Associations of psychosocial factors with pregnancy healthy life styles.
Healthy behaviors in pregnant women have a major effect on pregnancy outcomes; however, only few studies have explored the relationship of multiple psychosocial factors with healthy lifestyles during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the five psychosocial factors of anxiety, stress, depression, marital dissatisfaction, and social support are associated with six domains of healthy lifestyles in pregnant women, including nutrition, physical activity, health responsibility, stress management, interpersonal relationships, and self-actualization. In this cross-sectional study, 445 pregnant women from the obstetrics clinics of the teaching hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences were included. The subjects answered six questionnaires, including the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Beck Depression Inventory, Prenatal Distress Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Social Support Questionnaire, and Marital Satisfaction Scale. We developed a series of simple linear regression models based on each subscale of lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, health responsibility, stress management, interpersonal relationships, and self-actualization) as the dependent variables and the five psychological variables (anxiety, stress, depression, marital dissatisfaction, and social support) as the independent variables. State and trait anxieties were the strongest negative predictors of all aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, depression was negatively associated with all of the six subscales of a healthy lifestyle. Pregnancy-specific stress was the only negative predictor of stress management and self-actualization. Marital dissatisfaction was negatively associated with nutrition, stress management, health responsibility, and self-actualization. Social support had negative and positive associations with healthy behaviors. The study suggests that more attention should be paid to identifying the psychological risk factors in pregnancy in addition to providing suitable interventions for improving the lifestyle of pregnant women.


2-deoxy-D-glucose induces oxidative stress and cell killing in human neuroblastoma cells.
Malignant cells have a demonstrably greater sensitivity to glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity than normal cells. This has been hypothesized to be due to a higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cancer cells leading to the increased need for reducing equivalents, produced by glucose metabolism, to detoxify hydroperoxides. Because complete glucose deprivation cannot be achieved in vivo, it has been proposed that agents that antagonize glucose metabolism, such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), can mimic in vitro glucose deprivation that selectively kills cancer cells by oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, neuroblastoma cell lines were treated with 2DG and the effects on clonogenic survival and the distribution of cellular phenotypes among surviving colonies was determined. The results showed that all three major cell types found in neuroblastoma (Schwann, Neuronal and Intermediate) were sensitive to 2DG-induced clonogenic cell killing. Furthermore, treatment with the thiol antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine or with polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase and catalase, protected neuroblastoma cells from 2DG-induced cell killing. Finally normal non-immortalized neural precursor cells were relatively resistant to 2DG-induced cell killing when compared to neuroblastoma cell lines. These results support the hypothesis that inhibitors of glucose metabolism could represent useful adjuvants in the treatment of neuroblastoma by selectively enhancing metabolic oxidative stress.


[Investigation of Computed Tomography Exposure Dose for Whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT Examination in Chugoku-Shikoku Regions].
We investigated the way of thinking about the CT dose setting, the exposure dose (CTDIvol, DLP) and the image quality (standard deviation of liver: SDliver) of whole-body PET/CT examinations in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions for the optimized CT dose setting. It was researched in the target 29 facilities which is equipped with 18F-FDG, PET/CT scanner in that regions. We examined how to determine the dose of complete physical PET/CT setting, the CT radiation dose (CTDIvol and DLP) and the image quality of CT fusion image that is the standard deviation of liver CT value in each facility. The optimized CT dose was lower than the diagnostic CT in many facilities. The 75th percentile CTDIvol was 6.01 mGy. The 75th percentile DLP was 560.9 mGy ×cm. The SDliver was 14.6±5.3 HU. The CT condition was low setting in comparison with diagnostic CT in many facilities. The exposure dose was lower than the diagnostic CT dose. The image quality of the normal region of liver was very close to the diagnostic CT. Even though it was low dose, images were less noise components.


Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers isolated from the pen shell Atrina pectinata (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pinnidae).
In this study, we isolated 21 novel polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from the pen shell Atrina pectinata using magnetic-bead hybridization enrichment. The characteristics of these loci were tested using a population of 30 individuals collected from the Penglai coast, Shandong Province. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 13, and polymorphism information content (PIC) varied from 0.1730 to 0.8954. Values for observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.0714 to 0.9231 and from 0.1948 to 0.9237, respectively. Four loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The newly developed microsatellite markers will be beneficial in assessing the genetic diversity, population structure and genetic conservation of A. pectinata, and in other relevant research.


The Tumor Entity Denominated "clear cell-papillary renal cell carcinoma" According to the WHO 2016 new Classification, have the Clinical Characters of a Renal Cell Adenoma as does Harbor a Benign Outcome.
The new WHO 2016 classification of renal neoplasia encounters the new entity called "clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma" (ccpRCC). The ccpRCC has been long included as a subtype of clear cell RCC histotype and it actually ranges from 2 to 9% in different routinely available cohort of renal carcinomas. Of important note, ccpRCC does not show any recurrences or metastases or lymph-node invasion and the outcome is always good. We reviewed twenty-four publications with available follow-up for patients (no. 362) affected by clear cell papillary RCCs/renal adenomatoid tumours and notably ccpRCC harbors an indolent clinical behavior after a mean of 38 months (3,5 years) of follow-up. This paper reviews the histological, molecular and clinical features characterizing ccpRCC, with the goal of focusing the knowledge of the benign fashion of this new tumour entity, supporting the idea of a new renal cell adenoma recruited morphologically from ex conventional clear cell RCC tumours.


Potential role of vitamin K(2) as a chemopreventive agent against hepatocellular carcinoma.
Vitamin K, a cofactor necessary for the production of several antihemorrhagic factors, can inhibit the growth of various types of cells derived from neoplasms. In hepatoma cells, vitamin K(2) causes cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Vitamin K(2) is widely used in Japan to treat osteoporosis. The safety, relatively low cost and ease of use of vitamin K(2) have led to good compliance with treatment. The result of preliminary clinical trials in patients with chronic liver diseases are intriguing and suggest that vitamin K(2) might reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis as well as prevent disease recurrence after curative therapy in patients with HCC. This article reviews the potential role of vitamin K(2) as a chemopreventive agent against HCC and discusses future directions for clinical trials.


3-Acyl dihydroflavonols from poplar resins collected by honey bees are active against the bee pathogens Paenibacillus larvae and Ascosphaera apis.
Honey bees, Apis mellifera, collect antimicrobial plant resins from the environment and deposit them in their nests as propolis. This behavior is of practical concern to beekeepers since the presence of propolis in the hive has a variety of benefits, including the suppression of disease symptoms. To connect the benefits that bees derive from propolis with particular resinous plants, we determined the identity and botanical origin of propolis compounds active against bee pathogens using bioassay-guided fractionation against the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood. Eleven dihydroflavonols were isolated from propolis collected in Fallon, NV, including pinobanksin-3-octanoate. This hitherto unknown derivative and five other 3-acyl-dihydroflavonols showed inhibitory activity against both P. larvae (IC50 = 17-68 μM) and Ascosphaera apis (IC50 = 8-23 μM), the fungal agent of chalkbrood. A structure-activity relationship between acyl group size and antimicrobial activity was found, with longer acyl groups increasing activity against P. larvae and shorter acyl groups increasing activity against A. apis. Finally, it was determined that the isolated 3-acyl-dihydroflavonols originated from Populus fremontii, and further analysis showed these compounds can also be found in other North American Populus spp.


Neurotoxicity induced by taxane-derived drugs: analysis of the FAERS database 2017-2021.
Taxane-related neurotoxicity is a frequent clinical problem but lacks postmarketing data regarding neurological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the potential association between neurological adverse events and several taxanederived drugs via the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Disproportionality analysis was applied to data mining of the suspected cases of neurological disorders after using different taxanes based on the FAERS data from January 2017 and December 2021. We also investigated the times to onset, fatality, and hospitalization proportions of taxanerelated neurotoxicity. In total, 3,940 cases were screened out, which were more prevalent in elderly patients and females. Peripheral neuropathy was a common adverse event among all taxanes with relatively strong association. Generally, the median time to neurological adverse effect onset was 27 days (interquartile range, 11.0 ~ 78.0 days) following taxane regimens, and the majority of cases were detected within the first 30 days. Among cases of neurological adverse events treated with taxane, the fatality and hospitalization proportions were 6.13% and 28.63%, respectively. By analyzing the FAERS data, we provided a detailed profile of neurotoxicity and different taxanes in detail in terms of clinical characteristics, time to onset, and patient outcomes.


Spinal infections.
Spinal infections can occur in a variety of clinical situations. Their presentation ranges from the infant with diskitis who is unwilling to crawl or walk to the adult who develops an infection after a spinal procedure. The most common types of spinal infections are hematogenous bacterial or fungal infections, pediatric diskitis, epidural abscess, and postoperative infections. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of spinal infections, the cornerstone of treatment, requires a high index of suspicion in at-risk patients and the appropriate evaluation to identify the organism and determine the extent of infection. Neurologic function and spinal stability also should be carefully evaluated. The goals of therapy should include eradicating the infection, relieving pain, preserving or restoring neurologic function, improving nutrition, and maintaining spinal stability.


Proteomic analysis of IgM antigens from mammary tissue under pre- and post-cancer conditions using the MMTV-PyVT mouse model.
We analyzed the recognition of tumor antigens by IgM in transgenic MMTV-PyVT mice. PyVT female mice are a model of breast cancer that simulates its counterpart in humans. The PyVT model allows studying antigen recognition in two conditions: before and during tumor expression. We attempted to identify by sequence, the antigens recognized by IgM that are expressed or disappear in the membrane of breast transgenic tissue during the transition "No tumor-Tumor". 2D immunoblots were obtained of isolated membranes from the breast tissue in the fifth, sixth, and seventh week (transition point). Proteins recognized by IgM were sequenced in duplicate by MALDI-TOF. In the transition, we observed the disappearance of antigens in transgenic mice with respect to non-transgenic ones. We believe that in the diagnosis of cancer in its early stages, the expression of early antigens is as important as their early delocalization, with the latter having the advantage that, under normal conditions, we can know which proteins should be present at a given time. Therefore, we could consider that also the absence of antigens could be considered as a biomarker of cancer in progress.


