Longitudinal Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults' Wellbeing.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a major stressful life event. This pandemic is causing significant changes in older adults' daily life affecting their physical and mental health. Psychological wellbeing is a protective variable when facing adverse circumstances, like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' psychological wellbeing (personal growth and purpose in life) over time. One hundred ninety-two people over 60 years old participated in a longitudinal study. Data were collected in three time points: during the lockdown on March 2020, when the lockdown finished (4 months after baseline), and during the third wave (10 months after baseline). We used latent growth curve models to assess the linear longitudinal trajectories of psychological wellbeing. Older adults did not show worse psychological wellbeing over time. Age has a positive impact on purpose in life. Furthermore, being a male, worrying about adverse effects of COVID-19, family functioning, resilience, personal growth, and acceptance associated with purpose in life. These results suggest that despite the difficult circumstances experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have used protective variables for their psychological wellbeing.


[THE BECOMING IN PHYLOGENESIS OF TRANSFER IN INTERCELLULAR MEDIUM AND ACTIVE ABSORPTION OF POLYENOIC FATTY ACIDS BY CELLS SEQUENTIALLY OF HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS, LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS AND HIGH DENSITY APOE-LIPOPROTEINS].
After more than half-century of different conceptions, the theory of general pathology was used to substantiate that all lipoproteins are bi-layer:lipid by their structure. The main function of high density lipoproteins as of all lipoproteins is transfer of fatty acids to cells and only in second turn taking away of spirit cholesterol from cells. At the stages of phylogenesis high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins began to function in a subsequent way. The fatty acids were transferred by low density lipoproteins in polar lipids at passive absorption by cells. Later on, lipoproteins transfer fatty acids in non-polar ethers with spirits glycerin and spirit cholesterol. The cells absorb them by receptor endocytosis. The hepatocytes secret in blood palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linoleic very low density lipoproteins. The palmitic and oleic very low density lipoproteins absorb physiologically insulin-dependent cells apoE/B-100 = endocytosis. The linoleic and linoleic very low density lipoproteins after transition of polyethers cholesterol from high density lipoproteins turn into low density lipoproteins. The cells absorb them by apoB-100 = endocytosis. The formation of chylomicrons occurs in blood and hepatocytes absorb them by the way of apoB/E-48 = endocytosis. The absorption of poly-unsaturated fatty acids by cells with apoB-100 = endocytosis form sensitivity of animals to exogenous hyper spirit cholesterol and absorption of poly-unsaturated fatty acids by apoE/A-I = receptors form corresponding resistance. The ApoE in lipoproteins form cooperative ligands--apoE/B-48 for chylomicrons, apoE/B-100 for very low density lipoproteins and apoE/A-I for high density lipoproteins. The chylomicrons in blood form apoB-48 from complexes of triglycerides secreted by enterocytes. These views change conceptions of pathogenesis and prevention of atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and resistance to insulin whose pathogenesis is unified by disorder of transfer in intercellular medium and absorption of fatty acids by cells.


Regulation of amyloid-β dynamics and pathology by the circadian clock.
Nighttime restlessness and daytime drowsiness are common and early symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This symptomology implicates dysfunctional biological timing, yet the role of the circadian system in AD pathogenesis is unknown. To evaluate the role of the circadian clock in amyloid-β (Aβ) dynamics and pathology, we used a mouse model of β-amyloidosis and disrupted circadian clock function either globally or locally in the brain via targeted deletion of the core clock gene Bmal1 Our results demonstrate that loss of central circadian rhythms leads to disruption of daily hippocampal interstitial fluid Aβ oscillations and accelerates amyloid plaque accumulation, whereas loss of peripheral Bmal1 in the brain parenchyma increases expression of Apoe and promotes fibrillar plaque deposition. These results provide evidence that both central circadian rhythms and local clock function influence Aβ dynamics and plaque formation and demonstrate mechanisms by which poor circadian hygiene may directly influence AD pathogenesis.


Studies on the expression of spontaneous and induced interferons in mouse peritoneal macrophages by means of monoclonal antibodies to mouse interferons.
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to mouse interferons (MuIFN) have been used to characterize the interferon-like activities spontaneously expressed in mouse peritoneal macrophages freshly explanted from normal pathogen-free mice. Injection of mice with MAbs to MuIFN-alpha or -beta resulted in a significant increase of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) multiplication in peritoneal macrophages. Addition of these MAbs to freshly explanted mouse macrophages accelerated the decay of the antiviral state to VSV during the 'ageing' in vitro of these macrophage cultures. Furthermore, these MAbs to MuIFN-alpha or -beta markedly inhibited the transfer of the antiviral state from freshly explanted peritoneal cells or macrophages to syngeneic macrophages 'aged' in vitro permissive for virus replication. These effects were not observed using a non-neutralizing antibody to MuIFN-alpha, nor with a MAb to MuIFN-gamma. In all experiments sheep polyclonal antibodies to MuIFN-alpha/beta were more effective than the corresponding amount of MAbs to MuIFN-alpha or -beta. A mixture of both these MAbs was more effective than either alone. Interferons produced after stimulation of peritoneal macrophages with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and of total peritoneal cells with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have also been characterized by means of MAbs to IFNs. The results of neutralization studies with these antibodies indicated that MuIFN-beta was the major component of peritoneal cell IFN (induced by both NDV and LPS) and MuIFN-alpha was a minor component (13 to 17%). These data indicate that both MuIFN-alpha and -beta, but not MuIFN-gamma, are spontaneously present in/on mouse peritoneal macrophages and are produced after stimulation with NDV or LPS.


Enhanced Bax upregulating in mitochondria for deep tumor therapy based on SO2 prodrug loaded Au-Ag hollow nanotriangles.
Nowadays, limited deep tumor penetration and lower therapeutic effect are still the major obstacle in nanomedicines for cancer therapy. Here, we developed high-efficiency nanocomposites, SO2 prodrug (BTS) loaded Au-Ag hollow nanotriangles (Au-Ag-BTS HTNs), which could not only synergistically upregulate Bax expression in mitochondria, but also be triggered by acidic tumor microenvironment to generate SO2 for deep tumor therapy. Upon NIR laser irradiation, Au-Ag hollow nanotriangles (Au-Ag HTNs) produced plenty of heat for photothermal therapy (PTT), while the acidic condition in tumor cells induced on-demand SO2 release from BTS for deep tumor therapy. More importantly, the combined therapy could simultaneously upregulate the expression of apoptosis factor Bax as well as downregulate Bcl-2 in mitochondria, which would induce an increase of Caspase-3 expression to accelerate the apoptosis of tumor cells, thereby achieving a win-win cooperation. The results indicated that enhanced deep tumor therapeutic effect based on Au-Ag-BTS HTNs was realized in vitro and in vivo. Such pH-triggered SO2 therapy offered a novel strategy for responding tumor microenvironment and improving penetration and heterogeneity distribution of nanotherapeutics in tumor.


Fatal hemorrhage from minor trauma following massive salicylate ingestion.
The anticoagulant property of aspirin has long been appreciated. Recently, the physiologic mechanism has been identified and documented extensively. Despite the long-lasting inhibition of platelet function and clinically significant postoperative hemorrhage following aspirin use, few serious complications or fatalities are reported in the current literature. We report a case in which fatal hemorrhage resulted from minor trauma following massive salicylate ingestion. A review of the cyclo-oxygenase mechanism is presented.


Different Performances of BF3, BCl3, and BBr3 in Hypervalent Iodine-Catalyzed Halogenations.
Herein, hypervalent iodine-catalyzed halogenation of aryl-activated alkenes using BX3 (X = Cl, Br) as the halogen source and activating reagents was reported. Various halogenated 1,3-oxazine/2-oxazoline derivatives were obtained in good-to-high yields. Using BF3 resulted in different substitute sites from BBr3 and BCl3 of the products, indicating different reactive intermediates and reaction pathways. The reaction underwent a "ligand coupling/oxidative addition/intermolecular nucleophilic attack/1,2-aryl migration/reductive elimination/intramolecular nucleophilic attack" cascade when BF3 was applied as the halogen source, while 1,2-aryl migration has "disappeared" when the halogen source was BBr3 or BCl3. Possible catalytic cycles were proposed, and DFT calculations were conducted to demonstrate the differences among BX3 (X = F, Cl, Br) in the hypervalent iodine-catalyzed halogenations.


The luminescence of nanoscale Y2Si2O7:Eu3+ materials.
The Y2Si2O7:Eu3+ sample was prepared with the sol-gel method. The Y2O3:EU3 was dispersed in SiO2, and the complex Y2Si2O7:Eu3+ particles were synthesized at high annealing temperature. The sample consisted of nearly spherical particles with an average size about 60 nm. The ultraviolet excitation spectra and emission spectra were measured. The sample excited by short ultraviolet light showed strongly red luminescence and fine monochromaticity. The luminescence was strongest from the 5D0 --> 7F2 electric dipole transition located at 611 nm. The excitation spectra of Y2Si2O7:Eu3+ excited with ultraviolet lights showed that the peak of the Eu(3+)-O2- charge transition band located at about 240 nm. During monitoring of different emission peaks of 5D0 --> 7F2, the charge transition band in the excitation spectra shifted, and the relative intensity of emission spectra changed obviously under the excitation of different ultraviolet wavelengths. These results confirmed that the Eu3+ could be excited with ultraviolet radiation of different wavelengths. At low temperature, using Eu3+ ions as fluorescence probes, we monitored the emission peaks of 5D0 --> 7F1 and 5D0 --> 7F2 transitions and measured the excitation spectra of 7F0 --> 5D0, 5D0 --> 7F1, and 5D0 --> 7F2 site-selective excitation spectra. These results indicated that Eu3+ ions are located in different local environments in the Y2Si2O7 host.


