Is it possible to avoid intra-articular screw penetration with minimal use of fluoroscopy in the application of distal radius volar plate?
This study aims to investigate whether or not it is possible to avoid intra-articular screw penetration in the application of distal radius volar plate with minimal use of fluoroscopy and thereby reduce to a minimum the risk of exposure of the surgical team to radiation. Volar plate with distal screw application with minimal use of fluoroscopy was performed in a total of 50 patients (22 males, 28 females; mean age 43.52 years; range 18 to 76 years) with unstable distal radius fracture following reduction of fracture between June 2014 and May 2016. A specially designed volar anatomic plate was applied by creating a 3 mm gap proximal from the tip of the facet of the lunate fossa. No intra-articular screw complication was observed during plate-screw applications that we performed by using fluoroscopy at a minimum level and paying attention to the surgical technique described with the plate designed by giving a specific angle to screw beds. During the operation, fluoroscopy was performed at a minimum level and no finding was observed which could suggest use of intra-articular screw. No findings of restriction in wrist movements, locking or friction were observed intra- or postoperatively. With improvements in the design of the volar plate and the distal locking screw bed, it is possible to rule out the possibility of intra-articular screw complications and the need for surgical re-correction in the early-term, and to reduce to a minimum the risk of exposure of the surgical team to radiation.


Structure-constrained low-rank representation.
Benefiting from its effectiveness in subspace segmentation, low-rank representation (LRR) and its variations have many applications in computer vision and pattern recognition, such as motion segmentation, image segmentation, saliency detection, and semisupervised learning. It is known that the standard LRR can only work well under the assumption that all the subspaces are independent. However, this assumption cannot be guaranteed in real-world problems. This paper addresses this problem and provides an extension of LRR, named structure-constrained LRR (SC-LRR), to analyze the structure of multiple disjoint subspaces, which is more general for real vision data. We prove that the relationship of multiple linear disjoint subspaces can be exactly revealed by SC-LRR, with a predefined weight matrix. As a nontrivial byproduct, we also illustrate that SC-LRR can be applied for semisupervised learning. The experimental results on different types of vision problems demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.


Determination of complex absorbing potentials from the electron self-energy.
The electronic conductance of a molecule making contact to electrodes is determined by the coupling of discrete molecular states to the continuum electrode density of states. Interactions between bound states and continua can be modeled exactly by using the (energy-dependent) self-energy or approximately by using a complex potential. We discuss the relation between the two approaches and give a prescription for using the self-energy to construct an energy-independent, nonlocal, complex potential. We apply our scheme to studying single-electron transmission in an atomic chain, obtaining excellent agreement with the exact result. Our approach allows us to treat electron-reservoir couplings independent of single-electron energies, allowing for the definition of a one-body operator suitable for inclusion into correlated electron transport calculations.


Objective evaluation for severity of atopic dermatitis by morphologic study of skin surface contours.
Wide variation in outcome methodology can make the interpretation of patient outcomes confusing and the comparison of the results of different studies almost impossible. It is important to objectively measure and record the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) for routine clinical practice and research. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether morphologic study of skin surface contours might be helpful to objectively quantify the severity of AD. Thirty atopic patients (12 females, 18 males) participated in this study. Moisturizer was applied twice daily for 2 weeks. Bioengineering methods such as D-Squame, corneometer, evaporimeter, and spectrophotometer were measured at the start of the study and after 1 week and 2 weeks. In addition, we assessed moisturizer effects after 3 h of moisturizer application.The stereoimage optical topometer (SOT) based on a new concept of stereoimage was applied for this study. We compared SOT, other bioengineering methods, and the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. After 3 h of application with moisturizer, the results measured by SOT, conventional optical profilometer (COP), D-Squame, and corneometer showed significant differences (P<0.05). After 1 and 2 weeks, there were significant changes in the results measured by SOT, COP, D-Squame, corneometer, spectrophotometer, and SCORAD index. We observed a significant correlation between bioengineering methods and the SCORAD index (P<0.05). These data indicate that morphologic study of skin surface contours are useful in evaluating of AD severity. If we would combine methods to evaluate the physiologic changes and those such as SOT to measure the morphological changes of skin surface, we could evaluate more objectively and quantitatively the severity of AD.


Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube in a patient with a left ventricular assist device.
We report a successful PEG tube insertion in a patient with an LVAD. Adequate prolonged nutritional support was provided. PEG placement in patients with an implantable or paracorporeal LVAD may be possible but present additional concerns. We believe that PEG placement should be cpnsidered in patients with an LVAD with swallowing difficulties or who are debilitated are not meeting their caloric requirements.


Adherence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to porcine intestinal brush border membranes.
The adhesion of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli to isolated porcine intestinal brush border membranes was studied by phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Approximately 45% of the cell population adhered to the brush borders, possibly in a specific manner. Pretreatment of the brush borders with trypsin or pronase, and competitive inhibition with L-rhamnose caused a slight reduction of the adhesion. Different forms of pretreatment of the bacterial cells reduced their ability to adhere, but also their motility.


Effect of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation on diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine coverage: an independent assessment.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) was created in 1999 to enable even the poorest countries to provide vaccines to all children. We aimed to assess the effect of GAVI on combined diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTP3) coverage. We examined the relation between DTP3 coverage for GAVI recipient countries from 1995 to 2004 and immunisation services support (ISS) and non-ISS expenditure per surviving child, controlling for income per head and local political governance variables. We analysed DTP3 coverage reported by governments and estimated by WHO/UNICEF. We also investigated the effect of GAVI on country reporting behaviour. In countries with DTP3 coverage of 65% or less at baseline, ISS spending per surviving child had a significant positive effect on DTP3 coverage (p=0.0005). This effect was not present in countries with DTP3 coverage of 65-80% or 80% or more at baseline. If ISS expenditure only is assessed, the estimated cost per additional child immunised in countries with baseline coverage of 65% or less is US$14 and if ISS and non-ISS expenditures are included the cost per child is almost $20. The success of ISS funding in countries with baseline DTP3 coverage of 65% or less provides evidence that a public-private partnership can work to reverse a negative trend in global health and that performance-related disbursement can work in some settings. Because ISS funding seems to have no effect in countries with baseline coverage greater than 65%, GAVI should consider redistributing its resources to countries with the lowest coverage.


Sex-Specific Associations Between Trauma Exposure, Pubertal Timing, and Anxiety in Black Children.
Recent research has linked early life stress (ELS), such as trauma exposure, with early puberty. Early puberty has also been identified as a risk factor for poor mental health outcomes. However, these two paths have primarily been examined independently. In addition, more studies have examined these associations in girls than boys, and findings for boys remain mixed. We hypothesized that early puberty (relative to peers) would be positively associated with both prior trauma exposure and concurrent anxiety symptoms. We anticipated that these associations might differ by sex. We tested these hypotheses within a cross-sectional sample of 133 8- to 13-year-old Black girls and boys with trauma exposure. The association between trauma and accelerated pubertal timing was sex-specific: it was positive for girls and negative for boys. We stratified subsequent analyses by sex. Regression analyses indicated that early puberty relative to peers predicted more anxiety symptoms for girls but not boys, after accounting for trauma exposure. A statistical mediation analysis indicated that, for girls, the positive association between trauma exposure and anxiety was partially mediated by pubertal timing. These results indicate that trauma exposure may have sex-specific effects on pubertal timing and anxiety risk in Black children. We also found that, for girls, trauma may increase risk for adverse outcomes by prompting earlier puberty, which is linked to higher anxiety. These findings are consistent with cascading effects of trauma across development, and highlight the need for further study of sex-specific mechanisms.


The Effect of the Appropriate Timing of Radiotherapy on Survival Benefit in Patients with Metastatic Esophageal Cancer Who Have Undergone Resection of Primary Site: A SEER Database Analysis.
Metastatic esophageal cancer (MEC) is an advanced stage of esophageal cancer. However, still, resection of primary site and radiotherapy are considered treatment modalities to treat patients with MEC. Hence, this study is aimed at exploring the effect of the appropriate timing of radiotherapy on the survival benefit of these patients by comparing cancer-specific survival (CSS). The patient information was obtained from the National Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between the years 2004 and 2017. We used the SEER∗ STAT (V126.96.36.199) software to search and download data. Patients treated with pre- and postoperative radiotherapy were divided into two groups. The propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to increase the comparability of data within two groups. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to analyze and compare the CSS between the two groups. The Cox risk model was used to analyze variables affecting patient survival. A total of 599 patients with MEC who experienced resection of the primary site and radiotherapy were recruited. 144 pairings formed through PSM. The 5-year CSS was 23.0% and 11.7% for patients who have undergone pre- and postoperative radiotherapy, respectively. Patients who have undergone preoperative radiotherapy showed better CSS than those who received postoperative radiotherapy (P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox analysis of the entire cohort showed that age > 60 years at the time of diagnosis (HR = 1.481, 95% CI: 1.1341-1.934, and P = 0.04) and other histological types of esophageal cancer (HR = 1.581, 95% CI: 1.067-2.341, and P = 0.022) increased the risk of cancer-related death. Inversely, marriage (HR = 0.696, 95% CI: 0.514-0.942, and P = 0.019) and preoperative radiotherapy (HR = 0.664, 95% CI: 0.517-0.853, and P < 0.001) reduced the risk of death from cancer. For patients with MEC, preoperative radiotherapy might have a significant effect on the survival benefit over those who receive postoperative radiotherapy.


