Effects of a cognition-emotion focused program to increase public participation in Papanicolaou smear screening.
Despite high incidence rates of cervical cancer in Korea, Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are not utilized as a preventive behavior. This study examined the effects of an emotion-cognition focused program on the decision of taking Pap tests in Korean women. A non-equivalent control group post-test only design was utilized. A convenience sample was randomly assigned to either experimental (N=48) or control group (N=48) after matching for education and age. Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test, Champion's Health Belief Model, and Self-Efficacy Scale were used. Intention and stage of adoption to take a Pap test were measured with single items. Women in the experimental group had significantly higher scores on knowledge of cervical cancer (t=6.99, p<.001) and perceived benefits of Pap tests (t=2.91, p<.05), lower scores on procedural (t=-2.45, p<.05) and cognitive (t=-2.66, p<.01) barriers to testing. Improvement in self-efficacy (t=3.38, p<.01), strong intention to have the test (t=2.99, p<.01), and advanced stages of behavior adoption (chi2=12.93, p<.01) were also found. Women's perspectives, attitudes of health care practitioners, and clinical environment need to be considered if change is to happen in women's preventive behavior related to Pap test screening.


Assessment of coverage and analysis of the determinants of adherence to influenza vaccination in the general practitioners of Taranto.
In Italy, the general practitioner (GP) is the operations manager of the campaigns regarding influenza immunization. He/she identifies people eligible for vaccination among the clients, invites them actively and administers the vaccine. The GPs are directly in contact with the target population that should be vaccinated and their opinion about the flu vaccine may ultimately influence the decision of the patient to accept or not the vaccination. This study aims to assess levels of immunization for influenza vaccination among GPs and factors influencing their adherence to the vaccinations recommended for GPs in the province of Taranto (Apulia region, Southern Italy). We conducted a cross-sectional study among 471 general practitioners working in the province of Taranto during the February-March period of 2016. We emailed all GPs a self-administered web-based standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire analyzed the self-reported flu vaccination coverage, knowledge, perception and positions of the GPs with regard to the forecasted vaccinations of the in-risk categories among their patients. A total of 229 (48.6%) GPs participated in the survey. In the 2015/2016 influenza season, the vaccination coverage among the interviewed GPs was 76.4% (n = 175). A patient number ≥ 900 increased the likelihood to have been vaccinated in the 2015/2016 season (OR = 3.3; P < 0.01). Overall only 79.9% prefers to use the adjuvated vaccines on patients > 64 and the 58% of GPs who chose not to get vaccinated considers influenza as a non-risk pathology for a healthy subject. The coverage achieved among the Taranto's ASL GPs during the 2015/16 season reaches the minimum threshold set by the Minister, but they could implement their knowledge and their participation in relation to the anti-influenza vaccine in order to discard all the wrong or clearly unfounded common beliefs. The best strategy in order to optimize the governance system seems to be the empowerment of primary care physicians, to be fulfilled through actions shared with the Public Healthcare Services based on training, communication and projects supporting vaccine coverage.


Development and psychometric evaluation of the reporting suspected child abuse and neglect (RSCAN) scale for United States registered nurses.
In the United States (US), nurses have a mandated duty to report child abuse and neglect (CAN). Despite comprising the highest proportion of the US healthcare workforce, limited research has explored the institutional barriers they face in reporting suspected CAN. Furthermore, there is no existing valid and reliable measure of reporting relevant to US. The purpose of this research is to develop and psychometrically evaluate a scale to measure nurse knowledge and self-efficacy as CAN mandated reporters. The Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) tool was developed from two existing international tools to examine institutional barriers and facilitators to US nurses' professional knowledge and reporting of CAN. A convenience sample of one hundred and sixty-six US nurses primarily from the Pacific Northwest responded to an online survey. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's α were used to examine validity and internal consistency, respectively, of an initial 16-item scale. A two-factor model consisting of eight items indicated good model fit (CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.049, and SRMR = 0.028) and was internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.822). RSCAN is the first US instrument to reliably measure nurses' professional knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting suspected CAN. Future research can build upon these findings to recognize and support nurses in their mandated role to report CAN.


Curcumin and its cyclohexanone analogue inhibited human Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) in pancreatic cancer cells.
Our group investigated combining the phytochemical curcumin and gemcitabine in a liposome, to improve gemcitabine's activity against pancreatic tumours. While optimising the curcumin: gemcitabine ratio for co-encapsulation, we found that increasing curcumin concentrations relative to gemcitabine resulted in antagonistic interactions. As curcumin is a promiscuous transporter inhibitor; we suspected that increased resistance occurred via inhibition of Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1)-mediated gemcitabine uptake. To test our hypothesis, we determined whether curcumin and a related analogue, 2,6-bis((3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene)-cyclohexanone (or A13), inhibited ENT1-mediated accumulation of [3H]uridine and [3H]gemcitabine into pancreatic cancer cells. We then confirmed the inhibition of gemcitabine accumulation by investigating whether curcumin/A13 could increase gemcitabine resistance in growth inhibition assays. We found that curcumin and A13 concentration-dependently inhibited the ENT1-mediated accumulation of both uridine and gemcitabine in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. We also found that non-toxic concentrations of curcumin and A13 significantly increased the resistance of both cell lines to gemcitabine. Increased resistance only occurred when curcumin/A13 was co-incubated with gemcitabine, and not with sequential exposure (i.e., curcumin first, followed by gemcitabine, or vice versa). We also found that the curcumin analogue (3E,5E)-3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl)methylene]-4-piperidinone (or EF24) did not inhibit gemcitabine accumulation, making it more suitable in combinations than curcumin/A13. From these results, we concluded that curcumin and A13 are inhibitors of the ENT1 transporter, but only at high concentrations (2-20µM). Curcumin is unlikely to inhibit gemcitabine uptake in tumours but may interfere with the oral absorption of ENT1 substrates due to high gut concentrations readily achievable from over-the-counter tablets/capsules.


The Different Inhibition of Return (IOR) Effects of Emergency Managerial Experts and Novices: An Event-Related Potentials Study.
Inhibition of return (IOR) is an important effect of attention. However, the IOR of emergency managerial experts is unknown. By employing emergency and natural scene pictures in expert-novice paradigm, the present study explored the neural activity underlying the IOR effects for emergency managerial experts and novices. In behavioral results, there were no differences of IOR effects between novices and emergency managerial experts, while the event-related potentials (ERPs) results were different between novices and experts. In Experiment 1 (novice group), ERPs results showed no any IOR was robust at both stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA) of 200 ms and 400 ms. In Experiment 2 (expert group), ERPs results showed an enhanced N2 at SOA of 200 ms and attenuated P3 at cued location in the right parietal lobe and adjacent brain regions than uncued location at SOA of 200 ms. The findings of the two experiments showed that, relative to the novices, IOR for the emergency managerial experts was robust, and dominated in the right parietal lobe and adjacent brain regions, suggesting more flexible attentional processing and higher visual search efficiency of the emergency managerial experts. The findings indicate that the P3, possible N2, over the right parietal lobe and adjacent brain regions are the biological indicators for IOR elicited by post-cued emergency pictures for emergency managerial experts.


Evaluation of the relative concentration of serum fatty acids C14:0, C15:0 and C17:0 as markers of children's dairy fat intake.
Biomarkers can provide objective measures of dietary exposure, but their relationship with dietary intake in different populations needs to be characterized. This study aimed to determine the association between C14:0, C15:0 and C17:0 and children's dairy fat intake, and to ascertain whether these fatty acids can be used as biomarkers for detecting change in dairy fat intake. Data from a randomized controlled trial (114 healthy children of 4-13 years of age) was used. The intervention was a replacement of regular-fat dairy foods with reduced-fat or low-fat items. Serum fatty acid composition was measured and dairy intake was assessed via 3 × 24-hour diet recalls at baseline and at 12 weeks (the end of the intervention). Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake and fatty acids at baseline and at week 12, and for the change in biomarkers and diet between these time points. Total dairy fat intake correlated with C14:0, C15:0 and C17:0 at baseline (n = 114; r = 0.24; r = 0.42; r = 0.25 respectively, all p < 0.05), but not at week 12. The change in the total amount of dairy fat (g/day) after 12 weeks was associated with a change in serum C15:0 (n = 59; r = 0.27; p = 0.04). C15:0 is a useful biomarker of dairy fat intake in children and can detect short-term changes in the absolute intake of dairy fat.


An imaging photoelectron-photoion coincidence investigation of homochiral 2R,3R-butanediol clusters.
We report an experimental investigation of homochiral cluster formation in seeded molecular beam expansions of (2R,3R)-butanediol. Synchrotron radiation vacuum ultraviolet photoionization measurements have been performed using a double imaging electron-ion spectrometer in various configurations and modes of operation. These include measurements of the cluster ion mass spectra, wavelength scanned ion yields, and threshold electron spectra. Protonated cluster ions ranging up to n = 7 have been observed and size-selected photoelectron spectra and photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) have been recorded by velocity map imaging, recorded in coincidence with ions, at a number of fixed photon energies. Translation temperatures of the cluster ions have been further examined by ion imaging measurements. As well as the sequence of protonated clusters with integral numbers of butanediol monomer units, a second series with half-integral monomer masses is observed and deduced to result from a facile cleavage of a butanediol monomer moiety within the nascent cluster. This second sequence of half-integral masses displays quite distinct behaviours. PECD measurements are used to show that the half-integral mass cluster ions do not share a common parentage with whole integer masses. Using an analogy developed with simple theoretical calculations of butanediol dimer structures, it is inferred that the dissociative branching into integral and half-integral ion mass sequences is controlled by the presence of different butanediol monomer conformations within the hydrogen bonded clusters.


