[Screening for thyroid dysfunction in adults residing in Hokkaido Japan: in relation to urinary iodide concentration and thyroid autoantibodies].
The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its relation to thyroid autoantibodies (TAA) and urinary iodide concentration (UI) was studied in apparently healthy adults in Sapporo (n = 4110) (Sapporo group), and in five coastal areas of Hokkaido (n = 1061) (coastal group) which produce iodine-rich seaweed (kelp). The frequency of above normal UI (high UI) in the morning urinary samples of coastal group was 10.8%, significantly higher than that of Sapporo group (6.4%) (p < 0.001). Frequency of positive TAA in both groups were similar. In Sapporo group TAA was positive in 6.4% of males and 13.8% of females with an age-related increase. The overall prevalence of hyperthyroidism (TSH < 0.15 mU/L) in coastal group (0.6%) was similar to that in Sapporo group (1.1%), while that of hypothyroidism (TSH > 5.0 mU/L) in coastal group (3.8%) was significantly higher than that in Sapporo group (1.3%) (P < 0.001). The frequency of high UI correlated significantly with that of hypothyroidism with negative TAA (r = 0.829, P < 0.05), but not with positive TAA, or with that of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism was more prevalent in TAA negative subjects with high UI than with normal UI. Moreover, serum TSH and thyroglobulin levels were higher and free T4 level was lower in former than in latter group. These results indicate that 1) the prevalence of TAA negative hypothyroidism in iodine sufficient areas may be associated with the amount of iodine ingested, 2) this hypothyroidism is more prevalent and marked in subjects consuming further excess amounts of iodine, and 3) excessive intake of iodine should be considered an etiology of hypothyroidism in addition to chronic thyroiditis in these areas.


[Bacteriological profile and antibiotic treatment of postoperative peritonitis].
During the postoperative peritonitis (PPO) the main stay of treatment is the choice of probabilistic antibiotictherapy, it is also the main prognostic factor The aim of our study was to identify anappropriate antibiotic protocol to the current ecology of our unit. It was a retrospective study including 102 patients over a period of 09 years from 1 January 2003 to 3O November 2011. All of them are supported for the treatments off postoperative peritonitis in surgical intensive care unit of a service of general surgery a university hospital Charles Nicolle of Tunis. All bacteriological data (germs and sensitivity), and the terms of therapeutic modality for the empirical antibiotic therapy were listed. The incidence of PPO was Q90%.The average age of our patients was 57 +/- 18 years. The sex ratio was 1.08. One hundred and seven (107) microorganisms were isolated from 72 samples (44 microbial mono, 28 multi microbial). The frequency of gram-positive cocci (GPC) was 16.82%, the Gram-negative bacilli (BGN) was 82.2%. The Enterobacteriaceae have proved particularity resistant. Thus, the ampicillin resistance was 87.14%, that the C3G was 33.80%, the Piperacillin to Tazobactam combination, was 36.5% and that the association Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid was 43.6%. For non-fermenting BGN, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to ticarcillin in 80% of cases, to ceftazidime in 66.6% of cases, PiperacillinTazobactam--in 71.43% of cases, imipenem in 85 72% of cases, colimycin in 100% of cases and Amiklin in 71.43% of cases. For CGP, enterococci were resistant to ampicillin in 50% of cases and vancomycin in 0% of cases. The majority of patients received triple antibiotic therapy (59.8%) or combination therapy (34.3%). The main associations were: cefotaxime + Gentamycin + Metronidazole (35.2%), Amikacin Imipenem + + Metronidazole (12.7%), Imipenem + amikacin (9.8%), Piperacillin / Tazobactam + amikacin (9.8%) + amikacin and ertapenem (5.88%). Probabilitic antibiotic therapy was addapted in 69.4% of cases. The average duration of the prescribed antibiotic was 11 days +/- 6 days. The mortality rate was 39.2%, was 32.23 days. The isolated microorganisms are those of the intestinal flora which is generally changed and thus the bacteria are selected then are multidrug resistant. Prescribing antibiotics should consider probabilistic. Thus, Imipenem-Amiklin combination seems appropriate to our ecology. This empiric antibiotic therapy is secondarily adapted to the results of susceptibility testing to limit the selection of multi-resistant organisms.


Quantification of arsenic in dialysate solution and scalp hair samples of kidney failure patients by cloud point extraction and electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy.
A method has been developed for the determination of arsenic (As) in pharmaceutical and scalp hair samples of kidney failure patients by cloud point extraction (CPE). The scalp hair samples were subjected to microwave-assisted digestion in nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide (2 + 1, v/v). Then, dialysate and digested scalp hair solutions were preconcentrated by CPE using pyronine B as a complexing agent. The resulting complex was entrapped in nonionic surfactant (Triton X-114) prior to its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy. The validity of the CPE method for As was checked by analysis of a certified reference material of human hair and a standard addition method for dialysate solution. The chemical variables affecting the analytical performance of the CPE methods were studied and optimized. After optimization of the complexation and extraction conditions, a preconcentration factor of 52 was obtained for As in 10 mL of dialysate solution and acid digested samples of scalp hair. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the LOD and LOQ of As for the preconcentration of 10 mL of solution were 0.022 and 0.073 microg/L, respectively. The level of As in scalp hair samples of kidney failure patients was higher than in healthy controls.


Measurement of absolute blood iodine concentration during digital subtraction ventriculography.
A system to measure the absolute iodine concentration (mg iodine/milliliter blood) in the left ventricle (LV) during digital subtraction ventriculography has been developed. The technique uses a catheter to draw blood from the LV through a detection cell. This occurs as the iodine bolus passes through the heart. The cell determines iodine concentration by measuring x-ray attenuation as the iodinated blood passes between a low-power x-ray tube and a diode detector. In vitro and in vivo testing of the system was conducted. The system response was linear (r = 0.99) with respect to iodine concentration. This response was independent of hematocrit. Dispersion of contrast medium in the catheter caused distortion of the shape of the time-concentration curve. The impulse response of the system was measured and found to be independent of hematocrit. A correction algorithm based on Wiener filter deconvolution was developed. In vitro testing using simulated time-concentration curves demonstrated that the rms error in the iodine measurement after dispersion correction did not exceed 4% over the region of the time-concentration curve extending from the peak to the point on the tail where the signal fell to 50% of its peak value. Cardiac output was measured from the time-concentration curve via the indicator-dilution method in an animal model. This cardiac output measurement (COI) agreed closely with cardiac output measured simultaneously with an aortic flow probe (CO(P)), namely, COI = 1.02 CO(P)-0.03 L/min, r = 0.95, SEE = 10%, p < 0.001.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Effects of embryonic lead exposure on motor function and balance ability in offspring rats and possible mechanisms].
To explore the effects of embryonic lead exposure on motor function and balance ability in offspring rats and the possible mechanisms. An animal model of embryonic lead exposure was prepared with the use of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats freely drinking 0.1% (low-dose group, LG) or 0.2% (high-dose group, HG) lead acetate solution. A normal control group (NG) was also set. The male offspring rats of these pregnant rats were included in the study, consisting of 12 rats in the NG group, 10 rats in the LG group, and 9 rats in the HG group. The offspring rats' motor function and balance ability were evaluated using body turning test and coat hanger test. Eight rats were randomly selected from each group, and immunohistochemistry and Timm's staining were employed to measure the expression of c-Fos and mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) in the hippocampus. The HG group had a significantly longer body turning time than the NG and LG groups (P<0.05), and the LG group had a significantly longer body turning time than the NG group (P<0.05). The HG group had a significantly lower score of balance ability than the NG and LG groups (P<0.05), and the LG group had a significantly lower score of balance ability than the NG group (P<0.05). The area percentage of c-Fos-positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was significantly higher in the HG group than in the other two groups (P<0.05), and it was significantly higher in the LG group than in the NG group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative scores of MFS in the hippocampal CA3 region and dentate gyrus were significantly higher in the HG group than in the other two groups (P<0.05), and they were significantly higher in the LG group than in the NG group (P<0.05). Embryonic lead exposure could impair the offspring rats' motor function and balance ability. These changes may be related to increased c-Fos expression in the hippocampal CA3 region and abnormal MFS in the hippocampal CA3 region and dentate gyrus.


Optimal control of epidemic information dissemination over networks.
Information dissemination control is of crucial importance to facilitate reliable and efficient data delivery, especially in networks consisting of time-varying links or heterogeneous links. Since the abstraction of information dissemination much resembles the spread of epidemics, epidemic models are utilized to characterize the collective dynamics of information dissemination over networks. From a systematic point of view, we aim to explore the optimal control policy for information dissemination given that the control capability is a function of its distribution time, which is a more realistic model in many applications. The main contributions of this paper are to provide an analytically tractable model for information dissemination over networks, to solve the optimal control signal distribution time for minimizing the accumulated network cost via dynamic programming, and to establish a parametric plug-in model for information dissemination control. In particular, we evaluate its performance in mobile and generalized social networks as typical examples.


Effect of intermittent hypoxia or hyperoxia on lung development in preterm rat neonates during constant oxygen therapy.
Impaired lung development is a major negative factor in the survival of preterm neonates. The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of constant oxygen, intermittent hyperoxia, and hypoxia on the lung development in preterm rat neonates. Neonatal rats were exposed to 40% O2 with or without brief hyperoxia episodes (95% O2 ) or brief hypoxia episodes (10% O2 ) from day 0 to day 14, or to room air. The body weight, radical alveolar count (RAC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) were significantly lower whereas the lung coefficient and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly higher in the hyperoxia and hypoxia groups than the air control and constant oxygen group at day 7, day 14, and day 21 after birth. The lung function indexes were reduced by intermittent hyperoxia and hypoxia. In contrast, the constant oxygen therapy increased the lung function. HIF-1α and VEGF expression were significantly increased by hypoxia and decreased by hyperoxia. The constant oxygen therapy only decreased the HIF-1α expression at day 14 and 21. In summary, the constant oxygen treatment promoted lung function without affecting the antioxidative capacity in preterm rat neonates. While intermittent hyperoxia and hypoxia inhibited lung development, decreased antioxidative capacity, and dysregulated HIF-1α/VEGF signaling in preterm rat neonates.


