Targeting foreign major histocompatibility complex molecules to tumors by tumor cell specific single chain antibody (scFv).
Down-regulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is one of the major mechanisms that tumor cells adopted to escape immunosurveillance. Therefore, specifically coating tumor cells with foreign MHC may make tumor cells a better target for immune recognition and surveillance. In this study, we designed and generated a fusion protein, H2Kd/scPSMA, consisting of a single chain antibody against human prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the extracellular domain of mouse H-2Kd. The expression of this fusion protein in B16F0 mouse melanoma cells was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Our animal study showed that the expression of H2Kd/scPSMA in B16F0/PSMA5, a B16F0 cell line expressing human PSMA, significantly inhibited tumor growth as demonstrated in the pulmonary metastasis assay and tumor growth study and improved overall survival.


Morphogenesis of fetal rat duodenal villi.
To study the structural features of fetal rat duodenal mucosa associated with histogenesis of villi, duodena from 15- to 19-day fetuses were examined by light and electron microscopy. The duodenal epithelium of 15- to 18-day fetuses was stratified. Distinctive junctional complexes associated with membrane-bounded vesicles and cilia-like structures were seen in the deeper epithelial layers at 15 and 16 days. Small lumina, designated "secondary lumina," lined with a variable number of microvilli developed between epithelial cells at these junctional complexes during the sixteenth through eighteenth days. Degenerative changes and exfoliation of superficial epithelial cells were obvious in 17- and 18-day fetuses. In 18-day fetuses, aggregates of mesenchyme had invaginated the basal aspect of the stratified epithelium. Concomitantly, the number of epithelial layers overlying these mesenchymal projections was decreased. In 19-day fetuses, well formed, short duodenal villi lined by a simple columnar epithelium which included goblet and endocrine cells were evident. Injection of ferritin into the main duodenal lumen of 17-day fetuses failed to reveal continuity between the main lumen and the secondary lumina. However, continuity between many secondary lumina and the main lumen was demonstrated in 18-day fetuses. Thus, major morphological features associated with villus formation in fetal rat duodenum include: (1) formation of many secondary lumina in primitive stratified epithelium, (2) eventual fusion of these lumina with the main duodenal lumen, by their continued growth coupled with exfoliation of degenerating superficial layers and (3) upward growth of mesenchyme towards the lumen as cell exfoliation and expansion of secondary lumina take place.


A Bifactor-ESEM Representation of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
The aim of this study is to examine the factor structure of Turkish version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and to analyze its psychometric properties through the bifactor-ESEM framework. Using a convenience sample of 1124 Turkish adults, seven different models were tested. The results supported the superiority of a bifactor-ESEM solution that included three specific factors (family, friends, and significant others) and a general factor. In addition, bifactor indices showed that the general factor of MSPSS is not strong enough and its multidimensional structure is supported. For the bifactor-ESEM model, strict measurement invariance was achieved according to the gender variable. Our results supported convergent validity for the general and specific factors of the MSPSS, which were found to be associated with measures of distress, loneliness, and resilience. As a result, MSPSS is a valid and reliable measurement tool with its bifactor-ESEM model.


[A clinical study of the association between hepatic controlled attenuation parameter and metabolic syndrome].
Objective: To investigate the association between hepatic controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the correlation of CAP and its changes with the incidence of MetS. Methods: A total of 2461 subjects who underwent physical examination from July 2013 to September 2015 were enrolled. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of CAP with the number of MetS components and each MetS component, and the chi-square test was used to investigate the prevalence rates of MetS and each component under different CAP levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of MetS under different CAP levels. A total of 230 subjects without baseline MetS were selected; in a prospective cohort study, these subjects were divided into groups according to the baseline CAP, change in CAP, and percent change in CAP, and the chi-square test was performed to compare the incidence of MetS. The Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the values of baseline CAP, change in CAP, and percent change in CAP in predicting MetS. Results: CAP was positively correlated with the number of MetS components (r = 0.309, P < 0.01) and significantly correlated with all components. There were significant differences in the prevalence rates of MetS and its components under different CAP levels (< 238 dB/m, 238-258 dB/m, 259-291 dB/m, and ≥292 dB/m) (P < 0.05). After the adjustment for sex and age, with < 238 dB/m as a reference, the odds ratios (95% CI) of MetS in patients with CAP levels of 238-258 dB/m, 259-291 dB/m, and ≥292 dB/m were 1.784 (1.369-2.325), 2.936 (2.292-3.760), and 4.363 (3.435-5.543), respectively (all P < 0.05). Follow-up data showed that 28 patients (12.2%) developed MetS. After the adjustment for related factors, the hazard ratios (95% CI) of MetS in patients with baseline CAP > 238 dB/m, change in CAP > 30 dB/m, and percent change in CAP > 25.0% were 3.337 (1.163-9.569), 7.732 (2.453-24.366), and 11.656 (3.329-40.813), respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: CAP is closely associated with MetS and its components. CAP and its change can be used to predict the risk of MetS.


The change in the causes of mortality in England and Wales during the last 150 years.
Between about 1750 and 1975 England and Wales experienced the demographic transition from high, but approximately equal levels of mortality and fertility to low levels. The death rate from causes other than infectious diseases which was 12 per 1000 in 1850 has not declined markedly, whereas for infectious diseases, it has fallen from about 11 per 1000 to less than 1 per 1000. The changes im mortality from important infectious diseases is described. It is suggested that the agricultural revolution and the development of transport, initiated by the construction of canals, led to the greater availability of food and coal, and enabled the industrial revolution to improve the standard of living of the people. Scientific discoveries and medical break-throughs did not in general, contribute importantly to the early major decline in infectious disease mortality and the decline in fertility occurred before efficient contraception became available.


Development of a clinical decision tool for suspected scaphoid fractures.
Scaphoid fractures are the most common carpal fractures; their overall incidence is however low. Missing a scaphoid fracture may lead to a non-union with a possible disastrous outcome for the patient; for this reason, treatment of a suspected scaphoid fracture, even without a proven fracture on the first radiograph, has been conservative with plaster treatment. There are many clinical tests developed to diagnose a scaphoid fracture. However not all tests are equally practical, and their sensitivity and specificity are not always known, or are very low. In this study 18 clinical tests were evaluated and a subset of 7 tests remained, which were found to be practical and/or had a high enough sensitivity. A clinical decision protocol was developed using a combination of these seven tests, in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and at the same time reduce unnecessary plaster cast treatment of patients with a suspected scaphoid, who turn out to only have a sprained wrist.


Ceramide modulates HERG potassium channel gating by translocation into lipid rafts.
Human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG) potassium channels play an important role in cardiac action potential repolarization, and HERG dysfunction can cause cardiac arrhythmias. However, recent evidence suggests a role for HERG in the proliferation and progression of multiple types of cancers, making it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Ceramide is an important second messenger of the sphingolipid family, which due to its proapoptotic properties has shown promising results in animal models as an anticancer agent. Yet the acute effects of ceramide on HERG potassium channels are not known. In the present study we examined the effects of cell-permeable C(6)-ceramide on HERG potassium channels stably expressed in HEK-293 cells. C(6)-ceramide (10 microM) reversibly inhibited HERG channel current (I(HERG)) by 36 +/- 5%. Kinetically, ceramide induced a significant hyperpolarizing shift in the current-voltage relationship (DeltaV(1/2) = -8 +/- 0.5 mV) and increased the deactivation rate (43 +/- 3% for tau(fast) and 51 +/- 3% for tau(slow)). Mechanistically, ceramide recruited HERG channels within caveolin-enriched lipid rafts. Cholesterol depletion and repletion experiments and mathematical modeling studies confirmed that inhibition and gating effects are mediated by separate mechanisms. The ceramide-induced hyperpolarizing gating shift (raft mediated) could offset the impact of inhibition (raft independent) during cardiac action potential repolarization, so together they may nullify any negative impact on cardiac rhythm. Our results provide new insights into the effects of C(6)-ceramide on HERG channels and suggest that C(6)-ceramide can be a promising therapeutic for cancers that overexpress HERG.


Effect of statins on the mortality of patients with ischaemic heart disease: population based cohort study with nested case-control analysis.
To measure the effect of statins on mortality for community based patients with ischaemic heart disease and determine whether the likely benefits are similar for women, the elderly, and patients with diabetes. Open prospective cohort study with nested case-control analysis. 1.18 million patients registered with 89 practices spread across 23 strategic health authority areas within the UK. All practices had a minimum of eight years of longitudinal data and were contributing to the UK QRESEARCH database. All patients with a first diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease between January 1996 and December 2003. Adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all cause mortality (cohort analysis) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI (case-control analysis) for current use of statins. Adjustments were made for current use of aspirin, beta blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, co-morbidity (myocardial infarction, diabetes, hypertension, congestive cardiac failure), smoking, body mass index, and quintile of deprivation. 13,029 patients had a first diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease in the study period giving an incidence rate of 3.38/1000 person years. 2266 patients with ischaemic heart disease died during the 43,460 person years of observation giving an overall mortality rate of 52.1/1000 person years (95% CI 50.0 to 54.3). In the case-control analysis, patients taking statins had a 39% lower risk of death than did patients not taking statins (adjusted OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.72) after use of other medication, co-morbidity, smoking, body mass index, and deprivation were taken into account. The benefits found in this study compared favourably with those found in the randomised controlled trials, although the current study population is at higher overall risk. The benefits extend to women, patients with diabetes, and the elderly and can be seen within two years of treatment. Longer duration of usage was associated with lower OR for risk of death with a 19% reduction in risk of death with each additional year of treatment (adjusted OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.86 per year). Mortality was similarly reduced among patients prescribed atorvastatin (adjusted OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.79) and simvastatin (adjusted OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.76). The benefits of statins found in randomised controlled trials extend to unselected community based patients. The benefits can be seen within the first two years of treatment and continue to accrue over time. Since patients in the community are likely to be at higher risk than those in trials, the potential benefits from statins are likely to be greater than expected.


