Dynamic changes in generalized anxiety and depression during counseling.
Comorbidity of generalized anxiety and depression is common in clinical populations. Understanding how change in generalized anxiety and depression are related during counseling may help improve treatment. College student data (N = 51,922) from university and college counseling centers across the United States were used to examine relationships between change in generalized anxiety and depression across 12 counseling sessions using bivariate dual change score models. Results suggested greater improvement in depression was related to greater improvement in generalized anxiety across sessions, but greater improvement in generalized anxiety was related to less improvement in depression across sessions. This same pattern of results generalized to individuals who attended counseling with concerns in anxiety only, depression only, and both anxiety and depression. Although there were general improvements in generalized anxiety and depression across counseling sessions, greater improvement in depression at earlier sessions appeared to be a leading indicator of greater improvement in generalized anxiety at later sessions. Implications and future directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


Impaired vigilance is associated with erectile dysfunction in patients with sleep apnea.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is frequent in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and may act as a surrogate of endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, impairments of vigilance and sustained attention are also commonly associated with OSA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between ED and sustained attention deficits. A prospective cross-sectional cohort of 401 male in-patients undergoing diagnostic polysomnography for suspected OSA and a 25-minute sustained attention test was analyzed. ED was assessed using the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) served as a measure of daytime sleepiness. Severity of impaired erectile function (EF) assessed by the IIEF-15, core task parameters of the sustained attention test (i.e., CR: correct reactions; V-CR: variation of correct reactions, CE: commission errors, RT: reaction time; V-RT: variation of reaction times). Three hundred eighty-one consecutive patients presenting for in-lab polysomnography were included in the analysis. Impaired EF was diagnosed in 246 patients (65%). With increasing impairment of EF, patients scored significantly worse in all vigilance test parameters and demonstrated more severely diminished vigilance (normal EF: 11.9%, moderately impaired EF: 24.1%, and severely impaired EF: 34.9%). Multivariate regression analyses including established risk factors for ED, OSA, or sleepiness revealed a significant independent association between lower scores for EF and impairments on the following vigilance test variables: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for V-CR: 0.52 (0.34-0.81), CE: 0.87 (0.80-0.95), and V-RT: 0.91 (0.87-0.96). The ESS was independently associated with both measures of performance instability: odds ratio for V-CR: 6.94 (2.97-16.23) and V-RT: 1.28 (1.14-1.44). In OSA patients, the severity of impaired EF was associated with impaired vigilance performance, independent of other known risk factors for ED or OSA and not mediated by sleepiness. Potentially, the findings suggest a direct relationship between vascular or endothelial dysfunction and impairments in both EF and neurobehavioral cognitive function.


Semantic field in aphasia: an experimental investigation on comprehension of the relations of class and property.
A multiple choice test was devised in order to assess some aspects of the aphasic's semantic field; patient's task was to match a given picture with one out of three alternatives: one of them was linked by a class relationship, one was linked by a property relationship and the last was an unrelated item. Results clearly show that Broca's aphasics make their choice according to class criteria whereas Wernicke's and controls make their choice according to property criteria. Results are discussed in the light of Jakobson linguistic hypothesis which postulates that Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia are subdued by a contiguity and similarity disorder.


Antral content, secretion and peripheral metabolism of N-terminal progastrin fragments.
In addition to the acid-stimulatory gastrins, progastrin also release N-terminal fragments. In order to examine the cellular content, secretion and peripheral metabolism of these fragments, we developed an immunoassay specific for the N-terminal sequence of human progastrin. The concentration of N-terminal progastrin fragments in human antral tissue was 6.7 nmol/g tissue (n=5), which was only half of that of acid-stimulatory gastrins (12 nmol/g tissue). Gel chromatography of antral extracts showed that the progastrin fragment 1-35 and 1-19 constitute the major part of the N-terminal progastrin fragments. The basal concentration of N-terminal fragments in normal human plasma was almost 30-fold higher than that of the amidated, acid-stimulatory gastrins (286 pmol/l versus 9.8 pmol/l, n=26, P<0.001). In contrast, the concentration of N-terminal fragments in hypergastrinemic plasma was only 2.7-fold higher than the concentration of amidated gastrins (540 pmol vs. 198 pmol/l, P=0.02). During meal stimulation, the plasma concentrations of N-terminal progastrin fragments and amidated gastrins increased in a correlated manner (r=0.97, P=0.005). The half life for progastrin 1-35 in circulation was 30 min, and a pig model revealed the kidneys and the vasculature to the head as the primary sites of degradation. The cellular and circulatory concentration profiles of N-terminal progastrin fragments differ markedly from those of the acid-stimulatory gastrins. The high basal plasma concentrations of N-terminal progastrin fragments cannot be explained by differences in elimination.


Effect of dexamethasone on adipose tissue and liver pyruvate dehydrogenase and its stimulation by insulin-generated chemical mediator.
Rats were treated with dexamethasone (50 micrograms/day, sc) for 4 days. Total pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and insulin-stimulated PDHa activities were decreased in fat pads from dexamethasone-treated rats compared to control values. Coincubation experiments with adipocyte mitochondria, plasma membrane, and insulin demonstrated decreased stimulation of PDH in preparations from dexamethasone-treated rats. The responsiveness of the mitochondrial PDH system to insulin and control rat plasma membranes was not different in glucocorticoid-treated adipocyte preparations compared to controls. Liver mitochondria from dexamethasone-treated rats demonstrated decreased basal enzyme activity and a decreased percentage of stimulation of PDH when supernatants from insulin-exposed liver particulate fractions were tested. These experiments suggest that insulin resistance produced by glucocorticoid treatment, like that resulting from fat feeding, is accompanied by a decrease in the capacity of adipocyte and liver plasma membranes to generate PDH activator in response to insulin.


Results of surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma of the spine.
Ten percent of all osteoid osteomas are located in the spine; they represent the most common cause of painful scoliosis in adolescents. The recommended treatment is surgical excision of the nidus. Nine patients with osteoid osteoma of the spine underwent surgical treatment between 1996 and 2002. Complete nidus removal was performed in all patients and the diagnosis was made by frozen sections intraoperatively. The follow-up period was 27 months. Scoliosis was present in five of the cases (55.5%). All deformities improved during the postoperative follow-up period. All nine patients with the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma who had operations had histological confirmation. All patients had immediate and complete relief of pain after surgery. There were no complications and no local recurrences after a follow-up of two years. In the authors' opinion, removal of the nidus by open surgical technique remains a valid method of treatment for osteoid osteoma of the spine.


The Dorsocross T-box genes are key components of the regulatory network controlling early cardiogenesis in Drosophila.
Cardiac induction in Drosophila relies on combinatorial Dpp and Wg signaling activities that are derived from the ectoderm. Although some of the actions of Dpp during this process have been clarified, the exact roles of Wg, particularly with respect to myocardial cell specification, have not been well defined. Our present study identifies the Dorsocross T-box genes as key mediators of combined Dpp and Wg signals during this process. The Dorsocross genes are induced within the segmental areas of the dorsal mesoderm that receive intersecting Dpp and Wg inputs. Dorsocross activity is required for the formation of all myocardial and pericardial cell types, with the exception of the Eve-positive pericardial cells. In an early step, the Dorsocross genes act in parallel with tinman to activate the expression of pannier, a cardiogenic gene encoding a Gata factor. Our loss- and gain-of-function studies, as well as the observed genetic interactions among Dorsocross, tinman and pannier, suggest that co-expression of these three genes in the cardiac mesoderm, which also involves cross-regulation, plays a major role in the specification of cardiac progenitors. After cardioblast specification, the Dorsocross genes are re-expressed in a segmental subset of cardioblasts, which in the heart region develop into inflow valves (ostia). The integration of this new information with previous findings has allowed us to draw a more complete pathway of regulatory events during cardiac induction and differentiation in Drosophila.


Bone density loss on computed tomography at 3-year follow-up in current compared to former male smokers.
Cigarette smoking negatively affects bone quality and increases fracture risk. Little is known on the effect of smoking cessation and computed tomography (CT)-derived bone mineral density (BMD) decline in the spine. We evaluated the association of current and former smoking with BMD decline after 3-year follow-up. Male current and former smokers participating in a lung cancer screening trial who underwent baseline and 3-year follow-up CT were included. BMD was measured by manual placement of a region of interest in the first lumbar vertebra and expressed in Hounsfield Unit (HU). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between pack years smoked and smoking status with BMD decline. 408 participants were included with median (25th-75th percentile) age of 59.4 (55.9-63.5) years. At the start of the study, 197 (48.3%) participants were current smokers and 211 (51.7%) were former smokers and had a similar amount of pack years. Current smokers had quit smoking for 6 (4-8) years prior to inclusion. There was no difference in BMD between current and former smokers at baseline (109±34 HU vs. 108±32 HU, p=0.96). At 3-year follow-up, current smokers had a mean BMD decline of -3±13 HU (p=0.001), while BMD in former smokers did not change as compared to baseline (1±13 HU, p=0.34). After adjustment for BMD at baseline and body mass index, current smoking was independently associated with BMD decline (-3.8 HU, p=0.003). Age, pack years, and the presence of a fracture at baseline did not associate with BMD decline. Current smokers showed a more rapid BMD decline over a 3-year period compared to former smokers. This information might be important to identify subjects at risk for osteoporosis and emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation in light of BMD decline.


