Genome-wide bioinformatics analysis of Cellulose Synthase gene family in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and the expression in the pod development.
CesA and Csl gene families, which belong to the cellulose synthase gene superfamily, plays an important role in the biosynthesis of the plant cell wall. Although researchers have investigated this gene superfamily in several model plants, to date, no comprehensive analysis has been conducted in the common bean. In this study, we identified 39 putative cellulose synthase genes from the common bean genome sequence. Then, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of this gene family involving sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, gene structure, collinearity analysis and chromosome location. We found all members possess a cellulose_synt domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these cellulose synthase genes may be classified into five subfamilies, and that members in the same subfamily share conserved exon-intron distribution and motif compositions. Abundant and distinct cis-acting elements in the 2 k basepairs upstream regulatory regions indicate that the cellulose synthase gene family may plays a vital role in the growth and development of common bean. Moreover, the 39 cellulose synthase genes are distributed on 10 of the 11 chromosomes. Additionally expression analysis shows that all CesA/Csl genes selected are constitutively expressed in the pod development. This research reveals both the putative biochemical and physiological functions of cellulose synthase genes in common bean and implies the importance of studying non-model plants to understand the breadth and diversity of cellulose synthase genes.


Accuracy of physical working capacity (PWC170) in estimating aerobic fitness in children.
Physical working capacity, the workload at a heart rate of 170 bpm (PWC170), has been utilized as a marker of maximal oxygen uptake. The precision of PWC170 in predicting VO2max in children has not been fully evaluated. In this study, 35 children (18 boys and 17 girls, mean ages 10.5 and 9.9 years, respectively) underwent maximal cycle testing to assess the relationship between VO2max and PWC170. These measures correlated closely in absolute terms (r = 0.71 and 0.70 for girls and boys, respectively), but the relationship was weaker when both were expressed per kg body weight (r = 0.65 and 0.48, respectively). When VO2max was calculated from the regression equation of VO2max versus PWC170, the mean error from measured VO2max was 3.4 ml.kg-1.min-1 (SD 2.5) for the girls and 2.8 ml.kg-1.min-1 (SD 2.6) for the boys. These findings indicate that although mean predictability of VO2max from PWC170 is good, the variability is wide, with a 10-15% error at one standard deviation. PWC170 provides only a crude estimate of VO2max and should not be used to predict individual maximal aerobic power.


[The rheology properties of common hydrophilic gel excipients].
To investigate theological properties of common hydrophilic gel excipients such as Carbopol based on viscosity, the viscosity was determined by rotation method and falling-ball method. Linear regression was made between ln(eta) and concentration, the slope of which was used to explore the relation between viscosity and concentration of different excipients. The viscosity flow active energy (E(eta)) was calculated according to Arrhenius equation and was used to investigate the relation between viscosity and temperature of different excipients. The results showed that viscosities measured by two methods were consistent. Concentration of guargum (GG) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) solution had a great influence on the viscosity, k > 5; while concentration of polyvinylpyrrolidone-K30 (PVP-K30) and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) exerted a less effect on viscosity, k < 0.2; viscosity flow active energy of different excipients were close, which ranged from 30 to 40 kJ x mol(-1). Therefore, theological properties study could provide the basis for application of excipients and establish a foundation for the research of relation between excipients structure, property and function.


Is laparoscopic surgery risk for surgical teams during the coronavirus disease pandemic? An in vitro study with a laser and high-speed camera.
Laparoscopic surgery has been suggested to pose a risk of infection to the surgical team due to aerosol and gas leakage during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there have been no studies on the risk of gas and aerosol leakage in laparoscopic surgery. We aimed to answer the question "Is the aerosol and gas leakage in laparoscopy is hazardous in terms of coronavirus infection?" with this study. In this study, gas and aerosol leaks were documented by simulating the entry and exit maneuvers from a trocar during laparoscopic surgery using a high-speed camera, fog, and laser in a model representing the abdomen. The maximum gas and aerosol leakage were found during wet gauze extraction from the 10 mm trocar, and its velocity reached 7.5 m/s. The fastest aerosol leakage rate was observed when a 5 mm grasper was extracted from the 5 mm trocar. The results of the subsequent trials were consistent with these values. Higher leakage speeds were observed than the velocity of the exhaled air in a resting person. The surgical crew members, who work very close to the trocars and each other, are at serious risk of infection with COVID-19 which can spread as fast as exhalation speed through trocars. Since there is an evident risk of infection for the surgical crew from laparoscopic surgery of a patient whose intraabdominal fluids are infected with COVID-19, patients must be evaluated elaborately for COVID-19 preoperatively and infected patients should undergo surgery conventionally.


Autoimmune liver disease.
To review studies that improve the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis and extend the understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms. A simplified diagnostic scoring system has high sensitivity and specificity. Biliary changes detected by MRI are of uncertain nature and significance. New candidate autoantigens have been identified by proteomic analyses. T regulatory cells suppress disease activity; their adoptive transfer is beneficial in animal models. Budesonide in combination with azathioprine is effective frontline therapy. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may emerge as salvage therapy. Screening for hepatocellular cancer is justified. Racial disparities in disease severity, mortality, and treatment remain unexplained. Diagnosis has been simplified and management strategies have been upgraded. Biliary changes have been recognized but are of uncertain nature and significance. New antigens and antibodies have been described. T-cell populations that modulate disease activity have been characterized, and adoptive transfer of T regulatory cells is possible. Budesonide in combination with azathioprine is effective frontline therapy, and therapeutic interventions that target critical pathogenic mechanisms are feasible.


Ceramic bearing surfaces.
Despite more than 25 years of clinical experience with ceramic materials as bearing surfaces, their role in modern joint replacement surgery remains to be clearly defined. The two primary materials are alumina and zirconia. The application of these materials is primarily as a femoral head bearing surface against polyethylene, but alumina also is used as a femoral head and an acetabulum to provide a polyethylene-free bearing surface. Important issues that must be clarified for these materials to gain wide acceptance are the material properties, wear rates against polyethylene and alumina, the biologic response to ceramic wear debris, and cost in relation to indications. The bulk materials are biocompatible, hard, wettable, high-strength, and can yield good surface finishes. Linear polyethylene wear against alumina heads is reported to be as much as a factor of 5 to 10 lower than metal versus polyethylene. Thus, the ceramic femoral head may be a good choice for the younger patient in whom it seems necessary to use a larger head for stability reasons with a polyethylene cup. Ceramic-on-ceramic wear rates are in the range of 0.003 mm/year, a factor of 10 less than the lowest polyethylene wear rates. These costly materials are limited in head and neck sizes because of statistical variation in strength that can lead to fracture. Occasional reports of high alumina-on-alumina wear have appeared. Many of the problems of the past have been design, manufacture, or application related, and have been improved or eliminated. Proper clinical technique in the use of ceramic femoral heads is crucial to prevent fracture. The materials hold high promise and should continue to be used so that additional experience can help define the clinical indications for components made of these materials.


Moderator's view: The use of calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of lupus nephritis.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affecting ∼50% of patients, and both renal disease and treatment-related toxicity contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Although our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of LN is improving, treatment still remains a challenge, with the achievement of complete remission at 1 year in <50% of patients treated with current standard of care immunosuppressive therapy; this is associated with considerable short- and long-term side effects, some of which further contribute to non-adherence. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have been successfully used in organ transplantation and there is increasing evidence that cyclosporin A (CSA), and especially tacrolimus (TAC), are also effective in the treatment of LN. Randomised controlled trials showed similar efficacy for TAC when compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and multitarget therapy, including TAC and low-dose MMF, and resulted in significantly more complete remissions and overall responses compared with intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC). Flares are observed in up to 45% of patients with LN, and an increase in relapse rate following induction with CNIs may be an issue. Most studies on this matter have been restricted to patients from Asia, and studies in more balanced cohorts are desirable. Moreover, there is a need to understand and determine the long-term effects of CNIs on renal function, proteinuria and comorbidities, with a special focus on cardiovascular risk. In this 'Pros and Cons' debate, the potential benefits and disadvantages of CNIs in the treatment of LN will be critically highlighted.


Population projections for the countries of the European Community.
"Methods and results of different population projections for the countries of the European Community [EC] are...presented. First of all the aims and contents of population projections are discussed. Secondly the methods and assumptions of different population projections for the countries of the EC are compared. Finally the results of such projections are shown and discussed."


The maltose/maltodextrin regulon of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Differential promoter regulation by the transcriptional repressor MalR.
The Streptococcus pneumoniae MalR protein regulates the transcription of two divergent operons, malXCD and malMP, involved in maltosaccharide uptake and utilization, respectively. MalR belongs to the LacI-GalR family of transcription repressors. The protein binds specifically to two operator sequences in the intergenic region between these operons. The affinity of MalR for the malMP binding sequence is higher than for the malXCD site. Results obtained in vivo using transcriptional fusions with reporter genes indicate low repression level of malXCD by MalR when compared with malMP. This behavior may be correlated with the existence of separate induction pathways for maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose. The similarities found at the operator sequences and binding domains for MalR and enterococcal repressor proteins suggest that the pneumococcal maltosaccharide regulation system is closely related to several Gram-negative metabolic pathways, but not to the structurally similar Escherichia coli maltose regulon.


