Coherent versus sequential electron tunneling in quantum dots.
Manifestations of quantum coherence in the electronic conductance through nearly closed quantum dots in the Coulomb-blockade regime are addressed. We show that quantum coherent tunneling processes explain some puzzling statistical features of the conductance peak heights observed in recent experiments at low temperatures. We employ the constant interaction model and the random matrix theory to model the quantum dot electronic interactions and its single-particle statistical fluctuations, taking full account of the finite decay width of the quantum dot levels.


Intraoperative and postoperative morbidity associated with cystoscopy performed in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of cystoscopy during major gynecologic surgery and to describe an interesting and rare complication that was encountered. This was an observational descriptive study. A retrospective review was performed. Data collected included intraoperative lower urinary tract injuries, injuries that were related directly to cystoscopy, and postoperative morbidity. One hundred one cases were evaluated. Eight lower urinary tract injuries were noted, 4 of which were detected at cystoscopy and 3 of which (2.97%) were detected intraoperatively before cystoscopy. There was one complication that was linked directly to cystoscopy. There were nine postoperative urinary tract infections. Total cost per case excluding anesthesia time was $54.42. Liberal use of cystoscopy in gynecologic surgery is recommended. The procedure is safe, easily learned, and inexpensive to perform.


In Situ Atomic-Scale Observation of Droplet Coalescence Driven Nucleation and Growth at Liquid/Solid Interfaces.
Unraveling dynamical processes of liquid droplets at liquid/solid interfaces and the interfacial ordering is critical to understanding solidification, liquid-phase epitaxial growth, wetting, liquid-phase joining, crystal growth, and lubrication processes, all of which are linked to different important applications in material science. In this work, we observe direct in situ atomic-scale behavior of Bi droplets segregated on SrBi2Ta2O9 by using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy and demonstrate ordered interface and surface structures for the droplets on the oxide at the atomic scale and unravel a nucleation mechanism involving droplet coalescence at the liquid/solid interface. We identify a critical diameter of the formed nanocrystal in stabilizing the crystalline phase and reveal lattice-induced fast crystallization of the droplet at the initial stage of the coalescence of the nanocrystal with the droplet. Further sequential observations show the stepped coalescence and growth mechanism of the nanocrystals at the atomic scale. These results offer insights into the dynamic process at liquid/solid interfaces, which may have implications for many functionalities of materials and their applications.


Current trends in patient enrollment for robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in Belgium.
During the last decade, an inverse stage migration has been observed in radical prostatectomy series at tertiary centers. However, it remains unclear whether similar trends can also be observed in solely robotic practices, including nonreferral centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and pathological trends in robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) enrollment in Belgium over a period of 6 years through an analysis of a prospective registry. A prospective, multicenter database was constructed: consecutive patients undergoing RALP in Belgium from 2010 to 2015 were enrolled, and 7366 men were analyzed. Variations in clinical and pathological variables were explored as a function of the enrollment year with proportional odds for categorical variables and with linear regressions for continuous variables. Net increases were observed in the prostate-specific antigen levels, cT stage, and biopsy Gleason scores across the study years (P < .001). The rate of low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) decreased from 36% in 2010 to 21% in 2015, whereas the rate of intermediate-risk PCa rose from 47% to 58%, and the rate of high-risk PCa rose from 17% to 21%. In parallel, the pT2 stage rate decreased from 76% to 64%, and the rate of Gleason 6 (3 + 3) cases was reduced from 45% to 23% (P < .001). Conversely, the pT3a stage rate rose from 16% to 24%, the pT3b stage rate rose from 7% to 11%, and the rate of Gleason 7 (4 + 3) cases rose from 7% to 21% (P < .0001). Finally, more patients underwent node dissection, and positive lymph nodes were increasingly diagnosed (from 3% in 2010 to 7% in 2015). During the last 6 years of RALP implementation in Belgium, there was a significant increase in the enrollment of intermediate- and high-risk PCa patients. This yielded a significant increase in adverse pathological characteristics. These results suggest a paradigm shift in PCa treatment, with radical robotic surgery increasing for intermediate- and high-risk patients. Cancer 2017;123:4139-4146. © 2017 American Cancer Society.


[Barriers to hypertension treatment].
The objective was to describe the barriers faced by people with hypertension for non compliance to treatment and control the levels of blood pressure. This is a transversal and descriptive study which was carried out in 6 basic health units in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil. The population consisted of 246 people enrolled in the program to Control Hypertension for at least a year. Data were collected using a structured interview and electronic chart. Of them, 69 showed normal blood pressure levels. The main barriers discovered were: poor financial condition, continuous treatment with many medicines and practice physical activity. It was concluded that barriers to the anti-hypertensive treatment include the sick people, their environment and their access to health care.


Chitotriosidase activity in the blood serum and organs of mice of various strains under the influence of chitin.
Mouse chitotriosidase cleaving chitin belongs to the family of mammalian chitinases, whose biological functions are poorly understood. Chitotriosidase activity in mouse serum was shown to be much higher than in humans. The following interstrain differences were revealed in mouse chitotriosidase activity: GR>C57Bl/6>BALB/c>A/Sn>CBA. Chitotriosidase activity in CBA mice was lowest and practically did not differ from that in C3H/He and ICR mice. No sex-related differences were found in enzyme activity. Hybrids of opposite strains CBA and C57Bl/6 were characterized by dominant inheritance of this sign (elevated activity of chitotriosidase in the serum). Intragastric administration of chitin in a single dose of 100 mg/kg was followed by a decrease in chitotriosidase activity in the lungs, but not in the blood serum and homogenate of gastric cells from CBA mice. These data indicate that intragastric administration of chitin does not induce chitotriosidase in mice.


Hypoxia-associated genetic signature in ovarian steroid cell tumor NOS.
Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified (SCT-NOS), are uncommon ovarian neoplasms accompanied by virilization symptoms due to hyperandrogenism, which are malignant in approximately one-third of the cases. Given the rarity of SCT-NOS, their molecular underpinnings have not yet been studied in depth. In this case series, we performed the first comprehensive analysis of the genetic landscape of this rare ovarian tumor. A detailed clinicopathological description of an index case is also provided. Over a 20-year period, a total of eight patients were seen at our institution. Total nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) were extracted from evaluable formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens (n = 7) and subjected to TruSight Oncology 500 testing and/or exome sequencing. The results identified pathogenic variants in several hypoxia-related genes - including HIF1A, VHL, SDHB, SRC, IDH2, and FOXO4. As the first comprehensive genetic analysis of SCT-NOS, this study shows that dysregulation in the hypoxia signaling pathway is a key molecular feature of this rare tumor. Clinically, long-term follow-up with periodic measurements of androgen levels should be pursued in all cases since recurrences may occur several years after the initial diagnosis.


Potential Application of Marine Fucosyl-Polysaccharides in Regulating Blood Glucose and Hyperglycemic Complications.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become the world's third major disease after tumors and cardiovascular disease. With the exploitation of marine biological resources, the efficacy of using polysaccharides isolated from marine organisms in blood glucose regulation has received widespread attention. Some marine polysaccharides can reduce blood glucose by inhibiting digestive enzyme activity, eliminating insulin resistance, and regulating gut microbiota. These polysaccharides are mainly fucose-containing sulphated polysaccharides from algae and sea cucumbers. It follows that the hypoglycemic activity of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides is closely related to their structure, such as their sulfate group, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight and glycosidic bond type. However, the structure of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides and the mechanism of their hypoglycemic activity are not yet clear. Therefore, this review comprehensively covers the effects of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides sources, mechanisms and the structure-activity relationship on hypoglycemic activity. Moreover, the potential regulatory effects of fucosyl-polysaccharides on vascular complications caused by hyperglycemia are also summarized in this review. This review provides rationales for the activity study of marine fucosyl-polysaccharides and new insights into the high-value utilization of marine biological resources.


Circulating concentrations of oxytocin during pregnancy in ewes.
Oxytocin and progesterone were measured radioimmunologically during a control cycle, early pregnancy and during several time courses until term in 4 ewes of a local Maroccan breed of sheep. Oxytocin concentrations increased in a similar matter after day 3-4 of the control cycle or after mating and decreased on days 13-15 of early pregnancy about 2 days earlier than during the oestrous cycle. After days 18-19 of pregnancy oxytocin concentrations remained low until term at concentrations as observed during the non-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. Contrary progesterone concentrations remained high throughout gestation. Maternal recognition of pregnancy seems to have only a slight effect on the secretion pattern of oxytocin for few days after day 12. The results indicate a similar unknown mechanism during the cycle and early pregnancy for the vanishing oxytocin secretion and perhaps synthesis.


Microbiome-transcriptome analysis reveals that dietary supplementation with macleaya cordata extract alters multiple immune pathways with minimal impact on microbial structure.
As a potential antibiotic alternative, macleaya cordata extract (MCE) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This study was conducted to assess the impact of MCE supplementation on the gut microbiota and its interplay with the host in young goats. Thirty female black goats with similar body weight (5.63 ± 0.30 kg) were selected and randomly allotted into one of three diets: a control diet (Control), a control diet with antibiotics (Antibiotics, 21 mg/kg/day vancomycin and 42 mg/kg/day neomycin), and a control diet with MCE (MCE, 3.75% w/w premix). Principal coordinate analysis of the microbial community showed that samples of Antibiotic clustered separately from both Control and MCE (p < 0.001). The random forest analysis revealed that, in comparison to the Control group, the impact of Antibiotics on the microbiota structure was more pronounced than that of MCE (number of featured microbiota, 13 in Antibiotics and >6 in MCE). In addition, the pathways of significant enrichment either from DEGs between Antibiotics and Control or from DEGs between MCE and Control were almost identical, including Th17 cell differentiation, butanoate metabolism, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, intestinal immune network for IgA production, antigen processing and presentation, and ABC transporters. Furthermore, an integrative analysis indicated that significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between HEPHL1 and the featured biomarkers Atopostipes, Syntrophococcus, Romboutsia, and Acinetobacter in the MCE group. Conversely, several significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were identified between HEPHL1 and the featured biomarkers Clostridium_XlVa, Phascolarctobacterium, Desulfovibrio, Cloacibacillus, Barnesiella, Succinatimonas, Alistipes, Oscillibacter, Ruminococcus2, and Megasphaera in the Antibiotics group. Collectively, the analysis of microbiome-transcriptome data revealed that dietary supplementation with MCE produced significant alterations in multiple immune pathways, while having minimal impact on the microbial structure.


