Evaluation of mobile smartphones app as a screening tool for environmental noise monitoring.
Noise is a global occupational and environmental health hazard with considerable social and physiological impact and, therefore, there is a need for regular measurements to boost monitoring and regulations of environmental noise levels in our communities. This necessitates a readily available, inexpensive, and easy to use noise measuring device. We aimed to test the sensitivity and validity of mobile "smart" phones for this purpose. This was a comparative analysis of a cross sectional study done between January 2014 and February 2015. Noise levels were measured simultaneously at different locations within Abuja Nigeria at day and night hours in real time environments. A sound level meter (SLM) (Extech407730 Digital Soundmeter, serial no.: 2310135, calibration no: 91037) and three smartphones (Samsung Galaxy note3, Nokia S, and Techno Phantom Z running on Android "Apps" Androidboy1) were used. Statistical calculations were done with Pearson correlation, T-test and Consistency within American National Standards Institute acceptable standard errors. Noise level readings for both daytime and night with the SLM and the mobile phones showed equivalent values. All noise level meters measured were <100dB. The daytime readings were nearly identical in six locations and the maximum difference in values between the SLM and Smartphone instruments was 3db, noted in two locations. Readings in dBA showed strong correlation (r = 0.9) within acceptable error limits for Type 2 SLM devices and no significant difference in the values (p = 0.12 & 0.58) for both day and night. Sensitivity of the instrument yielded 92.9%. The androidboy1 "app" performance in this study showed a good correlation and comparative high sensitivity to the Standard SLM (type 2 SLM device). However there is the need for further studies.


Inferring differentiation pathways from gene expression.
The regulation of proliferation and differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells into mature cells is central to developmental biology. Gene expression measured in distinguishable developmental stages helps to elucidate underlying molecular processes. In previous work we showed that functional gene modules, which act distinctly in the course of development, can be represented by a mixture of trees. In general, the similarities in the gene expression programs of cell populations reflect the similarities in the differentiation path. We propose a novel model for gene expression profiles and an unsupervised learning method to estimate developmental similarity and infer differentiation pathways. We assess the performance of our model on simulated data and compare it with favorable results to related methods. We also infer differentiation pathways and predict functional modules in gene expression data of lymphoid development. We demonstrate for the first time how, in principal, the incorporation of structural knowledge about the dependence structure helps to reveal differentiation pathways and potentially relevant functional gene modules from microarray datasets. Our method applies in any area of developmental biology where it is possible to obtain cells of distinguishable differentiation stages. The implementation of our method (GPL license), data and additional results are available at http://algorithmics.molgen.mpg.de/Supplements/InfDif/. Supplementary data is available at Bioinformatics online.


Enhancement of sensitivity of human squamous carcinoma cells to radiation by epidermal growth factor.
Experiments were done to determine the effect of murine epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the radiation responses of the human squamous carcinoma cell line CaSki grown as an exponential monolayer culture. The radiation responses studied included recovery from potentially lethal damage (PLDR) and recovery from sublethal damage (SLDR). The presence of EGF in the cell culture either after irradiation (during the clonogenic assay period) or continuously before, during, and after irradiation enhanced the radiosensitivity of the cells and reduced their plating efficiency (PE). However, these effects were not as great when EGF was present in the cell culture only before and during irradiation. This enhancement of radiosensitivity was associated with a reduction in the shoulder region of the cell survival curves. The PE reduction and radiosensitivity enhancement were maximum with 10 ng of EGF/mL. However, EGF present continuously in the cell culture, including during the 6-hour repair period, had no effect on cellular PLDR or SLDR. The single-stranded DNA breaks present in large numbers in cells immediately after irradiation returned to control levels by 6 hours. Moreover, EGF present in cell cultures for the 48 hours before irradiation and during the 6-hour repair period had no effect on the DNA alkaline elution profiles of either control or irradiated cells. EGF did not affect the growth of unirradiated cells; however, it extended the lag-phase period for growth of irradiated cells. In summary, this EGF-induced radiosensitivity enhancement was not correlated with the effects of EGF on PE, cell growth, PLDR, or SLDR.


Increasing systematicity leads to better selection decisions: Evidence from a computer paradigm for evaluating selection tools.
A computerized paradigm was created to allow for testing in the laboratory whether increasing systematicity helps the recruiter make better selection decisions. Participants were introduced to the job and the applicants on the computer screen and asked to select who they thought should be considered for the job and who should not. Level of systematicity, i.e. the extent to which the recruitment is methodical and uses prepared tools, was manipulated between subjects. Depending on experimental condition participants were helped by means of a tool for extracting judgment criteria (job analysis) and a tool for making judgments related to selected criteria (including calculation of a final score). The general prediction that increased systematicity leads to the selection of more qualified candidates was supported by the results, particularly when the motivation to put time and effort into the task was higher. The results support the claim from Industrial/Organizational psychologists that systematicity is a desirable characteristic in selection processes. The fact that increasing systematicity led to better selection decisions in a controlled laboratory experiment, along with process-related measures, suggests that this kind of paradigm could be useful when evaluating new tools for improving selection decisions, before they are tested in large (and costly) field studies of actual personnel selection.


Disease and mortality among gold miners of Ghana: colonial government and mining company attitudes and policies, 1900-1938.
This article traces the causes of high mortality rates among African gold miners in the former British colonial territories of the Gold Coast and Ashanti, 1900-1938. No previous studies exist for the early decades owing to the neglect by both mining companies and government officials to keep adequate statistics on African miner death rates, a flaw which reinforced the lackadaisical response of the government to problems of prevention and treatment. A milestone report issued in 1924, demonstrating that sanitary precautions, housing conditions and medical treatment for most African miners were wretched, forced the colonial state to gather regular data on Africans and make long overdue improvements, so that mortality rates for underground miners slowly declined by the time of the Second World War. But the published statistics concealed from view the far greater incidence of general deaths from pulmonary and respiratory tract disease among short-term migrant labourers, who lived in the mining towns, but returned to die in their home villages.


The External Performance Appraisal of China Energy Regulation: An Empirical Study Using a TOPSIS Method Based on Entropy Weight and Mahalanobis Distance.
In China's industrialization process, the effective regulation of energy and environment can promote the positive externality of energy consumption while reducing negative externality, which is an important means for realizing the sustainable development of an economic society. The study puts forward an improved technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution based on entropy weight and Mahalanobis distance (briefly referred as E-M-TOPSIS). The performance of the approach was verified to be satisfactory. By separately using traditional and improved TOPSIS methods, the study carried out the empirical appraisals on the external performance of China's energy regulation during 1999~2015. The results show that the correlation between the performance indexes causes the significant difference between the appraisal results of E-M-TOPSIS and traditional TOPSIS. The E-M-TOPSIS takes the correlation between indexes into account and generally softens the closeness degree compared with traditional TOPSIS. Moreover, it makes the relative closeness degree fluctuate within a small-amplitude. The results conform to the practical condition of China's energy regulation and therefore the E-M-TOPSIS is favorably applicable for the external performance appraisal of energy regulation. Additionally, the external economic performance and social responsibility performance (including environmental and energy safety performances) based on the E-M-TOPSIS exhibit significantly different fluctuation trends. The external economic performance dramatically fluctuates with a larger fluctuation amplitude, while the social responsibility performance exhibits a relatively stable interval fluctuation. This indicates that compared to the social responsibility performance, the fluctuation of external economic performance is more sensitive to energy regulation.


Asymmetric synthesis of epicylindrospermopsin via intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition. Assignment of absolute configuration.
A synthesis of (-)-epicylindrospermopsin (2) was completed that establishes its absolute configuration and corroborates the corrected structural assignment previously made to this toxin by Weinreb et al. The hydroxylamine 3, prepared from 4-bromobenzyloxyacetaldehyde, was condensed with aldehyde 4, obtained in nine steps from (R)-methionine, to give nitrone 16. Intramolecular cycloaddition of 16 proceeded stereoselectively to yield the oxazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 17, which after reduction and deprotection afforded piperidine 18. The latter was transformed via cyclic urea 19 to the inverted C12 alcohol 20, and the derived azide 22 was cyclized to produce the guanidine moiety of 25. Final sulfation of the C12 hydroxyl group furnished (-)-2.


Exosomes and their role in the micro-/macro-environment: a comprehensive review.
The importance of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cell-cell communication has long been recognized due to their ability to transfer important cellular cargoes such as DNA, mRNA, miRNAs, and proteins to target cells. Compelling evidence supports the role of EVs in the horizontal transfer of cellular material which has the potential to influence normal cellular physiology and promote various disease states. Of the different types of EVs, exosomes have garnered much attention in the past decade due to their abundance in various biological fluids and ability to affect multiple organ systems. The main focus of this review will be on cancer and how cancer-derived exosomes are important mediators of metastasis, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and the tumor macro-/microenvironment. We will also discuss exosomes as potential biomarkers for cancers due to their abundance in biological fluids, ease of uptake, and cellular content. Exosome use in diagnosis, prognosis, and in establishing treatment regimens has enormous potential to revolutionize patient care.


[The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and obesity].
The obesity epidemic has been recognized as a worldwide problem. More than 1/3 of the adults and about 15% of children and adolescents are overweight. In the search for the reasons for obesity and refractory obesity, some research efforts have recently been directed into the relationship between obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This link can be explained by two theoretical approaches: ADHD leads to obesity because of the impulsive behavior of ADHD patients; both obesity and ADHD originate from a similar psycho-pathological mechanism. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood with symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and distraction, often continuing into adulthood with symptoms of disorganization, frustration, and excessive emotional reaction. Treatment of ADHD requires a multidisciplinary approach of medication, psychological treatment, occupational therapy (in children) and nutritional assistance. Most studies of the association between ADHD and obesity were performed on subjects seeking help for obesity problems. In this population (both children and adults), the percentage of ADHD was found to be significantly higher than the prevalence of ADHD in the general population. Overweight subjects with ADHD, who were treated with medications, showed improved patterns of weight loss and maintenance. In addition, patients diagnosed with ADHD had lower compliance with follow-up visits after bariatric surgery. It seems that the problem is in the correct diagnosis of ADHD in obese patients, followed by medical as well as cognitive behavioral treatment, that can turn the impulsivity into an advantage, driving patients to positive pathways such as physical activity.


