Cervical spine clearance after blunt trauma: current state of the art.
No definite consensus exists for the clearance of the cervical spine (C-spine) after blunt trauma, despite many validated algorithms, recommendations and guidelines. We intend to answer the most relevant questions with which physicians are confronted when clearing C-spines after blunt trauma in emergency departments (EDs). To exclude significant C-spine injuries we designed an algorithm to be compatible with clinical practice, to simplify patient management and avoid unrewarding evaluation.We conducted an exploratory PubMed search including articles published from January 2000 to October 2018. Keywords used were "cervical spine", "injury", "clearance", "Canadian C-spine Rule", "CCR" and "national emergency x-radiography utilization study". Clinical and experimental studies were included in a detailed review.We based our literature review on 33 articles. While answering fundamental triage questions from daily clinical practice, the current literature is discussed in detail. We designed an algorithm for the C-spine clearance suitable for any trauma centre with a high-quality multiplanar reconstruction computerized tomography (CT) scan continuously available.The high sensitivity of the Canadian C-spine Rule (CCR) prevents missing C-spine injuries while limiting the amount of unnecessary radiologic examinations. Plain radiographs were fully abandoned for C-spine clearance. A negative CT scan is sufficient to clear the majority of C-spine injuries and allows for collar removal. In case of motor symptoms or radio-clinical discrepancy, the advice of a specialized spine surgeon must be requested. Magnetic resonance imaging must not be routinely used. Neck pain despite negative imaging is not a reason to delay removal of stiff cervical collars. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:253-259. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190047.


Ketogenic diets in the treatment of epilepsy: short-term clinical effects.
The classical 4:1 ketogenic diet, the medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diet and a modified MCT diet were used in the treatment of 55 children and four adults with intractable epilepsy. During a three-month treatment period 51 of 63 studies (81 per cent) showed greater than 50 per cent reduction in seizure frequency. This improvement was independent of diet used and type of seizure experienced by patients. The diets were found to be acceptable and of therapeutic benefit to the children, but treatment of the four adult patients with the MCT diet was unsuccessful. There was no correlation between EEG changes and clinical response. The three ketogenic diets were shown to be effective in the short-term management of children whose epilepsy is poorly controlled with anticonvulsant drugs.


Tibial Allograft Transfer for Medial Tibial Plateau Resurfacing.
A large cartilage lesion of the tibial plateau with a deficient meniscus in a young patient is a challenging pathology for the orthopaedic surgeon due to the limited options available. While hemiarthroplasty procedures can be an option, the risk of revision in a young patient is high, and therefore a reconstructive procedure is advocated. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our technique for tibial plateau resurfacing, including the preparation and implantation of a medial tibial plateau and medial meniscal allograft, in a patient with a post-traumatic KD-4 knee dislocation with a medial tibial plateau rim fracture, medial meniscus deficiency, and medial tibiofemoral joint subluxation.


Immediate transmucosal implants using the principle of guided tissue regeneration (II). A cross-sectional study comparing the clinical outcome 1 year after immediate to standard implant placement.
The aim of the present study was to compare the peri-implant mucosal conditions 1 year after immediate transmucosal implant placement without or in combination with guided tissue regeneration with the situation after regular placement of transmucosal 1-stage procedure implants in partially edentulous patients. The test group consisted of 15 patients who required the immediate replacement of 20 teeth with oral implants in combination with guided tissue regeneration. The control group 1 consisted of 6 patients who received 8 immediate implants, without concomitant bone regeneration procedure due to the small size of the extracted roots in comparison with diameter of the implants. The 20 patients of the control group 2 were randomly chosen from over 150 partially edentulous patients who received implants of the ITI Dental Implant System according to the standard procedure. Similar favorable clinical parameters were found around the implants of all the 3 groups with low plaque and mucosal indices, similar amounts of recession, pocket probing depths and clinical attachment levels. The immediate implants demonstrated lower frequencies of sites bleeding on probing. The study has established that immediate oral implants are a feasible treatment modality with high predictability.


The clinical scaphoid fracture: early computed tomography as a practical approach.
Up to 40% of scaphoid fractures are missed at initial presentation as clinical examination and plain radiographs are poor at identifying scaphoid fractures immediately after the injury. Avoiding a delay in diagnosis is essential to prevent the risk of non-union and early wrist arthritis. We demonstrate the use of CT scanning for the early confirmation of a scaphoid fracture. We conducted a retrospective, chronological review of patients who attended an upper limb fracture clinic from January 2001 to October 2003 in a small district general hospital. We performed a CT scan on all 'clinical scaphoid' patients who had negative plain X-ray films. Overall, 70% of patients had a CT scan within 1 week of injury and not from date of accident and emergency attendance; 83% of patients had a CT scan within 2 weeks of injury. Of 118 patients identified, 32% had positive findings and 22% of 'clinical scaphoid' patients had scaphoid fractures. The proportion of positive findings for an acute scaphoid fracture was 68%. Additional pathologies identified on CT were capitate, triquetral and radial fractures. Our audit shows that it is practical to perform CT on suspicious scaphoid fractures in a small district general hospital. We identified an extremely high false-negative rate for plain X-rays and demonstrate that the appropriate use of CT at initial fracture clinic attendance with 'clinical scaphoid' leads to an earlier diagnosis and reduces the need for prolonged immobilisation and repeated clinical review.


Consensus subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with clinical outcomes and genomic phenotypes.
Although many studies revealed transcriptomic subtypes of HCC, concordance of the subtypes are not fully examined. We aim to examine a consensus of transcriptomic subtypes and correlate them with clinical outcomes. By integrating 16 previously established genomic signatures for HCC subtypes, we identified five clinically and molecularly distinct consensus subtypes. STM (STeM) is characterized by high stem cell features, vascular invasion, and poor prognosis. CIN (Chromosomal INstability) has moderate stem cell features, but high genomic instability and low immune activity. IMH (IMmune High) is characterized by high immune activity. BCM (Beta-Catenin with high Male predominance) is characterized by prominent β-catenin activation, low miRNA expression, hypomethylation, and high sensitivity to sorafenib. DLP (Differentiated and Low Proliferation) is differentiated with high hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A activity. We also developed and validated a robust predictor of consensus subtype with 100 genes and demonstrated that five subtypes were well conserved in patient-derived xenograft models and cell lines. By analyzing serum proteomic data from the same patients, we further identified potential serum biomarkers that can stratify patients into subtypes. Five HCC subtypes are correlated with genomic phenotypes and clinical outcomes and highly conserved in preclinical models, providing a framework for selecting the most appropriate models for preclinical studies.


Disrupted calcium release as a mechanism for atrial alternans associated with human atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, but our knowledge of the arrhythmogenic substrate is incomplete. Alternans, the beat-to-beat alternation in the shape of cardiac electrical signals, typically occurs at fast heart rates and leads to arrhythmia. However, atrial alternans have been observed at slower pacing rates in AF patients than in controls, suggesting that increased vulnerability to arrhythmia in AF patients may be due to the proarrythmic influence of alternans at these slower rates. As such, alternans may present a useful therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of AF, but the mechanism underlying alternans occurrence in AF patients at heart rates near rest is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine how cellular changes that occur in human AF affect the appearance of alternans at heart rates near rest. To achieve this, we developed a computational model of human atrial tissue incorporating electrophysiological remodeling associated with chronic AF (cAF) and performed parameter sensitivity analysis of ionic model parameters to determine which cellular changes led to alternans. Of the 20 parameters tested, only decreasing the ryanodine receptor (RyR) inactivation rate constant (kiCa) produced action potential duration (APD) alternans seen clinically at slower pacing rates. Using single-cell clamps of voltage, fluxes, and state variables, we determined that alternans onset was Ca2+-driven rather than voltage-driven and occurred as a result of decreased RyR inactivation which led to increased steepness of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release slope. Iterated map analysis revealed that because SR Ca2+ uptake efficiency was much higher in control atrial cells than in cAF cells, drastic reductions in kiCa were required to produce alternans at comparable pacing rates in control atrial cells. These findings suggest that RyR kinetics may play a critical role in altered Ca2+ homeostasis which drives proarrhythmic APD alternans in patients with AF.


Modelling farm-to-farm disease transmission through personnel movements: from visits to contacts, and back.
Infectious diseases in livestock can be transmitted through fomites: objects able to convey infectious agents. Between-farm spread of infections through fomites is mostly due to indirect contacts generated by on-farm visits of personnel that can carry pathogens on their clothes, equipment, or vehicles. However, data on farm visitors are often difficult to obtain because of the heterogeneity of their nature and privacy issues. Thus, models simulating disease spread between farms usually rely on strong assumptions about the contribution of indirect contacts on infection spread. By using data on veterinarian on-farm visits in a dairy farm system, we built a simple simulation model to assess the role of indirect contacts on epidemic dynamics compared to cattle movements (i.e. direct contacts). We showed that including in the simulation model only specific subsets of the information available on indirect contacts could lead to outputs widely different from those obtained with the full-information model. Then, we provided a simple preferential attachment algorithm based on the probability to observe consecutive on-farm visits from the same operator that allows overcoming the information gaps. Our results suggest the importance of detailed data and a deeper understanding of visit dynamics for the prevention and control of livestock diseases.


