Association Between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Long-term Outcome in Patients with Drug-eluting Stent Implantation.
To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and the long-term outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation and so as to explore the significance of Hp eradication therapy in preventing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). 539 ACS patients with DES implantation from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 were analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups according to the result of 13C urea breath test. 253 patients with Hp infection were put into group A (Hp+), and 286 cases without Hp infection were put into group B (Hp-). Demographic data was collected and all patients went through biochemical indicators and other routine blood examinations. We explored the correlations of Hp infection with MACE and UGIB after 3 to 5 years of follow-up using survival analysis. Survival analysis showed that Hp infection was a predictor of MACE and UGI. Sub-group analysis showed that patients with Hp eradication therapy had no relationship with MACE but had a lower rate of UGIB than those without Hp eradication therapy.


Study of 202 natural, synthetic, and environmental chemicals for binding to the androgen receptor.
A number of environmental and industrial chemicals are reported to possess androgenic or antiandrogenic activities. These androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals may disrupt the endocrine system of humans and wildlife by mimicking or antagonizing the functions of natural hormones. The present study developed a low cost recombinant androgen receptor (AR) competitive binding assay that uses no animals. We validated the assay by comparing the protocols and results from other similar assays, such as the binding assay using prostate cytosol. We tested 202 natural, synthetic, and environmental chemicals that encompass a broad range of structural classes, including steroids, diethylstilbestrol and related chemicals, antiestrogens, flutamide derivatives, bisphenol A derivatives, alkylphenols, parabens, alkyloxyphenols, phthalates, siloxanes, phytoestrogens, DDTs, PCBs, pesticides, organophosphate insecticides, and other chemicals. Some of these chemicals are environmentally persistent and/or commercially important, but their AR binding affinities have not been previously reported. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the largest and most diverse data set publicly available for chemical binding to the AR. Through a careful structure-activity relationship (SAR) examination of the data set in conjunction with knowledge of the recently reported ligand-AR crystal structures, we are able to define the general structural requirements for chemical binding to AR. Hydrophobic interactions are important for AR binding. The interaction between ligand and AR at the 3- and 17-positions of testosterone and R1881 found in other chemical classes are discussed in depth. The SAR studies of ligand binding characteristics for AR are compared to our previously reported results for estrogen receptor binding.


Medial-displacement intertrochanteric osteotomy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. A long-term follow-up study.
Of seventy-three adults who were treated for osteoarthritis of the hip by medial-displacement intertrochanteric osteotomy done by one of us, sixty-one (with sixty-seven treated hips) could be evaluated twelve to fifteen years after osteotomy or at the time when they had an arthroplasty for recurrent symptoms. Specific criteria based on preoperative data were used prospectively to categorize the hips as to their suitability for medial-displacement osteotomy. In addition, at the conclusion of the study, an osteotomy suitability score (maximum score, 12 points) was assessed retrospectively as a determinant of suitability for medial-displacement osteotomy. Ten years after the osteotomy, thirty-four (51 per cent) of the sixty-seven hips had been treated with a cup arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. At the conclusion of the study (between twelve and fifteen years after osteotomy), forty-four (66 per cent) of the sixty-seven hips had had an arthroplasty. Among the sixteen hips that had been considered excellent candidates according to the prospective criteria, 85 per cent had not yet required hip arthroplasty five years after osteotomy and two-thirds had not had an arthroplasty ten years after surgery. Of the thirty hips with a suitability score of 7 points or more, 85 per cent had not required arthroplasty at five years and 67 per cent had not done so at ten years. The numerical scoring therefore appeared to be a more reliable determinant of suitability.


Fatty change in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines derived from patients with antibodies to hepatitis C virus.
Evidence suggesting a relationship between fatty change in normal or malignant hepatocytes and hepatitis C virus has gradually accumulated, but less is known about the relationship between cell proliferation and fatty change in human hepatocellular carcinoma. We studied the latter issue in two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (OCUH-16 and Nuk-1) derived from hepatitis C virus-associated tumors. We examined the relationship between degree of fatty change assessed by oil-red-O staining and electron microscopy, actively proliferating cells counted using a monoclonal antibody to MIB-1 protein, and apoptotic cells counted using DNA nick-end labeling in the above two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with time lapse. On day 1 in culture, fatty change was present randomly in cytoplasm of some Nuk-1 cells, but was not found in OCUH-16 cells. Over time, fat droplets were found more frequently in large hepatocellular carcinoma cells in both Nuk-1 and OCUH-16 lines. Most of these cells were located in the periphery of hepatocellular carcinoma cell nests or islands as opposed to the small hepatocellular carcinoma cells located in the centers of nests in both lines. According to MIB-1 staining, these small cells proliferate more actively than the large, peripherally located hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Only a few apoptotic hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected during culture. Fatty change in large hepatocellular carcinoma cells seems to be associated with less proliferative activity than was seen in small hepatocellular carcinoma cells without fatty change, located in more centrally cell nests, in these hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.


[Chlamydia trachomatis and Reiter's syndrome].
Results of the study of incidence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in patients with Reiters syndrome are presented. Chlamydia trachomatic was isolated from the uretral smear in 12 (34.28%) of 35 patients with Reiter's syndrome. In the group of patients with other rheumatologic diseases Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in 2 (5.13%) of 39 patients. In all patients with negative isolation, infection was confirmed serologically also and in some patients with negative isolation it was also proved.


Organ culture of frog muscle: maintenance of mass, enzyme levels, and contractile force.
This paper describes an organ culture system that maintains frog sartorius muscles in good condition for 5 days. In the absence of serum and insulin, muscles maintained at approximately 93% of resting length atrophied with significant decreases in dry weight, protein content, and contractile force, and in the levels of activity of citrate synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase. Inclusion of 1.0 mU/ml of insulin in the culture medium prevented the decreases in muscle mass, twitch tension, and citrate synthase activity and minimized the decreases in lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and tetanic tension. Inclusion of 10% serum, in addition to 1 mU/ml insulin, in the medium did not have clear cut additional benefits. Stretching muscles to 110% of resting length (L0) resulted in marked deterioration with decreases in total protein, enzyme levels, and contractile force. Keeping muscles at approximately 93% L0 was as effective as maintenance at L0 in preventing atrophy and loss of contractile force and enzyme activities. This organ culture procedure, which maintains frog sartorius muscle in good condition without serum for at least 5 days, may provide a useful model for studying the regulatory mechanisms responsible for a variety of adaptations in muscle.


Access to breast prostheses via a government-funded service in Victoria, Australia. Experience of women and service providers.
For many women, the only alternative to breast reconstruction following a mastectomy is to use external prostheses, which need replacing regularly at a cost of up to $395 per prosthesis. Commonwealth and state governments across Australia have responded to this need by providing subsidies to assist in the purchase of breast prostheses. However, current arrangements have been highly variable and sometimes difficult to access. As part of a larger review of breast prosthesis services in Victoria, Australia, the aim of this research was to evaluate client satisfaction among Victorian women who accessed funds through the State Government's Aids and Equipment Program, compare the responses of the program service providers with the experiences of clients accessing funding, and identify opportunities to improve service provision.


Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 increases secretion of the hypofunctional, transplanted submandibular gland.
Hyposecretion occurs in most patients early after submandibular gland autotransplantation for severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Endogenous transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) has been recently demonstrated in rabbit submandibular glands, and activation of TRPV1 by capsaicin increases secretion in isolated glands, but the TRPV1-mediated secretory mechanism remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to verify whether activation of TRPV1 by capsaicin could improve the secretion of transplanted gland and its underlying mechanism. The salivary flow of the transplanted glands was significantly decreased, and the mRNA and protein levels of TRPV1 and aquaporin 5 (AQP5) were downregulated in the transplanted glands. Topical capsaicin cream increased secretion and upregulated levels of TRPV1 and AQP5 in transplanted glands. Moreover, in cultured submandibular gland cells, capsaicin increased the mRNA expression of AQP5 and led to redistribution of AQP5 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane via TRPV1 activation. Capsaicin enhanced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Preincubation of cells with PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK kinase, suppressed the capsaicin-induced mRNA expression of AQP5. In summary, the capsaicin-induced secretory mechanism involved activation of TRPV1 and upregulation of AQP5 in an ERK-dependent manner and promoted the redistribution of AQP5 in submandibular gland cells. Activation of TRPV1 may provide a new therapeutic strategy to improve submandibular gland hypofunction.


Using low-cost body composition technology for health surveillance.
Standards for skinfold thickness and abdominal/hip ratio have been published which facilitate the evaluation of body composition as an index of health risk and can be used to determine the degree to which lifestyle modification may be required. This study provides information on body composition including fat distribution in a Javanese population living in Jember, Indonesia. The sample consisted of 122 adults (71m, 51f), aged between 20 and 60 years, selected randomly from the Indonesian Government identification list. Data collected were compared with that obtained from the Melbourne Body Composition Study a representative sample of Australians living in Melbourne. Body fatness was assessed from the skinfold measurement at four sites: triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra iliac and converted using the Durnin and Womersley equation. Body fat distribution was assessed from the ratio of the smallest waist and the maximal gluteal circumference. The body composition profile of these two populations were also measured by the BIA method. The cross-sectional data showed that there are significant differences between the two populations in the degree of fatness and fat distribution. However, Melbourne Australians and Jember Indonesians were similar in biceps skinfold thickness of males and females, and in the subscapular skinfold thickness in females. The use of skinfold thickness of measuring body composition differences between populations is a valuable instrument, provided more than a single site is used. A low-cost technique like BIA provides additional information. A single skinfold thickness may still be valuable provided standards appropriate to the ethnic group are used. The difference in body composition profiles between the two populations suggests the evaluation of the association between fat mass and fat distribution and health risk should be based on standards appropriate to the ethnic group studied. This requires longitudinal studies of body composition, and health outcome specific to each population.