[Glutamic acid as a universal extracellular signal].
The prevailing view is that both glutamic (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) acids play a role as an amino acid neurotransmitter released from neurons. However, little attention has been paid to the possible expression and functionality of signaling machineries required for amino acidergic neurotransmission in cells other than central neurons. In line with our first demonstration of the presence of Glu receptors outside the brain, in this review I will outline our recent findings accumulated since then on the physiological and pathological significance of neuronal amino acids as an extracellular signal essential for homeostasis in a variety of phenotypic cells. In undifferentiated neural progenitor cells, for instance, functional expression is seen with different signaling machineries used for glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission in neurons. Moreover, Glu plays a role in mechanisms underlying suppression of proliferation for self-replication in undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells. There is more accumulating evidence for neuronal amino acids playing a role as an extracellular autocrine or paracrine signal commonly used in different phenotypic cells. Evaluation of drugs currently used could be thus beneficial for the efficient prophylaxis and/or the therapy of a variety of diseases relevant to disturbance of amino acid signaling in diverse organs.


Advanced colorectal carcinoma with testicular metastasis in an adolescent: a case report.
Colorectal carcinoma in the pediatric age group is rare and tends to be very aggressive and present late, due to which it has a very poor prognosis. It may present with distant metastasis; however, metastasis to the testes is very rare and signifies an advanced stage of the disease. Surgery is the only effective modality to cure patients with localized colorectal carcinomas. However, statistics show a higher incidence of unresectable disease and a higher metastasis rate in childhood colorectal carcinomas. We present a case of advanced colorectal carcinoma with testicular metastasis in an adolescent. A 15-year-old Indian Hindu boy presented to surgical emergency with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. He also had a history of passing blood and mucus per rectum. On examination he had abdominal distension. On digital rectal examination, a circumferential proliferative growth was felt 1 cm above the anal verge. On scrotal examination, a small nodule was felt in his right testis. In view of intestinal obstruction, he was taken into our emergency operation theater and a diverting loop sigmoid colostomy was performed to relieve the obstruction. A punch biopsy from anorectal growth was taken which suggested signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of his chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed advanced colorectal carcinoma with distant metastasis. Ultrasonography of his testes showed a hypoechoic nodule in the right testis from which a needle aspiration biopsy was done which revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. Childhood colorectal carcinomas have a very poor prognosis due to their aggressive nature and late presentation. In spite of all the advances in diagnosis and treatments, the overall long-term survival is still dismal in these patients. Due to the rarity of this disease, screening is not recommended for individuals under the age of 50. Thus, to improve outcome, early diagnosis and treatment is paramount. For that to happen, awareness needs to be created regarding pediatric colorectal carcinoma and its signs and symptoms.


A graphical user interface for RAId, a knowledge integrated proteomics analysis suite with accurate statistics.
RAId is a software package that has been actively developed for the past 10 years for computationally and visually analyzing MS/MS data. Founded on rigorous statistical methods, RAId's core program computes accurate E-values for peptides and proteins identified during database searches. Making this robust tool readily accessible for the proteomics community by developing a graphical user interface (GUI) is our main goal here. We have constructed a graphical user interface to facilitate the use of RAId on users' local machines. Written in Java, RAId_GUI not only makes easy executions of RAId but also provides tools for data/spectra visualization, MS-product analysis, molecular isotopic distribution analysis, and graphing the retrieval versus the proportion of false discoveries. The results viewer displays and allows the users to download the analyses results. Both the knowledge-integrated organismal databases and the code package (containing source code, the graphical user interface, and a user manual) are available for download at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/CBBresearch/Yu/downloads/raid.html .


Clinical and Healthcare Resource Use Outcomes between Dual-plane and Prepectoral Techniques in Implant-based Breast Reconstruction: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.
This multicenter, retrospective study compared clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use in patients who underwent dual-plane (DP) or prepectoral (PP) implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy in the United States. Medical records were selected for patients at five sites undergoing immediate one-stage direct-to-implant (first hospitalization) or two-stage IBR (first and second hospitalization) using either DP or PP. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for potential confounders. Complications and healthcare resource use were assessed with logistic regression; pain severity was assessed with ordinary least-squares regression. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, data from 255 patients (DP = 130, PP = 125) and 441 breasts (DP = 226, PP = 215) were analyzed. Mean pain severity scores were lower with PP versus DP immediately after IBR for first (P = 0.0002) and second hospitalizations (P = 0.0145), and before discharge for first (P < 0.0001) and second hospitalizations (P = 0.0002). A greater proportion of PP versus DP patients had a shorter hospital length of stay (≤ 23 hours) for first hospitalization (P = 0.0052); proportions were similar for second hospitalization (P = 0.5499). Intravenous narcotics were prescribed less frequently to PP versus DP patients during first (61.1% versus 69.8%, respectively; P = 0.1486) and second (37.5% versus 55.3%, respectively; P = 0.0172) hospitalizations. Complication rates were low in both groups after first hospitalization discharge (DP: 13.6%, PP: 12.5%, P = 0.7225). This retrospective study suggests that the PP technique in IBR may offer benefits related to clinical outcomes and health resource utilization; however, larger studies, including randomized controlled trials, are needed to confirm.


Photoinduced Efficient Catalytic α-Alkylation Reactions of Active Methylene and Methine Compounds with Nonactivated Alkenes.
In catalytic α-alkylation reactions of carbonyl compounds, although SN2-type substitution reactions of enolates with alkyl halides are a conventional methodology, addition reactions with alkenes are more desirable because of their atom-economical character; however, reactions with nonactivated alkenes are challenging. Here, we developed highly efficient catalytic α-alkylation reactions of active methylene and methine compounds with nonactivated alkenes such as 1-decene using an organophotocatalyst and lithium thiophenoxide as a Lewis acid/Brønsted base/hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) multifunctional catalyst under blue-light irradiation. The reaction was also performed with a higher degree of efficiency under a continuous-flow system to obtain the products in multigram scales. The present reaction system enables highly efficient and practical α-alkylation reactions of active methylene and methine compounds to be achieved.


[Production of chitosan used for flocculant in medium scale].
After the preparing chitosan in laboratory scale, the production of chitosan used for flocculant in medium scale was carried out. The optimum processes for producing chitosan in the three steps of reaction including removal calcium, removal protein and deacetylation were obtained. Comparing with the other methods for producing chitosan, the cost of this method cut down 22%, the production period shortened 66%, and the main properties were closed to or exceeded the commercial chitosan products.


ER stress and unfolded protein response in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-a controversial role of protein disulphide isomerase.
Accumulation of proteins in aberrant conformation occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, dysfunctions in protein handling in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the following ER stress have been implicated in a vast number of diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). During excessive ER stress unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to return ER to its normal physiological balance. The exact mechanisms of protein misfolding, accumulation and the following ER stress, which could lead to neurodegeneration, and the question whether UPR is a beneficial compensatory mechanism slowing down the neurodegenerative processes, are of interest. Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) is a disulphide bond-modulating ER chaperone, which can also facilitate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded proteins. In this review we discuss the recent findings of ER stress, UPR and especially the role of PDI in ALS.


Rocuronium (Org 9426) for caesarean section.
This was a prospective, non-randomized, multicentre study of rocuronium (Org 9426) in 40 elective Caesarean section patients at full term without fetal distress. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 4-6 mg kg-1 i.v. and rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1 and maintained with isoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen. Monitors included ECG, arterial pressure, pulse oximeter and train-of-four (TOF) produced by ulnar nerve stimulation. In all patients, full neuromuscular block at the hand indicating the maximum effect of rocuronium (T1 = 0) occurred at a mean time of 98.1 (SE 9.4) s. However, after 79.3 (2.9) s, excellent to good intubating conditions were achieved in 90% of patients. Injection to delivery time was 12.7 (0.9) min and the surgical procedure lasted 53.1 (3.5) min. After administration of rocuronium, T2 appeared after 32.7 (1.8) min (indicating duration of effect). At the end of the surgical procedure in 39 patients, glycopyrronium 0.2 mg and neostigmine 1 mg were given every 5 min to antagonize residual neuromuscular effect. The mean dose of neostigmine required was 1.54 (0.1) mg. Rocuronium had no clinically significant effect on maternal heart rate or arterial pressure. After administration of thiopentone and rocuronium in two patients, temporary erythema occurred, one along the site of injection and the other on the chest wall. Rocuronium had no untoward effects on the neonates, evaluated by 1- and 5-min Apgar scores, time to sustained respiration, total and muscular neuroadaptive capacity scores, acid-base status and blood-gas tensions in umbilical arterial and venous blood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Differences in psychological distress between managers and non-managers in female workers: a cross-sectional study in Tsukuba Science City, Japan.
The Japanese government has made efforts towards the advancement of women into society; thereby, the proportion of female managers has been increasing. Recent reports have shown that managers tend to be in poor health condition. However, little research has been conducted to examine the psychological health of female managers. Therefore, the aim of our study was to reveal the difference of psychological distress by occupational position in female workers with focus on occupational stress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017 via an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire distributed to workers in Tsukuba City, Japan. Student unpaired t test was used to compare occupational stress and psychological distress by occupational position. Binomial logistic regressions were used to analyze factors that affect psychological distress separately in managers and non-managers. A total of 1543 women (168 managers, 1375 non-managers) were analyzed. Managers showed higher occupational stress but lower psychological distress than non-managers. Problems in interpersonal relationships was positively associated with psychological distress, whereas occupation as a researcher/academic was negatively associated with psychological distress in managers. Mental workload and problems in interpersonal relationships were positively associated with psychological distress, whereas reward from work and support were negatively associated with psychological distress in non-managers. Managers and non-managers both showed an association between psychological distress and problems of interpersonal relationships. Non-managers might have higher psychological distress due to lower reward from work. It is important to increase reward from work and to develop female workers' interpersonal skills in order to reduce the psychological distress of female workers.


