Family-based association study of 5-HT(2A) receptor T102C polymorphism and suicidal behavior in Ashkenazi inpatient adolescents.
Suicidal behavior runs in families and is partially genetically determined. Since greater serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor binding has been reported in postmortem brain and platelets of suicide victims, the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene polymorphism T102C became one of the candidate sites in the study of suicide and impulsive-aggressive traits. However, studies that examined the association of this polymorphism with suicidality have contradictory results. This study used a family-based method and one homogenous ethnic group to overcome ethnic stratification in order to test this association. Thirty families of inpatient adolescents from Jewish Ashkenazi origin, with a recent suicide attempt, were genotyped. All subjects were interviewed for clinical diagnosis, depressive and impulsive-aggressive traits and demographic data. Allele frequencies were assessed using the Haplotype Relative Risk method for trios. No difference was found in allelic distribution between transmitted and non-transmitted alleles. There was no significant association of genotype with any of the clinical traits These preliminary results suggest that the 5-HT(2A) T102C polymorphism is unlikely to be associated with suicidal behavior and related traits in adolescent suicide attempters.


Genomic insights into Aspergillus sydowii 29R-4-F02: unraveling adaptive mechanisms in subseafloor coal-bearing sediment environments.
Aspergillussydowii is an important filamentous fungus that inhabits diverse environments. However, investigations on the biology and genetics of A. sydowii in subseafloor sediments remain limited. Here, we performed de novo sequencing and assembly of the A. sydowii 29R-4-F02 genome, an isolate obtained from approximately 2.4 km deep, 20-million-year-old coal-bearing sediments beneath the seafloor by employing the Nanopore sequencing platform. The generated genome was 37.19 Mb with GC content of 50.05%. The final assembly consisted of 11 contigs with N50 of 4.6 Mb, encoding 12,488 putative genes. Notably, the subseafloor strain 29R-4-F02 showed a higher number of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and distinct genes related to vesicular fusion and autophagy compared to the terrestrial strain CBS593.65. Furthermore, 257 positively selected genes, including those involved in DNA repair and CAZymes were identified in subseafloor strain 29R-4-F02. These findings suggest that A. sydowii possesses a unique genetic repertoire enabling its survival in the extreme subseafloor environments over tens of millions of years.


Mangiferin inhibits macrophage classical activation via downregulating interferon regulatory factor 5 expression.
Mangiferin is a natural polyphenol and the predominant effective component of Mangifera indica Linn. leaves. For hundreds of years, Mangifera indica Linn. leaf has been used as an ingredient in numerous traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of bronchitis. However, the pharmacological mechanism of mangiferin in the treatment of bronchitis remains to be elucidated. Macrophage classical activation is important role in the process of bronchial airway inflammation, and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) has been identified as a key regulatory factor for macrophage classical activation. The present study used the THP‑1 human monocyte cell line to investigate whether mangiferin inhibits macrophage classical activation via suppressing IRF5 expression in vitro. THP‑1 cells were differentiated to macrophages by phorbol 12‑myristate 13‑acetate. Macrophages were polarized to M1 macrophages following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon‑γ (IFN‑γ). Flow cytometric analysis was conducted to detect the M1 macrophages. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate cellular IRF5 gene expression. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines and IRF5 were assessed following cell culture and cellular homogenization using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. IRF5 protein and nuclei co‑localization was performed in macrophages with laser scanning confocal microscope immunofluorescence analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that mangiferin significantly inhibits LPS/IFN‑γ stimulation‑induced classical activation of macrophages in vitro and markedly decreases proinflammatory cytokine release. In addition, cellular IRF5 expression was markedly downregulated. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of mangiferin on classical activation of macrophages may be exerted via downregulation of cellular IRF5 expression levels.


Liver autophagy: physiology and pathology.
Autophagy has long been thought of as a bulk degradation system in which cytoplasmic components are sequestered by double-membrane structures called autophagosomes, and the contents are then degraded after autophagosomes fuse with lysosomes. Genetic experiments in yeast identified a set of Autophagy-related (ATG) genes that are essential for autophagy. We have since elucidated many of the molecular underpinnings of autophagy and the physiologic roles of these processes in various systems. This review summarizes the physiologic roles of autophagy with a particular focus on liver autophagy based on analyses of knockout mice lacking Atg genes.


[Precocious puberty in a 6-year-old boy with bilateral cryptorchidism].
To report one case of precocious puberty in a 6-year-old boy with bilateral cryptorchidism. History and physical examination, blood tests, nuclear chromatin and cariotype, bone age, pneumopelvis, hormonal tests, laparotomy and hysterectomy were performed. The absence of testicles within the scrotum was proved, chromatin was positive and cariotype was normal female 46/XX. Bone age was accelerated. The pneumopelvis showed a uterine shadow and two gonadal shadows in both sides. Urinary 17-ketosteroids and pregnanetriol were elevated. Due to the male sex identification, it was decided to reinforce the generic role before starting hormone treatment. Hysterectomy and substitutive steroid treatment were undertaken. Genital ambiguity should be considered when evaluating a boy without palpable gonads.


Marginal adaptation and hardness of resin composite restorations activated with four energies.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of variations in light intensity versus exposure time, under the same energy density, on the marginal adaptation and hardness of resin composites restorations. The occlusal surfaces of 20 third molars were flattened with 180-grit SiC paper and a Class I cavity was prepared (4 mm wide, 4 mm long, and 2 mm deep). The specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5 teeth). The adhesive system was applied according to the manufacturer's directions followed by one increment of Filtek Z250. The resin composite was light activated with 18 J/cm(2) according to one of the following light intensities/exposure times: group 1-100 mW/cm(2)/180 s; group 2-300 mW/cm(2)/60 s; group 3-600 mW/cm(2)/30 s; group 4-1,000 mW/cm(2)/18 s. After 24 hours, the restorations were longitudinally sectioned into two halves. Enamel, bottom, and total mean gap widths (in micrometers) were measured with a stereomicroscope (x200). After that, one of the sections was embedded in acrylic resin and polished up to 4,000-grit SiC for Knoop hardness number (KHN) measurements (100 g/15 s) at the top and bottom surfaces. The data from mean gap widths were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The KHN values (kg/mm(2)) were subjected to a two-way, repeated-measures ANOVA (a = .05). Tukey's test was used for pairwise comparisons. No significant difference was observed between total and bottom mean gap widths among groups (p > .05). Group 1 showed lower enamel mean gap widths than did groups 3 and 4 (p < .05) but similar to those for group 2 (p > .05). The KHN at the top surface was higher than the bottom hardness (p < .05). For the bottom surface, all groups had similar KHN values (p > .05). The variations in light intensity and exposure times allowed the achievement of adequate mechanical properties. The use of a low light intensity reduces only the enamel mean gap width but has no effect on the overall gap formation along the composite-tooth interface. As long as an adequate energy density is used to produce adequate mechanical properties in the resin composite, the use of a low light intensity for an increased time does not markedly improve marginal integrity.


In vitro studies of human monocyte migration across endothelium in response to leukotriene B4 and f-Met-Leu-Phe.
Relatively little is known about monocyte emigration from the vasculature or about the factors that regulate this process. In this study, a human in vitro model of a blood vessel wall was used for examination of monocyte transendothelial migration. Umbilical vein endothelial cells were grown to confluency on amnion connective tissue, and human monocytes were stimulated to cross the monolayer in response to the chemoattractants leukotriene B4 or f-Met-Leu-Phe. The pattern and time course of monocyte migration were similar for the two chemotactic factors. In both cases, approximately 40-50% of the adherent monocytes extended single or multiple pseudopods into the apical endothelial surface. This indenting behavior was also observed in the absence of chemotactic factors. It was not affected by the medium (M199 or Gey's) or method of monocyte isolation. Neutrophils also displayed this behavior, but only about half as many neutrophils as monocytes indented the endothelial surface. The integrity of the endothelium remained intact as the monocytes traversed the monolayer. When the monocytes reached the basal surface of the endothelium, they frequently wedged themselves between the basal surface of the endothelium and its basal lamina. The monocytes then invaded the basal lamina and accumulated in the connective tissue. In response to both f-Met-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4, monocyte migration across the endothelium began as early as 10 minutes. The average rate of accumulation in the connective tissue peaked at 30 minutes; and by 60 minutes, 25-35% of the monocytes had traversed the monolayer. Approximately two to three times as many monocytes traversed the endothelium under conditions of chemotaxis as under conditions of chemokinesis or random migration. These studies provide the basis for understanding the process of monocyte migration out of the bloodstream and lay the foundation for the study of their differentiation into macrophages in the connective tissue.


Nucleation kinetics of folded chain crystals of polyethylene on active centers.
Kinetic equations describing formation of nuclei of a new phase on active centers from supercooled melt taking into account exhaustion of active centers are solved numerically. Basic characteristics of nucleation process (total number of nuclei and nucleation rate) of folded chain crystals of polyethylene at low supercooling are determined and compared with measured data. Our model gives good coincidence with experimental measurements of the total number density of nuclei. Nucleation rate reaches some quasistationary limit at sufficiently long time, which is approximately 20% of the stationary nucleation rate determined by the standard way.


Resonant Elastic X-Ray Scattering of Antiferromagnetic Superstructures in EuPtSi_{3}.
We report resonant elastic x-ray scattering of long-range magnetic order in EuPtSi_{3}, combining different scattering geometries with full linear polarization analysis to unambiguously identify magnetic scattering contributions. At low temperatures, EuPtSi_{3} stabilizes type A antiferromagnetism featuring various long-wavelength modulations. For magnetic fields applied in the hard magnetic basal plane, well-defined regimes of cycloidal, conical, and fanlike superstructures may be distinguished that encompass a pocket of commensurate type A order without superstructure. For magnetic field applied along the easy axis, the phase diagram comprises the cycloidal and conical superstructures only. Highlighting the power of polarized resonant elastic x-ray scattering, our results reveal a combination of magnetic phases that suggest a highly unusual competition between antiferromagnetic exchange interactions with Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya spin-orbit coupling of similar strength.


