The pharmacological effects of the anesthetic alfaxalone after intramuscular administration to dogs.
The pharmacological effects of the anesthetic alfaxalone were evaluated after intramuscular (IM) administration to 6 healthy beagle dogs. The dogs received three IM doses each of alfaxalone at increasing dose rates of 5 mg/kg (IM5), 7.5 mg/kg (IM7.5) and 10 mg/kg (IM10) every other day. Anesthetic effect was subjectively evaluated by using an ordinal scoring system to determine the degree of neuro-depression and the quality of anesthetic induction and recovery from anesthesia. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured using noninvasive methods. Alfaxalone administered IM produced dose-dependent neuro-depression and lateral recumbency (i.e., 36 ± 28 min, 87 ± 26 min and 115 ± 29 min after the IM5, IM7.5 and IM10 treatments, respectively). The endotracheal tube was tolerated in all dogs for 46 ± 20 and 58 ± 21 min after the IM7.5 and IM10 treatments, respectively. It was not possible to place endotracheal tubes in 5 of the 6 dogs after the IM5 treatment. Most cardiorespiratory variables remained within clinically acceptable ranges, but hypoxemia was observed by pulse oximetry for 5 to 10 min in 2 dogs receiving the IM10 treatment. Dose-dependent decreases in rectal temperature, respiratory rate and arterial blood pressure also occurred. The quality of recovery was considered satisfactory in all dogs receiving each treatment; all the dog exhibited transient muscular tremors and staggering gait. In conclusion, IM alfaxalone produced a dose-dependent anesthetic effect with relatively mild cardiorespiratory depression in dogs. However, hypoxemia may occur at higher IM doses of alfaxalone.


Self-assembled small-molecule microarrays for protease screening and profiling.
Small-molecule microarrays are attractive for chemical biology as they permit the analysis of hundreds to thousands of interactions in a highly miniaturized format. Methods to prepare small-molecule microarrays from combinatorial libraries by a self-assembly process based on the sequence-specific hybridization of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) encoded libraries to oligonucleotide arrays are presented. A systematic study of the dynamic range for multiple detection agents, including direct fluorescence of attached fluorescein and cyanine-3 dyes, antibody-mediated fluorescence amplification, and biotin-gold nanoparticle detection, demonstrated that individual PNA-encoded probes can be detected to concentrations of 10 pM on the oligonucleotide microarrays. Furthermore, a new method for parallel processing of biological samples by using gel-based separation of probes is presented. The methods presented in this report are exemplified through profiling two closely related cysteine proteases, cathepsin K and cathepsin F, across a 625-member PNA-encoded tetrapeptide acrylate library. A series of the specific cathepsin K and F inhibitors identified from the library were kinetically characterized and shown to correlate with the observed microarray profile, thus validating the described methods. Importantly, it was shown that this method could be used to obtain orthogonal inhibitors that displayed greater than tenfold selectivity for these closely related cathepsins.


Anococcygeal raphe revisited: a histological study using mid-term human fetuses and elderly cadavers.
We recently demonstrated the morphology of the anococcygeal ligament. As the anococcygeal ligament and raphe are often confused, the concept of the anococcygeal raphe needs to be re-examined from the perspective of fetal development, as well as in terms of adult morphology. We examined the horizontal sections of 15 fetuses as well as adult histology. From cadavers, we obtained an almost cubic tissue mass containing the dorsal wall of the anorectum, the coccyx and the covering skin. Most sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Masson-trichrome solution. The adult ligament contained both smooth and striated muscle fibers. A similar band-like structure was seen in fetuses, containing: 1) smooth muscle fibers originating from the longitudinal muscle coat of the anal canal and 2) striated muscle fibers from the external anal sphincter (EAS). However, in fetuses, the levator ani muscle did not attach to either the band or the coccyx. Along and around the anococcygeal ligament, we did not find any aponeurotic tissue with transversely oriented fibers connecting bilateral levator ani slings. Instead, in adults, a fibrous tissue mass was located at a gap between bilateral levator ani slings; this site corresponded to the dorsal side of the ligament and the EAS in the immediately deep side of the natal skin cleft. We hypothesize that a classically described raphe corresponds to the specific subcutaneous tissue on the superficial or dorsal side of the anococcygeal ligament.


A novel mechanism for isolated central hypothyroidism: inactivating mutations in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene.
Isolated central hypothyroidism, characterized by insufficient TSH secretion resulting in low levels of thyroid hormones, is a rare disorder. We report a boy in whom isolated central hypothyroidism was diagnosed at 9 yr of age. Complete absence of TSH and PRL responses to TRH led us to speculate that he had an inactivating mutation of the TRH receptor gene. The patients' genomic DNA was isolated, and the entire coding region of the TRH receptor was amplified by the PCR and sequenced directly. Confirmation of the mutations and haplotyping of the family was performed using restriction enzymes. The biological activity of the wild-type and mutated TRH receptors was verified by evaluating the binding of labeled TRH and stimulation by TRH of total inositol phosphate accumulation in transfected HEK-293 and COS-1 cells. The patient was found to be a compound heterozygote, having inherited a different mutated allele from each of the parents; both mutations were in the 5'-part of the gene. Mutated receptors were unable to bind TRH and to activate total inositol phosphate accumulation. Our report is the first description of naturally occurring inactivating mutations of a G protein-coupled receptor linked to the phospholipase C second messenger pathway. The prevalence and phenotypic spectrum of TRH receptor mutations in isolated central hypothyroidism remain to be established.


Ultrastructural studies on the permeability of the mesothelium to horseradish peroxidase.
Peritoneal mesothelium was exposed for 2-60 min to solutions of horseradish peroxidase by incubation in vitro, or after intraperitoneal injection in vivo. Peroxidase was localized, with the electron microscope in the intercellular clefts of the mesothelium, often along their entire lengths, in vesicles adjoining or contiguous with the clefts, and along the peritoneal and basal surfaces of the cell, and also in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. The intercellular junctions of peroxidase-treated mesothelium did not differ from those of controls: open and closed junctions were present in both groups. Intercellular localization was also obtained when the mesothelium was exposed to peroxidase during or after fixation. Although intracellular absorption of peroxidase and its incorporation into larger vacuoles were observed, there was no clearcut evidence of vesicular transport across the mesothelium in these experiments. These findings are consistent with physiologic data which postulate that mesothelial transport can be accounted for, at least in part, by passive diffusion through a system of pores, and they suggest that these pores are located in the intercellular clefts.


Synchronous visceral Kaposi sarcoma and extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma in a patient with AIDS.
While infection should always lead the differential when a patient with AIDS presents with fever, inflammatory and malignant aetiologies should also be considered. With profound immunocompromise, malignancies can develop as sequelae of viral oncogene expression. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection drives several AIDS-related cancers including Kaposi sarcoma (KS), multicentric Castleman disease and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), which can present simultaneously with variable clinical features. Herein, we describe a case of synchronous visceral KS and extracavitary PEL in a patient with AIDS. The patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy and remains in remission after four cycles. We review other cases of copresenting HHV-8-related malignancies, explore the salient pathomechanisms and clinical features of these cancers and discuss treatment strategies.


Recent development in 3D food printing.
Robots and software have been significantly improving our daily lives by rendering us much convenience. And 3D printing is a typical example, for it is going to usher in a new era of localized manufacturing that is actually based on digital fabrication by layer-by-layer deposition in three-dimensional space. In terms of food industry, the revolution that three-dimensional printing technologies is bringing to food manufacturing is convenience of low-cost customized fabrication and even precise nutrition control. This paper is aimed to give a brief introduction of recent development of food printing and material property of food ingredients that can be used to design the 3D food matrix and investigate the relationship between process parameters and resulting printed food properties in order to establish a food manufacturing process with this new food production approach.


Simultaneous quantitative determination of nine active chemical compositions in traditional Chinese medicine Glycyrrhiza by RP-HPLC with full-time five-wavelength fusion method.
A new, simple, accurate and reliable full-time five-wavelength fusion method for the simultaneous separation and determination of nine active chemical compositions (liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, ononin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, calycosin, isoliquiritigenin, Glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt) in traditional Chinese medicine Glycyrrhiza was developed using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with a diode-array detector (DAD). The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent TC-C18 column with gradient elution using 0.04% methanoic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1) and UV detection at 248 nm, 250 nm, 276 nm, 362 nm, 370 nm. The standard curves were linear over the range of 2.1379-12.8272 μg for liquiritin apioside, 3.9299-23.5794 μg for liquiritin, 1.0432-6.2592 μg for isoliquiritin apioside, 0.8764-5.8584 μg for ononin, 1.0701-6.4205 μg for isoliquiritin, 1.3685-8.2111 μg for liquiritigenin, 0.3927-2.3563 μg for calycosin, 0.2498- 1.4986 μg for isoliquiritigenin, 2.0094-12.0564 μg for Glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, respectively (r(2) > 0.9997). The recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) varied from 95.09% to 103.54% and 1.09% to 2.36%, respectively. The precision for all the analytes was less than 2.52%. The method indicated good performance in terms of precision, accuracy and linearity. The method enabled the simultaneous determination of nine active chemical compositions for quality control of Glycyrrhiza.


Activation of protein kinase C inhibits prostaglandin- and potentiates adenosine receptor-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in a human T-cell leukemia line.
Accumulation of cAMP in the human T-cell leukemia cell line Jurkat was stimulated by the adenosine analogue 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Addition of two phorbol esters, PDiBu and TPA, markedly enhanced the NECA-stimulated accumulation of cAMP whereas the PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation was substantially reduced. The non-tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 4 alpha-PDD, had no effect on either NECA- or PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation. The ability of PDiBu to inhibit the effect of PGE2 and to stimulate the effect of NECA remained in the presence a low concentration of forskolin (0.3 microM), which per se increased both NECA- and PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Our results suggest that the effect of PK-C-activating drugs on receptor-mediated cAMP accumulation is entirely dependent on which receptor is being stimulated.


