Gastroschisis, atresia, dysmotility: surgical treatment strategies for a distinct clinical entity.
Intestinal atresia (IA) occurs in 10% to 20% of infants born with gastroschisis (GS). We describe a distinct subset of these children with severe dysmotility, without mechanical intestinal obstruction, and with adequate intestinal length for enteral nutrition and propose possible treatment strategies. A total of 177 patients with GS managed at a single institution between 1993 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-one (12%) patients had IA. Six (29%) did well, with gradual progression to full diet; 1 died at birth because of complete midgut infarction; 1 died of necrotizing enterocolitis; 4 with short bowel syndrome (SBS) (small bowel length, 30-41 cm) died of liver failure because of total parenteral nutrition (3) or sepsis (1). Nine (43%) were felt to have gastroschisis/atresia/dysmotility, defined as adequate small bowel length for survival as measured at time of laparotomy (mean, 146 cm; range, 66-233 cm), massive intestinal dilatation, and stasis. Of 9 patients with gastroschisis/atresia/dysmotility, 5 (56%) survived. All had surgery to "rescue" their dysfunction intestine, at mean age 128 days (range, 52-271 days): 4 had tapering enteroplasties of mean 37 cm (range, 5-115 cm)-all 4 survived; 3 had diverting stomas created for intestinal decompression, followed by stoma closure-1 survived; 1 nonsurvivor had a Kimura "patch"; 1 nonsurvivor underwent redo anastomosis. Survivors weaned off total parenteral nutrition at mean age 331 days after rescue surgery (range, 42-814 days). More than one third of patients with GS/IA appear to have significant intestinal dysmotility without true SBS nor obstruction. Successful treatment of these infants may be achieved with the use of tapering enteroplasty and/or temporary diverting stomas.


Health risks of heavy metals in sewage-irrigated soils and edible seeds in Langfang of Hebei province, China.
Human exposure to heavy metals is attributed to consumption of food crops grown in polluted soil environment. The objective of our study was to assess the health risks of heavy metals in edible seeds of crops grown in sewage-irrigated soils located in the Langfang of Hebei province, China. Here, heavy metal contents in soils and plants were determined using an internal standard and high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. There was a relative buildup of heavy metals in sewage-irrigated soils in the study area; in particular, all Cr and partial Zn and Cu showed higher concentrations than the limits proposed by the World Health Organization, European Union (EU) and UK. Heavy metal concentrations in edible seeds of plants grown in sewage-irrigated soils partly exceeded the permissible limits set by the EU, UK and the State Environmental Protection Administration in China. With the exception of Cu, health risk index values of each heavy metal investigated by intake of the edible seeds were less than 1. Here, a health risk index of < 1 is considered safe for human consumption. The study indicated that there was a relative absence of health risks associated with the ingestion of sewage-irrigated edible seeds.


Real-time finite element monitoring of sub-dermal tissue stresses in individuals with spinal cord injury: toward prevention of pressure ulcers.
Patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are susceptible to deep tissue injury (DTI), a necrosis in excessively deformed muscle tissue overlying bony prominences, which, in wheelchair users, typically occurs in the gluteus muscles under the ischial tuberosities. Recently, we developed a generic real-time, subject-specific finite element (FE) modeling method to provide monitoring of mechanical conditions in deep tissues deformed between bony prominences and external surfaces. We previously employed this method to study internal tissue loads in plantar tissues of the foot [Yarnitzky, G., Z. Yizhar, and A. Gefen. J. Biomech. 39:2673-2689, 2006] and in muscle flaps of residual limbs in patients who underwent transtibial amputation (Portnoy, S., G. Yarnitzky, Z. Yizhar, A. Kristal, U. Oppenheim, I. Siev-Ner, and A. Gefen. Ann. Biomed. Eng. 35:120-135, 2007). The goal of the present study was to adapt the method to study the time-dependent mechanical stresses in glutei of patients with SCI during wheelchair sitting, continuously in real-time, and to compare the trends of internal tissue load data with those of controls. Prior to human studies, the real-time FE model-adapted to study the buttocks during sitting-was validated by comparing its predictions to data from a physical phantom of a buttocks and to non-real-time, commercial FE software. Next, real-time, subject-specific, FE models were built for six participating subjects (3 patients with SCI, 3 controls) based on their individual anatomies from MRI scans. Subjects were asked to sit normally in a wheelchair, on a ROHO cushion, and to watch a 90 min movie. Continuous interface pressure measurements from a pressure mat were used as subject-specific boundary conditions for real-time FE analyses of deep muscle stresses. Highest peaks of compression, shear and von Mises stresses throughout the trial period, and averages of peaks of these stresses were recorded over the trial for each individual. These parameters generally had 3-times to 5-times greater values in patients with SCI compared with controls. Likewise, stress doses, defined as the integration of peak compression stress over time, were approximately 35-times and approximately 50-times greater in the subjects with SCI, the values referring to the highest of all peaks recorded throughout the trial, and to average of peaks over the trial, respectively. We believe that by allowing-for the first time-practical and continuous monitoring of internal tissue loads in patients with motosensory deficits, without any risk or interruption to their lifestyle, and either at the clinical setting or at home, the present method can make a substantial contribution to the prevention of severe pressure ulcers and DTI.


Structure of the wild-type human BCL6 POZ domain.
BCL6 is a transcriptional repressor that is overexpressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. The N-terminal POZ domain of BCL6 interacts with transcriptional corepressors and targeting these associations is a promising therapeutic strategy. Previous structural studies of the BCL6 POZ domain have used a mutant form because of the low solubility of the wild-type recombinant protein. A method for the purification and crystallization of the wild-type BCL6 POZ domain is described and the crystal structure to 2.1 A resolution is reported. This will be relevant for the design of therapeutics that target BCL6 POZ-domain interaction interfaces.


Primary treatment of deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery: a survey of German heart surgery centers.
There are various primary treatment modalities of managing deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery, namely surgical debridement with primary reclosure in conjunction with irrigation, Vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C. therapy, and primary or delayed flap closure. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is consensus of the primary management of DSWI using one method as a single line therapy or a combination of these procedures. Therefore, a questionnaire with regards to the primary treatment modalities of DSWI was distributed to all 79 German heart surgery centers. All replied to the questionnaire. V.A.C. is used in 28/79 (35%) heart centers as the 'first-line' treatment, 22/79 (28%) perform primary reclosure in conjunction with a double-tube irrigation/suction system, and in 29/79 (37%) clinics both treatment options were used according to intraoperative conditions. Mostly, as a primary management of DSWI two treatment modalities are mainly in use: primary reclosure coupled with a double-tube suction/irrigation system and V.A.C. therapy. The current understanding is based purely on retrospective studies, not evidence-based medicine. Since prospective randomized studies have not yet been performed, controlled clinical trials comparing these treatment modalities are pivotal to define evidence for patients presenting with DSWI.


Older persons' perceptions of the frequency and meaning of elderspeak from family, friends, and service workers.
Older persons (N = 159) were surveyed for their impressions of and experiences with elderspeak from friends, same-age family members, younger family members, familiar service workers, and unfamiliar service workers. Two dimensions, "warmth" and "superiority," emerged in the judgments of elderspeak from all five speaker types. Respondents perceived more warmth and less superiority in elderspeak from friends than they did in elderspeak from unfamiliar service workers. Among younger seniors, elderspeak was received primarily from unfamiliar service workers, whereas among nursing home residents, elderspeak was received from all speaker types. Variation thus exists in the covert experiences of elderspeak from different sources, and in the frequency of receipt of elderspeak from different sources.


Congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis with reticulated supple scarring.
Congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis with reticulated supple scarring is a rare cutaneous disorder of unknown aetiology first described by Cohen and colleagues in 1985. It classically presents in the neonate as erosions and vesicles that heal within the first months of life, with supple scarring of a reticulated pattern. Along with a review of the literature, this article presents two atypical cases of congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis with reticulated supple scarring. Patient one presented with neither erosions nor vesicles at birth, yet continued to experience sporadic blistering at the age of 15 months and patient two is the second documented case to develop congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis after birth.


The fMRI BOLD response to unisensory and multisensory smoking cues in nicotine-dependent adults.
Given that the vast majority of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of drug cue reactivity use unisensory visual cues, but that multisensory cues may elicit greater craving-related brain responses, the current study sought to compare the fMRI BOLD response to unisensory visual and multisensory, visual plus odor, smoking cues in 17 nicotine-dependent adult cigarette smokers. Brain activation to smoking-related, compared to neutral, pictures was assessed under cigarette smoke and odorless odor conditions. While smoking pictures elicited a pattern of activation consistent with the addiction literature, the multisensory (odor+picture) smoking cues elicited significantly greater and more widespread activation in mainly frontal and temporal regions. BOLD signal elicited by the multisensory, but not unisensory cues, was significantly related to participants' level of control over craving as well. Results demonstrated that the co-presentation of cigarette smoke odor with smoking-related visual cues, compared to the visual cues alone, elicited greater levels of craving-related brain activation in key regions implicated in reward. These preliminary findings support future research aimed at a better understanding of multisensory integration of drug cues and craving.


Removal of metals and hydrocarbons from stormwater using coagulation and flocculation.
As the understanding of how stormwater pollutants are fractioned and need for mitigation has increased, so has the investigation into more advanced treatment techniques. The present study investigated the treatment efficiency of coagulation/flocculation and sedimentation in semi-synthetic stormwater. Five coagulants were evaluated in terms of reducing particle content, organic carbon, total and dissolved metals, hydrocarbon oil index, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Changes in the resulting particle size distribution as a consequence of the coagulation treatment were also investigated. The pollutants in the semi-synthetic stormwater were predominantly in the particulate phase. The medium and longer chained hydrocarbons dominated the hydrocarbon oil index, while medium to high molecular weight PAHs were most abundant. Iron chloride was the only coagulant that affected particle size distribution post-treatment, shifting the distribution toward larger particles. In terms of total metal removal, the performance of the coagulants was similar, with over 90% removal on average. Concentration of zdissolved copper, one of the metals found in the dissolved phase, was reduced by 40% via coagulation treatment. The iron chloride coagulant increased dissolved Zn, a change attributed to a considerable drop in pH resulting in higher ion mobility. Similarly, the reduction in organic content (total organic carbon, oil, and PAHs) was over 90% for most coagulants.


