Cigarette smoking and alveolar bone height in subjects with a high standard of oral hygiene.
Smokers and non-smokers were compared with respect to alveolar bone height. The study covered 235 subjects aged 21-60 years, 72 of whom were smokers. Oral hygiene status and dental care habits were above average and of equal standard in both groups (PlI = 0.9). Alveolar bone height was assessed on radiographs and expressed as % of the root length. Alveolar bone height was significantly reduced in smokers as compared to non-smokers, the mean +/- SEM being 77.9 +/- 1.3% and 82.8 +/- 0.6%, respectively (P less than 0.001). Regression analysis suggested that periodontal breakdown judged from loss of alveolar bone over time was more accelerated in smokers than non-smokers. The lower bone height in smokers remained when age and oral hygiene were allowed for. It is concluded that smoking is a risk factor for periodontal health.


Cyclooxygenase-2 and ERBB-2 in cholangiocarcinoma: potential therapeutic targets.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare but highly malignant primary hepatobiliary cancer with a high rate of mortality. Early diagnosis is difficult and current therapies are ineffective for the advanced disease. Although the molecular pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma is still poorly understood, there is increasing evidence to suggest that overexpression of the proto-oncogene-encoded receptor tyrosine kinase ERBB-2 together with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may be an important feature of cholangiocarcinogenesis in both the human and the experimental rodent models. Evidence presented supports a strong positive correlation between ERBB-2 overexpression and cyclooxygenase upregulation in human cholangiocarcinogenesis. Combination drug targeting of ERBB-2 and of COX-2 was also found to act synergistically to suppress anchorage-independent growth and activate caspase-3 in cultured rat cholangiocarcinoma cells overexpressing both proteins. These findings suggest that aberrant expression of ERBB-2 and COX-2 is a common feature of human and rat cholangiocarcinomas and that targeting of both proteins may prove useful as a therapeutic strategy for this lethal cancer.


Supported living in residential homes for the elderly: impact on patients and elder care workers.
To enable older people with severe and persistent mental illness to live in the community, the Dutch mental health sector has developed a program for supported living in residential homes for the elderly. It provides for the permanent stationing of mental health workers (MHWs) in elder care facilities to support both the resident patients and the elder care staff. The authors examined associations between the number of MHW staff and the degree to which (1) patients were integrated into the community and (2) elder care workers had developed effective working alliances with their patients. Participants included 110 patients participating in 18 supported living programs in the Netherlands. Community integration was assessed in face-to-face interviews with the patients about their perceived influence over daily life, involvement in social activities, and social network size. The quality of the worker-patient relationship was assessed using the Dutch Working Alliance Questionnaire for Community Care, completed by the elder care worker primarily responsible for each patient. After differentiation of the MHW staff into medically trained and nurse-trained professionals, associations with outcome measures were found only for the nurse-trained staff. The more hours of nurse-trained staff capacity per patient, the more influence perceived by the patients, and the more directiveness shown by the elder care workers in their contacts with patients. The impact of supported living programs in residential homes for the elderly appears to be determined in part by the caseloads of the on-site MHWs.


[Results of the treatment of carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus with one-stage resection and esophagogastrostomy].
Between november 1964 and december 1982, 102 patients were operated upon for the treatment of carcinoma thoracic esophagus. The philosophic objectives were to restore promptly the ability to swallow and to achieve a worthwhile survival period. To fulfill these requirements wide excision of the growth and immediate esophagogastrostomy were performed through a combined abdominal and right thoracic approach. In higher thoracic growths the Authors added a cervical phase. The resectability rate was 74% and the overall hospital mortality rate was 19,6%. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 10 patients (9,8%) with fatal outcome in 6. Pre- and postoperative care (particularly hyperalimentation and intensive respiratory therapy) and use of mechanical devices reduced the operative mortality rate to 8,1% between 1976 and 1982 without deaths in the last 16 patients. Very satisfactory palliation was achieved in 80% of the patients who survived the standard esophagogastrectomy. These patients enjoyed uncomplicated oral alimentation for the remainder of their lives. Despite there has been considerable improvement in operability and resectability rates and in survival of resection as compared to past years, long term results of treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus continue to remain disappointingly low. Overall survival rate at 5 years was 10,2% in this report. The stage of the disease influenced significantly survival: curative as opposed to palliative resections demonstrated a marked difference in 5-year survival (28,2% vs 2,8%). Long-term survival of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus will probably not improve until early diagnosis is possible. Therefore esophagogastrectomy should be the treatment of choice until other forms of therapy prove superior to it both in terms of palliation and long-term survival rate.


Work distribution in manipulated single biomolecules.
We consider the relation between the microscopic and effective descriptions of the unfolding experiment on a model polypeptide. We evaluate the probability distribution function of the work performed by Monte Carlo simulations and compare it with that obtained by evaluating the work distribution generating function on an effective Brownian motion model tailored to reproduce exactly the equilibrium properties. The agreement is satisfactory for fast protocols, but deteriorates for slower ones, hinting at the existence of processes on several time scales even in such a simple system.


Identification and analysis of a novel member of the ubiquitin family expressed in dendritic cells and mature B cells.
Using a cDNA subtraction technique, a novel member of the ubiquitin family was isolated from human dendritic cells. This gene encodes a diubiquitin protein containing tandem head to tail ubiquitin-like domains, with the conservation of key functional residues. Expression of this 777-bp mRNA was restricted to dendritic cells and B cells, with strong expression in mature B cells. Southern blot analysis indicated that a single copy of this gene is present. In situ hybridization on tonsillar tissue showed expression in epithelial cells and isolated cells within the germinal center. With respect to an expressed-sequence tag (EST) this cDNA could be localized to the major histocompatibility complex class I region of chromosome 6. Comparative analysis and the expression pattern of this gene suggests a function in antigen processing and presentation.


Characterization of rat monoclonal antibodies against human beta-defensin-2.
Defensins are a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides that participate in host defense. Human beta-defensin (hBD)-2 has a potent bactericidal activity against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. Because human gingival epithelium is constantly exposed to a variety of microbial challenges, it is considered that hBD-2 has an important role in the protective mechanisms against oral bacterial infection. However, little is known about the production of hBD-2 in tissues of the oral cavity. Six rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against chemically synthesized hBD-2 have been characterized. Rat MAbs were specific for the conformational epitopes on hBD-2, but not to hBD-1. To identify the epitope on hBD-2, a series of six overlapping peptides covering the hBD-2 whole sequence were synthesized and the immunoreactivities of six MAbs were examined. The FCPRRYK domain in hBD-2 was recognized by all six MAbs and suggested to be an epitope region. By immunocytochemistry, hBD-2 was localized focally in the epidermis of the human gingival tissue using the MAbs. The MAbs specifically recognized against hBD-2 will be a useful tool to study the functional role of antimicrobial agents and an important asset in the imaging of oral infection processes.


Light effect on Click reaction: Role of photonic quantum dot catalyst.
Due to the light excitation, the valence band electron of the copper (I) sulfide quantum dot transfer to the conduction band and act as a scavenger of the terminal proton of the alkyne in the presence of organic azide with the formation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, where the copper(I) species of Cu2S act as a catalyst for the reaction. The above cycloaddition reaction between alkyne and azide is commonly known as the Click reaction. In this study, experiments were carried out under the exposure of ultra-violate and daylight and also dark environment. According to the original recommendation for the Click reaction, the role of the base was also considered for this experiment. We found that the effect of conduction band electron is more efficient than the recommended conventional base mediated reaction procedure.


Parkinsonism and exposure to neuroleptic drugs in elderly people living in institutions.
Three-hundred fifty-two randomly selected residents, aged over 65 years, of 42 representative long-term care institutions in a defined geographic area of south-western France, were assessed for demographic characteristics, drug intake, and motor and cognitive status. Neuroleptic drug intake is described and demographic variables and motor and cognitive status are analyzed according to exposure to neuroleptics and presence of parkinsonism. Exposure to neuroleptics was considered as a "risk factor" for parkinsonism, and the risk (proportion) of parkinsonism attributable to neuroleptics calculated. Twenty-one percent of subjects were exposed to neuroleptics, of whom 27% took more than one. Subjects taking neuroleptics were significantly younger and more cognitively impaired. About 30% of subjects taking neuroleptics had parkinsonism (6.25% of the sample). Postural and action tremors were more frequent than resting tremor, and asymmetry of parkinsonian signs was found in 25%. The mean dosage taken by exposed subjects with parkinsonism was found to be twice that of those without. The proportion of cases of parkinsonism attributable to neuroleptics in institutions was 19%. Our results clearly show that neuroleptic drug use in institutionalized elderly persons is associated with a high risk for parkinsonism.


Expression of the three alternative forms of the sphingolipid activator protein precursor in baby hamster kidney cells and functional assays in a cell culture system.
Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) are non-enzymatic glycoproteins required for lysosomal degradation of various sphingolipids with short oligosaccharide chains by their respective exohydrolases. Four of these (SAP-A to SAP-D or saposins A to D) are derived from a common precursor by proteolytic processing. Alternative splicing of the SAP-precursor gene results in insertion of additional 6 or 9 bases of exon 8' or 8, respectively, into the SAP-B coding region of the transcribed mRNAs. To examine the features of the three different SAP-precursor proteins (prosaposins), the respective cDNAs were stably expressed in baby hamster kidney cells. Pulse-chase experiments with transfected cells and endocytosis studies on human fibroblasts showed that synthesis, transport, and maturation of all SAP-precursor led to formation of the four mature SAPs (SAP-A to SAP-D). In order to determine the biological function of the three different SAP-B isoforms, SAP-precursor-deficient human fibroblasts were loaded with recombinant SAP-precursor proteins with or without 2- and 3-amino acid insertions, respectively, purified from the medium of the baby hamster kidney cells. They were found to stimulate at nanomolar concentrations the turnover of biosynthetically labeled ceramide, glucosylceramide, and lactosylceramide. Since the physiological function of SAP-B is to stimulate the degradation of sulfatide by arylsulfatase A (EC 184.108.40.206) and globotriaosylceramide by beta-galactosidase (EC 188.8.131.52) loading studies with the respective exogenously labeled lipids on SAP-precursor-deficient fibroblasts were performed. Addition of different purified SAP-precursors to the medium of the lipid-loaded fibroblasts showed positive stimulation of the lipid degradation by all three SAP-B isoforms derived from the SAP-precursors. These findings establish that all three forms of the SAP-B can function as sulfatide/globotriaosylceramide activator.


