Awareness of basic life support among staff and students in a dental school.
To assess and compare the knowledge of basic life support (BLS) among third, fourth and fifth (III, IV and V) year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) clinical students, dental interns, postgraduate students and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) faculty of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. A BLS questionnaire consisting of 22 questions was used to assess the levels of III, IV and V years BDS clinical students, dental interns, postgraduate students and BDS and MDS faculty of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version 12.0) was used to analyze the statistical data. The p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 338 respondents took part in the study. When gender comparison was done with correct knowledge responses, statistically significant differences were noted for Q6, Q9, Q12, Q13, Q15 and Q17. For age groups and educational qualifications, significant difference was observed for all questions. It was noted that III, IV and V year undergraduate clinical students and half of interns had adequate knowledge when compared to postgraduate students (6.9%), BDS tutors (0.00%) and MDS staff (10.7%). The study concludes that there is a significant lack of knowledge among postgraduates students BDS and MDS faculty, regarding BLS when compared to III, IV and V year's clinical BDS students and dental interns. This study emphasizes the need for all health care professionals to regularly update the knowledge and skills regarding BLS.


A prospective study of maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Low-grade systemic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Limited available data suggest inflammatory factors are predictive of gestational diabetes (GDM), a condition that is biochemically similar to type 2 diabetes. We examined the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and GDM risk. Women were recruited before 16 weeks gestation and were followed until delivery. Maternal serum CRP (collected at 13 weeks' gestation, on average) was measured by a competitive immunoassay. We used generalised linear models to derive estimates of relative risks and 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Approximately 4.5% of the cohort (38 of 851) developed GDM. Elevated CRP was positively associated with GDM risk (P for trend = 0.007). After adjusting for maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), family history of type 2 diabetes and nulliparity, women with CRP in the highest tertile experienced a 3.5-fold increased risk of GDM [95% CI 1.2, 9.8] as compared with those in the lowest tertile. The association between CRP and GDM was evident when analyses were restricted to lean women (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)). Lean women with CRP > or = 5.3 mg/L experienced a 3.7-fold increased risk of GDM [95% CI 1.6, 8.7] as compared with women with CRP < 5.3 mg/L. Systemic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of GDM, and the association is independent of maternal prepregnancy adiposity.


[Effect of CrCl3 on the in vitro production of flavonoids in a culture of Ononis arvensis L].
The paper investigated the effect of the abiotic elicitor chromium trichloride on the production of flavonoids in the callus and suspension cultures of Ononis arvensis L. after 12; 24; 48; 72, and 168-hour administration. The tested elicitor positively influenced the formation of flavonoids. A statistically significant increase in the flavonoid production in the callus culture was recorded with the use of a chromium trichloride solution in the concentration c1 (6.32 x 10(-4) mol/l) after 24; 48; 72, and 168 hours, in the concentration c2 (6.32 x 10(-6) mol/l) after 24; 48, and 72 hours, and in the concentration c3 (6.32 x 10(-8) mol/l) after 12; 24, and 48 hours. In the suspension culture, the flavonoid production was significantly increased by the concentration c1 (6.32 x 10(-4) mol/l) after 12 and 72 hours, the concentration c2 (6.32 x 10(-6) mol/l) after 12; 24; 48, and 72 hours, and the concentration c3 (6.32 x 10(-8) mol/l) after 12; 24; 48, and 72 hours. The maximal increase in the flavonoid production by 98% took place in the callus culture after elicitation with a chromium trichloride in the concentration c3 (6.32 x 10(-8) mol/l) after 48 hours of administration, and in the suspension culture after elicitation with CrCl3 in the concentration c2 (6.32 x 10(-6) mol/l) after 12 hours by 100%.


A case of azoospermia in a bull carrying a Y-autosome reciprocal translocation.
During normal cytogenetic investigations on the Chianina cattle (BTA) breed, a normal looking young bull was found to carry an abnormal Y chromosome which was a product of a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes Y and 9. This was revealed by both CBA- and RBG-banding techniques and was clearly confirmed by FISH-mapping analysis with IDVGA50 (which paints the complete Yq arm in a normal Y), as well as with AMD1, CGA, IGF2R (mapping to BTA9q16, BTA9q22 and BTA9q27-->q28, respectively) and SRY (mapping to normal BTAYq23). Analysis on sperm from four different samples revealed azoospermia in the carrier, indicating that the rcp(Y;9) induces sterility in the bull.


Static and dynamic characterization of nanodiscs with apolipoprotein A-I and its model peptide.
The class A amphipathic α-helical peptide 18A is known to form discoidal phospholipid complexes (nanodiscs) similar to that formed by apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I). To reveal the structural differences in nanodiscs formed with this protein and peptide, we prepared nanodiscs with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and applied fluorescence techniques to these nanoparticles. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl) in nanodiscs revealed that lipid exchange with 18A nanodiscs is mediated by collisions between nanodiscs. The fluorescence lifetime of dansyl phosphatidylethanolamine and excimer fluorescence of 1,2-bis(1-pyrenedecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine showed that the degree of hydration of the membrane surface and lateral pressure of acyl chains in 18A nanodiscs are independent of the disc size, suggesting that 18A nanodiscs form planar lipid bilayers irrespective of their size, which differs from apoA-I nanodiscs, whose bilayer deforms to a saddle surface with decreasing size. These results suggest that the flexible structure of a chain of helices in apoA-I is crucial for the formation of saddle surfaces in nanodiscs.


Imaging with femtosecond pulses.
An all-optical three-dimensional imaging system based on direct upconversion of depth-resolved images is described. Femtosecond gating of the signal provides a depth resolution in the microm range and a discrimination of the image against scattered light.


Preceptors' perceptions of the elements of a successful and an unsuccessful orientation period for newly graduated nurses.
To identify existing orientation patterns and to find elements that may enhance or impede successful orientation of newly graduated nurses. Preceptors have first-hand information concerning orientation and their opinions should not be forgotten when organisations develop their orientation processes. An open-ended questionnaire was undertaken to collect data from preceptors (n = 172) about the current orientation patterns. Data were analysed by using deductive content analysis and by quantifying the phrases. Communal commitment to the orientation process, strong professional orientation know-how and supportive leadership were the enhancing elements of successful orientation. Complex interpersonal relationship problems during orientation, inadequate orientation resources and the organisation's structural and functional problems were the impeding elements of successful orientation. With the elements of successful orientation we ensure a supportive transition to practice for newly graduate nurses and possibilities to focus on good orientation practices for preceptors. Nurse leaders play an important part in ensuring newly graduated nurses have a safe nursing career starting point and, for preceptors, opportunities to provide orientation that is as good as possible. Supportive leadership, sufficient resources and good interpersonal relationships should be the leading principles during newly graduated nurses' orientation period.


A new dicoumarinoid glycoside from Daphne giraldii.
A new dicoumarinoid glycoside, named giraldoid A (1), has been isolated from Daphne giraldii Nitsche. The structure of 1 was determined as 7-O-beta-glucosyl-8-(7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one-8-)yl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one on the basis of chemical reactions and spectroscopic methods.


Selection of functional T cell receptor mutants from a yeast surface-display library.
The heterodimeric alphabeta T cell receptor (TCR) for antigen is the key determinant of T cell specificity. The structure of the TCR is very similar to that of antibodies, but the engineering of TCRs by directed evolution with combinatorial display libraries has not been accomplished to date. Here, we report that yeast surface display of a TCR was achieved only after the mutation of specific variable region residues. These residues are located in two regions of the TCR, at the interface of the alpha- and beta-chains and in the beta-chain framework region that is thought to be in proximity to the CD3 signal-transduction complex. The mutations are encoded naturally in many antibody variable regions, indicating specific functional differences that have not been appreciated between TCRs and antibodies. The identification of these residues provides an explanation for the inherent difficulties in the display of wild-type TCRs compared with antibodies. Yeast-displayed mutant TCRs bind specifically to the peptide/MHC antigen, enabling engineering of soluble T cell receptors as specific T cell antagonists. This strategy of random mutagenesis followed by selection for surface expression may be of general use in the directed evolution of other eukaryotic proteins that are refractory to display.


Anabolic signaling and protein deposition are enhanced by intermittent compared with continuous feeding in skeletal muscle of neonates.
Orogastric tube feeding is indicated for neonates with impaired ability to ingest and can be administered by intermittent bolus or continuous schedule. Our aim was to determine whether feeding modalities affect muscle protein deposition and to identify mechanisms involved. Neonatal pigs were overnight fasted (FAS) or fed the same amount of food continuously (CON) or intermittently (INT; 7 × 4 h meals) for 29 h. For 8 h, between hours 20 and 28, pigs were infused with [(2)H(5)]phenylalanine and [(2)H(2)]tyrosine, and amino acid (AA) net balances were measured across the hindquarters. Insulin, branched-chain AA, phenylalanine, and tyrosine arterial concentrations and whole body phenylalanine and tyrosine fluxes were greater for INT after the meal than for CON or FAS. The activation of signaling proteins leading to initiation of mRNA translation, including eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4E·eIF4G complex formation in muscle, was enhanced by INT compared with CON feeding or FAS. Signaling proteins of protein degradation were not affected by feeding modalities except for microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II, which was highest in the FAS. Across the hindquarters, AA net removal increased for INT but not for CON or FAS, with protein deposition greater for INT. This was because protein synthesis increased following feeding for INT but remained unchanged for CON and FAS, whereas there was no change in protein degradation across any dietary treatment. These results suggest that muscle protein accretion in neonates is enhanced with intermittent bolus to a greater extent than continuous feeding, mainly by increased protein synthesis.


Fitness for work after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.
To determine the impact of the type of surgical intervention and medicosocial factors in the fitness for work after cholecystectomy, 2094 records of patients were reviewed. Subjects were Christian sickness fund recipients who underwent surgery from 1992 until 1994 with a follow-up period between 1 to 3 years. A work incapacity longer than 6 weeks was defined as a bad outcome. Data were analyzed using univariate statistics (chi2-test) and logistic regression. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy was significantly associated with an earlier fitness for work and a shorter period of hospital stay. In general, a bad outcome was also related to a longer period of work incapacity before the intervention, older age, longer hospital stay, employment as a blue collar worker and operation in a non-university medical center. These factors should be taken into account in the selection of patients for cholecystectomy, and in policies to improve patients recovery and fitness for work. Clear information about the duration of the postoperative recovery period and the incapacity for work should be given to the patients before the intervention. An unnecessary long time of sick leave without medical motive should be avoided.