Autographivirinae Bacteriophage Arno 160 Infects Pectobacterium carotovorum via Depolymerization of the Bacterial O-Polysaccharide.
Phytopathogenic bacteria belonging to the Pectobacterium and Dickeya genera (soft-rot Pectobacteriaceae) are in the focus of agriculture-related microbiology because of their diversity, their substantial negative impact on the production of potatoes and vegetables, and the prospects of bacteriophage applications for disease control. Because of numerous amendments in the taxonomy of P. carotovorum, there are still a few studied sequenced strains among this species. The present work reports on the isolation and characterization of the phage infectious to the type strain of P. carotovorum. The phage Arno 160 is a lytic Podovirus representing a potential new genus of the subfamily Autographivirinae. It recognizes O-polysaccahride of the host strain and depolymerizes it in the process of infection using a rhamnosidase hydrolytic mechanism. Despite the narrow host range of this phage, it is suitable for phage control application.


Mining the Australian Grains Gene Bank for Rust Resistance in Barley.
Global barley production is threatened by plant pathogens, especially the rusts. In this study we used a targeted genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) assisted GWAS approach to identify rust resistance alleles in a collection of 287 genetically distinct diverse barley landraces and historical cultivars available in the Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) and originally sourced from Eastern Europe. The accessions were challenged with seven US-derived cereal rust pathogen races including Puccinia hordei (Ph-leaf rust) race 17VA12C, P. coronata var. hordei (Pch-crown rust) race 91NE9305 and five pathogenically diverse races of P. striiformis f. sp. hordei (Psh-stripe rust) (PSH-33, PSH-48, PSH-54, PSH-72 and PSH-100) and phenotyped quantitatively at the seedling stage. Novel resistance factors were identified on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 4H and 5H in response to Pch, whereas a race-specific QTL on 7HS was identified that was effective only to Psh isolates PSH-72 and PSH-100. A major effect QTL on chromosome 5HL conferred resistance to all Psh races including PSH-72, which is virulent on all 12 stripe rust differential tester lines. The same major effect QTL was also identified in response to leaf rust (17VA12C) suggesting this locus contains several pathogen specific rust resistance genes or the same gene is responsible for both leaf rust and stripe rust resistance. Twelve accessions were highly resistant to both leaf and stripe rust diseases and also carried the 5HL QTL. We subsequently surveyed the physical region at the 5HL locus for across the barley pan genome variation in the presence of known resistance gene candidates and identified a rich source of high confidence protein kinase and antifungal genes in the QTL region.


[Data Mining-revealed Characteristics of Clinical Application of Scalp Acupuncture].
To explore the regularity and characteristics of clinical application of scalp acupuncture therapy for different types of clinical conditions so as to provide a reference for clinical practice. In the present study, "head acupuncture" and"scalp acupuncture" were used as the keywords to search papers and academic dissertations having definite standards for diagnosis and therapeutic effect assessment and published in journals and academic conferences collected in database China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI) from January 1 of 1959 to December 31 of 2016, followed by constructing a database after sorting, screening, recording, extracting, and statistical analysis by using a computer. Then, the data mining was conducted for summarizing the indications of disease categories, involved medical departments, needle-insertion methods, needle manipulation techniques, academic schools, and clinical efficacy of scalp acupuncture therapy. As a result, a total of 587 papers met our including criteria were analyzed. The scalp acupuncture therapy was widely employed in the treatment of various clinical conditions of different departments, with the application frequency being the internal medicine (438 times), surgery (75 times), pediatrics (44 times), etc. Of the indicated 102 types of clinical problems, 55 belong to the internal medicine, constituting of 53.92%, particularly the cerebral apoplexy and its sequelae with the top application frequency being 102 and 115 times, respectively. In terms of needle inserting methods mentioned in partial papers (most papers do not mention), fingernail-pressing-aided needle insertion, needle-twirling insertion, fingers-squeezed-needle insertion, particularly the swiftly rotating needle insertion and rapid needle-propelling insertion were most commonly used.Regarding the needle manipulation method, rapid needle twirling technique was frequently employed, usually at a frequency of approximately 200 times per min. In regard to the academic schools, JIAO Shun-fa's scalp acupuncture system was most frequently used, followed by the international standardized scalp acupuncture. The therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture is effective in the treatment of different conditions of various departments, especially those of the dermatology and gynecology. Scalp acupuncture has superiority in the treatment disorders of the internal medicine and has been demonstrated to have positive effects for many types of problems, particularly for apoplexy and its sequelae. Rapid needle-propelling insertion and rapid needle-twirling technique are often employed.


MawuAP1 promotes flowering and fruit development in the basal angiosperm Magnolia wufengensis (Magnoliaceae).
The APETALA1/SQUAMOSA (AP1/SQUA)-like genes of flowering plants play crucial roles in the development processes of floral meristems, sepals, petals and fruits. Although many of the AP1/SQUA-like genes have been characterized in angiosperms, few have been identified in basal angiosperm taxa. Therefore, the functional evolution of the AP1/SQUA subfamily is still unclear. We characterized an AP1 homolog, MawuAP1, from Magnolia wufengensis that is an ornamental woody plant belonging to the basal angiosperms. Gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses suggested that MawuAP1 was clustered with the FUL-like homologous genes of basal angiosperms and had FUL motif and paleoAP1 motif domain, but it did not have the euAP1 motif domain of core eudicots. Expression pattern analysis showed that MawuAP1 was highly expressed in vegetative and floral organs, particularly in the early stage of flower bud development and pre-anthesis. Protein-protein interaction pattern analysis revealed that MawuAP1 has interaction with an A-class gene (MawuAP1), C-class gene (MawuAG-1) and E-class gene (MawuAGL9) of the MADS-box family genes. Ectopic expression in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that MawuAP1 could significantly promote flowering and fruit development, but it could not restore the sepal and petal formation of ap1 mutants. These results demonstrated that there are functional differences in the specification of sepal and petal floral organs and development of fruits among the AP1/SQUA-like genes, and functional conservation in the regulation of floral meristem. These findings provide strong evidence for the important functions of MawuAP1 in floral meristem determination, promoting flowering and fruit development, and further highlight the importance of AP1/SQUA subfamily in biological evolution and diversity.


Endogenous but not sensory-driven activity controls migration, morphogenesis and survival of adult-born juxtaglomerular neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb.
The development and survival of adult-born neurons are believed to be driven by sensory signaling. Here, in vivo analyses of motility, morphology and Ca2+ signaling, as well as transcriptome analyses of adult-born juxtaglomerular cells with reduced endogenous excitability (via cell-specific overexpression of either Kv1.2 or Kir2.1 K+ channels), revealed a pronounced impairment of migration, morphogenesis, survival, and functional integration of these cells into the mouse olfactory bulb, accompanied by a reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ fluctuations, phosphorylation of CREB and pCREB-mediated gene expression. Moreover, K+ channel overexpression strongly downregulated genes involved in neuronal migration, differentiation, and morphogenesis and upregulated apoptosis-related genes, thus locking adult-born cells in an immature and vulnerable state. Surprisingly, cells deprived of sensory-driven activity developed normally. Together, the data reveal signaling pathways connecting the endogenous intermittent neuronal activity/Ca2+ fluctuations as well as enhanced Kv1.2/Kir2.1 K+ channel function to migration, maturation, and survival of adult-born neurons.


Coapplication of lidocaine and membrane-impermeable lidocaine derivative QX-222 produces divergent effects on evoked and spontaneous nociceptive behaviors in mice.
The present study was aimed at investigating the analgesic properties of a combination of lidocaine and QX-222 and its effects on evoked pain behavior (complete Freund's adjuvant-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia in inflammatory condition) and spontaneous pain behavior (formalin-induced acute pain) in mice. Drugs were injected adjacent to sciatic nerve or into plantar. Motor function, thermal withdrawal latency, mechanical withdrawal threshold, and licking/biting were evaluated by behavioral tests. A combination of lidocaine and QX-222 adjacent sciatic nerve injection produced the long-lasting sensory-specific nerve block, and intraplantar injection inhibited spontaneous pain in the formalin-treated mice but did not detectably attenuated hyperalgesia and allodynia in the complete Freund's adjuvant- (CFA-) treated mice. Our results suggest that a combination of lidocaine and QX-222 achieves a long-lasting differential block (sensory selective) and produces divergent effects on evoked and spontaneous pain behaviors in mice.


Shining light on cell death processes - a novel biosensor for necroptosis, a newly described cell death program.
Cell death contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis, but mounting evidence has confirmed the involvement of programmed cell death in some diseases. The concept of programmed cell death, which was coined several decades ago to refer to apoptosis, now also encompasses necroptosis, a newly characterized cell death program. Research on programmed cell death has become essential for the development of some new therapies. To study cell death signaling and its molecular mechanisms, new biochemical and fluorogenic approaches have been devised. Here, we first provide an overview of programmed cell death modes and the importance of dynamic cell death studies. Next, we focus on both apoptotic and necroptotic signaling and their mechanisms by providing a systematic review of all the methods and approaches that have been used. We emphasize the contribution of advanced approaches based on fluorescent probes, reporters, and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors for studying programmed cell death. Because apoptosis and necroptosis signaling pathways share some effectors molecules, we discuss how these new tools could be used to discriminate between apoptosis and necroptosis. We also describe how we developed specific FRET-based biosensors for detecting necroptosis. Finally, we touch on how dynamic measurement of biomolecules in living models will play a role in personalized prognosis and therapy.