Mutual expectations in the process of joining a dental health group.
Productivity can be seriously affected when new persons join an existing group and little or no attention is given to the process by which that person becomes a member of the group practice. Parallels can be drawn between organizational management and the functioning of the dental team. Observations were made of three clinicians who attempted to join an existing dental delivery group. There are some predictable phases through which the joiner passes to acceptance or lack of acceptance in an existing group. Recommendations for groups to consider before either hiring or training members of a dental health group are given.


The role of type III collagen in spontaneous cervical arterial dissections.
A case-control study was carried out to investigate whether type III collagen deficiency plays a role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous cervical arterial dissections. In 16 patients with spontaneous cervical arterial dissections and in 41 healthy controls, protein analysis of type III collagen (ratio of type III/type I collagen) was performed. Furthermore, single-stranded conformation polymorphism/heteroduplex analysis was used to investigate the type III collagen gene in the 16 patients with spontaneous cervical dissections to detect mutations. The ratios of type III/type I collagen in the controls ranged from 5.5 to 19.8% (median, 10%). The ratios of type III/type I collagen in the patients with spontaneous cervical arterial dissections ranged from 3.2 to 17.9% (median, 9.3%). Two patients had a low ratio of type III/type I collagen (<5.5%). No abnormalities suggesting a mutation in the gene of type III collagen were demonstrated in any of the 16 patients. Our findings are in keeping with the hypothesis that a reduced production of type III collagen may contribute to the formation of spontaneous cervical arterial dissections in some patients. The absence of a responsible mutation indicates that the coding sequence of the type III collagen gene is not involved.


Analysis of brain and muscle activity during low-level tooth clenching--a feasibility study with a novel biting device.
In electromyographic (EMG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, muscle and brain activity was compared during low levels of tooth clenching using a novel biting device to control bite force. A total of 21 healthy subjects performed motor tasks, comprising tooth clenching at 5, 10 and 20 N. During all measurements, subjects kept the novel bite device between the anterior teeth during tooth clenching. The EMG study (n = 15) characterised jaw muscle activity for the three motor tasks and demonstrated significant differences in root mean square (RMS) EMG amplitude between 5-, 10- and 20-N tooth clenching (F = 46.21, P < 0.001). There were no differences in variability of muscle activity between the three tooth-clenching levels. In an fMRI pilot study (n = 6), statistical comparisons were used to identify brain regions with significant activation in the subtraction of baseline from 5- or 20-N tooth-clenching activity. 5- and 20-N tooth clenching significantly and bilaterally activated the sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum and basal ganglia (P < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons). However, activation of each brain region did not differ significantly between two tooth-clenching tasks. Based on these preliminary findings, we propose that the novel biting device may be useful in further fMRI studies on controlled jaw muscle activation patterns in different craniofacial pain conditions. In addition, our fMRI result suggests that there are no significant differences in brain activity within low levels of tooth clenching with controlled force.


Angiotensin II stimulates synthesis of vascular smooth muscle cell proteoglycans with enhanced low density lipoprotein binding properties.
One mechanism by which Angiotensin II (AII) may promote atherogenesis is through modulation of proteoglycan (PG) metabolism by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of AII on PG synthesis by human aortic SMC and the ability of the newly synthesized PG to bind low density lipoprotein (LDL). AII stimulated PG synthesis by SMC in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the presence of 1 microM AII, medium and cellular PG increased by 73 and 97%, respectively. AII caused a 55% increase in biglycan mRNA which resulted in a 52% increase in biglycan synthesis. Losartan, an AII receptor antagonist, and broad and isoform-specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors abolished the AII-induced up-regulation of PG synthesis. Moreover, direct activation of PKC with phorbol ester stimulated PG synthesis significantly. Similarly, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase also caused inhibition of PG synthesis. AII increased the size and charge density of the newly synthesized PG. In addition, AII stimulated the synthesis of PG that bound LDL with very high affinity by 2.5-fold to 3-fold over control. These results suggest that the AII-mediated alterations in vascular SMC PG metabolism may contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.


Pharmacotherapy for performance anxiety disorders: occasionally useful but typically contraindicated.
Pharmacotherapy is an effective part of treatment for most anxiety disorders, but not for specific phobia or performance anxiety. In them it is contraindicated, because it interferes with the effectiveness of exposure therapies and the extinction of fear responses. Interference with exposure-extinction is a drug side effect that should rarely if ever be tolerated in treating them. This article reviews the many indications for pharmacotherapy in treating most anxiety disorders and contrasts its usefulness in treatment of anxiety disorders with its relatively rare usefulness in treating specific phobias and performance anxiety. In both the latter disorders, benzodiazepines interfere with exposure and generally are best avoided, although temporary use, with safeguards, can sometimes be helpful for a specific phobia. The recent discovery that D-cycloserine (DCS) facilitates exposure and the extinction of anxiety offers promise that it could in the future be usefully and broadly employed to catalyze and enhance exposure therapies.


Divergent approach to nanoscale glycomicelles and photo-responsive supramolecular glycogels. Implications for drug delivery and photoswitching lectin affinity.
The field of stimuli-responsive supramolecular biomaterials has rapidly advanced in recent years, with potential applications in diverse areas such as cancer theranostics, tissue engineering, and catalysis. However, designing molecular materials that exhibit predetermined hierarchical self-assembly to control the size, morphology, surface chemistry, and responsiveness of the final nanostructures remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a divergent synthetic approach for the fabrication of spherical micelles and functional 1D-glyconanotube-based photoresponsive gels from structurally related diazobenzene/diacetylene glycolipids. The resulting nanostructures were characterized using NMR, TEM, and SEM, confirming the formation of spherical and tubular nanostructures in both the gel and solution states. Upon UV irradiation, a reversible gel-sol transition was observed, resulting from the photoswitching of the azobenzene unit from the stretched trans form to the compact, metastable cis form. Our gels were shown to enable spatio-temporal control of the adhesion and release of the lectin Concanavalin A, demonstrating potential use as regenerable biomaterials to fight against infections with toxins and pathogens. Additionally, our micelles and gels were evaluated as nanocontainers for loading and controlled release of hydrophobic dyes and antitumoural agents, suggesting their possible use as smart theranostic drug delivery systems.


Antidepressant Use and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Studies provided conflicting results on whether antidepressant use increased the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our aim was to examine the association between antidepressant use and the risk of VTE. Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to March 13, 2018. Case-control studies and cohort studies that examined the association between antidepressant use and the risk of VTE, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were included. Several subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. Nine studies (six case-control studies and three cohort studies) were included. Overall, antidepressant use may be associated with an increased risk of VTE (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.49); however, no association was observed in studies with low risk of bias (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.92). No association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and VTE risk was detected in the overall analysis (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.34) and in subgroup analysis of studies with low risk of bias. Tricyclic antidepressant may be associated with an increased VTE risk (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57), and the quality of evidence was rated as very low by GRADE approach; however, no association was observed when we only included studies with low risk of bias. There was no association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and VTE risk. Tricyclic antidepressant may be associated with an increased VTE risk, but the quality of evidence was very low.


Pharmacological properties of bis-beta-hydroxypropylmalonic acid dilactone derivatives.
Acute toxicity and the action on CNS (employing behavioural tests) of bis-beta-hydroxypropylmalonic acid dilactone (D1) and its four derivatives (D2--D5) were investigated (Table 1) in mice and rats. The studied compounds showed low toxicity and were sometimes active just from high doses. D1 can be regarded as a sedative--hypnotic compound. In animals, the substituted dilactones induced the symptoms similar to those of tranquilizers.


The unusual toxicity and stability properties of crude venom from isolated nematocysts of Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa).
We have firstly investigated the toxicological activity by hemolytic assay of crude extract obtained by sonication of holotrichous isorhiza isolated nematocysts of the Scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca, collected in the Strait of Messina. The hemolytic activity was both time- and dose-dependent on fish, rabbit, chicken and human red blood cells. At lowest doses rabbit and chicken erythrocytes were the most sensitive, whereas those of eel were the most resistant to the crude extract. Different storage conditions, such as -20 degrees C, -80 degrees C for up to 6 months and lyophilization, did not affect the stability of crude venom. Moreover, neither treatment at 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C for different time periods ranging between 30 min and 24 h, nor harsh thermal treatment at 80 degrees C and 100 degrees C affected the hemolytic power. The crude venom resulted even stable towards proteolysis and alkaline pH values.


"Unfit for human consumption": tuberculosis and the problem of infected meat in late Victorian Britain.
By the 1890s, questions about tuberculous meat in Britain served to transform the issue of infected meat from an ill-defined to a concrete threat. Veterinarians, building on European inoculation (or transmission) experiments, played a prominent part in constructing the debate, with medical officers of health following. With the emergence of bacteriology in the 1880s, a consensus emerged about the dangers of tuberculous meat: Robert Koch's identification of the tubercle bacillus in 1882, and the connection he saw between bovine tuberculosis and the disease in man, provided confirmation of the disease's danger to man. It was from this point that veterinary and public health interests diverged. Whereas a general agreement had been reached, the extent of the problem remained open to doubt. Confusion revolved around two issues: the localization of infection, and the question of cooking. The latter was thought to make tuberculous meat "safe," as attention shifted to the problem of milk; whereas the former frustrated efforts to combat the sale of meat showing signs of infection.


