The relationship between hemoglobin A1c levels and thrombus load in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
We aimed to investigate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and coronary thrombus load in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Ninety diabetic patients with NSTEMI were recruited for the study. They were separated into two groups according to HbA1c levels. Forty-seven patients having HbA1c ≤6.5% formed Group-I (35 male, mean age 58 ± 10.5 years) and the remaining 43 patients with HbA1c >6.5% formed Group-II (23 male, mean age 58 ± 11.1 years). Both the groups were evaluated in terms of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus score and Syntax score. Baseline patient characteristics were comparable in both the groups. TIMI thrombus score and Syntax score were higher in Group II than in Group I (3.2 ± 1.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.5 and 20.2 ± 3.4 vs. 26.3 ± 3.0 respectively, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in other parameters. In stepwise linear regression analysis, prepercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and post-PCI TIMI frame number and HbA1c were significantly related to the coronary thrombus scale. However, no significant relationship has been found between thrombus formation and hypertension, previous PCI history, pre-PCI heart rate, pre-PCI cholesterol status, and high-sensitive troponin T. In NSTEMI with T2DM, increased HbA1c (HbA1c >6.5%) is related with coronary thrombus in the target vessel. In those patient population, strict anticoagulation should be considered to prevent potential adverse events.


[Advances in cytokine immune mechanisms of allergic rhinitis].
Allergic rhinitis is a common disease, which was released by the IgE-mediated atopic individuals exposed to allergens in the earlier researches. However, there are variety of immunocompetent cells and cytokines involved in the nasal mucosa immunologic mechanism in nowadays researches. The mechanism of AR is caused by the imbalance of the Th1/Th2, a kind of allergic inflammation who is characterized by the nasal Th2 immune response dominant. Th1 cells mainly produce of IFN-gamma (does not include IL-4 and IL-5), Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13 (not including IFN-gamma). Recently it was found that regulatory T cells (T regulatory cells, Treg) and Th17 cell research played a crucial role in the occurrence of allergic inflammation.


The concepts of asymmetric and symmetric power can help resolve the puzzle of altruistic and cooperative behaviour.
Evolutionary theory predicts competition in nature yet altruistic and cooperative behaviour appears to reduce the ability to compete in order to help others compete better. This evolutionary puzzle is usually explained by kin selection where close relatives perform altruistic and cooperative acts to help each other and by reciprocity theory (i.e. direct, indirect and generalized reciprocity) among non-kin. Here, it is proposed that the concepts of asymmetry and symmetry in power and dominance are critical if we are ever to resolve the puzzle of altruism and cooperation towards non-kin. Asymmetry in power and dominance is likely to emerge under competition in nature as individuals strive to gain greater access to the scarce resources needed to survive and reproduce successfully. Yet asymmetric power presents serious problems for reciprocity theory in that a dominant individual faces a temptation to cheat in interactions with subordinates that is likely to far outweigh any individual selective benefits gained through reciprocal mechanisms. Furthermore, action taken by subordinates to deter non-reciprocation by dominants is likely to prove prohibitively costly to their fitness, making successful enforcement of reciprocal mechanisms unlikely. It is also argued here that many apparently puzzling forms of cooperation observed in nature (e.g. cooperative breeding in which unrelated subordinates help dominants to breed) might be best explained by asymmetry in power and dominance. Once it is recognized that individuals in these cooperative interactions are subject to the constraints and opportunities imposed on them by asymmetric power then they can be seen as pursuing a 'least bad' strategy to promote individual fitness - one that is nevertheless consistent with evolutionary theory. The concept of symmetric power also provides important insights. It can inhibit reciprocal mechanisms in the sense that symmetric power makes it easier for a cheat to appropriate common resources while incurring fewer penalties. Nevertheless under certain restrictive conditions, symmetric power is seen as likely to promote direct reciprocity through 'tit for tat'.


Comparison of central corneal thickness treated with small incision lenticule extraction, femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis for myopia.
To compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) treated with small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), or laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for myopia correction. This was a retrospective case series study. Patients who had completed 1-year follow-up after receiving SMILE, FS-LASIK, or LASEK at our hospital from January 2019 to July 2021 were included. Pentacam pachymetry was performed to measure the CCT. The predicted CCT reduction was obtained through laser platform. The measured CCT reduction was defined as the difference between the preoperative and postoperative CCT using Pentacam pachymetry. There were 100 eyes treated by SMILE, 100 eyes by FS-LASIK, and 100 eyes by LASEK. There was a significant difference in predicted CCT reduction among the three surgeries (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in measured CCT reduction postoperatively (PGroup = 0.373). At 1 year postoperatively, the CCT reduction was overestimated by 17.85 ± 5.36 µm in the SMILE group, underestimated by 4.31 ± 7.08 µm in the FS-LASIK group, and underestimated by 7.60 ± 8.28 µm in the LASEK group (PGroup < 0.001, PTime < 0.001). In the FS-LASIK group, the difference between predicted and measured CCT reduction was not related to the predicted CCT reduction (P = 0.095). The laser platform may overestimate the CCT reduction for SMILE and underestimate it for FS-LASIK and LASEK. FS-LASIK has a much higher level of accuracy in CCT reduction, which is not influenced by refractive correction.


Stimuli-Responsive Cationic Hydrogels in Drug Delivery Applications.
Stimuli-responsive, smart, intelligent, or environmentally sensitive polymers respond to changes in external stimuli such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, surfactants, pressure, light, biomolecules, and magnetic field. These materials are developed in various network architectures such as block copolymers, crosslinked hydrogels, nanogels, inter-penetrating networks, and dendrimers. Stimuli-responsive cationic polymers and hydrogels are an interesting class of "smart" materials that respond reversibly to changes in external pH. These materials have the ability to swell extensively in solutions of acidic pH and de-swell or shrink in solutions of alkaline pH. This reversible swelling-shrinking property brought about by changes in external pH conditions makes these materials useful in a wide range of applications such as drug delivery systems and chemical sensors. This article focuses mainly on the properties of these interesting materials and their applications in drug delivery systems.


A semi-arid river in distress: Contributing factors and recovery solutions for three imperiled freshwater mussels (Family Unionidae) endemic to the Rio Grande basin in North America.
Freshwater resources in arid and semi-arid regions are in extreme demand, which creates conflicts between needs of humans and aquatic ecosystems. The Rio Grande basin in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico exemplifies this issue, as much of its aquatic biodiversity is in peril as a result of human activities. Unionid mussels have been disproportionately impacted, though the specific factors responsible for their decline remain largely unknown. This is problematic because the Rio Grande basin harbors one federally endangered unionid mussel (Popenaias popeii, Texas Hornshell) plus two other mussel species (Potamilus metnecktayi, Salina Mucket; and Truncilla cognata, Mexican Fawnsfoot), which are also being considered for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To date, surveys for these species have not corrected for variability in detection so current range estimates may be inaccurate. Using single occupancy-modeling to estimate detection and occupancy at 115 sites along ~800 river kilometers of the Rio Grande in Texas, we found that detection probabilities were relatively high, indicating that our survey design was efficient. In contrast, the estimated occupancy was low, indicating that our focal species were likely rare within the Rio Grande drainage. In general, the predicted occupancy of our focal species was low throughout their respective ranges, indicating possible range declines. A comparison of currently occupied ranges to presumptive ranges underscores this point. The best-approximating models indicated that occupancy was influenced by habitat, water quantity and quality, and proximity to large-scale human activities, such as dams and major urban centers. We also discuss a series of conservation options that may not only improve the long-term prognosis of our focal species but also other aquatic taxa.


Pathogenesis of natural goat scrapie: modulation by host PRNP genotype and effect of co-existent conditions.
After detection of a high prevalence of scrapie in a large dairy goat herd, 72 infected animals were examined by immunohistochemistry with prion protein (PrP) antibody Bar224 to study the pathogenesis of the infection. Tissues examined included the brain and thoracic spinal cord (TSC), a wide selection of lymphoreticular system (LRS) tissues, the distal ileum and its enteric nervous system (ENS), and other organs, including the mammary gland. The whole open reading frame of the PRNP gene was sequenced and antibodies to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection were determined. Unexpectedly, accumulation of disease-associated PrP (PrPd) in the brain was more frequent in methionine carriers at codon 142 (24/32, 75.0%) than amongst isoleucine homozygotes (14/40, 35.0%). The latter, however, showed significantly greater amounts of brain PrPd than the former (average scores of 9.3 and 3.0, respectively). A significant proportion of the 38 goats that were positive in brain were negative in the ENS (44.7%) or in the TSC (39.5%). These results, together with the early and consistent involvement of the circumventricular organs and the hypothalamus, point towards a significant contribution of the haematogenous route in the process of neuroinvasion. Chronic enteritis was observed in 98 of the 200 goats examined, with no association with either scrapie infection or presence of PrPd in the gut. Lymphoproliferative interstitial mastitis was observed in 13/31 CAEV-positive and scrapie-infected goats; PrPd in the mammary gland was detected in five of those 13 goats, suggesting a possible contribution of CAEV infection in scrapie transmission via milk.


Frequency of late allergy-like adverse reactions following injection of intravascular non-ionic contrast media. A retrospective study comparing a non-ionic monomeric contrast medium with a non-ionic dimeric contrast medium.
A retrospective study was undertaken of the late adverse reactions following the injection of contrast media. The purpose was to determine whether there was a difference between non-ionic monomeric (iohexol) and non-ionic dimeric (iodixanol) contrast media in the reactions produced. A total of 3,408 patients were sent a written questionnaire in which they were asked to confirm or deny any subjective discomfort or adverse event during a period of one hour to one week after a previous radiological examination with contrast medium. Patients who had undergone angiography (i.v. or i.a. injection) and CT (i.v. injection) were included. Objective signs of an allergy-like reaction were listed and the patients were asked to subjectively quantify any consequent discomfort. The compliance rate was 84%. Of the 3075 injections finally included in the study, 133 (4.3%) had resulted in contrast-medium-related adverse reactions of which 72 (2.3%) were immediate and 61 (2%) were late. Iohexol induced late reactions in 14/851 (1.7%) cases, and iodixanol in 24/1218 (2.0%) cases following i.v. injection and in 23/1006 (2.3%) cases following i.a. injection. The differences were not significant. There were no differences between the two contrast media in the subjective rating of discomfort except that the patients who had received iodixanol also had the highest individual-intensity score. No patient had been hospitalized owing to an adverse reaction and all reactions had been regarded as mild or moderate. The number of late adverse reactions was low. There was no difference in the frequency of the late adverse reactions following i.v. injection between iodixanol and iohexol. There was also no difference in the reactions between the i.a. and i.v. injections of iodixanol.