[Ni8(CNtBu)12][Cl]: A nickel isocyanide nanocluster with a folded nanosheet structure.
The reaction of 1.75 equiv of tBuNC with Ni(1,5-COD)2, followed by crystallization from benzene/pentane, resulted in the isolation of [Ni8(CNtBu)12][Cl] (2) in low yields. Similarly, the reaction of Ni(1,5-COD)2 with 0.6 equiv of [Ni(CNtBu)4], followed by addition of 0.08 equiv of I2, resulted in the formation of [Ni8(CNtBu)12][I] (3), which could be isolated in 52% yield after work-up. Both 2 and 3 adopt folded nanosheet structures in the solid state, characterized by two symmetry-related planar Ni4 arrays, six terminally bound tBuNC ligands, and six tBuNC ligands that adopt bridging coordination modes. The metrical parameters of the six bridging tBuNC ligands suggest that they have been reduced to their [tBuNC]2- form. In contrast to the nanosheet structures observed for 2 and 3, gas phase Ni8 is predicted to feature a compact bisdisphenoid ground state structure. The strikingly different structural outcomes reveal the profound structural changes that can occur upon addition of ligands to bare metal clusters. Ultimately, the characterization of 2 and 3 will enable more accurate structural predictions of ligand-protected nanoclusters in the future.


[Study on the selective removal of plasma low-density lipoprotein and fibrinogen by degraded guar sulfate].
Degraded guar was prepared by acid with guar as the main material, which was then brought into reaction with chlorosulfonic acid under proper conditions, the sulfonated degraded guar was obtained successfully. The effects of sulfonation conditions on the SO4(2-) content were investigated, and the proper reaction conditions were determined. The results of infrared spectrometry showed that this sulfated derivative is a novel heparin-like polysaccharide. At the same time, the selective removal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fibrinogen (Fib) by degraded guar gum sulfate was studied. The experimental results showed that degraded guar gum sulfate is a novel LDL/ Fib purifying agent. When pH= 5.15 and the initial concentration of the degraded guar gum sulfate is 2500 mg/L, the reduction percentages were about 60%-66% for total cholesterol, about 76%-89% for LDL and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and almost 100% for fibrinogen. There were no significant changes regarding the level of high-density lipoproteins and total proteins.


Climatic and Economic Background Determine the Disparities in Urbanites' Expressed Happiness during the Summer Heat.
Climate-change-induced extreme weather events increase heat-related mortality and health risks for urbanites, which may also affect urbanites' expressed happiness (EH) and well-being. However, the links among EH, climate, and socioeconomic factors remain unclear. Here we collected ∼6 million geotagged tweets from 44 Chinese prefecture-level cities based on Sina Weibo and performed a quadratic regression model to explore the relationships between summer heat and EH. A three-stage analysis was developed to examine spatiotemporal heterogeneity and identify factors contributing to disparities in urbanites' EH. Results show that all cities exhibited a similar hump-shaped relationship, with an overall optimal temperature (OT) of 22.8 °C. The estimated OT varied geographically, with 25.3, 23.8, and 20.0 °C from north to south. Moreover, a 1 standard deviation increase in heatwave intensity was associated with a 0.813 (95% CI: 0.177, 1.449) standard deviation decrease in EH. Notably, within the geographic scope of this study, it was observed that urbanites in northern China and economically underdeveloped cities faced significantly lower heat risks during the summer heat. This research provides insight for future studies and practical applications concerning extreme weather events, urbanites' mental health, and sustainable urban development goal.


Dependence on the Preparation Procedure of the Polymorphism and Crystallinity of Chitosan Membranes.
Differences in the polymorphism and crystallinity of chitosan were found in membranes prepared by different procedures when examined by X-ray diffraction measurements for four samples of chitosan differing in the degree of polymerization. When an acetic acid solution of chitosan was dried in air and then soaked in an alkaline solution (method A), both hydrated and anhydrous polymorphs of chitosan were present in the resulting membranes; the latter polymorph made chitosan insoluble in common solvents of chitosan, and its crystallinity increased with decreasing chitosan molecular weight. When a highly concentrated chitosan solution in aqueous acetic acid was neutralized with an alkaline solution (method B), no anhydrous polymorphs were detected in the membrane because of incomplete drying. When aqueous formic acid was used as the solvent, behavior basically similar to that in aqueous acetic acid was observed. In contrast, even with method A, aqueous hydrochloric acid gave a chitosan membrane having very little anhydrous crystallinity. The crystalline polymorph called "1-2", which has been proposed to be one of four chitosan polymorphs, is considered to be a mixture of hydrated and anhydrous crystals.


Infection of the hip joint by Serratia marcescens.
A 72-year-old male patient presented to the hospital because of sudden inability to bear weight and without a history of trauma. A fracture of the head of the femur was identified on CT scan of the pelvis. In his history, the patient had a hospital admission 3 months earlier, during which he had a urinary catheter, and a urine specimen was analysed. The same pathogen was found in the patient urine and in the head of the femur specimen. This is a report of blood-borne spread of Serratia marcescens infection from the urothelium to the hip joint, responsible for spontaneous fracture of the femoral head without history of trauma.


[Structure and biological properties of immunoglobulins and gamma-globulin preparations. II. Properties of gamma-globulin preparations].
Various gammaglobulin preparations have been analyzed with regard to content of IgG aggregates and percentage distribution of the four IgG subclasses. Their elimination from the plasma compartment was also studied in turnover experiments. Chief attention was focused on gamma-globulin preparations for intravenous use. The various preparations clearly differed in their subclass composition and metabolic behaviour. At present these results allow no conclusions concerning the efficacy of the various preparations in severe bacterial infections, since controlled clinical trials are still lacking. They should, however, be borne in mind when selecting a gammaglobulin preparation for a planned clinical trial.


Allometric scaling of flight energetics in orchid bees: evolution of flux capacities and flux rates.
The evolution of metabolic pathways involved in energy production was studied in the flight muscles of 28 species of orchid bees. Previous work revealed that wingbeat frequencies and mass-specific metabolic rates decline in parallel by threefold as body mass increases interspecifically over a 20-fold range. We investigated the correlated evolution of metabolic rates during hovering flight and the flux capacities, i.e. V(max) values, of flight muscle enzymes involved in substrate catabolism, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. V(max) at the hexokinase (HK) step scales allometrically with an exponent almost identical to those obtained for wingbeat frequency and mass-specific metabolic rate. Analysis of this relationship using phylogenetically independent contrasts supports the hypothesis of correlated evolution between HK activity and mass-specific metabolic rate. Although other enzymes scale allometrically with respect to body mass, e.g. trehalase, glycogen phosphorylase and citrate synthase, no other enzyme activities were correlated with metabolic rate after controlling for phylogenetic relatedness. Pathway flux rates were used with enzyme V(max) values to estimate fractional velocities (fraction of V(max) at which enzymes operate) for various reactions to gain insights into enzyme function and how this varies with body mass. Fractional velocity is highly conserved across species at the HK step, but varied at all other steps examined. These results are discussed in the context of the regulation and evolution of pathways of energy metabolism.


A mechanistic approach to cross-domain perceptual narrowing in the first year of life.
Language and face processing develop in similar ways during the first year of life. Early in the first year of life, infants demonstrate broad abilities for discriminating among faces and speech. These discrimination abilities then become tuned to frequently experienced groups of people or languages. This process of perceptual development occurs between approximately 6 and 12 months of age and is largely shaped by experience. However, the mechanisms underlying perceptual development during this time, and whether they are shared across domains, remain largely unknown. Here, we highlight research findings across domains and propose a top-down/bottom-up processing approach as a guide for future research. It is hypothesized that perceptual narrowing and tuning in development is the result of a shift from primarily bottom-up processing to a combination of bottom-up and top-down influences. In addition, we propose word learning as an important top-down factor that shapes tuning in both the speech and face domains, leading to similar observed developmental trajectories across modalities. Importantly, we suggest that perceptual narrowing/tuning is the result of multiple interacting factors and not explained by the development of a single mechanism.


Long-term observations of the graft endothelium with different postoperative courses.
Using a specular microscope and a pachymeter, we monitored endothelial cell patterns and central corneal thickness in 16 cases of clear graft with different postoperative courses for over 2 years after successful penetrating keratoplasty. With the use of a computerized digitizer, the graft endothelium was analyzed to determine the mean cell size, standard deviation of cell sizes and the coefficient of variation in cell size. In all cases, a progressive increase in the mean and standard deviation of cell sizes was noted throughout the period of observation. The coefficient of variation, however, stayed fairly constant in each case. This indicates that the increase in the standard deviation of cell sizes is dependent on the increase in the mean cell size. Five cases with good postoperative course showed gradual alterations in cellular morphology. On the other hand, the endothelium of 5 cases with surgical intervention after keratoplasty changed its morphology greatly until the corneal thickness approximated normal, and then the alterations continued to take place gradually. In 6 cases, a remarkable and rapid increase in the mean and standard deviation of cell sizes occurred during the rejection process. These parameters continued to increase gradually after the graft became transparent as the result of intensive corticosteroid therapy. These results suggest that the graft endothelium is still in a transitional state during healing even 2 years after keratoplasty, and that the morphologic parameters determined during the early postoperative period reflect the actual cell damage owing to surgical procedures to some extent but not exactly.


New developments in the treatment of optic neuritis.
Acute optic neuritis (ON) has various etiologies. The most common presentation is inflammatory, demyelinating, idiopathic, or "typical" ON, which may be associated with multiple sclerosis. This must be differentiated from "atypical" causes of ON, which differ in their clinical presentation, natural history, management, and prognosis. Clinical "red flags" for an atypical cause of ON include absent or persistent pain, exudates and hemorrhages on fundoscopy, very severe, bilateral, or progressive visual loss, and failure to recover. In typical ON, steroids shorten the duration of the attack, but do not influence visual outcome. This is in contrast to atypical ON associated with conditions such as sarcoidosis and neuromyelitis optica, which require aggressive immunosuppression and sometimes plasma exchange. The visual prognosis of typical ON is generally good. The prognosis in atypical ON is more variable. New developments aimed at designing better treatments for patients who fail to recover are discussed, focusing on recent research elucidating mechanisms of damage and recovery in ON. Future therapeutic directions may include enhancing repair processes, such as remyelination or adaptive neuroplasticity, or alternative methods of immunomodulation. Pilot studies investigating the safety and proof-of-principle of stem cell treatment are currently underway.