Basic oculomotor function is similar in young children with ASD and typically developing controls.
A variety of eye tracking studies have demonstrated that young children with ASD gaze at images and movies of social interactions differently than typically developing children. These findings have supported the hypothesis that gaze behavior differences are generated by a weaker preference for social stimuli in ASD children. The hypothesis assumes that gaze differences are not caused by abnormalities in oculomotor function including saccade frequency and kinematics. Previous studies of oculomotor function have mostly been performed with school-age children, adolescents, and adults using visual search, anti-saccade, and gap saccade tasks that are less suitable for young pre-school children. Here, we examined oculomotor function in 144 children (90 with ASD and 54 controls), 1-10-years-old, as they watched two animated movies interleaved with the presentation of multiple salient stimuli that elicited saccades-to-targets. The results revealed that the number of fixations, fixation duration, number of saccades, saccade duration, saccade accuracy, and saccade latency did not differ significantly across groups. Minor initial differences in saccade peak velocity were not supported by analysis with a linear mixed model. These findings suggest that most children with ASD exhibit similar oculomotor function to that of controls, when performing saccades-to-targets or freely viewing child-friendly movies. This suggests that previously reported gaze abnormalities in children with ASD are not due to underlying oculomotor deficiencies. LAY SUMMARY: This study demonstrates that children with ASD perform similar eye movements to those of controls when freely observing movies or making eye movements to targets. Similar results were apparent across groups in the number of eye movements, their accuracy, duration, and other measures that assess eye movement control. These findings are important for interpreting previously reported differences in gaze behavior of children with ASD, which are likely due to atypical social preferences rather than impaired control of eye movements.


Human progesterone receptor gene polymorphism PROGINS and risk for breast cancer in Austrian women.
A germline TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism in the intron G of the progesterone receptor (PR) gene designated PROGINS was described to be associated with an increased risk for ovarian carcinoma. It was supposed that the PR isoform A protein associated with PROGINS has an increased stability and therefore, a higher transcriptional activity. This may cause an inadequate control of estrogen receptor (ER) and PR B isoform and lead to the increased risk of tumor development. On the other hand, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the chromosomal region 11q22-23, where the PR gene is located, was frequently observed in breast cancer, suggesting the presence of a tumor suppressor gene in this region. Recently, it was reported that PROGINS is associated with a decreased risk for breast cancer. In order to examine if PROGINS is associated with an alteration of the risk for breast cancer, we examined PROGINS in 155 sporadic breast cancer patients in Austrian women and in a control group of 106 healthy volunteers. LOH affecting the PR gene was also analyzed in the tumor patients. No statistically significant difference was found for the frequencies of the PROGINS carriers (23.2%) in the Austrian breast cancer patients and in the healthy control group (26.4%), indicating that PROGINS is not associated with either an increased or a decreased risk for breast cancer. Furthermore, no associations between the PROGINS status and the protein levels of ER and PR, clinical data like tumor type, differentiation grade, tumor size, and the nodal status as well as the age of the patients were found. There was also no significant difference in the frequency of LOH affecting the PR gene in the PROGINS carriers and non carriers, demonstrating that LOH at PR gene is not associated with the PROGINS status.


Computed tomography of the sacroiliac joints in children.
Clinical assessment of the sacroiliac joints is difficult. Conventional radiography and radionuclide scanning have not afforded optimal sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of sacroiliac involvement in spondyloarthropathies. This report describes a technique for computed tomography of the sacroiliac joints in children; the method involves coronal scanning and allows assessment of the entire surface of the joints.


Influence of epidermal growth factor on long-term potentiation in the hippocampal slice.
Rat hippocampal slices were perfused with epidermal growth factor (EGF) at a concentration of 10(-8) M. EGF is a well known mitogen which exhibits neurotrophic action on neurons of the CNS. During extra- and intracellular recordings in the pyramidal cell body layer of the CA1-region no influence of EGF on evoked potentials was seen if single-pulse or paired-pulse stimulation was used. Furthermore EGF has no influence on the resting membrane potential of the cells investigated. However after tetanic stimulation a significant increase in the magnitude of long-term potentiation was observed. Therefore it is concluded, that EGF might be involved in modulation of neuronal plasticity.


Retinal Disease Screening Through Local Binary Patterns.
This paper investigates discrimination capabilities in the texture of fundus images to differentiate between pathological and healthy images. For this purpose, the performance of local binary patterns (LBP) as a texture descriptor for retinal images has been explored and compared with other descriptors such as LBP filtering and local phase quantization. The goal is to distinguish between diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and normal fundus images analyzing the texture of the retina background and avoiding a previous lesion segmentation stage. Five experiments (separating DR from normal, AMD from normal, pathological from normal, DR from AMD, and the three different classes) were designed and validated with the proposed procedure obtaining promising results. For each experiment, several classifiers were tested. An average sensitivity and specificity higher than 0.86 in all the cases and almost of 1 and 0.99, respectively, for AMD detection were achieved. These results suggest that the method presented in this paper is a robust algorithm for describing retina texture and can be useful in a diagnosis aid system for retinal disease screening.


Na channel expression and activity in the medullary collecting duct of rat kidney.
The expression and activity of epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC) in the medullary collecting duct of the rat kidney were examined using a combination of whole cell patch-clamp measurements of amiloride-sensitive currents (I(Na)) in split-open tubules and Western blot analysis of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC proteins. In the outer medullary collecting duct, amiloride-sensitive currents were undetectable in principal cells from control animals but were robust when rats were treated with aldosterone (I(Na) = 960 +/- 160 pA/cell) or fed a low-Na diet (I(Na) = 440 +/- 120 pA/cell). In both cases, the currents were similar to those measured in principal cells of the cortical collecting duct from the same animals. In the inner medullary collecting duct, currents were much lower, averaging 120 +/- 20 pA/cell in aldosterone-treated rats. Immunoblots showed that all three ENaC subunits were expressed in the cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla of the rat kidney. When rats were fed a low-Na diet for 1 wk, similar changes in alpha- and gamma-ENaC occurred in all three regions of the kidney; the amounts of full-length as well as putative cleaved alpha-ENaC protein increased, and the fraction of gamma-ENaC protein in the cleaved state increased at the expense of the full-length protein. The appearance of a presumably fully glycosylated form of beta-ENaC in Na-depleted animals was observed mainly in the outer and inner medulla. These findings suggest that the capability of hormone-regulated, channel-mediated Na reabsorption by the nephron extends at least into the outer medullary collecting duct.


Impaired growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing hormone in thalassemia major.
The response of GH to acute administration of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) was evaluated in 19 patients with thalassemia major and 8 normal children. In 13 of the 19 patients, GHRH induced a definite increase (greater than 5 ng/ml) in plasma GH levels, with peaks occurring 5-45 min postinjection. In 6 patients there was little or no GH rise after GHRH treatment. Overall, the mean GH response to GHRH of patients with thalassemia was lower than that of normal children. These data indicate that in thalassemia major, in addition to the described defect at the hepatic GH receptor or postreceptor level which impedes generation of somatomedins, there may be a marked impairment in somatotroph function. In one patient in whom the GH response to GHRH was superimposable on that of normal subjects, there was a blunted GH response to insulin hypoglycemia. This finding indicates that functional damage in hypothalamic structures for GH control can also occur in thalassemic patients.


[Endocrinology and nuclear medicine aspects of the treatment of thyroid tumours].
Thyroid tumours belong among the most frequent malignant tumours in endocrinology. The rate of incidence of new carcinomas has increased dramatically in recent years; the rate of thyroid tumour incidence, in particular of its less advanced papillary forms, sextupled in the Czech Republic in the previous decade. The article brings an overview of the factors involved in the development of thyroid tumours, and the classification and clinical assessment of their different types. Recombinant human TSH has started to be used in the Czech Republic as part of preparation of patients for radioiodine treatment. Also discussed is the relevance of tumour markers for the prognosis of the disease in the context of life-long monitoring of patients with thyroid carcinoma.


Effectiveness of autogenic relaxation training in addition to usual physiotherapy on emotional state and functional independence of stroke survivors.
The occurrence of post-stroke emotional problems is significant during the early post-stroke stage and affects the recovery of functionality among the survivors. Because stroke survivors require active engagement in rehabilitation to optimize the process of neuroplasticity in the initial stage of stroke, there is a need to integrate an intervention, preferably therapists-mediated during rehabilitation, which reduce emotional problems thus improve motivation level among the survivors. One such technique is autogenic relaxation training (ART). ART has been found to reduce anxiety and depression among patients with several medical conditions. However, its usage in stroke survivors during rehabilitation has been limited to date. Therefore, this study is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of ART in addition to usual physiotherapy in improving emotional state and functional level of stroke survivors during rehabilitation. This is an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial comparing 2 intervention approaches namely ART-added physiotherapy (experimental group) and usual physiotherapy (control group). A total of 70 post-stroke patients will be recruited and allocated into either the ART-added physiotherapy or the usual physiotherapy group. The ART-added physiotherapy group will undergo a 20-minute ART session followed by 40 minutes of usual physiotherapy. While the usual physiotherapy group will receive usual physiotherapy alone for 60 minutes. All participants will be treated once a week and are required to carry out a set of home exercises for 2 times per week during the 12-week intervention. Assessment of emotional status and functional independence will be carried out at pre-intervention and week 13 of the intervention with the use of Hospital anxiety and depression scale, Barthel index, and EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels. All data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The expected main study outcome is an enhanced evidence-based physiotherapy program that may be used by physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of stroke patients with emotional disturbances. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12619001664134 (last updated on 28/11/2019).


