Fe/Mg-Modified Carbonate Apatite with Uniform Particle Size and Unique Transport Protein-Related Protein Corona Efficiently Delivers Doxorubicin into Breast Cancer Cells.
Breast cancer is the abnormal, uncontrollable proliferation of cells in the breast. Conventional treatment modalities like chemotherapy induce deteriorating side effects on healthy cells. Non-viral inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) confer exclusive characteristics, such as, stability, controllable shape and size, facile surface modification, and unique magnetic and optical properties which make them attractive drug carriers. Among them, carbonate apatite (CA) particles are pH-responsive in nature, enabling rapid intracellular drug release, but are typically heterogeneous with the tendency to self-aggregate. Here, we modified the nano-carrier by partially substituting Ca2+ with Mg2+ and Fe3+ into a basic lattice structure of CA, forming Fe/Mg-carbonate apatite (Fe/Mg-CA) NPs with the ability to mitigate self-aggregation, form unique protein corona in the presence of serum and efficiently deliver doxorubicin (DOX), an anti-cancer drug into breast cancer cells. Two formulations of Fe/Mg-CA NPs were generated by adding different concentrations of Fe3+ and Mg2+ along with a fixed amount of Ca2+ in bicarbonate buffered DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium), followed by 30 min incubation at 37 °C. Particles were characterized by turbidity analysis, z-average diameter and zeta potential measurement, optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), pH dissolution, drug binding, cellular uptake, thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, stability analysis, and protein corona study by LCMS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). Both formulations of Fe/Mg-CA displayed mostly uniform nano-sized particles with less tendency to aggregate. The EDX and FAAS elemental analysis confirmed the weight (%) of Ca, Fe and Mg, along with their Ca/P ratio in the particles. A constant drug binding efficiency was noticed with 5 μM to 10 μM of initial DOX concentration. A pH dissolution study of Fe/Mg-CA NPs revealed the quick release of DOX in acidic pH. Enhancement of cytotoxicity for the chemotherapy drug was greater for Fe/Mg-CA NPs as compared to CA NPs, which could be explained by an increase in cellular internalization as a result of the small z-average diameter of the former. The protein corona study by LCMS demonstrated that Fe/Mg-CA NPs exhibited the highest affinity towards transport proteins without binding with opsonins. Biodistribution study was performed to study the effect of DOX-loaded Fe/Mg-CA NPs on the tissue distribution of DOX in Balb/c 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Both formulations of Fe/Mg-CA NPs have significantly increased the accumulation of DOX in tumors. Interestingly, high Fe/Mg-CA NPs exhibited less off-target distribution compared to low Fe/Mg-CA NPs. Furthermore, the blood plasma analysis revealed prolonged blood circulation half-life of DOX-loaded low and high Fe/Mg-CA NPs compared to free DOX solution. Modifying CA NPs with Fe3+ and Mg2+, thereby, led to the generation of nano-sized particles with less tendency to aggregate, enhancing the drug binding efficiency, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity without hampering drug release in acidic pH, while improving the circulation half-life and tumor accumulation of DOX. Therefore, Fe/Mg-CA which predominantly forms a transport protein-related protein corona could be a proficient carrier for therapeutic delivery in breast cancer.


Longitudinal Analysis of Gender Differences in Academic Productivity Among Medical Faculty Across 24 Medical Schools in the United States.
To examine gender differences in academic productivity, as indicated by publications and federal grant funding acquisition, among a longitudinal cohort of medical faculty from 24 U.S. medical schools, 1995 to 2012-2013. Data for this research were taken from the National Faculty Survey involving a survey with medical faculty recruited from medical schools in 1995, and followed up in 2012-2013. Data included surveys and publication and grant funding databases. Outcomes were number of publications, h-index, and principal investigator on a federal grant in the prior two years. Gender differences were assessed using negative binomial regression models for publication and h-index outcomes, and logistic regression for the grant funding outcome; analyses adjusted for race/ethnicity, rank, specialty area, and years since first academic appointment. Data were available for 1,244 of the 1,275 (98%) subjects eligible for the follow-up study. Men were significantly more likely than women to be married/partnered, have children, and hold the rank of professor (P < .0001). Adjusted regression models documented that women had a lower rate of publication (relative number = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.63, 0.81; P < .0001) and h-index (relative number = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.73, 0.90; P < .0001) relative to men, but there was no gender difference in grant funding. Women faculty acquired federal funding at similar rates as male faculty, yet lagged behind in terms of publications and their impact. Medical academia must consider how to help address ongoing gender disparities in publication records.


Highly Localized Charge Transfer Excitons in Metal Oxide Semiconductors.
The ability to observe charge localization in photocatalytic materials on the ultrafast time scale promises to reveal important correlations between excited state electronic structure and photochemical energy conversion. Of particular interest is the ability to determine hole localization in the hybridized valence band of transition metal oxide semiconductors. Using femtosecond extreme ultraviolet reflection absorption (XUV-RA) spectroscopy we directly observe the formation of photoexcited electrons and holes in Fe2O3, Co3O4, and NiO occurring within the 100 fs instrument response. In each material, holes localize to the O 2p valence band states as probed at the O L1-edge, while electrons localize to metal 3d conduction band states on this same time scale as probed at the metal M2,3-edge. Chemical shifts at the O L1-edge enable unambiguous comparison of metal-oxygen (M-O) bond covalency. Pump flux dependent measurements show that the exciton radius is on the order of a single M-O bond length, revealing a highly localized nature of exciton in each metal oxide studied.


Ear Pain: Diagnosing Common and Uncommon Causes.
Otalgia (ear pain) is a common presentation in the primary care setting with many diverse causes. Pain that originates from the ear is called primary otalgia, and the most common causes are otitis media and otitis externa. Examination of the ear usually reveals abnormal findings in patients with primary otalgia. Pain that originates outside the ear is called secondary otalgia, and the etiology can be difficult to establish because of the complex innervation of the ear. The most common causes of secondary otalgia include temporomandibular joint syndrome and dental infections. Primary otalgia is more common in children, whereas secondary otalgia is more common in adults. History and physical examination usually lead to the underlying cause; however, if the diagnosis is not immediately clear, a trial of symptomatic treatment, imaging studies, and consultation may be reasonable options. Otalgia may be the only presenting symptom in several serious conditions, such as temporal arteritis and malignant neoplasms. When risk factors for malignancy are present (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, diabetes mellitus, age 50 years or older), computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or otolaryngology consultation may be warranted.


Inherent privacy limitations of decentralized contact tracing apps.
Recently, there have been many efforts to use mobile apps as an aid in contact tracing to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) (COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]) pandemic. However, although many apps aim to protect individual privacy, the very nature of contact tracing must reveal some otherwise protected personal information. Digital contact tracing has endemic privacy risks that cannot be removed by technological means, and which may require legal or economic solutions. In this brief communication, we discuss a few of these inherent privacy limitations of any decentralized automatic contact tracing system.


Histopathology and oxidative stress analysis of concomitant misoprostol and celecoxib administration.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), non-selective or selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and -2), reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritic diseases. Celecoxib, a COX-2-selective inhibitor providing decreased gastric injury relative to non-selective NSAIDs, is commonly prescribed. Misoprostol, a prostaglandin analog, supplements NSAID-inhibited prostaglandin levels. As concomitant celecoxib and misoprostol administration has been shown to intensify renal adverse effects, this article examined the influence of concomitant administration on hepatic histopathology, oxidative stress, and celecoxib concentration. On days 1 and 2, rat groups (n = 6) were gavaged twice daily (two groups with vehicle and two groups with 100 μg/kg misoprostol). From day 3 to day 9, one celecoxib dose (40 mg/kg) replaced a vehicle dose of one group and one group received celecoxib in addition to misoprostol. Livers were harvested on day 10. No hepatic abnormalities were observed denoting a lack of influence by either drug. Also no change in mean biomarker levels was detected. The changes in hepatic celecoxib concentration in the misoprostol-receiving group compared to control were not significant. Thus misoprostol does not influence hepatic celecoxib effects in terms of histopathology, oxidative stress, or celecoxib concentration level at the dosage and duration examined.


Nonenzymatic glycosylation of tissue and blood proteins.
A brief description of the phenomenon of nonenzymatic glycosylation will be presented, some examples given from the literature and then a brief summary of the results of laboratory research conducted in this area by myself and coworkers since 1981. Excessive glycosylation causes undesirable changes in proteins. Such glycosylation also occurs to collagen in oral tissue. In a study on induced experimental diabetes in rats we observed a defective platelet aggregation curve for gingival collagen. Glycosylation of proteins is known to result in functional defects, for example hemoglobin acquires an increased affinity for oxygen. Glycosylation of rat and bovine lens crystallins has been reported as being an important genesis of cataracts in diabetes. Increased glycosylation of submandibular collagen has been shown to occur in diabetes. However collagen from normal subjects has also been found to show an age related advanced glycosylation end product pigment. Increased platelet membrane protein glycosylation has been reported and the hyperaggregation typically observed in these cases thought to be due to glycosylation. The presence of red cell membrane proteins has also been reported and the impairment of red cell function in diabetes has been reported in cases of excessive glycosylation. According to some investigators cataract formation is prevented by some specific drug which inhibits the glycosylation of lens crystallins. Vitamin C has lowering effects on nonenzymatic glycation. Dentists should take into account the possibility of glycosylation of oral proteins such as collagen in cases of impaired gingiva tooth connection.


