Effects of 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin on the myelin morphological changes and PSD-95 protein expression in Balb/c mice after sciatic nerve injury.
To investigate the effects of 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin on the myelin morphological changes and PSD-95 protein expression in mice with sciatic nerve injury, and to explore the relationship between PSD-95 protein and myelin regeneration after nerve myelin injury. One hundred twenty-seven male adult Balb/c mice were selected and randomly divided into high, medium and low 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin dose groups and blank control group. Anastomosis was then carried out for the amputated right sciatic nerve, and intraperitoneal injection of 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin was applied postoperatively. At weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8 after surgery, nervous tissues from the injury side were taken for immunohistochemical Luxol Fast Blue staining, so as to observe the morphological changes of the locally injured nerve myelin. Meanwhile, PSD-95 mRNA and protein expression were determined using real-time PCR and western blotting. The nerve myelin recovery in injury side of mice at all time points showed a definite dose-effect relationship with the dose of 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin. Moreover, 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin could inhibit the PSD-95 mRNA level and protein expression. At the same time, there was a dose-effect of the inhibition. 7,8-Dihydroxycoumarin can affect nerve recovery in mice with sciatic nerve injury, which shows a definite dose-effect relationship with its dose. Besides, PSD-95 protein expression can suppress the regeneration of the injured nerve myelin.


A Systematic review on Prevalence, Serotypes and Antibiotic resistance of Salmonella in Ethiopia, 2010-2022.
In Ethiopia, salmonellosis is one of the most common zoonotic and foodborne illnesses. Ethiopia continues to be at risk for its fast-expanding medication resistance. For the development of preventative and control methods, summarized knowledge regarding salmonellosis is necessary. Determining a thorough evaluation of the prevalence, serotypes, and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella in humans and animals from January 1, 2010, to December 30, 2022, in Ethiopia was our goal. To find Salmonella related articles that published in English, we used the Google Scholar and PubMed search engines. Three researchers conducted the eligible studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist, making sure to include the necessary keywords. If studies were duplicates, incomplete publications, or reported without an antimicrobial test were excluded. Excel 2013 was used to calculate frequencies and tabulate data. There were a total of 43 investigations from food handlers, diarrhoeic patients, and animals. The prevalence rates ranged from 1% to 10% and 1% to 13% among food handlers and diarrhoea patients, respectively. The highest prevalence was among pigs (41.6%). S. Anatum in animals and S. Typhimurium in people were the predominant serotypes. Amoxicillin and ampicillin were claimed to be 100% resistant in human studies. The highest recorded resistances for ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin were 16.7% and 100%, respectively. Animal studies revealed that Salmonella resistances to ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline were 100%, 90%, 86.4%, respectively. S. Kentucky showed complete resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and streptomycin. The prevalence of Salmonella among asymptomatic food handlers, diarrheal patients and animals were high in Ethiopia. S. Typhimurium that have the zoonotic importance was presented predominantly in human study. High levels of resistances were showed to tetracycline, ampicillin and streptomycin in animal studies. Salmonellosis prevention and control techniques should be strengthened.


Trends in sorption preconcentration combined with noble metal determination.
Nowadays much attention is being paid to the determination of trace amounts of noble metals in geological, industrial, biological and environmental samples. The most promising techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) are characterized by high sensitivity. However, the accurate determination of trace noble metals has been limited by numerous interferences generated from the presence of matrix elements. To decrease, or eliminate, these interferences, the sorption preconcentration of noble metals is often used prior to their instrumental detection. A great number of hyphenated methods of noble metal determination using sorption preconcentration have been developed. This review describes the basic types of available sorbents, preconcentration procedures and preparations of the sorbent to the subsequent determination of noble metals. The specific features of instrumental techniques and examples of ETAAS, FAAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS determinations after the sorption preconcentration of noble metals are considered. The references cited here were selected mostly from the period 1996 - 2006.


Effect of nicotine on human fetal blood flow.
Immediate maternal and fetal cardiovascular responses to different doses of nicotine and carbon monoxide were studied in 24 pregnant smokers. A noninvasive pulsed Doppler ultrasound technique was used for measuring fetal blood flow in the descending thoracic aorta, the intra-abdominal part of the umbilical vein, and in the umbilical artery. Maternal plasma concentrations of nicotine, carbon monoxide, and catecholamines were measured. Maternal heart rate, blood pressure, fetal heart rate, and fetal aortic and umbilical vein blood flow increased, while pulsatility indices of the fetal aortic and umbilical artery blood velocity waveforms decreased, with increasing maternal nicotine levels; all were unaffected by carbon monoxide. Catecholamine levels remained unaffected. These results seem to confirm that the maternal nicotine intake due to smoking has an immediate, dose-dependent effect on fetal blood flow.


Optical properties of WO3 thin films modeled by finite-difference time-domain and fabricated by glancing angle deposition.
Optical transmittance spectra between 1.55 eV (800 nm) and 3.10 eV (400 nm) of tungsten oxide (WO3) thin films nanostructured thanks to the Glancing Angle Deposition technique are investigated both experimentally and theoretically, as a function of geometrical parameters. A Finite-Difference Time-Domain code was used to numerically model the films structure and to calculate their optical properties. The corresponding optical index and porosity are considered. It is found that the optical index of columnar structures always follows Cauchy's law as a function of energy and is reduced as the incident angle increases (alpha = 0 to 80 degrees) from n633 = 2.2 to 1.98 for experimental data against 2.1 to 1.75 for those computed with the Finite-Difference Time-Domain code. For zigzag architectures, an increase of the zigzag number from 0.5 to 8, amplifies interference fringes and improves the measured refractive indices. It agrees with modeled optical characteristics since n633 increases from 2.18 to 2.30.


Congenital lung malformations: radiological findings and clues for differential diagnosis.
Congenital lung malformations encompass a wide spectrum of conditions with a broadly varying clinical presentation. They are often a source of morbidity in infants and children. Their management depends on the type of malformation and its clinical presentation. Usually, the diagnosis requires an imaging evaluation. Classifications of bronchopulmonary malformations have undergone significant revision in recent years and several theories have attempted to explain their confusing pathogenesis. There are considerable degrees of overlapping and hybrid conditions are common, with interrelated malformations showing various radiologic and pathologic features. Attending to the pathophysiological mechanisms and structures involved, lung malformations can be divided into three categories: bronchopulmonary anomalies, combined lung and vascular abnormalities, and vascular anomalies. The purpose of this article is to review the current imaging techniques for evaluating lung malformations in pediatric patients and their characteristic imaging findings. Moreover, this review discusses a useful classification and offers some clues to facilitate the differential diagnosis.


Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of an Automated Medication System Implemented in a Danish Hospital Setting.
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an automated medication system (AMS) implemented in a Danish hospital setting. An economic evaluation was performed alongside a controlled before-and-after effectiveness study with one control ward and one intervention ward. The primary outcome measure was the number of errors in the medication administration process observed prospectively before and after implementation. To determine the difference in proportion of errors after implementation of the AMS, logistic regression was applied with the presence of error(s) as the dependent variable. Time, group, and interaction between time and group were the independent variables. The cost analysis used the hospital perspective with a short-term incremental costing approach. The total 6-month costs with and without the AMS were calculated as well as the incremental costs. The number of avoided administration errors was related to the incremental costs to obtain the cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as the cost per avoided administration error. The AMS resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of errors in the intervention ward compared with the control ward. The cost analysis showed that the AMS increased the ward's 6-month cost by €16,843. The cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated at €2.01 per avoided administration error, €2.91 per avoided procedural error, and €19.38 per avoided clinical error. The AMS was effective in reducing errors in the medication administration process at a higher overall cost. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the AMS was associated with affordable cost-effectiveness rates.


Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in approaches in zebrafish.
With its variety of applications, the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology has been rapidly evolving in the last few years. In the zebrafish community, knock-out reports are constantly increasing but insertion studies have been so far more challenging. With this review, we aim at giving an overview of the homologous directed repair (HDR)-based knock-in generation in zebrafish. We address the critical points and limitations of the procedure such as cutting efficiency of the chosen single guide RNA, use of cas9 mRNA or Cas9 protein, homology arm size etc. but also ways to circumvent encountered issues with HDR insertions by the development of non-homologous dependent strategies. While imprecise, these homology-independent mechanisms based on non-homologous-end-joining (NHEJ) repair have been employed in zebrafish to generate reporter lines or to accurately edit an open reading frame by the use of intron-targeting modifications. Therefore, with higher efficiency and insertion rate, NHEJ-based knock-in seems to be a promising approach to target endogenous loci and to circumvent the limitations of HDR whenever it is possible and appropriate. In this perspective, we propose new strategies to generate cDNA edited or tagged insertions, which once established will constitute a new and versatile toolbox for CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-ins in zebrafish.


Stability in a measure of children's health locus of control.
Increased interest in children's health locus of control has precipitated continued examination of the psychometric properties of scales measuring this concept. The Children's Health Locus of Control scale (CHLC) was administered to more than 1,000 urban black students in each of four years across three grade levels: Year 1 - grades four-six to Year 4 - grades seven-nine. Factor analyses revealed five factors forming scales with acceptable reliability at each year. Students' beliefs that they have control over their own health increased as a function of age. Beliefs in self-control had low, negative correlations with measures of external control. Stability of CHLC and the relatively simple procedure (16 dichotomous items) suggest that, despite problems with wording of some items, CHLC is an appropriate and efficient measure for comparing cross-sectional and longitudinal samples in this age range.


