Legacy persistent organic pollutants including PBDEs in the trophic web of the Ross Sea (Antarctica).
The ecological features of the Ross Sea trophic web are peculiar and different from other polar food webs, with respect to the use of habitat and species interactions; due to its ecosystem integrity, it is the world's largest Marine Protected Area, established in 2016. Polar organisms are reported to bioaccumulate lipophilic contaminant, viz persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Legacy POPs and flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs) were studied in key species of the Ross Sea (Euphausia superba, Pleuragramma antarctica) and their predators (Dissostichus mawsoni, Pygoscelis adeliae, Aptenodytes forsteri, Catharacta maccormicki, Leptonychotes weddellii). Gaschromatography revealed the presence of PCBs, HCB, DDTs, PBDEs in most of the samples; HCHs, dieldrin, Eldrin, non-ortho PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs were detected only in some species. The average ∑PBDEs was 0.19-1.35 pg/g wet wt in the key-species and one-two order of magnitude higher in the predators. Penguins and skuas from an area where a long-term field camp is located showed higher BDE concentrations. The ΣDDTs was higher in the Antarctic toothfish (20 ± 6.73 ng/g wet wt) and in the South Polar skua (5.911 ± 3.425 ng/g wet wt). The TEQs were evaluated and the highest concentration was found in the Weddell seal, due to PCB169, 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF, and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF. There was no significant relationship between the trophic level and the POP concentrations. Although low concentrations, organisms of the Ross Sea trophic web should be further studied: lack of information on some ecotoxicological features and human impacts including global change may distress the ecosystem with unpredictable effects.


Competition of 19S and 7S antigen receptors in the regulation of the primary immune response.
Prior to sheep red cells (SRC) mice were given 7S or 19S anti-SRC antibodies or mixtures of both. All 7S preparations suppressed the immune response. All 19S preparations enhanced the primary response, as measured by an up to 15-fold increase in the number of PFC per spleen. Results obtained with mixtures showed that 7S and 19S antibodies are competitive in their effect. The kinetics of the appearance of PFC in the mouse spleen after injection of SRC suggest that the depressive effect of 7S antibody simulates a reduction in SRC dose, whereas the enhancing effect of 19S antibody appears as a temporary increase in the rate at which PFC appear. Antibodies from one animal species are quite effective in another species.


Are ART outcomes more successful in younger women? A retrospective study.
It is well known that with increasing age, fertility potential decreases in women. Since some of the women who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments are very young patients or young donors, fecundity investigation seems necessary in this group. Data from patients who underwent in vitro fertilisation/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) over 20 years were analysed retrospectively. The records of 407 infertile patients aged 17-25 years (study group) and 407 infertile patients aged 26-35 years (control group) were collected. The number of follicles > 14 mm, retrieved oocytes, MII oocytes, cleaved embryos in both IVF and ICSI cycles were significantly higher in the study group when compared with the control group (p˂0.001). However, the rates of chemical pregnancies were similar between the two groups. It therefore seems unlikely that younger age has a positive effect in predicting infertility treatment outcomes.


Proteomic profiling of two maize inbreds during early gibberella ear rot infection.
Fusarium graminearum is the causal agent of gibberella ear rot in maize ears, resulting in yield losses due to mouldy and mycotoxin-contaminated grain. This study represents a global proteomic approach to document the early infection by F. graminearum of two maize inbreds, B73 and CO441, which differ in disease susceptibility. Mock- and F. graminearum-treated developing kernels were sampled 48 h post-inoculation over three field seasons. Infected B73 kernels consistently contained higher concentrations of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol than the kernels of the more tolerant inbred CO441. A total of 2067 maize proteins were identified in the iTRAQ analysis of extracted kernel proteins at a 99% confidence level. A subset of 878 proteins was identified in at least two biological replicates and exhibited statistically significantly altered expression between treatments and/or the two inbred lines of which 96 proteins exhibited changes in abundance >1.5-fold in at least one of the treatments. Many proteins associated with the defense response were more abundant after infection, including PR-10 (PR, pathogenesis-related), chitinases, xylanase inhibitors, proteinase inhibitors, and a class III peroxidase. Kernels of the tolerant inbred CO441 contained higher levels of these defense-related proteins than B73 kernels even after mock treatment, suggesting that these proteins may provide a basal defense against Fusarium infection in CO441.


A review of "chest tubes" during donor care and after transplantation.
Thoracostomy tubes, also called chest tubes, are commonly present after transplantation or during donor care. The function of the thoracostomy tube is to provide a conduit for transporting fluid, gas, or blood from the pleural cavity to an attached drainage unit. Malfunction of the tube or parts of the unit assembly may lead to serious consequences and jeopardize transplant recipient recovery or donor organs. This review discusses the components of the thoracostomy tube and drainage unit assembly, normal operation, routine evaluation, and common problems that the organ procurement or transplantation coordinator may need to anticipate or treat.


Formal language theory: refining the Chomsky hierarchy.
The first part of this article gives a brief overview of the four levels of the Chomsky hierarchy, with a special emphasis on context-free and regular languages. It then recapitulates the arguments why neither regular nor context-free grammar is sufficiently expressive to capture all phenomena in the natural language syntax. In the second part, two refinements of the Chomsky hierarchy are reviewed, which are both relevant to the extant research in cognitive science: the mildly context-sensitive languages (which are located between context-free and context-sensitive languages), and the sub-regular hierarchy (which distinguishes several levels of complexity within the class of regular languages).


"Why some consumers don't care": Heterogeneity in household responses to a food scandal.
In the aftermath of food scandals, household perceptions about the health risks posed by failures in food safety play a central role in determining their mitigating behavior. A stream of literature has shown that factors including media coverage of a scandal, risk perceptions, trust in food safety information, and consumption habits matter. This paper deviates from the standard assumption of a homogeneous response to media information across all households exposed to a food scandal. Instead, we present an innovative multi-method approach to investigate the impacts of household heterogeneity in underlying psychological and behavioral, media usage patterns and consumption habits on poultry demand in the aftermath of the 2011 German dioxin scandal. The analysis employs weekly retail purchase and matching survey data for 6133 households covering pre and post scandal periods. The supplementary survey data elicits household respondent's risk perceptions and risk attitudes, product label and media information behavior. Initial factor and cluster analysis identify household segments based on psychographic and behavioral indicators. We then estimate a correlated random effect Tobit model to account for clustered household responses to quantify the influence of media effects distinguishing between short-term risk mitigation behavior and longer-term habit persistence. Our results confirm significant heterogeneity in household's media-induced risk-mitigation responses to the dioxin scandal across three clusters. However, we find that habit persistence in the form of consumption preferences for the affected products were able to largely compensate for demand-reducing media effects across household clusters. Considering heterogeneity in household's risk mitigation behaviors to food scandals holds implications for policy makers and food industry alike.


Methods for Obtaining One Single Larmor Frequency, Either v1 or v2, in the Coherent Spin Dynamics of Colloidal Quantum Dots.
The coexistence of two spin components with different Larmor frequencies in colloidal CdSe and CdS quantum dots (QDs) leads to the entanglement of spin signals, complicating the analysis of dynamic processes and hampering practical applications. Here, we explored several methods, including varying the types of hole acceptors, air or anaerobic atmosphere and laser repetition rates, in order to facilitate the obtention of one single Larmor frequency in the coherent spin dynamics using time-resolved ellipticity spectroscopy at room temperature. In an air or nitrogen atmosphere, manipulating the photocharging processes by applying different types of hole acceptors, e.g., Li[Et3BH] and 1-octanethiol (OT), can lead to pure spin components with one single Larmor frequency. For as-grown QDs, low laser repetition rates favor the generation of the higher Larmor frequency spin component individually, while the lower Larmor frequency spin component can be enhanced by increasing the laser repetition rates. We hope that the explored methods can inspire further investigations of spin dynamics and related photophysical processes in colloidal nanostructures.


Superwellness Program: a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based group intervention to reduce weight gain in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.
To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention (Superwellness Program) on weight gain compared with a treatment-as-usual (TAU) approach in patients treated with antipsychotics, and to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) variation and clinical variables. Eighty-five patients treated with antipsychotics were allocated across two groups, experimental (n=59) and control (n=26). The Superwellness Program (experimental group) consisted of 32 twice-weekly 1-hour sessions, conducted by a psychologist and a nutritionist/nurse, concurrently with moderate food intake and moderate physical activity plans. Sociodemographic, clinical, and biological variables were collected at baseline, at the end of intervention (16 weeks), and after 6 months. BMI change from baseline differed significantly between the experimental and control groups, with a larger decrease in the experimental group (F = 5.5, p = 0.021). Duration of illness moderated the effect of treatment on BMI (p = 0.026). No significant (p = 0.499) effect of intervention during the follow-up period was found. Interestingly, the intervention indirectly induced a significant (p = 0.024) reduction in metabolic risk by reducing BMI. A cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention could be useful in reducing weight in a clinical population taking antipsychotics, with consequent benefit to physical and mental health.


Report of an angiosarcoma mimic: cutaneous aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma.
Aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma is an unusual variant of the spectrum of fibrous histiocytomas with the peculiar morphologic appearance of a benign aneurysmal vasoformative process that ultimately culminates in multiple microhemorrhages within the tumor. It looks strikingly different from the usual cutaneous lesions encountered in clinical dermatology practice. A single report of a cutaneous aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma in the skin of the back of a 60-year-old male is described with emphasis on the immunostaining pattern and review of the literature. There is a significant potential for confusion of this lesion with other cutaneous lesions, clinically as well as pathologically. In our case, the patient presented with a lesion that clinically resembled a hemangioma, was pathologically interpreted initially to be an angiosarcoma, and finally, the revised pathology was interpreted as an aneurysmal variant of a fibrous histiocytoma. Caution is warranted to avoid misinterpretation of cutaneous fibrohistiocytic tumors.


