The influence of talker and foreign-accent variability on spoken word identification.
In spoken word identification and memory tasks, stimulus variability from numerous sources impairs performance. In the current study, the influence of foreign-accent variability on spoken word identification was evaluated in two experiments. Experiment 1 used a between-subjects design to test word identification in noise in single-talker and two multiple-talker conditions: multiple talkers with the same accent and multiple talkers with different accents. Identification performance was highest in the single-talker condition, but there was no difference between the single-accent and multiple-accent conditions. Experiment 2 further explored word recognition for multiple talkers in single-accent versus multiple-accent conditions using a mixed design. A detriment to word recognition was observed in the multiple-accent condition compared to the single-accent condition, but the effect differed across the language backgrounds tested. These results demonstrate that the processing of foreign-accent variation may influence word recognition in ways similar to other sources of variability (e.g., speaking rate or style) in that the inclusion of multiple foreign accents can result in a small but significant performance decrement beyond the multiple-talker effect.


Setting strategy of delay-optimization-oriented SMAC contention window size.
Some frame components, such as SYNC (frame synchronization) and RTS/CTS (Ready to Send/Clear to Send), are not taken into consideration when the traditional setting strategies conduct the optimization of SMAC (Sensor MAC) contention window size. This paper proposes mathematical models that allow the analysis of data packets forwarding delay within one SMAC virtual cluster. Simulation results in OMNeT++ show good agreements with the proposed mathematical models, validating the models' correctness. The curve analyses of the models confirm the existence of delay-optimization-oriented contention window size that is closely related to the number of simultaneously contending nodes. Afterwards, it is shown that SYNC, RTS/CTS and EIFS (Extended InterFrame Space) have impacts on the optimal contention window size and expected delivery delay to various degrees, as well as throughput and energy efficiency. One ideal setting strategy of delay-optimization-oriented SMAC contention window size requires the combination of the network scale, SYNC, RTS/CTS and EIFS. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the proposed setting strategy makes contributions to the improvement in the existing SMAC extensions when they are integrated with each other, in terms of the end-to-end delay, throughput and energy consumption.


Fundamental Study of the Optical and Vibrational Properties of Fx-AZB@MOF systems as Functions of Dye Substitution and the Loading Amount.
Controlling the switching efficiency of photoactive hybrid systems is an obligatory key prerequisite for systematically improving the design of functional materials. By modulating the degree of fluorination and the amount being embedded into porous hosts, the E/Z ratios of fluorinated azobenzenes were adjusted as both functions of substitution and the degree of loading. Octafluoroazobenzene (F8-AZB) and perfluoroazobenzene (F10-AZB) were inserted into porous DMOF-1. Especially for perfluoroazobenzene (F10-AZB), an immense stabilization of the E isomer was observed. In complementary molecular dynamics simulations performed at the DFTB (density functional tight binding) level, an in-depth characterization of the interactions of the different photoisomers and the host structure was carried out. On the basis of the resulting structural and energetic data, the experimentally observed increase in the amount of the Z conformer for F8-AZB can be explained, while the stabilization of E-F10-AZB can be directly related to a fundamentally different interaction motif compared to its tetra- and octafluorinated counterparts.


Does a home treatment acute relapse prevention strategy reduce admissions for people with mania in bipolar affective disorder?
Aims and method To assess whether a home treatment team acute relapse prevention (ARP) strategy reduces admissions to hospital with mania. A retrospective design was used to analyse records for manic admissions since 2002. The number and length of admissions and detentions pre- and post-ARP were determined and rates of admissions and detentions calculated from this. Results We found reductions in admission and detention rates following the introduction of the ARP: 0.3 fewer admissions per person per year (95% bootstrap CI 0.09-0.62) and 0.25 fewer detentions per person per year (95% bootstrap CI 0.0-0.48). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests gave P<0.0001. Clinical implications A person-centred care plan such as the ARP which enables quick action in response to relapse-warning signs of mania appears to reduce rates of admission to hospital. The ARP could be used anywhere in the UK and fits with current mental health policy.


Intervention research in occupational health and safety.
This paper reviews occupational health and safety intervention studies published between 1988 and 1993 to gauge the nature and extent of research in this area. Generally, the studies often lacked a theoretical basis, used small samples, and tested interventions lacking the intensity to cause the desired change. Most designs were either nonexperimental or quasi-experimental with uncontrolled sources of bias. Recommendations for future research include methods of minimizing the problems and biases caused by these weaknesses. Nonmethodological issues such as the costs of implementing interventions and the cultural and political dimensions of the workplace are also addressed. Although many methodological issues associated with field-based research are not easily addressed, researchers should make a stronger attempt to address these issues if the field of occupational health and safety intervention research is to be productive.


Flight initiation by Ferruginous Hawks depends on disturbance type, experience, and the anthropogenic landscape.
The expansion of humans and their related infrastructure is increasing the likelihood that wildlife will interact with humans. When disturbed by humans, animals often change their behaviour, which can result in time and energetic costs to that animal. An animal's decision to change behaviour is likely related to the type of disturbance, the individual's past experience with disturbance, and the landscape in which the disturbance occurs. In southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, we quantified probability of flight initiation from the nest by Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) during approaches to nests by investigators. We tested if probability of flight was related to different disturbance types, previous experience, and the anthropogenic landscape in which individual Ferruginous Hawks nested. Probability of flight was related to the type of approach by the investigator, the number of previous visits by investigators, and the vehicular traffic around the nest. Approaches by humans on foot resulted in a greater probability of flight than those in a vehicle. Approaches in a vehicle via low traffic volume access roads were related to increased probability of flight relative to other road types. The number of previous investigator approaches to the nest increased the probability of flight. Overall, we found support that Ferruginous Hawks show habituation to vehicles and the positive reinforcement hypotheses as probability of flight was negatively related to an index of traffic activity near the nest. Our work emphasizes that complex, dynamic processes drive the decision to initiate flight from the nest, and contributes to the growing body of work explaining how responses to humans vary within species.


[Effect of minimal residual disease monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].
Objective: To investigate the effect of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) pre-conditioning on prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission (CR(1)-AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) , and to explore the value of MRD monitoring by MFC in the prognosis evaluation on allo-HSCT in CR(1)-AML. Methods: Between April 2012 and March 2015, consecutive 186 patients with CR(1)-AML who underwent allo-HSCT were analyzed retrospectively. MRD in BM before conditioning was detected by eight-color MFC. Any level of residual disease was considered to be MRD positive. Results: ①Of 186 patients, MRD was negative in 151 patients, positive in 35 patients (<1% in 25 patients and 1% to 3% in 10 patients) . ② With the median follow up of 18 (5-41) months, two-year DFS was 80.0% (95%CI 68.5%-92.3%) . Univariate analysis showed that MRD positive patients had lower DFS[62.9% (95%CI 50.6%-75.2%) vs 88.9% (95%CI 76.6%-100.0%) , P<0.001], higher relapse[11.4% (95%CI 4.1%-29.0%) vs 3.3% (95% CI 0.6%-20.9%) , P=0.003] and higher NRM [25.7% (95% CI 8.1%-43.3%) vs 7.9% (95% CI 1.3%-26.5%) , P=0.001] after HSCT compared with that of MRD negative patients. Secondary AML showed lower DFS than primary AML [60.0% (95% CI 42.4%-76.6%) vs 86.0% (95% CI 68.4%-100.0%) , P=0.004]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that MRD positive pre-HSCT was the independent risk factor on DFS [HR=4.565 (95%CI 2.918-9.482) , P<0.001], relapse [HR=5.854 (95%CI 1.538-22.288) , P=0.010] and NRM [HR=3.379 (95%CI 1.361-8.391) , P=0.009] after allo-HSCT in CR(1)-AML. Conclusion: MRD positive pre-conditioning was the only negative impact factor for patients with CR(1)-AML after allo-HSCT. MRD by MFC can be used to assess the prognosis of CR(1)-AML after allo-HSCT.


Licocoumarone isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis selectively alters LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
The effects of licocoumarone (LC) isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis were studied in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our study demonstrated that LC dose-dependently attenuated LPS-induced NO production by down-regulating iNOS expression. Additionally, the treatment with LC inhibited LPS-induced expression of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, but not TNF-α, at both mRNA and protein levels. Similar suppressive effects of LC were observed on LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages as well. Furthermore, LC significantly reduced LPS-stimulated NF-κB activation by inhibition of IκBα degradation and p65 phosphorylation. The results from NF-κB-luc reporter gene assay further support the inhibitory effect of LC on NF-κB activation. Further studies showed that LC also interfered with the MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways, which are typical inflammatory signaling pathways triggered by LPS. Taken together, these results show that LC attenuates LPS-induced cytokine gene expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages through mechanisms that involve NF-κB, MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways, but the pattern of inhibition differs from that of a global immunosuppresant. Our study indicates that LC is a functional constituent of Glycyrrhiza uralensis with potential implications in infectious and immune-related diseases.


Different Trends in Microbial Contamination between Two Types of Microfiltered Water Dispensers: From Risk Analysis to Consumer Health Preservation.
The use of microfiltered water dispensers (MWDs) for treatment of municipal water is increasing rapidly, however, the water quality produced by MWDs has not been widely investigated. In this work a large-scale microbiological investigation was conducted on 46 MWDs. In accordance with Italian regulations for drinking water, we investigated the heterotrophic plate counts at 36 and 22 °C for indicator bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, such as Enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Two different MWDs were compared: Type A with Ag⁺ coated carbon filter and two ultraviolet (UV) lamps, and Type B with a carbon filter and one UV lamp. For each type, the contamination of the input and output points was analyzed. Our findings showed that MWDs are a source of bacteria growth, with output being more contaminated than the input point. Type B was widely contaminated for all parameters tested in both sampling points, suggesting that water treatment by Type A is more effective in controlling bacterial contamination. MWDs are critical devices for water treatment in term of technologies, intended use, and sanitization procedures. The adoption of an appropriate drinking water safety plan associated with clear maintenance procedures and periodic environmental monitoring can ensure the safe and healthy operation of these devices.