Development of enzymes in the cotyledons of watermelon seedlings.
Changes in hypocotyl length, cotyledon weight, lipid content, chlorophyll content, and capacity for photosynthesis have been described in seedlings of Citrullus vulgaris, Schrad. (watermelon) growing at 30 C under various light treatments. Corresponding changes in the levels of 19 enzymes in the cotyledons are described, with particular emphasis on enzymes of microbodies, since during normal greening, enzymes of the glyoxysomes are lost and those of leaf peroxisomes appear. In complete darkness enzymes of the glyoxysomes reach a peak at 4 days and decline as the fat is depleted. Enzymes of mitochondria and of glycolytic pathways also peak at 4 to 5 days and either remain unchanged or decline to a lesser extent. Exposure to light at 4 days, when the cotyledons emerge, results in a selectively greater destruction of enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle; chlorophyll synthesis and capacity for photosynthesis increase in parallel, and there is a striking increase in the activities of chloroplast enzymes and in those of the leaf peroxisomes, hydroxypyruvate reductase and glycolate oxidase. The reciprocal changes in enzymes of the glyoxysomes and of leaf peroxisomes can be temporally dissociated, since even after 10 days in darkness, when malate synthetase and isocitrate lyase have reached very low levels, hydroxypyruvate reductase and glycolate oxidase increase strikingly on exposure to light and the cotyledons become photosynthetic. Furthermore, the parallel development of enzymes of leaf peroxisomes and functional chloroplasts is not immutable, since hydroxypyruvate reductase and glycolate oxidase activity can be elicited in darkness following a 5-minute exposure to light at day 4 while chlorophyll does not develop under these conditions.


Predictors of impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes at one year of age after infant cardiac surgery.
For most newborns, congenital heart defects (CHD) appear to be isolated anomalies and the brain is presumed to have normal developmental potential. Most studies of neurodevelopmental outcomes have focused on operative management strategies. Infants with complex CHD and no identified syndromes other than 22q11 microdeletions enrolled in a study of apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and developmental outcome were evaluated at one year of age; including genetic evaluation and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II [mental (MDI) and psychomotor developmental indices (PDI)]. Five hundred and fifty infants enrolled and 359 (20 with 22q11) of 501 survivors (72%) returned. Mean MDI was 90+/-15 and PDI was 78+/-18. Genetic syndromes not identified at birth were confirmed in 28 (8.1%) and suspected in 51 (15.0%). By multivariable analysis, suspected/confirmed genetic syndromes and APOE varepsilon2 allele predicted lower MDI and PDI, all p<0.04. Lower birth weight (p<0.001) and preoperative intubation (p=0.012) predicted lower MDI. Higher hematocrit during the initial operation was associated with higher MDI (p=0.007). Longer postoperative length of stay was predictive of lower PDI (p=0.002). Additional operations with cardiopulmonary bypass were associated with lower MDI and PDI (both p<0.002), but use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was not. Patient factors (birth weight and preoperative status) are significant determinants of neurodevelopmental outcomes as opposed to operative management strategies. In this cohort, genetic syndromes unsuspected at birth were surprisingly common and correlate with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Without multiple congenital anomalies, syndromes may be missed in infancy. Genetic evaluation should be considered in all infants with CHD.


[Factors associated with cardiovascular death and events in patients with end stage renal disease].
It is very important to evaluate atherosclerosis at an early stage since cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in patients with end stage renal disease. The purpose of our study was to examine which of the following parameters of atherosclerosis is the best index for the prediction of cardiovascular death or events in hemodialysis patients: intima media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and whether visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA), also predict those events. VFA, SFA, IMT, ABI and CAVI were measured using CT or a dedicated device in 270 hemodialysis patients(age: 63.3 +/- 12.3 years, male 56.3%). During a median follow-up period of 54 months, cardiovascular deaths or events occurred in 92 (34.1%) patients. Seventy (25.9%) patients died, 27 (38.6%) of them due to cardiovascular events. Whereas several baseline clinical covariates showed an associated risk for composite cardiovascular events in a univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, almost all of them became insignificant when analyzed together. Only age, SFA, and a prevalence of diabetes remained significant in multivariate analysis. When both IMT and ABI were included in this model, all other covariates became insignificant, while ABI, but not IMT, was also related to the prediction of cardiovascular death on top of age and SFA. Both ABI and IMT were useful predictors for composite cardiovascular events, with ABI being also associated with a risk for cardiovascular deaths. In addition, SFA was a useful predictor for both cardiovascular events and cardiovascular deaths.


Biosynthesis of heparin. Enzymatic sulfation of pentasaccharides.
Heparin-derived pentasaccharides with the general structures GlcN-GlcA/IdoA-GlcN-GlcA/IdoA-GlcN (where GlcA represents D-glucuronic acid and IdoA represents L-iduronic acid) and GlcNSO3-GlcA/IdoA-GlcNSO3-GlcA/IdoA- GlcNSO3 (where -NSO3 represents an N-sulfate group) were tested as exogenous sulfate acceptors in incubations with adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-[35S]phosphosulfate and microsomal enzymes from a heparin-producing mouse mastocytoma. No transfer occurred to the N-unsubstituted pentasaccharide containing only L-iduronic acid, but the other three isomers incorporated various amounts of 35S, which was totally present in N-sulfate groups. After complete chemical N-sulfation, all four pentasaccharides served as acceptors in O-sulfotransferase reactions and incorporated from 20 to greater than 200 times as much radioactivity as did the nonsulfated parent compounds. The C-6 position of the internal glucosamine unit was labeled preferentially, irrespective of the structures of the adjacent hexuronic acid units. Significant 2-O-35S-sulfation of IdoA units occurred in both -IdoA-Glc-NSO3-GlcA- and -GlcA-GlcNSO3-IdoA- sequences, whereas no significant sulfation of GlcA residues was detected. The pentasaccharide GlcNSO3-GlcA-Glc-NSO3-GlcA-GlcNSO3 thus can be used as a selective substrate in assays for glucosaminyl-6-O-sulfotransferase activity. The antithrombin-binding region, essential for the blood anticoagulant activity of heparin, has been identified as a pentasaccharide sequence with the predominant structure GlcNR(6-OSO3)-GlcA-GlcNSO3(3,6-di-OSO3)-++ +IdoA(2-OSO3)-GlcNSO3(6-OSO3) (where R represents either a sulfate or an acetyl group and -OSO3 represents an O-sulfate/ester sulfate group, with locations of O-sulfate groups indicated in parentheses) (Lindahl U., Thunberg, L., Bäckström, G., Riesenfeld, J., Nordling, K., and Björk, I. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 12368-12376). The products of [35S]sulfate transfer to the pentasaccharide GlcNSO3-GlcA-GlcNSO3-IdoA-GlcNSO3 contained molecules with high affinity for antithrombin, corresponding to 0.3-0.5% of the total label. Structural analysis suggested the occurrence of O-[35S]sulfate groups at both C-6 of the nonreducing terminal glucosamine unit and C-3 of the internal glucosamine unit. No products with high affinity for antithrombin were formed from the pentasaccharides that had a different monosaccharide sequence than the binding region; and moreover, these oligosaccharides appeared unable to incorporate glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfate groups. These findings point to the importance of the uronic acid sequence in the generation of the antithrombin-binding region of heparin.


Transplantation of CNS fragments into the brain of shiverer mutant mice: extensive myelination by implanted oligodendrocytes. I. Immunohistochemical studies.
Solid fragments of olfactory bulb from new-born normal (B6CBA and C57BL6) mice were implanted into new-born shiverer (shi/shi) brains. The shiverer mouse being characterized by the absence of myelin basic protein (MBP), myelination due to implanted oligodendrocytes can be detected in the shiverer brain using an antiserum anti-MBP. Observation of sagittal sections of the host brains revealed very extensive areas of normal myelination from the level of the graft (rostral thalamus) up to the caudal brain (diencephalon, cerebellum, pons). Thus, oligodendrocytes contained in the implant migrate out of the graft over long distances in the host brain, before they differentiate and synthesize myelin. These results raise the question of the behaviour of oligodendrocytes in normal development.


Fatal poisoning among young children from diethylene glycol-contaminated acetaminophen - Nigeria, 2008-2009.
On November 18, 2008, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) received a report of 13 cases of unexplained acute renal failure among children from a hospital in Lagos state. Several of the patients had been exposed to a liquid acetaminophen-based teething medication. On November 21, officials from the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) discovered diethylene glycol (DEG) in four batches of the teething medication manufactured during August-October 2009. DEG is a toxic alcohol used in brake fluid, paint, and household cleaning products, and has been used illegally as a cheap substitute solvent in drug manufacturing. Previous DEG poisonings resulting from contamination of medications have been reported in the United States, Nigeria (1990), Panama, and other countries, and acute renal failure (ARF) is a known manifestation of DEG poisoning. An investigation was launched by the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (N-FELTP), CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This report summarizes the results of the investigation, which identified 57 cases of DEG poisoning among children aged <or=3 years during August 2008-January 2009, of whom 54 died. Of the 57 children with DEG poisoning, 96% had exposure to the acetaminophen-based teething medication (My Pikin). DEG contamination was identified in six bottles of the medication from patient households and four batches from the facility in which the medication was manufactured. Well-developed and strictly enforced pharmaceutical quality control measures and training programs can prevent DEG-associated large-scale poisoning events.


Phosphor-in-glass for high-powered remote-type white AC-LED.
The high-powered alternating current (AC) light-emitting diode (LED) (AC-LED), featuring low cost, high energy utilization efficiency, and long service life, will become a new economic growth point in the field of semiconductor lighting. However, flicker of AC-LED in the AC cycles is not healthy for human eyes, and therefore need to be restrained. Herein we report an innovation of persistent "phosphor-in-glass" (PiG) for the remote-type AC-LED, whose afterglow can be efficiently activated by the blue light. It is experimentally demonstrated that the afterglow decay of PiG in the microsecond range can partly compensate the AC time gap. Moreover, the substitution of inorganic glass for organic resins or silicones as the encapsulants would bring out several technological benefits to AC-LED, such as good heat-dissipation, low glare, and excellent physical/chemical stability.