One-stage correction of imperforate anus and rectovestibular fistula in girls: Preliminary results.
This prospective study was designed to assess the safety, cost effectiveness, and advantages of performing posterior sagittal anorectoplasty without colostomy on girls with imperforate anus and rectovestibular fistula. Four girls with imperforate anus and rectovestibular fistula were entered into the study. Chest x-ray, renal ultrasound scan, and lateral fistulogram were done. Rectal pouches were washed through the fistula with NaCl and aqueous povidone-iodine solutions. Peña's posterior sagittal anorectoplasties were done in the prone positions. Cephalosporin and metronidazole were given as perioperative antibiotics. All patients had intermediate anomalies. There were no other major associated congenital anomalies. Washout through the fistula was easy. There were no particular problems with posterior sagittal anorectoplasty in the prone positions. Two patients had perianal skin excoriations; one had superficial infection of the posterior sagittal wound. Two patients have undergone follow-up for a year. All are having monthly dilatations. All patients pass stool without need of stool softeners or enemas. This preliminary study shows that it is feasible for girls with imperforate anus and rectovestibular fistula to have safe posterior sagittal anorectoplasty without colostomy. The advantages of one, instead of 3 major operations, are many, especially in developing countries.


Enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction of DL-mandelic acid using chiral diphosphine ligands as extractants.
In order to expand the application range of chiral diphosphine ligands, (S)-BINAP, (S)-SEGPHOS, and (S)-MeO-BIPHEP were employed as extractants to recognize DL-mandelic acid. The results indicated that (S)-SEGPHOS-Cu exhibited considerable ability to recognize DL-mandelic acid with operational enantioselectivity (α) of 2.677. The process of extraction of DL-mandelic acid using (S)-SEGPHOS-Cu as extractant was systematically investigated. Performance factor (pf) was adopted to comprehensively evaluate the extraction. After optimization by response surface methodology (RSM), the optimal extraction condition is temperature of 5.5°C, (S)-SEGPHOS-Cu concentration of 3.0 mmol/L, and pH of 8.0. And the predicted and experimental maximum values of pf were 0.26374 and 0.26839, respectively.


Novel bacterium infecting an African snail.
Nodules found in the superficial tissues of laboratory-maintained snails (Bulinus jousseaumei) contained a bacterium of two forms. This nonmotile microorganism occurred in intracellular packets as a simple gram-negative rod that appeared to undergo intrapacket transition to a cephalotrichous form. The latter is characterized by a "head" from which emerge long, thick, rigid, flagella-like, helically constituted filamentous organelles with a core and an outer component that is not an extension of the bacterial envelope. Neither form was successfully cultured, but clean snails derived from eggs removed before hatching developed nodules within 1 to 3 months of exposure to infected snails. The infectivity was specific for the host snail, and no transmission occurred to snails of 5 other genera tested. The presence of nodules did not interfere with longevity or reproduction of infected snails. Details of infectivity, transition, and taxonomic position of the bacterium remain to be explored, but it is reported because of unique morphological and ultrastructural features not previously known.


Novel Plastid-Nuclear Genome Combinations Enhance Resistance to Citrus Canker in Cybrid Grapefruit.
Host disease resistance is the most desirable strategy for control of citrus canker, a disease caused by a gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. However, no resistant commercial citrus cultivar has been identified. Cybridization, a somatic hybridization approach that combines the organelle and nuclear genomes from different species, was used to create cybrids between citrus canker resistant 'Meiwa' kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle snym. Citrus japonica Thunb.) and susceptible grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad) cultivars. From these fusions, cybrids with grapefruit nucleus, kumquat mitochondria and kumquat chloroplasts and cybrids with grapefruit nucleus, kumquat mitochondria and grapefruit chloroplasts were generated. These cybrids showed a range of citrus canker response, but all cybrids with kumquat chloroplasts had a significantly lower number of lesions and lower Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri populations than the grapefruit controls. Cybrids with grapefruit chloroplasts had a significantly higher number of lesions than those with kumquat chloroplasts. To understand the role of chloroplasts in the cybrid disease defense, quantitative PCR was performed on both cybrid types and their parents to examine changes in gene expression during Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri infection. The results revealed chloroplast influences on nuclear gene expression, since isonuclear cybrids and 'Marsh' grapefruit had different gene expression profiles. In addition, only genotypes with kumquat chloroplasts showed an early up-regulation of reactive oxygen species genes upon Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri infection. These cybrids have the potential to enhance citrus canker resistance in commercial grapefruit orchards. They also serve as models for understanding the contribution of chloroplasts to plant disease response and raise the question of whether other alien chloroplast genotypes would condition similar results.


Out of Water: The Origin and Early Diversification of Plant R-Genes.
During plant-pathogen interactions, plants use intracellular proteins with nucleotide-binding site and Leu-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) domains to detect pathogens. NBS-LRR proteins represent a major class of plant disease resistance genes (R-genes). Whereas R-genes have been well characterized in angiosperms, little is known about their origin and early diversification. Here, we perform comprehensive evolutionary analyses of R-genes in plants and report the identification of R-genes in basal-branching streptophytes, including charophytes, liverworts, and mosses. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that plant R-genes originated in charophytes and R-proteins diversified into TIR-NBS-LRR proteins and non-TIR-NBS-LRR proteins in charophytes. Moreover, we show that plant R-proteins evolved in a modular fashion through frequent gain or loss of protein domains. Most of the R-genes in basal-branching streptophytes underwent adaptive evolution, indicating an ancient involvement of R-genes in plant-pathogen interactions. Our findings provide novel insights into the origin and evolution of R-genes and the mechanisms underlying colonization of terrestrial environments by plants.


Association of FGF23 with Incident Sepsis in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Cohort Study.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone that regulates vitamin D activity. Higher circulating FGF23 concentrations have been associated with an increased risk of infection-related hospitalization, but the association of FGF23 with risk of sepsis remains unclear. We examined the association of FGF23 with incident sepsis events in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national longitudinal cohort of black and white adults ≥45 years of age. Using a case-cohort design, we measured baseline FGF23 in 703 sepsis cases and in 991 participants randomly selected from the REGARDS cohort. We defined sepsis as the presence of a serious infection plus two or more Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome criteria. We identified first sepsis hospitalizations during 2003-2012 by adjudicated medical record review. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations of FGF23 with incident sepsis, adjusting for age, sex, race, income, education, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, chronic pulmonary disease, eGFR, urine albumin-creatinine ratio, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. We also examined whether associations differed by age, race, sex, and CKD by testing interaction terms. Higher FG23 concentrations were associated with greater risk of sepsis (hazard ratio [HR] per doubling of FGF23, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.54) in models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables. After further adjusting for eGFR, urine albumin-creatinine ratio, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant (HR per doubling, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.21). The results did not statistically differ by strata of age, sex, race, or CKD. In community-dwelling adults, higher FGF23 concentrations were not independently associated with higher risk of sepsis.


[Anesthetic Management of Patients Undergoing Single-lumen Tracheal Tube Ventilation with Artificial Pneumothorax in Thoracolaparoscopic Esophagectomy].
We report anesthetic management of patients undergoing single-lumen tracheal tube ventilation with artificial pneumothorax in thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy in prone position. No adverse effect against respiratory and circulatory management was found during esophagectomy. Single-lumen tracheal tube ventilation with artificial pneumothorax potentially is a feasible method for thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy in prone position.


Treatment of intermetatarsal Morton's neuroma with alcohol injection under US guide: 10-month follow-up.
Morton's neuroma (MN) is a frequent cause of metatarsalgia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of neuroma alcohol-sclerosing therapy (NAST) under US guide in MN after a 10-month follow-up. Forty intermetatarsal neuromas underwent alcohol-sclerosing therapy after sonographic evaluation of their dimensions and echotexture. After subcutaneous anesthesia, a sclerosing solution composed of anesthetic (carbocaine-adrenaline 70%) and ethylic alcohol (30%) was injected inside the mass under US guidance. The procedure was repeated at intervals of 15 days until the resolution of the symptoms. A total or partial symptomatic relief was obtained in 36 cases (90%). No procedure-related complications were observed. Transitory plantar pain, due to the flogistic reaction induced by the sclerosing solution, occurred in 6 cases (15%). The 10-month follow-up revealed a 20-30% mass volume reduction and an adiposus-like change in echotexture. In the 4 cases (10%) of therapeutic failure, the preliminary sonography demonstrated a hypoechoic echotexture with a strong US beam attenuation corresponding to a highly fibrous neuroma after surgical resection. The NAST is a feasible and cost-efficient procedure with high rates of therapeutic success.


Hard ferromagnetic behavior in atomically thin CrSiTe3 flakes.
The research on two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets has promoted the development of ultrahigh-density data storage and nanoscale spintronic devices. However, the soft ferromagnetic behavior in most 2D magnets, which means the absence of remanent magnetization, severely limits their applications in realistic devices. Here, we report a layer-controlled ferromagnetic behavior in atomically thin CrSiTe3 flakes, where a transition from the soft to the hard ferromagnetic state occurs as the thickness of samples decreases down to several nanometers. Phenomenally, in contrast to the negligible hysteresis loop in the bulk counterparts, atomically thin CrSiTe3 shows a rectangular loop with finite magnetization and coercivity as the thickness decreases down to ∼8 nm, indicative of a single-domain and out-of-plane ferromagnetic order. We find that the stray field is weakened with decreasing thickness, which suppresses the formation of the domain wall. In addition, thickness-dependent ferromagnetic properties also reveal a crossover from 3 dimensional to 2 dimensional Ising ferromagnets, accompanied by a drop of the Curie temperature from 33 K for bulk to ∼17 K for the 4 nm sample. Our study paves the way towards exploring and learning much more about atomically thin and layered intrinsic ferromagnets.


