A methoxyflavanone derivative from the Asian medicinal herb (Perilla frutescens) induces p53-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma.
Perilla frutescens is an Asian dietary herb consumed as an essential seasoning in Japanese cuisine as well as used for a Chinese medicine. Here, we report that a newly found methoxyflavanone derivative from P. frutescens (Perilla-derived methoxyflavanone, PDMF; 8-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone) shows carcinostatic activity on human lung adenocarcinoma, A549. We found that treatment with PDMF significantly inhibited cell proliferation and decreased viability through induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The PDMF stimulation induces phosphorylation of tumor suppressor p53 on Ser15, and increases its protein amount in conjunction with up-regulation of downstream cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1/Waf1 and proapoptotic caspases, caspase-9 and caspase-3. We also found that small interfering RNA knockdown of p53 completely abolished the PDMF-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, and substantially abrogated its proapoptotic potency. These results suggest that PDMF represents a useful tumor-preventive phytochemical that triggers p53-driven G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.


The Predictive Value of Baseline Target Lesion SYNTAX Score for No-Reflow during Urgent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction.
To evaluate the predictive value of target lesion SYNTAX score (TL-SS) for no-reflow in the patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Risk assessment, prevention, and prompt management of no-reflow in urgent PCI are crucial but remain challenging. SYNTAX score emerged as a tool for prediction, but may contain redundant information. After screening of consecutive patients who underwent urgent PCI in Fuwai Hospital from January 2013 to December 2013, 487 patients with 528 lesions were involved. The endpoint was no-reflow during the PCI procedure. No-reflow occurred in 52 patients (10.7%) and 53 lesions (10.0%). High TL-SS levels were strongly associated with increased risks of no-reflow in the urgent PCI procedure (all adjusted P < 0.05). TL-SS displayed good discrimination ability for no-reflow (C-statistics = 0.76, 95% CI 0.72-0.80), which was better than that of SYNTAX score (P=0.016). Following categorizing the lesions into two groups according to the Youden Index, the high-risk group (TL-SS ≥8) showed significantly higher no-reflow rate compared with the low-risk group (TL-SS <8) (20.6% vs. 3.6%, odds ratio 6.86, 95% confidence interval 3.50-13.41, P < 0.001). In the target lesions that underwent balloon predilation, maximum predilation pressure >10 atm was associated with higher rate of no-reflow in the high-risk group (odds ratio 3.81, 95% confidence interval 1.10-13.17). TL-SS is a potential predictor for risk stratification of no-reflow in urgent PCI. In the high TL-SS lesions that underwent balloon predilation, maximum predilation pressure >10 atm was associated with higher risk of no-reflow.


Postpartum contraceptive use in Bangladesh: understanding users' perspectives.
Qualitative and quantitative data are used to explore postpartum contraceptive use in two populations in Bangladesh. Findings from in-depth interviews with contraceptive users illustrate that women are primarily concerned with their own and their newborn child's health and well-being in the period following childbirth. In addition, women are aware of a diminished risk of pregnancy during the period of postpartum amenorrhea. These perceptions, plus a belief that modern methods of contraception are "strong" and potentially damaging to health, mean that the majority of women are reluctant to adopt family planning methods soon after birth, despite a desire to avoid closely spaced pregnancies. Supplementation of the child's diet is also shown to be an important factor determining the timing of postpartum contraceptive initiation. The findings suggest that current policies promoting contraception to women in the immediate postpartum period are inappropriate for many Bangladeshi women.


Human coronavirus NL-63 infections in children: a 1-year study.
Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), a newly discovered coronavirus, has been associated with acute respiratory tract infections (ARI). Important questions pertaining to the contribution of HCoV-NL63 to ARI and its impact on public health remain. We reviewed HCoV-NL63 in specimens collected from 13 November 2002 to 31 December 2003 from the Stollery Children's Hospital on patients of <17 years of age to assess the role of this virus in ARI in children. Twenty-six of 1,240 specimens (2.1%) from seven outpatients and 19 inpatients aged 7 days to 9.5 years tested positive for HCoV-NL63 by reverse transcription-PCR. The majority of outpatients (86%) had upper respiratory tract infections, while the majority of inpatients (58%) had bronchiolitis. Peak HCoV-NL63 activity occurred in March. These results provide further evidence of the importance of HCoV-NL63 in ARI in children.


Does adsorption at hydroxyapatite surfaces induce peptide folding? Insights from large-scale B3LYP calculations.
Large-scale periodic quantum mechanical calculations (509 atoms, 7852 atomic orbitals) based on the hybrid B3LYP functional focused on the peptide folding induced by the adsorption on the (001) and (010) hydroxyapatite (HA) surfaces give interesting insights on the role of specific interactions between surface sites and the peptide, which stabilize the helix conformation over the "native" random coil ones for in silico designed model peptides. The two peptides were derived from the 12-Gly oligomer, with one (P1, C-tGGKGGGGGGEGGN-t) and two (P2, C-tGGKGGKEGGEGGN-t) glutamic acid (E) and lysine (K) residue mutations. The most stable gas-phase "native" conformation for both peptides resulted in a random coil (RC) structure, with the helix (H) conformation being ≈100 kJ mol(-1) higher in free energy. The two peptide conformations interact with the HA (001) and (010) surfaces by C═O groups via Ca(2+) ions, by hydrogen bond between NH(2) groups and the basic PO(4)(3-) groups and by a relevant fraction due to dispersion forces. Peptide adsorption was studied on the dry (001) surface, the wet one envisaging 2 H(2)O per surface Ca(2+) and, on the latter, also considering the adsorption of microsolvated peptides with 4 H(2)O molecules located at sites responsible of the interaction with the surface. The P1 mutant does prefer to be adsorbed as a random coil by ≈160 kJ/mol, whereas the reverse is computed for P2, preferring the helix conformation by ≈50 kJ/mol. Adsorption as helix of both P1 and P2 mutants brings about proton transfer toward the HA surfaces with a large charge transfer component to the interaction energy.


Rapid Loss of Resistance to Satyrization in Invasive Mosquitoes and the Effects of Age on Interspecific Mating Frequency.
In several areas where Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) have come in contact following successful invasions, Ae. aegypti have been rapidly displaced by Ae. albopictus. Recent work has confirmed that mating interference, in the form of satyrization, is likely a driving factor in these competitive displacements. However, in sites of sympatry, Ae. aegypti females evolve resistance to satyrization, and in the laboratory, satyrization-susceptible Ae. aegypti can evolve resistance within a few generations of cage exposure to Ae. albopictus. The resistance trait may be costly to maintain, as satyrization-resistant females have been shown to invest more time in mate selection. Here, we show that increased satyrization-resistance does not persist in the absence of satyrization pressure, confirming a cost to maintaining this trait. Ae. aegypti lines that had been previously selected for increased satyrization-resistance demonstrated rapid decreases in this trait over eight generations. Support for the hypothesis that condition-dependent mate preferences lead to variation in mating choice among individuals of differing quality within a population has been accumulating. Here we examine how age-related changes in reproductive effort or reproductive value may result in age-dependent mate choice. We hypothesize that older, lower quality individuals may be more likely to accept a subpar mating, in this case an interspecific mating. Our results demonstrate that mosquito age significantly affects interspecific mating rates with older mosquitoes (male and female) engaging in interspecific mating more frequently than younger counterparts (26.32 vs 9.41%). We discuss the possibility of age-related signal variation causing the breakdown of mating barriers with age.


The effect of diabetic control on the incidence of, and changes in, retinopathy in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between retinopathy and the levels of diabetic control found in type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The study covered a four-year period and used retrospective, routinely recorded general practice and optometry records from 260 patients; those with retinopathy (n = 38) and those without retinopathy (n = 222). The study demonstrated a strong relationship between the presence of retinopathy and long-term diabetic control as measured by glycosylated HbA1c, disease duration and, to a lesser extent, the level of urine microalbumin. Blood pressure, cholesterol, body-mass index, and smoking status showed little association with the presence of retinopathy. We conclude that retinopathy, assessed by community optometrists, is a significant correlate of poor diabetic control.


Direct asymmetric vinylogous Michael addition of 3-alkylidene oxindoles to chalcones catalyzed by a chiral N,N'-dioxide ytterbium(III) complex.
A chiral ytterbium(III)-N,N'-dioxide catalyst system has been developed for the catalytic direct asymmetric vinylogous Michael addition of 3-alkylidene oxindoles to chalcones, delivering the γ-substituted alkylideneoxindoles in high yields, enantioselectivities and good Z/E selectivities under mild reaction conditions.


Are "Human Factors" the Primary Cause of Complications in the Field of Implant Dentistry?
Complications in medicine and dentistry are usually analyzed from a purely technical point of view. Rarely is the role of human behavior or judgment considered as a reason for adverse outcomes. When the role of human factors is considered, these are usually described in general terms rather than specifically identifying the factors responsible for an adverse event. The impact of cognitive and behavioral factors in the explanation of adverse events has been studied in other high-stakes areas such as aviation and nuclear power. Specific protocols have been developed to reduce rates of human error, and, where human error is unavoidable, to lessen its impact. This approach has dramatically reduced the incidence of accidents in these fields. This article aims to review how a similar approach may prove valuable in the reduction of complications in implant dentistry.


Ultrasonic detection of occult testicular neoplasms in patients with gynaecomastia.
Gynaecomastia occurs in up to 10% of patients with malignant testicular tumours. In most cases a testicular mass will be easily palpable but occasionally these tumours are occult. Ultrasound has been shown to be of value in the detection of occult neoplasms in patients presenting with nodal disease. Two patients with gynaecomastia and palpably normal testes are presented in whom testicular tumour was diagnosed by ultrasonic examination of the scrotum.