"Dance and go on": a project of psychosocial rehabilitation on the road.
The project "Dance and go on" was created with the intention of bringing out of the Day Centre of the Department of Mental Health of Torre del Greco, the dance group "Dance That you go" active since 2009. Dancing Bachata becomes a rehabilitation tool to express emotions through the body and to open to the outside, on the territory (local society), overcoming the fear of being judged by others, the prejudice and the social stigma about mental illness. The rehabilitation activities of the dancing group allowed patients to improve their care of self, self-esteem, confidence in their capacities and an increase in their social relations. The strength and cohesion of the rehabilitation group has given to the patients the opportunity to believe in their own abilities, to accept themselves with their difficulties and to improve the relationship with their body in relation with each other.


How well tolerated is supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been described in 1988 and several modifications followed since. Despite claimed benefits, supine PCNL is still neglected by the majority of urologists. Lack of experience and the fear of complications are possible explanations for the resistance to supine positioning. This review evaluates recent literature on the use of supine PCNL, focussing on benefits and safety. The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global Study and several (retrospective) reports comment on efficacy and safety of PCNL, differences in techniques, or identify conditions and patient factors for best practice. Anesthesiologic benefits (especially in the high risk, cardiopulmonary compromised, patient) and anatomical advantages are described in supine position theoretically favoring safety of supine PCNL. However, there are no prospective randomized studies conducted to support this assumption. Overall, benefits in efficacy or safety, of one position over the other, are not yet proven. Supine PCNL has advantages in selected patients. Ultimately, the decision on position should be made on patient's characteristics and surgeon's preference and experience.


Multi-centre general practitioner comparative study of controlled-release ('Valrelease') and conventional ('Valium') forms of diazepam in patients suffering from anxiety.
A multi-centre, double-blind, parallel group study was carried out in 114 patients with an anxiety disorder to compare the effectiveness of diazepam given as 5 mg 3-times daily or as a once-daily 10 mg dose of a controlled-release formulation designed to provide smooth drug concentrations over about 24 hours, without the heavy sedation caused by a high initial peak. Patients were allocated at random to receive one or other dosage regimen for 1 week and treatment could be continued for a further week if necessary. Clinical assessments of response to treatment showed that whilst both formulations were equally effective in providing symptomatic improvement, a much higher proportion of patients on controlled-release diazepam were ready to terminate treatment after 1 week, having attained the desired relief of symptoms. Moreover, as indicated by patient diary records, significantly fewer patients on the controlled-release formulation complained of drowsiness in the morning and evening.


An Evaluation of Optimal PEGylation Strategies for Maximizing the Lymphatic Exposure and Antiviral Activity of Interferon after Subcutaneous Administration.
Interferon α2 is an antiviral/antiproliferative protein that is currently used to treat hepatitis C infections and several forms of cancer. Two PEGylated variants of interferon α2 (containing 12 and 40 kDa PEGs) are currently marketed and display longer plasma circulation times than that of unmodified interferon. With increasing realization that the lymphatic system plays an important role in the extrahepatic replication of the hepatitis C virus and in the metastatic dissemination of cancers, this study sought to evaluate PEGylation strategies to optimally enhance the antiviral activity and plasma and lymphatic exposure of interferon after subcutaneous administration in rats. The results showed that conjugation with a linear 20 kDa PEG provided the most ideal balance between activity and plasma and lymph exposure. A linear 5 kDa PEG variant also exhibited excellent plasma and lymph exposure to interferon activity when compared to those of unmodified interferon and the clinically available linear 12 kDa PEGylated construct.


[The etiological and molecular typing research of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Henan province in 2013].
To analyze the distribution and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of five kinds of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in infected diarrhea population of Henan province in 2013. Gathering 1 037 strains of E. coli of 1 037 diarrhea patients from four sentinel hospitals of multi-pathogen monitoring system in Henan province in 2013. Stool samples were cultured with Mac agar plates and using KIA/MIU biochemical action as the preliminary method to identify E. coli strains; preparation of DNA template with thermal cracking method and using multiplex PCR to detect five kinds of DEC. According to molecular typing method published by the international PulseNet bacterial infectious disease monitoring network, the PFGE molecular characteristics of DEC strains were analyzed. 125 DEC positive strains were detected in 1 037 strains of E. coli, the total detection rate was 12.05%. 90 strains were enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC), detection rate was 8.68% (n=90); 24 strains were enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), detection rate was 2.31%; 7 strains were enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC), detection rate was 0.68%; 4 strains were enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), detection rate was 0.39%; enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) was not detected. 639 cases of diarrhea samples were collected from male patients, 398 cases were from female patients, 94 positive cases were from male patients, the detection rate was 14.71%.The positive number of female cases were 31 cases, the detection rate was 7.79%. 97 positive cases were detected from 782 countryside cases and 28 positive cases were detected from 255 urban area cases, with detection rate 12.40% and 10.98% respectively. In 125 cases of DEC positive samples, children below 5 years old were 83 cases, accounting for 66.4%; 53 strains of EAEC were divided into 52 molecular patterns by digestion with XbaⅠ and pulsed field gel electrophoresis, each pattern contained 1-2 strains with similarity ranged from 66.3%-100%; 18 strains of EPEC were divided into 18 molecular patterns, each pattern contains 1 strain with similarity ranged from 72.6%-94.8%; 5 strains of EIEC were divided into 5 molecular patterns, each pattern contains 1 strain with similarity ranged from 71.9%-98.5%. 2 strains of ETEC were divided into 2 molecular patterns and similarity below 70%. Through the research we could find that four kinds of DEC as a pathogenic bacteria took an important component in pathogenic spectrum of bacterial diarrhea of Henan province in 2013. Four kinds of DEC carrying different virulence genes and taking multiple PFGE patterns showed diversity and complexity characteristics.


Nazi, collaborator or opponent? The role of the pathologist Robert Rössle in the Third Reich.
For many, Robert Rössle is one of the most important pathologists of the first half of the 20th century. His research in the fields of inflammation, constitution, growth and age, and immunity gave him the status of a pioneer. Because he was not a nominal member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), Rössle did not have to undergo denazification proceedings and was able to continue his academic career seamlessly after 1945. Only recently, the question of Rössle's actual role in the Third Reich has been raised - in connection with a possible renaming of the Robert-Rössle-Straße in Berlin. Our paper takes this issue as an opportunity to critically examine Rössle's involvement in National Socialism. For this study, all available literature and extensive primary material on Rössle from various archives was reviewed and evaluated with regard to the question posed. The investigations show that Rössle held a number of offices in the administrative apparatus of the Nazi state even though not being a party member. They gave him access to high-ranking representatives and most likely also knowledge about medical crimes. Rössle researched and published on hereditary biology and racial hygiene issues, thus supporting the ideology of the Nazi State. Robert Rössle must be regarded as an early proponent of racial hygiene, political collaborator and profiteer of the Third Reich. However, it remains unclear whether he was directly involved in human experiments. There is no evidence that he critically distanced himself from his role in the Third Reich after 1945.


Application of the new 8th TNM staging system for non-small cell lung cancer: treated with curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
The eighth tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging system (8-TNM) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was newly released in 2015. This system had limitation because most patients included in the analysis were treated with surgery. Therefore, it might be difficult to reflect prognosis of patients treated with curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Purpose of this study was to investigate clinical impact of the newly published 8-TNM compared to the current seventh TNM staging system (7-TNM) for locally advanced NSCLC patients treated with CCRT. New 8-TNM was applied to 64 patients with locally advanced NSCLC who were treated with CCRT from 2010 to 2015. Changes in T category and stage group by 8-TNM were recorded and patterns of change were evaluated. Survival was analyzed according to T category, N category, and stage group in each staging system, respectively. Among the total of 64 patients, 38 (59.4%) patients showed change in T category while 22 (34.4%) patients showed change in stage group using 8-TNM compared to 7-TNM. Survival curves were significantly separated in the 8-TNM stage group (p = 0.001) than those in the 7-TNM (p > 0.05). Especially, survival of newly introduced stage IIIC by 8-TNM was significantly lower than that of others. On the other hand, there was no significant survival difference between T categories in each staging system. Subdivision of stage III into IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC by 8-TNM for patients treated with CCRT better reflected prognosis than 7-TNM. However, subdivision of T category according to tumor size in 8-TNM might be less significant.


[Investigation of a CT value electron density conversion method in radiotherapy planning CT].
To obtain heterogeneous corrections, it is necessary to convert computed tomography (CT) values into electron density. However, differences in the current conversion tables of the method of acquisition for each institution are not clear. Therefore, we sent a questionnaire survey to 200 radiotherapy institutions in the Kanto area regarding heterogeneous correction data acquisition. When these conversion tables were created, many institutions used phantoms for conversion, and 85% of institutions borrowed them from the factories. On the other hand, some institutions used the factory values as the other conversion method. In the conversion tables of the various institutions, we recognized large differences between institutions, in that relative electronic density (Rel.ED) was greater than 1.0. When we assumed the CT value of bone to be 793 HU, the mean relative electron density at 120 kV was 1.46+/-0.09, with a minimum of 1.36 and maximum of 1.82. We have recognized the need to create guidelines detailing these methods of evaluation.