Soluble Fas ligand and atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.
The Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system is involved in apoptosis in many types of cells. Recently, the expression of FasL on endothelial cells was reported. FasL is cleaved by a metalloproteinase and released in serum as soluble FasL (sFasL). Vasoactive substances, including metalloproteinase, are modulated by endothelial dysfunction. Advanced atherosclerosis and impaired endothelial function are seen in hypertensive patients. The inflammatory response has an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, whereas C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with the presence and severity of atherosclerosis. To measure the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and evaluate the relationship between atherosclerosis and serum sFasL concentrations in hypertensive patients. Forty-seven patients with hypertension participated in the study. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was evaluated by ultrasound imaging. Serum concentrations of sFasL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intima-media thickness correlated positively with age (r = 0.362, P = 0.012) and sFasL concentrations (r =0.332, P = 0.022), and negatively with creatinine clearance (r = -0.399, P = 0.0055). A general linear model analysis with atherosclerotic risk factors and sFasL revealed that age, sFasL, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with intima-media thickness. Furthermore, we demonstrated that serum sFasL is directly associated with CRP concentration (r = 0.316, P = 0.030). These results indicated that serum sFasL concentration is associated with atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease, in patients with hypertension.


Hydrothermal synthesis of layered sodium manganese oxide nanowires and their electrochemical performance.
A new method for preparing black birnessite nanowires is introduced. Layer-structured manganese oxide nanowires were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, and using both NaMnO4 and CH3CH2OH as the precursors in a concentrated NaOH solution. The structure, composition, appearance and electrochemical performance of the product were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy diffraction (ED), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and constant current charge/discharge. The XRD patterns showed a single phase corresponding to a crystalline birnessite-based manganese oxide. TEM studies suggested their wire-like structures. The TGA measurement demonstrated that they possessed an excellent thermal stability up to 400 degrees C. In the potential window of 2.0-4.3 V, the product exhibited excellent cyclic stability and rapid charge-discharge performance.


Surgical palliation of small bowel obstruction due to metastatic carcinoma.
Seventy-three patients with small bowel obstruction due to metastatic carcinoma were seen in the years 1960 to 1979. Twenty-nine patients were seen in the first decade and 44 patients in the second. The most common primary tumor causing metastatic small bowel obstruction was colonic carcinoma, followed by gastric carcinoma. Plain x-ray examinations supplemented by an upper gastrointestinal series with small bowel follow-through were the most useful diagnostic tests. Seventy per cent (51/73) of these patients were initially treated with intravenous fluids and gastrointestinal decompression using a short (32/51) or long (19/51) tube. In eight of 51 patients, nasogastric decompression relieved the obstruction, but in all but one of these patients symptoms and signs of obstruction recurred promptly after tube removal. At laparotomy, the majority of patients underwent either a bypass procedure or resection. The mean survival for the patients bypassed varied from four to seven months; for those that had resection it varied from five to nine months. The mortality rate was high--41 per cent in the first decade and 25 per cent in the second. Of the last 12 patients, eight received hyperalimentation before and after surgery. The operative mortality rate was 12.5 per cent and the mean survival was eight months. It is concluded that: 1) Colonic carcinoma is the most common primary tumor causing metastatic small bowel obstruction. 2) Tube decompression is rarely effective and surgical relief is necessary in the vast majority of cases. 3) Operative mortality has been reduced, partially because of more vigorous support, i.e., hyperalimentation, but the mean duration of survival has not changed significantly.


[Clostridium botulinum and botulinum neurotoxin].
Clostridium botulinum is a gram-positive anaerobic rod that forms endospores. This bacterium produces large molecular toxin complexes, namely botulinum toxin complexes (progenitor toxins). It (L toxin complex) is composed of a single neurotoxin molecule (BoNT with a molecular weight of 150 kDa), a single nontoxic nonhemagglutinin molecule (NTNHA), and a hemagglutinin complex (HA). On food-borne botulism, nontoxic components have the roles of protecting toxin protein from the degeneration and degradation action of acids and proteases existing in the gastrointestinal tract. The HA facilitates transport when progenitor toxins cross the intestinal epithelial barrier to enter the systemic circulation. BoNT disassociates from the toxin complexes in the systemic circulation. BoNT is immunologically classified into 7 serotypes, A to G. Serotypes A, B, E, and F are the causative agents of human botulism. The active BoNT molecules are composed of 2 chains that are termed the heavy chain (c. 100 kDa) and the light chain (c. 50 kDa); these are covalently connected by a disulfide bond. The light chains have a tetrahedral zinc binding motif conteining a consensus HExxH amino acid sequence, and exhibit metalloprotease activity. After BoNTs reach the neuromuscular junction (the peripheral nerve ending), these are endocytosed in lipid vesicles (synaptic vesicles), and the light chain is released into the cytosol of a nerve cell via a translocation event through the phospholipid vesicle membrane. The light chains of BoNTs (zinc endopeptidases) cleave core proteins involved in the trafficking and release of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine), including synaptobrevin, SNAP-25, and syntaxin. These proteins comprise the synaptic members of the SNARE complex (soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusionprotein) attachment protein) that have a central role in membrane fusion events. The selective proteolysis of these SNARE proteins inhibits neurotransmitter release from neurons. Botulism occurs via a series of processes that cause muscular paralysis in human and animals.


A Victorivirus and Two Novel Mitoviruses Co-Infected the Plant Pathogen Nigrospora oryzae.
Three dsRNAs, in sizes of approximately 2.5⁻5 kbp, were detected in the plant pathogenic fungus Nigrospora oryzae strain CS-7.5-4. Genomic analysis showed that the 5.0 kb dsRNA was a victorivirus named as Nigrospora oryzae victorivirus 2 (NoRV2). The genome of NoRV2 was 5166 bp in length containing two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1 and ORF2. ORF1 was deduced to encode a coat protein (CP) showing homology to the CPs of viruses belonging to the Totiviridae family. The stop codon of ORF1 and the start codon of ORF2 were overlapped by the tetranucleotide sequence AUGA. ORF2 was predicted to encode an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which was highly similar to the RdRps of victoriviruses. Virus-like particle examination demonstrated that the genome of NoRV2 was solely encapsidated by viral particles with a diameter of approximately 35 nm. The other two dsRNAs that were less than 3.0 kb were predicted to be the genomes of two mitoviruses, named as Nigrospora oryzae mitovirus 1 (NoMV1) and Nigrospora oryzae mitovirus 2 (NoMV2). Both NoMV1 and NoMV2 were A-U rich and with lengths of 2865 and 2507 bp, respectively. Mitochondrial codon usage inferred that each of the two mitoviruses contains a major large ORF encoding a mitoviral RdRp. Horizontal transfer experiments showed that the NoMV1 and NoMV2 could be cotransmitted horizontally via hyphal contact to other virus-free N. oryzae strains and causes phenotypic change to the recipient, such as an increase in growth rate. This is the first report of mitoviruses in N. oryzae.


Optimizing Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance in Clinical Trials: A TROG 08.03 RAVES Substudy.
To explore site- and clinician-level factors associated with protocol violations requiring real-time-review (RTR) resubmission in a multicenter clinical trial to help tailor future quality assurance (QA) protocols. RAVES (Radiation Therapy-Adjuvant vs Early Salvage) (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 08.03) is a randomized trial comparing adjuvant with early salvage radiation therapy in men with positive surgical margins or pT3 disease after prostatectomy. Quality assurance in RAVES required each clinician and site to submit a credentialing dummy run (DR) and for each patient's radiation therapy plan to undergo external RTR before treatment. Prospectively defined major violations from trial protocol required remedy and resubmission. Site and clinician factors associated with RTR resubmission were examined using hierarchical modeling. Data were collected from 171 consecutive patients, treated by 46 clinicians at 32 hospitals. There were 47 RTR resubmissions (27%) due to 65 major violations. The relative rate of resubmission decreased by 29% per year as the study progressed (odds ratio OR. 0.71, P=.02). The majority of resubmissions were due to contouring violations (39 of 65) and dosimetric violations (22 of 65). For each additional patient accrued, significant decreases in RTR resubmission were seen at both clinician level (OR 0.75, P=.02) and site level (OR 0.72, P=.01). The rate of resubmission due to dosimetric violations was only 1.6% after the first 5 patients. Use of IMRT was associated with lower rates of resubmission compared with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (OR 0.38, P=.05). Several low- and high-risk factors that may assist with tailoring future clinical trial QA were identified. Because the real-time resubmission rate was largely independent of the credentialing exercise, some form of RTR QA is recommended. The greatest benefit from QA was derived early in trial activation and clinician experience.


Bacteriochlorin-bis(spermine) conjugate affords an effective photodynamic action to eradicate microorganisms.
A novel bacteriochlorin bearing two spermine units (BCS) was synthesized from 3,13-dibromo-8,8,18,18-tetramethylbacteriochlorin (BC-Br 3,13 ). The synthesis involved the Suzuki coupling of BC-Br 3,13 to obtain a bacteriochlorin-dibenzaldehyde (BCA), which was subjected to reductive amination with spermine. The resulting bacteriochlorin BCS presents a strong near-infrared absorption band at 747 nm, emits at 750 nm with fluorescence quantum yield of 0.14, and generates singlet molecular oxygen, O2 (1 Δg ), with a quantum yield of 0.27. Photokilling capacities mediated by BCS were evaluated in microbial cells. The viability of Staphylococcus aureus decreased 7 logs when cells were incubated with 1 μM BCS and irradiated for 15 minutes. Comparable photocytotoxic effect was obtained with Escherichia coli, when cells were treated for 30 minutes with visible light. BCS was also an effective photosensitizer to inactivate Candida albicans. In addition, this bacteriochlorin was able to eradicate bacteria at short incubation times. The structure of BCS contains eight basic amino groups that, when protonated in water, increase the binding to the cell envelope. In summary, the readily accessible bacteriochlorin BCS was highly effective at low concentrations as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer.