[Histomorphologic properties of bovine jugular vein conduit treated withdye-mediated photooxidation following decellularization].
To determine the histocompatibility and histoconstancy of bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC) treated by dye-mediated photooxidation following decellularization before and after implantation in Wistar rats. Each of 20 fresh bovine jugular veins with a retained native valve procured from a slaughterhouse was cut into 4 trial patches with valves, which were randomly divided into 4 groups. The 4 groups were treated respectively by dye-mediated photooxidation(DMP), glutaraldehyde(GA), decellularization(DC), and dye-mediated photooxidation following decellularization (DC+DMP). One of the trial patches in each group was implanted subcutaneously in the same Wistar rat. Two months later, all trial rats were killed and the specimens were retrieved. Tissue protein extraction was used to estimate the cross-linked degree of BJVC treated by dye-mediated photooxidation following decellularization. To observe the morphologic properties of the specimens, HE staining and electron microscopes were used. Compared with others, the patches in the DC+DMP group were flexible, stretched, and relatively intact; lining endothelium was comparatively smooth; collagen fiber structure was slightly loose intact; and many cells were uniformly infiltrated in all layers. BJVC treated by dye-mediated photooxidation following decellularization is superior to others in histocompatibility, and the rate of degradation can be regulated by the degree of dye-mediated photooxidation.


The Effects of Computerized Clinical Decision Support Systems on Laboratory Test Ordering: A Systematic Review.
- Inappropriate laboratory test ordering has been shown to be as high as 30%. This can have an important impact on quality of care and costs because of downstream consequences such as additional diagnostics, repeat testing, imaging, prescriptions, surgeries, or hospital stays. - To evaluate the effect of computerized clinical decision support systems on appropriateness of laboratory test ordering. - We used MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Library, and Inspec through December 2015. Investigators independently screened articles to identify randomized trials that assessed a computerized clinical decision support system aimed at improving laboratory test ordering by providing patient-specific information, delivered in the form of an on-screen management option, reminder, or suggestion through a computerized physician order entry using a rule-based or algorithm-based system relying on an evidence-based knowledge resource. Investigators extracted data from 30 papers about study design, various study characteristics, study setting, various intervention characteristics, involvement of the software developers in the evaluation of the computerized clinical decision support system, outcome types, and various outcome characteristics. - Because of heterogeneity of systems and settings, pooled estimates of effect could not be made. Data showed that computerized clinical decision support systems had little or no effect on clinical outcomes but some effect on compliance. Computerized clinical decision support systems targeted at laboratory test ordering for multiple conditions appear to be more effective than those targeted at a single condition.


Protective effect of Pepto-Bismol liquid on the gastric mucosa of rats.
Pepto-Bismol liquid (primary active constituent, bismuth subsalicy-late) protected the gastric mucosa of rats against the formation of hemorrhagic lesions or erosions in response to cold + restraint stress, to a combination of aspirin and cold + restraint stress, and to ethyl alcohol. The protective effect of Pepto-Bismol in these studies was clearly demonstrated. Although the mechanism of action of Pepto-Bismol was not delineated, there was a suggestion that the degree of coating of the gastric mucosa was related to protection.


Unusual occurrence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a family.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is now a well known entity in asthmatic patients. Despite the familial occurrence of bronchial asthma, the familiar occurrence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a rarity. Here 2 cases of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a family (brother and sister), treated with prednisolone with complete remission are reported. The clinicans should have a high index of suspicion to investigate all the members of a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, who are having history of asthma or rhinitis.


Identification of a Strong Quorum Sensing- and Thermo-Regulated Promoter for the Biosynthesis of a New Metabolite Pesticide Phenazine-1-carboxamide in Pseudomonas strain PA1201.
Phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) produced by multifarious Pseudomonas strains represents a promising candidate as a new metabolite pesticide due to its broad-spectrum antifungal activity and capacity to induce systemic resistance in plants. The rice rhizosphere Pseudomonas strain PA1201 contains two reiterated gene clusters, phz1 and phz2, for phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) biosynthesis; PCA is further converted into PCN by this strain using a functional phzH-encoding glutamine aminotransferase. However, PCN levels in PA1201 constitute approximately one-fifth of PCA levels and the optimal temperature for PCN synthesis is 28 °C. In this study, the phzH open reading frame (ORF) and promoter region were investigated and reannotated. phzH promoter PphzH was found to be a weak promoter, and PhzH levels were not sufficient to convert all of the native PCA into PCN. Following RNA Seq and promoter-lacZ fusion analyses, a strong quorum sensing (QS)- and thermo-regulated promoter PrhlI was identified and characterized. The activity of PphzH is approximately 1% of PrhlI in PA1201. After three rounds of promoter editing and swapping by PrhlI, a new PCN-overproducing strain UP46 was generated. The optimal fermentation temperature for PCN biosynthesis in UP46 was increased from 28 to 37 °C and the PCN fermentation titer increased 179.5-fold, reaching 14.1 g/L, the highest ever reported.


A double-edged sword: Should stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients be informed of their cancer diagnosis?
This study aimed to examine whether awareness of cancer diagnosis and prognosis among patients with stage IV lung cancer treated with first-line erlotinib vary with psychological distress and quality of life (QoL). This study was carried out at the Comprehensive treatment Department of Tianjin Cancer Hospital between August 2013 and September 2015 among patients ≥18 years-old and suffering from EGFR mutation-positive stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first-line erlotinib (150 mg/day; N = 137). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered before (baseline) and after 12 weeks of treatment. QoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) questionnaire. Diagnosis and prognosis awareness was assessed by interview. Among patients, 21% reported to be fully aware of their disease; 41% were only aware of the diagnosis, not the stage; and 51% were not aware at all. Among patients, 63.5% reported elevated anxiety, 71.5% were depressed, and 75.2% had HADS score ≥15 (emotional distress). Patients who were totally and partly aware experienced improvements in HADS and FACT-L compared with baseline (all p < .05). Patients who were not aware scored better than the other patients for all FACT-L subscales from baseline to 12 weeks (all p < .05). Aware patients experienced improvements from baseline in HADS and FACT-L (all p < .05). Awareness of cancer diagnosis and stage was associated with initially high global distress and poorer QoL. Unaware patients exhibited better emotional distress and QoL during first-line therapy with erlotinib for EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC.


[The value of cytochrome P4502C19 gene assay for anti-platelet therapy after PCI in stable angina patients with left main coronary artery lesions].
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet therapies for stable angina patients with complicated left main coronary artery lesions and intermediate metabolizer Cytochrome P450 2C19 gene (CYP2C19) undergoing PCI. A total of 247 patients diagnosed with stable angina in cardiology department of Fujian union hospital from February 2015 to February 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, among them, the elective PCI were performed on the left main coronary artery and the CYP2C19 gene poly-morphism were intermediate metabolize, they were divided into ticagrelor treatment group(aspirin combined with ticagrelor, n=95)and clopidogrel treatment group(aspirin combined with clopidogrel, n=152) according to the different antiplatelet treatment programs. Both groups were given aspirin 300 mg and clopidogrel 300 mg orally before PCI; the ticagrelor group were given the maintenance dose of ticagrelor (90 mg orally, twice a day) after PCI, while those in clopidogrel group were clopidogrel 75 mg orally (once a day) after PCI; both groups were given the maintenance dose of aspirin (100 mg orally, once a day)after PCI. The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were observed within 12 months after PCI. At 12 months after PCI, the incidence of MACE in the ticagrelor treatment group was significantly lower than that in the clopidogrel treatment group, the difference was statistically significant (2.1% vs 15.1%, P=0.001).There were no significant differences between the two groups in the restenosis rates of non- revascularized target vessel, recurrent rates of angina pectoris(but not myocardial infarction), recurrent rates of myocardial infarction, and revascularization rates of target vessel (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences between the two groups in bleeding. For stable angina patients with complicated left main coronary artery lesions and intermediate metabolizer CYP2C19 gene, aspirin combined with ticagrelor antiplatelet therapy after PCI is effective, the effect of ticagrelor is better than clopidogrel on MACE, and ticagrelor does not seem to increase the risk of bleeding.


Exploitation of Trametes versicolor for bioremediation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in bioreactors.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental contaminants causing increasing concerns due to their toxicity, persistence and ubiquity. In the present study, degradative capabilities of Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium to act on five EDCs, which represent different classes of chemicals (phenols, parabens and phthalate) and were first applied as single compounds, were assessed. T. versicolor was selected due to its efficiency against target EDCs and its potentialities were exploited against a mixture of EDCs in a cost-effective bioremediation process. A fed-batch approach as well as a starvation strategy were applied in order to reduce the need for input of 'fresh' biomass, and avoid the requirement for external nutrients. The fungus was successfully operated in two different bioreactors over one week. Semi-batch cultures were carried out by daily adding a mixture of EDCs to the bioreactors in a total of five consecutive degradation cycles. T. versicolor was able to efficiently remove all compounds during each cycle converting up to 21 mg L-1 day-1 of the tested EDCs. The maintained ability of T. versicolor to remove EDCs without any additional nutrients represents the main outcome of this study, which enables to forecast its application in a water treatment process.