Computational identification of miRNAs, their targets and functions in three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).
An intriguing question in biology is how the evolution of gene regulation is shaped by natural selection in natural populations. Among the many known regulatory mechanisms, regulation of gene expression by microRNAs (miRNAs) is of critical importance. However, our understanding of their evolution in natural populations is limited. Studying the role of miRNAs in three-spined stickleback, an important natural model for speciation research, may provide new insights into adaptive polymorphisms. However, lack of annotation of miRNA genes in its genome is a bottleneck. To fill this research gap, we used the genome of three-spined stickleback to predict miRNAs and their targets. We predicted 1486 mature miRNAs using the homology-based miRNA prediction approach. We then performed functional annotation and enrichment analysis of these targets, which identified over-represented motifs. Further, a database resource (GAmiRdb) has been developed for dynamically searching miRNAs and their targets exclusively in three-spined stickleback. Finally, the database was used in two case studies focusing on freshwater adaptation in natural populations. In the first study, we found 44 genomic regions overlapping with predicted miRNA targets. In the second study, we identified two SNPs altering the MRE seed site of sperm-specific glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate gene. These findings highlight the importance of the GAmiRdb knowledge base in understanding adaptive evolution.


Infective Endocarditis in a Patient with Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation.
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a lethal complication inpatients with congenital heart disease. We report a case of percutaneous implanted pulmonary valve IE in a 49-year-old female. She underwent a previous surgery for tetralogy of Fallot with transannular patching of the right ventricular outflow tractat the age of 18 years. Echocardiography showed chronic moderate to severe pulmonary regurgitation with right heart enlargement. She underwent transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation with a 26 mm Venus-P valve (Venus Medtech, Shanghai, China) in order to release pulmonary insufficiency. Two months after implantation, she presented with recurrent chills and febrile for one week, and percutaneous implanted pulmonary valve IE was diagnosed. According to the antibiotic susceptibility test, she was given penicillin and gentamycin. At 12 months follow-up, TTE showed vegetation completely disappeared and the valve functioned normally. The patient recovered uneventfully without any complications like recurrent IE.


Replacement therapy for periodontitis: pilot radiographic evaluation in a dog model.
The aim of this study was to radiologically evaluate the impact of replacement therapy by monitoring bone density changes and alveolar bone level in periodontal pockets in a dog model. Eight male beagle dogs with moderate periodontitis were enrolled in this split-mouth, double-blind randomized trial with ethical approval. Periodontal defects were surgically created bilaterally in the lower jaw. Four months later, the defects were randomly assigned to initial therapy (scaling and root planing) alone (control sites), or combined with multiple subgingival application of beneficial species. Intra-oral follow-up radiography was performed at this stage and 3 months later to verify the treatment effect. The bone density within periodontal pockets treated with beneficial bacteria improved significantly after 12 weeks, while this was non-significant for the control pockets, receiving a single root planing at baseline. There was a significant increase in the bone level at the end of the study for the pockets receiving beneficial bacteria. Again, no significance was noted for the control pockets. This pilot study indicates the potential effect of a subgingival application of beneficial species in periodontal pockets, and illustrates the strength of standardized follow-up radiography to evaluate the effects of different treatment strategies on bone re-modelling.


Active Middle Ear Implant Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Intensity-Latency Characteristics.
To analyze intensity-latency functions of intraoperative auditory evoked brainstem responses (ABRs) to stimulation by the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) active middle ear implant with respect to coupling efficiency, VSB evoked ABR thresholds, and coupling modality [oval window (OW) placement vs. Incus placement and vs. round window (RW) placement]. Exploratory study. Bi-centric study at tertiary referral centers. Twenty-four patients (10 female, 14 male, mean age: 58 years) who received a VSB. Wave-V intensity-latency functions of intraoperative VSB evoked ABRs using a modified audio processor programmed to preoperative bone conduction thresholds for stimulation. Threshold level correction to coupling efficiency and ABR thresholds. Individual plots and exponential function fits. After ABR threshold level correction, the latency functions could be aligned. A large variance of latencies was observed at individual threshold level. Wave-V latency was longest in the Incus placement subgroup (9.73 ms, SD: 1.04) as compared to OW placement subgroup (9.47 ms, SD: 1.05), with the shortest latency in the RW placement subgroup (8.99 ms, SD: 0.68). For increasing stimulation levels, the variance decreased with intensity-latency function slopes converging toward a steady-state (saturation) latency caused by saturation of audio processor (stimulation) gain. Latency saturation was reached at a stimulation level of 50 dB nHL for the OW placement subgroup, 35 dB nHL for the Incus placement subgroup, and 30 dB nHL for the RW placement subgroup. The latency and saturation results indicated decreased dynamic range for RW placement, i.e., reverse stimulation. VSB evoked ABR wave-V intensity-latency function slopes were similar to acoustic stimulation at high stimulation levels with a shift toward longer latencies caused by audio processor signal delay. Saturation of latencies occurred for higher stimulation levels due to saturation of audio processor gain. Thus, the analysis of VSB evoked intensity-latency functions appears to allow for the objective assessment of a patient's individual dynamic range. This can further improve diagnostics as well as intraoperative and postoperative quality control.


An overview of in vitro dissolution/release methods for novel mucosal drug delivery systems.
In vitro dissolution/release tests are an important tool in the drug product development phase as well as in its quality control and the regulatory approval process. Mucosal drug delivery systems are aimed to provide both local and systemic drug action via mucosal surfaces of the body and exhibit significant differences in formulation design, as well as in their physicochemical and release characteristics. Therefore it is not possible to devise a single test system which would be suitable for release testing of such complex dosage forms. This article is aimed to provide a comprehensive review of both compendial and noncompendial methods used for in vitro dissolution/release testing of novel mucosal drug delivery systems aimed for ocular, nasal, oromucosal, vaginal and rectal administration.


Chronic Kidney Disease Predicts Survival in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases with age as with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We assessed the prevalence of CKD (stages 3-5) and investigated the relationship of CKD to clinical features and outcomes in patients with IPF. This study comprised 123 patients with IPF; 61 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was reportedly associated with CKD, were also enrolled as a disease control. CKD (stages 3-5) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Thirty-seven patients (30%) with IPF and 14 controls (23%) with COPD were diagnosed with CKD, and these frequencies were not significantly different. The patients with IPF and CKD were older (p < 0.01) and had a higher frequency of hypertension (p = 0.048) and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02) than those with IPF but without CKD. Furthermore, the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the 6-min walking distance in the patients with CKD were significantly lower (40.0 ± 13.2 vs. 45.9 ± 14.4%, p = 0.04, and 416 ± 129 vs. 474 ± 84 m, p = 0.01, respectively) than in the patients without CKD. The outcome of the patients with CKD showed significantly worse survival compared with the patients without CKD (p = 0.04). Moreover, eGFR remained an independent predictor of survival after adjusting for age and pulmonary function data. A substantial percentage of IPF patients have CKD. CKD with a low eGFR was associated with decreased survival in IPF.


Ricci-flow based conformal mapping of the proximal femur to identify exercise loading effects.
The causal relationship between habitual loading and adaptive response in bone morphology is commonly explored by analysing the spatial distribution of mechanically relevant features. In this study, 3D distribution of features in the proximal femur of 91 female athletes (5 exercise loading groups representing habitual loading) is contrasted with 20 controls. A femur specific Ricci-flow based conformal mapping procedure was developed for establishing correspondence among the periosteal surfaces. The procedure leverages the invariance of the conformal mapping method to isometric shape differences to align surfaces in the 2D parametric domain, to produce dense correspondences across an isotopological set of surfaces. This is implemented through a multi-parametrisation approach to detect surface features and to overcome the issue of inconsistency in the anatomical extent present in the data. Subsequently, the group-wise distribution of two mechanically relevant features was studied - cortical thickness and surface principal strains (simulation results of a sideways fall). Statistical inferences over the surfaces were made by contrasting the athlete groups with the controls through statistical parametric mapping. With the aid of group-wise and composite-group maps, proximal femur regions affected by specific loading groups were identified with a high degree of spatial localisation.


L-AP3 blocks rises in intracellular calcium associated with hippocampal CA1 LTP.
The involvement of type I metabotropic glutamate receptors in hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) depends on the applied tetanic stimulation protocol. Activation of these receptors may cause an elevation of intracellular calcium via the formation of the second messenger inositol triphosphate (IP3) and subsequent intracellular calcium release. It has been shown that the type I metabotropic receptors antagonist L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate (L-AP3) blocks CA1 LTP. Combining dendritic calcium and field potential measurements in CA1 hippocampal area, we found that L-AP3 did not affect single calcium transients but reduced the calcium changes evoked by a single tetanus, preventing the long-lasting calcium enhancements associated with CA1 LTP. These findings suggest that the formation of this type of LTP requires calcium release from IP3-sensitive stores.


Meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies of the biological effects of low-level millimetre waves.
With the roll-out of new technologies such as 5G, there has been renewed community concern regarding the adequacy of research on possible health effects from associated radiofrequency radiation, mainly in the millimetre wave (MMW) band. We conducted a meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies investigating bioeffects of MMWs at low exposure levels. We identified 107 in vitro and in vivo studies investigating MMWs and biological effects in which the power density employed has been below 100 W/m2, which is below the current standards for occupational local exposures. Where possible, we estimated the magnitude of the principal effect reported or set this magnitude to zero in studies reporting no significant effects. We also estimated the quality of the studies, based on a methodology used in previous analyses. We show a negative correlation between effect size and both power density and specific absorption rate. There was also a significant negative correlation between effect size and quality score. A multivariate analysis revealed that there is an increase in the effect size for certain biological systems being investigated and laboratories in which the work was carried out whilst the quality score for some of these tends to be low. We note that many of the studies were motivated by a desire to elucidate the possible mechanisms in therapeutic devices rather than assessing the safety of telecommunications systems. Finally, it appears that the presence or absence of modulation does not influence the reported effect size. Many of the findings of this meta-analysis have not been reported before and have important implications for overall interpretation of in vitro and in vivo data. Overall, the results of this study do not confirm an association between low-level MMWs and biological effects.