Patient scenario identifies gaps in breast cancer services in a rural region.
Studies have demonstrated that community-based cancer coalitions can effectively address cancer disparities in rural areas. Scenario plots have been used to assess community needs in health care and public health. The social and medical context of a woman with undetected breast cancer was developed as a patient scenario implemented at a rural cancer coalition meeting to rapidly identify gaps in services. Transportation, fragmentation of cancer care, access to insurance coverage, patient navigation, and survivorship services were identified as gaps in ensuring patient compliance across the continuum of breast cancer care throughout the region. Results will be used to shape coalition priorities.


Carotid stenting versus carotid surgery: a prospective cohort study.
To compare the results of carotid stenting and carotid surgery in a consecutive group of 455 patients (482 lesions). Between January 1995 and July 2002, 107 patients (114 lesions) were treated with carotid stenting and 348 patients (368 lesions) with carotid surgery. A cerebral protection device was routinely used in the last 46 stent cases. All patients were followed with duplex examination at 1 and 6 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. The stent and surgery groups were similar in terms of mean age (70.5 and 71.1 years, respectively), sex distribution (men 72% versus 75%), and symptoms (transient ischemic attack [TIA] or minor stroke 32.7% versus 42.2%). Median follow-up was 15 months in stent patients and 14 months in the surgical group. At 1 month postoperatively, there were 7 minor strokes (5 temporary lasting <21 days and 2 persistent) and 1 major stroke in the stent group versus 1 persistent minor stroke in the surgical patients. The overall neurological event rate (including TIA) was 10.5% versus 1.9% (p=0.0002) in the surgical patients; cardiac morbidity was 3.5% versus 1.6% (p=NS), and the death rate was 0% versus 0.8% (p=NS). The combined permanent stroke/death rate was 2.6% in stent patients and 1.1% in surgery patients (p=NS). During follow-up, the cumulative all stroke rate was 8.8% versus 1.9% (p=0.001), but the 3-year cumulative survival rate free from ipsilateral major neurological events was 95.2% in stent patients and 96.9% in the surgery cohort (p=NS). There was a 7.5% rate of restenosis in stented arteries versus 1.4% in surgery patients (p=0.001). This series showed encouraging and comparable major stroke and deaths rate of carotid stenting and carotid surgery. However, there was more restenosis in the stented group on midterm follow-up.


Disease Activity-Associated Alteration of mRNA m5 C Methylation in CD4+ T Cells of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Epigenetic processes including RNA methylation, post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNA expression have been associated with the heritable risks of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to explore the dysregulated expression of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) in CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE and the potential function of affected mRNAs in SLE pathogenesis. mRNA methylation profiles were ascertained through chromatography-coupled triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in CD4+ T cells from two pools of patients with SLE exhibiting stable activity, two pools with moderate-to-major activity, and two pools of healthy controls (HCs). Simultaneously, mRNA methylation profiles and expression profiling were performed using RNA-Bis-Seq and RNA-Seq, respectively. Integrated mRNA methylation and mRNA expression bioinformatics analysis was comprehensively performed. mRNA methyltransferase NSUN2 expression was validated in CD4+ T cells from 27 patients with SLE and 28 HCs using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Hypomethylated-mRNA profiles of NSUN2-knockdown HeLa cells and of CD4+ T cells of patients with SLE were jointly analyzed using bioinformatics. Eleven methylation modifications (including elevated Am, 3'OMeA, m1A, and m6A and decreased Ψ, m3C, m1G, m5U, and t6A levels) were detected in CD4+ T cells of patients with SLE. Additionally, decreased m5C levels, albeit increased number of m5C-containing mRNAs, were observed in CD4+ T cells of patients with SLE compared with that in CD4+ T cells of HCs. m5C site distribution in mRNA transcripts was highly conserved and enriched in mRNA translation initiation sites. In particular, hypermethylated m5C or/and significantly up-regulated genes in SLE were significantly involved in immune-related and inflammatory pathways, including immune system, cytokine signaling pathway, and interferon signaling. Compared to that in HCs, NSUN2 expression was significantly lower in SLE CD4+ T cells. Notably, hypomethylated m5C genes in SLE and in NSUN2-knockdown HeLa cells revealed linkage between eukaryotic translation elongation and termination, and mRNA metabolism. Our study identified novel aberrant m5C mRNAs relevant to critical immune pathways in CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE. These data provide valuable perspectives for future studies of the multifunctionality and post-transcriptional significance of mRNA m5C modification in SLE.


PAMP Activity of Cerato-Platanin during Plant Interaction: An -Omic Approach.
Cerato-platanin (CP) is the founder of a fungal protein family consisting in non-catalytic secreted proteins, which work as virulence factors and/or as elicitors of defense responses and systemic resistance, thus acting as PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns). Moreover, CP has been defined an expansin-like protein showing the ability to weaken cellulose aggregates, like the canonical plant expansins do. Here, we deepen the knowledge on CP PAMP activity by the use of a multi-disciplinary approach: proteomic analysis, VOC (volatile organic compound) measurements, and gas exchange determination. The treatment of Arabidopsis with CP induces a differential profile either in protein expression or in VOC emission, as well changes in photosynthetic activity. In agreement with its role of defense activator, CP treatment induces down-expression of enzymes related to primary metabolism, such as RuBisCO, triosephosphate isomerase, and ATP-synthase, and reduces the photosynthesis rate. Conversely, CP increases expression of defense-related proteins and emission of some VOCs. Interestingly, CP exposure triggered the increase in enzymes involved in GSH metabolism and redox homeostasis (glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin, Cys-peroxiredoxin, catalase) and in enzymes related to the "glucosinolate-myrosinase" system, which are the premise for synthesis of defence compounds, such as camalexin and some VOCs, respectively. The presented results are in agreement with the accepted role of CP as a PAMP and greatly increase the knowledge of plant primary defences induced by a purified fungal elicitor.


Terahertz spectroscopy technology as an innovative technique for food: Current state-of-the-Art research advances.
With the dramatic development of source and detector components, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy technology has recently shown a renaissance in various fields such as medical, material, biosensing and pharmaceutical industry. As a rapid and noninvasive technology, it has been extensively exploited to evaluate food quality and ensure food safety. In this review, the principles and processes of THz spectroscopy are first discussed. The current state-of-the-art applications of THz and imaging technologies focused on foodstuffs are then discussed. The advantages and challenges are also covered. This review offers detailed information for recent efforts dedicated to THz for monitoring the quality and safety of various food commodities and the feasibility of its widespread application. THz technology, as an emerging and unique method, is potentially applied for detecting food processing and maintaining quality and safety.


CuI as Hole-Transport Channel for Enhancing Photoelectrocatalytic Activity by Constructing CuI/BiOI Heterojunction.
In this paper, CuI, as a typical hole-transport channel, was used to construct a high-performance visible-light-driven CuI/BiOI heterostructure for photoelectrocatalytic applications. The heterostructure combines the broad visible absorption of BiOI and high hole mobility of CuI. Compared to pure BiOI, the CuI/BiOI heterostructure exhibited distinctly enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performance for the oxidation of methanol and organic pollutants under visible-light irradiation. The photogenerated electron-hole pairs of the excited BiOI can be separated efficiently through CuI, in which the CuI acts as a superior hole-transport channel to improve photoelectrocatalytic oxidization of methanol and organic pollutants. The outstanding photoelectrocatalytic activity shows that the p-type CuI works as a promising hole-transport channel to improve the photocatalytic performance of traditional semiconductors.


p100 increases AT1R expression through interaction with AT1R 3'-UTR.
p100 protein (SND1, Tudor-SN) is a multifunctional protein that functions as a co-activator for several transcription factors, has a role in mRNA processing and participates in RNAi-induced silencing complex (RISC) with yet unknown function. In this study we identified a novel function for p100 as a regulator of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) expression. The binding of p100 to AT1R 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) via staphylococcal nuclease-like (SN-like) domains increased receptor expression by decreasing the rate of mRNA decay and enhancing its translation. Overexpression of p100 increased AT1R expression, whereas decrease in p100 binding to 3'-UTR either by p100 silencing or by the deletion of p100 binding site downregulated receptor expression. The effect of p100 through AT1R 3'-UTR was independent of Argonaute2 (Ago2), a known p100 partner, and was thus RISC-independent. Nucleotides 118 to 120 of the AT1R 3'-UTR were found to be critical for the binding of p100 to 3'-UTR. In summary, p100 is a multifunctional regulator of gene expression that regulates transcription, mRNA maturation, and as described in this article, also mRNA stability and translation.