Optical mapping of late myocardial infarction in rats.
Late myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The exact mechanistic relationship between abnormal cellular electrophysiology, conduction abnormalities, and arrhythmogenesis associated with late MI is not completely understood. We report a novel, rapid dye superfusion technique to enable whole heart, high-resolution optical mapping of late MI. Optical mapping of action potentials was performed in normal rats and rats with anterior MI 7 days after left anterior descending artery ligation. Hearts from normal rats exhibited normal action potentials and impulse conduction. With the use of programmed stimulation to assess arrhythmia inducibility, 29% of hearts with late MI had inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia, compared with 0% in normal rats. A causal relationship between the site of infarction, abnormal action potential conduction (i.e., block and slow conduction), and arrhythmogenesis was observed. Optical mapping techniques can be used to measure high-resolution action potentials in a whole heart model of late MI. This experimental model reproduces many of the electrophysiological characteristics (i.e., conduction slowing, block, and ventricular tachycardia) associated with MI in patients. Importantly, the results of this study can enhance our ability to understand the interplay between cellular heterogeneity, conduction abnormalities, and arrhythmogenesis associated with MI.


COVID-19 stigma and depression across race, ethnicity and residence.
Our cross-sectional study seeks to understand how COVID-19 stigma, race/ethnicity [Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, white] and residency [New York City (NYC) resident vs. non-NYC resident] associated with depression. Our sample includes 568 participants: 260 (45.77%) were NYC residents and 308 (54.3%) were non-NYC residents. A series of multiple linear regression were run to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, COVID-19 stigma, and depressive symptoms. Irrespective of residency, older age and ever being diagnosed with COVID-19 were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Stigma and thinking less of oneself significantly associates with depressive symptoms across residency. Our study expects to benefit mental health care providers and public health professionals in designing best practices to mitigate stigma in ongoing or future pandemics.


Control of glucose transport by GLUT1: regulated secretion in an unexpected environment.
Studies designed to elucidate the mechanism of regulation of the GLUT1 isoform of the glucose transporter in response to a variety of cellular stresses are reviewed. Using ts mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus, it was shown that the viral L gene was responsible for the stimulation of glucose transport in infected cells. Immunofluorescence of GLUT1 demonstrated that the increase in glucose transport was the consequence of a translocation of the transporter from a reservoir in cytoplasmic vesicles to the plasma membrane. When cells were cycled between deficient and standard medium, the change in glucose transport rates was paralleled by a cycling of the transporter between the plasma membrane and the cytoplasmic vesicles. The redistribution of GLUT1 was not a consequence of a general redistribution of recycling plasma membrane proteins. Instead, the findings focus attention on the regulated exocytosis of specific membrane constituents in cells that, until recently, were not thought to exhibit this capacity.


Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Predicts Postoperative Death of Infective Endocarditis.
Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease with high mortality rate. Recently, red cell distribution width (RDW) has drawn special attention for predicting cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the relationship between RDW value and postoperative death of IE patients.Clinical records of patients with definite IE from Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital department of cardiovascular surgery were collected and analyzed. Clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical variables were evaluated along with RDW.Results: A total of 158 consecutive IE patients (mean age 47.0 ± 16.3 years, male 61.4%) were enrolled in this study. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal RDW cutoff value for predicting mortality was 15.45% (area under the curve 0.913, P < 0.001). A total of 28 patients (17.8%) died postoperatively; of these, 89.3% had RDW value >15.45%. Binary regression analysis showed that aging, multiple valvular involved, valvular vegetation formation, pulmonary hypertension, and high RDW are strong predictors of postoperative death. Multiple regression analysis revealed that high RDW value was independent predictors of postoperative mortality in patients with IE (β: 3.704, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 2.729-604.692, P < 0.05).IE has a high inhospital mortality rate, and increased RDW is an independent predictor of postoperative death in these patients.


Therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill children: experience of the pediatric intensive care unit of two centers in Chile.
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal blood purification technique used in a wide spectrum of diseases. We aim to review the indications, complications, and outcomes of critically ill children who received TPE and to compare a membrane versus centrifugal method in this cohort. A retrospective observational study in two pediatric intensive care units in Chile during eight years (2011-2019) Results: A total of 36 patients underwent 167 TPE sessions (20 centrifugation and 16 membrane-based). The more frequent indications for TPE were autoimmune neurological diseases in 14 cases, renal diseases (9), and rheumatological disorders (5). 58 % of children received other immunomodulatory therapy. According to ASFA, 45 % of cases were I-II category, 50 % to III, and 5% not classified. Response to treatment was complete in 64 % (23/36) and partial in 33 % (12/36). Complications occurred in 17.4 % of sessions, and the most frequent was transient hypotension during the procedure. Overall survival at discharge from the PICU was 92 %. Patients who received TPE as a single therapy (n = 26) survived 96 %. The clinical outcomes between the two apheresis methods were similar. Survivors had a significantly lower PELOD score on admission (14.5 vs. 6.5, p = 0.004). TPE is mainly indicated as a rescue treatment in neurological autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional immunomodulatory treatment. Complications in critically ill children are mild and low. The outcome in children requiring TPE as a single therapy is good, and no differences were observed with centrifugation or membrane method.


Influence of ambient humidity on the current delivered by air-vented ionization chambers revisited.
The influence of ambient humidity on the current delivered by a vented ionization chamber has been re-investigated. A Nucletron 077.091 well-type chamber together with a (192)Ir HDR brachytherapy source was enclosed in a climatic test chamber and the current was recorded for various humidity values. Great care has been taken for the design of the experimental setup in order to obtain reliable measurements of currents and humidity values inside the chamber active volume. A +/-0.35% linear variation of the measured currents has been observed over a common range of humidities. This result is larger than the expected variation. No formal explanation of such a discrepancy has been found yet, however the present results could lead to a set of recommendations.


Modulation of endogenous dopamine release in the fish retina by light and prolonged darkness.
The effect of light stimuli and prolonged darkness on the release of endogenous dopamine was measured in the white perch and hybrid bass retinas. Isolated retinas were superfused and released dopamine was measured using extraction and high-pressure liquid chromatography separation techniques. Potassium-induced release did not depend on the background illumination nor on the period of previous darkness. Steady white light did not affect release, but flickering light of 2 Hz increased release about two-fold. During prolonged darkness, the release of dopamine increased steadily over the test period of 2 h, but only if the experiments were performed at night. During the day such an increase was not observed. The increased release during prolonged darkness at night was turned off by a short period of steady white light. The release patterns obtained from the white perch and the hybrid bass were similar. However, the hybrid bass retina showed much lower levels of dopamine than did the white perch retina.


Emergency Neurologic Life Support: Meningitis and Encephalitis.
Bacterial meningitis and viral encephalitis, particularly herpes simplex encephalitis, are severe neurological infections that, if not treated promptly and effectively, lead to poor neurological outcome or death. Because treatment is more effective if given early, the topic of meningitis and encephalitis was chosen as an Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol. This protocol provides a practical approach to recognition and urgent treatment of bacterial meningitis and encephalitis. Appropriate imaging, spinal fluid analysis, and early empiric treatment is discussed. Though uncommon in its full form, the typical clinical triad of headache, fever, and neck stiffness should alert the clinical practitioner to the possibility of a central nervous system infection. Early attention to the airway and maintaining normotension is crucial in treatment of these patients, as is rapid treatment with anti-infectives and, in some cases, corticosteroids.


MicroRNA-1 and microRNA-499 downregulate the expression of the ets1 proto-oncogene in HepG2 cells.
MicroRNAs may function to promote or suppress tumor development, depending on the cellular context. The important role of microRNAs in regulating molecular pathways underlying tumorigenesis has been emphasized in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional mechanisms by inhibiting translation or by degrading mRNA. In this study, we show that microRNA-1 (miR-1) and microRNA-499 (miR-499) are capable of repressing the expression of the ets1 proto-oncogene, which plays a fundamental role in the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, a process required for tumor cell invasion and migration. We used luciferase reporter assays to demonstrate that miR-1 and miR-499 target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of ets1. Overexpression of miR-1 and miR-499 in HepG2 cells led to downregulation of ets1 mRNA and protein as assessed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot analysis. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-1 and miR-499 inhibited the invasion and migration of HepG2 cells in matrigel invasion and transwell migration assays, respectively. These results suggest that miR-1 and miR-499 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC by regulating ets1.


Characterization of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) in Ciliated Protists Inferred by Comparative Genomics.
Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are prevalent in the genomes of all organisms. They are widely used as genetic markers, and are insertion/deletion mutation hotspots, which directly influence genome evolution. However, little is known about such important genomic components in ciliated protists, a large group of unicellular eukaryotes with extremely long evolutionary history and genome diversity. With recent publications of multiple ciliate genomes, we start to get a chance to explore perfect SSRs with motif size 1-100 bp and at least three motif repeats in nine species of two ciliate classes, Oligohymenophorea and Spirotrichea. We found that homopolymers are the most prevalent SSRs in these A/T-rich species, with AAA (lysine, charged amino acid; also seen as an SSR with one-adenine motif repeated three times) being the codons repeated at the highest frequencies in coding SSR regions, consistent with the widespread alveolin proteins rich in lysine repeats as found in Tetrahymena. Micronuclear SSRs are universally more abundant than the macronuclear ones of the same motif-size, except for the 8-bp-motif SSRs in extensively fragmented chromosomes. Both the abundance and A/T content of SSRs decrease as motif-size increases, while the abundance is positively correlated with the A/T content of the genome. Also, smaller genomes have lower proportions of coding SSRs out of all SSRs in Paramecium species. This genome-wide and cross-species analysis reveals the high diversity of SSRs and reflects the rapid evolution of these simple repetitive elements in ciliate genomes.


The impact of time aids on independence and autonomy in adults with developmental disabilities.
The aim of this study was to describe how people with developmental disabilities experienced the use of time aids one year after their introduction by an occupational therapist. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The analysis was performed using a phenomenographic qualitative approach. The results showed that independence and autonomy should be considered as two separate phenomena. Increased independence did not always lead to increased autonomy or vice versa. Four different relationships between these two phenomena were found. They all illustrate the different priorities of the participants and different levels of independence and autonomy. Concerning the usability of time aids, the occupational therapist has to recognize the importance of having frequent communication with the client to understand the phenomena that may affect the use of the aids. The occupational therapist should always try to involve both the client and significant support persons while introducing time aids. Future research in time aids with clients with developmental disabilities could involve multiple interviews with participants combined with participant observations and interviews.