SORL1 Variants Show Different Association with Early-Onset and Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Risk.
A recent study sequenced the full coding region of SORL1 in 1,255 early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) cases and 1,938 control individuals, and investigated the contribution of genetic variability in SORL1 to EOAD risk in a European cohort. This study identified six common variants and five low frequency variants in the SORL1 coding sequence. However, none of these 11 variants was significantly associated with EOAD risk after adjusting for multiple testing. We consider whether these 11 SORL1 variants identified in European EOAD contribute to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) risk in individuals of European ancestry. Here, we investigated these 11 SORL1 variants identified in European EOAD and LOAD risk in individuals of European ancestry using a large-scale LOAD GWAS. Our results indicate that three genetic variants rs2070045, rs2276412, and rs17125548 as well as their tagged genetic variants contribute to LOAD risk in European population. We further investigate whether these variants could affect SORL1 expression using multiple expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) datasets. Our findings suggest that three genetic variants rs2070045, rs1699102, and rs3824968 could significantly regulate SORL1 expression in human brain tissues. We believe that our findings further provide important supplementary information about the involvement of the SORL1 variants in LOAD risk.


[Regulation of the biosynthesis of insulin-like growth factors and variation in the expression of their genes].
Insulin-Like growth factors (IGFs) biosynthesis varies from one tissue to another, according to the stage of the development and to the hormonal environment. Growth hormone and nutritional factors have predominant role on the IGF expression. Molecular biology of the IGF may give a complementary understanding in the regulation of their biosynthesis. The IGF 1 gene located on chromosome 12 produce two messenger RNA, which encode for two preproIGF 1, but yields the same mature protein. The role of these two preproIGF 1 are not elucidated. Moreover, others variations in the 3' non coding region are observed. The IGF 2 gene is located on chromosome 11, and the variability of the IGF 2 mRNA according to tissue and stage of development, is mostly due to different 5' non coding exon use. Some examples of IGF 1 mRNA regulation by growth hormone (endocrine control) or during unilateral nephrectomy (autocrine and paracrine control) are presented.


How to conduct implementation trials and multicentre studies in the emergency department.
The objective of Panel 2b was to present an overview of and recommendations for the conduct of implementation trials and multicentre studies in emergency medicine. Panel members engaged methodologists to discuss the design and conduct of implementation and multicentre studies. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 Canadian adult and pediatric emergency medicine researchers to elicit barriers and facilitators to conducting these kinds of studies. Responses were organized by themes, and, based on these responses, recommendations were developed and refined in an iterative fashion by panel members. We offer eight recommendations to facilitate multicentre clinical and implementation studies, along with guidance for conducting implementation research in the emergency department. Recommendations for multicentre studies reflect the importance of local study investigators and champions, requirements for research infrastructure and staffing, and the cooperation and communication between the coordinating centre and participating sites.


Buprenorphine-related complications in elderly hospitalised patients: a case series.
We report a case series of buprenorphine-related respiratory and neurological depression in opioid-naïve elderly hospitalised patients who received buprenorphine for acute pain management at our institution over a 24-month period. All six patients had risk factors for respiratory depression such as advanced age, concurrent comorbidities, or the ingestion of other potential central nervous system depressants. All patients required escalation of management with additional monitoring, with some transferred to a high dependency or intensive care unit. Five patients had attempted naloxone reversal with varying results. Our cases highlight the fact that while buprenorphine has been demonstrated to have a ceiling effect in relation to respiratory depression in healthy volunteers, it remains an important side-effect and may result in significant respiratory depression in patients with reduced respiratory or neurological reserve. Difficulties with buprenorphine's reversal using naloxone are described. We recommend additional caution when considering buprenorphine for acute pain management in elderly opioid-naïve patients, especially if they have comorbidities or are taking other central nervous system depressants. When buprenorphine is used in patients with risk factors, we recommend additional monitoring and education about potential adverse respiratory effects and their management.


Two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based serum metabolic fingerprints of neonatal calves before and after first colostrum ingestion.
Neonatal calves show a remarkable increase in serum IgG levels after first ingestion of colostrum. They can absorb high-molecular IgG from colostrum in the small intestine by nonspecific receptor-independent fluid pinocytosis within 24 h after birth. However, little is known about the temporal changes in serum small-molecule metabolites, such as carbohydrates and AA, in neonatal calves after first colostrum ingestion. In this study, we examined temporal changes in serum metabolites of neonatal calves after first ingestion of colostrum by comprehensive 2-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS). Forty serum samples obtained from 5 calves at 8 time points between 0 and 12 h after first colostrum ingestion were analyzed in triplicate by GC×GC-MS. Multivariate analyses of 120 GC×GC-MS results revealed significant variations in the serum metabolites, primary individual differences among the calves, and secondary temporal changes within each individual calf. Several serum metabolites increased temporally after ingestion in each calf, but only a limited number of compounds were increased universally in all 5 calves. Eight compounds, including oligosaccharides such as lactose, were associated with temporal changes in IgG. Some essential AA that must be supplied from the diet increased temporally after ingestion, but differed from the temporal pattern of the oligosaccharides and IgG. These results suggest that the colostral contents may be absorbed by complex mechanisms that include intestinal pinocytosis for IgG and oligosaccharides, along with others such as specific transporters in the intestinal epithelial cells for AA in calves.


National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017-18: root caries.
The prevalence of root caries in Australia is expected to increase due to an ageing population and increase in tooth retention. This report presents findings from the Australian National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017-18. A stratified random sample of 15 731 Australians aged ≥15 years participated in a telephone or online survey. Of those, 5022 dentate people underwent an oral assessment. Carious root surfaces were defined as ≥1 mm of affected dentine/cementum. Prevalence was defined as the percentage with ≥one natural tooth with untreated caries on root surfaces. Severity was measured as the mean number of root surfaces with caries. Prevalence of untreated root caries in the Australian adult dentate population was 8.2% and increased with increasing age (range 2%-17.8%). Men (9.3%) compared to women (7.2%), people living in remote (18.0%) versus regional (9.3%) and major cities (7.6%), and those with the lowest household income (15.4%) compared to middle (7.6%) and highest tertile (3.2%) had untreated root caries. The average number of decayed or filled root surfaces in the Australian adult population was 1.1 (95% CI 0.9, 1.2). Root caries was associated with older age, living outside a major city and lower income.


Implication, clinical and biological impact of vector-borne haemopathogens in anaemic dogs in France: a prospective study.
To prospectively describe the clinical and biological impact of vector-borne haemopathogens in anaemic dogs in France and occurrence of haemolysis. This prospective descriptive cohort study includes 134 client-owned dogs that were anaemic on admission at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of VetAgro Sup, Lyon, France. They underwent comprehensive screening with PCR to detect a panel of vector-borne haemopathogens, SNAP Leishmania and SNAP 4Dx Plus (IDEXX). Vector-borne haemopathogen-associated anaemia accounted for 17·2% (23/134) of anaemic cases. PCR for Babesia species, Mycoplasma species, Anaplasma platys or Ehrlichia canis and positive serology for Leishmania species, occurred in 11/23, 10/23, 2/23, 1/23 and 1/23 cases, respectively. Two dogs had positive PCR for both Babesia and Mycoplasma species. All dogs infected with Mycoplasma species alone had neoplastic disease. Vector-borne haemopathogens were the second most common cause of haemolysis (7/23, 30·4%). In the multivariable regression model, males were overrepresented ( OR : 2·82, P=0·03) and haemolysis ( OR : 3·31, P=0·01) was more frequent in dogs with vector-born haemopathogen-associated anaemia. Vector-borne haemopathogens are a common cause of anaemia in this geographical region.


[Localization of larvae of Neotrombicula (N) monticola (Trombiculidae) ticks on the vertebrates].
The specific features of distribution of Neotrombicula (N) monticola Schluger et Davidov, 1967 on small mammals were studied in the Tien Shan montains (Kirghiz ridge). N. (N ) monticola was found to occur in all the places under study. Nine species of mammals (pigmy white-toothed shrew, dwarf hamster, tamarisk gerbil, Turkestan rat, long-tailed mouse, Tien Shan, Kirghiz, and silver voles, and wood mouse) were established to be feeders of larvae of the ticks. N. (N) monticola larvae were detected in three topographic zones and seven portions of the body of vertebral hosts. The inner auricle is the major site of tick attachment to the host. Preference of N. (N) monticola in selecting the host is likely to be based on the morphophysiological features of partners.


A deep learning framework for financial time series using stacked autoencoders and long-short term memory.
The application of deep learning approaches to finance has received a great deal of attention from both investors and researchers. This study presents a novel deep learning framework where wavelet transforms (WT), stacked autoencoders (SAEs) and long-short term memory (LSTM) are combined for stock price forecasting. The SAEs for hierarchically extracted deep features is introduced into stock price forecasting for the first time. The deep learning framework comprises three stages. First, the stock price time series is decomposed by WT to eliminate noise. Second, SAEs is applied to generate deep high-level features for predicting the stock price. Third, high-level denoising features are fed into LSTM to forecast the next day's closing price. Six market indices and their corresponding index futures are chosen to examine the performance of the proposed model. Results show that the proposed model outperforms other similar models in both predictive accuracy and profitability performance.


Nocardia tenerifensis genome identification in a cutaneous granuloma of a cat.
An adult Domestic Longhair cat developed a subcutaneous mass in its tail. Histologically, this mass consisted of ill-defined pyogranulomas centered around aggregates of gram-positive, acid-fast filamentous bacteria, consistent with Nocardia. Due to the lack of fresh samples, DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections and subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene encompassing Nocardia sp.-specific sequences. Sequences analyzed using the GenBank database revealed 99.5% homology with Nocardia spp. and had the highest sequence homology of 98.2% with Nocardia tenerifensis among Nocardia spp. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of detection of N. tenerifensis genome associated with cutaneous nocardiosis in an animal.


