Socioeconomic Status Index to Interpret Inequalities in Child Development.
There have been contradictory findings on the relationship between Socioeconomic Status (SES) and child development although SES is associated with child development outcomes. The present study intended to define the relationship between SES and child development in Tehran kindergartens, Iran. This cross-sectional survey studied 1036 children aged 36-60 month, in different kindergartens in Tehran City, Iran, in 2014-2015. The principal factor analysis (PFA) model was employed to construct SES indices. The constructed SES variable was employed as an independent variable in logistic regression model to evaluate its role in developmental delay as a dependent variable. The relationship between SES and developmental delay was significant at P=0.003. SES proved to have a significant (P<0.05) impact on developmental delay, both as an independent variable and after controlling risk factors. There should be more emphasis on developmental monitoring and appropriate intervention programs for children to give them higher chance of having a more productive life.


Terminal N-acetylglucosamine in chronic synovitis.
The distribution of terminal GlcNAc residues in normal and diseased synovial tissue has been studied using a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) which binds to terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Normal human connective tissue, including synovium, showed no staining for terminal GlcNAc. Normal epithelial tissues, including tonsillar epithelium, skin, small intestinal epithelium and salivary epithelium showed cellular staining. Synovium from patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis showed dense granular staining of macrophages. In addition, synovium from 9 of 12 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis showed reticular extracellular staining indicating deposition of material bearing terminal GlcNAc in the connective tissue stroma. The extracellular staining was not seen in synovium from patients with osteoarthritis. Extracellular material bearing terminal GlcNAc may act as an inflammatory stimulus in rheumatoid arthritis, either by acting as antigen or by interaction with receptors on macrophage membranes which also recognize GlcNAc on bacterial material, thus triggering biochemical pathways normally occurring in response to the presence of micro-organisms.


Enhanced acetohydroxy acid synthase III activity in an ilvH mutant of Escherichia coli K-12.
The acetohydroxy acid synthase III isozyme, which catalyzes the first common step in the biosynthesis of isoleucine, leucine, and valine in Escherichia coli K-12, is composed of two subunits, the ilvI and ilvH gene products. A missense mutation in ilvH (ilvH612), which reduced the sensitivity of the enzyme to the end product inhibition by valine, also increased its specific activity and lowered the Km for alpha-acetolactate synthesis. The mutation increased the sensitivity of acetohydroxy acid synthase III to dialysis and heat treatment and reduced the requirement for thiamine pyrophosphate addition to the assay mixture for activity. A strain carrying the ilvH612 mutation grew better than a homologous ilvH+ strain in the presence of leucine. The data indicate that this is a consequence of a more active acetohydroxy acid synthase III isozyme rather than the result of an alteration of the leucine-mediated repression of the ilvIH operon.


In vitro fluid and particle transport in the murine endolymphatic sac.
The murine endolymphatic sac (ELS) can survive for several weeks in tissue culture. The epithelial cells mature in vitro and demonstrate functional activity under these artificial conditions. The goal of the present study was to investigate fluid and particle transport between the ELS cells, the ELS lumen, and the surrounding tissue culture medium. A series of tracers, including anti-mouse IgG-labelled colloidal gold, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and ruthenium red (RR) were used to elucidate different aspects of ELS transport. Results indicated that both light and dark cells of the ELS took up HRP from both the luminal and the basal side of the epithelial cells, forming coated vesicles. Only luminal uptake occurred when the HRP was injected into the lumen, and only basal uptake was observed when the HRP was placed in the culture media. HRP introduced into the tissue culture media never entered the lumen of the ELS. Anti-mouse IgG labelled with gold showed no uptake at all from either side of the epithelial cells. Gold could be found only in membrane-bound vesicles in the cytoplasm of reticuloendothelial (RES) cells in the ELS lumen and lateral intercellular spaces (LIS) of the sac. This suggests that there are no IgG sites in sac cells and that the circulating RES cells seen in the lumen of the ELS come from the surrounding connective tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Effect of Obesity on Hemoglobin Concentration.
Obesity is a disorder of body weight regulatory systems characterized by an accumulation of excess body fat. World Health Organization recommended that 66% of deaths now occur in developing countries and recognizes obesity as a leading risk factor. Obesity is associated with chronic, low grade, systemic inflammation. The inflammatory state play a causal role in the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. This descriptive type of cross sectional study will design to evaluate the relation between obesity with hemoglobin concentration. One hundred obese and 100 normal weight persons from both sexes, aged between 25 to 60 years will be selected from Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh and locality from July 2014 to January 2016. Data are collected through a simple questionnaire after informed consent taken. The result was calculated and analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social science, version 11.5). Statistical significance of difference between two groups were evaluated by unpaired Student's 't' test. Data were expressed as Mean±SE. P value less than 0.05 was taken as the level of significance. Anthropometric measurements such as height and weight were taken in meter and kilogram respectively. Pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured by aneroid sphygmomanometer (ALPK2, Japan), laboratory analysis of hemoglobin was done by Cyanmethemoglobin Method. In this study we found that hemoglobin concentration is significantly increased in both male and female obese persons.


Survival Comparison of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis in Canada and the United States: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
In 2011, the median age of survival of patients with cystic fibrosis reported in the United States was 36.8 years, compared with 48.5 years in Canada. Direct comparison of survival estimates between national registries is challenging because of inherent differences in methodologies used, data processing techniques, and ascertainment bias. To use a standardized approach to calculate cystic fibrosis survival estimates and to explore differences between Canada and the United States. Population-based study. 42 Canadian cystic fibrosis clinics and 110 U.S. cystic fibrosis care centers. Patients followed in the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Registry (CCFR) and U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) between 1990 and 2013. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival between patients followed in the CCFR (n = 5941) and those in the CFFPR (n = 45 448). Multivariable models were used to adjust for factors known to be associated with survival. Median age of survival in patients with cystic fibrosis increased in both countries between 1990 and 2013; however, in 1995 and 2005, survival in Canada increased at a faster rate than in the United States (P < 0.001). On the basis of contemporary data from 2009 to 2013, the median age of survival in Canada was 10 years greater than in the United States (50.9 vs. 40.6 years, respectively). The adjusted risk for death was 34% lower in Canada than the United States (hazard ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.54 to 0.81]). A greater proportion of patients in Canada received transplants (10.3% vs. 6.5%, respectively [standardized difference, 13.7]). Differences in survival between U.S. and Canadian patients varied according to U.S. patients' insurance status. Ascertainment bias due to missing data or nonrandom loss to follow-up might affect the results. Differences in cystic fibrosis survival between Canada and the United States persisted after adjustment for risk factors associated with survival, except for private-insurance status among U.S. patients. Differential access to transplantation, increased posttransplant survival, and differences in health care systems may, in part, explain the Canadian survival advantage. U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.


A tripeptide Diapin effectively lowers blood glucose levels in male type 2 diabetes mice by increasing blood levels of insulin and GLP-1.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Effective therapies, such as insulin and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), require injections, which are costly and result in less patient compliance. Here, we report the identification of a tripeptide with significant potential to treat T2D. The peptide, referred to as Diapin, is comprised of three natural L-amino acids, GlyGlyLeu. Glucose tolerance tests showed that oral administration of Diapin effectively lowered blood glucose after oral glucose loading in both normal C57BL/6J mice and T2D mouse models, including KKay, db/db, ob/ob mice, and high fat diet-induced obesity/T2D mice. In addition, Diapin treatment significantly reduced casual blood glucose in KKay diabetic mice in a time-dependent manner without causing hypoglycemia. Furthermore, we found that plasma GLP-1 and insulin levels in diabetic models were significantly increased with Diapin treatment compared to that in the controls. In summary, our findings establish that a peptide with minimum of three amino acids can improve glucose homeostasis and Diapin shows promise as a novel pharmaceutical agent to treat patients with T2D through its dual effects on GLP-1 and insulin secretion.


Single dose irradiation of defined region of rat brain with stereotactic brainlab system.
Background and purpose of our study was to develop a precise dose delivery technique for partial brain irradiation of two rats simultaneously. Using a self-developed frame stereotactic radiotherapy with single doses of 30-90 Gy was delivered to the frontal lobe of 22 animals. Tolerability and reproducibility of the method were evaluated and dosimetric measurements were conducted to verify the treatment plans. 2, 4 and 6 months after the irradiation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and histopathological examinations were performed to detect late radiation induced biological changes. Immobilization device provided excellent reproducibility and tolerability. Dosimetry revealed good correspondence with planned dose distribution, but the measured absorbed dose was 30% lower than the planned dose. During the 6 months follow-up period the procedure related death of subject animals after 30 Gy, 70 Gy and 90 Gy were 0%, 20% and 100% respectively. T2 signal and structural changes on MRI scans found to be dose and time dependent. While 30 Gy caused no detectable structural changes, 70 Gy lead to cystic necrosis in 2 cases after 4 month. Histopathology revealed signs of necrosis on macroscopic examination after 70 Gy in the high dose region involving both frontal lobes, and no obvious microscopic changes in the surrounding area were detectable. Our technique of rat cranial irradiation using human stereotactic system provided high accuracy of single dose delivery for a pair of small animals, resulting in brain injury in the defined area. This method proved to be a reproducible model for preclinical studies on radiation effects.


