Recent Advances in Biodegradable Green Electronic Materials and Sensor Applications.
As environmental issues have become the dominant agenda worldwide, the necessity for more environmentally friendly electronics has recently emerged. Accordingly, biodegradable or nature-derived materials for green electronics have attracted increased interest. Initially, metal-green hybrid electronics are extensively studied. Although these materials are partially biodegradable, they have high utility owing to their metallic components. Subsequently, carbon-framed materials (such as graphite, cylindrical carbon nanomaterials, graphene, graphene oxide, laser-induced graphene) have been investigated. This has led to the adoption of various strategies for carbon-based materials, such as blending them with biodegradable materials. Moreover, various conductive polymers have been developed and researchers have studied their potential use in green electronics. Researchers have attempted to fabricate conductive polymer composites with high biodegradability by shortening the polymer chains. Furthermore, various physical, chemical, and biological sensors that are essential to modern society have been studied using biodegradable compounds. These recent advances in green electronics have paved the way toward their application in real life, providing a brighter future for society.


Atypical presentation of tardive dyskinesia associated with risperidone long-acting injection as maintenance treatment in bipolar affective disorder: a case report.
Second-generation antipsychotics have been growingly implicated in the acute and maintenance treatment for bipolar affective disorder (BAD). Risperidone long-acting injection (LAI) has been the first second-generation depot indicated for its maintenance treatment. However, its long-term motor side-effects, especially tardive dyskinesia (TD), has not been commonly reported or studied. The case reported here a bipolar patient with atypical presentation of TD involving only the crico-hyoid region of the neck associated with the use of risperidone LAI in adjunct to lithium and sodium valproate as maintenance therapy.


Open sessile droplet viscometer with low sample consumption.
This paper reports a portable viscometer that requires less than 10 μL of sample for a measurement. Using a two-droplet Laplace-induced pumping system on an open microfluidic substrate, the device measures the viscosity of a liquid by determining the time required for one droplet to completely pump into a second droplet. The pumping behaviour follows the Hagen-Poiseuille and Laplace relations where the flow rate, Q, is proportional to the liquid's kinematic viscosity, μ. The progress of pumping is measured by tracking the change in curvature of one of the droplets using a laser that is positioned perpendicular to the microfluidic chip and directed at the "tail" of the shrinking droplet. The angle of incidence and degree of refraction changes depending on the size of the droplet, which is tracked by a linear diode array placed beneath the microfluidic chip. Droplet reservoirs and connecting channels were defined by precise patterning of a glass substrate coated with a commercially available omniphobic coating (Ultra Ever Dry®) using laser micromachining. A 500 μm wide and 20 mm long channel with circular reservoirs (d = 1.5 mm) enabled the measurement of dynamic viscosities in the range of η = 1.0-2.87 mPa s. The materials cost for the entire viscometer (fluidics and electronics, etc.) is <15 USD.


Fetal deformations: a risk factor for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy?
The purpose of this report is to discuss the association of brachial plexus palsy and congenital deformations. We reviewed all charts of patients less than 1 year of age with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy evaluated by one of the authors (IA) between January 1998 and October 2005 at Miami Children's Hospital Brachial Plexus Center. Of 158 patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, 7 had deformations (4.4%). Deformations were present in 32% of patients delivered by cesarean section, but in only 2% of patients delivered vaginally. The deformations were ipsilateral, involving the chest in two patients, distal arms in two patients, proximal arm in one patient, ear in one patient, and the leg in one patient. All patients with deformations had unilateral Erb's palsies. None had a history of maternal uterine malformation. Two presumptive mechanisms of injury, one causing the deformation (compressive forces) and one causing brachial plexus palsy at the time of delivery (traction forces), were present in all cases. The higher incidence of deformation in patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy born by cesarean sections and the presence of two presumptive mechanisms in all of the cases presented here raises the possibility that fetal deformations are a risk factor for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.


Rescue of Discarded Grafts for Liver Transplantation by Ex Vivo Subnormothermic and Normothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion: First Experience in Spain.
Ex vivo machine perfusion (MP) has been reported as a possibly method to rescue discarded organs. The main aim of this study was to report an initial experience in Spain using MP for the rescue of severely marginal discarded liver grafts, and to, secondarily, define markers of viability to test the potential applicability of these devices for the real increase in the organ donor pool. The study began in January 2016. Discarded grafts were included in a research protocol that consisted of standard retrieval followed by 10 hours of cold ischemia. Next, either normothermic (NMP) or controlled subnormothermic (subNMP) rewarming was chosen randomly. Continuous measurements of portal-arterial pressure and resistance were screened. Lactate, pH, and bicarbonate were measured every 30 minutes. The perfusion period was 6 hours, after which the graft was discarded and evaluated as potentially usable, but never implanted. Biopsies of the donor and at 2, 4, and 6 hours after ex vivo MP were obtained. A total of 4 grafts were included in the protocol. The first 2 grafts were perfused by NMP and grafts 3 and 4 by subNMP. The second and third grafts showed a clear trend toward optimal recovery and may have been used. Lactate dropped to levels below 2.5 mmol/L with stable arterial and portal pressure and resistance. Clear biliary output started during MP. Biopsies showed an improvement of liver architecture with reduced inflammation at the end of the perfusion. This preliminary experience has demonstrated the potential of MP devices for the rescue of severely marginal liver grafts. Lactate and biliary output were useful for viability testing of the grafts. The utility of NMP or subNMP protocols requires further research.


Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in a lung transplant recipient.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a rare condition in which some of the pulmonary veins empty into the systemic venous system. The presence of PAPVR in a lung transplant recipient may cause technical challenges during transplantation. We present a technique for left atrial reconstruction when faced with a recipient with PAPVR. The patient had a left superior pulmonary vein that emptied into the brachiocephalic vein without a left atrial connection. Because of the discrepancy in size of the 2 donor and the single recipient pulmonary veins, left atrial reconstruction was performed before venous anastomosis.


Mechano-transduction of DNA hybridization and dopamine oxidation through electrodeposited chitosan network.
While microcantilevers offer exciting opportunities for mechano-detection, they often suffer from limitations in either sensitivity or selectivity. To address these limitations, we electrodeposited a chitosan film onto a cantilever surface and mechano-transduced detection events through the chitosan network. Our first demonstration was the detection of nucleic acid hybridization. In this instance, we electrodeposited the chitosan film onto the cantilever, biofunctionalized the film with oligonucleotide probe, and detected target DNA hybridization by cantilever bending in solution (static mode) or resonant frequency shifts in air (dynamic mode). In both detection modes, we observed a two-order of magnitude increase in sensitivity compared to values reported in literature for DNA immobilized on self-assembled monolayers. In our second demonstration, we coupled electrochemical and mechanical modes to selectively detect the neurotransmitter dopamine. A chitosan-coated cantilever was biased to electrochemically oxidize dopamine solution. Dopamine's oxidation products react with the chitosan film and create a tensile stress of approximately 1.7 MPa, causing substantial cantilever bending. A control experiment was performed with ascorbic acid solution. It was shown that the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid does not lead to reactions with chitosan and does not change cantilever bending. These results suggest that chitosan can confer increased sensitivity and selectivity to microcantilever sensors.


The Association of Employee Engagement at Work With Health Risks and Presenteeism.
Employee engagement is a key factor in work performance and employee retention. The current study seeks to examine the relationship between employee engagement and health risks and productivity. In 2012, employees of a global financial services corporation participated in a health risk appraisal (HRA) which measured employee engagement, health risks, and on-the-job productivity loss (presenteeism). Three engagement categories were created. The highest engaged employees had significantly fewer health risk factors (69.7% overall low-risk status; 1.91 average health risks) and significantly less presenteeism (7.7%) than the mid engagement (67.9% low-risk, 1.98 risks, 9.2% presenteeism) and worst engagement (55.0% low-risk, 2.53 risks, 14.0% presenteeism) groups. Work engagement appears to be good for both the organization and the individual. Organizations may wish to make use of strategies which increase employee engagement.


Fracture resistance of endodontically treated roots with oval canals restored with oval and circular posts.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of post space preparations with circular and oval post drills and the placement of oval and circular posts on the fracture strength of roots with oval canals. Seventy mandibular premolars with oval root canals were decoronated. Fourteen teeth were used as a control group (group 1), and the root canals of the remaining teeth were prepared up to size #30. The root canals were filled, and the samples were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups as follows: post space preparation with circular-shaped drills (group 2), post space preparation with oval-shaped drills (group 3), circular post placement (group 4), and oval post placement (group 5). A fracture strength test was performed on each specimen, and the data were statistically evaluated using 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. The fracture strengths of the circular posts-placed group were higher than those of the oval post-placed group (P < .001). The post space preparation using oval-shaped drills significantly decreased the fracture strength of the roots compared with the control group (P < .001). Within the limitations of the present study, oval posts did not provide a higher fracture resistance to endodontically treated roots with oval canals compared with circular posts. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that oval posts are similar to circular posts in terms of enhancing the fracture resistance of roots with oval canals.


A comparison of whole genome sequencing with exome sequencing for family-based association studies.
As the cost of DNA sequencing decreases, association studies based on whole genome sequencing are now becoming feasible. It is still unclear, however, how much more we could gain from whole genome sequencing compared to exome sequencing, which has been widely used to study a variety of diseases. In this project, we performed a comparison between whole genome sequencing and exome sequencing for family-based association analysis using data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 18. Whole genome sequencing was able to identify several significant hits within intergenic regions. However, the increased cost of multiple testing counteracted the benefits and resulted in a higher false discovery rate. Our results suggest that exome sequencing is a cost-effective way to identify disease-related variants. With the decreasing sequencing cost and accumulating knowledge of the human genome, whole genome sequencing has the potential to identify important variants in regulatory regions typically inaccessible for exome sequencing.