Incidence of leprosy in Agra district.
This study presents estimates of incidence of leprosy among the familial contacts (FC) and non-familial contacts (NFC) of leprosy patients in Agra, a district endemic for leprosy. The study covers 42,113 persons followed up for 123,951.2 person years (PY) during which 77 individuals developed leprosy giving an incidence of 6.2/10,000 PY in the total leprosy-free population studied (TLPS). The incidence rate in NFCs was observed to be 4.6/10,000 PY while the FCs had a significantly higher incidence rate of 67.6/10,000 PY (P < 0.001). Incidence rate among the FC of paucibacillary leprosy (PB) patients was 41.0/10,000 PY while the corresponding figure for multibacillary leprosy (MB) contacts was 131.3/10,000 PY (P < 0.05). Applying methods of survival analysis, the incidence rate at the end of 1 year was observed to be 4-0 (per 10,000), increased to 12.0 by 2 years and 18.0 at the end of 3 years in TLPS. The incidence rate was almost similar in both the sexes and was found to increase significantly with age. The observations clearly indicate that leprosy is still endemic in the area and transmission continues.


[The stenosed Brescia-Cimino fistula: operation or intervention?].
Stenosis of the vein close to the arteriovenous anastomosis is the most frequent cause for late failure of Brescia-Cimino fistulae (BCF). Although since decades proximal re-anastomosis has been regarded as the surgical standard treatment, success rates can hardly be deducted from the literature. Considering the increasing activities of interventional radiologists surgical position finding seems necessary. Over three years 30 anastomotic BCF stenoses were treated in 28 patients. In 15 patients the stenosis had caused fistula thrombosis. In all cases the fistula vein was re-anastomosed to the proximal radial artery. All patients could be followed up (average 12 months). Each fistula functioning after 24 hours was classified as procedural success. For calculation of patency rates (life table analysis), however, usability of the needling segment of the access was assessed. Procedural success rate was 100%. One fistula thrombosed on the second postoperative day after a successful dialysis session due to an overlooked proximal stenosis of its feeding radial artery. In five fistulae stenoses developed after 4 to 13 months. In only one fistula this was a true re-stenosis of the newly created anastomosis (0.03 per patient-year). Two of the stenoses occurred in the needling segment of the access vein and within its central venous outflow, respectively. Overall re-intervention rate was 0.3 per patient-year, and primary (secondary) patency was 80% (95%) at one year and 67% (87%) at two years. In BCF proximal re-anastomosis is a simple and effective therapeutic option for anastomotic venous stenosis. Re-intervention rates are low and procedural success rates as well as primary and secondary patency rates at least equal those of interventional radiology.


Virtually Administered Intervention Through Telerehabilitation for Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain: A Review of Literature.
The most frequent reason for individuals to seek medical attention in both primary care settings and immediate care centers is low back pain (LBP). Over a duration of time, the disability caused by lower back pain has risen enough, particularly in countries with low or moderate incomes. In the coming years, there may be an increase in LBP-related impairment and expenses in countries with low or medium incomes, particularly when fragile medical systems are unable to handle this growing load. Hence, this review focuses on the effectiveness of telerehabilitation (TR) on LBP. The significant advantages of TR may include greater interaction and remote accessibility to medical treatments. The exchange of knowledge and health information is made possible through a more effective interaction, which benefits patients, families, carers, physicians, and researchers. People who live in distant places now have the opportunity to get medical attention assisting families in caring for patients with poor responsiveness. In addition, it provides the potential for prompt detection, the beginning of treatment in the midst of an emergency, a shorter stay in the hospital, ongoing monitoring of those at risk, and overall time and expense savings. Therefore, this study supports the application of TR in conditions of LBP for early management and relief of pain for patients in low-resource areas.


Biopsy in interstitial lung disease: specific diagnosis and the identification of the progressive fibrotic phenotype.
The evaluation of progression in fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) may require a multidimensional approach. This review will cover the role and usefulness of lung biopsy in diagnosis and assessment of the progressive fibrotic phenotype. The identification of specific findings and the balance between inflammation and fibrosis on lung biopsy may help distinguishing different disease entities and may likely determine the effect of treatment and possibly prognosis. The fibrotic morphological patterns potentially associated with a progressive phenotype include usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other less common fibrotic variants, with histopathological findings of UIP at the time of diagnosis being predictive of worse outcome compared with other patterns. The prognostic significance of lung biopsy findings has been assessed after both surgical lung biopsy (SLB) and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC), the latter becoming a valid alternative to SLB, if performed in experienced centres, due to significantly lower morbidity and mortality. Lung biopsy plays an important role in diagnosis and identification of the progressive fibrotic phenotype. The introduction of less invasive procedures could potentially expand the role of lung sampling, including for example patients with a known diagnosis of ILD or at an earlier stage of the disease.


[Summary of the Consensus for management of community acquired pneumonia in adults].
This is an update of the Consensus for treatment of community acquired pneumonia in adults, prepared by the Chilean Society of Respiratory Diseases and the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases. These norms were prepared by thirty specialists in respiratory diseases, internal medicine, infectious diseases, microbiology, intensive medicine and radiology. The purpose of the document is to norm the management of immunocompetent adults with community acquired pneumonia, by the public and private health systems of our country. The complete document will be published in June, in the respective journals of the Societies of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. This is a summary to obtain a better diffusion of these norms among internists and general practitioners.


Illicium verum extract suppresses IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 expression via blockade of JAK/STAT pathway in HaCaT human keratinocytes.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signaling in keratinocytes plays an important role in mediating inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and contact dermatitis. Illicium verum Hook. f. has been used in traditional medicine for treating skin inflammation, rheumatism, asthma, and bronchitis in Asia. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and regulatory mechanisms of Illicium verum extract (IVE) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. In this study, we examined the effect of IVE on IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 expression in HaCaT cells. The levels of IFN-γ receptor α (IFN-γRα), phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 (pJak2), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) were analyzed by western blot. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the HaCaT cells was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and cell-surface enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of IVE and its constituents on the adherence of T lymphocytes to IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells were also investigated. IVE significantly inhibited IFN-γ-induced mRNA and protein expression of ICAM-1. IVE inhibited IFN-γ-induced IFN-γRα, pJak2 and pSTAT1 expression in HaCaT cells. The expression of SOCS1 was up-regulated by treatment of IVE. In addition, IVE and its constituents (p-anisaldehyde and trans-anethole) effectively suppressed IFN-γ-induced adherence of Jurkat T cells to HaCaT cells and ICAM-1 expression on the cell surface. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of IVE may contribute to therapeutic efficacy in IFN-γ-dependent inflammatory skin diseases by modulating the IFN-γ signal pathway.


Best practice guidelines for stroke in Cameroon: An innovative and participatory knowledge translation project.
Although the adherence to stroke guidelines in high-income countries has been shown to be associated with improved patient outcomes, the research, development and implementation of rehabilitation related guidelines in African countries is lacking. The purpose of this article is to describe how a group of front-line practitioners collaborated with academics and students to develop best practice guidelines (BPG) for the management and rehabilitation of stroke in adult patients in Cameroon. A working group was established and adapted internationally recognised processes for the development of best practice guidelines. The group determined the scope of the guidelines, documented current practices, and critically appraised evidence to develop guidelines relevant to the Cameroon context. The primary result of this project is best practice guidelines which provided an overview of the provision of stroke rehabilitation services in the region, and made 83 practice recommendations to improve these services. We also report on the successes and challenges encountered during the process, and the working group's recommendations aimed at encouraging others to consider similar projects. This project demonstrated that there is interest and capacity for improving stroke rehabilitation practices and for stroke guideline development in Africa.


Chemical properties and NMR spectroscopic identification of certain fungal siderophores.
Siderophores of six fungi viz. Aspergillus sp. ABp4, Aureobacidium pullulans, Penicillium oxalicum, P. chrysosporium, Mycotypha africana and Syncephalastrum racemosum were examined for their (1) electrophoretic mobilities to determine the acidic, basic or neutral charge; (2) Fe (III) binding nature viz., mono-, di-, or trihydroxamate; (3) amino acid composition; and (4) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy to determine their structure. Electrophoretic mobilities of siderophores of 3 fungi (P. oxalicum, P. chrysosporium, and M, africana) exhibited net basic charge, siderophores of 2 fungi (Aspergillus sp. ABp4 and S. racemosum) were acidic and 1 fungus (A. pullullans) was neutral. Electrophoresis of ferrated siderophore at pH 2 and colour of the spots indicated that siderophores of Aspergillus sp. ABp4 and P. oxalicum and A. pullulans were trihydroxamates, whereas siderophore of P. chrysosporium was dihydroxamate. Amino acid composition of siderophores purified by XAD-2 column chromatography, revealed the presence of asparagine, histidine, and proline in Aspergillus sp. ABp4, serine and alanine in P. chrysosporium, and valine in M. africana. The structure of purified siderophores as revealed by NMR spectroscopy identified siderophore of AB - 2670 (A. pullulans) as asperchrome F1, and AB-513 (M. africana) as rhizoferrin. The peak obtained for siderophore AB-5 (Aspergillus sp. ABp4) did not show resemblance to any known siderophore, therefore may be an exception.