Effect of the preparation method of support on the aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol over 2 wt% Pt/Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 catalysts.
The effect of catalyst support on the aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol over supported 2 wt% Pt/Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 catalysts have been investigated. Various types of Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 mixed oxides were prepared by hydrothermal precipitation (CZH), modified precipitation (CZM), co-precipitation (CZC), sol-gel (CZS) methods, respectively. Catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 sorption analysis, and cyclohexane dehydration for relative metal dispersion. The support effect on the activity of 2 wt% Pt/Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 catalysts with different preparation method was given as follows: CZH < CZM < CZC < CZS. Pt/Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 (CZS) catalyst showed good catalytic activity for APR reaction due to its high metal dispersion and reducibility. The effect of reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) was also studied. The hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield increased in proportion to the reaction temperature and corresponding system pressure, whereas WHSV did not affect.


Docetaxel-induced acute myositis: a case report with review of literature.
Docetaxel is an anti-microtubule agent and a highly effective treatment of locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. There are several adverse effects associated with docetaxel, such as myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, fluid retention, and asthenia. One of the most well-known side-effects of this medication is mild to moderate myalgia. Here, we report a case of a 49-year-old female with stage 3 breast cancers who developed severe acute myositis following docetaxel use. The mechanism of docetaxel-induced myositis remains unclear; however, physicians still need to be aware of the possibility of this complication in patients with cancer and a history of exposure to this medication.


A real-time fluorescent sensor specific to Mg2+: crystallographic evidence, DFT calculation and its use for quantitative determination of magnesium in drinking water.
An "off-the-shelf" fluorescence "turn-on" Mg(2+) chemosensor 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde (BCSA) was rationally designed and developed. This proposed sensor works based on Mg(2+)-induced formation of the 2 : 1 BCSA-Mg(2+) complex. The coordination of BSCA to Mg(2+) increases its structural rigidity generating a chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect which was confirmed by single crystal XRD studies of the BSCA-Mg(2+) complex and TD/DFT calculations. This sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for the quantitative monitoring of Mg(2+) with a wide detection range (0-40 μM), a low detection limit (2.89 × 10(-7) mol L(-1)) and a short response time (<0.5 s). It can also resist the interference from the other co-existing metal ions, especially Ca(2+). Consequently, this fluorescent sensor can be utilized to monitor Mg(2+) in real time within actual samples from drinking water.


[Derivatives of lithocholic acid with antibacterial and antifungal activity. IV].
A series of N-substituted amides of litocholic acid and some N-substituted derivatives of 3 alpha-hydroxy-24-amino-5 beta- cholane were prepared and their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity determined against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative strains and two kinds of mycetes . Some of the tested compounds showed an interesting activity against gram-positive strains and mycetes .


Myosin catalytic domain flexibility in MgADP.
Conventional EPR studies of muscle fibers labeled with a novel alpha-iodoketo spin label at Cys-707 of the myosin head revealed substantial internal domain reorganization on the addition of ADP to rigor fibers. The spin probes that are well-ordered in the rigor state become disordered and form two distinct populations. These orientational changes do not correspond to rotation of the myosin catalytic domain as a whole because other probes (maleimide and iodoacetamide nitroxides attached to the same Cys-707 of myosin head) report only a small (5-10 degrees) torsional rotation and little or no change in the tilt angle [Ajtai et al. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 207-17; Fajer (1994) Biophys. J. 66, 2039-50]. In the presence of ADP, the labeled domain becomes more flexible and executes large-amplitude microsecond motions, as measured by saturation-transfer EPR with rates (tau r = 150 microseconds) intermediate between the rotations of detached (tau r = 7 microseconds) and rigor heads (tau r = 2500 microseconds). This finding contrasts with an absence of global motion of the myosin head in ADP (tau r = 2200 microseconds) as reported by the maleimide spin label. Our results imply that the myosin head in a single chemical state (AM.ADP) is capable of attaining many internal configurations, some of which are dynamic. The presence of these slow structural fluctuations might be related to the slow release of the hydrolysis products of actomyosin ATPase.


Nonsustained polymorphous ventricular tachycardia during amiodarone therapy for atrial fibrillation complicating cardiomyopathy. Management with intravenous magnesium sulfate.
A case is presented in which amiodarone was administered to suppress paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a patient with an idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Eleven days after initiation of therapy with amiodarone, the patient experienced syncope and was noted to have recurrent episodes of polymorphous ventricular tachycardia. The patient was hospitalized and treated with a bolus as well as continuous infusion of intravenous magnesium sulfate. When the infusion was transiently discontinued, recurrences of polymorphous ventricular tachycardia were noted. The probable proarrhythmic action of amiodarone, although rare, is reviewed along with a discussion of the novel use of intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy.


Orbital ordering to orbital glass transition in spinel FeCr(2-x)Al(x)S4 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.2).
The polycrystalline (PC) sample of FeCr2S4 displays orbital ordering around TOO ∼ 9 K, while single crystal sample shows orbital glass. In this paper, with the substitution of Al for Cr, a step by step transition from the orbital ordering to the orbital glass is reported in FeCr(2-x)Al(x)S4 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.2). For PC FeCr2S4, the onset of long-range orbital order at TOO is evidenced by the appearance of a step-like transition in the temperature dependence of the magnetization (M(T)), a small kink at about 5.5 T below 9 K in the isotherms' magnetic field dependence of the magnetization (M(H)) curves as well as a λ-type anomaly in specific heat. With increasing Al content, the TOO decreases gradually. For the samples with x ⩾ 0.1, the orbital ordering is replaced by orbital glass, where the specific heat obeys a T(2)-dependence. The calculated residual orbital entropy consistently increases with x, implying the progressive freezing of the orbital moments and the coexistence of orbital ordering and orbital glass in the middle doping level.


Towards precision medicine in migraine: Recent therapeutic advances and potential biomarkers to understand heterogeneity and treatment response.
After 35 years since the introduction of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), we are living in the era of the second great revolution in migraine therapies. First, discoveries of triptans provided a breakthrough in acute migraine treatment utilizing bench-to-bedside research results on the role of serotonin in migraine. Next, the discovery of the role of neuropeptides, more specifically calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine attack led to the development of anti-CGRP therapies that are effective both in acute and preventive treatment, and are also able to reduce migraine-related burden. Here, we reviewed the most recent clinical studies and real-world data on available migraine-specific medications, including triptans, ditants, gepants and anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Novel drug targets, such as PACAP and amylins were also discussed. To address the main challenges of migraine therapy, the high heterogeneity of people with migraine, the prevalent presence of various comorbid disorders, and the insufficient medical care of migraine patients were covered. Promising novel approaches from the fields of omics, blood and saliva biomarker, imaging and provocation studies might bring solutions for these challenges with the potential to identify further drug targets, distinguish more homogeneous patient subgroups, contribute to more optimal drug selection strategies, and detect biomarkers in association with headache features or predicting treatment efficacy. In the future, the combined analysis of data of different biomarker modalities with machine learning algorithms may serve precision medicine in migraine treatment.


Risk-adapted treatment choice in stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell cancer by regarding vascular invasion in the primary tumor: a prospective trial.
Based on the results of a retrospective study, which found blood vessel invasion to be the most important prognostic factor in clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell cancer (NSTGCC I), a prospective study was started in 1985 which assigned NSTGCC I patients without evidence of vascular invasion to surveillance and patients with vascular invasion to two cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin. Twenty-two patients entered the surveillance group and 18 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up is 30 months (3 to 50 months). Relapses occurred in three patients (7.5%), one in the surveillance group (4.5%), two in the chemotherapy group (11%). Thirty-eight patients (95%) are alive and without evidence of disease. Two patients of the adjuvant-treated group died, one of progressive germ cell cancer and one of lung cancer. We conclude that low- and high-risk NSTGCC I patients can be identified by considering blood vessel invasion. The presence of embryonal carcinoma and vascular invasion seem to be interrelated prognostic factors, because in 94% of vessel invasion the invading element was embryonal carcinoma. The exclusion of patients with vascular invasion from surveillance decreases relapse rates remarkably. Adjuvant chemotherapy diminishes relapse rates in high-risk patients but does not entirely prevent relapse.


A TEST OF THE SIB-COMPETITION HYPOTHESIS FOR OUTCROSSING ADVANTAGE IN IMPATIENS CAPENSIS.
One of the potential selective mechanisms invoked in discussions of breeding-system evolution is that competition within sibships increases the fitness of outcrossed progeny relative to selfed progeny. We tested this sib-competition hypothesis using cleistogamous (CL) and chasmogamous (CH) seeds of Impatiens capensis in a large greenhouse experiment. The experimental design was a double replacement series which also allowed us to test for inbreeding depression and overall resource partitioning among sibships. We found no evidence for strong inbreeding depression in the study population; although plants from CH seeds had a slight advantage over plants from CL seeds in total flower and pod production, CL plants had slightly higher growth. We also could not detect significant resource partitioning among sibships nor any evidence to support the sib-competition hypothesis for outcrossing advantage. CH sibships were not significantly more variable than CL sibships in any of the phenotypic traits measured. These results suggest that sibling competition may have little importance in the evolution of Impatiens breeding systems.