Sexual communication and condom use among Chinese men who have sex with men in Beijing.
This study collected cross-sectional data from 307 young Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) to explore the characteristics of sexual communications, including target of communication (stable partners, casual partners), topics of communication (condom use, HIV/STDs prevention, and sexual history), and the associations between sexual communication characteristics and condom use. A variety of measures were employed to assess respondents' condom use with different sexual partners over different recall periods. Chi-square tests were employed to examine the relationships between sexual communication characteristics and condom use. This study found that sexual communications with regular partners about topics, such as condom use, HIV/STDs prevention, and current and past sexual relationship were associated with condom use with regular partners. Respondents who had sexual communications with both regular and casual partners were more likely to use condoms with their regular partners. The findings in the current study provided empirical evidence for the importance of frequent sexual communication between Chinese MSM and their sex partners.


Accuracy of Venous Filling Index on Standing (VFIst) and Pure Regurgitation Index (PRI), a Novel Index Obtained by Air Plethysmography, for Detecting Venous Reflux.
To evaluate the accuracy of venous filling index on standing (VFIst) and a new index named pure regurgitation index (PRI), obtained by air plethysmography, for detecting venous reflux. One hundred and sixty-one healthy subjects (161 limbs) and 180 varicose vein patients (180 limbs) were investigated. All subjects underwent duplex ultrasonography for verifying venous reflux and air plethysmography to obtain hemodynamic parameters such as VFIst, VFI in the supine position (VFIsu), and the maximum arterial inflow rate. To evaluate the accuracy of VFIst and PRI (= (VFIst - VFIsu)/body mass index), receiver operating characteristics curves were created. The optimal cut-off value, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve, obtained from analyzing the receiver operating characteristics curves, of VFIst vs. PRI were 2.058 mL/s vs. 0.059 mL · m(2)/s · kg, 93.3% vs. 90.3%, 88.8% vs. 91.3%, and 0.954 vs. 0.964, respectively. This study indicates that while both VFIst and PRI are highly accurate indicators of venous reflux, PRI, which is not affected by the arterial inflow rate and body mass index, is slightly superior to VFIst, especially in subjects with greater body mass index.


Observations of the role of body fluid volumes and plasma renin activity in the management of hypertension.
Reduction of the (expanded) body fluid volumes found in some patients with renal hypertension may be essential in the management of these cases. Illustrative examples are given of this "volume dependent" form of hypertension. In such patients, plasma renin activity (PRA) is low. Other forms of hypertension may be regarded as caused by "inappropriate renin secretion". Most often, however, both factors are operative. This concept is supported by experimental evidence obtained in animals. The combined effect of salt depletion (which increases PRA) and beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (during which treatment PRA is lowered) was systematically studied in 3 groups of hypertensive patients (including one group with chronic renal insufficiency). The results indicate that this combined therapy lowers the blood pressure in various types of hypertension, the effect being sometimes more than additive. There was, however, no correlation between the PRA levels and the blood pressure decrease after salt depletion or after propranolol. Consequently, on the basis of the PRA values, no group of patients could be identified for which this treatment would be specifically indicated.


N-Glycosylation of secretion enhancer peptide as influencing factor for the secretion of target proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
hIL-1beta-derived polypeptide, when fused to the N-terminal end of target proteins, exerts a potent secretion enhancer function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We investigated the effect of N-glycosylation of the secretion enhancer peptide on the secretion of target proteins. The N-terminal 24 amino acids (Ser5-Ala28) of human interleukin 1beta (hIL-1beta) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were used as secretion enhancer for synthesizing recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) from S. cerevisiae. The mutation of potential N-glycosylation site, by substituting Gln for either Asn7 of N-terminal 24 amino acids of hIL-1beta (Asn7Gln) or Asn84 of IL-1ra (Asn84Gln), resulted in a dramatic reduction of rhG-CSF secretion efficiency. In contrast, the mutant containing an additional N-glycosylation site on the N-terminal 24 amino acids of hIL-1beta (Gln15Asn) secreted twice as much rhG-CSF into culture media as wild type hIL-1beta. These results show that N-glycosylation of the secretion enhancer peptide plays an important role in increasing the secretion efficiency of the downstream target proteins. The results also suggest that judicious choice of enhancer peptide and the control of its glycosylation could be of general utility for secretory production of heterologous proteins from S. cerevisiae.


Preconditioning of the tumor vasculature and tumor cells by intermittent hypoxia: implications for anticancer therapies.
Hypoxia is a common feature in tumors associated with an increased resistance of tumor cells to therapies. In addition to O(2) diffusion-limited hypoxia, another form of tumor hypoxia characterized by fluctuating changes in pO(2) within the disorganized tumor vascular network is described. Here, we postulated that this form of intermittent hypoxia promotes endothelial cell survival, thereby extending the concept of hypoxia-driven resistance to the tumor vasculature. We found that endothelial cell exposure to cycles of hypoxia reoxygenation not only rendered them resistant to proapoptotic stresses, including serum deprivation and radiotherapy, but also increased their capacity to migrate and organize in tubes. By contrast, prolonged hypoxia failed to exert protective effects and even seemed deleterious when combined with radiotherapy. The use of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha)-targeting small interfering RNA led us to document that the accumulation of HIF-1alpha during intermittent hypoxia accounted for the higher resistance of endothelial cells. We also used an in vivo approach to enforce intermittent hypoxia in tumor-bearing mice and found that it was associated with less radiation-induced apoptosis within both the vascular and the tumor cell compartments (versus normoxia or prolonged hypoxia). Radioresistance was further ascertained by an increased rate of tumor regrowth in irradiated mice preexposed to intermittent hypoxia and confirmed in vitro using distinctly radiosensitive tumor cell lines. In conclusion, we have documented that intermittent hypoxia may condition endothelial cells and tumor cells in such a way that they are more resistant to apoptosis and more prone to participate in tumor progression. Our observations also underscore the potential of drugs targeting HIF-1alpha to resensitize the tumor vasculature to anticancer treatments.


Divergent profile of emerging cutaneous leishmaniasis in subtropical Brazil: new endemic areas in the southern frontier.
Although known to be highly endemic in the Amazon regions of Brazil, the presence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the subtropical southern part of the country has largely been ignored. This study was conducted to demonstrate CL is emerging in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, as well as to characterize the epidemiological profile and Leishmania species involved. For this cross-sectional study, data from all CL cases from Santa Catarina, Brazil, reported to the Brazilian National Notifiable Diseases Information System from 2001 to 2009 were investigated. Amplification of the kDNA minicircle conserved region followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was conducted to screen for Leishmania species present in patient biopsy. Overall, 542 CL cases were reported, with majority resulting from autochthonous transmission (n = 401, 73.99%) and occurring in urban zones (n = 422, 77.86%). Age, gender, zone of residence, origin of case, clinical form and case outcome were found to differ significantly by region. Imported cases were over seven times more likely to relapse (95% CI 2.56-21.09). Mapping of cases revealed new endemic areas in northeastern Santa Catarina with two species present. With the exception of three L. (Leishmania) amazonensis cases (1.20%), majority of PCR positive samples were found to be L. (Viannia) braziliensis (n = 248, 98.80%). CL is now endemic in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, with case profiles varying significantly by region. L. (V.) braziliensis has been identified as the predominant species in the region.


Self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant duodenal obstruction distal to the bulb.
Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are widely used for the palliative management of malignant proximal gastroduodenal obstruction because of its low morbidity and mortality rates compared with surgical bypass. However, stent placement for duodenal obstruction beyond the first part of the duodenum is considered technically difficult and is not routinely performed. We report our experience with SEMS placement for these patients. Between 2006 and 2015, 51 patients with unresectable or metastatic malignancy underwent SEMS placements under combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Eighteen patients had intestinal obstruction distal to the duodenal bulb. Their demographics, technical and clinical outcomes, periprocedural morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, further interventions and overall survival were analysed. Out of the 18 cases, nine cases of intestinal obstruction were due to primary malignancy of the pancreas, three due to gastric malignancy, three from other locoregional cancers and three were the result of metastases. In 12 patients, the obstruction involved the second part (D2), in four the third part (D3) and in two the fourth part (D4) of the duodenum. A front-facing therapeutic gastroscope was used to visualize the duodenum before the stricture was crossed under direct vision and fluoroscopic guidance, with a catheter and guidewire, and a through-the-scope SEMS deployed using an 'over-the-wire' technique. Technical success rate was 89%. The mean gastric outlet obstruction scores improved from 0.63 to 2.57 (P<0.0001). Four patients died within 30 days of the procedure, although none of the deaths were procedure related. The median length of postprocedural hospital stay was 4 days and the median overall survival was 58 days.


The role of pyrazinamide in tuberculosis chemotherapy.
Pyrazinamide is an antituberculosis drug synthesized in the 1950s and formerly used only as salvage therapy. Recent developments have elevated it to a central role in tuberculosis chemotherapy as the essential addition to isoniazid and rifampin which makes it possible to successfully complete treatment in six months. This is accomplished with no increase in hepatotoxicity. The only substantial side effect of this drug given at the dosage and for the duration used in these six-month regimens is a polyarthralgia which is only bothersome and not sufficient to warrant interruption of therapy. More rarely, acute gout is produced. The early history and pharmacology of this now first line antituberculosis drug are reviewed herein.


