[Injuries in immigrants from non-industrialized countries: analysis of emergency admissions in Lazio, Italy, in the year 2000].
Aim of the study is to describe the characteristics of road, home and work-related traumas among adult immigrants born in non-industrialised Countries, and to compare the consequent probability of hospitalisation with Italian adults in Lazio Region, year 2000. Source of data is the Emergency-based Surveillance System, which collects all the emergency ward visits in Lazio region. Accident incidence has been estimated using alternatively the residence permits and the roman resident population born in non-industrialised Countries. The 7.7% of all the emergency visits of immigrants are trauma-related. Road traffic accident visits are more appropriate and urgent. Immigrants have a higher risk of hospitalisation both for road and home accidents compared to the Italians (OR = 1.59 and OR = 1.37 respectively). Immigrants use emergency wards for severe and urgent trauma-related accidents, they have higher probability of hospitalisation compared to the Italians. Our analysis highlights the necessity to improve tools to study immigrant health.


Rationally designed BCL6 inhibitors target activated B cell diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) arise from proliferating B cells transiting different stages of the germinal center reaction. In activated B cell DLBCLs (ABC-DLBCLs), a class of DLBCLs that respond poorly to current therapies, chromosomal translocations and amplification lead to constitutive expression of the B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) oncogene. The role of BCL6 in maintaining these lymphomas has not been investigated. Here, we designed small-molecule inhibitors that display higher affinity for BCL6 than its endogenous corepressor ligands to evaluate their therapeutic efficacy for targeting ABC-DLBCL. We used an in silico drug design functional-group mapping approach called SILCS to create a specific BCL6 inhibitor called FX1 that has 10-fold greater potency than endogenous corepressors and binds an essential region of the BCL6 lateral groove. FX1 disrupted formation of the BCL6 repression complex, reactivated BCL6 target genes, and mimicked the phenotype of mice engineered to express BCL6 with corepressor binding site mutations. Low doses of FX1 induced regression of established tumors in mice bearing DLBCL xenografts. Furthermore, FX1 suppressed ABC-DLBCL cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as primary human ABC-DLBCL specimens ex vivo. These findings indicate that ABC-DLBCL is a BCL6-dependent disease that can be targeted by rationally designed inhibitors that exceed the binding affinity of natural BCL6 ligands.


Glenoid retroversion is an important factor for humeral head centration and the biomechanics of posterior shoulder stability.
Glenoid retroversion is a known independent risk factor for recurrent posterior instability. The purpose was to investigate progressive angles of glenoid retroversion and their influence on humeral head centration and posterior translation with intact, detached, and repaired posterior labrum in a cadaveric human shoulder model. A total of 10 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders were investigated for this study. After CT- canning, the glenoids were aligned parallel to the floor, with the capsule intact, and the humerus was fixed in 60° of abduction and neutral rotation. Version of the glenoid was created after wedge resection from posterior and fixed with an external fixator throughout the testing. Specimens underwent three conditions: intact, detached, and repaired posterior labrum, while version of the glenoid was set from + 5° anteversion to - 25° retroversion by 5° increments. Within the biomechanical setup, the glenohumeral joint was axially loaded (22 N) to center the joint. At 0° of glenoid version and intact labrum, the initial position was used as baseline and served as point zero of centerization. After cyclic preloading, posterior translation force (20 N) was then applied by a material testing machine, while start and endpoints of the scapula placed on an X-Y table were measured. The decentralization of the humeral head at glenoid version angles of 5°, 10°, 15°, and 20° of retroversion and 5° of anteversion was significantly different (P < 0.001). Every increment of 5° of retroversion led to an additional decentralization of the humeral head overall by (average ± SD) 2.0 mm ± 0.3 in the intact and 2.0 mm ± 0.7 in the detached labrum condition. The repaired showed significantly lower posterior translation compared to the intact condition at 10° (P = 0.012) and 15° (P < 0.01) of retroversion. In addition, CT measured parameters (depth, diameter, and native version) of the glenoid showed no correlation with angle of dislocation of each specimen. Bony alignment in terms of glenoid retroversion angle plays an important role in joint centration and posterior translation, especially in retroversion angles greater than 10°. Isolated posterior labrum repair has a significant effect on posterior translation in glenoid retroversion angles of 5° and 10°. Bony correction of glenoid version may be considered to address posterior shoulder instability with retroversion > 15°.


Quality control lockout function on Medtronic ACT Plus coagulation timer system can be bypassed for same-patient samples.
If Medtronic's ACT Plus automated coagulation timer system (an activated clotting time analyzer) is used on a single patient, its quality control (QC) lockout function may not activate--that is, the device may not lock the user out from performing sample analysis when QC has not been performed within the required time frame. The unit will indicate that QC is due by beeping three times and providing an onscreen message, but it will still analyze the sample and provide the user with results. These results may be inaccurate, and if they are used to make anticoagulation therapy decisions, they may lead to incorrect and potentially dangerous heparin therapy. Users should be made aware of this behavior (which is not described in the device's user manual) and should be instructed to verify that required QC checks have been performed before analyzing each sample.


Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins on the membrane potential of lepidopteran insect midgut cells.
To test whether the ability of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins to form pores in the midgut epithelial cell membrane of susceptible insects correlates with their in vivo toxicity, we measured the effects of different toxins on the electrical potential of the apical membrane of freshly isolated midguts from gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae. In the absence of toxin, the membrane potential, measured with a conventional glass microelectrode, was stable for up to 30 min. It was sensitive to the K+ concentration and the oxygenation of the external medium. Addition of toxins to which L. dispar is highly [CryIA(a) and CryIA(b)] or only slightly [CryIA(c) and CryIC] sensitive caused a rapid, irreversible, and dose-dependent depolarization of the membrane. CryIF, whose toxicity towards L. dispar is unknown, and CryIE, which is at best poorly active in vivo, were also active in vitro. In contrast, CryIB and CryIIIA, a coleopteran-specific toxin, had no significant effect. The basolateral-membrane potential was unaffected by CryIA(a) or CryIC when the toxin was applied to the basal side of the epithelium. In B. mori midguts, the apical-membrane potential was abolished by CryIA(a), to which silkworm larvae are susceptible, but CryIA(b) and CryIA(c); to which they are resistant, had no detectable effect. Although the technique discriminated between active and inactive toxins, the concentration required to produce a given effect varied much less extensively than the sensitivity of gypsy moth larvae, suggesting that additional factors influence the toxins' level of toxicity in vivo.


Frendak to phenis to breivik: an examination of the imposed insanity defense.
The imposition of the insanity defense is a complicated psycho-legal scenario. Globally, definitions of insanity differ from country to country. In a multitude of cases, a determination of insanity at the time of a criminal act means the offender will not be considered responsible for his or her action(s). In many jurisdictions, concerns have been raised that the insanity defense has been used to mitigate punishment, usually after a particularly heinous crime. In this review, the authors use three cases - Frendak, Phenis, and Breivik to demonstrate how the imposition of the insanity defense has been used for legal purposes in the past and present. In an effort to give more background to each of the above-mentioned cases, the writers have provided some details to aid comprehension. The authors offer recommendations for the ethical forensic evaluator unburdened by partisan allegiance and invested in the search for truth. This review article relies on peer-reviewed articles available from PubMed, Meharry Online Library, and legal dictionaries. We also cross-referenced reputable news sources to ensure the validity of the facts we present.


Quantitation of acrylamide in food products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
A simple and inexpensive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed for the quantitation of acrylamide in various food products. The method involved spiking the isotope-substituted internal standard (1-C13 acrylamide) onto 6.00 g of the food product, adding 40 mL distilled/deionized water, and heating at 65 degrees C for 30 min. Afterwards, 10 mL ethylene dichloride was added and the mixture was homogenized for 30 s and centrifuged at 2700 x g for 30 min, and then 8 g supernatant was extracted with 10, 5, and 5 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined, dried with sodium sulfate, and concentrated to 100-200 microL. Acrylamide was determined by analysis of the final extract on a single quadrupole, bench-top mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization, using a 2 mm id C18 column and monitoring m/z = 72 (acrylamide) and m/z = 73 (internal standard). For difficult food matrixes, such as coffee and cocoa, a solid-phase extraction cleanup step was incorporated to improve both chromatography and column lifetime. The method had a limit of quantitation of 10 ppb, and coefficients of determination (r2) for calibration curves were typically better than 0.998. Acceptable spike recovery results were achieved in 11 different food matrixes. Precision in potato chip analyses was 5-8% (relative standard deviation). This method provides an LC/MS alternative to the current LC/MS/MS methods and derivatization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry methods, and is applicable to difficult food products such as coffee, cocoa, and high-salt foods.


Accessing Valuable Ligand Supports for Transition Metals: A Modified, Intermediate Scale Preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene.
A reliable, intermediate scale preparation of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*H) is presented, based on modifications of existing protocols that derive from initial 2-bromo-2-butene lithiation followed by acid mediated dienol cyclization. The revised synthesis and purification of the ligand avoids the use of mechanical stirring while still permitting access to significant quantities (39 g) of Cp*H in good yield (58%). The procedure offers other additional benefits, including a more controlled quench of excess lithium during the production of the intermediate heptadienols and a simplified isolation of Cp*H of sufficient purity for metallation with transition metals. The ligand was subsequently used to synthesize [Cp*MCl2]2 complexes of both iridium and ruthenium to demonstrate the utility of the Cp*H prepared and purified by our method. The procedure outlined herein affords substantial quantities of a ubiquitous ancillary ligand support used in organometallic chemistry while minimizing the need for specialized laboratory equipment, thus providing a simpler and more accessible entry point into the chemistry of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene.


