[Modulation of cGMP levels, soluble guanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities in brain of morphine-dependent mice].
By inducing morphine dependence in mice, the changes of cGMP contents, phosphodiesterase (PDE) and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activities and their phosphorylation regulated by protein kinase A (PKA) were observed. It was found that: (1) cGMP contents in cerebellum, striatum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex were significantly lower. (2) The sGC activities were apparently decreased in cerebellum and striatum. In the striatum and cerebral cortex the sGC activities and phosphorylation levels in vitro were significantly increased and were inhibited by PKA inhibitor. (3) The PDE activities showed no change in cerebellum and hippocampus, but in striatum and cerebral cortex PDE activities and phosphorylation levels in vitro were significantly increased and were inhibited by PKA inhibitor. (4) These changes described above were not observed in mice treated with naloxone 30 min prior to daily morphine injection. Our data indicate that the decrease of cGMP contents occurred generally in brain regions of morphine-dependent mice. The decrease of cGMP contents in cerebellum and hippocampus may be due to the decrease of sGC activities, but the decrease of cGMP contents in striatum and cerebral cortex may be mainly due to the increase of PDE activity. Both sGC and PDE activities were regulated by PKA.


Dietary starch intake modifies the relation between copy number variation in the salivary amylase gene and BMI.
Background: Studies have shown conflicting associations between the salivary amylase gene (AMY1) copy number and obesity. Salivary amylase initiates starch digestion in the oral cavity; starch is a major source of energy in the diet.Objective: We investigated the association between AMY1 copy number and obesity traits, and the effect of the interaction between AMY1 copy number and starch intake on these obesity traits.Design: We first assessed the association between AMY1 copy number (genotyped by digital droplet polymerase chain reaction) and obesity traits in 4800 individuals without diabetes (mean age: 57 y; 60% female) from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Cohort. Then we analyzed interactions between AMY1 copy number and energy-adjusted starch intake (obtained by a modified diet history method) on body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage.Results:AMY1 copy number was not associated with BMI (P = 0.80) or body fat percentage (P = 0.38). We observed a significant effect of the interaction between AMY1 copy number and starch intake on BMI (P-interaction = 0.007) and body fat percentage (P-interaction = 0.03). Upon stratification by dietary starch intake, BMI tended to decrease with increasing AMY1 copy numbers in the low-starch intake group (P = 0.07) and tended to increase with increasing AMY1 copy numbers in the high-starch intake group (P = 0.08). The lowest mean BMI was observed in the group of participants with a low AMY1 copy number and a high dietary intake of starch.Conclusions: Our findings suggest an effect of the interaction between starch intake and AMY1 copy number on obesity. Individuals with high starch intake but low genetic capacity to digest starch had the lowest BMI, potentially because larger amounts of undigested starch are transported through the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to fewer calories extracted from ingested starch.


Finite temperature infrared spectroscopy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules: path-integral molecular dynamics.
The vibrational spectra of the naphthalene, pyrene, and coronene molecules have been computed in the 0-3500 cm(-1) infrared range using classical and quantum molecular dynamics simulations based on a dedicated tight-binding potential energy surface. The ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) and partially adiabatic centroid molecular dynamics (CMD) methods have been employed to account for quantum nuclear effects. The contributions of quantum delocalization to the line shift and broadening are significant in the entire spectral range and of comparable magnitude as pure thermal effects. While the two methods generally produce similar results, the CMD method may converge slower at low temperature with increasing Trotter discretization number. However, and contrary to the CMD method, the RPMD approach suffers from serious resonance problems at high frequencies and low temperatures.


Saprolegnia parasitica Isolated from Rainbow Trout in Korea: Characterization, Anti-Saprolegnia Activity and Host Pathogen Interaction in Zebrafish Disease Model.
Saprolegniasis is one of the most devastating oomycete diseases in freshwater fish which is caused by species in the genus Saprolegnia including Saprolegnia parasitica. In this study, we isolated the strain of S. parasitica from diseased rainbow trout in Korea. Morphological and molecular based identification confirmed that isolated oomycete belongs to the member of S. parasitica, supported by its typical features including cotton-like mycelium, zoospores and phylogenetic analysis with internal transcribed spacer region. Pathogenicity of isolated S. parasitica was developed in embryo, juvenile, and adult zebrafish as a disease model. Host-pathogen interaction in adult zebrafish was investigated at transcriptional level. Upon infection with S. parasitica, pathogen/antigen recognition and signaling (TLR2, TLR4b, TLR5b, NOD1, and major histocompatibility complex class I), pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-8, interferon γ, IL-12, and IL-10), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9 and MMP13), cell surface molecules (CD8+ and CD4+) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) related genes were differentially modulated at 3- and 12-hr post infection. As an anti-Saprolegnia agent, plant based lawsone was applied to investigate on the susceptibility of S. parasitica showing the minimum inhibitory concentration and percentage inhibition of radial growth as 200 μg/mL and 31.8%, respectively. Moreover, natural lawsone changed the membrane permeability of S. parasitica mycelium and caused irreversible damage and disintegration to the cellular membranes of S. parasitica. Transcriptional responses of the genes of S. parasitica mycelium exposed to lawsone were altered, indicating that lawsone could be a potential anti-S. parasitica agent for controlling S. parasitica infection.


Multifamily therapy in the community mental health network: A pragmatic randomized and controlled study.
Multifamily therapy (MFT) is a psychotherapeutic group intervention for patients with severe mental disorders (SMDs) and their families. The present study is a multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial that analyzes the benefit of MFT during outpatient treatment. The recruited patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 26), which received 24 MFT sessions in addition to their treatment as usual (TAU), or to the control group (n = 29), which received only TAU (individual and family sessions). Six months after the inclusion in the MFT, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in number of visits to the psychiatric emergency services, number of psychiatric admissions, and the days of admission. The need for hospital care 6 months after recruitment was also lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. These results suggest that the implementation of MFT during outpatient treatment facilitates community management of people diagnosed with mental health problems.


In-vivo and in-vitro effectiveness of three insecticides types for eradication of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus in dogs.
External parasites contribute to extensive harmful impacts on their hosts which is why control and eradication of external parasites have been included in all biosecurity plans of dog houses. To evaluate the in-vitro and in-vivo effectiveness of chemicals like Doramectin injectable and Fipronil 50 mg/ml drops and herbal mixes eco-friendly insecticides like phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix spray for combating the external parasitism in dogs and their influence on the hematological, biochemical, and cortisol (CORT) profiles. The in-vitro effectiveness of the insecticides was conducted by using a total of 216 developmental stage Rhipicephalus sanguineus (72 adults, 72 larvae, and 72 eggs) designed into three replicates of petri dishes (3 plates × 8 units × 3 stages/replicate); each replicate was exposed to 1 ml insecticide. The number of surviving ticks was recorded after 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Sixteen Rottweiler male dogs aged 1 year and 45.5 kg were divided into four groups. Three groups (G1, G2, and G3) were experimentally infested with R. sanguineus ticks 3-4 weeks post-dog arrival and kept under observation from zero-time of experimental infestation for 1-2 weeks. The three experimentally infested dog groups were treated with Doramectin injectable, Fipronil 50 mg/ml drops, and phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix spray, respectively, and the fourth group was designed as a negative control. A total of 144 samples, including 48 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood, 48 whole blood, and 48 sera samples, were collected. The in-vitro efficacy revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) 100% killing efficacy that was achieved after 8 hours in Doramectin and Fipronil 50 mg/ml and 24 hours in phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix. The in-vivo trials revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) improvements of red blood cells, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, platelets, total and differential leukocytic counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates in the second hour, total protein, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and CORT levels in the 2-week (P1) and 4-week posttreatment (P2) samples in Dormectin, Fipronil 50 mg/ml, and phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix-treated dogs with more pronounced recovery in phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix spray-treated dogs. The insecticides were able to provide a high level of protection against experimental infestation with concern to the different modes of application. Phenylpyrazole-garlic-camphor mix spray (eco-friendly) achieved higher insecticidal action compared to the chemicals.


Addressing unmet needs of patients with chronic diseases: Impact of the VISIT website during consultations.
Patient concerns are often neglected in consultations, especially for chronic diseases where patients and providers fall into the routine of chronic disease management in consultations. One strategy to elicit patient concerns has been to ask patients to complete agenda lists before the consultation. This study aimed to explore the impact of a preconsultation agenda website in addressing patients' unmet needs during chronic disease consultations. Patients entered their concerns into a website (Values In Shared Interactions Tool (VISIT)). Doctors accessed this information via the electronic medical records before consultations. Individual in-depth interviews were then conducted with patients and doctors on the website's impact on consultations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. The average age (years) was 65.7 for patients (n = 8) and 35.7 for doctors (n = 7). Patients in the study entered between 1 to 6 items in the website. From postconsultation interviews, we found that the website impacted the consultation in 5 ways: (1) It facilitated patients to communicate their full agenda to doctors; (2) it helped address unmet patient needs as it gave them opportunity to raise other issues besides their chronic condition; (3) it facilitated rapport between doctor and patient; (4) it facilitated doctors to organize their consultation around the concerns the patient had listed; and (5) it disrupted the doctor's usual consultation style if the list of concerns was lengthy. Integrating patient concerns into electronic health records helped to facilitate patient-centred consultations. Doctors found this information useful but felt uneasy if the agenda list was too long or too complex. Areas for future studies include training doctors to manage complex agendas and formal evaluation of the VISIT tool.


Esophageal replacement by hydroxylated bacterial cellulose patch in a rabbit model.
To repair esophageal defects by hydroxylated and kombucha-synthesized bacterial cellulose (HKBC) patch in a rabbit model. Semicircular esophageal defects 1 cm in length of the cervical esophagus were initially created in 18 Japanese big-ear rabbits and then repaired with HKBC patch grafts. The clinical outcomes including survival rate, weight change, food intake, and hematological and radiologic evaluation were observed. After X-ray evaluation, the rabbits were sacrificed sequentially at 1, 3, and 6 months for histopathologic analysis with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Survival rate during the first month was 88.9% (n = 16). Two rabbits died from anastomotic leakage during the entire follow-up. Postoperatively, feeding function and body weight were gradually restored in the surviving animals. No hematological abnormalities were found, and no obvious anastomotic leakage, stenosis, or obstruction was observed under X-ray examination. The histopathologic results showed a progressive regeneration of the esophagus in the graft area, where the neo-esophagus tissue had characteristics similar to native esophageal tissue after 3 months of surgery. HKBC is beneficial for esophageal tissue regeneration and may be a promising material for esophageal reconstruction.


