Clinical and functional correlates of processing speed in pediatric Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
It is well established that processing speed is negatively impacted in children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Unfortunately, exactly how processing speed vulnerabilities manifest in daily functioning has not been well established. To support clinical care of youth with ADHD, it is important to better understand the functional consequences and relevant outcomes associated with processing speed deficits. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to identify the association between processing speed and clinical or functional correlates among children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. A total of 409 abstracts were screened, of which, 60 full-text articles were identified as potentially relevant, and 8 of these studies met inclusion criteria. Domains evaluated across these studies included reading skills, mathematics skills, written expression, anxiety, self-appraisals of competence, and adaptive functioning. Six studies reported an association between processing speed and reading skills, allowing for meta-analysis. Processing speed difficulties among youth with ADHD appear strongly associated with several clinical and functional correlates including weaker academic skills, poorer adaptive skills, increased self-reported anxiety, and overestimates of social competence. Meta-analytic results for studies reporting the association between processing speed and reading skills indicate a medium overall weighted mean effect size (r = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.28 -0.39) with minimal heterogeneity (I2 = 0.17). Clinical implications of these findings, limitations in the current knowledge base, and suggestions for future research are discussed.


Advanced Role of Neutrophils in Common Respiratory Diseases.
Respiratory diseases, always being a threat towards the health of people all over the world, are most tightly associated with immune system. Neutrophils serve as an important component of immune defense barrier linking innate and adaptive immunity. They participate in the clearance of exogenous pathogens and endogenous cell debris and play an essential role in the pathogenesis of many respiratory diseases. However, the pathological mechanism of neutrophils remains complex and obscure. The traditional roles of neutrophils in severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis had already been reviewed. With the development of scientific research, the involvement of neutrophils in respiratory diseases is being brought to light with emerging data on neutrophil subsets, trafficking, and cell death mechanism (e.g., NETosis, apoptosis) in diseases. We reviewed all these recent studies here to provide you with the latest advances about the role of neutrophils in respiratory diseases.


The mediating role of neurocognitive functions in the relation between physical competencies and academic achievement of primary school children.
Previous studies into associations between physical, neurocognitive and academic skills have reported inconsistent results. This study aimed to get more insight into these relations by examining all three domains simultaneously, testing a complete mediational model including measures of physical competencies (cardiovascular fitness and motor skills), neurocognitive skills (attention, information processing, and core executive functions), and academic achievement (reading, mathematics, and spelling). Dutch primary school students (n = 891, 440 boys, mean age 9.17 years) were assessed on the Shuttle Run Test (cardiovascular fitness), items of the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test-II (fundamental motor skills), computerized neurocognitive tests, and standardized academic achievement tests. A multilevel structural equation model showed that physical competencies were only indirectly related to academic achievement, via specific neurocognitive functions depending on the academic domain involved. Results provide important implications, highlighting the importance of well-developed physical competencies in children.


A correlation between intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, resulting in pain and total joint disability. Recent studies focused on the role of the metabolic syndrome in inducing or worsening joint damage suggest that chronic low-grade systemic inflammation may represent a possible linking factor. This finding supports the concept of a new phenotype of OA, a metabolic OA. The gut microbiome is fundamental for human physiology and immune system development, among the other important functions. Manipulation of the gut microbiome is considered an important topic for the individual health in different medical fields such as medical biology, nutrition, sports, preventive and rehabilitative medicine. Since intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of several metabolic and inflammatory diseases, it is conceivable that also the pathogenesis of OA might be related to it. However, the mechanisms and the contribution of intestinal microbiota metabolites in OA pathogenesis are still not clear. The aim of this narrative review is to review recent literature concerning the possible contribution of dysbiosis to OA onset and to discuss the importance of gut microbiome homeostasis maintenance for optimal general health preservation.


A Rare Case of Diltiazem-Induced Photosensitivity.
Photosensitivity is a condition of heightened skin sensitivity to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet light. The case presented here highlights a rare occurrence of diltiazem-induced photosensitivity in an 87-year-old female patient with a history of atrial fibrillation and multiple comorbidities. The patient developed a distinctive erythematous rash limited to the sun-exposed area of the left side of her face during her hospital stay for respiratory failure and pneumonia. The localized distribution of the rash, along with its resolution upon reducing sun exposure, strongly suggested a photosensitivity reaction induced by diltiazem. Prompt discontinuation of the medication and transitioning to verapamil led to the resolution of the cutaneous manifestations. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing photosensitivity reactions as potential adverse effects of medications, such as diltiazem. Further research is needed to better understand the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with photosensitivity reactions to calcium channel blockers. Through this case report, we aim to contribute to the existing knowledge in this field and emphasize the significance of vigilance in clinical practice.


A 3-month clinical comparison of the safety and efficacy of two battery-operated toothbrushes: the Braun Oral-B Battery toothbrush and the Colgate Actibrush.
To compare the safety and efficacy of two battery-operated, non-rechargeable power toothbrushes, the Braun Oral-B Battery toothbrush (D4) and the Colgate Actibrush. This was a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study carried out over a 3-month period. A total of 114 subjects from a general population, who met the inclusion criteria of the study and who had whole mouth plaque scores of > or = 1.5 and gingivitis scores of > or = 1.2, participated in the study. Subjects were given either the D4 or the Colgate Actibrush with the manufacturers' instructions, and were asked to brush their teeth at home twice each day. At baseline and after 1 and 3 months, subjects were examined for oral hard and soft tissue health, after which they were assessed for gingivitis (Modified Gingival Index), bleeding (Gingival Bleeding Index), and plaque (Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index). Prior to each assessment, subjects refrained from all oral hygiene procedures for a period of 12-18 hours. No evidence was found of significant oral soft or hard tissue trauma, and both brushes were considered to be safe when used according to the manufacturers' instructions. In the D4 group, whole mouth, marginal and approximal plaque scores were significantly reduced from baseline (P < 0.05) after both 1 and 3 months by 7-12%, whereas, in the Actibrush group, plaque scores remained relatively unchanged from baseline throughout the study. Furthermore, comparisons between the toothbrush groups showed that whole mouth, marginal and approximal plaque scores for the D4 were significantly lower than those for the Actibrush at both the 1- and 3-month assessments. Modified Gingival Index scores after 3 months were significantly reduced from baseline in both groups by 7-8%. Similarly, percentages of bleeding sites were significantly lower by 12-15%. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gingivitis scores.


Osteoblastic bone lesions developing during treatment with erlotinib indicate major response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a brief report.
The osteoblastic bone flare or response is the paradoxical phenomenon of increase in the quantity and/or density of bone lesions in the presence of well-documented disease response to treatment in other tumor sites. It results from the rapid repair and increased osteoblastic activity in bone metastases responding to therapy and therefore represents treatment efficacy. Nevertheless, no reliable markers can differentiate an osteoblastic flare or response from disease progression. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) osteoblastic bone flare or response has been reported in only a few patients. Pre- and posttreatment CT scans of NSCLC patients with osteolytic bone lesions and treated with erlotinib as a single treatment modality were reviewed. In 3 cases fulfilling these criteria and responding to erlotinib according to RECIST criteria, an osteoblastic bone response was found. With the increasing use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with NSCLC harboring mutations predicting a good response, the osteoblastic response will likely be increasingly seen. Awareness of this phenomenon with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors is important for physicians treating patients with NSCLC, so that it is not misinterpreted as progressive disease resulting in premature cessation of effective therapy.


Atresia of the common pulmonary vein--a rare congenital anomaly.
Early atresia of the common pulmonary vein (ACPV) leads to total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, while late atresia or incomplete absorption leads to common pulmonary vein atresia and cor triatriatum sinister (both of which are rare). We report seven cases of atresia of the common pulmonary vein at autopsy. Retrospective case records studied. Tertiary care teaching hospital affiliated to medical college in Mumbai, India. The clinical and autopsy records of neonates and infants diagnosed with ACPV over a period of 11 years were reviewed. The demographic data, clinical features, and results of investigations were correlated with the cardiac findings at necropsy. Seven neonates and infants (five males and two females) had ACPV. Six babies presented at birth and expired within 48 hours. They had a homogeneous group of symptoms of cyanosis since birth with respiratory distress and/or features of congestive cardiac failure. One had perimembranous ventricular septal defect with bicuspid pulmonary valve and atresia of aortic valve. Two had dysmorphic facial features suggestive of Down's syndrome. Isolated ACPV was seen in only two patients. Asplenia syndrome was seen in three patients. Marked dilatation of the pulmonary lymphatics was identified in three patients. Early atresia of the common pulmonary vein, an extremely rare abnormality, manifests in early infancy/neonatal period and needs urgent corrective surgery. It is associated with other congenital heart disorders and extracardiac manifestations as well.


Planar wire-array Z-pinch implosion dynamics and X-ray scaling at multiple-MA drive currents for a compact multisource hohlraum configuration.
An indirect drive configuration is proposed wherein multiple compact Z-pinch x-ray sources surround a secondary hohlraum. Planar compact wire arrays allow reduced primary hohlraum surface area compared to cylindrical loads. Implosions of planar arrays are studied at up to 15 TW x-ray power on Saturn with radiated yields exceeding the calculated kinetic energy, suggesting other heating paths. X-ray power and yield scaling studied from 1-6 MA motivates viewfactor modeling of four 6-MA planar arrays producing 90 eV radiation temperature in a secondary hohlraum.


