Uterine horn aplasia with complications in two mixed-breed bitches.
Unilateral segmental uterine horn aplasia was found in 2 mixed-breed bitches. The 1st bitch was presented with clinical signs of acute abdominal pain, and pyometra was suspected. Pyometra was confirmed surgically with rupture of a blind-ending cranial portion of the anomalous right uterine horn, which had resulted in peritonitis. The 2nd bitch was presented for routine ovariohysterectomy. The right uterine horn was affected by segmental aplasia, with mucometra of the cranial portion of the affected horn. Histopathology demonstrated both uteri to have diffuse cystic endometrial hyperplasia. It is postulated that cystic endometrial hyperplasia, together with the congenital anomaly, resulted in pyometra in one case and in mucometra in the other case. This is believed to be the 1st report of uterine horn aplasia in the bitch in association with clinical signs and lesions other than infertility.


[Nasal mucosa in patients with diabetes mellitus].
Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinologic disease all over the world. 150 million people suffer from this disease, in Poland about 2 million. The disease on the basis of the onset and pathophysiology may be divided into type I and type II. Pathophysiologic changes include diabetic microangiopathy, macroangiopathy and neuropathy. The most common presentations in head and neck are otitis externa, hypoacusis, vertigo, disequilibrium, xerostomia, dysphagia, fungal and recurrent infections. The changes in nasal mucosa are not very well known. Only few papers concerned the problem. The main complaints of patients regarding the nose are xeromycteria, hyposmia and various degree of decreased patency of the nose. Chronic atrophic rhinitis, septal perforation, ulceration of nasal mucosa, alar necrosis, symptoms of staphylococcal or fungal infection can be found during otolaryngologic examination. The treatment in this group of patients should consist of systemic therapy of diabetes mellitus and on the other hand focal therapy with the use of a solution to moisten the nasal mucosa.


Design of Multiple Parallel-Arranged Perforated Panel Absorbers for Low Frequency Sound Absorption.
A particular structure that consists of four parallel-arranged perforated panel absorbers (PPAs) is proposed for the low frequency sound absorption within a constraint space. The apertures of the perforated panels are set to ≥1.5 mm, and the number of orifices is much less and therefore easier to be produced in comparison with that of the micro perforated panel (MPP). A simple approximation model by using acoustic-electrical analogy is described to calculate the sound absorption coefficient of such device subject to normal wave incidence. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the device can provide more than one octave sound absorption bandwidth at low frequencies.


Selecting key genes associated with ovarian cancer based on differential expression network.
The purpose in this study was to select key genes related to ovarian cancer. The gene expression profiles of E-GEOD-6008, E-GEOD-26712, E-GEOD-27651, E-GEOD-14001 were obtained from ArrayExpress database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/). Following data recruitment and preprocessing, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were characterized using Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM). Then, a differential expression network (DEN) was constructed using Cytoscape 2.1 software based on differential and non-differential interactions. Pathway analysis was performed based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database using Pathway Analysis with the nodes contained in the main DEN. Centrality analysis on the DEN was conducted to selected HUB genes. And last, western blot was performed on the selected genes in an independent sample set. A total of 370 samples (347 ovarian tumors and 23 controls) were selected. In all, 490 DEGs were obtained, which contained 59 upregulated and 431 downregulated genes. A DEN including 875 gene pairs (1028 nodes) was constructed. There were 7 pathways by analyzing the nodes contained in the main DEN. Five HUB genes were gained, and three (UBC, ELAVL1, SIRT1) were both HUB genes and disease genes. Meanwhile, SIRT1 and NEDD4 were downregulated genes. Verification experiments indicated that the expression of SIRT1 and ELAVL1 in the disease group and the normal group were significantly changed. This study showed that SIRT1 could be chosen as a potential biomarker for promoting detection of ovarian cancer, so as to further understand the molecular pathogenesis of this disease.


Endovascular stent-graft placement for complications of acute type B aortic dissection.
To review the concepts and current clinical results of endovascular stent-graft placement for acute complicated type B aortic dissection. The optimal treatment for patients with dissections confined to the descending aorta (Stanford type B-AD) remains a matter of debate. Usually, antihypertensive medical therapy with strict blood pressure lowering below 135/80 mm Hg represents the first choice for patients with uncomplicated type B-AD. Patients with acute complicated type B-AD remain a major therapeutic challenge because surgery of the descending aorta is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. In 1999, endovascular stent-graft placement was introduced as a novel, less invasive treatment option for patients with type B aortic dissection. Current indications include acute (contained) aortic rupture, symptomatic ischemic branch vessel involvement, early aortic expansion, or unrelenting pain. So far, few studies on stent-graft placement in patients with acute complicated aortic dissection have been published reporting an early mortality between 0 and approximately 20%. To date, there is limited experience with endovascular stent-graft placement for acute complicated type B aortic dissection demonstrating its feasibility and life-saving potential. The endovascular approach can avoid the major trauma of open surgery and should help to get patients out of the acute life-threatening phase of the disease; however, long-term results are needed to assess the durability of this treatment.


Comparative study of gallopamil versus nifedipine in patients with ischemic heart disease.
In order to compare the anti-ischemic activity of gallopamil and nifedipine, a cross-over, double-blind, randomised trial was carried out in 30 male out-patients with a history of stable exertional angina, proven coronary disease and a positive stress test (ST-segment depression > or = 1 mm). After a first 1-week wash-out period on placebo, the patients were randomised to gallopamil, 150 mg/day (50, 50 and 50) or nifedipine, 30 mg/day (10, 10 and 10) for 28 days. After a second 1-week wash-out period active treatments were crossed for another 28 days. At the end of each drug or placebo period, a physical examination, laboratory tests and a stress test were performed. Oral short-acting nitrates were permitted throughout the trial periods. Twenty-one patients finished all periods of the study. Both drugs reduced the maximum ST-segment depression during the exercise test: from 2.45 +/- 0.97 mm (placebo) to 1.95 +/- 0.82 mm (gallopamil, P < 0.05) and from 2.50 +/- 0.93 mm (placebo) to 1.75 +/- 0.84 mm (nifedipine, P < 0.05). Gallopamil but not nifedipine increased stress tolerance significantly: from 486 +/- 156 s (placebo) to 598 +/- 138 s (gallopamil, P < 0.05) and from 509 +/- 113 s (placebo) to 567 +/- 191 s (nifedipine, NS). No significant differences were found between drugs. Both calcium antagonists, gallopamil and nifedipine, showed similar efficacy in treating myocardial ischemia.


Prevalence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in 699 Moroccan patients with chronic hepatitis C.
chronic hepatitis C (CHC) can cause severe complications, including fibrosis and cirrhosis. Very little is known about the prevalence of these complications in the Moroccan population. the prevalence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using a non-invasive blood test (FibroTest and ActiTest) was studied in 699 Moroccan patients with CHC for 4 years (from January 2014 to December 2017). The serum immunological markers: α2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A1 were analyzed nephelometrically on BN ProSpec® System. The serum biochemical markers: γ-glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and bilirubin were performed using the VITROS® Chemistry System Ortho Clinical Diagnostic. A 699 patients with CHC were identified. the overall prevalence of cirrhosis (F4) was estimated at 31.8%. Thirteen point nine percent (13.9%) of patients with cirrhosis had a risk of developing esophageal varices and a 3.3% risk of developing primary liver cancer. The association between cirrhosis and age showed an increase in prevalence after age 55 years old [OR=7.68(95%CI=4.9-12.2); p<0.0001]. No significant association for cirrhosis was found for sex. according to the results of FibroTest, 32% of patients with CHC had cirrhosis. The older age was independently associated with liver cirrhosis.


Block Copolymer Stereoregularity and Its Impact on Polymeric Micellar Nanodrug Delivery.
Stereoregularity of polymers is known to influence their physicochemical and functional properties in the bulk form. Recent studies have also provided evidence for the effect of polymer stereoregularity on the physicochemical and functional properties of their self-assembled nanostructures. Research in this area has witnessed a relatively rapid pace in the past few years; however, to the best of our knowledge, a proper review of the literature has not been made to date. The goal of this review article was to fill this gap and provide a detailed overview on the current knowledge and understanding on the effect of block copolymer stereoregularity on the properties of their self-assembled nanocarriers such as size, morphology, thermodynamic and kinetic stability, and drug loading and release. Emphasis is placed on poly(ester) containing block copolymers because of their safe history of human use and extensive application in drug delivery research.


G-quadruplexes for luminescent sensing and logic gates.
G-quadruplexes represent a versatile sensing platform for the construction of label-free molecular detection assays owing to their diverse structures that can be selectively recognized by G-quadruplex-specific luminescent probes. In this Survey and Summary, we highlight recent examples of the application of the label-free strategy for the development of G-quadruplex-based luminescent detection platforms with a view towards the potential application of tetraplex structures in the design of DNA logic gates.


Masked hypertension and cardiovascular outcomes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
As many as one-third of individuals with normal office blood pressure (BP) are diagnosed with masked hypertension (HTN) based on ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM). Masked HTN is associated with higher risk of sustained HTN (SH) and increased cardiovascular morbidity. The present study was designed to systematically review cohort studies and assess the effects of masked HTN compared to normotension and SH on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. We systematically searched the electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for prospective cohort studies, which evaluated participants with office and ambulatory and/or home BP. We included nine studies with a total number of 14729 participants (11245 normotensives, 3484 participants with masked HTN, 1984 participants with white-coat HTN, and 5143 participants with SH) with a mean age of 58 years and follow-up of 9.5 years. Individuals with masked HTN had significantly increased rates of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality than normotensives and white-coat HTN and had lower rates of cardiovascular events than those with SH (odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.89; P=0.010; I2=84%). Among patients on antihypertensive treatment, masked HTN was associated with higher rates of cardiovascular events than in those with normotension and white-coat HTN and similar rates of cardiovascular events in those with treated SH. Prompt screening of high-risk individuals with home BP measurements and ABPM, the diagnosis of masked HTN, and the initiation of treatment, may mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of masked HTN.


