Remediation of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in schizophrenia. A controlled study.
Previous studies have shown encouraging plasticity in some schizophrenic patients' Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance while receiving detailed specific instructions on task and reinforcement. The present study examines the efficacy of a modified procedure for WCST administration that bound schizophrenic patients to use a conceptually driven cognitive strategy without instruction or reinforcement. The schizophrenics' results were also compared to those obtained with the same procedure from a matched control sample. By using this procedure, 63.2% of WCST schizophrenic poor performers dramatically improved their results. Schizophrenic poor performers who did not achieve remediation were of a younger age at onset and had more negative symptoms. This pattern was strictly associated with more perseverative errors on WCST that increased even more when the conceptually driven processing was forced. Our findings could have important implications for our understanding of the underlying cognitive deficit of the poor neuropsychological performance and allow the distinction of schizophrenic subtypes who show peculiar features that probably reflect a different pathophysiology and would potentially benefit from different modalities of treatment and rehabilitation.


[Physical activity and training at high altitude].
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the effects of high altitudes on the human body. High altitudes are being frequented by more and more people for sport and leisure pursuits, and are increasingly being used both as a training environment and for investigating the healthy body in hypoxic conditions. During the ascent from sea level, atmospheric pressure and partial oxygen pressure decrease, humidity and temperature decrease, and radiation is elevated. The altitudes at which physiological changes and clinical symptoms occur are not constant, but variations may usually appear above 2300-2800 meters. There is a wide variability of reactions to low oxygen in the air inhaled. The physiological parameters during both rest and physical activity at high altitudes are different from those at sea level, and the differences are reflected in concomitant changes in attitude and behavior. Research into altitude as a training environment that could improve athletic endurance and performance has grown in the last decade, with the development of a number of new training methods, such as "Living High--Training Low" and "Training High--Living Low". These have contributed to an improvement of performance in a significant number of athletes. This article will demonstrate the impact and possible dangers of physical activity at high altitude, and will present the current knowledge and methods of altitude training. This article reviews the influence of low air and oxygen pressure on athletic performance. Recommendations are presented regarding physical activity at high altitude and nutritional support.


Factors associated with obstetric fistulae occurrence among patients attending selected hospitals in Kenya, 2010: a case control study.
In Kenya, about 3000 fistula cases are estimated to occur every year with an incidence of 1/1000 women. This study sought to identify risk factors associated with developing obstetrics fistula in order to guide implementation of appropriate interventions. An unmatched case control study was conducted in three major hospitals in Kenya between October and December 2010. Cases were patients who had fistula following delivery within the previous five years. Controls were systematically selected from women who attended obstetrics and gynecology clinics at these hospitals, and did not have present or past history of fistula. Odds ratio was used as measure of association with their corresponding 95% confidence interval. Factors with p value of <0.1 were included into forward additive logistic regression model to generate adjusted odds ratios. Seventy cases and 140 controls were included in the study. Independent risk factors associated with obstetrics fistula included duration of labour of >24 hours (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 2.4 -9.2), seeking delivery services after 6 hours of labour onset (OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 2.2-21.3), taking more than 2 hours to reach a health facility (OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 2.9 -11.5), having none or primary education (OR = 9.6, 95% CI = 3.3 -27.9) and being referred to another facility for emergency obstetrics services (OR = 8.6, 95% CI = 2.7 -27). Risk factors for developing obstetrics fistula were delays in care seeking including delay in making decision to seek delivery servers after six hours of labour onset, taking more than two hours to reach a health facility, labour duration of more than 24 hours and having no formal or primary education. Efforts geared at strengthening all levels of the health system to reduce delays in access to emergency obstetric care are needed.


Cloning and Sequencing of the Genome Segment S9 of Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus.
Genome segment S9's of rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) of three Chinese isolates were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced, and were found to be consisted of 1 900 nt (RBSDV-Zj S9 EMBL accession number AJ297430),1 898 nt (RBSDV-Heb S9 EMBL accession number AJ297429) and 1 900 nt (RBSDV-Hub S9 EMBL accession number AJ291706), respectively. Genome segment S9's of three Chinese Isolates shared 98.5%--98.8% sequence homology and all contained two open reading frames (ORF), which encoded two polypeptides with moleclular weights of 40 kD and 24 kD, respectively. Amino acid sequence comparison of the polypeptides encoded by the second ORF of the corresponding genomic segment of five isolates, including three Chinese isolates, Japanese isolate, and Italian MRDV (maize rough dwarf virus), were highly conserved.


Continuing education for nurses: a necessity or a nicety?
The changing health care climate has resulted in escalating financial constraints. One department that is often scrutinized for its cost-benefit relation to the hospital is the nursing education department. These departments are increasingly being reduced in size and investment in the continuing education of nurses is being rationalized. However, reducing financial support of education may be counterproductive in both the short- and long-term. This article does not propose a "recipe" for effectively facilitating continuing education. However, it does provide sound justification for investing in the continuing education of nurses and demonstrates not only that quality education results in enhanced knowledge and skills, but that there is also a positive correlation between professional development and factors such as staff satisfaction, staff retention, and quality patient care.


Monitoring Varicella Vaccine Impact on Varicella Incidence in the United States: Surveillance Challenges and Changing Epidemiology, 1995-2019.
Surveillance is critical for monitoring vaccine impact. Varicella surveillance challenges predated varicella vaccine US licensure in 1995. Several interim steps were needed before case-based surveillance could be established in most states, and both active and passive surveillance was needed to document the vaccination program's impact on varicella incidence. By the end of the 1-dose program in 2005, incidence had declined 90% in the active surveillance areas, with significant declines occurring in all age groups within 5 years of program implementation. Additional declines occurred during the 2-dose program leading to >97% decline in incidence over the 25 years of program implementation through 2019, based on data from 4 states with continuous passive reporting. Surveillance showed that declines were highest among children and adolescents covered by the routine vaccination recommendations but occurred in all age groups. Although surveillance systems changed and were adapted to reflect evolving epidemiology, data consistently demonstrated decreasing varicella incidence following the vaccination program implementation. The vaccination program dramatically decreased virus circulation and increased community protection. Continued and improved varicella surveillance is needed to accurately monitor disease epidemiology and further guide prevention efforts.


Gold Film over SiO2 Nanospheres-New Thermally Resistant Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors are constructed from metallic plasmonic nanostructures providing high sensitivity and spectral reproducibility. In many cases, irradiation of the SERS substrate by the laser beam leads to an increase of the local temperature and consequently to thermal degradation of metallic nanostructure itself and/or adsorbed analyte. We report here a "bottom-up" technique to fabricate new thermally resistant gold "film over nanosphere" (FON) substrates for SERS. We elaborated the simple and straightforward method of preparation of homogeneously and closely packed monolayer of SiO2 nanoparticles (50 nm in diameter) and covered it by a thin (20 nm) layer of magnetron-sputtered gold. The spectral testing using biologically important molecules (methylene blue, cationic porphyrin, and fungicide 1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiol) proved a sensitivity and reproducibility of our AuSiO2 substrates. The main advantage of such SERS-active substrates is high thermal stability and low intensity of background and signal of graphitic carbon.


MicroRNA-153 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting KLF5.
microRNA (miR)-153 has been shown to play a role in several solid malignancies; however, its expression and function in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have not been fully explored. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed in order to detect the expression levels of miR-153 in mucosal specimens isolated from patients undergoing total laryngectomy. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed to analyze the cellular proliferation and invasion abilities of human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cells transfected with miR-153 mimics or miR-153 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). It was found that miR-153 was downregulated in LSCC tissues. Furthermore, while miR-153 mimics inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, miR-153 ASO promoted HEp-2 cell growth and invasion. At a molecular level, it was predicted by bioinformatics that kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) has a miR-153 binding site. Luciferase and protein expression analyses revealed that miR-153 inhibited the protein expression of KLF5. These results suggest that miR-153 may act as a tumor suppressor during LSCC progression via the suppression of KLF5, and could potentially serve as a therapeutic target for LSCC.


Fast Identification of Food Thickeners by Nontargeted NMR-Spectroscopy.
Food thickeners are carbohydrate additives that can only be determined by long-term, multistep analysis. Fast methods to directly determine thickeners in food matrixes are therefore welcome. In this study, a rapid procedure based on the direct 1H NMR analysis of food samples dissolved in deuterated water was developed. Individual thickeners were assigned due to specific marker signals gleaned from two-dimensional NMR analyses. The combination of one-dimensional 1H NMR and DOSY experiments enabled unequivocal assignments of thickeners even in complex matrixes. Using this approach, gum arabic, carrageenan, agar-agar, galactomannans, and pectin could be identified in pastille, glaze, and fruit spread. Because of low concentrations (<0.5%-1%, w/w), the same thickeners and others such as xanthan gum and alginate could not be determined directly by NMR in curry sauce, rice pudding, choco milk drink, and lemon peel flavor. Moreover, NMR analyses of the hydrolysate did not reveal the specific monomeric units of the thickeners under study, as shown for the hydrolysate of lemon peel flavor. Nevertheless, the NMR approach could provide welcome means in the future to directly determine intact thickeners in food.


What was the cause of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's paralytic illness?
In 1921, when he was 39 years of age, Franklin Delano Roosevelt contracted an illness characterized by: fever; protracted symmetric, ascending paralysis; facial paralysis; bladder and bowel dysfunction; numbness; and dysaesthesia. The symptoms gradually resolved except for paralysis of the lower extremities. The diagnosis at the onset of the illness and thereafter was paralytic poliomyelitis. Yet his age and many features of the illness are more consistent with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune polyneuritis. The likelihoods (posterior probabilities) of poliomyelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome were investigated by Bayesian analysis. Posterior probabilities were calculated by multiplying the prior probability (disease incidence in Roosevelt's age group) by the symptom probability (likelihood of a symptom occurring in a disease). Six of eight posterior probabilities strongly favoured Guillain-Barré syndrome.