Computed tomography in a community hospital.
Computed tomography may be effectively utilized in the radiology department of a community hospital. An ideal program features regional services, 7-day, 24-hour coverage, immediate response to emergencies, prompt reporting, and availability of ancillary hospital services. Experience indicates that early scanning may eliminate the need for invasive diagnostic procedures, prevent or shorten hospital stay, and minimize the morbidity and expense of neuroradiological diagnosis.


[Bilateral familial anophthalmos].
In the examined family the proband, a 14 months old male, presented a bilateral anophthalmos, bilateral cryptorchism, phimosis and decalcification of the nails. The palpebral fissures and the eyelids are smaller than normal; the orbit was empty, clad by a connective tissue without ocular buds. The testicles are unpalpable in the inguinal canal. The proband have a normal karyotype. Also a brother of the proband, dead for meningitis (age five months), had bilateral anophthalmos. The maternal branch of the family is lacking in hereditary pathology. On the contrary, the anamnesis of the paternal branch present very interesting data. His grandmother married twice; from the first marriage came, at the second generation, the sibship of the father, who had a sister with Franceschetti syndrome and another sister with double lower dental arch. From a second marriage originated, at the second generation, eleven siblings sibship, all seriously malformed and a dead infant, but the first-born having bilateral anophthalmos.


Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium in the Vaginal Microbiota and Persistent High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection.
Recent studies have suggested that the vaginal microenvironment plays a role in persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection and thus cervical carcinogenesis. Furthermore, it has been shown that some mycoplasmas are efficient methylators and may facilitate carcinogenesis through methylation of hrHPV and cervical somatic cells. We examined associations between prevalence and persistence of Mycoplasma spp. in the vaginal microbiota, and prevalent as well as persistent hrHPV infections. We examined 194 Nigerian women who were tested for hrHPV infection using SPF25/LiPA10 and we identified Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis in their vaginal microbiota established by sequencing the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. We defined the prevalence of M. genitalium, M. hominis, and hrHPV based on positive result of baseline tests, while persistence was defined as positive results from two consecutive tests. We used exact logistic regression models to estimate associations between Mycoplasma spp. and hrHPV infections. The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 38 (8) years, 71% were HIV positive, 30% M. genitalium positive, 45% M. hominis positive, and 40% hrHPV positive at baseline. At follow-up, 16% of the women remained positive for M. genitalium, 30% for M. hominis, and 31% for hrHPV. There was a significant association between persistent M. hominis and persistent hrHPV (OR 8.78, 95% CI 1.49-51.6, p 0.01). Women who were positive for HIV and had persistent M. hominis had threefold increase in the odds of having persistent hrHPV infection (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.31-8.74, p 0.008), compared to women who were negative for both. We found significant association between persistent M. hominis in the vaginal microbiota and persistent hrHPV in this study, but we could not rule out reverse causation. Our findings need to be replicated in larger, longitudinal studies and if confirmed, could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.


Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: embolotherapy with superselective coaxial catheter placement and filling of venous sac with Guglielmi detachable coils.
To assess the value of superselective embolotherapy of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) with coaxial microcatheters and 0.018-inch microcoils and to evaluate the technique of filling the venous sac with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). Six consecutive patients (three men, three women; mean age, 46 years, age range, 18-74 years) underwent arterial embolization of nine PAVMs with superselective catheterization with a 3-F coaxial catheter system and embolization with 0.018-inch microcoils. The PAVMs varied in size from 1 to 6 cm (mean, 2.5 cm). Five of the lesions were also treated by filling the venous sac with GDCs. Success and outcome were evaluated by means of a review of patient records, angiographic findings, and telephone interview results. Complete primary occlusion was achieved in eight of nine lesions; repeat embolization resulted in successful occlusion of one lesion. The superselective technique enabled successful embolization in one patient after a previous procedure performed with a 0.035-inch (Gianturco) coil had failed. Filling of the venous sac was performed in the presence of dilated draining veins and enabled successful occlusion of the feeding artery with microcoils in all cases. There were no complications. Superselective embolization with microcatheters allowed easy catheterization and safe coil deployment. Filling of the venous sac reliably prevented systemic migration of GDCs in PAVMs with a large venous component.


Calibration and characterization of single photon counting cameras for short-pulse laser experiments.
The x-ray photon counting efficiency of various charged-coupled device (CCD) based cameras was studied as a function of photon energy and exposure. A pair of Spectral Instruments model 800 CCD cameras fitted with 16 microm thick back-illuminated CCDs were calibrated at low x-ray energy using two well established histogram methods. In addition, two new thick substrate CCDs were evaluated for use at high energy. One was a commercially available Princeton Instruments PI-LCX1300 deep depletion CCD camera, while the other used a custom designed 650 microm thick partially depleted CCD fitted to a Spectral Instruments model 800 camera body. It is shown that at high x-ray energy, a pixel-summing algorithm is necessary to reconstruct the x-ray spectra in the thicker substrate CCDs. This paper will describe the different algorithms used to extract spectra and the absolute detection efficiencies using these algorithms. These detectors and algorithms will be very useful in detecting high-energy x-ray photons from high-intensity short-pulse laser interactions.


Phospholipid subclass-specific alterations in the kinetics of ion transport across biologic membranes.
Although the predominance of plasmalogens in electrically-active membranes (e.g., sarcolemma) is well-known, identification of the molecular mechanisms through which the vinyl ether linkage facilitates electrophysiologic function has remained elusive. Herein we demonstrate that the kinetics of both carrier-mediated (i.e., valinomycin) and passive ion transport are substantially different in membranes comprised of plasmalogen molecular species in comparison to their diacyl and alkyl ether choline glycerophospholipid subclass counterparts. The rank order of valinomycin-mediated K+/Na+ exchange in membranes comprised of each choline glycerophospholipid subclass was plasmenylcholine (kappa = (6.1 +/- 0.7) x 10(-2) s-1) > plasmanylcholine (kappa = (1.9 +/- 0.2) x 10(-2) s-1) approximately equal to phosphatidylcholine (kappa = (2.3 +/- 0.5) x 10(-2) s-1). A similar hierarchy of rate constants for valinomycin-facilitated Na+ transport in each subclass was manifest. In contrast, the phospholipid subclass rank order for passive Cl- flux was phosphatidylcholine (kappa = (2.6 +/- 0.4) x 10(-4) s-1) > plasmanylcholine (kappa = (0.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(-4) s-1) approximately equal to plasmenylcholine (kappa = (0.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(-4) s-1). Based upon known differences in the conformation, dynamics, membrane dipole potential, and electron-donating properties of these choline glycerophospholipid subclasses, a model is presented which explains the subclass-induced differences in carrier-mediated and passive ion transport providing a rationale for the predominance of plasmalogens in electrically-active membranes.


Formation of an Angular Aromatic Polyketide from a Linear Anthrene Precursor via Oxidative Rearrangement.
Bacterial aromatic polyketides are a group of natural products synthesized by polyketide synthases (PKSs) that show diverse structures and biological activities. They are structurally subclassified into linear, angular, and discoid aromatic polyketides, the formation of which is commonly determined by the shaping and folding of the poly-β-keto intermediates under the concerted actions of the minimal PKSs, cyclases and ketoreductases. Murayaquinone, found in several streptomycetes, possesses an unusual tricyclic angular aromatic polyketide core containing a 9,10-phenanthraquinone. In this study, genes essential for murayaquinone biosynthesis were identified, and a linear anthraoxirene intermediate was discovered. A unique biosynthetic model for the angular aromatic polyketide formation was discovered and confirmed through in vivo and in vitro studies. Three oxidoreductases, MrqO3, MrqO6, and MrqO7, were identified to catalyze the conversion of the linear aromatic polyketide intermediate into the final angularly arranged framework, which exemplifies a novel strategy for the biosynthesis of angular aromatic polyketides.


Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Varicella During the United States Varicella Vaccination Program Era.
The United States varicella vaccination program has successfully reduced varicella incidence and hospitalizations by ≥90%, consequently reducing the risk of nosocomial exposures. However, patients and healthcare personnel (HCP) continue to introduce varicella zoster virus (VZV) into healthcare settings. Herpes zoster (HZ) is less contagious than varicella, but it can also result in exposures. Unrecognized varicella and HZ may lead to extensive contact investigations, control efforts, and HCP furloughs that result in significant disruption of healthcare activities as well as substantial costs. Robust occupational health and infection prevention programs that ensure healthcare personnel immunity and prompt recognition and isolation of patients with varicella or HZ will lower the risk of VZV transmission and reduce or eliminate the need to furlough exposed HCP and associated costs.


Nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards fever and fever management in one Irish children's hospital.
This study aims to describe nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards the management of fever in one children's hospital in Ireland. A descriptive, quantitative research design was employed. One hundred and nineteen nurses working in one children's hospital completed a self-report questionnaire. Nurses' mean knowledge score about the physiology of fever, fever management and antipyretics was 51 per cent (n = 119), which was lower than expected. Nurses had both appropriate and inappropriate attitudes towards fever and fever management. Inconsistent attitudes between nurses were identified. Nurses who participated in this study are not expert managers of fever. Their lack of knowledge and inconsistent attitudes are affecting the care of febrile children, and may be fuelling parents' fever phobia. Further education is required to improve nurses' knowledge of fever and fever management. Inappropriate attitudes need to be challenged and addressed in an effort to promote evidence-based care for febrile children.


