Monomeric Immunoglobulin A from Plasma Inhibits Human Th17 Responses In Vitro Independent of FcαRI and DC-SIGN.
Circulating immunoglobulins including immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM play a critical role in the immune homeostasis by modulating functions of immune cells. These functions are mediated in part by natural antibodies. However, despite being second most abundant antibody in the circulation, the immunoregulatory function of IgA is relatively unexplored. As Th17 cells are the key mediators of a variety of autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic diseases, we investigated the ability of monomeric IgA (mIgA) isolated from pooled plasma of healthy donors to modulate human Th17 cells. We show that mIgA inhibits differentiation and amplification of human Th17 cells and the production of their effector cytokine IL-17A. mIgA also suppresses IFN-γ responses under these experimental conditions. Suppressive effect of mIgA on Th17 responses is associated with reciprocal expansion of FoxP3-positive regulatory T cells. The effect of mIgA on Th17 cells is dependent on F(ab')2 fragments and independent of FcαRI (CD89) and DC-SIGN. Mechanistically, the modulatory effect of mIgA on Th17 cells implicates suppression of phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Furthermore, mIgA binds to CD4+ T cells and recognizes in a dose-dependent manner the receptors for cytokines (IL-6Rα and IL-1RI) that mediate Th17 responses. Our findings thus reveal novel anti-inflammatory functions of IgA and suggest potential therapeutic utility of mIgA in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that implicate Th17 cells.


Memory B cells form in aged mice despite impaired affinity maturation and germinal center kinetics.
We examined whether age alters the emergence of high-affinity germinal center B (GCB) cells and switched memory B cells (swBmem) during a primary immune response to a thymus-dependent antigen, using a novel flow cytometric assay to distinguish relative BCR affinity. In young mice, high-affinity B cells predominate in the GCB pool and comprise a smaller proportion of the nascent swBmem pool two weeks after immunization. In aged mice, we observe significant reductions of high-affinity clones among GCB cells, but not nascent swBmem cells. The defect in GC affinity maturation was not overcome by providing excess carrier-specific T cells from young mice, as these cells still displayed compromised effector TFH differentiation in the aged animals. Our results suggest that B cells in aged animals have a reduced ability to prompt effector TFH differentiation, leading to a compromised GC response that results in reduced generation of high-affinity GCB and plasma cells; despite normal production of early swBmem cells.


Ultrastructural and cytochemical evaluation of sepsis-induced changes in the rat pulmonary intravascular mononuclear phagocytes.
Sepsis stimulates an increase in the number and activity of mononuclear phagocytes in systemic host-defence organs. The present study was conducted to define the ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of the mononuclear phagocytes that sequester in the lung microvasculature of septic rats. Fourteen rats were challenged with a single intraperitoneal injection of saline (0.5 ml/100 g), E. coli (2 x 10(7)/100 g) or glucan (4 mg/100 g), and euthanased 2, 4, or 7 d later. The lungs were inflation fixed and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Cellular morphology was used to identify the intravascular mononuclear phagocytes and acid phosphatase (AcPase) expression was monitored as an index of cellular differentiation and activation. Control rats contained a limited number of monocytes in the pulmonary vasculature. In contrast, large numbers of activated mononuclear phagocytes were seen in the microvasculature within 48 h of treatment with either microbial product. The recruited pulmonary intravascular mononuclear phagocytes (PIMP) exhibited AcPase-reactive Golgi complexes, accumulation of secretory vesicles and other features of cell activation consistent with enhanced biosynthetic activity. Subsequent electron microscopy, conducted 4 and 7 d posttreatment, suggested that a progressive decline in the number and activity of PIMPs then occurred. In order to quantify the sepsis-induced accumulation of AcPase-positive PIMP, the experimental challenges were repeated in 11 rats and, 48 h later, tissue samples were evaluated by light microscopy for tartrate-insensitive acid phosphatase. Control rats exhibited 0.148 +/- 0.107 AcPase-positive PIMP/alveoli. E. coli and glucan challenged animals exhibited significant (P < 0.01) increases in AcPase-positive mononuclear phagocytes, with 0.782 +/- 0.073 and 0.636 +/- 0.170 PIMP/alveoli respectively. The results demonstrate that focal sepsis stimulates a significant, but transient, recruitment of activated mononuclear phagocytes into the rat pulmonary microvasculature.


The use of professional nursing practice standards in nursing labour arbitrations in British Columbia, 1987-1994.
This study examined the use of nursing practice standards in British Columbia in labour arbitrations related to patient care for the years 1987-1994. Retrospective secondary content analysis was the method used to analyse the cases. Although practice standards were referred to in some of the cases, the nature and clarity of these standards were not always evident. In addition, corporate and industrial precedents, rather than health care precedents, formed the basis for much of the arbitration deliberations. The perspectives of nurses, patients, and families were not significantly represented. Many of the arbitration hearings did not get beyond procedural matters, and so did not address substantive patient care situations. Clearly, the visibility and importance of nursing standards need to be raised among nurses and non-nurses alike. Implications and recommendations for nursing practice, administration, education and research, as well as for nursing professional associations and unions are discussed. Research questions for the future are suggested.


Role of polymorphisms of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, TLR9, toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) and FCGR2A genes in malaria susceptibility and severity in Burundian children.
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is one of the leading causes of human morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases, predominantly in tropical and sub-tropical countries. As genetic variations in the toll-like receptors (TLRs)-signalling pathway have been associated with either susceptibility or resistance to several infectious and inflammatory diseases, the supposition is that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, Toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) and FCGR2A could modulate malaria susceptibility and severity. This study was planned to make a further contribution to solving the problem of the real role of the most common polymorphisms of TLR4, TLR9, TIRAP and FCGR2A genes in modulating the risk of malaria and disease severity in children from Burundi, Central Africa. All the paediatric patients aged six months to 10 years admitted to the hospital of Kiremba, Burundi, between February 2011 and September 2011, for fever and suspicion of acute malaria were screened for malaria parasitaemia by light microscopy of thick and thin blood smears. In children with malaria and in uninfected controls enrolled during the study period in the same hospital, blood samples were obtained on filter paper and TLR4 Asp299Gly rs4986790, TLR9 G1174A rs352139, T-1486 C rs187084 TLR9 T-1237 C rs5743836, TIRAP Ser180Leu rs8177374 and the FCGR2A His131Arg rs1801274 polymorphisms were studied using an ABI PRISM 7900 HT Fast Real-time instrument. A total of 602 patients and 337 controls were enrolled. Among the malaria cases, 553 (91.9%) were considered as suffering from uncomplicated and 49 (8.1%) from severe malaria. TLR9 T1237C rs5743836CC was associated with an increased risk of developing malaria (p=0.03), although it was found with the same frequency in uncomplicated and severe malaria cases. No other differences were found in all alleles studied and in genotype frequencies between malaria cases and uninfected controls as well as between uncomplicated and severe malaria cases. TLR9 T1237C seems to condition susceptibility to malaria in Burundian children but not its severity, whereas none of the assessed SNPs of TLR4, TIRAP and FCGR2A seem to influence susceptibility to malaria and disease severity in this population.


Perceptions of partners' problematic alcohol use affect relationship outcomes beyond partner self-reported drinking: alcohol use in committed romantic relationships.
Alcohol use is prevalent among college students, including those who are in committed romantic relationships. Individuals' perceptions of their partner's alcohol use may have significant effects on how they view both their partner and their relationship. The current study examines the effect of one's perception of one's romantic partner's drinking as problematic on one's relationship satisfaction and commitment, and whether this varies as a function of one's partner's drinking. Both partners in romantic heterosexual relationships (N = 78 dyads) completed an online survey assessing alcohol use and problems, relationship satisfaction and commitment, and the perception that their partner's drinking was problematic. Analyses using Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) revealed a partner-moderated actor interaction, such that partner self-reported drinking significantly moderated the association between the actor's perception of their partner's drinking as problematic and actor relationship outcomes. Results indicated that when partners drank at higher levels, perceiving their drinking as problematic did not have an effect. These individuals were less satisfied regardless of their perceptions. However, when partners drank at lower levels, perceiving their drinking as problematic was negatively associated with relationship outcomes. Furthermore, for alcohol consumption, three-way interactions with gender emerged, indicating that this effect was stronger for males. Results extend the literature on drinking in relationships and on interpersonal perception. Implications and future directions are discussed.


Inactivation mechanisms of bacterial pathogen indicators during electro-dewatering of activated sludge biosolids.
Electro-dewatering is an energy-efficient technology in which an electric field can increase the dryness of biosolids from secondary wastewater treatment from 15% w/w to 30-50% w/w. Here, we address bacterial pathogen indicators inactivation (total coliforms, Escherichia coli and aerobic endospores) during electro-dewatering, investigating the roles of electrochemically generated oxidants, extreme pH, and high temperature (from Joule heating). Our results demonstrate that temperature is the primary factor affecting total coliforms and E. coli inactivation. First, several electro-dewatering cycles were used to increase sludge temperature to about 100 °C after 6 min, during which time the average pH decreased from 7 to 3.6 after 10 min. Total coliforms and E. coli MPNs reached their detection limits after 6 min (with 4-5 logs of inactivation for total coliforms and 3-4 logs for E. coli). In contrast, aerobic endospores were not inactivated under these conditions; rather, their germination appeared to be stimulated by 6-8 min of electro-dewatering. Second, the dewatering cake was separated into four horizontal layers. After 8 min of electro-dewatering, the pH in the top layers decreased to 3, whereas the pH in the bottom layers increased to 8. Inactivation of total coliforms and E. coli in the sludge cake was similar in all layers, increasing with time, suggesting that oxidants and extreme pH are secondary inactivation factors. Finally, electrodes were cooled to maintain a temperature less than 34 °C. Although pH decreased significantly after 12 min of electro-dewatering, there was no significant bacterial pathogen indicator inactivation at low temperature.