Thiol-modifying inhibitors for understanding squalene cyclase function.
The function of squalene-hopene cyclase from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius was studied by labelling critical cysteine residues of the enzyme, either native or inserted by site-directed mutagenesis, with different thiol-reacting molecules. The access of the substrate to the active centre cavity through a nonpolar channel that contains a narrow constriction harbouring a cysteine residue (C435) was probed by labelling experiments on both a C435S mutant, lacking C435 of the channel constriction, and a C25S/C50S/C455S/C537S mutant, bearing C435 as the only cysteine residue. Labelling experiments with tritiated 3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl-dithio-1,1',2-trisnorsqualene (CNDT-squalene) showed that the cysteine residue at the channel constriction was covalently modified by the squalene-like inhibitor. Time-dependent inactivation of the C25S/C50S/C455S/C537S mutant by a number of squalene analogues and other agents with thiol-modifying activity suggested that modifying C435 caused the obstruction of the channel constriction thus blocking access of the substrate to the active site. The tryptic fragment comprising C435 of the quadruple mutant labelled with the most effective inhibitor had the expected altered molecular mass, as determined by LC-ESI-MS measurements. The arrangement of the substrate in the active site cavity was studied by using thiol reagents as probes in labelling experiments with the double mutant D376C/C435S in which D376, supposedly the substrate-protonating residue, was substituted by cysteine. The inhibitory effect was evaluated in terms of the reduced ability to cyclize oxidosqualene, as the mutant is unable to catalyse the reaction of squalene to hopene. Among the inhibitors tested, the substrate analogue squalene-maleimide proved to be a very effective time-dependent inhibitor.


Adrenocorticotropin receptor and adrenal disorders.
The ACTH receptor is the shortest G-protein-coupled receptor to date and consists of 297 residues with two putative glycosylation sites at the extracellular N terminus. In vitro studies have demonstrated upregulation of the ACTH receptor by its own ligand and by angiotensin II. Inactivating mutations of the ACTH receptor lead to the familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) syndrome, a rare recessive autosomal disorder characterized by degeneration of the zona fasciculata/reticularis and unresponsiveness to exogenous ACTH. Interestingly, ACTH receptor mutations are not present in all patients with FGD and also not in the closely related "triple A' syndrome indicating that other mechanisms of ACTH resistance are still to be elucidated. Despite an extensive search, no activating ACTH receptor mutations have been found in adrenal tumors, excluding the ACTH receptor as a relevant oncogene for adrenal tumorigenesis. However, the ACTH receptor may play a role as a differentiation factor, as loss of heterozygosity for the ACTH receptor in adrenal tumors seems to be associated with an undifferentiated phenotype. ACTH receptor mRNA expression in benign adrenal tumors is strongly related to the expression of P-450 side chain cleavage enzyme mRNA indicating a close regulative relationship. However, this correlation is disrupted in adrenal carcinomas, an observation which may help in the difficult differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumors. Surprisingly, the highest ACTH receptor mRNA expression was found in aldosteronomas, while it is low in non-functioning adenomas and carcinomas. No correlation between ACTH receptor mRNA expression and circulating ACTH levels has been found in patients with adrenal disorders casting doubts on the physiological significance of ACTH receptor upregulation by its own ligand in vivo.


Local Environment of Terbium(III) Ions in Layered Nanocrystalline Zirconium(IV) Phosphonate-Phosphate Ion Exchange Materials.
The structures of Zr(IV) phosphonate-phosphate based, unconventional metal organic framework materials have been determined using atomic pair distribution function analysis of high energy, X-ray total scattering diffraction data. They are found to form as nanocrystalline layers of Zr phosphate, similar to the bulk, but with a high degree of interlayer disorder and intermediate intralayer order extending around 5 nm. These materials are of interest for their high selectivity for 3+ lanthanide ions. To investigate the mechanism of the selectivity, we utilize difference pair distribution function analysis to extract the local structural environment of Tb3+ ions loaded into the framework. The ions are found to sit between the layers in a manner resembling the local environment of Tb in Scheelite-type terbium phosphate. By mapping this local structure onto that of the refined structure for zirconium-phenyl-phosphonate, we show how dangling oxygens from the phosphate groups, acting like nose hairs, are able to reorient to provide a friendly intercalation environment for the Tb3+ ions.


Electrochemical control of bone microstructure on electroactive surfaces for modulation of stem cells and bone tissue engineering.
Controlling stem cell behavior at the material interface is crucial for the development of novel technologies in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The composition and presentation of bio-factors on a surface strongly influence the activity of stem cells. Herein, we designed an electroactive surface that mimics the initial process of trabecular bone formation, by immobilizing chondrocyte-derived plasma membrane nanofragments (PMNFs) on its surface for rapid mineralization within 2 days. Moreover, the electroactive surface was based on the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy), which enabled dynamic control of the presentation of PMNFs on the surface via electrochemical redox switching, further resulting in the formation of bone minerals with different morphologies. Furthermore, bone minerals with contrasting surface morphologies had differential effects on the differentiation of human bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBMSCs) cultured on the surface. Together, this electroactive surface showed multifunctional characteristics, not only allowing dynamic control of PMNF presentation but also promoting the formation of bone minerals with different morphologies within 2 days. This electroactive substrate could be valuable for more precise control of stem cell growth and differentiation, and further development of more suitable microenvironments containing bone apatite for housing a bone marrow stem cell niche, such as biochips/bone-on-chips.


Addressing co-occurring conditions in behavioural therapy for tic disorders: a review and guideline.
Co-occurring psychiatric conditions are very common in tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. These additional symptoms are often detrimental to quality of life and may impact upon the implementation and efficacy of evidence-based behavioural therapies (BT) for tics. Combining a review of the available literature, relevant theory, and expert clinical practice, we present a guideline for implementing behavioural and psychosocial interventions when common comorbidities are present. These include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, disruptive behaviour, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and depression. Practical recommendations are provided for assessment, formulation and management of specific and multiple comorbidities in BT for both children and adults. Despite comorbidities being common in tic disorders, few studies have comprehensively addressed how they may influence the efficacy or implementation of existing therapies or how such treatments may need to be modified or sequenced. We outline recommendations for future research, including randomised control trials of BT for those with specific or multiple comorbidities, as well as adequately powered sub-group analyses within larger scale trials or naturalistic study designs. Transdiagnostic models of psychiatric disorders and treatment, including modular cross-diagnostic therapies, which recognise the dimensionality of psychiatric disorders are also highlighted as an important focus in treatment development in tic disorders.


The dynamics of conformational isomerization in flexible biomolecules. II. Simulating isomerizations in a supersonic free jet with master equation dynamics.
Infrared-induced conformational isomerization of N-acetyl-tryptophan methyl amide is studied theoretically using a microcanonical Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus description of the rates on potential energy surfaces calculated using the AMBER and OPLS-AA force fields. The results are compared with the experimental data from Dian et al. in the preceding paper [J. Chem. Phys. 120, 133 (2004)]. An exhaustive search of the potential energy surfaces locates all minima and transition states on these surfaces. A simple model is proposed for the vibrational cooling, and an appropriate cooling rate is chosen as the standard conditions for the master equation simulations by comparison with experiment. The two potential energy surfaces differ in the relative energies of minima and the heights of key transition states, leading to differences in the dominant pathways and rates of conformational isomerization. The predicted quantum yields depend sensitively on the cooling rate, varying from the slow cooling limit in which equilibrium populations are achieved to the fast quenching limit in which conformational isomerization is shut off. The excitation energy is varied from 5 to 20 kcal mol(-1). At the lowest energies, isomerization is completely quenched, while at the highest energies, equilibrium conditions are achieved. In between these extremes, the quantum yields are sensitive to the excitation energy, and can be used to locate the rate-limiting barriers to isomerization.


[Late results of cataract operation with and without lens implantation in patients with uveitis].
Between 1985 and 1993, 73 eyes of 56 uveitis patients were subjected to extracapsular (n = 64) or intracapsular (n = 9) cataract extraction. We investigated the results up to 6 years later. 53 eyes received a posterior chamber lens, one an anterior chamber lens. Preoperatively, 22 eyes showed signs of an inflammation in the anterior chamber. Nevertheless, we implanted posterior chamber lenses in 16 of them. In most cases posterior synechias made the lens extraction more difficult, but no complications occurred. Twenty-four eyes, 17 of them with a posterior chamber lens, showed a new uveitis during follow-up which was treated conservatively. The intraocular pressure was not well regulated during follow-up in 4 of 15 eyes with preoperatively known secondary glaucoma. Two more secondary glaucomas developed. The visual acuity was satisfactory, and late diminutions were not caused by the uveitis in most cases. No artificial lens had to be explanted.


Health integration cost cutting.
By combining several traditional approaches to integration with newer innovations, healthcare organizations are finding that problems such as HIPAA remediation and providing secure online access to patient records can be resolved by leveraging integration projects across the enterprise. In the current cost-cutting environment, the projects that get done are those that can be justified by direct impact on additional revenue, can show significant cost savings and extremely fast return on investment, and meet regulatory requirements.