In vivo strain in the deep and superficial regions of the human patellar tendon.
This study investigated strain differences within the patellar tendon (PT) mid-region using an ultrasound-based digital image correlation (DIC) method. Six healthy young participants performed six knee extensions to 60% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction on 2 days. Sagittal ultrasound videos recorded during each contraction were analyzed using the DIC method to determine the strain-torque relationships of the superficial, deep, and whole PT mid-regions. Significantly greater strain was observed in the deep vs superficial layer of the PT mid-region for all contraction intensities, with peak strains of 5.8% (SD 1.7) and 4.5% (SD 1.5), respectively. DIC-based measures of peak tendon strain were repeatable within [intraclass coefficients (ICC) >0.97] and between sessions (ICCs >0.83) and agreed well with the conventional point-to-point method. This study confirmed that significant differences exist between deep and superficial layers of PT mid-region during ramped isometric extensions. These findings support the use of DIC to examine regional strain patterns within the PT mid-region that may be important in the context of tendon injury and adaptation.


A tale of two New Jersey cities.
Judging from the social and health measures considered in this article, Newark and Jersey City face similar challenges as other large cities. For Newark, the challenges are more extreme. The high rates of poverty and violence, coupled with a low rate of high school graduation and a large number of single parent households bode ill for the city. The hospitals in Newark and Jersey City have undergone major changes in meeting the needs of their communities. They have adjusted their size, shortened their lengths of stay, and provided more intensive care services and outpatient services. Of special concern for New Jersey's hospitals is the reliance on Medicaid financing. If dramatic changes are made to the Medicaid program, Newark hospitals should be on high alert. Legislatures need to tread carefully in designing policies that address the needs of New Jersey's large cities. The state is undergoing major changes in its health care system. The demise of the all-payer rate setting system, the establishment of the Health Care Subsidy Fund to finance uncompensated care and subsidize insurance for low and middle-income families, modifications to the community rating system for private insurance, and changes to the welfare system that affect eligibility for Medicaid all require legislators to consider the context in which these programs operate.


Curcumin protects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats by inhibiting HIF-1α through an ERK-dependent pathway.
The ERK/HIF-1α signaling pathway is believed to play an important role in the genesis of progressive fibrosis. An increasing expression of HIF-1α and ERK accompanies CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Curcumin is verified to have antifibrotic effects in several kinds of liver fibrosis models. There is no specific evidence illustrating a connection between curcumin and the HIF-1α/ERK pathway in rat liver fibrosis induced by CCl4. In this study, liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 in treated rats. The data demonstrated that curcumin was able to attenuate liver fibrosis and inhibit the proliferation of HSC. Moreover, curcumin could remarkably elevate the hepatic function by decreasing serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP, and increasing levels of ALB, TP and α-SMA, Col III mRNA expression. Meanwhile, ECM status could also be reflected by curcumin treatment. The alleviation with curcumin treatment was associated with inhibition of HIF-1α and phosphor-ERK. This study indicates that curcumin alleviates fibrosis by reducing the expression of HIF-1α partly through the ERK pathway.


Systematic evaluation of four-dimensional hybrid depth scanning for carbon-ion lung therapy.
Irradiation of a moving target with a scanning beam requires a comprehensive understanding of organ motion as well as a robust dose error mitigation technique. The authors studied the effects of intrafractional respiratory motion for carbon-ion pencil beam scanning with phase-controlled rescanning on dose distributions for lung tumors. To address density variations, they used 4DCT data. Dose distributions for various rescanning methods, such as simple layer rescanning (LR), volumetric rescanning, and phase-controlled rescanning (PCR), were calculated for a lung phantom and a lung patient studies. To ensure realism, they set the scanning parameters such as scanning velocity and energy variation time to be similar to those used at our institution. Evaluation metrics were determined with regard to clinical relevance, and consisted of (i) phase-controlled rescanning, (ii) sweep direction, (iii) target motion (direction and amplitude), (iv) respiratory cycle, and (v) prescribed dose. Spot weight maps were calculated by using a beam field-specific target volume, which takes account of range variations for respective respiratory phases. To emphasize the impact of intrafractional motion on the dose distribution, respiratory gating was not used. The accumulated dose was calculated by applying a B-spline-based deformable image registration, and the results for phase-controlled layered rescanning (PCRL) and phase-controlled volumetric rescanning (PCRV) were compared. For the phantom study, simple LR was unable to improve the dose distributions for an increased number of rescannings. The phase-controlled technique without rescanning (1×PCRL and 1×PCRV) degraded dose conformity significantly due to a reduced scan velocity. In contrast, 4×PCRL or more significantly and consistently improved dose distribution. PCRV showed interference effects, but in general also improved dose homogeneity with higher numbers of rescannings. Dose distributions with single PCRL∕PCRV with a sweep direction perpendicular to motion direction showed large hot∕cold spots; however, this effect vanished with higher numbers of rescannings for both methods. Similar observations were obtained for the other dose metrics, such as target motion (SI∕AP), amplitude (6-22 mm peak-to-peak) and respiratory period (3.0-5.0 s). For four or more rescannings, both methods showed significantly better results, albeit that volumetric PCR was more affected by interference effects, which lead to severe degradation of a few dose distributions. The clinical example showed the same tendencies as the phantom study. Dose assessment metrics (D95, Dmax∕Dmin, homogeneity index) were improved with an increasing number of PCRL∕PCRV, but with PCRL being more robust. PCRL requires a longer treatment time than PCRV for high numbers of rescannings in the NIRS scanning system but is more robust. Although four or more rescans provided good dose homogeneity and conformity, the authors prefer to use more rescannings for clinical cases to further minimize dose degradation effects due to organ motion.


Prolonged survival of hypertransfused NZB/NZW mice.
(NZB X NZW)F1 hybrid female mice were transfused fortnightly with 1 ml of packed buffy-coat-poor syngeneic erythrocytes, beginning at 3--4 months of age, in an effort to suppress erythropoiesis selectively and perhaps limit availabiliity of DNA for immune complex formation. The mean increase in survival was about 8 weeks (P less than 0-05). Repeatedly phlebotomized donor female mice tended to sicken earlier and die at younger ages. This is initial support for the hypothesis that erythroblast DNA may be involved in this SLE-like disease.


Bone marrow necrosis in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Bone marrow necrosis is a rare but ominous finding in various malignant and nonmalignant disorders. It is usually a postmortem diagnosis, but with the advent of modern imaging methods and clinical suspicion, bone marrow necrosis can be diagnosed as antemortem, especially in malignant disorders. We report a 60-years old man with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma presenting with anemia and very high level of alkaline phosphatase. On bone marrow biopsy, it was noted with extensive BMN characterized by cellular debris with indistinct cellular margin and abnormally eosinophilic staining cytoplasm. Despite the prompt institution of aggressive chemotherapy, one week later, liver function tests gradually deteriorated and the patient succumbed. Given the high mortality rate, when the bone marrow necrosis is suspected especially in a patient with malignancy, disease specific treatment and vigorous supportive measures should be immediately commenced.


Considering Gender Differences in Portion Sizes to Improve the Accuracy of Nutrient Intakes from A Food Frequency Questionnaire.
The aim of this study was to examine whether using gender specific-portion size (GS-PS) improves the accuracy of nutrient intake assessment by a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ). For GS-PS quantification, a gram amount was assigned to each PS category for each food item for men and women separately using data from three 24 h dietary recalls (24HDRs) in a calibration study of the Multiethnic Cohort (men = 1141, women = 1150). Nutrient intakes were calculated from the QFFQ using the original-PS and the GS-PS, and were compared with 24HDRs. When intakes of energy and 15 nutrients were compared, absolute intakes calculated using the GS-PS were closer to intake levels of 24HDRs in both men and women. Using GS-PS did not affect intakes expressed as nutrient density or correlations between 24HDRs and the QFFQ. The current findings indicate that considering gender in PS determination can increase the accuracy of intake assessment by QFFQ for absolute nutrient intakes, but not for nutrient densities.


Eupatilin, a major flavonoid of Artemisia, attenuates aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting PI3K, MKK3/6, and MKK4 activities.
Eupatilin, a major flavonoid of plants in the genus Artemisia, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor effects. However, the potential anti-atherogenic effects of eupatilin and any underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of eupatilin on phenotypes induced by the growth factor PDGF-BB in human aortic smooth muscle cells. Here we show that aortic sprouting as well as PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells were significantly inhibited by eupatilin. We found that eupatilin inhibited PI3K activity, causing a direct effect on phosphorylation of the downstream kinases Akt and p70S6K. In parallel, eupatilin also inhibited the phosphorylation of MKK3/6-p38 MAPK and the MKK4-JNK pathway. Moreover we found that eupatilin exhibited stronger inhibition effects on PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells than PI3K, p38 MAPK, and JNK pathway inhibitors. Taken together, our results indicate that eupatilin is a potent anti-atherogenic agent that inhibits PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration in HASMCs as well as aortic sprouting, which is likely mediated through the attenuation of PI3K, MKK3/6, and MKK4 activation.


Effects of the type of solvents on the morphology of styrene-methacrylic acid random copolymers cast onto silicon wafer.
The effects of the type of solvents on the aggregation behavior of poly(styrene-ran-methacrylic acid) (PSMAA) cast onto silicon wafer were studied using a SEM method. It was found that polystyrene prepared from DMF formed non-spherical aggregates but that PSMAA formed mixtures of ellipsoids and spheres. As the acid content increased, the spheres having a distinct boundary started contacting each other, and the average size of spherical particles decreased. Upon neutralization, the spherical particles became contacted spheres covered with much smaller spheres (ca. 20 nm in their sizes) and formed micro-gels. These results were compared to the data in the previous study of samples obtained from either water or THF. It was observed that the solubility parameters of the copolymers and ionomers, and polarity of solvents were some of key factors that determine the aggregation behavior of the polymers. The volatility of the solvent was also found to be an important factor for the aggregation behavior of polymers.