Structural characterization of a new binding motif and a novel binding mode in group 2 WW domains.
Formin homology 1 (FH1), is a long proline-rich region of formins, shown to bind to five WW containing proteins named formin binding proteins (FBPs). FH1 has several potential binding regions but only the PPLPx motif and its interaction with FBP11WW1 has been characterized structurally. To detect whether additional motifs exist in FH1, we synthesized five peptides and investigated their interaction with FBP28WW2, FBP11WW1 and FBP11WW2 domains. Peptides of sequence PTPPPLPP (positive control), PPPLIPPPP and PPLIPPPP (new motifs) interact with the domains with micromolar affinity. We observed that FBP28WW2 and FBP11WW2 behave differently from FBP11WW1 in terms of motif selection and affinity, since they prefer a doubly interrupted proline stretch of sequence PPLIPP. We determined the NMR structure of three complexes involving the FBP28WW2 domain and the three ligands. Depending on the peptide under study, the domain interacts with two proline residues accommodated in either the XP or the XP2 groove. This difference represents a one-turn displacement of the domain along the ligand sequence. To understand what drives this behavior, we performed further structural studies with the FBP11WW1 and a mutant of FBP28WW2 mimicking the XP2 groove of FBP11WW1. Our observations suggest that the nature of the XP2 groove and the balance of flexibility/rigidity around loop 1 of the domain contribute to the selection of the final ligand positioning in fully independent domains. Additionally, we analyzed the binding of a double WW domain region, FBP11WW1-2, to a long stretch of FH1 using fluorescence spectroscopy and NMR titrations. With this we show that the presence of two consecutive WW domains may also influence the selection of the binding mode, particularly if both domains can interact with consecutive motifs in the ligand. Our results represent the first observation of protein-ligand recognition where a pair of WW and two consecutive motifs in a ligand participate simultaneously.


Ultrastructure and synaptic architecture of spinal motoneurons in the frog (Rana catesbeiana).
An electron-microscopic analysis of spinal motoneurons and their synapses was carried out in a frog (Rana catesbeiana). Six different types of boutons (S, F, M, P, C and GS) have been identified. Their distribution on spinal motoneuron somata and proximal dendrites is described. The mean linear percentage of the surface area covered by boutons is 26.1 +/- 1.9%. S-type boutons are preferentially concentrated on the soma and proximal dendrites. The relative number of S-type boutons (58.7%) was greater (p less than 0.01) than that of F-type boutons (41.3%). This is in contrast to mammalian spinal motoneurons where F-type boutons are much more numerous on the soma than S-type boutons. F-type boutons are randomly distributed and the average ratio of S:F-type boutons is 20:14 (S:F ratio = 1.4). In contrast, M-type boutons synapse exclusively on the distal part of the dorsal dendrites and are restricted to the intermediate zone or to the dorsal horn. P-type boutons form synapses upon the large M-type boutons. The polarity of these axoaxonic synapses is always from P to M. Similarities and differences between the synaptology of frog and mammalian spinal motoneurons are discussed.


[Effect of electroacupuncture on peripheral microcirculation in acute experimental arthritic rats].
This paper reports the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on peripheral microcirculation in 12 acute experimental arthritic rats and 6 healthy rats. The results showed that after EA an obvious improvement in footback-microcirculation of acute experimental arthritic rats appeared, namely, the disturbance of microcirculation on the area of pathological changes was alleviated. The auricular microcirculation was strengthened as well. There were no obvious changes of peripheral microcirculation in healthy rats after EA. That indicates EA has therapeutic effects of promoting blood circulation and reducing extravasated blood, antiphlogosis and detumescence on the area of pathological changes in acute experimental arthritic rat.


[Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis for a family affected with congenital factor VII deficiency].
To provide mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis for a family affected with congenital factor VII(FVII) deficiency. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the proband and his parents. All exons and flanking sequence of the FVII gene were amplified with PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis was performed by amniocentesis. A homozygous mutation (NM_000131.3) c.572-1G>A was identified in the proband. Both parents of the fetus were carriers of the mutation. A method for molecular diagnosis of congenital factor VII deficiency was established and successfully applied for an affected family.


Exploring creativity and critical thinking in traditional and innovative problem-based learning groups.
To explore students' attitude towards problem-based learning, creativity and critical thinking, and the relevance to nursing education and clinical practice. Critical thinking and creativity are crucial in nursing education. The teaching approach of problem-based learning can help to reduce the difficulties of nurturing problem-solving skills. However, there is little in the literature on how to improve the effectiveness of a problem-based learning lesson by designing appropriate and innovative activities such as composing songs, writing poems and using role plays. Exploratory qualitative study. A sample of 100 students participated in seven semi-structured focus groups, of which two were innovative groups and five were standard groups, adopting three activities in problem-based learning, namely composing songs, writing poems and performing role plays. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. There are three themes extracted from the conversations: 'students' perceptions of problem-based learning', 'students' perceptions of creative thinking' and 'students' perceptions of critical thinking'. Participants generally agreed that critical thinking is more important than creativity in problem-based learning and clinical practice. Participants in the innovative groups perceived a significantly closer relationship between critical thinking and nursing care, and between creativity and nursing care than the standard groups. Both standard and innovative groups agreed that problem-based learning could significantly increase their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Further, by composing songs, writing poems and using role plays, the innovative groups had significantly increased their awareness of the relationship among critical thinking, creativity and nursing care. Nursing educators should include more types of creative activities than it often does in conventional problem-based learning classes. The results could help nurse educators design an appropriate curriculum for preparing professional and ethical nurses for future clinical practice.


Coordination of a neural tissue transplantation study in patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia.
The need for clinical research coordinators (CRCs) has grown in recent years due to the increasingly rapid translation of scientific advances from preclinical experiments to clinical trials. CRCs perform a number of critical roles in clinical trials, such as ensuring adherence to the research protocol and careful monitoring of the study data. Although many of these duties are now standardized in a general job description, new fields of clinical research may require additional functions of the CRC that are specific to each investigation. This was the case for a pilot clinical study at the University of Florida, which investigated the feasibility and safety of human fetal spinal cord (FSC) tissue allografts in patients with progressive posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS). The CRC for this study had several essential duties, such as arranging transportation for PTS subjects to the study center from all regions of the United States and coordinating an extensive assessment protocol that required many co-investigators. Given these challenges, successful achievement of the outcome measures required the development of a customized CRC job description that encompassed both standard roles and specific duties for this study. Accordingly, this article will illustrate the role of the CRC in this study and provide a template for similar coordinator roles.


[It starts as a Lumbovertebral syndrome and ends as an acute confusional state].
Here we report the case of a 19-year-old somalian man who has been admitted to our emergency department because of an important lumbago without trauma. The physical examination on arrival showed a diffuse painful percussion of the left paraspinal muscles without neurological impairment. The laboratory exams displayed a significant elevation of the inflammatory response (CRP 154 mg/l, procalcitonin 0,05 µg/l), the blood cultures were negative and a thoracic and lumbar computed tomography (CT) was not conclusive. The unclear clinical picture led to a magnetic resonance imaging, showing the presence of an abscess in the left thoraco-lumbar paraspinal musculature with ongoing invasion of the epidural space. The clinical picture became dramatic as the patient suddenly developed a frank nuchal rigidity associated with an acute confusional state, caused by the rupture of the abscess in the meningeal space with secondary meningitis, confirmed by a lumbar puncture, where S. aureus was found.


Genome sequence of Sphingomonas wittichii DP58, the first reported phenazine-1-carboxylic acid-degrading strain.
Sphingomonas wittichii DP58 (CCTCC M 2012027), the first reported phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA)-degrading strain, was isolated from pimiento rhizosphere soils. Here we present a 5.6-Mb assembly of its genome. This sequence would contribute to the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of PCA degradation to improve the antifungal's effectiveness or remove superfluous PCA.


Analysis of the powder behavior and the residence time distribution within a production scale rotary tablet press.
This study focuses on the behavior of powder particles in a rotary tablet press with special focus on the feed frame system. To obtain a better knowledge of the continuous manufacturing of tablets, the experimental setup was carried out with a production scale rotary tablet press. The behavior of the powder particles at different flow rates through the tablet press, residual moisture contents, particle sizes, and amounts of tracer was investigated. The residence time distribution was evaluated using the tracer indigo carmine, which was sprayed onto microcrystalline cellulose particle as solution with fluidized bed spray granulator to obtain a tracer blend. The residence time distribution was increased by increasing the amount of tracer blend, and a transition from a plain MCC blend to the tracer blend with regard to continuous manufacturing was shown. Furthermore, it was found that an increase in the flow rates of the powder particles through the tablet press led to a decrease of the residence time distribution (Et). The variation of the flow rate had no influence on the mechanically applied strain at high throughputs, which was confirmed by a constant number of paddle passes (Npp). At the lowest flow rate, the Npp appears to be higher than the constant Npp values at higher flow rates. The residual moisture content did not shown any significant influence on the residence time distribution. The examination of the effect of different tracer blend particle sizes led to an interesting result: It was shown that the particle size segregation only had a low influence on Et. However, a comparably higher influence of the particle size segregation on the particle distribution in the produced tablets was demonstrated. Large particles were deposited at the top of the tablet surface whereas small particles were deposited at their bottom.


