Necrosis of the femoral head after renal transplantation.
The cumulated risk of developing necrosis of the femoral head following renal transplantation was 42/374 in patients treated with steroids and azathioprine, and 4/124 in patients treated with cyclosporine-A and a reduced dose of steroids. 29 of the osteonecrosis cases were bilateral, with the time lapse between the two sides rarely exceeding 6 months. The reduction in the rate of osteonecrosis paralleled a reduction in the number of rejection episodes during the first month after transplantation and in the cumulated dose of steroids 1 month and 1 year after transplantation. We concluded that the risk of femoral head necrosis following renal transplantation is reduced by using cyclosporin-A for immunosuppression, which caused less rejection episodes and consequently a reduction in steroid medication.


Facilitation of axon regeneration by enhancing mitochondrial transport and rescuing energy deficits.
Although neuronal regeneration is a highly energy-demanding process, axonal mitochondrial transport progressively declines with maturation. Mature neurons typically fail to regenerate after injury, thus raising a fundamental question as to whether mitochondrial transport is necessary to meet enhanced metabolic requirements during regeneration. Here, we reveal that reduced mitochondrial motility and energy deficits in injured axons are intrinsic mechanisms controlling regrowth in mature neurons. Axotomy induces acute mitochondrial depolarization and ATP depletion in injured axons. Thus, mature neuron-associated increases in mitochondria-anchoring protein syntaphilin (SNPH) and decreases in mitochondrial transport cause local energy deficits. Strikingly, enhancing mitochondrial transport via genetic manipulation facilitates regenerative capacity by replenishing healthy mitochondria in injured axons, thereby rescuing energy deficits. An in vivo sciatic nerve crush study further shows that enhanced mitochondrial transport in snph knockout mice accelerates axon regeneration. Understanding deficits in mitochondrial trafficking and energy supply in injured axons of mature neurons benefits development of new strategies to stimulate axon regeneration.


Prevalence and Pattern of Congenital Heart Diseases in School Children in Dongguan, China.
To determine the prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease (CHD) among elementary school children in Dongguan, China. Between November 2011 and November 2012, 540,574 school children from 449 elementary schools were screened for CHD by trained doctors in Dongguan. The school children who were suspected to have CHD were referred to a pediatric cardiologist and/or an echocardiographer for a complete evaluation. The total prevalence of CHD was 2.14 per 1,000 school children (1,157/540,574). The most common form of CHD was isolated ventricular septal defect (37.77%; 437/1,157), followed by isolated atrial septal defect (20.22%; 234/1,157) and patent ductus arteriosus (9.94%; 115/1,157). With respect to sex, CHD was equally distributed between males and females. Our data show that the prevalence of CHD in Dongguan is not as high as expected and that isolated ventricular septal defect is the predominant pathology. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of CHD.


Computerized plastic surgery office.
Technology in general and computer capabilities in particular are growing at an exponential rate. Keeping current with the latest technological capacities and means of incorporating this technology into the facial plastic surgeon's office poses a significant challenge. This review will document the most appropriate method of incorporation and the latest available technological tools. Recent developments in wireless networking, systems integration, digital photography and video, powerful inexpensive computer systems, and the growth of personal digital assistant integration have all contributed to a surge in technological advances. Implementing any or all can significantly benefit the busy facial plastic surgery office. Keeping abreast of technological advances is a daunting task. Adaptation of these advances into the office can at times be overwhelming. This review will assist the practicing physician in incorporating selective technological tools to streamline his or her systems and increase efficiency.


Amylase isozymes in the mosquito, Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
A survey of laboratory stocks of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles has uncovered the presence of four electrophoretic variants and one apparent null allele of amylase. Linkage experiments with heterozygous males indicate that amylase is sex-linked. The gene sequence is w (white eye) - Amy (amylase) - M (sex), and the recombination frequencies are: w - Amy = 6.02%, Amy - M = 1.35% and w - M = 7.37%.


Population dynamic consequences of fearful prey in a spatiotemporal predator-prey system.
Fear can influence the overall population size of an ecosystem and an important drive for change in nature. It evokes a vast array of responses spanning the physiology, morphology, ontogeny and the behavior of scared organisms. To explore the effect of fear and its dynamic consequences, we have formulated a predator-prey model with the cost of fear in prey reproduction term. Spatial movement of species in one and two dimensions have been considered for the better understanding of the model system dynamics. Stability analysis, Hopf-bifurcation, direction and stability of bifurcating periodic solutions have been studied. Conditions for Turing pattern formation have been established through diffusion-driven instability. The existence of both supercritical and subcritical Hopf-bifurcations have been investigated by numerical simulations. Various Turing patterns are presented and found that the change in the level of fear and diffusion coefficients alter these structures significantly. Holes and holes-stripes mixed type of ecologically realistic patterns are observed for small values of fear and relative increase in the level of fear may reduce the overall population size.


Promoting animal welfare to children.
The Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition has launched a set of stickers to help children understand the five welfare needs of animals, writes Felicity Quick, BVA media officer.


Drosophila mojoless, a retroposed GSK-3, has functionally diverged to acquire an essential role in male fertility.
Retroposition is increasingly recognized as an important mechanism for the acquisition of new genes. We show that a glycogen synthase kinase-3 gene, shaggy (sgg), retroposed at least 50 MYA in the Drosophila genus to generate a new gene, mojoless (mjl). We have extensively analyzed the function of mjl and examined its functional divergence from the parental gene sgg in Drosophila melanogaster. Unlike Sgg, which is expressed in many tissues of both sexes, Mjl is expressed specifically in the male germ line, where it is required for male germ line survival. Our analysis indicates that mjl has acquired a specific function in the maintenance of male germ line viability. However, it has not completely lost its ancestral biochemical function and can partially compensate for loss of the parental gene sgg when ectopically expressed in somatic cells. We postulate that mjl has undergone functional diversification and is now under stabilizing selection in the Drosophila genus.


The concept of immunofocusing illustrated by influenza virus infection.
Influenza virus infection is an often-cited example of viral infection associated with immunosuppression. However, immune responses to the virus are complex and more accurately reflect an immunofocusing of host defensive capabilities: non-virus-specific responses are depressed or actively suppressed, while virus-specific systemic, local, and recruited responses develop. The result is commonly a resolution of infection without significant residual disease and with emergence of homotypic immunity. The overall combination of depressed alternate responses and enhanced antiviral immune responses might be assumed to have net defensive value for the host challenged by influenza virus.


Immunohistochemical techniques for the demonstration of viral antigens in liver tissue.
Liver biopsy specimens from patients positive for serum HBsAg reveal various expression patterns when properly stained by immunohistochemical techniques for the demonstration of HBsAg, HBcAg and HDAg. A negative staining for these three antigens seems to be associated with two conditions, i.e., self-limiting acute lobular hepatitis (ALH) or low amounts of intrahepatic antigens. The discrepancy between serum positivity and tissue negativity for HBsAg can be explained either by sampling error or by the higher sensitivity of the radioimmunoassay as compared with immunohistochemical methods. The use of amplification systems such as the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex enhances the sensitivity of immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) techniques and makes it possible to detect very small amounts of both HBsAg and HBcAg in liver cells from paraffin-embedded tissue sections which had been negative with the conventional PAP technique. In cases with a positive staining for viral antigens, two main expression patterns (non-aggressive and aggressive) can be distinguished. The non-aggressive pattern is reflected in the HBcAg-free HBsAg-positive type (HBsAg carrier) or the generalized type of nuclear core (HBcAg carrier), while the aggressive pattern is reflected in the presence of HDAg, the presence of HDAg and HBcAg, the focal type of nuclear core or the cytoplasmic HBcAg. Superinfection of HBsAg carriers or switching from generalized to focal core, with or without cytoplasmic expression of HBcAg, results in transition from non-aggressive to aggressive pattern. The aggressive pattern occurs in association with histological features of chronic active hepatitis (CAH). When it occurs in ALH cases or in milder forms of chronic hepatitis, an evolution into CAH has to be expected. Features of severe CAH, eventually with cirrhosis, are found in association with two new expression patterns: the cytoplasmic core and the simultaneous presence of HBcAg and HDAg. When features of CAH are observed in liver tissue specimens with HBcAg-free HBsAg-positive type, the liver disease may be due to viral superinfection or to non-viral etiology, e.g., alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.


Temporal bone pathology in DiGeorge's syndrome.
DiGeorge's syndrome is characterized by partial or complete absence of the parathyroid and thymus glands and is often associated with other developmental anomalies, particularly of the structures arising from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches. The temporal bone findings in three cases of DiGeorge's syndrome are presented. Patients with this condition have a high incidence of Mondini dysplasia in both ears, sometimes with other anomalies of the external or middle ears. Hearing may range from normal to profound deafness and may manifest sensorineural, conductive, or mixed losses of varying degrees.


Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 by insulin-like growth factor I and interleukin-1alpha in ovine articular chondrocytes.
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) contribute to the maintenance of the cartilage matrix by stimulating proteoglycan synthesis. In contrast, interleukin-1 (IL-1), an inflammatory cytokine, suppresses the synthesis of proteoglycans. In pathological conditions the chondrocytes' responsiveness to IGF-I is decreased, and elevated levels of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated as a possible cause. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IGF-I and IL-1 on IGFBP production by ovine articular chondrocytes (OAC) and the roles of these IGFBPs in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis. As revealed by Western ligand and immunoblotting, OACs secreted IGFBP-2 and a 24-kDa IGFBP in culture medium under basal conditions. Exposure of the cells to IGF-I for 48 h resulted in the appearance of IGFBP-5 in the medium. Des(1-3)IGF-I, an IGF-I analog with reduced affinity for IGFBPs, also increased the level of IGFBP-5, but to a lesser extent than IGF-I, whereas LR3IGF-I, which has virtually no affinity for IGFBPs, had no effect on IGFBP-5. Furthermore, IGFBP-5 underwent a time-dependent limited proteolysis when incubated with OAC-conditioned medium, degrading into 22- and 16-kDa fragments. The degradation of IGFBP-5 was significantly inhibited by IGF-I, but not by des(1-3)IGF-I or LR3IGF-I. Basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and platelet-derived growth factor had no effect on OAC IGFBPs. However, IL-1alpha increased the IGFBP-5 level in a dose-dependent manner, showing maximum activity at 200 U/ml. Furthermore, IL-1alpha, but not IGF-I, induced IGFBP-5 messenger RNA expression, as assessed by Northern blot analysis. Coincubation of IGF-I with IL-1alpha resulted in a substantially increased IGFBP-5 protein level, suggesting a synergism between the mechanisms of action of these two factors. Des(1-3)IGF-I and LR3IGF-I were 10 times more potent than IGF-I in stimulating proteoglycan synthesis, indicating inhibition of IGF-I activity by endogenous IGFBPs. IL-1alpha reduced the IGF-I bioactivity, but had no effect on the activities of the IGF-I analogs, thus implying that locally produced IGFBPs, particularly IGFBP-5, which was substantially increased when IGF-I and IL-1alpha were coincubated, mediated the reduction of the IGF-I activity. Our results demonstrate that IGF-I and IL-1alpha synergistically increase the level of IGFBP-5 in OAC by inhibiting the proteolysis and stimulating the expression of IGFBP-5, respectively. Furthermore, the attenuation of IGF-I-stimulated proteoglycan synthesis by IL-1alpha in OAC appears to be mediated by chondrocyte IGFBPs. We conclude that locally produced IGFBPs, in particular IGFBP-5, may play a critical role in the regulation of cartilage matrix degradation in inflammatory and degenerative arthritides.


Mis-specified and non-robust mortality risk models for nasopharyngeal cancer in the National Cancer Institute formaldehyde worker cohort study.
An IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) working group categorized formaldehyde as a human carcinogen (Group 1) in 2004. A major component of the epidemiologic evidence evaluated by IARC to reach this decision was the analysis published by Hauptmann et al. [Hauptmann, M., Lubin, J. H., Stewart, P. A., Hayes, R. B., Blair, A. 2004. Mortality from solid cancers among workers in formaldehyde industries. Am. J. Epidemiol. 159, 1117-1130.] of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) historical cohort comprising industrial workers exposed to formaldehyde in 10 U.S. plants. The NCI authors emphasized the relationship found between highest formaldehyde peak exposure and death from nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). We performed two additional types of re-analyses of the NCI cohort data with focus on peak exposure and NPC mortality. The analyses were aimed at (1) investigating whether the model specification chosen by Hauptmann et al. (2004) was appropriate (interaction assessment) and (2) exploring the degree of instability of the risk estimates for NPC in relation to highest peak exposure (sensitivity analysis). Hauptmann et al. (2004) failed to account for an important interaction structure between plant group and the exposure variable that prohibits a generalization of formaldehyde effects within the NCI cohort and, in particular, beyond the NCI cohort. In addition, our sensitivity analysis demonstrates considerable uncertainties in the risk estimates and points convincingly to instability problems particularly related to Plant 1. Even a simple sensitivity model taking only one additional death into account produced a variation of the risk estimates beyond the instability conveyed by standard confidence intervals. The results of our current reanalysis of the NCI study do not support NCI's suggestion of a causal association with formaldehyde exposure and nasopharyngeal cancer. The decision by the IARC working group to reclassify formaldehyde as a Group 1 substance was clearly premature considering: (1) the missing evidence of an NPC excess from the large British and NIOSH cohort studies; (2) the absence of an association with formaldehyde and NPC in the independent and expanded study of Plant 1; and (3) the mis-specified and non-robust internal analysis of the NCI cohort study brought to light in our current re-analysis. Thus, the 2004 IARC decision to reclassify formaldehyde as a Group 1 substance should be reconsidered.


Blood lead level and blood pressure of bus drivers in Bangkok, Thailand.
This study aims to evaluate blood lead level (PbB) and blood pressure of bus drivers in Bangkok, Thailand, after the phasing out of lead in gasoline. The subjects comprised of 439 male bus drivers whose age ranged between 23 and 59 yr with the mean age of 42 +/- 8 yr. Average working experience was 10 +/- 7 yr. The mean of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 131 +/- 17 and 81 +/- 11 mmHg, respectively. PbB ranged from 2.5 to 16.2 microg/dl with the mean PbB of 6.3 microg/dl. Prevalence rate of systolic and diastolic hypertension among bus drivers were 23.0% and 18.2%, respectively. There were significant correlations between PbB and blood pressure both in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after controlling for age, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking and physical exercise. However, the data on psycho-social factors which may affect on blood pressure of bus drivers were not available. Therefore, further study is needed to clarify the relationship between blood pressure and psycho-social stress among bus drivers in Bangkok. These findings suggested lead exposure at low PbB is related to increases in blood pressure.


Detecting impaired myocardial relaxation in sepsis with a novel tissue Doppler parameter (septal e'/s').
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is associated with mortality outcomes in severe sepsis and septic shock. There are ongoing issues with diagnosing diastolic dysfunction in this cohort, partly owing to the poor applicability of traditional parameters in the hyperdynamic circulation. In this feasibility study, we sought to assess the utility of a novel parameter (septal e'/s') to identify diastolic dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock who had normal systolic function against the 2016 American Society Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACI) guidelines on diastolic dysfunction. In this prospective observational pilot study, patients identified as having severe sepsis and septic shock underwent transthoracic echocardiography on day 1 and day 3 of their intensive care unit admission. In patients with normal systolic function, septal e'/s' was calculated using the peak modal velocity of the s' compared with the e' from the septal annulus tissue Doppler imaging and compared with their diastolic grade according to the 2016 ASE/EACI guidelines on diastolic dysfunction. On day 1 of admission, 44 of 62 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock had normal systolic function. There was a strong association of those with diastolic dysfunction having a reduced septal e'/s' compared with patients with normal diastolic function (AUC 0.91). A similar relationship was seen with patients who had indeterminate diastolic dysfunction. On day 3, 37 patients had normal systolic function. Again, there was a strong association of those with diastolic dysfunction and a reduced septal e'/s' (AUC 0.95). A reduction in septal e'/s' may indicate diastolic dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock who have normal systolic function. As opposed to limited traditional measures of diastolic dysfunction, it is applicable in those with hyperdynamic systolic function.


Stoma reversal in functional bowel disease: managing patient choice.
This study aims to assess the rate of stoma reversal in patients who have undergone stoma formation with permanent intent for functional bowel disorder. We also assessed the incidence of malignancy in defunctioned bowel. This is a retrospective study of the outcomes of patients undergoing planned permanent stoma formation for functional bowel disorder over a 10-year period at a single tertiary centre. Of 92 patients included in the study, 11 (12%) requested and underwent stoma reversal following stoma formation for functional bowel disorder. Of 84 patients with defunctioned bowel left in situ, two (2%) developed bowel malignancy during our study period. Stoma formation may be necessary for patients with incontinence and constipation when conservative treatments fail. Some patients have very firm views about the need for a stoma, but a significant proportion of patients do not cope with a stoma and request reversal, therefore patient selection and pre-procedure counselling are important. The risk of developing malignant disease in the defunctioned colon is potentially significant, and consideration should be given to appropriate surveillance in this group of patients. Evidence for stoma formation in functional gastrointestinal disorders is lacking; this study reports outcomes in a large cohort of patients over a long period, and highlights areas where further research and practice guidelines are needed. If large numbers of patients are undergoing stoma reversal posing significant mortality and morbidity risks, this suggests that patient selection and preoperative counselling need refinement.


Targeting Cellular Stress Mechanisms and Metabolic Homeostasis by Chinese Herbal Drugs for Neuroprotection.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for centuries in East Asia. Herbs are used to maintain health and cure disease. Certain Chinese herbs are known to protect and improve the brain, memory, and nervous system. To apply ancient knowledge to modern science, some major natural therapeutic compounds in herbs were extracted and evaluated in recent decades. Emerging studies have shown that herbal compounds have neuroprotective effects or can ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the mechanisms of herbal compounds that protect against neurodegenerative diseases, we summarize studies that discovered neuroprotection by herbal compounds and compound-related mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease models. Those compounds discussed herein show neuroprotection through different mechanisms, such as cytokine regulation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, glucose metabolism, and synaptic function. The interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α signaling pathways are inhibited by some compounds, thus attenuating the inflammatory response and protecting neurons from cell death. As to autophagy regulation, herbal compounds show opposite regulatory effects in different neurodegenerative models. Herbal compounds that inhibit ER stress prevent neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, there are compounds that protect against neuronal death by affecting glucose metabolism and synaptic function. Since the progression of neurodegenerative diseases is complicated, and compound-related mechanisms for neuroprotection differ, therapeutic strategies may need to involve multiple compounds and consider the type and stage of neurodegenerative diseases.