D443 of the N domain of Na+,K+-ATPase interacts with the ATP-Mg2+ complex, possibly via a second Mg2+ ion.
This paper provides evidence for an interaction of D443 in the N domain of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase with a Mg(2+) ion. Wild-type, D443N/A/C and S445A mutants of porcine Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (alpha1beta1) have been expressed in Pichia pastoris. By comparison with wild-type, D443N reduces the turn-over rate by about 40%. Binding affinity of ATP, measured directly, was not affected by D443N, D443A, or D443C mutations. AMP-PNP-Fe(2+)-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase produces two characteristic fragments, at (708)VNDS (P domain) and near (440)VAGDA (N domain), respectively. In the D443N and D443A mutants, both cleavages are suppressed, indicating an interaction between the residues with AMP-PNP-Fe(2+) bound. Previous work suggested that with ATP-Fe(2+) bound the N and P domains come into proximity, both D710 and D443 making contact with a single Fe(2+) (or Mg(2+)) ion. However, the crystal structure of Ca(2+)-ATPase with bound AMP-PCP and Mg(2+) confirm the involvement of D703 (D710) but show that E439 (D443) is too far to make contact with the Mg(2+). By contrast, in the crystal structure with bound ADP, AlF(4), and Mg(2+), representing the E(1)-P conformation, two Mg(2+) ions were observed. Significantly, ADP-Fe(2+)-mediated oxidative cleavage of renal Na,K-ATPase produces the fragment near (440)VAGDA (N domain), while the cleavage at (708)VNDS (P domain) is almost completely absent. The results are explained economically by the hypothesis that ATP is bound with two Mg(2+) (Fe(2+)) ions, a "catalytic" Mg(2+) interacting with D710 via the gamma phosphate and a "structural" Mg(2+) interacting with D443 via the alpha and beta phosphates and a water molecule, respectively.


Phylogeny and evolutionary analysis of goat breeds in Jordan based on DNA sequencing.
Phylogeny and evolutionary analyses were performed for Jordan goat breeds based on DNA sequencing. DNA segment of 0.5-kb from sixteen goat individuals of four breeds was sequenced. The DNA sequencing was analyzed by both Arlequin and MEGA softwares. The results showed a quite evolutionary differentiation found within goat breeds between. Furthermore, phylogeny tree was reconstructed providing evidences for a close phylogenetic alliance among breeds. The resulted evolutionary sequencing and phylogeny trees provide evidences that sequencing data were worthy to describe the evolutionary and phylogeny genetics in goats breeds in Jordan. On other hand the data were given scopes for possible sequences of gene(s) and identify polymorphisms, given possibility to identify Caprine genes from other close species genome like cattle. In the future we intend, in order to clearly identify the genetic polymorphisms, to detect further genetic variation and to develop tests particularly suitable for specific interested genes genotyping.


The mental health professional, the mentally retarded, and sex.
Because of the departure of the mentally retarded from cloistered institutions and their placement in community living arrangements, community mental health professionals are being called on more than ever to help the retarded and their parents deal responsibly with issues of sexuality. The mental health professional who would counsel the retarded must first develop and appreciation of the unique medical and social issues that can affect the sexual expression of the retarded. These issues include sexual maturation, reproductive ability, contraception, sterilization, abortion, and sex education. The author, through a review of the literature, discuss these issues and offers guidance to counselors struggling with the difficult decisions concerning sexual expression among the mentally retarded.


Coping and distress in caregivers of patients with disorders of consciousness.
To study depression, anxiety, maladjustment and coping in caregivers of patients in vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS). Fifty-three caregivers of 43 patients with VS or MCS were assessed using Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, maladjustment scale and Brief Coping Orientation of Problems Experienced (COPE-28). There were 15 clinical cases (cut-off ≥ 21) of anxiety (28.30%); 16 cases (cut-off ≥ 21) of depression (30.20%); and 45 cases (cut-off ≥ 12) of maladjustment (84.8%). Active and problem-focused (Active coping, Instrumental support, Planning and Acceptance) were the most frequently used coping strategies. Acceptance predicted the absence of depression (p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.08) and anxiety (p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.08). Denial was associated with depression (p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.65) and anxiety (p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.23). Self-blame was associated with greater anxiety (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.06) and depression (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.07). Emotion-focused coping was associated with anxiety (p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.29) and depression (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.11). Caregivers of patients with VS or MCS presented high levels of distress. Psychological support for caregivers of patients with VS or MCS is necessary. The most frequently used coping strategies were Active and Problem-focused. Acceptance was highly protective, but Denial, Self-blame and Emotion-focused strategies were very negative.


[The Senegalese community in the Ivory Coast and national immigration policy redefined].
"International economic crisis has increased constraints from which Senegalese migrants were already suffering both in their country of origin and in the receiving countries.... Since 1991, the introduction of compulsory residence permits for foreign workers...[bears] witness to the degrading conditions for those entering the Ivory Coast and also reveals that agreements of free movement were in fact not working." (SUMMARY IN ENG)


Hydrogel-Supported, Engineered Model of Vocal Fold Epithelium.
There is a critical need for the establishment of an engineered model of the vocal fold epithelium that can be used to gain understanding of its role in vocal fold health, disease, and facilitate the development of new treatment options. Toward this goal, we isolated primary vocal fold epithelial cells (VFECs) from healthy porcine larynxes and used them within passage 3. Culture-expanded VFECs expressed the suprabasal epithelial marker cytokeratin 13 and intercellular junctional proteins occludin, E-cadherin, and zonula occludens-1. To establish the engineered model, we cultured VFECs on a hyaluronic acid-derived synthetic basement membrane displaying fibronectin-derived integrin-binding peptide (RGDSP) and/or laminin 111-derived syndecan-binding peptide AG73 (RKRLQVQLSIRT). Our results show that matrix stiffness and composition cooperatively regulate the adhesion, proliferation, and stratification of VFECs. Cells cultured on hydrogels with physiological stiffness (elastic shear modulus, G' = 1828 Pa) adopted a cobblestone morphology with close cell-cell contacts, whereas those on softer matrices (G' = 41 Pa) were spindle shaped with extensive intracellular stress fibers. The development of stratified epithelium with proliferating basal cells and additional (1-2) suprabasal layers requires the presence of both RGDSP and AG73 peptide signals. Supplementation of cytokines produced by vimentin positive primary porcine vocal fold fibroblasts in the VFEC culture led to the establishment of 4-5 distinct cell layers. The engineered vocal fold epithelium resembled native tissue morphologically; expressed cytokeratin 13, mucin 1, and tight/adherens junction markers; and secreted basement membrane proteins collagen IV and laminin 5. Collectively, our results demonstrate that stiffness matching, cell-matrix engagement, and paracrine signaling cooperatively contribute to the stratification of VFECs. The engineered epithelium can be used as a versatile tool for investigations of genetic and molecular mechanisms in vocal fold health and disease.


Influence of some biological indexes on sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen levels in aging or obese males.
Several aspects of the regulation of androgen secretion and plasma levels in males remain controversial. Among these, we cite the problem of whether the age-related decrease in testosterone (T) levels is an intrinsic aging phenomenon or is a sequel of previous illness, the mechanisms underlying the increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)-binding capacity in aging men and the supranormal capacity observed immediately after a weight-reducing diet, and the role of insulin in the age-associated decrease in dehydroepiandrosterone (sulfate) [DHEA (DHEAS)] levels. To gain further insight into these issues, we investigated the influence of age, smoking, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, insulin, GH, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels, respectively, on androgen levels and SHBG-binding capacity in a nonobese healthy population (n = 250) as well as in an obese population (n = 50) before and after weight loss. The influence of GH supplementation on SHBG, DHEAS, DHEA, and insulin levels was studied in a small group of men (n = 8) with isolated GH deficiency. In nonobese healthy men, age was inversely correlated with serum levels of all androgens studied (although total T levels stayed relatively stable until age 55 yr) as well as with albumin, GH, and IGF-I levels and positively correlated with BMI, insulin levels, and SHBG-binding capacity. Nevertheless, SHBG levels were significantly negatively correlated with insulin levels (P < 0.001) as well as with mean 24-h GH and IGF-I levels. Among possible confounding factors affecting (free) T [(FT)] levels in healthy men, smoking appeared to be accompanied by higher (F)T levels than those in nonsmokers. BMI increased with age, but although BMI was negatively correlated with T, FT, and SHBG, respectively, the age-dependent decrease in T levels persisted after correction for BMI. Data not corrected for BMI may, nevertheless, overestimate the age-associated decrease in T levels. The albumin concentration decreased with age, and if FT is the feedback regulator of plasma T levels, albumin concentration might be a codeterminant (although, evidently, less important than SHBG) of T levels and contribute to the age-associated decrease in T levels. In any case, albumin concentration is a codeterminant of DHEAS concentration. T, DHEA, and DHEAS levels were significantly correlated, but this correlation disappeared after controlling for age; hence, there is no evidence for an adrenal-gonadal interaction in men. In obese men, T, FT, and SHBG levels were significantly lower than those in the nonobese men and inversely correlated with BMI; DHEAS levels were slightly lower than those in the nonobese controls, but no significant correlation between DHEA or DHEAS, and insulin levels was observed. After a weight-reducing, protein-rich diet, resulting in a mean weight loss of +/- 15 kg, SHBG-binding capacity increased to normal values notwithstanding the fact that the subjects were still obese and that the insulin levels remained higher than those in the nonobese controls. Considering that after weight loss, GH and IGF-I levels remained lower than those in the nonobese controls, that adult men with isolated GH deficiency presented with higher SHBG levels than normal controls, which decreased to normal levels during GH substitution, and that elderly men have elevated SHBG levels notwithstanding high insulin levels, we suggest that the low GH and/or IGF-I levels might play a role in the elevated SHBG levels observed in both elderly males and obese men after a weight-reducing diet. As weight loss did not influence DHEAS levels notwithstanding an important decrease in insulin levels, our data do not support a role of insulin in the regulation of plasma DHEAS levels.


