Inter-individual differences in sleep response to shift work in novice police officers - A prospective study.
The aim of this longitudinal study on novice police officers was to investigate inter-individual differences in sleep response to shift work, and to identify potential baseline predictors thereof. A total of 42 subjects were assessed at baseline, prior to commencing shift work. They were re-assessed during three follow-up sessions within the first 2 years of shift work exposure after approximately 4, 12, and 20 months of rotating shift work. Wrist actigraphy and sleep logs were used to investigate nocturnal sleep at baseline and daytime sleep after night shifts during the follow-up sessions. Actigraphically estimated total sleep time and subjective sleep quality were analyzed as outcome variables, using mixed-effects analysis of variance. Systematic inter-individual differences were observed in the overall response of these outcome variables to shift work. In this sample, flexibility of sleeping habits and gender were found to be predictors of daytime total sleep time in the first 2 years of shift work exposure. Flexibility of sleeping habits and subjective quality of nighttime sleep prior to shift work were found to be predictors of subjective quality of daytime sleep. These results suggest that it may be possible to detect and even predict sleep deficiencies in response to shift work early on, which could be a basis for the development of individualized interventions to improve shift work tolerance.


Immunoneutralization of inhibin modifies hormone secretion and sperm production in bulls.
The objective of this study was to examine the role of endogenous inhibin in the regulation of FSH, LH, and testosterone secretion and sperm production in bulls. Bulls were actively immunized against bovine inhibin alpha 1-26 gly-tyr (bINH) conjugated to human alpha globulin (HAG) or HAG alone (controls) and emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Primary immunization was at 14 wk of age, followed by booster immunizations in Freund's incomplete adjuvant at 28, 30, and 34 wk of age. Ten days after each booster immunization, scrotal circumferences and body weights were measured, and blood was sampled for determination of bINH antibody titer. Ten days after the third booster, blood was sampled at 1-h intervals for 8 h to quantify serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone. After this blood sampling period, bulls were castrated and testicular sperm production was determined. Serum diluted 1:4,000 from bINH-immunized bulls bound 36%, 52%, and 53% of radioiodinated bINH after the first, second, and third boosters, respectively. Serum from controls bound less than 1% radioiodinated bINH. After the third booster, serum concentrations of FSH and testosterone were increased (p less than 0.05) and LH concentrations were decreased (p less than 0.001) in bINH-immunized bulls compared with controls. After the third booster, daily sperm production per gram of testicular parenchyma was increased (p less than 0.05) in bINH-immunized bulls compared with controls. Scrotal circumferences and body weights were similar between treatment groups throughout the experiment. We concluded that inhibin has a role in regulation of secretion of gonadotrophins and testosterone and testicular sperm production, but not testicular growth, in bulls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Innovations: child & adolescent psychiatry: use of collaborative problem solving to reduce seclusion and restraint in child and adolescent inpatient units.
The authors describe "collaborative problem solving," a cognitive-behavioral approach for working with aggressive children and adolescents. The model conceptualizes aggressive behavior as the byproduct of lagging cognitive skills in the domains of flexibility, frustration tolerance, and problem solving. The goal is to train staff to assess specific cognitive skills that may be contributing to challenging behavior and to teach children new skills through collaborative problem solving. The authors present results from an inpatient unit that dramatically reduced rates of seclusion and restraint.


The axillary/subclavian artery access route for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review of the literature.
A primary predictor for success with catheter-based treatment of structural heart disease is having safe remote access to the heart. The devices for transcatheter aortic valve replacement require large-bore access, but many patients with severe aortic stenosis also have iliofemoral disease or relative contraindications to transapical access. In such situations, the leading alternative vascular access site has been the axillary or subclavian artery. This approach has been used with increasing frequency, and as these new devices become more readily available, it is anticipated that the experience will grow. Literature on the use of this access site for transcatheter aortic valve replacement is reviewed to highlight the current understanding about safety of this approach.


Effects of footwear with different longitudinal bending stiffness on biomechanical characteristics and muscular mechanics of lower limbs in adolescent runners.
Background: Running shoes with carbon plates have been identified to have positive effects on improving running performance from a biomechanical perspective. However, the specific difference between the effects of carbon plates with different longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS)on biomechanical characteristics and muscular mechanics of lower limbs in adolescent runners remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the difference in biomechanical characteristics and muscular mechanics in lower limbs during running stance phases between wearing shoes with low longitudinal bending stiffness (Llbs) and high longitudinal bending stiffness (Hlbs) carbon plates in adolescent runners. Methods: 10 male adolescent runners with a habit of daily running exercise (age: 13.5 ± 0.6 years; height: 166.3 ± 1.9 cm; bodyweight: 50.8 ± 3.1 kg; foot length: 25.4 ± 0.2 cm) were recruited and asked to conduct two times of tests by wearing shoes with Llbs and Hlbs carbon plates in a randomized order. Paired t-test and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis were used to identify the difference in biomechanical characteristics and muscular mechanics in lower limbs during running stance phases. Result: Under the condition of wearing shoes with Hlbs, the time of foot contact significantly increased, whereas the range of motion (ROM) of hip and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) in the sagittal plane significantly reduced as well as the peak moment of ankle joint in the sagittal plane. The activations of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, flexor digitorum brevis (flex dig brevis), and flexor hallucis longus (flex hall long) significantly increased under the condition of wearing shoes with Hlbs. According to the results of the SPM analysis, the joint angles (hip, ankle, and MTP), the net joint moments (knee, ankle, and MTP), and the muscle forces (gluteus maximus and tibialis anterior) were significant difference during the running stance phase between conditions of wearing shoes with Hlbs and Llbs. Conclusion: Running shoes with Llb carbon plates are appropriate for adolescent runners due to the advantages of biomechanical characteristics and muscular mechanics.


A theoretical study of formation of DNA noncanonical structures under negative superhelical stress.
The development of statistical mechanical models of the formation of noncanonical structures in circular DNA and the finding of the energy parameters for these models made it possible to predict the appearance of such structures in a DNA with any given sequence. It does not seem feasible, however, to perform such calculations for DNA sequences of considerable length by allowing for all the possible states. We propose a special algorithm for calculating the thermodynamic characteristics of various conformational rearrangements in DNA that occur under negative supercoilings, allowing for several possible states of each base pair in the chain. Calculations have been performed for a number of natural DNAs. According to these calculations, the most likely noncanonical structures in DNA under normal conditions are cruciform structures and the Z form. The results of the calculations are compared with the experimental data reported in the literature. State diagrams have been computed for a number of inserts in circular DNA that can adopt both the cruciform conformation and the left-handed helical Z form.


Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide-dependent Proline Dehydrogenase in Chlorella.
An NAD-linked dehydrogenase from Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick catalyzing the conversion of l-proline to Delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid was partially purified. Delta(1)-Pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid was identified as the product by co-chromatography of it and its o-aminobenzaldehyde derivative with authentic compounds. The enzyme is NAD and l-proline specific and is not an oxidase; NADP is not inhibitory. The Michaelis constant for NAD is 0.08 mm and for proline is 0.73 mm.


Effects of long-term creatine feeding and running on isometric functional measures and myosin heavy chain content of rat skeletal muscles.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether creatine (Cr) supplementation during 12 weeks of phasic high-frequency voluntary wheel running would result in a faster myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform profile in the rat mixed fast-twitch plantaris and alter its corresponding isometric contractile properties. The fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus and medial gastrocnemius and slow-twitch soleus were also studied. Forty weanling Sprague-Dawley male rats were assigned to one of four groups: creatine-sedentary (Cre-Sed); creatine-voluntary running (Cre-Run); control-sedentary (Con-Sed); control-voluntary running (Con-Run). Daily running distance was similar between Cre-Run and Con-Run. Average daily Cr ingestion was also similar being 2.4+/-0.17 and 3.0+/-0.14 g/kg in Cre-Sed and Cre-Run, respectively. Total creatine (TCr) content was elevated (P<0.03) in the plantaris of Cre-Run [211.4+/-16.9 mmol/kg dry weight (dw)], compared with Con-Run (175.1+/-5.69). In the plantaris, MHCIIb was 13% greater (P<0.00001) in Cre-Run compared with Con-Run, while MHCIId/x and MHCIIa were lower in Cre-Run by 7 and 6% (P<0.0002), respectively. No differences were observed in twitch force, time-to-peak tension, half-rise time or half-fall time. Greater tetanic force production (P<0.05) in Cre-Sed compared with Con-Sed corresponded to a 12% increase in MHCIId/x (P<0.0001) and a 12% decrease in MHCIIb (P<0.0006). The fatigue index of the plantaris at 10 s (FI(10s)) was reduced only after running (Cre-Run vs Con-Run), while in all other muscles the FI(10s) was lower only in the Cre-Sed group. In conclusion, Cr supplementation had differential effects on MHC isoform content and fatigability that depended on the level of contractile activity. Cr feeding combined with running exercise resulted in a faster MHC-based phenotype in the rat plantaris but the impact on associated isometric contractile properties was minimal.


Preliminary studies on the prevention of the ovalbumin-induced allergic response by Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 in mice.
Allergic diseases are featured by an increased production of IgE due to an imbalance in the immune response towards a Th2 profile. In this work, the ability of Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 to regulate this Th2-exaggerated response in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy was studied. BALB/c mice intragastrically inoculated with E. faecalis CECT7121 before and during a subcutaneous immunization protocol with OVA were studied in comparison with an immunized control group. The allergen-specific immune response (IgE, IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a) was assessed. The proliferative activity of memory splenocytes and the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ were also determined. Upon treatment with E. faecalis CECT7121 the following effects were observed: (1) a decrease in specific IgE levels, (2) an increase in anti-OVA IgG2a levels, (3) the levels of anti-OVA IgG and IgG1 remained unaltered, (4) a reduction in the proliferation rate of memory cells, (5) a decrease in the levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, and (6) the secretion of IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ remained unchanged. Moreover, the incubation of human basophils with non-viable E. faecalis CECT7121 together with an allergen preparation induced the release of β-hexosaminidase at levels that were lower than control reactions and similar i.g. the spontaneous release. In this model, the i.g. administration of E. faecalis CECT7121 hampers the establishment of the OVA-induced allergic immune response, suggesting that this strain could be useful for the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.


