Cultural Beliefs Regarding Breast Reconstruction in a Minority Group.
The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can significantly affect a woman's health and well-being. Several studies have identified factors contributing to disparities in breast reconstruction among ethnic groups, but few have examined the experience of Hispanic women. Hispanic women who had undergone breast reconstruction were interviewed in retrospective focus groups. Data were collected to identify themes that affected decision-making regarding the type and timing of reconstruction. Most participants chose to undergo reconstruction to regain normalcy and maintain their previous "feminine" appearance. Most (75%) received silicone breast implants, and 25% received autologous reconstruction. Safety was the most important consideration when choosing the type of reconstruction. All but 1 participant relied on a spouse or other family member for support during recovery. Although most found the experience overwhelming, they felt their community was supportive and encouraging throughout the process. Several themes underlying the decision to undergo reconstruction were identified, including maintaining femininity and choosing the safest procedure. Overall, participants described the experience as overwhelming but found support from community and family. These findings, which could be applied broadly to women regardless of ethnicity, can be used to improve communication between surgeon and patient throughout the reconstruction process.


Ageing, Leisure, and Social Connectedness: How could Leisure Help Reduce Social Isolation of Older People?
This study investigates the relation between leisure activities and the social status of the elderly based on a heterogeneous sample of the Dutch population. Close relationships are also analyzed to identify which people could serve as successful stimulators of leisure participation. The social profile confirms that older people have fewer social contacts and often feel lonely. This study shows that leisure activities explain a significant part of older people's social connectedness. Voluntary work, cultural activities, holiday, sports, reading books, hobbies and shopping are found to be successful predictors for social connectedness of older people. Watching TV, listening to the radio, and spending time behind the computer (passive activities) were not associated with social connectedness. Friends correlate positively to participation in leisure activities. Partners play a role in participation in cultural activities and sports; parents play a role in participation in voluntary work and holidays; siblings play a role in voluntary work and sports; and children play a role in cultural activities, reading books, and shopping. Local communities can use these close relationships and develop special programs to increase social connectedness and hence improve quality of life for older adults.


Cytotoxicity and apoptosis produced by cytochrome P450 2E1 in Hep G2 cells.
Two Hep G2 subclones overexpressing CYP2E1 were established with the use of transfection and limited dilution screening techniques. The Hep G2-CI2E1-43 and -47 (E47) cells (transduced Hep G2 subclones that overexpress CYP2E1) grew at a slower rate than parental Hep G2 cells or control subclones that do not express CYP2E1, but remained fully viable. When GSH synthesis was inhibited by treatment with buthionine sulfoximine, GSH levels rapidly declined in E47 cells but not control cells, which is most likely a reflection of CYP2E1-catalyzed formation of reactive oxygen species. Under these conditions of GSH depletion, cytotoxicity and apoptosis were found only with the E47 cells. Low levels of lipid peroxidation were found in the E47 cells, which became more pronounced after GSH depletion. The antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, or trolox prevented the lipid peroxidation as well as the cytotoxicity and apoptosis, as did transfection with plasmid containing antisense CYP2E1 or overexpression of Bcl-2. Levels of ATP were lower in E47 cells because of damage to mitochondrial complex I. When GSH was depleted, oxygen uptake was markedly decreased with all substrates in the E47 extracts. Vitamin E completely prevented the decrease in oxygen uptake. Under conditions of CYP2E1 overexpression, two modes of CYP2E1-dependent toxicity can be observed in Hep G2 cells: a slower growth rate when cellular GSH levels are maintained and a loss of cellular viability when cellular GSH levels are depleted. Elevated lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the CYP2E1-dependent toxicity and apoptosis. This direct toxicity of overexpressed CYP2E1 may reflect the ability of this enzyme to generate reactive oxygen species even in the absence of added metabolic substrate.


Measurement Repeatability of Central and Peripheral Blood Pressures: The ARIC Study.
Central systolic and pulse pressures are markers of risk for small vessel disease in the brain and kidneys. The extent to which these markers are reproducible in the setting of population studies is less well established. We estimated short-term repeatability of central systolic and pulse pressures, and those of their peripheral measures for comparison. Participants aged 65 years and over (n = 79, 56% women) were drawn from the 2011-2013 examination of the ARIC cohort. Measurements were obtained with automated devices in the supine position, except for conventional sitting pressures, from paired measurements at each of 2 visits separated by 4 to 8 weeks. Three-level variance component models with between-participant, between-visit, and within-visit components estimated reliability metrics. Mean central systolic and pulse pressures were higher than conventional brachial measures, yet their 4 to 8 week measurement repeatability was similar: reliability coefficients were 0.62 (95% confidence interval: 0.49, 0.74) and 0.63 (0.51, 0.76) for central and sitting brachial systolic pressures, and 0.66 (0.54. 0.77) and 0.73 (0.63, 0.82) for their corresponding pulse pressures. Between-participant variation contributed to two-thirds of the short-term repeatability for all measures. Within-visit variation remained uniformly low across visits. Our results indicate that the average of 2 standardized measurements obtained at a single visit can provide reliable estimates of central systolic and pulse pressures. The reliability coefficients of central and peripheral blood pressure measures were comparable. Estimates are presented of minimal detectable change and difference to aid in study design and evaluation of analytic results.


Effect of dietary net energy concentrations on growth performance and net energy intake of growing gilts.
This experiment investigated the effect of dietary net energy (NE) concentrations on growth performance and NE intake of growing gilts. Five diets were formulated to contain 9.6, 10.1, 10.6, 11.1, and 11.6 MJ NE/kg, respectively. A metabolism trial with 10 growing pigs (average body weight [BW] = 15.9±0.24 kg) was conducted to determine NE concentrations of 5 diets based on French and Dutch NE systems in a 5×5 replicated Latin square design. A growth trial also was performed with five dietary treatments and 12 replicates per treatment using 60 growing gilts (average BW = 15.9±0.55 kg) for 28 days. A regression analysis was performed to predict daily NE intake from the BW of growing gilts. Increasing NE concentrations of diets did not influence average daily gain and average daily feed intake of growing gilts. There was a quadratic relationship (p = 0.01) between dietary NE concentrations and feed efficiency (G:F), although the difference in G:F among treatment means was relatively small. Regression analysis revealed that daily NE intake was linearly associated with the BW of growing gilts. The prediction equations for NE intake with the BW of growing gilts were: NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.442+(0.562×BW, kg), R2 = 0.796 when French NE system was used, whereas NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.533+(0.614×BW, kg), R2 = 0.810 when Dutch NE system was used. Increasing NE concentrations of diets from 9.6 to 11.6 MJ NE/kg have little impacts on growth performance of growing gilts. Daily NE intake can be predicted from the BW between 15 and 40 kg in growing gilts.


Intrauterine fetal constraint induces chondrocyte apoptosis and premature ossification of the cranial base.
The spheno-occipital synchondrosis is an important growth center of the craniofacial skeleton and a primary site of malformation in syndromic forms of craniosynostosis. Clinical and laboratory investigations have demonstrated that premature closure of cranial vault sutures in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is associated with characteristic alterations in cranial base morphology. However, a causal link between premature fusion of calvarial sutures and changes in the cranial base remains elusive. The purpose of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that intrauterine head constraint produces ultrastructural changes in the spheno-occipital synchondroses of fetal mice. Fetal constraint was induced through uterine cerclage of six pregnant C57Bl/6 mice on the eighteenth day of gestation. Fetuses were harvested after growing to 24, 48, and 72 hours beyond the normal 20-day gestational period. Between six and nine fetuses were harvested at all time points in both treatment and control groups. The morphology and cell biology of the spheno-occipital synchondroses, in constrained fetuses and unconstrained controls, were examined using hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Chondrocyte apoptosis was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP end-labeling assays and electron microscopy. In nonconstrained animals, the spheno-occipital synchondrosis demonstrated normal architecture and normal chondrocyte morphology at all time points. In contrast, intrauterine constraint resulted in a progressive disruption of the normal cellular architecture of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis over 72 hours, with premature ossification of the synchondrosis. Widespread chondrocyte apoptosis within the synchondrosial growth center was demonstrated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP end-labeling assays and electron microscopy. These experiments confirm the ability of intrauterine constraint to induce changes in the morphology and cell biology of the cranial base in synostotic fetuses.


A randomised controlled trial comparing sugammadex and neostigmine at different depths of neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.
Deep neuromuscular blockade during certain surgical procedures may improve operating conditions. Sugammadex can be used to reverse deep neuromuscular blockade without waiting for spontaneous recovery. This randomised study compared recovery times from neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium 0.6 mg.kg(-1), using sugammadex 4 mg.kg(-1) administered at 1-2 post-tetanic count (deep blockade) or neostigmine 50 μg.kg(-1) (plus atropine 10 μg.kg(-1)) administered at the re-appearance of the second twitch of a train-of-four stimulation (moderate blockade), in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. The primary efficacy variable was the time from the start of sugammadex/neostigmine administration to recovery of the train-of-four ratio to 0.9. Patients receiving sugammadex recovered 3.4 times faster than patients receiving neostigmine (geometric mean (95% CI) recovery times of 2.4 (2.1-2.7) and 8.4 (7.2-9.8) min, respectively, p<0.0001). Moreover, 94% (62/66) of sugammadex-treated patients recovered within 5 min, vs 20% (13/65) of neostigmine-treated patients, despite the difference in the depth of neuromuscular blockade at the time of administration of both drugs. The ability to provide deep neuromuscular blockade throughout the procedure but still permit reversal at the end of surgery may enable improved surgical access and an enhanced visual field.