Pneumococcal Induced T-activation with Resultant Thrombotic Microangiopathy.
Thrombotic microangiopathies are disorders resulting from platelet thromboses forming in the microvasculature with resultant schistocyte forms. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia often complicated by acute renal failure in children. HUS is typically caused by bacterial infection, most commonly enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Neuraminidase-producing organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae have also been reported as potential etiologies. The pathogenesis in these cases involves cleavage of sialic acid residues from the surfaces of erythrocytes, platelets, and glomerular capillary endothelial cells, exposing the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen, a process known as T-activation. We describe a 2-year-old girl who presented with pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis ultimately resulting in a thrombotic microangiopathy with acute renal failure, most consistent with HUS. The patient's direct antiglobulin test was positive. Polyagglutination was observed with human adult serum, but not with umbilical cord serum. Her red blood cells (RBCs) were reactive against peanut and soybean lectins, but not Salvia sclarea or Salvia horminum lectins. These findings are consistent with T-activation. Clinicians should be cognizant of the possibility of T-activation with resultant HUS in patients infected with neuraminidase-producing bacteria. Such patients may be difficult to identify using monoclonal typing antisera, as these typically do not have anti-T antibodies. Whether such patients are at risk for transfusion-associated hemolysis is debatable.


A Case of Brugada Syndrome Masquerading as Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Hispanic Male.
Brugada syndrome is an aberrant ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads. It can progress into sudden cardiac death (SCD) among patients with structurally normal hearts. Most patients are asymptomatic at presentation, but those who develop symptoms can present with syncope due to other arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can prevent future complications in patients with a significant family history.


Incretin-based agents in type 2 diabetic patients at cardiovascular risk: compare the effect of GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors on cardiovascular and pancreatic outcomes.
Incretin-based agents, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1As), work via GLP-1 receptor for hyperglycemic control directly or indirectly, but have different effect on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The present study is to evaluate and compare effects of incretin-based agents on CV and pancreatic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high CV risk. Six prospective randomized controlled trials (EXMAINE, SAVOR-TIMI53, TECOS, ELIXA, LEADER and SUSTAIN-6), which included three trials for DPP-4Is and three trials for GLP-1As, with 55,248 participants were selected to assess the effect of different categories of incretin-based agents on death, CV outcomes (CV mortality, major adverse CV events, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, heart failure hospitalization), pancreatic events (acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer) as well as on hypoglycemia. When we evaluated the combined effect of six trials, the results suggested that incretin-based treatment had no significant effect on overall risks of CV and pancreatic outcomes compared with placebo. However, GLP-1As reduced all-cause death (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.98) and CV mortality (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97), whereas DPP-4Is had no significant effect on CV outcomes but elevated the risk for acute pancreatitis (OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.14-2.72) and hypoglycemia (both any and severe hypoglycemia), while GLP-1As lowered the risk of severe hypoglycemia. GLP-1As decreased risks of all-cause and CV mortality and severe hypoglycemia, whereas DPP-4Is had no effect on CV outcomes but increased risks in acute pancreatitis and hypoglycemia.


Homo and heteropolymetallic Group 4 molecular nitrides.
Treatment of [{Ti(η(5)-C5Me5)(μ-NH)}3(μ3-N)] (1) with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride adducts [MCl4(thf)2] affords complexes [Cl3M{(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)2Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (M = Zr (2), Hf (3)). Titanium chloride complexes [Cl2Ti{(μ3-N)2(μ3-NH)Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (4) and [(Me2NH)ClTi{(μ3-N)3Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (5) are obtained by reaction of 1 with [TiCl4-x(NMe2)x] (x = 2, 3). The dimethylamine ligand in 5 is displaced by pyridine to give the analogue complex [(py)2ClTi{(μ3-N)3Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (6). Treatment of the titanium chloride complexes 4 and 5 with sodium cyclopentadienide or lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide reagents leads to the cube-type nitrido derivatives [RTi{(μ3-N)3Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (R = η(5)-C5H5 (7), N(SiMe3)2 (8)). The reaction of the zirconium trichloride complex 2 with [Tl(C5H5)] yields exclusively the dichloride-monocyclopentadienyl derivative [(η(5)-C5H5)Cl2Zr{(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)2Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (9). However, the treatment of 2 with excess [Na(C5H5)] causes further chloride replacement in 9 and subsequent cyclopentadiene elimination to give [(η(5)-C5H5)Zr{(μ3-N)3Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (10) via intermediates [(η(5)-C5H5)2ClZr{(μ3-N)Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ-NH)2(μ3-N)}] (11) and [(η(5)-C5H5)ClZr{(μ3-N)2(μ3-NH)Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (12). Treatment of 2 or 9 with [Mg(C5H5)2] leads to the magnesium derivative [(η(5)-C5H5)Mg(μ-Cl)2(η(5)-C5H5)Zr{(μ4-N)(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (13), which can be visualized as a result of the incorporation of one [Mg(η(5)-C5H5)Cl] moiety to complex 12. In contrast to the metathesis process with [M(C5H5)x] derivatives and subsequent C5H6 eliminations, the reaction of 2 with potassium pentamethylcyclopentadienide in toluene produces the paramagnetic derivative [K(μ-Cl)3Zr{(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)2Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (14) and C10Me10. Complex 14 reacts with one equivalent of 18-crown-6 or cryptand-222 to give the molecular complex [(18-crown-6)K(μ-Cl)3Zr{(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)2Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (15) or the ion pair [K(crypt-222)][Cl3Zr{(μ3-N)(μ3-NH)2Ti3(η(5)-C5Me5)3(μ3-N)}] (16). The X-ray crystal structures of 2, 8, 13 and 15 have been determined.


Primitive Auxin Response without TIR1 and Aux/IAA in the Charophyte Alga Klebsormidium nitens.
The phytohormone auxin regulates many aspects of growth and development in land plants, but the origin and evolution of auxin signaling and response mechanisms remain largely unknown. Indeed, it remains to be investigated whether auxin-related pathways diverged before the emergence of land plants. To address this knowledge deficit, we analyzed auxin responses in the charophyte alga Klebsormidium nitens NIES-2285, whose ancestor diverged from a green algal ancestor during the evolution of land plants. This strain is the same as Klebsormidium flaccidum NIES-2285, for which the draft genome was sequenced in 2014, and was taxonomically reclassified as K. nitens This genome sequence revealed genes involved in auxin responses. Furthermore, the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was detected in cultures of K. nitens, but K. nitens lacks the central regulators of the canonical auxin-signaling pathway found in land plants. Exogenous IAA inhibited cell division and cell elongation in K. nitens Inhibitors of auxin biosynthesis and of polar auxin transport also inhibited cell division and elongation. Moreover, exogenous IAA rapidly induced expression of a LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN transcription factor. These results suggest that K. nitens has acquired the part of the auxin system that regulates transcription and cell growth without the requirement for the central players that govern auxin signaling in land plants.


Incomplete dominance of the gene for naked neck in domestic fowl.
The autosomal gene for naked neck in domestic fowl has been shown to be incompletely dominant. Heterozygotes characteristically have an isolated tuft of feathers on the ventral side of the neck above the crop. Homozygotes lack this tuft completely, or it may be reduced to a very few pinfeathers or small feathers.


Engraftment of human cord blood-derived stem cells in preimmune ovine fetuses after ultrasound-guided in utero transplantation.
The fetal sheep in utero transplantation model has developed into an important tool to study the efficacy of human in utero stem cell transplantation and gene therapy because of similarities in both the scale and development of immunocompetence relative to gestational age. The aim of this study was to determine whether human stem cells can be successfully transplanted to the first-trimester ovine fetus by use of a newly developed minimally invasive technique. Human cord blood-derived, CD34(+)-enriched stem cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity of 45- to 60-day-old ovine fetuses by using ultrasound-guided transabdominal percutaneous needle puncture. Engraftment was determined 1 to 3 months after birth by flow cytometry with use of human-specific anti-CD45 antibodies. In contrast to previous studies that used surgical techniques, we observed a fetal loss rate of 24%, significantly below previous values and only marginally higher than natural loss. Successful human cell engraftment was achieved in 18% of lambs available for analysis. Engraftment levels of human cells in bone marrow of the recipient were up to 0.8% of total nucleated cells. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transplantation of stem cells to fetal sheep in the first trimester is feasible. Although we were unable to observe a significant improvement in the level of engraftment of human cells in sheep, the decreased fetal loss rate associated with this technique allows greater use for further studies that use this model of in utero transplantation.


Molecular Characterization of Koolen De Vries Syndrome in Two Girls with Idiopathic Intellectual Disability from Central Brazil.
Koolen de Vries syndrome (KDVS; MIM 610443) is a genomic disorder caused by a recurrent microdeletion derived from nonallelic homologous recombination mediated by flanking segmental duplications. Clinical manifestations of this syndrome are characterized by intellectual disability, hypotonia, a friendly behavior, distinctive facial features, and epilepsy. Herein, we report a case of 2 girls who revealed global developmental delay, mild facial dysmorphisms, friendly behavior, and epileptic seizure with a de novo 17q21.31 microdeletion detected by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Conventional cytogenetics analysis by GTG-banding showed a female karyotype 46,XX for both girls. CMA revealed a microdeletion spanning approximately 500 kb in 17q21.31 in both girls, encompassing the following genes: CRHR1, MGC57346, CRHR1-IT1, MAPT-AS1, SPPL2C, MAPT, MAPT-IT1, STH, and KANSL1. Haploinsufficiency of one or more of these genes within the deleted region is the most probable cause of the probands' phenotype and is responsible for the phenotype seen in KDVS. CMA is a powerful diagnostic tool and an effective method to identify the de novo 17q21.31 microdeletion associated with KDVS in our probands.