Ultrahigh-Capacity and Scalable Architected Battery Electrodes via Tortuosity Modulation.
A thick electrode with high areal capacity is a straightforward approach to maximize the energy density of batteries, but the development of thick electrodes suffers from both fabrication challenges and electron/ion transport limitations. In this work, a low-tortuosity LiFePO4 (LFP) electrode with ultrahigh loadings of active materials and a highly efficient transport network was constructed by a facile and scalable templated phase inversion method. The instant solidification of polymers during phase inversion enables the fabrication of ultrathick yet robust electrodes. The open and aligned microchannels with interconnected porous walls provide direct and short ion transport pathways, while the encapsulation of active materials in the carbon framework offers a continuous pathway for electron transport. Benefiting from the structural advantages, the ultrathick bilayer LiFePO4 electrodes (up to 1.2 mm) demonstrate marked improvements in rate performance and cycling stability under high areal loadings (up to 100 mg cm-2). Simulation and operando structural characterization also reveal fast transport kinetics. Combined with the scalable fabrication, our proposed strategy presents an effective alternative for designing practical high energy/power density electrodes at low cost.


The high molecular weight dipeptidyl peptidase IV Pol d 3 is a major allergen of Polistes dominula venom.
Hymenoptera venom allergy can cause severe anaphylaxis in untreated patients. Polistes dominula is an important elicitor of venom allergy in Southern Europe as well as in the United States. Due to its increased spreading to more moderate climate zones, Polistes venom allergy is likely to gain importance also in these areas. So far, only few allergens of Polistes dominula venom were identified as basis for component-resolved diagnostics. Therefore, this study aimed to broaden the available panel of important Polistes venom allergens. The 100 kDa allergen Pol d 3 was identified by mass spectrometry and found to be a dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Recombinantly produced Pol d 3 exhibited sIgE-reactivity with approximately 66% of Polistes venom-sensitized patients. Moreover, its clinical relevance was supported by the potent activation of basophils from allergic patients. Cross-reactivity with the dipeptidyl peptidases IV from honeybee and yellow jacket venom suggests the presence of exclusive as well as conserved IgE epitopes. The obtained data suggest a pivotal role of Pol d 3 as sensitizing component of Polistes venom, thus supporting its status as a major allergen of clinical relevance. Therefore, Pol d 3 might become a key element for proper diagnosis of Polistes venom allergy.


Integrin α6A (ITGA6A)-type Splice Variant in Extracellular Vesicles Has a Potential as a Novel Marker of the Early Recurrence of Pancreatic Cancer.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a poor prognosis. Owing to the difficulty of early diagnosis, the aim of this study was to isolate biomarkers from extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can lead to early diagnosis. EVs in the culture supernatant were isolated from a pancreatic cancer cell line (PK-1) and expanded by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and protein identification from each spot was performed by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The identified proteins were classified and compared with previously reported results for EVs from murine pancreatic cancer PAN02 cells, and their expression specificity was examined using PDAC cell lines and patient-derived PDAC tissues. In addition, the significance of selected biomarker(s) was examined based on the changes in biomarkers in the blood EVs of PDAC patients after surgery. We found that the ITGA6A splice variant was predominantly expressed in several pancreatic cancer cell lines and blood EVs from patients with PDAC, whereas the ITGA6B splice variant was predominantly expressed in EVs from the blood of normal volunteers. In the expression pattern of ITGA6 in EVs from blood samples of two PDAC patients before and after resection surgery, the expression of ITGA6A in EVs significantly decreased after surgery and increased several months before clinical recurrence. Furthermore, the increased expression of ITGA6A in EVs occurred much earlier than that of CA19-9. Determination of ITGA6A expression in blood EVs in PDAC patients could be a useful blood marker for the early diagnosis of PDAC recurrence.


Familial early-onset obesity in Turkish children: variants and polymorphisms in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene.
Genetic factors have a key role in childhood obesity with higher rates in children than adults. Among the monogenic types of non-syndromic obesity, melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency is the most frequent cause. Beside pathogenic variants, single-nucleotide polymorphisms in MC4R gene are also associated with lower energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of MC4R variants and polymorphisms in a cohort of Turkish children and adolescents with severe early-onset obesity, and to understand the clinical features of patients. Patients, 1-17 years of age, with the onset of obesity before 10 years of age and a body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) of >2.3, and who had a family history of early-onset obesity in at least one of their first-degree relatives were included in the study. Beside routine blood tests genetic analyses for MC4R gene were performed. Analyses of MC4R revealed previously known variations in three (3.5%) patients, and pathogenic polymorphisms related with obesity in four (4.7%) patients. BMI SDS values were between 2.8 and 5.5 SDS in the pathogenic variant carrier group, and 2.8-4.9 SDS in the polymorphism group. Mean BMI SDS in variant-negative group was 3.4 ± 0.82. Investigation of the MC4R in individuals with early-onset obesity and presence of obesity first-degree relatives is important. Hypertension is a rare comorbidity compared to other causes. Contrary to studies reporting that insulin resistance was absent or very rare, we found it as a frequent finding in both pathogenic variants and polymorphisms of MC4R.


The branched-chain amino acid permease gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, BAP2, encodes the high-affinity leucine permease (S1).
The amino acid leucine has been shown previously to be transported into a yeast cell by at least three permeases: the general amino acid permease, a high-affinity permease (S1) and a low-affinity permease (S2). We isolated the gene BAP2 as a multicopy suppressor of the YPD- phenotype of aat1leu2 yeast. BAP2 has been identified previously as encoding an amino acid permease which transports branched-chain amino acids. In order to align the genetic and biochemical studies of leucine uptake we completed a detailed kinetic analysis of yeast strains in which the BAP2 gene was disrupted and compared this to the kinetics of uptake of the parental strain. We demonstrate that BAP2 encodes the high-affinity leucine permease previously called S1.


Sonography of ankle Ganglia with pathologic correlation in 10 pediatric and adult patients.
We describe the sonographic imaging characteristics of ankle ganglia with pathologic correlation in 10 patients. Foot and ankle ganglia exhibit a spectrum of sonographic appearances from round and completely anechoic masses to hypoechoic, multilobulated, multiseptated masses with dependent debris. All the ganglionic cysts examined in our study showed posterior acoustic enhancement without solid nodules on sonography.


Spatial variations in intestinal skatole production and microbial composition in broilers.
Spatial variations in intestinal skatole production and microbial composition in broilers were evaluated. Fifteen 42-day-old broilers were slaughtered. Samples were taken from the broilers' ileum, cecum, and rectum and analyzed for skatole levels. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique was used to analyze the microbial community from the intestinal digesta. The skatole levels could be arranged in decreasing order: cecum > rectum > ileum. Cecal lactate and acetate levels were higher than those of ileum and rectum (p < 0.01). Cecal microbial diversity and richness were higher than those of ileum (p < 0.05). One specific DGGE band was found in cecal sample and is closely related to Bacteroides uniformis. Cecum and rectum samples consisted of three coexistence bands, the related bacteria included Lactobacillus vaginalis and two members of Candidatus Arthromitus. The total bacterial population in cecum was higher than that in ileum and rectum (p < 0.05). Skatole levels were positively correlated with microbial Shannon-Wiener index, richness, total bacteria (p < 0.01) and Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05) populations. These results suggest that the variations in fermentation patterns are more likely to explain differences in intestinal skatole level. Bacteroides uniformis may play a role in the production of skatole.


Synthesis and transacylating reactivity of beta-cyclodextrin ethylenediamines.
The synthesis of the ethylenediamine-connected cyclodextrin dimer is reported, together with the syntheses of several reference cyclodextrinylamines. Each compound displayed enhanced transacylation or transphosphorylation of activated substrates, with the primary amine-bearing monocyclodextrin compound showing the greatest activity. No special rate advantage was observed for this cyclodextrin dimer, although such effects do exist in other cycloextrin dimers reported previously.


Interferon-beta: a therapeutic for autoimmune lupus in MRL-Faslpr mice.
Type I interferons are associated with lupus. Genes that are regulated by IFN-alpha are upregulated in pediatric lupus patients. Gene deletion of the IFN-alpha/beta receptor in experimental lupus-like NZB mice results in reduced disease activity. Conversely, IFN-beta is a well-established treatment in multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disease. For determining whether IFN-beta treatment is harmful or beneficial in lupus, MRL-Fas(lpr) mice were injected with this type I IFN. Treatment was initiated in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice with mild and advanced disease. IFN-beta was highly effective in prolonging survival and ameliorating the clinical (renal function, proteinuria, splenomegaly, and skin lesions), serologic (autoantibodies and cytokines), and histologic parameters of the lupus-like disease in mice that had mild and advanced disease. Several underlying mechanisms of IFN-beta therapy involving cellular (decreased T cell proliferation and infiltration of leukocytes into the kidney) and humoral (decrease in IgG3 isotypes) immune responses and a reduction in nephrogenic cytokines were identified. In conclusion, IFN-beta treatment of lupus nephritis in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice is remarkably beneficial and suggests that IFN-beta may be an appealing therapeutic candidate for subtypes of human lupus.


Doctors, patients and the Internet: time to grasp the nettle.
The Internet, the fastest growing technology in society, has been driven by the public's hunger for fast, cheap communication. The modern patient increasingly presents to their doctor with an Internet diagnosis and treatment plan, obtained from a website with inaccurate or highly biased information. Doctors have limited access to the Internet in the workplace and often find it difficult to answer specific medical questions using routine search engines. The Internet provides an unparalleled opportunity to revolutionise medical education, bedside decision-making, patient records and communication between professionals and patients. Coordination between government, the Royal Colleges and the healthcare industry is required to develop the necessary software and hardware to help doctors and patients use the Internet to their advantage.