Accelerated Bone Loss in Transgenic Mice Expressing Constitutively Active TGF-β Receptor Type I.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a key factor mediating the intercellular crosstalk between the hematopoietic stem cells and their microenvironment. Here, we investigated the skeletal phenotype of transgenic mice expressing constitutively active TGF-β receptor type I under the control of Mx1-Cre (Mx1;TβRICA mice). μCT analysis showed decreased cortical thickness, and cancellous bone volume in both femurs and mandibles. Histomorphometric analysis confirmed a decrease in cancellous bone volume due to increased osteoclast number and decreased osteoblast number. Primary osteoblasts showed decreased ALP and mineralization. Constitutive TβRI activation increased osteoclast differentiation. qPCR analysis showed that Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio, Ctsk, Sufu, and Csf1 were increased whereas Runx2, Ptch1, and Ptch2 were decreased in Mx1;TβRICA femurs. Interestingly, Gli1, Wnt3a, Sp7, Alpl, Ptch1, Ptch2, and Shh mRNA expression were reduced whereas Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio was increased in Mx1;TβRICA mandibles. Similarly, osteoclast-related genes were increased in Mx1;TβRICA osteoclasts whereas osteoblast-related genes were reduced in Mx1;TβRICA osteoblasts. Western blot analysis indicated that SMAD2 and SMAD3 phosphorylation was increased in Mx1;TβRICA osteoblasts, and SMAD3 phosphorylation was increased in Mx1;TβRICA osteoclasts. CTSK was increased while RUNX2 and PTCH1 was decreased in Mx1;TβRICA mice. Microindentation analysis indicated decreased hardness in Mx1;TβRICA mice. Our study indicated that Mx1;TβRICA mice were osteopenic by increasing osteoclast number and decreasing osteoblast number, possibly by suppressing Hedgehog signaling pathways.


Expression of two different antiphagocytic M proteins by Streptococcus pyogenes of the OF+ lineage.
All clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) share the ability to resist phagocytosis and grow in human blood. In many strains, this property is due to the expression of a single antiphagocytic M protein, while other strains express more than one M-like molecule, of which the role in phagocytosis resistance is unclear. In particular, all S. pyogenes strains of the OF+ lineage, representing approximately half of all isolates, express two M-like proteins, Mrp and Emm, which are immunologically unrelated. These two proteins bind different ligands that have been implicated in phagocytosis resistance: Mrp binds fibrinogen and Emm binds the complement inhibitor C4BP. Using a clinical isolate of the common serotype 22, we created mutants affected in the mrp and emm genes and characterized them in phagocytosis experiments and by electron microscopy. A double mutant mrp-emm- showed strongly decreased resistance to phagocytosis, while mrp- and emm- single mutants grew well in blood. However, optimal growth required the expression of both Mrp and Emm. Experiments in which coagulation was inhibited using the specific thrombin inhibitor, hirudin, rather than heparin, indicated that Emm is more important than Mrp for resistance to phagocytosis. Tuftlike surface structures typical for S. pyogenes were still present in the mrp-emm- double mutant, but not in a mutant affected in the regulatory gene mga, indicating that the presence of these surface structures is not directly correlated to phagocytosis resistance. Our data imply that OF+ strains of S. pyogenes express two antiphagocytic M proteins with different ligand-binding properties.


Cardiothoracic physiotherapy: levels of evidence underpinning entry-level curricula.
In theory, educational materials should reflect the underlying source and evidence base of the curricula. The purpose of the present study was to identify the levels of evidence represented within the cardiothoracic curricula in undergraduate (entry-level) physiotherapy programmes within Australia. Using a retrospective document review, all tertiary institutions providing entry-level physiotherapy programmes were invited to submit paper copies of course materials used during 2003 to the Centre for Allied Health Evidence (CAHE), University of South Australia. A single independent reviewer collated all references cited within the teaching materials and ranked each reference according to a hierarchy of evidence where systematic reviews were regarded as the highest level of evidence and expert opinion or case studies as the lowest level. A total of 974 references were cited within educational materials from the five participating universities. The number of references per university rangedfrom 71 to 256. Each ranking category was calculated as a percentage of the total number of references submitted by each university. All five universities demonstrated the same pattern of reference hierarchy where the lower levels of evidence represented approximately 70% of all references. Less than one per cent of all references were common to all five universities. Although auditing references cited within education material does not reflect educational process, the results from the present study provide a baseline from which to review and create strategies to strengthen the evidence base of the cardiothoracic curriculum.


Carvedilol versus cardioselective beta-blockers for the treatment of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Treatment with beta-blockers is recommended to achieve and maintain adequate blood pressure control in patients with hypertension, and these agents have been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk factors in patients with both hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, beta-blocker therapy also may worsen glycemic and lipidemic control and may lead to microalbuminuria. A recent study showed a better metabolic profile with carvedilol than with metoprolol in patients with both type 2 diabetes and hypertension in the presence of renin-angiotensin system blockade. This beneficial effect on metabolic components has been proposed as attributable to carvedilol's alpha-blocking effects or antioxidant properties. In this article, the pathophysiology of hypertension and type 2 diabetes and the association between them are reviewed, the pharmacologic properties of carvedilol are discussed, and clinical studies in the literature comparing carvedilol with selective beta-blockers in patients with both type 2 diabetes and hypertension are identified and evaluated. This information should be useful to practitioners when selecting the optimum beta-blocker for treating hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.


Cardiac natriuretic peptides:a proteomic window to cardiac function and clinical management.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of adult hospitalization in the United States, and despite advancements in treatment, the disease remains a major clinical challenge. The chief symptom of CHF is dyspnea, but in the urgent-care setting, it is often difficult to distinguish between cardiac and pulmonary causes of this symptom. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is mainly synthesized, stored, and released in the ventricular myocardium and is strongly induced during ventricular-wall tension or stretch. It can be measured rapidly at the point of care and can be used to differentiate cardiac from pulmonary etiologies of dyspnea. In addition to its diagnostic utility, it also has prognostic value and may help guide the treatment of patients with CHF. Thus, it is likely that future algorithms incorporating BNP levels and other clinical indicators will become available to guide critical-care physicians in making management decisions for their CHF patients.


Sodium Hypochlorite and a Preparation Containing Glycocholic Acid and Surfactants Have a Synergistic Action on Organic Tissue Dissolution In Vitro.
The aim of this study was to evaluate porcine palatal mucosa dissolution by sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with or without an auxiliary dissolving agent containing glycocholic acid and a mixture of surfactants (Keratobacter [KB]; Saint Joseph DID, Valencia, Spain). One hundred forty samples were obtained from porcine palatal mucosa and weighed using a high-precision balance. The samples were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 35) based on the test solution used: distilled water (the negative control), CanalPro NaOCl 6% (Coltene Whaledent, Altstätten, Switzerland), KB, and a 9:1 vol/vol mixture of NaOCl with KB (NaOCl + KB). After 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of immersion in the solutions at 27°C ± 1°C, the samples were weighted by a blinded assessor. The intergroup weight at the different time points was statistically analyzed using the analysis of variance test with the Bonferroni posttest. All test groups presented with tissue dissolution although complete dissolution did not occur in any sample. The largest percent in weight reduction occurred between time points (t) = 0 minutes and t = 5 minutes for the NaOCl + KB group (22.5%) followed by KB (18.5%) for the same time period. NaOCl presented with similar tissue dissolution activity during the different time points, ranging from 7.8% (t = 10 minutes-t = 15 minutes) to 6.8% (t = 15 minutes-t = 20 minutes). Significant weight differences were found among the different experimental groups after 5, 10, and 15 minutes of incubation, with the only exception being KB versus NaOCl + KB. No significant differences were found when comparing the test groups at t = 20 minutes. The addition of KB to NaOCl increased porcine palatal mucosa dissolution in vitro.


Double cystic brain metastasis in a patient with stable pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
Brain metastases in pancreatic cancer are a rare condition and are usually seen in case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Only few cases of brain metastasis in patients affected by Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) are actually reported. We report a patient diagnosed with double cystic brain lesions that the histological examination reveal to be consistent, with pancreatic metastasis. Our patient had an history shown of stable pancreatic IPMN which has never made the oncologist suspicious about neoplastic progression or degeneration into pancreatic carcinoma. Considering the rarity of these metastasis we did a literature review on the topic. Despite rare, pancreatic origin of a cystic brain metastasis should considered in differential diagnosis in both patient with IPMN or patient with unknown primitive tumor.


[The concept and mechanisms of castration-resistant prostate cancer].
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the term which has recently been raised instead of androgen-independent or hormone-refractory prostate cancer. CRPC is defined as the status of disease progression despite the serum testosterone level of castration (< 50 ng/mL), which can be caused by various mechanisms including androgen receptor (AR)-dependent and AR-independent pathways. Recent researches have revealed that aberrant activation of AR signaling due to ectopic androgen synthesis, AR amplification, AR overexpression, AR mutation, AR variant, AR cofactor, and AR post-translational modification is a key mechanism of CRPC. In addition, AR-independent pathway can contribute to the emergence of CRPC. Taken together, it has been thought that these various mechanisms heterogeneously make androgen-dependent to castration resistant in a spatiotemporal-specific manner.


Association of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 gene polymorphisms with plasma levels of IGF-1 and acne severity.
Polymorphisms of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 gene consisting of variable cytosine adenosine repeats in the promoter region may directly influence the expression of IGF-1. We sought to assess the role of IGF-1 gene polymorphisms in determination of plasma IGF-1 levels, acne, and its severity. In this case-control study, 80 patients with acne vulgaris of 4 severity grades as per Global Acne Grading System and 80 age- and gender-matched control subjects without acne were studied. All the study subjects were without any disorder or a history of drug intake likely to affect IGF-1 level within a year before the study inclusion date. IGF-1 polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction and plasma levels of IGF-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Acne severity was assessed by Global Acne Grading System. Mean plasma IGF-1 level in acne cases was significantly higher than in non-acne controls (P = .04). Plasma IGF-1 level positively correlated with severity of acne (P = .01). Individuals homozygous for the 192-base pair (bp) allele had 4.29 times odds risk (95% confidence interval 1.38-13.33) of having acne and a significantly higher mean level of IGF-1 compared with non-192/non-192 participants. Individuals homozygous for the 192-bp allele had 3.08 times odds risk (95% confidence interval 1.15- 8.31) of having higher severity grade of acne compared with non-192/non-192 participants. A relatively small number of participants were studied. Plasma IGF-1 levels positively correlate with severity of acne. The 192/192 homozygotes had higher risk of acne and higher severity grade of acne. Functional studies showing the relationship between IGF-1 promoter level polymorphism and actual gene expression in skin are warranted.