A double gimbal optical image stabilizer driven by piezoelectric stacks.
With the advantages of high accuracy and fast response, piezoelectric actuators are used to drive optical image stabilizers. As a piezoelectric stack is not tensile, preload voltage is required for a traditional piezoelectric driven optical image stabilizer, which wastes electricity and adversely affects the stack's performance. In this paper, we propose a double gimbal optical image stabilizer, whereupon a prototype is machined and its performance is assessed. Two piezoelectric stacks are used to produce the forward and reverse actuation, respectively, in which case the preload voltage is not essential. Owing to the isolation of the gimbal, the output coupling of the two piezoelectric actuators is less than 1%. The presented stabilizer has the actuation range of ±50 µm and effectively tracks the sinusoidal signals with the frequency below 46 Hz.


Development of haptic based piezoresistive artificial fingertip: Toward efficient tactile sensing systems for humanoids.
Haptic sensors are essential devices that facilitate human-like sensing systems such as implantable medical devices and humanoid robots. The availability of conducting thin films with haptic properties could lead to the development of tactile sensing systems that stretch reversibly, sense pressure (not just touch), and integrate with collapsible. In this study, a nanocomposite based hemispherical artificial fingertip fabricated to enhance the tactile sensing systems of humanoid robots. To validate the hypothesis, proposed method was used in the robot-like finger system to classify the ripe and unripe tomato by recording the metabolic growth of the tomato as a function of resistivity change during a controlled indention force. Prior to fabrication, a finite element modeling (FEM) was investigated for tomato to obtain the stress distribution and failure point of tomato by applying different external loads. Then, the extracted computational analysis information was utilized to design and fabricate nanocomposite based artificial fingertip to examine the maturity analysis of tomato. The obtained results demonstrate that the fabricated conformable and scalable artificial fingertip shows different electrical property for ripe and unripe tomato. The artificial fingertip is compatible with the development of brain-like systems for artificial skin by obtaining periodic response during an applied load.


The Council of Europe's first Symposium on Bioethics: Strasbourg, Dec 5-7 1989.
This symposium discussed bioethics teaching, research and documentation and also research ethics committees. An international convention for the protection of the integrity of the human body was called for, as was a new European Committee on Ethics. 'The genetic impact' was a major preoccupation of the symposium.


Fatal intraoperative pulmonary fat embolism during cemented total hip arthroplasty in a dog.
A 3-year-old, German shepherd dog died suddenly during cemented total hip arthroplasty. Gross necropsy findings included severe pulmonary edema and congestion as well as congestion of the liver and kidneys. Acute pulmonary embolism was suspected as the cause of death. Microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained, formalin-fixed, and oil red O-stained frozen tissue sections confirmed the presence of large numbers of fat globules in blood vessels in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Fat embolism during total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical complication in humans, but it is uncommon in veterinary cases and is rarely a cause of death.


Growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of inositol hexaphosphate in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP-C1) cells.
Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a dietary agent, has been extensively studied for its cancer chemopreventive and anti-cancer efficacy in several different animal models, but not in prostate cancer (PCA) possibly because the known PCA models are both expensive and highly time-consuming. One such PCA model is transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP), which reproduces the spectrum of benign latent, aggressive and metastatic forms of human PCA. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of IP6 in TRAMP-derived established TRAMP-C1 cell line. IP6 (0.5-4.0 mM) treatment of cells for 24-72 h resulted in 17-76% cell growth inhibition and 6-35% cell death, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the studies assessing whether cell growth inhibition by IP6 is associated with an alteration in cell cycle progression, IP6 treatment resulted in up to 92% cells in G0-G1 phase as compared to controls. In other studies assessing its apoptotic efficacy, IP6 induced a moderate to strong (up to 14-fold over control) apoptotic cell death. In additional studies, pretreatment of cells with all caspases inhibitor for 2 h followed by 2 mM IP6 for 48 h resulted in approximately 50% reversal in IP6-induced apoptosis suggesting a partial involvement of caspases activation in IP6-caused apoptosis. Furthermore, IP6 showed significant induction (6-fold) in caspase-3 activity compared to control suggesting the involvement of caspases activation in IP6-induced apoptosis. However, pretreatment of cells with all caspase inhibitor, which partially reversed the IP6-induced apoptosis, completely inhibited IP6-induced caspase-3 activation, providing convincing evidence of both caspase-dependent and -independent mechanisms in IP6-induced apoptotic death of TRAMP-C1 cells. Together, these results warrant further mechanistic and in vivo efficacy studies with IP6 in TRAMP and other pre-clinical models of PCA.


Comparison of older and middle-aged drivers' driving performance in a naturalistic setting.
There is a concern in the public domain about driving safety among older drivers due the increase in age-associated medical conditions. It is not known how these medical changes impact driving performance and choice of driving environment. This study aimed to compare older drivers' (≥74 years) driving performance in a naturalistic setting to middle-aged drivers (35-64 years) on their chosen driving environment, and number, type and severity of errors. The effect of sex and perceived driving ability was also examined. Drivers' performance was studied using the electronic Driving Observation Schedule [eDOS]), a naturalistic observation approach. Fifty-three older (mean age = 80.6 years, 72% male) and 60 middle-aged (mean age = 50.0 years, 50% male) healthy drivers were recruited. Both groups made few driving errors that were mostly low-risk. Driving performance of older adults differed from middle-aged drivers; they drove on simpler routes (fewer intersections and lane changes) and made fewer errors. Findings are likely indicative of older drivers' use of adaptive strategies to maintain safe driving.


Electrocardiography and conventional radiology accuracy compared to echocardiography in evaluating left ventricular remodelling patterns in hypertensive patients.
The value of conventional radiology, electrocardiography and echocardiography in estimating the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) remodeling patterns in patients with newly discovered hypertension was less studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of conventional radiology and electrocardiography compared to echocardiography in the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and different remodeling types in male patients with recent primary arterial hypertension (PAH). This cross-sectional study, enrolled 420 male patients with recent stage 2 PAH, diagnosed less than a year before, and 420 normotensive male subjects, using conventional radiological methods, ECG and also echocardiography. The ultrasound examination documented four types of LV remodeling, based on the measurement of LV parameters: concentric hypertrophy (CH), eccentric hypertrophy (EH), concentric remodeling (CR) and the normal variant (NV). In the recent PAH group, echocardiography diagnosed LV patterns in different proportions (34.285% CR; 24.285% NV; 21.43% EH; 20% CH), whereas the standard radiological examination and ECG documented LVH positive criteria in a much lower proportion of cases, for these patterns. The ECG and radiological examinations detected LVH in patients with EH, and CH, but both examinations were inconclusive in those with CR and NV. This study comparatively reflects the effectiveness of echocardiography, electrocardiography and conventional radiology, in the diagnosis of LV patterns in newly discovered hypertension and also illustrates the arguments for and against the usage of these three imagery techniques.


Morin impedes Yap nuclear translocation and fosters apoptosis through suppression of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling in Mst1 overexpressed HepG2 cells.
Recent clinical and experimental evidences strongly acclaim Yes-associated protein (Yap), a key oncogenic driver in liver carcinogenesis, as a therapeutic target. Of the known multiple schemes to inhibit Yap activity, activation of Mammalian Sterile 20-like Kinase 1 (Mst1), an upstream regulator of Yap, appears to be a promising one. In this study, we hypothesize that morin, a bioflavonoid, mediates its anti-cancer effect through the activation of Mst1/hippo signaling in liver cancer cells. To test this hypothesis, both full length Mst1 (F-Mst1) and kinase active N-terminal Mst1 (N-Mst1)-overexpressed HepG2 cells were used. Exposure of F-Mst1 overexpressed HepG2 cells to morin activated Mst1 by caspase-3 cleavage and thereby inhibited Yap nuclear translocation and fostered apoptosis. Morin suppressed NF-κB p65 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling through Mst1 activation via cleavage and phosphorylation, leading to cell death. Annexin-V/PI staining further confirmed the induction of apoptosis in morin treated F-Mst1 overexpressed cells. The present study shows that morin targets cell survival molecules such as NF-κB p65 and β-catenin through activation of hippo signaling. Therefore, morin could be considered as a potential anti-cancer agent against liver cancer.


Excited state electronic structures and dynamics of NOCl: a new potential function set, absorption spectrum, and photodissociation mechanism.
A set of analytical potential energy surfaces (PESs) for six singlet excited states of NOCl are constructed based on multireference configuration interaction calculations. The total absorption cross section at the energy range of 2-7 eV is calculated by quantum dynamics calculations with the present PESs and transition dipole moments. The calculated absorption spectrum agrees well with the experiment. It is also found that the A band with the absorption maximum at 6.3 eV is attributed to the transition to the 4 1A' state, though the excitations to the 3 1A' and 3 1A" states contribute to the spectrum at the energy range between 4 and 5 eV. The spin-forbidden transitions are concluded to be negligibly weak. The mechanism of photodissociation reaction at the energy region corresponding to the A band is examined. The nonadiabatic transition rates from the 4 1A' state to lower singlet and triplet states are estimated by Fermi's golden rule, and the transitions to the 1 1A' and 3 1A' states induced by vibronic coupling are found to be the predominant dissociation pathways. The experimentally observed energy dependence of the recoil anisotropy of the fragments is discussed based on the calculated nonadiabatic transition rates.