Identification of fabclavine derivatives, Fcl-7 and Fcl-8, from Xenorhabdus budapestensis as major antifungal natural products against Rhizoctonia solani.
Black scurf disease, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is a severe soil-borne and tuber-borne disease, which occurs and spreads in potato growing areas worldwide and poses a serious threat to potato production. New biofungicide is highly desirable for addressing the issue, and natural products (NPs) from Xenorhabdus spp. provide prolific resources for biofungicide development. In this study, we aim to identify antifungal NPs from Xenorhabdus spp. for the management of this disease. Out of the 22 Xenorhabdus strains investigated, Xenorhabdus budapestensis 8 (XBD8) was determined to be the most promising candidate with the measured IC50 value of its cell-free supernatant against R. solani as low as 0.19 ml l-1. The major antifungal compound in XBD8 started to be synthesized in the middle logarithmic phase and reached a stable level at stationary phase. Core gene deletion coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis determined the major antifungal NPs as fabclavine derivatives, Fcl-7 and 8, which showed broad-spectrum bioactivity against important pathogenic fungi. Impressively, the identified fabclavine derivatives effectively controlled black scurf disease in both greenhouse and field experiments, significantly improving tuber quality and increasing with marketable tuber yield from 29 300 to 35 494 kg ha-1, comparable with chemical fungicide fludioxonil. The fabclavine derivatives Fcl-7 and 8 were determined as the major antifungal NPs in XBD8, which demonstrated a bright prospect for the management of black scurf disease.


Some remarks on the RDC/TMD Validation Project: report of an IADR/Toronto-2008 workshop discussion.
A large-scale, multi-site study has been performed to examine the reliability and validity of the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) and to suggest revisions of the current RDC/TMD. During an International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Workshop in July 2008, preliminary results of this RDC/TMD Validation Project were presented. One of us was invited to be the critical discussant of the Workshop session in which the Study Group's papers were presented. This article is based on that contribution. One of our concerns relates to the possible circularity and bias, introduced by incorporating the RDC/TMD tests under investigation into the criterion examination. This may have had serious consequences for the outcomes of the validity study as well as for the proposed revisions of the diagnostic algorithms. In addition, a more detailed description of the process of replacing the RDC/TMD tests by other tests is needed. Further, to come to a revised RDC/TMD, it is crucial to know not only how the test outcomes are capable of discriminating between patients with TMD pain and pain-free subjects, as studied in this Validation Project, but also, more importantly, how they discriminate between patients with TMD pain and patients with oro-facial pain (OFP) complaints of non-TMD origin. We welcome the suggestion of an international expert panel to consider, deliberate, and reach consensus on a revised version of the RDC/TMD. Finally, we agree that the suggested expansions of the RDC/TMD taxonomy stress the need for the development of an RDC for OFP, which would include, as an integral part, the revised RDC/TMD.


Ecological validity of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire: Results from the PariS-TBI study.
The Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX; Wilson, Pettigrew, & Teasdale, 1998 ) has been designed to assess executive dysfunctions in daily life. However, its relationships with cognitive testing, mood, and the ability to fulfil daily life demands, have not yet been systematically addressed. The objective of this study was to address these issues in a prospective four-year follow-up study of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (PariS-TBI study). One hundred and forty seven patients were included. The DEX (self-version) showed a good internal consistency. The total DEX score was significantly inversely correlated with years of education, but did not significantly correlate with any initial injury severity measure. The DEX was significantly and positively related to cognitive deficits, as assessed with the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale-Revised (NRS-R); with mood disorders, as assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); with dependency in elementary and extended activities of daily living; and with non-return to work. In multivariate analyses, cognitive and mood impairments were significantly and independently related to the total DEX score. These results suggest that the DEX is a multidetermined sensitive questionnaire to detect everyday life difficulties in patients with severe TBI at a chronic stage.


A home pleoptic method.
A method of initiating an after-image in an amblyopic eye with eccentric fixation by using Haidinger's brush for fixation control is described. This technique makes home pleoptics possible.


Case Studies in Physiology: Male to female transgender swimmer in college athletics.
There is current scientific and legal controversy about sports competition eligibility regulations for transgender athletes. In this case study, we quantified performances by an elite, transgender woman (male sex, female gender identity) college swimmer who competed in both the men's and women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) categories. We also contextualized her performances with respect to world-record performances and contemporary elite college swimmers. These data demonstrate that the declines in freestyle swimming performances of a transgender woman after about 2 yr of reported feminizing gender-affirming hormone treatment (0.5% for the 100 to 7.3% for the 1,650 yard distance) are smaller than the observed sex-related differences in performance of top 200 world record performances in metric distances of similar durations (11.4% for the 100 m to 9.3% for the 1,500 m distance). Despite slower performances, the transgender woman swimmer experienced improvements in performance for each freestyle event (100 to 1,650 yards) relative to sex-specific NCAA rankings, including producing the best swimming time in the NCAA for the 500-yard distance (65th in the men's category in 2018-2019 to 1st in the women's, 2022). Similarly, NCAA-ranked male swimmers had no improvements in rank in the men's category during the same time frame. Our findings suggest that the performance times of the transgender woman swimmer in the women's NCAA category were outliers for each event distance and suggest that the transgender woman swimmer had superior performances relative to rank-matched swimmers. Our analysis may be useful as a framework for regulators considering participation guidelines, which promote fair competition for all athletes-irrespective of gender identity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This case study, longitudinal analysis of freestyle swimming performances before and after 2 yr of feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy of an elite transgender woman (male sex, female gender identity), demonstrates superior performance relative to rank-matched female swimmers and a lower performance gap than previously observed between elite male and female swimmers.


DNA Barcoding of the Korean Lymantria Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) for Quarantine Inspection.
DNA barcoding and morphological analyses of Korean Lymantria (Erebidae, Lepidoptera) were conducted for quarantine inspection. In DNA barcoding, Lymantria dispar identified through quarantine inspection was distinguished as three species, L. dispar asiatica, L. albescens, and L. xylina. Lymantria monacha, which is known as a single species in Korea, is revealed as containing three species, L. monacha, L. minomonis, and L. sugii. At the subspecies level, L. dispar dispar formed a single cluster, whereas L. d. asiatica and L. d. japonica formed a cluster containing both subspecies. In morphological re-examination on DNA barcoding results, L. dispar was distinguished from L. albescens by wing pattern, and from L. xylina by papillae anale. L. monacha and the related species were hard to be distinct from each other by using wing pattern, but it was easily distinct through comparison of genitalia. Therefore, DNA barcoding led to accurate identification in species level, but in subspecies level, only a taxon showing geographically far distance was discriminated from the others. These results may provide a taxonomic outline of the Korean Lymantria fauna and may be used as an identification reference for Lymantria species during quarantine inspection.


Does patient age impact outcomes of neuromodulation?
We evaluated whether patients stratified by age have the same level of risks/benefits after a staged neuromodulation procedure for refractory voiding symptoms. Urologic diagnosis, complications, and revisions were collected from medical records of adults enrolled in our prospective observational study. Symptoms were assessed over 2 years with diaries, Interstitial Symptom-Problem Indices (ICSI-PI), and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-SF (OAB-q SF). 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12v2®) mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summaries evaluated quality of life. Data were examined with Pearson Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and repeated measures analyses. Patients (83% female) were grouped by age (years): <40 (n = 46), 40-64 (n = 146), and ≥65 (n = 136). Urge incontinence was predominant in the older groups and more patients <40 had interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). In the <40, 40-64, and ≥65 groups, respectively, generator implant (91%, 88%, and 89%) and explant (15%, 12%, and 10%) rates were similar. Complications (24%, 14%, and 9%; P = 0.031) and revisions (20%, 5%, and 6%; P = 0.0025) differed. For the three respective groups, urinary frequency (P < 0.0001 for all), nocturia (P < 0.0001 for all), incontinence episodes (P < 0.0001 for all), urgency (P = 0.0474, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0020), ICSI-PI (P = 0.0015, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001), and OAB-q scores improved over time. Incontinence severity improved in those >65 (P = 0.0015). SF-12 PCS improved in those 40-64 (P = 0.0482) and MCS scores improved in the <40 and 40-64 age groups (P = 0.013 and P = 0.0440, respectively). These data suggest that neuromodulation success is not age dependent, however continued study is needed to confirm findings.


[Study the effects of flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae on gene level of rats without ovaries by technology of cDNA array].
To study the effects of flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae on gene level of rats without ovaries (OP) by technology of cDNA array. The models of rats without ovaries were made After. 24 weeks of treatment, put them to death and sampled 6 ml blood from the abdominal aorta and 4cm spinal cord. Take out the total RNA, then separate the mRNA to check. There is 70 genes difference between the blank control group and model group, 9 genes difference between the blank control group and flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae group. The genes over expression of OP rats models regain normal after the models were fed on flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae. There are no differences in the spinal cords genes in the cDNA array analysis of this trail. The genes over expression of OP rats models regain normal after the models were fed on flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae for 6 months. The result shows that the flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae does have certain effects on the gene expression of rats without ovaries.


Lateral spin transport in paraxial beams of light.
We investigate the lateral transport of (longitudinal) spin angular momentum in a special polarization tailored light beam composed of a superposition of a y-polarized zero-order and an x-polarized first-order Hermite-Gaussian mode. This phenomenon is linked to the relative Gouy phase shift between the individual modes upon propagation, but can also be interpreted as a geometric phase effect. Experimentally, we demonstrate the implementation of such a mode and measure the spin density upon propagation.


[Classification, diagnosis and treatment of juvenile glaucoma].
Juvenile open-angle glaucoma is a disease with complex pathogenesis affecting young people of working age that can lead to disability. The article describes modern concepts of diagnosis, classification and approaches to the treatment of juvenile glaucoma with special attention paid to the differential diagnostic criteria of juvenile open-angle glaucoma and congenital glaucoma.