Inhibition of intrahepatic bile duct dilation of the polycystic kidney rat with a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib.
The polycystic kidney (PCK) rat represents a liver and kidney cyst pathology corresponding to Caroli's disease with congenital hepatic fibrosis and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. We previously reported that an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib (Iressa), significantly inhibited the abnormal growth of biliary epithelial cells of PCK rats in vitro. This study investigated the effects of gefitinib on cyst pathogenesis of the PCK rat both in vitro and in vivo. A three-dimensional culture model of biliary epithelial cells in the collagen gel matrix was used for in vitro analysis. For in vivo experiments, PCK and control rats were treated with gefitinib between 3 and 10 weeks of age. In vitro, gefitinib had strong inhibitory effects on biliary cyst formation of PCK rats. In vivo, treatment with gefitinib significantly inhibited the cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts of PCK rats, which was accompanied by improvement of liver fibrosis. By contrast, no beneficial effects were observed on renal cyst development because of the treatment. These results suggest that signaling pathways mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor are involved in biliary dysgenesis of the PCK rat, with the mechanisms of cyst progression being different between the liver and kidney.


Exclusive Activation of Caspase-3 in Mossy Fibers and Altered Dynamics of Autophagy Markers in the Mice Hippocampus upon Status Epilepticus Induced by Kainic Acid.
Epileptic seizures are generally associated with pathological changes in the hippocampus such as astrogliosis, mossy fiber sprouting, and neuronal damage. However, more than 30% of temporal lobe epilepsy in humans shows neither neuronal damage nor mossy fiber sprouting despite chronic epileptic seizures. A similar situation exists in certain commonly used strains of mice, specifically C57BL/6 and BALB/c, which exhibit epileptic seizures, but no neuronal damage upon kainic acid administration. This suggests that intrinsic factors may influence the pathological manifestations of epilepsy. Mechanisms which are behind the resistance of hippocampal cells to KA-induced neuronal death are unknown. Autophagy seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of many brain insults and to have a dual nature in neuroprotection and cell death. This study addresses the role of autophagy upon status epilepticus (SE) that has been induced by kainic acid (KA) in the C57BL/6 strain which is classified as seizure resistant. We analyzed the dynamics in the expression of autophagic and cell death markers in the hippocampus upon SE. Immunofluorescence data show that KA did not induce neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1-CA3 subfields; however, it leads to an exclusive activation of caspase-3 in the mossy fibers. We also found alterations in the expression of core proteins of the autophagic machinery. Levels of MAP1LC3, phospho-mTOR/mTOR, and Beclin 1 were significantly increased after induction of seizures. However, levels of Atg3, Atg14, Atg5-Atg12, Atg7, BAG3, Hsp70, and LAMP1 showed no significant alterations compared to controls. Although KA did not induce neuronal death, this study provides morphological and biochemical evidence that status epilepticus induced by KA activates caspase-3 in mossy fibers and induces autophagy in the C57BL/6 hippocampus. These data indicate that autophagic factors may modulate the sensitivity of pyramidal cells to KA and that autophagy may constitute a part of an endogenous neuroprotective arsenal which might be behind the resistance of C57BL/6-hippocampal cells to KA-induced neuronal death.


Evidence for a cascade model of lexical access in speech production.
How word production unfolds remains controversial. Serial models posit that phonological encoding begins only after lexical node selection, whereas cascade models hold that it can occur before selection. Both models were evaluated by testing whether unselected lexical nodes influence phonological encoding in the picture-picture interference paradigm. English speakers were shown pairs of superimposed pictures and were instructed to name one picture and ignore another. Naming was faster when target pictures were paired with phonologically related (bed-bell) than with unrelated (bed-pin) distractors. This suggests that the unspoken distractors exerted a phonological influence on production. This finding is inconsistent with serial models but in line with cascade ones. The facilitation effect was not replicated in Italian with the same pictures, supporting the view that the effect found in English was caused by the phonological properties of the stimuli.


Comparative Toxicities and Cost of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy, Proton Radiation, and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Among Younger Men With Prostate Cancer.
Purpose To compare the toxicities and cost of proton radiation and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer among men younger than 65 years of age with private insurance. Methods Using the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database, we identified men who received radiation for prostate cancer between 2008 and 2015. Patients undergoing proton therapy and SBRT were propensity score-matched to IMRT patients on the basis of clinical and sociodemographic factors. Proportional hazards models compared the cumulative incidence of urinary, bowel, and erectile dysfunction toxicities by treatment. Cost from a payer's perspective was calculated from claims and adjusted to 2015 dollars. Results A total of 693 proton therapy patients were matched to 3,465 IMRT patients. Proton therapy patients had a lower risk of composite urinary toxicity (33% v 42% at 2 years; P < .001) and erectile dysfunction (21% v 28% at 2 years; P < .001), but a higher risk of bowel toxicity (20% v 15% at 2 years; P = .02). Mean radiation cost was $115,501 for proton therapy patients and $59,012 for IMRT patients ( P < .001). A total of 310 SBRT patients were matched to 3,100 IMRT patients. There were no significant differences in composite urinary, bowel, or erectile dysfunction toxicities between SBRT and IMRT patients ( P > .05), although a higher risk of urinary fistula was noted with SBRT (1% v 0.1% at 2 years; P = .009). Mean radiation cost for SBRT was $49,504 and $57,244 for IMRT ( P < .001). Conclusion Among younger men with prostate cancer, proton radiation was associated with significant reductions in urinary toxicity but increased bowel toxicity at nearly twice the cost of IMRT. SBRT and IMRT were associated with similar toxicity profiles; SBRT was modestly less expensive than IMRT.


Approach to multispectral thermometry with Planck formula and hybrid metaheuristic optimization algorithm.
Accurate temperature measurement has significant implications for product quality, industrial process control, and scientific research. As a non-contact temperature measurement method with broad application prospects, multispectral thermometry still poses significant challenges in data processing. Currently, most multispectral thermometry methods use the Wien approximation equation to construct the objective function. However, the use of the Wien approximation equation is conditional and generally applicable only to low temperatures or short wavelengths. In this paper, what we believe is a new data processing model of multispectral thermometry is established based on the Planck formula; Additionally, a feasible region constraint method is proposed to constrain the emissivity range; By utilizing a hybrid metaheuristic optimization algorithm based on differential evolution (DE) and multi-population genetic (MPG) algorithms, the simulation results of six different models and experimental results of silicon carbide demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves an average relative error in temperature measurement within 0.42% and a random relative error within 0.79%. The average computation time for each temperature inversion is approximately 0.26 seconds. The accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm ensure that it can be applied to real-time temperature measurement in industrial field.


Reversal of cyanide inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase by the auxiliary substrate nitric oxide: an endogenous antidote to cyanide poisoning?
Nitric oxide (NO) is shown to overcome the cyanide inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase in the presence of excess ferrocytochrome c and oxygen. Addition of NO to the partially reduced cyanide-inhibited form of the bovine enzyme is shown by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to result in substitution of cyanide at ferriheme a3 by NO with reduction of the heme. The resulting nitrosylferroheme a3 is a 5-coordinate structure, the proximal bond to histidine having been broken. NO does not simply act as a reversibly bound competitive inhibitor but is an auxiliary substrate consumed in a catalytic cycle along with ferrocytochrome c and oxygen. The implications of this observation with regard to estimates of steady-state NO levels in vivo is discussed. Given the multiple sources of NO available to mitochondria, the present results appear to explain in part some of the curious biomedical observations reported by other laboratories; for example, the kidneys of cyanide poisoning victims surprisingly exhibit no significant irreversible damage, and lethal doses of potassium cyanide are able to inhibit cytochrome c oxidase activity by only approximately 50% in brain mitochondria.


A computational model of afterimage rotation in the peripheral drift illusion based on retinal ON/OFF responses.
Human observers perceive illusory rotations after the disappearance of circularly repeating patches containing dark-to-light luminance. This afterimage rotation is a very powerful phenomenon, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying it. Here, we use a computational model to show that the afterimage rotation can be explained by a combination of fast light adaptation and the physiological architecture of the early visual system, consisting of ON- and OFF-type visual pathways. In this retinal ON/OFF model, the afterimage rotation appeared as a rotation of focus lines of retinal ON/OFF responses. Focus lines rotated clockwise on a light background, but counterclockwise on a dark background. These findings were consistent with the results of psychophysical experiments, which were also performed by us. Additionally, the velocity of the afterimage rotation was comparable with that observed in our psychophysical experiments. These results suggest that the early visual system (including the retina) is responsible for the generation of the afterimage rotation, and that this illusory rotation may be systematically misinterpreted by our high-level visual system.


Refractory kaposiform lymphangiomatosis relieved by splenectomy.
Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA) is a rare and complex lymphatic anomaly with a poor prognosis. There is no standard treatment, and drug therapies are the most common therapeutic method. However, some patients' symptoms become gradually aggravated despite medical treatment. Splenectomy may be an alternative option when pharmacological therapies are ineffective. We reviewed and evaluated the cases of 3 patients with KLA who ultimately underwent splenectomy. Results: The lesions were diffusely distributed and involved the lungs and spleens of the 3 patients. Laboratory examinations revealed that all three patients had thrombocytopenia and reduced fibrinogen levels. All patients underwent symptomatic splenectomy after the medication failed. Surprisingly, their symptoms greatly improved. Histopathological investigation of the splenic lesions of the three patients confirmed the diagnosis of KLA. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for CD31, CD34, podoplanin, Prox-1 and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). This study aimed to review the features of KLA patients treated by splenectomy and explore the underlying link between splenectomy and prognosis. The reason for the improvement after splenectomy may be related to increased Ang-2 levels and platelet activation in patients with KLA. Future research should seek to develop more targeted drugs based on molecular findings, which may give new hope for the treatment of KLA.