Value of Serum Thrombomodulin as a Marker and Predictor in Patients with Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury.
To investigate the serum soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) concentration in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) and to determine the value of sTM in predicting AKI and mortality in sepsis patients. This prospective observational study was conducted on 71 patients diagnosed with sepsis according to Sepsis 3 at the Intensive Care Unit, Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam, from September 2021 to February 2023. Among 71 sepsis patients, there were 38 (53.5%) AKI cases, including 16 (22.5%) cases of stage 1 AKI, 14 (19.7%) cases of stage 2 AKI, 8 (11.3%) cases of stage 3 AKI, 16 (22.5%) cases of renal replacement therapy, 28 (39.4%) cases of septic shock, and 21 (29.6%) cases of mortality within 28 days. The concentrations of lactate and IL-6 in the AKI and mortality groups were statistically significantly greater than those in the non-AKI and survival groups (p < 0.05). The serum sTM concentration was 4.33 ng/mL, the serum sTM level in the AKI group was statistically significantly higher than that in the non-AKI group (sTM [4.71 vs 2.54 ng/mL, p < 0.001]), and the serum sTM level in the mortality group was statistically significantly higher than the survival group (sTM [4.78 vs 3.87 ng/mL, p < 0.001]). The AUC of sTM for predicting AKI was 0.864; the AUCs of sTM, IL-6, SOFA, and APACHE II for predicting mortality were 0.811, 0.671, 0.816, and 0.705, respectively. AKI was a prevalent complication among sepsis patients at the ICU. In the AKI and mortality groups, sTM concentration was statistically significantly higher than that in the non-AKI and survival groups. sTM was the predictor of acute kidney injury and mortality in patients with sepsis.


Can Emotional or Physical Abuse Be a Risk Factor of Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Professional Dance?
In professional dance, the injury rate is extremely high and dancers have a great chance to experience at least one injury during their careers. Since the #metoo campaign, many abuse cases showed up in the dance industry, resulting in media coverage. Results indicate that dancers had a significantly higher distribution of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the broad population. In this study, we investigate pathological dissociation, quantify chronic musculoskeletal conditions and evaluate abusive experiences. Questionnaire-based dataset filled out online by Hungarian professional dancers (n = 168). The statistical analysis contains descriptive results, risk assessment, Kaplan Meier curve, and hazard ratios. Dancers scored in the pathological dissociation values, reported several cases of emotional and physical abuse, and were represented by elevated chronic musculoskeletal conditions. We found a statistically significant relationship between abusive experiences and musculoskeletal conditions, so as with dissociation. We conclude that emotional abuse might be one of the factors in a multifactorial model that plays a role in the pathomechanism of chronic pain, inflammation, and tendinopathy. It is important to raise awareness about the importance of emotional factors of pedagogy and the working atmosphere among professional dancers since it might have a role in higher injury rates.


Field evaluation of difethialone, a new second generation anticoagulant rodenticide in the rice fields.
A new second generation anticoagulant rodenticide, difethialone (0.0025%), was evaluated in the rice fields at three different cropping stages, viz. Milky, Panicle formation and Panicle maturation, during Kuruvai and Thaladi seasons. The difethailone (0.0025%) yielded satisfactory control success suggesting a great potential as a rodenticide especially in the early stages of rice.


The Efficacy of Aspirin in Preventing the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenoma: a Renewed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
Through search the possible randomized control trials, we make a renewed meta-analysis in order to assess the impact of aspirin in preventing the recurrence of colorectal adenoma. The Medicine/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed) databases were searched for the related randomized controlled trials until to the April 2016. Three different authors respectively evaluated the quality of studies and extracted data, and we used the STATA software to analyze, investigate heterogeneity between the data, using the fixed-effects model to calculate and merge data. 7 papers were included the renewed meta- analysis, among these studies, two pairs were identified as representing the same study population, with the only difference being the duration of follow-up. Thus there were only five papers included our meta-analysis, and one Chinese paper were also included the work. Results were categorized by the length of follow-up, different kinds of people, varied dose of oral aspirin. The relative of adenoma in patients taking aspirin vs placebo were 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.98, P=0.039) with 1 year follow up; 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.98, P=0.484) with greater than 1 year follow up; for the advanced adenoma, the RR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49-0.94, P=0.582),for one year; RR=0.75 (95% CI 0.52-1.07, P=0.552) for greater one year. Furthermore the white population could divided into two subgroups according to the different length of follow-up time. When the length of follow-up time less than 3-year, The RR of two subgroups respective were RR=0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.98, P=0.332), I2=0%, RR=0.68 (95% CI 0.47-0.98, P=0.552), I2=64.6%, But with the extension of follow-up time greater than 2-year, with the white, oral aspirin without considering dose had no efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, the RR was 0.86 (95% CI 0.71-1.05, P=0.302), I2=16.4%. This meta-analysis indicated that oral aspirin is associated with a remarkable decrease in the recurrence of any adenoma and advanced adenomas in patients follow-up for 1 year without concerning the dose of aspirin, but with the extension of follow-up time for greater than 1 year, oral aspirin can be effective on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma, but for the advanced adenoma, the result indicated that oral aspirin had no efficacy, According to the inclusion of ethnic groups, we also divided relevant papers into two subgroups as the yellow and white group. Then the follow-up time was less than 3 years, oral aspirin without considering the dose, had an significant efficacy on preventing the recurrence of any adenoma. But with the follow-up greater than 2 years, oral aspirin had no effect in the white.


Cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity of diterpenoids from in vitro cultivated Salvia sclarea roots. Studies on the leukemia cell lines.
Four diterpenoids, ferruginol, salvipisone, aethiopinone and 1-oxoaethiopinone, were isolated from transformed roots of Salvia sclarea. Salvipisone and aethiopinone showed relatively high cytotoxicity against HL-60 and NALM-6 leukemia cells (IC50 range 0.6-7.7 microg/ mL which is equal to 2.0-24.7 microM), whereas 1-oxoaethiopinone and ferruginol were less active in this regard. Moreover, we have found that all four diterpenoids of S. sclarea had equal cytotoxic activity against parental HL-60 and multidrug-resistant HL-60 ADR cells, what indicates that they are poor substrates for transport by multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1). Caspase-3 activity determinations showed that salvipisone and aethiopinone were able to induce apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The results obtained in this study show that S. sclarea diterpenoids aethiopinone and salvipisone may be useful in the treatment of human cancers, especially in the case of drug resistance.


Bone resorption and serum levels of vitamin D metabolites in the hypophosphataemic rat.
The supplementation of a low phosphate diet with vitamin D has been shown to result in an increase in bone resorption in the hypophosphataemic rat. The aim of the present study was to determine if administration of vitamin D to rats fed a vitamin D- and phosphate-depleted diet would result in an increase in the circulatory levels of the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 and an associated increase in bone resorption. Three groups of weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The first group consisted of control animals on a normal laboratory stock diet and the second and third groups were experimental animals receiving a vitamin D- and phosphate-deficient diet with the third group receiving vitamin D supplementation. All animals were housed in the dark. After 30 days on the diet the experimental animals received 0.1 mmol NaH2PO4 by intraperitoneal injection. Blood was sampled at zero, 3, 6, 18 and 48 h post-injection and analysed for the vitamin D metabolites 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, calcium and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The serum analyses revealed that the level of 25(OH)D3 in the hypophosphataemic animals was significantly lower than that of the control animals. However, the 1,25(OH)3D3 level was initially significantly higher, then dropped to the control level at 18 h post-intraperitoneal injection of phosphate. Further, the serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3, calcium and Pi in the hypophosphataemic animals supplemented with vitamin D were significantly higher than those of the vitamin D-deficient animals. Also the vitamin D-supplemented animals exhibited significantly greater levels of bone resorption. These results therefore, are consistent with a role of 1,25(OH)2D3 in bone resorption in hypophosphataemic rats.


The importance of capillary density-stroke work mismatch for right ventricular adaptation to chronic pressure overload.
Mechanisms of right ventricular (RV) adaptation to chronic pressure overload are not well understood. We hypothesized that a lower capillary density (CD) to stroke work ratio would be associated with more fibrosis and RV maladaptive remodeling. We induced RV chronic pressure overload over a 20-week period in 2 piglet models of pulmonary hypertension; that is, a shunt model (n = 5) and a chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension model (n = 5). We assessed hemodynamic parameters and RV remodeling as well as RV CD, fibrosis, and angiogenic factors expression. Although RV was similarly hypertrophied in both models, maladapted RV remodeling with impaired systolic function was only seen in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension group members who had lower CD (484 ± 99 vs 1213 ± 74 cap/mm2; P < .01), lower CD to stroke work ratio (0.29 ± 0.07 vs 0.82 ± 0.16; P = .02), higher myocardial fibrosis (15.4% ± 3.8% vs 8.0% ± 2.5%; P < .01), as well as a higher angiogenic and fibrosis factors expression. The RV adaptive response to chronic pressure overload differs between 2 different piglet models of PH. Mismatch between angiogenesis and workload (CD to stroke work ratio) was associated with greater degree of myocardial fibrosis and RV dysfunction and could be a promising index of RV maladaptation. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.


Transient Sideroblastic Anemia Post-COVID-19 Infection.
A 57-year-old gentleman presented to the hospital with progressive fatigue and dyspnea on exertion three months after recovering from COVID-19. He was noted to have severe anemia with reticulocytopenia. After excluding vitamin deficiencies and heavy metal toxicities, a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were performed, which showed erythroid predominant trilineage maturing hematopoiesis with 79% ring sideroblasts and no dysplasia. SF3B1 mutation was negative. He was diagnosed with sideroblastic anemia and became transfusion-dependent. He was treated with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and luspatercept with transient improvement in anemia. After 12 months of treatment, anemia spontaneously improved. Repeat bone marrow biopsy showed hypercellular marrow with 39% ringed sideroblasts. We suspect that this possibly was a delayed manifestation of COVID-19 infection.