Genetic diversity of Clostridium perfringens isolated from healthy broiler chickens at a commercial farm.
Clostridium perfringens is an important commensal and bacterial pathogen of many animal species. It has particular significance in poultry, where it may cause necrotic enteritis. Our objective was to characterize the population diversity of C. perfringens colonizing healthy birds, and to observe how diversity changed over time. Isolates were obtained from broiler chicken cecal samples in two barns on a single farm, on days 7, 14, 22, 27, 30 and 34 of a single 42-day rearing cycle. Bacitracin was used as a feed additive in one of the barns and withdrawn from the second barn for the duration of the experiment. Each isolate was typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using SmaI restriction endonuclease. A total of 205 cecal isolates from 49 birds were typed, as well as 93 isolates from the barn environment (bedding, drinking water and feces). Eight major PFGE types and 17 subtypes were found in the 298 total isolates. The results show that an optimal sampling strategy would involve a large number of birds, with only a few isolates sampled per bird. The diversity of C. perfringens in this study appears to be low within a single bird, and increases as the bird matures. There was no significant difference in genetic diversity between the two barns. In addition, isolates from fresh fecal samples appear to represent the cecal C. perfringens population accurately, although this was not proven statistically. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on selected isolates (n=41) representing a cross-section of PFGE types. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration distributions, 95% of the isolates tested were deemed resistant to bacitracin, with a 16 microg/mL breakpoint. Three new cpb2 (beta2 toxin gene) variants were found in the study.


Analysis of IFN-gamma-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in hepatocytes.
The mechanism by which IFN-gamma induces cell cycle arrest and cell death in primary cultured hepatocytes was examined. The cell death exhibits apoptotic characters such as the appearance of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. IFN-gamma induced cell cycle arrest at the initial stage, followed by cell death. A protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, significantly inhibited cell death, implying that IFN-gamma induces de novo proteins involved in the death of hepatocytes. One of the most important apoptosis-related proteins, p53, was induced by IFN-gamma in hepatocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that IFN-gamma enhanced p53 mRNA expression as well as p21(WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1) mRNA expression, which is mediated by the increased expression of the p53 protein. Interestingly, IFN-gamma also induced cell death in p53-deficient hepatocytes. The cell death occurred rather earlier in p53-deficient cells than in normal hepatocytes. However, the cell death was not accompanied by apoptotic bodies. Therefore, IFN-gamma-induced hepatocyte cell death is p53-independent, and p53 may contribute to the apoptotic characters. In conclusion, IFN-gamma is supposed to cause cell cycle arrest by inducing p53 and p21(WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1), and it was demonstrated that IFN-gamma induces p53-independent cell death in primary cultured hepatocytes.


Polyvinyl chloride toxicity in fires. Hydrogen chloride toxicity in fire fighters.
Polyvinyl chloride, of all the plastic polymers, has been implicated primarily in causing the most serious problem in fire fighting today because it releases hydrogen chloride gas when burning. One hundred seventy fire fighters who experienced symptoms from its toxicity have been studied from 1970 to 1975. One died.


Treatment of advanced breast cancer with docetaxel and gemcitabine with and without human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
A multicenter Phase II trial was performed to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of combined docetaxel and gemcitabine +/- recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Fifty-two patients participated in this trial, 51 of whom are evaluable for response. Thirty-eight patients received this combination as first-line chemotherapy, and 14 patients received this combination as second-line chemotherapy, including 10 patients who had failed anthracyclines. Therapy consisted of 1500 mg/m2 gemcitabine and 50 mg/m2 docetaxel, both administered on days 1 and 15 every 4 weeks. Depending on the absolute neutrophil counts on the day of scheduled chemotherapeutic drug administration, a 5-day course of 5 microg/kg G-CSF was given. The overall response rate was 60.5% (95% confidence interval, 43.4-75.9%) in patients receiving docetaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy, including 4 complete responses (10.5%) and 19 partial remissions (50%); 9 patients (24%) had disease stabilization, and only 5 (13%) progressed. Second-line treatment with this regimen resulted in 6 of 14 (43%) objective responses, 5 had stable disease, and 3 progressive disease. The median time to progression was 8.5 months in the first-line setting and 6.6 months in the second-line setting, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 15 months, 36 patients (69%) are still alive with metastatic disease. Myelosuppression was commonly observed; WHO grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, however, occurred in only 15 (29%) patients and was complicated by septicemia in 2 cases; grade 3 anemia was seen in 1 patient (2%). Severe (grade 3) nonhematological toxicity except for alopecia was rarely observed and included nausea/vomiting in 3 (6%), stomatitis in 2 (4%), anaphylaxis in 2, and peripheral neuropathy, skin toxicity, and increase of liver enzymes each in one patient. Our data suggest that docetaxel and gemcitabine with and without G-CSF is an effective and fairly well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. It might be particularly useful in patients exposed previously to adjuvant or palliative anthracyclines and/or alkylating agents.


Cancer risk in children and adolescents with birth defects: a population-based cohort study.
Birth defects are an increasing health priority worldwide, and the subject of a major 2010 World Health Assembly Resolution. Excess cancer risk may be an added burden in this vulnerable group of children, but studies to date have provided inconsistent findings. This study assessed the risk for cancer in children and young adolescents with major birth defects. This retrospective, statewide, population-based, cohort study was conducted in three US states (Utah, Arizona, Iowa). A cohort of 44,151 children and young adolescents (0 through 14 years of age) with selected major, non-chromosomal birth defects or chromosomal anomalies was compared to a reference cohort of 147,940 children without birth defects randomly sampled from each state's births and frequency matched by year of birth. The primary outcome was rate of cancer prior to age 15 years, by type of cancer and type of birth defect. The incidence of cancer was increased 2.9-fold (95% CI, 2.3 to 3.7) in children with birth defects (123 cases of cancer) compared to the reference cohort; the incidence rates were 33.8 and 11.7 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. However, the excess risk varied markedly by type of birth defect. Increased risks were seen in children with microcephaly, cleft palate, and selected eye, cardiac, and renal defects. Cancer risk was not increased with many common birth defects, including hypospadias, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, or hydrocephalus. Children with some structural, non-chromosomal birth defects, but not others, have a moderately increased risk for childhood cancer. Information on such selective risk can promote more effective clinical evaluation, counseling, and research.


Stochastic resonance in an ensemble of bistable systems under stable distribution noises and nonhomogeneous coupling.
In this paper, stochastic resonance of an ensemble of coupled bistable systems driven by noise having an α-stable distribution and nonhomogeneous coupling is investigated. The α-stable distribution considered here is characterized by four intrinsic parameters: α∈(0,2] is called the stability parameter for describing the asymptotic behavior of stable densities; β∈[-1,1] is a skewness parameter for measuring asymmetry; γ∈(0,∞) is a scale parameter for measuring the width of the distribution; and δ∈(-∞,∞) is a location parameter for representing the mean value. It is demonstrated that the resonant behavior is optimized by an intermediate value of the diversity in coupling strengths. We show that the stability parameter α and the scale parameter γ can be well selected to generate resonant effects in response to external signals. In addition, the interplay between the skewness parameter β and the location parameter δ on the resonance effects is also studied. We further show that the asymmetry of a Lévy α-stable distribution resulting from the skewness parameter β and the location parameter δ can enhance the resonance effects. Both theoretical analysis and simulation are presented to verify the results of this paper.


Molecular identification and biological characterization of a new potyvirus in lettuce.
A potyvirus causing necrosis and leaf distortion on lettuce was found in the Lazio region of Italy. Host range analysis showed its ability to infect only Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor in addition to some lettuce cultivars. The virus could be transmitted by aphids of the species Myzus persicae. The complete 9829-nt genome was characterized. BLAST analysis of sequence of the complete encoded polyprotein showed that the most closely related virus is asparagus virus 1, with 52 % amino acid sequence identity. These results suggest that this virus should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Potyvirus.


Manipulation of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence of Blue Exciplex Emission: Fully Utilizing Exciton Energy for Highly Efficient Organic Light Emitting Diodes with Low Roll-Off.
The application of exciplex energy has become a unique way to achieve organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high efficiencies, low turn-on voltage, and low roll-off. Novel δ-carboline derivatives with high triplet energy (T1 ≈ 2.92 eV) and high glass transition temperature (Tg ≈ 153 °C) were employed to manipulate exciplex emissions in this paper. Deep blue (peak at 436 nm) and pure blue (peak at 468 nm) thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) of exciplex OLEDs were demonstrated by utilizing them as emitters with the maximum current efficiency (CE) of 4.64 cd A-1, power efficiency (PE) of 2.91 lm W-1, and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2.36%. Highly efficient blue phosphorescent OLEDs doped with FIrpic showed a maximum CE of 55.6 cd A-1, PE of 52.9 lm W-1, and EQE of 24.6% respectively with very low turn on voltage at 2.7 V. The devices still remain high CE of 46.5 cd A-1 at 100 cd m-2, 45.4 cd A-1 at 1000 cd m-2 and 42.3 cd A-1 at 5000 cd m-2 with EQE close to 20% indicating low roll-off. Manipulating blue exciplex emissions by chemical structure gives an ideal strategy to fully utilize all exciton energies for lighting of OLEDs.


Paralyzing disc herniation: a contribution.
The authors report a case of paralyzing disc herniation that caused atrophy of the sura muscles to the right, many years after the occurrence of two episodes of acute lumbar sciatic pain that was successfully treated conservatively. Diagnosis was formulated based exclusively on muscular insufficiency in the region affected and remote pathologic history.