Availability and use of personal protective equipment in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Availability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is of particular importance in Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs) where disease outbreaks other than COVID-19 are frequent and health workers are scarce. This study assesses the availability of necessary PPE items during the COVID-19 pandemic at health facilities in seven LMICs. Data were collected using a rapid-cycle survey among 1554 health facilities in seven LMICs via phone-based surveys between August 2020 and December 2021. We gathered data on the availability of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended PPE items and the use of items when examining patients suspected to be infected with COVID-19. We further investigated the implementation of service adaptation measures in a severe shortage of PPE. There were major deficiencies in PPE availability at health facilities. Almost 3 out of 10 health facilities reported a stock-out of medical masks on the survey day. Forty-six percent of facilities did not have respirator masks, and 16% did not have any gloves. We show that only 43% of health facilities had sufficient PPE to comply with WHO guidelines. Even when all items were available, healthcare workers treating COVID-19 suspected patients were reported to wear all the recommended equipment in only 61% of health facilities. We did not find a statistically significant difference in implementing service adaptation measures between facilities experiencing a severe shortage or not. After more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall availability of PPE remained low in our sample of low and middle-income countries. Although essential, the availability of PPE did not guarantee the proper use of the equipment. The lack of PPE availability and improper use of available PPE enable preventable COVID-19 transmission in health facilities, leading to greater morbidity and mortality and risking the continuity of service delivery by healthcare workers.


THE INFLUENCE OF MATING SYSTEM AND OVERLAPPING GENERATIONS ON EFFECTIVE POPULATION SIZE.
The effective population size (Ne ) depends strongly on mating system and generation time. These two factors interact such that, under many circumstances, Ne is close to N/2, where N is the number of adults. This is shown to be the case for both simple and highly polygynous mating systems. The random union of gametes (RUG) and monogamy are two simple systems previously used in estimating Ne , and here a third, lottery polygyny, is added. Lottery polygyny, in which all males compete equally for females, results in a lower Ne than either RUG or monogamy! Given nonoverlapping generations the reduction is 33% for autosomal loci and 25% for sex-linked loci. The highly polygynous mating systems, harem polygyny and dominance polygyny, can give very low values of Ne /N when the generation time (T) is short. However, as T is lengthened, Ne approaches N/2. The influence of a biased sex ratio depends on the mating system and, in general, is not symmetrical. Biases can occur because of sex differences in either survival or recruitment of adults, and the potential for a sex-ratio bias to change Ne is much reduced given a survival bias. The number of juveniles present also has some influence: as the maturation time is lengthened, Ne increases.


Spherical particle in Poiseuille flow between planar walls.
We study a spherical mesoparticle suspended in Newtonian fluid between plane-parallel walls with incident Poiseuille flow. Using a two-dimensional Fourier transform technique we obtain a symmetric analytic expression for the Green tensor for the Stokes equations describing the creeping flow in this geometry. From the matrix elements of the Green tensor with respect to a complete vector harmonic basis, we obtain the friction matrix for the sphere. The calculation of matrix elements of the Green tensor is done in large part analytically, reducing the evaluation of these elements to a one-dimensional numerical integration. The grand resistance and mobility matrices in Cartesian form are given in terms of 13 scalar friction and mobility functions which are expressed in terms of certain matrix elements calculated in the spherical basis. Numerical calculation of these functions is shown to converge well and to agree with earlier numerical calculations based on boundary collocation. For a channel width broad with respect to the particle radius, we show that an approximation defined by a superposition of single-wall functions is reasonably accurate, but that it has large errors for a narrow channel. In the two-wall geometry the friction and mobility functions describing translation-rotation coupling change sign as a function of position between the two walls. By Stokesian dynamics calculations for a polar particle subject to a torque arising from an external field, we show that the translation-rotation coupling induces sideways migration at right angles to the direction of fluid flow.


Pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity: a review of blood pressure interpretation 100 years after Korotkov.
The pulsatile component of blood pressure (ie, pulse pressure) has received considerable attention as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In particular, central blood pressure measurements in the ascending aorta or in the carotid artery are expected to be more useful than conventional brachial pressure measurements for predicting cardiovascular events because central pressure, not the brachial pressure, is the pressure that target organs encounter. Due to wave reflection, the blood pressure in the upper limb does not represent the central blood pressure; therefore, leading researchers have enthusiastically promoted a noninvasive method of measuring central blood pressure and the resulting aortic stiffness. Until now, there has been an increasing body of evidence to support the accuracy and superiority of central blood pressure measurements as well as the assessment of aortic properties over classical brachial pressure measurements. In this review, the information regarding these "central" indices derived from 2 main methods, namely "pulse wave analysis" and "pulse wave velocity", for the application of central blood pressure measurements and arterial stiffness to clinical study and practice, has been summarized.


Nonmeckelian jejunal or ileal diverticulosis: an analysis of 112 cases.
Incidentally found asymptomatic disease, chronic pain or malabsorption, emergent disease with complications are the three distinct modes of presentation of nonmeckelian jejunal or ileal diverticulosis (JID). We analyzed our experience with each of these three subsets of cases to determine both the role of operative intervention and an overall management strategy. Retrospective analysis was done of 112 clinically diagnosed cases of nonmeckelian JID between 1975 and 1990. JID was an incidental finding in 47 patients (42%), and 82% of those who were followed up for a mean of 4.8 years remained asymptomatic. Forty-five patients (40%) had malabsorption or chronic pain, and only 46% of those who were followed up for a mean of 6.5 years were cured with conservative therapy. Of the 20 patients (18%) who had acute complications, 11 (10%) required operation, which was associated with minimal morbidity and one death. Ninety percent remained asymptomatic for a mean of 3.9 years. Incidentally found JID is usually asymptomatic and should be observed. Resection for complicated JID is safe and effective. Although malabsorption or chronic pain should be treated medically initially, the significant incidence of failure warrants further study of the role of resection in this group.


First and second order maternal behavior related afferents of the lateral habenula.
We demonstrated previously that the lateral habenula (Lhb) mediates maternal behavior. Our present goal was to identify the first and second order afferent connections of the Lhb, particularly those relevant for maternal behavior. Using pseudorabies virus (PRV) as a retrograde transneuronal tracer and the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold, we identified first order Lhb afferent projections from the lateral preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area, each important for the display of maternal behavior. Maternally relevant second order neurons originated from the medial preoptic area and amygdala. Additional regions with first and second order neurons afferent to the Lhb were also identified.


Chopart's amputation: a 10-year case study.
The purpose of this case study was to review the 10-year outcome of a patient with a history of diabetes, pedal osteomyelitis, and peripheral vascular disease, who underwent a Chopart's amputation of the right foot. Key evaluative elements to consider for long-term success of any amputation include the vascular status of the foot, control of infection, adequate soft tissue coverage, biomechanics associated with amputation, the metabolic challenge of amputation, and the psychosocial consequences linked to loss of a limb. The results of the case study show that Chopart's amputation is an excellent limb salvage surgical option that can achieve beneficial long-term outcomes in properly selected patients.


The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Lebanese Mothers Toward Their Children's Oral Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Lebanese mothers toward their children's oral health, examine the association between the three variables, and identify their predictors. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to Lebanese mothers residing in Lebanon with children aged six months to 12 years between April and May 2022. The survey was administered to mothers from various geographical areas who presented to academic medical centers, private clinics, and dispensaries. The survey gathered sociodemographic data as well as assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participating mothers toward their children's oral health. A total of 357 responses were included in the final analysis. The mean age of mothers was 32.67 years +/- 6.35. The majority of mothers had one or two children (35.8% and 37.5%, respectively). More than two-thirds of the mothers were unemployed. Only 13% of the mothers followed best practices for their children's dental health, while 48.6.2% possessed above-average knowledge and 88.9% had great attitudes. Mothers with a university education had higher knowledge, better attitudes, and practice scores than those with school-level education (elementary, high school). Employed mothers had a significantly better knowledge score (p=0.036) and practice score (p=0.043) than unemployed mothers. The decrease in the number of children was associated with an increase in the maternal knowledge score. An increase in the mother's age was associated with a higher knowledge score. The findings of this study suggest the need for targeted oral health education programs for Lebanese mothers to enhance their attitudes and practices toward their children's oral health. It highlights the importance of early oral health interventions and emphasizes the significant role of mothers in promoting good oral health practices for their children. Further research is needed on a larger scale to comprehensively understand these variables and inform the development of appropriate national oral health programs for children in Lebanon.


Characterization and interstrain transfer of prophage pp3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Prophages are major contributors to horizontal gene transfer and drive the evolution and diversification of bacteria. Here, we describe the characterization of a prophage element designated pp3 in the clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate PA1. pp3 spontaneously excises from the PA1 genome and circularizes at a very high frequency of 25%. pp3 is likely to be a defective prophage due to its inability to form plaques on P. aeruginosa indicator strains, and no phage particles could be detected in PA1 supernatants. The pp3-encoded integrase is essential for excision by mediating site-specific recombination at the 26-bp attachment sequence. Using a filter mating experiment, we demonstrated that pp3 can transfer into P. aeruginosa recipient strains that do not possess this element naturally. Upon transfer, pp3 integrates into the same attachment site as in PA1 and maintains the ability to excise and circularize. Furthermore, pp3 significantly promotes biofilm formation in the recipient. Sequence alignment reveals that the 26-bp attachment site recognized by pp3 is conserved in all P. aeruginosa strains sequenced to date, making it possible that pp3 could be extensively disseminated in P. aeruginosa. This work improves our understanding of the ways in which prophages influence bacterial behavior and evolution.