Modulation of circular current and associated magnetic field in a molecular junction: A new approach.
A new proposal is given to control local magnetic field in a molecular junction. In presence of finite bias a net circular current is established in the molecular ring which induces a magnetic field at its centre. Allowing a direct coupling between two electrodes, due to their close proximity, and changing its strength we can regulate circular current as well as magnetic field for a wide range, without disturbing any other physical parameters. We strongly believe that our proposal is quite robust compared to existing approaches of controlling local magnetic field and can be verified experimentally.


Catamenial epilepsy occurrence and patterns in a mixed population of women with epilepsy.
We evaluated the occurrence and distribution of patterns of catamenial epilepsy in a heterogenous cohort of women with epilepsy on no hormonal therapies, enrolled in a prospective, observational study. The primary aim of the study was pregnancy rate in women with epilepsy with no prior reproductive problems. In this analysis, we included women who recorded one or more menstrual cycles with one or more seizures. We measured progesterone concentrations for one to three cycles. We defined catamenial patterns as twofold or greater average daily seizure frequency around menstruation (C1), ovulation (C2), and for anovulatory cycles, from midcycle through menstruation (C3). Twenty-three of the 89 enrolled women with epilepsy were eligible for this analysis; 12 of 23 met criteria for catamenial epilepsy; five of 23 demonstrated only a C1 pattern, two of 23 only a C2 pattern, five of 23 a combined C1/C2 pattern, and the one woman with anovulatory cycles did not demonstrate a C3 pattern. There were no differences in likelihood of demonstrating a catamenial pattern between those who reported a prior catamenial pattern and those who did not (p = .855). This analysis demonstrates the utility of app-based tracking to determine a catamenial pattern. Larger prospective studies could confirm these findings and inform potential therapeutic trial designs for catamenial epilepsy.


Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in a Patient with Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm.
Background Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation after contained LV rupture (pseudoaneurysm) represents a difficult surgical problem. Case Description We describe the surgical approach for such a patient. The sewing ring was implanted utilizing a Dacron patch for reconstruction of the free wall, fibrotic LV wall remnants, and a Teflon strip giving additional support for cannula position and hemostasis. The patient had an uneventful recovery and is well 19 months after the procedure. Conclusion LV pseudoaneurysm is not a contraindication for permanent LVAD implantation.


[Analysis of surgical treatment results of primary hyperparathyroidism].
For the 1967-2000 period 134 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPTH) were treated in the clinic. Clinico-morphological characteristics of PHPTH were analyzed. In majority of the patients the mixed form of PHPTH was revealed. In 90% of patients solitary adenoma of parathyroid gland had constituted the morphological substrate of the disease. In 117 (87%) of patients positive result of treatment was noted. In 18 (15%) of patients postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. Seven (4.5%) patients died. For the improvement of early diagnosis and effective treatment it is necessary to secure wide screening of the calcium content, peculiarly in patients, constituting the risk group.


[The role of ultrasound examinations in diagnosis of massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage occurring as a postoperative complication of intraocular surgery ].
This article presents importance of the ultrasound examinations (standard A- and B-scan ultrasonography, Colour Doppler and Power Doppler ultrasonography) in early and late diagnosis of massive intraoperative suprachoroidal hemorrhage. Standardized echography can help establish an accurate diagnosis. Echography can determine the location and extent of expulsive hemorrhage, as well as determine the status of the retina and vitreous. Furthermore, differentiation between hemorrhagic choroidal detachment and serous choroidal effusion can be made only by A- and B-scans. Colour and Power Doppler imagings of orbital vessels are relatively new sonography methods of ocular diagnosis. Using them, we can evaluate all blood flow disturbance, which occur in eye with massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage. These methods are also useful in differentiation of retina from other tissues, especially in the presence of opaque media.


"Does It Improve the Mind's Eye?": Sensorimotor Simulation in Episodic Event Construction.
Memories are not frozen in the past. Instead, they can be dynamically combined to allow individuals to adapt to the present or even imagine the future. This recombination, called event construction, also means that it might be possible to improve memory through specific interventions such as episodic specificity induction (ESI). ESI provides brief training in recollecting the details of a past event that boosts the retrieval of specific details in subsequent tasks if these tasks involve the recombination of memories. However, very little is known about how event construction is accomplished, and this is essential if we are (1) to understand how episodic memory might work and (2) to promote a specific mechanism that will help people remember the past better. The present study assesses the sensorimotor simulation hypothesis, which has been proposed within the embodied approaches to cognition. According to these approaches, access to and the recombination of memories occur through the simulation of the sensory and motor propreties of our past experiences. This hypothesis was tested using a sensory interference paradigm. In a first phase, the participants watched videos and then received a specificity or a control induction. In a second phase, they described their memories of the videos while simultaneously viewing an interfering stimulus (dynamic visual noise; DVN) or a gray control screen. In line with a sensorimotor simulation account, the presentation of a DVN during the description of the videos led to a decrease in the number of internal details (details specific to the event) only after the specificity induction rather than the control induction. The findings provide evidence that the specificity induction targets and facilitates the sensorimotor simulation mechanism, thus confirming the crucial involvement of a mechanism of this sort in the constructive functioning of memory.


Nurse involvement in Institutional Review Boards; the service setting perspective.
Access to nursing service settings and protection of human subjects for research purposes are facilitated by the institutional review board if nursing is represented on the board and nurses' research protocols are reviewed for scientific merit and human subject implications. A nurse researcher recounts experiences in achieving these goals within a service setting.


Sports-related injuries among high school athletes--United States, 2005-06 school year.
Participation in high school sports helps promote a physically active lifestyle. High school sports participation has grown from an estimated 4 million participants during the 1971-72 school year to an estimated 7.2 million in 2005-06. However, despite the documented health benefits of increased physical activity (e.g., weight management, improved self-esteem, and increased strength, endurance, and flexibility), those who participate in athletics are at risk for sports-related injuries. High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations annually. To date, the study of these injuries has been limited by inabilities to calculate injury rates, compare results among groups, and generalize findings from small, nonrepresentative samples. During the 2005-06 school year, researchers at a children's hospital in Ohio used an Internet-based data-collection tool to pilot an injury surveillance system among athletes from a representative national sample of U.S. high schools. This report summarizes the findings of that study, which indicated that participation in high school sports resulted in an estimated 1.4 million injuries at a rate of 2.4 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures (i.e., practices or competitions). Surveillance of exposure-based injury rates in a nationally representative sample of high school athletes and analysis of injury patterns can help guide activities aimed at reducing these injuries.


The Use of Aspirin to Reduce the Risk of Thrombotic Events in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the last stage of chronic kidney disease, mainly caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus and characterized by an increased mortality risk related to cardiovascular disease. Low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) seems to effectively prevent cardiovascular events in patients with ESRD. However, the number of interventional studies in this population remains limited and the mechanisms of aspirin-related bleeding remain poorly understood. Aspirin's efficacy and safety may be modified by the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or platelet hyperreactivity. The overall objective of this protocol is to (1) evaluate aspirin's safety and efficacy in reducing the risk of thrombotic events in patients with ESRD on hemodialysis and (2) examine whether aspirin's efficacy is modified by the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or platelet hyperreactivity. Specifically, the primary objective is to compare the 12-month rate of any thrombotic event (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, arteriovenous fistula thrombosis) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major bleeding in patients treated with aspirin compared to those on placebo. Secondary objectives are to test for effect modification of treatment by the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or platelet hyperreactivity and compare the rate of TIMI minor bleeding between treatment groups. We developed a protocol for a phase 2 randomized, single-center, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, superiority clinical trial to assess the prophylactic efficacy and safety of aspirin in patients with ESRD and on hemodialysis. It follows the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association. A total of 342 participants would be enrolled over 12 months at a large dialysis center. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio and stratified by presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and platelet hyperreactivity to receive either oral aspirin (100 mg/d) or placebo for a treatment period of 12 months. An intention-to-treat statistical analysis will be performed. The randomized clinical trial will be performed after approval by the ethical committee of the participating center and registration at ClinicalTrials.gov. We provide a protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment with aspirin to reduce the risk of thrombotic events. In addition, such a study would further our understanding of the mechanism of aspirin-related bleeding and help identify subgroups of best-responders and patients with a higher risk of adverse events. RR1-10.2196/10516.


Decoupling HZSM-5 catalyst activity from deactivation during upgrading of pyrolysis oil vapors.
The independent evaluation of catalyst activity and stability during the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is challenging because of the nature of the reaction system and rapid catalyst deactivation that force the use of excess catalyst. In this contribution we use a modified pyroprobe system in which pulses of pyrolysis vapors are converted over a series of HZSM-5 catalysts in a separate fixed-bed reactor controlled independently. Both the reactor-bed temperature and the Si/Al ratio of the zeolite are varied to evaluate catalyst activity and deactivation rates independently both on a constant surface area and constant acid site basis. Results show that there is an optimum catalyst-bed temperature for the production of aromatics, above which the production of light gases increases and that of aromatics decrease. Zeolites with lower Si/Al ratios give comparable initial rates for aromatics production, but far more rapid catalyst deactivation rates than those with higher Si/Al ratios.