The Influence of Electrolytic Concentration on the Electrochemical Deposition of Calcium Phosphate Coating on a Direct Laser Metal Forming Surface.
A calcium phosphate (CaP) coating on titanium surface enhances its biocompatibility, thus facilitating osteoconduction and osteoinduction with the inorganic phase of the human bone. Electrochemical deposition has been suggested as an effective means of fabricating CaP coatings on porous surface. The purpose of this study was to develop CaP coatings on a direct laser metal forming implant using electrochemical deposition and to investigate the effect of electrolytic concentration on the coating's morphology and structure by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In group 10-2, coatings were rich in dicalcium phosphate, characterized to be thick, layered, and disordered plates. In contrast, in groups 10-3 and 10-4, the relatively thin and well-ordered coatings predominantly consisted of granular hydroxyapatite. Further, the hydrophilicity and cell affinity were improved as electrolytic concentration increased. In particular, the cells cultured in group 10-3 appeared to have spindle morphology with thick pseudopodia on CaP coatings; these spindles and pseudopodia strongly adhered to the rough and porous surface. By analyzing and evaluating the surface properties, we provided further knowledge on the electrolytic concentration effect, which will be critical for improving CaP coated Ti implants in the future.


Suicide Rates in the United States Continue to Increase.
In 2016, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (1). Although the Healthy People 2020 target is to reduce suicide rates to 10.2 per 100,000 by 2020 (2), suicide rates have steadily increased in recent years (3,4). This Data Brief uses the most recent data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to update trends in suicide mortality from 2000 through 2016 and to describe differences by sex, age group, and means of suicide (e.g., suffocation, firearms, poisoning).


Management issues of congenital adrenal hyperplasia during the transition from pediatric to adult care.
Steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most prevalent form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), accounting for approximately 95% of cases. With the advent of newborn screening and hormone replacement therapy, most children with CAH survive into adulthood. Adolescents and adults with CAH experience a number of complications, including short stature, obesity, infertility, tumor, osteoporosis, and reduced quality of life. Transition from pediatric to adult care and management of long-term complications are challenging for both patients and health-care providers. Psychosocial issues frequently affect adherence to glucocorticoid treatment. Therefore, the safe transition of adolescents to adult care requires regular follow-up of patients by a multidisciplinary team including pediatric and adult endocrinologists. The major goals for management of adults with 21-hydroxylase deficiency are to minimize the long-term complications of glucocorticoid therapy, reduce hyperandrogenism, prevent adrenal or testicular adrenal rest tumors, maintain fertility, and improve quality of life. Optimized medical or surgical treatment strategies should be developed through coordinated care, both during transition periods and throughout patients' lifetimes. This review will summarize current knowledge on the management of adults with CAH, and suggested appropriate approaches to the transition from pediatric to adult care.


Nanofluidity of fatty acid hydrocarbon chains as monitored by benchtop time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance.
The functional properties of lipid-rich assemblies such as serum lipoproteins, cell membranes, and intracellular lipid droplets are modulated by the fluidity of the hydrocarbon chain environment. Existing methods for monitoring hydrocarbon chain fluidity include fluorescence, electron spin resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; each possesses advantages and limitations. Here we introduce a new approach based on benchtop time-domain (1)H NMR relaxometry (TD-NMR). Unlike conventional NMR spectroscopy, TD-NMR does not rely on the chemical shift resolution made possible by homogeneous, high-field magnets and Fourier transforms. Rather, it focuses on a multiexponential analysis of the time decay signal. In this study, we investigated a series of single-phase fatty acid oils, which allowed us to correlate (1)H spin-spin relaxation time constants (T2) with experimental measures of sample fluidity, as obtained using a viscometer. Remarkably, benchtop TD-NMR at 40 MHz was able to resolve two to four T2 components in biologically relevant fatty acids, assigned to nanometer-scale domains in different segments of the hydrocarbon chain. The T2 values for each domain were exquisitely sensitive to hydrocarbon chain structure; the largest values were observed for pure fatty acids or mixtures with the highest cis-double bond content. Moreover, the T2 values for each domain exhibited positive linear correlations with fluidity. The TD-NMR T2 and fluidity measurements appear to be monitoring the same underlying phenomenon: variations in hydrocarbon chain packing. The results from this study validate the use of benchtop TD-NMR T2 as a nanofluidity meter and demonstrate its potential for probing nanofluidity in other systems of biological interest.


A monoclonal antibody preventing binding of tissue-type plasminogen activator to fibrin: useful to monitor fibrinogen breakdown during t-PA infusion.
One (MA-1C8) of 36 monoclonal antibodies obtained by fusion of P3X63-Ag8-6.5.3 myeloma cells with spleen cells of mice immunized with purified human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) blocked the activity of t-PA on fibrin plates but not on chromogenic substrates. MA-1C8 at a concentration of 200 micrograms/mL inhibited plasma clot lysis and binding of t-PA to the clot. MA-1C8 had no influence on the activation of plasminogen by t-PA, which obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km = 105 mumol/L and kcat = 0.05 s-1; however, it abolished the influence of CNBr-digested fibrinogen on Km. These findings confirm that the stimulatory effect of fibrin on the activation of plasminogen by t-PA is mediated by binding of t-PA to fibrin and provide additional support for the kinetic model. Addition of t-PA to pooled fresh human plasma to a concentration of 5 micrograms/mL resulted in extensive fibrinogen breakdown after incubation for one hour at 37 degrees C or during storage at -20 degrees C for one day. In both instances, fibrinogen degradation was completely prevented by addition of MA-1C8 to a concentration of 200 micrograms/mL of plasma. MA-1C8 also effectively prevented in vitro fibrinogen degradation and in vitro plasminogen activation in plasma samples obtained during infusion of recombinant t-PA in patients with thromboembolic disease. Thus, MA-1C8 is a useful tool for discriminating between in vivo and in vitro fibrinolysis during thrombolytic therapy with t-PA.


Magnetization properties of radially polarized Bessel-Gaussian vortex beams with radial phase modulation in a 4π focusing system.
This paper explored the optically induced magnetization properties of radially polarized Bessel-Gaussian vortex beams with radial phase modulation in a 4π high numerical aperture (NA) focusing system, which is based on the vector diffraction theory and the inverse Faraday effect. The results show that in the case of radial modulation parameter L=0, one longitudinal magnetization chain with adjustable length can be obtained by modulating the truncation parameter β. When the radial modulation parameter L=1.3, two magnetization chains can be obtained by modulating the truncation parameter β. By modulating the radial modulation parameter L, two magnetization chains along the optical axis can be generated, each with four dark magnetic traps; meanwhile, the spacing between two magnetization chains can be adjusted. These results may be helpful in high-density all-optical magnetic recording, atom capture, and magnetic resonance microscopy.


PPARγ signaling and emerging opportunities for improved therapeutics.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism, endothelial function and inflammation. Rosiglitazone (RGZ) and other thiazolidinedione (TZD) synthetic ligands of PPARγ are insulin sensitizers that have been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, undesirable side effects including weight gain, fluid retention, bone loss, congestive heart failure, and a possible increased risk of myocardial infarction and bladder cancer, have limited the use of TZDs. Therefore, there is a need to better understand PPARγ signaling and to develop safer and more effective PPARγ-directed therapeutics. In addition to PPARγ itself, many PPARγ ligands including TZDs bind to and activate G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), also known as free fatty acid receptor 1. GPR40 signaling activates stress kinase pathways that ultimately regulate downstream PPARγ responses. Recent studies in human endothelial cells have demonstrated that RGZ activation of GPR40 is essential to the optimal propagation of PPARγ genomic signaling. RGZ/GPR40/p38 MAPK signaling induces and activates PPARγ co-activator-1α, and recruits E1A binding protein p300 to the promoters of target genes, markedly enhancing PPARγ-dependent transcription. Therefore in endothelium, GPR40 and PPARγ function as an integrated signaling pathway. However, GPR40 can also activate ERK1/2, a proinflammatory kinase that directly phosphorylates and inactivates PPARγ. Thus the role of GPR40 in PPARγ signaling may have important implications for drug development. Ligands that strongly activate PPARγ, but do not bind to or activate GPR40 may be safer than currently approved PPARγ agonists. Alternatively, biased GPR40 agonists might be sought that activate both p38 MAPK and PPARγ, but not ERK1/2, avoiding its harmful effects on PPARγ signaling, insulin resistance and inflammation. Such next generation drugs might be useful in treating not only type 2 diabetes, but also diverse chronic and acute forms of vascular inflammation such as atherosclerosis and septic shock.


Does unmeasured confounding influence associations between the retail food environment and body mass index over time? The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.
Findings in the observational retail food environment and obesity literature are inconsistent, potentially due to a lack of adjustment for residual confounding. Using data from the CARDIA study (n = 12 174 person-observations; 6 examinations; 1985-2011) across four US cities (Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Oakland, CA), we used instrumental-variables (IV) regression to obtain causal estimates of the longitudinal associations between the percentage of neighbourhood food stores or restaurants (per total food outlets within 1 km network distance of respondent residence) with body mass index (BMI), adjusting for individual-level socio-demographics, health behaviours, city, year, total food outlets and market-level prices. To determine the presence and extent of bias, we compared the magnitude and direction of results with ordinary least squares (OLS) and random effects (RE) regression, which do not control for residual confounding, and with fixed effects (FE) regression, which does not control for time-varying residual confounding. Relative to neighbourhood supermarkets (which tend to be larger and have healthier options than grocery stores), a higher percentage of grocery stores [mean = 53.4%; standard deviation (SD) = 31.8%] was positively associated with BMI [β = 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01, 0.10] using IV regression. However, associations were negligible or null using OLS (β = -0.001; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.01), RE (β = -0.003; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.0001) and FE (β = -0.003; 95% CI = -0.01, 0.0002) regression. Neighbourhood convenience stores and fast-food restaurants were not associated with BMI in any model. Longitudinal associations between neighbourhood food outlets and BMI were greater in magnitude using a causal model, suggesting that weak findings in the literature may be due to residual confounding.