ENSO, nest predation risk, food abundance, and male status fail to explain annual variations in the apparent survival rate of a migratory songbird.
Adult mortality can be a major driver of population decline in species whose productivity is relatively low. Yet, little is known about the factors influencing adult survival rates in migratory bird species, nor do we know much about the longer-term effects of habitat disturbance on the fitness of individuals. The Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) is one of the vertebrate species most sensitive to forest management, yet it is still common and widespread. We monitored the fate of 330 colour-banded Ovenbird males in four pairs of 25-ha plots during 9 successive breeding seasons. One plot of each pair was treated through selection harvesting (30-40% basal area removed) during the first winter. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) higher physiological costs in harvested plots as a result of lower food abundance will reduce apparent survival rate (ASR) relative to controls; (2) lower ASR following years with low nest survival and higher probability of renesting; (3) fluctuations in ASR reflecting El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO); and (4) higher ASR in returning males than in recruits (unbanded immigrants) owing to greater site familiarity in the former. We tested the relative importance of these hypotheses, or combinations thereof, by generating 23 models explaining variation in ASR. The year-dependent model received the most support, showing a 41% decrease in ASR from 2007 to 2014. The important year-to-year variation we observed in ASR (Σw(i) = 0.99) was not explained by variation in nest predation risk nor by ENSO. There was also little evidence for an effect of selection harvesting on ASR of Ovenbird males, despite a slight reduction in lifespan relative to males from control plots (2.7 vs 2.9 years). An avenue worth exploring to explain this intriguing pattern would be to determine whether conditions at migratory stopover sites or in the wintering area of our focal population have gradually worsened over the past decade.


Post-transcriptional regulation of ribosome biogenesis in yeast.
Most microorganisms are exposed to the constantly and often rapidly changing environment. As such they evolved mechanisms to balance their metabolism and energy expenditure with the resources available to them. When re-sources become scarce or conditions turn out to be unfavourable for growth, cells reduce their metabolism and energy usage to survive. One of the major energy consuming processes in the cell is ribosome biogenesis. Unsurprisingly, cells encountering adverse conditions immediately shut down production of new ribosomes. It is well established that nutrient depletion leads to a rapid repression of transcription of the genes encoding ribosomal proteins, ribosome biogenesis factors as well as ribosomal RNA (rRNA). However, if pre-rRNA processing and ribosome assembly are regulated post-transcriptionally remains largely unclear. We have recently uncovered that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae rapidly switches between two alternative pre-rRNA processing pathways depending on the environmental conditions. Our findings reveal a new level of complexity in the regulation of ribosome biogenesis.


BIOSYNTHESIS OF RIBOSE AND DEOXYRIBOSE IN PSEUDOMONAS SACCHAROPHILA.
Fossitt, Dexter D. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), and I. A. Bernstein. Biosynthesis of ribose and deoxyribose in Pseudomonas saccharophila. J. Bacteriol. 86:1326-1331. 1963.-The biosynthesis of ribose and deoxyribose in Pseudomonas saccharophila was studied by radioisotope-tracer techniques. Patterns of C(14) in ribose isolated from the nucleic acids of cells grown on labeled glucose suggested that pentose was made by the pathway involving transaldolase and transketolase. When cells were grown on radioactive gluconate, the tracer patterns indicated the possibility of a new pathway for the biosynthesis of ribose. Isotopic patterns in deoxyribose, in general, were consistent with the pathway involving reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. Certain aspects of the data, however, were not explained by this known pathway.


Improving the accuracy of high-repetition-rate LIBS based on laser ablation and scanning parameters optimization.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system based on high-repetition-rate microchip laser (HR-LIBS) has been widely used in elemental analysis due to its high energy stability, good portability and fast spectral acquisition speed. However, repeated ablation on powder pellets like soil and coal using HR-LIBS system encounters the problem of serious decline in measurement accuracy. In this work, the relationship between laser ablation and scanning parameters, their correlation with spectral intensity, as well as the optimization approach were fundamentally studied. The correlations among the crater overlapping rate, crater depth and spectral intensity were obtained. An HR-LIBS system with microchip laser (4 kHz repetition rate, 100 µJ laser pulse energy) to perform repeated scanning ablation was established. A theoretical model of the ablation crater morphology for repeated scanning ablation was developed. By taking soil pellets as the experimental samples, the linear fitting curves of crater depth and the spectral intensity ratio were established with the R2 of 0.90∼0.99. The experimental results showed that as the crater depth developed during repeated ablation, the Si-normalized spectral intensity decreased, and thus the spectral repeatability decreased. It was found that by optimizing the overlapping rate to form a flat crater bottom, the confinement effect of the crater on the plasma could be avoided. As a result, the spectral repeatability was significantly improved. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of Si-normalized spectral intensity was improved from 5% to 0.6%. Finally, repeated ablation was performed with the optimized overlapping rate on soil pellets. The R2 of calibration curves of Fe, Mg, Ca, and Al were all above 0.993, and the average RSDs were between 0.5% and 1%. This study provides a fast, accurate, and stable method for the analysis of the samples consisting of various materials with high heterogeneity.


Wetting studies of hydrophilic-hydrophobic TiO2@SiO2 nanopatterns prepared by photocatalytic decomposition.
TiO(2)@SiO(2) nanopatterns were prepared with the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) technique. The material consists of an ultrathin (approximately 2 nm) layer of titania with hexagonally ordered craters of roughly 30 nm in diameter, on a silica substrate. The open pore structure and high homogeneity of the pattern makes these materials ideal for detailed wetting studies. The nanopatterns were functionalized with a fluoroalkylsilane (FAS), which attached on both titania and silica, resulting in a hydrophobic surface. By irradiating the composite material with UV light for different lengths of time, the hydrophilic/hydrophobic contrast in the nanopattern could be tuned. This is a result of the very different photocatalytic properties of titania and silica. The area fraction covered with FAS, f(FAS), as a function of UV irradiation time was calculated from water contact angle measurements of the composite film and corresponding reference samples, by using existing wetting models for heterogeneous surfaces. The results were compared to area fractions derived from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). f(FAS)-values determined from static water contact angles gave the best agreement with XPS, while advancing and receding contact angles overestimated and underestimated the f(FAS)-values, respectively. The Cassie model gave a slightly better fit to the XPS data than the Israelachivili model.


A COVID-Positive 52-Year-Old Man Presented With Venous Thromboembolism and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Following Johnson & Johnson Vaccination: A Case-Study.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Infection by the SARS-CoV-2 increases the risk for systematic multi-organ complications and venous, arterial thromboembolism. The need for an effective vaccine to combat the pandemic prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a nationwide distribution of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine manufactured by Johnson & Johnson (J&J). The use of the vaccine was halted after reported cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and thrombocytopenia among recipients. Researchers have postulated these rare occurrences as potentially immune-triggered responses associated with complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Thrombotic complications and thrombocytopenia increase the risk for blood clot growth due to the inflammation of immune complexes by pro-thrombotic activation of anti-platelet antibodies. A 52-year-old man presented to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe dyspnea. He required bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) for supplemental oxygen therapy. Endotracheal intubation was performed due to his worsened respiratory deterioration. Lab results suggested respiratory failure due to decreased partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). Findings of elevated D-dimer levels with decreased fibrinogen and thrombocytopenia with prolonged prothrombin clotting time were consistent for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Chest radiography displayed moderate to heavy bilateral airspace consolidations, consistent with multifocal pneumonia suspicious for COVID-19. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) revealed a mildly enlarged right ventricle and interventricular septum consistent for right heart strain due to a saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) that extended into the main pulmonary lobar segmental arteries bilaterally. The patient was transferred to a higher-level (tertiary) care for radiology intervention to remove the pulmonary embolism found on his lungs. This patient presented with severe dyspnea secondary to massive PE and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to SARS-CoV2 infection following the administration of the J&J vaccine. Bilateral thrombus opacities and pulmonary emboli are consistent among COVID-19 patients by intravascular coagulation with increased prothrombin time and D-dimer concentration with a low platelet count. Adverse emboli growths with increased D-dimer and thrombocytopenia strikes a similarity in recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Administrative use of the J&J vaccine resumed in May 2021. The FDA's reassurance stemmed from their conclusive findings that the vaccine's benefits far outweigh these rare developments, which account for less than 0.01% of the total recipient population. Nevertheless, a further detailed analysis must be conducted on the adverse thrombotic manifestations following adenoviral-based COVID-19 vaccines (J&J, AstraZeneca) compared to mRNA-based vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer) to assess causality with higher specificity.


An in situ runaway electron diagnostic for DIII-D.
We are designing a new diagnostic based on laser inverse Compton scattering to study the dynamics of runaway electron formation during killer-pellet triggered disruptions in DIII-D, and their subsequent loss. We can improve the expected S/N ratio by using a high-intensity short-pulse laser combined with gated x-ray imagers. With 80 ps sampling, time-of-flight spatial resolution within the laser chord can be obtained. We will measure the time-resolved spatial profile and energy distribution of the runaway electrons while they are in the core of the tokamak plasma.


Different expression of CD36 antigen molecule on the surface of megakaryocyte lineage leukemias and megakaryocyte leukemia cell lines MEG-01 and HEL.
Peripheral blood leukemic cells from four patients with peroxidase negative acute leukemia, which expressed neither myeloid nor lymphoid cell surface antigens, were analyzed by using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) capable of recognizing megakaryocyte-platelet-related antigens. Leukemic cells from one case reacted with 5F1 MoAb, whereas cells from all the tested cases reacted with OKM5 MoAb, which belongs to the same CD group as 5F1 (CD36). Also, culture cells from megakaryoblastic leukemia cell line, MEG-01, and human erythroleukemia cell line, HEL, showed a different pattern of expression for the CD36 antigen molecule detected by 5F1 and OKM5 MoAb, individually. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the epitopes recognized by 5F1 and OKM5 MoAb appear on the same CD36 molecule on the surface of HEL cells by means of the two-color analysis using FACS-IV. On the basis of our experiments, we conclude that, CD36 molecule, a receptor for TSP, is synthesized and expressed in at least two ways, inside the cells and on the surface of megakaryocyte lineage leukemias and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines MEG-01 and HEL. This is strongly suggestive that thrombospondin (TSP)-mediated adhesion represents an alternative pathway for cytoadherence, and that CD36 expression on various kinds of cells may lack some essential modifications or components necessary for the TSP receptor activity.