The evolution of bitter taste receptor gene in primates: Gene duplication and selection.
Bitter taste perception plays an important role in preventing animals from digesting poisonous and harmful substances. In primates, especially the Cercopithecidae species, most species feed on plants; thus, it is reasonable to speculate that most of the bitter taste receptor genes (T2Rs) of primates are under purifying selection to maintain the functional stability of bitter taste perception. Gene duplication has happened in T2Rs frequently, and what will be the fate of T2Rs copies is another question we are concerned about. To answer these questions, we selected the T2Rs of primates reported in another study and conducted corresponding selective pressure analyses to determine what kind of selective pressure was acting on them. Further, we carried out selective pressure analyses on gene copies and their corresponding ancestors by considering several possible situations. The results showed that among the 25 gene groups examined here, 15 groups are subject to purifying selection and others are under relaxed selection, with many positively selected sites detected. Gene copies existed in several groups, but only some groups (clade1_a1-b2, clade1_c-c2, clade1_d1-d3, clade1_f1-f2, T2R10, T2R13, and T2R42) have positively selected sites, inferring that they may have some relation to functional divergence. Taken together, T2Rs in primates are under diverse selective pressures, and most gene copies are subject to the same selective pressures. In such cases, the copies may be just to keep the function conservative, and more copies can increase the quantity of the bitter taste receptor, raise the efficiency of bitter substance recognition, and finally enhance the fitness of feeding during the evolutionary course of primates. This study can improve our understanding of T2Rs evolution in primates.


Exploring Strategies for Improving Green Open Spaces in Old Downtown Residential Communities from the Perspective of Public Health to Enhance the Health and Well-Being of the Aged.
Based on the trend of global aging, people are paying more and more attention to the health of the elderly and the improvement of green open spaces. However, few studies have focused on strategies to improve green spaces in response to this trend. Especially, with the outbreak of COVID-19, an urgent need to develop a sustainable system strategy to improve the health of the elderly in residential communities in old districts has emerged. Traditional improvement strategies based on current situation evaluation often focus on the most prominent practical problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide theoretical research and practical improvement strategies for green open spaces in old downtown residential communities to improve the health and well-being of the elderly. In response to this problem, this research proposes an alternative method based on causality (FDM-DANP-mV model), by extracting 23 green open space elements that affect the health of the elderly and dividing them into three dimensions, to form a preliminary evaluation framework. On this basis, the more effective and feasible standard elements are screened out, and the influence relationship behind the elements is clarified. Then, the sustainable development strategy is systematically discussed in three practical cases. This allows for the analysis of the present situation to not only identify the current significant problems but also to capture the source of the influence behind the real problems based on the clarification of the dominant influence relationship. The actual value of this study is to provide a key design decision basis for the improvement of the green open spaces in old downtown residential communities, aiming at avoiding waste to the greatest extent under the premise of limited resources and gradually promoting the improvement of the urban built environment to promote the health and well-being of the elderly.


[Chromatin packing in the nuclei of mammalian cells studied by flow cytometry].
A phenomenon of limited accessibility of mammalian cell nuclear DNA to external agents is described, which is revealed by altered binding of DNA-specific fluorescent dyes after fixation of nuclei with glutaraldehyde. This approach is demonstrated to permit visualizing different degrees of DNA shielding by proteins in cells of diverse differentiation and functional state, as well as measuring an alteration of nature chromatin conformation after different treatment. The treatment of nuclei with single-stranded DNA was found to result in a considerable increase in nuclear DNA accessibility to fluorescent dyes, probably by activation of endogenous nuclear DNA-dependent serine proteases. The data obtained allow to suppose the existence of a specific nuclear DNA accessibility regulating system based on protease action and regulated by the appearance of single-stranded DNA stretches which accompanied such genetic processes as DNA repair, transcription, recombination and replication.


Amplitude scaling in a bimanual circle-drawing task: pattern switching and end-effector variability.
The authors manipulated movement amplitude in a bimanual circle-tracing task performed by 11 participants. With pacing frequency fixed, the systematic increase and decrease of circle diameter within a trial induced phase transitions from the asymmetric (33% of trials) to the symmetric bimanual circle-tracing pattern; the transitions resulted from a loss of stability in the asymmetric pattern. Tracing frequency varied inversely with circle diameter so that end-effector variability was minimized in a set of self-paced trials in which the circle diameter in a trial was fixed. In the amplitude-scaling trials, end-effector variability varied directly with circle diameter, a consistent speed-accuracy tradeoff. The results support the conclusion that movement amplitude is a nonspecific control parameter. The findings are discussed with reference to several factors, e.g., tactile feedback, the recruitment and suppression of biomechanical degrees of freedom, and the role those factors may play in stabilizing bimanual coordination patterns


Risk-factors for the acquisition of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Spain: a nationwide study.
Potential risk-factors for the acquisition of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were investigated in a cohort study in 25 Spanish hospitals. The clonal relationship among isolates was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In total, A. baumannii was isolated from 203 patients, with imipenem-resistant (MIC(90) 128 mg/L) isolates being obtained from 88 patients (43%), and imipenem-susceptible isolates from 115 patients (57%). A wide clonal distribution was observed among the imipenem-resistant isolates, but spread of the same clone among centres was not demonstrated. The results indicated that imipenem-resistant A. baumannii is a widely distributed nosocomial pathogen in Spain and reaches an alarming frequency in some centres. Independent risk-factors for the acquisition of imipenem-resistant A. baumannii were a hospital size of >500 beds (multivariate OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.8--23), previous antimicrobial treatment (multivariate OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6--11), a urinary catheter (multivariate OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1--6.7) and surgery (multivariate OR, 2; 95% CI, 1.07--3.8).


[Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of fetuses with cutaneous hemangioma].
To study the ultrasonic characteristics of fetal cutaneous hemangioma and the association with perinatal outcomes. Five fetuses with cutaneous hemangioma were detected by gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound, compared with the result of pathology and hematology examinations after birth. Of the 5 cases diagnosed by ultrasound, 3 had arteriovenous fistulas. In these 3 cases two fetuses developed high-output cardiac failure, and one developed cardiac insufficiency and thrombocytopenia. Finally one fetus was induced, one fetus died in the uterus and one neonate survived. The other two fetuses who had small tumors diagnosed by ultrasound did not develop any perinatal complications, and the neonates had favourable prognosis. Massive hemangiomas are frequently associated with life-threatening complications such as high-output heart failure, thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome).


The mechanical spread of viable tumor during surgery.
The "mechanical" spread of tumor is that which occurs through physical trauma, such as during surgical resection. There has been a waxing and waning of interest in this concept over the past 70 years. We have collected the blood that comes off the surgical field during major head and neck resections and separated and plated all nucleated cells in the tumor stem cell assay of Hamburger and Salmon. In one of six such preparations, we demonstrated the presence of viable, colony-forming tumor cells. Two were contaminated and three did not grow. We demonstrated, therefore, that the blood that bathes the raw open surgical field contains tumor cells that are viable and potentially capable of producing new foci of tumor.


The effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody (infliximab) in treating recalcitrant psoriasis: a report of 2 cases.
Psoriasis is being recognized as an autoimmune disease in which immunocyte-derived cytokines are thought to drive the development of the altered keratinocyte phenotype. Although the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in psoriasis is not completely understood, it may underlie many of the key steps that lead to induction and maintenance of the disease. Infliximab is an immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody that binds and inactivates TNF-alpha and has been successfully used in the management of TNF-alpha-mediated diseases, such as Crohn disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Two patients with recalcitrant psoriasis that was unresponsive to multiple skin-directed and systemic therapies were treated with a single infusion of infliximab. The treatments resulted in rapid and complete clearing of psoriatic erythroderma and resolution of symptoms of arthritis in one case and complete clearing of widespread psoriatic plaques and improvement of symptoms of arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease in the other. The single treatments with infliximab were well tolerated with no immediate or long-term adverse effects noted. A single infusion of infliximab at 5 to 10 mg/kg resulted in the rapid and complete clearing of recalcitrant psoriatic plaques and erythroderma with a disease-free interval of 3 to 4 months in these 2 patients and improved the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.


Hemophilia A: experiences and attitudes of mothers, sisters, and daughters.
The aim of the investigation described was to study experiences and views about hemophilia, genetic counseling, carrier testing, and termination of pregnancy among first-degree female relatives of Finnish hemophilia A patients. Altogether, 167 women participated in the study, which was carried out by a mailed multiple-choice questionnaire. For comparison, a copy of the questionnaire was asked to be given to the spouse. Hemophilia was considered a serious disease. Most women knew well their risk of carriership and of having an affected son. Hemophilia was considered a slightly more acceptable reason for abortion than poor social circumstances. In case of an affected male fetus, 16% of the women would definitely terminate the pregnancy. The majority of participants wished to hear the genetic counselor's view on family planning and termination of pregnancy. The opinions of the spouses were concordant with those of the women.


Dual-targeting upconversion nanoprobes across the blood-brain barrier for magnetic resonance/fluorescence imaging of intracranial glioblastoma.
Surgical resection, one of the main clinical treatments of intracranial glioblastoma, bears the potential risk of incomplete excision due to the inherent infiltrative character of the glioblastoma. To maximize the accuracy of surgical resection, the magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging are widely used for the tumor preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative positioning. However, present commercial MR contrast agents and fluorescent dyes can only function for single mode of imaging and are subject to poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and nontargeting-specificity, resulting in the apparent risks of inefficient diagnosis and resection of glioblastoma. Considering the unique MR/upconversion luminescence (UCL) bimodal imaging feature of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), herein, we have developed a dual-targeting nanoprobe (ANG/PEG-UCNPs) to cross the BBB, target the glioblastoma, and then function as a simultaneous MR/NIR-to-NIR UCL bimodal imaging agent, which showed a much enhanced imaging performance in comparison with the clinically used single MRI contrast (Gd-DTPA) and fluorescent dye (5-ALA). Moreover, their biocompatibility, especially to brains, was systematically assessed by the histological/hematological examination, indicating a negligible in vivo toxicity. As a proof-of-concept, the ANG/PEG-UCNPs hold the great potential in MR diagnosis and fluorescence positioning of glioblastoma for the efficient tumor surgery.