Necrostatin-1 attenuates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats by inhibiting necroptosis.
Necroptosis is programmed cell death that has been recently proposed and reported to be involved in several neurologic diseases. However, the role of necroptosis in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether necroptosis was involved in SAH-induced early brain injury, and to assess the possible neuroprotective effect of necrostatin-1 using an endovascular perforation rat model of SAH. Our results showed that the expression levels of necroptosis-related proteins including RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL in the basal cortex all increased at 3 hours after SAH (P<0.05) and peaked at 48 hours after SAH (P<0.05). However, they were greatly reduced after treatment with necrostatin-1 (P<0.05). Concurrently, neurologic outcomes were significantly improved after necrostatin-1 treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption, necrotic cell death and neuroinflammation were also greatly inhibited after necrostatin-1 treatment. These results indicate that necroptosis is an important mechanism of cell death involved in the early brain injury after experimental SAH. Necrostatin-1 perhaps can serve as a promising neuroprotective agent for SAH treatment.


In silico target-based strain engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for terpene precursor improvement.
Systems-based metabolic engineering enables cells to enhance product formation by predicting gene knockout and overexpression targets using modeling tools. FOCuS, a novel metaheuristic tool, was used to predict flux improvement targets in terpenoid pathway using the genome-scale model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, iMM904. Some of the key knockout target predicted includes LYS1, GAP1, AAT1, AAT2, TH17, KGD-m, MET14, PDC1 and ACO1. It was also observed that the knockout reactions belonged either to fatty acid biosynthesis, amino acid synthesis pathways or nucleotide biosynthesis pathways. Similarly, overexpression targets such as PFK1, FBA1, ZWF1, TDH1, PYC1, ALD6, TPI1, PDX1 and ENO1 were established using three different existing gene amplification algorithms. Most of the overexpression targets belonged to glycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways. Each of these targets had plausible role for improving flux toward sterol pathway and were seemingly not artifacts. Moreover, an in vitro study as validation was carried with overexpression of ALD6 and TPI1. It was found that there was an increase in squalene synthesis by 2.23- and 4.24- folds, respectively, when compared with control. In general, the rationale for predicting these in silico targets was attributed to either increasing the acetyl-CoA precursor pool or regeneration of NADPH, which increase the sterol pathway flux.


[Occurrence of some pesticides residues in peppermint Mentha piperita L. in 2003-2005].
The aim of this paper was to present occurrence of pesticides residues in peppermint Mentha Piperita in 2003-2005 and to estimate of their intakes by consumer. Gas chromatographic and spectroscopy methods were used. The most frequently found were chlorpyrifos residues (16% analysed samples) followed by terbacil (11%), dithiocarbamates (10%) and diazinon (5%). Residues in 14% analysed samples exceeded the European Union Maximum Residue Levels established for tea. Assuming consumption of peppermint on the level of 4.5 g (three bags) per day, short-term intake by adult and child consumer was a few times lower then Acceptable Daily Intake.


Biomimetic-Inspired One-Step Strategy for Improvement of Interfacial Interactions in Cellulose Nanofibers by Modification of the Surface of Nitramine Explosives.
Recently, a burgeoning category of biocompatible botanically derived nanomaterial cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) has captured tremendous attention on account of its entangled nanostructured network, natural abundance, and outstanding mechanical properties. Biomimetically inspired by the superior properties of CNFs, this paper examined them as the coating material to cover cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) via a facile water suspension method and the ultrasonic technology. The core-shell structure and the composition of energetic crystal@CNF were examined through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The obtained outcomes demonstrated that the dispersibility of the CNF enhanced favorably upon covering the surface of explosive crystals; the interfacial contact ability between CNFs and energetic crystals was also manifested to be increased, which could be ascribed to the interfacial interaction of hydrogen bonds and the electrostatic force of self-assembly. In addition, the stable crystalloid construction of β-HMX and ε-CL-20 has been preserved positively in the preparation process. In comparison with raw explosives, the thermal stability and sensitivity performances of the core-shell structure composites were outstanding. Accordingly, this work demonstrated the rewarding application of coating CNFs uniformly on the surface of energetic crystals, ulteriorly offering a potential fabrication strategy for the embellishment of high-explosive crystals.


Progress in studies on early gastric cancer in Japan.
The incidence of gastric cancer in Japan is among the highest in the world. Unremitting efforts have been devoted by many Japanese researchers to improving the situation. They defined and classified early gastric cancer. With the development of diagnostic methods and the prevalence of gastric mass surveys, the rate of diagnosis of early gastric cancer has increased markedly. The five-year survival rate for early gastric cancer at present lies between 90 and 100%. These excellent results have been obtained by the collaboration of radiologists, endoscopists, surgeons and pathologists.


Evolution of premotor cortical excitability after cathodal inhibition of the primary motor cortex: a sham-controlled serial navigated TMS study.
Premotor cortical regions (PMC) play an important role in the orchestration of motor function, yet their role in compensatory mechanisms in a disturbed motor system is largely unclear. Previous studies are consistent in describing pronounced anatomical and functional connectivity between the PMC and the primary motor cortex (M1). Lesion studies consistently show compensatory adaptive changes in PMC neural activity following an M1 lesion. Non-invasive brain modification of PMC neural activity has shown compensatory neurophysiological aftereffects in M1. These studies have contributed to our understanding of how M1 responds to changes in PMC neural activity. Yet, the way in which the PMC responds to artificial inhibition of M1 neural activity is unclear. Here we investigate the neurophysiological consequences in the PMC and the behavioral consequences for motor performance of stimulation mediated M1 inhibition by cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The primary goal was to determine how electrophysiological measures of PMC excitability change in order to compensate for inhibited M1 neural excitability and attenuated motor performance. Cathodal inhibition of M1 excitability leads to a compensatory increase of ipsilateral PMC excitability. We enrolled 16 healthy participants in this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover design study. All participants underwent navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) to identify PMC and M1 corticospinal projections as well as to evaluate electrophysiological measures of cortical, intracortical and interhemispheric excitability. Cortical M1 excitability was inhibited using cathodal tDCS. Finger-tapping speeds were used to examine motor function. Cathodal tDCS successfully reduced M1 excitability and motor performance speed. PMC excitability was increased for longer and was the only significant predictor of motor performance. The PMC compensates for attenuated M1 excitability and contributes to motor performance maintenance.


Sublethal and hormesis effects of beta-cypermethrin on the biology, life table parameters and reproductive potential of soybean aphid Aphis glycines.
Beta-cypermethrin has long been recommended as an effective pesticide to control the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, a serious pest in soybean crops. Besides acute toxicity, it leads to changes in life history traits of A. glycines, notably its reproductive potential. This study has assessed the effects of five sublethal concentrations (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 µg/L) of beta-cypermethrin on different life history traits of A. glycines. Exposure to these concentrations caused shorter oviposition period and reduced adult longevity. The strongest stimulatory effect on aphid reproduction was achieved when exposed to a higher sublethal beta-cypermethrin concentration (5 µg/L). Net reproduction rate (R 0 ), intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly higher than that of the control, increasing by 20.58, 4.89 and 2.06%, respectively. We found no significant difference in mean generation time (T) between the treatment of 5 µg/L beta-cypermethrin and the control. However, when the concentration increased to 10 µg/L, the reproduction behavior was restrained and the mean generation time (T) was shortened, resulting in significant decrease in R 0 and T by 16.58 and 3.83%, respectively. In conclusion, a sublethal concentration (5 µg/L) of beta-cypermethrin triggered the strongest hormesis on A.glycines, thus providing valuable knowledge on the sublethal effects of this insecticide on soybean aphids. Hormesis may be one of the mechanisms underlying pest resurgences, and better knowledge would enable a more effective use of insecticides in Integrated Pest Management programs.


Preliminary development of the new individualized HDQoL questionnaire measuring quality of life in adult hypopituitarism.
The objectives were (1) to report the preliminary development of the Hormone Deficiency-dependent Quality of Life (HDQoL) questionnaire, a new individualized questionnaire in which respondents rate personally applicable domains for importance and impact of hormonal deficiency and its treatment; (2) to evaluate the HDQoL's psychometric properties for adults with hypopituitarism including growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Internal consistency reliability, aspects of validity, and sensitivity to change of the HDQoL were investigated in: (1) a cross-sectional survey of 157 adults with treated or untreated GHD; (2) a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 3 months' growth hormone (GH) withdrawal from 12 of 21 GH-treated adults. Thirteen of the original 18 HDQoL domains were relevant and important for GH-deficient adults. The shorter 13-item HDQoL had excellent internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.914, n = 109), and was sensitive to sex differences (cross-sectional study): women perceived worse present QoL than men [t(149.8) = 2.33, P = 0.021]. The HDQoL was sensitive to change (GH-withdrawal study) with a significant between-group difference in change in domain scores for things I can do physically[t(16) = 2.47, P = 0.025, 2-tailed], patients withdrawn from GH reporting greater negative impact of hormone deficiency on this domain at end-point. Qualitative work resulted in the addition of seven new HDQoL domains, including energy and bodily pain. The HDQoL, although at an early stage of development, proved useful in identifying expected changes following GH withdrawal. The extended 20-item version is recommended for further evaluation in assessing the impact of hypopituitarism on QoL.


