Effects of reduced nocturnal temperature on pig performance and energy consumption in swine nursery rooms.
The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of a reduced nocturnal temperature (RNT) regimen on performance of weaned pigs and energy consumption during the nursery phase of production. The age of weaned pigs assigned to experiments ranged from 16 to 22 d. In Exp. 1, 3 stations conducted 2 trials under a common protocol that provided data from 6 control rooms (CON; 820 pigs) and 6 RNT rooms (818 pigs). Two mirror-image nursery rooms were used at each station. Temperature in the CON room was set to 30°C for the first 7 d, then reduced by 2°C per week through the remainder of the experiment. Room temperature settings were held constant throughout the day and night. The temperature setting in the RNT room was the same as CON during the first 7 d, but beginning on the night of d 7, the room temperature setting was reduced 6°C from the daytime temperature from 1900 to 0700 h. The use of heating fuel and electricity were measured weekly in each room. Overall, ADG (0.43 kg), ADFI (0.62 kg), and G:F (0.69) were identical for CON and RNT rooms. Consumption of heating fuel [9,658 vs. 7,958 British thermal units (Btu)·pig(-1)·d(-1)] and electricity (0.138 vs. 0.125 kilowatt-hour (kWh)·pig(-1)·d(-1)] were not statistically different for CON and RNT rooms, respectively. In Exp. 2, 4 stations conducted at least 2 trials that provided data from 9 CON rooms (2,122 pigs) and 10 RNT rooms (2,176 pigs). Experimental treatments and protocols were the same as Exp. 1, except that the RNT regimen was imposed on the night of d 5 and the targeted nighttime temperature reduction was 8.3°C. Neither final pig BW (21.8 vs. 21.5 kg; SE = 0.64), ADG (0.45 vs. 0.44 kg; SE = 0.016), ADFI (0.61 vs. 0.60 kg; SE = 0.019), nor G:F (0.75 vs. 0.75; SE = 0.012) were different for pigs housed in CON or RNT rooms, respectively. Consumption of heating fuel and electricity was consistently reduced in RNT rooms for all 4 stations. Consumption of heating fuel (10,019 vs. 7,061 Btu·pig(-1)·d(-1); SE = 1,467) and electricity (0.026 vs. 0.021 kWh·pig-1·d-1; SE = 0.004) were lower (P < 0.05) in the RNT rooms compared with CON rooms. This represents a 30% reduction in heating fuel use and a 20% reduction in electrical use with no differences in pig growth performance or health. From these experiments, we conclude that imposing a RNT regimen from 1900 to 0700 h is effective in reducing energy costs in the nursery without compromising pig performance, which will reduce production costs and decrease emissions of greenhouse gases.


Future changes in fire weather, spring droughts, and false springs across U.S. National Forests and Grasslands.
Public lands provide many ecosystem services and support diverse plant and animal communities. In order to provide these benefits in the future, land managers and policy makers need information about future climate change and its potential effects. In particular, weather extremes are key drivers of wildfires, droughts, and false springs, which in turn can have large impacts on ecosystems. However, information on future changes in weather extremes on public lands is lacking. Our goal was to compare historical (1950-2005) and projected mid-century (2041-2070) changes in weather extremes (fire weather, spring droughts, and false springs) on public lands. This case study looked at the lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service across the conterminous United States including 501 ranger district units. We analyzed downscaled projections of daily records from 19 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 General Circulation Models for two climate scenarios, with either medium-low or high CO2 - equivalent concentration (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). For each ranger district, we estimated: (1) fire potential, using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index; (2) frequency of spring droughts, using the Standardized Precipitation Index; and (3) frequency of false springs, using the extended Spring Indices. We found that future climates could substantially alter weather conditions across Forest Service lands. Under the two climate scenarios, increases in wildfire potential, spring droughts, and false springs were projected in 32-72%, 28-29%, and 13-16% of all ranger districts, respectively. Moreover, a substantial number of ranger districts (17-30%), especially in the Southwestern, Pacific Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions, were projected to see increases in more than one type of weather extreme, which may require special management attention. We suggest that future changes in weather extremes could threaten the ability of public lands to provide ecosystem services and ecological benefits to society. Overall, our results highlight the value of spatially-explicit weather projections to assess future changes in key weather extremes for land managers and policy makers.


[Late pancreatic metastasis from primary Grawitz tumor--surgical management].
Renal cell carcinoma (Grawitz tumor) is an epithelial tumor able, to develop, in some cases, very late metastases. The most frequent localization are: lung, bones and liver. Pancreatic metastasis are rare and appear late, sometime even after 12 years from primary renal tumor. In this cases the differential diagnosis must be made with primary pancreatic tumors. We present a case report of pancreatic metastatic tumor developed 5 years after right nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. We decide to perform cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Wipple type).


Does Virtual Reality-based Kinect Dance Training Paradigm Improve Autonomic Nervous System Modulation in Individuals with Chronic Stroke?
Physical inactivity and low resting heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with an increased cardiovascular deconditioning, risk of secondary stroke and mortality. Aerobic dance is a multidimensional physical activity and recent research supports its application as a valid alternative cardiovascular training. Furthermore, technological advances have facilitated the emergence of new approaches for exercise training holding promise, especially those methods that integrate rehabilitation with virtual gaming. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation in individuals with chronic stroke post-training using a virtual reality - based aerobic dance training paradigm. Eleven community-dwelling individuals with hemiparetic stroke [61.7( ± 4.3) years] received a virtual reality-based dance paradigm for 6 weeks using the commercially available Kinect dance video game "Just Dance 3." The training was delivered in a high-intensity tapering method with the first two weeks consisting of 5 sessions/week, next two weeks of 3 sessions/week and last two weeks of 2 sessions/week, with a total of 20 sessions. Data obtained for HRV analysis pre- and post-intervention consists of HRV for ten minutes in (1) supine resting position; (2) quiet standing. High-frequency (HF) power measures as indicators of cardiac parasympathetic activity, low-frequency (LF) power of parasympathetic-sympathetic balance and LF/HF of sympatho-vagal balance were calculated. YMCA submaximal cycle Ergometer test was used to acquire VO2 max pre- and post-intervention. Changes in physical activity during dance training were assessed using Omran HJ-321 Tri-Axis Pedometer. After training, participants demonstrated a significant improvement in autonomic modulation in the supine position, indicating an improvement in LF=48.4 ( ± 20.1) to 40.3 ( ± 8.0), p=0.03; HF=51.5 ( ± 19) to 59.7 ( ± 8), p= 0.02 and LF/HF=1.6 ( ± 1.9) to 0.8 ( ± 0.26), p=0.05]. Post-training the participants had significantly higher VO2max. Number of steps during dance intervention significantly increased from the 1st to the 20th session (p<0.05). The current study is the first to assess the effect of a virtual reality-based aerobic dance training paradigm on HRV among individuals with chronic stroke. Given that the paradigm used in this study improves cardiac autonomic control, future studies should incorporate dance as an adjuvant therapy into clinical treatment program and assess its long-term efficacy.


MRI sequence findings in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
MRI has had an important role in the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of different MRI sequences among six biopsy-proven patients with sporadic CJD (sCJD) and seven patients with probable sCJD. These 13 patients with CJD aged from 36 years to 75 years (mean age: 55.5 years) were evaluated with T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The characteristic MRI lesion pattern was found to be bilateral, symmetric and hyperintense signal changes in the basal ganglia and cortical regions. Two major lesion patterns were identified in all patients involving the cortex and basal ganglia. No signal abnormality was found in the thalamus. We found lesions in the cortex and basal ganglia in 7/13 patients (54%), isolated cortical involvement in 2/13 patients (15%), and isolated basal ganglia lesions in 4/13 patients (31%). The cortical involvement was widespread (in at least two regions) and usually included the frontal or occipital lobes (9/13, 69%) on DWI. Only one patient showed moderate high-signal intensity in the basal ganglia on T2-weighted MRI. T1-weighted MRI revealed no signal intensity abnormalities. We conclude that high signal changes in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex on FLAIR and DWI are useful in the diagnosis of sCJD. Isolated cortical involvement on DWI and FLAIR should lead to a suspicion of CJD. DWI is the most sensitive MRI technique in the diagnosis of CJD, which supports an amendment to the clinical diagnostic criteria for sCJD to include findings from MRI.


New clinical decision rule to exclude subarachnoid haemorrhage for acute headache: a prospective multicentre observational study.
To ensure good outcomes in the management of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), accurate prediction is crucial for initial assessment of patients presenting with acute headache. We conducted this study to develop a new clinical decision rule using only objectively measurable predictors to exclude SAH, offering higher specificity than the previous Ottawa SAH Rule while maintaining comparable sensitivity. Multicentre prospective cohort study. Tertiary-care emergency departments of five general hospitals in Japan from April 2011 to March 2014. Eligible patients comprised 1781 patients aged >15 years with acute headache, excluding trauma or toxic causes and patients who presented in an unconscious state. Definitive diagnosis of SAH was based on confirmation of SAH on head CT or lumbar puncture findings of non-traumatic red blood cells or xanthochromia. A total of 1561 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 277 showed SAH. Using these enrolled patients, we reached a rule with mainly categorical predictors used in previous reports, called the 'Ottawa-like rule', offering 100% sensitivity when using any of age ≥40 years, neck pain or stiffness, altered level of consciousness or onset during exertion. Using the 1317 patients from whom blood samples were obtained, a new rule using any of systolic blood pressure >150 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg, blood sugar >115 mg/dL or serum potassium <3.9 mEq/L offered 100% sensitivity (95% CI 98.6% to 100%) and 14.5% specificity (12.5% to 16.9%), while the Ottawa-like rule showed the same sensitivity with a lower specificity of 8.8% (7.2% to 10.7%). While maintaining equal sensitivity, our new rule seemed to offer higher specificity than the previous rules proposed by the Ottawa group. Despite the need for blood sampling, this method can reduce unnecessary head CT in patients with acute headache. UMIN 00004871.


Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed deoxygenation of ketones.
The classical Wolff-Kishner reduction plays a key role in organic synthesis to convert carbonyl functionalities into methylene groups; however, it generally requires harsh reaction conditions and a strategy with wider applications demands further development. Herein, a ruthenium-catalyzed Wolff-Kishner type reduction of ketones is developed with 31 examples under mild conditions. This strategy tolerates aryl and alkyl ketones with reactive functional groups including halogens, hydroxyls, carboxylic acid, unsaturated functional groups, and so on. The corresponding methylene products were obtained in 32% to 95% yields while using water or methanol as solvents.


Meckel's diverticulum in the adult.
The management of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) incidentally detected in adults remains controversial. To assess the risk involved in excision of such diverticula and the incidence of complications arising from MD in adult life, we analysed 260 cases of MD found at laparotomy in a baseline population during a 15-year period. There were 148 symptomless and 112 symptom-producing diverticula, with intestinal obstruction as the most common complication. Assuming a 2 per cent general incidence of MD, the complication rate in these adult patients was 0.03 per cent per year. The calculated lifetime risk of complication from MD was 3.7 per cent at age 16 years, falling to zero in old age. Excision of an incidentally detected MD entailed a 6 per cent rate of major complications. Twenty-eight symptomless diverticula were not excised, and follow-up revealed no complications in these cases. In adults an incidentally discovered, symptomless Meckel's diverticulum should be left in place.


Spermidine Supplementation Protects the Liver Endothelium from Liver Damage in Mice.
Chronic liver diseases are multifactorial and the need to develop effective therapies is high. Recent studies have shown the potential of ameliorating liver disease progression through protection of the liver endothelium. Polyamine spermidine (SPD) is a caloric restriction mimetic with autophagy-enhancing properties capable of prolonging lifespan and with a proven beneficial effect in cardiovascular disease in mice and humans. We evaluated the use of dietary supplementation with SPD in two models of liver disease (CCl4 and CDAAH diet). We analyzed the effect of SPD on endothelial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. C57BL/6J mice were supplemented with SPD in the drinking water prior and concomitantly with CCl4 and CDAAH treatments. Endothelial autophagy deficient (Atg7endo) mice were also evaluated. Liver tissue was used to evaluate the impact of SPD prophylaxis on liver damage, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial status, inflammation and liver fibrosis. SPD improved the endothelial response to oxidative injury in vitro and improved the liver endothelial phenotype and protected against liver injury in vivo. SPD reduced the overall liver oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial fitness. The absence of benefits in the Atg7endo mice suggests an autophagy-dependent effect of SPD. This study suggests SPD diet supplementation in early phases of disease protects the liver endothelium from oxidative stress and may be an attractive approach to modify the chronic liver disease course and halt fibrosis progression.


Hydrogen sulfide: a new gaseous signal molecule and blood pressure regulator.
The gas hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is emerging as a novel regulator of important physiologic functions such as arterial diameter, blood flow and leukocyte adhesion. In addition, it may have antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. H2S has recently attracted much interest as a potent vasorelaxative substance that may establish itself alongside another gaseous signal molecule, nitric oxide (NO). In contrast to NO, the major source of H2S in blood may be production by red blood cells or by vascular smooth muscle cells. H2S is produced from cysteine, involving the enzymes cystathionine beta-synthase and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). The importance of CSE was recently demonstrated in a mouse lacking CSE which showed reduced H2S levels and developed hypertension and reduced endothelium-mediated vasorelaxation. These data establish H2S as a new and important biologic signal molecule and as a new regulator of vascular blood flow and blood pressure.


The influence of simvastatin on lipase and cholesterol esterase activity in the serum of men with coronary heart disease.
Several studies have demonstrated that any beneficial effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins), of which simvastatin (Merck Sharp & Dohme) is an example, on coronary events are linked to their hypocholesterolemic properties. The in vivo effects of simvastatin treatment on lipase (GEH = glycerol ester hydrolase) and cholesterol esterase (CEase) activity in the serum of men with coronary heart disease (CHD) were examined. GEH and CEase activity in the serum of men with CHD, before simvastatin treatment, was lower than in the control subjects. In our study we have provided evidence that simvastatin increases GEH activity in a time-dependent manner, but has no effect on CEase activity. This suggests that simvastatin can directly affect acylglycerol metabolism by an increase in GEH activity and may therefore be suitable for the treatment of combined lipoprotein disorders characterized by elevation of triacylglycerols.


Chlamydia positivity trends among women attending family planning clinics: United States, 2004-2008.
Annual chlamydia screening is recommended for all sexually active women aged <25 years. Substantial limitations exist in ascertaining chlamydia trends. Reported case rates have increased likely due to increased screening and improved test technology. Other data suggest that prevalence has decreased. Data from the Infertility Prevention Project (IPP), a national chlamydia screening program, were used to assess trends in chlamydia positivity from 2004 to 2008 among women aged 15 to 24 years who were tested in family planning clinics reporting data to IPP. Using the clinic as the unit of analysis, a correlated, longitudinal data analysis with a random intercept was conducted among clinics reporting ≥3 years of data during the analysis timeframe. Sensitivity analyses were performed to address the impact of various clinic participation levels in addition to the assessment of various correlation structures. Over 5 million chlamydia tests were reported to IPP family planning clinics from 2004 to 2008. A majority of tests were conducted among white women (clinic-specific mean: 63.2%, interquartile range: 37.6%-91.5%); the clinic-specific mean percent of tests conducted among black women was 17.9% (interquartile range: 0.8%-25.7%). Overall chlamydia positivity from 2004 to 2008 was 7.0%. The odds ratio associated with a single year change (1.00; 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 1.00) suggested that chlamydia positivity did not change from 2004 to 2008, after controlling for clinic-specific population factors (age, race, test usage, and geography). Findings support previous analyses suggesting that chlamydia prevalence is not increasing despite apparent increasing rates based on case reports.


Sex differences in risk factors for retinopathy in non-diabetic men and women: the Tromsø Eye Study.
To determine the prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy in a nondiabetic population. The study population included 5869 participants without diabetes aged 38-87 years from the Tromsø Eye Study, a substudy of the population-based Tromsø Study in Norway. Retinal images from both eyes were graded for retinopathy. We collected data on risk factors from self-report questionnaires, clinical examinations, laboratory measurements and case note reviews. The cross-sectional relationship between potential risk factors and retinopathy was assessed using logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of retinopathy was 14.8%. Men had a higher prevalence of retinopathy compared with women (15.9% versus 14.0%, p=0.04). In men, retinopathy was associated with hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.04) and HbA1c (OR per %, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.01-1.96). In women, retinopathy was associated with age (OR per 10 years, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.14-1.52), log-transformed urinary albumin excretion (OR per log unit, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.14-1.87) and hypertension (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.71). In women, retinopathy was associated with very low levels of urinary albumin excretion (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio >0.43 mg/mmol). This study confirms results from previous studies on the strong association between blood pressure and retinopathy. A novel finding is the sex differences in risk factors for retinopathy, suggesting a sex difference in the pathogenesis leading to retinopathy.


In vitro analysis of an rhGDF-5 suture coating process and the effects of rhGDF-5 on rat tendon fibroblasts.
We describe a dipcoating method of coating 4-0 VICRYL sutures with recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 (rhGDF-5), and analyze the in vitro effects of rhGDF-5 on rat tendon fibroblasts (RTFs). Part I: Eight 4-0 VICRYL sutures were coated in a dipcoat solution using rhGDF-5 solutions at concentrations of 0, 40, 200, and 1000 μg/ml (n=32). ELISA was performed to determine the amount of rhGDF-5 that was transferred on the suture. Part II: Using a dipcoat solution of 200 μg/ml, four sutures were passed through rat tendon, and quantified ELISA was again performed. Cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and RTF cell migration were also analyzed. The differences in the amount rhGDF-5 transferred on the suture between the different concentration groups were statistically significant. Furthermore, rhGDF-5-stimulated RTF cell migration, cell proliferation, and collagen synthesis at dipcoat concentrations of rhGDF-5 of at least 200 μg/ml.


Determination of Free and Total Choline and Free and Total Carnitine in Infant Formula and Adult/Pediatric Nutritional Formula by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS): A Multi-laboratory Testing Study, Final Action 2015.10.
A multi-laboratory study was conducted on AOAC First Action Method 2015.10 "Determination of Free and Total Choline and Free and Total Carnitine in Infant Formula and Adult/Pediatric Nutritional Formula by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)." In this study, nine laboratories participated in the performance testing of the method using ten nutritional products tested as blind duplicates. Both free and total carnitine and free and total choline content of the samples were determined using separate extractions for the free and total results. For free choline and carnitine analysis, samples are diluted in water. For total choline and carnitine analysis, samples are extracted using acid-assisted microwave hydrolysis with nitric acid. For both the free and total methods, samples are then diluted with acetonitrile and analyzed using strong cation exchange (SCX) liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (LCMS). Stable isotope labeled internal standards were utilized in all analyses to compensate for extraction inefficiencies and ionization suppression.


Cutaneous and pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium vaccae.
Mycobacterium vaccae is a rapidly growing mycobacterial species that was previously not considered a human pathogen. We report four cases of M. vaccae infection that occurred in the southern United States; one patient had cutaneous disease, and three patients had cavitary lung disease. Two of the three patients with pulmonary disease had a history of exposure to cattle. The conditions of all patients improved with therapy: the cutaneous infection responded to therapy with minocycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and the pulmonary infections responded to therapy with ciprofloxacin.


Detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in stool specimens by the polymerase chain reaction.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a segment of the toxin A gene was used to detect toxigenic Clostridium difficile directly from stool specimens of patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Although PCR-inhibitory substances were recognized in DNA prepared from stool specimens, the inhibitory substances were eliminated by using an ion-exchange column after phenol-chloroform extraction. Eventually, 39 stool specimens were evaluated by PCR. PCR results for detection of toxigenic C. difficile were in complete agreement with cell culture assay results; all 12 PCR-positive stool specimens were positive by cytotoxin assay, and all 27 PCR-negative specimens were negative by cytotoxin assay. Toxigenic C. difficile was cultured from all PCR-positive specimens. These results suggest that PCR amplification may be an effective method for laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis.


Superselective embolization of glomus jugulare tumors.
The purpose of this report is to introduce the technique of superselective embolization (SSE) and to review our experience in surgically treating glomus jugulare tumors with and without preoperative SSE. Retrospective chart review was performed to determine estimated blood loss and operative time, and illustrative case reports are presented. The technique of preoperative SSE represents an important advance in the surgical management of glomus jugulare tumors. In our experience, surgical ligation of tumor-feeding vessels or nonselective embolization of the external carotid system is unsatisfactory. Inadequate devascularization and excessive risk of complications have caused us and others to abandon these procedures. However, SSE performed by an experienced neuroradiologist can produce effective and safer tumor devascularization. Preoperative SSE results in shrinkage of tumor size and significantly decreases blood loss. The advantages to the surgeon include improved visualization and ease of dissection as well as increased confidence that complete tumor excision has been achieved.


Ovarian development and hemolymph vitellogenin levels in laboratory-maintained protandric shrimp, Pandalus hypsinotus: measurement by a newly developed time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA).
Most pandalid shrimps exhibit protandric hermaphroditism, and detailed information on ovarian development of pandalid species is important for a better understanding of vitellogenesis in crustacean species. In the present study, we characterized ovarian development under light and electron microscopy and examined the hemolymph vitellogenin levels in the coonstriped shrimp, Pandalus hypsinotus under laboratory conditions. To measure vitellogenin levels, a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) was developed after purification of vitellin and production of the anti-vitellin antiserum. The TR-FIA showed wide assay range (0.98-2000 ng/ml), high sensitivity (0.5 ng/ml), and low assay variability (0.9-6.4% of intraassay coefficients, 1.4-5.1% for interassay coefficients). Female P. hypsinotus had non-vitellogenic ovaries in March after the eggs attached to the abdomen hatched, and started yolk accumulation in the ovaries during April-October. During yolk accumulation, yolk globules appeared and increased in the ooplasm. After yolk accumulation, gonadosomatic index (GSI) reached 8.3-8.5 just before oviposition. Females spawned and were ovigerous during June-July of the next year. Hemolymph vitellogenin levels were low (0.006+/-0.008 mg/ml, mean+/-SD) before the yolk accumulation, and became significantly higher (2.66 +/-0.93 mg/ml) during yolk accumulation (GSI, 2-8). Just before oviposition, levels declined to low levels (0.040+/-0.012 mg/ml). Vitellogenin levels were significantly correlated to GSI during the yolk accumulation. The obtained results show that the process of vitellogenesis during the female phase of P. hypsinotus is similar to other crustacean species that do not change sex.


Retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract cancer: a comparative study with conventional open retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy.
To compare the outcomes of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (RNU) with those of open retroperitoneal nephroureterectomy (ORNU) for upper urinary tract cancer. This study included 240 consecutive patients who received a clinical diagnosis of localized upper urinary tract cancer and underwent nephroureterectomy by a retroperitoneal approach. Of these, 120 patients underwent RNU and 120 patients underwent ORNU. The mean operative time for RNU (346 min) was significantly longer than that for ONU (209 min), despite the lack of a significant difference in the estimated blood loss between these two groups. Significant differences were observed in parameters related to postoperative recovery between the groups, including the time to walk (1.8 versus 2.3 days), the time to oral intake (1.8 versus 2.7 days), and the time until permission for discharge (9.9 versus 13.4 days). There were no significant differences in the major pathologic factors between the groups. Furthermore, the incidences of intravesical as well as extravesical recurrence between the RNU and ORNU groups were similar, and there were no significant differences in cause-specific and overall survivals between the groups. Among patients with grade 3 disease, cause-specific survivals in patients undergoing RNU were significantly poorer than those in patients undergoing ORNU, while there was no significant difference in the overall survival between the groups. Multivariate analysis, however, indicated that the surgical procedure (RNU versus ORNU) could not be an independent predictor of both overall and cancer-specific survivals irrespective of tumor grade. RNU represents an effective, safe, and less invasive management option for upper urinary tract cancer and achieves a cancer control rate similar to that of ORNU; however, it is necessary to perform further investigations to determine the optimal indications for RNU for patients with high-grade disease.


Cold-induced injury to porcine corneal endothelial cells and its mediation by chelatable iron: implications for corneal preservation.
During hypothermic storage of the cornea, corneal endothelial damage restricts storage times. We previously reported a new, iron-dependent mechanism of cold-induced injury to cultured liver cells. In this study, we sought to evaluate whether corneal endothelial cells incur a similar kind of injury. Cultured porcine corneal endothelial cells were exposed to 4 degrees C in either cell culture medium, Krebs-Henseleit buffer, Optisol-GS solution, or McCarey-Kaufman medium for 5 hours to 14 days and then rewarmed under cell culture conditions (3 hours). The cultures were assessed for lethal cell injury (LDH release); cellular, nuclear, and mitochondrial morphologic alterations; lipid peroxidation; and mitochondrial membrane potential. Corneal endothelial cells sustained substantial injury following cold storage and rewarming in cell culture medium (47% +/- 8% and 64% +/- 20% cell death after 2 and 5 days cold storage, respectively). The injury displayed some apoptotic features, and cells lost mitochondrial membrane potential before cell death occurred. The iron chelators deferoxamine, 1,10-phenanthroline, and 2,2'-dipyridyl and the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene completely inhibited this cell injury. Marked iron-dependent cell injury and lipid peroxidation also occurred during and after cold incubation in Krebs-Henseleit buffer and, most importantly, iron-dependent cell injury was also observed after cold incubation in Optisol solution and in McCarey-Kaufman medium. Cultured porcine corneal endothelial cells incur a strong iron-dependent injury elicited by hypothermia. This cold-induced injury might provide an explanation for the known corneal endothelial susceptibility to hypothermic preservation injury, which thus might be amenable to therapeutic interventions (ie, by iron chelators).


Trophoblast cells exhibit differential responses to laminin isoforms.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) has specific effects on cell behavior that influence many aspects of early development. In the early postimplantation mouse embryo the ECM component laminin promotes polarization and survival of the embryonic ectoderm and formation of Reichert's membrane. In addition, dynamic patterns of laminins 1 and 10/11 expression in the embryo and the uterus correlate with the progression of implantation. In the implanting blastocyst, laminin 1 is strongly expressed in the trophectoderm basement membrane, whereas laminin 10/11 is expressed only in the inner cell mass and polar trophectoderm. In the uterus, laminin 10/11 is strongly expressed in the decidualizing matrix of the stroma. We show here that laminins 1 and 10/11 have distinct effects on trophoblast cell behavior that influence the process of implantation. Laminin 1 promotes random migration and decreases spreading, whereas laminin 10/11 promotes both spreading and persistent migration. When presented as adjacent substrates, cells stop at the boundary and do not enter the region containing laminin 1. Laminin 1 also affects cell-cell adhesion through changes in the localization of vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin. Cultured cells and primary trophoblast explants become single cells or very small groups on laminin 1 and VE-cadherin localization at regions of cell-cell contact decreases dramatically. In contrast, trophoblast cells maintain strong cell-cell contacts on substrates of laminins 10/11, and exhibit strong staining of VE-cadherin in all regions of cell-cell contact. These effects, and the localization of laminin 1 in Reichert's membrane and laminin 10/11 in the surrounding decidual matrix, suggest that these laminin isoforms influence the direction and quality of invasion of trophoblast cells during implantation, and provide epigenetic cues that drive the morphogenesis of the yolk sac placenta.


Delayed preconditioning with NMDA receptor antagonists in a rat model of perinatal asphyxia.
In vitro experiments have demonstrated that preconditioning primary neuronal cultures by temporary application of NMDA receptor antagonists induces long-term tolerance against lethal insults. In the present study we tested whether similar effects also occur in brain submitted to ischemia in vivo and whether the potential benefit outweighs the danger of enhancing the constitutive apoptosis in the developing brain. Memantine in pharmacologically relevant doses of 5 mg/kg or (+)MK-801 (3 mg/kg) was administered i.p. 24, 48, 72 and 96 h before 3-min global forebrain ischemia in adult Mongolian gerbils or prior to hypoxia/ischemia in 7-day-old rats. Neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 in gerbils or weight deficit of the ischemic hemispheres in the rat pups was evaluated after 14 days. Also, the number of apoptotic neurons in the immature rat brain was evaluated. In gerbils only the application of (+)MK-801 24 h before ischemia resulted in significant prevention of the loss of pyramidal neurons. In rat pups administration of (+)MK-801 at all studied times before hypoxia-ischemia, or pretreatment with memantine or with hypoxia taken as a positive control 48 to 92 h before the insult, significantly reduced brain damage. Both NMDA receptor antagonists equally reduced the number of apoptotic neurons after hypoxia-ischemia, while (+)MK-801-evoked potentiation of constitutive apoptosis greatly exceeded the effect of memantine. We ascribe neuroprotection induced in the immature rats by the pretreatment with both NMDA receptor antagonists 48 to 92 h before hypoxia-ischemia to tolerance evoked by preconditioning, while the neuroprotective effect of (+)MK-801 applied 24 h before the insults may be attributed to direct consequences of the inhibition of NMDA receptors. This is the first report demonstrating the phenomenon of inducing tolerance against hypoxia-ischemia in vivo in developing rat brain by preconditioning with NMDA receptor antagonists.