The effect of vitamin B-6 deficiency on host susceptibility to Moloney sarcoma virus-induced tumor growth in mice.
The effect of vitamin B-6 deficiency on in vivo host susceptibility to primary Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV)-induced tumor growth and to secondary challenge with MSB sarcoma cells was examined in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice, 6 weeks of age, were fed 20% casein diets with pyridoxine (PN) added at 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0 mg/kg diet for 21 weeks. After 4 weeks of dietary treatment the mice were challenged with MSV. Vitamin B-6 deficiency resulted in an enhancement of tumor susceptibility as well as an increase in tumor size and regression time. The animals resistant to both MSV and MSV-transformed tumor cells ( MSB ) challenge showed splenic tumor development at necropsy 51 days after MSB challenge. Total incidence of MSV/ MSB /splenic tumors was 2/11, 2/11, 4/10 and 8/11 in animals fed PN 1, 0.5, 0.1 and 0 diets, respectively. Since MSV-induced tumors regressed spontaneously in immunocompetent hosts, the increased susceptibility to MSV oncogenesis in vitamin B-6-deficient animals suggests that reactivity of T cells and/or other effector cells is impaired in vitamin B-6-deficient animals suggests that reactivity of T cells and/or other effector cells is impaired in vitamin B-6 adequacy.


Two-pore domain potassium channels: variation on a structural theme.
The ability of cells to reliably fire action potentials is critically dependent upon the maintenance of a hyperpolarized resting potential, which allows voltage-gated Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels to recover from inactivation and open in response to a subsequent stimulus. Hodgkin and Huxley first recognized the functional importance a small, steady outward leak of K(+) ions to the resting potential, action potential generation and cellular excitability, and we now appreciate the contribution of inward rectifier-type K(+) channels (Kir or KCNJ channels) to this process. More recently, however, it has become evident that two-pore domain K(+) (K2P) channels also contribute to the steady outward leak of K(+) ions, and thus, maintenance of the resting potential. Molecular cloning efforts have demonstrated that K2P channel exist in yeast to humans, and represent a major branch in the K(+) channel superfamily. Humans express 15 types of K2P channels, which are grouped into six subfamilies, based on similarities in amino acid sequence and functional properties. Although K2P channels are not voltage-gated, due to the absence of a canonical voltage sensor domain, their activity can be regulated by a variety of stimuli, including mechanical force, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (e.g., arachidonic acid), volatile anesthetics, acidity/pH, pharmacologic agents, heat and signaling events, such as phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions. K2P channels thus represent important regulators of cellular excitability by virtue of their impact on the resting potential, and as such, have garnered considerable attention in recent years.


Presence of wheat retrotransposons in Gramineae species and the origin of wheat retrotransposon families.
Distribution of wheat retrotransposon families (families 1 to 7) was examined in 11 Gramineae species by the use of representative reverse transcriptase domain clones selected from six of the seven wheat retrotransposon families previously identified as probes. The homologues of families 3, 4, 5, and 7 retrotransposons were detectable only in the Pooideae species, suggesting that the distribution of the retrotransposons related to these families is restricted to the Pooideae subfamily. The representatives of families 1 and 2, distantly related to families 3 to 7, revealed homologues additionally in the species outside the Pooideae subfamily including rice. These results suggest that the retrotransposons related to the former families have wider distribution than those related to families 3, 4, 5, and 7. Analysis of a wheat genomic clone confirmed that the family 1 representative reverse transcriptase domain clone is a Ty1-copia group retrotransposon derivative, which we have named Tar1. On the basis of these results, the origin of wheat retrotransposon families is discussed.


Regional differences in prostaglandin E₂ metabolism in human colorectal cancer liver metastases.
Prostaglandin (PG) E2 plays a critical role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Activity of the rate-limiting enzyme for PGE2 catabolism (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase [15-PGDH]) is dependent on availability of NAD+. We tested the hypothesis that there is intra-tumoral variability in PGE2 content, as well as in levels and activity of 15-PGDH, in human CRC liver metastases (CRCLM). To understand possible underlying mechanisms, we investigated the relationship between hypoxia, 15-PGDH and PGE2 in human CRC cells in vitro. Tissue from the periphery and centre of 20 human CRCLM was analysed for PGE2 levels, 15-PGDH and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression, 15-PGDH activity, and NAD+/NADH levels. EMT of LIM1863 human CRC cells was induced by transforming growth factor (TGF) β. PGE2 levels were significantly higher in the centre of CRCLM compared with peripheral tissue (P = 0.04). There were increased levels of 15-PGDH protein in the centre of CRCLM associated with reduced 15-PGDH activity and low NAD+/NADH levels. There was no significant heterogeneity in COX-2 protein expression. NAD+ availability controlled 15-PGDH activity in human CRC cells in vitro. Hypoxia induced 15-PGDH expression in human CRC cells and promoted EMT, in a similar manner to PGE2. Combined 15-PGDH expression and loss of membranous E-cadherin (EMT biomarker) were present in the centre of human CRCLM in vivo. There is significant intra-tumoral heterogeneity in PGE2 content, 15-PGDH activity and NAD+ availability in human CRCLM. Tumour micro-environment (including hypoxia)-driven differences in PGE2 metabolism should be targeted for novel treatment of advanced CRC.


Soluble endothelial cell adhesion molecules and their relationship to disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis.
To investigate soluble (s) E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and their relationship to disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis (TA). Levels of adhesion molecules were measured by enzyme immunoassay in the sera of 35 patients with TA, 17 healthy controls, and 15 patients with 12 months followup. Compared to controls, patients had elevated levels of sE-selectin (54.5 +/- 35.0 vs 36.4 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, p < 0.05), sVCAM-1 (280.9 +/- 267.6 vs 141.2 +/- 76.1 ng/ml, p < 0.05), and sICAM-1 (261.3 +/- 168.1 vs 198.3 +/- 74.3 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Compared to controls, patients with inactive TA also had elevated levels of sE-selectin (67.4 +/- 45.9 vs 36.4 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, p < 0.02), sVCAM-1 (327.6 +/- 327.8 vs 141.2 +/- 76.1 ng/ml, p < 0.02), and sICAM-1 (321.9 +/- 179.5 vs 198.3 +/- 74.3 ng/ml, p < 0.02). There was no difference between active TA and controls. sE-selectin had a trend towards increased levels in inactive versus active TA (67.4 +/- 45.9 vs 44.9 +/- 20.3 ng/ml p = 0.059), but there was no difference in sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels between the groups. No adhesion molecule levels showed a change among followup patients. Patients with inactive TA have elevated levels of sE-selectin, sVCAM-1, and sICAM-1 that might indicate persistent vasculopathy in clinically inactive disease.


Outcomes in quality improvement and patient safety training: moving from in-person to synchronous distance education.
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated increased synchronous distance education (SDE) in graduate medical education, presenting challenges for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) best practices, which call for integration with daily clinical care and investigation of real patient safety events. To evaluate educational outcomes for QIPS training after conversion of a mature, in-person curriculum to SDE. 68 postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents were surveyed before and after the SDE Culture of Patient Safety training in June 2020, and 59 PGY-2s were administered the Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool-Revised (QIKAT-R) before and after the SDE QIPS seminar series in July-August 2020. Values before and after training were compared using sign tests for matched pairs (PGY-1) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (PGY-2). 100% (68 of 68) of PGY-1s and 46% (27 of 59) of PGY-2s completed precourse and postcourse surveys. Before the course, 55 PGY-1s (81%) strongly agreed that submitting patient safety event reports are a physician's responsibility, and 63 (93%) did so after (15% increase, p=0.004). For PGY-2s, the median composite QIKAT-R score was 17 (IQR 14.5-20) before and 22.5 (IQR 20-24.5) after the seminars, with a median difference of 4.5 (IQR 1.5-7), a 32% increase in QIPS competency (p=0.001). Patient safety attitudes and quality improvement knowledge increased after SDE QIPS training at comparable levels to previously published results for in-person training, supporting SDE use in future hybrid curricula to optimise educational value and reach.


Fertility after Endoscopic Surgery for Ectopic Pregnancy Management in Point "G" Teaching Hospital, Bamako-Mali.
Endoscopic surgery of ectopic pregnancy is actually the gold standard for the management of fallopian tubal diseases. A survey was conducted to evaluate fertility in patients who underwent endoscopic management for ectopic pregnancy. A retrospective study was conducted at the department of general and endoscopic surgery of the Point "G" teaching hospital, in Bamako, Mali, from January 1st 2007 to December 31, 2016. Forty-eight (48) patients who underwent endoscopic management of tubal ectopic pregnancy and who have been followed up for fertility were included in this study. Statistical tests used were X2 or Fisher test and their confident interval, p <1 % has been considered as statistically significant. The therapeutic score of Pouly was less than 4 in 25.0% (n = 12). The return to fertility was observed among 48.0% of patients (n = 23). The chance of conception was less than 80.0% after the fourth postoperative year (p=0.001). The outcome of pregnancies has been seventeen full-term pregnancies, three ectopic pregnancies and three miscarriages. The occurrence of pregnancy after endoscopic management indicated for ectopic pregnancy is possible. However, many factors can influence the future conception.


Benzoate-based thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials.
Compounds PTZ-MBZ (methyl 3-(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)benzoate) and DMAC-MBZ (methyl 3-(9,9-dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)benzoate) were conveniently synthesized, and they exhibited TADF properties with lifetimes of 0.80 and 2.17 μs, respectively. The spatially separated highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital resulted in a very small singlet-triplet energy gap of 0.0152 eV and 0.0640 eV, respectively. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials with short lifetime could be used as promising luminescent materials for organic light-emitting diodes.


Effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on anxiety, depression and condom use in people with HIV in Mexico City: a pilot study.
Anxiety and depression in people living with HIV (PLWH) are negatively associated with healthy sexual behaviours. We pilot-tested a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based intervention to reduce anxiety and depression, aimed to increase serostatus disclosure to sexual partners, quality of sexual life (QoSL) and condom use. The study had a single-case experimental design (AB) with follow-up measures. Eleven PLWH with moderate/severe anxiety/depression received six-module CBT intervention delivered in ten one-hour individual weekly sessions. Anxiety, depression, consistent/correct condom use and QoSL were measured. Depression and anxiety decreased after the intervention (depression baseline [BL] Mdn = 21, final [F] Mdn = 3, z = -2.934, p = .003; anxiety BL Mdn = 30, F Mdn = 4, z = -2.941, p = .003). QoSL improved (BL Mdn = 28, F Mdn = 13, z = -2.625, p = .009), along with participants' ability to use condoms (57.14 vs.100, z = -2.937, p = .003). Effect size was large, changes were maintained at follow-up measurements. The CBT intervention had positive effects in reducing anxiety and depression, which could facilitate the acquisition of healthy sexual behaviours. Further studies are important to clarify the benefits of targeting emotional variables to improve wellbeing and prevention behaviours in PLWH.


Cholinergic Interneurons Amplify Thalamostriatal Excitation of Striatal Indirect Pathway Neurons in Parkinson's Disease Models.
The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are thought to stem from an imbalance in the activity of striatal direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Disease-induced alterations in the activity of networks controlling SPNs could contribute to this imbalance. One of these networks is anchored by the parafascicular nucleus (PFn) of the thalamus. To determine the role of the PFn in striatal PD pathophysiology, optogenetic, chemogenetic, and electrophysiological tools were used in ex vivo slices from transgenic mice with region-specific Cre recombinase expression. These studies revealed that in parkinsonian mice, the functional connectivity of PFn neurons with indirect pathway SPNs (iSPNs) was selectively enhanced by cholinergic interneurons acting through presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on PFn terminals. Attenuating this network adaptation by chemogenetic or genetic strategies alleviated motor-learning deficits in parkinsonian mice, pointing to a potential new therapeutic strategy for PD patients.


Evaluation of microdilution and disk diffusion methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes.
A total of 63 dermatophyte strains belonging to 6 species (Trichophyton rubrum (16), T. mentagrophytes (16), T. tonsurans (20), T. violaceum (2), Microsporum canis (7), and Epidermophyton floccosum (2)) were tested for their in vitro susceptibility to a range of antifungal drugs using disk diffusion and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A (CLSI, formerly NCCLS) broth microdilution methods. The antifungals used were ciclopirox (CIC), terbinafine (TER), griseofulvin (GRE), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITR), posaconazole (POS), and ravuconazole (RAV). In the broth microdilution assay terbinafine was found to have the highest activity followed by ravuconazole, posaconazole, ciclopirox, itraconazole, griseofulvin and fluconazole. In the disk diffusion assay terbinafine produced the largest inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) on Dermasel agar media followed by ravuconazole, griseofulvin, posaconazole, and itraconazole. A significant correlation was not observed between the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and IZDs, but some correlations were observed for POS, RAV, and TER (correlation coefficients r=-0.507, -0.249, -0.267, P<0.05, respectively). MICs obtained by the microdilution method with ITR and GRE did not correlate with IZDs obtained in disk diffusion assays in this study. The ciclopirox (20 microg/disk) and fluconazole (25 microg/disk) did not produce well defined inhibition zone diameters on Dermasel agar medium.


Cognitive profile in prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies.
Cortical and subcortical cognitive impairments have been found in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Roughly, they comprise visuoconstructive and executive dysfunction, whereas memory would remain relatively spared. However, the cognitive profile of patients with prodromal DLB remains poorly illustrated to date. We included 37 patients with prodromal DLB (age 67.2 ± 8.6 years, 18 men, Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] score 27.4 ± 2) and 29 healthy control subjects (HCs; age 68.8 ± 7.9 years, 15 men, MMSE score 29.0 ± 0.9). They were presented with an extensive neuropsychological test battery to assess memory; speed of processing; executive function; visuoperceptual, visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities; language; and social cognition. Compared with HCs, patients had lower scores on a visual recognition memory test (Delayed Matching to Sample-48 items; p ≤ 0.021) and lower free recall (all p ≤ 0.035), but not total recall, performance on a verbal episodic memory test (Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test). Short-term memory (p = 0.042) and working memory (p = 0.002) scores were also lower in patients. Assessment of executive function showed no slowing but overall lower performance in patients than in HCs (all p ≤ 0.049), whereas assessment of instrumental function yielded mixed results. Indeed, patients had lower scores on language tests (p ≤ 0.022), apraxia for pantomime of tool use (p = 0.002) and imitation of meaningless gesture (p = 0.005), as well as weakened visuospatial abilities (p = 0.047). Visuoconstruction was also impaired in patients. However, visuoperceptual abilities did not differ between groups. Finally, theory of mind abilities were lower in patients than in HCs (p < 0.05), but their emotion recognition abilities were similar. This study presents the cognitive profile in patients with prodromal DLB. In line with the literature on DLB with dementia, our results show lower performance on tests of executive function and visuoconstruction. However, we found, from a prodromal stage of DLB, memory (free recall and visual recognition) and social cognition deficits, as well as weakened visuospatial and praxic abilities.


Substituent Effect in the First Excited Triplet State of Monosubstituted Benzenes.
The structure of 30 monosubstituted benzenes in the first excited triplet T1 state was optimized with both unrestricted (U) and restricted open shell (RO) approximations combined with the ωB97XD/aug-cc-pVTZ basis method. The substituents exhibited diverse σ- and π-electron-donating and/or -withdrawing groups. Two different positions of the substituents are observed in the studied compounds in the T1 state: one distorted from the plane and the other coplanar with a quinoidal ring. The majority of the substituents are π-electron donating in the first group while π-electron withdrawing in the second one. Basically, U- and RO-ωB97XD approximations yield concordant results except for the B-substituents and a few of the planar groups. In the T1 state, the studied molecules are not aromatic, yet aromaticity estimated using the HOMA (harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity) index increases from ca. -0.2 to ca. 0.4 with substituent distortion, while in the S1 state, they are only slightly less aromatic than in the ground state (HOMA ≈0.8 vs ≈1.0, respectively). Unexpectedly, the sEDA(T1) and pEDA(T1) substituent effect descriptors do not correlate with analogous parameters for the ground and first excited singlet states. This is because in the T1 state, the geometry of the ring changes dramatically and the sEDA(T1) and pEDA(T1) descriptors do not characterize only the functional group but the entire molecule. Thus, they cannot provide useful scales for the substituents in the T1 states. We found that the spin density in the T1 states is accumulated at the Cipso and Cp atoms, and with the substituent deformation angle, it nonlinearly increases at the former while decreases at the latter. It appeared that the gap between singly unoccupied molecular orbital and singly occupied molecular orbital (SUMO-SOMO) is determined by the change of the SOMO energy because the former is essentially constant. For the nonplanar structures, SOMO correlates with the torsion angle of the substituent and the ground-state pEDA(S0) descriptor of the π-electron-donating substituents ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 e. Finally, shapes of the SOMO-1 instead of SOMO frontier orbitals in the T1 state somehow resemble the highest occupied molecular orbital ones of the S0 and S1 states. For several planar systems, the shape of the U- and RO-density functional theory-calculated SOMO-1 orbitals differs substantially.


Hirtellina lobelii DC. essential oil, its constituents, its combination with antimicrobial drugs and its mode of action.
With the goal of unravelling antimicrobial agents and mixtures inspired by plant defences, we investigated the antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of Hirtellina lobelii DC. essential oil (EO), both alone and in combination with antimicrobial drugs. Hirtellina lobelii DC. EO was analysed by GC, GC-MS and partial fractionation/NMR. It was essentially composed of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (75.2%), with α-bisabolol (34.5%), fokienol (12.0%) and T-muurolol (6.8%) serving as the main components. Microbial susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method and was expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal or fungicidal concentration (MBC or MFC). This EO was found to possess remarkable bactericidal (MBC/MIC = 2) and fungicidal (MFC/MIC = 1-4) potential, particularly against the Gram (+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, including its methicillin-resistant forms, the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophytes from the genus Trichophyton (MICs 8-128 μg/ml). The examination of the combined effects of the EO with antimicrobial drugs revealed synergisms of the EO with vancomycin against S. aureus and of the EO with fluconazole and griseofulvin against dermatophytic fungi (FICI 0.2-0.5). The effect of H. lobelii EO on the morphologies of fungal hyphae and bacteria, as determined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), showed fungal hyphae swelling and bulging. These results suggest that H. lobelii EO and its major constituent, α-bisabolol, have remarkable antimicrobial potential. Combination therapies of this EO with antifungal drugs could offer a promising alternative for treatment of human mycoses caused by filamentous dermatophytic fungi.


Recurrent staphylococcal abscesses associated with defective neutrophil chemotaxis and allergic rhinitis.
Four patients with recurrent staphylococcal furonculosis and deep abscess formation were evaluated to determine if a defect in the host defense mechanism could account for the unusual incidence of infection. Each also suffered repeated allergic rhinitis, often preceding the onset of infection. A marked defect in neutrophil granulocyte chemotaxis occurred when the patients were symptomatic with rhinitis and abscess formation. Their mean chemotactic index (+/- SD) was 16 +/- 6, while that of 25 control subjects was 70 +/- 11. Neutrophil random migration, phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, and lymphocyte T-cell populations were normal, as were serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE. Serial neutrophil function tests revealed normal chemotactic responsiveness when the patients were symptom-free of allergic rhinitis and no longer having abscesses. Abnormal function returned, however, when symptoms recurred. These studies suggest that defective neutrophil function associated with allergic phenomena need not be accompanied by hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. Such defects may be intermittent, appearing when allergic symptomatology and infections develop.