Spatiotemporal expression patterns of N-syndecan, a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, in developing retina.
N-syndecan is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, that is highly expressed in neural tissues. In the current study, changes in N-syndecan expression during retinal development were examined. Localization of N-syndecan in developing rat retina was examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The amount of the core protein was evaluated by immunoblot analysis, using retinal homogenates at various developmental stages. In addition, mRNA expression was semiquantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To understand better the localization of N-syndecan in retinal neuronal cells, we performed immunocytochemistry using retinal ganglion cells in culture. N-syndecan is highly expressed in nerve fiber-rich layers of the retina at early postnatal stages (between postnatal day [P]0 and P14). In contrast, immunoreactivity was faint during embryonic stages and late postnatal stages. In addition, in retinal flatmounted sections, N-syndecan immunoreactivity was observed on the axons of retinal ganglion cells. Intense signals were observed in the ganglion cell layer during in situ hybridization. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that the amount of N-syndecan core protein reached a peak at approximately P14. The RT-PCR analyses using N-syndecan primers showed that an intense amplified band was observed in the cDNA derived from P14 retinas, whereas only faint bands were detected in the embryonic day (E)16 and P42 retinas. In retinal ganglion cells in culture, N-syndecan was located on the long, extended neurites. The data show that N-syndecan is transiently expressed, primarily in retinal neural fibers, during retinal development, indicating that it may be involved in formation of the retinal neural network.


The use of buccal fat pad in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis: a newer method.
Purpose of the study. This study was to evaluate the use of buccal fat pad as an interpositioning material in surgical management of oral sub mucous fibrosis. Materials and methods. A series of 8 cases with proven oral sub mucous fibrosis, with mouth opening less than 20 mm, involving the buccal mucosa were treated surgically in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dental Surgery, Saveetha University, Chennai. Pedicled buccal fat pad was used as an interpositioning material to cover the raw areas in the oral cavity after incision and release of fibrous bands. Results. In 8 patients, the range of pre operative mouth opening was 3-18 mm (mean 14 mm). As the result of the successful surgical procedure, the size of the intra operative mouth opening was ranged from 25-38 mm (mean 33.25 mm). The patients were discharged 5-7 days after the operation. The range of the mouth opening at this time was 25-36 mm (mean 30.63 mm). The results were evaluated using student's t test and found to be statistically significant. The pedicled grafts took up uneventfull.


Heat and AITC activate green anole TRPA1 in a membrane-delimited manner.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a member of the large TRP super family of ion channels and functions as a Ca(2+)-permeable nonselective cation channel that is activated by various noxious stimuli. TRPA1 was initially identified as a potential mediator of noxious cold stimuli in mammalian nociceptive sensory neurons, while TRPA1s from nonmammalian vertebrates (snakes, green anole lizards, and frogs) were recently reported to be activated by heat, but not cold stimulus. In this study, we examined detailed properties of the green anole TRPA1 channel (gaTRPA1) related to thermal and chemical stimulation in whole-cell and single-channel recordings. Heat activates gaTRPA1 with a temperature threshold for activation of 35.8 °C, while heat together with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a chemical agonist, had synergistic effects on gaTRPA1 channel activation in that either the temperature threshold or activating AITC concentration was reduced in the presence of the other stimulus. Significant heat-evoked gaTRPA1 activation was observed in the presence but not absence of extracellular Ca(2+). gaTRPA1 channels were also activated by heat and AITC in excised membrane patches with an inside-out configuration. By comparing the kinetics of heat- and AITC-evoked single-channel currents, we defined similarities and differences of gaTRPA1 channel responses to heat and AITC. We observed similar current-voltage relationship and unitary amplitudes for heat- and AITC-evoked currents and found that heat-activated currents showed shorter durations of both open and closed times. Our results suggest that the gaTRPA1 channel is directly activated by heat and chemical stimuli.


Carbon Monoxide Inhibits the Expression of Proteins Associated with Intestinal Mucosal Pyroptosis in a Rat Model of Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture.
BACKGROUND Carbon monoxide (CO) has anti-inflammatory effects and protects the intestinal mucosal barrier in sepsis. Pyroptosis, or cell death associated with sepsis, is mediated by caspase-1 activation. This study aimed to investigate the role of CO on the expression of proteins associated with intestinal mucosal pyroptosis in a rat model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS The rat model of sepsis was developed using CLP. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=120) were divided into six study groups: the sham group (n=20); the CLP group (n=20); the hemin group (treated with ferric chloride and heme) (n=20); the zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) group (n=20); the CO-releasing molecule 2 (CORM-2) group (n=20); and the inactive CORM-2 (iCORM-2) group (n=20). Hemin and CORM-2 were CO donors, and ZnPPIX was a CO inhibitor. In the six groups, the seven-day survival curves, the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran 4000 Da (FD-4) permeability assay, levels of intestinal pyroptosis proteins caspase-1, caspase-11, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) were measured by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-18, IL-1ß, and high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) were measured by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS CO reduced the mortality rate in rats with sepsis and reduced intestinal mucosal permeability and mucosal damage. CO also reduced the expression levels of IL-18, IL-1ß, and HMGB1, and reduced pyroptosis by preventing the cleavage of caspase-1 and caspase-11. CONCLUSIONS In a rat model of sepsis induced by CLP, CO had a protective role by inhibiting intestinal mucosal pyroptosis.


Prevalence of coccidia infection in goats in Western Pomerania (Poland) and West Ukraine region.
The prevalence of coccidia infection in goats was evaluated in Western Pomerania (Poland) and West Ukraine Province. A total number of 311 goats were examined: 173 from Western Pomerania, including 139 kids (up to 6 month old), and 138 from the Lviv region including 93 juveniles. The study was based on two flotation methods, which helped to establish the number of oocysts in 1g of feces (OPG): Willis-Schlaaf for qualitative and McMaster for quantitative analysis. The species composition was established using Coudert's (Coudert 1992) and Eckert's (Eckert et al.,1995) keys. Nine Eimeria spp. were identified in feces samples in Western Pomerania and Lviv regions: E. arloingi, E. chrisienseni, E. jolchijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. alijevi, E. capina, E. caprovina, E. hirci, E. apsheronica. The prevalence of infection in Western Pomerania of adult goats was 74% with an intensity of 0-2500 OPG. The rate of infection in kids was 100% and the intensity ranged from 1800 to 28000 OPG. In West Ukraine Province, 100% of the adult goats and kids were infected. The coccidian intensity of infection ranged from 2600 to 120000 OPG in kids, from 50 to 4500 OPG in adults. Clinical conditions can influence the intensity of oocysts excretion in the feces of animals. In Western Pomerania the highest intensity of excretion of oocysts was during May-July and the lowest during November-January. In West Ukraine Province the peak of oocysts excretion was in May-July and the lowest in October-December. The results of the present investigation have implications for the control of coccidial infections in goats in Europe.


Effects of Fatty Acid Oxidation and Its Regulation on Dendritic Cell-Mediated Immune Responses in Allergies: An Immunometabolism Perspective.
Type 1 allergies, involve a complex interaction between dendritic cells and other immune cells, are pathological type 2 inflammatory immune responses against harmless allergens. Activated dendritic cells undergo extensive phenotypic and functional changes to exert their functions. The activation, differentiation, proliferation, migration, and mounting of effector reactions require metabolic reprogramming. Dendritic cells are important upstream mediators of allergic responses and are therefore an important effector of allergies. Hence, a better understanding of the underlying metabolic mechanisms of functional changes that promote allergic responses of dendritic cells could improve the prevention and treatment of allergies. Metabolic changes related to dendritic cell activation have been extensively studied. This review briefly outlines the basis of fatty acid oxidation and its association with dendritic cell immune responses. The relationship between immune metabolism and effector function of dendritic cells related to allergic diseases can better explain the induction and maintenance of allergic responses. Further investigations are warranted to improve our understanding of disease pathology and enable new treatment strategies.


Significance of high and normal neonatal nucleated red blood cell count in small-for-gestational-age newborns.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the obstetrical and neonatal outcome in small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses with normal and elevated neonatal nucleated red blood cell counts. Therefore the nucleated red blood cell count was assessed immediately after birth in 906 neonates delivered at our institution and the perinatal and neonatal data were compared. Postnatally, infants were classified as SGA if they had a birth weight for given gestational age below the 10th percentile. Neonates were allocated to four groups according to their nucleated red blood cell count: SGA neonates with normal and high nucleated red blood cell count and appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns (AGA) with normal and high nucleated red blood cell count. Statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U-Test, Student's t-test, chi2 analysis of variance and stepwise regression analysis. SGA newborns with high nucleated red blood cell count had a significantly lower birth weight, a lower gestational age at delivery, lower arterial and venous pH values, lower Apgar scores at 1 min, 5 min and 10 min as well as lower base excess values compared to the other groups. They had to be transferred significantly more often and stayed longer in the neonatal intensive care unit. Three cases of intraventricular hemorrhage, four cases of necrotizing enterocolotis and two neonatal deaths occurred all in the SGA group with high neonatal nucleated red blood cell counts. Neonatal outcomes of SGA and AGA newborns with normal nucleated red blood cell counts were comparable. Our data do therefore underline the possible value of neonatal nucleated red blood cell counts to differentiate the healthy small-for-gestational age newborn from the truely growth retarded newborn.


The Mechanism of Room-Temperature Ionic-Liquid-Based Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction: A Review.
Electrochemical CO₂ conversion technology is becoming indispensable in the development of a sustainable carbon-based economy. While various types of electrocatalytic systems have been designed, those based on room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have attracted considerable attention because of their high efficiencies and selectivities. Furthermore, it should be possible to develop more advanced electrocatalytic systems for commercial use because target-specific characteristics can be fine-tuned using various combinations of RTIL ions. To achieve this goal, we require a systematic understanding of the role of the RTIL components in electrocatalytic systems, however, their role has not yet been clarified by experiment or theory. Thus, the purpose of this short review is to summarize recent experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies to provide insight into and to develop guidelines for the successful development of new CO₂ conversion systems. The results discussed here can be summarized as follows. Complex physical and chemical interactions between the RTIL components and the reaction intermediates, in particular at the electrode surface, are critical for determining the activity and selectivity of the electrocatalytic system, although no single factor dominates. Therefore, more fundamental research is required to understand the physical, chemical, and thermodynamic characteristics of complex RTIL-based electrocatalytic systems.