Fifty years of migraine research.
The prevalence of ice-pick pains and ice-cream headache in migrainous patients and their localisation to the habitual site of migraine headache, suggest that segments of the central pain pathways remain hyperexcitable between spontaneous attacks. Excessive afferent stimulation (flashing lights, noise, strong perfumes) or hypothalamic changes resulting from emotion, stress or the operation of some internal clock may set in motion brainstem mechanisms, including spontaneous unilateral or bilateral discharge of pain pathways. Studies in the experimental animal have shown that certain monoaminergic brainstem nuclei can influence the cerebral circulation unilaterally and that they and the trigeminal system can induce a reflex dilatation of the external carotid circulation. Descending pathways from the same brainstem nuclei cause the adrenal gland to secrete noradrenaline, which in turn can release serotonin from blood platelets. Free serotonin may become adsorbed to the arterial wall, thus increasing sensitivity to pain, augmenting afferent input and adding a pulsating quality to migrainous pain. Both neural and vascular components of migraine implicate monoamines, specifically noradrenaline and serotonin, as neurotransmitters and humoral agents. The recent pharmacological classification of serotonin (5HT) receptors indicates that agonists of a subset of the 5HT1 receptor and antagonists of 5HT2 receptors are most likely to be helpful in the treatment of migraine.


Shape-Morphing Antenna Array by 4D-Printed Multimaterial Miura Origami.
The rapid development of four-dimensional (4D) printing technology has resulted in its application in various fields, including radiofrequency (RF) electronics. Moreover, because origami-inspired RF electronics provide a physically deformable geometry, they are good candidates for reconfigurable RF applications. However, previous origami-inspired RF electronics have generally been fabricated on paper for easy folding and unfolding. Although this facilitates easy fabrication, the resultant structures suffer from a lack of rigidity and stability. In this paper, we propose a 4D-printed multimaterial Miura origami structure for RF spectrum applications. For thermal actuation and robustness, the proposed structure consists of high-temperature durable cores with shape memory polymer (SMP) hinges. The high-temperature durable cores provide rigidity to the desired part and reduce the level of distortion of the conductive pattern, while the SMP hinges enable shape morphing. To demonstrate the feasibility of the technique for RF electronics, a shape-morphing pattern reconfigurable antenna array is designed at 2.4 GHz using the proposed 4D-printed multimaterial structure. Through numerical and experimental demonstrations, the proposed antenna's maximum beam direction is changed from 0° to 50° by thermally morphing the Miura origami. In addition, the antenna successfully recovers to its memorized original state.


Environmental and Structural Factors Associated with Bacterial Diversity in Household Dust Across the Arizona-Sonora Border.
We previously reported that asthma prevalence was higher in the United States (US) compared to Mexico (MX) (25.8% vs 8.4%). This investigation assessed differences in microbial dust composition in relation to demographic and housing characteristics on both sides of the US-MX Border. Forty homes were recruited in the US and MX. Home visits collected floor dust and documented occupants' demographics, asthma prevalence, and housing structure and use characteristics. US households were more likely to have inhabitants who reported asthma when compared with MX households (30% vs 5%) and had significantly different flooring types. The percentage of households on paved roads, with flushing toilets, with piped water and with air conditioning was higher in the US, while dust load was higher in MX. Significant differences exist between countries in the microbial composition of the floor dust. Dust from US homes was enriched with Geodermatophilus, whereas dust from Mexican homes was enriched with Alishewanella and Chryseomicrobium. A predictive metagenomics analysis identified 68 significantly differentially abundant functional pathways between US and MX. This study documented multiple structural, environmental, and demographic differences between homes in the US and MX that may contribute to significantly different microbial composition of dust observed in these two countries.


Fracture strength of amalgam crowns with repaired endodontic access.
Endodontic therapy is accessed occlusally in posterior teeth, many of which have large, pre-existing amalgam restorations. These teeth are also commonly restored with an occlusal amalgam to repair the access opening. This study determined the fracture resistance of complex amalgam restorations that have repaired endodontic access compared with original, unrepaired, complex amalgams on endodontically-treated teeth. Two groups of 30 molars were used in the study. The first group was decoronated and received an endodontic access preparation. These teeth were restored using chamber retention and four TMS pins. The second group was decoronated and restored using pin retention. Later, they received an endodontic access through the restoration. The access was then repaired with amalgam. The samples were loaded in an Instron Universal Testing Machine until failure. The Group 1 samples failed at a mean force of 2297.5 N. The mean failure load for the samples in Group 2 was 1586.1 N. Student's t-test found this difference to be statistically significant. Endodontic access through an amalgam crown significantly compromises the fracture strength of the original restoration.


Somatization and the self: psychotherapeutic issues.
Somatization has often been regarded as a defense against underlying unconscious conflict. However, it may also represent an internal experience which arises in response to psychological stress. During psychotherapy with patients with an unstable self-representation, a perceived disruption in the transference relationship may produce distress that is experienced in terms of physical discomfort and heightened bodily awareness.


Endophenotype Network Models: Common Core of Complex Diseases.
Historically, human diseases have been differentiated and categorized based on the organ system in which they primarily manifest. Recently, an alternative view is emerging that emphasizes that different diseases often have common underlying mechanisms and shared intermediate pathophenotypes, or endo(pheno)types. Within this framework, a specific disease's expression is a consequence of the interplay between the relevant endophenotypes and their local, organ-based environment. Important examples of such endophenotypes are inflammation, fibrosis, and thrombosis and their essential roles in many developing diseases. In this study, we construct endophenotype network models and explore their relation to different diseases in general and to cardiovascular diseases in particular. We identify the local neighborhoods (module) within the interconnected map of molecular components, i.e., the subnetworks of the human interactome that represent the inflammasome, thrombosome, and fibrosome. We find that these neighborhoods are highly overlapping and significantly enriched with disease-associated genes. In particular they are also enriched with differentially expressed genes linked to cardiovascular disease (risk). Finally, using proteomic data, we explore how macrophage activation contributes to our understanding of inflammatory processes and responses. The results of our analysis show that inflammatory responses initiate from within the cross-talk of the three identified endophenotypic modules.


Characterization of the control of intracellular [Ca2+] and the contractile phenotype of cultured human detrusor smooth muscle cells.
We measured the functional properties of cultured human detrusor myocytes with respect to their ability to regulate their intracellular [Ca2+] and generate force in collagen matrices. Human detrusor biopsies were dissociated into single cells by collagenase treatment and used immediately or cultured in D-valine medium and subsequently used after culture trypsinization. Intracellular [Ca2+] was measured in Fura-2 loaded myocytes. Cell force development was measured by incorporating cells into a collagen gel and attaching it to an isometric strain gauge. Carbachol was equally effective in generating Ca transients in freshly isolated and cultured cells. Carbachol potency (pEC50) and the magnitude of Ca2+ transients were similar. Adenosine triphosphate potency was decreased in cultured cells and Ca2+ transients showed properties consistent with a purinoceptor shift from a purinergic subtype. Temporal restitution of Ca2+ transients was similar in the 2 groups, indicative of retained intracellular Ca2+ stores in cultured cells. Cultured cells (approximately 10(6)) embedded in collagen gel generated a force about 10 times greater than that generated by gel alone. The cell dependent force could be further increased by adding carbachol. Cultured cells retain the ability to generate agonist induced intracellular Ca2+ transients. There was no evidence that the cell culture altered the properties of muscarinic receptors, although purinoceptor mediated properties were altered. Restitution experiments indicated that functional intracellular Ca2+ stores were retained in cultured cells. Cultured cells also retained a contractile phenotype, especially in response to carbachol. The magnitude of force was attenuated, which may be a function of the biomechanical properties of the gel used to embed the cells.


Anti-inflammatory activities of several diterpenoids isolated from Hemionitis albofusca.
Hemionitis albofusca (Baker) Christenh is a plant that grows in various regions of China. Although it is not recognized as a traditional medicine, it is often mistakenly labelled and used as Aleuritopteris argentea (S. G. Gmél.) Fée to alleviate menstruation-related issues. Recently, several diterpenoids such as ent-16-oxo-17-norkauran-19-oic acid (Compound A), 14-oxy-7β,20-dihydroxycyath-12,18-diene (Compound B), ent-8(14),15-pimaradiene-2β,19-diol (Compound C), ent-kaurane-16-ene-2β,18α-diol (Compound D), ent-kaurane-2β,16α,18α-triol (Compound E), and onychiol B have been extracted from H. albofusca. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of these diterpenes. We confirmed that compounds A ~ D suppressed the amount of cellular NO production by inhibiting the expression and transcription of iNOS protein. They also significantly inhibited the expression and transcription of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6. Additionally, Compounds A and C suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibited the phosphorylation level of p38, ultimately down-regulating inflammation. Compound B suppressed the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, while Compound D inhibited the phosphorylation level of p38 and down-regulated the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In a word, our investigation supports the potential application of natural diterpenes as lead compounds for developing anti-inflammatory agents.


Variation in proton affinity of the guanidino group between free and blocked arginine.
In this paper, the analog of arginine residues in peptides was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS/MS (electrospray ionization with tandem mass spectrometry), (31)P NMR, (1)H NMR, IR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. When the Todd reaction activity of the guanidino group in free arginine and the arginine peptide analog were compared, it was found that the proton affinity of the guanidino group was decreased when both the N- and the C-terminal were blocked. As a result, the guanidino group of arginine residues in peptides could be phosphorylated under the Todd reaction condition, but not the free arginine. This result was further proved by the theoretical calculation of their proton affinity.