A Real World 10-Year Experience With Vascular Closure Devices and Large-Bore Access in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has established itself as a safe and efficient treatment option in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis, regardless of the underlying surgical risk. Widespread adoption of transfemoral procedures led to more patients than ever being eligible for TAVR. This increase in procedural volumes has also stimulated the use of vascular closure devices (VCDs) for improved access site management. In a single-center examination, we investigated 871 patients that underwent transfemoral TAVR from 2010 to 2020 and assessed vascular complications according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) III recommendations. Patients were grouped by the VCD and both, vascular closure success and need for intervention were analyzed. In case of a vascular complication, the type of intervention was investigated for all VCDs. The Proglide VCD was the most frequently used device (n = 670), followed by the Prostar device (n = 112). Patients were old (median age 83 years) and patients suffered from high comorbidity burden (60% coronary artery disease, 30% type II diabetes, 40% atrial fibrillation). The overall rate of major complications amounted to 4.6%, it was highest in the Prostar group (9.6%) and lowest in the Manta VCD group (1.1% p = 0.019). The most frequent vascular complications were bleeding and hematoma (n = 110, 13%). In case a complication occurred, 72% of patients did not need any further intervention other than manual compression or pressure bandages. The rate of surgical intervention after complication was highest in the Prostar group (n = 15, 29%, p = 0.001). Temporal trends in VCD usage highlight the rapid adoption of the Proglide system after introduction at our institution. In recent years VCD alternatives, utilizing other closure techniques, such as the Manta device emerged and increased vascular access site management options. This 10-year single-center experience demonstrates high success rates for all VCDs. Despite successful closure, a significant number of patients does experience minor vascular complications, in particular bleeding and hematoma. However, most complications do not require surgical or endovascular intervention. Temporal trends display a marked increase in TAVR procedures and highlight the need for more refined vascular access management strategies.


Glutathione is required to regulate the formation of native disulfide bonds within proteins entering the secretory pathway.
The formation of native disulfide bonds is an essential event in the folding and maturation of proteins entering the secretory pathway. For native disulfides to form efficiently an oxidative pathway is required for disulfide bond formation and a reductive pathway is required to ensure isomerization of non-native disulfide bonds. The oxidative pathway involves the oxidation of substrate proteins by PDI, which in turn is oxidized by endoplasmic reticulum oxidase (Ero1). Here we demonstrate that overexpression of Ero1 results in the acceleration of disulfide bond formation and correct protein folding. In contrast, lowering the levels of glutathione within the cell resulted in acceleration of disulfide bond formation but did not lead to correct protein folding. These results demonstrate that lowering the level of glutathione in the cell compromises the reductive pathway and prevents disulfide bond isomerization from occurring efficiently, highlighting the crucial role played by glutathione in native disulfide bond formation within the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum.


Developing and Testing A Model of the Assisted Living Environment.
The assisted living (AL) environment plays an important role in supporting residents' satisfaction and helping them to age in place. The AL environment is multidimensional and has many interrelated components including staffing (e.g. direct care workers, nursing, activity staff), services provided (e.g. medical, mental health, pharmacy), amenities offered at the setting (e.g. beauty salon, library, exercise facilities), and the physical environment. Evidence suggests that aspects of the AL environment can enhance or detract from the physical function, well-being, social engagement, and behavioral outcomes among residents. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a multidimensional AL environment measurement model that includes indicators of staffing, services, amenities, and the physical environment. Baseline data was used from a study testing the Dissemination and Implementation of Function Focused Care in AL. A total of 54 AL facilities across three states were included in the sample. Settings ranged in size from 31 to 164 beds with an average size of 82.2 (SD=26.2) beds and the majority were for profit facilities (n=41, 74.5%). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. Results showed that the model fit the data (χ2/df=1.861, p<.05; CFI=.858, RMSEA=.126). Having a comprehensive AL environment measurement model will advance future research that explores the impact of the environment on resident outcomes. Findings from this study will inform interventions and programs designed to modify AL environments to optimize residents' satisfaction with AL.


Charge-mediated recognition of N-terminal tryptophan in aqueous solution by a synthetic host.
The molecular recognition of peptides and proteins in aqueous solution by designed molecules remains an elusive goal with broad implications for basic biochemical research and for sensors and separations technologies. This paper describes the recognition of N-terminal tryptophan in aqueous solution by the synthetic host cucurbit[8]uril (Q8). Q8 is known to form 1:1:1 heteroternary complexes with methyl viologen (MV) and a second aromatic guest. Here, the complexes of Q8.MV with (i) the four natural aromatic alpha-amino acids, (ii) four singly charged tryptophan derivatives, and (iii) four tryptophan-containing tripeptides were characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and UV-visible, fluorescence, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. We find that Q8.MV binds Trp-Gly-Gly with high affinity (K(a) = 1.3 x 10(5) M(-1)), with 6-fold specificity over Gly-Trp-Gly, and with 40-fold specificity over Gly-Gly-Trp. Analysis of the nine indole-containing compounds suggests that peptide recognition is mediated by the electrostatic charge(s) proximal to the indole, and that the mode of binding is consistent for these compounds. Complex formation is accompanied by the growth of a visible charge-transfer band and the quenching of indole fluorescence. These optical properties, combined with the stability and selectivity of this system, are promising for applications in sensing and separating specific peptides.


The first Danish family reported with an AQP5 mutation presenting diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, hyperhidrosis and frequent Corynebacterium infections: a case report.
An autosomal dominant form of diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, is caused by mutations in the AQP5 gene encoding the cell-membrane water channel protein aquaporin 5 leading to defective epidermal-water-barrier function in the epidermis of the palms and soles. We report the first Danish family diagnosed with diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type in which fourteen individuals are potentially affected. The proband, a 36-year-old male had since childhood been affected by pronounced hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles along with palmoplantar keratoderma. He reported a very distinctive feature of the disorder, aquagenic wrinkling, as he developed pronounced maceration of the skin with translucent white papules and a spongy appearance following exposure to water. The patient presented recurrent fungal infections, a wellknown feature of the condition, but also periodic worsening with pitted keratolysis and malodour due to bacterial infections. Palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, which may be associated with hyperhidrosis, is frequently complicated by fungal infections and may be complicated by Corynebacterium infections.


An enhanced heuristic XoR network coding-based method for high quality video streaming over VANETs.
One of the most important challenges in live video streaming in mobile vehicular networks is the optimal use of broadband and point-to-point packet delay. Recent studies show that the sheer use of frames flow compression methods (such as H.264 or HEVC) and the proper communication overlay, such as Peer-to-Peer (P2P), has no absolute influence on increasing the quality of received video in VANET networks. Therefore, the use of an appropriate data exchange method, such as network coding, seems to be of great importance. Compared to Random Network Coding (RNC), XoR Network Coding (XNC) method has the least computational load for the network which is an important factor in optimal use of limited energy of nodes in a wireless network. The basic problem in XNC is that when a node is supposed to combine several frames and transmit them through an encoded frame, how this combination could be made to enable other nodes of the network to be broadcasted through receiving this packet and how can the available packets in their buffers decode as well as extract the largest number of frames in order to experience a higher video quality. To fulfil this aim, an encoding intelligent method is required which is based on the buffers' status of neighbours. In the proposed method in this article, the best frame combination is reached through buffers status of neighbours and AHP methods or AHP-TOPSIS methods, and the encoded frames are broadcasted through XNC. Simulation results show that due to the reduction in number of transmitted packets in the network, parameters such as congestion and point-to-point delay are significantly reduced and vehicles experience a higher video quality compared with other similar methods.


Value of Telemonitoring and Telemedicine in Heart Failure Management.
The use of telemonitoring and telemedicine is a relatively new but quickly developing area in medicine. As new digital tools and applications are being created and used to manage medical conditions such as heart failure, many implications require close consideration and further study, including the effectiveness and safety of these telemonitoring tools in diagnosing, treating and managing heart failure compared to traditional face-to-face doctor-patient interaction. When compared to multidisciplinary intervention programs which are frequently hindered by economic, geographic and bureaucratic barriers, non-invasive remote monitoring could be a solution to support and promote the care of patients over time. Therefore it is crucial to identify the most relevant biological parameters to monitor, which heart failure sub-populations may gain real benefits from telehealth interventions and in which specific healthcare subsets these interventions should be implemented in order to maximise value.


GmDREB2, a soybean DRE-binding transcription factor, conferred drought and high-salt tolerance in transgenic plants.
A novel DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein) homologous gene, GmDREB2, was isolated from soybean. Based on its similarity with AP2 domains, GmDREB2 was classified into A-5 subgroup in DREB subfamily in AP2/EREBP family. Expression of GmDREB2 gene was induced by drought, high salt, and low temperature stresses and abscisic acid treatment. The GmDREB2 bound specifically to DRE element in vitro. Furthermore, the overexpression of GmDREB2 activated expression of downstream genes in transgenic Arabidopsis, resulting in enhanced tolerance to drought and high-salt stresses and did not cause growth retardation. Analysis of free proline contents in transgenic tobacco indicated that the overexpression of GmDREB2 accumulated higher level of free proline compared to the wild type plants under drought condition. The results from this study indicate that this novel soybean GmDREB2 gene functions as an important transcriptional activator and may be useful in improving of plant tolerance to abiotic stresses in plants.