Prenatal and postnatal growth and development of the foot and ankle.
The intent of this article is to present a detailed overview of the normal prenatal and postnatal development and growth of the lower limb with special emphasis on the ankle-foot complex. The effects of physiologic load and its components of duration, timing, and direction are discussed. The results of abnormal amount, timing, duration, or direction of load on the prenatal and postnatal human are discussed with examples of foot deformity provided for clarification. Principles of therapeutic force application for the reversal of deformity are formulated.


Analysis of gene expression profile microarray data in complex regional pain syndrome.
The aim of the present study was to predict key genes and proteins associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) using bioinformatics analysis. The gene expression profiling microarray data, GSE47603, which included peripheral blood samples from 4 patients with CRPS and 5 healthy controls, was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CRPS patients compared with healthy controls were identified using the GEO2R online tool. Functional enrichment analysis was then performed using The Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery online tool. Protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was subsequently performed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Genes database and analyzed with Cytoscape software. A total of 257 DEGs were identified, including 243 upregulated genes and 14 downregulated ones. Genes in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) family were most significantly differentially expressed. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that signaling pathways, including immune response, cell motion, adhesion and angiogenesis were associated with CRPS. PPI network analysis revealed that key genes, including early region 1A binding protein p300 (EP300), CREB‑binding protein (CREBBP), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, STAT5A and integrin α M were associated with CRPS. The results suggest that the immune response may therefore serve an important role in CRPS development. In addition, genes in the HLA family, such as HLA‑DQB1 and HLA‑DRB1, may present potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of CRPS. Furthermore, EP300, its paralog CREBBP, and the STAT family genes, STAT3 and STAT5 may be important in the development of CRPS.


A Human Case of Zoonotic Dog Tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum (Eucestoda: Dilepidiidae), in China.
We described a human case of zoonotic dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum (Eucestoda: Dilepidiidae), rarely occurring in China. The mother of a 17 month-old boy noted the appearance of small white and active worms over a month period in her son's feces, but the boy was asymptomatic except mild diarrhea. We observed 3 tapeworm proglottids resembling cucumber seeds in his stool sample. Microscopically, each proglottid had 2 genital pores, 1 on each lateral edge, and numerous egg capsules in the uterus. The patient was successfully treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel. Adult worms were recovered in the diarrheic stool after praziquantel treatment and purgation. His family had household pet dogs for several years, and he might have acquired the infection by ingestion of infected fleas of his pet dogs. A history of dog or cat pets and flea bites may be important clues to diagnosis of D. caninum infection. The infected pets should also be treated.


Application of fractal theory and fuzzy enhancement in ultrasound image segmentation.
The manuscript describes an ultrasound image segmentation technique based on the fractional Brownian motion (FBM) model. Here, the ultrasound images are first enhanced using a fuzzy-based technique, and later the FBM model is employed to obtain the fractal features used for segmentation. The novelty lies in combining the fuzzy-enhancement technique and FBM model, and further illustrating that fractal length-based segmentation provides better results than fractal dimension-based segmentation. Experimental results on ultrasound images of carotid artery clearly illustrate that the segmentation outputs obtained from fractal length are superior, and the high qualitative values of DSC, Precision, Recall and F1 score (0.9617, 0.9629, 0.9653 and 0.9641 respectively), together with a low value of APD (1.9316), indicate that the proposed method is comparable to other state-of-the-art segmentation techniques. Graphical abstract Summary of proposed technique - overall design flow.


Mechanosensing by Vascular Endothelium.
Mechanical forces influence different cell types in our bodies. Among the earliest forces experienced in mammals is blood movement in the vascular system. Blood flow starts at the embryonic stage and ceases when the heart stops. Blood flow exposes endothelial cells (ECs) that line all blood vessels to hemodynamic forces. ECs detect these mechanical forces (mechanosensing) through mechanosensors, thus triggering physiological responses such as changes in vascular diameter. In this review, we focus on endothelial mechanosensing and on how different ion channels, receptors, and membrane structures detect forces and mediate intricate mechanotransduction responses. We further highlight that these responses often reflect collaborative efforts involving several mechanosensors and mechanotransducers. We close with a consideration of current knowledge regarding the dysregulation of endothelial mechanosensing during disease. Because hemodynamic disruptions are hallmarks of cardiovascular disease, studying endothelial mechanosensing holds great promise for advancing our understanding of vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 86 is February 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


Impaired renal kallikrein activity and elevated blood pressure normalized by orally applied kallikrein in essential hypertension.
Urinary kallikrein excretion was significantly lower in patients with essential hypertension (0.48 +/- 0.05 EU/24 h) than in normotensive controls (1.26 +/- 0.14 EU/24 h). Oral administration of hog pancreatic kallikrein normalized decreased urinary kallikrein and reduced arterial pressure. The treatment-induced rise in urinary kallikrein was due to an enhanced release of endogenous enzyme, as was determined by radioimmunoassay. It is proposed that in the hypertensive patients the low urinary kallikrein excretion reflects a defect in renal kallikrein formation which is normalized by oral kallikrein. The hypotensive action of oral kallikrein, as well as its stimulating effects on renal kallikrein release, suggest that the kallikrein-kinin system is involved in blood pressure regulation and that impaired renal kallikrein activity may be a factor in the maintenance of essential hypertension.


A soluble cryogenic thermometer with high sensitivity based on excited-state configuration transformations.
Cryogenic temperature detection plays an irreplaceable role in exploring nature. Developing high sensitivity, accurate, observable and convenient measurements of cryogenic temperature is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for the thermometer field. The small molecule 9-(9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-3yl)-14-phenyl-9,14-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine (FIPAC) in 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) solution is utilized for the detection of cryogenic temperature with a wide range from 138 K to 343 K. This system possesses significantly high sensitivity at low temperature, which reaches as high as 19.4% K(-1) at 138 K. The temperature-dependent ratio of the dual emission intensity can be fitted as a single-exponential curve as a function of temperature. This single-exponential curve can be explained by the mechanism that the dual emission feature of FIPAC results from the excited-state configuration transformations upon heating or cooling, which is very different from the previously reported mechanisms. Here, our work gives an overall interpretation for this mechanism. Therefore, application of FIPAC as a cryogenic thermometer is experimentally and theoretically feasible.


Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Gene Expression Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Gestational Diabetes.
Selenium is known to exert multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out among 40 subjects diagnosed with GDM aged 18-40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 200 μg/day selenium supplements (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 6 weeks. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and VEGF were assessed in lymphocytes of GDM women with RT-PCR method. Results of RT-PCR indicated that after the 6-week intervention, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.02) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.01), and upregulated gene expression of VEGF (P = 0.03) in lymphocytes of patients with GDM. There was no statistically significant change following supplementation with selenium on gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 in lymphocytes of subjects with GDM. Selenium supplementation for 6 weeks in women with GDM significantly decreased gene expression of TNF-α and TGF-β, and significantly increased gene expression of VEGF, but did not affect gene expression of IL-1β and IL-8. Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir : IRCT201612045623N95.


Biotransformation of benzaldehyde by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: characterization of the fermentation and toxicity effects of substrates and products.
Although higher initial rates of phenylacetyl carbinol formation were observed in fermentations containing a high starting benzaldehyde level, a massive reduction in yeast viability was observed resulting in early cessation of production formation. Pulse feeding to maintain lower benzaldehyde concentrations resulted in a lower initial reaction rate, but prolonged yeast viability and the biotransformation. This resulted in higher overall product tilers. As benzaldehyde concentration was increased, yeast growth rate was reduced (0.5 g/L), inhibited (1-2 g/L), or cell viability reduced (3 g/L). Benzaldehyde appeared to alter the cell permeability barrier to substrates and products. Reductions in yeast biomass levels and especially protein and lipid content were observed during the biotransformation. The effects of benzaldehyde and reaction products on yeast pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase stability were determined. Homogenized yeast cells produced similar phenylacetyl carbinol levels to whole yeast only if supplemented with thiamine pyrophosphate and magnesium.


Genetic analysis of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase regulated degradation.
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase degradation occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum, and is regulated by the mevalonate pathway. In order to discover the molecules that mediate the degradation process and its control, we conducted a genetic analysis of the degradation of the yeast Hmg2p isozyme of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Hmg2p degradation occurs by the action of HRD genes that direct Hmg2p to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Regulation of HRD-dependent Hmg2p degradation appears to occur by the action of a separate set of CRD genes.


European survey on valvular heart disease clinical experience from the European Society of Cardiology council on valvular heart disease.
The aim of this survey is to analyze how current recommendations on valvular heart disease (VHD) management have been adopted. Identifying potential discrepancies between recommendations and everyday clinical practice would enable us to better understand and address the remaining challenges in this controversial and complex field. A total of 33 questions, distributed via email to all European Society of Cardiology (ESC) affiliated countries through the newsletter of the ESC council on VHD, were answered by 689 respondents, mainly from tertiary care settings. The results of this survey showed that VHD patients are mostly managed by tertiary care centres, where multi-disciplinary heart teams are frequently a reality. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is often used in the preprocedural planning of transcatheter interventions, particularly for sizing and deliverability assessment. Echocardiography represents the most widely used imaging modality in the diagnostic, intra-operative and follow-up phase of VHD patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is still largely underused, also for conditions such as mitral annular disjunction, or for the assessment of left ventricle volumes where it is considered as the gold standard, despite 3D volumes by echocardiography having proved good comparability with CMR. As for endocarditis, despite still underused, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) represents the approach of choice for the diagnosis of native and prosthesis valve endocarditis (up to 46% of the respondents use it). In this context, positron emission tomography-CT is largely underused. There is widespread adoption of current recommendation on the evaluation of VHD and these are frequently used to guide patient management. Nonetheless, there are still many discrepancies across centres and countries which need to be addressed with the aim of improving patients' management and outcomes and ultimately positively impacting on healthcare resources.