Electromagnetic scanning to predict lamb carcass composition.
The electromagnetic scanner generates a constant, low-level electromagnetic field (2.5 MHz) within a large plexiglass tube. The amount of electromagnetic (EM) energy transferred (to the carcass) is highly related to lean tissue. A plot of the absorption units over distance can be used to assess the total mass of lean tissue and of the respective primal cuts. The difference in curve height between two points (D), peak phase absorption, and linear carcass measurements (pre-rigor, HCWT or post-rigor, CWT carcass weight, and carcass length, LENG) were used to predict total dissected lean (TOTLEAN), dissected leg lean (LEGLEAN), and percentage of dissected carcass lean (PERLEAN). Twenty-one pre-rigor and 22 post-rigor (24 h chill) lamb carcasses, average weight 26.8 (+/- 4.2 kg) and 26.4 (+/- 4.1 kg) kg, respectively, were evaluated from measurements of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC). Two geometric orientations were tested for statistical accuracy in this study: A) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, on its left lateral side, neck facing the right side of the tunnel; and B) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, breast down, and neck up. Orientation A proved more statistically efficient for pre-rigor carcasses, and orientation B was more desirable for post-rigor carcasses. Multiple-regression models involving HCWT, LENG, and a single D measure accounted for 98.0 and 95.0%, respectively, of the total variation in pre-rigor carcass TOTLEAN and LEGLEAN in A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of LHRH antagonist cetrorelix (Cetrotide) in controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF.
Cetrorelix was administered in differing daily dosages for controlled ovarian stimulation. The dosage levels were 3 mg (9 cycles), 1 mg (19 cycles), 0.5 mg (43 cycles), 0.25 mg (46 cycles) and 0.1 mg (7 cycles). In the 3 mg, 1 mg and 0.5 mg group the respective median plasma concentrations of cetrorelix on the day of oocyte pick-up (OPU) were 2.10 ng/ml, 1.42 ng/ml and 0.88 ng/ml and 1.03 ng/ml, 0.46 ng/ml and 0.49 ng/ml on the day of embryo transfer (ET). In the 0.25 mg and 0.1 mg groups plasma cetrorelix levels were below the limit of quantification. The cetrorelix concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) in the 0.25 mg group were detectable in only 14 out of 44 samples, while in the 0.1 mg group no detectable concentrations could be obtained. We also examined 80 cycles after single doses of 5 mg (7 cycles), 3 mg (42 cycles), and 2 mg (31 cycles) cetrorelix. On the day of OPU the respective median plasma concentrations of cetrorelix were 0.57 ng/ml, 0.62 ng/ml, and 0.56 ng/ml, and 0.61 ng/ml and 0.28 ng/ml on the day of ET in the 5 mg and 3 mg groups. In the 2 mg group, the plasma concentrations fell to below limits of quantification in 8/9 samples on the day of ET. In 26 out of 27 FF samples cetrorelix was detectable in the 3 mg single dose group (median level: 0.69 ng/ml).


Intravenous Administration Is an Effective and Safe Route for Cancer Gene Therapy Using the Bifidobacterium-Mediated Recombinant HSV-1 Thymidine Kinase and Ganciclovir.
The herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV TK/GCV) system is one of the best studied cancer suicide gene therapy systems. Our previous study showed that caspase 3 expression was upregulated and bladder tumor growth was significantly reduced in rats treated with a combination of Bifidobacterium (BF) and HSV TK/GCV (BF-rTK/GCV). However, it was raised whether the BF-mediated recombinant thymidine kinase combined with ganciclovir (BF-rTK/GCV) was safe to administer via venous for cancer gene therapy. To answer this question, the antitumor effects of BF-rTK/GCV were mainly evaluated in a xenograft nude mouse model bearing MKN-45 gastric tumor cells. The immune response, including analysis of cytokine profiles, was analyzed to evaluate the safety of intramuscular and intravenous injection of BF-rTK in BALB/c mice. The results suggested that gastric tumor growth was significantly inhibited in vivo by BF-rTK/GCV. However, the BF-rTK/GCV had no effect on mouse body weight, indicating that the treatment was safe for the host. The results of cytokine profile analysis indicated that intravenous injection of a low dose of BF-rTK resulted in a weaker cytokine response than that obtained with intramuscular injection. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis showed that intravenous administration did not affect the expression of immune-associated TLR2 and TLR4. Finally, the BF-rTK/GCV inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in mouse model, which is helpful for inhibiting of tumor angiogenesis. That meant intravenous administration of BF-rTK/GCV was an effective and safe way for cancer gene therapy.


Skeletal muscle form and function after 4 hr ischemia-hypothermia.
The purpose of this study was to examine the use of hypothermia to protect skeletal muscle from the effects of 4 hr of tourniquet ischemia. Muscle recovery was investigated at 6 weeks. Four hours of tourniquet ischemia was induced in two groups (n = 8 per group) of male, Wistar rats (344 +/- 15 g). In the ischemia-only group (IO), the ischemic leg was exposed to room temperature. In the ischemic-hypothermic group (IH), the ischemic leg was cooled to 5-8 degrees C throughout the ischemic period. The contralateral leg served as control. After 6 weeks, the isometric contractile function of the gastrocnemii of both the ischemic and nonischemic legs was determined. Following the functional assessment, the soleus and plantaris muscles were removed and weighed, and biopsies were taken for muscle fiber composition, mean fiber area, and myosin heavy chains (MHC) analysis. Differences between groups (P < 0.05) were determined using ANOVA. Muscle wet weight, tetanic forces, fiber area, fiber type, and MHC composition of IH group were the same as the control group. Yet, twitch tension and relaxation time were lower and longer in the IH group than control group. The tetanic force at 100 Hz of the IH group (12.62 +/- 0.73 N/g) was significantly greater than that of the IO group (2.12 +/- 0.84 N/g). The type 1 muscle fiber areas of plantaris in the IH (1.84 +/- 0.04 x 1000 microns 2) were significantly greater than those of the IO group (1.56 +/- 0.42 x 1000 microns 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Reflections on passive smoking and COVID-19.
Despite substantial evidence on the negative effect of active smoking to Covid-19, the impact of passive smoking in the course of disease remains largely unclear. Our aim was to reflect passive smoking as a risk factor in the current pandemic. Studies are needed to increase our knowledge on passive smoking and Covid-19 implications. The reflections current findings strongly support interventions and policies to curb the tobacco epidemic.


Increased Exposure of Tacrolimus by Co-administered Mycophenolate Mofetil: Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis in Healthy Volunteers.
The objective of the study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in healthy Korean male volunteers. Seventeen volunteers participated in a three-period, single-dose, and fixed sequence study. They sequentially received MMF, TAC, and the combination. Concentrations of TAC, mycophenolic acid (MPA), and its metabolites MPA 7-O-glucuronide and MPA acyl glucuronide were measured. The variants of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, SLCO1B1, SLCO1B3, ABCC2, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 were genotyped. Drug interaction was evaluated with a non-compartmental analysis and population pharmacokinetic modelling to quantify the interaction effect. A total of 1,082 concentrations of those analytes were analysed. AUC0-inf of TAC increased by 22.1% (322.4 ± 174.1 to 393.6 ± 121.7 ng·h/mL; P < 0.05) when co-administered with MMF, whereas the pharmacokinetic parameters of MPA and its metabolites were not changed by TAC. Apparent clearance (CL/F) of TAC was 17.8 L/h [relative standard error (RSE) 11%] or 13.8 L/h (RSE 11%) without or with MMF, respectively. Interaction was explained by the exponential model. The CYP3A5 genotype was the only significant covariate. The population estimate of CL/F of TAC was 1.48-fold (RSE 16%) in CYP3A5 expressers when compared to nonexpressers. CL/F of TAC was decreased when co-administered with MMF in these subjects.


Impact of Phosphorylation on the Mass Spectrometry Quantification of Intact Phosphoproteins.
Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous and critical post-translational modification (PTM) involved in numerous cellular processes. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has emerged as the preferred technology for protein identification, characterization, and quantification. Whereas ionization/detection efficiency of peptides in electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS are markedly influenced by the presence of phosphorylation, the physicochemical properties of intact proteins are assumed not to vary significantly due to the relatively smaller modification on large intact proteins. Thus, the ionization/detection efficiency of intact phosphoprotein is hypothesized not to alter appreciably for subsequent MS quantification. However, this hypothesis has never been rigorously tested. Herein, we systematically investigated the impact of phosphorylation on ESI-MS quantification of mono- and multiply phosphorylated proteins. We verified that a single phosphorylation did not appreciably affect the ESI-MS quantification of phosphoproteins as demonstrated in the enigma homolog isoform 2 (28 kDa) with monophosphorylation. Moreover, different ionization and desolvation parameters did not impact phosphoprotein quantification. In contrast to monophosphorylation, multiphosphorylation noticeably affected ESI-MS quantification of phosphoproteins likely due to differential ionization/detection efficiency between unphosphorylated and phosphorylated proteoforms as shown in the pentakis-phosphorylated β-casein (24 kDa).


Compressing Θ-Chain in Slit Geometry.
When compressed in a slit of width D, a Θ-chain that displays the scaling of size R0 (diameter) with respect to the number of monomers N, R0 ∼ aN1/2, expands in the lateral direction as R|| ∼ aNν(a/D)2ν-1. Provided that the Θ condition is strictly maintained throughout the compression, the well-known scaling exponent of Θ-chain in two dimensions, ν = 4/7, is anticipated in a perfect confinement. However, numerics shows that upon increasing compression from R0/D < 1 to R0/D ≫ 1, ν gradually deviates from ν = 1/2 and plateaus at ν = 3/4, the exponent associated with the self-avoiding walk in two dimensions. Using both theoretical considerations and numerics, we argue that it is highly nontrivial to maintain the Θ condition under confinement because of two major effects. First, as the dimension is reduced from three to two dimensions, the contributions of higher order virial terms, which can be ignored in three dimensions at large N, become significant, making the perturbative expansion used in Flory-type approach inherently problematic. Second and more importantly, the geometrical confinement, which is regarded as an applied external field, alters the second virial coefficient (B2) changes from B2 = 0 (Θ condition) in free space to B2 > 0 (good-solvent condition) in confinement. Our study provides practical insight into how confinement affects the conformation of a single polymer chain.


