Dental trait anxiety and pain sensitivity as predictors of expected and experienced pain in stressful dental procedures.
A prevailing hypothesis suggests that exaggerated pain expectations in dentally anxious and pain-sensitive patients might usually be disconfirmed by a lower level of pain experienced during treatment. The present study was conducted to investigate whether this contention also holds during stressful dental procedures. Patients reporting high and low levels of dental fear and of pain sensitivity were compared in their expected and experienced pain and in the concordance between the two measures. Participants were 97 patients undergoing extraction and root canal treatment. The measuring instruments used were the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), the Pain Sensitivity Index (PSI), affective and sensory pain descriptor scales, and a numerical pain-intensity scale. The results demonstrated that patients, in general, expected more pain than they subsequently experienced. Subjects with a high DAS score both expected and experienced more pain than those with a low DAS score. Within the group of subjects with a high DAS score, those indicating high pain sensitivity expected and experienced more pain than their counterparts; additionally, only those reporting low pain sensitivity disconfirmed their high pain expectancies. The results suggest that during stressful dental procedures, patients indicating dental anxiety and pain sensitivity above median levels are especially at risk of stabilizing exaggerated pain expectations and dental fear.


Correlates of preferences for autonomy in long-term care: results of a population-based survey among older individuals in Germany.
Thus far, there is little evidence concerning the factors associated with preferences for autonomy in long-term care. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlates of preferences for autonomy in long-term care among older individuals in Germany. Data were gathered from a population-based survey of the German population aged ≥65 years in 2015 (N=1,006). Multiple logistic regressions revealed that preferences for freedom of choice for foods were positively associated with living with partner or spouse (OR: 1.5 [1.0-2.2]), being born in Germany (OR: 1.9 [1.1-3.3]), and lower self-rated health (OR: 1.3 [1.1-1.6]). Preferences for freedom in choosing bedtime and sleep duration were positively associated with lower age (OR: 1.1 [1.0-1.1]) and having children (OR: 2.2 [1.0-4.9]). Preferences for customized living space were positively associated with being female (OR: 2.5 [1.4-4.5]) and being born in Germany (OR: 3.7 [1.9-7.1]). Neither preferences for decent and sanitary housing nor preferences for shared decision-making were associated with any of the independent variables. Various independent variables were associated with preferences for autonomy in long-term care. This suggests that preferences for care-related autonomy are complex. Knowing these might help refine long-term care health services.


Age thresholds for increased mortality of three predominant crash induced head injuries.
Trauma in the US's increasingly aged population will pose medical, engineering, and legislative challenges in the coming decade. This study sought to identify the age threshold of maximal risk for patients with the three most common isolated types of head injuries from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Receiver-operator characteristic analysis was used to identify the quantitative age threshold associated with increased mortality for the three most common MVC-induced types of head injuries. For each injury, an algorithm using multivariable logistic regression modeling was implemented to examine mortality as a function of age, adjusted for the GCS motor score and patient gender. The age threshold that maximized the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) was identified and the curve examined. The increased adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for death associated with each threshold was estimated along with 95% confidence intervals. Data used was from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) version 7, Motor Vehicle Crash cases from Jan 1, 2001 to Dec 31, 2006. Three types of head injuries were of a sufficiently high incidence and severity level to be included in the study; the AIS 140684.3 (Cerebrum, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, n=499), AIS 140650.4 (Cerebrum, Subdural Hematoma NFS, n=273), and AIS 140629.4 (Hematoma/Hemorrhage, Not Further Specified, n=123). The age thresholds are 58 (AOR=4.12, 95% CI 1.21-14.07, p=0.024), 54 (AOR=4.71, 95% CI 1.08-20.46, p=0.039) and 47 (AOR=15.44, 95% CI 2.94-81.2, p=0.001), respectively. Maximal AUROC values ranged from 0.89-0.93. This data along with data on injury mechanism has been used to provide information on the ideal 'threshold' beyond which age becomes an important factor for these three types of head injuries. This is the first study to quantitatively estimate the mortality threshold age for common isolated head injuries. This study has potential implications in the arena of safety design for the elderly, automated crash notification, and auto safety legislation.


Introducing a new model of emergency department-based mental health care.
This article highlights the importance of the three-phase process used to develop and implement an emergency department-based, mental health nurse practitioner (MHNP) outpatient service in a teaching hospital in Sydney. Australia. The project included a feasibility study and a model refinement phase followed by implementation and pilot evaluation. Support for the initiative was secured through early engagement with relevant stakeholders, from exploring the potential for the proposal through to pilot evaluation. Preliminary findings from the pilot study are presented. The authors propose that the project succeeded by emphasising a nursing model of practice.


Molecular diversity and intragenomic variability in the yeast genus Xanthophyllomyces: the origin of Phaffia rhodozyma?
The teleomorphic basidiomycetous yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is important as a commercial source of astaxanthin, which is a component of feeds for mariculture. Phaffia rhodozyma is the anamorphic state of Xanthophyllomyces; however, there are conflicting reports in the literature concerning the presence of a sexual cycle in P. rhodozyma. The current study attempted to explain this enigma. Strains were obtained from the Phaff Yeast Culture Collection (University of California, Davis) and other sources in the northern hemisphere. Molecular sequences of three nuclear rDNA regions were examined: the internal transcribed spacers (ITS), intergenic spacer (IGS1) and the D1D2 region at the 5' end of the 26S gene. Different levels of genetic variability were observed in the three regions. The D1D2 differentiated major groups of strains, while an increased variability in the ITS suggested that the ITS region could be employed as an ecological marker. The greatest variability was in the IGS1 region, where strains can be defined by the presence and location of indels. Intragenomic sequence heterogeneity in the ITS and IGS1 regions led to the hypothesis that the type strain of P. rhodozyma (CBS 5905(T), UCD 67-210(T)) was derived as a mating-deficient basidiospore from the parent teleomorphic strain CBS 9090.


Generalized-ensemble simulations of the human parathyroid hormone fragment PTH(1-34).
A generalized-ensemble technique, multicanonical sampling, is used to study the folding of a 34-residue human parathyroid hormone fragment. An all-atom model of the peptide is employed and the protein-solvent interactions are approximated by an implicit solvent. Our results demonstrate that generalized-ensemble simulations are well suited to sample low-energy structures of such large polypeptides. Configurations with a root-mean-square deviation to the crystal structure of less than 1 A are found. Finally, we discuss limitations of our implicit solvent model.


Isolation and characterization of the TaSnRK2.10 gene and its association with agronomic traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
Sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinases (SnRKs) comprise a major family of signaling genes in plants and are associated with metabolic regulation, nutrient utilization and stress responses. This gene family has been proposed to be involved in sucrose signaling. In the present study, we cloned three copies of the TaSnRK2.10 gene from bread wheat on chromosomes 4A, 4B and 4D. The coding sequence (CDS) is 1086 bp in length and encodes a protein of 361 amino acids that exhibits functional domains shared with SnRK2s. Based on the haplotypes of TaSnRK2.10-4A (Hap-4A-H and Hap-4A-L), a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker designated TaSnRK2.10-4A-CAPS was developed and mapped between the markers D-1092101 and D-100014232 using a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The TaSnRK2.10-4B alleles (Hap-4B-G and Hap-4B-A) were transformed into allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) markers TaSnRK2.10-4B-AS1 and TaSnRK2.10-4B-AS2, which were located between the markers D-1281577 and S-1862758. No diversity was found for TaSnRK2.10-4D. An association analysis using a natural population consisting of 128 winter wheat varieties in multiple environments showed that the thousand grain weight (TGW) and spike length (SL) of Hap-4A-H were significantly higher than those of Hap-4A-L, but pant height (PH) was significantly lower.


A psychosocial study of schizophrenic patients treated at a Nigerian psychiatric hospital.
A study of the sociodemographic and psychological characteristics of schizophrenics treated at a psychiatric hospital in Nigeria over a period of six months was conducted along with a limited five-year follow-up. Male patients exceeded female (2:1) and 65.7 percent were below 30 years of age. Whereas there were more married female subjects than single, there were more single male subjects than married ones. However, single persons predominated. The majority (61.3 percent) either were illiterate or had low education and 52 percent were either unemployed or un-skilled. Paranoid and catatonic schizophrenia were the most common diagnostic subgroups. The short-term prognosis was very good in that 96.1 percent were greatly improved at the time of discharge. There was, however, a high default rate of 57.4 percent over a period of five years. Of those still attending, 73.5 percent remained improved. The sociocultural basis of some of the findings is discussed.


Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Benzylidene-4-chromanone Derivatives as Free Radical Scavengers and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.
A series of 3-benzylidene-4-chromanone derivatives (3-20) were synthesized and the structure-activity relationships for antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated. Among synthesized compounds, compounds 5, 13, 18, which contain catechol moiety, showed the potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity (5: EC50 13 µM; 13: EC50 14 µM; 18: EC50 13 µM). The compounds 12, 14, 18 showed higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (12: IC50 15 µM; 14: IC50 25 µM; 18: IC50 28 µM). The compound 18 showed both of potent DPPH radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. These data suggest that 3-benzylidene-4-chromanone derivatives, such as compound 18, may serve as the lead compound for the development of novel α-glucosidase inhibitors with antioxidant activity.


Three dimensional k-space trajectory design using genetic algorithms.
Image quality and total scan time in MRI are determined in large part by the trajectory employed to sample the Fourier space. Each trajectory has different properties like coverage of k-space, scan time, sensitivity to off-resonance conditions, etc. These properties are often contradictory, therefore a universal optimal trajectory does not exist and ultimately, it will depend on the image characteristics sought. Most trajectories used today are designed based on intuition and k-space analysis more than with optimization methods. This work presents a 3D k-space trajectory design method based on Genetic Algorithm optimization. Genetic Algorithms have been chosen because they are particularly good for searching large solution spaces. They emulate the natural evolutionary process allowing better offsprings to survive. The objective function searches the maximum of the trajectory's k-space coverage subject to hardware constraints for a fixed scanning time using the trajectory's torsion as its optimization variable. The method proved to be effective for generating k-space trajectories. They are compared with well-established trajectories. The results of simulated experiments show that they can be appropriate for image acquisition under certain special conditions, like off-resonance and undersampling. This design method can be extended to include other objective functions for different behaviors.