Towards inhibitors of glycosyltransferases: A novel approach to the synthesis of 3-acetamido-3-deoxy-D-psicofuranose derivatives.
A novel synthetic strategy leading to 3-acetamido-3-deoxy-D-psicofuranose 9 is presented. The latter compound, after some manipulations, was transformed into fully protected 3-acetamido-3-deoxy-D-psicofuranose 11 as a potential substrate for the synthesis of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase inhibitors designed by computational methods. After the attempted thioglycosylation of 11 with EtSH in the presence of BF3·OEt2, 2-methyloxazoline derivatives 13 and 14 were isolated.


Diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser with discrete multi-wavelength tunability and high efficiency.
Selectable and discretely tunable multi-wavelength diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser operating at 1064.0, 1073.1, and 1085.2 nm was demonstrated using a single intracavity birefringent plate. Under 11.2 W of absorbed pump power, the maximum output power of more than 3.8 W for any of the three wavelengths was achieved with slope and optical-to-optical efficiencies of more than 45% and 35%, respectively.


Optimization-based peptide mass fingerprinting for protein mixture identification.
In current proteome research, the most widely used method for protein mixture identification is probably peptide sequencing. Peptide sequencing is based on tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data. The disadvantage is that MS/MS data only sequences a limited number of peptides and leaves many more peptides uncovered. Peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) has been widely used to identify single purified proteins from single-stage MS data. Unfortunately, this technique is less accurate than the peptide sequencing method and cannot handle protein mixtures, which hampers the widespread use of PMF. In this article, we tackle the problem of protein mixture identification from an optimization point of view. We show that some simple heuristics can find good solutions to the optimization problem. As a result, we obtain much better identification results than previous methods. Through a comprehensive simulation study, we identify a set of limiting factors that hinder the performance of PMF-based protein mixture identification. We argue that it is feasible to remove these limitations and PMF can be a powerful tool in the analysis of protein mixtures, especially in the identification of low-abundance proteins, which are less likely to be sequenced by MS/MS scanning.


Horse serum potentiates cellular viability and improves indomethacin-induced adipogenesis in equine subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs).
Subcutaneous fat tissue is an accessible and abundant source of multipotent stem cells for cell therapy in regenerative medicine. Successful trilineage differentiation is required to define the stemness features of the obtained mesenchymal cells, and adipogenesis is a part of it. Since indomethacin is bound to serum albumin, replacing foetal bovine serum (FBS) with horse serum (HS) in adipogenic induction protocols would suppress its cytotoxic effect and reveal a better adipogenic potential in equine MSCs. The equine subcutaneous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were separately induced in adipogenesis by three different concentrations of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, IBMX (0.5 mM; 0.25 mM and 0.1 mM) and indomethacin (0.1 mM; 0.05 mM and 0.02 mM) for 48 h. In contrast to the IBMX, indomethacin in all concentrations caused dramatic cellular detachment. Further, the same induction concentrations were used in FBS and HS conditions for adipogenic induction. The MTT assay revealed that the culture media supplemented with HS raised cellular vitality by about 35% compared to those cultured in FBS. Based on those results, an adipogenic cocktail containing indomethacin (0.05 mM) and IBMX (0.5 mM), supplemented with HS and FBS, respectively, was applied for 18 days. The adiponectin gene expression was significantly up-regulated in HS-supplemented media since established changes in PPAR-gamma were insignificant. The tri-lineage differentiation was successful, and a cross-sectional area of adipocytes was performed. The albumin concentration was higher in HS than in FBS. In conclusion, our study revealed that HS is an appropriate supplement in induced adipogenesis since it probably suppresses the indomethacin-related cytotoxic effect and increases adipogenic ability in equine subcutaneous ASCs.


The impact of elder care on women's labor supply.
Adult daughters traditionally have served as primary caregivers for frail unmarried adults, but the levels of care they have provided in the past may interfere with their growing work responsibilities. This paper examines the impact of time transfers to elderly parents on labor supply at midlife. Using a sample of women ages 55 to 67 in the Health and Retirement Study, we estimate panel data models of annual hours of paid work controlling for the endogeneity of time assistance to parents. The results indicate that time help to parents strongly reduces female labor supply at midlife.


Regional myocardial function during contiguous ischaemia in an anaesthetized canine model: comparison of six methods of measurement.
During acute myocardial ischaemia, the function of the unaffected muscle is the primary determinant of residual cardiac performance. We compared six methods of measuring regional function in the remaining non-ischaemic segment after acute ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in 16 dogs. Preparation included left ventricular micromanometers, regional sonomicrometer transducers to measure segment length and wall thickness, caval occluders and left atrial catheters for injection of radioactive microspheres to measure regional blood flow. Pulmonary artery, central venous and systemic arterial pressures were measured and regional coronary venous blood was collected for direct myocardial oxygen consumption (VO2) calculations. Under basal high-dose fentanyl-neuromuscular blocker anaesthesia, the LAD was occluded after addition of halothane or isoflurane at 0.5 or 1.5 MAC concentrations. Regional myocardial function of the non-ischaemic segment was assessed by the following computer-derived indices: percent systolic wall thickening (% WT), velocity of shortening (vs), percent systolic shortening (%SS), regional stroke work (RSW), regional preload recruitable stroke work (RPRSW) and regional end-systolic elastance (Ees). No index demonstrated enhanced function in the non-ischaemic segment after LAD ligation and all monitors, except Ees, were sensitive to depression of function represented by a decrease in values after administration of halothane and isoflurane (P < 0.05). Ees values increased with the addition of isoflurane and remained constant with halothane. Circulating concentrations of catecholamines were unchanged after ischaemia, while inhalation agents caused a decrease in the concentrations of adrenaline and dopamine (P < 0.05), but not noradrenaline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


On the Mechanics of Fatigue and Fracture in Teeth.
Tooth fracture is a major concern in the field of restorative dentistry. However, knowledge of the causes for tooth fracture has developed from contributions that are largely based within the field of mechanics. The present manuscript presents a technical review of advances in understanding the fracture of teeth and the fatigue and fracture behavior of their hard tissues (i.e., dentin and enamel). The importance of evaluating the fracture resistance of these materials, and the role of applied mechanics in developing this knowledge will be reviewed. In addition, the complex microstructures of tooth tissues, their roles in resisting tooth fracture, and the importance of hydration and aging on the fracture resistance of tooth tissues will be discussed. Studies in this area are essential for increasing the success of current treatments in dentistry, as well as in facilitating the development of novel bio-inspired restorative materials for the future.


Early postoperative macular features determined by optical coherence tomography after idiopathic macular hole surgery with silicone oil tamponade.
The configuration of idiopathic macular holes in the early postoperative period after pars plana vitrectomy using optical coherence tomography through silicone oil was evaluated. Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and silicone oil instillation was performed on 20 eyes. Optical coherence tomography images were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. Nineteen eyes (95%) achieved a closed fovea. None of them had a transit foveal contour with flat retina without closure. In the early phase of postoperative idiopathic macular hole repair, inner retinal tissue closure rather than flattening of the fovea is essential for those undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and silicone oil instillation.


Functional importance of T-type voltage-gated calcium channels in the cardiovascular and renal system: news from the world of knockout mice.
Over the years, it has been discussed whether T-type calcium channels Cav3 play a role in the cardiovascular and renal system. T-type channels have been reported to play an important role in renal hemodynamics, contractility of resistance vessels, and pacemaker activity in the heart. However, the lack of highly specific blockers cast doubt on the conclusions. As new T-type channel antagonists are being designed, the roles of T-type channels in cardiovascular and renal pathology need to be elucidated before T-type blockers can be clinically useful. Two types of T-type channels, Cav3.1 and Cav3.2, are expressed in blood vessels, the kidney, and the heart. Studies with gene-deficient mice have provided a way to investigate the Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 channels and their role in the cardiovascular system. This review discusses the results from these knockout mice. Evaluation of the literature leads to the conclusion that Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 channels have important, but different, functions in mice. T-type Cav3.1 channels affect heart rate, whereas Cav3.2 channels are involved in cardiac hypertrophy. In the vascular system, Cav3.2 activation leads to dilation of blood vessels, whereas Cav3.1 channels are mainly suggested to affect constriction. The Cav3.1 channel is also involved in neointima formation following vascular damage. In the kidney, Cav3.1 regulates plasma flow and Cav3.2 plays a role setting glomerular filtration rate. In conclusion, Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 are new therapeutic targets in several cardiovascular pathologies, but the use of T-type blockers should be specifically directed to the disease and to the channel subtype.


BMP4 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression via ID2/CDKN1B signaling.
Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, but the effects and signaling mechanisms of BMP4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not clearly clarified. The present study aimed to identify the roles of BMP4 in the proliferation of human HCC. In this study, BMP4 expression and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and the survival of HCC patients were analyzed in two independent cohorts consisting of 310 subjects. Functional analysis of BMP4 on HCC proliferation was performed in vitro and in vivo in human HCC specimens, HCC cells of Bel-7402 and HCCLM3, and subcutaneous tumor model. The downstream signaling targets of BMP4 in HCC were investigated by PCR Array and Western blot. The results indicated that BMP4 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues and closely related with unfavorable prognosis of HCC. BMP4 treatment increased cell proliferation and promoted G1/S cell cycle progression. In vivo subcutaneous tumor of nude mice model supported that BMP4 overexpression promoted the growth of HCC cells and BMP4 knockdown hold the opposite trend. Id2 was directly upregulated by BMP4, resulting in the mediated expression of cell cycle regulatory protein of CDKN1B. Blocking of Id2 attenuated BMP4-induced proliferation, confirming the important roles of Id2 in BMP4-mediated proliferation in HCC. So BMP4 is overexpressed in HCC tissues and acts as a poor prognostic factor of HCC patients. BMP4-induced ID2/CDKN1B signaling facilitates proliferation of HCC.


Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of trimazosin: a new vasodilator.
Trimazosin was administered for 2 days in doses-ranging from 50 to 200 mg to 16 patients with essential hypertension. The patients were randomized on the third day and received either the active drug in a single dose of 300 mg or a placebo. Systemic hemodynamic studies in both the supine and 50 degrees upright tilt position, including the Valsalva maneuver and a 1 min sustained handgrip test at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, were performed during control and 0, 1, 2, and 3 hr after drug administration. Renal function studies including plasma renin activity (PRA) were performed during control period and 3 hr after drug administration. Trimazosin reduced arterial pressure and peripheral vascular and renal vascular resistances, increased heart rate, cardiac output, and renal blood flow, and had no effect on glomerular filtration rate or PRA. Placebo had no effect on any of the above-mentioned parameters. The increase in renal blood flow was independent of cardiac output. We conclude that trimazosin lowers arterial pressure through a direct arteriolar dilation and reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. Its direct renal effects would make it a useful agent in the treatment of hypertension associated with renal function impairment.


Air trapping and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with mild to moderate bronchial obstruction: clinical role of trapped gas measurements.
In 14 patients with obstructive airways disease (7 atopic asthmatics, 7 COPD pts with stable disease, FEV1 < 65% pred., 11 m, 3 f, age 50.9 +/- 17.2 y) the effect of a beta mimetic agent on physical performance was studied. Inhalation of 2.5 ml normal saline (P) or salbutamol 0.1% (S) in double-blind random order on 2 successive days. Spirometry, body-plethysmography, single-breath helium dilution at rest. Spiroergometry with incremental workload to tolerance. The volume of trapped gas (D) was derived from: TLC Body-TLC Helium Single Breath. Base line values revealed mild to moderate airways obstruction (FEV1 2.04 +/- 0.81 L, FEV1/VC 60.2 +/- 8.5%). Subsequent to inhaling S FEV1 increased significant by 20% to 2.38 +/- 0.87 L. There was a concomitant substantial improvement of VC (3.37 +/- 1.09 L to 3.60 +/- 0.93 L). Rs declined sign. (2.37 +/- 1.43 to 1.69 +/- 0.8 kPa*s), and so did D (1.15 +/- 0.73 L to 0.55 +/- 0.89 L = -20% from base line). Despite clear-cut bronchodilation exercise performance did not improve in response to S (114.6 +/- 49.3 vs 112.5 +/- 50.0 Watt max, ns). Base line max. VO2 (19.78 +/- 6.36 ml/min/kg) and VO2 at anaerobic threshold (13.29 +/- 3.21 ml/min/kg) suggested only minimal impairment of physical performance. S induced a small but significant decrease in max. VO2 (19.78 +/- 6.36 to 18.43 +/- 6.27 ml/min/kg, p < 0.025). Gas exchange (derived from AaDO2) was impaired at rest (30.18 +/- 10.4 mmHg) and during exercise (28.07 +/- 13.03 mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Noise characterization of oil and gas operations.
In cooperation with The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, researchers at Colorado State University performed area noise monitoring at 23 oil and gas sites throughout Northern Colorado. The goals of this study were to: (1) measure and compare the noise levels for the different phases of oil and gas development sites; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of noise barriers; and (3) determine if noise levels exceeded the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission noise limits. The four phases of oil and gas development include drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completion and production. Noise measurements were collected using the A- and C-weighted sound scales. Octave band analysis was also performed to characterize the frequency spectra of the noise measurements. Noise measurements were collected using noise dosimeters and a hand-held sound-level meter at specified distances from the development sites in each cardinal direction. At 350 ft (107 m), drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and completion sites without noise barriers exceeded the maximum permissible noise levels for residential and commercial zones (55 dBA and 60 dBA, respectively). In addition, drilling and hydraulic fracturing sites with noise barriers exceeded the maximum permissible noise level for residential zones (55 dBA). However, during drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and completion operations, oil producers are allowed an exception to the noise permissible limits in that they only must comply with the industrial noise limit (80 dBA). It is stated in Rule 604.c.(2)A. that: "Operations involving pipeline or gas facility installation or maintenance, the use of a drilling rig, completion rig, workover rig, or stimulation is subject to the maximum permissible noise levels for industrial zones (80dBA)." [8] Production sites were within the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission permissible noise level criteria for all zones. At 350 ft (107 m) from the noise source, all drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and completion sites exceeded 65 dBC. Current noise wall mitigation strategies reduced noise levels in both the A- and C-weighted scale measurements. However, this reduction in noise was not sufficient to reduce the noise below the residential permissible noise level (55 dBA).


[The characteristics of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokines in primary biliary and their changes to drug treatment.].
To investigate the characteristics of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokines in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and their changes after therapy. Eighty two patients with untreated PBC were divided randomly into three groups. Group U (28 patients) were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), group UP (27 patients) were treated with UDCA and prednisonlone, while group UA (27 patients) were treated with UDCA and azatharaprine. Levels of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokines were monitored at 0, 3, 6 months after therapy. Twenty healthy people were included as healthy control (HC). Compared with HC, the percentage of CD(4)(+)T cell (P = 0.044) increased in PBC; the levels of IFNgamma (P = 0.001), IL-2 (P = 0.000), IL-4 (P = 0.010), IL-6 (P = 0.029), tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNFalpha) (P = 0.000), IL-1beta (P = 0.008) and transforming growth factorbeta (TGFbeta) (P = 0.069) increased in PBC. The level of TNFalpha in peripheral was correlated with those of ALT (P = 0.005), AST (P = 0.002), total bilirubin (TBil) (P = 0.001), direct bilirubin (DBil) (P = 0.002), and mayo risk score (MRS) (P = 0.020). The percentage of CD(4)(+)T cell decreased in group U. In group U, the levels of IFNgamma, IL-4, IL-6 all decreased after therapy at the third month, but rebounded thereafter. In group of UP and UA, the levels of IFNgamma, IL-4, IL-6 were suppressed below the levels of baseline after therapy. Levels of TNFalpha and IL-2 decreased in all three groups after therapy. Levels of both Th1 and Th2 related cytokines are abnormal in the peripheral blood of patients with PBC. The abnormal levels of Th1 related cytokine indicated that PBC is a cell immunity based autoimmune disease. IFNgamma, TNFalpha are directly related to the disease. The three treatments have different effects on the adjustment of the immune system.


Health and economic burden of pathological lesions in livers and lungs of slaughtered sheep at Mosul Abattoir, Iraq.
Slaughterhouses can provide valuable information about animal diseases and their epidemiology. The current study was designed to examine the health and economic burden of pathological lesions in livers and lungs of slaughtered sheep at Mosul abattoir, Iraq. Mosul abattoir records for sheep slaughtered between 2011 and 2013 were considered for inclusion in this study. The direct financial loss due to liver and lung lesions was estimated considering the average number of slaughtered sheep per year, the average percentage of liver lesions per year, and the average percentage of lung lesions per year. Monetary values of the liver and lung were obtained from local butcheries. The analysis indicated that the percentage of lesions observed in the liver and lung per year was 6.9% and 5.8%, respectively. Hydatid cyst followed by hepatitis was the most frequent lesions identified in the liver, while pneumonia then hydatid cyst were detected in the lung, followed by worms, abscess, and miscellaneous lesions. Hydatid cyst was the most frequently observed lesions. The average total loss was 35,232 USD per year (mostly due to liver lesions), with ±7046 USD sensitivity to the price change. The percentage of lesions observed in the liver and lung per year is not negligible and can cause considerable economic losses.


The reciprocating gait orthosis in myelomeningocele.
Seventeen patients with myelomeningocele were fitted with a device that reciprocally controls hip flexion and extension in an attempt to improve ambulatory ability. To evaluate the function of the reciprocating mechanism, the orthosis was tested in three configurations. With the reciprocating mechanism functioning at the hips, five of eight patients ambulated faster than in other configurations. With the mechanism released for free hip joint motion, five of eight patients ambulated slower or not at all. With the hip joints locked, six of eight patients ambulated more slowly than with the reciprocating mechanism functioning. Two were faster with a swing-through gait. However, 11 of 12 independent ambulators spontaneously chose the reciprocating gait pattern over the swing-through pattern. The reciprocating gait orthosis was used by patients with meningomyelocele from 18 months to 15 years of age. The device was most successful if strong hip flexors were present, although ambulation in a reciprocal pattern was possible for some with no active hip musculature. We believe that this orthosis is the most effective ambulatory aid for children handicapped by hip extensor weakness.


Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer.
Friction and wear are detrimental to engineered systems. Ultrasonic lubrication is achieved when the interface between two sliding surfaces is vibrated at a frequency above the acoustic range (20 kHz). As a solid-state technology, ultrasonic lubrication can be used where conventional lubricants are unfeasible or undesirable. Further, ultrasonic lubrication allows for electrical modulation of the effective friction coefficient between two sliding surfaces. This property enables adaptive systems that modify their frictional state and associated dynamic response as the operating conditions change. Surface wear can also be reduced through ultrasonic lubrication. We developed a protocol to investigate the dependence of friction force reduction and wear reduction on the linear sliding velocity between ultrasonically lubricated surfaces. A pin-on-disc tribometer was built which differs from commercial units in that a piezoelectric stack is used to vibrate the pin at 22 kHz normal to the rotating disc surface. Friction and wear metrics including effective friction force, volume loss, and surface roughness are measured without and with ultrasonic vibrations at a constant pressure of 1 to 4 MPa and three different sliding velocities: 20.3, 40.6, and 87 mm/sec. An optical profilometer is utilized to characterize the wear surfaces. The effective friction force is reduced by 62% at 20.3 mm/sec. Consistently with existing theories for ultrasonic lubrication, the percent reduction in friction force diminishes with increasing speed, down to 29% friction force reduction at 87 mm/sec. Wear reduction remains essentially constant (49%) at the three speeds considered.