Pathogens, personality, and culture: disease prevalence predicts worldwide variability in sociosexuality, extraversion, and openness to experience.
Previous research has documented cross-cultural differences in personality traits, but the origins of those differences remain unknown. The authors investigate the possibility that these cultural differences can be traced, in part, to regional differences in the prevalence in infectious diseases. Three specific hypotheses are deduced, predicting negative relationships between disease prevalence and (a) unrestricted sociosexuality, (b) extraversion, and (c) openness to experience. These hypotheses were tested empirically with methods that employed epidemiological atlases in conjunction with personality data collected from individuals in dozens of countries worldwide. Results were consistent with all three hypotheses: In regions that have historically suffered from high levels of infectious diseases, people report lower mean levels of sociosexuality, extraversion, and openness. Alternative explanations are addressed, and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.


O antigenic structure of Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi.
Cross-agglutination and absorption studies indicated that two serological reference strains of Listeria grayi and Listeria murrayi differed in at least one O factor. The serological analysis revealed that the unshared O factors are not present in other Listeria serovars. These results are not in accordance with the antigenic structure previously reported for L. grayi and L. murrayi, then a new O antigen formulation is proposed for these species: L. grayi (III), XII, XIV and XVI; L. murrayi (III), XII, XIV and XVII.


Graphene-Selenium Hybrid Microballs as Cathode Materials for High-performance Lithium-Selenium Secondary Battery Applications.
In this study, graphene-selenium hybrid microballs (G-SeHMs) are prepared in one step by aerosol microdroplet drying using a commercial spray dryer, which represents a simple, scalable continuous process, and the potential of the G-SeHMs thus prepared is investigated for use as cathode material in applications of lithium-selenium secondary batteries. These morphologically unique graphene microballs filled with Se particles exhibited good electrochemical properties, such as high initial specific capacity (642 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C, corresponding to Se electrochemical utilisation as high as 95.1%), good cycling stability (544 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.1 C; 84.5% retention) and high rate capability (specific capacity of 301 mA h g(-1) at 5 C). These electrochemical properties are attributed to the fact that the G-SeHM structure acts as a confinement matrix for suppressing the dissolution of polyselenides in the organic electrolyte, as well as an electron conduction path for increasing the transport rate of electrons for electrochemical reactions. Notably, based on the weight of hybrid materials, electrochemical performance is considerably better than that of previously reported Se-based cathode materials, attributed to the high Se loading content (80 wt%) in hybrid materials.


Exposure of embalmers to formaldehyde and other chemicals.
Seven funeral homes were surveyed in 1980 to determine the magnitude of embalmers' exposure to formaldehyde, other chemical vapors, and total and respirable particulates. Air was monitored for formaldehyde by personal and area samples, and assayed using the chromotropic acid method. Personal sampling revealed time-weighted average formaldehyde concentrations which ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 ppm (mean 0.3 ppm) and 0.5 to 1.2 ppm (mean 0.9 ppm) during the embalming of intact and autopsied bodies, respectively. Concentrations of other airborne chemicals and of particulates were negligible. In preparing autopsied bodies, embalming technique and condition of the body itself appeared to be major determinants of formaldehyde exposure.


Brief report: difficulty in understanding social acting (but not false beliefs) mediates the link between autistic traits and ingroup relationships.
Why do individuals with more autistic traits experience social difficulties? Here we examined the hypothesis that these difficulties stem in part from a challenge in understanding social acting, the prosocial pretense that adults routinely produce to maintain positive relationships with their ingroup. In Study 1, we developed a self-administered test of social-acting understanding: participants read stories in which a character engaged in social acting and rated the appropriateness of the character's response. Adults who scored 26 or higher on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire gave significantly lower ratings than comparison participants (AQ < 26). Study 2 found that difficulty in understanding social acting, but not false beliefs, mediated the link between autistic traits and perceived ingroup relationships.


Association of Azithromycin Use With Cardiovascular Mortality.
Azithromycin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the US. It has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death in some observational studies. To estimate the relative and absolute risks of cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death after an outpatient azithromycin prescription compared with amoxicillin, an antibiotic not known to increase cardiovascular events. This retrospective cohort study included 2 large, diverse, community-based integrated care delivery systems with comprehensive capture of encounters and prescriptions from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2014. The cohort included patients aged 30 to 74 years who had at least 12 months of health-plan enrollment prior to antibiotic exposure. The exclusion criteria were absence of prescription benefits, prescription for more than 1 type of study antibiotic within 10 days, hospitalization or nursing home residence, and serious medical conditions. Risk of cardiovascular death associated with azithromycin vs amoxicillin exposure was calculated after controlling for confounding factors using a propensity score. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2016, to March 30, 2020. Outpatient prescription of azithromycin or amoxicillin. The primary outcomes were cardiovascular death and sudden cardiac death. An a priori subgroup analysis quantified the effects of azithromycin exposure among patients with increased baseline cardiovascular risk. The secondary outcomes were noncardiovascular death and all-cause mortality. The study included 7 824 681 antibiotic exposures, including 1 736 976 azithromycin exposures (22.2%) and 6 087 705 amoxicillin exposures (77.8%), among 2 929 008 unique individuals (mean [SD] age, 50.7 [12.3] years; 1 810 127 [61.8%] women). Azithromycin was associated with a significantly increased hazard of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.23-2.67) but not sudden cardiac death (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.90-2.81) within 5 days of exposure. No increases in risk were found 6 to 10 days after exposure. Similar results were observed in patients within the top decile of cardiovascular risk (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.06-2.76). Azithromycin was also associated with an increased risk of noncardiovascular death (HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.44-3.26) and all-cause mortality (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.51-2.63) within 5 days of exposure. These findings suggest that outpatient azithromycin use was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and noncardiovascular death. Causality cannot be established, particularly for noncardiovascular death, owing to the likelihood of residual confounding.


Filariasis Presenting As Bone Marrow Suppression.
Lymphatic filariasis is caused by most commonly Wuchereria bancrofti in India. The diagnosis is made by demonstration of microfilariae in the peripheral blood, body fluids, fine needle aspirates and in bronchial brushings. Presence of microfilariae in the bone marrow is unusual and not been reported frequently. We are reporting here a case of a young male who had pancytopenia and was found to have microfilariae in the bone marrow.


Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms: association with risk for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in north Indians.
Genetic polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been associated with the development of acute leukemias and various malignancies. We conducted a case-control study in 95 north Indian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 255 controls, to investigate the role of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms as risk factors in the development of ALL. PCR-RFLP on genomic DNA was carried out to determine C677T and A1298C genotypes. The frequency of MTHFR C677T for the T allele was found to be 23.2% among patients and 18.2% among controls. The frequency of the C allele in MTHFR A1298C was 44.2% among cases and 48.2% in controls. Patients showed a higher frequency of heterozygosity for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism as compared to controls (40% vs 27.8%; OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.02-2.91, p = 0.02), and the A1298C polymorphism did not show any difference in genotype frequency between cases and controls. MTHFR 677CC/1298AC genotype frequencies showed a statistically significant difference between cases and controls (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-1.01, p = 0.04). In conclusion, our study in north Indian controls and patients with pediatric ALL showed increased frequency for MTHFR C677T in the heterozygous state and no significant difference in the frequency of A1298C genotype between the two groups.


[Phosphatidylcholine-induced repair of damaged hepatocyte membranes in heliotrine poisoning].
Hepatocyte membranes destruction in experimental toxic hepatitis caused by heliotrine administration was accompanied by a 10-fold increase in blood serum activity of aldolase fructose-I-monophosphate, a decrease in cytochrome P-450 content, an increase in the rate of cytochrome P-450 inactivation, as well as a decrease in microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Administration of phosphatidylcholine liposomes decreased the activity of aldolase twofold, which indirectly shows partial reconstitution of liver cell membranes. Phosphatidylcholine protective action is also manifested in an increase in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase, a microsomal marker enzyme, up to its control level and in a 20% reduced rate of cytochrome P-450 inactivation. It has been shown that destroyed liver cell membranes may be repaired by the introduction of phosphatidylcholine in the form of multilayer liposomes.


Unilateral and Bilateral Breast Reconstruction with Pedicled TRAM Flaps: An Outcomes Analysis of 188 Consecutive Patients.
The abdomen remains a popular donor site for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. Recently, however, some authors have questioned whether the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap should remain a first-line reconstruction option. Between 1998 and 2009, 188 women underwent breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flaps by the senior author (J.A.A.). All TRAM flaps involved reinforcement of the abdominal wall repair with polypropylene mesh. Reconstruction was unilateral in 164 patients and bilateral in 24 patients, yielding a total of 212 flaps. The mean follow-up period was 36 months. There were no complete flap losses. Overall hernia rate for the series was 1.6%, and overall abdominal bulge rate was 0.5%. When combining all types of morbidity, 38 unilateral (23.2%) and zero bilateral TRAM flap patients experienced flap site complications (P = 0.005), and 16 unilateral (9.8%) and 5 bilateral patients (20.8%) experienced donor site complications (P = 0.155). For morbidity that required a return to the operating room, the overall rate was 4.3% for unilateral TRAM flap patients and 4.2% for bilateral TRAM flap patients. Flap site morbidity was significantly associated with obesity, former or active smoking, and receiving 2 or more adjuvant therapies. Donor site morbidity was significantly associated with obesity. The pedicled TRAM flap continues to be an excellent option for breast reconstruction. Complication rates for both unilateral and bilateral TRAM flaps were low in this series, with no complete flap losses and just 4.3% of patients requiring a return to the operating room secondary to morbidity.