Accuracy and head positioning effects on measurements of anterior tooth length using 3-dimensional and conventional dental panoramic radiography.
The purposes of this study were to examine the accuracy and the head positioning effects on measurements of anterior tooth length using 3-dimensional (3D) and conventional dental panoramic radiography and to investigate whether 3D panoramic radiography is suitable for the evaluation of anterior tooth length. A simulated human head was radiographed at 4, 8, and 12 mm displaced positions, and at 5°, 10°, and 15° tilted positions from the standard head position using 3D and conventional panoramic radiography, and also using cone-beam computed tomography. Anterior tooth lengths were measured on the panoramic and cone-beam computed tomography images. The values for the standard head position in the panoramic radiographs were defined as the standard values. Measurement error was defined as the standard value minus the cone-beam computed tomography value on each panoramic radiograph. The head position ratio of the measurement value to the standard value at each head position was calculated. Measurement errors for the 3D panoramic radiographs were significantly smaller than those for the conventional panoramic radiographs. In the 3D panoramic radiographs, the head position ratios at the 4, 8, and 12 mm displaced positions and at the 5° tilted position were within ±5% of the standard value. Three-dimensional panoramic radiography is suitable for the quantitative evaluation of anterior tooth length with high accuracy.


IgG antibody suppression of the IgM antibody response to Toxoplasma gondii in newborn rabbits.
Studies were performed in an experimental rabbit model in an attempt to explore the possibility that the absence of an IgM antibody response in human infants congenitally infected with Toxoplasma may be caused by a suppressive effect of IgG antibody passively transferred from the mother. The IgM antibody response to Toxoplasma gondii infection in newborn rabbits previously injected with IgG Toxoplasma antibody was significantly suppressed as determined by an immunofluorescent antibody assay (IgM-IFA). In newborn rabbits infected with Toxoplasma, IgM-IFA antibody was first demonstrated 15 days after infection and reached a peak titer of 1:128 in two animals on days 20 and 25. In newborn rabbits injected with IgG Toxoplasma antibody and then infected with Toxoplasma, the Igm-IFA antibody and then infected with Toxoplasma, the Igm-IFA antibody response was considerably lower; the highest titer was 1:16 and occurred 25 and 30 days after infection. The results of these studies lend support to the concept that maternally transmitted IgG may suppress the IgM antibody response in the fetus and newborn infant.


THEMIS enhances TCR signaling and enables positive selection by selective inhibition of the phosphatase SHP-1.
THEMIS, a T cell-specific protein with high expression in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, has a crucial role in positive selection and T cell development. THEMIS lacks defined catalytic domains but contains two tandem repeats of a distinctive module of unknown function (CABIT). Here we found that THEMIS directly regulated the catalytic activity of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. This action was mediated by the CABIT modules, which bound to the phosphatase domain of SHP-1 and promoted or stabilized oxidation of SHP-1's catalytic cysteine residue, which inhibited the tyrosine-phosphatase activity of SHP-1. Deletion of SHP-1 alleviated the developmental block in Themis-/- thymocytes. Thus, THEMIS facilitates thymocyte positive selection by enhancing the T cell antigen receptor signaling response to low-affinity ligands.


Chemical constituents of Periploca forrestii and their cytotoxicity activity.
To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Periploca forrestii and evaluate their cytotoxicity activities. Silica gel column chromatography was employed for the isolation and purification of chemical constituents. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral data and the cytotoxicities of compounds 2-4 were investigated by several tumors cell lines including blood tumor (HL-60, CCRT-CEM), prostate tumor (PC-3, DU-145) and Melanoma (UACC-62). Four compounds were isolated and identified as follows, lupeol-20(29)-en-3-nonadecanoate (1), peroiforoside I (2), 3beta,5beta,14beta-3OH-8beta-H-car-20(22)-enolide (3), perplocin (4). Compound 1 is a new lupane triterpene fatty acid ester. Compounds 2-4 showed notable cytotoxicity against all tumor lines.


Preoperative factors predicting poor outcomes following laparoscopic choledochotomy: a multivariate analysis study.
Laparoscopic surgery for common bile duct stones varies procedurally from a transcystic approach to laparoscopic choledochotomy (LC) with or without biliary drainage. However, LC is a difficult procedure with higher documented morbidity than the transcystic approach. We retrospectively investigated risk factors for adverse outcomes of LC. We used logistic regression models to assess 4 categories of adverse outcomes: overall, complications, conversion to open operation and failed surgical clearance. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. We included 201 patients who underwent LC in our analysis. Adverse outcomes occurred in 48 (23.9%) patients, complications occurred in 43 (21.4%), retained stones were observed in 8 (4%), and conversion to laparotomy occurred in 7 (3.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that total bilirubin (BIL) and the presence of medical risk factors (MRFs) were significant predictors of adverse outcomes and complications. We calculated the probability of adverse outcomes (p) using the following formula: logit(p) = 0.977 (MRFs) + 0.014 (BIL) - 2.919. p = EXP (logit(p)) ÷ [1+EXP (logit(p))]. According to their logit(p), all patients were divided into a low-risk group (logit(p) ≤ -1.32, n = 130) and a high-risk group (logit(p) > -1.32, n = 71). Patients in the low-risk group had about a 1 in 10 chance (12 of 130) of adverse outcomes developing. Of the 71 patients in the high-risk group, 36 (50.7%) experienced adverse outcomes. High BIL and the presence of MRFs could predict adverse outcomes in patients undergoing LC.


Isolated cervical depressed laminar fracture in a child. Case report and review of the literature.
The author reports the case of a child who presented with an unusual C-5 depressed laminar fracture. The characteristics of the fracture, the mechanism of injury, and the treatment are described. Previously published cases are reviewed.


Antileishmanial structure-activity relationships of synthetic phospholipids: in vitro and in vivo activities of selected derivatives.
Antileishmanial activities of 91 synthetic phospholipids against Leishmania donovani were evaluated in vitro and cytotoxicity assessed against two mammalian cell lines. Promising compounds were tested further in vivo. In vitro structure-activity relationships showed a positive contribution of head groups bearing ring systems (N-methylpiperidino and N-methylmorpholino) to antileishmanial activity.


The sensitivity of coronary vascular tone to glibenclamide: a study on the isolated perfused guinea pig heart.
The aim was to obtain an estimate of the affinity of glibenclamide binding to ATP sensitive potassium channels of coronary smooth muscle cells in the intact guinea pig heart, in order to assess possible cardiovascular risks for diabetic patients receiving sulphonylurea drugs. The arrested isolated perfused heart was used as a bioassay for KATP channels in coronary resistance vessels. The decrease of coronary perfusion pressure induced by hypoxia and by various concentrations of the potassium channel opener levcromakalim was measured and the inhibitory effect of glibenclamide on hypoxic and drug induced vasodilatation was analysed. The delay between application of hypoxic solution and half maximum vasodilatation was on average 105(SEM 4) s. It was increased by 17.6(2.0) s in the presence of 5 nM glibenclamide. The dose-response curve of the effects of levcromakalim on coronary perfusion pressure was shifted to the right in the presence of 20 nM to 1 microM glibenclamide. The concentrations of levcromakalim required to produce half maximum vasodilatation in the presence and absence of glibenclamide were determined, and the data were analysed using a Schild plot. The measured concentration ratios could be fitted by a straight line with a slope of 0.93(SD 0.04), which was not significantly different from 1. This is consistent with competitive inhibition of the vasodilator effects of levcromakalim by glibenclamide. The apparent dissociation constant of glibenclamide binding to KATP channels in coronary smooth muscle cells was 35 nM. The KATP channels in coronary resistance arteries are almost as sensitive to inhibition by glibenclamide as the KATP channels in pancreatic beta cells. It is likely that the plasma concentrations reached after oral ingestion of glibenclamide may inhibit a fraction of the KATP channels in coronary smooth muscle cells and thus impair hypoxic dilatation of coronary resistance arteries.


Assessment of Quality of Life among Children with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Measuring health-related quality of life is considered an important outcome indicator in evaluating health-care interventions and treatments and in understanding the burden of diseases. This study aimed at assessing quality of life among children with end-stage renal disease, either undergoing hemodialysis or had renal transplantation therapy and comparing it with healthy controls. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2016 and May 2017 in Abo El-Reesh Pediatric Hospital using parent/child reports of generic module for QoL assessment: PedsQLTM Inventory version 4 for both cases and controls. Disease-specific module: PedsQLTM ESRD version 3 was used for ESRD cases. 55 ESRD cases and 86 controls were enrolled in the study. Statistically significant difference between ESRD cases and controls regarding all aspects of QoL was found; total QoL mean score was 58.4 ± 15.3 and 86.8 ± 10 among cases and controls, respectively. All individual QoL domains were significantly worse in ESRD cases. Transplantation group had better Spearman's correlation between child and parents' scores which showed significant positive moderate correlation. ESRD and its treatment modalities are affecting negatively all aspects of quality of life; incorporating QoL assessment and management is highly recommended.


The barrier to radial oxygen loss protects roots against hydrogen sulphide intrusion and its toxic effect.
The root barrier to radial O2 loss (ROL) is a key root trait preventing O2 loss from roots to anoxic soils, thereby enabling root growth into anoxic, flooded soils. We hypothesized that the ROL barrier can also prevent intrusion of hydrogen sulphide (H2 S), a potent phytotoxin in flooded soils. Using H2 S- and O2 -sensitive microsensors, we measured the apparent permeance to H2 S of rice roots, tested whether restricted H2 S intrusion reduced its adverse effects on root respiration, and whether H2 S could induce the formation of a ROL barrier. The ROL barrier reduced apparent permeance to H2 S by almost 99%, greatly restricting H2 S intrusion. The ROL barrier acted as a shield towards H2 S; O2 consumption in roots with a ROL barrier remained unaffected at high H2 S concentration (500 μM), compared to a 67% decline in roots without a barrier. Importantly, low H2 S concentrations induced the formation of a ROL barrier. In conclusion, the ROL barrier plays a key role in protecting against H2 S intrusion, and H2 S can act as an environmental signalling molecule for the induction of the barrier. This study demonstrates the multiple functions of the suberized/lignified outer part of the rice root beyond that of restricting ROL.


