The role of arbitration of discordant reports at double reading of screening mammograms.
To asses the effectiveness of arbitration of discordant double readings in mammography screening. A retrospective study of 1217 consecutive arbitrations. A subset of discordant double readings from the Florence screening programme underwent arbitration by a third reader. Positive arbitration of 1217 discordant double readings prompted assessment in 476 cases (39.2%), detecting 30 cancers (6.3%). Of 741 negative arbitrations (60.8%), 311 have been followed up thus far, and two cancers (0.64%) occurred in the site previously suspected at one of the two independent readings. Arbitration had a sensitivity of 86.3% and a negative predictive value of 99.3%. Arbitration reduced the overall referral rates from 3.82% to 2.59% (relative decrease 32.1%). Due to false-negative arbitration, cancers detected per 1000 women screened would decrease from 4.58 to 4.50 (relative decrease 1.7%). For every cancer missed due to false-negative arbitration, 151 unnecessary recalls and 21,248 euro would have been saved, whereas the saved cost per screened woman due to arbitration was 1.72 euro. Arbitration of discordant double reading would substantially reduce referral rates with a limited reduction in cancer detection rate, and may be recommended as a routine procedure. Greater benefit from arbitration might be expected in the presence of high referral rates at independent double reading, a common scenario in a newly implemented service screening.


On the pH dependence of polymerization efficiency, as investigated by capillary zone electrophoresis.
The conversion efficiency of 5 different catalyst systems for polyacrylamide gel polymerization has been assessed as a function of pH of the gelling solution, in the pH 4.0-10.0 range. The system of persulfate-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene-diamine (TEMED) gives optimal incorporation of monomers only in the pH 7.0-10.0 range; at progressively acidic pH values, the conversion drops markedly until, at pH 4.0, no gelation occurs. In the system of riboflavin-TEMED, the opposite behavior is observed: good conversions in the pH 4.0-7.0 interval (with a peak at pH 6.2), followed by progressive worsening at alkaline pH values until, at pH 10.0, no gelation occurs. An excellent catalyst system appears to be the complex comprising methylene blue, toluene-4-sulfinic acid and diphenyliodonium chloride, which is able to guarantee > 95% conversion in the pH 4.0-8.0 range. Lower efficiencies are obtained at pH 9.0 and 10.0 (down to 81% conversion) but gelation still occurs in the entire pH range. Two other systems (ascorbic acid, ferrous sulfate and hydrogen peroxide in one case, and persulfate, TEMED and hydrosulfite, in another case) have been investigated. The former has some efficiency only at pH 4 (81% conversion), with a rapid drop as pH increases (only 48% incorporation at pH 6). The latter exhibits the opposite behavior: 70% efficiency at pH 4.0, increasing to 92% conversion at pH 6.0.


Clinical Benefit of Pazopanib in a Patient with Metastatic Chondrosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Chondrosarcoma is a rare malignancy characterized by the production of cartilage matrix, displaying heterogeneous histopathology and clinical behavior. Due to lack of effective treatment for advanced disease, the clinical management of metastatic chondrosarcoma is exceptionally challenging. Chondrosarcomas harbor molecular abnormalities, such as overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha and PDGFR-beta, which are required for cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Pazopanib is a potent and selective multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which co-inhibits stem cell growth factor receptor (c-KIT), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), PDGFR, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with advanced previously treated soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we describe the unique case of a patient with metastatic chondrosarcoma who derived clinical benefit from pazopanib after first-line chemotherapy failure.


Efficacy and safety of switching from brand-name to domestic generic levetiracetam in children with epilepsy.
To study the efficacy and safety of domestic generic levetiracetam in replacement of brand-name levetiracetam in the treatment of children with epilepsy. A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 154 children with epilepsy who received domestic generic levetiracetam in the inpatient or outpatient service of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from May 2019 to December 2020. Domestic generic levetiracetam and brand-name levetiracetam were compared in terms of efficacy and safety. For these 154 children, the epilepsy control rate was 77.3% (119/154) at baseline. At 6 months after switching to domestic generic levetiracetam, the epilepsy control rate reached 83.8% (129/154), which showed a significant increase (P<0.05). There was no significant change in the frequency of seizures from baseline to 6 months after switching (P>0.05). The incidence of refractory epilepsy in children with no response after switching treatment was significantly higher than that in children with response (P<0.05). Before switching, only 1 child (0.6%) experienced somnolence, while after switching, 3 children (1.9%) experienced mild adverse drug reactions, including dizziness, somnolence, irritability, and bad temper. Switching from brand-name to generic levetiracetam is safe and effective and holds promise for clinical application, but more prospective randomized controlled trials are required in future.


A Case Report of an Atypical Presentation of IgG4-Related Disease and Idiopathic CD4 Lymphocytopenia.
The IgG4-related disease is a fibroinflammatory disease characterized by tumefactive lesions, a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and, often but not always, elevated serum levels of IgG4. Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia is a heterogenic and rare syndrome characterized by the detection of a persistent absolute CD4 T cells count <300 cells/mm(3) (or <20% of total T cells) in more than one occasion and no evidence of HIV infection in absence of immunodeficiency or therapy associated with depressed levels of CD4 T cells. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with a multiorgan IgG4-related disease presenting in a temporal association with a profound and symptomatic idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. Both clinical pictures improved after steroid treatment. Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia has been associated with a number of autoimmune conditions but, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which an association with the IgG4-related disease is reported.


Integrating environmental, molecular, and morphological data to unravel an ice-age radiation of arctic-alpine Campanula in western North America.
Many arctic-alpine plant genera have undergone speciation during the Quaternary. The bases for these radiations have been ascribed to geographic isolation, abiotic and biotic differences between populations, and/or hybridization and polyploidization. The Cordilleran Campanula L. (Campanulaceae Juss.), a monophyletic clade of mostly endemic arctic-alpine taxa from western North America, experienced a recent and rapid radiation. We set out to unravel the factors that likely influenced speciation in this group. To do so, we integrated environmental, genetic, and morphological datasets, tested biogeographic hypotheses, and analyzed the potential consequences of the various factors on the evolutionary history of the clade. We created paleodistribution models to identify potential Pleistocene refugia for the clade and estimated niche space for individual taxa using geographic and climatic data. Using 11 nuclear loci, we reconstructed a species tree and tested biogeographic hypotheses derived from the paleodistribution models. Finally, we tested 28 morphological characters, including floral, vegetative, and seed characteristics, for their capacity to differentiate taxa. Our results show that the combined effect of Quaternary climatic variation, isolation among differing environments in the mountains in western North America, and biotic factors influencing floral morphology contributed to speciation in this group during the mid-Pleistocene. Furthermore, our biogeographic analyses uncovered asynchronous consequences of interglacial and glacial periods for the timing of refugial isolation within the southern and northwestern mountains, respectively. These findings have broad implications for understanding the processes promoting speciation in arctic-alpine plants and the rise of numerous endemic taxa across the region.


Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Polyporus Group Melanopus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China.
Melanopus is a morphological group of Polyporus which contains species with a black cuticle on the stipe. In this article, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Melanopus group were carried out on the basis of morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence of DNA sequences of multiple loci including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences (mtSSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and β-tubulin gene sequences (β-tubulin). The phylogenetic result confirmed that the previously so-called Melanopus group is not a monophyletic assemblage, and species in this group distribute into two distinct clades: the Picipes clade and the Squamosus clade. Four new species of Picipes are described, and nine new combinations are proposed. A key to species of Picipes is provided.


Vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has emphasized the therapeutic role of vitamin D in NAFLD, but the specific mechanism remains to be investigated. This review summarized the roles of vitamin D/VDR (vitamin D receptor) pathway in different types of liver cells (such as hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, liver macrophages, T lymphocytes, and other hepatic immune cells) in case of NAFLD. Meanwhile, the effects of pathways in the gut-liver axis, adipose tissue-liver axis, and skeletal muscle-liver axis on the development of NAFLD were further reviewed. Relevant literature was searched on PubMed for the writing of this review. The precise regulation of regional vitamin D/VDR signaling pathway based on cell-specific or tissue-specific function will help clarify the potential mechanism of vitamin D in NAFLD, which may provide new therapeutic targets to improve the safety and efficacy of vitamin D based drugs.


[Control arthroscopy following alloplastically augmented anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction].
97 patients who had their ACL replaced with ligamentum patellae transplant augmented with LAD were reviewed arthroscopically after an average period of 9.1 months (4-22 months). 52 patients whose metal implants have been removed are virtually symptom-free clinically (no swelling, stable knee joint, extension limitation of less than 5 degrees, less than 10 degrees limitation of flexion). Arthroscopy on these 52 patients revealed the following; no abnormalities in 37, 11 cases of cartilage lesions, 1 case of medial meniscal tear and 7 cases of LAD tears. 45 patients who have also had their metal implants removed have complaints, arthroscopy revealed the following; hypertrophy of Hoffa's fat pad in 5 cases, 3 cases of medial meniscal tears, 2 cases of lateral meniscal tears. Tears of the LAD were seen in 9 cases. In 2 cases the transplant was missing, in 5 cases the transplant was elongated and in 2 cases the transplant showed normal structure. There were cartilage lesions in 9 cases, 4 cases of synovitis and scar tissue adhesion in 3. In all there were 16 cases of LAD tears, in 9 out of these 16 cases the transplant ACL of good structure. All of this knees were stable. Control arthroscopy is routinely carried out when we remove the metal implants. This enables us to detect any early problems, such as limitation of extension or swelling, assess the success of the operation and commence the corresponding additional therapy.


Internet queries and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surveillance.
The Internet is a common source of medical information and has created novel surveillance opportunities. We assessed the potential for Internet-based surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and examined the extent to which it reflects trends in hospitalizations and news coverage. Google queries were a useful predictor of hospitalizations for methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections.