Neuroprotective and neurorestorative activities of a novel iron chelator-brain selective monoamine oxidase-A/monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor in animal models of Parkinson's disease and aging.
Recently, we have designed and synthesized a novel multipotent, brain-permeable iron-chelating drug, VAR10303 (VAR), possessing both propargyl and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory moieties. The present study was undertaken to determine the multiple pharmacological activities of VAR in neurodegenerative preclinical models. We demonstrate that VAR affords iron chelating/iron-induced lipid-peroxidation inhibitory potency and brain selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitory effects, with only limited tyramine-cardiovascular potentiation of blood pressure. The results show that in 6-hydroxydopamine rat (neuroprotection) and in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine mouse (neurorescue) Parkinson's disease models, VAR significantly attenuated the loss of striatal dopamine levels, markedly reduced dopamine turnover, and increased tyrosine-hydroxylase levels. Furthermore, chronic systemic treatment of aged rats with VAR improved cognitive behavior deficits and enhanced the expression levels of neurotrophic factors (e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and nerve growth factor), Bcl-2 family members and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Our study indicates that the multitarget compound VAR exerted neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects in animal models of Parkinson's disease and aging, further suggesting that a drug that can regulate multiple brain targets could be an ideal treatment-strategy for age-associated neurodegenerative disorders.


Sodium-Ion Storage in Pyroprotein-Based Carbon Nanoplates.
Pyroprotein-based carbon nanoplates are fabricated from self-assembled silk proteins as a versatile platform to examine sodium-ion storage characteristics in various carbon environments. It is found that, depending on the local carbon structure, sodium ions are stored via chemi-/physisorption, insertion, or nanoclustering of metallic sodium.


Induction of labor with vaginal prostaglandin E2.
To determine the effects of labor induction with vaginal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on mode of delivery in post-term pregnancies and to identify possible predictors of successful vaginal delivery. The study group consisted of 211 women with post-term pregnancy (gestational age more than a full 41 weeks) admitted for induction of labor with vaginal applications of PGE2. Findings were compared with women with spontaneous onset of labor (group 2, n = 510). Women with previous Cesarean section were excluded from both study and control groups. The rate of Cesarean section was significantly higher in the study group (19.4%) than in the control group (9%). A logistic regression model was used to control for maternal and gestational age, gravidity, parity, nulliparity rate, number of used PGE2 tablets, oligohydramnios and delivery weight as possible predictors of Cesarean section (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.001). On stepwise analysis, nulliparity (OR 45.2, 95% CI 2.93-695.5), number of PGE2 applications (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.04-7.52) and maternal age (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.50) were independently and significantly associated with increased risk of Cesarean section. PGE2 induction was a significant independent predictor of Cesarean section (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9). PGE2 induction of labor was successful in approximately 80% of patients with post-term pregnancy, with apparently no serious maternal or fetal complications. Risk factors intrinsic to the patient, and labor induction itself, were the reasons for excess Cesarean deliveries in women with prolonged pregnancies.


Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas with mucinous biliary obstruction due to uncommon complication of fistulas to the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct.
We report a case of biliary obstruction by a large amount of mucinous material produced by a cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas invading the common bile duct. This diagnosis was made preoperatively by various imaging methods. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) revealed a mucus-containing cyst with a communication to the main pancreatic and common bile ducts due to a fistulization. Mucinous biliary obstruction was observed. This case indicates that mucinous biliary obstructions should be considered in patients with a mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreatic head in the presence of jaundice and that mucinous cystadenocarcinoma may develop into mucinous carcinoma, especially in cases with fistula formations. ERP is useful for detecting the presence of a fistula to the common bile duct or other neighboring organs in such cases. Surgical treatment is recommended because the prognosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is better than that of the usual pancreatic cancer, even though the tumor shows a communication with neighboring organs.


Inhibitory effect of acetylcholine on monoamine oxidase A and B activity in different parts of rat brain.
Acetylcholine (CAS 60-31-1, ACh), which is similar in its chemical structure to the carbamate aldicarb, was found to inhibit brain monoamine oxidase isoenzymes, namely MAO-A and B. The effect of ACh on both isoenzymes extracted from the whole brain of male albino rats and its different parts (frontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata) was studied. The results indicated that ACh inhibited MAO-A from the cerebellum and MAO-B from the basal ganglia more than MAO iso-enzymes from other brain parts. The inhibition was of the competitive type. It was also found that the enzyme inhibitor dissociation constants (Ki) and the affinity constants (Ki/Km) of MAO-A were higher than those of MAO-B.


Purification and structural determination of nontoxic lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella typhimurium.
Endotoxin extracted from the heptose-less mutant of Salmonella typhimurium was hydrolyzed in 0.1 N HCl in methanol/water (1:1, v/v) at 100 degrees C to yield lipid A, which was then fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column to yield a major monophosphoryl lipid A fraction. The monophosphoryl lipid A was further fractionated by preparative thin layer chromatography. This process yielded three major bands (TLC-1, -3, and -5) and two minor bands (TLC-7 and -9). The purity of these fractions was established by ion exchange and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The thin layer fractions were analyzed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. TLC-1 and -3 gave molecular ions (M-H)- at m/e 1730 and 1716, respectively. Both of these fractions contained beta-hydroxymyristic, lauric, and 3-myristoxymyristic acids in O-acyl linkages. The molecular formula and Mr of TLC-1 are C95H179O22N2P and 1731.16; those of TLC-3 are C94H177O22N2P and 1717.15. TLC-1 was a methyl homolog of TLC-3. The major component of TLC-5 (C80H151O22N2P and Mr = 1506.99) gave a molecular ion at m/e 1506 and contained two beta-hydroxymyristic acids and a lauric acid in the O-acyl linkages. The major component of TLC-7 (C66H125O19N2P and Mr = 1280.83) and the single component of TLC-9 gave molecular ions at m/e 1280 and 1098, respectively. TLC-7 contained lauric and beta-hydroxymyristic acids in the O-acyl linkages. TLC-9 (C54H103O18N2P and Mr = 1098.69) contained a single O-acylated beta-hydroxymyristate group. TLC-1 and -3 were nontoxic in the chick embryo lethality test and regressed established tumors in the syngeneic guinea pigs.


Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant. Comparison of conventional versus extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates fulfilling Bartlett's criteria.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a challenge for the neonatologist and a common indication for treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) when medical management fails. We observed 132 neonates born between January 1985 and December 1988 with the diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: 73 (55%) met the Bartlett criteria for treatment with ECMO with 80% predicted mortality; 21 (29%) deteriorated despite conventional medical treatment, were thought to be dying, and were sent for ECMO. Among the 52 patients who were medically treated 40 (77%) survived, a marked difference compared with a predicted 20% survival. All ECMO-treated neonates survived. Although conventionally treated infants showed a trend toward less dependence on supplemental oxygen at > 28 days of life, this study failed to detect a significant difference between those two groups. We conclude that mortality was lower for ECMO-treated infants than for those who were medically treated (0 of 21 vs 12 of 52, p < 0.05); mortality for infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn who met Bartlett's criteria and were medically treated was lower than published data; and there was no significant difference in oxygen dependence at > 28 days between the survivors who received ECMO and those who received medical therapy.


Evaluation of functional outcomes of physical rehabilitation and medical complications in spinal cord injury victims of the Sichuan earthquake.
To characterize a spinal cord injury (SCI) population from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China; to evaluate functional outcomes of physical rehabilitation interventions; to assess potential determinants of rehabilitation effectiveness; and to assess medical complications and management outcomes. A total of 51 earthquake victims with SCI were enrolled and underwent rehabilitation programming. Functional rehabilitation outcomes included ambulation ability, wheelchair mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) assessed with the Modified Barthel Index at the beginning and end of rehabilitation. Effectiveness of rehabilitation and the effect of other predictors were evaluated by mixed effects regression. Outcomes of medical complication management were determined by comparison of the incidence of respective complications at the beginning and end of rehabilitation. Ambulation, wheelchair mobility and ADL were significantly improved with rehabilitation programming. Both earlier rescue and earlier onset of rehabilitation were significant positive predictors of rehabilitation effectiveness, whereas delayed onset of rehabilitation combined with prolonged time to rescue resulted in a lesser positive effect. Medical complications were managed effectively in 63% (pressure ulcers) to 85% (deep vein thrombosis) of patients during rehabilitation. Earthquake victims with SCI may achieve significantly improved functional rehabilitation functional outcomes on a formal, institutional-based physical rehabilitation programme.


Breast cancer and pesticides in Hawaii: the need for further study.
Only 30% of all breast cancer can be explained by known risk factors. Increases in breast cancer incidence rates in Hawaii over the past few decades cannot be attributed solely to improvements in screening and detection. Avoidable environmental factors may contribute to a proportion of the unexplained cases. Emerging evidence on endocrine disruption suggests that environmental chemicals may play a role in the development of breast cancer. Agricultural chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, have been used intensively in Hawaii's island ecosystem over the past 40 years leaching into groundwater, and leading to unusually widespread occupational and general population exposures. This paper discusses breast cancer patterns in Hawaii in the context of documented episodes of exposure to two endocrine-disrupting chemicals, chlordane/heptachlor and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), at levels that sometimes exceeded federal standards by several orders of magnitude. In light of this history, detailed geographic-based studies should be undertaken in Hawaii to elucidate the potential role of environmental factors in the development of breast cancer and other diseases.