Potential impact of various surface ligands on the cellular uptake and biodistribution characteristics of red, green, and blue emitting Cu nanoclusters.
Surface functionalization has a prominent influence on tuning/manipulating the physicochemical properties of nanometer scaled materials. Ultrasmall sized nanoclusters with very few atoms have received enormous attention due to their bright fluorescence, biocompatibility, lower toxicity, good colloidal stability and strong photostability. These properties make them suitable for diagnostic applications. In this work, we intend to study the effect of surface functional ligands on their biodistribution both in vitro and in vivo organelle systems for bioimaging applications.


Synthetic biology in multicellular organisms: Opportunities in nematodes.
Synthetic biology has mainly focused on introducing new or altered functionality in single cell systems: primarily bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. Here, we describe the extension of synthetic biology to nematodes, in particular the well-studied model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, as a convenient platform for developing applications in a multicellular setting. We review transgenesis techniques for nematodes, as well as the application of synthetic biology principles to construct nematode gene switches and genetic devices to control motility. Finally, we discuss potential applications of engineered nematodes.


Examining the relationship between peer support and foreign language emotions in online learning: the mediating effect of self-efficacy.
With the proliferation of online learning, understanding students' affective experiences in digital foreign language courses has become imperative. This mixed-methods study investigates how peer support and self-efficacy shape the emotional experiences of 502 Chinese undergraduate students in online English courses. Quantitative analyses using surveys were conducted to examine the relationships between peer support, self-efficacy, enjoyment, and anxiety. Qualitative analyses of interviews provided additional insights. Quantitative analyses reveal that peer support positively predicts higher levels of foreign language enjoyment and anxiety. Self-efficacy was found to partially mediate this relationship, with peer support strengthening self-efficacy, which, in turn, positively influences enjoyment and anxiety. Qualitative analyses provide converging yet nuanced insights into how peer support enhances self-efficacy and emotions beyond the surveys. The findings provide insight into optimizing online language courses through peer support and self-efficacy development tailored to diverse student needs. Limitations around sample selection, self-reported measures, and scope of relationships examined present opportunities for future research.


Association Between Central Sensitization and Increasing Prevalence of Nocturnal Knee Pain in the General Population with Osteoarthritis from the Iwaki Cohort Study.
Knee pain is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and increases during this condition; however, its correlation with central sensitization (CS) in arthritis patients requires greater understanding. The present cross-sectional cohort study to explore the prevalence of knee OA, nocturnal knee pain and disability in general population and to examine the association of CS with sleep quality in Japanese general population. From among 1056 community-dowelling volunteers, 942 were enrolled as participants in this study. Bilateral weight-bearing anterior-posterior knee radiographs were classified by the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. Nocturnal knee pain and disability were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. Using the CS inventory with nine items (CSI-9), CS was defined as 10 points or higher. Sleep quality was scored using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Linear regression analysis, adjusted by age, sex, body mass index, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, nocturnal knee pain, and lifestyle habits, was performed to investigate the association of CS with PSQI. The prevalence of OA, nocturnal knee pain, and disability was 37.9%, 7.6%, and 6.2%, respectively. The mean CSI-9 score was 4.9 ± 4.4, with a CS prevalence of 14.0%. The mean PSQI score was 3.9 ± 2.4, which was correlated with the CSI-9 value. CS was not correlated with OA severity; however, nocturnal knee pain prevalence increased from 13.3% to 25.5% in knee OA patients with CS. The CSI-9 value correlated with PSQI total score and subscales. Knee OA severity correlated with nocturnal pain and disability; however, its association with CS was unproven. The combined effect of knee OA and CS elevated nocturnal pain and disability, resulting in diminished sleep quality.


Efficacy and safety of polyacrylamide hydrogel for facial soft-tissue augmentation.
Polyacrylamide is a nonabsorbable soft-tissue filler that has been used for body contouring for more than 10 years. Aquamid is a soft-tissue filler containing polyacrylamide hydrogel. Safety and aesthetic results after injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel for facial soft-tissue enhancement were assessed at a 1-year follow-up. In a prospective, multicenter study, 251 patients were enrolled and assigned for injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel (Aquamid) as a means of facial augmentation and enhancement of facial contours. Subjects with facial contour deformities or soft-tissue deficiencies caused by aging, acne, trauma, surgery, or other causes were included. Persons presenting with connective tissue disorders, skin disorders affecting the face, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, compromised immune functions or acute inflammatory diseases, known substance abuse, or mental disorders were excluded from participation in the study, as were those who had experienced treatment with any nonabsorbable filler within 6 months before the start of the study. To assess the safety and efficacy of the treatment, follow-up visits were scheduled for day 7, day 28, and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the first injection. Standardized photographs were taken before treatment and during month-3 and month-12 visits. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed before injection and at 6 and 12 months after injection. The most common sites of injection were the nasolabial folds (48 percent) and lips (25 percent) followed by glabella folds (8 percent) and other sites. The amount of injected gel ranged from 0.2 to 12 ml. Two hundred twenty-eight patients were followed for 12 months after treatment. In 93 percent, results were judged to be good or very good by the investigators and satisfactory or very satisfactory by the patients. Adverse events that could be ascribed to the treatment were observed in 37 cases, most commonly presenting as transient swelling, hematoma, redness, and pain or itching. In one case, a slight change of skin color at the site of injection was reported. No severe adverse events related to the gel were observed. In one case, neutropenia was detected in month-12 blood samples. The other values were within the normal ranges. Aquamid is an easy-to-use soft-tissue filler. The effect of tissue enhancement lasted over the entire study period. Transient local tissue reactions observed were attributable to the injection procedure rather than the chemical properties of the gel. During the first year after treatment, no permanent soft-tissue reaction was observed. Long-term results need to be evaluated in the future.


Clinical Value of PPM1G Gene in Survival Prognosis and Immune Infiltration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies, but its prognosis is still poor. Exploring potential biomarkers is an important direction of tumor research. We intend to use bioinformatics methods to explore potential biomarkers related to survival and prognosis of HCC. The mRNA and protein expressions of PPM1G in liver cancer were analyzed by HPA, TIMER, and UALCAN databases, and the effects of PPM1G on the prognosis of liver cancer patients were explored by the GEPIA database. We also explored the correlation between PPM1G expression and liver cancer immune infiltration through the TIMER database and further explored the potential protein interaction network of PPM1G through the STRING database. The mRNA and protein expression of PPM1G gene in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was lower than that in normal adjacent tissues. Liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G have a better prognosis than those with low expression of PPM1G. The expression of PPM1G is positively or negatively correlated with different immune cells of liver cancer, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. The liver cancer patients with high expression of PPM1G have a good prognosis, and PPM1G gene may be a potential immunotherapy target and prognostic marker of liver cancer.


Aging, source memory, and misrecollections.
The authors propose an illusory recollection account of why cognitive aging is associated with episodic memory deficits. After listening to statements presented by either a female or a male speaker, older adults were prone to misrecollecting past events. The authors' illusory recollection account is instantiated in a new illusory recollection signal detection model that provides a better fit of older adults' data than does the standard signal detection model. They observed that age-related differences in source memory (as measured by source d' scores) virtually disappear after accounting for the occurrence of illusory recollections. These data suggest that age-related source memory impairments are not due to older adults' remembering less diagnostic source information and having to guess more. Instead, older adults appear to misremember past events more often than younger adults.


MicroRNA Expression Varies according to Glucose Tolerance, Measurement Platform, and Biological Source.
Dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression is observed during type 2 diabetes (T2D), although the consistency of miRNA expression across measurement platform and biological source is uncertain. Here we report miRNA profiling in the whole blood and serum of South African women with different levels of glucose tolerance, using next generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Whole blood-derived miRNAs from women with newly diagnosed T2D (n = 4), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 4), and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 4) were subjected to NGS, whereafter transcript levels of selected miRNAs were quantified in the whole blood and serum of these women using qRT-PCR. Of the five significantly differentially expressed miRNAs identified by NGS, only the directional increase of miR-27b in women with IGT compared to NGT was confirmed in whole blood and serum, using qRT-PCR. Functional enrichment of miR-27b gene targets identified biological pathways associated with glucose transport and insulin regulation. In conclusion, this study showed poor correlation in miRNA expression profiled using NGS and qRT-PCR and in whole blood and serum. The consistent increased expression of miR-27b in women with IGT compared to NGT across measurement platform and biological source holds potential as a biomarker for risk stratification in our population.


Generalized region growing operator with optimal scanning: application to segmentation of breast cancer images.
Segmentation of medical images is a complex problem owing to the large variety of their characteristics. In the automated analysis of breast cancers, two image classes may be distinguished according to whether one considers the quantification of DNA (grey level images of isolated nuclei) or the detection of immunohistochemical staining (colour images of histological sections). The study of these image classes generally involves the use of largely different image processing techniques. We therefore propose a new algorithm derived from the watershed transformation enabling us to solve these two segmentation problems with the same general approach. We then present visual and quantitative results to validate our method.


Effects of supplementation of iodixanol to semen extender on quality and fertilization ability of frozen-thawed Thai native bull sperm.
This study investigates the effects of iodixanol supplementation in varied concentrations to Tris egg yolk (TEY) extender on the quality and fertilization ability of frozen-thawed sperm of Thai native bulls. Each ejaculate was divided into four different groups, as follows: sperm were treated with TEY extender (control group) and TEY extender supplemented with three different concentrations of iodixanol (1.25%, 2.50% and 5.00%). Semen straws were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. After thawing, sperm motility characteristics, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were determined. Also, frozen-thawed spermatozoa from all groups were used for in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination (AI) in natural estrus Thai native cows. The results showed that the post-thaw quality of the 2.50% iodixanol group was superior to the other iodixanol groups (P < 0.05). However, iodixanol had no beneficial effect on post-thaw sperm in vitro fertilization ability and pregnancy rate after AI (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that the supplementation of 2.50% iodixanol extender significantly improves the progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity of cryopreserved semen from Thai native bulls, but it has no beneficial effect on in vitro fertilization ability and pregnancy rate after AI.