Red blood cells for transfusion in patients with sepsis: respective roles of unit age and exposure to recipient plasma.
Red blood cell (RBC) storage in blood banks is not exempt from cellular injury. Alterations not observed on RBCs freshly isolated from units can rapidly appear in circulation. The transfusion of old blood units, even if this is a controversial issue, could therefore have adverse effects on the recipient. We wanted to determine the respective effects of storage duration and recipient plasma on RBCs for transfusion into patients with severe sepsis. Eleven stored RBC units were sampled at various time points, approximately Days 3 to 8 (referred to as fresh RBCs) and Days 38 to 42 (old RBCs) and tested in coincubation experiments with plasma obtained from 13 patients with severe sepsis and 17 healthy donors as controls. RBCs were tested after 24 or 48 hours at 37°C for the detection of senescence markers (phosphatidylserine exposure, calcium influx, and reactive oxygen species detection and decrease in size) with or without exposure to plasma. We confirmed that a 42-day refrigerated storage of RBCs alone (without any incubation in plasma) had no significant effect on RBCs and no senescence marker detected. By contrast, ex vivo exposure to plasma samples altered both fresh and old RBCs, with a much larger effect for old RBCs, regardless of the plasma used (sepsis vs. control). We show that the main factor affecting the senescence of RBCs for transfusion into patients with severe sepsis is the age of the stored units rather than the clinical status of the recipient.


Protection of retroviral DNA from autointegration: involvement of a cellular factor.
An essential step in the retrovirus life cycle is integration of a DNA copy of the viral genome into a host chromosome. After reverse transcription, there can be a delay of many hours before the viral DNA is integrated. It is important for the retrovirus to ensure that the viral DNA does not integrate into itself during this period; such autointegration is a suicidal process that would result in destruction of the viral genome. Understanding of the mechanism that blocks autointegration of the viral DNA may lead to insights into how to inhibit viral replication by inducing the viral DNA to autointegrate. Evidence is presented in this report that viral nucleoprotein complexes isolated from cells infected with Moloney murine leukemia virus exhibit a barrier to autointegration. The barrier can be disrupted by high salt treatment and, subsequently, restored by addition of factors provided by a host cell extract. Our data indicate an involvement of host machinery in protecting retroviral DNA from autointegration.


Fixed drug eruption caused by iopamidol, a contrast medium.
We report a patient who developed a fixed drug eruption caused by the contrast medium, Iopamidol. We diagnosed it by her episode pattern and the results of patch tests. This substance has not been previously implicated as a cause of fixed drug eruption. Immunohistochemical studies showed Fas expression in keratinocytes of the lesion, but not in the uninvolved skin. This finding may explain the preferential localization of fixed drug eruption.


Juvenile Retention Polyp in a Teenager.
The proper management of a prolapsed rectal mass in a child or teenager is challenging. Given that the underlying etiology of a prolapsed rectal mass in this population is not always immediately clear, interdisciplinary assessment is often required. Juvenile polyps, more commonly presenting with bleeding than a prolapsed mass, can mimic the appearance of both hemorrhoids and the rectum itself - making a purely clinical diagnosis difficult. Presented here is a case of a prolapsed colorectal polyp in a teenage boy, who underwent manual reduction of the mass, followed by colonoscopy and endoscopic ligation. Further histological evaluation revealed it to be a juvenile retention polyp. Despite the rarity of polyp prolapse as a presenting symptom, this case underscores the importance of considering colonic polyps as the etiology of a prolapsed anorectal mass in a teenager.


The impact of symptom severity on the cost of Alzheimer's disease.
ITo examine the economic impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the disease progresses on patients' medical costs and caregivers' productivity. A 12-page, self-administered mail survey, fielded in November 1999. Households with AD caregivers, selected from a nationwide (U.S.) consumer database. One thousand seven hundred fifteen caregivers of noninstitutionalized AD patients. Disease progression was measured using a scale of symptom frequency and measures of instrumental and physical functioning. Cost components included hospital days, physician visits, and emergency room visits. Lost productivity was assessed using hours per week that caregivers provided care and the number of days that they missed from work because of caregiving. The direct costs of caring for AD patients for 6 months totaled $3,129, whereas the indirect costs were $26,080. Patients with more-frequent symptoms used all healthcare resources, including the hospital, emergency room, and physicians, more often than those with less-frequent symptoms. Those with lower levels of physical and instrumental functioning also used the hospital and physicians more often than those with higher levels of physical and instrumental functioning. Caregivers of these more severely impaired patients spent more hours providing care and reported missing more work than those caring for higher-functioning patients. These relationships remained after controlling for potentially confounding factors. This large study of patients at all stages of AD shows that the direct and indirect costs of AD are considerably lower for patients with fewer symptoms. Longitudinal studies will determine the impact on the overall cost of care of interventions that reduce symptoms and maintain patients at earlier stages of the disease.


Abdominal decompression for suspected fetal compromise/pre-eclampsia.
Abdominal decompression was developed as a means of pain relief during labour. It has also been used for complications of pregnancy, and in healthy pregnant women in an attempt to improve fetal wellbeing and intellectual development. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of antenatal abdominal decompression for maternal hypertension or impaired fetal growth, on perinatal outcome. The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (2 February 2012). Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing abdominal decompression with no decompression in women with pre-eclampsia and/or fetuses thought to be compromised. Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one review author. Three studies were included, all with the possibility of containing serious bias. Therapeutic abdominal decompression was associated with the following reductions: persistent pre-eclampsia (relative risk 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.72); fetal distress in labour (relative risk 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.71); low birthweight (relative risk 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.63); Apgar scores less than six at one minute (relative risk 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.56); and perinatal mortality (relative risk 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.71). Due to the methodological limitations of the studies, the effects of therapeutic abdominal decompression are not clear. The apparent improvements in birthweight and perinatal mortality warrant further evaluation of abdominal decompression where there is impaired fetal growth and possibly for women with pre-eclampsia.


Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 MRI in Breast Cancer.
One of the hallmarks of cancer is metabolic reprogramming, including high levels of aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect). Pyruvate is a product of glucose metabolism, and 13C-MR imaging of the metabolism of hyperpolarized (HP) [1-13C]pyruvate (HP 13C-MRI) has been shown to be a potentially versatile tool for the clinical evaluation of tumor metabolism. Hyperpolarization of the 13C nuclear spin can increase the sensitivity of detection by 4-5 orders of magnitude. Therefore, following intravenous injection, the location of hyperpolarized 13C-labeled pyruvate in the body and its subsequent metabolism can be tracked using 13C-MRI. Hyperpolarized [13C]urea and [1,4-13C2]fumarate are also likely to translate to the clinic in the near future as tools for imaging tissue perfusion and post-treatment tumor cell death, respectively. For clinical breast imaging, HP 13C-MRI can be combined with 1H-MRI to address the need for detailed anatomical imaging combined with improved functional tumor phenotyping and very early identification of patients not responding to standard and novel neoadjuvant treatments. If the technical complexity of the hyperpolarization process and the relatively high associated costs can be reduced, then hyperpolarized 13C-MRI has the potential to become more widely available for large-scale clinical trials.


Recent advances in technetium halide chemistry.
Transition metal binary halides are fundamental compounds, and the study of their structure, bonding, and other properties gives chemists a better understanding of physicochemical trends across the periodic table. One transition metal whose halide chemistry is underdeveloped is technetium, the lightest radioelement. For half a century, the halide chemistry of technetium has been defined by three compounds: TcF6, TcF5, and TcCl4. The absence of Tc binary bromides and iodides in the literature was surprising considering the existence of such compounds for all of the elements surrounding technetium. The common synthetic routes that scientists use to obtain binary halides of the neighboring elements, such as sealed tube reactions between elements and flowing gas reactions between a molecular complex and HX gas (X = Cl, Br, or I), had not been reported for technetium. In this Account, we discuss how we used these routes to revisit the halide chemistry of technetium. We report seven new phases: TcBr4, TcBr3, α/β-TcCl3, α/β-TcCl2, and TcI3. Technetium tetrachloride and tetrabromide are isostructural to PtX4 (X = Cl or Br) and consist of infinite chains of edge-sharing TcX6 octahedra. Trivalent technetium halides are isostructural to ruthenium and molybdenum (β-TcCl3, TcBr3, and TcI3) and to rhenium (α-TcCl3). Technetium tribromide and triiodide exhibit the TiI3 structure-type and consist of infinite chains of face-sharing TcX6 (X = Br or I) octahedra. Concerning the trichlorides, β-TcCl3 crystallizes with the AlCl3 structure-type and consists of infinite layers of edge-sharing TcCl6 octahedra, while α-TcCl3 consists of infinite layers of Tc3Cl9 units. Both phases of technetium dichloride exhibit new structure-types that consist of infinite chains of [Tc2Cl8] units. For the technetium binary halides, we studied the metal-metal interaction by theoretical methods and magnetic measurements. The change of the electronic configuration of the metal atom from d(3) (Tc(IV)) to d(5) (Tc(II)) is accompanied by the formation of metal-metal bonds in the coordination polyhedra. There is no metal-metal interaction in TcX4, a Tc═Tc double bond is present in α/β-TcCl3, and a Tc≡Tc triple bond is present in α/β-TcCl2. We investigated the thermal behavior of these binary halides in sealed tubes under vacuum at elevated temperature. Technetium tetrachloride decomposes stepwise to α-TcCl3 and β-TcCl2 at 450 °C, while β-TcCl3 converts to α-TcCl3 at 280 °C. The technetium dichlorides disproportionate to Tc metal and TcCl4 above ∼600 °C. At 450 °C in a sealed Pyrex tube, TcBr3 decomposes to Na{[Tc6Br12]2Br}, while TcI3 decomposes to Tc metal. We have used technetium tribromide in the preparation of new divalent complexes; we expect that the other halides will also serve as starting materials for the synthesis of new compounds (e.g., complexes with a Tc3(9+) core, divalent iodide complexes, binary carbides, nitrides, and phosphides, etc.). Technetium halides may also find applications in the nuclear fuel cycle; their thermal properties could be utilized in separation processes using halide volatility. In summary, we hope that these new insights on technetium binary halides will contribute to a better understanding of the chemistry of this fascinating element.