Basilar dolichoectasia with intermural hematoma accompanied by cerebral microbleeds and white matter hyperintensities: A case report.
The clinical manifestations of basilar dolichoectasia (BD) are variable. The diagnosis is based on imaging measurements. Digital subtraction angiography displays only the dilated vascular lumen and lacks visualization of the arterial wall. High-resolution Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify intramural hematoma; therefore, it may be more suitable for the imaging evaluation of BD. However, most of the existing literature pertaining to BD lacks vascular wall assessment. A 65-year-old Chinese man perceived weakness of the left upper and lower limb, double vision, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting was admitted to the emergency department. Fifteen years prior to this admission, he began taking levamlodipine besylate inconsistently for hypertension, but the level of blood pressure control was uncertain. The patient's father had a family history of hypertension. An emergency axial computed tomography scan of the brain showed basilar artery (BA) dilation. Computed tomography angiography further indicated a maximum BA diameter of 38.94 mm. The length was >182 mm. MRI revealed acute infarctions of the right medulla oblongata and pons. Meanwhile, the patient had evidence of cerebral small vessel disease, including cerebral microbleeds and white matter hyperintensities. Whole-exome sequencing eliminated significant genetic variations consistent with clinical phenotypes. BD and intramural hematoma were further confirmed by high-resolution MRI of the arterial wall. Atorvastatin was admitted according to the results of the high-resolution MRI of the arterial wall. Benidipine hydrochloride was selected as a long-term anti-hypertensive drug. The patient had no symptoms of neurological damage during 3-month follow-up. Current evidence shows that BD has no obvious correlation with atherosclerosis. BA dissection and uncontrolled hypertension may be important factors in the progression of BD. BD-related stroke is likely to recur, and there are no standard secondary prevention measures. BD is often accompanied by cerebral microbleeds, and bleeding risk must be assessed during secondary prevention. When the BA diameter is greater than 10 mm, anti-platelet medication should be used with caution, blood pressure should be strictly controlled, and endovascular treatment should be considered.


[Surface characterisation of shot peened implants with glas beads in total hip arthroplasty].
Alumina-blasting is used to create a rougher surface of Titanium implants in cementless total hip arthroplasty to achieve a better bony ingrowth. An increasing number of publications in maxillofacial surgery and orthopaedic surgery show that there is a significant contamination in Alumina blasted surfaces. Latest research published an effect of contaminant particles on early loosening of endoprostheses associated with third body wear. Due to our knowledge no previous study analysed surface contamination of hip endoprostheses with glass beads. Aim of our work was to evaluate the percentage of contaminated surface of hip endoprostheses with glass beads. The surface of 5 Ti-VPS sprayed Phoenix cups and 5 morse-taper-junctions of the MRP-Titan revision stem (Peter Brehm, Chirurgie Mechanik, Weisendorf) were analysed with respect to glass particles. Shot peening was performed with glass beads "BALLOTINI" MGL, Fa. Würth Strahlmittel. A field emission scanning electron microscopy (LEO 1525) was used for the detection of the glass-particles on the implant surface with a backscattered electron detector. The particle covering position was calculated by means of an imaging analyze software (analySIS, Soft Imaging System GmbH). The surface of the Ti-VPS sprayed Phoenix cups showed a contaminated area at a mean of 9.2 +/- 1.3 %, morse-taper-junctions of the MRP-Titan stem at a mean of 9.6 +/- 2.1 % with glass particle contact. The results of this study clearly show that there is a contamination of shot pinned Titanium surfaces with glass particles in a significant percentage. With respect to third body wear in total hip arthroplasty further studies are necessary to minimize contamination.


(Z)-5-Benzyl-idene-3-butyl-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one.
In the title compound, C(20)H(21)NO(2), the benzyl group and the oxazolidin-2-one unit are each essentially planar, with maximum deviations of 0.026 (2) and 0.031 (2) Å, respectively. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the oxazolidin-2-one unit is 69.25 (2)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions.


Evaluation of the Uni-Yeast-Tek kit for the identification of medically important yeasts.
The Uni-Yeast-Tek system, a commercially prepared kit and scheme for the rapid identification of medically important yeasts (Corning Medical), was evaluated in comparison with a conventional procedure in the identification of 623 yeasts. The system permitted the presumptive identification of 99.8% of 436 isolates representing 16 common species commonly isolated in the clinical laboratory. Correct biochemical and morphological analyses were obtained with 48 other species, but their specific identification required additional data.


Facilitating Partnerships With Community- and Faith-Based Organizations for Disaster Preparedness and Response: Results of a National Survey of Public Health Departments.
We identify characteristics of local health departments, which enhance collaborations with community- and faith-based organizations (CFBOs) for emergency preparedness and response. Online survey data were collected from a sample of 273 disaster preparedness coordinators working at local health departments across the United States between August and December 2011. Using multiple linear regression models, we found that perceptions of CFBO trust were associated with more successful partnership planning (β=0.63; P=0.02) and capacity building (β=0.61; P=0.01). Employee layoffs in the past 3 years (β=0.41; P=0.001) and urban location (β=0.41; P=0.005) were positively associated with higher ratings of resource sharing between health agencies and CFBOs. Having 1-3 full-time employees increased the ratings of success in communication and outreach activities compared with health departments having less than 1 full-time employee (β=0.33; P=0.05). Positive attitudes toward CFBOs also enhanced communication and outreach (β=0.16; P=0.03). Staff-capacity factors are important for quick dissemination of information and resources needed to address emerging threats. Building the trust of CFBOs can help address large-scale disasters by improving the success of more involved activities that integrate the CFBO into emergency plans and operations of the health department and that better align with federal-funding performance measures. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:57-66).


Monitoring of oxidative and metabolic stress during cardiac surgery by means of breath biomarkers: an observational study.
Volatile breath biomarkers provide a non-invasive window to observe physiological and pathological processes in the body. This study was intended to assess the impact of heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) onto breath biomarker profiles. Special attention was attributed to oxidative or metabolic stress during surgery and extracorporeal circulation, which can cause organ damage and poor outcome. 24 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation were enrolled into this observational study. Alveolar breath samples (10 mL) were taken after induction of anesthesia, after sternotomy, 5 min after end of ECC, and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min after end of surgery. Alveolar gas samples were withdrawn from the circuit under visual control of expired CO2. Inspiratory samples were taken near the ventilator inlet. Volatile substances in breath were preconcentrated by means of solid phase micro extraction, separated by gas chromatography, detected and identified by mass spectrometry. Mean exhaled concentrations of acetone, pentane and isoprene determined in this study were in accordance with results from the literature. Exhaled substance concentrations showed considerable inter-individual variation, and inspired pentane concentrations sometimes had the same order of magnitude than expired values. This is the reason why, concentrations were normalized by the values measured 120 min after surgery. Exhaled acetone concentrations increased slightly after sternotomy and markedly after end of ECC. Exhaled acetone concentrations exhibited positive correlation to serum C-reactive protein concentrations and to serum troponine-T concentrations. Exhaled pentane concentrations increased markedly after sternotomy and dropped below initial values after ECC. Breath pentane concentrations showed correlations with serum creatinine (CK) levels. Patients with an elevated CK-MB (myocardial&brain)/CK ratio had also high concentrations of pentane in exhaled air. Exhaled isoprene concentrations raised significantly after sternotomy and decreased to initial levels at 30 min after end of ECC. Exhaled isoprene concentrations showed a correlation with cardiac output. Oxidative and metabolic stress during cardiac surgery could be assessed continuously and non-invasively by means of breath analysis. Correlations between breath acetone profiles and clinical conditions underline the potential of breath biomarker monitoring for diagnostics and timely initiation of life saving therapy.


Arsenic in rice (Oryza sativa L.) related to dynamics of arsenic and silicic acid in paddy soils.
Paddy rice is a global staple food which in some circumstances can contain high levels of the toxic element arsenic (As). In order to elucidate factors influencing As dissolution in the soil solution during paddy rice cultivation, rice (Oryza sativa L. "Selenio") was cultivated to maturity in six paddy soils in the greenhouse in 2005 and 2006. Concentrations of Mn, Fe, As, P, and silicic acid in soil solution and As concentrations in rice straw and polished rice grain were determined. There was a close relationship between Fe and As concentrations in the soil solution, suggesting that the major part of dissolved As originated from reduced iron-(hydr)oxide. However, in addition to the factors causing As dissolution in the soil, other factors influenced the uptake of As by rice. The inhibitory effect of indigenous silicic acid in the soil solution on As uptake was clearly shown. This implied that soils with high plant available Si contents resulted in low plant As contents and that Si application to soils may decrease the As content of rice.


Escherichia coli toxin gene hipA affects biofilm formation and DNA release.
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems in Escherichia coli may play a role in biofilm formation, but the mechanism involved remains debatable. It is not known whether the TA systems are responsible for extracellular DNA (eDNA) in biofilms. In this study, we investigated the function of the hipBA TA system in biofilm formation by Escherichia coli strain BW25113. First, the deletion of the HipBA TA system in E. coli BW25113 significantly reduced the biofilm biomass without antibiotic stress. Second, treatment of the BW25113 biofilm with DNase I caused a major reduction in biofilm formation, whereas similar treatment of the hipA mutant biofilm had only a minor effect. Third, the inactivation of HipA reduced the level of eDNA present in biofilm formation, and addition of BW25113 genomic DNA stimulated biofilm formation for both the wild-type and hipA mutant. Fourth, the wild-type cells underwent significantly more cell lysis than the hipA mutant. These results suggest that hipA plays a significant role during biofilm development and that eDNA is an important structural component of E. coli BW25113 biofilms. Thus, the TA system may enhance biofilm formation through DNA release.