Cardiac systolic function in patients receiving hematopoetic stem cell transplantation: risk factors for posttransplantation cardiac toxicity.
One hundred eleven patients who received 125 hematopoetic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) with myeloablative conditioning regimens were retrospectively evaluated for the development of cardiac toxicity (CT). The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of cardiac complications in patients receiving HSCT and to investigate the value of pretransplantation variables to predict posttransplantation CT. Severe grade III-IV CT was not observed in this cohort, in whom pretransplantation eligibility criteria excluded the patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% or less. Grade I-II CT was seen in 13.4% patients. Patients with a history of previous mediastinal radiotherapy, high doses of anthracycyclines, and a longer interval between diagnosis and treatment were found to have higher risk of developing CT. Pretransplantation ferritin levels and the type of HSCT did not seem to have an effect on posttransplantation cardiac complications. Our results indicated that CT was managable in patients with a LVEF of at least 50%.


Pancreatic Cancer Following Acute Pancreatitis: A Population-based Matched Cohort Study.
Acute pancreatitis is linked to pancreatic cancer, but the direction of this association is not fully elaborated. This was a population-based cohort study including all Swedish residents diagnosed with a first-time episode of acute pancreatitis between 1997 and 2013 and corresponding matched pancreatitis-free individuals from the general population. Hazard ratios for the association between acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. Overall, 49,749 individuals with acute pancreatitis and 138,750 matched individuals without acute pancreatitis were followed up for 1,192,134 person-years (median 5.3 years). A total of 769 individuals developed pancreatic cancer, of whom 536 (69.7%) had a history of acute pancreatitis. The risk of pancreatic cancer was substantially increased during the first few years after a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis but declined gradually over time, reaching a level comparable to the pancreatitis-free population after >10 years of follow-up. In those with non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis, the risk of pancreatic cancer declined to a level comparable to the pancreatitis-free population only when follow-up time was censored for a second episode of acute pancreatitis or a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Increasing number of recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis was associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. These findings imply a delay in the diagnosis of pre-existing pancreatic cancer, if clinically presented as acute pancreatitis. Any association between non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in the long-term (>10 years) could be mediated through recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis.


[Sex differences in interpersonal behavior as factors regulating junior high school students' adjustment].
This study examined the relationship between junior high school students' interpersonal behavior styles and their adjustment to school. Active self-assertion, egoistic self-assertion, and exclusive attitudes toward other small group members were used as factors of interpersonal behavior. A questionnaire was completed by 710 students in the first year of junior high school. The following significant results were obtained. Girls whose active self-assertion and exclusive attitude scores were high, or all factors scores were high, were satisfied with their friends and school. Boys whose interpersonal behavior was passive were the least satisfied with their friends and school. In addition, boys and girls whose active self-assertion scores were high studied very diligently. The relationships among active self-assertion, egoistic self-assertion, and exclusive attitudes toward other small group members by junior high school students had a great influence on their adjustment to school.


Interleukin-6 and Epstein-Barr virus induction by cyclosporine A: potential role in lymphoproliferative disease.
Posttransplant patients undergoing prolonged cyclosporine A (CsA) immunosuppressive therapy have been reported to have increased incidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. We undertook experiments to analyze the possible actions of CsA during EBV-infection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). EBV-infected B cells cultured with CsA demonstrated increased EBV B-cell outgrowth as compared with those cultured without CsA. PBMC, after infection with EBV and CsA treatment, demonstrated increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity in the culture supernatant. The induction of IL-6 appears to differ within the various lymphocyte populations. In monocytes, IL-6 expression appears preferentially induced by EBV and is initiated by the binding of the two major virion glycoproteins, gp350 and gp220. Expression of IL-6 in T cells appears to be due mainly to CsA. B cells also express IL-6 after EBV exposure, but not after CsA treatment. EBV-immortalized B-cell lines cultured with CsA exhibited both an increased number of cells expressing viral lytic-cycle antigens and increased amounts of lytic-cycle proteins. IL-6, which is induced by CsA in PBMC, was also capable of inducing the lytic viral cycle in several EBV-immortalized cells. CsA, in promoting both increased numbers of lytic EBV B cells and an EBV paracrine factor, IL-6, within the microenvironment of EBV B cell:T cell and EBV B cell:monocyte interactions, may result in increased EBV B-cell immortalization and ultimately lead to the promotion of B-cell lymphomas in immunosuppressed patients.


The presence of at least two different H-blood-group-related beta-D-gal alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferases in human serum and the genetics of blood group H substances.
Sera from H normal, secretors and nonsecretors (H/-, Se/- and H/-, se/se), as well as from H-deficient secretors (h/h, Se/- or Bombay secretors) contain enzyme(s) for the transfer of L-fucose in the alpha-configuration to the 2-position of suitable beta-D-galactopyranosyl units. Sera from H-deficient nonsecretors (h/h, se/se; i.e., Bombay nonsecretors) are devoid of such beta-D-Gal alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase(s). In order to study these enzymes, a comparison was made of the kinetic properties of the enzymes present in the sera of H-normal nonsecretors (H/-, se/se) with those of H-deficient secretors (h/h, Se/se) with those of H-deficient secretors (h/h, Se/-). These studies revealed a clear difference between the two sources of enzyme: (1) the apparent Km for GDP-fucose was four times lower with the H-normal nonsecretor serum (0.008 mM) than with the H-deficient secretor serum (0.028 mM); (2) acceptors with a type 1 or type 3 chain proved to be better than acceptors with a type 2 chain or than phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside for the enzyme present in the serum of H-deficient secretor individuals. Indeed, the synthetic type 2 compound, betaDGal (1-->4)-3-deoxy-beta-DGlcNAc-1-OCH3, which cannot act as an acceptor of beta DGlcNAc alpha-3/4-L-fucosyltransferases, remained unchanged in the serum of an H-deficient secretor but was a good acceptor in the serum of an H-normal nonsecretor, and (3) the alpha-2-L fucosyltransferease activity of the H-deficient secretor serum was more sensitive to heat inactivation than that of the H-normal nonsecretor serum (t1/2 at 46 degrees C were 10 min and 75 min, respectively). These results show that at least two distinct alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferases are present in human serum. It is concluded that the enzymatic activity found in the H-deficient secretor serum (h/h, Se/-) could be the product of the Se gene and the enzymatic activity found in the H-normal nonsecretor serum (H/-, se/se) could be the product of the H gene. This conclusion correlates well with the finding that H and Se genes are closely linked and might have derived by gene duplication in the course of evolution.


Secnidazole concentrations in plasma and crevicular fluid after a single oral dose.
Metronidazole and related nitroimidazole derivatives, including ornidazole and tinidazole, have been used successfully in the treatment of periodontal diseases. The purpose of this study was to measure secnidazole (another nitroimidazole derivative) concentrations in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) after intake of a single oral dose. Secnidazole concentrations were estimated in 11 human healthy volunteers after a single dose of 2 g taken orally. Samples of blood and GCF were collected before intake and during the following 72 h. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of secnidazole in microsamples (1 to 3 microliters) of GCF. The mean peak blood and GCF levels were equal to 40.5 +/- 9.4 micrograms ml-1 at 2 h in blood and 26.4 +/- 7.0 micrograms ml-1 at 1 h in GCF, respectively. Apparent elimination half-life was 28.8 h (blood) and 30.4 h (GCF), respectively. These results show that the rate and extent-absorption of secnidazole are slightly higher in blood than in GCF, but the elimination of the drug is similar in the two body fluids.


The need for orthodontic treatment: a periodontist's point of view.
Data at hand suggests that occlusal traumatism is not causally related to gingival inflammation. Nor does occlusal traumatism affect the severity of existing inflammation. While an effect of occlusal traumatism on the spread of inflammation has been postulated, most observations seem to question such an interaction. Malposition of teeth has not been proven to be an etiologic factor in inflammatory periodontal disease nor could the degree of periodontal disease severity be consistently associated with improper tooth position. While malposed teeth may make plaque removal more difficult, specific oral hygiene measures should overcome this handicap. Orthodontic appliances may act as local gingival irritants, either directly or as plaque accumulants, and should be designed to minimize such irritations. Finally, orthodontic treatment, by properly aligning tilted or drifted teeth which also exhibit infraosseous lesions, may improve periodontal therapy at such sites.


Tumor suppressor PTEN is a physiologic suppressor of chemoattractant-mediated neutrophil functions.
The recruitment and activation of neutrophils at infected tissues is essential for host defense against invading microorganisms. However, excessive neutrophil recruitment or activation can also damage the surrounding tissues and cause unwanted inflammation. Hence, the responsiveness of neutrophils needs to be tightly regulated. In this study, we have investigated the functional role of tumor suppressor PTEN in neutrophils by using a mouse line in which PTEN is disrupted only in myeloid-derived cells. Chemoattractant-stimulated PTEN(-/-) neutrophils displayed significantly higher Akt phosphorylation and actin polymerization. A larger fraction of these neutrophils displayed membrane ruffles in response to chemoattractant stimulation. In addition, chemoattractant-induced transwell migration and superoxide production were also augmented. Single-cell chemotaxis assays showed that PTEN(-/-) neutrophils have a small (yet statistically significant) defect in directionality. However, these neutrophils also showed an increase in cell speed. As a result, overall chemotaxis, which depends on speed and directionality, was not affected. Consistent with the increased responsiveness of PTEN(-/-) neutrophils, the in vivo recruitment of these cells to the inflamed peritoneal cavity was significantly enhanced. Thus, as a physiologic-negative regulator, PTEN should be a promising therapeutic target for modulating neutrophil functions in various infectious and inflammatory diseases.