A five-component infection control bundle to permanently eliminate a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii spreading in an intensive care unit.
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infection outbreaks are difficult to control and sometimes require cohorting of CRAB-positive patients or temporary ward closure for environmental cleaning. We aimed at controlling the deadly 2018 CRAB outbreak in a 12 bed- intensive care unit (ICU) including 9 beds in a 220 m2 open space. We implemented a new multimodal approach without ward closure, cohorting or temporarily limiting admissions. A five-component bundle was introduced in 2018 including reinforcement of hand hygiene and sample extension of screening, application of contact precautions to all patients, enhanced environmental sampling and the one-time application of a cycling radical environmental cleaning and disinfection procedure of the entire ICU. The ICU-CRAB incidence density (ID), ICU alcohol-based hand rub consumption and antibiotic use were calculated over a period of 6 years and intervention time series analysis was performed. Whole genome sequencing analysis (WGS) was done on clinical and environmental isolates in the study period. From January 2013, nosocomial ICU-CRAB ID decreased from 30.4 CRAB cases per 1000 patients-days to zero cases per 1000 patients-days. Our intervention showed a significant impact (-2.9 nosocomial ICU-CRAB cases per 1000 bed-days), while no influence was observed for antibiotic and alcohol-based hand rub (AHR) consumption. WGS demonstrated that CRAB strains were clonally related to an environmental reservoir which confirms the primary role of the environment in CRAB ICU spreading. A five-component bundle of continuous hand hygiene improvement, extended sampling at screening including the environment, universal contact precautions and a novel cycling radical environmental cleaning and disinfection procedure proved to be effective for permanently eliminating CRAB spreading within the ICU. Cohorting, admission restriction or ICU closure were avoided.


High expression of ABCG2 induced by EZH2 disruption has pivotal roles in MDS pathogenesis.
Both proto-oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions have been reported for enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). To investigate the effects of its inactivation, a mutant EZH2 lacking its catalytic domain was prepared (EZH2-dSET). In a mouse bone marrow transplant model, EZH2-dSET expression in bone marrow cells induced a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like disease in transplanted mice. Analysis of these mice identified Abcg2 as a direct target of EZH2. Intriguingly, Abcg2 expression alone induced the same disease in the transplanted mice, where stemness genes were enriched. Interestingly, ABCG2 expression is specifically high in MDS patients. The present results indicate that ABCG2 de-repression induced by EZH2 mutations have crucial roles in MDS pathogenesis.


Organization of gangliosides into membrane nanodomains.
Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids consisting of a ceramide base and a bulky sugar chain that contains one or more sialic acids. This unique structure endows gangliosides with a strong tendency to self-aggregate in solution, as well as in cellular membranes, where they can form nanoscopic assemblies called ganglioside nanodomains. As gangliosides are important biological molecules involved in a number of physiological processes, characterization of their lateral organization in membranes is essential. This review aims at providing comprehensive information about the nanoscale organization of gangliosides in various synthetic models. To this end, the impact of the hydrophobic backbone and the headgroup on the segregation of gangliosides into nanodomains are discussed in detail, as well as the way in which the properties of nanodomains are affected by ligand binding. Small size makes the characterization of ganglioside nanodomains challenging, and we thus highlight the biophysical methods that have advanced this research, such as Monte Carlo Förster resonance energy transfer, atomic force microscopy and approaches based on molecular diffusion.


Combination of solid-state NMR and 1H NMR relaxometry for the study of intercalated saponite clays with the macrocyclic derivatives of Gd(iii) and Y(iii).
Positively charged Gd(iii) and Y(iii) complexes were intercalated in the gallery of a synthetic saponite. A combination of solid-state NMR and 1H NMR relaxometric investigations has been employed to characterize these hybrid systems. This enabled us to gain atomic level insights into the local environment of the chelates and to evaluate the interactions of the metal species with the co-intercalated water molecules.


Treatment decision making (TDM): a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of patients with chronic haematological cancers.
Haematological malignancies are the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with chronic subtypes comprising around a third of all new diagnoses. These complex diseases have some similarities with other cancers, but often require different management. Surgical resection is not possible, and while some are curable with intensive chemotherapy, most indolent subtypes are managed with non-aggressive intermittent or continuous treatment, often over many years. Little is known about the views of patients with chronic haematological cancers regarding treatment decision making (TDM), a deficit our study aimed to address. Set within the Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN: www.hmrn.org), an ongoing population-based cohort that provides infrastructure to support evidence-based research, HMRN data were augmented by qualitative information from in-depth interviews. Data were analysed for thematic content, combining inductive and deductive approaches. Interpretation involved seeking meaning, salience and connections within data. Thirty-five patients with four chronic subtypes: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and myeloma. Ten relatives were present and contributed to varying extents. Five themes were discerned: (1) Preference for clinician recommendations; (2) Factors implicated in patient involvement in TDM; (3) Perceptions of proactive/non-proactive approaches to TDM; (4) Experiences of TDM at various points in the disease trajectory; (5) Support from others. Our principal finding relates to a strong preference among interviewees for treatment recommendations from haematologists, based on trust in their expertise and perceptions of empathetic patient-clinician relationships. Interviewees wanted to be involved in TDM to varying extents, contingent on complex, inter-related factors, that are dynamic and subject to change according to differing clinical and personal contexts. Patients may benefit from clinicians assessing their shifting preferences for involvement on multiple occasions. Strong preferences for acceptance of recommendations was associated with cancer complexity, trust in clinician expertise and positive perceptions of patient-clinician relationships.


DNA synthesis catalyzed in vitro by yeast extracts.
A procedure to prepare crude extracts from single colonies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described. Partially purified extracts catalyzed DNA synthesis directed by single-stranded fd DNA. Maximum activity requires the presence of ribonucleoside triphosphates although extensive DNA synthesis is observed in the presence of only deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Alkaline sucrose gradient analysis demonstrated that initiation of new DNA chains occurs in vitro and the DNA products synthesized are heterogeneous in size, Isopycnic analysis of the products of ribonucleotide-initiated fd DNA replication showed covalent linkage between the initiator RNA and the newly synthesized DNA. The fd-replicating capacity of extracts prepared from cell-division-cycle mutants, defective in events controlling DNA initiation of elongation, showed an increased thermosensitivity in the DNA replication reaction in vitro.


Digital atom interferometer with single particle control on a discretized space-time geometry.
Engineering quantum particle systems, such as quantum simulators and quantum cellular automata, relies on full coherent control of quantum paths at the single particle level. Here we present an atom interferometer operating with single trapped atoms, where single particle wave packets are controlled through spin-dependent potentials. The interferometer is constructed from a sequence of discrete operations based on a set of elementary building blocks, which permit composing arbitrary interferometer geometries in a digital manner. We use this modularity to devise a space-time analogue of the well-known spin echo technique, yielding insight into decoherence mechanisms. We also demonstrate mesoscopic delocalization of single atoms with a separation-to-localization ratio exceeding 500; this result suggests their utilization beyond quantum logic applications as nano-resolution quantum probes in precision measurements, being able to measure potential gradients with precision 5 x 10(-4) in units of gravitational acceleration g.


A study of the application of Brain Atlas with and without +Gz acceleration conditions.
The purposes of this study were to utilize Brain Atlas to investigate the fluctuations in the characteristics of human EEG, with and without +Gz acceleration produced by human centrifuge, and also to examine the G load endurance of human body. The Brain Atlas of the EEG signal with and without +Gz acceleration in a static state were compared in order to reveal the correlation and differences. When compared with those in a static state, it was found that for the EEG readings of the subjects undergoing +Gz acceleration conditions, the energy and gray scale values of the low-frequency component-delta rhythm showed significant increases, while the energy and gray scale values of the high-frequency component-beta rhythm showed significant decreases. Among these, the beta2 rhythm was determined to be significantly inhibited. These fluctuations suggested that the ischemia conditions of brain had been improved. Also, the recoveries in the energy and gray-scale values were determined to be faster, which suggested that the G load endurance of human body had been enhanced. The Brain Atlas was found to show observable changes in color. The experimental results indicated that the Brain Atlas was able to provide assistance during the exploration of the fluctuations in the characteristics of EEG, and provided a criterion to assist in the observations of the function state fluctuations of human brain with +Gz acceleration. It also assisted in the evaluations of the G load endurance of human body.


Giant cavernous hemangioma in renal graft: a case report.
We present a case of giant cavernous hemangioma in renal graft tumor; we have not found any cases described in literature. Patient transplanted from a deceased donor, 8 years previous to her admission due to deterioration in renal function, observing a 12-cm renal mass in the front face of the renal graft, which displaces it, provoking obstructive uropathy. On ultrasonography and computed tomography, it is seen as a complicated, cystic lesion. Tumorectomy with a good functional recovery of the graft was carried out. A histopathologic study showed a mass with extensive adherences to the perirenal adipose tissue and a cross section showed a spongy appearance with blood clots in the centre, microscopically formed by vascular channels, lined by a layer of endothelial cells, and filled with blood. Giant cavernous hemangioma in renal graft tumor has not been previously described. Given its benign condition, nephron-sparing surgery should be carried out if possible.


["Conservative" treatment in the multiply handicapped child].
The increasingly medicalized strategies of nursing for the multihandicapped children point out the problem of limits and constraints of these processing. First, a review of methods of treatments for the evolutionary complications is done. Secondly, the consequences of the choice of these therapeutics are discussed. The ethical consequences of the various processing are analysed by developing the motivations of the caring teams, the concepts of quality of life and its dualism with dignity of life.