Reduction of isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy and modulation of myocardial connexin43 by a KATP channel agonist.
Cardiac hypertrophy is a compensatory mechanism that occurs in conjunction with cardiovascular diseases. Although hypertrophy of the myocardium provides certain benefits during the early stages of cardiovascular disease, prolonged hypertrophy is potentially harmful to the heart and can result in arrhythmia and heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an ATP‑sensitive K+ (KATP) channel agonist was capable of reducing isoproterenol (Iso)‑induced cardiac hypertrophy and modulating myocardial connexin43 (Cx43) expression. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Normal, vehicle, nicorandil, glibenclamide and nicorandil plus glibenclamide. Rats in the four treatment groups received Iso injection for seven days, followed by administration with saline, nicorandil, glibenclamide or a combination of nicorandil and glibenclamide, respectively, for four weeks. Cardiac hypertrophy was then evaluated by measuring body weight, heart weight and left‑ventricular weight, and plasma B‑type natriuretic peptide levels were evaluated by ELISA. Immunocytochemistry and a reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the spatial distribution and gene expression of myocardial Cx43, respectively. The KATP channel agonist nicorandil markedly attenuated the degree of myocardial hypertrophy induced by Iso as compared with the vehicle group. Myocardial Cx43 expression was significantly decreased and redistributed following cardiac hypertrophy. The decrease and redistribution of Cx43 was reduced following treatment with the KATP channel agonist nicorandil. Addition of the KATP channel blocker glibenclamide eliminated the beneficial effects of nicorandil against hypertrophy and on connexin43. In conclusion, the present study indicated that chronic use of KATP channel agonists following cardiac hypertrophy can attenuate ventricular remodeling and upregulate the expression level and spatial distribution of Cx43.


Septic arthritis in children: diagnosis and treatment.
Acute septic arthritis in children is usually hematogenous. It is more common in boys, and it most often affects the large joints of the lower limb. Diagnosis is based on cultures obtained from the infected joint and is supported by C-reactive protein blood test or ultrasound imaging. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative agent and is the primary target for empiric treatment. First-generation cephalosporins and clindamycin are suitable antibiotics. Vancomycin is utilized in areas with high rates of clindamycin- and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. After a short intravenous administration of 2-4 days, a total course of 2 weeks is sufficient in uncomplicated cases. Early antibiotic treatment has significantly improved the prognosis in high-income settings, but uncomplicated recovery is compromised if the treatment is delayed. Complications such as symptomatic osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis of the femoral head develop slowly. A long follow-up of 1-2 years is required to detect all possible sequelae.


[The state of cytology in dentistry--a review].
Cytological examinations have been introduced into stomatology relatively late though the material is easy to collect and the techniques used are inexpensive. At present, cytological examinations may be employed for the following purposes: 1. Differential diagnosis of bullous lesions of the oral mucosa. 2. Supervision of inflammatory processes of the periodontium and related surgical interventions. 3. Detection of malignant and premalignant processes in the oral cavity and its environments. Apart from the well-known staining procedures, the acridine orange fluorescence method and recently, the cytometric evaluation of historadiographic techniques are used. Especially in the diagnosis of tumours, cytology is only an adjunct however worthwile.


Polydrug Use and Heterogeneity in HIV Risk Among People Who Inject Drugs in Estonia and Russia: A Latent Class Analysis.
Non-medical drug injection is a major risk factor for HIV infection in Russia and Estonia. Multiple drug use (polydrug) has further been associated with increased harms. We compared HIV, injecting and sexual risk associated with polydrug use among people who injected drugs (PWID) in 2012-2013 in Kohtla-Järve (Estonia, n = 591) and St Petersburg (Russia, n = 811). Using latent class analysis, we identified five (poly)drug classes, the largest consisting of single-drug injectors among whom an opioid was the sole drug injected (56% of PWID). The four remaining polydrug classes included polydrug-polyroute injectors who injected and used opiates and stimulants (9%), opiate-stimulant poly-injectors who injected amphetamine-type-stimulants with a primary opiate (7%) and opiate-opioid poly-injectors who injected opioids and opiates (16%). Non-injection stimulant co-users were injectors who also used non-injection stimulants (12%). In multivariable multinomial regressions, all four polydrug classes were associated with greater injection risks than single-drug injection, while opiate-stimulant and opiate-opioid poly-injection were also associated with having multiple sex partners. Riskier behaviours among polydrug-injectors suggest increased potential for transmission of blood-borne and sexually-transmitted infections. In addition to needles/syringes provision, services tailored to PWID drug and risk profiles, could consider drug-appropriate treatment and sexual risk reduction strategies to curb HIV transmission.


Incorporating Aminated Nanodiamonds to Improve the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Resin-Based Biomedical Appliances.
The creation of clinically patient-specific 3D-printed biomedical appliances that can withstand the physical stresses of the complex biological environment is an important objective. To that end, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aminated nanodiamonds (A-NDs) as nanofillers in biological-grade acrylate-based 3D-printed materials. Solution-based mixing was used to incorporate 0.1 wt% purified nanodiamond (NDs) and A-NDs into UV-polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The ND and A-ND nanocomposites showed significantly lower water contact angles (p < 0.001) and solubilities (p < 0.05) compared to those of the control. Both nanocomposites showed markedly improved mechanical properties, with the A-ND-containing nanocomposite showing a statistically significant increase in the flexural strength (p < 0.001), elastic modulus (p < 0.01), and impact strength (p < 0.001) compared to the control and ND-containing groups. The Vickers hardness and wear-resistance values of the A-ND-incorporated material were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those of the control and were comparable to the values observed for the ND-containing group. In addition, trueness analysis was used to verify that 3D-printed orthodontic brackets prepared with the A-ND- and ND-nanocomposites exhibited no significant differences in accuracy. Hence, we conclude that the successful incorporation of 0.1 wt% A-ND in UV-polymerized PMMA resin significantly improves the mechanical properties of the resin for the additive manufacturing of precisive 3D-printed biomedical appliances.


[Identifications of atypical mycobacteria by DNA-DNA hybridization and their biotypings with chromogenic substrates].
We developed a new biotyping system for mycobacterial strains. Various chromogenic substrates were incubated with mycobacterial cell suspensions for four hours at 37 degrees C, and strains were typed by their patterns of hydrolysis of these substrates. Commercially available microtiter plate DNA-DNA hybridization system and our biotyping system with chromogenic substrates were applied for the identification of clinically isolated atypical mycobacterial strains, and the results were compared with those obtained by the usual biological methods. Both new methods were proved to be satisfactorily quick and reproducible. The DNA probe method could distinguish M. avium from M. intracellulare and M. nonchromogenicum. Differentiation of these species has been very difficult by other methods. Our new biotyping system also could not differentiate these three species, but could classify some mycobacterial species into several subtypes. The DNA probe method is quick and accurate but expensive. On the contrary, our new biotyping system was found to have the same level of accuracy as the usual methods, but much quicker than the usual methods and less expensive than DNA probe method. We recommend our new biotyping system to the clinical laboratories which hesitate to accept DNA probe method because of its high expenses despite of its high accuracy.


Identification of SERPINA1 promoting better prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma along with Hashimoto's thyroiditis through WGCNA analysis.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disease. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine cancer. In recent years the rate of coexistence between PTC and HT has increased but the relationship between them remains unclear, meaning it is necessary to find potential biomarkers for PTC coexistence with HT to predict its potential pathways. A co-expression network was constructed using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) in the R package. The modules of PTC associated with HT (PTC-W) were identified from the GSE138198 dataset. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was used to screen the hub genes. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed to validate the expression of the hub genes in tissues. Clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were used to analyse the prognosis of the hub genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to screen potential pathways of PTC-W. The MEbrown module representing the most significant module, with 958 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), was screened in PTC-W, based on WGCNA analysis. Through PPI, SERPINA1 was identified as a hub gene. Immunostaining validated that SERPINA1 was highly expressed in PTC-W. Moreover, PTC-W expressing SERPINA1 exhibits a better prognosis than PTC without HT (PTC-WO). Our study demonstrates that SERPINA1 promotes the occurrence of PTC-W, and its prognosis is better than PTC-WO. SERPINA1 promotes a better prognosis for PTC-W, possibly through a tumour inhibition signalling pathway.


ADAPTIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF FLOWER COLOR AND INTER-TRAIT CORRELATIONS IN AN IPOMOPSIS HYBRID ZONE.
Flower color is often viewed as a trait that signals rewards to pollinators, such that the relationship between flower color and plant fitness might result from its association with another trait. We used experimental manipulations of flower color and nectar reward to dissociate the natural character correlations present in a hybrid zone between Ipomopsis aggregata and Ipomopsis tenuituba. Isozyme markers were used to follow the male and female reproductive success of these engineered phenotypes. One field experiment compared fitnesses of I. aggregata plants that varied only in flower color. Plants with flowers painted red received more hummingbird visits and sired more seeds than did plants with flowers painted pink or white to match those of hybrids and I. tenuituba. Our second field experiment compared fitnesses of I. aggregata, I. tenuituba, and hybrid plants in an unmanipulated array and in a second array where all flowers were painted red. In the unmanipulated array, I. aggregata received more hummingbird visits, set more seeds per flower, and sired more seeds per flower. These fitness differences largely disappeared when the color differences were eliminated. The higher male fitness of I. aggregata was due to its very high success at siring seeds on conspecific recipients. On both I. tenuituba and hybrid recipients, hybrid plants sired the most seeds, despite showing lower pollen fertility than I. aggregata in mixed donor pollinations in the greenhouse. Ipomopsis tenuituba had a fitness of only 13% relative to I. aggregata when traits varied naturally, compared to a fitness of 36% for white relative to red flowers when other traits were held constant.


A protocol for developing, disseminating, and implementing a core outcome set (COS) for childbirth pelvic floor trauma research.
More than 85% of women sustain different degrees of trauma during vaginal birth. Randomized controlled trials on childbirth pelvic floor trauma have reported a wide range of outcomes and used different outcome measures. This variation restricts effective data synthesis, impairing the ability of research to inform clinical practice. The development and use of a core outcome set (COS) for childbirth pelvic floor trauma aims to ensure consistent use of outcome measures and reporting of outcomes. An international steering group, within CHORUS, an International Collaboration for Harmonising Outcomes, Research and Standards in Urogynaecology and Women's Health, including academic community members, researchers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and women with childbirth pelvic floor trauma will lead the development of this COS. Relevant outcome parameters will be identified through comprehensive literature reviews. The selected outcomes will be entered into an international, multi-perspective online Delphi survey. Subsequently and based on the results of the Delphi surveys consensus will be sought on 'core' outcomes. Dissemination and implementation of the resulting COS within an international context will be supported and promoted. Embedding the COS for childbirth pelvic floor trauma within future clinical trials, systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines is expected to enrich opportunities for comparison of future clinical trials and allow better synthesis of outcomes, and will enhance mother and child care. The infrastructure created by developing a COS for childbirth pelvic floor trauma could be leveraged in other settings, for example, advancing research priorities and clinical practice guideline development.