Effects of molecular weight of dextran on the adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to damaged heart valves.
Dextran-producing streptococci such as Streptococcus sanguis are the organisms most frequently associated with infective endocarditis in humans. A series of experiments was designed to study how the molecular weight of dextrans affects the adherence of an endocarditis strain of S. sanguis to canine heart valves covered with platelets and fibrin. The data indicated that this adherence was dependent on dextrans of high molecular weight, such as dextran T-2000 or glucans isolated from S. sanguis or S. mutans. The adherence properties of the strain studied were not modified by prior exposure of the bacterial cells of valve leaflets to high-molecular-weight dextrans. Preexposure of bacterial cells or valve leaflets to low-molecular-weight dextrans decreased their adherence. Low-molecular-weight dextrans interfered with adherence of dextran-positive strains to damaged heart valves.


Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation of mucinous ovarian carcinoma and mucinous borderline ovarian tumors.
This study was carried out to investigate the differentiation of mucinous borderline ovarian tumor from mucinous ovarian carcinoma using magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated 77 women patients who underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging due to pelvic mass. magnetic resonance imaging was reviewed by an experienced radiologist. A total of 70 women patients were included in the study. The magnetic resonance imaging features were retrospectively evaluated and compared between the two pathologies. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of maximum tumor size. Age at diagnosis was 56.29±11.92 in the mucinous ovarian carcinoma group and 44.74±13.60 in the mucinous borderline ovarian tumor group (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the two groups, and it was observed that mucinous borderline ovarian tumors appeared in the younger age group compared to mucinous ovarian carcinomas. Presence of ascites, peritoneal dissemination, lymphadenopathy, and mural nodules was found significantly more frequently in mucinous ovarian carcinomas than in mucinous borderline ovarian tumors. Honeycomb appearance was found more frequently in mucinous borderline ovarian tumor patients than in mucinous ovarian carcinoma patients. magnetic resonance imaging findings of these two pathologies overlapped considerably. Compared with mucinous borderline ovarian tumors, mucinous ovarian carcinomas frequently had mural nodules larger than 5 mm, larger tumor size, peritoneal dissemination, and abnormal ascites.


New perspectives on IL-33 and IL-1 family cytokines as innate environmental sensors.
Interleukin (IL)-1 family cytokines are important initiators of innate immunity and host defence; however, their uncontrolled activities can cause tissue-damaging inflammation. Consequently, IL-1 family cytokines have sophisticated regulatory mechanisms to control their activities including proteolytic processing for their activation and the deployment of soluble receptors and receptor antagonists to limit their activities. IL-33 is a promoter of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation through its alarmin activity that can rapidly initiate local immune responses by stimulating innate immune cells following exposure to environmental insults, pathogens, or sterile injury. Recent publications have provided new insights into how the range and duration of IL-33 activity is regulated by direct sensing of host-derived and exogenous proteolytic activities as well as oxidative changes during tissue damage. Here, we discuss how this impacts our understanding of the roles of IL-33 in initiating immune responses and the evidence that these sensing mechanisms might regulate the activities of other IL-1 family cytokines and their biological functions. Finally, we discuss translational challenges these discoveries pose for the accurate detection of different forms of these cytokines.


The presence of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline in smoked dry bonito (katsuobushi).
Smoked dry bonito (katsuobushi), an everyday food item for most Japanese people, was found to contain 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), the content of which was estimated at about 2 ng/g. This content is similar to the known MeIQx content of cooked beef. The katsuobushi also contained another mutagenic component, the total activity of which was 1/6-1/3 that of the MeIQx. This component was similar to 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) with respect to its behavior in high-pressure liquid chromatography and its ultraviolet absorption spectrum.


Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration.
We have developed a calibration target for use with fluid-immersed endoscopes within the context of the GIFT-Surg (Guided Instrumentation for Fetal Therapy and Surgery) project. One of the aims of this project is to engineer novel, real-time image processing methods for intra-operative use in the treatment of congenital birth defects, such as spina bifida and the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The developed target allows for the sterility-preserving optical distortion calibration of endoscopes within a few minutes. Good optical distortion calibration and compensation are important for mitigating undesirable effects like radial distortions, which not only hamper accurate imaging using existing endoscopic technology during fetal surgery, but also make acquired images less suitable for potentially very useful image computing applications, like real-time mosaicing. In this paper proposes a novel fabrication method to create an affordable, sterilizable calibration target suitable for use in a clinical setup. This method involves etching a calibration pattern by laser cutting a sandblasted stainless steel sheet. This target was validated using the camera calibration module provided by OpenCV, a state-of-the-art software library popular in the computer vision community.


Liposomal Irinotecan: Nursing Considerations in an Outpatient Cancer Center
Recent approaches in treating pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive disease with limited survival, include the use of liposomal irinotecan as an option when first-line therapy has failed. Liposomal irinotecan has been approved in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Liposomal irinotecan is a newer therapy requiring oncology nurses to obtain knowledge and skills for proper administrating, monitoring of hypersensitivity reactions during infusion, managing side effects, and providing patient education. Nursing considerations when administering this drug include infusion time, premedication, risk for hypersensitivity reactions and adverse events, and side effects.


Case Report: Multisystem Autoimmune and Overlapping GAD65-Antibody-Associated Neurological Disorders With Beneficial Effect of Epilepsy Surgery and Rituximab Treatment.
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies are associated with disabling conditions such as stiff person syndrome, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), limbic encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia (CA), and ocular movement disorders, which are usually chronic and difficult to treat. GAD-related TLE has poor response to anti-seizure medications and immune therapies, and epilepsy surgery is rarely successful. We report on a 47-year-old female with history of migraine, autoimmune thyroid disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and drug-resistant TLE. A video electroencephalography recorded frequent seizures with temporo-insular semiology, correlating to left temporal epileptiform activity and left mesiotemporal hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging. GAD autoimmunity was confirmed by very high GAD antibody titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Steroids, immunoglobulins, and cyclophosphamide had no effect, and selective left amygdalectomy was performed based on very restricted hypermetabolism on positron-emission tomography. After transient seizure freedom, significant epilepsy improvement was observed in spite of memory decline. Transient worsening was noted 1 year later during diabetes mellitus manifestation and 5 years later during presentation of progressive CA, which stabilized on rituximab treatment. We believe this case illustrates the diversity and the frequent overlap of GAD-associated disorders, the need of early and aggressive immunotherapy in severe patients, as well as the possible benefit from epilepsy surgery in some GAD-TLE.


Current Assessment and Classification of Suicidal Phenomena using the FDA 2012 Draft Guidance Document on Suicide Assessment: A Critical Review.
Standard international classification criteria require that classification categories be comprehensive to avoid type II error. Categories should be mutually exclusive and definitions should be clear and unambiguous (to avoid type I and type II errors). In addition, the classification system should be robust enough to last over time and provide comparability between data collections. This article was designed to evaluate the extent to which the classification system contained in the United States Food and Drug Administration 2012 Draft Guidance for the prospective assessment and classification of suicidal ideation and behavior in clinical trials meets these criteria. A critical review is used to assess the extent to which the proposed categories contained in the Food and Drug Administration 2012 Draft Guidance are comprehensive, unambiguous, and robust. Assumptions that underlie the classification system are also explored. The Food and Drug Administration classification system contained in the 2012 Draft Guidance does not capture the full range of suicidal ideation and behavior (type II error). Definitions, moreover, are frequently ambiguous (susceptible to multiple interpretations), and the potential for misclassification (type I and type II errors) is compounded by frequent mismatches in category titles and definitions. These issues have the potential to compromise data comparability within clinical trial sites, across sites, and over time. These problems need to be remedied because of the potential for flawed data output and consequent threats to public health, to research on the safety of medications, and to the search for effective medication treatments for suicidality.


[Malaria and intestinal parasitosis in pregnant woman at Abobo district (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)].
A prospective study was carried out from 2010 to 2012 at the Hôpital Général d'Abobo (HGA) in Abidjan, in order to determine the impact of infectious and parasitic diseases on child cognitive development. Blood samples were examined by means of thick drop and blood smear; as for stool by direct examination and concentration by formalin-ether method. We evaluated the prevalence, the parasite load of malaria and gastrointestinal parasites; then we investigated the risk factors for these disorders. Overall, 331 pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy were enrolled. The plasmodic index was 3.9% with infestation specific rates of P. falciparum from 100%. Concerning digestive protozoa, it has been observed 71.3% of nonpathogenic, against 9.7 % of pathogens, either an overall prevalence of 51.4% of digestive parasites. The calculated average parasitic loads revealed 3089.2 tpz/μl of blood (95 % CI: 591.1-5587.3) for malaria, 6.5 eggs per gram of stool (95 % CI: 0.4-13.4) for intestinal helminths and one parasite by microscopic field for protozoa (common infestation). It has been shown that the occurrence of malaria has been linked to the non-use of impregnated mosquito nets (x2 = 0.012; p = 0.018), not to age. No link could be established between the presence of digestive parasites and the age of pregnant women, or socioeconomic conditions (level of education, profession, type of toilet). Malaria is less common in pregnant women while the rate of digestive parasites remains high.


Molecular cloning of human calmitine, a mitochondrial calcium binding protein, reveals identity with calsequestrine.
The cDNA of a mitochondrial calcium binding protein, "calmitine", has been cloned from a human skeletal muscle cDNA library. One cDNA of 1.8 kb has been isolated and sequenced. It encodes for a protein of 390 amino acid residues of 41,746 KDa and contains a leading peptide of 28 amino acids. The sequencing showed the possibility for 21 phosphorylation sites, 4 myristylation sites, and one N glycosylation site. Sequence comparison with other proteins revealed the identity of calmitine with calsequestrine, the sarcoplasmic reticulum low affinity, but high Ca2+ binding capacity, protein isolated in 1971. Subcellular fractionation showed a marked increase in these Ca2+ binding proteins in mitochondria as compared with the sarcoplasmic reticulum; furthermore the mitochondrial matrix is highly enriched with that protein. Therefore, our data either suggest a bicompartimentation of calmitine or indicate that the localization of calsequestrine should be reconsidered in the light of our data. Calmitine represents the Ca2+ reservoir of mitochondria, the function of which could be similar to what has been reported for calsequestrine in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.