Natural immunity enhances the activity of a DR5 agonistic antibody and carboplatin in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis specifically in cancer cells with little effect on normal cells. We have previously shown that TRAIL signaling is altered in most ovarian cancer patients and that resistance to TRAIL contributes to ovarian cancer progression. In this study, we investigated whether resistance to TRAIL may be overcome by a monoclonal TRAILR2 (DR5) agonistic antibody (AD5-10). We found that the joint presence of AD5-10 with TRAIL and natural killer (NK) cells expressing TRAIL resensitizes ovarian cancer cells to apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The combination of AD5-10 with carboplatin exerts a more than additive effect in vitro, which may at least partially be explained by the fact that carboplatin triggers DR5 expression on ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, AD5-10 restores the sensitivity of platin-resistant ovarian cancer to carboplatin in vivo. In addition, we found that TRAIL expression and NK cells are abundant in the tumor microenvironment and that depletion of NK cells abolishes the antitumor activity of AD5-10. This indicates that NK-mediated immunosurveillance against ovarian cancer might be mediated by TRAIL and that apoptosis induced by AD5-10 requires the presence of NK cells. In conclusion, this study indicates a key role and strong antitumorigenic effect of DR5 and highlights a novel link between NK-mediated immunosurveillance and activation of DR5-mediated apoptosis in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(4); 1007-18. (c)2010 AACR.


[Sarcoidosis of the large intestine].
A 68-years old female patient suffering over a period of several weeks from fatigue, weight loss, recurrent diarrheas and mild fever was admitted in our clinic. A few months ago, sarcoidosis of a cervical lymph node had been diagnosed and had been treated with steroids. During the present admission, the extensive study of the gastrointestinal system revealed a tumor of the ascending colon, obstructing the lumen. The patient was subjected to laparotomy due to persistent symptomatology of intestinal obstruction. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The pathological findings were persistent with sarcoidosis of the large bowel. Post-operatively, the patient has been symptom-free over a period of more than one year.


Comparative overview of cardiac output measurement methods: has impedance cardiography come of age?
Cardiac output, usually expressed as liters of blood ejected by the left ventricle per minute, is a fundamental measure of the adequacy of myocardial function to meet the perfusion needs of tissue at any time. Decreases in cardiac output over time (when cardiac output is measured under similar conditions) may signal myocardial functional deterioration and the onset or progression of heart failure. Conversely, improvements in cardiac output may indicate a positive response to medical therapy. However, most methods for evaluating cardiac output are technically demanding, require specialized training and specialized environments for measurement, and are costly. Therefore, most measurement techniques are impractical for routine evaluation of disease progression and/or response to treatment in the prevention and/or management of heart failure. This paper provides a comparative overview of commonly employed cardiac output measurement strategies with emphasis on developments in impedance cardiography which suggest that impedance cardiography has the potential to make routine assessment and trending of cardiac output a viable alternative to assist in the management of both chronically and acutely ill patients, including those with heart failure. (c)2000 by CHF, Inc.


AR Pathway Is Involved in the Regulation of CX43 in Prostate Cancer.
CX43 plays a critical role in tumor progression. Previous studies imply that AR pathway may be involved in regulation of CX43. This study was focused on determining the relationship between AR pathway and CX43. The result showed that the expression of CX43 in malignant cells was higher than that in normal cells, and in nonmalignant and malignant cells, not only is the expression level of CX43 different, but the localization of CX43 can also be changed. After androgen stimulation and inhibition of AR pathway, expression of CX43 can also be changed. Thus, AR pathway plays an important role in regulation of CX43 expression in prostate cancer cells. AR may be the upstream signal of CX43.


Donor lymphocyte infusion induced acute hepatitis.
Hepatic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation generally presents as cholestatic jaundice and increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P). Currently accepted standards for evaluating the clinical severity of hepatic GVHD are not based on serum aminotransferase levels but on the serum bilirubin levels. We describe a 25-year-old female who initially had no liver damage at all after an allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) from her HLA-indentical sister. Markedly elevated aminotransferases, without hyperbilirubinemia, however, developed 7 and 9 weeks after the first and second donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), respectively. Liver biopsies performed in both events revealed lymphocytic infiltration of the portal tracts and pericentral necrosis of the lobuli. There was also a picture of periductal lymphocytic infiltration and vacuolization of the biliary epithelial cells, which was compatible with the diagnosis of GVHD of cholangiohepatitic type. These findings indicate that hepatic GVHD may present as acute hepatitis and should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with increased aminotransferases after DLI.


Efficient NMR Screening Approach to Discover Small Molecule Fragments Binding Structured RNA.
We describe a scalable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) screening approach to identify and prioritize small molecule fragments that bind to structured RNAs. This approach is target agnostic and, therefore, amenable to many RNA structures and libraries, and it provides initial hits for further synthetic elaboration and structure-based drug discovery efforts. We demonstrate the approach on the pre-miR-21 stem-loop, which is of significant interest in oncology and metabolic diseases. We screened the pre-miR-21 hairpin using a small (420 compounds) commercially available fragment library and identified 18 hits in the first round of triage screening. This was further refined to four fragments which passed all screening cascade filters. Among these four hits, a thiadiazole fragment was demonstrated to bind the Dicer cleavage site of pre-miR-21 by target-detected NMR experiments and through the observation of clear intermolecular NOEs.


Permeability and Dynamics of a Monolayer are Mediated by ITO Support Surface-Modification.
Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been extensively used as a transparent conductor. The surface chemistry of ITO is amenable to reactions similar to those used to modify silica, but a long-standing issue has been understanding the density and robustness of the ITO surface-modification. We report on the formation of chemically bound Cd2+-complexed octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) monolayer formed on a Langmuir trough and deposited using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) methodology onto an ITO surface, either in its native form or functionalized with phosphonate (RPO32-). The organization of the Langmuir monolayer depends on the pH and presence of Cd2+ in the aqueous subphase on which it is formed and on the functionalization of the ITO surface. We probe the permeability of the resulting LB-support interface electrochemically and the motional freedom characteristic of chromophores contained within the monolayer using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Our data demonstrate that without modification of the ITO surface the monolayer is significantly permeable by the electrophores used (ferrocene and Ru3+), and surface modification to produce covalently bound phosphonate functionality results in a monolayer that is impermeable to the electrophores. FRAP studies reveal a relatively rigid monolayer aliphatic chain region for deposition on either native or modified ITO, suggesting direct Cd2+-ITO interactions.


Effect of ductus deferens lavage on the time to achieve azoospermia in patients undergoing vasectomy.
To evaluate the effect of normal saline lavage of the distal vas deferens ampulla in patients undergoing vasectomy on the time to achieve azoospermia. A prospective randomized study of 60 men divided into two groups, group lavage (GL, n=30) in which distal vas deferens ampulla lavage was performed with 10 ml of normal saline during the vasectomy, and group without lavage (GWL, n=30) in which control patients received only a vasectomy. The patients provided sperm for semen analysis at the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th ejaculations. Fifteen participants in GL and 16 in GWL, for a total of 31 patients, were excluded due to not completing the control spermiogram. The tests carried out at the five ejaculations showed immobile spermatozoa in 40 and 85.71%, 66.67 and 78.57%, 93.33 and 85.71%, 86.67 and 71.43%, and 93.33 and 85.71% of participants in GL and GWL, respectively. Vas deferens duct lavage with 10 ml of normal saline during vasectomy did not decrease the time required to achieve postoperative azoospermia.


Silk layering as studied with neutron reflectivity.
Neutron reflectivity (NR) measurements of ultrathin surface films (below 30 nm) composed of Bombyx mori silk fibroin protein in combination with atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry were used to reveal the internal structural organization in both dry and swollen states. Reconstituted aqueous silk solution deposited on a silicon substrate using the spin-assisted layer-by-layer (SA-LbL) technique resulted in a monolayer silk film composed of random nanofibrils with constant scattering length density (SLD). However, a vertically segregated ordering with two different regions has been observed in dry, thicker, seven-layer SA-LbL silk films. The vertical segregation of silk multilayer films indicates the presence of a different secondary structure of silk in direct contact with the silicon oxide surface (first 6 nm). The layered structure can be attributed to interfacial β-sheet crystallization and the formation of well-developed nanofibrillar nanoporous morphology for the initially deposited silk surface layers with the preservation of less dense, random coil secondary structure for the layers that follow. This segregated structure of solid silk films defines their complex nonuniform behavior in the D(2)O environment with thicker silk films undergoing delamination during swelling. For a silk monolayer with an initial thickness of 6 nm, we observed the increase in the effective thickness by 60% combined with surprising decrease in density. Considering the nanoporous morphology of the hydrophobic silk layer, we suggested that the apparent increase in its thickness in liquid environment is caused by the air nanobubble trapping phenomenon at the liquid-solid interface.


Attenuation of disease phenotype through alternative translation initiation in low-penetrance retinoblastoma.
Hereditary predisposition to retinoblastoma (RB) is caused by germline mutations in the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene and transmits as an autosomal dominant trait. In the majority of cases disease develops in greater than 90% of carriers. However, reduced penetrance with a large portion of disease-free carrier is seen in some families. Unambiguous identification of the predisposing mutation in these families is important for accurate risk prediction in relatives and their genetic counseling but also provides conceptual information regarding the relationship between the RB1 genotype and the disease phenotype. In this study we report a novel mutation detected in 10 individuals of an extended family, only three of whom are affected by RB disease. The mutation comprises a 23-basepair (bp) duplication in the first exon of RB1 (c.43_65dup) producing a frameshift in exon 1 and premature chain termination in exon 2. Mutations resulting in premature chain termination classically are associated with high penetrance disease, as message translation may not generate functional product and nonsense mediated RNA decay (NMD) frequently eliminates the mutant transcript. However, appreciable NMD does not follow from the mutation described here and transcript expression in tissue culture cells and translation in vitro reveals that alternative in-frame translation start sites involving Met113 and possibly Met233 are used to generate truncated RB1 products (pRB94 and pRB80), known and suspected to exhibit tumor suppressor activity. These results strongly suggest that modulation of disease penetrance in this family is achieved by internal translation initiation. Our observations provide the first example for rescue of a chain-terminating mutation in RB1 through alternative translation initiation.