[Efficiency of mequitazine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in children. A bibliographic systematic review].
Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and urticaria are very frequent diseases during childhood and adult age. Second generation H1 antihistamine drugs are considered first-line treatment due to their efficacy and safety. To assess the efficacy and adverse effects of mequitazine in the treatment of these diseases. A bibliographic systematic review was done in order to identify the efficacy of mequitazine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria in pediatric population. This paper reviews the pharmacological features of this drug and summarizes the eleven articles that may serve as reference to review systematically in the population mentioned. Search sources were: Medline database via PubMed, Google and Cochrane Collaboration. Key words were: mequitazine, antihistamine drugs (safety, efficacy and adverse effects). Articles published in several countries with translations to English and Spanish were included. Studies were selected based on their relevance in the treatment of the diseases mentioned with the H1 antihistamine drug mequitazine. Articles were searched by title and abstract, then, the full text, from 1975 to 2006. Two researchers selected the articles for this review. We obtained 109 articles, from which 11 were first selected. Systematic review of articles demonstrated that mequitazine is effective and safe in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria, their adverse effects are minimal and did not cause treatment cessation. Its efficacy and safety are comparable to those of other first- and second-generation antihistamine drugs. Mequitazine is useful for the relieve of rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria symptoms in more than 75% of patients; however, studies done so far have included only populations with adults predominance, thus, performing clinical studies in children is justified.


[Dynamical examination of auditory event-related potentials P300 and sympathetic skin response in people with insomia of Sweet Dream Capsule therapy].
To observe the change of auditory event-related potentials (P300) and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in people with insomia of Sweet Dream Capsule therapy. 30 patients meeting criteria for primary insomnia and 30 healthy volunteers with age matching controls were selected for the study. P300 and SSR were measured before treatment of Sweet Dream Capsule and at week 4 , 8 of the therapeutic course. That the change of P300 and SSR before and after treatment and their relations with PSQI were studied. Compared with those of normal controls, both P300 latency and SSR latency were prolonged while amplitude was decreased in patients with insomnia (P < 0.01). P300 amplitude was increased significantly at central (Cz) electrode sites only at week 8 when compared with amplitude before treatment (P < 0.05). With improvement of symptom and PSQI scores, latency and amplitude of SSR were improved at week 4 and week 8 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) . P300 has a some improvement in people with insomia of Sweet Dream Capsule therapy while SSR im proves significantly, and PSQI scores are ameliorated too.


Do the Benefits of School Closure Outweigh Its Costs?
School closure has been a common response to COVID-19. Yet, its implementation has hardly ever been based on rigorous analysis of its costs and benefits. We aim to first illustrate the unintended consequences and side effects of school closure, and then discuss the policy and research implications. This commentary frames evidence from the most recent papers on the topic from a public-health epidemiology and disaster risk reduction perspective. In particular, we argue that the benefits of school closure in terms of reduced infection rates should be better compared with its costs in terms of both short- and long-term damage on the physical, mental, and social well-being of children and society at large.


Mast cells and hypoxia drive tissue metaplasia and heterotopic ossification in idiopathic arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty.
Idiopathic arthrofibrosis occurs in 3-4% of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, little is known about the cellular or molecular changes involved in the onset or progression of this condition. To classify the histomorphologic changes and evaluate potential contributing factors, periarticular tissues from the knees of patients with arthrofibrosis were analyzed for fibroblast and mast cell proliferation, heterotopic ossification, cellular apoptosis, hypoxia and oxidative stress. The arthrofibrotic tissue was composed of dense fibroblastic regions, with limited vascularity along the outer edges. Within the fibrotic regions, elevated numbers of chymase/fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-expressing mast cells were observed. In addition, this region contained fibrocartilage and associated heterotopic ossification, which quantitatively correlated with decreased range of motion (stiffness). Fibrotic, fibrocartilage and ossified regions contained few terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive or apoptotic cells, despite positive immunostaining for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)5, a marker of hypoxia, and nitrotyrosine, a marker for protein nitrosylation. LDH5 and nitrotyrosine were found in the same tissue areas, indicating that hypoxic areas within the tissue were associated with increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Taken together, we suggest that hypoxia-associated oxidative stress initiates mast cell proliferation and FGF secretion, spurring fibroblast proliferation and tissue fibrosis. Fibroblasts within this hypoxic environment undergo metaplastic transformation to fibrocartilage, followed by heterotopic ossification, resulting in increased joint stiffness. Thus, hypoxia and associated oxidative stress are potential therapeutic targets for fibrosis and metaplastic progression of idiopathic arthrofibrosis after TKA.


Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of a brain inositol trisphosphate receptor decreases its release of calcium.
We report the stoichiometric phosphorylation of an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-binding protein from rat brain by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase but not by protein kinase C or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. This phosphorylation event does not markedly alter [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding characteristics. However, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is only 10% as potent in releasing 45Ca2+ from phosphorylated, as compared with native, cerebellar microsomes. Phosphorylation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding protein by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase may provide a biochemical substrate for second-messenger cross talk.


How Women Evaluate Birth Challenges: Analysis of Web-Based Birth Stories.
Birth stories provide an intimate glimpse into women's birth experiences in their own words. Understanding the emotions elicited in women by certain types of behaviors during labor and delivery could help those in the health care community provide better emotional care for women in labor. The aim of this study was to understand which supportive reactions and behaviors contributed to negative or positive emotions among women with regard to their labor and delivery experience. We sampled 10 women's stories from a popular blog that described births that strayed from the plan. Overall, 90 challenging events that occurred during labor and delivery were identified. Each challenge had an emotionally positive, negative, or neutral evaluation by the woman. We classified supportive and unsupportive behaviors in response to these challenges and examined their association with the woman's emotional appraisal of the challenges. Overall, 4 types of behaviors were identified: informational inclusion, decisional inclusion (mostly by health care providers), practical support, and emotional support (mostly by partners). Supportive reactions were not associated with emotional appraisal; however, unsupportive reactions were associated with women appraising the challenge negatively (Fisher exact test, P=.02). Although supportive behaviors did not elicit any particular emotion, unsupportive behaviors did cause women to view challenges negatively. It is worthwhile conducting a larger scale investigation to observe what happens when patients express their needs, particularly when challenges present themselves during labor, and health care professionals strive to cater to them.


Anion and Cation Modulation in Metal Compounds for Bifunctional Overall Water Splitting.
As substitutes for precious cathodic Pt/C and anodic IrO2 in electrolytic water splitting cells, a bifunctional catalyst electrode (Fe- and O-doped Co2P grown on nickel foam) has been fabricated by manipulating the cations and anions of metal compounds. The modified catalyst electrode exhibits both superior HER and OER performances with high activity, favorable kinetics, and outstanding durability. The overall ability toward water splitting is especially extraordinary, requiring a small overpotential of 333.5 mV to gain a 10 mA cm(-2) current density. A study on the electrocatalytic mechanism reveals that the atomic modulation between cation and anion plays an important role in optimizing the electrocatalytic activity, which greatly expands the active sites in the electrocatalyst. Further, the three-dimensional conductive porous network is highly advantageous for the exposure of active species, the transport of bubble products, and the transfer of electrons and charges, which substantially boosts reaction kinetics and structure stability.


Liver resection for gastric cancer metastases.
Surgical indications in patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer are debated. To analyze outcomes of surgery and the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NeoCTx). Consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for gastric metastases between January 1997 and December 2008 were analyzed. Liver metastases were synchronous in 9 patients and multiple in 5. Eight patients received NeoCTx. NeoCTx and non-NeoCTx groups had similar characteristics. Mortality was nil, morbidity was 40%. After a mean follow-up of 42.5 months, 5-year survival rate was 33.2%. Presence of multiple metastases was a negative prognostic factor (p=0.029), while synchronous presentation and NeoCTx were not. Disease-free survival rates were significantly different by stratifying patients according to response to chemotherapy: at 5 years 32.4% in non-NeoCTx group, 0% in disease progression (PD) while on NeoCTx group and 60.0% in non-PD while on NeoCTx group (p=0.018). One-year recurrence rates were 40%, 100% and 0%, (p=0.020). Liver resection for gastric metastases achieves good long-term results, especially in solitary metastases. NeoCTx helps to select candidates for surgery and, in patients without PD, is associated with improved disease-free survival


The impact of Ureaplasma infections on pregnancy complications.
The aim of this study was to assess if ureaplasmas are associated with pregnancy complications and diseases in newborns. Pregnant women with complaints and threatening signs of preterm delivery were included. A sample, taken from the endocervical canal and from the surface of the cervical portion, was sent to the local microbiology laboratory for DNA detection of seven pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The Pearson Chi-Square test was used to determine the difference in unpaired categorical data. A two-sided p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. In all, 50 pregnant women with complaints and threatening signs of preterm delivery were included. Premature rupture of uterine membranes was found in 23 (46%) of the patients and 38 women (76%) had preterm delivery. Ureaplasma infections were associated with a premature rupture of membranes (p < 0.004), the placental inflammation (p < 0.025), a newborn respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.019). Ureaplasmas could have affected the preterm leakage of fetal amniotic fluid and are associated with the placental inflammation and a newborn respiratory distress syndrome.