Fabrication of Large Aerogel-Like Carbon/Carbon Composites with Excellent Load-Bearing Capacity and Thermal-Insulating Performance at 1800 °C.
Carbon aerogels (CAs) are attractive candidates for the thermal protection of aerospace vehicles due to their excellent thermostability and thermal insulation. However, the brittleness and low mechanical strength severely limits their practical applications, and no significant breakthroughs in large CAs with a high strength have been made. We report a high-pressure-assisted polymerization method combined with ambient pressure drying to fabricate large, strong, crack-free carbon/carbon (C/C) composites with an excellent load-bearing capacity, thermal stability, and thermal insulation. The composites are comprised of an aerogel-like carbon matrix and a low carbon crystallinity fiber reinforcement, featuring overlapping nanoparticles, macro-mesopores, large particle contact necks, and strong fiber/matrix interfacial bonding. The resulting C/C composites with a medium density of 0.6 g cm-3 have a very high compressive strength (80 MPa), in-plane shear strength (20 MPa), and specific strength (133 MPa g-1 cm3). Moreover, the C/C composites of 7.5-12.0 mm in thickness exposed to an oxyacetylene flame at 1800 °C for 900 s display very low back-side temperatures of 778-685 °C and even better mechanical properties after the heating. This performance makes the composites ideal for the ultrahigh temperature thermal protection of aerospace vehicles where both excellent thermal-insulating and load-bearing capacities are required.


Rotavirus studies in Indian (Asian) South African infants with acute gastro-enteritis: I. Microbiological and epidemiological aspects.
This study, which is the first one documenting rotavirus (RV) diarrhoea in Asian infants in South Africa, describes the virological and epidemiological aspects of this disease in this population. Fifty-five per cent of 1142 hospitalized cases investigated over a 31-month period showed a positive stool ELISA for RV. Most of these children stopped shedding RV by days 4-6 of hospital admission, though prolonged excretion was recorded in some acute cases for up to 13 days. Mixed RV-bacterial infections occurred in 7% of the total gastro-enteritis (GE) patients, while 8.6% had pure bacterial gastro-enteritis. Sixteen per cent of 188 GE patients had serum anti-RV complement-fixing (CF) antibodies on admission. Rotavirus diarrhoea occurred in half of the seropositive infants. Seroconversion occurred in only two-thirds of the initially seronegative children who had RV diarrhoea. In 5.6% of the RV diarrhoea patients the infection was acquired nosocomially whilst in the hospital for other illnesses. The age-groups mainly affected were between 3 and 14 months, with a peak at 9-11 months; 3% of the RVGE patients were neonates. Both the RVGE and the total GE admissions showed well-marked winter peaks, with an inverse relationship between RV prevalence and both temperature and humidity. It is concluded that RV is the most important cause of infantile GE in this population, whereas pure bacterial infections play a relatively minor role. Circulating anti-RV antibodies do not necessarily afford protection against RV diarrhoea, probably owing to serotypic differences.


Lessons from the periphery: psychiatry in Saskatchewan, Canada, 1944-68.
The government of the Saskatchewan Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation, when elected in 1944, established programmes for the state-funded care of all those suffering from mental illness. It enacted legislation covering the care and treatment of the mentally ill and created a division of the Department of Public Health, the Psychiatric Services Branch (PSB), which both recruited and trained psychiatric staff, meeting the need for nonmedical staff by creating a programme for the training of psychiatric nurses in Saskatchewan. The PSB devised the Saskatchewan Plan for the delivery of rural services, centred on small mental hospitals of a revolutionary design. Even though never fully instantiated, the Plan commanded worldwide attention. Saskatchewan was also remarkable for its research programmes, covering almost all aspects of psychiatry.


The role of recombinant PTH in human fracture healing: a systematic review.
Human parathyroid hormone (PTH) is known to be efficacious in the treatment of osteoporosis and reduction of risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures; however, its role in the enhancement of human fracture healing is controversial. Our objective is to conduct a systematic literature review on the use of recombinant PTH in human fracture healing to (1) evaluate the evidence for recombinant PTH in human fracture healing and (2) assess whether there are notable differences between previous case reports and prospective trials. We performed a literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for "teriparatide," "PTH (1-84)," "fracture," and "healing." References of retrieved articles were screened for additional studies, and exclusion criteria were applied. Due to the limited publications on the subject, case reports and case series were included in our data analysis. Due to the limited publications on the subject, our data are presented in simple tabular format. Our literature review yielded 16 publications on the use of recombinant PTH in human fracture healing and 2 randomized controlled trial with 1 retrospective subgroup analysis. There continues to be anecdotal evidence for the use of recombinant PTH to enhance fracture healing. There are discrepancies in study design in the randomized controlled trials and the majority of case reports and, additional prospective studies are warranted.


Autoreactive T-cell receptor (Vbeta/D/Jbeta) sequences in diabetes are homologous to insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and the glucagon receptor.
The hypervariable (Vbeta/D/Jbeta) regions of T-cell receptors (TCR) have been sequenced in a variety of autoimmune diseases by various investigators. An analysis of some of these sequences shows that TCR from both human diabetics and NOD mice mimic insulin, glucagon, the insulin receptor, and the glucagon receptor. Such similarities are not found in the TCR produced in other human autoimmune diseases. These data may explain how insulin, glucagon, and their receptors are targets of autoimmunity in diabetes and also suggest that TCR mimicking insulin and its receptor may be targets of anti-insulin autoantibodies. Such intra-systemic mimicry of self-proteins also raises complex questions about how "self" and "nonself" are regulated during TCR production, especially in light of the complementarity of insulin for its receptor and glucagon for its receptor. The data presented here suggest that some TCR may be complementary to other TCR in autoimmune diseases, a possibility that is experimentally testable. Such complementarity, if it exists, could either serve to down-regulate the clones bearing such TCR or, alternatively, trigger an intra-immune system civil war between them.


Acute lymphadenitis with cellulitis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis.
Although coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have been considered part of the resident flora on the human skin, Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an unusually virulent CNS and can cause many types of infection. We report a rare case of acute lymphadenitis with cellulitis in the right infraauricular region caused by S. lugdunensis. A 62-yr-old woman visited the Department of Otolaryngology of Busan Paik university hospital. She had a palpable mass and swelling in the right infraauricular region and complained of aggressive pain and a febrile sensation in the region for 5 days. On the suspicion of abscess with infection, percutaneous aspiration was performed and smooth, flat, white, opaque colonies grew on a blood agar plate as a pure culture. The biochemical test results showed the organism to be catalase positive, tube coagulase negative, ornithine decarboxylase positive, slide coagulase positive, and latex agglutination tests for coagulase positive. The API Staph Kit was used to identify the isolate to the species level as S. lugdunensis with a 64.6% probability (profile 6716152). We confirmed the species identification of this strain by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The patient's clinical condition improved with appropriate antimicrobial therapy and pus drainage.


Monocompartmental epiphyseal distract.
The author presents 2 cases of genu varum due to Blount's disease, one in an infant and the other in an adolescent. Both were successfully corrected by monolateral medial epiphyseal distraction using Hoffmann's external fixator.


A Human Three-Dimensional In Vitro Model of Lens Epithelial Cells as a Model to Study Mechanisms of Drug-Induced Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts.
Purpose: Cataract is a pathological opacification of the lens, which is still one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Several etiologies are described, among them drug-induced cataract, for example, posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) after steroid treatment. To investigate different mechanisms of drug-induced cataract a human three-dimensional (3D) lens in vitro model was developed, consisting of immortalized human lens epithelial cells. Methods: These cells were cultivated on 96-well, ultralow attachment plates, where they rapidly form spheroids. By gene expression analysis different markers were observed, which are important to maintain lens transparency, such as ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) or α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Results: The lens epithelial cells form a spheroid within a few days and show stable expression of important lens marker, and size and viability remain stable up to 26 days in culture. The gene expression of the glucocorticoid-treated spheroids revealed a clear shift in the expression of EphA2, α-SMA, αB-crystallin (CRYAB), and heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1). Furthermore, the glucocorticoid treatment did not improve cell survival. Conclusions: This study proposes a useful 3D in vitro model, which expresses important lens markers and is capable of demonstrating features found in drug-induced cataracts. As the viability remains stable over long time, this model can also be used for long-term treatment. The main characteristics are the increased expression of α-SMA, CRYAB, and HSPB1 and the decreased expression of EphA2. The present data provide some first evidence on novel mechanisms involved in glucocorticoid-induced cataracts.


Fully and partially Li-stuffed diamond polytypes with Ag-Ge structures: Li2AgGe and Li2.53AgGe2.
In view of the search for and understanding of new materials for energy storage, the Li-Ag-Ge phase diagram has been investigated. High-temperature syntheses of Li with reguli of premelted Ag and Ge led to the two new compounds Li(2)AgGe and Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2) (x = 0.27). The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds show diamond-polytype-like polyanionic substructures with tetrahedrally coordinated Ag and Ge atoms. The Li ions are located in the channels provided by the network. The compound Li(2)AgGe crystallizes in the space group R3̅m (No. 166) with lattice parameters of a = 4.4424(6) Å and c = 42.7104(6) Å. All atomic positions are fully occupied and ordered. Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2) crystallizes in the space group I4(1)/a (No. 88) with lattice parameters of a = 9.7606(2) Å and c = 18.4399(8) Å. The Ge substructure consists of unique (1)(∞)[Ge(10)] chains that are interconnected by Ag atoms to build a three-dimensional network. In the channels of this diamond-like network, not all of the possible positions are occupied by Li ions. Li atoms in the neighborhood of the vacancies show considerably enlarged displacement vectors. The occurrence of the vacancy is traced back to short Li-Li distances in the case of the occupation of the vacancy with Li. Both compounds are not electron-precise Zintl phases. The density of states, band structure, and crystal orbital Hamilton population analyses of Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2 )reveal metallic properties, whereas a full occupation of all Li sites leads to an electron-precise Zintl compound within a rigid-band model. Li(2)AgGe reveals metallic character in the ab plane and is a semiconductor with a small band gap along the c direction.