[Mutagenicity of the gastric juice in chronic gastritis].
Mutagenicity of the gastric juice in patients with chronic gastritis was determined by reverse mutation test using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and investigated the relationship between intestinal metaplasia which has been regarded as a precancerous lesion (candidate) of gastric cancer, and atrophy of gastric mucosa. The degree of intestinal metaplasia was quantified in six biopsy specimen for one patient and represented as metaplasia index (MI). The Ames ratio, mutagenicity, of gastric juice showed no significant relationship with the age of patient. On the other hand, Ames ratio and MI, and the age of patient showed significant relationship, respectively (p < 0.01). Furthermore, patients with more intensive atrophy tended to show higher Ames ratio. As shown above, mutagenicity of the gastric juice suggested some relationships to the development of intestinal metaplasia and atrophy of gastric mucosa.


In-vivo analysis of ankle joint movement for patient-specific kinematic characterization.
In this article, a method for the experimental in-vivo characterization of the ankle kinematics is proposed. The method is meant to improve personalization of various ankle joint treatments, such as surgical decision-making or design and application of an orthosis, possibly to increase their effectiveness. This characterization in fact would make the treatments more compatible with the specific patient's joint physiological conditions. This article describes the experimental procedure and the analytical method adopted, based on the instantaneous and mean helical axis theories. The results obtained in this experimental analysis reveal that more accurate techniques are necessary for a robust in-vivo assessment of the tibio-talar axis of rotation.


Peptide and amine transmitter effect on embryonic chick sensory neurons in vitro.
It has been known for some time that NE and ACh can affect voltage-sensitive channels in the heart but it has only recently been appreciated that neurotransmitters (and certain peptides) can modulate voltage-sensitive channels in neurons. In addition to the effect on the action potential of embryonic chick sensory neurons described here, NE decreases the duration of spikes in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons (7). Serotonin prolongs action potentials recorded in Aplysia sensory neurons (9) and an as yet unidentified transmitter decreases an inward Ca++ current in the same cells (20). In the heart, one important consequence of the effect of NE and ACh on the action potential is a change in the strength and/or duration of contraction. In neurons, attention has been focused on the possibility that modulation of voltage-sensitive channels might result in a change in transmitter release. In Aplysia, the 5-HT induced prolongation of sensory neuron some spikes is associated with a dramatic augmentation of transmitter release at sensory nerve-motorneurone synapses (9) and the decrease in some inward Ca++ current is associated with presynaptic inhibition (20). Enkephalin, NE, GABA, and 5-HT can inhibit the evoked release of Substance P from cultured embryonic chick sensory neurons. These same drugs decrease ICa, apparently by decreasing the number of the conductance of voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels. The two phenomena may be related. It is significant in this regard that the same variability (between platings) in the ability of enkephalin to reduce Substance P release was also observed in the effect of enkephalin on action potential duration. Cells that released normal amounts of Substance P in the presence of enkephalin also exhibit spikes of normal duration in the presence of the peptide.


Preparing employers to implement the Washington state ergonomics rule: evaluation of the training workshops.
Training of managers and workers is a mainstay of health and safety practice but it is rarely evaluated. We assessed the change in knowledge and perceived competence of participants, regarding the Washington State Ergonomics Rule, with the implementation of a 4-hour training session. We used the before and after study design without a control group to evaluate training workshops conducted between April 2001 and August 2002. There were 511 participants involved in the evaluation. Overall, participants' knowledge of the ergonomics rule and hazard reduction methods increased significantly. Those with no previous ergonomics training had a greater increase in their knowledge than those who had some ergonomics training in the past.


Cholesteatoma: ossicular destruction in adults and children.
The records of 148 adults (aged 14 years and older) presenting previously untreated aural cholesteatomas are analysed with particular emphasis on ossicular destruction and other bony lesions in the middle ear. The findings are compared with those obtained in an earlier study of 63 children (aged 13 years and younger), also with untreated cholesteatomas. The rate of stapes and malleus destruction was similar in adults and children. The rate of incus destruction was significantly higher in adults. Semicircular fistulas as well as facial paralysis were also more prevalent amongst adults. Therefore, the notion of childhood cholesteatoma aggressiveness cannot be related to its effect on these bony structures. It may stem from its higher recurrence rate and from the more troublesome post-operative mastoid cavities, which are often larger in children than in adults.


Design of species-specific PCR method for the detection of pathogen Embellisia astragali in standing milk vetch seeds.
Embellisia astragali is an important seedborne pathogenic fungus responsible for yellow stunt and root rot of standing milk vetch (Astragalus adsurgens). The current detection methods that are based on culture and morphological identification are time-consuming, laborious and not always reliable. A PCR-based diagnostic method was developed with the species-specific primer pairs AatpF and AatpR designed from the sequence of the plasma membrane ATPase gene of E. astragali. The specificity of the primers was verified by PCR analysis of DNA from three strains of E. astragali and 19 isolates of nontarget fungi from other genera. A single 135-bp amplicon was detected only from E. astragali isolates, and no cross-reactions were observed with any other tested isolates. The detection limit of this new method was 5 pg of template DNA. The specific primers enabled the detection of E. astragali from the seed of standing milk vetch. This species-specific PCR method provides quick, simple, powerful and reliable detection of E. astragali. PCR-based detection is fast, convenient, precise and sensitive compared to the traditional methods of pathogen detection. This study develops the first PCR method for the detection of Embellisia astragali in standing milk vetch seeds. The species-specific primer set designed from the plasma membrane ATPase gene of E. astragali can detect the pathogen. This assay could be applied in the standing milk vetch seed industry.


Quadrichemotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma.
In an effort to improve the length and rate of objective responses in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma, a combination of four drugs was administered. Vincristine (10 mug/kg intravenously weekly), actinomycin D (500 mug intravenously weekly), oral methotrexate (1.25 mg daily), and oral cyclophosphamide (50 mg daily) were given to 25 evaluable patients with FIGO Stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma. After 12 weeks the vincristine and methotrexate were discontinued; cyclophosphamide and methotrexate were continued until disease progression was evident. Objective responses occurred in 56% of the patients. Toxicity was minimal. Patients not previously treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy had a higher complete response rate (30%) than patients previously treated (13.3%). Mean length of complete response was 10.6+ months. The 1-year survival rate of these patients was 69.5% and the 5-year rate 22.7%. While the results are encouraging, single agent chemotherapy with an alkylating agent produces similar responses.


Overcoming mTOR resistance mutations with a new-generation mTOR inhibitor.
Precision medicines exert selective pressure on tumour cells that leads to the preferential growth of resistant subpopulations, necessitating the development of next-generation therapies to treat the evolving cancer. The PIK3CA-AKT-mTOR pathway is one of the most commonly activated pathways in human cancers, which has led to the development of small-molecule inhibitors that target various nodes in the pathway. Among these agents, first-generation mTOR inhibitors (rapalogs) have caused responses in 'N-of-1' cases, and second-generation mTOR kinase inhibitors (TORKi) are currently in clinical trials. Here we sought to delineate the likely resistance mechanisms to existing mTOR inhibitors in human cell lines, as a guide for next-generation therapies. The mechanism of resistance to the TORKi was unusual in that intrinsic kinase activity of mTOR was increased, rather than a direct active-site mutation interfering with drug binding. Indeed, identical drug-resistant mutations have been also identified in drug-naive patients, suggesting that tumours with activating MTOR mutations will be intrinsically resistant to second-generation mTOR inhibitors. We report the development of a new class of mTOR inhibitors that overcomes resistance to existing first- and second-generation inhibitors. The third-generation mTOR inhibitor exploits the unique juxtaposition of two drug-binding pockets to create a bivalent interaction that allows inhibition of these resistant mutants.


Delineating the Role of Helical Intermediates in Natively Unfolded Polypeptide Amyloid Assembly and Cytotoxicity.
Amyloid deposition is a hallmark of many diseases, such as the Alzheimer's disease. Numerous amyloidogenic proteins, including the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) associated with type II diabetes, are natively unfolded and need to undergo conformational rearrangements allowing the formation of locally ordered structure(s) to initiate self-assembly. Recent studies have indicated that the formation of α-helical intermediates accelerates fibrillization, suggesting that these species are on-pathway to amyloid assembly. By identifying an IAPP derivative with a restricted conformational ensemble that co-assembles with IAPP, we observed that helical species were off-pathway in homogenous environment and in presence of lipid bilayers or glycosaminoglycans. Moreover, preventing helical folding potentiated membrane perturbation and IAPP cytotoxicity, indicating that stabilization of helical motif(s) is a promising strategy to prevent cell degeneration associated with amyloidogenesis.


The cellular changes during osteogenesis in bone and bone marrow composite autografts.
Osteogenesis in and around autografts has been studied in the hope of identifying the osteoblast precursor. Fresh autografts of cortical bone with its constituent bone marrow were implanted into intramuscular sites in rats. The grafts were removed at intervals over a four week period and examined by light and electron microscopy. A chronological sequence of degenerative, reparative and differentiative events was found and described. The relative contributions of the host and graft components to post-grafting osteogenesis are discussed and the problem of the origin of the osteoblast cells is examined, taking into account present views about the interrelationships between skeletal connective tissue cells and their precursors. It is concluded that, in the investigation described, the presence of host granulation tissue was necessary for osteogenesis and it is postulated that osteoblast progenitor cells can arise from this granulation tissue, their differentiation along the osteogenic line being stimulated in some way by the presence of the graft bone.