Sensitivity of staurosporine-induced differentiated RGC-5 cells to homocysteine.
Homocysteine is implicated in ganglion cell death associated with glaucoma. To understand mechanisms of homocysteine-induced cell death, we analyzed the sensitivity of the RGC-5 cell line, differentiated using staurosporine, to physiologically-relevant levels of the excitotoxic amino acid homocysteine. RGC-5 cells were differentiated 24 hr using 316 nM staurosporine and tested for expression of Thy 1.2 via immunodetection, RT-PCR, and immunoblotting. The sensitivity of staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 cells to physiological levels of homocysteine (50, 100, 250 microM) and to high levels of homocysteine (1 mM), glutamate (1 mM), and oxidative stress (25 microM:10 mU/ml xanthine:xanthine oxidase) was assessed by TUNEL assay and by immunodetection of cleaved caspase-3. The sensitivity of undifferentiated RGC-5 cells to high (1, 5, and 10 mM) homocysteine was also examined. Undifferentiated RGC-5 cells express Thy 1.2 mRNA and protein. Staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 cells extend neurite processes and express Thy 1.2 after 24 hr differentiation; they express NF-L after 1 and 3 days differentiation. Treatment of staurosporine -differentiated RGC-5 cells with 50, 100, or 250 microM homocysteine did not alter neurite processes nor induce cell death (detected by TUNEL and active caspase-3) to a level greater than that observed in the control (non-homocysteine-treated, staurosporine-differentiated) cells. The 1 mM dosage of homocysteine in staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 cells also did not induce cell death above control levels, although 18 hr treatment of non-differentiated RGC-5 cells with 5 mM homocysteine decreased survival by 50%. RGC-5 cells differentiated for 24 hr with 316 nM staurosporine project robust neurite processes and are positive for ganglion cell markers consistent with a more neuronal phenotype than non-staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 cells. However, concentrations of homocysteine known to induce ganglion cell death in vivo and in primary ganglion cells are not sufficient to induce death of RGC-5 cells, even when they are differentiated with staurosporine.


Smoking dependence, time-discounting, and sustained cessation behavior: A longitudinal study of predominantly light smokers.
This study aimed to assess whether two established psychosocial predictors of smoking abstinence, nicotine dependence and time discounting, also apply to a population of predominantly cigarette light smokers, which is the dominant pattern of smoking in countries like Mexico. Relatively infrequent smoking is increasingly prevalent, yet still harmful, making it important to understand the predictors of cessation in this population. Mexican adult smokers recruited from an online consumer panel were surveyed every four months between November 2018-July 2020. We considered respondents who reported a quit attempt in between surveys (n=1,288). Dependence was measured with a 10-item version of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence (WISDM). Time discounting was assessed with five branching questions about hypothetical reward scenarios. Logistic models regressed sustained quit attempts (≥30 days of abstinence) at time t+1 on study variables at time t. We found strong inter-item reliability (α=0.92) and intra-individual consistency of our brief WISDM (ρ=0.68), but moderate intra-individual consistency of the time-discounting measure (ρ=0.48). 48% of the sample reported sustained quit attempts, and 79% were non-daily or light daily smokers (<=5 cigarettes per day). Smokers with higher WISDM-10 had lower odds of sustained quitting and this result remained when controlling for smoking frequency and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (AOR=0.768). Time-discounting was unassociated with sustained quitting. Our findings suggest that a brief, 10-item multidimensional measure of dependence is useful for predicting sustained quitting in a context of relatively light smoking; time-discounting appears less relevant, although our results are not conclusive due to the low test-retest reliability of our measure. Given the increase in non-daily and light daily cigarette smoking in many countries, including in Mexico, and the health risks this still poses, it is important to understand the predictors of cessation among relatively light smokers. The WISDM-10 multidimensional measure seems to be a good instrument to assess dependence and predict successful quitting in this population, and possibly more appropriate than physical dependence measures. As such, it could help design and target more suitable cessation treatments for non-daily and daily light cigarette smokers. While this study did not find time discounting to be a relevant predictor of smoking abstinence, future studies should explore other measures.


Analysis of the antigenic profile of Mycobacterium leprae: cross-reactive and unique specificities of human and rabbit antibodies.
Thirty-two mycobacterial components were detected by antibodies contained in leprosy patients' sera across the clinical spectrum and rabbit anti-M. leprae hyperimmune sera by western blot analysis of armadillo-derived M. leprae antigen preparations. Sera of borderline tuberculoid patients were found to contain antibodies recognizing 18 M. leprae components. While the reactivity of the sera on the lepromatous pole seemed to be distributed over the entire molecular weight range, most of the reactivity in the borderline tuberculoid patients was directed at higher molecular weight components (greater than 70,000). Identification of a series of previously unrecognized M. leprae components offers new possibilities in regard to the potential use of these antigens as targets for immunodiagnosis. Antibodies contained in the rabbit anti-M. leprae sera reacted with 19 M. leprae components. Antigens migrating at 64,000, 38,000, and 22,000 were detected by the rabbit sera only. Evidence of extensive cross-reactivity between M. leprae and BCG organisms emphasizes the need to use well-characterized antibody probes to determine the specificity of select mycobacterial antigens. The potential usefulness of rabbit monospecific hyperimmune sera to select M. leprae fractions in immunodiagnosis, in immune regulation studies, or as a tool to screen for mycobacterial products in lambda gt11 phage lysates of E. coli is discussed. Select M. leprae components were partially purified and their recovery assessed through SDS-PAGE analysis of Coomassie blue-stained gels.


Clinical outcomes and cost comparison of carotid artery angioplasty with stenting versus carotid endarterectomy.
Recently, carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has evolved as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the treatment of carotid occlusive disease. Some concerns have arisen regarding the high cost of stents and neuroprotection devices, which may inflate the overall procedural costs relative to CEA. We report here a review and analysis contrasting the clinical outcomes and associated hospital costs incurred for patients treated with either CAS or CEA. Ninety-four consecutive patients with surgically amenable carotid stenosis were offered CAS or CEA. Forty-six patients elected CAS, and 48 patients underwent CEA. CAS was performed with the Smart Precise or Acculink stents, and all procedures included neuroprotection (Filter Wire or Accunet). CEA was performed with patients under general anesthesia with routine shunting and with Dacron or bovine pericardium patches. Clinical outcomes such as perioperative mortality, major adverse events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and death), length of stay, and the incidence of hemodynamic instability were analyzed. Total costs, indirect costs, and direct procedural costs associated with hospitalization were also reviewed. CAS was associated with a shorter length of stay compared with CEA (1.2 vs 2.1 days; P = .02). Differences in perioperative mortality (0% vs 2%; P = NS), major adverse events (2% vs 10%; P = .36), strokes (2% vs 4%; P = NS), myocardial infarctions (0% vs 4%; P = .49), and hypotension necessitating pressor support (21% vs 18%; P = NS) were not statistically significant. By using cost to charge ratio methodology according to the Medicare report, CAS was associated with higher total procedural costs (US dollars 17,402 vs US dollars 12,112; P = .029) and direct costs (US dollars 10,522 vs US dollars 7227; P = .017). The differences in indirect costs were not significant (US dollars 6879 vs US dollars 4885; P = .063). CAS with neuroprotection was associated with clinical outcomes equivalent to those with CEA but had higher total hospital costs. These higher costs reflect the addition of expensive devices that have improved the technical success and the clinical outcomes associated with CAS.


Influence of the axis on the enzymes of protein and amide metabolism in the cotyledons of mung bean seedlings.
The growth of the mung bean (Vigna radiata) seedling is accompanied by the biosynthesis and accumulation of the endopeptidase vicilin peptidohydrolase and the catabolism of the reserve proteins in the cotyledons. If the axis is removed from the dry seeds and the cotyledons incubated on moist sand the accumulation of vicilin peptidohydrolase is reduced by 77% and the catabolism of reserve proteins slowed to 25% of the rate in intact seedlings. The cotyledons and the cotyledon exudate are rich in asparagine and this amino acid accounts for more than half of the reduced nitrogen exported from the cotyledons. Glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase, two key enzymes in the pathway of asparagine synthesis, are under temporal control in the cotyledons. Their activities increase 3.5- and 10-fold, respectively, then decline again. These increases in enzyme activity occur to the same extent in excised cotyledons and are prevented when the cotyledons are incubated in 5 micromolar cycloheximide. The results indicate that the axis may control certain key metabolic events in the cotyledons, such as the synthesis of vicilin peptidohydrolase, while many other anabolic activities may not depend on a growing axis.


Current physics information.
A new concept in science communication will be given its first test in calendar year 1972. Primary and secondary contents of a selected subset of the world's journal literature in physics will be provided in a variety of output formats. Among them are a monthly microfilm containing the full texts of all articles in the set of journals (Current Physics Microform); an advance abstracts journal describing the articles (Current Physics Advance Abstracts); a printed, classified index of the titles of the articles (Current Physics Titles); and a computer tape index to the articles (Searchable Physics Information Notices).