Development of a risk-based methodology for estimating survival and growth of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on iceberg-lettuce exposed at short-term storage in foodservice centers.
Ready-to-eat lettuce is a food commodity prone to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms if processing and distribution conditions as well as handling practices are not effective. A challenge testing protocol was applied to ready-to-eat iceberg-lettuce samples by inoculating different initial contamination levels (4.5, 3.5 and 2.5 log cfu/g) of Escherichia coli strain (serotype O158:H23) subsequently stored at 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24°C for 6h. A polynomial regression model for log difference (log(diff)) was developed at each inoculum level studied through the calculation of the effective static temperature (T(eff)). Furthermore, the developed model was integrated within a risk-based approach with real time/Temperature (t/T) data collected in three Spanish foodservice centers: school canteens, long-term care facilities (LTCF) and hospitals. Statistical distributions were fitted to t/T data and estimated log(diff) values were obtained as model outputs through a Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations). The results obtained at static conditions indicated that the maintenance of the lettuce at 8°C slightly reduced the E. coli population from -0.4 to -0.5 log cfu/g. However, if chill chain is not maintained, E. coli can grow up to 1.1 log cfu/g at temperatures above 16°C, even at low contamination levels. Regarding log(diff) estimated in foodservice centers, very low risk was obtained (log(diff)<1.0 log cfu in all cases). Mean T(eff) values obtained in hospitals were the lowest ones (11.1°C) and no growth of E. coli was predicted in >92% of simulated cases. The results presented in this study could serve food operators to set time/Temperature requirements for ready-to-eat foods in foodservice centers, providing a scientific basis through the use of predictive modeling. These findings may also serve to food safety managers to better define the control measures to be adopted in foodservice centers in order to prevent food-borne infections.


Computer imaging for instruction in facial plastic surgery in a residency program.
Aesthetic analysis of the face has advanced from a purely subjective opinion to complicated formulas based on measuring various combinations of angles, distances, and ratios. These concepts of facial harmony and surgical alterations have been difficult to teach in a residency program, especially regarding preoperative evaluation and a clear idea of the desired surgical results. The authors have utilized a computer imaging system to facilitate the preoperative facial analysis and to project what the postoperative surgical result should achieve based on these measurements. The use of this system has helped enhance the communication between resident and attending surgeon as well as educate the resident in important facial relationships. A degree of experimental freedom in alteration of facial features is provided. The methods of facial analysis and the advantages of computer imaging in a residency program are discussed.


Familial risk for colorectal cancers are mainly due to heritable causes.
A family history is an identified risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not known to what extent the risk is due to environmental or heritable genetic factors. We wanted to examine this question for familial CRC adenocarcinoma based on the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database on 10.3 million individuals whose invasive cancers were followed up to year 2000. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for offspring, siblings, and spouses were calculated based on 5-year age, sex, period (10-year bands), area (county), and socioeconomic status standardized rates. A significant risk was observed in the parent-offspring comparison among different subsites (left-sided and right-sided colon, rectum, and all CRC), the SIRs ranging from 1.74 to 1.84. When husbands were probands, the SIR in wives was 0.92 for colon cancer (left-sided 0.67 and right-sided 1.07), 0.98 for rectal cancer, and 0.96 for CRC. The risks for husbands when wives were probands were quite similar. None of the SIRs between spouses were significant, indicating lack of concordance between spouses that resided together for a minimum of 30 years. The risks between siblings were also increased particularly for cancer in the right-sided colon (SIR 6.89). The effect of shared childhood environmental effects were probed by analyzing the risks by age difference between the siblings. However, the risks were independent of the age difference. Data among spouses and siblings consistently point to the importance of heritable factors in familial CRC.


Solitary Metastatic Melanoma of the Pituitary Gland: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.
Pituitary melanoma metastases (PMMs) are extremely rare and only a few cases are reported in the literature. PMMs can grow rapidly and present local invasiveness, leading to acute onset of neurological symptoms such as headache, visual and oculomotion disorders or endocrinological signs such as diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, and can be life-threatening. For this reason, PMMs must be recognized and treated promptly. The authors present 2 cases of PMMs managed at their institution, performing a review of the dedicated literature and analyzing current therapeutic strategies.


Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging changes in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica treated by tocilizumab.
This study assessed inflammatory changes using ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients taking tocilizumab for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Eighteen patients were included in the prospective open-label TENOR study and received three tocilizumab infusions, without corticosteroids. B-mode and power Doppler US and MRI (T1 and T2-short time inversion recuperation weighted sequences) of the hips and shoulders were performed at weeks 0, 2, and 12. Subacromial, trochanteric, and iliopsoas bursitis and intraarticular glenohumeral and coxofemoral effusions/synovitis were scored from 0 to 3. Changes over time and US-MRI correlations were evaluated. At baseline, the proportions of shoulders and hips with bursitis were 93 and 100% by MRI and 61 and 13% by US; and the corresponding proportions for intraarticular effusions/synovitis were 100 and 100% by MRI and 57 and 53% by US. Imaging findings did not improve during the first two treatment weeks. From baseline to week 12, bursitis improved significantly at all four joints by MRI (P = 0.005) and US (P = 0.029) and intraarticular effusions/synovitis by US only (P = 0.001). The proportion of abnormalities that improved by week 12 was 42% by MRI and 37% by US. MRI detected bursitis in a larger proportion of hips (73% versus 13%) and US in a larger proportion of shoulders (57% versus 28%), whereas no difference was found for intraarticular effusions/synovitis. At baseline, agreement between US and MRI findings was poor. US and MRI showed significant improvements in inflammatory lesions during tocilizumab treatment of PMR.


Resorbable and nonresorbable hydroxyapatite granules as bone graft substitutes in rabbit cortical defects.
The use of various synthetic calcium phosphate compositions for the promotion of bone in bone defects is of potential interest because such materials may be tailor made and may bond to bone. There is yet an inadequate knowledge of the role of calcium phosphate composition and resorbability for the bone response. The aim of the present study was to compare the ability of resorbable versus nonresorbable hydroxyapatite (HA) granules to promote new bone formation in cortical bone defects. Resorbable and nonresorbable HA granules, used as bone graft substitutes, were evaluated after 6 weeks and 3 months in the rabbit tibia. Circular defects (diameter 5.0 mm) were made in both tibias of 18 New Zealand white rabbits. The 36 defects were divided into three groups (six observations per group and time, respectively). The first group was augmented with resorbable HA granules, the second group was augmented with ceramic nonresorbable HA granules, and the third group was left without augmentation (control). The animals were killed after 6 weeks and 3 months, and the tissue was evaluated with light microscopic (LM) morphology and morphometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). After 3 months LM morphometry revealed significantly more newly formed bone in the two HA augmented groups compared with that in the control. A close contact was found between both kinds of HA granules and new bone as viewed with light microscopy and SEM. A relatively slow degradation process was indicated by the small reduction of the total granule area in the cortical defects. However, LM observations showed a change of granule form. Pilot experiments using SEM-EDX indicate that Ca and P contents had decreased in the resorbable HA granules between 6 weeks and 3 months. Further, a higher content of Ca and P was found in the newly formed bone close to granules, in comparison with more distant newly formed bone. Our results suggest that both resorbable and nonresorbable HA granules promote new bone formation in rabbit cortical defects, which does not occur in control defects.


Quantitative Analysis of Drug Supersaturation Region by Temperature-Variable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements, Part 1: Effects of Polymer and Drug Chiralities.
We examined the effects of the polymer-additive and drug chiralities on the ketoprofen (KTP) supersaturation region using temperature-variable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Quantitative NMR analysis revealed that the racemic KTP and corresponding S-enantiomer (rac- and s-KTP) exhibited similar amorphous solubilities in a buffer, while the crystalline solubility of s-KTP was higher than that of rac-KTP. Therefore, rac-KTP exhibited a larger supersaturation region than s-KTP. In contrast, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) reduced the amorphous solubility of both rac- and s-KTP, whereas the crystalline solubility of KTP remained unchanged. Partitioning PVP into the KTP-rich phase reduced the chemical potential of KTP in the KTP-rich phase and the amorphous solubility of KTP. At higher temperatures, the distribution of PVP into the KTP-rich phase became more significant, which considerably reduced the amorphous solubility. Because the upper limit of the KTP supersaturation decreased, PVP narrowed the KTP supersaturation region. The maximum KTP supersaturation ratio decreased with increasing temperature, and the supersaturated dissolvable area of KTP finally disappeared. The maximum temperature at which KTP can form the supersaturation was lowered by replacing rac- with s-KTP and the addition of PVP. The maximum supersaturation temperature was dominated by the melting behavior of crystalline KTP in an aqueous solution. The present study highlighted that a quantitative understanding of the supersaturation region is essential to determine whether supersaturated formulations are beneficial for improving the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs.


Metabolic implications in the elevation of serum activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in chronic renal failure.
The activity of intestinal isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in 21 non-dialyzed patients with advanced renal failure and in 52 patients on regular hemodialysis. In patients without hepatopathy, a significant inverse correlation was found between the enzyme activity and serum calcium levels. Hepatopathy was the most significant variable influencing the enzyme activity in patients on dialysis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism and a decreased rate in enzyme elimination should be assessed for the above-normal activities of intestinal ALP in serum in chronic renal failure.