Pulmonary function of nonsmoking patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the presence and absence of secondary Sjögren's syndrome, a controlled study.
One hundred nonsmoking patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including 63 with rheumatoid arthritis alone (RA group) and 37 who also had secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS group), underwent a detailed evaluation of their pulmonary function. The results were compared with those of 110 age-matched nonsmoking controls. Normal function was significantly less common in both patient groups than in the controls. A significant percentage of patients had small airways disease (SAD) which was observed with similar frequency in the control group. If this were excluded, then isolated impairment of carbon monoxide diffusing lung capacity (DLCO) was the most commonly detected significant abnormality in both patient groups. Restrictive disease was following in frequency in the RA group, but was absent in the sSS group. Obstructive disease was very uncommon in all of the patients. In general, there were no significant differences in the frequency of the various respiratory function abnormalities between patients with RA only and those with concomitant sSS, whereas between patients and controls, the only statistically significant differences were the higher frequencies of isolated DLCO impairment and restrictive disease in the RA group.


Role of intravascular ultrasound in unprotected left main percutaneous coronary intervention.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the unprotected left main stem offers an attractive alternative to bypass grafting, but is associated with a significant clinical risk and therefore demands special consideration. Successful left main PCI is dependent upon the morphology of the lesion and the technical quality of the procedure. For these reasons, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been the most popular adjunct to coronary angiography during left main PCI. However, trials of IVUS in left main PCI have produced inconclusive results, and most data predate the use of drug-eluting stents. Despite this, IVUS offers practical benefits in both case selection, and in guiding angioplasty and stenting. Here, we review the arguments for the present and future role of IVUS in left main PCI.


Proprioception after total ankle arthroplasty.
Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is becoming an effective treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis. It is unknown if TAA alters the patient's ability to sense ankle joint position. Thirteen unilateral TAA patients with a minimum of 2-years followup completed proprioceptive testing of the TAA and the contralateral side. The task was to reproduce a given ankle angle using a joystick-driven device while the lower limb was obscured from view. Nine angles were tested, including two angles in dorsiflexion, three in plantarflexion, two in inversion, and two in eversion. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the results. No statistically significant differences between the TAA ankle and the contralateral side were found. TAA does not cause a change in proprioceptive abilities in arthritis patients when compared to the contralateral, unaffected side in a small sample of unilateral patients. Surgeons and rehabilitation professionals may use this information when designing rehabilitation plans following the insertion of a TAA.


Malignancies in inflammatory bowel disease.
Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are at increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the risk varies between different studies and seems to be decreasing. The cumulative risk of CRC has been reported to be 1%, 2%, and 5% after 10, 20, and over 20 years of disease duration, respectively, in recent meta-analysis. Disease duration and grade of inflammation are the main driving forces of dysplasia and CRC development. Also, the risk of extraintestinal cancers is increased in IBD, where the degree of immunosuppression and its duration are the most important risk factors. Most important extraintestinal malignancies are lymphomas and non-melanoma skin cancers, both of which are increased in patients receiving thiopurines. Also, extraintestinal manifestations or concomitant diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis predispose IBD patients to malignancies such as cholangiocarcinoma. History of previous cancer increases the risk of developing either new or recurrent cancers and should be taken into account when choosing therapy and planning surveillance. Dysplasia and cancer screening and surveillance must be individualized according to patients' risk factors. Malignancies are the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases in both genders in patients with IBD.


Early ischemia in growing piglet skeleton: MR diffusion and perfusion imaging.
To determine whether diffusion changes with ischemia of increasing duration, whether diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides different information than does gadolinium-enhanced imaging, and which structural and/or biochemical changes are potentially responsible for any changes in diffusion. Ischemia was surgically induced in one hip of each piglet (n=8) after approval from the Subcommittee on Research Animal Care; the other hip served as a control. Piglets were imaged at approximately 48 hours and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery at 1.5 T by using line-scan diffusion and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and enhancement ratios (ERs) were calculated. Significant differences in ADC and ER values over time were evaluated by using the Student t test (P<.05). At 8 weeks, piglets were sacrificed for histologic evaluation. MR images of ischemic hips showed essentially no flow 48 hours after surgery. Spontaneous partial reperfusion was observed 1-4 weeks after surgery (ischemic ER/control ER=66%+/-35 [standard deviation]), and the ER of the ischemic hips was well above that of the control hips at 8 weeks. The ADC of ischemic hips was elevated above that of control hips before reperfusion 1 week after surgery by 47%+/-12 and remained elevated despite flow restoration. Gross structural abnormalities on MR images appeared to coincide with reperfusion. Histologic findings revealed abnormal epiphyseal cartilage thickening, cartilaginous islands within ossified tissue, and less fatty marrow in ischemic hips than in control hips; all of these factors could explain elevated ADC. Diffusion is sensitive to early ischemia and follows a different time course than that of changes observed with gadolinium enhancement. ADC remained elevated in this model of severe, prolonged ischemia despite the spontaneous partial restoration of blood flow seen on gadolinium-enhanced images.


Evaluation of Extended Sanitation Interval for Cage Top Components in Individually Ventilated Mouse Cages.
Sanitation frequency of mouse cage components can be determined through verification of microenvironment, including microbiologic load and air quality within the cage. Here we demonstrate a consistent microbiologic load on wire IVC lids that were used for as long as 8 continuous weeks to house 4 or 5 mice and significant decreases in the microbial load on filter tops at 4, 6, and 8 wk compared with 2 wk. In addition, air quality, represented by intracage ammonia concentration at the time of bedding change, did not differ between 2-, 4-, and 6-wk time points in cages containing same-sex groups of 4 or 5 male or female adult mice. We propose that the lack of significant differences represents justification for an extended sanitation frequency of as long as 6 wk for cage top components in mouse IVC housing and represents a performance standard that might be reproduced by similar facilities to determine appropriate sanitation frequencies for mouse caging components.


[The treatment of prune-belly syndrome at the University Hospital Center at Abidjan (Treichville)].
Over the past 10 years, we have seen sixteen children (15 males and 1 female) with the prune-belly syndrome. We have managed 12 of these children, but 4 of them were never reviewed. Abdominal wall reconstruction was performed in 11 children by dissection of spermatic vessels and fixing the testis in the scrotum. Because of our conservative approach to the management of urinary tract dilatation, we performed only one nephrostomy and 3 unilateral nephro-ureterectomies. Seven children were reviewed. The result of abdominal wall reconstruction was good in terms of cosmetic appearance and psychologic effect for the parents; we have observed no atrophic testes after orchidopexy. One of these children suffers from chronic renal failure, while the other children have good renal function. Prune-belly syndrome is a disease with a broad spectrum. The prognosis depends on the degree of renal dysplasia. These children require long-term follow-up.


[Late cardiac sequelae in children following long-term tocolysis with fenoterol and verapamil].
Premature labour has been treated with Fenoterol and Verapamil since 1970 in the Working Team of Perinatal Medicine of Berlin Free University/Municipal Gynaecological Clinic at Berlin-Neukölln. Elective necroses of the myocardial fibres after stimulation with high concentrations of beta 2-sympathicomimetics have been demonstrated in animal experiments and in isolated foetal myocardial preparations in vitro. It is claimed that such lesions can be avoided by the additional administration of Ca2+ antagonists. Fenoterol and Verapamil will pass the placental barrier. In order to clarify whether long-term tocolysis may exercise an effect on the foetal myocardium, the authors examined 140 children. 78 children of mothers treated with long-term tocolysis were compared with 62 children of mothers who had not received such treatment. The systolic time intervals were measured in full-term children born between 1970 and 1974 and aged 6 to 10 years. Following recording of the case history and physical examination, the ECG, phonocardiogram as well as the carotid sphygmogram were recorded. The frequency rate of abnormal ECG findings (RVL, AV block of the first degree, WPW syndrome) in the tocolysis groups did not differ from that of the untreated control group. Besides, the myocardial contractilities of both groups were also not different from each other.


Bias in adolescents' everyday reasoning and its relationship with intellectual ability, personal theories, and self-serving motivation.
The author presented 60 9th- and 12th-graders with hypothetical arguments that contained logical fallacies. Arguments were either consistent or inconsistent with participants' theories. Participants rated the quality and truth of each argument, identified perceived strengths and weaknesses in the arguments, and verbally described hypothetical experiments that could lead to evidence falsifying the claims made in the arguments. Results indicated that intellectual ability, particularly verbal ability, was the best predictor of each index of everyday reasoning. However, neither the ability measures nor age were related to biases in everyday reasoning. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that, for each reasoning variable, adolescents' personal theories accounted for the most variance in reasoning biases. These findings are discussed in terms of the roles that intellectual ability and theory-driven motivation play in everyday reasoning and self-serving adolescent reasoning.


[Significance of bone marrow cytology in the diagnosis of leukosis in dogs].
In the differential diagnosis of neoplastic diseases of blood cells or their precursors, cytological examination of bone marrow is a valuable diagnostic tool. Depending on the expected cell type, an aspiration followed by clinical-cytological examination, or a biopsy followed by histopathological examination is indicated. In all unclear cases of cytopenia, if blood parasites or a lymphatic leukemia without tumors are suspected or in myeloproliferative diseases, bone marrow cytology can provide the diagnosis. If the aspiration of bone marrow is not possible in spite of correct technique (punctiosicca), myelofibrosis must be suspected. The diagnosis is confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. In the most common form of leukemia in dogs, the lymphosarcomatosis, a bone marrow biopsy can be helpful in assessment of the prognosis.