Absence of human bocavirus in atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
An association has been proposed between atherosclerosis and several organisms. We investigated 50 carotid atherosclerotic plaques by real-time polymerase chain reaction for human bocavirus (HBoV). HBoV DNA was not detected in any of the specimens. Future studies are warranted to prove or disprove the role of infectious pathogens, including HBoV, in atherosclerosis.


[Cell technologies' application in practical andrology].
The article is devoted to new methods for treating men's erectile dysfunction using platelet-rich auto plasma and adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction. Recently, there has been increased interest in these methods due to their high level of efficiency and safety. Platelet-rich auto plasma and adipose tissue stromal vascular fraction have been successfully applied in different medical fields - traumatology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, etc. At the same time, efficacy and safety of these technologies has not yet been clinically studied from the perspective of evidence-based medicine.


Development and Usability Study of an Open-Access Interviewer-Administered Automated 24-h Dietary Recall Tool in Argentina: MAR24.
Background: Latin American countries show a fast-growing rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and diet is a critical risk factor that must be properly assessed. Automated dietary assessment tools to collect 24-h dietary recalls (24HR) are lacking in Argentina. Objective: This study aimed to develop an open-access automated tool (MAR24) for collecting 24HR using a multiple pass method and a database containing foods and recipes commonly consumed in Argentina. Methods: MAR24 was developed based on data from 1,285 24HR provided by male and female participants aged 18 to 68 years from the six Argentinian geographical regions. The main structure and interface of the tool were designed using Visual Basic for Applications programming language in Excel Microsoft Office 365, integrating the five steps of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Automated Multiple-Pass Method (AMPM) for the application of 24HR in Spanish. The tool underwent alpha testing and expert assessment to address structural and usability issues. Critical feedback and face validation from researchers and experienced dietitians, and repeated testing to collect 24HR were used to adjust and improve the tool. Results: A total of 968 food items and 100 standard Argentinian recipes were added to its database. MAR24 allows the estimation of the nutrient profile of dietary intake. The analytic food composition includes energy and 50 nutrients including water, macronutrients, total dietary fiber, total sugar, 10 minerals, 19 vitamins, eight fatty acids, cholesterol, ethyl alcohol, caffeine, and theobromine. MAR24 includes a user manual and technical manual to guide users to apply changes (e.g., add foods or recipes, or change food designation according to local terms) to fit different research and clinical applications. Conclusions: MAR24 is the first tool that uses the AMPM methodology for 24HR applications in Argentina. The tool may be used in clinical practice and clinical trials for monitoring purposes, and in validation of food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) for nutritional epidemiology studies addressing dietary-associated risk factors for NCDs.


Communication Tools for the Modern Doctor Bag. Physician Patient Communication Part 1: Beginning of a medical interview.
Effective physician patient communication is essential to best practice in medicine. Good communication with patients is critical in making the right diagnosis, improving compliance and overall outcomes for our patients (as well as improving physician satisfaction.) Communication skills can be learned and need to be taught, practiced and given the same emphasis as other core competencies in medicine. The focus of this article is on the Calgary-Cambridge Model for physician patient communication in the context of a medical interview. The beginning of a patient encounter is discussed, with emphasis on appropriate introductions and attentive active listening.


Esophageal motor disorders: how to bridge the gap between advanced diagnostic tools and paucity of therapeutic modalities?
High-resolution manometry has added significantly to our current understanding of esophageal motor function by providing improved detail and a data analysis paradigm that is more akin to an imaging format. Esophageal pressure topography provides a seamless dynamic representation of the pressure profile through the entire esophagus and thus, is able to eliminate movement artifact and also assess intrabolus pressure patterns as a surrogate for bolus transit mechanics. This has led to improved identification of anatomic landmarks and measurement of important physiological parameters (esophagogastric junction relaxation, distal latency, and contractile integrity). This research has bridged the gap into clinical practice by defining physiologically relevant phenotypes that may have prognostic significance and improve treatment decisions in achalasia, spasm, and hypercontractile disorders. However, more work is needed in determining the etiology of symptom generation in the context of normal or trivial motor dysfunction. This research will require new techniques to assess visceral hypersensitivity and alterations in central modulation of pain and discomfort.


Assessing the Global Risk of Establishment of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) using CLIMEX and MaxEnt Niche Models.
Accurate assessment of insect pest establishment risk is needed by national plant protection organizations to negotiate international trade of horticultural commodities that can potentially carry the pests and result in inadvertent introductions in the importing countries. We used mechanistic and correlative niche models to quantify and map the global patterns of the potential for establishment of codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.), a major pest of apples, peaches, pears, and other pome and stone fruits, and a quarantine pest in countries where it currently does not occur. The mechanistic model CLIMEX was calibrated using species-specific physiological tolerance thresholds, whereas the correlative model MaxEnt used species occurrences and climatic spatial data. Projected potential distribution from both models conformed well to the current known distribution of codling moth. None of the models predicted suitable environmental conditions in countries located between 20°N and 20°S potentially because of shorter photoperiod, and lack of chilling requirement (<60 d at ≤10°C) in these areas for codling moth to break diapause. Models predicted suitable conditions in South Korea and Japan where codling moth currently does not occur but where its preferred host species (i.e., apple) is present. Average annual temperature and latitude were the main environmental variables associated with codling moth distribution at global level. The predictive models developed in this study present the global risk of establishment of codling moth, and can be used for monitoring potential introductions of codling moth in different countries and by policy makers and trade negotiators in making science-based decisions.


Comparison of different egg albumen fractions as sources of ovomucin.
Ovomucin was fractionated from whole egg albumen, thick egg albumen, liquid egg albumen, and a liquid egg albumen filtration byproduct by using the isoelectric precipitation method. The amounts of ovomucin measured in the above-mentioned fractions were 280, 340, 500, and 520 mg per 100 g of albumen, respectively. There was great variation between the beta-ovomucin contents of the different albumen fractions. Whole egg albumen contained about 25 mg of beta-ovomucin in 100 g of albumen, whereas thick egg albumen, liquid egg albumen, and the filtration byproduct contained about 1.5, 3, and 5 times more beta-ovomucin, respectively, as compared to whole egg albumen. The results indicate that both the liquid egg albumen fraction and especially the filtration byproduct fraction appear to be potential sources of ovomucin when it is used as an ingredient for functional foods.


Gas-phase reactions of CF(+) with molecules of interstellar relevance.
We have studied the gas-phase reactions of CF(+) with 24 neutral species. Reaction rate constants and product branching fractions are measured at 298 K using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube. Experimental work is supported by computational chemistry calculations to provide insight into the reactivity of classes of neutral molecules. Reactions of CF(+) with small triatomic species and oxygen-containing organic molecules produce the stable molecule CO. The product branching fractions are discussed, and the potential energy surfaces for a few representative reactions are examined. CF(+) is highly reactive with complex molecules and will likely be destroyed in dense environments in the interstellar medium. However, the lack of reactivity with small diatomic molecules will likely enable its survival in diffuse regions.


Protactinium-231 and thorium-230 abundances and high scavenging rates in the western arctic ocean
The Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean, largely ice covered and isolated from deep contact with the more dynamic Eurasian Basin by the Lomonosov Ridge, has historically been considered an area of low productivity and particle flux and sluggish circulation. High-sensitivity mass-spectrometric measurements of the naturally occurring radionuclides protactinium-231 and thorium-230 in the deep Canada Basin and on the adjacent shelf indicate high particle fluxes and scavenging rates in this region. The thorium-232 data suggest that offshore advection of particulate material from the shelves contributes to scavenging of reactive materials in areas of permanent ice cover.


Automation Expectation Mismatch: Incorrect Prediction Despite Eyes on Threat and Hands on Wheel.
The aim of this study was to understand how to secure driver supervision engagement and conflict intervention performance while using highly reliable (but not perfect) automation. Securing driver engagement-by mitigating irony of automation (i.e., the better the automation, the less attention drivers will pay to traffic and the system, and the less capable they will be to resume control) and by communicating system limitations to avoid mental model misconceptions-is a major challenge in the human factors literature. One hundred six drivers participated in three test-track experiments in which we studied driver intervention response to conflicts after driving highly reliable but supervised automation. After 30 min, a conflict occurred wherein the lead vehicle cut out of lane to reveal a conflict object in the form of either a stationary car or a garbage bag. Supervision reminders effectively maintained drivers' eyes on path and hands on wheel. However, neither these reminders nor explicit instructions on system limitations and supervision responsibilities prevented 28% (21/76) of drivers from crashing with their eyes on the conflict object (car or bag). The results uncover the important role of expectation mismatches, showing that a key component of driver engagement is cognitive (understanding the need for action), rather than purely visual (looking at the threat), or having hands on wheel. Automation needs to be designed either so that it does not rely on the driver or so that the driver unmistakably understands that it is an assistance system that needs an active driver to lead and share control.


The case of a very late response to a contact allergen in patch testing.
Patch tests (PT) are a significant element of allergological diagnostics. PT are based on the type IV immunological reaction according to Gell and Commbs classification and serve as a diagnostic tool in evaluation of contact skin reactivity. In the Allergic Diseases Diagnostic Centre, Medical University in Poznań, contact allergy is diagnosed by using TROLAB--a standard kit of 23 contact allergens. The allergens are applied on the skin of the interscapular or suprascapular area in Finn Chambers, attached to a hypoallergic plaster. Evaluation of PT results is performed after 48, 72 and even after 96 hrs after application of allergens. The paper describes a case of a very late response to one of contact allergens--paraphenylenediamine (the reaction was observed 15 days after application of patch tests). The precise pathomechanism of this phenomenon, as well as all factors inducing skin reactivity still remain unexplained. Correct instruction of the patient in case of appearance of a very late response to contact allergen will facilitate the diagnostic procedure and will enable correct interpretation of results.