Comparative beta-adrenoceptor blocking effect and pharmacokinetics of bucindolol and propranolol in man.
The beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties and pharmacokinetics of bucindolol 150 mg were compared to those of propranolol 80 mg and a placebo in a double-blind trial in 6 healthy volunteers. Heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) at rest and during vigorous exercise, and plasma renin activity (PRA) at rest, were measured before and at intervals up to 24 h after oral administration of the drugs. Bucindolol reduced exercise tachycardia and decreased exercise PEFR, thus behaving as a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug. In contrast to propranolol, bucindolol did not reduce resting HR and PRA, probably because of its intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. It decreased resting DBP in relation to its peripheral vasodilator properties. The effects of bucindolol developed as early as 30 min after administration and lasted up to 24 h, whereas its Tmax and T 1/2 were 1.6 and 3.6 h respectively. Comparison of the time courses of plasma bucindolol and the cardiac beta-adrenoceptor blockade strongly suggests that in man bucindolol undergoes an extensive first-pass effect, leading to the formation of one or more active metabolites.


[The microscopic characteristic of the dentinal tubule obstructed by desensitizer and the effect of desensitizer on the shear strength of resin cements].
To observe the microscopic characteristic of the dentinal surface and cross section after using dental desensitizer, and evaluate the effect of the dental desensitizer on the shear strength of resin cements. To use the dental desensitizer (Gluma, Single Bond 2, BisBlock) individually on the prepared human bicuspid teeth which were extracted for orthopaedics. The microscopic characteristic of the dentinal surface and cross section were observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adhered posts to the teeth pretreated with desensitizer were bonded with resin cements. The shear strength was measured and data was analyzed by SPSS 13.0 statistics software. The orifices of dentinal tubule were mostly occluded in Gluma samples and partly occluded in BisBlock samples. Resin layer was observed in Single Bond 2 samples. BisBlock group gathered the best shear strength, the shear strength value was (13.04+/-2.76) MPa. Marked statistic difference were found when compared with control group. Gluma, Single Bond 2 and BisBlock can block the orifices of dentinal tubule. BisBlock enhanced the bonding strength of the resin cements.


Ventilatory responses to exercise and hypercapnia following 18 days of head-down rest.
The effects of head-down rest (HDR) and microgravity on cardiovascular control have been widely studied; however, their effects on ventilatory control are less clear. An increased ventilatory response to exercise and/or to hypercapnia (HCVR) could cause significantly increased ventilatory demand and/or dyspnea, and thus limit the ability of flight crew to perform high-intensity exercise during or after spaceflight. Based on limited previous studies, we hypothesized that the ventilatory response to exercise would be increased, while the HCVR would be decreased after HDR. In 21 healthy subjects, ventilatory responses to submaximal exercise and to hypercapnia were tested before and immediately after 18 d of HDR. Subjects were randomly assigned to either daily supine cycle exercise (Exercise group; N = 14, 2 women) or no exercise (Rest group; N = 7, 1 woman) during HDR. The exercise ventilatory response (DeltaV(E)/DeltaV(CO2)) and the HCVR were unchanged following HDR in both groups. However, ventilation was significantly elevated after HDR at rest, during submaximal exercise, and while breathing 6% CO2. End-tidal P(CO2) was significantly reduced at rest, during submaximal exercise, and while breathing 3% CO2, indicating a decrease in the CO2 set point. Although HDR had no effect on the ventilatory responses to exercise and hypercapnia, the CO2 set point appeared to be reduced, suggesting an increase in drive to breathe that occurred regardless of whether or not subjects undertook exercise during HDR. These preliminary results indicate that further study of the effects of HDR on ventilatory control is warranted.


[Complications of TPN in gastrointestinal surgery patients].
Retrospective study of a group of 77 patients subjected to gastrointestinal surgery, who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) during the postoperative period, During the evolution of the nutrition, 76 cases with technical complications arose, one case of sepsis, 10 cases of metabolic complications and one patient with haematological complications (acute medular failure). Although a higher percentage of metabolic and haematological alterations not requiring medical or surgical treatment for correction was observed, these were indicative of the tendencies of the metabolic and haematological states of the patients. An analysis was also made of the variance, observing a direct relationship between the components of TPN and the variations of the metabolic and haematological values studied, However, these values did not correlate with the number of days during which the patients was on nutrition, and thus the technique and guidelines for administration are the most important factors which determine the presence or absence of complications during TPN.


Evaluation of the Cobas TaqMan MTB real-time PCR assay for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens.
The Cobas TaqMan MTB assay is a real-time PCR (qPCR) kit for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from clinical specimens. There are, however, limited studies validating its performance. We performed a prospective study in two hospitals in Taiwan on 586 respiratory specimens. By using culture as the reference method, the sensitivity and specificity of the Cobas TaqMan MTB assay were found to be 82.7 and 96.5 %, respectively. The sensitivity of the Cobas TaqMan MTB assay in acid-fast stain-negative respiratory specimens was only 34.9 %. Five specimens from five patients were positive for M. tuberculosis by the Cobas TaqMan MTB assay but were negative for M. tuberculosis by conventional culture methods. A diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was made based on clinical and radiological findings as well as the response to anti-TB treatment in these five patients. Addition of data from these five specimens with discrepant results (PCR vs culture) from patients with symptoms clinically compatible with TB increased the sensitivity of the Cobas TaqMan MTB assay to 83.1 %. The Cobas TaqMan MTB assay is a rapid identification tool with a high degree of specificity for the direct detection of M. tuberculosis in respiratory specimens. The sensitivity for detecting acid-fast smear-negative respiratory specimens, however, is low.


Versatile approach for the fabrication of functional wrinkled polymer surfaces.
A simple and versatile approach to obtaining patterned surfaces via wrinkle formation with variable dimensions and functionality is described. The method consists of the simultaneous heating and irradiation with UV light of a photosensitive monomer solution confined between two substrates with variable spacer thicknesses. Under these conditions, the system is photo-cross-linked, producing a rapid volume contraction while capillary forces attempt to maintain the contact between the monomer mixture and the cover. As a result of these two interacting forces, surface wrinkles were formed. Several parameters play a key role in the formation and final characteristics (amplitude and period) of the wrinkles generated, including the formulation of the photosensitive solution (e.g., the composition of the monomer mixture) and preparation conditions (e.g., temperature employed, irradiation time, and film thickness). Finally, in addition, the possibility of modifying the surface chemical composition of these wrinkled surfaces was investigated. For this purpose, either hydrophilic or hydrophobic comonomers were included in the photosensitive mixture. The resulting surface chemical composition could be finely tuned as was demonstrated by significant variations in the wettability of the structured surfaces, between 56° and 104°, when hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers were incorporated, respectively.


Remission from pathological gambling among Hispanics and Native Americans.
This community survey studied remission from pathological gambling (PG) among American Indian (AI) and Hispanic American (HA) veterans. Remission was defined as having a lifetime diagnosis of PG, but no gambling symptoms in the last year. Sample consisted of 1624 AI and Hispanic veterans. Instruments included demographic data, the computer-based algorithmic Quick Diagnostic Interview Schedule Symptom, and three symptom checklists, one each for substance related problems (MAST/AD), anxiety and depressive symptoms (BSI-57), and combat-related post-trauma symptoms (PCL/M). Remission was associated with absence of a current Axis 1 diagnosis, especially absence of a current post-traumatic stress disorder.


Occupational therapy: current practice and training issues in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
A significant relationship exists between cognitive abilities and functional performance in activities of daily living. Occupational therapists are involved in providing cognitive rehabilitation to individuals with brain damage by assisting them in fulfilling self-care, work and leisure roles. Since occupational therapists specialize in functioning in the real world, they should have a primary role on the interdisciplinary team in assessing and treating cognition as it relates to function. Particular areas of expertise include assessment and intervention in daily living tasks, safety issues and cognitive/perceptual dysfunction. Treatment strategies in occupational therapy are classified into two approaches: remedial and compensatory. A combination of the two approaches has been found to be the most beneficial method of intervention. Though current training guidelines for occupational therapists in cognitive rehabilitation are vague, the major focus has been on evaluating functional status and intervening when cognitive/perceptual deficits are present. Future training for practitioners in this area will require more specialized experiences and education. Additional research will need to be conducted by therapists to document treatment efficacy. Despite current health care constraints, occupational therapists must not lose sight of delivering quality care in an individualized and holistic manner.


Is Repeat Pulmonary Metastasectomy Indicated for Soft Tissue Sarcoma?
Because recurrence is high after pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) for soft tissue sarcoma (STS), repeat PM is commonly performed. Our objective was to define the selection criteria for repeat PM among patients experiencing recurrence and to identify factors associated with survival. We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of 539 patients undergoing PM for STS. Characteristics of the primary tumor, metastatic disease, treatment, and recurrence were examined. Multivariable Cox models were constructed to identify factors associated with the likelihood of operative selection after recurrence. Overall survival between patients with or without repeat PM was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with prognostic factors identified using Cox models. Both analyses incorporated propensity score-matching weights. Factors associated with survival after repeat PM were assessed with multivariable Cox models among patients who underwent repeat PM. After initial PM, 63% of patients (n = 341) experienced pulmonary recurrence; 141 (41%) underwent repeat PM. Patients who were younger (p = 0.033) underwent minimally invasive resection at first PM (p = 0.041), had a longer disease-free interval after first PM (p = 0.009), were without extrapulmonary disease (p < 0.001), and had fewer nodules on recurrence (p < 0.001) were more likely to undergo repeat PM. Comparison between the repeat and non-repeat PM groups demonstrated an increased hazard of death among patients managed nonoperatively. Factors associated with an increased hazard of death after second PM included preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.008) and R1/R2 metastasectomy (p < 0.001). Although operative selection occurs, when prognostic factors are controlled for, repeat PM for STS remains independently associated with prolonged overall survival.