Immunologic and virologic findings in a bull chronically infected with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus.
Depressed lymphocyte blastogenesis in response to mitogen stimulation, depressed iodination of protein by neutrophils, and enhanced ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils were detected in a bull with chronic bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Before developing chronic BVD, the bull was vaccinated with a killed cytopathic BVD virus. Neutralizing antibodies specific for the vaccine virus were detected in serum specimens obtained from the bull immediately before death. A noncytopathic BVD virus was isolated from the spleen after death. The immunologic and virologic findings in this bull supported reported research findings on the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in chronic BVD and mucosal disease.


La1+xBa1-xGa3O7+0.5x Oxide Ion Conductor: Cationic Size Effect on the Interstitial Oxide Ion Conductivity in Gallate Melilites.
Substitution of La3+ for Ba2+ in LaBaGa3O7 melilite yields a new interstitial-oxide-ion conducting La1+xBa1-xGa3O7+0.5x solid solution, which only extends up to x = 0.35, giving a maximum interstitial oxygen content allowed in La1+xBa1-xGa3O7+0.5x as about half of those allowed in La1+x(Sr/Ca)1-xGa3O7+0.5x. La1.35Ba0.65Ga3O7.175 ceramic displays bulk conductivity ∼1.9 × 10-3 S/cm at 600 °C, which is lower than those of La1.35(Sr/Ca)0.65Ga3O7.175, showing the reduced mobility for the oxygen interstitials in La1+xBa1-xGa3O7+0.5x than in La1+x(Sr/Ca)1-xGa3O7+0.5x. Rietveld analysis of neutron powder diffraction data reveals that the oxygen interstitials in La1.35Ba0.65Ga3O7.175 are located within the pentagonal tunnels at the Ga level between two La/Ba cations along the c-axis and stabilized via incorporating into the bonding environment of a three-linked GaO4 among the five GaO4 tetrahedra forming the pentagonal tunnels, similar to the Sr and Ca counterparts. Both static lattice atomistic simulation and density functional theory calculation show that LaBaGa3O7 has the largest formation energy for oxygen interstitial defects among La1+xM1-xGa3O7+0.5x (M = Ba, Sr, Ca), consistent with the large Ba2+ cations favoring interstitial oxygen defects in melilite less than the small cations Sr2+ and Ca2+. The cationic-size control of the ability to accommodate the oxygen interstitials and maintain high mobility for the oxygen interstitials in La1+xM1-xGa3O7+0.5x (M = Ba, Sr, Ca) gallate melilites is understood in terms of local structural relaxation to accommodate and transport the oxygen interstitials. The accommodation and migration of the interstitials in the melilite structure require the tunnel-cations being able to adapt to the synergic size expansion for the interstitial-containing tunnel and contraction for the tunnels neighboring the interstitial-containing tunnel and continuous tunnel-size expansion and contraction. However, the large oxygen bonding separation requirement of the large Ba2+ along the tunnel not only suppresses the ability to accommodate the interstitials in the tunnels neighboring the Ba2+-containing tunnel but also reduces the mobility of the oxygen interstitials among the pentagonal tunnels.


The experience of early discharge after TURP.
Patients who have undergone urological surgery are being discharged home earlier. Patients who have undergone TURP may experience several distressing symptoms, such as incontinence and nocturia. A study of patients discharged into the community from one urological unit felt they needed more support to manage such symptoms.


Clinicopathological correlations in postasphyxial organ damage: a donor organ perspective.
1) To assess pathology in the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, and intestine in babies dying of postasphyxial hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and their suitability for organ transplantation. 2) To analyze the correlation between in vivo clinical markers of collateral organ damage and autopsy findings. Retrospective cohort study of 58 infants who died of postasphyxial HIE and had autopsies during 1985 to 1994. Collateral organ damage was evaluated clinically and pathologically, and the results compared. Severe pathological changes were observed in 6% to 62% of the five organs studied; 59% of the four major organs had either minor or no pathology. The sensitivity of the clinical predictors ranged from 69% to 100%, and specificity from 50% to 97%. The organs of newborns dying of severe HIE may be suitable for use as donor organs; predictions of their suitability were most accurate for liver, kidney, and lungs, and least accurate for the heart.


[Evaluation of an animal model in endoscopic surgery of the cerebello-pontine angle].
In the last few years one can observe a dynamic evolution of the minimal invasive surgery, particularly in the field of the skull base surgery. We are now in a front of a big problem with human specimen for dissection. They become rare. Those circumstances force us to look for an animal model to perform dissections. The swine is a very well known model for general and thoracic surgery but we can hear also some attempt of using it in the field of the skull base surgery. Authors tried to deal with the endoscopic anatomy of the cerebello-pontine angle through the retrosigmoid approach. During this study they found that we could find structures which are analogical to human's one. Animal models will not take place of human specimens in surgical training but they can considerably reduce their number. Difficult technique and unusual tools demands a lot of hours of training, and a big part of it can be easily performed on animal models. Authors present their own experience.


Safety assessment of paper and board food packaging: chemical analysis and genotoxicity of possible contaminants in packaging.
In order to identify potential genotoxicant(s) in recycled paperboard, samples were fractionated using multiple liquid/liquid extraction, and gel permeation chromatography, and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The rec-assay was used as an indicator of genotoxicity. Genotoxicants in the recycled paperboard were identified as dehydroabietic acid (DHA) and abietic acid (AA). DHA and AA were detected in two out of five virgin products, and in all seven recycled products for food-contact use. Total amounts of DHA and AA were 240 and 990 microg/g in the virgin products and 200-990 microg/g in the recycled products. A good correlation was observed in the total amount of DHA and AA content determined in paper products and DNA-damaging activity. Moreover, genotoxic effects in paper products showed a good match with standard compounds, indicating that the genotoxic effects of these paper products was mostly attributable to DHA and AA.


Efficacy of emergency radionuclide perfusion lung studies.
Over a one-year period, 206 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism received gamma camera perfusion lung images on an emergency 24 hr. basis. Clinical diagnosis listed pulmonary embolism in 37 of 39 patients whose images showed a high probability of it, in 28 of 69 whose images were abnormal but rated uncertain probability, and 5 of 98 with normal images. Retrospective clinical evaluation indicated 89 of the emergency images to be considered important, 95 contributory, and 22 not helpful in clinical management. As a result of the images, 80 patients were placed on heparin therapy of 198 considered for it, and 22 of 29 patients referred for hospital admission were placed on an outpatient basis. Delay in obtaining lung images creates the possibility of diagnostic uncertainty in interpreting the image.


Two plasmid modules for introducing the auxin-inducible degron into the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe by PCR-based gene targeting.
Targeted protein degradation is a powerful approach to study and inhibit protein function in vivo. Introduction of the auxin-inducible degron (AID) system to the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe was previously reported, but, to the best of our knowledge, no plasmid for constructing AID-tagged fission yeast strains has been described so far. Here, we describe two plasmids that facilitate the introduction of the mini auxin-inducible degron (mAID) tag with a FLAG epitope or GFP by the conventional PCR-based gene targeting method. Our experimental verification indicated that PCR-based mAID tagging is straightforward and that the auxin-degron system is useful for studying essential proteins in S. pombe.


Alteration of cerebral taurine biosynthesis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Cerebral taurine biosynthesis in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has been studied. Cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) and cysteic acid (CA), possible key intermediates in taurine biosynthesis, were found in the rat brain, whereas no cysteamine-cystamine was detected. In the brain of SHR, a statistically significant decrease in the contents of CSA, CA, and taurine was noted in the cerebellum, hypothalamus, and striatum as compared with normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats. Similarly, it was demonstrated that the activity of cysteine dioxygenase, the enzyme catalyzing cysteine to CSA, was attenuated significantly in the same brain areas of SHR. In contrast, no alteration in the activity of CSA decarboxylase, the enzyme converting CSA to hypotaurine or CA to taurine, was observed. A decline in the percent conversion of [14C]cysteine to [14C]taurine was found also in tissue homogenates from the cerebellum, hypothalamus, and striatum of SHR, indicating that the declines in taurine content may be due to an attenuation of taurine biosynthesis, possibly at the step involving cysteine dioxygenase.


Analysis of comfort and ergonomics for clinical work environments.
Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a serious risk to workers' health in any work environment, and especially in clinical work places. These disorders are typically the result of prolonged exposure to non-ergonomic postures and the resulting discomfort in the workplace. Thus a continuous assessment of comfort and ergonomics is necessary. There are different techniques available to make such assessments, such as self-reports on perceived discomfort and observational scoring models based on the posture's relevant joint angles. These methods are popular in medical and industrial environments alike. However, there are uncertainties with regards to objectivity of these methods and whether they provide a full picture. This paper reports on a study about these methods and how they correlate with the activity of muscles involved in the task at hand. A wearable 4-channel electromyography (EMG) and joint angle estimation device with wireless transmission was made specifically for this study to allow continuous, long-term and real-time measurements and recording of activities. N=10 participants took part in an experiment involving a buzz-wire test at 3 different levels, with their muscle activity (EMG), joint angle scores (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment - RULA), self-reports of perceived discomfort (Borg scale) and performance score on the buzz-wire being recorded and compared. Results show that the Borg scale is not responsive to smaller changes in discomfort whereas RULA and EMG can be used to detect more detailed changes in discomfort, effort and ergonomics.


The influence of work characteristics on the need for recovery and experienced health: a study on coach drivers.
Work characteristics, occupationally-induced fatigue, and health complaints were investigated on the basis of questionnaire data from 363 randomized coach drivers. The hypothesis was tested that, apart from high job demands and low job control, need for recovery is an indicator of occupationally-induced health complaints. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that need for recovery was a major predictor of psychosomatic complaints, sleep complaints, and complaints of emotional exhaustion in coach drivers. The influence of job demands and job control on health problems was moderately confirmed. The results of this study draw attention to the role of the need for recovery, as a sign of occupationally-induced fatigue and predictor of health complaints, in future research on occupational stress.