Development of loading system for liquid hydrogen into diamond-anvil cells under low temperature.
A loading system for hydrogen gas into the diamond-anvil cell has been developed. The loading of hydrogen gas is performed under low temperature by using liquid helium as a cooling medium. Also, a compression apparatus has been developed to load gaseous materials into various diamond-anvil cells. The present loading system and compression apparatus have been used successfully to form hydrogen hydrate. The present loading system can also be used to load other gaseous materials as a pressure medium.


Diversification and specialization of the bacterial cytoskeleton.
The past decade has witnessed the identification and characterization of bacterial homologs of the three major eukaryotic cytoskeletal families: actin, tubulin and intermediate filaments. These proteins play essential roles in organizing bacterial subcellular environments. Recently, the ParA/MinD superfamily has emerged as a new bacterial cytoskeletal class, and imaging studies hint at the existence of even more, as yet unidentified, cytoskeletal systems. Much as the cytoskeleton is used for different purposes in different eukaryotic cells, the specific identities, functions and regulatory mechanisms of cytoskeletal proteins can vary between different bacterial species. In addition, extensive cross-talk between bacterial cytoskeletal systems may represent an important mode of cytoskeletal regulation. These themes of diversity, species-specificity and crosstalk are emerging as central properties of cytoskeletal biology.


Induction of Salivary Gland-Like Cells from Dental Follicle Epithelial Cells.
The dental follicle (DF), most often associated with unerupted teeth, is a condensation of ectomesenchymal cells that surrounds the tooth germ in early stages of tooth development. In the present study, we aim to isolate epithelial stem-like cells from the human DF and explore their potential differentiation into salivary gland (SG) cells. We demonstrated the expression of stem cell-related genes in the epithelial components of human DF tissues, and these epithelial progenitor cells could be isolated and ex vivo expanded in a reproducible manner. The human DF-derived epithelial cells possessed clonogenic and sphere-forming capabilities, as well as expressed a panel of epithelial stem cell-related genes, thus conferring stem cell properties (hDF-EpiSCs). When cultured under in vitro 3-dimensional induction conditions, hDF-EpiSCs were capable to differentiate into SG acinar and duct cells. Furthermore, transplantation of hDF-EpiSC-loaded native de-cellularized rat parotid gland scaffolds into the renal capsule of nude mice led to the differentiation of transplanted hDF-EpiSCs into salivary gland-like cells. These findings suggest that hDF-EpiSCs might be a promising source of epithelial stem cells for the development of stem cell-based therapy or bioengineering SG tissues to repair/regenerate SG dysfunction.


Halide exchanged Hoveyda-type complexes in olefin metathesis.
The aims of this contribution are to present a straightforward synthesis of 2(nd) generation Hoveyda-type olefin metathesis catalysts bearing bromo and iodo ligands, and to disclose the subtle influence of the different anionic co-ligands on the catalytic performance of the complexes in ring opening metathesis polymerisation, ring closing metathesis, enyne cycloisomerisation and cross metathesis reactions.


Reinforcing the resilience of complex networks.
Given a connected network, it can be augmented by applying a growing strategy (e.g., random- or preferential-attachment rules) over the previously existing structure. Another approach for augmentation, recently introduced, involves incorporating a direct edge between any two nodes which are found to be connected through at least one self-avoiding path of length L. This work investigates the resilience of random- and preferential-attachment models augmented by using the three schemes identified above. Considering random- and preferential-attachment networks, their giant cluster are identified and reinforced, then the resilience of the resulting networks with respect to highest-degree node attack is quantified through simulations. Statistical characterization of the effects of augmentations over some of the network properties is also provided. The results, which indicate that substantial reinforcement of the resilience of complex networks can be achieved by the expansions, also confirm the superior robustness of the random expansion. An important obtained result is that the initial growth scheme was found to have little effect over the possibilities of further enhancement of the network by subsequent reinforcement schemes.


Discrepant results in the diagnosis of GH deficiency with the insulin-tolerance test and the GHRH plus arginine test in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at moderate risk of GH deficiency (GHD), requiring a diagnostic test with high specificity. The GHRH + arginine (GHRH + ARG) test has been recommended as a reliable alternative to the insulin-tolerance test (ITT) as a standard test with a cutoff level of 9 ng/ml. However, it has recently been questioned for its low specificity in obese subjects, and now BMI-dependent cut-off levels are available. In this study, we compared the ITT and GHRH + ARG test in patients with TBI. A cross-sectional study We performed an ITT and a GHRH + ARG test in 21 patients with TBI (6 women, 15 men; mean age 40.2 +/- 12.1 years; BMI 30.7 +/- 6.2). The number of patients classified discordantly as GH deficient by the ITT and the GHRH + ARG test with both classical and BMI-dependent cut-off levels was assessed. Using the GHRH + ARG test with the classical cut-off (<or= 9 ng/ml), we identified 12 patients as GH deficient who had a normal GH response to ITT (> 3 ng/ml), and one patient as GH sufficient who had a blunted GH response to ITT (discordance rate 61.9%). All patients discordantly classified as GH deficient by the GHRH + ARG test had a BMI of >or= 28. With the BMI-dependent cut-offs (4.2, 8.0, and 11.5 ng/ml in obese, overweight, and lean subjects respectively), only 3 of the 21 patients were discordantly classified (discordance rate 14.3%). Our results discourage the use of a cut-off level of 9 ng/ml for the GHRH + ARG test in obese subjects. The diagnostic reliability of this test is improved with the BMI-dependent cut-offs.


Gene Structure of the 10q26 Locus: A Clue to Cracking the ARMS2/HTRA1 Riddle?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a sight-threatening disorder of the central retina. Being the leading cause of visual impairment in senior citizens, it represents a major public health issue in developed countries. Genetic studies of AMD identified two major susceptibility loci on chromosomes 1 and 10. The high-risk allele of the 10q26 locus encompasses three genes, PLEKHA1, ARMS2, and HTRA1 with high linkage disequilibrium and the individual contribution of the encoded proteins to disease etiology remains controversial. While PLEKHA1 and HTRA1 are highly conserved proteins, ARMS2 is only present in primates and can be detected by using RT-PCR. On the other hand, there is no unequivocal evidence for the existence of the encoded protein. However, it has been reported that risk haplotypes only affect the expression of ARMS2 (but not of HTRA1), making ARMS2 the best candidate for being the genuine AMD gene within this locus. Yet, homozygous carriers of a common haplotype carry a premature stop codon in the ARMS2 gene (R38X) and therefore lack ARMS2, but this variant is not associated with AMD. In this work we aimed at characterizing the diversity of transcripts originating from this locus, in order to find new hints on how to resolve this perplexing paradox. We found chimeric transcripts originating from the PLEKHA1 gene but ending in ARMS2. This finding may give a new explanation as to how variants in this locus contribute to AMD.


Identification of leptin gene polymorphisms associated with carcass traits and fatty acid composition in Japanese Black cattle.
Previous studies have indicated that some leptin gene polymorphisms were associated with economically important traits in cattle breeds. However, polymorphisms in the leptin gene have not been reported thus far in Japanese Black cattle. Here, we aimed to identify the leptin gene polymorphisms which are associated with carcass traits and fatty acid composition in Japanese Black cattle. We sequenced the full-length coding sequence of leptin gene for eight Japanese Black cattle. Sequence comparison revealed eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Three of these were predicted to cause amino acid substitutions: Y7F, R25C and A80V. Then, we genotyped these SNPs in two populations (JB1 with 560 animals and JB2 with 450 animals) and investigated the effects on the traits. Y7F in JB1 and A80V in JB2 were excluded from statistical analysis because the minor allele frequencies were low (< 0.1). Association analysis revealed that Y7F had a significant effect on the dressed carcass weight in JB2; R25C had a significant effect on C18:0 and C14:1 in JB1 and JB2, respectively; and A80V had a significant effect on C16:0, C16:1, C18:1, monounsaturated fatty acid and saturated fatty acid in JB1. The results suggested that these SNPs could be used as an effective marker for the improvement of Japanese Black cattle.


[Reasons for underuse of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation-associated stroke: prospective study of German stroke patients].
Oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation (AF) is effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke, but is often underused in practice. The detailed reasons for non-use of oral anticoagulation are less well known. We prospectively analyzed 105 consecutive cases of acute ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. Patients were investigated by a semi-structured interview. The most frequent reasons for underuse were: unknown AF (43 %). In case of known AF: reluctance of patients (30 %), contraindications (25 %) and compliance problems (20 %). There was good agreement between patients and physicians views about nonuse or aborted use of oral anticoagulation (kappa 0.64 and 0.93, respectively). Unknown atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent cause of underutilization of oral anticoagulation in acute stroke patients. Since atrial fibrillation is easy to detect in most cases, it could be worthwhile to screen elderly patients without contraindications for anticoagulation.