Utilization of paraspinal muscles for triggered EMG during thoracic pedicle screw placement.
A novel intraoperative neurophysiological technique for testing the integrity of the pedicle during screw fixation for spinal deformity surgery is presented. The thoracic paraspinal muscles at the appropriate level are used as the electromyogram (EMG) pick-up for direct current stimulation of the thoracic pedicle screw at that level. This technique is shown to give reliable and reproducible results. This technique is found to produce more reliable data than the methods most commonly used at this time.


Overweight and obesity among youth participants in American football.
To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among participants in youth American football 9 to 14 years of age. Cross-sectional, 653 boys, 8.7 to 14.6 years. Height and weight were measured; body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Overweight and obesity were defined by international (International Obesity Task Force [IOTF]) and United States (Centers for Disease Control [CDC]) criteria. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Player age, height, and weight and midparent height were used to predict mature height; current height was expressed as a percentage of predicted mature height as an estimate of maturity status. Overall 45.0% (41.2% to 48.9%) and 42.6% (38.8% to 46.5%) of players were overweight or obese by CDC and IOTF criteria, respectively. Prevalence was highest in early maturing boys. Based on position-activity at time of injury (n = 180), overweight and obesity were more common among offensive and defensive linemen. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in youth football players than in national samples of American boys. Allowing for limitations of the BMI and the relative stability of the BMI from adolescence into adulthood, a relatively large number of football participants may be at risk for later overweight or obesity, and the risk appears to be greater for offensive and defensive line positions.


The incidence of corticosteroid side effects in chronic steroid-dependent asthmatics on TAO (troleandomycin) and methylprednisolone.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of troleandomycin (TAO)-methylprednisolone (MP) regimens on the incidence of corticosteroid-induced side effects. Retrospective analysis was performed on the charts of 29 adult chronic steroid-dependent asthmatics on regimens of TAO-MP. These 29 met our criteria of a minimum of 1 year on TAO-MP and at least 6 to 12 months on daily or alternate-day corticosteroids before TAO-MP was instituted. Charts were reviewed for nine known corticosteroid (CS) side effects, all previously identified side effects were excluded. Charts were also reviewed for TAO dose, MP dose, and dose/duration on CS therapy before TAO-MP regimen began. Patients on TAO at an average dose of 250 mg/d were able to wean to an average MP dose of 10.8 mg every other day from an average MP equivalent dose of 16.8 mg every other day before TAO. In spite of lower MP doses on TAO we found that 35% showed an increase in CS-induced side effects, some (three) had more than one side effect. Three patients developed cataracts (10%), two become hypertensive (6.8%), one developed diabetes (3%), one had a psychotic episode (3%), and one patient developed TB (3%) and had a spinal compression fracture. Sixty percent of these patients were on 8 mg or less of MP on an alternate-day basis. We found that in this group of 29 chronic steroid-dependent asthmatics the incidence of corticosteroid-related side effects was increased on TAO-MP regimens despite a reduction in corticosteroid dose.


Clinicians' guide to antibiotics. Tetracycline.
Tetracyclines have a broad range of activity against many organisms and remain the antibiotics of choice for some diseases, including brucellosis, chlamydial infections and severe acne vulgaris. However, because of their side effects, increasing resistance and the alternative antibiotics now available, their clinical usefulness is limited.


Molar uprighting with T-loop springs.
Uprighting of molars is indicated as an adjunct to restorative and periodontal procedures. Limiting conditions exist in which previously reported helical and box-loop springs cannot be used effectively. In those instances, segmental arch wires with T-loops upright the molars efficiently while maintaining control in three planes of space. Furthermore, these loop designs permit immediate engagement of these appliances. Clinical experiences with these springs by students in the professional and graduate dental clinics at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry lead to the conclusion that: segmental uprighting arch wires with T-loops are easy to fabricate and use; T-looped uprighting springs can be engaged immediately and used efficiently in instances in which helical spring or box-loop uprighting appliances are contraindicated; T-looped uprighting springs offer excellent controlled movements of teeth in three planes of space; acceptance by the patient is favorable; and treatment time, depending on the amount of tooth movement required, is rapid and varies between 8 to 16 weeks.


Gynaecologists and abortion in Northern Ireland.
The evidence from gynaecologists in Northern Ireland shows confusion in interpretation and practice of abortion law, with some women even being denied abortion after rape. Over two-thirds of gynaecologists supported a change in the law which would leave the abortion decision to the woman and her doctor, but less than half wanted the introduction of the British law.


Parent Knowledge of Screening and Genetic Testing in Retinoblastoma.
To evaluate parent knowledge of screening and genetic testing for retinoblastoma and its potential correlation with demographics, clinical features, and socioeconomical factors. It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the ocular oncology unit of a tertiary ophthalmic center in Southern China. A face-to-face interview was administered to parents of retinoblastoma children during hospitalization. Parent knowledge was assessed using the sum score of a 7-item questionnaire. Demographics and socioeconomic status were collected from the interview, and clinical data were retrieved from the medical records. A total of 126 parents of retinoblastoma children were included. Parents accurately answered 66.7% to 84.9% of each item in the questionnaire. Only 37 (29.4%) parents correctly answered all 7 questions. Parent knowledge was positively correlated with education, but it was not associated with patients' laterality, sex, or household income. Physicians and the Internet were the major sources of parental health-related information. During the median follow-up of 492 days, 13 (61.9%) of 21 patients in the full-score group without genetic testing at baseline actually conducted testing during follow-up compared to 29 of 67 (43.3%) in the less-than-full-score group (P=0.136). Overall parent knowledge about retinoblastoma screening and genetic testing was moderate. Higher education was associated with greater parent knowledge. Future studies should validate our findings in other populations, especially in those with different cultural background and healthcare systems.


Eliminating the phrase "elective abortion": why language matters.
The phrase "elective abortion" is often used to describe induced abortions performed for reasons other than a direct, immediate threat to maternal physical health. We argue that the term "elective abortion" is variably defined, misrepresents the complexity and multiplicity of indications for abortion and perpetuates stigma. In practice, restricting access to abortion at the legal, regulatory or institutional level based on subjective perceptions of patient need constrains health care providers' ability to act according to their best clinical judgments and limits patient access to care. The phrase "elective abortion" should be eliminated from scientific and medical discourse to prevent further damage to the public understanding of the variety of indications for which women require expeditious and equitable access to induced abortion.


Systemic effects of podophyllotoxin on phosphate metabolism in innervated and denervated, slow and fast muscles of the rat.
The systemic administration of podophyllotoxin gives qualitatively the same results as the administration of colchicine. It increases the specific activities and isotope uptakes of the inorganic phosphate and acid-soluble organic-bound phosphate fractions of slow and fast muscles. In the extensor digitorum longus muscles these increases are slowly reversible. In the two fast muscles -- gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus muscles -- significant interactions between podophyllotoxin treatment and 3 d-surgical denervation are observed. It is proposed that, like colchicine, podophyllotoxin induces denervation-like alterations in the Pi and POAS metabolism of skeletal muscle. In view of their structural dissimilarities it is further proposed that their action on muscle phosphate metabolism is mediated through a common property : i.e. binding to muscle free tubulin.


Using the transcriptome to annotate the genome.
A remaining challenge for the human genome project involves the identification and annotation of expressed genes. The public and private sequencing efforts have identified approximately 15,000 sequences that meet stringent criteria for genes, such as correspondence with known genes from humans or other species, and have made another approximately 10,000-20,000 gene predictions of lower confidence, supported by various types of in silico evidence, including homology studies, domain searches, and ab initio gene predictions. These computational methods have limitations, both because they are unable to identify a significant fraction of genes and exons and because they are unable to provide definitive evidence about whether a hypothetical gene is actually expressed. As the in silico approaches identified a smaller number of genes than anticipated, we wondered whether high-throughput experimental analyses could be used to provide evidence for the expression of hypothetical genes and to reveal previously undiscovered genes. We describe here the development of such a method--called long serial analysis of gene expression (LongSAGE), an adaption of the original SAGE approach--that can be used to rapidly identify novel genes and exons.


ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF SOME STRAINS OF BACTEROIDES.
Bladen, Howard A. (National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Md.), and Judith F. Waters. Electron microscopic study of some strains of Bacteroides. J. Bacteriol. 86:1339-1344. 1963.-Cultures of some unidentified strains of Bacteroides were fixed, and embedded in Vestopal W. Thin sections were cut with a microtome and examined in an electron microscope. A triple-layered cell wall completely encircled the organisms and was separated from the cytoplasmic membrane by a space of 150 to 250 A. This space was crossed by frequent bridges connecting the cell wall to the cytoplasmic membrane. A five-layered cytoplasmic membrane was occasionally observed. However, the outer two dense layers were often difficult to resolve as separate structures and usually appeared as a single thick dense line. Cytokinesis of Bacteroides involved the inward annular growth of the cell wall-cytoplasmic membrane. No cell-plate formation was observed. Intracellular membranous elements occurred in Bacteroides and are reported.


Investigation of the variability in the tool marks produced by modified blank firing pistols on fired 7.65 mm projectiles.
Firearms identification has an important place in forensic ballistic investigations since the weapons are widely used in criminal offences. Firearm examiners resolve many case files, through the use of automatic systems or comparison microscopes. Advanced forensic technologies like BALİSTİKA helps to record and analyze non standard ballistic evidence. In today's world, with the ease of access to materials and production technique information, pistols modified from blank firers are frequently encountered as crime tools. In this study, the characteristics of 7.65 mm fired cartridge cases obtained by controlled shots from blank firing modified pistols were examined, and their detection performances were compared by means of the Balistika system. Although distinctive differences are not expected after successive test shootings, balistically important changes were seen after the use of blank firing modified pistols and the 3D imaging system proved to be useful in observing such differences. The analyses showed that the modifications in weapons lead to variation in the ballistic characteristics and reduce the accuracy of the detection performance, which may result in flawed forensic decisions. It was also found that the deviations in ballistic impressions of modified blank firing pistols were greater than that of standard fabricated and hand-made pistols. This unique study contributed to the forensic sciences literature by focusing on the impact of modified weapons on ballistic characteristics.