Conservation of the 5'-terminal nucleotide sequences of ribosomal 18-S RNA in eukaryotes. Differential evolution of large and small ribosomal RNA.
The 5'-terminal nucleotide sequences of ribosomal 18-S and 28-S RNA of seven species of eukaryotes including three mammals, one bird, one amphibian, one echinoderm and one slime mold, were analyzed either by means of terminal phosphorylation of RNA with polynucleotide kinase of by fingerprint analysis of uniformly labeled RNA. The following conclusions were obtained. 1. The 5'-terminal sequences of the 18-S RNA of the mouse, chicken and Dictyostelium discoideum were pUpApCp(Cp,Up)Gp---, suggesting strongly that all the eukaryotes had this same sequence at the 5'-terminus. Preliminary analysis of the 5'-termini of the 18-S RNA from human, rat, Xenopus and sea urchin cells revealed the same pUp(Np)Gp--- type 5'-terminal structure, supporting the above hypothesis. 2. The 5'-terminal sequences of the 28-S RNA of the human, rat, mouse and chicken cells were all pCpGp---, whereas those of the lower animals such as Xenopus, sea urchin and Dictyostelium were different.


Eosinophilic gastroenteritis--a rare cause of severe abdominal pain. Case report.
A 48-year-old man with a long history of recurrent severe abdominal pain developed moderate drug dependence before the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was established. The symptoms quickly responded to corticosteroid treatment.


The Effectiveness of Simulation on Recognizing and Managing Clinical Deterioration: Meta-Analyses.
The purpose of these meta-analyses was to quantitatively synthesize the effectiveness of simulation on student nurses' and registered nurses' ability to recognize and manage clinical deterioration in the acute care setting. A search of the literature resulted in 22 reports and 19 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Four random-effects analyses were conducted to examine two-group posttest and single-group pre-posttest intervention effect sizes for knowledge and performance. A total of 41 effect sizes were calculated from the data extracted. The standardized mean difference ( d) for two-group posttest knowledge was d = 0.964 ( p = .001) and for performance was d = 1.382 ( p ≤ .001). The standardized mean difference for single-group pre-posttest knowledge was d = 1.231 ( p ≤ .001) and performance was d = 1.610 ( p ≤ .001). Findings indicate that simulation-based interventions have a positive effect on knowledge and performance. As simulation is increasingly used as a teaching modality in nursing, further research should aim to test standardized simulation-based education programs.


Healthicization and Lay Knowledge About Eating Practices in Two African American Communities.
In this manuscript, we expand upon sociological research in lay knowledge about health and healthicization by examining socially mediated ways in which 40 African American adults in two communities acquired information about eating practices. Participants employed a variety of socially informed information-seeking strategies. Many, but not all, used socially prescribed sources exhorting them to maximize their own health and reported an amalgam of experiences concerning their interpretation of healthist messages. Participants variously accepted messages about healthy eating or engaged in strategies of micro-resistance that decentered and/or reinterpreted health promotion discourse. Furthermore, participants used emic community-based resources including those that prioritized familial engagement over individual responsibility in eating practices or that drew upon alternative health practices. We discuss the implications our work has for further research on healthicization and lay knowledge about eating practices, in which community members are actively engaged in meaning-making within local socio-structural contexts.


Multicandidate Elections: Aggregate Uncertainty in the Laboratory.
The rational-voter model is often criticized on the grounds that two of its central predictions (the paradox of voting and Duverger's Law) are at odds with reality. Recent theoretical advances suggest that these empirically unsound predictions might be an artifact of an (arguably unrealistic) assumption: the absence of aggregate uncertainty about the distribution of preferences in the electorate. In this paper, we propose direct empirical evidence of the effect of aggregate uncertainty in multicandidate elections. Adopting a theory-based experimental approach, we explore whether aggregate uncertainty indeed favors the emergence of non-Duverger's law equilibria in plurality elections. Our experimental results support the main theoretical predictions: sincere voting is a predominant strategy under aggregate uncertainty, whereas without aggregate uncertainty, voters massively coordinate their votes behind one candidate, who wins almost surely.


Rapid and progressive CD4+ decline in a monkey infected with an SIV+HIV-1 chimeric virus.
We previously constructed a simian immunodeficiency virus+human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) chimeric virus, NM-3rN to generate a pathogenic HIV-1 in macaque monkeys. During the in vivo passage of this virus in several monkeys, a viral strain, R43-56 was obtained which acquired a better replication ability in vivo. MM121, one of the three monkeys inoculated with the R43-56, showed weight loss, diarrhea and a rapid and continuous decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes at the moribund stage. An autopsy revealed generalized lymphadenopathy, dehydration, and ileocecal intussusception. In situ hybridization showed that the virus infection was in systemic lymphoid organs. We are presently monitoring the survivors to obtain candidates for a more virulent virus. R43-56 may be a better challenge virus and useful tool for human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome research.


Building Connections With Patients and Families in the Intensive Care Unit: A Canadian Top-Performer Success Story.
Consumers are increasingly becoming the voice and impetus for hospital organizational change in the United States. This is in part due to their increased stake in cost sharing with hospitals, health systems, and the ambulatory setting and revisions to health plans with higher deductibles and copays. With customers wanting services better, faster, and more economical than in the past, organizations need to break the ceiling on improvement levels for exceeding expectations of patient experience. Of interest is the hospital critical care area, because of the heightened patient needs, support, and resources that are required in this acute setting. Bluewater Health, located in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, is a top-industry performer on the patient experience access-to-care dimension. Much can be learned from the multiple practices it has used to create an environment that embraces patients and families to the fullest extent, ensuring the resources needed for optimizing care are received.


Longitudinal changes of pulmonary function and bronchial responsiveness in cough-variant asthma treated with bronchodilators alone.
Cough due to cough-variant asthma (CVA) responds well to bronchodilators such as beta 2 adrenergic agonists. The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal changes of pulmonary function and bronchial responsiveness in CVA, which was treated with bronchodilators alone. Seventeen CVA patients recorded intensity and frequency of cough every day. Spirometry and provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (PC20) were measured in the run-in period and after cough almost completely relieved on therapy. Cough score had improved within 2 weeks after the initiation of bronchodilator therapy. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was significantly increased from 2.7 +/-0.7 L in the run-in period to 2.8+/-0.7 L after improvement of cough. However, the geometric mean (GSEM) PC20 value did not change from the run-in period [1542 (GSEM 1.29) microg/mL] to the time of improvement [2600 (GSEM 1.43) microg/mL]. Mildly increased bronchial responsiveness in CVA does not improve when only bronchodilator therapy is carried out. Because bronchial hyperresponsiveness has been shown to be a risk factor for typical asthma onset from CVA, the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on the longitudinal changes in bronchial responsiveness should be examined.


Integrating sustainability in the design process of urban service robots.
The concept of sustainability and sustainable development has been well discussed and was subject to many conferences of the EU and UN resulting in agendas, goals, and resolutions. Yet, literature shows that the three dimensions of sustainability (ecological, social, and economic) are unevenly accounted for in the design of mechatronic products. The stated reasons range from a lack or inapplicability of tools for integration into the design process, models for simulation, and impact analyses to necessary changes in policy and social behavior. The influence designers have on the sustainability of a product lies mostly in the early design phases of the development process, such as requirements engineering and concept evaluation. Currently, these concepts emerge mostly from performance-based requirements rather than sustainability impact-based requirements, which are also true for service robots in urban environments. So far, the main focus of research in this innovative and growing product branch lies in performance in perception, navigation, and interaction. This paper sets its focus on integrating all three dimensions of sustainability into the design process. Therefore, we describe the development of an urban service robot supporting municipal waste management in the city of Berlin. It is the set goal for the robot to increase the service and support the employees while reducing emissions. For that, we make use of a product development process (PDP) and its adaptable nature to build a specific development process suited to include the three dimensions of sustainability during the requirements engineering and evaluation activities. Herein, we show how established design methods like the life cycle assessment or life cycle costing can be applied to the development of urban service robots and which aspects are underrepresented. Especially, the social dimension required us to look beyond standardized methods in the field of mechanical engineering. Based on our findings, we introduce a new activity to the development process that we call preliminary social assessment in order to incorporate social aspects in the early design phase.


Bile bacteria of patients with cholelithiasis and theirs antibiogram.
To prevent post cholecystectomy infection, the most common microorganisms causing it and their antibacterial susceptibility pattern should be determined. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the exact incidence and nature of the microbial flora in the bile of the patients with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis as well as their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. In this study, a total of 132 samples from the patients were tested for bacterial strains using the appropriate methods for testing them. The isolated bacteria were subsequently subjected to antibacterial susceptibility test using Kirby-Bauer method. The data were analyzed using Frequency, Chi-square and t-test. Fifty of 132 (37.87%) studied patients were positive for bacteria. The most common isolated organisms were Escherichia coli (13; 26%), Enterobacteriaceae (9; 18%), and Salmonella typhi (7; 14%). The most effective antibiotics were sequentially Amikacin, Ceftriaxone, and Clindamycin. Isolating bacteria and determining their sensitivity to different antibiotics may be help physicians take prophylactic measures against postoperative infection of cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis.


Draft Genome Sequence of Chryseobacterium sp. Strain P1-3, a Keratinolytic Bacterium Isolated from Poultry Waste.
Chryseobacterium sp. strain P1-3, harboring keratin degrading activity, has recently been isolated from poultry waste. Here, we report the 4.6-Mbp draft genome sequence of the keratinolytic bacterium with a G+C content of 37.0% and 4,087 protein-coding genes.