Brain activation during autobiographical relationship episode narratives: a core conflictual relationship theme approach.
The authors combined the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify brain regions involved in recall of autobiographical relationship episodes, a key process in psychotherapy. Relationship narratives were obtained from healthy subjects and scored for CCRT relationship themes and emotion. Autobiographical personal and nonautobiographical control narratives were presented in a block-design fMRI experiment. Personal versus control narratives showed activations in anterior cingulate, precuneus, inferior and middle frontal gyri, and inferior parietal lobule. These are regions involved in autobiographical memory, theory of mind, self-referential processing, and emotion. In an exploratory analysis, higher CCRT scores correlated with increased brain activation in the left hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus. This suggests that brain systems subserving memory processes are more active when recalling relationship episodes with greater CCRT content.


In vitro evaluation of fluoride-releasing restorative materials for sealing the root canals of overdenture abutments.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of newer fluoride-releasing restorative materials to protect the root surface from acid attack. The materials used were glass-ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RM-GIC), and a compomer (Comp). A composite resin (CR) was used as the control. The restored teeth were stored in deionized, distilled water for 14 days and subjected to 300 thermocycles (55 degrees C and 5 degrees C). The teeth were cycled in a demineralizing solution (pH 5.0 or 4.0) for 6 hours and in a remineralizing solution (pH 7.0) for 17 hours for 10 days. The depths of lesions created by acid challenge were measured at the interface of the tooth and the restorative material and then at a distance of 50, 100, and 300 microns from the tooth-restoration margin using polarized light microscopy and contact microradiography. At pH 4.0, there was significant difference in the depth at the interface between the tooth and the restorative material (P < .001). The GIC and RM-GIC were protective, and the lesion depths were significantly shallower than for Comp or CR. The protective effect varied depending on the distance from the interface of the tooth and the restorative material. At pH 5.0, the GIC and RM-GIC had no lesions at the interface, while the Comp and the CR had lesions (P < .001). Fluoride-releasing glass-ionomer cement seems to be an appropriate material to seal the root canals of overdenture abutments, because it has an inhibiting effect on demineralization at the cavity wall in vitro.


"Wolves (Canis lupus) and dogs (Canis familiaris) differ in following human gaze into distant space but respond similar to their packmates' gaze": Correction to Werhahn et al. (2016).
Reports an error in "Wolves (Canis lupus) and dogs (Canis familiaris) differ in following human gaze into distant space but respond similar to their packmates' gaze" by Geraldine Werhahn, Zsófia Virányi, Gabriela Barrera, Andrea Sommese and Friederike Range (Journal of Comparative Psychology, 2016[Aug], Vol 130[3], 288-298). In the article, the affiliations for the second and fifth authors should be Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria, and Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna/ Medical University of Vienna/University of Vienna. The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2016-26311-001.) Gaze following into distant space is defined as visual co-orientation with another individual's head direction allowing the gaze follower to gain information on its environment. Human and nonhuman animals share this basic gaze following behavior, suggested to rely on a simple reflexive mechanism and believed to be an important prerequisite for complex forms of social cognition. Pet dogs differ from other species in that they follow only communicative human gaze clearly addressed to them. However, in an earlier experiment we showed that wolves follow human gaze into distant space. Here we set out to investigate whether domestication has affected gaze following in dogs by comparing pack-living dogs and wolves raised and kept under the same conditions. In Study 1 we found that in contrast to the wolves, these dogs did not follow minimally communicative human gaze into distant space in the same test paradigm. In the observational Study 2 we found that pack-living dogs and wolves, similarly vigilant to environmental stimuli, follow the spontaneous gaze of their conspecifics similarly often. Our findings suggest that domestication did not affect the gaze following ability of dogs itself. The results raise hypotheses about which other dog skills might have been altered through domestication that may have influenced their performance in Study 1. Because following human gaze in dogs might be influenced by special evolutionary as well as developmental adaptations to interactions with humans, we suggest that comparing dogs to other animal species might be more informative when done in intraspecific social contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record


Cumulative sum quality control for calibrated breast density measurements.
Breast density is a significant breast cancer risk factor. Although various methods are used to estimate breast density, there is no standard measurement for this important factor. The authors are developing a breast density standardization method for use in full field digital mammography (FFDM). The approach calibrates for interpatient acquisition technique differences. The calibration produces a normalized breast density pixel value scale. The method relies on first generating a baseline (BL) calibration dataset, which required extensive phantom imaging. Standardizing prospective mammograms with calibration data generated in the past could introduce unanticipated error in the standardized output if the calibration dataset is no longer valid. Sample points from the BL calibration dataset were imaged approximately biweekly over an extended timeframe. These serial samples were used to evaluate the BL dataset reproducibility and quantify the serial calibration accuracy. The cumulative sum (Cusum) quality control method was used to evaluate the serial sampling. There is considerable drift in the serial sample points from the BL calibration dataset that is x-ray beam dependent. Systematic deviation from the BL dataset caused significant calibration errors. This system drift was not captured with routine system quality control measures. Cusum analysis indicated that the drift is a sign of system wear and eventual x-ray tube failure. The BL calibration dataset must be monitored and periodically updated, when necessary, to account for sustained system variations to maintain the calibration accuracy.


Effect of sucralfate on the normal human gastric mucosa. Endoscopic, histologic, and ultrastructural assessment.
Twelve healthy volunteers were given a single sucralfate tablet (1 gm) orally. For 60 min after ingestion they were examined endoscopically for the localization and disintegration of the tablet in the stomach, and biopsies were taken to determine the effect of sucralfate on the histology and ultrastructure of the normal gastric mucosa. After ingestion, the sucralfate tablet had disintegrated and firmly adhered to a relatively small mucosal area of the greater curvature covering 5 +/- 2 and 7 +/- 2 cm2 at 15 and 30 minutes, and 9 +/- 3 cm2 at 60 minutes after drug ingestion. Histologic and ultrastructural examination of the mucosa in direct contact with sucralfate revealed distinct changes in the surface epithelial cells: mucus release, vacuolization, and exfoliation of some of the cells. Endoscopy offers a unique opportunity for the study of gastroduodenal effects and disposition of orally administered drugs.


The impact of environmental factors on human echinococcosis epidemics: spatial modelling and risk prediction.
Human echinococcosis is affected by natural environmental factors, and its prevalence shows a distinct geographical distribution. Western China has the highest endemicity of human echinococcosis worldwide, but the spatial pattern and environmental determinants of echinococcosis are still unclear. Hot/cold spot analysis was used to investigate the spatial distribution of human echinococcosis prevalence. Geodetector was used to identify key natural factors, and a structured additive regression model was used to analyse the relationship between natural factors and human echinococcosis prevalence and spatially predict echinococcosis epidemics. Hot spots for human echinococcosis prevalence include western and southeastern parts of Tibet Autonomous Region (henceforth Tibet) and the border areas between Tibet and the provinces of Qinghai and Sichuan. Spatial effects are crucial when modelling epidemics, and relative humidity, altitude and grassland area ratio were found to have the most evident effects on echinococcosis epidemics. The relationship between these three factors and echinococcosis prevalence was non-linear, and echinococcosis risk was higher in areas with high relative humidity, high altitude, and a high ratio of grassland to other land use types. The prevalence that was predicted from the investigated environmental factors was generally higher than the actual prevalence, and more epidemic hot spots were predicted for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan than the rest of western China. These results indicate that prevention and control measures may effectively reduce echinococcosis prevalence. We suggest that the prevention and control of human echinococcosis should be prioritized in the hot spots identified here, through the rational allocation of limited medical resources to where they are most needed. Furthermore, the spatial epidemiological modelling methods used in this study can be employed in future studies on echinococcosis and similar diseases.


[Changes of protein expression in HepG2 cells with CDK2 RNA interference].
To investigate the effects of stable transfection of CDK2 siRNA on biological activities and nuclear proteins of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression vector of P(Genesil-1-CDK2); via RNA interference and selected for the ones with stable transfection. We observed the changes in the cell growth curve and cell cycle. The mRNA contents of CDK2 and differentially expressed nucleoproteins were detected and analyzed by RT-PCR and two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis-mass spectrum (MS)-database, respectively. Western blotting were used to confirm the differential protein expressions. Compared with P(HK-siRNA);-HepG2 and untransfected groups, the proliferation of HepG2 cells in P(CDK2-siRNA);-HepG2 group was significantly inhibited (P<0.01), and the expression of CDK2 mRNA significantly decreased in P(CDK2-siRNA);-HepG2 group. Four proteins not expressed in P(CDK2-siRNA);-HepG2 cells were detected by 2D electrophoresis-MS, and they were further confirmed by Western blotting. CDK2 siRNA significantly suppressed CDK2 mRNA expression and the proliferation of HepG2 cells, four proteins not expressed in p(CDK2-siRNA);-HepG2 cells are similar to ribosomal protein S12, β-actin, zine finger 276 and chaperonin 10 related protein.


Low-Cost Carbon Fillers to Improve Mechanical Properties and Conductivity of Epoxy Composites.
In recent years, low-cost carbons derived from recycled materials have been gaining attention for their potentials as filler in composites and in other applications. The electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites can be tuned using different percentages and different kind of fillers: either low-cost (e.g., carbon black), ecofriendly (e.g., biochar), or sophisticated (e.g., carbon nanotubes). In this work, the mechanical and electrical behavior of composites with biochar and multiwall carbon nanotubes dispersed in epoxy resin are compared. Superior mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength, strain at break) were noticed at low heat-treated biochar (concentrations 2⁻4 wt %). Furthermore, dielectric properties in the microwave range comparable to low carbon nanotubes loadings can be achieved by employing larger but manageable amounts of biochar (20 wt %), rending the production of composites for structural and functional application cost-effective.