Muc4/MUC4 functions and regulation in cancer.
The membrane mucin MUC4 (human) is abundantly expressed in many epithelia, where it is proposed to play a protective role, and is overexpressed in some epithelial tumors. Studies on the rat homologue, Muc4, indicate that it acts through anti-adhesive or signaling mechanisms. In particular, Muc4/MUC4 can serve as a ligand/modulator of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2, regulating its phosphorylation and the phosphorylation of its partner ErbB3, with or without the involvement of the ErbB3 ligand neuregulin. Muc4/MUC4 can also modulate cell apoptosis via multiple mechanisms, both ErbB2 dependent and independent. Muc4/MUC4 expression is regulated by multiple mechanisms, ranging from transcriptional to post-translational. The roles of MUC4 in tumors suggest that it may be valuable as a tumor marker or target for therapy.


Requirement of CD80 and CD86 molecules for antigen presentation by eosinophils.
The authors analysed the antigen-presenting ability of eosinophils purified from peritoneal exudate cells of interleukin-5 (IL-5) transgenic mice. The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-treated eosinophils induced proliferative responses of primed lymph node T cells and thymus T cells to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), while untreated eosinophils induced little or no response. GM-CSF-treated eosinophils also induced proliferation of ovalbumin (OVA)-primed lymph node T cells to OVA. Although untreated eosinophils expressed no MHC class II molecule on the surface the eosinophils could be induced to express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules when treated with GM-CSF. In the present study, anti-I-Ak monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) strongly inhibited proliferation of thymus T cells and proliferation of OVA-primed lymph node T cells in response to OVA, but weakly inhibited proliferation of primed T cells in response to SEB. Furthermore, CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) were expressed on the surfaces of untreated eosinophils. The expression of those two molecules on the eosinophils was increased by incubation with GM-CSF. Moreover, anti-CD80 or anti-CD86 MoAbs blocked proliferative responses of primed lymph node T cells and thymus T cells to SEB, and also blocked responses of primed lymph node T cells to OVA. Thus, CD80 and CD86 play an important role in stimulation of T cells by eosinophils.


Human cytomegalovirus infection of langerhans-type dendritic cells does not require the presence of the gH/gL/UL128-131A complex and is blocked after nuclear deposition of viral genomes in immature cells.
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) enters its host via the oral and genital mucosae. Langerhans-type dendritic cells (LC) are the most abundant innate immune cells at these sites, where they constitute a first line of defense against a variety of pathogens. We previously showed that immature LC (iLC) are remarkably resistant to CMV infection, while mature LC (mLC) are more permissive, particularly when exposed to clinical-strain-like strains of CMV, which display a pentameric complex consisting of the viral glycoproteins gH, gL, UL128, UL130, and UL131A on their envelope. This complex was recently shown to be required for the infection of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells. We thus sought to establish if the presence of this complex is also necessary for virion penetration of LC and if defects in entry might be the source of iLC resistance to CMV. Here we report that the efficiency of LC infection is reduced, but not completely abolished, in the absence of the pentameric complex. While virion penetration and nuclear deposition of viral genomes are not impaired in iLC, the transcription of the viral immediate early genes UL122 and UL123 and of the delayed early gene UL50 is substantially lower than that in mLC. Together, these data show that the UL128, UL130, and UL131A proteins are dispensable for CMV entry into LC and that progression of the viral cycle in iLC is restricted at the step of viral gene expression.


A new classification of nevus of Ota.
The nevus of Ota, is a common benign pigmentary dermatosis, mainly involve innervation area of first and second branch of trigeminal nerve. The classification of nevus of Ota was proposed by Tanino, based on 26 cases of nevus of Ota from 1937 to 1940. Studies about its classification are rarely seen in last 70 years, while it is still practical today. Based on the clinical photographs, 1079 consecutive patients with nevus of Ota were verified and reclassified according to the innervation areas of the trigeminal nerve branches. In these 1079 cases, 866 patients were in line with Tanino's classification (80.26%), and 213 patients were not (19.74%). We put forward a new clinical classification (Peking Union Medical College Hospital classification, PUMCH classification) of nevus of Ota based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, composed of 5 types and 14 subtypes. The 5 types were as follows: Type I - pigmentation maculeses involving the innervation area of one of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 424 cases (39.3%), comprising 6 subtypes; Type II - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of two branches of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 221 cases (20.48%), comprising 4 subtypes; Type III - pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of all three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 361 cases (33.45%), comprising 2 subtypes; Type IV - bilateral type, in which the pigmentation macules involves the bilateral cheek, of which there were 63 cases (5.84%), comprising 2 subtypes; and Type V - complications occurred in the patient, of which there were 10 cases (0.93%). The new classification of nevus of Ota is based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, and it covers all types of Tanino's classifications; on that basis, some new types and subtypes are brought in and cover almost every clinical condition.


Application of the PROJECT concept for suppression of J modulation to DEPT for 13C-multilabeled analytes.
Incorporation of the PROJECT element for suppression of J modulation into the DEPT pulse sequence resulted in near-distortionless signals, thus realizing spectra more amenable to quantitative evaluation, a potential valuable aid in cases where (13)C-multilabeled compounds arise, e.g. as a result of feeding experiments in biosynthetic studies.


Nationwide Multicenter Study for Overlaps of Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Korean Patients With Constipation.
In spite of increased concerns about the overlaps among the various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), studies for the overlap between constipation and other common FGIDs are rare. Therefore, we investigated the patterns of overlaps between constipation and other common FGIDs. This study was designed as a prospective nationwide multi-center questionnaire study using Rome III questionnaires for functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and functional constipation (FC), as well as various questionnaires about patients' information, degree of symptoms, and quality of life. For the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), GERD-Q was used. From 19 centers, 759 patients with constipation were enrolled. The proportions of FC and IBS subtypes of constipation (IBS-C) were 59.4% and 40.6%, respectively. Among them, 492 (64.8%) showed no overlap. One hundred and thirty-six patients (17.9%) presented overlapping GERD, and 80 patients (10.5%) presented overlapping FD. Fifty one (6.7%) of patients were overlapped by both GERD and FD. Coincidental herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) (P = 0.026) or pulmonary diseases (P = 0.034), reduced fiber intake (P = 0.013), and laxative use (P < 0.001) independently affected the rate of overlaps. These overlapping conditions negatively affected the constipation-associated quality of life, general quality of life, and degree of constipation. The overlap of GERD or FD was common in patients with constipation. Coincidental HNP or pulmonary diseases, reduced fiber intake, and laxatives use were found to be independent associated factors for overlapping common FGIDs in Korean patients with constipation.


[Expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer and its clinical significance].
To investigate the expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer tissue and the relationship between the expression and the clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in prostate cancer tissue. And the relationship between the expressions and pathology was evaluated. The B7-H4 was diffusely expressed in cytoplasm and/or membrane of the prostate cancer tissue; the expression was much higher than that in normal prostate tissue (P<0.05). The expression of B7-H4 in the prostate cancer tissue was higher in patients with higher tumor grade. B7-H4 may be used as an new indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer and a novel target for immunotherapy.


Herpes zoster during arsenic trioxide therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Historically, arsenic exposure has been associated with herpes zoster (HZ) infection, however the risk is not well characterized in arsenic trioxide (ATO) treated patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We aimed to characterize the risk of HZ in 112 ATO treated patients with APL with and without antiviral prophylaxis (AVP). HZ occurred in 13/112 (11.6%) within 6 months of completing ATO, including one case of HZ encephalitis. AVP reduced the incidence of HZ (17.5% vs. 4.1%, RR 0.24 [95% CI 0.05-1.0, p = .025]) with a number needed to treat of 7.7. HZ despite AVP occurred later than HZ in patients without AVP (7.8 vs. 2.3 months from starting ATO, p = .11). Older age and prior HZ increased the risk of HZ in patients not receiving AVP. Routine AVP should be considered in patients with APL receiving ATO, particularly in older patients and those with a history of HZ.


A qualitative study to understand guideline-discordant use of imaging to stage incident prostate cancer.
Approximately half of veterans with low-risk prostate cancer receive guideline-discordant imaging. Our objective was to identify and describe (1) physician knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the use of imaging to stage prostate cancer, (2) patient attitudes and behaviors related to use of imaging, and (3) to compare responses across three VA medical centers (VAMCs). A qualitative approach was used to explore patient and provider knowledge and behaviors relating to the use of imaging. We conducted 39 semi-structured interviews total-including 22 interviews with patients with newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and 17 interviews with physicians caring for them-between September 2014 and July 2015 at three VAMCs representing a spectrum of inappropriate imaging rates. After core theoretical concepts were identified, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was selected to explore linkages between themes within the dataset and existing domains within the framework. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and analyzed using Nvivo software. Themes from patient interviews were categorized within four TDF domains. Patients reported little interest in staging as compared to disease treatment (goals), and many could not remember if they had imaging at all (knowledge). Patients tended to trust their doctor to make decisions about appropriate tests (beliefs about capabilities). Some patients expressed a minor concern for radiation exposure, but anxiety about cancer outcomes outweighed these fears (emotion). Themes from physician interviews were categorized within five TDF domains. Most physicians self-reported that they know and trust imaging guidelines (knowledge) yet some were still likely to follow their own intuition, whether due to clinical suspicion or years of experience (beliefs about capabilities). Additionally, physicians reported that medico-legal concerns, fear of missing associated diagnoses (beliefs about consequences), influence from colleagues who image frequently (social influences), and the facility where they practice influences rates of imaging (environmental context). Interviews with patients and physicians suggest that physicians are the primary (and in some cases only) decision-makers regarding staging imaging for prostate cancer. This finding suggests a physician-targeted intervention may be the most effective strategy to improve guideline-concordant prostate cancer imaging.