Child with intellectual disability misdiagnosed as autism: A case study.
Misdiagnosis has become a public health crisis and it is unavoidable in all health care systems. This case study is about a nine year old boy, referred by the special school teacher presenting with the complaints of Autism and slow learning. Contrary to his complaints, the developmental assessment showed that the child had no symptoms of Autism, whereas moderate symptoms of Intellectual Disability were made known. The brief therapeutic plan focused on enhancing his functional level of adaptive behaviour. This case report holds its implication to drift attention of stakeholders working in different health care systems towards the issue of misdiagnosis.


A stable tyrosyl radical in monoamine oxidase A.
We present spectroscopic evidence consistent with the presence of a stable tyrosyl radical in partially reduced human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A. The radical forms following single electron donation to MAO A and exists in equilibrium with the FAD flavosemiquinone. Oxidative formation of the tyrosyl radical in MAO is not reliant on neighboring metal centers and uniquely requires reduction of the active site flavin to facilitate oxidation of a tyrosyl side chain. The identified tyrosyl radical provides the key missing link in support of the single electron transfer mechanism for amine oxidation by MAO enzymes.


iKNOWgynetics - A web-based learning concept to empower primary care gynecologists to participate in the care of patients with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer.
Familial cancer burden and genetics play an increasingly important role in the early detection and prevention of gynecological cancers. However, people with hereditary cancer risks are often identified late when they already have cancer. We aimed at developing and evaluating a training concept for primary care gynecologists-iKNOWgynetics-to improve their knowledge and awareness of genetic cancer syndromes and their ability to identify patients with increased familial cancer risks based on up-to-date evidence and current guidelines (in Germany, primary care includes all doctors treating patients on an outpatient basis without a clear separation of the expertise of the doctor or of their specialty). Starting off with a needs assessment among primary care gynecologists, we developed and evaluated an online training concept-using a web-based learning platform in combination with a live virtual seminar-to convey practice-relevant knowledge about familial cancer. After registration, participants get access to the web-based learning platform (www.iknowgynetics.de) to prepare for the virtual seminars and to use it as online reference to re-access the contents after the training. Evaluation included multiple-choice (MC) questions on knowledge and participants' self-efficacy to implement the acquired knowledge, which were administered in a pre-post design. Of 109 participants, 103 (94.5%) filled out pre- and post-questionnaires. Eighty-five participants were gynecologists in primary care from Berlin (81.2%) and Brandenburg (18.8%) and had an average of 24.1 years (SD = 8.5 years) of professional experience. After the training, participants answered significantly more knowledge questions correctly (M = 15.2 of 17, SD = 1.3) than before (M = 13.8 of 17, SD = 1.7) (p < 0.01) and felt more confident to be able to apply referral criteria for specialized counseling in practice (p < 0.001). The online-based training iKNOWgynetics considers the busy schedule of primary care gynecologists and supports them in acquiring practice-relevant information on familial cancer risks and on how to identify healthy persons at risk, which may ultimately help to improve the prevention of gynecological cancers. In future studies, the reported concept could be transferred to other entities.


[Clinico-pathological collations in borreliosis].
Borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by spirochetal microorganisms Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by ticks. Due to versatile clinical symptomatology and many pathogenetic aspects not explained yet, diagnosis of this disease is often very difficult. Borreliosis may affect various human organs and systems such as movement system, nervous system (central and peripheral), skin, heart and vessels. One of the diagnostic methods for detection of microbial organisms in tissues is the histochemical staining by Warthin-Starry. Very important problem connected with this illness is the relationship between borrelial antigens and autoimmunity.


The anterior interosseous nerve syndrome (the Kiloh-Nevin syndrome). Report and follow-up study of three cases.
Three surgically treated cases demonstrate that this syndrome is a compressive neuropathy of the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve rather than a neuritis, as originally believed. All symptoms were in the dominant hand and included deterioration of handwriting, pain, weakness of the flexor policis longus, the flexor digitorum longus to the index finger, and the pronator quadratus. Electromyograms were abnormal in two of the three cases. All forms of conservative treatment failed over a three- to five-month period. All lesions were demonstrable at surgery, and recovery was complete in all cases within five months of surgery. At an average follow-up evaluation of seven years there was no recurrence in any case. The loss of ability to write was characteristic of all three cases and is being reported for the first time.


Characteristics of Lisch nodules in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.
To assess the prevalence and location of Lisch nodules among patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. This was a prospective observational case series in which 369 consecutive patients from a neurofibromatosis clinic participated. Predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to these participants. The presence of Lisch nodules was determined by one of the authors (SMC). The percentage of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 with Lisch nodules was calculated. Lisch nodules were characterized as being distributed superiorly, inferiorly, or equally in each eye. The percentage of eyes in each group was ascertained. Among patients of all ages with neurofibromatosis type 1, 63.2% had Lisch nodules, whereas 92% of postpubertal patients had Lisch nodules. Among eyes with Lisch nodules, 80% had an inferior distribution. This study corroborated previously reported data regarding the prevalence of Lisch nodules in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and found that Lisch nodules were predominantly located inferiorly on the iris. The authors propose that exposure to sunlight may be the mechanism for this distribution of hamartomatous nodules.


Frontotemporal Dementias: A New Clinical Syndrome?
The frontal lobe dementias (FLDs) are a group of disorders that have received considerable attention recently. Diagnosis is based on the presence of behavioral and cognitive disturbances associated pathologically with focal neuronal loss and gliosis without any inclusion bodies. Reports describing FLD differ regarding its clinical features, cognitive disturbances, and neurophysiological and neuropathological characteristics. The authors review the existing literature on FLD and emphasize the similarities and differences between reports. The heterogeneity of this condition as currently described is addressed, and arguments supporting the concept of FLD as a syndrome more appropriately called frontotemporal dementia are discussed. The authors present the development of a more rigid clinical definition of this syndrome using well-defined criteria as the first step toward understanding better this group of disorders.


Application of a Layered Muscle Flap Technique for the Reconstruction of the Cupid's Bow and Vermilion in the Repair of Secondary Cleft Lip Deformities.
In the repair of unilateral cleft lip, the Cupid's bow, and vermilion on the affected side are sometimes lowered excessively. Methods involving skin and mucosa flaps have been used to correct this issue, but they pose some risk of scarring. The authors here describe a layered muscle flap technique that was based on the anatomical research of nasal-labial muscles, especially the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle. This technique can be used to suspend the Cupid's bow and vermilion in secondary unilateral cleft lip repair. Forty-five patients with secondary unilateral cleft lip with excessively lowered Cupid's bows and vermilion on the affected side were included in this study, which lasted 3 years. These patients were treated using the layered muscle flap surgical technique. The heights of specific bilateral landmarks were measured on patient photos and used to define the symmetry of bilateral Cupid's bow and vermilion. The comparison between post-operative and pre-operative symmetries was used to evaluate the post-operative results, and most of them were satisfactory. The results were also mostly well retained in follow-up investigations. This layered muscle flap technique could be effective in selected cases.


hCS regulation during pregnancy.
In order to define the homeostatic mechanisms which affect the secretion of human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS), we have determinated its plasma levels by a radioimmunoassay method in normal, prediabetic, and chemically diabetic pregnant women in basal conditions and after stimuli. Oral glucose failed to modify hCS plasma levels as also did continuous intravenous glucose infusion. Rapid acute intravenous glucose decreased them, suggesting that only sudden changes in maternal plasma glucose can exert a regulatory effect on hCS secretion. In travenous arginine increased hCS levels, new evidence of the great similarity of structure and function between growth hormone and hCS.


Beyond event segmentation: spatial- and social-cognitive processes in verb-to-action mapping.
The present article investigates spatial- and social-cognitive processes in toddlers' mapping of concepts to real-world events. In 2 studies we explore how event segmentation might lay the groundwork for extracting actions from the event stream and conceptually mapping novel verbs to these actions. In Study 1, toddlers demonstrated the ability to segment a novel multiaction event by selecting a single action for behavioral reenactment when prompted. In Study 2, a single action embedded in the event sequence was specified as the referent for a novel verb through cues to support intentional inference. As in Study 1, toddlers spontaneously segmented the sequence. In addition, they mapped a novel label to the embedded action specified by the novel label and intentional cues. These data are consistent with current thinking that suggests a convergence of spatial and social cognition in verb learning. In the present research, toddlers built upon event segmentation skills and used intentional inference when mapping verbs to actions embedded in the motion stream.


Pancreatic phospholipase A2 activity in acute pancreatitis: a prognostic marker for early identification of patients at risk.
Remarkably elevated levels of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) are measurable in human blood samples in cases of acute pancreatitis. The source of the enzyme was first thought to be exclusively the pancreas, but now it is generally accepted that two isoenzymes--the pancreatic PLA2, group I, and the extrapancreatic PLA2, group II--contribute to the raised activity. In contrast to the group II-PLA2, the pancreatic PLA2 is heat-resistant for 1 hour at 60 degrees C. The catalytically inactive proenzyme of the pancreatic PLA2 can be activated by trypsin. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of PLA2 isoenzyme activity measurements to identify patients with severe complications in acute pancreatitis. Blood samples from patients suffering from acute pancreatitis were analyzed for catalytically active pancreatic PLA2 on day 1 and 2 of hospitalization with a modified radiometric Escherichia coli-based PLA2 assay. In 10 of 41 patients clearly elevated values of catalytically active, heat-resistant pancreatic PLA2 (7.2 to 81.2 U/l) were observed. This group of patients was characterized by severe complications (necrotizing pancreatitis, shock, sepsis, respiratory problems) of which two patients subsequently died. Patients with low or undetectable activity (<7 U/l) of pancreatic PLA2 recovered rapidly. According to these results the presence of catalytically active pancreatic PLA2 in serum is associated with severe complications of acute pancreatitis. In contrast to total serum-PLA2, the catalytic concentration of pancreatic PLA2 can serve as a prognostic marker in acute pancreatitis.


Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Sugar Transporter Protein (STP) Family Genes in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) Reveals their Involvement in Clubroot Disease Responses.
Sugar transporter protein (STP) genes are involved in multiple biological processes, such as plant responses to various stresses. However, systematic analysis and functional information of STP family genes in Brassica oleracea are very limited. A comprehensive analysis was carried out to identify BoSTP genes and dissect their phylogenetic relationships and to investigate the expression profiles in different organs and in response to the clubroot disease. A total of 22 BoSTP genes were identified in the B. oleracea genome and they were further classified into four clades based on the phylogenetic analysis. All the BoSTP proteins harbored the conserved sugar transporter (Sugar_tr, PF00083) domain, and the majority of them contained 12 transmembrane helices (TMHs). Rates of synonymous substitution in B. oleracea relative to Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that STP genes of B. oleracea diverged from those of A. thaliana approximately 16.3 million years ago. Expression profiles of the BoSTP genes in different organs derived from RNA-Seq data indicated that a large number of the BoSTP genes were expressed in specific organs. Additionally, the expression of BoSTP4b and BoSTP12 genes were induced in roots of the clubroot-susceptible cabbage (CS-JF1) at 28 days after inoculation with Plasmodiophora brassicae, compared with mock-inoculated plants. We speculated that the two BoSTPs might be involved in monosaccharide unloading and carbon partitioning associated with P. brassicae colonization in CS-JF1. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that the two BoSTP proteins were localized in the cell membrane. This study provides insights into the evolution and potential functions of BoSTPs.


The organizing role of the D quadrant as revealed through the phenomenon of twinning in the polycheate Chætopterus variopedatus.
The egg of the polychaete Chætopterus, like many spiralian embryos, undergoes unequal cleavage during the first two cell divisions following fertilization. The first cleavage gives rise to a large CD blastomere and a smaller AB blastomere. At second cleavage the CD blastomere divides asymmetrically, forming a large D blastomere and a smaller C blastomere while the AB cell divides to give rise to the two smaller blastomeres, A and B, which are virtually identical in size. As in many of the other spiralians which have been studied, the A, B, C, and D blastomeres give rise to characteristic portions of the larval body plan. It has been shown in these related forms that the D blastomere derivatives are necessary for the production of various structures derived from the remaining three quadrants, as well as in organizing the overall symmetry properties of the embryo. If Chætopterus embryos are compressed underneath a coverslip at the appropriate stage of development prior to first cleavage (the "pear stage") some of the embryos divide to form two equal sized blastomeres. Each of the two cells in equalized embryos appears to develop as a normal CD blastomere often dividing to generate a four-celled embryo with two C and two D blastomeres opposite one another (CDCD embryos). These embryos often grow up to form larvae which have duplicated structures. We investigated the role of the early cleavage program in the production of double larvae by staining individual blastomeres of normal and equalized embryos with Nile blue sulfate. Our results reveal that previous descriptions of the symmetry properties of twinned larvae are incorrect. Twins are not true Janus larvae of the duplicitus cruciata form but are organized along a single axis. The two halves face one another along a plane of mirror symmetry, each one fused to the other at their ventral surface just above a single, common, fused mouth. Furthermore, the median plane of the two fused heads is the same as that of the two trunks. These labeling studies indicate that cells derived from both of the two C blastomeres in compressed embyos contribute to the formation of similar structures in both halves of the double larva. The two C quadrants within the double embryos each can give rise to two eyes, and the plane of mirror symmetry between the two halves of the double embryo as mentioned above corresponds to a plane running through the two C blastomeres in the fourcelled CDCD embryo. These findings indicate that the two D quadrants in these double embryos interact to organize the development of the double embryo in a coordinating manner. Both D quadrants, therefore, appear to be inductively active within the CDCD double embryos. These results are discussed in view of various hypotheses which have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of twinning in spiralians.


Prevalence and incidence of serum magnesium abnormalities in hospitalized cats.
Total serum magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]s) was prospectively determined for 57 cats admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Data were collected and analyzed to determine the following: prevalence and incidence of [Mg2+] abnormalities, medical disorders associated with altered [Mg2+]s, association of altered [Mg2+]s with other electrolyte abnormalities, length of hospitalization for cats with abnormalities of [Mg2+]s versus those with normal [Mg2+]s, and survival of cats with abnormal [Mg2+)s versus those with normal [Mg2+]s. The point prevalence of magnesium abnormalities was 26%, the period prevalence was 46%, and the cumulative incidence was 23%. Hypermagnesemia was associated with abnormalities of serum potassium (P = .04) and phosphate (P = .01) concentrations. Abnormalities of [Mg2+]s were not associated with abnormal serum concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, or Cl-. On admission. hypomagnesemia was detected in cats with gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other disorders; hypermagnesemia was detected only in cats with renal disease, obstructive uropathy, or neoplastic disease. The median hospital stay for cats that developed abnormal [Mg2+]s after admission was longer than for cats that remained normomagnesemic (5 versus 4 days, respectively; P = .03). Despite the longer hospital stay, the survival of these cats was lower than that of normomagnesemic cats (54 versus 77%; P = .05). When all cats were considered, the survival of cats with abnormal [Mg2+]s also was decreased compared with normomagnesemic cats (62 versus 81%; P = .05). We conclude that abnormalities of [Mg2+]s may affect morbidity and mortality of affected cats.


The maize Mucronate mutation is a deletion in the 16-kDa gamma-zein gene that induces the unfolded protein response.
Mucronate (Mc) was identified as a dominant maize (Zea mays L.) opaque kernel mutation that alters zein storage protein synthesis. Zein protein bodies in Mc endosperm are misshapen and are associated with increased levels of ER Lumenal Binding Protein (BiP). Using GeneCalling to profile endosperm RNA transcripts, we identified an aberrant RNA in Mc that encodes the 16-kDa gamma-zein protein. The transcript contains a 38-bp deletion (nucleotides 406-444 after the initiation codon) that creates a frame-shift mutation and an abnormal sequence for the last 63 amino acids. Genetic mapping revealed the Mc mutation is linked with the locus encoding the 16-kDa gamma-zein, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis confirmed the 16-kDa gamma-zein protein is altered in Mc. The mutant protein exhibited changes in solubility properties and co-immunoprecipitated with the molecular chaperone, BiP. Transgenic maize plants expressing the Mc 16-kDa gamma-zein manifested an opaque kernel phenotype with enhanced levels of BiP in the endosperm, similar to the Mc mutant. Unlike the wild-type protein, the Mc 16-kDa gamma-zein interacted only weakly with the 22-kDa alpha-zein when expressed in the yeast two-hybrid system. These results indicate that the Mc phenotype results from a frame-shift mutation in the gene encoding the 16-kDa gamma-zein protein, leading to the unfolded protein response in developing endosperm.


The HIV care cascade in Buenos Aires, Argentina: results in a tertiary referral hospital.
To determine rates of retention, antiretroviral therapy (ART) use, and viral suppression in an adult cohort from a public tertiary referral hospital in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. HIV-positive ART-naïve patients ≥ 18 years old starting care 2011-2013 contributed data until the end of 2014. Three outcomes were assessed in 2014: retention in care, ART use, and viral suppression. Patient characteristics associated with each outcome were assessed through logistic regression. A total of 1 031 patients were included. By the end of 2014, 1.5% had died and 14.8% were transferred to a different center. Of the remaining 859 patients, 563 (65.5%) were retained in 2014. Among those retained, 459 (81.5%) were on ART in 2014. Of those 459 on ART, 270 (58.8%) were virologically suppressed. Younger age was associated with lower retention (OR (odds ratio): 0.67; 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.44-0.92 for ≥ 35 vs. < 35 years), but unrelated with ART use or viral suppression. Low CD4 count at first visit was associated with ART use (OR: 35.72 for CD4 < 200, 7.13 for CD4 200-499 vs. ≥ 500, P < 0.001) and with virologic suppression (OR: 2.17 for CD4 < 200, 2.46 for CD4 200-499 vs. ≥ 500, P: 0.023). Our hospital in Buenos Aires is still below the recommended 90-90-90 targets of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for ART use and viral suppression. We found a major gap in retention in care. Identifying younger age as being associated with worse retention will help in the design of targeted interventions.


In vitro propagation of three commercial cut flower cultivars of Anthurium andraeanum Hort.
In vitro propagation of Anthurium andraeanum Hort. cut flower cultivars viz. Lima White, Tropical White and Tropical Red through organogenesis using mature plant derived leaf explants was established on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with different growth regulators. Cultivar, stage and different regions of the source leaf, and type of growth regulators significantly influenced callus induction. Explants from folded brown leaves were superior in induction of callus. Half strength MS medium fortified with 0.88 microM of benzyiadenine (BA), 0.9 microM of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.46 microM of kinetin (Kn) at pH 5.5 was most effective for callus induction. Transfer of callus to medium with 0.54 microM of NAA in place of 2,4-D induced higher number of shoots. Subsequent cultures displayed enhanced rate of shoot initiation and multiplication. Transfer of shoots onto half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.54 microM of NAA favoured rooting of shoots. Cultivar Tropical White was superior in callus, shoot and root induction compared to Lima White and Tropical Red. Plantlets after acclimation in greenhouse were transferred to net-house, that exhibited ninety seven per cent survival. Plants flowered normally between 12 and 15 months and were morphologically similar to that of the mother plants.