An automated image analysis system for the detection of rare autoradiographically labelled cells in the human lymphocyte HGPRT variant assay.
This paper describes a fast and accurate method for the identification of autoradiographically labelled human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) variant lymphocytes on slide preparations using a high-speed computer image analysis system--the Fast Interval Processor (FIP). The system has been developed primarily for the analysis of cultured human peripheral blood lymphocyte populations in which the frequency of labelled cells may vary from less than one to more than 2,000 in every 10,000 cells. Evaluation experiments have demonstrated the excellent performance of FIP in the counting of labelled and total cells over this frequency range.


Doubly Reentrant Cavities Prevent Catastrophic Wetting Transitions on Intrinsically Wetting Surfaces.
Omniphobic surfaces, that is, which repel all known liquids, have proven of value in applications ranging from membrane distillation to underwater drag reduction. A limitation of currently employed omniphobic surfaces is that they rely on perfluorinated coatings, increasing cost and environmental impact and preventing applications in harsh environments. Thus, there is a keen interest in rendering conventional materials, such as plastics, omniphobic by micro/nanotexturing rather than via chemical makeup, with notable success having been achieved for silica surfaces with doubly reentrant micropillars. However, we found a critical limitation of microtextures comprising pillars that they undergo catastrophic wetting transitions (apparent contact angles, θr → 0° from θr > 90°) in the presence of localized physical damages/defects or on immersion in wetting liquids. In response, a doubly reentrant cavity microtexture is introduced, which can prevent catastrophic wetting transitions in the presence of localized structural damage/defects or on immersion in wetting liquids. Remarkably, our silica surfaces with doubly reentrant cavities could exhibit apparent contact angles, θr ≈ 135° for mineral oil, where the intrinsic contact angle, θo ≈ 20°. Further, when immersed in mineral oil or water, doubly reentrant microtextures in silica (θo ≈ 40° for water) were not penetrated even after several days of investigation. Thus, microtextures comprising doubly reentrant cavities might enable applications of conventional materials without chemical modifications, especially in scenarios that are prone to localized damages or immersion in wetting liquids, for example, hydrodynamic drag reduction and membrane distillation.


Mineralization of Poly(vinyl alcohol) by Ozone Microbubbles under a Wide Range of pH Conditions.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a well-known recalcitrant pollutant that threatens ecological systems and human health. In this study, ozone-microbubble treatment was evaluated as a physicochemical method to mineralize PVA in solution for wastewater treatment. Microbubbles are very small bubbles (<50 μm in diameter) and shrink in water because of the rapid dissolution of the interior gas. Ozone microbubbles were generated by a hybrid microbubble generator in PVA solutions with pH conditions of 2, 7, and 10. Ordinary ozone bubbling was also performed as control tests. The change in the total-organic-carbon content was measured to evaluate the efficiency of the system for wastewater treatment. Ordinary ozone bubbling was not able to mineralize aqueous PVA solutions under nonalkaline conditions, and approximately 30% of the total organic carbon remained at pH 2 and 7. Conversely, ozone microbubbles effectively mineralized PVA in aqueous solution to almost 0% in total organic carbon regardless of the pH condition. Effective mineralization of PVA, a recalcitrant organic chemical, demonstrates the potential of ozone-microbubble systems for physicochemical wastewater treatment.


Abutment region dosimetry for the monoisocentric three-beam split field technique in the head and neck region using asymmetrical collimators.
Creating non-divergent field edges using asymmetric collimators and a single isocentre can improve matchline dosimetry owing to decreased reliance on operator skills and avoidance of couch movement. However, asymmetic jaws have an associated tolerance that can cause abutment to be misaligned. The matching area dose for monoisocentric three-beam split fields commonly used in head and neck cancer treatments using mismatched and matched collimators is the subject of this work. X-ray verification film was exposed in a solid-water phantom, and the dose at the matching area was evaluated using mismatched and matched collimators. In the case of mismatched (consistently overlapped) collimators, digital displays of an asymmetric collimator position within the tolerance indicated in the manufacturer's specifications were investigated for the three-beam split field technique. The effect of this technique on the junctional dose was also determined using matched collimators. Although the collimators showed a consistent overlap, a perfect dose distribution could be obtained at the matching area. The three-beam split field technique yielded an 8% overdose at the matchline using matched collimators. In conclusion, an awareness of the effects of the abutting technique and digital display tolerance is necessary to achieve good junction uniformity using asymmetric collimators.


Regulation of nitrite resistance of the cytochrome cbb3 oxidase by cytochrome c ScyA in Shewanella oneidensis.
Cytochrome c proteins, as enzymes to exchange electrons with substrates or as pure electron carriers to shuttle electrons, play vital roles in bacterial respiration and photosynthesis. In Shewanella oneidensis, a research model for the respiratory diversity, at least 42 c-type cytochromes are predicted to be encoded in the genome and are regarded to be the foundation of its highly branched electron transport pathways. However, only a small number of c-type cytochromes have been extensively studied. In this study, we identify soluble cytochrome c ScyA as an important factor influencing the nitrite resistance of a strain devoid of the bd oxidase by utilizing a newly developed transposon mutagenesis vector, which enables overexpression of the gene(s) downstream of the insertion site. We show that when in overabundance ScyA facilitates growth against nitrite inhibition by enhancing nitrite resistance of the cbb3 oxidase. Based on the data presented in this study, we suggest two possible mechanisms underlying the observed effect of ScyA: (1) ScyA increases electron flow to the cbb3 oxidase; (2) ScyA promotes nitrite resistance of the cbb3 oxidase, possibly by direct interaction.


Systolic time intervals for left and right ventricles of swine.
Because swine are used often in cardiovascular research, and because systolic time intervals (durations of preejection and ejection) are useful in evaluating the ventricular function in health and disease and the effects of drugs on ventricular function, systolic time intervals for left and right ventricles were obtained from 12 healthy anesthetized shoats. Catheter-tip micromamonmeters were placed just distal to the semilunar valves, and pressure pulses from these positions in the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk were simultaneously recorded with an electrocardiograph at paper speed of 200 mm/second on a photographic oscillograph. Equations of regression relating preejection period (PEP) and ejection time (ET) for the left ventricle (L) to heart rate (HR) are as follows: PEPL = 53 + 0.56 HR ETL = 329 -- 0.94 HR Systolic time intervals for the right ventricle did not relate to heart rate.


Efficacy and safety of a non-acetylated salicylate, choline magnesium trisalicylate, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The results of three double-blind, multicentre trials are reviewed to compare the efficacy of acetysalicylic acid (ASA) and a non-acetylated salicylate, choline magnesium trisalicylate (CMT), in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In each trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive comparable doses of salicylate as either ASA or CMT. Mean values for clinical indicators of rheumatoid arthritis (number of painful joints, articular index, number of swollen joints, swelling index, duration of morning stiffness) showed similar or greater improvement among groups of patients receiving CMT, compared to those receiving ASA. In addition, the incidence of gastro-intestinal side-effects was lower among patients receiving CMT.


Experimental therapy of HPV16 induced tumors with IL12 expressed by recombinant vaccinia virus in mice.
Recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from strain Praha, clone P13, and strain MVA were used for intratumoral delivery and expression of IL12 genes in tumors induced by HPV16 E6+E7 oncogenes in mice. Intratumoral injection of 10(3) PFU of P13-IL12 virus resulted in an increase of intra-tumoral IL12 on days 6-13, while only low levels of IL12 were found in sera. After the inoculation of 10(6) PFU of MVA-IL12, the same levels of IL12 were found as in animals injected with control virus. The intratumoral inoculation of 10(3) PFU P13-IL12 resulted in only approximately 30% of the tumors being virus positive, which was a consequence of reduced multiplication of the recombinant virus in vivo. The number of virus-positive tumors was not increased by repeated inoculations on three consecutive days. Intratumoral therapy with a dose of 10(3) PFU of P13-IL12 slowed down the growth of TC1 tumors, but never caused their regression. When local P13-IL12 treatment was combined with antigen-specific, DNA-vaccination therapy, no synergy between the two treatments was observed. The treatment with IL12-expressing virus retarded tumor growth to some degree, but did not change the number of regressing tumors. The highest efficacy of intra-tumoral P13-IL12 therapy was observed when the TC-1/A9 cell subline, with downregulated MHC class I expression, was used. TC-1/A9 tumors are less refractory to treatment with 10(3) P13-IL12/EL than are parental TC-1 cells.


Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes of New 8-Hydroxyquinoline Schiff Bases: Investigating Their Structure, Solution Speciation, and Anticancer Potential.
We report the synthesis and characterization of three novel Schiff bases (L1-L3) derived from the condensation of 2-carbaldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline with amines containing morpholine or piperidine moieties. These were reacted with CuCl2 and ZnCl2 yielding six new coordination compounds, with the general formula ML2, where M = Cu(II) or Zn(II) and L = L1-L3, which were all characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-visible absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), or electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)), and mass spectrometric techniques, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, two Cu(II) complexes, with L1 and L2, are obtained as dinuclear compounds, with relatively short Cu-Cu distances (3.146 and 3.171 Å for Cu2(L1)4 and Cu2(L2)4, respectively). The free ligands show moderate lipophilicity, while their complexes are more lipophilic. The pKa values of L1-L3 and formation constants of the complex (for ML and ML2) species were determined by spectrophotometric titrations, with the Cu(II) complexes showing higher stability than the Zn(II) complexes. EPR indicated the presence of several species in solution as pH varied and binding modes were proposed. The binding of the complexes to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated by fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. All complexes bind BSA, and as demonstrated by CD, the process takes several hours to reach equilibrium. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated in malignant melanoma cells (A375) and in noncancerous keratinocytes (HaCaT). All complexes display significant cytotoxicity (IC50 < 10 μM) but modest selectivity. The complexes show higher activity than the free ligands, the Cu(II) complexes being more active than the Zn(II) complexes, and approximately twice more cytotoxic than cisplatin. A Guava ViaCount assay corroborated the antiproliferative activity.