Explorative study regarding influenza vaccine hesitancy among HIV-infected patients.
There are scarce data regarding influenza vaccination among people with HIV infection (PWHIV). The goal of this explorative study is to assess hesitancy toward influenza vaccination in a group of PWHIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire was administered to 219 patients vaccinated at our clinic during the 2020-2021 campaign. It evaluated subjects' adherence to influenza vaccine over the last three seasonal vaccination campaigns, vaccine confidence, complacency and convenience, and the effect of the pandemic on the choice to become vaccinated. The population was divided into two groups: fully adherent to influenza vaccine (all three campaigns, 117 patients) and non-fully adherent (one or two campaigns, 102 patients). Adherence increased in the non-fully adherent group in 2020-2021, but the pandemic did not affect the choice. Misbeliefs emerged: the influenza vaccine was considered protective against SARS-CoV-2 (22.8% of the total population); almost half of all patients thought the influenza vaccine could improve their CD4 T cell level (57.3% in fully adherent, 40.2% in non-fully adherent, p < .05). In 2020-2021 campaign, three quarters of the non-fully adherent group would not have been vaccinated in a location other than our clinic (75.5% vs. 88.9% in the fully adherent group, p < .05). Conclusively, offering a secure and private space for vaccination against influenza seems to encourage vaccination; healthcare professionals should improve counseling to increase adherence and correct misbeliefs.


Gastrointestinal stromal tumors regularly express synaptic vesicle proteins: evidence of a neuroendocrine phenotype.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are thought to originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, which share many properties with neurons of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, we demonstrated expression of the hormone ghrelin in GIST. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate a possible neuroendocrine phenotype of GIST. Specimens from 41 GISTs were examined for the expression of 12 different synaptic vesicle proteins. Expression of synaptic-like microvesicle proteins, e.g., Synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), synaptobrevin, synapsin 1, and amphiphysin was demonstrated in a majority of GISTs by immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative reversetranscriptase PCR. One-third of the tumors also expressed the large dense core vesicle protein vesicular monoamine transporter 1. Presence of microvesicles and dense core vesicles in GIST was confirmed by electron microscopy. The expression of synaptic-like microvesicle proteins in GIST was not related to risk profile or to KIT/platelet derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA) mutational status. Thus, GISTs regularly express a subset of synaptic-like microvesicle proteins necessary for the regulated secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones. Expression of synaptic-like micro-vesicle proteins, ghrelin and peptide hormone receptors in GIST indicate a neuroendocrine phenotype and suggest novel possibilities to treat therapy-resistant GIST.


Research on Intelligent Warehousing and Logistics Management System of Electronic Market Based on Machine Learning.
This study applies the Internet of things information-aware technology to the process of electronic market warehousing and logistics management, effectively perceives warehouse electronic product logistics information, and improves the real-time perception of electronic product logistics information and the efficiency of electronic product storage logistics management. This study first analyzes the needs of the intelligent electronic market warehouse logistics management system and then builds the IoT architecture of the intelligent warehouse logistics assembly logistics management system for electronic warehouses based on machine learning algorithms, which solves the problems that exist in the current workshop electronic market warehouse logistics management. Then, the principle of RFID technology is introduced. The accuracy of RFID tag estimation is analyzed by the PEPC tag estimation algorithm. It is concluded that the PEPC tag estimation algorithm reduces the tag estimation error and improves the accuracy of tag estimation. Finally, an intelligent warehousing logistics management system based on IoT RFID technology is established. The test results show that the system can meet the requirements of intelligent warehousing function in the electronic market, which will greatly improve the warehousing efficiency of electronic products.


Fertility preservation in women with cancer.
Fertility preservation (FP) is an effort to retain the fertility of cancer patients, and as an emerging discipline, it plays a central role in cancer care. Because of improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, an increasingly large number of patients are surviving with cancer. FP specialists should make an effort to spread the significance of FP among reproductive women with cancer and provide appropriate education both for associated physicians and for cancer patients who wish to preserve their fertility. Physicians who take part in the initial diagnosis and management of cancer should consider the importance of early referral of young cancer patients to FP specialists and take care of those patients by providing timely information and appropriate counseling. Individualized treatment strategies should be delivered depending on the patient's situation with appropriate team approach.


Breast feeding: preventive therapy for type 2 diabetes.
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months, continued along with top feed up to the age of 2 years and beyond, is strongly recommended by the World Health Organization. Apart from the various benefits that it provides, breast feeding may also serve to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in mothers, and type 1 diabetes and overweight/ obesity in their offspring. This review discusses the evidence related to breastfeeding and type 2 diabetes. It highlights pertinent aspects of breast feeding management, which can help facilitate optimal use of this natural preventive intervention.


Image-guided endoscopic surgery: results of accuracy and performance in a multicenter clinical study using an electromagnetic tracking system.
Image-guided surgery has recently been described in the literature as a useful technology for improved functional endoscopic sinus surgery localization. Image-guided surgery yields accurate knowledge of the surgical field boundaries, allowing safer and more thorough sinus surgery. We have previously reviewed our initial experience with The InstaTrak System. This article presents a multicenter clinical study (n=55) that assesses the system's capability for localizing structures in critical surgical sites. The purpose of this paper is to present quantitative data on accuracy and performance. We describe several new advances including an automated registration technique that eliminates the redundant computed tomography scan, compensation for head movement, and the ability to use interchangeable instruments.


Management strategies for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from diagnosis through death.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that is inevitably fatal. There are no effective treatments to stop or reverse the natural course of the disease. The role of the physician is to provide comfort and optimize quality of life. Management of patients with ALS is a process extending over months to years. It begins with breaking the news of the diagnosis and extends through the terminal phase. Medication may extend lifespan by a small amount. However, most efforts are centered around symptom management. Areas of importance include respiration, nutrition, secretions, communication, pseudobulbar affect, therapy and exercise, spasticity and cramps, pain, depression and suicide, spirituality and religion, cognitive changes, the development of advance directives, and care at the end of life. Multidisciplinary ALS clinics provide much-needed support for patients with ALS and their caregivers. Although physicians cannot cure ALS or even halt progression, there is much that can be done to manage the physical and emotional symptoms, thereby maintaining or enhancing quality of life.


Delayed small bowel obstruction after blunt abdominal trauma. A case report.
We present a case of small bowel stricture and obstruction with delayed and subtle presentation 3 months after a car accident. Such a presentation is a rare clinical entity. The most likely cause, supported by most authors, implicates an injury to the mesentery. Post-traumatic ischaemic bowel stenosis may result from even small tears and contusions. These lesions may cause partial thickness ischaemia of the bowel wall, with mucosal ulceration and submucosal inflammation and fibrosis, or may cause full-thickness ischaemia with fibrosis of all layers. Mesenteric tears or intramural haematomas have been found on close inspection of the specimens. Our case supports the mesenteric injury theory since there is the initial CT-scan proof of retroperitoneal and consequently, mesenteric haematomas. Regardless of the pathophysiology of this clinical entity, it is very important that the condition of post-traumatic small bowel stricture should be suspected when a patient experiences bowel obstruction weeks, or even years, after sustaining abdominal injury, especially in connection with a seat-belt injury.


Isolation of immune complexes by an equine Clq-like factor.
A method for the isolation of circulating immune complexes by coprecipitation with an equine Clq-like factor is described. The Clq-like factor co-precipitated 80% of the 125I-labeled aggregated human IgG (AHG) following dialysis against 0.05 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.1 compared to only 2% of the unaggregated human IgG (HG). When incubated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) anti-BSA soluble immune complexes (IC) prepared at antigen (AG)-antibody (Ab) equivalence or in Ab excess, the Clq-like factor co-precipitated 100% of the available complexes. Under conditions of 2x Ag excess, Clq-like factor was less efficient as demonstrated by co-precipitation of 40% of the available IC. Although the nature and specificity of binding of the Clq-like factor is unknown, its isolation and partial characterization are reported.


Consumption of nonpublic water: implications for children's caries experience.
There are concerns that the consumption of unfluoridated bottled and tank water may put children at increased risk of developing caries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nonpublic water consumption (either from bottles or rainwater tanks) and socioeconomic status (SES) and both deciduous and permanent caries experience. A random sample of children enrolled in the School Dental Service of South Australia participated in the study (response rate = 71.8%, n = 9988). Forty-five per cent of children had greater than 50% lifetime consumption of nonpublic water while 36% of children had 0% lifetime consumption. Increased use of nonpublic water occurred for children from lower socioeconomic groups, two-parent families and children from nonmetropolitan areas, with these results most likely a result of the residential location of the children. Multivariate modelling revealed a significant positive relationship between deciduous caries experience and consumption of nonpublic water, even after controlling for the age and sex of the child, SES and residential location. This relationship was significant only for those children with 100% lifetime availability of fluoridated water. The effect of consumption of nonpublic water on permanent caries experience was not significant. It is postulated that these findings may result from the lower caries activity in the permanent dentition of children aged 10-15 and possible dietary confounders. Recommendations are made for the addition of fluoride to bottled water, especially with regard to the oral health of younger children.