Development and first operation of a cavity ring down spectroscopy diagnostic in the negative ion source SPIDER.
The neutral beam injectors of the ITER experiment will rely on negative ion sources to produce 16.7 MW beams of H/D particles accelerated at 1 MeV. The prototype of these sources was built and is currently operated in the SPIDER (Source for the Production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from a Radio frequency plasma) experiment, part of the Neutral Beam Test Facility of Consorzio RFX, Padua. In the SPIDER, the H-/D- ion source is coupled to a three grid, 100 kV acceleration system. One of the main goals of the experimentation in SPIDER is to uniformly maximize the extracted current density; to achieve this, it is important to study the density of negative ions available in the proximity of the ion acceleration system. In SPIDER, line-integrated measurements of negative ion density are performed by a cavity ring down spectroscopy diagnostic. Its principle of operation is based on the absorption of the photons of a laser beam pulse by H-/D- photo-detachment; the absorption detection is enhanced by trapping the laser pulse in an optical cavity, containing the absorbing medium (i.e., negative ions). This paper presents and discusses the CRDS diagnostic setup in the SPIDER, including the first measurements of negative ion density, correlated with the main source parameters.


[DDT and public health].
The availability of DDT led to a revolution in insect pest control. However, in the 1970's it was banned or its use restricted in many countries because it was accumulating in the environment. It was suggested that this could have a deleterious effect on human health. However, these effects, particularly carcinogenesis, have never been clearly proved in humans. Furthermore, accumulation is significantly lower in the tropical than temperature environment. DDT can therefore be continued to be used as a spray in houses, where it is sequestrated by mud walls. It is mainly used against anopheles (mosquitoes) for malaria control and phlebotomus (sand flies) for control of leishmaniasis. However, the value of DDT is restricted by the resistance of many vector species; and its excitatory-repellent effect which does not allow interruption of malaria transmission in highly endemic areas (for example Northern Cameroun).


Effect of Tea Catechins on Folate Analysis in Green Tea by Microbiological Assay.
Green tea is thought to be a primary source of folate in the Japanese diet, based on folate content analyzed by a microbiological assay. Green tea also contains high amount of catechins, in particular, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which was demonstrated to be able to inhibit the digestive enzyme activities and microbial growth in the folate assay. In the present study, we examined whether tea catechins interfered with components of the folate assay for green tea. A marked inhibitory effect of EGCg on microbial growth was observed at an inhibitory concentration of higher than 10 μg/mL. Tea catechins without the galloyl moiety did not show an inhibitory effect. EGCg inhibited the activity of the three enzymes used for assay sample preparation at an inhibitory concentration of higher than 750 μg/mL for α-amylase, 1,000 μg/mL for protease, and 50 μg/mL for conjugase. However, with each step of the assay, the actual concentration of EGCg was decreased to below the inhibitory concentration of each analytical step. Lack of influence of EGCg on green tea folate assay was confirmed by an addition of folate standard in tea infusion. These results suggested that tea catechins have no practical impact on folate analysis in green tea, using the general microbiological assay.


A Simple Method to Detect Candidate Overlapping Genes in Viruses Using Single Genome Sequences.
Overlapping genes in viruses maximize the coding capacity of their genomes and allow the generation of new genes without major increases in genome size. Despite their importance, the evolution and function of overlapping genes are often not well understood, in part due to difficulties in their detection. In addition, most bioinformatic approaches for the detection of overlapping genes require the comparison of multiple genome sequences that may not be available in metagenomic surveys of virus biodiversity. We introduce a simple new method for identifying candidate functional overlapping genes using single virus genome sequences. Our method uses randomization tests to estimate the expected length of open reading frames and then identifies overlapping open reading frames that significantly exceed this length and are thus predicted to be functional. We applied this method to 2548 reference RNA virus genomes and find that it has both high sensitivity and low false discovery for genes that overlap by at least 50 nucleotides. Notably, this analysis provided evidence for 29 previously undiscovered functional overlapping genes, some of which are coded in the antisense direction suggesting there are limitations in our current understanding of RNA virus replication.


Sleep, Affect, and Social Competence from Preschool to Preadolescence: Distinct Pathways to Emotional and Social Adjustment for Boys and for Girls.
Using a normative sample of 1,057 children studied across 4 waves over 6 years with multiple informants, we investigated transactional relations for sleep problems, anxious-depressed symptoms, and social functioning from preschool to preadolescence, assessing cumulative effects on children's emotional and social adjustment. To examine sex differences in the developmental processes, we conducted separate analyses for boys and girls. For both boys and girls, longitudinal cross-lagged panel analyses showed that preschool sleep problems directly predicted anxious-depressed symptoms 2 years later; indirect effects continued into preadolescence. For girls, early and later sleep problems directly or indirectly predicted a wide variety of preadolescent emotional and social adjustment domains (e.g., depressive symptoms, school competence, emotion regulation, risk-taking behaviors). For boys, social competence played a more important role than sleep problems in predicting preadolescent adjustment. Among the first set of findings that demonstrate longitudinal relations between sleep problems and social functioning in middle childhood and preadolescence, these results support Dahl's and Walker's neurological models of sleep and emotional functioning. We discuss these findings in light of relations between sleep and affect during pre-pubertal development and discuss differential findings for boys and girls.


Biphasic buckwheat anaphylaxis:Case report and systematic review.
Buckwheat anaphylaxis is commonly recognized in Europe and Asia, and there is only one case reported in Taiwan so far. Here, we report a case of biphasic buckwheat anaphylaxis in a 57 year-old male patient who lost consciousness twice in the same day after having buckwheat noodles. The serum test shows that Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp)immunoglobulin E (IgE) (42.4 kU/L) and buckwheat-specific IgE (81.5 kU/L) are unusually high. Although biphasic buckwheat anaphylaxis is rare, we should still be aware the second episode could be life-threatening and happen within a day after the exposure to the buckwheat antigen.


[Are different typologies of sedentary behavior associated with history of sleep problems in community-dwelling elderly?]
Alterations in sleep are common in older persons, and some risk factors may aggravate this condition. Understanding the association between sedentary behavior and history of sleep problems can assist the elaboration of intervention programs. The study aimed to verify the association between typologies of sedentary behavior and history of sleep problems in community-dwelling older Brazilians. A cross-sectional study was performed with data from 43,554 older persons participating in the Brazilian National Health Survey (2019). Typologies of sedentary behavior were assessed by: (1) time watching television; (2) leisure-time inactivity; and (3) total inactivity (TV + leisure-time inactivity). Sedentary behavior was categorized as < 3, 3-6, and > 6 hours/day. The outcome was history of sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently at night, or sleeping more than usual) assessed by self-report in the last 15 days. Associations were verified with multivariate logistic regression. Older persons that spent more 6 hours/day watching TV had 13% higher odds (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.02; 1.26) of reporting sleep problems. For total sedentary behavior, older persons that were inactive 3-6 hours and more than 6 hours/day showed 13% (OR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.04; 1.22) and 11% (OR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.01; 1.23) higher odds of sleep problems, respectively. Older persons in the sample that reported more than 6 hours a day watching TV and > 3 hours in total sedentary behavior had higher odds of sleep problems. The findings call attention to the need to reduce sedentary behavior in the elderly.


Zinc and Selenium Co-supplementation Reduces Some Lipid Peroxidation and Angiogenesis Markers in a Rat Model of NAFLD-Fed High Fat Diet.
Studies have shown that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are more prone to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Zinc and selenium deficiency are common in NAFLD. But the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on CVD markers are not clear in NAFLD patients. This study aimed to compare the effects of zinc and selenium co-supplementation before and/or after disease progression on some of the CVD markers in an experimental model of NAFLD. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats (197 ± 4 g) were randomly assigned into four dietary groups: control group (C; received 9% of calorie as fat), model group (M; received 82% of calorie as fat), and supplementation before (BS) or after (AS) disease progression. Animals were fed diets for 20 weeks in all groups. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured as CVD indices. Serum ALT, AST, FPG, insulin, MDA, VEGF and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the M than C group. Co-supplementation reduced serum ALT and AST levels in the BS and AS groups compared with the M group. FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, VEGF, MDA, LDL/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c ratio were significantly reduced in the AS compared with the M group. TG/HDL-c ratio was significantly reduced in the BS and AS compared with the M group. Serum MDA, VEGF, Insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly lowered in the AS than BS group (p < 0.05). Zinc and selenium co-supplementation after NAFLD progression reduced CVD risk indices in an experimental model.


Gut Microbiota and the Microvasculature.
The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as an actuating variable shaping vascular development and endothelial cell function in the intestinal mucosa but also affecting the microvasculature of remote organs. In the small intestine, colonization with gut microbiota and subsequent activation of innate immune pathways promotes the development of intricate capillary networks and lacteals, influencing the integrity of the gut-vascular barrier as well as nutrient uptake. Since the liver yields most of its blood supply via the portal circulation, the hepatic microcirculation steadily encounters microbiota-derived patterns and active signaling metabolites that induce changes in the organization of the liver sinusoidal endothelium, influencing immune zonation of sinusoids and impacting on metabolic processes. In addition, microbiota-derived signals may affect the vasculature of distant organ systems such as the brain and the eye microvasculature. In recent years, this gut-resident microbial ecosystem was revealed to contribute to the development of several vascular disease phenotypes.