Post-resuscitation care and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a nationwide propensity score-matching analysis.
This study aimed to determine whether active post-resuscitation care (APRC) was associated with improved out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes on a nationwide level. We used a national OHCA cohort database consisting of hospital and ambulance data. We included all survivors of OHCA, excluding patients with non-cardiac etiology, younger than 15 years, and with unknown outcomes, from (2008 to 2010). The APRC was defined when the OHCA patients received mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) or active cardiac care (ACC), such as intravenous thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass surgery, and pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion, as well as routine intensive care; patients receiving conservative post-resuscitation care (CPRC) served as the other group. The primary and secondary outcomes were survival to discharge and a good neurological outcome (cerebral performance category [CPC] 1-2), respectively. We extracted propensity-matched samples to control for selection bias. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare the APRC and CPRC groups adjusting for potential risks to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Of total 64,155 patients, 4557 survived to admission and were included in the final analysis. Out of these patients, 1599 (35.1%) cases survived to discharge, and 499 (11.0%) cases were discharged with good neurological recoveries. Overall, 695 cases (15.3%) received any APRC, including MTH (n=377, 8.3%) and ACC (370, 8.1%). The outcomes was better in the APRC group than in the CPRC group for survival to discharge (58.7% vs. 30.8%, p<0.001) and good neurological outcome (27.2% vs. 8.0%, p<0.001), respectively. In the total cohort, the adjusted ORs of the APRC group compared to those the CPRC group were 2.15 (95% CI 1.78-2.59) for survival to discharge and 2.54 (95% CI 1.98-3.27) for a good neurological outcome. In the propensity score-matched cohort, the adjusted ORs for survival to discharge and good neurological outcome of APRC were significantly favorable. Active post-resuscitation care resulted in significantly improved outcomes in adult OHCA patients with a presumed cardiac etiology in a nationwide, retrospective, observational study.


Unplanned Hospital Readmissions After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the Era of New-Generation Devices.
Unplanned hospital readmissions after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are frequent and have been associated with a poor prognosis. We sought to determine the trends in the incidence and causes of unplanned hospital readmission after TAVR in patients receiving new-generation devices (NGDs) vs early-generation devices (EGDs). The study population consisted of 1802 consecutive TAVR recipients (863 EGDs and 939 NGDs). Early and late readmissions were defined as those occurring ≤30 days and >30 days to 1-year post TAVR, respectively. A total of 986 unplanned hospital readmissions (cardiac cause, 38.4%; non-cardiac cause, 61.6%) were recorded at a median time of 110 days (interquartile range [IQR], 37-217) post TAVR. The rates of early (12.3% vs 9.4%; P=.046) and late (39.1% vs 31.6%; P<.01) readmission were lower in the NGD population. In the NGD group, major/life-threatening periprocedural bleeding (hazard ratio [HR], 2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-5.42; P=.04) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min at hospital discharge (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.15-2.83; P=.01) were associated with an increased risk of early readmission post TAVR. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.07-1.88; P=.02), eGFR <60 mL/min (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.84; P<.01), and combining antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-1.85; P=.04) determined an increased risk of late readmission. TAVR recipients receiving NGDs exhibited a significant but modest reduction in unplanned hospital readmissions, with about one-third of patients still requiring rehospitalization at 1-year follow-up in the contemporary TAVR era. Non-cardiac comorbidities, periprocedural bleeding events, and intensive antithrombotic therapy determined an increased risk.


Identification and pharmacological characterization of the prostaglandin FP receptor and FP receptor variant complexes.
A prostamide analogue, bimatoprost, has been shown to be effective in reducing intraocular pressure, but its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. Hence, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of this effect of bimatoprost, we focused on pharmacologically characterizing prostaglandin FP receptor (FP) and FP receptor variant (altFP) complexes. FP receptor mRNA variants were identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The FP-altFP4 heterodimers were established in HEK293/EBNA cells co-expressing FP and altFP4 receptor variants. A fluorometric imaging plate reader was used to study Ca2+ mobilization. Upregulation of cysteine-rich angiogenic protein 61 (Cyr61) mRNA was measured by Northern blot analysis, and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) by western analysis. Six splicing variants of FP receptor mRNA were identified in human ocular tissues. Immunoprecipitation confirmed that the FP receptor is dimerized with altFP4 receptors in HEK293/EBNA cells co-expressing FP and altFP4 receptors. In the studies of the kinetic profile for Ca2+ mobilization, prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) elicited a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ followed by a steady state phase. In contrast, bimatoprost elicited an immediate increase in intracellular Ca2+ followed by a second phase. The prostamide antagonist, AGN211335, selectively and dose-dependently inhibited the bimatoprost-initiated second phase of Ca2+ mobilization, Cyr61 mRNA upregulation and MLC phosphorylation, but did not block the action of PGF2alpha. Bimatoprost lacks effects on the FP receptor but may interact with the FP-altFP receptor heterodimer to induce alterations in second messenger signalling. Hence, FP-altFP complexes may represent the underlying basis of bimatoprost pharmacology.


Compressive Strain Modulation of Single Iron Sites on Helical Carbon Support Boosts Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction.
Designing and modulating the local structure of metal sites is the key to gain the unique selectivity and high activity of single metal site catalysts. Herein, we report strain engineering of curved single atomic iron-nitrogen sites to boost electrocatalytic activity. First, a helical carbon structure with abundant high-curvature surface is realized by carbonization of helical polypyrrole that is templated from self-assembled chiral surfactants. The high-curvature surface introduces compressive strain on the supported Fe-N4 sites. Consequently, the curved Fe-N4 sites with 1.5 % compressed Fe-N bonds exhibit downshifted d-band center than the planar sites. Such a change can weaken the bonding strength between the oxygenated intermediates and metal sites, resulting a much smaller energy barrier for oxygen reduction. Catalytic tests further demonstrate that a kinetic current density of 7.922 mA cm-2 at 0.9 V vs. RHE is obtained in alkaline media for curved Fe-N4 sites, which is 31 times higher than that for planar ones. Our findings shed light on modulating the local three-dimensional structure of single metal sites and boosting the catalytic activity via strain engineering.


The effect of brace use on clinical outcomes after arthroscopic meniscus repair.
It was aimed to evaluate the necessity of using range of motion (ROM) restrictive braces in the postoperative follow-up and rehabilitation of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair due to meniscal tear. Among the patients who applied to our Orthopedics and Traumatology Department with knee pain, stuck and locking sensation, between January 2020 and December 2020, the files of those who were diagnosed with meniscus tear and underwent arthroscopic repair as a result of physical examination and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination, were evaluated retrospectively. Patients who underwent reconstruction in the same session due to concomitant ligament injury and who had repaired with a technique other than the all-inside repair technique were not included in the study. A total of 48 patients were included in the study to form two equal groups. The results of the patients were evaluated using the Lysholm Score, Modified Cincinnati Score and clinical examination results. The mean age of the patients was 35.3 (18-51). It was determined that the mean Lysholm score was increased by 22.3 points to 89.5, the average Modified Cincinnati score was determined to be 26.95 with an increase of 1.31 points, and the average visual analog scale (VAS) score decreased from 7.2 to 2.1. As a result of the current literature and our study, it was concluded that there is no need for ROM restriction in the knee joint in patients who undergo arthroscopic meniscus repair. It was determined that the biomechanical changes demonstrated by cadaver studies and MRI models were not reflected in clinical results.


Predictive features of pre-operative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for advanced disease in renal cell carcinoma.
We evaluated predictive features of pre-operative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for advanced disease in renal cell carcinoma. 92 patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups according to preoperative imaging as computed tomography (CT) (55 patients) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (37 patients). Within the imaging groups, the patients were divided into two groups according to pathological tumor stage: 1-2 (pT1-2) versus ≥ pT3a. It was evaluated whether there was a difference between the two groups in terms of the presence of pre-operative imaging (CT and MRI) features. Predictive value of these features for ≥ pT3a disease was evaluated both for CT and MRI. The cut-off value for the Gerota's fascia thickness in predicting ≥ pT3a disease was calculated as 0.205 cm. Positive predictive value (PPV) for Gerota's fascia thickness was 52.4% (31.0-73.7) and 66.7% (40.0-93.3) for CT and MRI respectively. The PPV value for renal capsule invasion was 75.0% (53.8-96.2) and 90.0% (71.4-108.6) for CT and MRI respectively. PPV of perirenal fat invasion for CT and MRI was 69.2% (44.1-94.3) and 81.8% (59.0-104.6) respectively. Renal capsular invasion and perirenal fat invasion are reliable signs for locally advanced (≥ pT3a) renal cell carcinoma both in CT and MRI. Gerota's fascia thickness has relatively low PPV value for prediction of locally advanced disease. Presence of enlarged collateral vessels, tumor necrosis, perinephric stranding are not reliable signs. For all predictors MRI seems more reliable than CT.


Protection of monkeys vaccinated with vpr- and/or nef-defective simian immunodeficiency virus strain mac/human immunodeficiency virus type 1 chimeric viruses: a potential candidate live-attenuated human AIDS vaccine.
Two simian immunodeficiency virus strain mac (SIVmac)/human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) chimeric viruses (SHIVs), designated NM-3 and NM-3n, with env derived from HIV-1 and defective vpr (plus defective nef for NM-3), were inoculated into seven macaques. These macaques were transiently or persistently infected and most of them produced long-lasting neutralizing antibodies and Env-specific killer T cells to HIV-1 with no AIDS-like symptoms. When they were challenged with another SHIV with intact vpr and nef (designated NM-3rN), all were protected as judged by virus recovery, DNA detection by PCR and antibody responses. Anti-HIV-1 Env-specific killer T cells were considered to have played a major role in this protection, but a non-specific defence mechanism as well as specific immunity also appeared to be involved. Thus, these two non-pathogenic SHIVs induced long-lasting protective immunities in macaques, suggesting the possibility of gene-defective SHIVs as attenuated live vaccines for human use.


Single system ureteroceles in childhood.
Fifteen patients with single system ureterocele are reviewed (three bilateral). There was an equal male: female incidence and the majority presented with a urinary tract infection. Whereas pathology was usually confined to the ureterocele-bearing renal unit, in three patients there were other major urological abnormalities. The ureteroceles were best demonstrated by ultrasonography or intravenous pyelography but the latter proved to be more sensitive, probably because there usually was sufficient function in the involved kidney. Surgical management consisted of excision of the ureterocele with ureteric reimplantation in 10 patients (12 ureteroceles) and nephro-ureterectomy in two. Four ureteroceles in three patients were managed non-operatively. Overall results of surgery were satisfactory.


First report of an outbreak of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6A.
Five patients in a geropsychiatric unit of a psychiatric hospital became abruptly ill with pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6A. Four other residents were colonized with the same serotype, which has previously not been reported in association with pneumonia outbreaks. Furthermore, serotype 6A is not included in all vaccine types, which may be important for the choice of vaccine in some settings. All isolates showed identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis restriction patterns.