Oesophagobronchial fistula caused by varicella zoster virus in a patient with AIDS: a unique case.
Human herpesvirus oesophagitis in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients is caused by cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus; no cases of oesophagitis and oesophagobrochial fistula as a result of varicella zoster virus (VZV) have been reported to date. This report describes the case of a patient with a 2-3 mm deep oesophageal ulcer whose viral culture was positive for VZV. The patient was treated with acyclovir with resolution of the symptomatology. After the end of the induction treatment, because of the onset of fever and fits of coughing during eating, the patient underwent oesophagography, which showed an ulcer with an oesophagobronchial fistula in the middle and lower third of the oesophagus. This case report stresses the role of VZV infection as a possible cause of oesophagobronchial fistula, a rare but benign condition in patients with AIDS.


Arginase and arginine dysregulation in asthma.
In recent years, evidence has accumulated indicating that the enzyme arginase, which converts L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders such as asthma through dysregulation of L-arginine metabolism and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis. Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Through substrate competition, arginase decreases bioavailability of L-arginine for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thereby limiting NO production with subsequent effects on airway tone and inflammation. By decreasing L-arginine bioavailability, arginase may also contribute to the uncoupling of NOS and the formation of the proinflammatory oxidant peroxynitrite in the airways. Finally, arginase may play a role in the development of chronic airway remodeling through formation of L-ornithine with downstream production of polyamines and L-proline, which are involved in processes of cellular proliferation and collagen deposition. Further research on modulation of arginase activity and L-arginine bioavailability may reveal promising novel therapeutic strategies for asthma.


Large genomic rearrangements of the unstable region in Streptomyces ambofaciens are associated with major changes in global gene expression.
Global gene expression is dramatically altered by genomic rearrangements in Streptomyces ambofaciens RP181110. Partial genome mapping of two derivatives of strain RP181110 (strains NSA205 and NSA228) revealed rearrangements located in the unstable region of the genome (deletion in strain NSA228; deletion and amplification in strain NSA205). Computerized comparisons of pulse-labelled proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis have revealed numerous differences in gene expression among the three strains during both exponential and stationary phases of growth: 31 proteins were absent in both mutant strains, 16 were absent only in strain NSA228, 17 were absent only in strain NSA205 and 9 were found to be present or overexpressed in strain NSA205. Thus, in spite of the scarcity of genetic markers in the unstable region and its dispensability for growth under laboratory conditions, these results suggest that it includes genes which are actively expressed. Spontaneous gene amplifications, which occur frequently in this region of the chromosome, can further activate their expression.


Successful treatment of psoriasis with ustekinumab in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, evolving from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In the recent years, we have seen much progress in understanding the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, paving the way for new therapies with biologics. Currently, the most commonly used biologics in psoriasis are TNF inhibitors etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab, and the IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab. As TNF inhibitors are contraindicated in patients with multiple sclerosis, ustekinumab remained the only biologic available for these patient before the recent approval of Secukinumab, an IL-17A inhibitor. Herein we report two patients with multiple sclerosis and comorbid psoriasis successfully treated with ustekinumab without progression of their multiple sclerosis. Our cases demonstrate that ustekinumab is a reasonably safe choice in this patient population. We also briefly reviewed new therapies currently under investigation, which will undoubtedly further expand our armamentarium for the treatment of psoriasis in patients with neuromuscular diseases.


Identification and characterization of two mtf-1 genes in common carp.
The Metal-responsive Transcription Factor (MTF-1) serves as an essential regulator of Zn(2+) homeostasis via the activation of metallothionein gene expression. Only a single mtf-1 gene has been identified in any organism investigated previously. We report here the first evidence of the existence of two genes encoding MTF-1 proteins (mtf-1.1 and mtf-1.2). The expression patterns were followed in the liver, kidney, muscle, brain and heart by means of Northern hybridization and reverse transcription coupled polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). mtf-1.1 mRNA was detected in all tissues examined, with the highest level in the brain, and the lowest in the kidney and the liver. mtf-1.2 expression was detected exclusively in the brain. Cold shock and Cd(2+) exposure influence the gene expression at the transcriptional level, in a stress-specific manner.


Cell types within the medial forebrain bundle: a Golgi study of preoptic and hypothalamic neurons in the rat.
The morphology of lateral preoptic (POL) and lateral hypothalamic (HLA) neurons was studied in 14- to 200-day-old rats with the chlorate-formaldehyde modification of the Golgi method. Drawings of 91 POL and HLA neurons revealed three distinct neuronal types within the MFB based on somatic size and shape and dendritic morphology. Class I neurons, which accounted for 75-80% of the neurons in the MFB, has fusiform or multipolar somata averaging 21 X 14 micron and 2-5 sparsely branched dendrites with a moderate number of sticklike spines. The extensive dendritic domains of Class I neurons ranged from 700 to 1,500 micron and were usually oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal fibers of the MFB. Both nonoriented and oriented Class I neurons were encountered. Nonoriented Class I neurons had expansive dendritic arbors which reached nearly all regions of the MFB in the coronal plane. Oriented Class I neurons had dendritic domains which were confined to specific regions (e.g., ventral-lateral) of the MFB. Class II neurons, which made up approximately 10% of the MFB neurons, had large multipolar somata averaging 30 X 17 micron and 2-5 stout dendrites which were densely covered with hairlike spines. Class II neurons also exhibited spines on their somata and proximal dendritic trunks and had dendritic domains of 700-1,000 micron. Class III neurons had small somata averaging 15 X 12 micron and restricted dendritic arbors of 500-700 micron in diameter. Class III neurons exhibited both spiny and spine-free dendrites and made up 10% of MFB neurons. Because of the parcellation of chemically coded fiber systems within the MFB, individual POL and HLA neurons may not be homogeneous in the type of afferents they receive from other brain areas.


[Valve replacement in congenital aortic stenosis].
Hemodynamically significant congenital aortic stenosis is usually surgically solved by valvotomy, infrequently aortic valve replacement is necessary. The aim of this retrospective study (period 1979-1995) is to find reasons for valve replacement, frequency of these procedures and early and long term results after aortic valve replacement for congenital aortic stenosis. Congenital aortic stenosis was solved by aortic valvotomy in 82 patients and by aortic valve replacement in 18 patients. Aortic valve replacement was performed 6x for congenital valvar aortic stenosis with mean aortic gradient 53.7 +/- 13.9 mm Hg and aortic valve area 0.42 +/- 0.04 cm2/m2 and 4x for valvar and subvalvar stenosis with mean aortic gradient 87.0 +/- 31.3 mm Hg, valve area 0.45 +/- 0.03 cm2/m2 and associated regurgitation 44.7 +/- 25.6%. In the remaining 8 patients aortic valve replacement was performed as reoperation after aortic valvotomy (after 20 +/- 8.4 years). In this group mean aortic gradient was only 32.2 +/- 13.8 mm Hg but regurgitation was 54.0 +/- 15.8%. Infective endocarditis occurred in 8 patients (44.5%) preoperatively. There were two hospital deaths (sudden death and multiorgan failure) and one death 3 years after operation (prosthetic endocarditis). Remaining 15 patients are in very good condition (NYHA I.-II.) 1-13 years after aortic valve replacement. Severely calcified aortic valve, endocarditis and associated incompetence are indications for valve replacement in patients with congenital aortic valve disease. Prevention of infective endocarditis is necessary pre and postoperatively, too. Long-term results after valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis are very good.


Serum Zinc Status among Acute Myocardial Infarction Male Patients in Bangladesh.
This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Mymensingh Medical College in collaboration with the Department of Cardiology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from January 2015 to December 2015. The aim of the study was to explore the serum zinc status among acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients as a means to monitor the possibility of management of these patients. A total of 120 subjects were included in this study. Among them 60 were diagnosed AMI patients denoted as case group and 60 were normal healthy individuals denoted as control group. Serum zinc was determined by colorimetric method from each sample. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS windows package, version 20. Among the study groups the Mean±SD values of serum zinc were 64.98±18.86μmol/L and 97.14±7.97μmol/L in case and control group respectively. Analysis showed that the mean serum zinc level was significantly (p<0.01) decreased in AMI patients in comparison to that of control group.


The effects of oestrogens and their receptors on cardiometabolic health.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. The incidence of CVD is sexually dimorphic, and research has focused on the contribution of sex steroids to the development and progression of the cardiometabolic syndrome, which is defined as a clustering of interrelated risk factors that promote the development of atherosclerosis (which can lead to CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data are inconclusive as to how sex steroids and their respective receptors increase or suppress the risk of developing the cardiometabolic syndrome and thus CVD. In this Review, we discuss the potential role, or roles, of sex hormones in cardiometabolic health by first focusing on the influence of oestrogens and their receptors on the risk of developing cardiometabolic syndrome and CVD. We also highlight what is known about testosterone and its potential role in protecting against the development of the cardiometabolic syndrome and CVD. Given the inconclusive nature of the data regarding the direct effects of each sex hormone, we advocate and highlight the importance of studying the relative levels and the ratio of sex hormones to each other, as well as the use of cross sex hormone therapy and its effect on cardiometabolic health.