A new colored beverage disinfection system using UV-A light-emitting diodes.
In this study we evaluated the ability of the UV-A-LED to eliminate bacteria in a colored beverage. Ten edible pigments were used to make a colored solution at concentrations of 1.0%, 0.1%, 0.01% and 0.001%. We used a colony-forming assay to monitor the bactericidal action against the bacteria. The bactericidal effect of UV-A-LED against Escherichia coli DH5 a decreased with the increasing concentration of almost all of the edible pigments. Although less effective in colored solutions and commercially available orange juice than in the positive control PBS, it holds potential for further development and use to ensure food and water safety.


Urinary cotinine and breath carbon monoxide levels among bar and restaurant employees in ankara.
Hospitality sector employees constitute one of the key groups with respect to their secondhand tobacco smoke exposure at work. This study aimed to detect urinary cotinine and breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels among bar and restaurant employees in Ankara, as well as the employees' opinions on the new antitobacco law, changes in smoking behavior, and subjective health status before and after the law entered into force. This before-after study was conducted in 19 premises, with the participation of 65 employees before implementation and 81 employees 3 months after implementation of the new antitobacco law in the hospitality sector. Data in both phases were collected through face-to-face surveys, breath CO measurements, and urinary cotinine analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, whereas chi-square test, paired and unpaired t tests, and analysis of variance were used to compare groups. Most of the restaurant and bar employees were male and below 35 years old. Before-after comparison showed that health complaints of the hospitality sector employees such as watering and itching in the eyes, difficulty in breathing, and cough (p < .001), as well as breath CO (p < .001) and urinary cotinine levels (p < .001) decreased significantly 3 months after implementation of the law. Among the smoking employees, mean number of cigarettes smoked was also found to decrease (p = .012). Majority of the employees (83.8%) were found to support the smoking ban in enclosed public places. Results of this study provide solid evidence on the positive health effects of smoke-free laws and employees' support for smoke-free workplaces.


Autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine alleviates overload-exercise-induced cardiac injury in rats.
Overload-exercise (OE) causes myocardial injury through inducing autophagy and apoptosis. In this study we examined whether an autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could alleviate OE-induced cardiac injury. Rats were injected with 3-MA (15 mg/kg, iv) or saline before subjected to various intensities of OE, including no swim (control), 2 h swim (mild-intensity exercise, MIE), 2 h swim with 2.5% body weight overload (moderate OE; MOE), 5% overload (intensive OE; IOE) or 2.5% overload until exhausted (exhaustive OE; EOE). After OE, the hearts were harvested for morphological and biochemiacal analysis. The cardiac morphology, autophagosomes and apoptosis were examined with H&E staining, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL analysis, respectively. Autophagy-related proteins to (LC3-II/I and Beclin-1) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2/Bax) were assessed using Western blotting. Our results showed that compared with the control, MIE did not change the morphological structures of the heart tissues that exhibited intact myocardial fibers and neatly arranged cardiomyocytes. However, IOE resulted in irregular arrangement of cardiomyocytes and significantly increased width of cardiomyocytes, whereas EOE caused more swollen and even disrupted cardiomyocytes. In parallel with the increased OE intensity (MOE, IOE, EOE), cardiomyocyte autophagy and apoptosis became more and more prominent, evidenced by the increasing number of autophagosomes and expression levels of LC3-II/I and Beclin-1 as well as the increasing apoptotic cells and decreasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio. 3-MA administration significantly attenuated OE-induced morphological changes of cardiomyocytes as well as all the autophagy- and apoptosis-related abnormalities in MOE, IOE and EOE rats. Thus, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA could alleviate OE-induced heart injury in rats.


Theoretical Study of the Effects of Nanoparticles on the Acoustic Performance of Microbubbles.
There are growing investigations on incorporating solid nanoparticles (NPs) into the shell of microbubbles (MBs), because NPs may endow the MBs with other bio-functions, such as multimodality imaging and drug delivery. These novel MBs have been developed as hybrid MBs' contrast agents. Generally, the shell density of hybrid MBs was assumed to be the same as water in the studies of bubble dynamics. In fact, the NPs in the layer of MBs can change the density of the shell, which leads to the change of scattering characteristics of MBs under ultrasonic excitation. Thus, it is necessary to develop a new model to simulate dynamics of the hybrid MBs. Here, we have investigated scattering characteristics of the hybrid MB embedded with NPs based on a modified Rayleigh-Plesset model. The numerical and analytical solutions to this equation are obtained for oscillation response, harmonic components, and scattered cross section of hybrid MBs at small-amplitude oscillations. The results indicated that the shell density had a greater impact on the nonlinear harmonics than fundamental ones. Considering acoustic driving frequency and pulse lengths, the largest ultraharmonic amplitude is 14 times larger than the smallest value. Considering the effects of bubble equilibrium radius, the second scattering cross section of hybrid MBs increased first and then decreased with increasing bubble equilibrium radius. Therefore, the optimal values of shell density for hybrid MBs can be predicted to obtain higher scattered signals. This also offers more accurate assessment of scattering characteristics for hybrid MB contrast agents.


[Technical problems in reoperation of hip joint prostheses].
At the Orthopaedic Clinic of the Institute for Postgraduate Medical Training in the course of 10 years (1979-1989) 2340 primary implantations of total endoprostheses of the hip joint were performed. During the same period 168 total endoprostheses of the hip joint and 20 cervico-occipital prostheses were reoperated. The most frequent reason for reoperation was aseptic loosening of the acetabular component. The mean period between operation and reoperation in these patients was 98 months. In the group with loosening of the socket associated with mechanical destruction of the component the mean period which had elapsed since the primary operation was 43 months. In 87% small size sockets were involved. The most serious problem of reoperation of total endoprostheses of the hip joint is replacement of bone defects. During reoperation of acetabular components an isolated defect on the floor of the acetabulum was found in 26%, a defect of the margins in 38% and a combined defect of the margins in 26% of the patients. For treatment of the defects the authors used bone grafts in the majority allogenic grafts were involved which were used to reconstruct the margins and floor of the acetabulum. Metal implants should hold the bone grafts in the desired position and should not serve as a skeleton. Reoperation of the acetabular part of total endoprostheses of the hip joint is easier from the technical aspect; in defects of the upper portion of the femur it is essential to use a very careful procedure and to preserve the skeleton to a maximal extent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Experience in the management of patients with genetic epilepsies and epileptic encephalopathies in the outpatient practice].
To describe the spectrum of being detected gene mutations in patients with epilepsy in clinical practice of neurologists specializing in epilepsy with an analysis of diagnosed epileptic syndromes, the characteristics of seizures, the timing of a genetic diagnosis, options and treatment effectiveness. The study included 100 patients (40 boys, 60 girls) with epilepsy and/or epileptic encephalopathy and a gene mutation identified. The average age was 6.9±5.1 years. Through remote access, epilepsy specialists filled out a specially designed unified table containing information from outpatient case history. There are patients with a wide range of gene mutations, the leading of which is a mutation in the SCN1A gene (15%). The main method (85%) of detection remains the sequencing of the last generation in the «Hereditary Epilepsy» panel. Years pass from the onset of the disease to the genetic diagnosis (Me - 3 years). In most cases, patients with severe (52% have epileptic encephalopathy, 88% have developmental disorders) and pharmacoresistant (mean amount of anti-epileptic drugs - 3.8±2.2, multitherapy - 70%) syndromes have undergone genetic testing. In the treatment of these patients epileptologists are increasingly (52%) use alternative methods: steroids, ketogenic diet and others. The absence of seizures was observed only in 46% of patients. Thus, in the outpatient practice of epileptologists, patients with a wide range of gene mutations are found. As a rule, these are patients with severe, therapy-resistant epileptic syndromes.


Unexpected new chemistry of the bis(thioimidazolyl)methanes.
[reaction: see text] The synthesis of the linkage isomers of the bis(thioimidazolyl)methane family of compounds, namely CH(2)(N-tim)(2) (1) and CH(2)(S-tim)(2) (2) (where tim = thio(methyl)imidazolyl) has been reinvestigated in order to optimize the yields, to complete the characterization of these known compounds, and also to ascertain the effect of varying heteroatom binding on their electrochemistry. During the course of these studies, the reactive intermediate ClCH(2)(S-tim) (3) was isolated and characterized. The chloromethyl derivative 3 readily decomposes on warming to give the ionic compound [CH(2)(mu-C(4)H(5)N(2)S)(2)CH(2)](Cl)(2) (4), which was converted to the hexafluorophosphate salt (5) and then was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was also shown that CH(2)(S-tim)(2) (2) could be converted at temperatures greater than 120 degrees C to CH(2)(N-tim)(2) (1) by a thermal isomerization that proceeds via the remaining possible linkage isomer CH(2)(S-tim)(N-tim). Electrochemical studies on 1-3 in acetonitrile reveals that each undergoes irreversible (one electron per ring) oxidations above 0.7 V versus Ag/AgCl, while the ionic compound 5 shows an irreversible reduction wave centered at -1.09 V.


Hyper- and hypogravity alter posture in rats compensated on Earth for a vestibular asymmetry.
Head posture and neck muscle activity (EMGs) were examined in unilateral (UL) and bilateral (BL) vestibularly lesioned rats in hypergravity (1.7 g) and hypogravity (0 g) during parabolic flights. Compared with BL rats taken as control, the head and the body of UL deviated toward the lesion side at 0 g and toward the intact side at 1.7 g. Recorded in head fixed condition, left and right EMGs remained symmetrical in BL while UL rats displayed an asymmetry between left and right muscles at 1.7 g, but not at 0 g. These results demonstrate that an experimental otolithic asymmetry, compensated on Earth, can become unbalanced in altered gravity. Paradoxically, the utricular system appears to play a major role in that process.