Epidemiological, Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Patients with Post-Traumatic Osteomyelitis of Limb Fractures in Southwest China: A Hospital-Based Study.
Objective To determine the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics, of patients with post-traumatic osteomyelitis of extremity fractures, and provide evidence-based guidelines for early diagnosis and treatment, including empiric antibiotic therapy. Methods Human subject research was performed using institutional review board approved protocols. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 5,368 patients diagnosed with extremity traumatic fractures from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015, to identify osteomyelitis patients. Records from the Microbiology Department were reviewed, and patients with a positive wound culture, or bone biopsy culture, were selected for the study. Microbial suceptability was determined by the M-100-S22 protocol (Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute® (CLSI) 2012 USA). Additional clinical information, including data on patients' baseline epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological records was collected from all available charts, and reviewed using a designed protocol. Results 84 (1.56%) patients were diagnosed with osteomyelitis based on a positive culture result. The most prevalent comorbidities in these patients were compartment syndrome, diabetes and hypertension. The most commonly involved infected site was the tibia-fibula (47.62%). 66 (78.57%) of these cases were monomicrobial, and 18 cases (21.43%) were polymicrobial. The infections were predominantly caused by Gram-positive bacteria (56, 53.85%). The most common Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (39 cases, 37.50%) and S. epidermidis (6 cases, 5.77%), which were sensitive to ampicillin, synercid/ dalfopristin, linezolid, tigecycline, macrodantin, and vancomycin. S. aureus was the most common pathogen in both monomicrobial and polymicrobial cases. All 17 cases of MRSA infection were sensitive to Imezolid, ampicillin, synercid/ dalfopristin, linezolid, tigecycline, furadantin, piperacillin/yaz, rifampicin, and vancomycin, respectively. The most common Gram-negative bacteria were E. coli (16 cases, 15.38%) and Enterobacter cloacae (11 cases, 10.58%), which were sensitive to thienamycin. Conclusions In this study, the overall rate of post-traumatic osteomyelitis of limb fractures (1.56%) is lower than the national average rate (2.6-7.8%), for major medical centers in China. The main medical comorbidities were compartment syndrome, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The most common infection was monomicrobial in lower extremities. S. aureus was the most common pathogen, which presented in 39 (37.50%) cases, and 17 of these (43.59%) were caused by MRSA. These findings can guide empiric antibiotic therapy in Southwest China for osteomyelitis in patients with traumatic limb fractures.


Psychosocial dental impact in adult orthodontic patients: what about health competence?
Several studies have assessed the psychological benefits of orthodontic treatment; however, the impact of competence on psychological benefits remains unknown. To analyze the change of the perception of psychosocial dental impact in a sample of adults undergoing orthodontic treatment (mild/moderate dental malocclusions) and to assess the possible moderating effect of health competence level. A longitudinal prospective design was used. Three time points were included: baseline (T0), 6 months after starting orthodontic treatment (T1) and once treatment had finished (T2). The pretreatment sample consisted of 78 patients recruited from the Rey Juan Carlos University Dental Clinic, all of whom had moderate malocclusions and were going to undergo orthodontic treatment for approximately 18 months with fixed metal multibrackets. All participants were instructed to complete the Spanish version of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) on the three points of the research. Statistical analysis involved the General Linear Model (GLM) repeated-measures ANOVA to test if the outcome measures of psychosocial dental impact significantly changed over time during orthodontic treatment (baseline, at 6-month evaluation and posttreatment). To assess the effect of the previous health competence levels (high/low) in the change from baseline to the 6-month assessment, for each PIDAQ dimension, a 2*2 (time*group) repeated measures ANOVA was performed. A significant increase was observed in dental self-confidence values (T0-T1 and T0-T2). Similar results were observed for the psychological impact variables and for the IOTN-AC scores, which showed significant decreases between T0 and T1 and between T0 and T2. Finally, significantly decreases were observed between T0 and T2 in aesthetic concern. Interaction effects were found regarding the health competence variable from T0-T1 for the psychological impact, social impact and aesthetic concern and the IOTN-AC index, with significant development results regarding the high competence group. The first 6 months of orthodontic treatment seemed to be key to the development of psychosocial dental impact perception, during which the role of health competence was of great importance to developing a positive change. It is necessary to follow a biopsychosocial approach towards orthodontic treatment.


Homologous DNA targeting with RecA protein-coated short DNA probes and electron microscope mapping on linear duplex molecules.
We demonstrate that RecA protein-coated, short single-stranded DNA probes paired with a specific homologous DNA sequence in a linear duplex target molecule and accurately targeted the selected DNA sequence. RecA protein-coated complementary ssDNA probes were reacted with linear duplexes, and the homologously paired molecules were observed by electron microscopy. The sites of interaction between the RecA protein-coated DNA probes and the uncoated duplex DNA targets were directly visible on individual target DNA molecules by high-resolution darkfield electron microscopy, without chemical fixation or sample shadowing. The efficiency and specificity of pairing were verified with 446 and 222 base single-stranded DNA probes that shared no homology with one another, and several linear duplex target DNAs with their respective probe homology sites at different locations with respect to the ends of the double-stranded DNA molecules. Measurements of the position of RecA protein-coated probes paired to individual target molecules, observed at high magnification, showed that DNA probes specifically paired at their corresponding homologous target sequences. This RecA protein-mediated DNA mapping method allows homologous sequence positioning and gene mapping on individual double-stranded DNA molecules. Targeting reactions in which two different probe/target sites were 900 bases apart on a single duplex target molecule allowed both sites to be mapped in the same targeting reaction; although targets displaying both probes simultaneously were seen much less frequently than expected. The possible torsional or mechanistic constraints related to these reactions are briefly discussed.


The structure of graphite oxide: investigation of its surface chemical groups.
The structure of graphite oxide (GO) has been systematically studied using various tools such as SEM, TEM, XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), (13)C solid-state NMR, and O K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The TEM data reveal that GO consists of amorphous and crystalline phases. The XPS data show that some carbon atoms have sp(3) orbitals and others have sp(2) orbitals. The ratio of sp(2) to sp(3) bonded carbon atoms decreases as sample preparation times increase. The (13)C solid-state NMR spectra of GO indicate the existence of -OH and -O- groups for which peaks appear at 60 and 70 ppm, respectively. FT-IR results corroborate these findings. The existence of ketone groups is also implied by FT-IR, which is verified by O K-edge XANES and (13)C solid-state NMR. We propose a new model for GO based on the results; -O-, -OH, and -C=O groups are on the surface.


Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability during positive pressure pneumoperitoneum: the significance of increased cardiac sympathetic expression.
Positive pressure pneumoperitoneum (PPP) effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) might be of clinical importance, as imbalance in the autonomic cardiac control might lead to serious consequences. Fifteen healthy patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed for cardiac autonomic nervous activity by spectral heart rate variability, during awake state, before and after intubation, during CO2 PPP (14 mmHg), and after CO2 evacuation. The very low, low, high and very high frequency (VLF, LF, HF, VHF respectively) bands of the spectral density of the heart rate variability (HRV) and their normalized values, as well as the LF/HF ratio, were obtained from the power spectra of R-R intervals, using the fast-Fourier transformation algorithm. Using Friedman's nonparametric test, only the difference between the power of LF during anesthesia (median 30.74) and the middle of PPP (median 195.66) was found to be significant (p<0.012). Such change was recorded in 14 patients (p = 0.001, sign test). Increased LF power reflects sympathetic cardiac activation. As the LF range accounts for regulation of blood pressure and baroreflex, several mechanisms may explain this activation. This in turn may predispose patients who suffer from cardiac disease to higher risk of developing ventricular arrhythmias, besides the possible adverse hemodynamic consequences of PPP.


Mammalian mRNA splice-isoform selection is tightly controlled.
Post-transcriptional RNA processing is an important regulatory control mechanism for determining the phenotype of eukaryotic cells. The processing of a transcribed RNA species into alternative splice isoforms yields products that can perform different functions. Each type of cell in a multi-cellular organism is presumed to actively control the relative quantities of alternative splice isoforms. In this study, the alternatively spliced isoforms of five mRNA transcription units were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR amplification. We show that interindividual variation in splice-isoform selection is very highly constrained when measured in a large population of genetically diverse mice (i.e., full siblings; N = 150). Remarkably, splice-isoform ratios are among the most invariant phenotypes measured in this population and are confirmed in a second, genetically distinct population. In addition, the patterns of splice-isoform selection show tissue-specific and age-related changes. We propose that splice-isoform selection is exceptionally robust to genetic and environmental variability and may provide a control point for cellular homeostasis. As a consequence, splice-isoform ratios may be useful as a practical quantitative measure of the physiological status of cells and tissues.


Changing disease burden and management issues for esophageal cancer in the Asia-Pacific region.
The changing epidemiology of esophageal cancer in developed countries is from squamous cell type to adenocarcinomas arising from Barrett's epithelium and the gastric cardia. This has implications for management of this disease. Earlier diagnosis of cancer from screening high-risk patients with Barrett's esophagus is potentially possible, and mucosal ablation together with acid-suppressive therapies have been investigated to revert Barrett's epithelium in its premalignant stage. When a cancer has developed, the strategies of staging methodology and surgical approaches also differ from those applicable for squamous cell cancers located in more proximal locations of the esophagus. By contrast, in the Asia-Pacific region (with the exceptions of Australia and New Zealand), squamous cell cancers in the middle portion of the esophagus remain the main cell type seen. An overall increase in life expectancy has led to more elderly patients presenting with carcinoma of the esophagus. This is of particular importance when surgical resection is contemplated. Advances in surgical management, multimodality programs, and endoscopic therapies are most marked in recent years. Treatment for patients with esophageal cancer should be individualized. The choice depends on expertise and facilities available, tumor and patient factors, and local economics.