Effect of hydrophobic residue substitutions with glutamine on Ca(2+) binding and exchange with the N-domain of troponin C.
Troponin C (TnC) is an EF-hand Ca(2+) binding protein that regulates skeletal muscle contraction. The mechanisms that control the Ca(2+) binding properties of TnC and other EF-hand proteins are not completely understood. We individually substituted 27 Phe, Ile, Leu, Val, and Met residues with polar Gln to examine the role of hydrophobic residues in Ca(2+) binding and exchange with the N-domain of a fluorescent TnC(F29W). The global N-terminal Ca(2+) affinities of the TnC(F29W) mutants varied approximately 2340-fold, while Ca(2+) association and dissociation rates varied less than 70-fold and more than 45-fold, respectively. Greater than 2-fold increases in Ca(2+) affinities were obtained primarily by slowing of Ca(2+) dissociation rates, while greater than 2-fold decreases in Ca(2+) affinities were obtained by slowing of Ca(2+) association rates and speeding of Ca(2+) dissociation rates. No correlation was found between the Ca(2+) binding properties of the TnC(F29W) mutants and the solvent accessibility of the hydrophobic amino acids in the apo state, Ca(2+) bound state, or the difference between the two states. However, the effects of these hydrophobic mutations on Ca(2+) binding were contextual possibly because of side chain interactions within the apo and Ca(2+) bound states of the N-domain. These results demonstrate that a single hydrophobic residue, which does not directly ligate Ca(2+), can play a crucial role in controlling Ca(2+) binding and exchange within a coupled and functional EF-hand system.


Investigation of thymol effect on learning and memory impairment induced by intrahippocampal injection of amyloid beta peptide in high fat diet- fed rats.
Obesity and consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) are known to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we have examined the protective and therapeutic effects of thymol (main monoterpene phenol found in thyme essential oil) on a HFD-fed rat model of AD. Fourty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups:(n = 8 rats/group): group 1, control, consumed an ordinary diet, group 2 consumed a HFD for 8 weeks, then received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) via intrahippocampal (IHP) injection, group 3 consumed HFD for 8 weeks, then received beta-amyloid (Aβ)1-42 via IHP injections to induce AD, group 4 consumed HFD for 8 weeks, then received Aβ1-42, and was treated by thymol (30 mg/kg in sunflower oil) daily for 4 weeks, and group 5 consumed HFD for 8 week, then received Aβ1-42 after what sunflower oil was administered by oral gavage daily for 4 weeks. Biochemical tests showed an impaired lipid profile and higher glucose levels upon consumption of HFD, which was ameliorated by thymol treatment. In behavioral results, spatial memory in group 3 was significantly impaired, but groups treated with thymol showed better spatial memory compared to group 3 (p ≤ 0.01). In histological results, formation of Aβ plaque in hippocampus of group 3 increased significantly compared to group 1 and group 2 (p ≤ 0.05), but group 4 showed decreased Aβ plaques compared to group 3 (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, thymol decreased the effects of Aβ on memory and could be considered as neuroprotective.


Influenza vaccine response in community-dwelling German prefrail and frail individuals.
The age-related dysregulation of the immune system in older persons results in reduced responses to vaccination and greater susceptibility to infection, especially in frail individuals who suffer the greatest of morbidity and mortality due to infection. Recently, significantly reduced anti-influenza antibody titers and increased rates of influenza infection after vaccination were reported in community-dwelling American frail older adults. The aim of our study was to further assess the relative impact of frailty and of each individual Fried frailty criterion on influenza vaccine response. Prefrail and frail community-dwelling German persons aged ≥70 years were recruited for a nutritional randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted during the 2014-2015 influenza season. Herein, we present a sub-analysis study of the placebo group to compare 76 prefrail and frail participants. Previous seasonal influenza vaccination rate was relatively high (77.6%) in the 76 volunteers aged from 70 to 93 years. Of these participants, 65.8% were diagnosed as prefrail and 34.2% as frail according to the Fried frailty criteria. In both prefrail and frail groups, elevated levels of pre-vaccination seroprotection were observed to all vaccine strains (H1N1: 54% and 32%, H3N2: 60% and 72%, B: 10% and 16%). Post-vaccination, similar increases in haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers were observed for the three vaccine strains in both prefrail and frail groups. No significant difference in geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios and in rates of seroconversion or seroprotection were observed between prefrail and frail groups. Regarding the five Fried frailty criteria, only participants with low physical activity had significantly lower GMT to the strains H3N2 (55.4 vs 103.7, p = 0.001) and B (13.9 vs 20.0, p = 0.06), as compared to those having normal physical activity. Influenza vaccine response was not significantly affected by the frail phenotype, as defined by Fried frailty criteria, in community-dwelling German individuals. However, low physical activity may be a relevant predictor of lower serological response in vaccinated older individuals. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02262091 (October 8, 2013).


Time-course adaptive changes in hippocampal transcriptome and synaptic function induced by simulated microgravity associated with cognition.
The investigation of cognitive function in microgravity, both short-term and long-term, remains largely descriptive. And the underlying mechanisms of the changes over time remain unclear. Behavioral tests, electrophysiological recording, and RNA sequencing were used to observe differences in behavior, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression. Initially, we measured the performance of spatial cognition exposed to long-term simulated microgravity (SM). Both working memory and advanced cognitive abilities were enhanced. Somewhat surprisingly, the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse was impaired. To gain insight into the mechanism of changing regularity over time, transcriptome sequencing in the hippocampus was performed. The analysis identified 20 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus after short-term modeling, 19 of which were up-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that these up-regulated genes were mainly enriched in synaptic-related processes, such as Stxbp5l and Epha6. This might be related to the enhancement of working memory performance under short-term SM exposure. Under exposure to long-term SM, 7 DEGs were identified in the hippocampus, all of which were up-regulated and related to oxidative stress and metabolism, such as Depp1 and Lrg1. Compensatory effects occurred with increased modeling time. To sum up, our current research indicates that the cognitive function under SM exposure is consistently maintained or potentially even being enhanced over both short and long durations. The underlying mechanisms are intricate and potentially linked to the differential expression of hippocampal-associated genes and alterations in synaptic function, with these effects being time-dependent. The present study will lay the experimental and theoretical foundation of the multi-level mechanism of cognitive function under space flight.


Visible light C-H amidation of heteroarenes with benzoyl azides.
Benzoyl azides were used for the direct and atom economic C-H amidation of electron rich heteroarenes in the presence of phosphoric acid, a photocatalyst and visible light. Hetero-aromatic amides are obtained in good yields at very mild reaction conditions with dinitrogen as the only by-product. The reaction allows the use of aryl-, heteroaryl- or alkenyl acyl azides and has a wide scope for heteroarenes, including pyrroles, indole, furan, benzofuran and thiophene giving good regio-selectivities and yields.


[Treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease with carbon dioxide laser vaporization].
Only ablative methods lead to long term remission of areas affected by Hailey-Hailey disease: excision/skin graft, cryosurgery, dermabrasion... The method using the CO2 laser is a recent addition in the management of this dermatitis. We report our experience with this technique in 4 patients. Carbon dioxide laser vaporization was proposed to 4 patients exhibiting Hailey-Hailey disease resistant to classical treatments. A test under local anesthesia was performed beforehand in all the patients. A 60 year-old man had an immediate reaction and refused to continue treatment. In the other 3 cases, the result of the test at 6 months was considered satisfactory. These patients were treated under general anesthesia in a single area of 50 to 70 cm2, and a half-body for comparison. The CO2 laser was used in pulse mode, with successive irradiations, until a homogenous, whitish-yellow aspect with first retraction was obtained. Although the healing delays were long (a mean of 1 month) and required major analgesics over the first few days, the cosmetic results were satisfactory and no abnormal scarring was observed. After a median follow-up of 27 months, no relapse of the disease other than punctiform elements was noted. All the patients wanted treatment of the other remaining affected areas be continued. In 2 patients, CO2 laser vaporization permitted treatment of areas not easily accessible to other ablative methods (around the mouth, the anus and the vulva) with anatomy and normal function spared. These results are globally good. Although the time to healing was long, the cosmetic and functional results were always satisfactory, without abnormal scarring. Moreover, in 2 of the patients, CO2 laser was able to treat areas inaccessible to other methods. The reason for the efficacy of ablative methods is debated. Re-epidermization with keratinocytes of appendices and not expressing the molecular defect, and the constitution of dermal cicatricial tissue, are two currently proposed hypotheses.


The Israeli experience in the control of poliomyelitis during a quarter of a century, 1957-1982.
Data are presented on the programs and the results of immunization against paralytic poliomyelitis in Israel during the 25-year period 1957-1982. To control severe outbreaks of the disease, Israel introduced Salk-type inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) on a large scale in 1957 and used it for a period of five years. Vaccination with IPV had a beneficial effect, demonstrably reducing the morbidity from poliomyelitis. In 1961, Sabin's oral poliovirus vaccine ( OPV ) was first used during an epidemic outbreak of the disease and has been in continuous use since. Vaccination with OPV has resulted in a highly significant decrease in the incidence of the disease, although sporadic cases continued to occur. This program was supplemented for the past four years with an annual mass vaccination campaign in "high-risk" areas of the country. These additional preventive measures have resulted in a further reduction in morbidity but not in the complete disappearance of the disease.