Elevated expression of long intergenic non-coding RNA HOTAIR in a basal-like variant of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical to phenotypic maintenance and transition of human breast cancer cells. HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a long intergenic non-coding RNA that epigenetically represses gene expression via recruitment of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase. Elevated expression of HOTAIR promotes progression of breast cancer. In the current study we examined the expression and function of HOTAIR in MCF-7-TNR cells, a derivative of the luminal-like breast cancer cell line MCF-7 that acquired resistance to TNF-α-induced cell death. The expression of HOTAIR, markers of the luminal-like and basal-like subtypes, and growth were compared between MCF-7 and MCF-7-TNR cells. These variables were further assessed upon inhibition of HOTAIR, EZH2, p38 MAPK, and SRC kinase in MCF-7-TNR cells. When compared with MCF-7 cells, MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited an increase in the expression of HOTAIR, which correlated with characteristics of a luminal-like to basal-like transition as evidenced by dysregulated gene expression and accelerated growth. MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited reduced suppressive histone H3 lysine27 trimethylation on the HOTAIR promoter. Inhibition of HOTAIR and EZH2 attenuated the luminal-like to basal-like transition in terms of gene expression and growth in MCF-7-TNR cells. Inhibition of p38 and SRC diminished HOTAIR expression and the basal-like phenotype in MCF-7-TNR cells. HOTAIR was robustly expressed in the native basal-like breast cancer cells and inhibition of HOTAIR reduced the basal-like gene expression and growth. Our findings suggest HOTAIR-mediated regulation of gene expression and growth associated with the basal-like phenotype of breast cancer cells.


Prevalence and Characterization of ESBL/AmpC Producing Escherichia coli from Fresh Meat in Portugal.
The present study aimed to characterize the extended-spectrum β-lactamases and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases (ESBL/PMAβ) among Escherichia coli producers isolated from beef, pork, and poultry meat collected at retail, in Portugal. A total of 638 meat samples were collected and inoculated on selective medium for the search of E. coli resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins. Isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular assays targeting ESBL/AmpC, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), and plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (PMCR) encoding genes. The highest frequency of E. coli non-wild type to 3rd generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones was observed in broiler meat (30.3% and 93.3%, respectively). Overall, a diversity of acquired resistance mechanisms, were detected: blaESBL [blaCTX-M-1 (n = 19), blaCTX-M-15 (n = 4), blaCTX-M-32 (n = 12), blaCTX-M-55 (n = 8), blaCTX-M-65 (n = 4), blaCTX-M-27 (n = 2), blaCTX-M-9 (n = 1), blaCTX-M-14 (n = 11), blaSHV-12 (n = 27), blaTEM-52 (n = 1)], blaPMAβ [blaCMY-2 (n = 8)], PMQR [qnrB (n = 27), qnrS (n = 21) and aac(6')-Ib-type (n = 4)] and PMCR [mcr-1 (n = 8)]. Our study highlights that consumers may be exposed through the food chain to multidrug-resistant E. coli carrying diverse plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance genes, posing a great hazard to food safety and a public health risk.


[Different ways to remove necrotic periodontal ligament on delayed tooth replantation: scanning electron microscopy and histomorphometric analysis].
To seek the most effective technique for removal of root-adhered periodontal ligament. Thirty-five roots of healthy right mandibular first premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were selected. After extraction, the teeth were kept dry at room temperature for at least 1 h, and then divided into five groups as follows: Group 1(control)-the root-adhered periodontal ligament was preserved; Group 2 (mechanical removal)-periodontal ligament remnants were removed by scraping root surface with a scalpel blade; Group 3 (chemical removal 1)-removal of the periodontal ligament by immersing the root in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 minutes; Group 4 (chemical removal 2)-removal of the periodontal ligament by immersing the root in 2% sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 minutes; Group 5 (chemical removal 3)-removal of the periodontal ligament by immersing the root in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 minutes. The specimens were analyzed histomorphometrically and examined under scanning electron microscopy. Both periodontal ligament remnants and preservation or removal of the cementum layer concomitantly with these procedures were assessed. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test with SAS 8.02 software package. In regard to periodontal ligament remnants, group 1 presented the largest areas(P<0.05), group 2 showed smaller area than group 1 (P<0.05), but much larger than group 3-5 (P<0.05); The three chemical removal groups had no significant difference. As for preserved cementum layer, group 2 lost most areas, which showed the worst result(P<0.05). The other 4 groups had no significant difference. Scraping root surface with a scalpel blade could not wipe off the root-adhered periodontal ligament, and might damage the cementum layer. Sodium hypochlorite solution could clean up the periodontal ligament remnants and preserve cementum layer, which might be an ideal choice.


Phenomenology based multiscale models as tools to understand cell membrane and organelle morphologies.
An intriguing question in cell biology is "how do cells regulate their shape?" It is commonly believed that the observed cellular morphologies are a result of the complex interaction among the lipid molecules (constituting the cell membrane), and with a number of other macromolecules, such as proteins. It is also believed that the common biophysical processes essential for the functioning of a cell also play an important role in cellular morphogenesis. At the cellular scale-where typical dimensions are in the order of micrometers-the effects arising from the molecular scale can either be modeled as equilibrium or non-equilibrium processes. In this chapter, we discuss the dynamically triangulated Monte Carlo technique to model and simulate membrane morphologies at the cellular scale, which in turn can be used to investigate several questions related to shape regulation in cells. In particular, we focus on two specific problems within the framework of isotropic and anisotropic elasticity theories: namely, (i) the origin of complex, physiologically relevant, membrane shapes due to the interaction of the membrane with curvature remodeling proteins, and (ii) the genesis of steady state cellular shapes due to the action of non-equilibrium forces that are generated by the fission and fusion of transport vesicles and by the binding and unbinding of proteins from the parent membrane.


Clinical experience in using the water jet in burn wound debridement.
Water jets have been used in many areas of surgery. Recently a new surgical debridement device was launched onto the market - VersajetTM. VersajetTM is a unique hydrosurgical device that uses a precise jet of water to simultaneously hold, cut, and remove devitalized or necrotic tissue. This paper describes our experience with ten patients comparing Weck knives with the newly designed hydrosurgical device when debriding burn wounds. The patients' age ranged from 27 to 60 yr (average, 37.8 yr) and the burn wounds treated were between 3 and 7% total body surface area, involving the face, abdomen, and limbs. The hydrosurgical system is a very useful tool for irregular and complex burn wound debridement. This paper represents the first written clinical experience utilizing hydrosurgery in the burn wound management in an Eastern country.


Analysis of 541 cases of occupational acute chemical injuries in a large petrochemical company in China.
The authors carried out a descriptive analysis of acute chemical intoxication in a large petrochemical corporation with 38,000 employees, located in a suburban district of Shanghai, China, to determine the chemicals involved and the primary causes of the incidents. Between 1977 and 1997, 350 cases of acute chemical-intoxication were recorded, resulting in a total of 541 workers with symptoms. Of these, 483 were male and 58, female, with over half the victims under 30 years old. Two hundred and seventy-five cases were serious enough to necessitate hospital admission. There were 266 cases of chemical irritation or inhalation responses (49.2%), 215 cases of mild chemical poisoning (39.7%), 31 cases of moderate poisoning (5.7%), and 29 cases resulting in critical injury (5.4%), including eight deaths (1.5%). The main causes of injury reported by patients were lack of training about safety (63%) and equipment failure (23%). The chemicals involved were asphyxiating gases (302 cases; 55.8%), irritating gases (111 cases; 20.5%), and other toxins. Intervention strategies for the prevention of acute chemical exposures were suggested to the corporation.


[Population dynamics of Quercus variabilis on northern slope of Qinling mountains].
Studies on the population dynamics, age structure, spatial distribution pattern, life table, and survival curve of Quercus variabilis showed that the Q. variabilis population on the northern slope of Qinling mountains was increasing. The number of young-aged individuals was larger, and that of middle-aged and old individuals was smaller. The life tables for different age classes showed that the mortality at age classes I and II was the highest, and the mortality rate was decreased with increasing age. However, at age classes VII and VIII, the mortality rose again for their decrepitude. The expected life span of age classes III, IV and V was higher, and decreased gradually with increasing age. The survival curves were the type of Deevey III, and the distribution pattern of population was aggregative as a whole. As the age increased, the intensity of aggregation decreased, and tended to a random distribution at higher elevations. A wise management should accelerate the recovery of Q. variabilis population and the enhancement of its productivity. The altitude 800-1,100 m was the favorable habitat for Q. variabilis population. As for the Q. variabilis at lower altitude, its protection should be reinforced, and the disturbance from human beings should be reduced. Forest thinning and other fostering management at middle altitude should be given in time. The target trees at higher altitude should be fostered.


Bloom syndrome does not always present with sun-sensitive facial erythema.
Bloom syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth deficiency, immunodeficiency, an increased risk for malignancies, craniofacial dysmorphisms, and "typical" erythematous sun-sensitive skin lesions of the face. This facial rash has a butterfly-shaped distribution around the nose and is usually observed for the first time during the early years of life. Though reported as being a main feature of Bloom syndrome, there seems to be phenotypic variability regarding this facial skin rash among patients. It has been previously reported that in some individuals with Bloom syndrome these sun-sensitive lesions are less prominent or even absent. In this report we describe a 36 year old woman with short stature, microcephaly, several dysmorphisms, congenital hypothyroidism and premature ovarian failure. She was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma at 36 years of age, only a few months after her consultation at the department of Clinical Genetics. Whole Exome Sequencing demonstrated that she had Bloom syndrome caused by a compound heterozygous mutation in BLM (c.2207_2212delinsTAGATTC; p.(Tyr736Leufs*5) and c.3681del; p.(Lys1227Asnfs*52)). She did not have facial sun-sensitive erythematous rash during childhood nor adulthood. We conclude that Bloom syndrome does not always present with erythematous sun-sensitive skin lesions of the face. We would like to underline that phenotypic variation regarding this "hallmark" feature of Bloom syndrome exists. Being aware of this might prevent a delay in diagnosing this rare short-stature syndrome and, subsequently, its potential clinical implications.