ProPose: steered virtual screening by simultaneous protein-ligand docking and ligand-ligand alignment.
The 'model-free' screening engine ProPose implements a general method for performing simultaneous protein-ligand docking, ligand-ligand alignment, pharmacophore queries-and combinations thereof-in order to incorporate a priori information into screening protocols. In this manuscript we describe a case study on herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, an important antiviral drug target, where we evaluate different approaches for handling a specific type of a priori information, i.e., multiple target structures. We demonstrate that a simultaneous alignment on two target structures--in conjunction with logic operations on interactions and docking constraints derived from protein structure--is an effective means of (i) improving the enrichment of chemical substructures that are compatible with the a priori known ligands, (ii) ensuring the steric fit into the target protein, and (iii) handling target flexibility. The combination of ligand- and receptor-based methods steers the virtual screening by ranking molecules according to the similarity of their interaction pattern with known ligands, thereby--to some extent--outweighing the deficiencies of simple scoring functions often used in initial virtual screening.


Robust Ohmic contact junctions between metallic tips and multiwalled carbon nanotubes for scanned probe microscopy.
We demonstrate a simple method that uses a scanning electron microscope for making a reliable low resistance contact between a single multiwalled carbon nanotube and a metallic tungsten probe tip or a Si cantilever. This method consists of using electron beam induced decomposition of background gases and voltage pulses to remove contaminants. The electrical quality of the contact is monitored in situ by measuring the current flow at constant bias or by observing the decay of current fluctuations. The quality of the contacts is confirmed via current-voltage spectroscopy. This method produces very stable, low resistance, mechanically robust contacts with high success rates approaching 100%.


The eosinophil.
The eosinophil has characteristic granules containing a variety of mediators that may be important in the pathogenesis of cutaneous disease. Although numerous cutaneous diseases may be associated with tissue infiltration with eosinophils, in very few disorders, including Wells' syndrome, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, and granuloma faciale, does the pattern of eosinophil infiltration contribute to the characteristic histopathologic picture. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrating eosinophil degranulation in the skin, particularly in urticaria and angioedema, have provided evidence to support a role for eosinophil mediators in the pathogenesis of certain cutaneous diseases.


Microtensile bond strengths of an etch&rinse and self-etch adhesive to enamel and dentin as a function of surface treatment.
In light of the current trend towards "minimal invasive" dentistry, diverse cavity preparation techniques have been introduced as an alternative or addition to common bur instrumentation. This study investigated whether diamond sonoabrasion (SonicSys Micro, Kavo), air abrasion (Prep Start, Danville) and Er:YAG laser irradiation (Fidelis) produce surfaces at enamel/dentin that are equally receptive to bonding as traditional mid-grit diamond-bur (Komet) and 600-grit SiC-paper prepared surfaces, of which the latter two served as controls. An etch&rinse adhesive (OptiBond FL, Kerr) applied with and without prior acid-etching and a self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE, Kuraray) were employed to bond the restorative composite (Z100, 3M ESPE) to the diversely prepared enamel and dentin surfaces. The microtensile bond strength (microTBS) was determined after 24 hours of storage in water at 37 degrees C. The results indicated that the manner of preparation of enamel and dentin prior to bonding procedures significantly influenced the bonding effectiveness of both the etch&rinse and the self-etch adhesive. Using an etch&rinse adhesive, separate acid-etching of air-abraded and Er:YAG-irradiated enamel and dentin surfaces remains mandatory. Bonding to diamond-sonoabraded and air-abraded enamel and dentin was, in general, not different from bonding to conventional diamond-bur prepared surfaces, whereas, bonding to Er:YAG-irradiated enamel and dentin surfaces in general resulted in a significantly lower bonding effectiveness compared to bonding to diamond-bur prepared surfaces.


Interactions between multiwall carbon nanotubes and poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride: effect of the presence of a surfactant.
The interactions between multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly(diallyl dimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) have been studied in the presence of different ionic and nonionic surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Tween 20, 40, 60, and 80, and Triton X-100. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, the MWCNT/PDDA sample treated with Triton X-100 has been observed to show good dispersion of nanotubes. This is due to the π-π stacking between the benzene ring of Triton X-100 and the hexagonal carbon rings of nanotubes and better coating of PDDA on MWCNTs, as is confirmed by the Raman studies. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopic data shows the presence of higher oxygen content in the MWCNTs/PDDA/Triton X-100 sample. The maximum upshift in the C1s peak position and down-shift in the N1s peak position for the MWCNTs/PDDA/Triton X-100 sample has been observed from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results and is due to the intermolecular charge transfer from carbon in MWCNTs to nitrogen in PDDA. The presence and nature of a surfactant in the MWCNTs/PDDA system has been found to affect their interactions. The above results suggest that the MWCNTs/PDDA/Triton X-100 system is suitable as a metal-free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells.


Effects of insulin on glucose metabolism in isolated human fat cells.
Isolated fat cells were used for the study of in vitro effects of insulin on glucose metabolism in human and rat adipose tissue. In human subcutaneous fat cells, effects of insulin could be detected at concentrations of glucose in the medium from 1 to 10 micro moles/ml. Cellular responsiveness was inversely proportional to the glucose level. At a constant concentration of 6 micro moles of glucose per ml, the effects of insulin at various concentrations up to 500 micro U/ml were investigated. At the highest concentration, which gave the maximal response, there was a 100% increase in the conversion of glucose-U-(14)C to glyceride-glycerol and a 40% increase in glucose oxidation. The dose-response curve was steepest between 2 and 20 micro U/ml. Rat epididymal fat cells were much more responsive to insulin. Glucose lipogenesis and pentose cycle activity could also be demonstrated in rat cells, whereas these activities could not be shown in fat cells from human omental and subcutaneous tissue. The findings for human cells are attributed to changes in cellular activity during preparation.


Cigarette smoke enhances initiation and progression of lung cancer by mutating Notch1/2 and dysregulating downstream signaling molecules.
Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer related deaths in the western world and smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Smoking enhances lung cancer initiation and progression. The effects of cigarette smoke on lung cancer are mediated by the presence of highly mutagenic substances, including nicotine, leading to mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. An emerging pathway in cancer is the Notch signaling pathway which is essential for embryonic lung development and tissue homeostasis. The role of Notch signaling in lung cancer remains controversial and no studies have directly linked cigarette exposure to mutations in Notch. Therefore, we investigated the direct effect of Notch signaling pathways on cigarette-induced lung tumors and the correlation between smoking and mutations in Notch leading to altered downstream signaling. Human cell lines, mouse models and clinical lung cancer samples were utilized in this study. Cigarette-induced in vitro human lung cancer models and in vivo mouse models demonstrated strong effects of cigarette exposure on the Notch signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 50 clinical samples collected from smokers and non-smokers with and without lung cancer also demonstrated a link between smoking and changes in Notch signaling. Finally, 34 lung cancer samples analyzed through direct sequencing indicated smoking significantly increased small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Notch 1 and 2 and specific SNPs significantly modulated expression levels of downstream signaling pathway molecules. Taken together, these results demonstrate a direct effect of smoking on the Notch signaling pathway leading to lung cancer initiation and progression.


Genotypic diversity and virulence traits of streptococcus sobrinus isolated from caries-free children and children suffering severe early childhood caries.
To evaluate the genotypic diversity and some virulence traits of Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus) isolated from caries-free children and children suffering severe early childhood caries (SECC). S. sobrinus isolated from stimulated whole saliva samples of 91 caries-free children and 87 SECC children were subcultured, identified by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. Polysaccharide synthesis ability, acidogenicity, aciduricity and the adherence ability of these S. sobrinus isolates were measured. The frequency of S. sobrinus detection was 18.39% (16/87) in SECC children, which was significantly higher than that (3.30%, 3/91) in caries-free children. One to three different genotypes of S. sobrinus were detected in each SECC child. Only one genotype was colonised in each caries-free child. In SECC children, the production of water-insoluble glucan (WIG) was positively correlated with the ability of S. sobrinus adhering to a glass surface. The presence of S. sobrinus could be a risk factor for high caries activity in severe early childhood caries. The multi-genotypes could be related to different caries suceptibility. Water-insoluble glucan plays an important role in the adherence and accumulation of S. sobrinus on tooth surfaces.


Burnout, Depression, and Borderline Personality: A 1,163-Participant Study.
We examined the association of burnout with borderline personality (BP) traits in a study of 1,163 educational staff (80.9% women; mean age: 42.96). Because burnout has been found to overlap with depression, parallel analyses of burnout and depression were conducted. Burnout symptoms were assessed with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure, depressive symptoms with the PHQ-9, and BP traits with the Borderline Personality Questionnaire. Burnout was found to be associated with BP traits, controlling for neuroticism and history of depressive disorders. In women, burnout was linked to both the "affective insecurity" and the "impulsiveness" component of BP. In men, only the link between burnout and "affective insecurity" reached statistical significance. Compared to participants with "low" BP scores, participants with "high" BP scores reported more burnout symptoms, depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and occupational stress and less satisfaction with life. Disattenuated correlations between burnout and depression were close to 1, among both women (0.91) and men (0.94). The patterns of association of burnout and depression with the main study variables were similar, pointing to overlapping nomological networks. Burnout symptoms were only partly attributed to work by our participants. Our findings suggest that burnout is associated with BP traits through burnout-depression overlap.