[A sero-epidemiological study of hepatitis E among general population in Shandong Province of China in 2014].
Objective: To analyze the sero-epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Shandong province, and thereby to provide evidence for the policy-making of hepatitis E prevention and control. Methods: The inhabitants aged between 1-59 years old were randomly selected to participate in the study by two-stage stratified random sampling method from 12 counties in Shandong province in October, 2014. Firstly two townships were selected from each county by probability proportional to size sampling (PPS) method. A total of 5 229 participants aged 1-59 years old were selected by stratified random sampling method. All the participants finished a questionnaire survey and a venous blood sample (3-5 ml) was collected from each to test anti-HEV IgG by enzyme-linked assay (ELISA). The weighted prevalence of anti-HEV IgG with different demographic characteristics was estimated. The variance of the positive rate of anti-HEV IgG was calculated by Taylor series linearization method, as well as its 95%CI. A statistical test was conducted to compare the rate of its 95%CI, and the results in the present study were compared with those in sero-survey in 2006. Results: A total of 5 229 subjects entered the final analysis in 2014. The overall weighed prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 9.19% (95%CI: 6.18%-12.20%) among natural population in Shandong province, decreased by 19.88% in comparison with that in 2006 sero-survey (11.47%, 95%CI: 8.92%-14.02%). The prevalence increased with age increasing (χ(2trend)=288.11, P<0.001) in 2014, which was similar to the result in 2006 sero-survey. Except for 1-4 years old group, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG in the other age groups were lower than it in the corresponding groups in 2006. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG in urban (8.19%, 95%CI: 0.00-22.23%), rural areas (9.69%, 95%CI: 4.99%-14.38%), eastern areas (12.70%, 95%CI: 0.00-27.72%), central areas (4.74%, 95%CI: 0.00-9.91%) and western areas (9.32%, 95%CI: 0.69%-17.94%) in 2014 were all lower than the corresponding prevalences (11.39%, 95%CI: 8.17%-14.62%; 11.92%, 95%CI: 8.75%-15.08%; 22.77%, 95%CI: 14.99%-30.55%; 7.97%, 95%CI: 4.75%-11.20%; 10.59%, 95%CI: 6.37%-14.82%) in 2006 survey. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG in coastal areas (16.56%, 95%CI: 12.94%-20.18%) and inland areas (7.63%, 95%CI: 5.16%-10.10%) in 2014 were lower than it in the corresponding areas (28.04%, 95%CI: 20.45%-35.64%; 9.50%, 95%CI: 7.31%-11.70%) in 2006 survey. The prevalence among peasant (11.98%, 95%CI: 8.20%-15.76%), worker (9.68%, 95%CI: 4.48%-14.88%), cadre (13.90%, 95%CI: 7.47%-20.33%), service provider (12.26%, 95%CI: 1.80%-22.73%) in 2014 survey were lower than it among the corresponding populations (13.76%, 95%CI: 10.15%-17.38%; 21.11%, 95%CI: 12.67%-29.55%; 17.81%, 95%CI: 7.63%-28.00%; 21.08%, 95%CI: 0.03%-42.12%) in 2006 survey. Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG has decreased in Shandong province in the recent years, but the epidemiological characteristics found no obvious changes. HEV susceptibility in natural population was generally high. Hepatitis E vaccines were recommended to be used in HEV high-risk population in the province.


The role of the gut microbiome in sustainable teleost aquaculture.
As the most diverse vertebrate group and a major component of a growing global aquaculture industry, teleosts continue to attract significant scientific attention. The growth in global aquaculture, driven by declines in wild stocks, has provided additional empirical demand, and thus opportunities, to explore teleost diversity. Among key developments is the recent growth in microbiome exploration, facilitated by advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies. Here, we consider studies on teleost gut microbiomes in the context of sustainable aquaculture, which we have discussed in four themes: diet, immunity, artificial selection and closed-loop systems. We demonstrate the influence aquaculture has had on gut microbiome research, while also providing a road map for the main deterministic forces that influence the gut microbiome, with topical applications to aquaculture. Functional significance is considered within an aquaculture context with reference to impacts on nutrition and immunity. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps, both methodological and conceptual, and propose promising applications of gut microbiome manipulation to aquaculture, and future priorities in microbiome research. These include insect-based feeds, vaccination, mechanism of pro- and prebiotics, artificial selection on the hologenome, in-water bacteriophages in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), physiochemical properties of water and dysbiosis as a biomarker.


Brain-associated small-cell lung cancer antigen (BASCA) is expressed in developing lung: an immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic study.
Expression of brain-associated small-cell lung cancer antigen (BASCA) in developing lung and in lung tumors was investigated immunohistochemically and immunoelectron microscopically with monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of BASCA. In fetal lung, epithelial and mesenchymal cells had different spatial and temporal expression patterns, in contrast to the consistent pattern in neural cells. The cell membranes of epithelial cells of the proximal bronchial tubes were diffusely positive at the pseudoglandular stage. Ciliated cells lost immunoreactivity shortly after their emergence, but non-ciliated cells, including endocrine cells, lost it at the alveolar stage. The immunoreactivity in mesenchymal cells was reduced in the proximal airway, but positivity remained in the distal lung later during the postnatal period. All endocrine tumors of the lung, defined by diffuse synaptophysin immunoreactivity, expressed BASCA, but some non-endocrine carcinomas which also lacked densely cored granules ultrastructurally, showed BASCA positivity. The temporal and spatial pattern of BASCA expression in the developing lung suggests that BASCA plays an active role in lung morphogenesis. BASCA may be expressed as an oncofetal substance in some non-endocrine carcinomas of the lung.


Obesity alters the lung myeloid cell landscape to enhance breast cancer metastasis through IL5 and GM-CSF.
Obesity is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation, which can disrupt homeostasis within tissue microenvironments. Given the correlation between obesity and relative risk of death from cancer, we investigated whether obesity-associated inflammation promotes metastatic progression. We demonstrate that obesity causes lung neutrophilia in otherwise normal mice, which is further exacerbated by the presence of a primary tumour. The increase in lung neutrophils translates to increased breast cancer metastasis to this site, in a GM-CSF- and IL5-dependent manner. Importantly, weight loss is sufficient to reverse this effect, and reduce serum levels of GM-CSF and IL5 in both mouse models and humans. Our data indicate that special consideration of the obese patient population is critical for effective management of cancer progression.


Expanded criteria donor grafts for deceased donor liver transplantation under the MELD system: a decision analysis.
Expanded criteria donor (ECD) liver grafts have a higher likelihood of primary graft failure (PGF) compared with standard criteria donor (SCD) grafts. Given a choice between an available ECD graft versus waiting for an SCD graft that may not always become available, what should liver transplant candidates do? The study's aim was to estimate 1-year survival comparing immediate ECD liver grafting with waiting for an SCD organ. Using UNOS data, published literature estimates, and expert opinion, we constructed a Markov decision analytic model to estimate survival while waiting for an SCD transplant and survival with immediate ECD transplant. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying model parameters individually and simultaneously with a second-order Monte Carlo simulation. For all patients with MELD scores >20, survival was higher with immediate ECD transplant despite the additional increased risk for PGF. Survival was better with an immediate ECD transplant unless the probability of PGF exceeded 23%, 72%, and 88% for recipients with MELD scores of 11-20, 21-25, and 26-30 respectively. For patients with MELD scores >30, the survival benefit with the immediate ECD strategy persisted at even higher rates of PGF. In conclusion, our results suggest that, despite the higher risk for PGF, transplantation with an available ECD graft should be preferred over waiting for an SCD organ for patients with advanced MELD scores. At less advanced MELD scores, the survival benefit depends on the risk of PGF associated with the ECD organ.


Oxybutynin as an alternative treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis is the excessive production of sweating, which can be primary and focal or secondary to various pathologies. The exact cause of primary focal hyperhidrosis is still unknown, although a genetic basis is recognized, and its prevalence varies from 1% to 2.8%. The most affected sites are the armpits, palms, soles and face. It causes much discomfort, affects the quality of life, and is estimated to be undervalued by health professionals. Many treatment options are proposed, both clinical and surgical. The aim of this review is to focus on the treatment of hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin, an anticholinergic drug originally used to control overactive bladder.


[The action of reserpine on the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the venous blood of migraine patients].
Vasoactive amines, particularly 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) have been implicated as the cause of migraine. Our study was a biochemical one on the effect of reserpine on the content of 5-HT, NE and E in migraneurs. The effect of one single infection of reserpine. 23 migrainous patients and 7 controls were given one i.m. injection of reserpine (1,5 mg/1.7 m2 surface). The content of 5-HT in blood platelets of 8 migraneurs and 7 controls 6 hours after the injection of reserpine decreased to comparable levels in both groups. The serotonin releasing effect of reserpine, however, is different from that of tyramine. The effect of prolonged reserpine medication. The effect of i.v. injection of reserpine over a period of 6 weeks on 5-HT, NE and E, was investigated. The doses of reserpine corresponded exactly to the doses already used by Nattero et al. (0.2 mg reserpine 3 times a week for 6 weeks). In correspondance with this work a double blind clinical examination was carried out by Nattero et al. (1975). Blood amine levels were measured weekly. The NE decreased to a minimum of 62% of basal mean value after 3-7 weeks of treatment. The decrease is significant from the third to the sixth week. Basal value was not reached until 6 weeks after withdrawal of reserpine. The concentration of 5-HT in blood platelets decreased to 5% of basal mean value and remained low during the reserpine treatment. The decrease is highly significant. A clinical improvement began 1-2 weeks after the introduction of reserpine treatment, continued during treatment and for 2-6 weeks after. In the open trial performed by us, we can confirm the results of Nattero et al. We demonstrated a marked decrease in concentration of blood amines corresponding to clinical improvement.


A-FABP and oxidative stress underlie the impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxations to serotonin and the intima-medial thickening in the porcine coronary artery with regenerated endothelium.
Experiments were designed to determine the cause of the selective dysfunction of G(i) proteins, characterized by a reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), in coronary arteries lined with regenerated endothelial cells. Part of the endothelium of the left anterior descending coronary artery of female pigs was removed in vivo to induce regeneration. The animals were treated chronically with vehicle (control), apocynin (antioxidant), or BMS309403 (A-FABP inhibitor) for 28 days before functional examination and histological analysis of segments of coronary arteries with native or regenerated endothelium of the same hearts. Isometric tension was recorded in organ chambers and cumulative concentration-relaxation curves obtained in response to endothelium-dependent [serotonin (G(i) protein mediated activation of eNOS) and bradykinin (G(q) protein mediated activation of eNOS)] and independent [detaNONOate (cGMP-mediated), isoproterenol (cAMP-mediated)] vasodilators. The two inhibitors tested did not acutely affect relaxations of preparations with either native or regenerated endothelium. In the chronically treated groups, however, both apocynin and BMS309403 abolished the reduction in relaxation to serotonin in segments covered with regenerated endothelium and prevented the intima-medial thickening caused by endothelial regeneration, without affecting responses to bradykinin or endothelium-independent agonists (detaNONOate and isoproterenol). Thus, inhibition of either oxidative stress or A-FABP likely prevents both the selective dysfunction of G(i) protein mediated relaxation to serotonin and the neointimal thickening resulting from endothelial regeneration.