Diverse roles for glycosaminoglycans in neural patterning.
The nervous system coordinates the functions of most multicellular organisms and their response to the surrounding environment. Its development involves concerted cellular interactions, including migration, axon guidance, and synapse formation. These processes depend on the molecular constituents and structure of the extracellular matrices (ECM). An essential component of ECMs are proteoglycans, i.e., proteins containing unbranched glycan chains known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). A defining characteristic of GAGs is their enormous molecular diversity, created by extensive modifications of the glycans during their biosynthesis. GAGs are widely expressed, and their loss can lead to catastrophic neuronal defects. Despite their importance, we are just beginning to understand the function and mechanisms of GAGs in neuronal development. In this review, we discuss recent evidence suggesting GAGs have specific roles in neuronal patterning and synaptogenesis. We examine the function played by the complex modifications present on GAG glycans and their roles in regulating different aspects of neuronal patterning. Moreover, the review considers the function of proteoglycan core proteins in these processes, stressing their likely role as co-receptors of different signaling pathways in a redundant and context-dependent manner. We conclude by discussing challenges and future directions toward a better understanding of these fascinating molecules during neuronal development. Developmental Dynamics 247:54-74, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The Effects of the Endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol on Human Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation.
The endocannabinoid system is expressed in bone, although its role in the regulation of bone growth is controversial. Many studies have examined the effect of endocannabinoids directly on osteoclast function, but few have examined their role in human osteoblast function, which was the aim of the present study. Human osteoblasts were treated from seeding with increasing concentrations of anandamide or 2-arachidonoylglycerol for between 1 and 21 days. Cell proliferation (DNA content) and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen and osteocalcin secretion and calcium deposition) were measured. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol significantly decreased osteoblast proliferation after 4 days, associated with a concentration-dependent increase in ALP. Inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation enzymes to increase endocannabinoid tone resulted in similar increases in ALP production. 2-arachidonoylglycerol also decreased osteocalcin secretion. After prolonged (21 day) treatment with 2-arachidonoylglycerol, there was a decrease in collagen content, but no change in calcium deposition. Anandamide did not affect collagen or osteocalcin, but reduced calcium deposition. Anandamide increased levels of phosphorylated CREB, ERK 1/2 and JNK, while 2-arachidonoylglycerol increased phosphorylated CREB and Akt. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of CB2 and TRPV1, but not CB1 in HOBs. Anandamide-induced changes in HOB differentiation were CB1 and CB2-independent and partially reduced by TRPV1 antagonism, and reduced by inhibition of ERK 1/2 and JNK. Our results have demonstrated a clear involvement of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in modulating the activity of human osteoblasts, with anandamide increasing early cell differentiation and 2-AG increasing early, but decreasing late osteoblast-specific markers of differentiation.


Cationic Nanomaterials for Autoimmune Diseases Therapy.
Cationic nanomaterials are defined as nanoscale structures smaller than 100 nm bearing positive charges. They have been investigated to apply to many aspects including clinical diagnosis, gene delivery, drug delivery, and tissue engineering for years. Recently, a novel concept has been made to use cationic nanomaterials as cell-free nucleic acid scavengers and inhibits the inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases. Here, we highlighted different types of cationic materials which have the potential for autoimmune disease treatment and reviewed the strategy for autoimmune diseases therapy based on cationic nanoparticles. This review will also demonstrate the challenges and possible solutions that are encountered during the development of cationic materials-based therapeutics for autoimmune diseases.


Evaluation of Warfarin Reversal with 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Compared to 3-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4-PCC) for warfarin reversal. The literature supporting its use over three-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (3-PCC) is limited. Our objective was to retrospectively compare the efficacy of 3-PCC to 4-PCC in reversing warfarin in patients who were actively bleeding. We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients who received 3-PCC or 4-PCC for international normalized ratio (INR) reversal. Our study excluded patients not actively bleeding and not on warfarin. The main outcome was the percentage of patients who achieved warfarin reversal defined as INR ≤ 1.3 at first INR check post factor administration. We recorded baseline data including PCC dose, location of bleed, pre- and posttreatment INR, and time to INR reversal. We included a total of 53 patients. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common site of bleeding (26 [74.3%] in 3-PCC vs. 12 [66.7%] in 4-PCC). The mean dose of 3-PCC was 25.5 units/kg, compared to 27.9 units/kg of 4-PCC. The mean baseline INR was 2.3 in the 3-PCC group and 3 in the 4-PCC group (p = 0.03), and the first posttreatment INRs were 1.4 and 1.2, respectively (p < 0.01). Warfarin reversal was achieved in 15 (42.9%) patients who received 3-PCC and 15 (83.3%) patients who received 4-PCC (p < 0.01). Faster time to INR reversal was noted in the 4-PCC group vs. the 3-PCC group (3.7 vs. 5 h, p = 0.48). A higher percentage of patients achieved warfarin reversal with 4-PCC compared to 3-PCC treatment. A prospective randomized control trial is necessary to confirm our results.


[Radiotherapy of basal cell epitheliomas of the face (author's transl)].
Great advances have been made in the techniques used for radiotherapy, both in safety measures to avoid accidents due to dosage errors, and by the use of new rays such as electrons from accelerators which permit more selective irradiation avoiding surrounding tissues. The authors discuss the indications for the different radiotherapy methods used in basal cell epitheliomas of the face, when compared with or used in association with other procedures such as operative therapy, in relation to the characteristics of the tumor, its proximity to delicate organs, the age of the patient. The possible esthetic and functional sequelae, and the cost to society.


Carrion consumption by Dasyprocta leporina (Rodentia: Dasyproctidae) and a review of meat use by agoutis.
The consumption of the carrion of a tapiti by a reintroduced female Dasyprocta leporina was observed in the wild. Herein, besides describing this event, we reviewed other evidence of vertebrate consumption by agoutis. Most of the studies describing this behaviour have been carried out in captivity. The preyed animals included birds and small rodents, which were sometimes killed by agoutis. This pattern suggests that this is not an anomalous behaviour for the genus, reflecting its omnivorous habits. This behaviour can be a physiologically sound feeding strategy, so new studies should focus on the temporal variation in the consumption of this resource, possibly related to food scarcity periods or to reproductive seasons, when the need for high-quality food tends to increase.


Abnormal serum alpha 2-macroglobulin in Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome.
The high levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin found in the serum of three patients suffering from Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome, an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, resembling mucopolysaccharidoses, have been further characterised by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The immunoprecipitate of patients' alpha 2-macroglobulin forms a double arc, this may be helpful in the diagnosis of the syndrome.


Unifying the Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation Reactions Kinetics in Base by Identifying the Catalytic Roles of Hydroxyl-Water-Cation Adducts.
Despite the fundamental and practical significance of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR), their kinetics in base remain unclear. Herein, we show that the alkaline HER/HOR kinetics can be unified by the catalytic roles of the adsorbed hydroxyl (OHad)-water-alkali metal cation (AM+) adducts, on the basis of the observations that enriching the OHad abundance via surface Ni benefits the HER/HOR; increasing the AM+ concentration only promotes the HER, while varying the identity of AM+ affects both HER/HOR. The presence of OHad-(H2O) x-AM+ in the double-layer region facilitates the OHad removal into the bulk, forming OH--(H2O) x-AM+ as per the hard-soft acid-base theory, thereby selectively promoting the HER. It can be detrimental to the HOR as per the bifunctional mechanism, as the AM+ destabilizes the OHad, which is further supported by the CO oxidation results. This new notion may be important for alkaline electrochemistry.


Mycotic aneurysm with aortoduodenal fistula.
Firstly described in the 19th century by Sir William Osler, the mycotic aneurysm (MA) is a rare entity characterized by an abnormal arterial dilation, which is potentially fatal, and is associated with the infection of the vascular wall. Elderly patients are mostly involved, especially when risk factors like chronic diseases, immunosuppression, neoplasia, and arterial manipulation are associated. The authors report the case of a young male patient diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm of infectious origin in the presence of repeated negative blood cultures. The diagnostic hypothesis was raised when the patient was hospitalized for an inguinal hernia surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed based on imaging findings consistent with mycotic aneurism. The patient was treated with an endovascular prosthesis associated with a long-lasting antibiotic therapy. Five months later, the patient attended the emergency unit presenting an upper digestive hemorrhage and shock, from which he died. The autopsy revealed a huge aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with an aortoduodenal fistula. The histological examination of the arterial wall revealed a marked inflammatory process, extensive destruction of the arterial wall, and the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. This case highlights the atypical presentation of a MA associated with an aortoduodenal fistula. Besides the early age of the patient, no primary arterial disease could be found, and no source of infection was detected.


Acoustic correlates of female confidence: A production and comprehension study.
In the current study, an interactive approach is used to explore possible contributors to the misattributions listeners make about female talker expression of confidence. To do this, the expression and identification of confidence was evaluated through the evaluation of talker- (e.g., talker knowledge and affective acoustic modulation) and listener-specific factors (e.g., interaction between talker acoustic cues and listener knowledge). Talker and listener contexts were manipulated by implementing a social constraint for talkers and withholding information from listeners. Results indicated that listeners were sensitive to acoustic information produced by the female talkers in this study. However, when world knowledge and acoustics competed, judgments of talker confidence by listeners were less accurate. In fact, acoustic cues to female talker confidence were more accurately used by listeners as a cue to perceived confidence when relevant world knowledge was missing. By targeting speech dynamics between female talkers and both female and male listeners, the current study provides a better understanding of how confidence is realized acoustically and, perhaps more importantly, how those cues may be interpreted/misinterpreted by listeners.


Bioavailability and distribution of PAHs and PCBs in the sediment pore water of the German Bight and Wadden Sea.
The freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) was measured for PAHs and PCBs in sediments of the German Bight and Wadden Sea. Ex-situ Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) was applied using Polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) coated glass fibers followed by automated thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis. This study provides the first dataset on the spatial distribution of Cfree for PAHs and PCBs in the German Bight and the Wadden Sea. We found elevated PCB concentrations in the Wadden Sea and especially in the Weser estuary. Sandy North Sea sediments were rather less contaminated, except for some former dumping sites. The sorption strength of PAHs was generally stronger, while PCBs in the Wadden Sea sediments were only weakly bound. This SPME method is a rapid and sensitive tool to study Cfree of hydrophobic organic chemicals to improve todays sediment risk assessment.