Tricyclic compounds as selective antimuscarinics. 1. Structural requirements for selectivity toward the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in a series of pirenzepine and imipramine analogues.
The M1-selective antiulcer drug pirenzepine (1) is a tricyclic compound with close resemblance to tricyclic psychotropic agents such as imipramine (2). Despite this fact, pirenzepine is devoid of any psychotropic effects, exhibiting measurable antagonistic effects in biochemical assays and receptor binding studies only toward the muscarinic receptor system. To understand how different groups in these tricyclic molecules affect binding affinities, a set of nine compounds structurally related to pirenzepine (1) and imipramine (2) has been selected for analysis, comprising three different tricycles and three different side chains. The compounds were tested for their affinity to the imipramine and muscarinic receptors in homogenized rat cortex tissue. The result of these studies suggests that it is the nature and placement of accessory groups that determine the differences in receptor recognition and the binding process. In the case of pirenzepine (1), preferential binding toward the muscarinic receptor is brought about by the endocyclic amide group, by the positioning of the protonated N atom of the side chain, and to a minor extent by the exocyclic amide group. From these findings a putative model for the explanation of selective binding of pirenzepine (1) to the muscarinic receptor has been derived.


The cellular hydration state: a critical determinant for cell death and survival.
Alterations in cellular hydration not only contribute to metabolic regulation, but also critically determine the cellular response to different kinds of stress. Whereas cell swelling triggers anabolic pathways and protects cells from heat and oxidative challenge, cellular dehydration contributes to insulin resistance and catabolism and increases the cellular susceptibility to stress-induced damage. Intracellular accumulation of organic osmolytes, cell cycle delay and the expression of heat shock proteins provide cellular tolerance to hyperosmolarity and protect against stressors under dehydrating conditions. This article discusses some mechanisms by which alterations in cell hydration contribute to cytoprotection or cell damage. In addition, the close relationship between osmotic and oxidative stress and the contribution of isoosmotic shrinkage to apoptotic cell death are considered.


Thermoregulation responses of broiler chickens to humidity at different ambient temperatures. II. Four weeks of age.
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of RH (35, 60, and 85%) on thermoregulation of broiler chickens at high (35 degrees C) and mild (30 degrees C) temperatures at the age of 4 wk. The effects of humidity on rectal temperature (RT) and plumage temperature at back (PBAT) and skin temperature at breast (SBRT) were determined at 1, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after exposure. The RT, PBAT, and SBRT were all significantly increased by high temperature (35 degrees C). Humidity had a significant influence on RT at 35 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C. The peripheral temperatures (PBAT and SBRT) were significantly affected by humidity but responded differently at high (35 degrees C) compared with mild temperature (30 degrees C). In conclusion, high humidity above 60% impaired the heat transmission from body core to the periphery at 35 degrees C but facilitated it at 30 degrees C in 4-wk-old broiler chickens. The effect of humidity on nonevaporative heat loss was depended on air temperature, as nonevaporative heat loss was suppressed by high humidity (>60% RH) at high temperature but enhanced at the mild temperature. The effect of humidity on the relationship between peripheral and core temperature depends on ambient temperature as well as on the age of the broiler chicken. The disturbance of thermal balance could not be determined only by changes in RT or peripheral temperature at a single time point but could be determined by mean body temperature within a certain time frame.


Retinal photography screening programs to prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy in rural and urban Australia: a review.
This review assessed the effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programs, using retinal photography in Australian urban and rural settings, and considered implications for public health strategy and policy. An electronic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase for studies published between 1 January 1996 and the 30 June 2013 was undertaken. Key search terms were "diabetic retinopathy," "screening," "retinal photography" and "Australia." Twelve peer-reviewed publications were identified. The 14 DR screening programs identified from the 12 publications were successfully undertaken in urban, rural and remote communities across Australia. Locations included a pathology collection center, and Indigenous primary health care and Aboriginal community controlled organizations. Each intervention using retinal photography was highly effective at increasing the number of people who underwent screening for DR. The review identified that prior to commencement of the screening programs a median of 48% (range 16-85%) of those screened had not undergone a retinal examination within the recommended time frame (every year for Indigenous people and every 2 years for non-Indigenous people in Australia). A median of 16% (range 0-45%) of study participants had evidence of DR. This review has shown there have been many pilot and demonstration projects in rural and urban Australia that confirm the effectiveness of retinal photography-based screening for DR.


[Prognostic significance of pretreatment CT scans in supratentorial astrocytomas receiving radiotherapy].
Pretreatment brain CT scans of 61 patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy for supratentorial gliomas (23 low-grade astrocytomas, 21 grade III astrocytomas and 17 glioblastomas) were reviewed, and their prognoses were analyzed. Almost all gliomas with no CEA (contrast enhanced area) were low-grade, and their prognosis was promising. Benign and malignant gliomas with regular CEA were found in equal proportions, and their prognosis was relatively good. A majority of cases with irregular or ring-like CEA were malignant, and their prognosis was extremely poor.


Acute diverticulitis and surgical treatment.
Diverticulitis is a common condition in industrialized countries and an important cause of hospital admissions. Its growing trend is a challenge for the surgeons who perform emergency surgery, because approximately 15-25% of the patients will require surgery, being the surgical management of complicated acute diverticulitis controversial. The past decade has seen a paradigm shift in the treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis based on new epidemiological studies and refinement of surgical techniques that has produced a reassessment of our guidelines. CT imaging and sepsis scores allows to stratify the patients and better define the therapeutic strategies in each case. Special considerations must also be made for patients with a high surgical risk, such as immunosuppressed ones. The recommendations to perform surgery after two episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis have been re-evaluated and the belief that new episodes may be complicated and associated with high morbidity and mortality has been rejected, since the clinical manifestations of this disease are usually defined by the first attack. In complicated cases, more patients can be treated with resection and primary anastomosis with or without an associated stoma, whose reversal rate is much higher than that of a Hartmann's procedure. Likewise, laparoscopic surgery performing a peritoneal lavage and drainage without associated resection may have an increasing role in the management of these patients, although with controversial results, having become laparoscopic colon resection the approach of choice for the treatment of this pathology in elective settings.


The Effect of Calibration on Caries Risk Assessment Performance by Students and Clinical Faculty.
Caries management requires a complete oral examination and an accurate caries risk assessment (CRA). Performing Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) is inefficient when the caries risk level assignment is incorrect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of faculty members and students at one U.S. dental school to correctly assign caries risk levels for 22 CRA cases, followed by calibration with guidelines on how to use the CRA form and a post-calibration test two months after calibration. Inter-examiner reliability to a gold standard (consensus of three experts) was assessed as poor, fair, moderate, good, and very good. Of the 162 students and 125 faculty members invited to participate, 13 students and 20 faculty members returned pre-calibration tests, for response rates of 8% and 16%, respectively. On the post-calibration test, eight students and 13 faculty members participated for response rates of 5% and 10%, respectively. Without guidelines and calibration, both faculty members and students when evaluated as one group performed only poor to fair in assigning correct caries risk levels. After calibration, levels improved to good and very good agreements with the gold standard. When faculty and students were evaluated separately, in the pre-calibration test they correctly assigned the caries risk level on average in only one-quarter of the cases (students 24.1%±13.3%; faculty 23.6%±17.5%). After calibration, both groups significantly improved their correct assignment rate. Faculty members (73.8% correct assignments) showed even significantly higher correct assignment rates than students (47.7% correct assignments). These findings suggest that calibration with a specific set of guidelines improved CRA outcomes for both the faculty members and students. Improved guidelines on how to use a CRA form should lead to improved caries risk assessment and proper treatment strategy for patients.


A cellular cofactor for the constitutive transport element of type D retrovirus.
A human nuclear protein that specifically interacts with the constitutive transport element (CTE) of simian retrovirus was identified as adenosine 5'-triphosphate-dependent RNA helicase A. This protein could bind to functional CTE but not to inactive CTE mutants. The interaction of helicase A with CTE was distinct from previously described helicase activity of this protein. Helicase A shuttled from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in the presence of a transcription inhibitor or in cells transiently overexpressing CTE-containing RNA. In vivo colocalization of helicase A and CTE was observed in experiments that combined in situ hybridization and immunostaining. These results suggest that helicase A plays a role in the nuclear export of CTE-containing RNA.


Small bowel obstruction due to a congenital adhesion: a rare case report.
The exact incidence of small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to congenital adhesions remains unclear. Herein, we report a 59-year-old male who appeared in the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain associated with vomiting. The patient reported no previous medical or surgical history. Clinical examination revealed a soft, distended abdomen and diffuse tenderness. Computed tomography indicated a close loop obstruction. A congenital band extending from mesentery to ileum and causing an internal hernia was identified via a midline incision. The band was ligated and divided. There is no difference in the clinical presentation, and the initial work-up of SBO on account of congenital adhesions was compared to other bowel obstruction causes. Surgical exploration is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital adhesions. Although laparotomy is considered the cornerstone of surgical management, laparoscopy has emerged as a feasible and safe alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of these congenital bands.


Microstructural Evolution, Mechanical Properties and Tribological Behavior of B4C-Reinforced Ti In Situ Composites Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion.
Based on the advantage of rapid net-shape fabrication, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is utilized to process B4C-reinforced Ti composites. The effect of volumetric energy density (VED) on the relative density, microstructural evolution, tensile properties and wear behaviors of B4C-reinforced Ti composites were systematically investigated. The LPBF-ed samples with high relative density (>99%) can be achieved, while the pores and un-melted powders can be observed in the sample owing to the low energy input (33 J/mm3). The additive particulates B4C were transformed into needle-like TiB whiskers with nano-scale while C dissolved in the Ti matrix. Fine-scale grains (<10 μm) with random crystallographic orientation can be achieved and the residual stress shows a downtrend as the VED increases. Through the analysis of the tensile and wear tests, the sample at 61 J/mm3 VED showed a good combination of strength and wear performance, with an ultimate tensile strength of 951 MPa and a wear rate of 3.91 × 10-4 mm3·N-1m-1. The microstructural evolution in VED changes and the corresponding underlying strengthening mechanisms of LPBF-ed Ti + B4C composites are conducted in detail.