Hydroxyl radical formation upon oxidation of reduced humic acids by oxygen in the dark.
Humic acids (HAs) accept and donate electrons in many biogeochemical redox reactions at oxic/anoxic interfaces. The products of oxidation of reduced HAs by O(2) are unknown but are expected to yield reactive oxygen species, potentially including hydroxyl radical (·OH). To quantify the formation of ·OH upon oxidation of reduced HAs by O(2), three HAs were reduced electrochemically to well-defined redox states and were subsequently oxidized by O(2) in the presence of the ·OH probe terephthalate. The formation of ·OH upon oxidation increased with increasing extent of HA reduction. The yield of ·OH ranged from 42 to 160 mmol per mole of electrons donated by the reduced HA. The intermediacy of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the formation of ·OH was supported by enhancement of ·OH formation upon addition of exogenous H(2)O(2) sources and by the suppression of ·OH formation upon addition of catalase as a quencher of endogenous H(2)O(2). The formation of ·OH in the dark during oxidation of reduced HA represents a previously unknown source of ·OH formation at oxic/anoxic interfaces and may affect the biogeochemical and pollutant redox dynamics at these interfaces.


Interference by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in children with recurrent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillitis.
To compare the frequency of recovery of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with interfering capability of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) in the tonsils of children with and without a history of recurrent GABHS pharyngotonsillitis. Tonsillar cultures were taken from a group of 20 children with and 20 without history of recurrent GABHS pharyngotonsillitis. Eleven aerobic and anaerobic isolates with interfering capability with GABHS were recovered from 6 (30%) of the 20 children with recurrent GABHS, and 40 such organisms were isolated from 17 (85%) of the 20 without recurrences (P<.01). The interfering organisms included aerobic (alpha-hemolytic and nonhemolytic streptococci) and anaerobic organisms (Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus species). The tonsils of children with a history of recurrent GABHS infection contain fewer aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with interfering capability of GABHS than those without the history of recurrent GABHS infection. The presence of these interfering bacteria may play a role in preventing GABHS infection.


Suspiciousness in young minds: Convergent evidence from non-clinical, clinical and community twin samples.
We validated the Social Mistrust Scale (SMS) and utilized it to examine the structure, prevalence, and heritability of social mistrust in a large sample of Chinese children and adolescents. In Study 1, a large sample of healthy twins (N=2094) aged 8 to 14years (M=10.27years, SD=2) completed the SMS. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to assess the structure of the SMS and to estimate the heritability of social mistrust in a sub-sample of twins (n=756 pairs). In Study 2, 32 adolescents with childhood-onset schizophrenia were compared with 34 healthy controls on levels of suspiciousness and clinical symptoms to examine the associations between the SMS and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We found a three-factor structure for social mistrust (home, school, and general mistrust). Social mistrust was found to be moderately - heritable (19%-40%), with mistrust at home most strongly influenced by genetic factors. Compared with 11.76% of the healthy controls, 56.25% of the adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia exhibited very high levels of social mistrust on all three subscales of the SMS. The SMS exhibited good discriminant validity in distinguishing adolescents with childhood-onset schizophrenia from healthy controls and showed associations with a broad range of symptoms assessed by the PANSS. Social mistrust assessed by the SMS may be heritable. The SMS demonstrates good discriminant validity with clinical diagnoses of schizophrenia. However, it seems to be correlated with multiple aspects of psychopathology in the schizophrenia group, rather than being specific to delusional ideation/paranoia.


Acute stress ulceration.
Stress ulceration is usually considered a mucosal abnormality of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum in the critically ill. It is found to a varying degree in all such patients. Only about one-quarter of lesions are associated with blood loss and less than 5% need resuscitation and treatment. However, because treatment of established bleeding is unsatisfactory, and associated with a high mortality, prophylactic measures are usually employed. These include optimising gastric mucosal blood flow and oxygen delivery, correcting coagulation abnormalities and treating underlying infection. Enteral feeding should also be employed whenever possible. Other prophylactic measures currently used involve raising gastric pH above 4, with either antacids or H2 receptor antagonists. This is best achieved by measuring the gastric pH hourly and titrating it against an appropriate dose of either type of drug or a combination of both. Newer drugs, such as omeprazole, sucralfate and prostaglandins, are proving very successful in the treatment and prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers and may prove even more effective than currently available agents.


Effect of dietary restriction and subsequent realimentation on hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in cattle.
Compensatory growth (CG) is a naturally accelerated growth which occurs upon realimentation, following a prior period of dietary restriction. The process is harnessed worldwide as a management practice to reduce feed costs in beef cattle production. The objective of this study was to assess the potential contribution of hepatic cellular mitochondrial capacity to CG through global hepatic oxidative phosphorylation gene expression analyses as well as functional mitochondrial enzyme activity assays. Holstein-Friesian bulls were separated into two groups: (i) restricted feed allowance for 125 days (Period 1) (RES; n = 30) followed by ad-libitum feeding for 55 days (Period 2) or (ii) ad-libitum access to feed throughout (Periods 1 and 2) (ADLIB; n = 30). At the end of each period, 15 animals from each treatment group were slaughtered and hepatic tissue was collected. Tissue samples were subjected to RNAseq and spectrophotometric analysis for the functional assessment of mitochondria. RES and ADLIB groups grew at 0.6 kg/day and 1.9 kg/day, respectively, during Period 1. During Period 2, the RES group underwent CG growing at 2.5 kg/day, with ADLIB animals gaining 1.4 kg/day. Oxidative phosphorylation genes were differentially expressed in response to both dietary restriction and CG. Spectrophotometric assays indicated that mitochondrial abundance was greater in animals undergoing dietary restriction at the end of Period 1 and subsequently reduced during realimentation (P < 0.02). Results indicate that mitochondrial capacity may be enhanced during dietary restriction to more effectively utilize diet-derived nutrients. However, enhanced mitochondrial capacity does not appear to be directly contributing to CG in cattle.


Nuclear scanning with 99mTc-HDP for the initial evaluation of osseous metastasis in canine osteosarcoma.
The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the use of nuclear scintigraphy in determining the rate of secondary sites of osseous malignancy at initial presentation in dogs with osteosarcoma. Radiographs of suspicious secondary lesions were reviewed and placed into four separate categories: benign lesions; no lesion seen on radiographs; subtle radiographic changes suggestive of, but not conclusive for, metastasis; and metastatic lesions highly suspected on radiographs. Three hundred and ninety-nine dogs were evaluated by technetium nuclear scanning for suspected osteosarcoma. Three hundred and twenty-six of 399 dogs (82%) had only one apparent site on the nuclear scan, whereas 72 dogs (18%) had more than one suspicious site on the nuclear scans. Highly suspected secondary metastatic lesions were detected by nuclear scans in 7.8% of cases. Although interpretation of nuclear scans is subjective, this study showed a 7.8% chance of detecting unsuspected osseous metastasis with nuclear scans in canine osteosarcoma patients on initial presentation.


Research on Practical Intelligent Mode of Digital Image Economy Based on Improved Genetic Multilayer Neural Network.
In the context of economic globalization and digitization, the current financial field is in an unprecedented complex situation. The methods and means to deal with this complexity are developing towards image intelligence. This paper takes financial prediction as the starting point, selects the artificial neural network in the intelligent algorithm and optimizes the algorithm, forecasts through the improved multilayer neural network, and compares it with the traditional neural network. Through comparison, it is found that the prediction success rate of the improved genetic multilayer neural network increases with the increase of the dimension of the input image data. This shows that, by adding more technical indicators as the input of the combined network, the prediction efficiency of the improved genetic multilayer neural network can be further improved and the advantage of computing speed can be maintained.


Changes in cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis caused by ezetimibe and/or simvastatin in men.
This study evaluates changes in cholesterol balance in hypercholesterolemic subjects following treatment with an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption or cholesterol synthesis or coadministration of both agents. This was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover study to evaluate the effects of coadministering 10 mg ezetimibe with 20 mg simvastatin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) on cholesterol absorption and synthesis relative to either drug alone or placebo in 41 subjects. Each treatment period lasted 7 weeks. Ezetimibe and ezetimibe/simvastatin decreased fractional cholesterol absorption by 65% and 59%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both relative to placebo). Simvastatin did not significantly affect cholesterol absorption. Ezetimibe and ezetimibe/simvastatin increased fecal sterol excretion (corrected for dietary cholesterol), which also represents net steady state cholesterol synthesis, by 109% and 79%, respectively (P < 0.001). Ezetimibe, simvastatin, and ezetimibe/simvastatin decreased plasma LDL-cholesterol by 20, 38, and 55%, respectively. The coadministered therapy was well tolerated. The decreases in net cholesterol synthesis and increased fecal sterol excretion yielded nearly additive reductions in LDL-cholesterol for the coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin.


Wild edible plants used by the people of Manang district, Central Nepal.
Plant diversity plays an important role in maintaining the world's foods demands. Even today in Manang, a remote, mountainous district within the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, local people gather substantial amounts of wild plants to meet their daily nutritional needs, with several species also used for trade. There has been little documented regarding the use of these wild foods, which play a part in both daily nutrition, and survival during times of famine. Moreover, planning for development, land use, economic growth and biodiversity conservation has not taken them into account. Information about edible wild plant use was gathered by interviewing knowledgeable villagers over a period of five years (2002-2006). In total, 41 plant species were used as sources of fruits, juice, vegetables, and achar (local relish or pickle). Several wild food plants that need intensive processing before consumption were documented, including the calcium oxalate containing Arisaema species. The traditional knowledge of use of wild food plants is decreasing in many parts of the world with the introduction of modern packed food items and Manang is not the exception. The results of this research will help to play a catalytic role to encourage dialogue among the people of Manang, and national and international scientific communities regarding long term bioprospecting research, and shape the creation of a rural livelihood strategy. Analysis of the nutritive and health values of some of these edible plant species may encourage the scientific community to build partnerships with local community to work towards long term sustainable utilization and conservation.