Mood and the correction of positive versus negative stereotypes.
The present research examined the effects of sadness on the correction of social stereotypes. Participants who either were not induced to feel sad were asked to form an impression of a single individual who belonged to a group that had either stereotypically positive or negative implications. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that sad people corrected for their negative, but not for their positive stereotypes. Experiment 3 demonstrated that this asymmetry was not due to stereotype valence per se but to whether the stereotype was perceived as an inappropriate basis for judgment. A model is presented that suggests that sad people do not simply ignore category-based information, but rather correct for their stereotypes only when they are perceived as inappropriate, which tends to be more often the case if the stereotype is negative than if it is positive. The implications of the present results for 4 extant models of mood and information processing are discussed.


Macular function measured by binocular mfERG and compared with macular structure in healthy children.
To create normative data in children from binocular multifocal ERG (mfERG) recordings and compare results with the macular thickness. Forty-nine 5- to 15-year-old healthy, full-term children were examined with Espion Multifocal System, using DTL electrodes. The stimulus matrix consisted of 37 hexagonal elements. Amplitudes, implicit times and response densities (presented in three rings) of the first-order component P1 were analyzed. Measurements of macular thickness were performed with spectral-domain Cirrus OCT. There were no significant differences between right and left eyes regarding mfERG recordings. Median P1 implicit times of Rings 1-3 of the 46 right eyes were 30.0, 30.0 and 30.8 ms and response densities 20.5, 10.9 and 7.6 nV/deg(2), respectively. Implicit time was longer in boys than in girls (p = 0.009, 0.039, 0.005 in Rings 1-3) and was correlated with age (r s = 0.417, 0.316, 0.274 in Rings 1-3). Implicit time in Ring 1 correlated significantly with the inner circle of the OCT measurements (p = 0.014). Binocular mfERG with DTL electrodes is a reliable test of the central macular function in children and correlates with macular structure. As previously not shown, there was a significant difference in implicit time between boys and girls.


[Therapeutic effect of Heirong Kidney-Tonifying Granule on busulfan-induced dyszoospermia in model mice].
To explore the therapeutic effect of Heirong Kidney-Tonifying Granule (HKTG) on busulfan-induced dyszoospermia in mice, and its mechanism in regulating testicular spermatogenesis. Forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into six groups of an equal number: blank control (BC), negative control (NC), HKTG-1, HKTG-2, HKTG-3 and HKTG-4. The model of dyszoospermia was established in the latter five groups by intraperitoneal injection of busulfan at 40 mg/kg and, 30 days after modeling, the mice in the BC and NC groups were given gavage of normal saline, and those in the latter four groups treated with HKTG + pilose antler at 400 mg/kg/d, HKTG + pilose antler at 800 mg/kg/d, HKTG + black ants at 400 mg/kg/d and HKTG + black ants at 800 mg/kg/d, respectively, all for 5 consecutive weeks. The mean body weight of the mice was recorded daily, and their testes weighed after treatment. The microstructure of the testis tissue was detected by HE staining, and the localization and expression of spermatogenesis markers in the testis were determined by immunofluorescence staining. The mice in the BC and NC groups showed no statistically significant difference from those in the HKTG groups in the body weight and daily body weight gain (P > 0.05). Compared with the NC mice, the animals in the HKTG-1 group exhibited significantly increased testis weight (P < 0.05), and those in the HKTG-1 and HKTG-1 groups presented a large number of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules, including deformed sperm cells in the lumen, and some seminomatogonia in the seminogenic tubules, but almost no deformed sperm cells. The expressions of the total germ cell marker gene Ddx4, spermatogonial cell marker gene Dazl, spermatic cell marker gene Sycp3 and sperm cell marker gene Tnp1 were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) while that of the Sertoli cell marker gene Sox9 downregulated (P < 0.05) in the HKTG-1 group. The number of Sertoli cells in the HKTG-1 group was remarkably reduced (P<0.05), corresponding to the increased number of germ cells in the HKTG-1 group. There were no significant changes in the relative expressions of the DDX4, Dazl, Sycp3 and Tnp1 genes, nor in the number of Sertoli cells in the HKTG-3 and HKTG-4 groups. The expressions of meiosis-related genes Meioc, Stra8 and Spo11were markedly upreguated in the HKTG-1 group, indicating significantly improved spermatogenesis in the testis tissue of the mice. HKTG improves the function of spermatogenic cells and increases sperm production in the testis tissue of mice by promoting meiosis.


[Characterization of two new pigmented mycobacteria isolates].
Two pigmented mycobacteria isolated from sputum specimens were described by biochemical tests, whole-cell fatty acid analyses by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and sequencing of 65-kDa heat shock protein gene and 16S rRNA gene. The hsp65 gene and 16S rRNA gene sequences of the Mycobacterium sp. G1368 and Mycobacterium sp. E498 were deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under accession numbers AY553874, DQ324791 and AY379074, DQ324792, respectively. Mycobacterium sp. G1368 grew in about one week at 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C and produced smooth, yellow colonies. It reduced tellurite and hydrolyzed urea. Nitrate reduction, aryl sulfatase, pyrazin amidase, heat stable catalase and semiquantitative catalase tests were also positive, while Tween 80 hydrolysis was weakly positive. Mycobacterium sp. E498 grew in about 9 days at 37 degrees C and formed smooth, yellow colonies. It hydrolyzed Tween 80, possessed aryl sulfatase, pyrazin amidase and heat stable catalase, however, it did not possess urease and nitrate reductase. These data, in addition to their position in the phylogenetic tree, strongly support the status of novel species at least for Mycobacterium sp. G1368.


Risk factors for high occlusal wear scores in a population-based sample: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).
Using a population-based sample of the cross-sectional epidemiologic "Study of Health in Pomerania" (SHIP), this study evaluated whether certain occlusal and sociodemographic factors besides age and gender are risk factors for high dental wear. Medical history and dental and sociodemographic parameters of 2,529 dentate subjects selected representatively and according to age distribution were checked for correlations with the occurrence of high occlusal wear symptoms using a multivariate logistic regression model. Occlusal wear was recorded using the attrition index by Ekfeldt et al and was age adjusted by determining high occlusal wear for every 10-year age group as index values > or = 90th percentile. The following independent variables were found to be correlated with high occlusal wear: male gender, odds ratio 2.2; frequent bruxism, odds ratio 2.5; loss of molar occlusal contact (Eichner classification), odds ratio from 1.5 to 3.1; edge-to-edge relation of incisors, odds ratio 1.7; unilateral buccolingual cusp-to-cusp relation, odds ratio 1.8; and unemployment, odds ratio 1.6. In contrast, anterior cross-bite, unilateral posterior cross-bite, and anterior crowding were protective for high occlusal wear levels, as shown by significantly reduced odds ratios. Gender-separated analysis showed that self-reported bruxism was a risk factor only for men. In addition to some occlusal factors, the main factors associated with occlusal wear were bruxism and gender.


Expression of CCR6 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its effects on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common esophageal cancer associated with poor prognosis. We detected the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in esophageal tissues/cells, and evaluated the effects of CCR6 on ESCC cells proliferation, migration and invasion in response to C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) treatment. Our data showed CCR6 was highly expressed in ESCC cell lines (ECA-109 and TE-1), whereas kept in a low expression in normal cell lines HEEC (P < 0.001). CCL20 stimulus induced a significant decrease in the proliferation ability of ESCC (P < 0.05). The healing speed of CCL20 group was significantly higher than control in ECA-109 (P < 0.01), whereas significantly lower in αCCR6+CCL20 group than CCL20 group (P < 0.05).The number of cells permeabling through the polycarbonate membrane in CCL20 group was higher than control (P < 0.01). The cell number in αCCR6+CCL20 group was significantly reduced compared to CCL20 group in ECA-109 (P < 0.05). Moreover, after CCL20 stimulated in ECA-109, both mRNA and protein level of E-cadherin significantly decreased compared to control, while Vimentin was significantly higher. In αCCR6+CCL20 group, mRNA and protein level of E-cadherin significantly increased compared to CCL20 group, while Vimentin was much lower than CCL20 group. There was no significant difference in TE-1. In summary, high expression of CCR6 existed in the lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of ESCC. CCR6 play an important role in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation, invasion and migration. CCR6 may participate in regulating the occurrence of EMT in ESCC.


The Cell-Surface N-Glycome of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Differentiated Hepatic Cells thereof.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent stem cells that offer a wide range of applications in regenerative medicine. In addition, they have been proposed as an appropriate alternative source of hepatocytes. In this work, hESCs were differentiated into definitive endodermal cells (DECs), followed by maturation into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). Their cell-surface N-glycome was profiled and also compared with that of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). Undifferentiated hESCs contained large amounts of high-mannose N-glycans. In contrast, complex-type N-glycans such as asialylated or monosialylated biantennary and triantennary N-glycans were dominant in HLCs, and fully galactosylated structures were significantly more abundant than in undifferentiated hESCs. The cell-surface N-glycosylation of PHHs was more biologically processed than that of HLCs, with bisialylated biantennary and trisialylated triantennary structures predominant. This is the first report of the cell surface N-glycome of PHHs and of HLCs being directly generated from hESCs without embryoid body formation.


Molecular genetic aspects of cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathies are a major cause of mortality and morbidity and this spectrum of disorders tops the list of diseases leading to cardiac transplantation. While significant gains have been made during the past decade clinically, knowledge of the molecular aspects of these disorders has taken longer to advance. During the past 5 years, however, molecular genetic information on a variety of primary cardiomyopathies, such as familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy, has been obtained. Other primary and secondary myocardial diseases are now under study with advances occurring more regularly. The purpose of this review is to outline the major advances thus far described for some primary and secondary cardiomyopathies, as well as detailing the slower progress seen for others.


