Effects of coping style and negative body image on eating disturbance.
Relationships among coping strategies, negative body image, and eating disturbance were studied. Subjects were 128 college women; measures included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and three indices of negative body image. Higher use of both emotion-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping via distraction was associated with higher EAT scores; higher use of emotion-oriented coping also was associated with more negative body image. Findings agree with data associating these coping styles with other measures of psychological distress and psychopathology. Task-oriented coping also was high, but unrelated to negative body image or eating disturbance. Hierarchical regression analysis yielded a significant interaction between emotion-oriented coping and negative body image: The higher the use of emotion-oriented coping, the less the level of negative body image appeared to affect EAT score. Both the main effect for coping and the interaction suggest that high use of emotion-oriented coping should be considered a risk factor for eating disturbance.


[A PhD completed. Prevention and oral hygiene: instructions, toothbrush and mouthwash].
Circa 35% of English-language professional dental care associations' websites provide advice and/or information on toothbrushing. Although the advice and information given varies considerably, there is consensus on the importance of brushing twice daily with a manual toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Alignment of national and international information on preventive oral care provided on websites, e.g. from the World Dental Federation and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists, seems necessary. It was also found that the oral hygiene behaviour of patients with periodontitis changed after initial treatment: they brushed longer daily and used an electric toothbrush, wooden toothpicks, and interdental brushes more often. Based on research with single-brushing exercises the electric toothbrush was found to be more effective than the manual toothbrush with respect to plaque reduction. If a chlorhexidine mouthwash is recommended, it can be used without creating problems before or after toothbrushing with a sodium lauryl sulphate dentifrice. Chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride may be simultaneously present in the same mouthwash without reducing chlorhexidine efficacy.


Screening and identification of Lactic acid bacteria from Ya'an pickle water to effectively remove Pb2.
Heavy metal lead, which enters the human body through food intake, endangers human health. Microbe has the ability of adsorbing heavy metal, among which lactic acid bacteria are promising microbes to adsorb and remove Pb2+. The purpose of this study was to screen lactic acid bacteria from Ya'an pickle water to effectively remove Pb2+. The 7 strains having strong ability to effectively remove Pb2+ were detected. These strains were identified by microscopic examination and 16S rDNA sequencing, 4 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and 3 strains of Lactobacillus brevis were obtained. Then the bacteria had a blind adsorption effect on Pb2+. After microwave digestion, the Pb2+ concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The highest removal reached 82.25%. The adsorption mechanism of lactic acid bacteria was mainly divided into biosorption and bioaccumulation. The 7 strains of lactic acid bacteria could provide potential for detoxification of contaminated foods and reduction of the Pb2+ accumulation in the human diet and animal feed. At the same time, this study was helpful to further understand the mechanism of Pb2+ being adsorbed by lactic acid bacteria.


Maternal malnutrition during lactation alters the folliculogenesis and gonadotropins and estrogen isoforms ovarian receptors in the offspring at puberty.
In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether maternal malnutrition during lactation alters the folliculogenesis and the expression of the gonadotropins and estrogen isoforms ovarian receptors in the offspring at puberty. At parturition, dams were randomly assigned to the following groups: control (C) group, with free access to a standard laboratory diet containing 23% protein and protein-energy-restricted (PER) group, with free access to an isoenergy and protein-restricted diet containing 8% protein. After weaning, the female pups had free access to standard laboratory diet. The maternal malnutrition caused a significant increase in the number of preantral (C=13.72+/-2.87; PER=26.36+/-3.03, P<0.01) and small antral follicles (C=9.32+/-1.35; PER=17.64+/-2.33, P<0.01) and decrease in the number of primordial (C=11.72+/-1.37; PER=3.92+/-0.60, P<0.01) and Graafian follicles (C=1.84+/-0.21; PER=0.96+/-0.11, P<0.01), and corpus luteum (C=2.00+/-0.28; PER=0.80+/-0.31, P<0.01). The estradiol serum concentration was significantly higher (C=67.86+/-4.39; PER=83.29+/-2.68, P<0.05) while testosterone serum concentration did not show statistical difference (C=0.09+/-0.02; PER=0.11+/-0.01, P>0.05) in the PER group. In relation to the receptors expression, maternal malnutrition led to a significant increase in the amount of Fshr (C=0.89+/-0.04; PER=1.07+/-0.03, P<0.05) and Lhcqr (C=0.87+/-0.15; PER=1.33+/-0.08, P<0.05) transcripts and a significant decrease in the amount of Ar (C=0.59+/-0.006; PER=0.13+/-0.080, P<0.05), ER alpha (Esr1) (C=3.33+/-0.71; PER=0.74+/-0.50, P<0.05), ER beta 1 (Esr2) (C=1.33+/-0.06; PER=0.49+/-0.36, P<0.05), and ER beta 2 (Esr2) (C=3.28+/-0.60; PER=0.62+/-0.34, P<0.05) transcripts. In conclusion, perinatal maternal malnutrition can directly affect folliculogenesis at puberty probably as a consequence of changes in the ovarian expression of gonadotropins, androgen and estrogens isoforms receptors. Long-term sexual alterations could be expected in this experimental model, since a reduction in the primordial follicle number is observed, which can result in a decrease in the reproductive lifetime and an earlier termination of breeding capacity.


Enantioenriched dihydropyrones from beta-lactone templates.
[reaction: see text] Optically active 4-substituted 2-oxetanones provide conduits for preparing 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrone heterocycles. Enantioenriched beta-lactones are prepared by asymmetric catalytic acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensation reactions. Hydrazone anion-mediated beta-lactone ring opening and ensuing cyclization-dehydroamination of the derived beta-ketohydrazone afford the desired dihydropyrones (68-81%). Optimized lactone ring-opening-cyclization reaction conditions render a variety of optically active 4-substituted-2-oxetanones as effective precursors to enantioenriched 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrones.


Dual-mode weaning strategy for difficult-weaning tracheotomy patients: a feasibility study.
Tracheotomy patients who are difficult to wean from ventilation consume a substantial portion of intensive care unit (ICU) resources. These patients also typically undergo a long period of mechanical ventilation (MV) and have a high mortality rate. The efficacy of a dual-mode weaning strategy (alternation of invasive and noninvasive MV) in tracheotomy patients who are difficult to wean is unknown. We performed this prospective, randomized, controlled trial in a 17-bed respiratory ICU from July 2009 to October 2011. After tracheotomy, patients who failed for 3 consecutive days in a spontaneous breathing trial were enrolled (n = 32) and randomly allocated to either the dual-mode (n = 15) or conventional (n = 17) weaning group. Compared with the conventional group, patients in the dual-mode group had a shorter duration of MV during the entire study (median 38 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 28-53 vs 59, IQR: 39-88, P = 0.03) and after randomization (median 10 days, IQR: 4-21 vs 37, IQR: 16-51, P < 0.01). They also had a shorter ICU stay (median 44 days, IQR: 32-54 vs 72, IQR: 52-102, P = 0.01), a lower mortality rate during weaning (1 of 15 vs 7 of 17, P = 0.04), and a lower rate of pulmonary infection after randomization (3 of 15 vs 12 of 17, P < 0.01). Dual-mode weaning is a promising strategy for treating tracheotomy patients who are difficult to wean. In a small cohort of patients with tracheotomies, we demonstrated that dual-mode weaning reduced the total duration of MV and ICU stay; we recommend additional studies to assess its effect on pulmonary infections and mortality.