Morphology and Phylogeny of the Soil Ciliate Metopus yantaiensis n. sp. (Ciliophora, Metopida), with Identification of the Intracellular Bacteria.
The morphology and infraciliature of a new ciliate, Metopus yantaiensis n. sp., discovered in coastal soil of northern China, were investigated. It is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following features: nuclear apparatus situated in the preoral dome; 18-21 somatic ciliary rows, of which three extend onto the preoral dome (dome kineties); three to five distinctly elongated caudal cilia, and 21-29 adoral polykinetids. The 18S rRNA genes of this new species and two congeners, Metopus contortus and Metopus hasei, were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. The new species is more closely related to M. hasei and the clevelandellids than to other congeners; both the genus Metopus and the order Metopida are not monophyletic. In addition, the digestion-resistant bacteria in the cytoplasm of M. yantaiensis were identified, using a 16S rRNA gene clone library, sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The detected intracellular bacteria are affiliated with Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales, Rickettsiales (Alphaproteobacteria), Pseudomonas (Gammaproteobacteria), Rhodocyclales (Betaproteobacteria), Clostridiales (Firmicutes), and Flavobacteriales (Bacteroidetes).


Does low and oscillatory wall shear stress correlate spatially with early atherosclerosis? A systematic review.
Low and oscillatory wall shear stress is widely assumed to play a key role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Indeed, some studies have relied on the low shear theory when developing diagnostic and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease. We wished to ascertain if this consensus is justified by published data. We performed a systematic review of papers that compare the localization of atherosclerotic lesions with the distribution of haemodynamic indicators calculated using computational fluid dynamics. The review showed that although many articles claim their results conform to the theory, it has been interpreted in different ways: a range of metrics has been used to characterize the distribution of disease, and they have been compared with a range of haemodynamic factors. Several studies, including all of those making systematic point-by-point comparisons of shear and disease, failed to find the expected relation. The various pre- and post-processing techniques used by different groups have reduced the range of shears over which correlations were sought, and in some cases are mutually incompatible. Finally, only a subset of the known patterns of disease has been investigated. The evidence for the low/oscillatory shear theory is less robust than commonly assumed. Longitudinal studies starting from the healthy state, or the collection of average flow metrics derived from large numbers of healthy vessels, both in conjunction with point-by-point comparisons using appropriate statistical techniques, will be necessary to improve our understanding of the relation between blood flow and atherogenesis.


[Psychological tests of patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis(author's transl)].
27 women with rheumatoid arthritis had elevated depression and social introversion scores in the Minnesota multiple phasic personality inventory (MMPI) tests, whereas their somatic activity appeared reduced. Age of the patient at time of investigation apparently had no influence on the degree of psychological changes, but was reflected in an increased social introversion. Most important for the degree of psychological impairment was the height of the ARA index, which correlated positively with the neurotic triad as well as the psychasthenia scale in the MMPI. An elevation of the neurotic triad is common in many somatic disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had an additional, introversion and depression, and decreased somatic activity.


AoBck1 and AoMkk1 Are Necessary to Maintain Cell Wall Integrity, Vegetative Growth, Conidiation, Stress Resistance, and Pathogenicity in the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora.
The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is composed of three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), Bck1, Mkk1/2, and Slt2, and is one of the main signaling pathways for fungal pathogenesis, cell wall synthesis, and integrity maintenance. In this study, we characterized orthologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bck1 and Mkk1 in the nematode-trapping (NT) fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora by multiple phenotypic comparison, and the regulation of conidiation and cell wall synthesis was analyzed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Both ΔAoBck1 and ΔAoMkk1 mutants showed severe defects in vegetative growth, cell nucleus number, and stress resistance. Both the mutants were unable to produce spores, and the transcription of several genes associated with sporulation and cell wall biosynthesis was markedly downregulated during the conidiation stage. Further, cell walls of the ΔAoBck1 and ΔAoMkk1 mutants were severely damaged, and the Woronin body failed to respond to cellular damage. In particular, the mutants lost the ability to produce mycelial traps for nematode predation. Taken together, AoBck1 and AoMkk1 play a conserved role in mycelial growth and development, CWI, conidiation, multi-stress tolerance, trap formation, and pathogenicity. We highlighted the role of AoBck1 and AoMkk1 in regulating the Woronin body response to cellular damage and cell nucleus development in A. oligospora.


Limitation of immunoaffinity column for the removal of abundant proteins from plasma in quantitative plasma proteomics.
In plasma proteomics, before a proteome analysis, it is essential to prepare protein samples without high-abundance proteins, including albumin, via specific preparation techniques, such as immunoaffinity capture. However, our preliminary experiments suggested that functional changes with use alter the ability of the immunoaffinity column. Thus, in this study, to evaluate the changes of the removal ability of abundant proteins from plasma by the immunoaffinity column, plasma proteome analysis was performed for the long-term test for the reproducibility of the affinity column using the fluorogenic derivatization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method combined with an IgY column. The specific adsorption for albumin decreased with an increase in the number of the column usage before its expiration date. Moreover, it was demonstrated that hydrophobic high molecular weight compounds in plasma adsorbed onto the column materials surface contributed to the functional changes from specific immunoaffinity adsorption into hydrophobic interaction. These results suggested that, in quantitative plasma proteomics studies, it is important to keep in mind the risk of not only the nonselective loss but also the changes in the adsorption ability of the immunoafinity column.


Optimal cut-points of visceral adipose tissue areas for cardiometabolic risk factors in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study.
To determine the optimal cut-points of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) areas at different anatomic levels to discriminate participants with cardiometabolic risk factors in a Chinese middle-aged population. A total of 1744 individuals who underwent regular health checks in Nanjing BENQ Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. VAT areas were measured by abdominal quantitative computed tomography at the L2/3 intervertebral disk and umbilicus levels. Cardiometabolic risk factors including serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol levels, plasma glucose and blood pressure were defined using IDF 2005 criteria for metabolic syndrome. The cut-points for VAT area at the umbilicus level were 111 cm2 for men and 96 cm2 for women to identify people with one or more cardiometabolic risk factors. For VAT area at the L2/3 level, the optimal cut-points were 142 cm2 for men and 115 cm2 for women. A VAT area at the L2/3 level of ≥ 142 cm2 for men or 115 cm2 for women significantly increased the prevalence of hyperglycaemia [odds ratio (OR) 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45-4.13], hypertension (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.27-3.49) and dyslipidaemia (OR 4.37, 95% CI 3.50-5.45) after adjusting age. The optimal cut-points for VAT area at the umbilicus level and L2/3 level were 111 cm2 and 142 cm2 for men and 96 cm2 and 115 cm2 for women to identify participants with one or more cardiometabolic risk factors.


An overview of idiopathic optic neuritis in eastern Nepal.
Inflammation of the optic nerve is a common cause of visual loss due to optic nerve pathology. To report the clinical features, demographic pattern and response to pulse steroid therapy in patients with idiopathic optic neuritis in eastern Nepal. The hospital data of patients with idiopathic optic neuritis admitted to the department of ophthalmology in a tertiary level center in eastern Nepal between Jan 2000 to Dec 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The parameters studied were demographic pattern, clinical features, visual acuity and field defects. Thirty-six patients (52 eyes) were found to have optic neuritis (papillits in 36 and retrobulbar optic neuritis in 16 eyes). The male to female ratio was 1.25:1. The mean age of the patients was 33.56 +/- 17.88 years (95% CI = 24.66-42.45). The most common modes of presentation were loss of visual acuity and color vision defect. One patient had features suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Vision improved in 42 eyes at discharge from the hospital. Response to pulse methylprednisolone therapy was good in most (42 eyes) of the cases except for the patients having initial visual acuity of no light perception. Response to pulse methylprednisolone therapy is good in patients with initial visual acuity of at least perception of light. Demographic and clinical features of our patients were different from those reported from the western world. Some similarity was observed between studies reported from the oriental countries.


Risk factors for motor coordination problems in preschool-age children.
Motor coordination problems (MCP) in children can sometimes be diagnosed as developmental coordination disorder. Early intervention for developmental coordination disorder is necessary because it often continues into adolescence, causing mental and physical complications. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of childhood MCP in the Japanese population, examining the risk factors for MCP. We therefore investigated the prenatal factors associated with MCP in preschool-age children. This study was based on a prospective cohort study, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. Mothers of 4,851 children who reached the age of 5 years within the study-period received questionnaires, including the Japanese version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-J). We examined the risk factors associated with MCP using logistic regression analysis. Of 3,402 returned DCDQ-J questionnaires, 3,369 were answered completely. From the 3,369 children, we categorized having MCP by using two cut-off scores: that of the DCDQ'07 and the cut-off at the 5th percentile of a total DCDQ-J score. Comparing children with and without MCP, we found significant differences in the education level of the mothers, annual household income during pregnancy, maternal alcohol consumption and smoking during pregnancy, and sex and age of the children at the time of completing the DCDQ-J by both categorizations. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy and male sex were significantly associated with MCP. Our results suggest that maternal smoking during pregnancy is the main factor associated with MCP in preschool-age children.