Gingival phenotype assessment methods and classifications revisited: a preclinical study.
To compare gingival phenotype assessment methods based on soft tissue transparency on different backgrounds and assessor experience levels. For this purpose, 24 gingival specimens were retrieved from pig jaws with tissue thicknesses from 0.2 to 1.25 mm. Three methods were assessed: periodontal probe PCP12 (thin/thick), double-ended periodontal probe DBS12 (thin/moderate/thick) and colour-based phenotype probe CBP (thin/moderate/thick/very thick). Each sample was photographed with each probe underneath and categorized whether the probe was visible or not using different coloured backgrounds. To measure experience level influence, dentists, dental undergraduate students and laypersons (n = 10/group) performed the evaluation. PCP12 probe showed a threshold between 0.4 and 0.5 mm. To distinct between thin and moderate thick gingiva, a comparable range for DBS12 was found while moderate thickness was between 0.5 and 0.8 mm and for thick above 0.8 mm. CBP also showed a comparable threshold of 0.5 mm for thin versus moderate as compared with the other methods; above 0.8 mm, predominantly a very thick tissue was measured. In general, the background colour had a minor impact on PCP12 and DBS12, and investigator experience showed no clear influence on GP assessment. Based on probe transparency and within the limitation of a preclinical study, we suggest GP differentiation into three entities: thin (< 0.5 mm; high risk), moderate (0.5-0.8 mm; medium risk) and thick (> 0.8 mm; low risk). All three GP assessment methods are easy to perform and seem to have a high predictive value with a three entities classification for DBS12 and CBP.


[Syndromic gingival fibromatosis].
Gingival fibromatosis is an inherited disease of the gingival tissue causing proliferative fibrous lesions occurring alone or as one feature of a more widespread syndrome. A 26-year-old girl consulted the oral surgery department for a functional problem due to the presence of two tumor masses located in the palate. The histological diagnosis was gingival fibromatosis. The presence of skeletal disorders in this patient with gingival fibromatosis suggested the diagnosis of Zimmermann Laband syndrome. Gingival fibromatosis is a rare condition characterized by a gingival hypertrophy. It is transmitted by autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance. The oral examination and histology provides the diagnosis. The treatment consistes of surgical removal of the hyperplasic fibrous tissue. Prognosis is dominated by the risk of recurrence which is frequent. Generally, gingival fibromatosis is isolated. In rare cases, it can be associated with symptoms sugges-ting a syndromic diagnosis such as Zimmermann Laband syndrome. In addition to gingival hypertrophy, skeletal anomalies can involve the fingers, the toenails, the thorax or the vertebrae. Splenomegaly and joint hyperextensibility can also be found.


Time course of depression and one-year prognosis of patients with stroke in mainland China.
To investigate the incidence of depression at different time points within the first year after stroke in mainland China and to identify risk factors related to a poor 1-year prognosis in stroke patients. Subjects with acute cerebrovascular diseases were recruited and enrolled from 56 hospitals in mainland China between April 2008 and April 2010. Demographic data, previous disease history, and clinical data were collected. Four follow-up visits were occurred within the first year after stroke. The modified Rankin Scale ≥ 2 represents an unfavorable prognosis. Depression was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition and was divided into persistent, recurrent and transient types. The 1-year cumulative incidence of depression in stroke patients was 41.8%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the 1-year prognosis level was associated with age, disability before onset, neurological functional deficit level at admission, and a range of depression types. The odds ratio for persistent depression is the highest (OR = 7.615, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 5.011-11.572). In our study, depression occurred in >40% of patients within the first year after stroke. Persistent depression is the first independent determinant of prognosis during the first year after stroke.


Opium and bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the odds ratios for opium use and the risk of bladder cancer.
The association between opium use and bladder cancer has been investigated in many studies, with varying reporting results reported. This study aims to estimate the total odds ratio for the association between bladder cancer and opium consumption using meta-analysis. The study was designed according to PRISMA guidelines. Two independent researchers searched for the relevant studies using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, OVID, Embase, and Google Scholar. After systematic screening of the studies identified during the first step, Cochrane risk of bias tool was determined for the selected studies. The case-control and the cohort studies were investigated to assess risk of bladder cancer due to opium use. In addition, the cross-sectional studies were analysed separately to assess frequency of opium consumption. These estimates were combined using the inverse variance method. Fixed or random effect models were applied to combine the point odds ratios. The heterogeneity between the primary results was assessed using the Cochran test and I-square index. The suspected factors for heterogeneity were investigated using meta-regression models. An Egger test was conducted to identify any probable publication bias. Forest plots illustrated the point and pooled estimates. All analyses were performed using Stata version 14 software and RevMan version 5.3. We included 17 primary studies (11 case-control, one cohort and five cross-sectional) in the final meta-analysis. The total odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for developing bladder cancer by opium use alone, and concurrent use of opium and cigarettes were estimated as 3.85 (3.05-4.87) and 5.7 (1.9-16.3) respectively. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for opium use with or without cigarette smoking was estimated as 5.3 (3.6-7.7). This meta-analysis showed that opium use similar to cigarette smoking and maybe with similar mechanisms can be a risk factor for bladder cancer. It is therefore expected to be a risk factor for other cancers.


Biorelevant in-vitro performance testing of orally administered dosage forms.
This review focuses on the evolution and current status of biorelevant media and hydrodynamics, and discusses the usefulness of biorelevant performance testing in the evaluation of specific dosage form related lumenal processes. During the last 15 years our knowledge of the gastrointestinal environment (including the lower gut) has improved dramatically and biorelevant media composition and, to a lesser extent, biorelevant hydrodynamics, have been refined. Biorelevant dissolution/release testing is useful for the evaluation of formulation and food effects on plasma levels after administration of immediate release dosage forms containing low solubility compounds and after administration of extended release products. Lumenal disintegration times of immediate release dosage forms and the bile acid sequestering activity of resins in the lumen can also be successfully forecasted with biorelevant in vitro testing. Biorelevant in-vitro performance testing is an important tool for evaluating intralumenal dosage form performance. Since the formulation of new active pharmaceutical ingredients for oral delivery is more challenging than ever before, efforts to improve the predictability of biorelevant tests are expected to continue.


Cellular enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (CELISA). III. Use of the CELISA to quantitate monoclonal antibodies bound to HLA antigens and to subset-specific antigens on cell surfaces.
The cellular enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (CELISA) quantitates the binding of antibody to cell-surface antigens. When conditions that produced the maximum specific enzymatic activity of the conjugate were used, the CELISA was able to screen hybridoma supernatant fluids for polymorphic anti-HLA monoclonal antibodies using as few as 20,000 normal human peripheral blood mononuclear target cells per well. The CELISA detected as little as 24 pg (0.55 fM or 330 X 10(6) molecules) of cell-surface HLA alloantigen and as little as 40 pg of monoclonal antibody bound to cell-surface antigen. In conjunction with various monoclonal antibodies to human peripheral blood mononuclear cell differentiation antigens, the CELISA was used to quantitate levels of different peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets in normal and diseased people objectively, thus providing a simple, sensitive, and inexpensive alternative to immunofluorescence microscopic and flow cytometric techniques normally used to phenotype peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


Myelitis: A Common Complication of Tuberculous Meningitis Predicting Poor Outcome.
Myelitis is an important complication in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However, a paucity of publications exists on the spectrum of neurological and MRI findings of TBM-related myelitis. The risk factors and prognosis of myelitis in patients with TBM are not fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to identify the risk factors, clinicoradiological features, and prognostic impact of myelitis for patients with TBM. We conducted a retrospective study in our institution. Patients with TBM who were consecutively admitted during the period of August 2015 to December 2019 were included. We reviewed the demographic characteristics, clinical, laboratory and MRI findings, and clinical outcomes of all of the included patients. The diagnosis of myelitis was identified by a hyperintensity on T2-weighted images that were associated with cord edema, enlargement, and marginal or no enhancement on contrast-enhanced images. A total of 114 patients were included. Myelitis occurred in 19 (16.7%) patients, five of whom paradoxically developed myelitis. The common clinical signs of myelitis were paraparesis (738.9%), quadriparesis (844.4%), urinary retention or constipation (1,477.8%), and paresthesias in the lower limbs (1,052.6%). In the MRI findings, the hyperintensities on T2-weighted images involved more than 3 spinal cord segments. Myelitis was often combined with other forms of spinal cord injury, including 10 patients (52.6%) with spinal meningeal enhancement, 7 patients (36.8%) with enlargement of the central canal of the spinal cord, 6 patients (31.6%) with tuberculoma, and 4 patients (21.1%) with arachnoiditis and 1 patient (5.3%) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loculations. None of the 5 patients with paradoxical myelitis were complicated with spinal meningeal enhancement and arachnoiditis, while 4 patients were complicated with enlargements of the central canal of the spinal cord. In multivariable analysis, a grade III disease severity on admission [p = 0.003, odds ratio (OR) = 8.131, 95% CI: 2.080-31.779] and high CSF protein (p = 0.033, OR = 1.698, 95% CI: 1.043-2.763) were independent risk factors for myelitis. After the 6 months follow-up, myelitis (p = 0.030, OR = 13.297, 95% CI: 1.283-137.812) and disturbance of consciousness (p = 0.042, OR = 12.625, 95% CI: 1.092-145.903) were independent risk factors for poor outcomes. Myelitis was a common complication of TBM and independently predicted a poor outcome. A grade III disease severity and high CSF protein on admission were independent risk factors for myelitis. Paradoxical myelitis was rarely complicated with spinal meningeal enhancements and arachnoiditis, indicating that the immune reaction may play a dominant role.


DNA-binding domain of myelin-gene regulatory factor: purification, crystallization and X-ray analysis.
The myelin sheath, which envelops axons in the vertebrate central nervous system, is crucial for the rapid conduction of action potentials. Myelin-gene regulatory factor (MRF) is a recently identified transcription factor that is required for myelin-sheath formation. Loss of MRF leads to demyelinating diseases and motor learning deficiency. MRF is a membrane-bound transcription factor that undergoes autocleavage from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The N-terminus of MRF contains a DNA-binding domain (DBD) that functions as a homotrimer. In this study, the MRF DBD was cloned, purified and crystallized in order to understand the molecular mechanism that regulates the transcription of myelin genes. Selenomethionine was subsequently introduced into the crystals to obtain the phases for the MRF DBD structure. The native and selenomethionine-labelled crystals exhibited diffraction to 2.50 and 2.51 Å resolution, respectively. The crystals belonged to space group P321 and the selenomethionine-labelled crystals had unit-cell parameters a = 104.0, b = 104.0, c = 46.7 Å, α = 90, β = 90, γ = 120°. The calculated Matthews coefficient was 3.04 Å3 Da-1 and the solvent content was 59.5%, indicating the presence of one MRF DBD molecule in the asymmetric unit.