Results of a 10-year web-based health promotion campaign against skin cancer in Switzerland.
Skin cancer is the most common malignancy with rising incidence. Although early detection can be lifesaving, prevention programmes are under-utilized. In 2008, a group of board-certified dermatologists in Switzerland established a website aimed at educating about skin cancer risk factors and providing guidance on self-assessment. To present the data of this programme over the last 10 years with regards to representation of the targeted groups and sustained impact on primary skin cancer prevention. A comprehensive web-based health promotion campaign was established for education and guidance on self-assessment. Teledermatological evaluation was offered and participants were then interviewed. In total, 11,171 digital photos were evaluated during 2008-2018; 54.3% (n = 6,067) from females and 45.7% (n = 5,104) from males. In 26.7% (n = 2,983), clinical examination was recommended. Of the participants, 1,874 replied revealing 103 malignancies (9.2% of the lesions were presented to a physician): 34 melanomas in situ, six squamous cell carcinomas, 53 basal cell carcinomas and 10 malignant lesions (not further specified). Of the participants, 40.5% (n = 683) changed their attitude towards sun exposure, 48.7% (n = 820) used more sunscreen, and 57.5% (n = 966) improved sunscreen measures. Web-based educational programmes raise public awareness, enhance prevention, and support early diagnosis of skin cancer. Teledermatology might contribute to reducing skin cancer mortality rates.


Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) - The dawning of a new treatment for cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a category of noncoding RNAs with the potential for genetic and epigenetic regulations. As important regulators of gene expression, increasing evidence has proven that lncRNAs play a significant regulatory role in various cardiovascular pathologies. In particular, lncRNAs have been proved to be participating in gene regulatory mechanisms involved in heart growth and development that can be exploited to repair the injured adult heart. Furthermore, lncRNAs have been revealed as possible therapeutic targets for heart failure with different causes and in different stages. In the journey from a healthy heart to heart failure, lncRNAs have been shown to participate in almost every landmark of heart failure pathogenesis including ischemic injury, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac fibrosis. Furthermore, the manipulation of lncRNAs palliates the progression of heart failure by attenuating ischemic heart injury, cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis, as well as facilitating heart regeneration and therapeutic angiogenesis. This review will highlight recent updates regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure and their potential as novel therapeutic targets. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Genetic and epigenetic control of heart failure - edited by Jun Ren & Megan Yingmei Zhang.


Effect of mutations in VP5 hydrophobic loops on rotavirus cell entry.
Experiments in cell-free systems have demonstrated that the VP5 cleavage fragment of the rotavirus spike protein, VP4, undergoes a foldback rearrangement that translocates three clustered hydrophobic loops from one end of the molecule to the other. This conformational change resembles the foldback rearrangements of enveloped virus fusion proteins. By recoating rotavirus subviral particles with recombinant VP4 and VP7, we tested the effects on cell entry of substituting hydrophilic for hydrophobic residues in the clustered VP5 loops. Several of these mutations decreased the infectivity of recoated particles without preventing either recoating or folding back. In particular, the V391D mutant had a diminished capacity to interact with liposomes when triggered to fold back by serial protease digestion in solution, and particles recoated with this mutant VP4 were 10,000-fold less infectious than particles recoated with wild-type VP4. Particles with V391D mutant VP4 attached normally to cells and internalized efficiently, but they failed in the permeabilization step that allows coentry of the toxin alpha-sarcin. These findings indicate that the hydrophobicity of the VP5 apex is required for membrane disruption during rotavirus cell entry.


The Mn(2+)/Mn(3+) state of La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 by oxygen reduction and photodoping.
Films of cerium-doped LaMnO3, which has been intensively discussed as an electron-doped counterpart to hole-doped mixed-valence lanthanum manganites during the past decade, were analyzed by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy with respect to their manganese valence under photoexcitation. The comparative analysis of the Mn 3s exchange splitting of La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 (LCeMO) films in the dark and under illumination clearly shows that both oxygen reduction and illumination are able to decrease the Mn valence towards a mixed 2+/3+ state, independently of the film thickness and the degree of CeO2 segregation. Charge-injection from the photoconductive SrTiO3 substrate into the Mn eg band with carrier lifetimes in the range of tens of seconds and intrinsic generation of electron-hole pairs within the films are discussed as two possible sources of the Mn valence shift and the subsequent electron doping.


Hemispheric priming affects right-ear advantage in dichotic listening.
The effects of hemispheric preactivation on dichotic listening performance were investigated in a sample of 45 right-handed male adults. The dichotic stimuli (/ka/, /ta/, /pa/, /ga/, /da/ and /ba/) were presented under three conditions: prior to the test session and during test pauses subjects were confronted with (1) verbal or (2) spatial tasks, and (3) in a control session subjects received no prior task. It was shown that recall accuracy from the right ear was significantly increased when subjects performed verbal tasks prior to the experiment as compared to those experimental conditions in which subjects had to perform a spatial or no special task. Left ear scores were unaffected by these manipulations. The results suggest that verbal tasks performed prior to the dichotic listening experiment primes the hemisphere for verbal stimuli, resulting in a superior dichotic listening performance. Possible consequences for dichotic listening research are discussed.


Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 Isolated from Maasai Fermented Milk.
The draft genome of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 isolated from the Maasai traditional fermented milk product kule naoto was sequenced, and sequence analysis showed the assembled genome size to be 3,285,094 bp, containing a predicted total of 3,111 protein-encoding genes, 17 rRNAs, and 70 tRNAs.


Advances in Paedriatric Cardiac Surgery.
Treatment of congenital cardiac disease has been marked in the recent decade by a movement towards treatment in early infancy, the development of techniques of radical palliation for conditions previously inoperable and the emergence of transplantation as a viable alternative.


The clinical use of cetirizine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Cetirizine is among the first second-generation H1 antihistamines (SGAHs) developed to provide selective H1 receptor inhibition without central nervous system depression. The aim of this review is to summarize the amount of data collected over 25 years of clinical use of cetirizine and compare this with data available for other SGAHs in the management of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). A comprehensive literature search for publications relating to cetirizine was performed using the Pubmed database, and relevant papers published in English were selected for detailed review. Compared with the majority of other SGAHs, cetirizine was generally shown to have a more favourable pharmacological profile, to be well tolerated, be at least equally or more efficacious in attenuating/inhibiting nasal and ocular symptoms and to improve the quality of life in AR patients. The majority of clinical trials investigating the effect of SGAHs in AR patients further indicated that cetirizine was often employed as the main comparator active drug. Based on the evidence that cetirizine is a commonly employed active comparator drug in AR, it is tempting to suggest that cetirizine may be a suitable benchmark in the development of novel pharmacotherapies for AR.


Development of fluticasone propionate and comparison with other inhaled corticosteroids.
Fluticasone propionate (FP) is a trifluorinated glucocorticoid based on the androstane nucleus. It was selected for development from structure-activity relationships (topical anti-inflammatory, cutaneous vasoconstriction, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression) of a series of 17beta-carbothioates. FP is 3-, 300-, and 1000-fold more lipophilic than beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, and triamcinolone acetonide, respectively. FP has an absolute affinity (KD) for the glucocorticoid receptor of 0.5 nmol/L and a relative receptor affinity 1.5-fold higher than beclomethasone-17-monopropionate (17-BMP) and mometasone furoate, 3-fold higher than budesonide, and 20-fold higher than flunisolide and triamcinolone acetonide. The rate of association of FP with the receptor is faster and the rate of dissociation slower than other corticosteroids. The resulting half-life of the FP active steroid-receptor complex is >10 hours, compared with approximately 5, 7.5, and 4 hours for budesonide, 17-BMP, and triamcinolone acetonide, respectively. FP has high selectivity for the glucocorticoid receptor, with little or no activity at other steroid receptors. FP is more potent than beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, triamcinolone acetonide, and mometasone furoate in inhibiting human T-cell migration and proliferation, inhibiting CD4+ T-cell cytokine and basophil histamine release, attenuating adhesion molecule expression, stimulating inflammatory cell apoptosis, and inducing cellular antiprotease release. In asthma patients, FP decreases the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD25+ T cells, mast cells, and eosinophils in bronchial biopsies, in addition to suppressing CD1a-dendritic and IgE+ cells and HLA-DR. FP, therefore, has a good pharmacologic profile for a topical steroid with increased intrinsic glucocorticoid potency and potent anti-inflammatory activity.


Binucleating Hydrazonic Ligands and Their μ-Hydroxodicopper(II) Complexes as Promising Structural Motifs for Enhanced Antitumor Activity.
Very few inorganic antineoplastic drugs have entered the clinic in the last decades, mainly because of toxicity issues. Because copper is an essential trace element of ubiquitous occurrence, decreased side effects could be expected in comparison with the widely used platinum anticancer compounds. In the present work, two novel hydrazonic binucleating ligands and their μ-hydroxo dicopper(II) complexes were prepared and fully characterized. They differ by the nature of the aromatic group present in their aroylhydrazone moieties: while H3L1 and its complex, 1, possess a thiophene ring, H3L2 and 2 contain the more polar furan heterocycle. X-ray diffraction indicates that both coordination compounds are very similar in structural terms and generate dimeric arrangements in the solid state. Positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses confirmed that the main species present in a 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water solution should be [Cu2(HL)(OH)]+ and the DMSO-substituted derivative [Cu2(L)(DMSO)]+. Scattering techniques [dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray scattering] suggest that the complexes and their free ligands interact with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a reversible manner. The binding constants to BSA were determined for the complexes through fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover, to gain insight into the mechanism of action of the compounds, calf thymus DNA binding studies by UV-visible and DLS measurements using plasmid pBR322 DNA were also performed. For the complexes, DLS data seem to point to the occurrence of DNA cleavage to Form III (linear). Both ligands and their dicopper(II) complexes display potent antiproliferative activity in a panel of four cancer cell lines, occasionally even in the submicromolar range, with the complexes being more potent than the free ligands. Our data on cellular models correlate quite well with the DNA interaction experiments. The results presented herein show that aroylhydrazone-derived binucleating ligands, as well as their dinuclear μ-hydroxodicopper(II) complexes, may represent a promising structural starting point for the development of a new generation of highly active potential antitumor agents.