Effects of Oxygen Concentrations on Postresuscitation Myocardial Oxidative Stress and Myocardial Function in a Rat Model of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Lipid peroxidation induced by free-radical species plays a prominent role in myocardial injury following ischemia and reperfusion. However, there is a lack of data in different oxygen concentrations on myocardial lipid peroxidation during the early phase of reperfusion. In this study, we investigated whether ventilation with medium or normal concentration of oxygen would decrease the severity of myocardial lipid peroxidation and postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction. Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. University-affiliated animal research institution. Sixty-three healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomized into three groups: 1) 100% group, 2) 50% group, and 3) 21% group. Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 8 minutes, and defibrillation was attempted after 8 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Ventilation with 100%, 50%, or 21% oxygen was initiated in all groups during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 1 hour following the return of spontaneous circulation. Normoxic ventilation was maintained thereafter. Myocardial function, including ejection fraction and myocardial performance index, were measured at baseline, 4, or 72 hours after resuscitation. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 15 minutes, 1, 4, or 72 hours after resuscitation for the measurements of blood gas or biomarkers. Significantly better myocardial function and longer duration of survival were observed in the 50% group. Compared with the 21% and 100% groups, a mild hyperoxia and greater oxygen extraction with lower 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α were observed in the 50% group. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed that 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α was positively correlated with myocardial performance index at 4 hours postresuscitation. In a rat model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation, ventilation with 50% inspired oxygen during early postischemic reperfusion phase contributed to a decreased lipid peroxidation and a better myocardial function and duration of survival.


Effective Management of Bone Fractures with the Illuminoss® Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System: Initial Clinical Experience from the European Union Registry.
The IlluminOss® system (IS) uses a light-curable polymer contained within an inflatable balloon catheter, forming a patient customized intramedullary implant. A registry was established in Germany and The Netherlands to prospectively collect technical and clinical outcomes in patients treated with IS for fractures of the phalange, metacarpal, radius, ulna, distal radius, fibula, clavicle and/or olecranon. Humeral, femoral, tibial and pelvic fractures were included under compassionate use. Procedural success included successful placement of the device at the target fracture site and achievement of fracture stabilization. Clinical and radiographic assessments were made postoperatively through 12 months. One hundred thirty two patients (149 fractures) were enrolled with most fractures (85%) resulting from low-energy trauma. Simple fractures predominated (47%) followed by complex (23%) and wedge (16%) fractures. Procedural success was achieved in all patients and no implants required removal or revision. Normal range of motion was realized in 87% of fractures. Radiographically, there was substantial cortical bridging, total dissolution of the fracture line, and complete fracture healing. Across a variety of fracture types, the IS provides a safe and effective approach for rapid healing and functional recovery.


Social olfaction in male brown lemmings (Lemmus sibiricus = trimucronatus) and collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus): I. Discrimination of species, sex, and estrous condition.
When tested in a Y-maze olfactometer, sexually experienced and sexually naive brown and collared lemmings (Lemmus sibiricus = trimucronatus and Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) preferred the odor of conspecific females to the odor of females of another species. Both experienced and naive males also preferred the odor of conspecific females to that of conspecific males. Only sexually experienced males showed a significant preference for estrous over nonestrous conspecific females. Sexually experienced males also discriminated between estrous and nonestrous heterospecific females of a familiar (lemming) and unfamiliar (meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus) species. In conjunction with the results of earlier studies of the development of species-specific olfactory preferences, these findings suggest that two olfactory cues mediate a male's attraction to receptive females: a species-specific odor that is learned during early development and a sexual attractant whose saliency is established as a result of adult experience with a receptive female.


Late-Onset Hiv Encephalopathy In Children With Long-Standing Virologic Suppression Followed By Slow Spontaneous Recovery Despite no Change In Antiretroviral Therapy: 4 Case Reports.
We describe 4 Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy trial participants with late-onset HIV encephalopathy despite long-standing viral suppression in blood and undetectable HIV DNA and RNA polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid. Extensive investigations revealed no alternative etiology. Reassuringly, all 4 experienced slow spontaneous recovery despite no change in antiretroviral therapy. Virally suppressed HIV-infected children remain at risk for fluctuating neurologic signs and symptoms.


Tensile Bond Strength between Different Denture Base Materials and Soft Denture Liners.
(1) Background: Various materials are available for CAD-CAM denture base fabrication, for both additive and subtractive manufacturing. However, little has been reported on bond strength to soft denture liners. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate tensile bond strength, comparing between different denture base materials and soft denture liners. (2) Methods: Seven different materials were used for denture base fabrication: one heat-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate, three materials for subtractive manufacturing, two materials for additive manufacturing and one polyamide. Two materials were used for soft denture lining: one silicone-based and one acrylate-based. The study was conducted according to the specification ISO No. 10139-2:2016, and the type of failure was determined. The Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post hoc test was used to analyse the values of tensile bond strength, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyse the type of failure. p Values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. (3) Results: The tensile bond strength values were not statistically significantly different combining all the materials used for denture base fabrication with the acrylate-based soft denture liner (p > 0.05), and the average values ranged between 0.19 and 0.25 Mpa. The tensile bond strength values of the different denture base materials and silicone-based denture liner were statistically significantly different (p < 0.05), and the average values ranged between 1.49 and 3.07 Mpa. The type of failure was predominantly adhesive between polyamide and both additive-manufactured denture base materials in combination with the acrylate-based soft liner (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The use of digital technologies in denture base fabrication can have an influence on different tensile bond strength values for soft denture liners, with different types of failure when compared with heat-cured PMMA. Similar tensile bond strength values were found between the acrylate-based soft denture liner and denture base materials. Significant differences in tensile bond strength values were found between the silicone-based soft denture liner and denture base materials, where the additive-manufactured and polyamide denture base materials showed lower values than heat-cured PMMA and subtractive-manufactured denture base materials.


Evaluation of two vitallium blade-form implants retrieved after 13 to 21 years of function: a clinical report.
This article describes the clinical, radiographic, and histologic evaluation of 2 immediately loaded Vitallium blade-form implants retrieved from the posterior maxilla of 2 patients after 21 and 13 years of function. Neither implant demonstrated mobility or signs of pathosis, and both appeared to have integrated well with surrounding bone. The hydroxyapatite coating of the second implant, which was retrieved after 13 years of function, showed no dissolution. These observations suggest that immediately loaded dental implants have the potential to achieve and maintain osseointegration and that hydroxyapatite coatings can resist degradation over long-term service.


Deadly paradise.
Where have all the children gone? Vietnam. If you think that sounds like a 1960s protest song, you would be wrong.


Site-directed mutagenesis of the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Anacystis nidulans.
Using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of the gene encoding the small subunit (rbcS) from Anacystis nidulans mutant enzymes have been generated with either Trp-54 of the small subunit replaced by a Phe residue, or with Trp-57 replaced by a Phe residue, whereas both Trp-54 and Trp-57 have been replaced by Phe residues in a double mutant. Trp-54 and Trp-57 are conserved in all amino acid sequences or the small subunit (S) that are known at present. The wild-type and mutant forms of Rubisco have all been purified to homogeneity. The wild-type enzyme, purified from Escherichia coli is indistinguishable from enzyme similarly purified from A. nidulans in subunit composition, subunit molecular mass and kinetic parameters (Vmax CO2 = 2.9 U/mg, Km CO2 = 155 microM). The single Trp mutants are indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme by criteria (a) and (b). However, whereas, Km CO2 is also unchanged, Vmax CO2 is 2.5-fold smaller than the value for the wild-type enzyme for both mutants, demonstrating for the first time that single amino acid replacements in the non-catalytic small subunit influence the catalytic rate of the enzyme. The specificity factor tau, which measures the partitioning of the active site between the carboxylase and oxygenase reactions, was found to be invariant. Since tau is not affected by these mutations we conclude that S is an activating not a regulating subunit.


Single nanoparticle photothermal tracking (SNaPT) of 5-nm gold beads in live cells.
Tracking individual nano-objects in live cells during arbitrary long times is a ubiquitous need in modern biology. We present here a method for tracking individual 5-nm gold nanoparticles on live cells. It relies on the photothermal effect and the detection of the Laser Induced Scattering around a NanoAbsorber (LISNA). The key point for recording trajectories at video rate is the use of a triangulation procedure. The effectiveness of the method is tested against single fluorescent molecule tracking in live COS7 cells on subsecond timescales. We further demonstrate recordings for several minutes of AMPA receptors trajectories on the plasma membrane of live neurons. Single Nanoparticle Photothermal Tracking has the unique potential to record arbitrary long trajectory of membrane proteins using nonfluorescent nanometer-sized labels.


Blue November Campaign as an annual male self-care strategy for healthy aging.
Men ignore self-care, displaying low frequency in health services. Aging increases the prevalence of LUTS and BPE, impacting the quality of life. The objective is to understand how the advancement of age can be determinant for men's health in Natal, Brazil. Then, 503 men aged between 43 and 83 attended the Blue November Campaign of 2015. All subjects were submitted to anamnesis, clinical and laboratorial evaluation including measuring their blood pressure, waist circumference, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and BMI was calculated. In addition, IPSS, PSA, IIEF-5 and DRE data were collected. The mean IPSS presented an increase with age, 43-59 years (6.28 ± 6.02) and 70-80 years or more (8.65 ± 5.80). PSA dosages increase with aging (adult group 1.63 ± 2.70), being more accentuated in the older group (4.66 ± 5.70), while the mean IIFE-5 showed a decrease with aging in 43-59 years (21.79 ± 4.67) and an important decrease at 70-80 years or more (16.24 ± 6.71). The number of DRE > 30 g showed significant growth in the older group. All presented statistical significance (p < .05) and were associated with aging. The Blue November Campaign creates an annual self-care opportunity for aging men as their health is gradually affected.