A consistent tissue attenuation coefficient estimator using bubble harmonic echoes.
The ultrasonic property of soft tissue can be quantified by its attenuation coefficient α. Traditionally the backscattering signal of tissue is used to estimate α. To improve precision, a large number of spatially independent samples of tissue echoes are required for averaging. In this paper, we propose a new estimation method, which makes use of microbubbles to provide temporally independent samples for averaging. It is easier for temporal sampling to maintain ergodicity and provide a large number of independent samples for statistical averaging. A stochastic model for the harmonic signals of an ideal bubble attenuated by tissue is derived based on Kuc's and Miller's works. An estimator of α is then presented. This estimator is consistent and could be biased because of the unknown squarelaw relation between the second and fundamental harmonics for non-ideal bubble oscillation. In experimental works, we design a simplified phantom for demonstrating the performance of the proposed estimator. It is shown that both first and second harmonics can estimate α consistently. However, the interference of the tissue backscattering signal may cause additional estimation error using the first harmonic.


Enabling complex genetic circuits to respond to extrinsic environmental signals.
Genetic circuits have the potential to improve a broad range of metabolic engineering processes and address a variety of medical and environmental challenges. However, in order to engineer genetic circuits that can meet the needs of these real-world applications, genetic sensors that respond to relevant extrinsic and intrinsic signals must be implemented in complex genetic circuits. In this work, we construct the first AND and NAND gates that respond to temperature and pH, two signals that have relevance in a variety of real-world applications. A previously identified pH-responsive promoter and a temperature-responsive promoter were extracted from the E. coli genome, characterized, and modified to suit the needs of the genetic circuits. These promoters were combined with components of the type III secretion system in Salmonella typhimurium and used to construct a set of AND gates with up to 23-fold change. Next, an antisense RNA was integrated into the circuit architecture to invert the logic of the AND gate and generate a set of NAND gates with up to 1168-fold change. These circuits provide the first demonstration of complex pH- and temperature-responsive genetic circuits, and lay the groundwork for the use of similar circuits in real-world applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1626-1631. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Pediatric nephrology practice in Jordan.
The practice of pediatric nephrology in a developing country such as Jordan is governed by social, cultural, and economic issues. The prevalence of consanguinity contributes to the emergence of rare heredofamilial disorders and congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Epigenetic factors modify underlying genetic defect predisposing to symptomatic crystalluria. Future research should be directed at prevention.


Microsporidial keratitis in India: 16S rRNA gene-based PCR assay for diagnosis and species identification of microsporidia in clinical samples.
To evaluate 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reactions for the detection and species identification of the microsporidia that cause keratitis. Of the 5892 cases of microbial keratitis seen between September 2002 and December 2005, 31 (0.5%) microscopically diagnosed cases of microsporidial keratitis were included in the test group; 103 patients with nonmicrosporidial keratitis constituted the control group. A 16S rRNA-based pan-microsporidian PCR was chosen for the detection of microsporidian DNA. Species level identification was made using species-specific primer sets of Encephalitozoon spp (E. cuniculi, E. hellem, and E. intestinalis). Sequencing and BLAST analysis of amplicons obtained with pan-microsporidian primers were performed for validation. The corneal scrapings from 26 of 31 cases in the test group and 2 of 103 cases in the control group showed a 250- to 280-bp amplicon in PCR by pan-microsporidian primers (sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 98%). The amplicons of 13 of 26 test group samples were identified by species-specific PCR: E. cuniculi, n = 7 (549 bp); E. hellem; n = 3 (549 bp); E. intestinalis; n = 1 (520 bp). The two cases in the control group were identified to be E. cuniculi. The remaining 15 cases (test group) were confirmed to be Vittaforma corneae by sequencing and BLAST analysis. All species were confirmed by sequencing and database homology comparison. This study is the first to validate PCR-based assays for detection of microsporidial DNA in corneal scrapings. Pan microsporidian PCR can be a useful adjunct with smear examination in the diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis.


Role of toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism in the development of cardiovascular diseases in HIV-infected patients.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main causes of morbimortality in HIV-infected patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CVDs occurrence in HIV-infected patients. Additionally, the functional consequences of carrying these SNPs were analyzed. The association of TLR4 SNPs, Asp299Gly/Thr399Ile with CVDs occurrence was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Clinical, immunological, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were used as covariates. The monocyte phenotype and response were assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry comparing carriers with noncarriers of this SNP. Asp299Gly SNP, assayed in 253 HIV-infected patients, was independently associated with the occurrence of CVDs after adjusting for CD4+ T-cell nadir, HCV-coinfection, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors [odds ratio (confidence interval 95%) = 3.672 (1.061-12.712), P = 0.04). Carriers of Asp299Gly SNP showed higher percentage of patrolling and intermediate monocytes producing a proinflammatory combination of cytokines compared with noncarriers (P = 0.037 and P = 0.046, respectively). Intermediate monocyte subset levels correlated with soluble interleukin-6 levels only in carriers (r = 0.89; P = 0.01). TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism is independently associated with the occurrence of CVDs in HIV-infected patients. The proinflammatory profile associated to this variant could be involved in the development of atherosclerotic pathologies.


Intersecting Constraints on Label Learning: Effects of Age, Label Properties, and Referential Context.
This research investigates the development of constraints in word learning. Previous experiments have shown that as infants gain more knowledge of native language structure, they become more selective about the forms that they accept as labels. However, the developmental pattern exhibited depends greatly on the way that infants are introduced to the labels and tested. In a series of experiments, we examined how providing referential context in the form of familiar objects and familiar object names affects how infants learn labels that they would otherwise reject, nonspeech sounds. We found evidence of the development of intersecting constraints: Younger infants (14-month-olds) were more open to learning nonspeech tone labels than older infants (19-month-olds), and younger infants were more open to the influence of referential context. These findings suggest that infants form expectations about labels and labeling contexts as they become more sophisticated learners.


Three new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Diversispora from maritime dunes of Poland.
Three new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Diversispora (phylum Glomeromycota) were described based on their morphology and molecular phylogeny. The phylogeny was inferred from the analyses of the partial 45S rDNA sequences (18S-ITS-28S) and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb1) gene. These species were associated in the field with plants colonizing maritime sand dunes of the Baltic Sea in Poland and formed mycorrhiza in single-species cultures.


A neurobiological enquiry into the origins of our experience of the sublime and beautiful.
Philosophies of aesthetics have posited that experience of the sublime-commonly but not exclusively derived from scenes of natural grandeur-is distinct from that of beauty and is a counterpoint to it. We wanted to chart the pattern of brain activity which correlates with the declared intensity of experience of the sublime, and to learn whether it differs from the pattern that correlates with the experience of beauty, reported in our previous studies (e.g., Ishizu and Zeki, 2011). 21 subjects participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment. Prior to the experiment, they viewed pictures of landscapes, which they rated on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most sublime and 1 being the least. This allowed us to select, for each subject, five sets of stimuli-from ones experienced as very sublime to those experienced as not at all sublime-which subjects viewed and re-rated in the scanner while their brain activity was imaged. The results revealed a distinctly different pattern of brain activity from that obtained with the experience of beauty, with none of the areas active with the latter experience also active during experience of the sublime. Sublime and beautiful experiences thus appear to engage separate and distinct brain systems.


[Effect of acupuncture on intestinal motion and sero-enzyme activity in perioperation].
The authors study on abdominal surgical patients (39 cases) who were randomly divided into the acupuncture and control group. In the acupuncture group, the needle inserted into Zusanli (St.36) and Sanyinjiao (Sp. 6) points at 12-24 h after operation and observed the time of the first excretion through anus. Sero-enzyme activity of GPT, GOT and gamma-GT determined before operation and at 1, 3, 5, 7 days after operation. The results showed that the time of excretion in the acupuncture group (57.78 +/- 23.94 h) was obviously faster than the control one (86.14 +/- 20.43 h), P less than 0.001). It suggested that acupuncture has the effect of promoting intestinal motion. After operation sero-enzyme activity was raised 2-3 times than before. It showed that the surgical trauma directly or indirectly impair cells to release enzyme into blood, but the time of reversing to normal level of sero-enzyme activity in the acupuncture group was obviously faster. There is possibility that acupuncture has the effect of regulating reactivity of organism on trauma and promoting the repair of damaged cell.


Analysis of the sulfur mustard metabolite 1,1'-sulfonylbis[2-S-(N-acetylcysteinyl)ethane] in urine by negative ion electrospray liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry.
A method is described for the analysis of the sulfur mustard metabolite 1,1'-sulfonylbis[2-S-(N-acetylcysteinyl)ethane] in human urine. The analyte was concentrated from urine on a polymeric SPE cartridge and analyzed by liquid chromatography-negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The limit of detection was 0.5-1 ng/mL. The metabolite was detected at concentrations close to the detection limit in samples of urine from two casualties accidentally exposed to sulfur mustard from a First World War munition.