Protein C in human plasma determined by homogeneous enzyme immunoassay with use of a centrifugal analyzer.
We describe the simple and rapid enzyme immunoassay of protein C in human plasma with use of a Cobas Fara centrifugal analyzer. The antibody, labeled with horseradish peroxidase, is reacted with antigen (protein C) for 15 min. The peroxidase activity of the resulting antigen-antibody conjugate is measured at 500 nm for 5 min in the presence of excess H2O2, phenol, and 4-aminoantipyrine, as compared with that of free conjugates. Results are calculated from a stored standard curve and expressed as a percentage of the value determined for a pooled specimen of normal adult plasma. The standard curve is linear from 0% to 200%. The CV is generally less than 4% for different concentrations of protein C. In liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, therapy with warfarin, thrombosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, protein C concentrations are about 40-70% of normal. Results obtained with the present homogeneous enzyme immunoassay correlated well with those by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (r = 0.97).


One Stone for Multiple Birds: A Versatile Cross-Linked Poly(dimethyl siloxane) Binder Boosts Cycling Life and Rate Capability of an NCM 523 Cathode at 4.6 V.
Increasing working voltage is a promising way to increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Cycling and rate performance deteriorated due to excessive electrolyte decomposition and uncontrolled formation of a cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) layer at a high voltage. A new concept is proposed to construct a high-voltage-stable electrode-electrolyte interface. An elastomeric poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) binder is incorporated into the electrode to modify the LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM 523) particle surface via an in situ cross-linking reaction between hydroxy-terminated PDMS and methyl trimethoxy silane promoted by moisture at ambient conditions (MPDMS). Improved electrochemical performance is achieved with the MPDMS binder in terms of reversible capacity (201 vs 185 mAh·g-1 at 0.2C), capacity retention (80 vs 68%, after 300 cycles at 1C), and rate performance (55.6% increase at 5C), as demonstrated by the NCM 523||Li half-cell. The NCM 523||graphite full-cell also shows improved performance at 4.6 V (147 vs 128 mAh·g-1, 82 vs 76%, after 200 cycles at 1C). The mechanism studies indicate that MPDMS exerts multiple effects, including cathode surface passivation, solvation structure tuning, electrolyte uptake enhancement, and mechanical stress relief. This work provides an inspiring route to realize high-voltage application of lithium-ion battery technology.


T cells and cytokines in atherogenesis.
Recent findings suggest that inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis from the earliest stage of lesion initiation, to the ultimate complication of thrombosis. In patients who died because of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), coronary atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by the presence of macrophages, and to a lesser extent T-lymphocytes, at the immediate site of either plaque rupture or superficial erosion. The rupture-related inflammatory cells are activated, indicating ongoing inflammation. ACS patients are also characterized by activated circulating lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils, and by increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and of the highly sensitive acute phase reactant C-reactive protein. Interestingly, an unusual subset of T cells, CD4+ CD28null T cells, involved in vascular complication of rheumatoid arthritis because of their functional profile predisposing for vascular injury, are expanded in the peripheral blood and infiltrate the coronary lesions of ACS patients. The presence of activated T lymphocytes implies antigenic stimulation, but the nature of such antigen(s) remains to be investigated. Several autoantigens expressed in the atherosclerotic plaque, including oxidized LDL and heat shock proteins, and infectious agents are able to elicit an immune response. The inflammatory component is not localized to the 'culprit' plaque, but it is diffused to the entire coronary vascular bed, and involves also the myocardium.


Membrane Ballooning in Aggregated Platelets is Synchronised and Mediates a Surge in Microvesiculation.
Human platelet transformation into balloons is part of the haemostatic response and thrombus architecture. Here we reveal that in aggregates of platelets in plasma, ballooning in multiple platelets occurs in a synchronised manner. This suggests a mechanism of coordination between cells, previously unrecognised. We aimed to understand this mechanism, and how it may contribute to thrombus development. Using spinning-disc confocal microscopy we visualised membrane ballooning in human platelet aggregates adherent to collagen-coated surfaces. Within an aggregate, multiple platelets undergo ballooning in a synchronised fashion, dependent upon extracellular calcium, in a manner that followed peak cytosolic calcium levels in the aggregate. Synchrony was observed in platelets within but not between aggregates, suggesting a level of intra-thrombus communication. Blocking phosphatidylserine, inhibiting thrombin or blocking PAR1 receptor, largely prevented synchrony without blocking ballooning itself. In contrast, inhibition of connexins, P2Y12, P2Y1 or thromboxane formation had no effect on synchrony or ballooning. Importantly, synchronised ballooning was closely followed by a surge in microvesicle formation, which was absent when synchrony was blocked. Our data demonstrate that the mechanism underlying synchronised membrane ballooning requires thrombin generation acting effectively in a positive feedback loop, mediating a subsequent surge in procoagulant activity and microvesicle release.


Processing and fractional utilization of lignocellulosic substrates by "pure" and "natural and defined mixed" culture C.TM1, C.SA IV and rumen mixed culture consortia CD.
A detailed analysis was made of chemical fractions of common agro-residues before and after pretreatment (alkali and hydrogen peroxide), and the selective utilization of components such as WSS, EBS, TSS, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose by pure and mixed cultures of cellulolytic and xylanolytic Clostridia was monitored and correlated with the organisms' enzyme activity. For all cultures pretreatment gave higher utilization of hemicellulose and cellulose fractions; hydrogen peroxide pretreatment was more effective than NaOH treatment. Lignin utilization was not very significant even on pretreatment. C.TM1 and C.SA IV utilized hemicellulose and cellulose better than mixed cultures in selected substrates. These results help to determine the substrate composition, pretreatment conditions and enzyme system of the organism needed when designing an inoculum for agricultural waste treatment processes such as composting or biogas generation.


Dental age assessment based on the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament in lower third molars in a Thai sample.
The objective of the present study was to analyze the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament in completed root formation lower third molars in a sample of lower northern Thai population. Digital panoramic images from 800 patients with ages ranging from 16 to 26 years were used in this study. The visibility status of the periodontal ligament of lower third molars with completed root formation including apical closure was assessed. For each stage, the minimum age, maximum age, median, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. The minimum age found in stage 0 was 16.17 years in males and 17.00 years in females. Stage 1 was first achieved at the age of 16.17 years in males and 17.08 years in females. The earliest onset of stage 2 was 17.00 years in males and 18.17 years in females. The incidence of stage 3 was first observed at 19.17 years in males and 18.83 years in females. It may be concluded that the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament in lower third molars may be a useful approach in the dental age assessment in a Thai population. In case the periodontal ligament visibility is found to be in stage 2, it may be confirmed that the individual is at least 18 years of age.


Targeted Gold Nanocluster-Enhanced Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer.
For over a hundred years, X-rays have been a main component of the radiotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Yet, to date, no radiosensitizer has been developed to selectively target prostate cancer. Gold has excellent X-ray absorptivity and is used as a radiotherapy enhancing material. In this work, ultrasmall Au25 nanoclusters (NCs) are developed for selective prostate cancer targeting, radiotherapy enhancement, and rapid clearance from the body. Targeted-Au25 NCs are rapidly and selectively taken up by prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo and also have fast renal clearance. When combined with X-ray irradiation of the targeted cancer tissues, radiotherapy is significantly enhanced. The selective targeting and rapid clearance of the nanoclusters may allow reductions in radiation dose, decreasing exposure to healthy tissue and making them highly attractive for clinical translation.


Manganese-enhanced MRI of the mouse auditory pathway.
Functional mapping of the lateral lemniscus and the superior olivary complex as part of the auditory pathway was accomplished for the first time in mice in vivo using manganese-enhanced MRI (2.35T, 3D FLASH, 117 microm isotropic resolution). These and other auditory centers in the brainstem presented with pronounced signal enhancements after systemic administration of manganese chloride when animals were exposed to acoustic stimuli for 48 hr, but not when kept in a quiet environment. The results indicate an activation-dependent accumulation of manganese in the neural circuit composed of the cochlear nucleus, the superior olivary complex, the lateral lemniscus, and the inferior colliculus. The marked enhancement of the lateral lemniscus suggests that the stimulus-related accumulation of manganese reflects not only a regional uptake from extracellular fluid but also a concurrent delivery by axonal transport within the auditory system.


Insecticidal properties of essential plant oils against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae).
The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves and flowers of aromatic plants against fourth-instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Myrtus communis L were found to be the most toxic, followed by those of Origanum syriacum L, Mentha microcorphylla Koch, Pistacia lentiscus L and Lavandula stoechas L with LC50 values of 16, 36, 39, 70 and 89 mg litre-1, respectively. Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species. Eight pure components (1,8-cineole, menthone, linalool, terpineol, carvacrol, thymol, (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene and (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene) were tested against the larvae. Thymol, carvacrol, (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene and (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene were the most toxic (LC50 = 36-49 mg litre-1), while menthone, 1,8-cineole, linalool and terpineol (LC50 = 156-194 mg litre-1) were less toxic.