Predicted distributed state effects on enhanced biological phosphorus removal in a 5-stage Bardenpho wastewater treatment configuration.
Conventional wastewater treatment simulation programs use a "lumped" approach, where process rates are calculated using bulk concentrations of biomass and microbial storage products. A recently developed distributed, or agent-based, approach, where individual bacteria are modeled to account for their potentially variable hydraulic experiences, was applied to the 5-stage Bardenpho process, a type of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) that includes internal recycle flows, which were hypothesized to affect distributed state development. Consistent with previous results, the EBPR predicted performance was worse according to the distributed approach than the lumped approach. In addition, increasing the internal recycle rate increased the anoxic reactor nitrate concentrations, tending to decrease EBPR performance. However, in the distributed approach, differences in the state distributions in internal recycle-linked reactors decreased with increasing recycle flow, tending to improve EBPR. These phenomena tend to have simultaneous and opposite effects on EBPR. The net effect will depend largely on the specific systems and the nitrate concentration in anoxic reactors.


Long non-coding RNA SNHG7 promotes malignant melanoma progression through negative modulation of miR-9.
Long non-coding small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (lncRNA SNHG7) was verified to act as an onco-gene in human cancers. Nevertheless, the role of SNHG7 in malignant melanoma remains elusive. The present study showed an increase of SNHG7 expression in malignant melanoma tissues and cell lines. Besides, SNHG7 knockdown inhibited proliferation and migration in malignant melanoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that SNHG7 functions as a molecular sponge for miR-9 in biological behavior of melanoma cells. And miR-9 could inhibit the expression of PI3KR3 by binding with the 3'-UTR. Furthermore, PI3KR3, pAKT, cyclin D1 and Girdin expression was down-regulated after SNHG7 knockdown by siRNA. In addition, SNHG7 knockdown decreased xenograft growth in vivo. Taken together, this research demonstrated that SNHG7 was an oncogene in malignant melanoma, providing a novel insight for the pathogenesis and new potential therapeutic target for malignant melanoma.


Von Willebrand factor, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and risk of cardiovascular disease: the framingham offspring study.
Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is inconsistently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This might be explained by associations of vWF with type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. We tested whether vWF predicted incident CVD in 3799 Framingham Offspring Study participants, and in particular, among those with type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance. During 11 years of follow-up, 351 participants developed CVD. In proportional hazards models (with adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and treatment with aspirin, insulin, antihypertensives, and lipid-lowering medications) with the lowest quartile of the vWF distribution as the referent, the hazard ratio (HR) for CVD was 0.94 in the second quartile, 0.98 in the third, and 1.32 in the highest (P=0.04 for trend). Additional adjustment for type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance (homeostasis model) partially attenuated the association (multivariable HRs for top quartile 1.28 and 1.21, respectively). We then stratified the models by diabetes status or the homeostasis model of insulin resistance distribution (top quartile versus lower 3 quartiles). vWF was associated with CVD among participants with diabetes mellitus (HR for top quartile relative to bottom 1.47, P=0.04 for trend) but not among nondiabetic participants (HR 1.15, P=0.5) and similarly among insulin-resistant (HR 1.50, P=0.01) but not insulin-sensitive (HR 1.02, P=0.9) participants. Higher levels of vWF were associated with risk of CVD in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance, which suggests that vWF may be a risk factor unique to these populations.


Persistence of Leishmania donovani antibodies in past visceral leishmaniasis cases in India.
The persistence of anti-Leishmania donovani antibodies in past visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases was retrospectively assessed by means of the direct agglutination test (DAT) and the rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody titers remained high for an extended period of time in past cases of VL. These results highlight the need to carefully elicit the history of patients with VL symptoms.


Does gait continue to improve 2 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy?
Although changes in the gait pattern of children with spastic diplegia 1 year after selective dorsal rhizotomy have been well documented, minimal information exists regarding the continued changes in the gait pattern over time. Despite improvements in gait after rhizotomy, 66-75% of patients still require orthopaedic surgery for residual deformities. The optimal timing of the orthopaedic surgery after selective dorsal rhizotomy is not well established because of the lack of information regarding changes in gait over a long term. Using three-dimensional gait analysis, the gait pattern of 23 children was evaluated preoperatively, 1 and 2 years postoperatively. There were significant improvements in hip, knee, and ankle motion at 1 year after surgery. Although improvements in the gait pattern were found between 1 and 2 years after surgery, the changes were not significant. Therefore orthopaedic intervention may be undertaken at 1 year after rhizotomy to enhance function, as changes in gait from 1 to 2 years after rhizotomy are minimal.


A posttranscriptional mechanism that controls Ptbp1 abundance in the Xenopus epidermis.
The output of alternative splicing depends on the cooperative or antagonistic activities of several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), like Ptbp1 and Esrp1 in Xenopus. Fine-tuning of the RBP abundance is therefore of prime importance to achieve tissue- or cell-specific splicing patterns. Here, we addressed the mechanisms leading to the high expression of the ptbp1 gene, which encodes Ptbp1, in Xenopus epidermis. Two splice isoforms of ptbp1 mRNA differ by the presence of an alternative exon 11, and only the isoform including exon 11 can be translated to a full-length protein. In vivo minigene assays revealed that the nonproductive isoform was predominantly produced. Knockdown experiments demonstrated that Esrp1, which is specific to the epidermis, strongly stimulated the expression of ptbp1 by favoring the productive isoform. Consequently, knocking down esrp1 phenocopied ptbp1 inactivation. Conversely, Ptbp1 repressed the expression of its own gene by favoring the nonproductive isoform. Hence, a complex posttranscriptional mechanism controls Ptbp1 abundance in Xenopus epidermis: skipping of exon 11 is the default splicing pattern, but Esrp1 stimulates ptbp1 expression by favoring the inclusion of exon 11 up to a level that is limited by Ptbp1 itself. These results decipher a posttranscriptional mechanism that achieves various abundances of the ubiquitous RBP Ptbp1 in different tissues.


The usefulness of learning contracts in nurse education: the Irish perspective.
This paper explores current literature on the topic of learning contracts. Learning contracts emerge as a useful teaching and learning aid that foster independent learning among students. Students report freedom in learning and an increased sense of resp onsibility. Limitations of contract learning include the possibility of increased student stress and difficulty using the contract with students who have a traditional expectation of the educational system. From the teachers perspective, the contracts al low students to take more responsibility for learning, however they are a time consuming exercise that could prove unmanageable with large class sizes, particularly if the student/teacher ratio is not sufficient. Using the available literature on the top ic the author describes the introduction of contract learning to clinical placements for general diploma nursing students in the first year of their training. The response from the students is positive and from the teacher's perspective, they are creativ e learning devise that enhance student learning.


Lethal endometrial recurrence after cone biopsy for microinvasive cervical adenocarcinoma.
The follow up of microinvasive cervical adenocarcinoma treated conservatively is difficult because recurrences are often out of range and Pap smears difficult to interpret. A 30-year-old woman with a microinvasive adenocarcinoma with clear, but narrow, margins on cone biopsy was treated conservatively. After 2 years of close follow up in which no recurrence was detected, dilatation and curettage performed for infertility revealed adenocarcinoma invading secretory endometrium. The carcinoma resembled her cervical adenocarcinoma histologically, immunohistochemically and was HPV DNA 16 positive. A radical hysterectomy showed carcinoma involving the entire endometrium and the uppermost 3 mm of the endocervical canal, but sparing the remainder of the cervix. The patient died of disseminated carcinoma at the age of 34 years. The location of the recurrence was the reason it escaped detection for so long despite close follow up.


Clinical comparison of the nitrosoureas.
The nitrosourea group of antitumor agents was developed by the Division of Cancer Treatment of the National Cancer Institute. Three nitrosoureas (BCNU, CCNU, MeCCNU) have undergone extensive clinical trials, and two of them (BCNU, CCNU) will soon become commercially available. This paper briefly considers the preclinical development of the nitrosoureas and provides an overview and comparison of the extensive clinical data. Information is given regarding any clinical differences. We discuss general conclusions drawn from the nitrosourea development.


Complete Tubal Abortion: A Rare Form of Ectopic Pregnancy.
Tubal abortion is characterized by the extrusion of an ectopic product of conception implanted in the fallopian tube through the abdominal ostium into the peritoneal cavity. It can be either complete or incomplete and may lead to severe bleeding. Recognition of a complete tubal abortion may be challenging but is essential because it allows conservative management which make possible preservation of tubal function and fertility without the need for further cytostatic therapy. A case of a 30 years-old woman admitted for lower abdominal pain is reported.The level of hCG was 659.2 mU/mL and transvaginal ultrasound reveled a fluid collection in the pouch of Douglas. Laparoscopy was subsequently performed for the suspicion of ectopic pregnancy with hemoperitoneum. Corroborating the hCG dynamics with the laparoscopic findings, the diagnosis of complete tubal abortion was established. The histopathological examination confirmed the presence of intermediate trophoblastic cells in the tissue collected during laparoscopy. Ultrasound examination helps recognition of hemoperitoneum but adds little value to the diagnosis of tubal abortion. Laparoscopic findings alone are only suggestive for complete tubal abortion but in combination with hCG dynamics, the diagnosis can be established. Conservative management might be sufficient in complete tubal abortion and ensures preservation of tubal function and fertility.