Homology of mecA gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus simulans to that of Staphylococcus aureus.
A penicillin-binding protein of molecular weight 76,000 inducible by beta-lactams was detected in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus simulans. DNA from these strains hybridized to the mecA gene from Staphylococcus aureus; however, the chromosomal HindIII fragments containing the mecA genes were 3.4 kilobases in S. haemolyticus and 4.3 kilobases in S. simulans.


[Treatment of chlamydial urethro-adnexitis with erythromycin].
Besides mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas chlamydias are able to cause an urethro-adnexitis in men. Jeasts, trichomonas and herpes-viruses are in our patients of less importance. Therapy with erythromycine of chlamydial urethroadnexitis is successful.


Role of the intramolecular phase in high-harmonic generation.
We study numerically the generation of high-order harmonics by two-center molecules for arbitrary angles between the molecular axis and the laser polarization axis. For fixed angle, the harmonic spectrum exhibits a minimum at a frequency which is independent of the laser parameters. The amplitude of each harmonic is strongly angle dependent, and a pronounced minimum is found at the same angle where a sudden jump in the harmonic phase occurs. By calculating the spatial dependence of the harmonic amplitudes and phases, we are able to explain these effects in terms of interfering contributions from various regions within the molecule.


[Fulminant pulmonary embolism in the 35th gestational week. Sonographic detection of a thrombus in the inferior vena cava with normal cavography].
Pulmonary embolism is the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy. CASE REPORT. We report a 28-year-old obstetric patient (35th gestational week) who was admitted to the hospital because of intermittent vaginal bleeding caused by placenta totalis et accreta. Eleven days after admission she suffered a cardiac arrest. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an emergency caesarian section was performed and a healthy child was delivered. Abdominal sonography (B-mode) showed a floating thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Perfusion scintigraphy and cavography were normal; a computed tomography i.v. contrast medium study confirmed the presence of the thrombus. An open thrombectomy was performed to protect the patient from further pulmonary emboli. After 8 days she left the intensive care unit without residual complications. CONCLUSION. This case emphasises the importance of bedside sonography as a diagnostic method of identifying the source of a thrombus in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.


[The vascular stent in percutaneous coronary revascularization].
Balloon angioplasty is commonly used for coronary revascularization. Coronary stents were introduced to overcome its 2 main limitations: acute coronary occlusion and restenosis. We describe our experience with the use of 27 coronary stents in 26 patients. The indications for stenting were acute or threatened coronary occlusion in 16 patients, in 7 recurrent restenosis, and vein graft narrowing in the rest. Stent deployment was successful in all cases and there was no mortality. The hospital course was complicated by subacute thrombotic occlusion of the stent (2 patients) initially treated by balloon angioplasty, retroperitoneal bleeding (3), and surgical closure of femoral pseudoaneurysm (2); 22 were discharged without complications; 1 patient required coronary bypass. Coronary stenting has a high rate of success and is very effective in cases of abrupt coronary occlusion which would otherwise require emergency surgery. It is probably associated with a lower restenosis rate than standard balloon angioplasty. Accurately monitored anticoagulant therapy is essential to prevent complications.


[A new diagnosis in polyneuropathy syndromes: hyperthermal laser Doppler flowmetry].
4 groups of 10 subjects were investigated with the new equipment of hyperthermal Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry for diagnosis of polyneuropathies (PN). Group 1 was healthy, group 2 was suffering from paraesthesia, group 3 from perception disorders and group 4 from motoric dysfunction as complications of a diabetic polyneuropathy. The time from onset of hyperthermia to increase of microcirculation ("hyperthermal latency") was determined as well as onset perfusion values and maximal perfusion values. The hyperthermal latency increased in higher groups of PN in a significant manner. The maximal perfusion decreased in higher groups. So the hyperthermal Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry is the first method suited to diagnose in routine a PN in a very early phase.


[Drug therapy in a nursing home; favorable effect of feedback by the pharmacist on family physician's prescribing behavior].
Investigating whether and how the prescribing behaviour of general practitioners (GPs) can be changed by the pharmacist's feedback. Randomised, prospective. Residential home 'Bernlef', Groningen, the Netherlands. In the period 2 February-18 March 1993 the effect of different ways of sending prescriptions by the pharmacist on medication use was investigated. The 43 GPs of the inhabitants were randomly divided in 3 groups. Group A formed the control group and was requested to send their prescriptions as before, group B moreover received a list with the medication used by their patients, group C also got a list with the actual medication of their patients as well as recommendations by the pharmacist. Effects on medication use were determined after 4 weeks. The 196 inhabitants used an average of 6.5 drugs (range 0-19). No difference was found between group A and group B, but there was a difference with group C. In all three groups the number of added drugs increased by 5%, but the number of deleted drugs was 7% in group C, as against only 3% in groups A and B (p < 0.05). The feedback of the pharmacist that for 44% of GPs contained new information resulted 9 times in the ending of medication and 4 times in decreasing of the dose. Pharmacist's feedback by means of remarks on prescribed medication positively influences prescription behaviour of the GP.


Identification, purification, and radioimmunoassay of NB/70K, a human ovarian tumor-associated antigen.
NB/70K, a tumor-associated antigen of human ovarian epithelial tumor Fraction OCA, has been purified and identified as a glycoprotein which is stable in 0.6 M perchloric acid, binds to concanavalin A, and migrates electrophoretically with alpha-like mobility in barbital-buffered agarose at pH 8.6. NB/70K does not appear to contain normal serum, normal ovary, normal lung, or carcinoembryonic antigen-like cross-reacting antigenic determinants as measured by radioimmunoassay. NB/70K has been purified from ovarian antigen Fraction OCA by chromatography on gamma-globulin coupled to Sepharose 4B and by elution from acrylamide gels. NB/70K migrates as a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 70,000 in sodium dodecyl sulfate:acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A rabbit antibody raised against NB/70K was able to precipitate a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 70,000 as visualized by autoradiography of sodium dodecyl sulfate:acrylamide gels. A radioimmunoassay has been developed for measuring NB/70K activity, using Staphylococcus aureus protein A as a precipitating agent.


Perspectives on Corrosion Studies Using Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy: Challenges and Opportunities.
Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) allows for electrochemical imaging at the micro- or nanoscale by confining the electrochemical reaction cell in a small meniscus formed at the end of a micro- or nanopipette. This technique has gained popularity in electrochemical imaging due to its high-throughput nature. Although it shows considerable application potential in corrosion science, there are still formidable and exciting challenges to be faced, particularly relating to the high-throughput characterization and analysis of microelectrochemical big data. The objective of this perspective is to arouse attention and provide opinions on the challenges, recent progress, and future prospects of the SECCM technique to the electrochemical society, particularly from the viewpoint of corrosion scientists. Specifically, four main topics are systematically reviewed and discussed: (1) the development of SECCM; (2) the applications of SECCM for corrosion studies; (3) the challenges of SECCM in corrosion studies; and (4) the opportunities of SECCM for corrosion science.


The effect of formycin on the processing of transfer RNA precursors in the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori.
Formycin, an adenosine analog, was used in studies of RNA synthesis by silk glands of silkworms in organ culture. Formycin has been shown to inhibit preferentially the incorporation of [3H]uridine into low molecular weight RNA in the cytoplasm. When silk glands were pulse-chase labeled with [3H]uridine in the presence of formycin, the synthesis of 4.5S tRNA precursors was not affected, as determined by gel electrophoresis. However, the accumulation of mature 4S tRNA was greatly reduced in the formycin-treated system, although the precursors synthesized disappeared from the 4.5S region on chase at the same rate as in the control system. [14C]Formycin was incorporated into the 4.5S precursors but not into 4S tRNA. These findings suggest that the inhibition of tRNA synthesis by formycin is due to the existence of some degradation mechanisms of formycin-containing 4.5S precursor RNA's and the failure to process them into normal 4S tRNA.


Adenosine transport, erythrocyte deformability and microvascular dysfunction: an unrecognized potential role for dipyridamole therapy.
Reperfusion injury and no-reflow phenomenon are known entities that contribute to persistent impairment in myocardial perfusion and regional myocardial dysfunction following restoration of epicardial coronary blood flow after a myocardial infarction. Following prolonged ischemia, oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated alterations in erythrocyte mechanics and microvascular architecture play a major role in ischemia/reperfusion injury and no-reflow phenomenon. An increase in red cell rigidity is an important rheological aspect of RBCs, which facilitates platelet aggregation with the subendothelium. Dipyridamole inhibits the reuptake of adenosine which causes platelet inhibition and vasodilatation. Dipyridamole improves microvascular function by increasing RBC deformability and reducing blood viscosity. In addition, it has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that provide protection to the microvasculature. This review discusses the potential role for dipyridamole therapy in the treatment of microvascular dysfunction.


[Effectiveness of balneotherapy in patients with neurasthenia using baths of mineral water under conditions of low-mountain health-resort Nunisi].
Total of 118 patients with neurasthenia were investigated. Among them in 62 persons a hypersthenic form and in 56 -- a hyposthenic form of the pathology were noted. It has been established that balneotherapy using baths of mineral water, which is low-mineralised weakly sulfide, chloride-hydrocarbonate mineral sodic water under conditions of low-mountain health-resort Nunisi induces a decrease right up to disappearance of complaints and pathological changes in neurological status in patients with mentioned pathology. At the same time it improves indices of perception, attention and memory, state of vegetative nervous system and functional state of the brain, has a normalising action on the indices of cardiohemodynamics and lipid metabolism as well as on the excretion with urine of adrenaline and noradrenaline, neutral 17-ketosteroids, free and total 17-oxicorticosteroids. Mentioned positive shifts were more pronounced at hypersthenic form of neurasthenia. The treatment carried on had a positive influence in 62 (100%) patients with hypersthenic form of neurasthenia and in 51 (91,07%) -- with hyposthenic form.