Lithium isotope separation with tunable diode lasers.
A laser-isotope-separation study of lithium has been performed with two-step excitation involving UV laser radiation and a visible tunable-diode laser. The method yields a high degree of selectivity by tuning the narrow-linewidth diode laser to the D1 or D2 levels of the lithium atom. Selective laser excitation is simplified by the use of the tunable diode laser and the overall approach benefits from the application of a compact mass selector that includes a precision magnetic sector and an ion beam that is designed specifically for light atoms such as lithium.


Comparison on the Effects and Safety of Tualang Honey and Tribestan in Sperm Parameters, Erectile Function, and Hormonal Profiles among Oligospermic Males.
Introduction. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Tualang honey on sperm parameters, erectile function, and hormonal and safety profiles. Methodology. A randomized control trial was done using Tualang honey (20 grams) and Tribestan (750 mg) over a period of 12 weeks. Sperm parameters including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were analyzed and erectile function was assessed using IIEF-5 questionnaire. Hormonal profiles of testosterone, FSH, and LH were studied. The volunteers were randomized into two groups and the outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results. A total of 66 participants were involved. A significant increment of mean sperm concentration (P < 0.001), motility (P = 0.015) and morphology (P = 0.008) was seen in Tualang honey group. In Tribestan group, a significant increment of mean sperm concentration (P = 0.007), and morphology (P = 0.009) was seen. No significant differences of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were seen between Tualang honey and Tribestan group and similar results were also seen in erectile function and hormonal profile. All safety profiles were normal and no adverse event was reported. Conclusion. Tualang honey effect among oligospermic males was comparable with Tribestan in improving sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. The usage of Tualang honey was also safe with no reported adverse event.


Escherichia coli promoter sequences predict in vitro RNA polymerase selectivity.
We describe a simple algorithm for computing a homology score for Escherichia coli promoters based on DNA sequence alone. The homology score was related to 31 values, measured in vitro, of RNA polymerase selectivity, which we define as the product KBk2, the apparent second order rate constant for open complex formation. We found that promoter strength could be predicted to within a factor of +/-4.1 in KBk2 over a range of 10(4) in the same parameter. The quantitative evaluation was linked to an automated (Apple II) procedure for searching and evaluating possible promoters in DNA sequence files.


Lessons Learned on the Presentation of Scan Data.
Technicians performed a radiological survey of a surplus metal tank to support disposition planning at an Oak Ridge, TN, site. The survey included radiation scans to identify contamination and, if identified, define the boundary and magnitude of contamination. Fixed-point 1-min measurements were also collected at randomly selected locations for comparison against the site's free release limit of 5,000 disintegrations per minute per 100 cm (dpm 100 cm) (0.83 Bq cm). Scan data were recorded using a data logger as a means to document surveyor observation-logged data captured at 1-s intervals and converted to counts per minute (cpm) by the data logger software were presented in the project report. Both the qualitative scan data (in cpm) and the quantitative direct measurements (in dpm 100 cm) were reported for completeness, so stakeholders had all available information to support disposition decisions. However, a new stakeholder-introduced to the project at the reporting phase of work-used the instrument efficiency and background data to convert the scan data from cpm to dpm 100 cm, then compared the converted results to the site limit. Many of the converted values exceeded 5,000 dpm 100 cm. This resulted in delays in tank disposition and additional project costs that could have been avoided if the proper use and interpretation of scan data and implications of radon progeny buildup on oxidized metal surfaces had been better communicated.


Hemodynamic interactions between intrinsic blood flow control mechanisms in the rat kidney.
In order to reconcile the controversial concepts of myogenically and tubuloglomerular-feedback (TGF)-mediated control of renal vascular resistance, a hypothesis is advanced according to which both mechanisms interact hemodynamically because of their serial arrangement. Whereas the myogenic mechanism is suggested to be localized in the more upstream segments of the preglomerular resistance vessels, the TGF mechanism is assumed to control the pre- and/or postglomerular vascular segment(s), close to the glomerular vascular pole. The efferent vascular resistance, however, is assumed to function generally akin to a 'passive' flow resistor. These assumptions together with elementary hemodynamic considerations, allow formulation of a simple renal hemodynamic model whose quantitative predications regarding the characteristics of RBF, GFR and TGF control are remarkably consistent with the literature: (1) the magnitude of TGF response is mainly dependent upon the myogenic cooperative amplification and (2) although the TGF mechanism is not involved in the autoregulative control of RBF and GFR, changes of the TGF function may shift the autoregulation curve to higher or lower RBF and blood pressure levels.


TaMYB13-1, a R2R3 MYB transcription factor, regulates the fructan synthetic pathway and contributes to enhanced fructan accumulation in bread wheat.
Fructans are the major component of temporary carbon reserve in the stem of temperate cereals, which is used for grain filling. Three families of fructosyltransferases are directly involved in fructan synthesis in the vacuole of Triticum aestivum. The regulatory network of the fructan synthetic pathway is largely unknown. Recently, a sucrose-upregulated wheat MYB transcription factor (TaMYB13-1) was shown to be capable of activating the promoter activities of sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST) and sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) in transient transactivation assays. This work investigated TaMYB13-1 target genes and their influence on fructan synthesis in transgenic wheat. TaMYB13-1 overexpression resulted in upregulation of all three families of fructosyltransferases including fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT). A γ-vacuolar processing enzyme (γ-VPE1), potentially involved in processing the maturation of fructosyltransferases in the vacuole, was also upregulated by TaMYB13-1 overexpression. Multiple TaMYB13 DNA-binding motifs were identified in the Ta1-FFT1 and Taγ-VPE1 promoters and were bound strongly by TaMYB13-1. The expression profiles of these target genes and TaMYB13-1 were highly correlated in recombinant inbred lines and during stem development as well as the transgenic and non-transgenic wheat dataset, further supporting a direct regulation of these genes by TaMYB13-1. TaMYB13-1 overexpression in wheat led to enhanced fructan accumulation in the leaves and stems and also increased spike weight and grain weight per spike in transgenic plants under water-limited conditions. These data suggest that TaMYB13-1 plays an important role in coordinated upregulation of genes necessary for fructan synthesis and can be used as a molecular tool to improve the high fructan trait.


A specific visual-volumetric sensor for mercury ions based on smart hydrogel.
On the basis of the "seeing is believing" concept and the existing theory of Hg2+ coordination chemistry, for the first time, we innovatively designed and synthesized a visual-volumetric sensor platform with fluorescein and uracil functionalized polyacrylamide hydrogel. Without the aid of any complicated instruments and power sources, the sensor-enabled quantitative μM-level Hg2+ detection Hg2+ by reading graduation on a pipette with the naked eye. The sensor undergoes volumetric response and shows a wide linear response range to Hg2+ (1.0 × 10-6-5.0 × 10-5 mol L-1) with 2.8 × 10-7 mol L-1 as the detection limit. The highly selective (easily distinguished Hg2+ from other common metal ions), rapid response (∼30 min), and acceptable repeatability (RSD < 5% in all cases) demonstrated that the developed sensor is suitable for onsite practical use for the determination of Hg2+ while being low-cost, simple, and portable. The design principles of the obtained materials and the construction techniques and methods of the sensors described in our study provide a new idea for the research and development of smart materials and a series of visual-volumetric sensors for other analytes.


Common polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene region are associated with leprosy and its reactive states.
Because of its wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and its well-defined immunological complications, leprosy is a useful disease for studying genetic regulation of the host response to infection. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2) gene, for a cytosolic receptor known to detect mycobacteria, are associated with susceptibility to leprosy and its clinical outcomes. We used a case-control study design with 933 patients in Nepal. Our study included 240 patients with type 1 (reversal) reactions and 124 patients with type 2 (erythema nodosum leprosum) reactions. We compared the frequencies of 32 common polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene region between patients with the different clinical types of leprosy as well as between the patients and 101 control participants without leprosy. Four polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to leprosy when comparing allele frequencies, and 8 were associated when comparing genotype frequencies with a dominant model. Five polymorphisms were associated with protection from reversal reaction in an allelic analysis, and 7 were associated with reversal reaction with a dominant model. Four polymorphisms were associated with increased susceptibility to erythema nodosum leprosum in an allelic analysis, whereas 7 of 32 polymorphisms were associated with a dominant model. These data suggest that NOD2 genetic variants are associated with susceptibility to leprosy and the development of leprosy reactive states.


Follicular dendritic cell tumor of the cervical lymph node.
Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) tumor is an uncommon sarcoma, which occurs in lymph nodes or in extranodal sites. A 61-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of a nontender mass on her neck. The mass was surgically removed and initially diagnosed as a metastasis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Because the subsequent progress was inconsistent with the common prognosis of a patient with MFH, the possibility of FDC tumor was taken into consideration. Immunohistological studies for FDC antigens, such as CD21 and CD35, led to final diagnosis. It is suggested that FDC tumor should be included in the diagnostic considerations when a spindle cell tumor is present in a lymph node.


DNA methylation in adult stem cells: new insights into self-renewal.
Methylation of cytosine residues in the context of CpG dinucleotides within mammalian DNA is an epigenetic modification with profound effects on transcriptional regulation. A group of enzymes, the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) tightly regulate both the initiation and maintenance of these methyl marks. Loss of critical components of this enzymatic machinery results in growth, viability, and differentiation defects in both mice and humans, supporting the notion that this epigenetic modification is essential for proper development. Beyond this, DNA methylation also provides a potent epigenetic mechanism for cellular memory needed to silence repetitive elements and preserve lineage specificity over repeated cell divisions throughout adulthood. Recent work highlighting the specialized roles of DNA methylation and methyltransferases in maintaining adult somatic stem cell function suggests that further dissection of these mechanisms will shed new light on the complex nature of self-renewal.