Studies on the microtubules in heliozoa. V. Factors controlling the organization of microtubules in the Axonemal pattern in Echinosphaerium (Actinosphaerium) nucleofilum.
On the assumption that the double-coiled pattern of microtubules in the axoneme of Echinosphaerium might be due to links of two sizes between adjacent microtubules, we disassembled microtubules with low temperature and then carefully analyzed the patterns of microtubules that formed upon the addition of heat (22 degrees C) or heat and D(2)O. Although most of the initial clusters of microtubules that formed could not be interpreted as part of an axoneme, the spacings between these microtubules were the same as that in the axoneme, 70 and 300 A. By model building we were able to show that all clusters that form, including stages in the formation of the axoneme and its 12-fold symmetry, could be explained by links of two sizes (70 and 300 A) and the substructure of the microtubule. We could demonstrate these links with improved staining methods. We suggest that nonaxonemal assemblies of microtubules may be eliminated by the natural selection of the most energetically stable configuration of microtubules, all others undergoing disassembly under equilibrium conditions. Model building further supports this suggestion since the model axoneme possesses more links per tubule than any other cluster found.


Joining semantic and augmented reality to design smart homes for assistance.
Smart homes for assistance help compensate cognitive deficits, thus favoring aging in place. However, to be effective, the assistance must be adapted to the abilities, deficits, and habits of the person. Beside the elder, caregivers are the ones who know the person's needs best. This article presents a Do-it-Yourself approach for helping caregivers designing a smart home for assistance. A co-construction process between a caregiver and a virtual adviser was designed. The knowledge of the virtual adviser about smart homes, activities of daily living and assistance is organized in an ontology. The caregiver interacts with the virtual adviser in augmented reality to describe the home and the resident's habits inside it. The process is illustrated with an ordinary activity: 'Drink water'. The proposed process highlights two main steps: describing the environment and determining the resident's habits and the assistance required to improve activity performance. Visual guidance and feedback are provided to ease the process. Designing a co-construction process with a virtual adviser allows interactive knowledge sharing with the caregivers who are experts of the person's needs. Future work should focus on evaluating the prototype presented and providing deeper advice such as highlighting incomplete or incorrect scenarios, or navigation aid.


The normal human H-ras1 gene can act as an onco-suppressor.
The altered morphology and tumorigenic phenotypes of rat 208F fibroblasts transformed with the human T24 H-ras1 oncogene is suppressed by transfection with the human normal H-ras1 gene. In the suppressed cells, both the normal and mutant T24 ras gene products are expressed although the normal p21 is expressed at a higher level. Rare transformants or tumours derived from suppressed cells possess reduced expression of normal ras p21. Our findings suggest that transforming ras alleles do not behave in a dominant manner and that elevated expression of the normal allele could cause suppression of the morphologically transformed and tumorigenic phenotypes.


[Bacillus cereus septicemia and necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with liver cirrhosis: a case report].
A 54-year-old woman with hematemesis was referred to our hospital. She had a history of liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus. After inserting a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, we performed endoscopic variceal ligation for ruptured esophageal varices. On the third day of admission, she developed septicemia and necrotizing fasciitis caused by Bacillus cereus. She was successfully treated with early debridement of both lower extremities and intravenous treatment with vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and clindamycin. Although B. cereus is an attenuate bacterium, it can occasionally cause fatal infection in immuno-compromised individuals, such as those with liver cirrhosis.


Intensive cycle training with artificial gravity maintains muscle size during bed rest.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of intensive cycle training with short-arm centrifuge-induced hypergravity during bed rest on muscle size and function. This study involved 10 healthy men who were divided into 2 groups: a countermeasure group, BR-CM (n = 5); and a control group, BR-Cont (n = 5). The BR-CM subjects partook in intensive cycle training (to 90% of maximum HR) with short-arm centrifuge-induced artificial gravity on alternate days during 20-d bed rest. Muscle volume of the thigh and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) during isometric knee extensions was measured before and after bed rest. Muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging (mfMRI) and electromyogram (EMG) of the quadriceps femoris were obtained during submaximal knee extension exercises at a load of 30% MVC. The volume of the total thigh muscles was maintained in the BR-CM group (-1%), whereas it was not in the BR-Cont group (-9%, p < 0.05). MVC decreased in the BR-CM (7%) and BR-Cont groups (23%). EMG activity in the BR-CM group after bed rest was significantly lower than that of before; however, no significant change was found in the BR-Cont group. There were no significant changes in the resting and exercised mfMRI signals in either the BR-CM or BR-Cont groups. These results suggest that intensive cycle training with hypergravity maintained the size of human skeletal muscles during bed rest.


Health Support for At-Risk Older Adults during COVID-19.
Older adults are highly susceptible to COVID-19 infection and at the highest risk for severe disease and death. Yet, older adults lacked access to accurate and easy-to-use COVID-19 information and support early in the pandemic. This prospective, experimental cohort study sought to examine whether older adults could be engaged during the pandemic through a community partner and if a low-touch intervention, designed with health literacy best practices, could positively impact COVID-19 knowledge, mitigation behaviors, telehealth/doctor visits, exercise, and loneliness. A senior resource kit was distributed to older adults sheltering at home through food assistance program agents from October 2020 to February 2021; the kit was developed using health literacy best practices. Simple random assignment was used to divide program participants into treatment and control groups. Both groups received senior kits, but the treatment group also received telephonic health coaching. The primary outcome was COVID-19 knowledge and mitigation behaviors as derived from self-reported surveys at baseline and after four months. Secondary outcomes included a telehealth or doctor visit, exercise frequency, and a loneliness score (3-Item Loneliness Scale). Health literacy was assessed using the BRIEF screening tool. Ninety-eight older adults consented to participate in the study and 87 completed the study (88.7% completion rate). Participants had moderate clinical risk, one-third preferred the Spanish language, and 52% were categorized as having inadequate or marginal health literacy. Significant changes were found for increasing COVID-19 mitigation behaviors and the frequency of exercise across the cohort, but not for COVID-19 knowledge, telehealth visits, or decreasing loneliness. Conclusions: Partnering with a trusted entity in the community is a feasible and important strategy to reach older adults during a lockdown and provide them with easy-to-read health information and resources. If the time horizon had been longer, improvements in other outcome variables may have been achieved.


Single versus multiple dose hyaluronic acid: Comparison of the results.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three injections of standard linear HA versus single injection of lightly cross-linking HA in patients with knee OA. Forty subjects were randomized into two groups. The first group received single dose intraarticular injection of 4 ml lightly cross-linking sodium hyaluronate (Monovisc), and the second group received three consecutive intraarticular injections of 2.5 ml standard linear sodium hyaluronate (Adant) with one week intervals. Visual analog scale (VAS)-pain and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were measured. In both groups, VAS-pain and WOMAC scores (except WOMAC-stiffness) were improved statistically lasting up to the 6th month with respect to before injection values (p< 0.001). There were no statistical differences in VAS-pain and WOMAC scores after injections (p> 0.05) in both groups. But in the 6th month visit, VAS-resting values were found to be statistically improved in standard linear HA group compared to lightly cross-linking HA group (p< 0.05). Although three-dose administration was significantly superior to single-dose at the sixth month, current knowledge is not sufficient to decide whether single-dose or multiple-dose HA injection should be chosen. There is a clear need for verification of our results with long-term studies on larger patient groups.


Glutamate neurons are intermixed with midbrain dopamine neurons in nonhuman primates and humans.
The rodent ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) contain dopamine neurons intermixed with glutamate neurons (expressing vesicular glutamate transporter 2; VGluT2), which play roles in reward and aversion. However, identifying the neuronal compositions of the VTA and SNC in higher mammals has remained challenging. Here, we revealed VGluT2 neurons within the VTA and SNC of nonhuman primates and humans by simultaneous detection of VGluT2 mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; for identification of dopamine neurons). We found that several VTA subdivisions share similar cellular compositions in nonhuman primates and humans; their rostral linear nuclei have a high prevalence of VGluT2 neurons lacking TH; their paranigral and parabrachial pigmented nuclei have mostly TH neurons, and their parabrachial pigmented nuclei have dual VGluT2-TH neurons. Within nonhuman primates and humans SNC, the vast majority of neurons are TH neurons but VGluT2 neurons were detected in the pars lateralis subdivision. The demonstration that midbrain dopamine neurons are intermixed with glutamate or glutamate-dopamine neurons from rodents to humans offers new opportunities for translational studies towards analyzing the roles that each of these neurons play in human behavior and in midbrain-associated illnesses such as addiction, depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.


Vasomotor symptoms and neurovegetative comorbidities on the menopause: insights from an Italian quantitative research.
Vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) are the most common symptoms affecting women during the menopause. Besides, affective symptoms may share with VMS a common biological pathophysiology. The current multicenter quantitative research was based on an online survey aimed to evaluate the impact of VMS in peri- and post-menopausal Italian women and to identify the main barriers to seeking help. The most frequent bothersome VMSs were hot flashes (41%), night sweats (31%), and over-heating (31%). Almost 87% of women experienced three or more simultaneous symptoms. Emotions verbalized by women indicate how intensely hot flushes and neuro-vegetative symptoms impact life: embarrassment, confusion, depression, impact on social/personal relationships, and guiltiness. Up to 43% of all women suffering from VMS were not treating the symptoms. Although 92% of women reported prior knowledge of the VMS condition, only 12% do something about it straight away after the appearance of VMS. This survey provided real-life observational data from a large population of peri-menopausal women and highlighted the important impact of VMS, its neurovegetative comorbidities and its significant burden effect on social life. Physicians must be more adaptive and inquisitive to evaluate and detect incipient VMS, as this will indicate the vulnerability to severe symptomatology and pathological brain aging.


Office-based Approach to Evaluation and Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Evaluation and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) are possible in the office. Approaching AUB evaluation from an etiology-based perspective allows the gynecologist to focus evaluation efforts on the most probable causes of AUB for a particular patient and therefore customize the management accordingly. Developing skills with imaging such as transvaginal ultrasound, saline infusion sonography, and diagnostic hysteroscopy are important for AUB etiology diagnosis. Operative hysteroscopy experience can be developed for AUB management in the office and endometrial ablation provides a minimally invasive solution for some patients.