Leadership research in healthcare: A realist review.
Being largely considered a human right, healthcare needs leaders who are able to make choices and to set directions. Following the recommendations expressed by Gilmartin and D'Aunno's review and roadmap compiled in 2008, today, it is important to acknowledge researchers' contributions to outline this landscape. The realist review of 77 publications answered questions such as "what works, for whom, and in which circumstances" highlighting: the effectiveness and acceptance of transformational and collaborative approaches; professionalism, expertise, and good task delegation within operational teams; distributed leadership, relationships, and social responsibility at a systemic level. The relevancy and need of leadership development programs, framed within a wider strategy, emerged. Nonetheless, gaps still exist and require further investigation: particular needs in public vs. private contexts; professionals' and women's differentiating characters; generational gaps; associations between leadership and recruitment HR practices research; how (and if) leaders (should) influence the organizational culture and values; and developing countries specific challenges. Also, a greater proportion of relevant findings should be drawn by empirical and more rigorous studies. Finally, a major attention could be paid to interactions happening at the team, organizational, and systemic level among different leaders and among leaders, followers and external actors.


Note: design of a dose-controlled phototherapy system based on hyperspectral studies.
Phototherapy consists in applying radiation on a part of the human body in order to treat an illness. A radiation dose is established for each treatment. In order to apply the correct dose a treatment time is set. However, in this work we have carried out some hyperspectral imaging studies that conclude that the radiation sources and the absorption properties of each patient can change. Therefore, the same treatment time does not ensure that the patient receive the appropriate dose. Thus, an optimized therapy system must measure the radiation emitted by the source and absorbed by the patient on real time to calculate the optimal dose at which the treatment is effective. In this work, we have developed and designed a custom system to measure the effectiveness of a radiative therapy treatment to adapt the appropriate dose for a specific patient in real time.


Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection Among Pregnant Women and its Complications in Their Newborns During the Birth in the Hospitals of Dezful City, Iran, 2012 - 2013.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common disorder caused by bacterial agents in pregnancy, which can lead to important complications in newborn of such mothers in case of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of UTI among pregnant women and its complications in their newborns during the birth in the hospitals of Dezful City, Iran, during 2012 - 2013. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, 1132 women admitted to Dr. Ganjavian and Ayatollah Nabavi Hospitals in Dezful City, Iran, during 2012 - 2013 were randomly allocated into the case and control groups and were matched based on their age, numbers of pregnancy, sex and diseases of their children. UTI was the only difference between the two groups. Twenty-two thousand six hundred deliveries occurred within the course of this study. Due to UTI, 5% of deliveries led to hospitalization of mothers (1132 patients).Weight and height of newborn infants of mothers afflicted with UTI (P < 0.001) were significantly lower compared to newborns of healthy women (P < 0.001). There was a significant association between the two groups of pregnant women with UTI in terms of type of delivery (normal and caesarean section) (P < 0.008). The lower incidence of UTI in pregnant women compared to other areas of Iran represents the role of climate and weather in the prevalence of UTI. In addition, the increased number of low-birth-weight infants had a remarkable correlation with UTI, which can influence the health of the next generation.


Side chain and backbone dynamics of phospholamban in phospholipid bilayers utilizing 2H and 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
2H and 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate both the side chain and backbone dynamics of wild-type phospholamban (WT-PLB) and its phosphorylated form (P-PLB) incorporated into 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (POPC) phospholipid bilayers. 2H NMR spectra of site-specific CD3-labeled WT-PLB (at Leu51, Ala24, and Ala15) in POPC bilayers were similar under frozen conditions (-25 degrees C). However, significant differences in the line shapes of the 2H NMR spectra were observed in the liquid crystalline phase at and above 0 degrees C. The 2H NMR spectra indicate that Leu51, located toward the lower end of the transmembrane (TM) helix, shows restricted side chain motion, implying that it is embedded inside the POPC lipid bilayer. Additionally, the line shape of the 2H NMR spectrum of CD3-Ala24 reveals more side chain dynamics, indicating that this residue (located in the upper end of the TM helix) has additional backbone and internal side chain motions. 2H NMR spectra of both WT-PLB and P-PLB with CD3-Ala15 exhibit strong isotropic spectral line shapes. The dynamic isotropic nature of the 2H peak can be attributed to side chain and backbone motions to residues located in an aqueous environment outside the membrane. Also, the spectra of 15N-labeled amide WT-PLB at Leu51 and Leu42 residues showed only a single powder pattern component indicating that these two 15N-labeled residues located in the TM helix are motionally restricted at 25 degrees C. Conversely, 15N-labeled amide WT-PLB at Ala11 located in the cytoplasmic domain showed both powder and isotropic components at 25 degrees C. Upon phosphorylation, the mobile component contribution increases at Ala11. The 2H and 15N NMR data indicate significant backbone motion for the cytoplasmic domain of WT-PLB when compared to the transmembrane section.


Screening for pancreatic cancer: a review for general clinicians.
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an exceptionally lethal malignancy with increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. One of the principal challenges in the treatment of PC is that the diagnosis is usually made at a late stage when potentially curative surgical resection is no longer an option. General clinicians including internists and family physicians are well positioned to identify high-risk individuals and refer them to centers with expertise in PC screening and treatment where screening modalities can be employed. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of PC precursor lesions, epidemiology, and risk factors to empower the general clinician to recognize high-risk patients and employ risk reduction strategies. We also review current screening guidelines and modalities and preview progress that is being made to improve screening tests and biomarkers. It is our hope that this review article will empower the general clinician to understand which patients need to be screened for PC, strategies that may be used to reduce PC risk, and which screening modalities are available in order to diminish the lethality of PC.


Divergent reactivity of homologue ortho-allenylbenzaldehydes controlled by the tether length: chromone versus chromene formation.
The divergent behavior of two homologue allenals, namely, 2-(buta-2,3-dienyloxy)- and 2-(propa-1,2-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes, as cyclization substrates is described. 2-(Buta-2,3-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes suffers a formal allenic carbocyclization reaction to afford chromenes, whereas 2-(propa-1,2-dienyloxy)benzaldehydes react to yield chromones. The formation of chromenes is strictly a formal hydroarylation process divided into two parts, namely, allenic Claisen-type rearrangement and oxycyclization. An unknown N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed allenic hydroacylation reaction must be invoked to account for the preparation of chromones. ortho-Allenylbenzaldehydes bearing either electron-donating substituents or electron-withdrawing substituents worked well to afford both the hydroarylation and hydroacylation products. This unexpected difference in reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.


Test-retest reliability of the Star Excursion Balance Test in primary school children.
Dynamic balance has been considered a fundamental skill at all ages and is required for normal daily tasks, such as walking, running, or other sports activities. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) has been widely used in recent years to identify dynamic balance deficits and improvements and to predict the risk of lower extremity injury. However, no study has demonstrated the reliability of the SEBT in children while they are performing the test in a physical education session. Reliability is needed in all measurement tools in order to provide repeatable and consistent data. To evaluate the reliability of the SEBT in primary school students in the school setting. Twenty-four healthy children with typical development were tested twice, 2 weeks apart. The tests were conducted by the same single rater and were performed during the physical education class. The test was performed under standardized conditions during the 2 testing sessions and was performed by each subject with both limbs in the 3 directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral). Four practice trials were performed in each direction before selecting 3 additional distances reached. The best value of these 3 additional measured trials was selected. The paired t test was used to ensure the absence of any systematic bias. Intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and minimal change values were calculated to assess reliability and measurement error. The paired t tests revealed no significant differences between test-rest scores. Test-retest reliability for all distances reached was moderate to good. Reliability values suggest that the SEBT is suitable for primary school students. However, it may be more practical and feasible during extracurricular sports participation due to the time constraints and difficulties in using the test in the school setting.


A call to action for school psychology to address COVID-19 health disparities and advance social justice.
The health, economic, and social challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present a range of threats to students' well-being, psychoeducational experiences, and outcomes, spurring fears for a "lost generation." In this article, we present COVID-19 as a large-scale multisystemic disaster causing massive disruptions and losses, with adversities moderated by the intersectional nature of systemic inequity. We first synthesize the broad effects of COVID-19 as they relate to equity and social justice, followed by the major implications for students and schools, with a focus on intersectional systemic issues. We then propose foundational considerations and resources intended to usher a paradigm shift in how school psychologists' roles and activities are conceptualized in the years to come, ending with key imperatives for practice and graduate education in school psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


Leg stiffness and expertise in men jumping.
The aim of the present study is to investigate: a) the leg spring behavior in the one-leg vertical jump, b) the contribution of impulse parameters to this behavior, and c) the effect of jumping expertise on leg stiffness. Four categories of experts (handball, basketball, volleyball players, and Fosbury athletes), as well as novice subjects performed a run-and-jump test to touch a ball with the head. Five experimental conditions were tested from 55 to 95% of the maximum jump height. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using six cameras and a force plate. The mechanical behavior of the musculoskeleton component of the human body can be modeled as a simple mass-spring system, from which leg stiffness values can be extracted to better understand energy transfer during running or jumping. The results indicate that leg stiffness (mean value of 11.5 kN.m) decreased with jumping height. Leg shortening at takeoff also increased with jumping height, whereas contact time decreased (-18%). No difference was found between experts and novices for leg stiffness. However, a principal components analysis (PCA) indicated the contribution of two main factors to the performance. The first factor emerged out of vertical force, stiffness, and duration of impulse. The second factor included leg shortening and jumping height. Differences between experts and novices were observed in terms of the contribution of leg stiffness to jump height, and more importantly, clear differences existed between experts in jumping parameters. The analysis performed on the sport categories indeed revealed different jumping profiles, characterized by specific, sport-related impulse parameters.