College students' attitude toward menu labeling differs by sex, BMI, weight management status, and athletic type.
Objective Determine students' attitude toward menu labeling before and after menu labeling implementation at university dining facility. Participants: College students aged 18 years and older eating at campus dining facility. Methods: Survey on attitude toward menu labeling, weight management status, and athletic classification (NCAA, recreational, or non-athlete) was completed 30 days pre- and post-menu labeling implementation. Results: Females showed stronger positive attitude toward menu labeling. Students trying to lose or gain weight had stronger positive attitudes toward menu labeling than students maintaining weight, as did overweight students compared to normal weight students. NCAA athletes had lower attitude mean scores toward menu labeling than other athletic classifications. Conclusion: Attitude toward menu labeling varies by students' gender, body mass index (BMI), and weight management focus, with NCAA athletes having the least positive attitude. Focus future research on effective ways to inform students on menu labeling in university dining facilities in order to nutritionally engage young adults.


Predictors of hepatitis B vaccination in women prisoners in two prisons in England.
Hepatitis B is an important public health issue, especially in the female prison population. The high prevalence in this population is largely accounted for by the high rates of injecting drug use and the fact that these women are more likely to exchange sex for drugs or money and practice unprotected sex. There is a national programme in English prisons to vaccinate everyone against Hepatitis B. This study aimed to investigate whether women who had been in prison before were more likely to have been vaccinated against hepatitis B and whether contact with community services was more likely to predict hepatitis B vaccination. A questionnaire survey of new entrants into two women's prisons in England. Four hundred and eighty seven out of 613 women approached completed the questionnaire and gave complete data on hepatitis B vaccination status, giving a response rate of 79.4%. One hundred and thirty three women (27.3%) had received at least three vaccinations against hepatitis B. Previous imprisonment and intravenous drug use were independent predictors of vaccination. Six months or more in prison greatly increased an individual's odds of being immunized [odds ratio 12.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.53-26.10)]. Registration with a general practitioner (GP), contact with drug or alcohol services and exchanging money or goods for sex were not independently associated with vaccination status. Prisons play an important role in the delivery of hepatitis B vaccination. However, this should not prevent providers of health services making greater efforts to engage this marginalized group and to ensure that they receive an appropriate level of healthcare in the community.


Simulation sample sizes for Monte Carlo partial EVPI calculations.
Partial expected value of perfect information (EVPI) quantifies the value of removing uncertainty about unknown parameters in a decision model. EVPIs can be computed via Monte Carlo methods. An outer loop samples values of the parameters of interest, and an inner loop samples the remaining parameters from their conditional distribution. This nested Monte Carlo approach can result in biased estimates if small numbers of inner samples are used and can require a large number of model runs for accurate partial EVPI estimates. We present a simple algorithm to estimate the EVPI bias and confidence interval width for a specified number of inner and outer samples. The algorithm uses a relatively small number of model runs (we suggest approximately 600), is quick to compute, and can help determine how many outer and inner iterations are needed for a desired level of accuracy. We test our algorithm using three case studies.


Apathy and Executive Function in Healthy Elderly-Resting State fMRI Study.
Apathy is a quantitative reduction in goal-directed behaviors, having three subtypes. Despite executive deterioration in healthy aging, researchers have not investigated the "cognitive-deficit" subtype of apathy in healthy populations, which would result from executive dysfunction. We hypothesized that a relationship between apathy and executive function (EF) would be found in healthy older adults, accompanied with neural deterioration with functional dysconnectivity between the striatum and frontal region as suggested by previous studies. A total of 100 healthy adults in a health examination system database were analyzed. The present study indicates that apathy is substantially associated with executive deterioration, which can be partially ascribed to decreased functional connectivity between the frontal and ventral striatum. Despite some limitations, our findings may contribute to research on healthy psychological aging.


Tobacco smoke increases the risk of otitis media among Greenlandic Inuit children while exposure to organochlorines remain insignificant.
Prenatal exposure to environmental levels of organochlorines (OCs) has been demonstrated to have immunotoxic effects in humans. We investigated the relationship between prenatal exposure to OCs and the occurrence of otitis media (OM) among Inuit children in Greenland. We estimated the concentration of 14 PCB congeners and 11 pesticides in maternal and cord blood samples and in breast milk in a population-based cohort of 400 mother-child pairs. At follow-up, we examined the children's ears and used their medical records to assess the OM occurrence and severity. Multivariate regression analyses were used with adjustments for passive smoking, crowding, dietary habits, parent's educational level, breast feeding and the use of child-care. The children were 4-10 years of age at follow-up and 223 (85%) participated. We found no association between prenatal OC exposure and the development of OM. Factors associated with the child's hazard of OM during the first 4 years of life were: mother's history of OM (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11-2.59, p=0.01); mother's smoking habits: current (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.45-4.21, p<0.01) and previous (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.19-3.36, p<0.01); number of smokers in the home (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.31, p<0.01). After adjustment mothers' smoking habits remained significant. We found no relationship between high levels of prenatal exposure of OCs and occurrence of OM. Passive smoking was found as the strongest environmental risk factor for the development of OM. Interventions to reduce passive smoke in children's environment are needed.


Should deep eutectic solvents be treated as a mixture of two components or as a pseudo-component?
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and dilutions thereof (mainly in H2O but also in many other non-aqueous solvents and co-solvent mixtures) have recently attracted great attention. It is well known that DES dilutions exhibit deviations from ideality. Interestingly, the treatment of DES as a mixture of two components or a pseudo-component is by no means trivial when determining deviations in density and, mainly, in viscosity. Herein, we studied aqueous dilutions of one of the most widely studied DES, this is, that composed of choline chloride and urea in a 1:2 molar ratio (e.g., ChCl2U). Using density and viscosity data reported in previous works, we calculated the excess molar volumes (VE) and excess viscosities (ln ηE) considering ChCl2U as either a mixture of two components or a pseudo-component, that is, taking the DES molecular weight as MChCl2U = fChClMChCl + fUMU = 86.58 g mol-1 (with fChCl = 1/3 and fU = 2/3) or as M* ChCl2U = MChCl + 2 MU = 259.74 g mol-1. We found that neither the sign of VE and VE* nor their evolution with temperature was influenced by the use of either MChCl2U or M* ChCl2U, and only the absolute magnitude of the deviation and the DES content (in wt. %) at which the minimum appears exhibited some differences. However, ln ηE and ln ηE* exhibited opposite signs, negative and positive, respectively. The odd achievement of negative ln ηE in aqueous dilutions of ChCl2U characterized by the formation of HB networks suggest the treatment of ChCl2U as a pseudo-component as more appropriate. Moreover, the role played by the presence of U in the evolution of ln ηE* with temperature was also discussed.


Developmental presentation, medical complexities, and service delivery for a child with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome.
To discuss the developmental presentation, complicating factors, and delivery of physical therapy services through the Birth to Three System, for 1 child with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. History, presenting problems, medical complexities, developmental and behavioral characteristics, interventions, and implications for service delivery are reviewed. The child experienced many difficulties reported in the literature related to the wide phenotype of 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. Focus on caregiver instruction and education to accomplish family-driven, functional outcomes increased carryover and allowed the greatest potential for success. Genetic disorders such as 16p11.2 deletion syndrome are increasingly being recognized as etiologic factors in neurodevelopmental conditions. It is critical for physical therapists to be aware of the varied manifestations and effects of this genetic disorder. Advanced problem solving and decision-making, ongoing assessment, and collaboration are required to comprehensively support the family in meeting the child's medical, behavioral, and developmental needs.


Reactions to research participation in vulnerable subgroups.
This paper describes the extent to which vulnerable individuals (defined by economic, social, psychological, physical health, and child maltreatment status) react to research participation. As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, participants (N=896) completed a lengthy and intrusive in-person interview and provided a small amount of blood through finger pricks. At the end of the interview, participants were asked eight questions about their reactions to the research experience. Vulnerable individuals in general agreed more strongly about having an emotional reaction, but were not less willing to continue to participate. In addition, psychologically vulnerable individuals more strongly agreed they would continue to participate, were treated with respect and dignity, and found their participation meaningful. Compared to whites, nonwhites reported stronger agreement about the meaningfulness of the research and the belief that their responses would be kept private. Like others, individuals vulnerable by virtue of their prisoner status or homelessness (past or current) agreed more strongly about having an emotional reaction to the interview, but otherwise did not differ in their reactions. These results suggest that researchers and institutional review boards should not be deterred from conducting research on sensitive topics with potentially vulnerable populations.


Co-creation on Redefining Consumer Well-Being Needs Among Youth Through Self-Potential Development Model.
A co-creation values consumers' input as its primary crust in informing businesses on current consumer needs. More importantly, it would be the next shape in future demands of consumers in business sustainability. This paper addressed this context, narrowing its scope in investigating the voices of stakeholders on what would be the essential aspects of the present and future youth qualities in achieving sustainable well-being in the present trend. The findings would be essentially helpful for the youth and the business world to understand the aspects of good youth development, which would shape the next fabric of consumerism. Self-potential development of the youth is vital in achieving excellent life quality and the youth's well-being in Malaysia. However, the increase in challenges faced by today's youth is inconsistent with a decline of the group's well-being. There are various studies and interventions implemented to overcome the youth situation. However, there is still in need for a model that can guide the holistic development of youth self-potential. The purpose of this study is to build a sustainable and comprehensive model of the self-potential development of the youth, which can be integrated with all of the self-potential indicators of the youth via a co-creation process. This study used the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) on the proposed elements in the development model and systematically analyzed them using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) to create the development model. The method capitalized 10 stakeholders from various youth development backgrounds in developing the model. The model consists of 25 sub-indicators (SIs, elements) that are divided into five indicators. The model findings show that one of the most driving indicators is an entrepreneurial mindset among youth, followed by the other indicators of youth self-potential development. The model also shows that the civic-mindedness indicator is the output of youth self-potential that will surface at an end of the development. The model will guide the authorized body on the priority elements that can systematically and strategically improve youth self-potential to meet future challenges with youth aspirations.