Photodissociation of methyl iodide adsorbed on low-temperature amorphous ice surfaces.
Photodissociation dynamics of methyl iodide (CH3I) adsorbed on both amorphous solid water (ASW) and porous amorphous solid water (PASW) has been investigated. The ejected ground-state I((2)P3∕2) and excited-state I((2)P1∕2) photofragments produced by 260- and 290-nm photons were detected using laser resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. In contrast to gas-phase photodissociation, (i) the I((2)P3∕2) photofragment is favored compared to I((2)P1∕2) at both wavelengths, (ii) I((2)P3∕2) and I((2)P1∕2) have velocity distributions that depend upon ice morphology, and (iii) I2 is produced on ASW. The total iodine [I((2)P3∕2)+I((2)P1∕2)+I2] yield varies with substrate morphology, with greater yield from ASW than PASW using both 260- and 290-nm photons. Temperature-programmed desorption studies demonstrate that ice porosity enhances the trapping of adsorbed CH3I, while pore-free ice likely allows monomer adsorption and the formation of two-dimensional CH3I clusters. Reactions or collisions involving these clusters, I atomic fragments, or I-containing molecular fragments at the vacuum-surface interface can result in I2 formation.


The cervico-ocular reflex of normal human subjects in response to transient and sinusoidal trunk rotations.
We used the magnetic search coil technique to measure the horizontal cervico-ocular reflex (COR) of 8 subjects in response to transient or sinusoidal (0.1-1.0 Hz) trunk rotations while their heads were firmly immobilized. Although we were able to resolve eye rotations of < 0.05 degrees, the COR was hardly measurable (gain was always < 0.07). This finding, made with the most precise measurement technique used to date, suggests that the COR makes a negligible contribution to the stability of gaze in normal subjects during natural activities.


Northern blot hybridization analysis of polyoma virus-specific RNA synthesized under the block of virus replication by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.
Polyoma (Py) virus-specific RNA, synthesized at reduced level in infected cells in the presence of antiviral compound 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) was characterized in more detail by Northern blot hybridization analysis. The results obtained with total, cytoplasmic and poly(A)RNA, isolated from mouse embryo cell cultures 42 hrs p.i. indicate that BrdUrd (6.34 micrograms/ml) lowers the level of typical classes of major virus DNA transcripts to a similar extent and that no new, atypical transcription products are formed.


Analyzing Persister Physiology with Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting.
Bacterial persisters are phenotypic variants that exhibit an impressive ability to tolerate antibiotics. Persisters are hypothesized to cause relapse infections, and therefore, understanding their physiology may lead to novel therapeutics to treat recalcitrant infections. However, persisters have yet to be isolated due to their low abundance, transient nature, and similarity to the more highly abundant viable but non-culturable cells (VBNCs), resulting in limited knowledge of their phenotypic state. This technical hurdle has been addressed through the use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and quantification of persister levels in the resulting sorted fractions. These assays provide persister phenotype distributions, which can be compared to the phenotype distributions of the entire population, and can also be used to examine persister heterogeneity. Here, we describe two detailed protocols for analysis of persister physiology with FACS. One protocol assays the metabolic state of persisters using a fluorescent metabolic stain, whereas the other assays the growth state of persisters with use of a fluorescent protein.


Recurrent retroauricular cystic nodules: lichen planus follicularis tumidus.
Lichen planus follicularis tumidus (LPFT) is a rare subtype of lichen planus (LP) that has been most commonly described in middle-aged women. LPFT clinically manifests as recurrent cystic follicular nodules that preferentially involve the retroauricular area; concurrent classic LP lesions on the extremities and mucosal surfaces may also be present. Histologically, LPFT demonstrates epithelial-lined follicular cysts filled with orthokeratotic keratin surrounded by a dense lichenoid infiltrate. We present a case of a 67-year-old man with clinical and histopathologic findings consistent with LPFT and discuss differential diagnostic considerations for entities resembling LPFT. Lastly, treatment options for LPFT are reviewed.


Exploring the economic potential of reducing broiler lameness.
1. The present study was designed first to explore the potential economic benefits of adopting management practices to reduce lameness in broiler farms, and second to explore farmers' possible perceptions of this potential in the Swedish context. The likely financial effects were addressed using a normative economic model, whereas a questionnaire-based survey was used to obtain in-depth knowledge about the perceptions of a group of broiler farmers in Sweden. 2. The three alternative practices (out of 6 tested) which realised the greatest improvements in gross margin and net return to management compared to the conventional practice were feeding whole wheat, sequential feeding and meal feeding. 3. The model showed that the negative effect of feeding whole wheat on feed conversion rate was outweighed by the effect of a low feed price and the associated decrease in feed costs. The price of wheat played a major role in the improvement of economic performance, whereas the reduction of lameness itself made a relatively minor contribution. 4. Apparently, the surveyed farmers do not recognise the potential of the positive effects of changing feed or feeding practices on both broiler welfare and farm economics although their implementation can be of great importance in the broiler sector where profit margins are very tight..


Medical costs of cancer attributable to work in the Basque Country (Spain) in 2008.
[corrected] Underreporting of work-related cancer in the Basque Country (Spain) is massive. The aim of our study is to estimate the job-related cancer in the Basque Country in 2008 treated by the Basque Public Health System-Osakidetza, as well as the medical costs derived from its treatment in the same year. Scientific evidence from industrialised countries is used to estimate the number of processes of cancer attributable to work. Medical costs for specialised care (outpatient and hospital admissions) are derived from the National Health System cost accounts. Costs due to primary health care and pharmaceutical benefits are obtained from Spanish secondary sources. Figures were computed according to disease and sex. We estimate 1,331 work-attributable cancers hospitalizations and 229 work-attributable cancers specialized ambulatory cases. Medical costs borne by public health care system exceed 10 million euros. Specialized care accounts for 64.2% of the total cost. Bronchus and lung cancer represents the largest percentage of total expenditure (27%), followed by the bladder cancer (12.6%), mesothelioma (8.6%), the colon cancer (7.3%), and stomach (6.7%). The magnitude of cancer attributable to work in the Basque Country is much higher than reflected in the official Registry of Occupational Diseases. Underreporting of work-related cancers hampers prevention and shifts funding of medical costs from social security to the tax-financed public health system.


Chlamydia trachomatis: small genome, big challenges.
Chlamydial infections are highly newsworthy, but basic research into Chlamydia trachomatis is severely hampered by a series of formidable technical barriers. This has resulted in a paucity of information with respect to the genetics and population structure of these recalcitrant bacteria. Here we present a review of what is currently known about the genomics of C. trachomatis and discuss the usefulness of molecular typing systems and the prospects of developing a pan-chlamydial genome resource.


C4d Deposition Reveals Myocardial Infarction After Cardiac Arrest--Experimental Study.
The diagnosis of regional myocardial infarction (MI) after cardiac arrest and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major clinical challenge. We evaluated in a rat cardiac transplantation model whether IRI alone or with MI would induce complement C4d deposition. Isogenic heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed in 16 Fischer 344 rats to induce IRI, of which 9 rats also underwent ligation of the left anterior coronary artery (LAD) of the heart to yield MI. Histology and qRT-PCR for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were performed after cessation of heart beat. C4d was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Myocardial inflammation and C4d deposition was increased in grafts with IRI+MI as compared with IRI (0.71 vs. 0.14, PSU, respectively, p<0.04 and 80.13 vs. 20.29, PSU, respectively, p<0.02). The expression of eNOS decreased in grafts with IRI+MI as compared with IRI (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that IRI+MI was associated with C4d deposition (AUC 0.837; S.E. 0.116; p=0.035; 95% C.I. 0.610-1.000). Increased C4d deposition may be amenable to identify early MI after cardiac arrest. Early treatment aimed towards complement activation may provide a novel means for induced MI after cardiac arrest.


Effects of Lifestyle Factors on Cognition in Minority Population of Older Adults: A Review.
The onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is projected to expand over the next several decades in the United States as the population ages. However, the cognitive health burden is not equally distributed among the population, as Hispanics and African Americans are at higher risk of AD when compared with Non-Hispanic Whites. There is some evidence to indicate that cognitive decline may be associated with lifestyle factors and that interventions in these domains may prevent or delay this decline. These lifestyle factors include social engagement, physical activity, both aerobic and strength training, dietary intake, sleep and stress. This review summarizes, in general, what is known about the relationship between risk factors and cognition and, in particular what is known about this relationship in minority populations. The results show that the relationship between these risk factors and cognitive decline is stronger for some of the factors such as physical activity and dietary intake and weaker for the other factors depending on what is measured and in what populations. It does appear, however, that the studies in minority populations is limited and warrants more targeted research and interventions.


Pseudohypertension due to medial calcific sclerosis.
A hypertensive crisis requires rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious sequelae. A patient with medial calcific sclerosis, however, may appear to have extremely elevated blood pressure values but, in effect, be normotensive. Consideration should be given to this condition when the patient's clinical appearance does not reflect the extremely elevated blood pressure values as measured.