Analysis of recombination occurring at SLP1 att sites.
SLP1int is a conjugative Streptomyces coelicolor genetic element that can transfer to Streptomyces lividans and integrate site specifically into the genome of the new bacterial host. Recombination of SLP1 previously has been shown to occur within nearly identical 112-base-pair att sequences on the plasmid and host chromosome. We report here that both integrative recombination and intermolecular transfer of SLP1int require no more than a 48-base-pair segment of the att sequence and that SLP1 transfer occurs by a conservative rather than a replicative mechanism. The functions responsible for the excision of the element as a discrete DNA segment are induced during the conjugal transfer of SLP1.


[Therapeutic effects of Bianyanning decoction on acute pharyngitis in rats and its mechanism].
To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Bianyanning on acute pharyngitis in rats, and to provide evidence and experimental data for its clinical application. The acute pharyngitis of rats was induced by spraying ammonia directly to their throat. The model rats were randomly divided into model control group, the high-, medium- and low-dose group of Bianyanning, while normal rats were used as control group, 10 in each group. After the corresponding drug treatment, the symptoms and manifestations of each group were observed and recorded; 24 hours after last gavaging, blood samples of each group were collected from the abdominal aorta. The serum contents of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. HE method was used to observe the characteristic of the lung tissues and the transmission electron microscopy method was used to observe the trachea cilia. After the treatment, compared with the model control group, the high-, medium- and low-dose group of Bianyanning, the symptoms of acute pharyngitis such as inflamed and congestive throat were relieved obviously. The morphological changes of lung and bronchus tissues were apparently improved. The contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum were decreased significantly. Compound Bianyanning can promote the recovering process of acute pharyngitis, improve the morphology of lungs and bronchus, which may be related to inhibiting the releasing of the IL-1β and TNF-α in serum.


Cognitive and Physical Effects of Warm-Up on Young Soccer Players.
This study analyzed the effects of with (WC) or without conducting a warm up on youth soccer players immediately before performing physical and cognitive tests. Fourteen youth soccer player (age 11.64 ± 0.50) participated in a counterbalanced cross-sectional study in which three conditions were tested: (a) basal lineal condition; (b) WC (immediately before the physical and cognitive tests); and (c) without WC (passive resting for 15 min between the warm-up and physical and cognitive tests). A 30-m sprint test, countermovement jump, and psychomotor vigilance task were also applied. The WC revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (p < .05), 30-m sprint test performance (p < .05), and reaction time in psychomotor vigilance task (p < .05) in comparison to basal lineal condition and without WC. A 15-min rest after a warm-up has a meaningfully decremental effect on the physical and cognitive readiness of youth soccer players, in comparison with when they warm-up immediately before the demands are imposed.


Effects of separation and separation with supplemental stroking in BALb/c infant mice.
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate selected stress, immune, and growth consequences of maternal separation and separation with supplemental stroking in neonatal BALB/c infant mice and their dams. Three groups of 5 litters each (7 pups per litter) were studied. Control litters were undisturbed. Separated litters experienced 3 h of daily maternal deprivation on postnatal days 6 to 10. Separated/stroked litters were separated also, but for 2 h, which was then followed by 1 h of stroking with a wet paintbrush to simulate maternal tactile stimulation. After the experimental period, all animals were returned to the nest and left undisturbed for 5 additional days. One pup from each litter was sacrificed on postnatal days 6, 8, 10, and 15. Spleens and thymuses were removed, weighed, and homogenized for cell sorting, cytokine analysis, and proliferation studies. Blood was drawn for corticosterone levels and hematocrit. Hematocrits and thymus weights were lower in separated mice, suggesting decreased growth and protein synthesis. Separated/stroked pups had increased splenic proliferation responses to conconavalin A and phytohemagglutinin at day 15. Separated dams' proliferative response to ConA was lower than control dams at day 15. Day 15 decreases in thymic CD8 cells occurred in pups, with an increased thymic H:S ratio in separated pups. CD90 cells were higher at day 15 in separated/stroked pups as were CD25s at day 10 in spleen and thymus. However, gene expression of cytokines was not measurable in spleen and thymic cells, with the exception of gamma-IFN in separated/stroked animals. Pooled organ homogenates were used in this preliminary work, and further studies are needed to more precisely analyze the stress, immune, and growth effects of these interventions.


Salidroside protects PC12 cells from MPP⁺-induced apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Salidroside (SAL), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., can exert potent antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects, and the possible mechanism of action, of SAL against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced cell damage in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with SAL significantly reduced the ability of MPP(+) to induce apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner. SAL significantly and dose-dependently inhibited MPP(+)-induced chromatin condensation and MPP(+)-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase by PC12 cells. SAL enhanced Akt phosphorylation in PC12 cells, and the protective effects of SAL against MPP(+)-induced apoptosis were abolished by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. These findings suggest that SAL prevents MPP(+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, at least in part through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.


A defence of the potential future of value theory.
In this issue of the journal Mark Brown has offered a new argument against my potential future of value theory. I argue that even though the premises of this new argument are far more defensible than the premises of his old argument, the new argument does not show that the potential future of value theory of the wrongness of killing is false. If the considerations to which Brown appeals are used, not to show that the potential future of value theory is false, but to show that abortion is morally permissible, they are also unsuccessful. I also argue that Brown's clarified self-represented future of value account and Simon Parsons's account of the wrongness of killing are both subject to major difficulties. Finally, I show, in an appendix, that Brown's assertion that my discussion of his views suffers from major logical errors is false.


Direct evidence of the importance of vitronectin and its interaction with the urokinase receptor in tumor growth.
Extensive evidence implicates the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Recent studies have substantiated the importance of the interaction between uPAR and the extracellular matrix protein vitronectin (VN) for the signaling activity of the receptor in vitro, however, the possible relevance of this interaction for the activity of uPAR in tumor growth and metastasis has not been assessed. We generated a panel of HEK293 cell lines expressing mouse uPAR (muPAR(WT)), an uPAR mutant specifically deficient in VN binding (muPAR(W32A)), and a truncation variant (muPAR(ΔD1)) deficient in both VN and uPA binding. In vitro cells expressing muPAR(WT) display increased cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and proliferation associated with increased p130Cas and MAPK signaling. Disruption of VN binding or ablation of both VN and uPA binding specifically abrogates these activities of uPAR. When xenografted into SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice, the expression of muPAR(WT), but not muPAR(W32A) or muPAR(ΔD1), accelerates tumor development, demonstrating that VN binding is responsible for the tumor-promoting activity of uPAR in vivo. In an orthotopic xenograft model using MDA-MB-231 cells in RAG1(-/-)/VN(-/-) mice, we document that host deficiency in VN strongly impairs tumor formation. These 2 lines of in vivo experimentation independently demonstrate an important role for VN in tumor growth even if the uPAR dependence of the effect in the MDA-MB-231 model remains to be ascertained.


The Association Between ABO Blood Group and Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Objective: This meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the association between ABO blood group and the risk of preeclampsia (PE). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases from their inception to September 23, 2020. Methods: Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained through random-effects and fixed-effects models according to heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis was applied to explore the source of heterogeneity. We conducted a subgroup analysis by the publication year, study design, state, and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score. In addition, we calculated the rate of each ABO blood group in PE by total pooled effects. Results: A total of 12 articles with 714,153 patients were included in our analysis. Compared with people without PE (control group), the O blood group presented a lower risk of PE (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.97). The AB (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.91) blood group presented a higher risk. However, the total pooled OR and 95% CI for the A (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90-1.16) and B (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.05) blood groups were not significant. The funnel plot and linear regression equation showed that there was no publication bias for the O, A, or B blood groups (all P > 0.05). However, the funnel plot and linear regression equation for the AB blood group were obviously asymmetric (P < 0.05), and the publication bias persisted even after the trim-and-fill method was applied (P < 0.05). Multivariable meta-regression analysis did not find a specific source of heterogeneity. The A blood group showed an association with early-onset PE (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33-0.83), and the other blood groups showed no significant differences. In PE, the rates of the O, A, B, and AB blood groups decreased gradually (0.39, 0.33, 0.19, 0.07). Conclusion: These findings suggest that pregnant women with AB blood group are more likely to develop PE, and more attention should be paid to AB blood group whose blood pressure is high but not sufficient to diagnose PE. Systematic Review Registration: Prospero CRD42021227930.


Resonance Raman evidence for an Fe-O-Fe center in stearoyl-ACP desaturase. Primary sequence identity with other diiron-oxo proteins.
The stearoyl-ACP delta 9 desaturase from plants is a new example of a growing number of proteins that contain oxo- or hydroxo-bridged diiron clusters. On the basis of differences in primary sequence motifs providing the cluster ligands and upon structural differences elucidated by X-ray crystallography, we now propose that the presently known, soluble diiron-oxo proteins can be grouped into two classes, I and II. Class I contains hemerythrin, myohemerythrin, and, possibly, purple acid phosphatase. Class II contains ribonucleotide reductases, bacterial hydrocarbon hydroxylases (methane monooxygenase, toluene-4-monooxygenase, and phenol hydroxylase), rubrerythrin, and stearoyl-ACP desaturases. Through the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy, we have detected symmetric (vs = 519 cm-1) and asymmetric (vas = 747 cm-1) vibrational modes in the castor stearoyl-ACP delta 9 desaturase, which are typical of oxo-bridged diiron clusters. These frequencies shift by -18 and -34 cm-1, respectively, in H218O, proving that the bridging ligand is readily exchangeable with solvent (t1/2 = 7 min). Calculation of an approximately 123 degrees Fe-O-Fe angle from the position of vs and vas and from the 18O-dependent shift in these frequencies suggests that the diiron-oxo cluster in the desaturase is triply bridged in the diferric state. In the diferrous state, the two iron sites of the cluster are structurally inequivalent, as shown by differential temperature dependence of the Mössbauer quadrupole splittings. For the class II diiron-oxo proteins, primary sequence alignments reveal conserved amino acid residues which act as iron cluster ligands, participate in a hydrogen-bonding network, and are potentially involved in O2 binding and activation. Based on this conservation, a structural model for the stearoyl-ACP delta 9 desaturase active site is proposed that has strong similarity to both ribonucleotide reductase and methane monooxygenase. However, after single turnover of the diferous state with 18O2, 18O is not detected in the oxo bridge of the castor desaturase. This is in contrast to the outcome observed for ribonucleotide reductase, suggesting the desaturase and ribonucleotide reductase differ in certain aspects of their respective O2-activation reactions.


Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a retrospective cohort study of anastomotic complications.
Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) can be performed with an intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) or extracorporeal anastomosis (EA). It is not clear which technique is best. This study evaluated the impact of each anastomosis technique on perioperative safety and postoperative evolution. We performed a retrospective study at a tertiary colorectal surgery center. All patients who had an elective LRH from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed according to the anastomosis technique used. In total, 285 patients were included in the study. IA was performed in 64 patients (22.5%). Mean operative time was longer in the patients with IA (IA, 160±31 minutes vs. EA, 138±42 minutes; P<0.001). No differences were observed in intraoperative complications, time to first bowel movement, length of stay, reoperation, or rehospitalization. Time to first flatus was longer in the patients with IA (P=0.049). At 30 days after surgery, there were no differences in the frequency of anastomotic leak (IA, 0% vs. EA, 2.3%; P=0.59), bleeding (IA, 3.1% vs. EA, 2.7%; P>0.99), or intraabdominal abscess (IA, 0% vs. EA, 0.5%; P>0.99). During follow-up, we noted more incisional hernias in patients with EA (IA, 1.6% vs. EA, 11.3%; P=0.01) and a trend toward more hernia in patients with EA in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 7.13; P=0.06). Anastomosis technique had no influence on recurrence. For LRH, both IA and EA are safe, with a low incidence of complications when performed by experienced surgeons. IA may be associated with a lower incidence of incisional hernia.


Preferential stimulation by aurintricarboxylic acid of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II activity in isolated larval nuclei of Artemia salina.
Aurintricarboxylic acid was found to stimulate preferentially RNA polymerase II activity in isolated nuclei of Artemia salina larvae. Studies on the in vitro transcription of a homologous chromatin indicate that this dye induces changes in the chromatin so as to enhance its template capacity for free RNA polymerase. Both free RNA polymerases I and II are equally sensitive to this dye in the absence of chromatin template. RNA polymerase II, however, becomes highly resistant to aurintricarboxylic acid when it is actively transcribing the chromatin template, whereas RNA polymerase I remains extremely sensitive even in the transcription complex. Therefore, in isolated nuclei, a preferential stimulation of alpha-amanitin-sensitive, but not-resistant RNA synthesis by aurintricarboxylic acid can be observed.


Identification of a PTPN11 hot spot mutation in a child with atypical LEOPARD syndrome.
LEOPARD syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder primarily caused by mutations in the PTPN11, RAF1 and BRAF genes. Characteristic features include lentigines, craniofacial dysmorphism, myocardium or valve abnormalities, eletrocardiographic conduction defects and deafness. LS, neurofibromatosis type 1, Noonan syndrome and Legius syndrome are a group of highly overlapped disorders termed 'RASopathies'. Therefore, clinical discrimination between these syndromes represents a huge challenge. The present study reports a young child diagnosed with LS via identification of a common p.Thr468Met mutation in PTPN11. Taking into account two Taiwanese LS cases with an identical mutation, Thr468Met is likely to be the most prevalent mutation in the Chinese population. Furthermore, this study suggests that a clinical diagnosis of LS should be considered for individuals with congenital cardiac defects and atypical lentigines (i.e., light brown freckles) scattered particularly on the face.


Pelvic examination teaching: linking medical student professionalism and clinical competence.
The Professional Patient teaching program is an essential part of assuring competency in the performance of the pelvic examination and professional behaviors. Through a series of integrated teaching sessions from the first year reproductive anatomy laboratory, the second year basic clinical pelvic examination teaching program, to the third year teaching program, students perform at an enhanced level of clinical competency and professional behavior. A Professional Patient commented: "We create a safe environment where medical students not only learn the clinical portion of the exam, but also focus on the patient as the primary source of information on patient comfort. Students receive immediate feedback from us and have ample opportunity to ask questions about aspects of the clinical pelvic examination or doctor/patient communication skills. We guide them, teach them, and help them prepare for examinations with other patients who will not be as open or in tune with their bodies as we are."


The use of medicinal herbs by diabetic Jordanian patients.
Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide. To date, there have been no reports on the frequency of use of herb medicines in the managements of diabetes mellitus in Jordan. This cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 310 diabetic patients visiting two medical centers in Jordan: Jordan University of Science & Technology Medical Center and Sarih Medical Center between December 2003 and August 2004. It is found that 31% of interviewed patients have used herbal products (96 patients). The results revealed that the most commonly used herbs by diabetic patients in Jordan were Trigonella foenumgraecum (22.9%), Lupinus albus (14.6%), Allium sativum (11.5%), Allium cepa (5.2%), Nigella sativa (7.3%), Zea mays L. (6.3%), Urtica dioica L. (8.3%), Eucalyptus globules LA (9.4%), Olea europea L. (3.1%), Cumminum cyminum (9.4%), Coriandrum sativum (10.4%), Salvia officinalis L. (3.1%), and Tilia cordata (1%). Furthermore, it is found that 47.9% of the patients used herbs according to advice from their friends on a daily basis. The side effects were reported by 36.5% of the patients and include headache, nausea, dizziness, itching, palpitation, and sweating. Among the patients, 72.9% used the herbs as adjunctive therapy along with their anti-diabetic drugs and 80.2% of the patients informed their physicians about their use. A 79.2% of the sample confirmed their intention to re-use these herbs as 86.5% of them were satisfied with their diabetes control. There was a significant relationship between the use of herbs, the patient's place of residence and his/her level of education. The main conclusion of this survey is that the use of medicinal herbs among diabetic patient in Jordan is common. Therefore, it is essential to increase the level of awareness among diabetic patients and health care providers regarding the efficacy and toxicity of these medicinal herbs.


How many transcription factors does it take to turn on the heme oxygenase-1 gene?
The ability to communicate with the environment and respond to changes--particularly those of an adverse nature--within that environment is critical for cell function and survival. A key component of the overall cellular stress response includes adjustments in the gene expression program in favor of proteins that manifest activities capable of frustrating and eventually eliminating the molecular constituents of the stress condition. One protein providing such cytoprotective activity is heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction in heme catabolism (i.e., the oxidative cleavage of b-type heme molecules to yield equimolar quantities of biliverdin IXalpha, carbon monoxide, and iron). Because of the potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and signaling properties of the reaction products, the HO-1 gene (hmox1) is frequently activated under a variety of cellular stress conditions. Cells use multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors to fine-tune their response to a specific circumstance. Among these factors, members of the heat-shock factor, nuclear factor-kappaB, nuclear factor-erythroid 2, and activator protein-1 families are arguably the most important regulators of the cellular stress response in vertebrates. Although there is functional overlap between individual families, each broadly regulates different aspects of the cellular stress response and thus, with some exceptions, modulates the expression of different sets of targets genes. To the best of our knowledge, hmox1 is unique in that it is proposed to be directly regulated by all four of these stress-responsive transcription factors. In this article we provide a review and analysis of the data supporting this proposition.


Antioxidant dietary approach in treatment of fatty liver: New insights and updates.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common clinicopathological condition, encompassing a range of conditions caused by lipid deposition within liver cells. To date, no approved drugs are available for the treatment of NAFLD, despite the fact that it represents a serious and growing clinical problem in the Western world. Identification of the molecular mechanisms leading to NAFLD-related fat accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative balance impairment facilitates the development of specific interventions aimed at preventing the progression of hepatic steatosis. In this review, we focus our attention on the role of dysfunctions in mitochondrial bioenergetics in the pathogenesis of fatty liver. Major data from the literature about the mitochondrial targeting of some antioxidant molecules as a potential treatment for hepatic steatosis are described and critically analysed. There is ample evidence of the positive effects of several classes of antioxidants, such as polyphenols (i.e., resveratrol, quercetin, coumestrol, anthocyanins, epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin), carotenoids (i.e., lycopene, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin) and glucosinolates (i.e., glucoraphanin, sulforaphane, sinigrin and allyl-isothiocyanate), on the reversion of fatty liver. Although the mechanism of action is not yet fully elucidated, in some cases an indirect interaction with mitochondrial metabolism is expected. We believe that such knowledge will eventually translate into the development of novel therapeutic approaches for fatty liver.