The essence of living parental liver donation--donors' lived experiences of donation to their children.
The use of living parental liver donors will continue and probably increase because of lack of cadaveric livers for paediatric transplantation and the excellent graft survival of parental livers. Therefore, it is important for the health care professionals involved in living parental liver donation to understand the experience of being a liver donor. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressed deeper feelings of parents who donated a part of their liver to their own child. The study took the form of in-depth interviews with 11 donors. All donors were biological parents of the recipient, nine fathers and two mothers. The interpretive phenomenology method was used, and interpretive analysis was carried out in three interrelated processes in line with Benner. Data collection was guided by the researcher's preliminary understanding of the donor experience from being involved in the surgery and care of the donors as well as the paediatric recipients. However, the research question was approached from the perspective of holistic care for the donor. In this study, the essence of living parental liver donation was found to be the struggle for holistic confirmation. There were three categories leading to this central theme; the total lack of choice, facing the fear of death and the transition from health to illness. There was total agreement among the respondents that there is no choice when it comes to the question of donation. The findings in this study stress the importance of organizing the parental liver donation programme with as much focus on the donor as on the child. Based on the results of this study, several clinical implications are suggested for the formation of guidelines for living parental liver donation.


The validity of the schizophrenia diagnosis in the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register is good.
The Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (DPCRR) has been used extensively for research purposes during the past decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 schizophrenia diagnosis in the DPCRR. A random sample of 300 patients with a first-time diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10 codes F20.0-F20.3 and F20.9) in 2009 was drawn from the register to assess its validity. The case records were reviewed by a Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry-certified psychiatric resident using the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria as reference. The sample of 300 patients with schizophrenia represented 23.3% of all incident cases (n = 1,288) registered in 2009. We obtained 291 (97.0%) of the case records (nine were lost or inaccessible). Two case records (0.7%) were excluded because of foreign citizenship as these patients had prior episodes in other countries. Thirteen cases (4.3%) were erroneously registered as schizophrenia in the DPCRR. Of the remaining 276 patients, 269 (97.5%) fulfilled the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. In a worst case model including all 300 case records, the validity of the schizophrenia diagnosis was 89.7%. According to this assessment of patient case records, the diagnosis of schizophrenia in the DPCRR has a high validity and is well-suited for research. Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital funded the study, but the institution had no influence on the planning of the study or the preparation of the manuscript. not relevant.


Tyrosine crystals in benign parotid gland cysts: report of two cases diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy with ultrastructural and histochemical evaluation.
Two cases were encountered in which tyrosine crystals were identified by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in nonneoplastic, retention cysts of the parotid. Tyrosine crystals occasionally have been described in parotid neoplasms, but have not been reported in benign retention cysts. To study the frequency and significance of tyrosine crystals in parotid gland cysts, the authors reviewed parotid cytology specimens collected at Loyola University Medical Center from 1985-1993. Among 97 patients, 8.2% (n = 8) had benign retention cysts. No other patients had tyrosine crystals. The presence of tyrosine crystals in benign retention cysts is largely enigmatic. However, because tyrosine crystals previously have been associated with parotid gland neoplasms, awareness of the fact that these unusual structures may be found in benign retention cysts is useful to avoid the erroneous interpretation of tyrosine crystals as an indication of neoplasia, particularly in aspirated material.


Securing health sensing using integrated circuit metric.
Convergence of technologies from several domains of computing and healthcare have aided in the creation of devices that can help health professionals in monitoring their patients remotely. An increase in networked healthcare devices has resulted in incidents related to data theft, medical identity theft and insurance fraud. In this paper, we discuss the design and implementation of a secure lightweight wearable health sensing system. The proposed system is based on an emerging security technology called Integrated Circuit Metric (ICMetric) that extracts the inherent features of a device to generate a unique device identification. In this paper, we provide details of how the physical characteristics of a health sensor can be used for the generation of hardware "fingerprints". The obtained fingerprints are used to deliver security services like authentication, confidentiality, secure admission and symmetric key generation. The generated symmetric key is used to securely communicate the health records and data of the patient. Based on experimental results and the security analysis of the proposed scheme, it is apparent that the proposed system enables high levels of security for health monitoring in resource optimized manner.


Consumer-oriented smart dynamic detection of fresh food quality: recent advances and future prospects.
Since fresh foods include a significant amount of water, fat, and protein, it is more likely to become infected by microorganisms causing a major loss of quality. Traditional detection techniques are less able to meet customer expectations owing to the limitations of high cost, slow response time, and inability to permit dynamic monitoring. Intelligent non-destructive detection technologies have emerged in recent years, which offer the advantages of small size and fast response at low cost. However, dynamic monitoring of fresh food quality based on intelligent detection technologies on the consumer side has not been rigorously evaluated yet. This paper discussed the application of intelligent detection technologies based on the consumer side in the dynamic monitoring of fresh food freshness, microorganisms, food additives, and pesticide residues. Furthermore, the application of intelligent detection technologies combined with smartphones for quality monitoring and detection of fresh foods is evaluated. Moreover, the challenges and development trends of intelligent fresh food quality detection technologies are also discussed. Intelligent detection technologies based on the consumer side are designed to detect in real-time the quality of fresh food through visual color changes in combination with smartphones. This paper provides ideas and recommendations for the application of intelligent detection technologies based on the consumer side in food quality detection/monitoring and future research trends.


High-Yield Functional Molecular Electronic Devices.
An ultimate goal of molecular electronics, which seeks to incorporate molecular components into electronic circuit units, is to generate functional molecular electronic devices using individual or ensemble molecules to fulfill the increasing technical demands of the miniaturization of traditional silicon-based electronics. This review article presents a summary of recent efforts to pursue this ultimate aim, covering the development of reliable device platforms for high-yield ensemble molecular junctions and their utilization in functional molecular electronic devices, in which distinctive electronic functionalities are observed due to the functional molecules. In addition, other aspects pertaining to the practical application of molecular devices such as manufacturing compatibility with existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology, their integration, and flexible device applications are also discussed. These advances may contribute to a deeper understanding of charge transport characteristics through functional molecular junctions and provide a desirable roadmap for future practical molecular electronics applications.