The anatomy of a symptom: concept development and symptom formation in a four-year-old boy.
The case of a four-year-old boy with a postural symptom that resolved rapidly in the course of play therapy is presented. Various unconscious fantasies appeared to underlie the symptom. In particular, this case illustrates a young child's sophisticated capacity to abstract a complex relational feature from a set of unconscious fantasies that then became the basis of his symptom. The structure of the boy's symptom is relevant to (1) the question of what constitutes a symptom, (2) the relationship between concept development and symptom formation, and (3) the status of certain primary process mechanisms as they relate to concept development. Proposals are presented to help situate the contributions of psychoanalytic theory with respect to the domain of cognitive psychology, and to illustrate the unique contributions of each domain toward their mutual enrichment.


Injury reduction opportunities of far side impact countermeasures.
Over 17,000 non-struck or far side occupants in side and rollover crashes are seriously or fatally injured annually in the US. Although no legal or rating tests exist for far side crashes, test methods including appropriate dummies as well as countermeasures have been recently suggested. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence and risk of injury / fatality as a function of vehicle change in velocity (Deltav) for the most frequent injuries of belted, far side occupants in side impacts. The study was based upon the NASS/CDS 1995-2006 records of 5,653 occupants exposed to a far side crash. 401 of these were seriously or fatally injured. Combining this data with new and previously published crash test results, the potential opportunities of various concepts of far side countermeasures were evaluated. Head/thorax injuries caused by interaction with the struck side interior were found to dominate. Countermeasures such as side support airbags and altered three-point belt geometry (e.g. four-point belts) are relevant for Deltav of at least 20-30 km/h. The opportunity for mitigating AIS3+ injuries in these severity ranges was found to be 19%- 57%. Countermeasures such as struck-side curtains are able to provide cushioning at Deltav 30 to 50 km/h, which would cover almost a third of all fatalities.


What does a mouse tell us about neuregulin 1-cannabis interactions?
The link between cannabis and psychosis has been debated although there is substantial epidemiological evidence showing that cannabis increases the risk of psychosis. It has been hypothesized that schizophrenia patients carrying particular risk genes might be more sensitive to the psychosis-inducing effects of cannabis than other patients and healthy test subjects. Here we review the effects of cannabinoids on a mutant mouse model for the schizophrenia candidate gene neuregulin 1 (Nrg1). The studies suggest a complex interaction between cannabis and Nrg1: the neuro-behavioral effects of cannabinoids were different in Nrg1 mutant and control mice and depended on exposure time, sex, and age of test animals. This research provides the first evidence of complex cannabis-Nrg1 interactions suggesting Nrg1 as a prime target for future clinical investigations. Furthermore, it highlights that animal model research can broaden our understanding of the complex multi-factorial etiology of schizophrenia. Finally, the findings are important to preventive psychiatry: if the genes that confer genetic vulnerability to cannabis-induced psychosis were identified patients at-high risk could be forewarned of the potential dangers of cannabis abuse.


Is carcinoma in columnar-lined esophagus always located adjacent to intestinal metaplasia?: a histopathologic assessment.
Diagnostic criteria for Barrett esophagus in the United States and elsewhere, except the United Kingdom and Japan, include the presence of intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells. We analyzed high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in a complete series of sections of all interfaces between carcinoma in columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) and the adjacent mucosa, assessed them for the mucosal types present, and calculated the proportion of each mucosal type in each case. The materials were a consecutive series of 100 endoscopic resection cases, comprising a total of 1251 microscopic sections. After excluding cases in which intestinal-type or cardiac-type mucosa was not adjacent to CLE carcinoma, 70 cases remained, for which 885 sections were available. Whether the adjacent mucosa was primarily cardiac or intestinal in type was assessed, as were the patterns of immunostaining for HGM, MUC-2, and MUC-6. Twenty-four (34.3%) of the 70 CLE carcinomas were completely surrounded by cardiac-type mucosa, and 10 (14.3%) were completely surrounded by intestinal-type mucosa. In 13 (18.6%), the entire non-neoplastic mucosa of the endoscopic resection specimen comprised the cardiac type alone without any intestinal type, and only 3 (4.3%) comprised the intestinal type only, without any cardiac type. From these findings, we consider it unproven histogenetically that the background mucosa of CLE carcinoma is predominantly of the intestinal type. CLE carcinoma was not demonstrated to have a close relationship with CLE mucosa with intestinal metaplasia.


AHP6 inhibits cytokinin signaling to regulate the orientation of pericycle cell division during lateral root initiation.
In Arabidopsis thaliana, lateral roots (LRs) initiate from anticlinal cell divisions of pericycle founder cells. The formation of LR primordia is regulated antagonistically by the phytohormones cytokinin and auxin. It has previously been shown that cytokinin has an inhibitory effect on the patterning events occurring during LR formation. However, the molecular players involved in cytokinin repression are still unknown. In a similar manner to protoxylem formation in Arabidopsis roots, in which AHP6 (ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE PHOSPHOTRANSFER PROTEIN 6) acts as a cytokinin inhibitor, we reveal that AHP6 also functions as a cytokinin repressor during early stages of LR development. We show that AHP6 is expressed at different developmental stages during LR formation and is required for the correct orientation of cell divisions at the onset of LR development. Moreover, we demonstrate that AHP6 influences the localization of the auxin efflux carrier PIN1, which is necessary for patterning the LR primordia. In summary, we show that the inhibition of cytokinin signaling through AHP6 is required to establish the correct pattern during LR initiation.


Influence of previous open synovectomy on the outcome of Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prosthesis.
Open synovectomy of the elbow joint is often performed in early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Because of poor long-term results after synovectomy, insertion of a total elbow prosthesis is commonly used as a secondary procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of previous synovectomy on the outcome after placement of a total elbow prosthesis. We inserted 204 primary Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prostheses for rheumatoid arthritis. Two groups could be distinguished: group A with previous synovectomy 3.9 yr (mean) before the elbow replacement (n = 33) and group B without previous synovectomy (n = 171). The mean follow-up was 5.8 yr for group A and 6.3 yr for group B. All patients were assessed clinically and radiologically before the operation, 1 and 2 years later and then at regular intervals. The effect of previous synovectomy was analysed via a Cox model and a generalized linear mixed model for binomial data with multivariate normal random effects. No statistically significant effect of previous synovectomy on pain, function or complaints of the ulnar nerve could be found post-operatively. The post-operative flexion was significantly higher in group B than in group A. The complication-rates were similar for both groups. The overall survival rate for respectively group A and B with revision as endpoint was 66.9% (s.e. 13.4) versus 79.6 (s.e. 4.3) after 10 yr. Previous synovectomy does not diminish the outcome after total elbow prosthesis in this series and could therefore be considered in early, painful stages of rheumatoid destruction of the elbow joint.


Diabetic aggravation of stroke and animal models.
Cerebral ischemia in diabetics results in severe brain damage. Different animal models of cerebral ischemia have been used to study the aggravation of ischemic brain damage in the diabetic condition. Since different disease conditions such as diabetes differently affect outcome following cerebral ischemia, the Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) guidelines recommends use of diseased animals for evaluating neuroprotective therapies targeted to reduce cerebral ischemic damage. The goal of this review is to discuss the technicalities and pros/cons of various animal models of cerebral ischemia currently being employed to study diabetes-related ischemic brain damage. The rational use of such animal systems in studying the disease condition may better help evaluate novel therapeutic approaches for diabetes related exacerbation of ischemic brain damage.


[Determination of steroidal saponins in Rhizoma paridis by RP-HPLC].
A reversed phase HPLC method for the separation and determination of nine steroidal saponins in Rhizoma paridis is described. The column was Symmetry C8, mobile phase was acetonitrile-water (42:58), UV detection was performed at 203 nm. The calibration curves showed good linearity over the range of 0.8-12.0 micrograms, gamma = 0.9996-0.9999, the recoveries were 97.1%-100.2% for the nine steroidal saponins. The method is simple, fast, sensitive and accurate and has been applied to the analysis of Rhizoma paridis. The results showed that the contents of the nine steroidal saponins in Rhizoma paridis were different with different sources.


A Combined 1 H/6 Li NMR DOSY Strategy Finally Uncovers the Structure of Isopropyllithium in THF.
Despite its common use in synthesis, the structure of isopropylliyhium in THF has never been determined, a dimer being generally proposed but not supported. This paper fills this data gap through a sophisticated NMR study that shows that, in THF at low-temperature, isopropyllithium is in the form of a 1:2 mixture of a trisolvated monomer and a disolvated dimer in equilibrium. The presence of the monomer, never evoked before, together with a hypo-solvation of the dimer hinted by DFT calculations, provides a rational explanation to the remarkable reactivity of this organolithium reagent in ethereal solvents.


Condom use increased after a peer group intervention implemented by community volunteers in Malawi.
HIV prevention remains a global priority, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Our research team previously developed an evidence-based peer group program for HIV prevention called Mzake ndi Mzake (Friend to Friend). A community-engaged collaboration adapted the program for community ownership and implementation. Here we report whether this HIV prevention program, implemented by community volunteers, increased condom use among sexually active individuals in rural Malawi. Three communities sequentially rolled out the program. Effectiveness was evaluated using repeated surveys. At Time 1, no community had offered the intervention. At Time 2, the first community had offered the intervention and two had not (control group). At Time 3, two communities had offered the intervention and one had not (control group). We used two condom use indicators; condom use frequency in the last 2 months (N = 776) and condom use at last sex (N = 880). For each indicator, the sample included all sexually active persons answering that question at one or more time points. Regression analyses were used to model the two condom indicators over time, controlling for demographic factors, UNAIDS HIV knowledge, safer sex self-efficacy and partner communication. This peer group intervention implemented by trained community volunteers increased both condom use indicators at Times 2 and 3. In the final regression models. Other predictors of greater condom use for at least one condom use indicator included younger age group (13-19), male gender, not married/cohabiting, high involvement in religiously affiliated activities, higher safer sex self-efficacy, and greater partner communication. Although the intervention increased UNAIDS HIV knowledge, knowledge did not predict condom use. This community engaged implementation study found that an evidence-based peer group program for HIV prevention increased condom use when delivered by trained community volunteers. Leveraging community strengths and human capital resources facilitated implementation of this effective HIV prevention program in rural Malawi. Community ownership and program delivery by trained local volunteers offers an innovative and cost-effective strategy to address ongoing HIV prevention needs without overburdening heathcare systems in sub. Clinical Trials.gov NCT02765659 Registered May 6, 2016.


