Analysis of contextualized intensity in Men's elite handball using graph-based deep learning.
Manual annotation of data in invasion games is a costly task which poses a natural limit on sample sizes and the level of granularity used in match and performance analyses. To overcome this challenge, this work introduces FAUPA-ML, a Framework for Automatic Upscaled Performance Analysis with Machine Learning, which leverages graph neural networks to scale domain-specific expert knowledge to large data sets. Networks were trained using position data of match phases (counter/position attacks), annotated manually by domain experts in 10 matches. The best network was applied to contextualize N = 539 matches of elite handball (2019/20-2021/22 German Men's Handball Bundesliga) with 86% balanced accuracy. Distance covered, speed, metabolic power, and metabolic work were calculated for attackers and defenders and differences between counters and position attacks across seasons analyzed with an ANOVA. Results showed that counter attacks are shorter, less frequent and more intense than position attacks and that attacking is more intense than defending. Findings show that FAUPA-ML generates accurate replications of expert knowledge that can be used to gain insights in performance analysis previously deemed infeasible. Future studies can use FAUPA-ML for large-scale, contextualized analyses that investigate influences of team strength, score-line, or team tactics on performance.


The involvement of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 in neutrophil recruitment in LPS-induced inflammation and in Mycobacterium avium infection.
Knockout mice for CXC receptor 2 (CXCR2) chemokine receptor were used to study the recruitment of neutrophils during acute and chronic inflammatory responses. When treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), either intraperitoneally or intratracheally, these animals had a significant reduction in the neutrophil recruitment in the first 24-48 h as compared with control mice. During 15 days of intraperitoneal infection by Mycobacterium avium, the knockout mice showed significantly reduced numbers of neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity as compared with the control mice. In contrast, the recruitment of neutrophils to the lungs during an aerogenic M. avium infection was not affected by the CXCR2 mutation throughout the 60 days of the study. Finally, we could not find any impact of the mutation on the mycobacterial growth of the infected animals. These findings indicate that CXCR2 may be essentially involved in acute inflammatory responses where an early and rapid recruitment of neutrophils is observed.


Static FT imaging spectrometer based on a modified waveguide MZI array.
We proposed a large aperture push-broom static Fourier transform (FT) imaging spectrometer for hyper-spectral imaging. The spectroscopic system was based on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, consisting of spot size converters, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) array, and a detector array. The arm length differences of the 201 MZI arrays are linearly varied. It is one on-chip FT spectrometer operating in a large spectral range from 1100 to 1700 nm with a resolution of 24 cm-1 and small foot print (chip size: 11 mm×15 mm). The waveguide-MZI-based large aperture push-broom FT spectrometer can provide a compact solution for high spectral resolution remote sensing in both the fore-optic lens and the spectroscopic system.


A field application of the ASAM placement criteria in a 12-step model of treatment for chemical dependency.
Procedures followed in the development of a standardized method of rating patient behavior relevant to engaging in a 12 step model of recovery are presented in the context of deriving an empirical cross-walk for the ASAM PPC. This instrument permits addictions counselors to rate the severity of operationally defined behaviors on each of the six criteria dimensions identified in the adaptation of the PPC by the WV Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for use in the 14 member community mental health centers funded by the state. Substance dependent adults (N = 78), who self-selected either residential or partial day treatment at EastRidge's Addictions Treatment Center were evaluated with this procedure over a nine month period. Intercorrelations of ratings on six criteria dimensions at intake ranged from .053 to .576 and after an average length of stay of 18 days, behavioral severity on all dimensions was significantly reduced (p < .0001) on the discharge evaluation with this tool. An empirically based, treatment matching matrix, was constructed from confidence intervals calculated obtained from intake data to form norm referenced ranges for four levels of care (which equate to PPC-2 Levels: III.5, II.5, II.2, I). The utility of this methodology in facilitating the application of the WVPC and PPC-2, and the potential of the DRS as a multiple baseline measure in treatment outcome research is discussed.


Assessment of changes in the body composition in patients qualified for the operational treatment of the primary and metastatic liver tumors with the use of bioelectric impedance.
Resection is an optimal way of treatment of hepatic tumors and metastasis from another organ. The operational injury may influence on patients body composition examined by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Analysis of parameters may be helpful in identifying early changes indicating of deterioration in nutritional status. was to assess changes in body composition of patients before and after resection of liver tumors and potential radiofrequency ablation of lesions. The study included a group of 50 patients of the Department of General, Gastroenterological and Oncological Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, who were qualified for radical surgical treatment of tumors within the liver. Data on water content, fat, muscle and cell mass were analyzed. Comparing data obtained from patients before and after intervention in the liver, statistically significant (p <0.05) loss of intracellular water, muscle mass, cell mass, as well as adipose tissue, was demonstrated. The phase angle value in these patients also significantly changed, decreasing by an average of 0.61°. On the other hand, the increase in content was noted in the case of extracellular water. Surgical intervention within the liver causes noticeable, unfavorable changes in the body composition, as evidenced by the reduction in the value of muscle mass, as well as cellular mass, resulting in a decrease in the phase angle. Bioelectric impedance is a suitable method for assessing changes in body composition of patients undergoing liver resection and is useful in clinical practice. It is advisable to conduct further research in the group of patients undergoing invasive treatment of the liver due to: an increasing number of such operations and centers where this type of surgical intervention is performed.


Discriminating Susceptibility of Xanthine Oxidoreductase Family to Metals.
The xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) family are metal-containing enzymes that use the molybdenum cofactor (Moco), 2Fe-2S clusters, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) for their catalytic activity. This large molybdoenzyme family includes xanthine, aldehyde, and CO dehydrogenases. XORs are widely distributed from bacteria to humans due to their key roles in the catabolism of purines, aldehydes, drugs, and xenobiotics, as well as interconversions between CO and CO2. Assessing the effect of excess metals on the Rubrivivax gelatinosus bacterium, we found that exposure to copper (Cu) or cadmium (Cd) caused a dramatic decrease in the activity of a high-molecular-weight soluble complex exhibiting nitroblue tetrazolium reductase activity. Mass spectrometry and genetic analyses showed that the complex corresponds to a putative CO dehydrogenase (pCOD). Using mutants that accumulate either Cu+ or Cd2+ in the cytoplasm, we show that Cu+ or Cd2+ is a potent inhibitor of XORs (pCOD and the xanthine dehydrogenase [XDH]) in vivo. This is the first in vivo demonstration that Cu+ affects Moco-containing enzymes. The specific inhibitory effect of these compounds on the XOR activity is further supported in vitro by direct addition of competing metals to protein extracts. Moreover, emphasis is given on the inhibitory effect of Cu on bovine XOR, showing that the XOR family could be a common target of Cu. Given the conservation of XOR structure and function across the tree of life, we anticipate that our findings could be transferable to other XORs and organisms. IMPORTANCE The high toxicity of Cu, Cd, Pb, As, and other metals arises from their ability to cross membranes and target metalloenzymes in the cytoplasm. Identifying these targets provides insights into the toxicity mechanisms. The vulnerability of metalloenzymes arises from the accessibility of their cofactors to ions. Accordingly, many enzymes whose cofactors are solvent exposed are likely to be targets of competing metals. Here, we describe for the first time, with in vivo and in vitro experiments, a direct effect of excess Cu on the xanthine oxidoreductase family (XOR/XDH/pCOD). We show that toxic metal affects these Moco enzymes, and we suggest that access to the Moco center by Cu ions could explain the Cu inhibition of XORs in living organisms. Human XOR activity is associated with hyperuricemia, xanthinuria, gout arthritis, and other diseases. Our findings in vivo highlight XOR as a Cu target and thus support the potential use of Cu in metal-based therapeutics against these diseases.


Construction of possible integrated predictive index based on EGFR and ANXA3 polymorphisms for chemotherapy response in fluoropyrimidine-treated Japanese gastric cancer patients using a bioinformatic method.
Variability in drug response between individual patients is a serious concern in medicine. To identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to drug response variability, many genome-wide association studies have been conducted. We previously applied a knowledge-based bioinformatic approach to a pharmacogenomics study in which 119 fluoropyrimidine-treated gastric cancer patients were genotyped at 109,365 SNPs using the Illumina Human-1 BeadChip. We identified the SNP rs2293347 in the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene as a novel genetic factor related to chemotherapeutic response. In the present study, we reanalyzed these hypothesis-free genomic data using extended knowledge. We identified rs2867461 in annexin A3 (ANXA3) gene as another candidate. Using logistic regression, we confirmed that the performance of the rs2867461 + rs2293347 model was superior to those of the single factor models. Furthermore, we propose a novel integrated predictive index (iEA) based on these two polymorphisms in EGFR and ANXA3. The p value for iEA was 1.47 × 10(-8) by Fisher's exact test. Recent studies showed that the mutations in EGFR is associated with high expression of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, which is an inactivating and rate-limiting enzyme for fluoropyrimidine, and suggested that the combination of chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine and EGFR-targeting agents is effective against EGFR-overexpressing gastric tumors, while ANXA3 overexpression confers resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the EGFR pathway. These results suggest that the iEA index or a combination of polymorphisms in EGFR and ANXA3 may serve as predictive factors of drug response, and therefore could be useful for optimal selection of chemotherapy regimens.