Assessing Rationality in Discrete Choice Experiments in Health: An Investigation into the Use of Dominance Tests.
Dominance tests are often applied to test for the rationality in the choice behavior of participants in discrete choice experiments (DCEs). To examine how dominance tests have been implemented in recent DCE applications in health and discuss their theoretical and empirical interpretation. Health-related DCEs published in 2015 were reviewed for the inclusion of tests on choice behavior. For studies that implemented a dominance test, information on application and interpretation of the test was extracted. Authors were contacted for test choice sets and observed proportions of subjects who chose the dominated option. Coefficients corresponding to the choice set were extracted to estimate the expected probability of choosing the dominated option with a logistic model and compared with the observed proportion. The theoretical range of expected probabilities of possible dominance tests was calculated. Of 112 health-related DCEs, 49% included at least one test for choice behavior; 28 studies (25%) included a dominance test. The proportion of subjects in each study who chose the dominated option ranged from 0% to 21%. In 46% of the studies, the dominance test led to the exclusion of participants. In the 15 choice sets that were analyzed, 2 had larger proportions of participants choosing the dominated option than expected (P < 0.05). Although dominance tests are frequently applied in DCEs, there is no consensus on how to account for them in data analysis and interpretation. Comparison of expected and observed proportions of participants failing the test might be indicative of DCE quality.


Diabetes in Shenzhen, China: epidemiological investigation and health care challenges.
Understanding epidemiological characteristics of diabetes in a specific population will potentially benefit prevention and control of diabetes and policy-making. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and awareness of diabetes, as well as its pharmacological, non-pharmacological and primary care management in Shenzhen, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted. We employed multistage cluster random sampling methods to select the participants. Face-to-face interview surveys were conducted to collect data. A total of 1676 participants completed the survey. We found that the prevalence of diabetes was 4.8%. The prevalence of impaired fasting blood glucose was 6.0%. The prevalence rates of both diabetes and impaired fasting blood glucose increased with age (P < 0.001), whereas hypertension was strongly associated with diabetes only (odds ratio (OR) = 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-3.22). The awareness of diabetes was poor (51.9%) and 54.3% of diabetic patients were not being treated pharmacologically. Less than one-third of diabetic patients were undergoing non-pharmacological treatments. Primary care management of diabetes was recorded for only 11.1% of the patients. Although diabetes prevalence in Shenzhen is about a half that of the Chinese average, high prevalence of impaired fasting blood glucose imposes a public health threat and burden to the health care system. Approximately half of the subjects with diabetes are undiagnosed. Our findings highlight the need of public health efforts for primary and secondary prevention, as well as early detection of diabetes. Primary care may be crucial an improved access to medical services and better management of diabetes.


Computational Fluid Dynamics to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Inferior Turbinate Reduction Techniques to Improve Nasal Airflow.
Inferior turbinate reduction (ITR) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of nasal obstruction. Which portion of the inferior turbinates should be surgically addressed to improve nasal airflow has yet to be determined. To use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate the airflow changes after reduction along different portions of the inferior turbinate. Computed tomographic scans of 5 patients were selected. Seven CFD models were created for each patient: 1 unaltered and 6 various ITRs, including 3 one-third ITRs (anterior, middle, and posterior one-third); 2 two-thirds ITRs (anterior and posterior two-thirds); and 1 full-length ITR model. Total airflow rate and nasal resistance was obtained through CFD analysis, and regression analysis was performed on the increased nasal volume, locations, and nasal resistance for all 5 patients. Total airflow rate and nasal resistance was obtained through CFD analysis, and regression analysis was performed on the increased nasal volume, locations, and nasal resistance for all 5 patients. Full ITR over the whole length was consistently most effective to improve nasal airflow and resistance for all 5 patients (2 men and 3 women), adjusted for the volume. Regression analysis showed a strong linear (R2≥0.79) relationship between nasal volume changes and nasal airflow. However, the most effective location of partial turbinate reduction was not consistent among patients. Surprisingly, for some patients, posterior ITRs were more effective than anterior ITRs. The site of most effective partial ITR differed from 1 side to the other even in the same individual. The effectiveness of partial ITR and target location likely depends on individual patient anatomy. The fact that full ITRs were consistently most effective and the linear regression between flow and nasal volume changes may indicate that the entire length of the IT has a functional impact on nasal airflow and resistance. NA.


In vitro and in vivo evaluation of lactoferrin-conjugated liposomes as a novel carrier to improve the brain delivery.
In this study, lactoferrin-conjugated PEGylated liposomes (PL), a potential drug carrier for brain delivery, was loaded with radioisotope complex, 99mTc labeled N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine (99mTc-BMEDA) for in vitro and in vivo evaluations. The hydrophilicity of liposomes was enhanced by PEGylation which was not an ideal brain delivery system for crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB). With the modification of a brain-targeting ligand, lactoferrin (Lf), the PEGylated liposome (PL) might become a potential brain delivery vehicle. In order to test the hypothesis in vitro and in vivo, 99mTc-BMEDA was loaded into the liposomes as a reporter with or without Lf-conjugation. The mouse brain endothelia cell line, bEnd.3 cells, was cultured to investigate the potential uptake of liposomes in vitro. The in vivo uptake by the mouse brain of the liposomes was detected by tissue biodistribution study. The results indicated that Lf-conjugated PEGylated liposome showed more than three times better uptake efficiency in vitro and two-fold higher of brain uptake in vivo than PEGlyated liposome. With the success of loading the potential Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) imaging probe, 99mTc-BMEDA, Lf-PL might serve as a promising brain delivery system for loading diagnostics or therapeutics of various brain disorders.


Compromised outer membrane integrity in Vibrio cholerae Type II secretion mutants.
The type II secretion (T2S) system of Vibrio cholerae is a multiprotein complex that spans the cell envelope and secretes proteins important for pathogenesis as well as survival in different environments. Here we report that, in addition to the loss of extracellular secretion, removal or inhibition of expression of the T2S genes, epsC-N, results in growth defects and a broad range of alterations in the outer membrane that interfere with its barrier function. Specifically, the sensitivity to membrane-perturbing agents such as bile salts and the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B is increased, and periplasmic constituents leak out into the culture medium. As a consequence, the sigma(E) stress response is induced. Furthermore, due to the defects caused by inactivation of the T2S system, the Deltaeps deletion mutant of V. cholerae strain N16961 is incapable of surviving the passage through the infant mouse gastrointestinal tract. The growth defect and leaky outer membrane phenotypes are suppressed when the culture medium is supplemented with 5% glucose or sucrose, although the eps mutants remain sensitive to membrane-damaging agents. This suggests that the sugars do not restore the integrity of the outer membrane in the eps mutant strains per se but may provide osmoprotective functions.


[The role of histone H3 acetylation on cleft palate in mice induced by 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzopdioxin ].
To explore the role of histone H3 acetylation in cleft palate induced by 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in C57BL/6J mice, and its mechanism. On gestation day 10 (GD10), 36 pregnant mice were randomly divided into two groups as the treated group(n = 18) and the control group( n = 18). The mice in the treated group received intragastric administration with TCDD 28 μg/kg, while the mice in the control group received equivalent corn oil. The pregnant mice were sacrificed on GD13. 5, GD14. 5 and GD15. 5, collecting fetal palates to determine the activities of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) by Colorimetric and the expression level of acetylated histone H3 (Acetylated histone H3, Ac-H3) by Western-blot. The activity of HATs was 0.409 7 ± 0.0147, 0.522 3 ± 0.017 1 and 0.643 5 ± 0.013 9 in control group on GD13.5, GD14.5 and GD15.5; 0.865 0 ± 0.0129, 0.719 1 ± 0.017 8 and 0.551 2 ± 0.016 8 in TCDD group. The activity of HATs in TCDD group was higher than that in control group on GD13. 5, GD14. 5, showing significantly difference between the two groups (t = - 56. 932, t = - 19. 516, P < 0.01); however, the activity of HATs in TCDD group was significantly lower than that in control group on GD15. 5 (t = 10. 382, P < 0.01). The expression level of Ac-H3 was 0.745 0 ± 0.113 5, 1.055 9 ± 0.249 4 and 1.795 5 ± 0.081 9 in control group on GD13. 5, GD14. 5 and GD15. 5; while 1.4490 ± 0. 1460, 1. 641 8 ± 0.099 7 and 1. 512 1 ± 0. 150 2 in TCDD group. The expression of Ac-H3 in TCDD group was higher than that in control group on GD13. 5, GD14. 5, showing significantly difference( t = -6. 593, -3. 779, P <0. 01, P <0.05) ; However, the expression of Ac-H3 in TCDD group was statistically lower than that in control group (t = 2. 870, P <0. 05). The acetylation of histone H3 was involved in the cleft palate of C57BL/6J mice induced by TCDD, which may be one of the mechanisms in TCDD-induced cleft palate.


Learning the Structure of Social Influence.
We routinely observe others' choices and use them to guide our own. Whose choices influence us more, and why? Prior work has focused on the effect of perceived similarity between two individuals (self and others), such as the degree of overlap in past choices or explicitly recognizable group affiliations. In the real world, however, any dyadic relationship is part of a more complex social structure involving multiple social groups that are not directly observable. Here we suggest that human learners go beyond dyadic similarities in choice behaviors or explicit group memberships; they infer the structure of social influence by grouping individuals (including themselves) based on choices, and they use these groups to decide whose choices to follow. We propose a computational model that formalizes this idea, and we test the model predictions in a series of behavioral experiments. In Experiment 1, we reproduce a well-established finding that people's choices are more likely to be influenced by someone whose past choices are more similar to their own past choices, as predicted by our model as well as dyadic similarity models. In Experiments 2-5, we test a set of unique predictions of our model by looking at cases where the degree of choice overlap between individuals is equated, but their choices indicate a latent group structure. We then apply our model to prior empirical results on infants' understanding of others' preferences, presenting an alternative account of developmental changes. Finally, we discuss how our model relates to classical findings in the social influence literature and the theoretical implications of our model. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that structure learning is a powerful framework for explaining the influence of social information on decision making in a variety of contexts.