Biomechanical evaluation of double Krackow sutures versus the three-loop pulley suture in a canine gastrocnemius tendon avulsion model.
To compare two Krackow sutures with a three-loop pulley suture for the reattachment of canine gastrocnemius tendons, using a tendon avulsion model. In vitro biomechanical study. Ten paired gastrocnemius tendons were severed at their insertions on the calcaneal tuberosity and repaired with either two modified Krackow sutures or a modified three-loop pulley suture. Sutures were placed in the tendon ends and through diverging bone tunnels in the medial and lateral processes of the calcaneal tuberosity. Tensile loads required to (a) create a 3-mm gap and (b) induce construct failure were measured. The mean load to achieve a 3-mm gap was 77.22 ± 9.72 and 55.85 ± 9.91 N, and to result in construct failure was 106.88 ± 12.74 and 80.86 ± 12.23 N for the Krackow and three-loop pulley suture patterns, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Two Krackow sutures were superior to the three-loop pulley pattern in both resistance to 3-mm gap formation and load to failure in a canine gastrocnemius avulsion model. The prevention of gap formation is critical for the success of tenorrhaphy. These results indicate that a suture pattern using two Krackow sutures may be clinically superior to the three-loop pulley suture pattern in the repair of canine gastrocnemius avulsion. Further work is required to determine if this superiority is mirrored in the repair of other tendon avulsion or laceration scenarios.


Microbial community-based protein production from wastewater for animal feed applications.
Single cell protein (SCP) derived from microbial biomass represents a promising source of protein for animal feed additives. While microbial community-based approaches to SCP production using nutrient-rich wastewaters incur lower costs than traditional single organism-based approaches, they have received little attention. This review focuses on SCP production using wastewaters with an emphasis on food-processing wastewaters. An elemental carbon-to-nitrogen ratio ranging from 10 to 20 is recommended to promote a high microbial biomass protein yield. Proteobacteria was identified as the most prevalent phylum within SCP-producing microbial communities. More research is needed to determine the composition of the microbial community best suited for SCP production, as well as its relationship with the microbial community in influent food-processing wastewaters. Remaining challenges are target protein and essential amino acids content, protein quantification and biomass yield assessment. The review presents bioreactor design considerations towards defining suitable operating conditions for SCP production through microbial community-based fermentation.


Evaluations of the aesthetic results and patient satisfaction with the late pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction.
With the goal of evaluating the aesthetic results, testing the reliability of the rating systems used, and determining the patients' level of satisfaction with their breast reconstruction, pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction was performed in 20 patients who had undergone mastectomy. The results were evaluated and compared 3, 6, and 12 months after reconstruction using the patients' own assessments (a rating of 0-10 points) and scoring by two senior plastic surgeons (using 0-10-point global rating scales as well as the five subscales of the modified Garbay system). The interrater and intrarater agreement was poor to fair for the majority of the subscales. When evaluating by grades, there was significant difference (p < 0.001) between the patients and the raters at postoperative months 3 and 6. At month 12, one of the raters attributed significantly lower grades (p < 0.001) than the patients and the other rater. The authors observed a higher level of satisfaction by the patients than by the raters.


ECM in brain aging and dementia.
An essential component of the brain extracellular space is the extracellular matrix contributing to the spatial assembly of cells by binding cell-surface adhesion molecules, supporting cell migration, differentiation, and tissue development. The most interesting and complex functions of the central nervous system are the abilities to encode new information (learning) and to store this information (memory). The creation of perineuronal nets, consisting mostly of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, stabilizes the synapses and memory trails and forms protective shields against neurodegenerative processes but terminates plasticity and the potential for recovery of the tissue. Age-related changes in the extracellular matrix composition and the extracellular space volume and permissivity are major determinants of the onset and development of the most common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, involved in amyloid clearance from the brain, play an important role in Alzheimer's disease and other types of neurodegeneration. Additional key players in the modification of the extracellular matrix are matrix metalloproteinases. Recent studies show that the extracellular matrix and matrix metalloproteinases are important regulators of plasticity, learning, and memory and might be involved in different neurological disorders like epilepsy, schizophrenia, addiction, and dementia. The identification of molecules and mechanisms that modulate these processes is crucial for the understanding of brain function and dysfunction and for the design of new therapeutic approaches targeting the molecular mechanism underlying these neurological disorders.


Global view on virus infection in non-human primates and implications for public health and wildlife conservation.
Viruses can be transmitted from animals to humans (and vice versa) and across animal species. As such, host-virus interactions and transmission have attracted considerable attention. Non-human primates (NHPs), our closest evolutionary relatives, are susceptible to human viruses and certain pathogens are known to circulate between humans and NHPs. Here, we generated global statistics on VI-NHPs based on a literature search and public data mining. In total, 140 NHP species from 12 families are reported to be infected by 186 DNA and RNA virus species, 68.8% of which are also found in humans, indicating high potential for crossing species boundaries. The top 10 NHP species with high centrality in the NHP-virus network include two great apes (Pan troglodytes, Pongo pygmaeus) and eight Old World monkeys (Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis, M. leonina, Papio cynocephalus, Cercopithecus ascanius, C. erythrotis, Chlorocebus aethiops, and Allochrocebus lhoesti). Given the wide distribution of Old World monkeys and their frequent contact with humans, there is a high risk of virus circulation between humans and such species. Thus, we suggest recurring epidemiological surveillance of NHPs, specifically Old World monkeys that are in frequent contact with humans, and other effective measures to prevent potential circulation and transmission of viruses. Avoidance of false positives and sampling bias should also be a focus in future work.


Social skills training for psychiatric patients. I: Concepts, methods, and clinical results.
Deficits in social skills are often seen in psychiatric patients. In particular instances these may be a consequence of the psychiatric illness, a contributing cause to that illness, or a feature of the psychiatric disorder. During the last two decades, systematic training programs in social skills have been developed and evaluated for the amelioration of these deficiencies. The author critically reviews basic concepts and methods in social skills training and the results of treatment in case reports, analogue studies, and single-case experimental designs.


Parkinson disease: a new link between monoamine oxidase and mitochondrial electron flow.
Two factors that contribute to the progression of Parkinson disease are a brain defect in mitochondrial respiration and the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by monoamine oxidase (MAO). Here we show that the two are linked. Metabolism of the neurotransmitter dopamine, or other monoamines (benzylamine, tyramine), by intact rat brain mitochondria suppresses pyruvate- and succinate-dependent electron transport. MAO inhibitors prevent this action. Mitochondrial damage is also reversed during electron flow. A probable explanation is that MAO-generated H2O2 oxidizes glutathione to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), which undergoes thiol-disulfide interchange to form protein mixed disulfides, thereby interfering reversibly with thiol-dependent enzymatic function. In agreement with this premise, direct addition of GSSG to mitochondria resulted in similar reversible inhibition of electron transport. In addition, the monoamines induced an elevation in protein mixed disulfides within mitochondria. These observations imply that (i) heightened activity and metabolism of neurotransmitter by monoamine neurons may affect neuronal function, and (ii) apparent defects in mitochondrial respiration associated with Parkinson disease may reflect, in part, an established increase in dopamine turnover. The experimental results also target mitochondrial repair mechanisms for further investigation and may, in time, lead to newer forms of therapy.


One-hour training for general practitioners in reducing the implementation gap of smoking cessation care: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.
This study examined the effectiveness of low-intensity, practice-tailored training for general practitioners (GPs) aimed at personal and organizational barriers that arise when routinely asking patients' smoking status, advising to quit, and arranging follow-up. A cluster-randomized controlled trial with 49 GPs and 3,401 patients (677 smokers). Two patient groups participated: 2,068 patients (433 smokers) at baseline and 1,333 patients (244 smokers) postintervention. At follow-up, 225 smokers of both groups participated. The primary outcome was GP smoking cessation counseling (asking about smoking status, advising to quit, prescribing pharmacotherapy, and referring for behavioral support). Secondary outcomes were GPs' attitudes toward smoking cessation care, patients' intention to quit, and long-term quit rates. Outcomes were measured with GP self-report and patient report. Patients of trained GPs reported more often being asked about smoking behavior compared with patients of untrained GPs (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.45-2.60). According to GP self-report, the training increased the provision of quit-smoking advices (difference 0.56 advice per day; 95% CI = 0.13-0.98) and the ability and intention of providing smoking cessation care. We found no effect on GPs' arrangement of follow-up, smokers' intention to quit, and long-term quit rates. After 1 hour of training, we found significant differences between trained and untrained GPs on the frequency in which they asked about smoking (patient reported) and advised smokers to quit (GP self-reported). The training did not increase prescriptions of pharmacotherapy, referrals to behavioral support, or quit rates. Future training methods should focus on the GPs' ability, tools, and skills to arrange follow-up to ensure intensive smoking cessation support.


Computed tomographic coronary angiography: an alternative to invasive coronary angiography.
Over the past decade, enormous progress has been made in the technology of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Substantial improvements in spatial resolution, temporal resolution, hardware and software now permit imaging of the entire coronary artery tree within a single breath-hold. Several studies have demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of significant coronary artery stenoses. In addition to imaging of the native coronary arteries, CT angiography may also be used to assess arterial and venous bypass grafts, and to detect the presence and composition of atherosclerotic plaque. Because CT angiography images are acquired with electrocardiogram gating, the data sets permit the assessment of left ventricular function (ejection fraction and regional wall motion), left ventricular volumes and, potentially, myocardial perfusion at no extra cost. The practical advantages of CT angiography (in regard to safety and cost) along with its future anticipated advancements make it an attractive alternative to diagnostic coronary angiography.


A Three-Step Process to Facilitate the Enantioselective Assembly of Cis-Fused Octahydrophenanthrenes with a Quaternary Stereocenter.
A three-step process for the enantioselective assembly of cis-fused octahydrophenanthrenes with a quaternary stereocenter is reported. This synthetic strategy relies on a regioselective γ-alkylation, a one-pot sequence of asymmetric hydrogenation and oxidation, and an intramolecular enolate arylation to facilitate the rapid and enantioselective construction of cis-fused octahydrophenanthrene scaffolds with an arylated all-carbon quaternary stereocenter concisely and efficiently.