Phenotype/genotype sequence complementarity and prebiotic replicator coexistence in the metabolically coupled replicator system.
RNA or RNA-like polymers are the most likely candidates for having played the lead roles on the stage of the origin of life. RNA is known to feature two of the three essential functions of living entities (metabolism, heredity and membrane): it is capable of unlimited heredity and it has a proven capacity for catalysing very different chemical reactions which may form simple metabolic networks. The Metabolically Coupled Replicator System is a class of simulation models built on these two functions to show that an RNA World scenario for the origin of life is ecologically feasible, provided that it is played on mineral surfaces. The fact that RNA templates and their copies are of complementary base sequences has an obvious dynamical relevance: complementary strains may have very different structures and, consequently, functions - one may specialize for increasing enzymatic activity while the other takes the role of the gene of the enzyme. Incorporating the functional divergence of template and copy into the Metabolically Coupled Replicator System model framework we show that sequence complementarity 1) does not ruin the coexistence of a set of metabolically cooperating replicators; 2) the replicator system remains resistant to, but also tolerant with its parasites; 3) opens the way to the evolutionary differentiation of phenotype and genotype through a primitive version of phenotype amplification. The functional asymmetry of complementary RNA strains results in a shift of phenotype/genotype (enzyme/gene) proportions in MCRS, favouring a slight genotype dominance. This asymmetry is expected to reverse due to the evolved trade-off of high "gene" replicability and high catalytic activity of the corresponding "enzyme" in expense of its replicability. This trade-off is the first evolutionary step towards the "division of labour" among enzymes and genes, which has concluded in the extreme form of phenotype amplification characteristic of our recent DNA-RNA-protein World.


Nivazol: a glucocorticoid in rats with only hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-inhibiting activity in primates.
The synthetic steroid nivazol lacks three of the substituents considered to be important for glucocorticoid activity, i.e. the 3-keto, the 11-hydroxy, and the 20-keto groups. Nevertheless, in the rat, nivazol has the activity profile of a glucocorticoid. After treatment of intact female rats with nivazol , the mean weights of the adrenals and thymus were lower than those in the vehicle-treated control group. The results were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those obtained with methylprednisolone. Thymolysis as well as liver glycogen deposition were seen in adrenalectomized rats treated with nivazol , and eosinopenia and inhibition of carrageenan edema were noted in intact rats. In the rhesus monkey, treatment with nivazol resulted in a marked reduction in circulating cortisol levels and elimination of the diurnal pattern, although a dose 10 times that needed to reduce circulating cortisol levels did not produce eosinopenia or increase fasting blood glucose levels. Both eosinopenia and higher fasting blood glucose levels were seen after treatment with methylprednisolone. Nivazol did not prevent the ACTH-induced increase in circulating cortisol levels nor did it alter circulating aldosterone levels. Therefore, suppression of ACTH is the predominant if not the sole action of nivazol in the primate. Preliminary results in clinical trials suggest a similar activity profile in humans. Therefore, nivazol elicits numerous glucocorticoid activities in the rodent, but only the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was observed in the primate. It is of special interest that the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurs without altering circulating aldosterone levels and without evidence of debilitating catabolic activity.


Blown fuse regulates stretching and outgrowth but not myoblast fusion of the circular visceral muscles in Drosophila.
Circular visceral muscles of Drosophila are binuclear syncytia arising from fusion of two different kinds of myoblasts: a circular visceral founder cell and one visceral fusion-competent myoblast. In contrast to fusion leading to the somatic body-wall musculature, myoblast fusion for the circular visceral muscles does not result in massive syncytia but instead in syncytia interconnected with multiple cytoplasmic bridges, which differentiate into large web-shaped muscles. Here, we show that these syncytial circular visceral muscles build a gut-enclosing network with the interwoven longitudinal visceral muscles. At the ultrastructural level, during circular visceral myoblast fusion and the first step of somatic myoblast fusion prefusion complexes and electron-dense plaques were not detectable which was surprising as these structures are characteristic for the second step of somatic myoblast fusion. Moreover, we demonstrate that Blown fuse (Blow), a cytoplasmic protein essential for the second step of somatic myoblast fusion, plays a different role in circular visceral myogenesis. Blow is known to be essential for progression beyond the prefusion complex in the somatic mesoderm; however, analysis of blow mutants established that it has a restricted role in stretching and outgrowth of the syncytia in the circular visceral muscles. Furthermore, we also found that in the visceral mesoderm, Blow is expressed in both the fusion-competent myoblasts and circular visceral founders, while expression in the somatic mesoderm is initially restricted to fusion-competent myoblasts. We also demonstrate that different enhancer elements in the first intron of blow are responsible for this distinct expression pattern. Thus, we propose a model for Blow in which this protein is involved in at least two clearly differing processes during Drosophila muscle formation, namely somatic myoblast fusion on the one hand and stretching and outgrowth of circular visceral muscles on the other.


Selective mitochondrial alterations induced by a single dose of daunorubicin or 4-demethoxydaunorubicin in mouse ventricular myocardium.
The ventricular myocardium of CD1 mice given a single high dose (LD50) of daunorubicin (DNR) or its derivative, 4-demethoxydaunorubicin (4DD), was studied under the electron microscope. Severe degenerative alterations were observed, but only in the mitochondria in myocardial tissue samples taken 3 and 7 days after treatment. This suggests that mitochondrial lesions might play an important role in the pathogenesis of anthracycline myocardipathy. Furthermore, the nucleolar segregation phenomenon, already described in experimental doxorubicin myocardiopathy, was not observed in the myocardial samples taken 1 and 3 h after DNR or 4DD injection: this fact may be interpreted, without excluding a possible DNA-mediated toxic mechanism, as the result of different kinetic behaviour of DNR and 4DD compared to doxorubicin.


Differential distribution of postjunctional alpha 2 adrenoceptors in human omental small arteries.
A pharmacologic characterization of the postjunctional alpha adrenoceptors of human omental small arteries was performed using a microvascular myograph. Both the alpha 1-selective agonist phenylephrine in the presence of yohimbine (0.3 microM, alpha 2-selective antagonist) and the alpha 2-selective agonist B-HT 933 in the presence of prazosin (0.3 microM, alpha 1-selective antagonist) evoked strong vasoconstriction. The responses to phenylephrine were competitively antagonized by prazosin, whereas the responses to B-HT 933 were competitively antagonized by yohimbine; the pA2-values were 9.24 and 8.34, respectively. An inverse relationship of the maximum response to B-HT 933 (r = -0.53; p less than 0.001), but not to phenylephrine or to norepinephrine (NE), against artery caliber was observed. The shifts of the NE concentration-response curves caused by yohimbine (0.1 microM) were more marked in the smaller rather than the larger vessels (r = -0.71; p less than 0.01), whereas the opposite was observed using 0.1 microM prazosin (r = 0.84; p less than 0.001). These data suggest that both alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors are present in the human omental small arteries, but whereas postjunctional alpha 2 adrenoceptors appear to be located predominantly in the resistance arteries, postjunctional alpha 1 adrenoceptors appear to be distributed evenly along the arterial tree.


Nursing considerations in brachytherapy-related erectile dysfunction.
Following definitive local treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, preservation of erectile function has been assumed to be most likely following brachytherapy. However, recent studies have demonstrated that brachytherapy-related erectile dysfunction (ED) is more common than initially reported. The exacerbation of brachytherapy-related ED is closely related to several clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters including pre-implant erectile function and radiation dose to the proximal penis. The majority of patients with brachytherapy-induced ED respond favorably to oral erectogenic agents.


Modeling of a viscoelastic damper and its application in structural control.
Conventional seismic rehabilitation methods may not be suitable for some buildings owing to their high cost and time-consuming foundation work. In recent years, viscoelastic dampers (VEDs) have been widely used in many mid- and high-rise buildings. This study introduces a viscoelastic passive control system called rotary rubber braced damper (RRBD). The RRBD is an economical, lightweight, and easy-to-assemble device. A finite element model considering nonlinearity, large deformation, and material damage is developed to conduct a parametric study on different damper sizes under pushover cyclic loading. The fundamental characteristics of this VED system are clarified by analyzing building structures under cyclic loading. The result show excellent energy absorption and stable hysteresis loops in all specimens. Additionally, by using a sinusoidal shaking table test, the effectiveness of the RRBD to manage the response displacement and acceleration of steel frames is considered. The RRBD functioned at early stages of lateral displacement, indicating that the system is effective for all levels of vibration. Moreover, the proposed damper shows significantly better performance in terms of the column compression force resulting from the brace action compared to chevron bracing (CB).


High-pressure chemistry of nitride-based materials.
Besides temperature at one atmosphere, the applied pressure is another important parameter for influencing and controlling reaction pathways and final reaction products. This is relevant not only for the genesis of natural minerals, but also for synthetic chemical products and technological materials. The present critical review (316 references) highlights recent developments that utilise high pressures and high-temperatures for the synthesis of new materials with unique properties, such as high hardness, or interesting magnetic or optoelectronic features. Novel metal nitrides, oxonitrides as well as the new class of nitride-diazenide compounds, all formed under high-pressure conditions, are highlighted. Pure oxides and carbides are not considered here. Moreover, syntheses under high-pressure conditions require special equipment and preparation techniques, completely different from those used for conventional synthetic approaches at ambient pressure. Therefore, we also summarize the high-pressure techniques used for the synthesis of new materials on a laboratory scale. In particular, our attention is focused on reactive gas pressure devices with pressures between 1.2 and 600 MPa, multi-anvil apparatus at P < 25 GPa and the diamond anvil cell, which allows work at pressures of 100 GPa and higher. For example, some of these techniques have been successfully upgraded to an industrial scale for the synthesis of diamond and cubic boron nitride.