Potentiation of bleomycin cytotoxicity by polyhydric alcohols.
The cytotoxicity of bleomycin (BLM) toward Chinese Hamster V79 and murine leukemia L1210 was extraordinarily potentiated in the presence of glycerol. The synergistic effect of glycerol emerged in combinations with BLM analogs (peplomycin and libromycin) as well, but not with other cytotoxic drugs such as adriamycin, neocarzinostatin, paraquat, hydrogen peroxide, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. The cytotoxicity of BLM and its analogs was potentiated by some polyhydric alcohols as intensely as by glycerol. Polyhydric alcohols containing more than two hydroxyl groups in the molecule were effective in V79 cells, and those containing more than three hydroxyl groups were effective in L1210 cells. The cellular uptake of [3H] peplomycin was not affected by glycerol. For antitumor activity, when 0.5 ml of glycerol (10%) and erythritol (10%) were combined with 2.0 mg/kg/day of BLM, the 5-day treatment of Ehrlich cell-bearing (i.p.) mice prolonged the life span by 244% and 282% (T/C), respectively. When a low dose of BLM (0.2 mg/kg/day) was combined with 0.5 ml of glycerol (20%) and erythritol (30%), the therapeutic gains were 1.82 and 1.88, respectively. These results suggest the possibility that the adjuvant treatment of BLM with polyhydric alcohols might be applied to the clinical treatment of cancerous peritonitis and pleuritis.


Research methods courses as a means of developing academic general practice. Fifteen years' experience from Sweden and Denmark.
Since 1989, the authors have given courses in research methodology, and these courses are now given at six venues in southern Sweden, as well as in Denmark. The course corresponds to half a year's full-time study, with half the time devoted to lectures and studies of literature, while the rest is spent on an individual project under supervision. To enable part-time study, the course extends over 1(1/2) years. In 15 years roughly 1000 people, mainly physicians, have been given training in basic research methods. The course model has been appreciated by clinically active colleagues, who have been able to attend a course and simultaneously work with patients. Among the GPs in the region, one in five has taken this course, and one in five has then gone on to start formal PhD studies. The authors have thus succeeded in their goal of giving basic scientific schooling to many physicians and recruiting some for further research.


Surgical management of complete penile duplication accompanied by multiple anomalies.
Diphallus (penile duplication) is very rare and seen once every 5.5 million births. It can be isolated, but is usually accompanied by other congenital anomalies. Previous studies have reported many concurrent anomalies, such as bladder extrophy, cloacal extrophy, duplicated bladder, scrotal abnormalities, hypospadias, separated symphysis pubis, intestinal anomalies and imperforate anus; no penile duplication case accompanied by omphalocele has been reported. We present the surgical management of a patient with multiple anomalies, including complete penile duplication, hypo-gastric omphalocele and extrophic rectal duplication.


Sacciform cells in the skin of teleost fish.
The fine structure of sacciform gland cells of the epidermis is described in the number of species of teleost fish. In some of these the cell type had either not been found, or not recognized as such, before. Some histological and histochemical results are also reported. Despite considerable differences in the histochemistry and in the morphology of the sacciform cells over the range of species studied, some features of the fine structure are constant and can be used as diagnostic characters. The nucleus is peripheral, and there is a large membrane-limited lumen, into which the secretion is released from membrane-bounded vacuoles at the margin of the cytoplasm. It is probable that the secretion originates mainly in channels of endoplasmic reticulum which become swollen to form the vacuoles. Most sacciform cells open at the surface of the skin by an apical pore, but some have not been seen to open. The classification of the various unicellular glands of teleosts is discussed and it is concluded that attempts to categorise them by the nature of the secretion alone are unsatisfactory.


Capillary Rise: Validity of the Dynamic Contact Angle Models.
The classical Lucas-Washburn-Rideal (LWR) equation, using the equilibrium contact angle, predicts a faster capillary rise process than experiments in many cases. The major contributor to the faster prediction is believed to be the velocity dependent dynamic contact angle. In this work, we investigated the dynamic contact angle models for their ability to correct the dynamic contact angle effect in the capillary rise process. We conducted capillary rise experiments of various wetting liquids in borosilicate glass capillaries and compared the model predictions with our experimental data. The results show that the LWR equations modified by the molecular kinetic theory and hydrodynamic model provide good predictions on the capillary rise of all the testing liquids with fitting parameters, while the one modified by Joos' empirical equation works for specific liquids, such as silicone oils. The LWR equation modified by molecular self-layering model predicts well the capillary rise of carbon tetrachloride, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and n-alkanes with the molecular diameter or measured solvation force data. The molecular self-layering model modified LWR equation also has good predictions on the capillary rise of silicone oils covering a wide range of bulk viscosities with the same key parameter W(0), which results from the molecular self-layering. The advantage of the molecular self-layering model over the other models reveals the importance of the layered molecularly thin wetting film ahead of the main meniscus in the energy dissipation associated with dynamic contact angle. The analysis of the capillary rise of silicone oils with a wide range of bulk viscosities provides new insights into the capillary dynamics of polymer melts.


Inhibition of growth of HT-29 human colon cancer xenografts in nude mice by treatment with bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist (RC-3095).
Nude mice bearing xenografts of HT-29 human colon cancer cell line were treated for 4 weeks with a [D-Trp6] agonist of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), somatostatin analogue (RC-160), and bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist (RC-3095). Some inhibitory effect of [D-Trp6] LH-RH microcapsules releasing 25 micrograms/day on tumor growth was observed that could be due to sex steroid deprivation, but the inhibition was not statistically significant. Microcapsules of RC-160, releasing 50 micrograms/day, significantly reduced tumor volume after 21 and 24 days of treatment, but at the end of the experiment the inhibition in tumor volume and weight was not significant. Bombesin/gastrin releasing peptide antagonist RC-3095, at a dose of 20 micrograms/day administered by daily s.c. injections or by continuous infusion using Alzet osmotic minipumps, had the greatest inhibitory effect on tumor growth. Tumor volume, percentage change in tumor volume, and tumor weights were significantly decreased in both groups treated with RC-3095. This is the first report on inhibition of human colon cancer growth in vivo by bombesin antagonists.


Sex differences in shoulder performance fatiguability are affected by arm position, dominance and muscle group.
Injury prevalence data, muscle strength, and fatiguability differ between males and females. In addition, arm spatial orientation affects muscle activation and strength of the shoulder muscles. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted in relation to the shoulder rotator muscles comparing men and women. Therefore, the main aim of of this study was to perform a comparative investigation between two arm spatial orientations (45° and 90° of abduction in the frontal plane) during a fatigue assessment of the internal rotator (IR) and external rotator (ER) shoulder muscles. Secondly, the interaction between sex and dominance with muscular performance was assessed. Forty healthy sedentary participants, 20 males and 20 females took part in this study. Participants performed a fatigue resistance protocol consisting of 30 consecutive maximal concentric contractions of the IR and ER shoulder muscles in a supine position at a speed of 180°/s. The upper limb was abducted to an angle of 45° or 90° in the frontal plane and each participant was tested on the dominant and nom-dominant side, counterbalanced in order of administration. Performance measures of Induced Fatigue (IF; %), Cumulated Performance (C.Perf; J) and Best Repetition (BR; J) were calculated and used for analysis. IF represents the % difference between the amount of work done over the last 3 and first 3 repetitions, BR represents the largest amount of work done during a single contraction, and C.Perf represents the total amount of work done during all repetitions. Muscle group was the only factor to display significant variation when not considering other factors, with higher values for C.Perf (mean difference = 353.59 J, P < 0.0005), BR (mean difference = 14.21 J, P < 0.0005) and IF (mean difference = 3.65%, P = 0.0046). There was a significant difference between both angles, with higher values observed at 90° compared to 45° of abduction for C.Perf by ~ 7.5% (mean difference = 75 to 152 J) and ~ 10.8% (mean difference = 5.1 to 9.4 J) for BR in the ER, in males and females respectively (P < 0.0005). The dominant arm was significantly stronger than the non-dominant arm for C.Perf by 11.7% (mean difference = 111.58 J) for males and by 18% (mean difference = 82.77 J) for females in the ER at 45° abduction. At 90° abduction, only females were stronger in the dominant arm by 18.8% (mean difference = 88.17 J). Values for BR ranged from 9.2 to 21.8% depending on the abduction angle and sex of the athlete (mean difference = 2.44 - 4.85 J). Males were significantly stronger than females by 48.8 to 50.7% for values of C.Perf and BR in both the IR and ER (P < 0.0005). There was a significant difference between the ER and IR muscles, with significantly higher values observed for the IR in C.Perf (mean difference = 331.74 J) by 30.0% and in BR (mean difference = 13.31 J) by 26.64%. Differences in shoulder performance fatiguability between sexes are affected by arm position, arm dominance and muscle groups. In agreement with the literature, performance values in males were approximately 50% higher than in females. However, the amount of IF was no different between both sexes. Based on findings in literature, it could be suggested that this is due to differences between males and females in motor control and/or coordination strategies during repetitive tasks. In addition, we also observed the IR muscles to be significantly stronger than the ER muscles. It has long been established in literature that these observations are due to the muscle-size differences between both muscle groups, where the IR muscles can produce a larger amount of force due to the larger cross-sectional area. Results of our study found similar ER:IR ratios compared to previous reports. Therefore, these findings are useful for clinicians when monitoring rehabilitation programs in sedentary individuals following shoulder injuries.


High Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Insulin Resistance in HIV-infected Prepubertal African Children on Antiretroviral Therapy.
Data describing the true extent of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-induced dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in perinatally infected children on ART in Africa are sparse. Fasting total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, insulin and glucose were performed on the first 100 of 190 pediatric ART clinic attendees. Diet assessment was performed by a trained dietician. Lipoatrophy was formally graded by consensus between 2 expert HIV pediatricians. Durations of previous ART exposures, clinical stage, pre-ART viral load, nadir and current CD4 were recorded. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed on a subset of 42 patients selected semi-randomly. Prevalences of insulin resistance, abnormal total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride were 10%, 13%, 12%, 13% and 9%, respectively. Overall, 40% had at least 1 lipid abnormality or insulin resistance. Adjusted mean LDL cholesterol increased by 0.24 mmol/L for each additional year of cumulative lopinavir/r exposure (P = 0.03) after correcting for age, gender, body mass index, previous stavudine exposure, age at ART initiation, dietary fat and refined carbohydrate, whereas adjusted mean LDL cholesterol was 0.9 mmol/L higher in children exposed to efavirenz within the previous 6 months (P = 0.02). Adjusting for age, gender and ethnicity, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry revealed that greater trunk fat and lower peripheral subcutaneous fat were associated with elevated triglycerides but not with total cholesterol, LDL, HDL or homeostatic model assessment. Similarly, the presence of visually obvious lipoatrophy was associated with elevated triglycerides but not with total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, homeostatic model assessment or lactate. Prevalences of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia were high. Cumulative lopinavir is an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia, with efavirenz exposure having only transitory effect.


[Not Available].
In the last decade of the 18th century many books bearing the title "anthropology" were published. In his "Grundlage medicinisch-anthropologischer Vorlesungen für Nichtärzte" (1791), the Swiss medical doctor Paulus Usteri (1768-1831) tried to connect medical anthropology and popular medicine in a way, that should make it interesting for the educated medical laymen. In the article Usteri's concept is described with special regard to the sources.


[Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: evaluation of outcomes and analysis of prognostic factors].
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of full-thickness tears and to determine prognostic factors. Forty-one shoulders of 40 patients (16 males, 24 females; mean age 56 years; range 39 to 72 years) unresponsive to conservative treatment were evaluated. The mean symptom duration was 15 months (range 2 to 24 months). Involvement was on the right in 34 shoulders, on the left in seven shoulders, 80% being on the dominant side. The range of motion was measured with a goniometer, muscle strength was measured manually. Clinical and functional evaluations were based on physical and radiological examinations, and the UCLA scale. The mean follow-up was 37 months (range 12 to 61 months). Prognostic factors included age, symptom duration, range of motion, muscle strength, tear size, retraction and quality of tendon, and fatty degenerative changes. According to the UCLA scale, the results were satisfactory in 29 shoulders (70.7%), moderate in five (12.2%), and poor in seven (17.1%). Six shoulders (14.6%) required revision surgery. Postoperative improvements in forward flexion and muscle strength were significant (p<0.05), whereas change in external rotation was insignificant (p>0.05). Age, tear size, retraction and quality of tendon, and fatty degenerative changes were found to significantly affect unsatisfactory results (p<0.05). Preoperative symptom duration, range of motion, and muscle strength were not effective on the results (p>0.05). Our results are not as successful as those obtained from open procedures. The results may be more satisfactory through improving arthroscopic skills and taking prognostic factors into consideration in patient selection.


Executive Functions in Older Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Objective Performance and Subjective Complaints.
Although deficits in Executive Functioning (EF) are reported frequently in young individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), they remain relatively unexplored later in life (>50 years). We studied objective performance on EF measures (Tower of London, Zoo map, phonetic/semantic fluency) as well as subjective complaints (self- and proxy reported BRIEF) in 36 ASD and 36 typically developed individuals (n = 72). High functioning older adults with ASD reported EF-impairments in metacognition, but did not deviate in EF task performance, except for a longer execution time of the Tower of London. The need for additional time to complete daily tasks may contribute to impairments in daily life and may be correlated to a higher level of experienced EF-difficulties in ASD.


Chelation therapy in cardiovascular disease: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, deferoxamine, and dexrazoxane.
This review was conducted to assess whether there is sufficient evidence for the clinical use of chelation therapy in cardiovascular disease based on original articles and abstracts published in the last 30 years, with emphasis placed on the most recent placebo-controlled studies. Articles postulating the mechanisms of chelation also were included. The majority of the literature focused on three chelators in particular, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), deferoxamine, and dexrazoxane (ICRF-187). Historically, much has been written on the beneficial effects of EDTA. However, there are few controlled studies, and the mechanism of action of EDTA is poorly understood. Although studies of deferoxamine are more recent, most of the research is limited to animals and ex vivo models. Recently, dexrazoxane was approved, but only for parenteral use for reducing the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy associated with doxorubicin administration in women with metastatic breast cancer. Given these limitations, it is concluded that more controlled studies are required to determine the efficacy of chelation therapy in cardiovascular disease before it can be used broadly in the clinical setting.


Effect of Arm Positioning on Entrapment of Infraclavicular Nerve Block Catheter.
Continuous brachial plexus nerve block catheters are commonly inserted for postoperative analgesia after upper extremity surgery. Modifications of the insertion technique have been described to improve the safety of placing an infraclavicular brachial plexus catheter. Rarely, these catheters may become damaged or entrapped, complicating their removal. We describe a case of infraclavicular brachial plexus catheter entrapment related to differences in arm positioning during catheter placement and removal. Written authorization to obtain, use, and disclose information and images was obtained from the patient.


Assessing wildfire exposure in the Wildland-Urban Interface area of the mountains of central Argentina.
Wildfires are a major threat to people and property in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) communities worldwide, but while the patterns of the WUI in North America, Europe and Oceania have been studied before, this is not the case in Latin America. Our goals were to a) map WUI areas in central Argentina, and b) assess wildfire exposure for WUI communities in relation to historic fires, with special emphasis on large fires and estimated burn probability based on an empirical model. We mapped the WUI in the mountains of central Argentina (810,000 ha), after digitizing the location of 276,700 buildings and deriving vegetation maps from satellite imagery. The areas where houses and wildland vegetation intermingle were classified as Intermix WUI (housing density > 6.17 hu/km2 and wildland vegetation cover > 50%), and the areas where wildland vegetation abuts settlements were classified as Interface WUI (housing density > 6.17 hu/km2, wildland vegetation cover < 50%, but within 600 m of a vegetated patch larger than 5 km2). We generated burn probability maps based on historical fire data from 1999 to 2011; as well as from an empirical model of fire frequency. WUI areas occupied 15% of our study area and contained 144,000 buildings (52%). Most WUI area was Intermix WUI, but most WUI buildings were in the Interface WUI. Our findings suggest that central Argentina has a WUI fire problem. WUI areas included most of the buildings exposed to wildfires and most of the buildings located in areas of higher burn probability. Our findings can help focus fire management activities in areas of higher risk, and ultimately provide support for landscape management and planning aimed at reducing wildfire risk in WUI communities.


Tissue-specific expression of an oat 12S seed globulin gene in developing tobacco seeds: differential mRNA and protein accumulation.
We studied the expression of the oat globulin gene asglo5 in developing transgenic tobacco seeds. The asglo5 gene promoter directed transcription in the endosperm as well as in the provascular tissue, the presumptive root tip and the shoot apical meristem of the embryo as revealed by GUS reporter gene constructs and in situ hybridization. However, immunological tissue printing detected the oat protein exclusively in the tobacco endosperm, suggesting that extensive post-transcriptional regulatory processes influence the expression of the monocot transgene in the dicot host.


Identification and Functional Inference for Tumor-Associated Long Non-Coding RNA.
Gastric cancer is one of the top leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide especially in China. In recent years, some lncRNAs are discovered to be dysregulated in many cancers. The study on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) relationship with cancers has attracted increasing attention. The molecular mechanism of gastric cancer remains largely unclear factors, especially for lncRNAs. Experiments are feasible to obtain related information, however, experimental identification of cancer-related lncRNAs usually possesses high time complexity and high cost. In this paper, a computational method is proposed to determine the relationship between lncRNA and gastric cancer by reusing the exon-based array of gastric cancer. One specific lncRNAs LINC00365 and its target differentially expressed genes whose products are predicted as blood, urine, or salvia-excretory are identified to be candidates for a combined biomarker for gastric cancer. Further biological function and molecular mechanism of the gastric cancer related lncRNAs and coding gene biomarkers are inferred in terms of multi-source biological knowledge.


Born or not: A moderated mediation model of the relationship between work-family conflict and female employees' wellbeing based on fertility intention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The previous academic research on work-family conflict mainly focused on the relevant elements in the work field. This study concludes that elements of the family domain have a significant impact on the relationship between work-family conflict and employee wellbeing. Female employees' perceptions of wellbeing largely depend on their willingness to have children when they take on family roles. During COVID-19, employees had more time to fulfill both work and family roles in the family sphere due to the epidemic blockade, the contribution of the female employee's significant other (husband) in family matters had a significant impact on Fertility intention. This study using SPSS 24.0 AMOS 20.0 and M plus 7.4 statistical analysis tools to test the proposed hypotheses. In the paired data of 412 working female employees and husbands of Chinese dual-earner families with different occupational backgrounds, hypothesis testing results support that female employees' work → family conflict is negatively related to female employees' fertility intentions, and female employees' fertility intentions are positively related to wellbeing; female employees' family → work conflict is negatively related to female employees' wellbeing; husband's flexible work stress is negatively related to husband's share of housework; husband's share of housework moderated the front, rear and overall mediating effects by the fertility intention. When formulating policies, the managers should consider not only the direct effects of policies, but also the indirect effects that policies may have on other family members of employees. Managers should develop management policies during an epidemic that are more responsive to the actual needs of employees during an epidemic. The management of female employees should give due consideration to the family status of female employees and the enterprises should recognize the importance of childcare for female employees.


Radiologic method to assess urinary bladder capacity and proportions in children.
The bladder capacity has been determined physiologically and radiologically at micturition urethrocystography in 139 otherwise normal children 4 to 8 weeks after a bacteriologically confirmed, successfully treated urinary tract infection. This capacity, at a pressure of 50 cm of contrast medium, has been correlated to the length of the lumbar segment L1 to L3. The assessment of normal and abnormal bladder size can be made from infused volume or three dimensional radiologic measurements and is expressed in standard deviations.