Immediate early and early lytic cycle proteins are frequent targets of the Epstein-Barr virus-induced cytotoxic T cell response.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a human gamma-herpesvirus, can establish both nonproductive (latent) and productive (lytic) infections. Although the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to latently infected cells is well characterized, very little is known about T cell controls over lytic infection; this imbalance in our understanding belies the importance of virus-replicative lesions in several aspects of EBV disease pathogenesis. The present work shows that the primary CD8+ CTL response to EBV in infectious mononucleosis patients contains multiple lytic antigen-specific reactivities at levels at least as high as those seen against latent antigens; similar reactivities are also detectable in CTL memory. Clonal analysis revealed individual responses to the two immediate early proteins BZLF1 and BRLF1, and to three (BMLF1, BMRF1, and BALF2) of the six early proteins tested. In several cases, the peptide epitope and HLA-restricting determinant recognized by these CTLs has been defined, one unusual feature being the number of responses restricted through HLA-C alleles. The work strongly suggests that EBV-replicative lesions are subject to direct CTL control in vivo and that immediate early and early proteins are frequently the immunodominant targets. This contrasts with findings in alpha- and beta-herpesvirus systems (herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus) where viral interference with the antigen-processing pathway during lytic infection renders immediate early and early proteins much less immunogenic. The unique capacity of gamma-herpesvirus to amplify the viral load in vivo through a latent growth-transforming infection may have rendered these agents less dependent upon viral replication as a means of successfully colonizing their hosts.


Termination of seizures by ictal transcranial focal cortex stimulation.
Whereas high-level evidence exists on chronic neuromodulatory effects of different brain stimulation approaches in reducing seizure frequency, evidence for acute antiseizure effects of electrical brain stimulation during seizures is sparse. As part of an ongoing trial, we implanted a patient with a novel focal cortex stimulation (FCS) device with a Laplacian electrode placed over a precentral focal cortical dysplasia. The baseline seizure frequency was 125 per month, consisting of (i) focal aware sensory seizures that invariably progressed to uni- or bilateral tonic contraction and clonic jerking, and (ii) primary motor seizures. Besides an overall reduction in seizure frequency, on-demand stimulation had an immediate effect on seizures with a sensory phase, whereby 63%-86% of these seizures were terminated by ictal stimulation. These observations provide the first evidence that ictal self-triggered transcranial focal cortex stimulation can significantly interfere with the progression of seizure semiology.


Long-term follow-up outcome of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
The long-term outcome of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been reported. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term survival of patients with unresectable HCC after RFA and to identify possible factors that might affect survival. In this prospective study, 65 patients with unresectable HCC who underwent RFA were followed. A total of 84 RFA operations were performed percutaneously (n = 49), laparoscopically (n = 20), or by open surgery (n = 15), to ablate 191 tumors. Twenty-two patients died within 16 months; otherwise, the follow-up period was at least 16 months, up to 71 months, with median 20.0 months and mean (+/- standard deviation) 24.8 +/- 18.4 months for all patients. Local tumor recurrence developed in 12 of 191 tumors (6.3%) in 11 of 84 operations (13.1%), or 11 of 65 patients (16.9%). New liver and/or extrahepatic recurrence developed in 48 operations (57.1%). The overall median, mean, and 5-year survivals were 40.0 months, 33.7 +/- 2.9 months, and 39.9%. The disease-free survivals were 16.0 month, 32.9 +/- 3.0 months, and 27.9%. Factors that had a significant effect on survival outcome after RFA were TNM cancer stage and the operative approach method employed for RFA. Age, gender, race, etiology, alpha-fetoprotein, previous or subsequent treatment, and liver function (Child-Pugh class) did not affect survival. For patients with unresectable HCC, RFA is an effective and repeatable local treatment that can afford long-term survival, although often with disease recurrence.


Estimation of the developmental age of the ovine fetus and lamb.
Fifty-six fetuses and 33 lambs were obtained from a flock of ewes at set gestational intervals between 50 to 180 days after conception. The fetuses and lambs were killed, disected and the sizes and weights of a wide range of skeletal and soft tissues were measured. Five morphological parameters emerged as most suitable for the determination of normal foetal developmental age. By plotting the mean value and ninety-five per cent tolerance limits, the rates of growth and the variability of each parameter were studied. Crown-anus length is useful for determining fetal developmental age from 50 to 100 days gestation; brain weight, long bone length and the number of appendicular ossification centres can be used to determine fetal development age from 50 days gestation until term.


Does a Supplemental Low-Protein Diet Decrease Mortality and Adverse Events After Commencing Dialysis? A Nationwide Cohort Study.
A beneficial effect of a ketoanalogue-supplemented low-protein diet (sLPD) in postponing dialysis has been demonstrated in numerous previous studies. However, evidence regarding its effect on long-term survival is limited. Our study assessed the long-term outcomes of patients on an sLPD after commencing dialysis. This retrospective study examined patients with new-onset end-stage renal disease with permanent dialysis between 2001 and 2013, extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients who received more than 3 months of sLPD treatment in the year preceding the start of dialysis were extracted. The outcomes studied were all-cause mortality, infection rate, and major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). After propensity score matching, the sLPD group (n = 2607) showed a lower risk of all-cause mortality (23.1% vs. 27.6%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70⁻0.84), MACCEs (19.2% vs. 21.5%, HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78⁻0.94), and infection-related death (9.9% vs. 12.5%, HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67⁻0.87) than the non-sLPD group did. We found that sLPD treatment might be safe without long-term negative consequences after dialysis treatment.


Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage Among School Girls in a Demonstration Project - Botswana, 2013.
What is already known on this topic? Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common and aggressive in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). With an HIV prevalence of 28% among females aged 15–49, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Botswana. Before 2013, HPV vaccine had not been used in the public sector in Botswana.What is added by this report? Efforts to expand services for cervical cancer through the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative focused on HPV-related disease in Botswana. A demonstration project for HPV vaccination was developed by the Ministry of Health for school girls aged ≥9 years in primary schools in one community. A total of 1,967 (79%) of 2,488 eligible girls received 3 doses of vaccine in the immunization effort that was centered in schools.What are the implications for public health practice? Preventing HPV infection in girls is an important component of a national comprehensive cervical cancer control program. HPV vaccination programming is challenging, and demonstration projects can prepare countries for national introduction. The success of the initial HPV vaccination effort in Botswana led to an expanded project in 2014, with implementation of nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine in 2015. It might be beneficial for future HPV vaccination campaigns to include strategies to reach out-of-school girls.


Study on the dynamic compound structure composed of mast cells, blood vessels, and nerves in rat acupoint.
Background. Circulation system, immunity system, and nervous system have a close relationship with meridian phenomen. However, there is still lack of the results of dynamic changes of these structures in acupoint. The aim of this study is to explore the interrelationship by composite staining techniques. Methodology/Principal Findings. Twenty rats were separated into electroacupuncture group (EA) and control group (Con) randomly. In EA group, the Zusanli and Weishu were stimulated with the 0.1 mA for 25 min. The tissue of these acupoints was double-stained with acetylcholinesterase and Toluidine blue. The compound structure of mast cells, nervous fibers, and mast cells in the acupoint was observed. Conclusions/Significance. The blood vessels, mast cells and acetylcholinesterase responded nerves were clearly observed in acupoint tissues. EA can result in the mast cell recruitment and migration along the blood vessels and nervous bundle, which conformed the dynamic compound structure and played important roles in acupuncture.


Retraction notice.
At the request of the Journal Editor and the Publisher, the following article has been retracted. Sajid M.S. Bioethics and Medical Education. Scottish Medical Journal 2008; 53(2): 62-63. DOI: 10.1258/rsmsmj.53.2.62 The above paper has substantial unreferenced overlap to the following paper: Jafarey A.M. Bioethics and Medical Education. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association 2003; 53 (6): 210-214.


Estimating speech threshold from the PI-PB function.
Speech thresholds were determined from the performance intensity function for phonetically balanced (PB) words in 2,117 patients with varying types and degrees of hearing loss. Comparison of this threshold for PB words (PBT) with both pure-tone sensitivity (PTA) and the conventional threshold for spondee words (ST) shows that PBT not only provides a cross-check on pure-tone level, but also conveys additional information about audiometric contour.


Pulmonary hypertension in polycythemia vera.
Thromboembolic events occur in about 27% of the patients with polycythemia vera and account for 31% of the deaths. These include cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular occlusions, pulmonary infarctions, and venous thrombosis. We report two cases with polycythemia vera who presented with pulmonary hypertension in the absence of previous thromboembolic complications of any kind. One patient died suddenly, with evidence of extensive bilateral thrombosis of prelobular pulmonary arteries at autopsy. In the second patient, local thrombosis in the pulmonary vasculature or recurrent silent pulmonary emboli appear to be responsible for the development of pulmonary hypertension. After institution of anticoagulant therapy, he is able to maintain his functional status. The purpose of this report is to alert clinicians to the development of this insidious, but potentially fatal complication in patients with polycythemia vera.


Potent inhibition of TGF-β signaling pathway regulator Abl: potential therapeutics for hepatic fibrosis.
Hepatic fibrosis is overly exuberant wound healing in which excessive connective tissue builds up in the liver. The treatment of hepatic fibrosis is still difficult and remains a challenge to the clinician. In recent years, the TGF-β signaling pathway regulator tyrosine kinase Abl has been raised as a new and promising target of hepatic fibrosis therapy. Here, considering that there are numerous drugs and drug-like compounds being approved or under clinical development and experimental investigation, it is expected that some of the existing drugs can be re-exploited as new agents to target Abl with the capability of suppressing hepatic fibrosis. To achieve this, a synthetic protocol that integrated molecular docking, affinity scoring dynamics simulation and free energy analysis was described to systematically profile the inhibitory potency of various drugs and drug-like compounds against the kinase domain of Abl. Consequently, 4 out of 13 tested drug candidates were successfully identified to have high-Abl inhibitory activities. By visually examining the dynamics behavior, structural basis and energetic property of few typical Abl-drug complex cases, a significantly different pattern of non-bonded interactions between the binding of active and inactive drug ligands to Abl receptor was revealed; the former is defined by strong, specific chemical forces, while the latter can only form non-specific hydrophobic contacts with slight atomic collisions.