Cytotoxicity of a New Calcium Silicate Endodontic Sealer.
Resin sealers with biocompatible and bioactive additives have been used in clinical practice. Recently, a calcium silicate root canal sealer was introduced under the name BioRoot RCS (Septodont, Saint Maur-des-Fossés, France). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of BioRoot RCS on cell survival and proliferation of cultured cells in parallel with an epoxy resin sealer with calcium phosphate and calcium oxide and a salicylate resin sealer with mineral trioxide aggregate filler. The tested hypothesis was that BioRoot RCS is significantly less cytotoxic than the other tested sealers. The experiments were performed on NIH/3T3 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA) grown as monolayer cultures at 37°C in atmosphere containing 5% CO2 in air and 100% relative humidity. The sealers' extracts (24 hours and 1 week) were applied to cells at 1:1 and 1:2 dilutions. The effect was assessed by a modified sulforhodamine B staining assay in reference to controls after 24 and 72 hours of exposure. All experiments were performed at least twice in 6 replicates. Analysis of variance and post hoc comparison tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the results at a level of significance of P = .05. BioRoot RCS was significantly less cytotoxic than the other 2 sealers. MTA-Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) and SimpliSeal (Discuss Dental, LLC, Calver City, CA) exhibited a similar antiproliferative profile with no statistically significant differences in all settings. BioRoot RCS showed quite a positive biological behavior. Further investigation is needed in order to clarify the mechanism and the components that contribute to the beneficial results observed.


A Lectin Receptor-Like Kinase Mediates Pattern-Triggered Salicylic Acid Signaling.
Plant surface-localized pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) perceive conserved microbial features, termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), resulting in disease resistance. PAMP perception leads to calcium influx, MAPK activation, a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated by RbohD, accumulation of the defense hormone salicylic acid (SA), and callose deposition. Lectin receptor-like kinases (LecRKs) belong to a specific PRR family and are important players in plant innate immunity. Here, we report that LecRK-IX.2 is a positive regulator of PRR-triggered immunity. Pathogen infection activated the transcription of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) LecRK-IX.2, and the LecRK-IX.2 knockout lines exhibited enhanced susceptibility to virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000. In addition, LecRK-IX.2 is capable of inducing RbohD phosphorylation, likely by recruiting calcium-dependent protein kinases to trigger ROS production in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of LecRK-IX.2 resulted in elevated ROS and SA and enhanced systemic acquired resistance to P. syringae pv tomato DC3000. Our data highlight the importance of LecRKs in plant immune signaling and SA accumulation.


[Development of a linguistically validated French version of two short-form, condition-specific quality of life questionnaires for women with pelvic floor disorders (PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7)].
The aim of this work was to develop a linguistically validated French version of two short-form questionnaires on symptoms and quality of life in female patients with pelvic floor disorders (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7), originally developed and psychometrically validated in English. French versions of the short form Pelvic Floor Disorder Inventory (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) were developed after two independent forward translations (English-French), one back translation (French-English), a review by French clinicians and patient testing on a sample of patients with pelvic floor disorders. This linguistic validation process was led in collaboration with Mapi Research Institute and the author of the original English version, Dr Matthew Barber, and sponsored by Coloplast. These two self-administered questionnaires are completed by patients without a medical presence. They cover urinary, colo-recto-anal and pelvic/vaginal symptoms related to pelvic floor disorders. Psychometric evaluation of the original US English questionnaires found a good correlation between answers provided and clinical symptoms leading the patient to seek medical attention. Their main advantage is their ease of interpretation through the use of a numeric score. Linguistic validation does not consist in translating original questionnaires literally, but rather in developing conceptually equivalent and culturally appropriate versions adapted to the target country. These questionnaires are invaluable instruments to evaluate functional aspects of various forms of pelvic organ prolapse. The French versions of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 are the first linguistically validated instruments available in French to evaluate symptoms and quality of life in patients with pelvic floor disorders.


Inactivation of chemotactic activity of C5a by the serratial 56-kilodalton protease.
The effects of the 56-kilodalton protease (56K protease) from Serratia marcescens on complement-derived chemotactic activity were examined. Fresh human serum was incubated with zymosan to produce C5a. This activated serum was then incubated with various concentrations of 56K protease, and the chemotactic activity of mouse peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and macrophages was evaluated. A significant dose-dependent decrease of chemotactic activity was observed after protease treatment. Furthermore, treatment of human recombinant C5a with 56K protease at a dose of 1.0 microgram/ml resulted in a complete loss of chemotactic activity. When the living bacteria of the virulent strain, which produced about 10 times more protease than did the less virulent strain, were injected intraperitoneally into mice, the magnitude of infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity was much lower than that caused by the less virulent strain. Because complement-dependent chemotactic activity is an initial response to bacterial infection, these results suggest indirect pathogenic functions of serratial proteases that suppress chemotactic activity.


In vivo neuronal synthesis and axonal transport of Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI)-containing forms of the amyloid precursor protein.
We have shown previously that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is synthesized in retinal ganglion cells and is rapidly transported down the axons, and that different molecular weight forms of the precursor have different developmental time courses. Some APP isoforms contain a Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI) domain, and APP that lacks the KPI domain is considered the predominant isoform in neurons. We now show that, among the various rapidly transported APPs, a 140-kDa isoform contains the KPI domain. This APP isoform is highly expressed in rapidly growing retinal axons, and it is also prominent in adult axon endings. This 140-kDa KPI-containing APP is highly sulfated compared with other axonally transported isoforms. These results show that APP with the KPI domain is a prominent isoform synthesized in neurons in vivo, and they suggest that the regulation of protease activity may be an important factor during the establishment of neuronal connections.


[Application of self-propelled micro-/nanomotors in active targeted drug delivery].
As a new type of micro-/nanomachines, self-propelled micro-/nanomotors (MNMs) can convert chemical or external energies from the surrounding environment into mechanical forces to produce autonomous motion. The ability of autonomous movement allows these MNMs to move actively to the targeted locations, and thus confers great potentials on the MNMs for applications in biomedicine, especially in drug delivery. MNMs have been shown to effectively load therapeutic payloads for active delivery to the disease site, which greatly improves the therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects compared with the traditional nanodrugs. In this review, we provide an overview of different propulsion mechanisms of MNMs, including chemical propulsion based on redox reaction and external field propulsion driven by external energy such as light, magnetic field, electric field and ultrasound, followed by a review of the recent progress in active drug delivery based on MNMs in the past decade. We also discuss the current challenges and future perspectives of the application of the MNMs.


Tumor cell PD-L1 predicts poor local control for rectal cancer patients following neoadjuvant radiotherapy.
The tumor cell (TC) PD-L1 expression has been reported by several studies in various types of cancer, and it reduces the cytotoxicity of T-cells toward cancer and evades the anticancer immune response. Herein, our study focuses on the impact of PD-L1 expression in prognosis and the correlation with clinical prognostic factors for local advanced rectal cancer with neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT). A total of 68 rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant RT were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. PD-L1 expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry. A regression model was used to identify prognostic factors associated with the disease-free survival, the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and the overall survival rates. The median follow-up was 32.5 months. Seven patients presented TC PD-L1 positive (TC PD-L1+), while the others were TC PD-L1 negative (TC PD-L1-). TC PD-L1+ patients showed frequent tumor recurrence than TC PD-L1- patients. Several patients with TC PD-L1- underwent long-course RT. TC PD-L1 expression was similar to interstitial cell (IC) PD-L1 expression, and the relationship between IC PD-L1 and pathological T stage was observed. TC PD-L1+ was related to poor LRFS. The multivariate analysis showed TC PD-L1+ as an independent negative prognostic factor for LRFS. In conclusion, TC PD-L1 expression putatively predicts the LRFS for patients with rectal cancer following neoadjuvant RT. The patients with TC PD-L1+ are susceptible to high local recurrent rate, thereby proposing a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for PD-L1 inhibition-mediated control.


Multiple-drug chemotherapy for the primary treatment of osteosarcoma of the extremities.
Fifty-five cases of osteosarcoma of the extremities were treated between 1972 and 1976 by combined surgery and chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin and methotrexate in medium doses) for 18 months. The follow-up ranges from 30 to 80 months (mean = 48 months). Twenty-six patients remained free from any evidence of disease, two had local recurrences but no metastases and 27 had metastases (four of these also had local recurrences). In 12 patients, the metastases appeared after the end of chemotherapy. Both metastases and local recurrences were more frequent in patients who had segmental bone resection (7/8) than in those treated by more radical surgery (22/47). Comparison with an "historical" group (94 osteosarcoma patients treated by operation alone in our Institute between 1960 and 1971) showed that the percentage of patients free from evidence of disease was higher in the group who receiving chemotherapy. In addition, the appearance of metastases in this group was delayed (mean = 16 months) as compared with the historical controls (mean = 8 months). On the other hand, after the same kind of operative treatment, the rate of local recurrences and the time of their appearance was almost identical in both groups.