Choledochal-duodenal fistula presenting as an upper GI bleed.
Gallstones are common and largely asymptomatic, but can result in significant morbidity in a small proportion of patients. Choledochal-enteric fistulation is one such complication with an associated mortality of 15-18%. The authors present a case of an 88-year-old man admitted to the general medical ward with an acute upper gastrointestinal bleed. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy found a large gallstone impacted in the pylorus and CT scan revealed a choledochal-duodenal fistula. At laparotomy it was found that a 6.2 cm gallstone had fistulated into D1 and the pylorus and impacted there, causing outflow obstruction - Bouveret's syndrome. A subtotal cholecystectomy was performed and the stone was removed by a separate gastrostomy. A radiological follow through study on day 14 showed contrast passing freely through the duodenum with no leak and the patient went on to make a slow, but uneventful recovery.


Single-step simple ROC curve fitting via PCA.
A simple approach to fitting curves to receiver operating characteristic rating data is presented. It is based on the first principal component of the covariance space of the inverse normal integral of the cumulative rating data of the targets and distractors. It provides for 2 new associated d' estimates, dp' and dYNp'. A Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated that the parameter estimates are unbiased and produce estimates comparable to the iterative, maximum likelihood approach. The corresponding computational and plotting functions in the R programming language are also provided. (PsycINFO Database Record


Timing of menopause and patterns of menstrual bleeding.
Age at menopause is associated with a variety of health outcomes. Menstrual histories, both as markers of physiologic function and through their potential association with age at menopause, have also been investigated for their links to health outcomes. This study used data from a cohort of women from the United States who provided prospectively recorded data on their menstrual cycles for many years. Dr. Alan Treloar (University of Minnesota) originally recruited the women in the 1930s; the authors used data reported by these women from 1930 through 1977. They identified nuanced characteristics of menstrual histories that were strongly predictive of the onset of menopause, focusing on measures of central tendency (the mean), variability (standard deviation), and serial irregularity (approximate entropy), the last of which quantifies a continuum that ranges from totally ordered to completely random. They controlled for other characteristics known to affect age at menopause, including use of exogenous hormones, number of births, and extent of breastfeeding. Although cycle length and variability increased with the approach of menopause, the authors found that serial irregularity decreased and was a strong predictor of its onset. This finding constitutes an important piece of information not attainable with conventional statistical summaries of menstrual histories.


Verapamil administered twice daily in stable angina pectoris.
To assess whether verapamil taken orally twice daily (bd) was as effective as four times daily (qd) in patients with angina a placebo controlled double blind crossover trial was conducted in 12 patients. Each patient was randomized to verapamil, 160 mg bd, 80 mg qd, or corresponding placebo, each for three weeks. Patients were assessed subjectively and by treadmill exercise test. On both verapamil regimens, patients had less angina with delayed onset of ST segment depression during exercise compared to placebo, without any differences between the two regimens. On bd verapamil, patients could increase their exercise capacity as much as on qd without any increase in adverse effects. Angina threshold during exercise was increased by both regimens with a slightly higher threshold on qd verapamil compared to bd. Therefore, administration of verapamil twice daily is effective in patients with stable angina pectoris, with a similar efficacy to taking verapamil four times daily without any increase in adverse effects.


Study on immunoregulation function of peony seed proteolysis product in mice.
To explore the immunoregulatory function of peony seed proteolysis product in mice, the protein from peony seed meal was extracted and hydrolyzed with bromelain. The peony seed proteolysis product was fed to mice at three different doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg for 21 days. The immunoregulation abilities of peony seed proteolysis product after each of these doses were evaluated in mice. Our results showed that all immune indices were higher in mice that had received a lavage with peony seed proteolysis product than in control mice. The immune indices of immune organs, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, serum hemolysin levels, lymphocyte proliferation (SI value), and levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the middle dose and high dose groups were significantly higher (p < .05) or extremely significant (p < .01) in comparison with the control group. These results indicate that the peony seed proteolysis product enhances immunological functions in mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Peony seed is rich in proteins and can be extracted and hydrolyzed using bromelain. The peony seed proteolysis product can enhance the nonspecific, humoral, and cellular immune responses. Thus, peony seed could be of potential value to obtain peony seed protein, which can be further developed and utilized in the manufacture of functional health products.


Solute and solvent dynamics in confined equal-sized aqueous environments of charged and neutral reverse micelles: a combined dynamic fluorescence and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation study.
Here a combined dynamic fluorescence and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation study of aqueous pool-size dependent solvation energy and rotational relaxations of a neutral dipolar solute, C153, trapped in AOT (charged) and IGPAL (neutral) reverse micelles (RMs) at 298 K, is described. RMs in simulations have been represented by a reduced model where SPC/E water molecules interact with a trapped C153 that possesses realistic charge distributions for both ground and excited states. In large aqueous pools, measured average solvation and rotation rates are smaller for the neutral RMs than those in charged ones. Interestingly, while the measured average solvation and rotation rates increase with pool size for the charged RMs, the average rotation rates for the neutral RMs exhibit a reverse dependence. Simulations have qualitatively reproduced this experimental trend and suggested interfacial location for the solute for all cases. The origin for the subnanosecond Stokes shift dynamics has been investigated and solute-interface interaction contribution quantified. Simulated layer-wise translational and rotational diffusions of water molecules re-examine the validity of the core-shell model and provide a resolution to a debate regarding the origin of the subnanosecond solvation component in dynamic Stokes shift measurements with aqueous RMs but not detected in ultrafast IR measurements.


A novel MEN1 frameshift germline mutation in two Italian monozygotic twins.
This report describes clinical, biochemical and molecular findings regarding two Italian monozygotic twins carrying a novel multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) mutation inherited from their mother. Clinical, biochemical and genetic evaluations of the above-mentioned family members were performed. All three members were heterozygous for a deletion involving the first nucleotide at codon 98 in exon 2 of the MEN1 gene, which results in early termination of the protein. The clinical phenotypes were as follows: one out of the two twins suffered from insulinoma and hyperparathyroidism, while the second one was asymptomatic. Furthermore, the mother suffered from hyperparathyroidism, as well as from hypergastrinemia for several years before the daughter was diagnosed of MEN-1. We describe a family with a new heterozygous mutation (g.292delC) in the MEN1 gene not described previously. The mutation leads to a truncated protein without activity, explaining the clinical picture of this family.


Application of the Low-dose One-stop-shop Cardiac CT Protocol with Third-generation Dual-source CT.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a low-dose one-stop-shop cardiac CT imaging protocol with third-generation dual-source CT (DSCT). Methods Totally 23 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients were prospectively enrolled between March to September in 2016. All patients underwent an ATP stress dynamic myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (data acquired prospectively ECG-triggered during end systole by table shuttle mode in 32 seconds) at 70 kV combined with prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch coronary artery angiography (CCTA) on a third-generation DSCT system. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was quantified and compared between perfusion normal and abnormal myocardial segments based on AHA-17-segment model. CCTA images were evaluated qualitatively based on SCCT-18-segment model and the effective dose(ED) was calculated. In patients with subsequent catheter coronary angiography (CCA) as reference,the diagnosis performance of MPI (for per-vessel ≥50% and ≥70% stenosis) and CCTA (for≥50% stenosis) were assessed. Results Of 23 patients who had completed the examination of ATP stress MPI plus CCTA,12 patients received follow-up CCA. At ATP stress MPI,77 segments (19.7%) in 13 patients (56.5%) had perfusion abnormalities. The MBF values of hypo-perfused myocardial segments decreased significantly compared with normal segments [(93±22)ml/(100 ml·min) vs. (147±27)ml/(100 ml·min);t=15.978,P=0.000]. At CCTA,93.9% (308/328) of the coronary segments had diagnostic image quality. With CCA as the reference standard,the per-vessel and per-segment sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of CCTA for stenosis≥50% were 94.1%,93.5%,and 93.7% and 90.9%,97.8%,and 96.8%,and the per-vessel sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of ATP stress MPI for stenosis≥50% and ≥70% were 68.7%,100%,and 89.5% and 91.7%,100%,and 97.9%. The total ED of MPI and CCTA was (3.9±1.3) mSv [MPI:(3.5±1.2) mSv,CCTA:(0.3±0.1) mSv]. Conclusion The third-generation DSCT stress dynamic MPI at 70 kV combined with prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch CCTA is a feasible and reliable tool for clinical diagnosis,with remarkably reduced radiation dose.


Ultrasound-guided subarachnoid block in a case of osteogenesis imperfecta in an adolescent girl presenting with femur fracture - A case report.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare congenital bone disorder with underlying Type 1 collagen defect, in which patients are prone to fractures. The disease is associated with increased spinal curvature, short stature, loose joints, and poor muscle tone, all contributing to difficulty in identifying landmarks and hindering successful subarachnoid block. We report an interesting case of a successful ultrasonogram (USG)-guided subarachnoid block given in an adolescent girl with OI for fixation of femur fracture. This report underlines the importance USG in managing difficult neuraxial blocks.