Two clusters of charged residues located in the electropositive face of the von Willebrand factor A1 domain are essential for heparin binding.
The VWF A1 domain seems to possess two heparin binding regions (residues 565-587 and 633-648) displaying positively charged amino acids, but the overall polyanion-A1 domain interaction scheme remains essentially elusive. To probe this molecular reaction as well as the role of electrostatic forces in VWF-heparin interaction, we performed mutagenesis and molecular modeling experiments. Fifteen mutated rVWFs were expressed [R571A, K572A, R573A, K585A, R571A/K572A/R573A, R578A/R579A, R578A/R579A/K585A, R571A/K572A/R573A/R578A/R579A/K585A (6A), K642G, K643G, K644G, K645G, K642G/K645G, K643G/K644G, and K642G/K643G/K644G/K645G (4G)]. Experimental results indicate that the multimeric structure of the mutants was similar to that of wild-type (WT) rVWF and that all rVWFs displayed normal binding to four conformation-dependent mAbs directed against the A1 domain. Three variants displayed significant reductions in the level of heparin binding. The 6A variant showed 39.2 +/- 1.3% of the WT rVWF level (p < 0.005), while mutants K643G/K644G and 4G showed 63.6 +/- 3.2 and 53.3 +/- 5% of the WT rVWF level, respectively (p < 0.005). Computational investigations showed that one face of the A1 domain is strongly electropositive, indicating that electrostatic forces should be essential in steering heparin onto its binding site. In agreement with our experimental data, the most striking alterations of the electrostatic potential contours were seen for mutants 4G, K643G/K644G, and 6A. Our data suggest that two clusters, one at positions 571-573, 578, 579, and 585 and the other at positions 642-645, act in concert for the recognition of heparin, forming a single extended binding surface across the electropositive face of the VWF A1 domain. A structural model of the VWF A1 domain-heparin complex is proposed, taking into account both experimental and computer modeling data.


Perceptibility of defects in an aluminum test object: a comparison of the RVG-S and first generation VIXA systems with and without added niobium filtration.
To compare the first generation VIXA (Gendex, Milan, Italy) and the RVG-S (Trophy Radiologie, Vincennes, France) for detection of defects in an aluminium test object at various exposures both with and without added niobium filtration. Images of a 7 mm aluminium test object with defects ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mm with standardized projection geometry. Seven dentists acted as observers. Perceptibility curves were developed for both sensors under the various filtration conditions and exposures. At optimum exposures both the VIXA and the RVG-S permitted the same number of defects to be observed. The optimum exposures were similar for the two systems, but the dynamic range was greater for the RVG-S. Addition of niobium filtration did not appreciably alter the radiation dose required to perceive a given number of defects using either system. The two systems performed equally at optimum exposure when the dose is approximately the same irrespective of the presence or absence of niobium filtration. Beyond the optimal level, the RVG-S outperformed the VIXA system.


Canine Eruption After Secondary Alveolar Bone Graft in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients.
The aim of this article is to analyze dental abnormalities in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients by focusing on the role of the secondary alveolar bone graft (SABG) surgery and its outcomes on canine eruption/inclusion. A sample of 24 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were selected.Dental anomalies, canine eruption based on the existence of supernumeraries, agenesis elements, inclination of the major canine axis before and after surgery, distance from the occlusal plane before and after surgery, and sector classification were analyzed. Out of the 24 patients, 87.5% presented a canine spontaneously erupted in the dental arch while 12.5% needed surgical-orthodontic traction.There is also no proof that inclination of the canine significantly influenced the eruption before (P = 0.5889) and after (P = 0.4029) surgery. Also, there is no any correlation between the 2 sides (P = 0.1257).The SABG surgery showed a significant correlation with canine eruption (P = 0.009242); moreover, SABG shows a positive relationship with the radicular development of the canine (P = 0.005163).Lateral incisive (P = 0.8493) and second premolar agenesis (P = 1) are not statistically correlated with the eruption of the canine. This does not happen with supernumerary elements that are correlated with the surgical-orthodontic traction (P = 0.0004464). Agenesis does not play any role in the process of canine eruption while supernumeraries do. There is no relationship between the inclination and eruption of the canine.The SABG surgery has a key role because it contributes to create an appropriate support for the erupting canine, the nasal base and the anterior maxilla.


Methodological quality and descriptive characteristics of prosthodontic-related systematic reviews.
Ideally, healthcare systematic reviews (SRs) should be beneficial to practicing professionals in making evidence-based clinical decisions. However, the conclusions drawn from SRs are directly related to the quality of the SR and of the included studies. The aim was to investigate the methodological quality and key descriptive characteristics of SRs published in prosthodontics. Methodological quality was analysed using the Assessment of Multiple Reviews (AMSTAR) tool. Several electronic resources (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and American Dental Association's Evidence-based Dentistry website) were searched. In total 106 SRs were located. Key descriptive characteristics and methodological quality features were gathered and assessed, and descriptive and inferential statistical testing performed. Most SRs in this sample originated from the European continent followed by North America. Two to five authors conducted most SRs; the majority was affiliated with academic institutions and had prior experience publishing SRs. The majority of SRs were published in specialty dentistry journals, with implant or implant-related topics, the primary topics of interest for most. According to AMSTAR, most quality aspects were adequately fulfilled by less than half of the reviews. Publication bias and grey literature searches were the most poorly adhered components. Overall, the methodological quality of the prosthodontic-related systematic was deemed limited. Future recommendations would include authors to have prior training in conducting SRs and for journals to include a universal checklist that should be adhered to address all key characteristics of an unbiased SR process.


Interrogating rodents regarding their object and spatial memory.
Today, neuroscientists have access to a host of advanced techniques -- ranging from targeted genetic interventions to brain imaging -- that are rapidly providing new insights. Ultimately, however, memory must be inferred from its behavioral read-out. Thus, to fully utilize the advanced technologies available today, we must select the most appropriate behavioral procedures from those currently available, or else devise novel behavioral techniques to meet a specific demand. If we merely use standard tests of memory in a non-optimal way, we risk collecting incomplete information and reaching erroneous conclusions. Relevant to these issues, there have been substantial developments in the methods used to evaluate two of the most frequently studied forms of memory in the rodent -- recognition memory and spatial memory.


Effect of light on extraction of lipid from retinal rods.
Chloroform-methanol 2:1 removes a significantly greater quantity of lipid from bleached bovine retinal rods than from a dark-adapted counterpart. The extracts contain phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and an unknown substance which, it is proposed, may be a combination of phospholipid and retinaldehyde. The difference between extracts of light-and dark-adapted rods is quantitative rather than qualitative. The data tend to confirm a model of rhodopsin suggested by Kropf and Hubbard in which isomerization of the retinaldehyde chromophore causes its displacement and opens a path to the interior of the molecule.


Patient-centred attitudes among medical students: gender and work experience in health care make a difference.
Previous studies of medical students' patient-centred attitudes show a decline across undergraduate education and overall higher scores for female students. To assess undergraduate students' patient-centred attitudes at various stages of education and to explore possible associations between attitudes and age, gender and work experience in health care. In autumn 2005, medical students in Gothenburg (n = 797) were asked to answer Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), a validated instrument exploring attitudes towards the doctor-patient relationship. Data including gender, age, current term and students' work experience in health care were collected. Of 797 students 600 (75%) answered the questionnaire. No decrease of students' PPOS score across the curriculum was observed. PPOS scores from female students were higher compared to males (p < 0.0001) and female scores were significantly higher in the later terms compared with earlier (p = 0.0011). Female students had more experience from working in health care (p = 0.0023). Extended work experience was associated with higher PPOS only among females (p = 0.0031). No decline of students' patient-centred attitudes may indicate an ongoing shift. Gender differences in patient-centred attitudes were reproduced. Work experience in health care presents a new gender difference. These gender differences should be considered when training patient-centred attitudes and skills.


Aberrant methylation patterns affect the molecular pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
This study aims to investigate DNA methylation signatures in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the relationship with transcription factors (TFs) that help to distinguish RA from osteoarthritis (OA). Microarray dataset of GSE46346, including six FLS samples from patients with RA and five FLS samples from patients with OA, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. RA and OA samples were screened for differentially methylated loci (DMLs). The corresponding differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. A transcriptional regulatory network was built with TFs and their corresponding DMGs. Overall, 280 hypomethylated loci and 561 hypermethylated loci were screened. Genes containing hypermethylated loci were enriched in pathways in cancer, ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion and neurotrophin signaling pathways. Genes containing hypomethylated loci were enriched in the neurotrophin signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), Yin Yang 1 (YY1), v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-MYC), and early growth response 1 (EGR1) were important TFs in the transcriptional regulatory network. Therefore, DMGs might participate in the neurotrophin signaling pathway, pathways in cancer, ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways in RA. Furthermore, CTCF, c-MYC, YY1, and EGR1 may play important roles in RA through regulating DMGs.


Diagnosis of pediatric nasopharynx carcinoma after recurrent adenoidectomy.
Nasopharyngeal soft tissue is most commonly adenoid hypertrophy in children. Although rare, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) does occur in children. Nasal obstruction, serous otitis media, hearing problems, and tinnitus are common signs and symptoms of all nasal diseases. For this reason, the majority of NPC presents with advanced disease at the time of the diagnosis. This paper reported 7-year-old boy who was admitted to the hospital for adenoidectomy. He had recurrent adenoidectomy operation due to nasal obstruction. NPC had been diagnosed suspecting the hard mass in the nasopharynx during the operation. Adenoidectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in ENT practice and NPC is unlikely to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Surgeon should be careful about signs and symptoms that alert suspicion.