A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Ascending-Dose Study To Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of an Anti-Influenza B Virus Monoclonal Antibody, MHAB5553A, in Healthy Volunteers.
Influenza B can cause significant morbidity and mortality. MHAB5553A, a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody that binds to a highly conserved region of the hemagglutinin protein of influenza B virus, is being examined as a novel therapeutic for the treatment of influenza B patients with severe disease. This phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-ascending-dose study was conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of MHAB5553A. Twenty-six healthy male and female volunteers of >18 years of age were randomized into five cohorts receiving a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of 120, 1,200, 3,600, 8,400, or 10,800 mg MHAB5553A or placebo (four active:one placebo, except for the 120-mg cohort [4:2]). Subjects were followed for 120 days after dosing. No subject discontinued the study, no dose-limiting adverse events or serious adverse events were reported, and a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not defined. The most commonly reported adverse events were cold symptoms and headache; most were mild and occurred at a similar rate across all cohorts. MHAB5553A showed no relevant time- or dose-related changes in laboratory values or vital signs compared to the placebo. The observed serum PK was linear and generally dose proportional, and the observed nasal PK was nonlinear and generally non-dose proportional. MHAB5553A is generally well tolerated in healthy volunteers up to at least a single i.v. dose of 10,800 mg and demonstrated linear serum PK consistent with those of a human IgG1 antibody lacking known endogenous targets in humans. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02528903.).


Human acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitory activities of aliphatic acid amides from Zanthoxylum piperitum DC.
Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) plays an important role in the esterification of cholesterol with its substrates, cholesterol and fatty acyl coenzyme A, to facilitate both intracellular storage and intercellular transport. ACAT-1 is more involved in macrophage foam cell formation and ACAT-2 plays a critical role in the cholesterol absorption process in intestinal enterocytes. Three aliphatic acid amides, beta-sanshool (1), gamma-sanshool (2), and hydroxy-beta-sanshool (3), were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extracts of Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited human ACAT-1 and -2 activities with IC50 values of 39.0 and 79.7 microM for 1 and of 12.0 and 82.6 microM for 2, respectively. However, the hACAT-1 and -2 inhibitory activities of compound 3 having hydroxyl group were relatively less than those of compounds 1 and 2. A semi-synthetic compound 4, which has acetyl residue at 2'-OH of compound 3, exhibited the increased hACAT-1 and -2 inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 28.1 and 87.5 microM, respectively.


Cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumors in childhood.
A series of 17 infants and children with cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) detected by computed tomography is presented. The pertinent literature is reviewed. Because of ongoing nosological difficulty, we include in this series only those tumors which are located in the cerebral hemisphere, and are composed of predominantly undifferentiated neuroepithelial tumor with or without glial or neuronal differentiation. The prognosis of the patients with cerebral PNETs remains poor despite treatment including surgical resection, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Only two patients had a long term survival more than 4 years in this series. The histological features and the extent of surgical resection did not influence the patients survival. Nevertheless, visible total resection afforded better control of local disease of the primary site, but remote metastases along the cerebrospinal fluid pathway were frequent at relapse. The patients with cerebral PNETs appear to be best treated with radical gross total resection, postoperative radiation therapy including irradiation to the neuraxis and aggressive chemotherapy.


Assessing the Links of Sexting, Cybervictimization, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation Among University Students.
The main objective of this study was to analyze the direct and indirect relationships among sexting, cybervictimization, depression, and suicidal ideation. The sample consisted of 303 university students from Mexico (mean age = 19.73, SD = 1.73) who completed a questionnaire about the variables of interest. The relationships among the variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that sexting was associated with being the victim of cyberbullying, which, in turn, was related to depressive symptoms. In addition, sexting, cybervictimization, and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. These results contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between online risk behaviors, such as sexting, and their possible negative consequences, such as cybervictimization, depression, and suicidal ideation.


Molecular structure and gas chromatographic retention behavior of the components of Ylang-Ylang oil.
Using quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR) methodologies the Kovats gas chromatographic retention indices for both apolar (DB-1) and polar (DB-Wax) columns for 48 compounds from Ylang-Ylang essential oil were empirically predicted from calculated and experimental data on molecular structure. Topological, geometric, and electronic descriptors were obtained for model generation. Relationships between descriptors and the retention data reported were established by linear multiple regression, giving equations that can be used to predict the Kovats indices for compounds present in essential oils, both in DB-1 and DB-Wax columns. Factor analysis was performed to interpret the meaning of the descriptors included in the models. The prediction model for the DB-1 column includes descriptors such as Randic's first-order connectivity index (1X), the molecular surface (MSA), the sum of the atomic charge on all the hydrogens (QH), Randic's third-order connectivity index (3X) and the molecular electronegativity (chi). The prediction model for the DB-Wax column includes the first three descriptors mentioned for the DB-1 column (1X, MSA and QH) and the most negative charge (MNC), the global softness (S), and the difference between Randic's and Kier and Hall's third-order connectivity indexes (3X-3XV).


The NSTX fast-ion D-alpha diagnostic.
A new diagnostic, aimed at energy-resolved measurements of the spatial and temporal dynamics of fast ions in NSTX plasmas, is described. It is based on active charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy. The fast-ion signal is inferred from light emitted in the wavelength range of the D(alpha) line by fast ions recombining with an injected neutral beam. Two complementary systems are operational. The first system, based on a spectrometer coupled to a charge coupled device detector, has 16 channels with space, time, and energy resolution of 5 cm, 10 ms, and 10 keV, respectively. The second system monitors the energy-integrated fast-ion signal on time scales of approximately 20 micros at three different radii. Signals are measured by a multianode photomultiplier tube. For both systems, each channel includes two paired views, intercepting and missing the neutral beam for a direct subtraction of the background signal not associated with fast ions. Examples of signals from the 2008 NSTX run are presented.


Ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of three fruit borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae or Tortricidae).
Three fruit borers Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Crambidae), Grapholita molesta Busck (Tortricidae), and Spilonota albicana Motschulsky (Tortricidae) are serious pests of fruit trees. In this study, their antennal morphology, types of sensilla, and distributions were observed by using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). Nine types of sensilla were found on the antennae of C. punctiferalis, while eight types of sensilla were presented on each of G. molesta and S. albicana. The sensilla trichodea with two subtypes were the most abundant sensilla among three fruit borers. Two subtypes of sensillum coeloconica (type I with spines and type II without spines) were observed on the antennae of C. punctiferalis and G. molesta. However, sensilla coeloconica (type I) were only found in S. albicana. Although the sensilla campaniformia were only found on the antennae of C. punctiferalis, our observations confirm sensilla campaniformia presence in the moths. In addition, the functions of these sensilla were discussed based on previously reported lepidopteran insects. As a result, our study may provide useful information for advanced electrophysiological and behavioral experiments to better understand the mechanisms related to pests control.


Rod disc turnover in the dog.
Tritiated l-leucine was injected intravitreally into normal adult dogs to study rod outer segment renewal. Eyes were removed at various times after injection and the retinas prepared for light microscope autoradiography. Rod outer segment disc turnover was found to be similar to other species, i.e., discs were produced at the base of the outer segments and migrated sclerad with time. The time for turnover averaged 6 days. Cone outer segments never showed banding of the labeled protein but rather a diffuse label such as reported in other species.


Foreign body in the rectosigmoid colon.
A 55 years old male presented with history of assault and insertion of a "glass object" through his anus. Examination and investigation of the patient revealed a bottle in the rectosigmoid colon. The bottle was manipulated and delivered out transanally under general anesthesia.


[Development and Design of Portable Sleep Electroencephalogram Monitoring System].
The growing rate of public health problem for increasing number of people afflicted with poor sleep quality suggests the importance of developing portable sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring systems. The system could record the overnight EEG signal, classify sleep stages automatically, and grade the sleep quality. We in our laboratory collected the signals in an easy way using a single channel with three electrodes which were placed in frontal position in case of the electrode drop-off during sleep. For a test, either silver disc electrodes or disposable medical electrocardiographic electrodes were used. Sleep EEG recorded by the two types of electrodes was compared to each other so as to find out which type was more suitable. Two algorithms were used for sleep EEG processing, i. e. amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) algorithm and sample entropy algorithm. Results showed that both algorithms could perform sleep stage classification and quality evaluation automatically. The present designed system could be used to monitor overnight sleep and provide quantitative evaluation.


Chitosan/zinc oxide-polyvinylpyrrolidone (CS/ZnO-PVP) nanocomposite for better thermal and antibacterial activity.
A new biopolymer based ZnO-PVP nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by single step in situ precipitation method using chitosan as biosurfactant, zinc chloride as a source material, PVP as stabilizing agent and sodium hydroxide as precipitating agent. The chemical bonding and crystalline behaviors of chitosan, zinc oxide and PVP were confirmed by FT-IR and XRD analysis. The biopolymer connected ZnO particles intercalated PVP matrix was layer and rod like structure appeared in nanometer range confirmed by HR-SEM and TEM analysis. The surface topography image of CS/ZnO-PVP nanocomposite was obtained in the average thickness of 12nm was confirmed by AFM analysis. Thermal stability of cationic biopolymer based ZnO intercalated PVP has higher stability than CS-PVP and chitosan. Consequently, antimicrobial activity of chitosan/ZnO-PVP matrix acts as a better microbial inhibition activity than PVP-ZnO nanocomposite. The obtained above results demonstrate that CS and ZnO intercalated PVP matrix has better reinforced effect than other components. Therefore, Chitosan/ZnO-PVP nanocomposite may be a promising material for the biomedical applications.