Molecular characterization of multi drug resistant Escherichia coli isolates at a tertiary hospital in Abuja, Nigeria.
Infections caused by multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli cause significant morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. In this study, we describe the molecular characteristics of E. coli isolated from clinical specimens and the patients' outcomes. Phenotypic methods were used in the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of E. coli from clinical specimens from a tertiary hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Whole genome sequencing was used to describe the antimicrobial resistance genes, serotypes, sequence types/clonal complexes, and mobile genetic elements. The mean age of the patients was 20.3 years with 70.1% females and majority of isolates 75% from urine, 21% from blood cultures, and 3% each from cerebrospinal fluid and endo-cervical swabs. Of the 107 non-duplicate E. coli isolates, 101 (94.3%) were resistant to ampicillin, 95 (88.8%) to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 86 (80.4%) to ceftriaxone, 60 (56.1%) to gentamicin, and eight (7.5%) to meropenem. There were 102 (95.3%) isolates that were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Expression of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) phenotype was detected in 54 (50%) and blaCTX-M-15 genes detected in 75 (70.1%) isolates. The carbapenemase genes blaNDM-1 and blaNDM-5 were detected in six (5.6%), while the AmpC gene- blaCMY-2, was detected in seven (6.5%) isolates. Two (1.9%) isolates simultaneously harboured the blaOXA-1, blaCMY-2, blaCTX-M-15, and blaNDM-5 genes. In total, 35 sequence types (STs) were found with the majority being ST131 (n = 23; 21.5%). The most common serotype was O25:H4 associated with all 23 strains of ST131, followed by O1:H6/ST648 (n = 6). The ST410, ST671, and ST101 strains displayed phenotypic resistance to wide array of antibiotic classes and harbored high numbers of antibiotic resistance genes via in-silico analysis. The ST410 strain in particular harbored a higher number of antibiotic resistance genes and was phenotypically resistant to a wider array of antibiotics. Four pairs of isolates were closely related with three isolates (ST131, ST38, ST652) having a pairwise SNP difference of zero. 71/72 75/76 52/14. The MDR E. coli lineages circulating in this setting pose a clinical and public health threat as they can hinder effective prevention and management of infections. The genetic diversity and MDR E. coli with the emergence of ST410 and ST101 clones is concerning because of the potential for rapid dissemination in hospitals and communities- further increasing the problems of antibiotic resistance. Continuous routine surveillance of E. coli infections for AMR in hospitals becomes imperative, aimed at development of effective antimicrobial stewardship programs, facilitating prudent use of antimicrobial agents, and limiting dissemination of resistant strains.


Quantitative detection of regional left ventricular contraction abnormalities by two-dimensional echocardiography. II. Accuracy in coronary artery disease.
The quantitative approaches to the assessment of regional left ventricular (LV) function described in the preceding paper were applied in a well-defined population of patients with coronary artery disease. Two groups were chosen by electrocardiographic and angiographic criteria: group 1 had infarction and regional wall motion abnormalities and group 2 had no infarction and normal wall motion. Sensitivity to detect wall motion defects, specificity to correctly categorize normal segments, and overall predictive accuracy were evaluated for each two-dimensional echocardiographic approach. In addition, the ability of each method to localize regional contraction defects properly was evaluated. Area methods yielded better predictive accuracy than linear methods (87-95% vs 76-84%). No significant differences in accuracy were noted between quadrant and octant approaches. The fixed external-axis system was superior to a floating one for localizing contraction defects. We conclude that an area-based method, using a fixed-axis system and either octant or quadrant image subdivision, provides the best combination of predictive accuracy in categorizing LV segments as normal or abnormal and the greatest ability to localize LV regional abnormalities.


Identification of genes involved in exoprotein release using a high-throughput exoproteome screening assay in Yersinia entomophaga.
Bacterial protein secretion is crucial to the maintenance of viability and pathogenicity. Although many bacterial secretion systems have been identified, the underlying mechanisms regulating their expression are less well explored. Yersinia entomophaga MH96, an entomopathogenic bacterium, releases an abundance of proteins including the Yen-Tc into the growth medium when cultured in Luria Bertani broth at ≤ 25°C. Through the development of a high-throughput exoproteome screening assay (HESA), genes involved in MH96 exoprotein production were identified. Of 4,080 screened transposon mutants, 34 mutants exhibited a decreased exoprotein release, and one mutation located in the intergenic region of the Yen-Tc operon displayed an elevated exoprotein release relative to the wild-type strain MH96. DNA sequencing revealed several transposon insertions clustered in gene regions associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPSI and LPSII), and N-acyl-homoserine lactone synthesis (quorum sensing). Twelve transposon insertions were located within transcriptional regulators or intergenic regions. The HESA will have broad applicability for identifying genes associated with exoproteome production in a range of microorganisms.


[Obstetrical acute renal failure. Experience of the nephrology department, Central University Hospital ibn Rochd, Casablanca].
The gravidic acute renal failure (ARF) becomes a rare complications of the pregnancy in the industrialized countries, whereas it is still frequent in the developing countries and responsible of great maternofetal morbidity and mortality. We studied the etiologic and evolutive aspects of the gravidic ARF in 55 patients during 18 years (1981-1998) at the department of nephrology, hospital center Ibn Rochd in Casablanca. The gravidic ARF represents 65% of the gravidic patients. The mean age of the patients is 30.92 +/- 6.44 years old. The mean parity is 3.38 +/- 2.25. The mean term is 31.73 +/- 10.02 weeks of amenorrhea. The main etiology is the preeclampsia and eclampsia, 41 patients (74.5%); the other causes are: the septic conditions: 6 patients (11%); the obstetrical hemorrhages: 4 patients (7.2%); the in uterofetal death: 3 patients (5.5%) and the post-cesarotomy: 1 patient (1.8%). 74.6% of the patients has been hemodialysed. The evolution has been characterized by the normal recuperation of the renal function is 48 patients (87.3%), a chronic renal failure in 2 patients (3.6%) and the death of 5 patients (mortality: 9.1%). The gravidic ARF is still a critical circumstances associated to a severe prognosis as well as in the woman and the fetus. So, the most effective measures are still the prevention and the managing of the obstetrical complications.


Decoupling astrocytes in adult mice impairs synaptic plasticity and spatial learning.
The mechanisms by which astrocytes modulate neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and memory are still poorly explored. Astrocytes form large intercellular networks by gap junction coupling, mainly composed of two gap junction channel proteins, connexin 30 (Cx30) and connexin 43 (Cx43). To circumvent developmental perturbations and to test whether astrocytic gap junction coupling is required for hippocampal neural circuit function and behavior, we generate and study inducible, astrocyte-specific Cx30 and Cx43 double knockouts. Surprisingly, disrupting astrocytic coupling in adult mice results in broad activation of astrocytes and microglia, without obvious signs of pathology. We show that hippocampal CA1 neuron excitability, excitatory synaptic transmission, and long-term potentiation are significantly affected. Moreover, behavioral inspection reveals deficits in sensorimotor performance and a complete lack of spatial learning and memory. Together, our findings establish that astrocytic connexins and an intact astroglial network in the adult brain are vital for neural homeostasis, plasticity, and spatial cognition.


Lycopene supplementation does not change productive performance but lowers egg yolk cholesterol and gene expression of some cholesterol-related proteins in laying hens.
1. This work examined the effects of purified lycopene (LYC) supplementation or a source of LYC as tomato powder (TP) on productive performance, egg yolk cholesterol levels as well as gene expression related to mechanism and regulation of cholesterol.2. One hundred and fifty laying hens (Lohman LSL, hybrid) were randomly divided into one of three treatments, with 10 replicates of five hens per cage, totalling 50 hens per treatment. The hens were fed either a standard diet (control) or a standard diet supplemented with 20 mg purified lycopene/kg diet (LYC) or an equal amount of lycopene-containing tomato powder (TP) for 12 weeks.3. Feed consumption, egg production, and feed efficiency remained similar among treatments (P ≥ 0.27). Supplementing lycopene, either as a purified form or in TP, increased the levels of serum and egg yolk lycopene and reduced serum and egg yolk cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001). Supplementation in either form decreased gene expression for intestinal NPC1L1, MTP, ACAT2, hepatic SREBP1c, ACLY, and LXRα but increased hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 (P < 0.001).4. The results of the present work revealed that egg yolk cholesterol metabolism is regulated by the modulation of a group of genes, particularly with LYC supplementation.


Increased Brain Iron Detection by Voxel-Based Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With an Executive Function Decline.
Brain iron accumulation has been suggested as a pathomechanism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with cognitive impairment. This research aims to examine the total-brain pattern of iron accumulation in relation to executive function decline in patients with T2DM by voxel-based quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) analysis. A total of 32 patients with T2DM and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance examination, and 48 individuals underwent cognitive function assessments. Imaging data were collected with three-dimensional fast low-angle shot sequences to achieve magnitude as well as phase images. Using voxel-based QSM analysis, we compared the voxel-wise susceptibility values of the whole brain among groups and explored whether the susceptibility values had correlations with cognitive data. Among the 66 participants, cognitive function was estimated in 23 patients with T2DM (11 males and 12 females; average age, 64.65 ± 8.44 years) and 25 HCs (13 males and 12 females; average age, 61.20 ± 7.62 years). T2DM patients exhibited significantly (t = 4.288, P < 0.001) lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores [T2DM, 27 (27, 28); HCs, 29 (28, 29); normal standard ≥ 26)] and higher Trail-making Test (TMT)-A/TMT-B scores [71 (51, 100)/185 (149, 260)] than HCs [53 (36.5, 63.5)/150 (103, 172.5)] (Z = 2.612, P = 0.009; Z = 2.797, P = 0.005). Subjects with T2DM showed significantly higher susceptibility values than HCs in the caudate/putamen/pallidum, frontal inferior triangular gyrus, and precentral gyrus on the right hemisphere. In contrast (HC > T2DM), no region showed a significant difference in susceptibility values between the groups. The correlation analysis between susceptibility values and cognitive function scores was tested by voxel-based susceptibility value with sex and age as covariates. After multiple comparison correction, in T2DM patients, the left thalamus showed a significant relationship with TMT-A (R 2 = 0.53, P = 0.001). The right thalamus and left thalamus showed a significant relationship with TMT-B (R 2 = 0.35, P = 0.019; and R 2 = 0.38, P = 0.017, respectively). In HCs, the cluster of right precentral/middle frontal gyrus/inferior frontal gyrus/inferior triangular gyrus showed a significant relationship with TMT-B (R 2 = 0.59, P = 0.010). No relationship was found between the susceptibility values with MoCA in the brain region in both two groups. Patients with T2DM presented declined cognitive assessments and elevated iron deposition in the striatum and frontal lobe, suggesting that executive function decline in T2DM might be associated with the cerebral iron burden and that changes in susceptibility values may represent a latent quantitative imaging marker for early assessment of cognitive decline in patients with T2DM.