It Takes a Village: Microbial Communities Thrive through Interactions and Metabolic Handoffs.
An enduring theme in microbial ecology is the interdependence of microbial community members. Interactions between community members include provision of cofactors, establishment of redox gradients, and turnover of key nutrients to drive biogeochemical cycles. Pathways canonically conducted by isolated organisms in laboratory cultures are instead collective products of diverse and interchangeable microbes in the environment. Current sequence-based methods provide unprecedented access to uncultivated microorganisms, allowing prediction of previously cryptic roles in biogeochemical cycles and interactions within communities. A renewed focus on cultivation-based methods is required to test predictions derived from environmental sequence data sets and to address the exponential increase in genes lacking predicted functions. Characterization of enriched microbial consortia to annotate hypothetical proteins and identify previously unknown microbial functions can fundamentally change our understanding of biogeochemical cycles. As we gain understanding of microbial processes and interactions, our capacity to harness microbial activities to address anthropogenic impacts increases.


Amino acids of the cell wall of Nocardia rubra.
Two classes of preparations of cell walls of Nocardia rubra strain 721-A, digested by trypsin and pepsin with or without subsequent extraction in alkaline ethanol, when examined by electron microscope and analyzed quantitatively for amino acid content differ in ultrastructure and constituent amino acids. Evidence suggests that the lipid-associated amino acids (as peptide or protein) occupy a location superficial to the basal peptido-glycan layer of this nocardia. Their removal is associated with the loss of a characteristic pattern of the outer envelope.


Validation of outcomes through the analysis of the process-outcome relation: limitations.
Validation of outcomes of different levels of neonatal care through the analysis of the relationship between process and outcome of care was attempted as part of an effectiveness study and quality assurance programme. Adequacy rates and outcome measures were calculated for second- and third-level units and centres according to the babies' level of risk. Differences in adequacy rates were apparently influenced by the differential distribution of babies by care level sectors among maternity centres. The comparison of mortality rates for "treated" and "untreated" subgroups did not show higher mortality rates for the "untreated" subgroups. This finding could be related to the phenomenon of "confounding by indication". Consistency of differences in average rates of adequacy with differences in general outcomes was observed for most subgroups analysed; lack of consistency could be related to low effectiveness. Indications of low effectiveness related to secondary and more so to tertiary level technologies were observed. The study approach was found more useful for comparisons made at the level of maternity services as a whole, where "confounding by indication" does not operate than at the level of sectors.


Apparent dewetting of ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films incubated in aqueous environments.
We have investigated and characterized changes in film morphology and surface structure that occur when ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films fabricated from linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI), sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (SPS), and two hydrolytically degradable polyamines (polymers 1 and 2) are incubated in physiologically relevant environments. Characterization of the physical erosion profiles of films having the structure (LPEI/SPS)10(1/SPS)4(2/SPS)4 (approximately 80 nm thick) by atomic force microscopy (AFM), reflective optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that these materials undergo large-scale changes in surface structure and morphology upon incubation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 degrees C. The patterns and structures generated during this transformation (e.g., nucleation and growth of holes, coalescence of holes, formation of cell-type structures, and the subsequent breakup of these features into droplets) are similar in many ways to those observed for the dewetting of thin films of conventional polymers, such as polystyrene, on nonwetting surfaces. The processes reported here are sufficiently slow (they occur over approximately 100 h) and occur under sufficiently mild conditions (e.g., incubation in PBS at 37 degrees C) to permit characterization and quantification of the structures and features that arise during the course of these transformations. The apparent dewetting of these ultrathin films upon exposure to aqueous environments creates future opportunities to investigate and characterize processes of mass transport in this class of ionically cross-linked assemblies.


Impact of Hurricane Katrina on newborn screening in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Office of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessed the extent to which newborn screening was disrupted from August 15 to September 21, 2005, the immediate period before and after Hurricane Katrina. A list of hospitals with labor and delivery services was obtained from the Louisiana Hospital Association. A survey sent to hospitals on October 17, 2005, asked about the number of live births during the assessment period, disruption in hospital services, the number of specimens sent to alternative laboratories, and the number of children without screening results. Among 64 Louisiana hospitals with labor and delivery units, 6 remained closed at the time of the survey. Of the 58 open hospitals, 53 (91.4%) completed the questionnaire. Twenty-one (36.2%) of 58 hospitals experienced disruption of newborn screening services. Respondents from 31 (58.5%) of the 53 open hospitals acknowledged receiving the advisory from the Office of Public Health regarding resumption of newborn screening laboratory services. Hospitals stated that of 5958 specimens submitted, reports had not been received for 1207 (20.3%) newborns. The Office of Public Health laboratory reviewed the names of 2828 newborns received from hospitals and determined that no specimen was received within 14 days of collection for 631 (22.3%). Thirty percent of the specimens received from infants who were born between August 15 and September 21 were rejected as a result of having been received >14 days after collection. Ten children had confirmed positive screening results during the assessment period; all were located, and treatment was initiated. Collaboration between the Office of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was essential to increase awareness of changes in laboratory procedures after the hurricane and to help identify infants who might be in need of screening or rescreening.


Effect of insertion of osseo-integrated prosthesis on the oral microflora.
Ten patients undergoing treatment with bridges supported by osseo-integrated oral titanium implants were studied regarding the oral microflora. Saliva samples for microbiological studies were collected before the abutment operation, 1 week after the operation, after the bridges were inserted and again 52 weeks after the abutment operation. The implants did not induce colonization with "plaque streptococci" such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis. A marked colonization with potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species and enterobacteria was observed after the abutment operation. This was probably due to the use of surgical dressing.


A procedure for human safety assessment during hydropeaking events.
A method for human safety assessment on a hydropeaked river reach is proposed and applied to an Alpine river. The human safety analysis during hydropeaking events is of particular interest because most of the Alpine watercourses are affected by hydropower plant energy production that cause rapid and frequent flow alterations (hydropeaking), but at the same time these watercourses are used by the population for recreational purposes. In literature, many studies have focused on the effect of hydropeaking on the biota but a study of the interaction between a hydropeaking wave and human safety does not yet exist. The proposed procedure is characterized by the combination of hydraulic numerical simulations to study the characteristics of the flow field with a human safety analysis and is applied to a case study in north Italy. Human safety can be assessed in two different ways: one is by studying human stability during hydropeaking events and the other is exploring the possibility of a "target person" leaving the reach during hydropeaking waves, adapting proper escape strategies. For the escape strategy Dijkstra's algorithm is used, where the distance between adjacent nodes is defined as the difficulty (penalty) of moving from one node to the other. For this reason, an original set of penalty functions is proposed that takes into account the steepness (slope between two adjacent computational cells), the roughness, and the product between the water depth and flow velocity. The results show that the difficulty in escaping increases with the flow rate. Moreover, the areas where the human safety is very low are mainly located in the central part of the watercourse. The present work proposes a possible investigational tool to evaluate and parameterize the risk for the population during hydropeaking events through quantitative indices.


[Intraocular pressure (IOP) in rabbits after application of amino acids taurine and arginine with betablocker timolol].
To assess the efficiency of the antiglaucomatic 0.5 % Timolol mixture with two amino acids: (1) 10% L-taurine and (2) 10% L-arginine on the physiological IOP in rabbits. Into the left conjunctival sac of 5 adult female rabbits of the New Zealand White species was instilled (a) 0.5% Timolol alone; (b) the mixture of 10 % L-arginine and 10% L-taurine in aqua pro injectione; (c) the mixture of 10% L-arginine and 10% L-taurine in 0.5% Timolol. The IOP was measured before and 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 min., and 24 hours after the instillation. The right eye was used as control. (a) The mixture of the amino acids arginine and taurine in Timolol achieved significant IOP decrease in rabbits (except results at 5 min. and 24 hours after instillation) in all measured times with the maximum in 120 and 180 min. showing the biphasic character of the IOP decrease; (b) the mixture of amino acid taurine and arginine reached the border of significance (p < 0.05). The IOP decrease showed biphasic character, with the maximum in 60 min. (decrease of 3.8 mm Hg) and in 120 min. (decrease of 3.3 mm Hg); (c) the antiglaucomatic drops 0.5% Timolol alone decreased the IOP values without significance comparing with the control eye. The maximum decrease was measured in 120 min. (2.9 mm Hg). The mixture of amino acids taurine and arginine in 0.5% Timolol proved significant decrease of the IOP physiological values in rabbits. The maximum decrease was achieved 120, 180 min., and 24 hours after the instillation. The average value of the decrease 24 hours after instillation, compared with the control eye, was 3.2 mm Hg.


Telogen effluvium and COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.
COVID-19 is a febrile infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus affects several organs, including the skin. Acute telogen effluvium (TE) is a non-scarring hair loss characterized by diffuse hair shedding that begins three months after a stressful event and can last up to six months. COVID-19 infection is one of these potential stressors. Recently, there has been a reported link between increased scalp hair shedding and post-infection patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. The present work aimed to study the possible effects of COVID-19 on hair and the relationship between COVID-19 and TE and to assess the level of awareness about TE in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire. The study involved 561 participants from the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Eligible participants were individuals from the Asir region who were 20 years of age or older, had previously contracted COVID-19 and had no history of TE before infection. All statistical methods used were two-tailed with an alpha level of 0.05, considering significance if the p-value was lower than or equal to 0.05. A total of 1,000 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. The mean age was 32.5 ± 13.9 years, and 494 (88.1%) participants were females. In addition, 558 (99.5%) of the study participants had received the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 411 (73.3%) participants experienced an increase in hair loss after COVID-19 infection, and 171 (30.5%) began suffering from pain when combing their hair. In addition, 182 participants (32.4%) had a family history of TE. Only 109 (10.9%) participants had a good awareness level about TE, while 452 (80.6%) had an overall poor awareness level. There was a significant relationship between the level of awareness and age, where 23.9% of the participants aged 20-29 years had a good level of awareness vs. 16.1% of others aged 40 years or older (p = 0.041). Moreover, 26.9% of participants with a family history of TE had a good awareness of TE, vs. 15.8% of those with no family history of TE (p = 0.002). In addition, significant correlations were found between increased hair loss post-COVID-19 infection and female gender (77.3% vs. 43.3%; p = 0.001) as well as suffering from pain when combing hair (86.5% vs. 65.5%; p = 0.001). In our study, the incidence of TE was highly related to COVID-19 infections among both sexes. However, the incidence was greater among the female population. The awareness level toward post-COVID-19 TE was poor among most of the participants in our study.