Suboptimal maternal and cord plasma pyridoxal 5' phosphate concentrations are uncommon in a cohort of Canadian pregnant women and newborn infants.
Vitamin B6 is important in fetal development, but little is known of the vitamin B6 status of pregnant women and newborns in North America and potential modifying factors. This prospective study determined maternal and cord plasma concentrations of pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP; an indicator of vitamin B6 status) in a convenience sample of 368 Canadian pregnant women and their newborns. The association of maternal intake of vitamin B6 and fetal genetic variants with cord plasma PLP and homocysteine concentrations was also examined. Dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamin B6 were assessed in early and mid to late pregnancy. PLP concentrations were measured in maternal plasma in early pregnancy and at delivery, and in cord plasma. Six fetal variants of the MTHFR and CβS genes were assessed for their association with cord plasma PLP and homocysteine concentrations. Geometric mean (95% CI) PLP concentrations were 107 (98, 116) nmol/L in early pregnancy and 58 (53, 62) nmol/L at delivery, respectively, and 296 (275, 319) nmol/L in cord blood (p < .0001). During early pregnancy and at delivery, 3.6% and 5.5% of women had plasma PLP concentrations <20 nmol/L, respectively. Ninety eight percent of the women with supplemental B6 intake of at least the recommended dietary allowance had PLP concentrations >20 nmol/L. Fetal genetic variants were not associated with cord PLP and homocysteine concentrations. Vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon in a cohort of Canadian pregnant women due largely to prevalent vitamin B6 supplement use.


Phylogenetic conservation of substrate use specialization in leaf litter bacteria.
Environmental change will influence the ecosystem processes regulated by microbial communities, including leaf litter decomposition. To assess how microbial communities and their functioning might respond to increases in temperature, we quantified the distribution of traits related to carbon substrate utilization and temperature sensitivity in leaf litter bacteria isolated from a natural grassland ecosystem in Southern California. The isolates varied substantially in their carbon substrate use, as well as their response to temperature change. To better predict the functioning and responses in natural communities, we also examined if the functional and response traits were phylogenetically patterned or correlated with one another. We found that the distribution of functional traits displayed a phylogenetic pattern, but the sensitivity of the traits to changes in temperature did not. We also did not detect any correlations between carbon substrate use and sensitivity to changes in temperature. Together, these results suggest that information about microbial composition may provide insights to predicting ecosystem function under one temperature, but that these relationships may not hold under new temperature conditions.


Energy coupling in short pulse laser solid interactions and its impact for space debris removal.
Significant advances have been made over the last decade to improve the performance, efficiency, and contrast of high peak and average power laser systems, driven by their use in a wide variety of fields, from the industrial to the scientific. As the contrast of the lasers has improved, interactions with contrasts of 1012 are now routinely undertaken. At such high contrasts, there is negligible preplasma formation and the ionized surface layer created by subpicosecond-duration pulses typically forms a highly reflective "plasma mirror" capable of reflecting between 70% and 90% of the incident energy. Although such interactions are of significant interest for applications such as harmonic source production and to enable the underlying physics to be studied, their low absorption can limit their usefulness for applications such as space debris removal.


Optimized Multiresidue Analysis of Organic Contaminants of Priority Concern in a Daily Consumed Fish (Grass Carp).
The organic contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are of priority concern because of their persistence, toxicity, and long-distance transportation in global environment. Their residues in a daily consumed fish (grass carp) pose potential threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The present study optimized an analytical protocol of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), lip-removal by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), cleanup by solid phase cartridge (SC) or adsorption chromatography column (CC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Besides traditional statistical parameters, some indicators were calculated to judge the performances of extraction by various methods. The optimization experiment showed that n-hexane/acetone was the best MEA extraction solvent; an optimal fraction time of 10-39 min could simultaneously elute all the target chemicals in a single GPC run. Both CC and SC showed good recoveries. However, CC performed better than SC (p < 0.05) for OCPs, and SC performed better than CC for PBDEs (p < 0.05). We also emphasized the limitations and advantages of SC and CC and finally proposed SC as the promising cleanup method because of its low-cost materials, time-saving steps, being free of manual filling, and operation by automated SPE system.


Recurrence patterns of oral leukoplakia after curative surgical resection: important factors that predict the risk of recurrence and malignancy.
Oral leukoplakia can be treated using a variety of treatment procedures; however, the lesions recur in many cases irrespective of the treatment procedure used. The rate of recurrence was from 7.7% to 38.1%. This study aims to identify the important factors that can lower the risk of recurrence of oral leukoplakia treated by curative surgical resection. The clinical records of 52 patients with oral leukoplakia (53 lesions) who underwent curative surgical resection between 2004 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed for the rate of recurrence, clinical outcome, epithelial dysplasia, lesion location, and resection margins. The recurrence rate following curative surgical resection was 15.1%, with the most common site being the gingiva. Malignant transformation occurred in a single patient (1.9%). Minimal resection margins (<3 mm) were observed in many patients with recurrent disease, and recurrence was more likely in cases with positive margins (epithelial abnormalities at the resection margins) than in those with negative margins. There was no significant association between recurrence and the degree of epithelial dysplasia. Our data suggest that surgical resection of oral leukoplakia is curative only if all areas of epithelial abnormalities are identified and resected. Moreover, an adequate resection margin may reduce the risk of recurrence.


Paracrine regulation of FSH by follistatin in folliculostellate cell-enriched primate pituitary cell cultures.
Primary pituitary cell cultures are an important tool for understanding pituitary hormone gene expression. In the course of study of pituitary cell cultures from nonhuman adult male primates, pituitary secretory cells were noted to be rapidly overgrown by epithelioid cells with the morphological, immunocytochemical, and proliferative characteristics of folliculostellate cells. Using competitive RT-PCR assays, follistatin mRNA levels were found to increase 4-fold as folliculostellate cells proliferated with time in culture, whereas FSH-beta mRNA and FSH secretion were suppressed. Follistatin gene expression was stimulated by activin-A and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide but not by [D-Trp(6)]-GnRH ethylamide. Testosterone (T) also increased follistatin mRNA levels and follistatin protein secretion. FSH-beta mRNA was stimulated by [D-Trp(6)]-GnRH ethylamide and activin but was suppressed by T. The reciprocal relationship between follistatin and FSH-beta mRNA levels as folliculostellate cells proliferate with time in culture implies a role for folliculostellate cells in the follistatin-activin system in primates. The actions of GnRH and T on follistatin and FSH-beta mRNA levels in these cultures were opposite to effects observed in pituitary cultures from rats and identify species differences in the control of FSH production that may be folliculostellate cell-related.


cis/trans-[Pt(C∧N)(C≡CR)(CNBut)] Isomers: Synthesis, Photophysical, DFT Studies, and Chemosensory Behavior.
cis/trans Isomerism can be a crucial factor for photophysical properties. Here, we report the synthesis and optical properties of a series of trans- and cis-alkynyl/isocyanide cycloplatinated compounds [Pt(C∧N)(C≡CR)(CNBut)] [R = C6H4-4-OMe 1, 3-C4H3S 2; C∧N = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) (a), 4-(2-pyridyl)benzaldehyde (ppy-CHO) (b)]. The trans-forms do not isomerize thermally in MeCN solution to the cis forms, but upon photochemical irradiation in this medium at 298 K, a variable isomerization to the cis forms was observed. This behavior is in good agreement with the theoretically calculated energy values. The trans/cis configuration, the identity of the cyclometalated, and the alkynyl ligand influence on the absorption and emission properties of the complexes in solution, polystyrene (PS) films, and solid state are reported. All complexes are efficient triplet emitters in all media (except for trans-1a and trans-2a in CH2Cl2 solution at 298 K), with emission wavelengths depending mainly on the cyclometalated ligand in the region 473-490 nm (dfppy), 510-550 (ppy-CHO), and quantum yields (ϕ) ranging from 18.5 to 40.7% in PS films. The combined photophysical data and time-dependent density functional theory calculations (TD-DFT) at the excited-state T1 geometry reveal triplet excited states of 3L'LCT (C≡CR → C∧N)/3IL (C∧N) character with minor 3MLCT contribution. The dfppy (a) complexes show a greater tendency to aggregate in rigid media than the ppy-CHO (b) and the cis with respect to the trans, showing red-shifted structureless bands of 3MMLCT and/or excimer-like nature. Interestingly, trans-1a,2a and cis-1a,2a undergo significant changes in the ultraviolet (UV) and emission spectra with Hg2+ ions enabling their use for sensing of Hg2+ ions in solution. This is clearly shown by the hypsochromic shift and substantial decrease of the low-energy absorption band and an increase of the intensity of the emission in the MeCN solution upon the addition of a solution of Hg(ClO4)2 (1:5 molar ratio). Job's plot analysis estimated a 1:1 stoichiometry in the complexation mode of Hg2+ by trans-2a. The binding constant (log K) calculated for this system from absorption titration data resulted to be 2.56, and the limit of the detection (LOD) was 6.54 × 10-7 M.


Regulation of phenylalanine biosynthesis in Rhodotorula glutinis.
The phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway in the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis was examined, and the following results were obtained. (i) 3-Deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase in crude extracts was partially inhibited by tyrosine, tryptophan, or phenylalanine. In the presence of all three aromatic amino acids an additive pattern of enzyme inhibition was observed, suggesting the existence of three differentially regulated species of DAHP synthase. Two distinctly regulated isozymes inhibited by tyrosine or tryptophan and designated DAHP synthase-Tyr and DAHP synthase-Trp, respectively, were resolved by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, along with a third labile activity inhibited by phenylalanine tentatively identified as DAHP synthase-Phe. The tyrosine and tryptophan isozymes were relatively stable and were inhibited 80 and 90% by 50 microM of the respective amino acids. DAHP synthase-Phe, however, proved to be an extremely labile activity, thereby preventing any detailed regulatory studies on the partially purified enzyme. (ii) Two species of chorismate mutase, designated CMI and CMII, were resolved in the same chromatographic step. The activity of CMI was inhibited by tyrosine and stimulated by tryptophan, whereas CMII appeared to be unregulated. (iii) Single species of prephenate dehydratase and phenylpyruvate aminotransferase were observed. Interestingly, the branch-point enzyme prephenate dehydratase was not inhibited by phenylalanine or affected by tyrosine, tryptophan, or both. (iv) The only site for control of phenylalanine biosynthesis appeared to be DAHP synthase-Phe. This is apparently sufficient since a spontaneous mutant, designated FP9, resistant to the growth-inhibitory phenylalanine analog p-fluorophenylalanine contained a feedback-resistant DAHP synthase-Phe and cross-fed a phenylalanine auxotroph of Bacillus subtilis.