Nutrient and phytoplankton biomass in the Amazon River shelf waters.
The Amazon River estuary is notable at the Amazon Continental Shelf, where the presence of the large amount of water originating from the Amazon during the river's falling discharge period was made evident by the low salinity values and high nutrient levels. Even so, the presence of oceanic waters in the shelf area was significant. Dissolved organic nitrogen was the predominant species of the nitrogen cycle phases, followed by total particulate nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium and nitrite. The chlorophyll a data in the eutrophic area indicated that there is sufficient nitrogen in the area to withstand productivity, though dissolved inorganic nitrogen removal processes are faster than regeneration or mineralization. The anomalous amounts of inorganic dissolved nitrogen showed more removal than addition. The simulations with the bidimensional MAAC-2D model confirmed that high nutrient waters are displaced northwest-ward (two cores at 2.5 degrees N-50 degrees W and 4 degrees N-51 degrees W) by the stronger NBC during falling river discharge. During high river flow period these nutrient-rich lenses are distributed around 0.5 degrees N-48.5 degrees W as well as along the shallow Amazonian shelf (20 m-50 m depth, 1 degree N-3.5 degrees N), as a result of the spreading of Amazon freshwater outflow.


Expression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene correlates with amplification and overexpression of the N-myc oncogene in childhood neuroblastoma.
The MRP gene (Cole et al., Science (Washington DC), 258: 1650-1654, 1992) encodes a membrane-bound glycoprotein the expression of which correlates with non-P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in a variety of cultured human cell lines. Using an RNA-polymerase chain reaction assay, expression of this gene was examined in the highly chemoresistant pediatric malignancy, neuroblastoma. MRP expression was observed in 5 human neuroblastoma cell lines and in all 25 primary neuroblastoma tumors of stage I through IVS. Tumors with amplification of the N-myc oncogene were found to have significantly higher MRP expression that those with no amplification (P = 0.0016). Expression of the MRP gene in the tumor specimens was highly correlated with expression of the N-myc gene (P = 0.0009), while expression of the MDR1 gene, encoding P-glycoprotein, was not related to expression of either the N-myc or MRP genes. Decreased expression of the N-myc oncogene in neuroblastoma cell lines SH-SY5Y and BE(2)-C, following treatment with retinoic acid, was paralleled by down-regulation of MRP gene expression, contrasting with increased expression of the MDR1 gene. Expression of the MRP gene is thus common in both primary neuroblastoma tumors and cultured cell lines, and correlates with amplification and overexpression of the N-myc oncogene, which is central to the malignant phenotype of this disease.


Penetration and adoption of health information technology (IT) in Thailand's community health centers (CHCs): a national survey.
A universal healthcare coverage program has been implemented in Thailand since 2001 and the Thailand Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is restructuring its health information systems to support the management of this reform. The MOPH believes that health information technology (IT) is fundamental to the development of an effective health information system, and that users' adoption of health IT is one of the most important factors to the success of health IT implementation projects. However, there is no national data available regarding the penetration and adoption of health IT in Thai community health centers (CHCs). This cross sectional survey was designed to study the penetration and adoption of health IT in the country's community health centers. A random sample of 1,607 regionally stratified CHC's from a total of 9,806 CHCs was selected. With an 82% response rate, the data showed that people who worked in CHCs were currently heavy users of health IT. They exhibited high IT acceptance and positive attitudes toward using health IT. CHCs' staff was less resistant to adopt health IT than previously anticipated. These results are similar in all of the country's geographic regions. Health IT is pervasive in CHCs across the country and penetrates all regions.


A scanning force microscopy study on the motion of single brush-like macromolecules on a silicon substrate induced by coadsorption of small molecules.
Scanning force microscopy was applied to visualise the motion of single poly(butanoate-ethylmethacrylate)-graft-poly(n-butyl acrylate) molecules on silicon and SrTiO(3) substrates. Macromolecular mobility was induced by cyclic exposure of the wafers with the adsorbed brush-like macromolecules to water and alcohol vapours. Exposure to saturated alcohol vapour induced collapse of the adsorbed individual polymer chains while exposure to saturated water vapour promoted their extension. The characteristic times of both conformational changes were long enough that it was possible to visualise step-by-step the morphology transformation in situ by means of an environment-controlled scanning force microscope. Several successive collapse-decollapse cycles were recorded, and small diffusive shifts of the macromolecular position on the substrate were detected after each cycle. Manipulating and visualising single polymer molecules in situ and real time on a silicon substrate opens up new possibilities for the controlled structure formation in ultrathin polymer films. As shown on the sample of a faceted SrTiO(3) wafer, upon extension the brush-like molecules can crawl or extend along nanoscopic surface structures. Silicon can be structured both topographically and chemically at dimensions comparable to those of single polymer molecules with a variety of fabrication techniques ranging from well established conventional silicon micro- nano- machining to new tools constantly developed as dip-pen and nanoimprint lithography.


[Influence of type of infant feeding and other factors on the incidence of respiratory tract infections in infants followed at a primary care center].
To determine the influence of type of infant feeding on the incidence of lower (LRTI) and upper respiratory tract infections during the first 12 months of life. Historical cohort study. Primary care centers. A total of 250 babies born at term between October 1, 1994 and February 1, 1998. current medical record available at a participating primary care center, participation in a Healthy Baby Program, residence in the basic health area involved in the study, birth weight #>2500 g. Interventions. Breastfeeding alone or in combination with formula feeding; artificial feeding alone. Attending day care, antecedents of atopy, fathers and mothers smoking habit, parents level of education, number of persons in the household, mothers age. There was no association between type of feeding and the incidence of respiratory infections. All 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the odds ratios (OR) included the value of 1. At age 3 months, LRTI was associated with the number of persons in the household (OR, 1,87; 95% CI, 1.18-2.95) and with antecedents of atopy (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.19-7.4). At age 6 months, LRTI was associated with the number of persons in the household (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.07-2.44) and with attending day care (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.20-17.1). In the present study breastfeeding was not effective in lowering the incidence of respiratory infections.


Antithrombin III deficiency: clinical aspects.
The clinical picture of antithrombin III (AT-III) deficiency is characterized by early manifestations of serious venous thromboembolism. The inheritance is autosomal dominant. The precipitating factors of the clinical signs are infections, trauma and pregnancy. For a correct diagnosis, application of various methods (immunological, amidolytic, electrophoresis) are needed. There are several types of AT-III defect; they are characterized by a decrease in amount and function, a functional decrease, or a pathological heparin-binding. Adequate treatment of thromboembolic episodes caused by AT-III deficiency is a lifelong coumarin therapy. In pregnancy and after surgery heparin can only be given together with AT-III substitution. The decreased AT-III activity may change during treatment and this has a diagnostic importance.


Experience of Ambulatory Cancer Care: Understanding Patients' Perspectives of Quality Using Sentiment Analysis.
The move of cancer treatment into the outpatient setting can impact patient experience. Understanding how service delivery change impacts different people requires service feedback to inform future delivery development. The use of patient experience questionnaires often generates large amount of free-text data that are difficult to analyze. The aim of this study was to describe a proof-of-concept study exploring the experiences and perceptions of people undergoing cancer treatment, using novel analysis techniques to provide rapid free-text data analysis. This was a mixed-methods qualitative analysis from qualitative questions gathered in Finland using the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (n = 92 of 208 patients) and supplemented with 7 focus groups (31 people with cancer). Data were analyzed using natural language processing, via an automated sentiment analysis algorithm and supported with focus groups to inform the initial thematic analysis. Participants were on average 65 years of age. Of the 196 free-text comments, 121 (73.6%) were positive about patient experiences and 75 (38.5%) negative with suggestions for improvement. Communication between patients and clinicians was an indicator of quality, and lack of psychological support was a barrier to quality care provision. The methodology of using sentiment analysis for free content to review quality was demonstrated through this study as a novel and feasible method to look at large-scale qualitative data. Using the free content on experience of care questionnaire to review gaps or needs in services is valuable in developing future practice.


Polysaccharide utilization by a marine heterotrophic bacterium from the SAR92 clade.
SAR92 is one of the few examples of a widely distributed, abundant oligotroph that can be cultivated to study pathways of carbon oxidation in ocean systems. Genomic evidence for SAR92 suggests that this gammaproteobacterium might be a primary consumer of polysaccharides in the epipelagic zone, its main habitat. Here, we investigated cell growth, polysaccharide utilization gene expression, and carbohydrate-active enzyme abundance of a culturable SAR92 strain, HTCC2207, grown with different polysaccharides. Xylan and laminarin, two polysaccharides mainly produced by phytoplankton, supported the growth of HTCC2207 better than other polysaccharides. HTCC2207 possessed polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) consisting of TonB-dependent receptor (TBDR) and glycoside hydrolase (GH) family genes. GH genes such as GH17 and GH3 presented no substrate-specificity and were induced by different sugar substrates, while expressions of GH16, GH10 and GH30 were enhanced in the glucose-treatment but suppressed in the polysaccharide-treatment, indicating complex polysaccharide utilization by HTCC2207. Metabolic pathways for laminarin and xylan were re-constructed in HTCC2207 based on the PULs genes and other predicted carbohydrate-active enzymes. This study reveals features of the epipelagic niche of SAR92 and provide insight into the biogeochemical cycling of labile, high-molecular carbohydrate compounds in the surface ocean.