Yields of single-strand breaks in double-stranded calf thymus DNA irradiated in aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen and scavengers.
Yields of radiation-induced single-strand breaks in double-stranded calf thymus DNA have been measured as a function of OH. scavenger concentration in N2O/O2-saturated aqueous solution. The experimental data are well represented by a theoretical model based on non-homogeneous reaction kinetics, without the need to adjust any parameter. The good agreement between experimental and theoretical data is taken as evidence that, in the presence of oxygen, the main effect of added scavengers with respect to the formation of single-strand breaks in double-stranded DNA is OH. radical scavenging.


Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Gd-EOB-DTPA MR Imaging.
Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA; Gadoxetic acid; Gadoxetate disodium) is a hepatocyte-specific MR contrast agent. It acts as an extracellular contrast agent in the early phase after intravenous injection, and then is taken up by hepatocytes later. Using this contrast agent, we can evaluate the hemodynamics of the liver and liver tumors, and can therefore improve the detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gd-EOB-DTPA helps in the more accurate detection of hypervascular HCC than by other agents. In addition, Gd-EOB-DTPA can detect hypovascular HCC, which is an early stage of the multi-stage carcinogenesis, with a low signal in the hepatobiliary phase. In addition to tumor detection and characterization, Gd-EOB-DTPA contrast-enhanced MR imaging can be applied for liver function evaluation and prognoses evaluation. Thus, Gd-EOB-DTPA plays an important role in the diagnosis of HCC. However, we have to employ optimal imaging techniques to improve the diagnostic ability. In this review, we aimed to discuss the characteristics of the contrast media, optimal imaging techniques, diagnosis, and applications.


[Alloplastic Materials and their Propensity to Bacterial Colonisation].
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The alloplastic materials currently used for protective surface layers on implants were tested in vitro under microbiological laboratory conditions by contamination with microbial agents most frequently found in deep infection of total joint replacements. The objective was to find out how the resistance to bacterial colonisation was related to different surface finishes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Each of 14 samples of alloplastic material currently used in the manufacture of orthopaedic implants was inoculated with each of the group of microorganisms most frequently infecting joint replacements; these were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. At 24 hours of incubation, biofilms produced on sample surfaces were collected, stained with crystalline violet and assessed by spectrophotometry. The average value of biofilm absorbances (AV595) for the group of microorganism tested was taken as a basic characteristic of each material sample indicating its sensitivity to bacterial. RESULTS Of the metal materials with smooth surface finish, Vitalium (AV595, 0.368) showed the lowest affinity to microbial colonisation; next was titanium (AV595, 0.459) and steel (AV595, 0.505). A significant increase in sensitivity to bacterial colonisation was recorded in all types of surface finish of steel (AV595, 0.571) and in titanium alloy with a rough surface texture (AV595, 0.737 to 1.676); p < 0.05. Porous titanium surfaces significantly increased material affinity to colonisation. DISCUSSION Our study had certain limitations concerning in vitro evaluation of porous surfaces that have high affinity to bacterial colonisation. Porous titanium, and its hydroxyapatite layer in particular, considerably promotes osteoblast colonisation of the surface as well as implant osseointegration in the bone bed. Microorganisms therefore have no room for surface colonisation. Problematic may remain the surface parts outside contact with bone that keep their affinity to bacterial colonisation. CONCLUSIONS The material of choice for cemented implants is Vitalium which, of all metal surfaces, has the lowest sensitivity to bacterial colonisation. The materials of choice for cementless implants are titanium alloys. However, an osteoactive surface not in contact with bone remains a problem. On the one hand, its roughness and porosity are crucial to good osseointegration, on the other hand, its affinity to bacterial colonisation is high. alloplastic material, biofilm, joint replacement infection.


Identifying remote protein homologs by network propagation.
Perhaps the most widely used applications of bioinformatics are tools such as psi-blast for searching sequence databases. We describe a recently developed protein database search algorithm called rankprop. rankprop relies upon a precomputed network of pairwise protein similarities. The algorithm performs a diffusion operation from a specified query protein across the protein similarity network. The resulting activation scores, assigned to each database protein, encode information about the global structure of the protein similarity network. This type of algorithm has a rich history in associationist psychology, artificial intelligence and web search. We describe the rankprop algorithm and its relatives, and we provide evidence that the algorithm successfully improves upon the rankings produced by psi-blast.


Effects of dietary composition on postprandial endothelial function and adiponectin concentrations in healthy humans: a crossover controlled study.
Abnormalities during the postprandial state contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Reportedly, postprandial hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperlipacidemia independently cause postprandial cytokine activation. However, it is not clear which dietary composition preferentially affects postprandial endothelial function in healthy subjects. We aimed to examine the associations of dietary composition and postprandial endothelial function in healthy subjects. The effects of a single ingestion of a high-carbohydrate meal (300 kcal, 100% carbohydrate), a high-fat meal (30 g fat/m(2), 35% fat), or a standard test meal (478 kcal; 16.4% protein, 32.7% fat, 50.4% carbohydrate) on postprandial plasma concentrations of adiponectin and forearm blood flow (FBF) during reactive hyperemia were studied in healthy subjects. The peak FBF response and the total reactive hyperemic flow (flow debt repayment; FDR), indexes of resistance artery endothelial function, were unchanged after ingestion of a high-carbohydrate and standard test meal but decreased 120 and 240 min after a high-fat meal. After a high-fat meal, decreases in peak FBF and FDR were well correlated with an increase in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations but not with the other biochemical variables, including triacylglycerol, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and adiponectin. Postprandial endothelial function was impaired only after the high-fat diet and not after the high-carbohydrate or standard test meal in healthy subjects. Because such endothelial dysfunction after a high-fat meal was closely correlated with FFA concentrations, postprandial state could be hazardous, mostly through acute hyperlipacidemia in healthy subjects.


Recruitment Strategies and Lessons Learned from the Children's Healthy Living Program Prevalence Survey.
The US Affiliated Pacific region's childhood obesity prevalence has reached epidemic proportions. To guide program and policy development, a multi-site study was initiated, in collaboration with partners from across the region, to gather comprehensive information on the regional childhood obesity prevalence. The environmental and cultural diversity of the region presented challenges to recruiting for and implementing a shared community-based, public health research program. This paper presents the strategies used to recruit families with young children (n = 5775 for children 2 - 8 years old) for obesity-related measurement across eleven jurisdictions in the US Affiliated Pacific Region. Data were generated by site teams that provided summaries of their recruitment strategies and lessons learned. Conducting this large multi-site prevalence study required considerable coordination, time and flexibility. In every location, local staff knowledgeable of the community was hired to lead recruitment, and participant compensation reflected jurisdictional appropriateness (e.g., gift cards, vouchers, or cash). Although recruitment approaches were site-specific, they were predominantly school-based or a combination of school- and community-based. Lessons learned included the importance of organization buy-in; communication, and advance planning; local travel and site peculiarities; and flexibility. Future monitoring of childhood obesity prevalence in the region should consider ways to integrate measurement activities into existing organizational infrastructures for sustainability and cost-effectiveness, while meeting programmatic (e.g. study) goals.


Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 subclade 8b strains in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, produced larger amounts of Shiga toxin 2 than strains in subclade 8a and other clades.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 (O157) strains can be classified into clades (one of several phylogenetic groups) by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): these are clade 1, clade 2, clade 3, descendant and ancestral clades 4/5, clade 6, clade 7, clade 8, clade 9, and clade 12. Some recent studies showed that some O157 strains in clade 8 produced a larger amount of Shiga toxin (Stx) 2 than other strains. In this study, 1121 epidemiologically unlinked strains of O157 isolated in Chiba Prefecture, Japan were classified into clades during 1996-2014. Clade 8 strains were further classified into subclade 8a (67 strains) and subclade 8b (48 strains) using SNP analysis. In the absence of mitomycin C (MMC), subclade 8a strains in this study produced significantly greater amounts of Stx2 than subclade 8b strains. However, in the presence of MMC, the levels of Stx2 production in subclade 8b strains were significantly greater than subclade 8a strains. On the other hand, a recent study reported that the Stx2 production level in O157 strains was determined mainly by the subtypes of Stx2a phage (ϕStx2_α, β, γ, δ, ε, and ζ). Using O157 strains in this study, the Stx2a phages were classified into these subtypes. In this study, all strains of subclades 8a and 8b carried ϕStx2a_γ and ϕStx2a_δ, respectively. Some strains in clade 6 also carried ϕStx2a_δ. In the presence of MMC, subclade 8b strains produced significantly greater amounts of Stx2 than clade 6 strains carrying ϕStx2_δ. In this study, we propose that Stx2 production in subclade 8b strains in the presence of MMC might be enhanced due to genetic factors other than ϕStx2_δ.


Drug-Induced Hypoglycemia in Neonates Born to Nondiabetic Women Treated with Medications during the Pregnancy or the Labor: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
The prompt identification of at-risk newborns for drug-induced hypoglycemia can minimize the risk for adverse side effects, inappropriate investigations, and considerable unnecessary costs. Existing literature discusses drug-induced hypoglycemia, but a systematic description of neonatal hypoglycemia induced or exacerbated by maternal medications is missing. We reviewed the association between neonatal hypoglycemia and maternal medications. We systematically searched the literature according to the PICOS model on drug-induced hypoglycemia in neonates born to nondiabetic women treated with medications during the pregnancy or the labor. The main outcomes of the review were: (1) prevalence of hypoglycemia, (2) risk factors and potential confounders, (3) time at onset and severity of hypoglycemia, (4) dose-response gradient, (5) metabolic features of hypoglycemia, (6) modalities to treat hypoglycemia, and (7) quality of the studies. We included 69 studies in this review and we identified 11 groups of maternal drugs related to neonatal hypoglycemia. Results were classified for each outcome. Our review aims at supporting clinicians in the identification of the newborn at risk for hypoglycemia and in the differential diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia. Further studies are necessary to assess the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia associated with common maternal medications. KEY POINTS: · A systematic description of neonatal hypoglycemia induced or exacerbated by maternal medications is missing.. · In our review we identified 11 groups of maternal drugs related to neonatal hypoglycemia.. · Our review aims at supporting clinicians in the identification of the newborn at risk for hypoglycemia..