Lithium in the Natural Waters of the South East of Ireland.
The South East of Ireland (County Carlow) contains a deposit of the valuable lithium-bearing mineral spodumene (LiAl(SiO₃)₂). This resource has recently attracted interest and abstractive mining in the area is a possibility for the future. The open cast mining of this resource could represent a potential hazard in the form of metalliferous pollution to local water. The population of County Carlow is just under 60,000. The local authority reports that approximately 75.7% of the population's publicly supplied drinking water is abstracted from surface water and 11.6% from groundwater. In total, 12.7% of the population abstract their water from private groundwater wells. Any potential entry of extraneous metals into the area's natural waters will have implications for people in county Carlow. It is the goal of this paper to establish background concentrations of lithium and other metals in the natural waters prior to any mining activity. Our sampling protocol totaled 115 sites along five sampling transects, sampled through 2015. From this dataset, we report a background concentration of dissolved lithium in the natural waters of County Carlow, surface water at x ¯ = 0.02, SD = 0.02 ranging from 0 to 0.091 mg/L and groundwater at x ¯ = 0.023, SD = 0.02 mg/L ranging from 0 to 0.097 mg/L.


Descriptions of immatures of the South American plant hopper, Taosa (C.) longula.
Descriptions of the immature stages of Taosa (Cuernavaca) longula Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Dictyopharidae) and a key for their identification is provided for specimens collected on the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Commelinales: Pontederiaceae), in northeastern Argentina and Peru. Newly emerged nymphs from eggs collected in the field were reared in rearing chambers, and each stage was fixed to microscopic examination and illustration. Fifth nymphal instars can be easily recognized from congeners by the brown marked pattern coloration, shorter vertex, and the distinguishable median carina along the frons. Information on behavior and developmental time is also included.


[Effects of monocular visual deprivation on parameters of GLuRs in visual cortex in developing kittens].
To explore the molecular mechanism of the development of amplyopia. Lid suture was performed on 5 kittens at 3 weeks of age to produce monocular visual deprivation. Six kittens were used as controls without any treatment. Three months later, the characteristics of [3,4-3H]-glutamate binding to the visual cortical membranes of the kittens were studied using radiolabelled ligand receptor binding assay. The kittens with monocular deprivation had decreased GluRs binding sites in the visual cortex as compared with the controls (P < 0.001). The kittens with monocular deprivation had greater value of KD than the controls (P < 0.001), indicating a decrease in the affinify of GluRs. The Hill coefficients of all of the kittens were close to 1, indicating that [3,4-3H]1-glutamate binded to a single-site receptor, obeying mass action law. Even if there were multi binding sites in GluRs, the affinity of these sites to [3,4-3H]1-glutamate was almost identical. Neither positive nor negative interactive effects existed. Monocular deprivation does affect the binding parameters (KD and Bmax) of GluRs, which may be a molecular mechanism of the development of amblyopia.


Human IL-6, IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α differently regulate the expression of pro-inflammatory related genes, tissue factor, and swine leukocyte antigen class I in porcine aortic endothelial cells.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines play important pathological effects in various diseases and allotransplantation; however, their pathological role in xenotransplantation remains elusive. In pig-to-human cell or organ transplantation, whether porcine cells or organs are activated by human cytokines or not as an important question needs to be investigated. We investigated the effect of human IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α in xenotransplantation using several in vitro models and porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) as target cells. The downstream signaling pathways activated by these cytokines were studied with Western blotting, the regulation of the pro-inflammatory related genes and pro-coagulation factor were assessed using real-time PCR or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I and SLA class II DR were analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were activated by recombinant human IL-17 (rhIL-17), rhIL-1β, and rhTNF-α, while rhIL-6 activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in PAECs. The adhesion molecules (E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1), pro-inflammatory gene (IL-6), chemokines (IL-8 and MCP-1), and the pro-coagulation factor (tissue factor) were induced by rhIL-17, rhIL-1β, and rhTNF-α, while rhIL-6 only increased the expression of MCP-1 and tissue factor. Using flow cytometry analysis, SLA class I was upregulated in PAECs after exposure to rhIL-1β and rhTNF-α, but not rhIL-6 or rhIL-17, whereas SLA class II DR could not be induced by rhIL-6, rhIL-17, rhIL-1β, or rhTNF-α, although it could by recombinant porcine IFN-γ (rpIFN-γ). Although activation of PAECs by rhIL-17 alone was not strong, rhIL-17 combined with rhTNF-α amplified the expression of E-selectin, IL-6, and IL-8. Unexpectedly, we found that tocilizumab, a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor antibody, could not block rhIL-6-mediated STAT3 activation in PAECs. Human IFN-γ could not activate STAT1 or induce the downstream gene expression in PAECs, which was consistent with a previous report. In conclusion, our data suggest that human IL-6, IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α significantly activate PAECs and are likely to promote inflammation and coagulation reaction in response to xenograft.


Estrogen withdrawal induces macrophage invasion in the rabbit corpus luteum.
Macrophages within the corpus luteum are associated with spontaneous luteal regression in a number of species. However, an understanding of the consequences of macrophage recruitment on the functional capacity and responsiveness of the luteal tissue has remained elusive. Here we investigate the temporal appearance of macrophages and their potential impact in corpora lutea of rabbits, in which a rapid fall in progesterone synthesis and premature regression of the corpus luteum are initiated by withdrawal of the luteotropic hormone estradiol-17beta. Removal of estradiol implants, placed subcutaneously, induced a significant increase in the average number of macrophages per high-power field (hpf) in corpora lutea (p < 0.05) within 72 h. Replacement of the estradiol implants 48 h after their removal resulted in a marginal rebound of plasma progesterone and a variable number of luteal macrophages (range: 6-160 macrophages/hpf) among the 11 rabbits. A third experiment revealed that the relative numbers of macrophages within the corpora lutea have no apparent relationship to rates of progesterone synthesis in vitro: progesterone production (ng/mg tissue) did not differ (p > 0.05) between corpora lutea of estradiol-maintained rabbits and those of estradiol-replaced rabbits despite obvious differences in numbers of luteal macrophages (2 +/- 1 vs. 42 +/- 10 macrophages/hpf, respectively; p < 0.05). We conclude that the entry/recruitment of macrophages into the rabbit corpus luteum is sensitive to the luteotropic hormone estradiol-17beta and that the presence of macrophages does not preclude the continuation of progesterone production in surviving luteal tissue revitalized after estradiol removal/replacement.


Gender differences in a clinical sample of patients with borderline personality disorder.
The aim of the study was to investigate gender differences and similarities in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) with respect to Axis I comorbidity, Axis II comorbidity, general psychopathology (Symptom Checklist 90-Revised), and dimensional personality traits (NEO-Personality-Inventory Revised [NEO-PI-R] and the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Profile Basic questionnaire [DAPP-BQ]). Fifty-seven men and 114 women with BPD were included in the study. Regarding Axis I and II disorders in an exploratory analysis, men with BPD more often fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and conduct disorder in childhood, whereas women had higher frequencies of bulimia nervosa, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. After correcting for multiple tests, only the gender differences in narcissistic and antisocial personality disorder remained significant. In the SCL-90-R profile, no significant gender differences could be identified. In the exploratory analysis of the dimensional personality traits, women showed higher rates on the NEO-PI-R main factors (Neuroticism and Agreeableness) compared to men. In the DAPP-BQ profile, men reached higher sores on the main factor, Dissocial Behavior. When correcting for multiple tests, gender differences still existed for Neuroticism and Dissocial Behavior. Our results argue for gender differences in Axis I and II comorbidity and dimensional personality traits in BPD. However, in general, more similarities than differences were shown in this study.


Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ESR1) Gene Polymorphisms in Pre-eclamptic Saudi Patients.
Pre-eclampsia causes maternal mortality worldwide. Estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene polymorphisms were responsible for cardiovascular diseases. This case control study was conducted to investigate whether 2 polymorphic genes of ESR1 are associated with pre-eclampsia among Saudi women in Madina city, Saudi Arabia. Blood samples from 97 pre-eclamptic and 94 healthy pregnant women were analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction method. All the subjects were recruited randomly from outpatient clinics of Madina Maternity Children Hospital (MMCH), Madina, Saudi Arabia, between Dec. 2012 and Jan. 2014. There was no association between pre-eclampsia and PvuII and XbaI ESR1 gene polymorphisms individually. TT/AA and TT/AG genotype combination existed significantly in pre-eclamptic patients compared to control. The frequency of PvuII and XbaI combined TT/AA genotypes between pre-eclamptic women was 36.1% vs 9.6%, however, frequency of PvuII and XbaI combined TT/AG genotypes between pre-eclamptic women was 3.1% vs 17%, compared to control. The homozygous T-A haplotype carriers showed high pre-eclampsia risk, independent of pregnancy, BMI and smoking status (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.71-9.21). The heterozygous T-A haplotype carriers did not differ from that of non-carriers (adjusted OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.47-2.75). No association was observed between pre-eclampsia and T-G, C-G and C-A haplotype of PvuII and XbaIESR1 gene polymorphisms. T-A haplotype of homozygous associated with pre eclampsia not heterozygous carriers of ESR 1 PvuII and XbaI gene polymorphisms elicited high risk of pre-eclampsia. GG genotype of XbaI polymorphism decreased pre-eclampsia risk. Further studies using larger sample size are recommended to investigate the ESR 1 gene polymorphisms associated with pre-eclampsia.