GINS1 Induced Sorafenib Resistance by Promoting Cancer Stem Properties in Human Hepatocellular Cancer Cells.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a high rate of incidence and recurrence, and resistance to chemotherapy may aggravate the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Sorafenib resistance is a conundrum to the treatment of advanced/recurrent HCC. Therefore, studies on the molecular pathogenesis of HCC and the resistance to sorafenib are of great interest. Here, we report that GINS1 was highly expressed in HCC tumors, associated with tumor grades, and predicted poor patient survival using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases exploration. Cell cycle, cell proliferation assay and in vivo xenograft mouse model indicated that knocking down GINS1 induced in G1/S phase cell cycle arrest and decreased tumor cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Spheroid formation assay results showed that GINS1 promoted the stem cell activity of HCC tumor cells. Furthermore, GEO database (GSE17112) analysis showed that HRAS oncogenic gene set was enriched in GINS1 high-expressed cancer cells, and quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blot results proved that GINS1 enhanced HCC progression through regulating HRAS signaling pathway. Moreover, knocking down endogenous GINS1 with shGINS1 increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, and restoring HRAS or stem associated pathway partly recovered the sorafenib resistance. Overall, the collective findings highlight GINS1 functions in hepatocarcinogenesis and sorafenib resistance, and indicate its potential use of GINS1 in drug-resistant HCC.


Adipose micro-grafts enhance tendinopathy healing in ovine model: An in vivo experimental perspective study.
In Europe, approximatively 100 000 to 500 000 tendon repairs are performed every year. These procedures are associated with a considerable rate of postoperative complications (from 6% to 11%). Autologous micro-grafts (AAMG) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) have been shown to improve tendon healing in 60% to 70% of treated rodents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of AAMG in a sheep model with tendinopathy. We used sheep models because, as a large animal, they are more comparable to humans. The hypothesis was that SVF injection would improve tendon healing compared with the control group, reducing inflammatory and matrix degrading, while increasing anti-inflammatory expression and collagen synthesis in the early stage of tendon injury. Sixteen Apennine sheep aged 2 to 5 years underwent 500 UI type I collagenase injection into both common calcaneal tendons (CCT) to induce tendinopathy. After 15 days (T0), one CCT in every ovine underwent randomly to 2.5 mL of AAMG obtained by mechanical disruption and the contralateral CCTs received no treatment. Clinical, ecographic, and sonographic evaluations were performed after 4 weeks (T1) and 8 weeks (T2). Histological, immunohistochemical, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and biomechanical evaluations were performed at T2. At T2, the treated group showed a final tendon diameter (9.1 ± 1.4 mm) and a hardness expression (62%) that were similar to the original healthy tendon (8.1 ± 1.1 mm; 100%), with a significant recovery compared with the control group (9.5 ± 1.7 mm; 39%). Moreover, histological analysis of the treated group revealed an improvement in the fiber orientation score, fiber edema score, infiltrative-inflammatory process, and necrosis score (4.3 ± 3.3) compared with control group (8.8 ± 2.9). Immunohistochemically, the treated group showed high expression of collagen 1, Factor VIII and significantly low expression of collagen 3. These data were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. The study findings suggested that AAMGs obtained through mechanical disruption present a safe, efficient, and reliable technique, enhancing tendon healing.


Chlorpromazine and pimozide alter reinforcement efficacy and motor performance.
This study evaluated the effects of chlorpromazine and pimozide on reinforced responding. In each session, rats were exposed to a series of five variable-interval reinforcement schedules. The response requirement was a lever press, the reward was a small portion of water, and the reinforcement rate varied from about 20 to 660 reinforcers per hour. Response rate was a negatively accelerated function of reinforcement rate, and the relationship between the two variables was described by the equation for a rectangular hyperbola (the matching law). One parameter of the hyperbola is equivalent to the asymptotic response rate and the other parameter is equivalent to the rate of reinforcement that maintains a one-half asymptotic response rate. Chlorpromazine (0.75-3.0 mg/kg) and pimozide (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased response rates. At low doses, the response rate decreases were, for the most part, restricted to the low reinforcement rate schedules. In contrast, the highest dose tested decreased response rates at both low and high reinforcement rates. The patterns of response rate decreases resulted in dose-dependent changes in the parameters of the matching law equation. The shifts in the matching law parameters were discussed in terms of the motoric and motivational interpretations of neuroleptic-induced response rate changes.


Evaluating the Methodological Quality of Postexercise Hypotension Aerobic Exercise Interventions.
Postexercise hypotension (PEH) is the immediate reduction in blood pressure (BP) of 5-8 mmHg that occurs after a single bout of aerobic exercise among adults with hypertension. Across PEH studies, there are variations in the level of rigor of the study designs and methods that limit the conclusions that can be made about PEH. To develop and then apply a methodological study quality evaluation checklist to aerobic exercise PEH studies to provide methodological guidance. We developed a PEH checklist (PEH√list) based upon contemporary methodological study quality standards. The PEH√list contains 38 items divided into three categories: sample (n = 10 items), study (n = 23 items), and intervention characteristics (n = 5 items). We then systematically searched six databases to January 2019 to identify and then evaluate studies that: (1) enrolled adults ≥18 years with hypertension and without other chronic diseases or conditions; (2) included a bout of aerobic exercise and a non-exercise control session; and (3) were published in English. Of 17,149 potential studies, 64 qualified. Participants (N = 1,489) were middle-aged (38.6 ± 15.6 year), overweight (26.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2) mostly men (64.4%) with elevated BP (systolic BP 129.5 ± 15.2/diastolic BP 81.0 ± 10.1 mmHg). Overall, the qualifying studies satisfactorily reported 53.9 ± 13.3% (24.2-82.8%) of the relevant items on the PEH√list. Of note, only 20.3% of the studies disclosed BP was measured following professional guidelines, 18.8% reported BP was taken by the same assessor pre- and post-intervention, and 35.5% stated participants abstained from caffeine, alcohol, and physical activity prior to testing. Half (51.5%) indicated they statistically controlled for pre-exercise/baseline BP. Meanwhile, 100% of the studies reported the setting in which the BP measurements were taken, time from the end of the exercise to the start of the BP measurements, and if relevant, the length of the ambulatory BP monitoring period. Overall, the PEH√list items were not well satisfied; especially items with potential confounding effects on PEH. We contend the PEH√list provides guidance to investigators on the important methodological study considerations in PEH aerobic exercise studies that should be attended to in the future. [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [#CRD42020221996].


Measuring carotid stenosis on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: diagnostic performance and reproducibility of 3 different methods.
The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic performance and reproducibility of 3 different methods of quantifying stenosis on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA), with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. 167 symptomatic patients scheduled for DSA, after screening Doppler ultrasound, were prospectively recruited to undergo CEMRA. Severity of stenosis was measured according to the North American Symptomatic Trial Collaborators (NASCET), European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST), and the common carotid (CC) methods. Measurements for each method were made for 284 vessels (142 included patients) on both CEMRA and DSA in a blinded and randomized manner by 3 independent attending neuroradiologists. Significant differences in prevalence of severe stenosis were seen with the 3 methods on both DSA and CEMRA, with ECST yielding the least and NASCET the most cases of severe stenosis. Overall, all 3 methods performed similarly well in terms of intermodality correlation and agreement. No significant differences in interobserver agreement were found on either modality. With CEMRA, however, we found a significantly lower sensitivity for detection of severe stenosis with ECST (79.8%) compared with NASCET (93.0%), with DSA as reference standard. Uniformity of carotid stenosis measurement methods is desirable because patient management may otherwise differ substantially. All 3 methods are adequate for use with DSA. With CEMRA, however, this study supports use of the NASCET method because of improved sensitivity for detecting severe stenosis.