Influence of selenocyanate ligands on the transition temperature and cooperativity of bapbpy-based Fe(II) spin-crossover compounds.
Coordination of the ligand bapbpy (1, bapbpy = N,N'-di(pyrid-2-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-diamine), of one of its four dimethyl-substituted analogues 2-5 (R2bapbpy = N,N'-di(methylpyrid-2-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-diamine), or of one of its three bis(iso)quinoline analogues 6-8 (R2bapbpy= N,N'-di(quinolyl)-2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-diamine), to Fe(NCSe)2, afforded eight new iron(II) compounds of the type [Fe(R2bapbpy)(NCSe)2] (9-16). Three of these compounds (11, 13, and 16) were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, which showed similar molecular geometry and packing compared to their thiocyanate analogues. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for all iron compounds and revealed thermal spin-crossover (SCO) behavior for compounds 9, 11, 13, 15, and 16. Compounds 11, 13, 15, and 16 show an increased transition temperature compared to the thiocyanate analogues. [Fe(bapbpy)(NCSe)2] (9) shows a gradual, one-step SCO, whereas its thiocyanate analogue [Fe(bapbpy)(NCS)2] is known for its cooperative two-step SCO. To discuss the influence of S-to-Se substitution on the cooperativity of the SCO, heat capacity measurements were carried out for compounds 9, 11, 13, 15, and 16, and fitted to the Sorai domain model. The number n of like-spin SCO centers per interacting domain, which is a quantitative measure of the cooperativity of the spin transition, was found to be high for compounds 11 and 15, and low for compounds 9, 11, and 13. Compound 15 is one of the few known SCO compounds that is more cooperative than its thiocyanate analogue. Altogether, X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, and magnetic data give a consistent structure-property relationship for this family of compounds: hydrogen-bonding networks made of intermolecular N-H···Se interactions are of paramount importance for the cooperativity of the SCO.


IgA- and IgG-class antihuman umbilical cord antibody tests in adult coeliac disease.
An antiendomysium antibody test using human umbilical cord as antigen has recently been introduced. We determined IgA- and IgG-class antihuman umbilical cord (HUC-ab), antireticulin (ARA), and antigliadin antibodies (AGA) in 92 untreated adult coeliac patients, in 95 non-coeliac subjects, and in 4 coeliac patients with selective IgA deficiency. Tissue antibodies were measured with an indirect immunofluorescence method and AGA with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of adult coeliac patients 85% were positive for IgA-class HUC-ab, 78% were positive for ARA, and 80% for AGA; the specificity for HUC-ab and ARA was 100%, and for AGA 86%. Combination of HUC-ab, ARA, and high-titre AGA increased the sensitivity to 96% without loss of specificity. IgG-class HUC-ab was positive in 12% of coeliac patients, in all four coeliac patients with IgA deficiency, and in none of the controls. The HUC-ab test is highly specific but not 100% sensitive for detecting adult coeliac disease. A combination of the IgA-class HUC-ab, ARA, and high-titre AGA tests is recommended. In selective IgA deficiency the IgG-class HUC-ab test seems to work well.


Aneurysms of Peripancreatic Arterial Arcades Coexisting with Celiac Trunk Stenosis or Occlusion: Single Institution Experience.
Introduction. True aneurysms of peripancreatic arterial arcades (PAAAs) are rare. Most of them coexist with celiac axis stenosis/occlusion due to median arcuate ligament (MAL) compression or atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cause of celiac axis lesion and characterize the anatomy of the aneurysms. These findings may have important management implications. Material and Methods. A retrospective analysis of 15 patients with true PAAAs was performed. The diagnosis was established by contrast-enhanced CT, using a 64-MDCT scanner. We evaluated the most probable cause of celiac axis lesion. Aneurysms were characterized by their number, location, size, and morphology. Location of the aneurysms was classified either as pancreaticoduodenal arteries (PDA) or as dorsal pancreatic arteries (DPA) as they may represent different collateral pathways between superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk. Results. A total of 32 true PAAAs were identified. Celiac trunk was occluded in 12 patients and critically narrowed in 3 patients. Celiac axis lesion was categorized as secondary to MAL compression in 14 cases and due to atherosclerosis in 1 case. The most common location of the aneurysms was inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries. Only in 1 case aneurysms involved both PDA and DPA. Conclusions. Coexistence of PAAAs with celiac axis compression as well as involvement of either PDAs or DPAs has important therapeutic implications. The uninvolved collateral pathway may be sufficient to preserve effective circulation in celiac trunk branches in case of resection or embolization of the aneurysms. However, further studies are crucial to confirm our findings.


[Violence towards elderly persons].
Elder abuse is a common problem that affects 5% of the geriatric population. Authors describe many types of elder abuse: physical, emotional, financial and neglect (passive or active). The elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population in France. Consequently, the number of cases will likely increase as the geriatric population grows. Elder abuse receives less attention so only a few of these cases are reported. Elder abuse involves a complicated relationship among an individual's medical problems, social situation, and ability to function in the environment. The victims show typical risk factors such as living with the abuser, dependence on care, and cognitive impairment. The abusers live frequently in social isolation. Abuse is correlated with the emotional and financial dependence of the caregivers on their victims. Physicians are in ideal position to recognise, manage and help prevent elder mistreatment and neglect. To comprehensively evaluate elder abuse, a multidisciplinary approach is vital. Assessment and management should focus on both the patient and the caregiver. Patients with immediate danger should be hospitalised for safety and elder abuse be reported to the public attorney.


Cholinergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms in human and guinea pig airways.
Electrical field stimulation (70 V, 1 ms, 0.2-500 Hz) of human bronchial strips and guinea pig tracheal chains produced contractile and relaxant responses. Contractions were blocked by atropine, 10(-6) M, and tetrodotoxin (TTX), 0.1-1.0 micrograms/ml, demonstrating a cholinergic excitatory neural component. Frequencies causing half-maximal contractile response to field stimulation (EFc 50) were 10 +/- 2 Hz for guinea pig and 13 +/- 1 Hz for human airways. Relaxations were unmasked by atropine 10(-6) M and slightly diminished by propranolol in guinea pig but not human airways, demonstrating a predominantly nonadrenergic inhibitory pathway in both species. Relaxation of intrinsic tone occurred at stimulation frequencies of 1 Hz or more. Frequencies causing half-maximal relaxation (EFi 50) were 3.5 +/- 0.3 Hz for guinea pig trachealis and 38 +/- 6 Hz for human bronchi. Following 1 microgram/ml TTX, EFi 50 values increased to 104 +/- 12 and 70 +/- 14 Hz, respectively. Frequencies of field stimulation that were inhibitable by TTX (less than or equal to 20 Hz) induced greater relaxation in guinea pig than human airways (70 vs. 10% of the maximal relaxation to 10(-2) M theophylline, respectively). The methods of analysis outlined in this study can be used to compare relative degrees of functional innervation between tissues from the same or different species.


The Correlation Between Pre-treatment Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Parameters and Clinical Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma.
To compare standardized uptake values (SUV) derived from pre-treatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging and clinical prognostic factors in pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Pre-treatment FDG PET/CT findings of 28 children with HL were evaluated in this retrospective study. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV), SUVmax normalized by weight (SUVweight), lean body mass (SUVlbm), body surface area (SUVbsa) and plasma glucose levels of tumors (SUVglucose) were calculated using pre-treatment FDG PET/CT scan images. These metabolic parameters were correlated with clinical factors [age, sex, number of lymph node groups, presence of splenic involvement, bulky mediastinal disease, Ann Arbor stage, serum white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum albumin and hemoglobin levels]. SUVbsa, SUVlbm, SUVweight, SUVglucose and MTV were higher in patients with stage III-IV disease, bulky tumor and ≥3 lymph node groups (p<0.05). SUVbsa and SUVglucose were higher in patients with splenic involvement (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between these metabolic parameters and sex, ESR, levels of albumin and WBC (p>0.05). SUVbsa and SUVlbm were higher in patients with anemia (p<0.05). Additionally, significant increases were detected in SUVweight, MTV, and SUVglucose with increasing age (p=0.005, p=0.027, and p=0.009, respectively). SUVbsa and SUVlbm had no significant correlation with age (p>0.05). Metabolic parameters derived from pre-treatment FDG PET/CT may have an important role in predicting high-risk disease in patients with HL. Also, SUVbsa and SUVlbm may be better markers than SUVweight in the quantitative evaluation of FDG PET/CT scans in pediatric patients.


Did I say dog or cat? A study of semantic error detection and correction in children.
Although naturalistic studies of spontaneous speech suggest that young children can monitor their speech, the mechanisms for detection and correction of speech errors in children are not well understood. In particular, there is little research on monitoring semantic errors in this population. This study provides a systematic investigation of detection and correction of semantic errors in children between the ages of 5 and 8years as they produced sentences to describe simple visual events involving nine highly familiar animals (the moving animals task). Results showed that older children made fewer errors and corrected a larger proportion of the errors that they made than younger children. We then tested the prediction of a production-based account of error monitoring that the strength of the language production system, and specifically its semantic-lexical component, should be correlated with the ability to detect and repair semantic errors. Strength of semantic-lexical mapping, as well as lexical-phonological mapping, was estimated individually for children by fitting their error patterns, obtained from an independent picture-naming task, to a computational model of language production. Children's picture-naming performance was predictive of their ability to monitor their semantic errors above and beyond age. This relationship was specific to the strength of the semantic-lexical part of the system, as predicted by the production-based monitor.