Substrate-specific conformational regulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR2 catalytic domain.
The contributions of the phosphoacceptor and the catalytic domain context to protein kinase biology and inhibitor potency are routinely overlooked, which can lead to mischaracterization of inhibitor and receptor functions. The receptor tyrosine kinase vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is studied as a model system using a series of phosphoacceptor substrates (k(cat)/K(m) 684-116,000 M(-1) s(-1)) to assess effects on catalysis and inhibitor binding. ATP-competitive inhibitor potency toward the VEGFR2 catalytic domain (VEGFR2-CD) varies with different phosphoacceptor substrates, which is unexpected because the phosphoacceptors do not affect K(m,ATP) values. Indazole-based inhibitors are up to 60-fold more potent with two substrates (gastrin, minigastrin) relative to the others. Thus there is a component of uncompetitive inhibition because a specific phosphoacceptor enhances potency but is not strictly required. This substrate-specific inhibitory potency enhancement correlates with phosphoacceptor active site saturation and is not observed with other related kinases. The effect is confined to a specific catalytic domain conformation because autophosphorylation eliminates the potency enhancement as does the addition of the juxtamembrane domain (20 amino acids). Indazole inhibitor structure-activity analysis reveals that the magnitude of potency enhancement correlates with the size of the substituent that binds in a regulatory region of the active site. VEGFR drugs profiled with VEGFR2-CD using minigastrin have potency well-correlated with inhibition of full-length, cellular VEGFR2 autophosphorylation, an indication that the minigastrin-induced conformation is biologically relevant. These findings raise the possibility that inhibitors directed toward a common target can have different biological effects based on the kinase-substrate complexes present in different cellular contexts.


A screening questionnaire for occupational and hobby exposures during pregnancy.
Occupational and environmental exposures during the prenatal period may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and lifelong health effects. Yet, identification and evaluation of these potential hazards is lacking in routine obstetric care. To assess the feasibility of incorporating a self-administered occupational and environmental exposure questionnaire into obstetric clinics. A cross-sectional survey assessed prenatal clinic patients at a public hospital who were currently employed and <20 weeks gestation. Questionnaires evaluated job characteristics, workplace and hobby exposures, protective equipment use and symptoms during pregnancy. Of 69 participants (96% response rate), 46% were predominantly Spanish-speaking. Primary occupations were caregiver (16%), cleaner (14%) and administrative assistant (14%). Overall, 93% were exposed to a workplace hazard, with most participants reporting physical stressors (82%) or organic solvent exposure (78%). Most women (74%) used some personal protective equipment. Nearly half (54%) reported at least one non-pregnancy symptom, and 52% were referred for follow-up with an occupational medicine practitioner. Household and hobby-related chemical exposures were common in our sample (91%). We observed moderate consistency between job task and chemical use responses: 67-99% of intentionally redundant questions were fully or partially matched. Closed- compared to open-ended activity questions identified a higher proportion of physical stressors (82% versus 12%) and cleaning product (76% versus 30%) exposures. A self-administered questionnaire is an effective screening tool for identifying women with occupational and hobby-related exposures during pregnancy. Consistent incorporation of exposure assessment into prenatal care can improve clinical communications and early interventions for at-risk pregnant women.


A Review on Bimetallic Nickel-Based Catalysts for CO2 Reforming of Methane.
In recent years, CO2 reforming of methane (dry reforming of methane, DRM) has become an attractive research area because it converts two major greenhouse gasses into syngas (CO and H2 ), which can be directly used as fuel or feedstock for the chemical industry. Ni-based catalysts have been extensively used for DRM because of its low cost and good activity. A major concern with Ni-based catalysts in DRM is severe carbon deposition leading to catalyst deactivation, and a lot of effort has been put into the design and synthesis of stable Ni catalysts with high carbon resistance. One effective and practical strategy is to introduce a second metal to obtain bimetallic Ni-based catalysts. The synergistic effect between Ni and the second metal has been shown to increase the carbon resistance of the catalyst significantly. In this review, a detailed discussion on the development of bimetallic Ni-based catalysts for DRM including nickel alloyed with noble metals (Pt, Ru, Ir etc.) and transition metals (Co, Fe, Cu) is presented. Special emphasis has been provided on the underlying principles that lead to synergistic effects and enhance catalyst performance. Finally, an outlook is presented for the future development of Ni-based bimetallic catalysts.


Effect of sarcopenia on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese postmenopausal women.
To compare sarcopenic-obese and obese postmenopausal women for risk factors predisposing to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and determine whether there may be a relationship between muscle mass and metabolic risk in obese postmenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, 22 healthy obese postmenopausal women (mean age, 66 +/- 5 years; mean BMI, 27 +/- 3 kg/m(2)) were divided into two groups matched for age (+/-2 years) and fat mass (FM) (+/-2%). Sarcopenia was defined as a muscle mass index of <14.30 kg fat-free mass (FFM)/m(2) (which corresponds to 1 standard deviation below the values of a young reference population), and obesity was defined as an FM of >35% (which corresponds to the World Health Organization guidelines). FM, FFM (measured by DXA), daily energy expenditure (accelerometry), dietary intake (3-day dietary record), and blood biochemical analyses (lipid profile, insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein) were obtained. Visceral fat mass (VFM) was calculated by the equation of Bertin, which estimates VFM from DXA measurements. Obese women had more FFM (p = 0.006), abdominal FM (p = 0.047), and VFM (p = 0.041) and a worse lipid profile [p = 0.040 for triglycerides; p = 0.004 for high-density lipoprotein (HDL); p = 0.026 for total cholesterol/HDL] than sarcopenic-obese postmenopausal women. Obese women also ingested significantly more animal (p = 0.001) and less vegetal proteins (p = 0.013), although both groups had a similar total protein intake (p = 0.967). Sarcopenia seems to be associated with lower risk factors predisposing to CVD in obese postmenopausal women. With the increase in the number of aging people, the health implications of being sarcopenic-obese merit more attention.


Clinical and radiological aspects of idiopathic diabetic muscle infarction. Rational approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The systemic effects of diabetes mellitus are well recognised. The heart, kidney, central and peripheral nervous systems, and the distal parts of the limbs are often the site of end-organ damage resulting from ischaemia. Infarction of large muscle groups in the limb, not associated with gangrene, is uncommon. There have been few reported cases other than radiological descriptions of diabetic muscle infarcts. While previous reports have illustrated some of the clinical and radiological characteristics of this condition, the paucity of published cases makes it difficult to determine the most appropriate methods of diagnosis and treatment. During a five-year period we treated 14 patients with diabetes mellitus, aged from 32 to 59 years, who were referred to a musculoskeletal oncology service for suspected soft-tissue sarcoma, but were subsequently found to have a diabetic muscle infarct. Closed needle biopsy was performed in 13 without complications. In 12 patients, the symptoms resolved without surgical treatment.


Application of probability techniques to the objective interpretation of veterinary clinical biochemistry data.
Methods for the interpretation of veterinary clinical biochemistry have not developed as rapidly as biochemical technology. However, the results of clinical biochemistry tests are only of value when they are interpreted appropriately. A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the equine biochemistry data which had been stored in a veterinary hospital database. By applying percentile analysis and Bayesian probability methods to the clinical biochemistry and corresponding diagnosis data, a novel method for the interpretation of clinical biochemistry data has been developed. The method allows clinicians to determine whether a biochemistry value is abnormal, its degree of abnormality, and the most likely associated diagnoses. The method could be used to investigate a practice-based population and may have significant implications for the interpretation of clinical biochemistry data in veterinary medicine in the future.


Afferent signals from pigeon extraocular muscles modify the vestibular responses of units in the abducens nucleus.
Although the extraocular muscles contain stretch receptors it is generally believed that their afferents exert no influence on the control of eye movement. However, we have shown previously that these afferent signals reach various brainstem centres concerned with eye movement, notably the vestibular nuclei, and that the decerebrate pigeon is a favourable preparation in which to study their effects. If the extraocular muscle afferents do influence oculomotor control from moment-to-moment they should exert a demonstrable effect on the oculomotor nuclei. We now present evidence that extraocular muscle afferent signals do, indeed, alter the responses of units in an oculomotor nucleus (the abducens, VI nerve nucleus, which supplies the lateral rectus muscle) to horizontal, vestibular stimulation induced by sinusoidal oscillation of the bird. Such stimuli evoke a vestibulo-ocular reflex in the intact bird. The extraocular stretch receptors were activated by passive eye movement within the pigeon's saccadic range; such movements modified the vestibular responses of all 19 units studied which were all, histologically, in the abducens nucleus. The magnitude of the effects, purely inhibitory in 15 units, depended both on the amplitude and the velocity of the eye movement and most units showed selectivity for particular combinations of plane (e.g. horizontal versus vertical) and direction (e.g. rostral versus caudal) of eye movement. The results show that an afferent signal from the extraocular muscles influences vestibularly driven activity in the abducens nucleus to which it carries information related to amplitude, velocity, plane and direction of eye movement in the saccadic range. They thus strongly support the view that extraocular afferent signals are involved in the control of eye movement.


Effects of antihypertensive therapy on sexual activity in hypertensive men.
Sexual dysfunction has a high prevalence among hypertensive men, and hypertension per se, regardless of drugs, has been suggested to affect sexual function. The available studies have not clarified which factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of sexual dysfunction in hypertensive men. Neurovascular factors, however, seem to be especially important, (in particular defective nitric oxide activity), although hormonal and psychogenic factors cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to answer the important question of whether erectile dysfunction seen in hypertension may be one expression of vascular disease and target organ damage. The incidence of sexual dysfunction is exacerbated by antihypertensive drug treatment. There is evidence that some classes of drugs, such as diuretics, centrally acting sympatholytic drugs, and b-blockers have a greater impact on sexual function than other classes, such as calcium antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Present evidence on the effects of angiotensin II antagonists is limited, but some data suggest that sexual function in men receiving these drugs not only is not altered, but even improves. Since sexual function is an important aspect of quality of life for the individual, it is important in treating hypertension to ensure that the drugs used have the lowest possible potential for causing sexual problems. This ensures the best balance between therapeutic efficacy and quality of life, which is essential for compliance.