Chordin-like 1, a bone morphogenetic protein-4 antagonist, is upregulated by hypoxia in human retinal pericytes and plays a role in regulating angiogenesis.
Pericytes play a specialized role in regulating angiogenesis and vascular function by providing vascular stability and controlling endothelial cell proliferation. Disorders in pericyte function and pericyte-endothelial interaction have been observed in several disease states including tumor angiogenesis and diabetic microangiopathy. In ischemic retinal disease, hypoxia is a potent driver of retinal angiogenesis. This study investigated the effects of hypoxia on retinal pericyte gene expression, and demonstrates a role in angiogenesis regulation for the hypoxia driven gene, chordin-like 1 (CHL-1). In the current studies, we investigated hypoxia-induced gene expression in human retinal pericytes and found that expression of CHL-1, a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) superfamily, is upregulated by hypoxia. We investigated regulation of CHL-1 expression and the ability of CHL-1 to antagonize the antiangiogenic properties of BMP-4 using a human cell-based angiogenesis assay. We report that hypoxia induced hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha-driven expression of CHL-1. Both CHL-1 and BMP-4 were secreted from human retinal pericytes. We found that CHL-1 complexes with BMP-4 to antagonize the antiangiogenic effects of BMP-4, and that BMP-4 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) co-regulate angiogenesis. We propose that hypoxia-induced upregulation of CHL-1 alters the homeostatic balance between BMP-4 and VEGF to synergize with VEGF in driving retinal angiogenesis.


Selection of recycling centre locations by using the interval type-2 fuzzy sets and two-objective genetic algorithm.
In the sense of contemporary industrial challenges, it may be said that many issues in the field of recycling may be analysed. In this paper, the model for choosing locations for construction of recycling centres equipped with new technology is proposed. The considered problem may be stated as a two-objective optimization problem, if the optimization criteria are presented as total distance and the overall suitability index sum. The relative importance and values of possible locations' attributes are described by pre-defined linguistic expressions, and modelled by interval triangular type-2 fuzzy numbers. Type-2 fuzzy numbers provide a possibility to incorporate the uncertainty of membership functions into the fuzzy set theory. The procedure for determination of the overall suitability index is proposed. Selection of the most appropriate locations is achieved by a two-objective genetic algorithm, since it is very suitable for the routing issues. The proposed model application is illustrated with the real-life data that come from a few regions in Serbia.


Integration of Geriatrician Consultation for Trauma Admissions May Benefit Patient Outcomes.
Objective: Geriatric admissions to trauma centers have increased, and in 2013, our center integrated geriatrician consultation with the management of admitted patients. Our goal is to describe our experience with increasing geriatric fall volume to help inform organized geriatric trauma programs. Method: We retrospectively analyzed admitted trauma patients ≥65 years old, suffering falls from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2017. We examined descriptive statistics and changes in outcomes after integration. Results: A total of 1,335 geriatric trauma patients were admitted, of which 1,054 (79%) had suffered falls. Falls increased disproportionately (+280%) compared with other mechanisms of injury (+97%). After 2013, patient discharge disposition to skilled nursing facility decreased significantly (-67%, p < .001), with a concomitant increase in safe discharges home with outpatient services. Regression analysis revealed association between integration of geriatrician consultation and outcomes. Discussion: Geriatrician consultation is associated with optimized discharge disposition of trauma patients. We recommend geriatrician consultation for all geriatric trauma activations.


Effects of type of freeze straw and thaw temperature on the fertilizing capacity of frozen chicken semen.
Two experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between thawing temperature and the type of straw in which chicken semen was frozen. In Experiment 1, semen was frozen in three different types of plastic straws: US (.5-ml capacity), French (.5-ml capacity), and French mini (.25-ml capacity). Experiment 1 was divided into two trials to compare semen packaged in the different straws and thawed at 15 (Trial 1) or .5 C (Trial 2). Although there were distinguishable features of the freeze and thaw curves between samples frozen in the different straws, the type of freeze straw had no effect on the fertilizing capacity of frozen semen when thaw temperature was held constant: fertility, Days 2 to 4 after artificial insemination, ranged from 16 to 27% for Trial 1 and 45 to 47% for Trial 2. In Experiment 2, semen was frozen in US straws and thawed at either .5 or 15 C to assess the effect of the thaw temperature. Fertility of frozen semen, Days 2 to 4 after artificial insemination, was significantly higher when semen was thawed at .5 than at 15 C (62 vs. 20%).


Signposts to development: theory of mind in deaf children.
Possession of a "theory of mind" (ToM)--as demonstrated by an understanding of the false beliefs of others--is fundamental in children's cognitive development. A key question for debate concerns the effect of language input on ToM. In this respect, comparisons of deaf native-signing children who are raised by deaf signing parents with deaf late-signing children who are raised by hearing parents provide a critical test. This article reports on two studies (N = 100 and N = 39) using "thought picture" measures of ToM that minimize verbal task-performance requirements. These studies demonstrated that even when factors such as syntax ability, mental age in spatial ability, and executive functioning were considered, deaf late signers still showed deficits in ToM understanding relative to deaf native signers or hearing controls. Even though the native signers were significantly younger than a sample of late signers matched for spatial mental age and scores on a test of receptive sign language ability, native signers outperformed late signers on pictorial ToM tasks. The results are discussed in terms of access to conversation and extralinguistic influences on development such as the presence of sibling relationships, and suggest that the expression of a ToM is the end result of social understanding mediated by early conversational experience.


A CT metal artifact reduction algorithm based on sinogram surgery.
Streak artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images caused by metallic objects limit the wider use of CT imaging technologies. There have been various attempts to improve CT images containing streak artifacts; however, most of them generate additional artifacts or do not completely eradicate existing artifacts. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm which reduces streak artifacts in CT images. Using CT numbers reconstructed from a given sinogram, we extract the metal part M and the surrounding area C with similar CT numbers. By filling in the area C ∪ M with the evaluated average CT number of C, we obtain a modified CT image. Using forward projection of the modified CT image, we generate a sinogram containing information about the anatomical structure. We undertake sinogram surgery to remove the metallic effects from the sinogram, after which we repeat the procedure. We perform numerical experiments using various simulated phantoms and patient images. For a quantitative analysis, we use the relative l∞ error and the relative l2 error. In simulated phantom experiments, all l∞ errors and l2 errors approach 10% and 1% of the initial errors, respectively. Moreover, for the patient image simulations, all l∞ errors are decreased by a factor of 20 while the l2 errors are decreased less than 5%. We observe that the proposed algorithm effectively reduces the metal artifacts. In this paper, we propose a metal artifact reduction algorithm based on sinogram surgery to reduce metal artifacts without additional artifacts. We also provide empirical convergence of our algorithm.


Transport and Retention of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Unsaturated Porous Media: Effect of Transient Water Flow.
For production of clean drinking water, the processes governing bacterial remobilization in the unsaturated zone at transient water flow are critical. Although managed aquifer recharge is an effective way to dispose of pathogens, there are concerns about recontamination after heavy precipitation. To better understand how bacteria that were initially retained in porous media can be released to groundwater due to transient water content, transport experiments and modeling for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus moraviensis were conducted at the soil column scale. After inoculating dune sand columns with a bacteria suspension for 4 h, three rainfall events were performed at 24-h intervals. The effluent from sand columns was collected to analyze bacteria breakthrough curves (BTCs). After the rainfall experiments, the bacteria distribution in the sand column was determined. The collected BTCs and profile retentions were modeled with HYDRUS-1D, using different model concepts, including one-site kinetic attachment/detachment (M1), Langmuirian (M2), Langmuirian and blocking (M3), and two-site attachment/detachment (M4). After inoculation, almost 99% of the bacteria remained in the soil. The M1 and M2 bacteria models had a high agreement between observed and modeled concentrations, and attachment and detachment were two significant mechanisms for regulating bacteria movement in a porous medium with fluctuations in water flow. At the end of the experiment, the majority of bacteria were still found within the depth range of 5 cm to 15 cm. Our experiments show that E. coli is more mobile in sandy soils than E. moraviensis. The results of this study also suggest that the unsaturated zone is an important barrier between microbial contamination at the soil surface and groundwater. Follow-up studies are needed to completely understand the variables that regulate bacteria remobilization in the unsaturated zone of dune sands. IMPORTANCE At managed artificial recharge sites in the Netherlands, recontamination of infiltrated water with fecal indicator bacteria has been observed. The results of this study suggest that the unsaturated zone is an important barrier between microbial contamination at the soil surface and groundwater. Bacteria that accumulate in the unsaturated zone, on the other hand, can multiply to such an extent that they can be released into the saturated zone when saturation increases due to major rain events or a rise in groundwater level.


Phylogeography and Genetic Structure of the Bush Cricket Decma fissa (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) in Southern China.
Decma fissa is the most widely distributed species of the genus Decma occuring in southern China. This study presents the first phylogeographic work of D. fissa based on COI, Cytb and ITS sequence. We examined genetic diversity with ITS and mitochondrial sequence respectively, and phylogenetic work was based on the mitochondrial data. A high-level genetic diversity was revealed based on mitochondrial data but a low-level diversity was shown with ITS sequence. For the mitochondrial data, divergence time analysis displayed five lineages. Based on the Mantel test, geographic and genetic distances among D. fissa populations revealed a significant positive correlation. Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analyses implied that none of three major lineages of D. fissa was seemingly affected by the last glacial maximum (LGM, 0.015-0.025 Mya). Ecological niche modeling was used to predict the distribution of D. fissa in four periods (LGM, Mid-Holocene, current and 2070) in China. Analysis of the ancestral area reconstruction indicated that D. fissa occurred in the South China area.