Survival and ventilatory course of a regional cohort of very low birthweight (501-1500 gm) infants.
To minimize the selection bias inherent in reporting results gathered only in neonatal intensive care units, this study presents survival and respiratory course data on all 299 infants of birthweight 501 to 1500 gm liveborn to residents of the North Central Illinois Perinatal Region in 1985-1986. The survival rate was 86.8% (171 of 197) for infants between 1001 and 1500 gm, but only 35.3% (36 of 102) for infants weighing less than 1001 gm. In all, 207 infants (69.2%) survived. One hundred eighty-six infants (62.2%) required mechanical ventilation, and 122 (65.6%) ventilated infants survived. Seventy-five (40.3%) ventilated infants developed lung rupture and 54 (29%) developed chronic lung disease (CLD), as manifest by a supplemental oxygen requirement at 28 days of age. Lung rupture significantly predicted death in the first 7 days, the development of CLD, and fatal CLD. These data portray an accurate picture of the survival and ventilatory course of this group of babies because every member of the entire regional cohort is included.


A novel dicationic phenoxaphosphino-modified Xantphos-type ligand: a ligand for highly active and selective, biphasic, rhodium catalysed hydroformylation in ionic liquids.
A highly active and regioselective catalyst obtained from a novel dicationic ligand (1) and Rh(CO)2(acac) for hydroformylation of 1-hexene and 1-octene in ionic liquids is reported. Optimisation studies of various reaction parameters led to an unprecedentedly active (TOFs > 6200 mol mol(-1) h(-1), T= 100 degrees C), selective (l/b ratios > 40) and stable hydroformylation procedure. No catalyst leaching (Rh-loss < 0.07% of initial rhodium intake, P-loss < 0.4% of the initial phosphorus intake) or losses in performance could be measured during 1-octene hydroformylation recycle experiments in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. At low catalyst loadings activities and regioselectivities competitive with one-phase catalysis in conventional solvents were observed. At high catalyst loadings the system is extremely stable and has a long shelf-life as a result of the formation of stable, if inactive rhodium dimers.


Internal displacement and the Syrian crisis: an analysis of trends from 2011-2014.
Since the start of the Syrian crisis in 2011, civil unrest and armed conflict in the country have resulted in a rapidly increasing number of people displaced both within and outside of Syria. Those displaced face immense challenges in meeting their basic needs. This study sought to characterize internal displacement in Syria, including trends in both time and place, and to provide insights on the association between displacement and selected measures of household well-being and humanitarian needs. This study presents findings from two complementary methods: a desk review of displaced population estimates and movements and a needs assessment of 3930 Syrian households affected by the crisis. The first method, a desk review of displaced population estimates and movements, provides a retrospective analysis of national trends in displacement from March 2011 through June 2014. The second method, analysis of findings from a 2014 needs assessment by displacement status, provides insight into the displaced population and the association between displacement and humanitarian needs. Findings indicate that while displacement often corresponds to conflict levels, such trends were not uniformly observed in governorate-level analysis. Governorate level IDP estimates do not provide information on a scale detailed enough to adequately plan humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, such estimates are often influenced by obstructed access to certain areas, unsubstantiated reports, and substantial discrepancies in reporting. Secondary displacement is not consistently reported across sources nor are additional details about displacement, including whether displaced individuals originated within the current governorate or outside of the governorate. More than half (56.4 %) of households reported being displaced more than once, with a majority displaced for more than one year (73.3 %). Some differences between displaced and non-displaced population were observed in residence crowding, food consumption, health access, and education. Differences in reported living conditions and key health, nutrition, and education indicators between displaced and non-displaced populations indicate a need to better understand migration trends in order to inform planning and provision of live saving humanitarian assistance.


Vowel identification in temporal-modulated noise for native and non-native listeners: Effect of language experience.
A previous study found that English vowel identification in babble was significantly different between Chinese-native listeners in China and in the U.S. One possible explanation is that native English experiences might change Chinese-native listeners' ability to take advantage of the temporal modulation in noise for their English vowel perception. As a follow-up, the current study explored whether there was a difference between the two groups of Chinese listeners in using temporal gaps in noise for English vowel identification. Vowel identification in temporally modulated noise and a temporal modulation transfer function (TMTF) was measured for American-English-native listeners (EN), Chinese-native listeners in the U.S. (CNU), and Chinese-native listeners in China (CNC). The results revealed that TMTFs were similar across the three groups, indicating that psychophysical temporal processing was independent of listeners' language backgrounds. However, for vowel identification in noise, EN and CNU listeners showed significantly greater masking release from the temporal modulation of noise than CNC listeners at low signal-to-noise ratios (e.g., -12 dB). Altogether, native English experiences may change the use of temporal cues in noise for English vowel identification for Chinese-native listeners.


Antioxidant constituents in distillation residue of Awamori spirits.
Constituents in a distillation residue of Awamori (millet spirits) and their antioxidant activity are investigated in this study. The supernatant of the distillation residue obtained by centrifugation was partitioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol against water to afford the corresponding solubles. Among them, n-hexane and chloroform solubles showed higher antioxidant potency than l-ascorbic acid by the bleomycin-Fe method. In chloroform solubles, seven cyclic dipeptides were identified along with ethyl 2-pyrrolidione-5-carboxylate, tyrosol, and ethyl p-hydoroxyphenyllactate. Antioxidant activity of ethyl p-hydoroxyphenyllactate was 4.2 times that of l-ascorbic acid, whereas cyclic dipeptides showed activity 0.89-1.29 times as strong as that of l-ascorbic acid. On the other hand, scavenging effect of cyclic dipeptides against O(2)(-.) and OH(.) by using electron spin resonance was also investigated. In the results, cyclo(l-Ile-l-Pro) showed significantly strong inhibitory effect against OH(.) (95.4% at 2.5 x 10-3 M) and cyclo(l-Phe-l-Pro), cyclo(l-Pro-l-Val), and cyclo(l-Leu-l-Pro) inhibited OH(.) 64.9, 54.1, and 51.0%, respectively, whereas alpha-tocopherol showed 37.7% inhibition, though only a few cyclic dipeptides weakly inhibited O(2)(-.).


Degradation of chlorophenols by supported Co-Mg-Al layered double hydrotalcite with bicarbonate activated hydrogen peroxide.
Toxic and bioresistant compounds have attracted researchers to develop more efficient and cost-effective technologies for degradation of organic compounds in wastewater. This work demonstrates the degradation of 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and phenol as model compounds using bicarbonate-activated H2O2 oxidation system in the presence of supported catalysts. The catalytic activity of the catalyst was investigated in term of degradation of target compounds, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC) removals both for batch mode and in fixed bed reactor using CoMgAl-HTs and CoMgAl-SHTs, respectively. The leaching of cobalt ion was efficiently prohibited because of the presence of a weakly basic medium provided by bicarbonate, and the CoMgAl-SHTs catalyst was found to retain its stability and good catalytic activity in fixed bed reactor for over 300 h. Extensive chemical probing, fluorescence, and electron paired resonance (EPR) studies were conducted to identify the actual reactive species in the degradation pathway, which revealed that the reaction proceeds through generation of superoxide, hydroxyl radical along with carbonate radical.


Improving the efficiency of PBPC collection by pre-apheresis peripheral blood and mid-apheresis product measurements of CD34 cells.
The adequacy of HPC collection for BMT is typically assessed by the number of CD34 cells. However, during a series of leukapheresis procedures (LP) the CD34 value on the final HPC product may not be available for testing until late evening, sometimes resulting in additional, retrospectively unnecessary, LP in order to ensure an adequate HPC collection (>5x10(6) CD34/kg). We hypothesized that an estimate of the CD34 content of HPC products prior to 16:00 h on the day of LP would permit improved HPC collection planning. We therefore assessed the effectiveness of predicting the total amount of CD34 cells that would be collected in a given LP by either (a) the concentration of CD34 cells/microL in peripheral blood prior to LP (pre-CD34) or (b) the predicted total amount of CD34 cells to be collected based on sampling the LP product at the mid-point of each LP. We also compared the number of LP per patient and total HPC collected for the study group with data from the previous calendar year. Allogeneic and autologous BMT donors who completed a 20-L HPC collection between September 2002 and February 2003 were eligible. CD34 cells were measured on blood drawn prior to LP and from the HPC product at the mid-point (10 L) of LP. The CD34 content of the final LP was predicted by doubling the value of total CD34 cells at the mid-run (MRp-CD34). The MRp-CD34/kg and the cumulative CD34/kg collected were made available before 16:00 h and used to determine the need for additional LP. The true CD34 content of each HPC collection was also measured from the final product the next day (CD34-FP). A 20-L LP was completed and data were available from 31 patients and nine allogeneic donors who underwent a total of 85 LP for diagnoses, including 11 myeloma, 10 lymphoma, seven HD, three acute leukemia and five others. The mean (range) and correlation (R2) vs. the CD34-FP were, for pre-CD34, 54 CD34/microL (0.3-232), R2=0.66 (P<0.01), and for MRp-CD34, 3.2x10(6) CD34/kg (0.04-22.48), R2=0.90 (P<0.01). The mean number of CD34/kg collected per LP in the patients/donors was 3.4x10(6) CD34/kg (0.05-18.94). The median number of CD34 cells employed for transplant in the study group vs. controls (5.7 vs. 5.6x10(6)/kg) and the time to engraftment of neutrophils (12 vs. 11 days) and platelets (12 vs. 12 days) was similar to historical controls. However, the study group had a significantly lower median number of LP (three vs. two; P<0.02) to obtain the required collection of 5x10(6) CD34 cells/kg. Both the pre-CD34 and the MRp-CD34 were significantly correlated with CD34-FP. However, the CD34-FP was more reliably predicted by MRp-CD34. Early availability of mid-run CD34 values was associated with a significant reduction in the number of LP required to collect 5x10(6) CD34 cells/kg, without reduction in the number of CD34 cells for transplant or prolongation of days to neutrophil or platelet engraftment.