An overview of clinical guidelines for the management of vertebral compression fracture: a systematic review.
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common type of osteoporotic fracture comprising approximately 1.4 million cases worldwide. Clinical practice guidelines can be powerful tools for promoting evidence-based practice as they integrate research findings to support decision making. However, currently available clinical guidelines and recommendations, established by different medical societies, are sometimes contradictory. The aim of this study was to appraise the recommendations and the methodological quality of international clinical guidelines for the management of VCFs. This is a systematic review of clinical guidelines for the management of VCF. Guidelines were selected by searching MEDLINE and PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and EMBASE electronic databases between 2010 and 2016. We also searched clinical practice guideline databases, including the National Guideline Clearinghouse and the Canadian Medical Association InfoBase. The methodological quality of the guidelines was assessed by two authors independently using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Instrument. We also classified the strength of each recommendation as either strong (ie, based on high-quality studies with consistent findings for recommending for or against the intervention), weak (ie, based on a lack of compelling evidence resulting in uncertainty for benefit or potential harm), or expert consensus (ie, based on expert opinion of the working group rather than on scientific evidence). Guideline recommendations were grouped into diagnostic, conservative care, interventional care, and osteoporosis treatment and prevention of future fractures. Our study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO. Four guidelines from three countries, published in the period 2010-2013, were included. In general, the quality was not satisfactory (50% or less of the maximum possible score). The domains scoring 50% or less of the maximum possible score were rigor of development, clarity of presentation, and applicability. The use of plain radiography or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for diagnosis was recommended in two of the four guidelines. Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty was recommended in three of the four guidelines. The recommendation for bed rest, trunk orthoses, electrical stimulation, and supervised or unsupervised exercise was inconsistent across the included guidelines. The comparison of clinical guidelines for the management of VCF showed that diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations were generally inconsistent. The evidence available to guideline developers was limited in quantity and quality. Greater efforts are needed to improve the quality of the majority of guidelines.


Self-assembled three-dimensional nanocrown array.
Although an ordered nanoplasmonic probe array will have a huge impact on light harvesting, selective frequency response (i.e., nanoantenna), and quantitative molecular/cellular imaging, the realization of such an array is still limited by conventional techniques due to the serial processing or resolution limit by light diffraction. Here, we demonstrate a thermodynamically driven, self-assembled three-dimensional nanocrown array that consists of a core and six satellite gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Our ordered nanoprobe array is fabricated over a large area by thermal dewetting of thin gold film on hexagonally ordered porous anodic alumina (PAA). During thermal dewetting, the structural order of the PAA template dictates the periodic arrangement of gold nanoparticles, rendering the array of gold nanocrown. Because of its tunable size (i.e., 50 nm core and 20 nm satellite GNPs), arrangement, and periodicity, the nanocrown array shows multiple optical resonance frequencies at visible wavelengths as well as angle-dependent optical properties.


Early prosthodontic intervention on two three-year-old twin girls with ectodermal dysplasia.
Early prosthodontic treatment for cases of ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is usually difficult because of oligodontia, undeveloped alveolar ridges, and the young age of the patients. Although some cases of prosthetic management of ED patients have been reported in the literature, there have been few cases about prosthetic treatment in children younger than 5 years of age. This case report presents early prosthetic oral rehabilitation of 2 twin sisters with ectodermal dysplasia and severe hypodontia in the primary dentition. Fixed partial dentures with bands retained on deciduous molars were fabricated when the girls were 3 years old. New flexible removable partial dentures were made when the girls turned 6 years to accommodate the ongoing alveolar development. After the dental treatment, the two girls' aesthetics, phonetics, and chewing functions all improved significantly, which in turn raised the girls' self-esteem and increased their overall quality of life. These two cases demonstrated that properly timed and managed early prosthodontic intervention can improve the overall life quality of young patients with ectodermal dysplasia.


The effectiveness of various interventions versus standard stripping in patients with varicose veins in terms of quality of life.
Purpose Lower limb varicose veins have a significant effect upon the quality of life and a considerable socioeconomic impact despite their relatively benign nature. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of various therapeutic strategies among patients with varicose veins to surgical ligation and vein stripping on the basis of quality of life. Methods PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases were systemically searched from 1 January 2000 until 23 December 2015 for studies reporting outcome on the quality of life of different treatment techniques for varicose veins. We used Cohen's d to make the outcomes of the reported scales comparable. Heterogeneity was calculated with the use of the Q statistic and the I2. Results A total of 1047 participants were randomized across all analyzed trials. The number of participants in a single trial ranged from 30 to 308. The majority of participants in any trial were C2 on the CEAP scores. Overall, the quality of evidence was low. For the meta-analysis performed at 12 months postintervention (seven studies, n = 1047 patients) and after random effects meta-analyses due to high heterogeneity, no differences are observed between intervention and surgical ligation and vein stripping. The pooled estimate is -0.001 and the 95% confidence interval is -0.069 to 0.067 with a p = 0.98. In the case of the 24 months, postintervention analysis (six studies, n = 840 patients) the inference is almost identical. The effect of various interventional modes of treatment compared to surgical ligation and vein stripping is negligible in terms of clinical outcomes and quality of life so that surgical ligation and vein stripping versus the other interventional procedures were equally effective approaches to treat great saphenous vein incompetence in terms of quality of life measurements. Conclusion The procedures were at least equally efficient in treating patients with varicose vein disease in terms of quality of life assessment tools at 12 and 24 months compared to surgical ligation and vein stripping.


Comparison of injectate spread and nerve coverage between single-injection intertransverse process block and paravertebral block at the T2 level: a cadaveric study.
We compared the spread of an injectate into the thoracic sympathetic chain resulting from a single-injection intertransverse process (ITP) block with that of a single-injection PV block at the T2 level. Sixteen soft-embalmed cadavers were used. The right hemithorax was randomly allocated to receive either an ultrasound-guided single-injection ITP block or ultrasound-guided single-injection PV block at the T2 vertebral level, with the opposite block administered to the other side. Approximately 10 mL of latex dye solution was injected into each hemithorax using a random allocation technique. The presence of dye at the nerve root in the sympathetic chain and intercostal nerves at the injection and additional levels was examined by dissection. The injectate spread into the T2 sympathetic ganglion on both ITP (11/16, 68.8%) and PV (16/16, 100%) blocks. The ITP block demonstrated greater uniformity of dye staining in both the dorsal rami and dorsal root ganglion, which contrasts with the less consistent staining outcomes of the PV block in these regions. At the T2 level, we observed a lower efficacy of the ITP block for analgesic coverage of the sympathetic nerve. This suggested a potential preference by clinicians for the application of the T2 PV block over the ITP block, specifically for the management of sympathetically maintained pain in the upper extremities. In addition, our findings may hint at the potential advantages of the ITP block in specific clinical contexts where targeted nerve involvement, such as the medial branch block or dorsal root ganglion block, is sought.


Peripheral Nerve Transplantation Combined with Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Chondroitinase Induces Regeneration and Improves Urinary Function in Complete Spinal Cord Transected Adult Mice.
The loss of lower urinary tract (LUT) control is a ubiquitous consequence of a complete spinal cord injury, attributed to a lack of regeneration of supraspinal pathways controlling the bladder. Previous work in our lab has utilized a combinatorial therapy of peripheral nerve autografts (PNG), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to treat a complete T8 spinal cord transection in the adult rat, resulting in supraspinal control of bladder function. In the present study we extended these findings by examining the use of the combinatorial PNG+aFGF+ChABC treatment in a T8 transected mouse model, which more closely models human urinary deficits following spinal cord injury. Cystometry analysis and external urethral sphincter electromyograms reveal that treatment with PNG+aFGF+ChABC reduced bladder weight, improved bladder and external urethral sphincter histology, and significantly enhanced LUT function, resulting in more efficient voiding. Treated mice's injured spinal cord also showed a reduction in collagen scaring, and regeneration of serotonergic and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive axons across the lesion and into the distal spinal cord. Regeneration of serotonin axons correlated with LUT recovery. These results suggest that our mouse model of LUT dysfunction recapitulates the results found in the rat model and may be used to further investigate genetic contributions to regeneration failure.


The surgical management of laryngotracheal invasion by well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma.
To determine prognostic factors for survival in patients with invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, specifically examining laryngotracheal invasion as an independent prognostic factor, and to compare types of surgical resection to determine treatment efficacy. Retrospective review of patients with papillary invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma surgically treated over 45 years. Academic tertiary care medical center. A total of 292 patients with invasive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma were surgically treated between 1940 and 1995. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Extent and location of tumor invasion were determined. Invasion of larynx and/or trachea occurred in 124 patients (41%). Patterns of invasion and techniques of surgical resection were evaluated. Types of surgical resection performed: complete tumor removal (n = 34), "shave" excision (n = 75), and incomplete tumor excision (n = 15). Cox regression analysis was used to determine significance of prognostic factors for survival; Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival. A P value of less than .05 was statistically significant. Patterns of invasion by thyroid carcinoma included direct spread through laryngeal framework into paraglottic space or spread from involved lymph nodes. Laryngotracheal invasion was a significant, independent, prognostic factor for survival (P < .05). Significance was reached when types of resection were compared for all patients (P < .05) as well as for those with laryngotracheal invasion alone (P < .001). Laryngotracheal invasion was a significant independent prognostic factor for survival (P < .05). When types of surgical resection were compared, the survival rates of patients who underwent shave excision were not different from those of patients who underwent radical tumor resection if gross tumor did not remain (P > .05). Tumors with minimal invasion may be treated by shaving tumor from the aerodigestive tract. Gross intraluminal involvement should be resected completely to prevent complications.