Overutilisation of imaging studies for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: are we following the guidelines?
To evaluate if imaging studies such as CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan are ordered according to the current guidelines for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). We performed a retrospective observational cohort study in all adult patients who presented to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department from January 2014 to December 2016 and underwent CTPA or V/Q scan. We calculated the Wells' score retrospectively, and d-dimer values were used to determine if the imaging study was justified. A total of 8449 patients underwent CTPA (93%) or V/Q scan (7%), among which 142 (1.7%) patients were diagnosed with PE. The Wells' criteria showed low probabilities for PE in 96 % and intermediate or high probabilities in 4 % of total patients. Modified Wells' criteria demonstrated PE unlikely in 99.6 % and PE likely in 0.4 % of total patients. D-dimer was obtained in only 37 % of patients who were unlikely to have a PE or had a low score on Wells' criteria. Despite a low or unlikely Wells' criteria score and normal d-dimer levels, 260 patients underwent imaging studies, and none were diagnosed with PE. More than 99 % of CTPA or V/Q scans were negative in our study. This suggests extraordinary overutilisation of the imaging methods. D-dimer, recommended in patients with low to moderate risk, was ordered in only one-third of patients. Much greater emphasis of current guidelines is needed to avoid inappropriate utilisation of resources without missing diagnosis of PE.


Environmental mycobacteria in bottled table waters in Greece.
A hundred and fifty samples of bottled table water sold by Greek factories were examined for the presence of environmental mycobacteria. Environmental mycobacteria were found in 23 (15.6%) of the 150 tested samples. Bacterial numbers of 1-100, 101-300, 301-1000, and > 10(3) CFU/L were found in 8, 2, 1, and 4% of the samples, respectively. The identification of the environmental mycobacteria was performed by both polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme analysis (PCR-REA) and biochemical methods. The environmental mycobacteria found were 14 Mycobacterium chelonae, 3 Mycobacterium phlei, 4 Mycobacterium gordonae, and 2 Mycobacterium flavescens. The relatively high number of environmental mycobacteria in bottled table water leads us to believe that the search of these opportunistic microorganisms in bottled water could be a useful index of their hygienic quality when this water is to be consumed by immunologically compromised patients. No statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of mycobacteria and the bacteriological faecal indicators (P < 0.005).


An Evaluation of the Emerging Techniques in Sports-Related Concussion.
Sports-related concussion is now in public awareness more than ever before. Investigations into underlying pathophysiology and methods of assessment have correspondingly increased at an exponential rate. In this review, we aim to highlight some of the evidence supporting emerging techniques in the fields of neurophysiology, neuroimaging, vestibular, oculomotor, autonomics, head sensor, and accelerometer technology in the setting of the current standard: clinical diagnosis and management. In summary, the evidence we reviewed suggests that (1) head impact sensors and accelerometers may detect possible concussions that would not otherwise receive evaluation; (2) clinical diagnosis may be aided by sideline vestibular, oculomotor, and portable EEG techniques; (3) clinical decisions on return-to-play eligibility are currently not sensitive at capturing the neurometabolic, cerebrovascular, neurophysiologic, and microstructural changes that biomarkers have consistently detected days and weeks after clinical clearance. Such biomarkers include heart rate variability, quantitative electroencephalography, as well as functional, metabolic, and microstructural neuroimaging. The current challenge is overcoming the lack of consistency and replicability of any one particular technique to reach consensus.


The tear turnover and tear clearance tests - a review.
The aim is to provide a summary of methods available for the assessment of tear turnover and tear clearance rates. The review defines tear clearance and tear turnover and describes their implication for ocular surface health. Additionally, it describes main types of techniques for measuring tear turnover, including fluorescein tear clearance tests, techniques utilizing electromagnetic spectrum and tracer molecule and novel experimental techniques utilizing optical coherence tomography and fluorescein profilometry. Internet databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar) and most frequently cited references were used as a principal resource of information on tear turnover rate and tear clearance rate, presenting methodologies and equipment, as well as their definition and implications for the anterior eye surface health and function. Keywords used for data-search were as follows: tear turnover, tear clearance, fluorescein clearance, scintigraphy, fluorophotometry, tear flow, drainage, tear meniscus dynamics, Krehbiel flow and lacrimal functional unit. After decades, the topic of tear turnover assessment has been reintroduced. Recently, new techniques have been developed to propose less invasive, less time consuming and simpler methodologies for the assessment of tear dynamics that have the potential to be utilized in clinical practice.


[Testing the hemalog D in a hematology department of a general hospital in Paris (author's transl)].
Europe's firs Hemalog D was installed in the Hematology Laboratory of the Franco-Musulman Hospital at Bobigny, just outside Paris, in March 1975. The authors' experience with the apparatus since that date has enabled them to analyze the significance of "alarms", "high peroxidase", "large unstained cells", "remainder" and "low rate" in patients with and without hematologic disorders. On the basis of these results it has been possible to define the fate of the various blood cells in the Hemalog D, the role of the apparatus in the ivestigation of hematologic disorders and the type of "cooperation" between the hematologist and the Hemalog D.


3-D curvilinear structure detection filter via structure-ball analysis.
Curvilinear structure detection filters are crucial building blocks in many medical image processing applications, where they are used to detect important structures, such as blood vessels, airways, and other similar fibrous tissues. Unfortunately, most of these filters are plagued by an implicit single structure direction assumption, which results in a loss of signal around bifurcations. This peculiarity limits the performance of all subsequent processes, such as understanding angiography acquisitions, computing an accurate segmentation or tractography, or automatically classifying image voxels. This paper presents a new 3-D curvilinear structure detection filter based on the analysis of the structure ball, a geometric construction representing second order differences sampled in many directions. The structure ball is defined formally, and its computation on a discreet image is discussed. A contrast invariant diffusion index easing voxel analysis and visualization is also introduced, and different structure ball shape descriptors are proposed. A new curvilinear structure detection filter is defined based on the shape descriptors that best characterize curvilinear structures. The new filter produces a vesselness measure that is robust to the presence of X- and Y-junctions along the structure by going beyond the single direction assumption. At the same time, it stays conceptually simple and deterministic, and allows for an intuitive representation of the structure's principal directions. Sample results are provided for synthetic images and for two medical imaging modalities.


Extensive lifestyle management intervention following cardiac rehabilitation: pilot study.
Long-term management of the lifestyles of cardiac patients who have completed a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP), and the risks that may develop for future health problems, have not been extensively reported. The purpose of this pilot study of graduates of CRPs was to: (a) assess lifestyle and risk factor trends, (b) test certain protocols, and (c) identify the challenges and limitations in managing lifestyles and risk factors. A convenience sample of 49 people with ischemic heart disease (IHD) was randomized to a Lifestyle Management Intervention (LMI) group and a Usual Care (UC) group and followed for 6 months. Patients assigned to the LMI group underwent six additional exercise sessions and participated in telephone follow-ups and a counseling session. Patients in the UC group were assessed at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Of the original 49 participants, 17 in the LMI group and 19 in the UC group completed the study. Patients in the LMI group showed significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-C from baseline at 6 months. Diastolic blood pressure was decreased significantly in the UC group. The study identified the challenges of lifestyle intervention and found that favorable risk factor modifications are possible for patients who have completed a CRP.


[Hormonal contraceptive use, depression and suicide].
Hormonal contraception is widely used among young women, and mood changes are common side effects. Little focus has been drawn towards more serious mood disorders. Recent investigations have shown an association between hormonal contraceptive use and depression, suicide attempt and suicide. The highest relative risks for those side effects have been reported among adolescents. All types of hormonal contraceptive methods seem to influence women's mood. In this review, we recommend a greater focus on potential psychological side effects and increased attention when prescribing hormonal contraceptive products.


Effects of carboxy-terminal modifications and pH on binding of a Bacillus subtilis small, acid-soluble spore protein to DNA.
Variants of the wild-type Bacillus subtilis alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore protein (SASP) SspC(wt) were designed to evaluate the contribution of C-terminal residues to these proteins' affinity for DNA. SspC variants lacking one to three C-terminal residues were similar to SspC(wt) in DNA binding, but removal of six C-terminal residues greatly decreased DNA binding. In contrast, a C-terminal extension of three residues increased SspC's affinity for DNA 5- to 10-fold. C-terminal and N-terminal changes that independently caused large increases in SspC-DNA binding affinity were combined and produced an additive effect on DNA binding; the affinity of the resulting variant, SspC(DeltaN11-D13K-C3), for DNA was increased >/==" BORDER="0">20-fold over that of SspC(wt). For most of the SspC variants tested, lowering the pH from 7 to 6 improved DNA binding two- to sixfold, although the opposite effect was observed with variants having additional C-terminal basic residues. In vitro, the binding of SspC(DeltaN11-D13K-C3) to DNA suppressed the formation of cyclobutane-type thymine dimers and promoted the formation of the spore photoproduct upon UV irradiation to the same degree as the binding of SspC(wt). However, B. subtilis spores lacking major alpha/beta-type SASP and overexpressing SspC(DeltaN11-D13K-C3) had a 10-fold-lower viability and far less UV and heat resistance than spores overexpressing SspC(wt). This apparent lack of DNA protection by SspC(DeltaN11-D13K-C3) in vivo is likely due to the twofold-lower level of this protein in spores compared to the level of SspC(wt), perhaps because of effects of SspC(DeltaN11-D13K-C3) on gene expression in the forespore during sporulation. The latter results indicate that only moderately strong binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to DNA is important to balance the potentially conflicting requirements for these proteins in DNA transcription and DNA protection during spore formation, spore dormancy, and spore germination and outgrowth.


Replacing Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisors by CAD/CAM PMMA Cantilever Bridges.
Management of missing maxillary lateral incisors can be a challenging endeavour for dentists. Whether from agenesis or tooth loss, several treatment modalities are currently present to tackle this task to ensure satisfactory aesthetics. Most patients, especially younger patients are more likely to prefer fixed prosthodontic rehabilitation. Among these options is the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing polymethyl methacrylate (CAD/CAM PMMA) cantilever bridge. Case Descriptions. These two clinical cases describe the management of missing lateral maxillary incisors in two Tunisian female patients with different etiologies, using CAD/CAM PMMA cantilever bridge. CAD/CAM technologies allow for a fairly quick and simple try-in thanks to their high accuracy as well as being predictable, minimally invasive, and affordable treatment options. This type of restoration can be put to use for mid- to long-term solutions to missing maxillary lateral incisors. However, its success depends mainly on patient selection regarding age, general health, occlusal context, and proper indication.