Functional miRNA Screening Identifies Wide-ranging Antitumor Properties of miR-3622b-5p and Reveals a New Therapeutic Combination Strategy in Ovarian Tumor Organoids.
Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required for the clinical management of chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma, which is the most lethal of the gynecologic malignancies. miRNAs hold promise because they play a critical role in determining the cell phenotype by regulating several hundreds of targets, which could constitute vulnerabilities of cancer cells. A combination of gain-of-function miRNA screening and real-time continuous cell monitoring allows the identification of miRNAs with robust cytotoxic effects in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. Focusing on miR-3622b-5p, we show that it induces apoptosis in several ovarian cancer cell lines by both directly targeting Bcl-xL and EGFR-mediating BIM upregulation. miR-3622b-5p also sensitizes cells to cisplatin by inhibiting Bcl-xL in ovarian cancer cell lines escaping BIM induction. miR-3622b-5p also exerts antimigratory capacities by targeting both LIMK1 and NOTCH1. These wide-ranging antitumor properties of miR-3622b-5p in ovarian cancer cells are mimicked by the associations of pharmacologic inhibitors targeting these proteins. The combination of an EGFR inhibitor together with a BH3-mimetic molecule induced a large decrease in cell viability in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines and several ovarian patient-derived tumor organoids, suggesting the value of pursuing such a combination therapy in ovarian carcinoma. Altogether, our work highlights the potential of phenotype-based miRNA screening approaches to identify lethal interactions which might lead to new drug combinations and clinically applicable strategies.


[Spatial-temporal analysis and clinical findings of gait: comparison of two modalities of treatment in children with cerebral palsy-spastic hemiplegia. Preliminary report].
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of disability among children. Parent's main concerns are the acquisition and improvement of gait. The aim of this study was to compare long term results of the effect of two modalities of gait training. Quantitative measurement of gait and clinical assessment of the gross motor function classification system and Modified Ashworth Scale were perfomed in 14 patients with Cerebral palsy -spastic hemiplegia and randomizedly assigned into two groups of treatment: the first one using a driven gait orthosis (Lokomat(®)) and the second a gait training a long a rail inside a hydrotherapy tank. Measurements and assessments, above described, were performed immediately and one year after the treatment concluded. Significant change was observed in the gross motor function classification system from II to I among children (p=0.042) and a positive correlation between the shape functional of the march and the gross motor function classification system (r = 0.54, p = 0.042). Patients on the Lokomat(®) training improved on gait symmetry over patients on the conventional therapy (p = 0.05). A year after, this intervention showed tendency to kept the gait patterns only on patients treated with the Lokomat(®) Benefit obtained with either modality was evident for both groups. However, residual effects observed on the Lokomat group, either in clinical assessment or gait parameters, were more promising than in the conventional therapy. Due to the size of the sample used in this study the results are not conclusive and more research must be done on this subject in long term time horizon.


[Perforated stomach and duodenal ulcers at St Jósef's Hospital in Reykjavík up to 1948. 1950].
The St. Josephs Hospital in Reykjavík opened on the 1st of Sept. 1902. Until 1930 it was the main hospital of South Iceland. During the first 21 year period or until October 22nd 1923, not a single case of perforated peptic uncer seems to have been diagnosed nor treated in this hospital nor in any other hospital in the country. Neither is there any death from perforated pept. ulcer reported in the public health register of this period with only one exception in the year 1912. During the following 25 year period (1923-1948) 27 cases of an acute perforation and 8 cases of a subacute perforations (perf. larvata) of peptic ulcerations were admitted to and operated on in the St. Josephs Hospital and further 8 cases were given surgical treatment (reoperation) for the sequelae of an acute perforations that primarily had been operated on in other hospitals. There is thus a total of 42 cases as one of them is counted twice (in group 1 and 3).--In the first group there were two women, in the second group one woman and in the third group none.--The relation between the sexes thus being 39:3 for all three groups. Ulcers of the duodenum and pylorus were prevalent in all 3 groups (being 35 cases against 7 gastric ulcers). Two cases had perforated twice and 3 had perforated in the hospital. The treatment was surgical in all cases.--A simple closure of the ulcerperforation was made in 26 cases of the first group, but in one case a costal resection was done and no laparotomy. The immediate operative fatalities amongst those who underwent a laparotomy were 2 i. e. 7, 8 percent (or 7, 4 percent amongst all 27 cases). Eleven of the remaining 25 cases had to be reoperated on later because of the same disease or its complications (with one immediate fatality). Two more of them are dead, one from cancer of the stomach 5 years later (39 years old) and the other from a recurrent intestinal obstruction, the others (9) are still alive (1949) and are enjoying good health. Of the 14 not operated, 9 had a good or a fairly good result from the primary operation, 2 had a bad result and 2 have succumbed late on, one fram apoplexia, the other from an accident.--On couldn't be traced (foreigner). In the 2nd and 3rd group a G. E. anast. was done en 12 cases, an excision of the ulcer and G. E. anast., a gastrectomy and an exploratory laparatomy in one case each. In 14 cases the result has been good, bad in one case, they are all alive, with one exception, who died from cancer of the stomach five years later, at the age of 28. Approximately some 100 cases of an acute perforation of peptic ulceration are known to have had surgical treatment in all the hospitals of Iceland during this 25 year period (1923-1948). The immediate operative mortality as far as the author could trace amongst 87 of the cases does not seem to exceed 13 percent.


Development of an inertial piezoelectric pump with separable chamber.
This paper presents an inertial pump with rectangular piezoelectric actuators. The mass block adhered at the free end of the actuator increases the actuator deformation, and the pump chamber is separable. Theoretical and experimental analyses are conducted. The different drive modes with the mass block, different excitation electric signals, and their influence on the performance of the piezoelectric pump are investigated. The drive mode is divided into the mass block adhered with two rectangular piezoelectric actuators, one of the actuators, and actuators without mass blocks. The square wave, sine wave, and triangle wave constitute different excitation electric signals. The experimental results prove that the pump with the mass block adhered with two rectangular piezoelectric actuators and driven by the square wave has a wide working frequency range and high performance. The highest flow rate reached is 72 ml/min at 160 V, 20 Hz. The pump with the mass block adhered with one of the actuators and driven by the square wave generates the loudest noise of 97.6 dB at 160 V, 35 Hz.


A new knowledge structure for drug-drug interactions.
We developed a program to automatically screen patients' medication profiles for pairs of interacting drugs. Since some drug-drug interactions are indicated by changes in physiological parameters (e.g., ciprofloxacin and theophylline leading to an elevation of theophylline levels), the program considered the patients' relevant laboratory parameters prior to generating the alerts. We developed an editor to facilitate maintenance of the knowledge base. We evaluated the program for 3 weeks in two satellite pharmacies. The program reported 160 alerts of which 5 resulted in a change in the patients' therapies (one per 500 patient-days of care). These five interactions were potentially very serious. An additional 3 alerts led to changes in medication administration times. Subjectively, the program is well received and continues to be in routine clinical use.


Oncogenic ADAM28 induces gemcitabine resistance and predicts a poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, with a 5-year overall survival rate being below 5%. The main causes of poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer include easy metastasis, high recurrence rate, and robust drug resistance. Gemcitabine is a first-line drug for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. However, due to drug resistance, the clinical effect is not satisfactory. ADAM28 is reported as a tumor promoter in some cancers, but its role in pancreatic cancer and gemcitabine chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer has not been elucidated. To identify if ADAM28 can act as an important target to reverse the gemcitabine drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. RNA-sequence analysis was applied to explore the potential targets involved in the gemcitabine of pancreatic cancer. SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with an increased dose of gemcitabine, and the mRNA levels of ADAM28 were evaluated by RT-PCR. The protein and mRNA levels of ADAM28 were confirmed in the gemcitabine resistant and parallel SW1990 cells. The ADAM28 expression was also assessed in TCGA and GEO databases, and the results were confirmed in the collected tumor and adjacent normal tissues. The overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of pancreatic cancer patients with high ADAM28 level and low ADAM28 level in TCGA were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Furthermore, the OS rate was calculated in pancreatic cancer patients with high tumor mutation burden (TMB) and low TMB. CCK-8 assay was used to examine the effect of ADAM28 on the viability of SW1990 cells. The ADAM28 and its co-expressed genes were analyzed in the cBioPortal for cancer genomics and subjected to GSEA pathway analysis. The correlations of ADAM28 with GSTP1, ABCC1, GSTM4, and BCL2 were analyzed based on TCGA data on pancreatic cancer. RNA-sequence analysis identified that ADAM28 was overexpressed in gemcitabine-resistant cells, and gemcitabine treatment could induce the expression of ADAM28. The mRNA and protein levels of ADAM28 were elevated in gemcitabine-resistant SW1990 cells compared with parallel cells. Also, the expression of ADAM28 was upregulated in pancreatic tumor tissues against normal pancreatic tissues. Notably, ADAM28 was highly expressed in the classical type than in the basal tumor type. Furthermore, the high expression of ADAM28 was associated with low OS and RFS rates. Interestingly, the high levels of ADAM28 was associated with a significantly lower OS rate in the high TMB patients, but not in the low TMB patients. Moreover, overexpression of ADAM28 could reduce the cell viability inhibition by gemcitabine, and knockdown of ADAM28 could enhance the proliferation inhibition by gemcitabine. The GSEA analysis showed that ADAM28 was related to the regulation of drug metabolism, and ADAM28 was significantly positively correlated with GSTP1, ABCC1, GSTM4, and BCL2. This study demonstrates that ADAM28 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, and closely involved in the regulation of gemcitabine resistance. Overexpression of ADAM28 is a novel prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer.