Regional management of liver metastases. II.
Metastatic cancer of the liver has a dominant influence upon survival despite the presence of metastasis in other sites. For patients with untreated liver metastases, the median survival after diagnosis is 75 days, and only 7% survived 1 year. Prognosis of hepatic metastasis is related to the extent of liver involvement, and various staging systems have been proposed (Table I.1). Hepatic metastases are quite resistant to conventional systemic chemotherapy. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice whenever possible, but the resectability rate is rather low and the surgical mortality relatively high. Patients with solitary metastasis and those with primary in the colon, especially females, have had the best results. Regional chemotherapy to the liver has the advantages of achieving higher local concentrations of drug, prolonging the contact of drug and tumor cells, and reducing systemic toxicity. Infusion catheter can be placed either percutaneously or directly at the time of celiotomy. Many reports show that hepatic IA infusion of chemotherapeutic agents (5FU or FUDR) can give favorable response in 55%-80% of the cases and can prolong survival in comparison with untreated patients or patients receiving systemic chemotherapy (Tables I.2 and I.3). Some investigators have added one or more other agents to improve the therapeutic results. For instance, patients who were refractory to 5FU or MMC given as a single IV drug responded to the combination infusion therapy. Evidence from animal and human studies have demonstrated that both primary and metastatic tumors in the liver receive their blood supply almost exclusively from the hepatic arterial system, whereas normal liver tissue has a double supply: the hepatic artery and the portal vein. Thus, deliberate ligation of the hepatic artery has been used as a treatment of metastatic tumors of the liver. From 1966 to 1981, some 518 patients were reported to have undergone this operation as compared to 2327 patients treated with hepatic IA infusion chemotherapy (Table I.4). Although selective necrosis of tumor nodules has been demonstrated after HAL, there is always a shell of viable malignant cells left at the periphery. Thus, several series have administered chemotherapeutic agents either to the distal hepatic artery or to branches of the portal vein to prevent tumor regrowth. Currently there is no definite evidence that HAL with added infusion chemotherapy to the liver gives better response and/or survival results than infusion chemotherapy via the hepatic artery only and/or via the portal vein branches. The availability of a totally implantable infusion pump represents a remarkable advance in long-term i


The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma gel on full-thickness cartilage defect repair in a rabbit model.
The present study investigates the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel without adjunct to induce cartilage regeneration in large osteochondral defects in a rabbit model. A bilateral osteochondral defect was created in the femoral trochlear groove of 14 New Zealand white rabbits. The right knees were filled with PRP gel and the contralateral knees remained untreated and served as control sides. Some animals were killed at week 3 and others at week 12 postoperatively. The joints were harvested and assessed by Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) MRI scoring system, and examined using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic and ICRS histological scoring systems. Additionally, the collagen type II content was evaluated by the immunohistochemical staining. After 12 weeks post-surgery, the defects of the PRP group were repaired by hyaline cartilage-like tissue. However, incomplete cartilage regeneration was observed in the PRP group for three weeks. The control groups showed fibrocartilaginous or fibrous tissue, respectively, at each timepoint. Our study proved that the use of PRP gel without any adjuncts could successfully produce a good healing response and resurface the osteochondral defect with a better quality of cartilage in a rabbit model. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(3):192-202.


Fuzzy Adaptive Decentralized Optimal Control for Strict Feedback Nonlinear Large-Scale Systems.
This paper considers the optimal decentralized fuzzy adaptive control design problem for a class of interconnected large-scale nonlinear systems in strict feedback form and with unknown nonlinear functions. The fuzzy logic systems are introduced to learn the unknown dynamics and cost functions, respectively, and a state estimator is developed. By applying the state estimator and the backstepping recursive design algorithm, a decentralized feedforward controller is established. By using the backstepping decentralized feedforward control scheme, the considered interconnected large-scale nonlinear system in strict feedback form is changed into an equivalent affine large-scale nonlinear system. Subsequently, an optimal decentralized fuzzy adaptive control scheme is constructed. The whole optimal decentralized fuzzy adaptive controller is composed of a decentralized feedforward control and an optimal decentralized control. It is proved that the developed optimal decentralized controller can ensure that all the variables of the control system are uniformly ultimately bounded, and the cost functions are the smallest. Two simulation examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the developed optimal decentralized fuzzy adaptive control scheme.


Epidemiological pattern of myocardial infarction and modelling risk factors relevant to in-hospital mortality: the first results from the Iranian Myocardial Infarction Registry.
Myocardial infarction (MI) care and treatment contribute greatly to the patients' fatality and mortality. Assessing and monitoring mortalities and the effective factors are necessary in MI care and treatment programs. No comprehensive and population-based study has yet been conducted in Iran to determine the epidemiological pattern of MI, and particularly in-hospital mortality rate and the effective factors. To determine the epidemiological pattern of MI based on person-, time-, place-, and mortality-associated risk factors. This was a prospective, population-based cohort study, which analysed the data of 20,750 MI patients in Iran in 2012. MI was diagnosed based on ICD-10: codes I21 and I22. The cohort of the patients was defined in terms of the date at diagnosis, hospitalisation, and the date at discharge (recovery or death due to MI). The in-hospital mortality rate was calculated by Cox regression. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the effective factors on the patients' mortality. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) was reported using Stata software. The relative frequency of in-hospital mortality was 12.1%. The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women than in men, and 6.74 (95% CI 6.4-7.0) per 100 person-years were at risk of death. The highest relative mortality (13.2%) was obtained in January (11 Dey to 11 Bahman in the Persian calendar) and the lowest (5.9%) in May (11 Ordibehest to 10 Khordad in the Persian calendar). Age of over 84 years, female gender, educational level, smoking, lack of thrombolytic therapy, type 2 diabetes, chest pain prior to arriving in hospital, right bundle branch block, ventricular tachycardia, percutaneous coronary intervention, lateral MIs, and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were determinants of in-hospital mortality in the patients. The relative frequency of mortality was higher from STEMI (83.7% of deaths in registry) vs. non-STEMI (16.3% of deaths in registry). STEMI, lack of thrombolytic therapy, age of over 84 years, and ventricular tachycardia have the greatest effect on in-hospital mortality in MI patients. The results of this study are helpful in planning for monitoring and promotion of healthcare of the patients.


Effect of Chemical Ratios of a Microbial-Based Feeding Attractant on Trap Catch of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).
Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, spotted wing drosophila, can be trapped with a feeding attractant based on wine and vinegar volatiles and consisting of acetic acid, ethanol, acetoin, and methionol. Using that four-component blend, we found that the catch of spotted wing drosophila increased with increases in the release rate of acetoin (from 0.5 mg/d to 34 mg/d) from polyethylene sachet dispensers, and with increases in the concentrations of acetic acid (from 0.25% to 4%) or ethanol (from 0.08% to 2%) when dispensed in the trap drowning solution. However, we saw no increase in spotted wing drosophila trapped with increase of the methionol release rate from 0.4 mg/d to 4.9 mg/d or from 0.19 mg/d to 0.8 mg/d, from sachets. A new formulation based on optimized amounts of these four chemicals yielded a doubling of spotted wing drosophila trapped compared to a previously reported formulation. Further field testing confirmed that the simultaneous increases in the release rate of acetoin from a dispenser and the amount of acetic acid in the trap drowning solution provided the increased spotted wing drosophila trap response to the new formulation. These findings provide a practical means to improve the power of this lure to detect and monitor D. suzukii.


Studies on the thermal degradation of the H and M antigens of lyophilized histoplasmin.
Lyophilized histoplasmin for the agar gel microimmunodiffusion test has been prepared as a candidate World Health Organization Biological Reference Reagent. It was subjected to elevated temperature for given periods of time and analyzed by the capillary precipitin test and the single radial immunodiffusion test to determine the stability of the H and M antigens. H antigen showed no fall in relative potency when incubated at 48 degrees C for 20 days. M antigen showed a fall in relative potency after storage at 37 degrees C and 48 degrees C, but the extent of the fall was greater in the radial immunodiffusion test than in the capillary precipitin test. Half-lives of the antigens could not be calculated from the Arrhenius equation because the response curves at each temperature followed different kinetics. However, as based on zero time data, M antigen of the lyophilized histoplasma showed a 20% drop in relative potency when stored at -20 degrees C for 2 years. Other analyses suggested that M antigen of liquid histoplasmin stored at 5 degrees C and of lyophilized histoplasma stored at -20 degrees C was degraded at equal rates.


[Hypopituitarism--substitution therapy].
Hypopituitarism is a condition linked with insufficient function of the adenohypophyse and occurs in the case of destruction of its greater part. It may take the form of an isolated deficit or a combined disorder--panhypopituitarism. The most common cause is an expansion in the region ofsella turcica, irradiation, traumas, inflammations, bleeding, puerperal ischemic necrosis (Sheehan syndrome) or an affection of the hypothalamus. The cause remains unclear in the case of idiopathic hypopituitarism. The most common case in children is the deficit of the growth hormone, manifested by retarded growth. Sometimes it is combined with the deficit ofgonadotropins which causes pubertas tarda. The clinical picture in adult patients is proportionate to the degree and type of disorder of the different hypophysial functions. Diagnosing of the disease is based on the clinical picture and laboratory examination of hypophysial hormones together with the respective peripheral gland hormones. Dynamic stimulation tests need to be used for more precise diagnosis in the case of threshold results. Expansive processes in the region of the hypophysis are treated by surgery or irradiation, mostly using the gamma knife. Substitution by peripheral gland hormones is used in persistent hormonal deficits. Hypocorticism is treated by hydrocortizone at a dose of 10-30 mg per day administered per os, respecting the diurnal rhythm. The dose should be adjusted in case of strain, and parenterally administered hydrocortizone is necessary in the case of decompensation, pituitary crisis or surgery. Hypothyreosis is treated by thyroxin, the usual substitution dose ranging between 50 and 150 microg per day. The dose is titrated according to the clinical condition and free thyroxin level. Testosterone substitution therapy is used to treat male hypogonadism. In women, a combination of estrogens and gestagens is used on a cyclic or a continuous basis. If fertility is the therapeutic objective, temporary administration of injection gonadotropins or gonadoliberin is necessary in both the sexes. Therapy with growth hormone is indicated in children and in adults with sever, clinically manifested deficit of GH where its administration clearly improves the quality of life, promotes the growth of lean body mass, an increase in bone density and the improvement of metabolic parametres.