Drug interactions involving ethanol and alcoholic beverages.
Ethanol is likely among the most widely and extensively used drugs in the world. It has also been demonstrated to alter the expression or activity of some drug-metabolizing enzymes. Thus, marked ethanol-provoked drug interactions could be of notable clinical importance. To date, relatively few clinically important interactions have been reported, involving cocaine, disulfiram and tacrolimus. Limited or modest interactions with ethanol have also been reported for drugs such as abacavir, cisapride, 'ecstasy' (3,4-methylenedioxymetamfetamine), gamma-hydroxybutyrate, methylyphenidate, metronidazole and verapamil. Most of these interactions do not seem to involve CYP2E1, the enzyme initially characterized and cloned based on its ability to metabolize and be induced by ethanol. Important work has elucidated the relationship between CYP2E1-mediated formation of the hepatotoxic metabolite of acetaminophen and alcohol consumption. Lastly, drug interactions involving other components of alcoholic beverages such as flavonoid and other polyphenolic components of red wine have been reported.


[Synthesis of new gene-loaded microbubbles serve as gene delivery vehicle applied in reporter gene transfer into cardiac myocytes].
To improve the stability and gene-carried capability of gene-attached microbubbles, the method for manufacture of albumin microbubbles was modified and new gene-loaded microbubbles were synthesized by incorporated gene-PEI complex into the shell of microbubbles. Agarose gel electrophoresis and bacteria transformation showed that PEI had the ability to provide the protection of plasmid DNA from ultrasonic degradation. The new gene-loaded microbubbles exhibited excellent acoustical and hemorheological properties. Moreover, they could carry more plasmid DNA than gene-attached microbubbles. beta-galactosidase plasmid transfection into cardiac myocytes was performed by using ultrasound targeted destruction of new gene-loaded microbubbles or gene-attached microbubbles. Gene expression in cardiac myocytes was detected by beta-galactosidase in situ staining and quantitive assay. It was shown that beta-galactosidase activity in cardiac myocytes was enhanced 107-fold by ultrasonic destruction of gene-loaded microbubbles compared with naked plasmid transfection and new gene-loaded microbubbles resulted in 6.85-fold increase in beta-galactosidase activity compared with optimal transfection mediated by gene-attached microbubbles. These results suggested that ultrasonic destruction of the gene-loaded microbubbles can enhance the cardiac myocytes exogenous gene transfer efficiency significantly and new gene-loaded microbubbles is an efficient and safe gene delivery vehicle.


The relationship of the human glutathione S-transferase P1 polymorphism and chemotherapeutic sensitivity in head and neck squamous carcinoma.
GSTP1, which encodes GSTPi, has a polymorphic site at codon 105 (exon 5), where an adenosine-to-guanine (A-G) transition causes an isoleucine-to-valine substitution (I105V). Recent studies have found that subjects with the valine allele display a significantly lower enzyme activity and less effective capability of detoxification. We hypothesized that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) might respond differently to chemotherapeutic agents, especially cisplatin (CDDP) because of the presence of GSTP1 I105V polymorphism. Seventeen types of HNSCC cell lines were investigated with the MTT method, western blot, RT-PCR and direct sequence to examine the relationship between the sensitivity to CDDP and expression of GSTPi. There was a significant degree of difference in cell death among each cell line in the sensitivity test with CDDP, however, we did not find differences in the band density of the protein and mRNA expression levels of GSTPi. In the direct sequence examination we detected 4 subjects heterozygous of polymorphism GSTP1. The frequency was 23.5% in the 17 cell lines examined, and all 4 subjects showed a good response to CDDP treatment. A heterozygous polymorphism might alter the function of the GSTPi due to significantly lower enzyme activity and less effective capability of detoxification. Two other subjects which showed a good response to CDDP treatment did not show any polymorphism. These results indicated that there is another locus that reduces GSTPi activity, and that the mechanisms of CDDP resistance was multifactorial. Further study is required to conclude whether the GSTP1 I105V polymorphism might be useful as a predictive marker for multi-drug resistance.


[Myelin associated inhibitors and regeneration of optic nerve].
The failure of axonal regeneration after optic nerve injury in mammals is closely related to nonpermissive microenvironment in central nervous system as well as to the low regenerative ability of retinal ganglion cells. Myelin associated inhibitors produced by oligodendrocytes are major elements of this nonpermissive microenvironment. Three major inhibitors, Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein, have been identified, which lead to signal inhibition through the same receptor complex. Blocking the inhibitors and their receptors or changing the intrinsic state of the neuron to overcome the inhibition may promote retinal ganglion cell axonal regeneration after optic nerve injury, which bring a hope to solve the problem of repair of injured optic nerve.


Allogeneic marrow transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome complicating autologous bone marrow transplantation.
A patient with refractory relapsed Hodgkin's disease underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant in July 1987 and achieved remission of Hodgkin's disease. He had complete hematological recovery but developed pancytopenia 3 years post bone marrow transplantation with morphological evidence of myelodysplasia. High-dose cyclophosphamide, 200 mg/kg, chemotherapy followed by an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from a HLA-matched sibling was performed in April 1991 with complete hematological recovery. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation was thus used successfully to treat a potential complication of autologous bone marrow transplantation.


Adsorption of formaldehyde vapor by amine-functionalized mesoporous silica materials.
The amine-functionalized mesoporous silica materials were prepared via the co-condensation reaction of tetraethoxysilane and three types of organoalkoxysilanes: 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane, n-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-(2-(2-aminoehtylamino)ethylamino) propyl-trimethoxysilane. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was used as a template for forming pores. Specific surface area and pore volume of the amine-functionalized mesoporous silica materials were determined using surface area and pore size analyzer. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscope was employed for identifying the functional groups on pore surface. In addition, the amine-functionalized mesoporous silica materials were applied as adsorbents for adsorbing formaldehyde vapor. FTIR spectra showed the evidence of the reaction between formaldehyde molecules and amine groups on pore surface of adsorbents. The equilibrium data of formaldehyde adsorbed on the adsorbents were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm. The sample functionalized from n-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane showed the highest adsorption capacity owing to its amine groups and the large pore diameter.


Multimodality imaging of head and neck cancer.
Imaging has an important role in staging, planning treatment and post-treatment follow up of patients with head and neck cancer. The most commonly utilized imaging modalities are discussed in relation to their relative indications, strengths and weaknesses. This is followed by a brief update on the advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging.


A case-control study of cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
To examine occupation, smoking, and other risk factors for nasal cancer, a case-control study was conducted among 160 patients, who were admitted to four hospitals in North Carolina and Virginia between 1970 and 1980, and 290 controls. Employment in the furniture industry was not associated with squamous cell tumors, but such employment increased the risk of nasal adenocarcinoma by fivefold. In addition, approximately threefold excess risks of adenocarcinoma were observed for those employed in other industries involving possible exposure to wood dust. Elevated risks among males were also associated with occupational exposures to chromates (relative risk (RR) = 5.1) and chemicals (RR = 2.7). Among females, an excess risk was associated with employment in the textile industry, particularly for jobs involving dust exposure (RR = 2.3). Although there was no evidence that alcohol consumption affected risk, heavy cigarette smokers were at a two- to threefold excess risk (predominantly for squamous cell tumors); in addition, there was evidence that there was an elevated risk associated with the use of snuff. Elevated risks were also associated with histories of nasal polyps (RR = 8.3), recurrent nose bleeds (RR = 2.0), and sinus trouble (RR = 2.7). These findings provide leads for further studies, and underscore the importance of distinguishing between histologic types.


Collisional activation of [14Pro+2H]2+ clusters: chiral dependence of evaporation and fission processes.
Ion mobility/mass spectrometry techniques are used to investigate the dissociation of the small proline cluster [14Pro+2H](2+) produced by electrospray ionization. While this cluster is known to prefer heterochiral compositions (i.e., mixed L- and D-compositions, J. Phys. Chem. A, submitted for publication), it is possible to produce homochiral forms by electrospraying solutions containing only L- or D-proline. Differences in the measured cross sections for [14Pro+2H](2+) produced from enantiomerically pure (100% l or 100% d) or racemic (50:50 l/d) solutions indicate that homochiral and heterochiral clusters have different structures. Upon low-energy collisional activation, both the heterochiral and homochiral doubly charged structures evaporate neutral proline monomers, resulting in the formation of [xPro+2H](2+) ions (where x = 9-13). At higher activation energies, there is evidence that these smaller clusters (primarily [10Pro+2H](2+)) fission to produce [xPro+H](+) (where x = 1-6). Analysis of product ion intensities reveals a strong chiral preference associated with fissioning. Products of evaporation also show a chiral dependence but to a lesser extent.