Treatment of chronic tension-type headache with botulinum toxin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Botulinum toxin is increasingly advocated as effective treatment in chronic tension-type headache. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to prove efficacy of botulinum toxin in chronic tension-type headache. Patients were randomly assigned to receive botulinum toxin (maximum 100 units) or placebo (saline) in muscles with increased tenderness. After 12 weeks there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in decrease of headache intensity on VAS (-3.5 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 20 to +13), mean number of headache days (-7%; 95% CI - 20 to +4), headache hours per day (-1.4%; 95% CI - 3.9 to +1.1), days on which symptomatic treatment was taken (-1.9%; 95% CI - 11 to +7) and number of analgesics taken per day (-0.01; 95% CI -0.25-0.22). There was no significant difference in patient's assessment of improvement after week 4, 8 and 12. Botulinum toxin was not proven effective in treatment of chronic tension-type headache. Increased muscle tenderness might not be as important in pathophysiology of chronic tension-type headache as hitherto believed.


Cell wall polysaccharide chemistry of peach genotypes with contrasted textures and other fruit traits.
Cell wall composition, pectin, and hemicellulose fine structure variation were assessed in peach and related genotypes with contrasted texture and fruit shape. Cell walls were prepared from four commercial peaches, eight genotypes from the Jalousia × Fantasia peach cross, and six genotypes from the Earlygold peach × Texas almond cross. Sugar composition was determined chemically while fine structure of homogalacturonan pectin and xyloglucan hemicellulose were assessed by coupling pectin lyase and glucanase degradation, respectively, with MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the degradation products. The results indicate clear compositional and structural differences between the parents and their related genotypes on the basis of pectin versus cellulose/hemicellulose content and on the fine structure of homogalacturonan and xyloglucan. A relation between methyl- and acetyl-esterification of pectin with fruit shape is revealed in the Fantasia × Jalousia peach genotypes.


[Maternal environment and developmental brain damages].
To estimate and to prevent the developmental brain damage caused by maternal environmental agents, the results were compared between epidemiological and experimental studies. I. Ethanol. The features of CNS involvement in human FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) and FAE (fetal alcohol effects) were developmental delay and intellectual impairment. In rat FAS or FAE, a beneficial effect of supplementary zinc on the fetal cerebrum was observed, but was limited. The consistent dysformation of synapses during early brain development may be associated with the functional impairment of CNS in FAS and FAE II. Caffeine. A reduction in the fetal cerebral weight was observed with caffeine ingestion during pregnancy at levels of 1.5-3.0 micrograms caffeine/ml or g wet wt. in dams and fetuses. Maternal caffeine disturbs the neonatal cerebrum and produces behavioral abnormalities in developing rats. III. X-irradiation. Our study provides evidence of the protection by vitamin E of neuronal development in X-irradiated rat fetuses, through its antioxidant properties, against attacks by free radicals and/or lipid peroxide. IV. Low copper level in brain. A teratogenic effect of triethylene tetramine dihydrochloride, a chelating drug for copper, on the mouse brain was noted, both grossly and microscopically, with a dose of higher than 6,000 micrograms/l, which is twenty times as high as the clinical treatment dose. V. Tobacco. Thirty-three percent of human FTS (fetal tobacco syndrome) cases had CNS involvement, which was characterized by developmental delay. Fifty percent or more of FTS children of women who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day had CNS involvement. In conclusion, the concomitant effects of maternal environmental agents on human brain development should be studied.


Evolution of the karyotype and sex chromosome systems in basal clades of araneomorph spiders (Araneae: Araneomorphae).
Concepts of spider karyotype evolution are based mostly on advanced and most diversified clade, the entelegyne lineage of araneomorph spiders. Hence the typical spider karyotype is supposed to consist exclusively of acrocentric chromosomes including the multiple X chromosomes. However, our data show considerable diversity of chromosome morphology and sex chromosome systems in basal clades of araneomorphs. Karyotypes of basal araneomorphs consist of holocentric (superfamily Dysderoidea) or normal chromosomes with localized centromere. In males of basal araneomorphs the prophase of first meiotic division includes a long diffuse stage. Multiple X chromosomes are less common in basal clades. The sex chromosome system of many families includes a Y chromosome or nucleolus organizer region that occurs rarely in the entelegyne spiders. A derived X(1)X(2)Y system with an achiasmatic sex-chromosome pairing during meiosis was found in the families Drymusidae, Hypochilidae, Filistatidae, Sicariidae, and Pholcidae. This suggests a monophyletic origin of the families. In some lineages the X(1)X(2)Y system converted into an X0 system, as found in some pholcids, or into an XY system, which is typical for the family Diguetidae. The remarkable karyotype and sex chromosome system diversity allows us to distinguish four evolutionary lineages of basal araneomorphs and hypothesize about the ancestral karyotype of araneomorphs.


Association Between the Coronary Sinus Ostial Size and Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
The incidence of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is higher in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients than in the general population. AVNRT is reportedly associated with a larger coronary sinus (CS) ostium (CSo). However, the correlation between AVNRT and CSo size in PAH patients is poorly investigated. We aimed to investigate the impact of CSo size on AVNRT and identify its risk factors in PAH. Of 102 PAH patients with catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), twelve with a confirmed AVNRT diagnosis who underwent computed tomographic angiography were retrospectively enrolled as the study group. The control group (PAH without SVT, n = 24) was matched for sex and BMI at a 2:1 ratio. All baseline and imaging data were collected. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was not significantly different between the two groups (65.3 ± 16.8 vs. 64.5 ± 17.6 mmHg, P = 0.328). PAH patients with AVNRT were older (45.9 ± 14.8 vs. 32.1 ± 7.6 years, P = 0.025), had a larger right atrial volume (224.4 ± 129.6 vs. 165.3 ± 71.7 cm3, P = 0.044), larger CSo in the left anterior oblique (LAO) plane (18.6 ± 3.3 vs. 14.8 ± 4.0 mm, P = 0.011), and larger CSo surface area (2.08 ± 1.35 vs. 1.45 ± 0.73 cm2, P = 0.039) and were more likely to have a windsock-shape CS (75% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.001) than those without AVNRT. A linear correlation was shown between CSo diameter in the LAO-plane and the atrial fractionation of the ablation target for AVNRT (R 2 = 0.622, P = 0.012). Anatomical dilation of the CSo is a risk factor for AVNRT development in patients with PAH.


Hemorrhagic hypotension and the lung: in vitro respiration.
We examined the O2 consumption and respiratory quotient of lung slices from rats whose mean blood pressure was decreased to approximately 40 mm Hg for 1 hour by hemorrhage and from control rats that were handled in the same manner but were not bled. The in vitro O2 consumption of lung slices from the hypotensive rats was lower than the O2 consumption of slices from control rats; exogenous glucose did not alter these differences. In the absence of exogenous glucose, the (mean +/- SE) respiratory quotient of lungs from control rats was 0.75 +/- 0.01; from hypotensive rats 0.78 +/- 0.01 (P less than 0.05). Glucose increased the respiratory quotient of lung slices from control rats to 0.95 +/- 001 but increased the respiratory quotient of slices from hypotensive rats to only 0.86 +/- 0.01. We concluded that hemorrhagic hypotension decreases lung O2 consumption and alters substrate metabolism by the lung.


A novel privacy-preserving federated genome-wide association study framework and its application in identifying potential risk variants in ankylosing spondylitis.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been widely used for identifying potential risk variants in various diseases. A statistically meaningful GWAS typically requires a large sample size to detect disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, a single institution usually only possesses a limited number of samples. Therefore, cross-institutional partnerships are required to increase sample size and statistical power. However, cross-institutional partnerships offer significant challenges, a major one being data privacy. For example, the privacy awareness of people, the impact of data privacy leakages and the privacy-related risks are becoming increasingly important, while there is no de-identification standard available to safeguard genomic data sharing. In this paper, we introduce a novel privacy-preserving federated GWAS framework (iPRIVATES). Equipped with privacy-preserving federated analysis, iPRIVATES enables multiple institutions to jointly perform GWAS analysis without leaking patient-level genotyping data. Only aggregated local statistics are exchanged within the study network. In addition, we evaluate the performance of iPRIVATES through both simulated data and a real-world application for identifying potential risk variants in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The experimental results showed that the strongest signal of AS-associated SNPs reside mostly around the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions. The proposed iPRIVATES framework achieved equivalent results as traditional centralized implementation, demonstrating its great potential in driving collaborative genomic research for different diseases while preserving data privacy.


Corrective osteotomy with retrograde Fassier-Duval nail in an osteogenesis imperfecta patient with bilateral genu valgum: A case report.
The treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) requires a multidisciplinary approach to maximize function and reduce fracture incidence. The aim of this case report was to discuss an alternative surgical approach to stabilize a corrective osteotomy using the Fassier Duval (FD) system in an OI patient. A 20-year-old OI woman presented with left thigh pain, gait disturbance, and bilateral genu valgus deformities. Physical examination and standing radiographs revealed bilateral genu valgum with previous fixation implants in the femoral and the left tibia. Staged surgery was performed. A previous Ender pin was removed from the left femur, and a FD nail was inserted in a retrograde fashion. An intercondylar fracture was encountered while inserting the female rod in the distal left femur. After removal of a previous Rush pin from the right femur, several complications were also encountered during FD nailing of the right femur. The tip threads of the FD male nail could not achieve adequate anchorage in the region of the greater trochanter. To prevent male nail dropping, a horizontal stop Kirschner pin was inserted close to the distal end of the female nail. Despite perioperative problems such as rod dropping and occurrence of an intercondylar fracture of the left distal femur, bilateral retrograde nailing using the FD system was successful. An accurate entry portal is important when performing retrograde rodding. In addition, reaming the portal to a larger diameter in order to accommodate the large head of the female nail can prevent intraoperative intercondylar split, especially when combined with an osteotomy at the distal femur. Selection of the proper surgical technique is dependent on both the surgeon's experience and the condition of the patient. Although not an optimal device, a FD nail can be used as an IM nail for corrective osteotomy at the distal femur in an adult OI patient with a small femoral IM canal.