Schema design and implementation of the grasp-related mirror neuron system.
Mirror neurons within a monkey's premotor area F5 fire not only when the monkey performs a certain class of actions but also when the monkey observes another monkey (or the experimenter) perform a similar action. It has thus been argued that these neurons are crucial for understanding of actions by others. We offer the hand-state hypothesis as a new explanation of the evolution of this capability: the basic functionality of the F5 mirror system is to elaborate the appropriate feedback - what we call the hand state - for opposition-space based control of manual grasping of an object. Given this functionality, the social role of the F5 mirror system in understanding the actions of others may be seen as an exaptation gained by generalizing from one's own hand to an other's hand. In other words, mirror neurons first evolved to augment the "canonical" F5 neurons (active during self-movement based on observation of an object) by providing visual feedback on "hand state," relating the shape of the hand to the shape of the object. We then introduce the MNS1 (mirror neuron system 1) model of F5 and related brain regions. The existing Fagg-Arbib-Rizzolatti-Sakata model represents circuitry for visually guided grasping of objects, linking the anterior intraparietal area (AIP) with F5 canonical neurons. The MNS1 model extends the AIP visual pathway by also modeling pathways, directed toward F5 mirror neurons, which match arm-hand trajectories to the affordances and location of a potential target object. We present the basic schemas for the MNS1 model, then aggregate them into three "grand schemas" - visual analysis of hand state, reach and grasp, and the core mirror circuit - for each of which we present a useful implementation (a non-neural visual processing system, a multijoint 3-D kinematics simulator, and a learning neural network, respectively). With this implementation we show how the mirror system may learn to recognize actions already in the repertoire of the F5 canonical neurons. We show that the connectivity pattern of mirror neuron circuitry can be established through training, and that the resultant network can exhibit a range of novel, physiologically interesting behaviors during the process of action recognition. We train the system on the basis of final grasp but then observe the whole time course of mirror neuron activity, yielding predictions for neurophysiological experiments under conditions of spatial perturbation, altered kinematics, and ambiguous grasp execution which highlight the importance of the timing of mirror neuron activity.


A Straightforward Method for Glucosinolate Extraction and Analysis with High-pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Glucosinolates are a well-studied and highly diverse class of natural plant compounds. They play important roles in plant resistance, rapeseed oil quality, food flavoring, and human health. The biological activity of glucosinolates is released upon tissue damage, when they are mixed with the enzyme myrosinase. This results in the formation of pungent and toxic breakdown products, such as isothiocyanates and nitriles. Currently, more than 130 structurally different glucosinolates have been identified. The chemical structure of the glucosinolate is an important determinant of the product that is formed, which in turn determines its biological activity. The latter may range from detrimental (e.g., progoitrin) to beneficial (e.g., glucoraphanin). Each glucosinolate-containing plant species has its own specific glucosinolate profile. For this reason, it is important to correctly identify and reliably quantify the different glucosinolates present in brassicaceous leaf, seed, and root crops or, for ecological studies, in their wild relatives. Here, we present a well-validated, targeted, and robust method to analyze glucosinolate profiles in a wide range of plant species and plant organs. Intact glucosinolates are extracted from ground plant materials with a methanol-water mixture at high temperatures to disable myrosinase activity. Thereafter, the resulting extract is brought onto an ion-exchange column for purification. After sulfatase treatment, the desulfoglucosinolates are eluted with water and the eluate is freeze-dried. The residue is taken up in an exact volume of water, which is analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array (PDA) or ultraviolet (UV) detector. Detection and quantification are achieved by conducting comparisons of the retention times and UV spectra of commercial reference standards. The concentrations are calculated based on a sinigrin reference curve and well-established response factors. The advantages and disadvantages of this straightforward method, when compared to faster and more technologically advanced methods, are discussed here.


[Inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy and childbirth].
The aim is to give basic information about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy, to highlight the importance of treatment in pregnancy and also show our own experience with the issue. Original work - a retrospective study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Hořovice. We provide basic overview information about inheritance, fertility, mutual influence of IBD and pregnancy therapy in pregnancy and childbirth options for patients with IBD. We present also the results of the group of 17 patients with varying degrees of disability IBD (including patients after previous surgeries - bowel resection, hemicolectomy, ileostomy or with a pouch) that gave birth to our workplace. A crucial factor for good results is the degree of inflammation at the time of conception and during pregnancy. If the disease is inactive and nutrition of the diseased sufficient, there is no decrease in fertility, course of pregnancy is seamless, there is no greater risk of deterioration of disease in pregnancy and pregnancy do not differ from the normal population. The opposite situation occurs if there is a pregnancy at the time of disease activity. Then up to 75% pregnancy courses with big problems, fertility is declining, inflammation is also worsening and the risk of exacerbations increases during pregnancy, which aggravates the course of pregnancy and childbirth and has a negative effect on the fetus. Pregnancy is therefore necessary to plan for a longer period of disease stabilization and continue chronic medication and not discontinue drugs for fear of negative impact of medications on fetal development. On the contrary, active inflammation of the mother during pregnancy poses a greater risk to the fetus than adequate treatment. Commonly used drugs-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and biological therapy appears to be safe and well tolerated during pregnancy. Method of delivery is individual and depends on the form and location of the inflammation and the preceding operations.


Paediatric kidney transplantation.
Renal transplantation is the optimal form of renal replacement therapy leading to substantial improvement in the quality of life. It has rapidly become the standard treatment for end-stage renal disease in children. However, despite impressive short-term results significant long-term problems remain unsolved. Because of the lack of effective treatment for chronic rejection and common recipient noncompliance, allograft half-life has not improved significantly during the last decade. A paediatric recipient is likely to need several retransplantations in adulthood. Moreover, the immunosuppressive drugs used today have potentially serious side-effects including nephrotoxicity and de novo malignancy. These are especially relevant for paediatric recipients who will continue to receive therapy for several decades. Most therapeutic protocols used for children are derived from those used for adults. However, the metabolic differences between an adult and a growing and developing paediatric transplant recipient are not always adequately appreciated before these new therapies are initiated. In the near future, we are likely to see new and more efficient drugs become available. It is important that we try to understand their properties in children and use them and our current arsenal on an individual basis aiming at optimal graft survival but also at avoiding unnecessary adverse effects.


Effect of hypoxia on the circulating levels of essential mineral elements in rats.
Changes occurring in concentrations of certain trace metals and electrolytes viz. chromium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, magenesium and chloride in plasma of rats exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia were evaluated. Batches of Sprague-Dowley rats (12 in each group) were exposed for 1, 7,14 and 21 days to a simulated altitude 7,620 m for 6 h per day and one group of unexposed animals was kept as control. There was a significant rise of 153% in plasma chromium levels of 1 day exposed group in comparison to the unexposed group which tends to normalise on subsequent exposure. There was a gradual increase in plasma copper levels of 9.0, 28.2, 62.6 and 65.6% respectively in 1,7,14 and 21 days exposed rats in comparison to unexposed rats. On the other hand plasma zinc levels were seen to be decreasing during entire exposure. Plasma sodium levels decreased initially in 1 and 7 day exposed rats and increased in later groups whereas plasma potassium levels of exposed groups remained low in comparison to unexposed group. Chloride levels were found to be elevated in 14 and 21 day exposed groups. The plasma calcium and magnesium levels were higher in all exposed groups over unexposed groups. Changes in chromium, copper and zinc observed in the present study during exposure to hypoxic stress may be responsible for the hyperglycemia and anorexia encountered during intial phase of high altitude acclimatisation.


On the use of high-throughput sequencing for the study of cyanobacterial diversity in Antarctic aquatic mats.
The study of Antarctic cyanobacterial diversity has been mostly limited to morphological identification and traditional molecular techniques. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) allows a much better understanding of microbial distribution in the environment, but its application is hampered by several methodological and analytical challenges. In this work, we explored the use of HTS as a tool for the study of cyanobacterial diversity in Antarctic aquatic mats. Our results highlight the importance of using artificial communities to validate the parameters of the bioinformatics procedure used to analyze natural communities, since pipeline-dependent biases had a strong effect on the observed community structures. Analysis of microbial mats from five Antarctic lakes and an aquatic biofilm from the Sub-Antarctic showed that HTS is a valuable tool for the assessment of cyanobacterial diversity. The majority of the operational taxonomic units retrieved were related to filamentous taxa such as Leptolyngbya and Phormidium, which are common genera in Antarctic lacustrine microbial mats. However, other phylotypes related to different taxa such as Geitlerinema, Pseudanabaena, Synechococcus, Chamaesiphon, Calothrix, and Coleodesmium were also found. Results revealed a much higher diversity than what had been reported using traditional methods and also highlighted remarkable differences between the cyanobacterial communities of the studied lakes. The aquatic biofilm from the Sub-Antarctic had a distinct cyanobacterial community from the Antarctic lakes, which in turn displayed a salinity-dependent community structure at the phylotype level.


Associations between diet and the hyperapobetalipoproteinemia phenotype expression in children and young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
The effect of diet on blood lipids has been under intensive study during recent decades. However, diet in the context of the hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) phenotype has received less attention. The hyperapoB phenotype is commonly encountered in patients with premature coronary heart disease. It is defined as a combination of an increased concentration of apolipoprotein B (apo B), a normal concentration of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and as a result, a low LDL-C/apo B ratio. We studied the associations between diet and blood lipids in a cohort of 534 children and young adults 9 to 24 years old. The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats (P/S ratio) correlated (r=-0.19, P<.001) with the LDL-C/apo B ratio. This association was also found when the model was adjusted with triglycerides (r=-0.24, P<.001). A change in the P/S ratio from 0.10 to 0.60 corresponded to a decrease of 0.12 in the LDL-C/apo B ratio, and in the highest apo B decile, the P/S value was higher in hyperapoB individuals (0.33) than in others (0.28, P=.019). Our results imply that the fatty acid composition of the diet may be one of the environmental factors that influence the hyperapoB phenotype expression.