A multifunctional integrated carbon nanotubes/polyphenylene sulfide composite: preparation, properties and applications.
Although great progress has been achieved in polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites by the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the development of cost-efficient, well dispersive and multifunctional integrated PPS composites has yet to be achieved because of the strong solvent resistance of PPS. In this work, a CNTs-PPS/PVA composite material has been prepared by mucus dispersion-annealing, which employed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to disperse PPS particles and CNTs at room temperature. Dispersion and scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that PVA mucus can uniformly suspend and disperse micron-sized PPS particles, promoting the interpenetration of the micro-nano scale between PPS and CNTs. During the annealing process, PPS particles deformed and then crosslinked with CNTs and PVA to form a CNTs-PPS/PVA composite. The as-prepared CNTs-PPS/PVA composite possesses outstanding versatility, including excellent heat stability with resistant temperatures up to 350 °C, corrosion resistance against strong acids and alkalis for up to 30 days, and distinguished electrical conductivity with 2941 S m-1. Besides, a well-dispersed CNTs-PPS/PVA suspension could be used to 3D print microcircuits. Hence, such multifunctional integrated composites will be highly promising in the future of new materials. This research also develops a simple and meaningful method to construct composites for solvent resistant polymers.


In vitro and in vivo self-cleavage of Streptococcus pneumoniae signal peptidase I.
We have previously demonstrated that Streptococcus pneumoniae signal peptidase (SPase) I catalyzes a self-cleavage to result in a truncated product, SPase37-204 [Peng, S.B., Wang, L., Moomaw, J., Peery, R.B., Sun, P.M., Johnson, R.B., Lu, J., Treadway, P., Skatrud, P.L. & Wang, Q.M. (2001) J. Bacteriol.183, 621-627]. In this study, we investigated the effect of phospholipid on invitro self-cleavage of S. pneumoniae SPase I. In the presence of phospholipid, the self-cleavage predominantly occurred at one cleavage site between Gly36-His37, whereas the self-cleavage occurred at multiple sites in the absence of phospholipid, and two additional self-cleavage sites, Ala65-His66 and Ala143-Phe144, were identified. All three self-cleavage sites strongly resemble the signal peptide cleavage site and follow the (-1, -3) rule for SPase I recognition. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that self-cleavage is a concentration dependent and intermolecular event, and the activity in the presence of phospholipid is 25-fold higher than that in the absence of phospholipid. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that SPase37-204, the major product of the self-cleavage totally lost activity to cleave its substrates, indicating that the self-cleavage resulted in the inactivation of the enzyme. More importantly, the self-cleavage was demonstrated to be happening in vivo in all the growth phases of S. pneumoniae cells. The bacterial cells keep the active SPase I at the highest level in exponential growth phase, suggesting that the self-cleavage may play an important role in regulating the activity of the enzyme under different conditions.


Wood Cellulose Nanofibers Grafted with Poly(ε-caprolactone) Catalyzed by ZnEu-MOF for Functionalization and Surface Modification of PCL Films.
Renewable cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced biodegradable polymers (such as polycaprolactone (PCL)) are used in agriculture, food packaging, and sustained drug release. However, the interfacial incompatibility between hydrophilic CNFs and hydrophobic PCL has limited further application as high-performance biomaterials. In this work, using a novel ZnEu-MOF as the catalyst, graft copolymers (GCL) with CNFs were grafted with poly(ε-caprolactone) (ε-CL) via homogeneous ring-opening polymerization (ROP), and used as strengthening/toughening nanofillers for PCL to fabricate light composite films (LCFs). The results showed that the ZnEu-MOF ([ZnEu(L)2(HL)(H2O)0.39(CH3OH)0.61]·H2O, H2L is 5-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acids) was an efficient catalyst, with low toxicity, good stability, and fluorescence emissions, and the GCL could efficiently promote the dispersion of CNFs and improve the compatibility of the CNFs and PCL. Due to the synergistic effect of the ZnEu-MOF and CNFs, considerable improvements in the mechanical properties and high-intensity fluorescence were obtained in the LCFs. The 4 wt% GCL provided the LCF with the highest strength and elastic modulus, which increased by 247.75% and 109.94% compared to CNF/PCL, respectively, showing the best elongation at break of 917%, which was 33-fold higher than CNF/PCL. Therefore, the ZnEu-MOF represented a novel bifunctional material for ROP reactions and offered a promising modification strategy for preparing high-performance polymer composites for agriculture and biomedical applications.


Multicenter comparison of the VITEK 2 antifungal susceptibility test with the CLSI broth microdilution reference method for testing amphotericin B, flucytosine, and voriconazole against Candida spp.
A fully automated commercial antifungal susceptibility test system (VITEK 2; bioMérieux, Inc., Hazelwood, MO) was compared in three different laboratories with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly the NCCLS) reference broth microdilution method (BMD) by testing 2 quality control strains, 10 reproducibility strains, and 426 isolates of Candida spp. against amphotericin B, flucytosine, and voriconazole. Reference BMD MIC endpoints were established after 24 and 48 h of incubation. VITEK 2 system MIC endpoints were determined spectrophotometrically after 9.1 to 27.1 h of incubation (mean, 12 to 14 h). Excellent essential agreement (within 2 dilutions) between the VITEK 2 system and the 24- and 48-h BMD MICs was observed for all three antifungal agents: amphotericin B, 99.1% and 97%, respectively; flucytosine, 99.1% and 98.8%, respectively; and voriconazole, 96.7% and 96%, respectively. Both intra- and interlaboratory agreements were >98% for all three drugs. The overall categorical agreements between the VITEK 2 system and BMD for flucytosine and voriconazole were 98.1 to 98.6% at the 24-h BMD time point and 96.9 to 97.4% at the 48-h BMD time point. The VITEK 2 system reliably detected flucytosine and voriconazole resistance among Candida spp. and demonstrated excellent quantitative and qualitative agreement with the reference BMD method.


Drugs derived from cannabinoids. 4. Effect of alkyl substitution in sulfur and carbocyclic analogs.
Various CNS-active cannabinoids in which the alicyclic ring was thiopheno, cyclopenteno, or cyclohexeno with the alkyl substituent in various positions (structural types 1-6) were synthesized by procedures described previously. These compounds were compared in selected pharmacological tests in mice, rats, dogs, and cats. The results suggested that methyl substitution in the close proximity of the phenolic hydroxyl group strongly influenced the activity of some cannabinoids, particularly of those which had a planar five-membered alicyclic ring rather than a six-membered ring.


Mechanism of myocardial protection during blood-potassium cardioplegia: a comparison of crystalloid red cell and methemoglobin solutions.
The mechanism of myocardial protection provided by red blood cells was studied with a preparation of isolated, blood-perfused dog heart. Myocardial function, metabolism, and high-energy phosphate stores were determined before and at the end of cardioplegic arrest and after reperfusion. Cardioplegic solutions containing NaCl, KCl, and dextran (crystalloid; C) were compared, at 27 degrees C, with an identical solution containing 20% washed red cells (R) and a third solution in which the red cells were treated with 0.02M NaNO2, resulting in methemoglobin (M) formation or red cells able to buffer pH but unable to transport oxygen. Solutions were delivered at 15 min intervals during 2 hr of arrest and coronary effluent pH, PCO2, and lactate were measured. Both R and M solutions prevented the increases in effluent PCO2 and decreases observed in pH with C. On the other hand, mechanical, metabolic, and high-energy phosphate determinations revealed that marked protection was provided by R but not by M or C. Thus, myocardial protection provided by R at 27 degrees C is not the result of buffering but appears to be primarily the result of oxygen delivery by the red cells to the myocardium.


Appearance of a Purkinje shift in the developing retina of the chick.
The development of rod and cone function was studied in late embryonic and posthatch chicks by measuring the spectral sensitivity of the electroretinogram (ERG) of opened eyecups to 100-msec flashes and 25-Hz stimuli. At the time of hatching the ERG is dominated by cone activity: the response-energy curves for different wavelengths are parallel, and the spectral sensitivity of the dark-adapted eye is maximal near 580 nm. During the first week after hatching, rods make a progressively greater contribution to the ERG: the response-energy functions cease to be parallel, and the spectral sensitivity maximum to dim flashes moves to about 510 nm while the maximum for brighter lights remains at 580 nm. Only the cones are able to follow the 25-Hz stimulus. Spectral sensitivity of the eye to 25-Hz stimuli, measured on red- or orange-adapting backgrounds, reveals the presence at the time of hatching of two photopic processes with lambda max at 415 nm and 580 nm, with evidence for a third in the region 470-510 nm.


CO binding kinetics of human cytochrome P450 3A4. Specific interaction of substrates with kinetically distinguishable conformers.
The kinetics of CO binding to human cytochrome P450 3A4 was examined by the flash photolysis technique, employing the membrane-bound P450 expressed in baculovirus-infected SF9 insect cells. Triexponential kinetics was observed, indicating that P450 3A4 is composed of multiple, kinetically distinguishable conformers. To define the substrate specificity of individual P450 3A4 conformers we evaluated the effect of a series of substrates of varying sizes and structures on the CO binding kinetics. The rate of CO binding to the total mixture of P450 3A4 conformers was increased in the presence of nifedipine and erythromycin, decreased by quinidine, testosterone, and warfarin, and unaffected by cimetidine and 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol. A recently developed kinetic difference method (Koley, A. P., Robinson, R. C., Markowitz, A., and Friedman, F. K. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 2484-2489) was used to define the kinetic parameters of individual P450 3A4 conformers. The results showed that different conformers have distinct substrate specificities. The substrates had markedly variable effects on the CO binding kinetics of their target P450 3A4 conformers and thus differentially modulate their conformations. These results demonstrate that the interaction of a particular substrate with a specific P450 3A4 conformer can be assessed in the presence of multiple conformers.