Bio-based polymeric composites comprising wood flour as filler.
The increasing effort on development of bio-based polymeric materials in recent years is motivated by the basic concept of meeting the sustainability criteria for industrial development in the third millennium. Within this framework, our research group is currently involved in assessing the potentiality of some agro-industrial overproduction and byproducts in the formulation of eco-compatible bio-based polymeric materials displaying, among others, the propensity to biodegrade under controlled environment conditions. In the present work, beech wood flour (Bwf) composites were prepared from plasticized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The type of plasticizer [tri(ethylene glycol) bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (TEGB) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG200)] and the amount [5 and 20 wt %] were selected as independent variables in a factorial design. Thermal and mechanical properties of 90 wt % PHB composites were investigated. Incorporation of PEG200 was found to compromise thermal stability of PHB as demonstrated by the higher decrease on the onset decomposition temperature (T(d)) and the drop in its average molecular weight (M(w)). The present study underlines the fact that TEGB/PHB/beech wood flour composites can be optimized to obtain new materials for disposable items.


Histologic variability and diverse oncologic outcomes of prostate sarcomas.
Primary prostate sarcomas are a rare type of prostate cancer that account for less than 0.1% of primary prostate malignancies. We analyzed the experience of a single institution with prostate sarcoma over 20 years. In this case series, the medical records of 20 patients with prostate sarcoma were reviewed from June 1990 to December 2013 to identify symptoms at presentation, diagnostic procedures, metastasis presence and development, histologic subtype, French Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer grade, primary tumor grade and size, and treatment sequence, including surgery and preoperative and postoperative therapies. The average follow-up period was 23.6 months (range, 1.4-83.3 months). The average patient age was 46.3 ± 16.7 years. Most patients presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (55%). The histologic subtype was spindle cell sarcoma in five patients (25%), rhabdomyosarcoma in three patients (15%), synovial sarcoma in three patients (15%), liposarcoma in three patients (15%), stromal sarcoma in three patients (15%), and Ewing sarcoma, nerve sheath tumor, and adenocarcinoma with sarcomatoid component (5% each). For liposarcoma, two patients were alive after complete surgical resection and had a good prognosis. At last follow-up, 15 patients had died of sarcoma. The 2- and 5-year actuarial survival rates for all 20 patients were 53% and 12%, respectively (medial survival, 20 months). The disease-specific survival rate of prostate sarcoma is poor. However, sarcoma that is detected early shows a better result with proper management including surgical intervention with radio-chemotherapy than with no treatment. Early diagnosis and complete surgical resection offer patients the best curative chance.


Oral Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapies for Local and Systemic Action.
Nucleic acid (NA) therapy has gained importance over the past decade due to its high degree of selectivity and minimal toxic effects over conventional drugs. Currently, intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) formulations constitute majority of the marketed formulations containing nucleic acids. However, oral administration is traditionally preferred due to ease of administration as well as higher patient compliance. To leverage the benefits of oral delivery for NA therapy, the NA of interest must be delivered to the target site avoiding all degrading and inhibiting factors during its transition through the gastrointestinal tract. The oral route presents myriad of challenges to NA delivery, making formulation development challenging. Researchers in the last few decades have formulated various delivery systems to overcome such challenges and several reviews summarize and discuss these strategies in detail. However, there is a need to differentiate between the approaches based on target so that in future, delivery strategies can be developed according to the goal of the study and for efficient delivery to the desired site. The goal of this review is to summarize the mechanisms for target specific delivery, list and discuss the formulation strategies used for oral delivery of NA therapies and delineate the similarities and differences between local and systemic targeting oral delivery systems and current challenges.


Study of grading of urothelial carcinoma in transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumor specimens.
This study is conducted to evaluate prognostic significance of recently introduced WHO (World Health Organization) 1999 grading system for urothelial carcinoma on transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumor (TURBT) specimens reported during the period from 1996 to 2000. Progression free survival estimates were obtained by Kaplan-Meier method on SPSS software with log rank test application. Among 70 cases, progression occurred in 38 patients from which grade I were 3, grade II were 11 and grade III were 24. The mean period from diagnosis to progression was 76.8, 19.2 and 3.5 months for grade I, II, III respectively. The progression free survival rates at one year were 100% for grade I, 42% for grade II and 5% for grade III. (Log rank test: p < 0.001). WHO 1999 grading system can classify urothelial carcinomas into prognostically different groups, which is statistically significant.


Voxel-based morphometry in schizophrenia: implications for neurodevelopmental connectivity models, cognition and affect.
Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies have provided valuable data on the nature and distribution of gray and white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia relative to the whole brain. Most VBM studies have focused on chronic patients, but there are accumulating studies of first-episode schizophrenia and other high-risk groups such as first-degree relatives. This review outlines the evidence from VBM studies of both chronic and first-episode/high-risk groups. The most consistent reduction revealed in chronic patients is in the superior temporal cortex, and in first-episode/high-risk individuals, in frontal brain regions. These findings are reviewed in relation to complementary evidence for neurodevelopmental deviation, and functional associations with both neuroimaging and behavioral measures of general and social cognition.


Developing a speech intelligibility test based on measuring speech reception thresholds in noise for English and Finnish.
A subjective test was developed suitable for evaluating the effect of mobile communications devices on sentence intelligibility in background noise. Originally a total of 25 lists, each list including 16 sentences, were developed in British English and Finnish to serve as the test stimuli representative of adult language today. The sentences, produced by two male and two female speakers, were normalized for naturalness, length, and intelligibility in each language. The sentence sets were balanced with regard to the expected lexical and phonetic distributions in the given language. The sentence lists are intended for adaptive measurement of speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise. In the verification of the test stimuli, SRTs were measured for ten subjects in Finnish and nine subjects in English. Mean SRTs were -2.47 dB in Finnish and -1.12 dB in English, with standard deviations of 1.61 and 2.36 dB, respectively. The mean thresholds did not vary significantly between the lists or the talkers after two lists were removed from the Finnish set and one from the English set. Thus the numbers of lists were reduced from 25 to 23 and 24, respectively. The statistical power of the test increased when thresholds were averaged over several sentence lists. With three lists per condition, the test is able to detect a 1.5-dB difference in SRTs with the probability of about 90%.


Penaeus monodon GILT enzyme restricts WSSV infectivity by reducing disulfide bonds in WSSV proteins.
Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is involved in the adaptive immune response via its effects on major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigen presentation. In addition to antigen presentation, GILT exerts its antiviral activity by reducing disulfide bonds in proteins involved in viral infection and assembly, thereby inhibiting viral envelope-mediated infection and viral progeny production. In black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon GILT (PmGILT) was cloned and characterized, and found to be involved in the shrimp innate immune response and to exert neutralizing activity against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. However, the anti-WSSV mechanism of PmGILT in the shrimp innate immune response has not been defined. To explore the anti-WSSV activity of PmGILT, a yeast 2-hybrid (Y2H) assay was performed to identify WSSV proteins targeted by PmGILT. The assay revealed 4 potential PmGILT-interacting WSSV proteins: WSSV002, WSSV164, WSSV189, and WSSV471. Three of these 4 WSSV proteins (WSSV002, WSSV164 and WSSV189) were successfully produced and confirmed to interact with PmGILT in in vitro pull-down assays. WSSV189 and WSSV471 were previously identified as structural proteins, whereas WSSV164 is an immediate-early protein which has anti-melanization activity, and WSSV002 is an unknown. Because of the thiol reductase activity of PmGILT, WSSV164 and WSSV189, both of which are cysteine-containing WSSV proteins, were chosen for disulfide bond reduction assays. PmGILT reduced intrachain disulfide bonds in both WSSV proteins, suggesting that PmGILT exerts its anti-WSSV activity via its thiol reductase activity to disrupt the WSSV protein complex and restore the melanization activity of PmproPO1 and PmproPO2.


Ventilatory, hemodynamic and sedative effects of the alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine.
Dexmedetomedine is a potent alpha 2 adrenergic agonist which can reduce anesthetic requirements by over 90% in rats and dogs. This study examined the effects of various doses of dexmedetomidine on the following monitored variables in New Zealand white rabbits: arterial blood gases, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and level of sedation. Following the percutaneous insertion of arterial and venous catheters, 21 rabbits received an infusion of saline or dexmedetomidine (20, 80 or 320 micrograms/kg). Monitored variables were recorded at 5, 15, 30 and 60 min following the infusion. Dexmedetomidine produced significant dose-dependent increases in PaCO2 and level of sedation. There were significant decreases in heart rate, PaO2 and respiratory rate. There was no significant change in mean arterial pressure even at the highest (320 micrograms/kg) dose. To examine the ability of an alpha 2 adrenergic antagonist to reverse the effects of dexmedetomidine, 5 rabbits initially received 320 micrograms/kg of dexmedetomidine as described above. Seven minutes after completion of the infusion, 900 micrograms/kg of the alpha 2 adrenergic antagonist, idazoxan, was administered. This resulted in a prompt and sustained reversal of the hypercarbia and sedation produced by the dexmedetomidine.


Comparative inactivation of adenovirus serotypes by UV light disinfection.
The results of this study confirm that adenoviruses are the most resistant enteric viruses to inactivation by UV light and that adenovirus 40 appears to be the most resistant. The effect of freeze-thawing and storage in water may affect the sensitivity of some adenoviruses to inactivation by UV light.