A clinicopathological study of stages I and II non-Hodgkin's lymphomata using the Lukes-Collins classification.
A series of 226 patients with Stages I and II non-Hodgkin's lymphomata, treated with intensive irradiation to the involved regions, were studied using the Lukes-Collins classification. A statistically significant difference was found in the length of survival of patients with the follicular and the diffuse types of lymphoma. A difference in survival was also observed among those with the 3 subtypes of follicular lymphomata. The extent to which the follicular pattern could be recognized and whether or not lymphoma cells were confined to the follicular structures likewise had a bearing upon the survival of patients with follicular lymphomata. In this series, no significant difference in survival was found between the histological types of diffuse lymphoma. The relationship of the methods of staging to survival in this series, and the findings at staging laparotomy in other series suggest that the lymphangiogram is less valuable for detecting intra-abdominal disease in the non-Hodgkin's lymphomata than in Hodgkin's disease, probably because of the high incidence of involvement of mesenteric lymph nodes in the non-Hodgkin's lymphomata.


Antivasculature effects of doxorubicin-containing liposomes in an intracranial rat brain tumor model.
Increased neovascularization and vascular hyperpermeability are integral processes in tumors, and various therapeutic strategies seek to reverse the angiogenic phenotype. Long-circulating liposomes extravasate in tumors such as the rat 9L gliosarcoma and accumulate in perivascular areas. Under such conditions, liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX) provides approximately 30% increase in life span, but free DOX is no more beneficial than a saline control. However, the relationship between drug deposition and therapeutic effect is understood poorly. In the present work, magnetic resonance (MR) and functional MR (fMR) imaging were used for noninvasive, serial evaluation of intracranial 9L tumor responses to repetitive doses of free DOX or DOX in sterically stabilized long-circulating liposomes (SSL-DOX). After multiple doses of SSL-DOX, MR imaging revealed the induction of intratumor hemorrhage in 63-75% of rats (n = 8). No hemorrhage was observed by MR imaging after a single dose of SSL-DOX, in normal brain regions in animals treated with free DOX (n = 3) or in saline controls (n = 9). Histological sections from rats sacrificed immediately after MR imaging verified the putative hemorrhagic regions and revealed necrotic and apoptotic tumor cells surrounding the area of the hemorrhage. fMR maps were obtained by comparing paired images acquired during air and Carbogen (7% CO2 and 93% oxygen) breathing. These blood oxygenation level-dependent fMR maps showed enhanced image intensity after both single and multiple doses of SSL-DOX, which suggested increased and progressive vascular permeabilization. The results suggest that the breakdown of tumor vasculature induced by SSL-DOX may arise from the perivascular accumulation of liposomes in tumor and cytotoxic effects on tumor vascular endothelium.


Association between Post-Cancer Diagnosis Dietary Inflammatory Potential and Mortality among Invasive Breast Cancer Survivors in the Women's Health Initiative.
Background: Inflammation is important in chronic disease and can be modulated by dietary exposures. Our aim was to examine whether the inflammatory potential of diet after cancer diagnosis, assessed using the dietary inflammatory index (DII), is associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).Methods: Our analytic cohort included 2,150 postmenopausal women, ages 50 to 79 years at baseline, who developed invasive breast cancer during follow-up and completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) on average 1.5 years after diagnosis. Women were followed from breast cancer diagnosis until death or the end of follow-up by October 2014. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated from food plus supplements using a nutrient-density approach. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause, breast cancer-specific, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.Results: After a median 13.3 years of follow-up, 580 deaths from any cause occurred, including 212 breast cancer deaths and 103 CVD deaths. Lower (i.e., more anti-inflammatory) E-DII scores were associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality (HRQ1VSQ4 = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.82; Ptrend = 0.005), but not with breast cancer-specific mortality (HRQ1VSQ4 = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.62-1.49; Ptrend = 0.96) or all-cause mortality (HRQ1VSQ4 = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.63-1.05; Ptrend = 0.17).Conclusions: Consuming a more anti-inflammatory diet after breast cancer diagnosis may be a means for reducing risk of death from CVD.Impact: Survival after invasive breast cancer diagnosis may be improved by consumption of an anti-inflammatory diet. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(4); 454-63. ©2018 AACR.


Flexible sigmoidoscopy: diagnostic yield in 1015 patients.
The purposes of our study were to 1) identify the number of neoplastic lesions (adenomatous polyps and cancer) diagnosable by flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) in patients with symptoms of colorectal disease and 2) determine the age distribution of patients in whom neoplastic lesions are detected by FS. A total of 1015 patients, ages 20-89 years, underwent FS because of the following indications: rectal bleeding, occult blood loss, anemia, change in bowel habit, weight loss, and abdominal pain. FS examined a mean distance of 49 +/- 2 cm (SEM) in an average time of 11.5 min. A bowel preparation of 2 Fleet enemas was adequate in 95% of patients and the examination was well tolerated by all age groups. There were no complications encountered. Eight-five neoplastic lesions were identified in 78 patients. Fifty-four percent of all adenomatous polyps and 61% of the cancers were detected beyond 20 cm. Neoplastic lesions were identified in all adult decades studied, ranging from 3.2% of patients aged 20-40 years, 8.0% for patients between 40 and 60, and 10.1% from 60 to 80; with a peak yield of 11.2% in the 7th decade. Cancer was diagnosed only in patients more than 40 years; 3.3% of patients over 60 had carcinoma compared to 0.8% in patients less than 60. These data provide evidence for the value of FS as a safe initial diagnostic procedure to detect neoplastic lesions in symptomatic patients of all adult age groups.


Clinical Features of Herpes Simplex Keratitis in a Korean Tertiary Referral Center: Efficacy of Oral Antiviral and Ascorbic Acid on Recurrence.
To describe the clinical manifestations of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in a tertiary referral center in South Korea and to determine whether ascorbic acid treatment prevents recurrence of herpetic epithelial keratitis. This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients with herpetic keratitis referred to our center from January 2010 to January 2015. Clinical features, ocular complications, and recurrences were recorded. In total, 149 eyes of the 133 patients (72 male and 61 female) were followed for an average of 24.6 ± 13.2 months. Sixteen (12.0%) patients had bilateral HSK. The most frequent HSK subtype was epithelial keratitis (49.7%), which was followed by stromal keratitis (23.5%). Epithelial keratitis was the most likely subtype to recur. Complications occurred in 122 (81.9%) eyes. The most common complication was corneal opacity. Recurrences were observed in 48 (32.2%) eyes. The recurrence rates were lower in the prophylactic oral antiviral agent group (16 / 48 eyes, 33.3% vs. 49 / 101 eyes, 48.5%) and the ascorbic acid treatment group (13 / 48 eyes, 27.1% vs. 81 / 101 eyes, 70.3%) compared with the groups without medications. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both factors significantly reduced the risk of recurrence (acyclovir: odds ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence intervals, 0.12 to 0.51; ascorbic acid: odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence intervals, 0.20 to 0.91). This retrospective study described the clinical findings of HSK in a tertiary referral center in South Korea. Prophylactic oral antiviral agent treatment and oral ascorbic acid administration may lower the risk of recurrence.


Sample size calculation for weighted rank tests comparing survival distributions under cluster randomization: a simulation method.
We propose a sample size calculation method for rank tests comparing two survival distributions under cluster randomization with possibly variable cluster sizes. Here, sample size refers to number of clusters. Our method is based on simulation procedure generating clustered exponential survival variables whose distribution is specified by the marginal hazard rate and the intracluster correlation coefficient. Sample size is calculated given significance level, power, marginal hazard rates (or median survival times) under the alternative hypothesis, intracluster correlation coefficient, accrual rate, follow-up period, and cluster size distribution.


Millennium development goals and oral health in cities in Southern Brazil.
To investigate social determinants of oral health, analysing the occurrence of associations between millennium development goals (MDG) indicators and oral health (OH) indicators. An ecological study was performed in two distinct phases. In Phase 1, MDG indicators and related covariates were obtained from the demographic census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Ministry of Health database and the 2000 Human Development Atlas, making up the whole set of independent variables. Principal component analysis was carried out for the independent variables showing the correlations among the variables comprising the main components, and generating a synthetic index allowing the performance of the cities to be known with regard to the MDG (MDG index). In Phase 2, the DMFT index (mean number of decay, missing or filled permanent teeth) and the CF index (prevalence of caries-free individuals), in 12 years old were obtained from the epidemiological survey undertaken in 2002-2003, in 49 cities in southern Brazil, and were analysed in relation to the MDG index using Spearman's correlation. A statistically significant correlation was found for the DMFT and CF indices, respectively, with: the MDG index (R(2)=0.49 and 0.48; P = 0.00); the socioeconomic status of the population (R(2)= 0.12 and 0.12; P = 0.02); the socioenvironmental characteristics (R(2)=0.41 and 0.46; P= 0.00). The MDG synthetic index of the cities analysed and the respective components relating to their socioeconomic and socioenvironmental status demonstrated a positive correlation with OH indicators. As such, intersectoral public policies based on population strategies that act on social determinants of general and oral health need to be integrated so as to impact on the MDG and OH outcomes.