Autoimmunity in mice bearing lprcg: a novel mutant gene.
A novel mutation at the lpr (lymphoproliferation)(Fas) locus, lprcg, that can complement gld (generalized lymphoproliferative disease) in induction of lymphadenopathy was discovered in CBA/K1Jms mice. The lpr and lprcg mutations are a defective allele of the Fas locus that encodes an apoptosis-mediating receptor. The former does not express the receptor and the latter expresses the point-mutated nonfunctional receptor. The gld locus is hypothesized to encode a ligand for the receptor and the gld mutation to have a defect that leads to incompetent expression of the ligand. The absence and non-functioning of the receptor in lpr/lpr and lprcg/lprcg mice, respectively, and the lack of the ligand in gld/gld mice may arrest apoptosis of lymphoid cells in the thymus, resulting in the same type of lymphadenopathy characterized by expansion of unusual CD4-CD8- (DN) T cells. Less severe lymphadenopathy induced by complementarity between lprcg and gld may be explained by less efficient apoptosis resulting from competition for the ligand between the functional and nonfunctional receptors. Phenotypically, lpr and lprcg are different from gld in the function at bone marrow (BM) and lymph node (LN) levels: lpr/lpr and lprcg/lprcg BM cause atrophy but gld/gld BM hyperplasia of wild-type (+/+) LNs, and lpr/lpr and lprcg/lprcg LNs but not gld/gld LNs allow the homing of lpr- and lprcg-induced DN T cells. Lymphadenopathy is equally prominent in CBA-lprcg/lprcg and MRL-lprcg/lprcg mice. Hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes are detectable at significant levels in both lprcg/lprcg mice but at higher levels on the MRL background. Pathological signs like glomerulonephritis and vasculitis are clinically unimportant in CBA-lprcg/lprcg but strikingly severe in MRL-lprcg/lprcg mice. Noticeably, clinically significant glomerulonephritis and vasculitis also develop with slight but significant serological aberrations in MRL-lprcg/+ heterozygotes. Graft-vs.-host disease-like syndrome in the lprcg/lprcg BM-->+/+ chimera is minimal on the CBA but as severe as life-threatening on the MRL background as in the MRL-lpr/lpr BM-->MRL(-)+/+ chimera. Thus, autoimmune diseases induced by the lpr, lprcg and gld genes are actually indistinguishable in the clinical, serological and pathological aspects on the same strain background and the disease caused by the interaction between lprcg and gld is less severe in all the aspects, consistent with the receptor-ligand theory. The lprcg/lprcg mice with different strain backgrounds together with lpr/lpr and gld/gld mice will serve as a powerful tool for elucidation of the mechanism of development of single-gene autoimmune diseases at a molecular biological level.


Unexpected rapid growth of estrogen receptor positive lung cancer during pregnancy.
We report a case with lung cancer during pregnancy, which has a very poor prognosis.A 34-year old female at 30 weeks of pregnancy came to us with a cough and right lower chest pain. Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the right lower lung lobe and the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma cT2aN1M0 was made. We performed a right sleeve pneumonectomy, as the tumor had progressed to the right main bronchus near carina. Histological sections of the specimens revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma that infiltrated surrounding structures. The pathological stage of lung cancer was T4N2M0 stage IIIB. Immunohistochemistry findings for estrogen receptor β were positive in the nuclei of the adenocarcinoma. She had a rapid recurrence in spite of chemotherapy, and she died 7.5 months after operation. The positive estrogen receptor and hormonal condition during pregnancy might promote cancer and result in her poor prognosis.


The complete mitochondrial genome of the Cavia aperea.
Cavia aperea which is a Brazilian guinea pig is found in the South America. Recently the genome sequencing of C. aperea was done, but no more information of its mitochondrial had been reported. Herein, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of C. aperea. It is a 16 835 bp long sequence with most mitogenome's characteristic structure; 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 1 D-loop region, 1 repeat region and 3 STS regions. The GC-content of our fresh sequence is 39%. It can verify the accuracy and utility of newly determined mitogenome sequences by the phylogenetic analysis, based on whole mitogenome alignment with C. porcellus, which is the closest relative to C. aperea. We expect that using the full mitogenome we can address the taxonomic issues and study the related the evolution events.


Magnetic resonance angiography virtual endoscopy in the assessment of pulmonary veins before radiofrequency ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a safe and non-invasive imaging method that can readily depict the pulmonary veins (PV), whose imaging has acquired momentum with the advent of new techniques for radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated whether virtual endoscopy from 3D MRA images (MRA-VE) is feasible in studying the morphology of PV. Fifty patients with AF underwent pre-ablative MRA (1.5 T). Images were acquired with axial T-2 weighted and 3D-SPGR sequences after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA and automatic triggering. Postprocessing was performed by an experienced radiologist with maximum intensity projection (MIP) and virtual endoscopy software (Navigator, GEMS). The venoatrial junction was visualized with MRA-VE in 49 of 50 patients (98.0%). Twenty-seven patients (55.1%) had two ostia on both sides, 13 patients (26.5%) had two ostia on the right and a single common ostium on the left, 5 patients (10.2%) had accessory PV and 4 patients (8.2%) had both an accessory right PV and a single common ostium on the left. Flythrough navigation showed the number and spatial disposition of second-order PV branches in 48 out of 49 patients (98.0%). MRA-VE is an excellent tool for at-a-glance visualization of ostia morphology, navigation of second-generation PV branches and easy endoluminal assessment of left atrial structures in pre-ablative imaging.


The benefits of being a nurse in critical social research practice.
In critical social research, or research that evokes feminist or critical epistemological positions, researchers must examine their own situatedness vis-à-vis their research participants and work toward methods that break down the hierarchies inherent in the research relationship and empower research participants. Such aspects of research practices necessitate strong interpersonal skills, characteristic of many nurses. Drawing on their experiences, the authors critically appraise the benefits of nursing in critical social research practice. Nurses can move beyond their own discipline to use their skills, identity, and intersubjective way of relating with others to gain access to participants and data. Through a unique process of building meaning and interpreting data, nurse researchers are well placed to take effective actions for change.


Angiotensin-(1-7) Inhibits Thrombin-Induced Endothelial Phenotypic Changes and Reactive Oxygen Species Production via NADPH Oxidase 5 Downregulation.
Background and Aims: The angiotensin-(1-7)/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/Mas receptor axis counter-regulates the detrimental effects of angiotensin II. Beneficial effects of angiotensin-(1-7), including anti-inflammation, oxidative stress reduction, and anti-thrombosis, have been reported. Previous studies documented that ramipril decreased thrombin generation in human hypertension and that the anti-thrombotic effects of captopril and losartan were angiotensin-(1-7)-dependent, suggesting an interaction between thrombin and angiotensin-(1-7). However, it is not clear whether angiotensin-(1-7) can alleviate the endothelial phenotypic changes induced by thrombin. We have previously documented cytoskeleton remodeling, cell adhesion, and cell migration as dominant altered phenotypes in thrombin-stimulated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). In this study, we investigated whether angiotensin-(1-7) can modulate thrombin-induced phenotypic changes. Furthermore, we investigated whether NAPDH oxidase 5 (Nox5)-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a significant role in angiotensin-(1-7)-mediated phenotypic changes. Methods: HAECs were pretreated with 100 nM angiotensin-(1-7) for 1 h, followed by stimulation with 2 units/mL thrombin for different times. Immunofluorescent assay, monocyte adhesion assay, wound-healing assay, ROS assay, real-time PCR, Western blotting, and Nox5 siRNA transfection were conducted. HAECs were pretreated with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to determine whether thrombin-induced phenotypic changes depended on ROS production. Results: Angiotensin-(1-7) prevented thrombin-induced actin cytoskeleton derangements, monocyte adhesion, and migratory impairment. Nox5 siRNA transfection confirmed that thrombin-induced Nox5 expression stimulated ROS production and increased HO-1/NQO-1/ICAM-1/VCAM-1 gene expression, all of which were decreased by angiotensin-(1-7). Phenotypic changes induced by thrombin were prevented by NAC pretreatment. Conclusion: Angiotensin-(1-7) prevents actin cytoskeleton derangement, monocyte adhesion, and migration impairment induced by thrombin via downregulation of ROS production. In addition, thrombin-induced Nox5 expression is involved in the production of ROS, and angiotensin-(1-7) decreases ROS through its inhibitory effect on Nox5 expression.


Genomewide scan for gout in taiwanese aborigines reveals linkage to chromosome 4q25.
Gout is a disorder of uric-acid metabolism. The Pacific Austronesian population, including Taiwanese aborigines, has a remarkably high prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout, which suggests a founder effect across the Pacific region. We report here a genomewide linkage study of 21 multiplex pedigrees with gout from an aboriginal tribe in Taiwan. From observations of familial clustering, early onset of gout, and clinically severe manifestations, we hypothesized that a major gene plays a role in this trait. Using 382 random polymorphic markers spread across 22 autosomes, we demonstrated a highly significant linkage for gout at marker D4S2623 on chromosome 4q25 (P=.0002 by nonparametric linkage [the NPL(all) statistic]; empirical P=.0006; LOD=4.3, P=4.4x10-6 by logistic regression). When alcohol consumption was included as a covariate in the model, the LOD score increased to 5.66 (P=1.3x10-6). Quantitative traits, including serum uric acid and creatinine, also showed a moderate linkage to this region. To our knowledge, this is the first genome-scan report to identify a genetic locus harboring a gout-susceptibility gene.