Characterization of perioperative contralateral stroke after carotid endarterectomy.
Contralateral stroke is an infrequent cause of perioperative stroke after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Whereas the risks of ipsilateral stroke complicating CEA have been discriminated, factors that lead to contralateral stroke are poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk of perioperative (30-day) contralateral stroke after CEA as well as predisposing preoperative and operative factors. Its specific effect on long-term survival was interrogated. The Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) was queried from April 1, 2003, to February 29, 2016, for all CEAs. Duplicated patients and those without complete data were excluded. Patients sustaining contralateral stroke after CEA in the 30-day postoperative period were identified. Demographic, preoperative, and operative factors were analyzed to identify discriminators between those with and those without contralateral stroke. Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify factors independently associated with contralateral stroke. The effect of contralateral stroke on 5-year survival was compared with patients with ipsilateral stroke and no stroke using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank testing compared survival curves. There were 10,837 CEAs performed during the study. Average age was 70.4 ± 9.3 years; 6605 (61%) patients were male, and 40% (n = 4324) were performed for symptoms. Most were current or former smokers (n = 8619 [80%]). Coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure were identified in 31% and 8.6%, respectively. Overall, there were 190 strokes within 30 days of CEA (1.8%); 131 were ipsilateral (1.3%), and 59 (0.5%) patients were identified as having contralateral perioperative stroke. Thirteen patients sustained bilateral stroke (0.1%). Significant univariate associations included urgency (P = .0001), ipsilateral stenosis severity (P = .004), length of operation (P = .0001), CEA with coronary artery bypass graft (P = .0001), CEA with other arterial surgery (P = .01), and CEA with proximal endovascular procedure (P = .03). Contralateral occlusion (P = .06) and degree of contralateral carotid stenosis (P = .14) did not correlate. After logistic regression analysis of significant univariate anatomic and operative factors, length of procedure (odds ratio [OR], 1.08/15 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.15; P = .02), urgency of operation (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.6; P = .006), and concomitant proximal endovascular intervention (OR, 8.7; 95% CI, 4.5-31.2; P = .001) remained predictors of contralateral stroke after CEA. Occurrence of both ipsilateral (P < .001) and contralateral (P = .023) stroke significantly reduced 5-year survival compared with those without stroke. There was no difference in the negative survival effect based on laterality of stroke (P = .24). Contralateral stroke after CEA is rare, affecting 0.5% of patients. Traditional risk reduction medical therapy does not affect occurrence. Degree of contralateral stenosis, including contralateral occlusion, does not predict perioperative contralateral stroke. Urgency of operation, length of operation, and performance of concomitant, ipsilateral endovascular intervention predict contralateral stroke risk with CEA. Contralateral stroke affects long-term survival similar to ipsilateral stroke after CEA.


Direct observation of the flux-line vortex glass phase in a type II superconductor.
The order of the vortex state in La1.9Sr0.1CuO4 is probed using muon-spin rotation and small-angle neutron scattering. A transition from a Bragg glass to a vortex glass is observed, where the latter is composed of disordered vortex lines. In the vicinity of the transition the microscopic behavior reflects a delicate interplay of thermally induced and pinning-induced disorder.


Cloning of four DNA fragments complementary to human thyroglobulin messenger RNA.
Human thyroglobulin mRNA was isolated from Graves' goitres by size selection of total poly(A)-rich RNA in a sucrose gradient. It sedimented at 33 S, as in other mammalian species, and showed a single component of approximately 8500 bases by gel electrophoresis. cDNA was synthesized from the 33-S RNA by using reverse transcriptase in the presence of human placenta ribonuclease inhibitor and in conditions allowing the formation of long transcripts. The latter was made double-stranded using reverse transcriptase and blunt-ended with nuclease S1. After tailing with dCTP and terminal transferase, the double-stranded cDNA was annealed to pBR322 DNA that had been cleaved at the endonuclease PstI site and tailed with dGTP. The resulting plasmids were used to transform Escherichia coli C600 cells and four cloned recombinants were selected. Each plasmid DNA was shown to contain a sequence complementary to human thyroglobulin mRNA by hybridization with a labeled 33-S mRNA, visualization of cDNA . mRNA hybrids by electron microscopy and filter hybridization selection of mRNA directing the synthesis of immunologically related thyroglobulin peptides in the reticulocyte lysate. The four inserted DNA sequences were 1400 - 1800 base pairs long, two of them showing an homologous sequence of 1100 base pairs. Together, the four cloned DNA fragments represented 63% of the 8500 bases of human thyroglobulin mRNA.


[Effects of physical exhaustion on immune systems].
The present study was performed to elucidate the effects of physical fatigue on immune parameters of peripheral blood and splenic T cells in rats. Male Wistar rats aged 20 to 45 weeks were used for the experiment. Swimming was employed as a physical fatigue load. The rats in the single-load group with a weight equal to 3% of the body weight of each rat connected to the tails were exhausted by two hours of swimming in one day. The rats in the consecutive-load group were exhausted by three hours of swimming for 7 consecutive days with a weight equal to 5% of the body weight of each rat. Absolute numbers of total white blood cells (WBCs) and peripheral blood lymphocytes decreased significantly just after swimming and returned to the baseline one day after swimming in both the single- and consecutive-load groups. However, in the consecutive-load group WBCs and lymphocytes decreased 7 days after swimming. Concentrations of plasma corticosterone increased significantly just after swimming, and returned to the baseline one day after swimming in both groups. Percentages of peripheral blood CD5+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in the single-load group increased significantly just after swimming. The percentage of peripheral blood CD5+ cells and CD4+ cells increased significantly one day after swimming in the consecutive load group. Percentages of splenic CD5+ cells and CD4+ cells increased significantly in the single-load group. However, only that of CD4+ cells increased significantly just after swimming in the consecutive-load group. A single load affected the proportions of CD5+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells just after the load but the consecutive load affected CD5+ cells and CD4+ cells and the effect persisted until the next day. These results indicate that the effect of fatigue on immune parameters depends on the level of fatigue, and that measurement of subsets of peripheral blood T cells is useful for evaluating various levels of fatigue.


Ziprasidone suppresses olanzapine-induced increases in ingestive behaviour in the rat.
Many atypical antipsychotic drugs, such as olanzapine, induce significant weight gain. However, ziprasidone produces minimal weight gain, the mechanism of which remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ziprasidone would reduce the acute effect of olanzapine on feeding behaviour. The results suggest that ziprasidone suppresses the significant increases in food intake produced by olanzapine, indicating that it has an intrinsic protective mechanism against drug-induced increases in food intake.


Application of the Red-List Index at a national level for multiple species groups.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Index (RLI) is recognized as one of the key indicators of trends in the status of species. The red-list assessment done by Finnish authorities of species in Finland is taxonomically one of the most extensive national assessments. We used the Finnish Red Lists from 2000 and 2010 to calculate for the first time the national RLIs for 11 taxonomic groups at different trophic levels and with different life cycles. The red-list index is calculated on the basis of changes in red-list categories and indicates trends in the status of biological diversity of sets of species. The RLI value ranges from 0 to 1. The lower the value the faster the set of species is heading toward extinction. If the value is 1, all species in the set are least concern and if the value is 0, all species are (regionally) extinct. The overall RLI of Finnish species decreased. This means that, in Finland, these taxonomic groups were heading toward extinction faster in 2010 than in 2000. Of the analyzed groups of organisms, RLIs of 5 decreased and RLIs of 6 increased. At the national level, the RLIs and status trends varied markedly between species groups. Thus, we concluded that generalizations on the basis of RLIs of a few taxa only may yield a biased view of ongoing trends in the status of biological diversity at the species level. In addition, one overall RLI that includes many different species groups may also be misleading if variation in RLI among species groups is not considered and if RLI values are not presented separately for each group.


Cloning and expression of an alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase gene (stxIV) from Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520, and characterization of the enzyme.
The gene encoding alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase (STX-IV), located upstream of the previously reported stxI gene, was cloned and sequenced. The gene is divergently transcribed from the stxI gene, and the two genes are separated by 661 nucleotides. The stxIV gene consists of a 1,092-bp open reading frame encoding 363 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene showed that STX-IV was an enzyme consisting of only a catalytic domain, and that the enzyme had significant similarity with alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases belonging to family 62 of glycosyl hydrolases. The stxIV gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity. Arabinoxylan and oat spelt xylan were good substrates for STX-IV, however, the enzyme showed a low activity with p-nitrophenyl alpha-L-arabinofuranoside. The optimum pH and temperature were 5.0 and 60 degrees C, respectively.


Amino acids in oviduct and uterine fluid and blood plasma during the estrous cycle in the bovine.
Up to 40% of cattle embryos die within 3 weeks of fertilization while they are nutritionally dependent on the maternal environment provided by the oviduct and uterine fluids for their development and survival. Despite this dependence there is limited information on the composition of these fluids in cattle. Amino acids are essential for the normal growth and development of the early embryo, acting as precursors of proteins and nucleic acids and as energy sources, osmolytes and signaling molecules. The objective of this study was to measure and compare the amino acid concentrations of oviduct and uterine fluid and blood plasma on different days of the estrous cycle. Oviduct fluid was collected in situ from anaesthetised heifers on Days 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and uterine fluid on Days 6, 8 and 14 of the estrous cycle and the concentrations of 19 amino acids determined. Glycine was the most abundant amino acid in both oviduct and uterine fluid. However, the concentrations of many amino acids differed between oviduct and uterus and many were present at higher concentrations in oviduct and uterine fluid than in blood plasma. Oviduct fluid concentrations of amino acids were not affected by day of cycle in contrast to uterine fluid for which there was a day of cycle effect on most of the amino acids. These results provide novel information on the amino acid concentrations in the maternal environment of the early cattle embryo and could form the basis for devising improved media for the production of embryos in vitro.