[Economic efficiency of methadone maintenance and factors affecting it].
Methadone maintenance is effective in reducing injection drug use, needle sharing, and the overall mortality associated with opiate abuse. Scientific literature describes that efficiency of methadone maintenance program depends on many factors. Our analysis is based on description of economic research methods and on factors affecting economic efficiency of methadone maintenance. Computerized Medline data base was searched by key words: "economic evaluation", "cost-effectiveness", "cost-utility", "methadone", "methadone dosage", "ancillary services", "treatment duration". Review and analysis. Methadone maintenance therapy has higher economic efficiency with 80-100 mg per day methadone dose. Doses lower than 40 mg per day are considered as inefficient. Some methadone programs limit treatment to 90 days or less, but such short treatment episodes are not likely to be cost-effective. Ancillary services are more cost-effective at the beginning of methadone maintenance program, than in the later stages of the program. Economic efficiency is higher when program involves more participants, than when more ancillary services are provided. CONCLUSIONS. Effectiveness of Methadone maintenance program affects methadone dosage policy, treatment duration and ancillary services.


Emergency Cholecystectomy for Patients on Antiplatelet Therapy.
The use of antiplatelet therapy (APT) and/or anticoagulant therapy (ACT) continues to increase due to the aging population. Because the management of patients with acute cholecystitis receiving APT/ACT is still unclear, surgeons are sometimes faced with the difficult decision to delay surgery. We aimed to analyze characteristics and surgical risks of patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis without discontinuing APT. We conducted a retrospective review of 113 patients between 2006 and 2014. Treatment outcomes among 13 patients who underwent cholecystectomy without discontinuing APT (the cAPT group), 11 patients who discontinued APT and ACT (the D group), and 89 patients who did not receive preoperative APT and/or ACT (the No APT group) were compared. There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, conversion to open surgery, and bleeding-related complications. However, the incidence of intraoperative blood transfusion was higher in the cAPT group (P = 0.04). They presented with severe local inflammation; thus, it was difficult to stop bleeding from the gallbladder bed. Hemostatic tools for liver surgery were used to control bleeding. Emergency cholecystectomy was tolerable for patients with acute cholecystitis while continuing APT. However, in case of severe local inflammation, there is a greater risk for massive hemorrhage.


Clinical characteristics of imported malaria: An 11-year experience in a Serbian referral center.
Due to intercontinental traffic, population migration trends, natural disasters, and climate change, imported malaria remains important to consider in a febrile returning traveler. This study aims to raise awareness about malaria and help European clinicians maintain a working knowledge of this disease by reviewing the most important clinical characteristics in a non-endemic setting. Using medical records, a retrospective study was performed on clinical and laboratory data in order to analyze 103 malaria cases managed at the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade, from 2000 to 2010. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Spearman's rank correlation, and analysis of variance were used. Patients were predominantly male (89.3%) with a mean age of 46.66 ± 12.45 years, and most (98.06%) returned from Africa without having taken chemoprophylaxis (72.88%). Fever, arthralgia, myalgia, headache, vomiting, dark urine, and cough were common at presentation. Hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, neurological and pulmonary findings, and thrombocytopenia were dominant findings on physical and laboratory examinations. Most (73.48%) were infected with P. falciparum. Few patients (17.55%) who were hyperparasitemic had significantly higher values of bilirubin and more frequent neurological complications. All patients were treated with artemisinin-based drug combinations regardless of Plasmodium species. Three (2.9%) patients succumbed to P. falciparum malaria. We suggest a high index of suspicion of malaria be maintained when evaluating febrile patients returning from endemic regions, especially if thrombocytopenia and hemolysis are present. Hyperparasitemia, high bilirubin levels, and neurological symptoms are associated with severe malaria. The importance of adequate malaria chemoprophylaxis cannot be overstated.


Gastrointestinal complications following renal transplantation.
Gastrointestinal complications developed in 29 (6%) of 510 patients following renal transplantation. Thirteen patients (45%) died as a result. Gastrointestinal bleeding, usually considered the commonest complication, was seen in only 7 cases. Other complications included pancreatitis and hyperamylasemia, massive ileus, fistulas with abscesses, bowel infarction, peptic ulcers without bleeding, obstruction, gangrenous cholecystitis, esophagitis, spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Six patients had no clinical or laboratory findings suggesting the underlying gastrointestinal complication; it was the radiographic findings that called attention to the acute problem.


A Qualitative Exploration of Choral Singing in Community-dwelling Older Adults.
Recent research has recognized the value of participatory arts, including choirs, as a strategy to engage older adults in the community. Less is known about the participation of minority older adults of low socioeconomic status (SES) in choirs. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the perceived benefits of choral singing among older adults from Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) day centers. We elicited perceptions from 19 choir participants from three focus groups, the majority of whom were Black or African American (N =17/19), each held at a different PACE center. One main theme emerged, "Something for us to do that we love," with two subthemes, "Joyful time together" and "Uplifting experience performing for others." These study findings have implications for promoting choir singing in older adults to serve as a place for engagement in social interactions in a lifelong activity they love.


[The shaken baby syndrome].
The shaken baby syndrome is caused by a violent jerk or shaking of a child's or infant's head; on some occasions this syndrome is defined as a form of child abuse. This relatively unknown syndrome can produce multiple lesions in the victim; these lesions are not evident externally in the majority of cases. The authors have reviewed numerous articles so that they can define this syndrome's basic characteristics which bear much weight in the early detection of this syndrome and moreover on adequate prevention of this syndrome by health professionals since this syndrome may cause grave and permanent repercussions in the child which undergoes it.


A review of quality of life and psychosocial issues in scoliosis.
Recent literature regarding the psychological impact of scoliosis was reviewed. To determine the impact of scoliosis on health-related quality of life (HRQL), psychosocial functioning, and body image to improve patient outcomes. Adolescents and adults with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have been known to score lower than healthy controls on HRQL measures. However, HRQL instruments may not adequately capture psychological distress experienced by patients. Research papers concerning HRQL and psychosocial factors in patients with scoliosis were reviewed. Studies of psychosocial health and body image have revealed that functioning in these domains may affect compliance behavior and satisfaction with treatment outcomes among adolescent patients. Psychosocial and body image disturbance is less marked in patients with good social or family functioning, or patients who exercise regularly or are psychologically healthy. Adults with scoliosis generally display fewer psychological problems than adolescents. However, adults with scoliosis may experience psychosocial limitations due to poor physical health or body image disturbance. Support group membership can improve psychosocial health in adults with scoliosis. Adolescent patients with scoliosis may experience psychosocial difficulties, especially while undergoing treatment for scoliosis. Interventions aimed at managing psychosocial or body image disturbances may help to ameliorate the potentially negative impact of scoliosis on these facets of life.


Medical anthropology and the physician assistant profession.
Medical anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that investigates how culture influences people's ideas and behaviors regarding health and illness. Medical anthropology contributes to the understanding of how and why health systems operate the way they do, how different people understand and interact with these systems and cultural practices, and what assets people use and challenges they may encounter when constructing perceptions of their own health conditions. The goal of this article is to highlight the methodological tools and analytical insights that medical anthropology offers to the study of physician assistants (PAs). The article discusses the field of medical anthropology; the advantages of ethnographic and qualitative research; and how medical anthropology can explain how PAs fit into improved health delivery services by exploring three studies of PAs by medical anthropologists.


[Composition changes reveal relationship between color and enzymatic reaction of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during "sweating" process].
In this study, we employed Q Exactive to determine the main differential metabolites of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex du-ring the "sweating" process. Further, we quantified the color parameters and determined the activities of polyphenol oxidase(PPO), peroxidase(POD), and tyrosinase of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during the "sweating" process. Gray correlation analysis was performed for the color, chemical composition, and enzyme activity to reveal the effect of enzymatic reaction on the color of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during the "sweating" process. Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex sweating in different manners showed similar metabolite changes. The primary metabolites that changed significantly included amino acids, nucleotides, and sugars, and the secondary metabolites with significant changes were phenols and phenylpropanoids. Despite the different sweating methods, eleven compounds were commonly up-regulated, including L-glutamic acid, acetylarginine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine; six compounds were commonly down-re-gulated, including L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. The brightness value(L~*), red-green value(a~*), and yellow-blue value(b~*) of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex kept decreasing during the "sweating" process. The changes in the activities of PPO and POD during sweating were consistent with those in the color parameter values. The gray correlation analysis demonstrated that the main differential metabolites such as amino acids and phenols were closely related to the color parameters L~*, a~* and b~*; POD was correlated with amino acids and phenols; PPO had strong correlation with phenols. The results indicated that the color change of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during "sweating" was closely related to the reactions of enzymes dominated by PPO and POD. The study analyzed the correlations among the main differential metabolites, color parameters, and enzyme activities of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex in the "sweating" process. It reveals the common law of material changes and ascertains the relationship between color changes and enzymatic reactions of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during "sweating". Therefore, this study provides a reference for studying the "sweating" mechanism of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex and is of great significance to guarantee the quality of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex.