Dermoscopy patterns of halo nevi.
Halo nevi (HN) are benign melanocytic nevi surrounded by a depigmented area (halo). This study aims to evaluate the dermoscopic features of HN and their changes during digital dermoscopic follow-up and to investigate the frequency of the halo phenomenon in a series of melanomas. In a retrospective study, digital dermoscopic images of HN from patients who attended the Pigmented Skin Lesions Clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, between October 1, 1997, and March 31, 2004, were reviewed and classified by dermoscopic morphologic criteria. For HN that were followed up with digital dermoscopy, the percentages of changes in the size of the nevus and halo components were calculated. In addition, digital dermoscopic images of histopathologically confirmed melanomas obtained from the same database were reviewed for the presence of an encircling halolike depigmentation. We classified 138 HN in 87 patients (mean age, 22.4 years). The most common dermoscopic structures were the globular and/or homogeneous patterns in more than 80% of HN. Follow-up of 33 HN revealed considerable size reduction of the nevus component, but this was not associated with significant structural changes. Of a total of 475 melanomas, only 2 revealed an encircling halo, but both displayed clear-cut melanoma-specific patterns according to dermoscopy. Halo nevi exhibit the characteristic dermoscopic features of benign melanocytic nevi, represented by globular and/or homogeneous patterns that are typically observed in children and young adults. Halo nevi reveal considerable changes of area over time during digital dermoscopic follow-up, albeit their structural patterns remain unchanged. For this reason and because melanoma with halolike depigmentation, despite being rare, additionally exhibits melanoma-specific dermoscopic criteria, the role of digital dermoscopic follow-up in the diagnosis of HN is insignificant.


Molecular genetic approaches to human diseases involving mental retardation.
Recombinant DNA techniques provide new approaches to the diagnosis and analysis of inherited human diseases associated with mental retardation. Examples of such diseases include the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, phenylketonuria, the Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and those associated with deletions or duplications of subchromosomal regions, e.g., the proximal short arm of human chromosome #15. For a limited but increasing number of diseases, the DNA sequences responsible for the phenotype (e.g., sequences coding for abnormal proteins) can be isolated directly. In many other cases, DNA segments mapping near genes responsible for diseases of interest can be isolated, e.g., from recombinant phage libraries enriched for specific regions of the genome by metaphase chromosome flow-sorting and then used in molecular linkage studies to "track" the abnormal gene in a pedigree. Both the necessary technology and the methods for its application continue to improve, and the impact of recombinant DNA studies in the field of mental retardation should increase markedly in the very near future.


The Social Origins of Human Prosociality.
From early in life, children help, comfort, and share with others. Recent research has deepened scientific understanding of the development of prosociality - efforts to promote the welfare of others. This article discusses two key insights about the emergence and early development of prosocial behavior, focusing on the development of helping. First, children's motivations and capabilities for helping change in quality as well as quantity over the opening years of life. Specifically, helping begins in participatory activities without prosocial intent in the first year of life, becoming increasingly autonomous and motivated by prosocial intent over the second year. Second, helping emerges through bidirectional social interactions, starting at birth, in which caregivers and others support the development of helping in a variety of ways and young children play active roles, often influencing caregiver behavior. The question now is not whether, but how social interactions contribute to the development of prosocial behavior. Recent methodological and theoretical advances provide exciting avenues for future research on the social and emotional origins of human prosociality.


Review of Economic Submissions to NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme.
The economic evaluation of medical devices is increasingly used to inform decision making on adopting new or novel technologies; however, challenges are inevitable due to the unique characteristics of devices. Cost-consequence analyses are recommended and employed by the English National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme (MTEP) to help address these challenges. The aim of this work was to review the critiques raised for previous MTEP submissions and explore if there were common problems across submissions. We reviewed a sample of 12 economic submissions to MTEP representing 50 % of 24 sets of guidance issued to July 2015. For each submission, we reviewed the External Assessment Centre's (EAC) report and the guidance document produced by NICE. We identified the main problems raised by the EAC's assessments and the committee's considerations for each submission, and explored strategies for improvement. We found that the identification and measurement of costs and consequences are the main shortcomings within economic submissions to MTEP. Together, these shortcomings accounted for 42 % of criticisms by the EACs among the reviewed submissions. In certain circumstances problems with these shortcomings may be unavoidable, for example, if there is a limited evidence base for the device being appraised. Nevertheless, strategies can often be adopted to improve submissions, including the use of more appropriate time horizons, whilst cost and resource use information should be taken, where possible, from nationally representative sources.


TAPASIN, DAXX, RGL2, HKE2 and four new genes (BING 1, 3 to 5) form a dense cluster at the centromeric end of the MHC.
TAPASIN, a gene recently shown to be required for antigen presentation through MHC class I molecules, is located 180 kbp centromeric of HLA-DP in a region linked to several diseases, and associated with altered developmental phenotypes in the mouse. We present the genomic analysis of a 70 kbp gene-dense segment flanking the TAPASIN locus, including sequence, structure and preliminary characterisation of seven additional genes. BING1 is a Zn finger gene containing a POZ motif. BING3 is similar to myosin regulatory light chain. BING4 shows homologies only to hypothetical yeast and Caenorhabditis elegans proteins. BING5 is found within an intron of BING4 on the complementary strand, and encodes a molecule with no homologies to database proteins. Another three genes were identified whose full sequence was not previously known; namely, RGL2, DAXX (BING2) and HKE2. RGL2 encodes an effector of Ras, homologous to the mouse RalGDS protein, Rlf. DAXX encodes an effector of Fas that stimulates apoptosis through the Jun kinase (JNK) pathway. The location of DAXX is of interest given the linkage of autoimmune disease to the MHC and to apoptosis.


Commitment, Forgiveness, and Relationship Self-Regulation: An Actor Partner Interdependence Model of Relationship Virtues and Relationship Effort in Couple Relationships.
Dyadic data from 679 committed couples were used to examine associations between commitment, forgiveness, and perceptions of partner's relationship self-regulation (RSR) behaviors-that is effort and strategies that partners exert to maintain the relationship. We found that for both partners, higher self-reports of commitment and forgiveness were associated with higher perceptions of their partner's RSR. For females, higher commitment and forgiveness were associated with higher male perceptions of her RSR, and higher male forgiveness was associated with higher female perceptions of his RSR. These findings demonstrate the importance of marital virtues and relationship work and give credence to the marital competence model of "other-centeredness" by Carroll et al. (2006, Journal of Family Issues, 27(7), 1001). Clinical implications are discussed.


Affective behavior of abused and control children: comparisons of parent-child interactions and the influence of home environment variables.
Affective behaviors of 14 pairs of infant and preschool abused and control children matched on age, race, sex, and socioeconomic level were assessed in parent-child interaction. Subgroups of abused and control samples were formed by introduction of selected home environment variables chosen to represent properties of the parent-child dyad. Matched-pairs analysis showed few matched t-test comparisons to be significant. However, significant interactions were observed when two-way analyses of variance were performed with abused-control and status of home environment as factors. For positive affective behaviors, the abused group favored on home environment variables was higher than the favored control group. For negative affective behaviors, the abused group less-favored on home environment variables was higher than the less-favored control group. As a response to abuse, an increased sensitivity to the physical and social stimulation of the home environment is proposed.


Involvement of family nurses in home visits during an 8-year period encompassing primary healthcare reforms in Poland.
Home visits by doctors and nurses are considered an important indicator of the quality of healthcare. Published data are scarce regarding the role of family nurses in providing professional home care in Central and Eastern European countries that have recently introduced reforms to their primary care systems. The objective of the present study was to describe the involvement of family nurses in home visits in the context of organizational and legal changes in service provision, that is, to analyse the role of the family nurses employed by family doctors (1998) versus family nurses working in autonomous positions (2002 and 2006). The proportion of patients in the community receiving a home visit from a family nurse, the purpose of the family nurse's home visit and patient expectations towards the family nurse were studied. A series of cross-sectional studies were conducted in a small town in northeastern Poland, based on three consecutive surveys taken at 4-year intervals (1998, 2002, 2006, surveys I, II and III, respectively). During each survey, 1000 patients were interviewed (face to face) with structured questionnaires. In 1998, family nurses were employed by family doctors, but by 2002, nurses had established their own practices and held direct contracts with the National Health Fund. A significant increase in the percentage of patients receiving home visits from a family nurse was observed between surveys I and II (12.8% and 30.0%); however, the number of respondents reporting a home visit in survey III decreased to 23.9%. Patients over 75 years of age were the major demographic group receiving family nursing at home. This study suggests that reform of the primary healthcare system in Poland has produced changes in the family nursing system. Independence, contractual obligations and self-employment of Polish family nurses have resulted in their greater participation in home visits.


Defining and assessing tolerance in enteral nutrition.
Nutrition support has become widely recognized as an essential component of optimal care for acutely ill patients. Enteral nutrition is preferred over parenteral routes when possible. However, prescribed enteral nutritional regimens are sometimes met with side effects and even complications. These adverse events have been collectively termed "intolerance," and forms of intolerance occur in a spectrum from bothersome at least to life threatening when most severe. Here we discuss nutritional access and its maintenance, introduce and define intolerance, and then review the current literature with regard to principal forms of enteral nutrition intolerance.


A light on the dark side: in vivo endoscopic anatomy of the posterior third ventricle and its variations in hydrocephalus.
Despite the technological advancements of neurosurgery, the posterior part of the third ventricle has always been the "dark side" of the ventricle. However, flexible endoscopy offers the opportunity for a direct, in vivo inspection and detailed description of the posterior third ventricle in physiological and pathological conditions. The purposes of this study were to describe the posterior wall of the third ventricle, detailing its normal anatomy and surgical landmarks, and to assess the effect of chronic hydrocephalus on the anatomy of this hidden region. The authors reviewed the video recordings of 59 in vivo endoscopic explorations of the posterior third ventricle to describe every identifiable anatomical landmark. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the absence or presence of a chronic dilation of the third ventricle. The first group provided the basis for the description of normal anatomy. The following anatomical structures were identified in all cases: adytum of the cerebral aqueduct, posterior commissure, pineal recess, habenular commissure, and suprapineal recess. Comparing the 2 groups of patients, the authors were able to detect significant variations in the shape of the adytum of the cerebral aqueduct and in the thickness of the habenular and posterior commissures. Exploration with sodium fluorescein excluded the presence of any fluorescent area in the posterior third ventricle, other than the subependymal vascular network. The use of a flexible scope allows the complete inspection of the posterior third ventricle. The anatomical variations caused by chronic hydrocephalus might be clinically relevant, in light of the commissure functions.