Combining Electrolysis and Electroporation for Tissue Ablation.
Electrolytic ablation is a method that operates by delivering low magnitude direct current to the target region over long periods of time, generating electrolytic products that destroy cells. This study was designed to explore the hypothesis stating that electrolytic ablation can be made more effective when the electrolysis-producing electric charges are delivered using electric pulses with field strength typical in reversible electroporation protocols. (For brevity we will refer to tissue ablation protocols that combine electroporation and electrolysis as E(2).) The mechanistic explanation of this hypothesis is related to the idea that products of electrolysis generated by E(2) protocols can gain access to the interior of the cell through the electroporation permeabilized cell membrane and therefore cause more effective cell death than from the exterior of an intact cell. The goal of this study is to provide a first-order examination of this hypothesis by comparing the charge dosage required to cause a comparable level of damage to a rat liver, in vivo, when using either conventional electrolysis or E(2) approaches. Our results show that E(2) protocols produce tissue damage that is consistent with electrolytic ablation. Furthermore, E(2) protocols cause damage comparable to that produced by conventional electrolytic protocols while delivering orders of magnitude less charge to the target tissue over much shorter periods of time.


Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F in psoriatic disease.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic immune-mediated disorders with involvement of interleukin (IL)-17 cytokines in their pathogenesis. IL-17A has been considered to be the most biologically active, but IL-17F is also over-expressed in skin and synovial tissues of patients with these diseases. Many therapeutic advances have been made in the past years, but some needs remain unmet. Dual inhibitor and bispecific antibodies simultaneously targeting IL-17A and IL-17F could provide better disease control. Herein we review current evidence on bimekizumab and sonelokimab. The antigen-binding site of bimekizumab neutralizes both IL-17A and IL-17F; phase I, II, and III studies have demonstrated its efficacy and safety in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Sonelokimab is a trivalent nanobody targeting IL-17A and IL-17F; phase I and II studies with this molecule have yielded promising results in psoriasis.


Escherichia coli O157: occurrence, transmission and laboratory detection.
The steady increase in the number of reported cases of Escherichia coli O157 infection is attributable to the proliferation of the organism, and to improved clinical and laboratory awareness. E. coli O157 is responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks of diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis, haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The pathogenesis of the organism is not fully understood, and the main virulence factors are thought to be the production of 'Shiga-like' toxin and adherence to intestinal mucosal cells. The majority of outbreaks have taken place in north America, Canada and the United Kingdom. The most important source of E. coli O157 infection is under-cooked ground beef and other bovine products. The infectious dose is low, person-to-person spread can occur, and direct transmission between calves and humans has been demonstrated. Infection has been acquired following contact with livestock at farm visitor centres. All diarrhoeal stools received in the laboratory should be examined for E. coli by culture and toxin detection methods. The presence of 'Shiga-like' toxin can be detected by demonstrating cytotoxicity, dot blotting, the polymerase chain reaction or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serological techniques are useful in aiding and supporting a diagnosis. Contamination of meat by E. coli O157 probably occurs at slaughter or during processing, therefore, to prevent infection it is important to emphasise the dangers associated with the consumption of under-cooked beef products.


Wind noise in hearing aids with directional and omnidirectional microphones: Polar characteristics of custom-made hearing aids.
The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of wind noise at the output of in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids. The hearing aids were programed to have linear amplification with matching flat frequency responses for directional (DIR) and omnidirectional (OMNI) microphones. The microphone output was then recorded in a quiet wind tunnel when the Knowles electronic manikin for acoustic research (KEMAR) head was turned from 0 degrees to 360 degrees . The overall, 125, 500, and 2000 Hz one-third octave band flow noise levels were calculated and plotted in polar patterns. Correlation coefficients, average differences, and level differences between DIR and OMNI were also calculated. Flow noise levels were the highest when KEMAR was facing the direction of the flow and angles between 190 degrees and 250 degrees . The noise levels were the lowest when the hearing aids were facing the direction of the flow. The polar patterns of DIR and OMNI had similar shapes and DIR generally had higher levels than OMNI. DIR, however, could have lower levels than OMNI in some angles because of its capability to reduce noise in the far field. Comparisons of polar characteristics with behind-the-ear hearing aids, and clinical and engineering design applications of current results are discussed.


Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits apoptosis via enhanced Bcl-xL expression.
Previous studies indicated that hepatitis C virus core protein influences cellular apoptosis. However, the precise mechanisms of the effects are not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we examined the mechanisms of the effects on cell apoptosis by core protein, using transiently transfected and magnetically collected core-producing HepG2 cells. First, to elucidate the target site of core protein in the apoptotic pathway, we examined the activation of caspases after anti-Fas antibody stimulation. Core protein inhibited the apoptotic cascade downstream from caspase 8 and upstream from caspase 3. Next, to clarify more direct mechanisms of this effect, mRNA levels of several bcl-2-related genes were examined. An RNase protection assay showed that the mRNA of bcl-xl increased in the core-producing cells. We showed that this increase was mediated by the enhancement of bcl-x promoter activity by core protein through an extracellular-regulated kinase pathway. These results suggest that core protein inhibits apoptosis at the mitochondria level through augmentation of Bcl-x expression, resulting in an inhibition of caspase 3 activation.


Does continuity between prenatal and well-child care improve childhood immunizations?
Continuity of care has been associated with positive health benefits, but the benefit of continuity for the maternal-child unit has not been studied. This study determined whether continuity from prenatal to pediatric care is associated with higher immunization rates for low-income children in Delaware. This retrospective cohort study included 187 women who received prenatal care in one of four clinics (predominantly family practice) over a 2-year period. Each maternal-child pair was defined as having provider continuity (same provider for prenatal and pediatric care), clinic continuity (same clinic but different provider), or no continuity (different clinic). We measured the association between continuity and completion of immunizations by 7 months of age and by 12 months of age. Provider continuity was significantly associated with a higher immunization rate both at 7 and 12 months of age. After controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, insurance, birth order, and language, this association persisted at 7 months but lost statistical significance at 12 months. Those with clinic continuity were not significantly different than those with no continuity for any outcomes. For low-income persons in Delaware, provider continuity for the maternal-child unit is associated with higher completion rates for early childhood immunizations.


[3H]BHDP as a novel and selective ligand for sigma1 receptors in liver mitochondria and brain synaptosomes of the rat.
The binding profile of [(3)H]BHDP ([(3)H]N-benzyl-N'-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-piperazine) was evaluated. [(3)H]BHDP labelled a single class of binding sites with high affinity (K(d)=2-3 nM) in rat liver mitochondria and synaptic membranes. The pharmacological characterization of these sites using sigma reference compounds revealed that these sites are sigma receptors and, more particularly, sigma1 receptors. Indeed, BHDP inhibited [(3)H]pentazocine binding, a marker for sigma1 receptors, with high affinity in a competitive manner. BHDP is selective for sigma1 receptors since it did not show any relevant affinity for most of the other receptors, ion channels or transporters tested. Moreover, in an in vitro model of cellular hypoxia, BHDP prevented the fall in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels caused by 24 h hypoxia in cultured astrocytes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that [(3)H]BHDP is a potent and selective ligand for sigma1 receptors showing cytoprotective effects in astrocytes.


[Combined thoraco-abdominal injuries. Diagnosis, therapy, treatment results].
81 patients with combined thoraco-abdominal lesions had at the same time craniocerebral lesions (54 cases) and (in 70 cases) injuries of the locomotor system. These 64 men and 17 women had an average age of 44.8 years. In 72.9% surgical intervention was necessary in the regions of the thorax and abdomen at the same time, whereas in 18.5% of the cases surgery was required either at the thorax or at the abdomen only. Only 8.6% of the patients could be treated conservatively. 42 patients died (51.9%), two-thirds of these from direct organ lesion and one-third from an indirect organ lesion. The most frequent cause of death was craniocerebral trauma, ranking before thoracic and abdominal trauma.


Correlation Between 25 Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.
We aimed to analyze the serum vitamin D level in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and discuss its correlation with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 300 patients with T2DM (92 patients without NAFLD and 208 patients with NAFLD) were enrolled, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] levels were compared between the two groups. Second, the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and fatty liver index (FLI) were used to group patients with T2DM complicated by NAFLD, and the differences in serum 25-(OH)D in patients with different degrees of liver fibrosis were compared. Third, multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the independent predictors of liver fibrosis in patients with T2DM complicated by NAFLD. The level of 25-(OH)D in patients with T2DM complicated by NAFLD was significantly lower than that in patients with T2DM alone. Based on the NFS and FLI, the 25-(OH)D level of the hepatic fibrosis subgroup was significantly lower than that of the subgroup without liver fibrosis. 25-(OH)D was found to be an independent predictor of liver fibrosis in patients with T2DM complicated by NAFLD. The serum 25-(OH)D level in patients with T2DM complicated by NAFLD was significantly reduced, and the 25-(OH)D level showed a gradual downward trend with the degree of liver fibrosis. Low concentrations of 25-(OH)D may be indicative of the degree of liver fibrosis in diabetic patients.


Expression and clinical significance of inhibitory receptor Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 on peripheral blood T cells of chronic hepatitis B patients: A cross-sectional study.
Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is an inhibitory receptor that is expressed on the surface of multiple immune cells and plays key roles in immune modulation. In patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), T cell number and functions are abnormal and the expression of inhibitory receptors is elevated. However, the expression of LAIR-1 on T cells in patients with CHB is still undetermined.We recruited 320 patients with CHB in different disease phases and 17 healthy donors. Serum biochemical and virological examinations were performed for each participant, and their demographic and clinical data were collected. According to the latest American Association for the Study of Liver Disease guidelines, we categorized the patients into 4 groups: immune active, immune tolerant, inactive CHB, and gray zone. Additionally, we tested the expression of LAIR-1 on T cells and T cell subsets using flow cytometry.We observed a significant decrease in LAIR-1 expression on CD3+ T cells and its two subsets (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) in patients with CHB. LAIR-1 expression on T cells was the lowest in the immune active group. LAIR-1 expression levels on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed a significant negative association with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA load and were lower in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients than in HBeAg-negative patients (P < .05). In addition, LAIR-1 expression levels on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells were all negatively associated with liver inflammation and fibrosis parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, FibroScan value, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index score.LAIR-1 expression levels on T cells were associated with HBV DNA load and liver inflammation and fibrosis parameters, indicating that LAIR-1 may play an important regulatory role in HBV-induced T cell immune pathogenesis and may be a therapeutic target for CHB.