Diabetes an inducing factor for dental caries: A case control analysis in Jammu.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common chronic disease and it has emerged as a major health-care problem. There are more chances of dentinal caries among diabetics than nondiabetics. DM is responsible for causing ascendancy in the proportion and activity of saliva that impacts the oral health. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of various factors present in saliva on tooth decay amid type-II DM in Jammu. The subjects in our analysis comprises of 50 patients with type-II DM and 50 controls within the age group of 30-60 years. Diabetic status was assessed by estimating random blood glucose levels. Dental findings were recorded using modified World Health Organization (WHO) Oral health survey-basic method 2013. Salivary samples from all the subjects were collected and sent to the laboratory for interpretation of pH, flow rate, and salivary calcium. The analysis of salivary components decayed tooth was carried using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's correlation test. All the parameters were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results have shown a significantly lower values of salivary pH, flow rate, and calcium levels in diabetics than in nondiabetics. Within the limits of the present study, the results indicated that patients with type-II DM have high rate of dental caries and are at high risk of caries development. The decline in the salivary components will reduce capability of supporting the mineral compartment of tooth structure to resist the demineralization process by cariogenic potentials thereby creating a favorable environment for caries progression.


Anorexia nervosa in a pre-adolescent girl: a multimodal behaviour therapy approach.
A multimodal method of behavioural therapy was used in the case of a pre-adolescent girl with anorexia nervosa. This followed two previous admissions to a paediatric department. Three main conclusions emerged from pre and post therapy objective evaluations. Weight gain in anorexia is a necessary but insufficient basis for sustained improvement. Important interactive psychosocial factors have to be adequately addressed to improve the chances of effective therapy. A focused approach relevant to each of a number of important different, but overlapping, areas is likely to facilitate better potential for treatment effectiveness than a general ('non-specific') management approach.


Receptor clustering is involved in Reelin signaling.
The Reelin signaling cascade plays a crucial role in the correct positioning of neurons during embryonic brain development. Reelin binding to apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) and very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) leads to phosphorylation of disabled 1 (Dab1), an adaptor protein which associates with the intracellular domains of both receptors. Coreceptors for Reelin have been postulated to be necessary for Dab1 phosphorylation. We show that bivalent agents specifically binding to ApoER2 or VLDLR are sufficient to mimic the Reelin signal. These agents induce Dab1 phosphorylation, activate members of the Src family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, modulate protein kinase B/Akt phosphorylation, and increase long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices. Induced dimerization of Dab1 in HEK293 cells leads to its phosphorylation even in the absence of Reelin receptors. The mechanism for and the sites of these phosphorylations are identical to those effected by Reelin in primary neurons. These results suggest that binding of Reelin, which exists as a homodimer in vivo, to ApoER2 and VLDLR induces clustering of ApoER2 and VLDLR. As a consequence, Dab1 becomes dimerized or oligomerized on the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane, constituting the active substrate for the kinase; this process seems to be sufficient to transmit the signal and does not appear to require any coreceptor.


The herpes simplex virus type 1 temperature-sensitive mutant ts1222 has a single base pair deletion in the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant, ts1222, has a defect within the gene specifying the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. Sequence determination of the lesion revealed that the mutant DNA had a single base pair deletion at the 3' end of the gene. The mutation altered the translational reading frame such that the codons of all but one of the last 15 amino acids of the protein were changed and the termination codon removed. Although ts1222 did not induce detectable amounts of enzyme activity at both 31 degrees and 39.5 degrees, it replicated as well as wild-type virus at 31 degrees in exponentially growing tissue culture cells under one step growth conditions. At 39.5 degrees, however, ts1222 behaved as a ts mutant. These findings suggest that at low temperatures the virus-coded enzyme is dispensable for virus growth in actively dividing tissue culture cells but at high temperatures the enzyme is essential for virus replication. Under these conditions altered properties of the host cell contribute to the ts phenotype of the mutant. In the presence of hydroxyurea, which inactivates both the cellular and virus ribonucleotide reductases, growth of the mutant at 31 degrees was inhibited more than wild-type virus replication. Growth of the mutant at the permissive temperature was also sensitive to high concentrations of thymidine whereas wild-type virus multiplication was resistant to the nucleoside. It is therefore likely that ts1222 is dependent on the cellular ribonucleotide reductase for growth at this temperature. In serum-starved cells, growth of the mutant virus at 31 degrees was severely impaired. Thus, like thymidine kinase, the HSV-coded ribonucleotide reductase is required for virus multiplication in resting tissue culture cells.


Homologous recombination drives both sequence diversity and gene content variation in Neisseria meningitidis.
The study of genetic and phenotypic variation is fundamental for understanding the dynamics of bacterial genome evolution and untangling the evolution and epidemiology of bacterial pathogens. Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is among the most intriguing bacterial pathogens in genomic studies due to its dynamic population structure and complex forms of pathogenicity. Extensive genomic variation within identical clonal complexes (CCs) in Nm has been recently reported and suggested to be the result of homologous recombination, but the extent to which recombination contributes to genomic variation within identical CCs has remained unclear. In this study, we sequenced two Nm strains of identical serogroup (C) and multi-locus sequence type (ST60), and conducted a systematic analysis with an additional 34 Nm genomes. Our results revealed that all gene content variation between the two ST60 genomes was introduced by homologous recombination at the conserved flanking genes, and 94.25% or more of sequence divergence was caused by homologous recombination. Recombination was found in genes associated with virulence factors, antigenic outer membrane proteins, and vaccine targets, suggesting an important role of homologous recombination in rapidly altering the pathogenicity and antigenicity of Nm. Recombination was also evident in genes of the restriction and modification systems, which may undermine barriers to DNA exchange. In conclusion, homologous recombination can drive both gene content variation and sequence divergence in Nm. These findings shed new light on the understanding of the rapid pathoadaptive evolution of Nm and other recombinogenic bacterial pathogens.


Alteration of Colonic Mucosal Permeability during Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis.
Although dysbiosis is likely to disturb the mucosal barrier system, the mechanism involved has remained unclear. Here, we investigated alterations of colonic mucosal permeability and tight junction (TJ) molecules in mice with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Mice were orally administered vancomycin or polymyxin B for 7 days, and then fecal samples were subjected to microbial 16S rRNA analysis. The colonic mucosal permeability was evaluated by chamber assay. The colonic expression of TJ molecules and cytokines was examined by real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Caco2 cells were stimulated with cytokines and their transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) was measured. Vancomycin-treated mice showed significantly lower gut microbiota diversity than controls, and the same tendency was evident in polymyxin B-treated mice. The colonic mucosal permeability was significantly elevated in both vancomycin- and polymyxin B-treated mice. The expression of claudin 4 in the colonic mucosa was decreased in both vancomycin- and polymyxin B-treated mice. Colonic expression of TNF-α and/or IFN-γ was significantly increased in mice that had been administered antibiotics. TNF-α and IFN-γ stimulation dose-dependently decreased TEER in Caco2 cells. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis is correlated with the enhancement in colonic tissue permeability, accompanied by a reduction in claudin 4 expression and enhancement in TNF-α and/or IFN-γ expression in mice.


Distinguishing Engineered TiO2 Nanomaterials from Natural Ti Nanomaterials in Soil Using spICP-TOFMS and Machine Learning.
Identifying engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) made from earth-abundant elements in soils is difficult because soil also contains natural nanomaterials (NNMs) containing similar elements. Here, machine learning models using elemental fingerprints and mass distributions of three TiO2 ENMs and Ti-based NNMs recovered from three natural soils measured by single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) was used to identify TiO2 ENMs in soil. Synthesized TiO2 ENMs were unassociated with other elements (>98%), while 40% of Ti-based ENM particles recovered from wastewater sludge had distinguishable elemental associations. All Ti-based NNMs extracted from soil had a similar chemical fingerprint despite the soils being from different regions, and >60% of Ti-containing NNMs had no measurable associated elements. A machine learning model best distinguished NNMs and ENMs when differences in Ti-mass distribution existed between them. A trained LR model could classify 100 nm TiO2 ENMs at concentrations of 150 mg kg-1 or greater. The presence of TiO2 ENMs in soil could be confirmed using this approach for most ENM-soil combinations, but the absence of a unique chemical fingerprint in a large fraction of both TiO2 ENMs and Ti-NNMs increases model uncertainty and hinders accurate quantification.


Magnetic properties of small cobalt-copper clusters.
Accurate first-principle calculations on bimetallic cobalt-copper clusters of up to six atoms (Pérez et al 2012 J. Nanopart. Res. 14 933) revealed a close similarity of the ground-state magnetic properties to the ultimate jellium model, provided that a 2D to 3D geometric transition was invoked. We discuss this relationship in terms of partial occupancies of the valence electrons in both cases, with the jellium results described by nonperturbative spherical wavefunctions. Based upon this, we propose a scheme to predict magnetic properties of cobalt-copper clusters of up to twenty atoms using arguments of dimensionality and charge localization, and confirm some of these results with other independent density-functional calculations and experimental available data. The comparison with experiments is carried out for neutral and singly ionized cobalt clusters. Furthermore, a many-body tight-binding pseudopotential is used with Monte Carlo techniques to verify the stability of these new first-principle solutions.


Fecal calprotectin in management of Clostridium difficile infection: a longitudinal study.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is characterized by a relevant intestinal neutrophil infiltrate. So far, role of fecal calprotectin in CDI, has been investigated only in few studies, mainly focused on diagnosis of the disease. By a longitudinal design, we assess fecal calprotectin concentrations (FCCs) in subjects with CDI, evaluating the correlation between fecal marker and response to therapy. Clinical (diarrhea scoring) and laboratory (FCCs and leucocytes count) evaluation was performed in 56 subjects with CDI at time of diagnosis (T0) and after a week from starting of therapy (T1). Clinical response to therapy at T1 was related with both T0 and T1 FCC values. FCCs were also related to all-cause 30-day mortality, recurrence and death, both of them within 90 days. FCCs at T1 were significantly increased in subjects with persistence of diarrhea in respect to the other ones (285.5 ± 270 µg/g vs 150.7 ± 147 µg/g, respectively; p < .05). Patients who did not respond to therapy showed higher, but not significative, FCCs at T0 than patients who responded. No correlation was found among FCCs, both at T0 and T1, and the other outcomes. Longitudinal evaluation of FCCs in patients with CDI could support physicians in clinical management of disease, for example in term of duration (10 vs 14 days) or type (first vs second line therapy). Further and larger studies could confirm the eventual role of this marker in prognostic algorithms, mainly in prediction of recurrence.