Isocitrate dehydrogenase and glyoxylate cycle enzyme activities in Bradyrhizobium japonicum under various growth conditions.
Bradyrhizobium japonicum, the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic partner of soybean, was grown on various carbon substrates and assayed for the presence of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase. The highest levels of isocitrate lyase [165-170 nmol min-1 (mg protein)-1] were found in cells grown on acetate or beta-hydroxybutyrate, intermediate activity was found after growth on pyruvate or galactose, and very little activity was found in cells grown on arabinose, malate, or glycerol. Malate synthase activity was present in arabinose- and malate-grown cultures and increased by only 50-80% when cells were grown on acetate. B. japonicum bacteroids, harvested at four different nodule ages, showed very little isocitrate lyase activity, implying that a complete glyoxylate cycle is not functional during symbiosis. The apparent Km of isocitrate lyase for D,L-isocitrate was fourfold higher than that of isocitrate dehydrogenase (61.5 and 15.5 microM, respectively) in desalted crude extracts from acetate-grown B. japonicum. When isocitrate lyase was induced, neither the Vmax nor the D,L-isocitrate Km of isocitrate dehydrogenase changed, implying that isocitrate dehydrogenase is not inhibited by covalent modification to facilitate operation of the glyoxylate cycle in B. japonicum.


[Primary malignant tumors of the small intestine: the diagnostic and therapeutic considerations].
The authors report their experience in the management of five patients affected by small bowel neoplasms (2 adenocarcinomas, 1 carcinoid tumor, 1 leiomyosarcoma and 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) operated from June '92 to September '93. Diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of this uncommon pathology are discussed.


Correlation of RFLP typing and MLC reactivity in dogs.
The human recombinant HLA-DRB1 gene probe was used for histocompatibility typing of two families of beagles for the DLA-D equivalent by using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). This method was able to determine the segregation of these genes from the parental animals to the individual F1 offspring. Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reactivity as well as serological typing for class I histocompatibility antigens were also performed for comparison. It was found that there was a high correlation between these three methods. We therefore conclude that RFLP typing is an effective procedure for predicting MLC reactivity in dogs and propose that it is a suitable genotyping method for assignment of class II antigen compatibility for donor-recipient pairs in conjunction with organ transplant studies.


Occupational therapy services provided to populations in non-urban areas: a scoping review protocol.
The objective of this review is to complete a global synthesis of the evidence on occupational therapy services provided in non-urban areas. Worldwide, non-urban populations experience higher levels of disease, mortality, and disease risk factors, yet most health services, including occupational therapy, are disproportionately located in urban areas. Research has predominantly focused on attracting therapists to non-urban practice by exploring generalized expressed needs from existing non-urban therapists, such as access to professional development, backfilling of jobs, peer and other practice supports, or enticing occupational therapy students through placement experiences. However, the types of service that non-urban occupational therapists routinely provide remains unclear. Clarifying the scope of occupational therapy services in non-urban areas will support educators and policy makers to plan curricula and services to support non-urban clinicians and communities. This scoping review will consider qualitative and quantitative research studies and opinion pieces about occupational therapy services provided to any individuals or groups living in rural (non-urban) areas across the world. The search will be conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Emcare, and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health, and limited to studies published from 2010 in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers against predefined inclusion criteria, followed by detailed assessment and appraisal by two independent reviewers. Reasons for including or excluding studies will be recorded. Data will be extracted using a charting table and presented in tabular form with a narrative summary describing how the results relate to the review question.


Obesity is inversely related to the risks of dental caries in Korean adults.
This study investigated whether obesity is linked with dental caries. This study hypothesized that obesity may influence the number or prevalence of dental caries in Korean adults. Data were derived from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed at 2008-2010. Lifestyle, sociodemographic, and biochemical variables were analyzed. Indices related to obesity, sarcopenia, and metabolic syndrome were investigated. Finally, caries index and oral health behaviors were included for the analysis. The caries index was inversely associated with increasing body mass index (BMI) and body fat quartile (all p-values <.01). Subjects with high waist circumference who met the inclusion criteria of metabolic syndrome were less likely to have decayed tooth (p-value = .0009). Subjects with a BMI of 25 or more showed about 20% less prevalence of dental caries experience than normal individuals with a BMI of 18.5 to 23 glucose (odds ratio [95% confidence intervals] = 0.808 [0.684-0.956]). Similarly, subjects with total body fat in the highest quartile revealed about 20% less prevalence of caries experiences that those with body fat proportion in the lowest quartile (0.84 [0.672,1.049]). Obesity was inversely associated with occurrence or severity of dental caries in Korean adults.


Micro-cost Analysis of ALK Rearrangement Testing by FISH to Determine Eligibility for Crizotinib Therapy in NSCLC: Implications for Cost Effectiveness of Testing and Treatment.
Break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the gold standard test for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement. However, this methodology often is assumed to be expensive and potentially cost-prohibitive given the low prevalence of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. To more accurately estimate the cost of ALK testing by FISH, we developed a micro-cost model that accounts for all cost elements of the assay, including laboratory reagents, supplies, capital equipment, technical and pathologist labor, and the acquisition cost of the commercial test and associated reagent kits and controls. By applying a set of real-world base-case parameter values, we determined that the cost of a single ALK break-apart FISH test result is $278.01. Sensitivity analysis on the parameters of batch size, testing efficiency, and the cost of the commercial diagnostic testing products revealed that the cost per result is highly sensitive to batch size, but much less so to efficiency or product cost. This implies that ALK testing by FISH will be most cost effective when performed in high-volume centers. Our results indicate that testing cost may not be the primary determinant of crizotinib (Xalkori(®)) treatment cost effectiveness, and suggest that testing cost is an insufficient reason to limit the use of FISH testing for ALK rearrangement.


"Sarcopenia is associated with increased risk of burst abdomen after emergency midline laparotomy: a matched case-control study".
Burst abdomen is a serious complication commonly observed after emergency midline laparotomy. Sarcopenia has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality after abdominal surgery. This single-center, retrospective, matched case-control study aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and burst abdomen in patients undergoing emergency midline laparotomy. Patients who had burst abdomen after emergency midline laparotomy were matched 1:4 with controls based on age and sex. Abdominal wall closure was standardized in the study period with the small bites, small stitches technique. CT assessed psoas cross-sectional area was used as a surrogate measure of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined as the sex-specific lowest quartile of psoas cross-sectional area adjusted for body surface area. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of sarcopenia amongst cases and controls. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for burst abdomen and death that were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. 67 cases were matched to 268 controls during May 2016-December 2019. BMI > 30 kg/m2, liver cirrhosis, smoking, high ASA score and peritonitis were more frequently observed among cases. Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, p = 0.01), active smoking (OR 2.3, p = 0.006) and liver cirrhosis (OR 3.7, p = 0.042) were significantly associated with burst abdomen. ASA score ≥ 3 (OR 5.5, p = 0.001) and ongoing malignant disease (OR 3.2, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with increased 90-day mortality. Sarcopenia is associated with increased risk of burst abdomen after midline laparotomy. Prospective trials are needed.


Characterization of erythropoietin receptor and erythropoietin expression and function in human ovarian cancer cells.
The identification of erythropoietin receptors (EpoR) on cancer cells has caused concern, since it implies the possibility that treatment of cancer patients with erythropoietin (Epo) and related agents with demonstrable antiapoptotic activity could enhance cancer growth and progression. However, the function and even the validity of the identification of these receptors have been called into question. We now report the characterization of EpoR and Epo expression by 4 human ovarian cancer cell lines: A2780, CaOV, SKOV and OVCAR-3. Using semiquantitative RT-PCR, restriction digestion of the PCR products and DNA sequence analysis, we determined that each of the lines expresses the EpoR and Epo at the mRNA level. A2780 cells were the highest expressers of both genes. We demonstrated EpoR protein both by western blotting and by immunofluorescence and biologically active Epo protein by quantitative in vitro bioassay. The EpoR on A2780 cells was shown to be functional, since Epo stimulation resulted in phosphorylation of Erk1/2, an important EpoR mitogenic signaling intermediate. None of the cell lines exhibited a growth response in culture to exogenous Epo. However, addition of a neutralizing anti-Epo antibody to A2780 cells resulted in partial growth inhibition that was reversed by the addition of excess Epo, providing evidence for an autocrine/paracrine mechanism of growth enhancement in these cells.


Finger skin blood flow in response to indirect cooling in normal subjects and in patients before and after sympathectomy.
Finger skin blood flow was measured in 80 healthy subjects, using laser Doppler imaging during basal vasodilatation at a local temperature of 40 degrees C. The response to cooling of the contralateral hand at 15 degrees C was studied. A vasoconstriction index was calculated in all subjects and a nomogram was constructed, taking age into consideration. Compared with these normal subjects, four patients operated on with transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy due to hand hyperhidrosis showed clearly attenuated responses. The results indicate that the test can be used to assess disturbances in the sympathetic regulation of the peripheral blood flow.


ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY AMONG ORPHANS INFECTED WITH INTESTINAL PARASITES IN PATHUM THANI PROVINCE, THAILAND.
Intestinal parasitic infections can negatively impact growth and nutrition in children. The infections can induce oxidative stress, resulting in a variety of illnesses. We measured antioxidant enzyme levels in orphan children infected with intestinal parasites to investigate the influence of nutritional status on antioxidant enzymes. This cross sectional study was conducted at an orphanage in Thailand. Stool samples were obtained from each subject and examined for intestinal parasites. Anthropometric measurements, complete blood count and biochemical parameters, including serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, were obtained from studied subjects. One hundred twenty-eight children were included in the study. Intestinal parasites were found on microscopic examination of the stools in 36.7% (47/128); 18% (23/128) had a mixed parasite infection. Intestinal protozoa were found in 34.4% of subjects and intestinal helminthes were found in 2.3%. The median GPx level in children infected with intestinal parasites (2.3 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in non-infected children (7.7 ng/ml) (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in SOD levels between the two groups. When comparing GPx levels in children with 1) pathogenic parasites, 2) non-pathogenic parasites and 3) no intestinal parasite infection, GPx levels differed significantly among three groups (2.2 ng/ml, 2.4 ng/ml and 7.7 ng/ml, respectively) (p < 0.05). When separating children by BMI and type of infection, the median SOD level in underweight children infected with pathogenic parasites (107.2 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in underweight children infected with non-pathogenic parasites (68.6 ng/ml) and without intestinal parasite infections (72.2 ng/ml). The present study identified two key findings: low GPx levels in children with intestinal parasitic infections, and the potential impact of malnutrition on some antioxidants.