[Psychoanalysis in Buchenwald. Conversations between Bruno Bettelheim, Dr. Brief and Ernst Federn].
Ernst Federn met in the concentration camp Buchenwald Bruno Bettelheim and the Chechoslovakian psychoanalyst Dr. Brief. They discussed the application of psychoanalytic knowledge to the situation in the camp, particularly the defense mechanism of "identification with the aggressor". Of the three, Bettelheim was released after one year, Dr. Brief died in Ausschwitz and Ernst Federn was liberated by the U.S.A. Army. How he could use his psychoanalytic knowledge to survive but also to help fellow prisoners is demonstrated.


Associations Between Severity of Depression, Lifestyle Patterns, and Personal Factors Related to Health Behavior: Secondary Data Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Depression is a prevalent condition that has a significant impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life. The onset and persistence of depression have been linked to a variety of biological and psychosocial variables. Many of these variables are associated with specific lifestyle characteristics, such as physical activity, diet, and sleep patterns. Some psychosocial determinants have an impact on people' health-related behavior change. These include personal factors such as sense of coherence, patient activation, health literacy, self-efficacy, and procrastination. This study aims to analyze the association between the severity of depression, lifestyle patterns, and personal factors related to health behavior. It also aims to analyze whether personal factors moderate the relationship between lifestyles and depression. This study is a secondary data analysis (SDA) of baseline data collected at the start of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). A sample of 226 patients with subclinical, mild, or moderate depression from primary healthcare centers in two sites in Spain (Zaragoza and Mallorca) was used, and descriptive, bivariate, multivariate, and moderation analyses were performed. Depression was the primary outcome, measured by Beck II Self-Applied Depression Inventory. Lifestyle variables such as physical exercise, adherence to Mediterranean diet and sleep quality, social support, and personal factors such as self-efficacy, patient activation in their own health, sense of coherence, health literacy, and procrastination were considered secondary outcomes. Low sense of coherence (β = -0.172; p < 0.001), poor sleep quality (β = 0.179; p = 0.008), low patient activation (β = -0.119; p = 0.019), and sedentarism (more minutes seated per day; β = 0.003; p = 0.025) are predictors of having more depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses were not significant. Lifestyle and personal factors are related to depressive symptomatology. Our findings reveal that sense of coherence, patient's activation level, sedentarism, and sleep quality are associated with depression. Further research is needed regarding adherence to Mediterranean diet, minutes walking per week and the interrelationship between lifestyles, personal factors, and depression.


Laparoscopic gastric vagotomies.
Recurrent duodenal ulcer remains a continuing challenge for medical care. Once popular, operations have almost vanished from surgical wards due to efficient medical treatment. The onset of laparoscopy and minimal invasive surgery has caused several teams to reconsider the position of surgical treatment in the disease. Various procedures are actually used, and, as no long-term follow-up is available, it is difficult to estimate which technique would be advisable. The authors compare the different procedures and the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of each one. The best technique has to be applicable in laparoscopy and achieve the best results for the patient.


Ocular emergencies.
Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of ocular emergencies are essential in the primary care setting when the outcome may depend on timely management. All ocular emergencies, including a penetrating globe injury, retinal detachment, central retinal artery occlusion, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and chemical burns, should be referred immediately to the emergency department or an ophthalmologist. Careful eye examination and simple tests can help primary care physicians make decisions about appropriate treatment and referral. All patients with eye problems should be tested for visual acuity and ocular movements. Confrontation visual field examination, pupillary examination, and direct ophthalmoscopy of both eyes also should be performed. Ocular injury from high-velocity trauma or from chemicals may be easily misdiagnosed. After a chemical burn, thorough eye washing for at least 30 minutes or until the pH of the eye is within physiologic range is critical to prevent further damage. Use of an eye shield is required in patients with a ruptured globe to protect the injured eye and preserve the patient's vision.


With patient satisfaction under increasing scrutiny, consider patient callbacks.
Under the final rules for Medicare's value-based purchasing program, one-third of the funding that is set aside to reward quality will be based on how patients rate their hospital experience. However, some EDs are already working to maximize patient satisfaction by implementing programs or policies whereby patients who have been discharged are routinely called to make sure their recovery is going well, as well as to intervene if there is an opportunity for service recovery. There are benefits to having ED clinicians make the follow-up calls themselves, but some health care organizations are also reaping benefits by having non-clinicians collect feedback on individual clinicians as well as specific facilities. In addition to potentially boosting quality and customer service, experts say callbacks are useful in curbing malpractice litigation. To avoid pushback among staff, consider beginning a program of patient callbacks by asking clinicians to call back just two patients per shift worked, and to share their experiences with colleagues. For maximum value, experts recommend that patient callbacks be made within one to four days of discharge.


Factor VII coagulant activity (VIIc) and hypercoagulability in chronic renal disease and dialysis: relationship with dyslipidaemia, inflammation, and factor VII genotype.
Factor VII coagulant activity (VIIc) is implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the general population. VIIc is correlated with hyperlipidaemia and influenced by a polymorphism of the factor VII gene and could contribute to thrombotic risk in patients with renal disease. We studied VIIc in 100 patients with chronic renal disease or on maintenance dialysis and examined its relationship with dyslipidaemia, a marker of coagulation activation prothrombin fragment F1+2 (F1+2), the acute-phase reactant and coagulation factor fibrinogen, a mediator of the inflammatory response interleukin-6 (IL6), and the factor VII R353Q polymorphism. VIIc (186+/-58 vs 140+/-37, % standard, P<0.0001) and F1+2 (0.51 vs 0.30 nM, median, P<0.0001) were increased in the patients with renal disease compared with the control group, consistent with a hypercoagulable state. Patients and controls heterozygous for the factor VII R353Q polymorphism, had 35% lower VIIc than homozygotes for the R353 allele, indicating that the Q353 allele could confer genetic protection from thrombotic risk. There was a significant correlation between VIIc and F1+2 (r=0.26, P<0.05), total and VLDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, but the correlation with lipids did not differ by genotype. VIIc and F1+2 also correlated with increased concentration of IL6 and fibrinogen, and inversely with albumin, suggesting that a persistent inflammatory response could contribute to a hypercoagulable state, possibly via cytokine induced activation of the endothelium, or by induction of monocytes to express tissue factor. Patients with CVD complications or a history of myocardial infarction did not have higher VIIc or F1+2 than those without CVD. VIIc was significantly increased in renal disease states and strongly influenced by a common polymorphism of the factor VII gene, but the increase in VIIc and its correlation with lipids was not genotype specific. VIIc correlated with evidence of increased coagulation activation and persistence of an inflammatory response. A persistent inflammatory response and the dyslipidaemia of renal disease may contribute to coagulation activation and increased cardiovascular risk. Prospective studies are required to evaluate increased VIIc as a thrombotic risk factor in chronic renal disease.


Determinants of varicella breakthrough: results of a 2012 case control study.
This study aims to evaluate the determinants of breakthrough infection after one dose of varicella vaccine. We designed a retrospective case-control study. Breakthrough cases were children, aged 1-15, who presented varicella symptoms ≥ 42 days after the first dose of varicella vaccine (breakthrough). Controls were children, aged 1-15 years, who attended the same class (in a school or in a kindergarten) than the cases in the year of the breakthrough onset; they received a dose of varicella vaccine ≥ 42 days before the case rash onset and they did not develop varicella symptoms. We enrolled 45 cases and 135 controls. 40% of cases (n = 18; 95% CI = 25.4-54.6) presented at least one risk factor; this proportion was 39.2% (95% CI = 30.9-47.6) among the controls (chi-square = 0.0078; P = 0.93). Time between vaccination and virus exposure was longer among cases. Logistic regression showed that breakthrough disease was associated with duration of time from vaccination.


Exaggeration of wrinkles after botulinum toxin injection for forehead horizontal lines.
There have been no long-term complications or life-threatening adverse effects related to botulinum toxin treatment for any cosmetic indications. Nevertheless, there are well-known, mild side effects of botulinum toxin treatment on the upper face, though most of them are self limited with time. However, excluding brow ptosis, reports about site specific side effects are few and anecdotal. We experienced cases of exaggeration of wrinkles after botulinum toxin injection for forehead horizontal lines, and report them here. In our cases, new appearance of a noticeable glabellar protrusion following botulinum toxin injection on the forehead was observed in 2 patients. Also, a new deep wrinkle on one side of the forehead just above the eyebrow appeared in another 2 patients. The exaggerated wrinkles nearly disappeared without treatment by week 4 in all subjects. These exaggerations of wrinkles may be caused by hyperactivity and overcompensation of untreated muscles. With the increasing availability of diverse botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes, physicians and patients should be aware of this temporary change after therapeutic injections. We recommend explaining this possible effect prior to injection, for better understanding of treatment for cosmetic indications.