[Resected case of synchronous double cancer of lung and ovarium].
A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our department for a tumor shadow in the right lung on chest rentogenogram and chest CT. Detailed examination led to the diagnosis of simultaneous lung cancer and ovarian cancer. No abnormality was found in the liver. Serum AFP level was 113.8 ng/ml preoperatively, but deceased upper lobectomy of the right lung to 11.4 ng/ml on the 15th day postoperatively. Immunohistochemical study revealed positive staining of carcinoma cells with anti AFP serum.


Competitive exclusion in a multi-strain immuno-epidemiological influenza model with environmental transmission.
In this paper, a multi-strain model that links immunological and epidemiological dynamics across scales is formulated. On the within-host scale, the n strains eliminate each other with the strain having the largest immunological reproduction number persisting. However, on the population scale, we extend the competitive exclusion principle to a multi-strain model of SI-type for the dynamics of highly pathogenic flu in poultry that incorporates both the infection age of infectious individuals and biological age of pathogen in the environment. The two models are linked through the age-since-infection structure of the epidemiological variables. In addition the between-host transmission rate, the shedding rate of individuals infected by strain j and the disease-induced death rate depend on the within-host viral load. The immunological reproduction numbers [Formula: see text] and the epidemiological reproduction numbers [Formula: see text] are computed. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, the global stability of the infection-free equilibrium in the system is obtained if all reproduction numbers are smaller or equal to one. If [Formula: see text], the reproduction number of strain j is larger than one, then a single-strain equilibrium, corresponding to strain j exists. This single-strain equilibrium is globally stable whenever [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the unique maximal reproduction number and all of the reproduction numbers are distinct. That is, the strain with the maximal basic reproduction number competitively excludes all other strains.


Ovariectomy upregulates expression of estrogen receptors, NOS, and HSPs in porcine platelets.
Platelets participate in normal and pathological thrombotic processes. Hormone replacement in postmenopausal women is associated with increase risk for thrombosis. However, little is known regarding how platelets are affected by hormonal status. Nitric oxide (NO) modulates platelet functions and is modulated by hormones. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine how loss of ovarian hormones changes expression of estrogen receptors and regulatory proteins for NO synthase (NOS) in platelets. Estrogen receptors (ER alpha and ER beta), NOS, heat shock proteins 70 and 90 (HSP70 and HSP90), caveolin-1, -2, and -3, calmodulin, NOS activity, and cGMP were analyzed in a lysate of platelets from gonadally intact and ovariectomized female pigs. Expression of ER beta and ER alpha receptors, endothelial NOS (eNOS), HSP70, and HSP90 increased with ovariectomy. NOS activity and cGMP also increased; calmodulin was unchanged. Caveolins were not detected. These results suggest that ovarian hormones influence expression of estrogen receptors and eNOS in platelets. Changes in estrogen receptors and NOS could affect platelet aggregation in response to hormone replacement.


Stability in force-production tasks.
Exerting a force on a mechanical system can induce mechanical instability. To overcome that instability, humans may take advantage of their upper limb mechanical impedance (e.g., hand stiffness). The authors investigated what stiffness is required to maintain static stability and how humans can achieve that stiffness in the context of the task of pushing on a pivoting stick. Results showed that the stiffness required is in the range of measured human upper limb stiffness. To avoid an ill-posed problem, one can better express the requirements for stability as a simple geometrical criterion related to the curvature of the potential energy field at the hand. A planar model of the upper limb revealed that individuals can use both hand rotational and translational stiffness to stabilize a stick. Although hand rotational stiffness does not participate in producing the axial force on the stick, it can significantly contribute to achieving a limb stiffness appropriate for maintaining static stability. Hand rotational stiffness can be important for the design of hand tools, because humans can increase it only by augmenting grip force, a biomechanical factor associated with cumulative trauma injuries of the upper extremities.


Ultrasound-guided percutaneous insertion of Hickman lines in children. Prospective study of 500 consecutive procedures.
The ultrasound-guided percutaneous technique of Hickman line insertion has not been widely adopted in pediatric surgical practice. We wished to review our own experience of using this technique for insertion into the internal jugular vein. Our vascular access team consists of a consultant surgeon and 2 consultant anesthetists. All procedures were prospectively recorded on a database and were either performed or directly supervised by our team. Five hundred consecutive Hickman lines were inserted between June 2004 and October 2006. Patients' ages ranged from 14 days to 19 years (median, 44 months). Patients weighed between 600 g to more than 100 kg. Lines inserted were all tunneled silicone Hickman lines with a Dacron cuff (size 2.7F-10F, with 1-3 lumens), of which 60% were 7F double-lumen lines. Successful cannulation occurred in 99.8%. Perioperative complications (within 30 days) occurred in 12 patients (2.4%) and were all treated conservatively with no need for either blood transfusion or chest drain. Catheter-related sepsis rate was 3.16 per 1000 line days. 1. The technique of ultrasound-guided percutaneous insertion of Hickman line to the internal jugular vein is safe and is applicable to all children regardless of size, age, or diagnosis. 2. Pediatric surgeons and anesthetists can learn this technique without specific training in interventional radiology. 3. A learning curve does exist, and we recommend concentrating pediatric vascular access procedures to a specialist team.


11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 as a modulator of glucocorticoid action: from metabolism to memory.
Increases in plasma cortisol and glucocorticoid pharmacotherapy cause myriad adverse effects from obesity and diabetes to impairments in memory. The common metabolic syndrome phenotypically resembles the rare disorder Cushing's syndrome, but plasma cortisol levels are usually normal. 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) catalyses the regeneration of active glucocorticoids (cortisol and corticosterone) from inert 11-keto forms in specific tissues, notably liver, adipose and brain. Recent work shows that obese humans and rodents have increased 11beta-HSD1 activity selectively in adipose tissue. By locally amplifying glucocorticoid action, this increase in activity might explain the Cushing's syndrome/metabolic syndrome paradox. Indeed, mice deficient in 11beta-HSD1 resist both the metabolic syndrome that develops with dietary obesity and glucocorticoid-associated cognitive impairments that develop with ageing. The ongoing development of selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors affords the opportunity to explore a new approach to some major common disorders.


Photochromism of single crystals composed of dioxazolylethene and dithiazolylethene.
Although dioxazolylethene 1a did not show any photocoloration in the single crystalline phase, 1a displayed photochromism in the mixed crystal containing both 1a and dithiazolylethene 2a ; the mixed crystal changed color from colorless to red, orange, and yellow upon irradiation with light of appropriate wavelengths.


Phase Behavior and Its Effects on Crystallization in a Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/Phenoxy Resin Blend.
Phase behavior and its effects on crystallization in an extruded poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/phenoxy resin blend were studied with time-resolved light scattering (TRLS), optical microscopy (OM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). During annealing in the molten state, a two-phase structure with unique periodicity and phase connectivity was developed by liquid⁻liquid phase separation. After the formation of the phase-separated structure, the blend was homogenized by the interchange reactions between the two polymers. The crystallization behavior of PTT predominantly depended on the phase morphology developed during annealing. The pre-existing phase structures disturbed the lamellar orientation, resulting in a poorly ordered spherulitic superstructure.


Cytokinin-induced cell death is associated with elevated expression of alternative oxidase in tobacco BY-2 cells.
N(6)-benzyladenine (BA) and N(6)-benzyladenosine ([9R]BA) induce massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is eventually followed by a loss of cell viability in tobacco BY-2 cells (Mlejnek et al. Plant Cell Environ 26:1723-1735, 2003, Plant Sci 168:389-395, 2005). Results presented in this work suggest that the main sources of ROS are likely mitochondria and that the maintenance of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential is crucial for ROS production in cytokinin-treaded BY-2 cells. Therefore, the possible involvement of alternative oxidase (AOX) in cell death process induced by BA and [9R]BA was studied. About three- to fourfold increase in mRNA levels of AOX1 was observed a few hours after the BA and [9R]BA addition into the growth medium. The elevated expression of AOX1 mRNA could be prevented by adding adenine and adenosine which simultaneously reduced the cytotoxic effects of BA and [9R]BA, respectively. N(6)-benzyladenine 7-β-D-glucoside ([7G]BA) which is a common non-toxic metabolite of BA and [9R]BA did not affect the AOX1 mRNA expression. Although AOX1 seemed to be involved in protection of BY-2 cells against the abiotic stress induced by BA and [9R]BA, the results do not support the idea that it protects cells from death exclusively by scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Indeed, N-propyl gallate, an inhibitor of AOX, decreased cell survival despite it concomitantly decreased the ROS production. This finding is in contrast to the effect of salicylhydroxamic acid, another well-known inhibitor of AOX, which also increased the number of dying cells while it increased the ROS production.


[Resolvins as novel targets for rapid-acting antidepressants].
Conventional monoaminergic antidepressants have significant limitations, including delayed onset of therapeutic response and relatively low efficacy. Recent studies reveal that the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depressed patients. Despite the unique antidepressant efficacy, clinical use of ketamine as an antidepressant is limited due to its serious drawbacks, such as abuse potential and psychotomimetic/dissociative effects. The molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of ketamine have been intensively studied to pave the way for the development of novel, rapid and more efficacious antidepressants with fewer side effects than ketamine. Preclinical studies demonstrate that ketamine produces antidepressant effects through rapid release and/or expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and stimulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. We have recently found that resolvins (RvD1, RvD2, RvE1, RvE2 and RvE3), bioactive metabolites derived from docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, produce antidepressant effects, and that the antidepressant effects of RvD1, RvD2 and RvE1 require mTORC1 activation. These findings suggest that resolvins could be promising targets for the development of novel rapid antidepressants with fewer side effects than ketamine because they are endogenous lipid mediators that play an important role in homeostasis.