A quantitative evaluation of active gelatinolytic sites in uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma using film in situ zymography: association of stronger gelatinolysis with myometrial invasion.
Collagen matrix degradation by malignant tumor cells plays an essential role in the process of tumor invasion and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to detect in situ gelatinase activity in endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the uterine corpus. In order to carry out quantitative evaluation, autoexposure time (AET) on gelatin-coated film (film in situ zymography: FIZ) was measured. The gelatinase activity was located primarily within cancers and was prominently suppressed by the addition of a chelating agent to the film. This suggests that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the gelatinase activity. The gelatinase activity in the normal endometrium is almost negligible, despite positive immunoreactivity for MMP-2 and -9. Tumor tissues that had invaded more than half of the myometrium showed significantly higher activity than those that had invaded less than half. There was no significant difference in gelatinase activity among tumor stages, grades, vessel invasion or immunoreactivity for MMPs, with the exception that stage 2b cancers showed higher activity than stage 1a. The study suggested that the level of MMP-mediated gelatinolysis is an important factor for myometrial invasion in uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Thus, a quantitative assessment of active gelatinolysis using FIZ and AET should be a useful tool in evaluating in situ matriolytic activity in local myometrial invasion by uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma.


Group-based parent training for preventing mental health disorders in children.
Conduct problems in preschool children are a significant mental health problem associated with later psychosocial and psychiatric disorders, pointing to the need for effective community-based preventive interventions with families of young children at risk. Group-based parent training has been described as one such intervention. This paper presents the nature of conduct problems in young children, the role of day care and preschools in gaining access to young children at risk, the theory and research underlying group-based parent training as one type of effective prevention strategy, and characteristics of effective parent training programs. Examples from the authors' experiences implementing parent training in day care centers in Chicago are presented.


A gain-of-function allele of cbp-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of the mammalian CBP/p300 gene, causes an increase in histone acetyltransferase activity and antagonism of activated Ras.
An RTK-Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays a key role in vulval induction in Caenorhabditis elegans. We have previously carried out screens for suppressors of activated Ras to identify factors that play critical roles in the regulation of the pathway. ku258 was isolated as a semidominant allele that suppresses the Multivulva phenotype caused by activated let-60 ras. Our genetic and molecular analyses indicate that ku258 is a gain-of-function allele resulting from two point mutations in the C. elegans homolog of the transcriptional coactivator p300/CBP, cbp-1. Genetic data also suggest that cbp-1 may act downstream of the Ras signaling pathway, but not primarily downstream of the Wnt signaling pathway, to negatively regulate vulval cell fate specification. cbp-1 may function in concert with LIN-1, an Ets transcription factor family member that is one of the targets of MAPK. In vitro histone acetylation assays have revealed that together, the two point mutations cause a sevenfold increase in the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity of recombinant CBP-1. To our knowledge, this is the only such HAT activity mutation isolated in a CBP/p300 family protein, and this mutation may define a negative role of the HAT activity in antagonizing Ras function in a specific developmental event.


Endometrial progesterone concentrations during the menstrual cycle.
Endometrial progesterone concentrations have been determined during the menstrual cycle and compared to plasma progesterone and estradiol-17 beta concentration. There is a good relationship between endometrial and plasma progesterone concentrations but none between endometrial progesterone and estradiol-17 beta concentration.


Biochemical characterisation of the trehalase of thermophilic fungi: an enzyme with mixed properties of neutral and acid trehalase.
The trehalases from some thermophilic fungi, such as Humicola grisea, Scytalidium thermophilum, or Chaetomium thermophilum, possess mixed properties in comparison with those of the two main groups of trehalases: acid and neutral trehalases. Such as acid trehalases these enzymes are highly thermostable extracellular glycoproteins, which act at acidic pH. However, these enzymes are activated by calcium or manganese, and as a result inhibited by chelators and by ATP, properties typical of neutral trehalases. Here we extended the biochemical characterisation of these enzymes, by assaying their activity at acid and neutral pH. The acid activity (25-30% of total) was assayed in McIlvaine buffer at pH 4.5. Under these conditions the enzyme was neither activated by calcium nor inhibited by EDTA or ATP. The neutral activity was estimated in MES buffer at pH 6.5, after subtracting the activity resistant to EDTA inhibition. The neutral activity was activated by calcium and inhibited by ATP. On the other hand, the acid activity was more thermostable than the neutral activity, had a higher temperature optimum, exhibited a lower K(m), and different sensitivity to several ions and other substances. Apparently, these trehalases represent a new class of trehalases. More knowledge is needed about the molecular structure of this protein and its corresponding gene, to clarify the structural and evolutionary relationship of this trehalase to the conventional trehalases.


Characterization of Neisseria cinerea, a nonpathogenic species isolated on Martin-Lewis medium selective for pathogenic Neisseria spp.
An asaccharolytic, gram-negative, oxidase-positive diplococcus was isolated on Martin-Lewis medium from the cervix of a patient attending an arthritis clinic at Seattle Public Health Hospital, Seattle, Wash. This strain, NRL 32165, did not produce detectable acid from glucose, maltose, sucrose, fructose, mannitol, or lactose in either cystine Trypticase agar (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.) or modified oxidation-fermentation medium and was identified presumptively as a glucose-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain, but was identified later as Neisseria cinerea on the basis of its biochemical reactions. Nitrate was not reduced, nitrite (0.001%, wt/vol) was reduced, and polysaccharide was not produced from sucrose. Proline, arginine, and cystine-cysteine were required for growth on defined medium. Strain NRL 32165 did not react with antigonococcal protein I monoclonal antibodies and did not produce immunoglobulin A protease. In DNA:DNA homology studies with N. gonorrhoeae NRL 8038 (F62) and N. cinerea type strain NRL 30003, strain NRL 32165 showed 95% homology relative to N. cinerea and 44% homology relative to N. gonorrhoeae. Thus, the identity of strain NRL 32165 was confirmed as N. cinerea (von Lingelsheim 1906) Murray 1939. Of all Neisseria spp., N. cinerea is most likely to be misidentified as a glucose-negative N. gonorrhoeae strain.


Imaging Nanometer Phonon Softening at Crystal Surface Steps with 4D Ultrafast Electron Microscopy.
Step edges are an important and prevalent topological feature that influence catalytic, electronic, vibrational, and structural properties arising from modulation of atomic-scale force fields due to edge-atom relaxation. Direct probing of ultrafast atomic-to-nanoscale lattice dynamics at individual steps poses a particularly significant challenge owing to demanding spatiotemporal resolution requirements. Here, we achieve such resolutions with femtosecond 4D ultrafast electron microscopy and directly image nanometer-variant softening of photoexcited phonons at individual surface steps. We find large degrees of softening precisely at the step position, with a thickness-dependent, strain-induced frequency modulation extending tens of nanometers laterally from the atomic-scale discontinuity. The effect originates from anisotropic bond dilation and photoinduced incoherent atomic displacements delineated by abrupt molecular-layer cessation. The magnitude and spatiotemporal extent of softening is quantitatively described with a finite-element transient-deformation model. The high spatiotemporal resolutions demonstrated here enable uncovering of new insights into atomic-scale structure-function relationships of highly defect-sensitive, functional materials.


The cell adhesion domain in plasma vitronectin is cryptic.
Vitronectin (Vn) is a major adhesive glycoprotein in blood. However, many of the functions of Vn are regulated by its conformational state and degree of multimerization. Here, the ability of native and denatured Vn to bind to integrin adhesion receptors was compared. Three lines of evidence suggest that the native, plasma form of Vn is not an adhesive glycoprotein. (i) Antibodies that bind in close proximity to the cell adhesion domain of Vn fail to bind to native Vn present in unfractionated plasma. (ii) Denatured Vn binds to both glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and alphavbeta3 in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, native Vn is unable to bind either integrin. (iii) Thermal denaturation of native Vn, or its complexation with type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor, exposed the cell adhesion domain of Vn. Thus, while plasma Vn is unable to bind integrins and is not an adhesive glycoprotein, the conformationally altered from of the protein binds avidly to both alphavbeta3 and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. The data presented here indicate that such conformational changes in Vn are likely to occur in areas of tissue injury and thrombosis.


Acute fatty liver of pregnancy: an unusual presentation.
We describe a case of acute fatty liver that developed during the third trimester of pregnancy. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a well-documented medical condition and is important due to its implications on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. AFLP is managed with supportive care and close surveillance is needed in patients with a previous history of this disease. Long-term sequelae such as brain damage may also occur. This case was unusual because the patient presented due to a co-incident uterine scar rupture and was subsequently diagnosed with AFLP. Although no association between scar rupture and AFLP has been reported in the scientific literature, the association of abdominal scar dehiscence and liver disease has been reported previously.


Secretion of matrix metalloproteinases by human endometrial cells in vitro.
At each menstrual cycle, the uterine endometrium undergoes intense remodelling. Of the many factors implicated in tissue remodelling, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a central role owing to their capacity to degrade the extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to examine the nature and cellular origin of endometrial proteases as evaluated in culture systems with clearly characterized cell types. Endometrial cells from hysterectomy specimens were prepared using collagenase digestion. Bone-marrow-derived cells (a known source of proteases) were removed by immunopurification. Cells were cultured on different substrates (matrigel, agarose, glass or plastic). Purity of cell preparations was examined by immunocytochemistry, and proteases were characterized by zymography on SDS-PAGE containing gelatin. The cell phenotype in culture was largely influenced by the type of substrate. Gelatin-degrading enzymes detected in culture supernatants of stromal and epithelial cells had molecular masses ranging from 42 to 248 kDa, and were identified as metalloproteinases. We conclude that human endometrial stromal and epithelial cells express several matrix metalloproteinases, the expression of which clearly depended on the purity of cell preparation, on cell adhesion and on the nature of the substrate on which the cells grew. These enzymes might be involved in endometrium remodelling, blastocyst implantation and trophoblast invasion.