Molecular diversity of benthic ctenophores (Coeloplanidae).
Coeloplanidae, the largest family of benthic ctenophores, comprises 33 species, all described based on traditional morphological characteristics, such as coloration, length, and number of aboral papillae, which are highly variable and can be affected by fixation methods and environmental conditions. Thus, there is a need for reliable genetic markers to complement the morphological identifications at the species level. Here, we analyzed 95 specimens from 11 morphologically distinct species of benthic ctenophores from the Red Sea and Sulu Sea, and tested selected regions of four genetic markers (ITS1, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and COI) for their ability to differentiate between species. We show that the barcoding region of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), is highly variable among species of Coeloplanidae, and effectively discriminates between species in this family. The average Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distance between species-level clades was 10%, while intraspecific variation was ~30 times lower (0.36%). COI-based phylogeny supported the delineation of four recently described new species from the Red Sea. The other nuclear markers tested were found to be too conserved in order to separate between species. We conclude that COI is a potential molecular barcode for the family Coeloplanidae and suggest to test it in pelagic ctenophores.


HIV status and sociodemographic correlates of maternal body size and wasting during pregnancy.
To examine HIV status and sociodemographic variables as correlates of body size (height, body mass index (BMI), and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC)) and wasting (MUAC <22 cm) in pregnant women. Cross-sectional study. Four antenatal clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Women presenting for first prenatal visit before the 23rd week of gestation, between April 1995 and July 1997 (n=13 760). Mean MUAC, BMI and height were 25.5 cm, 23.5 kg/m(2) and 155.1 cm, respectively. The prevalence of HIV infection was 13.1% and the overall prevalence of wasting was 4.7%. Wasting was 34% (95% CI=3%, 73%) more prevalent among HIV-infected than in uninfected mothers, after adjusting for week of gestation, height and sociodemographic indicators. The risk of wasting associated with HIV infection was highest among women with low level of education or unable to contribute to the household income. From a multiple linear regression model, BMI was positively associated with mother's age, level of education and money spent on food, but not with HIV infection, after adjusting for week of gestation. In multivariate analysis, height increased monotonically by categories of maternal age and level of education, and was also positively correlated with the ability to contribute to household income, the amount of money spent on food per person per day, and having a professional partner. HIV infection is a significant risk factor for wasting among pregnant women, particularly in groups of low socioeconomic status (SES). SES indicators are strongly correlated with maternal height and with BMI during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy independently of HIV status. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD R01 32257), and the Fogarty International Center (NIH D43 TW00004).


Auricular reconstruction of congenital microtia using autogenous costal cartilage: report of 27 cases.
Total auricular reconstruction in congenital lobule type microtia is one of the most challenging problems faced by a reconstructive surgeon as it demands precise surgical technique combined with artistic creativity. Ear reconstruction requires carefully planned procedures. We present a simple method for auricular reconstruction consisting of three stages. The first stage is carving the cartilage framework from the costal cartilages of 6th, 7th and 8th ribs, lobule transposition and insertion in a skin pocket. The second stage is performed 5 months later to elevate the ear framework using a full thickness skin graft and a cartilage spare part. The third stage is done after 3-4 months later to give finer detail to the reconstructed ear. This method was used in 27 patients with lobule type microtia. The results of the reconstructed auricles in 27 patients were satisfactory with good aesthetic balance. The complications ranged from small localized skin infection treated with topical and oral antibiotics to catastrophic loss of the skin pocket and the framework. Although various donor sites have been used for harvesting the cartilage, only costal cartilage provides a substantial source for fabricating total ear framework. The cosmetic outcome and least complication results in our series support this conclusion.


Bumetanide: radioimmunoassay and pharmacokinetic profile in humans.
A simple, specific, and sensitive radioimmunoassay was developed for the determination of the diuretic bumetanide in plasma and urine. Antiserum to bumetanide was obtained from rabbits immunized with an immunogen prepared by covalently coupling the glycine conjugate of bumetanide to bovine serum albumin. Following extraction of the sample at pH 5.5 with ether, radioimmunoassay of the residue from the ether extract allows for the determination of bumetanide with a limit of sensitivity of about 1 ng/ml using 0.1 ml of plasma or urine. The specificity of the radioimmunoassay was established by comparison with specific radiometric and spectrofluorometric techniques. The pharmacokinetic profile of bumetanide in eight human subjects receiving single 2-mg oral doses of the drug was elucidated using the radioimmunoassay. The peak plasma levels ranged from 39 to 50 ng/ml at 1-4 hr after administration and declined with a mean apparent half-life of 1.17 hr. The mean plasma clearance rate was calculated to be 255 ml/min. During the first 24 hr, a mean of 43% of the bumetanide dose was excreted in the urine as intact drug.


Nationwide Statistical Analysis of Lymphoid Malignancies in Korea.
Regional differences in the incidence of lymphoid malignancies have been reported worldwide, but there has been no large-scale epidemiologic analysis in Korea. The aim of this study was to provide a nationwide population-based statistical analysis of Korean patients with lymphoid malignancies. The Korea Central Cancer Registry analyzed the incidence and survival of patients with lymphoid malignancies from the Korean National Cancer Incidence Database. Diseases were grouped by clinically relevant categories based on the 2008 World Health Organization classification. Overall 65,948 lymphoid diseases were identified between 1999 and 2012. The incidence of most subtypes increased with age, except for precursor cell neoplasms. Male predominance (male:female ratio=1.28:1) was observed. In 2012, annual age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 persons of Hodgkin's lymphoma, mature B-cell neoplasm, mature T/natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasm, and precursor cell neoplasm were 0.46, 6.60, 0.95, and 1.50, respectively, and they increased yearly from 1999. Composite Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were extremely rare. Survival improvement estimated using 5-year relative survival rate was observed in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (71.1%-83.0%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (49.5%-61.5%), plasma cell neoplasms (20.2%-36.9%), and lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (41.5%-56.3%) between 1993 and 2012. However, survival rates of T/NK-cell lymphoma (excluding cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) ranged from 40.5%-43.5% during the study period. Survival rates decreased with age in most subtypes. This report presented the subtype-specific statistical analysis of lymphoid malignancies in the Korean population, showing increasing incidences and survival rates in most subtypes.


Mechanotransductive Mechanisms of Biomimetic Hydrogel Cues Modulating Meckel's Cartilage Degeneration.
Meckel's cartilage, a cartilage rod present in the mandible during developmental stages, shows a unique developmental fate: while the anterior and posterior portions undergo ossification, the middle part degenerates. Previously, it was shown that a stiff environment promoted cartilage degeneration in the middle region, while a soft environment enhanced the mineralization in the anterior region of Meckel's cartilage. This study aims to elucidate the spatio-temporal changes in the mechanosensing properties of Meckel's cartilage during its early developmental stages and clarify the mechanotransduction-related mechanisms involved in its degeneration. The results show that the expression of Hippo pathway effector yes-associated protein (YAP) is only detectable in the Meckel's cartilage onward embryonic day (E)14.5, indicating that mechanosensing is dependent on the tissue developmental stage. Consistently, microenvironmental stiffness-induced cartilage degeneration can only be induced in cartilages onward E14.5, but not in those at earlier developmental stages. Expressions of integrin-β1 and cartilage matrix-degrading enzymes, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and MMP-13, are significantly enhanced in the degeneration area. Moreover, verteporfin (YAP inhibitor) and integrin-β1 antibody block the substrate stiffness-induced degeneration by suppressing the expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-13. These data provide new insights into the interplay between biochemical and mechanical cues determining the fate of Meckel's cartilage.


Calibration and equivalency analysis of image plate scanners.
A universal procedure was developed to calibrate image plate scanners using radioisotope sources. Techniques to calibrate scanners and sources, as well as cross-calibrate scanner models, are described to convert image plate dosage into physical units. This allows for the direct comparison of quantitative data between any facility and scanner. An empirical relation was also derived to establish sensitivity response settings for arbitrary gain settings. In practice, these methods may be extended to any image plate scanning system.


Effects of Experimental Lead Exposure on Testis of the Chestnut Capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus.
Lead (Pb) effects on testis histology, as well as sperm quality and oxidative status were evaluated in male Chestnut Capped Blackbird (Chrysomus ruficapillus). Wild blackbirds were captured, immediately sampled (field group) or kept in captivity and treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of saline solution (control) or saline solution with Pb acetate (50 or 100 mg/kg Pb). Seven days after injection, whole blood, ductus deferens and testis samples were collected. Increased Pb concentrations were observed in whole blood and testis of Pb-exposed blackbirds with respect to those from field and control blackbirds. Sperm cells of Pb-exposed blackbirds showed loss of membrane integrity, mitochondrial functionality, and DNA integrity. Also, oxidative damage was observed in testis of blackbirds injected with 100 mg/kg Pb. These findings indicate that Pb is accumulated in testis of C. ruficapillus, inducing severe morphological and biochemical injury that can compromise the reproductive performance of male blackbirds. Although the exposure scenario (Pb acetate, high dosage and intraperitoneal injection) tested in the present study would likely not occur in the wild, it was adequate to show potential and relevant toxic effects of Pb in wild birds.