[Psychopathological disorders and coronary diseases].
The role of psychological factors in the genesis of coronary diseases has been considered for a long time. Friedman took it upon himself to describe a personality profile (pattern A) constituting a risk factor for coronary heart disease of which, however, the practical interest seems limited. The association of psychopathological conditions and coronary heart disease has on the other hand not been extensively studied. Recent epidemiological data show that anxiety and depressive states represent a high comorbidity with coronary heart diseases. Panic attacks remain underestimated; they seem to participate in a complex physiopathological mechanism along with ischemic coronary heart diseases. Recent studies have shown that the existence of a depressive illness during coronary heart disease and particularly in the time period following a myocardial infarction, constitutes an independent risk factor, thus increasing the mortality rate. The evolution of coronary heart disease seems greatly influenced by the existence of anxious or depressive states, the diagnosis and the treatment of these states represent a major interest towards a better management of coronary patients.


[Intragastric balloon in the treatment of excessive obesity. Preliminary report].
Implantation of a commercially available silicone balloon permits continuous weight reduction without metabolic derangement in patients with excessive overweight. Dangers of surgical treatment of obesity can thus be avoided. In addition, balloon-induced weight reduction is suitable for preparation of severely obese patients with abdominal wall hernias requiring surgery for this intervention.


Exaggerated luminal loss a few minutes after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with recent myocardial infarction compared with stable angina: an intracoronary ultrasound study.
This study investigates the mechanisms of exaggerated acute luminal loss after successful coronary angioplasty in patients with recent myocardial infarction compared with stable angina by angiography and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS). We studied 15 consecutive patients (group 1) who, after a successful thrombolysis for myocardial infarction, underwent delayed (8 +/- 2 days after the myocardial infarction) successful balloon coronary angioplasty. Group 1 patients were individually matched with 15 stable angina patients (group 2). The percentage of stenosis and acute luminal loss were measured by quantitative coronary analysis. The ultrasound characteristics of lumen pathology were described as soft, hard, calcified, eccentric, concentric, thrombotic, and dissection lesions. Matching by stenosis location, reference diameter, sex, and age resulted in 2 comparable groups of 15 lesions with identical baseline characteristics. Immediately after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the minimal luminal diameter increased from 0.5 +/- 0.3 mm to 2.4 +/- 0.3 mm and from 0.5 +/- 0.2 mm to 2.4 +/- 0.3 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Similar balloon sizes were used in both groups. The acute luminal loss (the difference between the maximal dilated balloon diameter and the minimal luminal diameter) immediately after PTCA was 0.4 +/- 0.2 mm and 0.3 +/- 0.3 mm (14 +/- 8% and 10 +/- 11% of balloon size) (P = not significant [NS]) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. After ICUS (mean 24 min after the last balloon deflation), the acute luminal loss was 0.9 +/- 0.3 mm and 0.5 +/- 0.4 mm (29 +/- 11% and 17 +/- 8% of balloon size) (P = 0.01) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significantly higher prevalence of intracoronary thrombus formation as detected by ICUS in group 1 compared with group 2 (80% vs. 20%; P < 0.001). In matched groups of successfully treated coronary angioplasty, patients with recent myocardial infarction had a similar magnitude of acute gained luminal loss immediately after the procedure. However, an exaggerated luminal loss a few minutes after the last balloon deflation in patients with recent myocardial infarction was noted because of mural thrombus formation compared with patients with stable angina.


[Expression of ARA55 mRNA in prostate carcinoma tissues and its significance].
To investigate the expression of ARA55 mRNA in the prostate carcinoma tissues and its clinical significance. Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of ARA55 mRNA in the samples of the prostate carcinoma tissues from 32 patients. ARA55 mRNA expressed in different degrees in all the samples. The Ct values were 20.57 +/- 0.20 and 16.33 +/- 0.31 at T1-T2 and T3-T4 stages, 23.13 +/- 0.13 and 17.3 +/- 0.19 for those with Gleason score < or =7 and >7, 24.70 +/- 0.27 and 17.21 +/- 0.34 for those with PSA < or =10 microg/L and >10 microg/L, and 23.82 +/- 0.21 and 16.71 +/- 0.32 for those that responded to endocrinological therapy and those that failed to, respectively. There was a significant difference between the former and the latter. ARA55 mRNA expression is significantly correlated with the clinical characteristics of the patient. And ARA55 can be regarded as a prognostic molecular marker for prostate carcinoma as well as a predictor of endocrinological therapeutic effect on the disease.


Prophylactic alpha interferon treatment increases the therapeutic index of oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus virotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in immune-competent rats.
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative-strand RNA virus with intrinsic oncolytic specificity due to substantially attenuated antiviral responses in many tumors. We have recently reported that recombinant VSV vector can be used as an effective oncolytic agent to safely treat multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the livers of immune-competent rats via hepatic artery infusion. When administered at doses above the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), however, the animals suffered from neurotoxicity and/or acute lethal hepatotoxicity. Since VSV is extremely sensitive to the antiviral actions of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) in normal cells, we tested if prophylactic treatment with rat IFN-alpha would enhance VSV safety without compromising treatment efficacy in tumor-bearing rats. We found that VSV retained its replication potential in human and rat HCC cells after preincubation with relatively high doses of rat and human IFN-alpha in vitro, and its MTD in tumor-bearing rats treated systemically with rat IFN-alpha at 66 IU/g body weight (BW), equivalent to a human IFN-alpha dose that is currently prescribed for patients with viral hepatitis, was elevated by more than 1/2 log unit. Furthermore, we demonstrate that intratumoral replication of VSV was not attenuated by administration of 66 IU/g BW rat IFN-alpha, as tumor response and survival advantage in VSV-treated rats in the presence or absence of rat IFN-alpha were equivalent. The results suggest that prophylactic rat IFN-alpha treatment elevates the therapeutic index of hepatic arterial VSV therapy for multifocal HCC in rats. Since human IFN-alpha is currently in clinical use, its prophylactic application should be considered in future clinical translational protocols for VSV-mediated oncolytic virotherapy as a novel therapeutic modality in patients with advanced HCC, as well as other types of cancer.


Endoscopic ultrasound in oncology: An update of clinical applications in the gastrointestinal tract.
An accurate staging is necessary to select the best treatment and evaluate prognosis in oncology. Staging usually begins with noninvasive imaging such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography. In the absence of distant metastases, endoscopic ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal tumors, being the most accurate modality for local-regional staging. Its use for tumor and nodal involvement in pre-surgical evaluation has proven to reduce unnecessary surgeries. The aim of this article is to review the current role of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and staging of esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer.


Integrating Transcriptional, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses to Drought Stress in Ilex paraguariensis Roots.
The appearance of water stress episodes triggers leaf abscission and decreases Ilex paraguariensis yield. To explore the mechanisms that allow it to overcome dehydration, we investigated how the root gene expression varied between water-stressed and non-stressed plants and how the modulation of gene expression was linked to metabolite composition and physiological status. After water deprivation, 5160 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained through RNA-seq. The functional enrichment of induced transcripts revealed significant transcriptional remodelling of stress-related perception, signalling, transcription, and metabolism. Simultaneously, the induction of the enzyme 9-cis-expoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) transcripts reflected the central role of the hormone abscisic acid in this response. Consequently, the total content of amino acids and soluble sugars increased, and that of starch decreased. Likewise, osmotic adjustment and radical growth were significantly promoted to preserve cell membranes and water uptake. This study provides a valuable resource for future research to understand the molecular adaptation of I. paraguariensis plants under drought conditions and facilitates the exploration of drought-tolerant candidate genes.


Serial renography for evaluation of the impact of capecitabine therapy on renal function: A case report.
Cancer can cause renal dysfunction and disease either directly or indirectly, through adverse effects of therapies, including chemotherapy and radiation. The assessment of renal function in cancer patients is necessary in clinical practice. A 31-year-old woman had proctoscopy performed in our hospital for a principal complaint of bloody stool for 6 months and worsening 1 month prior to presentation. Following proctoscopy, she was diagnosed with a signet-ring cell carcinoma of the rectum. Hartman surgery was performed. Metastasis of the carcinoma to regional lymph nodes around the rectum was verified by postoperative pathology. The patient was treated with capecitabine, and renal function was monitored over the course of treatment by renography before, during, and after chemotherapy. We found that capecitabine caused a reversible decline of renal function. However, the value of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) remained within the normal range during chemotherapy. The patient's chemotherapy regimen was altered after her oncologists concluded that she was developing nephrotoxicity from capecitabine. She was treated with tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil potassium capsules. This patient was followed over the next 6 months, and no abnormal renal function re-occurred. Our experience with capecitabine shows that dosing adjustments can be warranted for chemotherapy in cancer patients, requiring monitoring of renal function. Renography may provide an early warning to protect the renal function of tumor patients when they receive chemotherapy.


Comparative study of the photoprotolytic reactions of D-luciferin and oxyluciferin.
Optical steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic methods were used to study the photoprotolytic reaction of oxyluciferin, the active bioluminescence chromophore of the firefly's luciferase-catalyzed reaction. We found that like D-luciferin, the substrate of the firefly bioluminescence reaction, oxyluciferin is a photoacid with pK(a)* value of ∼0.5, whereas the excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) rate coefficient is 2.2 × 10(10) s(-1), which is somewhat slower than that of D-luciferin. The kinetic isotope effect (KIE) on the fluorescence decay of oxyluciferin is 2.5 ± 0.1, the same value as that of D-luciferin. Both chromophores undergo fluorescence quenching in solutions with a pH value below 3.