Multi-Site Harmonization of Diffusion MRI Data via Method of Moments.
Diffusion MRI is a powerful tool for non-invasive probing of brain tissue microstructure. Recent multi-center efforts in the acquisition and analysis of diffusion MRI data significantly increase sample sizes and hence improve sensitivity and reliability in detecting subtle changes associated with development, aging, and diseases. However, discrepancies resulting from different scanner vendors, acquisition protocols, and image reconstruction algorithms can cause data incompatibility across imaging centers. In this paper, we introduce a model-free method that is based on the method of moments for the direct harmonization of diffusion MRI data to reduce site-specific variations. Our method directly harmonizes diffusion-attenuated signal without the need to fit any diffusion model. Moreover, our method allows the explicit definition of well-behaved mapping functions with properties such as invertibility, smoothness, and injectivity. We show that our method is effective in lowering the variations of diffusion scalars of traveling human phantoms scanned at different sites from 1%-3% to less than 0.9% for fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity and from 1%-2.5% to 0.3%-1.2% for generalized FA. We also demonstrate its ability in preserving individual differences and in increasing across-site consistency in tractography and white matter connectivity.


[Body fluids ratio and postural stability of head-down tilted apes in the periods of transition into the active vertical position].
It is known that the hypokinetic syndrome and alteration of the hydrostatic component by microgravity distort functioning of various body systems. Prevention of the adverse effects is achieved through implementation of a variety of physical exercises during tilting, and periodic transition into the upright position. The investigation was performed with 11 Macaques (Macaca mulatta) 3 to 5 yrs. of age and 3.2-7.2 kg of weight. Brief (for 30 to 120 min 4 or 5 times a wk.) transition into the active upright position had a positive effect on the body liquids ratio modification in the course of 27-d HDT (-5 degrees). This was concluded from a less pronounced loss in the amount of extracellular liquid and its interstitial component. In addition, another positive result of this manipulation was less, in terms of volume and speed, significant gravity-dependent blood flow toward the lower limbs during 10 minutes of standing test at the end of the experiment as compared with their controls w/o the preventive manipulation.


Patient falls in the operating room setting: An analysis of reported safety events.
Patient falls are a preventable public health problem, and they are among the most reported safety incidents in the hospital. We used a hospital safety reporting system to examine the nature of reported falls in the perioperative setting at an academic tertiary center. In this retrospective study, reports of perioperative safety events listed as "Falls" between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed for severity level and specific event type. Out of 8337 safety reports from 2014 to 2020, 86 were "fall" related (1%). The most common "fall" event type was "ambulating with assistance and the severity level reported was mainly level 1 (no harm, did reach patient, 63%) followed by level 2 (temporary or minor harm, 28%). One of the most frequently reported types of perioperative falls was from a bed or stretcher (15% of falls)". Our safety data reporting system identified falls as a safety event that causes patient harm in the perioperative setting that could be preventable with a multifaceted interdisciplinary approach. Risk managers can use these data to implement strategies to reduce falls such as creating screening protocols to identify high-risk patients, educating and training healthcare personnel, and optimizing operating room, hospital, and equipment design.


The Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database: crystallization procedures and strategies.
The Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database (BMCD) archives crystallization data from published reports for all forms of biological macromolecules that have produced crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. The information includes the crystallization conditions, crystal data, comments about the crystallization procedure and information on the biological macromolecule or biological macromolecule complex. Crystallization procedures, including fast screens and more general procedures, can be developed effectively using this web-based resource (http://wwwbmcd.nist.gov:8080/bmcd/bmcd.html).


Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Determination of Estrogens in Water by ESI-MS/FAPA-MS.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of estrogens content in natural water is a difficult task. An important problem in the analysis of hormones in water is the quantitative determination of their individual species. Low detection limits and instability of estrogen derivatives are the main challenges. Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (mag-MIPs) in combination with Flowing Atmospheric-Pressure Afterglow Mass Spectrometry (FAPA-MS) were successfully used for analysis of estrogen hormones in water samples. The aim of the study was to obtain mag-MIPs selective to estrone (E1) and β-estradiol (E2) for solid phase extraction and pre-concentration of estrogens. Due to their superior analyte binding properties at low concentrations (0.03 g in 1 g of polymer structure) and possibility of magnetic separation, mag-MIPs were proven to be very convenient and efficient adsorbent materials. In addition, MS analyses were performed using two ionization sources: ESI- and FAPA-MS. For both estrogens, LOD was significantly lower for FAPA-MS analysis (0.135 μgL-1 for E1 and E2) than for ESI-MS analysis (27 μgL-1 for E1 and 13.6 μgL-1 for E2). The total estrogen concentration in the environmental water sample was determined as: cE1 = 0.271 μgL-1 and cE2 = 0.275 μgL-1.


Personality dimensions of haemodialysis patients related to initial renal disease.
The aim of the study was to investigate personality dimensions in uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD. The relationship between the disease that led to renal failure (and the subsequent need for haemodialysis) and the personality of the haemodialysis patients in question were investigated. In the present study, which was conducted in three Greek hospitals, 103 patients were analysed and compared to 138 control patients matching the groups according to their age, sex and place of residence. The investigation was conducted using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), a reliable method for clinical studies that measures three dimensions of personality: neuroticism, psychoticism and introverted/extroverted. The results from the EPQ were compared to the three disease categories that cause renal failure: glomerulonephritis, polycystic disease, and vascular disease. It was concluded that haemodialysis systematically affected all three scales of personality disorders in the patients. Male patients scored higher in neuroticism, while female patients appeared to score higher in psychoticism. Renal disease, the responsible factor for renal failure and the need for haemodialysis, significantly affected personality disorders. The findings show that dialysis modality influences the personalities of patients, and that initial renal disease must be strongly considered in the psychosocial evaluation and care of these patients.


Radioisotope-guided laparoscopy: a case report and description of an alternative surgical technique.
Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer type among men worldwide. With the development of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine technologies, early diagnosis is increasingly common, and the possibility of using new minimally invasive techniques increases. With a narrative review of the literature, this case report describes an alternative radioisotope-guided laparoscopy technique for tumors in the peritoneal cavity. There may be benefits in associating nuclear medicine techniques in the management of patients with non-palpable tumors that are difficult to locate in the peritoneal cavity, enabling the use of less invasive and safer surgical procedures for diagnosis, staging and treatment.


[From the bariatric surgery history to select operation procedure].
Bariatric surgery has developed in western countries for more than 50 years. With the increase of obese patients in China, the surgical treatment of obesity anf diabetes become acceptable. it is important to review the history of bariatric surgery and summarize suitable procedures for Chinese bariatric surgery including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric band. Appropriate procedure selection is made according to the condition of patients and their desire. It is very important to follow up all the patients postoperatively, and achieve the best bariatric outcomes.


A repressor complex governs the integration of flowering signals in Arabidopsis.
Multiple genetic pathways act in response to developmental cues and environmental signals to promote the floral transition, by regulating several floral pathway integrators. These include FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1). We show that the flowering repressor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) is controlled by the autonomous, thermosensory, and gibberellin pathways, and directly represses SOC1 transcription in the shoot apex and leaf. Moreover, FT expression in the leaf is also modulated by SVP. SVP protein associates with the promoter regions of SOC1 and FT, where another potent repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) binds. SVP consistently interacts with FLC in vivo during vegetative growth and their function is mutually dependent. Our findings suggest that SVP is another central regulator of the flowering regulatory network, and that the interaction between SVP and FLC mediated by various flowering genetic pathways governs the integration of flowering signals.


Excretion of vancomycin-resistant enterococci by wild mammals.
A survey of fecal samples found enterococcal excretion in 82% of 388 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), 92% of 131 woodmice (Apodemus sylvaticus), and 75% of 165 badgers (Meles meles). Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, all Enterococcus faecium of vanA genotype, were excreted by 4.6% of the woodmice and 1.2% of the badgers, but by none of the bank voles.


Strategies to fight low-cost rivals.
Companies find it challenging and yet strangely reassuring to take on opponents whose strategies, strengths, and weaknesses resemble their own. Their obsession with familiar rivals, however, has blinded them to threats from disruptive, low-cost competitors. Successful price warriors, such as the German retailer Aldi, are changing the nature of competition by employing several tactics: focusing on just one or a few consumer segments, delivering the basic product or providing one benefit better than rivals do, and backing low prices with superefficient operations. Ignoring cutprice rivals is a mistake because they eventually force companies to vacate entire market segments. Price wars are not the answer, either: Slashing prices usually lowers profits for incumbents without driving the low-cost entrants out of business. Companies take various approaches to competing against cut-price players. Some differentiate their products--a strategy that works only in certain circumstances. Others launch low-cost businesses of their own, as many airlines did in the 1990s--a so-called dual strategy that succeeds only if companies can generate synergies between the existing businesses and the new ventures, as the financial service providers HSBC and ING did. Without synergies, corporations are better off trying to transform themselves into low-cost players, a difficult feat that Ryanair accomplished in the 1990s, or into solution providers. There will always be room for both low-cost and value-added players. How much room each will have depends not only on the industry and customers' preferences, but also on the strategies traditional businesses deploy.


Compartmentalization of certain components of the protein synthesis apparatus in mammalian cells.
A comparative study on the localization of free cytosolic tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) and several components of the multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) complex (glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (GluProRS), arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS)), and two non-synthetase polypeptides p38 and p43 has been carried out on ultrathin sections of cultured rabbit kidney cells by the immunogold technique using monoclonal antibodies raised against appropriate polypeptides. It has been shown that GluProRS, ArgRS and p38 polypeptide are distributed in the cells similarly to TrpRS and are located mainly in the vicinity of ribosomes. A smaller but significant portion of these proteins has been observed in the nuclei in the diffuse chromatin regions and in the vicinity of interchromatin granules. On the contrary, the main part of p43 protein was found in the cell nuclei; this indicates that this protein may exist in the cell separately from the cytoplasmic multi-ARS complex. Our results argue in favor of compartmentalization of both free ARS (such as TrpRS) and the multi-ARS complex in the vicinity of ribosomes. At the same time, the detection of some ARS in the diffuse chromatin regions in the nucleus implies that these enzymes may exhibit some non-canonical functions in addition to their role in protein synthesis.