[Incidental prostate cancer: volume, location and degree of differentiation of the tumor in the radical prostatectomy specimen and value of subclassification to stage A1 and A2].
Morphometric analysis was performed on 22 radical prostatectomy specimens of clinical stage A1 and 22 specimens of stage A2 prostate cancers. Of 44 stage A cancers (86%), 38 arose in the transition zone of the prostate, while only 6 were peripheral zone tumors. The subclassification into stages A1 and A2 based on the percentage of cancer in the transurethral resection specimen was not able reliably to separate patients with high-volume stage A cancer from those with low-volume stage A cancer. The same was true when the patients were subclassified according to the criteria of the TNM system (TNM 1987). However, all cases (n = 6) with Gleason grade 4 elements in the TUR chips had relatively high-volume residual TUR cancer (greater than or equal to 1.7 cm3) in the radical specimen. Unsuspected cancers unrelated to the incidental prostate cancer were found in 73% of the specimens. The vast majority (87%) were peripheral zone cancers. Eight unsuspected cancers were larger than the Stage A cancer, but only 2 of the 8 were larger than 1 cm3. Our data suggest that the subclassification of stage A into stages A1 and A2 or the subclassification according to the TNM criteria (TNM 1987) does not reliably separate patients who are at risk of cancer progression. Further diagnostic procedures are necessary in these patients. Post-TUR serum PSA levels (Yang) provided valuable additional information in this series. Post-TUR PSA levels increased with increasing residual cancer volume in the prostate. Below a post-TUR PSA of 1 ng/ml, total residual cancer volume was less than 0.4 cm3 in 7 of 8 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2008].
The total number of 270 campylabacteriosis cases were reported in 2008 in Poland. The incidence rate was 0.75 per 100 000 population. All reported cases were confirmed. No death was reported. However, more than 57% of patients were hospitalized. The species of Campylobacter was determined in 246 cases (91%): 205 cases (76%) were caused by C. jejuni infection, 33 (about 12%) by C. coli and 8 (about 3%) by C. upsalenssis. In 2008 two family outbreaks were reported.


The prevalence of motor delay among HIV infected children living in Cape Town, South Africa.
Children living with HIV often display delayed motor performance owing to HIV infection of the central nervous system, the effects of opportunistic infections and, indirectly, owing to their social environments. Although these problems have been well documented, the impact of the virus on the development of South African children is less well known. The aim of this study was to document the motor performance of a group of HIV infected children in Cape Town, South Africa. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development Second Edition were administered to 51 HIV infected children [mean age 15.8 months (SD=7.5, range 6.2-31.7 months)] of whom 34 were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Their performance was compared with an age-matched reference sample (n=35), whose HIV status was unknown. The HIV infected sample and the age-matched sample were comparable with regard to caregiver's level of education (P=0.42), employment status (P=0.35) and income (P=0.28). However, the HIV infected sample had significantly more hospital admissions (P<0.01), their caregivers were mostly single (P=0.04) and most lived in formal houses (P<0.01). The prevalence of significant motor delay was 66.7% in the HIV infected sample compared with 5.7% in the age-matched sample. As expected, the performance of the HIV infected sample was significantly poorer than the age-matched sample. However, the extent of the delay is a cause of concern as so many children presented with significant motor delay. Unexpectedly, a significant number of healthy children also displayed delayed performance. It is recommended that the developmental performance of HIV infected children be monitored over an extended period to determine whether the developmental delay can be reduced with treatment. In the interim, there is a need to provide stimulation and treatment to the large number of children who are developmentally delayed as a result of HIV infection, including those uninfected children in the community who are at risk owing to their socio-economic status.


Epididymosome-mediated acquisition of MMSDH, an androgen-dependent and developmentally regulated epididymal sperm protein.
A differential proteomics approach led to the identification of several novel epididymal sperm proteins. One of the novel proteins was methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (MMSDH). In the present study, we carried out an in-depth characterization to study its regulation by androgen, its appearance during ontogeny, and the mechanism of its interaction with and acquisition by the sperm. Western blotting and immunohistochemical studies suggest that the protein is present in both tissue and sperm from all regions of the epididymis, indicating synthesis as well as acquisition of the protein in these regions. Androgen depletion resulted in reduction of the MMSDH protein level in the epididymis, which completely disappeared 1 week after castration. The protein reappeared after testosterone propionate injection, indicating that the protein is regulated by androgens. Ontogeny studies indicated that the protein appeared from day 10 postnatal with a gradual increase at day 30, which maximized at day 50, indicating that the protein is developmentally regulated and is probably involved in epididymal development. Sequential extraction of sperm proteins indicated that MMSDH exists both as a peripheral and integral form on the plasma membrane. We also found that the protein can be transferred from the epididymosomes to testicular sperm in vitro. The study provides evidence regarding the acquisition of this multidomain androgen and developmentally regulated protein in the epididymis via the epididymosomes. The molecule has generated enough interest and deserves to be investigated further for its physiological relevance.


Collagen XVII deficiency alters epidermal patterning.
Vertebrates exhibit patterned epidermis, exemplified by scales/interscales in mice tails and grooves/ridges on the human skin surface (microtopography). Although the role of spatiotemporal regulation of stem cells (SCs) has been implicated in this process, the mechanism underlying the development of such epidermal patterns is poorly understood. Here, we show that collagen XVII (COL17), a niche for epidermal SCs, helps stabilize epidermal patterns. Gene knockout and rescue experiments revealed that COL17 maintains the width of the murine tail scale epidermis independently of epidermal cell polarity. Skin regeneration after wounding was associated with slender scale epidermis, which was alleviated by overexpression of human COL17. COL17-negative skin in human junctional epidermolysis bullosa showed a distinct epidermal pattern from COL17-positive skin that resulted from revertant mosaicism. These results demonstrate that COL17 contributes to defining mouse tail scale shapes and human skin microtopography. Our study sheds light on the role of the SC niche in tissue pattern formation.


Linguistic embodiment and verbal constraints: human cognition and the scales of time.
USING RADICAL EMBODIED COGNITIVE SCIENCE, THE PAPER OFFERS THE HYPOTHESIS THAT LANGUAGE IS SYMBIOTIC: its agent-environment dynamics arise as linguistic embodiment is managed under verbal constraints. As a result, co-action grants human agents the ability to use a unique form of phenomenal experience. In defense of the hypothesis, I stress how linguistic embodiment enacts thinking: accordingly, I present auditory and acoustic evidence from 750 ms of mother-daughter talk, first, in fine detail and, then, in narrative mode. As the parties attune, they use a dynamic field to co-embody speech with experience of wordings. The latter arise in making and tracking phonetic gestures that, crucially, mesh use of artifice, cultural products and impersonal experience. As observers, living human beings gain dispositions to display and use social subjectivity. Far from using brains to "process" verbal content, linguistic symbiosis grants access to diachronic resources. On this distributed-ecological view, language can thus be redefined as: "activity in which wordings play a part."


Canadian Association of University Surgeons annual symposium: Continuity of care: Toronto, Ontario, Sep. 6, 2007.
This 2007 symposium of the Canadian Association of University Surgeons brought together surgeons from a number of jurisdictions to discuss the challenges and opportunities that reduced physician work hours will bring to the care of the surgical patient. Dr. Brian Taylor, president of the association, underscored the need to find a balance between the benefits of diminished workloads/work hours and the loss of continuity of care. He opined that Canada needs to learn from our European colleagues' experience. Dr. Per-Olof Nyström, professor of surgery, presented the modern Swedish model of surgical care, which had to be developed as a consequence of the European Union's legal restrictions on the amount of time an individual surgeon may work. Sweden employs a team-based shared-care model driven by the individual surgeon's expertise rather than the "village factory" model of the multiskilled, multitasking approach of surgical care more prevalent in Canada. Dr. Chris de Gara, secretary treasurer of the association, presented the evidence base for (and against) work-hour restrictions and how well-designed systems can ensure effective continuity of care. Dr. Stewart Hamilton illustrated how one such system for the delivery of the emergency general surgical services has evolved at the University of Alberta Hospital, which demonstrated its effectiveness in providing quality surgical continuity of care. Dr. Debrah Wirtzfeld underscored the importance of trainee lifestyle and how modern Web-based technologies can ensure reduced errors with the implementation of a "sign-out" system.


Three-stage aged refuse biofilter for the treatment of landfill leachate.
A field-scale aged refuse (AR) biofilter constructed in Shanghai Refuse Landfill, containing about 7000 m3 aged refuse inside, was evaluated for its performance in the treatment of landfill leachate. This AR biofilter can be divided into three stages and can manage 50 m3 landfill leachate per day. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of AR were analyzed for evaluating the AR biofilter as leachate treatment host. The results revealed that over 87.8%-96.2% of COD and 96.9%-99.4% of ammonia nitrogen were removed by the three-stage AR biofilter when the influent leachate COD and ammonia nitrogen concentration were in the range 5478-10842 mg/L and 811-1582 mg/L, respectively. The final effluent was inodorous and pale yellow with COD and ammonia nitrogen below 267-1020 mg/L and 6-45 mg/L, respectively. The three-stage AR biofilter had efficient nitrification but relative poor denitrification capacity with a total nitrogen (TN) removal of 58%-73%. The external temperature of AR biofilter did not influence the total ammonia nitrogen removal significantly. It was concluded that the scale-up AR biofilter can work very well and can be a promising technology for the treatment of landfill leachate.