Interprofessional geriatric assessment in nursing home (IgAP): a curricular development in geriatrics.
The hallmark of medical action in geriatrics is the interprofessional treatment of the patient by a multi-professional team consisting of doctors, nurses and therapists with the aim of treating the patients primarily in a way that preserves their function and thereby enabling them to live as independently as possible. Therefore, at the beginning of every geriatric treatment, there is a multiprofessional geriatric assessment of functional abilities. With regard to successful medical action, this necessarily requires all health professions involved to understand geriatric patients and their limitations. Under ideal circumstances, their competencies overlap. From the point of view of the related disciplines, this means to teach working together with the other professions - interprofessionally - and learning from one another in order to effectively collaborate. After comparing the existing education in geriatrics within the Medical Curriculum Munich (MeCuM) with the European catalog of learning objectives for geriatricians (UEMS-GMS), a deficit with regard to geriatric assessment was recognized in the field of multi-professional training. Therefore, the existing geriatric curriculum of the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in Munich should be expanded to include an interprofessional course on geriatric assessment. This project report aims to show the development and implementation of this course. For this purpose, the model for curriculum development according to Kern was used by the planners to establish an interprofessional briefing. Due to its innovative character, the course received public recognition and is the basis for the expansion of interprofessionalism in the sense of professional cooperation in geriatrics. Establishing interprofessionalism in other disciplines and locations is welcome.


Comparative study of chromium biosorption by red, green and brown seaweed biomass.
Dried biomass of the macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus spiralis (brown), Ulva spp. (comprising Ulva linza, Ulva compressa and Ulva intestinalis) and Ulva lactuca (green), Palmaria palmata and Polysiphonia lanosa (red) were studied in terms of their chromium biosorption performance. Metal sorption was highly pH dependent with maximum Cr(III) and Cr(VI) sorption occurring at pH 4.5 and pH 2, respectively. Extended equilibrium times were required for Cr(VI) binding over Cr(III) binding (180 and 120min, respectively) thus indicating possible disparities in binding mechanism between chromium oxidation states. The red seaweed P. palmata revealed the highest removal efficiency for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) at low initial concentrations. However, at high initial metal concentrations F. vesiculosus had the greatest removal efficiency for Cr(III) and performed almost identically to P. lanosa in terms of Cr(VI) removal. The Langmuir Isotherm mathematically described chromium binding to the seaweeds where F. vesiculosus had the largest q(max) for Cr(III) sorption (1.21mmol g(-1)) and P. lanosa had the largest Cr(VI) uptake (0.88mmol g(-1)). P. palmata had the highest affinity for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) binding with b values of 4.94mM(-1) and 8.64mM(-1), respectively. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed interactions of amino, carboxyl, sulphonate and hydroxyl groups in chromium binding to Ulva spp. The remaining seaweeds showed involvement of these groups to varying degrees as well as ether group participation in the brown seaweeds and for Cr(VI) binding to the red seaweeds.


[Video laparoscopic surgery and rectal prolapse. Our experience in rectopexy].
Laparoscopy is gaining an important role in the treatment of benign colorectal disorders. The aim of this study is the evaluation of clinical and functional results in 4 patients submitted to a laparoscopy rectopexy according to Wells. Four females (22-76, mean 53.7 years) affected from a total rectal prolapse with fecal incontinence underwent this procedure from 1993 through 1995. Six months after surgery, at the end of a rehabilitation program consisting of kinesitherapy, bio-feedback and electrostimulations, all patients have been re-evaluated by means of a clinical exam, anorectal manometry, defecography. Preliminary results seem satisfactory and may allow to prefer this approach instead of the traditional open one.


SIRT3 enhances the protective effect of Xyloketal B on seizure-induced brain injury by regulating AMPK/mTOR signaling-mediated autophagy.
Brain damage in children due to seizures is irreversible and has been a major public health concern. The herbal monomer Xyloketal B (Xyl-B) can be used as a neuroprotective drug because of its antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects but with few adverse effects. In this article, we constructed a rat developmental convulsion model and a primary hippocampal neuronal cell convulsion model, through which we studied hippocampal neuronal morphology and neuronal apoptosis using H&E staining and TUNEL staining, respectively. Moreover, we measured TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β inflammatory factor levels using ELISA, MDA, and SOD kits. The expression of SIRT3 in hippocampal tissues was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. The expression of autophagy-related proteins such as LC3, p62, and Beclin-1 was evaluated by Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. The role of SIRT3 and autophagic activity with Xyl-B in convulsive seizure-induced brain injury was investigated by knocking down SIRT3 expression levels. Our results showed that Xyl-B plays a neuroprotective role in convulsive seizure-induced brain injury by increasing SIRT3 expression and activating the autophagy pathway. The regulatory role of SIRT3 in the autophagy pathway with Xyl-B treatment was explored by knocking down SIRT3 expression and inhibiting autophagy. Our results revealed that SIRT3 enhances the protective effect of Xyl-B against postconvulsive brain injury by regulating AMPK/mTOR signaling-mediated autophagy.


PEGylated Cu3BiS3 hollow nanospheres as a new photothermal agent for 980 nm-laser-driven photothermochemotherapy and a contrast agent for X-ray computed tomography imaging.
Developing multifunctional near-infrared (NIR) light-driven photothermal agents is in high demand for efficient cancer therapy. Herein, PEGylated Cu3BiS3 hollow nanospheres (HNSs) with an average diameter of 80 nm were synthesized through a facile ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal route. The obtained PEGylated Cu3BiS3 HNSs exhibited strong NIR optical absorption with a large molar extinction coefficient of 4.1 × 10(9) cm(-1) M(-1) at 980 nm. Under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser with a safe power density of 0.72 W cm(-2), Cu3BiS3 HNSs produced significant photothermal heating with a photothermal transduction efficiency of 27.5%. The Cu3BiS3 HNSs also showed a good antitumoral drug doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity and pH- and NIR-responsive DOX release behaviors. At a low dosage of 10 μg mL(-1), HeLa cells could be efficiently killed through a synergistic effect of chemo- and photothermo-therapy respectively based on the DOX release and the photothermal effect of Cu3BiS3 HNSs. In addition, Cu3BiS3 HNSs displayed a good X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging capability. Furthermore, Cu3BiS3 HNSs could be used for efficient in vivo photothermochemotherapy and X-ray CT imaging of mice bearing melanoma skin cancer. This multifunctional theranostic nanomaterial shows potential promise for cancer therapy.


Management Challenges of Recurrent Foreign Body Ingestions in a Psychiatric Patient: A Case Report.
Intentional foreign body ingestions (FBIs) are commonly seen in adult patients with intellectual disabilities, substance use, severe psychiatric conditions, or external motivations, but these cases are rarely reported in the psychiatric literature. We present the case of a patient with an extensive history of FBIs and suicide attempts and a multitude of psychiatric diagnoses including borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder from significant abuse in foster care, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pica. During the single hospitalization described in this report, she had multiple incidents of self-harm, aggression, and 9 FBIs. A multidisciplinary team involving psychiatry, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, surgery, internal medicine, nursing, social work, behavioral health technicians, case management, chaplain, the legal department, police officers, and hospital maintenance was necessary for care coordination. Interventions included 8 endoscopies and an abdominal surgery to retrieve swallowed foreign bodies, pain management, psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for agitation, and environmental precautions to minimize the risk of ingestion. Ultimately, to prevent further trauma and limit additional opportunities for FBI, a collaborative decision was made with the patient to discharge her to her home with outpatient psychologist and psychiatrist support. This case describes the complexities of hospital management of a patient with intentional recurrent FBI, highlighting the importance of a critical assessment of risk versus benefit for prolonging hospitalization. Development of practical management protocols and risk assessments for continued hospitalization is necessary for patients with recurrent intentional FBIs.


[Congenital intrahepatic portacaval anastomosis: analysis of manifested glucose abnormalities].
The authors report a case of a high-flow intrahepatic portacaval shunt due to a congenital venous abnormality. Suspected by digestive echography, the abnormality was confirmed by angiography. A precise analysis of glycoregulation showed an "impaired glucose tolerance", followed by post-stimulative hypoglycemia with persistant hyperinsulinemia and lowering of the C peptide/insulin ratio. These abnormalities seem to be related to the shunt only. This observation appears as an experimental model permitting the appreciation of the disturbances in glucose metabolism related to an intrahepatic shunt without any hepatic cell disorder.