Advanced DNA-Based Point-of-Care Diagnostic Methods for Plant Diseases Detection.
Diagnostic technologies for the detection of plant pathogens with point-of-care capability and high multiplexing ability are an essential tool in the fight to reduce the large agricultural production losses caused by plant diseases. The main desirable characteristics for such diagnostic assays are high specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, quickness, cost efficiency and high-throughput multiplex detection capability. This article describes and discusses various DNA-based point-of care diagnostic methods for applications in plant disease detection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most common DNA amplification technology used for detecting various plant and animal pathogens. However, subsequent to PCR based assays, several types of nucleic acid amplification technologies have been developed to achieve higher sensitivity, rapid detection as well as suitable for field applications such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification, helicase-dependent amplification, rolling circle amplification, recombinase polymerase amplification, and molecular inversion probe. The principle behind these technologies has been thoroughly discussed in several review papers; herein we emphasize the application of these technologies to detect plant pathogens by outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each technology in detail.


[Impact of Change in Community Pharmacists' Role on Their Estimated Demand].
Pharmacists play a key role in optimizing the safe and effective use of medicines in the super-aged society in Japan. Recently, community pharmacists' role has been transformed and expanded to provide patient-centered care. This study aimed to simulate a change in the demand for community pharmacists resulting from this shift in their role, from 2019 to 2035. The change in demand was estimated by the number of prescriptions obtained from publicly available sources of information. The number of required community pharmacists was calculated separately for full-time and part-time pharmacists and the pharmacists engaged in home medical care. This number was calculated using the estimated demand, the number of prescriptions dispensed per day, and annual working days. We evaluated the effect of changes in the working conditions, which include changes in the dispensing process time, rate of part-time staff and their work time, and number of home medical care per day, on the number of community pharmacists. When the number of prescriptions dispensed per day was set at 19.8, the demand for community pharmacists was estimated as 188,314 in 2035. Furthermore, due to the changes in the working conditions, the demand is expected to change from 153,362 to 266,944. Although the increasing provision of drug information time leads to an increasing number of pharmacists, combining it with work efficiency services could prevent or decrease it. The optimal supply and demand balance of community pharmacists should be determined by both, promoting pharmaceutical care services and improving work efficiency.


Voltage-gated sodium channels: mutations, channelopathies and targets.
Voltage-gated sodium channels produce fast depolarization, which is responsible for the rising phase of the action potential in neurons, muscles and heart. These channels are very large membrane proteins and are encoded by ten genes in mammals. Sodium channels are a crucial component of excitable tissues; hence, they are a target for various neurotoxins that are produced by plants and animals for defence and protection, such as tetrodotoxin, scorpion toxins and batrachotoxin. Several mutations in various sodium channel subtypes cause multiple inherited diseases known as channelopathies. When these mutated sodium channel subtypes are expressed in various tissues, channelopathies in brain, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle develop as well as neuropathic pain. In this review, we discuss aspects of voltage-gated sodium channel genes with an emphasis on cardiac muscle sodium channels. In addition, we report novel mutations that underlie a spectrum of diseases, such as Brugada, long QT syndrome and inherited conduction disorders. Furthermore, this review explains commonalities and differences among the channel subtypes, the channelopathies caused by the sodium channel gene mutation and the specificity of toxins and blockers of the channel subtypes.


Metastatic high-grade myxofibrosarcoma: review of a clinical case.
We present the particular clinical and histological features of a metastatic high-grade myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) of the left buttock in a 77-year-old male patient. The tumor was biopsied and surgically removed in order to increase the patient's comfort, due to its increased size and aggressive clinical behavior. Computed tomography (CT) revealed metastases in the pleura and mediastinal lymph nodes, so limb-sparing tumor excision followed by palliative care was the best practice for the patient until the fatal outcome. The histological assessment revealed a tumor composed partly of solid sheets of spindled and pleomorphic cells, partly of areas with prominent myxoid matrix and numerous elongated capillaries. Mitotic figures are frequent, often atypical, followed by numerous giant cells with abundant eosinophilic elongated cytoplasm, resembling myoid cells often multinucleated. A panel of immunohistochemical stainings, including muscle-specific actin (MSA), S-100, CD34, desmin and myogenin were performed with a negative result, which aided excluding other soft tissue tumors like rhabdomyosarcoma and leiomyosarcomas, while Ki-67 was highly expressed in more than 70% of the tumor cells. This tumor received 6 points in accordance with the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (modified FNCLCC) and was defined as a high-grade MFS [stage IV, G3 pT2bN0M1, according to the 8th edition of TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, ICD-O 8811÷3 in World Health Organization (WHO) Classification 2013]. Due to the clinical findings combined with the histological profile, the fatal prognosis was expected, though the time period was shorter than predicted, confirming the aggressive nature of the tumor. Even if traditionally was considered MFS as a non-metastatic lesion, recent case reports and studies, including our case revealed that this tumors in fact have the potential to be fatal due to metastatic disease.


Q fever: an issue in occupational health & safety? An overview of the methods of control and the effects of Coxiella burnetii on the human host.
Q Fever has proved to be a virulent infectious disease for a great many years. A number of epidemics have occurred among laboratory workers engaged in research on C burnetii but few fatalities have been recorded and the course of the disease is generally uncomplicated and benign (Braunwald et al, 1987). By following the recommendations of a large number of scientists, implementing and maintaining basic control measures, the risk of contamination will be kept at a minimum.


[Overweight, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in endometrial cancer].
in postmenopausal women, the excess of fat has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes and hypertension in patients with endometrial cancer. we collected demographic, clinical, laboratory and histopathological information from the electronic records of patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer in the period from January 2009 to July 2011. Subsequently descriptive analysis of the information was done. a total of 274 records. The average age of patients was 54 years. The 50.4 % were postmenopausal. At the time of diagnosis, 112 cases (48.6 %) were in clinical stage I. Of all patients, 104 (37.9 %) had diabetes mellitus, 122 (44.5 %) hypertension, 194 (72.6 %) were overweight or obese, and 24 cases were registered with the metabolic syndrome. in regards to this diagnosis the results show a higher incidence of overweight and obesity compared with other countries. It is necessary to conduct further studies to assess the relationship of excess fat as a risk factor for endometrial cancer.


Mutagenicity of halogenated propanes and their methylated derivatives.
1,2,3-Tribromopropane, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane are mutagenic in strains TA1535 and TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium, but only in the presence of rat liver S9 mix. This requirement for metabolic activation was unexpected for an alkyl halide and thus suggested the metabolic formation of the 2-keto derivatives (di-haloacetone). The 2-methyl derivatives of the halopropane compounds did not induce a doubling of revertants compared to controls. It was demonstrated that none of these compounds is converted into a secondary material that could be determined as structurally different by gas chromatography. These observations suggest that lack of mutagenicity of the methylated compounds is a manifestation of a steric effect.


Arg-Pro-X-Ser/Thr is a consensus phosphoacceptor sequence for the meiosis-specific Ime2 protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Ime2 is a meiosis-specific protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is functionally related to cyclin-dependent kinase. Although Ime2 regulates multiple steps in meiosis, only a few of its substrates have been identified. Here we show that Ime2 phosphorylates Sum1, a repressor of meiotic gene transcription, on Thr-306. Ime2 protein kinase assays with Sum1 mutants and synthetic peptides define a consensus Arg-Pro-X-Ser/Thr motif that is required for efficient phosphorylation by Ime2. The carboxyl residue adjacent to the phosphoacceptor (+1 position) also influences the efficiency of Ime2 phosphorylation with alanine being a preferred residue. This information has predictive value in identifying new potential Ime2 targets as shown by the ability of Ime2 to phosphorylate Sgs1 and Gip1 in vitro and could be important in differentiating mitotic and meiotic regulatory pathways.


Comparison of cavity preparation quality using an electric motor handpiece and an air turbine dental handpiece.
The high-speed high-torque (electric motor) handpiece is becoming more popular in dental offices and laboratories in the United States. It is reported to cut more precisely and to assist in the creation of finer margins that enhance cavity preparations. The authors conducted an in vitro study to compare the quality of cavity preparations fabricated with a high-speed high-torque (electric motor) handpiece and a high-speed low-torque (air turbine) handpiece. Eighty-six dental students each cut two Class I preparations, one with an air turbine handpiece and the other with an electric motor high-speed handpiece. The authors asked the students to cut each preparation accurately to a circular outline and to establish a flat pulpal floor with 1.5 millimeters' depth, 90-degree exit angles, parallel vertical walls and sharp internal line angles, as well as to refine the preparation to achieve flat, smooth walls with a well-defined cavosurface margin. A single faculty member scored the preparations for criteria and refinement using a nine-point scale (range, 1-9). The authors analyzed the data statistically using paired t tests. In preparation criteria, the electric motor high-speed handpiece had a higher average grade than did the air turbine handpiece (5.07 and 4.90, respectively). For refinement, the average grade for the air turbine high-speed handpiece was greater than that for the electric motor high-speed handpiece (5.72 and 5.52, respectively). The differences were not statistically significant. The electric motor high-speed handpiece performed as well as, but not better than, the air turbine handpiece in the fabrication of high-quality cavity preparations.