Poloxamer micellar system for intra-articular injection of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 with improved bioavailability and anti-inflammatory properties in the temporomandibular joint of rats.
Painful conditions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are challenging to manage and most attempts often result in unsatisfactory outcomes. In such context, nanocarrier systems, such as polymeric micelles, have been showing encouraging results in solving therapeutic limitations. Poloxamers are widely used, especially PL 407, because of their high biocompatibility and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use. 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) has shown important antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study evaluated the efficacy and viability of the micellar system of PL-15dPGJ2 in a formalin-induced acute pain model in the temporomandibular joint of rats. The PL-15dPGJ2 was prepared and characterized. The animals were pretreated with an intra-articular injection of PL-15dPGJ2 followed by the formalin challenge. The nociceptive response was evaluated at different time-periods and the periarticular tissue and articular wash were collected for analysis. We found that intra-articular injection of PL-15d-PGJ2 produced pain relief at lower concentrations and in a sustained manner compared with free 15d-PGJ2. Moreover, a strong anti-inflammatory effect was observed with decreased levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulation of the leukocyte migration process. Our findings suggest that 15d-PGJ2 combined with a poloxamer micellar system provided clinical relevance in terms of bioavailability, long-lasting effect, and safe dosage. The formulation investigated herein is a promising micellar carrier system for managing pain conditions of the TMJ.


Carcinoid tumors of the appendix: are these tumors identifiable prospectively on preoperative CT?
The purpose of this study was to determine if carcinoid tumors of the appendix were identified prospectively on preoperative CT at our institution during the last decade. A surgical database search performed using the Current Procedural Terminology codes for appendectomy and colectomy yielded 2108 patients who underwent appendectomy or colectomy with removal of the appendix from January 1998 through September 2007. Pathology reports were reviewed to identify patients in whom an appendiceal carcinoid tumor was identified. Preoperative CT reports and images were reviewed. Twenty-three carcinoid tumors (1.1%; 15 women [65.2%], eight men [34.8%]; average age 54 years [range, 23 to 86 years]) were identified. Ten patients underwent preoperative CT. No tumors were identified prospectively on CT. Images were available for rereview for eight patients. Studies were acquired with 16- (n = 7) and four- (n = 1) slice CT scanners. Average reported tumor size was 6.1 mm (range, 1.5 to 15 mm; n = 18). A tip or distal location was reported for all tumors for which a location was given (n = 15). Carcinoid tumors occurred in 1.1 per cent of appendix specimens. These tumors were all less than or 1.5 cm in size. Likely as a result of their small size, none of these tumors was identified prospectively on preoperative CT.


Effect of glucose on alpha-glucan degradation in Polyporus circinatus.
The effect of glucose on the enzymes involved in the degradation of a reserve alpha-glucan in Polyporus circinatus was studied. The levels of phosphorylase activity, endoamylase, amylo-1,6-glucosidase were regulated by glucose concentration.


Nutrient accumulation and transcriptome patterns during grain development in rice.
Rice is an important source of calories and mineral nutrients for more than half of the world's population. The accumulation of essential and toxic mineral elements in rice grain affects its nutritional quality and safety. However, the patterns and processes by which different elements progressively accumulate during grain filling remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated temporal changes in dry matter, elemental concentrations, and the transcriptome in the grain of field-grown rice. We also investigated the effects of seed setting rate and the position of the grain within the rice panicle on element accumulation. Three different patterns of accumulation were observed: (i) elements including K, Mn, B, and Ca showed an early accumulation pattern; (ii) dry matter and elements including N, P, S, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mo, As, and Cd showed a mid accumulation pattern; and (iii) elements such as Fe showed a gradual increase pattern. These different accumulation patterns can be explained by the differences in the biogeochemical behavior of the various elements in the soil, as well as differences in plant nutrient redistribution, gene expression, and the sink-source relationship. These results improve our knowledge of the dynamics of elemental accumulation in rice grain and are helpful for identification of functional genes mediating the translocation of elements to grain.


Root surfaces after ultrasonic instrumentation with a polishing fluid.
The recently introduced Vector system is recommended to be used in conjunction with a polishing fluid containing hydroxylapatite granules (<10 Microm). The aim of the present study was to assess morphologic alterations of the root surface after ultrasonic treatment with the polishing fluid. Cementum of 30 freshly extracted human teeth was removed to a level of 4 mm below the cementoenamel junction. Surfaces were root-planed and conditioned with citric acid to remove the smear layer. Teeth were divided into 5 groups, with group 1 as the untreated control. Group 2 was solely treated with the ultrasonic system. In group 3, the ultrasonic system was used in conjunction with the polishing fluid. Group 4 was treated with a medium-hard toothbrush and the polishing fluid. Group 5 was treated only with the toothbrush. Specimens were evaluated by both light and scanning electron microscopy. Dentinal tubules were not covered by a smear layer in the control group, whereas in group 2, a smear layer could be observed in some specimens. In group 3 dentinal tubules were always covered by a layer consisting of granules of about 2 Microm. In group 4 all samples showed a layer containing granules of about 5 Microm, and in group 5 a thin smear layer could be observed. The use of a polishing fluid containing hydroxylapatite granules during treatment of the root surface results in a granular layer covering the dentinal tubules. This layer may reduce hypersensitivity after ultrasonic subgingival scaling.


[Clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound in guiding the treatment of non-left main intermediate coronary lesions for patients with acute coronary syndrome].
To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) in guiding the treatment of non-left main intermediate coronary lesions for patients of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 25 patients with intermediate coronary lesions(stenosis of 40%-70%) confirmed by coronary angiography were performed with IVUS. When MLA≥4 mm2, we deferred the PCI treatment and performed optimal medical treatment (OMT). The patient were followed up for 12 month. The primary outcome was target vessel revascularization (TVR) and secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). A total of 25 lesions of 25 patients were examined by IVUS. 19(76%) lesions were attenuated plaque, 4(16%)were echo-lucent plaque, 2(8%) were calcified plaque. Most of the plaque (18/25, 72%) were eccentric. Positive remodeling was found in 20(80%) lesions and negative remodeling in 5(20%) lesions with meanremodeling index of 1.17=0.15. Thrombus was found in 1 case, accounting for 4%. The diameter stenosis, area stenosis, minimal lumen area and the reference diameter mea-sured by IVUS were larger than those measured by quantitative coronary angiography (all P<0.05). One patient with non-ST segment elevated myocardiac infarction was performed revascularization because MI attacked again, and 2 patients with Unstable angina were treated with OMT but they were still rehospitalization because of angina occurred repeatedly. The incidence of TVR was 4.00%, so as 16.00% of MACE. IVUS can be used to guide the treatment of non-left main intermediate coronary lesions for patients of acute coronary syndrome.