[Pedicle screw implanting in the treatment of multi-level lumbar spine fractures].
To review the clinical data of a group of patients with multi-level lumbar spine fractures treated with TSRH-3D pedicle screw system and to investigate the effect and post-operative efficacy of this technique. Eighteen patients diagnosed as multi-level lumbar spine fracture were treated with TSRH-3D pedicle screw system. The operations were performed at 4 hours to 2 days after injury and the follow-up period was 15-32 months (mean: 23 months). The X-ray and CT scan were taken both preoperatively and postoperatively. (1) Twelve patients became injured from height falling (67%), 5 from traffic accident (28%) and 1 from crush (5%). (2) The improvement rate of spine motion, back pain and lower extremity pain was 67%, 94% and 78% respectively. (3) Compared with preoperative status, the height of anterior border of vertebra improved by 59.2%, lost by an average of 5.2% (P < 0.01) and the Cobb angle was corrected by 19.5 degrees , lost an average of 5.4 degrees . It is feasible to treat the multi-level lumbar spine fractures with TSRH-3D pedicle screw system. And the outcome of reduction and fixation is satisfactory. This technique is excellent at improving the height of injury vertebra, physiological curvature and neural function. It also can relieve lumbocrural pain with a definite postoperative efficacy.


Biological and functional multimorbidity-from mechanisms to management.
Globally, the number of people with multiple co-occurring diseases will increase substantially over the coming decades, with important consequences for patients, carers, healthcare systems and society. Addressing this challenge requires a shift in the prevailing clinical, educational and scientific thinking and organization-with a strong emphasis on the maintenance of generalist skills to balance the specialization trends of medical education and research. Multimorbidity is not a single entity but differs quantitively and qualitatively across life stages, ethnicities, sexes, socioeconomic groups and geographies. Data-driven science that quantifies the impact of disease co-occurrence-beyond the small number of currently well-studied long-term conditions (such as cardiometabolic diseases)-can help illuminate the pathological diversity of multimorbidity and identify common, mechanistically related, and prognostically relevant clusters. Broader access to data opportunities across modalities and disciplines will catalyze vertical and horizontal integration of multimorbidity research, to enable reconfiguring of medical services, clinical trials, guidelines and research in a way that accounts for the complexity of multimorbidity-and provides efficient, joined-up services for patients.


[Echographic identification of an isolated thyroid nodule].
103 patient suffering from thyroid solitary nodule have been examined with gray-scale ultrasonography. 79 patients have been histologically confirmed. Research has been done with multi-transducer computerized water-bath equipment ( OCTOSON ). The results are discussed and a classification of the thyroid solitary nodule in four groups is proposed, according to the echographic patterns.


HDL Composition, Heart Failure, and Its Comorbidities.
Although research on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has historically focused on atherosclerotic coronary disease, there exists untapped potential of HDL biology for the treatment of heart failure. Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelial protective properties of HDL could impact heart failure pathogenesis. HDL-associated proteins such as apolipoprotein A-I and M may have significant therapeutic effects on the myocardium, in part by modulating signal transduction pathways and sphingosine-1-phosphate biology. Furthermore, because heart failure is a complex syndrome characterized by multiple comorbidities, there are complex interactions between heart failure, its comorbidities, and lipoprotein homeostatic mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss the effects of heart failure and associated comorbidities on HDL, explore potential cardioprotective properties of HDL, and review novel HDL therapeutic targets in heart failure.


Production of isomaltooligosaccharides from banana flour.
Banana is one of the important crops native to tropical Southeast Asia. Since overproduction frequently leads to excessive waste of produce, alternative uses are continuously sought in order to utilise fruits at all stages of maturity. The aim of this study was to investigate the production of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) from banana flour. Banana slurries liquefied by Termamyl SC and saccharified by either Fungamyl 800 L or barley β-amylase were used for IMO synthesis by Transglucosidase L. After 12 h of transglucosylation, maximum IMO yields of 76.67 ± 2.71 and 70.74 ± 4.09 g L(-1) respectively were achieved. Although the yields were comparable, the IMO profiles obtained through the use of the two saccharification enzymes were different. Glucose and maltose were removed by 10 g L(-1) bakers' yeast fermentation for 12 h. Regarding total sugars, the final IMO mixture was composed of 53% isomaltotriose, 21% isomaltotetraose and 26% maltooligoheptaose and larger oligomers. Banana flour could be used as a potential raw material for IMO synthesis.


[Foreign body in the kidney: report of a case].
A 49-year-old man was admitted with the suspicion of renal foreign body. A fragment of wire rope was penetrated from his right lumbar region while working. Drip infusion pyelography and computed tomography films revealed a linear metallic object in the region of the right kidney. The foreign body was successfully extracted from the right renal parenchyma. The 38 cases of foreign bodies in the upper urinary tract including 12 in the renal parenchyma found in the literature are reviewed.


Woc gene mutation causes 20E-dependent alpha-tubulin detyrosination in Drosophila melanogaster.
The mutation without children(rgl) (woc(rgl)) is a newly described ecdysone-deficient Drosophila mutant. The woc(rgl) mutant larvae show developmental arrestment at the late larval stage and fail to form a puparium due to the failure of the ring gland to secret normal levels of ecdysone. Although a 6.8-kb woc gene transcript encoding a 187-kDa potential transcription factor has been cloned and lack of a specific cholesterol 7,8-dehydrogenease that mediates the first step in the ecdysteroidogenic pathway is likely the cause for ecdysteroid deficiency, the cellular events controlled by the woc gene remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the woc gene mutation on the expression and tyrosination of alpha-tubulin in the woc(rgl) mutant. Our results demonstrated that the mutation in the woc gene caused 20E-dependent alpha-tubulin detyrosination, but had no significant effect on the expression of total alpha- and beta-tubulin in the homozygous woc(rgl) mutant larvae. Immunocytochemical study revealed that 20E-induced alpha-tubulin detyrosination led to the diminishing of tyrosinated alpha-tubulin signals from microtubules, resulting in the disruption of microtubule structure. The composite data suggest that the woc gene may regulate 20E-dependent alpha-tubulin detyrosination and that microtubules may be involved in sterol transport and sterol utilization in insect.


[Diagnosis and treatment of complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass].
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has become the gold standard operation for morbid obesity, because effects of LRYGB are quick and lasting. However, there are many potential risks due to the operative complexity and long learning curve. There are early and late complications after LRYGB. If the complications are not diagnosed and treated in time and correctly, serious results even death, may occur. Mortality after LRYGB is 0.87%. It is important for the continous and healthy development of LRYGB that postoperative complications can be diagnosed and managed in time and effectively.


Effect of topical cyclosporin A on Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis.
Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (Thygeson's SPK) is a distinct clinical entity, characterized by round conglomerates of discrete, granular, white-gray, fine intraepithelial dots without conjunctival involvement. The only effective treatment with regard to relieving symptoms and diminishing lesions has been topical corticosteroids, but their prolonged use can be associated with severe side-effects. The purpose of this study is to present the long-term results of the use of 2% topical cyclosporin A in olive oil in Thygeson's SPK. Eight patients diagnosed as having Thygeson's SPK were included. All the patients were treated with 2% cyclosporin dissolved in olive oil four times a day for three months, and two times a day for one month before withdrawing therapy. The follow-up period ranged from twelve to twenty-five months. The number of corneal lesions varied between 5 and 15 before treatment. After cyclosporin treatment, no corneal lesion was observed and the cornea remained clear after the follow-up period. In conclusion, 2% cyclosporin in olive oil is a safe alternative to corticosteroids in the treatment of Thygeson's SPK, and resulted in satisfactory control of the condition.


Electromagnetic scattering analysis using a combined magnetic field integral equation for small objects with flat surfaces.
The contribution of the Green's function to the scattered magnetic field is not well expressed in the traditionally used magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) when the source and field points lie on the same plane. This decreases the accuracy of MFIE for objects with flat surfaces. To solve this problem, the normal magnetic field integral equation resulting from the use of the normal boundary condition is considered. It is then combined with the traditionally used MFIE into a new MFIE formulation, named the combined magnetic field integral equation (CMFIE). Through the use of an appropriate combination parameter, the omitted contribution of the Green's function to the scattered magnetic fields in the traditionally used MFIE can be recovered in this new CMFIE. Numerical results validate the analysis and show that the proposed MFIE formulation is much more accurate than the traditional one for small objects with flat surfaces.


Mesenchymal "stem" cells, or facilitators for the development of regenerative macrophages? Pericytes at the interface of wound healing.
Cultured mesenchymal stromal cells are among the most used cells in clinical trials. Currently, their potential benefits include provision of mature cell types through differentiation, and secretion of various types of paracrine signaling molecules. Even though research on these cells has spanned some decades now, surprisingly, their therapeutic potential has not been fully translated into clinical practice yet, which calls for further understanding of their intrinsic nature and modes of action. In this review, after discussing pieces of evidence that suggest that some perivascular cells may exhibit mesenchymal stem cell characteristics in vivo, we examine the possibility that subpopulations of perivascular and/or adventitial cells activated after tissue injury behave as MSCs and contribute to the resolution of tissue injury by providing cues for the development of regenerative macrophages at injured sites. Under this perspective, an important contribution of cultured MSCs (or their acellular products, such as extracellular vesicles) used in cell therapies would be to instigate the development of M2-like macrophages that support the tissue repair process.