Label-free evaluation of angiogenic sprouting in microengineered devices using ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence microscopy.
Understanding the mechanism of angiogenesis could help to decipher wound healing and embryonic development and to develop better treatment for diseases such as cancer. Microengineered devices were developed to reveal the mechanisms of angiogenesis, but monitoring the angiogenic process nondestructively in these devices is a challenge. In this study, we utilized a label-free imaging technique, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence microscopy (OCM), to evaluate angiogenic sprouting in a microengineered device. The OCM system was capable of providing ∼1.5-μm axial resolution and ∼2.3-μm transverse resolution. Three-dimensional (3-D) distribution of the sprouting vessels in the microengineered device was imaged over 0.6×0.6×0.5 mm3, and details such as vessel lumens and branching points were clearly visualized. An algorithm based on stretching open active contours was developed for tracking and segmenting the sprouting vessels in 3-D-OCM images. The lengths for the first-, second-, and third-order vessels were measured as 127.8±48.8 μm (n=8), 67.3±25.9 μm (n=9), and 62.5±34.7 μm (n=10), respectively. The outer diameters for the first-, second-, and third-order vessels were 13.2±1.0, 8.0±2.1, and 4.4±0.8 μm, respectively. These results demonstrate OCM as a promising tool for nondestructive and label-free evaluation of angiogenic sprouting in microengineered devices.


The flavonolignan-silymarin protects enzymatic, hematological, and immune system against γ-radiation-induced toxicity.
The main focus of this study is evaluation of radioprotective efficacy of silymarin, a flavonolignan, against γ-radiation-induced damage to hematological, vital organs (liver and intestine), and immune system. Survival studies revealed that silymarin (administered orally for 3 days) provided maximum protection (67%) at 70 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) against lethal 9 Gy γ-irradiation (dose reduction factor = 1.27). The study revealed significant (p < 0.05) changes in levels of catalase (12.57 ± 2.58 to 30.24 ± 4.89 units), glutathione peroxidase (6.23 ± 2.95 to 13.26 ± 1.36 µg of reduced glutathione consumed/min/mg protein), glutathione reductase (0.25 ± 5.6 to 11.65 ± 2.83 pM NADPH consumed/min/mg protein), and superoxide dismutase (11.74 ± 0.2 to 16.09 ± 3.47 SOD U/mg of protein) activity at 30th day. Silymarin pretreated irradiated group exhibited increased proliferation in erythrocyte count (1.76 ± 0.41 × 10(6) to 9.25 ± 0.24 × 10(6) ), hemoglobin (2.15 ± 0.48g/dL to 14.77 ± 0.25g/dL), hematocrit (4.55 ± 0.24% to 37.22 ± 0.21%), and total leucocyte count (1.4 ± 0.15 × 10(6) to 8.31 ± 0.47 × 10(6) ) as compared with radiation control group on 15th day. An increase in CD4:CD8 ratio was witnessed (0.2-1%) at 30th day time interval using flow cytometry. Silymarin also countered radiation-induced decrease (p < 0.05) in regulatory T-cells (Tregs ) (11.23% in radiation group at 7th day versus 0.1% in pretreated silymarin irradiated group at 15th day). The results of this study indicate that flavonolignan-silymarin protects enzymatic, hematological, and immune system against γ-radiation-induced toxicity and might prove useful in management of nuclear and radiological emergencies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 641-654, 2016.


Microarray and synchronization of neuronal differentiation with pathway changes in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databank in nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells.
The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database creates networks from interrelations between molecular biology and underlying chemical elements. This allows for analysis of biologic networks, genomic information, and higher-order functional information at a systems level. We performed microarray experiments and used the KEGG database, systems biology analysis, and annotation of pathway function to study nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation of PC12 cells. Cells were cultured to 70%-80% confluence, treated with NGF for 1 or 3 hours (h), and RNA was extracted. Stage 1 data analysis involved analysis of variance (ANOVA), and stage 2 involved cluster analysis and heat map generation. We identified 2020 NGF-induced PC12 genes (1038 at 1 h and 1554 at 3 h). Results showed changes in gene expression over time. We compared these genes with 6035 genes from the KEGG database. Cross-matching resulted in 830 genes. Among these, we identified 395 altered genes (155 at 1 h and 301 at 3 h; 2-fold increase from 1 h to 3 h). We identified 191 biologic pathways in the KEGG database; the top 15 showed correlations with neuronal differentiation (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] pathway: 35 genes at 1 h, 54 genes at 3 h; genes associated with axonal guidance: 12 at 1 h, 26 at 3 h; Wnt pathway: 16 at 1 h, 25 at 3 h; neurotrophin pathway: 4 at 1 h, 14 at 3 h). Thus, we identified changes in neuronal differentiation pathways with the KEGG database, which were synchronized with NGF-induced differentiation.


A diet containing rapeseed oil-based fats does not increase lipid peroxidation in humans when compared to a diet rich in saturated fatty acids.
To compare the effects of a rapeseed oil-based diet containing an increased proportion of easily oxidised polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid with a diet rich in saturated fatty acids on the degree of lipid peroxidation in the human body. A randomised cross-over study. Nineteen healthy moderately hyperlipidemic subjects (six women and 13 men, age 50+/-8 y and body mass index (BMI) 24.5+/-2.6 kg/m(2)) were given a rapeseed oil-based diet (RO) and a control diet (SAT) rich in saturated fatty acids during two consecutive 4 week periods separated by a 4 week wash-out period. Biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were analysed in plasma and urine. No significant differences in plasma or urinary levels of free 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha), plasma total 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) plasma hydroperoxides or plasma malondialdehyde were observed between the RO and SAT diets (P=0.14-0.95). A higher concentration of serum gamma-tocopherol was detected after the RO diet compared to the SAT diet (P<0.001), whereas the serum alpha-tocopherol concentration and plasma antioxidative capacity did not differ between the two test diets. The total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio were lower after the RO diet compared to the SAT diet (P<0.001), while HDL cholesterol and total triglyceride levels were similar after the two diets. These results suggest that a rapeseed oil-based diet rich in alpha-linolenic acid does not seem to increase the degree of lipid peroxidation in plasma and urine compared to a diet rich in saturated fats. This is possibly due to a sufficient content of antioxidants in the rapeseed oil diet to increase circulating concentrations of antioxidants that may protect unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation. Swedish Council for Forestry and Agricultural Research and Foundation for Geriatric Research.


[Establishing an experimental guinea pig model of dermatophytosis Using Trichophyton rubrum].
To construct an animal model infected by Trichophyton rubrum. Three different strains of Trichophyton rubrum were separated from clinical specimen for the infection of guinea pigs. Corticosteroids were given before and after the construction of animal model to facilitate the infection. Direct microscopy, culture, and histopathologic methods were adopted to verify the construction. Ten days after the inoculation of Trichophyton rubrum, with the intervention of corticosteroid, the guinea pigs were examined. Prominent scales and inflammation could be seen on the inoculation site of the Trichophyton rubrum infected guinea pig. Scales and hairs of Trichophyton rubrum infected guinea pig dealt with 10% potassium hydroxide, hypha out of the hair and microconidia or hypha in the hair shaft could be seen. Seven days after the inoculation of scales and hair on SDA plate, cultures of Trichophyton rubrum showed that the colonial morphology were identical to the original dermatophytes. PAS staining of infected guinea pig skin tissue showed that hypha and microconidia could be seen in the infundibula and hair root. With the intervention of corticosteroid, a stable guinea pig model infected by Trichophyton rubrum were successfully constructed.


A versatile assay platform for enzymatic poly(ethylene-terephthalate) degradation.
Accumulation of plastic and subsequent microplastic is a major environmental challenge. With the discovery of potent polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-degrading enzymes, a new perspective arose for environmental decomposition as well as technical recycling. To explore the enormous diversity of potential PET-degrading enzymes in nature and also to conveniently employ techniques like protein engineering and directed evolution, a fast and reliable assay platform is needed. In this study we present our versatile solution applying a PET coating on standard lab consumables such as polymerase chain reaction tubes, 96- and 384-well microtiter plates, yielding an adjustable crystallinity of the PET. Combining the reaction vessels with either ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) or fluorometric readout and additional enzyme quantification offers a range of advantages. Thereby, the platform can easily be adapted to diverse needs from detailed analysis with high precision to high-throughput (HT) applications including crude lysate analysis.


Wearable, Flexible, and Multifunctional Healthcare Device with an ISFET Chemical Sensor for Simultaneous Sweat pH and Skin Temperature Monitoring.
Real-time daily healthcare monitoring may increase the chances of predicting and diagnosing diseases in their early stages which, currently, occurs most frequently during medical check-ups. Next-generation noninvasive healthcare devices, such as flexible multifunctional sensor sheets designed to be worn on skin, are considered to be highly suitable candidates for continuous real-time health monitoring. For healthcare applications, acquiring data on the chemical state of the body, alongside physical characteristics such as body temperature and activity, are extremely important for predicting and identifying potential health conditions. To record these data, in this study, we developed a wearable, flexible sweat chemical sensor sheet for pH measurement, consisting of an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) integrated with a flexible temperature sensor: we intend to use this device as the foundation of a fully integrated, wearable healthcare patch in the future. After characterizing the performance, mechanical flexibility, and stability of the sensor, real-time measurements of sweat pH and skin temperature are successfully conducted through skin contact. This flexible integrated device has the potential to be developed into a chemical sensor for sweat for applications in healthcare and sports.