Treatment With Dithiothreitol Improves Bacterial Recovery From Tissue Samples in Osteoarticular and Joint Infections.
Prosthetic implants, periprosthetic and osteoarticular tissues are specimens of choice for diagnosis of bone and joint infections. Homogenization is considered the best procedure for treatment of tissues samples, but, it is not always performed in all laboratories. Dithiothreitol (DTT) has been proposed as an alternative treatment to sonication for microbiological diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections. In this study, the applicability of DTT treatment for processing of periprosthetic and osteoarticular tissues for diagnosis of bone and joint infections was evaluated and compared with normal saline solution treatment. Periprosthetic tissue samples were collected from 70 consecutive patients (25 infected and 45 not infected). For each patient, samples from the same site were randomly allocated to DTT or saline treatment. Treated samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Aliquots from the concentrated samples were plated on agar plates and inoculated in broths. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each treatment. Microbial growth was observed in samples from 14 and 11 infected patients after DTT and saline treatments, respectively. Concordance between the 2 methods was observed in the 85.7% of cases. Sensitivity was 88.0% for DTT and 72.0% for saline. Specificity was 97.8% and 91.1% for DTT and saline, respectively. Treatment with DTT showed higher sensitivity and specificity with respect to the method routinely used in our laboratory. DTT treatment may be considered a practicable strategy for microbiological analysis of tissues for diagnosis of bone and joint infections.


Prevalence of Co-morbidities and Severity of COPD.
We aimed at exploring whether the prevalence of co-morbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases with COPD severity. Analysis of medical records of outpatients with established diagnosis of COPD was retrospectively performed. The lower limit of normality (LLN) for FEV1/FVC was applied to establish the occurrence of airway obstruction in the elderly population. The prevalence of co-morbidities was calculated, and the proportion of patients with each co-morbidity along with GOLD stages was analysed by chi-square for trend. A total of 326 (M/F: 256/70) consecutive outpatients with COPD (stage GOLD I to IV), aging 71.8 ± 9.2 years, were included in the analysis. The most frequent co-morbidities in the entire sample were systemic hypertension (64.7%), diabetes (28.5%), coronary artery disease (19.9%), arrhythmias (16.6%) and congestive heart failure (13.8%). Underweight patients were 8.0% of the sample while obese patients were 22.4%. None of the analyzed co-morbidities showed a trend towards increasing prevalence with COPD severity, except for nutritional problems. The current findings suggest that the occurrence and prevalence of co-morbidities is independent from the COPD severity, and encourage to assess co-morbidities even in the early stages of the COPD.


[Contamination characters of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Daliao River system of China].
With GC/MS, a quantitative study was made on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface water and suspended particulates in Daliao River system, with their spatial distribution and sources investigated. The results showed that the total PAHs concentration ranged from 946.1 to 13 448.5 ng x L(-1) in surface water, and from 317.5 to 238 518.7 ng x g in suspended particulates. The PAHs concentration was decreased in the order of Taizi River > Daliao River > Hunhe River. The PAHs in surface water were dominated by 3-5 rings, while those in suspended particulates were dominated by 2 rings. The calculated ratios of selected PAHs suggested that the discharges from municipal, petrochemical and steel industrial wastewater, and the atmospheric fallout might be the important PAHs sources, and the contamination sources of PAHs were the mixture of petrogenic and pyrolytic inputs. In comparing with other river and marine systems in the world, Daliao River system had higher concentrations of PAHs in its surface water and suspended particulates, and thus, presented certain ecological risk.


A detached branch stops being recognized as self by other branches of a neuron.
The multiple peripheral projections of a single leech mechanosensory neuron form individual arbors that do not overlap at all with each other, a phenomenon that has been termed "self-avoidance" (Yau, 1976; Kramer and Stent, 1985). This is in marked contrast to the peripheral arbors of adjacent segmental homologues, which partially overlap with each other at their boundaries in target areas of the body wall (Nicholls and Baylor, 1968; Gan and Macagno, 1995). How a neurite differentiates between sibling neurites of the same cell and those of a homologue is not known, but possible mechanisms include the recognition of surface markers of neuronal identity or the detection of cell-specific patterns of activity. In order to test whether this self-recognition requires a neurite to be in direct communication with its soma, we used a laser microbeam to sever a branch of a dye-filled pressure-sensitive (P) neuron in an intact leech embryo. Time-lapse observations of the P cell arbor in the living, unanesthetized, animal for up to 24 h following the surgery showed that the detached branch continued to show dynamic growth behavior throughout the period of observation. However, the detached branch ceased being avoided by the rest of the cell within a few hours, other, attached branches of the neuron overgrowing its territory and directly overlapping with it. Our experiments provide direct evidence for the existence of strong growth-inhibiting interactions between sibling processes, and indicate that self-avoidance by the growing neurites of a cell requires physical continuity between these neurites.


Management of postoperative atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of heart surgery. Consequences for the patient who develops this dysrhythmia are many. It prolongs hospitalization, may induce hemodynamic compromise, and carries the risks of thromboembolism and stroke. Ongoing research for the past 30 years has identified several potential etiologies; therefore, management must be highly individualized. This article reviews current and past research on postoperative atrial fibrillation with a focus on individualized prevention and treatment of this problematic heart surgery complication.


Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Male Infertility: Juxtacrine, Paracrine, and Endocrine Dysregulation.
According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility is often associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens essential for fertilization. Antisperm autoantibodies (ASAs) have immobilizing and cytotoxic properties, impairing spermatogenesis, causing sperm agglutination, altering spermatozoa motility and acrosomal reaction, and thus preventing ovum fertilization. Infertility diagnosis requires a mandatory check for the ASAs. The concept of the blood-testis barrier is currently re-formulated, with an emphasis on informational paracrine and juxtacrine effects, rather than simple anatomical separation. The etiology of male infertility includes both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases but equally develops through autoimmune links of pathogenesis. Varicocele commonly leads to infertility due to testicular ischemic damage, venous stasis, local hyperthermia, and hypoandrogenism. However, varicocelectomy can alter the blood-testis barrier, facilitating ASAs production as well. There are contradictory data on the role of ASAs in the pathogenesis of varicocele-related infertility. Infection and inflammation both promote ASAs production due to "danger concept" mechanisms and because of antigen mimicry. Systemic pro-autoimmune influences like hyperprolactinemia, hypoandrogenism, and hypothyroidism also facilitate ASAs production. The diagnostic value of various ASAs has not yet been clearly attributed, and their cut-levels have not been determined in sera nor in ejaculate. The assessment of the autoimmunity role in the pathogenesis of male infertility is ambiguous, so the purpose of this review is to show the effects of ASAs on the pathogenesis of male infertility.


Bariatric surgery as a treatment for pseudotumor cerebri: case study and narrative review of the literature.
Pseudotumor cerebri occurs when there is an increase in intracranial pressure without an underlying cause, usually leading to loss of vision. It is most commonly observed in obese women of child-bearing age. A 46-year-old woman presented at our service with idiopathic intracranial hypertension that had been diagnosed two years earlier, which had led to chronic refractory headache and an estimated 30% loss of visual acuity, associated with bilateral papilledema. She presented partial improvement of the headache with acetazolamide, but the visual loss persisted. Her intracranial pressure was 34 cmH2O. She presented a body mass index of 39.5 kg/m2, also associated with high blood pressure. Computed tomography of the cranium with endovenous contrast did not show any abnormalities. She underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with uneventful postoperative evolution. One month following surgery, she presented a 24% excess weight loss. An ophthalmological examination revealed absence of visual loss and remission of the papilledema. There were no new episodes of headache following the surgery. There was also complete resolution of high blood pressure. The intracranial pressure decreased to 24 cmH2O, six months after the surgery. Although the condition is usually associated with obesity, there are few reports of bariatric surgery among individuals with pseudotumor cerebri. In cases studied previously, there was high prevalence of resolution or improvement of the disease following bariatric surgery. There is no consensus regarding which technique is preferable. Thus, further research is necessary in order to establish a specific algorithm.


Role of neuronal NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx and astrocytic activation in cultured mouse cortical neurons and astrocytes.
The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate has been shown to mediate such bidirectional communication between neurons and astrocytes. In the present study, we determined the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on glutamate-evoked Ca(2+) influx into neurons and astrocytes. Either a nonselective NMDA receptor antagonist (5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801) or selective NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor antagonists ifenprodil and (R,S)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperid inepropanol (Ro25-6981) significantly inhibited the glutamate-evoked Ca(2+) influx into neurons, but not into astrocytes. Furthermore, we investigated whether NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor antagonists could suppress the astrocytic activation, as detected by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; as a specific marker of astrocyte)-like immunoreactivities in mouse cortical astrocytes. Here, we demonstrated that the increases in the level of GFAP-like immunoreactivities induced by glutamate were markedly suppressed by cotreatment with ifenprodil in cortical neuron/glia cocultures, but not in purified astrocytes. These results suggest that NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor plays a critical role in not only glutamate-evoked Ca(2+) influx into neurons, but also glutamate-induced astrocytic activation. Thus, glutamate-mediated pathway via NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor may, at least in part, contribute to neuron-to-astrocyte signaling.


Aspects of the central integration of arterial baroreceptor and cardiac ventricular receptor reflexes in the cat.
The possible central integrative mechanisms, responsible for the earlier reported, differentiated reflex engagement of the renal and muscle vessels and the heart from cardiac ventricular receptors and arterial baroreceptors, respectively, were analyzed in atropinized cats. The reflux renal vessel, muscle vessel and heart rate responses, expressed as per cent of maximum, to graded activations of arterial baroreceptors (sinus pressure variations) and stimulations of ventricular receptor afferents in the cardiac nerve were systematically compared. Cardiac nerve stimulation with low frequencies was found to elicit more pronounced reflex renal vessel responses than muscle vessel and heart rate responses. In contrast, elevations of sinus pressure induced equally pronounced renal and muscle vessel responses. High frequency cardiac nerve stimulation elicited maximal reflex renal vessel responses, but only submaximal effects on muscle vessels and heart rate, while intense baroreceptor stimulation induced maximal reflex effector responses throughout. The submaximal heart rate response to cardiac nerve stimulation is probably due to a simultaneous activation of excitatory afferents. On the other hand, the less pronounced muscle than renal vessel responses when the cardiac nerve was stimulated probably reflect a relatively sparse innervation of muscle vasomotor neurons by ventricular receptor afferents, which seem instead to be preferentially oriented towards renal vasomotor and, possibly, cardiac motor neurons.