[Implementation of diagnostic accuracy for COPD (ABC Project): evaluation of a guide-line in territorial clinical practice].
In Italian Territory Medicine there is no consolidated habitude, by Family General Practicioners and Paediatricians, to use Guidelines for diagnosis and management of diseases. Therefore, 19 General Practicioners, organized in a cooperative group, have identified a guideline on COPD, a disease often underdiagnosed and inappropriately treated, and verified, over 3 years of application, if it is possible, in clinical practice, to modify diagnostic-therapeutic habitudes. The results - even inferior to expectations for most of the indicators used - showed an increase in the number of cases diagnosed as COPD, possibly linked to a greater use of spirometry and chest Rx.


Filter-filter interactions. Photostabilization, triplet quenching and reactivity with singlet oxygen.
In most sunscreens, the presence of two UV filters usually leads to synergistic effects regarding both the final performance and photostabilization of the active principles. However, this may also result in an accelerated decomposition if a photoreaction occurs between the single components. Thus, the understanding of photophysics and photochemistry of UV filter combinations is important to improve sunscreen photostability. In this context, photoreactivity of a commonly used UVA filter, namely tert-butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane (BM-DBM, also known as avobenzone, Parsol 1789, etc.), has been studied in the presence of six commercial solar filters: octyl methoxycinnamate, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, octocrylene, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, octyl triazone and dioctyl butamido triazone. To achieve this goal, a mechanism-based strategy has been designed in order to investigate the photostability of sunscreens in a more systematic way, taking into account different processes: tautomerization of BM-DBM, formation of triplet excited state of BM-DBM in its diketo form and its quenching in the presence of UV filters, reactivity of UV filters under triplet photosensitization, quenching of singlet oxygen by UV filters and degradation of the latter under singlet oxygenation conditions.


Analysis of Gene-Environment Interactions Related to Developmental Disorders.
Various genetic and environmental factors are associated with developmental disorders (DDs). It has been suggested that interaction between genetic and environmental factors (G × E) is involved in the etiology of DDs. There are two major approaches to analyze the interaction: genome-wide and candidate gene-based approaches. In this mini-review, we demonstrate how these approaches can be applied to reveal the G × E related to DDs focusing on zebrafish and mouse models. We also discuss novel approaches to analyze the G × E associated with DDs.


Practice re-engineering through the use of benchmarks: Part II.
Benchmarking can be a useful tool to assist practices in successfully re-engineering their practices to achieve performance improvement. Unfortunately, while many practices identify benchmarks, they are not often integrated into the day-to-day operations of the practice, used to create accountability, or used to help re-engineer processes. Part I described the nine-step benchmarking process and discussed how to use the process successfully to improve performance through process re-engineering. Part II identifies key indicators to measure performance and explains how to integrate their use into the practice's daily operations.


Metabolomics and its role in understanding cellular responses in plants.
A natural shift is taking place in the approaches being adopted by plant scientists in response to the accessibility of systems-based technology platforms. Metabolomics is one such field, which involves a comprehensive non-biased analysis of metabolites in a given cell at a specific time. This review briefly introduces the emerging field and a range of analytical techniques that are most useful in metabolomics when combined with computational approaches in data analyses. Using cases from Arabidopsis and other selected plant systems, this review highlights how information can be integrated from metabolomics and other functional genomics platforms to obtain a global picture of plant cellular responses. We discuss how metabolomics is enabling large-scale and parallel interrogation of cell states under different stages of development and defined environmental conditions to uncover novel interactions among various pathways. Finally, we discuss selected applications of metabolomics.


Effect of cooling on supraoptic neurohypophysial neuronal activity and on urine flow in the rat.
The activity of antidromically identified supraoptic neurosecretory neurones was recorded in Sprague-Dawley rats under urethane or sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia during cooling of the body with a cold pack. Of twelve phasic neurones studied during a complete cooling and rewarming cycle, six displayed an initial increase, followed by a depression in activity during the period of reduced body temperature. The remaining six phasic neurones did not alter their activity during cooling. Non-phasic neurohypophysial neurones displayed a reversible reduction (n = 8), or increase (n = 6) in activity during cooling, while seven neurones were unaffected by changes in body temperature. In four other anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, urine flow was reduced by approximately 50% during cooling; this was followed by a diuresis after removal of the cold pack and return of body temperature to normal. The antidiuresis did not occur in homozygous Brattleboro rats which lack arginine vasopressin. The electrophysiological data from a proportion of the supraoptic neurohypophysial neurones correlate with the observed changes in urine flow.


Large-Area, Flexible, Transparent, and Long-Lived Polymer-Based Phosphorescence Films.
Polymer-based room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials with high flexibility and large-area producibility are highly promising for applications in organic electronics. However, achieving such photophysical materials is challenging because of difficulties in populating and stabilizing susceptible triplet excited states at room temperature. Herein large-area, flexible, transparent, and long-lived RTP systems prepared by doping rationally selected organic chromophores in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix were realized through a hydrogen-bonding and coassembly strategy. In particular, the 3,6-diphenyl-9H-carbazole (DPCz)-doped PVA film shows long-lived phosphorescence emission (up to 2044.86 ms) and a remarkable duration of afterglow (over 20 s) under ambient conditions. Meanwhile, the 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DBCz)-doped PVA film exhibits high absolute luminance of 158.4 mcd m2 after the ultraviolet excitation source is removed. The RTP results not only from suppressing the nonradiative decay by abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions in the PVA matrix but also from minimizing the energy gap (ΔEST) between the singlet state and the triplet state through the coassembly effect. On account of the outstanding mechanical properties and the afterglow performance of these RTP materials, they were applied in the fabrication of flexible 3D objects with repeatable folding and curling properties. Importantly, the multichannel afterglow light-emitting diode arrays were established under ambient conditions. The present long-lived phosphorescent systems demonstrate a bright opportunity for the production of large-area, flexible, and transparent emitting materials.


Nanovector-based therapies in advanced pancreatic cancer.
Systemic therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer has been largely disappointing owing to the unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile and poor penetration of current chemotherapeutic agents ,as well as the fragile patient population with compromised tolerance to toxic chemotherapies. Nanovectors can provide passive drug delivery through abnormal tumor neo-vasculature microanatomy or active targeting via binding to receptors or macromolecules associated with the tumor. In such a manner, nanovector-based therapy may not only modulate the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic agents but also provide new treatment options in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. In this article, we present the rationale and currently available clinical results of nanovector-based therapies to highlight the potential use of this class of agent in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.


The neuroregulatory properties of L-DOPA. A review of the evidence and potential role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Accumulating evidence suggests that L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) has neurotransmitter-like and/or neuromodulatory properties in the CNS. Such evidence is based on a wide range of findings including the existence of specific L-DOPAergic neurons in several regions of the CNS, neurotransmitter-like characteristics and specific pharmacological effects. This review attempts to outline the main evidence for this conception and to relate such findings to L-DOPA treatment effects in Parkinson's disease. In this context L-DOPA in itself has been shown to potentiate D2 receptor-mediated effects, inhibit acetylcholine release and increase the release of L-glutamate, neuropharmacological effects which can be linked to treatment side-effects in advanced Parkinson's disease. It is suggested that supersensitive L-DOPA-mediated effects contribute to the pathogenesis underlying L-DOPA-induced motor complications in advanced Parkinson's disease. However, since specific L-DOPA receptors have yet to be identified, the assessment of the relative importance of L-DOPA-mediated effects in this clinical context must be regarded as incomplete.


Effect of culture conditions on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Nostoc flagelliforme.
Three polysaccharides (WL-CPS-1, NaCl-CPS-1 and Glu-CPS-1) were extracted and purified from Nostoc flagelliforme under normal, salt stress and mixotrophic culture conditions respectively. Their physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities were investigated. WL-CPS-1, NaCl-CPS-1 and Glu-CPS-1 chemical composition differed in sugar and uronic acid contents, and they were composed of nine constituent monosaccharides and one uronic acid with different ratios, with the average molecular weights of 1.02 × 103, 1.12 × 103 and 1.33 × 103 kDa, respectively. They presented similar fourier transform infrared spectra, but different surface morphology, chain length and branching. Antioxidant assay showed that they all exhibited strong scavenging activity on ABTS+ and hydroxyl radicals and moderate activity on DPPH radical. Glu-CPS-1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity suggested culture conditions could regulate the bioactivity through influencing the structure and properties. These findings demonstrated the potential application of proper regulation of culture conditions in the development of polysaccharides with high antioxidant activity.


Upper Femur Anatomy Depends on Age and Gender: A Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Comparative Bone Morphometric Analysis of 628 Healthy Patients' Hips.
The knowledge of proximal femur geometry is essential in the understanding and treatment of hip pathologies. Our aim is to evaluate the range of "normal anatomical values of the proximal femur" and their relationship to age, gender, and ethnicity in a cohort of healthy population, using a 3-dimensional computed tomography automated software. The pelvis and bilateral femora of 628 healthy individuals (394 males/234 females, mean age 61.5 ± 16.5 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 26.9 ± 5.2 kg/m2) including 2 ethnicities (226 Asians and 406 Caucasians) were assessed with a 3-dimensional computed tomography scan-based system using algorithm-calculated landmarks. The demographic parameters recorded were age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity. The femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA), femoral neck version, femoral offset (FO), and femoral canal flare index (fCFI) were calculated for each individual. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. P-values <.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Overall, the mean NSA was 124.7° (standard deviation [SD] 6.2), mean femoral neck version was 14.5° (SD 8.1), mean FO was 42.9 mm (SD 6.8), and mean fCFI was 3.4 (SD 0.5). Gender was associated with all parameters, with the females presenting more valgus and anteverted hips. Multivariate analysis revealed a lower NSA and fCFI and a higher FO for older individuals. Ethnicity and BMI were not associated with any parameters. Our results showed that there is a direct relationship of age and gender to the variations in the investigated proximal femur anatomical parameters in a large cohort of healthy individuals. Those important gender-based and age-based differences might advocate for more varus and lateralized component to reproduce preoperative anatomy of male and patients older than 50 years.