[Transmission ratio disruption, sterility, and control of t-complex function in sperm].
Mouse t-complex located on chromosome 17 contains genes affecting solely male fertility. Some genes of this complex are recessive lethals; nonetheless, the high frequency of the t-complex carriers in a population is maintained due to a mechanism referred to as transmission ratio distortion (TRD), i.e., after crosses with wild-type females, males heterozygous for the t-complex transmit the t-bearing chromosome to nearly all their offspring, which suggests that the t-complex genes control sperm function. Analysis of this phenomenon shows that the resultant TRD is determined by the ratio between the distorter genes (Tcd) and a responder gene (Tcr) located within the t-complex region. Many authors believe that two to six distorter genes currently known have an additive effect. A genetic model of the non-Mendelian inheritance in the progeny of heterozygous male mice specifically explains sterility of animals carrying the t-complex with complementary lethal genes. The model suggests that some distorter gene products interacting with the responder gene have a selective effect on motility of both mutant and wild-type sperm. Insufficient sperm motility and/or their unsuccessful capacitation result in poor if any fertilization. Information on the t-complex genes is necessary for understanding the biological mechanisms of male sterility and may be used in medical practice.


[Pathophysiology of hyperprolactinemia in breast cancer].
To characterize the prolactin secretion in human breast cancer, plasma prolactin levels were measured in 514 patients with breast cancer in long term follow-up studies. In hyperprolactinemic patients suppression and stimulation tests were performed and the 24-h secretion profile was recorded. Tissue extracts and sera of hyperprolactinemic breast cancer patients were incubated with cultured pituitary cells in vitro to detect a prolactin releasing activity in these specimens. 44% of breast cancer patients developed hyperprolactinemia in the course of the disease. In 35% of measurements hyperprolactinemia was induced by non tumor related causes, e.g. prolactin-stimulating drugs, surgery, uremia, prolactinoma. Excluding such influences on the prolactin level, hyperprolactinemia over 1,000 mU/l was almost only found in patients with progressive metastatic disease. In these patients hyperprolactinemia was associated with tumor load, but not correlated to BSR, CEA or prognostic factors. Hyperprolactinemia in breast cancer was not of paraneoplastic origin. No prolactin-releasing activity was detected in tumor tissue and sera of hyperprolactinemic breast cancer patients.


Effect of high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate on plasma hormone levels and pain relief in patients with advanced prostatic cancer.
High-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was given orally to 7 patients with advanced prostatic cancer and severe pain due to bone metastases; 5 patients had stable and 2 had progressive disease. Pain relief was obtained in 6 patients. Two patients who reported complete relief of pain showed suppressed levels of gonadotrophins after MPA treatment. In the other patients, suppression of plasma gonadotrophin levels was observed before treatment. The plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone were not affected by MPA. Only 1 patient showed suppression of plasma adrenocortical trophic hormone. The plasma levels of cortisol and dihydroepiandrosterone sulphate were suppressed in 6 patients, but there was no correlation between the suppression and the occurrence of pain relief. These findings suggest that the mechanism of pain relief by high-dose MPA may be very complicated.


Transferrable superhydrophobic surface constructed by a hexagonal CuI powder without modification by low-free-energy materials.
A new route combining a facile wet-chemical process and spin coating was developed to fabricate a CuI film assembled by hexagonal crystals. Remarkably, such a CuI film displays excellent superhydrophobicity without further modification by low-free-energy materials (thiol or fluoroalkylsilane). The special wettability is attributed to a hierarchical morphology of CuI crystals with two length-scale roughnesses and the nature of the material itself. Importantly, this superhydrophobicity is quite stable and the water contact angle of the as-prepared sample only decreases slightly, even when it is kept in air for about half a year. The superhydrophobicity of the as-prepared CuI powder is a bulk property of the material and not just of its surface, so such a powder coating could then prove useful in conferring superhydrophobicity to other surfaces to which it is applied. These facts might improve its practical application with environmental friendship in superhydrophobic coatings.


Phenotypic changes in NG2+ cells after spinal cord injury.
Following contusive spinal cord injury (SCI), 50% of oligodendrocytes in the residual white matter are lost within 24 h. NG2-expressing cell proliferation is maximal 3 days after SCI, and may be the source of mature oligodendrocytes and astrocytes that chronically replace those that were lost. We studied NG2(+) cells dissociated from the 3-day injured spinal cord for comparison with those from uninjured adult and early postnatal cords. After 24 h in serum-containing medium, we performed patch clamp analysis and immunocytochemistry for NG2 in combination with nestin (progenitors), and A2B5, O4, and O1 (oligodendrocyte lineage markers). We observed an NG2(+)/A2B5-/O4-/O1- population in both adult preparations. More than double the normal number of NG2(+) cells was isolated from the injured cord, but OX42(+) microglia/macrophages were the predominant cell type after injury. Most cells isolated at P7 were NG2-/A2B5(+), whereas those from the normal adult were NG2(+)/A2B5-. NG2(+) cells after SCI displayed altered voltage-gated potassium current profiles compared to normal adult and P7 animals. Additionally, less than 25% of adult cells (normal and injured) responded to GABA and glutamate, compared to 100% of P7 cells. Our results indicate that the adult NG2(+) cell pool is antigenically and physiologically different than the early postnatal pool, and that contusive injury induces changes in adult NG2(+) cells.


Deletion of Pofut1 in Mouse Skeletal Myofibers Induces Muscle Aging-Related Phenotypes in cis and in trans.
Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength during normal aging, involves coordinate changes in skeletal myofibers and the cells that contact them, including satellite cells and motor neurons. Here we show that the protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 gene (Pofut1), which encodes a glycosyltransferase required for NotchR-mediated cell-cell signaling, has reduced expression in aging skeletal muscle. Moreover, premature postnatal deletion of Pofut1 in skeletal myofibers can induce aging-related phenotypes in cis within skeletal myofibers and in trans within satellite cells and within motor neurons via the neuromuscular junction. Changed phenotypes include reduced skeletal muscle size and strength, decreased myofiber size, increased slow fiber (type 1) density, increased muscle degeneration and regeneration in aged muscles, decreased satellite cell self-renewal and regenerative potential, and increased neuromuscular fragmentation and occasional denervation. Pofut1 deletion in skeletal myofibers reduced NotchR signaling in young adult muscles, but this effect was lost with age. Increasing muscle NotchR signaling also reduced muscle size. Gene expression studies point to regulation of cell cycle genes, muscle myosins, NotchR and Wnt pathway genes, and connective tissue growth factor by Pofut1 in skeletal muscle, with additional effects on α dystroglycan glycosylation.


Isolation, identification and usefulness of antifungal compounds from Zuccagnia punctata for control of toxigenic ear rot pathogens.
Infusion, tincture and decoction of leaves of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. were assayed on growth of Fusarium verticillioides, F. graminearum sensu stricto, F. boothii, F. meridionale, F. subglutinans and F. thapsinum. The tincture showed the lowest IC50 on mycelial growth. A diethyl ether fraction of the tincture showed the highest antifungal activity in microdilution assays on F. verticillioides and F. graminearum. The antifungal constituents were separated by silica gel chromatography and identified as 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone and 7-hydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyflavone. These chalcones had the lowest MIC and MFC values on F. verticillioides and F. graminearum sensu stricto. 2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone was mildly toxic and the remaining identified compounds were non-toxic in the brine shrimp assay. 2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone in mixtures with commercial food preservatives showed additive effects on F. graminearum sensu stricto and synergistic ones on F. verticillioides. 2',4'-Dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone showed synergistic effects in mixtures. Our results suggest that addition of chalcones to food preservatives allows reduction in the doses of the preservatives required for control of Fusarium species.


Explicating the Appraisal Dimension of the Communal Coping Model.
The communal coping model argues that people cope with stress in the context of their relationships and that coping responses are both cognitive and behavioral in nature. However, the cognitive dimension of the model (appraisal) has not been explicated in extant research. The purpose of this study is to fill that gap by conceptualizing the appraisal dimension of communal coping in the context of families managing one member's type 2 diabetes. Analysis of interviews with individuals with type 2 diabetes and their family members (N = 28) revealed that appraisal consists of problem ownership and perceived problem influence and that appraisals are influenced by knowledge of the disease and changing health status. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.


Antispasmodic effect of Acorus calamus Linn. is mediated through calcium channel blockade.
Acorus calamus Linn. (Araceae) is a native of Central Asia and Eastern Europe and has widespread use in the traditional system of medicine for gastrointestinal disorders such as colic pain and diarrhoea. This study was aimed at providing a possible pharmacological basis to the use of this plant as an antispasmodic and antidiarrhoeal. In the isolated rabbit jejunum preparation the crude extract (Ac.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloid, saponins and tannins, caused inhibition of spontaneous and high K(+) (80 mm)-induced contractions, with respective EC(50) values of 0.42 +/- 0.06 and 0.13 +/- 0.04 mg/mL (mean +/- SEM; n = 6-8), thus showing spasmolytic activity, mediated possibly through calcium channel blockade (CCB). The CCB activity was confirmed when pre-treatment of the tissue with Ac.Cr (0.3-1.0 mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca(++) dose-response curves similar to that caused by verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. Activity-directed fractionation revealed that the CCB activity was concentrated in the n-hexane fraction while the ethylacetate fraction was less potent. These results suggest that the spasmolytic effect of the plant extract is mediated through the presence of CCB-like constituent(s) which is concentrated in the n-hexane fraction and this study provides a strong mechanistic base for its traditional use in gastrointestinal disorders such as colic pain and diarrhoea.