Genetic and biochemical evaluation of natural rubber from Eastern Washington prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.).
Alternative sources of natural rubber are of importance due to economic, biological, and political threats that could diminish supplies of this resource. Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) synthesizes long-chain natural rubber and was studied to determine underlying genetic and phenotypic characteristics of rubber biosynthesis. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of an F2 segregating population using EST-SSR markers led to the discovery of genetic regions linked to natural rubber production. Interval mapping (IM) and multiple QTL mapping (MQM) identified several QTL in the mapping population that had significance based on LOD score thresholds. The discovered QTL and the corresponding local markers are genetic resources for understanding rubber biosynthesis in prickly lettuce and could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding. Prickly lettuce is an excellent candidate for elucidating the rubber synthesis mechanism and has potential as a crop plant for rubber production.


Comparative in vivo lead mobilization of meso- and rac-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids in albino Wistar rats.
Comparison of the racemic and meso forms of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in lead mobilization from lead-loaded albino Wistar rats demonstrates that the racemic form is significantly more effective in reducing femur lead levels. After four oral doses at 0.5 mmol/kg, femur lead levels were reduced to 87% of control values by meso-DMSA and to 50% of control levels by rac-DMSA. Similarly, when the dose was increased to 1.0 mmol/kg, femur lead levels were reduced to 69% of control levels by meso-DMSA and to 45% of control levels by rac-DMSA. A similar pattern was found for renal lead levels. Brain lead concentrations were significantly lower in treated groups than in control groups, but no differences were found between rac- and meso-DMSA. Rac-DMSA is more soluble than meso-DMSA in acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, and ethyl ether. The partition coefficient of rac-DMSA in the n-octanol/water system was found to be about 2.8. These results indicate that rac-DMSA deserves further attention as a possible substitute for meso-DMSA.


Risk factors for vascular complications in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
The major cause of death in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is vascular complications, including congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and myocardial infarction. To clarify the risk factors for vascular complications in patients on PD, we investigated the clinical course of PD in patients with and without cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. From among 327 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients initiated onto PD from April 1995 to March 2005 in the Kidney and Dialysis Center, Saitama Medical School, 8 developed de novo cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications (CVD group--mean age: 58.3 +/- 4.9 years; 5 men, 3 women). We compared data pertaining to body weight, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) between the CVD group and an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 8; mean age: 57.5 +/- 4.0 years). At baseline, we observed no significant differences of body weight, blood pressure, CTR, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, or serum albumin between the CVD group and the control group. In the CVD group, 1 month before the onset of CVD, serum albumin was significantly lower than in the control group (2.9 +/- 0.2 g/dL vs. 3.8 +/- 0.1 g/dL, p = 0.0029). Body weight in the CVD group was significantly lower than in the control group (56.8 +/- 2.8 kg vs. 63.0 +/- 2.9 kg, p = 0.0086). No significant differences were observed in blood pressure, CTR, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, or HbA1c between the groups. A decrease in serum albumin after commencement of dialysis is an important risk factor for, and a strong predictor of vascular complications in patients on PD. To help prevent vascular complications, it is important to monitor and manage serum albumin in patients on PD.


Aberrant blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal oscillations across frequency bands characterize the alcoholic brain.
Chronic alcoholism is associated with widespread regional differences from controls in brain activity and connectivity dynamics measured by blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals. Identification of alcoholism-related neurofunctional power dynamics using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that relate to cognition and behavior may serve as biomarkers of alcoholism. Previously, resting-state fMRI studies examined BOLD signals at a single low-frequency (LF) bandwidth. BOLD signals, however, oscillate systematically at different frequencies and are organized in a resting brain where LF oscillation facilitates long-distance communication between regions across cortical regions, whereas high-frequency (HF) oscillation occurs in closely localized, subcortical areas. Using a frequency power quantification approach, we investigated whether the organization of BOLD signal oscillations across all measured frequency bandwidths is altered in alcoholism and relates to cognitive performance. Frequency-dependent oscillation power differences between 56 sober alcoholics and 56 healthy controls occurred for all frequency bands. Alcoholics exhibited greater frequency oscillation power in the orbitofrontal cortex and less power in the posterior insula within the HF bandwidth than controls. Aberrant orbitofrontal HF power was associated with poorer memory performance and slower psychomotor speed in alcoholics. Middle-frequency and LF power proved sensitive in detecting altered frequency oscillation dynamics in parietal and postcentral cortical regions of alcoholics. This study is novel in identifying alcohol-related differences in BOLD oscillation power of the full fMRI frequency bandwidth. Specifically, HF power aberrations were associated with poorer cognitive functioning in alcoholism and may serve as a biomarker for identifying neural targets for repair.


Biologic Keyhole Mesh in Hiatal Hernia Repair.
Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR) is the new standard, but the use of mesh is still debated. Biologic mesh has shown great promise, but only the U-shaped onlay has been extensively studied. Postoperative dysphagia has historically been a concern with the use of synthetic keyhole mesh and subsequently slowed its adoption. The purpose of our study was to identify the incidence of postoperative dysphagia in a series of patients who underwent laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with novel placement of keyhole biologic mesh. Thirty consecutive patients who underwent hernia repair with primary suture cruroplasty and human acellular dermal matrix keyhole mesh reinforcement were reviewed over a 2-year period. All procedures were performed at a single institution. Postoperative symptoms were retrospectively identified. Any postoperative hernia on imaging was defined as radiographic recurrence. Of the 30 consecutive patients who underwent hernia repair, 3 (10%) had mild preoperative dysphagia. The number remained unchanged after LPEHR with keyhole mesh. Return of mild reflux symptoms occurred in 6 (20%) patients. Repeat imaging was performed in 11 patients (37%) at an average of 8 months with 2 slight recurrences. All hernias were classified on preoperative imaging as large hiatal hernias. There were no postoperative complications. Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with biologic keyhole mesh reinforcement has a low recurrence rate and no increase in postoperative dysphagia. The traditional belief that keyhole mesh has a higher incidence of dysphagia was not evident in this series.


Effects of biguanides and sulfonylureas on insulin receptors in cultured cells.
The effects of the two groups of oral agents on insulin receptors were studied in several types of cells in tissue culture: MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, IM-9 human lymphocytes, human fibroblasts, and H-35 rat hepatoma cells. In none of these cells did the four sulfonylureas tested, tolbutamide, glibenclamide (glyburide), gliclazide, and glisolamide, have any significant effects on insulin binding to its receptor. In contrast the two biguanides tested, phenformin and metformin, increased insulin binding in all cell types by 44 to 101%. These studies raise the possibility, therefore, that biguanides may have a direct effect on insulin receptors and this effect may account for the known effects of biguanides to lower elevated blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.


Influence of Hulling, Cleaning and Brushing/Polishing of (Pseudo)Cereal Grains on Compositional Characteristics.
(Pseudo)cereal grains have been the basis of human nutrition for thousands of years. The various types of cereals are usually harvested by grain harvesters and must be technologically processed in different ways before consumption. In addition to genotype and growing conditions, the compositional characteristics of the (pseudo)cereal grains are highly dependent on the processes used. In the present study, the effects of hulling, cleaning and brushing/polishing wheat, spelt, oat, barley, common and Tartary buckwheat grains and their fractions on physical parameters (thousand kernel weight, kernel width, fractional yield) and nutritional characteristics (protein, fat, β-glucan, macro- and microelements) were investigated. Grain samples contained 22.7-148.5 mg/g protein, 4.5-69.6 mg/g fat and 0.5-54.4 mg/g β-glucan. The content of macro- (K, Mg, P, S, Ca) and microelements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Na, Cu, Cr, Mo) varied considerably among the studied (pseudo)cereals and their grain fractions. Analysis of variance showed that species and fractions significantly influenced most of the analyzed characteristics. However, the composition of the edible fractions was not significantly dependent on the brushing/polishing process.


Comparing crowding in human and ideal observers.
A visual target is more difficult to recognize when it is surrounded by other, similar objects. This breakdown in object recognition is known as crowding. Despite a long history of experimental work, computational models of crowding are still sparse. Specifically, few studies have examined crowding using an ideal-observer approach. Here, we compare crowding in ideal observers with crowding in humans. We derived an ideal-observer model for target identification under conditions of position and identity uncertainty. Simulations showed that this model reproduces the hallmark of crowding, namely a critical spacing that scales with viewing eccentricity. To examine how well the model fits quantitatively to human data, we performed three experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, we measured observers' perceptual uncertainty about stimulus positions and identities, respectively, for a target in isolation. In Experiment 3, observers identified a target that was flanked by two distractors. We found that about half of the errors in Experiment 3 could be accounted for by the perceptual uncertainty measured in Experiments 1 and 2. The remainder of the errors could be accounted for by assuming that uncertainty (i.e., the width of internal noise distribution) about stimulus positions and identities depends on flanker proximity. Our results provide a mathematical restatement of the crowding problem and support the hypothesis that crowding behavior is a sign of optimality rather than a perceptual defect.