Multiplexed Chemical Sensing CMOS Imager.
A miniaturized and multiplexed chemical sensing technology is urgently needed to empower mobile devices and robots for various new applications such as mobile health and Internet of Things. Here, we show that a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) imager can be turned into a multiplexed colorimetric sensing chip by coating micron-scale sensing spots on the CMOS imager surface. Each sensing spot contains nanocomposites of colorimetric sensing probes and silica nanoparticles that enhance sensing signals by several orders of magnitude. The sensitivity is spot-size-invariant, and high-performance gas sensing can be achieved on sensing spots as small as ∼10 μm. This great scalability combined with millions of pixels of a CMOS imager offers a promising platform for highly integrated chemical sensors. To prove its compatibility with mobile electronics, we have built a smartphone accessory based on this chemical CMOS sensor and demonstrated that personal health management can be achieved through the detection of gaseous biomarkers and pollutants. We anticipate that this new platform will pave the way for the widespread application of chemical sensing in mobile electronics and wearable devices.


Promoting healthy workplaces--health pledges initiative at North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, NHS, England.
To evaluate the effectiveness of health promotion activities targeting physical activity, healthy eating, smoking and stress management as a part of healthy workplace initiative at North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, England. The quasi-experimental interventional study was conducted from April 2005 to March 2006 and involved all the employees of the North Kirklees Primary Care Trust, England, who were willing to participate. Main interventions were; lunch-time walk, motivational interviews, counselling and support sessions from qualified dieticians, physical activity and smoking cessation advisors. Free occupational therapy sessions were provided at the workplace. Incentives like discounted vouchers for sports club and the gymnasium were also given. Pre- and post-intervention data was collected and analysed using SPSS version 17. Of the total, 57 (42%) pledged to undertake physical activity; 50 (37%) healthy eating; 20 (15%) mental and emotional well-being; and 8 (6%) to quit smoking. Statistically significant associations were found between different health promotion activities like physical activity (p = 0.004), healthy eating (p = 0.003), stress management and stop smoking (p = 0.001) at the workplace. Workplace is a potentially valuable setting for health promotional activities for primary prevention and may facilitate lifestyle modification.


Postprandial oxidative stress.
Consumption of a meal containing oxidized and oxidizable lipids gives rise to an increased plasma concentration of lipid hydroperoxides, detectable by a sensitive chemiluminescence procedure. This is associated with increased susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, apparently due a structural perturbation at the particle surface brought about by lipid oxidation products. The postprandial modification of LDL is at least partially accounted for by an increase of LDL-, a subfraction containing lipid oxidation products where apoprotein-B-100 (apoB-100) is denatured. Consuming the meal with a suitable source of antioxidants, such as those found in red wine, minimizes this postprandial oxidative stress. The inhibition of peroxidation of lipids present in the meal during digestion is a possible mechanism for the observed protection of LDL. The in vivo oxidatively modified LDL- has numerous features that correspond to the atherogenic minimally modified LDL produced in vitro. These modified particles could account for a relevant link between nutrition and early biological processes that foster the development of atherosclerosis.


Stroke subtypes in Black Tanzanians: a retrospective study of computerized tomography scan diagnoses at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam.
Limited data are available on the stroke subtypes in Tanzania and sub-Saharan Africa. The present study was aimed at determining retrospectively the pattern of confirmed strokes in all patients in our hospital who had been given a computerized tomography (CT) brain scan during the study period (April 2001 to May 2002). Over the 12-month period 371 CT brain scans were taken, of which 148 showed stroke, 89 (60.1%) showed haemorrhage and 59 (39.9%) showed infarcts (P<0.05). Among the haemorrhagic group 48 (53.9%) were men and 41 (46.1%) women, while 31 (52.5%) men and 28 (47.5%) women had infarction. We concluded that there were relatively more cases of cerebral haemorrhage than infarction. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were common risk factors in both subtypes of stroke.


An efficient solution to the decoherence enhanced trivial crossing problem in surface hopping.
We provide an in-depth investigation of the time interval convergence when both trivial crossing and decoherence corrections are applied to Tully's fewest switches surface hopping (FSSH) algorithm. Using one force-based and one energy-based decoherence strategies as examples, we show decoherence corrections intrinsically enhance the trivial crossing problem. We propose a restricted decoherence (RD) strategy and incorporate it into the self-consistent (SC) fewest switches surface hopping algorithm [L. Wang and O. V. Prezhdo, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 5, 713 (2014)]. The resulting SC-FSSH-RD approach is applied to general Hamiltonians with different electronic couplings and electron-phonon couplings to mimic charge transport in tens to hundreds of molecules. In all cases, SC-FSSH-RD allows us to use a large time interval of 0.1 fs for convergence and the simulation time is reduced by over one order of magnitude. Both the band and hopping mechanisms of charge transport have been captured perfectly. SC-FSSH-RD makes surface hops in the adiabatic representation and can be implemented in both diabatic and locally diabatic representations for wave function propagation. SC-FSSH-RD can potentially describe general nonadiabatic dynamics of electrons and excitons in organics and other materials.


Supporting behaviour change in younger-onset dementia: mapping the needs of family carers in the community.
Almost 10% of people with dementia experience a younger-onset of disease (before 65 years). Changes in behaviour are common, as are delays in diagnosis and limited access to appropriate support and services. This study aimed to explore the specific behaviour support needs of families living with younger-onset dementia. Seventy-one families of people with younger-onset dementia were surveyed to understand the experience of family carers regarding difficult-to-manage behaviour changes, confidence in identifying and implementing behaviour support strategies, use of specific behaviour support strategies, and use of formal and informal support services regarding behaviour changes. Survey responses were received from family members of people living with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (n = 28), semantic dementia (n = 17), and Alzheimer's disease (n = 23). Over 90% of family carers reported difficult-to-manage behaviours which fell into four main domains: (1) aggression, (2) compulsive behaviour, (3) disinhibition and inappropriate social behaviour, and (4) apathy. A range of preventative and responsive strategies, with an emphasis on de-escalation strategies were identified and carers reported variable confidence in managing behaviour changes or in accessing formal support strategies. Difficult-to-manage behaviour changes in community-dwelling people with younger-onset dementia are common. The existing agency of families should be recognised and built upon with better access to specific behaviour support services to increase competence and confidence in providing behaviour support and ultimately improve quality of life for them and their family member with dementia.


New ribosomes for new memories?
Widely thought to be a housekeeping process, the regulation and synthesis of rRNA emerges as a potentially central mechanism for the maintenance of synaptic plasticity and memory. We have recently shown that an essential component of late-phase synaptic plasticity is rRNA biosynthesis - the rate-limiting step in the production of new ribosomes. We hypothesize that a particular population of ribosomes is generated upon learning-associated neural activity to alter the rate of synthesis of plasticity factors at tagged synapses that will support the maintenance of synaptic plasticity and memory.


Genetic markers of ovarian follicle number and menopause in women of multiple ethnicities.
Oocyte loss has a significant impact on fertility and somatic health. Yet, we know little about factors that impact this process. We sought to identify genetic variants associated with ovarian reserve (oocyte number as measured by antral follicle count, AFC). Based on recently published genome-wide scans that identified loci associated with age of menopause, we also sought to test our hypothesis that follicle number and menopausal age share underlying genetic associations. We analyzed menopause-related variants for association with follicle number in an independent population of approximately 450 reproductive-aged women of European and African ancestry; these women were assessed for AFC, anthropometric, clinical, and lifestyle factors. One SNP strongly associated with later menopausal age in Caucasian women (+1.07 ± 0.11 years) in previous work was also associated with higher follicle counts in Caucasians (+2.79 ± 1.67 follicles) in our study. This variant is within the Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 8 (MCM8) gene, which we found was expressed within oocytes in follicles of the human ovary. In genome-wide scans of AFC, we also identified one marginally genome-wide and several nominally significant SNPs within several other genes associated with follicle number in both ethnic groups. Further, there were overlapping variants associated with multiple ovarian reserve markers (AFC, serum hormone levels, menopausal age). This study provides the first evidence for direct genetic associations underlying both follicle number and menopause and identifies novel candidate genes. Genetic variants associated with ovarian reserve may facilitate discovery of genetic markers to predict reproductive health and lifespan in women.


The Effect of Varying Plyometric Volume on Stretch-Shortening Cycle Capability in Collegiate Male Rugby Players.
Jeffreys, MA, De Ste Croix, MBA, Lloyd, RS, Oliver, JL, and Hughes, JD. The effect of varying plyometric volume on stretch-shortening cycle capability in collegiate male rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 139-145, 2019-The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of low and high volume plyometric loads on developing stretch-shortening cycle capability in collegiate rugby players. A between-group repeated measures design was used. Thirty-six subjects (age 20.3 ± 1.6 years, mass 91.63 ± 10.36 kg, stature 182.03 ± 5.24 cm) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: a control group (CG), a low volume plyometric group (LPG), or a high volume plyometric group (HPG). Data were collected from a force plate, and measures of reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness were calculated from jump height, contact time, and flight time. A significant between-group × time (F = 4.01, p ≤ 0.05) interaction effect for RSI was observed. Bonferroni post hoc analysis indicated that both the LPG training group (p = 0.002) and HPG training group (p = 0.009) were significantly higher than the control group. No significant interaction effect between time × group was observed for leg stiffness (F = 1.39, p = 0.25). This study has demonstrated that it is possible to improve reactive strength capabilities through the use of a low volume plyometric program. The low volume program elicited the same performance improvement in RSI as a high volume program while undertaking a lower dose. This suggests that strength and conditioning coaches may be able to benefit from the ability to develop more time-efficient and effective plyometric programs.


The nursing strategy officer: a new and evolving role.
As health systems have become more expansive, strategic and operational planning processes have become more complex. Enterprise-wide strategic plans now address a broad set of considerations that have significant impact across the organization, particularly nursing and patient care programs. Synchronous implementation of organizational strategies can be very challenging. Organizational capacity is constantly challenged with competing agendas. To drive the successful implementation of organization-wide strategies and optimize success, Cleveland Clinic Foundation established a new role modeled after other industry sectors, the Associate Chief Nurse for Strategic Planning. This article describes the genesis and focus of this new, important role.