Integrated Direct and Indirect Flood Risk Modeling: Development and Sensitivity Analysis.
In this article, we propose an integrated direct and indirect flood risk model for small- and large-scale flood events, allowing for dynamic modeling of total economic losses from a flood event to a full economic recovery. A novel approach is taken that translates direct losses of both capital and labor into production losses using the Cobb-Douglas production function, aiming at improved consistency in loss accounting. The recovery of the economy is modeled using a hybrid input-output model and applied to the port region of Rotterdam, using six different flood events (1/10 up to 1/10,000). This procedure allows gaining a better insight regarding the consequences of both high- and low-probability floods. The results show that in terms of expected annual damage, direct losses remain more substantial relative to the indirect losses (approximately 50% larger), but for low-probability events the indirect losses outweigh the direct losses. Furthermore, we explored parameter uncertainty using a global sensitivity analysis, and varied critical assumptions in the modeling framework related to, among others, flood duration and labor recovery, using a scenario approach. Our findings have two important implications for disaster modelers and practitioners. First, high-probability events are qualitatively different from low-probability events in terms of the scale of damages and full recovery period. Second, there are substantial differences in parameter influence between high-probability and low-probability flood modeling. These findings suggest that a detailed approach is required when assessing the flood risk for a specific region.


Mapping ATP-binding cassette transporter gene expression profiles in melanocytes and melanoma cells.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters regulate the transport of a variety of physiologic substrates. Moreover, several human ABC proteins are responsible for drug exclusion in compound-treated tumor cells, providing cellular mechanisms for the development of multidrug resistance and, therefore, playing an important role in malignant transformation. As only limited information exists on the role of ABC transporters in melanoma, the aim of the study was to generate a complete expression profile of ABC transporters in this tumor entity. Using a TaqMan low-density array for 47 human ABC transporters, mRNA expression analysis was performed from normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM P2 and NHEM P3), nine different cell lines originating from primary melanoma (Mel Ei, Mel Juso, Mel Ho and Mel Wei), and metastases of malignant melanoma (Mel Im, Mel Ju, SK Mel 28, HTZ 19 and HMB2). Cell line-specific expression levels were compared with gene expression in pooled RNA from a variety of other human tissues. High expression levels were detected in pooled tissue RNA as well as in cells of melanocytic origin for ABCA5, ABCB2, ABCB6, ABCD3, ABCD4, ABCF1, ABCF2 and ABCF3, whereas ABCB5 revealed a melanocyte-specific high transcript level. In relation to normal melanocytes, ABCB3, ABCB6, ABCC2, ABCC4, ABCE1 and ABCF2 were significantly increased in melanoma cell lines, whereas ABCA7, ABCA12, ABCB2, ABCB4, ABCB5 and ABCD1 showed lower expression levels. In summary, we present here for the first time an ABC-transporter mRNA expression profile in melanoma in comparison to normal melanocytes. The differentially regulated ABC transporters detected by our approach may be candidate genes involved in melanoma tumorigenesis, progression and therapy resistance and could therefore be of great importance to identify novel options for melanoma therapy.


Interpersonal Fairness, Willingness-to-Stay and Organisation-Based Self-Esteem: The Mediating Role of Affective Commitment.
This study examines the direct and indirect effects of interpersonal fairness on employees' willingness-to-stay and organisation-based self-esteem through affective commitment among manufacturing workers in Tema, Ghana. Using the survey design, 300 manufacturing workers in Tema were conveniently sampled for the study. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that affective commitment partially mediated the relationship between interpersonal fairness and employees' willingness-to-stay. Affective commitment also fully mediated the interpersonal fairness-organisation-based self-esteem relationship. Results further showed that organisation-based self-esteem partially mediated the affective commitment and willingness-to-stay relationship, such that, an increase in organisation-based self-esteem leads to a decrease in employees' willingness-to-stay. These findings emphasised the roles of interpersonal fairness and affective commitment in organisations, where affective commitment increases as a result of an increase in interpersonal fairness and makes employees have an intention-to-stay. The findings imply that employees who are very confident and have higher organisation-based self-esteem stand lower chances of staying in their current organisations. This study is the first to examine how affective commitment transfers the effects of interpersonal fairness unto employees' intention-to-stay among manufacturing workers in Ghana.


Nature of the anticholinesterase-induced repetitive response of rat and mouse striated muscle to single nerve stimuli.
The action of the anticholinesterase Paraoxon on neuromuscular transmission in rat diaphragm and mouse omohyoideus preparations was investigated. In both preparations, when Paraoxon potentiated the twitch in response to a single nerve stimulus, repetitive muscle action potentials were recorded with an intracellular electrode placed at the motor end-plate region. At end-plates of Paraoxon-treated rat diaphragm preparations where the membrane potential was not sufficiently negative to support muscle action potentials, repetitive end-plate potentials were recorded in response to a single nerve stimulus. No repetitive end-plate potentials could be recorded under such conditions in preparations which had been exposed to dithiothreitol before being treated with Paraoxon, although twitch potentiation and repetitive muscle action potentials were still observed in these preparations. In Paraoxon-treated mouse omohyoideus preparations only single end-plate potentials were recorded from end-plates where the membrane potential was not sufficiently negative to support muscle action potentials. This applied whether or not the preparation had been treated with dithiothreitol before being exposed to Paraoxon. In voltage-clamped rat diaphragm preparations which had been treated with Paraoxon, repetitive end-plate currents were frequently recorded in response to a single nerve stimulus. Under the same conditions mouse omohyoideus preparations responded with a single end-plate current. It is concluded that Paraoxon-induced twitch potentiation in rat diaphragm and mouse omohyoideus preparations is caused by repetitive muscle action potentials being triggered by a single nerve stimulus. Under the conditions stated, the repetitive muscle action potentials in rat diaphragm preparations arose from a prolonged end-plate potential or repetitive end-plate potentials or a combination of both. In mouse omohyoideus preparations the repetitive muscle potentials were the consequence of a single prolonged end-plate potential.


Importance of modulating the renin-angiotensin system in preventing renal complications of hypertension.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major problem worldwide. It threatens the lives and health of many people and places severe financial burdens on health economies of even the wealthiest countries. It is clear that the approach to prevention is multifaceted including prevention of cardiovascular disease. Inhibitors of the RAS are the drugs of initial choice in preventing progressive CKD, and may be used cautiously in advanced renal insufficiency. In addition blood pressure must be optimally controlled to < 130/80 mm Hg. Treatment of late CKD results only in a risk reduction and not a prevention of end stage renal disease. It is vital that patients at risk for CKD should be identified early before overt renal damage. Screening for microalbuminuria in patients with hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes is particularly important.


Investigation on Vibration Characteristics of Thin-Walled Steel Structures under Shock Waves.
Thin-walled steel structures, prized for their lightweight properties, material efficiency, and excellent mechanical characteristics, find wide-ranging applications in ships, aircraft, and vehicles. Given their typical role in various types of equipment, it is crucial to investigate the response of thin-walled structures to shock waves for the design and development of innovative equipment. In this study, a shock tube was employed to generate shock waves, and a rectangular steel plate with dimensions of 2400.0 mm × 1200.0 mm × 4.0 mm (length × width × thickness) was designed for conducting research on transient shock vibration. The steel plate was mounted on an adjustable bracket capable of moving vertically. Accelerometers were installed on the transverse and longitudinal symmetric axes of the steel plate. Transient shock loading was achieved at nine discrete positions on a steel plate by adjusting the horizontal position of the shock tube and the vertical position of the adjustable bracket. For each test, vibration data of eight different test positions were obtained. The wavelet transform (WT) and the improved ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) methods were introduced to perform a time-frequency analysis on the vibration of the steel plate. The results indicated that the EEMD method effectively alleviated the modal aliasing in the vibration response decomposition of thin-walled structures, as well as the incompletely continuous frequency domain issue in WT. Moreover, the duration of vibration at different frequencies and the variation of amplitude size with time under various shock conditions were determined for thin-walled structures. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and development of vehicles with enhanced resistance to shock wave loading.


Applying the Transtheoretical Model to physical activity in family caregivers in Taiwan.
The objective of this study was to examine whether specific constructs from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM)(i.e., stages of change, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits and barriers) relative to regular physical activity are applicable to Taiwanese family caregivers. A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample included 108 primary family caregivers of mentally ill patients receiving home care from a psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan. After obtaining institutional review board approval and subject's consent, subjects' demographics, stages of change for regular physical activity, self-efficacy, and perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to regular physical activity were assessed through the questionnaire. Subjects in the later stages of the TTM (action or maintenance) had significantly higher levels of self-efficacy than those in earlier stages (precontemplation or contemplation)(p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the level of perceived benefits and barriers across different TTM stages. This study provides partial support for the hypothesized relationships between constructs derived from the TTM. Since this is the first TTM study in Taiwan, continued TTM testing is needed to adequately determine the applicability of the TTM and to identify the most effective theory-based physical activity interventions.