Retroperitoneal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a neoplasm of unknown etiology occurring at various sites. By definition, it is composed of spindle cells (myofibroblasts) with variable inflammatory component, hence the name is IMT. The present case is of a 46 years old woman presented with a history of flank pain, abdominal mass and intermittent hematuria for last 6 months. The initial diagnosis was kept as renal cell carcinoma. Finally, it turned out to be a case of retroperitoneal IMT. The patient was managed by complete surgical resection of the tumor. IMT is a rare neoplasm of uncertain biological potential. Complete surgical resection remains the mainstay of the treatment.


Nasopharyngeal Mantle Cell Lymphoma: An Extremely Rare Entity.
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. It seldom affects the Waldeyer's ring let alone the nasopharynx. Patients usually present at late stages of the disease leading to poor failure-free and overall survival rates. Intensive chemotherapy regimes and autologous stem cell transplantation have reported increased survival rates. We report a relapsed case of nasopharyngeal MCL, which previously occurred in the gastrointestinal tract. The patient had undergone a hemicolectomy for colon intussusception secondary to the intraluminal lymphoma mass. He was unable to complete the treatment regime for MCL due to the adverse side effects. Oropharyngeal mass was discovered during routine outpatient follow-up, which was confirmed as nasopharyngeal MCL. We discuss the prognosis, disease progression, and possible treatments.


Advances in knee arthroplasty for younger patients: traditional knee arthroplasty is prologue, the future for knee arthroplasty is prescient.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was a remarkable development in orthopedic surgery. Joint arthroplasty and arthroscopy were perhaps the greatest innovations in orthopedics in the 20th century and occurred without the advantages of today's technology. Initially, TKA was performed only on elderly patients and those with advanced rheumatoid arthritis because of concerns with long-term wear of polyethylene. Surgeons strongly discouraged this surgery for patients younger than age 60 years because both patients and many orthopedic surgeons believed that knee implants would last only for approximately 10 years, particularly in younger and more active patients. Reports in the late 1980s and early 1990s about accelerated polyethylene wear and osteolysis substantiated the conviction that TKA was contraindicated in younger patients. This led to complacency toward TKA, thus inhibiting technological advances in the procedure to develop implants for younger and more active patients.


Continuous Epidural Analgesia Versus Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block in Unilateral Lower Extremity Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery: A Matched Case Comparison Study.
Introduction Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) provides effective postoperative pain relief but includes a substantial side effect profile. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNBs) have fewer side effects and may quicken ambulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), need for analgesic rescue, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, time to ambulation, postoperative blood pressures, length of stay (LOS), and adverse event rates. Methods This was a matched case comparison study of pediatric patients (ages 8-17) undergoing unilateral lower limb surgery (41 CEA and 36 CPNB). Patients with a history of chronic pain, previous lower extremity surgery, and developmental delay were excluded. The Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used, and p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in demographics or the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. There were no significant differences in postoperative MMEs, the need for analgesic rescue, or VAS scores on any postoperative day. The CEA group had a longer time to ambulation (2.56 ± 0.93 days versus 1.89 ± 0.69 days, p = 0.004). The CEA group demonstrated a higher number of days of systolic hypotension (0.61 ± 0.97 mmHg versus 0.06 ± 0.23 mmHg, p = 0.0009) and diastolic hypotension (1.90 ± 1.24 mmHg versus 1.00 ± 0.93 mmHg, p = 0.0006). There were no significant differences in the length of stay between the CEA and CPNB groups (5.08 versus 4.24, p = 0.28). There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of pruritus, light-headedness, and altered mental status. The CEA group demonstrated higher rates of nausea (51.2% versus 13.9%, p = 0.001), constipation (36.6% versus 8.3%, p = 0.004), urinary retention (9.8% versus 0%, p = 0.006), and average number of minor adverse events per patient (1.02 versus 0.25, p = 0.002). Conclusions CPNBs and CEAs demonstrate equivalent postoperative opioid use after unilateral lower extremity surgery in the pediatric population. In our population, a low complication rate and a decreased time to ambulation were seen in the CPNB group. There may be certain select scenarios priorly managed with a CEA that can be appropriately managed with a CPNB. A prospective multicenter study incorporating patient satisfaction data could further facilitate the incorporation of CPNB in pediatric pain management protocols after orthopedic surgery.


Simultaneous Semi-Coupled Dictionary Learning for Matching in Canonical Space.
Cross-modal recognition and matching with privileged information are important challenging problems in the field of computer vision. The cross-modal scenario deals with matching across different modalities and needs to take care of the large variations present across and within each modality. The privileged information scenario deals with the situation that all the information available during training may not be available during the testing stage, and hence, algorithms need to leverage the extra information from the training stage itself. We show that for multi-modal data, either one of the above situations may arise if one modality is absent during testing. Here, we propose a novel framework, which can handle both these scenarios seamlessly with applications to matching multi-modal data. The proposed approach jointly uses data from the two modalities to build a canonical representation, which encompasses information from both the modalities. We explore four different types of canonical representations for different types of data. The algorithm computes dictionaries and canonical representation for data from both the modalities, such that the transformed sparse coefficients of both the modalities are equal to that of the canonical representation. The sparse coefficients are finally matched using Mahalanobis metric. Extensive experiments on different data sets, involving RGBD, text-image, and audio-image data, show the effectiveness of the proposed framework.


Basement membranes: current concepts of structure and synthesis.
Basement membranes are composed of dissimilar protein subunits. The procollagen-like subunit is associated with noncollagenous matrix glycoproteins. The proportion of the latter components varies among basement membranes. The various subunits interact via hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds and aldehyde-derived cross-links. The extensive degree of cross-linking renders basement membranes highly insoluble. A procollagen-like molecule, extracted from calf anterior lens capsule, exhibits on electron microscopy a filamentous component with a globular portion attached at one end. Treatment of basement membranes with pepsin at low temperature digests the noncollagenous glycoprotein components and allows the collagenous component to come into solution. Purification of the pepsin-solubilized collagen from basement membranes reveals a molecule composed of three identical alpha-chains. Other unique features include 40-50 residues of hydroxylysine, 128-140 residues of 4-hydroxyproline, 12-15 residues of 3-hydroxyproline, 29 residues of arginine, 35 residues alanine, 2-4 residues of half-cystine, 38 residues of glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine, 3 residues of mannose, 2 residues of glucosamine, and 0.3 residues of fucose. Immunochemical studies indicate the presence of three distinct antigenic components and support the evidence that one is collagenous and the other two are noncollagenous glycoproteins. One of the latter corresponds to the non-helical extension of procollagen. The other is a large-molecular weight highly cross-linked matrix protein.


A combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery approach to the treatment of extreme deep overbite in an adult.
This report describes a combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery approach to the treatment of extreme deep overbite in an adult male. An aesthetically pleasing and stable result was achieved without extensive restorative or prosthetic treatment and their inevitable sequelae. The functioning occlusion exhibited bilateral canine rise and an absence of non-working side interferences on lateral excursion. Incisal guidance with disclusion of posterior occlusal surfaces occurred on protrusive function.


Functional Ionic Liquid Modified Core-Shell Structured Fibrous Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Safe and Efficient Fast Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries.
Fast charging is of enormous concerns in the development of power batteries, while the low conductivity and lithium ion transference number in current electrolytes degraded the charge balance, limited the rate performance, and even cause safety issues for dendrite growth. Combine inorganic fillers and ionic liquid plasticizer, here in this paper we prepared a core-shell structured nanofibrous membrane, by incorporating with carbonate based electrolyte, a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with high conductivity, outstanding Li+ transference number was obtained. Notably, the Li/electrolyte/LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) half-cell with this composite electrolyte delivers a reversible capacity of 65 mAh/g at 20C, which is 13 times higher than that of with Celgard 2325 membrane. It also shows enhanced long-term cycle stability at both 3C and 5C for the suppression of lithium dendrite. This organic-inorganic co-modified GPE guarantees the fast charging ability and safety of LIBs, thus provides a promising method in high performance electrolyte design.


Validation of an algorithm for delay stochastic simulation of transcription and translation in prokaryotic gene expression.
The quantitative modeling of gene transcription and translation requires a treatment of two key features: stochastic fluctuations due to the limited copy numbers of key molecules (genes, RNA polymerases, ribosomes), and delayed output due to the time required for biopolymer synthesis. Recently proposed algorithms allow for efficient simulations of such systems. However, it is critical to know whether the results of delay stochastic simulations agree with those from more detailed models of the transcription and translation processes. We present a generalization of previous delay stochastic simulation algorithms which allows both for multiple delays and for distributions of delay times. We show that delay stochastic simulations closely approximate simulations of a detailed transcription model except when two-body effects (e.g. collisions between polymerases on a template strand) are important. Finally, we study a delay stochastic model of prokaryotic transcription and translation which reproduces observations from a recent experimental study in which a single gene was expressed under the control of a repressed lac promoter in E. coli cells. This demonstrates our ability to quantitatively model gene expression using these new methods.


[Measurement of quality of life of workers who have passed cancer treatment].
The developing certain cancerous disease, affecting more and more people at younger ages, in many cases coincide with their working age. Through research and development of new therapies, there has been an increase in the number of people who manage to beat the disease and achieve a return above their working lives, giving thanks to this effort, a great help and motivation. A number of questionnaires consolidated and experienced to assess the quality of life of the population, but few studies have been reported on what type of survey would be most appropriate for use in the workplace to older workers who manage to overcome the cancer and rebuild their lives. This article aims to clarify which are the most widely used health questionnaires and proposing what would be most suitable to apply to these cases prevention services.