Network analysis of common genes related to esophageal, gastric, and colon cancers.
The aim of this study was to provide a biomarker panel for esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers. It can help introducing some diagnostic biomarkers for these diseases. Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) including esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers are the most common cancers in the world which are usually diagnosed in the final stages and due to heterogeneity of these diseases, the treatments usually are not successful. For this reason, many studies have been conducted to discover predictive biomarkers. In the present study, 507 genes related to esophageal, gastric and colon cancers were extracted.. The network was constructed by Cytoscape software (version 3.4.0). Then a main component of the network was analyzed considering centrality parameters including degree, betweenness, closeness and stress. Three clusters of the protein network accompanied with their seed nodes were determined by MCODE application in Cytoscape software. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the key genes in combination to the seed nodes was performed. The network of 17 common differential expressed genes in three esophageal, gastric and colon adenocarcinomas including 1730 nodes and 9188 edges were constructed. Eight crucial genes were determined. Three Clusters of the network were analyzed by GO analysis. The analyses of common genes of the three cancers showed that there are some common crucial genes including TP53, EGFR, MYC, AKT1, CDKN2A, CCND1 and HSP90AA1 which are tightly related to gastrointestinal cancers and can be predictive biomarkers for these cancers.


The fabrication of ordered arrays of exchange biased Ni/FeF2 nanostructures.
The fabrication of ordered arrays of exchange biased Ni/FeF(2) nanostructures by focused ion beam lithography is reported. High quality nano-elements, with controlled removal depth and no significant re-deposition, were carved using small ion beam currents (30 pA), moderate dwell times (1 micros) and repeated passages over the same area. Two types of nanostructures were fabricated: square arrays of circular dots with diameters from 125 +/- 8 to 500 +/- 12 nm and periodicities ranging from 200 +/- 8 to 1000 +/- 12 nm, and square arrays of square antidots (207 +/- 8 nm in edge length) with periodicities ranging from 300 +/- 8 to 1200 +/- 12 nm. The arrays were characterized using scanning ion and electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The effect of the patterning on the exchange bias field (i.e., the shift in the hysteresis loop of ferromagnetic Ni due to proximity to antiferromagnetic FeF(2)) was studied using magneto-transport measurements. These high quality nanostructures offer a unique method to address some of the open questions regarding the microscopic origin of exchange bias. This is not only of major relevance in the fabrication and miniaturization of magnetic devices but it is also one of the important proximity phenomena in nanoscience and materials science.


Neurogenic bladder dysfunction does not correlate with astrocyte and microglia activation produced by graded force in a contusion-induced spinal cord injury.
Rodent models for the study of neurogenic bladder dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI) are difficult to standardize, particularly when evaluating the specific contribution of the SCI to end-organ function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of bladder dysfunction associated with a highly reproducible, contusion-induced SCI in female rats. An infinite horizon impactor was used to create a contusion SCI with a magnitude of either 100 or 150 kDyne at the T8/T9 thoracic region of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Locomotor function, and the presence of astrocytes (positive regions for Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) and microglia (positive cells for the integrin CD11b) at the SCI site were determined at four weeks after SCI. Similarly, cystometric properties were characterized in urethane anesthetized rats at four weeks post-SCI. The significant increases in astrocyte and microglia in the T8/T9 region in all of the SCI animals did not correlate with locomotor impairment or bladder dysfunction. After performing the cystometric studies substantial differences were found in both SCI groups when compared to intact animals, specifically a high frequency of non-voiding contractions, different durations for intraluminal pressure-high frequency oscillations, intercontractile intervals, impaired micturition volumes, and estimated voiding efficiency. These results suggest that a contusion SCI can increase microglia and astrocyte activation without a strong association with bladder dysfunction. The present study will be important for precise considerations about correlating the intensity of an SCI with impairment outcomes at both locomotor or organ function levels.


Secondary motion in three-dimensional branching networks.
A major aim of the present work is to understand and thoroughly document the generation, the three-dimensional distribution, and the evolution of the secondary motion as the fluid progresses downstream through a branched network. Six generations (G0-G5) of branches (involving 63 straight portions and 31 bifurcation modules) are computed in one go; such computational challenges are rarely taken in the literature. More than 30 × 106 computational elements are employed for high precision of computed results and fine quality of the flow visualization diagrams. The study of co-planar vis-à-vis non-planar space-filling configurations establishes a quantitative evaluation of the dependence of the fluid dynamics on the three-dimensional arrangement of the same individual branches. As compared to the secondary motion in a simple curved pipe, three distinctive features, viz., the change of shape and size of the flow-cross-section, the division of non-uniform primary flow in a bifurcation module, and repeated switchover from clockwise to anticlockwise curvature and vice versa in the flow path, make the present situation more complex. It is shown that the straight portions in the network, in general, attenuate the secondary motion, while the three-dimensionally complex bifurcation modules generate secondary motion and may alter the number, arrangement, and structure of vortices. A comprehensive picture of the evolution of quantitative flow visualizations of the secondary motion is achieved by constructing contours of secondary velocity [Formula: see text], streamwise vorticity [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] iso-surfaces. It is demonstrated, for example, that for in-plane configuration, the vortices on any plane appear in pair (i.e., for each clockwise rotating vortex, there is an otherwise identical anticlockwise vortex), whereas the vortices on a plane for the out-of-plane configuration may be dissimilar, and there may even be an odd number of vortices. We have formulated three new parameters (ES/P , [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) for a quantitative description of the overall features of the secondary flow field. [Formula: see text] represents a non-uniformity index of the secondary flow in an individual branch, ES/P represents the mass-flow-averaged relative kinetic energy of the secondary motion in an individual branch, and [Formula: see text] provides a measure of the non-uniformity of the secondary flow between various branches of the same generation Gn. The repeated enhancement of the secondary kinetic energy in the bifurcation modules is responsible for the occurrence of significant values of ES/P even in generation G5. For both configurations, it is found that for any bifurcation module, the value of ES/P is greater in that daughter branch in which the mass-flow rate is greater. Even though the various contour plots of the complex secondary flow structure appear visually very different from one another, the values of [Formula: see text] are found to lie within a small range ([Formula: see text]) for the six-generation networks studied. It is shown that [Formula: see text] grows as the generation number Gn increases. It is established that the out-of-plane configuration, in general, creates more secondary kinetic energy (higher ES/P ), a similar level of non-uniformity in the secondary flow in an individual branch (similar [Formula: see text]), and a significantly lower level of non-uniformity in the distribution of secondary motion among various branches of the same generation (much lower [Formula: see text]), as compared to the in-plane arrangement of the same branches.


Prognostic role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in lung cancers: a meta-analysis including 7,054 patients.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has recently been reported to be a poor prognostic indicator in lung cancer. However, the prognostic value of the NLR in patients with lung cancer still remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of NLR in patients with lung cancer. We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Ovid, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases in May 2015. Studies were assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twenty-two studies with a total of 7,054 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed to generate combined hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Our analysis results indicated that high NLR predicted poorer OS (HR, 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.71; P<0.001) and PFS (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.07-1.67; P=0.012) in patients with lung cancer. High NLR was also associated with poor OS in lung cancer treated by surgical resection (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.26-1.99; P<0.001) and chemotherapy (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.08-1.22; P<0.001). In addition, NLR cut-off value =5 (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.16-2.12; P=0.003) and NLR cut-off value <5 (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.28-1.69; P<0.001). This meta-analysis result suggested that NLR should have significant predictive ability for estimating OS and PFS in patients with lung cancer and may be as a significant biomarker in the prognosis of lung cancer.


Mourning: a concern for medical-surgical nurses.
Medical-surgical nurses working in a variety of settings with dying patients and their families play an important role in facilitating grieving. They can do much to help dying patients have a more peaceful death by listening to them. They can facilitate healing among families prior to death. They can help surviving family members begin a more healthy pattern of mourning. The tasks of mourning offer a useful guide for responding to the needs of the bereaved from a variety of cultural perspectives. Nurses can gain a greater sense of satisfaction in working with dying patients and grieving survivors by incorporating this framework into their practice.


Deformation of cross-linked semiflexible polymer networks.
Networks of filamentous proteins play a crucial role in cell mechanics. These cytoskeletal networks, together with various cross-linking and other associated proteins largely determine the (visco)elastic response of cells. In this Letter we study a model system of cross-linked, stiff filaments in order to explore the connection between the microstructure under strain and the macroscopic response of cytoskeletal networks. We find two distinct regimes as a function primarily of cross-link density and filament rigidity: one characterized by affine deformation and one by nonaffine deformation. We characterize the crossover between these two.


[Application of dark pixels atmospheric correction algorithm to Hyperion imageries].
Atmosphere is an important factor that affects the quantitative analysis and application of remote sensing technology. In the support of IDL platform, the study takes advantages of dark pixel atmospheric correction algorithm (DPACA) to extract the optical depth of atmosphere, and then remove the atmospheric influences from each channel of the Hyperion sensor by that atmospheric parameter. The study results show that the optical depth decreases with the increase in central wavelength of the Hyperion sensor, namely the optical depth is negative versus the central wavelength of sensor. The linear model is the optimal experimental model that is used to describe that relationship, and its correlative coefficient is 0.9123. It was found that the signals recorded by the remote sensing sensor can't express the inherent optical properties and apparent optical properties in a proper manner. Additionally, the remote sensing signals are insensitive to the variations of waters qualities' samples. At the blue and green bands, the effects of atmosphere are the most serious. The spectra are completely different from the optical properties of natural waters at those bands. Compared with the theoretical spectral features of waters' optical properties, the image quality of Hyperion sensor has been perfectly improved by the DPACA. Under the condition of lacking the vertical profile data of atmosphere, the DPACA is an available approach to removing the atmospheric influence on the Hyperion imageries.