Construction and Characterization of an Intergeneric Fusant That Degrades the Fungicides Chlorothalonil and Carbendazim.
Bordetella sp. CTN-16 (GenBank FJ598326) can degrade chlorothalonil (CTN) but not carbendazim (MBC), and Microbacterium sp. MBC-3 (GenBank OK667229) can degrade MBC but not CTN. A functional strain BD2 was obtained by protoplast fusion of CTN-16 and MBC-3 to generate a fusant with improved degradation efficiency of CTN and MBC. Fusant-BD2 with eighth transfer on a medium containing CTN and two antibiotics was obtained. To identify and confirm the genetic relationship between parental strains and fusion strain BD2, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences analysis were carried out. SEM analysis illustrated BD2 and its parents had some slight differences in the cell morphology. Fusant-BD2 not only possessed the same bands as parental strains but also had its specific bands analyzed through RAPD. The genetic similarity indices for BD2 and its parental strains CTN-16 and MBC-3 are 0.571 and 0.428, respectively. The degradation rates of CTN and MBC were 79.8% and 65.2% in the inorganic salt solution containing 50 mg·L-1 CTN and 50 mg·L-1 MBC, respectively, and the degradation efficiencies were better than the parental strains CTN-16 and MBC-3. This study provides a prospect for the application of fusion strain BD2 in bioremediation of CTN and MBC contaminated sites.


Effect of treatment with nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker, on muscular atrophy induced by hindlimb immobilization.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the prevention of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels contributed to the attenuation of muscular atrophy induced by hindlimb immobilization (HI) in a shortened position. Mice were divided into four groups (8 mice/group): control; nifedipine; HI; and HI with nifedipine. Mice received nifedipine at a dose of 5 mg/kg one day before and during the 8 days of HI. Quantitative alterations in the amount of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and actin proteins in the soleus muscle were analyzed using SDS-PAGE. The weight of the soleus muscle decreased significantly by 40.8% (P<0.05) and 27.0% (P<0.05) after the hindlimb immobilization in the HI and HI with nifedipine groups, respectively, when compared to that of the control or nifedipine groups. Treatment with nifedipine alone appeared to have no effect on muscle mass or the amount of myofibrillar proteins. The level of MyHC proteins decreased significantly by 25.1% (P<0.001) and 17.4% (P<0.001) in the HI and HI with nifedipine groups, respectively. The level of MyHC protein in the HI with nifedipine group was significantly greater than that of the HI group (P<0.05), although there were no significant differences in the amount of actin protein. These findings suggest that nifedipine treatment may have a beneficial effect on muscular atrophy.


Evidence for heterogeneity of prejunctional alpha-2-adrenoceptors.
The interactions between SK&F 104078 and several selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists at pre- and postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors were investigated in order to assess the previously reported selectivity of SK&F 104078 for postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors and to determine whether or not SK&F 104078 could uncover subtypes of alpha 2-adrenoceptors located prejunctionally as has also been suggested. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, UK 14,304, xylazine, B-HT 933, B-HT 920, clonidine and M-7, produced concentration-dependent prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of neurogenic responses in the guinea pig atrium and rat vas deferens and produced postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of the canine saphenous vein. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, rauwolscine, blocked all the agonists at both pre- and postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors without demonstrating preference for any agonist or any synaptic location of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In marked contrast, SK&F 104078 produced equivalent antagonism of all agonists in the canine saphenous vein but had no significant effect against the same agonists in the guinea pig atrium, suggesting a high degree of selectivity for postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in these test systems, consistent with our previous observations. In the rat vas deferens, however, SK&F 104078 significantly antagonized the prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated effects of clonidine and M-7 but did not block the responses to UK 14,304, xylazine, B-HT 933 and B-HT 920. These results indicate that the prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist effects of SK&F 104078 are tissue and agonist dependent, and that there may be at least two subtypes of prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors that can be discriminated with SK&F 104078 but not with rauwolscine. Both subtypes of prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors may be present in the rat vas deferens, while only the SK&F-104078-insensitive subtype is present in the guinea pig atrium.


Selective Recovery of Zinc from Metallurgical Waste Materials from Processing Zinc and Lead Ores.
A method for processing of metallurgical waste materials (chemically defined as sulfur-bearing zinc-ferric materials) produced by plants processing zinc ores and their concentrates is proposed. The method proposed is a combination of pyro- and hydrometallurgical treatments of the waste material. The crucial steps in the developed method include: roasting the material at 450 °C to generate sulfur dioxide (SO2), absorption of SO2 in an aqueous system to form sulfuric acid (IV), carbothermic decomposition of zinc ferrite compounds, and leaching of zinc from the roasted material using sulfuric (IV) acid. The method allows one to extract up to 40% of zinc from the waste material and, consequently, to generate a fraction of material with substantially higher content of iron oxides. The proposed method takes advantage of the presence of sulfur in the processed material which upon roasting is converted to sulfuric acid (IV)-a leaching agent for selective extraction of zinc. The properly adjusted pH of the aqueous medium in which the leaching process is carried out is the key factor determining the quantitative and selective separation of zinc. If the amount of sulfur in the processed material is insufficient, it may be supplemented by adding sulfuric acid (VI) to adjust the pH. The method proposed was tested at a laboratory scale and quarter industrial scale using the real samples taken from stockpiles in the vicinity of the plant processing zinc and lead ores in Poland. It may also work for any zinc-ferric materials from various sources.


[Comparison of propofol and propanidid administered at a constant rate].
So as to compare the anaesthesia obtained using propofol with that obtained using propanidid, 40 ASA I patients, aged between 18 and 50 years, who were to undergo elective orthopaedic or plastic surgery lasting more than 60 min, were randomly divided into two equal groups, one receiving propofol (PF) and the other propanidid (PD). All the patients received 0.5 mg atropine, 100 mg pethidine and 7.5 mg droperidol (10 mg if weight greater than 60 kg) intramuscularly 45 min before induction. Patients in group PF were then given 2 mg.kg-1 propofol over 1 min and 0.9 microgram.kg-1 fentanyl over 3 min, followed by a constant rate infusion of 5 mg.kg-1.h-1 propofol and 3 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 fentanyl. For PD patients, the doses of fentanyl were identical; they were given 10.6 mg.kg-1 propanidid over 3 min for induction, and 37 mg.kg-1.h-1 for maintenance. All the patients were intubated and ventilated mechanically. The usual anaesthetic parameters were monitored at induction, during surgery, and during recovery. Consciousness was lost more quickly with propofol (p less than 0.05), but the corneal reflex returned more rapidly in group PD (p less than 0.02). The time required for a full return to normal consciousness was identical in both groups. The fall, during induction, and the increase, during recovery, of Pasys were greater in group PD (p less than 0.05 and less than 0.001 respectively). Padia and heart rate were lower in group PF after the 30th min (p less than 0.05 and less than 0.01 respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl Extract in Sleep Deprivation-Induced Amnesic Mice.
Chronic sleep deprivation (SD) causes neurological and neurodegenerative dysfunction including learning and memory deficit. The orchid Dendrobium nobile Lindl (DNL), is widely used as a Yin tonic and medicinal food throughout Asia, and has many reported pharmacological effects. This study focused on the cognitive-enhancing effects of DNL in sleep deprivation-induced amnesia in mice and its biochemical mechanisms. Our results showed that the mice displayed significant cognitive deficits after 2-week SD while treatment with the extract of DNL prevented these impairments. In the novel object recognition and object location recognition tasks, a significant increase in the discrimination index was observed in DNL-treated (200 and 400 mg/kg) mice. In the MWM test, DNL (200 and 400 mg/kg) treatment shorten the prolongation of latency and increased the crossing numbers compared with SD mice. The biochemical analysis of brain tissue showed a decrease in NE, dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and an increase in 5-HT and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration after the treatment with DNL in mice. Our findings indicated that DNL exerted a positive effect in preventing and improving cognitive impairment induced by SD, which may be mediated via the regulation of neurotransmitters and alleviation of oxidative stress.


Computer aided adjustment of the phrenic pacemaker: automatic functions, documentation, and quality control.
Electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves of patients with complete ventilatory insufficiency with the Vienna respiratory pacemaker has been in clinical use since 1983. During the adjustment of stimulation parameters with this device, the following problems have occurred: for some measurements like the recruitment curve, series of complete inspiration cycles have to be stimulated, which causes the danger of muscle fatigue for unconditioned patients. The documentation is completed predominantly by hand, taking time and increasing the possibility of error. As a first step to solve these problems, we developed a new stimulation and measurement system. It consists of a PC with data acquisition hardware, the necessary sensors, and amplifier circuitry. The implanted stimulator is controlled via the parallel interface. The new system offers some advantages: computer control shortens the time for measurement and documentation, and the stress on the patient and the risk of error is reduced; synchronized measurement makes it possible to use single stimulation pulses instead of bursts and ramps to reduce diaphragm fatigue; digital signal processing improves measurement results and reproducibility; and help functions and self tests are provided, together with a graphical user interface. We used sensors for air flow, diaphragm EMG, and acceleration, on up to 8 channels simultaneously. Combined sample rates of up to 100 kS/s were possible. The system could be adapted for other uses involving functional electrical stimulation with our implantable nerve stimulators. Using this equipment saves a lot of effort, and the adjustment process can be focused on improved stimulation results and better performance for the patient. Current research is studying implementation of automatic functions like acquisition of stimulation thresholds. This could result in a predominantly automated adjustment of the phrenic pacemaker and even in a closed-loop controlled system in the future.


Management of Chronic Non-healing Wounds by Hirudotherapy.
A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time or wounds that do not heal within three months are often considered chronic. Chronic wounds often remain in the inflammatory stage for too long and may never heal or may take years. Chronic wound patients often report pain as dominant in their lives. Persistent pain is the main problem for patients with chronic ulcers. Many wounds pose no challenge to the body's innate ability to heal; some wounds, however, may not heal easily either because of the severity of the wounds themselves or because of the poor state of health of the individual. Any wound that does not heal within a few weeks should be examined by a healthcare professional because it might be infected, might reflect an underlying disease.


[Production and biological properties of L-like mutants (11r) of Escherichia coli].
Treatment of the strains of E. coli K12 with the mutagen N-nitroso-N-methylurea yielded mutants with the morphology similar to that of stable penicillin L-forms. Studies of the biological properties of the cultures have shown that the mutation of the gen 11r increases the susceptibility to antibiotics of various action spectra, ionic and non-ionic detergents and the resistance to UV and gamma radiation. Biochemical analysis of peptidoglycan from the cell walls of the parent bacterial cultures and L-mutants revealed no differences in its chemical composition.


Characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel band 4.1-like protein in zebrafish.
Membrane skeleton protein 4.1 and other members of a family of proteins that link the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane may play an integral role in cell communication during development. The polymerase chain reaction and degenerate oligodeoxynucleotide primers to consensus sequences in the putative membrane-binding domain of the protein 4.1 superfamily were used to isolate cDNAs encoding members of the zebrafish protein 4.1 family. Zebrafish stage- and tissue-specific first strand cDNA was used in the PCR. After the reaction, amplicons of the predicted size were sequenced to confirm their relationship to the protein 4.1 superfamily. One cDNA, with a high degree of similarity to a mouse novel band 4.1-like cDNA, was used to probe a zebrafish adult brain library. A 2.4-kb cDNA was isolated and found to encode a 619 amino acid polypeptide homologous to mouse novel band 4.1-like protein 4. Zebrafish nbl4 mRNA is maternally supplied and is expressed throughout embryogenesis. In adults, nbl4 is found in the ovary, eye, heart, and brain, but not in gut or skeletal muscle. When synthetic nbl4 mRNA is translated in vitro it binds calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner. These data indicate that zebrafish nbl4 is a maternal transcript owing to its presence before the midblastula transition, and it is present later on in specific adult structures. The ability to bind calmodulin would suggest that the function of nbl4 protein may be potentially regulated via a calcium-calmodulin dependent mechanism.


The plasma osteoprotegerin level and osteoprotegerin expression in renal biopsy tissue are increased in type 2 diabetes with nephropathy.
To investigate the plasma osteoprotegerin level and osteoprotegerin expression in renal biopsy tissue in type 2 diabetes with nephropathy. Plasma osteoprotegerin level was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in 48 type 2 diabetes with normoalbuminuria, 48 patients with microalbuminuria, 44 patients with macroalbuminuria and 40 healthy persons. Part of diabetes patients with nephropathy were performed kidney biopsy by ultrasound guide. The osteoprotegerin expression in kidney biopsy tissue is examined by immunohistochemistry. The plasma osteoprotegerin levels were significantly elevated in patients with microalbuminuria (3.73±0.75 ng/l) and macroalbuminuria (4.68±0.82 ng/l) as compared with patients with normoalbuminuria (2.71±0.69 ng/l) and control subjects (2.11±0.42 ng/l). And the plasma osteoprotegerin level in macroalbuminuric group was also higher than that in microalbuminuria group. The plasma osteoprotegerin level had a positive correlation with the fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG), glycohemoglobinA1c (HbA1C), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and log(UAER). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that plasma osteoprotegerin level was an independent factor associated with albuminuria in type 2 diabetes. The immunohistochemistry results showed that positive immunostaining for osteoprotegerin was observed in the renal tubule cells of biopsy and not in glomerulus, and the osteoprotegerin expression was higher in macroalbuminuria group than that in microalbuminuria group. The plasma osteoprotegerin level and the osteoprotegerin expression in renal tubule cells of biopsy tissue were increased in nephropathy of type 2 diabetes. This finding supports the growing concept that osteoprotegerin may act as an important regulatory molecule in the angiopathy, and particularly, that it may be involved in the occurrence and development of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.


Ultraviolet A-induced cellular membrane damage in the photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome.
Abnormal photosensitivity of skin in the photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome (PD/AR) correlating to an abnormal photosensitivity of dermal fibroblasts from these patients has been established previously. Cultured human skin fibroblasts from normal infant and adult donors, foreskin tissue and patients with PD/AR were assayed for oxidative stress induced membrane damage following ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (340-450 nm) and hydrogen peroxide treatment by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase release. Skin fibroblasts from PD/AR patients were, in general, 2- and 4-fold more sensitive than normal controls regarding membrane-induced damage to UVA radiation and hydrogen peroxide treatment, respectively. Cells from one patient where biopsies were taken during full disease flair and 2 years later, following disease remission by immunosuppressive therapy, showed the same cellular sensitivity. In addition, fibroblasts from foreskin tissue were resistant to UVA radiation as measured by lactate dehydrogenase release, suggesting that this frequently used source of cell culture does not provide the best control group for comparison with photosensitive disease states. All these results suggest that the target for the cellular sensitivity seen in cells from PD/AR patients is the membrane.


Evaluation of anaerobic biodegradability of forage rice straw fertilized with livestock waste.
Fertilizing livestock waste for forage rice production can remove nitrogen and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, rice straw can be used for biogas production. Here, the growth characteristics of different forage rice varieties in Japanese paddy fields fertilized with liquid cattle waste were investigated. Six experimental plots were established in a paddy field planted with three varieties of forage rice developed for livestock feed. Methane production potential assays were then conducted to investigate the anaerobic digestion characteristics of the stems and leaves of these three varieties. The total methane production potential of the Leafstar variety was higher than that of other varieties, while its lag phase was significantly shorter. Co-digestion of ethanol fermentation residue with Leafstar straw revealed that the NH(4)(+)-N concentration decreased as the C/N ratio increased. Additionally, the methane production potential of the mixed substrate was higher than that of ethanol fermentation residue or forage rice straw applied alone. Hence, Leafstar forage rice is a promising variety for establishment of agricultural resource recycling systems in which higher straw biomass can be achieved by applying liquid cattle waste and more biogas can be produced due to the potential for increased methane production.


Changes in epidermal growth factor receptor expression in human bladder cancer cell lines following interferon-alpha treatment.
We examined the regulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) expression in human bladder cancer cell lines by interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), the ability of IFN-alpha to inhibit cell proliferation and the sensitivity of IFN-alpha pretreated cells to EGF. Cell proliferation was determined using crystal violet colorimetric and clonogenic assays. EGFR expression was measured by flow cytometry using specific antibody or ligand binding approaches. After IFN-alpha (100 IU/ml) treatment cell surface EGFR expression was upregulated in 6 of 11 and down-regulated in 2 of 11 bladder cancer cell lines. The over expression of cell surface EGFR peaked within 48 to 96 hours and increased by 35% to 241% in individual cell lines. High level cell surface EGFR correlated with intracellular EGFR expression. Cell growth inhibition by IFN-alpha coexisted with EGFR over expression in the 6 lines. IFN-alpha treated cells remained sensitive to EGF treatment. IFN-alpha transiently up-regulates EGFR expression and inhibits in vitro growth in some human bladder cancer cells. IFN-alpha does not prevent EGFR from binding EGF or signal transduction via the EGF-EGFR pathway. This may have clinical implications for improving treatment based on EGFR targeting in select patients with bladder cancer.


Spectrum of Clinical Presentations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infected Patients with Renal Disease.
HIV infection is a multiorgan disease with the kidney not spared. A variety of renal syndromes with varying clinical presentations has been reported amongst HIV infected patients. This study aims to highlight the spectrum of clinical presentations in HIV infected patients with renal disease. HIV infected patients presenting at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City were the study population. A total of 383 patients were studied. Their biodata, clinical presentations and laboratory investigations including serum urea, creatinine and albumin, urine protein and creatinine were assessed. Their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and protein urine excretion were calculated using six equations of modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) and protein: creatinine ratio respectively. Patients were stratified according to their renal functions into normal, mild, moderate and severe renal function impairment. The data was analysed using statistical software program SPSS Vs 15.0. 53.3% of 383 patients screened had renal function impairment, 40.2% mild, 37.7% moderate and 22.2% severe impairment. Mean age was 35.6±8.3, 36.0±9.9 and 36.3±8.3 years for mild, moderate and severe renal function impairment (RFI) respectively. Easy fatigability was the commonest symptoms occurring in 47.5%, 30.0%, 37.5% and 22.5% of control, mild RFI, moderate RFI and severe RFI subjects respectively (p = 0.568). Oliguria, facial and body swelling occurred more in patients with RFI especially in patients with severe renal impairment. The difference is statistically significant (p = 0.046, 0.041, and 0.033 respectively). Pallor was the commonest clinical sign occurring in 32.5%, 50.0%, 35.0% and 62.5% of control and patients with mild, moderate, and severe RFI respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.459). Ascites, facial puffiness and pedal oedema were commoner in patients with RFI especially those with severe RFI. The differences were statistically significant. (p = 0.048, 0.019, and 0.008 respectively). In conclusion spectrum of clinical presentations in HIV patients with renal impairment are many but few are specific to these patients.


Polyethylene glycol in spinal cord injury repair: a critical review.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a synthetic biocompatible polymer with many useful properties for developing therapeutics to treat spinal cord injury. Direct application of PEG as a fusogen to the injury site can repair cell membranes, mitigate oxidative stress, and promote axonal regeneration to restore motor function. PEG can be covalently or noncovalently conjugated to proteins, peptides, and nanoparticles to limit their clearance by the reticuloendothelial system, reduce their immunogenicity, and facilitate crossing the blood-brain barrier. Cross-linking PEG produces hydrogels that can act as delivery vehicles for bioactive molecules including growth factors and cells such as bone marrow stromal cells, which can modulate the inflammatory response and support neural tissue regeneration. PEG hydrogels can be cross-linked in vitro or delivered as an injectable formulation that can gel in situ at the site of injury. Chemical and mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels are tunable and must be optimized for creating the most favorable delivery environment. Peptides mimicking extracellular matrix protein such as laminin and n-cadherin can be incorporated into PEG hydrogels to promote neural differentiation and axonal extensions. Different hydrogel cross-linking densities and stiffness will also affect the differentiation process. PEG hydrogels with a gradient of peptide concentrations or Young's modulus have been developed to systematically study these factors. This review will describe these and other recent advancements of PEG in the field of spinal cord injury in greater detail.