Effect of magnesium deficiency on intracellular ATP levels in human lens epithelial cells.
Cataractous lenses have an altered distribution of the intracellular ionic environment, and the lens ionic imbalance with increased levels of calcium (Ca2+) and sodium (Na+), coupled with decreased levels of magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium (K+), is related to cataract development in human senile cataracts. We previously found that the decrease of ATP in lenses caused lens ionic imbalance, and probably decrease in ATPase function. In this study, we investigated the effect of Mg2+ deficiency on cataract progression using human lens epithelial (HLE) cells. Expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in HLE cells were significantly greater in Mg2+-deficient medium (Mg2+ 0.021 mM) than in normal Mg2+ medium (Mg2+ 0.77 mM). The NO release from the HLE cells cultured with Mg2+-deficient medium also increased. On the other hand, the ATP levels in HLE cells 24 h after incubation with Mg2+-deficient medium were lower than that with normal Mg2+ medium. The Ca2+- and Na+/K+-ATPase activities in HLE cells until 24 h incubation with normal Mg2+ or Mg2+-deficient medium did not change. Both diethyldithiocarbamate 10 microM and aminoguanidine 250 microM attenuated the increase of NO release, and caused an increase in ATP levels in HLE cells 24 h after incubation with Mg2+-deficient medium. These results suggest that Mg2+ deficiency enhances NO production via iNOS in the lens. It is possible that the excessive production of NO cause the decrease of ATP levels. These results show that Mg2+ deficiency in the lens may cause an acceleration of the progression of lens opacification.


Traumatic experience with vacuum extraction--influence of personal preparation, physiology, and treatment during labor.
To assess pre-labor attitudes and post-labor experiences of the use of vacuum extraction during delivery. To seek associations between traumatic labor experience and personal preparation, physiology of labor and treatment during labor. A total of 205 women filled in a questionnaire within five days of vacuum extraction delivery. The questionnaire was designed to distinguish the group of women having experienced their labor as traumatic from those not having such an experience. The association between explanatory variables grouped as background factors, physiological factors of labor and treatment-related factors in relation to traumatic experience status was studied by bivariate analysis by the chi-square test or Student's t-test. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine simultaneous effects of factors. In the first phase, each of the previously chosen groups was analyzed separately, and in the second, all risk factors thus emerging as significant were entered into the final model. Forty-two women (20%) regarded their childbirth experience as traumatic. Of the background factors, insufficient pre-labor training and a pre-labor desire for extra strong pain relief during the coming labor were significantly more common in the traumatic birth group. Of the physiological factors of labor, unsatisfactory pain relief and a difficult third stage of labor were associated with a traumatic birth experience. The treatment-related factors showed mutual correlation and were strongly associated with birth experience. After logistic regression analysis only four independent risk factors emerged as significant: insufficient support immediately after delivery, the experience of being poorly listened to during labor, insufficient doctor's support during the first stage of labor, and pre-labor training classes considered insufficient. Treatment-related factors were the most powerful predictors of an adverse birth experience after vacuum extraction delivery, exceeding those related to labor physiology. Thus, the role of treatment and care before, during and after vacuum extraction is emphasized.


Seasonal variation in birth date of children with cleft lip.
Liability to neural tube defects is increased by maternal dietary deficiency, and children with neural tube defects show a possibly related seasonal variation in date of birth. Since maternal dietary insufficiency may also increase liability to cleft lip, with or without cleft palate (CLP), we wondered if children with CLP would also show a seasonal variation in birth date. The multifactorial-threshold model predicts that any such effect would be more apparent in males than females, since CLP is more frequent in males. Month of birth was obtained from records of 598 children with CLP seen at The Montreal Children's Hospital between 1950 and 1996. Children with syndromes or associated malformations were excluded. There was a significant tendency for children with CLP to be born more often in the summer than in winter. The difference was greater in males than in females. The seasonal fluctuation in month of birth of children with CLP is consistent with the presence of an environmental factor increasing liability, with a maximal effect in November-December. This might be related, at least in part, to a seasonal fluctuation in maternal nutrition. The data support the prediction that analyzing the data for the sexes separately would amplify the effects of variation in liability for a multifactorial threshold trait that has a different frequency in males and females. This approach could be useful in the study of other gene-environment interactions.


Regional inequalities in child malnutrition in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen: a Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis.
There is substantial evidence that on average, urban children have better health outcomes than rural children. This paper investigates the underlying factors that account for the regional disparities in child malnutrition in three Arab countries, namely; Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. We use data on a nationally representative sample from the most recent rounds of the Demographic and Health Survey. A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis is conducted to decompose the rural-urban differences in child nutrition outcomes into two components; one that is explained by regional differences in the level of the determinants (covariate effects), and another component that is explained by differences in the effect of the determinants on the child nutritional status (coefficient effects). Results show that the under-five stunting rates are 20 % in Egypt, 46.5 % in Yemen, and 7.7 % in Jordan. The rural- urban gap in child malnutrition was minor in the case of Egypt (2.3 %) and Jordan (1.5 %), while the regional gap was significant in the case of Yemen (17.7 %). Results of the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition show that the covariate effect is dominant in the case of Yemen while the coefficients effect dominates in the case of Jordan. Income inequality between urban and rural households explains most of the malnutrition gap. Results were robust to the different decomposition weighting schemes. By identifying the underlying factors behind the rural- urban health disparities, the findings of this paper help in designing effective intervention measures aimed at reducing regional inequalities and improving population health outcomes.


Is the branched graft technique better than the en bloc technique for total aortic arch replacement?
Total aortic arch replacement remains a surgical challenge. For the reimplantation of the supra-aortic vessels, either the en bloc (island) or branched graft technique (BGT) is used. The BGT has been proposed to have several advantages over the classical island technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative and mid-term follow-up results of these two methods. From March 2006 to December 2010, 103 patients (74.8% male, age 59 ± 12 years) underwent total aortic arch replacement. In 45.6% of the patients (n = 47), branched grafts (Group A, 35 males, 58 ± 13 years) were used, while 54.4% of the patients (n = 56) underwent en bloc technique (Group B, 42 males, 60 ± 12 years). Concomitant procedures were performed as necessary. Twenty-nine (28.2%) patients had an aortic aneurysm [Group A: n = 12 (25.5%), Group B: n = 17 (30.4%)] and 74 (71.8%) patients had an aortic dissection [Group A: n = 35 (74.5%), Group B: n = 39 (69.6%)]. Thirty-one (30.1%) of these patients [Group A: 17 (36.2%), Group B: 14 (25%)] had undergone previous cardiac operations. Cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamp and circulatory arrest times were 243 ± 71, 140 ± 55 and 53 ± 28 min in Group A and 249 ± 76, 147 ± 54 and 57 ± 30 min in Group B, respectively (P = n.s.). The overall 30-day mortality was 10.6% in Group A and 16.1% in Group B (P = n.s.). The postoperative stroke rate was 4.3% in Group A and 3.8% in Group B, respectively (P = n.s.). Rethoracotomy due to bleeding was 27.7% in Group A and 23.2% in Group B (P = n.s.). At a mean follow-up of 4.0 years, 61.7% of the patients in Group A were alive and 29.8% had undergone operations on the downstream aorta. In Group B, 60.7% of the patients were alive at a mean follow-up of 4.4 years and 20.0% had undergone operations on the downstream aorta. None of the patients in Group B developed further pathological changes in the 'island' or the proximal supra-aortic vessels. The BGT is not inferior perioperatively or in the mid-term follow-up compared with the classical island technique. Thus, this technique can be used during total arch replacements in most aortic arch pathologies.


Combined effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and β-cyclodextrin on serum cholesterol in pigs.
A total of twenty-four Yorkshire gilt pigs of 6-7 weeks of age were used in a 2×2 factorial experiment to determine the individual and combined effects of the inclusion of two dietary factors (cholesterol rich, 3% β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures) on total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in blood serum. Pigs were assigned randomly to treatment groups (n 6). Total serum cholesterol concentrations decreased after 3 weeks in all the experimental treatment groups, including diets with BCD, L. acidophilus or both. Similar trends were observed for serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations among the experimental treatments. No statistically significant differences from the control group were observed in either total serum cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P<0·05) for each of the individual treatment groups: BCD or L. acidophilus. However, significant differences in total serum cholesterol concentrations were observed when comparing the combined treatment group (BCD and L. acidophilus) with the control group, which consisted of a basal diet and sterile milk. The combined treatment group exhibited 17·9% lower total serum cholesterol concentration after 3 weeks. Similar significant differences were observed when comparing the combined effect experimental group with the control group after 3 weeks. The combined treatment group exhibited 27·9% lower serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations.


Health risk assessment of trace metals from spinach grown on compost-amended soil.
The present study evaluates the impact of two commercially available composts on the accumulation of trace metals in soil and spinach, and their potential health risks to humans. The treatments were municipal waste compost (MC) and agricultural waste compost (AC) applied at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% (w/w)-with the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (50:25:0) as a control. Trace metals concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in both composts were below the threshold level. The improved spinach yield with MC was 2.77, 16.88, and 42.34% and with AC 5.53, 17.19, and 53.38% over the control at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% levels, respectively. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in spinach leaves were found higher than permissible limits at all levels of MC. However, Cu, Pb, and Zn were recorded within safe limits with AC except for Cd (which was at 1.0% and 1.5%). The daily intake of trace metals and their health risk index were found higher at elevated levels (1.0% and 1.5%) of MC and AC. The results revealed that besides all the benefits of commercial composts, they must be regularly monitored to avoid buildup of trace metals in soils and plants as well as their potential risks to human health at higher dose.