Dysregulation of glucose metabolism even in Chinese PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance.
To clarify the necessity of improving glucose metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women as early as possible, 111 PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance and 92 healthy age-matched controls were recruited to investigate glucose levels distribution, insulin sensitivity and β cell function. 91 PCOS women and 33 controls underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp to assess their insulin sensitivity, which was expressed as M value. β cell function was estimated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-β index after adjusting insulin sensitivity (HOMA-βad index). Compared with lean controls, lean PCOS women had similar fasting plasma glucose (FPG), higher postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) (6.03±1.05 vs. 5.44±0.97 mmol/L, P<0.05), lower M value but similar HOMA-βad index, while overweight/obese PCOS women had higher levels of both FPG (5.24±0.58 vs. 4.90±0.39, P<0.05) and PPG (6.15±0.84 vs. 5.44±0.97 mmol/L, P<0.05), and lower levels of both M value and HOMA-βad index. Linear regression and ROC analysis found BMI was independently associated with M value and HOMA-βad index in PCOS women separately, and the cutoff of BMI indicating impaired β cell function of PCOS women was 25.545kg/m². In conclusion, insulin resistance and dysregulation of glucose metabolism were common in Chinese PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance. BMI ≥ 25.545kg/m² indicated impaired β cell function in PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance.


Agonist-promoted ubiquitination of the G protein-coupled receptor CXCR4 mediates lysosomal sorting.
Ligand-induced trafficking plays an important role in the physiologic regulation of many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although numerous GPCRs are sorted to a degradative pathway upon prolonged stimulation, the molecular events leading to degradation are poorly understood. Here we report that the human immunodeficiency virus co-receptor CXCR4 undergoes rapid agonist-promoted degradation by a process involving endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits and subsequent sorting to lysosomes. Studies analyzing the sorting of various CXCR4 mutants revealed the presence of a degradation motif (SSLKILSKGK) in the carboxyl terminus of CXCR4. The first two serines as well as the dileucine motif were critical for agonist-induced endocytosis, whereas all three serines but not the dileucine were important in mediating degradation. Mutation of the three lysine residues had no effect on CXCR4 endocytosis yet completely inhibited receptor degradation. Because lysine residues represent potential sites of ubiquitination, we also examined the ubiquitination of CXCR4. Interestingly, CXCR4 was shown to undergo rapid agonist-promoted ubiquitination that was attenuated by mutation of the lysine residues within the degradation motif. These studies implicate a specific role for ubiquitination in sorting endocytosed GPCRs to lysosomes.


HSPA12B attenuates acute lung injury during endotoxemia in mice.
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a critical manifestation of sepsis/septic shock. Heat shock protein A12B (HSPA12B), an endothelial cell-expressed heat shock protein, shows a negative regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in myocardium and endothelial cells. However, it is unclear whether HSPA12B exerts protective effects against ALI during sepsis/septic shock. In this study, we treated HSPA12B transgenic mice (Tg) and wild type littermates (WT) with LPS for 6h to induce endotoxemia. LPS treatment significantly caused pulmonary injuries as evidenced by microarchitecture destruction, vascular leakage and neutrophil recruitment in lungs of WT mice. However, the LPS-induced pulmonary injuries were significantly attenuated in Tg mice. Moreover, the LPS-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) were inhibited in Tg lungs compared with that in WT mice. Additionally, Tg lungs showed a significant lower level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with WT mice. Our results demonstrate a pulmonary protective effect of HSPA12B against endotoxin challenge, which indicates management of HSPA12B expression could serve as a potential therapeutic target for ALI during sepsis/septic shock.


Characterization of HdnoR, the transcriptional repressor of the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene of Arthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1, and its DNA-binding activity in response to L- and D-nicotine Derivatives.
Utilization of L-nicotine as growth substrate by Arthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1 starts with hydroxylation of the pyridine ring at C6. Next, the pyrrolidine ring is oxidized by 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase, which acts strictly stereo-specific on the L-enantiomer. Surprisingly, L-nicotine also induces the synthesis of a 6-hydroxy-d-nicotine-specific oxidase in the bacteria. Genes of nicotine-degrading enzymes are located on the catabolic plasmid pAO1. The pAO1 sequence revealed that the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene is flanked by two open reading frames with a similarity to amino acid permeases and a divergently transcribed open reading frame with a similarity to proteins of the tetracycline repressor TetR family. Reverse transcription PCR and primer extension analysis of RNA transcripts isolated from A. nicotinovorans pAO1 indicated that the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene represents a transcriptional unit. DNA electromobility shift assays established that the purified TetR-similar protein represents the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene repressor HdnoR and binds to the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene operator with a Kd of 21 nM. The enantiomers 6-hydroxy-D- and 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine acted in vitro as inducers. In vivo analysis of 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase gene transcripts from bacteria grown with L- and D-nicotine confirmed this conclusion. The poor discrimination by HdnoR between the 6-hydroxy-L- and 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine enantiomers explains the presence of the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine-specific enzyme in bacteria grown on L-nicotine.


Ribavirin influence on theophylline plasma levels in adult and children.
The pharmacokinetics of ribavirin and aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) after oral administration in healthy adults and in children suffering from viral infections of the respiratory tract, with superimposition of bronchial asthma or asthmatic syndrome, was studied. By the prompt-release formulation of aminophylline the hematic peak is reached within the first 30 min (9.03 micrograms/ml) from intake, whereas by the sustained-release formulation the peak is reached only within the 5th hour (8.5 micrograms/ml). After administration of ribavirin no interferences with the clearance of theophylline both in adults and children were noted.


Modernity: a non-European conceptualization.
In the light of insights drawn from historical sociology and Parsons' theory of differentiation/modernization, an attempt is made to conceptualize modernity in such a way as to avoid both eurocentrism and the total rejection of the concept by those who view it as an ideological means for the further advancement of western cultural imperialism.


Physical properties of a generalized model of multilayer adsorption of dimers.
We investigate the transport properties of a complex porous structure with branched fractal architectures formed due to the gradual deposition of dimers in a model of multilayer adsorption. We thoroughly study the interplay between the orientational anisotropy parameter p_{0} of deposited dimers and the formation of porous structures, as well as its impact on the conductivity of the system, through extensive numerical simulations. By systematically varying the value of p_{0}, several critical and off-critical scaling relations characterizing the behavior of the system are examined. The results demonstrate that the degree of orientational anisotropy of dimers plays a significant role in determining the structural and physical characteristics of the system. We find that the Einstein relation relating to the size scaling of the electrical conductance holds true only in the limiting case of p_{0}→1. Monitoring the fractal dimension of the interface of the multilayer formation for various p_{0} values, we reveal that in a wide range of p_{0}>0.2 interface shows the characteristic of a self-avoiding random walk, compared to the limiting case of p_{0}→0 where it is characterized by the fractal dimension of the backbone of ordinary percolation cluster at criticality. Our results thus can provide useful information about the fundamental mechanisms underlying the formation and behavior of wide varieties of amorphous and disordered systems that are of paramount importance both in science and technology as well as in environmental studies.


Human ocular dirofilariasis in Israel.
This is the first report of human ocular dirofilariasis in Israel. A single female worm, Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) conjunctivae, was removed from an eye of each of two male patients. In the first case the worm was dead upon removal. It had penetrated into the sclera and was lodged in a subconjunctival abscess. In the second case, the worm was alive and located superficially in a slight swelling near the inner canthus. Surgical removal of the worms under local anesthesia was followed by complete recovery in both patients, with no impairment of vision.


Braile vena cava filter and greenfield filter in terms of centralization.
The aim of this study was to evaluate complications experienced during implantation of the Braile Vena Cava filter (VCF) and the efficacy of the centralization mechanism of the filter. This retrospective cohort study evaluated all Braile Biomédica VCFs implanted from 2004 to 2009 in Hospital de Base Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. Of particular concern was the filter's symmetry during implantation and complications experienced during the procedure. All the angiographic examinations performed during the implantation of the filters were analyzed in respect to the following parameters: migration of the filter, non-opening or difficulties in the implantation and centralization of the filter. A total of 112 Braile CVFs were implanted and there were no reports of filter opening difficulties or in respect to migration. Asymmetry was observed in 1/112 (0.9%) cases. A statistically significant difference was seen on comparing historical data on decentralization of the Greenfield filter with the data of this study. The Braile Biomédico filter is an evolution of the Greenfield filter providing improved embolus capture and better implantation symmetry.


Adolescent d-amphetamine exposure enhances the acquisition of cocaine self-administration in male and female rats.
Diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has risen drastically over the past 20 years in the United States and abroad. Amphetamine-based prescription stimulants are the most prescribed treatment for ADHD and the diversion of these drugs has also increased. Reports indicate 61% of individuals with an ADHD medication prescription have sold or shared their medication. Exposure to prescription stimulants, especially for those without an ADHD diagnosis, may increase susceptibility to drugs of abuse. The present study aimed to model ADHD medication misuse during adolescence in male and female rats. The primary dependent measure was the acquisition of intravenous cocaine self-administration. Male and female, Long-Evans rats were exposed to d-amphetamine (0.7 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline in adolescence (35-41 days old), during which locomotor activity was measured. At approximately 75 days old, animals were implanted with jugular catheters. All animals then entered a 15-day acquisition procedure with no prior operant training. Finally, following acquisition all animals responded on a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule to obtain 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg/infusion cocaine. Animals exposed to amphetamine acquired cocaine self-administration faster than saline-exposed controls when the acquisition criterion was operationally defined as two consecutive days with 12 infusions or greater. Discrete-time hazard modeling also found amphetamine exposure to increase the likelihood of acquiring cocaine self-administration. There were no differences detected during PR testing. These data suggest that individuals with histories of prescription stimulant misuse may be at increased risk to use other drugs of abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record


Lacrimal sac metastases from renal cell carcinoma.
To report the first case of metastasis from renal cell carcinoma to the lacrimal sac and review the therapeutic options. We have reviewed the case of a woman who was operated on for a renal cell carcinoma that developed epiphora and a lacrimal sac tumor, which corresponded to a metastasis from her previous tumor. Although renal cell carcinoma shows a great tendency for distant metastasis, this is the first reported case of metastasis to the lacrimal sac. We comment on the rarity of the case and on the therapeutic alternatives for these cases according to the reviewed literature. Metastasis to the lacrimal sac are rather infrequent and should be borne in mind on the appearance of a tumor in this location in people with a history of malignancy.