Disparities in health care utilization by smoking status in Canada.
To examine the association between smoking status and the utilization of health care services in Canada. The study uses data from the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey, which contains information on the number of visits to general practitioner (GP), specialists (SP) and the number of nights spent in a hospital. The finite mixture estimation method is used in order to account for heterogeneity among smokers. Multivariate regression results indicate differential effects of smoking on health care utilization for at least two different groups of health care users: low and high users. In particular, we find that among the low-use group, smokers use less GP and SP services than never smokers. However, for the low-use and high-use groups, smokers have more hospitalizations than never smokers. The incidence of hospitalization is higher for the low-use group after controlling for need, socio-demographic characteristics and province fixed effects. Former smokers who recently quit use more health care services. Tobacco consumption elevates the use of health care services, especially among the high-use group.


Role of intracellular and extracellular annexin A1 in migration and invasion of human pancreatic carcinoma cells.
Annexin A1 (ANXA1), a 37 kDa multifunctional protein, is over-expressed in tissues from patients of pancreatic carcinoma (PC) where the protein seems to be associated with malignant transformation and poor prognosis. The expression and localization of ANXA1 in MIA PaCa-2, PANC-1, BxPC-3 and CAPAN-2 cells were detected by Western Blotting and Immunofluorescence assay. Expression and activation of Formyl Peptide Receptors (FPRs) were shown through flow cytometry/PCR and FURA assay, respectively. To investigate the role of ANXA1 in PC cell migration and invasion, we performed in vitro wound-healing and matrigel invasion assays. In all the analyzed PC cell lines, a huge expression and a variable localization of ANXA1 in sub-cellular compartments were observed. We confirmed the less aggressive phenotype of BxPC-3 and CAPAN-2 compared with PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells, through the evaluation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers. Then, we tested MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cell migration and invasiveness rate which was inhibited by specific ANXA1 siRNAs. Both the cell lines expressed FPR-1 and -2. Ac2-26, an ANXA1 mimetic peptide, induced intracellular calcium release, consistent with FPR activation, and significantly increased cell migration/invasion rate. Interestingly, in MIA PaCa-2 cells we found a cleaved form of ANXA1 (33 kDa) that localizes at cellular membranes and is secreted outside the cells, as confirmed by MS analysis. The importance of the secreted form of ANXA1 in cellular motility was confirmed by the administration of ANXA1 blocking antibody that inhibited migration and invasion rate in MIA PaCa-2 but not in PANC-1 cells that lack the 33 kDa ANXA1 form and show a lower degree of invasiveness. Finally, the treatment of PANC-1 cells with MIA PaCa-2 supernatants significantly increased the migration rate of these cells. This study provides new insights on the role of ANXA1 protein in PC progression. Our findings suggest that ANXA1 protein could regulate metastasis by favouring cell migration/invasion intracellularly, as cytoskeleton remodelling factor, and extracellularly like FPR ligand.


[Cost-benefit analysis of intraoperative 3D imaging].
With intraoperative 3D imaging, inevitable corrections may be done already during the operation, and a second procedure can be avoided. The purpose of this study was to perform a cost-benefit analysis during the first year of intraoperative 3D application in order to provide a cost transparency for the surgeon within the current DRG system. On the basis of internal data and the literature, the annual operating costs of the ISO-C(3D) were calculated at 27,940 euros (purchase price, depreciation, maintenance, repair), the costs of an average revision as a secondary operation at 2,385 euros (costs avoided with the ISO-C(3D), Siremobil, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany), and the dynamic costs of an intraoperative 3D scan were averaged to 131.08 euros (draping, additional time, personnel). In the year 2003 intraoperative 3D scanning was done in 126 patients, and intraoperative revision was performed in 24 (19%) due to the additional intraoperative 3D information provided by the Siremobil. In 11 (8.7%) patients the implant position was corrected and in 13 (10.3%) patients the reduction was improved. Taking only fixed costs into consideration, 29,311.52 euros could be saved, and when fixed and dynamic costs are taken into account 12,795.44 euros could be saved. Since the parameters for each hospital are different, the following formula for an individual computation is suitable. For the calculation of the cost the following mathematical relationship results: (annual fixed costs) + (costs per scan x number of cases) - (revision costs x revision rate [p]) x number of cases [N]) = 0. Although the costs of an ISO-C(3D) are considerably high, an economic benefit can also accrue with frequent application and high rates of avoided revision. However, if the rate of avoided revision adds up to only 5%, a substantial deficit may result.


Time trends and age-period-cohort analyses on incidence rates of thyroid cancer in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Increasing incidence rates of thyroid cancer have been noted worldwide, while the underlying reasons remain unclear. Using data from population-based cancer registries, we examined the time trends of thyroid cancer incidence in two largest cities in China, Shanghai and Hong Kong, during the periods 1973-2009 and 1983-2011, respectively. We further performed age-period-cohort analyses to address the possible underlying reasons for the observed temporal trends. We observed continuous increases in the incidence rates of thyroid cancer in Shanghai and Hong Kong, since the 1980s, in addition to higher incidence rates in the 1970s in both sexes in Shanghai. The age-standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer increased by 3.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0%, 5.1%] and 3.8% (95% CI: 1.9%, 5.7%) per year on average, respectively, in Shanghai men and women during the period 1973-2009, while it increased by 2.2% (95% CI: 1.5%, 2.8%) and 2.7% (1.6%, 3.8%) per year on average, respectively, in Hong Kong men and women during the period 1983-2011. We observed global changes in trends across all age groups in similar ways, in addition to varied trends across different generations (birth cohorts). The increased incidence rates of thyroid cancer in these two Chinese populations during recent decades may be contributable to a combination of the introduction of more sensitive diagnostic techniques and the increasing prevalence of environmental exposures in the populations.


Evolution of type-II hetero-strain cylindrical-gate-all-around nanowire FET for exploration and analysis of enriched performances.
The incubation of strained nano-system in the form of tri-layered structure as nanowire channel in the cylindrical-gate-all-around (CGAA) FET at 10 nm gate length is developed for the first time to keep abreast with the proposed 3 nm technology node of IRDS 2022. The system installs Type-II hetero-strain alignment in the channel attesting itself as the fastest operating device debasing the SCEs at nano regime. The ultra-thin strained-channel comprises of two cylindrical s-Si wells encompassing s-SiGe barrier in between, which enables improvement of carrier mobility by succumbing of quantum charge carriers in the region. This results in 2D charge centroid creation with cylindrical based circular Nano-system contemplating electrostatic potential difference leading to enriched electric field, current density and transconductance, while the gate-all-around architecture with increased gate controllability lowers leakage current, in the device. The 10 nm strained-channel CGAA astounded havoc ON current enhancements of ~ 20% over 22 nm strained CGAA, 57% over Si CGAA FET and 75% over proposed 3 nm technology node IRDS 2022 are accomplished. Hence, carrier mobility and velocity enriches instituting quasi-ballistic transport through the Nanowire channel, thereby augments in ~ 28% drain current so the 10 nm channel CGAA FET stands as the most suitable and improved device in nano regime.


Design of long oligonucleotide probes for functional gene detection in a microbial community.
Analysis of the functions of microorganisms and their dynamics in the environment is essential for understanding microbial ecology. For analysis of highly similar sequences of a functional gene family using microarrays, the previous long oligonucleotide probe design strategies have not been useful in generating probes. We developed a Hierarchical Probe Design (HPD) program that designs both sequence-specific probes and hierarchical cluster-specific probes from sequences of a conserved functional gene based on the clustering tree of the genes, specifically for analyses of functional gene diversity in environmental samples. HPD was tested on datasets for the nirS and pmoA genes. Our results showed that HPD generated more sequence-specific probes than several popular oligonucleotide design programs. With a combination of sequence-specific and cluster-specific probes, HPD generated a probe set covering all the sequences of each test set. http://brcapp.kribb.re.kr/HPD/


Evaluation of nested polymerase chain reaction, pepsin/trypsin digest, and histology for the detection of Myxobolus cerebralis in salmonid fishes of Indiana and Michigan.
The objectives of this study were to survey fish from state hatcheries in Indiana and Michigan and to compare the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with pepsin/trypsin digest (PTD) and histopathology for the diagnosis of whirling disease (WD). One group of 40 and 9 groups of 60 fish heads, for a total of 580 samples, were submitted from hatcheries in Indiana and Michigan. These samples were examined for myxozoan spores using histopathology, PTD, and PCR tests. The heads were hemisectioned, and one half was fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histopathologic examination. The other half was processed for PTD. Some of the sediment was examined for the presence of myxozoan spores, and the rest was prepared for the nested PCR. Histologic examinations did not reveal Myxobolus cerebralis in any of the 580 samples. One hundred serial step sections, taken at 5-microm intervals, were evaluated for samples with positive spore identification by PTD. Histologic examination of these sections failed to reveal any myxozoan parasites. Myxozoan spores were observed in 16.9% (98/580) of samples in sediment after PTD. Spores morphologically similar to those of M. cerebralis were observed in 1.0% of PTD samples (n = 6). The nested PCR indicated that M. cerebralis spores were present in 0.5% of samples (n = 3). All 3 nested PCR-positive samples came from the same hatchery, however, spores of M. cerebralis were seen in 1 sample, spores of other myxozoan species were seen in the second sample, and spores were not seen in the third sample. When comparing the PTD to the nested PCR test, the PTD diagnosed 1 true positive, 5 false positives, 2 false negatives, and 572 true negatives, for a sensitivity of 33% and a specificity of 99.1%. Screening for M. cerebrallis infection in this study indicated a low prevalence of the disease. Histopathology was a very insensitive indicator of WD. The PCR test was highly specific and was used to differentiate spores of M. cerebralis from similar spores of other species.


