and maladaptive interpersonal styles are mediated by early maladaptive schemas.


Inhibitory effect of green tea extract on beta-amyloid-induced PC12 cell death by inhibition of the activation of NF-kappaB and ERK/p38 MAP kinase pathway through antioxidant mechanisms.
Beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) is considered responsible for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several lines of evidence support that Abeta-induced cytotoxicity is mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, agents that scavenge ROS level may usefully impede the development or progress of AD. Green tea extract has been known to have such antioxidant properties. Our previous studies demonstrate that green tea extract protected ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain cell death by scavenging oxidative damages of macromolecules. In this study, we investigated the effects of green tea extract on Abeta-induced oxidative cell death in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. PC12 cells treated with Abeta25-35 (10-50 microM) showed intracellular ROS elevation, the formation of 8-oxodG (an oxidized form of DNA), and underwent apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Abeta(25-35) treatment upregulated pro-apoptotic p53 at the gene level, and Bax and caspase-3 at the protein level, but downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Interestingly, co-treated green tea extract (10-50 microg/ml) dose-dependently attenuated Abeta(25-35) (50 microM)-induced cell death, intracellular ROS levels, and 8-oxodG formation, in addition to p53, Bax, and caspase-3 expression, but upregulated Bcl-2. Furthermore, green tea extract prevented the Abeta(25-35)-induced activations of the NF-kappaB and ERK and p38 MAP kinase pathways. Our study suggests that green tea extract may usefully prevent or retard the development and progression of AD.


A survey of vaccine coverage and antibiotic prophylaxis in splenectomised patients in Scotland.
To determine the coverage of vaccine and antibiotic prophylaxis in splenectomised patients in Scotland. Patients who had undergone splenectomy between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 1998 were identified. A questionnaire was sent to general practitioners to validate vaccine and antibiotic status for these patients. A total of 974 living splenectomised patients were identified during the study period. Information on vaccine and antibiotic status was available for 708 (73%) and 770 (79%) of living patients, respectively. Coverage of pneumococcal vaccine (88%) was higher than that of Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine (70%) or meningococcal vaccine (51%). Only 47% of patients received all three vaccines. A higher coverage was also documented for pneumococcal vaccine (28%) than Hib (19%) and meningococcal vaccine (14%) before elective splenectomy. Only 13% received all three vaccines before splenectomy. Coverage of influenza vaccine increased significantly, from 76% in the 1997/1998 season to 96% in the 2000/2001 season. Antibiotic prophylaxis was received by 67% of all patients. The current recommendation, comprising pneumococcal and Hib vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis, was received by only 52% of the patients. There was no association between the coverage of vaccine and socioeconomic status. Further improvement in coverage of recommended vaccines and antibiotic prophylaxis is still needed to reduce the risk of serious infection in this high risk group.


Snow Microorganisms Colonise Arctic Soils Following Snow Melt.
Arctic soils are constantly subjected to microbial invasion from either airborne, marine, or animal sources, which may impact local microbial communities and ecosystem functioning. However, in winter, Arctic soils are isolated from outside sources other than snow, which is the sole source of microorganisms. Successful colonisation of soil by snow microorganisms depends on the ability to survive and compete of both, the invading and resident community. Using shallow shotgun metagenome sequencing and amplicon sequencing, this study monitored snow and soil microbial communities throughout snow melt to investigate the colonisation process of Arctic soils. Microbial colonisation likely occurred as all the characteristics of successful colonisation were observed. The colonising microorganisms originating from the snow were already adapted to the local environmental conditions and were subsequently subjected to many similar conditions in the Arctic soil. Furthermore, competition-related genes (e.g. motility and virulence) increased in snow samples as the snow melted. Overall, one hundred potentially successful colonisers were identified in the soil and, thus, demonstrated the deposition and growth of snow microorganisms in soils during melt.


Aortic stenosis: spectrum of diseases depicted at multisection CT.
Aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic lumen, has many causes. It may originate in coarctation or pseudocoarctation of the aorta, midaortic dysplastic syndrome, atherosclerosis, Takayasu arteritis, aortic dissection, or various intraaortic and periaortic diseases or as a result of aortic surgical repair. The impedance of blood flow through the stenotic segment may lead to the development of various collateral arterial pathways, according to the location of stenosis. Aortography is the standard technique for evaluating aortic stenosis; however, helical computed tomography (CT), particularly multisection CT, may provide additional information or in some cases may be used instead of arteriography. Multisection CT can depict the aorta and thoracoabdominal collateral pathways in less than 1 minute and provide high-quality arterial-phase imaging data suitable for multiple two-dimensional and three-dimensional reformations. To produce a useful differential diagnosis, the imaging specialist must be able to recognize the type of stenosis and the configuration of collateral circulatory pathways.