Separation-based glycoprofiling approaches using fluorescent labels.
Glycoprotein analysis is essential within the biopharmaceutical industry, as the structure of the different glycans present can affect the safety and efficacy of products. However analysis of cleaved glycans presents a major analytical challenge, due to their inherent complexity, lack of chromophore and the existence of various isoforms (both position and linkage). In addition, almost all glycoproteins consist of a heterogeneous collection of differently glycosylated variants, so the released glycan pool contains a range of structures. Both normal phase chromatography and capillary gel electrophoresis offer excellent selectivity for the analysis of fluorescently labelled glycans. The normal phase (NP) chromatographic approach is sensitive, reliable and well established, with databases available for searching structures assigned relative to retention times. Capillary gel electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence (CGE-LIF) offers faster analysis times, though currently no databases are available to search mobilities against structures, therefore data has to be cross-correlated with either normal phase chromatography or mass spectrometry approaches when developing and validating methods. The principles of both methods are described and a review is presented that includes evaluation against a set of criteria established through consultation with the biopharmaceutical industry.


Characterization of a CD6 ligand(s) expressed on human- and murine-derived cell lines and murine lymphoid tissues.
CD6, a type I cell surface glycoprotein expressed predominantly by thymocytes and mature T lymphocytes, becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following T cell activation and has been implicated as an accessory molecule in T cell activation. The purpose of this study was to identify cell lines and tissues which express CD6 ligand(s), determine the requirements for CD6 binding, and biochemically characterize the putative CD6 ligand(s). Binding studies with a CD6 immunoglobulin fusion protein, CD6-Rg, allowed the identification of a number of human cell lines which express a CD6 ligand(s). The binding to these cell lines was trypsin sensitive, in part required divalent cations, was blocked by an anti-CD6 mAb, and could be downregulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Among the cell lines tested, the human breast carcinoma-derived cell line HBL-100 expressed the highest levels of CD6 ligand(s) and was used for immunoprecipitation studies. Following metabolic labeling, CD6-Rg immunoprecipitated glycoproteins of approximately 100, approximately 90, and approximately 45 kDa from HBL-100 cells. Using CD6-Rg we were able to show that murine thymus, lymph nodes, and skin express high levels of CD6 ligand(s) and that CD6-Rg bound to a murine thymic epithelial cell line and to cultured human epidermal keratinocytes.


Naltrexone-assisted rapid methadone discontinuation: a pilot study.
Slow downtitration as a methadone discontinuation method is time-consuming and associated to high dropout rates. Whereas ultra-rapid opiate detoxification methods have recently gained some popularity, they are expensive and may be associated with particular problems in methadone patients. In the present study, a 3-day detoxification procedure accelerated with a unique dose of naltrexone was used in 10 methadone-substituted patients. Whereas the treatment resulted in a shortened withdrawal syndrome, which was satisfactorily controlled by the drugs used, a two-phase course was observed, some symptoms reappearing between the end of day 2 and the beginning of day 3. The first phase of withdrawal symptoms was attributed to the antagonistic effect of naltrexone, which possibly also improved under the weakening of naltrexone. The second phase of withdrawal symptoms may be related to falling methadone plasma levels.


Nrf2: friend and foe in preventing cigarette smoking-dependent lung disease.
Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) generally confronts cellular defense systems with one of the strongest known environmental challenges. In particular, the continuous exposure of tissues of the respiratory tract to abundant concentrations of radicals; volatile compounds of the gas phase, mainly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; and CS condensate deposits trigger a pleiotropic adaptive response, generally aimed at restoring tissue homeostasis. As documented by numerous studies published over the past decade, a hallmark of this defense system is the activation of the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which, consequent to its established role as master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response, has been shown to orchestrate the first line of defense against cell- and tissue-damaging components present in CS. The key to CS-dependent Nrf2 activation is assumed to be based on the long-known phenomenon of a general strong sulfhydryl (-SH) reactivity inherent to CS. This chemical trait is virtually predestined to be sensitized by the major route leading to Nrf2 activation, characterized by its dependence on the interaction of electrophiles with specific cysteine residues inherited by Nrf2's negative cytosolic regulator Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). In addition, other pathways involving CS-activated protein kinases implicated in the upstream regulation of Nrf2, such as protein kinase C, represent an alternative/complementary mechanism of CS-induced Nrf2 activation. Because of the outstanding function of the Nrf2-Keap1 axis in defending cells and tissues against oxidant and chemical stress, either directly or indirectly via cross-talking with other defense pathways, changes in the Nrf2 or Keap1 genotype have long been associated with disease development. In terms of the two major smoking-related diseases of the lung, that is, emphysema and lung cancer, a fully functional Nrf2 genotype seems to be necessary, although not sufficient by itself, to protect the smoker from acquiring emphysema. Contrasting with this protective role, however, Nrf2 function may be potentially fatal in smoking-related lung tumorigenesis: as concluded from recent clinical investigations, lung tumor tissues harbor increased mutation or, alternatively, aberrant expression rates in either the KEAP1 or the NRF2 gene, generally resulting in constitutive Nrf2 activation, suggesting that "abuse" of Nrf2 function is an advantageous strategy of the (developing) tumor to protect itself against oxidative stress in general. On the basis of the fundamental significance of the Nrf2 pathway in smoking-dependent disease development, several attempts have been described for dietary and pharmacological intervention, the majority of which are intended to activate Nrf2 aiming at emphysema prevention. The intention of this review is to compile and discuss the various aspects of CS-Nrf2/Keap1 interaction in terms of mechanism, disease development, and chemoprevention.


Constant IFNgamma mRNA to protein ratios in cord and adult blood T cells suggests regulation of IFNgamma expression in cord blood T cells occurs at the transcriptional level.
Low levels of IFNgamma produced by umbilical cord blood (UCB) T lymphocytes upon activation may be due to the need for a high threshold of activation or to intrinsic blocking transcription/translation. We examined IFNgamma mRNA accumulation and protein expression in pharmacologically stimulated human UCB and adult blood (AB) T cells. Our data indicate that both IFNgamma mRNA accumulation and protein synthesis were significantly lower in stimulated UCB T cells than the AB T cells. Since the RNA dependent kinase PKR, an inhibitor of translation, can be activated by low levels of IFNgamma mRNA, we measured its involvement. Treatment with 2-amino-purine, an inhibitor of PKR, did not enhance IFNgamma protein expression in UCB T cells. Furthermore, our studies indicated that IFNgamma promoter hypermethylation does not appear to regulate IFNgamma expression either, as treatment with the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, did not lead to a significant increase in IFNgamma mRNA accumulation in UCB T cells. What is readily evident from our studies is that the IFNgamma mRNA to protein ratio was similar in UCB and AB T cells and it was not altered by any of the treatments used. These results therefore suggests that IFNgamma expression in UCB T cells is suppressed at the transcriptional level by an unknown mechanism(s).


Precision diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). Early diagnosis of HCC remains the key to improve the prognosis. In recent years, with the promotion of the concept of precision medicine and more in-depth analysis of the biological mechanism underlying HCC, new diagnostic methods, including emerging serum markers, liquid biopsies, molecular diagnosis, and advances in imaging (novel contrast agents and radiomics), have emerged one after another. Herein, we reviewed and analyzed scientific advances in the early diagnosis of HCC and discussed their application and shortcomings. This review aimed to provide a reference for scientific research and clinical practice of HCC.


Effect of drinking water source on associations between gastrointestinal illness and heavy rainfall in New Jersey.
Gastrointestinal illness (GI) has been associated with heavy rainfall. Storm events and periods of heavy rainfall and runoff can result in increased microbiological contaminants in raw water. Surface water supplies are open to the environment and runoff can directly influence the presence of contaminants. A time-stratified bi-directional case-crossover study design was used to estimate associations of heavy rainfall and hospitalizations for GI. Cases of GI were identified as in-patient hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of infectious disease associated diarrhea [ICD-9 codes: specified gastrointestinal infections 001-009.9 or diarrhea 787.91] among the residents of New Jersey from 2009 to 2013 resulting in a final sample size of 47,527 cases. Two control days were selected on the same days of the week as the case day, within fixed 21-day strata. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios controlling for temperature and humidity. To determine potential effect modification estimates were stratified by season (warm or cold) and drinking water source (groundwater, surface water, or 'other' category). Stratified analyses by drinking water source and season identified positive associations of rainfall and GI hospitalizations in surface water systems during the warm season with no lag (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.19) and a 2-day lag (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.16). Positive associations in 'Other' water source areas (served by very small community water systems, private wells, or unknown) during the warm season with a 4-day lag were also found. However, there were no statistically significant positive associations in groundwater systems during the warm season. The results suggest that water systems with surface water sources can play an important role in preventing GI hospitalizations during and immediately following heavy rainfall. Regulators should work with water system providers to develop system specific prevention techniques to limit the impact of heavy rainfall on public health.


Objective instrumental memory and performance tests for evaluation of patients with brain damage: a search for a behavioral diagnostic tool.
Cognition and performance of patients with localized and diffuse brain damage was evaluated through the application of objective perceptual testing. A series of visual perceptual and verbal tests, memory tests, as well as reaction time tasks were administered to the patients by logic programming equipment. In order to avoid a bias due to communicative disorders, all responses were motor, and achievement was scored in terms of correct identification and latencies of response. Previously established norms based on a large sample of non-brain-damaged hospitalized patients served to standardize the performance of the brain-damaged patient since preliminary results showed that age and educational level constitute an important variable affecting performance of the control group. The achievement of brain-damaged patients, corrected for these factors, was impaired significantly in all tests with respect to both recognition and speed of performance. Lateralized effects of brain damage were not significantly demonstrated. However, when the performance was analyzed with respect to the locus of visual input, it was found that patients with right hemispheric lesions showed impairment mainly on perception of figurative material, and that this deficit was more apparent in the left visual field. Conversely, patients with left hemispheric lesions tended to show impairment on perception of visually presented verbal material when the input was delivered to the right visual field.