A comparison of two item-scoring procedures and student reactions to them.
Two scoring schemes--a partial-credit scoring scheme and a dichotomous scoring approach--were compared to determine whether one could be selected over the other on the basis of empirical data. Means, variances, and reliabilities on alternate measures and student reactions to the two approaches were analyzed. It was found that the mean partial-credit test score was significantly greater than the dichotomous test score. Reliability on the partial-credit measure was higher, but not significantly, than the dichotomously scored measure. Variance of the dichotomously scored measure was greater, but not statistically, than its partial-credit counterpart. Students clearly preferred the partial-credit approach over the dichotomous scheme. It was concluded that the partial-credit scoring system permitted the assessment of a significant amount of partial knowledge. The approach is recommended if rewarding for partial knowledge is an important concern.


Notorious pitfalls in the care of multi-trauma patients.
In this review we elaborate on the more specific circumstances that are needed for adequate trauma care, such as the correct recognition and management of a tension pneumothorax, a tracheobronchial disruption, systemic air embolism and hypoventilation. Furthermore the trauma clinician must be aware of the different life threatening causes of haemorrhage and hypovolemia. Traumatic pericardial tamponade, myocardial contusion and a tension pneumothorax can all prove to be difficult diagnoses, but may all present with signs of hypotension with an increase in central venous pressure (CVP). In contrast, internal haemorrhage is most often accompanied by hypotension with a low CVP. Immediate evaluation and treatment of thoracic trauma, such as rupture of the aortal arch, is mandatory, as is the utilisation of the correct diagnostic strategy to evaluate the possibility of intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal injury. Both an unnecessary laparotomy and a delayed diagnosis must be avoided when dealing intra-abdominal injuries, such as kidney trauma. Furthermore, we stress the importance of the swift diagnosis and treatment of fractures of long bones and the pelvis, to prevent ongoing massive haemorrhage. Certain criteria should be met, in a hospital setting with sufficient day-to-day trauma experience, to be able to provide quality care for the multi-trauma patient. This will minimise the risk of errors and serious medical and judicial consequences.


Development of a Wearable Controller for Gesture-Recognition-Based Applications Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride.
This paper reports on a wearable gesture-based controller fabricated using the sensing capabilities of the flexible thin-film piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) which is shown to repeatedly and accurately discern, in real time, between right and left hand gestures. The PVDF is affixed to a compression sleeve worn on the forearm to create a wearable device that is flexible, adaptable, and highly shape conforming. Forearm muscle movements, which drive hand motions, are detected by the PVDF which outputs its voltage signal to a developed microcontroller-based board and processed by an artificial neural network that was trained to recognize the generated voltage profile of right and left hand gestures. The PVDF has been spatially shaded (etched) in such a way as to increase sensitivity to expected deformations caused by the specific muscles employed in making the targeted right and left gestures. The device proves to be exceptionally accurate both when positioned as intended and when rotated and translated on the forearm.


Long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) produced from CD34+ cord blood cells with limiting dilution method.
Even though much progress has been made in defining primitive hematologic cell phenotypes by using flow cytometry and clonogenic methods, the direct method for study of marrow repopulating cells still remains to be elusive. Long Term Culture-Initiating Cells (LTC-IC) are known as the most primitive human hematopoietic cells detectable by in vitro functional assays. In this study, LTC-IC with limiting dilution assay was used to evaluate repopulating potential of cord blood stem cells. CD34 selections from cord blood were completed succesfully with magnetic beads (73,64%±9,12). The average incidence of week 5 LTC-IC was 1: 1966 CD34+ cells (range 1261-2906). We found that number of LTC-IC obtained from CD34+ cord blood cells were relatively low in numbers when compared to previously reported bone marrow CD34+ cells. This may be due to the lack of some transcription and growth factors along with some cytokines and chemokines released by accessory cells which are necessary for proliferation of cord blood progenitor/stem cells and it presents an area of interest for further studies.


MicroRNA-374a Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Targeting Mitogen-Inducible Gene 6 (MIG-6).
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease with poor prognosis rates and ineffective therapeutic options. Previous studies have reported the involvement of mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) as a negative regulator in tumor formation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development of different types of cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in HCC are poorly understood. This study was aimed to investigate the role of miR-374a in HCC and its role in the regulation of expression of MIG-6. The results showed that MIG-6 overexpression significantly inhibited cell viability of HepG2 cells after 4 days posttransfection. Moreover, MIG-6 was a direct target of miR-374a, and the expression of MIG-6 was remarkably downregulated by the overexpression of miR-374a in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of miR-374a promoted cell viability; however, the protective effect was abolished by MIG-6 overexpression. In addition, overexpression of miR-374a activated the EGFR and AKT/ERK signaling pathways by regulation of MIG-6. Our findings suggest that miR-374a could promote cell viability by targeting MIG-6 and activating the EGFR and AKT/ERK signaling pathways. These data provide a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.


Is serum uric acid level an independent predictor of heart failure among patients with coronary artery disease?
Uric acid (UA) is elevated in patients with the metabolic syndrome, and there is a possible association with coronary events. Its association with future risk of heart failure (HF) is not clear. Our objective was to evaluate the association between levels of UA and risk of HF in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum UA is associated with HF in CAD patients. A retrospective cohort analysis among 2939 participants of the bezafibrate infarction prevention study, assessing long-term risk of HF incidence over an 8-year of follow-up in relation to baseline UA. Among patients with high levels of UA, there was a larger proportion of men, systolic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, elevated total cholesterol, chronic renal failure, and previous coronary revascularization procedures. The rate of myocardial infarction during the follow-up was 10.9%, 10.3%, and 11.6% in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tertiles of UA, respectively (P = 0.68). Age-adjusted hazard ratios for HF were 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-1.45) and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.04-1.59) in the 2nd and 3rd tertiles, respectively, as compared to the 1st tertile. After adjusting for multiple confounders and myocardial infarction, the hazard ratio for developing HF was 1.18 (95% CI: 0.95-1.47) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.00-1.56) in the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of UA levels, respectively. UA levels are associated with future risk of HF in patients with stable CAD, but this association is attenuated after adjusting for traditional CAD risk factors.


Proper analysis of secondary phenotype data in case-control association studies.
Case-control association studies often collect extensive information on secondary phenotypes, which are quantitative or qualitative traits other than the case-control status. Exploring secondary phenotypes can yield valuable insights into biological pathways and identify genetic variants influencing phenotypes of direct interest. All publications on secondary phenotypes have used standard statistical methods, such as least-squares regression for quantitative traits. Because of unequal selection probabilities between cases and controls, the case-control sample is not a random sample from the general population. As a result, standard statistical analysis of secondary phenotype data can be extremely misleading. Although one may avoid the sampling bias by analyzing cases and controls separately or by including the case-control status as a covariate in the model, the associations between a secondary phenotype and a genetic variant in the case and control groups can be quite different from the association in the general population. In this article, we present novel statistical methods that properly reflect the case-control sampling in the analysis of secondary phenotype data. The new methods provide unbiased estimation of genetic effects and accurate control of false-positive rates while maximizing statistical power. We demonstrate the pitfalls of the standard methods and the advantages of the new methods both analytically and numerically. The relevant software is available at our website.


REM sleep behavior disorder in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Sleep disorders have a high prevalence in patients with Parkinson's disease--some authors report it to be in the range of 60% - 98%. Together with the underlying motor symptoms, sleep disorders are the main causes of disability and have a substantial impact on the quality of life of these patients. Of particular interest are the behavior disorders of REM sleep (RBD) which are reported in many cases to precede the development of Parkinson's disease. In cases of diagnosing a REM sleep behavior disorder, it is absolutely necessary to exclude any underlying neurodegenerative process. Unlike the diagnosis of idiopathic RBD which can easily be made by conducting only a structured clinical interview, more than half of the RBD cases in patients with Parkinson's disease would be omitted using this technique. Patients with Parkinson's disease should be examined by polysomnography as the clinical interview's sensitivity alone can hardly reach 33%. This is so because there are mild forms of RBD in Parkinson's disease while the idiopathic forms always present with markedly severe clinical manifestations. Pathogenetically, Parkinson's disease share many similar features with RBD. Both conditions are characterized by a reduced striatal dopaminergic mediation. And yet there is no definitive answer to the question why RBD does not develop in all patients with Parkinson's disease. Clonazepam is highly effective in the treatment of RBD. Early diagnosis is thus critical for the prevention of injuries to the patient or to the patient's bed partner.


Complete coding sequences of the rabbitpox virus genome.
Rabbitpox virus (RPXV) is highly virulent for rabbits and it has long been suspected to be a close relative of vaccinia virus. To explore these questions, the complete coding region of the rabbitpox virus genome was sequenced to permit comparison with sequenced strains of vaccinia virus and other orthopoxviruses. The genome of RPXV strain Utrecht (RPXV-UTR) is 197 731 nucleotides long, excluding the terminal hairpin structures at each end of the genome. The RPXV-UTR genome has 66.5 % A + T content, 184 putative functional genes and 12 fragmented ORF regions that are intact in other orthopoxviruses. The sequence of the RPXV-UTR genome reveals that two RPXV-UTR genes have orthologues in variola virus (VARV; the causative agent of smallpox), but not in vaccinia virus (VACV) strains. These genes are a zinc RING finger protein gene (RPXV-UTR-008) and an ankyrin repeat family protein gene (RPXV-UTR-180). A third gene, encoding a chemokine-binding protein (RPXV-UTR-001/184), is complete in VARV but functional only in some VACV strains. Examination of the evolutionary relationship between RPXV and other orthopoxviruses was carried out using the central 143 kb DNA sequence conserved among all completely sequenced orthopoxviruses and also the protein sequences of 49 gene products present in all completely sequenced chordopoxviruses. The results of these analyses both confirm that RPXV-UTR is most closely related to VACV and suggest that RPXV has not evolved directly from any of the sequenced VACV strains, since RPXV contains a 719 bp region not previously identified in any VACV.