Reversible Photothermal Isomerization of Carborane-Fused Azaborole to Borirane: Synthesis and Reactivity of Carbene-Stabilized Carborane-Fused Borirane.
A fully reversible photothermal isomerization between carborane-fused trigonal-planar azaborole (dark-purple) and tetrahedral borirane (pale-yellow) has been observed, leading to the isolation and structural characterization of the first example of carborane-fused borirane. DFT calculations indicate that the azaborole is thermodynamically more stable than the borirane by 11.2 kcal mol-1 , and the energy barrier for the thermal conversion from azaborole to borirane is 35.5 kcal mol-1 . The reactivity studies show that the B-C(cage) bond in borirane can be broken in the reaction with CuCl, HCl, or elemental sulfur.


An unprecedented polyoxometalate-based hybrid solid constructed from a neutral metal-organic macrocycle and Dawson polyoxotungstate anions.
The self-assembly procedure of a Dawson-type polyoxotungstate with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (H2pdc) and copper(II) ions produces an exquisite supramolecular aggregation. In the structure, a neutral cucurbit[n]uril-like metal-organic macrocycle is formed of six copper centers and six pdc(2-) ligands, while a pair of Dawson-type polyoxotungstates are linked to the bottom and top portals of this macrocycle at the joint with the alkali metal ions. A control experiment was carried out to produce a different metalloligand-supported hybrid (instead of the metallomacrocycle) to verify the structure-directing role of Dawson polyanions in the title compound. In addition, the photoluminescent and magnetic properties of the hybrid solid have also been investigated.


Influence of aging on the rat urinary bladder function.
We studied in vitro the change in bladder function with aging. The responses of muscle strips made from the rat bladder body to eight neurotransmitters and to four inorganic ions were examined. Six-month-old rats were used as controls and 16- and 24-month-old rats as aged rats. The results of this study are summarized as follows: (1) The contractile responses of the aged rat bladder to norepinephrine, adenosine triphosphate, and serotonin were significantly greater than those of young rat bladder. This may contribute to the development of an unstable bladder in elderly people. (2) In the aged rat bladder magnitude and speed of the response to calcium were significantly weaker which may account for the impaired detrusor contractility frequently observed in elderly persons. (3) There was no significant age-related difference in the response to other agents (acetylcholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, angiotensin II, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, KCl, BaCl2, and MgCl2).


Pattern of computerized tomography of the brain findings in stroke patients in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria.
Stroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therapeutic decision regarding its management requires prompt and accurate diagnosis as well as exclusion of other conditions mimicking this condition. Computerized tomography (CT) scan has been found to be the gold standard in distinguishing primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from cerebral infarction (CI). A retrospective review of CT findings in 128 patients who presented in the Radiology Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital with clinical diagnosis of stroke was undertaken over a period of 1 year (from December 2008 to November 2009). The following data were recorded; age, sex, clinical diagnosis, and CT findings. All the CT examinations were performed on a Neusoft C3000 multidetector spiral CT. Evaluation was done by consultant radiologists in the department. Of the 128 patients seen within the period under review, 84 (65.6%) were males while 44 (34.4%) were females. Age range was 4-85 years (mean 49.52, standard deviation (SD) 15.11), while 61 (47.7%) of the patients were in the age group of 41-60 years. Eighty-six patients (67.1%) had cerebral infarction, 38 (29.7%) had intracerebral hemorrhage, while one (0.01%) had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Three patients (0.02%) had normal brain CT findings. Cerebral infarction is the most common form of stroke in this study. CT is essential in establishing the type of stroke, which subsequently determines the type of intervention as well as follow-up evaluation the patient may require.


Lymphocyte subsets are influenced by positivity levels in healthy subjects before and after mild acute stress.
In the current study, the possible association of positivity (POS), recently defined as general disposition to view life under positive outlook, with immune markers and post-stress modifications, was analyzed. Circulating lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokine levels were evaluated before and after a standard mild acute stress test, in 41 healthy students, previously selected by a questionnaire for their level of POS (high [POS-H] and low [POS-L]). The CD3+ and CD4+ cell frequency was higher in the POS-H students before and after acute stress. CD4+ subpopulation analysis revealed baseline higher terminally differentiated frequency in the POS-H, whereas higher effector memory frequency was present in the POS-L students. Moreover, the frequency of post-stress B cells was higher in the POS-H students. The mild-stress test was associated to an increase of the IL-10 mean values, while mean values of the other cytokines tested did not change significantly. It is tempting to speculate that IL-10 may work as biomarker of response to acute mild stress and that POS-H may be associated to a better capacity of the immune system to contrast the disturbing effects of mild acute stress. Yet further studies on lymphocyte subset absolute number and function of larger and different populations are needed to definitively prove these preliminary observations.


Analysis of the inflammatory cytokine network among TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-8 in LPS-induced rabbit arthritis.
We investigated the cytokine network in rabbit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced arthritis, using inhibitors against homologous TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-8. Rabbits were intraarticularly injected with LPS (10 ng) and cytokine inhibitors (10 micrograms each), and the concentrations of each cytokine in the synovial fluids were measured. Maximum levels of TNF alpha and IL-8 were detected at 2 hours after LPS-injection, whereas IL-1 beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were detected at 6 and 9 hours, respectively. By immunohistochemistry, synovial lining cells were positive for TNF alpha and IL-8, and infiltrating leukocytes were positive for IL-1 beta and IL-1 Ra. The effects of cytokine inhibitors on the release of each cytokine were then investigated. The maximum levels of TNF alpha and IL-8 were not affected by blocking the activities of other cytokines. In contrast, the peak concentration of IL-1 beta was reduced by anti-TNF alpha monoclonal Ab (mAb), IL-1 Ra or anti-IL-8 IgG. Peak concentrations of IL-1Ra were reduced by anti-TNF alpha mAb or anti-IL-8 IgG. Anti-TNF alpha mAb, IL-1Ra, and anti-IL-8 IgG reduced the recruitment of leukocytes into the joint cavity, and the effect of anti-IL-8 IgG was less than that of anti-TNF alpha mAb plus IL-1Ra. The initial phase of the leukocyte influx was not inhibited. These results provide new evidence that IL-8 as well as TNF alpha are the most proximal cytokines and induce subsequent production of IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra. The data also raise the possibility that factor(s) other than IL-8 may be involved in the leukocyte influx in LPS-induced arthritis.


Factors Associated with Development of Traumatic Acute Compartment Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a devastating condition, further aggravated by delayed diagnosis. Since ACS is a clinical diagnosis, identification of risk factors for individual patients may help with earlier detection. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with the development of ACS of the extremities. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with adult patients at risk for and with traumatic ACS of the extremity. Non-traumatic, chronic exertional, vascular and abdominal compartment syndrome were excluded. Technical reports, biomechanical studies, abstracts, studies of non-human subjects, non-English studies, and studies with less than five subjects were excluded. Meta-analysis was performed on a subset of studies including a control group. We addressed cases of substantial heterogeneity among the studies with subgroup analysis, and whenever heterogeneity remained significant, we employed random effect meta-analysis for the data pooling. The study protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (ID = CRD42019126603). There were 19 studies with 48,887 patients investigating risk factors of traumatic ACS. Of these, there were 1,716 patients with the diagnosis of traumatic ACS. Fourteen studies (46,300 controls and 1,358 ACS patients) qualified for meta-analysis. Male to female ratio was 5.5 with an average age of 36 years. Factors that were significantly associated with the development of ACS were: age 18-64 (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.07-1.68), male (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.53-3.10), gunshot wound with fracture and vascular injury (OR: 12.5, 95% CI: 5.69-27.46), combined forefoot and midfoot injury (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 2.39-4.57), injury severity score (ISS) 0-9 (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.27-1.97), OTA/AO type C fractures (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.04-7.28), vascular injury (OR: 9.05, 95% CI: 6.69-12.26), and high-energy trauma (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.60-5.82). Factors such as tibia fracture and crush injury were reported but were not included in quantitative analysis, due to lack of control groups and/or only one study qualifying for meta-analysis. This study reports on the current significant risk factors for developing traumatic ACS. The most common risk factors included age, sex, gunshot wound with a vascular injury, OTA/AO fracture type C and high-energy trauma.


[Study on physical and mental health status and influencing factors of middle-aged intellectuals].
To understand physical and mental health status of middle-aged intellectuals and related risk factors on mental health under the present social conditions. Stratified-cluster sampling and questionnaire survey were used. One thousand five hundred and three middle-aged intellectuals were investigated by SCL-90 test and influential reasons, using general relative risk model. Effects and interaction modes of risk factors were analyzed. The prevalence rate of middle-aged intellectuals was 241.5 per thousand per two weeks, while the prevalence rate of chronic disease was 306.7 per thousand. 6.9% of the middle-aged intellectuals (male 6.1%, female 7.8%) had mental health problems. Results suggested that the major risk factors were, as listed in a order of their effects on mental health disorders: divorced or losing spouse, exposure to poison and noisiness, lack of hobbies, long working hours, having chronic diseases. Physical and mental health status of middle-aged intellectuals were under by many kinds of pressures. Multiple measures should be taken to improve the health status of the middle-aged intellectuals.