The Radiological Evaluation of the Crista Galli and Its Clinical Implications for Anterior Skull Base Surgery.
Crista galli is extremely important in the endoscopic transcribriform approaches and some extradural approaches. Because of its clinical significance, the morphometric properties of crista galli should be well known. In this study, it was aimed to examine the morphometry and the pneumatization incidence of the crista galli in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. In this retrospective study, the length and width of the crista galli were measured in CBCT images of 300 healthy individuals. Besides, the presence of crista galli pneumatization was examined. The length and width of the crista galli were determined to be as 14.03 ± 2.93 mm and 3.73 ± 1.48 mm, respectively. Pneumatized crista galli was detected in 53 out of 300 individuals (17.67%). There was no statistical difference between the presence of pneumatization and both length and width values of the crista galli (P = 0.876 and P = 0.478, respectively). In addition, no relationship was determined between age and the presence of pneumatization (P = 0.167). In this study, it is seen that the length (range: 6.00-23.40 mm) and width (range: 1.40-8.00 mm) of crista galli are in a very wide range. Besides, it is seen in the literature that the incidence of crista galli pneumatization is in a very wide range (2.4% to 66.6%). Based on the available data, it will not be possible to determine a specific range of values for crista galli morphometry. Therefore, the authors think that CT imaging is extremely important in preoperative evaluation.


Asthma and emotion: a review.
This review of the empirical literature on the relationship between asthma and emotion presents an explanatory model of the connection between them. Asthmatics tend to report and display a high level of negative emotion, and asthma exacerbations have been linked temporally to periods of heightened emotionality. Causality may be bidirectional. Hypothesized mediators for the relationship between asthma and emotionality include vagal and alpha-sympathetic hyperreactivity, predominant obstruction in the larger airways, individual response stereotypy, direct effects of emotion-related facial muscle tension on the airways, the emotional effects of asthma medications, heightened respiratory drive, and hyperventilation. Predictions are presented for research on this model of asthma and emotion, and for the psychological treatment of asthma.


Structure and function of the hematopoietic cancer niche: focus on chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a B cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation of mature monoclonal CD5-positive B cells in the blood, secondary lymphoid tissues, and marrow. The infiltration of CLL cells in lymphoid tissues is a key element of disease pathogenesis. It is in such tissues that are found the microenvironments that provide CLL cells protection from spontaneous and/or drug-induced apoptosis. CLL cells actively shape their microenvironment by producing cytokines and chemokines, and by subverting normal accessory cells to promote leukemia-cell survival, proliferation, and escape from immune detection. In this review, we discuss how CLL cells disrupt the niches required for normal hematopoiesis or immune function and subvert normal cells in the microenvironment to support neoplastic cell growth and survival.


Translational Regulation of the Large and Small Subunits of Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase during Induction of the CO(2)-Concentrating Mechanism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
In conditions of limiting external inorganic carbon, the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induces a mechanism to actively transport and accumulate inorganic carbon within the cell. A high internal inorganic carbon concentration enables the cell to photosynthesize efficiently with little oxygen inhibition, even in conditions of limiting external inorganic carbon. A correlation between limiting inorganic carbon-induced induction of the CO(2)-concentrating mechanism and decreased synthesis of the large and small subunits of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase has been observed. Cells that had been transferred from elevated CO(2) to limiting CO(2) exhibit transient declines of label incorporation into both subunit polypeptides. We have found that this decrease in synthesis of large and small subunits results from specific and coordinated down-regulation of translation of both subunits possibly resulting, at least in part, from modification of large and small subunit transcripts.


Application of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) for the analysis of deuterium enrichment of water.
Incorporation of deuterium from deuterium oxide ((2) H2 O) into biological components is a commonly used approach in metabolic studies. Determining the dilution of deuterium in the body water (BW) pool can be used to estimate body composition. We describe three sensitive GC/MS/MS methods to measure water enrichment in BW. Samples were reacted with NaOH and U-(13) C3 -acetone in an autosampler vial to promote deuterium exchange with U-(13) C3 -acetone hydrogens. Headspace injections were made of U-(13) C3 -acetone-saturated air onto a 30-m DB-1MS column in electron impact-mode. Subjects ingested 30 ml (2) H2 O, and plasma samples were collected. BW was determined by standard equation. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were performed to calculate body mass, body volume and bone mineral content. A four-compartmental model was used to estimate body composition (fat and fat free mass). Full-scan experiments generated an m/z 45 peak and to a lesser extent an m/z 61 peak. Product fragment ions further monitored included 45 and 46 using selected ion monitoring (Method1), the 61 > 45 and 62 > 46 transition using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM; Method2) and the neutral loss, 62 > 45, transition (Method3). MRM methods were optimized for collision energy (CE) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) argon gas pressure with 6 eV CE and 1.5 mTorr CID gas being optimal. Method2 was used for final determination of (2) H2 O enrichment of subjects because of lower natural background. We have developed a sensitive method to determine (2) H2 O enrichment in BW to enable measurement of FM and FFM.


[Surgical options for chronic pancreatitis].
Objective: Discuss the surgical options for the chronic pancreatitis on the basis of anatomical morphological changes. Methods: A retrospective review of chronic pancreatitis patients in Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 2010 and December 2014 was performed. The data of medical records, image feature, surgical types and records of follow-up were collected. Total 295 patients including 275 male and 20 female aged from 14 to 74 years with median age of 51 years. The clinical symptoms included abdominal pain in 280 cases, jaundice in 3 cases, single hemorrhage in digestive tract, diarrhea or mellitus in 12 cases. The anatomical morphological changes included pancreatic fibrosis and atrophy of the main pancreatic duct lesions in 44 cases (14.9%), inflammatory mass in the pancreatic head in 69 cases (22.4%), sporadic stones with calcification in the pancreatic head in 165 cases(55.9%), hyperplasia mass of pancreatic head and body in 14 cases (4.8%), sporadic stones with calcification in whole branch ducts accompanied with different degree of hyperplasia in whole pancreas in 3 cases (1.0%). The surgical options included longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy, duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, Frey/Frey+ distal pancreatectomy, total and subtotal pancreatectomy. All patients were followed-up for 3 to 6 months in the outpatient. A cross-sectional study was carried out by telephone, letters, questionnaire and outpatient from April to June 2016. Results: Among 295 patients, 267 cases were followed-up for an average time of 40 months(18 to 78 months), 28 cases were lost to followed-up(9.5%). Pain remission rate of pancreatic fibrosis and atrophy of the main pancreatic duct lesions patients was 97.0%, of inflammatory mass in the pancreatic head patients was 96.8%, of sporadic stones with calcification in the pancreatic head patients was 96.6%, of hyperplasia mass of pancreatic head and body patients was 12/13, of sporadic stones with calcification in whole branch ducts accompanied with different degree of hyperplasia in whole pancreas patients was 3/3. There were 19 cases(9.6%) with blood glucose rising. Conclusion: According to the pathological changes of chronic pancreatitis, the reasonable choice of surgical procedures can be done to maximize the removal of the cause of pain and the preservation of pancreatic tissue.


The unprecedented preparation of dinuclear zinc(II) complexes from 4-halido-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol.
Three new centrosymmetric trinuclear nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes, Ni[Ni(CH(3)COO)(CPA)](2) (1), Ni[Ni(CH(3)COO)(BPA)](2) (2), Mn[Mn(CH(3)COO)(BPA)](2) (3), where H(2)CPA = N,N'-bis(5-chlorosalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine, H(2)BPA = N,N'-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine, and two new centrosymmetric dinuclear zinc(II) complexes, [Zn(2)(CMP)(2)] (4) and [Zn(2)(BMP)(2)] (5), where H(2)CMP = 4-chloro-2-{[3-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopropylimino]methyl}phenol, and H(2)BMP = 4-bromo-2-{[3-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopropylimino]methyl}phenol, have been prepared from the Schiff bases derived from 5-halido-substituted salicylaldehydes with N-hexylpropane-1,3-diamine under solvothermal conditions. The complexes have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes 1, 2, and 3 crystallise in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with cell dimensions a = 9.347(1), b = 11.507(2), c = 18.539(2) Å, β = 93.774(2)°, Z = 2 (for 1), a = 9.111(4), b = 12.089(6), c = 18.724(8) Å, β = 92.117(7)°, Z = 2 (for 2), and a = 11.328(2), b = 22.468(5), c = 8.270(2) Å, β = 93.74(3)°, Z = 2 (for 3), while complexes 4 and 5 crystallise in the triclinic space group P1, with cell dimensions a = 7.483(1), b = 9.990(2), c = 12.155(2) Å, α = 75.27(3), β = 85.00(3), γ = 73.82(3)°, Z = 1 (for 4), and a = 7.008(1), b = 10.081(2), c = 13.095(3) Å, α = 100.62(3), β = 95.51(3), γ = 104.03(3)°, Z = 1 (for 5). It is interesting that the mono-Schiff bases 4-chloro-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol (HCCP) and 4-bromo-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol (HBCP) used to prepare the nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes were transferred to bis-Schiff bases H(2)CPA and H(2)BPA in the complexes 1, 2, and 3, while the mono-Schiff bases HCCP and HBCP used to prepare the zinc(II) complexes were transferred to novel ligands H(2)CMP and H(2)BMP, bearing the unexpected, newly formed carbon-nitrogen single bond.