Effect of microemulsion variables on copper oxide nanoparticle uptake by AOT microemulsions.
Ultradispersed metal oxide nanoparticles have applications as heterogeneous catalysts for organic reactions. Their catalytic activity depends primarily on their surface area, which in turn, is dictated by their size, colloidal concentration and stability. This work presents a microemulsion approach for in situ preparation of ultradispersed copper oxide nanoparticles and discusses the effect of different microemulsion variables on their stability and highest possible time-invariant colloidal concentration (nanoparticle uptake). In addition, a model which describes the effect of the relevant variables on the nanoparticle uptake is evaluated. The preparation technique involved solubilizing CuCl(2) in single microemulsions followed by direct addition of NaOH. Upon addition of NaOH, copper hydroxide nanoparticles stabilized in the water pools formed in addition to a bulk copper hydroxide precipitate at the bottom. The copper hydroxide nanoparticles transformed with time into copper oxide. After reaching a time-independent concentration, mixing had limited effect on the nanoparticle uptake and particle size. Particle size increased with increasing the surfactant concentration, concentration of the precursor salt, and water to surfactant mol ratio; while the nanoparticle uptake increased linearly with the surfactant concentration, displayed an optimum with R and a power function with the concentration of the precursor salt. Surface areas per gram of nanoparticles were much higher than literature values. Even though lower area per gram of nanoparticles was obtained at higher uptake, higher surface area per unit volume of the reverse micellar system was attained. A model based on water uptake by Wisor type II microemulsions, and previously used to describe iron oxide nanoparticle uptake by the same microemulsions, agreed well with the experimental results.


The Effect of Educational Intervention on Nurses' Attitudes Toward the Importance of Family-Centered Care in Pediatric Wards in Iran.
Family-centered care sustains the unity of the child's and the family's health. The aim of this study was to determine nurses' attitudes toward parents' participation in the care of their hospitalized children in Iran in 2015. In this experimental study, 200 pediatric nurses from hospitals affiliated with the Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran were selected using the multi-stage, random-sampling method. Data were gathered using a questionnaire that covered demographic information and nurses' attitudes. The questionnaire consisted of 31 items and was completed by the nurses in three stages: 1) before intervention (pre-test), 2) immediately after intervention (post-test), and 3) three months after intervention (follow-up). The data were analyzed via SPSS software and using descriptive and analytical methods. Descriptive statistics, the Spearman Correlation Coefficient, and Repeated Measure Analysis (the Bonferroni method) were used to assess the data. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in the mean score of attitude after intervention [M (pre) = 3.35%, M (post) = 3.97%, p < 0.001)]. Most of subjects had neutral attitudes toward family participation in their children's care. There were no significant relationship between the nurses' socio-demographic characteristics and their attitudes. The nurses' attitudes toward the family's participation in the care of their hospitalized children were moderate. The nurses' attitudes should be improved by taking part in continuous training programs.


Parametric analysis of the biomechanical response of head subjected to the primary blast loading--a data mining approach.
Traumatic brain injury due to primary blast loading has become a signature injury in recent military conflicts and terrorist activities. Extensive experimental and computational investigations have been conducted to study the interrelationships between intracranial pressure response and intrinsic or 'input' parameters such as the head geometry and loading conditions. However, these relationships are very complicated and are usually implicit and 'hidden' in a large amount of simulation/test data. In this study, a data mining method is proposed to explore such underlying information from the numerical simulation results. The heads of different species are described as a highly simplified two-part (skull and brain) finite element model with varying geometric parameters. The parameters considered include peak incident pressure, skull thickness, brain radius and snout length. Their interrelationship and coupling effect are discovered by developing a decision tree based on the large simulation data-set. The results show that the proposed data-driven method is superior to the conventional linear regression method and is comparable to the nonlinear regression method. Considering its capability of exploring implicit information and the relatively simple relationships between response and input variables, the data mining method is considered to be a good tool for an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of blast-induced brain injury. As a general method, this approach can also be applied to other nonlinear complex biomechanical systems.


Gene/environment causes of cleft lip and/or palate.
Craniofacial anomalies, and in particular cleft lip and palate, are major human birth defects with a worldwide frequency of 1 in 700 and substantial clinical impact. A wide range of studies in developmental biology has contributed to a better knowledge of how both genes and environmental exposures impact head organogenesis. Specific causes have now been identified for some forms of cleft lip and palate, and we are at the beginning of a time in which the common nonsyndromic forms may also have specific etiologies identified. Mouse models have an especially important role in disclosing cleft etiologies and providing models for environmental cotriggers or interventions. An overview of the gene-environment contributions to nonsyndromic forms of clefting and their implications for developmental biology and clinical counseling is presented.


An ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome caused by a sacrococcygeal chordoma: report of a case with a slow progression.
To report the first case of an ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome caused by a sacrococcygeal chordoma. We present a case report with clinical, laboratory, and histologic details. A 76-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of urinary obstruction. Five years previously, a urethral mass had been detected, and transurethral prostatectomy had been performed. Annual computed tomographic (CT) scans showed no change in size of the mass. In 1995, skin hyperpigmentation, central obesity, and bilateral edema were noted. The patient was admitted to the hospital in July 1996. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a large mass close to the sacrum and compressing the bladder and rectum. Cortisol measurements (AM and PM) were 309 and 271 ng/mL, respectively. The plasma ACTH concentration was extremely elevated (3,125 pg/mL). Although resection of the mass was attempted, complete resection was not possible because the tumor had infiltrated the sacrum. Plasma cortisol concentrations in samples obtained 7 and 8 days postoperatively were normal. Plasma ACTH was substantially decreased (180 pg/mL) but remained above normal. The histologic features of the tumor were compatible with a chordoma. Neoplastic cells stained positively for ACTH. This report describes the first case of an ectopic ACTH syndrome caused by a sacrococcygeal chordoma. A slow progression of symptoms in an ectopic ACTH syndrome had been described only for carcinoid tumors. These data add a new entry to the list of neoplasms capable of causing this syndrome.


Current task activation predicts general effects of advance preparation in task switching.
Two experiments investigated the way that beforehand preparation influences general task execution in reaction-time matching tasks. Response times (RTs) and error rates were measured for switching and nonswitching conditions in a color- and shape-matching task. The task blocks could repeat (task repetition) or alternate (task switch), and the preparation interval (PI) was manipulated within-subjects (Experiment 1) and between-subjects (Experiment 2). The study illustrated a comparable general task performance after a long PI for both experiments, within and between PI madipulations. After a short PI, however, the general task performance increased significantly for the between-subjects manipulation of the PI. Furthermore, both experiments demonstrated an analogous preparation effect for both task switching and task repetitions. Next, a consistent switch cost throughout the whole run of trials and a within-run slowing effect were observed in both experiments. Altogether, the present study implies that the effects of the advance preparation go beyond the first trials and confirms different points of the activation approach (Altmann, 2002) to task switching.


Effect of dihydrostreptomycin on phagocytosis of mouse-peritoneal macrophages in vitro.
The effect of the antibiotic dihydrostreptomycin on the phagocytic and bactericidal ability of peritoneal macrophages obtained from mice has been investigated. In subliminal concentrations which did not influence the bacterial growth, the drug caused macrophages to ingest and kill bacteria (Escherichia coli) at a higher rate than did macrophages without antibiotic. The differences for phagocytosis and intracellular killing of E. coli with and without a subliminal amount of dihydrostreptomycin were statistically significant. Macrophages pretreated with the antibiotic did not demonstrate any enhancement of phagocytosis.


Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Morphophysiological Effects, and Proteomic Responses of Crop Plants.
Plant cells are frequently challenged with a wide range of adverse environmental conditions that restrict plant growth and limit the productivity of agricultural crops. Rapid development of nanotechnology and unsystematic discharge of metal containing nanoparticles (NPs) into the environment pose a serious threat to the ecological receptors including plants. Engineered nanoparticles are synthesized by physical, chemical, biological, or hybrid methods. In addition, volcanic eruption, mechanical grinding of earthquake-generating faults in Earth's crust, ocean spray, and ultrafine cosmic dust are the natural source of NPs in the atmosphere. Untying the nature of plant interactions with NPs is fundamental for assessing their uptake and distribution, as well as evaluating phytotoxicity. Modern mass spectrometry-based proteomic techniques allow precise identification of low abundant proteins, protein-protein interactions, and in-depth analyses of cellular signaling networks. The present review highlights current understanding of plant responses to NPs exploiting high-throughput proteomics techniques. Synthesis of NPs, their morphophysiological effects on crops, and applications of proteomic techniques, are discussed in details to comprehend the underlying mechanism of NPs stress acclimation.


Are orthopedic surgeons able to detect 3 mm and 5 mm joint step off on fluoroscopy?
The aim of this study was to examine whether joint step-off created experimentally at 3 mm and 5 mm in the tibial lateral plateau can be accurately evaluated by orthopedic surgeons on fluoroscopic images. A lateral tibia plateau fracture was created experimentally on above-the-knee amputated material. Using a ruler, step-off at 3 mm and then at 5 mm was made on the joint surface, then joint and lateral fluoroscopy images were obtained. These images were evaluated by 316 orthopedic surgeons. The surgeons were asked whether the joint congruence in the plateau fracture required surgical correction. The same question was asked again after 3 months, and all the responses were recorded. In the first measurements for 3 mm joint step-off, 77 (24.4%) orthopedic surgeons stated that surgical correction was necessary, and for 5 mm, 118 (37.3%) surgeons stated that surgical correction was necessary. In the 3rd month, the need for surgical correction was stated by 144 (45.6%) surgeons for 3 mm, and by 176 (55.7%) surgeons for 5 mm (p=0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroscopy is not a reliable method to determine articular step-off. Methods such as arthroscopic or open joint surface evaluation should be applied in the operating room.


The Socialization of Culturally Related Values and Prosocial Tendencies Among Mexican-American Adolescents.
The socialization of cultural values, ethnic identity, and prosocial behaviors is examined in a sample of 749 Mexican-American adolescents, ages 9-12; M (SD) = 10.42 years (.55); 49% female, their mothers, and fathers at the 5th, 7th, and 10th grades. Parents' familism values positively predicted their ethnic socialization practices. Mothers' ethnic socialization positively predicted adolescents' ethnic identity, which positively predicted adolescents' familism. Familism was associated with several types of prosocial tendencies. Adolescents' material success and personal achievement values were negatively associated with altruistic helping and positively associated with public helping but not their parents' corresponding values. Findings support cultural socialization models, asserting that parents' traditional cultural values influence their socialization practices, youth cultural values, and youth prosocial behaviors.


Accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced head-neck carcinomas: are concomitant boost and chemotherapy feasible in the routine outpatient-based radiotherapy clinic?
Accelerated radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment modality in locally advanced head and neck carcinomas. In this study, we examined the efficacy and feasibility of concomitant boost radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the routine outpatient- based radiotherapy clinic. Between January 1993 and December 2000, only 51 out of 127 eligible patients were deemed suitable to receive concomitant boost radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Their median age was 60 years (range 17-83 years). The histological diagnosis was squamous-cell carcinoma in 38 (75%) patients, undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (WHO type III) in 10 (20%) patients and other histology in 3 (5%) patients. The concomitant boost regimen consisted of 70 Gy in 6 weeks (1.8 Gy/fraction/day, 5 days/week, to the clinical target volume (CTV), and 1.6 Gy/fraction/day to the gross tumor volume (GTV) as a second-daily treatment for the last 2 weeks). The concomitant chemotherapy regimen consisted of cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) given every 3 weeks for 3 courses, and the neoadjuvant regimen of cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) plus epirubicin 100mg/m(2), every 3 weeks for 3 courses. Only 55% of patients completed the treatment exactly as planned, with 82% completing treatment within acceptable limits. The median radiotherapy duration was 45 days (40-95 days). In univariate analysis, patients with better performance status (p=0.002) or nasopharyngeal carcinomas (p=0.043) had a significantly better compliance to treatment. In multivariate analysis only nasopharyngeal site was a significant predictor of compliance (p=0.019). The maximum acute reaction was grade 3 mucositis in 24 (49%) patients. No grade 4 acute or late reactions were seen. Complete and overall response rates were 51% and 75.5%, respectively. Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer and good treatment compliance had a better response rate (p=0.009 and 0.01, respectively). The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 28 months (range 6-58 months). The 3-year progression-free survival rate was 39%. In the routine outpatient-based setting we found that this intensive treatment schedule can only be given to a limited and highly selected group of patients.


The apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide, D-4F, alleviates ox-LDL-induced oxidative stress and promotes endothelial repair through the eNOS/HO-1 pathway.
Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) mimetic peptide exerts many anti-atherogenic properties. However, the underlying mechanisms related to the endothelial protective effects remain elusive. In this study, the apoA-I mimetic peptide, D-4F, was used. Proliferation assay, wound healing, and transwell migration experiments showed that D-4F improved the impaired endothelial proliferation and migration resulting from ox-LDL. Endothelial adhesion molecules expression and monocyte adhesion assay demonstrated that D-4F inhibited endothelial inflammation. Caspase-3 activation and TUNEL stain indicated that D-4F reduced endothelial cell apoptosis. A pivotal anti-oxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was upregulated by D-4F. The Akt/AMPK/eNOS pathways were involved in the expression of HO-1 induced by D-4F. Moreover, the anti-oxidation, pro-proliferation, and pro-migration capacities of D-4F were diminished by the inhibitors of both eNOS (L-NAME) and HO-1 (Znpp). Additionally, downregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) by siRNA abolished the activation of Akt, AMPK and eNOS, and reduced the upregulation of HO-1 triggered by D-4F. Furthermore, D-4F promoted the reendothelialization of injured intima in carotid artery injury model of C57BL/6J mice in vivo. In summary, these findings suggested that D-4F might be a powerful candidate in the protection of endothelial cells and the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).


[Prediction of potential suitable habitats of Haemphysalis concinna in Heilongjiang Province based on the maximum entropy model].
To predict the potential suitable habitat of Haemaphysalis concinna in Heilongjiang Province under different climatic scenarios. The geographic locations of ticks in Heilongjiang Province from 1980 to 2022 were captured from literature review and field ticks monitoring data from Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Heilongjiang Province, and the tick distribution sites with spatial correlations were removed using the software ArcGIS 10.2. The environment data under historical climatic scenarios from 1970 to 2000 and the climatic shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) 126 scenario model from 2021 to 2040 and from 2041 to 2060 were downloaded from the WorldClim website, and the elevation (1 km, 2010), population (1 km grid population dataset of China, 2010) and annual vegetation index (1 km, 2010) data were downloaded from the Resource and Environmental Science and Data Center, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The contribution of environmental factors to H. concinna distribution was evaluated and environmental variables were screened using the software MaxEnt 3.4.1 and R package 4.1.0, and the areas of suitable habitats of H. concinna and changes in center of gravity were analyzed using the maximum entropy model in Heilongjiang Province under different climatic scenarios. In addition, the accuracy of the maximum entropy model for prediction of H. concinna distribution was assessed using the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve. A total of 79 H. concinna distribution sites and 24 environmental variables were collected, and 70 H. concinna distribution sites and 9 environmental factors that contributed to distribution of the potential suitable habitats of H. concinna in Heilongjiang Province were screened. The three most significant contributing factors included precipitation seasonality, annual precipitation, and mean temperature of the driest quarter, with cumulative contributions of 60.7%. The total area of suitable habitats of H. concinna was 29.05 × 104 km2 in Heilongjiang Province under historical climatic scenarios, with the center of gravity of suitable habitats located at (47.31° N, 129.16° E), while the total area of suitable habitats of H. concinna reduced by 0.97 × 104 km2 in Heilongjiang Province under the climatic SSP126 scenario from 2041 to 2060, with the center of gravity shifting to (47.70° N, 129.28° E). The distribution of suitable habitats of H. concinna strongly correlates with temperature and humidity in Heilongjiang Province. The total area of potential suitable habitats of H. concinna may appear a tendency towards a decline with climatic changes in Heilongjiang Province, and high-, medium- and low-suitable habitats may shift.


Unsuspected systemic amyloidosis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration of the salivary gland: case report.
Amyloidosis of the head and neck region may represent a local amyloidoma or a manifestation of systemic disease. Involvement of major salivary glands by either primary or secondary forms of amyloidosis is very rare. We describe a case of systemic amyloidosis that initially presented as submandibular gland mass and was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A 69-year-old male presented with submandibular mass. His past medical history was significant for left forearm melanoma that was excised 6 years ago and tricuspid valve endocarditis after valvular replacement 3 months prior to FNA of the submandibular gland. The patient had no symptoms or clinical and laboratory data suggestive of amyloidosis. FNA specimen showed salivary gland tissue and abundant amorphous material, which stained positive for amyloid with Congo red stain and showed typical birefringence when examined by polarized microscopy. Further workup of the patient revealed generalized amyloidosis with multiorgan involvement by the disease. This case demonstrates that FNA can be a useful technique in the diagnosis of unsuspected amyloidosis.


Efficacy of levetiracetam at 12 months in children classified by seizure type, cognitive status, and previous anticonvulsant drug use.
In a retrospective study of 59 children (ages 9 months to 23 years; mean age 11 years) with intractable epilepsy, seizure frequency was determined before and after 12 months of levetiracetam therapy. Charts were reviewed for seizure type (focal, generalized, or mixed), cognitive function (no special education versus special education), concomitant anticonvulsant medications (range 0-5), and the number of previous anticonvulsant drugs (range 1-12). Good to excellent seizure control (50-100% reduction) was attained in 6 (40%) patients with focal seizures, 16 (55%) patients with generalized seizures, and 8 (61%) patients with mixed seizures; these efficacy rates were not significantly different. The efficacy of levetiracetam was independent of cognitive status. Adverse effects were not associated with higher mean doses. This could be attributable to different rates of metabolism or represent idiosyncratic responses to the medication. Our finding that those children taking the combination of levetiracetam and zonisamide had a significantly worse outcome than those on levetiracetam and a different drug warrants further study, both clinically and from the standpoint of the mechanisms of action of levetiracetam and zonisamide and/or their pharmacodynamic interactions.


Validation of a Single Question for the Evaluation of Physical Activity in Adolescents.
We aimed to assess the validity of a single question to evaluate leisure-time physical activity (PA) in adolescents. We included 209 participants (57.4% girls) aged 14-18 years from Porto, Portugal, evaluated as part of the SALTA project. A self-reported question with four answer options, designed for the EPITeen study, was used to classify the intensity level of usual leisure-time activities. Actigraph accelerometers were used to objectively measure total PA during 7 consecutive days. Since the accelerometers measured PA as a continuous variable, hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of individuals with similar level of objectively measured PA. Correlations between self-reported and objective measures were evaluated through polychoric correlations. In girls, we found higher mean time on sedentary activities among those describing their leisure-time PA as "sitting", and an increase on the time spent on light and moderate activities with increasing intensity of PA on self-reported classification. A similar trend was found in boys, but not reaching statistical significance. The correlation between the two measures of PA was 0.42 for girls and 0.46 for boys. We found an acceptable correlation between our single question and the objectively measured PA, showing that, although the single question is not adequate to quantify the intensity of the physical activity, it allows to rank adolescents according to leisure-time physical activity.


A clinical and epidemiological study of lichen planus among Egyptians of al-Minya province.
Lichen planus (LP) is a papulosquamous disease that affects skin and mucous membranes. It may also affect hair and nails. From the middle east, studies concerning its prevalence and clinical characteristics are few. This study presents the clinical and epidemiological pattern of LP among the Egyptian people. We analyzed the clinical and epidemiological data obtained from 50 LP patients who attended the dermatology outpatient clinic of al-Minya University Hospital, al-Minya, Egypt over a 1-year period. Lichen planus was present in 0.28 percent of the patients (females 44%, males 56%). The age range was 10-65 years; the majority fall in the 21-50 age group. Presentations include actinic LP (36%), classic LP (30%), hypertrophic LP (12%), guttate LP (6%), atrophic LP (4%), follicular LP (4%), and isolated oral LP (8%). Pruritus was the chief complaint of 50 percent of these patients. In 56 percent of patients, limbs were the initial site of onset.