Spore Loads May Not be Used Alone as a Direct Indicator of the Severity of Nosema ceranae Infection in Honey Bees Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera:Apidae).
Nosema ceranae Fries et al., 1996, a microsporidian parasite recently transferred from Asian honey bees Apis cerana F., 1793, to European honey bees Apis mellifera L., 1758, has been suspected as one of the major culprits of the worldwide honey bee colony losses. Spore load is a commonly used criterion to describe the intensity of Nosema infection. In this study, by providing Nosema-infected bees with sterilized pollen, we confirmed that pollen feeding increased the spore loads of honey bees by several times either in the presence or absence of a queen. By changing the amount of pollen consumed by bees in cages, we showed that spore loads increased with an increase in pollen consumption. Nosema infections decrease honey bee longevity and transcription of vitellogenin, either with or without pollen feeding. However, the reduction of pollen consumption had a greater impact on honey bee longevity and vitellogenin level than the increase of spore counts caused by pollen feeding. These results indicate that spore loads may not be used alone as a direct indicator of the severity of N. ceranae infection in honey bees.


Personality profiles of substance and behavioral addictions.
Substance-related and behavioral addictions are extremely prevalent and represent a major public health concern. In the ongoing attempt to understand the addictive personality, contradictory results have arisen from studies that have explored personality traits in different addiction populations. The diversity across addiction types suggests that some of these inconsistencies stem from distinct personalities underlying each addiction. The present study compares the personality profiles of several addictions, representing both substance (drugs and alcohol) and behavioral (gambling and sex) subtypes. 216 addicted individuals and 78 controls completed personality and sociodemographic questionnaires. Notable personality distinctions were found among different types of addiction. Whereas impulsivity and neuroticism were higher across all addiction populations, as compared to controls, people with alcohol use disorders also scored significantly lower on the traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience. People with drug use disorders and those with compulsive sexual behavior were surprisingly similar, scoring lowest on the traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Finally, people with gambling disorder demonstrated a personality profile similar to that of the control group. Of note, personality profiles were also related to several demographic characteristics, including socioeconomic status and religiosity. Our findings support a potential role for personality in distinguishing among different types of addiction. This study suggests that different addictions may, to some extent, stem from distinct processes that are involved in personality development. These findings may provide a useful framework for understanding why different people develop different addictions.


Purification and characterization of Ca2+/H+ antiporter from Bacillus subtilis.
Ca2+ was accumulated in inside-out membrane vesicles of Bacillus subtilis when NADH was used as an energy source. A delta pH (acid interior) could also drive Ca2+ accumulation in the membrane vesicles and the accumulation was inhibited by carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and nigericin plus K+. These results indicate the presence of a Ca2+/H+ antiporter (exchanger) in this organism. The antiporter was isolated and purified to homogeneity from the membrane proteins by chromatography on hydroxyapatite, diethylaminoethyl(DEAE)-Toyopearl 650 M and butyl-Toyopearl 650 M. The purified antiporter has a molecular mass of about 45 000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 5.0. The fluorescence quenching of a cyanine dye (3,3'-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide [diS-C3-(5)] during Ca2+ accumulation in proteoliposomes by the purified antiporter showed the generation of a membrane potential (interior negative) suggesting a H+/Ca2+ stoichiometry above 2 in the transport. This was also supported by the result that the K+-diffusion potential, interior positive, stimulated the Ca2+ uptake in the presence of a delta pH. The apparent Km for Ca2+ of the antiporter was about 40 microM and La3+ inhibited the transport. Amino acid analysis of the purified antiporter indicated the presence of large amounts of glutamic and aspartic acids and small amounts of histidine, lysine and arginine. This is consistent with the low isoelectric point (about 5.0) of the protein.


Theory of anisotropic exchange in laterally coupled quantum dots.
The effects of spin-orbit coupling on the two-electron spectra in lateral coupled quantum dots are investigated analytically and numerically. It is demonstrated that in the absence of magnetic field, the exchange interaction is practically unaffected by spin-orbit coupling, for any interdot coupling, boosting prospects for spin-based quantum computing. The anisotropic exchange appears at finite magnetic fields. A numerically accurate effective spin Hamiltonian for modeling spin-orbit-induced two-electron spin dynamics in the presence of magnetic field is proposed.


Motor features in Parkinson's disease with normal olfactory function.
Normosmic Parkinson's disease (PD) might be a unique clinical phenotype with a more benign course when compared with hyposmic PD. The objective of this study was to evaluate motor features and the acute levodopa response according to olfactory function. A total of 169 de novo PD patients that underwent olfactory testing and acute levodopa challenge for clinical prediction of sustained long-term dopaminergic response were evaluated. The overall frequency of normosmia was 33%. Normosmic PD patients scored nonsignificantly different to hyposmic/anosmic patients on motor scale and on degree of improvement with levodopa. Motor scores at follow-up were comparable among groups. Normal olfactory function is common in early PD and was not associated with a different motor phenotype when compared with PD patients with olfactory dysfunction. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.


Baseline Campylobacter prevalence at a new turkey production facility in North Dakota.
Campylobacter jejuni isolates (n = 340) were collected from nine turkey flocks in three rotations (A, B, and C) at a newly established turkey production facility in North Dakota and at processing. Samples were collected at weeks 1, 4, 9, and 18, as well as at two stages on the processing line at the processing plant. Campylobacter was not isolated from the first flocks in the rotations (A1, B1, and C1), but was detected at week 18 in the second flock groupings and at week 9 in the third flock groupings. The cumulative increase in Campylobacter prevalence observed in each subsequent rotation was attributed to flock rotation through the brooder barn, in which each flock was housed for 4 weeks before moving to a finishing barn; the brooder was the only common building shared by all flocks in each grouping (A, B, and C). C. jejuni isolates recovered were analyzed for the presence of selected virulence genes; 100% of the isolates tested were positive for the flaA, pldA, and cadF genes; 99.7% of the isolates were positive for the cdtB, cdtC, and ciaB genes. The prevalence of the cdtA and cjp05 genes was much lower at 11.2 and 67.5%, respectively. Results of this study indicate flock rotation may increase Campylobacter prevalence; molecular characterization provided information about Campylobacter from a new turkey production facility.


Double-bundle anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-hamstring-bone composite graft.
The bone-hamstring-bone (BHB) composite graft is a hybrid ligament reconstruction methodology that combines the advantages but eliminates the disadvantages of the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and tendon of semitendinosus and gracilis muscle (STG) methods. We have developed an innovative modified BHB method involving anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It takes into account the 2 bundles of the ACL: the anteromedial bundle and the posterolateral bundle. The composite graft was prepared by folding the gracilis and the semitendinosus tendons twice and flanking the ends by bone blocks obtained from the tibia. One tunnel of 11-mm diameter was made in the tibia and the femur, and the top of the graft was introduced into the femoral socket; the distal end of the graft was rotated 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction for a right knee and 90 degrees in the clockwise direction for a left knee to apply a twist to the graft, giving rise to an anteromedial bundle and a posterolateral bundle. The bone blocks attached to the graft were fixed with 2 interference screws. Modified BHB technique allows free selection of the location of the bone plug, minimizes the intra-articular length of the graft, and maintains the double-bundle structure of the original ACL.


Interactions of biodegradable poly([R]-3-hydroxy-10-undecenoate) with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipid: a monolayer study.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable, biocompatible polyesters and very attractive candidates for biomedical applications as materials for tissue engineering. They have a hydrophobic character, but some are able to spread at the air-water interface to form monomolecularly thin films (Langmuir monolayers). This is a very convenient model to analyze PHA self-assembly in two dimensions and to study their molecular interactions with other amphiphilic compounds, which is very important considering compatibility between biomaterials and cell membranes. We used the Langmuir monolayer technique and Brewster angle microscopy to study the properties of poly([R]-3-hydroxy-10-undecenoate) (PHUE) films on the free water surface in various experimental conditions. Moreover, we investigated the interactions between the polymer and one of the main biomembrane components, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). The addition of lipid to a polymer film does not change the monolayer phase behavior; however, the interactions between these two materials are repulsive and fall in two composition-dependent regimes. In summary, this is the first systematic study of the monolayer behavior of PHUE, thus forming a solid basis for a thorough understanding of material interactions, in particular in the context of biomaterials and implants.


Optimization of the Silver Nanoparticles PEALD Process on the Surface of 1-D Titania Coatings.
Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) of silver nanoparticles on the surface of 1-D titania coatings, such as nanotubes (TNT) and nanoneedles (TNN), has been carried out. The formation of TNT and TNN layers enriched with dispersed silver particles of strictly defined sizes and the estimation of their bioactivity was the aim of our investigations. The structure and the morphology of produced materials were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron miscroscopy (SEM). Their bioactivity and potential usefulness in the modification of implants surface have been estimated on the basis of the fibroblasts adhesion and proliferation assays, and on the basis of the determination of their antibacterial activity. The cumulative silver release profiles have been checked with the use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS), in order to exclude potential cytotoxicity of silver decorated systems. Among the studied nanocomposite samples, TNT coatings, prepared at 3, 10, 12 V and enriched with silver nanoparticles produced during 25 cycles of PEALD, revealed suitable biointegration properties and may actively counteract the formation of bacterial biofilm.


Scaling laws for energetic ions from the commissioning of the new Los Alamos National Laboratory 200 TW Trident laser.
The recent Los Alamos National Laboratory Trident laser enhanced from 30 to 200 TW in power allows more than 100 J to be delivered on target in 500 fs with a spot size smaller than 12 microm at full width at half maximum. 15 microm flat-foil targets have been observed to produce proton beams in excess of 50 MeV at an intensity of only approximately 4x10(19) W/cm(2) with efficiencies approaching 5%. The Trident laser beam characteristics are presented along with the data compared to published scaling laws for proton acceleration.