Host-Defense-Peptide-Mimicking β-Peptide Polymer Acting as a Dual-Modal Antibacterial Agent by Interfering Quorum Sensing and Killing Individual Bacteria Simultaneously.
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are one of the potentially promising agents for infection diseases due to their broad spectrum and low resistance rate, but their clinical applications are limited by proteolytic instability, high-cost, and complicated synthesis process. Here, we report a host-defense-peptide-mimicking β-peptide polymer that resists proteolysis to have enhanced the activity under physiological conditions, excellent antimicrobial efficiency even at high density of bacteria, and low cost for preparation. The β-peptide polymer demonstrated quorum sensing (QS) interference and bactericidal effect against both bacterial communities and individual bacterium to simultaneously block bacterial communication and disrupt bacterial membranes. The hierarchical QS network was suppressed, and main QS signaling systems showed considerably down-regulated gene expression, resulting in excellent biofilm eradication and virulence reduction effects. The dual-modal antibacterial ability possessed excellent therapeutic effects in Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, which could inhibit biofilm formation and exhibit better antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficiency than clinically used antibiotics, levofloxacin. Furthermore, the β-peptide polymer also showed excellent therapeutic effect Escherichia coli pyogenic liver abscess. Together, we believed that the β-peptide polymer had a feasible clinical potential to treat bacterial infection diseases.


Continuation treatment of major depressive disorder: is there a case for duloxetine?
Duloxetine is a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor with established efficacy for the short-term treatment of major depressive disorder. Efficacy in continuation treatment (greater than six months of continuous treatment) has been established from both open and placebo-controlled relapse prevention and comparative studies. Seven published studies were available for review and showed that in both younger and older populations (aged more than 65 years) the acute efficacy of duloxetine was maintained for up to one year. Response to treatment was based on accepted criteria for remission of depression and in continuation studies remission rates were greater than 70%. Comparative studies showed that duloxetine was superior to placebo and comparable to paroxetine and escitalopram in relapse prevention. Importantly a study of duloxetine in patients prone to relapse of major depressive disorder showed that the medication was more effective than placebo in this difficult to treat population. Side effects of duloxetine during continuation treatment were predictable on the basis of the known pharmacology of the drug. In particular there were no significant life-threatening events which emerged with continued use of the medication. On the other hand vigilance is required since the data base on which to judge very rare events is limited by the relatively low exposure to the drug. Duloxetine has established both efficacy and safety for continuation treatment but its place as a first-line treatment of relapse prevention requires further experience. In particular further comparative studies against established agents would be useful in deciding the place of duloxetine in therapy.


Novel Prussian White@MnO2-Based Inorganic Electrochromic Energy Storage Devices with Integrated Flexibility, Multicolor, and Long Life.
Flexible electrochromic devices have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their great potential in smart multifunction electrochromic energy storage devices and wearable intelligent electronics. Herein, we present an inorganic flexible Li-based electrochromic energy storage device (EESD) by combining a Prussian white@MnO2-composited electrode (PWM) and sputtering-made WO3 electrode. The synergistic effect of Prussian white and MnO2 plays a positive role both in energy storage and electrochromic property of the EESD. Its energy level can be quantified by the transmittance spectrum and chrominance difference, and its charging-discharging process can be monitored in real time by optical modulation at special wavelength. Specifically, the EESD can endure a 10,000 times cyclic voltammetry cycle without obvious degradation at wide voltage windows (-2 to 2.5 V) and realize a high coloration efficiency (77.6 cm2/C) with 35% optical modulation at 510 nm. In terms of energy storage performance, the EESD demonstrates excellent volumetric energy/power density (1.25 W cm-3/13.2 mWh cm-3) and remarkable stability with close to 98.3% capacitance retention and 99.4% coulombic efficiency after more than 4000 cycles. Its charging and discharging degree can be visualized in different spectral regions. There are 40% transmittance change for charging in the blue light region (450-480 nm) and 45% transmittance change for discharging in the red light region (620-750 nm). Based on its multicolor property, a quantitative indicator of charge state is achieved by the linear dependence of real-time chrominance change as stored or released charge. The ∼11 mC/cm2 stored charge capacity can cause an ∼11 increase in chrominance difference ΔE value, while ∼7 mC/cm2 discharge capacity can cause a ΔE value increase of ∼4. This work provides an efficient strategy to develop portable multicolor-integrated EESDs toward high performance and long stability.


Nucleoplasmic mobilization of nucleostemin stabilizes MDM2 and promotes G2-M progression and cell survival.
Nucleolar disassembly occurs during mitosis and nucleolar stress, releasing several MDM2-interactive proteins residing in the nucleolus that share the common activity of p53 stabilization. Here, we demonstrate that mobilization of nucleostemin, a nucleolar protein enriched in cancer and stem cells, has the opposite role of stabilizing MDM2 and suppressing p53 functions. Our results show that nucleostemin increases the protein stability and nucleoplasmic retention of MDM2, and competes with L23 for MDM2 binding. These activities were significantly elevated when nucleostemin is released into the nucleoplasm by mutations that abolish its nucleolar localization or by chemotherapeutic agents that disassemble the nucleoli. Nucleostemin depletion decreases MDM2 protein, increases transcription activity without affecting the level of p53 protein, and triggers G2-M arrest and cell death in U2OS cells but not in H1299 cells. This work reveals that nucleoplasmic relocation of nucleostemin during nucleolar disassembly safeguards the G2-M transit and survival of continuously dividing cells by MDM2 stabilization and p53 inhibition.


Managerial attitude to the implementation of quality management systems in Lithuanian support treatment and nursing hospitals.
The regulations of the Quality Management System (QMS) implementation in health care organizations were approved by the Lithuanian Ministry of Health in 1998. Following the above regulations, general managers of health care organizations had to initiate the QMS implementation in hospitals. As no research on the QMS implementation has been carried out in Lithuanian support treatment and nursing hospitals since, the objective of this study is to assess its current stage from a managerial perspective. A questionnaire survey of general managers of Lithuanian support treatment and nursing hospitals was carried out in the period of January through March 2005. Majority of the items included in the questionnaire were measured on a seven-point Likert scale. During the survey, a total of 72 questionnaires was distributed, out of which 58 filled-in ones were returned (response rate 80.6 per cent; standard sampling error 0.029 at 95 per cent level of confidence). Quality Management Systems were found operating in 39.7 per cent of support treatment and nursing hospitals and currently under implementation in 46.6 per cent of hospitals (13.7% still do not have it). The mean of the respondents' perceived QMS significance is 5.8 (on a seven-point scale). The most critical issues related to the QMS implementation include procedure development (5.5), lack of financial resources (5.4) and information (5.1), and development of work guidelines (4.6), while improved responsibility and power sharing (5.2), better service quality (5.1) and higher patient satisfaction (5.1) were perceived by the respondents as the key QMS benefits. The level of satisfaction with the QMS among the management of the surveyed hospitals is mediocre (3.6). However it was found to be higher among respondents who were more competent in quality management, were familiar with ISO 9000 standards, and had higher numbers of employees trained in quality management. QMSs are perceived to be successfully running in one third of the Lithuanian support treatment and nursing hospitals. Its current implementation stage is dependent on the hospital size - the bigger the hospital the more success it meets in the QMS implementation. As to critical Quality Management (QM) issues, hospitals tend to encounter such major problems as lack of financial resources, information and training, as well as difficulties in procedure development. On the other hand, the key factors that assist to the success of the QMS implementation comprise managerial awareness of the QMS significance and the existence of employee training systems and audit groups in hospitals.


CANOMAD syndrome with respiratory failure.
CANOMAD (chronic ataxic neuropathy, ophthalmoplegia, M-protein agglutination, disialosyl antibodies) syndrome is a rare polyneuropathy. IgM paraproteins react with ganglioside-containing disialylated epitopes resulting in dorsal root ganglionopathy and B-lymphocyte infiltration of cranial and peripheral nerves. Clinical features include ataxia, slight muscle weakness, areflexia, sensory- and cranial nerve symptoms. Case studies have reported the efficacy of rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments. We present the case of a 57-year-old man, who had difficulty walking, with numbness and clumsiness in all limbs. He had areflexia, vibratory sensation loss and ataxia. Laboratory tests showed IgM monoclonal components and disialosyl antibodies in the serum. Nerve conduction studies indicated severe sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuroradiculopathy. Despite IVIg and rituximab treatments, the patient's disease course gradually worsened and he died of respiratory failure. Neuropathological examination revealed dorsal column- and dorsal root atrophy with mixed mononuclear cell infiltration. This article aims to draw attention to this syndrome, and the use of early potent immunosuppressive treatment to improve patients' quality of life.


Motion of spheres along a fluid-gas interface.
A system of many spherical particles, suspended in a quiescent fluid and touching a planar free fluid-gas interface, is considered. Stick fluid boundary conditions at the sphere surfaces are assumed. The free surface boundary conditions are taken into account with the use of the method of images. For such a quasi-two-dimensional system, the one-sphere resistance operator is calculated numerically. Moreover, the corresponding friction and mobility tensors are constructed from irreducible multipole expansion. Finally, the long-distance terms of the two-sphere mobility tensor are evaluated explicitly up to the order of 1/r3, where r is the interparticle distance. Experiments which have motivated this work are outlined.


Immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells acquire tumorigenicity by Acrogranin gene overexpression.
Malignant transformation is caused by multi-step genetic mutations, and growth factors are believed to play important roles in developing and maintaining malignant phenotype. However, there is no direct evidence that a specific growth factor contributes to malignant transformation of phenotypically normal cells. In order to assess the function of Acrogranin (also known as granulin epithelial precursor; GEP) in ovarian carcinogenesis, ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells, which are supposed to be the origin of primary ovarian epithelial cancer, were transfected with combined genes of hTERT, SV40 LT, and Acrogranin. Introduction of hTERT and SV40 LT was sufficient for immortalizing OSE cells but not enough for tumor formation in nude mice. In contrast, transfection and overexpression of Acrogranin in immortalized OSE cells showed augmented clonogenicity in soft agar and obvious tumorigenicity in nude mice. This is the first study showing evidence that a specific growth factor plays a direct role in malignant transformation in ovarian cancer development.