Hereditary nephritis (Alport's syndrome) in a new kindred.
A new kindred with Alport's syndrome is presented with the clinical and historical data permitting diagnosis. History of family members with nephritis and oto-ophthalmologic anomalies in the presence of nephritis in a given patient continues to be the strongest clue to Alport's syndrome. As the disease is one of the few in which life-threatening renal failure can be thus predicted, increased emphasis on diagnosis is urged in place of casually categorizing these patients together with those who have Bright's disease. Public Law 92-603 is a mandata from the public for physicians to exercise every avenue of diagnosis and salvage for the nephritic patient. Alport's syndrome with nephritis represents an opportunity to plan for eventual dialysis and renal transplantation.


Long non-coding RNA deep sequencing reveals the role of macrophage in liver disorders.
Liver disorders such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are a series of the most life threatening diseases along with extensive inflammatory cellular infiltrations. Macrophage has been proved to be key regulators and initiators of inflammation, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recommended to play critical roles in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. To uncover the role of macrophage in liver disorders via lncRNA sequencing method, we first applied a lncRNA classification pipeline to identify 1247 lncRNAs represented on the Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430/430A 2.0 array. We then analyzed the lncRNA expression patterns in a set of previously published gene expression profiles of silica particle exposed macrophages and liver respectively, and identified and validated sets of differentially expressed lncRNAs shared by macrophages and liver. The functional enrichment analysis of these lncRNAs was processed on the basis of their expression signatures, three aspects including cis, trans and co-acting proteins were proposed. This is the first time to correlate macrophage with liver disorders via co-expressed lncRNAs. Our findings indicated that roles of macrophage in liver disorders were double-edged, the differentially expressed lncRNAs and their corresponding regulatory genes or proteins may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.


Sustainable restoration: the contribution of algae.
The application of algae to the most meaningful fields of our life, such as food, environment and energy, finds a further confirmation in the extension of this application to cultural heritage protection. In this letter, we present the results of a preliminary study testing how a polysaccharide extracted from algal matrix can restore degraded paper giving back it mechanical strength and chemical structure.


[Acetylation of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides and antioxidant activity of acetylated derivatives].
This study aims to acetylate Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides by acetic anhydride method, optimize process parameters and evaluate their antioxidant activity. With the degree of substitution(D_s) as a criterion, the effects of reaction time, acetic anhydride-to-polysaccharides ratio and temperature were investigated. Process parameters were optimized by single-factor experiment and response surface methodology. The infrared spectroscopy(IR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) proved the successful acetylation and were employed to preliminarily analyze the structural characteristics of acetylated derivatives. The results showed that the D_s was 0.327 under the optimal technological conditions, including m(acetic anhydride):m(R. glutinosa polysaccharides)=2.70, reaction time 3.0 h and temperature 48 ℃. Further, the antioxidant properties of acetylated derivatives were investigated in vitro and acetylation was found effective to improve the antioxidant activity of R. glutinosa polysaccharides. This study provides a reference for the further development and application of R. glutinosa polysaccharides.


Experience with unoperated cleft lip and palate patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital.
A review of 31 cases of unoperated cleft lip and palate patients aged 10 years and above managed over a 6 years period at a suburban Nigeria teaching hospital is presented. There was an overall preponderance of the female gender and isolated cleft lip (58%) was the most predominant. Although clefts were very wide on presentation, there was adequate well-developed soft tissue in adults to achieve a cosmetically and functionally acceptable repair. This study also confirms the views that late primary repair of facial cleft is less likely to produce impaired growth of the maxillaas is commonly observed in early repair. However, the advantages of early repair cannot be over-emphasized.


Rifamycins, Alone and in Combination.
Rifamycins inhibit RNA polymerase of most bacterial genera. Rifampicin remains part of combination therapy for treating tuberculosis (TB), and for treating Gram-positive prosthetic joint and valve infections, in which biofilms are prominent. Rifabutin has use for AIDS patients in treating mycobacterial infections TB and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), having fewer drug-drug interactions that interfere with AIDS medications. Rifabutin is occasionally used in combination to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (peptic ulcer disease). Rifapentine has yet to fulfill its potential in reducing time of treatment for TB. Rifaximin is a monotherapeutic agent to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and travelers' diarrhea. Rifaximin is confined to the GI tract because it is not systemically absorbed on oral dosing, achieving high local concentrations, and showing anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its antibacterial activity. Resistance issues are unavoidable with all the rifamycins when the bioburden is high, because of mutations that modify RNA polymerase.


The starting dates of COVID-19 multiple waves.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronavirus 2 spread globally very quickly, causing great concern at the international level due to the severity of the associated respiratory disease, the so-called COVID-19. Considering Rio de Janeiro city (Brazil) as an example, the first diagnosis of this disease occurred in March 2020, but the exact moment when the local spread of the virus started is uncertain as the Brazilian epidemiological surveillance system was not widely prepared to detect suspected cases of COVID-19 at that time. Improvements in this surveillance system occurred over the pandemic, but due to the complex nature of the disease transmission process, specifying the exact moment of emergence of new community contagion outbreaks is a complicated task. This work aims to propose a general methodology to determine possible start dates for the multiple community outbreaks of COVID-19, using for this purpose a parametric statistical approach that combines surveillance data, nonlinear regression, and information criteria to obtain a statistical model capable of describing the multiple waves of contagion observed. The dynamics of COVID-19 in the city of Rio de Janeiro is taken as a case study, and the results suggest that the original strain of the virus was already circulating in Rio de Janeiro city as early as late February 2020, probably being massively disseminated in the population during the carnival festivities.


Plant science. Biosynthesis, regulation, and domestication of bitterness in cucumber.
Cucurbitacins are triterpenoids that confer a bitter taste in cucurbits such as cucumber, melon, watermelon, squash, and pumpkin. These compounds discourage most pests on the plant and have also been shown to have antitumor properties. With genomics and biochemistry, we identified nine cucumber genes in the pathway for biosynthesis of cucurbitacin C and elucidated four catalytic steps. We discovered transcription factors Bl (Bitter leaf) and Bt (Bitter fruit) that regulate this pathway in leaves and fruits, respectively. Traces in genomic signatures indicated that selection imposed on Bt during domestication led to derivation of nonbitter cucurbits from their bitter ancestors.


Main Ustilaginoidins and Their Distribution in Rice False Smut Balls.
Rice false smut has become an increasingly serious fungal disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production worldwide. Ustilaginoidins are bis-naphtho-γ-pyrone mycotoxins previously isolated from the rice false smut balls (FSBs) infected by the pathogen Villosiclava virens in rice spikelets on panicles. To investigate the main ustilaginoidins and their distribution in rice FSBs, five main bis-naphtho-γ-pyrones, namely ustilaginoidins A (1), G (2), B (3), I (4) and C (5), were isolated and identified by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry as well as by comparison with the data in the literature. The rice FSBs at early, middle and late maturity stages were divided into their different parts and the contents of five main ustilaginoidins for each part were determined by HPLC analysis. The results revealed that the highest levels of ustilaginoidins were in late stage rice FSBs, followed by those at middle stage. Most ustilaginoidins, 96.4% of the total quantity, were distributed in the middle layer at early stage. However, ustilaginoidins were mainly distributed in the outer and middle layers at middle and late stages. Small amounts of ustilaginoidins A (1) and G (2) were found in the inner part of rice FSBs at each maturity stage. The contents of ustilaginoidins A (1) and G (2) without hydroxymethyl groups at C-2 and C-2' of the γ-pyrone rings in rice FSBs were relatively high at early stage, while the contents of ustilaginoidins B (3), I (4), and C (5) with hydroxymethyl groups at C-2 or C-2' were relatively high at late stage.


A murine model of allergy caused by American cockroach (CR), Periplaneta americana.
An animal model resembling the human immuno-pathological features of CR allergy is needed for CR allergy research, e.g., measuring allergenicity of novel allergens, testing immunotherapeutic efficacies of drugs and vaccines. In this study we develop a murine model of American CR, P. americana allergy. BALB/c mice, 6 weeks old, were individually intraperitoneally injected with three doses (days 0, 7 and 14) of alum adjuvanted-crude extract of P. americana. On days 21 and 23, they were given crude CR extract in PBS intranasally (10 microl) and aerosolically (10 ml) via an air-pressure nebulizer, respectively. Mice received alum alone and PBS instead of the CR extract served as non-allergenic controls. All mice were bled twenty four hours after the nebulization and sacrificed. Their serum samples, broncho-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and lung tissues were collected. BALF of all allergen-treated mice had marked cellular infiltration notably neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes. The average total cell count in BALF of the allergenic mice was 1.9 x 10(5) cells/ml which out-numbered those of the non-allergenic controls (8 x 10(4) cells/ml). The eosinophil infiltration was pronounced in lungs of the allergen-treated mice. Specific serum IgE to the CR extract elevated in serum samples of all allergen treated mice and nil in the sera of the controls. None of the mice showed detectable level of IgG2a to the CR extract. RT-PCR revealed that all allergen-treated mice had marked increase of IL-13, IL-4 and TNF-alpha gene expressions, slight increase of IL-5 gene expression, and absence of detectable IFN-gamma gene expression in comparison to the non-allergenic controls. None of the allergen-treated mice and 50% of the non-allergenic controls had IL-12 gene expression as detected by RT- PCR. One allergen treated-mouse (25%) had subpar level of the IL-18 gene expression compared to the controls. Results of the quantitative real-time PCR conformed to those of the RT-PCR. A murine model of P. americana resembling human allergic manifestations was successfully developed.


Can we guarantee the safety of genetically engineered organisms in the environment?
Concern about the safety of genetically engineered organisms in the environment arises from the undesirable results of earlier new technologies and introduced organisms. Progress towards safe release is complicated by the varied views of a diverse society, confusion of process and product, problems with existing methods, and the lack of practical experience with real releases. No categorically safe novel organisms exist, but a progressive series of releases should allow risks to be systematically reduced.