Mechanisms of antidiabetic effects of flavonoid rutin.
Several lines of evidence suggest that flavonoids that originated from vegetables and medicinal plants have beneficial effects on diabetes by improving glycemic control, lipid profile, and antioxidant status. Rutin is a flavonoid found in many plants and shows a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. In this review, the antihyperglycemic property of rutin and its protective effects against the development of diabetic complications are discussed. Proposed mechanisms for the antihyperglycemic effect of rutin include a decrease of carbohydrates absorption from the small intestine, inhibition of tissue gluconeogenesis, an increase of tissue glucose uptake, stimulation of insulin secretion from beta cells, and protecting Langerhans islet against degeneration. Rutin also decreases the formation of sorbitol, reactive oxygen species, advanced glycation end-product precursors, and inflammatory cytokines. These effects are considered to be responsible for the protective effect of rutin against hyperglycemia- and dyslipidemia-induced nephropathy, neuropathy, liver damage, and cardiovascular disorders. Taken together, the results of current experimental studies support the potential of rutin to prevent or treat pathologies associated with diabetes. Well-designed clinical studies are suggested to evaluate advantages and limits of rutin for managing diabetes.


Noradrenergic sprouting and beta-adrenergic receptor binding in the lateral geniculate nucleus of rats after unilateral visual cortex ablation.
One and two weeks after unilateral visual cortex (VC) ablation beta-adrenergic receptor binding is increased in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of both sides. 6 month later beta-receptor binding in the LGN is decreased again and no differences to untreated control animals are detectable. Using the glyoxylic acid fluorescence method for the visualization of amines a transient increase in the density of noradrenergic fibers in the dorsal part of the ipsilateral LGN can be demonstrated with a maximum 2 weeks after VC ablation. With longer survival time noradrenergic fibre density in the ipsilateral dorsal LGN (LGNd) decreases again and one year after the operation only few fluorescent fibres can be observed in the lateral part of the LGN compared to untreated control animals. Histologically an increased gliosis in the ipsilateral LGNd develops following removal of the visual cortex. In addition, degenerative changes in nerve fibers and terminals as well as neuronal degenerative changes are present and are most pronounced in the medial part of the ipsilateral dorsal LGN. Electron microscopically degenerating terminals in the dorsal part of the ipsilateral LGN can be identified as cortical afferents. Using potassium permanganate fixation typical noradrenergic axons with small dense core vesicles can be demonstrated in the LGN. In the denervated LGNd (i.e. the ipsilateral LGNd after visual cortex ablation) axon terminals with dense core vesicles appear exhibiting the structural peculiarities of growth cones seen during ontogenesis. They could be regarded as ultrastructural equivalent of the newly formed noradrenergic sprouts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Micelles Formed by Polypeptide Containing Polymers Synthesized Via N-Carboxy Anhydrides and Their Application for Cancer Treatment.
The development of multifunctional polymeric materials for biological applications is mainly guided by the goal of achieving the encapsulation of pharmaceutical compounds through a self-assembly process to form nanoconstructs that control the biodistribution of the active compounds, and therefore minimize systemic side effects. Micelles are formed from amphiphilic polymers in a selective solvent. In biological applications, micelles are formed in water, and their cores are loaded with hydrophobic pharmaceutics, where they are solubilized and are usually delivered through the blood compartment. Even though a large number of polymeric materials that form nanocarrier delivery systems has been investigated, a surprisingly small subset of these technologies has demonstrated potentially curative preclinical results, and fewer have progressed towards commercialization. One of the most promising classes of polymeric materials for drug delivery applications is polypeptides, which combine the properties of the conventional polymers with the 3D structure of natural proteins, i.e., α-helices and β-sheets. In this article, the synthetic pathways followed to develop well-defined polymeric micelles based on polypeptides prepared through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of N-carboxy anhydrides are reviewed. Among these works, we focus on studies performed on micellar delivery systems to treat cancer. The review is limited to systems presented from 2000⁻2017.


Feasibility of a birth-cohort in Pakistan: evidence for better lives study.
Evidence for Better Lives Study Foundational Research (EBLS-FR) is a preliminary endeavor to establish the feasibility of a global birth cohort, and within this feasibility study, piloting the research instrument, with participants from eight lower middle-income countries across the globe. It aims to investigate mediators and moderators of child development and wellbeing; it envisages informing policy and practice change to promote child health and wellbeing globally. Pakistan is one of the resource poor lower middle-income country (LMIC) taking part in this global birth cohort; we report the feasibility of establishing such a birth cohort in Pakistan. From March 2019 to July 2019, 153 third trimester pregnant women were identified, using community health worker registers, and approached for baseline demographics and a number of maternal wellbeing, mental health, support-related information, and stress-related biomarkers from bio-samples in a peri-urban area of Islamabad Capital Territory. One hundred fifty of these women gave consent and participated in the study. From October 2019 to December 2019, we re-contacted and were able to follow 121 of these women in the 8-24 weeks postnatal period. All interviews were done after obtaining informed consent and data were collected electronically. One hundred fifty (98.0%) third trimester pregnant women consented and were successfully interviewed, 111 (74.0%) provided bio-samples and 121 (80.6%) were followed up postnatally. Their mean age and years of schooling was 27.29 (SD = 5.18) and 7.77 (SD = 4.79) respectively. A majority (82.3%) of the participants were housewives. Nearly a tenth were first time mothers. Ninety-two (61.3%) of the women reported current pregnancy to have been unplanned. Overall wellbeing and mental health were reported to be poor (WHO-5 mean scores 49.41 (SD = 32.20) and PHQ-9 mean scores 8.23 (SD = 7.0)). Thirty-eight (21.8%) of the women reported four or more adverse childhood experiences; 46 (31.3%) reported intimate partner violence during their current pregnancy. During the postnatal follow up visits, 72 (58.0%) of the women reported breastfeeding their infants. The foundational research demonstrated that Pakistan site could identify, approach, interview, and follow up women and children postnatally, with a high response rates for both the follow up visits and bio-samples. Therefore, a future larger-scale pregnancy birth cohort study in Pakistan is feasible.


[Microanalysis study of Co-doped ZnO DMS crystal by SEM and XREDS].
In the present paper,with CoCl2 x 6H2O used as precursor, Co-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) crystals were synthesized by hydrothermal method with KOH as mineralizer. The morphology, and the relative content and distribution uniformity of the surface and inner Co element of synthesized crystals were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (XREDS), respectively. It was found that Co-doped ZnO crystals with different morphology were yielded, while the bigger crystals showed polar growth charactertistics, and the Co content in the crystal depended on its morphology. The exposed face also changed with crystal morphology. There was more Co in bigger crystals than in smaller ones. Moreover, more Co located in +c (10 11)compared to +c (10 10) exposed face, especially for cone crystals. In addition, it was observed that there was a little amount of cobalt oxide cluster in inner crystal,and the distribution of Co content was relative uniform in both the surface and inner part of the crystal. Cobalt oxide cluster may have effect on the magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO diulted magnetic semiconductor since Co2+ possesses magnetic property.


Effects of starvation and parasitism on foregut contraction in larval Manduca sexta.
Larvae of Manduca sexta are parasitised by the braconid wasp, Cotesia congregata. In this study we examined whether contraction activity of the semi-isolated foregut was affected by parasitism. Parasitised larvae fed significantly less compared with unparasitised control larvae, therefore starved unparasitised animals were used as controls. Rate and force of foregut contraction in control caterpillars significantly increased with days of starvation. However, only contraction force in foreguts of parasitised larvae increased over time following infection. The presence of food in the foregut of caterpillars starved 7 days suggested that food moved anteriorly from the midgut and that contraction became antiperistaltic, but only normal peristalsis occurred in parasitised caterpillars. Rate and force of gut contractions may be controlled independently and starvation did not truly mimic the effects of the parasitoids. Dissection of caterpillars with emerged wasps indicated that 47% had a single wasp larva wedged between the brain and foregut. Removal of this wasp caused an increased rate of foregut contraction of the caterpillar. Brain removal resulted in an increased rate of foregut contraction only for unparasitised insects. Sectioning of the recurrent nerve temporarily eliminated foregut contraction, but the contraction began again in 250 s in parasitised caterpillars prior to wasp emergence, compared with over 500 s for unparasitised controls and parasitised caterpillars following wasp emergence.


Comparative Analysis of Computer-Aided Diagnosis and Computer-Assisted Subjective Assessment in Thyroid Ultrasound.
The value of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and computer-assisted techniques equipped with different TIRADS remains ambiguous. Parallel diagnosis performances of computer-assisted subjective assessments and CAD were compared based on AACE, ATA, EU, and KSThR TIRADS. CAD software computed the diagnosis of 162 thyroid nodule sonograms. Two raters (R1 and R2) independently rated the sonographic features of the nodules using an online risk calculator while blinded to pathology results. Diagnostic efficiency measures were calculated based on the final pathology results. R1 had higher diagnostic performance outcomes than CAD with similarities between KSThR (SEN: 90.3% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.57; SPEC: 46% vs. 51%, p = 0.21; AUROC: 0.76 vs. 0.67, p = 0.02), and EU (SEN: 85.5% vs. 79%, p = 0.82; SPEC: 62% vs. 55%, p = 0.27; AUROC: 0.74 vs. 0.67, p = 0.06). Similarly, R2 had higher AUROC and specificity but lower sensitivity than CAD (KSThR-AUROC: 0.74 vs. 0.67, p = 0.13; SPEC: 61% vs. 46%, p = 0.02 and SEN: 75.8% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.31, and EU-AUROC: 0.69 vs. 0.67, p = 0.57, SPEC: 64% vs. 55%, p = 0.19, and SEN: 71% vs. 79%, p = 0.51, respectively). CAD had higher sensitivity but lower specificity than both R1 and R2 with AACE for 114 specified nodules (SEN: 92.5% vs. 88.7%, p = 0.50; 92.5% vs. 79.3%, p = 0.02, and SPEC: 26.2% vs. 54.1%, p = 0.001; 26.2% vs. 62.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). All diagnostic performance outcomes were comparable for ATA with 96 specified nodules. Computer-assisted subjective interpretation using KSThR is more ideal for ruling out papillary thyroid carcinomas than CAD. Future larger multi-center and multi-rater prospective studies with a diverse representation of thyroid cancers are necessary to validate these findings.