A High-Robust Sensor Activity Control Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks.
In wireless sensor networks, it is important to use the right number of sensors to optimize the network and consider the key design and cost. Due to the limited power of sensors, important issues include how to control the state of the sensor through an automatic control algorithm and how to power-save and efficiently distribute work. However, sensor nodes are usually deployed in dangerous or inaccessible locations. Therefore, it is difficult and impractical to supply power to sensors through humans. In this study, we propose a high reliability control algorithm with fast convergence and strong self-organization ability called the sensor activity control algorithm (SACA), which can efficiently control the number of sensors in the active state and extend their use time. In the next round, SACA considers the relationship between the total number of active sensors and the target value and determines the state of the sensor. The data transmission technology of random access is used between the sensor and the base station. Therefore, the sensor in the sleep state does not need to receive the feedback packet from the base station. The sensor can achieve true dormancy and power-saving effects. The experimental results show that SACA has fast convergence, strong self-organization capabilities, and power-saving advantages.


Identification of autosomal supernumerary chromosome markers (SMCs) by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).
Supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMCs) are rare chromosomal abnormalities resulting in partial trisomy of specific genomic regions with characteristic phenotypic effects. Twenty six cases with autosomal SMCs are reported. Four were identified prenatally and 22 postnatally in children, aged from 8 days to 15 years, who were referred for genetic evaluation because of various congenital anomalies and developmental delay. In 22 of the 26 cases, the SMCs were de novo, in two they were familial and in another two a 11;22 reciprocal translocation was revealed in the mothers. In only one patient was the SMC present in a mosaic form. Sequential fluorescent in situ hybridization studies (FISH) using Whole Chromosome Paint (WCP) probes were performed in order to determine the chromosomal origin of the SMCs. Sixteen of them originated from chromosome 15, five were shown to be an isochromosome 18p and one was derived from chromosome 22, but did not contain the DiGeorge/ VCFS critical region. In two instances, the SMCs were derivatives of chromosome 13 and in two the SMCs resulted from a 11;22 maternal translocation and contained material from both chromosomes 11 and 22. Molecular investigation of two of the patients with an SMC[15] revealed three copies of the SNRPN gene, but the diagnosis of PW/AS due to possible imprinting was excluded in both patients by a methylation-specific PCR. FISH and molecular studies have greatly facilitated the characterization of marker chromosomes. As more SMCs are classified, better genetic counseling and risk evaluation can be achieved.


Association of the polymorphism of codon 121 in the ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 gene with polycystic ovary syndrome in Chinese women.
To determine the association of polymorphism of codon 121 in the ecto-nucleotide pyrophophastase/phosphodiesterase 1 (E-NPP1/PC-1) gene in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 51 PCOS patients and 61 healthy women from the Chinese Han population from the Center Reproductive Medicine of Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University from June 2005 to July 2006 were recruited for the determination of the polymorphism of the E-NPP1/PC-1 gene. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood monocytes of patients and controls, and genotyping of the gene was performed by using polymerase chain reaction, which was followed by sequencing. The frequency of the 121Q allele was 13 and 18%, respectively, in PCOS patients and healthy women, while the frequency of the 121K allele was 87 and 82% in the 2 groups. There is no significant difference in the E-NPP1/PC-1 polymorphism between PCOS patients and healthy controls among Chinese Han women. Ecto-nucleotide pyrophophastase/phosphodiesterase 1 polymorphism has no association with PCOS. Further studies are still needed to elucidate whether or not the E-NPP1/PC-1 gene has a functional role in PCOS.


Maturation-promoting factor (MPF) is responsible for the transformation of sperm nuclei to metaphase chromosomes in maturing bovine oocytes in vitro.
Bovine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage were inseminated in Brackett and Oliphant's medium in the presence of BSA (10 mg ml-1), caffeine (5 mmol l-1) and heparin (10 micrograms ml-1). When oocytes were transferred into tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) with or without 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP; 2 mmol l-1) 8 h after insemination and cultured for 15-40 h at 39 degrees C in 5% CO2 in air, 74-83% of oocytes were penetrated and polyspermy (67-80%) was common. At 40 h after culture in 6-DMAP-free medium, 65% and 63% of unpenetrated and penetrated oocytes, respectively, reached metaphase II or beyond. A few (6%) oocytes were activated and contained both male and female pronuclei. Sperm metaphase chromosomes were observed in 90% of the penetrated oocytes. Penetration by more than four spermatozoa greatly retarded the meiotic maturation of the oocyte. However, sperm chromosomes were never observed in oocytes cultured in 6-DMAP supplemented medium and oocyte maturation did not proceed beyond the stage of prometaphase I. These results demonstrate the possible participation of maturation-promoting factor in metaphase chromosome formation in spermatozoa.


Membranous fat necrosis due to subcutaneous elemental mercury injections.
Membranous fat necrosis (MFN) is a distinct abnormality in systemic and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Although ischemia and trauma have been implicated in its causation, the exact pathogenesis of MFN remains unknown. The deposition of metallic mercury in subcutaneous tissue due to accidental penetration or deliberate injection of mercury is unusual. Depending on the duration of the deposition, localized necrosis, suppuration, and granuloma formation have been described at mercury injection sites. We report subcutaneous MFN, a hitherto unrecognized histopathologic phenomenon at sites of mercury deposition, in a 21-year-old soccer player who had deliberate subcutaneous and intramuscular elemental mercury injections to improve his sporting performance.


[Delay in the management of obstetric complications: study in 7 maternity units in Cameroon].
The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study conducted in 7 third-level maternity units in Cameroon was to determine maternal mortality rates associated with obstetrical complications and correlate these data with competency of health-care staff and time-to-care. Consolidated data for the year 2004 were used to calculate various indicators of maternal health. During the study period 16,005 deliveries were performed with 15,322 live births. Obstetrical complications occurred in 2847 cases leading to a total of 112 maternal deaths. Overall maternal mortality was 699 deaths for 100,000 live births. The complication fatality rate was 3.3 % and was correlated with both competency of health-care-staff and time-to-care (p < 0.05). In addition delayed for treatment was a determinant factor in maternal mortality since the risk of death increased with longer time-to-care.


Ethylene-Cytokinin Interaction Determines Early Defense Response of Wheat against Stagonospora nodorum Berk.
Ethylene, salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid are the key phytohormones involved in plant immunity, and other plant hormones have been demonstrated to interact with them. The classic phytohormone cytokinins are important participants of plant defense signaling. Crosstalk between ethylene and cytokinins has not been sufficiently studied as an aspect of plant immunity and is addressed in the present research. We compared expression of the genes responsible for hormonal metabolism and signaling in wheat cultivars differing in resistance to Stagonospora nodorum in response to their infection with fungal isolates, whose virulence depends on the presence of the necrotrophic effector SnTox3. Furthermore, we studied the action of the exogenous cytokinins, ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, ethylene-releasing agent) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, inhibitor of ethylene action) on infected plants. Wheat susceptibility was shown to develop due to suppression of reactive oxygen species production and decreased content of active cytokinins brought about by SnTox3-mediated activation of the ethylene signaling pathway. SnTox3 decreased cytokinin content most quickly by its activated glucosylation in an ethylene-dependent manner and, furthermore, by oxidative degradation and inhibition of biosynthesis in ethylene-dependent and ethylene-independent manners. Exogenous zeatin application enhanced wheat resistance against S. nodorum through inhibition of the ethylene signaling pathway and upregulation of SA-dependent genes. Thus, ethylene inhibited triggering of SA-dependent resistance mechanism, at least in part, by suppression of the cytokinin signaling pathway.


Analyzing multiple data sets by interconnecting RSAT programs via SOAP Web services: an example with ChIP-chip data.
This protocol shows how to access the Regulatory Sequence Analysis Tools (RSAT) via a programmatic interface in order to automate the analysis of multiple data sets. We describe the steps for writing a Perl client that connects to the RSAT Web services and implements a workflow to discover putative cis-acting elements in promoters of gene clusters. In the presented example, we apply this workflow to lists of transcription factor target genes resulting from ChIP-chip experiments. For each factor, the protocol predicts the binding motifs by detecting significantly overrepresented hexanucleotides in the target promoters and generates a feature map that displays the positions of putative binding sites along the promoter sequences. This protocol is addressed to bioinformaticians and biologists with programming skills (notions of Perl). Running time is approximately 6 min on the example data set.


Cooperative B-H activation by Cp* based κ2-N,S-chelated Ru(II) and Mo(II) complexes (Cp* = η5-C5Me5).
The chemistry of the Cp* based κ2-N,S-chelated ruthenium complex, [Cp*RuPPh3(κ2-N,S-(NC7H4S2)], 1 with different boranes has been explored. The room temperature reaction of 1 with BH3·THF and bulky boranes, such as MesBH2 and H2BArF, led to the formation of different dihydridoborate complexes, [{κ3-S,H,H-(NBH2R)(S2H4C7)}RuCp*], 2-4 (2: R = H, 3: R = Mes, and 4: R = ArF; Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, and ArF = 3,5-bistrifluoromethyl-benzene). In contrast, the Cp* based κ2-N,S-chelated molybdenum complex, [Cp*Mo(CO)2{κ2-N,S-(NC7H4S2)}], 5, yielded the agostic borate species, [Cp*Mo(CO)2{κ2-S,H-(NBH2R) (NC7H4S2)}], 6 and 7 (6: R = Mes and 7: R = ArF) at elevated temperatures.