Correction of severe post-traumatic kyphosis by posterior vertebra column resection.
Post-traumatic kyphosis is a common potential complication of spinal trauma and correct management of this problem is becoming ever more important. Although posterior vertebra column resection has been increasingly adopted to correct severe spinal deformity, no series of reports were found on severe post-traumatic kyphosis in the thoracolumbar region. Therefore, the present cohort retrospective study is presented to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of posterior vertebra column resection with instrument fusion performed in patients with severe post-traumatic kyphosis. From May 2004 to May 2006, 53 patients (38 male, 15 female) at an average age of 37.6 years (range, 24 to 66 years), were surgically treated for symptomatic post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis with a posterior wedge closing osteotomy at our hospital. Among them, 5 consecutive adult patients with severe post-traumatic kyphosis were included in this study. Operation time, blood loss and complications were noted in each case. Radiographic documentation was made on the basis of standing anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral views and three dimensional reconstruction images of computed tomography (CT) scans were used to further identify the apex region of a sharp angular deformity. Sagittal correction was assessed in terms of effective regional deformity (ERD) for the injury level. Assessment of radiological fusion at follow-up was based on the presence of trabecular bone bridging at the osteotomy site according to Brantigan. Preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments were performed by using Oswestry disability index (ODI), back pain was rated in all patients by the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively, postoperatively and at the latest follow-up. The mean operating time was 265 minutes (220 - 408 minutes), with an average blood loss of 1362 ml (870 - 2570 ml). Each patient finished at least two years of follow-up. The average ERD significantly decreased from 69 degrees (58 degrees - 86 degrees ), preoperatively to 4 degrees (1 degrees - 8 degrees ) after surgery (P = 0.017); with a mean correction of 65 degrees . ERD averaged 10.4 degrees (7 degrees - 17 degrees ) at the latest follow-up with a mean loss of 6.4 degrees . VAS and ODI scores improved from preoperative 7.4 (6.0 - 9.0) and 55.2 (48.0 - 60.0) to 2.3 (1.0 - 4.0) and 12.2 (7.0 - 18.0) at the latest follow-up. Full bone fusion was achieved in all patients. Complications occurred in two patients: one had a transient weakness of the left side lower extremity and the symptom improved spontaneously without further treatment within one month; the other patient suffered a deep wound infection three weeks after the operation, and recovered well by additional debridement, continuous perfusion and drainage. Posterior vertebra column resection can satisfactorily correct severe post-traumatic kyphosis in thoracolumbar region. Nevertheless, this challenging procedure should be performed by experienced spinal surgeon to minimize complications.


Comparative outcome of Thai pediatric osteosarcoma treated with two protocols: the role of high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) in a single institute experience.
High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is recognized as an efficient component of therapy against pediatric osteosarcoma in combination with other drugs such as cisplatin (CDP), carboplatin (CBDCA), doxorubicin (ADM), etoposide (VP-16) and ifosfamide (IFO). To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the HD-MTX/CDP/DOX/VP-16/IFO [MTX(+)] protocol comparable to CDP/ADM/CBDCA/IFO [MTX(-)] for treating childhood osteosarcoma at Ramathibodi Hospital (1999-2014). A retrospective analysis was conducted of osteosarcoma patients aged less than 18 years treated with two chemotherapeutic regimens between 1999 and 2014. A total of 45 patients received the MTX(-) and 21 the MTX(+) protocol. Overall limb-salvage and amputation rate were 12.9% and 77.7%, respectively. Kaplan- Meier analysis results for 3-year disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) regardless of treatment regimens were 43.4±6.0% and 53.2±6.1% respectively. The 3-year DFS and OS were improved significantly with the MTX(+) protocol compared to MTX(-) protocol (p=0.010 and p=0.009, log rank test) [69.8±10.5%, 79.8±9.1% for MTX(+) and 31.1±6.9%, 42.2±7.4% for MTX(-) protocol, respectively]. Patients with metastatic osteosarcoma treated with the MTX(+) protocol had statistically significant higher 3-year DFS and OS than those treated with the MTX(-) protocol (66.7±13.6% and 15.0±8.0% for 3-year DFS, p=0.010, 73.3±13.2% and 20±8.9% for 3-year OS, p=0.006, respectively). The independent risk factors for having inferior 3-year DFS and OS were poor histological response (tumor necrosis <90%) and treatment with the MTX(-) protocol. The multivariate analysis identified only the treatment with the MTX(-) protocol as an independent predictor of inferior OS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.53 (95% confidence interval of 1.2-10.41, p=0.022). Our study demonstrated the tolerability, feasibility and efficacy of the HDMTX-based regimen improving the survival rate in pediatric osteosarcoma cases, in line with reports from developed countries.


Kerstersia gyiorum Isolated from a Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Patient with a Chronic Tracheostomy.
The use of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) generates rapid microbial identification. We are presenting a case of a 63-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic tracheostomy admitted for hypotension and fevers to illustrate the clinical implication of MALDI-TOF MS on bacterial identification. Kerstersia gyiorum was identified from the bronchoalveolar lavage isolate. Kerstersia gyiorum has been isolated from human sputum samples, and may be a previously unrecognized colonizer of the upper respiratory tract. Thus, patients with long-term tracheotomies or who are chronically aspirating may be at risk of lower respiratory infection with this organism. Increased use of MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical setting may increase reporting of this atypical isolate.


Effects of oxytocin-related peptides on acute morphine tolerance: opposite actions by oxytocin and its receptor antagonists.
The hormonally and behaviorally active nonapeptide oxytocin (OXT), its behaviorally active N-terminal octapeptide desglycinamide9-OXT and Z-prolyl-D-leucine, a synthetic analog of the C-terminal prolyl7-leucine8 sequence, inhibited the development both of a moderate and of a strong tolerance to morphine. N-alpha-Acetyl-(2-0-methyltyrosine)-OXT and (penicillamine1-2-0-methyltyrosine)- lysine8-vasopressin, both OXT receptor antagonists, facilitated the development of a moderate morphine tolerance. The i.c.v. injection of either antagonist prevented the effects of i.c.v. and s.c. OXT treatment on the development of tolerance. The effect of desglycinamide9-OXT, but not that of Z-prolyl-D-leucine was also prevented by N-alpha-acetyl-(2-0-methyltyrosine)-OXT. It is concluded that OXT and desglycinamide9-OXT, but not Z-prolyl-D-leucine, attenuate morphine tolerance by affecting putative oxytocinergic binding sites in the mouse brain. The fact that i.c.v. injection of the receptor antagonist also blocked the effect of s.c. OXT treatment argues in favor of the possibility that a minor proportion of s.c. OXT (or behaviorally active fragments thereof) may reach central nervous system target sites.


A case report of visceral leishmaniasis in the Tharaka District, Kenya.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is transmitted through a bite of some species of sandflies. It is caused by obliged intra-cellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania and is responsible for a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (ML). The visceral disease (classically known as "kala azar") is the most aggressive form and if undervalued is fatal. Here we describe the first case of visceral leishmaniasis in the Tharaka District reported in literature.


The selection and organization of curricular experience in nursing.
Curriculum is the educational design of learning experiences for the students. Curricular experiences include course content as well as learning activities. The selection and organization of curricular experiences must also reflect the philosophy of the school. The identifying and organizing of curricular experiences begins with the analysis of curriculum objectives. The most commonly used approach in selecting learning experiences is the logical approach in which the process is treated as content in curriculum development. This paper attempts to analyse the selection and organization of the first year curricular experiences of the proposed curriculum by applying the logical approach. The proposed curriculum is designed for a 2-year diploma school of nursing. Nursing is offered as a continuum of increasing complexity throughout the three semesters of each year. The curricular framework is based on the health field concept; curricular experiences are selected and organized in accordance with this concept. Courses related to the four elements of the health field concept become mandatory classes for all students. Similarly clinical experience is organized so that a total integration of knowledge from these four elements is enhanced. The first year students study the general aspects of health and health field concept; the nursing process; helping relationships and selected skills necessary for meeting patient's physiological needs. The last semester of the first year is a synthesis practicum proposed to integrate principles and theories which the students have acquired previously and to apply them to the practice of nursing.


The effects of dual PPARα/γ agonism compared with ACE inhibition in the BTBRob/ob mouse model of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.
The leptin-deficient BTBRob/ob mouse develops progressive albuminuria and morphological lesions similar to human diabetic nephropathy (DN), although whether glomerular hyperfiltration, a recognized feature of early DN that may contribute to renal injury, also occurs in this model is not known. Leptin replacement has been shown to reverse the signs of renal injury in this model, but in contrast, the expected renoprotection by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in BTBRob/ob mice seems to be limited. Therefore, to investigate the potential renal benefits of improved metabolic control in this model, we studied the effect of treatment with the dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ agonist AZD6610 and compared it with the ACE inhibitor enalapril. AZD6610 lowered plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations and increased liver size, but had no significant effect in reducing albuminuria, whereas enalapril did have an effect. Nephrin and WT1 mRNA expression decreased in the kidneys of BTBRob/ob mice, consistent with podocyte injury and loss, but was unaffected by either drug treatment: at the protein level, both nephrin and WT1-positive cells per glomerulus were decreased. Mesangial matrix expansion was reduced in AZD6610-treated mice. GFR, measured by creatinine clearance, was increased in BTBRob/ob mice, but unaffected by either treatment. Unexpectedly, enalapril-treated mice showed intrarenal arteriolar vascular remodeling with concentric thickening of vessel walls. In summary, we found that the BTBRob/ob mouse model shows some similarities to the early changes seen in human DN, but that ACE inhibition or PPARα/γ agonism afforded limited or no kidney protection.


Prognostic significance of HER-2/neu expression in breast cancer and its relationship to other prognostic factors.
Archival surgical specimens from 1,210 female breast cancer patients treated between 1968 and 1971 and with a 19-year follow-up were reanalyzed with special reference to several parameters, such as size of the primary tumor, axillary nodal involvement, histologic grade, degree of inflammatory infiltrate (LPI) of the tumor and expression of the neu oncoprotein (p185) as detected by immunohistochemistry. In a multifactorial analysis the 4 former factors were found to be independent prognostic parameters. Over-expression of p185 was found to be related to tumor size and grade and to LPI but not to pathologic nodal status. Over-expression of p185 showed a negative impact upon survival in node-positive but not in node-negative patients. However, in the subset of node-negative patients without LPI, p185 over-expression showed the same correlation with a poor prognosis as in node-positive patients. In contrast, in node-negative and LPI-positive patients, p185 over-expression correlated with a good prognosis. Also, the prognosis of patients with positive nodes, presence of LPI and no p185 over-expression was similar to that of patients with negative nodes, absence of LPI and p185 over-expression.