Catalysts for hydrogen evolution from the [NiFe] hydrogenase to the Ni2P(001) surface: the importance of ensemble effect.
Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the behavior of a series of catalysts used in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, 2H(+) + 2e(-) --> H(2)). The kinetics of the HER was studied on the [NiFe] hydrogenase, the [Ni(PS3*)(CO)](1)(-) and [Ni(PNP)(2)](2+) complexes, and surfaces such as Ni(111), Pt(111), or Ni(2)P(001). Our results show that the [NiFe] hydrogenase exhibits the highest activity toward the HER, followed by [Ni(PNP)(2)](2+) > Ni(2)P > [Ni(PS3*)(CO)](1)(-) > Pt > Ni in a decreasing sequence. The slow kinetics of the HER on the surfaces is due to the fact that the metal hollow sites bond hydrogen too strongly to allow the facile removal of H(2). In fact, the strong H-Ni interaction on Ni(2)P(001) can lead to poisoning of the highly active sites of the surface, which enhances the rate of the HER and makes it comparable to that of the [NiFe] hydrogenase. In contrast, the promotional effect of H-poisoning on the HER on Pt and Ni surfaces is relatively small. Our calculations suggest that among all of the systems investigated, Ni(2)P should be the best practical catalyst for the HER, combining the high thermostability of the surfaces and high catalytic activity of the [NiFe] hydrogenase. The good behavior of Ni(2)P(001) toward the HER is found to be associated with an ensemble effect, where the number of active Ni sites is decreased due to presence of P, which leads to moderate bonding of the intermediates and products with the surface. In addition, the P sites are not simple spectators and directly participate in the HER.


Effect of cholesterol-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) on the properties of stimuli-responsive polymer liposome complexes.
The development of new polymer-liposome complexes (PLCs) as delivery systems is the key issue of this work. Three main areas are dealt with: polymer synthesis/characterization, liposome formulation/characterization and evaluation of the PLCs uptake by eukaryotic cells. Poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) with low molecular weight and narrow polydispersity was synthesized by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). The polymers were synthesized using two different bromide initiators (cholesteryl-2-bromoisobutyrate and ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate) as a route to afford PDMAEMA and CHO-PDMAEMA. Both synthesized polymers (PDMAEMA and CHO-PDMAEMA) were incorporated in the preparation of lecithin liposomes (LEC) to obtain PLCs. Three polymer/lipid ratios were investigated: 5, 10 and 20%. Physicochemical characterization of PLCs was carried out by determining the zeta potential, particle size distribution, and the release of fluorescent dyes (carboxyfluorescein CF and calcein) at different temperatures and pHs. The leakage experiments showed that CHO covalently bound to PDMAEMA strongly stabilizes PLCs. The incorporation of 5% CHO-PDMAEMA to LEC (LEC_CHO-PD5) appeared to be the stablest preparation at pH 7.0 and at 37°C. LEC_CHO-PD5 destabilized upon slight changes in pH and temperature, supporting the potential use of CHO-PDMAEMA incorporated to lecithin liposomes (LEC_CHO-PDs) as stimuli-responsive systems. In vitro studies on Raw 264.7 and Caco-2/TC7 cells demonstrated an efficient incorporation of PLCs into the cells. No toxicity of the prepared PLCs was observed according to 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. These results substantiate the efficiency of CHO-PDMAEMA incorporated onto LEC to assist for the release of the liposome content in mildly acidic environments, like those found in early endosomes where pH is slightly lower than the physiologic. In summary, the main achievements of this work are: (a) novel synthesis of CHO-PDMAEMA by ATRP, (b) stabilization of LEC by incorporation of CHO-PDMAEMA at neutral pH and destabilization upon slight changes of pH, (c) efficient uptake of LEC_CHO-PDs by phagocytic and non-phagocytic eukaryotic cells.


Global 3D head-trunk kinematics during cervical spine manipulation at different levels.
Determination of the three-dimensional kinematics of the head relative to the upper trunk obtained during a manipulation applied on two different cervical levels and on both sides. Descriptive study performed on 14 asymptomatic volunteers. The range of motion was measured by a 3D electrogoniometer during manipulation executed by the same practitioner. Spinal manipulative therapy is a common treatment approach in patients suffering from some spinal disorders. Complications exist; they are thought to be related to the force applied by the practitioner and the range of spinal motion obtained during the manipulation. Yet, little is known about cervical spine motion during manipulation. Three dimensional electrogoniometry using a 6 degree-of-freedom spatial linkage fixed between the head and the upper trunk was used to record the pattern of motion and the amplitudes obtained during a manipulation on two cervical levels (C3 and C5) and on left and right sides. On single practitioner applied the same technique to all subjects in a seated position. The side and the spinal level manipulated did not influence 3D ranges of motion. The mean ranges of motion obtained were 30 degrees axial rotation, 46 degrees lateral bending and 2 degrees flexion. A significant difference of the flexion-extension range existed between manipulations with and without audible release. Axial rotation and lateral bending ranges were correlated. Except for lateral bending which was close to active range, the motion ranges obtained during manipulation were well below active range of motion reported in literature. The results of this study suggest that for the kind of manipulation applied, maximal amplitude between head and trunk does not exceed physiological active range of motion. The amplitude for rotation, which is generally assumed to involve greatest risks for negative side effects, is significantly lower than during active motion. As the study was performed with one practitioner, this result may only be generalized with care. In spinal manipulative therapy, extreme range of motion as the result of the forces applied is generally believed to represent a major risk for negative side effects, especially with regard to the cervical spine. With a multiple component technique, amplitudes between head and upper trunk were shown not to differ significantly with regard to the side nor to the spinal level. Recorded ranges of motion did not exceed those reported for active motion in literature.


Lexically independent priming in online sentence comprehension.
Two eye-tracking experiments investigated what happens when people read pairs of sentences that have the same syntactic structure. Previous experiments have shown priming in online sentence processing only when critical lexical material overlaps between the prime and the target sentence. In the current study, participants were asked to read sentences containing modifier-goal ambiguities. Half of the target sentences were preceded by sentences with the same structure, and half were preceded by sentences with a different structure. In Experiment 1, the prime-target pairs had the same main verb. In Experiment 2, the prime-target pairs had different main verbs. Facilitated target sentence processing was observed in both Experiments 1 and 2 when the target sentences were preceded by a prime sentence with the same syntactic structure. These results provide the first evidence of lexically independent, between-sentence structural priming in online sentence comprehension.


Risk factors of overweight and obesity among preschool children with different ethnic background.
In this study, we evaluated the risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in 2,640 preschool children in Italy taking into account the ethnic background of the parents. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Personal and lifestyle data for the children (birth weight, type of breastfeeding, sleep duration, skipping breakfast, snacking, physical activity) and parents (ethnicity, educational level, occupation, weight, height) were collected by means of a questionnaire. Italian and Other European children generally showed the highest percentage of normal weight, while the other ethnic groups presented a greater imbalance. Overweight and obesity were high in African males, who also presented high birth weight. Breastfeeding was most common, although formula feeding was significantly higher in Italians than in immigrants. Immigrants, particularly males, tended to skip breakfast more than Italians. Physical activity was significantly higher in Italians than in immigrants. In the parents, underweight was particularly high in Italian and Other mothers. African parents had high rates of overweight and obesity and a low educational level. The most common profession was worker for the fathers and housewife for the mothers, with the exception of Italians in which clerical work prevailed. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BMI of children was closely related to the BMI of the parents and the birth weight. Hence, these are the most informative parameters in preventing obesity.


Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and effects of respiratory maneuvers.
Eight asthmatic and six normal subjects had methacholine chloride inhalation tests on two visits. On first assessment the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (PC20FEV1) was measured. On the second visit the provocative concentration causing a 35% fall in specific lung conductance (PC35sGL) was obtained in addition to the PC20FEV1. Lung resistance was continuously monitored to evaluate the bronchomotor effect of FEV1 maneuver. Results of PC20FEV1 were within one single twofold concentration on the two visits. In all subjects but one PC35sGL was lower than PC20FEV1, and in 10 instances this difference was superior to a single twofold concentration. The bronchodilator effect of FEV1 maneuver was significantly although loosely related to base-line airway caliber and excitability. However, we were unable to show a significant relationship between the differences between PC20FEV1 and PC35sGL and this bronchodilator effect. This suggests that other factors may explain the greater sensitivity of PC35sGL compared with PC20FEV1.


Association of chemerin Rs17173608 and vaspin Rs2236242 gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Egyptian women.
The metabolic syndrome is a complex of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The adipokines, chemerin and vaspin, are known to have metabolic regulatory roles. This study aimed to assess the relation of chemerin rs17173608 and vaspin rs2236242 polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome and its related phenotypes in Egyptian women. The study included 100 healthy female subjects and 100 metabolic syndrome patients. The component traits of metabolic syndrome were determined and the genotypes of the polymorphisms were assessed using the tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction procedure. The minor G allele of the chemerin rs17173608 polymorphism had a significantly higher frequency in metabolic syndrome patients (p = 0.0001). The component traits of metabolic syndrome were significantly increased in the carriers of the GG and TG genotypes. In contrast, the rare A allele of vaspin rs2236242 polymorphism was significantly higher in the control subjects (p = 0.005). The carriers of the TA and AA genotypes showed significant relation with lower values of the phenotypes of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome in Egyptian females is associated with the minor allele of chemerin rs17173608 polymorphism, whereas the minor allele of vaspin rs2236242 polymorphism plays a protective role against metabolic syndrome.