A Highly Sensitive Multicommuted Flow Analysis Procedure for Photometric Determination of Molybdenum in Plant Materials without a Solvent Extraction Step.
A highly sensitive analytical procedure for photometric determination of molybdenum in plant materials was developed and validated. This procedure is based on the reaction of Mo(V) with thiocyanate ions (SCN-) in acidic medium to form a compound that can be monitored at 474 nm and was implemented employing a multicommuted flow analysis setup. Photometric detection was performed using an LED-based photometer coupled to a flow cell with a long optical path length (200 mm) to achieve high sensitivity, allowing Mo(V) determination at a level of μg L-1 without the use of an organic solvent extraction step. After optimization of operational conditions, samples of digested plant materials were analyzed employing the proposed procedure. The accuracy was assessed by comparing the obtained results with those of a reference method, with an agreement observed at 95% confidence level. In addition, a detection limit of 9.1 μg L-1, a linear response (r = 0.9969) over the concentration range of 50-500 μg L-1, generation of only 3.75 mL of waste per determination, and a sampling rate of 51 determinations per hour were achieved.


Gestural acquisition in great apes: the Social Negotiation Hypothesis.
Scientific interest in the acquisition of gestural signalling dates back to the heroic figure of Charles Darwin. More than a hundred years later, we still know relatively little about the underlying evolutionary and developmental pathways involved. Here, we shed new light on this topic by providing the first systematic, quantitative comparison of gestural development in two different chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) subspecies and communities living in their natural environments. We conclude that the three most predominant perspectives on gestural acquisition-Phylogenetic Ritualization, Social Transmission via Imitation, and Ontogenetic Ritualization-do not satisfactorily explain our current findings on gestural interactions in chimpanzees in the wild. In contrast, we argue that the role of interactional experience and social exposure on gestural acquisition and communicative development has been strongly underestimated. We introduce the revised Social Negotiation Hypothesis and conclude with a brief set of empirical desiderata for instigating more research into this intriguing research domain.


Predicting dengue outbreak in the metropolitan city Lahore, Pakistan, using dengue vector indices and selected climatological variables as predictors.
Dengue viruses have rapidly spread in Southeast Asia, particularly in Pakistan, during the last few years, so the present study was undertaken to formulate a model for predicting dengue outbreak. A panel data using STRATA statistical software was employed to determine the effects of entomological indices, Per Man Hour Density (PMHD), Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) and selected climatic variables on dengue patients by using Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) models. Results showed that R2 value, reflecting fitness of model was 0.3026 in FE model and 0.3028 in RE model, while the Coefficient and P [Z] values in RE model, indicating individual fitness of any variable in the model, revealed that PMHD, MIR, Air Temperature and Relative Humidity had positive impact on the number of dengue patients, while rainfall exhibited negative impact.. For every 10 unit rise in PMHD, MIR, atmospheric temperature and relative humidity, the number of patients increased by 4.01, 15.88, 3.10 and 5.73, respectively, while an increase in rainfall by 10 mm will result in decrease in the number of dengue patients by -1.01. Further analysis of socioeconomic and demographic variables of participants is suggested.


Phase I. evaluation of cyclocytidine (NSC-145668).
Cyclocytidine is a repository form of cytosine arabinoside and has a prolonged plasma half-life (8 hours) compared to cytosine arabinoside (12 minutes). A phase I trail was undertaken to establish the maximum tolerated dose. Nineteen patients were entered into the study (ten children, nine adults) and the dose which achieved consistent myelosuppression was established in five escalation increments as 600 mg/m for 10 days. This dose is consistent with previously reported data on the basic pharmacology of cyclocytidine and with optimum dose data in aminal tumor systems. Limiting toxicity, however, was related to the induction of postural hypotension which is not dose related. Recommendation to proceed with phase II studies of cyclocytidine must await clarification of the mechanism and prevention of the postural hypotension.


[Consumer expectations concerning the quality of food from animals].
Quality is the most important feature that a consumer expects from food. There is no objective concept for quality, but "quality" exists in the individual consumers opinion. The quality of a product is, from the consumers point of view, not just its characteristic, but the subjective feeling of each consumer. Empirical examinations show the existence of different "consumer-categories", where the criteria of quality differ elementary. Additional to this subjective opinion the discussion in the media about substances in food that may be harmful to ones health confuses the consumer and leads to a semantic separation between the terms "Eating" and "Nutrition". Especially meat-products are effected by this discussion. The recent increase of a consumers uncertainty concerning meat-products, which is influenced by information and reports about bad conditions in livestock breeding and animal transports as well as conditions in slaughterhouses is reflected. The consumers confrontation with the origin of meat-products causes feelings of guilt and therefore a decreasing request for meat. Although, there is no long term change in eating habits for the majority of the population because of the aspects mentioned before, it must be worked towards an improvement concerning this particular situation as soon as possible.


Organizational Context and Quality Indicators in Nursing Homes: A Microsystem Look.
The association of organizational context with quality of care in nursing homes is not well understood at the clinical microsystem (care unit) level. This cross-sectional study examined the associations of unit-level context with 10 unit-level quality indicators derived from the Minimum Data Set 2.0. Study settings comprised 262 care units within 91 Canadian nursing homes. We assessed context using unit-aggregated care-aide-reported scores on the 10 scales of the Alberta Context Tool. Mixed-effects regression analysis showed that structural resources were negatively associated with antipsychotics use (B = -.06; p = .001) and worsened late-loss activities of daily living (B = -.03, p = .04). Organizational slack in time was negatively associated with worsened pain (B = -.04, p = .01). Social capital was positively associated with delirium symptoms (B = .12, p = .02) and worsened depressive symptoms (B = .10, p = .01). The findings suggested that targeting interventions to modifiable contextual elements and unit-level quality improvement will be promising.


Attitudes and knowledge about direct and indirect risks among conventional and complementary health care providers in cancer care.
Many complementary therapies offer benefits for patients with cancer. Others may be risky for patients due to negative interactions with conventional treatment and adverse effects. Therefore, cancer patients need guidance from health care providers to assess complementary modalities appropriately to receive benefits and avoid harm. In a self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, we compared knowledge and attitudes of health care providers with no training in complementary modalities to that of health care providers with training in complementary modalities about the risks for patients who combine complementary modalities with conventional treatment in cancer care. The analysis was based on responses from 466 participants. The attitudes and knowledge about direct risk followed provider specialty. Ninety-four percent of the medical doctors, 93% of the nurses, and 87% of the providers with dual training, but 70% of the complementary therapists, believed that complementary modalities can cause adverse effects (p < 0.001). The majority of the medical doctors and nurses believed that it is risky to combine complementary and conventional cancer treatments (78% and 93%, respectively), compared to 58% of the providers with dual training and 43% of the complementary therapists (p < 0.001). Eighty-nine percent of the medical doctors and nurses believed that complementary modalities should be subjected to more scientific testing before being accepted by conventional health care providers, in contrast to 56% of the dually trained and 57% of the complementary therapists (p < 0.001). The majority of the medical doctors (61%) and nurses (55%) would have neither discouraged nor encouraged the use of complementary modalities if patients asked them for advice. Moreover, less than 1% of the complementary therapists would have discouraged the use of conventional cancer treatments. The study participants believed that the most important factor to recommend a complementary cancer modality to patients is evidence for safety. The health care providers in this study believed that complementary modalities are associated with direct risk and can cause adverse effects, and that it is risky to combine conventional and complementary treatments due to potential harmful interactions.


[A method of building the finite-element model with the contour line of human brain].
The contour line of human brain was simulated by the curve-fitting methods and then the inner area was discretized by advancing-front methods which was improved at last. The curve-fitting result was similar to the CT picture of the human brain and the discrete result of inner area could be completed quickly by improved advanced-front methods. A finite element model with the contour line of human brain was built primarily which will contribute to the next algorithm study of electrical impedance tomography in human brain.


Early asymptomatic lead exposure and development at school age.
Sixty-seven 7-year-old children, who had asymptomatic lead exposure between 1 and 3 years of age, were compared in their performance on a series of psychologic tests to 70 children of the same age and socioeconomic background who presumably did not have significant exposure to lead. Exposed children had deficits in global IQ and associative abilities, in visual and fine motor coordination, and in behavior. School failure due to learning and behavior problems was more frequent in the lead exposed than in the control group.


Silencing of translation initiation factor eIF3b promotes apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) is a multi-subunit complex that plays a critical role in translation initiation. Expression levels of eIF3 subunits are elevated or decreased in various cancers, suggesting a role for eIF3 in tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that the expression of the eIF3b subunit is elevated in bladder and prostate cancer, and eIF3b silencing inhibited glioblastoma growth and induced cellular apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of eIF3b in the survival of osteosarcoma cells. To investigate the effect of eIF3b on cell viability and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells, we first examined the silencing effect of eIF3b in U2OS cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Western blot, respectively. We also performed gene profiling to identify genes affected by eIF3b silencing. Finally, the effect of eIF3b on cell viability and apoptosis was confirmed in multiple osteosarcoma cell lines. eIF3b silencing decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in U2OS cells, and by using gene profiling we discovered that eIF3b silencing also resulted in the upregulation of tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21 (TNFRSF21). We found that TNFRSF21 overexpression induced cell death in U2OS cells, and we confirmed that eIF3b silencing completely suppressed cell growth in multiple osteosarcoma cell lines. However, eIF3b silencing failed to suppress cell growth completely in normal fibroblast cells. Our data led us to conclude that eIF3b may be required for osteosarcoma cell proliferation by regulating TNFRSF21 expression.Cite this article: Y. J. Choi, Y. S. Lee, H. W. Lee, D. M. Shim, S. W. Seo. Silencing of translation initiation factor eIF3b promotes apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:186-193. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.63.BJR-2016-0151.R2.