Arrhythmic Effects of Cannabis in Ischemic Heart Disease.
Rationale: Cannabis use is increasing worldwide, especially among older individuals at risk for chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, little is known about the arrhythmic effects of cannabis use in IHD. Accordingly, we prospectively assessed the relationship between cannabis use, heart rate (HR), and arrhythmias in healthy age-matched controls and subjects with IHD. Methods: Healthy controls (n=37, 57% men) and subjects with IHD (myocardial infarction ≥3 months ago; n=24, 58% men) who used cannabis wore a Zio® (iRhythm Technologies) monitor for 14 days. Noncannabis using ischemic subjects (n=35, 51% males) wore Zio monitors for standard clinical indications. Baseline HR was compared with average HR measured for 4 h following consumption and changes in HR and frequency of arrhythmias were correlated with cannabis use. Results: In controls, HR increased 20 min (4.99±6.7 bpm, p=0.08) after use, then declined 4 h following use (-7.4±7.7, p<0.001). Conversely, subjects with IHD showed minimal HR increase (1.6±3.9 bpm) and blunted HR decline (-3.4±5.6 bpm, p<0.001). Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (29.7% vs. 58.3%; p=0.04) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (5.6% vs. 47.8%, p=0.01) were the most frequently occurring arrhythmias in controls and IHD subjects, respectively. Incidence of SVT decreased as cannabis use increased in both groups. Conversely, NSVT tended to increase with increased use in controls, and was significantly more prevalent in IHD. However, overall arrhythmia burden did not differ between cannabis users and nonusers with IHD. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that chronic cannabis use is associated with only mild HR changes, which are blunted in IHD. In addition, our data suggest that among cannabis users, arrhythmias are more frequent in IHD subjects that in healthy subjects.


In Vivo Biomechanical Assessment of a Novel Handle-Based Wheelchair Drive.
Push-rim wheelchair propulsion frequently causes severe upper limb injuries in people relying on the wheelchair for ambulation. To address this problem, we developed a novel handle-based wheelchair propulsion method that follows a cyclic motion within ergonomic joint ranges of motion. The aim of this study was to measure hand propulsion forces, joint excursions and net joint torques for this novel propulsion device and to compare its performance against traditional push-rim wheelchair propulsion. We hypothesized that under similar conditions, joint excursions of this novel handle-based device will remain within their ergonomic range and that the effectiveness of the propulsion forces will be higher, leading to lower average propulsion forces compared to push-rim propulsion and reducing the risk of injury. Eight paraplegic subjects propelled the new device at two different loads on a custom-made wheelchair-based test rig. Video motion capture and force sensors were used to monitor shoulder and wrist joint kinematics and kinetics. Shoulder and wrist loads were calculated using a modified upper-extremity Wheelchair Propulsion Model available in OpenSim. The results show that with this novel propulsion device joint excursions are within their recommended ergonomic ranges, resulting in a reduced range of motion of up to 30% at the shoulder and up to 80% at the wrist, while average resultant peak forces were reduced by up to 20% compared to push-rim propulsion. Furthermore, the lower net torques at both the shoulder and wrist demonstrate the potential of this novel propulsion system to reduce the risk of upper-extremity injuries.


[Surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer].
An experience with 16 radical operations for cancer of the pancreatic body and tail is analysed. The increased resectability and reduced mortality was gained by elaborating and introducing into clinical practice some new original methods of surgery: an extensive left-sided resection of the pancreas, performed in 5 patients with one case of mortality, and the combined left-sided pancreatectomy, performed in 3 patients without lethal issues. A 3-year survival was noted in 3 patients, a 5-year survival--in 1.


A Novel Cellular Spheroid-Based Autophagy Screen Applying Live Fluorescence Microscopy Identifies Nonactin as a Strong Inducer of Autophagosomal Turnover.
Dysregulation of the basal autophagic flux has been linked to several pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, autophagy has profound effects on the response of tumor cells to therapy. Hence, the search for pharmacological modulators of autophagy is of great clinical relevance. We established a drug screening assay in which the autophagic flux is measured by recording the fluorescence emission of the tandem fusion protein mRFP-GFP-LC3 by dynamic live-cell imaging. We optimized the assay for the identification of autophagy modulators in three dimensions with U343 glioma cell spheroids, which represent a more realistic cancer model than conventional 2D cell cultures. We validated the assay by screening a library of known autophagy modulators. As the first application, a small library of 94 natural compounds was screened for its impact on autophagy. We discovered the cyclic ionophore nonactin as a new and potent autophagy inducer. This novel autophagy screening assay based on 3D tumor spheroids is robust, reproducible, and scalable. It provides a valuable tool for both basic research and drug screening campaigns.


In situ granular charge measurement by free-fall videography.
We present the design and performance characterization of a new experimental technique for measuring individual particle charges in large ensembles of macroscopic grains. The measurement principle is qualitatively similar to that used in determining the elementary charge by Millikan in that it follows individual particle trajectories. However, by taking advantage of new technology we are able to work with macroscopic grains and achieve several orders of magnitude better resolution in charge to mass ratios. By observing freely falling grains accelerated in a horizontal electric field with a co-falling, high-speed video camera, we dramatically increase particle tracking time and measurement precision. Keeping the granular medium under vacuum, we eliminate air drag, leaving the electrostatic force as the primary source of particle accelerations in the co-moving frame. Because the technique is based on direct imaging, we can distinguish between different particle types during the experiment, opening up the possibility of studying charge transfer processes between different particle species. For the ∼300 μm diameter grains reported here, we achieve an average acceleration resolution of ∼0.008 m/s(2), a force resolution of ∼500 pN, and a median charge resolution ∼6× 10(4) elementary charges per grain (corresponding to surface charge densities ∼1 elementary charges per μm(2)). The primary source of error is indeterminacy in the grain mass, but with higher resolution cameras and better optics this can be further improved. The high degree of resolution and the ability to visually identify particles of different species or sizes with direct imaging make this a powerful new tool to characterize charging processes in granular media.


Niagara sky blue 6B--a new stain for granulocytic cells.
Using an acidified solution of Niagara sky blue 6B, granules in mature granulocytic cells from peripheral blood and bone marrow stained bright blue to blue-green. Granules in immature granulocytes like myelocytes and promyelocytes stained purple. In leukemic myeloblasts and leukemic monocytes, granular-appearing structures stained purple. In leukemic lymphoblasts, purple granular structures were not visualized. As such, Niagara sky blue 6B can be used to identify granulocytic cells at all maturational stages.


Skeletal muscle mass is controlled by the MRF4-MEF2 axis.
The review is focused on the unexpected role of myogenic regulatory factor 4 (MRF4) in controlling muscle mass by repressing myocyte enhancer binding factor 2 (MEF2) activity in adult skeletal muscle, and on the emerging role of MEF2 in skeletal muscle growth. The MRF4s of the MyoD family (MyoD, MYF5, MRF4, myogenin) and the MEF2 factors are known to play a major role in embryonic myogenesis. However, their function in adult muscle tissue is not known. A recent study shows that MRF4 loss in adult skeletal muscle causes muscle hypertrophy and prevents denervation atrophy. This effect is mediated by MEF2 factors that promote muscle growth, with MRF4 acting as a repressor of MEF2 activity. The role of MEF2 in skeletal muscle growth is supported by the finding that muscle regeneration is impaired by muscle-specific triple knockout of Mef2a, c, and d genes. The finding that the MRF4-MEF2 axis controls muscle growth opens a new perspective for preventing muscle wasting. A unique feature of this pathway is that MRF4 is exclusively expressed in skeletal muscle, thus reducing the risk that interventions aimed at down-regulating MRF4 or interfering with the interaction between MRF4 and MEF2 may have off-target effects in other tissues.


Metabolic dysfunction in diabetic offspring: deviations in metabolic flexibility.
In type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin resistance is related to comorbidities, including high lipotoxicity, poor glucoregulation, and loss of metabolic flexibility. Controversy exists regarding whether reduced metabolic flexibility precedes insulin resistance or vice versa. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a family history of T2D leads to metabolic inflexibility. To examine potential loss of metabolic flexibility at early stages, we used a hooded metabolic cart to compare metabolic characteristics in people with T2D, family history of T2D (FH+), and controls (FH-) 1) at rest, 2) with passive stretching (PS) and recovery, and 3) with oral glucose load. Testing of 9 T2D, 11 FH+, and 9 FH- occurred after a 12-h fast under resting conditions. Expired gas and blood glucose (BG) were measured before and after each condition. PS lowered BG (P < 0.05) in FH- and FH+ (mean ± SD, -2.7 ± 5.9 and -5.8 ± 7.5 mg·mL(-1)) compared with T2D (-0.9 ± 7.7). CHO use (kcal·min(-1)) increased with PS in all groups (0.04 ± 0.18, 0.03 ± 0.26, and 0.22 ± 1.6 mg·mL(-1) in FH-, FH+, and T2D, respectively). For oral glucose load, different metabolic flexibility existed between FH- as well as FH+ (0.16 ± 0.07) as well as T2D (0.16 ± 0.07), with no difference between FH- and T2D. PS increases glycolytic activity without affecting BG in T2D, and reductions in metabolic flexibility exist in T2D and FH+ without glucoregulatory impairment in FH+, indicating early stage of mitochondrial dysfunction in FH+. Findings indicate PS is an important tool for assessing metabolic flexibility.


Relevance of the listener's motor system in recalling phrases enacted by the speaker.
Memory for series of action phrases improves in listeners when speakers accompany each phrase with congruent gestures compared to when speakers stay still. Studies reveal that the listeners' motor system, at encoding, plays a crucial role in this enactment effect. We present two experiments on gesture observation, which explored the role of the listeners' motor system at recall. The participants listened to the phrases uttered by a speaker in two conditions in each experiment. In the gesture condition, the speaker uttered the phrases with accompanying congruent gestures, and in the no-gesture condition, the speaker stayed still while uttering the phrases. The participants were then invited, in both conditions of the experiments, to perform a motor task while recalling the phrases proffered by the speaker. The results revealed that the advantage of observing gestures on memory disappears if the listeners move at recall arms and hands (same motor effectors moved by the speaker, Experiment 1a), but not when the listeners move legs and feet (different motor effectors from those moved by the speaker, Experiment 1b). The results suggest that the listeners' motor system is involved not only during the encoding of action phrases uttered by a speaker but also when recalling these phrases during retrieval.