Smooth and rough boundaries in turbulent Taylor-Couette flow.
We examine the torque required to drive the smooth or rough cylinders in turbulent Taylor-Couette flow. With rough inner and outer walls the scaling of the dimensionless torque G is found to be consistent with pure Kolmogorov scaling G approximately Re2. The results are interpreted within the Grossmann-Lohse theory for the relative role of the energy dissipation rates in the boundary layers and in the bulk; as the boundary layers are destroyed through the wall roughness, the torque scaling is due only to the bulk contribution. For the case of one rough and one smooth wall, we find that the smooth cylinder dominates the dissipation rate scaling, i.e., there are corrections to Kolmogorov scaling. A simple model based on an analogy to electrical circuits is advanced as a phenomenological organization of the observed relative drag functional forms. This model leads to a qualitative prediction for the mean velocity profile within the bulk of the flow.


[Ecological footprint in building green university].
Ecological footprint is one of the best indexes to evaluate the level of green university. The approaches of ecological footprint are made up of compound approach and component approach. This paper introduces the basic principle and algorithm of the componential approach of ecological footprint, taking Northeastern University as an example and using this approach in the research of campus. Result show that the ecological footprint of Northeastern University 2003 was 24 787hm2, needing the productive land of ecology about 25 000hm2 support all kinds of consumption of the school and absorb the offal. The ecological efficiency of the school was 0.94cap/hm2. In the ecological footprints, the energy's footprints is the largest, it accounted for more than 2/3 of the total footprints, the next are food consumption and solid rubbish.


[Validity of self-reported weight and height: the Goiânia study, Brazil].
To assess the validity of self-reported weight and height at the time of diagnosing obesity, and to identify the sociodemographic and individual characteristics that might be a source of information bias. This was a cross-sectional population-based study carried out in the city of Goiânia in 2001. Interviews were conducted with 1,023 individuals aged 20-64 years, in their homes, to collect sociodemographic and self-reported weight and height information. On the same occasion, weight and height measurements were made on these individuals. The mean differences and correlation coefficients between self-reported and measured data were calculated according to age, body mass index (BMI), schooling, income and height. Both the men and women overestimated their heights (p<0.05), by 0.9 cm and 2.2 cm, respectively. There was no difference between self-reported and measured weights, either for the men (-0.44 kg; p=0.06) or for the women (-0.03 kg; p>0.05). The behavior of overestimating height was influenced by age, schooling, height and body mass index. Although this index obtained from the self-reported data was underestimated (p<0.05), by 0.27 kg/m(2) and 0.67 kg/m(2) for men and women respectively, the measured and self-reported data presented a high degree of agreement. Both the sensitivity and specificity of the self-reported body mass index were high, in relation to identifying the measured index. In epidemiological studies for monitoring the prevalence of excess weight in populations, self-reported weights and heights constitute reliable data, which gives validity to the methodology utilized.


Feasibility of Three Novel Forms of Passive Exercise in a Multisensory Environment in Vulnerable Institutionalized Older Adults with Dementia.
Increasing physical activity levels in patients with dementia can reduce pathology severity and progression of the disease. However, physical activity programs can be challenging to adhere to for this vulnerable population. Three novel forms of passive exercise in a multisensory environment may be feasible alternatives for patients who can no longer be involved in physical activity. To determine the feasibility of three different forms of passive exercise in a multisensory environment in inactive institutionalized older adults with dementia. 120 patients with dementia participated in this single blind randomized controlled trial (64.5% female, age 85.3±6.8 years Mini-Mental State Examination range 0-29). Ninety participants were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups: Therapeutic Motion Simulation (TMSim), Whole Body Vibration (WBV), and TMSim + WBV. Participants received 6 weeks of passive exercise, 4 sessions a week, 4 (WBV) to 12 (TMSim and TMSim + WBV) minutes per session. Feasibility of the novel forms of passive exercise was evaluated based on attendance, compliance, (proxy) experience scores, adverse events and drop-out rates. On average 87.9% of the offered intervention sessions were attended. All three forms of passive exercise were well appreciated by the participants (7.3 on a scale from 0 to 10). Intervention related drop-out rates were reasonable (12.2%) and no serious adverse events occurred. The novel passive exercise interventions TMSim, WBV, and TMSim + WBV are feasible to apply in patients at all stages of dementia. More research is needed to establish effectiveness of passive exercise to limit adverse effects of dementia.


[Association of infectious aneurysm and microbial spondylodiscitis: physiopathological hypotheses, diagnostic and therapeutic approach].
Two years after a Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia, in a patient with dermatopolymyositis occurred an infectious aneurysm of abdominal aorta with contiguous pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Coexistence of both pathologies is rare and physiopathological mechanisms still remain uncertain. However, many arguments in the present case report are in favour of the initial responsibility of an infectious aneurysm. Main interest in early diagnosing infectious aneurysm, allowed by new investigations such as magnetic resonance imaging and marked leukocyte bone scanning, is the prevention of major complications. Antibiotherapy and surgical removal of infectious aneurysm must be quickly achieved in every case.


Arthroscopic Coracohumeral Ligament Release for Patients With Frozen Shoulder.
Arthroscopic pancapsular release has been recommended for recalcitrant frozen shoulder, but regaining range of motion has not been sufficient compared with the unaffected side. There is no consensus about the reasons for these remaining restrictions in range of motion, but residual capsular or connective tissue must be considered a candidate. A thickened coracohumeral ligament at the rotator interval has been reported as one of the most specific manifestations of frozen shoulder. It covers wider portions of the subscapularis tendon, supraspinatus tendon, and infraspinatus tendon than previously reported. We describe an arthroscopic surgical technique for the release of the entire coracohumeral ligament including the subscapularis and supraspinatus portions and the release of the inferior and posterior parts of the glenohumeral ligament using the 7-o'clock portal. These procedures are essential and reliable methods to release the entire joint capsule to regain full range of motion for frozen shoulder.


A high-performance seizure detection algorithm based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and EEG.
In the past decade, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), a powerful time-frequency tool, has been widely used in computer-aided signal analysis of epileptic electroencephalography (EEG), such as the detection of seizures. One of the important hurdles in the applications of DWT is the settings of DWT, which are chosen empirically or arbitrarily in previous works. The objective of this study aimed to develop a framework for automatically searching the optimal DWT settings to improve accuracy and to reduce computational cost of seizure detection. To address this, we developed a method to decompose EEG data into 7 commonly used wavelet families, to the maximum theoretical level of each mother wavelet. Wavelets and decomposition levels providing the highest accuracy in each wavelet family were then searched in an exhaustive selection of frequency bands, which showed optimal accuracy and low computational cost. The selection of frequency bands and features removed approximately 40% of redundancies. The developed algorithm achieved promising performance on two well-tested EEG datasets (accuracy >90% for both datasets). The experimental results of the developed method have demonstrated that the settings of DWT affect its performance on seizure detection substantially. Compared with existing seizure detection methods based on wavelet, the new approach is more accurate and transferable among datasets.


Acid-sensing ion and epithelial sodium channels do not contribute to the mechanoreceptor component of the exercise pressor reflex.
Amiloride, injected into the popliteal artery, has been reported to attenuate the reflex pressor response to static contraction of the triceps surae muscles. Both mechanical and metabolic stimuli arising in contracting skeletal muscle are believed to evoke this effect, which has been named the exercise pressor reflex. Amiloride blocks both acid-sensing ion channels, as well as epithelial sodium channels. Nevertheless, amiloride is thought to block the metabolic stimulus to the reflex, because this agent has been shown to attenuate the reflex pressor response to injection of lactic acid into the arterial supply of skeletal muscle. The possibility exists, however, that amiloride may also block mechanical stimuli evoking the exercise pressor reflex. The mechanical component of the reflex can be assessed by measuring renal sympathetic nerve activity during the first 2-5 s of contraction. During this period of time, the sudden tension developed by contraction onset briskly discharges mechanoreceptors, whereas it has little effect on the discharge of metaboreceptors. We, therefore, examined the effect of amiloride (0.5 microg/kg) injected into the popliteal artery on the renal sympathetic and pressor responses to static contraction of the triceps surae muscles in decerebrated cats. We found that amiloride significantly attenuated the pressor and renal sympathetic responses to contraction; for the latter variable, the attenuation started 10 s after the onset of contraction. Our findings lead us to conclude that acid-sensing ion channels and epithelial sodium channels play little, if any, role in evoking the mechanical component of the exercise pressor reflex.


A comparative survey of the prevalence of human parasites found in fresh vegetables sold in supermarkets and open-aired markets in Accra, Ghana.
Consuming raw vegetables offers essential nutrients that one may not get when such vegetables are usually cooked. However, eating them raw may pose a great risk for transmissions of pathogens. Such risks may be influenced by the sources of the vegetables and washing techniques used. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and diversity of parasitic pathogens associated with vegetables sold at the two types of markets in Ghana and compare effectiveness of various washing techniques. We purchased two batches of samples of cabbage, sweet bell pepper, carrot, lettuce, tomato and onion within a two week interval. The vegetables were washed by three methods and the wash solution was concentrated and analyzed for parasites. The prevalent parasites detected were Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (43%) and Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst (16%). Others present were Hookworm ova, Entamoeba histolytica cysts, Giardia lamblia cysts, Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts, Entamoeba coli cysts, Trichuris trichiuria ova, Enterobius vermicularis ova, Isospora belli oocysts and Fasciolopsis buski ova. Contamination was highest in lettuce (61%) and cabbage and the least contaminated was tomato (18%). Contamination of vegetables sold at the open-aired markets was about ten-times that of the supermarkets. In Ghana, the large open-aired markets are the most patronized and serve as a supply point for most corner shops and stalls. The results thus highlight the potential of fresh vegetables serving as a major source of food-borne disease outbreaks and the contribution of open-aired markets to their transmission. Urgent public education on handling of fresh vegetables is recommended.