Effect of gestational antiandrogen treatment on Dicer1 expression in the porcine fetal gonads.
Recently, we have demonstrated that flutamide-induced androgen deficiency during fetal life led to changes in gene expression that affected both testicular functions and follicular formation. It is known that microRNA-mediated genes regulation is essential for gonadal development and function. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine whether prenatal flutamide exposure influences expression of Dicer1, an enzyme involved in microRNA maturation, in gonads of porcine fetuses during mid- and late gestation. Pregnant gilts were injected with flutamide (50mg/day/kg b.w.) or corn oil (controls) between days 43-49, 83-89 or 101-107 of gestation. The fetal gonads were obtained on gestational day 50 (GD50), 90 (GD90) or 108 (GD108). To assess Dicer1 mRNA expression real-time PCR were performed. Furthermore, immunohistochemical Dicer1 localization was conducted. In testes from flutamide treated fetuses, increased Dicer1 mRNA expression was observed in the GD50 and GD108 groups, but decreased in the GD90 group. Dicer1 was immunolocalized in the fetal Leydig cells in both control and flutamide-treated groups. In fetal ovaries, antiandrogen treatment increased Dicer1 mRNA level in the GD50 and GD90 groups. In control and flutamide-exposed groups, Dicer1 was localized in the germ cells within oogonia/oocyte nests as well as in the granulosa cells and oocytes of forming follicles. Concluding, diminished androgen action during gestation induces changes in Dicer1 mRNA expression, which may affect post-transcriptional gene regulation via miRNAs in porcine fetal gonads. However, it seems that androgens exert diverse biological effects depending on the gestational period.


Heat leakage in overdamped harmonic systems.
We investigate the occurrence of heat leakages in overdamped nonequilibrium Brownian harmonic systems. We exactly compute the underdamped and overdamped stochastic heats exchanged with the bath for a sudden frequency or temperature switch. We show that the underdamped heat reduces to the corresponding overdamped expression in the limit of large friction for the isothermal process. However, we establish that this is not the case for the isochoric transformation. We microscopically derive the additionally generated heat leakage and relate its origin to the initial relaxation of the velocity of the system. Our results highlight the limitations of the overdamped approximation for the evaluation of the stochastic heat in systems with changing bath temperature.


Exploring the dynamics of design fluency in children with and without ADHD using artificial neural networks.
The neuropsychology of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been extensively studied, with a general focus on global performance measures of executive function. In this study, we compared how global (i.e., endpoint) versus process (i.e., dynamic) measures of performance may help characterize children with and without ADHD using a design fluency task as a case study. The secondary goal was to compare the sensitivity of standard versus connectionist statistical models to group differences in cognitive data. Thirty-four children diagnosed with ADHD and 37 children without ADHD aged 8-11 years old were tested on the Five-Point Test. The continuous process measure of performance, indexed as the number of produced designs at each consecutive 1 minute interval during 5 minutes, was analyzed against the discrete process measure, that is, the number of designs between first and last intervals and the standard global performance measure of total number of produced designs. Results show that the continuous process measure distinguished the two groups better than the two other measures. The detailed observation of production patterns revealed a decreasing linear trajectory in children without ADHD that contrasts with the flat, but fluctuating productivity pattern of children with ADHD. With regards to the second goal, results show that the connectionist and standard methods are equally sensitive to group differences for the three types of measures. This illustrates the utility of quantitative process measures together with the connectionist method in neuropsychological research and suggests great potential for a dynamical approach to cognition.


A comparison between electrocautery and scalpel plus scissor in breast conserving surgery.
Breast conserving therapy (BCT) was originally developed to achieve the same survival outcome as mastectomy while improving the quality of life. In fact, this approach resulted in high local control rates, but 30% of patients treated with BCT using electrocautery had a fair or poor cosmetic result at the 3-year follow-up. In 106 patients with stage I and II breast cancer treated by wide excision and axillary dissection using scalpel plus scissor or electrocautery followed by radiation therapy, the histological damage and cosmetic results were analyzed. The duration of operation in the scalpel plus scissor group was shorter than that in the electrocautery group, although blood loss was greater. The electrocautery caused extensive histological tissue damage to the stump compared with the scalpel plus scissor group. The cell death by TUNEL method was significantly increased on electrocautery groups. In addition, although the global cosmetic result of the electrocautery group was similar to that of the scalpel plus scissor group after surgery, the scalpel plus scissor group had a much better cosmetic outcome after surgery and radiation therapy at the 3-year follow-up. Clinical tumor size T1 and pathological tumor size over 2 cm were factors that negatively affected the cosmetic score after surgery in each group. Scalpel plus scissor in breast conserving surgery has less tissue damage and better cosmetic results at the 3-year follow-up.


Formation of bound residues of 8-hydroxybentazon by oxidoreductive catalysts in soil.
This study was performed to determine which oxidoreductive catalysts were most efficient in catalyzing the binding of 8-hydroxybentazon to soil humic substances. 8-Hydroxybentazon was completely transformed by an oxidoreductive enzyme, laccase of Myceliophthora thermophila, at pH 3.0-7.0 within 30 min. When abiotic catalysts, manganese(IV), iron(III), and aluminum oxides were used in the same pH range, 8-hydroxybentazon was completely transformed only by manganese(IV) oxide (delta-MnO2), but a relatively small amount of 8-hydroxybentazon was transformed by iron(III) oxide and aluminum oxide. The adsorption of 8-hydroxybentazon in the soil showed an H-type and coincided well with the Langmuir isotherm. To better understand the factors involved in the rapid and strong binding of 8-hydroxybentazon with soil humic substances, 8-hydroxybentazon transformation by oxidoreductive catalysts was studied in various soil conditions: air-dried, preincubated, sterilized, and iron(III) oxide and manganese(IV) oxide free. 8-Hydroxybentazon was completely transformed within 24 h in the decreasing order of preincubated, air-dried, and sterilized soils. However, little transformation was observed in the iron(III) oxide and manganese(IV) oxide free soils. These results suggest that the major catalyst responsible for the rapid and strong binding of 8-hydroxybentazon to soil humic substances is a metal oxide, manganese(IV) oxide, not a soil oxidoreductive enzyme.


Vibration responses characteristics of a Ginkgo biloba tree excited under harmonic excitation.
The most effective method of the fruit harvesting is the mechanical harvest. The frequency spectrum of different testing positions on a Ginkgo biloba tree under the impact excitation was tested in the laboratory. The acceleration responses under the harmonic excitation were measured at the frequency of the peak and trough points in the frequency spectrum curves. Results of this research indicate that the frequency spectrum presented the consistency on the same branch but distinction among different branches. There was a correspondence between the frequency spectrum characteristics and the vibration responses. The vibration responses could be strengthened at the resonant frequency. Merely, the acceleration responses at low frequency were very weak. At higher frequency, the vibration responses were strong but presented different characteristics among different branches. The acceleration response on the trunk was always the weakest. On the same branch, the dynamic responses presented the similar characteristics and the acceleration amplitude increased gradually as the testing position was located away from the excitation point on the trunk. Among different branches, the strongest dynamic response appeared at different frequencies. Our results indicate that it was difficult to induce the strong vibration response of all the branches at the single frequency during the practical mechanical harvesting of fruits.


Kinetic behavior of Fe(o,o-EDDHA)-humic substance mixtures in several soil components and in calcareous soils.
Ferric ethylenediamine- N, N'-bis-(o-hydroxyphenylacetic)acid chelate (Fe(o, o-EDDHA)) is one of the most effective Fe fertilizers in calcareous soils. However, humic substances are occasionally combined with iron chelates in drip irrigation systems in order to lower costs. The reactivity of iron chelate-humic substance mixtures in several soil components and in calcareous soils was investigated through interaction tests, and their behavior was compared to the application of iron chelates and humic substances separately. Two commercial humic substances and two Fe(o, o-EDDHA) chelates (one synthesized in the laboratory and one commercial) were used to prepare iron chelate-humic substance mixtures at 50% (w/w). Various soil components (calcium carbonate, gibbsite, amorphous iron oxide, hematite, tenorite, zincite, amorphous Mn oxide, and peat) and three calcareous soils were shaken for 15 days with the mixtures and with iron chelate and humic substance solutions. The kinetic behavior of Fe(o, o-EDDHA) and Fe non-(o,o-EDDHA) (Fe bonded to (o,p-EDDHA) and other polycondensated ligands) and of the different nutrients solubilized after the interaction assay was determined. The results showed that the mixtures did not significantly reduce the retention of Fe(o, o-EDDHA) and Fe non-(o,o-EDDHA) in the soil components and the calcareous soils compared to the iron chelate solutions, but they did produce changes in the retention rate. Moreover, the competition between humic substances and synthetic chelating agents for complexing metal cations limited the effectiveness of the mixtures to mobilize nutrients from the substrates. The presence of Fe(o, p-EDDHA) and other byproducts in the commercial iron chelate had an important effect on the evolution of Fe(o, o-EDDHA) and the nutrient solubilization process.


Determination of polyparameter linear free energy relationship (pp-LFER) substance descriptors for established and alternative flame retardants.
Polyparameter linear free energy relationships (pp-LFERs) can predict partition coefficients for a multitude of environmental and biological phases with high accuracy. In this work, the pp-LFER substance descriptors of 40 established and alternative flame retardants (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers, hexabromocyclododecane, bromobenzenes, trialkyl phosphates) were determined experimentally. In total, 251 data for gas-chromatographic (GC) retention times and liquid/liquid partition coefficients (K) were measured and used to calibrate the pp-LFER substance descriptors. Substance descriptors were validated through a comparison between predicted and experimental log K for the systems octanol/water (K(ow)), water/air (K(wa)), organic carbon/water (K(oc)) and liposome/water (K(lipw)), revealing a high reliability of pp-LFER predictions based on our descriptors. For instance, the difference between predicted and experimental log K(ow) was <0.3 log units for 17 out of 21 compounds for which experimental values were available. Moreover, we found an indication that the H-bond acceptor value (B) depends on the solvent for some compounds. Thus, for predicting environmentally relevant partition coefficients it is important to determine B values using measurements in aqueous systems. The pp-LFER descriptors calibrated in this study can be used to predict partition coefficients for which experimental data are unavailable, and the predicted values can serve as references for further experimental measurements.