Gemcitabine effects on tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Special focus on resistance mechanisms and metronomic therapies.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered one of the deadliest malignancies, with dismal survival rates and extremely prevalent chemoresistance. Gemcitabine is one of the primary treatments used in treating PDACs, but its benefits are limited due to chemoresistance, which could be attributed to interactions between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intracellular processes. In preclinical models, certain schedules of administration of gemcitabine modulate the TME in a manner that does not promote resistance. Metronomic therapy constitutes a promising strategy to overcome some barriers associated with current PDAC treatments. This review will focus on gemcitabine's mechanism in treating PDAC, combination therapies, gemcitabine's interactions with the TME, and gemcitabine in metronomic therapies.


Clonogenic hematopoietic progenitors and endogenous cytokine production in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
The suboptimal return of hematopoietic precursors after bone marrow transplantation is suggestive of a limited bone marrow reserve in recipients of allografts. The problem does not appear to lie in the ability to produce some of the well-known hematopoietic growth factors such as G-CSF or activities considered to stimulate megakaryocytopoiesis. The persistence of factor production in patients with slow returning counts is suggestive of either a defect in the repopulating cells or in the function of the microenvironment that is not reflected in the production of factors that can be measured in the plasma. A defect in the graft may be overcome by altering the composition of engrafting cells. As seen in autologous transplants the addition of peripheral blood stem cells may be effective in reducing the period to engraftment. Putative defects in the microenvironment have to be addressed by further studies. Exogenously added stroma related factors such as kit ligand or IL-11 may be effective in correcting the deficiency.


Compensatory excretion of prostacyclin and thromboxane metabolites in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Since obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is often linked with systemic hypertension, we sought to clarify the characteristics of prostanoid metabolism in OSAS. In 7 OSAS patients (apnea-hypopnea index, 51.0 +/- 23.4) and 7 non-snorers as control, nocturnal urine was sampled and analyzed for stable metabolites of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TxA2), [6-keto-PGF1alpha and thromboxane B2 (TxB2)]. The ratio of 6-keto-PGF1alpha to TxB2 was significantly higher in OSAS (2.97 +/- 1.52) than in control (1.38 +/- 0.38). Successful treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (8.3 +/- 1.5 cmH2O) for 3 days caused a significant decrease in mean blood pressure in OSAS. Moreover, the 6-keto-PGF1alpha to TxB2 ratio also significantly decreased to 1.74 +/- 0.58, a level which may not significantly different from control. These results suggest that the production ratio of PGI2 to TxA2 is shifted toward vasodilatation in untreated OSAS. We conclude that the production of prostanoids plays a role in compensating for the systemic hypertension in OSAS.


Ocular ultraviolet radiation exposure of welders.
I read with interest a recent paper in your journal by Slagor et al on the risk of cataract in relation to metal arc welding (1). The authors highlight that even though welders are exposed to substantial levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), "no studies have reported data on how much UVR welders' eyes are exposed to during a working day. Thus, we do not know whether welders are more or less exposed to UVR than outdoor workers" (1, p451). Undertaking accurate exposure assessment of UVR from welding arcs is difficult, however, two studies have reported ocular/facial UVR levels underneath welding helmets (2, 3). In the first paper, UVR levels were measured using polysulphone film dosimeters applied to the cheeks of a patient who suffered from severe facial dermatitis (2). UVR levels of four times the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) maximum permissible exposure (MPE) (4) were measured on the workers left cheek and nine times the MPE on the right cheek. The authors concluded that the workers dermatitis was likely to have been due to the UVR exposure received during welding. In the other paper, a comprehensive exposure assessment of personal UVR exposure of workers in a welding environment was reported (3). The study was conducted at a metal fabrication workshop with participants being welders, boilermakers and non-welders (eg, supervisors, fitters, machinists). Polysulphone film dosimeters were again used to measure UVR exposure of the workers, with badges worn on the clothing of workers (in the chest area), on the exterior of welding helmets, attached to 11 locations on the inside of welding helmets, and on the bridge and side-shields of safety spectacles. Dosimeters were also attached to surfaces throughout the workshop to measure ambient UVR levels. For welding subjects, mean 8-hour UVR doses within the welding helmets ranged from around 9 mJ/cm 2(3×MPE) on the inside of the helmets to around 15 mJ/cm 2(5×MPE) on the headband (a location to approximate ocular exposure). UVR exposures for non-welding workers were also quite substantial, with mean 8-hour doses on the outside of safety spectacles being around 36 mJ/cm2 (12×MPE) on the bridge and around 27 mJ/cm2 (9×MPE) on the sides. Exposures measured on the outside of clothing was substantial (eg, mean 8-hour UVR dose for welders was around 9795 mJ/cm 2(3265 ×MPE), with mean ambient UVR levels of 16.4 mJ/cm 2(5.5×MPE). The high ambient and "body" exposures measured in the study by Tenkate & Collins (3) are not unexpected, however, the levels measured within the welding helmets are of concern considering this represents UVR that has penetrated or by-passed standard protection measures. It has been shown that UVR is able to infiltrate welding helmets by entering from the back and through the sides and top (5). This type of infiltration is likely to occur when welders are in close proximity to each other and the welder is receiving exposure from other welder's emissions. In addition, facial/ocular exposure is also likely to occur when welders flip-up their welding helmet and undertake other work (eg, set-up, handle materials etc). For many welders, the proportion of their welding time per day compared to these other activities has been measured at around 20% (6), which means that if welders flip-up their helmet and leave it flipped-up, their eyes and faces are directly exposed to ambient UVR and that of nearby welders for a large part of the work day. Wearing safety spectacles underneath welding helmets is a recommended practice (7), however, workers report wearing safety spectacles, particularly underneath welding helmets, is uncomfortable, with visibility impacted due to fogging and sweat (8, 9). The use of auto-darkening helmets is one solution to eliminating the practice of flipping-up the helmet. The Slagor et al paper (1, p451) also states that "we do not know whether welders are more or less exposed to UVR than outdoor workers", with reference made to the average solar UVR exposure of a Danish outdoor worker being 22 400 J/m 2per year (min-max 5400 - 66 900 J/m 2per year) (10). For comparison, taking the mean 8-hour UVR dose within the welding helmets as 15 mJ/cm2 (3), this would equate to an annual ocular/facial UVR dose for welders of 37 500 J/m 2(at 5 days/week, 50 weeks/year). Even though this value is weighted for the ACGIH action spectrum, and the value for the Danish outdoor workers is weighted for the erythema spectrum, it provides a reasonable comparison and indicates that welders are likely to receive comparable facial/ocular UVR doses to outdoor workers. Slagor et al also state that "it is inferred that welders are not exposed to large amounts of UVR during their work life, in spite of the photokeratoconjunctivitis incidents" (1, p451). I would propose that the UVR dosimetry studies described above (2, 3), taken together with studies on UVR emissions of welding arcs which show that the MPE for many welding arcs can be exceeded in a matter of seconds (11-13), indicate that welders do work in an extreme UVR environment. These studies also suggest that welders are regularly exposed to levels of UVR that exceed the occupational exposure limits at body sites which are thought to be protected (eg, face and eyes) (2, 3). When these exposures are further considered in light of the range of eye conditions reported to occur in welders (14-17), the importance of implementing a comprehensive eye safety strategy for welders and all workers in a welding environment is imperative. References 1. Slagor RM, La Cour M, Bonde JP. The risk of cataract in relation to metal arc welding. Scan J Work Environ Health. 2016;42(5):447-53. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3572. 2. Shehade SA, Roberts PJ, Diffey BF, Foulds IS. Photodermatitis due to spot welding. Br J Dermatol. 1987;117:117-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb04100.x. 3. Tenkate TD, Collins MJ. Personal ultraviolet radiation exposure of workers in a welding environment. Am Indust Hyg Assoc J. 1997;58:33-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119791013053. 4. ACGIH. Ultraviolet radiation in: TLVs and BEIs. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Cincinnati; 2016. p. 153-8. 5. Tenkate TSD and Collins MJ. Angles of entry of ultraviolet radiation into welding helmets. Am Indust Hyg Assoc J, 1997; 58:54-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119791013099. 6. Tenkate T. Welding arc time and UV exposure: implications for worker safety. J Occup Health Safety-Aust NZ. 2008;24(2):161-6. 7. ANSI Z49.1:2012. Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes. American Welding Society: Miami; 2012. 8. Lombardi DA, Verma SK, Brennan MJ, Perry MJ. Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 2009;41:755-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2009.03.017. 9. Tenkate TD. Optical radiation hazards of welding arcs. Rev Environ Health. 1998;13(3):131-46. https://doi.org/10.1515/REVEH.1922.214.171.124. 10. Thieden E, Philipsen PA, Heydenreich J, Wulf HC. UV radiation exposure related to age, sex, occupation, and sun behavior based on time-stamped personal dosimeter readings. Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:197-203. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.140.2.197. 11. Gourzoulidis GA, Achtipis A, Topalis FV, Kazasidis ME, Pantelis D, Markoulis A. Artificial optical radiation photobiological hazards in arc welding. Physica Medica. 2016;32:981-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.001. 12. Mariutti G, Matzeu M. Measurement of ultraviolet radiation emitted from welding arcs. Health Physics. 1988;54(5):529-32. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198805000-00004. 13. Okuno T. Measurement of ultraviolet radiation from welding arcs. Industrial Health. 1987; 25:147-56. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.25.147. 14. Zlateva V, Toncheva R, Andreev A. Epidemiological studies on occupational eye pathology. Eur. J. Ophthalmol. 1996;6(4):440-5. 15. Lombardi DA, Pannala R, Sorock GS, Wellman H, Courtney TK, Verma S, Smith GS. Welding related occupational eye injuries: a narrative analysis. Injury Prevention. 2005;1:174-9. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2004.007088. 16. Tenkate T, Collins MJ. A survey of symptoms and eye safety practices among welders. Clin Exp Optom. 1990;73(3):79-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-0938.1990.tb03107.x. 17. Shah CP, Weis E, Lajous M, Shields JA, Shields CL. Intermittent and chronic ultraviolet light exposure and uveal melanoma: a meta-analysis. Opthalmology. 2005;112:1599-607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.04.020.