A reliable and cost effective approach for radiographic monitoring in nutritional rickets.
Radiological scoring is particularly useful in rickets, where pre-treatment radiographical findings can reflect the disease severity and can be used to monitor the improvement. However, there is only a single radiographic scoring system for rickets developed by Thacher and, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated radiographic changes in rickets based on this scoring system apart from the one done by Thacher himself. The main objective of this study is to compare and analyse the pre-treatment and post-treatment radiographic parameters in nutritional rickets with the help of Thacher's scoring technique. 176 patients with nutritional rickets were given a single intramuscular injection of vitamin D (600 000 IU) along with oral calcium (50 mg kg(-1)) and vitamin D (400 IU per day) until radiological resolution and followed for 1 year. Pre- and post-treatment radiological parameters were compared and analysed statistically based on Thacher's scoring system. Radiological resolution was complete by 6 months. Time for radiological resolution and initial radiological score were linearly associated on regression analysis. The distal ulna was the last to heal in most cases except when the initial score was 10, when distal femur was the last to heal. Thacher's scoring system can effectively monitor nutritional rickets. The formula derived through linear regression has prognostic significance. The distal femur is a better indicator in radiologically severe rickets and when resolution is delayed. Thacher's scoring is very useful for monitoring of rickets. The formula derived through linear regression can predict the expected time for radiological resolution.


Synergistic effects of BDNF and NT-3 on postnatal spiral ganglion neurons.
Neurotrophins have profound effects on the development and maintenance of neurons that compose the VIIIth cranial nerve. In the auditory division of the nerve, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) have been localized to the sensory epithelium, and their respective high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkB and TrkC) are expressed within the neuronal population. By using a culture methodology that allows evaluation of single neurons, we determined that BDNF and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), which both bind to the TrkB high-affinity receptor, greatly enhanced neuron survival above control cultures. NT-3, which acts via the TrkC high-affinity receptor, also increased survival, but to a lesser extent. By testing a variety of neurotrophin concentrations and combinations, we observed that simultaneous activation of the TrkB and TrkC receptors synergistically promoted neuron survival compared to cultures that contained either neurotrophin alone at the same total concentration. Antibody labeling showed that the high-affinity Trk receptors were localized predominantly to the neurons and not to the surrounding satellite cells; furthermore, TrkB- and TrkC-specific antibodies each labeled 100% of the cultured neurons. These results suggest that synergistic interactions between BDNF and NT-3 may be crucial for spiral ganglion neuron survival during the final stages of development.


Implications of N and C-terminal proximity for protein folding.
We have investigated the proximity of the N and C termini in protein structures, and developed a model to test the theoretical possibility that proteins fold with their termini closely associated. On average, the distance between the termini is not significantly different from what would be expected based on chance. However, the theoretical model indicated that it is possible to greatly decrease the N-to-C terminal distance by allowing small (approximately six amino acid residues) solvent-accessible terminal fragments to move. Subsequent to this distance minimization method, more than 90% of the proteins studied had smaller-than-expected N-to-C distances, but only minor structural modification.


Electrochemical neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunosensor based on CoFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite and AuNPs@MoS2/rGO.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly associated with the risk of early metastasis. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a biomarker of SCLC, is directly related to tumor burden and early diagnosis. This biomarker exists in nerve tissue and neuroendocrine tissue. In this study, an electrochemical NSE immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles modified molybdenum disulfide and reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs@MoS2/rGO) as the electrode platform and CoFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite as the signal amplification was developed. The immobilization of anti-NSE capture antibody was successfully performed on AuNPs@MoS2/rGO modified electrode surface by amino-gold affinity and the conjugation of anti-NSE secondary antibody on CoFe2O4@Ag nanocomposite was successfully completed by the strong esterification reaction. The final immunosensor was designed by the specific interactions of electrode platform and signal amplification. The fabricated nanocomposites and electrochemical immunosensor were characterized by both physicochemical characterization techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The quantification limit (LOQ) and the determination limit (LOD) were computed to be 0.01 pg mL-1 and 3.00 fg mL-1, respectively. In brief, it can be speculated that the constructed electrochemical NSE immunosensor can be successfully utilized in the early diagnosis for lung cancer.


Pure erythroid leukemia, presenting with pancytopenia. Images in Hematology.
Pure erythroid leukemia is an aggressive form of acute leukemia, presenting with pancytopenia. It is defined as a neoplasm of erythroid lineage without a significant myeloblastic component, representing >80% of marrow, with 30% or more proerythroblasts. The disease has a rapid clinical course with median survival of only 3 months.


Prevalence and intensity of haemogregarinid blood parasites in a population of the Iberian rock lizard, Lacerta monticola.
The study of the effect of parasites on their host populations is essential for understanding their role in host population dynamics and ecology. We describe the general field population biology of haemogregarines in the Iberian rock lizard, Lacerta monticola, examining the factors that determine the prevalence and intensity of infection. Prevalence and infection intensity were higher in adults than in juvenile lizards. The prevalence rate was higher in larger lizards, probably because they were also older and had been more often in contact with parasites during their lifetime. During the mating season, the intensity of parasite infection was greater in males than in females, probably due to immunosuppressive effects of testosterone. The parasite load had a negative effect on the body condition during the reproductive season. The results suggest that the interactions between parasites and hosts are not stable in this lizard population.


Patulous eustachian tube in long-term survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
This article reports on 21 long-term (10 years) survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, divided into 2 groups: those subjected to an inflation-deflation test and a clearance function test in a longitudinal study, and those receiving sonotubometry in a cross-sectional study. On the inflation-deflation test, 12 (55%) out of 22 ears had a patulous eustachian tube, and on sonotubometry, 10 (50%) out of 20 ears also revealed a patulous eustachian tube. Except for 4 ears with chronic otitis media, the ears had resolved to a normal eardrum appearance at 10 years postirradiation. The phenomenon might be attributed to both restoration of the impaired tubal function and the development of a patulous tube.


Analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided fourquadrant transversus abdominis plane in patients with cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
Postoperative pain occurring after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is difficult to control because of extensive surgical injuries and long incisions. We assessed whether the addition of a four-quadrant transabdominal plane (4Q-TAP) block could help in analgesic control. Seventy-two patients scheduled to undergo elective CRS with HIPEC and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) were enrolled. The patients received 4Q-TAP blocks in a 10 ml mixture of 2% lidocaine and 0.75% ropivacaine per site (4Q-TAP group, n = 36) or normal saline (control group, n = 33). Oxycodone in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and pethidine or tramadol in the ward were used as rescue analgesics. The primary outcome was less than 3 times of rescue analgesic administration (%) in the ward for 5 postoperative days. Secondary endpoints included oxycodone requirement in PACU, fentanyl doses of IV PCA, morphine milligram equivalent (MME) of total opioid use, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. During 5 postoperative days, there was no difference in pain scores and total rescue analgesic administration between two groups. However, the use of oxycodone in PACU (P = 0.011), fentanyl requirement in IV PCA (P = 0.029), and MME/kg of total opioid use (median, 2.35 vs. 3.21 mg/kg, P = 0.009) were significantly smaller in the 4Q-TAP group. Hospital stay and incidence of postoperative morbidity were similar in both groups. The 4Q-TAP block enhanced multimodal analgesia and decreased opioid requirements in patients with CRS with HIPEC, but did not change postoperative recovery outcomes.


Cross-Variant Neutralizing Serum Activity after SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections.
To determine neutralizing activity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ancestral strain and 4 variants of concern, we tested serum from 30 persons with breakthrough infection after 2-dose vaccination. Cross-variant neutralizing activity was comparable to that after 3-dose vaccination. Shorter intervals between vaccination and breakthrough infection correlated with lower neutralizing titers.


Sensitivity to naloxone of the behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal and c-Fos expression in the rat CNS: a quantitative dose-response analysis.
Several studies have used c-Fos expression to delineate the neural substrate underlying naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal (MW). However, because behavioral manifestations of MW depend on both the degree of dependence and the doses of naloxone (NAL), a comprehensive study would require examining c-Fos expression in relation with the degree of MW. Here, changes in behavior and in c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) were studied in the same rats after injection of three doses of NAL to precipitate various degrees of MW. Fifteen established signs of MW were examined for 1 hour after NAL injection, and FLI was quantified in 52 regions of the brain and in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Linear regression analyses were used to examine changes in numbers of signs and FLI neurons with the doses of NAL, and data were considered dose-related for a statistical level of significance of P < 0.05. In summary, autonomic signs of MW increased in a dose-related manner, whereas somatomotor signs did not. After MW, 33 central nervous system regions exhibited significant increases in FLI and were, thus, considered as important neural correlates of MW. Twenty of them displayed dose-related increases in c-Fos expression and correspond to regions related to autonomic functions. Low c-Fos expression was detected in some regions involved in motor control or in reward, suggesting either their minor role in MW or a limitation of the technique. This dose-response analysis suggests that the increase in the severity of autonomic manifestations of MW is associated with a gradual activation of major structures of the autonomic nervous system.


[The Importance of Critical Life Events During Childhood for the Mental Health of Adolescents - Results of a 10-Year Catamnesis].
The Importance of Critical Life Events During Childhood for the Mental Health of Adolescents - Results of a 10-Year Catamnesis Abstract. Objective: This longitudinal study examines the influence of critical life events in childhood on mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. It includes parental mental disorders and parenting behavior as mediators. The review is carried out using structural equation models, separately for maternal and paternal mediators. Method: The sample consisted of 249 families examined at six measurement points (pre to FU10); the average age of the children was 4 years, that of the adolescents 10 years later thus 14 years (FU10). Information on critical life events was collected based on a defined list. Results: In the case of mothers, the influence of critical life events on mental disorders in childhood is completely mediated by the mental health of the mother and their dysfunctional parenting. The mediation effect of fathers' mental health is significantly less than that of the mothers (partial mediation), while their parenting behavior showed no mediating influence. Mental disorders in adolescence can be predicted primarily through mental disorders in childhood. There are no significant differences between internalizing and externalizing disorders. Conclusions: Parental mental health and parenting behavior, in particular of the mother, provide concrete starting points for prevention and intervention programs. Future studies should include mothers and fathers alike. Especially the role of fathers should be examined more closely.