Analysis of microcirculation measurements by novice users trained by a standardized interactive tutorial: An inter-observer variability study.
Excessive time for analysis may impede microcirculatory studies with large amounts of video data. Engaging more personnel in the analyses seems to be a rational approach in that scenario and could shorten the time-interval between capturing images and obtaining results. Our hypothesis was that novice users would be able to determine standard microcirculatory parameters using a semi-automated software with an acceptable degree of variability after participating in a standardized interactive training session. 14 volunteers were included in the study. All volunteers analyzed separately the same sample video after the training. The kappa statistic was calculated for the primary outcome parameter microvascular flow index (MFI) within small and large vessels and indicated a fair level of agreement in the results of the novice users. A standardized interactive tutorial can be useful to teach microcirculatory analysis in previously untrained subjects.


Porcine vaginal mucosa as an in vitro permeability model for human vaginal mucosa.
The availability of human tissue for experimental purposes is often problematical and use is thus made of animal tissue as models of the human tissue. In this study, porcine vaginal mucosa was used as an in vitro permeability model for human vaginal mucosa using tritium-labelled permeants (17beta-estradiol, r-arecoline, vasopressin, oxytocin and water). Fresh porcine and human vaginal tissues were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -85 degrees C. In vitro permeability studies were performed using a flow-through diffusion apparatus (24 h, 20 degrees C, 1.5 ml/h). The mean steady state flux values for water, r-arecoline and vasopressin were approximately 4, 12 and 5% lower, while those for 17beta-estradiol and oxytocin were approximately 17 and 53% higher, through porcine vaginal mucosa as compared to human vaginal mucosa, respectively. Using a F-test (comparing whole curves), statistically significant differences in the diffusion of 17beta-estradiol, r-arecoline and oxytocin were indicated when comparing human and porcine vaginal mucosa. Generally, porcine vaginal mucosa seems a good in vitro permeability model for human vaginal mucosa. However, permeability of these two mucosa towards all permeants tested does not always correspond closely. These differences must always be considered when using porcine tissue as an in vitro permeability model for human vaginal mucosa.


Secondary Infections with Ebola Virus in Rural Communities, Liberia and Guinea, 2014-2015.
Persons who died of Ebola virus disease at home in rural communities in Liberia and Guinea resulted in more secondary infections than persons admitted to Ebola treatment units. Intensified monitoring of contacts of persons who died of this disease in the community is an evidence-based approach to reduce virus transmission in rural communities.


Dissociation between respiratory burst activity and deoxyglucose uptake in human neutrophil granulocytes: implications for interpretation of (18)F-FDG PET images.
Neutrophil granulocytes play a key role in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of pulmonary diseases. In many such conditions, the injury observed reflects the activation status rather than the total number of inflammatory cells present. The metabolic activity of neutrophils can now be assessed noninvasively using PET to measure the regional uptake of (18)F-FDG after intravenous injection. To understand the mechanism responsible for the increased (18)F-FDG signal, we have measured the uptake of tritiated deoxyglucose (DG) in neutrophils isolated from human peripheral blood and sought to determine which aspects of neutrophil function correlate with an increase in DG uptake. Our results show that formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated respiratory burst activity and (3)H-DG uptake are temporally dissociated, that neutrophil-priming agents such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) cause an identical increase in (3)H-DG uptake compared with fMLP without affecting respiratory burst activity, and that fMLP stimulation of TNFalpha-primed cells causes major upregulation of superoxide anion generation (O(2)(-)) yet no incremental increase in (3)H-DG uptake. Furthermore, direct activation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity with the ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate resulted in a concentration-dependent loss of cell-associated (3)H-DG, and preincubation of neutrophils with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, which abolished both agonist-stimulated superoxide anion generation and degranulation, had no effect on TNFalpha- or fMLP-stimulated (3)H-DG uptake. In contrast, the fMLP-stimulated change in neutrophil shape was not influenced by priming or wortmannin, and of the functional responses examined, this appeared to correlate most closely with (3)H-DG uptake. DG uptake occurs in both primed and activated neutrophils. It does not correlate with respiratory burst or secretory activity but may reflect the polarization and migrational status of these cells. These data have important implications for the analysis of (18)F-FDG signals in vivo.


[Ultraviolet crosslinking in the treatment of keratoconus in patients with thin corneas].
Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a procedure that aims to halt the progression of corneal ectasia in keratoconic eyes. It is achieved by inducing cross-links in the corneal stroma and extracellular matrix by exposing it to ultraviolet-A (370 nm) irradiation while it is filled with photosensitizer (riboflavin). According to the conventional protocol, the recommended de-epithelialized corneal thickness should be higher than 400 μm in order to avoid radiation damage to the corneal endothelium. However, in progressive keratoconus, corneal thickness is often close to or lower than this threshold of 400 μm, which limits the application of cross-linking for these patients. The present article reviews the different protocols of cross-linking for thin corneas, their advantages and disadvantages. At present, clinical research on modified cross-linking protocols is still limited due to the methodology and a low number of patients involved. Thus, comparative randomized controlled studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to confirm the safety and effectiveness of several CXL protocols and identify the most efficient one.


Sixteen-week analysis of unaltered elastomeric chain relating in-vitro force degradation with in-vivo extraction space tooth movement.
The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether unaltered elastomeric chain can continue to move teeth for 16 weeks and to relate it to the amount of force remaining for the same batch of elastomeric chains. The in-vivo portion of the study had a sample of 30 paired extraction space sites from 22 subjects who were measured for closure of the space every 28 days. The altered side elastomeric chain served as the control and was replaced at 28-day intervals whereas the experimental side remained unaltered. In the in-vitro portion of the study, 100 each of 2-unit and 3-unit segments of the same batch of elastomeric chains were placed in a water bath, and the force was measured for 20 of each segment length at the 28-day measurement points. Statistically significant amounts of space closure occurred at both the altered and unaltered sites at all measurement time points. The mean space closure at the altered sites was minimally greater than that observed at the paired unaltered sites. The mean differences of space closure between the altered and unaltered sites ranged from a minimum of -0.05 mm at 4 weeks to a maximum of -0.14 mm at 8 weeks. The elastomeric chain force degraded rapidly by 4 weeks but continued a gradual diminution of force to 86 g at 16 weeks. Unaltered elastomeric chain continued to move teeth into extraction spaces for 16 weeks in this sample from both statistically and clinically significant standpoints. There were minimal and statistically insignificant differences in the mean space closure measurements between the paired altered and unaltered sites. The elastomeric chain force at 16 weeks was less than 100 g, yet at the same time point, teeth continued to move clinically.


Development and photocatalytic mechanism of monolayer Bi2MoO6 nanosheets for the selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols.
Monolayer Bi2MoO6 nanosheets have been successfully prepared for the first time via a bottom-top approach with surfactant assistance, and show 8 times higher activity than bulk Bi2MoO6 for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Ultrafast charge separation and more acid-base active sites on the monolayer nanosheets are considered to be responsible for the robust photoactivity.


SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Elicits Sustained T Cell Responses Against the Omicron Variant in Adolescents.
Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been acknowledged as an effective mean of preventing infection and hospitalization. However, the emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has led to substantial increase in infections among children and adolescents. Vaccine-induced immunity and longevity have not been well defined in this population. Therefore, we aimed to analyze humoral and cellular immune responses against ancestral and SARS-CoV-2 variants after two shots of the BNT162b2 vaccine in healthy adolescents. Although vaccination induced a robust increase of spike-specific binding Abs and neutralizing Abs against the ancestral and SARS-CoV-2 variants, the neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant was significantly low. On the contrary, vaccine-induced memory CD4+ T cells exhibited substantial responses against both ancestral and Omicron spike proteins. Notably, CD4+ T cell responses against both ancestral and Omicron strains were preserved at 3 months after two shots of the BNT162b2 vaccine without waning. Polyfunctionality of vaccine-induced memory T cells was also preserved in response to Omicron spike protein. The present findings characterize the protective immunity of vaccination for adolescents in the era of continuous emergence of variants/subvariants.


A combination strategy to inhibit Pim-1: synergism between noncompetitive and ATP-competitive inhibitors.
Pim-1 is a serine/threonine kinase critically involved in the initiation and progression of various types of cancer, especially leukemia, lymphomas and solid tumors such as prostate, pancreas and colon, and is considered a potential drug target against these malignancies. In an effort to discover new potent Pim-1 inhibitors, a previously identified ATP-competitive indolyl-pyrrolone scaffold was expanded to derive structure-activity relationship data. A virtual screening campaign was also performed, which led to the discovery of additional ATP-competitive inhibitors as well as a series of 2-aminothiazole derivatives, which are noncompetitive with respect to both ATP and peptide substrate. This mechanism of action, which resembles allosteric inhibition, has not previously been characterized for Pim-1. Notably, further evaluation of the 2-aminothiazoles indicated a synergistic inhibitory effect in enzymatic assays when tested in combination with ATP-competitive inhibitors. A synergistic effect in the inhibition of cell proliferation by ATP-competitive and ATP-noncompetitive compounds was also observed in prostate cancer cell lines (PC3), where all Pim-1 inhibitors tested in showed synergism with the known anticancer agent, paclitaxel. These results further establish Pim-1 as a target in cancer therapy, and highlight the potential of these agents for use as adjuvant agents in the treatment of cancer diseases in which Pim-1 is associated with chemotherapeutic resistance.