Biological Characteristics and Genetic Analysis of a Highly Pathogenic Proteus Mirabilis Strain Isolated From Dogs in China.
To evaluate the antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene characteristics of highly pathogenic Proteus mirabilis. In this study, we isolated P. mirabilis CC15031 from diarrhea dogs in China, tested the median lethal dose (LD50), and measured the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 different antibiotics commonly used in veterinary clinic. Meanwhile, we presented the complete genome sequence annotations to analyze the virulence and resistance formation mechanism. The results showed that the CC15031 presented relatively potent pathogenicity in mice (LD50 = 0.57 × 106 CFU) and exhibited a high degree of resistance to all the tested antimicrobial agents. The CC15031 genome of 4,031,742 bp with 3,745 predicted genes had an average gene length of 917 bp and 38.99% guanine-cytosine content. A new variant of an integrative and conjugative element with a type IV secretion system (217,446 bp) conferring multidrug resistance was identified and characterized by structural analysis in CC15031. These data provide a foundation for understanding the genomic features and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of this pathogen.


Two randomized, controlled, comparative studies of the stratum corneum integrity benefits of two cosmetic niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers vs. conventional body moisturizers.
Despite numerous body moisturizers being available, cosmetic xerosis continues to be a leading skin problem for consumers. We performed two 35-day studies to evaluate the ability of a variety of body moisturizers containing various levels of oils/lipids, humectants, as well as other ingredients (e.g., niacinamide) to improve stratum corneum integrity. 63 and 58 female subjects were enrolled and randomized in an incomplete block design to six of nine products (eight moisturizers or no treatment control) in studies 1 and 2, respectively. The primary endpoints included visual dryness by a qualified skin grader, skin hydration as measured by Corneometer, and barrier integrity as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The primary comparisons for the two niacinamide/glycerin moisturizers were to the other six moisturizers and to the no treatment control for each endpoint. The two niacinamide/glycerin moisturizers demonstrated an overall better solution towards rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis due to functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and the other moisturizers tested. These studies establish the benefit of including niacinamide in a body moisturizer to improve the integrity of the stratum corneum and thus reduce cosmetic xerosis over time.


Mixture distributions in human genetics research.
The use of mixture distributions in genetics research dates back to at least the late 1800s when Karl Pearson applied them in an analysis of crab morphometry. Pearson's use of normal mixture distributions to model the mixing of different species of crab (or 'families' of crab as he referred to them) within a defined geographic area motivated further use of mixture distributions in genetics research settings, and ultimately led to their development and recognition as intuitive modelling devices for the effects of underlying genes on quantitative phenotypic (i.e. trait) expression. In addition, mixture distributions are now used routinely to model or accommodate the genetic heterogeneity thought to underlie many human diseases. Specific applications of mixture distribution models in contemporary human genetics research are, in fact, too numerous to count. Despite this long, consistent and arguably illustrious history of use, little mention of mixture distributions in genetics research is made in many recent reviews on mixture models. This review attempts to rectify this by providing insight into the role that mixture distributions play in contemporary human genetics research. Tables providing examples from the literature that describe applications of mixture models in human genetics research are offered as a way of acquainting the interested reader with relevant studies. In addition, some of the more problematic aspects of the use of mixture models in genetics research are outlined and addressed.


[Exacerbation of partial seizures in a case with heterotopic gray matter using antiepileptic drugs].
A two-year-old, right-handed girl was admitted to our hospital with a history of partial seizures. The first seizure, conjugated eye movements and head turning to the right, occurred at the age of 24 months. Later, she suffered from several seizures daily at the age of 34 months. At the age of 35 months, she was admitted to our hospital. On admission her neurological examination was normal. EEG showed a left parietal spike focus. A computed tomographic scan showed a small hyperdense area in the left parietal lobe without contrast enhancement. She was treated with carbamazepine (CBZ : 6 mg/kg/day). When seizures occurred several times within an hour, intravenous or rectal administration of diazepam (DZP : 0.3 mg/kg/dose) was added. However, she complained of sleepiness. The seizures occurred more frequently than before, 50 to 80 times daily, and became secondarily generalized. We thought that the exacerbation of the seizures resulted from the somnolence caused by DZP and CBZ. Consequently, these drugs were discontinued, and phenytoin was begun. She has since been free of seizures for two years. Approximately one year after the discontinuance of DZP and CBZ, heterotopic gray matter and abnormal gyri involving the left parieto-temporal lobe were found by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is useful for detecting small heterotopic gray matter. To summarize this case, one should consider the possibility that excessive polytherapy induces seizures, particularly in patients with structural brain abnormalities such as heterotopic gray matter.


Changes in sexual frequency among 51 150 infertile Chinese couples over the past 10 years.
How did the sexual frequency change and what are the related influencing factors among infertile Chinese couples over the past 10 years? Sexual frequency has declined among infertile Chinese couples over the past decade, with such declines being most pronounced for women between the ages of 18 and 39. Many researchers have explored trends in coital frequency and variables associated among healthy individuals in other nations. There have been major changes in all aspects of Chinese life and society over the past decade, including two major fertility policy adjustments. The sexual habits of infertile couples in China remain poorly understood and warrant further investigation. A retrospective cohort study of 51 150 infertile couples that visited our facility between January 2011 and December 2020 at a tertiary care academic medical centre. The primary outcome for this study was whether couples had engaged in sexual intercourse ≤4 times/month or >4 times/month. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to detect the association between the variables and sexual frequency. Analyses were further performed to determine whether observed trends remained evident in women from different age subgroups. To assess whether these trends differed before and after the introduction of the universal two-child policy in China (January 2016), we additionally assessed trends in these age subgroups of women relative to the time at which this policy was introduced. The proportion of couples reporting having engaged in sexual intercourse >4 times/month fell over the past decade from 62.7% (2011-2013) to 55.9% (2014-2015) to 52.7% (2016-2020). Declines in sexual frequency were evident for women between the ages of 18 and 39 (P < 0.05), whereas no such changes were evident for women between the ages of 40 and 50. Younger men and women, as well as individuals with a less than junior college education level, reported higher frequencies of sexual intercourse. For women, being remarried and having a more recent diagnosis of infertility were associated with increased coital frequency. This frequency decreased progressively for women as BMI values increased. There was no detected relationship between coital frequency and nationality or history of prior births. These analyses were dependent on self-reported data, and may thus have been impacted by the over- or under-reporting of sexual frequency as a consequence of social desirability bias. In addition, not all potentially relevant variables were assessed in all analyses, and certain potentially relevant variables such as family income or pornography use were not measured in any analyses. Sexual frequency is closely related to infertility risks. This general downward trend in sexual frequency may warrant concern. At present, these reductions remain an interesting yet unexplained topic worthy of further study. This study was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant no. 2018YFC1003000) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 81771533). The authors declare no conflict of interest. N/A.


Screening for cervical cancer: Choices & dilemmas.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the world. To eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, the World Health Organization has given the target of 70 per cent coverage of twice lifetime screening. A multitude of screening methods are available, including cytology, human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing and visual inspection tests. Precision tests, including molecular and protein biomarkers such as DNA methylation, p16 immunostaining, and HPV mRNA testing help to enhance specificity of the screening. Worldwide HPV DNA testing with or without cytology is used as a screening method of choice, while in resource-poor settings, visual inspection tests are recommended. The major hurdle is a uniform and systematic implementation with a recall method in the population. Besides, controversies still exist regarding strategies to manage HPV-positive women and developing guidelines to screen the vaccinated population.


Post-tetanic increase in the fast-releasing synaptic vesicle pool at the expense of the slowly releasing pool.
Post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) at the calyx of Held synapse is caused by increases not only in release probability (P(r)) but also in the readily releasable pool size estimated from a cumulative plot of excitatory post-synaptic current amplitudes (RRP(cum)), which contribute to the augmentation phase and the late phase of PTP, respectively. The vesicle pool dynamics underlying the latter has not been investigated, because PTP is abolished by presynaptic whole-cell patch clamp. We found that supplement of recombinant calmodulin to the presynaptic pipette solution rescued the increase in the RRP(cum) after high-frequency stimulation (100 Hz for 4-s duration, HFS), but not the increase in P(r). Release-competent synaptic vesicles (SVs) are heterogeneous in their releasing kinetics. To investigate post-tetanic changes of fast and slowly releasing SV pool (FRP and SRP) sizes, we estimated quantal release rates before and 40 s after HFS using the deconvolution method. After HFS, the FRP size increased by 19.1% and the SRP size decreased by 25.4%, whereas the sum of FRP and SRP sizes did not increase. Similar changes in the RRP were induced by a single long depolarizing pulse (100 ms). The post-tetanic complementary changes of FRP and SRP sizes were abolished by inhibitors of myosin II or myosin light chain kinase. The post-tetanic increase in the FRP size coupled to a decrease in the SRP size provides the first line of evidence for the idea that a slowly releasing SV can be converted to a fast releasing one.


Influence of Phyllosilicate Structure on Performance of Polypropylene Nanocomposites Prepared via In-Situ Polymerization.
This work explores the use of two different phyllosilicate structures (muscovite mica and bentonite) as co-support for in situ polymerization of propylene using Ziegler-Natta catalyst based on MgCl₂/TiCl₄ with electron donor for isotacticity control. It was observed along the experiments that the mass ratio MgCl₂:mica needs to be at least 3:1 in order to maintain a feasible catalyst activity. It was found through XRD, TEM, SEM and DMA that crystallinity of polypropylene composites is different according to the nature of phyllosilicates used and the mechanical performance of mica composites, as long as wettability and thermal stability were in general higher than those of PP/bentonite composites. Moreover, activity of MgCl₂:mica supported catalyst was higher than that co-supported on bentonite. Chemical modification in mica showed to improve in more than 500% the elastic modulus of PP/mica composites.


Reflections on the number of embryos to replace at the dawn of the 21st century.
The present review examines recent publications concerned with the issue of the number of embryos to replace in an in-vitro fertilization cycle, and concentrates on the proposed selection methods that may allow us to transfer one or two embryos. A number of techniques that improve our selection criteria for deciding which is the most viable embryo are discussed, including blastocyst culture. It is proposed that the next step in assessing which embryos to transfer is to combine these techniques by performing assessment at the pronuclear stage, cleavage stages, and then after development to the blastocyst stage, when the number of embryos is sufficient. In so doing our embryo selection processes will be more critical, allowing us to limit the number of embryos replaced without detriment to pregnancy rates.