The protective effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid against UV irradiation induced photoaging in mice.
It has been confirmed that repeated exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in cutaneous oxidative stress and inflammation, which act in concert to cause premature skin aging, well known as photoaging. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), widely used to treat various tissue inflammations, is the main active component of licorice root, and has also been shown to possess favorable anti-oxidative property and modulating immunity function. In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effect of GA on UV-induced skin photoaging in a mouse model. During the experimental period of ten consecutive weeks, the dorsal depilated skin of mice was treated with topical GA for 2 hours prior to UV irradiation. The results showed that GA pretreatment significantly alleviated the macroscopic and histopathological damages in mice skin caused by UV. Meanwhile, the data also indicated that GA markedly up-regulated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px), and increased the content of skin collagen, while obviously decreased malonaldehyde level and inhibited high expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and -3 (MMP-3), as well as down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. Taken together, these findings amply demonstrate that GA observably attenuates UV-induced skin photoaging mainly by virtue of its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulating the abnormal expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3.


[Energy metabolism and glycemic metabolism in elderly people].
We here overviewed the current evidence for the clinical feature and the mechanistic insight of glucose intolerance in the elderly. Prevalence of glucose intolerance progressively increases in age, and postprandial hyperglycemia is a common feature of glucose intolerance in the elderly. Glucose intolerance in the elderly is associated both with impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. The change in the physical composition including sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity is likely attributable to the development of insulin resistance observed in the elderly. Moreover, the dysfunction of mitochondria and the decline in the activity of certain hormones also appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance in the elderly.


[Physician and the patient with headache].
The chronicity of headache, the frequent consultations and the deceiving results of most headache treatments characterize the difficult relation of physicians with these patients. These particularities are discussed, and some recommendations for the relation with headache patients are given.


Large multifocal cutaneous hemangioma along lines of Blaschko with cardiac failure treated with propranolol.
Hemangiomas are classified as focal or segmental according to the morphology and distribution of lesions. Congestive cardiac failure is frequently encountered in diffuse hepatic hemangiomas due to high-volume shunting and rarely in hemangiomas confined to the skin. We report here the case of a large multifocal hemangioma along the lines of Blaschko with high-output cardiac failure, with improvement in cutaneous and hemodynamic symptoms after propranolol therapy. Presentation along the lines of Blaschko raises the possibility of hemangiomas arising as a result of mosaicism.


Some factors affecting the specific toxicity of misonidazole towards hypoxic mammalian cells.
The toxic action of misonidazole towards hypoxic mammalian cells has been shown to be a function of serum concentration, with higher serum concentrations enhancing the toxic effect. Added thiols protect cells against misonidazole toxicity. In addition, the action of misonidazole on hypoxic cells labelled with 5-BUdR has been examined. Cells with incroported 5-BUdR are no more sensitive to misonidazole toxicity than are cells without label.


Association Between Preoperative Blood Glucose Level and Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Kidney Stones Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.
To assess the effect of preoperative blood glucose (POBG) levels on the length of stay (LOS) in patients with kidney stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent PCNL at the Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University from 2013 to 2019. The relationship between POBG level and LOS was investigated by dose-response analysis curves of restricted cubic spline function. We included 310 patients and divided them into three groups (<5.04, 5.04 to <6.88, ≥6.88 mmol/L) according to the POBG levels. Patients with POBG levels ≥6.88 mmol/L (adjusted odds risk [aOR] 1.67; 95% CI 0.83-3.33) had a 67% higher risk of LOS > 2 weeks than patients with POBG levels <5.04 mmol/L. A positive dose-response analysis curve was observed between POBG and the adjusted risk of LOS >2 weeks. Similar results were observed in the subgroups analysis. We demonstrated that higher POBG levels were significantly associated with longer LOS in patients with kidney stones undergoing PCNL.


Low loss and broadband low back-reflection interconnection between a hollow-core and standard single-mode fiber.
We report simultaneous low coupling loss (below 0.2 dB at 1550 nm) and low back-reflection (below -60 dB in the 1200-1600 nm range) between a hollow core fiber and standard single mode optical fiber obtained through the combination of an angled interface and an anti-reflective coating. We perform experimental optimization of the interface angle to achieve the best combination of performance in terms of the coupling loss and back-reflection suppression. Furthermore, we examine parasitic cross-coupling to the higher-order modes and show that it does not degrade compared to the case of a flat interface, keeping it below -30 dB and below -20 dB for LP11 and LP02 modes, respectively.


Superior thyroid artery cannulation for monitoring carotid artery operation.
Superior thyroid artery cannulation during carotid endarterectomy and coupling the cannula to a three-way stopcock with an anaeroid manometer allows the surgical team in the operating field to monitor mean pressures and to draw blood samples for gas analysis from the common, the internal, or the external carotid artery. The technique has been applied in 118 patients without related complications.


An in-vitro evaluation of Kodak Insight and Ektaspeed Plus film with a CMOS detector for natural proximal caries: ROC analysis.
This study compared the diagnostic efficacy of Kodak Ektaspeed Plus film, Kodak Insight film, a newly introduced E/F-speed film, and Schick CMOS-APS digital sensor, with respect to caries detection in 92 proximal surfaces of extracted unrestored teeth, 51 of which were carious. Ground truth was evaluated histologically and the lesions classified as enamel or dentinal. Eight observers read the radiographs using a five-point confidence rating scale to record their diagnoses. Analyses using receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the areas under each curve that indicated the diagnostic accuracy (Ektaspeed Plus - 0.760, Insight - 0.778 and CMOS-APS sensor - 0.732). ANOVA revealed significant differences with respect to caries depth (p<0.031) and observers (p<0.0001). Weighted kappa analyses indicated moderate to substantial inter- and intra-observer agreement (0.42 and 0.66, respectively). The results suggest that none of the imaging modalities evaluated in this study differed in their diagnostic capabilities with respect to proximal decay detection and that the Insight film which was used with 20% less radiation exposure than Ektaspeed Plus film was as good as the other two sensors for this purpose.


Acute renal failure due to postpartum haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
A patient developed the haemolytic uraemic syndrome after an uncomplicated Caesarean section. Escherichia coli species producing verotoxin was not isolated from the stool and the verotoxin was not demonstrated in the renal biopsy. The patient recovered with supportive dialysis. The clinical features of 66 cases of postpartum haemolytic uraemic syndrome reported in the literature are reviewed.


Immobilization of organic pollutants in cement pastes admixed with organophilic materials.
The results of 2-chloroaniline (2-CA) immobilization experiments in cement matrices, using an organophilic clay modified with phenolic resins as pre-sorbent, are shown. The 2-CA suspended in water was kept in contact with the organoclay for 24 h, and the slurry obtained was then admixed with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) without additional water, to obtain a firm solid waste. Six cement-clay pastes were prepared with the same water-to-cement ratio (0.50 wt/wt), but with different slurry composition (water-to-organoclay ratio equal to 10 and 5 wt/wt, respectively) and different amounts of 2-CA suspended in water, namely 5000, 15 000, and 25 000 ppmw (weight). Dynamic leach tests were performed on solidified monoliths in order to assess the successful immobilization of the 2-CA. Moreover, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were carried out.


Neuroprotective effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid against low inorganic phosphate in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.
PiT-1 (encoded by SLC20A1) and PiT-2 (encoded by SLC20A2) are type-III sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporters (NaPiTs). Recently, SLC20A2 mutations have been found in patients with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC), and were predicted to bring about an inability to transport Pi from the extracellular environment. Here we investigated the effect of low Pi loading on the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and the human glioblastoma A172 cell lines. The results show a different sensitivity to low Pi loading and differential regulation of type-III NaPiTs in these cells. We also examined whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) inhibited low Pi loading-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Concomitant application of 5-ALA with low Pi loading markedly attenuated low Pi-induced cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction via the induction of HO-1 by p38 MAPK. The findings provide us with novel viewpoints to understand the pathophysiology of IBGC, and give a new insight into the clinical prevention and treatment of IBGC.


Metabolic acclimation of source and sink tissues to salinity stress in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon).
Salinity is one of the major environmental factors affecting plant growth and survival by modifying source and sink relationships at physiological and metabolic levels. Individual metabolite levels and/or ratios in sink and source tissues may reflect the complex interplay of metabolic activities in sink and source tissues at the whole-plant level. We used a non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach to study sink and source tissue-specific metabolite levels and ratios from bermudagrass under salinity stress. Shoot growth rate decreased while root growth rate increased which lead to an increased root/shoot growth rate ratio under salt stress. A clear shift in soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) and metabolites linked to nitrogen metabolism (glutamate, aspartate and asparagine) in favor of sink roots was observed, when compared with sink and source leaves. The higher shifts in soluble sugars and metabolites linked to nitrogen metabolism in favor of sink roots may contribute to the root sink strength maintenance that facilitated the recovery of the functional equilibrium between shoot and root, allowing the roots to increase competitive ability for below-ground resource capture. This trait could be considered in breeding programs for increasing salt tolerance, which would help maintain root functioning (i.e. water and nutrient absorption, Na+ exclusion) and adaptation to stress.