Detection of the new tuberculosis: ocular examination as a diagnostic imperative.
Until recently, tuberculosis in the U.S. had been considered a public health concern of the past, largely conquered by therapy devised in the 1950s. However, in the past several years, the incidence of tuberculosis has increased steeply and unexpectedly, owing to a conspiracy of new factors. These include: the epidemic of acquired immune deficiency, the emergence of drug-resistant strains, the confinement of susceptibles in crowded shelters, and the premature demolition of public health programs. A dynamic interplay exists between the tubercle bacillus and the declining immune system in AIDS patients. Because of this, many atypical, clinical presentations of tuberculosis have emerged. The detection of ocular manifestations of tuberculosis has thus assumed increased importance. It can allow not only for an earlier diagnosis of TB, but an earlier diagnosis of AIDS, preventing spread of both diseases within the population. Evaluation of ocular signs of tuberculosis should now be a diagnostic imperative.


Kinesthetic aftereffect and augmenting/reducing: a two-session procedure, and hence identification of stimulus-governed subjects, is contraindicated.
A few of the recent researchers of kinesthetic aftereffect (KAE) as an index of augmenting/reducing have continued to employ a two-session procedure. Findings that have accrued in the past decade indicate (a) The first administration of KAE is a reliable (internally consistent) and valid index of augmenting-reducing; (b) there are carry-over effects from the first to the second administration that bias the second session's preinduction scores; (c) KAE scores from sessions after the first do not relate to first-session scores (low retest reliability) and do not measure augmenting/reducing; and (d) unless special procedures are undertaken to avoid using the biased second- (or later-) session preinduction scores, a KAE procedure involving more than one session is contraindicated. When we reached a similar conclusion earlier (Baker et al., 1974), Petrie (1974) disagreed, arguing that a two-session procedure was needed to identify and eliminate an atypical subgroup, the "stimulus governed." The case for determining which subjects are stimulus-governed is assessed and found wanting. Except in special circumstances, a one-session KAE procedure, in which all preinduction trials precede the first exposure to aftereffect induction, is indicated.


The Efficacy and Efficiency of Uterocervical Angle Measurements to Predict Preterm Labor in Idiopathic Polyhydramnios Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Uterocervical angle measurements in pregnant women with idiopathic polyhydramnios were appraised for their predictive value for spontaneous preterm labor. In this prospective study, we included nulliparous and multiparous pregnant women diagnosed with idiopathic polyhydramnios at 24-28 weeks at our polyclinic; the uterocervical angle and cervical length were measured by transvaginal ultrasound at the time of diagnosis. Routine pregnancy follow-up was done by our team and gestational age at delivery and maternal-fetal outcomes were noted. In total, 24 patients delivered before 37 weeks and 36 patients delivered at 37 weeks or later. Preterm labor subjects had larger UCA values (126.7±12.9° vs. 100.8±16.2°) and term labor patients had larger cervical length values (34.3±4.5 mm vs. 40.6±5.2 mm). In women with idiopathic polyhydramnios, the area under the curve for the uterocervical angle was 0.885 (p<0.001) and it was 0.823 for the cervical length (p<0.001). The uterocervical angle, a sagittal transvaginal cervical image measurement, is a practical method that successfully predicts spontaneous preterm labor risk in singleton pregnancies with idiopathic polyhydramnios. In addition, the uterocervical angle displayed greater sensitivity, but lower specificity, compared with cervical length measures.


CHFR silencing or microsatellite instability is associated with increased antitumor activity of docetaxel or gemcitabine in colorectal cancer.
Phenotypic differences among cancers with the same origin may be associated with chemotherapy response. CHFR silencing associated with DNA methylation has been suggested to be predictive of taxane sensitivity in diverse tumor types. However, the use of microsatellite instability (MSI:unstable-MSS:stable) as a predictive marker for therapeutic effect has had conflicting results. We examined these molecular alterations as predictors of chemotherapy sensitivity in colorectal cancer (CRC). Differential sensitivity to docetaxel and gemcitabine was compared to potential predictive biomarkers CHFR methylation and MSI status. Cell lines that were MSI-H/CHFR-methylated, MSS/CHFR-methylated and MSS/CHFR-unmethylated were assessed for in vivo sensitivity of CRC cell line xenografts to docetaxel and/or gemcitabine. We observed increased sensitivity in vitro to gemcitabine in cell lines with MSI and docetaxel in cell lines with CHFR inactivation via DNA methylation. In vivo treatment of human xenografts confirmed differential sensitivity, with the MSI-H/CHFR-methylated line RKO having tumor growth inhibition to each agent, and at least additive tumor growth inhibition with combination therapy. The MSS-CHFR-unmethylated line, CACO2 , was resistant to single and combination therapy, while COLO205, the MSS/CHFR-methylated line, showed tumor growth inhibition with docetaxel, but not gemcitabine, therapy. CHFR methylation in CRC cell lines predicted for sensitivity in vitro and in vivo to docetaxel, while MSI-H cell lines were more sensitive to gemcitabine. These data suggest that a subset of CRC patients would be selectively sensitive to a novel combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel, and are the basis for an ongoing clinical trial of this combination in a biomarker-selected patient population.


Ruthenium-Catalyzed 1,6-Aromatic Enamide-Silylalkyne Cycloisomerization: Approach to 2,3-Disubstituted Indoles.
Cycloisomerization is an atom economic procedure that converts dienes and enynes into cyclic molecules. To date, cycloisomerization between enamides and silylalkynes has not been explored. We found that N-acyl-N-vinyl-2-silylalkynylaniline derivatives undergo a cycloisomerization in the presence of a well-defined ruthenium hydride to give a 2,3-disubstitued indole. The vinyl and silylmethyl substituents on the 2- and 3-positions of the indole can be easily converted to other functional groups.


[Connection between of overweight and consumption confectionary, fast food stuffs and soft drinks. Widespread investigation Russian schoolchildren].
Overweight appear one of the serious problem in European region WHO today. Obesity is polyetiological disease and result of different factors. The aim of the current studies was investigation of connection between consumption confectionary, fast food stuffs and soft drinks and body-mass index (BMI). At the beginning, was inspection of 434 schoolchildren 7-18 age old. As a result, was determined, that confectionary, fast food stuffs and soft drinks mach more popular, than ever stuffs. At the same time, was determined, that mean significance BMI was reliable above for children, who used confectionary, fast food stuffs and soft drinks frequently.


Mouse peritoneal macrophages produce CFU-gm and CFU-meg growth-promoting factors.
The effect of peritoneal macrophage-conditioned medium (macrophage CM) from lipopolysaccharide-injected mice on granulocyte-macrophage colony (CFU-gm) and megakaryocyte colony (CFU-meg) formation was examined using a plasma clot culture system. Macrophage CM stimulated mouse bone marrow cells to form CFU-gm and CFU-meg in the presence of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cell-conditioned medium, but it had no effect on colony formation in the absence of exogenous colony-stimulating factors (CSF). CFU-gm and CFU-meg colony formation was enhanced by low concentrations of exogenous GM-CSF or Meg-CSF alone. These data demonstrate that macrophage CM contains an activity that sensitized CFU-gm and CFU-meg to exogenous CSF.


Fast corroding, thin magnesium coating displays antibacterial effects and low cytotoxicity.
Bacterial colonisation and biofilm formation are characteristics of implant-associated infections. In search of candidates for improved prosthetic materials, fast corroding Mg-based coatings on titanium surfaces were examined for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties. Human osteoblasts and Staphylococcus epidermidis were each cultured on cylindrical Ti samples coated with a thin layer of Mg/Mg45Zn5Ca, applied via magnetron sputtering. Uncoated titanium samples served as controls. S. epidermidis was quantified by counting colony forming units. The biofilm-bound fraction was isolated via ultrasonic treatment, and the planktonic fraction via centrifugation. Biofilm-bound S. epidermidis was significantly decreased by approximately four to five orders of magnitude in both Mg- and Mg45Zn5Ca-coated samples after seven days compared to the control. The osteoblast viability was within the tolerance threshold of 70% stated in DIN EN ISO 10993-5:2009-10 for Mg (~80%) but not for Mg45Zn5Ca (~25%). Accordingly, Mg-coated titanium was identified as a promising candidate for an implant material with antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity levels. The approach of exploiting fast corrosion contrasts with existing methods, which have generally focused on reducing corrosion.


Application of black walnut (Juglans nigra) husk for the removal of lead (II) ion from aqueous solution.
The biosorption characteristics of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution using black walnut (Juglans nigra) seed husk (WSH) biomass were investigated using batch adsorption techniques. The effects of pH, contact time, initial Pb (II) ion concentration, and temperature were studied. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the equilibrium data. It was found that the adsorption of Pb (II) ions onto WSH was best described by the Freundlich adsorption model. Biosorption kinetics data were tested using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models, and it was observed that the kinetics data fitted the pseudo-second order model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG0), standard enthalpy change (ΔH0) and standard entropy change (ΔS0) were evaluated. The result showed that biosorption of Pb (II) ions onto WSH was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The FTIR study showed that the following functional groups: O-H, C = O, C-O, C-H and N-H were involved in binding Pb (II) ions to the biomass.