Nanotextured titanium surfaces for enhancing skin growth on transcutaneous osseointegrated devices.
A major problem with transcutaneous osseointegrated implants is infection, mainly due to improper closure of the implant-skin interface. Therefore, the design of transcutaneous osseointegrated devices that better promote skin growth around these exit sites needs to be examined and, if successful, would clearly limit infection. Due to the success already demonstrated for orthopedic implants, developing surfaces with biologically inspired nanometer features is a design criterion that needs to be investigated for transcutaneous devices. This study therefore examined the influence of nanotextured titanium (Ti) created through electron beam evaporation and anodization on keratinocyte (skin-forming cell) function. Electron beam evaporation created Ti surfaces with nanometer features while anodization created Ti surfaces with nanotubes. Conventional Ti surfaces were largely micron rough, with few nanometer surface features. Results revealed increased keratinocyte adhesion in addition to increased keratinocyte spreading and differences in keratinocyte filopodia extension on the nanotextured Ti surfaces prepared by either electron beam evaporation or anodization compared to their conventional, unmodified counterparts after 4h. Results further revealed increased keratinocyte proliferation and cell spreading over 3 and 5days only on the nanorough Ti surfaces prepared by electron beam evaporation compared to both the anodized nanotubular and unmodified Ti surfaces. Therefore, the results from this in vitro study provided the first evidence that nano-modification techniques should be further researched as a means to possibly improve skin growth, thereby improving transcutaneous osseointegrated orthopedic implant longevity.


Effects of caudate microstimulation on spontaneous and purposive saccades.
Electrical stimulation has been delivered to the basal ganglia (BG) to treat intractable symptoms of a variety of clinical disorders. However, it is still unknown how such treatments improve behavioral symptoms. A difficulty of this problem is that artificial signals created by electrical stimulation interact with intrinsic signals before influencing behavior, thereby making it important to understand how such interactions between artificial and intrinsic signals occur. We addressed this issue by analyzing the effects of electrical stimulation under the following two behavioral conditions that induce different states of intrinsic signals: 1) subjects behave spontaneously without task demands; and 2) subjects perform a behavioral paradigm purposefully. We analyzed saccadic eye movements in monkeys while delivering microstimulation to the head and body of the caudate nucleus, a major input stage of the oculomotor BG. When monkeys generated spontaneous saccades, caudate microstimulation biased saccade vector endpoints toward the contralateral direction of stimulation sites. However, when caudate microstimulation was delivered during a purposive prosaccade (look toward a visual stimulus) or an antisaccade (look away from a stimulus) paradigm, it created overall ipsilateral biases by suppressing contralateral saccades more strongly than ipsilateral saccades. These results suggest that the impact of BG electrical stimulation changes dynamically depending on the state of intrinsic signals that vary under a variety of behavioral demands in everyday life.


Meningitis with Digital Gangrene in Meningococcal Infection: An Atypical Presentation.
Meningococcal infection is an important public health concern. Neisseria meningitidis usually colonizes the nasopharynx of healthy adolescents and adults and remains as asymptomatic colonizer, while in rare cases it may present as invasive disease as either meningitis or septicemia or both. Most of the cases have typical presentation of rashes. We hereby present a case of a 40-year-old male who presented with meningococcal meningitis and peripheral digital gangrene but without development of typical rashes. He improved by early institution of appropriate intravenous antibiotics with supportive care.


Orbital Volume and Axial Length Development in Individuals Ages 12 to 60 Years With Congenital Microphthalmia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
To analyze the stimulating effect of axial length development on orbital volume development in patients (ages 12-60 years) with congenital microphthalmia. This retrospective cohort study included 43 patients (86 eyes) with congenital microphthalmia. Three-dimensional images of the orbit were generated from past computed tomography scans, and digital orbital volume and axial length measurements were taken. The patients were divided into four age groups for analyses. Paired t tests and one-way analysis of variance tests were used to compare orbital volume and axial length between the affected and unaffected eyes. Pearson correlation analyses and scatter plots were used to investigate the correlations between age, orbital volume, and axial length in the affected and unaffected eyes. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between orbital volume and axial length. The mean orbital volume in the affected and unaffected eyes was 17.08 ± 2.88 and 20.80 ± 2.55 cm3, respectively. The mean axis length in the affected and the unaffected groups was 12.73 ± 3.54 and 23.84 ± 1.43 mm, respectively. Significant differences were observed among orbital (t = 13.538, P < 0.001) volume and axial length (t = 21.339, P < 0.001) in the affected and the unaffected groups. There were no significant differences in affected orbital volume (F = 0.527, P > 0.05), unaffected orbital volume (F = 1.628, P > 0.05), affected axial length (F = 0.946, P > 0.05), and unaffected axial length (F = 2.217, P > 0.05) among the four age groups. According to the Pearson correlations, there were no significant correlations between age and affected volume, unaffected volume, affected axis, and unaffected axis (r = 0.095, 0.097, 0.084, and 0.022, respectively; all P > 0.05). Orbital volume was moderately correlated with axial length in the affected and unaffected groups (r = 0.470 and 0.410, respectively; both P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed that a 1 mm change in axis length was associated with a 0.38 cm3 and 0.73 cm3 change in orbital volume in the affected and unaffected groups, respectively. In individuals ages 12 to 60 years old with congenital microphthalmia, the effect of axis length on the orbital volume growth of the affected eye is only half that of the unaffected eye. The eyeball, orbital tissue, and craniofacial development all play an important role in the growth of orbital volume.


Green tea polyphenols improve bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet-induced obese female rats through suppressing bone formation and erosion.
This study evaluates the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese female rats. Thirty-six 3-month-old female rats were fed either a control diet or a HFD for 4 months. Animals in the control group continued on the control diet for another 4 months. Animals in the HFD group were divided into two groups, with 0.5 g/100 mL GTP (the HFD+GTP group) or without GTP (the HFD group) in drinking water, in addition to the HFD for another 4 months. Compared to the control group, the HFD group increased bone formation and erosion rates at the tibia, decreased trabecular volume and thickness, but had no impact on bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), and separation. Compared to the control group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates a greater Tb.N at the proximal tibia, and a greater trabecular thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, but a smaller trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and mineralizing surface at the proximal tibia, and a reduced endocortical mineral apposition rate (MAR) at the tibia shaft. Relative to the HFD group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates (1) a higher BMD at the femur, a greater trabecular volume, thickness, and number at the proximal tibia, a larger cortical area and thickness at the tibial shaft, and a greater trabecular volume and thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, (2) a smaller Tb.Sp, MAR, bone formation rate, and eroded surface at the tibia. We concluded that GTP supplementation in drinking water improves bone microarchitecture in the HFD-induced obese female rats, possibly through suppressing bone turnover, resulting in a larger net bone volume.


In vivo activity of ursolic and oleanolic acids during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
Reduction in the parasitemic levels of the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi in mice treated with oral or intraperitoneal ursolic (UA) and oleanolic (OA) acids was evaluated during the acute phase of Chagas' disease. Oral administration of UA and OA (50mg/kg/day) provided the most significant reduction in the parasitemic peak, while intraperitoneal administration of UA and OA did not significantly affect the biological activity of the Y strain of T. cruzi. Interleukin levels in mice treated by the intraperitoneal route were compared to untreated chagasic mice. Reduced γ-IFN levels and enhanced IL-10 concentrations potentially explain the exacerbated parasitemia. Our data suggests an immunosuppressive effect for UA and OA, which could interfere with host control of parasitemia. Optimal results were achieved with oral administration. This observation may be explained by the low intestinal absorption of UA and OA, could cause a reduced immune response and promote parasite control. Taken together, these data demonstrate that triterpenes could be interesting compounds to develop therapeutically for the treatment of Chagas' disease.


[Yellow fever prevention and control: assessment of surveillance activities in a previously unaffected area in Brazil].
Following the reemergence of yellow fever in 2014/2015, Brazil recorded its largest yellow fever epidemic in recent decades, mainly affecting the country's Southeast region. Yellow fever is a hemorrhagic viral disease caused by a flavivirus transmitted by sylvatic mosquitos (Haemagogus; Sabethes). In the urban cycle, eradicated in Brazil since 1942, the virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Nonhuman primates are the principal hosts of the virus and constitute "sentinels" in yellow fever surveillance. This article describes the control and prevention activities launched during the yellow fever epidemic in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, and the implementation of vaccination, through an ecological study with a spatial approach. The study revealed the lack of detection of epizootics in nonhuman primates by surveillance services in Espírito Santo, with simultaneous detection in humans. The study presented the evolution of vaccination activities, reaching 85% overall coverage for the state in six months, varying widely, from 59% to 122%, between municipalities (counties). Importantly, 55% of the municipalities with timely immunization, considering the interval adopted for this study, did not present human cases. The intensification of surveillance activities, communication between areas, and multidisciplinary teams in managing the epidemic optimized the detection and diagnosis of human cases and allowed control of the epidemic. The study identifies progress and points to some late measures and gaps in surveillance that require improvements.