A Survey on the Health and Financial Status of Private Educational Institutions in Afghanistan During COVID-19 Pandemic.
The worldwide spread of the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 has disrupted the world economy and the economy of Afghanistan as part of it. In addition, it has affected health and education in the country. The aim of this study is to highlight the damage the pandemic has done to private educational institutes in Afghanistan, in terms of finances, health and educational aspects. This is to draw attention to the setbacks the COVID-19 pandemic has caused to post-war (ie, post 2001) Afghan private education. A cross-sectional study was conducted with the help of Afghanistan's Educational Centers Association (AECA) members to analyze the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown. The questionnaire for the survey was distributed through SurveyMonkey to founders of educational institutes. It included basic demographics, perception of and exposure to COVID-19 by the participants and the educational and financial state of their institutions. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 25. Almost all participants who completed the questionnaire were male; 82% of them were under 35 years old, the others were older. Fifty-one percent obtained their COVID-19-related information through social media. Fifty-six percent confirmed that either they themselves or employees had tested positive with COVID-19. Eighty-seven percent of their educational institutes were not conducting any online classes. Only 2% received continued payment from their students. Five percent did not pay rent for their center's lease. Regarding the economic damage during the lockdown period (March to July 2020) they encountered, 47% reported a loss of 2000-5000$ with a decreasing amount of participants responding and an ascending amount of financial loss. COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant financial and educational loss to the private educational institutes in Afghanistan. The lockdown induced by it affected students' fees transactions, induction of online classes, substantial financial loss, and it elevated the health crisis according to the founders of private educational institutes' reports.


[Advances in tracheal transplantation].
The length of tracheal defect or stenosis exceeded 5 cm could not be treated by simple resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the remaining trachea. Various ways of tracheal replacement had appeared sequentially, such as radial forearm free flap with cartilage grafts, tracheal tissue-engineering and tracheal allotransplantation. Among these methods, tracheal allotransplantation displayed a better long-term result. In this review, we are focused on recent advances in tracheal allotransplantation, particularly on revascularization and reepithelialization of graft, as well as on the application of immunosuppressive agents.


In vitro and in vivo determination of piperacillin metabolism in humans.
Piperacillin metabolism and biliary excretion are different between humans and preclinical species. In the present study, piperacillin metabolites were characterized in bile and urine of healthy humans and compared with metabolites formed in vitro. Volunteers were administered 2 g of piperacillin IV; blood, urine, and duodenal aspirates (obtained via a custom-made oroenteric catheter) were collected. The metabolism of piperacillin in humans also was investigated in vitro using pooled human liver microsomes and sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. Piperacillin and metabolites were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Piperacillin, desethylpiperacillin, and desethylpiperacillin glucuronide were detected in bile, urine, and human liver microsomal incubates. Similar to the in vivo results, desethylpiperacillin was formed and excreted into bile canaliculi of sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. This is the first report of glucuronidation of desethylpiperacillin in vitro or in vivo. The clinical method employed in this study to determine biliary clearance of drugs also facilitates bile collection as soon as bile is excreted from the gallbladder, thereby minimizing the exposure of labile metabolites to the intestinal environment. This study exemplifies how a combination of in vitro and in vivo tools can aid in the identification of metabolites unique to the human species.


The clinical spectrum of renal disease associated with human immunodeficiency virus.
A nephrology consultation was called on 100 adult patients of 1,635 (6.1%) patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection seen between 1982 and 1987 at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Renal disease was observed in all groups of patients with a risk factor for HIV infection with a lesser incidence, however, among homosexuals. Intravenous drug (IVD) use and possibly race appear to be important factors in the development of renal complications. Renal disease was the dominant clinical feature in eight asymptomatic HIV carriers and in 34 patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) who had not developed the opportunistic infections and/or malignancies associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ninety-one percent of consultations were requested for evaluation of proteinuria and/or renal failure. Nephrotic range proteinuria, in excess of 3 g/24 h, was present in 52 patients, and was less prevalent in homosexuals than in other groups at risk. Renal failure (serum creatinine greater than or equal to 5 mg/dL), initially present in 32 patients, eventually developed in 69 and improved in only 18 of them. A renal biopsy, obtained for work-up of nephrotic syndrome (22 patients) or renal insufficiency (3 patients), uncovered a picture of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in all 25 instances. Overall, 76 patients are dead, seven are lost to follow-up, and 17 are alive, of whom eight (four HIV carriers, two patients with ARC, and two with AIDS) are on maintenance hemodialysis with a mean survival time of 217 days.


Identification of cytoskeletal proteins as binding partners of Bri2 BRICHOS domain.
Proteins must fold into three-dimensional structures to execute their biological functions. Therefore, maintenance of protein homeostasis, proteostasis, including prevention of protein misfolding is essential for cellular activity and health. Molecular chaperones are key actors in proteostasis. BRICHOS domain is an intramolecular chaperone that also interferes with several aggregation-prone proteins including amyloid β (Aβ), involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To extend the knowledge about Bri2 BRICHOS interactome we here used recombinant human (rh) Bri2 BRICHOS-mCherry fusion protein to probe for potential binding partners. Firstly, exogenously added Bri2 BRICHOS-mCherry was used to stain brain sections of wildtype and amyloid precursor protein (App) knock-in AD mice exhibiting robust Aβ pathology. Unexpectedly, we found that rh Bri2 BRICHOS-mCherry stained the cytoplasm of neurons which are devoid of Aβ deposits. To identify these intraneuronal proteins that bind to the rh Bri2 BRICHOS domain, we performed co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) of mouse brain hippocampi homogenates using the Bri2 BRICHOS-mCherry probe and analyzed co-IP proteins by LC-MS/MS. This identified several cytoskeletal proteins including spectrin alpha and beta chain, drebrin, tubulin β3, and β-actin as binding partners. The interactions were confirmed by a second round of pulldown experiments using rh Bri2 BRICHOS linked to magnetic beads. The interaction of rh Bri2 BRICHOS and tubulin β3 was further investigated by staining both mouse brain sections and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with rh Bri2 BRICHOS-mCherry and tubulin β3 immunostaining, which revealed partial co-localization. These data suggest a possible interplay of extracellular chaperone Bri2 BRICHOS domain in the intracellular space including the cytoskeleton.


Structural reorganization of cylindrical nanoparticles triggered by polylactide stereocomplexation.
Co-crystallization of polymers with different configurations/tacticities provides access to materials with enhanced performance. The stereocomplexation of isotactic poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide) has led to improved properties compared with each homochiral material. Herein, we report the preparation of stereocomplex micelles from a mixture of poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) and poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers in water via crystallization-driven self-assembly. During the formation of these stereocomplex micelles, an unexpected morphological transition results in the formation of dense crystalline spherical micelles rather than cylinders. Furthermore, mixture of cylinders with opposite homochirality in either THF/H2O mixtures or in pure water at 65 °C leads to disassembly into stereocomplexed spherical micelles. Similarly, a transition is also observed in a related PEO-b-PLLA/PEO-b-PDLA system, demonstrating wider applicability. This new mechanism for morphological reorganization, through competitive crystallization and stereocomplexation and without the requirement for an external stimulus, allows for new opportunities in controlled release and delivery applications.


[Airway beta-defensin-2 gene transfer enhances the bacterial clearing of rat lung].
beta-defensins possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. In this study its in vivo antibacterial effect was evaluated by using gene transfer. Rat beta-defensin-2 (rBD2) recombinant pBK-CMV-rBD2 and pCD-NA-3, 1-Myc-His(+)-rBD2 were constructed. Then, by use of liposome agent, the recombinants were delivered into rat airway via tracheal injection. The rBD-2 mRNA expression was detected in the trachea by RT-PCR and its protein expression was determined in the lungs by the tag His immunostaining, 24 hours after inoculation via trachea, the count of P. areuginosa in the lung of rat transfected with pBK-CMV-rBD2 markedly decreased, compared with the control (n = 8, P = 0.003). The data presented in this study provide evidence that airway beta-defensin-2-gene transfer can protect the rat against bacterial infection in vivo, suggesting the beta-defensins as part of the innate host defense system can be of potential applicability.


Attenuation of pain perception after transposition of the greater omentum to the cauda equina region of rats--a preliminary observation.
This paper addresses a specific experimental design to suggest the possible role of the greater omentum in the modulation of pain in rats. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 275 and 325 g were selected. The animals were randomized and then anesthetized with pentobarbital (35 mg/kg) and divided into three groups: (1) sham: laparotomy followed by laminectomy with exposure of the spinal epidural space (n=5); (2) transposition of pedicled omentum (n=5) to the cauda equina epidural space; and (3) transposition of pedicled omentum (n=5) to the cauda equina intradural space. The animals were operated upon and once more randomized by an independent investigator, so that the groups were thought to be similar during post-operative testing. The latency of paw withdrawal to noxious heat stimulation was tested and the values (seconds) plotted for 1, 3, 6, 11, 14 and 30 days after surgery. Randomization codes were open after the animals were euthanized. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) without replication was applied for each of the dataset and comparisons established among the different study groups involved. The omenta were removed and standard immunohistochemistry was performed for gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), serotonin, calcitonin-gene related protein (CGRP), vascular intestinal peptide (VIP) and Met-enkephalin. The response to high heating rates of stimulation favored intradural versus sham and epidural omental transpositions. High and low noxious heat stimulation suggested an increased threshold to noxious stimulation after the 3 and 30 days of omental transposition. In the low heat stimulation series, responses were comparatively higher than in the sham animals. The suggested increased threshold of response to noxious stimulation after transposition of the greater omentum onto the spinal cord of rats suggested a novel role of the omentum and a potential future application in the clinical arena.