A Scalable and Pragmatic Method for the Safe Sharing of High-Quality Health Data.
The sharing of sensitive personal health data is an important aspect of biomedical research. Methods of data de-identification are often used in this process to trade the granularity of data off against privacy risks. However, traditional approaches, such as HIPAA safe harbor or -anonymization, often fail to provide data with sufficient quality. Alternatively, data can be de-identified only to a degree which still allows us to use it as required, e.g., to carry out specific analyses. Controlled environments, which restrict the ways recipients can interact with the data, can then be used to cope with residual risks. The contributions of this article are twofold. First, we present a method for implementing controlled data sharing environments and analyze its privacy properties. Second, we present a de-identification method which is specifically suited for sanitizing health data which is to be shared in such environments. Traditional de-identification methods control the uniqueness of records in a dataset. The basic idea of our approach is to reduce the probability that a record in a dataset has characteristics which are unique within the underlying population. As the characteristics of the population are typically not known, we have implemented a pragmatic solution in which properties of the population are modeled with statistical methods. We have further developed an accompanying process for evaluating and validating the degree of protection provided. The results of an extensive experimental evaluation show that our approach enables the safe sharing of high-quality data and that it is highly scalable.


Evaluating the Procedure for Performing Awake Cystometry in a Mouse Model.
Awake filling cystometry has been used for a long time to evaluate bladder function in freely moving mice, however, the specific methods used, vary among laboratories. The goal of this study was to describe the microsurgical procedure used to implant an intravesical tube and the experimental technique for recording urinary bladder pressure in an awake, freely moving mouse. In addition, experimental data is presented to show how surgery, as well as tubing type and size, affect lower urinary tract function and recording sensitivity. The effect of tube diameter on pressure recording was assessed in both polyethylene and polyurethane tubing with different internal diameters. Subsequently, the best performing tube from both materials was surgically implanted into the dome of the urinary bladder of male C57BL/6 mice. Twelve-hour, overnight micturition frequency was recorded in healthy, intact animals and animals 2, 3, 5, and 7 days post-surgery. At harvest, bladders were assessed for signs of swelling using gross observation and were subsequently processed for pathological analysis. The greatest extent of bladder swelling was observed on day 2 and 3, which correlated with behavioral voiding data showing significantly impaired bladder function. By day 5, bladder histology and voiding frequency had normalized. Based on the literature and evidence provided by our studies, we propose the following steps for in vivo recording of intravesical pressure and voided volume in an awake mouse: 1) Perform the surgery using an operating microscope and microsurgical tools, 2) Use polyethylene-10 tubing to minimize movement artifacts, and 3) Perform cystometry on post-operative day 5, when bladder swelling resolves.


Massive light-dependent cycling of inorganic carbon between oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms and their surroundings.
Membrane inlet mass spectrometry indicated massive light-dependent cycling of inorganic carbon between the medium and the cells of various phytoplankton species representing the main groups of aquatic primary producers. These included diatoms, symbiotic and free living dinoflagellates, a coccolithophorid, a green alga and filamentous and single cell cyanobacteria. These organisms could maintain an ambient CO(2) concentration substantially above or below that expected at chemical equilibrium with HCO(3) (-). The coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi shifted from net CO(2) uptake to net CO(2) efflux with rising light intensity. Differing responses of CO(2) uptake and CO(2) fixation to changing light intensity supported the notion that these two processes are not compulsorily linked. Simultaneous measurements of CO(2) and O(2) exchange and of the fluorescence parameters in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942, showed that CO(2) uptake can serve as a sensitive probe of the energy status of the photosynthetic reaction centers. However, during transitions in light intensity, changes in CO(2) uptake did not accord with those expected from fluorescence change. Quantification of the net fluxes of CO(2), HCO(3) (-) and of photosynthesis at steady-state revealed that substantial HCO(3) (-) efflux accompanied CO(2) uptake and fixation in the case of 'CO(2) users'. On the other hand, 'HCO(3) (-) users' were characterized by a rate of net CO(2) uptake below that of CO(2) fixation. The results support the notion that entities associated with the CCM function not only in raising the CO(2) concentration at the site of Rubisco; they may also serve as a means of diminishing photodynamic damage by dissipating excess light energy.


[Parenteral nutrition before surgery in patients with upper gastrointestinal tract resection].
The aim of this retrospective analysis was the evaluation of the effect of parenteral nutrition before surgery in malnourished patients on the reduction of risks during postoperative period after upper gastrointestinal tract resection. 57 patients with the diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach carcinoma were included into the selected group. Patients were divided into three groups: I. group: resecabile tumor, parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, II. group: nonresecabile tumor, parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, III. group: resecabile tumor, without parenteral nutrition, well nourished. In the group of malnourished patients, seven days after the applied parental nutrition, a statistical significant difference in the elevated values of proteins (I.: 62 +/- 3.8 --> 70 +/- 1.75, II.: 59.7 +/- 3.2 --> 69.2 +/- 1.2) and albumin (I: 32.6 +/- 1.95 --> 38.0 +/- 1.09, II.: 31.1 +/- 1.2 --> 37.5 +/- 0.9) p < 0.001 were achieved. Complications associated with the insertion of central venous catheter decreased as follows: plugged catheter (17.6%), local erythema (7.5%), pneumothorax (5%), phlebotrombosis (5%), haemothorax (0.4%). Postoperative complications did not achieve statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the groups I.-III. The highest incidence of wound and anastomosis dehiscention and sepsis was noticed in the first group, the lowest in the third group. Brochopneumonia had the highest occurrence in the second group, the lowest in the third group. Preoperative parenteral nutrition as a prevention of complications after resection surgery on stomach and oesophagus is beneficial in the middle and high grade of malnourished patients, despite of higher costs and prolonged hospitalization, considering the comparable percentage of postoperative complications in the group of non-malnourished and malnourished patients. The nutritional supplementation should take at least seven days.


This is a narrative review of the functional evaluation of clubfoot treatment with gait analysis.
Clinicians worldwide have embraced Ponseti's nonoperative approach in the treatment of clubfoot, primarily due to ubiquitous reports of successful outcomes. A crucial component in this measured success, has come from researchers assessing long-term physical function following nonoperative treatment. Gait analysis has been instrumental in objectively evaluating lower extremity kinematics and kinetics while plantar pressures demonstrate the load bearing patterns experienced in the foot. As technology improves, our ability to evaluate function can take place both in the laboratory setting, and in the community. For over 20 years, our institution has been studying the gait patterns of children treated for clubfoot. After adopting the nonoperative approach, we established a prospective research program that has allowed us to study functional outcomes in the very young walker, through growth to adolescents, and finally at skeletal maturity. We have seen over 450 children treated for clubfoot in the Movement Science Lab, for over 1,250 gait assessments over the span of this study. Early results in 105 children (154 feet) treated nonoperatively for clubfoot, showed 56% of children had normal sagittal plane ankle kinematics, however an incidence of 48% of Ponseti feet had increased dorsiflexion in stance phase, leading us to wonder if this was the result of the tenotomy. Intermediate follow up at age 5 years, showed that the incidence of increased dorsiflexion was reduced (24%) and ankle power did not appear to be affected (P>0.05 compared to controls). The research highlighted in this paper presents the application of functional evaluation through growth and the long-term effects of nonoperative treatment on gait and function. This is a review of the functional outcome studies from our experience at Scottish Rite for Children.


Sensorimotor Learning in a Computerized Athletic Training Battery.
Sensorimotor abilities are crucial for performance in athletic, military, and other occupational activities, and there is great interest in understanding learning in these skills. Here, behavioral performance was measured over three days as twenty-seven participants practiced multiple sessions on the Nike SPARQ Sensory Station (Nike, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon), a computerized visual and motor assessment battery. Wrist-worn actigraphy was recorded to monitor sleep-wake cycles. Significant learning was observed in tasks with high visuomotor control demands but not in tasks of visual sensitivity. Learning was primarily linear, with up to 60% improvement, but did not relate to sleep quality in this normal-sleeping population. These results demonstrate differences in the rate and capacity for learning across perceptual and motor domains, indicating potential targets for sensorimotor training interventions.


Effects of freezing on plant mesophyll cells.
Freezing and thawing of leaves of herbaceous plants leads to damage when the freezing temperature falls below a certain tolerance limit, which depends on the plant species and state of acclimation. Such damage is expressed as an irreversible inhibition of photosynthesis observed after thawing. In frost-damaged leaves the capacity of photosynthetic reactions of the thylakoid membranes is impaired. Particularly, the water-oxidation system, photosystems II and I are inhibited. However, it appears that CO2 assimilation is more readily affected by freezing stress than the activity of the thylakoids. The inhibition of CO2 fixation seen in initial stages of damage seems to be independent of thylakoid inactivation. This can be shown by chlorophyll fluorescence analysis made simultaneously with measurement of CO2 assimilation. Fluorescence emission by leaves is strongly influenced by carbon assimilation activity, namely via the redox state of the photosystem II electron acceptor QA (QA-dependent quenching) and via energization of the thylakoid membranes depending on the transthylakoid proton gradient (energy-dependent quenching). Resolution of these components of fluorescence changes provides insight into alterations of the CO2 fixing capacity of the chloroplasts and properties of the thylakoids. The effects of freezing and thawing were studied in detail with isolated mesophyll protoplasts prepared from both non-hardened and cold-acclimated plants of Valerianella locusta L. Freezing damage was characterized by various parameters such as plasma membrane integrity, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence emission and activities of thylakoids isolated from the protoplasts. All tests indicated a substantially increased frost tolerance of protoplasts obtained from cold-acclimated as compared to non-hardened leaves. CO2 assimilation and related fluorescence changes were the most freezing-sensitive parameters in both types of protoplasts. Inactivation of CO2 assimilation was correlated neither to the disintegration of the plasma membrane nor to inactivation of the thylakoids. Experimental data indicate that freeze-thaw treatment affected the light-regulated enzymes of the carbon reduction cycle, such as fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. Inhibition of light-activation of these enzymes may be based on altered properties of the chloroplast envelope.


Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese international students studying abroad (in Australia, the UK and the US): a scoping review.
International students within Australia are disproportionately affected by adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. Chinese international students represent the majority of international students in Australia, and a large proportion of students in other high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, making them an important priority group. However, the SRH issues of this priority group have received little attention from international researchers. This review provides an overview of global studies surrounding the SRH knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese international students studying abroad. Ten articles were deemed relevant and findings from both the qualitative and quantitative data synthesis were categorised into six codes: (1) knowledge; (2) sources of information; (3) attitudes; (4) behaviours; (5) barriers; and (6) recommendations. The findings provide valuable understanding to inform the development of targeted, culturally sensitive and inclusive health promotion initiatives and policies. It is recommended that further research is conducted in this field to reduce evident health disparities.


Theoretical insights on the effects of mechanical interlocking of secondary amines with polyether macrocycles for frustrated-Lewis-pair-type hydrogen activation.
A frustrating environment: It has previously been shown that mechanical interlocking of secondary amines with polyether macrocycles enables these amines to activate H2 in the presence of B(C6F5)3. Density-functional calculations now show that the amine-macrocycle complex both preorganizes a frustrated Lewis pair minimum for H2 activation and stabilizes the product through strong hydrogen bonds.


Opposition to enlargement as a symbolic defence of group position: multilevel analyses of attitudes toward candidates' entries in the EU-25.
Despite the sociological and geopolitical significance of EU enlargement and opinion toward it, extant literature is lacking a theory of enlargement opinion and an examination of opinion in the wake of the 2004 enlargement. This paper fills these gaps by developing a symbolic defence of group position model to explain opposition to the entries of candidate states (as of 2005: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Turkey) and to examine how these explanations differ for post-Communist EU members. Results of hierarchical multinomial logistic models of Eurobarometer (European Commission 2005) data from the EU-25 support the notion that the symbolic nature of enlargement shapes the effects of interests, threat, and other factors on opinion depending on candidates' position in a culturally and historically-rooted hierarchy of 'European-ness'. Attitudes toward Turkey's entry are less shaped by material interests than attitudes toward other candidates' entries, which is explained by Turkey's position at the bottom - and post-Communist countries' position in the middle - of this hierarchy in the post-Cold War era. Attitudes toward Turkey's entry are rather a function of the perceived threat that it poses to the group position and identity of Europeans, which is defended by the politically knowledgeable. While the lower levels of threat in post-socialist EU member countries help to account for their lower levels of opposition to candidates' entries, people in these countries to a greater extent use European identity as a way of symbolically distancing themselves from Turkey. Implications are discussed.


HIV Self-Testing Can Be Liberating to HIV-Positive Women and Their Sexual Partners: A Qualitative Study in Kisumu, Western Kenya.
Nearly half of Kenyan men with HIV-positive partners do not know their partner's status. We carried out a qualitative substudy to explore the experiences of a sample of HIV-positive women when distributing HIV self-tests (HIVST) to their sexual partners. HIV-positive women were invited for in-depth interviews to share their experiences in offering HIVST to their partners and how self-testing impacted their relationships. Two hundred ninety-seven women were randomized to HIVST, 12 of whom self-reported being HIV positive and 11 participated in the interview. Self-testing procedures and interpretation of results were well understood. Participants were strategic in approaching their partners, thus avoided partner violence. Couple testing was high, which strengthened relationships, improved condom use, and empowered women to make joint decisions concerning their health. Giving HIV-positive women HIVST kits to distribute to their male partners is feasible and safe. Providers who have challenges reaching male partners with testing should consider HIVST.


Feasibility of Upper Cranial Nerve Sonication in Human Application via Neuronavigated Single-Element Pulsed Focused Ultrasound.
Sonicating deep brain regions with pulsed focused ultrasound using magnetic resonance imaging-guided neuronavigation single-element piezoelectric transducers is a new area of exploration for neuromodulation. Upper cranial nerves such as the trigeminal nerve and other nerves responsible for sensory/motor functions in the head may be potential targets for ultrasound pain therapy. The location of upper cranial nerves close to the skull base poses additional challenges when compared with conventional cortical or middle brain targets. In the work described here, a series of computational and empirical testing methods using human skull specimens were conducted to assess the feasibility of sonicating the trigeminal pathway near the sphenoid bone region. The results indicate a transducer with a focal length of 120 mm and diameter of 85 mm (350 kHz) can deliver sonication to upper cranial nerve regions with spatial accuracy comparable to that of focused ultrasound brain targets used in previous human studies. Temperature measurements in cortical bone and in the skull base with embedded thermocouples yield evidence of minimal bone heating. Conventional pulse parameters were found to cause reverberation interference patterns near the cranial floor; therefore, changes in pulse cycles and pulse repetition frequency were examined for reducing standing waves. Limitations and considerations for conducting ultradeep focal targeting in human applications are discussed.


[Transabdominal prostatic sonography and bladder neck-colliculus distance measurement for preoperative determination of prostatic weight: 2 methods in comparison].
The two current methods to evaluate the weight of prostatic gland preoperatively, transabdominal ultrasound and measurement of bladder neck-colliculus distance in cystoscopy, are compared in 106 patients. The correlation of these methods with the real weight and the correctness of a preoperative division in a weight of more or less than 60 g as a border line between TUR and prostatectomy are described and discussed.


Association of Hsp60 expression with damage to rat myocardial cells exposed to heat stress in vivo and in vitro.
To investigate the protective role of Hsp60 against stress damage and its role in the sudden death of stressed animals, changes in the levels of Hsp60 protein and hsp60 mRNA of myocardial cells in vivo and in vitro were studied. In addition, the relationship between Hsp60 expression and heat-induced damage was also studied. Rats were exposed to a temperature of 42° ± 1°C for 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 min. More than 50% of the rats died suddenly within 100 min. With increasing heat stress duration, hsp60 mRNA levels significantly increased in both in vivo and in vitro rat myocardial cells; however, a similar trend was not observed for Hsp60 protein levels. Although the changes observed in Hsp60 expression in myocardial cells in vitro were inconsistent with those of rat heart tissues in vivo, Hsp60 expression levels were consistent with the histopathological damage observed in myocardial cells both in vivo and in vitro. Differences in Hsp60 expression may reflect the degree of injury sustained by myocardial cells in vivo and in vitro. As a mitochondrial protein, Hsp60 represents a potential biomarker of heat stress, and may protect against heat stress induced myocardial cellular damage both in vivo and in vitro.


Emerging Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Obesity is a chronic disease with high prevalence and associated comorbidities, making it a growing global concern. These comorbidities include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, ventilatory dysfunction, arthrosis, venous and lymphatic circulation diseases, depression, and others, which have a negative impact on health and increase morbidity and mortality. GLP-1 agonists, used to treat type 2 diabetes, have been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss in preclinical and clinical studies. This review summarizes numerous studies conducted on the main drugs in the GLP-1 agonists class, outlining the maximum achievable weight loss. Our aim is to emphasize the active role and main outcomes of GLP-1 agonists in promoting weight loss, as well as in improving hyperglycemia, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, cardio-metabolic, and renal protection. We highlight the pleiotropic effects of these medications, along with their indications, contraindications, and precautions for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, based on long-term follow-up studies.


The phenology of migration in an unpredictable world.
In Focus: Freshwater, C., Trudel, M., Beacham, T. D., Gauthier, S., Johnson, S. C., Neville, C. & Juanes, F. (2016) Individual variation, population-specific migration behaviours and stochastic processes shape marine migration phenologies. Journal of Animal Ecology, 88, 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12852 Pacific salmon undertake arduous and risky migrations from their freshwater nursery grounds to the coastal ocean, northwards to their feeding grounds, and then back to their freshwater natal habitats to spawn. Understanding the phenology of such migrations has largely been viewed through the lens of microevolution producing optimal strategies that reflect local selection pressures; less emphasis has been placed on quantifying how variation in migration patterns can spread the risks associated with life in variable and unpredictable ecosystems. In this issue, Freshwater et al. use the information contained in ear stones (otoliths) and DNA of migrating juvenile sockeye salmon from the Fraser River of western Canada to quantify variation in the timing of their marine migrations. Not only were there population-specific differences in migration phenology of fish from the same river, but there was substantial variation among individuals from specific populations. These patterns also varied from year to year. Data like these emphasize the risks involved in such migrations and suggest that variation in key migration traits are maintained because of the inherent unpredictability of ecosystems. Management and conservation efforts would be well-served to consider actions that maintain such ecological variation to facilitate meta-population persistence in a rapidly changing world.


Validity of the second law in nonextensive quantum thermodynamics.
The second law of thermodynamics in nonextensive statistical mechanics is discussed in the quantum regime. Making use of the convexity property of the generalized relative entropy associated with the Tsallis entropy indexed by q, Clausius' inequality is shown to hold in the range q in (0, 2]. This restriction on the range of the entropic index, q, is purely quantum mechanical and there exists no upper bound of q for validity of the second law in classical theory.