Effects of naltrexone treatment for alcohol-related disorders on healthcare costs in an insured population.
To determine the impact of treatment with oral naltrexone on healthcare costs in patients with alcohol-related disorders. Using data from the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database for 2000-2004, we identified a naltrexone group (with an alcohol-related diagnosis and at least one pharmacy claim for oral naltrexone) and two control groups. Alcohol controls had an alcohol-related diagnosis and were not prescribed an alcoholism treatment medication. Nonalcohol controls had no alcohol-related diagnosis and no prescription for an alcoholism treatment medication. The control groups were matched three to one to the naltrexone group on demographic and other relevant measures. Healthcare expenditures were calculated for the 6-month periods before and after the index naltrexone drug claim (or matched date for controls). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the groups on key characteristics and on healthcare costs. Naltrexone patients (n = 1,138; 62% men; mean age 45 +/- 11 years) had significantly higher total healthcare expenditures in the pre-index period than either of the control groups. In the postindex period, naltrexone patients had a significantly smaller increase than alcohol controls in total alcohol-related expenditures. Total nonalcohol-related expenditures also increased significantly less for the naltrexone group than for the alcohol control group. Multivariate analyses showed that naltrexone treatment significantly reduced alcohol-related, nonalcohol-related, and total healthcare costs relative to alcohol controls. Although prior to treatment patients with alcohol-related disorders had higher healthcare costs, treatment with oral naltrexone was associated with reductions both in alcohol-related and nonalcohol-related healthcare costs.


A comparison of the efficiency of RNA extraction from extracellular vesicles using the Qiagen RNeasy MinElute versus Enzymax LLC RNA Tini Spin columns and qPCR of miRNA.
One consequence of the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is an interruption to the supply of laboratory consumables, particularly those used for RNA extraction. This category includes column-based RNA extraction kits designed to retain short RNA species (defined as having fewer than 200 nucleotides), from small sample volumes, e.g. exosomes or extracellular vesicles (EVs). Qiagen manufactures several kits for the extraction and enrichment of short RNA species, such as microRNA (miRNA), which contain silica-membrane columns called "RNeasy MinElute Spin Columns." These kits, which also contain buffers and collection tubes, range in price from USD380 to greater than USD1000 and have been subject to fulfillment delays. Scientists seeking to reduce single-use plastics and costs may wish to order the columns separately; however, Qiagen does not sell the RNeasy MinElute Spin Columns (in reasonable quantities) as an individual item. Thus, we sought an alternative product and found RNA Tini Spin columns from Enzymax LLC. We conducted a systematic comparison of the efficiency of RNA extraction for miRNA quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using the Qiagen RNeasy MinElute Spin Columns and Enzymax LLC RNA Tini Spin columns and the Qiagen total RNA extraction protocol that enriches for short RNA species. We compared the efficiency of extraction of five spike-in control miRNAs, six sample signal miRNAs, and nine low- to medium-abundance miRNAs by qPCR. The RNA was extracted from EV preparations purified from human plasma using CD81 immunoprecipitation. We report no statistically significant differences in extraction efficiencies between the two columns for any of the miRNAs examined. Therefore, we conclude that the Enzymax RNA Tini Spin columns are adequate substitutes for the Qiagen RNeasy MinElute Spin Columns for short RNA species enrichment and downstream qPCR from EVs in the miRNAs we examined.


Population-based study on the practice of breastfeeding in children born with cleft lip and palate.
To investigate the practice of breastfeeding and related difficulties in children born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, with cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft lip with cleft palate. Cohort, observational, and population-based study. Mothers of all children born in 2001 and 2002 with cleft lip and palate in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil (n = 31), were interviewed in their homes. From the information collected, the frequencies of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding in the first year of life were estimated and the median duration was computed according to the type of cleft. A descriptive analysis was used to study the difficulties. MAIN INDICATORS: Initiation rate, pattern, duration, and difficulties of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. The initiation rate of breastfeeding was 100% and its median duration was 42.5 days. Exclusive breastfeeding was initiated by 67.7% of the sample and maintained for 15 days (median). The breastfeeding duration was significantly higher in the presence of cleft lip, being equal or even superior to (in the case of exclusive breastfeeding) the median of Porto Alegre's general population. The most frequently mentioned difficulties were weak suction, difficulty attaching to the breast, and breast milk escaping through the nostrils. In spite of the diverse difficulties reported and the lack of professional support after discharge from the maternity wards, the initiation rate and the duration of breastfeeding of children with cleft lip and palate found in this study reinforce the theory that this malformation, especially cleft lip, is compatible with successful breastfeeding.


Bioorthogonal Pretargeting Strategy for Anchoring Activatable Photosensitizers on Plasma Membranes for Effective Photodynamic Therapy.
Developing novel activatable photosensitizers with excellent plasma membrane targeting ability is urgently needed for smart photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, a tumor acidity-activatable photosensitizer combined with a two-step bioorthogonal pretargeting strategy to anchor photosensitizers on the plasma membrane for effective PDT is developed. Briefly, artificial receptors are first anchored on the cell plasma membrane using cell-labeling agents (Az-NPs) via the enhanced permeability and retention effect to achieve the tumor cell labeling. Then, pH-sensitive nanoparticles (S-NPs) modified with dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) accumulate in tumor tissue and disassemble upon protonation of their tertiary amines in response to the acidic tumor environment, exposing the contained DBCO and Ce6. The selective, highly specific click reactions between DBCO and azide groups enable Ce6 to be anchored on the tumor cell surface. Upon laser irradiation, the cell membrane is severely damaged by the cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, resulting in remarkable cellular apoptosis. Taken together, the membrane-localized PDT by our bioorthogonal pretargeting strategy to anchor activatable photosensitizers on the plasma membrane provides a simple but effective method for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of photosensitizers in anticancer therapy.


Untargeted profiling of urinary steroid metabolites after testosterone ingestion: opening new perspectives for antidoping testing.
Antidoping procedures are expected to greatly benefit from untargeted metabolomic approaches through the discovery of new biomarkers of prohibited substances abuse. Endogenous steroid metabolites were monitored in urine samples from a controlled elimination study of testosterone undecanoate after ingestion. A platform coupling ultra-high pressure LC with high-resolution quadrupole TOF MS was used and high between-subject metabolic variability was successfully handled using a multiblock data analysis strategy. Links between specific subsets of metabolites and influential genetic polymorphisms of the UGT2B17 enzyme were highlighted. This exploratory metabolomic strategy constitutes a first step toward a better understanding of the underlying patterns driving the high interindividual variability of steroid metabolism. Promising biomarkers were selected for further targeted study.


The efficacy and safety of 125I seeds combined with biliary stent placement versus stent placement alone for malignant biliary obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Currently, it is unknown whether iodine-125 (125I) stent implantation has the same therapeutic effect on patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) caused by different cancers. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether 125I implantation in patients with MBO is superior to biliary stent placement in efficacy and safety, and to further explore the difference in efficacy and safety of seed implantation in different patients through subgroup analysis. A systematic search of the PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, the Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and Wanfang databases was conducted to screen all relevant studies up to October 30, 2022. Articles were not subjected to language or geographical limitations, but were required to meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of articles. The primary endpoint was survival, which was defined as the interval between initial treatment and death or the end of study. Meta analysis was performed using Stata/SE15.0. A total of 12 eligible studies were enrolled including 679 patients. All the included studies were single-center studies carried out in China. The results showed that the death risk and stent occlusion risk in the 125I group was 0.441 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.315 to 0.619, P<0.001; I2=0%, fixed, IV] and 0.534 times (95% CI: 0.433 to 0.658, P=0.003; I2=45.4%, fixed, IV) lower than the control group, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the risk of complications between the 2 groups [risk ratio (RR) =1.024, 95% CI: 0.963 to 1.090, P=0.450; PQ=0.640; I2=0%]. The reduction level of total bilirubin [TBIL; weighted mean differences (WMDs) =-14.969, 95% CI: -28.670 to -1.267, P=0.032; PQ=0.409, I2=2.1%) and aspartate transaminase (AST; WMD =-14.653, 95% CI: -23.246 to -6.060, P=0.001; PQ=0.900, I2=0%) in the 125I group was higher than that in the control group 1 week after surgery. The efficacy and safety of 125I for MBO patients were found to be independent of the type of tumor causing MBO (P for meta regression >0.05). For patients with MBO caused by hilar tumor or other tumors, 125I seed implantation can reduce the death risk and stent occlusion risk, prolong the time of survival and stent patency, and does not increase the complication risk. Due to the limitations of the study population, these findings should be further validated in other populations and regions.


Results of diagnostic review in pediatric bone tumors and tumorlike lesions.
Histological examination of bone tumors is one of the most difficult subjects in pathology. In this manuscript, correctness of initial histological diagnosis in pediatric bone tumors and tumorlike lesions was investigated. All 262 bone tumor specimens of children up to the age of 19 years reviewed from 1999 to 2003 by the Netherlands Committee on Bone Tumors were included. Initial diagnosis and diagnosis after review were compared. Only 60% of original diagnoses proved to be correct. After classification according to the main categories of the World Health Organization classification, only 75% of tumors were correctly categorized. Thirteen of the 60 malignant tumors were not recognized as malignant. Seven of 198 benign lesions were reclassified as malignant. Kappa values were indicative for good agreement in the (by the Ministry of Health designated) bone tumor centers. For nondesignated hospital kappa values, a substantial lower level of agreement was noted. Agreement was almost perfect in Ewing/primitive neuroectodermal tumors. For cartilaginous, osteogenic, and fibrous tumors, agreement was lower. Adamantinomas were not recognized in non-bone tumor centers. For the remaining group composed of miscellaneous tumors, poor levels of agreement were noted. We conclude that correct diagnosis of childhood bone tumors requires review by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Specifically in non-bone tumor centers, the correctness of the initial diagnosis can be questioned.