Induction of autoimmunity by immunization of mice with human thyrotropin receptor.
The development of autoimmunity was investigated after repeated immunizations with human thyrotropin receptor (hTSH-R) of five congenic strains of female and male mice. After each immunization, free T3 levels and antibodies to hTSH-R and to six peptides of the hTSH-R were assayed. Our results showed that H-2s and H-2q female mice developed features of autoimmunity such as antibody responses to hTSH-R and to hTSH-R peptides, transient variations in the levels of free T3 thyroid hormone, and lymphocytic infiltrations in their thyroid glands. Concerning the antibody responses to hTSH-R peptides, we found that peptide P1 (352-366) contained a major B cell epitope. Furthermore, strain-specific B cell epitope was exemplified by peptide 92 (12-30) and two male- and female-specific B cell epitopes were located in peptides 91 (32-46) and 93 (316-330), respectively. These features appeared rather related to hyperthyroidism.


Hydrothermal route to InAs semiconductor nanocrystals.
Spherical InAs nanocrystals of 30-50 nm were hydrothermally synthesized at 120 degrees C, which showed a 100 meV-blueshift of band gap absorption and phonon confinement of optical vibration mode. The study of hydrothermal formation mechanism indicated that crystalline InAs could be obtained in an extended pH range (approximately -0.15 to 14).


Pattern of Cancers Treated with Radiotherapy in Uduth Sokoto: A New Center Experience.
Cancer is a leading public health problem worldwide. In many developing countries, cancer tends to present in predominantly advanced stages, to a certain extent due to lack of comprehensive screening and poor access to efficient management. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of cancers managed in the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North-western Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving patients with malignancies that attended the new Oncology Department of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North-West Nigeria for the period of one year (June 2013 - May 2014). The data was analyzed using SPSS (versions 20). A total of 210 patients with complete records met the criteria for the study. Majority 162 (77.1%) were females with a mean age of 45.68±12.4 years. The male patients were 48 (22.9%) with mean age 46.27±16.5. The spectrum of malignant lesions observed were cancer of the cervix 77 (36.67%), breast cancer 74 (35.24%), nasopharyngeal cancer 20 (9.52%), cancer of the larynx 18 (8.57%) and rectal cancer 14 (6.67%). Late presentation was most common with 6 (3%), 101 (49.8%) and 58 (28.6%) patients presenting at stage I, III and IV, respectively. The study demonstrates that Cancer of the cervix is the leading malignancy in the study population.


Advances in In Vitro Models of Neuromuscular Junction: Focusing on Organ-on-a-Chip, Organoids, and Biohybrid Robotics.
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a peripheral synaptic connection between presynaptic motor neurons and postsynaptic skeletal muscle fibers that enables muscle contraction and voluntary motor movement. Many traumatic, neurodegenerative, and neuroimmunological diseases are classically believed to mainly affect either the neuronal or the muscle side of the NMJ, and treatment options are lacking. Recent advances in novel techniques have helped develop in vitro physiological and pathophysiological models of the NMJ as well as enable precise control and evaluation of its functions. This paper reviews the recent developments in in vitro NMJ models with 2D or 3D cultures, from organ-on-a-chip and organoids to biohybrid robotics. Related derivative techniques are introduced for functional analysis of the NMJ, such as the patch-clamp technique, microelectrode arrays, calcium imaging, and stimulus methods, particularly optogenetic-mediated light stimulation, microelectrode-mediated electrical stimulation, and biochemical stimulation. Finally, the applications of the in vitro NMJ models as disease models or for drug screening related to suitable neuromuscular diseases are summarized and their future development trends and challenges are discussed.


[Incidence, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of insulin allergy].
In the Scientific Institute for Endocrinology, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Sofia, 1723 diabetic patients were treated with insulin during the last 3 years. In 150 of them insulin allergy was supposed. The patients sensitivity toward the various insulin preparations was determined by intradermal test. Insulin allergy was found in 29 patients (1.68%). Insulin allergy was found more frequently in patients using acid insulin preparations and by frequent changes of the type of preparation. It is recommended that in special categories of diabetic patients--such as growing up, pregnant women, with complications of insulin treatment--only neutral, swine and purified insulin preparation should be used.


Role of Triplet-State Shelving in Organic Photovoltaics: Single-Chain Aggregates of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) versus Mesoscopic Multichain Aggregates.
Triplet excitons have been the focus of considerable attention with regards to the functioning of polymer solar cells because these species are long-lived and quench subsequently generated singlet excitons in their vicinity. The role of triplets in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) has been investigated extensively with contrary conclusions regarding their importance. We probe the various roles triplets can play in P3HT by analyzing the photoluminescence (PL) from isolated single-chain aggregates and multichain mesoscopic aggregates. Solvent vapor annealing allows deterministic growth of P3HT aggregates consisting of ∼20 chains, which exhibit red-shifted and broadened PL compared to single-chain aggregates. The multichain aggregates exhibit a decrease of photon antibunching contrast compared to single-chain aggregates, implying rather weak interchain excitonic coupling and energy transfer. Nevertheless, the influence of triplet-quenching oxygen on PL and a photon correlation analysis of aggregate PL reveal that triplets are quenched by intermolecular interactions in the bulk state.


Differential serodiagnosis of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis using native and recombinant antigens in Japan.
Our group at Asahikawa Medical College has established differential serodiagnosis for zoonotic larval cestodiases such as alveolar echinococcosis (AE), cystic echinococcosis (CE) and neurocysticercosis (NCC) using purified specific antigens. In this brief review, we introduce (a) four imported CE cases in Japan, easily identified serologically, (b) most recent advances in serology for differentiation of AE and monitoring of prognosis of AE in Japan. It includes application of affinity purified Em18 and prototype of a recombinant Em18 antigen. Serology using affinity purified Em18 antigens is showing much higher sensitivity for detection of AE cases which are usually undetectable by the ongoing serology for AE authorized in Hokkaido, Japan. As serology for AE, CE or NCC is still not popular in the majority of Asian countries, we expect that this review paper stimulates researchers who are interested in serology or serodiagnosis for these larval cestodiases including AE, CE and NCC.