Retinoic acid stimulates placental hormone secretion by choriocarcinoma cell lines in vitro.
Retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, is an important mediator of cellular differentiation and has been shown to stimulate human CG (hCG) secretion by JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells in vitro. In order to determine whether RA stimulates the hCG secretion by other trophoblastic cell lines, we evaluated the effect of RA on hCG, hCG-alpha subunit (hCG-alpha), and progesterone secretion in three choriocarcinoma cell lines: JEG-3, JAR, and BeWo. RA stimulated hCG and hCG-alpha secretion in a dose-dependent fashion by each of the three cell lines. The time required to give a statistically significant increment of hCG and hCG-alpha over control cells was 48 h. The addition RA to cholera toxin (10 micrograms/ml) resulted in an additive or synergistic stimulation of hCG and hCG-alpha secretion by the three cell lines. Cycloheximide (1 microM) abolished the effect of RA on hCG and hCG-alpha secretion in the BeWo cell line. Progesterone secretion in response to RA was inconsistent. Progesterone secretion by both JEG-3 and BeWo cell lines were stimulated at high concentrations of RA (1 x 10(-6], whereas progesterone secretion by JAR cells was not stimulated. Intracellular levels of cAMP were not affected by RA treatment in the JEG and JAR cells. In the dosages used, RA did not significantly alter cell number in any of the cell lines. RA in physiologic concentrations stimulates hCG and hCG-alpha secretion by three choriocarcinoma cell lines in vitro. Whether RA is a physiologic mediator of placental hormone production is unknown.


A Case of Possible Monosodium Glutamate-Dependent, Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis.
A 24-year-old Asian-American male presented to the Emergency Department with his third episode of anaphylaxis in a one-year period. Based on the clinical history provided by the patient regarding each of these episodes, the trigger for the patient's anaphylaxis appears to be the consumption of monosodium glutamate followed by physical exertion within the subsequent two to three hours. The case presented here represents a rare, but life-threatening, disorder. Identification of the triggers is important so that steps can be taken to prevent recurrence.


A minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene expressed in Cos-7 cells mediated by human source vector.
To construct a human source vector containing minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene and investigate its expression in Cos-7 cells. The recombinant human source vector named pHrnDysG was constructed with PCR-clone methods. Three fragments of dystrophin gene were PCR amplified from normal human dystrophin gene cDNA (GenBank NM04006). These three fragments were ligated to generate a minidystrophin gene. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was fused to the C terminal of the minidystrophin gene, and then the pHrnDysG was finally obtained by cloning the fusion gene to pHrneo. Fluorescence microscope and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene after the recombinant construct was transfected into Cos-7 cells by lipofectamine. Restrictive enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing confirmed that pHrnDysG vector was constructed successfully. After the recombinant pHrnDysG was transfected to Cos-7 cells, RT-PCR demonstrated that the fusion gene was successfully transcribed, and the green fluorescence was observed at the cell membrane. The minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene mediated by pHrneo vector could express in Cos-7 cells and its products' localization in the cell membrane was the same as that of full length dystrophin. These results suggested that the recombinant human source vector pHrnDysG might be potentially used in studies on the gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.


Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Senecavirus A isolated in Northeast China in 2016.
Senecavirus A (SVA) is associated with vesicular disease in swine and the acute death of neonatal piglets. Here, senecavirus A was isolated from a pig displaying vesicular disease in Northeast China. The virus was designated as SVA/HLJ/CHA/2016 and its full-length nucleotide sequence was determined and analyzed in comparison with other known SVA strains. The complete genome sequence of SVA/HLJ/CHA/2016 shares high nucleotide identities, of 93.8 to 99%, with previously reported SVA full-length genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of both the SVA full-length genomes and the VP1 genes revealed that the SVA/HLJ/CHA/2016 strain is closely related to the 2015 US strains, instead of other China isolates. Our finding provides evidence that SVA infection of pigs has occurred in Northeast China, and the importance of SVA surveillance in China should be emphasized.


Segmented polyurethane: a new elastomer for biomedical applications.
A segmented polyurethane elastomer, originally developed for elastic thread, is now being used for molded prostheses. Performance of this material when used for components of a heart-assist system warrants a thorough investigation of its effectiveness in a variety of biomedical devices.


The Nutrient-Responsive Molecular Chaperone Hsp90 Supports Growth and Development in Drosophila.
Animals can sense internal nutrients, such as amino acids/proteins, and are able to modify their developmental programs in accordance with their nutrient status. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, amino acid/protein is sensed by the fat body, an insect adipose tissue, through a nutrient sensor, target of rapamycin (TOR) complex 1 (TORC1). TORC1 promotes the secretion of various peptide hormones from the fat body in an amino acid/protein-dependent manner. Fat-body-derived peptide hormones stimulate the release of insulin-like peptides, which are essential growth-promoting anabolic hormones, from neuroendocrine cells called insulin-producing cells (IPCs). Although the importance of TORC1 and the fat body-IPC axis has been elucidated, the mechanism by which TORC1 regulates the expression of insulinotropic signal peptides remains unclear. Here, we show that an evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), promotes the expression of insulinotropic signal peptides. Fat-body-selective Hsp90 knockdown caused the transcriptional downregulation of insulinotropic signal peptides. IPC activity and systemic growth were also impaired in fat-body-selective Hsp90 knockdown animals. Furthermore, Hsp90 expression depended on protein/amino acid availability and TORC1 signaling. These results strongly suggest that Hsp90 serves as a nutrient-responsive gene that upregulates the fat body-IPC axis and systemic growth. We propose that Hsp90 is induced in a nutrient-dependent manner to support anabolic metabolism during the juvenile growth period.


The cohesin ring concatenates sister DNA molecules.
Sister chromatid cohesion, which is essential for mitosis, is mediated by a multi-subunit protein complex called cohesin. Cohesin's Scc1, Smc1 and Smc3 subunits form a tripartite ring structure, and it has been proposed that cohesin holds sister DNA molecules together by trapping them inside its ring. To test this, we used site-specific crosslinking to create chemical connections at the three interfaces between the three constituent polypeptides of the ring, thereby creating covalently closed cohesin rings. As predicted by the ring entrapment model, this procedure produced dimeric DNA-cohesin structures that are resistant to protein denaturation. We conclude that cohesin rings concatenate individual sister minichromosome DNA molecules.


Radiological protection in equine radiography and radiotherapy.
The principles of radiological protection are summarised and consideration is then given to problems, which may confront the equine practitioner, in the fulfillment of these principles during diagnostic radiography of the limbs, head, and spine of the horse. The place of anaesthesia in such procedures is discussed and the special problems associated with therapeutic radiography of the horse are considered.


Comparative analysis of monoaminergic cerebrospinal fluid-contacting cells in Osteichthyes (bony vertebrates).
Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting (CSF-c) cells containing monoamines such as dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) occur in the periventricular zones of the hypothalamic region of most vertebrates except for placental mammals. Here we compare the organization of the CSF-c cells in chicken, Xenopus, and zebrafish, by analyzing the expression of synthetic enzymes of DA and 5-HT, respectively, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and draw an evolutionary scenario for this cell population. Due to the lack of TH immunoreactivity in this region, the hypothalamic CSF-c cells have been thought to take up DA from the ventricle instead of synthesizing it. We demonstrate that a second TH gene (TH2) is expressed in the CSF-c cells of all the three species, suggesting that these cells do indeed synthetize DA. Furthermore, we found that many CSF-c cells coexpress TH2 and TPH1 and contain both DA and 5-HT, a dual neurotransmitter phenotype hitherto undescribed in the brain of any vertebrate. The similarities of CSF-c cells in chicken, Xenopus, and zebrafish suggest that these characteristics are inherited from the common ancestor of the Osteichthyes. A significant difference between tetrapods and teleosts is that teleosts possess an additional CSF-c cell population around the posterior recess (PR) that has emerged in specific groups of Actinopterygii. Our comparative analysis reveals that the hypothalamus in mammals and teleosts has evolved in a divergent manner: placental mammals have lost the monoaminergic CSF-c cells, while teleosts have increased their relative number.


Predictors of Inadequate Bowel Preparation and Salvage Options on Colonoscopy.
Inadequate bowel preparation is observed in more than 25% of all colonoscopies. Identification of predictive factors for inadequate colon cleaning is helpful and more detailed preparation methods should be used for patients at high risk. Age, male sex, inpatient status, and comorbidities were identified as independent risk factors in several previous studies. In patients with insufficient colon preparation, colon irrigation with endoscopic pumps or next-day colonoscopy following further bowel cleaning should be performed. In order to improve the efficacy and safety of both bowel preparation and colonoscopy, the endoscopic team should identify the patient's medical conditions and choose the optimal bowel preparation agent and regimen.


Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Farmed Mink (Neovison vison), Poland.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease and has been spreading worldwide since December 2019. The virus can infect different animal species under experimental conditions, and mink on fur farms in Europe and other areas are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection in 91 mink from a farm in northern Poland. Using reverse transcription PCR, antigen detection, and next-generation sequencing, we confirmed that 15 animals were positive for SARS-CoV-2. We verified this finding by sequencing full viral genomes and confirmed a virus variant that has sporadic mutations through the full genome sequence in the spike protein (G75V and C1247F). We were unable to find other SARS-CoV-2 sequences simultaneously containing these 2 mutations. Country-scale monitoring by veterinary inspection should be implemented to detect SARS-CoV-2 in other mink farms.


The catalytic Mannich reaction of 1,1-difluoro-2-trialkyl(aryl)silyl-2-trimethyl-silyloxyethenes: preparation of beta-amino acid derivatives.
[reaction: see text] Catalytic Mannich reactions of 1,1-difluoro-2-trialkyl(aryl)silyl-2-trimethylsilyloxyethenes (3) with a variety of sulfonylimines were utilized for the preparation of alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-amino acid derivatives (7). The influence of the Lewis acid on the reaction was examined. Methods for the conversion of alpha,alpha-difluoroacylsilanes to alpha,alpha-difluorocarboxylic acids were also explored.