Retrospective survival analysis of 3-unit fixed-fixed and 2-unit cantilevered fixed partial dentures.
To evaluate the cumulative survival (CS) rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) retained by full-veneer retainers, and those of resin-bonded FPDs provided by graduating dental students for the replacement of a single missing tooth. In 168 patients, 61 3-unit fixed-fixed FPDs and 25 2-unit cantilevered FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers, and 77 3-unit fixed-fixed resin-bonded FPDs and 47 2-unit cantilevered resin-bonded FPDs, were examined for their retention and integrity. The periodontal health, endodontic status and coronal tissues of all abutment teeth were also evaluated. The survival rates of these various designs were analysed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The mean age of all FPDs was 31 months. At 48 months after their insertion, 3-unit FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers had a CS rate of 82%, followed by 2-unit resin-bonded FPDs at 81%, 2-unit FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers at 77%, and 3-unit resin-bonded FPDs at 63%. No significant difference was found between the four designs (P>0.05). Up to both 48 and 60 months, the most common causes of failure were endodontic for FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers, and dislodgement for resin-bonded FPDs. The 3-unit fixed-fixed FPDs retained by full-veneer retainers had the most favourable prognosis after 48 months for replacing a single missing tooth, but the difference between designs was not statistically significant.


Impact of family history of diabetes on blood glucose, lipid levels and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.
To investigate the impact of family history of diabetes (FHD) on blood glucose, lipid levels and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A total of 1265 GDM women who gave childbirth in Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine during January to December 2019 were enrolled in the study, including 253 women with FHD and 1012 women without FHD. The -test or test were used to compare the blood lipid, blood glucose levels and perinatal outcomes including large for gestational age infant, small for gestational age infant, macrosomia, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress. The correlation between FHD and perinatal outcomes were estimated by Logistic regression analysis. The high density lipoprotein level at third-trimester was significantly lower in GDM women with FHD (<0.05); and the women with FHD also had higher fasting blood glucose oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)1 h, OGTT 2 h and glycosylated hemoglobin level (all <0.01). In GDM women, FHD was an independent risk factor for preeclampsia (=3.27, 95%: 1.39-7.68). GDM women with FHD have lower high density lipoprotein and higher glucose levels. FHD is an independent risk factor for preeclampsia in GDM women.


Antispasmodic, bronchodilator and vasodilator activities of (+)-catechin, a naturally occurring flavonoid.
Catechin is a well-known flavonoid found in many food plants and often utilized by naturopaths for the symptomatic treatment of several gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular diseases. Our aim was to explore the biological basis for the medicinal use of this flavonoid by investigating whether catechin exhibits any pharmacological activity on smooth muscle preparations. We found that catechin dose-dependently relaxes both spontaneous and high K(+) (80 mM)-induced contraction in rabbit jejunum, showing specificity for the latter by causing a right-ward shift in the Ca(2+) dose-response curve. Similar results were observed with verapamil, a standard Ca(2+) channel blocker (CCB). Catechin also inhibited high K(+)-induced contraction in intact smooth muscle preparations from rat stomach fundus, guinea-pig ileum and guinea-pig trachea. In rat aorta, catechin inhibited phenylephrine (PE, 1 microM) and K(+)-induced contractions in a similar fashion. In PE-contracted, endothelium-intact aorta, this vasodilator effect was partially blocked by Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and atropine, indicating activity at cholinergic receptors and possibly a CCB effect at higher doses of catechin. In guinea-pig atria catechin was found inactive. These data suggest that catechin may possess Ca(2+) antagonist activity--in addition to an endothelium-dependent relaxant component in blood vessels--thus providing a pharmacological basis for the efficacy of catechin in hyperexcitability disorders of gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular smooth muscle.


Japanese cancer patients' communication style preferences when receiving bad news.
This study describes the communication style preferences of Japanese patients when receiving bad news, examines the factor structure of the measure for patients' preferences (MPP) in a Japanese population, and explores variables that may be associated with patients' communication style preferences. Five hundred twenty-nine cancer outpatients completed several psychosocial measures including the Japanese version of the MPP (MPP-J), the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The patients desired detailed information and a supportive environment when receiving bad news. The MPP-J demonstrated a 5-factor structure: support, facilitation, medical information, clear explanation, and encouraging question-asking. Regression analyses indicated that a female gender, the fighting spirit and anxious preoccupation dimensions of the MAC were positively associated with all 5 MPP-J factors. In conclusion, Japanese cancer patients' preferences for communication when receiving bad news differ somewhat from those of American patients. Japanese physicians should encourage patients to ask questions and should consider the demographic (e.g. gender), medical (disease status) and psychosocial characteristics (fighting spirit and anxious preoccupation) of patients when delivering bad news.


Chlorphenamine adsorption on commercial activated carbons: Effect of Operating Conditions and Surface Chemistry.
Chlorphenamine (CPA) adsorption onto three activated carbons (ACs), namely, Megapol M (MM), Micro 10 (M10), and GAMA B (GB), was studied in this work. The textural properties, concentrations of active sites, surface charge and point of zero charge of the ACs were assessed. The surface areas (SBET) of MM, GB and M10 were 1107, 812 and 766 m2/g, respectively. The MM surface had an acidic character, while the surfaces of M10 and GB were basic. The adsorption capacity of MM, M10, and GB towards CPA was studied at pH 7 and 11, and the adsorption capacity decreased in the order MM > M10 ≈ GB, which was ascribed to the magnitude of SBET and the concentration of acidic sites. The solution pH significantly increased the adsorption capacity of MM towards CPA by raising the solution pH from 5 to 9, and this behavior was attributed to the electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged surface of MM and the cationic species of CPA. The maximum uptake of CPA adsorbed on MM was 574.6 mg/g at pH = 11 and T = 25 °C. The adsorption capacity of MM was slightly raised by incrementing the temperature. Lastly, the zeta potential measurements of pristine MM and MM saturated with CPA confirmed that the electrostatic attraction predominated in the pH range of 5-9, and the π-π stacking interactions were the principal mechanism of CPA adsorption on MM at pH 11.


Role of RFRP-3 in the development of cold stress-induced polycystic ovary phenotype in rats
RFamide-related peptide (RFRP-3) is a regulator of GnRH secretion from the brain, but it can also act in human ovary to influence steroidogenesis. We aimed to study the putative local role of RFRP-3 in the ovary and its potential participation in the development of a polycystic ovary phenotype induced by chronic sympathetic stress (cold stress). We used adult Sprague–Dawley rats divided into control and stressed groups. In both groups, we studied the effect of intraovarian exposure to RFRP-3 on follicular development and plasma ovarian steroid concentrations. We also tested the effect of RFRP-3 on ovarian steroid production in vitro. Chronic in vivo intraovarian exposure to RFRP-3 decreased basal testosterone concentrations and cold stress-induced progesterone production by the ovary. In vitro, RFRP-3 decreased hCG-induced ovarian progesterone and testosterone secretion. Immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression analysis showed a decrease in Rfrp and expression of its receptor in the ovary of stressed rats, a result which is in line with the increased testosterone levels found in stressed rats. In vivo application of RFRP-3 recovered the low levels of secondary and healthy antral follicles found in stressed rats. Taken together, our data indicate a previously unknown response of hypothalamic and ovarian RFRP-3 to chronic cold stress, influencing ovarian steroidogenesis and follicular dynamics. Thus, it is likely that RFRP-3 modulation in the ovary is a key component of development of the polycystic ovary phenotype.


Changes in food intake with electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus in dogs.
Six adult dogs were implanted stereotaxically with chronic indwelling Medtronic platinum-tipped electrodes in the left ventromedial hypothalamic area (VMH); two dogs with electrodes placed in the subcortical white matter served as controls. Following 24 hours of food deprivation, VMH-stimulated dogs delayed their next meal for a period ranging from 1 to 18 hours. When not stimulated, however, each dog ate immediately upon receiving its food and consumed greater than average daily intake (p less than 0.005). The two control dogs ate immediately upon receiving food regardless of whether they were stimulated or not. Dogs that received 1 hour of VMH stimulation every 12 hours for 3 consecutive days maintained an average daily food intake of 35% of normal baseline levels (range 13% to 51%), and water consumption averaged 50% of baseline intake (range 29% to 67%). Both of these results were statistically significant (p less than 0.01). After cessation of stimulation, food and water intake returned to normal within 6 to 9 days, with no observable "rebound hyperphagia." The two animals that received subcortical electrodes showed no change in food or water intake with stimulation. Blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, and gross behavior were not altered during or after stimulation. These results suggest that the use of electrical stimulation of the VMH may be a useful modality for regulating food intake, and deserves further examination as a potential alternative therapy for human morbid obesity.


Distinguishing Motor Weakness From Impaired Spatial Awareness: A Helping Hand!
Our patient, aged 73 years, had background peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause, stable for several years, which caused some difficulty in walking on uneven ground. He attended for a teaching session but now staggered in, a new development. He had apparent weakness of his right arm, but there was difficulty in distinguishing motor weakness from impaired spatial awareness suggestive of parietal lobe dysfunction. With the patient seated, eyes closed, and left arm outstretched, S.A.R. lifted the patient's right arm and asked him to indicate when both were level. This confirmed motor weakness. Urgent computed tomographic scan confirmed left subdural haematoma and its urgent evacuation rapidly resolved the patient's symptoms. Intrigued by our patient's case, we explored further and learnt that in rehabilitation medicine, the awareness of limb position is commonly viewed in terms of joint position sense. We present recent literature evidence indicating that the underlying mechanisms are more subtle.