Low vision and methods of rehabilitation: a comparison between the past and present.
The aims of this study were to determine the clinical effectiveness of optical and video low vision aids (LVA) and analyze the characteristics of the visually impaired at the low vision clinic of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The use of LVA to improve distance and near visual functions was evaluated in 203 new patients from 1998 through 2001 at our clinic. The age, gender, visual status, and primary condition causing low vision of the patients were also compared with data obtained from two different study periods, from 1984 through 1987 and 1991 through 1994. After careful refraction, spectacles only were able to meet both distance and near visual requirements in 21 patients (10.3%), and among them, 3 patients with hemianopsia were further prescribed Fresnel prisms. Of the 121 patients with distance visual requirements, 84 (69.4%) benefited from using telescopes; however, only one additional patient benefited from the addition of a head-mounted device. Of the 136 patients who could not read the newsprint, 118 (86.8%) succeeded in reading newsprint using optical magnifiers, and up to 125 (91.9%) with using the addition of a closed circuit television. Compared with the previous data, the average age of our patients has steadily increased, and the main cause of ocular pathology has changed accordingly. Video magnifiers provided suitable rehabilitation for some patients who failed to see clearly using optical magnifiers. However, most of our low vision patients, who have changed during the last decades, can accomplish their desired visual tasks using traditional LVA.


High-molecular-weight neutral proteinase of rat ascites hepatoma cells and their collagenolytic activity.
A high-molecular-weight proteinase in rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cells was purified to apparent homogeneity by conventional chromatographic techniques. The purified proteinase degraded over the broad pH range, 7.0-9.0, not only denatured hemoglobin but also type I and IV collagen in the absence of calcium. Its activity was maximum at pH 8.0, heat-labile and affected by thiol reagents. Serine proteinase inhibitors such as diisopropyl fluorophosphate, soybean trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, and antipain also partially inhibited its activity. The enzyme was found mainly in the cytosol fraction, and had a molecular weight of 450 kilodaltons (Kd) as determined by gel filtration chromatography and showed a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing condition, although it was dissociated into lower-molecular-weight subunits, 25.5-32 Kd in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and 2-mercaptoethanol. These properties suggested that it was a kind of a cytosolic high-molecular-weight proteinase. The collagenolytic activity of this proteinase may play an important role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.


Plasma renin activity and oxygen content along the renal veins in hypertensive patients.
Plasma renin activity (PRA) and oxygen content in three different locations in the renal veins were studied in 27 patients with suspected renin-dependent hypertension or during post-operative follow-up investigations after renal artery reconstruction. A significant decrease in PRA was found along the right renal vein but not along the left one. The oxygen content simultaneously measured was lower in the central parts of both renal veins than most peripherally, more on the right side than on the left one, indicating dilution of renal venous blood. An erroneous ratio between renal vein PRA of the affected and the contralateral kidney was found in two of 17 patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis when sampling from a central position in the renal vein. This indicates that a peripheral position of the catheter is important when sampling for renal vein PRA.


Blood pressure in rats: a comparison of a multifactorial experimental design to measurements in an outbred stock.
Systolic blood pressure was measured in males of 8 inbred strains and 1 outbred stock of rats 5 times over a period of 20 min on 5 consecutive days. The strain means ranged between 107.9 mmHg and 149.3 mmHg. The estimated variance between strains (V = 248.7 mmHg) was about 5 times higher than the variance within strains (V = 54.3 mmHg). The intraindividual variance within strains was relatively constant (V = 24.0-37.6 mmHg), while the interindividual variance varied to a great extent (V = 4.5-44.5 mmHg) from strain to strain. The outbred stock showed values of blood pressure and components of variance similar to those of a single inbred strain. Thus, by investigation of a battery of 8 inbred strains in a multifactorial experimental design a greater phenotypic variability due to genetic strain differences is achieved than by measurements in a single outbred stock.


Incremental formulations in vascular mechanics.
The pulsatile deformations of the large arteries can be viewed as small time-varying deformations superposed on large deformations. This motivates the study of the incremental deformations of the vascular tissue. Unfortunately, because of the variety of possible choices of definitions of stresses and strains, the choice of the characterizing incremental moduli is not unique, which has led to much ambiguity and confusion in the literature. This communication systematically presents some of the options available for characterization of orthotropic incremental deformations of the vascular tissue, and provides explicit formulas for interconversions of incremental elastic moduli for uniaxial tests on strips of incompressible tissue. Relative merits of various choices are discussed.


Symmetric and asymmetric Ostwald ripening in the fabrication of homogeneous core-shell semiconductors.
Two methodic concepts, symmetric and asymmetric Ostwald ripening, are elucidated by solution-route syntheses of oxide and sulfide semiconductors. While the original shape of a crystallite aggregate forms the exterior appearance, the preorganization of the crystallites determines the ultimate interior space structure of the aggregate upon Ostwald ripening. Further investigations on the design of crystallite preorganization and control of the solution process will allow the construction of complex architectures, including nonspherical configurations.


Nurses and Physicians' Perceptions Regarding the Role of Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists in an Exploratory Qualitative Study.
The purpose of the study was to examine the attitudes of nursing and medical teams about the role of oncology clinical nurse specialists in the healthcare system in Israel, where, unlike many countries in the world, such a role has not yet been developed or professionally defined. We conducted 24 interviews with physicians and nurses between August and October 2021. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to report the study. Five main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) contribution to the healthcare system, (2) contribution to the patient, (3) drawing professional boundaries, (4) additional responsibilities and authority for oncology clinical nurse specialists, and (5) the field's readiness for a new position of oncology clinical nurse specialists. The findings provide evidence about the need to develop the role of clinical nurse specialists in the oncology field due to its potential benefits for nurses, physicians, patients, family members, and the healthcare system. At the same time, an in-depth exploration of the boundaries of the role and its implementation, in full cooperation with the oncologists and relevant professional unions, is needed to prevent unnecessary conflicts in the oncology field. Professional development training programs in nursing must create a platform for open dialogue between key stakeholders, nurses, and physicians, in order to help all involved parties, place the benefits to the patients above any personal or status considerations.


Nonparenchymal cells in chronically hyperinsulinemic liver acini of diabetic rats, with special regard to hepatic stellate cells.
An increase in proliferative activity and other distinct hepatocellular alterations--resembling preneoplastic foci and progressing to hepatocellular tumors--have been shown to develop in liver acini draining the blood from islets of Langerhans, transplanted through the portal vein into the liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Altered and unaltered liver acini were investigated for possible changes in hepatic stellate cells 4-76 days after islet transplantation. Corresponding to a significant increase in the hepatocellular volume, the volume density of total nonparenchymal cells was significantly reduced in altered compared to unaltered liver acini. With regard to the total nonparenchymal cell volume, the hepatic stellate cell fraction was not different, whereas the fraction of Kupffer cells was significantly reduced and the fraction of sinusoidal endothelial cells was significantly increased in altered compared to unaltered liver acini, respectively. The volume density as well as the single volume of the hepatic stellate cell mitochondria increased significantly in altered compared to unaltered liver acini. Hepatic stellate cell lipid droplets did not show significant differences between altered and unaltered liver acini. In situ hybridization for hepatocyte growth factor mRNA showed no differences in intensity of the specific signals in hepatic stellate cells of altered versus unaltered liver acini. The transplanted islets were negative for hepatic growth factor mRNA. The results suggest that hepatic growth factor production by hepatic stellate cells or by islet cells is not relevant to hepatocellular proliferative activity in altered liver acini.


Expression of TRAF1 and nuclear c-Rel distinguishes primary mediastinal large cell lymphoma from other types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is a recently identified subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that is difficult to distinguish from other types of DLBCL on the basis of histologic features alone. We recently identified a molecular signature of PMLBCL that is distinct from other forms of DLBCL but shares features with classical Hodgkin lymphoma. This signature includes activation of the nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) signaling pathway, which in part, acts through nuclear translocation of c-Rel containing NFkappaB transcriptional complexes, and subsequent expression of NFkappaB target genes such as tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-1 (TRAF1). Using standard immunohistochemical techniques, we examined 251 large B-cell lymphomas (78 cases of PMLBCL and 173 cases of other types of DLBCL) to determine whether the expression patterns of c-Rel and TRAF1 could reliably distinguish between PMLBCL and other types of DLBCL. Robust nuclear c-Rel was present in 31 of 48 (65%) cases of PMLBCL and 28 of 160 (18%) cases of DLBCL. In addition, cytoplasmic TRAF1 expression was seen in 48 of 78 (62%) cases of PMLBCL, but only 20 of 173 (12%) cases of DLBCL. Finally, the combined expression of nuclear c-Rel and TRAF1 was seen in 24 of 45 cases (53%) of PMLBCL, but in only 3 of 156 cases (2%) of other types of DLBCL. Thus, the combined nuclear localization of c-Rel and the cellular expression of TRAF1 is a highly specific (specificity=98%) means to distinguish PMLBCL from DLBCL that is readily applicable to routine surgical pathology practice.