Technical Note: Improving proton stopping power ratio determination for a deformable silicone-based 3D dosimeter using dual energy CT.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the stopping power ratio (SPR) of a deformable, silicone-based 3D dosimeter could be determined more accurately using dual energy (DE) CT compared to using conventional methods based on single energy (SE) CT. The use of SECT combined with the stoichiometric calibration method was therefore compared to DECT-based determination. The SPR of the dosimeter was estimated based on its Hounsfield units (HUs) in both a SECT image and a DECT image set. The stoichiometric calibration method was used for converting the HU in the SECT image to a SPR value for the dosimeter while two published SPR calibration methods for dual energy were applied on the DECT images. Finally, the SPR of the dosimeter was measured in a 60 MeV proton by quantifying the range difference with and without the dosimeter in the beam path. The SPR determined from SECT and the stoichiometric method was 1.10, compared to 1.01 with both DECT calibration methods. The measured SPR for the dosimeter material was 0.97. The SPR of the dosimeter was overestimated by 13% using the stoichiometric method and by 3% when using DECT. If the stoichiometric method should be applied for the dosimeter, the HU of the dosimeter must be manually changed in the treatment planning system in order to give a correct SPR estimate. Using a wrong SPR value will cause differences between the calculated and the delivered treatment plans.


The Psychometric Costs of Applicants' Faking: Examining Measurement Invariance and Retest Correlations Across Response Conditions.
This study examines the stability of the response process and the rank-order of respondents responding to 3 personality scales in 4 different response conditions. Applicants to the University College of Teacher Education Styria (N = 243) completed personality scales as part of their college admission process. Half a year later, they retook the same personality scales in 1 of 3 randomly assigned experimental response conditions: honest, faking-good, or reproduce. Longitudinal means and covariance structure analyses showed that applicants' response processes could be partially reproduced after half a year, and respondents seemed to rely on an honest response behavior as a frame of reference. Additionally, applicants' faking behavior and instructed faking (faking-good) caused differences in the latent retest correlations and consistently affected measurement properties. The varying latent retest correlations indicated that faking can distort respondents' rank-order and thus the fairness of subsequent selection decisions, depending on the kind of faking behavior. Instructed faking (faking-good) even affected weak measurement invariance, whereas applicants' faking behavior did not. Consequently, correlations with personality scales-which can be utilized for predictive validity-may be readily interpreted for applicants. Faking behavior also introduced a uniform bias, implying that the classically observed mean raw score differences may not be readily interpreted.


Metal-enhanced fluorescence based excitation volumetric effect of plasmon-enhanced singlet oxygen and super oxide generation.
In this contribution we show that the Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) Excitation Volumetric Effect (EVE), has a profound effect on the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen ((1)O2) and superoxide anion radical (O2(-)*), when sensitizers are placed in close proximity to plasmon supporting nanoparticulate substrates. In particular, when the singlet oxygen sensitizer rose bengal is placed on a SiFs surface, i.e. on a silver island film, the (1)O2 response to power is non-linear, and at 100 mW excitation power (535 nm) it is about 5 times higher, as compared to glass control samples, measured with the commercially available (1)O2 probe Sensor Green™. We also report a similar power dependence of superoxide generation for acridine on SiFs surfaces, but using the dihydroethidium O2(-)* probe (DHE). Our findings are consistent with our previously postulated Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) and EVE models.


Role of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in reductive activation of the cobalt center of the corrinoid iron-sulfur protein from Clostridium thermoaceticum during acetate biosynthesis.
The corrinoid iron-sulfur protein (CFeSP) from Clostridium thermoaceticum functions as a methyl carrier in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway of acetyl-CoA synthesis. The small subunit (33 kDa) contains cobalt in a corrinoid cofactor, and the large subunit (55 kDa) contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. The cobalt center is methylated by methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3-H4folate) to form a methylcobalt intermediate and, subsequently, is demethylated by carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase (CODH/ACS). The work described here demonstrates that the [4Fe-4S] cluster is required to facilitate the reactivation of oxidatively inactivated Cob(II)amide to the active Co(I) state. Site-directed mutagenesis of the large subunit gene was used to change residue 20 from cysteine to alanine, which resulted in formation of a cluster with EPR and redox properties consistent with those of [3Fe-4S] clusters. The midpoint potential of the cluster in the C20A variant was approximately 500 mV more positive than that of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in the native enzyme. Accordingly, it was found that the Co center in the C20A mutant protein could be reduced artificially but was severely crippled in its ability to be reduced by physiological electron donors. This is probably because the reduced cluster of the C20A protein cannot provide the driving force needed to reduce Co(II) to Co(I), since the Co(II/I) midpoint potential is -504 mV. The C20A variant also was unable to catalyze the steady-state synthesis of acetyl-CoA when CH3-H4folate or methyl iodide were provided as methyl donors and CO and CODH/ACS as reductants. Addition of chemical reductants rescued the catalytically crippled variant form in both of these reactions. On the other hand, in single-turnover reactions, the methyl-Co state of the altered protein was fully active in methylating H4folate and in synthesizing acetyl-CoA in the presence of CO and CoA. The combined results strongly indicate that the FeS cluster of the CFeSP is necessary for reductive activation of Co(II) to Co(I) by physiological reductants but is not required for catalysis, e.g., demethylation of CH3-H4folate or methylation of CODH/ACS. We propose that, during reductive activation, electrons flow from the reduced electron-transfer protein (e.g., CODH/ACS or reduced ferredoxin (Fd)) to the FeS cluster which then directs electrons to the cobalt center for catalysis. These results also support earlier hypotheses that the methylation and demethylation reactions involving the CFeSP are SN2-type nucleophilic displacement reactions and do not involve radical chemistry.


Improving Women's Health.
This invited Team Profile was created by the McClements and the Wen groups, Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney (Australia); and the Kaitu'u-Lino/Hannan groups, Mercy Hospital for Women, the University of Melbourne (Australia). They recently published an article on the development and validation of the first-in-class point-of-care assay for preeclampsia diagnosis. This assay can detect and quantify the concentration of FKBPL and CD44 proteins in human plasma in 15 minutes with high sensitivity and specificity enabling timely diagnosis of early-onset preeclampsia. "Quantitative Point of Care Tests for Timely Diagnosis of Early-Onset Preeclampsia with High Sensitivity and Specificity", S. M. Ghorbanpour, S. Wen, T.'u. J. Kaitu'u-Lino, N. J. Hannan, D. Jin, L. McClements, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202301193.


A long-term mechanical cavopulmonary support device for patients with Fontan circulation.
In patients with a single ventricle, failure of the cardiovascular system may be prevented by substituting the missing sub-pulmonary ventricle with a pump. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a device for long-term cavopulmonary support. A radial pump with two inlets and two outlets, a single impeller, mechanical bearings, and dual motor configuration was developed. Motor and fluid dynamic components were designed and simulated using computational methods including thermal effects. Hydraulic properties were determined in-vitro with 3D-printed prototypes. The pump design was virtually implanted in an MRI-derived total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) showed flow fields without regions of flow stagnation (velocity < 0.1 m/s) and only minor recirculations within the pump between 2-10 L/min against pressure heads of 0-50 mmHg at 2500-5000 rpm. The computed maximum temperature increase of blood due to motor heat was 1.3 K. Virtual implantation studies showed that the pump would introduce an additional volume of approximately 4 mL. Experimentally determined hydraulic performance results agreed well with CFD (deviation of <1.3 mmHg) and indicated pressure-sensitive characteristics (∼-2.6 mmHg/(L/min)) while balancing the two inlet pressures (∆P < 2.5 mmHg) under imbalanced inflow conditions. Through in-silico and in-vitro investigations, we demonstrated a promising pump design, which fulfills the basic requirements for long-term cavopulmonary support.