The First Korean Case of SLC12A3 Aberrant Skipping of Two Exons Detected by RNA Splicing Analysis.
Gitelman syndrome is a salt-losing tubular disorder that is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Variants in the SLC12A3 gene are found in the majority of Gitelman syndrome patients. A 26-year-old woman visited the genetic counseling clinic. Her fiancé was a known Gitelman syndrome patient who was previously diagnosed with 2 pathogenic variants in SLC12A3. In advance of marriage and future family planning, she wanted to perform genetic testing of SLC12A3. A silent exonic variant c.1050G>A was found, and multiple splice site in silico algorithms predicted this variant to have potential alteration of splicing. This variant was classified as "variant of uncertain significance," and RNA splicing analysis was additionally performed. RNA splicing analysis showed aberrant splicing of exon 7-8 skipping. The result points out the potential pathogenicity of this variant, which should be considered a candidate of variant reclassification in the future. We highly recommend the performance of additional RNA splicing analysis, especially for silent variants predicted to have potential alteration of splicing.


Chemoselective Late-Stage Functionalization of Peptides via Photocatalytic C2-Alkylation of Tryptophan.
Across eukaryotic proteomes, tryptophan is the least abundant of the 20 canonical amino acids, which makes it an ideal chemical handle for the late-stage functionalization of peptide and protein scaffolds with minimal production of undesired isoforms. Herein, we report the photocatalytic C2-alkylation of tryptophan using bromodifluoroacetate/acetamide-derived radical precursors. This rapid visible-light-mediated reaction is additive-free, operationally simple, and tolerates diverse functionality. We demonstrate the late-stage modification of a variety of complex peptides, including examples of biological significance.


Esophageal coin with an unusual radiographic appearance.
Esophageal coins are typically seen as radiopaque disks on anteroposterior chest radiographs. This radiographic finding is generally considered classic for identifying "swallowed" coins as being in the esophagus. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl with an esophageal coin seen end-on on an anteroposterior chest radiograph and as a disk consistent with a coin in the lateral view. These findings are typically associated with coin aspiration. Clinicians should be wary of making the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration of coins by relying on single-view radiographic findings alone. When clinically reasonable, we suggest additional imaging to help further localize swallowed coins.


The role of bacterial urease activity on the uniformity of carbonate precipitation profiles of bio-treated coarse sand specimens.
Protocols for microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) have been extensively studied in the literature to optimise the process with regard to the amount of injected chemicals, the ratio of urea to calcium chloride, the method of injection and injection intervals, and the population of the bacteria, usually using fine- to medium-grained poorly graded sands. This study assesses the effect of varying urease activities, which have not been studied systematically, and population densities of the bacteria on the uniformity of cementation in very coarse sands (considered poor candidates for treatment). A procedure for producing bacteria with the desired urease activities was developed and qPCR tests were conducted to measure the counts of the RNA of the Ure-C genes. Sand biocementaton experiments followed, showing that slower rates of MICP reactions promote more effective and uniform cementation. Lowering urease activity, in particular, results in progressively more uniformly cemented samples and it is proven to be effective enough when its value is less than 10 mmol/L/h. The work presented highlights the importance of urease activity in controlling the quality and quantity of calcium carbonate cements.


Proteomic analysis of the effects of CSF-1 and IL-1α on dental follicle cells.
Tooth eruption is a complex physiological process involving both osteogenesis and bone resorption. Signals from the dental follicle (DF) regulate bone remodeling during tooth eruption. Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) may be the initial promoter of tooth eruption, whereas colony‑stimulating factor‑1 (CSF‑1) may attract monocytes into the DF and stimulate osteoclast differentiation. In the present study, differential proteomics was employed to explore protein changes in rat DF cells (DFCs) under the effects of CSF‑1 and IL‑1α. A total of 47 protein spots were differentially expressed in rat DFCs, and 40 protein spots were identified by MALDI‑TOF‑MS. The identified proteins were grouped into functional categories including cytoskeletal proteins, metal‑binding proteins, proteins involved in secretion and degradation, cell cycle proteins and stress proteins. In IL‑1α‑induced rat DFCs, 31 proteins were upregulated compared with the control and included heat shock protein β‑1 (HSP25, also known as HSP27/HSPβ1), vimentin, TMEM43, the GTP‑binding protein Rab‑3D, 6‑pyruvoyl tetrahydrobiopterin synthase and actin. In total, 7 proteins were downregulated, including serum albumin, GIPC1, DNA primase large subunit, cullin‑5 and cyclin‑G1. In CSF‑1‑induced rat DFCs, 3 proteins were upregulated and 7 proteins were downregulated when compared with the controls. The upregulated proteins included the GTP‑binding protein Rab‑3D and α‑actin. The downregulated proteins included cullin‑5, serum albumin, PDZ domain‑containing protein and cyclin‑G1. The differential expression of vimentin, actin, HSP25 and Rab‑3D was verified by western blotting and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. The present findings provide an insight into the mechanisms involved in tooth eruption.


Dye and metal ion adsorption ability of Asian green mussel byssus thread complex; their microscopic and thermal property characterization.
Various physical, chemical, and biological factors act as pollutants and cause deleterious effects on the environment and living organisms. Several researchers are developing eco-friendly good adsorbent from agriculture waste materials for pollutant removal, especially aromatic dyes and heavy metal removal. We used the Asian green mussel byssus thread, a natural mariculture waste product for the removal of aromatic dyes (methylene blue and eosin Y) and heavy metals (zinc, copper, iron, mercury and lead). We documented the dynamicity of byssus thread dye and metal removal at different pH (pH 2-10) and different concentrations. The highest amount of metal removal was observed at pH 6.0, and the dye removal efficacy is related to the property of the dye (i.e. anionic or cationic dye). The byssus thread had a natural fluorescent property upon UV-excitation; however, microscopic examination revealed that metal and dye coordination significantly alter the byssus plaque region's physical and chemical property rather than the thread regions. It was further confirmed by using DSC and TGA characterization of de-metaled and metal-treated byssus thread complex. We concluded that Perna viridis byssus thread could be used as a strong adsorbent for dye and metal removal from the water.


Can Exercise Improve Cognitive Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?
To examine the effects of exercise training on cognitive function in individuals at risk of or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Meta-analysis. PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest were searched from inception until August 1, 2017. Nineteen studies with 23 interventions including 1,145 subjects with a mean age of 77.0 ± 7.5 were included. Most subjects were at risk of AD because they had mild cognitive impairment (64%) or a parent diagnosed with AD (1%), and 35% presented with AD. Controlled studies that included an exercise-only intervention and a nondiet, nonexercise control group and reported pre- and post-intervention cognitive function measurements. Cognitive function before and after the intervention and features of the exercise intervention. Exercise interventions were performed 3.4 ± 1.4 days per week at moderate intensity (3.7 ± 0.6 metabolic equivalents) for 45.2 ± 17.0 minutes per session for 18.6 ± 10.0 weeks and consisted primarily of aerobic exercise (65%). Overall, there was a modest favorable effect of exercise on cognitive function (d+ = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.68). Within-group analyses revealed that exercise improved cognitive function (d+w = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.11-0.28), whereas cognitive function declined in the control group (d+w = -0.18, 95% CI = -0.36 to 0.00). Aerobic exercise had a moderate favorable effect on cognitive function (d+w = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.35-0.95), but other exercise types did not (d+w = 0.19, 95% CI = -0.06-0.43). Our findings suggest that exercise training may delay the decline in cognitive function that occurs in individuals who are at risk of or have AD, with aerobic exercise possibly having the most favorable effect. Additional randomized controlled clinical trials that include objective measurements of cognitive function are needed to confirm our findings.


["Traumatic" urethrorragias in young boys: can they be of an unusual etiology?].
The etiology of urethrorragias in the boy is usually unknown. The authors report one case related to a foreign body introduced into the urethra. Considering the urethroscopic findings, several publications about that type of urethral bleeding in the boy show that such a traumatic lesion is often found.


Photoaffinity isolation and identification of proteins in cancer cell extracts that bind to platinum-modified DNA.
The activity of the anticancer drug cisplatin is a consequence of its ability to bind DNA. Platinum adducts bend and unwind the DNA duplex, creating recognition sites for nuclear proteins. Following DNA damage recognition, the lesions will either be repaired, facilitating cell viability, or if repair is unsuccessful and the Pt adduct interrupts vital cellular functions, apoptosis will follow. With the use of the benzophenone-modified cisplatin analogue Pt-BP6, 25 bp DNA duplexes containing either a 1,2-d(G*pG*) intrastrand or a 1,3-d(G*pTpG*) intrastrand crosslink were synthesized, where the asterisks designate platinated nucleobases. Proteins having affinity for these platinated DNAs were photocrosslinked and identified in cervical, testicular, pancreatic and bone cancer-cell nuclear extracts. Proteins identified in this manner include the DNA repair factors RPA1, Ku70, Ku80, Msh2, DNA ligase III, PARP-1, and DNA-PKcs, as well as HMG-domain proteins HMGB1, HMGB2, HMGB3, and UBF1. The latter strongly associate with the 1,2-d(G*pG*) adduct and weakly or not at all with the 1,3-d(G*pTpG*) adduct. The nucleotide excision repair protein RPA1 was photocrosslinked only by the probe containing a 1,3-d(G*pTpG*) intrastrand crosslink. The affinity of PARP-1 for platinum-modified DNA was established using this type of probe for the first time. To ensure that the proteins were not photocrosslinked because of an affinity for DNA ends, a 90-base dumbbell probe modified with Pt-BP6 was investigated. Photocrosslinking experiments with this longer probe revealed the same proteins, as well as some additional proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, transcription, or repair. These findings reveal a more complete list of proteins involved in the early steps of the mechanism of action of the cisplatin and its close analogue carboplatin than previously was available.


Addressing social determinants of health through community-based participatory research: the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership.
The authors describe the use of a stress process model by the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership (ESVHWP), a project of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center, as a framework for understanding social determinants of health. Specifically, the authors describe the development by the ESVHWP Steering Committee of a context-specific stress process model for east side Detroit residents. The authors examine data from in-depth interviews to illuminate actions taken by community members to reduce stressors or minimize their impact on health. Finally, the authors describe the use of this context-specific stress process model and data gathered regarding actions to address community stressors to inform the development of interventions by the ESVHWP to reduce stressors or strengthen the conditioning factors that reduce the impact of stress on health. On the basis of these results, the authors discuss opportunities and challenges for partnership approaches to addressing social determinants of health in urban communities.


Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation on Zearalenone and Ochratoxin A in Naturally Contaminated Corn and Corn Quality Parameters.
Zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are secondary toxic metabolites widely present in grains and grain products. In this study, the effects of electron beam irradiation (EBI) on ZEN and OTA in corn and the quality of irradiated corn were investigated. Results indicated that EBI significantly affected ZEN and OTA. The degradation rates of ZEN and OTA at 10 kGy in solution were 65.6% and 75.2%, respectively. The initial amounts significantly affected the degradation rate. ZEN and OTA in corn were decreased by the irradiation dose, and their degradation rates at 50 kGy were 71.1% and 67.9%, respectively. ZEN and OTA were more easily degraded in corn kernel than in corn flour. Moisture content (MC) played a vital role in ZEN and OTA degradation. High MC was attributed to high ZEN and OTA degradation. The quality of irradiated corn was evaluated on the basis of irradiation dose. L* value changed, but this change was not significant (p > 0.05). By contrast, a* and b* decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with irradiation dose. The fatty acid value increased significantly. The pasting properties, including peak, trough, breakdown, and final and setback viscosities, were also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) by irradiation. Our study verified that EBI could effectively degrade ZEN and OTA in corn. Irradiation could also affect corn quality.


Evaluation of the quality of artemisinin-based antimalarial medicines distributed in ghana and togo.
This study, conducted as part of our overall goal of regular pharmacovigilance of antimalarial medicines, reports on the quality of 132 artemisinin-based antimalarial medicines distributed in Ghana and Togo. Three methods were employed in the quality evaluation-basic (colorimetric) tests for establishing the identity of the requisite active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), semi-quantitative TLC assay for the identification and estimation of API content, and HPLC assay for a more accurate quantification of API content. From the basic tests, only one sample totally lacked API. The HPLC assay, however, showed that 83.7% of the ACTs and 57.9% of the artemisinin-based monotherapies failed to comply with international pharmacopoeia requirements due to insufficient API content. In most of the ACTs, the artemisinin component was usually the insufficient API. Generally, there was a good correlation between the HPLC and SQ-TLC assays. The overall failure rates for both locally manufactured (77.3%) and imported medicines (77.5%) were comparable. Similarly the unregistered medicines recorded a slightly higher overall failure rate (84.7%) than registered medicines (70.8%). Only two instances of possible cross-border exchange of medicines were observed and there was little difference between the medicine quality of collections from border towns and those from inland parts of both countries.


Gender Differences in the Development of Sexual Excitation and Inhibition Through the Life Course: Preliminary Findings from a Representative Study in Flanders.
The dual control model proposes that there are individual differences in the propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Research to date has considered the effect of age on these traits as a simple linear effect, and studies examining gender differences in age effects are lacking. There are, however, indications that the associations of age with excitation and inhibition are nonlinear and that there might be gender differences in these associations. The aim of this study was to examine how these traits develop through an individual's life and whether there are gender differences in this development. In this study we applied polynomial regression analyses to examine the interaction effects of age and gender on sexual excitation and inhibition. We used data from a representative cross-sectional survey on sexual health in Flanders (N = 1,825; mean age = 43.77; SD = 17.98). Most of the associations of excitation and inhibition with age were nonlinear, and there were substantial gender differences in these associations. This indicates that the interplay between age, gender, and excitation and inhibition should be taken into account in research on (dys)functional sexuality.


Fisheries data management systems in the NW Mediterranean: from data collection to web visualization.
The European Union Data Collection Framework (DCF) states that scientific data-driven assessments are essential to achieve sustainable fisheries. To respond to the DCF call, this study introduces the information systems developed and used by Institut Català de Recerca per a la Governança del Mar (ICATMAR), the Catalan Institute of Research for the Governance of the Seas. The information systems include data from a biological monitoring, curation, processing, analysis, publication and web visualization for bottom trawl fisheries. Over the 4 years of collected data (2019-2022), the sampling program developed a dataset of over 1.1 million sampled individuals accounting for 24.6 tons of catch. The sampling data are ingested into a database through a data input website ensuring data management control and quality. The standardized metrics are automatically calculated and the data are published in the web visualizer, combined with fishing landings and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) records. As the combination of remote sensing data with fisheries monitoring offers new approaches for ecosystem assessment, the collected fisheries data are also visualized in combination with georeferenced seabed habitats from the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), climate and sea conditions from Copernicus Monitoring Environment Marine Service (CMEMS) on the web browser. Three public web-based products have been developed in the visualizer: geolocated bottom trawl samplings, biomass distribution per port or season and length-frequency charts per species. These information systems aim to fulfil the gaps in the scientific community, administration and civil society to access high-quality data for fisheries management, following the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) principles, enabling scientific knowledge transfer. Database URL https://icatmar.github.io/VISAP/(www.icatmar.cat).


Simple Co-Occurrence Statistics Reproducibly Predict Association Ratings.
What determines human ratings of association? We planned this paper as a test for association strength (AS) that is derived from the log likelihood that two words co-occur significantly more often together in sentences than is expected from their single word frequencies. We also investigated the moderately correlated interactions of word frequency, emotional valence, arousal, and imageability of both words (r's ≤ .3). In three studies, linear mixed effects models revealed that AS and valence reproducibly account for variance in the human ratings. To understand further correlated predictors, we conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis and examined the predictors of four clusters in competitive analyses: Only AS and word2vec skip-gram cosine distances reproducibly accounted for variance in all three studies. The other predictors of the first cluster (number of common associates, (positive) point-wise mutual information, and word2vec CBOW cosine) did not reproducibly explain further variance. The same was true for the second cluster (word frequency and arousal); the third cluster (emotional valence and imageability); and the fourth cluster (consisting of joint frequency only). Finally, we discuss emotional valence as an important dimension of semantic space. Our results suggest that a simple definition of syntagmatic word contiguity (AS) and a paradigmatic measure of semantic similarity (skip-gram cosine) provide the most general performance-independent explanation of association ratings.


Bivariate random effect model using skew-normal distribution with application to HIV-RNA.
Correlated data arise in a longitudinal studies from epidemiological and clinical research. Random effects models are commonly used to model correlated data. Mostly in the longitudinal data setting we assume that the random effects and within subject errors are normally distributed. However, the normality assumption may not always give robust results, particularly if the data exhibit skewness. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian approach to bivariate mixed model and relax the normality assumption by using a multivariate skew-normal distribution. Specifically, we compare various potential models and illustrate the procedure using a real data set from HIV study.


[Psychosocial conditions of adult epileptic patients in Hungary].
Authors analyze the possible connections among psychosocial, more important epileptological and social conditions in the population of the Hungarian Epilepsy Database. The inclusion criteria were the presence of repeated epileptic seizures, the strict diagnosis of epilepsy and at least three registered control visits. Four hundred and fifty 30 or more years old patients fulfilled the criteria. Based on the answers to four questions in the database considering some conditions potentially modifying the way of life the patients were scored and distributed into 3 subgroups (good, average and bad) concerning their psychosocial conditions. In contrast to previous expectations they found that the type of epilepsy does not influence the attainable psychosocial conditions. Presence of generalized tonic-clonic or complex partial seizure did not exhibit influence either. Analysis of the seizure frequency showed that generalized convulsions, if occurred rarely were accompanied by good psychosocial level and if occurred frequently they were accompanied by a less acceptable level. Psychopathological symptoms independently from their nature and evidenced brain lesion as etiology also made the psychosocial conditions worse. No difference was found concerning the gender of the population. It contradicts the hypothesis that epilepsy has a greater impact on females. Psychosocial conditions are better in patients with higher education and living in pairs. Based on the study authors support the statements of the literature emphasizing that for achieving the best quality of life and psychosocial level an appropriate medical care is not enough. They need also the relative highest level of education and a stable partnership.


Limitations of dorsal transpedicular stabilization in unstable fractures of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine: an analysis of 133 patients.
The optimal treatment of thoracic and lumbar fractures remains controversial. While many authors recommend dorsal instrumentation with an internal fixator, others favour an anterior approach. To evaluate the posterior approach and to identify conditions under which an anterior approach should be preferred, 133 patients with unstable thoracic and lumbar fractures of the spine who underwent dorsal instrumentation with an internal fixator were analyzed. Clinical data were recorded prospectively with respect to fracture type, neurological findings, operative complications, spinal deformation correction, and long-term outcome. All fractures were located between the 7th thoracic and the 5th lumbar vertebrae and were considered to be unstable with respect to the three column model. Seventy-six patients (57%) received surgery within the first seven days after the trauma. Postoperatively, 98% of patients with a radicular lesion or an incomplete transverse syndrome (47 patients, 35%) improved. Stable fracture consolidation after fixator removal was obtained in 98% (130 of 133 patients). The preoperative kyphosis angle decreased from an average of 10.1 degrees to 7.4 degrees at the three year follow up. Major operative complications consisted of two isolated nerve root lesions (1.5%), two deep wound infections with need of fixator removal (1.5%), and mallocation of two pedicle screws with need for another procedure in two patients (1.5%). Three patients (2%) suffered from insufficient bony fusion with increase of kyphotic deformation and required subsequent anterior stabilization. These three patients presented with an initial kyphosis or wedge angle of 20 degrees or higher. In conclusion, dorsal stabilization with the internal fixator is a safe and reliable treatment for unstable fractures of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. The authors recommend this procedure because of its low-invasiveness in conjunction with satisfactory reconstruction and stabilization. However, an anterior approach should be considered in fractures with initial kyphotic deformation or wedge angle of 20 or more degrees.