Microtubule stabilising agents and ionising radiation: multiple exploitable mechanisms for combined treatment.
Combined radiochemotherapy treatment modalities are in use for many indications and therefore of high interest. Even though a combined modality in clinical use is often driven by pragmatic aspects, mechanistic preclinical-based concepts of interaction are of importance in order to translate and implement an optimal combination and scheduling of two modalities into the clinics. The use of microtubule stabilising agents is a promising strategy for anti-cancer therapy as a part of combined treatment modality with ionising radiation. Traditionally, microtubule targeting agents are classified as cytotoxic chemotherapeutics and are mostly used in a maximally tolerated dose regimen. Apart from direct cytotoxicity and similar to mechanisms of molecular targeting agents, microtubule stabilising agents interfere with multiple cellular processes, which can be exploited as part of combined treatment modalities. Recent preclinical investigations on the combination of ionising radiation and microtubule stabilising agents reveal new mechanistic interactions on the cellular and tumour level and elucidate the supra-additive tumour response observed particularly in vivo. The major focus on the mechanism of interaction was primarily based on radiosensitisation due to cell cycle arrest in the most radiosensitive G2/M-phase of the cell cycle. However, other mechanisms of interaction such as reoxygenation and direct as well as indirect endothelial damage have also been identified. In this review we summarise and allocate additive and synergistic effects induced by the combined treatment of clinically relevant microtubule stabilising agents and ionising radiation along a described radiobiological framework encompassing distinct mechanisms relevant for exploiting the combination of drugs and ionising radiation.


Selective hypophysectomy for metastatic pain. A review of ethyl alcohol ablation of the anterior pituitary in a Regional Pain Relief Unit.
Selective adenohypophysectomy, by the injection of up to 1 ml of absolute alcohol to the pituitary gland, was used to produce pain relief in 25 patients suffering from metastatic cancer. Thirty-five treatments were given and good analgesia was obtained in 74%. The median duration of pain relief was 6-7 weeks, although some treatments produced relief for up to 20 months. The procedure was most successful in relieving bone pain in patients with advanced carcinoma of the breast or prostate. The use of a fine-gauge needle for the intranasal trans-sphenoidal approach to the gland and the injection of alcohol to the anterior part (pars distalis) of the gland reduced the frequency of the major complications diabetes insipidus (17%) and prolonged visual disturbance (3%).


Impact of Polytrauma and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Markers of Fibrinolysis: A Prospective Pilot Study.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is associated with major morbidity and high mortality, is commonly developed by polytraumatized patients. Its pathogenesis is complex, and its development is difficult to anticipate, as candidate biomarkers for the prediction of ARDS were found not to be reliable for clinical use. In this prospective study, we assessed the serum antigen levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) of 28 survivors of blunt polytrauma (age ≥18 years; injury severity score ≥16) at admission and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 of hospitalization. Our results show that these patients presented high mean tPA and PAI-1 antigen levels at admission; despite their decline, these parameters remained elevated for 3 weeks. Over this period, the mean tPA antigen level was higher in polytrauma victims suffering from ARDS than in those without ARDS, whereas the mean PAI-1 level was higher in polytrauma victims sustaining pneumonia than in those without pneumonia. Moreover, in each individual developing ARDS, the polytrauma-related elevated tPA antigen level either continued to rise after admission or suffered a second increase up to the onset of ARDS, declining immediately thereafter. Therefore, our findings support the assessment of serum tPA antigen levels after the initial treatment of polytraumatized patients, as this parameter shows potential as a biomarker for the development of ARDS and for the consequent identification of high-risk individuals.


Nonlethal clinical techniques used in the diagnosis of diseases of fish.
Numerous nonlethal clinical techniques can be used on live fish to yield valuable diagnostic information. These techniques include skin, fin, and gill biopsies; bacteriologic cultures of gill or skin lesions; tissue and fluid aspiration; and radiography Most techniques can be performed on live fish without the use of anesthesia, although light sedation of the fish often simplifies the procedure, making the procedure more easily accomplished and less stressful on the fish. Because water conditions have a considerable effect on the health and well-being of aquatic animals, an in-house evaluation of water quality (eg, temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and salinity) is also paramount to any clinical diagnostic evaluation. As with domestic animals, a complete and accurate history and thorough external examination are prerequisite to the selection of appropriate diagnostic techniques as well as the formulation of any management or therapeutic plan. Through the correlation of clinical history, water quality variables, and results of diagnostic testing, an informed plan of action can be devised to correct acute or chronic problems in aquatic animals.


Severely damaged kidneys possess multipotent renoprotective stem cells.
Tissue-specific stem cells are a promising target for kidney regeneration, because it has been shown that they play a primary role in kidney repair. Several methods have been developed for the isolation of stem/progenitor cells from healthy kidneys but the existence of these cells in chronically damaged kidneys has not been noticed so far. A mouse model of chronic kidney failure was developed by ligation of the left ureter for 5 months, and then isolation of stem cells from this tissue as well as normal kidneys was attempted. We found that multipotent stem cells could be isolated from both types of tissue. In addition, the cells isolated from damaged kidneys showed potential for homing to the site of injury and a renoprotective effect in an animal model of cisplatin-induced nephropathy. These results show that multipotent renoprotective stem cells exist in severely damaged kidneys, which could be a target for designing new therapies.


[HLA antigens in choriocarcinoma].
Choriocarcinoma can be regarded as transplanted cancer, because its origin is in trophoblast which is fetal tissue. It is of interest whether HLA antigens are expressed on choriocarcinoma cells or not, since HLA antigens may play an important role if the patient's body could recognize choriocarcinoma as "not self" and initiate its immune response. In this report choriocarcinoma tissue in the uterus, obtained after hysterectomy, is stained by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies to HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR. We believe this is the first immunohistological study in which choriocarcinoma in utero is available for study and monoclonal antibodies to HLA antigens are applied. In the staining of HLA-A,B,C, and of HLA-DR, host cells, such as myometrial cells, show positive staining but choriocarcinoma cells show negative staining. It is thought that choriocarcinoma cells are viable and show negative staining of HLA antigens, on the basis of finding following HE staining and hCG staining using anti-hCG antibody and the clinical remarks of the patient such as her high urinary hCG titer before operation and no history of chemotherapy. These results agree with those of previous studies about HLA antigens on choriocarcinoma cell lines.


Prevalence and co-infection of intestinal parasites among thai rural residents at high-risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma: a cross-sectional study in a prospective cohort study.
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still important to the health of Thai rural residents. IPIs are the cause of many chronic diseases with, for example, opisthorchiasis resulting in progression to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This cross-sectional study in a prospective cohort study aimed to examine the prevalence and co- infection of intestinal parasites among Northeastern Thai rural residents, recruited into the Khon Kaen Cohort Study (KKCS), and who were residing in areas of high-risk for developing CCA. On recruitment, subjects had completed questionnaires and provided fecal samples for IPI testing using the formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique. Data on selected general characteristics and the results of the fecal tests were analysed. IPI test results were available for 18,900 of cohort subjects, and 38.50% were found to be positive for one or more types of intestinal parasite. The prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) infection was the highest (45.7%), followed by intestinal flukes (31.9%), intestinal nematodes (17.7%), intestinal protozoa (3.02%), and intestinal cestodes (1.69%). The pattern of different infections was similar in all age groups. According to a mapping analysis, a higher CCA burden was correlated with a higher prevalence of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes and a greater intensity of O. viverrini. Both prevention and control programs against liver fluke and other intestinal parasites are needed and should be delivered simultaneously. We can anticipate that the design of future control and prevention programmes will accommodate a more community-orientated and participatory approach.


Endothelial cell and cAMP regulation of T-cell CD40 ligand: relevance of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV signalling.
CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression is now recognized to contribute in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Because increased CD40L has been associated with myocardial infarction, effects of endothelial cells and cAMP with respect to CD40L regulation may be of clinical relevance. In the present study, endothelial cells are shown to markedly increase CD40L on naïve CD4+ T cells with a more modest effect on memory T cells. Furthermore, the addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) synergistically increased naïve cell CD40L but inhibited memory cell CD40L. Although it has previously been recognized that human endothelial cells can increase T-cell CD40L, this is the first description of the difference in responses of naïve and memory cells and the first demonstration of synergistic effects of endothelial cells and cAMP on CD40L regulation. Consistent with previous reports that CD40L regulation is distinctive, another marker of early activation (CD69) was not similarly regulated. The mechanisms of CD40L regulation were related to calcineurin and calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV) signalling pathways. Endothelial cell costimulation of CD40L was found to be dependent upon calcineurin activity while cAMP actions to increase CD40L were dependent upon CaMKIV. Expression of a dominant negative CaMKIV construct further indicated an important role for CaMKIV in regulation of CD40L and cAMP responses. These data indicate that endothelial cell costimulation can interact with cAMP through calcium signalling pathways to synergistically enhance CD40L expression. Because increased CD40L is associated with atherosclerotic plaque and instability, results are relevant to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.