Exploring the COVID-19 Landscape and Our Path Forward Using a Formalized SWOT Analysis.
This study aimed to share the results of a formalized SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis focusing on perceptions and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a parallel mixed-methods approach. This included a quantitative component, which used presurvey descriptive data, and a qualitative component, which involved SWOT analysis via focus groups. Participants were recruited via email. Volunteers responded to survey questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten focus groups were created and conducted in February 2022. Responses were transcribed and coded by 2 independent investigators and a third to resolve disagreement. Group consensus determined the themes. On the survey (n = 55), over half of respondents noted lack of motivation and attention deficit emerging during the pandemic. However, less than half felt that they had access to appropriate support/services. Regarding mental health, some reported increased anxiety, loneliness, depression, and sleep disorders, yet a small percentage of respondents felt that they were provided with support to mitigate these issues. Focus group sessions resulted in 404 statements, which determined the following 8 themes: communication, pivoting the learning and assessment process, COVID-19 safety, interpersonal relationships, health and wellness, finances, student services, and competition in the job market. The top strength was in pivoting the learning process, top weakness was in university communications, and the top opportunities and threats were in pivoting to virtual learning. As the country continues to experience COVID-19 waves, it is important to reflect on and understand the effects of the previous reactions, and explore ways to increase and sustain motivation, limit lasting negative effects, and remain proactive and prepared for the future.


Sub-millimetre accurate human hand kinematics: from surface to skeleton.
A highly accurate human hand kinematics model and identification are proposed. The model includes the five digits and the palm arc based on mapping function between surface landmarks and estimated joint centres of rotation. Model identification was experimentally performed using a motion tracking system. The evaluation of the marker position estimation error, which is on sub-millimetre level across all digits, underlines model quality and accuracy. Noticeably, with the development of this model, we were able to improve various modelling assumptions from literature and found a basic linear relationship between surface and skeleton rotational angles.


Light stress is not effective to enhanced crassulacean acid metabolism.
Clusia minor L., a C3-CAM intermediate, and Clusia multiflora H. B. K., a C3 obligate, present two physiotypes of a similar morphotype occurring sympatrically in the field. Both species, exposed 2 days to high light, show similar responses to this kind of stress: (i) the level of xanthophyll pigments in tested plants during the daycourse adapts to stress, (ii) the levels of antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin clearly increase during the afternoon showing increased de-epoxidation, (iii) the changes in the xanthophyll cycle are similar. Exposure to high light increases the malate levels in C. minor during the afternoon while decreases the day/night changes of the malate levels, and hence the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) expression. It can be concluded that strong light applied as a single stress factor to well-watered plants is not effective in strengthing the CAM metabolism in a C3-CAM intermediate plant but rather suppresses the CAM activity despite exposure to high light energy. It is suggested that, when water supply is not limiting and other stresses do not prevail, C3 allows to use up the citrate pool, especially in the afternoon and enables a superior daily photon utilization.


Enterobacter sakazakii infections associated with the use of powdered infant formula--Tennessee, 2001.
Enterobacter sakazakii, a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, is a rare cause of invasive infection with high death rates in neonates. This report summarizes the investigation of a fatal infection associated with E. sakazakii in a hospitalized neonate, which indicated that the infection was associated with the presence of the organism in commercial powdered formula fed to the infant. The implicated batch of formula has been recalled by the manufacturer. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk for infection from use of nonsterile enteral formula in the neonatal health-care setting.


An investigation on the risk factors associated with driving errors under the influence of alcohol using structural equation modeling.
Objective: Driving errors contribute to traffic crashes and thus the causal factors associated with driving errors are of great interest to the road safety researchers. The present study attempts to identify and quantify the effects of various risk factors that are likely to influence driving error with the application of structural equation modeling (SEM). These risk factors include blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels (0%, 0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.08%), different driving environments (rural, urban), and driver attributes (such as age, gender, education).Method: Eighty-two licensed drivers participated in a driving simulator experiment. They completed driving under the influence of 4 BAC levels in the driving environments within the framework of a full-factorial within-subjects design. Driving error was modeled as an unobserved latent variable based on several driving simulator indicators. An SEM approach was utilized to examine the influence of BAC level, driving environment, and driver attributes on the latent variable pertaining to driving error.Results: The findings suggest the suitability of an SEM approach in the investigation of driving error. The results revealed that all 3 positive BACs (0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.08%) had a significant positive influence on driving error compared to 0% BAC, and the tendency toward driving error increased with increasing BAC (factor loadings for 0.03%, 0.05%, and 0.08% BAC were 0.22, 0.31, and 0.37, respectively). Moreover, driving in an urban environment led to more driving errors compared to a rural environment, including sober drivers. Among the driver attributes, gender and awareness about drink and drive laws were the only factors influencing driving error.Conclusion: This study highlights a novel approach to investigate driving error by modeling it as a latent variable instead of modeling individual performance measures. The successful execution of SEM in alcohol impairment research may serve as a significant step in the human factors field moving from piecemeal analysis to a combined analysis where interrelationships among numerous risk factors and driving error can be established. The study outcomes may serve as a reference while developing strategies to enhance road traffic safety where special emphasis can be given to the critical risk factors influencing driving error identified in the study.


Plasmacytoid dendritic cells prime IL-10-producing T regulatory cells by inducible costimulator ligand.
Although there is evidence for distinct roles of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs [mDCs]) and plasmacytoid pre-DCs (pDCs) in regulating T cell-mediated adaptive immunity, the concept of functional DC subsets has been questioned because of the lack of a molecular mechanism to explain these differences. In this study, we provide direct evidence that maturing mDCs and pDCs express different sets of molecules for T cell priming. Although both maturing mDCs and pDCs upregulate the expression of CD80 and CD86, only pDCs upregulate the expression of inducible costimulator ligand (ICOS-L) and maintain high expression levels upon differentiation into mature DCs. High ICOS-L expression endows maturing pDCs with the ability to induce the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells to produce interleukin-10 (IL-10) but not the T helper (Th)2 cytokines IL-4, -5, and -13. These IL-10-producing T cells are T regulatory cells, and their generation by ICOS-L is independent of pDC-driven Th1 and Th2 differentiation, although, in the later condition, some contribution from endogenous IL-4 cannot be completely ruled out. Thus, in contrast to mDCs, pDCs are poised to express ICOS-L upon maturation, which leads to the generation of IL-10-producing T regulatory cells. Our findings demonstrate that mDC and pDCs are intrinsically different in the expression of costimulatory molecules that drive distinct types of T cell responses.


Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in head injury patients.
Rhabdomyolysis is a known complication of crush injuries, but is not known to complicate the course of the patients with head injuries without other apparent skeletal muscle injuries. The frequency of renal failure may be high in such group of patients. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate such incidence on twenty patients with head injuries. Ten patients (50%) had other injuries in addition, but none of the patients had crush injury. All the patients were investigated daily for serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobulinuria. All these patients were on a dehydrating protocol to prevent brain edema, including administration of dopamine infusion (1-3 microg/kg/min), intravenous bolus doses of mannitol, and sodium bicarbonate. Nine patients (45%) developed renal impairment, three of them had no other apparent skeletal muscle injuries, but none of them required dialysis. Rhabdomyolysis is not uncommon in head injury patients in the absence of apparent skeletal muscle injuries, and may precipitate renal failure. This may have therapeutic implications to prevent the incidence of acute renal failure in such group of patients.


Environmental Smoking Restrictions and Light Cigarette Adoption Among Chinese Urban Smokers.
Light cigarette adoption involves complex psychological and behavioral processes with many underlying factors. While numerous studies have shown that environmental restrictions on smoking are associated with higher probability of smoking cessation, it is also possible that some smokers may switch from regular to light cigarettes due to environmental pressures. The current study evaluates whether smoking restrictions in households, workplaces, and public places were respectively associated with light cigarette adoption. A cross-sectional multistage sampling process was used to recruit participants and collect data about demographics and smoking characteristics and environmental restriction variables. Multiple logistic models were employed to examine the association between environmental smoking restrictions and light cigarette adoption. Of 4735 respondents, 1592 (30.3 %) were current smokers, and 69.7 % (N = 1141) of the smokers were identified as light cigarette adopters. In a multivariate model, smoking restrictions in households, workplaces, and public places were significantly associated with higher light cigarette adoption. Under environmental smoking restrictions, which pose unique challenges to tobacco control efforts, light cigarette adoption may increase. The study findings are essential for health policy makers in designing and implementing targeted smoking cessation interventions and health education programs.


Direct Measurement of the Surface Energy of Bimetallic Nanoparticles: Evidence of Vegard's Rulelike Dependence.
We use in situ transmission electron microscopy to monitor in real time the evaporation of gold, copper, and bimetallic copper-gold nanoparticles at high temperature. Besides, we extend the Kelvin equation to two-component systems to predict the evaporation rates of spherical liquid mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles. By linking this macroscopic model to experimental TEM data, we determine the surface energies of pure gold, pure copper, Cu_{50}Au_{50}, and Cu_{25}Au_{75} nanoparticles in the liquid state. Our model suggests that the surface energy varies linearly with the composition in the liquid Cu-Au nanoalloy; i.e., it follows a Vegard's rulelike dependence. To get atomic-scale insights into the thermodynamic properties of Cu-Au alloys on the whole composition range, we perform Monte Carlo simulations employing N-body interatomic potentials. These simulations at a microscopic level confirm the Vegard's rulelike behavior of the surface energy obtained from experiments combined with macroscopic modeling.