Thermodynamic analysis of rat brain opioid mu-receptor-ligand interaction.
Opioid mu-receptors are membrane bound receptors. The mechanism by which they transduce their biological effect into the inner compartment of the postsynaptic cell is still not fully understood. The present study was attempted to the measurement of changes of the thermodynamic parameters of the receptor--agonist/antagonist interaction. We have set up the binding assays of a mu-receptor agonist (3H-dihydromorphine) as well as an antagonist (3H-naloxone). The saturation isotherms of both ligands have been assayed at various temperatures and from the resulting KD values the standard changes of Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy have been calculated. While the binding of the mu-receptor agonist 3H-dihydromorphine appears to be entropy driven (delta S0 = 230 J mol-1 K-1) and endothermic (delta H0 = 19 kJ mol-1), the binding of the mu-receptor antagonist 3H-naloxone is apparently driven by a decrease of standard enthalpy (delta H0 = -27 kJ mol-1; i.e. the reaction is exothermic) and is also characterized by an increase of standard entropy (delta S0 = 76 J mol-1 K-1). The maximal number of 3H-naloxone binding sites has to be determined by incubation at 0-4 degrees C. The present data to not support the view that opioid mu-receptors transduce their biological signal through the adenylatecyclase system by a mechanism similar to beta-adrenergically stimulated adenylatecyclase.


Growth performance and ileal and total tract amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens fed diets containing bacterial protein produced on natural gas.
A total of 180 broiler chickens were fed 1 of 3 diets from day-old to slaughter at 35 d: a control diet with 35% soybean meal (SOY) or diets in which either 6% basic bacterial protein meal (BBP) or 6% autolysed bacterial protein meal (AUT) partially replaced soybean meal protein. Ileal and total tract apparent amino acid digestibility were examined in 5 chickens per diet using TiO(2) as an inert marker. Chickens fed the diets with bacterial protein had higher weight gain and feed consumption than control chicks during the first 3 wk, but there were no differences in growth or feed intake during the last 2 wk or during the total experimental period. The birds fed the BBP diet showed more efficient feed conversion compared with chickens fed the SOY and AUT diets. Litter quality at 5 wk was poorer in pens where the chickens were fed the AUT diet compared with the other 2 treatments. There were no differences among diets in the dressing percentage. Ileal amino acid digestibility at 5 wk of age revealed only minor differences between diets. There was a tendency toward lower ileal digestibility (0.12 > P > 0.07) of Arg, Lys, Met, and Phe in the AUT diet compared with the SOY diet, whereas there were no differences between the SOY and BBP diets. Total tract amino acid digestibilities at 5 wk were similar or slightly lower than the ileal digestibilities within diets. Total tract amino acid digestibility at 2 wk was similar to the total tract amino acid digestibility at 5 wk. The diets containing bacterial protein showed lower total tract digestibility of most amino acids compared with the SOY diet. It was concluded that 6% of either basic or autolysed bacterial protein can replace soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens without impairing growth performance, and the basic bacterial protein seemed to be a slightly better substitute than the autolysed bacterial protein.


Long-term haemopoiesis in human fetal liver cell cultures.
Haemopoiesis in human fetal liver is almost entirely restricted to the erythroid series but when fetal liver cells were cultured under conditions established for the long-term maintenance of adult marrow haemopoiesis, a rapid switch to granulopoiesis was observed. Erythroid progenitor cells (BFU-E) rapidly disappeared, even though no humoral or cellular inhibitors of erythropoiesis could be detected, while myeloid progenitors (CFU-GM) increased in number. When the fetal liver cells were seeded onto stromal layers derived from adult marrow, in which endogenous haemopoiesis had ceased, granulopoiesis was established and maintained for more than a year, considerably longer than has previously been achieved with human haemopoietic cells.


Alkali etching of a poly(lactide) fiber.
Alkali etching of a poly(l-lactic acid) fiber was studied by exposing the fiber surface to sodium hydroxide solutions. The factors examined included the etching time (0-1.5 h), alkali concentration (0.25-3 mol/L), and etching temperature (25-80 degrees C). The extent of etching was determined gravimetrically. Both weight loss and mechanical testing results suggest that alkali etching is strictly a surface hydrolysis reaction, as opposed to a bulk reaction, and thus the weight loss rate decreases with a shrinking fiber radius. A slight increase in the fiber crystallinity observed from thermal analysis was interpreted as a result of surface-limited etching on a sheath-core fiber microstructure. The dependence of the rate on the alkali concentration is nonlinear, suggesting that the fiber weight loss rate is subject to both chemical hydrolysis and transport limitations. The dependence of the rate on the temperature follows the Arrhenius equation. The fiber weight after etching can thus be predicted by an overall expression combining all factors: time, temperature, concentration, and fiber diameter.


Stromatonectria gen. nov. and notes on Myrmaeciella.
Myrmaeciella caraganae was recollected in and around Vienna, Austria and found to be morphologically different generically from the type species of Myrmaeciella, M. endoleuca. We redescribe M. caraganae in the new genus Stromatonectria. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU sequences place the genus in the Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales. S. caraganae occurs on branches of Caragana spp., Colutea arborescens and Laburnum anagyroides of the Fabaceae. It is characterized by spheroid perithecia partly or entirely immersed in a Hypocrea-like stroma, a Nectria-like centrum and bicellular hyaline ascospores. Conidia of S. caraganae are produced in compound pycnidia that are formed prior to or in association with perithecia. Sporodochia but no pycnidia are formed in culture. We discuss the genus Myrmaeciella and compare S. caraganae with species of the Nectriaceae, including Nectria balansae, N. eustromatica and N. paraguayensis.


Intelligent supramolecular assembly of aromatic block molecules in aqueous solution.
The construction of supramolecular nanoscopic architectures has been intensively pursued because of their unique features for applications in nanoscience and biomimetic chemistry. Molecular self-assemblies of aromatic rod-coil amphiphiles consisting of rigid rod segments and hydrophilic flexible chains in aqueous solution provide a facile avenue into this area. This feature article highlights the recent progress regarding the construction of aqueous assemblies that result from the sophisticated design of aromatic rod-coils, with the aim to develop stimuli-responsive systems and bioactive materials. Important factors affecting the self-assembly morphologies are discussed and summarized. Dynamic structural changes triggered by temperature and guest molecules are demonstrated. Finally, the perspective of bioactive nanostructures originated from self-assembly of aromatic block amphiphiles is also introduced.


Serum copper, zinc and lipid peroxidation in pregnant women with preeclampsia in gorgan.
The aim of study was to assay serum copper, zinc and lipid peroxidation levels in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. There were significant differences between systolic, diastolic blood pressures and copper, Cu/Zn ratio and malondialdehyde among two groups. There were significant differences in weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index, systolic, diastolic blood pressures and copper, Cu/Zn ratio and malondialdehyde levels when compared to healthy pregnant women with mild and severe preeclampsia patients. A positive correlation was observed between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and copper, malondialdehyde and Cu/Zn ratio. Copper and malondialdehyde may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.


Myasthenia gravis. Current concepts.
The prevalent theory of the past two decades, that the defect in myasthenia gravis (MG) is the packaging of achetylcholine (Ach) into smaller quantal units, has recently been revised. The current theory is based on (1) electron microscopical studies of motor end plates in patients with MG; (2) radioisotope study with alpha-bungarotoxin of postsynaptic membrane Ach receptor (Ach R) sites; (3) sensitization of rabbits with the use of purified Ach R from the electric eel, inducing experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG); (4) detection of antibodies to the Ach R in patients with MG by radioimmunoassay; and (5) apparent induction of MG in mice by passive transfer of immunoglobulin from patients with MG. Thus, the emphasis on pathogenesis of MG is now placed on an autoimmune process involving Ach R in the subsynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions.


Perspectives and challenges in lip rejuvenation: a systematic review.
There is an abundance of information on facelifts, blepharoplasties, rhinoplasty, and other cosmetic surgical procedures for the upper third of the face, but little is known about perioral lip rejuvenation. The aim of this article is to examine the existing literature on lip rejuvenation and perioral procedures related to lip rejuvenation. Additionally, this article aims to highlight the importance of addressing perioral areas alongside lip rejuvenation procedures, rather than solely focusing on lip rejuvenation. We also discussed the extensive procedures and materials used for lip rejuvenation, such as hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin A, abobotulinum, onabotulinum, incobotulinum, prabobotulinum, fat grafts, silicone fillers, human collagen, collagen stimulating procedures such as derma pens and derma rolls, radiation frequency, stem cells, and plasma therapy, as well as the underlying factors that contribute to varying success rates. A thorough literature search was done using PubMed, Cochrane, Ebsco search, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science for the articles pertaining to facial and lip cosmetic surgeries 1995-2020. Keywords for the search included anatomy of the face, facial aging, perioral areas, lip rejuvenation, botox, grafts, facelift, plastic surgery, stem cell therapy, plasma treatment, and cosmetic surgery. 37 articles met the study criteria. 14 out of 37 studies included procedures for lip and perioral region rejuvenation. The remaining 23 studies either involved lip procedures alone or lip procedures in conjunction with facial cosmetic procedures. Lip rejuvenation with perioral enhancement with hyaluronic acid gel demonstrated a 94.3% improvement on the lip fullness scale (LFS) one month after re-treatment. The amalgamation of lip and perioral region rejuvenation produces a synergistic effect. Whereas, sole lip rejuvenation procedures showed short-term results with less patient satisfaction, calling for secondary lip rejuvenation procedures. It was also observed that hyaluronic acid was the most commonly used agent for lip rejuvenation procedures with minimal or no side effects. In conjunction with perioral rejuvenation, lip rejuvenation procedures produce more aesthetically appealing results. However, any cosmetic surgical or non-surgical procedure is limited by the nature and composition of the products used. The use of FDA-approved products for rejuvenation is strongly advised to avoid undesirable side effects. Further extensive research is required on the long-term outcomes and adverse effects of stem cell transplants, such as tumor development.