Antibiotic-loaded cement spacer for treatment of Klebsiella infected total hip and knee arthroplasty.
Infection following total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthoplasty (TKA) may have devastating consequences. Some bacterial strains are often encountered as agents of these infections, others occur less frequently but are sometimes burdened with more severe complications. Kebsiella spp. are uncommon causes of THA or TKA infection. The aim of this study was to identify an effective treatment algorithm for multidrug resistant Kebsiella spp. caused THA or TKA infections. During the 3-year period, from January 1 2009 to December 31 2011, we registered and treated 5 patients with THA or TKA multidrug resistant Klebsiella spp. caused infection. All the patients were primarily operated in other institutions, and were admitted in our clinic after the onset of infection symptoms. In three of the cases Klebsiella infection was complicated by additional infection (Staphyloccocus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marscescens). In 3 of the cases we performed revision arthroplasty after double exchange of antibiotic-loaded articulating cement spacer, and in 2 of the cases the standard two-stage revision approach with one antibiotic cement spacer exchange was applied. The mean length of follow-up after reimplantation surgery was 17.1 months (range 2-31 months). One patient died 2 months after the final reimplantation procedure. The initial Klebsiella infection was eradicated in all the patients. At the end follow-up after definitive reimplantation, the patients had no clinical, laboratory or microbiological parameters positive for active infection. According to our experience with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella TKA/THA infections, two-stage approach, in some cases with double articulating cement spacer exchange prior to definitive reimplantation, is the most effective treatment option.


Increased efficacy of a dendritic cell-based therapeutic cancer vaccine with adenosine receptor antagonist and CD73 inhibitor.
Dendritic cells are important in initiating immune responses; therefore, a range of dendritic cell-based approaches have been established to induce immune response against cancer cells. However, the presence of immunosuppressive mediators such as adenosine in the tumor microenvironment reduces the efficacy of dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated whether blockade of the A2A adenosine receptor with a selective antagonist and a CD73 inhibitor may increase the efficacy of a dendritic cell-based cancer vaccine. According to the findings, this therapeutic combination reduced tumor growth, prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice, and enhanced specific antitumor immune responses. Thus, we suggest that targeting cancer-derived adenosine improves the outcomes of dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy.


Hepatoprotective effects of rubiadin, a major constituent of Rubia cordifolia Linn.
The hepatoprotective effects of rubiadin, a major constituent isolated from Rubia cordifolia Linn., were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. Rubiadin at a dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg was administered orally once daily for 14 days. The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) due to carbon tetrachloride treatment were dose dependently restored towards normalization. Meanwhile, the decreased activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase were also restored towards normalization. In addition, rubiadin also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation and depletion of reduced glutathione content in the liver of CCl4 intoxicated rats in a dose dependent manner. Silymarin used as standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity on post treatment against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that rubiadin has a potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats.


Comparison of the Abbott and Ortho enzyme immunoassays and cell culture for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasopharyngeal specimens.
A comparison of the Abbott Laboratories and the Ortho Diagnostic Systems Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Enzyme Immunoassays (EIA) and HEp-2 cell culture for the detection of RSV in 81 nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens from pediatric patients with lower respiratory tract infection was carried out. The sensitivity and specificity of the Abbott test compared to confirmed infection was 92.3% and 100.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the Ortho test was 87.5% and 80.3%, respectively. We found the Abbott EIA test to be sensitive, specific, rapid, and easy to perform.


P(O)R2-Directed Enantioselective C-H Olefination toward Chiral Atropoisomeric Phosphine-Olefin Compounds.
An effective synthesis of chiral atropoisomeric biaryl phosphine-olefin compounds via palladium-catalyzed enantioselective C-H olefination has been developed for the first time. The reactions are operationally simple, tolerate wide functional groups, and have a good ee value. Notably, P(O)R2 not only acts as the directing group to direct C-H activation in order to make a useful ligand but also serves to facilitate composition of the product in a useful manner in this transformation.


Polymorphism of tubulin oligomers in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins. Implications in microtubule assembly.
The interaction between tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in solutions of cycled microtubule protein has been studied by using radioactively labeled MAPs. Kinetic data of MAP association to microtubules in the polymerization process indicate that an oligomer P of tubulin and MAPs is the polymerizing species. Analysis of MAP binding to microtubules formed from solutions in which the ratio MAPs/tubulin was varied shows evidence for a polymorphism of tubulin-MAP oligomers. When the ratio MAPs/tubulin is decreased by addition of dimeric tubulin to 3 times cycled microtubule protein, an oligomer P' less rich in MAPs than P and unable to incorporate in microtubules is formed. The data further show that while tau, MAP1, and MAP2 can bind to oligomer P, only MAP1 and MAP2 can bind to oligomer P'. Therefore, the interactions of tau factor and of MAP1 and MAP2 with tubulin follow different patterns.


Assessment of melanoma follow-up trends in Medicare patients: a large scale, multi-regional analysis.
Research on patient follow-up compliance after a diagnosis of melanoma has been limited. To assess the timelines for follow-up among patients who are diagnosed with melanoma and to assess the socioeconomic and provider factors which influence follow-up adherence. A retrospective, population-based study using nationally representative data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database was conducted to evaluate 10,813 patients who were diagnosed with melanoma from 2005-2013. We found that 97% of the individuals with melanoma had at least one follow-up visit, with 80.5% having their first follow-up visit within the first 6 months and 88.6% having their first follow-up visit within 12 months. Patients who had a dermatologist as the diagnosing provider were significantly more likely to follow up. Additionally, patients who returned were more likely to live in a community with a higher socioeconomic status. Applicability of the data to a non-Medicare population and confounding variables such as co-morbid conditions are limitations. The majority of patients diagnosed with melanoma follow up with a provider within one year. However, socioeconomic and provider factors play important roles in influencing patient return visits.


A snapshot of nursing in Qatar.
Between September 2002 and February 2003, shortly before the military action in Iraq. Virginia Nehring served on the faculty of the College of Science in Doha, Qatar. For her second experience as a Fullbright scholar--she taught nursing in Africa in 1994--Dr. Nehring sought to experience an entirely different region of the world, one where English would be spoken and understood. When she made her decision to work in Qatar, a small peninsula nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia, the country was not well known to Americans. Now it is known as Central Command headquarters for the American military during the Iraq military action and as the home of Al Jazeera, the influential television news and opinion station for the Middle East. During her stay in Qatar, Dr. Nehring became the fourth, and only non-Egyptian, doctorally prepared faculty person in the nursing unit of the College of Science. Besides teaching courses such as ethics and issues and trends, she carefully assessed the nursing program, much as an accreditation site visitor might do, with feedback to university administration as well as the nursing unit. She left the region shortly before the military action began.


[Clinicopathological features of interstitial pneumonia associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis].
We studied clinicopathological characteristics of interstitial pneumonia associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis. The subjects comprised two men and three women, and their mean age was 58.2 years. All subjects had cruptions specific for dermatomyositis, but had no signs of myositis. They all presented with acutely or subacutely developed coughing and dyspnea. Results of tests for anti-Jo-1 antibody were negative in all cases. Chest X-ray films showed infiltrations or streaky shadows, or both in the middle and lower lung fields. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed abnormally high percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils. In one patients a specimen obtained by open lung biopsy showed homogeneous cell infiltrations in alveolar septa and regional alveolar damage. That patient was successfully treated with cyclosporin and corticosteroids in early phase of the disease. The other four patients received immunosuppressive agents after respiratory failure developed. All four died despite having received high-dose corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Examination of autopsy specimens showed diffuse alveolar damage.


A23187 releases bound rather than free calcium from calcium-loaded liposomes.
We have investigated sonication-, osmotic shock-, and A23187-induced calcium and horseradish peroxidase release from phosphatidylcholine liposomes. We report that sonication and osmotic shock both cause release of liposome-entrapped horseradish peroxidase activity, thus, completely releasing the entrapped volume into and mixing it with the external medium. However, we find that neither sonication nor osmotic shock releases significant amounts of calcium from liposomes pre-loaded with calcium, while A23187 causes release of significant amounts of calcium from similarly prepared liposomes. We also find that A23187 can release calcium from liposomes after release of entrapment volume by sonication or osmotic shock. Alteration of the net charge of liposomes by substitution of phosphatidylcholine with phosphatidylserine or stearylamine dramatically changes the amount of calcium associated with calcium-loaded liposomes; sonication or addition of A23187 to liposomes containing significant amounts of PS does not appear to release calcium bound to these vesicles. These results suggest that a large fraction (> 99%) of the calcium associated with liposomes is bound to the membranes of the liposomes and that the calcium released by A23187 is due to release of bound rather than entrapped calcium.


'Male friendly' services.
It is generally agreed that general practices tend to be 'female oriented'. As part of a strategy to reduce barriers for men accessing health care, the Australian Government's proposed National Men's Health Policy has stated that a focus on 'male friendly' settings will be adopted.


Evidence for a significant role of CD4+ T cells in adoptive immunity to Listeria monocytogenes in the liver.
Although the ability of CD8+ T cells to adoptively immunize mice against Listeria monocytogenes in the spleen is well established, the role of different T-cell subsets in anti-bacterial protection in the liver, a major target of Listeria infection, remains unclear. Therefore, the ability of sorted CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to adoptively immunize mice against a L. monocytogenes infection in the liver was studied. The results show that positively sorted CD4+ T cells from day 7 Listeria-immune mice were as effective as sorted CD8+ cells in transferring significant anti-Listeria protection in the liver. Similar findings were obtained when CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, negatively selected by antibody-induced complement-mediated depletion in vitro, were used for adoptive transfer. CD8+ T cells, however, were more efficient than CD4+ T cells in transferring protection in the spleen. Taken together, the results show that CD4+ T cells are at least as protective as CD8+ T cells against a L. monocytogenes infection in the liver, thereby arguing against the view that CD4+ T cells are of limited importance in adoptive immunity against listeriosis.