[Characteristic respiratory magnitude of isolated mitochondria of the rat kidney cortex in relation to measurement conditions].
Respiration speed, respiratory control index and ADP/O-quotient are important characteristics of mitochondria. Since their numerical values much differ in literature, the influence of the composition of the measuring medium on these parameters was established. In their value the parameters are particularly determined by the Mg2+ and the phosphate concentration as well as by the pH-value of the medium. For the investigation of the characteristics a medium of the following composition is recommended: 210 mmol/l saccharose, 10 mmol/l KCl, 10 mmol/l KH2PO4, 60 mmol/l tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethan (pH 7.40), 0.5 mmol/l ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid.


[Discovery of Putative Anti-Kudoa septempunctata Chemical Agents by Comprehensive Assay].
We screened 360 chemicals and discovered that 71 chemicals had anti-Kudoa septempunctata effect. Especially 19 and seven of 71 chemicals were antibiotics and antibacterial agents/disinfectants, respectively. The other 45 chemicals were pesticides, natural toxins, industrial chemicals and medicines for non-infectious diseases. Nineteen antibiotics that possessed anti-Kudoa effect contained four tetracyclines, one steroid, two macrolides, one aminoglycoside, three β-lactams, one quinolone, two rifamycines, one polyene, one novobiocine, one sulfonamide and two nitroimidazoles. To use these drugs for prevention of Kudoa infection, the further study is need for the determination of effective dose.


Association of acrylamide hemoglobin biomarkers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the general population in the US: NHANES 2013-2016.
Background: Acrylamide is a well-known potential carcinogenic compound formed as an intermediate in the Maillard reaction during heat treatment, mainly from high-temperature frying, and is found in baked goods and coffee, as well as resulting from water treatment, textiles and paper processing. The effects of acrylamide on lung disease in humans remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between blood acrylamide and glycidamide and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States of America (U.S.) population using PROC logistic regression models. Results: 2744 participants aged 20 to 80 from the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were enrolled. After adjusting for demographic data, health factors and serum cotinine, the ratio of HbGA to HbAA (HbGA/HbAA) significantly increased the risk of COPD (P for trend = 0.022). The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for HbGA/HbAA in the third tile was 2.45 (1.12-5.31), compared with the lowest tile. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve showed a positive linear correlation between the log (HbGA/HbAA) and the risk of COPD (P = 0.030). Conclusion: The ratio of glycidamide and acrylamide (HbGA/HbAA) was associated with COPD. This association was more prominent in males, obese individuals, people with a poverty income ratio (PIR) < 1.85 or people who never exercise. However, null associations were observed between HbAA, HbGA and HbAA + HbGA, and COPD.


Estimating Flood Risk Impact on Farmland Values Using Boundary Discontinuity: Evidence from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
A major consequence of climate change is the growing precipitation variability around many parts of the world leading to increased occurrences of floods. While there has been a rich literature on flood risk in the urban context, flood risk in the agricultural sector has been understudied. The goal of this study is to estimate the impact of flood risk on farmland values in a watershed with active agricultural activities. The novelty of the study is to use the spatial boundary discontinuities along floodplains as a way to control unobserved spatial heterogeneities in a regression analysis framework. Using parcel-level data from Lancaster County (Pennsylvania, USA), we show that cropland is more vulnerable to potential flood risk compared to noncrop farmland. Specifically, cropland parcels on average experience a 13% (or $3,895/acre in 2015 USD, with the 95% confidence interval being [$510, $7352]) value reduction if exposed to a 1% or higher annual chance of flooding. The flood risk impact on noncrop farmland is statistically insignificant. The difference between cropland and noncrop farmland in valuing the potential flood risk implies different flood preparedness and risk management strategies. Based on the empirical findings, policy implications for flood insurance, agricultural water management, land-use practice, and other flood mitigation strategies are explored.


Growth hormone increases cortical and cancellous bone mass in young growing rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteopenia.
The effects of growth hormone (GH) on linear growth, bone formation, and bone mass have been examined in glucocorticoid (GC)-injected young growing rats. Two-month-old female Wistar rats were injected for 90 days with 1, 3, 6, or 9 mg of methylprednisolone alone or in combination with 5 mg of GH. Bone mass and bone formation parameters were examined in the femoral cortical bone and in cortical bone and cancellous bone of the lumbar vertebra. GC administration dose dependently decreased growth, longitudinal growth of the vertebra, as well as the modeling drift of the cortical bone of the vertebral body and femoral diaphysis. In the vertebral cancellous bone, GC also decreased the mineralizing surface and inhibited the growth-related increase in cancellous bone volume. GH increased growth, longitudinal growth of the vertebra, as well as the modeling drift of the vertebral body and the femoral diaphysis, resulting in an increased cortical bone mass. GH also increased cancellous bone volume and the mineralizing surface of the vertebral body. In GC-injected animals, GH normalized and further increased growth, longitudinal growth, and the modeling drift of both the femoral diaphysis and the vertebral body, resulting in an increased cortical bone mass at both locations. GH also increased cancellous bone volume of the vertebral body in GC-injected animals, but GH did not, however, reverse the decreased mineralizing surface of cancellous bone induced by GC injections. In conclusion, GC administration to growing rats retards normal growth, longitudinal growth, and cortical bone modeling drift. It also decreases the cancellous bone mineralizing surface and inhibits the normal age-related increase in cancellous bone volume of the vertebral body. In the growing rat skeleton, GH can counteract these GC-induced side effects, except for the GC-induced decrease in the mineralizing surface of cancellous bone of the vertebral body, which remained unaffected by GH administration.


Segregation and sporadic cases in families with Hunter's syndrome.
Segregation analysis on five samples of families with Hunter's syndrome (158 cases overall) shows that the mutant allele segregates in agreement with Mendelian expectations for an X linked recessive disease, but the proportion of sporadic cases is significantly lower than expected under mutation-selection equilibrium. Heterogeneity among the samples is apparent, but it is caused entirely by a sample of Ashkenazi families, whose segregation pattern has previously been interpreted as supporting the hypothesis of prenatal selection in favour of the pathological allele. Conversely, our joint analysis of the five samples by a maximum likelihood approach does not suggest segregation distortion. Possible reasons for the apparent lack of sporadic cases include the effect of ascertainment bias.


Validity of the lower extremity functional movement screen in patients with chronic ankle instability.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of construct validity for the lower extremity functional movement screen (LE-FMS) based on hypothesis testing in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy subjects and 20 patients with CAI who had a history of ankle sprain with pain for more than 1 day. [Methods] All participants were measured using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and evaluated with the LE-FMS. The screen included the deep squat, the hurdle step (HS) and the in-line lunge (ILL). The symmetry ratios (RS) were accurately measured during the deep squat trial. [Results] Between the two groups, there were significant differences in scores on the LE-FMS, HS, ILL, RS, FADI, and FADI-sport. The FADI was strongly correlated with both LE-FMS score (r=0.807) and ILL score (r=0.896). There was a strong relationship (r=0.818) between LE-FMS score and FADI-sport. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the LE-FMS may be used to detect deficits related to CAI. Additionally, this instrument is reliable in detecting functional limitations in patients with CAI.


Adaptation and validation of a self-report measure to evaluate substance use among Sri Lankan adolescents.
This study translated and validated the model Student Questionnaire (SQ) among 13- to 18-year-old Sri Lankan adolescents. A systematic procedure was followed to translate the SQ into Sinhala language. The Sinhala version was titled Adolescent Substance Use Student Questionnaire (ASUSQ). A Delphi process was conducted to evaluate consensual validity of ASUSQ. Test-retest study (N = 120) ensured reliability. Contrasted group technique study (N = 200) among users and nonusers established construct validity. Data collection instruments were SQ, its Sinhala version, structured-interview schedule, and focus group discussion guide. Sinhala-speaking students were randomly selected from schools in a semi-urban area. Applicability of the ASUSQ and further research are discussed. The study's limitations are noted.


A review of current practices in periprosthetic joint infection debridement and revision arthroplasty.
Periprosthetic joint infection remains a significant challenge for arthroplasty surgeons globally. Over the last few decades, there has been much advancement in terms of treatment and diagnosis, however, the fight rages on. As management of periprosthetic joint infections continues to evolve, it is critical to reflect back on current debridement practices to establish common ground as well as identify areas for future research and improvement. BODY: In order to understand the debridement techniques of periprosthetic joint infections, one must also understand how to diagnose a periprosthetic joint infection. Multiple definitions have been elucidated over the years with no single consensus established but rather sets of criteria. Once a diagnosis has been established the decision of debridement method becomes whether to proceed with single vs two-stage revision based on the probability of infection as well as individual patient factors. After much study, two-stage revision has emerged as the gold standard in the management of periprosthetic infections but single-stage remains prominent with further and further research. Despite decades of data, there is no single treatment algorithm for periprosthetic joint infections and subsequent debridement technique. Our review touches on the goals of debridement while providing a perspective as to diagnosis and the particulars of how intraoperative factors such as intraarticular irrigation can play pivotal roles in infection eradication. By providing a perspective on current debridement practices, we hope to encourage future study and debate on how to address periprosthetic joint infections best.