Limits on new long range nuclear spin-dependent forces set with a K-3He comagnetometer.
A magnetometer using spin-polarized K and 3He atoms occupying the same volume is used to search for anomalous nuclear spin-dependent forces generated by a separate 3He spin source. We measure changes in the 3He spin precession frequency with a resolution of 18 pHz and constrain anomalous spin forces between neutrons to be less than 2x10(-8) of their magnetic or less than 2x10(-3) of their gravitational interactions on a length scale of 50 cm. We present new limits on neutron coupling to light pseudoscalar and vector particles, including torsion, and constraints on recently proposed models involving unparticles and spontaneous breaking of Lorentz symmetry.


Effect of a vocationally-focused brief cognitive behavioural intervention on employment-related outcomes for individuals with mood and anxiety disorders.
Despite an increasing emphasis on the importance of vocational success to the quality of life of individuals with mental illness (Bond, Drake, & Becker, 2008), minimal work has examined the impact of cognitive behavioural interventions that focus on vocational stressors. Vocational stressors commonly faced by persons with mental illness include difficulties with work task completion, obtaining employment, and coping with interpersonal stressors (Becker et al., 1998). The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a brief cognitive behavioural therapy group intervention that targets vocational stressors for individuals whose vocational functioning had been significantly impacted by mental illness. Participants included 16 individuals with mood and anxiety disorder diagnoses. After this intervention, it was found that employed persons reported an improved sense of mastery in the completion of work tasks, improved satisfaction with work supervision, and decreased satisfaction with advancement and job security. Unemployed participants reported improved expectancy for employment success.


Elucidation of a universal size-control mechanism in Drosophila and mammals.
Coordination of cell proliferation and cell death is essential to attain proper organ size during development and for maintaining tissue homeostasis throughout postnatal life. In Drosophila, these two processes are orchestrated by the Hippo kinase cascade, a growth-suppressive pathway that ultimately antagonizes the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki). Here we demonstrate that a single phosphorylation site in Yki mediates the growth-suppressive output of the Hippo pathway. Hippo-mediated phosphorylation inactivates Yki by excluding it from the nucleus, whereas loss of Hippo signaling leads to nuclear accumulation and therefore increased Yki activity. We further delineate a mammalian Hippo signaling pathway that culminates in the phosphorylation of YAP, the mammalian homolog of Yki. Using a conditional YAP transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate that the mammalian Hippo pathway is a potent regulator of organ size, and that its dysregulation leads to tumorigenesis. These results uncover a universal size-control mechanism in metazoan.


Defecation frequency and stool form in a coastal eastern Indian population.
Data on normal stool form and frequency, which are important for defining constipation, are scanty; hence, we studied these in an eastern Indian population. One thousand and two hundred apparently healthy asymptomatic subjects were evaluated for predominant stool form (Bristol chart with descriptor) and frequency. Data on demographic and life-style (diet and physical activity) were collected. Of 1,200 subjects (age 42 ± 14.5 years, 711, 59% male), most passed predominantly Bristol type IV stool (699 [58.2%]; other forms were: type I (23 [1.9%]), type II (38 [3.2%]), type III (99 [8.2%]), type V (73 [6%]), type VI (177 [14.7%]), type VII (7 [0.6%]) and an irregular combination (84 [7%]). Weekly stool frequency was 12.1 ± 4.7 (median 14, range 2-42). Less than 3 stools/week was noted in 32/1,200 (2.6%). Female subjects (n = 489) passed stools less frequently than males (n = 711) (11.1 ± 5.6/week vs. 12.8 ± 3.8/week, P < 0.001) and tended to pass harder forms (type I: 17, type II: 20, type III: 39 vs. 6, 18 and 60, respectively, P = 0.061). Vegetarians (n = 252) and physically active (n = 379) subjects tended to pass stool more frequently than occasional (n = 553) and regular non-vegetarian (n = 395) (11.8 ± 4.5 and 12.8 ± 4.7 vs. 11.3 ± 4.7; P < 0.05) and sedentary (n = 464) and intermediately active (n = 357) subjects (13.4 ± 4.0 and 12.3 ± 4.5 vs. 10.9 ± 5.1, P = 0.080) in different age groups, respectively. Older age was associated with less frequent stool, particularly among female population. Female gender and age > 35 years were significant on multivariate analysis. Median stool frequency in the studied population was 14/week (range 2-42) and predominant form was Bristol type IV. Older age was associated with lesser stool frequency, particularly among female subjects.


A new preadipocyte cell line, AP-18, established from adult mouse adipose tissue.
Establishing preadipocyte cell lines from mature adipose tissues could help lead to a better understanding of adipogenesis. We have established a unique preadipocyte cell line, AP-18, derived from the subepidermal layer of ear skin from an adult C3H/HeM mouse. AP-18 cells exhibit fibroblast-like morphology, slow growth, and contact inhibition. The doubling time of AP-18 cells is 50-60 h, which is about 2-fold longer than that of well-known 3T3-L1 cells derived from mouse embryos. A small population of AP-18 cells spontaneously differentiates into adipocytes by 8 days after confluence, as judged by the accumulation of triglyceride droplets. Treatment of confluent AP-18 preadipocytes with adipogenic agents, containing dexamethasone, 3-methyl-1-isobutylxanthine, and insulin, increased triglyceride contents about 5-fold compared to the contents in untreated cells. We also analyzed mRNA expression profiles for key transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma and the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family, and for differentiation markers, aP2, adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein and adipsin, adipocyte-specific serine protease. AP-18 preadipocytes express mRNAs for C/EBPbeta, C/EBPalpha, PPARgamma, and aP2 before differentiation, but not adipsin mRNA. Expression of aP2 mRNA was increased in fully differentiated AP-18 cells. Likewise, expression of adipsin mRNA was increased after induced differentiation of AP-18 cells and reached the highest level in fully differentiated adipocytes. Thus, differentiation of AP-18 cells is associated with the increased expression of aP2 and adipsin mRNAs. The newly established AP-18 cell line provides a useful model for investigating adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis.


Studies on the effect of bleomycin on Trypanosoma gambiense.
The antibiotic bleomycin inhibits nuclear duplication and causes deformation of the nucleus without any effect on the kinetoplast of Trypanosoma gambiense. Consequently it induces the anucleate form, not the dyskinetoplastic form. Studies showed that in many respects the effect of bleomycin on trypanosomes was very similar to that of neocarzinostatin. Analysis of DNA by CsCl density gradient centrifugation indicated that bleomycin inhibits DNA synthesis in the nucleus but not that in the kinetoplast. Bleomycin also induced excess formation of pellicular microtubules and disorderly arrangement of the axonemal and pellicular microtubules.


The challenge of liver resection in benign solid liver tumors in modern times - in which cases should surgery be done?
Background Due to improved diagnostical and therapeutical approaches, benign liver tumors represent a challenge in clinical management. We here report our experience with patients undergoing liver resection for benign liver tumors. Methods 188 One hundred eighty-eight consecutive patients, who underwent surgery for solid benign liver tumors from 1992 - 2014, were analyzed retrospectively. The focus was on diagnostic pathways, indications for surgery, and perioperative and postoperative quality of life (QoL). Results Of 188 patients, 100 had focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) (53.2 %), 33 had hepatocellular adenoma (17.5 %), and 55 had hemangioma (29.3 %). In most patients, there was more than one 1 indication for liver resection, including tumor-associated symptoms (n = 82, 43.6 %), suspicion of malignancy (n = 104, 55.3 %), tumor disease in the medical history (n = 48, 25.5 %), or tumor enlargement (n = 27, 14.4 %). Serious complications (>grade III;, Clavien-Dindo) occurred in 9.5 % of patients. Perioperative mortality was 0.5 %. Patient pain scores decreased over time (p < 0.001). QoL after liver resection significantly improved (p = 0.007). Conclusion Uncertainty of the tumor entity remains an issue in preoperative diagnostics. If indicated, liver resection for benign liver tumors represents a safe approach and leads to significant improvements of QoL.


Assembly of variant histones into chromatin.
Chromatin can be differentiated by the deposition of variant histones at centromeres, active genes, and silent loci. Variant histones are assembled into nucleosomes in a replication-independent manner, in contrast to assembly of bulk chromatin that is coupled to replication. Recent in vitro studies have provided the first glimpses of protein machines dedicated to building and replacing alternative nucleosomes. They deposit variant H2A and H3 histones and are targeted to particular functional sites in the genome. Differences between variant and canonical histones can have profound consequences, either for delivery of the histones to sites of assembly or for their function after incorporation into chromatin. Recent studies have also revealed connections between assembly of variant nucleosomes, chromatin remodeling, and histone post-translational modification. Taken together, these findings indicate that chromosome architecture can be highly dynamic at the most fundamental level, with epigenetic consequences.


Prostate cancer-related anxiety in long-term survivors after radical prostatectomy.
Knowledge of the psychological distress of long- and very long-term (>10 years) prostate cancer (PC) survivors is limited. This study intended to examine the parameters influencing anxiety related to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PC in long-term survivors after radical prostatectomy. We surveyed 4719 PC survivors from the German multicenter prospective database "Familial Prostate Cancer." We evaluated the association of PC-related anxiety (MAX-PC) with sociodemographic characteristics, family history of PC, global health status/quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), depression and anxiety (PHQ-2; GAD-2), latest PSA level, time since radical prostatectomy, and current therapy. The survey participants' mean age was 75.2 years (SD = 6.5). Median follow-up was 11.5 years, and 19.5% of participants had survived more than 15 years since the initial treatment. The final regression analysis found that younger age, lower global health status/quality of life, higher depression and anxiety scores, higher latest PSA level, and shorter time since radical prostatectomy predicted increased PSA-related anxiety and PC anxiety. Familial PC was predictive only of PSA anxiety (all p < 0.05). The final model explained 12% of the variance for PSA anxiety and 24% for PC anxiety. PC-related anxiety remained relevant many years after prostatectomy and was influenced by younger age, psychological status, rising PSA level, and shorter time since initial treatment. Survivors with these characteristics are at increased risk of PC-related anxieties, which should be considered by the treating physician during follow-up.


Intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle success in patients under 35 years old with diminished ovarian reserve plus severe male factor.
We aimed to evaluate intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in young patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) plus severe male factor (SMF) compared with age-matched controls with DOR. A total of 189 infertile women under 35 years with DOR undergoing ICSI procedures were included retrospectively. Participants whose partners' sperm analysis was normal considered as the DOR group (n = 154) and whose partners' had SMF considered as the DOR + SMF group (n = 35). The two groups were compared regarding cycle characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. Demographic features except infertility duration were similar between two groups. The duration of infertility was significantly longer in the DOR + SMF group compared to the DOR group (p = 0.02). Ovarian stimulation characteristics, oocyte retrieval parameters, fertilization rate, quality of embryos, embryo cancellation rate, and development up to blastocyst stage were found similar between two groups. Implantation, clinical pregnancy, abortion, and live birth rate, multiple pregnancy rate per cycle were distributed homogenously between the DOR and DOR + SMF groups. Regarding perinatal and neonatal outcomes of groups, fetal height and weight were significantly lower in DOR + SMF group than in DOR group (p = 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). Gestational week at delivery was lower in the DOR + SMF group compared to the DOR group (p < 0.0001). Fetal anthropometric measures were lower regarding to preterm delivery in the DOR + SMF group than the DOR group. Large sample-sized studies should be performed to explain the decreased gestational week at the time of delivery in the DOR + SMF group.


Postoperative infections in the upper respiratory tract.
Pathogenesis, prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative infections in the upper respiratory tract are discussed. Surgical procedures always hamper the normal mucosal defence system, which means that true pathogens and members of the normal flora can establish a heavy growth that will, inevitably, to some extent challenge the humoral and cellular defense of the mucosal and submucosal tissues. It is stressed that the activation of granulocytes and macrophages, which leads to the release of proteolytic proteases, can cause tissue destruction and thus also bacterial invasion. Prophylaxis should be based on good surgical technique, efficient drainage of the wound and prevention of accumulation of secretions. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in risk situations, such as in extensive surgery and when the wound extends through the tissue from the skin to the mucosa. Postoperative infections have to be treated with surgical drainage and elimination of devitalized tissues in combination with antibiotic regimes based on results of bacteriological analysis.


Reorientations in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle.
Reversible photoinduced reorientations of bacteriorhodopsin have been detected in suspensions of the purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarium. The anisotropy in bacteriorhodopsin during the nanosecond through millisecond stages of the photocycle was measured by time-resolved linear dichroism and transient absorption measurements. From these measurements the anisotropies of the K, L, M, and O intermediates were determined and related to the chromophore orientation with respect to the initially selected orientation. The anisotropies of the K and L states are 0.38 +/- 0.01 and 0.35 +/- 0.01, respectively. Further anisotropy decay after formation of the M intermediate in about 0.5 ms is evidence of orientational motion at this stage in the photocycle. A constant anisotropy with a value of 0.39 +/- 0.02 in the O intermediate demonstrates a recovery of the initial protein orientation with the formation of the O state. These results demonstrate that reorientations in BR are photoinduced and reversible. Similar measurements for L and M were carried out for purple membrane in polyacrylamide gels, where the anisotropies in the L and M states are 0.38 +/- 0.014 and 0.36 +/- 0.01, respectively. These results show that reorientations also occur in BR immobilized in gels. Anisotropy decay in the M state after formation of the M intermediate was not detected in the gels, in contrast to the M intermediate in suspensions. Orientational changes are observed for BR in purple membrane suspensions in the K state, during the K-->L step, in the M state possibly related to an M1-->M2 transition, and in the O state, where an almost complete return to the original orientation occurs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


LEMMI: a continuous benchmarking platform for metagenomics classifiers.
Studies of microbiomes are booming, along with the diversity of computational approaches to make sense out of the sequencing data and the volumes of accumulated microbial genotypes. A swift evaluation of newly published methods and their improvements against established tools is necessary to reduce the time between the methods' release and their adoption in microbiome analyses. The LEMMI platform offers a novel approach for benchmarking software dedicated to metagenome composition assessments based on read classification. It enables the integration of newly published methods in an independent and centralized benchmark designed to be continuously open to new submissions. This allows developers to be proactive regarding comparative evaluations and guarantees that any promising methods can be assessed side by side with established tools quickly after their release. Moreover, LEMMI enforces an effective distribution through software containers to ensure long-term availability of all methods. Here, we detail the LEMMI workflow and discuss the performances of some previously unevaluated tools. We see this platform eventually as a community-driven effort in which method developers can showcase novel approaches and get unbiased benchmarks for publications, and users can make informed choices and obtain standardized and easy-to-use tools.


Distribution of hexosamines in bovine cornea.
Excised bovine cornea were sectioned from epithelium to endothelium into 6 to 8 fractions. The glucosamine/galactosamine ratio steadily increases from epithelium to endothelium in all bovine corneas investigated. The glucosamine/galactosamine ratio reflects the keratan sulfate/chondroitin-4-sulfate ratio in the cornea. The significance of this topographic distribution is discussed in terms of the different hydration properties of proteoglycans containing predominantly keartan sulfate or chondroitin-4-sulfate chains.


Rechallenge with BRAF-directed treatment in metastatic melanoma: A multi-institutional retrospective study.
Most metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) ± MEK inhibitors (MEKi) eventually progress on treatment. Along with acquired resistance due to genetic changes, epigenetic mechanisms that could be reversed after BRAFi discontinuation have been described. The purpose of this study was to analyse retrospectively outcomes for patients retreated with BRAF-directed therapy. One hundred sixteen metastatic melanoma patients who received BRAFi-based therapy and, after a break, were rechallenged with BRAFi ± MEKi at 14 centres in Europe, US and Australia were studied, respectively. Response rate (RR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from the start of retreatment were calculated. The median duration of treatment was 9.4 months for first BRAFi ± MEKi treatment and 7.7 months for the subsequent treatment (immunotherapy 72%, other 17%, drug holiday 11%) after BRAFi discontinuation. Brain metastases were present in 51 (44%) patients at BRAFi retreatment. The RR to rechallenge with BRAFi ± MEKi was 43.3%: complete response (CR) 2.6%, partial response (PR) 40.7%, stable disease (SD) 24.8% and progressive disease 31.9%, 3 missing. Of 83 patients who previously discontinued BRAFi due to disease progression, 31 (37.3%) responded (30 PR and 1 CR) to retreatment. The median OS from retreatment was 9.8 months, and PFS was 5 months. Independent prognostic factors for survival at rechallenge included number of metastatic sites (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32 for each additional organ with metastases, P < .001), lactic dehydrogenase (HR = 1.37 for each multiple of the upper normal limit, P < .001), while rechallenge with combination BRAFi + MEKi conferred a better OS versus BRAFi alone (HR = 0.5, P = .006). Rechallenge with BRAFi ± MEKi results in a clinically meaningful benefit and should be considered for selected patients.


Children's activities, parental concerns, and child care service utilization in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, most Canadian provinces and territories enacted public health measures to reduce virus spread, leading most child care centers across the country to limit or halt in-person service delivery. While it is broadly known that the range of activities available to children and youth reduced drastically as a result, research has yet to explore if and how children's activities shifted in relation to changes in child care arrangements. Children's activities during the early months of the pandemic were assessed based on parent-report data (n = 19,959). Activity patterns were extracted via latent profile analysis. Thereafter, differences in child-care related outcomes across profiles were compared via logistic regression models. Latent profile analysis yielded three distinct activity patterns: Screenies (91.5%) were children who engaged in high amounts of screen use relative to all other activities; Analog children (3.1%) exhibited mostly off-screen activities (e.g., reading, physical exercise); and children in the Balanced group (5.4%) appeared to pursue a wide variety of activities. Children were more likely to fall into the Screenies or Balanced profiles when caregivers reported changes in child care arrangements. Moreover, parents of children with Balanced activity profiles were more likely to be planning to use child care when services reopened post-pandemic, compared to parents of children in the Analog group. The present findings call attention to heterogeneity in children's activities during COVID-19, which should be considered in the context of pandemic-related child care closures. Implications for children, families, and child care services during and beyond COVID-19 are discussed.


The Role of Uncoupling Protein 2 During Myocardial Dysfunction in a Canine Model of Endotoxin Shock.
To explore the role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) during myocardial dysfunction in a canine model of endotoxin shock, 26 mongrel canines were randomly divided into the following four groups: A (control group; n = 6), B2 (shock after 2 h; n = 7), B4 (shock after 4 h; n = 7), and B6 (shock after 6 h; n = 6). Escherichia coli endotoxin was injected into the canines via the central vein, and hemodynamics were monitored. Energy metabolism, UCP2 mRNA and protein expression, and UCP2 localization were analyzed, and the correlation between energy metabolism changes, and UCP2 expression was determined. After the canine endotoxin shock model was successfully established, the expression of UCP2 mRNA and protein was found to increase, with later time points showing significant increases (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assays of UCP2 in heart tissue showed that UCP2 was localized in the cytoplasm, and its expression pattern was the same as that found in the mRNA and protein analyses. The energy metabolism results revealed that the ADP levels increased, but the ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels and ATP/ADP and PCr/ATP ratios decreased in the model. In particular, the PCr/ATP ratio was significantly different from that of the control group 6 h after shock (P < 0.05). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that the UCP2 protein and mRNA levels were negatively correlated with myocardial energy levels. In summary, decreased energy synthesis can occur in the myocardium during endotoxin shock, and UCP2 may play an important role in this process. The negative correlation between UCP2 expression and energy metabolism requires further study, as the results might contribute to the treatment of sepsis with heart failure.