Systematic prediction of drug combinations based on clinical side-effects.
Drug co-prescription (or drug combination) is a therapeutic strategy widely used as it may improve efficacy and reduce side-effect (SE). Since it is impractical to screen all possible drug combinations for every indication, computational methods have been developed to predict new combinations. In this study, we describe a novel approach that utilizes clinical SEs from post-marketing surveillance and the drug label to predict 1,508 novel drug-drug combinations. It outperforms other prediction methods, achieving an AUC of 0.92 compared to an AUC of 0.69 in a previous method, on a much larger drug combination set (245 drug combinations in our dataset compared to 75 in previous work.). We further found from the feature selection that three FDA black-box warned serious SEs, namely pneumonia, haemorrhage rectum, and retinal bleeding, contributed mostly to the predictions and a model only using these three SEs can achieve an average area under curve (AUC) at 0.80 and accuracy at 0.91, potentially with its simplicity being recognized as a practical rule-of-three in drug co-prescription or making fixed-dose drug combination. We also demonstrate this performance is less likely to be influenced by confounding factors such as biased disease indications or chemical structures.


Blood parasites in wood storks (Mycteria americana) from the southeastern United States.
Wood storks (Mycteria americana) are endangered throughout their breeding range in the United States. Because of this, researchers have had little opportunity to thoroughly examine the continental wood stork population for endoparasites. The blood protozoan Haemoproteus crumenium has been identified from several populations of wood storks in North America. However, there have been no reports of wood storks being infected with species of Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon. During 2003, 42 nestling wood storks were captured at sites in Georgia and 27 free-ranging wood storks were captured at postbreeding dispersal sites in Mississippi and Louisiana. Two thin blood smears were made from each bird, and they were examined for parasites. Haemoproteus crumenium was found in 5 wood storks (7.2%), whereas Leucocytozoon sp., Plasmodium sp., and microfilariae were not observed. Mean intensity of H. crumenium was 4.4 +/- 0.7 (SE) per 2,000 erythrocytes counted. All infected wood storks were subadult or adult and were from postbreeding dispersal sites in Mississippi.


ASSESSMENT OF HYPERREFLECTIVE FOCI AFTER BEVACIZUMAB OR DEXAMETHASONE TREATMENT ACCORDING TO DURATION OF MACULAR EDEMA IN PATIENTS WITH BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.
To evaluate the association between hyperreflective foci (HRF) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and therapeutic effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) or intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IVD) according to macular edema (ME) duration in branch retinal vein occlusion. Consecutive treatment-naive patients received IVB or IVD for at least 6 months. Each group was subdivided according to ME duration (<3 months vs. ≥3 months). Hyperreflective foci and best-corrected visual acuity were compared. Of 139 eyes (139 patients), 69 received IVB and 70 received IVD. At baseline, eyes with ME ≥ 3 months had more outer and total retinal HRF than eyes with ME < 3 months (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). At 6 months, the IVD group exhibited a greater reduction in outer retinal HRF than the IVB group in both ME duration subgroups (P = 0.015 and P < 0.001). In the ME ≥ 3 months group, IVD resulted in greater best-corrected visual acuity improvement than IVB (P = 0.017). Increased outer retinal HRF at baseline in eyes with ME ≥ 3 months together with a greater reduction in HRF at 6 months and better visual outcomes after IVD suggests that the inflammatory aspect of disease should be considered in the treatment of ME. Thus, IVD injection could be more appropriate for patients with a longer ME duration after branch retinal vein occlusion.


Effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in Ghana.
Ghana adopted the revised WHO recommendation on intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in 2012. This study has assessed the effectiveness and safety of this policy in Ghana. A total of 1926 pregnant women enrolled at antenatal care (ANC) clinics were assessed for birth outcomes at delivery, and placental histology results for malaria infection were obtained from 1642 participants. Association of reduced placental or peripheral malaria, anaemia and low birth weight (LBW) in women who received ≥4 IPTp-SP doses compared with 3 or ≤2 doses was determined by logistic regression analysis. Among the 1926 participants, 5.3% (103), 19.2% (369), 33.2% (640) and 42.3% (817) of women had received ≤1, 2, 3 or ≥4 doses, respectively. There was no difference in risk of active placental malaria (PM) infection in women who received 3 doses compared with ≥4 doses (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.00, 95% CI 0.47 to 2.14). The risk of overall PM infection was 1.63 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.48) in 2 dose group and 1.06 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.57) in 3 dose group compared with ≥4 dose group. The risk of LBW was 1.55 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.47) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.65) for 2 and 3 dose groups, respectively, compared with the ≥4 dose group. Jaundice in babies was present in 0.16%, and 0% for women who received ≥4 doses of SP. There was no difference in the risk of PM, LBW or maternal anaemia among women receiving 3 doses compared with ≥4 doses. Receiving ≥3 IPTp-SP doses during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of overall PM infection compared with 2 doses. As there are no safety concerns, monthly administration of IPTp-SP offers a more practical opportunity for pregnant women to receive ≥3 doses during pregnancy.


Non-invasive assessment of motor unit anatomy in jaw-elevator muscles.
The estimation of fibre length in jaw-elevator muscles is important for modelling studies and clinical applications. The objective of this study was to identify, from multi-channel surface EMG recordings, the main innervation zone(s) of the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, and to estimate the fibre length of these muscles. Surface EMG signals were collected from 13 subjects with a 16-electrode linear array. The innervation zones of the masseter and anterior temporalis were identified and their variability intra- and inter-subject outlined. More than one main innervation zone location was identified in the masseter of all subjects and in the temporalis anterior of 12 subjects. Average estimated fibre lengths, for the right (left) side, were (mean+/-SD) 27.3+/-2.4 mm (27.0+/-1.7 mm) and 25.9+/-2.3 mm (26.6+/-1.6 mm), for the superficial masseter and temporalis anterior muscle, respectively. The range of innervation zone locations was up to approximately 50% of the fibre length, both within and between subjects. Fibre length estimates well matched with published data on cadavers. It was concluded that multi-channel surface EMG provides important and reliable information on the anatomy of single motor units in jaw-elevator muscles.


Prognosis genes in gastric adenocarcinoma identified by cross talk genes in disease‑related pathways.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of genes that participate in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma, via exploring gene cross talk in disease‑related pathways. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the gastric samples were identified by analyzing the expression data downloaded from the GEO database. The DEGs were subjected to the human protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network to construct the PPI network of DEGs, which was then used for the identification of key genes in cancer samples via the expression deviation score and degree in the network. A total of 635 DEGs, including 432 downregulated and 203 upregulated ones were screened in the gastric adenocarcinomas samples. The PPI network of DEGs comprised 590 DEGs and 4,299 interaction pairs. A total of 200 key genes were obtained, which were significantly enriched in six downregulated and six upregulated pathways. Cross talk genes in the connected pathways were analyzed, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways hsa00980 (Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450) and hsa00982 (Drug metabolism) were reported to share 8 cross talk genes: ADH7, ALDH3A1, GSTA1, GSTA2, UGT2B17, UGT2B10, ADH1B and CYP2C18. Among all cross talk genes, ADH7, ALDH3A1 and CLDN3 were the most specific genes. The high‑ and low‑risk samples identified by the prognosis model presented a remarkable difference in total survival time, indicating its robustness and sensitivity as the prognosis genes for gastric adenocarcinoma. ADH7, ALDH3A1, GSTA1, GSTA2, UGT2B17, UGT2B10, ADH1B, CYP2C18ADH7, ALDH3A1 and CLDN3 may be used as the prognosis markers and target biomarkers for chemotherapies in gastric adenocarcinoma.


Effect of Ado A1- and A2-receptor activation on ventricular fibrillation during hypoxia-reoxygenation.
We examined the hypothesis that adenosine (Ado)-induced alterations in ventricular electrophysiology may contribute to arrhythmogenesis in a setting of myocardial hypoxia through activation of Ado A1 and A2 receptors in the rabbit isolated perfused heart. There was a 20% incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in control hearts subjected to perfusion conditions of hypoxia and reoxygenation. The incidence of VF was increased to 50% in the presence of 1 microM Ado when hearts were exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation. The incidence of VF was 20% when Ado was increased to 10 microM. Inhibition of the Ado A2 receptor with 3,7-dimethyl-l-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 10 microM) increased the incidence of VF to 100% when 10 microM Ado was added to the perfusion medium. The A1 antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 1 microM), attenuated (from 100% to 20%) VF induced by Ado + DMPX (10 microM each). The ventricular refractory period and monophasic action potential duration were determined in a separate group of hearts. Our findings indicate that 1) Ado A1-receptor stimulation facilitates VF by decreasing action potential duration and refractoriness in hearts subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation and 2) the arrhythmogenic potential of Ado A1-receptor stimulation is modulated by simultaneous activation of the ventricular A2 Ado receptor.