Pathway-based approaches for sequencing-based genome-wide association studies.
For analyzing complex trait association with sequencing data, most current studies test aggregated effects of variants in a gene or genomic region. Although gene-based tests have insufficient power even for moderately sized samples, pathway-based analyses combine information across multiple genes in biological pathways and may offer additional insight. However, most existing pathway association methods are originally designed for genome-wide association studies, and are not comprehensively evaluated for sequencing data. Moreover, region-based rare variant association methods, although potentially applicable to pathway-based analysis by extending their region definition to gene sets, have never been rigorously tested. In the context of exome-based studies, we use simulated and real datasets to evaluate pathway-based association tests. Our simulation strategy adopts a genome-wide genetic model that distributes total genetic effects hierarchically into pathways, genes, and individual variants, allowing the evaluation of pathway-based methods with realistic quantifiable assumptions on the underlying genetic architectures. The results show that, although no single pathway-based association method offers superior performance in all simulated scenarios, a modification of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis approach using statistics from single-marker tests without gene-level collapsing (weighted Kolmogrov-Smirnov [WKS]-Variant method) is consistently powerful. Interestingly, directly applying rare variant association tests (e.g., sequence kernel association test) to pathway analysis offers a similar power, but its results are sensitive to assumptions of genetic architecture. We applied pathway association analysis to an exome-sequencing data of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and found that the WKS-Variant method confirms associated genes previously published.


Defective assembly of sarcoglycan complex in patients with beta-sarcoglycan gene mutations. Study of aneural and innervated cultured myotubes.
Mutations in the sarcoglycan (SG) genes cause autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies. The absence of each SG complex component in muscle impairs the proper assembly of the entire SG complex, resulting in sarcolemmal damage. We investigated the consequences of beta-SG gene mutations in cultured muscle from two beta-SG mutated patients, and analysed each individual SG protein expression by cross-sectional immunocytochemistry and Western blot in aneural and innervated myotubes. Patients' muscle biopsy showed total loss of SG complex; however, a limited amount of beta-SG was detected in aneural and innervated myotubes, where the protein was localized to the plasma membrane. This paradoxical beta-SG expression can be attributable to antibody cross-reaction or to the expression of an unknown SG isoform specific of immature muscle. In our cultured myotubes, the other components of the SG complex were absent, suggesting that beta-SG gene mutations result in a defective assembly of the entire SG complex in early stages of muscle development, and that the role of beta-SG is crucial for the normal structure and/or function of the SG complex in the sarcolemma.


Histopathological study of von Ebner's lingual salivary glands in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice.
In the present study we describe the histopathological alterations induced by RC strain of Trypanosoma cruzi in the mouse von Ebner's lingual salivary glands during the acute period of infection: Amastigotes were found in von Ebner's gland acini cells, excretory duct cells, intralobular connective tissue, inside the acini lumen and muscle fibres. Desorganized parenchyma with impairment at the acinar and duct level, and intense lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate were seen.


Metal-free [2 + 1 + 3] Cycloaddition of Trifluoroacetaldehyde N-Sulfonylhydrazones with Hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines Leading to Trifluoromethylated 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines.
A transition-metal-free [2 + 1 + 3] cycloaddition of trifluoroacetaldehyde N-sulfonylhydrazone and hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine was described. This operationally simple protocol provides a general synthesis of diverse trifluoromethylated 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines in 81-97% yield with a broad substrate scope, including aryl, benzyl, and alkyl hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine.


In-vitro recombination in rad and rnc mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Extracts of S. cerevisiae cells can catalyze homologous recombination between plasmids in vitro. Extracts prepared from rad50, rad52 or rad54 disruption mutants all have reduced recombinational activity compared to wild-type. The rad52 and rad54 extracts are more impaired in the recombination of plasmids containing double-strand breaks than of intact plasmids, whereas rad50 extracts are deficient equally for both types of substrate. The nuclease RhoNuc (previously designated yNucR), encoded by the RNC1 (previously designated NUC2) gene and regulated by the RAD52 gene, is not required for recombination when one substrate is single-stranded but is essential for the majority of recombination events when both substrates are double-stranded. Furthermore, elimination of this nuclease restores recombination in rad52 extracts to levels comparable to those in wild-type extracts.


Creep and Recovery Behaviour of Polyolefin-Rubber Nanocomposites Developed for Additive Manufacturing.
Nanocomposite application in automotive engineering materials is subject to continual stress fields together with recovery periods, under extremes of temperature variations. The aim is to prepare and characterize polyolefin-rubber nanocomposites developed for additive manufacturing in terms of their time-dependent deformation behaviour as revealed in creep-recovery experiments. The composites consisted of linear low density polyethylene and functionalized rubber particles. Maleic anhydride compatibilizer grafted to polyethylene was used to enhance adhesion between the polyethylene and rubber; and multi-walled carbon nanotubes were introduced to impart electrical conductivity. Various compositions of nanocomposites were tested under constant stress in creep and recovery. A four-element mechanistic Burger model was employed to model the creep phase of the composites, while a Weibull distribution function was employed to model the recovery phase of the composites. Finite element analysis using Abaqus enabled numerical modelling of the creep phase of the composites. Both analytical and numerical solutions were found to be consistent with the experimental results. Creep and recovery were dependent on: (i) composite composition; (ii) compatibilizers content; (iii) carbon nanotubes that formed a percolation network.


Survival with AIDS in Massachusetts, 1979 to 1989.
The goal of the study was to determine survival time after diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to identify predictors of survival. We conducted a population-based prospective survival analysis of all Massachusetts-resident adult AIDS patients diagnosed from January 1, 1979, through December 31, 1988. Median survival was 406 days, with a 5-year survival rate of 3%. Age older than 40 years (P = .001), a diagnosis other than Kaposi's sarcoma (P = .001), and a history of intravenous drug use (P < or = .01) were associated with shorter survival after confounding was controlled. Survival increased as year of diagnosis became more recent (P < .0001). This temporal effect was strongest for patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Individuals with Kaposi's sarcoma, Hispanics, homosexual men who were concurrent intravenous drug users, and residents of the greater Boston standard metropolitan statistical area, excluding the city of Boston, did not experience increases in survival over time. With the exception of cases initially defined by Kaposi's sarcoma, recently diagnosed AIDS case subjects survive longer than those diagnosed earlier in the epidemic. Further work is needed to determine whether this effect is due to lead-time bias or better treatment after diagnosis.


Sign of the Zodiac as a predictor of survival for recipients of an allogeneic stem cell transplant for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML): an artificial association.
Astrological or Zodiac (star) sign has been shown to be a statistically significant factor in the outcome of a variety of diseases, conditions, and phenomena. To investigate its relevance in the context of a stem cell transplant (SCT), we examined its influence in chronic myeloid leukaemia, a disease with well-established prognostic factors. Data were collected on 626 patients who received a first myeloablative allogeneic SCT between 1981 and 2006. Star sign was determined for each patient. Univariate analyses comparing all 12 individual star signs showed considerable variation of 5-year probabilities of survival, 63% for Arians, to 45% for Aquarians, but without significance (P=.65). However, it was possible to pool together star signs likely to provide dichotomous results. Thus, grouping together Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio, and Capricorn (group A; n=317) versus others (group B; n=309) resulted in a highly significant difference (58% vs 48%; P=.007). When adjusted for known prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis, group B was associated with an increased risk of mortality when compared with group A (relative risk [RR], 1.37; P=.005). In this study, we show that, providing adequate care is taken, a significant relationship between patient star sign and survival post SCT for CML can be observed. This is, however, a completely erroneous result, and is based on the pooling together of observations to artificially create a statistically significant result. Statistical analyses should thus be carried out on a priori hypotheses and not to find a meaningful or significant result.


Humoral immune responses to the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf155 RESA in adults with differential clinical conditions from an Indian zone where malaria is endemic.
Ring infected erythrocyte surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf155/RESA) has been considered as a vaccine candidate. However, the relative immunogenicity of this antigen has not been studied in Indian populations. Pf155/RESA was investigated for its immunogenicity by studying humoral immune responses against Pf155/RESA and Pf155/RESA derived peptides (P1, P2 representing immunodominant epitopes from the 3' and P3 from the 5' repeat regions) by erythrocyte membrane immunofluorescence (EMIF) assay and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in P. falciparum primed donors living in hyperendemic malarious areas (Orissa State, India) where P. falciparum infections are highly prevalent. Subjects of different clinical status namely acute (A), clinically immune (CI) and acute with history of repeated P. falciparum infections (R) were included in this study. All the donors were seropositive against the crude antigen. There was considerable variation in the responses among the donors. While humoral responses in the plasmas against the P2 peptide (EENV)4 were significantly higher in magnitude and in frequency in the CI donors than in the A donors, no positive response was seen in the R donors. The responses to the peptides P1 (EENVEHDA)2 and P3 (DDEHVEEPTVA)2 were poor both in the A and in the CI groups. Whereas, most of the R donors were seropositive against the P3. The present results indicate that Pf155/RESA contains B cell epitopes which were recognized differently by the immune system of individuals living in malaria-hyperendemic areas of India who have been primed by natural infection. Our studies also suggest that in order to investigate the possible functional role of a given antigen, study of immune responses against the antigen in donors of different clinical status may be useful.


Serum Uric Acid and Risk for Acute Kidney Injury Following Contrast.
Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI). We evaluated the evidence that uric acid (UA) plays a pathogenic role in CI-AKI. Ten studies were eligible for inclusion for meta-analysis. Hyperuricemia predicted risk for cases with AKI in prospective cohort studies. Higher levels of serum UA (SUA), as defined by the authors, were associated with a 2-fold increased risk to develop AKI (pooled odds ratio 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-2.78). Significant heterogeneity was found in cohort studies ( P = .001, I2 = 85.7%). In 2 clinical trials, lowering of SUA with saline hydration was significantly associated with reduced risk for AKI compared with saline hydration alone or saline hydration with N-acetyl cysteine. An analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials found that allopurinol with saline hydration had a significant protective effect on renal function (assessed by serum creatinine values) compared with hydration alone (mean difference: -0.52 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.81 to -0.22). Hyperuricemia independently predicts CI-AKI. Two clinical trials suggest lowering SUA may prevent CI-AKI. The mechanism by which UA induces CI-AKI is likely related to acute uricosuria.