Effect of deoxyribonucleic acid on the production of reduced oxygen by bleomycin and iron.
The binding of bleomycin to DNA in the presence and absence of ferric iron was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. In millimolar concentrations of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, pH 7.5, approximately 80% of the bleomycin binds to DNA. Ferric iron seems to have no significant effect on the binding of DNA to bleomycin. The induction of oxygen uptake by ferrous iron and bleomycin was monitored in the presence and absence of DNA. DNA has no effect on the rate of oxygen uptake. Therefore, the iron binding site and the DNA binding site appear to be independent of each other. Under conditions where 80% of the bleomycin is bound to DNA, the ferrous iron-bleomycin-induced reduction of oxygen follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Ferrous iron autoxidation produces ethylene from methional. The addition of bleomycin greatly increases ethylene production. DNA, under conditions where 80% of the bleomycin is bound to DNA, inhibits ethylene production. Since ethylene is a measure of hydroxyl radical production, we conclude that DNA is able to compete with methional for the hydroxyl radical. We postulate a mechanism for DNA double-strand breaks in which the bleomycin selectively binds to DNA and recurrently produces the hydroxyl radical at that site. The localized generation of many hydroxyl radicals as provided by the proposed oxidation-reduction cycle mechanism may cause multiple strand breaks taking place on both strands of the DNA duplex leading to double-strand breaks. Since catalase, but not superoxide dismutase, is able to inhibit ferrous iron-bleomycin-induced products of the hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, but not the superoxide radical, is the immediate precursor of the hydroxyl radical.


Developmental and hormonally regulated messenger ribonucleic acid expression of KiSS-1 and its putative receptor, GPR54, in rat hypothalamus and potent luteinizing hormone-releasing activity of KiSS-1 peptide.
The gonadotropic axis is centrally controlled by a complex regulatory network of excitatory and inhibitory signals that is activated at puberty. Recently, loss of function mutations of the gene encoding G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), the putative receptor for the KiSS-1-derived peptide metastin, have been associated with lack of puberty onset and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Yet the pattern of expression and functional role of the KiSS-1/GPR54 system in the rat hypothalamus remain unexplored to date. In the present work, expression analyses of KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes were conducted in different physiological and experimental settings, and the effects of central administration of KiSS-1 peptide on LH release were assessed in vivo. Persistent expression of KiSS-1 and GPR54 mRNAs was detected in rat hypothalamus throughout postnatal development, with maximum expression levels at puberty in both male and female rats. Hypothalamic expression of KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes changed throughout the estrous cycle and was significantly increased after gonadectomy, a rise that was prevented by sex steroid replacement both in males and females. Moreover, hypothalamic expression of the KiSS-1 gene was sensitive to neonatal imprinting by estrogen. From a functional standpoint, intracerebroventricular administration of KiSS-1 peptide induced a dramatic increase in serum LH levels in prepubertal male and female rats as well as in adult animals. In conclusion, we provide novel evidence of the developmental and hormonally regulated expression of KiSS-1 and GPR54 mRNAs in rat hypothalamus and the ability of KiSS-1 peptide to potently stimulate LH secretion in vivo. Our current data support the contention that the hypothalamic KiSS-1/GPR54 system is a pivotal factor in central regulation of the gonadotropic axis at puberty and in adulthood.


NAC1 confines virus-specific memory formation of CD4+ T cells through the ROCK1-mediated pathway.
Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NAC1), a transcriptional cofactor, has been found to play important roles in regulating regulatory T cells, CD8+ T cells, and antitumor immunity, but little is known about its effects on T-cell memory. In this study, we found that NAC1 expression restricts memory formation of CD4+ T cells during viral infection. Analysis of CD4+ T cells from wild-type (WT) and NAC1-deficient (-/- ) mice showed that NAC1 is essential for T-cell metabolism, including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and supports CD4+ T-cell survival in vitro. We further demonstrated that a deficiency of NAC1 downregulates glycolysis and correlates with the AMPK-mTOR pathway and causes autophagy defective in CD4+ T cells. Loss of NAC1 reduced the expression of ROCK1 and the phosphorylation and stabilization of BECLIN1. However, a forced expression of ROCK1 in NAC1-/- CD4+ T cells restored autophagy and the activity of the AMPK-mTOR pathway. In animal experiments, adoptively transferred NAC1-/- CD4+ T cells or NAC1-/- mice challenged with VACV showed enhanced formation of VACV-specific CD4+ memory T cells compared to adoptively transferred WT CD4+ T cells or WT mice. This memory T-cell formation enhancement was abrogated by forcing expression of ROCK1. Our study reveals a novel role for NAC1 as a suppressor of CD4+ T-cell memory formation and suggests that targeting NAC1 could be a new approach to promoting memory CD4+ T-cell development, which is critical for an effective immune response against pathogens.


Evaluation of a high-fiber diet in hyperlipidemia: a review.
Epidemiologic studies of cardiovascular mortality rates in different countries have suggested that dietary fiber may play a protective role. Within a similar population, a large intake of fiber is associated with a lower relative risk of death from coronary heart disease. Dietary fiber may be separated into at least two types: insoluble, which includes cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin; and soluble, including pectin and gums. Laxative effects appear to predominate with insoluble fibers such as wheat bran, with little change in plasma lipid levels in most studies. Pectin, guar gum, and oat bran (soluble fibers) have been reported to have hypocholesterolemic effects in both animals and man, with the effect being proportional to the degree of cholesterol elevation. Other gums, specifically those from locust bean and karaya, have a similar effect, with the decrease in total cholesterol due primarily to a decrease in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction. While some studies have shown continued improvement over a period of months, this has not been uniformly found. Both normal and elevated triglyceride levels appear to be more resistant to change with dietary fiber. An increase of dietary carbohydrate as a source of fiber may be associated with an increase in triglyceride levels. Fiber may, however, offer some protection against an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in subjects fed diets containing large amounts of sucrose. Although rats fed oat bran, guar gum, or pectin had lower levels of hepatic and blood triglycerides, humans with hypercholesterolemia fed oat bran or guar showed no effect on their triglycerides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


NKp46 Recognizes the Sigma1 Protein of Reovirus: Implications for Reovirus-Based Cancer Therapy.
The recent approval of oncolytic virus for therapy of melanoma patients has increased the need for precise evaluation of the mechanisms by which oncolytic viruses affect tumor growth. Here we show that the human NK cell-activating receptor NKp46 and the orthologous mouse protein NCR1 recognize the reovirus sigma1 protein in a sialic-acid-dependent manner. We identify sites of NKp46/NCR1 binding to sigma1 and show that sigma1 binding by NKp46/NCR1 leads to NK cell activation in vitro Finally, we demonstrate that NCR1 activation is essential for reovirus-based therapy in vivo Collectively, we have identified sigma1 as a novel ligand for NKp46/NCR1 and demonstrated that NKp46/NCR1 is needed both for clearance of reovirus infection and for reovirus-based tumor therapy.IMPORTANCE Reovirus infects much of the population during childhood, causing mild disease, and hence is considered to be efficiently controlled by the immune system. Reovirus also specifically infects tumor cells, leading to tumor death, and is currently being tested in human clinical trials for cancer therapy. The mechanisms by which our immune system controls reovirus infection and tumor killing are not well understood. We report here that natural killer (NK) cells recognize a viral protein named sigma1 through the NK cell-activating receptor NKp46. Using several mouse tumor models, we demonstrate the importance of NK cells in protection from reovirus infection and in reovirus killing of tumors in vivo Collectively, we identify a new ligand for the NKp46 receptor and provide evidence for the importance of NKp46 in the control of reovirus infections and in reovirus-based cancer therapy.


Spinal Versus General Anesthesia in Contemporary Revision Total Hip Arthroplasties.
Spinal anesthesia is increasingly used in complex patient populations including revision total hip arthroplasties (THAs). This study aimed to investigate the pain control, length of stay (LOS), and complications associated with spinal versus general anesthesia in a large institutional series of revision THAs. We retrospectively identified 4,767 revision THAs (4,533 patients) from 2001 to 2016 using our institutional total joint registry. Of these cases, 86% had general and 14% had spinal anesthesia. Demographics between groups were similar with mean age of 66 years, 52% women, and mean body mass index of 29. Complications including all-cause rerevisions and reoperations were studied. Data were analyzed using an inverse probability of treatment weighted model based on propensity score that accounted for patient and surgical factors. The mean follow-up was 7 years. Patients treated with spinal anesthesia required fewer postoperative oral morphine equivalents (P < .001) and had lower numeric pain rating scale scores (P < .001). Spinal anesthesia had a decreased LOS (4.2 versus 4.8 days; P = .007), fewer cases of altered mental status (odds ratio (OR) 3.1, P = .001), fewer blood transfusions (OR 2.3, P < .001), fewer intensive care unit admissions (OR 2.3, P < .001), fewer rerevisions (OR 1.6, P = .04), and fewer reoperations (OR 1.5, P = .02). Spinal anesthesia was associated with lower oral morphine equivalent use and reduced LOS in this large cohort of revision THAs. Furthermore, spinal anesthesia was associated with fewer cases of altered mental status, transfusion, intensive care unit admission, rerevision, and reoperation after accounting for numerous patient and operative factors. Level III, Retrospective Comparative Study.