Comparison of culture, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescent in situ hybridization for detection of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and "Brachyspira hampsonii" in pig feces.
Swine dysentery is characterized by mucohemorrhagic diarrhea and can occur following infection by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae or "Brachyspira hampsonii ". A definitive diagnosis is often based on the isolation of strongly beta-hemolytic spirochetes from selective culture or by the application of species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays directly to feces. While culture is highly sensitive, it typically requires 6 or more days to complete, and PCR, although rapid, can be limited by fecal inhibition. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) has been described in formalin-fixed tissues; however, completion requires approximately 2 days. Because of the time constraints of available assays, a same-day FISH assay was developed to detect B. hyodysenteriae and "B. hampsonii " in pig feces using previously described oligonucleotide probes Hyo1210 and Hamp1210 for B. hyodysenteriae and "B. hampsonii", respectively. In situ hybridization was simultaneously compared with culture and PCR on feces spiked with progressive dilutions of spirochetes to determine the threshold of detection for each assay at 0 and 48 hr. The PCR assay on fresh feces and FISH on formalin-fixed feces had similar levels of detection. Culture was the most sensitive method, detecting the target spirochetes at least 2 log-dilutions less when compared to other assays 48 hr after sample preparation. Fluorescent in situ hybridization also effectively detected both target species in formalin-fixed feces from inoculated pigs as part of a previous experiment. Accordingly, FISH on formalin-fixed feces from clinically affected pigs can provide same-day identification and preliminary speciation of spirochetes associated with swine dysentery in North America.


Monte Carlo lookup table-based inverse model for extracting optical properties from tissue-simulating phantoms using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
We present a Monte Carlo lookup table (MCLUT)-based inverse model for extracting optical properties from tissue-simulating phantoms. This model is valid for close source-detector separation and highly absorbing tissues. The MCLUT is based entirely on Monte Carlo simulation, which was implemented using a graphics processing unit. We used tissue-simulating phantoms to determine the accuracy of the MCLUT inverse model. Our results show strong agreement between extracted and expected optical properties, with errors rate of 1.74% for extracted reduced scattering values, 0.74% for extracted absorption values, and 2.42% for extracted hemoglobin concentration values.


Automating microbial taxonomy workflows with PHANTASM: phylogenomic analyses for the taxonomy and systematics of microbes.
The nucleotide sequences of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes have been used to inform the taxonomic placement of prokaryotes for several decades. Whole-genome approaches can better resolve evolutionary relationships of organisms, but these analyses often require computational proficiencies that are uncommon among microbiologists. PHANTASM is a new tool capable of automating these workflows. This tool was designed to work for a wide range of prokaryotes and is the first example of an automated reconciliation of NCBI's Taxonomy database with that of the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN). In this study, we describe the workflow of PHANTASM and provide several examples of results generated by it. The source code is freely-available on GitHub. In order to facilitate the ease-of-access for researchers, PHANTASM is also available as a Docker image. While other tools exist to facilitate starting points for these analyses, PHANTASM provides users with a greater degree of control and produces outputs that can be used to make publication-quality figures.


Phenolic composition analysis and gene expression in developing seeds of yellow- and black-seeded Brassica napus.
Breeders have focused on yellow-seeded Brassica napus (rapeseed) for its better quality compared with the black-seeded variety. Moreover, flavonoids have been associated with this kind of rapeseed. In this study, we applied lipid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS(n)) to compare flavonoids in developing seeds of natural black-seeded B. napus and yellow-seeded introgression lines selected from progenies of B. napus-Sinapis alba somatic hybrids. Aside from the most abundant phenolic compounds (sinapine and sinapic acid) and 1, 2-disinapoylglucose, 16 different flavonoids were identified and quantified, including (-)-epicatechin, five monocharged oligomers of (-)-epicatechin ([DP 2](-), [DP 3](-), [DP 4] [DP 2](-) B2 and [DP 2](-) B5), quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin-dihexoside, kaempferol-sinapoyl-trihexoside, isorhamnetin-sinapoyl-trihexoside, isorhamnetin-hexoside-sulfate, and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside. Most of the flavonoids accumulated with seed development, whereas some rapidly decreased during maturation. The content of these flavonoids were lower in the yellow-seeded materials than in the black seeds. In addition, variations of insoluble procyanidin oligomers and soluble phenolic acids were observed among both rapeseed varieties. Transcriptome changes of genes participating in the flavonoid pathway were discovered by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Consistent with flavonoid changes identified by high performance liquid chromatography analysis, the expression of most genes in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway was also downregulated.


[M-BACOD in advanced case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].
A M-BACOD regimen using an increased dose of Adriyamycin has been administered to 18 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sixty-three percent of the patients who had been previously untreated obtained a complete remission and the 2-year survival rate of those who evidenced a complete response reached 71%. The stage of the lymphoma was found to be a prognostic factor for a complete remission, while LDH and tumor response had an influence upon survival.


Phase diagram of the adhesive hard sphere fluid.
The phase behavior of the Baxter adhesive hard sphere fluid has been determined using specialized Monte Carlo simulations. We give a detailed account of the techniques used and present data for the fluid-fluid coexistence curve as well as parametrized fits for the supercritical equation of state and the percolation threshold. These properties are compared with the existing results of Percus-Yevick theory for this system.


Modeling the absorption of weak electrolytes and acid gases with ionic liquids using the soft-SAFT approach.
In this work, the solubility of three common pollutants, SO(2), NH(3), and H(2)S, in ionic liquids (ILs) is studied using the soft-SAFT equation of state with relatively simple models. Three types of imidazolium ionic liquids with different anions are described in a transferable manner using the recently published molecular models (Andreu, J. S.; Vega, L. F. J. Phys. Chem. C 2007, 111, 16028; Llovell et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2011, 115, 4387), whereas new models for SO(2), NH(3), and H(2)S are proposed here. Alkyl-imidazolium ionic liquids with the [PF(6)](-) and [BF(4)](-) anions are considered to be Lennard-Jones chainlike molecules with one associating site in each molecule describing the specific cation-anion interactions. Conversely, the cation and anion forming the imidazolium [Tf(2)N](-) ionic liquids are modeled as a single molecule with three associating sites, taking into account the delocalization of the anion electric charge due to the presence of oxygen groups surrounding the nitrogen of the anion. NH(3) is described with four associating sites: three sites of type H mimicking the hydrogen atoms and one site of type e representing the lone pair of electrons. H(2)S is modeled with three associating sites: two for the sites of type H for the hydrogen atoms and one site of type e for the electronegativity of the sulfur. SO(2) is modeled with two sites, representing the dipole moment of the molecule as an associative interaction. Soft-SAFT calculations with the three models for the pollutants provide very good agreement with the available phase equilibria, enthalpy of vaporization, and heat capacity experimental data. Then, binary mixtures of these compounds with imidazolium-based ionic liquids were calculated in an industrially relevant temperature range. Unlike association interactions between the ionic liquids and the pollutant gases have been explicitly accounted for using an advanced association scheme. A single temperature independent energy binary parameter is sufficient to describe every family of mixtures in good agreement with the available data in the literature. In addition, a vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium (VLLE) region, never measured experimentally, has been identified for mixtures of hydrogen sulfide + imidazolium ionic liquids with the [PF(6)](-) anion at high H(2)S concentrations. This work illustrates that relatively simple models are able to capture the phase absorption diagram of different gases in ionic liquids, provided accurate models are available for the pure components as well as an accurate equation of state to model the behavior of complex systems.


High bandwidth atomic magnetometery with continuous quantum nondemolition measurements.
We describe an experimental study of spin-projection noise in a high sensitivity alkali-metal magnetometer. We demonstrate a fourfold improvement in the measurement bandwidth of the magnetometer using continuous quantum nondemolition measurements. Operating in the scalar mode with a measurement volume of 2 cm3 we achieve magnetic field sensitivity of 22 fT/Hz(1/2) and a bandwidth of 1.9 kHz with a spin polarization of only 1%. Our experimental arrangement is naturally backaction evading and can be used to realize sub-fT sensitivity with a highly polarized spin-squeezed atomic vapor.


The prophylactic effects of gabapentin on postoperative sore throat after thyroid surgery.
Postoperative sore throat (POST) is considered a usual complication after tracheal intubation, especially, thyroid surgery. Gabapentin is a widely studied multimodal perioperative drug, which can be used to treat acute postoperative pain. The primary endpoints of this study was a reduction of the incidence of POST at rest and during the swallowing movements after thyroid surgery. And the second endpoints was a reduction of the intensity of the POST after thyroid surgery. Seventy-one patients that underwent elective thyroid surgery received either gabapentin (Neurontin™ 600 mg) or placebo, orally, one hour before anesthesia. The VAS scores and incidences of POST and adverse effects were determined at 1 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr, and 24 hr after surgery at rest and during swallowing movement. The gabapentin group (N = 36) showed a lower incidence of POST than the placebo group (N = 35) (47% vs. 78%, P = 0.038), and had significant lower VAS score at 6 and 24 hours after surgery in the resting state. However, during the movement, no intergroup differences were found in terms of the incidence of POST (83% vs. 91%, P = 0.305) or VAS score. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between the two groups, in adverse effects. Gabapentin (Neurontin™ 600 mg) administered 1 hr before anesthesia reduced the intensity and incidence of POST during the resting state without a significant adverse event, during the 24 hr after thyroid surgery. However, gabapentin did not reduce the intensity and incidence of POST during the swallowing movement.


Differential role for PAK1 and PAK4 during the invadopodia lifecycle.
PAK1 and PAK4 are members of the p-21 activated kinase family of serine/threonine kinases. PAK1 has previously been implicated in both the formation and disassembly of invasive cell protrusions, termed invadopodia. We recently reported a novel role for PAK4 during invadopodia maturation and confirmed a specific role for PAK1 in invadopodia formation; findings we will review here. Moreover, we found that PAK4 induction of maturation is delivered via interaction with the RhoA regulator PDZ-RhoGEF. We can now reveal that loss of PAK4 expression leads to changes in invadopodia dynamics. Ultimately we propose that PAK4 but not PAK1 is a key mediator of RhoA activity and provide further evidence that modulation of PAK4 expression levels leads to changes in RhoA activity.