To the other side of the neglected brain: the hyperexcitability of the left intact hemisphere.
The human brain is characterized by the lateralization of cognitive functions. Multiple lines of evidence suggest the deployment of visuospatial attention is controlled by a frontoparietal network, with a right hemisphere dominance. Among cortical areas included in the network, the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) has been proposed to be a crucial node and has also been implicated on clinical grounds. Here, the authors provide an overview of the existent literature giving evidence to a functional asymmetry of the parietal cortices in directing visuospatial attention, focusing on those studies seeking to characterize the causal role of PPC, applying transcranial magnetic stimulation and its combination with imaging techniques, such as electroencephalography and fMRI. First, the role of PPC and how this region exerts its control over remote areas of both hemispheres is discussed. The second part discusses studies involving neglect patients shedding light on the complex interplay between left and right PPC, strongly supporting the hemispheric rivalry theory. Finally, studies demonstrating changes of neglect disorders following the manipulation of the unaffected hemisphere activation will be discussed.


Effect of acute hypoxia on airway and vascular exchangeable lung water spaces in dogs.
To determine if alveolar hypoxia causes subclinical noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, we measured in 8 dogs the rebreathing pulmonary tissue volume (Vt) and the pulmonary extravascular water volume using the single-pass double-indicator dilution method. After baseline measurements, the dogs were ventilated with the lowest concentration of oxygen that would not cause left ventricular failure (9 to 13% O2). One to 6 h of hypoxia had no effect on Vt, but caused a reversible 38% fall in pulmonary extravascular lung water volume by the indicator method (p less than 0.01). The ratio of the extravascular to vascular volumes estimated from the relative peak heights of the 2 indicator dilution curves did not change with hypoxia, which implies that hypoxia caused a derecruitment of pulmonary blood vessels rather than a real decrease in extra-vascular lung water volume. This conclusion is supported by our rebreathing measurement of the airway exchangeable tissue volume, which is virtually independent of tissue perfusion, and which did not fall during hypoxia. To determine if this alteration in the pulmonary circulation can cause pulmonary edema when the cardiac output is increased, we opened a femoral artery to femoral vein shunt in 9 additional dogs during ventilation with 9 to 13% oxygen. Cardiac output increased over 50% but pulmonary edema developed in only 1 dog, the dog that also had the highest mean pulmonary artery pressure of the group (35 mmHg versus group mean of 26 mmHg during hypoxia). We conclude that 1 to 6 h of alveolar hypoxia in dogs consistently decreases the volume of perfused lung tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Serum lipids, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity in rats on long-term feeding with soybean oil or palm oil.
The atherogenic potential of soybean oil (Sb) and palm oil (PO) was compared by measuring lipid profile, lipid peroxidation (LP) and activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in rat sera and liver and heart homogenates. Male Rattus norwegicus rats were fed a basal diet, or basal diet fortified with 20% weight/ weight Sb or PO for 4 or 9 months. There was no difference in high density lipoprotein cholesterol:low density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio between the two groups, but triglyceride concentrations were higher in the PO fed rats compared to the Sb fed rats, although the difference diminished after 9 months. No differences in serum LP and GSHPx activity were seen between the two groups. In the liver and heart, LP was lower in PO after 4 months feeding, but the reverse was seen after 9 months. Liver and heart GSHPx activity was higher in the PO group after both treatment periods. In conclusion, both PO and Sb fed rats appeared comparable in their lipid profile, but the PO food had a temporary beneficial effect on the LP process in liver and heart. GSHPx activity however did not correlate well with LP in liver and heart, suggesting involvement of other antioxidants.


Age-related changes in phospholipid fatty acid composition and monoaminergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus of rats fed a balanced or an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-deficient diet.
The influence of aging (2, 6, 12, and 24 months) on hippocampal lipid composition and neurochemical markers (endogenous noradrenaline, serotonin levels, monoamine oxidase (MOA) activities) was studied in rats fed a control or an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-deficient diet. The n-3 PUFA deficiency reduced the 22:6 (n-3) level, compensated by the increase in 22:5 (n-6). However, the difference in 22:6 (n-3) content between control and deficient rats was less between 2 and 12 months and then became stable. There was an overall age-induced decrease in the major phospholipid classes phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) whereas the minor classes, phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), and sphingomyelin (SM), were greatly increased, regardless of diet. The n-3 PUFA deficiency induced a reduction in the PS level, concomitant with a higher level in MAO-B activity as compared to control rats at the age of 24 months. The age-related evolution of the MAO-B activity was parallel with that of noradrenaline levels in both dietary groups. The noradrenaline and serotonin levels were modified according to age but without effect of the n-3 PUFA deficiency. Results showed that the hippocampus sustained specific age-induced modifications in lipid composition and neurotransmission factors, often with a transition period between 6 and 12 months.


RNA splicing mutation in an aberrantly rearranged immunoglobulin lambda I gene.
The mouse cell line MOPC 315 is an IgA (lambda II)-producing myeloma. We have studied a derivative of MOPC 315 that secretes normal lambda II chains but no heavy chain. This derivative, MOPC 315-26, was found to contain a rearranged lambda I gene in addition to a rearranged lambda II gene. The rearranged lambda I gene was cloned into bacteriophage lambda DNA and its structure was studied. The lambda I gene was found to have arisen by an aberrant recombination event that resulted in a single base insertion at the site of V-J region joining. In addition, the gene contained numerous point mutations in the vicinity of the junction of the V and J regions. Two point mutations occurred in the donor splice sequence normally used for the removal of the intron between the J and C regions, suggesting that the RNA synthesized from the aberrantly rearranged lambda I gene would be unable to undergo proper RNA splicing.


Immunomodulatory effects of pulmonary surfactant on natural killer cell and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity.
Alveolar natural killer (NK) cells are functionally weak compared to their blood and interstitial counterparts. Having previously demonstrated that pulmonary surfactant suppresses lymphocyte responses to a variety of stimuli we sought in this study to determine if surfactant exerts a similar suppressive effect on cytotoxic function. Lipids were purified from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from normal human volunteers. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (n = 10 subjects) were cultured overnight in the presence or absence of purified BAL lipids (0.2 mg/ml), or pure preparations of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (0.4 mg/ml). Standard NK and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays were performed using K562 and Chang target cells. The pooled BAL lipids significantly suppressed both NK (P less than 0.01) and ADCC (P = 0.01) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas pure PC did not exert a significant effect, PG significantly suppressed (P less than 0.01) and PE significantly enhanced (P less than 0.01) both cytotoxic functions. There was no change in the expression of leu 7 or 11b antigens by lymphocytes after culture in BAL lipids. These results suggest that under normal circumstances pulmonary surfactant may suppress alveolar cytotoxic responses but that imbalances in the phospholipid profile might affect this immunoregulatory property.


Emerging roles of ADAM and ADAMTS metalloproteinases in cancer.
A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are a recently discovered family of proteins that share the metalloproteinase domain with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Among this family, structural features distinguish the membrane-anchored ADAMs and the secreted ADAMs with thrombospondin motifs referred to as ADAMTSs. By acting on a large panel of membrane-associated and extracellular substrates, they control several cell functions such as adhesion, fusion, migration and proliferation. The current review addresses the contribution of these proteinases in the positive and negative regulation of cancer progression as mainly mediated by the regulation of growth factor activities and integrin functions.


[Labor analgesia in the US and Japan].
Obstetric anesthesia has made significant progress over the last 50 years. It is one of the major subspecialties in anesthesia in US. Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) was founded in 1968. According to its SCORE project on the practice of obstetric anesthesia, 82.4% of all parturients received some form of anesthesia for cesarean section or labor analgesia. Epidural analgesia was the most common form of labor analgesia (65%), followed by CSEA. This high percentage of anesthesia care for parturients mandates the presence of obstetric anesthesiologists at labor and delivery suites in major hospitals in US. The Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Anesthesia, formerly "Mutsu-bunben Kenkyukai", now called "Bunben to Masui Kenkyukai", was founded in Japan at about the same time as SOAP. Despite its long history, obstetric anesthesia is yet to be a major subspecialty in Japan. It is encouraging, however, that the number of attendants in obstetric anesthesia sessions in JSA seems increasing. SOAP has played an important role in the education and progress of obstetric anesthesia in US. I hope that the joint symposium of SOAP, Bunben to Masui Kenkyukai, and JSA at 39th SOAP annual meeting will facilitate the progress of obstetric anesthesia in Japan.


Risk indicators of depressive symptomatology among injection drug users and increased HIV risk behaviour.
In 2009, the annual incidence of positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test reports for people in the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) was 31.3 per 100,000, when the national average was only 9.3 per 100 000. The first objective was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptomatology among injection drug users (IDUs) in the SHR. The second objective was to determine the unadjusted and adjusted risk indicators associated with depressive symptomatology among IDUs. The third objective was to determine if depressive symptomatology was associated with HIV risk behaviours. From September 2009 to April 2010, 603 current IDUs were surveyed with validated instruments; this sample represents 76.6% of known IDUs in the SHR. Among the respondents, 81.4% reported depressive symptomatology, whereas 57.7% reported more severe depressive symptomatology. After multivariate analysis, the 4 covariates that had an independent association with depressive symptomatology included sexual assault as an adult, sexual assault as a child, attending a residential school, and having an annual income of less than $10,000 Depressive symptomatology was initially associated with 7 HIV risk behaviours. After multivariate analysis, depressive symptomatology was associated with giving sex to get money, giving drugs to get sex, and with more frequently sharing injecting equipment. This study found that depressive symptomatology was strongly associated with injection drug use.