Circulation and horizontal fluxes in the northern Adriatic Sea in the period June 1999-July 2002. Part I: geostrophic circulation and current measurement.
The dramatic increase in the occurrence of massive mucilage events in the northern Adriatic (NA) since their recent conspicuous reappearance in the late 1980s prompted a study of circulation and horizontal fluxes. Three transects with equidistant stations (10 km) were thus monitored monthly between June 1999 and July 2002. The geostrophic method was used to compute currents across the three transects from the CTD data, and dynamic heights provided a picture of the horizontal surface circulation. Currentmeter data records were used to adjust the reference surface and to validate the results for the southernmost and deeper (up to 70 m) transect (Senigallia-Susak Island). Geostrophic currents allowed estimation of monthly water fluxes across the transect. Different circulation regimes in the NA were observed, which may have affected mucilage events. When mucilage was absent (1999) or reduced (2001) in the western sector, the Western Adriatic Current (WAC, carrying water out of the NA) was found to be active, whilst the WAC was very weak or reversed when massive mucilage events occurred (2000 and 2002). Opposite behaviour has been observed for the Istrian Coastal Counter-Current (ICCC, retaining freshwater water in the NA) which was more intense during or after massive mucilage events and did not appear when mucilage was absent. Both WAC weakening and ICCC strengthening indicate a longer residence time of riverine waters in the NA, which favours mucilage development. Conclusively, WAC and ICCC result as key elements in controlling massive mucilage phenomena in the NA.


Phantosmia as a meteorological forecaster.
In normosmics, olfactory ability has been found to vary with ambient humidity, barometric pressure, and season. While hallucinated sensations of phantom pain associated with changes in weather have been described, a linkage to chemosensory hallucinations has heretofore not been reported. A 64-year-old white male with Parkinson's disease presents with 5 years of phantosmia of a smoky burnt wood which changed to onion-gas and then to a noxious skunk-onion excrement odor. Absent upon waking it increases over the day and persists for hours. When severe, there appears a phantom taste with the same qualities as the odor. It is exacerbated by factors that manipulate intranasal pressure, such as coughing. When eating or sniffing, the actual flavors replace the phantosmia. Since onset, he noted the intensity and frequency of the phantosmia forecasted the weather. Two to 3 h before a storm, the phantosmia intensifies from a level 0 to a 7-10, which persists through the entire thunderstorm. Twenty years prior, he reported the ability to forecast the weather, based on pain in a torn meniscus, which vanished after surgical repair. Extensive olfactory testing demonstrates underlying hyposmia. Possible mechanisms for such chemosensory-meteorological linkage includes: air pressure induced synesthesia, disinhibition of spontaneous olfactory discharge, exacerbation of ectopic discharge, affect mediated somatic sensory amplification, and misattribution error with expectation and recall bias. This is the first reported case of weather-induced exacerbation of phantosmia. Further investigation of the connection between chemosensory complaints and ambient weather is warranted.


Commutability of proficiency testing material containing tobramycin: a study within the framework of the Dutch Calibration 2.000 project.
Results from external quality assessment schemes (EQASs) can provide information about accuracy and comparability of different measurement methods, provided that the material used in these schemes behave identical to patient samples among the different methods, a characteristic also known as commutability. The aim of this study was to assess the commutability of different matrices for the material used in an EQAS for tobramycin. Proficiency testing material (PTM) and patient samples containing tobramycin were prepared, collected, pooled, and distributed to participating laboratories for analysis. Low, medium, and high tobramycin concentrations in liquid human, liquid bovine and lyophilized bovine serum were tested in this study. The patient serum results of every laboratory were plotted against each of the other laboratories, and the distances of the PTM results to the patient serum regression line were calculated. For comparison, these distances were divided by the average within-laboratory standard deviation (SDwl) of the results reported in the official EQAS for tobramycin, resulting in a relative residual. The commutability decision limit was set at 3 SDwl. With 10 laboratories participating in this study, 45 laboratory couples were formed. For human serum, only one relative residual for high concentrations of tobramycin was found outside the commutability decision limit. For liquid and lyophilized bovine sera, the number of relative residuals outside the decision limit was between 15 and 18 for low, medium, and high tobramycin concentrations. The PTM used for tobramycin is preferably prepared with human serum.


Effects of glucose concentration and oxygen partial pressure on the respiratory metabolism of sheep temporomandibular joint disc cells.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc degeneration is a common disease characterized by a decrease in metabolic function. The present study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of TMJ disc degeneration by analyzing the effects of oxygen and glucose concentrations on metabolism in a simulated TMJ disc cell growth environment. Cell samples were divided into 10 groups and cultured in different nutritional environments, including 21 and 2% O2 partial pressures and various glucose concentrations (0, 0.5, 3, 5.5 and 22.5 mmol/l). Cell proliferation, extracellular matrix content, mitochondrial function, and cell metabolism were subsequently analyzed. The results demonstrated that hypoxia and a low glucose concentration inhibited cell growth, and low glucose concentration inhibited extracellular matrix synthesis and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase expression. Hypoxic conditions also induced a compensatory increase in the number of mitochondria, whereas mitochondrial deformation and swelling were observed in the absence of glucose. According to this study, the primary metabolic pathway of TMJ disc cells is glycolysis. It was concluded that hypoxic conditions and normal glucose concentrations are needed for the growth of TMJ disc cells. Glucose is necessary to ensure cell survival, extracellular matrix synthesis and mitochondrial function. Glucose deficiency may be related to disc degeneration, aging and disease mechanisms.


Integrative analysis of the association between circadian rhythm and lupus nephritis.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is an autoimmune nephropathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Circadian rhythms are involved in the development of several diseases, especially inflammation-related diseases, but their relationship with LN is unclear. This was an integrative bioinformatics study. The expression profile from glomeruli, tubular interstitium and renal whole tissue samples was used to assess the expression levels and relevance of circadian rhythm-related genes. To screen for circadian rhythm-related signatures, we employed the LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms. A consensus clustering algorithm was used to classify LN patients into two circadian rhythm patterns (cluster A and cluster B). We made immune cell infiltration analysis. We used the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) algorithm to identify cluster-specific differentially expressed genes. Nephroseq data were used to observe the relationship between genes and renal function. We found more significant differences in circadian rhythm-related gene expression in LN glomeruli compared with tubulointerstitial and whole-kidney tissues. We established a circadian rhythm-related signature consisting of eight genes that can easily distinguish LN from healthy individuals. Patients in cluster A were associated with B-cell-dominated immunity, whereas patients in cluster B were associated with T-cell-dominated immunity. As most of the patients with proliferative LN combined with membranous LN belonged to cluster B, patients in cluster B may have more severe renal pathology compared with patients in cluster A. Fifteen circadian rhythm-related genes associated with LN and LN typing were screened using the WGCNA algorithm, with COL1A2 and DOCK2 associated with renal prognosis. This study found that circadian rhythms are associated with the occurrence of LN, providing new ideas for the development of new LN treatment options from the perspective of circadian rhythms.


The Safety and Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in numerous deaths worldwide, along with devastating economic disruptions, and has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems around the world. In the wake of COVID-19's emergence in 2019, a variety of vaccine technologies were formulated and developed, including those that drew from the technology employed in messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, designed to curb the disease's transmission and manage the pandemic. mRNA vaccine has several advantages over traditional ones, and hence its development has received considerable attention recently. Researchers believe the mRNA vaccine technology will emerge as the leading technology because it is potent, inexpensive, rapidly developed, and safe. This article provides an overview of mRNA vaccines with a special focus on the efficacy and safety of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines against the different variants of COVID-19 and compare them with the Oxford-AstraZeneca (viral vector) and Sinopharm (inactivated virus) vaccines. The clinical data reviewed in this article demonstrate that the currently authorized Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines are highly safe and potent against different variants of COVID-19, especially in comparison with Oxford-AstraZeneca (viral vector) and Sinopharm (inactivated virus) vaccines.


GRP78 Participates in PCA3-regulated Prostate Cancer Progression.
The human prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) commonly used as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer (PCa). Herein we investigated the cellular function of PCA3 in PCa and its potential mechanism. PCA3 was overexpressed in a PC3 cell line (PC3PCA+) and cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were compared to those of control cells (PC3NC). Differentially expressed proteins were identified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and mass spectrometry. Overexpression of PCA3 significantly increased cell proliferation rate, migration and invasion, while inhibited apoptosis in PC3 cells. Three proteins were found down-regulated and 7 proteins up-regulated in PC3PCA+ cells compared to PC3NC cells, including GRP78. Higher GRP78 was also found in PCa clinical specimens. This study confirmed that in PCa, PCA3 plays a pro-cancer role through promoting cell proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibiting cell apoptosis. This process might involve the up-regulation of GRP78.


Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Is a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Locally Advanced (Stage IIIA and IIIB) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Combined Modality Therapy.
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a measure of systemic inflammation that appears prognostic in localized and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Increased systemic inflammation portends a poorer prognosis in cancer patients. We hypothesized that low NLR at diagnosis is associated with improved overall survival (OS) in locally advanced NSCLC (LANSCLC) patients. Records from 276 patients with stage IIIA and IIIB NSCLC treated with definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery between 2000 and 2010 with adequate data were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographic data and pretreatment peripheral blood absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were collected. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on NLR. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare mortality between groups. A linear test-for-trend was used for the NLR quartile groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable analysis. The NLR was prognostic for OS (p < .0001). Median survival in months (95% confidence interval) for the first, second, third, and fourth quartile groups of the population distribution of NLR were 27 (19-36), 28 (22-34), 22 (12-31), and 10 (8-12), respectively. NLR remained prognostic for OS after adjusting for race, sex, stage, performance status, and chemoradiotherapy approach (p = .004). To our knowledge, our series is the largest to demonstrate that baseline NLR is a significant prognostic indicator in LANSCLC patients who received definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. As an indicator of inflammatory response, it should be explored as a potential predictive marker in the context of immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio measured at the time of diagnosis was associated with improved overall survival in 276 patients with stage IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. To our knowledge, our series is the largest to demonstrate that baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a significant prognostic indicator in locally advanced NSCLC patients who received definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is an inexpensive biomarker that may be easily utilized by clinicians at the time of locally advanced NSCLC diagnosis to help predict life expectancy.