The diguanylate cyclase GcbA facilitates Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm dispersion by activating BdlA.
Biofilm dispersion is a highly regulated process that allows biofilm bacteria to respond to changing environmental conditions and to disseminate to new locations. The dispersion of biofilms formed by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to require a number of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP)-degrading phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and the chemosensory protein BdlA, with BdlA playing a pivotal role in regulating PDE activity and enabling dispersion in response to a wide array of cues. BdlA is activated during biofilm growth via posttranslational modifications and nonprocessive cleavage in a manner that is dependent on elevated c-di-GMP levels. Here, we provide evidence that the diguanylate cyclase (DGC) GcbA contributes to the regulation of BdlA cleavage shortly after initial cellular attachment to surfaces and, thus, plays an essential role in allowing biofilm cells to disperse in response to increasing concentrations of a variety of substances, including carbohydrates, heavy metals, and nitric oxide. DGC activity of GcbA was required for its function, as a catalytically inactive variant could not rescue impaired BdlA processing or the dispersion-deficient phenotype of gcbA mutant biofilms to wild-type levels. While modulating BdlA cleavage during biofilm growth, GcbA itself was found to be subject to c-di-GMP-dependent and growth-mode-specific regulation. GcbA production was suppressed in mature wild-type biofilms and could be induced by reducing c-di-GMP levels via overexpression of genes encoding PDEs. Taken together, the present findings demonstrate that the regulatory functions of c-di-GMP-synthesizing DGCs expand beyond surface attachment and biofilm formation and illustrate a novel role for DGCs in the regulation of the reverse sessile-motile transition of dispersion.


[The effects of lifestyle factors on the incidence of central obesity in Chinese adults aged 35-74 years].
To understand the incidence of central obesity and its characteristics, and explore the effects of lifestyle factors on incidence of central obesity in Chinese adults aged 35-74 years. A total of 27 020 Chinese adults aged 35 to 74 years were enrolled in a prospective follow-up study (the study cohort was built from 1998 to 2000, respectively) during 2007 and 2008. Central obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men, ≥ 85 cm and ≥ 80 cm in women, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks (RR) of central obesity for lifestyle factors after adjusting factors including genders, age, southern and geographic region, urbanization, lifestyles, and so on. Among Chinese adults aged 35-74 years, the standardized annual incidence of central obesity (waist ≥ 90 cm) was 2.19% for men and this rate decreased gradually with age among people younger than 65 years old. The incidence of central obesity was 2.64% (waist ≥ 85 cm) and 4.06% (waist ≥ 80 cm) for women, respectively, and this rate increased obviously among people aged 55 to 74 years. Participants with ≥ 12 years' education (RR = 0.84, 95%CI:0.74-0.96) had a lower risk of central obesity(waist ≥ 90 cm for men, waist ≥ 85 cm for women). And this risk increased as the monthly household per capita income increased. Compared with the reference group, people involved in housework or retirees (RR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01-1.36), drinking alcohol (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.32) or scented tea (RR = 1.49, 95%CI:1.28-1.72) had a higher risk of developing central obesity, while drinking milk (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.97) or black tea (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), had a lower risk of developing central obesity. A healthy lifestyle plays a key role in the prevention and control of central obesity in Chinese adults, and a healthy way of lifestyle should be promoted in the whole society to decelerate the epidemic of the central obesity.


Transcriptome analysis of maize reveals potential key genes involved in the response to belowground herbivore Holotrichia parallela larvae feeding.
The larvae of Holotrichia parallela, a destructive belowground herbivore, causes tremendous damages to maize plants. However, little is known if there are any defense mechanisms in maize roots to defend themselves against this herbivore. In the current research, we carried out RNA-sequencing to investigate the changes in gene transcription level in maize roots after H. parallela larvae infestation. A total of 644 up-regulated genes and 474 down-regulated genes was found. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) annotation analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) indicated that peroxidase genes may be the hub genes that regulate maize defenses to H. parallela larvae attack. We also found 105 transcription factors, 44 hormone-related genes, and 62 secondary metabolism-related genes within differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, the expression profiles of 12 DEGs from the transcriptome analysis were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR experiments. This transcriptome analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of the underground defense in maize roots to H. parallela larvae attack and will help to select target genes of maize for defense against belowground herbivory.


[Hot spot mutation screening of RYR1 gene in diagnosis of congenital myopathies].
To detect hot spot mutation of RYR1 gene in 15 cases of congenital myopathy with different subtypes, and to discuss the value of RYR1 gene hot spot mutation detection in the diagnosis of the disease. Clinical data were collected in all the patients, including clinical manifestations and signs, serum creatine kinase, electromyography. Fourteen of the patients accepted the muscle biopsy. Hot spot mutation in the C-terminal of RYR1 gene (extron 96-106) had been detected in all the 15 patients. All the patients presented with motor development delay, and they could walk at the age of 1 to 3.5 years,but were always easy to fall and could not run or jump. There were no progressive deteriorations. Physical examination showed different degrees of muscle weakness and hypotonia.High arched palates were noted in 3 patients. The serum levels of creatine kinase were mildly elevated in 3 cases, and normal in 12 cases. Electromyography showed "myogenic" features in 11 patients, being normal in the other 4 patients. Muscle biopsy pathologic diagnosis was the central core disease in 3 patients, the central nuclei in 2 patients, the congenital fiber type disproportion in 2 patients, the nameline myopathy in 3 patient, the multiminicore disease in 1 patient, and nonspecific minimal changes in the other 3 patients; one patient was diagnosed with central core disease according to positive family history and gene mutation. In the family case (Patient 2) of central core disease, the c.14678G>A (p.Arg4893Gln) mutation in 102 extron of RYR1 was identified in three members of the family, which had been reported to be a pathogenic mutation. The c.14596A>G(p.Lys4866Gln) mutation in 101 extron was found in one patient with central core disease(Patient 1), and the c.14719G>A(p.Gly4907Ser) mutation in 102 extron was found in another case of the central core disease(Patient 3).The same novel mutation was verified in one of the patients' (Patient 3) asymptomatic father. Congenital myopathies in the different subtype have the similar clinical manifestations, signs, enzyme detection and electromyography changes. Muscle biopsy plays an important role in the selection of genes to be detected. Hot spot mutation in C-terminal of the RYR1 gene can only be identified in patients with central core disease, so we suggest this hot spot gene mutation screening apply to the suspicious patient with central core disease only.


Prediction of parasite infection dynamics in primate metapopulations based on attributes of forest fragmentation.
Although the effects of forest fragmentation on species and ecological processes have been the focus of considerable research in conservation biology, our capacity to predict how processes will be altered and which taxonomic or functional groups will be most affected by fragmentation is still poor. This problem is exacerbated by inherent temporal and spatial variability in fragment attributes. To improve our understanding of this interplay, we examined how various fragment attributes affect one potentially important ecological process, parasite infection dynamics, and considered how changes in this process affect host metapopulations. From August 1999 to July 2003 we surveyed red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) metapopulations inhabiting nine fragments (1.2 to 8.7 ha) in western Uganda to determine the prevalence and richness of strongyle and rhabditoid nematodes, a group of potentially pathogenic gastrointestinal parasites. We used noninvasive fecal flotation and sedimentation (n = 536) to detect parasite eggs, cysts, and larvae in colobus fecal samples. To obtain an index of infection risk, we determined environmental contamination with Oesophagostomum sp., a representative strongyle nematode, in canopy (n = 30) and ground vegetation plots (n = 30). Concurrently, physical (i.e., size, location, and topography) and biological (i.e., tree diversity, tree density, stump density, and colobine density) attributes were quantified for each fragment. Interfragment comparisons of nine potential factors demonstrated that an index of degradation and human presence (tree stump density) strongly influenced the prevalence of parasitic nematodes. Infection risk was also higher in the fragment with the highest stump density than in the fragment with the lowest stump density. These results demonstrate that host-parasite dynamics can be altered in complex ways by forest fragmentation and that intensity of extraction (e.g., stump density) best explains these changes.


A controlled study of Tourette syndrome. III. Phobias and panic attacks.
Comparison was made of the frequency of phobias and panic attacks in normal controls and in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS), attention-deficit disorder (ADD), and ADD secondary to a TS gene. For phobias the most significant difference between controls and TS patients was with respect to fear of public transportation (P = .002), followed by fear of being alone (P = .009), fear of being in a crowd (P = .01), fear of being in water (P = .025), fear of animals (P = .04), fear of public speaking (P = .05), and other fears (P = .05). Only 8.5% of controls had more than three simple phobias and none had more than five, whereas 26% of TS patients had more than three (P = .008) and some had as many as 13. As opposed to 19% of TS patients, none of the controls had phobias that interfered with their life (P = .001). Among female TS patients 55.1% had 3-13 phobias, compared with 8.7% of the female controls (P less than .0005). There was no correlation between the ADD score and the number of phobias (r = -.010) and little correlation with the total number of tics (r = .14). Panic attacks were present in 8.3% of the controls and 33% of the TS patients (P = .0008). This frequency increased to 55.2% (P less than .0005) for grade 3 (severe) TS patients. None of the controls, 15.9% of all TS patients (P = .002), and 31% of grade 3 TS patients (P less than .0005) had more than three panic attacks in 1 wk. Total panic-symptom score (12 possible symptoms) was significantly greater than that in the controls in all grades of TS. The presence or absence of ADD had little effect on the total panic-symptom score, but the presence of ADD resulted in a significantly lower average age at onset of panic attacks (8.8 years) compared with those TS patients without ADD (15.4 years) (P = .03). These observations indicate that phobias and panic attacks are a significant part of the symptomatology of TS and provide the first clear indication that phobias and panic attacks can be due to the presence of a major gene.