Formation of DNA interstrand cross-links by the novel chloroethylating agent 2-chloroethyl(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonate: suppression by O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase purified from human leukemic lymphoblasts.
The formation of DNA interstrand cross-links was compared in DNA treated with either 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea or 2-chloroethyl(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonate. DNA that was pulse treated briefly with either of these drugs continued to form cross-links at 37 degrees C for over 8 h after drug removal, indicating that such DNA contained stable precursors of cross-links. When human O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase was added to the drug-treated DNA further cross-link formation was prevented at all points during this protracted time course, indicating that these stable cross-link precursors also remained substrates for this repair enzyme. Although the pattern of 2-chloroethyl(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonate-induced cross-link formation and susceptibility to suppression by O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase resembled that for 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, quantitative differences in the rates of cross-link formation and in the amounts of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase required to suppress cross-link formation suggest that critical differences exist between these agents.


Segregating complex sound sources through temporal coherence.
A new approach for the segregation of monaural sound mixtures is presented based on the principle of temporal coherence and using auditory cortical representations. Temporal coherence is the notion that perceived sources emit coherently modulated features that evoke highly-coincident neural response patterns. By clustering the feature channels with coincident responses and reconstructing their input, one may segregate the underlying source from the simultaneously interfering signals that are uncorrelated with it. The proposed algorithm requires no prior information or training on the sources. It can, however, gracefully incorporate cognitive functions and influences such as memories of a target source or attention to a specific set of its attributes so as to segregate it from its background. Aside from its unusual structure and computational innovations, the proposed model provides testable hypotheses of the physiological mechanisms of this ubiquitous and remarkable perceptual ability, and of its psychophysical manifestations in navigating complex sensory environments.


Inhibition of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus replication by atlantic salmon Mx1 protein.
Mx proteins form a family of interferon (IFN)-induced GTPases with potent antiviral activity against various single-stranded RNA viruses in mammals and chickens. In fish, alpha/beta IFN has been reported to inhibit the replication of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), but the mode of action has not been elucidated. A correlation between the inhibition of IPNV and Mx protein expression has, however, been observed. To examine whether Atlantic salmon Mx1 protein (ASMx1) possesses antiviral activity against IPNV, CHSE-214 cells constitutively expressing ASMx1 were established. ASMx1 appeared to be localized in the cytoplasm. The ASMx1-expressing clone selected showed a severely reduced IPNV-induced cytopathic effect, which was confirmed by a 500-fold reduction in virus yield. The antiviral activity against IPNV was further confirmed by the inhibition of virus protein synthesis and the reduced accumulation of virus transcripts. The present work further adds to the body of evidence which suggests that antiviral activity is a major functional role of vertebrate Mx proteins. Moreover, the list of viruses inhibited by Mx proteins is extended to include double-stranded RNA viruses.


One bout of exercise alters free-living postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes.
Elevated postprandial glycemic (PPG) excursions are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients. In this study, we tested if and for how many meals a single bout of exercise would reduce PPG responses to subsequent meals in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients using a continuous glucose monitor system (CGMS). We recruited nine sedentary (<30 min·wk(-1) of exercise) individuals with T2D (mean ± SD; body mass index = 36.0 ± 1.1 kg·m(-2), age = 60.3 ± 1.0 yr, HbA1c = 6.3% ± 0.2%). The subjects consumed a eucaloric diet (51% carbohydrate, 31% fat, and 18% protein) consisting of three meals, identical in composition, for a 2-d period while wearing a continuous glucose monitor system in two different conditions (exercise [EX], one 60-min bout at 60%-75% of heart rate reserve performed before breakfast), vs a sedentary [SED] condition). We quantified 24-h average glucose, PPG area under the curve (AUC; 4-h glucose AUC after meals), and PPG-2 h (2 h postprandial glucose). EX significantly reduced average [glucose] during the first 24-h period (P = 0.03). EX caused a reduction in PPG-AUC (P = 0.02) for all of the meals during the 2 d (main effect between conditions). A comparison between the EX and the SED conditions at each meal revealed that EX reduced PPG-AUC after the second meal of day 1 (lunch) (P = 0.04). PPG-2 h was not significantly different between EX and SED. Although a single EX bout does lower 24-h average [glucose], it only significantly lowered PPG-AUC at the second meal after the bout, suggesting that daily exercise may be needed to most effectively improve PPG at the advent of exercise training in T2D patients.


Calculating the Magnetic Anisotropy of Rare-Earth-Transition-Metal Ferrimagnets.
Magnetocrystalline anisotropy, the microscopic origin of permanent magnetism, is often explained in terms of ferromagnets. However, the best performing permanent magnets based on rare earths and transition metals (RE-TM) are in fact ferrimagnets, consisting of a number of magnetic sublattices. Here we show how a naive calculation of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the classic RE-TM ferrimagnet GdCo_{5} gives numbers that are too large at 0 K and exhibit the wrong temperature dependence. We solve this problem by introducing a first-principles approach to calculate temperature-dependent magnetization versus field (FPMVB) curves, mirroring the experiments actually used to determine the anisotropy. We pair our calculations with measurements on a recently grown single crystal of GdCo_{5}, and find excellent agreement. The FPMVB approach demonstrates a new level of sophistication in the use of first-principles calculations to understand RE-TM magnets.


Interactions of circulating estradiol and progesterone on changes in endometrial area and pituitary responsiveness to GnRH†.
Changes in circulating progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) during proestrus produce dynamic changes in endometrial function and pituitary release of gonadotropins. Independent and combined effects of P4 and E2 on endometrium and pituitary were evaluated. In a preliminary study, an exogenous hormone model of proestrus was created by removal of corpus luteum and follicles ≥5 mm followed by gradual removal of intravaginal P4 implants during 18 h and treatment with increasing doses of estradiol benzoate during 48 h to mimic proestrus using high E2 (n = 9) or low E2 (n = 9). Decreased P4, increased E2, and increased endometrial area (EA) simulated proestrus in high-E2 cows and this was used subsequently. The main experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial design with: high E2 and low P4 (n = 11); high E2 and high P4 (n = 11); low E2 and high P4 (n = 11); low E2 and low P4 (n = 10). At 48 h, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) release was determined. Variables were analyzed using PROCMIXED of Statistical Analysis System. The EA increased dramatically during 48 h only in high-E2 and low-P4 cows. For FSH, high-E2 cows had greater area under the curve (AUC) and FSH peak after GnRH than low E2, with mild negative effects of high P4. For LH, concentration at peak and AUC were 2-fold greater in high E2 compared to low-E2 groups, with low P4 also 2-fold greater than high-P4 groups. Thus, maximal changes in uterus and pituitary during proestrus depend on both low P4 and high E2, but different physiologic responses are regulated differently by E2 and P4. Changes in endometrium depend on low P4 and high E2, whereas GnRH-induced FSH secretion primarily depends on high E2, and GnRH-induced LH secretion is independently increased by high E2 or reduced by high P4.


Dermatopharmacokinetics: factors influencing drug clearance from the stratum corneum.
The dermatopharmacokinetic methodology, in which tape stripping of the stratum corneum (SC) is used to access the amount of drug accumulated in the skin barrier, has been proposed for the quantification of topical drug bioavailability. This investigation examined the clearance phase of a model drug from the SC after a short application of an infinite dose. A saturated solution of ibuprofen in propylene glycol/water was applied to the forearm of human volunteers for 30 min. The formulation was then removed and the drug profile across the SC was assessed immediately, and over the next 4 h. The clearance phase depends only on drug diffusivity in the SC. However, the expected, progressive "flattening" of the concentration profiles with increasing time post-formulation removal was not observed. It was subsequently deduced, using infrared spectroscopy, that the rapid percutaneous diffusion of propylene glycol, relative to ibuprofen, resulted in the transient maintenance of a saturated drug concentration at the SC surface even after removal of the original formulation. The important role of formulation excipients in topical delivery is demonstrated, and the local disposition of cosolvents within the SC may impact significantly on drug dermatopharmacokinetics and local bioavailability.


Effects of unilateral apical sling and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy on the outcome in women with apical prolapse: randomised trial.
The purpose of this study was to compare the use of unilateral apical sling versus laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of the apical form of pelvic organ prolapse in women. M: aterial and methods:A prospective, single-center randomized trial included 100 patients who were alternately assigned to treatment. Each patient had a ≥ III stage of apical or anterior-apical prolapse determined by the POP-Q system. 45 accepted for unilateral apical sling (UAS)and 55 accepted for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS). Data were compared by the One-way ANOVA test using IBM SPSS stats 19. Mean operating time was significantly greater in the LS group versus UAS group, 194.6 vs 42.4 minutes, respectively (p < 0.05). The amount of intraoperative bleeding was significantly higher in the UAS group, compared to the LS group (p = 0.01). Within the follow-up period, 2 patients in UAS group and 3 patients in LS group (4.4% vs 5.4%, respectively; p = 0.9) had recurrent cystocoele. HRQoL and sexual outcomes did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. s:Our data demonstrate the non-superiority one on each other of the two different approaches, except in terms of shorter operating time and higher intraoperative bleeding when UAS used. These findings raise questions about the need for long-term results of quality of life outcomes for women with genital prolapse, especially in resource-limited settings similar to Kazakhstan.


Spontaneous duodenal perforation in a newborn.
A full-term 4-day-old male baby presented with spontaneous duodenal perforation into the lesser sac. Exploration revealed a perforation in the posteromedial wall of the second portion of the duodenum. The perforation was closed and the baby recovered uneventfully.