The Relationship Between Fetal Central Nervous System Malformations and Modified Myocardial Performance Index.
Fetal ventriculomegaly, the most commonly identified abnormality of the fetal central nervous system (CNS), has been associated with elevated levels of the modified myocardial performance index (mMPI). However, the impact of other CNS pathologies on mMPI has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate whether there were changes in the myocardial performance index of fetuses with CNS pathologies without congenital heart diseases. A total of 126 singleton pregnant women were included in this study. Sixty-three fetuses had fetal CNS abnormalities of acrania, anencephaly, encephalocele, Dandy-Walker malformation, hydrocephalus, and meningocele. The control group consisted of 63 healthy and gestational age-matched fetuses. All ultrasonographic examinations were done in the second trimester of gestation. The data related to the characteristics of pregnant women were evaluated, and fetal left ventricular mMPI was obtained by ultrasound scan. The study and the control group participants were not significantly different by means of pregnancy characteristics. The mean mMPI was higher in the fetal CNS malformation group compared to the control groups (0.39±0.02 vs. 0.45±0.04, P<0.001). The mean mMPI value was similar for fetuses with both closed and open calvarium defects of fetal CNS malformation. Fetal CNS anomalies may be associated with prenatal cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, this relationship might be independent of the type of fetal CNS malformation, whether a closed or open calvarium defect.


Osteomyelitis of the skull.
Osteomyelitis of the skull is a direct infection of the bone. It can be an acute or chronic disease. It usually has an insidious initial onset. Complications can be life-threatening and even fatal. The most frequently associated organism responsible for the disease is Staphylococcus aureus. Tissue specimens must be obtained for definitive culture and sensitivity reports. It is also important that devitalized bone and sequestra be removed as part of adequate therapy. A typical presentation on skull series is a moth-eaten appearance; however, this may not be recognized radiographically for several months. The antibiotic chosen must be given in high enough doses to assure adequate serum levels to eradicate the organism responsible for causing the disease. Length of treatment depends on the clinical course and the extent of infection but may involve several months or longer. Good nursing care is essential in dealing with osteomyelitis and involves preventive as well as therapeutic management. Patient education and support are important aspects of nursing care in helping the patient cope with the disease.


Prognostic model for high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma integrating baseline and end-induction PET: a LYSA/FIL study.
Both total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), computed on baseline positron emission tomography (PET), and end of induction (EOI) PET are imaging biomarkers showing promise for early risk stratification in patients with high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma. A model was built incorporating these 2 factors in 159 patients from three prospective trials: 2 Lymphoma Study Association (LYSA) studies and 1 Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL) trial. Median follow up was 64 months. High TMTV (>510 cm3) and positive EOI PET were independent, significant risk factors for progression. Their combination stratified the population into 3 risk groups: patients with no risk factors (n = 102; 64%) had a 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 67% vs 33% (hazard ratio [HR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-4.9) for patients with 1 risk factor (n = 44; 27%) and only 23% (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 2.3-9.2) for patients with both risk factors (n = 13; 8%). 2-year PFS was respectively 90% vs 61% (HR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.2-10.4) and 46% (HR, 8.1; 95%CI, 3.1-21.3). This model enhances the prognostic value of PET staging and response assessment, identifying a subset of patients with a very high risk of progression and early treatment failure at 2 years.


In situ sodium persulfate/calcium peroxide oxidation in remediation of TPH-contaminated soil in 3D-sand box.
The aim of this article was to obtain the application parameters and conditions of in situ sodium persulfate/calcium peroxide oxidation. For the purposes of remediation, soil from a total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)-contaminated site was collected and prepared to reflect the actual stratum condition in a newly developed soil remediation modeling apparatus. Application methods of soil mixture, natural infiltration, direct injection and groundwater circulation were used to simulate in situ sodium persulfate oxidation in TPH-contaminated soil. Results showed that the transfer capability of Na2S2O8 in simulated soil was strong Na2S2O8 migrated to the saturated layer after 3 days of in situ injection, which then continued both horizontal and vertical migration. After 7 days the oxidant was widespread in the saturated layer with a radius of influence of 0.4 m. It was found that mixing CaO2/Fe2+/CA with soil and spraying Na2S2O8 can effectively repair the surface-contaminated soil, and the longitudinal migration of Na2S2O8 in the reaction process can further strengthen the remediation of the upper layer soil. Due to the buffering effect of the soil, the effect of oxidation on the pH and temperature of different soil layers was small, but detectable in comparison to natural environmental factors.


Review of the species of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from Costa Rica and Panama.
Fifteen species of Macrodactylus Dejean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Macrodactylini) from Costa Rica and Panama are described and illustrated, including eight new species: M. latreillei new species., M. pseudothoracicus new species. and M. dejeani new species from Costa Rica; M. solisi new species from Costa Rica and Panama; M. martinezi new species from Costa Rica and Venezuela; M. chiriquiensis new species and M. kunayalaensis new species from Panama; and M. moroni new species from Costa Rica, and Panama. Diagnosis for seven species previously recorded in Costa Rica and Panama are included, and a key to all known species of Macrodactylus in these countries is provided.


Effective Treatment of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis of Breast Cancer by Low Voltage High-Frequency Electrochemotherapy.
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new local treatment method for solid and superficial tumors. During this new technique, patients experience an unpleasant sensation and slight edema. Most unpleasant and painful is mainly attributed to muscle contractions provoked by high amplitude and low repetition frequency pulses. Recently, we showed that electrochemotherapy using low voltage and higher repetition frequency (LVHF ECT) is an effective tool for inhibiting tumor growth and inducing cell permeabilization. Low voltage high-frequency electrochemotherapy was developed and optimized in vitro and in vivo which and can be used in the clinic. In the present study, we report a case of cervical lymph node metastasis of breast cancer treated by the technique. In our case, LVHF ECT was successful in reducing the size and palliating the symptoms of cervical lymph node metastasis in clinical conditions, whereas other approaches were inefficient. Our electrochemotherapy technique shows good clinical results. However, more studies on this new method are necessary to prove that LVHF ECT can be considered as a standard treatment modality.


VACTERL association in a fetus with multiple congenital malformations - Case report.
VACTERL represents an acronym for a broad spectrum of congenital anomalies such as vertebral anomalies, anorectal anomalies (anal atresia), cardiac anomalies, tracheoesophageal fistula or atresia, renal anomalies, and limb anomalies. We present the case of a male fetus with multiple anomalies consistent with VACTERL association such as scoliosis, imperforate anus, common truncus arteriosus, tracheoesophageal fistula associated with inferior esophagus atresia, polycystic kidneys, with short right ureter, lower limb hypoplasia micrognathia, hygroma, duodenal atresia, and cloacal malformation, with an aberrant omphalomesenteric duct. The presented case highlights the crucial importance of pathologists specialized in the dissection and confirmation of fetal abnormalities as an essential part of the multidisciplinary team that establishes the management of complicated pregnancies with this type of pathology.


Description of four new filamentous cyanobacterial taxa from freshwater habitats in the Azores Archipelago.
Simple filamentous cyanobacteria comprise a diverse and polyphyletic group of species, primarily in the orders Leptolyngbyales and Oscillatoriales, that need more sampling to improve their taxonomy. Oceanic islands, such as the Azores archipelago, present unique habitats and biogeographic conditions that harbor an unknown range of diversity of microorganisms. Filamentous cyanobacteria isolated from aquatic habitats in the Azores and maintained in the BACA culture collection were described using morphology, both light and transmission electron microscopy, ecology, and genetic data of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rRNA region secondary structure. Our analyses revealed two new monophyletic genera: Tumidithrix elongata gen. sp. nov. (Pseudanabaenaceae) and Radiculonema aquaticum gen. sp. nov. (Leptolyngbyaceae). In addition, two new species Leptodesmis lacustris sp. nov. (Leptolyngbyaceae) and Pycnacronema lacustrum sp. nov. (Wilmottiaceae) are reported as the first aquatic species for these genera. The description of these new taxa and the genetic study of an isolate of Leptodesmis alaskaensis from the Azores followed the polyphasic approach, identifying diacritical features. Our results reinforce the need for taxonomic studies on cyanobacteria from less-studied habits and geographic regions, which have a potential for new taxa description.


[Reduction of selenite to elemental red selenium under aerobic condition by Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR].
We studied the reduction of soluble and highly toxic selenite to elemental red selenium, under aerobic condition by Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR, with organic carbon as electron donor. The strain could grow under pH 6-11 and resist to high concentration of selenite with the minimal inhibitory concentration of 50 mmol/L. After 5 days, the strain used sodium citrate as electron donor, and reduced 2.0 mmol/L selenite to elemental red selenium from the culture fluid, the elemental red selenium was stored outside the cells. The glutathione and nitrate could increase the number of reduction rate. This study implies the application of Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR to convert selenite to elemental red selenium.


A (99m) Tc-tricine-HYNIC-labeled peptide targeting the neurotensin receptor for single-photon imaging in malignant tumors.
In this study, a new neurotensin (NT) analog was labeled with (99m) Tc via HYNIC chelator and tricine as coligand and investigated further. An NT (7-13) analog was prepared, and labeling with (99m) Tc was performed. The internalization rate and biodistribution of radiopeptide were studied in HT-29 cells and nude mice bearing tumor, respectively. Radiolabeling with (99m) Tc was performed at high specific activities (54 MBq/nmol) with an acceptable labeling yield (>95%). In vitro cell line studies showed a specific internalization uptake up to 13.23 ± 0.45% during 4 h which was blocked in the presence of excess cold peptide to 0.83 ± 0.15%. In biodistribution studies, uptake was observed in NT receptor-positive organs so that after 1 h the uptakes in mouse intestine and tumor were 1.23 ± 0.16% ID/g and 1.12 ± 0.11% ID/g, respectively. In animals co-injected with excess cold peptide, reduction uptake in tumor and intestines were 73% (1.10% vs. 0.29% ID/g at 4 h) and 61% (1.22% vs. 0.47% ID/g at 4 h) respectively. Predominant renal excretion pathway with a highest accumulation of activity in bladder was observed for this radiopeptide. This radiolabeled peptide could be a candidate for detection of NT positive tumors.