Noninvasive fetal RhD genotyping from maternal blood.
Rhesus (Rh) D blood group incompatibility between a pregnant woman and the fetus can occasionally cause maternal alloimmunization and hemolytic disease of the fetus and of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies. RHD genotyping of fetuses carried by RhD-negative women using fetal DNA obtained invasively through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling is an aid to the clinical management of these cases. Technological advances allow for accurate prediction of fetal RHD genotype using cell-free fetal DNA from maternal blood, thus overcoming the invasive procedures. Presently, many laboratories worldwide provide the test as a routine service for immunized women. Mass application of RhD noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for all fetuses carried by RhD-negative women is highly desirable so that unnecessary anti-D administration is avoided.


An empirical study on the influencing mechanism of Chinese university teachers' wellbeing.
Current studies on teachers' wellbeing are mainly on lowering stress or burnout. Few studies have noted that faculty wellbeing is related to teaching activities. Teaching engagement and teaching experience are important predictor variables of teachers' wellbeing, but the internal and external influencing mechanisms of teachers' wellbeing have not been clearly revealed. Based on the survey data of 7,408 teachers from 271 undergraduate colleges and universities across China, the internal and external influencing mechanisms of teaching engagement and teaching experience on teachers' wellbeing were investigated through multicluster structural equation modeling. The results were that teachers' wellbeing was influenced by both teaching engagement and teaching experience. Among teaching engagement, teachers' pre-class preparation and post-class communication positively influenced teaching experience, but in-class delivery negatively influenced teaching experience. Teaching experience partially mediates the relationship between engagement and wellbeing. At the level of internal influence, the more teachers identify with and feel accomplished by teaching, the more they invest time and energy in teaching; at the level of external influence, the school environment, leadership, and colleague support affect teachers' wellbeing through the teaching experience. Universities should offer good teaching hardware and software for teachers, provide adequate teaching support, especially encourage teacher-student communication after class, weaken the rigid constraints and controls on teachers' teaching in class, give teachers enough teaching autonomy, and reduce their teaching burden to inspire teachers to be more actively involved in teaching, improve their teaching experience, and thus enhance their sense of wellbeing.


Molecular Basis for Bacterial Growth on Citrate or Malonate.
Environmental citrate or malonate is degraded by a variety of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria. For selected examples, the genes encoding the specific enzymes of the degradation pathway are described together with the encoded proteins and their catalytic mechanisms. Aerobic bacteria degrade citrate readily by the basic enzyme equipment of the cell if a specific transporter for citrate is available. Anaerobic degradation of citrate in Klebsiella pneumoniae requires the so-called substrate activation module to convert citrate into its thioester with the phosphoribosyl dephospho-CoA prosthetic group of citrate lyase. The citryl thioester is subsequently cleaved into oxaloacetate and the acetyl thioester, from which a new citryl thioester is formed as the turnover continues. The degradation of malonate likewise includes a substrate activation module with a phosphoribosyl dephospho-CoA prosthetic group. The machinery gets ready for turnover after forming the acetyl thioester with the prosthetic group. The acetyl residue is then exchanged by a malonyl residue, which is easily decarboxylated with the regeneration of the acetyl thioester. This equipment suffices for aerobic growth on malonate, since ATP is produced via the oxidation of acetate. Anaerobic growth on citrate or malonate, however, depends on additional enzymes of a so-called energy conservation module. This allows the conversion of decarboxylation energy into an electrochemical gradient of Na+ ions. In citrate-fermenting K. pneumoniae, the Na+ gradient is formed by the oxaloacetate decarboxylase and mainly used to drive the active transport of citrate into the cell. To use this energy source for this purpose is possible, since ATP is generated by substrate phosphorylation in the well-known sequence from pyruvate to acetate. In the malonate-fermenting bacterium Malonomonas rubra, however, no reactions for substrate level phosphorylation are available and the Na+ gradient formed in the malonate decarboxylation reaction must therefore be used as the driving force for ATP synthesis.


[Obstetric dermatoses].
The specific dermatoses of pregnancy are rare and consist of pemphigoid gestationis (PG), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy. The dermatoses are characterized by pruritus, and they are important to recognize since PG and ICP increase the risk of prematurity, fetal distress and stillbirth. Diagnosis is based on medical history, morphology, blood sample and biopsy. The dermatoses are treated with respectively ursodeoxycholic acid (in case of ICP) and steroids. Breast-feeding is recommended and induction of labour is not normally indicated.


Brain Ca2+/Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and seasonal adaptation of the Djungarian dwarf hamster Phodopus sungorus.
1. Of three sets of Djungarian dwarf hamster, two groups were raised during winter under greatly differing circumstances. One winter group was raised within a climate controlled cage in which the ambient temperature was maintained at 22 degrees C and whereby conditions of light vs darkness were maintained in a constant 12 hr cycle. The second winter group was raised out of doors whereby the hamsters were subjected to prevailing seasonal environmental conditions. A third group was studied under summer conditions, as well. Ca(2+)-, Mg(2+)- and (Ca2+/Mg2+)-ATPase activity was analysed in cellular (= total homogenate) and subcellular fractions (P1-, synaptosomal fraction, synaptic membranes) from cortex, cerebellum and basal brain. 2. The data obtained indicate similar ATPase activity in the cortical homogenates of the winter indoor and summer hamsters. 3. Winter outdoor animals experiencing normal torpidity, however, exhibited reduced ATPase activity by about 50%. 4. Cortical subcellular fractions yielded different results: both the winter and the summer groups showed high ATPase activity in the synaptosomal and synaptic membrane fractions. 5. In the total cerebellar homogenate, the hamsters raised under summer and winter conditions showed the greatest enzyme activity, although less activity was seen in the subcellular fractions. 6. The ATPase activity in the basal brain was found to be nearly identical in all three hamster groups.


Friction and shear fracture of an adhesive contact under torsion.
The shear failure or stiction of an adhesive contact between a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) rubber and a glass lens has been investigated using a torsional contact configuration. As compared to linear sliding, torsion presents the advantage of inducing a shear failure under a pure mode III condition, while preserving the cylindrical symmetry of the contact. The surface of the transparent PDMS substrate was marked using a network of dots in order to monitor continuously the in-plane surface displacements during the stiction process. Using a previously developed inversion procedure (A. Chateauminois and C. Fretigny, Eur. Phys. J. E 27, 221 (2008)), the corresponding surface shear stress distributions were obtained from the displacement fields. Stiction was found to involve the progressive shrinkage of a central adhesive zone surrounded by an annular microslip region. Adhesion effects were especially evidenced from a stress overshoot at the boundary of the adhesive zone. The experimental data were analysis using an extension to torsional contact of the Maugis-Dugdale approach's to adhesive contacts which takes into account frictional effects. This model allowed to extract an effective adhesion energy in the presence of friction, which dependence on kinetics effect is briefly discussed.


Profiling of the anti-malarial drug candidate SC83288 against artemisinins in Plasmodium falciparum.
The increased resistance of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to currently employed drugs creates an urgent call for novel anti-malarial drugs. Particularly, efforts should be devoted to developing fast-acting anti-malarial compounds in case clinical resistance increases to the first-line artemisinin-based combination therapy. SC83288, an amicarbalide derivative, is a clinical development candidate for the treatment of severe malaria. SC83288 is fast-acting and able to clear P. falciparum parasites at low nanomolar concentrations in vitro, as well as in a humanized SCID mouse model system in vivo. In this study, the antiplasmodial activity of SC83288 against artemisinins was profiled in order to assess its potential to replace, or be combined with, artemisinin derivatives. Based on growth inhibition and ring survival assays, no cross-resistance was observed between artemisinins and SC83288, using parasite lines that were resistant to either one of these drugs. In addition, no synergistic or antagonistic interaction was observed between the two drugs. This study further confirmed that SC83288 is a fast acting drug in several independent assays. Combinations of SC83288 and artesunate maintained the rapid parasite killing activities of both components. The results obtained in this study are consistent with artemisinins and SC83288 having distinct modes of action and different mechanisms of resistance. This study further supports efforts to continue the clinical development of SC83288 against severe malaria as an alternative to artemisinins in areas critically affected by artemisinin-resistance. Considering its fast antiplasmodial activity, SC83288 could be combined with a slow-acting anti-malarial drug.


Short-term in-vitro culture and cryopreservation of spermatogenic cells used for human in-vitro conception.
Testicular cell suspensions were prepared from obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic men and were cultured in vitro for 96 h as (i) mixed cell populations and (ii) isolated homogeneous populations of primary spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongating spermatids. The cells lost their viability gradually during the first 24 h period. By 72 h almost 90% of the cells were non-viable. Isolated pure fractions showed better viability at each time interval (P < 0.0005). Throughout the culture period primary spermatocytes, elongating spermatids and other non-spermatogenic cells showed no change in their morphology, but almost 22% of round spermatids showed growth of flagella. Most of the round spermatids developed their flagella during the first 4-8 h period of culture. Isolated pure round spermatids showed better flagellar growth compared with mixed cell suspensions (P < 0.0005). The spermatogenic cells were successfully cryopreserved. However, when mixed spermatogenic cell suspensions were cryopreserved, more cells lost their viability compared with when isolated pure fractions were cryopreserved (P < 0.0005).


Autostereoscopy-based three-dimensional on-machine measuring system for micro-structured surfaces.
Traditional off-line measuring systems find it difficult to measure micro-structured workpieces which have a large volume and heavy weight, such as micro-structured patterned precision roller drums. This paper proposes an autostereoscopy-based three-dimensional (3D) measuring method and develops an innovative measuring system for the 3D on-machine measurement of the micro-structured surfaces, an Autostereoscopy-based Three-Dimensional On-machine Measuring (ATDOM) system. The ATDOM system is compact and capable of fast data acquisition and high accuracy in 3D computational reconstruction of complex surfaces under different measuring environments. A prototype ATDOM system is experimentally verified through a series of measurement experiments conducted on a precision machine tool. The results indicate that the ATDOM system provides an important means for efficient and reliable on-machine measurement of micro-structured surfaces.