Atorvastatin regulates pericardial patch healing via the microRNA140-ADAM10-ephrinB2 pathway.
Background: Pericardial patches are frequently used in vascular surgery to close arteriotomies. The early healing of these patches is mediated by attraction of CD34 and ephrinB2-positive cells. Atorvastatin is a commonly used statin drug that promotes healing of cardiovascular injury. We hypothesized that atorvastatin attracts ephrinB2-positive cells by regulating the microRNA140-ADAM10-ephrinB2 pathway during patch healing in the arterial environment. Methods: Pericardial patches were used to close an infra-renal aortic arteriotomy in Wistar rats (male, 200-400 g). Atorvastatin was given to rats at a daily dose of 0 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg. Patches were harvested at 1 or 4 weeks and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot and qPCR. Result: Animals treated with atorvastatin showed a higher number of infiltrating cells and a thicker patch neointima than the control animals. Furthermore, ADAM10 protein expression decreased (P<0.01) and ephrinB2 expression increased (P<0.01) in time- and atorvastatin dose-dependent manner. Similarly, ADAM10 mRNA expression decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of ephrinB2 mRNA and miR-140 mRNA expression increased (P<0.01; P<0.01) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Atorvastatin regulates neointimal growth after pericardial patch angioplasty; atorvastatin is associated with infiltration of ephrinB2-positive cells, diminished ADAM10 expression, and increased ephrinB2 and miR-140 expression. These results suggest new mechanisms for regulating neointimal formation after vascular procedures. Clinical relevance: This study may help physicians to know more healing mechanism after pericardial patch angioplasty. Further, it may reveal some mechanism that how atorvastatin play roles in endothelium repair of the cardiovascular system.


A Survey of the quantity and type of biological aerosols in selected wards of a teaching hospital in Ghazvin.
Bioaerosols are agents that can cause infection, allergy or induce other toxic effects in the human body. If the person exposed to such particles is not capable of their destruction or elimination from the body, the established chemical and physiological disorders can result in disease or death. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of bioaerosols in several wards of a teaching hospital. Given that gas air-conditioners (split and window types) were used for ventilation in the eye operating room, internal intensive care unit, and the respiratory isolation room, these wards were selected for passive sampling. Sterile plates containing culture medium were exposed for two hours to the wards' indoor ambient air. After this time, they were transferred to a lab to undergo incubation, colony count, and identification of the microorganisms. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 18, and the significance level of less than 0.05 was used. Based on our findings, the highest colony-forming bacterial unit was observed 22 cfu/plate/h in the eye operating room and, the highest colony-forming fungal unit was observed 4 cfu/plate/h in the internal intensive care unit. Based on the results of the differential tests, the most prevalent bacteria identified were Staphylococcus epidermidis (75%) in the air of eye operating room and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (52%) in the internal intensive care unit and isolation room. The most prevalent identified fungi in the air of selected wards were related to Alternaria alternata (43%), Aspergillus flavus (24%), Penicillium (36%) and Curvularia (21%) types. Based on Spearman's correlation test, no significant relationship was observed between the factor of temperature and the number of fungal and bacterial colonies (r = 0.201, p = 0.42; r = -0.197, p = 0.41). Moreover, a meaningful relationship was observed only between the number of individuals and the bacterial colonies present in the air (r = 0.749, p = 0.0001). Comparing the number of diagnosed colonies by 25 cfu/plate/h value showed that the numbers of colonies in all samples were lower than the mentioned values. So, the air-conditioning systems' performance in reducing the number of bioaerosols in the studied wards was satisfactory. However, since the remaining bacterial and fungal contamination can cause serious infections in patients, it is highly necessary that the cleaning intervals and replacement time points of such filters be programmed based on the number of individuals present in the wards and their active surgical hours.


Retention of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Skills in Medical Students.
Reduction of mortality and sequelae of cardiac arrest depends on an effective and fast intervention, started as soon as possible. Basic life support involves a series of steps that may be initiated out of the hospital setting and taught to any person in specific courses. However, it is important that the rescuers retain the knowledge and skills to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as one never knows when they will be required. Studies have shown that a loss of skills occurs as early as 30 days after the training course, with variations according to personal and professional characteristics. to assess whether medical students are able to retain skills acquired in a BLS course for more than six months. Prospective, case-control, observational study. Medical students attended a 40-hour course on sudden death and cardiac arrest. Skills acquired during the course were evaluated immediately after and six months after the course. Students' individual scores were compared between these time points, the percentage of correct answers was evaluated, and overall performance was rated as excellent, good, and poor. Observers and evaluation criteria were the same immediately after the course and six months later. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test and the McNemar test. The 95% confidence interval was established, and a p < 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Fifty students (27 female) in the first year of medical school aged from 18 to 24 years (mean of 21 years) attended the course. The number of steps successfully completed by the students at six months was significantly lower than immediately after the course (10.8 vs 12.5 p < 0.001). Neither sex nor age affected the results. Overall performance of 78% of the students was considered excellent immediately after the course, and this percentage was significantly higher than six months later (p < 0.01). After six months, the steps that the students failed to complete at six months were those related to practical skills (such as a correct hand positioning). A significant loss of skills was detected six months after the BLS course among medical students, compromising their overall performance.


A continuous-wave ultrasound system for displacement amplitude and phase measurement.
A noninvasive, continuous-wave ultrasonic technique was developed to measure the displacement amplitude and phase of mechanical structures. The measurement system was based on a method developed by Rogers and Hastings ["Noninvasive vibration measurement system and method for measuring amplitude of vibration of tissue in an object being investigated," U.S. Patent No. 4,819,643 (1989)] and expanded to include phase measurement. A low-frequency sound source was used to generate harmonic vibrations in a target of interest. The target was simultaneously insonified by a low-power, continuous-wave ultrasonic source. Reflected ultrasound was phase modulated by the target motion and detected with a separate ultrasonic transducer. The target displacement amplitude was obtained directly from the received ultrasound frequency spectrum by comparing the carrier and sideband amplitudes. Phase information was obtained by demodulating the received signal using a double-balanced mixer and low-pass filter. A theoretical model for the ultrasonic receiver field is also presented. This model coupled existing models for focused piston radiators and for pulse-echo ultrasonic fields. Experimental measurements of the resulting receiver fields compared favorably with theoretical predictions.


Haemorheological parameters of umbilical cord blood of Nigerian newborns: correlations with maternal parameters.
Published reports of haemorheological values of umbilical cord blood in Nigerian newborns are relatively scanty. The present study therefore aimed to determine the values of some basic haemorheological parameters in the umbilical cord blood of Nigerian neonates and in the venous blood of their respective mothers. The study also aimed to determine if any significant differences or correlations exist in these haemorheological parameters between maternal and umbilical cord blood. Cross sectional prospective study involving 60 subjects consisting of 30 newborn neonates and their respective mothers. The values of haematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity, relative plasma viscosity, fibrinogen concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined in the umbilical cord blood of Nigeria neonates and in the respective mothers at the time of birth. Significantly higher values of haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity and significantly lower values of erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found in umbilical cord blood compared to maternal blood (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found only in the values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p < 0.05). Both mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration showed a negative but non-significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p > 0.05). The present study reports values of basic haemorheological parameters in maternal and umbilical cord blood of newborn Nigerian neonates and reports significant differences and correlations in these parameters between the two groups. This we hope would provide information on umbilical cord haemorheology for Nigerian neonatologist since up to the present time similar studies have been scanty.


Dynactin subunit p150(Glued) is a neuron-specific anti-catastrophe factor.
Regulation of microtubule dynamics in neurons is critical, as defects in the microtubule-based transport of axonal organelles lead to neurodegenerative disease. The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein and its partner complex dynactin drive retrograde transport from the distal axon. We have recently shown that the p150(Glued) subunit of dynactin promotes the initiation of dynein-driven cargo motility from the microtubule plus-end. Because plus end-localized microtubule-associated proteins like p150(Glued) may also modulate the dynamics of microtubules, we hypothesized that p150(Glued) might promote cargo initiation by stabilizing the microtubule track. Here, we demonstrate in vitro using assembly assays and TIRF microscopy, and in primary neurons using live-cell imaging, that p150(Glued) is a potent anti-catastrophe factor for microtubules. p150(Glued) alters microtubule dynamics by binding both to microtubules and to tubulin dimers; both the N-terminal CAP-Gly and basic domains of p150(Glued) are required in tandem for this activity. p150(Glued) is alternatively spliced in vivo, with the full-length isoform including these two domains expressed primarily in neurons. Accordingly, we find that RNAi of p150(Glued) in nonpolarized cells does not alter microtubule dynamics, while depletion of p150(Glued) in neurons leads to a dramatic increase in microtubule catastrophe. Strikingly, a mutation in p150(Glued) causal for the lethal neurodegenerative disorder Perry syndrome abrogates this anti-catastrophe activity. Thus, we find that dynactin has multiple functions in neurons, both activating dynein-mediated retrograde axonal transport and enhancing microtubule stability through a novel anti-catastrophe mechanism regulated by tissue-specific isoform expression; disruption of either or both of these functions may contribute to neurodegenerative disease.


Plasmon resonance based analysis of a single protein conjugated Au nanoshell.
The authors perform a numerical calculation of a gold nanoshell, having either a silica core or a hollow one, interacting with incident electromagnetic radiation and aggregated with a single protein on its surface, by using the discrete dipole approximation. The protein model accounts for a tertiary structure that may contain internal cavities, while the entire structure is placed either in vacuum or a uniform host medium. The authors further analyze the near field pattern by a spherical harmonic transform. Our results identify the interactions that account for the observed extinction peak and wavelength shift in related optical experiments. The theoretical basis provided in this work may be used not only to identify a single protein conjugated nanoparticle, but also to determine the cavity content of the protein by its refractive index properties, determined from optical measurements.