Problems in determining the etiology of community-acquired childhood pneumonia.
Fifty-seven children ages 1 month to 12 years hospitalized because of community-acquired pneumonia were compared with age-matched controls who had acute asthma without pneumonia to test the value of rapid bacterial antigen detection and clinical and radiographic criteria for diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia, defined on the basis of positive cultures of blood or pleural fluid, was diagnosed in 4 children (7%), 1 of whom also had viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia, defined as a positive nasopharyngeal sample or positive serology, was diagnosed in 20 children (35%). Serum and concentrated urine were tested by latex agglutination (Wellcogen) for Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal antigens and by countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis for pneumococcal antigens. Pneumococcal antigen could not be detected in serum or urine from 3 children with culture-proved pneumococcal pneumonia, indicating poor sensitivity of the tests. In contrast apparent H. influenzae type b antigenuria was detected by latex agglutination in 4 of 40 children with pneumonia but also in 5 of 57 controls, and a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for polyribosyl ribitol (PRP) phosphate antigen showed that all 9 cases were false positives. The specificity of H. influenzae type b antigen detection was thus poor. Children with viral and bacterial pneumonia could not be distinguished by radiographic or clinical criteria (symptoms, fever) or by total or differential white blood cell counts, serum C-reactive protein or nasal or serum interferon levels. It is not possible to distinguish reliably childhood viral from bacterial pneumonia clinically or by rapid diagnostic tests.


Mineral-bearing vesicle transport in sea urchin embryos.
Sea urchin embryos sequester calcium from the sea water. This calcium is deposited in a concentrated form in granule bearing vesicles both in the epithelium and in mesenchymal cells. Here we use in vivo calcein labeling and confocal Raman spectroscopy, as well as cryo-FIB-SEM 3D structural reconstructions, to investigate the processes occurring in the internal cavity of the embryo, the blastocoel. We demonstrate that calcein stained granules are also present in the filopodial network within the blastocoel. Simultaneous fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy show that these granules do contain a calcium mineral. By tracking the movements of these granules, we show that the granules in the epithelium and primary mesenchymal cells barely move, but those in the filopodial network move long distances. We could however not detect any unidirectional movement of the filopodial granules. We also show the presence of mineral containing multivesicular vesicles that also move in the filopodial network. We conclude that the filopodial network is an integral part of the mineral transport process, and possibly also for sequestering calcium and other ions. Although much of the sequestered calcium is deposited in the mineralized skeleton, a significant amount is used for other purposes, and this may be temporarily stored in these membrane-delineated intracellular deposits.


Effects of slip testing parameters on measured coefficient of friction.
Slips and falls are a major cause of injuries in the workplace. Devices that measure coefficient of friction (COF) of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface are used to evaluate slip resistance in various environments. Testing conditions (e.g. loading rate, timing, normal force, speed, shoe angle) are believed to affect COF measurements; however, the nature of that relationship is not well understood. This study examines the effects of normal force (NF), speed, and shoe angle on COF within physiologically relevant ranges. A polyvinyl chloride shoe was tested using a modified industrial robot that could attain high vertical loads and relatively high speeds. Ground reaction forces were measured with a loadcell to compute COF. Experiment #1 measured COF over a range of NF ( approximately 100-500 N) for two shoe angles (10 degrees and 20 degrees ), four speeds (0.05, 0.20, 0.35, and 0.50 m/s), and two contaminants (diluted detergent and diluted glycerol). Experiment #2 further explored speed effect by testing seven speeds (0.01, 0.05, 0.20, 0.35, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 m/s) at a given NF (350 N) and shoe angle (20 degrees ) using the same two contaminants. Experiment #1 showed that faster speeds significantly decreased COF, and that a complex interaction existed between NF and shoe angle. Experiment #2 showed that increasing speed decreased COF asymptotically. The results imply that COF is dependent on film thickness separating the shoe and the heel, which is dependent on speed, shoe angle, and NF, consistent with tribological theory.


SDF2L1 interacts with the ER-associated degradation machinery and retards the degradation of mutant proinsulin in pancreatic β-cells.
Stromal cell-derived factor 2-like 1 (SDF2L1) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein whose function is undefined. Here we show that SDF2L1 protein levels are increased in response to ER stress-inducing compounds, but not other cell stressors that we tested in insulinoma cell lines. SDF2L1 protein levels were also induced by expression of misfolded proinsulin in insulinoma cells and in islets from diabetic mice. Immunoprecipitation and binding assays demonstrated that SDF2L1 interacts with the ER chaperone GRP78/BiP, the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) machinery and with misfolded proinsulin. Unexpectedly, knockdown of SDF2L1 in INS-1 (insulin 2 C96Y-GFP) cells increased the degradation kinetics of mutant proinsulin, suggesting that SDF2L1 regulates substrate availability for the ERAD system. We suggest that SDF2L1 increases the time that misfolded proteins have to achieve a correctly folded conformation and thus that SDF2L1 can act as a buffer for substrate availability for ERAD in pancreatic β-cells.


miR-224 overexpression is a strong and independent prognosticator of short-term relapse and poor overall survival in colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Colorectal adenocarcinoma constitutes the most frequent form of colorectal cancer and a serious cause of cancer-related deaths. The expression of multiple miRNAs, including miR-224, is deregulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was the investigation of the prognostic value of miR-224 in colorectal adenocarcinoma. For this purpose, total RNA was isolated from 115 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 66 adjacent non-cancer mucosae. Total RNA (2 µg) was polyadenylated and reverse transcribed. A quantitative PCR method based on SYBR-Green chemistry was developed and applied for the quantification of miR-224 levels, followed by extensive biostatistical analysis. miR-224 levels in malignant colorectal adenocarcinomas ranged between 1.81 and 187.75 RQU (miR-224 copies/1,000 SNORD48 copies) with a median of 34.27, and were significantly elevated, compared to miR-224 levels in adjacent non-cancer mucosae (p<0.001). Enhanced miR-224 expression constitutes a rather strong prognosticator in colorectal adenocarcinoma, predicting short-term relapse and poor overall survival in these patients (p=0.012 and p=0.005, respectively), independent of established clinicopathological parameters. In conclusion, miR-224 is significantly upregulated in malignant colorectal tumors compared to adjacent non-cancer mucosae, and its enhanced expression constitutes an independent predictor of short-term relapse and poor overall survival in colorectal adenocarcinoma patients.


Effect of oophorectomy on expression of calcium sensing receptor mRNA in rat duodenal mucosa.
Calcium sensing receptor (CaR) in duodenal mucosa may be involved in active calcium absorption. Estrogen deficiency results in decreased intestinal calcium absorption. Effects of bilateral oophorectomy (OVX) have been studied on calcium homeostasis, bone mineral density (BMD) and CaR mRNA levels in duodenal mucosa at 4 weeks in adult female Sprague Dawley rats and compared with those in sham-operated and control group. There was no significant change in serum corrected calcium, inorganic phosphorous, calcidiol and intact parathyroid hormone in all the three groups. OVX rats had a significant decline in serum estrogen (E2) levels and alkaline phosphatase. They also had a significant decrease in BMD (DXA) at lumbar spine in vivo, and proximal and distal tibia in vitro while there was no significant change in serum E2 and BMD parameters in sham-operated and control rats. Northern blot analysis revealed no significant change in the CaR mRNA expression in duodenal mucosa in all three groups. The results suggests that CaR mRNA expression in duodenal mucosa is not affected by physiological circulating concentrations of estradiol in rats.


Role of Virulence Determinants in Candida albicans' Resistance to Novel 2-bromo-2-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1-phenylethanone.
We investigated the role of KEX2, SAP4-6, EFG1, and CPH1 in the virulence of Candida under a novel compound 2-bromo-2-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl)-1-phenylethanone (Compound 4). We examined whether the exposure of C. albicans cells to Compound 4, non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells, reduces their adhesion to the human epithelium. We next assessed whether the exposure of C. albicans cells to Compound 4 modulates the anti-inflammatory response (IL-10) and induces human macrophages to respond to the Candida cells. There was a marked reduction in the growth of the sap4Δsap5Δsap6Δ mutant cells when incubated with Compound 4. Under Compound 4 (minimal fungicidal concentration MFC = 0.5-16 µg/mL): (1) wild type strain SC5314 showed a resistant phenotype with down-regulation of the KEX2 expression; (2) the following mutants of C.albicans: sap4Δ, sap5Δ, sap6Δ, and cph1Δ displayed decreased susceptibility with the paradoxical effect and up-regulation of the KEX2 expression compared to SC5314; (3) the immune recognition of C. albicans by macrophages and (4) the stimulation of IL-10 were not blocked ex vivo. The effect of deleting KEX2 in C. albicans had a minor impact on the direct activation of Compound 4's antifungal activity. The adhesion of kex2Δ is lower than that of the wild parental strain SC5314, and tends to decrease if grown in the presence of a sub-endpoint concentration of Compound 4. Our results provide evidence that SAP4-6 play a role as regulators of the anti-Candida resistance to Compound 4. Compound 4 constitutes a suitable core to be further exploited for lead optimization to develop potent antimycotics.


Examining the relationship between fear of COVID-19, intolerance for uncertainty, and cyberloafing: A mediational model.
After the COVID-19 pandemic began, organizations had to pivot and move to online remote work. As companies moved to digital platforms and technologies for remote working, a key concern was the increase in workplace withdrawal behaviors during the pandemic, including cyberloafing, a form of workplace deviance. Cyberloafing can be described as the action of using the internet for non-work-related activities or personal use during working hours. Given its effect on organizational effectiveness and efficiency, organizations must take measures to minimize cyberloafing. We examined how two factors-fear of COVID-19 and intolerance for uncertainty-were related to cyberloafing during the third lockdown in Israel. A sample of 322 adults who were enrolled in professional courses at a university in Israel were surveyed. Based on Conservation of Resources Theory, our findings suggest that distress significantly mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19, intolerance for uncertainty, and cyberloafing. In an attempt to deal with the stress and depletion of personal resources during the COVID-19 lockdown, individuals engaged in cyberloafing as a way to handle the stress. Our results suggest that organizations should take measures to reduce fear and uncertainty in order to decrease distress, which, in turn, will reduce cyberloafing.