Bioaccessibility of Apple Polyphenols from Peel and Flesh during Oral Digestion.
Health benefits of apple polyphenols for different chronic diseases are postulated. To exert bioactive properties, absorption into the body is required (bioavailability), which is strongly influenced by matrix release (bioaccessibility). For seven apple varieties, in vitro experiments with simulated saliva fluid (SSF) and ex vivo digestion with centrifuged human saliva were conducted. Polyphenol characterization (high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) and quantification (high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection) was related to an aqueous methanolic extraction. A polyphenol release of 63-82% from flesh and 42-58% from peel was estimated. While hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were released in total, a significant retention was observed for flavanes and flavones. In particular, procyanidins were retained with increasing molecular weight. The data reveal a considerable polyphenol release during the oral digestion; however, differences among the varieties as well as flesh and peel were obvious. Due to negligible differences between both digestion media, the data supported the use of SSF instead of human saliva in further experiments.


Doppler C.W. study of the lower limb venous hemodynamics during pregnancy and prevention of thrombotic complications.
Thirty-two women (14 primiparae and 18 multiparae) were submitted to clinical and ultrasound investigations during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter of pregnancy and after childbirth, for the evaluation of the lower limb venous system. An increase of the venous pressure in the standing position was present in all the women during the last quarter of pregnancy. In 14 cases varices (6 primiparae, 8 multiparae) with incontinence of the saphenous-femoral valve in 10 (3 primiparae, 7 multiparae), were detected during pregnancy. In these patients a compressive bandage associated, in selected cases, to calcium-heparin therapy (25000 IU/daily) was employed. After childbirth the venous pressure resumed physiological values in 20 of the 32 women while the varices remained in 12 cases. No thrombotic complication of the superficial and/or deep venous system neither hemorrhagic episodes related to calcium-heparin therapy occurred.


Evaluation of the effect of fixed speed cameras on speeding behavior among Iranian taxi drivers through telematics monitoring.
Installation of speed cameras is a common strategy to reduce over-speeding; however, there is evidence that their efficacy in speed reduction is limited to the proximity of the camera. This study aimed to evaluate driving speeds in relation to the position of cameras among Iranian taxi drivers. Speed data were collected from April 2020 to January 2021 via telematics devices (using on-board computer, gyroscope, and GPS) installed on taxis in southern Tehran, Iran. All drivers were males above 20 years of age. Throughout the study, taxi drivers were not changed. Eligible road segments were selected based on: a) not containing any obstacle that would cause speed reduction; b) having ≤5 entry/exit points; c) absence of park and ride or taxi stations; and d) availability of at least 5,000 datapoints. The average speed was compared between the camera- and non-camera zones. Camera zone was defined as the area within 300 meters of the speed cameras. The telematics system included 2,644,846 datapoints gathered from 50 taxis. Two highways' segments with three lanes in each direction were included: Tehran-Varamin (18 taxis, 18,978 datapoints) and Ghadir (17 taxis, 8,203 datapoints). On both highways, speed was significantly lower in the camera zones (Tehran-Varamin: 84.9 ± 12.2 km/h versus 86.7 ± 13.7 km/h; P = 0.005; Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (KS) P < 0.001/Ghadir: 68.7 ± 13.7 versus 73.1 ± 11.3; P = 0.008; KS P < 0.001), indicating a V-shaped distribution of speed near the position of cameras (Presence of Kangaroo effect). Drivers were more likely to exceed speed limits in the non-camera zones compared to camera zones (Tehran-Varamin: 14.6% versus 8.4%/Ghadir: 23.1% versus 17.3%). This effect of the cameras was consistently observed in a subgroup analysis based on time of day (daytime versus nighttime). Among Iranian taxi drivers in southern Tehran, average speed was significantly lower in the vicinity of speed cameras, suggesting the presence of camera manipulation. Alternative speed control interventions are required to improve the safety of the taxi service.


Quantitative Wide-Field Imaging Techniques for Fluorescence Guided Neurosurgery.
Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) has fueled the development of novel technologies aimed at maximizing the utility of fluorescence imaging to help clinicians diagnose and in certain cases treat diseases across a breadth of disciplines such as dermatology, gynecology, oncology, ophthalmology, and neurosurgery. In neurosurgery, the goal of FGS technologies is to provide the neurosurgeon with additional information which can serve as a visual aid to better identify tumor tissue and associated margins. Yet, current clinical FGS technologies are qualitative in nature, limiting the ability to make accurate, reliable, and repeatable measurements. To this end, developments in fluorescence quantification are needed to overcome current limitations of FGS. Here we present an overview of the recent developments in quantitative fluorescence guidance technologies and conclude with the most recent developments aimed at wide-field quantitative fluorescence imaging approaches in neurosurgery.


[Cellular expression of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in children with chronic hepatitis B].
The study aimed at detection tissue expression of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in children with chronic type B hepatitis. The studies were performed on liver biopsies obtained from 26 children with active HBV replication after excluding infection with other hepatotropic viruses. Control group consisted of liver biopsies obtained from 5 children with chronic hepatitis of other aetiology (HCV, HCMV, autoimmune hepatitis). The studies were performed employing immunocytochemical techniques of detecting the early viral antigen (HCMV-EA) and the in situ hybridisation to detect HCMV-mRNA and HCMV-DNA. Among 26 children with chronic type B hepatitis, presence of HCMV-DNA and HCMV-EA was demonstrated in one child. In the case, no HCMV-mRNA was detected in the tissue. In the control group, immunoreactivity for EA was noted in one child with HCMV-induced chronic hepatitis. Neither DNA nor mRNA of--HCMV could be noted in the tissue. In another child of the control group pronounced (in over 60% cells) expression of HCMV-DNA was demonstrated, in the absence of HCMV-mRNA and EA-HCMV. As shown by our studies, active HCMV infection in the liver in children with chronic HBV infection is a rare event and it does not deteriorate further histological pattern of the liver. However, effects of incomplete HCMV replication of extrahepatic localisation of viral particles on subsequent course of chronic hepatitis cannot be excluded. High effectiveness of the ImmunoMax technique should be stressed: the technique permitted to demonstrate even scanty amounts of the virus in the organ and in conditions of its incomplete replication.


[Changes in knowledge, attitudes, and habits of the general population with regard to HIV infection].
Knowledge of the social changes related to HIV infection can be helpful in the attempts to design more effecting preventive strategies for this disease. The aim of this study was assess the progress that has occurred in the knowledge, attitudes and habits of the general population in relation to HIV infection between 1997 and 2005. With this objective, a multidisciplinary team designed a questionnaire survey containing 64 items, which was validated through a pilot study performed with 100 subjects. The target population included all residents of the city of Zamora aged 18 to 70 years old. The population was stratified by district (five), sex, and age (younger or older than 40 years old) into 20 groups. The sample size was calculated and a randomly selected list of participants was obtained for each group. The questionnaire was filled out at the homes of the selected population with the help of trained personal in 1997, and was repeated in 2005. Results from the two time points were compared. In 2005, a larger number of people were interested in gaining more information about the disease and showed concern about the risk of infection. However, there were no significant changes in the related knowledge or habits, and frequent errors persisted regarding prevention of sexual transmission. Nonetheless, the attitude toward infected patients had improved. Over the 8 years of the study, knowledge about HIV infection has not changed, and errors regarding sexual prevention remain, although there is a more positive attitude toward patients with this disease. Modifying this deficit in the understanding of HIV may contribute to preventing this disease.


[Composition characteristics of atmospheric volatile organic compounds in the urban area of Beibei District, Chongqing].
In order to study the composition and distribution of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the atmosphere in the urban area of Beibei district, Chongqing, atmospheric samples were collected from March 2012 to February 2013 with special stainless steel cylinders, and analyzed with a three-stage preconcentration method coupled with GC-MS. 78 species of VOCs were detected in this study, of which there were 25 species of alkanes, 15 species of olefins, 28 species of aromatic hydrocarbons and 10 species of halogenated hydrocarbons. The results showed that the top seven species of VOCs according to the order of annual average concentration in the atmosphere of Beibei were: Dichloromethane (3. 08 x 10(-9) ) , Benzene (2. 09 x 10-9) , Isopentane (1. 85 x 10 -9) , Toluene (1. 51 x 10(-9)) , Propane (1. 51 x 10(-9)), m/p-xylene (1.43 x 10(-9)) and Styrene (1. 39 x 10-9). The concentration of TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) in the atmosphere of Beibei was 33. 89 x 10 -9 during the measuring period, and the seasonal variation was obvious with the order of spring (42. 57 x 10 -9) > autumn (33.89 x 10-9) > winter (31.91 x 10 -9) > summer (27.04 x 10(-9)). In the composition of TVOCs, alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons provided the largest contribution to TVOCs (31.5% and 30.7% ) , followed by halogenated hydrocarbon, accounting for 27.4% , and the last one was olefins, with only 10.4%. By means of ozone formation potential, the analysis results showed that olefins and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds were the two important materials which made the biggest contribution to the formation of ozone in the atmosphere of Beibei. We further analyzed the sources of VOCs in atmosphere of Beibei by the method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Vehicle exhaust was the biggest source and its contribution to VOCs was 50. 41%. The calculated results with T/B value also confirmed that traffic was the biggest source contributing to the VOCs in atmosphere of Beibei.


Use of a hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose adhesion barrier on the neurovascular bundle and prostatic bed to facilitate earlier recovery of erectile function after robot-assisted prostatectomy: an initial experience.
To investigate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (HACM) in facilitating early recovery of erectile function (EF) after radical prostatectomy, we report our initial experience of HACM use on the neurovascular bundle (NVB) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Between 2008 and 2010, 459 consecutive patients who underwent RARP with bilateral nerve-sparing technique were included in this study. Patients were classified into two groups: HACM (group 1; n=162) and non-HACM (group 2; n=287). HACM was delivered to the anatomic location of the NVB after prostate removal. We retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcomes including EF, continence, and perioperative complications. At 6 months after surgery, EF recovery rate was 28.5% in group 1 and 17.4% in group 2 (P=0.006). In a subgroup analysis consisting of 225 patients with a preoperative International Index of Erectile Function Short Survey (IIEF)-5 score ≥20, the difference in EF recovery at 6 months was significant with 62.8% in group 1 and 27.0% in group 2 (P=0.002), respectively. HACM use was an independent predictor for EF recovery at 6 months after surgery (odds ratio, 2.735; 95% confidence interval, 1.613-4.638; P<0.001). Age and preoperative IIEF-5 were also independent predictors. No differences in continence at 6 months or perioperative complications were found between the two groups. EF recovery was not different between the two groups after 18 months. HACM use around the NVBs is safe and facilitates early recovery of EF after nerve-sparing RARP. HACM use is more effective in patients with normal preoperative sexual function.