Pre-treatment with new kynurenic acid amide dose-dependently prevents the nitroglycerine-induced neuronal activation and sensitization in cervical part of trigemino-cervical complex.
The systemic administration of nitroglycerine induces attacks in migraineurs and is able to activate and sensitize the trigeminal system in animals involving glutamate and α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, among others. Kynurenic acid is one of the endogenous glutamate receptor antagonists, and exerts inhibitory action on the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Since kynurenic acid penetrates the blood-brain barrier poorly, therefore a newly synthesized kynurenic acid amide, N-(2-N-pyrrolidinylethyl)-4-oxo-1H-quinoline-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (KYNAa) was used with such a side-chain substitution to facilitate brain penetration in our study. We evaluated its modulatory effect on kynurenic acid concentration in the cervical part of trigemino-cervical complex (C1-C2) and in the model of nitroglycerine-induced trigeminal activation using male Sprague-Dawley rats. One hour after 1 mmol/kg bodyweight KYNAa administration, the kynurenic acid level increased significantly in C1-C2, which returned to the basal level at 300 min measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. KYNAa pre-treatment had dose-dependent, mitigating action on nitroglycerine-induced decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide and increase in c-Fos, neuronal nitric oxide synthase and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha expression in the C1-C2. KYNAa also mitigated the behavioural changes after nitroglycerine. Thus, in this model KYNAa is able to modulate in a dose-dependent manner the changes in neurochemical markers of activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system directly and indirectly--via forming kynurenic acid, possibly acting on peripheral and central glutamate or α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These results suggest that application of kynurenic acid derivatives could be a useful therapeutic strategy in migraine headache in the future with a different mechanism of action.


Successful spontaneous pregnancy following surgical removal of a post uterine artery embolized necrotic fibroid capsule: a case report.
Uterine artery embolization has been shown to be an effective treatment in controlling symptomatic uterine fibroids. Reports suggest that significant complications associated with the procedure are rare. However, data pertaining to preservation of fertility after embolization are scarce, and some authors do not advocate this procedure for women considering future pregnancy. We present a case of a post-embolization uterine cavity abnormality which was repaired surgically, followed by successful pregnancy outcome.


Role of cinacalcet in management of mineral bone disorder in chronic kidney disease (control of calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone).
The management of hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder includes treatment to control levels of calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone, so as to prevent bone and soft-tissue complications. Recently, pleiotropic effects of active vitamin D have attracted much attention, and its effect on outcome has also gained recognition. However, administration of active vitamin D may cause hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Now, the use of a novel class of drugs, cinacalcet hydrochloride, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce parathyroid hormone secretion, while decreasing levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium x phosphorus products. Among subjects with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing hemodialysis, combined therapy with cinacalcet and vitamin D sterols improved achievement of the biochemical targets for chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder recommended by the guidelines.


Intergroup attitudes of European American children attending ethnically homogeneous schools.
Intergroup attitudes were assessed in European American 1st-grade (M=6.99 years, SD=0.32) and 4th-grade (M=10.01 years, SD=0.36) children (N=138) attending ethnically homogeneous schools to test hypotheses about racial biases and interracial friendships. An Ambiguous Situations Task and an Intergroup Contact Assessment were administered to all participants. Unlike previous findings with European American children attending heterogeneous schools, children rated minority perpetrators more negatively than majority perpetrators, and friendship as less likely when a minority than a majority perpetrator was portrayed. These findings suggest that intergroup contact contributes to racial bias in children's interpretations of peer dyadic encounters and to judgments about interracial friendships.


Career management: pay considerations.
As nurse managers move into new and expanded leadership roles, there are many considerations. One issue that frequently arises is pay--how to negotiate your own pay and how to be sure you receive a reasonable compensation package. This article addresses the most common issues and gives examples of practical approaches.


Extent of microcytic anemia among children in a low-income, peri-urban community in the Dominican Republic using different cut-points.
Response to anemia in low-resource settings may entail presumptive iron treatment for those with Hemoglobin (Hb) levels falling below certain cut points. This study aimed to inform an anemia screening and treatment service in a low-income community in the Dominican Republic by determining (i) the prevalence of anemia in young children attending this service using different Hb cut points and (ii) the extent of microcytosis using different recommended cut points for the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Using the WHO recommended cut point of <11.0 g/dl, 69.9% of 292 children would be classified as anemic, while using a more conservative cut point, <10.0 g/dl, 34.6% would be identified. Depending on the Hb cut point and which of two age-based MCV cut points are used, the prevalence of microcytosis within the anemic subsamples ranged from 23.5% to 80.2%. With increasing availability of complete blood counts in low resource settings (vs. Hb only), more sophisticated management algorithms are necessary to guide primary care efforts.


The Crumbs3 Polarity Protein.
The Crumbs proteins are evolutionarily conserved apical transmembrane proteins. Drosophila Crumbs was discovered via its crucial role in epithelial polarity during fly embryogenesis. Crumbs proteins have variable extracellular domains but a highly conserved intracellular domain that can bind FERM and PDZ domain proteins. Mammals have three Crumbs genes and this review focuses on Crumbs3, the major Crumbs isoform expressed in mammalian epithelial cells. Although initial work has highlighted the role of Crumbs3 in polarity, more recent studies have found it has an important role in tissue morphogenesis functioning as a linker between the apical membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. In addition, recent publications have linked Crumbs3 to growth control via regulation of the Hippo/Yap pathway.


LIGHTCURVE ANALYSIS OF HILDA ASTEROIDS AT THE CENTER FOR SOLAR SYSTEM STUDIES: 2019 JANUARY-MARCH.
CCD photometric observations of three Hilda asteroids were made at the Center for Solar System Studies (CS3) from 2019 January-March. For 1038 Tuckia, the period solution was ambiguous at either P = 18.020 h, amplitude 0.22 mag or P = 14.401 h, amplitude 0.20 mag. For 2246 Bowell, the analysis found P = 4.997 and amplitude 0.46 mag. For 4317 Garibaldi, we found a dual-period solution with P1 = 17.843 or 8.92 h and P2 = 11.426 h. The shorter value for P1 is similar to previously reported results but this is the first time a true dual-period solution, i.e., not an ambiguous single period solution, has been reported.


Redescription of Zeuxapta seriolae (Meserve, 1938) and Zeuxapta australica Lebedev, 1968 (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae).
Redescription is given of heteraxinid monogeneans Zeuxapta seriolae (Meserve, 1938), type species of the genus, and Zeuxapta australica Lebedev, 1968 (formerly Z. seriolae australica). Type specimens of Z. seriolae from Seriola dorsalis from Galápagos Islands were differentiated from Z. australica specimens collected by Lebedev from Seriola glandis (now Seriola lalandi) from Tasman Sea, the type locality, by the shape of the vagina, which consisted of the transversely oval central body and horizontally extended paired tubes in the former, and the transversely oval central body and short, obliquely posteriad paired extensions in the latter. Zeuxapta japonica (Yamaguti, 1940) and Zeuxapta kahala (Yamaguti, 1968) were synonymized with Z. seriolae. Hitherto undescribed Zeuxapta specimens were also examined; those from Seriola aureovittata from Japan and China, and specimens from Seriola dumerili from Japan and Spain were identified as Z. seriolae, while those from Seriola lalandi from Chile and New Zealand were identified as Z. australica. Specimens from S. lalandi (as Seriola glandis) from Heron Island, Australia described by Rohde in 1978 as Z. seriolae consisted of Z. seriolae and Z. australica.


Structure of (R)-(-)-7-[2-(1-hydroxy-2-butylamino)ethyl]theophylline hydrochloride.
C13H22N5O3+.Cl-, Mr = 331.803, monoclinic, C2, a = 21.821 (3), b = 11.810 (2), c = 6.978 (2) A, beta = 100.7 (3) degrees, V = 1767.01 A3, Z = 4, Dm = 1.25, D chi = 1.23 Mg m-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.54178 A, mu = 2.051 mm-1, F(000) = 704, T = 293 K, R = 0.065 for 1512 unique observed reflections. The compound is a potential antiarrhythmic and the molecule has the typical synclinal conformation for the -NH-CH-CH2-OH fragment of the side chain [tau CC = 56.5 (8) degrees] exhibited by these compounds. The Cl anion is hydrogen bonded to the N atom of 2-aminobutanal: N...Cl = 3.075 (1) A; N-H...Cl = 169.6 (5) degrees.


Selective inhibition of avian sarcoma virus protein synthesis in 3-deazaadenosine-treated infected chicken embryo fibroblasts.
The production of B77 avian sarcoma virions was inhibited more than 90% in infected chicken embryo fibroblasts that were treated with 100 microM 3-deazaadenosine, an inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and, for this reason, an inhibitor of methylation reactions. This nucleoside analog at a concentration of 100 microM inhibited the rates of overall cellular protein synthesis and polyadenylated RNA synthesis by 40 to 50%. Rates of viral protein synthesis were compared, and the results indicated that in infected cells treated with 3-deazaadenosine syntheses of both the precursor of the gag proteins (pr76gag) and the precursor of the reverse transcriptase (pr180gag pol) were inhibited. Synthesis of the precursor of the viral envelope glycoproteins (pr92env) appeared to be affected less by the analog treatment. Most of the host polypeptides also continued to be synthesized in 3-deazaadenosine-treated cells. The fraction of the total RNA represented by virus-specific RNA in the 3-deazaadenosine-treated cells was approximately 40% of the fraction of the total RNA represented by viral RNA in control cells, as determined by hybridization kinetics. Therefore, there was a selective inhibition of viral RNA accumulation in the presence of 3-deazaadenosine. The amounts of genome-sized 35S and 38S RNAs were reduced compared with the amounts of 28S and 21S viral mRNA's. These results suggest that selective inhibition of the synthesis of viral proteins is due to selective decreases in the amounts of the mRNA's for these polypeptides.


Synthesis and evaluation of a large library of nitroxoline derivatives as pancreatic cancer antiproliferative agents.
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest carcinomas and in most cases, which are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, current therapeutic options are highly unsatisfactory. Based on the anti-proliferative effects shown by nitroxoline, an old urinary antibacterial agent, we explored a large library of newly synthesised derivatives to unravel the importance of the OH moiety and pyridine ring of the parent compound. The new derivatives showed a valuable anti-proliferative effect and some displayed a greater effect as compared to nitroxoline against three pancreatic cancer cell lines with different genetic profiles. In particular, in silico pharmacokinetic data, clonogenicity assays and selectivity indexes of the most promising compounds showed several advantages for such derivatives, as compared to nitroxoline. Moreover, some of these novel compounds had stronger effects on cell viability and/or clonogenic capacity in PC cells as compared to erlotinib, a targeted agent approved for PC treatment.