Acute Emphysematous Epiglottitis: A Case Report.
Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that can be rapidly progressive and life-threatening. Though predominantly seen in unvaccinated children, there seems to be a shift with the incidence of adult cases rising following the Haemophilus Influenza B (HiB) vaccine. There are several reports of epiglottitis manifesting as an abscess, but few cases report on the formation of an emphysematous abscess. Additionally, little is known on the bacterial etiology of such infections. Here, we present a case of a patient found to have acute emphysematous epiglottis managed with fiberoptic intubation, drainage, and culture of the abscess. Laryngoscope, 133:2747-2750, 2023.


Renal function in relation to low levels of cadmium exposure in a group of smelter workers.
Blood and urine samples were obtained from 274 smelter workers and urine samples from 48 controls. Cadmium, beta 2-microglobulin, and creatinine were estimated in blood and urine, and total protein in urine. Concentrations of cadmium in urine (mean 2.0 nmole/mmole creatinine) and blood (mean 21.8 nmole/L) observed in the smelter workers confirmed that this group had absorbed more cadmium than the general population, but less than most other occupationally exposed groups studied. Mean beta 2-microglobulin in urine was not significantly different in the smelter workers and the controls. The mean total protein in urine was 20% higher in the smelter workers, a difference which was significant (p congruent to 0.01). There was no consistent picture within the smelter workers of a relationship between history of cadmium exposure and the effect measures of beta 2-microglobulin in urine and blood, total protein in urine, creatinine clearance and relative beta 2-microglobulin clearance. Small but significant positive correlation coefficients were observed between cadmium in urine and beta 2-microglobulin in urine (r = 0.13), total protein in urine (r = 0.23) and beta 2-microglobulin clearance (r = 0.15), although these may be artifactual.


Three-dimensional analysis of linear vestibulo-ocular reflex in humans during eccentric rotation while facing downwards.
When participants undergo eccentric rotation (ER), i.e., they are rotated while displaced from the axis of rotation, they undergo both rotational stimulation and linear acceleration, which induces both the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) and linear VOR (lVOR). During ER, the lVOR induced by tangential linear acceleration enhances the eye movement induced by aVOR. In this study, we attempted to measure aVOR and lVOR separately, while participants underwent ER while facing the ground in a dark room. We analyzed three-dimensional eye movements using a video-oculography system. The participants sat on the ER chair either directly above the center of rotation, or with their head out, head in, right ear out, or left ear out against the center of rotation. Under these conditions, the rotational axis of the eye was perpendicular to the ground for rotational stimulation (aVOR), and the axis was parallel to the ground for linear stimulation (lVOR). Thus, measured eye movements could be separated into these two components. At 0.1 and 0.3 Hz rotation, we observed aVOR but not lVOR. However, when the stimulation frequency was above 0.5 Hz, we observed both aVOR and lVOR. These data indicate that lVOR is activated when the stimulation frequency is above 0.5 Hz. We conclude that it is possible to separately analyze aVOR and lVOR, and to simultaneously assess the function of aVOR and lVOR by analyzing eye movements induced when participants undergo ER above 0.5 Hz while facing the ground.


A new technique for the rapid screening and selection of large pieces of tissue for ultrastructural evaluation.
A simple and rapid technique is described for the screening of Epon embedded organ slices for the location, isolation, and removal of small specific sites for ultrastructural study with the transmission electron microscope. This procedure consists of perfusion fixation followed by making 1 to 21/2 mm thick slices of relatively large pieces of the organs, control of the degree and evenness of the osmium staining by addition of 3% sodium iodate, and infiltration with a fluorescent dye prior to embedment in Epon. Tissue slices are embedded in wafer-shaped blocks, generally with several slices in one "wafer", and are examined in a controlled manner using a rapid form of serial surface polishing. Each level of the polished wafer is examined using an epi-illuminated fluorescence microscope, and selected sites are chosen at each level for ultrastructural study. Methods are also described for marking each selected site using a conventional slide marker, and for the removal of the selected site in the form of a small disc of Epon, after which the Epon wafer can be further serially polished and the examination continued. Areas to be thin-sectioned are removed using a core drill mounted on a model-maker's drill press. The technique is simple, does not require the destruction of remaining tissues to evaluate more critically a single small site, allows for the easy maintenance of tissue orientation, and the most time-consuming portions of the technique can be quickly taught to a person with no previous histological training.


Incidence and case fatality rates for acute appendicitis in California. A population-based study of the effects of age.
In 1984, 24,794 appendectomies and abscess drainage procedures were performed for acute appendicitis in California hospitals. Analysis of hospital discharge abstracts revealed age- and sex-specific incidence rates and in-hospital case fatality rates for acute appendicitis lower than previously reported. In persons aged 60 years and older, the case fatality rate for nonperforating appendicitis with appendectomy was 0.7% and for perforating appendicitis and abscess 2.4%. Surgery was delayed beyond the day of admission in 21% of persons aged 40-59 years, 29% of persons aged 60-79 years, and 47% of persons aged 80 years and over. The proportion of cases with perforation increased from 22% to 75% between ages 20 and 80 years. The population incidence of perforating appendicitis changed little after age 20 years, while the incidence of nonperforating cases declined sharply. The high proportion of appendicitis cases with perforation among the elderly may be due to the decreased incidence of nonperforating appendicitis in the elderly and not to a greater propensity for perforation, as previously proposed. Most elderly in California receive timely surgery for appendicitis and tolerate it better than previously reported. Diminished tolerance for intra-abdominal infection may be the primary determinant of the increase in case fatality with age.


Microbial Nucleic Acid Sensing in Oral and Systemic Diseases.
One challenge in studying chronic infectious and inflammatory disorders is understanding how host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), specifically toll-like receptors (TLRs), sense and respond to pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns, their communication with each other and different components of the immune system, and their role in propagating inflammatory stages of disease. The discovery of innate immune activation through nucleic acid recognition by intracellular PRRs such as endosomal TLRs (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9) and cytoplasmic proteins (absent in melanoma 2 and DNA-dependent activator of interferon regulatory factor) opened a new paradigm: Nucleic acid sensing is now implicated in multiple immune and inflammatory conditions (e.g., atherosclerosis, cancer), viral (e.g., human papillomavirus, herpes virus) and bacterial (e.g., Helicobacter pylori, pneumonia) diseases, and autoimmune disorders (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis). Clinical investigations reveal the overexpression of specific nucleic acid sensors in diseased tissues. In vivo animal models show enhanced disease progression associated with receptor activation. The involvement of nucleic acid sensors in various systemic conditions is further supported by studies reporting receptor knockout mice being either protected from or prone to disease. TLR9-mediated inflammation is also implicated in periodontal diseases. Considering that persistent inflammation in the oral cavity is associated with systemic diseases and that oral microbial DNA is isolated at distal sites, nucleic acid sensing may potentially be a link between oral and systemic diseases. In this review, we discuss recent advances in how intracellular PRRs respond to microbial nucleic acids and emerging views on the role of nucleic acid sensors in various systemic diseases. We also highlight new information on the role of intracellular PRRs in the pathogenesis of oral diseases including periodontitis and oral cavity cancer, which might offer future possibilities for disease prevention and therapy.


Ovariectomizing heifers.
With the heifer in a squeeze chute, a 6-inch incision is made at the left paralumbar fossa. The ovaries are removed with 8-inch bandage scissors and the incision closed with a single, everting horizontal-mattress suture. Spayed heifers can bring a premium price because they are guaranteed open.


Molecularly targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Accumulated understanding of the molecular pathways regulating cancer progression has led to the development of novel targeted therapies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a highly lethal disease that is resistant to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, molecular-targeted agents offer the potential advantages of a relatively high therapeutic window and use in combination with other anticancer strategies without overlapping toxicity. It is hoped that these drugs will become valuable therapeutic tools within the multimodal approach to treating cancer. A recent clinical trial revealed an oral multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib, as the first agent that has demonstrated improved overall survival in patients with advanced HCC. The present review summarizes molecular abnormalities of HCC with a focus on clinical studies, and current status as well as problems of the targeted strategies for HCC.


Support, stress, and recovery from coronary heart disease: a longitudinal causal model.
Measures of support, stress, distress, and cardiac symptoms were obtained from a cohort of 73 male cardiac patients at hospitalization and at 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Sets of general and alternative hypotheses regarding the direction of causality among these variables were drawn from the literature on cardiac rehabilitation, stress, and support. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the stability and duration of these hypotheses over three time-lags. The results showed strong support for the general hypotheses and minimal support for the alternative hypotheses. Support ameliorated the subsequent experience of stress and distress and had opposing effects to these variables on cardiac symptoms. Support was more influential in the first half of the year than it was in the second half, however, whereas stress was predominant causally in the second half. Implications of this pattern for clinical intervention are drawn and directions for further research are proposed.