Evidence for inclusion of a segment of Escherichia coli genomic DNA in bovine tooth germ mRNA encoding salivary proline-rich protein P-B.
In the course of cloning of bovine cDNA for proline-rich protein (PRP) P-B from bovine tooth germ cDNA, we found that one clone with 662 bp contained a 5'-terminal 393 bp (1-393 bp) sequence essentially identical to that of human P-B cDNA (154-546 in D29833) and bovine P-B cDNA (1-356 bp in AB192573) and a sequence of 233 bp (394-626 bp) highly homologous to the segment of E. coli K12 genomic DNA (365511-365744 in NC000913). Although the latter sequence is contained in the vector pT7Blue, which we used, our results show that this chimeric structure in bovine tooth germ P-B cDNA is not an artifact formed during the cloning process, but intrinsic to the bovine genome since the chimeric structure was detected in bovine tooth germ and bovine genomic DNA.


Feeding on microbiomes: effects of detritivory on the taxonomic and phylogenetic bacterial composition of animal manures.
Earthworms play a key role in nutrient cycling by interacting with microorganisms thus accelerating organic matter turnover in soil systems. As detritivores, some earthworm types ingest and digest a mixture of dead organic matter and microorganisms, like animal manures (i.e. animal gut microbiomes). Here we described the earthworm cast microbiome and the role ingested bacteria play on its composition. We fed Eisenia andrei with cow, horse and pig manures and determined the taxonomic and phylogenetic composition of the these manures before and after passage through the earthworm gut. Earthworm cast microbiomes showed a smaller diversity than the manure they fed on. Manures strongly differed in their taxonomic and phylogenetic composition, but these differences were markedly reduced once transformed into earthworm cast microbiomes after passage through the earthworm gut. The core earthworm cast microbiome comprised 30 OTUs (2.6% of OTUs from cast samples), of which 10 are possibly native to the earthworm gut. Most of the core cast microbiome OTUs belonged to phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, as opposed to already described animal core gut microbiomes, which are composed mainly of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Our results suggest that earthworms build up their cast microbiome by selecting from the pool of ingested bacteria.


Tumor-targeting Salmonella typhimurium A1-R overcomes partial carboplatinum-resistance of a cancer of unknown primary (CUP).
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is metastatic disease without a known primary and therefore very difficult to identify effective therapy. Previously, we demonstrated partial efficacy of Salmonella typhimurium A1-R (S. typhimurium A1-R) alone and carboplatinum alone (CAR) on a CUP patient tumor in the patient-derived xenograft (PDOX) model. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of S. typhimurium A1-R combined with CAR on the CUP PDOX model. The CUP tumors were implanted orthotopically into the left supraclavicular fossa of nude mice to match the site from which they were resected from the patient. CUP PDOX models were divided randomly into the following 4 groups after the tumor volume reached 100 mm3: G1: untreated group; G2: CAR (30 mg/kg, i.p., weekly, 2 weeks); G3: S. typhimurium A1-R (5x107 CFU/body, i.v., weekly, 2 weeks).; G4: S. typhimurium A1-R combined with CAR (S. typhimurium A1-R; 5x107 CFU/body, i.v., weekly, 2 weeks; CAR, 30 mg/kg, i.p., weekly, 2 weeks). Each group comprised 7 mice. All mice were sacrificed on day 15. Tumor volume and body weight were measured twice a week. S. typhimurium A1-R and CAR moderately inhibited tumor growth compared to the untreated group on day 15 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). S. typhimurium A1-R combined with CAR inhibited the tumor growth significantly more compared to S. typhimurium A1-R monotherapy or CAR monotherapy on day 15 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). The present report demonstrates that S. typhimurium A1-R can increase the efficacy of a standard drug used for CUP in a PDOX model.


Taiwan reaches crossroads in handling HIV epidemic.
When international health organizations and public health officials sound the alarm about the growing menace in Asia, little attention is paid to the epidemic's growth and the resulting response in northern industrial regions, such as Taiwan.


YfbA, a Yersinia pestis regulator required for colonization and biofilm formation in the gut of cat fleas.
For transmission to new hosts, Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, replicates as biofilm in the foregut of fleas that feed on plague-infected animals or humans. Y. pestis biofilm formation has been studied in the rat flea; however, little is known about the cat flea, a species that may bridge zoonotic and anthroponotic plague cycles. Here, we show that Y. pestis infects and replicates as a biofilm in the foregut of cat fleas in a manner requiring hmsFR, two determinants for extracellular biofilm matrix. Examining a library of transposon insertion mutants, we identified the LysR-type transcriptional regulator YfbA, which is essential for Y. pestis colonization and biofilm formation in cat fleas.


Dual diagnosis on "substance abuse".
Three large U.S. epidemiological surveys researching the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric illness and "substance abuse disorders" are reviewed: the Epidemiological Catchment Area Study, (N=20,219); the National Comorbidity Survey (N=8098), and the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiological Survey (N=42,862). Findings suggest that comorbidity is highly prevalent but that longitudinal information remains limited limited--which restricts understanding of its "natural history," stability, common risk factors, and causal relationships.


Improved Recursive Geodesic Distance Computation for Edge Preserving Filter.
All known recursive filters based on the geodesic distance affinity are realized by two 1D recursions applied in two orthogonal directions of the image plane. The 2D extension of the filter is not valid and has theoretically drawbacks, which lead to known artifacts. In this paper, a maximum influence propagation method is proposed to approximate the 2D extension for the geodesic distance-based recursive filter. The method allows to partially overcome the drawbacks of the 1D recursion approach. We show that our improved recursion better approximates the true geodesic distance filter, and the application of this improved filter for image denoising outperforms the existing recursive implementation of the geodesic distance. As an application, we consider a geodesic distance-based filter for image denoising. Experimental evaluation of our denoising method demonstrates comparable and for several test images better results, than state-of-the-art approaches, while our algorithm is considerably faster with computational complexity O(8P).


Electrostatic interactions across a beta-sheet.
The free energy consequences of electrostatic interactions across a model beta-sheet have been probed using a consensus zinc finger peptide. Relative folding free energies have been deduced from coupled peptide folding/metal binding reactions. The energies of the electrostatic interactions have been isolated via double mutant cycles performed at a series of NaCl concentrations. The observed favorable free energies associated with potential ion pairs are modest, less than 0.5 kcal/mol. Unfavorable interactions due to like-charge pairs of similar magnitude were also observed. The largest effects, both favorable and unfavorable, involved interactions with aspartic acid. These observations are consistent with electrostatic interactions occurring without contact ion pair formation with the larger interaction energies involving aspartic acid being due to the relative lack of flexibility of its side chain.


Recovering Breathing and Feeding of a Newborn with Pierre Robin Sequence.
Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is characterized by the triad micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction, commonly associated with cleft palate. This study reports the case of a patient with characteristics consistent with the diagnosis of PRS in the 1st week of life. To stabilize the airway, oro-tracheal intubation was performed without success, followed by tracheostomy and glossopexy and after a small improvement in symptoms, it was decided to perform the mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). At the age of 6, her maxillofacial development was within expectations, with patent airway, the presence of deciduous teeth, and without neurological impairment. The MDO described in this case allowed patient's respiratory and feeding improvement, thus avoiding episodes of cyanosis, allowing timely removal of the tracheostomy and glossopexy, and execution of palatoplasty at the right time. While it is uncertain whether MDO will replace the possible need for future orthognathic surgery, treatment greatly improved the quality of life of the patient.


Evolution of different Y chromosomes in two medaka species, Oryzias dancena and O. latipes.
Although the sex-determining gene DMY has been identified on the Y chromosome in the medaka (Oryzias latipes), this gene is absent in most Oryzias species, suggesting that closely related species have different sex-determining genes. Here, we investigated the sex-determination mechanism in O. dancena, which does not possess the DMY gene. Since heteromorphic sex chromosomes have not been reported in this species, a progeny test of sex-reversed individuals produced by hormone treatment was performed. Sex-reversed males yielded all-female progeny, indicating that O. dancena has an XX/XY sex-determination system. To uncover the cryptic sex chromosomes, sex-linked DNA markers were screened using expressed sequence tags (ESTs) established in O. latipes. Linkage analysis of isolated sex-linked ESTs showed a conserved synteny between the sex chromosomes in O. dancena and an autosome in O. latipes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of these markers confirmed that sex chromosomes of these species are not homologous. These findings strongly suggest an independent origin of sex chromosomes in O. dancena and O. latipes. Further analysis of the sex-determining region in O. dancena should provide crucial insights into the evolution of sex-determination mechanisms in vertebrates.


Sialidase assay by luminescence in the low picomole-range of sialic acid. Its application to the measurement of this activity in influenza virus.
A new procedure for a sialidase assay, by bioluminescence, has been developed. The substrate, N- acetylneuraminyllactose (sialyllactose), hydrolysed by the sialidase activity, releases lactose. This lactose is hydrolysed with beta-galactosidase. The released galactose is oxidized with galactose dehydrogenase and NAD. The NADH produced in the last step is measured by a luminescence system, coupling two enzymes, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (FMN) and luciferase. This microassay, which is specific, rapid, simple and ultra-sensitive, is a measure for amounts as little as (at least) 5 pmol of N-acetylneuraminic acid (corresponding to 0.15 ng of the released sialic acid). It uses commercialized reagents (non-radioisotopic) and avoids interferences common in other procedures. This method has been used for measuring sialidase activity directly on intact virus, avoiding inconvenient modifications produced in the extraction of the enzyme. The specific activity of sialidase of influenza virus X31 (H3N2), determined by this procedure, is 0.65 U/mg of total virus protein.