Deciphering trait associated morpho-physiological responses in pearlmillet hybrids and inbred lines under salt stress.
Pearl millet is a staple food for more than 90 million people residing in highly vulnerable hot arid and semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. These regions are more prone to detrimental effects of soil salinity on crop performance in terms of reduced biomass and crop yields. We investigated the physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance to irrigation induced salinity stress (ECiw ~3, 6 & 9 dSm-1) and their confounding effects on plant growth and yield in pearl millet inbred lines and hybrids. On average, nearly 30% reduction in above ground plant biomass was observed at ECiw ~6 dSm-1 which stretched to 56% at ECiw ~9 dSm-1 in comparison to best available water. With increasing salinity stress, the crop performance of test hybrids was better in comparison to inbred lines; exhibiting relatively higher stomatal conductance (gS; 16%), accumulated lower proline (Pro; -12%) and shoot Na+/K+(-31%), synthesized more protein (SP; 2%) and sugars (TSS; 32%) compensating in lower biomass (AGB; -22%) and grain yield (GY: -14%) reductions at highest salinity stress of ECiw ~9 dSm-1. Physiological traits modeling underpinning plant salt tolerance and adaptation mechanism illustrated the key role of 7 traits (AGB, Pro, SS, gS, SPAD, Pn, and SP) in hybrids and 8 traits (AGB, Pro, PH, Na+, K+, Na+/K+, SPAD, and gS) in inbred lines towards anticipated grain yield variations in salinity stressed pearl millet. Most importantly, the AGB alone, explained >91% of yield variation among evaluated hybrids and inbreed lines at ECiw ~9 dSm-1. Cumulatively, the better morpho-physiological adaptation and lesser yield reduction with increasing salinity stress in pearl millet hybrids (HHB 146, HHB 272, and HHB 234) and inbred lines (H77/833-2-202, ICMA 94555 and ICMA 843-22) substantially complemented in increased plant salt tolerance and yield stability over a broad range of salinity stress. The information generated herein will help address in deciphering the trait associated physiological alterations to irrigation induced salt stress, and developing potential hybrids in pearl millet using these parents with special characteristics.


Histone modifications: Targeting head and neck cancer stem cells.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and is responsible for a quarter of a million deaths annually. The survival rate for HNSCC patients is poor, showing only minor improvement in the last three decades. Despite new surgical techniques and chemotherapy protocols, tumor resistance to chemotherapy remains a significant challenge for HNSCC patients. Numerous mechanisms underlie chemoresistance, including genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer cells that may be acquired during treatment and activation of mitogenic signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer-of activated B cell, that cause reduced apoptosis. In addition to dysfunctional molecular signaling, emerging evidence reveals involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor development and in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These observations have sparked interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in the control of CSC function and fate. Post-translational modifications of histones dynamically influence gene expression independent of alterations to the DNA sequence. Recent findings from our group have shown that pharmacological induction of post-translational modifications of tumor histones dynamically modulates CSC plasticity. These findings suggest that a better understanding of the biology of CSCs in response to epigenetic switches and pharmacological inhibitors of histone function may directly translate to the development of a mechanism-based strategy to disrupt CSCs. In this review, we present and discuss current knowledge on epigenetic modifications of HNSCC and CSC response to DNA methylation and histone modifications. In addition, we discuss chromatin modifications and their role in tumor resistance to therapy.


Guidewire exchange vs new site placement for temporary dialysis catheter insertion in ICU patients: is there a greater risk of colonization or dysfunction?
Intensive care unit (ICU) patients require dialysis catheters (DCs) for renal replacement therapy (RRT). They carry a high risk of developing end-stage renal disease, and therefore their vascular access must be preserved. Guidewire exchange (GWE) is often used to avoid venipuncture insertion (VPI) at a new site. However, the impact of GWE on infection and dysfunction of DCs in the ICU is unknown. Our aim was to compare the effect of GWE and VPI on DC colonization and dysfunction in ICU patients. Using data from the ELVIS randomized controlled trial (RCT) (1496 ICU adults requiring DC for RRT or plasma exchange) we performed a matched-cohort analysis. Cases were DCs inserted by GWE (n = 178). They were matched with DCs inserted by VPI. Matching criteria were participating centre, simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) II +/-10, insertion site (jugular or femoral), side for jugular site, and length of ICU stay before DC placement. We used a marginal Cox model to estimate the effect of DC insertion (GWE vs. VPI) on DC colonization and dysfunction. DC colonization rate was not different between GWE-DCs and VPI-DCs (10 (5.6 %) for both groups) but DC dysfunction was more frequent with GWE-DCs (67 (37.6 %) vs. 28 (15.7 %); hazard ratio (HR), 3.67 (2.07-6.49); p < 0.01). Results were similar if analysis was restricted to DCs changed for dysfunction. GWE for DCs in ICU patients, compared with VPI did not contribute to DC colonization or infection but was associated with more than twofold increase in DC dysfunction. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00563342 . Registered 2 April 2009.


Mitochondrial dysfunction and quality control lie at the heart of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The dramatic increase in intracranial pressure after subarachnoid hemorrhage leads to a decrease in cerebral perfusion pressure and a reduction in cerebral blood flow. Mitochondria are directly affected by direct factors such as ischemia, hypoxia, excitotoxicity, and toxicity of free hemoglobin and its degradation products, which trigger mitochondrial dysfunction. Dysfunctional mitochondria release large amounts of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and apoptotic proteins that activate apoptotic pathways, further damaging cells. In response to this array of damage, cells have adopted multiple mitochondrial quality control mechanisms through evolution, including mitochondrial protein quality control, mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and intercellular mitochondrial transfer, to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis under pathological conditions. Specific interventions targeting mitochondrial quality control mechanisms have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies for subarachnoid hemorrhage. This review provides an overview of recent research advances in mitochondrial pathophysiological processes after subarachnoid hemorrhage, particularly mitochondrial quality control mechanisms. It also presents potential therapeutic strategies to target mitochondrial quality control in subarachnoid hemorrhage.


Mycobacterial antigen-specific antibody responses in bovine tuberculosis: an ELISA with potential to confirm disease status.
Serological assays may help to identify animals in advanced stages of bovine tuberculosis, but most of the tests available have suboptimal sensitivities and specificities. This study was designed to determine whether the antibody responses to defined antigens (rMPB70, rMPB64 and rMPB59) of Mycobacterium bovis at the immunoglobulin subclass level could be used to develop improved serological tests. In experimentally infected cattle it was found that the predominant serum antibody response was to rMPB70, and that an IgG1 response to this antigen was boosted strongly by skin testing. Studies in naturally infected cattle suggested that this memory IgG1 anti-rMPB70 response may be able to differentiate between skin test-reactor animals with and without lesions by comparing the ratio of the antibody response before and after skin testing. The study has provided a clearer understanding of the kinetics of antibody responses to defined mycobacterial antigens at the subclass level in bovine tuberculosis and has made it possible to develop a novel ELISA system which may be useful in disease diagnosis.


Macrophage Metabolism As Therapeutic Target for Cancer, Atherosclerosis, and Obesity.
Macrophages are not only essential components of innate immunity that contribute to host defense against infections, but also tumor growth and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. An important feature of macrophages is their plasticity and ability to adopt diverse activation states in response to their microenvironment and in line with their functional requirements. Recent immunometabolism studies have shown that alterations in the metabolic profile of macrophages shape their activation state and function. For instance, to fulfill their respective functions lipopolysaccharides-induced pro-inflammatory macrophages and interleukin-4 activated anti-inflammatory macrophages adopt a different metabolism. Thus, metabolic reprogramming of macrophages could become a therapeutic approach to treat diseases that have a high macrophage involvement, such as cancer. In the first part of this review, we will focus on the metabolic pathways altered in differentially activated macrophages and link their metabolic aspects to their pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotype. In the second part, we will discuss how macrophage metabolism is a promising target for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory diseases and cancer.


Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for stone therapy.
To give an overview about state-of-the-art antibiotic prophylaxis in urolithasis therapy and focus on recent publications in this field. The number of high-quality publications within the recent time is limited. Preoperative inflammatory blood parameters like C-reactive protein and erythrocyte-sedimentation rate might help in prediction of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). White blood cell count is nonpredictive for urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with acute renal colic. In patients with low risk for infectious complications, antibiotic prophylaxis during shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) is unnecessary and single-dose antibiotics are comparably effective as prolonged antibiotic usage during PCNL and ureterorenoscopy (URS). Current findings support the American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline recommendations for a risk-adapted minimal antibiotic usage. Single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis is sufficient for low-risk PCNL and URS. For SWL no antibiotic prophylaxis is needed.


Esophageal squamous metaplasia: nudging the esophageal carcinoma morphogenetic paradigm.
The concept regarding esophageal squamous metaplasia, its existence, origin and the role it plays in the etiology of esophageal carcinoma, needs some urgent attention. Explanations regarding the presence of metaplastic squamous epithelial cells on esophageal smears, from asymptomatic high-risk patients undergoing screening for esophageal carcinoma, are difficult to find. The presence of squamous metaplastic cells on smears from the esophagus collected by us since 1983, from rural Transkei populations, is a regular finding and warrants some discussion. Cellular material from the esophageal lumen is collected with a gelatine encapsulated sponge brush for cytological evaluation. Each full-length, 'blind' sampling procedure produces a mixture of single cells, sheets, small groups as well as microbiopsies. Some very well preserved and excellent examples of esophageal epithelium undergoing or in a state of squamous metaplasia are a regular find.


Low-dose subconjunctival bevacizumab to augment trabeculectomy for glaucoma.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of bevacizumab in maintaining intraocular pressure lowered by trabeculectomy in refractory open-angle glaucoma. Thirty-seven eyes from 37 patients referring to Nikoukari Ophthalmology University Hospital in Tabriz were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. Seventeen patients were randomly assigned to receive bevacizumab augmentation after trabeculectomy, and 20 patients were assigned to a control group receiving a placebo injection of normal saline. Bevacizumab was injected subconjunctivally at a dose of 0.2 mg. Intraocular pressure was measured on eight occasions, ie, at baseline, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after treatment. Men constituted 81% of the participants, who were of mean age 67.5 years. Twenty-nine patients had secondary open-angle glaucoma, while eight patients had primary open-angle glaucoma. Intraocular pressure decreased from a mean of 28.4 mmHg at baseline to a mean of 12.1 mmHg during the first day and to 15.1 mmHg after 3 months. Adding bevacizumab to trabeculectomy was not found to affect intraocular pressure differently to placebo. Neither the results of repeated measurements analysis nor single comparison statistical tests were significant for a difference in efficacy of bevacizumab versus placebo. Subconjunctival bevacizumab 0.2 mg was not found to affect the trend in intraocular pressure more than placebo after trabeculectomy for open-angle glaucoma.