The Diagnostic Value of Pyruvate Kinase Isoenzyme Type M2 for Biliary Tract Carcinoma. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Growing evidence has shown that M2-PK is involved in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2 (M2-PK) in biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of M2-PK for BTC. The online PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies published until August 8th, 2017. The Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate study quality. All statistical analyses were conducted with Stata 12.0. We included 7 studies from 5 articles with 410 patients with BTC and 438 controls. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and AUC for M2-PK in the diagnosis of BTC were 0.79 (95%CI 0.70-0.86), 0.81 (95%CI 0.71-0.88), 4.1 (95%CI 2.5-6.8), 0.26 (95%CI 0.16-0.41), 17.159 (95%CI 5.468-54.071), and 0.87 (95%CI 0.83-0.89), respectively. The same indicators assessed for CA19-9 were as follows: 0.70 (95%CI 0.62-0.77), 0.71 (95%CI 0.45-0.87), 2.38 (95%CI 1.2-4.73), 0.43 (95%CI 0.34-0.53), 6.28 (95%CI 2.4-16.44) and 0.73 (95%CI 0.69-0.77), respectively. Additionally, the diagnostic value of M2-PK varied based on characteristics of golden methods and different cut-off values. This meta-analysis showed that M2-PK had a better diagnostic accuracy for BTC compared with CA19-9, with moderate diagnostic performance. However, prospective studies are required to confirm its diagnostic value.


The high prevalence of pain in emergency medical care.
Although there is a widely held belief that pain is the number 1 complaint in emergency medical care, few studies have actually assessed the prevalence of pain in the emergency department (ED). We conducted an analysis of secondary data by using explicit data abstraction rules to determine the prevalence of pain in the ED and to classify the location, origin, and duration of the pain. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban teaching hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Charts from 1,665 consecutive ED visits during a 7-day period were reviewed. Pain was defined as the word pain or a pain equivalent word (including aching, burning, and discomfort) recorded on the chart. Of the 1,665 visits, 61.2% had pain documented anywhere on the chart, 34.1% did not have pain, and 4.7% were procedures. Pain was a chief complaint for 52.2% of the visits. This high prevalence of pain has important implications for the allocation of resources as well as educational and research efforts in emergency medical care.


[Identification, biological characteristics, and fungicide screening of pathogen of black spot in Aconitum carmichaelii].
In Hezhang county, Guizhou province, black spot tends to occur to Aconitum carmichaelii in the hot rainy summer, with the incidence up to 50%-70%, seriously impacting the yield and quality of the medicinal material. Thus, this study aims to clarify the pathogen and the occurrence characteristics. To be specific, the pathogen was isolated and identified according to Koch's postulates and the pathogenicity and biological characteristics were determined. In addition, the sensitivity of the pathogen to four microbial fungicides, four botanical fungicides, and five chemical fungicides was determined with the mycelium growth rate method for the purpose of screening out optimal fungicides. The pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternate, as evidenced by the similar colony morphology and microscopic characteristics and 99.55%-100% similarity in sequences of rDNA-ITS, LSU, 18S, and TEF of the two. The optimum growth conditions for A. alternata were 28 ℃, pH 8, and continuous darkness. Bacillus subtilis had strong inhibitory effect on the pathogen, and the inhibition rate was more than 90% when the concentration was 1 mg·L~(-1). In addition, difenoconazole and quinoline copper can also control the pathogen, with median effective concentration(EC_(50)) of 2.92 and 9.02 mg·L~(-1), respectively. This study lays a theoretical basis for the field control of black spot in A. carmichaelii.


X-Prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity, with X-proline p-nitroanilides as substrates, in normal and pathological human sera.
X-Prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase (no EC no. assigned) activity in normal and pathological human sera was assayed with several newly synthesized X-proline p-nitroanilides as chromogenic substrates. Normal values for 88 healthy subjects (15 to 81 years old), with glycylproline p-nitroanilide as substrate at pH 8.7, were 54.9 +/- 1.5 (SE) (range, 25.7 - 96.0) mumol/min per liter of serum at 37 degrees C. The results suggest that the enzyme activities with all X-proline p-nitroanilides were increased in patients with hepatitis and decreased in patients with gastric cancer. On Sephadex G-200 column chromatography, normal human sera showed a single peak of enzyme activity with glycylproline p-nitroanilide as the substrate, which coincided with the peak with glycylproline beta-naphthylamide but was different from the peaks with leucine beta-naphthylamide. Sera from patients with hepatitis or liver cirrhosis showed an increase in the normal peak and the appearance of another new peak with glycylproline p-nitroanilide as substrate.


Dual strands of pre-miR‑150 (miR‑150‑5p and miR‑150‑3p) act as antitumor miRNAs targeting SPOCK1 in naïve and castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Analysis of our microRNA (miRNA) expression signature in human cancers has shown that guide and passenger strands of pre-miR‑150, i.e., miR‑150‑5p and miR‑150‑3p, are significantly downregulated in cancer tissues. In miRNA biogenesis, the passenger strand of miRNA is degraded and is thought to have no functions. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the functional significance of miR‑150‑5p and miR‑150‑3p in naïve prostate cancer (PCa) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Ectopic expression assays showed that both strands of miRNAs significantly suppressed cancer cell migration and invasion. Our strategies of miRNA target searching demonstrated that SPOCK1 (SPARC/osteonectin, cwcv and kazal like domains proteoglycan 1) was directly regulated by miR‑150‑5p and miR‑150‑3p. Knockdown of SPOCK1 by siRNA inhibited cancer cell aggressiveness. Moreover, overexpression of SPOCK1 was observed in naïve PCa and CRPC tissues. Taken together, dual strands of pre-miR‑150 (miR‑150‑5p and miR‑150‑3p) acted as antitumor miRNAs in naïve PCa and CRPC cells. Expression of oncogenic SPOCK1 was involved in naïve PCa and CRPC pathogenesis. Novel approaches to analysis of antitumor miRNA-regulated RNA networks in cancer cells may provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of naïve PCa and CRPC.


Clustering of contact zones, hybrid zones, and phylogeographic breaks in North America.
A recent test for the existence of suture zones in North America, based on hybrid zones studied since 1970, found support for only two of the 13 suture zones identified by Remington in 1968 (Swenson and Howard 2004). One limitation of that recent study was the relatively small number of hybrid zones available for mapping. In this study, we search for evidence of clustering of contact zones between closely related taxa using data not only from hybrid zones but from species range maps of trees, birds, and mammals and from the position of phylogeographic breaks within species. Digital geographic range maps and a geographic information system approach allowed for accurate and rapid mapping of distributional data. Areas of contact between closely related species and phylogeographic breaks within species clustered into areas characterized by common physiographic features or predicted by previously hypothesized glacial refugia. The results underscore the general importance of geographic barriers to dispersal (mountain chains) and climate change (periods of cooling alternating with periods of warming, which lead to the contraction and expansion of species ranges) in species evolution.


Ultrasonographic evaluation of the renal parenchyma in infancy and childhood.
The authors evaluated 46 patients several hours to 10 years of age and found that in neonates and young infants, the renal cortex is normally as echogenic as the hepatic parenchyma. Within 2 to 3 months, the renal cortex becomes progressively less echogenic than the liver; however, in patients with renal parenchymal disease, cortical echogenicity increases. Sonography is very sensitive to this condition, especially in older children; however, the overall findings are nonspecific. The authors conclude that ultrasound is helpful in screening for renal parenchymal abnormalities in the pediatric patient, since (a) it is very sensitive in the detection of parenchymal disease, particularly in the neonatal period, and (b) older patients demonstrate a direct correlation between parenchymal abnormality and increased cortical echogenicity; this is not possible in the neonate because the renal cortex is normally as echogenic as the liver. However, ultrasound is relatively nonspecific except for renal cystic disease.


Nutritional, glycometabolic and genetic factors affecting menarcheal age in cystic fibrosis.
Aims of this study were to investigate menarcheal age (MA) and menarcheal determinants in 25 girls with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to compare their MA with their respective mothers'. Patients' MA (13.3 +/- 1.1 yr) was on average significantly higher (p<0.0005) than that of the respective mothers (12.2 +/- 1.0 yr) and positively related to it (r=0.055, p<0.005). Six girls experienced menarche after 14.2 yr, ie after the uppest limit of their mothers' MA range. The only parameter which significantly differentiated these 6 patients from the remaining 19 cases was body mass percentile (BMP). Moreover, in the entire patient series a negative correlation was found between MA and BMP. None of the other clinical parameters correlated significantly with MA. No differences in terms of MA were detected in the subgroups of patients with a different glucose tolerance (GT) status and the 12 girls with a pathological GT were not older at menarche than those with normal GT. No correlations were found between either glucose or insulin areas during oral GT test and MA. In the subgroups of patients with a different genotype menarche occurred at a similar age, irrespectively of their genotype. On the basis of our findings we conclude that: a) a menarcheal delay of approximately 1 yr exists between CF girls and their mothers; b) menarcheal delay in CF is not related to either genotype or disease severity or glycometabolic status; c) the only two factors which are able to affect MA in CF are maternal MA and nutritional status.