Rickettsiae phylogeny: a multigenic approach.
The development of molecular taxonomic methods has provided a large amount of data in the reorganization of Rickettsiae taxonomy. Nevertheless, phylogenetic relationships among some groups and species delimitation remain unclear. To clarify rickettsial phylogeny, a multigenic approach was used for the first time for the genus Rickettsia, based on simultaneous analyses of eight loci: atpA, recA, virB4, dnaA, dnaK, rrl-rrf internal transcribed spacer, ompA and gltA. Concatenation of different nucleotide sequences resulted in an improvement in phylogenetic resolution when compared to single gene data. This multigenic approach has enabled the differentiation of many groups, including the spotted fever group which includes a great number of closely related species. The reliability of some previously recognized groups was evaluated.


Review body reaction.
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged to listen to what the pay review body (RB) has to say about the pay cap for nurses. That's all very well, but it is worth remembering that he voted against scrapping the cap in a Commons vote in June. So we won't be holding our breaths for a change of heart.


Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of OneShape, HyFlex EDM, WaveOne Gold, and Reciproc Blue Nickel-titanium Instruments.
The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistances of Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munich, Germany), HyFlex EDM (Coltene/Whaledent, Altstätten, Switzerland), WaveOne Gold (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and OneShape (Micro Mega, Besancon, France) single-file NiTi systems. Thirty Reciproc Blue R25 (25/.08), 30 HyFlex EDM (25/.∼), 30 WaveOne Gold Primary (25/.07), and 30 OneShape (25/.06) instruments were included in this study. All the instruments were rotated in artificial canals, which were made of stainless steel with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm, a 60° angle of curvature, and radii of curvatures of 5 mm until fracture occurred, and the time to fracture was recorded in seconds using a digital chronometer. The data were analyzed statistically using Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Dunn tests via SPSS 21.0 software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). The statistical significance level was set at 5%. The HyFlex EDM file (3456.33 ± 633.37) file had the statistically highest fatigue resistance, and the OneShape file (1221.63 ± 812.4) had the least fatigue resistance (P < .05). The mean number of cycles to fracture of the Reciproc Blue file (2875.89 ± 105.35) file was statistically higher than the WaveOne Gold file (1737.00 ± 376.32) (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference (P > .05) in the mean length of the fractured fragments of the files (P > .05). Within the limitations of the present in vitro study, it was found that cyclic fatigue resistance of HyFlex EDM files was higher than the cyclic fatigue resistances of OneShape, Reciproc Blue, and WaveOne Gold files.


Exploring underlying life patterns of women with multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with NANDA dimensions.
In Newman's theory, disease is one of many manifestations of underlying pattern and its existence provides meaningful information about person-environment interactions. Underlying patterns manifest differently over time, so clues to their understanding can be found within life stories. Further interpretation subsequent to illustrating expanding consciousness for seven women living with multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis suggested six underlying patterns expressed in theoretical terms as energy-fatigue, giving-receiving, rejecting-accepting, vulnerability-resilience, control-release, and being silent-speaking out. Discussion and comparison with the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association's dimensions for assessment of human response patterns illustrates how nurses caring for women could identify and use underlying patterns in practice.


Effect of Conjugation Length on Photoinduced Charge Transfer in π-Conjugated Oligomer-Acceptor Dyads.
A series of π-conjugated oligomer-acceptor dyads were synthesized that feature oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) conjugated backbones end-capped with a naphthalene diimide (NDI) acceptor. The OPE segments vary in length from 4 to 8 phenylene ethynene units (PEn-NDI, where n = 4, 6 and 8). Fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that intramolecular OPE → NDI charge transfer dominates the deactivation of excited states of the PEn-NDI oligomers. Both charge separation (CS) and charge recombination (CR) are strongly exothermic (ΔG0CS ∼ -1.1 and ΔG0CR ∼ -2.0 eV), and the driving forces do not vary much across the series because the oxidation and reduction potentials and singlet energies of the OPEs do not vary much with their length. Bimolecular photoinduced charge transfer between model OPEs that do not contain the NDI acceptors with methyl viologen was studied, and the results reveal that the absorption of the cation radical state (OPE+•) remains approximately constant (λ ∼ 575 nm) regardless of oligomer length. This finding suggests that the cation radical (polaron) of the OPE is relatively localized, effectively occupying a confined segment of n ≤ 4 repeat units in the longer oligomers. Photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer dynamics in the PEn-NDI series was investigated by UV-visible femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with visible and mid-infrared probes. Charge separation occurs on the 1-10 ps time scale with the rates decreasing slightly with increased oligomer length (βCS ∼ 0.15 Å-1). The rate for charge-recombination decreases in the sequence PE4-NDI > PE6-NDI ∼ PE8-NDI. The discontinuous distance dependence in the rate for charge recombination may be related to the spatial localization of the positive polaron state in the longer oligomers.


Induction of fetal meiotic oocytes from embryonic stem cells in cynomolgus monkeys.
Human in vitro oogenesis provides a framework for clarifying the mechanism of human oogenesis. To create its benchmark, it is vital to promote in vitro oogenesis using a model physiologically close to humans. Here, we establish a foundation for in vitro oogenesis in cynomolgus (cy) monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): cy female embryonic stem cells harboring one active and one inactive X chromosome (Xa and Xi, respectively) differentiate robustly into primordial germ cell-like cells, which in xenogeneic reconstituted ovaries develop efficiently into oogonia and, remarkably, further into meiotic oocytes at the zygotene stage. This differentiation entails comprehensive epigenetic reprogramming, including Xi reprogramming, yet Xa and Xi remain epigenetically asymmetric with, as partly observed in vivo, incomplete Xi reactivation. In humans and monkeys, the Xi epigenome in pluripotent stem cells functions as an Xi-reprogramming determinant. We further show that developmental pathway over-activations with suboptimal up-regulation of relevant meiotic genes impede in vitro meiotic progression. Cy in vitro oogenesis exhibits critical homology with the human system, including with respect to bottlenecks, providing a salient model for advancing human in vitro oogenesis.


Scoring Mental Health Quality of Life With the SF-36 in Patients With and Without Diabetes Foot Complications.
The aim of this study was to examine if using orthogonal and oblique factor analysis detect changes in health-related quality of life differently in diabetic patients on the Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey. A total of 155 patients had diabetic foot complications (DFC), and 145 patients had no DFCs. The SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were calculated using scoring coefficients determined by orthogonal and oblique rotation principle component analyses of the subscales. The DFC group had lower orthogonal ( P < .00001) and oblique PCS scores ( P < .00001). However, despite lower Mental Health subscale scores in the patients with DFCs, orthogonal MCS scores ( P = .156) did not differ. In contrast, the oblique MCS scores reflected the difference in the Mental Health subscale ( P = .0005). Orthogonal and oblique PCS scores did not differ significantly. However, orthogonal MCS scores were significantly higher than oblique MCS scores in those with DFCs ( P = .0004) and without DFCs ( P = .005). The shorter, 12-item SF-12 survey demonstrated similar results. Poorer physical function leads to higher orthogonal MCS scores than if determined by oblique scoring coefficients since Physical Function, Bodily Pain, and General Health are weighted more negatively in orthogonal coefficients when calculating the MCS score. Oblique scoring coefficients may address this issue, but further study is necessary to confirm whether oblique MCS scores accurately represent the mental health of patients with diabetic foot disease.


National conference on Parkinson's disease.
A National Conference on Parkinson's disease was held on September 7th-8th, 1990 in Victoria, British Columbia. The scientific program included 11 formal presentations, 10 small group workshops and video presentations of interesting examples of movement disorders. The subjects discussed ranged from epidemiology and etiology to current and possible future modes of management of Parkinson's disease.


Repression of Smad4 by miR‑205 moderates TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cell lines.
The TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays important roles in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is the key event in the early stages of cancer metastasis and enhances the capability of cell migration and invasion. Smad4 acts as the only Co-Smad of TGF/Smad signaling pathway and plays the key role in TGF-β-mediated EMT. Nevertheless, the mRNA regulation mechanisms of Smad4 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unclear. Computational algorithms predicted that the 3'-UTR of Smad4 is a target of miR‑205. Here, we validated that miR‑205 could directly bind to 3'-UTR of Smad4 by luciferase assays. Moreover, we investigated the functional roles of miR‑205 and its molecular link to Smad4 in lung cancer cells. In this study, we confirmed that overexpression of miR‑205 suppressed the expression of Smad4, in turn, weakened the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and inhibited TGF-β/Smad4-induced EMT, invasion and migration ultimately. Furthermore, this study shows that miR‑205 can serve as a promising therapeutic target of highly aggressive NSCLC.


Bandwidth-Controllable Third-Order Band Pass Filter Using Substrate-Integrated Full- and Semi-Circular Cavities.
The article presents a novel circular substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) bandpass filter (BPF) with controllable bandwidth. The proposed BPF was configured using two microstrip feed lines, semi-circular SIW cavities, capacitive slots, and inductive vias. The circular cavity was divided into two halves, and the two copies were cascaded. The resulting bisected and cascaded structures were then connected back-to-back. Finally, by introducing two inductive vias to the circular center cavity, a transmission zero was generated. In order to examine the design concept, a coupling matrix was generated. To demonstrate the theory, a third-order BPF was realized, fabricated, and experimentally validated. The BPF prototype features a wide passband of 8.7%, a low insertion loss of 1.1 dB, and a stopband of 1.5 f0 with a rejection level better than 20 dB, which makes it a potential candidate for microwave sensing and communication industries.