[Did Seikyo Sugita Perform Two Surgical Operations under Ether Anesthesia in 1855?].
Although Seikyou Sugita is said to have provided ether anesthesia for two surgical oprations in 1855 including the scur resection of burned fingers of a man and the resection of a breast cancer of a woman. The details of his administration of the drug were not known because he did not describe these cases at all. According to Treatise on Inhalation of Ether written in 1863 by Shinryo Tsuboi, Sugita failed to provide successful general anesthesia using ether for these patients. The ether he used was prepared by Ryuho Shima, and the failures were likely to be due to impure nature of the agent.


Cerebrospinal fluid high-mobility group box protein 1 in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases in the central nervous system. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of these diseases. High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) can activate the nuclear factor light chain enhancer of activated B cells and release cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-17. However, whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HMGB1 levels were altered in NMO and MS patients is still unclear. It was our aim to measure the CSF HMGB1 concentration in NMO patients and explore their relationship with IL-6, IL-17 and disease activity. CSF HMGB1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in NMO (n = 22) and MS (n = 18) patients as well as in controls (n = 14). CSF HMGB1 was notably higher in the NMO group compared with controls (p = 0.007). CSF HMGB1 positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-17 in NMO patients (IL-6, p = 0.034; IL-17, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our study suggests that CSF levels of HMGB1 are increased in patients with NMO and reflect the neuroinflammatory process.


[Outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis in the Metropolitan Buenos Aires Area].
We describe the epidemiological and clinical findings of 13 patients with diagnosis of infection by St. Louis encephalitis virus, transmitted between January and March 2010 in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). Thirteen patients, average age 38 years, had an acute onset with hyperthermia and headache. Between days two and ten of the onset of symptoms, 7/13 patients had signs and symptoms of neurological involvement. This was characterized by meningitis without encephalic sings in 1/7 and in 6/7 the most frequent findings were: stiff neck, disorientation, photophobia, confusion and language impairment. Two MR and one EEG revealed signs of involvement of temporal lobes. The cerebrospinal fluid showed pleocytosis with predominance of mononuclear cells, normal glucose and moderately elevated protein. There were no fatalities cases. In 6/13 patients the initial clinical suspicion was dengue. As epidemic virus circulation had not been previously reported in the AMBA it can be considered an outbreak of St. Louis encephalitis for the spatial and temporal clustering of cases.


A Rare Case of Angioleiomyoma of the Hand.
Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor of the vascular system that is often not considered in the differential diagnosis of a painless subcutaneous nodule of the body. In this report, we present a rare case of angioleiomyoma of the phalanx in the left hand in a middle aged man. He underwent surgical excision of the mass with no complications. Given the nonspecific and indolent presentation, our case had a broad differential diagnosis including ganglion cyst and histopathological examination was warranted for definite diagnosis. At 9-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic with no signs of recurrence.


Intranasal vaccination with streptococcal fibronectin binding protein Sfb1 fails to prevent growth and dissemination of Streptococcus pyogenes in a murine skin infection model.
Fibronectin binding protein F1 (Sfb1) of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) is a well-characterized adhesin that has been shown to induce protection in mice against a lethal intranasal GAS challenge after intranasal immunization with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) as adjuvant. With a murine skin infection model, we have shown that Sfb1/CTB vaccination neither elicits opsonizing antibodies nor prevents systemic bacterial growth and dissemination to internal organs after a subcutaneous GAS challenge. These results indicate that an Sfb1-based vaccine should be complemented with additional protective antigens in order to be used in areas such as the tropical north of Australia, where the skin is the primary route of entry for invasive streptococcal diseases.


Mutagenesis of N-terminal Amino Acid Residues in beta-subunit of Glutaryl-7-amino-cephalosporanic Acid Acylase C130.
In many GL-7ACA acylases, the first Ser residue at the N-terminal of beta-subunit is the catalytic center. In order to investigate relationship between the N-terminal structure and catalytic activities, peptide replacement and site-directed mutagenesis were performed at the N-terminal of beta-subunit of GL-7ACA acylase C130. When the N-terminal 8 amino acid residues of C130 were replaced by the corresponding sequence of penicillin acylases PAC and PGA, respectively, the first mutant B8PAC lost the activity of the acylase, and the second mutant B8PGA had lower activity with the K(m) value increasing from 0.44x10(-3)mol.L(-1) to 0.55x10(-3) mol.L(-1), and the k(cat) decreasing from 4.92 s(-1) to 1.64 s(-1). Although the substitution of Trp (beta4) by Tyr did not change the K(m) value, the k (cat) decreased to 2.29 s(-1). When the Trp was substitued by Leu, both the K ( m ) and k ( cat ) values decreased. Compared with the wild type, mutations of Ser (beta3) to Met, Ala and Cys caused decrease of K(m) values by 52.27%, 43.18% and 38.64%, respectively. Mutation of Asn (beta2) to Gln caused the K ( m ) value being increased by 5-fold, and k ( cat ) decreased by 10-fold. These results suggested that the N-terminal amino acid residues of beta-subunit in GL-7ACA acylase C130 are important for enzyme function.


Indirect dopamine agonists augment the locomotor activating effects of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50,488 in preweanling rats.
kappa-Opioid receptor agonists (e.g., enadoline or U-50,488) increase the locomotor activity of preweanling rats, while the same drugs depress the locomotor activity of adults. Curiously, direct stimulation of dopamine (DA) D2-like receptors fully attenuates the U-50,488-induced locomotor activity of preweanling rats. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether indirect DA agonists (i.e., cocaine, methylphenidate, and amphetamine) would also attenuate U-50,488's behavioral effects. In two experiments, 17-day-old rats were injected with saline or U-50,488 (5 mg/kg, sc) and locomotor activity and stereotyped sniffing were assessed. After 20 min, the saline- and U-50,488-pretreated rats were injected with saline, cocaine (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg, i.p.), methylphenidate (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.), amphetamine (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.), or the direct D2-like receptor agonist NPA (1 mg/kg, i.p.). As expected, U-50,488 dramatically enhanced the locomotor activity of 17-day-old rats, while attenuating the stereotyped sniffing caused by indirect and direct DA agonists. All three indirect DA agonists augmented U-50,488's locomotor activating effects across the initial 10 min of testing and then activity declined to U-50,488 control values. Direct stimulation of DA receptors produced nearly opposite effects because NPA attenuated U-50,488-induced locomotor activity across the entire testing session. It is uncertain why direct and indirect DA agonists affected U-50,488-induced locomotor activity differently, but the relative amount of DA D1-like receptor activation is probably not responsible.


Neonatal diabetes: a case study.
Neonatal diabetes, which can be transient or permanent, is rare. The patients typically are small for gestational age and present with hyperglycemia and severe dehydration. Treatment includes administration of insulin and careful blood glucose monitoring. Specific nursing concerns involve issues surrounding blood sugar monitoring, injections, feeding, recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia, insulin adjustment, and parental support.


[A bibliometric analysis of research on occupational asthma during 1998 to 2017].
Objective: To understand the research status of occupational asthma and provide information for related research on occupational asthma in the future. Methods: Papers on occupational asthma published from January 1998 to December 2017 had been retrieved in Web of Science core collection database on 9 October 2018. The data retrieval strategies were set as follows: #1 TS=(occupational AND asthma), #2 TS=(occupational AND asthmas), #3 TS=(occupational asthma OR occupational asthmas), #1 OR #2 OR #3. Three thousand two hundred and twelve publications were analyzed by bibliometric and visualizer. Results: Yearly output of articles in this field had been at a stable high level and annual total citations had been increasing. A significant positive correlation was found between the year and annual total citations (r=0.97, P<0.05). The most productive countries were European countries except the United States and Canada. Our country had few literatures accounting for 1.21 percent of the total and the research on occupational asthma in our country started relatively late which were published mainly from 2013 to 2017. The most studied category and journal were public environmental occupational health and Am J Ind Med respectively. "occupational exposure", "allergy" and "rhinitis" were key words with high frequency. Conclusion: Yearly output of publications of occupational asthma has been at a stable high level. Our country should do more research to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and management of occupational asthma.


Treatment of subtrochanteric fractures with a sliding screw-plate device.
In a series of 45 subtrochanteric fractures treated with a sliding screw-plate device, union was achieved in 43 patients (95.3%). Most were Seinsheimer Type II C (9), Type IIIA (12), and Type V (18). Fractures were stabilized in a valgus position (average, 140 degrees), with primary medial displacement of the femoral shaft (25 patients). Radiographic analysis of the degree of postoperative impaction of the fragments correlated with the fracture pattern. Fractures with medial cortical comminution such as Type IIIA and Type V were the most unstable, with an average of 10.8 and 8.0 mm axial impaction, respectively, and were at the greatest risk of complication. The sliding screw-plate device is a reliable method of achieving union in subtrochanteric fractures.


Surface Roughness and Grain Size Variation When 3D Printing Polyamide 11 Parts Using Selective Laser Sintering.
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a well-established technology that is used for additive manufacturing. Significant efforts have been made to improve SLS by optimizing the powder deposition, laser beam parameters, and temperature settings. The purpose is to ensure homogeneous sintering and prevent geometric and appearance inaccuracies in the manufactured objects. We evaluated the differences in the surface roughness and grain size of curved objects manufactured by using upcoming SLS technology that features two CO laser sources. Our analysis was carried out on polyamide 11 (PA11), which is a sustainable biobased polymer that has been gaining popularity due to its high-performance properties: its low melting point, high viscosity, and excellent mechanical properties. By using a Taguchi experimental design and analysis of variance (ANOVA), we examined the influence on the surface roughness and grain size of the build setup, the presence of thin walls, and the position of the sample on the powder bed. We found significant differences in some surface roughness and grain size measurements when these parameters were changed.