Meanings adult daughters attach to a parent's death.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how meanings adult daughters attached to their parent's death influenced the duration of their grief. The sample consisted of 67 adult daughters, ages 35 to 69 years, who had lost a parent 1 to 3 years earlier. Respondents were asked to explore their perceptions about their parent's death, their lifelong parent-daughter relationship, and any lifestyle changes that occurred after a parent's death. Categories were identified from the interview questions, and themes within each category were developed from the interview data. Results indicated that how respondents experienced a parent's death--including their guilt, regrets, or anticipatory grief, shifts in other family relationships, and changes in lifestyle--influenced the duration of their grief. The findings suggest that the subjective experience of grief may be an important area for further research as well as for assessment and intervention.


Insulin glargine 300 U/mL for basal insulin therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
To review published clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300), a new long-acting insulin analog, for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM, T2DM). Data sources comprised primary research articles on Gla-300, including pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical studies. In pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies, Gla-300 showed a flatter time-action profile and longer duration of action than Gla-100. Noninferiority of Gla-300 versus Gla-100 for lowering of glycated hemoglobin was demonstrated in Phase III clinical studies covering a range of T1DM and T2DM patient populations. Over 6-12 months of follow-up, Gla-300 consistently showed comparable glycemic efficacy with less hypoglycemia vs Gla-100, even during the first 8 weeks of treatment. Although titrated insulin doses were 11%-17% higher with Gla-300 vs Gla-100, changes in body weight were similar or favored Gla-300. Clinical studies provide evidence that the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of Gla-300 may translate into clinical benefits in both T1DM and T2DM. Gla-300 may provide a new option for people initiating basal insulin, those requiring higher basal insulin doses, those with T1DM, and those who may be at increased risk for hypoglycemia, such as people with chronic kidney disease, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular comorbidities.


QMRAcatch: Microbial Quality Simulation of Water Resources including Infection Risk Assessment.
Given the complex hydrologic dynamics of water catchments and conflicts between nature protection and public water supply, models may help to understand catchment dynamics and evaluate contamination scenarios and may support best environmental practices and water safety management. A catchment model can be an educative tool for investigating water quality and for communication between parties with different interests in the catchment. This article introduces an interactive computational tool, QMRAcatch, that was developed to simulate concentrations in water resources of , a human-associated microbial source tracking (MST) marker, enterovirus, norovirus, , and as target microorganisms and viruses (TMVs). The model domain encompasses a main river with wastewater discharges and a floodplain with a floodplain river. Diffuse agricultural sources of TMVs that discharge into the main river are not included in this stage of development. The floodplain river is fed by the main river and may flood the plain. Discharged TMVs in the river are subject to dilution and temperature-dependent degradation. River travel times are calculated using the Manning-Gauckler-Strickler formula. Fecal deposits from wildlife, birds, and visitors in the floodplain are resuspended in flood water, runoff to the floodplain river, or infiltrate groundwater. Fecal indicator and MST marker data facilitate calibration. Infection risks from exposure to the pathogenic TMVs by swimming or drinking water consumption are calculated, and the required pathogen removal by treatment to meet a health-based quality target can be determined. Applicability of QMRAcatch is demonstrated by calibrating the tool for a study site at the River Danube near Vienna, Austria, using field TMV data, including a sensitivity analysis and evaluation of the model outcomes.


Potential energy landscape and mechanisms of diffusion in liquids.
The mechanism of diffusion in supercooled liquids is investigated from the potential energy landscape point of view, with emphasis on the crossover from high- to low-T dynamics over the range T(A) > or =T > or =T(c). Molecular dynamics simulations with a time dependent mapping to the associated local minimum or inherent structure (IS) are performed on unit-density Lennard-Jones. Dynamical quantities introduced include r2(is)(t), the mean-square displacement (MSD) within a basin of attraction of an IS, R2(t), the MSD of the IS itself, and g(t), the distribution of IS waiting times. The configuration space is treated as a composite of the contributions of cooperative local regions, and a method is given to obtain the physically meaningful g(loc)(t) and mean waiting time tau(loc) from g(t). An understanding of the crossover is obtained in terms of r2(is)(t) and tau(loc). At intermediate T, r2(is)(t) possesses an interval of linear t dependence allowing calculation of an intrabasin diffusion constant D(is). Near T(c), where intrabasin diffusion is well established for t<tau(loc), diffusion is intrabasin dominated with D=D(is); D may be calculated within a basin. Below T(c), tau(loc) exceeds the time tau(pl) needed for the system to explore the basin, indicating the action of barriers at the border; tau(loc)=tau(pl) is a criterion for transition to activated hopping. Intrabasin diffusion provides a means of confinement not involving barriers and plays a key role in the dynamics above T(c). The distinction is discussed between motion among the IS (IS dynamics) below T(c) and saddle or border dynamics above T(c), where the system is always close to one of the saddle barriers connecting the basins and IS boundaries are closely spaced and easily crossed. A border index is introduced based upon the relation of R2(t) to the conventional MSD, and shown to vanish at T approximately T(c). It is proposed that intrabasin diffusion is a manifestation of saddle dynamics.


Transcription elongation.
This review is focused on recent progress in understanding how Escherichia coli RNAP polymerase translocates along the DNA template and the factors that affect this movement. We discuss the fundamental aspects of RNAP translocation, template signals that influence forward or backward movement, and host or phage factors that modulate translocation.


Does licensing of drugs in industrialized countries guarantee drug quality and safety for Third World countries? The case of norplant licensing in Finland.
Norplant implantable contraceptives were developed mainly for use in Third World countries, but first were approved for marketing in Finland in 1983 and in Sweden in 1985. Since then Norplant has been approved in more than 40 countries, most of them in the Third World. The authors analyzed the clinical documentation submitted to the Finnish and Swedish drug control authorities, and the assessments made of the data. The Finnish review process lasted for three years, and the number of data increased substantially during that time. The authors have not been allowed to publish the clinical data submitted in Finland, but a reconstruction from the Swedish data showed that the clinical data were of poor quality and were mainly focused on assessing efficacy. Side effects, acceptability, and requirements of the health care system for proper use of Norplant were poorly studied. This example of Norplant licensing in Finland shows that licensing of drugs in industrialized countries is insufficient for guaranteeing their safety in Third World countries.


Soft optical devices from self-healing gels formed by oil and sugar-based organogelators.
Sweet and low: two sugar-based supergelators can congeal oils to produce highly transparent gels with glass-like refractive indices showing low UV transmittance and high visible transmittance and remarkable self-healing properties. This unique blend of properties can be exploited to make soft optical devices from these gels.


Lobar nephronia in a transplanted kidney.
We report a patient who presented with a solid mass in her graft 15 years after renal transplantation. The appearances by ultrasound were consistent with either malignancy or lobar nephronia (focal acute bacterial nephritis). Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a lobar nephronia with marked inflammatory infiltrate and frank pus formation. Treatment with antibiotics was associated with resolution of the mass. Lobar nephronia is a diagnosis based upon renal ultrasonography and must be considered in a patient with a solid mass in the kidney.


Histone H2A.F/Z subfamily: the smallest member and the signature sequence.
The nucleotide sequence of a 700 basepair cDNA obtained from rabbit bladder was determined. It encodes a 123 amino acid protein, which is the smallest member of histone H2A.F/Z subfamily. The known H2A.F/Z variants are highly conserved in their central core regions of about 100 amino acids but more divergent in their N- and C-terminal ends. In addition to the seven amino acid signature sequence previously known for the H2A proteins, all the cloned H2A.F/Z variants contain an identical peptide sequence, L-E-Y-L-T-A-E-V-L-E-L-A-G-N-A. This 15 amino acid motif is proposed here as the signature sequence to identify new members of the H2A.F/Z subfamily.


Elite status maintained: a 12-year physiological and performance follow-up of two Olympic champion rowers.
This case study reports the results of a 12-year (2005-2016) follow-up study of two Olympic champion rowers. The rowers were prospective athletes at the junior level when the study began, and we monitored their relevant physiological and performance data annually. Our findings indicated that their V̇O2max gradually increased up to about 22 years of age and leveled off at a value of approximately 7 l·min-1 with minimal fluctuations thereafter. However, the variables that directly influence the V̇O2max changed. There was an age-related decline in maximal heart rate of about 0.5 beats·year-1, while oxygen pulse, which serves as an indirect measure of stroke volume, correspondingly increased by about 1 ml O2·beat-1 per year, allowing the athletes to maintain exceptional V̇O2max values. Maximal minute power of the studied rowers, derived each year from their ramp-wise tests, closely resembled the mean power output sustained during the 2000-m all-out tests on a rowing ergometer. A 12-year improvement of 28% and 33% occurred for the mean power output sustained over 2000 and 6000-m on a rowing ergometer, respectively. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge on athletes representing the true elites of their respective sports.