A rare case of splenic littoral cell angioma in a child.
Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare, benign primary vascular neoplasm of the spleen. The tumor originates from the littoral cells lining the sinuses of the red pulp of the spleen. Preoperative distinction of this tumor from other benign or malign splenic lesions is difficult. Radiologically most cases present as multiple nodules. Definitive diagnosis can only be made histopathologically and immunohistochemically following splenectomy. This clinical situation can coexist with various malignancies and autoimmune disorders. Even though, it is mostly benign, since it has the potential to become malignant after splenectomy, long-term follow-up is required. We present an LCA case, which appeared as a solitary mass in the spleen of an 11-year-old girl with abdominal pain admitted to our hospital.


Application of quantitative real-time PCR for enumeration of total bacterial, archaeal, and yeast populations in kimchi.
Kimchi is a Korean traditional fermented food made of brined vegetables, with a variety of spices. Various microorganisms are associated with the kimchi fermentation process. This study was undertaken in order to apply quantitative real-time PCR targeting the 16S and 26S rRNA genes for the investigation of dynamics of bacterial, archaeal, and yeast communities during fermentation of various types of kimchi. Although the total bacterial and archaeal rRNA gene copy numbers increased during kimchi fermentation, the number of yeasts was not significantly altered. In 1 ng of bulk DNA, the mean number of rRNA gene copies for all strains of bacteria was 5.45 x 10(6) which was 360 and 50 times greater than those for archaea and yeast, respectively. The total gene copy number for each group of microorganisms differed among the different types of kimchi, although the relative ratios among them were similar. The common dominance of bacteria in the whole microbial communities of various types of kimchi suggests that bacteria play a principal role in the kimchi fermentation process.


ELMO3 is a novel biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
To investigated the diagnostic and prognostic value of engulfment and cell motility (ELMO3) in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of ELMO3 at mRNA levels were detected using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 125 NSCLC patients' tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as in the serum of 125 NSCLC patients and 89 healthy controls. Then, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were adopted to estimate the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of ELMO3, respectively. ELMO3 expression level was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC patients' tissues and serum compared with controls (P<0.001). Moreover, the expression of ELMO3 was significantly associated with tumor size (P=0.020), TNM stage (P=0.017), lymph node metastasis (PP=0.045) and distance metastasis (P=0.033). ROC showed the AUC was 0.917, and the optimal cutoff value was 0.735, providing a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 84.3%. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated the high expression of ELMO3 could lead to a shorter overall survival time. In multivariate analysis, ELMO3 expression (HR=3.378, 95% CI=1.326-8.587, P=0.011) was proved to be linked with the prognosis of NSCLC and might act as an independent prognostic marker. The over-expression of ELMO3 was a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for NSCLC.


The presence of lining cells on surfaces of human trabecular bone.
Sixteen human trabecular bone biopsies were obtained from sites located in the ilium and in the area of the greater trochanter of the femur. Patients ranged from 19 to 85 years old and included men and women. All bone surfaces observed contained osteoid. Flat, branched fibroblastic-like cells were observed lining bone surfaces in all biopsy specimens. The presence of these cells was not dependent on age, sex, race, or disease state of the patient. Based on this study, we believe that the majority of human trabecular bone surfaces are covered with these thin lining cells.


Three-dimensional surgical simulation.
In this article, we discuss the development of methods for computer-aided jaw surgery, which allows us to incorporate the high level of precision necessary for transferring virtual plans into the operating room. We also present a complete computer-aided surgery system developed in close collaboration with surgeons. Surgery planning and simulation include construction of 3-dimensional surface models from cone-beam computed tomography, dynamic cephalometry, semiautomatic mirroring, interactive cutting of bone, and bony segment repositioning. A virtual setup can be used to manufacture positioning splints for intraoperative guidance. The system provides further intraoperative assistance with a computer display showing jaw positions and 3-dimensional positioning guides updated in real time during the surgical procedure. The computer-aided surgery system aids in dealing with complex cases with benefits for the patient, with surgical practice, and for orthodontic finishing. Advanced software tools for diagnosis and treatment planning allow preparation of detailed operative plans, osteotomy repositioning, bone reconstructions, surgical resident training, and assessing the difficulties of the surgical procedures before the surgery. Computer-aided surgery can make the elaboration of the surgical plan a more flexible process, increase the level of detail and accuracy of the plan, yield higher operative precision and control, and enhance documentation of cases.


Designing Sequence Selectivity into a Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Catalyst.
The development of a chemoselective catalyst for the sequence-selective copolymerization of two cycloolefins by ring-opening metathesis polymerization is described, starting with the mechanistic work that established the structure of the key metallacyclobutane intermediate. Experimental and computational investigations converged to a conclusion that the lowest energy metallacyclobutane intermediate in the ruthenium carbene-catalyzed metathesis reaction had the four-membered ring trans to the phosphine or NHC ligand. The trans-metallacyclobutane structure, for the case of a degenerate metathesis reaction catalyzed by a Grubbs first-generation complex, necessitated a rotation of the 3-fold symmetric tricyclohexylphosphine ligand, with respect to the 2-fold symmetric metallacyclobutane substructure. The degeneracy could be lifted by constraining the rotation. Lifting the degeneracy created the possibility of chemoselectivity. This mechanistic work led to a concept for the "tick-tock" catalyst for a chemoselective, alternating copolymerization of cyclooctene and norbornene from a mixture of the two monomers. The design concept could be post facto elaborated in terms of stereochemistry and topological theory, both viewpoints providing deeper insight into the design of selectivity into the catalytic reaction. The iterative interaction of theory and experiment provided the basis for the rational design and optimization of a new selectivity into an existing catalytic system with decidedly modest structural modifications of the original carbene complex.


Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) via GC-MS in serum/plasma samples from drivers suspected of cannabis consumption and immunological detection of HHC and related substances in serum, urine, and saliva.
The semisynthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is currently getting a lot of media attention because the legal status in many countries is not clearly specified. In this study, a GC-MS method for the quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) was extended to (9R)- and (9S)-HHC. The applicability was proven by serum/plasma samples from drivers suspected of cannabis consumption. Limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.15 and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively. Within-run imprecision was <6.5% and between-run imprecision was <10.0%. Inter-injection stability, processed sample stability (3 days), freeze-thaw stability (three cycles), and storage stability (1 week room temperature; 1 month 4°C, -20°C) could be proven. Both HHC diastereomers could be detected in 17 (5.3%) out of 321 analyzed samples from traffic controls in Western Saxony. The mean ratio between (9R)- and (9S)-HHC was 1.99 (CV = 14.6%). Quantification resulted in concentrations between <LLOQ and 35.35 ng/mL for (9R)-HHC and <LLOQ and 21.76 ng/mL for (9S)-HHC. Additionally, cross-reactivities of HHC, 11-hydroxy-hexahydrocannabinol (11-OH-HHC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC-P), hexahydrocannabinol acetate (HHC-O), and tetrahydrocannabidiol (H4-CBD) were evaluated in five immunological screening tests for serum, urine, and saliva. Urine test strips and ELISA tests for the detection in serum seem to be beneficial to detect HHC consumption in comparison with saliva tests. HHC analogs and H4-CBD showed no cross-reactivity with any of the tests.


[Cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. New aspects of diagnosis and therapy].
A comprehensive survey of the subject is given. Focal points are the discussions of calcium antagonists, pathophysiology of vasospasm and CBF-monitoring. Moreover, a novel neuromonitor is presented permitting bed-side work. In spite of the still unclarified etiology of vasospasm and the site of action of the calcium antagonists their early application is indicated for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage.


Effects of leaf wetting and high humidity on stomatal function in leafy cuttings and intact plants of Corylus maxima.
When rooted cuttings of Corylus maxima Mill. cv. Purpurea are moved from the wet and humid conditions of the rooting environment, the leaves frequently shrivel and die. Since the newly formed adventitious root system has been shown to be functional in supplying water to the shoot, stomatal behaviour in C. maxima was investigated in relation to the failure to prevent desiccation. Stomatal conductance (gs) in expanding leaves (L3) of cuttings increased almost 10-fold over the first 14 days in the rooting environment (fog), from 70 to 650 mmol m-2 s-1. In contrast, gs of expanded leaves (L1) changed little and was in the region of 300 mmol m-2 s-1. Midday leaf water potential was much higher in cuttings than in leaves on the mother stock-plant (-0.5 versus -1.2 MPa) even before any roots were visible. Despite this, leaf expansion of L3 was inhibited by >50% in cuttings and stomata showed a gradual reduction in their ability to close in response to abscisic acid (ABA). To determine whether the loss of stomatal function in cuttings was due to severance or to unnaturally low vapour pressure deficit and wetting in fog, intact plants were placed alongside cuttings in the rooting environment. The intact plants displayed reductions in leaf expansion and in the ability of stomata to close in response to dark, desiccation and ABA. However, in cuttings, the additional effect of severance resulted in smaller leaves than in intact plants and more severe reduction in stomatal closure, which was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in stomatal density and distinctively rounded stomatal pores. The similarities between stomatal dysfunction in C. maxima and that observed in many species propagated in vitro are discussed, as is the possible mechanism of dysfunction.


Ku counteracts mobilization of PARP1 and MRN in chromatin damaged with DNA double-strand breaks.
In mammalian cells, the main pathway for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair is classical non-homologous end joining (C-NHEJ). An alternative or back-up NHEJ (B-NHEJ) pathway has emerged which operates preferentially under C-NHEJ defective conditions. Although B-NHEJ appears particularly relevant to genomic instability associated with cancer, its components and regulation are still largely unknown. To get insights into this pathway, we have knocked-down Ku, the main contributor to C-NHEJ. Thus, models of human cell lines have been engineered in which the expression of Ku70/80 heterodimer can be significantly lowered by the conditional induction of a shRNA against Ku70. On Ku reduction in cells, resulting NHEJ competent protein extracts showed a shift from C- to B-NHEJ that could be reversed by addition of purified Ku protein. Using a cellular fractionation protocol after treatment with a strong DSBs inducer followed by western blotting or immunostaining, we established that, among C-NHEJ factors, Ku is the main counteracting factor against mobilization of PARP1 and the MRN complex to damaged chromatin. In addition, Ku limits PAR synthesis and single-stranded DNA production in response to DSBs. These data support the involvement of PARP1 and the MRN proteins in the B-NHEJ route for the repair of DNA DSBs.