Entropy-driven structural transition and kinetic trapping in formamidinium lead iodide perovskite.
A challenge of hybrid perovskite solar cells is device instability, which calls for an understanding of the perovskite structural stability and phase transitions. Using neutron diffraction and first-principles calculations on formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3), we show that the entropy contribution to the Gibbs free energy caused by isotropic rotations of the FA+ cation plays a crucial role in the cubic-to-hexagonal structural phase transition. Furthermore, we observe that the cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition exhibits a large thermal hysteresis. Our first-principles calculations confirm the existence of a potential barrier between the cubic and hexagonal structures, which provides an explanation for the observed thermal hysteresis. By exploiting the potential barrier, we demonstrate kinetic trapping of the cubic phase, desirable for solar cells, even at 8.2 K by thermal quenching.


Factors that influence the use of assistance technologies by older adults who have a hearing loss.
The objective of this study was to describe and better understand the factors that influence the use of assistance technologies by older adults who have a hearing loss. We were interested in adopting a methodological approach that would provide an in-depth account of individual experiences related to the use of these technologies. A qualitative research design was therefore selected. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted with ten individuals who were 65 years of age or older and were current successful assistance technology users. Thematic analysis was used to draw meaning from the interview transcripts. The results suggest that successful use of these assistance technologies involves the recognition of hearing difficulties, an awareness that technological solutions exist, consultation for and acquisition of devices, and adapting to device use and modified behaviour. These four landmarks seem to be crucial stages when people either move toward successful assistance technology use or are discouraged from assistance technology use. Based on these results, a representative model of assistance technology awareness, acquisition and utilization is proposed.


Molecular epidemiological investigation of abnormal hemoglobin in Shaokwan region, southern China.
Shaokwan is one of the inhabitant regions of Hakka population in Guangdong province of southern China. Previous survey has reported that a higher prevalence of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) in this region. However, large-scale survey on the molecular characteristics of abnormal hemoglobin in this south-north junctional region has not been reported.In this study, we aim to investigate the molecular characteristics of abnormal hemoglobin in this area. Blood samples from medical check-up center in one local hospital were selected for abnormal hemoglobin screening. Hemoglobin electrophoresis and routine blood tests were performed. Hemoglobin variants were further analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing. Among the 9731 study subjects, 45 cases of hemoglobin variants were found by hemoglobin electrophoresis, which gave an incidence of 0.46% (45/9731) in Shaokwan region. 8 kinds of hemoglobin variants were identified by gene sequencing. Hb Q-Thailand (16/45) was the most common hemoglobin variants, followed by HbE (7/45), Hb NewYork (6/45) and Hb G-Chinese (6/45). Hemoglobin variants had obviously genetic polymorphisms in Chinese. Our study of hemoglobin disorders in this special Hakka Chinese population will contribute considerably to our understanding of the historical, emigrational, and genetic relationships among different ethnic group in this region.


[Steroid resistance of severe asthma - mechanisms and therapeutic targets].
Asthma therapy in general has improved a lot in recent years, but it is still a major problem that severe asthma, which accounts for 10 to 20%, still suffers from strong symptoms on a daily basis despite all therapeutic agents used in combination. American SARP and European ENFUMOSA started in 2000 to advance pathophysiological insights of severe asthma. Clinical usage of antibodies and inhibitors against IgE, TNF, IL-5, IL-4, IL-13, and TSLP are also accumulating. Some of these molecular-targeted drugs improve respiratory function and reduce acute exacerbations in patients with severe asthma. Until now, cytokines have been assumed to be involved in chronic inflammation, but it is also interesting to elucidate the pathways of how cytokines are involved in respiratory function and acute exacerbations. We registered approximately 100 steroid-dependent asthma patients in Japan. Although long-lasting poor control of the disease was considered the cause of severe asthma in the past, steroid dependence in one third of the cases occurred within 2-3 years after the onset. Steroid resistance seems a key process from the early stage of the disease. Steroid resistance of T cell level was induced by extracellular co-stimulation and cytokine signals. The inhibition may improve steroid sensitivity and treat steroid-resistant asthma. Therefore, we established a steroid-resistant asthma model for the first time by transferring steroid resistant T cell clones, and analyzed the steroid sensitivity recovery effect of CTLA4-Ig. In addition, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory trial was performed as a POC study investigating the efficacy of abatacept in treatment-resistant severe asthma. Elucidation of the pathophysiology and mechanism by which steroids do not work is expected to be a breakthrough for the prevention and treatment of severe asthma.


Mitochondrial Stress Responses and "Mito-Inflammation" in Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease associated to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, which results in the alteration of biological fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The characteristic pathological manifestation is represented by exaggerated proinflammatory response in lung of CF patients, driven by recurrent infections and worsen by hypersecretion of proinflammatory mediators and progressive tissue destruction. Treating inflammation remains a priority in CF. However, current anti-inflammatory treatments, including non-steroidal agents, are poorly effective and present dramatic side effects in CF patients. Different studies suggest an intimate relationship between mitochondria and CF lung disease, supporting the hypothesis that a decline in mitochondrial function endorses the development of the hyperinflammatory phenotype observed in CF lung. This allowed the implementation of a new concept: the "mito-inflammation," a compartmentalization of inflammatory process, related to the role of mitochondria in engage and sustain the inflammatory responses, resulting a druggable target to counteract the amplification of inflammatory signals in CF. Here, we will offer an overview of the contribution of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of CF lung disease, delving into mitochondrial quality control responses, which concur significantly to exacerbation of CF lung inflammatory responses. Finally, we will discuss the new therapeutic avenues that aim to target the mito-inflammation, an alternative therapeutic advantage for mitochondrial quality control that improves CF patient's inflammatory state.


Metallothionein induction and pulmonary responses to inhaled cadmium chloride in rats and mice.
Inhaled CdCl2 is a pulmonary carcinogen in rats but not in mice. We hypothesized that pulmonary metallothionein (MT) induction may be different in both species and thereby may lead to different levels of protection from Cd-induced lung injury. Fisher-344 rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed for 4 weeks to CdCl2 aerosols of 0, 30, 50, and 150 micrograms/m3 air or 0, 10, 30, and 100 micrograms/m3 air, respectively. Animals from each exposure group were terminated at 1, 30 and 133 days after the end of exposure. The lungs were lavaged for cell and biochemical analyses. Cadmium and MT in lavagate and lung tissue were measured. The retention half-time of pulmonary Cd was greater in mice (290 vs 90 days, p < 0.05). Cd exposure provoked an inflammatory response which was dose-dependent in both species, and while it was only short-lived in rats, it persisted throughout the observation period in mice at the high exposure concentrations. Mice were found to have a greater baseline level of MT (18.04 +/- 6.96 vs 11.7 +/- 1.98 micrograms MT/g control lung, p < 0.05). Mice showed greater inducibility of MT for a given CdCl2 exposure concentration; however, both species had a similar relationship between retained pulmonary Cd and MT induction though mice maintained increased MT levels for a longer period of time. The greater pulmonary baseline MT together with the longer presence of Cd-induced pulmonary MT may result in greater protection from Cd carcinogenicity in spite of the greater pulmonary Cd-induced inflammation in mice.


Therapeutic Peptides to Treat Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rank first in worldwide mortality and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), they will stay at this rank until 2030. Prompt revascularization of the occluded artery to reperfuse the myocardium is the only recommended treatment (by angioplasty or thrombolysis) to decrease infarct size (IS). However, despite beneficial effects on ischemic lesions, reperfusion leads to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury related mainly to apoptosis. Improvement of revascularization techniques and patient care has decreased myocardial infarction (MI) mortality however heart failure (HF) morbidity is increasing, contributing to the cost-intense worldwide HF epidemic. Currently, there is no treatment for reperfusion injury despite promising results in animal models. There is now an obvious need to develop new cardioprotective strategies to decrease morbidity/mortality of CVD, which is increasing due to the aging of the population and the rising prevalence rates of diabetes and obesity. In this review, we will summarize the different therapeutic peptides developed or used focused on the treatment of myocardial IR injury (MIRI). Therapeutic peptides will be presented depending on their interacting mechanisms (apoptosis, necroptosis, and inflammation) reported as playing an important role in reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia. The search and development of therapeutic peptides have become very active, with increasing numbers of candidates entering clinical trials. Their optimization and their potential application in the treatment of patients with AMI will be discussed.


Critique of zero population growth theory.
This is a critique of widely held theories concerning the relationship between population growth and economic development. "The central purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the zero population growth movement. The hypotheses of Neo-Malthusian theory or Zero Population Growth and the concept of Population Bomb will be briefly stated in Section 1. Section 2 will discuss the theory of demographic transition. Section 3 will critically examine the validity of the Neo-Malthusian theory of population growth. Our conclusions and recommendations will be stated in Section 4." The author's main contention is that overconsumption in developed countries is the major cause of the deterioration of the environment rather than overpopulation in the developing countries.


[Complications after surgical treatment of malign thyroid diseases].
Eighty-eight patients with thyroid malignancy seen at the Rigshospital, Copenhagen during the period 1.5.1989-1.5.1994 were retrospectively studied. There were 64 females and 24 males. The average age was 54 years. Seventy-nine patients were operated (six with subtotal and 73 with total thyroidectomy). Thirty-six (46%) had had previous thyroid operations and 12 of these patients had preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed. The second operation thyroidectomy specimen contained carcinoma in 14 (39%) of the 36 patients. Forty-nine patients (62%) had different types of modified neck dissection performed under the operation and 31 (39%) of the operated patients had lymph-node-metastases. Among the patients who were operated at the department there were no accidental permanent recurrent nerve paralysis. Among the 36 patients who were operated at other departments there were four (11%) accidental recurrent nerve paralysis from the primary operation. Twenty (25%) of the 79 operated patients developed permanent hypoparathyroidism.