P2Y1, P2Y6, and P2Y12 receptors in rat splenic sinus endothelial cells: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.
Localization of three P2X and six P2Y receptors in sinus endothelial cells of the rat spleen was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy, and ultrastructural localization of the detected receptors was examined by immunogold electron microscopy. In immunofluorescent microscopy, labeling for anti-P2Y1, P2Y6, and P2Y12 receptors was detected in endothelial cells, but P2X1, P2X2, P2X4, P2Y2, P2Y4, and P2Y13 receptors was not detected. P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors were prominently localized in the basal parts of endothelial cells. P2Y6 receptor was not only predominantly localized in the basal parts of endothelial cells, but also in the superficial layer. Triple immunofluorescent staining for a combination of two P2Y receptors and actin filaments showed that P2Y1, P2Y6, and P2Y12 receptors were individually localized in endothelial cells. Phospholipase C-β3, phospholipase C- γ2, and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, related to the release of the intracellular Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum, were also predominantly localized in the basal parts of endothelial cells. In immunogold electron microscopy, labeling for P2Y1, P2Y6, and P2Y12 receptors were predominantly localized in the basal part of endothelial cells and, in addition, in the junctional membrane, basal plasma membrane, and caveolae in the basal part of endothelial cells. Labeling for phospholipase C-β3 and phospholipase C-γ2 was dominantly localized in the basal parts and in close proximity to the plasma membranes of endothelial cells. The possible functional roles of these P2Y receptors in splenic sinus endothelial cells are discussed.


Adipose triglyceride lipase mediates lipolysis and lipid mobilization in response to iron-mediated negative energy balance.
Maintenance of energy balance is essential for overall organismal health. Mammals have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms that control energy intake and expenditure. Traditionally, studies have focused on understanding the role of macronutrient physiology in energy balance. In the present study, we examined the role of the essential micronutrient iron in regulating energy balance. We found that a short course of dietary iron caused a negative energy balance resulting in a severe whole body wasting phenotype. This disruption in energy balance was because of impaired intestinal nutrient absorption. In response to dietary iron-induced negative energy balance, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) was necessary for wasting of subcutaneous white adipose tissue and lipid mobilization. Fat-specific ATGL deficiency protected mice from fat wasting, but caused a severe cachectic response in mice when fed iron. Our work reveals a mechanism for micronutrient control of lipolysis that is necessary for regulating mammalian energy balance.


Reduction of N-acetyl methionine sulfoxide in plants.
An enzymic activity which catalyzes the reduction of N-acetyl-methionine sulfoxide to l-N-acetyl-methionine has been observed in a wide variety of plant tissues. Its activity depended on the presence of dithiotreithol in the incubation medium. l-Methionine-sulfoxide was essentially inactive as a substrate. Of all the physiological reductants tested, only thioredoxin partially replaced dithiothreithol. When fractions obtained by gradient centrifugation of gently disrupted barley protoplasts were assayed for the reductase, the activity was largely associated with chloroplasts although approximately 15% was found in the cytosolic compartment. The enzyme, isolated from spinach chloroplasts, had a broad pH optima between 7.0 and 8.0, and its K(m) for N-acetyl methionine sulfoxide is 0.4 millimolar. The possible participation of this ubiquitous enzyme in enzyme regulation is discussed.


Methods for characterizing the structure of starch in relation to its applications: a comprehensive review.
Starch is a major part of the human diet and an important material for industrial utilization. The structure of starch granules is the subject of intensive research because it determines functionality, and hence suitability for specific applications. Starch granules are made up of a hierarchy of complex structural elements, from lamellae and amorphous regions to blocklets, growth rings and granules, which increase in scale from nanometers to microns. The complexity of these native structures changes with the processing of starch-rich ingredients into foods and other products. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of analytical methods developed to characterize structure of starch granules, and their applications in analyzing the changes in starch structure as a result of processing, with particular consideration of the poorly understood short-range ordered structures in amorphous regions of granules.


The influences of anesthesia methods on some complications after orthopedic surgery: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.
Although several anesthesia procedures have been explored for orthopedic surgery, the complications of anesthesia remain not well resolved. This study aimed to explore the influence of different anesthesia methods on the complications after orthopedic surgery. According to the searching strategy, anesthesia associated studies in orthopedic surgery were screened from Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to Mar. 10th, 2018. Then, complications and demographic data were extracted and quality of studies was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. ADDIS software was used to perform the network meta-analysis. Pooled effect size was calculated using random effective model or consistency model, and presented with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). According to the selective criteria, a total of 23 studies with 2393 patients were enrolled in this study. Quality assessment revealed all studies had an ordinary quality. Network meta-analyses revealed that nerve block analgesia (NBA) presented a lower effect on the occurrence of post-operative nausea or vomiting (PONV; OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.39) and urine retention (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.37) compared with epidural anesthesia (EA). Interscalene block (ISB) and local infiltration analgesia (LIA) could significantly reduce the occurrence of back pain compared with EA (OR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00-0.30; OR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00-0.25). NBA presented an effective role in reliving the occurrence of PONV and urine retention, and ISB and LIA relieved the back pain compared with EA after orthopedic surgery.


Treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: from molecular bases to practical considerations.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, in which both cellular and humoral immune responses are involved. The disease is clinically heterogeneous with some patients displaying pure motor form and others also showing a variable degree of sensory dysfunction; disease evolution may also differ from patient to patient, since monophasic, progressive, and relapsing forms are reported. Underlying such clinical variability there is probably a broad spectrum of molecular dysfunctions that are and will be the target of therapeutic strategies. In this review we first explore the biological bases of current treatments and subsequently we focus on the practical management that must also take into account pharmacoeconomic issues.


Health effects of ingesting arsenic-contaminated groundwater.
Approximately 4% of private drinking water wells in central Outagamie and Winnebago counties contain naturally occurring arsenic at concentrations exceeding the present Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb). This cross-sectional study assessed health status via a self-administered survey. Questions concerned water consumption and resulting neurological, gastrointestinal, and dermatological symptoms. Participants were recruited through a public information campaign recommending water testing through local health departments; the survey was distributed at the time the water sample was submitted. Participants were unaware of their arsenic water concentration before completing the survey. Surveys from 637 families--64% of all surveys distributed--representing 1,836 individuals were completed. Of those respondents, 452 (25%) consumed between 5 and 50 micrograms of arsenic per day through water consumption; 47 (3%) consumed more than 50 micrograms of arsenic per day. This sample size had 80% power to detect a two-fold difference in the prevalence of the health effects studied. At this power level, no significant associations between arsenic intake, estimated through drinking water consumption and water arsenic concentrations, and the health effects studied were established.


Differential medial temporal lobe morphometric predictors of item- and relational-encoded memories in healthy individuals and in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Episodic memory processes are supported by different subregions of the medial temporal lobe (MTL). In contrast to a unitary model of memory recognition supported solely by the hippocampus, a current model suggests that item encoding engages perirhinal cortex, whereas relational encoding engages parahippocampal cortex and the hippocampus. However, this model has not been examined in the context of aging, neurodegeneration, and MTL morphometrics. Forty-four healthy subjects (HSs) and 18 cognitively impaired subjects (nine mild cognitive impairment [MCI] and nine Alzheimer's disease [AD] patients) were assessed with the relational and item-specific encoding task (RISE) and underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging. The RISE assessed the differential contribution of relational and item-specific memory. FreeSurfer was used to obtain measures of cortical thickness of MTL regions and hippocampus volume. Memory accuracies for both item and relational memory were significantly better in the HS group than in the MCI/AD group. In MCI/AD group, relational memory was disproportionately impaired. In HSs, hierarchical regressions demonstrated that memory was predicted by perirhinal thickness after item encoding, and by hippocampus volume after relational encoding (both at trend level) and significantly by parahippocampal thickness at associative recognition. The same brain morphometry profiles predicted memory accuracy in MCI/AD, although more robustly perirhinal thickness for item encoding (R2 = 0.31) and hippocampal volume and parahippocampal thickness for relational encoding (R2 = 0.31). Our results supported a model of episodic memory in which item-specific encoding was associated with greater perirhinal cortical thickness, while relational encoding was associated with parahippocampal thickness and hippocampus volume. We identified these relationships not only in HSs but also in individuals with MCI and AD. In the subjects with cognitive impairment, reductions in hippocampal volume and impairments in relational memory were especially prominent.


The effectiveness of parental distraction during children's acute pain: The moderating effect of socioeconomic status.
Parental responses to children's pain shape how children interpret and cope with pain symptoms through parental modelling and operant conditioning. Evidence suggests that parental distraction is effective in reducing children's acute pain responses, but findings are inconsistent across pain tolerance, intensity and unpleasantness, and are limited to samples of primarily middle and upper-middle class families. Although socioeconomically disadvantaged families may have fewer psychological resources to cope with pain, no studies have examined whether the utility of parent distraction varies by family socioeconomic status (SES). The current study tested the hypothesis that relations between parental distraction and acute pain responses in children vary by family SES, with children from higher versus lower SES families experiencing more substantial benefits. Children's pain symptoms and parents' use of verbal distraction during a cold pressor task were examined in a community sample of 530 twin children aged 7-12 years old and their primary caregivers. Parental distraction was positively associated with children's pain tolerance and unrelated to intensity and unpleasantness, but these associations are qualified by significant moderation. In families with higher SES, parental distraction was an effective technique in children's pain management, associated with more pain tolerance and less pain intensity and unpleasantness. However, for families with lower SES, these same benefits were not present. Findings suggest that the effectiveness of parental distraction for children's acute pain may depend on family SES. Study findings suggest that the effects of parental distraction on children's responses to an acute pain task vary by family SES. Although parental distraction may be effective for higher SES children, further research is needed to identify whether and why distraction may not be beneficial for lower SES families.