Behavioral Risk Assessment From Newborn to Preschool: The Value of Older Siblings.
The aim of this study was to examine the plausibility of a risk prediction tool in infancy for school-entry emotional and behavioral problems. Familial aggregation has been operationalized previously as maternal psychopathology. The hypothesis was tested that older sibling (OS) psychopathology, as an indicator of familial aggregation, would enable a fair level of risk prediction compared with previous research, when combined with traditional risk factors. By using a longitudinal design, data on child and family risk factors were collected on 323 infants (M = 2.00 months), all of whom had OSs. Infants were followed up 4.5 years later when both parents provided ratings of emotional and behavioral problems. Multiple regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted for emotional, conduct, and attention problems separately. The emotional and behavioral problems of OSs at infancy were the strongest predictors of the same problems in target children 4.5 years later. Other risk factors, including maternal depression and socioeconomic status provided extra, but weak, significant prediction. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for emotional and conduct problems yielded a fair prediction. This study is the first to offer a fair degree of prediction from risk factors at birth to school-entry emotional and behavioral problems. This degree of prediction was achieved with the inclusion of the emotional and behavioral problems of OSs (thus limiting generalizability to children with OSs). The inclusion of OS psychopathology raises risk prediction to a fair level.


The role of cobalt-albumin binding analysis in the diagnosis of experimental abdominal compartment syndrome in rabbits.
The purpose of our study was to examine the role of cobalt-albumin binding assay (CABA) for the early diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Twenty-four anesthetized and ventilated rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups as 1 to 4, with each group comprised of six animals. Intraabdominal hypertension of 25 mmHg was induced for 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes by insufflation in the four groups, respectively. Five ml of blood was drawn from each animal before the animals were sacrificed. A CABA test was performed on the samples and results were compared with pathologic diagnosis of intestinal samples shown as a score of damage severity values. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in Group 4 was significantly higher than in Group 1 and Group 2 (0.65 ± 0.16, 0.60 ± 0.25 and 0.61 ± 0.14, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the IMA of Group 3 and Group 4. Score of damage severity values reached statistically significant levels in Group 4 compared with Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.004 and 0.006, respectively) and in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (p < 0.004). There was also a statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.004). CABA plays an important role in the early diagnosis of ACS at the beginning of intestinal ischemia.


Clopidogrel: who, when, and how?
Clopidogrel has demonstrated improved outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndromes in several large randomized controlled trials. However, some questions exist about the use of clopidogrel in practice. Who benefits from clopidogrel? When should clopidogrel treatment be initiated? How much clopidogrel should be administered and for how long? Reviewing the results from trials completed to date that have assessed clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes may help to answer some of these questions. Clinical trial results have demonstrated a reduction in the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke for patients with acute coronary syndromes who received clopidogrel plus aspirin compared with aspirin alone. For this patient population, early treatment with clopidogrel more than 6 hours before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with a reduction in the risk of death or recurrent ischemic events. The benefits of initiating patients on a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel before PCI have been demonstrated in several clinical trials. Clinical trial results and current guidelines recommend long-term treatment with clopidogrel for up to 1 year after PCI.


Patient-reported outcomes in the SOluble guanylate Cyclase stimulatoR in heArT failurE patientS with PRESERVED ejection fraction (SOCRATES-PRESERVED) study.
Exploratory assessment of the potential benefits of the novel soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator vericiguat on health status in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction. The SOCRATES-PRESERVED trial randomized patients with chronic HF and ejection fraction ≥ 45% within 4 weeks of decompensation to 12 weeks of treatment with titrated doses of vericiguat (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg once daily) or placebo. Health status was assessed with the disease-specific Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and the generic health-related quality of life measure EQ-5D. In total, 477 patients were randomized 12.9 ± 9.0 days after hospitalization or if requiring outpatient treatment with intravenous diuretics for HF. Baseline KCCQ clinical summary score (CSS), a combination of symptom and physical function domains, was 52.3 ± 20.4 in the 10 mg arm and 54.1 ± 23.0 in placebo, and EQ-5D US index score was 0.74 ± 0.2 and 0.73 ± 0.2, respectively. A larger proportion of patients treated with vericiguat in the 10 mg arm, compared with placebo, achieved clinically meaningful improvements in KCCQ-CSS (82.0% vs. 59.0%, number needed to treat = 4.35, P = 0.0052). Important domains of the KCCQ as well as EQ-5D scores demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship with vericiguat. In the 10 mg arm, the mean physical limitations domain increased by +17.2 ± 19.1 at 12 weeks, compared with +4.5 ± 21.6 in placebo (P = 0.0009). The EQ-5D US index score increased by +0.064 ± 0.167 in the 10 mg arm, compared with a decrease of -0.009 ± 0.195 in placebo (P = 0.0461). Improvements in KCCQ and EQ-5D scores paralleled physician-assessed NYHA class and clinical congestion. Vericiguat, in exploratory hypothesis-generating analyses, was associated with clinically important improvements in patients' health status, as assessed by the KCCQ and EQ-5D. Further studies should be conducted to test the hypothesis that vericiguat improves physical functioning and health-related quality of life in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction.


Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Unna Boot for Healing Venous Ulcers: A Comparative Study of Their Efficacy and Socioeconomic Impact.
Chronic ulcers are defined as a breakdown of the long-term cutaneous barrier or frequent recurrence of breakdowns. Dressings are a form of treatment and, in view of the variety and high cost of the products on the market, three agents were selected for this investigation, regarding their efficacy and cost/benefit ratio. The objective of the investigation was to evaluate and compare the efficacy, costs, and benefits of carboxymethylcellulose in paste at 20% (CMC 20%), trichloroacetic acid at 90% (TCA 90%), and Unna boot for treatment of chronic venous ulcers. Three groups of 30 patients each were chosen randomly for ambulatory treatment with TCA 90% (G1), CMC 20% (G2), and Unna boot (G3). The evolution of the cicatricial process of each group separately and between groups was analyzed with measurement of the lesion areas in square centimeters (cm2) and observation of the amount of exudate from observation of the photographic record, until their healing, in the maximum period of 20 weeks. A significant reduction of lesion areas in all groups was observed (P=.0001), with a median reduction of 7.6 cm2 (38.1%) for G1, 3.9 cm2 (38.8%) for G2, and 16.2 cm2 (77.8%) for G3. There was a significant difference in the absolute delta of the lesion areas (P=.0001) of the groups. The three types of treatments promoted effective improvement, with acquisition and utilization of all three products in the public health services being recommended.


Some children with autism have latent social skills that can be tested.
The idea of latent social skills in autism emerged as a possible interpretation of the rapid (but temporary) improvement of autistic subjects in oxytocin studies. We tested a hypothesis that a normal response to Item No 59 "Secure Base" from the third version of the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADIR-59) could indicate the presence of latent social skills in autism. We examined 110 autistic children (88 boys and 22 girls) with a mean age of 6.0±2.5 years (range: 2.2-14.8 years) using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) - Generic. A diagnosis of mental retardation was established in 68 autistic children (62%). The difference in the ADOS social domain between children aged ≤5 years on one side and children older than 5 years on the other side was significant in subjects with normal responses to ADIR-59 (9.60 vs 6.47; P=0.031) but not in those with abnormal responses to ADIR-59 (10.62 vs 9.63; P=0.537). In a predictive model, lower ADOS social domain scores were predicted by older age (P=0.001), lower scores on the ADIR-59 (P=0.01), and the absence of mental retardation (P=0.049). The results support the hypothesis that the normal response to item ADIR-59 "Secure Base" indicates the presence of latent social skills in autism that might foretell further social growth in older autistic subjects.


Case Report of Haemophilus parainfluenzae Sepsis in a Newborn Infant Following Water Birth and a Review of Literature.
Water birth has grown in popularity over the recent years. Although beneficial for mothers, there are concerns for the infants. There are previous reports of infection following water birth. The information regarding infection with Haemophilus parainfluenzae is limited. We report a case of a neonate with H. parainfluenzae bacteremia following water birth. The child was successfully treated with both antibiotic and supportive care. Previous reports of neonatal H. parainfluenzae infection are reviewed.


Mining for missed sORF-encoded peptides.
Small open reading frames (sORFs) with potential protein-coding capacity have been disclosed in various transcripts, including long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs), mRNAs (5'-upstream, coding domain, and 3'-downstream), circular RNAs, pri-miRNAs, and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). Recent characterization of several sORF-encoded peptides (SEPs or micropeptides) revealed their important roles in many fundamental biological processes in a broad range of species from yeast to human. The success in the mining of micropeptides attributes to the advanced bioinformatics and high-throughput sequencing techniques. Areas covered: sORFs and SEPs were overlooked for their tiny size and the difficulty of identification by bioinformatics analyses. With more and more sORFs and SEPs have been identified, this field has attracted more attention. This review covers recent advances in the strategies for the detection and identification of sORFs and SEPs. Expert commentary: The advantages and drawbacks of the strategies for detection and identification of sORFs and SEPs are discussed, as well as the techniques that are used to decipher the roles of micropeptides in organisms are described.


Feasibility of bone assessment with leaky Lamb waves in bone phantoms and a bovine tibia.
In this study, the effect of cortical thickness variation on the propagation of leaky Lamb waves is investigated by using an axial transmission technique commonly used to characterize long bones. Three Lucite plates with thicknesses of 1, 3, and 5 mm as bone phantoms and one bovine tibia with a cortical thickness of 2 mm were used at various low frequencies. Experimental measurements in bone phantoms show that the peak frequency and amplitude of excited Lamb modes strongly depend on the thickness of the Lucite plate. In the bovine tibia, the S0 and A0 Lamb modes are consistently observed in the frequency-thickness region from 0.2 to 1.0 MHz mm, and can be effectively launched at a frequency of 200 kHz, suggesting 200 kHz to be the optimal signal frequency for in vivo clinical applications. It can be also seen that both modes are affected by the frequency-thickness product, but the effect is greater for the A0 mode. Hence, the A0 Lamb mode seems more sensitive to cortical thickness change due to aging and osteoporosis. This study suggests that the use of leaky Lamb waves is feasible for ultrasonic bone assessment.


Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Concerns.
Most people would like to change something about their bodies and the way that they look, but for some it becomes an obsession. A healthy skin plays an important role in a person's physical and mental wellbeing, whereas a disfiguring appearance is associated with body image concerns. Skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis and vitiligo produce cosmetic disfigurement and patients suffering these and other visible skin conditions have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, feelings of stigmatization and self-harm ideation. Body image affects our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in everyday life, but, above all, it influences our relationships. Furthermore, it has the potential to influence our quality of life. Promotion of positive body image is highly recommended, as it is important in improving people's quality of life, physical health, and health-related behaviors. Dermatologists have a key role in identifying body image concerns and offering patients possible treatment options.


Paraurethral Leiomyoma as an Incidental Finding in Patient with Fibroid Uterus.
Paraurethral leiomyomas are rare benign fibromuscular tumors developing from urethra. The presenting symptoms are usually related to mass effect. We present a case of an incidental diagnosis of a paraurethral leiomyoma in a patient with a fibroid uterus. Case was managed by hysterectomy concurrent with periurethral leiomyoma excision. Patient had uncomplicated clinical course. Due to close localization of paraurethral leiomyoma to urethra and bladder care must be taken to minimize the injury during resection.


Boryl- and Silyl-Substituted Mixed Sandwich Compounds of Scandium.
An improved, one-pot synthesis of the linear sandwich compound [Sc(η5 -C5 H5 )(η8 -C8 H8 )] is presented. The synthetic procedure is amenable to boryl- and silyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl and cyclooctatetraenyl ligands, thereby yielding the first functionalized derivatives. We found that the synthesis of the silyl-substituted mixed sandwich complexes produces higher yields when the ligand exchange is carried out stepwise, by isolating the intermediate trimethylsilylated half-sandwich complex [Sc(η8 -C8 H7 SiMe3 )Cl(THF)] (THF=tetrahydrofuran). The molecular structures of the parent complex, as well as of its mono-boryl-substituted derivatives, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the optical and electrochemical properties of the mixed sandwich complexes are reported.


[Forest degradation/decline: research and practice].
As one of the most critical environmental problems in the 21st century, forest degradation has been facing worldwide. There are many definitions about forest degradation, but its common features are the permanent loss of forests, stand structure destructed, forest quality decreased, and forest functions lowered. Forest decline or tree decline in fact is one of the causes of forest degradation, which includes the general reduction of trees in vigor, low level growth of trees in productivity, death of trees, and even, decline of soil fertility. Many researches indicated that deforestation is the permanent loss of forests in area, which is shifted to other land uses. Deforestation is the product of the interactions between environmental, social, economic, cultural, and political forces at work in any given country/region, and thus, more and more attention is focused on the negative socioeconomic and environmental effects after forest degradation, especially on the reduction of forest area induced by deforestation. The effects of any decisions or policies in national and international levels on forest degradation induced by deforestation have been paid attention as well. How to make efforts and strengthen the worldwide cooperation to combat the forest degradation induced by deforestation must be challenged to find appropriate solutions. There are many researches on forest decline, because of its complexity and uncertainties. The major causes of forest decline include: 1) pollution from both industry and agriculture, 2) stress factors, e.g., desiccation, 3) changes in stand dynamics, 4) decline disease of forest or diseases of complex etiology, 5) degradation of productivity and/or soil fertility in pure plantation forests. Forest degradation in China is similar to that all over the world, but with the characteristics in forest components, i.e., 1) secondary forests are the major forest resources, 2) China has the most plantation forests in the world, some of which have low qualities or functions. Based on the above reviews and perceptions on forest degradation and related practices, the main causes of contemporary forest degradation were summarized, and the general countermeasures for combating forest degradation/decline were given.


The relations of internet and smartphone addictions to depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality among public university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
This cross-sectional study examined the cyber-psychological correlates of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality among public university students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Participants were randomly selected using multi-stage sampling methods from three public universities in the study location. Participants completed measures of internet and smartphone addictions, depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality, along with sociodemographic items. At bivariate level, both internet and smartphone addictions were found to have significant positive correlations with depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality. At multivariate level, only internet addiction emerged as a consistent significant predictor for depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidality. The present findings have implications for mental health professionals to routinely screen for psychological disturbance in young adults who have potential risks for internet addiction.


Comparison of the boundary-lubricating ability of bovine synovial fluid, lubricin, and Healon.
Purified human umbilical hyaluronate and a commercial preparation of rooster comb hyaluronate (Healon) intended for intra-articular viscosupplementation did not demonstrate the same degree of boundary-lubricating ability as bovine synovial fluid or its purified lubricating mucin, lubricin (p < 0.01). Boundary lubrication was measured in vitro in an arthrotripsometer oscillating natural latex against polished glass under a load of 0.35 MPa with an entraining velocity of 0.37 mm/s. The two hyaluronate solutions possessed the same hyaluronate concentration as synovial fluid, but Healon was 4.5 times more viscous. Present practice of viscosupplementation therapy for degenerative joint disease is limited and fails to implicate the important role of synovial mucin. Boundary lubrication provided by synovial mucin, independent of its viscosity, is not replicated by hyaluronate hydrogels.


Electrocardiogram recording as a screening tool for sleep disordered breathing.
Transient changes in heart rate associated with obstructive apneas have been suggested for screening of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). This study prospectively compares the outcomes of an automated ECG-based SDB screening tool with simultaneous polysomnography. The previously-developed automated algorithm was applied to a single channel ECG obtained during standard overnight polysomnography (92 subjects) to obtain an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) estimate. Using AHI thresholds of < 5 and > or =15 to define absence and presence of SDB, respectively, we determined the likelihood ratios of the proposed technique. The automated algorithm achieved positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.16 and 0.08. Estimated and reference AHI were highly correlated (r = 0.88). Pathologically insignificant arrhythmia in some subjects had no discernible impact on the algorithm. ECG-based assessment provides a simple but limited means of recognizing subjects with obstructive sleep apnea.


A questionnaire-based assessment of Safe Eye Examination (SEE) technique.
This study aims to assess the novel and innovative method of Safe Eye Examination (SEE) technique using the model eye for the purpose of teaching, training, and resident examination. A questionnaire-based study (Descriptive Data) with 53 participants, including ophthalmology residents, fellows in various subspecialties, and trainee optometrists was used. In our study, we used the Reti Eye model, but instead of the usual retina template sheet, we used prominent pathological fundus photographs loaded into the model eye. The study participants were asked to view prominent pathological fundus images printed on a matte finish paper. A circular image was cut and was placed in the Reti Eye model. The candidates were made to perform indirect ophthalmoscopy with a + 20D lens and to fill up a Google image assessment scale questionnaire with characteristics, including pixelation, sharpness, contrast, reflexes, blotchy appearance, and diagnostic confidence, which were then analyzed and depicted. Association between categorical variables was analyzed using Fisher exact test and Chi-square test. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All data were analyzed with a statistical software package (SPSS, Version 16.0 for Windows). The number of positive responses (>90%) obtained for the pixelation, sharpness, contrast, reflexes, blotchy appearance, and diagnostic confidence of the image viewed were statistically more significant than the negative responses (P < 0.05). The SEE technique of using the model eye can be incorporated for teaching, training, and skill assessment in the examinations in these difficult times of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.


Footprint traversal by adenosine-triphosphate-dependent chromatin remodeler motor.
Adenosine-triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes (CREs) are biomolecular motors in eukaryotic cells. These are driven by a chemical fuel, namely, ATP. CREs actively participate in many cellular processes that require accessibility of specific segments of DNA which are packaged as chromatin. The basic unit of chromatin is a nucleosome where 146 bp ∼ 50 nm of a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is wrapped around a spool formed by histone proteins. The helical path of histone-DNA contact on a nucleosome is also called "footprint." We investigate the mechanism of footprint traversal by a CRE that translocates along the dsDNA. Our two-state model of a CRE captures effectively two distinct chemical (or conformational) states in the mechanochemical cycle of each ATP-dependent CRE. We calculate the mean time of traversal. Our predictions on the ATP dependence of the mean traversal time can be tested by carrying out in vitro experiments on mononucleosomes.


The influence of subclonal resistance mutations on targeted cancer therapy.
Clinical oncology is being revolutionized by the increasing use of molecularly targeted therapies. This paradigm holds great promise for improving cancer treatment; however, allocating specific therapies to the patients who are most likely to derive a durable benefit continues to represent a considerable challenge. Evidence continues to emerge that cancers are characterized by extensive intratumour genetic heterogeneity, and that patients being considered for treatment with a targeted agent might, therefore, already possess resistance to the drug in a minority of cells. Indeed, multiple examples of pre-existing subclonal resistance mutations to various molecularly targeted agents have been described, which we review herein. Early detection of pre-existing or emerging drug resistance could enable more personalized use of targeted cancer therapy, as patients could be stratified to receive the therapies that are most likely to be effective. We consider how monitoring of drug resistance could be incorporated into clinical practice to optimize the use of targeted therapies in individual patients.


Resonance contributions to anti-Stokes/Stokes ratios under surface enhanced Raman scattering conditions.
Anti-Stokes/Stokes asymmetries under surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) conditions are studied for a wide variety of SERS-active media and different analytes. Evidence is provided for the existence of underlying resonances that create these asymmetries. We show here that these resonances are associated with the electromagnetic coupling between the analyte (probe) and the metal. The work demonstrates the use of the anti-Stokes/Stokes ratio as a tool to understand the hierarchy of resonances in the SERS problem, which is essential for quantification purposes.