A single glutamine synthetase gene produces tissue-specific subcellular localization by alternative splicing.
Glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a key role in two major biochemical pathways: In liver GS catalyzes ammonia detoxification, whereas in neural tissues it also functions in recycling of the neurotransmitter glutamate. In most species the GS gene gives rise to a cytoplasmic protein in both liver and neural tissues. However, in species that utilize the ureosmotic or uricotelic system for ammonia detoxification, the enzyme is cytoplasmic in neural tissues, but mitochondrial in liver cells. Since most vertebrates have a single copy of the GS gene, it is not clear how tissue-specific subcellular localization is achieved. Here we show that in the ureosmotic elasmobranch, Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish), two different GS transcripts are generated by tissue-specific alternative splicing. The liver transcript contains an alternative exon that is not present in the neural one. This exon leads to acquisition of an upstream in-frame start codon and formation of a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS). Therefore, the liver product is targeted to the mitochondria while the neural one is retained in the cytoplasm. These findings present a mechanism in which alternative splicing of an MTS-encoding exon is used to generate tissue-specific subcellular localization.


Hemorrhagic follicular cyst of the left ovary. An unusual complication of anticoagulant treatment.
A 34-year-old female, six months after surgery for implanting a mitral valve bioprosthesis (Hancock), was admitted to hospital because of acute abdomen. The patient had been on coumarin medication since the operation. On the 15th day of her menstrual cycle the patient presented gingival bleeding, epistaxis, and pain in the left lower abdominal quadrant. The prothrombin time was overdepressed (10% of normal), and coumarin drugs were stopped. Bleeding from the left ovary at time of ovulation was suspected and the patient was treated with vitamin K and then submitted to an exploratory laparotomy. A hemorrhagic cyst of the left ovary was found, and the histologic examination showed the cyst to be follicular in type.


Antigenic variation of surface proteins of Borrelia species.
During relapsing fever, the etiologic spirochetes employ antigenic variation to avoid early immune clearance. In Borrelia hermsii, an agent of tick-borne relapsing fever, a switch in serotype is associated with a change in the predominant protein on the surface of the cells. The variable major proteins differ from one another in primary structure along their lengths. Genes encoding the different variable major proteins can be found in both "silent" and "active" environments. At the active site the gene is expressed; at the silent site the gene appears to be in storage. In variant cells, which express the new serotype-specific surface protein in a population, a gene from a silent site has replaced the previously sitting gene at the active site through transposition.


Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on self-assembly behaviors and optical and photovoltaic properties of the P3HT-b-P2VP block copolymer.
An ordered nanostructure can be created from the hybrid materials of self-assembly poly(3-hexyl thiophene-b-2-vinyl pyridine) and nicotinic acid-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (P3HT-b-P2VP/TiO(2)). TEM and XRD analyses reveal that the TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) are preferentially confined in the P2VP domain of P3HT-b-P2VP whereas TiO(2) NPs interact with either pure P3HT or a blend of P3HT and P2VP to produce microsized phase segregation. The morphologies of lamellar and cylindrical structures are disturbed when the loading of TiO(2) NPs is 40 wt % or higher. Cylindrical P3HT-b-P2VP/TiO(2) exhibits a small blue shift in absorption and photoluminescence spectra with increasing TiO(2) loading as compared to P3HT/TiO(2). The NPs cause a slightly misaligned P3HT domain in the copolymer. Furthermore, the PL quenching of P3HT-b-P2VP/TiO(2) becomes very large as a result of efficient charge separation in the ordered nanodomain at 16 nm. Solar cells fabricated from self-assembly P3HT-b-P2VP/TiO(2) hybrid materials exhibit a >30 fold improvement in power conversion efficiency as compared to the corresponding 0.3P3HT-0.7P2VP/TiO(2) polymer blend hybrid. This study paves the way for the further development of high-efficiency polymer-inorganic nanoparticle hybrid solar cells using a self-assembled block copolymer.


Total Maxillary Alveolar Osteotomy: Surgical Technique and Review of Its Efficacy.
The total maxillary alveolar osteotomy (TMxAO) is not commonly used to manage maxillary skeletal deformities. This article describes the technique, reviews its stability, and discusses its advantages over the more popular Le Fort I osteotomy. A series of 177 TMxAO patients satisfying the inclusion criteria from a cadre of 234 patients undergoing TMxAO between 1985 and 1993 were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study regarding achievement of predicted anatomic movements, stability of skeletal results, and preservation of inter-alar dimension. The patients were evaluated early postoperatively and at 11 to 14 months postoperatively, and the data were exposed to the Shapiro-Wilk test and analysis of variance and analyzed using SPSS software (version 21; IBM, Armonk, NY) at the 99% level of confidence (P ≤ .01). Only in 58% of patients did the designed millimetric study model changes correspond precisely to the millimetric changes disclosed in a comparison of preoperative and early postoperative cephalograms. Comparison of early and late postoperative cephalograms, with infrequent exceptions, described millimetric instabilities of less than 2 mm and angular instabilities of less than 2°. Despite 2 significant outliers, the average inter-alar instability as determined by direct measurement was 0.19 mm. This study suggests that the TMxAO compares favorably in stability with the Le Fort I osteotomy as recorded in the literature and, in terms of versatility, mobility of segments, avoidance of anatomic hazard, and preservation of nasal width, offers advantages in comparison.


Immunohistochemical expression of heat shock proteins in the mouse periodontal tissues due to orthodontic mechanical stress.
The histopathology of periodontal ligament of the mouse subjected to mechanical stress was studied. Immunohistochemical expressions of HSP27 and p-HSP27 were examined. Experimental animals using the maxillary molars of ddY mouse by Waldo method were used in the study. A separator was inserted to induce mechanical stress. After 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 9 hours and 24 hours, the regional tissues were extracted, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.05M phosphate-buffered fixative solution. Paraffin sections were made for immunohistochemistry using HSP27 and p-HSP27. In the control group, the periodontal ligament fibroblasts expressed low HSP27 and p-HSP27. However, in the experimental group, periodontal ligament fibroblasts expressed HSP27 10 minutes after mechanical load application in the tension side. The strongest expression was detected 9 hours after inducing mechanical load. p-HSP27 was also expressed in a time-dependent manner though weaker than HSP27. The findings suggest that HSP27 and p-HSP27 were expressed for the maintenance of homeostasis of periodontal ligament by the activation of periodontal ligament fibroblasts on the tension side. It also suggests that these proteins act as molecular chaperones for osteoblast activation and maintenance of homeostasis.


[Selective systems for obtaining recessive ribosomal suppressors in saccharomycete yeasts].
Recessive mutations only occurring in two genes (ribosomal suppressors sup1 and sup2) can be obtained using special selective system. We demonstrate that the absolute selectivity of the system is based on selection for simultaneous reversions to prototrophy in mutants requiring adenine and histidine in haploids marked by two different nonsense mutations--his7-1 (UAA) and ade1-14 (UGA, this being identified in the present study). In support to this conclusion, we developed an analogous system utilising his7-1 (UAA) and lys2-87 (UGA). The selectivity of the system is shown to be influenced both by the choice of nonsense alleles and by genotypic background.


Asymptotically consistent numerical approximation of hemolysis.
In a previous communication, we have proposed a numerical framework for the prediction of in vitro hemolysis indices in the preselection and optimization of medical devices. This numerical methodology is based on a novel interpretation of Giersiepen-Wurzinger blood damage correlation as a volume integration of a damage function over the computational domain. We now propose an improvement of this approach based on a hyperbolic equation of blood damage that is asymptotically consistent. Consequently, while the proposed correction has yet to be proven experimentally, it has the potential to numerically predict more realistic red blood cell destruction in the case of in vitro experiments. We also investigate the appropriate computation of the shear stress scalar of the damage fraction model. Finally, we assess the validity of this consistent approach with an analytical example and with some 3D examples.


[Specific chorioretinitis--a case report].
The authors present an uncommon case of ocular involvement in extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis with cutaneous manifestation. A case of a patient who was treated for skin efflorescences on legs for several months is demonstrated. The eye examination showed the picture of chorioretinitis of suspicious tuberculous etiology. A prompt healing of cutaneous lesions occurred and retinal finding stabilized under the specific therapy. The authors emphasize that this infectious etiology should not be omitted in differential diagnostic considerations of uveitis.


Induction of Th17 cellular immunity with a novel nanoemulsion adjuvant.
T17 (T-helper-17) cytokine responses have been recently recognized as an important component for the protective immunity produced by vaccination. However, the mechanism by which immune adjuvants induce T17 immunity has not been defined. We have developed a novel mucosal nanoemulsion (NE) adjuvant that produces a robust humoral and T1 cellular immunity. Herein, we demonstrate that immunization with NE adjuvant induces a T17 response to diverse antigens in both outbred and inbred mice. CD86 deficiency had a limited effect on the induction of IL-17, however, double CD80/CD86, CD40, and IL-6 (interleukin 6) mutant mice failed to produce T17 immunity in response to NE adjuvant. Mice deficient in TLR2 and TLR4 (Toll-like receptors 2 and 4) had a diminished IL-17 response. Our data indicate that nasal mucosal immunization with NE adjuvant produces T1 and T17 immunity; that this process requires IL-6, CD40, and at least one of the CD80/CD86 molecules; and that the induction of TH17 is enhanced by the presence of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors. This unique approach to vaccination may have a significant role in protection against mucosal and intracellular pathogens.