Human mutant huntingtin disrupts vocal learning in transgenic songbirds.
Speech and vocal impairments characterize many neurological disorders. However, the neurogenetic mechanisms of these disorders are not well understood, and current animal models do not have the necessary circuitry to recapitulate vocal learning deficits. We developed germline transgenic songbirds, zebra finches (Taneiopygia guttata) expressing human mutant huntingtin (mHTT), a protein responsible for the progressive deterioration of motor and cognitive function in Huntington's disease (HD). Although generally healthy, the mutant songbirds had severe vocal disorders, including poor vocal imitation, stuttering, and progressive syntax and syllable degradation. Their song abnormalities were associated with HD-related neuropathology and dysfunction of the cortical-basal ganglia (CBG) song circuit. These transgenics are, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimentally created, functional mutant songbirds. Their progressive and quantifiable vocal disorder, combined with circuit dysfunction in the CBG song system, offers a model for genetic manipulation and the development of therapeutic strategies for CBG-related vocal and motor disorders.


Rare case of renal cell carcinoma with mandibular swelling as primary presentation.
Introduction. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies and 90-95% of neoplasms arising from the kidney. This disease is characterized by a lack of early warning signs, diverse clinical manifestations, and resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Approximately one-third of patients with renal cell carcinoma have metastatic disease at initial presentation. Fifteen percent of patients with renal cell carcinoma are said to present with metastases in the head and neck region. Most of the metastases from RCC to the head and neck involve the thyroid gland. The head and neck are unusual sites for metastases, but skin, skeletal muscle, thyroid gland, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus metastases have been reported. Case Report. The following report describes a rare case where the patient presented with mandibular swelling of short duration as the primary complaint without any symptom or sign pertaining to urinary tract and was found to have renal cell carcinoma on further workup. Conclusion. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is a diagnostic dilemma especially when there is no pointer historically towards renal cell carcinoma as was in our case. An unusual vascular osteolytic lesion in head and neck in a middle-aged person should be dealt with high index of suspicion with renal cell carcinoma at the back of the mind.


Transepithelial fluxes of amino acids and metabolism in the tortoise intestinal mucosa.
Transepithelial fluxes of six amino acids (Ala, Leu, Ser, Lys, Glu, Cyclo) across the tortoise intestinal mucosa are studied. The fraction of these amino acids which is metabolized in the cells and appear in the bathing solutions is estimated. Incorporation of labelled amino acids into macromolecules is also detected. Results are suggestive that an amino acid moving from mucosa to serosa takes a different route from that moving in the opposite direction. Comparison with results obtained in mammalian intestinal mucosa is discussed.


Membrane Sweeping for Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section and its Outcome -A Comparative Study.
Sweeping of membrane is a method of induction of labour. This is used to avoid prolonged labour. However, there is paucity of data about the use of this method for induction of labour and reducing prolonged labour in pregnancy with previous caesarean section. This study is an effort to find the effect of membrane sweeping in previous caesarean section. To initiate labour in previous LSCS patients by membrane sweeping and maternal outcome. This prospective randomised control study was conducted in Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry between January 2011 to June 2012. Seventy five women were randomly assigned to membrane sweeping and seventy five to control. In study group serial membrane sweeping was done once weekly from 39 weeks of gestation until the onset of labour up to 41weeks of gestation. In control group, no intervention up to 41 weeks of gestation. All the cases were monitored by biophysical profile. The primary outcomes measured were number of patients who had onset of labour. The secondary outcome included the successful vaginal delivery, number of membrane sweeping to initiate labour, sweeping to delivery interval and amount of oxytocin required. The onset of labour in study group was 61.3% similar in control group 64% with p 0.736. The mean interval from sweeping to labour onset was 50.15±8 hours. The rate of VBAC was 17.3% in study group in compared to 18.7% in control group and LSCS was 82.7% in study group in compared to 81.3% in control group respectively. The mean gestation age at delivery 40±0.56 weeks for study group compared with 39.92±0.55 weeks for control group. Although membrane sweeping is an easy way of inducing labour, present study failed to demonstrate its beneficial effect on obstetrical outcome.


Regorafenib diminishes the expression and secretion of angiogenesis and metastasis associated proteins and inhibits cell invasion via NF-κB inactivation in SK-Hep1 cells.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of regorafenib on the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF)-κB-modulated expression of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma SK-Hep1 cells. The SK-Hep1 cells were treated with different concentrations of NF-κB inhibitor 4-N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenyl) ethyl] quinazoline-4,6-diamine (QNZ) or regorafenib for 24 or 48 h. The effects of QNZ and regorafenib on cell viability, NF-κB activation, expression and secretion levels of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion were evaluated with MTT assays, western blotting, ELISA, gelatin zymography and cell invasion assays. The results demonstrated that QNZ and regorafenib significantly reduced the expression and secretion levels of the angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, NF-κB activation and cell invasion. In conclusion, the inhibition of NF-κB activation induces anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects in SK-Hep1 cells. Regorafenib reduces the level of expression and secretion of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion through the suppression of NF-κB activation in SK-Hep1 cells.


From syndrome to illness: delineating the pathophysiology of schizophrenia with PET.
The Section on Clinical Brain Imaging of the Laboratory of Cerebral Metabolism has been engaged in studying regional brain metabolism by positron emission tomography (PET) to establish the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recent studies have revealed that the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET methodology can be applied successfully to determine the anatomical substrata of directed attention. In normal controls, the metabolic rate in the middle prefrontal cortex, measured during the ongoing performance of auditory discrimination, is associated with their accuracy of performance. In unmedicated patients with schizophrenia, even those who performed as well as normals, the metabolic rate in the mid-prefrontal cortex was found to be significantly lower than normal. Further, this decreased metabolic rate was unrelated to performance. In medicated patients with schizophrenia, at least part of the metabolic deficit remains, but this deficit appears to be performance-related. These findings suggest several conclusions. The mid-prefrontal cortex and its dopamine neurotransmitter pathway input are important biological determinants of sustained attention. Two types of prefrontal metabolic deficits may contribute to dysfunctional goal-directed behavior and, more speculatively, vulnerability to psychosis in some patients with schizophrenia. One deficit is sensitive to neuroleptics, and thus presumably to a change in the balance of regional brain dopamine input. A second deficit is unaffected by neurolpetic treatment.


N-Terminal Acetylation Preserves α-Synuclein from Oligomerization by Blocking Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds.
The abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) is closely associated with Parkinson's disease. Different post-translational modifications of α-Syn have been identified and contribute distinctly in α-Syn aggregation and cytotoxicity. Recently, α-Syn was reported to be N-terminally acetylated in cells, yet the functional implication of this modification, especially in α-Syn oligomerization, remains unclear. By using a solid-state nanopore system, we found that N-terminal acetylation can significantly decrease α-Syn oligomerization. Replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations further revealed that addition of an acetyl group at the N-terminus disrupts intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which slows down the initial α-Syn oligomerization. Our finding highlights the essential role of N-terminal acetylation of α-Syn in preserving its native conformation against pathological aggregation.


Comparative studies of cefprozil in the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.
Six multicenter clinical trials comparing cefprozil with cefaclor, amoxicillin-clavulanate or erythromycin in the management of skin and soft-tissue infections caused by susceptible bacteria demonstrate that cefprozil, given once or twice daily, is an effective chemotherapeutic agent in this context. Its pharmacokinetic behavior is compatible with once-daily or twice-daily administration, with a probability of improved patient compliance. Safety and tolerability compare favorably with other agents used in skin and soft-tissue infections.


The gut-liver axis.
The liver adaptively responds to extra-intestinal and intestinal inflammation. In recent years, the role of the autonomic nervous system, intestinal failure and gut microbiota has been investigated in the development of hepatic, intestinal and extra-intestinal disease. The autonomic nervous system can be stimulated via enteral fat leading to cholecystokinin release, stimulating receptors in the gut and in the brain. This promotes bowel integrity, dampening the inflammatory response to food antigens. Consensus exists that intravenously administered long-chain fatty acids can cause liver damage but randomized-controlled trials are lacking. Disruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts can give rise to cholestasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Reduced intestinal availability of bile salts reduces stimulation of the farnesoid X receptor. This may induce hepatic bile salt overload and associated hepatotoxicity through reduced action of intestinal fibroblast growth factor 19. Evidence is put forward to suggest that the intestinal microbiota is associated with liver abnormalities. Enteral lipids reduce inflammation and liver damage during stress or systemic inflammation, whereas parenteral lipid is associated with liver damage. Maintaining the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts limits hepatic cholestasis through an farnesoid X receptor feedback pathway. Changes in gut microbiota composition may induce liver disease.


Prognosis of the contralateral hip after primary total hip replacement: Can it be predicted?
Coxarthrosis is one of the most frequent and disabling pathologies. 20% of individuals over 60 years of age will develop symptomatic coxarthrosis and 10% of them will need a hip replacement; it is probably one of the orthopaedic procedures that most increases quality of life. When we recommend arthroplasty in clinical practice, patients often ask about the prognosis of their other hip. Will it deteriorate in the same way? Will it be necessary to replace it? When? The aim of the study is to determine if there is any variable or radiological sign that predicts the medium-term prognosis of the contralateral hip after total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective review of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty in our hospital during 2011 and 2012 was carried out, with a total of 543 patients. The coxarthrosis degree at X-ray was determined at the time of the first arthroplasty and at regular intervals during follow-up, according to the JOA and Tönnis classifications, analyzing each of the items included in these classifications. Its relation with the progression of osteoarthritis and the need of contralateral hip replacement was established. A progression of osteoarthritis of the contralateral hip could be expected in the next 3 years in 10% of patients. This progression will be greater and faster in those with JOA grade III-IV/Tönnis grade II-III, especially, in those with greater joint narrowing and femoral head shape score, and can reach between 25 and 30% of patients. The initial JOA/Tönnis degree is a predictive factor for requiring a hip replacement on the contralateral side.