Two unsuccessful clinical trials on endometriosis and a few lessons learned.
In 1999, a phase II clinical trial on the use of fulvestrant to treat endometriosis was launched; yet after 7 years there is still no report on its outcome. In 2005, another trial on the use of raloxifene to treat endometriosis was terminated early due to unfavorable outcome. The two apparently unsuccessful clinical trials on endometriosis have taught us a few important lessons. First, we need to understand endometriosis through more basic research. We have also been reminded that human endometriosis trials differ from animal studies; anatomy and physiology are often divergent, and outcome measures are certainly different. Ectopic endometrium can differ significantly from eutopic tissue, and this issue needs to be more thoroughly explored. We believe human cell lines will prove to be an inexpensive and valuable tool for future preliminary evaluation of medical therapies as well as discerning pathophysiologic processes of the disease. Based on our current understanding of endometriosis, some concrete benchmarks can be established for testing or screening potential compounds in vitro. Finally, estrogen receptor modulators are often tissue-, cell-, and context-specific in their actions; they should not be simplistically grouped together nor should extrapolations from one compound to another be undertaken in a cavalier manner.


Soft Patchy Particles of Block Copolymers from Interface-Engineered Emulsions.
We report a simple and practical method for creating colloidal patchy particles with a variety of three-dimensional shapes via the evaporation-induced assembly of polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymer (BCP) in an oil-in-water emulsion. Depending on the particle volume, a series of patchy particles in the shapes of snowmen, dumbbells, triangles, tetrahedra, and raspberry can be prepared, which are then precisely tuned by modulating the interfacial interaction at the particle/water interface using a mixture of two different surfactants. Moreover, for a given interfacial interaction, the stretching penalty of the BCPs in the patchy particles can be systematically controlled by adding P4VP homopolymers, which decreases the number of patches of soft particles from multiple patches to a single patch but increases the size of the patch. Calculations based on the strong segregation theory supported the experimental observation of various soft patchy particles and identified the underlying principles of their formation with tunable 3D structures.


A review on ethno-medicinal uses and pharmacology of Vernonia cinerea Less.
Vernonia cinerea Less. (ash-coloured fleabane; Asteraceae) is a widely distributed plant throughout India. The plant has reputation as folklore medicine in various traditional systems of medicine. The plant has been evaluated for varied pharmacological activities to validate its traditional claims, and has been scientifically reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, renoprotective, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial activities, etc. This review emphasises on ethnopharmacology and pharmacology of V. cinerea.


Differences in critical thermal maxima and mortality across life stages of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor.
Thermal limits to activity profoundly affect the abundance and distribution of ectothermic animals. Upper thermal limits to activity are typically reported as the critical thermal maximum (CT(max)), the temperature at which activity becomes uncontrolled. Thermolimit respirometry is a new technique that allows CT(max) to be quantified in small animals, such as insects, as the point of spiracular failure by measuring CO(2) release from the animal as temperature increases. Although prior studies have reported a characteristic pattern of CO(2) release for insects during thermolimit respirometry trials, no studies have been carried out to determine the universality of this pattern across development, or at what point death occurs along this pattern. Here, we compared the CT(max) and patterns of CO(2) release among three life stages of a beetle species, Tenebrio molitor, and mapped heat death onto these patterns. Our study is the first to report distinct patterns of CO(2) release in different life stages of an insect species during thermolimit respirometry. Our results show that CT(max) was significantly higher in adult beetles than in either larvae or pupae (P<0.001) and, similarly, death occurred at higher temperatures in adults than in larvae and pupae. We also found that death during heating closely follows CT(max) in these animals, which confirms that measuring the loss of spiracular control with thermolimit respirometry successfully identifies the point of physiological limitation during heat stress.


A critical review of cost-effectiveness analyses of vaccinating males against human papillomavirus.
A critical review of cost-effectiveness analyses of HPV vaccination in males was conducted and nine studies were identified in different countries. Due to the heterogeneity among these studies in terms of modeling approach, vaccination strategies, health outcomes considered, assumptions and parameters, limited conclusions can be drawn with regard to the absolute cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, key drivers were identified. More favorable cost-effectiveness appeared when all HPV-related diseases outcomes were considered, a suboptimal vaccine coverage among girls and/or lower vaccine prices were assumed. There was a general lack of transparency to fully describe the details of the methodological approach of modeling and calibration. Further research should be conducted to generate robust evidence-based data sets (HPV-related diseases epidemiology, costs and quality of life). The best modeling practice for HPV vaccination and how to better capture the true economic value of vaccination beyond cost-effectiveness in a broader policy context need to be investigated.


Congenital middle ear malformations.
After a profound review of normal embryology, a systematical and topographical classification of congenital middle ear malformations in general and of meatal atresia in particular is proposed; the classification of congenital aural atresia is essentially based on the recognition of two types according to the course of the facial nerve in its third segment: in type I, a normal topography of the facial nerve is found and consequently, the middle ear anomalies are rather minimal; in type II, an antero-superior displacement of the facial nerve in its third segment is recognized and the middle ear malformations are considerable worse. In this report, also attention is paid to syndromal nosology and its genetic aspects. In view of functional surgical; reconstruction, the technique of allograft canal surgery, similar to our combined approach tympanoplasty technique, is described in detail and compared with other classical techniques. Preoperative as well as postoperative problems and complications are extensively discussed. The excellent results of our technique are proposed even after 25 years of experience. An overview of cosmetic surgery techniques is given and also alternative techniques with implantable auditory prosthetic materials are summarized.


MFN2 point mutations occur in 3.4% of Charcot-Marie-Tooth families. An investigation of 232 Norwegian CMT families.
Point mutations in the mitofusin 2 (MFN2) gene has been identified exclusively in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2), and in a single family with intermediate CMT. MFN2 point mutations are probably the most common cause of CMT2. Two-hundred and thirty-two consecutive unselected and unrelated CMT families with available DNA from all regions in Norway were included. We screened for point mutations in the MFN2 gene. We identified four known and three novel point mutations in 8 unrelated CMT families. The novel point mutations were not found in 100 healthy controls. This corresponds to 3.4% (8/232) of CMT families have point mutations in the MFN2 gene. The phenotypes were compatible with CMT1 in two families, CMT2 in four families, intermediate CMT in one family and distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy (dHMN) in one family. This corresponds to 2.3% of CMT1, 5.5% of CMT2, 12.5% of intermediate CMT and 6.7% of dHMN families have a point mutation in the MFN2 gene. Point mutations in the MFN2 gene is likely to be the fourth most common cause to CMT after duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene, and point mutations in the Connexin32 (Cx32) and myelin protein zero (MPZ) genes. The identified known and novel point mutations in the MFN2 gene expand the clinical spectrum from CMT2 and intermediate CMT to also include possibly CMT1 and the dHMN phenotypes. Thus, genetic analyses of the MFN2 gene should not be restricted to persons with CMT2.


Metastatic mediastinal carcinoid presenting as superior mediastinal syndrome and treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.
A 43-year-old man with known superior mediastinal syndrome due to (99m)Tc HYNIC DOTA SPECT/CT and (18)F-FDG PET tracer avid inoperable metastatic carcinoid received peptide receptor based radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. Repeat evaluation at 3 months post-therapy demonstrated stable disease with alleviation of patient's symptoms and remarkable improvement in the quality of life. PRRT with (177)Lu-DOTATATE may be an option for inoperable mediastinal carcinoids with superior mediastinal syndrome.


[Effect of extraneous rare earths (REs) on form of soil exchangeable REs and heavy metals].
The effects of extraneous rare earths (REs) on the form of exchangeable REs and heavy metals Fe, Mn and Zn in yellow cinnamon soil in different terms were studied through soil culture in both dry and inundated condition. The result showed that the treatments of REs enhanced the contents of soil exchangeable REs (EX-REs) and its distribution coefficients also increased while most still remained under 10%. The contents of EX-REs in inundated condition were higher than that in dry condition, but they decreased with the duration of soil culture. The composition of EX-REs in soil gradually approached that in extraneous REs, and it remained relatively steady over the treatment with 200 mg.kg-1 applied REs. Applying REs raised the contents of exchangeable heavy metals, and the contents of exchangeable Fe, Mn and Zn increased with linear trend, of which the effect of REs on Mn was the strongest one.


Endoscopic ultrasonography-fine-needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, comparative study using the 22 Gauge EchoTip® ProCoreTM HD (A) and the 22 Gauge EchoTip® Ultra HD (B) endoscopic ultrasound needles.
In order to improve diagnostic efficacy of pancreatic masses, a new endoscopic ultrasonography-fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) needle was developed (EchoTip(®) ProCore™ HD). Very few studies have compared these two needles and none could avoid selection biases. The present study intends to compare the results obtained by these two needles when performing EUS-FNA of pancreatic solid lesions. This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial conducted at a tertiary care referral center. Thirty consecutive patients with solid pancreatic lesions were enrolled to have EUS-FNA performed with two different types of needle. All patients were punctured with the two needles and were randomized regarding the order of the needle to be used. After collecting data, we used the Fisher's exact test in order to compare the results P <0.05. There was no difference (P = 1.0) regarding introduction, exposition and removal of the needles. The values of sensitivity (92% for needles A and B), specificity (100% × 80%), positive predictive value (100% × 95.8%), negative predictive value (71.4% × 66.6%) and accuracy (93.3% for needle A and 90% for needle B) were not statistically different. The duration of the procedure was the only analyzed parameter, in which we observed a difference between the needles. For needle A, the average time was 2 min 26 s (1 min 30 s-4 min 0 s) and for needle B the average time was 11 min 7 s (6 min 0 s-17 min 0 s). Even though, the 22 gauge EchoTip(®) ProCore™ HD and the 22 gauge EchoTip(®) Ultra HD endoscopic ultrasound needles had similar overall results, the ProCore™ needle allowed a much quicker procedure.


Human reproduction: dominion and limits.
The general struggle throughout Christian history has been to seek the proper balance between dominion and limits, intervention and nonintervention, givenness, and creativity. This struggle has worked itself out in six areas that touch human life. In this essay, I will revisit the Catholic tradition's treatment of these in terms of dominion and limits to see whether we can discern developmental patterns that might suggest an approach to issues pertaining to the sources of life (reproductive ethics) as we move into the next century.