Local Antibiotic Delivery Systems in Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis: A Brief Review.
Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is a severe, difficult to treat infection. Local antibiotic delivery has been studied as a potential therapeutic adjunct following surgery for DFO. This review aims to summarize the evidence on local antibiotic delivery systems in DFO. PubMed database was searched up to March 2020. Overall, 16 studies were identified and included: 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 3 retrospective studies (RSs), and 10 case series. In the RCTs, gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges significantly improved clinical healing rates and slightly improved duration of hospitalization. In the RSs, antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads non-significantly improved all healing parameters, but did not reduce post-operative amputation rates or time of healing. The majority of case series used calcium sulfate beads, achieving adequate rates of healing and eradication of infection. In conclusion, evidence for add-on local antibiotic delivery in DFO is still limited; more data are needed to assess this therapeutic measure.


Evaluation of analytical accuracy of HER2 status in patients with breast cancer: Comparison of HER2 GPA with HER2 IHC and HER2 FISH.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene status and overexpression, occurring in ~ 13.6% of primary breast cancers, is essential for identifying patients likely to benefit from biological treatment. In this method of evaluation study, we tested and compared the HER2 gene-protein assay (GPA) with routine HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The GPA was evaluated using 67 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) HER2 equivoval IHC (2+) breast cancer tissue samples. Overall, agreement between GPA silver in situ hybridization (SISH) and FISH was 91.9% (57/62). Regression analysis revealed slightly higher, but non-significant difference in HER2/chromosome enumeration probe 17 (CEP17) ratio for GPA as compared to FISH (p = 0.074). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.94 and Spearman´s rank correlation coefficients of 0.93 (p < 0.0001) for FISH and GPA SISH suggested strong inter-observer association for methods with one observer counting on average 0.23 significant higher for GPA SISH (p = 0.014). Intra-observer IHC method reproducibility was 52.6% (κ = 0.3122, p = 0.004) and 79.7% (κ = 0.6428, p = 0.9197), suggesting fair significant and substantial non-significant difference between tests for reviewers. Inter-observer reproducibility for IHC methods was 53%. While inter-observer reproducibility for experienced IHC interpretation suggested significant differences (κ = 0.3636, p = 0.0332), unexperienced interpretation of IHC GPA suggested fair non-significant difference between reviewers (κ = 0.3101, p = 0.0747). Using FISH as reference, the diagnostic indices for GPA SISH were as follows: sensitivity 100%, specificity 95% and accuracy 92%. Inaccuracy between tests was in 80% of cases due to ISH categorization as equivocal by one of the methods. IHC results highlight that it may be beneficial with a method for simultaneously visualization of HER2 gene and protein status.


Complete Genome Sequence of Magnetospirillum sp. ME-1, a Novel Magnetotactic Bacterium Isolated from East Lake, Wuhan, China.
A novel spiral magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum sp. ME-1, was isolated from East Lake in China. Here we report the complete genome of ME-1, which contains a 4,551,873-bp circular chromosome and a 5,222-bp circular plasmid. The magnetosome biogenesis-specific genes are located in a 97,664-bp magnetosome genomic island.


CD4 molecules with a diversity of mutations encompassing the CDR3 region efficiently support human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein-mediated cell fusion.
The third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) within domain 1 of the human CD4 molecule has been suggested to play a critical role in membrane fusion mediated by the interaction of CD4 with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein. To analyze in detail the role of CDR3 and adjacent regions in the fusion process, we used cassette mutagenesis to construct a panel of 30 site-directed mutations between residues 79 and 96 of the full-length CD4 molecule. The mutant proteins were transiently expressed by using recombinant vaccinia virus vectors and were analyzed for cell surface expression, recombinant gp120-binding activity, and overall structural integrity as assessed by reactivity with a battery of anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies. Cells expressing the CD4 mutants were assayed for their ability to form syncytia when mixed with cells expressing the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. Surprisingly in view of published data from others, most of the mutations had little effect on syncytium-forming activity. Normal fusion was observed in 21 mutants, including substitution of human residues 85 to 95 with the corresponding sequences from either chimpanzee, rhesus, or mouse CD4; a panel of Ser-Arg double insertions after each residue from 86 to 91; and a number of other charge, hydrophobic, and proline substitutions and insertions within this region. The nine mutants that showed impaired fusion all displayed defective gp120 binding and disruption of overall structural integrity. In further contrast with results of other workers, we observed that transformant human cell lines expressing native chimpanzee or rhesus CD4 efficiently formed syncytia when mixed with cells expressing the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. These data refute the conclusion that certain mutations in the CDR3 region of CD4 abolish cell fusion activity, and they suggest that a wide variety of sequences can be functionally tolerated in this region, including those from highly divergent mammalian species. Syncytium formation mediated by several of the CDR3 mutants was partially or completely resistant to inhibition by the CDR3-directed monoclonal antibody L71, suggesting that the corresponding epitope is not directly involved in the fusion process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


[Male sterilization].
More than 50,000 men have received spermatic duct injections, a new method of male sterilization, in densely populated Sichuan Province since 1972. The new method is to inject 0.02 milliliters of a phenol mixture into the spermatic duct and to block the duct for 1.5 centimeters. The method takes less than 10 minutes, which involves no surgical operation. The method was devised by Li Chunqiang, a surgeon at the Chongqing No. 1 workers' hospital, who is also deputy director of the city's research institute on family planning. Examinations of the seminal fluid of 1629 men who had the injections showed that 92.04% of their sperm disappeared. The method has been shown to be 90.95% effective. This method is simple, safe and reliable, and less complicated than vasectomy. It reduced hematoma, infection and causes less damage to surrounding tissue.


MiR-15a-5p accelerated vascular smooth muscle cells viabilities and migratory abilities via targeting Bcl-2.
Aortic dissection (AD) caused by the tear in the aortic wall threatens aorta, causing severe chest pain, syncope and even death. Fortunately, development of genetic technology provides promising approaches for AD treatment. To analyze impacts of miR-15a-5p on modulating cell viability and migratory ability of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Ang II (0, 0.05 and 0.1 microM) treatment were applied for inducing inflammatory reactions of VSMCs. RNA expressions of miR-15a-5p with Bcl-2 was examined using RT-qPCR. CCK-8 and transwell evaluated cell viability and migratory ability, respectively. The binding about miR-15a-5p with Bcl-2 were detected by luciferase reporter assay. Western blot detected protein expressions of Bcl-2, MCP-1 and MMP-9. Ang II treatment not only accelerated VSMCs viability and migratory abilities, but also upregulated MCP-1 and MMP-9 protein expressions. MiR-15a-5p was detected to be promoted by Ang II. However, miR-15a-5p inhibitor decreased VSMC cell viability and migratory ability and suppressed protein expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9. Bcl-2 was targeted and downregulated by miR-15a-5p. Nevertheless, high VSMC cell viability and migration caused by miR-15a-5p overexpression were hindered with overexpressed Bcl-2. MiR-15a-5p mimics also elevated MCP-1 and MMP-9 protein expressions, which were inhibited by Bcl-2 upregulation.


The use of a slowly resorbable collagen barrier in the regeneration of bone in deep wide defects: a case report.
This paper presents a case in which a resorbable collagen membrane and a collagen-based spacemaker and root surface conditioning were used in a guided tissue regeneration procedure. There was no need to disturb the healing potential of the underlying selected cells with an early reentry procedure. Clinical postoperative findings at the time of surgery and in an 18-month follow-up and the differences in density of the mineralized tissues, as detected by standardized series of juxtagingival radiographs and during surgical reentry, showed encouraging results in bone regeneration and soft tissue management.


Bond angles and bond lengths in monosubstituted benzene and ethene derivatives: a comparison of computational and crystallographic results.
Bond angles and bond lengths in 29 monosubstituted benzene derivatives and in the same number of ethene derivatives were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level. Angle deformations in benzene derivatives agree reasonably with those derived statistically from the crystallographic data; in the case of small deformations, the calculated parameters are even more reliable. There is little correlation between geometry and reactivity parameters (sigma-constants) in spite of some previous claims. Nevertheless, three components of the substitution effect can be distinguished: (a) strong deformation of the adjoining angles and bonds can be ascribed to changes of hybridization; (b) a weaker effect in the meta and para positions is only partially related to resonance; (c) in the case of unsymmetrical substituents, the symmetry of the benzene ring is also broken - the angular group-induced bond alternation (AGIBA) effect. The latter effect was also confirmed by searches in the Cambridge Structural Database for alkoxy, alkylthio, acyl and azo derivatives.


Study on Permeability Characteristics of Porous Transparent Gels Based on Synthetic Materials.
Advanced knowledge of the permeability characteristics of transparent gels play a key role in providing a rational basis for the study of porous polymer permeability and the research on the migration behavior of superpolymer solutions. Thus, a new type of transparent gel was prepared to simulate porous media, with aim to observe and analyze the permeability characteristics of transparent gel under the conditions of our experimental design by combining a transparent soil test and simple particle image velocimetry. The experimental results showed that the permeability of the transparent gel was similar to that through actual soil. The permeability coefficients of the transparent gel under different pressure gradients varied greatly early in the experimental cycle, while changing only slightly afterward, showing an overall trend of decreasing first and then stabilizing. With the increase of the mass ratio, the permeability coefficient of the sample decreased, the distribution of the low-velocity zone of the intercepted section became wider and tended to move upward. Differences in spatial position also caused different patterns of velocity and direction. The findings presented in this paper contribute to providing a new direction for the study of porous polymer permeability and the porous migration of superpolymer solutions.