Atypical rosacea in a male patient: case study.
Rosacea fulminans is a rare disorder of unknown cause, almost exclusively affecting women. There are only a few reported cases in men. The condition is characterized by the abrupt onset of pustules and nodules predominantly affecting the cheeks or chin without any systemic upset. We report the case of a 37-year-old man who presented with papulopustules, predominantly localized to his nose. Histopathological features were consistent with rosacea fulminans. The patient was managed with treatments including oral prednisolone, isotretinoin, and trimethioprim.


Factors Associated With the Overuse of Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review.
This systematic review examined factors associated with overuse of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The authors searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1998 to March 2017. Studies were included if they were written in English, contained original data, involved a US population, and examined factors potentially associated with overuse of CRC screening. Paired reviewers independently screened abstracts, assessed quality, and extracted data. In 8 studies, the associations between patient factors, including age, sex, race, and number of comorbidities, were tested and were inconsistently associated with CRC screening overuse. Overuse of screening was greater in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic regions and in urban areas and was lower in academically affiliated centers. Although the literature supports important overuse of CRC screening, it remains unclear what drives these practices. Future research should thoroughly explore these factors and test the impact of interventions to reduce overuse of screening.


Nasal cytology in southwest metropolitan Mexico City inhabitants: a pilot intervention study.
Southwest metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC) inhabitants have been exposed several hours per day for the last 6 years to photochemical smog, ozone being the most important oxidant pollutant. Subjects exposed to the SWMMC atmosphere develop several histopathological changes in their nasal mucosa: dysplasia is the most significant, affecting 78.72% of adult individuals within 60 or more days of residence in SWMMC. This study was originally designed to explore whether chemical intervention could modify nasal dysplasia, as determined by nasal cytology, in a defined adult population. In a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial, 177 healthy male subjects were divided into 5 groups to whom 5000 IU of vitamin A, 100 IU of vitamin E, a combination of vitamins A and E (5000 IU + 100 IU), 16 mg of beta-carotene, or placebo were administered daily for 4 months. Sixteen clinical and cytological variables were monitored. No effect on dysplasia was seen at the end of the 4-month trial; however, an apparent reversibility as well as progression of the dysplastic nasal lesions and high correlation coefficients between dysplasia and nasal cytology of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs; 0.85), squamous metaplasia (SM; 0.50), and nasal mucosa atrophy (NMA; 0.41) were found. A mathematical theoretical nasal dysplasia (tD) predictor equation for SWMMC adult male inhabitants is proposed (tD = 0.85 delta PMNs + 0.50 delta SM + 0.41 delta NMA + 0.98), in which PMNs are the best single dysplasia predictor, and all variables are independent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Prone position ventilation for the relief of acute respiratory distress syndrome through improved pulmonary ventilation: Efficacy and safety.
At present, there is a preliminary clinical consensus that prone position ventilation (PPV) is beneficial to the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and further research on the details of treatment and patients' benefits will help to assess its effectiveness and safety. To evaluate the timing, efficacy, and safety of different mechanical ventilation positions (MVP) in treating ARDS. The results of clinical trials were directly or indirectly compared by network meta-analysis to compare the effects of different MVP. Two authors independently searched the papers published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Discs (CBM), WanFang, and VIP database from January 2000 to August 2022. The outcome indicators were oxygenation index, mechanical ventilation time, ICU hospitalization time, in-hospital mortality, and incidence of adverse events. Two authors independently screened the literature, evaluated the quality of the studies, and completed the data extraction. Stata 14.0 was used to conduct a network Meta-analysis, and the intervention measures were ranked according to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Funnel plots were drawn to evaluate publication bias. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 75 studies (including 6333 patient data) were finally included. According to the analysis results, PPV was the best for improving the oxygenation index. The SUCRA values of mechanical ventilation time, ICU hospitalization time, and in-hospital mortality were ranked as PPV > lateral position ventilation (LPV) > supine position ventilation (SuPV) > semireclining position ventilation (SePV). The SUCRA values in the incidence of adverse events were ranked as LPV > PPV > SuPV > SePV. All outcome measures had good consistency and low statistical heterogeneity. Funnel plot analysis shows that papers reported within three days of mechanical ventilation time, over five days of mechanical ventilation time, and in-hospital mortality were more likely to have publication bias. PPV has the best effect on improving the oxygenation index, reducing mechanical ventilation time, shortening ICU hospitalization time, and reducing in-hospital mortality. Early and long-term use of PPV to improve pulmonary ventilatory function will be the key to improving patients' survival and quality of life with ARDS. PPV significantly affects patients with ARDS, which can shorten the treatment time and reduce hospital costs. During the treatment, nursing observation should be strengthened to prevent adverse events.


Atopy in Elite Endurance Athletes.
To assess the frequency of atopy (specific IgE levels), to evaluate the allergic symptoms using the Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUA), and to determine whether atopy is associated with allergic symptoms in elite endurance athletes. Cross-sectional study. Assessments were performed at Hospital das Clinicas-São Paulo University Medical School. Fifty-nine elite endurance athletes (triathletes and runners). Allergic symptoms were assessed by a validated self-report AQUA questionnaire and atopy by specific IgE level. The frequency of atopy (specific IgE to at least one inhalant allergen) and allergic symptoms was 57.6% and 54.2%, respectively. In addition, no association was observed between atopy and allergic symptoms. A possible implication from our results is that atopy screening in elite athletes should be performed using AQUA questionnaire and measuring specific IgE simultaneously.


The 72-kilodalton protein of the male reproductive tract is differentially expressed and developmentally regulated during Wolffian duct differentiation of the fetal mouse.
Differentiation of the mammalian reproductive tract into the male phenotype is dependent on the presence of functional testes secreting testosterone during in utero development. Recently, we identified a protein fraction (72 kDa) from the developing reproductive tract of the fetal male mouse that is able to mimic the effect of testosterone in stabilizing the Wolffian duct in vitro, suggesting a role played by this protein in mediating the effect of testosterone during Wolffian duct differentiation. In the present study, we further evaluated the masculinizing role of this protein by determining the specific appearance of the 72-kDa protein in relation to reproductive tract differentiation. Using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis, we demonstrate that the protein was expressed specifically in the male reproductive tract and not in male non-reproductive organs, namely, lung, liver, or kidney. Within the male reproductive tract, the Wolffian duct derivatives demonstrated a high level of expression of the protein, whereas the urogenital sinus produced only a low level of reaction to this antibody in Western analysis and no reaction in the histochemical analysis. There was a gradual rise in expression of the protein in the male reproductive tract during the critical period of Wolffian duct differentiation. The female reproductive tract produced only a trace immune reaction in Western analysis and no reaction in immunohistochemical analysis. Thus, the results support the hypothesis that the 72-kDa protein plays a role in Wolffian duct differentiation.


LC-MS: a powerful tool in workplace drug testing.
Workplace drug testing is a well-established application of forensic toxicology and it aims to reduce workplace accidents caused by affected workers. Several classes of abused substances may be involved, such as alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, opiates and also prescription drugs, such as benzodiazepines. The use of alternative biological specimens such as hair, oral fluid or sweat in workplace drug testing presents several advantages over urinalysis-mainly the fact that sample collection can be performed easily without infringing on the examinee's privacy, so the subject is more likely to perform the test. However, drugs are usually present in these alternative specimens at low concentrations and the amount of sample available for analysis is small. The use of highly sensitive techniques is therefore necessary. In fact, the successful interface of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has brought a new light into bioanalytical and forensic sciences as it allows the detection of drugs and metabolites at concentrations that are difficult to analyse using the more commonly adopted GC-MS based techniques. This paper will discuss the importance of LC-MS in supporting workplace drug-testing programmes. The combination of LC-MS with innovative instrumentation such as triple quadrupoles, ion traps and time-of-flight mass spectrometers will also be focused.


Key of induced tolerance to ischaemia in gerbil hippocampal CA1 is not at transcriptional level of hsp70 gene: in situ hybridization of hsp70 mRNA.
Hippocampal neurons, when pretreated with sublethal ischaemia, acquired tolerance to future treatments of normally lethal ischaemia. The level of transcription of the stress protein hsp70 was studied by in situ hybridization in control, ischaemic and tolerance-induced-ischaemic hippocampal neurons. Mongolian gerbils were subjected to single forebrain ischaemia for 2 min (2-min ischaemia group: sublethal) or 5 min (5-min ischaemia group: lethal). Other animals, were exposed to sublethal ischaemia for 2 min and were subjected subsequently to ischaemia for 5 min, 2 days later. Animals were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following ischaemia and in situ hybridization was performed with thin cross sections including the hippocampus. Hybridization of the hsp70 probe in the control group (no ischaemia) was barely visible in the brain. In the 2-min ischaemia group, intense hybridization was seen in the CA1 sector from 6 through 24 h of recirculation but hybridization almost disappeared at 48 h of recirculation. In the 5-min and the double ischaemic groups, the intense induction in the CA1 sector occurred during the period from 6 through 48 h of recirculation. Our present study by in situ hybridization reveals high levels of transcription of hsp70 message following 5-min of ischaemia, however no protein was detectable based on our previous experiments employing immunocytochemistry. In tolerance-induced hippocampal neurons, both hsp70 message and protein are present. These results suggest that tolerance-induced neurons are modified such that the hsp70 gene is both transcribed and translated. These changes most likely give rise to the tolerance observed in the double ischaemia group.