Conceptual and methodological developments in occupational stress research: an introduction to state-of-the-art reviews. I.
This article introduces the first special section of state-of-the-art reviews. The historical origins of occupational health psychology are briefly discussed to establish a context for the present contributions that focus on job strain, effort-reward imbalance, and methodological problems.


Unveiling the environmental efficiency puzzle: Insights from global green innovations.
The latest surge of global uncertainty and disruptions in global supply networks put policymakers under pressure to emprise green innovations as a vital tool to address environmental concerns. However, producing green innovations doesn't always help in achieving environment-related sustainable development goals. Therefore, in this study, we endeavour to investigate to what extent green innovations are efficient in improving environmental efficiency. To this end, a network bias-corrected data envelopment analysis and clustering analysis is applied. The data used in this study covers 42 countries from different regions, spanning from 2000 to 2020. The results reveal that most countries have not made major advancements in environmental efficiency signifying the low level of green innovations utilization to achieve environment-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). Additionally, the results demonstrate a U efficiency curve for inputs-oriented green innovations efficiency over time, indicating that the initial stages of green innovations production are associated with a decreased return. However, over time, the efficiency exhibits an upward trend. The benchmarking analysis reveals that South American and European Union nations set the bar for other countries in terms of efficiently leveraging green innovations to achieve SDGs. Our findings also suggest that environmental efficiency is more dependent on green-supporting policies such as green energy production and green taxes. As a result, we conclude that achieving environmental SDGs while utilizing green innovations does not always result in the development of other SDGs. Therefore, policymakers need to prioritize pursuing a green developmental approach and supporting policies to achieve environment-related SDGs and other SDGs.


Therapeutic choices in the molar region.
Treatment of the damaged molar often presents a set of challenges unique to the posterior dentition. Traditional dental treatments continue to be refined to improve the prognosis when treating the posterior dentition. Daily treatment-planning decisions include whether to treat with conventional dental or implant therapeutic approaches, and involve consideration of local host factors as well as limitations in specific therapeutic approaches. This article will review some of the factors to consider in these treatment-planning decisions.


National R & d policy: an industrial perspective.
An analysis of how the government can and cannot use research and development policy to improve the nation's industrial posture suggests four guidelines for federal R & D policy: (i) concentrate direct support on academically based research, not on government-targeted industrial R & D; (ii) concentrate on sunrise science and technology, not on sunrise industries and products; (iii) concentrate on strengthening the climate for privately based innovation, not on government-selected innovation; (iv) concentrate on development for the government's own needs, not on development for market needs.


World population stabilization unlikely this century.
The United Nations (UN) recently released population projections based on data until 2012 and a Bayesian probabilistic methodology. Analysis of these data reveals that, contrary to previous literature, the world population is unlikely to stop growing this century. There is an 80% probability that world population, now 7.2 billion people, will increase to between 9.6 billion and 12.3 billion in 2100. This uncertainty is much smaller than the range from the traditional UN high and low variants. Much of the increase is expected to happen in Africa, in part due to higher fertility rates and a recent slowdown in the pace of fertility decline. Also, the ratio of working-age people to older people is likely to decline substantially in all countries, even those that currently have young populations.


An ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice.
Desmodium adscendens extract (DAE) is used traditionally in Ghana for the management of psychosis. The present study aimed at providing pharmacological evidence for its ethnomedical use by testing the hypothesis that an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens may possess antipsychotic properties. The primary behavioral effects of DAE on the central nervous system of mice were investigated using Irwin's test paradigm. Novelty-induced and apomorphine-induced locomotor and rearing behaviors in mice were explored in an open-field observational test system. Apomorphine-induced cage climbing test in mice was used as the antipsychotic animal model. The ability of DAE to induce catalepsy and enhance haloperidol-induced catalepsy was also investigated in mice. The DAE produced sedation, cholinergic-, and serotonergic-like effects in mice when evaluated using the Irwin's test. No lethality was observed after 24 h post-treatment. The LD50 in mice was estimated to be greater than 3000 mg/kg. The DAE significantly decreased the frequency of novelty- and apomorphine-induced rearing and locomotor activities in mice. It also significantly lowered the frequency and duration of apomorphine-induced climbing activities in mice. It did not induce any cataleptic event in naïve mice but only significantly enhanced haloperidol-induced catalepsy at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. The ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibited antipsychotic-like activities in mice. Motor side effects are only likely to develop at higher doses of the extract.


Disruptive innovation in community pharmacy - Impact of automation on the pharmacist workforce.
Pharmacy workforce planning has been relatively static for many decades. However, like all industries, health care is exposed to potentially disruptive technological changes. Automated dispensing systems have been available to pharmacy for over a decade and have been applied to a range of repetitive technical processes which are at risk of error, including record keeping, item selection, labeling and dose packing. To date, most applications of this technology have been at the local level, such as hospital pharmacies or single-site community pharmacies. However, widespread implementation of a more centralized automated dispensing model, such as the 'hub and spoke' model currently being debated in the United Kingdom, could cause a 'technology shock,' delivering industry-wide efficiencies, improving medication accessibility and lowering costs to consumers and funding agencies. Some of pharmacists' historical roles may be made redundant, and new roles may be created, decoupling pharmacists to a certain extent from the dispensing and supply process. It may also create an additional opportunity for pharmacists to be acknowledged and renumerated for professional services that extend beyond the dispensary. Such a change would have significant implications for the organization and funding of community pharmacy services as well as pharmacy workforce planning. This paper discusses the prospect of centralized automated dispensing systems and how this may impact on the pharmacy workforce. It concludes that more work needs to be done in the realm of pharmacy workforce planning to ensure that the introduction of any new technology delivers optimal outcomes to consumers, insurers and the pharmacy workforce.


Validated method for the analysis of goji berry, a rich source of zeaxanthin dipalmitate.
In the present study an HPLC-DAD method was developed for the determination of the main carotenoid, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, in the fruits of Lycium barbarum. The aim was to develop and optimize an extraction protocol to allow fast, exhaustive, and repeatable extraction, suitable for labile carotenoid content. Use of liquid N2 allowed the grinding of the fruit. A step of ultrasonication with water removed efficiently the polysaccharides and enabled the exhaustive extraction of carotenoids by hexane/acetone 50:50. The assay was fast and simple and permitted the quality control of a large number of commercial samples including fruits, juices, and a jam. The HPLC method was validated according to ICH guidelines and satisfied the requirements. Finally, the overall method was validated for precision (% RSD ranging between 3.81 and 4.13) and accuracy at three concentration levels. The recovery was between 94 and 107% with RSD values <2%, within the acceptable limits, especially if the difficulty of the matrix is taken into consideration.