Mechanisms and significance of cell volume regulation.
Survival of human and animal cells requires avoidance of excessive alterations of cell volume. The osmolarity amassed by cellular accumulation of organic substances must be compensated by lowering cytosolic ion concentrations. The Na+/K+ ATPase extrudes Na+ in exchange for K+, which can permeate the cell membrane through K+ channels. K+ exit generates a cell-negative potential difference across the cell membrane, driving the exit of anions such as Cl-. The low cytosolic Cl- concentrations counterbalance the excess cellular osmolarity by organic substances. Cell volume regulation following cell swelling involves releasing ions through activation of K+ channels and/or anion channels, KCl-cotransport, or parallel activation of K+/H+ exchange and Cl-/HCO3- exchange. Cell volume regulation following cell shrinkage involves accumulation of ions through activation of Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport, Na+/H+ exchange in parallel to Cl-/HCO3- exchange, or Na+ channels. The Na+ taken up is extruded by the Na+/K+ ATPase in exchange for K+. Shrunken cells further accumulate organic osmolytes such as sorbitol and glycerophosphorylcholine, and monomeric amino acids by altered metabolism and myoinositol (inositol), betaine, taurine, and amino acids by Na+ coupled transport. They release osmolytes during cell swelling. Challenges of cell volume homeostasis include transport, hormones, transmitters, and drugs. Moreover, alterations of cell volume participate in the machinery regulating cell proliferation and apoptotic cell death. Deranged cell volume regulation significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of several disorders such as liver insufficiency, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypercatabolism, fibrosing disease, sickle cell anemia, and infection.


Attenuation of corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin responsiveness during late-gestation pregnancy in sheep.
Responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is decreased during pregnancy. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine if responsiveness at the level of individual corticotrophs to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or arginine vasopressin (AVP) is decreased during pregnancy in sheep. Anterior pituitaries (APs) were collected from pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. Half of the APs were dispersed, and cells were placed on immobilon and treated with vehicle, CRH (10 nM), or AVP (100 nM) for 2 h. Cells were then fixed and incubated with ACTH or pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) antibodies. The percentage of cells staining positive for immunoreactive (ir) ACTH or POMC, the percentage of cells secreting irACTH or POMC, and the area of irACTH or POMC secretion were measured. RNA was extracted from the other half of the APs to quantify CRH type 1 (CRH-R1) and vasopressin type 1b (V1b) receptor mRNA by ribonuclease protection assay. CRH treatment increased the percentage of corticotrophs with relatively large areas of irACTH and POMC secretion in nonpregnant, but not in pregnant, ewes. AVP treatment significantly increased the percentage of irACTH- and POMC-secreting cells in nonpregnant, but not in pregnant, ewes. V1b receptor mRNA, but not CRH-R1 receptor mRNA, was significantly decreased during pregnancy. These results suggest that corticotroph responsiveness to CRH and AVP is decreased during pregnancy in sheep. Therefore, reduced corticotroph responsiveness may contribute to stress hyporesponsivity during pregnancy.


Effectiveness of Two Different Methods for Pain Reduction During Insulin Injection in Children With Type 1 Diabetes: Buzzy and ShotBlocker.
Repeated injections may prevent children from performing insulin administration (skip dosing) and may cause anxiety. To compare the effect of ShotBlocker and the combination of vibration and cold application (Buzzy) in reducing pain during insulin administration in children. This research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study sample consisted of 60 children aged between 6 and 12 years who were diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes and received insulin from the Child Endocrinology Department of the medical faculty in Eskisehir Osmangazi University between May 2015 and June 2017. The children were randomized into the Buzzy (n = 20), ShotBlocker (n = 20), and control (n = 20) groups. Three instruments were used to obtain the research data: Interview and Observation Form, Children's Anxiety and Pain Scale (CAPS), and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). The mean age of the children was 9.43 ± 2.18 years (range 6-12 years). There were no significant differences among preprocedural anxiety levels of the study groups in terms of self-, parent-, and observer-reported levels (p = .935, p = .374, and p = .680, respectively). Children in the control group had higher levels of pain than children in the Buzzy and ShotBlocker groups (p = .008, p = .007, and p > .001, respectively). There was a significant difference between the groups with procedural anxiety levels reported by the family and observer (p = .006 and p = .002, respectively), favoring the intervention groups. Nurses should be aware of pain during insulin injection and use methods for pain relief accordingly. ShotBlocker is recommended as a helpful option in cases where a pain control method is required.


Methodology and Early Findings of the Assessment of Determinants of Weight Disorders among Iranian Children and Adolescents: The Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Noncommunicable Disease-IV Study.
This paper presents the methodology and primary findings of a national project on determinants of weight disorders among Iranian children and adolescents at national and sub-national levels. This nationwide study was conducted in 2011-2012 in Iran as part of the fourth phase of a national surveillance program entitled Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and PreventIon of Adult Noncommunicable disease-IV study. It had two phases of qualitative and quantitative study. This multicentric study was conducted among 25,000 students aged 6-18 years, living in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran. Students were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Data regarding weight disorders including sociodemographic variables, perinatal factors, lifestyle factors, family and student dietary habits, quality of life, and family history of chronic diseases as well as body image were gathered via validated questionnaires. Overall, 23043 students completed the survey (participation rate: 92.17%). The mean age of participants was 12.55 ± 3.31 years; 50.8% were boys, and 73.4% were from urban areas. Underweight was found in 10.4% of boys and 9.2% of girls, the corresponding figure for overweight and obesity was 21% and 18.3%. Abdominal obesity was found in 17.6% of students. Among parents, obesity was more frequent than other weight disorders, with higher prevalence in parents of girls than boys (24.5% vs. 21.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in urban than in rural parents (66.7% vs. 59.7%, respectively, P < 0.001). This survey serves as confirmatory evidence on the prevalence of dual burden of weight disorders in Iran. Its findings on determinants of weight disorders would help policymakers to implement relevant programs at national and sub-national levels.


Characterization of a novel aromatic substrate-processing microcompartment in Actinobacteria.
We have discovered a new cluster of genes that is found exclusively in the Actinobacteria phylum. This locus includes genes for the 2-aminophenol meta-cleavage pathway and the shell proteins of a bacterial microcompartment (BMC) and has been named aromatics (ARO) for its putative role in the breakdown of aromatic compounds. In this study, we provide details about the distribution and composition of the ARO BMC locus and conduct phylogenetic, structural, and functional analyses of the first two enzymes in the catabolic pathway: a unique 2-aminophenol dioxygenase, which is exclusively found alongside BMC shell genes in Actinobacteria, and a semialdehyde dehydrogenase, which works downstream of the dioxygenase. Genomic analysis reveals variations in the complexity of the ARO loci across different orders. Some loci are simple, containing shell proteins and enzymes for the initial steps of the catabolic pathway, while others are extensive, encompassing all the necessary genes for the complete breakdown of 2-aminophenol into pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. Furthermore, our analysis uncovers two subtypes of ARO BMC that likely degrade either 2-aminophenol or catechol, depending on the presence of a pathway-specific gene within the ARO locus. The precise precursor of 2-aminophenol, which serves as the initial substrate and/or inducer for the ARO pathway, remains unknown, as our model organism Micromonospora rosaria cannot utilize 2-aminophenol as its sole energy source. However, using enzymatic assays, we demonstrate the dioxygenase's ability to cleave both 2-aminophenol and catechol in vitro, in collaboration with the aldehyde dehydrogenase, to facilitate the rapid conversion of these unstable and toxic intermediates. IMPORTANCE Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are proteinaceous organelles that are widespread among bacteria and provide a competitive advantage in specific environmental niches. Studies have shown that the genetic information necessary to form functional BMCs is encoded in loci that contain genes encoding shell proteins and the enzymatic core. This allows the bioinformatic discovery of BMCs with novel functions and expands our understanding of the metabolic diversity of BMCs. ARO loci, found only in Actinobacteria, contain genes encoding for phylogenetically remote shell proteins and homologs of the meta-cleavage degradation pathway enzymes that were shown to convert central aromatic intermediates into pyruvate and acetyl-CoA in gamma Proteobacteria. By analyzing the gene composition of ARO BMC loci and characterizing two core enzymes phylogenetically, structurally, and functionally, we provide an initial functional characterization of the ARO BMC, the most unusual BMC identified to date, distinctive among the repertoire of studied BMCs.


Surgical Management of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Continent-Wide Review of Intervention Practices, Barriers to Care, and Adjuvant Therapy.
Breast cancer has emerged as a leading cancer among women in Africa, necessitating improved understanding of its management across the continent. Although previous studies have described regional trends in therapy, this review aims to summarize continent-wide management and focus specifically on surgical interventions. Current literature shows that the rates of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy vary across different countries and institutions, indicating the need for greater use of standardized cancer treatment guidelines. Surgery, primarily modified radical mastectomy, is the most common form of therapy described. When chemotherapy is offered, the limited availability and cost of treatment lead to high rates of interruption and premature termination of cycles. Few patients have access to radiation or hormonal therapy because these treatments are not available in many countries. Significant delays in seeking treatment are common and contribute to patients presenting with advanced disease. Although limited infrastructure favors surgical management, interventions to improve early detection behavior, provide timely referrals to medical care, and initiate early treatment with access to clinically justified neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapy are key to improving prognosis.


Histopathology of serial graft biopsies from liver transplant recipients.
Serial graft biopsies (n = 78) from 12 liver transplant recipients (followed clinically up to 47 months) were studied with the use of histology, histochemistry, immunostaining, and electron microscopy. Planned-protocol needle biopsy specimens were taken from the graft before removal from the donor, 1 hour after transplantation, on the eighth day, and at yearly intervals. Nonprotocol biopsies were taken when deterioration of the clinical condition made a decision on changes in the regimen necessary. The protocol biopsies provided a baseline for graft condition and diagnostic histopathologic features. In these biopsies signs of hyperacute rejection, chronic rejection, or the recipient's previous liver disease were not observed. Mild acute rejection was regularly present on the eighth day, possibly due to a lag phase in the effect of immunosuppression. The syndromes in the nonprotocol biopsies included "pure" parenchymal cholestasis, reversible acute rejection resembling chronic active hepatitis, viral infection, and acute bacterial cholangitis. Each of these syndromes correlated with a separate histopathologic entity. Therefore, these entities proved to be of diagnostic value. It is concluded that a graft biopsy may substantially add to the pathogenetic interpretation, differential diagnosis, and management of major graft syndromes in orthotopic liver transplant recipients.