A review of qualitative research on the childhood cancer experience from the perspective of siblings: a need to give them a voice.
Researchers are increasingly adopting the qualitative research paradigm to study the world of siblings of children with cancer. The purpose of this review article is to identify the contributions of qualitative research in advancing the understanding of the childhood cancer experience from the perspective of siblings. Articles were selected for inclusion if (1) written in English; (2) published in a peer-reviewed journal between 1979 and present or, if a doctoral dissertation, easily accessible to the authors; (4) cited a specific qualitative research design or some type of qualitative research method of data collection and analysis; and (4) involved siblings of children with cancer as sole research participants or as research participants within the context of the family. Twenty-seven qualitative research studies were reviewed. Three themes emerged from an analysis of the primary findings: (1) changing lives, (2) intense feelings, and (3) unmet needs. Limitations in the conceptualization, research design, and research methods of the qualitative studies are discussed. Suggestions that will help researchers in conducting qualitative research with siblings are also presented.


Anti-müllerian hormone as a sensitive marker of ovarian function in young cancer survivors.
We evaluated ovarian function by measuring the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, and gonadotropins in 83 young women treated for cancer during childhood and adolescence, and classified according to post-treatment gonadal toxicity versus 38 healthy females. Results. The mean AMH values were lower in the entire cohort independently of the risk group as compared to the control, whereas FSH was elevated only in the high risk group. The lowest AMH values were noted in patients after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and those treated for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Nineteen patients (22.9%) had elevated FSH. They all had low AMH values. Lowered AMH values (but with normal FSH and LH) were observed in 43 patients (51.8%). There was no effect of age at the time of treatment (before puberty, during or after puberty) on AMH levels. Conclusion. Our results show the utility of AMH measurement as a sensitive marker of a reduced ovarian reserve in young cancer survivors. Patients after BMT and patients treated for HL, independently of age at treatment (prepuberty or puberty), are at the highest risk of gonadal damage and early menopause.


Has smart city transition elevated the provision of healthcare services? Evidence from China's Smart City Pilot Policy.
This paper endeavors to identify the causal effects between the smart city transition and the provision of healthcare services while uncovering potential pathways of influence. This study first constructs a logical analytical framework and posits five hypotheses for examination. Subsequently, leveraging the quasi-natural experiment of the China Smart City Pilot Policy (CSCPP), empirical tests are conducted utilizing a Difference-in-Differences (DD) two-way fixed effects model. The findings suggest that the CSCPP has significantly enhanced the provision of healthcare services. Even after addressing the formidable challenges of endogeneity, sample self-selection, and spatial spillovers, the conclusion remains robust. Mechanism tests indicate that the CSCPP primarily operates through two avenues: augmenting human resources and institutional services. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the efficacy of CSCPP is heightened in cities boasting administrative approval service centers, experiencing diminished financial constraints, and exhibiting elevated healthcare provision levels and situated in the eastern region. The theoretical and empirical analysis of this paper demonstrates that smart city transitions can facilitate the enhancement of healthcare services. The potential contribution of this paper is to enrich the conceptualization of governance frameworks for smart city transition while providing empirical evidence from China.


Methodology in behavioral and psychosocial cancer research. Conceptualizing disease impact and treatment outcomes.
The focus of assessment of disease impact is moving beyond survival and biomedical outcomes to include a comprehensive set of health status and quality of life concepts. We have discussed four socially relevant concepts that can be thought of as dimensions of health status or well being: physiologic status, personal (physical) functioning, mental health, and social well-being. Quality of life was also discussed briefly as a very global concept encompassing these health status dimensions and a broader set of concepts including finances, housing, and employment. Five categories of measures based on manifest content were also discussed, including measures of disease/diagnostic status, personal functioning, mental health, general health perceptions, and social/role functioning. The physiologic dimension of health is very heterogeneous and includes many concepts and measures that vary largely independently of each other and that differ in terms of their impact on the other dimensions of health status. The physical, mental, and social dimensions of health and well-being also can be measured many different ways, and each can be broken down into distinct concepts that may vary in importance from one study to another. Of these three concepts, social well-being is the most heterogeneous. To assist investigators searching for valid measures of specific health status and quality of life concepts, we recommended formal estimations of measurement models. A preliminary model of 15 health status measures was presented to illustrate the usefulness of such a model.


[Primary health care contributes to global health].
Global health interventions often focus on specific diseases, thus forming vertical programmes. Studies show that vertical programmes perform poorly, which underlines the need for a horizontal basis: universal community-based primary health care, which improves health equity and outcomes. The diagonal approach supports an integrated patient-centered health-care system. The ''15% by 2015''-initiative suggests that vertical programmes invest 15% of their budgets in strengthening integrated primary health care. Strategies depend on local context.


Cigarette Smoking Cessation Temporarily Enhances the Release of Phosphorylated-HSP27 from Human Platelets.
Objective Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for arteriopathy, including acute coronary syndrome, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Thus, cessation is strongly recommended in order to reduce these risks. We recently demonstrated that smoking cessation causes temporary hyper-aggregability of human platelets. We previously showed that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is released from human platelets stimulated by collagen, accompanied by its phosphorylation. Accumulating evidence indicates potent roles of extracellular HSP27 as a modulator of inflammation. In the present study, using the stored samples obtained in the previous study, we investigated the effect of cigarette smoking cessation on the release of phosphorylated-HSP27 from collagen-activated human platelets (n=15 patients). Methods We enrolled patients who visited smoking cessation outpatient services between January 2012 and November 2014. Platelet-rich plasma, chronologically obtained before and after the cessation, was stimulated by collagen using a PA-200 aggregometer in the previous study. The levels of phosphorylated-HSP27 released from platelets were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The phosphorylation of HSP27 in platelets was evaluated by a Western blot analysis. Results Cessation of cigarette smoking significantly upregulated the levels of collagen-stimulated release of phosphorylated-HSP27 at four and eight weeks after quitting smoking compared to before cessation. However, there was no significant difference between the levels before cessation and those at 12 weeks after cessation. The levels of phosphorylated-HSP27 stimulated by collagen in the platelets at four weeks after smoking cessation were remarkably enhanced compared to before cessation. Conclusion Cigarette smoking cessation temporarily enhances the collagen-stimulated release of phosphorylated-HSP27 from human platelets in the short term.


Redundant and Distinct Roles of Secreted Protein Eap and Cell Wall-Anchored Protein SasG in Biofilm Formation and Pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus.
Chronic and fatal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are sometimes associated with biofilm formation. Secreted proteins and cell wall-anchored proteins (CWAPs) are important for the development of polysaccharide-independent biofilms, but functional relationships between these proteins are unclear. In the present study, we report the roles of the extracellular adherence protein Eap and the surface CWAP SasG in S. aureus MR23, a clinical methicillin-resistant isolate that forms a robust protein-dependent biofilm and accumulates a large amount of Eap in the extracellular matrix. Double deletion of eap and sasG, but not single eap or sasG deletion, reduced the biomass of the formed biofilm. Mutational analysis demonstrated that cell wall anchorage is essential for the role of SasG in biofilm formation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that MR23 formed a rugged and thick biofilm; deletion of both eap and sasG reduced biofilm ruggedness and thickness. Although sasG deletion did not affect either of these features, eap deletion reduced the ruggedness but not the thickness of the biofilm. This indicated that Eap contributes to the rough irregular surface structure of the MR23 biofilm and that both Eap and SasG play roles in biofilm thickness. The level of pathogenicity of the Δeap ΔsasG strain in a silkworm larval infection model was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the wild type and single-deletion mutants. Collectively, these findings highlight the redundant and distinct roles of a secreted protein and a CWAP in biofilm formation and pathogenicity of S. aureus and may inform new strategies to control staphylococcal biofilm infections.


Effect of positive pressure breathing on plasma antidiuretic hormone and renal function in dogs.
The effect of intermittent mechanical ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure on plasma antidiuretic hormone concentration was determined in 14 pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. The study was divided into a control period (spontaneous respiration), and two consecutive 30 and 60 min periods after the start of controlled respiration: Group I - intermittent positive breathing (IPPB); Group II - positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with 5 cm H2O. A decrease in urinary flow (36.9%) was observed during end-expiratory pressure breathing. An increase in plasma antidiuretic hormone in group II from 4.5 +/- 2.4 to 24.6 +/- 16.0 pg/ml (P less than 0.01) was associated with a significant reduction of free water clearance from 1.2 +/- 0.6 to 0.3 +/- 0.4 ml/min and an increase of the urine/plasma osmolality ratio (143%, P less than 0.05). The decrease in urinary output and concurrent reduction of urinary sodium excretion also suggest an influence of the fall in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow on renal function. IPPB only reduced total Na+ and K+ excretion. These results indicate that the mechanisms underlying the renal response to positive end-expiratory pressure breathing may be due to an increase in antidiuretic hormone plasma levels leading to a fall in urinary flow and in part to a decrease in sodium excretion.


Regional assignment of five genes on human chromosome 19.
A human-mouse hybrid segregant HM76Dd40-6 with new characteristics was derived from the hybrid cell line HM76Dd containing human chromosome 19 as the only human chromosome. Three virus sensitivities located on human chromosome 19 (PVS, E11S and RDRC) were lost in HM76Dd40-6, while six other genes (C3, LDLR, EF2, GPI, PEPD and MANB) were retained. Cytogenetic analysis and in situ hybridization using human or mouse repeated sequences as probes showed that the region q13.1-qter of human chromosome 19 had been replaced by a fragment of mouse chromosome. Our results permit further regional assignment for the following five genes on human chromosome 19: GPI in the region cen-q12, MANB in p13.2-q12, E11S and RDRC in q13.1-qter, and EF2 in pter-q12.