Development of High-Sensitivity Piezoresistive Sensors Based on Highly Breathable Spacer Fabric with TPU/PPy/PDA Coating.
In recent years, the research of flexible sensors has become a hot topic in the field of wearable technology, attracting the attention of many researchers. However, it is still a difficult challenge to prepare low-cost and high-performance flexible sensors by a simple process. Three-dimensional spacer fabric (SF) are the ideal substrate for flexible pressure sensors due to its good compression resilience and high permeability (5747.7 mm/s, approximately 10 times that of cotton). In this paper, Thermoplastic polyurethane/Polypyrrole/Polydopamine/Space Fabric (TPU/PPy/PDA/SF) composite fabrics were prepared in a simple in-situ polymerization method by sequentially coating polydopamine (PDA) and Polypyrrole (PPy) on the surface of SF, followed by spin-coating of different polymers (thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Ecoflex) on the PPy/PDA/SF surface. The results showed that the TPU/PPy/PDA/SF pressure sensors prepared by spin-coating TPU at 900 rpm at a concentration of 0.3 mol of pyrrole monomer (py) and a polymerization time of 60 min have optimum sensing performance, a wide working range (0−10 kPa), high sensitivity (97.28 kPa−1), fast response (60 ms), good cycling stability (>500 cycles), and real-time motion monitoring of different parts of the body (e.g., arms and knees). The TPU/PPy/PDA/SF piezoresistive sensor with high sensitivity on a highly permeable spacer fabric base developed in this paper has promising applications in the field of health monitoring.


U, Pu, and Am nuclear signatures of the Thule hydrogen bomb debris.
This study concerns an arctic marine environment that was contaminated by actinide elements after a nuclear accident in 1968, the so-called Thule accident In this study we have analyzed five isolated hot particles as well as sediment samples containing particles from the weapon material for the determination of the nuclear fingerprint of the accident. We report that the fissile material in the hydrogen weapons involved in the Thule accident was a mixture of highly enriched uranium and weapon-grade plutonium and that the main fissile material was 235U (about 4 times more than the mass of 239Pu). In the five hot particles examined, the measured uranium atomic ratio was 235U/238U = 1.02 +/- 0.16 and the Pu-isotopic ratios were as follows: 24Pu/239Pu = 0.0551 +/- 0.0008 (atom ratio), 238Pu/239+240Pu = 0.0161 +/- 0.0005 (activity ratio), 241Pu/239+240Pu = 0.87 +/- 0.12 (activity ratio), and 241Am/ 239+240Pu = 0.169 +/- 0.005 (activity ratio) (reference date 2001-10-01). From the activity ratios of 241Pu/241Am, we estimated the time of production of this weapon material to be from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. The results from reanalyzed bulk sediment samples showed the presence of more than one Pu source involved in the accident, confirming earlier studies. The 238Pu/239+240PU activity ratio and the 240Pu/ 239Pu atomic ratio were divided into at least two Pu-isotopic ratio groups. For both Pu-isotopic ratios, one ratio group had identical ratios as the five hot particles described above and for the other groups the Pu isotopic ratios were lower (238Pu/ 239+240PU activity ratio approximately 0.01 and the 240Pu/P239Pu atomic ratio 0.03). On the studied particles we observed that the U/Pu ratio decreased as a function of the time these particles were present in the sediment. We hypothesis that the decrease in the ratio is due to a preferential leaching of U relative to Pu from the particle matrix.


ADAM-9 is an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 protease produced and secreted by human osteoblasts.
IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) is an important bone formation regulator. Therefore, elucidation of the identity of IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) protease produced by osteoblasts is important for our understanding of the molecular pathways that control the action of BP-5. In this regard, BP-5 protease purified by various chromatographic steps from a conditioned medium of U2 human osteosarcoma cells migrated as a single major band, which comigrated with the protease activity in native PAGE and yielded multiple bands in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. N-Terminal sequencing of these bands revealed that three of the bands yielded amino acid sequences that were identical to that of alpha2 macroglobulin (alpha2M). Although alpha2M was produced by human osteoblasts (OBs), it was not found to be a BP-5 protease. Because alpha2M had been shown to complex with ADAM proteases and because ADAM-12 was found to cleave BP-3 and BP-5, we evaluated if one of the members of ADAM family was the BP-5 protease. On the basis of the findings that (1) purified preparations of BP-5 protease from U2 cell CM contained ADAM-9, (2) ADAM-9 is produced and secreted in high abundance by various human OB cell types, (3) purified ADAM-9 cleaved BP-5 effectively while it did not cleave other IGFBPs or did so with less potency, and (4) purified ADAM-9 bound to alpha2M, we conclude that ADAM-9 is a BP-5 protease produced by human OBs.


Promoting convergence and closing gaps using affordability-based minimum taxes: an illustration using the European Union Tobacco Tax Directive.
The rules governing tobacco taxation in the European Union (EU) are currently under revision. Earlier research has proposed reforms aimed at stimulating price convergence across countries by linking national minimum taxes to a measure of average prices across the EU. This paper proposes that revised tax rules include an affordability criterion whereby minimum taxes are required to be no less than a common prespecified fraction of domestic average disposable income. Longitudinal data on prices and taxes on factory-made cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco in 24 EU member states and the UK between 2011 and 2019 are used to estimate econometric models for their weighted average prices as a function of taxes. Two scenarios are simulated with the models' estimates: a baseline scenario for the actual tax stance pertaining to 2020 and a reform scenario implementing an additional affordability criterion. The affordability criterion would significantly increase the price of both tobacco products, particularly in richer countries with relatively low tobacco prices that are often not affected by the increases in nominal minima mandated by the EU rules. There would also be some price convergence between the two tobacco products, both on average and in the majority of countries. Such results show an affordability criterion could be a potentially fruitful complement to the tax reforms proposed in earlier research.


Current molecular models for NADPH oxidase regulation by Rac GTPase.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been increasingly recognized as important components of cell signaling in addition to their well-established roles in host defense. The formation of ROS in phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells involves membrane-localized and Rac guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-regulated reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase(s). We discuss here the current molecular models for Rac GTPase action in the control of the phagocytic leukocyte NADPH oxidase. As a mechanistically detailed example of Rac GTPase signaling, the NADPH oxidase provides a potential paradigm for signaling by Rho family GTPases in general.


The comparative effect of acidified sodium chlorite and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on plaque regrowth and salivary bacterial counts.
Acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) is recognised as a highly potent, broad spectrum antimicrobial system that has been successfully developed for uses in veterinary, food processing and medical device fields. The current studies aimed to investigate the persistence of antimicrobial action and plaque inhibitory properties of 3 ASC mouthrinses by comparison with positive control, chlorhexidine 0.12%, and placebo control, water, rinses. Both studies were randomised, double-blind, cross-over 5-cell designs balanced for carryover. The 1st study involved 15 healthy subjects who immediately before and at 30, 60, 180, 300 and 420 min after rinsing provided 2 ml saliva samples. The samples were immediately processed for total anaerobic bacterial counts recorded after 96 h incubation. Washout periods were a minimum of 3 days. The second study involved 20 healthy subjects who on day 1 of each study were rendered plaque free, suspended normal oral hygiene methods and commenced rinsing twice daily with the allocated rinse. On day 5, plaque was scored by index and area after disclosing with erythrosin. Washout periods were 2 1/2 days. The 3 ASC and chlorhexidine rinses produced similar reductions in salivary bacterial counts which remained significantly below the placebo control to 7 h. There were no significant differences between ASC and chlorhexidine rinses except at 30 and 60 min when significantly greater reductions were produced by 2 ASC rinses compared to the chlorhexidine rinse. Plaque indices and areas were considerably and significantly lower with the ASC and chlorhexidine rinses compared to the placebo rinse. There were no significant differences between plaque scores for the 3 ASC rinses and the chlorhexidine rinse, although for 2 ASC rinses plaque scores were lower than for the chlorhexidine rinse. The results indicate that the 3 ASC rinses have equivalent plaque inhibitory action to chlorhexidine as a rinse. Similar to chlorhexidine, the plaque inhibitory action of the rinses appears to be derived from a persistence of antimicrobial action in the mouth.


[Feasibility of using NIR spectroscopy to detect melamine in milk].
In the present study, 22 certified milk samples without melamine were collected, then 50 adulterated milk samples with added different content of melamine (0.1-1 500 mg x kg(-1)) were prepared. The near-infrared (NIR) spectra of these milk samples were measured. The possibility of using NIR spectra to detect melamine in milk was studied. Partial least square regression (PLSR) was applied to construct the calibration model between NIR spectra and the content of melamine. The results showed that NIR spectroscopy can not accurately predict the content of melamine because of its poor detection limit. However, the combination of NIR spectra and partial least square-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to differentiate the certified milk samples and the adulterated milk sample. The classification accuracy was 100%. Therefore, NIR spectra could be used to preliminarily detect whether the milk was adulterated with melamine. As a complementary detecting method to the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), NIR spectra could improve the detecting efficiency of milk


A novel algorithm for the edge detection and edge enhancement of medical images.
A novel algorithm, histogram shifting (HS) is presented, which performs edge detection or edge enhancement with the choice of two parameters. The histogram of a region surrounding each pixel is found and translated toward the origin, resulting in the new pixel value. Images from a variety of medical imaging modalities were processed with HS to perform detection and enhancement of edges. Comparison with results obtained from conventional edge detection (e.g., Sobel) and with conventional edge-enhancement algorithms is discussed. HS appears to perform the edge-detection operation without introducing "double-edge" effects often obtained with conventional edge-detection algorithms. HS also appears to perform edge enhancement without introducing extensive noise artifacts, which may be noticeable with many edge-enhancement algorithms.