Methylone and monoamine transporters: correlation with toxicity.
Methylone (2-methylamino-1-[3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl]propane-1-one) is a synthetic hallucinogenic amphetamine analog, like MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine), considered to act on monoaminergic systems. However, the psychopharmacological profile of its cytotoxicity as a consequence of monoaminergic deficits remains unclear. We examined here the effects of methylone on the transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET), and serotonin (SERT), using a heterologous expression system in CHO cells, in association with its cytotoxicity. Methylone inhibited the activities of DAT, NET, and SERT, but not GABA transporter-1 (GAT1), in a concentration-dependent fashion with a rank order of NET > DAT > SERT. Methylone was less effective at inhibiting DAT and NET, but more effective against SERT, than was methamphetamine. Methylone alone was not toxic to cells except at high concentrations, but in combination with methamphetamine had a synergistic effect in CHO cells expressing the monoamine transporters but not in control CHO cells or cells expressing GAT1. The ability of methylone to inhibit monoamine transporter function, probably by acting as a transportable substrate, underlies the synergistic effect of methylone and methamphetamine.


Effects of Miscanthus × giganteus and Wheat Straw on Behavior, Survival, and Growth of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).
The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), damages poultry barns, vectors poultry diseases, inhibits poultry weight gain, and consumes poultry feed. Management of the pest is a challenge because of its resistance to several insecticides, difficulty in treating infestations that can be concealed in locations within barns, and the high populations that occur around spilled poultry feed. However, few A. diaperinus were observed in Miscanthus × giganteus straw in a case where it was used as an alternative bedding material in open-floor poultry production in Ontario. To investigate this, we tested the effects of Miscanthus × giganteus and wheat straw on A. diaperinus behavior, survival, and growth in laboratory experiments. In these experiments, adult beetles preferred to inhabit wheat straw, whereas late-instar larvae preferred Miscanthus × giganteus . As a result, more adult beetles emerged from pupae in Miscanthus × giganteus than in wheat, but there was no difference in emerged beetle weight. Early-instar larvae survived and increased in weight at similar rates in both straw types. Thus, while adult A. diaperinus strongly preferred wheat straw given a choice, late-instar preference and pupae emergence suggest that Miscanthus × giganteus may not be useful for suppressing A. diaperinus populations.


Multiple psychiatric diagnoses common in privately insured children on atypical antipsychotics.
To evaluate the prevalence of atypical antipsychotic use in privately insured children and the diagnoses associated with treatment. Claims were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study of children aged 2 through 18 years in the Midwest, covered by private insurance between 2002 and 2005 (n = 172,766). The 1-year prevalence of children receiving atypical antipsychotics was determined along with associated diagnoses. The 1-year prevalence of atypical antipsychotics ranged from 7.9 per 1000 in 2002 to 9.0 in 2005. The leading diagnoses were disruptive behavior disorders (67%), mood disorders (65%), and anxiety disorders (43%).The authors found that 75% of children on atypical antipsychotics had more than one psychiatric diagnosis. Atypical antipsychotic use is primarily seen in children who have multiple psychiatric diagnoses. Studies are needed to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness in such patients with multiple diagnoses.


The Role of Nrf2 in Skeletal Muscle on Exercise Capacity.
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) is believed to play a crucial role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. In addition to its primary function of maintaining redox homeostasis, there is emerging evidence that Nrf2 is also involved in energy metabolism. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of Nrf2 in skeletal muscle metabolism from the perspective of exercise physiology. This article is part of a special issue "Mitochondrial Function, Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species and Skeletal Muscle" edited by Håkan Westerblad and Takashi Yamada.


Gazing Into the Crystal Ball: Calciphylaxis Causing Striking Retinal Vascular Calcification, Ocular Ischemic Syndrome, Crystalline Retinopathy, and Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.
A 72-year-old woman with membranous glomerulonephritis and failed renal transplant on peritoneal dialysis presented with bilateral vision loss. She reported several months of diminishing right eye vision that worsened after cataract extraction. On presentation, visual acuity was hand motion in the right and 20/100 in the left eye with a right afferent pupillary defect. Confrontation visual fields were constricted bilaterally. Intraocular pressure was 23 in the right eye, and there was diffuse right eye central corneal opacity with iris neovascularization. Fundus examination revealed bilateral pale optic nerves with cotton wool spot inferior to the left optic disc and diffuse arteriolar whitening with crystalline deposits in the left macula. Given fundus appearance, concurrent ischemic optic neuropathy, and ocular ischemic syndrome, ocular calciphylaxis was suspected. The patient reported development of painful gluteal nodules a month prior, and biopsy revealed calcinosis cutis, a dermatopathologic finding on the spectrum of calcific vasculitides. Her vision continued to decline in both eyes with left eye vision of 20/400. Intravenous sodium thiosulfate through hemodialysis was started with initial improvement in left eye vision to 20/125, but subsequently declined despite treatment. Pathogenesis of systemic calciphylaxis is poorly understood but believed to result from upregulation of osteogenesis and decreased inhibition of vascular calcification in parathyroid axis dyscrasias due to end-stage renal disease. Excess serum calcium-phosphate deposits in blood vessels causing tissue infarction, most commonly in the skin. Prior case reports have described ischemic optic neuropathy mimicking giant cell arteritis and crystalline retinopathy with ocular ischemic syndrome separately. Treatment with empiric intravenous sodium thiosulfate and calcium chelation may preserve vision in some patients.


Acupuncture stimulation alleviates corticosterone-induced impairments of spatial memory and cholinergic neurons in rats.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether acupuncture improves spatial cognitive impairment induced by repeated corticosterone (CORT) administration in rats. The effect of acupuncture on the acetylcholinergic system was also investigated in the hippocampus. Male rats were subcutaneously injected with CORT (5 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Acupuncture stimulation was performed at the HT7 (Sinmun) acupoint for 5 min before CORT injection. HT7 acupoint is located at the end of transverse crease of ulnar wrist of forepaw. In CORT-treated rats, reduced spatial cognitive function was associated with significant increases in plasma CORT level (+36%) and hippocampal CORT level (+204%) compared with saline-treated rats. Acupuncture stimulation improved the escape latency for finding the platform in the Morris water maze. Consistently, the acupuncture significantly alleviated memory-associated decreases in cholinergic immunoreactivity and mRNA expression of BDNF and CREB in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate that stimulation of HT7 acupoint produced significant neuroprotective activity against the neuronal impairment and memory dysfunction.


The role of folic acid in prevention of neural tube defects caused by high dose progesterone.
To describe the effect of high dose progesterone (HDP) alone, or in combination with folic acid (FA), on occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in chick embryo. 60 Fertile, specific eggs of Fyoumi species of chick were selected at zero hr of incubation. They were incubated at 37.5 °C and 75% relative humidity until the embryos reached stage eight of development. At this stage the eggs were divided into four groups consisting of 15 eggs/group. The 1st group was incubated without any operation. The 2nd group was injected with physiological saline. The 3rd and 4th groups were injected with HDP (20x physiologic dose of progesterone) and HDP with supplement of 5 micrograms/embryo of FA, respectively. After 48 hrs of incubation, all embryos were reviewed for the presence of NTDs under light microscopy. None of the eggs in the control, and saline injection groups showed NTDs, whereas 75 % (9/12) of the embryos in the 3rd group, and 58.3 % (7/12) of the chick embryos in 4th group showed NTDs. Exogenous progesterone at levels twenty times above its physiologic range in chick embryos causes NTDs. FA supplementation decreases the frequency of NTDs but does not abolish them.


Mössbauer and computational study of an N2-bridged diiron diketiminate complex: parallel alignment of the iron spins by direct antiferromagnetic exchange with activated dinitrogen.
This work reports Mössbauer and DFT studies of the diiron-N2 complex LMeFeNNFeLMe (L = beta-diketiminate), 1a. Complex 1a, formally diiron(I), has a system spin S = 3 with an isolated MS = +/-3 quasi-doublet as a ground state; the MS = +/-2 doublet is >100 cm-1 higher in energy. Complex 1a exhibits at 4.2 K a large, positive magnetic hyperfine field, Bint = +68.1 T, and an effective g value of 16 +/- 2 along the easy magnetization axis of the ground doublet; this value is significantly larger than the spin-only value (g = 12). These results have been rationalized by DFT calculations, which show that each Fe site donates significant electron density into the pi* orbitals of dinitrogen, resulting in a configuration best described as two high-spin FeII (Sa = Sb = 2) bridged by triplet N22- (Sc = 1). In this description the minority spin electron of each iron is accommodated by two nonbonding, closely spaced 3d orbitals, z2 and yz (z is perpendicular to the diketiminate planes, x is along the Fe...Fe vector). Spin-orbit coupling between these orbital states generates a large unquenched orbital momentum along the iron-iron vector. The S = 3 ground state of 1a results from strong antiferromagnetic direct exchange couplings of the Fe spins (Sa = Sb = 2) to the N22- spin (Sc = 1) and can be formulated as ((Sa,Sb)Sab = 4, Sc = 1), S = 3>; H = J(Sa + Sb).Sc with J approximately 3500 cm-1.


Dye-sensitized solar cells based on anatase TiO2 nanoparticle/nanowire composites.
Dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated based on the composites of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and single crystalline anatase TiO2 nanowires. Nanoparticle/nanowire composites can possess the advantages of both building blocks, i.e., the high surface area of nanoparticle aggregates and the rapid electron transport rate and the light scattering effect of single-crystalline nanowires. Three different composites were prepared with 5 wt %, 20 wt %, and 77 wt % nanowires, respectively. The performances of composite solar cells were compared with pure nanoparticle cells at a series of film thickness. With low nanowire concentrations (5 wt % and 20 wt %), the composite films maintain similar specific surface area as the pure nanoparticle films, while the composite cells show higher short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage. An enhancement of power efficiency from 6.7% for pure nanoparticle cells to 8.6% for the composite cell with 20 wt % nanowires has been achieved under 1 Sun AM1.5 illumination (100 mW/cm2). For the composite film with 77 wt % nanowires, the nanowires became the major phase. Their less compact packing resulted in significant decrease of the specific surface area, and thus the current density. However, with the increase of film thickness, the current density showed a continuous increase in the whole thickness range up to 17 microm, indicating the improved electron diffusion length due to the formed nanowire network. The nanowires also helped to preserve crack-free thick films. These results show that employing nanoparticle/nanowire composites represents a promising approach for further improving the efficiencies of sensitized solar cells.