Origins of the difference in Ca2+ requirement for activation of mu- and m-calpain.
The mu- and m-calpains are closely related Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine proteases having different in vitro Ca(2+) requirements ( K (d)), of approx. 25 and 325 microM respectively. The two isoforms are heterodimers of slightly different large (80 kDa) subunits and an identical small (28 kDa) subunit, so that the difference in K (d) values must reside in the large subunits. As assayed here, these K (d) values relate to the Ca(2+) required for the first phase of calpain activation and do not reflect the lower Ca(2+) then required by fully activated calpain. On the basis of sequence comparison and the X-ray structure of m-calpain, many m-type residues in the C-terminal EF-hand-containing domain IV were converted into the corresponding mu-type residues, but these mutations did not produce the expected decrease in K (d). In a series of hybrid (mu/m) large-subunit calpains, the K (d) values decreased progressively towards that of mu-calpain as the proportion of mu-type sequence increased from 0 to 90%. K (d) values cannot therefore be ascribed to one or a few specific intramolecular interactions, but reflect the global response of the whole molecule to Ca(2+) binding. Nonetheless, 25% of the difference in K (d) values between mu- and m-calpain can be ascribed to the N-terminal peptide of the large subunit, whereas the C-terminal EF-hand-containing domain IV accounts for 65% of the difference.


Thymidine factor in human cord sera and relationship to birth size, gestational age and insulin.
Thymidine factor was studied in human cord sera from 44 neonates with gestational ages ranging between 36 and 43 weeks. Thymidine factor was determined by the uptake of 6-3H-thymidine using isolated chick embryo cartilage cells. The thymidine factors increased with gestational age and those of neonates at 40 weeks of gestation were 0.89 +/- 0.17 U/ml (mean +/- SD), but were significantly lower after 42 weeks of gestation. There was no correlation between thymidine factor in cord sera and birth weight or size. There was a positive correlation (p less than 0.02) between insulin level and thymidine factor in cord sera. Our data suggest that somatomedin measured as thymidine factor might not have a major role in fetal growth and insulin might be an important factor in the synthesis of somatomedin by the fetus.


Structured modeling of a microbial system: I. A theoretical study of lactic acid fermentation.
Most fermentation models presented in the literature are unstructured, i.e., the biomass composition is assumed constant during all operating conditions. These models are unable to simulate experiments carried out at widely different operating conditions. It is therefore interesting to examine simple structured models where knowledge of the cell physiology is taken into account in the modeling phase. In this article, a simple structured model is presented. The model is based on experimental work with the lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus cremoris, but due to the similarities in basic metabolism for many microorganisms it is applicable also for other fermentation system. The basic assumption in the model is that the biomass can be divided into two parts (compartments)-an active part and a mainly inactive structural part. The size of the active part has a pivotal role in the model.


Systemic fungal infections: diagnosis and treatment. I. Sporotrichosis.
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Although this fungal microorganism is labeled a true pathogen, its virulence is less than that of other fungal pathogens, such as Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. This article discusses its clinical manifestations, experimental models, diagnosis, and therapy.


Community asthma education program for parents of urban asthmatic children.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of community asthma education provided by peers in the urban community. A convenience sample of 267 self-referred, primarily African-American parents or primary caregivers of asthmatic children aged 18 months to 16 years completed a five-session education program. Program efficacy was evaluated at baseline, immediately postinstruction, and at three-, six-, and 12 months retention. Outcomes included three questionnaires measuring asthma self-management knowledge, control and quality of life. Immediately following program completion, participants demonstrated improvements in asthma knowledge (13% increased proportion correct, p < 0.01), ability to control their child's asthma 16% increased score, p < 0.01), and asthma quality of life (7% increased score, p < 0.01). Retention of knowledge with steady improvement of control and quality of life was observed up to one year postinstruction, as compared with immediate postprogram scores (p = 0.09 and 0.05, respectively). A community-based asthma educational program for caregivers should be an important component of childhood asthma management. The complexities of asthma management are best taught in educational programs that are easily accessible, provide a comfortable environment for participants, and are taught by peers.


Anti-cancer therapy made easier: a 25-year update.
In 1993, the Internal Medicine Journal published 'Chemotherapy made easier', outlining developments in supportive care of patients undergoing chemotherapy. This described the contemporary state of anti-emetics, colony stimulating factors, cardiac toxicity, neurotoxicity, development of drug analogues and venous access devices. Twenty-five years later, we update the measures that improve the tolerability of the plethora of new anti-cancer therapies, which have extended well beyond traditional chemotherapy agents to include immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Optimisation of supportive care is paramount to allow safe delivery with the least possible impact on quality of life of these new treatments, many of which have resulted dramatically improved outcomes across multiple cancer types. This state of the art update summarises advances in supportive care therapies relating to improving the patient experience during and after anti-cancer treatment, including new anti-emetics, hair preservation techniques, bone marrow support and improved venous access devices; the ongoing challenge of neurotoxicity; and the advent of multidisciplinary sub-specialised fields such as cardio-oncology and oncofertility. Supportive care medications for immuno-oncology therapies is a new section; these highly effective (although not universally so) agents were a mere illusion in 1993.


Enzyme immunoassay for rabies antibody in hybridoma culture fluids and its application to differentiation of street and laboratory strains of rabies virus.
A rapid and sensitive enzyme immunoassay is described for detecting rabies antibody in hybridoma culture fluids. Glass fiber filter disks were used to immobilize gamma-irradiated mouse neuroblastoma cells infected with street or laboratory strains of rabies virus. Bound rabies-specific antibody was detected by reaction with horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G. The assay was performed in a 96-well filtration device developed by Cleveland et al. (J. Clin. Microbiol. 15:402-407, 1982) for the typing of herpes simplex viruses. When partially disrupted cells were used, both internal and external viral antigens were available for reaction. The procedure is rapid (less than 4 h for completion) and requires only small amounts of fluid, and the gamma-irradiated antigen is noninfectious. When the procedure was used to screen 145 fluids from rabies-immune spleen-myeloma cell fusions, 132 were positive for rabies antibody. Other commonly used assays for the detection of rabies-specific antibody were less sensitive. Simultaneous analyses of many hybridoma fluids against a battery of street and laboratory strains of rabies virus are possible and allow rapid selection of useful monoclones.


Verbal Emotional Disclosure of Traumatic Experiences in Adolescents: The Role of Social Risk Factors.
It is well-known that traumatic events and adverse life situations are very important in both physical and psychological health. Prevalence studies suggested that adolescents experience at least one potentially traumatic event before reaching age 18. The paradigm of research centered on expressive writing has evidenced the beneficial effects that the emotional disclosure of previous traumas produces on physical health and psychological adjustment. The aims of the study are threefold: determining the prevalence of adverse or traumatic events; examining the extent to which psychopathological symptoms developed in those exposed to traumatic events; and exploring an verbal emotional disclosure (VED) paradigm in which variations on time spent talking about traumatic experiences to others resulted in a reduction of the psychological impact of trauma in a sample of Spanish adolescents. 422 volunteer adolescents participated, 226 boys and 192 girls, from 10 to 19 years old, all of them living in Tenerife. The mean age was 14.8 years (SD = 1.83). All of them completed the instruments used to assess the psychological impact of traumatic experiences and VED. The main results indicated that 77% of the participants had suffered a traumatic situation. The participants who have been exposed to traumatic events scored significantly higher in measures of post-traumatic stress, disorder, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, anxiety and depression, compared to those without trauma. Furthermore, results show a decrease in symptomatology scores as a function of time spent disclosing emotional experiences to others, particularly when disclosure occurred several times. In conclusion, stressful events or traumatic experiences and their concomitant emotional effects are highly prevalent in adolescents, and repeated VED to others appears to ameliorate their impact. VED shows greater therapeutic benefits when adolescents narrate the experience on several occasions and in an extensive way.


Day-to-day hedonic and calming effects of opioids, opioid craving, and opioid misuse among patients with chronic pain prescribed long-term opioid therapy.
Concerns have been raised regarding the misuse of opioids among patients with chronic pain. Although a number of factors may contribute to opioid misuse, research has yet to examine if the hedonic and calming effects that can potentially accompany the use of opioids contribute to opioid misuse. The first objective of this study was to examine the degree to which the hedonic and calming effects of opioids contribute to opioid misuse in patients with chronic pain. We also examined whether the hedonic and calming effects of opioids contribute to patients' daily levels of opioid craving, and whether these associations were moderated by patients' daily levels of pain intensity, catastrophizing, negative affect, or positive affect. In this longitudinal diary study, patients (n = 103) prescribed opioid therapy completed daily diaries for 14 consecutive days. Diaries assessed a host of pain, psychological, and opioid-related variables. The hedonic and calming effects of opioids were not significantly associated with any type of opioid misuse behavior. However, greater hedonic and calming effects were associated with heightened reports of opioid craving (both P's < 0.005). Analyses revealed that these associations were moderated by patients' daily levels of pain intensity, catastrophizing, and negative affect (all P's < 0.001). Results from this study provide valuable new insights into our understanding of factors that may contribute to opioid craving among patients with chronic pain who are prescribed long-term opioid therapy. The implications of our findings for the management of patients with chronic pain are discussed.