Female-Specific Glucose Sensitivity of GnRH1 Neurons Leads to Sexually Dimorphic Inhibition of Reproduction in Medaka.
Close interaction exists between energy-consuming reproduction and nutritional status. However, there are differences in costs and priority for reproduction among species and even between sexes, which leads to diversification of interactions between reproduction and nutritional status. Despite such diversified interactions among species and sexes, most of the analysis of the nutritional status-dependent regulation of reproduction has been limited to an endothermic vertebrate, mammalian species of either sex. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying the diversified interactions remain elusive. In the present study, we demonstrated the effects of malnutritional status on reproduction at both organismal and cellular levels in an ectothermic vertebrate, a teleost medaka of both sexes. First, we analyzed the effects of malnutrition by fasting on gonadosomatic index, number of spawned/fertilized eggs, and courtship behavior. Fasting strongly suppressed reproduction in females but, surprisingly, not in males. Next, we analyzed the effects of fasting on firing activity of hypothalamic GnRH1 neurons, which form the final common pathway for the control of reproduction. An electrophysiological analysis showed that low glucose, which is induced by fasting, directly suppresses the firing activity of GnRH1 neurons specifically in females through intracellular ATP-sensitive potassium channels and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways. Based on the fact that such suppressions occurred only in females, we conclude that nutritional status-dependent, glucose-sensing in GnRH1 neurons may contribute to the most fitted reproductive regulation for each sex.


Simultaneous allergy to vine pollen and grape.
We report the case of an 18-year-old female student suffering from seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis with sensitization to pollens from vine and also from grass, olive, and Chenopodiaceae plants who had recently developed episodes of itching, maculopapular rash, and facial angioedema after eating grapes. Testing revealed positive reactions to vine pollen and grapes, and specific IgE were found for both allergens. Immunoblotting and inhibition assays revealed cross-reactivity between the allergenic structures of vine pollen and grape fruit and also among botanically unrelated pollens.


Development and application of a regional-scale atmospheric mercury model based on WRF/Chem: a Mediterranean area investigation.
The emission, transport, deposition and eventual fate of mercury (Hg) in the Mediterranean area has been studied using a modified version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF/Chem). This model version has been developed specifically with the aim to simulate the atmospheric processes determining atmospheric Hg emissions, concentrations and deposition online at high spatial resolution. For this purpose, the gas phase chemistry of Hg and a parametrised representation of atmospheric Hg aqueous chemistry have been added to the regional acid deposition model version 2 chemical mechanism in WRF/Chem. Anthropogenic mercury emissions from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme included in the emissions preprocessor, mercury evasion from the sea surface and Hg released from biomass burning have also been included. Dry and wet deposition processes for Hg have been implemented. The model has been tested for the whole of 2009 using measurements of total gaseous mercury from the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme monitoring network. Speciated measurement data of atmospheric elemental Hg, gaseous oxidised Hg and Hg associated with particulate matter, from a Mediterranean oceanographic campaign (June 2009), has permitted the model's ability to simulate the atmospheric redox chemistry of Hg to be assessed. The model results highlight the importance of both the boundary conditions employed and the accuracy of the mercury speciation in the emission database. The model has permitted the reevaluation of the deposition to, and the emission from, the Mediterranean Sea. In light of the well-known high concentrations of methylmercury in a number of Mediterranean fish species, this information is important in establishing the mass balance of Hg for the Mediterranean Sea. The model results support the idea that the Mediterranean Sea is a net source of Hg to the atmosphere and suggest that the net flux is ≈30 Mg year(-1) of elemental Hg.


[Effect of moxibustion of "dachangshu" (BL 25) area on pain reaction and TRPV 1 mRNA expression of bone marrow cells in visceral hyperalgesia rats].
To observe the effect of moxibustion of "Dachangshu" (BL 25) on pain reaction and expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV 1) of bone marrow cells in visceral hyperalgesia (VHA) rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying visceral pain-relief. Twenty-eight male SD rats were divided into control group, control+moxibustion group, VHA model and VHA+moxibustion group (n = 7/group). The VHA model was made by giving colorectal distension (CRD, 60 mmHg) to the newborn rats for 1 min (repeated once again in 30 min) from postnatal day 8 on, once daily for a week. Moxibustion was applied to ipsilateral "Dachangshu"(BL 25) area for 40 min from the 8th week on after birth. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and pain threshold during CRD were measured before and after moxibustion. The TRPV 1 mRNA expressio of bone marrow cells was detected by real time-POR. (1) The AWR score of the model group was significantly higher than that of the control group, but the pain threshold of the model group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01), suggesting a VHA in model rats. (2) After moxibustion, the AWR scores were significantly lower in the VHA+moxibustion group than in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the pain threshold was remarkably higher in the former group than in the latter group (P < 0.01). Similar results were found in the control+moxibustion group compared to the control group: the decreased AWR scores (CRD 40 mmHg, 60 mmHg and 80 mmHg, P < 0.01) and the increased pain threshold (P < 0.05). (3) The TRPV 1 mRNA expression level of bone marrow cells was significantly lower in the VHA + moxibustion group than in the model group (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the control and moxibustion+control groups in TRPV 1 mRNA expression level (P > 0.05). Moxibustion of "Dachangshu" (BL 25) can reduce visceral hyperalgesia and down-regulate TRPV 1 mRNA expression of bone marrow cells in VHA rats, suggesting an involvement of TRPV 1 mRNA of bone marrow cells in CRD-induced visceral pain development.


Towards a metamaterial approach for fast timing in PET: experimental proof-of-concept.
Achieving fast timing in positron emission tomography (PET) at the level of few tens of picoseconds of picoseconds is limited by the photon emission rate of existent materials with standard scintillation mechanisms. This has led to consider quantum confined excitonic sub-1 ns emission in semiconductors as a viable solution to enhance the amount of fast-emitted photons produced per gamma event. However the introduction of nanocrystals and nanostructures into the domain of radiation detectors is a challenging problem. In order to move forward along this line, the standard bulk detector geometry and readout should be updated to allow for the implementation of new materials and within others, compensate for some of their intrinsic limitations. In this paper we will cover two study cases in which a fast emitter is combined with state-of-the-art scintillators in a sampling geometry designed to provide better timing for a fraction of the 511 keV events. For this test, we use a fast plastic scintillator BC-422 able to deliver a detector time resolution (DTR) of 25 ps FWHM (equivalent coincidence time resolution CTR of 35 ps) and we combined it with LYSO or BGO 200 [Formula: see text]m thick plates building a sampling pixel composed by two active scintillating materials. We develop a new proof of concept readout that allows for the identification of different types of events, carrying standard or improved timing information. Results are showing a DTR of 67 ps FWHM (equivalent to a CTR of 95 ps) for one third of the events depositing 511 keV in the BGO + BC-422 [Formula: see text] mm3 sampling pixel. The other two third of the 511 keV events perform like standard bulk 3 mm long BGO crystals with a time resolution of around 117 ps (equivalent to a CTR of 165 ps). For the case of LYSO + BC-422 sampling pixel, shared 511 keV events reach a DTR of 39 ps (CTR of 55 ps) in comparison to 57 ps (CTR of 83 ps) for 511 keV events fully contained in LYSO of the same size. This work is a step forward in the integration of fast semiconductor nanocrystals and nanostructures with present detector technologies.


Quantum nonreciprocity of nanoscale antenna arrays in timed Dicke states.
We predict a linear nonreciprocal effect that is based on the timed Dicke states in an ensemble of dipole-dipole coupled oscillators. This effect is examined on a nanoscale antenna array comprising two-level identical emitters. The studied nonreciprocity, which has no analogs in classical antennas, manifests itself in strong characteristic asymmetry of the radiation pattern, even for a single-photon laser pumping. Promising applications of our results for remotely tunable nanoantennas and nanocircuit elements are discussed.


Effectiveness of a large-scale iron-fortified milk distribution program on anemia and iron deficiency in low-income young children in Mexico.
Anemia during infancy impairs neurodevelopment. Little information has been published about the effectiveness of large-scale programs on anemia and iron-deficiency prevention. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of a large-scale program that distributes subsidized iron-fortified milk in Mexico on anemia and iron deficiency in children aged 12-30 mo. A double-blinded, group-randomized effectiveness trial was conducted in 12 milk distribution clusters assigned to consume iron-fortified (FM; n = 7) or nonfortified (NFM; n = 5) milk. A daily portion of FM contained 5.28 mg Fe (ferrous gluconate) and 48 mg sodium ascorbate. Overall treatment effects were documented at 6 and 12 mo for anemia and for iron deficiency assessed by both serum ferritin (SF) and serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) (interaction: P < 0.10). Differential effects at 6 mo (P = 0.004) and 12 mo (P = 0.664) were documented only for sTfR. Estimated prevalences (EPs) of anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) from baseline to 6 and 12 mo decreased from 42.6% to 19.7% and 9.4%, respectively, in the NFM group (n = 210) and from 44.5% to 12.7% and 4.0%, respectively, in the FM group (n = 357). EPs of SF < 12 mug/L from baseline to 6 and 12 mo changed from 36.0% to 41.8% and 17.1%, respectively, in the NFM group (n = 43) and from 29.8% to 18.6% and 5.7%, respectively, in the FM group (n = 144). EPs of sTfR > 3.3 mg/L from baseline to 6 and 12 mo decreased from 16.2% to 8.3% and 2.0%, respectively, in the NFM group (n = 114) and from 15.5% to 0.7% and 1.1%, respectively, in the FM group. A large-scale iron-fortified subsidized-milk program was effective at reducing the rates of anemia and iron deficiency in Mexican children during 12 mo of implementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00508131.