Secondary structure of the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by filamentous phage Pf3 as determined by NMR.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was employed to study the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by the filamentous Pseudomonas bacteriophage Pf3. The protein is 78 amino acids long and occurs in solution predominantly as a homodimer with a molecular mass of 18 kDa. Sequence-specific 1H and 15N resonance assignments have been obtained using homo- and heteronuclear two- and three-dimensional experiments. The secondary structure of the protein monomer was determined from a qualitative interpretation of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra and amide exchange data. It consists of a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and three beta-hairpins. Problems caused by the protein's tendency to aggregate at concentrations needed for NMR spectroscopy were largely overcome by designing a mutant (Phe36-->His) which exhibits significantly improved solubility characteristics over the wild-type protein. It is shown that this mutation only locally affects the structure of the protein; the chemical shifts of the wild-type and mutant species differ only for a few residues near the site of the mutation, and the secondary structures of the proteins are identical. The secondary structure of the Pf3 single-stranded DNA binding protein is compared to that of the Ff gene V protein, the only single-stranded DNA binding protein for which the complete three-dimensional structure is known to date [Folkers, P. J. M., Nilges, M., Folmer, R. H. A., Konings, R. N. H. & Hilbers, C. W. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 236, 229-246; Skinner, M. M., Zhang, H., Leschnitzer, D. H., Guan, Y., Bellamy, H., Sweet, R. M., Gray, C. W., Konings, R. N. H., Wang, A. H.-J. & Terwilliger, T. C. (1994) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 91, 2071-2075]. It is found that the secondary structures of the two proteins are very similar which supports the hypothesis that a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet with protruding beta-hairpins is a common motif in a certain class of single-stranded DNA binding proteins. In addition, the sequence and folding predicted earlier for the DNA binding wing in the single-stranded DNA binding protein of phage Pf3 [de Jong, E. A. M., van Duynhoven, J. P. M., Harmsen, B. J. M., Tesser, G. I., Konings, R. N. H. & Hilbers, C. W. (1989) J. Mol. Biol. 206, 133-156] is borne out by the present study. It closely resembles that in the single-stranded DNA binding protein of phage Ff, which may indicate that such a wing is a recurrent motif as well.


Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumor of the scrotum: A case report and literature review.
The purpose of the present study was to increase the knowledge of angiomyofibroblastoma (AMF)-like tumors in males by describing the second case of this rare lesion in the Chinese population with a long period of follow-up and by reviewing the literature. AMF-like tumor is a rare, circumscribed, slow-growing mesenchymal tumor that occurs predominantly in the vulva, perineum and pelvis of females. The present report presents a case of left scrotal AMF-like tumor in a 37-year-old male. Complete surgical excision was performed. The tumor was composed of spindle-shaped cells and small vessels proliferating in the edematous stroma. Immunohistologically, the tumor cells stained positive for smooth muscle actin and negative for S-100, CD34 and actin. Following seven years of follow-up the patient was asymptomatic and no evidence of tumor was found. In addition, the current literature was reviewed and the characteristics of this tumor were summarized. AMF-like tumors must also be distinguished from spindle cell lipoma, solitary fibrous tumor and aggressive angiomyxoma.


Measles virus inhibits lymphocyte proliferation in vitro by two different mechanisms.
We studied the effect of two different strains of measles virus (MV) on the lymphocyte blast transformation response. Infectious virus inhibited the proliferation response to PHA early during the culture when freshly isolated PBMC were stimulated. However, MV stimulated the proliferation of T cell lines early after infection and the inhibition was a late phenomenon associated with cell death. The early inhibition by the Edmonston strain of MV was shown to be monocyte-dependent by depletion studies with monoclonal antibodies. It could be partially explained by IFN-alpha production as the addition of anti-IFN-alpha antiserum to the cultures reversed the virus-induced inhibition and the addition of IFN reduced the response of uninfected PBMC. The late inhibition by the Edmonston strain was associated neither with monocytes nor with IFN-alpha but correlated with cell death in cultures. The inhibition by the Halle strain of MV was strong and associated with cell death already early after infection. The results demonstrate that MV inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by two different mechanisms and different virus strains vary both in the magnitude and mechanism of inhibition.


[Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese middle-aged populations: Current status and trend of development].
To understand the current status on prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese middle-aged population, and to quantify the magnitude of the trends of development in the past two decades. Body mass index (BMI) was measured on 15 389 middle-aged men and women from 15 natural populations all over China with different geographical, economical (urban/rural) and occupational status. Overweight was defined as BMI >/= 25 while obesity as BMI >/= 30. 1) The rates of prevalence on overweight and obesity varied dramatically between populations. 2) In general, the prevalence rates were higher in the northern areas, in urban areas, and in women. 3) The current problem of obesity was related to 'pre-obese' stage, with less than 10% in most populations. 4) The prevalence of overweight and obesity started to show significantly increase from early 80's to early 90's but more prominant in the late 90's. Prevention and intervention of overweight and obesity are in urgent need in the Chinese populations, especially in those economically fast developing areas.


Spatial selectivity of unit activity in the hippocampal granular layer.
Single neuron activity was recorded in the granular layer of the fascia dentata in freely moving rats, while the animals performed a spatial "working" memory task on an eight-arm maze. Using recording methods that facilitate detection of units with low discharge rates, it was found that the majority (88%) of cells in this layer have mean rates below 0.5 Hz, with a minimum of 0.01 Hz or less. The remaining recorded cells exhibited characteristics typical of the theta interneurons found throughout the hippocampus. Based on several criteria including relative proportion and the relation of their evoked discharges to the population spike elicited by perforant path stimulation, it was concluded that the low-rate cells correspond to granule cells. Granule cells exhibited clear spatially and directionally selective discharge that was at least as selective as that of a sample of CA3 pyramidal cells recorded under the same conditions. Granule cells had significantly smaller place fields than pyramidal cells, and tended to have more discontiguous subfields. There was no spatial correlation among simultaneously recorded adjacent granule cells. Granule cells also exhibited burst discharges reminiscent of complex spikes from pyramidal cells while the animals sat quietly; however, the spike duration of granule cells was significantly shorter than CA3 pyramidal cell spike durations. Under conditions of environmental stability, granule cell place fields were stable for at least several days. Following occasional maze rotations relative to the (somewhat impoverished) visual stimuli of the recording room, granule cell place fields were maintained relative to the distal spatial cues; however, frequent rotations of the maze sometimes resulted in a shift in the reference frame to the maze itself. These observations indicate that granule cells of the fascia dentata provide their CA3 targets with a high degree of spatial information, in the form of a sparsely coded, distributed representation.


Case report: Catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient with heart of stone.
Myocardial calcification is a rare condition, with only a few reports in the literature. For the first time, we report a case of diffuse myocardial calcification who underwent successful catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). In this case, catheter ablation was recommended due to repeated hospitalization for palpitation and heart failure, but preoperative computed tomography showed massive myocardial calcification. Electroanatomic mapping of the atrium was performed with a Pentaray catheter before ablation, which showed areas of low voltage in the calcified region. As the persistent AF was terminated after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and posterior wall isolation, and no further ablation was performed. The patient recovered well, with no recurrence of palpitation or heart failure during the one-year follow-up.


Enhanced Current Production by Exogenous Electron Mediators via Synergy of Promoting Biofilm Formation and the Electron Shuttling Process.
Exogenous electron mediators (EMs) can facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET) via electron shuttling processes, but it is still unclear whether and how biofilm formation is affected by the presence of EMs. Here, the impacts of EMs on EET and biofilm formation were investigated in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, and the results showed that the presence of five different EMs led to high density current production. All the EMs substantially promoted biofilm formation with 15-36 times higher total biofilm DNA with EMs than without EMs, and they also increased the production of extracellular polymeric substances, which was favorable for biofilm formation. The current decreased substantially after removing EMs from the medium or by replacing electrodes without biofilm, suggesting that both biofilm and EMs are required for high density current production. EET-related gene expression was upregulated with EMs, resulting in the high flux of cell electron output. A synergistic mechanism was proposed: EMs in suspension were quickly reduced by the cells and reoxidized rapidly by the electrode, resulting in a microenvironment with sufficient oxidized EMs for biofilm formation, and thus, besides the well-known electron shuttling process, the EM-induced high biofilm formation and high Mtr gene expression could jointly contribute to the EET and subsequently produce a high density current. This study provides a new insight into EM-enhanced current production via regulating the biofilm formation and EET-related gene expression.


Preclinical antitumor efficacy of senescence-inducing chemotherapy combined with a nanoSenolytic.
The induction of senescence produces a stable cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth; however, the incomplete immune cell-mediated clearance of senescent cells may favor tumor relapse, limiting the long-term anti-tumorigenic effect of such drugs. A combination of senescence induction and the elimination of senescent cells may, therefore, represent an efficient means to inhibit tumor relapse. In this study, we explored the antitumor efficacy of a combinatory senogenic and targeted senolytic therapy in an immunocompetent orthotopic mouse model of the aggressive triple negative breast cancer subtype. Following palbociclib-induced senogenesis and senolysis by treatment with nano-encapsulated senolytic agent navitoclax, we observed inhibited tumor growth, reduced metastases, and a reduction in the systemic toxicity of navitoclax. We believe that this combination treatment approach may have relevance to other senescence-inducing chemotherapeutic drugs and additional tumor types. SIGNIFICANCE: While the application of senescence inducers represents a successful treatment strategy in breast cancer patients, some patients still relapse, perhaps due to the subsequent accumulation of senescent cells in the body that can promote tumor recurrence. We now demonstrate that a combination treatment of a senescence inducer and a senolytic nanoparticle selectively eliminates senescent cells, delays tumor growth, and reduces metastases in a mouse model of aggressive breast cancer. Collectively, our results support targeted senolysis as a new therapeutic opportunity to improve outcomes in breast cancer patients.