Modulation of interleukin-1 beta RNA in monocytic cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1.
The effect of HIV-1 infection on cytokine levels was studied in monocytic cells by using Northern blotting analysis. Monoblasts (THP-1, U937) did not express IL-1 beta RNA even if the cells were infected with HIV-1. After exposure to LPS (10 micrograms/ml) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 100 nM) for 12 h, these HIV-1-infected monoblasts accumulated 8-15-fold greater levels of IL-1 beta RNA as compared with their HIV-1-uninfected counterparts that were similarly stimulated. In contrast, levels of RNAs coding for monocyte-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) were elevated less than twofold in the HIV-1-infected cells as compared with HIV-1-uninfected cells after their stimulation with LPS and TPA. Inhibition of new protein synthesis did not block the marked accumulation of IL-1 beta RNA produced by exposure to LPS and TPA in the HIV-1-infected cells. Time-course experiments showed that the maximal levels of IL-1 beta RNA occurred at 12 and 24 h after LPS and TPA stimulation of the HIV-1-infected and uninfected U937 cells, respectively. Studies of stability of RNA using actinomycin D showed that IL-1 beta RNA was equally stable in infected and uninfected U937 cells after their stimulation with TPA and LPS. Taken together, our data show that HIV-1 infection markedly augments IL-1 beta RNA accumulation in stimulated monocytic cells, probably through increasing rate of transcription of IL-1 beta.


Genetic identification of macroalgal species on Japanese tsunami marine debris and genetic comparisons with their wild populations.
Since 2012 a huge amount of marine debris caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami has been arriving on Northeastern Pacific shores. Often healthy macroalgae were attached to them, which may become introduced to the Northwestern Pacific coasts and disturb their ecosystems. In order to elucidate the diversity of those macroalgae, and to establish a basis for detecting their new introduction to Northwestern Pacific coasts, we have examined their species diversity by morphology and genetic identifications. We have obtained gene sequences for 205 specimens, and identified 49 species as Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris (JTMD) macroalgae. Most of them are known to be distributed in Japan and showed identical or very closely related genetic types to those of Tohoku, and confirmed to be originated from the area. Several species such as Ceramium sungminbooi, Ectocarpus crouaniorum, Polysiphonia koreana, etc. have not been reported from Japan, but this is explained by the shortage of taxonomic information.


An unusual case of double-outlet left ventricle.
The first case of a double-outlet anterior left ventricle with normal relationships of the great vessels is reported (S.L.D.). This case is associated with a chromosomal trisomy--the exact nature of which is not yet clear. The clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and angiographic features are described.


Patients' Satisfaction With the Quality of Services at Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia.
Patients' satisfaction is an essential indicator used to measure the quality of healthcare services. The evaluation of patients' satisfaction with primary healthcare center (PHC) visits is therefore essential when it comes to assessing the quality of healthcare services provided. To assess patients' overall satisfaction with the quality of services provided at PHCs in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data collected from 2,390 PHCs in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by the Patient Experience Measurement Program in the Ministry of Health (MOH) using the Press Ganey Survey from January 2022 to December 2022. The Press Ganey Survey is a standardized tool used by the Saudi MOH to assess patients' satisfaction with the health services provided in different specialties and healthcare facilities. The assessment tool (Press Ganey survey) involves six domains (Access, Moving through, Nurse, Care provider, Personal issue, and Overall assessment). The data were tabulated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). In total, there were 536,406 study participants, with their mean age being 28.7±21.1. The overall patients' satisfaction score was 4.2 out of 5 (83.8%). Male participants reported more satisfaction with PHC services than did females (86.6%, 81%), respectively. The domain with the highest patients' satisfaction scores was that of the Care provider (84.8%), while the domain with the lowest rating was Moving through (82.8%). This baseline study found that patients were generally satisfied, with the highest levels of satisfaction with their care providers, highlighting the crucial role of professionals in the patient experience. Further research is recommended to give a more in-depth analysis and thus highlight additional correlating and predicted elements of patients' satisfaction with PHC treatments in Saudi Arabia.


Improved Outcomes with Modern Lung-Sparing Trimodality Therapy in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
Higher target conformity and better sparing of organs at risk with modern radiotherapy (RT) may result in higher tumor control and less toxicity. In this study, we compare our institutional multimodality therapy experience of adjuvant chemotherapy and hemithoracic intensity-modulated pleural RT (IMPRINT) with previously used adjuvant conventional RT (CONV) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) treated with lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). We analyzed 209 patients who underwent P/D and adjuvant RT (131 who received CONV and 78 who received IMPRINT) for MPM between 1974 and 2015. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to calculate OS; competing risks analysis was performed for local failure-free survival and progression-free survival. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed with relevant clinical and treatment factors. The median age was 64 years, and 80% of the patients were male. Patients receiving IMPRINT had significantly higher rates of the epithelial histological type, advanced pathological stage, and chemotherapy treatment. OS was significantly higher after IMPRINT (median 20.2 versus 12.3 months, p = 0.001). Higher Karnofsky performance score, epithelioid histological type, macroscopically complete resection, and use of chemotherapy/IMPRINT were found to be significant factors for longer OS in multivariate analysis. No significant predictive factors were identified for local failure or progression. Grade 2 or higher esophagitis developed in fewer patients after IMPRINT than after CONV (23% versus 47%). Trimodality therapy including adjuvant hemithoracic IMPRINT, chemotherapy, and P/D is associated with promising OS rates and decreased toxicity in patients with MPM. Dose constraints should be applied vigilantly to minimize serious adverse events.


Burden of air leak complications in thoracic surgery estimated using a national hospital billing database.
One of the most common outcomes of lung resections are parenchymal air leaks. These air leaks are most often self-limited and spontaneously resolve several days after surgery. Historically, only prolonged air leaks have been considered to have a significant effect on patient outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of any air leak complications (aALCs) on resource utilization and mortality. The Premier Perspective® database was used to identify all elective primary lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resections performed from 2012 to 2014; aALC was defined as a composite of air leak and pneumothorax. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the impact of aALCs on length of stay (LOS), operating room time (ORT), hospital costs, and mortality during index hospitalization. A total of 21,150 patients undergoing lung resection surgery were included in the analysis: lobectomy (n=10,946), segmentectomy (n=1,788), and wedge resection (n=8,416). The overall incidence of aALCs was 24.26% (95% CI [23.68, 24.83]). Identified risk factors included resection type, surgical approach, male gender, and presence of COPD. Patients with aALCs had a significantly higher economic burden (adjusted mean [standard error of mean, SE]: LOS=7.24 [SE=0.12] days; ORT=214.9 [SE=6.4] min; and hospital costs=$26,070 [SE=$1404]) compared to those without aALCs (adjusted mean [SE]: LOS=4.75 [SE=0.07] days; ORT=201.7 [SE=3.9] min; and hospital costs=$19,558 [SE=$399]). aALC was also associated with increased overall index hospitalization mortality (odds ratio=1.90, 95% CI [1.42, 2.55]). This analysis showed that aALCs are not only frequent but also associated with significantly higher resource utilization and mortality.


Cold snare excision is a safe method for diminutive colorectal polyps.
Cold snare excision (CSE) has proved to be an effective method for the destruction of diminutive polyps of the colon and rectum. We investigated the correlation between polyp size and bleeding time at the resected end after CSE, and also an appropriate measuring method using CSE. Eighty patients with single polyps were examined. Each polyp was identified as being 5 mm in diameter or smaller using the open-biopsy forceps technique (OBFT). The size of the polyp was calculated using our measuring system (SMS). Of the polyps identified as being 5 mm in diameter or less using OBFT, 15% were 6 mm or more using the SMS. CSE was performed for each polyp, and the time taken for the hemostasis (bleeding time of the CSE; BTCSE) was determined. In seventy-seven polyps that were 6 mm or smaller in SMS, a correlation was noted between SMS and BTCSE. In three polyps that were 7 mm or more by SMS, hemostasis took 10 min or more after CSE, and required electrocoagulation. These results suggest that CSE is a safe method for the removal of polyps determined to be 6 mm in diameter or smaller using the SMS.


Noninvasive biomagnetic detection of isolated ischemic bowel segments.
The slow wave activity was measured in the magnetoenterogram (MENG) of normal porcine subjects (N = 5) with segmental intestinal ischemia. The correlation changes in enteric slow wave activity were determined in MENG and serosal electromyograms (EMG). MENG recordings show significant changes in the frequency and power distribution of enteric slow-wave signals during segmental ischemia, and these changes agree with changes observed in the serosal EMG. There was a high degree of correlation between the frequency of the electrical activity recorded in MENG and in serosal EMG (r = 0.97). The percentage of power distributed in brady- and normoenteric frequency ranges exhibited significant segmental ischemic changes. Our results suggest that noninvasive MENG detects ischemic changes in isolated small bowel segments.


Cluster aggregation model for discontinuous percolation transitions.
The evolution of the Erdos-Rényi (ER) network by adding edges is a basis model for irreversible kinetic aggregation phenomena. Such ER processes can be described by a rate equation for the evolution of the cluster-size distribution with the connection kernel Kij approximately ij , where ij is the product of the sizes of two merging clusters. Here we study that when the giant cluster is discouraged to develop by a sublinear kernel Kij approximately (ij)omega with 0<or=omega<1/2 , the percolation transition (PT) is discontinuous. Such discontinuous PT can occur even when the ER dynamics evolves from proper initial conditions. The obtained evolutionary properties of the simple model sheds light on the origin of the discontinuous PT in other nonequilibrium kinetic systems.


A systematic review of studies of web portals for patients with diabetes mellitus.
Patient web portals are password-protected online websites that offer patients 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Due to advances in health information technologies, there has been increasing interest among providers and researchers in patient web portals for use by patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions. This article, which is based upon bibliographic searches in PubMed, reviews web portals for patients with diabetes mellitus including patient web portals tethered to electronic medical records and web portals developed specifically for patients with diabetes. Twelve studies of the impact of patient web portals on the management of diabetes patients were identified. Three had a cross-sectional design, 1 employed mixed-methods, one had a matched-control design, 3 had a retrospective cohort design, and 5 were randomized controlled trials. Six (50%) of the studies examined web portals tethered to electronic medical records and the remainder were web portals developed specifically for diabetes patients. The results of this review suggest that secure messaging between adult diabetic patients and their clinician is associated with improved glycemic control. However, results from observational studies indicate that many diabetic patients do not take advantage of web portal features such as secure messaging, perhaps because of a lack of internet access or lack of experience in navigating web portal resources. Although results from randomized controlled trials provide stronger evidence of the efficacy of web portal use in improving glycemic control among diabetic patients, the number of trials is small and results from the trials have been mixed. Studies suggest that secure messaging between adult diabetic patients and their clinician is associated with improved glycemic control, but negative findings have also been reported. The number of randomized controlled trials that have examined the efficacy of web portal use in improving glycemic control among diabetic patients is still small. Additional research is needed to identify specific portal features that may impact quality of care or improve glycemic control.