Distribution of uropathogenic virulence factors among Escherichia coli strains isolated from dogs and cats.
A variety of virulence factors (VFs) such as type 1 fimbriae, pilus associated with pyelonephritis, S fimbriae, afimbrial adhesin, alpha-hemolysin, aerobactin and cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 are associated with uropathogenic Escherichia coli. In this study, 80 uropathogenic E. coli strains in 50 dogs and 30 cats suffering from UTI. In addition, 60 E. coli strains were isolated from fecal samples from 30 each of healthy dogs and cats. The distribution of VFs of uropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from dogs and cats suffering from urinary tract infections (UTI) were examined by the colony hybridization test with seven DNA probes specific for VFs, and the results were compared with those obtained in the studies on strains from humans with UTI. In uropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from dogs and cats suffering from UTI, VFs were detected as frequently as in the strains isolated from humans with UTI. Although less frequently, genes encoding these VFs especially pap, sfa, hly, and cnf 1 genes were also associated with E. coli strains isolated from feces of healthy cats, in contrast to the distribution pattern of uropathogenic E. coli observed in humans. Furthermore, all VFs except pil were significantly more frequently detected in strains isolated from urine of animals with cystitis than in those isolated from feces of healthy humans. These results indicate that VFs of E. coli contribute to the pathogenesis of UTI in dogs and cats.


Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical fitness among college women living in China.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical fitness among college women living in China and to explore how fitness changed with different physical conditions. We performed repeated measures of BMI, 800 m running and sit-up performance assessment on college women from one university in China pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 3658 (age 19.15 ± 1.08 yr.) college women who completed the same assessment pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown were included in the analysis. We analyzed the data using one way ANOVA and paired-samples t-test. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the result shows a significant increase in BMI by 2.91% (95% CI =0.33, 0.40) and a significant decline in 800 m running and sit-up by 7.97% (95% CI =0.69, 0.77) and 4.91% (95% CI = -0.27, -0.19), respectively. College women in the highest quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 4) had more decreases than college women in the lowest quartile level (Quartile 1). Their BMI level was increased by 3.69% and 0.98% in college women in Quartile 4 and Quartile 1, respectively. Their performance of 800 m running was decreased by 9.32% and 7.37% in college women in Quartile 4 and Quartile 1, respectively. Their performance of sit-up was decreased by 13.88% in college women in Quartile 4 while it increased by 10.91% in college women in Quartile 1, respectively. The COVID-19 lockdown might increase the BMI level and decrease 800 m running and sit-up performance among college women living in China. The decrease for college women in higher quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 4) were more seriously while college women in lower quartile level of physical condition (Quartile 1) were modest.


[Rehabilitation Processes in Out- and Inpatient Rehabilitation after Radical Prostatectomy].
We evaluated processes in in- and outpatient rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy. Overall, we analyzed motivation and expectations of 119 in- and 719 outpatients (aged≤64) at the beginning of rehabilitation as well as satisfaction and the amount of interventions at the end. Compared to inpatients outpatients had a higher socio-economic status and better physical condition. Both groups reported similar outcomes regarding motivation, expectation and satisfaction. Furthermore in- and outpatients got a comparable amount of interventions, but both groups differed to some extent in regard to the kind of interventions. In- and outpatients are comparable in regard to their received amount of interventions. Discrepancies concerning the kind of interventions are due to differences between in- and outpatients. The results indicate specific patients' characteristics in both settings, but more research is needed to verify these findings.


Metals and female reproductive toxicity.
Research into occupational exposure of metals and consequences of reproductive systems has made imperative scientific offerings in the preceding few decades. Early research works focused on possible effects on the reproductive functions rather than the complete reproductive health of the woman. Later, it was realized that metals, as reproductive toxins, may also induce hormonal changes affecting other facets of reproductive health such as the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility. Concern is now shifting from considerations for the pregnant woman to the entire spectrum of occupational health threats and thus reproductive health among women.


Challenging case of chronic Q fever endocarditis: usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and follow-up.
Diagnosis of infective endocarditis can be challenging for clinicians, especially when involving prosthetic valves. Recent data suggest that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) could be a useful diagnostic tool in this setting. Here, we report a case of a patient with an aortic biological prosthesis who presented with a history of fever and fatigue. Echocardiograms were negative for vegetations. The 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed an infective process of the valve and serological tests were positive for chronic Coxiella burnetii infection. Specific treatment for chronic Q fever endocarditis was, therefore, started and the response was monitored using 18F-FDG PET/CT. This case highlights the challenges and pitfalls clinicians face when confronted with prosthetic valve endocarditis and the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for diagnosis and follow-up.


Modulations of foveal vision associated with microsaccade preparation.
It is known that attention shifts prior to a saccade to start processing the saccade target before it lands in the foveola, the high-resolution region of the retina. Yet, once the target is foveated, microsaccades, tiny saccades maintaining the fixated object within the fovea, continue to occur. What is the link between these eye movements and attention? There is growing evidence that these eye movements are associated with covert shifts of attention in the visual periphery, when the attended stimuli are presented far from the center of gaze. Yet, microsaccades are primarily used to explore complex foveal stimuli and to optimize fine spatial vision in the foveola, suggesting that the influences of microsaccades on attention may predominantly impact vision at this scale. To address this question we tracked gaze position with high precision and briefly presented high-acuity stimuli at predefined foveal locations right before microsaccade execution. Our results show that visual discrimination changes prior to microsaccade onset. An enhancement occurs at the microsaccade target location. This modulation is highly selective and it is coupled with a drastic impairment at the opposite foveal location, just a few arcminutes away. This effect is strongest when stimuli are presented closer to the eye movement onset time. These findings reveal that the link between attention and microsaccades is deeper than previously thought, exerting its strongest effects within the foveola. As a result, during fixation, foveal vision is constantly being reshaped both in space and in time with the occurrence of microsaccades.


Human Nocardia Infections: A Review of Pulmonary Nocardiosis.
Human nocardiosis may present as an acute or a chronic infection. Although a saprophyte Nocardia spp are responsible for superficial skin infections, pulmonary infections, and disseminated nocardiosis usually involving patients who are immunosuppressed and debilitated. Infections in immunocompetent individuals are usually chronic and present non-specific symptoms. Invasive and disseminated nocardiosis is common among patients with weakened cellular immune systems. Clinical diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis is difficult owing to the similarity of its presentation with other respiratory pathogens that include Actinomycetes members and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Laboratory diagnosis of human nocardiosis is plagued by the fact that a culture of Nocardia spp requires prolonged incubation periods for isolation which most laboratories fail to follow. The lack of clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological data on the incidence of nocardiosis in humans undermines its significance as a potential pathogen. This review attempts to reexamine the pathogenic potential of Nocardia in human infections.


Clinical and subclinical ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia and aberrant hormone receptors.
ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a very rare cause of endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS). In this review, the clinical characteristics, the pathophysiology, and the management of AIMAH are described. AIMAH typically presents with overt CS, but subclinical oversecretion of cortisol has been increasingly described. The diagnosis is suspected by adrenal nodular enlargement on conventional imaging following the demonstration of ACTH-independent hypercortisolism. Final diagnosis is established by histological examination of the adrenal tissue. Bilateral adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice but unilateral adrenalectomy has been proposed in selected cases. In patients with subclinical CS, the decision to treat should be individualized. The pathophysiology of this condition has begun to be elucidated in recent years. Diverse aberrant membrane-bound receptors expressed in a non-mutated form in the adrenal gland have been found to be implicated in the regulation of steroidogenesis in AIMAH. When systematically screened, most patients with AIMAH and CS or subclinical CS exhibit an in vivo aberrant cortisol response to one or various ligands suggesting the presence of aberrant adrenal receptors. A protocol designed to screen patients for the presence of these aberrant receptors should be undertaken in all patients with AIMAH. The identification of these receptors provides the potential for novel pharmacological therapies by suppressing the endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor with specific antagonists.


Heterocomplex formation and cell-surface accumulation of hen's serum zona pellucida B1 (ZPB1)with ZPC expressed by a mammalian cell line (COS-7): a possible initiating step of egg-envelope matrix construction.
The egg envelope, referred to as zona pellucida (ZP) in mammalian eggs, is a fibrous and noncollagenous extracellular matrix surrounding vertebrate eggs, and composed of three to four homologous glycoproteins with a common ZP domain. In birds, a liver-derived ZP glycoprotein (ZP1/ZPB1) is transported through the bloodstream to ovarian follicles and joins the egg-envelope matrix construction together with the other ZP glycoproteins, such as ZPC and ZPD/ZPX2, both secreted from follicular granulosa cells. We report here that, through its ZP domain, ZPB1 specifically associates with ZPC, which might lead to the construction of egg-envelope matrix. The ZPB1 in laying hen's serum specifically bound to ZPC, but not to ZPX2, separated by SDS-PAGE and blotted on a membrane. Hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged ZPC expressed in a mammalian cell line (COS-7) cells was processed and secreted as a mature-form into the culture medium. From the culture supernatant of ZPC-expressing transfectants cultured in the presence of ZPB1, both ZPB1 and ZPC were recovered as heterocomplexes by immunoprecipitation using either anti-HA or anti-ZPB1 antibody. Interestingly, a monoclonal antibody, 8E1, which immunoprecipitated free ZPB1, did not immunoprecipitate the ZPB1-ZPC heterocomplexes. An 8E1 epitope was mapped on a C-terminal region of the ZP domain in a ZPB1 molecule by identifying an 8E1-positive peptide using mass spectroscopy. Furthermore, by laser scanning confocal microscopy, ZPB1 and ZPC were observed to colocalize on the surface of ZPC-expressing transfectants cultured in the presence of ZPB1, whereas almost no ZPC was detected on the surface of the transfectants cultured in the absence of ZPB1. Taken together, these results suggest that ZPB1 transported into ovarian follicles encounters and associates with ZPC secreted from granulosa cells, resulting in the formation of heterocomplexes around an oocyte. In addition, it appears that such ZPB1-ZPC complexes accumulated on the oocyte surface act as a scaffold for subsequent matrix construction events including ZPX2 association.