Effect of chlordecone (Kepone) on calcium transport mechanisms in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Previous studies from our laboratory have indicated that chlordecone (Kepone CD), an organochlorine insecticide, inhibited cardiac sodium pump activity and catecholamine uptake suggesting that CD may interfere with cardiac function. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium pump has an important role in myocardial contraction and relaxation, besides Na+ transport. Since CD interferes with cardiac Na+ ion translocases, we have studied CD effects on cardiac SR calcium pump activity. Experiments were carried out both in vitro and in vivo. SR was isolated from heart ventricles of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Cardiac SR Ca2(+)-ATPase. 45Ca-uptake and cAMP as well as calmodulin (CaM) dependent protein phosphorylation were measured. Ca2(+)-ATPase was differentiated into low affinity and high affinity forms by measuring the activity using 50 and 0.7 microM free Ca2(+)-respectively. CD in vitro inhibited 45Ca-uptake by SR in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50 value of 7 microM and SR 45Ca-uptake was totally inhibited at 20-30 microM CD. In agreement with this, both high affinity and low affinity Ca2(+)-ATPases, which are involved in Ca2+ transport across membranes, were also inhibited by CD in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.7 and 3.2 microM respectively. Both Ca2(+)-ATPase and 45Ca-uptake by cardiac SR were significantly lower in rats treated with CD (25, 50 or 75 mg/kg) when compared to control rats. cAMP as well as CaM significantly elevated the 32P-binding to SR proteins in vitro to about 70-80%. In the presence of CD, this 32P-binding was reduced, however, not concentration dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Repeat variation of electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol within one hour and six months.
The intraindividual repeat variation of the conventional 12-lead electrocardiogram, of blood pressure, and of blood cholesterol was determined in 27 middle-aged healthy men with an interval of one hour and six months. In 7 of 17 analysed electrocardiographic items the variation within six months was significantly greater than that within one hour; in 10 items, the variation was not significantly different. Blood pressure varied as much within one hour as within six months, while the intraindividual variation of serum cholesterol was significantly greater for the six-month period. The intraindividual variation, expressed as the coefficient of variation, was greater for the electrocardiogram than for either blood pressure or cholesterol. There were large differences between various electrocardiographic items in the repeat variation. There was high intraclass correlation of most items analysed, but no significant covariation between electrocardiographic item vs. blood pressure or cholesterol.


Variation in the levels of IL-6 in pediatric patients with severe bacterial infectious diseases and correlation analysis between the levels of IL-6 and procalcitonin.
The objective of the present study was to investigate variations in the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with severe bacterial infectious diseases and to analyze the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and PCT to determine the value of combined diagnosis with IL-6 and PCT. We analyzed 126 patients admitted to Xuzhou Children's Hospital for treatment, who were divided into severe bacterial infection (observation group, n=65) and non-bacterial infection groups (control group, n=61). The levels of IL-6, PCT, and CRP were measured and compared between the two groups. Data from both groups were statistically analyzed. The levels of IL-6, PCT, and CRT in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01); in the observation group, the levels of IL-6 and PCT on the 5th and 10th day after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.01); PCT showed better value for diagnosing severe bacterial infections compared with IL-6 and CRP; there was a positive correlation between the levels of IL-6 and PCT in the observation group; and the sensitivity and specificity of combined diagnosis with IL-6 and PCT for severe bacterial infection was 93.84% and 96.72%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those for diagnosis with only IL-6 (P<0.01). In conclusion, IL-6 combined with PCT can serve as an indicator with high sensitivity for detection of severe bacterial infections in children, which is of great significance for the differential diagnosis of severe bacterial infections in the early stage.


[Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies].
The following disease entities are being included into the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy group (IIM): dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), inclusion body myositis (IBM). These are primary inflammatory muscle diseases with substantial muscle weakening in their course. Everyone of the entities belonging to IIM is possessed of a particular clinical picture, as well as of histological and immunological features. In this paper, there have been briefly described classification, clinical pictures, supplementary diagnostic tests, treatment and up-to date views on IIM etiopathogenesis.


Development of nano-emulsions based on Ayapana triplinervis essential oil for the control of Aedes aegypti larvae.
Ayapana triplinervis is a plant species used in traditional medicine and in mystical-religious rituals by traditional communities in the Amazon. The aim of this study are to develop a nano-emulsion containing essential oil from A. triplinervis morphotypes, to evaluate larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and acute oral toxicity in Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus). The essential oils were extracted by steam dragging, identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and nano-emulsions were prepared using the low energy method. Phytochemical analyses indicated the major compounds, expressed as area percentage, β-Caryophyllene (45.93%) and Thymohydroquinone Dimethyl Ether (32.93%) in morphotype A; and Thymohydroquinone Dimethyl Ether (84.53%) was found in morphotype B. Morphotype A essential oil nano-emulsion showed a particle size of 101.400 ± 0.971 nm (polydispersity index = 0.124 ± 0.009 and zeta potential = -19.300 ± 0.787 mV). Morphotype B essential oil nano-emulsion had a particle size of 104.567 ± 0.416 nm (polydispersity index = 0.168 ± 0.016 and zeta potential = -27.700 ± 1.307 mV). Histomorphological analyses showed the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver of animals treated with morphotype A essential oil nano-emulsion (MAEON) and morphotype B essential oil nano-emulsion (MBEON). Congestion and the presence of transudate with leukocyte infiltration in the lung of animals treated with MAEON were observed. The nano-emulsions containing essential oils of A. triplinervis morphotypes showed an effective nanobiotechnological product in the chemical control of A. aegypti larvae with minimal toxicological action for non-target mammals.


Repetition-based credibility enhancement of unfamiliar faces.
This experiment demonstrated that rating the credibility of nonfamous faces results in a significant increase in rated credibility on a subsequent encounter relative to new nonfamous faces. The degree of credibility enhancement is comparable for both honesty and sincerity ratings and at both short (2-day) and long (14-day) interrating intervals. Furthermore, credibility enhancement was independent of recognition; ratings were significantly higher for repeated faces, regardless of whether they were remembered. Although female faces were rated more credible than male faces, there was no gender difference in the degree of credibility enhancement with repetition. Conditional analyses revealed that actual, rather than perceived, repetition formed the basis of credibility enhancement. Future research should compare repetition effects on both credibility and affect as well as the durability of such effects over time.


Investigational devices for mitral regurgitation: state of the art.
The incidence of mitral regurgitation (MR) is rising as a result of an aging population worldwide. Surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve remains the standard of care for patients with severe MR as the only approach to achieve sustained relief of symptoms or heart failure. However, the majority of patients with severe MR do not undergo surgery because of high perceived perioperative risk. Recently, there has been great enthusiasm in the pursuit of a less invasive percutaneous approach to the treatment of MR to avoid thoracotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass, even if less efficacious. This article reviews the latest developments of various percutaneous options in the treatment of MR.


Primary renal synovial sarcoma.
Primary synovial sarcoma (SS) of kidney is very rare and difficult to diagnose. Here, we present a case of a 21-year-old female clinically diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma. Right nephrectomy specimen showed a cystic tumor in the upper pole of kidney with areas of hemorrhage and solid growth. Histologically, it showed poorly differentiated cells with hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern. Morphologic and immunohistochemical features were compatible with the diagnosis of poorly differentiated SS of kidney. Primary renal SS is a recently described entity. To the best of our knowledge, approximately 34 cases have been reported till date and this is the eighth documented case of poorly differentiated variant. Most of the time, poorly differentiated SS of kidney exhibits hemangiopericytoma like histology. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis to demonstrate SYT-SSX fusion gene transcript helps to confirm the diagnosis.


TGF-β1, but not bone morphogenetic proteins, activates Smad1/5 pathway in primary human macrophages and induces expression of proatherogenic genes.
Macrophages are responsible for the control of inflammation and healing, and their malfunction results in cardiometabolic disorders. TGF-β is a pleiotropic growth factor with dual (protective and detrimental) roles in atherogenesis. We have previously shown that in human macrophages, TGF-β1 activates Smad2/3 signaling and induces a complex gene expression program. However, activated genes were not limited to known Smad2/3-dependent ones, which prompted us to study TGF-β1-induced signaling in macrophages in detail. Analysis of Id3 regulatory sequences revealed a novel enhancer, located between +4517 and 4662 bp, but the luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that this enhancer is not Smad2/3 dependent. Because Id3 expression is regulated by Smad1/5 in endothelial cells, we analyzed activation of Smad1/5 in macrophages. We demonstrate here for the first time, to our knowledge, that TGF-β1, but not BMPs, activates Smad1/5 in macrophages. We show that an ALK5/ALK1 heterodimer is responsible for the induction of Smad1/5 signaling by TGF-β1 in mature human macrophages. Activation of Smad1/5 by TGF-β1 induces not only Id3, but also HAMP and PLAUR, which contribute to atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. We suggest that the balance between Smad1/5- and Smad2/3-dependent signaling defines the outcome of the effect of TGF-β on atherosclerosis where Smad1/5 is responsible for proatherogenic effects, whereas Smad2/3 regulate atheroprotective effects of TGF-β.


[Dorsal recumbency in dogs--a circulatory risk during surgical treatment?].
In this study, changes in hemodynamic, blood gas, and metabolic variables recorded during right lateral and dorsal recumbency in beagles anaesthetised with thiopental are presented. Other than reported in human beings, dorsal recumbency in these dogs resulted in an increase (33%) in heart rate, decrease (30%) in systolic, diastolic, and mean systemic arterial pressure, a decrease (17%) in systemic vascular resistance, and a decrease in both right (31%) and left (39%) ventricular work in comparison with lateral recumbency. Furthermore, mixed-venous PO2, oxygen saturation and respiratory quotient were lower in dorsal than in lateral recumbency while O2 consumption and lipolysis were increased in the former. The changes presented may have been caused by beta-adrenergic stimulation in dorsal recumbency. It needs to be studied if capillary perfusion can be maintained adequately during surgery in dorsal recumbency or if this predisposes to cardiovascular shock.