Sorption of Polar Sorbates NH3, H2O, SO2 and CO2 on Selected Inorganic Materials.
In this paper, the sorption of NH3, H2O, SO2 and CO2 was tested for several selected inorganic materials. The tests were performed on samples belonging to two topologies of materials, faujasite (FAU) and framework-type MFI, the structures of which differ in pore size and connectivity. All sorbates are important in terms of reducing their emissions to the environment. They have different chemical nature: basic, alkaline, and acidic. They are all polar in structure and composition and two of them (ammonia and water vapor) can form hydrogen bonds. These differences result in different interactions with the surface of the adsorbents. This paper presents experimental data and proposes a mathematical description of the sorption process. The best fit of the experimental data was obtained for the Toth and GAB models. The studies showed that among the selected samples, faujasite has the best sorption capacity for ammonia and water vapor, while the best sorbent for sulfur dioxide is the MFI framework type. These materials behave like molecular sieves and can be used for quite selective adsorption of relevant gases. In addition, modification of the faujasite with organic silane resulted in a drastic reduction in the surface area of the sorbent, resulting in significantly lower sorption capacities for gases.


A new target for an old drug: identifying mitoxantrone as a nanomolar inhibitor of PIM1 kinase via kinome-wide selectivity modeling.
The rational design of selective kinase inhibitors remains a great challenge. Here we describe a physics-based approach to computationally modeling the kinase inhibitor selectivity profile. We retrospectively assessed this protocol by computing the binding profiles of 17 well-known kinase inhibitors against 143 kinases. Next, we predicted the binding profile of the chemotherapy drug mitoxantrone, and chose the predicted top five kinase targets for in vitro kinase assays. Remarkably, mitoxantrone was shown to possess low nanomolar inhibitory activity against PIM1 kinase and to inhibit the PIM1-mediated phosphorylation in cancer cells. We further determined the crystal complex structure of PIM1 bound with mitoxantrone, which reveals the structural and mechanistic basis for a novel mode of PIM1 inhibition. Although mitoxantrone's mechanism of action had been originally thought to act through DNA intercalation and type II topoisomerase inhibition, we hypothesize that PIM1 kinase inhibition might also contribute to mitoxantrone's therapeutic efficacy and specificity.


Relations Between Parental and Child Separation Anxiety: The Role of Dependency-Oriented Psychological Control.
Although separation anxiety is prevalent in young children, it remains unclear whether and how maternal separation anxiety is related to separation anxiety in children. This study examined associations between maternal separation anxiety and separation anxiety in children, and the potential effect psychologically controlling parenting. Mothers (N = 269) and children (N = 287) recruited for a community sample participated in two 1-year interval data-waves. Children were aged five-eight and were interviewed using an age-appropriate method for obtaining self-reports of separation anxiety and perceptions of dependency-oriented psychologically controlling parenting. Mothers reported on their feelings of separation anxiety regarding their child via a questionnaire. We found that maternal separation anxiety was positively related to separation anxiety in children within, but not over time. We did not find psychologically controlling parenting to mediate this association. Studying other factors than parenting may be an important avenue for future research in explaining separation anxiety in children.


An indirect microimmunofluorescence test for detection of chlamydial antibodies in ovine fetal fluids.
The objective of this study was to evaluate an indirect microimmunofluorescence test (IMIF) for detection of chlamydial antibodies in serum and/or thoracic fluids of aborted ovine fetuses. One hundred eighty-two ovine fetuses, including 64 fetuses from 40 ewes that were experimentally infected with an ovine abortion strain of Chlamydia psittaci at gestation days 90-100, 10 fetuses from 6 normal ewes, and 108 fetuses selected from those received at the Iowa Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, were evaluated in this study. Fetuses from experimentally infected ewes were examined 4-60 days after inoculation. The IMIF findings were compared with the results of complement fixation serology for chlamydiae and concentrations of immunoglobulin (IgG). Chlamydiae-specific antibodies were detected by IMIF in 28 of 38 fetuses infected with C. psittaci. Elevated levels of IgG and IMIF titers > or = 1:8 were consistent findings in ovine fetuses infected with chlamydiae for more than 24 days. IgG levels and titers of chlamydial antibodies increased with maturity of the fetus and duration of chlamydial infection. Chlamydial antibodies were not detected with the complement fixation test. Fluids from ovine fetuses aborted as a result of other causes also were examined, and IMIF results were negative. The results of this study indicate that the IMIF is a useful and relatively rapid test for identification of chlamydial antibodies in ovine fetuses.


Abscisic acid promotes pre-emergence stages of lateral root development in Medicago truncatula.
The plant root system is important for plant anchorage and nutrition. Among the different characteristics of the root system, root branching is a major factor of plasticity and adaptation to changing environments. Indeed, many biotic and abiotic stresses, such as drought or symbiotic interactions, influence root branching. Many studies concerning root development and root branching were performed on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, but this model plant has a very simplified root structure and is not able to establish any symbiotic interactions. We have recently described 7 stages for lateral root development in the model legume Medicago truncatula and found significant differences in the tissular contribution of root cell layers to the formation of new lateral roots (LR). We have also described 2 transgenic lines expressing the DR5:GUS and DR5:VENUS-N7 reporter genes that are useful to follow LR formation at early developmental stages. Here, we describe the use of these transgenic lines to monitor LR developmental responses of M. truncatula to the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) which is a major actor of stress and symbiotic interactions. We show that ABA promotes the formation of new lateral root primordia and their development, mostly at the late, pre-emergence stage.


No substrate specificity of converting enzyme for N-terminal substituted angiotensin I in man.
In 5 normal men sarcosine1-angiotensin II (Sar1-ANG II) (Exp. 1) and sarcosine1-angiotensin I (Sar1-ANG I) (Exp. 2) infused iv at a rate of 5 pmol/kg X min from 0900 h to 0930 h caused the same degree of rise in blood pressure (BP). But 100 mg of captopril given orally at 0800 h (Exp. 3) completely abolished the BP rise by Sar1-ANG I. In Exps. 1 and 2 plasma renin activity (PRA) decreased and plasma aldosterone (PA) increased after the infusions. In Exp. 3 PRA increased markedly and PA decreased 60 min after captopril, and at 30 min of Sar1-ANG I infusion PRA decreased to the pre-captopril level despite no BP change but PA was kept at the pre-infusion level. Hence, substrate specificity of converting enzyme previously demonstrated for N-terminal deleted ANG I was not shown for N-terminal substituted ANG I in man because the conversion of Sar1-ANG I to Sar1-ANG II was 100%. Sar1-ANG I may possibly inhibit renin release in normal men.


[Going through cloudy periods: the experience of families of children with Down Syndrome].
The purpose of this study was to understand how the family faces the challenge of having a child with Down Syndrome among its members, so that, from this understanding, nurses can propose and carry out a careful emphasis on family responses to current and potential problems experienced. Symbolic Interactionism and the initial steps of Grounded Theory were used. The study comprised eight families and the results of a phenomenon were presented: "Going though cloudy periods" and its categories: "Faced with the unimaginable", "Adapting to the new reality" and "Living with disappointments". Throughout the experience, families face periods of uncertainty and doubt, requiring new attitudes and coping with the unknown. Health professionals, specifically in nursing, have remained outside the work done with these families. The need to guide and support such families is vital, particularly in coping with periods of difficulties and doubts, in order to minimize and possibly avoid them.


[Athletic injuries in wind surfing].
We made an anamnesis of sports related injuries for 189 members of the Swiss Wind Surfing Federation. This data enabled us to calculate an yearly incidence of 0.02 injuries per athlete. By comparison, this frequency amounts to 0.03 for tennis players, to 0.24 in football and 2.30 for competitive cyclists. Feet injuries made up for 36.5% of all cases, whereas legs were affected for 23.5%. The athlete had to stop his training for 25.2 days on average. His work had to be interrupted for 10.2 days and his mean hospital stay was of 2.0 days. One third of all injuries were due to board contact events, 20% happened on the shore and 19% were ascribed to falls on/of the mast. Bruises and other wounds were mainly due to the lack of surf-shoes and/or other protective clothing items.


Randomized clinical trial of a calcium supplement for improvement of health in dairy cows in early lactation.
Prophylactic Ca supplementation immediately after calving is a common strategy to prevent clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of an injected Ca supplement on blood Ca concentration at 24 and 48h after treatment, incidence risk of clinical disease and culling, milk production in early lactation, and probability of pregnancy at first insemination. Cows without signs of visible milk fever (n=984) from 7 farms were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to receive either Ca gluconate (35% wt/vol) in combination with Ca glucoheptonate (10% wt/vol; TheraCalcium, Vétoquinol Canada Inc., Lavaltrie, Quebec) or a placebo (medication vehicle solution with no Ca) at first contact with each cow after calving and again 12 to 24h later. Each dose was 120mL injected subcutaneously over 2 sites. Total serum Ca concentration (tCa) was measured from coccygeal blood samples before (time 0) and 24 and 48h after first treatment in a subsample of cows (n=129). Blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were measured from all cows twice between 3 and 16d in milk at weekly visits and cows were evaluated for vaginal discharge once between 28 and 42d in milk. Disease events, production data from the first 3 Dairy Herd Improvement milk tests, reproduction, and culling data were collected from each herd. For cows that had received 1 injection of Ca before the blood sample at 24h (n=95), tCa was significantly higher in the treated cows: mean ± standard error, 2.03±0.03 versus 1.90±0.03mmol/L, accounting for tCa at time of enrollment and a treatment by tCa at enrollment interaction. At 48h, no significant difference was found in tCa between treatment and control (mean ± SE, 2.12±0.02 and 2.10±0.03mmol/L, respectively). Cows treated with the Ca product were significantly less likely to have received intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral supplemental Ca for exhibiting clinical signs of hypocalcemia than control cows (5.0 vs. 8.4%). No effect was found of treatment on retained placenta, metritis, hyperketonemia, prevalence of purulent vaginal discharge, culling from the herd, early lactation production, probability of pregnancy to first artificial insemination, or time to pregnancy. With this subcutaneous prophylactic Ca treatment regimen, blood Ca levels were temporarily increased at 24h after treatment, but no effect was observed of supplemental Ca on the risk of disease or culling, milk production, or reproductive performance.