Effects of mutual grafting on the cadmium accumulation characteristics of two ecotypes of Solanum photeinocarpum.
The effects of mutual grafting on the cadmium (Cd) accumulation characteristics of two ecotypes (farmland and mining) of the potential Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum were studied through a pot experiment for one month. Four treatments were used in the experiment: ungrafted farmland ecotype (F-CK), ungrafted mining ecotype (M-CK), the farmland ecotype as the scion grafted onto rootstocks of the mining ecotype (F-Scion), and the mining ecotype as the scion grafted onto rootstocks of the farmland ecotype (M-Scion). Mutual grafting increased the rootstock biomass of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes. However, mutual grafting decreased the scion biomass of F-Scion compared with F-CK and M-CK, and the scion biomass of M-Scion was higher than that of M-CK and lower than that of F-CK. The Cd content in the rootstock of M-Scion increased compared with F-CK, and the Cd content in the rootstock of F-Scion increased compared with M-CK, but mutual grafting decreased the Cd content in scions of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes. Mutual grafting increased Cd extraction by rootstocks of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes, but decreased extraction by scions. Therefore, mutual grafting can increase Cd accumulation in S. photeinocarpum rootstocks but not increase Cd accumulation in S. photeinocarpum scions in a short period.


The Brief Medication Questionnaire: a tool for screening patient adherence and barriers to adherence.
Self-report tools for monitoring adherence can be useful in identifying patients who need assistance with their medications, assessing patient concerns, and evaluating new programs. The aim of this study is to test the validity of the Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), a new self-report tool for screening adherence and barriers to adherence. The tool includes a 5-item Regimen Screen that asks patients how they took each medication in the past week, a 2-item Belief Screen that asks about drug effects and bothersome features, and a 2-item Recall Screen about potential difficulties remembering. Validity was assessed in 20 patients using the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS). Results varied by type of non-adherence, with the Regimen and Belief Screens having 80-100% sensitivity for "repeat" non-adherence and the Recall Screen having 90% sensitivity for "sporadic" non-adherence. The BMQ appears more sensitive than existing tools and may be useful in identifying and diagnosing adherence problems.


Patterns of histone acetylation in Physarum polycephalum. H2A and H2B acetylation is functionally distinct from H3 and H4 acetylation.
Histone acetylation has previously been correlated with both chromosome replication and transcription. We present evidence that (a) confirms both correlations in the true slime mold, Physarum polycephalum and (b) shows that quite a different pattern of acetate turnover is associated with replication compared with transcription. The pattern associated with replication involves turnover of acetate on all four core histones on species containing one or two acetates per molecule. This pattern was resolved from the transcription-associated pattern by three different procedures: (a) detailed analysis of gels of histones pulse-labelled with acetate; (b) the pattern of acetylation of histones pulse-labelled with [3H]lysine; and (c) the pattern of acetylation of soluble histones. The pattern associated with transcription is restricted to histones H3 and H4 and occurs mostly on highly acetylated species. This pattern was resolved by (a) analysis of gels of histones pulse-labelled with acetate; (b) the pattern of histone acetylation in G2 phase of the cell cycle; and (c) the pattern of histone acetylation in the presence of cycloheximide.


Push-pull molecules in the gas phase: stark-effect measurements of the permanent dipole moments of p-aminobenzoic acid in its ground and electronically excited states.
Stark effect measurements of the permanent electric dipole moments of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in the gas phase are reported based on studies of its fully resolved S1<--S0 electronic spectrum in the presence of an electric field. Ground-state (S0) PABA has mu = 3.3 D, whereas excited-state (S1) PABA has mu = 4.4 D. Despite PABA's reputation as a "push-pull" molecule, the photon-induced change in both the magnitude and orientation of mu is relatively small. Possible reasons for this behavior are discussed.


Hodgkin's disease in children: a review of 21 cases.
The clinical data of 21 children with Hodgkin's disease were retrospectively analyzed to identify their characteristics. Our patients were exclusively boys, ranging in age from 2 years and 9 months to 13 years and 9 months (median 7 years and 10 months). A diagnosis could not be made until after the 2nd to 4th biopsy attempt in 9 patients, with a median time lapse of 5 months from initial biopsy. The primary manifestation was generally nodal enlargement, but also included idiopathic cholestasis and Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia. The disease stages of the patients at diagnosis were 2 stage I; 5 stage II; 10 stage III; 1 stage IV; and 3 not determined. The histologic subtypes were 12 nodular sclerosis, 5 mixed cellularity and 4 lymphocyte predominance. Nine patients had "B" symptoms. Seventy-one percent were associated with anemia and the majority were microcytic. There was a high prevalence of advanced disease (61%). The therapy plan was affected by treatment philosophy at the time, availability of anticancer drugs and the family's attitude toward primary treatment. The patients were initially treated with either radiotherapy alone, chemotherapy alone or combined modality regimens. Five patients were lost within 3 months of diagnosis. The remaining 16 patients were followed, with the longest duration being 9.5 years. Two patients died: 4 were lost after 5-12 months of follow-up, (2 with disease, 2 with no evidence of disease); and the remaining 10 were still being followed (from 2 months to 9 1/2 years). Among those still being followed, 6 of them had discontinued their therapy 8 months to 4 years 5 months earlier and none of them had evidence of tumor recurrence.


Tubulin: an example of targeted chemotherapy.
Anticancer drugs directed against the microtubule, including taxanes and vinca alkaloids, have been the backbone of many chemotherapy regimes for decades. These drugs have, however, significant limitations, which have prompted the development of novel microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). This article will discuss MTAs for anticancer therapies and recent debates regarding their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the limitations of taxanes, including hypersensitivity reactions, neurotoxicity, drug resistance and lack of validated biomarkers to guide therapy will be discussed, all of which have driven the development of novel agents. The mechanisms of action and drug development of new generations of MTAs will also be outlined. Agents demonstrating utility in Phase III clinical trials, including eribulin, ixabepilone, cabazitaxel and trastuzumab-DM1 will be highlighted, as well as novel agents currently in development and future directions for MTAs.


Nitric oxide-releasing antibacterial albumin plastic for biomedical applications.
Designing innovative materials for biomedical applications is desired to prevent surface fouling and risk of associated infections arising in the surgical care patient. In the present study, albumin plastic was fabricated and nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), was incorporated through a solvent swelling process. The albumin-SNAP plastic was evaluated in terms of mechanical and thermal properties, and bacterial adhesion to the plastic surface. Thermal and viscoelastic analyses showed no significant difference between albumin-SNAP plastics and pure, water-plasticized albumin samples. Bacteria adhesion tests revealed that albumin-SNAP plastic can significantly reduce the surface-bound viable gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial cells by 98.7 and 98.5%, respectively, when compared with the traditional polyvinyl chloride medical grade tubing material. The results from this study demonstrate NO-releasing albumin plastic's potential as a material for biomedical device applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1535-1542, 2018.


Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of group A rotaviruses.
Rotaviruses are important pathogens associated with diarrhoeal diseases in almost all species of mammals. In the present study, a nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of group A rotaviruses was developed, which is based on a target region in gene segment 6. Rotavirus strains of human, bovine, porcine, canine, feline, equine, and ovine origin were examined. Furthermore several faecal specimens, in which rotavirus had already been detected using other methods than PCR, were included in the study. A nested RT-PCR product was formed with all strains and faecal samples tested. The detection limit for virus-containing cell culture supernatant was 3 x 10(-2) [50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50)] by RT-PCR and 3 x 10(-3) TCID50) by nested amplification. In order to examine the influence of the sample matrix on sensitivity, a rotavirus-negative faecal specimen was spiked with virus-containing cell culture suspension of the porcine rotavirus OSU. The detection limit of the present PCR procedure was approximately 1.6 x 10(2) TCID50 per g faeces and could be increased by one order of magnitude using nested PCR. The present method for detection and identification of group A rotaviruses represents a powerful diagnostic tool and was shown to be applicable to rotaviruses of different origin, including human sources.


Underreporting of energy intake from a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire completed by adults in Montreal.
Energy intake determined from self-reported dietary assessment methods may be underreported. Therefore, it is important that such methods be validated against another with known validity for energy intake or energy expenditure. We investigated potential underestimation of energy intake obtained from our semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered between 2000 and 2001 in the metropolitan area of Montreal, Canada. The study population included 246 adults aged 18 to 82 years. The ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate (EI/BMR) was used to assess underreporting and physical activity was determined from self-administered questions. Comparison of the EI/BMR ratio with the Goldberg statistical cut-off allowed us to detect individuals who were low energy reporters (LERs). LERs and non-LERs were compared to determine if they differed on sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables. The EI/BMR ratio was 1.26 for men and 1.32 for women. LERs represented 43% of the sample of individuals. Male LERs accounted for 54% compared with 35% among females. Underreporting of energy intake was highest in men and individuals who were older, heavier, with higher body mass index and lower education level. A higher proportion of male LERs perceived their financial situation as adequate while a greater proportion of female LERs considered themselves poor. Our data suggest that underreporting of energy intake from the FFQ was considerable and may bias dietary interpretation. As this was uneven across the sample, it is crucial to recognise the characteristics of LERs in order to increase the validity of reported energy intake.