Physical contact and carbon transfer between a lichen-forming Trebouxia alga and a novel Alphaproteobacterium.
Recent progress in molecular techniques has begun to alter traditional recognition of lichens as symbiotic organisms comprised of a fungus and photosynthetic partners (green algae and/or cyanobacteria). Diverse organisms, especially various non-photosynthetic bacteria, are now indicated to be integral components of lichen symbiosis. Although lichen-associated bacteria are inferred to have functions that could support the symbiosis, little is known about their physical and nutritional interaction with fungi and algae. In the present study, we identified specific interaction between a lichen-forming alga and a novel bacterium. Trebouxia alga was isolated from a lichen, Usnea hakonensis, and kept as a strain for 8 years. Although no visible bacterial colonies were observed in this culture, high-throughput sequencing of DNA isolated from the culture revealed that the strain is composed of a Trebouxia alga and an Alphaproteobacterium species. In situ hybridization showed that bacterial cells were localized on the surface of the algal cells. Physiological assays revealed that the bacterium was able to use ribitol, glucose and mannitol, all of which are known to exist abundantly in lichens. It was resistant to three antibiotics. Bacteria closely related to this species were also identified in lichen specimens, indicating that U. hakonensis may commonly associate with this group of bacteria. These features of the novel bacterium suggest that it may be involved in carbon cycling of U. hakonensis as a member of lichen symbiosis and less likely to have become associated with the alga after isolation from a lichen.


The release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and its modulation by alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the anaesthetized dog.
The adrenal nerve of anaesthetized and vagotomized dogs was electrically stimulated (10 V pulses of 2 ms duration for 10 min) at frequencies of 1, 3, 10, and 25 Hz. There was a correlation between the frequency of stimulation and the plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the adrenal vein, mainly after the 1st min of stimulation and the maximal concentration was reached sooner with higher frequencies of stimulation. Moreover, the relative percentage of catecholamines released in response to the electrical stimulation was not changed by the frequency of stimulation. To test the hypothesis that a local negative feedback mechanism mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors exists in the adrenal medulla, the effects of the systemic administration of clonidine (alpha 2-antagonist) on the concentrations of catecholamines in the adrenal vein were evaluated during the electrical stimulation of the adrenal nerve (5 V pulses of 2 ms duration for 3 min) at 3 Hz. Moreover, the effects of the systemic injections of more specific alpha 2-agonist and antagonist (oxymetazoline and idazoxan) were tested on the release of catecholamines in the adrenal vein in response to electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerve at 1 and 3 Hz frequencies. The injection of 0.5 mg/kg of yohimbine caused a significant increase in the concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the adrenal vein induced by the electrical stimulation of the adrenal nerve and the injection of 15 micrograms/kg of clonidine had no effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles embedded in partially oxidized amorphous Si matrix.
Nanocomposite films containing Ag nanoparticles embedded in partially oxidized amorphous Si matrix were deposited on silica glass substrates by co-sputtering of Ag and Si with 1.5 keV neutral Ar atoms. The Ag content and thickness of the nanocomposite films was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical absorption studies revealed the presence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) indicating the formation of Ag nanoparticles in the as-deposited films. The position, width and strength of SPR have been found to be strongly dependent on the Ag content of the films. For annealing in oxidizing atmosphere, a significant red shift in the SPR along with a drastic reduction in the resonant absorption has been observed. The amount of red shift has been found to be dependent on the Ag content of the films. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the size distribution, shape and crystal structure of Ag nanoparticles in the nanocomposite films. TEM analysis of annealed sample revealed the formation of silver oxide nanoshells surrounding Ag nanoparticles.


Green discolouration of urine following propofol infusion in a dog.
A three-year-old, female neutered Weimaraner was presented with a history of neck pain and tetraparesis. MRI revealed an extradural mass at the level of C3 vertebra, which was thought to be a spinal abscess, and the dog was scheduled for surgical exploration the following morning. Overnight the dog developed an exaggerated ventilatory pattern, with paradoxical inward movement of the thorax on inspiration. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed respiratory acidosis and ventilator support was initiated to prevent excessive respiratory fatigue. During mechanical ventilation, anaesthesia was maintained using a propofol target-controlled infusion system and, subsequently, the dog produced bright green urine in the urine collection system. Although previously documented in humans, this appears to be the first report of green urine in a dog following propofol use.


Spatiotemporal velocity-velocity correlation function in fully developed turbulence.
Turbulence is a ubiquitous phenomenon in natural and industrial flows. Since the celebrated work of Kolmogorov in 1941, understanding the statistical properties of fully developed turbulence has remained a major quest. In particular, deriving the properties of turbulent flows from a mesoscopic description, that is, from the Navier-Stokes equation, has eluded most theoretical attempts. Here, we provide a theoretical prediction for the functional space and time dependence of the velocity-velocity correlation function of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence from the field theory associated to the Navier-Stokes equation with stochastic forcing. This prediction, which goes beyond Kolmogorov theory, is the analytical fixed point solution of nonperturbative renormalization group flow equations, which are exact in the limit of large wave numbers. This solution is compared to two-point two-times correlation functions computed in direct numerical simulations. We obtain a remarkable agreement both in the inertial and in the dissipative ranges.


CFH and CFB mutations in Shiga toxin-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome in a 6-year-old boy.
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is most commonly associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) while the recurrent hereditary atypical (aHUS) form secondary to complement system control protein mutations is relatively rare. A 6-year-old boy with complement factor H (CFH) and factor B (CFB) mutations and a history of bloody diarrhoea and PCR positivity for Shiga toxin was initially diagnosed as STEC+HUS. Acute kidney injury resolved with Eculizumab but he remains with chronic renal failure. Although the exact role of STEC in the pathogenesis of aHUS in this patient is not certain, there seems to be a relationship. However, several issues remain to be explained including the effect of genetic and environmental factors in modifying susceptibility to develop aHUS in some patients following STEC infection.Abbreviations: aHUS: atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome; ANA: anti-nuclear antibody; ANCA: anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; ASO: anti-streptolysin O; BUN: blood urea nitrogen; CFB: complement factor B; CFH: complement factor H; EHEC: enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli; MCP: membrane co-factor protein; PD: peritoneal dialysis; STEC: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli; STX 1-2: Shiga toxins 1-2.


Genome-wide association study of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the Thai population.
We performed a genome-wide association study on 377 cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and 1074 controls to determine the association of previously reported genetic variants associated with neovascular AMD in the Thai population. All patients were of Thai ancestry. We confirmed the association of age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) rs10490924 (P=7.38 × 10-17), HTRA1 rs11200638 (P=5.47 × 10-17) and complement factor H gene (CFH) rs800292 (P=2.53 × 10-8) with neovascular AMD, all loci passing the genome-wide significance level (P<5.22 × 10-8). We also found association of the previously reported CFH rs10737680 (P=1.76 × 10-6) locus in the discovery sample. Two loci not previously reported to be associated with neovascular AMD were selected for replication in 222 cases and 623 controls. The loci included LINCO1317 rs6733379 and rs2384550 on chromosome 12. LINCO1317 rs6733379 (P=3.85 × 10-2) remained significantly associated with neovascular AMD after replication. In conclusion, we confirm that ARMS2, HTRA1 and CFH variants are associated with neovascular AMD in the Thai population. Findings from this study also suggest that variants contributing to the susceptibility of neovascular AMD in the Thai population are mostly similar to other Asians with additional local genetic risks that may specifically be identified in Thai population.


Structures of KdnB and KdnA from Shewanella oneidensis: Key Enzymes in the Formation of 8-Amino-3,8-Dideoxy-d-Manno-Octulosonic Acid.
8-Amino-3,8-dideoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo8N) is a unique amino sugar that has thus far only been observed on the lipopolysaccharides of marine bacteria belonging to the genus Shewanella. Although its biological function is still unclear, it is thought that the sugar is important for the integrity of the bacterial cell outer membrane. A three-gene cluster required for the biosynthesis of Kdo8N was first identified in Shewanella oneidensis. Here we describe the three-dimensional structures of two of the enzymes required for Kdo8N biosynthesis in S. oneidensis, namely, KdnB and KdnA. The structure of KdnB was solved to 1.85-Å resolution, and its overall three-dimensional architecture places it into the Group III alcohol dehydrogenase superfamily. A previous study suggested that KdnB did not require NAD(P) for activity. Strikingly, although the protein was crystallized in the absence of any cofactors, the electron density map clearly revealed the presence of a tightly bound NAD(H). In addition, a bound metal was observed, which was shown via X-ray fluorescence to be a zinc ion. Unlike other members of the Group III alcohol dehydrogenases, the dinucleotide cofactor in KdnB is tightly bound and cannot be removed without leading to protein precipitation. With respect to KdnA, it is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate or (PLP)-dependent aminotransferase. For this analysis, the structure of KdnA, trapped in the presence of the external aldimine with PLP and glutamate, was determined to 2.15-Å resolution. The model of KdnA represents the first structure of a sugar aminotransferase that functions on an 8-oxo sugar. Taken together the results reported herein provide new molecular insight into the biosynthesis of Kdo8N.


Borderline personality disorder and perceived family dysfunction in the eating disorders.
Borderline personality disorder is associated with anorexic and bulimic disorders, but the factors that underlie that association are not understood. This study of a case series of eating disordered women investigates the potential role of perceived family dysfunction as one critical explanatory factor. The syndrome and symptoms of borderline personality disorder are associated with specific features of perceived family interaction. Possible causal mechanisms are proposed to explain the links among family dysfunction, borderline personality disorder, and the eating disorders, although further research is needed to test these models. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.