Deferred Consent for Randomized Controlled Trials in Emergency Care Settings.
There is limited experience in using deferred consent for studies involving children, which was legalized in the United Kingdom in 2008. We aimed to inform future studies by evaluating consent rates and reasons for nonconsent in a large randomized controlled trial in pediatric intensive care. In the CATCH trial, eligible children from 14 PICUs in England and Wales were randomly assigned to 3 types of central venous catheters. To avoid delay in treatment, children admitted on an emergency basis were first randomly assigned to a trial central venous catheter, and we deferred seeking consent to use already collected data and blood samples until after stabilization. Consent was obtained for 984/1358 (72%) of children admitted on an emergency basis. Failure to obtain consent resulted mainly from a lack of opportunity (early discharge or transfer) for survivors and difficulties in seeking consent for children who died. For admissions where there was an opportunity to approach (n = 1298), inclusion rates differed according to survival status: 93/984 (9%) of consented patients died, compared with 58/314 (18%) of nonconsented patients. For children admitted on an emergency basis whose families were approached, 984/1178 (84%) provided deferred consent (n = 15 sites), compared with 441/641 (69%) of children admitted on an elective basis who were approached for prospective consent (n = 9 sites). Design of emergency randomized controlled trials should balance the potential burden that seeking consent in difficult situations may cause against risk of bias by disproportionately excluding children who die or are transferred. Ethics committees could consider approving the use of already collected data when best efforts to obtain deferred consent are unsuccessful.


Effect of preparation conditions on the size and encapsulation properties of mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles simultaneously loaded with vincristine sulfate and curcumin.
This study prepared monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) nanoparticles simultaneously loaded with vincristine sulfate (Vin) and curcumin (Cur) via O/W emulsion solvent evaporation. Five independent processing parameters were systematically evaluated to enhance the entrapment of dual agents with different properties (i.e. Vin and Cur, which are the hydrophilic and hydrophobic, respectively) into mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles and to control the particle size. The approaches used to investigate the enhancement of drug entrapment efficiencies and control over the particle size included mPEG-PLGA concentration, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration, initial Vin/Cur content, dichloromethane-to-acetone volume ratio, and aqueous-to-organic phase volume ratio. The nanoparticles produced using the optimum formulation conditions had a particle size of 131.5 nm with a low polydispersity index of 0.047. The entrapment efficiencies were 63.52 ± 2.36% for Vin and 54.60 ± 2.46% for Cur (n = 3). The drug loadings were 1.06 ± 0.04% for Vin and 3.64 ± 0.16% for Cur (n = 3).


Alignment and fixation in total knee arthroplasty: changing paradigms.
Many aspects of total knee arthroplasty have changed since its inception. Modern prosthetic design, better fixation techniques, improved polyethylene wear characteristics and rehabilitation, have all contributed to a large change in revision rates. Arthroplasty patients now expect longevity of their prostheses and demand functional improvement to match. This has led to a re-examination of the long-held belief that mechanical alignment is instrumental to a successful outcome and a focus on restoring healthy joint kinematics. A combination of kinematic restoration and uncemented, adaptable fixation may hold the key to future advances.


Efficient Nonviral Transfection of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Shown Using Placental Growth Factor Overexpression.
Human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs) hold great therapeutic potential due to their immunomodulatory and tissue regenerative properties. Enhancement of biological features of hMSCs by transfection has become a focus of investigation for cell- and gene-based therapies. However, many of the current transient transfection methods result in either low transfection efficiency or high cytotoxicity. In order to find a transfection method that would address the current issues of low transfection efficiency and high cytotoxicity, 6 commercially available cationic lipid and polymer reagents were tested on human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) using GFP as a reporter gene. One transfection method using TransIT-2020 was selected and tested with an emphasis on cell quality (viability, identity, and yield), as well as efficacy with a human placental growth factor (PlGF) plasmid. TransIT-2020 yielded the highest fluorescence signal per cell out of the methods that did not decrease cell recovery. Transfecting GFP to 5 hBM-MSC donors using TransIT-2020 yielded 24-36% GFP-expressing cells with a viability of 85-96%. hBM-MSC identity was unaffected as CD90, CD105, and CD73 markers were retained (>95%+) after transfection. When this method was applied to PlGF expression, there was up to a 220-fold increase in secretion. Both growth and secretion of PlGF in overexpressing hBM-MSC were sustained over 7 days, confirming the sustainability and applicability of the TransIT-2020 transfection system. We report a simple and efficient method for transient transfection that has not been reported for hBM-MSCs, encompassing high levels of plasmid expression without significant changes to fundamental hBM-MSC characteristics.


[Multidisciplinary management of dumping syndromes after bariatric surgery].
Dumping syndromes are a frequent complication of gastric or bariatric surgery and include early and late dumping. Early dumping is a consequence of rapid delivery of hyperosmolar nutrients into the bowel. Late dumping is the result of a reactive hypoglycemia induced by a hyperinsulinemic response. These syndromes are becoming increasingly prevalent with the rising incidence of bariatric surgery. Effective management of these complications requires multidisciplinary collaboration. First line management of early and late dumping syndrome involves specific dietary and behavioral modifications which generally improve the quality of life of patients.


Inosine Can Increase DNA's Susceptibility to Photo-oxidation by a RuII Complex due to Structural Change in the Minor Groove.
Key to the development of DNA-targeting phototherapeutic drugs is determining the interplay between the photoactivity of the drug and its binding preference for a target sequence. For the photo-oxidising lambda-[Ru(TAP)2 (dppz)]2+ (Λ-1) (dppz=dipyridophenazine) complex bound to either d{T1 C2 G3 G4 C5 G6 C7 C8 G9 A10 }2 (G9) or d{TCGGCGCCIA}2 (I9), the X-ray crystal structures show the dppz intercalated at the terminal T1 C2 ;G9 A10 step or T1 C2 ;I9 A10 step. Thus substitution of the G9 nucleobase by inosine does not affect intercalation in the solid state although with I9 the dppz is more deeply inserted. In solution it is found that the extent of guanine photo-oxidation, and the rate of back electron-transfer, as determined by pico- and nanosecond time-resolved infrared and transient visible absorption spectroscopy, is enhanced in I9, despite it containing the less oxidisable inosine. This is attributed to the nature of the binding in the minor groove due to the absence of an NH2 group. Similar behaviour and the same binding site in the crystal are found for d{TTGGCGCCAA}2 (A9). In solution, we propose that intercalation occurs at the C2 G3 ;C8 I9 or T2 G3 ;C8 A9 steps, respectively, with G3 the likely target for photo-oxidation. This demonstrates how changes in the minor groove (in this case removal of an NH2 group) can facilitate binding of RuII dppz complexes and hence influence any sensitised reactions occurring at these sites. No similar enhancement of photooxidation on binding to I9 is found for the delta enantiomer.


Update on the Protein Homeostasis Network in Bacillus subtilis.
Protein homeostasis is fundamental to cell function and survival. It relies on an interconnected network of processes involving protein synthesis, folding, post-translational modification and degradation as well as regulators of these processes. Here we provide an update on the roles, regulation and subcellular localization of the protein homeostasis machinery in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. We discuss emerging ideas and current research gaps in the field that, if tackled, increase our understanding of how Gram-positive bacteria, including several human pathogens, maintain protein homeostasis and cope with stressful conditions that challenge their survival.


alpha2-Adrenergic agonists protect against radiocontrast-induced nephropathy in mice.
Radiocontrast nephropathy (RCN) is a common clinical problem for which there is no effective therapy. Utilizing a murine model, we tested the hypothesis that alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists (clonidine and dexmedetomidine) protect against RCN induced with iohexol (a nonionic low-osmolar radiocontrast). C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with saline, clonidine, or dexmedetomidine before induction of RCN. Some mice were pretreated with yohimbine (a selective alpha(2)-receptor antagonist) before saline, clonidine, or dexmedetomidine administration. alpha(2)-Agonist-treated mice had reduced plasma creatinine, renal tubular necrosis, renal apoptosis, and renal cortical proximal tubule vacuolization 24 h after iohexol injection. Yohimbine reversed the protective effects of clonidine and dexmedetomidine pretreatment. Injection of iohexol resulted in a rapid ( approximately 90 min) fall of renal outer medullary blood flow. Clonidine and dexmedetomidine pretreatment significantly attenuated this perfusion decrease without changing systemic blood pressure. To determine whether proximal tubular alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors mediate the cytoprotective effects, we treated cultured human proximal tubule (HK-2) cells and rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with iohexol after vehicle, clonidine, or dexmedetomidine pretreatment. Iohexol caused a direct dose-dependent reduction of HK-2 and rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell viability, but alpha(2)-agonists failed to preserve the viability of both cell types. We conclude that alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists protect mice against RCN by preserving outer medullary renal blood flow. As alpha(2)-agonists are widely utilized during the perioperative period, our findings may have significant clinical relevance to improving outcomes following radiocontrast exposure.


Relationship of human macrophage agglutination factor to other fibronectins.
Human macrophage agglutination factor (MAggF) is a lymphokine with a number of biochemical and immunochemical similarities to the fibronectins (FN). The present study was undertaken to define this relationship more exactly. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cloned human CD4+T-cell lines synthesized both MAggF and immunoreactive FN de novo following antigen or mitogen activation. MAggF produced under those conditions co-purified with an immunoreactive FN on gelatin-affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. This FN had a consistently slightly smaller relative molecular mass than plasma FN on both immunoblotting and gel filtration. Purified human MAggF was extremely active: it agglutinated human monocytes at fM concentrations and was up to 2,000,000 times more active in agglutinating mononuclear phagocytes than other purified FN. The action of MAggF on monocytes was dependent on at least two antigenically distinct cell-surface FN receptors. We suggest that the extreme activity of MAggF is a result of co-operative interactions between FN domains on the MAggF molecules and multiple distinct classes of FN receptors on responding cells.