Tunable porous nanoallotropes prepared by post-assembly etching of binary nanoparticle superlattices.
Self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles has been used to prepare hundreds of different colloidal crystals, but almost invariably with the restriction that the particles must be densely packed. Here, we show that non-close-packed nanoparticle arrays can be fabricated through the selective removal of one of two components comprising binary nanoparticle superlattices. First, a variety of binary nanoparticle superlattices were prepared at the liquid-air interface, including several arrangements that were previously unknown. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the particular role of the liquid in templating the formation of superlattices not achievable through self-assembly in bulk solution. Second, upon stabilization, all of these binary superlattices could be transformed into distinct "nanoallotropes"-nanoporous materials having the same chemical composition but differing in their nanoscale architectures.


Analysis of the mechanisms of resistance to several antimicrobial agents in Shigella spp. causing travellers' diarrhoea.
Eighty isolates of Shigella spp. (37 Shigella flexneri and 43 Shigella sonnei) from patients with travellers' diarrhoea were studied. Susceptibility tests revealed high levels of resistance, especially to ampicillin (65%), tetracycline (78%) and trimethoprim (75%), and particularly among the S. flexneri isolates. Dihydrofolate reductase 1 genes (dfrA1) were prevalent among the trimethoprim-resistant isolates, while oxa genes predominated among the ampicillin-resistant isolates. Chloramphenicol resistance was associated with production of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, while nalidixic acid-resistant isolates had a single mutation in the gyrA gene. The results indicate a continuing need for resistance surveillance and rational use of antimicrobial agents.


Meta-analysis of survival after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) versus pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) for malignant pleural mesothelioma in the context of macroscopic complete resection (MCR).
We reviewed the available literature on patients with MPM undergoing either extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). Original research studies that evaluated long-term outcomes of P/D versus EPP were identified, from January 1980 to February 2022. The 30-days and 90-day mortality, along with the 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year survival, the median overall survival, the macroscopic complete resection (MCR) rate, and the complications were calculated according to both a fixed and a random effect model. The Q and I2 statistic were used to test for heterogeneity among the studies. Sensitivity analysis was performed including only studies that incorporated the MCR concept. Eighteen studies were included, incorporating a total of 4,852 patients treated with EPP and P/D. The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in the EPP group (OR: 2.79 [95% CI 1.30, 6.01]; p = 0.009). The median overall survival was higher in the P/D group (WMD:-4.55 [-6.05, -3.04]; p < 0.001). No differences were found regarding the 90-day mortality, MCR rate, and the 1-, 2-,3-, 5-year survival between the EPP and P/D groups. These findings were validated by the sensitivity analysis. The incidence of atrial fibrillation, hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, air leak, and reoperation was significantly increased in the EPP group (p < 0.05). The present meta-analysis indicates that P/D is associated with enhanced outcomes regarding 30-day mortality, median overall survival, and complications. The P/D approach should be preferred when technically feasible. However, the procedure of choice should be decided based on the goal of MCR in the safest approach for the patient.


Palliative venting gastrostomy in malignant intestinal obstruction.
This retrospective clinical study reports on the experience of palliative venting gastrostomy (PVG) in an integrated acute teaching hospital and hospice-based palliative care service over a seven-year period (1989-97). PVG was performed for 51 patients with refractory nausea and vomiting resulting from varying degrees and levels of persisting or intermittent malignant bowel obstruction. There were 32 females and 19 males; the mean age was 61 years (range 25-86 years). All patients had advanced and incurable cancer with intra-abdominal spread, originating from the following primary sites: colon and rectum (27), ovary (16), breast (2), pancreas (2), and other (4). The venting gastrostomy tube was inserted endoscopically by a railroading technique in 46 patients (using a 16- to 20-French Dobhoff PEG tube), at open laparotomy in four cases and under radiological (abdominal computerized tomography) control in one case. Endoscopic insertion was attempted and abandoned for technical reasons in a further two cases. The median survival of all 51 patients from the time of gastrostomy insertion was 17 days (range 1-190). In 47/51 (92%), the symptoms of nausea and vomiting were relieved by the procedure, and these patients experienced restoration of some level of oral soft food and fluid intake. Twenty patients were discharged home, and six died at home. In a small group of highly selected patients, for whom pharmacological measures failed to palliate the effects of malignant bowel obstruction, PVG was shown to be a safe and effective means of abolishing or substantially improving vomiting. Provided that the intervention is appropriate to the given clinical situation and acceptable to the patient, it should be considered.


Cytochrome P4501A2 constitutively expressed from transduced DNA mediates metabolic activation and DNA-adduct formation of aromatic amine carcinogens in NIH 3T3 cells.
We transduced mouse cytochrome P4501A2 DNA into NIH 3T3 cells by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. The capacity of the transduced cytochrome P4501A2 for metabolic activation and DNA-carcinogen adduct formation of aromatic amine carcinogens was investigated. Clones of NIH 3T3 cells that constitutively express cytochrome P4501A2 and controls were exposed to a prototype food-derived carcinogenic heterocyclic amine, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), and an aromatic amine, 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), and their genomic DNAs were analyzed for adducts by 32P-postlabeling assays. Kinetic analysis of DNA-carcinogen adducts indicated that adduct formation was dependent on the level of the enzyme, the dose of carcinogen, and the duration of exposure. Addition of 7,8-benzoflavone, an inhibitor of P4501A2, blocked both the enzyme activity and DNA-adduct formation, indicating the specific role of P4501A2 in metabolic activation and adduct formation. Three specific IQ-DNA adducts were detected in cells expressing P4501A2. Fingerprints of the in situ DNA adducts were similar to those of the in vivo adducts in rodent hepatic DNA after the administration of IQ. A single AAF-DNA adduct was observed in cells exposed to AAF, but other minor adducts were also detected in vivo. These results show that cells expressing constitutive levels of single cytochrome P450s provide an excellent in situ model system for analyzing the catalytic specificity, metabolic activation, and genotoxicity of putative toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic substances.


Patient age, remission status and HCT-CI in a combined score are prognostic for patients with AML undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in CR1 and CR2.
For AML, older age, advanced disease and increased hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index (HCT-CI) are associated with worse prognosis following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This single-center retrospective study investigated the influence of pre-transplant characteristics on outcomes of 387 patients undergoing allogeneic HCT for AML in CR1 and CR2. The multivariable analysis model for overall survival (OS) included age (hazard ratio (HR)=2.24 for ages 31-64 years and HR=3.23 for age ⩾65 years compared with age ⩽30 years, P=0.003), remission status (HR=1.49 for CR2 compared with CR1, P=0.005) and HCT-CI score (HR=1.47 for ⩾3 compared with <3, P=0.005). Transplant year was significantly associated with OS (P=0.001) but this did not influence the model. A weighted score was developed with age ⩽30, CR1 and HCT-CI score <3 receiving 0 points each, and CR2 and HCT-CI score ⩾3 receiving 1 point each. Ages 31-64 received 2 points, age ⩾65 received 3 points. Scores were grouped as follows: scores 0-1 (low risk, n=36), score 2 (intermediate-low risk, n=147), score 3 (intermediate-high risk, n=141) and scores 4-5 (high risk, n=63) with 3-year OS of 71%, 55%, 42% and 29% for scores 0-1, 2, 3 and 4-5, respectively (P<0.0001). The score predicted nonrelapse mortality (P=0.03) but not cumulative incidence of relapse (P=0.18). This model should be validated for the pre-HCT assessment of AML patients in CR1 and CR2.


From Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy: Advances, Limitations and Future Perspectives.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy was envisioned as a mechanism to re-direct effector T-cells to eliminate tumor cells. CARs are composed of the variable region of an antibody that binds a native cancer antigen coupled to the signaling domain of a TCR and co-stimulatory molecules. Its success and approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of B-cell malignancies revolutionized the immunotherapy field, leading to extensive research on its possible application for other cancer types. In this review, we will focus on the evolution of CAR-T cell therapy outlining current technologies as well as major obstacles for its wide application. We will highlight achievements, the efforts to increase efficacy and to evolve into an off-the-shelf treatment, and as a possible future treatment for non-cancer related diseases.


[Recovery and use of deuterium-free water in extended space expeditions].
The methods of deuterium-free water, as applied to the conditions of long-term space expeditions have been discussed. It is shown that with the use of the method of electrolysis of distilled water or urine condensate followed by the catalytic or high-temperature synthesis one can obtained water with four-fold decrease in deuterium concentration. In order to reduce the energy expenditure it is necessary to use the existing routine technologies of water and oxygen regeneration or the versions with applying the fuel cells in which hydrogen and oxygen resulting from electrolysis would generate the electrical power with simultaneous isolation of deuterium-free water.


Improving diagnosis of malignant leg ulcers in the community.
Over 80% of all leg ulcer patients are cared for in the community by district and practice nurses, or by a relative who may or may not be adequately instructed or supervised. Many patients have never been referred for a specialist opinion, although their ulcers have been in existence for many years. This article discusses the current lack of community leg ulcer nurse specialists who could perform biopsies on non-healing wounds and thus reduce the amount of unnecessary hospital referrals. In turn this would speed referral times to hospital of patients with malignant leg ulcers.