Barriers to screening among participants of a media-promoted breast cancer screening project.
Breast cancer detection and awareness projects have been implemented nationwide in an attempt to increase compliance with screening mammography. Previous studies, however, showed that the elderly, minorities, and women of lower socioeconomic status fail to respond in representative numbers. A cross-sectional analysis of 6640 participants of a Breast Cancer Detection and Awareness Project in Tampa, FL, was conducted to determine if barriers and motivations to screening differed among targeted (the elderly, minorities, women of lower socioeconomic status) and nontargeted groups. Targeted demographic groups reported far more barriers to screening and fewer motivating factors in their decision to participate in screening. This was true for the elderly, minorities, and women of lower socioeconomic status. Women in greater need of screening mammography report fewer motivations, and must overcome greater barriers to participate in media-promoted breast screening projects. Changes in the design and promotion of these screening projects must occur to prevent reverse targeting.


Diagnostic characteristics of given video capsule endoscopy in diagnosis of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.
In the view of small sample sizes of the studies published so far, the value of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in diagnosing celiac disease (CD) is yet to be determined. The aim of this work was to systemically determine the overall diagnostic characteristics of VCE in diagnosing noncomplicated CD, compared to the gold standard, using meta-analysis. An extensive literature search was performed looking for prospective, controlled trials, with investigators blinded to results of the pathology of small-bowel biopsies. Two independent authors performed data extraction and assessment of the methodologic quality of each trial. Diagnostic characteristics of each trial were collected, and pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios were computed. Description of complications and costs was included, if reported. A total of three studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 107; 63 with CD and 44 without). The overall pooled VCE sensitivity was 83% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 71-90%) and specificity was 98% (95% CI = 88-99.6%). No major complications were reported. The costs were mentioned only in one study. The overall diagnostic characteristics of VCE, when used to diagnose celiac disease, though good with an experienced eye, could not justify the routine use of VCE as an alternative to the pathology of small-bowel biopsies. More studies are needed with proper cost-benefit analysis.


Intellectual Disability: When the Hypertrichosis Is a Clue.
The skin and the central and peripheral nervous system both derive from the ectoderm ridge. Therefore, several syndromes characterized by the presence of intellectual disability (ID) can be associated with specific congenital cutaneous manifestations. In this review, we list some of the most frequent diseases characterized by the presence of ID associated with hirsutism, which might be an incentive for the clinicians to pay attention to the ectodermal annexes in patients with ID.


Assessment of the effects of induced anisometropia on binocularity with glasses-free 3D technique.
To assess the effect of experimentally induced anisometropia on binocularity in normal adults with glasses-free three-dimensional (3D) technique. Totally 54 healthy medical students with normal binocularity in the cross-sectional study were enrolled. Anisometropia was induced by placing trail lenses over the right eye, in 0.5 D steps including lenses of -0.5, -1, -1.5, -2, -2.5 D (hyperopic anisometropia) and lenses of +0.5, +1, +1.5, +2, +2.5 D (myopic anisometropia). The glasses-free 3D technique was used to evaluated not only fine stereopsis, but also coarse stereopsis, dynamic stereopsis, foveal suppression, and peripheral suppression in these subjects. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare quantitative data such as fine stereopsis, coarse stereopsis. Pearson's Chi-square test was performed to compare categorical data such as dynamic stereopsis, foveal suppression and peripheral suppression. The subjects showed a statistically significant decline in fine stereopsis, coarse stereopsis, and dynamic stereopsis with increasing levels of anisometropia (P<0.001). Binocularity was affected when induced anisometropia was more than 1 D (P<0.05). Foveal suppression and peripheral suppression were evident and increased in proportion to anisometropia (P<0.001). The relatively low degrees of anisometropia may have a potentially significant effect on high-grade binocular interaction. The mechanisms underlying the defect of binocularity seem to involve not only foveal suppression, but also peripheral suppression.


ROS-Based Nanoparticles for Atherosclerosis Treatment.
Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic arterial disease, is the leading cause of death in western developed countries. Considering its long-term asymptomatic progression and serious complications, the early prevention and effective treatment of AS are particularly important. The unique characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) make them attractive in novel therapeutic and diagnostic applications, providing new options for the treatment of AS. With the assistance of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based NPs, drugs can reach specific lesion areas, prolong the therapeutic effect, achieve targeted controlled release and reduce adverse side effects. In this article, we reviewed the mechanism of AS and the generation and removal strategy of ROS. We further discussed ROS-based NPs, and summarized their biomedical applications in scavenger and drug delivery. Furthermore, we highlighted the recent advances, challenges and future perspectives of ROS-based NPs for treating AS.


A Simple Tool Predicts Mortality in Aluminum Phosphide Self-poisoning.
Incorporating the toxidrome-specific prognostic systems into the daily emergency department practice might become a standard of care in low- and middle-income countries. The PGI score is appealing because it is quick and easy, it accurately identifies high-risk patients at in-hospital mortality, and it shows promise in predicting those at low risk. Although further validation of the PGI score is required in more extensive studies, it can help direct appropriate resources to those most likely to benefit and stratify patients for testing novel clinical interventions. How to cite this article: Pannu AK, Bhalla A. A Simple Tool Predicts Mortality in Aluminum Phosphide Self-poisoning. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(9):755-756.


Increase in RNASEL gene expression by miR-29-3p inhibitors in HEK293T cells.
RNase L is known as a terminal component of antiviral and Interferon (IFN) pathways in mammalian cells. On the other hand, the human miR-29 family of microRNAs (miRs) has three mature members, miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c. miR-29 is encoded by two gene clusters and the family members have multifunctional roles in various biological processes. To determine the potential role of miR-29 in the regulation of RNASEL gene expression by designing inhibitors against its targeting miRNA, miR-29a-3p and evaluate the RNase L expression. After selecting miR-29a-3p as a main regulating miRNA for RNASEL in silico, two inhibitors were designed against it and synthesized. Synthesized strands were made double-stranded DNA oligos, treated with T4 polynucleotide kinase (PNK), cloned into the pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-cGFP-T2A-Puro vector and transformed into DH5α. Colony PCR and sequencing was done for affirmation. Then the miR-29a-3p inhibitors were transfected into HEK-293T cell line and RNASEL gene expression was analyzed. The miR-29a-3p inhibitors decreased miR-29a-3p expression in vitro. In addition, miR-29a-3p expression reduction resulted in an increase of RNASEL gene expression. miR-29a-3p inhibitors could increase in RNASEL gene expression which potentially affects the antiviral/IFN pathway. The inhibitors could be considered as drug candidates in different diseases especially viral infections.


[Marcus Tullius Cicero and medicine].
The article deals with the selected parts of the writings of M. Tullius Cicero De natura deorum and Cato Maior De senectute dealing with medicine. It is an attempt to illustrate medical knowledge of educated people in ancient Rome. In its true sense, the above given writings have not a scientific character. However, the errors that the writings contain belong to the time when Marcus Tullius Cicero had lived. Ciceros knowledge in anatomy is given as an example.


Agrometeorology and models for the parasite cycle forecast.
Insects are strongly influenced by meteorological variables in their natural environment. In agriculture, mathematical models have been developed to understand and forecast the cycle of pests based on climate data. By this manner, with the goal of reduce and rationalize plant chemical treatments, agrometeorological models have been realized to estimate the length and starting times of parasites phenological phases. In Sicily a new network of 95 GSM meteorological stations and a specific mathematical model for Aonidiella aurantii are used by Sicilian Agrometeorological Information System (SIAS) for the integrated pest management program of citrus orchards in the Island. As the plants parasites, vector borne diseases are influenced by climate in their appearance and abundance. In lights of the benefits that could derive from a model for the control of Leishmania vectors, SIAS experiences in modelling were used to develop a deductive model for Phlebotomus perniciosus which represents the major vector of human and canine leishmaniasis in Sicily.


Immobilization hypercalcaemia with severe bone mineral loss and hypogonadism.
Moderate hypercalcaemia occurred in a 17-year-old male who was immobilized with abdominal and right hip sepsis for 9 months after a motor vehicle accident. The hypercalcaemia was due to bone resorption, with a urine hydroxyproline:creatinine ratio of 0.203 (normal less than 0.017) and a urine calcium loss of 22.9 mmol/24 hr, associated with impaired renal function. There was radiological evidence of severe bone demineralization in the pelvis over 42 weeks. Radiocalcium absorption, using 47Ca, was decreased (0.17, normal range 0.35-1.30), renal tubular maximum for calcium reabsorption was decreased (1.61 mmol/1 glomerular filtrate, normal range 1.8-2.2), the serum parathyroid hormone concentration was in the low normal range (3.2, 3.6 u/l, normal range 2-6) and the plasma 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D concentration was decreased despite a normal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentration, indicating suppression of the parathyroid, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D axis. The patient was found to be hypogonadal at 41 weeks after admission and testosterone therapy was begun, with associated improvement in mobilization and a reduction of the hypercalcaemia.


Cross-species hybridization of a Borrelia burgdorferi DNA array reveals infection- and culture-associated genes of the unsequenced genome of the relapsing fever agent Borrelia hermsii.
The known genome sequence of Borrelia burgdorferi, an agent of Lyme borreliosis, was used to study the genetic content and gene expression in B. hermsii, another spirochete pathogen and a cause of relapsing fever. Cross-species hybridization of a DNA array representing 1628 open reading frames (ORF) of B. burgdorferi with genomic DNA of B. hermsii indicated that the latter organism has at least 81% of the chromosomal genes and 43% of the plasmid genes of B. burgdorferi. We then carried out quantitative hybridization of the arrays with multiple replicates of cDNA produced from B. hermsii cells growing in the blood of infected mice or in culture medium that was adjusted to the same pH, temperature and a spirochete density as infected blood. Of 642 B. burgdorferi ORFs hybridized by all replicates under both conditions, 12 (1.9%) demonstrated differential expression by a regularized t-test and stringent criteria. BBP07 and BBG30, two plasmid-borne ORFs with the greatest measurable difference in expression between in vivo and in vitro conditions, putatively encode proteins of unknown function. Orthologues of BBP07 in B. hermsii were identified, and increased expression in infected mice was demonstrated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.