Repeat Head CT? Not Necessary for Patients with a Negative Initial Head CT on Anticoagulation or Antiplatelet Therapy Suffering Low-Altitude Falls.
Anticoagulation and antiplatelet (ACAP) medications are increasingly prescribed to patients at high risk for falls. Many trauma centers have developed protocols for obtaining repeat head CT (HCT) for patients with low-altitude falls on ACAP therapy. We assess the need for routine scheduled repeat HCT in this population. Prospective, observational analysis of all low-altitude fall (<6 feet) patients on ACAP therapy evaluated at a Level II trauma center. All low-altitude fall patients with visible or suspected head trauma received an initial HCT. Patients were admitted and repeat HCT was obtained 12 hours later or earlier if acute neurologic decline developed. Chi-squared, Fischer exact, t, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Total of 1501 patients enrolled suffering low-altitude falls with initial HCT. Among them 1379(91.2%) were negative and 122(8.1%) were initially positive for intracranial hemorrhage. Mean age was 79.9 ± 11.4 years, 61 per cent were female and 85 per cent had visible head trauma at presentation. One hundred ninety-nine were excluded secondary to not receiving repeat HCT. Of the 1180 patients with normal initial HCT who underwent repeat HCT, only 7 (0.51%) had delayed intracranial hemorrhage. None of these patients required surgery, major changes in medical management or suffered head trauma-related mortality; 69 per cent were taking aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), 19 per cent warfarin, 17 per cent clopidogrel, 6 per cent other anticoagulants, and 11 per cent were on combination therapy. Repeat HCT for patients on any ACAP therapy after low-altitude fall with a negative initial HCT is not necessary. Thorough neurologic examination and close monitoring is as effective as obtaining a repeat HCT.


Effects of reproductive and social variables on fecal glucocorticoid levels in a sample of adult male ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar.
Glucocorticoids, a group of adrenal hormones, are secreted in response to stress. In male primates, variables such as breeding seasonality, dominance hierarchy stability, and aggressive and affiliative interactions can affect glucocorticoid levels. In this study, we examined interindividual differences in mean fecal glucocorticoid (fGC) levels among males in three groups of wild ring-tailed lemurs to better understand the physiological costs of group living for males in a female-dominant species that exhibits strict reproductive seasonality. Fecal and behavioral data samples were collected during one mating and two postmating seasons (2001 and 2003). The mean fGC levels were examined in relation to reproductive season, male rank, number of resident males, intermale and female-male agonism, and affiliative behavior with females. The mean fGC levels were not significantly elevated during mating season compared to the postmating period. During the mating season, male dominance hierarchies broke down and rank effects could not be tested; however, there was no relationship between male rank and fGC levels in the postmating periods. In 2001, males that resided in the group with the fewest males exhibited lower fGC levels during the postmating period. They also affiliated more with females than did males in the other groups. During the mating season of 2003, males engaged in more affiliative behaviors with females compared to the postmating season, but female-male agonism did not differ by season. However, rates of intermale agonism were significantly higher during mating compared to postmating periods, but such heightened agonism did not translate to a higher stress response. Thus, neither male-male competition for mates nor heightened agonism between males during the breeding season affected male fGC levels. Fewer males residing in a group, however, did have some effect on male-female affiliation and male fGC levels outside of the mating period. Males that live in a group with only a few (two or three) males may experience less physiological stress than those that live in groups with more males.


Somatizing the transposons action.
The somatic mobilization of transposable elements is more common than previously thought. In this review we discuss how the intensity and the biologic consequences of somatic mobilization are dependent on the transposable elements landscapes of each genome, and on the "momentum" of each particular TE with respect to the mechanisms that control its transposition and the possibility to escape this control. Additionally, the biologic consequences of somatic mobilization vary among organisms that show an early separation between the germline and somatic cells and those organisms that do not exhibit this separation or that reproduce asexually. In the former, somatic transposition can be involved in phenotypic plasticity, detrimental conditions such as disease, or processes such as aging. For the organisms without separation between the germ and soma, somatic mobilization can be a source of genetic variability.


[Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].
In the event of destruction of both knee joints, is bilateral total arthroplasty a reliable operation that the patient can reasonably be expected to undergo? In 140 patients [35 men, 105 women, average age 48.6 (range 24-78) years], a bilateral sequential TEP implantation was performed under one anaesthesia session, due to verified destruction of both knee joints (Larsen stage III-IV). All patients were treated with a cemented surface replacement prosthesis with resurfacing of the patella (Duracon Total Knee System, Stryker/Howmedica). Functional assessment was done with the aid of the Lysholm score preoperatively as well as 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively. The operation was conducted under one anaesthesia session in all patients. The average Lysholm scores improved from 26 (19-45) preoperatively, to 72 (49-81) 6 months postoperatively, 76 (48-85) 12 months postoperatively and 77 (49-87) 18 months postoperatively, whereby no significant difference between sides was observed. 96% of the patients said that they would undergo the operation again. The following complications occurred: 6 prosthesis infections (2.1%), 2 aseptic loosenings (0.7%), 8 superficial wound healing disorders (2.9%) and 2 deep vein thromboses (0.7%). Sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty under one anaesthesia session in patients with rheumatoid arthritis facilitates a much quicker rehabilitation, while the overall perioperative risk is not increased.


Podophyllotoxin Extracted from Juniperus sabina Fruit Inhibits Rat Sperm Maturation and Fertility by Promoting Epididymal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis.
This study aimed to investigate the antifertility effect of Juniperus sabina fruit on male rats and its possible mechanism, and hence it might be developed as a potential nonhormonal male contraceptive. Male rats were intragastrically fed for consecutive 8-week and 4-week recovery with the fruit of J. Sabina, and sperm maturation, serum testosterone level, and histopathology were analyzed. Epididymal epithelial cell culture was prepared for detection of podophyllotoxin activities. Furthermore, cell proliferation, transmission electron microscopy, Annexin V/Propidium iodide, TUNEL, RT-PCR, ELISA, and western blotting were examined. The results showed that rat sperm motility and fertility were remarkably declined after feeding the fruit. Moreover, the fruit targeted the epididymis rather than the testis. After 4-week recovery, more than half of the male rats resumed normal fertility. It was found that podophyllotoxin significantly inhibited epididymal epithelial cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and increased the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and the expression levels of cytochrome c, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3. Our findings suggest that the fruit of J. sabina could inhibit male rat sperm maturation and fertility. The potential mechanism might be related to podophyllotoxin, inducing epididymal epithelial cell apoptosis through TNF-α and caspase signaling pathway.


Impact of cannabis use on brain function in adolescents.
Cannabis is the most common illicit substance used by adolescents. This paper reports results of a pilot study using fMRI and a working memory task to compare brain function of adolescent cannabis users to that of two control groups, one matched for tobacco use and the other for nonsmokers.


Automatic brain structure segmentation for 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance images via deep learning.
Brain structure segmentation is of great value in diagnosing brain disorders, allowing radiologists to quickly acquire regions of interest and assist in subsequent analyses, diagnoses and treatment. Current brain structure segmentation methods are usually applied to magnetic resonance (MR) images, which provide higher soft tissue contrast and better spatial resolution. However, fewer segmentation methods are conducted on a positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) system that combines functional and structural information to improve analysis accuracy. In this paper, we explore a dual-modality image segmentation model to segment brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/MR images based on the U-Net architecture. This model takes registered PET and MR images as parallel inputs, and four evaluation metrics (Dice score, Jaccard coefficient, precision and sensitivity) are used to evaluate segmentation performance. Moreover, we also compared the proposed approach with other single-modality segmentation strategies, including PET-only segmentation and MRI-only segmentation. The experiments were conducted on the clinical head data of 120 patients, and the results show that the proposed algorithm accurately delineates brain volumes of interest (VOIs), achieving superior performance with 84.24%±1.44% Dice score, 74.36%±2.40% Jaccard, 84.33%±1.56% precision and 84.73%±1.56% sensitivity. Furthermore, compared with directly using the FreeSurfer toolkit, the proposed method reduced the segmentation time, which only needs 20 seconds to segment the whole brain for each patient. We present a deep learning-based method for the joint segmentation of anatomical and functional PET/MR images. Compared with other single-modality methods, our method greatly improved the accuracy of brain structure delineation, which shows great potential for brain analysis.


Integrating ethnobiological knowledge into biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Himalayas.
Biocultural knowledge provides valuable insight into ecological processes, and can guide conservation practitioners in local contexts. In many regions, however, such knowledge is underutilized due to its often-fragmented record in disparate sources. In this article, we review and apply ethnobiological knowledge to biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Himalayas. Using Sikkim, India as a case study, we: (i) traced the history and trends of ethnobiological documentation; (ii) identified priority species and habitat types; and, (iii) analyzed within and among community differences pertaining to species use and management. Our results revealed that Sikkim is a biocultural hotspot, where six ethnic communities and 1128 species engage in biocultural relationships. Since the mid-1800s, the number of ethnobiological publications from Sikkim has exponentially increased; however, our results also indicate that much of this knowledge is both unwritten and partitioned within an aging, gendered, and caste or ethnic group-specific stratum of society. Reviewed species were primarily wild or wild cultivated, native to subtropical and temperate forests, and pend IUCN Red List of Threatened Species assessment. Our results demonstrate the value of engaging local knowledge holders as active participants in conservation, and suggest the need for further ethnobiological research in the Eastern Himalayas. Our interdisciplinary approach, which included rank indices and geospatial modelling, can help integrate diverse datasets into evidence-based policy.


Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in patients with supraspinatus tendon tear.
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound (US), and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) combination with TENS and US therapy alone in patients with supraspinatus tear. Forty patients were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as follows: PEMF (n=20) and Sham (n=20) groups. PEMF was applied to the first group at a frequency of 50 Hz, 25 G intensity, and 20 min/session. The device was turned off while PEMF was applied to the second group. Diathermy (US) and electrotherapy (TENS) were applied to both groups for 10 sessions. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were used as outcome measures. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in the NRS, UCLA Shoulder Scale, and SPADI scores after treatment compared with pretreatment (p<0.05). In the comparison of the difference between the pretreatment and posttreatment measurement values between the groups, no significant difference was found between PEMF and Sham groups according to the NRS (p=0.165), UCLA Shoulder Scale (p=0.141), and SPADI (p=0.839) scores. In our study, a combination of PEMF therapy with conventional physical therapy modalities was not found to be superior to the conventional therapy alone, and adding it to the routine treatment of symptomatic supraspinatus tear would not provide any additional benefit.


Fasting Glucose Variability in Young Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Middle Age: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.
To determine whether intraindividual variability in fasting glucose (FG) below the threshold of diabetes is associated with cognitive function in middle adulthood beyond increasing FG. We studied 3,307 CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) Study participants (age range 18-30 years and enrolled in 1985-1986) at baseline and calculated two measures of long-term glucose variability: the coefficient of variation about the mean FG (CV-FG) and the absolute difference between successive FG measurements (average real variability [ARV-FG]) before the onset of diabetes over 25 and 30 years of follow-up. Cognitive function was assessed at years 25 (2010-2011) and 30 (2015-2016) with the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Stroop Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and category and letter fluency tests. We estimated the association between glucose variability and cognitive function test score with adjustment for clinical and behavioral risk factors, mean FG level, change in FG level, and diabetes development, medication use, and duration. After multivariable adjustment, 1-SD increment of CV-FG was associated with worse cognitive scores at year 25: DSST, standardized regression coefficient -0.95 (95% CI -1.54, -0.36); RAVLT, -0.14 (95% CI -0.27, -0.02); and Stroop Test, 0.49 (95% CI 0.04, 0.94). Findings were similar between CV-FG with each cognitive test score at year 30 and when we used an alternative measure of variability (ARV-FG) that captures variability in successive FG values. Higher intraindividual FG variability during young adulthood below the threshold of diabetes was associated with worse processing speed, memory, and language fluency in midlife independent of FG levels.


Men's perceptions and attitudes toward the partner with premenstrual syndrome.
This study focused on the young adult men's perceptions and behavior toward their women partners who they acknowledged as experiencing the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A qualitative study was conducted, framed by social constructivism, where individual interviews with 20 young Brazilian men aged 21 to 29 years were analyzed thematically. Four descriptive categories to express the men's experiences: (a) men's observations on partner's behavior changes, (b) early in the relationship: apprehension and confusion, (c) knowledge about PMS led men to better understanding about changes, and (d) need for support from a health care provider and medication. The men's perceptions and behavior toward their partners were strongly influenced by biomedical conceptions of PMS. Participants believed that their partners' emotions and behaviors were determined by PMS during some days of the month, consequently PMS had affected the couple's relationship. Another consequence of such medicalization was that women's complaints about PMS were rendered invisible except when viewed as a serious medical problem requiring cure, rather than a part of women's cyclical patterns. It is the case that the systematic description of men's perceptions about their partner's PMS provides an approach to this topic in educational and health care activities, with the potential to improve gender relations.


Historical Medical Value of Donguibogam.
Oriental medicine, since its origin in China, has had a long history extending over 2000 years. Today, it comprises several types of medicine predominately practiced in East Asia, including traditional Chinese, traditional Korean, and Kampo medicine. The distinctive medical system of traditional Korean medicine was established shortly after the publication of Donguibogam by Dr. Heo Jun in 1613. Donguibogam is highly acclaimed across East Asia; in 2009, in light of its historical medical value, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization registered the book on its cultural heritage list. Here, we review the historical medical value of Donguibogam. The findings confirm that Donguibogam developed a unique and independent form of traditional Korean medicine and innovatively reformed the disease classification system. Moreover, Donguibogam emphasized the importance of disease prevention and medical pragmatism. This book also accelerated the development of folk medicine. Owing to its historical medical value, Donguibogam is now considered the 'bible' of Oriental medicine. Its wide acceptance has contributed to the expansion of Korean medicine utilization among the general public. Donguibogam has also played an important role in the establishment of traditional Korean medicine as a universally valid and original form of medicine, independent of traditional Chinese medicine.


Medical History of Elderly Patients in the Emergency Setting: Not an Easy Point-of-Care Diagnostic Marker.
Background. Medical histories are a crucially important diagnostic tool. Elderly patients represent a large and increasing group of emergency patients. Due to cognitive deficits, taking a reliable medical history in this patient group can be difficult. We sought to evaluate the medical history-taking in emergency patients above 75 years of age with respect to duration and completeness. Methods. Anonymous data of consecutive patients were recorded. Times for the defined basic medical history-taking were documented, as were the availability of other sources and times to assess these. Results. Data of 104 patients were included in the analysis. In a quarter of patients (25%, n = 26) no complete basic medical history could be obtained. In the group of patients where complete data could be gathered, only 16 patients were able to provide all necessary information on their own. Including other sources like relatives or GPs prolonged the time until complete medical history from 7.3 minutes (patient only) to 26.4 (+relatives) and 56.3 (+GP) minutes. Conclusions. Medical histories are important diagnostic tools in the emergency setting and are prolonged in the elderly, especially if additional documentation and third parties need to be involved. New technologies like emergency medical cards might help to improve the availability of important patient data but implementation of these technologies is costly and faces data protection issues.


Distress Tolerance Among Students Referred for Treatment Following Violation of Campus Cannabis Use Policy: Relations to Use, Problems, and Motivation.
Students referred to treatment after violating campus drug policies represent a high-risk group. Identification of factors related to these students' cannabis use could inform prevention and treatment efforts. Distress tolerance (DT) is negatively related to substance-related behaviors and may be related to high-risk cannabis use vulnerability factors that can impact treatment outcome. Thus, the current study tested whether DT was related to cannabis use frequency, cannabis-related problems, and motivation to change cannabis use among 88 students referred for treatment after violating campus cannabis policies. DT was robustly, negatively related to cannabis use and related problems. DT was also significantly, negatively correlated with coping, conformity, and expansion motives. DT was directly and indirectly related to cannabis problems via coping (not conformity or expansion) motives. Motives did not mediate the relation of DT to cannabis use frequency. DT may be an important target in treatment with students who violate campus cannabis policies.


Genetic interaction of Neuroglian and Semaphorin1a during guidance and synapse formation.
We have previously demonstrated a function for Neuroglian and Semaphorin1a in Drosophila giant fiber circuit formation. Both molecules are required for guiding the giant fibers out of the brain and have distinct functions during giant synapse formation. In this study we characterized the effects of various combinations of Neuroglian and Semaphorin1a gain and loss of function backgrounds on giant fiber circuitry formation. We found that Neuroglian and Semaphorin1a genetically interact with each other during axon guidance as well as during synapse formation. Our experiments revealed that during pathfinding of the giant fibers out of the brain, Neuroglian function seems to be dependent on Semaphorin1a. In contrast, during giant fiber synapse formation we observed that Semaphorin1a signaling as a receptor can be altered by Neuroglian in the same cell. In summary, our findings suggest that Neuroglian and Semaphorin1a can regulate each other's function in cis and that the resultant signaling output is possibly different during guidance and synapse formation.


Clinical effectiveness of an autopolymerized fissure sealant after 2 years.
The clinical effectiveness of Delton fissure sealant was studied in 205 children, ages 6--10 years (mean age 71/2). 993 children in grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 were screened and subjects were selected if there was evidence of previous dental caries in the mouth, and a pair of contralateral maxillary or mandibular first permanent molar teeth were free of caries. Two pedodontists independently examined the children in a mobile van equipped with two operatories, and each applied sealants to approximately half of the subjects. After 11 months, in 186 subjects there were 10 sealants partially lost, five experimental teeth carious or filled and 53 control teeth carious or filled. After 24 months, in 175 subjects there were four sealants completely lost, 12 sealants partially lost, 11 experimental teeth carious or filled and 89 control teeth carious or filled. Consequently, sealant retention was 92% after 11 months and 85% after 24 months. Percent effectiveness in caries reduction was 90% after 11 months and 88% after 2 years.


Sequential detection of dopamine and L-DOPA by a 2,3-dopa-dioxygenase from Streptomyces sclerotialus.
A variety of enzyme-based colorimetric biosensors have been developed for clinical practice; however, these methods will only become cost-effective when they are able to process multiple samples with a high degree of sensitivity. In this study, a novel heat-stable enzyme, 2,3-dopa-dioxygenase from the thermophilic bacterium Streptomyces sclerotialus (SsDDO), was used in the development of a protein- and cell-based biosensor for the detection of L-DOPA for the first time. SsDDO catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of L-DOPA forms linear semialdehyde (AHMS) and cyclizes to a 3-carboxy-3-hydroxyallylidene-3,4-dihydropyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (CHAPCA). We next derivatized CHAPCA by reacting with 3-aminobenzoic acid (MABA) to yield a red-fluorescent pigment. Overall, the detection of L-DOPA via the red fluorescent signal can be completed in only 30 min. We also developed a sequential analysis method to detect the coexistence of dopamine and L-DOPA with a high degree of sensitivity using the dual-fluorescent signals to monitor the therapy of patients with Parkinson's disease treated with L-DOPA. The robustness and applicability of the system were further validated in serum. In addition, paper microfluidics modified with chitosan was applied for fast and cost-effective analysis of dopamine and L-DOPA in the mixed solutions.