Examining physical activity and inactivity in 9-12 years old children.
Information about children's daily physical activity in Eastern-Europe is essential because of the increasing prevalence in overweight and obesity. Sixty-three children (age=11.16 ± 1.10 years; 33 boys and 30 girls) from two public elementary schools had their physical activity objectively measured using uni-axial accelerometer every 5 seconds for five consecutive days (3 weekdays, 2 weekend days). After data cleaning, 10 children were excluded from database. There were no significant differences in boys' and girls' BMI (17.6 ± 2.2 vs. 17.1 ± 2.4) and BF% (18.0 ± 5.2 vs. 19.4 ± 5.0). Children engaged in more sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity and had higher counts per minute during weekdays compared to weekend days. There were no sex differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (87.6 ± 22.4 vs. 93.5 ± 20.6 min and 53.6 ± 21.3 vs. 59.4 ± 22.0 min) during weekday and weekend days. Data indicated that 96% of the girls and 92% of the boys met the international physical activity guideline for children of 60 minutes of MVPA, on weekdays.


The Influence of Stress on Decision-Making: Effects of CRF and Dopamine Antagonism in the Nucleus Accumbens.
The actions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the core of the nucleus accumbens including increasing dopamine release and inducing conditioned place preference in stress-naïve animals. However, following two-day, repeated forced swim stress (rFSS), neither of these effects are present, indicating a stress-sensitive interaction between CRF and dopamine. To ascertain the degree to which this mechanism influences integrated, reward-based decision making, we used an operant concurrent-choice task where mice could choose between two liquid receptacles containing a sucrose solution or water delivery. Following initial training, either a CRF or dopamine antagonist, α-helical CRF (9-41) and flupenthixol, respectively, or vehicle was administered intracranially to the nucleus accumbens core. Next, the animals underwent rFSS, were reintroduced to the task, and were retested. Prior to stress, mice exhibited a significant preference for sucrose over water and made more total nose pokes into the sucrose receptacle than the water receptacle throughout the session. There were no observed sex differences. Stress did not robustly affect preference metrics but did increase the number of trial omissions compared to their stress-naïve, time-matched counterparts. Interestingly, flupenthixol administration did not affect sucrose choice but increased their nosepoke preference during the inter-trial interval, increased trial omissions, and decreased the total nosepokes during the ITI. In contrast, microinjections of α-helical CRF (9-41) did not affect omissions or ITI nosepokes but produced interactions with stress on choice metrics. These data indicate that dopamine and CRF both interact with stress to impact performance in the task but influence different behavioral aspects.


A case study of the apprenticeship process: another perspective on the apprentice and the scaffolding metaphor.
This study focused on the apprenticeship opportunities in a collaborative writing context. The examination of written artifacts and discursive interactions revealed that collaborative contexts offered unique participatory spaces that allowed students to use their knowledge in ways that exceeded their independent competence. Of note, too, is that the study revealed students' active and constructive role, refuting the perception that most students with disabilities are passive learners in the teaching-learning process. Implications of the study further suggest the importance of peer collaborations in creating successful literacy apprenticeships, as well as in providing teachers with greater insight into the developmental progress and literacy potentials of their students in the context of situated literacy activity.


Cancer incidence and causes of death among total hip replacement patients: a review based on Nordic cohorts with a special emphasis on metal-on-metal bearings.
All patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) are exposed to soluble or particulate forms of Co and Cr. Adverse effects of these wear products are not known. Data from Nordic registries is used to estimate adverse effects on a large scale, based mostly on metal-on-polyethylene bearings. Cancer incidence was in line with the general population when the patients were operated on for all indications and significantly decreased when the indication was primary osteoarthritis. Stomach cancer and colorectal cancers were significantly reduced and prostate cancer and skin melanoma significantly increased. There was no significant excess of cancer in target organs, i.e. liver, kidney, or haematopoietic cancers. THA patients had reduced mortality and extended life expectancy compared with standard Nordic populations. All-site cancer incidence of the first-generation metal-on-metal McKee-Farrar patients operated on for primary osteoarthritis was in line with the general population after follow-up for up to 28 years. General mortality of these patients was also reduced and they also had an extended life expectancy. Temporary increases in haematopoietic cancers at different follow-up periods were seen in some cohorts. This malignancy deserves a special record linkage monitoring while large numbers of young patients are provided with the second generation of metal-on-metal prostheses.


Intermolecular charge transfer between heterocyclic oligomers. Effects of heteroatom and molecular packing on hopping transport in organic semiconductors.
For electron or hole transfer between neighboring conducting polymer strands or oligomers, the intrinsic charge-transfer rate is dictated by the charge-resonance integral and by the reorganization energy due to geometric relaxation. To explain conduction anisotropy and other solid-state effects, a multivariate, systematic analysis of bandwidth as a function of intermolecular orientations is undertaken for a series of oligoheterocycles, using first-principles methods. While cofacial oligomers show the greatest bandwidths at a given intermolecular C-C contact distance, for a fixed center-to-center intermolecular distance, tilted pi-stacking increases pi-overlap (particularly for LUMO orbitals) and decreases electrostatic repulsion, yielding optimum tilt angles for packing of approximately 40-60 degrees at small intermolecular separations. The calculations also reveal that bandwidths and intrinsic mobilities of holes and electrons in conjugated oligoheterocycles can be quite comparable.


Readily synthesized calibration compounds for quadrupole and magnetic instruments for use over the mass range to 2000 daltons.
Volatile mass calibration standards have been prepared by esterifying beta-cellobiose (4-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-D-glucose) with a mixture of heptafluorobutyric (HFB) anhydride and pentafluoropropionic (PFP) anhydride. The mixed esters produce spectra that are useful for mass spectrometer calibration with positive or negative ion methane chemical ionization and electron impact over the mass range 300-2000. The spectra contain prominent ions spaced at m/z 20 and m/z 50 intervals. Using the mixed ester with direct insertion probe introduction gives intense spectra that persist for tens of minutes. All signals above m/z 194 derived from these substances disappear rapidly upon withdrawal of the probe. The composition and exact masses are given for the positive and negative ion spectra of a mixed HFB/PFP ester of beta-cellobiose. Two other calibrants are described: one made from beta-cellobiose using a mixture of HFB, PFP and trifluoroacetic anhydrides, and another the HFB/PFP mixed ester of perseitol. These are examples of the flexibility of this approach with respect to mass range and ion composition.


Molecular cloning, physical mapping, and expression analysis of a novel gene, BCL2L12, encoding a proline-rich protein with a highly conserved BH2 domain of the Bcl-2 family.
Members of the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis-regulating proteins contain at least one of the four evolutionarily conserved domains, termed BH1, BH2, BH3, or BH4. Here, we report the identification, cloning, physical mapping, and expression pattern of BCL2L12, a novel gene that encodes a BCL2-like proline-rich protein. Proline-rich sites have been shown to interact with Src homology region 3 (SH3) domains of several tyrosine kinases, mediating their oncogenic potential. This new gene maps to chromosome 19q13.3 and is located between the IRF3 and the PRMT1/HRMT1L2 genes, close to the RRAS gene. BCL2L12 is composed of seven coding exons and six intervening introns, spanning a genomic area of 8.8 kb. All of the exon-intron splice sites conform to the consensus sequence for eukaryotic splice sites. The BCL2L12 protein is composed of 334 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 36.8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.45. The BCL2L12 protein contains one BH2 homology domain, one proline-rich region similar to the TC21 protein and, five consensus PXXP tetrapeptide sequences. BCL2L12 is expressed mainly in breast, thymus, prostate, fetal liver, colon, placenta, pancreas, small intestine, spinal cord, kidney, and bone marrow and to a lesser extent in many other tissues. We also identified one splice variant of BCL2L12 that is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle.


Synthesis and antiviral activity of phthiobuzone analogues.
A series of phthiobuzone analogs, prepared from potassium phthalimide or phthalandione, have been evaluated for their antiviral activities. Among the candidates, compounds 5j and 5k, which contain the substituted 4-halogenated phenyl ring at N-4',4'' position, show more potent antiviral activity than phthiobuzone against herpes simplex virus 1 (IC(50)=8.56 and 2.85 microg/ml, respectively) and herpes simplex virus 2 (IC(50)=1.75 and 4.11 microg/ml, respectively). Compounds 9c and 9d with a propylene linker between the phthalimide and bisthiosemicarbazone moieties display similar antiviral potency against herpes simplex virus 1 (IC(50)=2.85 and 4.11 microg/ml, respectively).


Molecular Regulation of NK Cell Maturation.
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes specialized in immune surveillance against tumors and infections. To reach their optimal functional status, NK cells must undergo a process of maturation from immature to mature NK cells. Genetically modified mice, as well as in vivo and in vitro NK cell differentiation assays, have begun to reveal the landscape of the regulatory network involved in NK cell maturation, in which a balance of cytokine signaling pathways leads to an optimal coordination of transcription factor activity. An increased understanding of NK cell maturation will greatly promote the development and application of NK cell-based clinical therapy. Thus, in this review, we summarize the dynamics of NK cell maturation, describe recently identified factors involved in the regulation of the NK cell maturation process, including cytokines and transcription factors, and discuss the importance of NK cell maturation in health and disease.


H chain C domains influence the strength of binding of IgG for streptococcal group A carbohydrate.
We have produced a panel of murine anti-streptococcal mAbs, expressing identical V domains and different H chain C domains, corresponding to the IgG3, IgG1, and IgG2b subclasses. We have used these mAb to evaluate the role of IgG subclass-specific C region determinants in modulating the interaction between antibody and the bacterial surface. We report, for the first time, that V region-identical murine IgG of different subclasses exhibit substantial differences in binding to specific Ag; IgG3 mAb binds more strongly to streptococci than the IgG1 and IgG2b mAb or IgG3-derived F(ab')2 fragments. Furthermore, the IgG3 mAB binds cooperatively to the bacteria, whereas the IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3-derived F(ab')2 fragments do not exhibit significant cooperativity, which suggests that differences in Fc region structure can affect antibody binding to multivalent Ag by modulating the potential for cooperative binding. These results suggest a plausible mechanism by which murine IgG3 could be more effective, than other antibodies bearing identical V domains, but of different gamma-subclass, in mediating bacterial immunity.