Subacromial impingement as a predictor of proximal biceps tendon disorders.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between proximal biceps tendon disorders and the degree of subacromial impingement in patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial debridement. Between January 2015 and June 2021, a total of 110 patients (44 males, 66 females; mean age: 52.5±11.43 years; range, 15 to 78 years) who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression were retrospectively analyzed. The degree of the subacromial impingement observed during arthroscopy was classified into four stages according to the Neer classification. We classified proximal biceps tendon disorders as five grades according to the Nirschl classification. The proportional relationship between subacromial impingement and biceps tendinopathy severity was analyzed. While biceps tendon degeneration was found to be significantly lower in patients with mild or no subacromial impingement, high rates of severe biceps tendon degeneration were observed in patients with high degree of subacromial impingement. A total of 75% of the patients who had no subacromial impingement had no biceps tendon disorder. Approximately 50% of the patients with Stage 1 subacromial impingement did not have biceps disorder, 31.3% had inflammation, and 12.5% had minor degeneration. In Stage 2 subacromial impingement group, the ratio of inflammation (42.9%) and minor degeneration (42.9%) of biceps tendon greatly increased, and the highest rate of biceps tendon degeneration was observed in the most advanced stage (Stage 3) subacromial impingement group (39.3%) (p=0.001). The stage of subacromial impingement is correlated with the degree of biceps degeneration. Therefore, one should keep in mind that the presence of advanced subacromial impingement may indicate advanced biceps tendon pathologies.


[Application of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and disharmony between heart and kidney theories in patients with sleep disorders in perimenopause].
Perimenopausal syndrome refers to a series of physical and mental symptoms, caused by the fluctuation of the sex hormones in the menopause, which is one of the common diseases in gynecology. The incidence of sleep disorders in perimenopausal women is increasing significantly. Both Chinese medicine and Western medicine are trying to exploring its pathologic mechanism to find the safe and effective methods of treatment. Menopausal sleeping disorder is the same as the perimenopause syndrome and insomnia category in traditional Chinese medicine. Kidney deficiency is the basic characteristic of perimenopause, whether kidney essence, kidney Qi, kidney Yin or kidney Yang can lead to blood stasis. It is believed that this disease results from kidney deficiency in the root and blood stasis in the tip, and on this basis women affected by many factors will result in disharmony between heart and kidney. In clinical practice, The method of tonifying kidney and activating blood applied to treat perimenopause syndrome with insomnia was testified to be effective. Therefore the author thought that kidney deficiency and blood stasis and disharmony between heart and kidney were the key factors of patients with insomnia in perimenopause.


Revisiting the role of computerized tomographic scan and cystoscopy for detecting bladder invasion in the revised FIGO staging system for carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
Recent revision of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system for the cervix encourages use of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging and does not recommend cystoscopy as a mandatory investigation. But the revision has not defined which patients should undergo cystoscopy. Our study aims to revisit the role of CT scan and cystoscopy for detecting bladder invasion so that we can select patients for cystoscopy. We reviewed case records of all cervical cancer patients who underwent abdominopelvic CT scan besides standard FIGO staging workup (including cystoscopy) and treatment with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy between years 2003 and 2005. Patients showing bladder invasion on CT scan or cystoscopy were identified and separately analyzed. Considering cystoscopy as the standard reference investigation, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the CT scan for bladder invasion were calculated. A total of 305 case records were analyzed. Median age of the patients was 50 years (range, 25-85 years). Forty-three (14%) patients had bladder invasion on CT scan, and 17 (5.5%) had cystoscopy-confirmed invasion. No patient showing absence of bladder invasion on CT scan showed cystoscopy-confirmed invasion. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the CT scan for bladder invasion were 100%, 92%, 40%, 100%, and 92%, respectively. The median overall survival of patients with CT-detected bladder invasion versus cystoscopy-confirmed invasion was 13 months versus 4 months, respectively (P = 0.007). Our results show that for cervical cancer, cystoscopy is not required in patients without any bladder invasion on CT scan. In the revised FIGO staging system, use of cystoscopy may be limited to patients having suspicious bladder invasion on CT scan. This will benefit both patient population and gynecologic oncologists, especially in developing countries with limited resources.


GeO2 fibers: preparation, morphology and photoluminescence property.
Nanomicron to submicron fibers of GeO(2) have been prepared using poly(vinyl acetate) and germanium dioxide sol by electrospinning followed by high temperature calcination. The morphology of the fibers have been studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. X-ray diffraction indicates that the fibers are single crystal with hexagonal alpha-phase quartz-like structure. At room temperature, the fibers show photoluminescence under excitation at 325 nm. The fibers may have potential applications in one-dimensional optoelectronic nanodevices.


Speckle tracking imaging improves in vivo assessment of EPO-induced myocardial salvage early after ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
A noninvasive assessment of infarct size and transmural extension of myocardial infarction (TEMI) is fundamental in experimental models of ischemia-reperfusion. Conventional echocardiography parameters are limited in this purpose. This study was designed to examine whether speckle tracking imaging can be used in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion to accurately detect the reduction of infarct size and TEMI induced by erythropoietin (EPO) as early as 24 h after reperfusion. Rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: myocardial infarction (MI)-control group, 45 min ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion; MI-EPO group, similar surgery with a single bolus of EPO administered at the onset of reperfusion; and sham-operated group. Short-axis two-dimensional echocardiography was performed after reperfusion. Global radial (GS(r)) and circumferential (GS(cir)) strains were compared with infarct size and TEMI assessed after triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. As a result, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, GS(r), and GS(cir) significantly correlated to infarct size, whereas only GS(r) and GS(cir) significantly correlated to TEMI. EPO significantly decreased infarct size (30.8 + or - 3.5 vs. 56.2 + or - 5.7% in MI-control, P < 0.001) and TEMI (0.37 + or - 0.05 vs. 0.77 + or - 0.05 in MI-control, P < 0.001). None of the conventional echocardiography parameters was significantly different between the MI-EPO and MI-control groups, whereas GS(r) was significantly higher in the MI-EPO group (29.1 + or - 4.7 vs. 16.4 + or - 3.3% in MI-control; P < 0.05). Furthermore, GS(cir) and GS(r) appeared to be the best parameters to identify a TEMI >0.75 24 h after reperfusion. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the usefulness of speckle tracking imaging in the early evaluation of a cardioprotective strategy in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion.


Quantitative MRI-based temperature mapping based on the proton resonant frequency shift: review of validation studies.
MRI-based temperature imaging that exploits the temperature-sensitive water proton resonant frequency shift is currently the only available method for reliable quantification of temperature changes in vivo. Extensive pre-clinical work has been performed to validate this method for guiding thermal therapies. That work has shown the method to be useful for all stages of the thermal therapy, from resolving heating below the threshold for damage to ensuring that the thermal exposure is sufficient within the target volume and protecting surrounding critical structures and to accurately predicting the extent of the ablated volume. In this paper, these validation studies will be reviewed. In addition, clinical studies that have shown this method feasible in human treatments will be overviewed.


Proteins with amino acid repeats constitute a rapidly evolvable and human-specific essentialome.
Protein products of essential genes, indispensable for organismal survival, are highly conserved and bring about fundamental functions. Interestingly, proteins that contain amino acid homorepeats that tend to evolve rapidly are enriched in eukaryotic essentialomes. Why are proteins with hypermutable homorepeats enriched in conserved and functionally vital essential proteins? We solve this functional versus evolutionary paradox by demonstrating that human essential proteins with homorepeats bring about crosstalk across biological processes through high interactability and have distinct regulatory functions affecting expansive global regulation. Importantly, essential proteins with homorepeats rapidly diverge with the amino acid substitutions frequently affecting functional sites, likely facilitating rapid adaptability. Strikingly, essential proteins with homorepeats influence human-specific embryonic and brain development, implying that the presence of homorepeats could contribute to the emergence of human-specific processes. Thus, we propose that homorepeat-containing essential proteins affecting species-specific traits can be potential intervention targets across pathologies, including cancers and neurological disorders.


Three-dimensional reconstruction and morphological characterization of pituitary macroadenomas.
The aim was to investigate the relationship between the tumor (clinicopathologic and radiological) characteristics and the morphological parameters of pituitary macroadenoma or giant adenoma patients using a three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed model. Magnetic resoanance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively; tumor grade was determined by the Knosp-Steiner classification and tumor morphology by the SIPAP classification. Pituitary adenomas and adjacent structures were reconstructed three-dimensionally by volume rendering. Fifty-two and 6 patients underwent surgery via the transnasal transsphenoidal or pterional approach, respectively. Knosp-Steiner grades I to IV adenomas were observed in 5.2%, 25.9%, 22.4% and 46.6% of the patients, respectively. The 3D model was reconstructed in all cases with superb delineation of tumor morphology and the spatial relationship between the tumor and adjacent tissues. Pituitary adenomas were categorized into intrasellar (13.8%), suprasellar (20.7%), infrasellar (17.2%), and lobulated adenomas (48.3%). Suprasellar adenomas had the smallest (2.27 ±3.22 cm(3)) and lobulated adenomas the largest volume (24.61 ±30.50 cm(3)). Intrasellar adenomas were all functioning, while 75%, 60% and 60.7%, respectively, of suprasellar, infrasellar and lobulated adenomas were nonfunctioning, with a significant association between tumor morphology and secretory function (p = 0.005). Three-dimensional reconstruction of pituitary macroadenomas offers a simplified morphological classification of pituitary adenomas and may be helpful for neurosurgeons to categorize and characterize pituitary adenomas.