The principles of freeze-drying.
This chapter provides an up-to-date overview of freeze-drying (lyophilization) with particular relevance to stabilizing live cells or viruses for industrial applications as vaccines or seed culture. The chapter discusses the importance of formulation, cycle development, validation, and the need to satisfy pharmaceutical regulatory requirements necessary for the commercial exploitation of freeze-dried products.


Spectrophotometric determination of certain vicinal dihydroxybenzene derivatives in pharmaceutical preparations.
A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the assay of certain adrenergic drugs, [pyrocatechol (PC), levodopa (LD), methyldopa (MD) and dopamine (DP)] is described. The method involves the oxidation of o-dihydroxybenzene derivatives by K2CrO4 followed by oxidative coupling with sulfanilic acid (SPA), leading to the formation of a red or violet colored product having maximum absorbance at 490-495 nm for LD, MD and DP or at 560 nm for PC. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of LD, MD and DP in tablets and injections of pharmaceutical preparation. The common excipients do not interfere with the proposed method. A statistical comparison of these results with those of a reported method shows good agreement and indicates no significant difference in precision.


Performance management data systems for nursing service organizations.
Increasing demands are being placed on nursing administrators to manage the cost-efficiency and quality-effectiveness of the nursing service organization. One effective administrative tool that can be used for both internal management and external reporting of a nursing service organization performance is the performance management data system described in this article. While efforts are underway to build essential elements of a performance management data system, including the structure and content of nursing-sensitive databases and data management methods, no consensus has been reached. The author reviews the relevant literature and offers guidelines to take the nursing administrator through the process of developing a performance management data system. Beginning with a conceptualization of the nursing service organization as a system, the 5-phased process moves through data variable selection, data variable measurement, and data analysis to the final internal and external reporting of the organization's performance.


[The effects of radium-224 in children and adults (author's transl)].
During 1944-1952 a large number of German patients were injected with "Peteosthor", a solution of Ra-224 with added traces of eosin and colloidal platinum. In high doses this treatment has been followed by an increased frequency of malignant bone sarcomas, benign exostoses, growth retardation, tooth breakage, kidney diseases, liver diseases and cataracts. This information is being used to estimate the bone cancer risk from Plutonium.


Causes of death in patients with Itai-itai disease suffering from severe chronic cadmium poisoning: a nested case-control analysis of a follow-up study in Japan.
To clarify the causes of deaths among patients with Itai-itai disease and severe cadmium (Cd) poisoning. Nested case-control analysis of a population-based cohort study. Database of patients with Itai-itai disease and residents of Cd-polluted areas, maintained by the Ministry of Environment, Japan. Subjects included 142 women with Itai-itai disease, 111 women with Cd-induced renal tubular dysfunction and 253 controls matched for sex, age and occupation. All subjects participated in a health impact survey between 1979 and 1984 and were followed until 30 November 2005. Adjusted HRs with 95% CIs for cause of death in women with Itai-itai disease and screened female cases with tubular dysfunction were compared with matched pair controls, using Cox's proportional hazard model. Vital statistics data were used to determine cause of death. Direct causes of death from autopsy records were used in 29 patients who died from Cd poisoning. The most common cause of death among patients with Itai-itai disease was pneumonia, with a significantly increased adjusted HR of 4.54 (95% CI 2.65 to 7.76). Renal diseases were the most common cause of death in renal tubular dysfunction cases, with an increased HR of 12.0 (95% CI 3.92 to 36.8). The adjusted HR for renal diseases was also significantly increased in patients with Itai-itai disease (19.49 (95% CI 6.43 to 59.09)), with a greater impact on mortality of patients with Itai-itai disease than screened cases. The HR for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases was significantly increased (13.79 (95% CI 3.87 to 49.10)) in patients, especially in the first 10 years (37.1 (4.81 to 286.0)). Among patients with Itai-itai disease, pneumonia and GI diseases contributed to increased mortality risk. Renal disease is also a significant mortality risk in patients with Itai-itai disease and women with renal tubular dysfunction.


Comparative effects of robotic-assisted gait training combined with conventional physical therapy on paretic hip joint stiffness and kinematics between subacute and chronic hemiparetic stroke.
Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) has been proposed as a novel, promising intervention paradigm to improve gait function in subacute or chronic stroke neurorehabilitation. However, the benefits of RAGT combined with conventional physical therapy for gait recovery in patients with subacute and chronic hemiparetic stroke remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of RAGT combine with conventional physical therapy on hip joint kinetics, kinematics, and clinical function characteristics between subacute and chronic hemiparetic stroke. Seventeen patients with hemiparetic stroke (nine subacute and eight chronic patients) performed progressive RAGT (session 1, 40 min) combined with conventional physical therapy (session 1, 40 min) 5 days per week, for an average of 86 sessions over 8 weeks. The clinical outcomes included the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), modified Rankin scale (mRS), Korean version of the modified Barthel index (K-MBI), and modified Ashworth scale, in addition to hip joint kinetics and kinematics before and after intervention. The mean change in active torque, resistive torque, and stiffness in the paretic hip joint did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, Cohen's effect size suggested a moderate difference between the groups in the hip flexion phase (d = 0.58, d = 0.70, and d = 0.70). The mean change in maximal hip flexion kinematics in the chronic group was significantly greater than that in the subacute group (p = 0.04, d = -0.70). The mean change in the clinical function test results between the groups was not statistically significant. However, both groups showed significantly improved FAC, mRS, and K-MBI scores. RAGT combine with conventional physical therapy may be useful when selecting therapeutic interventions to improve the active torque, resistive torque, and stiffness in the paretic hip flexion phase in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke who reached a plateau in the maximum locomotor recovery after conventional locomotor training.


Practice and employment trends among nurse practitioners in New York State.
This study describes nurse practitioners' (NPs) practice and employment trends, primary care/direct patient care involvement, scope of practice issues, productivity, and demographic characteristics. Data were collected by mailed survey from 2,499 NPs in New York State. NPs were predominantly certified as Adult, Pediatric or Family NPs. The vast majority of NPs were working (64.1% full-time; 22.7% part-time). Fifty percent said they spend over 80% of their time providing primary care. Over 50% of the NPs employed in non-hospital settings said that their organizations had contracts with four or more managed care organizations.


A horseradish peroxidase study of vagal motoneurones with axons in cardiac and pulmonary branches of the cat and dog.
The location, within the brain stem, of vagal efferent neurones with axons in the cardiac and pulmonary branches of the cat, and the cardiac branch of the dog, have been defined. Horseradish peroxidase was applied to the cut central ends of these vagal branches and, after an appropriate time, sections of the brain stem were examined for labelled cell bodies. Labelled cell bodies were found ipsilaterally in the dorsal motor vagal nucleus, the nucleus ambiguus and in the reticular formation between these two nuclei. We suggest that the dual location for cell bodies of vagal axons may represent a separation of somata with myelinated and non-myelinated vagal axons to the nucleus ambiguus and the dorsal motor vagal nucleus respectively.


Sickle cell anemia: delayed diagnosis in Bahia, Brazil--a largely Afro-descendant population.
Hemoglobinopathies are the most common genetic disorders in the world and include sickle cell anemia (SCA), which is a public health problem in Brazil. Nevertheless, the disease is highly unknown among health professionals, and delayed diagnosis constitutes an important cause of concern for caretakers of SCA patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and laboratory history of SCA patients whose diagnosis was established during the first year of life to those of other SCA patients who had delayed SCA diagnosis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were all reviewed from 99 steady-state SCA patients who were followed in a public hematology and hemotherapy clinic in Salvador, Brazil. The patients were aged > or = 12 years and attended the outpatient unit at least once from November 2008 to June 2009. The data were analyzed in 2010. For all patients, the mean age (+/- SD) at diagnosis was 12.7(+/- 12.1) years, ranging from 0 to 47 years. Mean age was higher in patients whose SCA diagnosis was established after age 5 (32.9 +/- 11.9 years, P = .005). Increased unconjugated bilirubin, stroke and splenic sequestration were more prevalent in patients who were diagnosed in the first year of life (P = .043, .024 and .026 respectively). The data suggest that stroke, splenic sequestration and unconjugated bilirubin level may be influenced by age at SCA diagnosis.


[Case of bronchocentric granulomatosis that became recognized in the course of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis].
A 56-year-old man with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was admitted due to the appearance of nodular opacities in the right upper lung field on chest radiography, after discontinuing itraconazole and clarithromycin on the suspicion of possible hepatic adverse effects. Chest CT scans on admission revealed nodular opacities in the right S3 and lingula bronchus, and bilateral bronchiectasis with mucoid impactions. A specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy showed complete replacement of bronchioles by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, containing the diagnosis of bronchocentric granulomatosis. Treatment with corticosteroids and micafungin sodium resulted in marked resolution of nodular opacities and mucoid impacts. This case suggests that abrupt cessation of antifungal agents and macrolides may provoke acute exacerbation of ABPA and development of bronchocentric granulomatosis.


SYNAPTIC DEPRESSION IN DEEP NEURAL NETWORKS FOR SPEECH PROCESSING.
A characteristic property of biological neurons is their ability to dynamically change the synaptic efficacy in response to variable input conditions. This mechanism, known as synaptic depression, significantly contributes to the formation of normalized representation of speech features. Synaptic depression also contributes to the robust performance of biological systems. In this paper, we describe how synaptic depression can be modeled and incorporated into deep neural network architectures to improve their generalization ability. We observed that when synaptic depression is added to the hidden layers of a neural network, it reduces the effect of changing background activity in the node activations. In addition, we show that when synaptic depression is included in a deep neural network trained for phoneme classification, the performance of the network improves under noisy conditions not included in the training phase. Our results suggest that more complete neuron models may further reduce the gap between the biological performance and artificial computing, resulting in networks that better generalize to novel signal conditions.