Decoding Digital Visual Stimulation From Neural Manifold With Fuzzy Leaning on Cortical Oscillatory Dynamics.
A crucial point in neuroscience is how to correctly decode cognitive information from brain dynamics for motion control and neural rehabilitation. However, due to the instability and high dimensions of electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, it is difficult to directly obtain information from original data. Thus, in this work, we design visual experiments and propose a novel decoding method based on the neural manifold of cortical activity to find critical visual information. First, we studied four major frequency bands divided from EEG and found that the responses of the EEG alpha band (8-15 Hz) in the frontal and occipital lobes to visual stimuli occupy a prominent place. Besides, the essential features of EEG data in the alpha band are further mined via two manifold learning methods. We connect temporally consecutive brain states in the t distribution random adjacency embedded (t-SNE) map on the trial-by-trial level and find the brain state dynamics to form a cyclic manifold, with the different tasks forming distinct loops. Meanwhile, it is proved that the latent factors of brain activities estimated by t-SNE can be used for more accurate decoding and the stable neural manifold is found. Taking the latent factors of the manifold as independent inputs, a fuzzy system-based Takagi-Sugeno-Kang model is established and further trained to identify visual EEG signals. The combination of t-SNE and fuzzy learning can highly improve the accuracy of visual cognitive decoding to 81.98%. Moreover, by optimizing the features, it is found that the combination of the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, and the occipital lobe is the most effective factor for visual decoding with 83.05% accuracy. This work provides a potential tool for decoding visual EEG signals with the help of low-dimensional manifold dynamics, especially contributing to the brain-computer interface (BCI) control, brain function research, and neural rehabilitation.


The Heme Oxygenase System in Hematological Malignancies.
Several lines of evidence suggest that hematological malignancies exhibit an altered redox balance homeostasis that can lead to the activation of various survival pathways that, in turn, lead to the progression of disease and chemoresistance. Among these pathways, the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway is likely to play a major role. HO catalyzes the enzymatic degradation of heme with the simultaneous release of carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous iron (Fe2+), and biliverdin. This review focuses on the role of HO-1 in various hematological malignancies and the possibility of exploiting such targets to improve the outcome of well-established chemotherapeutic regimens. Recent Advances and Critical Issues: Interestingly, the inhibition of the expression of HO-1 (e.g., with siRNA) or HO activity (with competitive inhibitors) contributes to the increased efficacy of chemotherapy and improves the outcome in animal models. Furthermore, some hematological malignancies (e.g., chronic myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma) have served to explore the non-canonical functions of HO-1, such as the association between nuclear compartmentalization and genetic instability and/or chemoresistance. The HO system may serve as an important tool in the field of hematological malignancies because it can be exploited to counteract chemoresistance and to monitor the outcome of bone marrow transplants and may be an additional target for combined therapies. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 363-377.


Pathogen recognition and activation of the innate immune response in zebrafish.
The zebrafish has proven itself as an excellent model to study vertebrate innate immunity. It presents us with possibilities for in vivo imaging of host-pathogen interactions which are unparalleled in mammalian model systems. In addition, its suitability for genetic approaches is providing new insights on the mechanisms underlying the innate immune response. Here, we review the pattern recognition receptors that identify invading microbes, as well as the innate immune effector mechanisms that they activate in zebrafish embryos. We compare the current knowledge about these processes in mammalian models and zebrafish and discuss recent studies using zebrafish infection models that have advanced our general understanding of the innate immune system. Furthermore, we use transcriptome analysis of zebrafish infected with E. tarda, S. typhimurium, and M. marinum to visualize the gene expression profiles resulting from these infections. Our data illustrate that the two acute disease-causing pathogens, E. tarda and S. typhimurium, elicit a highly similar proinflammatory gene induction profile, while the chronic disease-causing pathogen, M. marinum, induces a weaker and delayed innate immune response.


Correction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase deficiency in amniotic fluid of some cystic fibrosis fetuses by mixing with nondeficient fluids.
The deficiency of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, which was evident in some but not all cystic fibrosis amniotic fluids, could be corrected by mixing with either normal fluids or nondeficient cystic fibrosis fluids. Incubation of any amniotic fluid for 20 min at 62 degrees C resulted in total loss of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, but the activity could be restored by mixing with untreated nondeficient fluids. In contrast, no restoration could be obtained by mixing with untreated deficient cystic fibrosis fluids. Dialysis of amniotic fluids did not diminish their corrective capacity. Only the transpeptidation reaction was corrected and no correction was observed for the hydrolysis or autotranspeptidation of gamma-glutamyl p-nitroanilide in the absence of the glycylglycine or methionine acceptor. Plasma specimens did not have any corrective activity, although their gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity could be restored after heat inactivation by mixing with untreated nondeficient amniotic fluids. No correction was found for aminopeptidase or disaccharidase activities. These findings suggest that the deficient cystic fibrosis amniotic fluids probably contain normal quantities of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme but lack a heat-labile nondialyzable activator that is necessary for its transpeptidation catalytic performance. An assay for this transpeptidase activator may provide a valuable approach to identify at least a subgroup of cystic fibrosis patients.


Epidemiology of anaphylaxis.
The purpose of this article is not only to review the epidemiology of anaphylaxis and factors that affect the epidemiology but also to help us understand underlying mechanisms and predisposing factors. This, in turn, has a bearing on efforts related to prevention and management. The purpose of this review is to assess the incidence of anaphylaxis and to review the factors that affect this incidence, with special reference to the most common causes, drugs and foods. Factors affecting the incidence are geographic location, sex, atopy, and socioeconomic status. Although no exact incidence, based upon available data, can be established, it is reasonable to assume that 1-2% of the population may be affected. Also, clearly, there is underreporting of episodes. Finally, the incidence of anaphylaxis appears to be increasing. The exact incidence of anaphylaxis is unknown, but appears to be increasing. Foods and drugs are the most common causes. The incidence is affected by geographical location, sex, atopy, and socioeconomic factors.


On the accuracy of commonly used density functional approximations in determining the elastic constants of insulators and semiconductors.
We have performed density functional calculations using a range of local and semi-local as well as hybrid density functional approximations of the structure and elastic constants of 18 semiconductors and insulators. We find that most of the approximations have a very small error in the lattice constants, of the order of 1%, while the errors in the elastic constants and bulk modulus are much larger, at about 10% or better. When comparing experimental and theoretical lattice constants and bulk modulus we have included zero-point phonon effects. These effects make the experimental reference lattice constants 0.019 Å smaller on average while making the bulk modulus 4.3 GPa stiffer on average. According to our study, the overall best performing density functional approximations for determining the structure and elastic properties are the PBEsol functional, the two hybrid density functionals PBE0 and HSE (Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof), as well as the AM05 functional.


Parents' attitude toward multiple vaccinations at a single visit with alternative delivery methods.
Last decades, the number of routine childhood vaccinations has increased considerably, which consequently has led to multiple vaccine injections per consultation. Implementation of additional vaccines will probably lead to more than 2 vaccine injections per consult, which might be a barrier for parents to vaccinate their child. A decrease in vaccination coverage, however, increases the risk of disease outbreaks. Less stressful alternative methods for vaccine delivery might lead to an increased acceptance of multiple childhood vaccinations by parents. The present questionnaire study was set up to explore the maximum number of vaccine injections per visit that is acceptable for parents, as well as to gauge parents' attitude toward alternative needle-free methods for vaccine delivery. For this purpose, the parents' opinion toward a jet injector, a patch, a microneedle system, and nasal spray device as methods for vaccine delivery was assessed. The majority of the 1154 participating parents indicated that 3 vaccine injections per visit was perceived as too much. Most participants had a positive attitude with respect to the jet injector and the patch as alternative vaccine delivery method, whereas the microneedle device and an intranasal spray device were not perceived as better than the conventional syringe by the parents. Parents indicated that both the jet injector and the patch might increase their acceptance of giving their children more than 2 vaccinations at the same time. This should encourage vaccine developers and manufacturers to put efforts in developing these delivery methods for their vaccines.


Coagulation disorders as the cause of menorrhagia in adolescents.
This study was undertaken to assess the frequency of coagulation disorders as a cause of menorrhagia in adolescents. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all adolescents with menorrhagia admitted to the Adolescent Unit of Ihsan Doğramaci Childrens Hospital of Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey from May 1999 to April 2002. 47 admissions for menorrhagia were identified, 44 were dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to anovulation, while a primary coagulation disorder was found in three patients. Two had Von Willebrand disease and one factor 11 deficiency. We suggest that pediatricians, gynecologists and other adolescent health care providers should be aware of the primary coagulopathy as a cause of menorrhagia in adolescence.


Analysis of NPM1 gene mutations in Chinese adults with acute myeloid leukemia.
Many European groups have recently described that mutations at exon-12 of the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene are the most frequent genetic lesion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially in the presence of a normal karyotype. This study explored the prevalence and clinical profile of NPM1 mutations in a cohort of 156 Chinese adults with AML. NPM1 exon-12 mutations were detected using direct sequencing or fragment analysis of genomic DNA polymerase chain reaction products. NPM1 mutations were present in 28.2% of the overall population, including 1/1 (100%) of M0, 11/27 (40.7%) of M1, 11/46 (23.9%) of M2, 0/29 (0%) of M3, 2/9 (22.2%) of M4, 18/39 (46.2%) of M5, and 1/5 (20.0%) of M6. NPM1 gene mutations were more prevalent in patients with a normal karyotype (37 of 90; 41.1%) when compared with patients with karyotypic abnormalities (7 of 66; 10.6%;P < .001). Sequence analysis of 25 NPM1-mutated cases revealed known mutations (type A, D, N(M), and P(M)) as well as one novel sequence variation (here named as type S). All mutational types were heterozygous and showed a 4 bp insertion. NPM1 mutations were significantly associated with old age (P < .05), high peripheral white blood cell count (P < .05), and the subtypes of French-American-British categories M1/M5, but negatively associated with expression of CD34 (P < .05) and CD117 (P < .05). Thus, this study provides the methods of NPM1 exon-12 mutations detection and related clinical data of NPM1 mutated cases in a Chinese population.