High incidence of early leukemic relapse in patients given cyclosporin and T cell depleted HLA-identical sibling marrow transplants for acute leukemia in first remission.
Twelve patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANL, n = 6) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n = 6) in first complete remission received cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg and total body irradiation (TBI) 12 Gy followed by HLA-identical sibling marrow that had been depleted of T cells by incubation with anti-CD2 (with or without anti-CD8) monoclonal antibody and rabbit complement. These 12 patients were compared historically to 25 patients with ANL (n = 15) or ALL (n = 10) in first remission given cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg and TBI 12 Gy followed by non-T cell depleted HLA-identical sibling marrow for parameters of relapse and survival. Thirty-six of the 37 patients received cyclosporin as post transplant prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). All surviving patients have been followed for a minimum of one year from transplant. The actuarial rate of leukemic relapse in the T-depleted group was 62% compared to 37% in the non-depleted group (p less than 0.02). Additionally, relapse occurred significantly earlier post transplant in the T-depleted recipients (p = 0.012). Actuarial survival at two years post transplant was 24% for the T-depleted recipients and 41% at six years post transplant for the non-depleted recipients (not significant, p = 0.37). We have previously shown that GVHD is less severe in patients given T cell depleted transplants. Taken together, these findings suggest that (under the protocol conditions used) a graft-versus-leukemia effect is not separable from a GVHD effect in man.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The effect of overweight/obesity on cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress in men aged 50-70 years.
To determine the effect of adiposity in males aged 50-70 years on cardiovascular responses to acute psychological stress. Lean (BMI 20-25 kg/m(2)) (n = 21) and overweight/obese (BMI 27-35 kg/m(2)) (n = 21) men aged 50-70 years were subjected to psychological stress. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output were measured by a Finometer during resting (60 min), stress (30 min), and recovery (90 min). The lean group had a significantly higher SBP stress reactivity when compared to the overweight/obese group (51.5 ± 3.7% vs. 41.0 ± 2.9% (mean ± SEM) ; p < 0.05). A significant effect of time was observed for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output (p < 0.0001 for all). There were significant time × body type interactions for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output (p < 0.05 for all). Total peripheral resistance during recovery was higher in the lean compared to the overweight/obese group (p < 0.05). In the lean group, systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability remained elevated after stress (p < 0.05) but returned to resting levels in the overweight/obese group (p > 0.05). Moderate adiposity in men was associated with reduced systolic blood pressure % reactivity, total peripheral resistance, and blood pressure variability after psychological stress. Overweight/obese men appear to be at no greater risk of unfavorable cardiovascular responses to stress.


Partial laryngectomy for the management of laryngeal masses in six cats.
Partial laryngectomy is an organ-sparing surgical procedure for the removal of laryngeal masses which has not been described in cats. The aim of this study was to report on the surgical procedure and the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of cats that underwent partial laryngectomy. Medical records were retrospectively collected over a 4-year period in two institutions. The following data were retrieved: signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnostic test results, surgical procedure, postoperative management, complications and outcome. Six cats underwent partial laryngectomy. The most common clinical signs in cats with laryngeal masses were stridor (n = 4) and dyspnoea (n = 4). In all cats, a full-thickness portion of one or several laryngeal cartilages was resected, including thyroid cartilage alone (n = 2), thyroid cartilage and arytenoid (n = 2), and arytenoid cartilage and epiglottis (n = 2). The resected laryngeal masses were reported to be lymphoma (n = 3), carcinoma (n = 1), laryngeal cyst (n = 1) and inflammatory laryngeal disease (n = 1). All cats survived the surgical intervention of partial laryngectomy. Four cats showed varying degrees of respiratory distress in the short-term postoperative period. A temporary tracheostomy tube was placed in two cats. No other postoperative complications were noted in the short- or long-term. Four cats were still alive at the time of writing. These cats survived at least 252 days. In a small number of cases, our results show that successful long-term outcomes after partial laryngectomy are achievable, with longer survival times than previously reported. Therefore, partial laryngectomy should be considered as a viable treatment option in cats with laryngeal masses.


A survey to assess animal methods bias in scientific publishing.
Publication of scientific findings is fundamental for research, pushing innovation and generating interventions that benefit society, but it is not without biases. Publication bias is generally recognized as a journal's preference for publishing studies based on the direction and magnitude of results. However, early evidence of a newly recognized type of publication bias has emerged in which journal policy, peer reviewers, or editors request that animal data be provided to validate studies produced using nonanimal-based approaches. We describe herein "animal methods bias" in publishing: a preference for animal-based methods where they may not be necessary or where nonanimal-based methods may be suitable, which affects the likelihood of a manuscript being accepted for publication. To gather evidence of animal methods bias, we set out to collect the experiences and perceptions of scientists and reviewers related to animal- and nonanimal-based experiments during peer review. We created a cross-sectional survey with 33 questions that was completed by 90 respondents working in various biological fields. Twenty-one survey respondents indicated that they have carried out animal-based experiments for the sole purpose of anticipating reviewer requests. Thirty-one survey respondents indicated that they have been asked by peer reviewers to add animal experimental data to their nonanimal study; 14 of these felt the request was sometimes justified, and 11 did not think it was justified. The data presented provide preliminary evidence of animal methods bias and indicate that status quo and conservatism biases may explain such attitudes by peer reviewers and editors.


A study of some innovations in hair transplanting.
The value of 1) cooling of plugs to induce a shorter "resting phase", 2) power-driven punches to produce a greater yield of hair per graft; and 3) larger grafts to produce a greater yield of hair has been studied. Cooling does not appear to shorten the "resting phase." Power-driven punches produce an insignificant increase in the number of hairs yielded per graft. Using larger "standard" grafts does not lead to an increased yield of hair per graft and results in an overall decrease in yield from donor areas.


Relaxation Oscillations of an Exciton-Polariton Condensate Driven by Parametric Scattering.
We report the observation of coherent oscillations in the relaxation dynamics of an exciton-polariton condensate that were driven by parametric scattering processes. As a result of the interbranch scattering scheme and the nonlinear polariton-polariton interactions, such parametric scatterings exhibit a high scattering efficiency that leads to the fast depletion of the polariton condensate and the periodic shut-off of the bosonic stimulation processes, eventually causing relaxation oscillations. Employing polariton-reservoir interactions, the oscillation dynamics in the time domain can be projected onto the energy space. In theory, our simulations using the open-dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation are in excellent agreement with experimental observations. Surprisingly, the oscillation patterns, including many excitation pulses, are clearly visible in our time-integrated images, implying the high stability of the relaxation oscillations driven by polariton parametric scatterings.


Acute hydrocephalus secondary to obstruction of the foramen of monro and cerebral aqueduct caused by a choroid plexus cyst in the lateral ventricle. Case report.
Choroid plexus cysts are common and typically asymptomatic abnormal folds of the epithelial lining of the choroid plexus. Rarely, these cysts may gradually enlarge and cause outflow obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid. The authors present a case of a large choroid plexus cyst causing acute hydrocephalus in a previously healthy 2-year-old boy. The patient presented with markedly declining mental status, vomiting, and bradycardia over the course of several hours. Computed tomography scans demonstrated enlarged lateral and third ventricles with sulcal effacement, but no obvious mass lesions or hemorrhage. There was no antecedent illness or trauma. A right frontal external ventricular drain was placed in the patient, resulting in decompression of only the right lateral ventricle. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a lobulated cyst arising from the choroid plexus of the left lateral ventricle and herniating through the foramen of Monro into the third ventricle, occluding both the foramen of Monro and the cerebral aqueduct. The patient underwent an endoscopic fenestration of the cyst, and histological results confirmed that it was a choroid plexus cyst. Postoperative MR imaging showed a marked reduction in the cyst size. The cyst was no longer in the third ventricle, the foramen of Monro and the aqueduct were patent, and the ventricles were decompressed. The patient was discharged home with no deficits. To the authors' knowledge, there are no previous reports of a choroid plexus cyst causing acute hydrocephalus due to herniation into the third ventricle. This case is illustrative because it describes this entity for the first time, and more importantly highlights the need to obtain a diagnosis when a patient presents with acute hydrocephalus without a clear cause.


UPFront and center in RNA decay: UPF1 in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and beyond.
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which is arguably the best-characterized translation-dependent regulatory pathway in mammals, selectively degrades mRNAs as a means of post-transcriptional gene control. Control can be for the purpose of ensuring the quality of gene expression. Alternatively, control can facilitate the adaptation of cells to changes in their environment. The key to NMD, no matter what its purpose, is the ATP-dependent RNA helicase upstream frameshift 1 (UPF1), without which NMD fails to occur. However, UPF1 does much more than regulate NMD. As examples, UPF1 is engaged in functionally diverse mRNA decay pathways mediated by a variety of RNA-binding proteins that include staufen, stem-loop-binding protein, glucocorticoid receptor, and regnase 1. Moreover, UPF1 promotes tudor-staphylococcal/micrococcal-like nuclease-mediated microRNA decay. In this review, we first focus on how the NMD machinery recognizes an NMD target and triggers mRNA degradation. Next, we compare and contrast the mechanisms by which UPF1 functions in the decay of other mRNAs and also in microRNA decay. UPF1, as a protein polymath, engenders cells with the ability to shape their transcriptome in response to diverse biological and physiological needs.


Stratified mixed-culture biofilm model for anaerobic digestion.
Development of a novel two-layer anaerobic biofilm model is based on substrate utilization kinetics and mass transport. The model is applied to steady-state conditions for a fixed-film anaerobic reactor. The microbial film is considered to consist of two distinct biofilm layers, one adjacent to the second, with an acidogenic bacteria biofilm forming the outer layer and a methanogenic film the inner one. The model assumes that sugars are only metabolized by the first layer and converted into volatile fatty acids (VFA), while fatty acids are taken up only by the inner layer. The model is able to predict both substrate flux net uptake and methane production for steady-state conditions. The results of modeling agree with methane production experimental data published elsewhere. Further, the model shows why layered fixed-film reactors can withstand high and inhibitory concentrations of volatile fatty acids as well as severe overloading without failure.