Persistent neurological damage associated with spontaneous recurrent seizures and atypical aggressive behavior of domoic acid epileptic disease.
The harmful alga Pseudo-nitzschia sp. is the cause of human amnesic shellfish poisoning and the stranding of thousands of sea lions with seizures as a hallmark symptom. A human case study and epidemiological report of hundreds of stranded sea lions found individuals presenting months after recovery with a neurological disease similar to temporal lobe epilepsy. A rat model developed to establish and better predict how epileptic disease results from domoic acid poisoning demonstrated that a single episode of status epilepticus (SE), after a latent period, leads to a progressive state of spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) and expression of atypical aggressive behaviors. Structural damage associated with domoic acid-induced SE is prominent in olfactory pathways. Here, we examine structural damage in seven rats that progressed to epileptic disease. Diseased animals show progressive neuronal loss in the piriform cortex and degeneration of terminal fields in these layers and the posteromedial cortical amygdaloid nucleus. Animals that display aggressive behavior had additional neuronal damage to the anterior olfactory cortex. This study provides insight into the structural basis for the progression of domoic acid epileptic disease and relates to the California sea lion, where poisoned animals progress to a disease characterized by SRS and aggressive behaviors.


Risk of recurrence after an initial unprovoked seizure.
A cohort of 424 patients was followed to determine the patterns of risk for recurrence after an initial unprovoked seizure. Overall, the risk of recurrence was 36% by 1 year, 48% by 3 years, and 56% by 5 years. The risk of subsequent seizures was lower for patients with idiopathic seizures than for those whose seizures had a presumed etiology. Among cases for which initial seizure was classified as idiopathic, EEG abnormalities, abnormal neurologic examination findings, and initial partial seizures were identified as significant independent predictors of higher recurrence risks.


A Novel Approach to Identify Photoreceptor Compartment-Specific Tulp1 Binding Partners.
Photoreceptors (PRs) are highly polarized and compartmentalized cells with large amounts of proteins synthesized in the inner segment (IS) and transported to the outer segment (OS) and synaptic terminal. The PR-specific protein, Tulp1, is localized to the IS and synapse and is hypothesized to be involved in protein trafficking. To better understand the molecular processes that regulate protein trafficking in PRs, we aimed to identify compartment-specific Tulp1 binding partners. Serial tangential sectioning of Long Evans rat retinas was utilized to isolate the IS and synaptic PR compartments. Tulp1 binding partners in each of these layers were identified using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) with Tulp1 antibodies. The co-IP eluates were separated by SDS-PAGE, trypsinized into peptide fragments, and proteins were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. In the IS, potential Tulp1-binding partners included cytoskeletal scaffold proteins, protein trafficking molecules, as well as members of the phototransduction cascade. In the synaptic region, the majority of interacting proteins identified were cytoskeletal. A separate subset of proteins were identified in both the IS and synapse including chaperones and family members of the GTPase activating proteins. Tulp1 has two distinct PR compartment-specific interactomes. Our results support the hypothesis that Tulp1 is involved in the trafficking of proteins from the IS to the OS and the continuous membrane remodeling and vesicle cycling at the synaptic terminal.


Room-temperature, ligand- and base-free Heck reactions of aryl diazonium salts at low palladium loading: sustainable preparation of substituted stilbene derivatives.
The Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed Heck reaction of aryl diazonium salts with 2-arylacrylates led to cis-stilbenes with good to excellent stereoselectivity. The environmentally friendly protocol developed in this work features low palladium loading in technical-grade methanol at room temperature under base-, additive-, and ligand-free conditions. The same protocol applied to simple Heck coupling of aryl diazonium salts with methyl acrylate allows astonishingly low palladium loading, down to 0.005 mol%. The stereoselectivity experimentally observed for the synthesis of cis-stilbenes has been rationalized by DFT calculations. Moreover, the role of methanol in promoting the reaction has been clarified by a computational study.


A carrier for clinical use of recombinant human BMP-2: dehydrothermally cross-linked composite of fibrillar and denatured atelocollagen sponge.
The clinical applicability of a dehydrothermally cross-linked composite of fibrillar and denatured atelocollagen sponge (DCFD-AS), as a carrier of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was evaluated in the rat subcutaneous pouch. After four weeks, DCFD-AS with rhBMP-2 formed compact bone, without undergoing significant changes in shape and size, by means of intramembranous ossification. The ultimate size, shape and location of induced new bone was accurately controlled by the carrier. Low antigenicity of soluble atelocollagen, cross-linking without chemicals, the combination of gelatin with fibrillar collagen, and the spongy structure probably all contributed to new bone formation through intramembranous ossification without inducing an inflammatory response. Atelocollagen sponge is easily sterilized, can be stored at room temperature, and can act as a rhBMP-2 carrier without the need for complex procedures.


Graphene Plasmonics in Sensor Applications: A Review.
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) can be generated in graphene at frequencies in the mid-infrared to terahertz range, which is not possible using conventional plasmonic materials such as noble metals. Moreover, the lifetime and confinement volume of such SPPs are much longer and smaller, respectively, than those in metals. For these reasons, graphene plasmonics has potential applications in novel plasmonic sensors and various concepts have been proposed. This review paper examines the potential of such graphene plasmonics with regard to the development of novel high-performance sensors. The theoretical background is summarized and the intrinsic nature of graphene plasmons, interactions between graphene and SPPs induced by metallic nanostructures and the electrical control of SPPs by adjusting the Fermi level of graphene are discussed. Subsequently, the development of optical sensors, biological sensors and important components such as absorbers/emitters and reconfigurable optical mirrors for use in new sensor systems are reviewed. Finally, future challenges related to the fabrication of graphene-based devices as well as various advanced optical devices incorporating other two-dimensional materials are examined. This review is intended to assist researchers in both industry and academia in the design and development of novel sensors based on graphene plasmonics.


beta-Casomorphin-immunoreactivity in the brain stem of the human infant.
Using a peptide extraction procedure, reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, and a radioimmunoassay that utilized an antibody raised specifically against human beta-casomorphin-8 (BC8), BC-immunoreactivity (BCIR) was detected in rostrocaudally increasing levels in nineteen microscopically distinct and functionally relevant areas of mesencephalon, pons cerebri, and medulla oblongata of eight infants. On the basis of the methodology used, it can be concluded, that the BCIR present in their brain stem was due to BC8 and/or to some of its congeners. Data in the literature together with those of this study indicate that beta-casomorphins could be transported by specific mechanisms from the blood into the brain stem and that they could play a role in the central regulation of various physiological phenomena.


Mechanisms of Change in Treatments of Personality Disorders: Introduction to the Special Section.
The present introduction to the Special Section on Mechanisms of Change in Treatments of Personality Disorders explains the value of research focusing on processes of change in psychotherapy by referring to a variety of methodologies. Whereas outcome for these treatments has been repeatedly demonstrated, it remains an open question what the core psychobiological features of change are. Taking a radically empirical perspective, this introduction focuses on patient and therapeutic relationship variables, such as emotional and socio-cognitive processing. The six empirical articles of the Special Section are introduced, as are the three discussions of the Special Section.


Brain Symmetry Index in Healthy and Stroke Patients for Assessment and Prognosis.
Objective. Quantitative neurophysiological signal parameters are of value in predicting motor recovery after stroke. The novel role of EEG-derived brain symmetry index for motor function prognostication in the subacute phase after stroke is explored. Methods. Ten male stroke patients and ten matched healthy controls were recruited. Motor function was first assessed clinically using the MRC score, its derivative Motricity Index, and the Fugl-Meyer assessment score. EEG was subsequently recorded first with subjects at rest and then during hand grasping motions, triggered by visual cues. Brain symmetry index (BSI) was used to identify the differences in EEG-quantified interhemispheric cortical power asymmetry observable in healthy versus cortical and subcortical stroke patients. Subsequently, any correlation between BSI and motor function was explored. Results. BSI was found to be significantly higher in stroke subjects compared to healthy controls (p = 0.023). The difference in BSI was more pronounced in the cortical stroke subgroup (p = 0.016). BSI showed only a mild general decrease on repeated monthly recording. Notably, a statistically significant correlation was observed between early BSI and Fugl-Meyer score later in recovery (p < 0.050). Conclusions. Brain symmetry index is increased in the subacute poststroke phase and correlates with motor function 1-2 months after stroke.


[A case report of mastopathy with cartilagenous and osseous metaplasia].
A case of mastopathy with cartilagenous and osseous metaplasia is reported. The patient is a 57-year-old Japanese woman complaining of a tumor measuring around 1.2 cm in diameter near the nipple of the left breast. The xeromammographic diagnosis was adenosis with calcification. Histological examination identified an intracystic tumor composed of papilloma and adenosis with cartilagenous and osseous metaplasia. This is the first Japanese case of its kind.


The level of galactose-deficient IgA1 in the sera of patients with IgA nephropathy is associated with disease progression.
Although high serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 (an important biomarker of IgA nephropathy (IgAN)) are found in most patients with IgAN, their relationship to disease severity and progression remains unclear. To help clarify this we prospectively enrolled 275 patients with IgAN and followed them for a median of 47 months (range 12-96 months). Serum galactose-deficient IgA1 was measured at the time of diagnosis using a lectin-based ELISA, and renal survival was modeled using the Cox proportional hazards method. The serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 were higher in patients with IgAN compared to those in healthy controls. Importantly, in adjusted analysis, higher levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 were independently associated with a greater risk of deterioration in renal function with a hazard ratio of 1.44 per standard deviation of the natural log-transformed galactose-deficient IgA1 concentration. In reference to the first quartile, the risk of kidney failure increased such that the hazard ratio for the second quartile was 2.47, 3.86 for the third, and 4.76 for the fourth quartile of the galactose-deficient IgA1 concentration. Hence, elevated serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 are associated with a poor prognosis in IgAN.