Nuclear import of moloney murine leukemia virus DNA mediated by adenovirus preterminal protein is not sufficient for efficient retroviral transduction in nondividing cells.
Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)-derived vectors require cell division for efficient transduction, which may be related to an inability of the viral DNA-protein complex to cross the nuclear membrane. In contrast, adenoviruses (Ad) can efficiently infect nondividing cells. This property may be due to the presence of multiple nuclear translocation signals in a number of Ad proteins, which are associated with the incoming viral genomes. Of particular interest is the Ad preterminal protein (pTP), which binds alone or in complex with the Ad polymerase to specific sequences in the Ad inverted terminal repeat. The goal of this study was to test whether coexpression of pTP with retroviral DNA carrying pTP-binding sites would facilitate nuclear import of the viral preintegration complex and transduction of quiescent cells. In preliminary experiments, we demonstrated that the karyophylic pTP can coimport plasmid DNA into the nuclei of growth-arrested cells. Retroviral transduction studies were performed with G(1)/S-arrested LTA cells or stationary-phase human primary fibroblasts. These studies demonstrated that pTP or pTP-Ad polymerase conferred nuclear import of retroviral DNA upon arrested cells when the retrovirus vector contained the corresponding binding motifs. However, pTP-mediated nuclear translocation of MoMLV DNA in nondividing cells was not sufficient for stable transduction. Additional cellular factors activated during S phase or DNA repair synthesis were required for efficient retroviral integration.


A Semisolid Micromechanical Beam Steering System Based on Micrometa-Lens Arrays.
Optical beam steerers have been widely employed for information acquisitions. Numerous beam steering schemes have been developed, and each of them can satisfy practical requirements for certain scenarios. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive approach that is able to balance all of the critical technical parameters for wide range of applications. Here, a semisolid micromechanical beam steering system based on micrometa-lens arrays (MMLAs) is demonstrated. It is operated by manipulating the probe beam over two sets of decentered MMLAs potentially driven by high-speed piezo-electric motors. Small f-numbers, well-corrected aberration, and easy lateral reproduction of micrometa-lenses optimize the overall technical parameters. As a proof-of-concept, we implement such a device exhibiting diffraction-limited resolution within a large field of view of 30° × 30°. A three-dimensional depth sensing is also performed to demonstrate its potential in light detection and ranging applications.


Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation by pentosan polysulphate in control subjects and stone formers.
In vitro studies showed that sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP) is an active inhibitor of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal growth and agglomeration and that it acts by increasing the negative zeta potential on the surface of CaOx crystals. Oral administration of SPP to control subjects, recurrent stone formers and patients with primary hyperoxaluria resulted in an overall increase of 8% (P less than 0.01) in the polyanionic inhibition of CaOx crystallisation in urine as measured by the zeta potential. SPP could provide a novel approach to the medical prevention of recurrent CaOx stone disease.


Salmeterol added to inhaled corticosteroid therapy is superior to doubling the dose of inhaled corticosteroids: a randomized clinical trial.
This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of adding salmeterol xinafoate to concurrent inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate therapy with doubling the dose of beclomethasone dipropionate in patients experiencing symptoms on low-dose beclomethasone. Salmeterol added to low-dose beclomethasone was superior (p < or = 0.05) to doubling the dose of beclomethasone in improving peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), and in reducing symptoms of asthma, sleep loss, nighttime awakenings, and use of albuterol. Both treatment regimens had comparable safety profiles. In asthma patients inadequately controlled despite the use of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (i.e., less than 400 microg per day), the addition of salmeterol may be a more effective treatment option than doubling the dose of inhaled corticosteroids.


c-fos/c-jun expression and AP-1 activation in skin fibroblasts from centenarians.
In vitro replicative senescence is characterized by an irreversible growth arrest due to the inability of the cell to induce some key regulators of cell cycle progression, such as c-fos and AP-1, in response to mitogenic stimuli. In vitro replicative senescence and in vivo aging have been assumed to be two related phenomena, likely controlled by overlapping or interacting genes. As a corollary, fibroblasts from centenarians, which have undergone a long process of senescence in vivo should have very limited proliferative capability. On the contrary, in a previous work we found that fibroblasts from centenarians exhibited the same capacity to respond to different mitogenic stimuli as fibroblasts from young donors. Here we provide evidences that the well preserved proliferative response is likely due to the fact that some pivotal regulators- c-fos, c-jun and AP-1-are still fully inducible, despite a long process of in vivo senescence. Our data therefore suggest that in vivo and in vitro aging are separate phenomena whose possible relationships, if any, have to be ascertained very carefully.


Circulating endothelial cells and their progenitors in acute myeloid leukemia.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy characterized by the accumulation of immature myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Studies are required to investigate the prognostic and predictive value of surrogate biomarkers. Given the importance of angiogenesis in oncology in terms of pathogenesis as well as being a target for treatment, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are promising candidates to serve as such markers. The aim of the present study was to quantify CECs and EPCs in patients with AML at initial diagnosis and following induction chemotherapy, and to correlate these findings with the response to treatment in AML patients. The present study included 40 patients with de novo AML and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. CECs and EPCs were evaluated by flow cytometry at initial diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy (3+7 protocol for AML other than M3 and all-trans-retinoic acid plus anthracycline for M3 disease). CECs and EPCs were significantly higher in AML patients at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy than in controls. After induction chemotherapy, CECs and EPCs were significantly decreased compared with the levels at initial diagnosis. Patients who achieved complete response (n=28) had lower initial CEC and EPC levels compared with patients who did not respond to treatment. These results suggest that CEC levels are higher in AML patients and may correlate with disease status and treatment response. Further investigations are required to better determine the predictive value and implication of these cells in AML management.


Protein G ELISA for detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma SAG1 in dromedaries.
ELISA was used for detection of antibodies against the immunodominant surface antigen 1 (SAG1, synonymous P30) of Toxoplasma gondii, and peroxidase-conjugated protein G was used instead of commercially unavailable enzyme-conjugated anti-dromedary antibody. A latex agglutination test was employed to select 20 seronegative control animals, and peroxidase-conjugated protein A was used for comparison with protein G. The overall seroprevalence rate was 31.4%; males had to some extent higher seropositive rate than females (P = 0.077). Seropositive camels sampled in winter had significantly higher-antibody levels than those sampled in summer (P < 0.01). ELISA values using protein G and protein A conjugates were significantly correlated (Spearman's rho = 0.797; n = 185; P < 0.001). The results were discussed.


Leishmania major lacking arginase (ARG) are auxotrophic for polyamines but retain infectivity to susceptible BALB/c mice.
Polyamines are essential metabolites in eukaryotes participating in a variety of proliferative processes, and in trypanosomatid protozoa play an additional role in the synthesis of the critical thiol trypanothione. Whereas the polyamine biosynthesis arising from L-ornithine has been well studied in protozoa, the metabolic origin(s) of L-ornithine have received less attention. Arginase (EC 126.96.36.199) catalyzes the enzymatic hydrolysis of L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea, and we tested the role of arginase in polyamine synthesis by the generation of an arg(?) knockout in Leishmania major by double targeted gene replacement. This mutant lacked arginase activity and required the nutritional provision of polyamines or L-ornithine for growth. A complemented line (arg(?)/+ARG) expressing arginase from a multi-copy expression vector showed 30-fold elevation of arginase activity, similar polyamine and ornithine levels as the wild-type, and resistance to the inhibitors ?-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and N(?)-hydroxy-l-arginine (NOHA). This established that arginase is the major route of polyamine synthesis in promastigotes cultured in vitro. The arg(?) parasites retained the ability to differentiate normally to the infective metacyclic stage, and were able to induce progressive disease following inoculation into susceptible BALB/c mice, albeit less efficiently than WT parasites. These data suggest that the infective amastigote form of Leishmania, which normally resides within an acidified parasitophorous vacuole, can survive in vivo through salvage of host polyamines and/or other molecules, aided by the tendency of acidic compartments to concentrate basic metabolites. This may thus contribute to the relative resistance of Leishmania to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitors. The availability of infective, viable, arginase-deficient parasites should prove useful in dissecting the role of l-arginine metabolism in both pro- and anti-parasitic responses involving host nitric oxide synthase, which requires L-arginine to generate NO.


Terpolymer Micelles for the Delivery of Arsenic to Breast Cancer Cells: The Effect of Chain Sequence on Polymeric Micellar Characteristics and Cancer Cell Uptake.
In this study, we developed a micellar platform composed of terpolymers for the encapsulation of inorganic arsenite or arsenous acid (AsIII). For this purpose, a series of terpolymers composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, block A), poly(α-carboxylate-ε-carprolactone) (PCCL, block B), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL, block C) with either a blocked, i.e., BC or CB, or random, i.e., (B/C)ran block copolymer sequence in the polyester segment was synthesized. The COOH groups on block B were further modified with mercaptohexylamine for AsIII encapsulation. We then investigated how sequence of terpolymers can affect the stability and surface charge of micelles as well as the cellular uptake of their cargo, i.e., AsIII, by MDA-MB-435 cancer cells. 1H NMR spectroscopy in D2O and CDCl3 was also used to study the structure of different terpolymer micelles. Our results showed micelles with ABC sequence to have better stability over those of ACB and A(B/C)ran as reflected by a lower critical micellar concentration. The AsIII-loaded ABC micelles were less negatively charged on the surface than the other two types of terpolymer micelles. In line with this observation, ABC micelles showed a substantially enhanced uptake of AsIII by MDA-MB-435 cancer cells. Stability and surface charge are key parameters that can influence the performance of polymeric micelles as nanodrug carriers. Based on these results, we suggest ABC micelles to have improved characteristics for AsIII delivery compared to ACB and A(B/C)ran micelles.