Importance of short-term dynamics in carbon isotope ratios of ecosystem respiration (delta13C(R)) in a Mediterranean oak woodland and linkage to environmental factors.
Temporal dynamics in carbon isotope ratios of ecosystem respiration (delta13C(R)) were evaluated on hourly, daily and annual timescales in a Mediterranean woodland. Emphasis was given to the periods of transition from wet to dry season and vice versa, when the system turns from a net carbon sink to a source. The constancy of nocturnal delta13C(R) was tested. The relationship between delta13C(R) (determined through Keeling plots) and environmental factors was evaluated through time-lag analysis. Delta13C(R) exhibited high annual variation (> 7). During the transition periods, delta13C(R) correlated significantly with factors influencing photosynthetic discrimination, soil respiration, and whole-canopy conductance. Time-lags differed between below- and above-ground variables, and between seasons. A shift in regression parameters with environmental factors indicated seasonal differences in ecosystem responsiveness (e.g. temperature acclimation). Delta13C(R) exhibited substantial nocturnal enrichment (> 4) from dusk to dawn. These data indicate pronounced short-term dynamics in delta13C(R) at hourly to daily timescales and a modulated response to environmental drivers. Substantial short-term changes in nocturnal delta13C(R) may have important implications for the sampling protocols of nocturnal Keeling plots.


Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')(sulfato-κO,O')cobalt(II) butane-2,3-diol monosolvate.
In the title compound, [Co(SO(4))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)]·C(4)H(10)O(2), the Co(2+) ion has a distorted octa-hedral coordination environment composed of four N atoms from two chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands and two O atoms from an O,O'-bidentate sulfate anion. The dihedral angle between the two chelating N(2)C(2) groups is 83.48 (1)°. The Co(2+) ion, the S atom and the mid-point of the central C-C bond of the butane-2,3-diol solvent mol-ecule are situated on twofold rotation axes. The mol-ecules of the complex and the solvent mol-ecules are held together by pairs of symmetry-related O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with the uncoordinated O atoms of the sulfate ions as acceptors. The solvent mol-ecule is disordered over two sets of sites with site occupancies of 0.40 and 0.60.


[Clinical observation of effects and complications of the mid-stage in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with percutaneous kyphoplasty].
To observe the clinical effects and complications in treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and in order to found the cause and countermeasures of the complications. From March 2006 to March 2007, 31 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated with unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty. There were 11 males and 20 females, ranging in age from 54 to 91 years with the mean of 81 years. All patients were followed up for more than three years. At pre-treatment and postoperatively immediately, 1, 2, 3 years after PKP, the height of anterior vertebral body and thoracic-lumbar and back pain were respectively analyzed by imaging data and VAS scoring. At pre-treatment and postoperatively immediately, 1, 2, 3 years after PKP, the height of anterior vertebral body were (0.9 +/- 0.2), (2.6 +/- 0.3), (2.6 +/- 0.2), (2.5 +/- 0.7), (2.5 +/- 0.4) cm, respectively; the VAS soring were (7.6 +/- 1.4), (2.3 +/- 0.7), (2.4 +/- 0.5), (2.8 +/- 0.3), (3.1 +/- 0.2) scores, respectively. The height of anterior vertebral body recoveried obviously after PKP (P < 0.05); following prolongation of time, the height of anterior vertebral body gradually reduced (P > 0.05). The thoracic-lumbar and back pain relieved obviously after PKP (P < 0.05); following prolongation of time, the pain gradually aggratated, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). At final follow up, reinforced vertebral re-fractures was found in 2 cases, adjacent vertebral fractures in 6 cases, distal vertebral fractures in 2 cases, asymptomatic degeneration of adjacent intervertebral in 5 cases. PKP have definite and early effects in treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures. But in mid-stage after PKP, the height of anterior vertebral body reduce and the pain aggravate gradually, especially degenerative adjacent vertebral fracture advent. Strict choosing the candidate of the precedure, improvement of materials of perfusion and reducing of volume of bone cement maybe can decrease incidence rate of complications.


More evidence on cash transfers and child nutritional outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cash transfer (CT) programmes are an increasingly common approach to alleviate poverty and inequality and improving child health and nutrition, as well as supporting other goals such as education. Evidence indicates that CTs can be effective, but overall impacts are small in magnitude. This paper substantially updates the evidence base on the effectiveness of CTs and moderating factors. Building on a prior search done in 2018, we searched articles published between January 2018 and March 2021 using Agris, Econlit, Eldis, IBSS, IDEAS, IFPRI, Google Scholar, PubMed and World Bank databases. We included studies using quantitative impact evaluation methods of CTs with sample sizes over 300, targeted to households with children under 5 years conducted with clear counterfactuals in countries with gross domestic product below US$10 000 at baseline. We performed meta-analysis using random effects models to assess the impact of CT programme on selected child nutrition outcomes. Out of 1561 articles identified, 55 additional articles were eligible for inclusion for a total of 129 estimates. We find that CTs have significant although modest effects on height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) (0.024, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.044; p<0.02); stunting (-1.35%, 95% CI -2.35 to - 0.35; p<0;01); wasting (-1.31%, 95% CI -2.16% to 0.46%; p<0.01); animal-source foods (6.72%, 95% CI 5.24% to 8.20%; p<0.01); diet diversity (0.55, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.81; p<0.01) and diarrhoea incidence (- 1.74%, 95% CI -2.79% to -0.68%; p<0.05). There was no significant effect of CTs on weight-for-height (WHZ) or weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ). Well-targeted behaviour change communication was also effective in improving HAZ and decreasing the prevalence of diarrhoea. CT programmes improved linear growth among young children, reducing wasting and stunting, but effects are heterogeneous and somewhat small overall. More evidence indicates that effects on dietary diversity and the consumption of animal-source foods are increasingly pronounced.


CD14 C(-260)T gene polymorphism, circulating soluble CD14 levels and arteriosclerosis.
CD14 pathway is at the crossroads between infection and inflammation. In human pathology, divergent results have been reported on the relationship between a polymorphism in the promoter of receptor CD14 (C260T), expression of soluble CD14 (sCD14) receptor and atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to investigate in a cross-sectional population-based sample the relationships between C260T polymorphism in CD14 gene, sCD14 blood levels and arterial wall. Among 1015 subjects, randomly recruited by the Toulouse MONICA center between 1995 and 1997, 899 subjects with complete data for all the measurements, were analyzed. sCD14 was measured using an immuno-enzymatic method. Common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries were assessed by ultrasonography. A genotypic examination for the CD14 C260T polymorphism was performed. An increase in sCD14 expression was observed in subjects carrying t allele (P < 0.01). No significant difference in intima-media thickness, number of plaques and pulse wave velocity was noticed according to C260T polymorphism. An interaction (P < 0.05) was observed between C260T polymorphism and current smoking in sCD14 expression: among smokers, no significant change in sCD14 was observed in individuals carrying t allele. Although (C260T) polymorphism in CD14 gene in this study is associated with expression of sCD14, no significant association was found between this polymorphism and early markers of atherosclerosis. This polymorphism affects plasma levels of sCD14 in relation to current smoking status. Further studies are needed to determine whether this interaction influences the deleterious effect of smoking on vascular events.


Case I: Managing people--the case of the frustrated faculty member.
Managing people is a continuing leadership challenge. The foundation discipline for managing people relates to human resource management and faculty development in academic settings. In human resource management, administrators are challenged to balance the needs of individuals and the expectations of the organization for the mutual benefit of both. A primary goal of management is to lead and develop people and manage the organization in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization. The purpose of this paper is, first, to present an overview of human resource management and faculty development fundamentals including motivating, mentoring, and performance counseling. Second, a hypothetical case is presented for readers to apply theory to situation. Finally, the case is analyzed by reviewing central issues and the management concepts that may apply to the scenario. These include managing resources, mentoring, motivation, and development. In this case-based analysis, Dr. Orsten is a junior faculty member employed in a developing school. With a shortage of faculty in her field, she succumbs to the pressures of teaching and administration at the expense of her own professional advancement through research. The tenure clock is ticking, however, and Dr. Orsten has serious doubts about her ability to redirect her priorities and earn tenure. Dr. Hightower, the Associate Dean, also faces a dilemma: there is a shortage of faculty in Dr. Orsten's specialty, and the system is poised to exercise the "up-or-out" option.


Decidualization of Human Endometrial Stromal Fibroblasts is a Multiphasic Process Involving Distinct Transcriptional Programs.
Decidual stromal cells differentiate from endometrial stromal fibroblasts (ESFs) under the influence of progesterone and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and are essential for implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. They evolved in the stem lineage of placental (eutherian) mammals coincidental with the evolution of implantation. Here we use the well-established in vitro decidualization protocol to compare early (3 days) and late (8 days) gene transcription patterns in immortalized human ESF. We document extensive, dynamic changes in the early and late decidual cell transcriptomes. The data suggest the existence of an early signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway dominated state and a later nuclear factor κB (NFKB) pathway regulated state. Transcription factor expression in both phases is characterized by putative or known progesterone receptor ( PGR) target genes, suggesting that both phases are under progesterone control. Decidualization leads to proliferative quiescence, which is reversible by progesterone withdrawal after 3 days but to a lesser extent after 8 days of decidualization. In contrast, progesterone withdrawal induces cell death at comparable levels after short or long exposure to progestins and cAMP. We conclude that decidualization is characterized by a biphasic gene expression dynamic that likely corresponds to different phases in the establishment of the fetal-maternal interface.


Prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures.
With the aging international population, osteoporosis has become an epidemic. This painless disease is characterized by a decreased bone mass, resulting in decreased structural integrity of bone, and often goes undiagnosed. Typical osteoporotic fractures include vertebrae, hip, and wrist fractures, and these may have a dramatic impact on quality of life, even if the fracture is successfully treated. Many antiresorptive agents have demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures, and newer anabolic agents may further reduce risk. Non-medical treatments, such as external hip protectors and balance and low-impact strength training, are also very effective in preventing fractures. Before specific treatments can be addressed, however, osteoporosis must first be considered as a diagnosis in any patient with a low-energy fracture. This requires continued public health initiatives involving patient and physician education regarding the necessity for bone mass measurement and the merits of antiresorptive therapy.