Factors associated with obesity in school children.
To investigate factors associated with the development of obesity in school children, the authors undertook a case-control study of 220 obese and 220 non-obese children aged 6 to 18 years from Al Ain, United Arab Emirates between September 1992 to May 1993 inclusive. The inclusion criterion for cases comprised children with body mass (Quetelet index) > 90th percentile of age-sex reference data of the French population. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about socioeconomic status (SES), family history of obesity, related diseases and behavioral factors (smoking, physical activity and preferred diet). Anthropometric measures (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. The waist/hip circumference ratio was used as an index for body fat distribution. The logistic regression analysis showed that family history of obesity, diet, physical activity and mother education were significant factors for development of obesity after adjusting for other confounding covariates. Neither smoking nor SES showed apparent relation to obesity. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed stronger correlation with the fatness index, BMI, than with the fat distribution index, waist/hip ratio.


DNA structural integrity and base composition affect ultraviolet light-induced oxidative DNA damage.
We previously demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm) induced the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in DNA via a singlet oxygen mechanism. In the present paper, we provide novel findings that DNA structure and base composition significantly affect the yield of 8-OHdG by UV radiation. Unlike ionizing radiation that induces 8-OHdG both in free 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) and in DNA, UV light induced 8-OHdG formation in intact DNA and polydG.dC, but not in dG. When thermally denatured DNA was irradiated with UV light, the yield of 8-OHdG was reduced by more than 80% compared to intact DNA. Oxygenation of the denatured DNA solution did not restore the yield of UV-induced 8-OHdG. Irradiation of DNA with different AT/GC ratios showed that the yield of UV-induced 8-OHdG varied in proportion to the AT content, suggesting that AT base pairs in DNA enhance generation of the oxidizing species and subsequent oxidation of dG. The natural antioxidants genistein, estradiol, protocatechuic acid (PCA), and oleanolic acid (OA) were investigated for their inhibition of UV-induced 8-OHdG. Genistein and estradiol, that intercalate into DNA as shown by a computer modeling, significantly quenched UV-induced 8-OHdG, whereas PCA and OA did not fit into DNA and exhibited weak or no effect. These results suggest that the intercalation of genistein and estradiol into DNA may alter the DNA structural integrity, interrupt the production of oxidizing species, and subsequently reduce the formation of 8-OHdG by UV radiation.


Systemic lupus erythematosus with hepatosplenic granuloma: a rare case.
Background. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which is known to present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Case Report. A 15-year-old male presented with complaints of moderate grade fever and generalized body swelling. There was no history of cough, weight loss, joint pain, oral ulcerations, skin rash, photosensitivity, loss of hair, pain abdomen, jaundice, or any significant illness in the past. Contrast enhanced computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed hypodense lesions in both liver and spleen (without contrast enhancement), suggestive of granulomas along with few retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes. On the basis of immunological tests and renal biopsy report, SLE with hepatosplenic granulomatosis diagnosis was made. He was given pulse methylprednisolone 500 mg, for 3 days and he showed dramatic improvement clinically. Conclusion. Hepatic and splenic granulomas are not common in SLE, but this should be kept in differential diagnosis.


[The phase IV studies with Estracyt in prostatic cancer].
Both anticancer and adverse reactions of Estracyt were investigated by oral administration to 200 patients with prostatic cancer. Two capsules of Estracyt were given twice a day and the administration was principally continued for more than six months. The 200 patients consisted of 68 and 132 patients who were previously untreated and treated, respectively. Thirty seven cases had been treated only with Estracyt and 132 cases also received other treatments. Seventy-five cases were of primary therapy, 71 cases were of maintenance therapy, and 27 cases were of the re-activated stage therapy and 27 cases were of other categories. In conclusion, among the 190 cases for which the due judgement of the effect was possible, Estracyt was markedly effective in 40 cases (21.1%), effective in 43 cases (22.6%), slightly effective in 38 cases (20.0%) and ineffective in 69 cases (36.3%). Adverse reactions were observed in 67 cases (33.5%), among which the administration was discontinued in 18 cases.


Community eye-health and vision center guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted our society on an unprecedented scale since its inception in December 2019. As the health-care system is finally re-organizing to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, it was necessary to re-structure primary eye care (PEC) activities as well on the same lines. A consensus meeting was held with leading eye-care experts on 2nd May 2020 to prepare a roadmap for PEC in the days to come. Guidelines are needed for PEC activities like vision testing, refraction, optical dispensing, counseling, etc., Some of the activities at vision centers (VCs) may be postponed or modified in light of the current pandemic situation. PEC workers need to strictly follow social distancing norms (minimum 3 feet) for minimizing risk of exposure and need access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves, masks and shields while examining beneficiaries. For optometrists, sterilization of instruments and encouraging the people to remain silent during the examination is recommended. Because conjunctivitis may be an early sign which can present at VCs, extra precautions in the form of PPE has to be ensured while examining such patients. This is also an opportunity to start running telemedicine clinics for all emergent cases that cannot be managed at the primary level. The guidelines also need to be updated based on the context of the working environment and changes in government directives from time to time.


Exploitation of colinear relationships between the genomes of Lotus japonicus, Pisum sativum and Arabidopsis thaliana, for positional cloning of a legume symbiosis gene.
The Lotus japonicus LjSYM2 gene, and the Pisum sativum orthologue PsSYM19, are required for the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules and arbuscular mycorrhiza. Here we describe the map-based cloning procedure leading to the isolation of both genes. Marker information from a classical AFLP marker-screen in Lotus was integrated with a comparative genomics approach, utilizing Arabidopsis genome sequence information and the pea genetic map. A network of gene-based markers linked in all three species was identified, suggesting local colinearity in the region around LjSYM2/PsSYM19. The closest AFLP marker was located just over 200 kb from the LjSYM2 gene, the marker SHMT, which was converted from a marker on the pea map, was only 7.9 kb away. The LjSYM2/PsSYM19 region corresponds to two duplicated segments of the Arabidopsis chromosomes AtII and AtIV. Lotus homologues of Arabidopsis genes within these segments were mapped to three clusters on LjI, LjII and LjVI, suggesting that during evolution the genomic segment surrounding LjSYM2 has been subjected to duplication events. However, one marker, AUX-1, was identified based on colinearity between Lotus and Arabidopsis that mapped in physical proximity of the LjSym2 gene.


Semen quality in relation to semen preservation.
A goal of research in laboratory evaluation of semen has been ultimately to predict the fertility achievable with use of that semen. This would permit evaluation of the male and ejaculate. For artificial insemination, semen viability becomes a measure of man's interaction with that semen in an effort to preserve its functional life. Man's efficiency in developing successful methods of semen preservation are, therefore, contingent upon the relationship of tests of semen quality and fertility. Problems discussed are those associated with identification of the most appropriate tests of spermatozoan viability important to fertility. These problems reside predominantly in poor repeatability of many tests (objectivity versus subjectivity), the interaction of semen quality and quantity in the inseminate, the effect of latent cell injury encountered in some systems of preservation (example frozen semen), and identification of viability traits of spermatozoa important to their retention and transport in the female reproductive tract as well as their ability to fertilize the egg and sustain embryogenesis. A case is established for the use of more than one viability test or semen trait for evaluating systems of semen preservation.


Experimental and theoretical investigation of triple fragmentation in the photodissociation dynamics of H2CO.
The photodissociation dynamics of H2CO molecules at energies bracketing the triple fragmentation threshold were investigated using velocity map ion imaging of the H-atom fragments. An algorithm was developed to model the experimental results as a two-step process: initially barrierless C-H bond fission on the S0 potential energy surface to form H + HCO, followed by secondary fragmentation of those HCO radicals with sufficient internal energy to overcome the small exit channel barrier on the HCO surface to form H + CO. Our model treats the first step using phase space theory (PST) and the second using a combined PST-impulsive model, with a tunneling correction. Experimentally, triple fragmentation reaches 25% of the radical (H + HCO) channel photochemical yield at energies about 1500 cm(-1) above the barrier for breaking the second bond. In addition, the triplet (T1) channel appears to reduce in importance after the barrier on the T1 surface is exceeded, slowly decreasing to <10% of the total radical yield at higher energy. The double PST-impulsive model provides a good fit to the experimental H-atom speed and energy distributions for H2CO dissociation on S0 spanning >7000 cm(-1) of available energy.


Cigarette smoking and quit attempts among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico.
Injection drug use and cigarette smoking are major global health concerns. Limited data exist regarding cigarette smoking behavior and quit attempts among injection drug users (IDUs) in low- and middle-income countries to inform the development of cigarette smoking interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe cigarette smoking behavior and quit attempts among IDUs in Tijuana, Mexico. IDUs were recruited through community outreach and administered in-person interviews. Multivariable Poisson regression models were constructed to determine prevalence ratios (PRs) for quit attempts. Of the 670 participants interviewed, 601 (89.7%) were current smokers. Of these, median number of cigarettes smoked daily was 10; 190 (31.6%) contemplated quitting smoking in the next 6 months; 132 (22.0%) had previously quit for ≥1 year; and 124 (20.6%) had made a recent quit attempt (lasting ≥1 day during the previous 6 months). In multivariable analysis, recent quit attempts were positively associated with average monthly income (≥3,500 pesos [US$280] vs. <1,500 pesos [US$120]; PR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.57-3.36), smoking marijuana (PR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.01-2.90), and smoking heroin (PR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.23-2.78), and they were negatively associated with number of cigarettes smoked daily (PR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.94-0.98). One out of 5 IDUs attempted to quit cigarette smoking during the previous 6 months. Additional research is needed to improve the understanding of the association between drug use patterns and cigarette smoking quit attempts, including the higher rate of quit attempts observed among IDUs who smoke marijuana or heroin compared with IDUs who do not smoke these substances.