A palette of fluorescent probes with varying emission colors for imaging hydrogen peroxide signaling in living cells.
We present a new family of fluorescent probes with varying emission colors for selectively imaging hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) generated at physiological cell signaling levels. This structurally homologous series of fluorescein- and rhodol-based reporters relies on a chemospecific boronate-to-phenol switch to respond to H(2)O(2) over a panel of biologically relevant reactive oxygen species (ROS) with tunable excitation and emission maxima and sensitivity to endogenously produced H(2)O(2) signals, as shown by studies in RAW264.7 macrophages during the phagocytic respiratory burst and A431 cells in response to EGF stimulation. We further demonstrate the utility of these reagents in multicolor imaging experiments by using one of the new H(2)O(2)-specific probes, Peroxy Orange 1 (PO1), in conjunction with the green-fluorescent highly reactive oxygen species (hROS) probe, APF. This dual-probe approach allows for selective discrimination between changes in H(2)O(2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) levels in live RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, when macrophages labeled with both PO1 and APF were stimulated to induce an immune response, we discovered three distinct types of phagosomes: those that generated mainly hROS, those that produced mainly H(2)O(2), and those that possessed both types of ROS. The ability to monitor multiple ROS fluxes simultaneously using a palette of different colored fluorescent probes opens new opportunities to disentangle the complex contributions of oxidation biology to living systems by molecular imaging.


Anaplasma phagocytophilum--a widespread multi-host pathogen with highly adaptive strategies.
The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum has for decades been known to cause the disease tick-borne fever (TBF) in domestic ruminants in Ixodes ricinus-infested areas in northern Europe. In recent years, the bacterium has been found associated with Ixodes-tick species more or less worldwide on the northern hemisphere. A. phagocytophilum has a broad host range and may cause severe disease in several mammalian species, including humans. However, the clinical symptoms vary from subclinical to fatal conditions, and considerable underreporting of clinical incidents is suspected in both human and veterinary medicine. Several variants of A. phagocytophilum have been genetically characterized. Identification and stratification into phylogenetic subfamilies has been based on cell culturing, experimental infections, PCR, and sequencing techniques. However, few genome sequences have been completed so far, thus observations on biological, ecological, and pathological differences between genotypes of the bacterium, have yet to be elucidated by molecular and experimental infection studies. The natural transmission cycles of various A. phagocytophilum variants, the involvement of their respective hosts and vectors involved, in particular the zoonotic potential, have to be unraveled. A. phagocytophilum is able to persist between seasons of tick activity in several mammalian species and movement of hosts and infected ticks on migrating animals or birds may spread the bacterium. In the present review, we focus on the ecology and epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum, especially the role of wildlife in contribution to the spread and sustainability of the infection in domestic livestock and humans.


The Arabidopsis P450 protein CYP82C2 modulates jasmonate-induced root growth inhibition, defense gene expression and indole glucosinolate biosynthesis.
Jasmonic acid (JA) is a fatty acid-derived signaling molecule that regulates a broad range of plant defense responses against herbivores and some microbial pathogens. Molecular genetic studies have established that JA also performs a critical role in several aspects of plant development. Here, we describe the characterization of the Arabidopsis mutant jasmonic acid-hypersensitive1-1 (jah1-1), which is defective in several aspects of JA responses. Although the mutant exhibits increased sensitivity to JA in root growth inhibition, it shows decreased expression of JA-inducible defense genes and reduced resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea . Gene cloning studies indicate that these defects are caused by a mutation in the cytochrome P450 protein CYP82C2. We provide evidence showing that the compromised resistance of the jah1-1 mutant to B . cinerea is accompanied by decreased expression of JA-induced defense genes and reduced accumulation of JA-induced indole glucosinolates (IGs). Conversely, the enhanced resistance to B. cinerea in CYP82C2-overexpressing plants is accompanied by increased expression of JA-induced defense genes and elevated levels of JA-induced IGs. We demonstrate that CYP82C2 affects JA-induced accumulation of the IG biosynthetic precursor tryptophan (Trp), but not the JA-induced IAA or pathogen-induced camalexin. Together, our results support a hypothesis that CYP82C2 may act in the metabolism of Trp-derived secondary metabolites under conditions in which JA levels are elevated. The jah1-1 mutant should thus be important in future studies toward understanding the mechanisms underlying the complexity of JA-mediated differential responses, which are important for plants to adapt their growth to the ever-changing environments.


Efficacy of bacteriocin-based formula for reducing staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacterial counts on teat skin of dairy cows.
The use of teat dips is one of the most effective strategies to control mastitis by preventing new intramammary infections. Reducing bacterial load on teat skin helps control the spread of pathogens and spoilage and improves the quality of milk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reduction of bacterial populations through the application of bacteriocin-based teat formulas. Teats of 12 Holstein cows received 2 different concentrations of bactofencin A, nisin, and reuterin alone or in combination, as well as iodine (positive control) and saline (negative control). Teat swabs were collected before and after application of teat formulas and analyzed for staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacteria counts. There were no differences for staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacterial counts for samples collected before application throughout the entire experiment. Reuterin-low and reuterin-high treatments reduced total bacterial count by 0.47 and 0.36 logs, respectively, whereas bactofencin A had no effect on any tested bacterial groups. Nisin-low treatment reduced staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacterial counts by 0.47, 0.30 and 0.50 logs, respectively. Nisin-high treatment resulted in 0.50, 0.50, and 0.47 log reduction for staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacterial counts. The bacteriocin consortium showed the highest reduction rates with 0.91, 0.54, and 0.90 log reductions obtained for staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacteria counts, respectively, for the low-concentration consortium. Similarly, the high-concentration consortium showed reduction rates with 0.95, 0.60, and 0.82 log reductions obtained for staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacteria counts, respectively. Thus, nisin and the bacteriocin consortium showed the most promise as a teat disinfectant by reducing staphylococci, streptococci, and total bacteria counts.


The dopamine-gamma aminobutyric acid interaction in the striatum of the rat is differently regulated by dopamine D-1 and D-2 types of receptor: evidence obtained with rotational behavioural experiments.
The effects of GABA antagonists on apomorphine- and pergolide-induced rotational behaviour were studied with models combining intracerebral and systemic pharmacological treatments. Whether given systemically or intrastriatally to 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, the GABA antagonist picrotoxin inhibited the rotational responses produced by s.c. administration of the dopamine (DA) D-1/D-2 agonist apomorphine while it enhanced the rotational behaviour produced by the DA D-2 agonist pergolide. Following unilateral injection of picrotoxin or bicuculline into the striatum of naive rats, apomorphine produced ispsilateral rotation, while pergolide produced contralateral rotation. These contrasting effects are compared to the behavioural responses produced by intracerebral administration of GABAergic drugs alone. Intrapallidal injection of picrotoxin produced contralateral rotational behaviour which was independent of pallido-nigral pathways. Contralateral rotation was also produced by GABA agonists, but only following intranigral injections. The results are discussed in terms of differences in the localization of DA D-1 and DA D-2 receptors on striatal GABAergic neurons. The DA D-2 receptor agonist pergolide may induce inhibition of striato-pallidal GABAergic neurons, as well as of a local GABAergic circuit exerting inhibition on a striato--pallidal enkephalinergic pathway. However, the DA D-1/D-2 receptor agonist apomorphine may inhibit striatal interneurons exerting inhibition on a striato-nigral GABAergic projection. Such a neuronal arrangement may explain that striatal DA stimulation increases GABA release from the striato-nigral terminals.


Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis as the method of choice for treatment of significant pericardial effusion following cardiac surgery: a 12-year single-center experience.
There are limited contemporary data on the safety and efficacy of echo-guided pericardiocentesis following cardiac surgery in Europe. The aim of the study was to review tertiary cardiac surgery center experience with postoperative pericardial effusion (PE) diagnosis and treatment. A total of 6830 patients underwent open-heart surgery at our center between December 2004 and November 2016. Of these patients, 208 (3%) required pericardiocentesis for significant PE. There was a significant reduction of the incidence of substantial PE requiring pericardiocentesis by use of alternative surgical pericardial cavity drainage system (the accessory Redon drain positioned along the diaphragmatic surface of the heart) compared to conventional retrosternal chest tube drainage (3.3% vs. 2.1%). The rate/relative risk of pericardiocentesis was significantly higher after valve surgery, aortic root and ascending aorta surgery, and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation-i.e. among patients who had received postoperative anticoagulation therapy. Clinical manifestations of cardiac tamponade were observed in 36% of patients, while progressive large PE without tamponade was evacuated in 41% of patients. Initial echo-guided pericardiocentesis was therapeutically effective in 98.6% of cases, and the rate of major complications was 1%. There was no mortality related to pericardiocentesis. Eighteen patients (8.7%) required repeated pericardiocenteses due to recurrent effusion. Fifteen patients (7.2%) in the pericardiocentesis group required surgery due to recurrent effusion, persistent bleeding, or clotted hemopericardium. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was very effective and safe method for primary treatment of postoperative PE. Most patients did not require further intervention after this treatment.


[Effects of low doses of ionizing radiation on substrate and germination of higher plants seeds].
The investigation had the aim to evaluate the effects of low doses (< 1-10 cGy) of ionizing radiation on the physical-chemical qualities of high-purification water. It had also the goal to study germination rate and energy and sprouting of four species of higher plants exposed directly and indirectly (watering) to alpha- and beta-radiation from radionuclids sources. When compared with intact water, after exposure to beta-particles electrical currents in water-filled containers consistently tended upward and downward after exposure to alpha-particles. Radiation-induced changes in water parameters were observed throughout the experiment with higher plant seeds. Evaluation of the effect of irradiated water on sprouting showed that plant sensitivity varied with species and depended on type of radiation particles. Neither alpha- nor beta particles affected the wheat sprouts; however, both types of particles inhibited growth of mustard and accelerated growth of lentil and haricot Mash as compared with control crops. The investigation suggests that plant species for space greenhouses should be selected with account of their radioresistance and radiosensitivity.