Diabetes management with a care coordinator improves glucose control in African Americans and Hispanics.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate diabetes control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) improvements among African American and Hispanic patients receiving conventional clinical treatment combined with a bilingual diabetes educator using culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials. This study also sought to estimate the healthcare cost savings resulting from any A1c improvements and assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach. This was a multistage, face-to-face observational study undertaken in Texas, United States and focused on 153 African American and Hispanic patients with poor blood glucose control (baseline A1c >8.0%). For two years, a bilingual care coordinator motivated patient behavior changes that could lead to improvements in glucose control. The primary evaluation measure was change in %HbA1c, with secondary measures being change in blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We also sought to gauge the program's potential cost-effectiveness. Within the study group, A1c levels decreased over the study period from a mean of 10.0% to 8.4%. The same group saw no statistically significant improvement (reduction) in blood concentrations of LDL. The African American subgroup had a small reduction in systolic BP while changes for non-White Hispanics were not statistically significant. The average A1c reduction realized in this observational study provided estimated cost savings that are nearly twice pilot expenditures. Combining standard diabetes care with a bilingual educational care coordinator results in significant reductions in mean A1c (-1.6% HbA1c) in patients with poorly controlled blood glucose and African American/non-White Hispanic heritage, an intervention that also was shown to be cost-effective. This may be an effective model for improving diabetes care in provider practices.


NAMRU-3: forty-six years of infectious disease research.
The United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Cairo, Egypt, has been in continuous operation studying infectious diseases of military importance since its establishment in 1946, even during the lapse in diplomatic relations from 1967-1974. Other overseas research laboratories of the Naval Medical Research and Development Command include NAMRU-2 in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a detachment in Manila, and the Naval Medical Research Institute Detachment Lima, Peru. Comparable U.S. Army overseas research laboratories are located in Thailand, Brazil, Korea, and Kenya. Department of Defense overseas laboratories conduct research on infectious diseases endemic to their respective geographic regions which could adversely impact on the health of deployed military forces. This article describes the history of one such laboratory, NAMRU-3, and the important infectious disease research it conducts to enhance the health of military forces deployed to its strategic geographical region of the world.


Tai Chi exercise reduces circulating levels of inflammatory oxylipins in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: results from a pilot study.
Tai Chi (TC) controls pain through mind-body exercise and appears to alter inflammatory mediators. TC actions on lipid biomarkers associated with inflammation and brain neural networks in women with knee osteoarthritic pain were investigated. A single-center, pre- and post-TC group (baseline and 8 wk) exercise pilot study in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritic pain was performed. 12 eligible women participated in TC group exercise. The primary outcome was liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of circulating endocannabinoids (eCB) and oxylipins (OxL). Secondary outcomes were correlations between eCB and OxL levels and clinical pain/limitation assessments, and brain resting-state function magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Differences in circulating quantitative levels (nM) of pro-inflammatory OxL after TC were found in women. TC exercise resulted in lower OxL PGE1 and PGE2 and higher 12-HETE, LTB4, and 12-HEPE compared to baseline. Pain assessment and eCB and OxL levels suggest crucial relationships between TC exercise, inflammatory markers, and pain. Higher plasma levels of eCB AEA, and 1, 2-AG were found in subjects with increased pain. Several eCB and OxL levels were positively correlated with left and right brain amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity. TC exercise lowers pro-inflammatory OxL in women with knee osteoarthritic pain. Correlations between subject pain, functional limitations, and brain connectivity with levels of OxL and eCB showed significance. Findings indicate potential mechanisms for OxL and eCB and their biosynthetic endogenous PUFA precursors that alter brain connectivity, neuroinflammation, and pain. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04046003.


Facilitating change among nursing assistants in long term care.
In this article, the authors consider the implementation of change in long term care organizations (LTCOs) and present their study describing the process by which new nursing assistants are informally integrated into LTCOs in Quebec, Canada. The study method included 23 in-depth interviews with nursing assistants in two long term care centres. The findings enabled the authors to describe the informal process by which new nursing assistants are integrated into LTCOs and the manner in which informal work strategies enhance the work of nursing care, thus enabling the nursing assistants to manage heavy workloads. The authors discuss whether this teamwork is a deterrent to change or a lever for change and address issues regarding the collective structure of nursing assistant teams. Implications for practice include a Five-Step Innovation Plan. In conclusion, the authors propose that organizational change among nursing assistants in a LTCO is best accomplished when the leaders consider the nursing assistants' strong sense of community to be a change engine rather than a change obstacle.


The role of indirect recognition of MHC class I and II allopeptides in a fully mismatched miniature swine model of lung transplantation.
Considerable evidence suggests that indirect recognition of MHC allopeptides plays an important role in solid-organ rejection. Here, we examine whether immunization with class I or class II allopeptides accelerates rejection in a fully MHC-mismatched lung transplant model in miniature swine. Recipients were immunized with either donor-derived class I or class II peptides. Sensitization to the peptides was confirmed by DTH testing and in vitro proliferation assays. Nonimmunized control (n = 6), class I peptide-immunized (n = 3), and class II peptide-immunized (n = 3) swine were transplanted with fully mismatched lungs using only a 12-day course of tacrolimus. One control animal rejected its graft on postoperative day 103, while the others maintained their grafts for over 1 year. In the class I peptide-immunized group, two recipients rejected their grafts (days 14 and 52). The third animal has not rejected the graft (day 120, experiment is ongoing). In contrast, in the class II-peptide immunized group, only one animal rejected its graft on day 52, while the others maintained their grafts over 1 year. Both anti-donor IgM and IgG antibodies were detectable in all acute rejectors, although no alloantibody was detectable in long-term acceptors. Regardless of the fate of the graft, all animals have maintained their proliferative responses to the peptides. However, only acceptors maintained donor-specific hyporesponsiveness in cell-mediated lymphocytotoxity and mixed lymphocyte reaction assays. Pretransplant sensitization of lung allograft recipients to donor allopeptides accelerates graft rejection. This appears particularly true for class I-derived allopeptides, suggesting that class II molecules may be less antigenic when presented indirectly.


[A prospective and randomized study of two conditioning regimens in treatment of severe systemic autoimmune diseases with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation].
To investigate the differences in immune reconstitution, hematopoietic reconstitution, efficacy, and complication between the two conditioning regimens with or without total body irradiation (TBI) in patients with refractory and severe autoimmune diseases (AID) who receiving autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). Thirty-two AID patients, 5 males and 27 females, aged 29 (15 - 49), underwent APBSCT. The CD34(+) cells were mobilized with cytoxan (CTX) + granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and selected by clinical magnetic activated cell sorting (CliniMACS). The conditioning regimen included CTX + antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in 11 patients and CTX + TBI in 21 patients. All the patients were followed up for more than 12 months. The median time of granulocyte recovery were 11 and 9 days in the CTX + TBI and CTX + ATG groups respectively (P = 0.003), the median time of platelet recovery were 13 and 8 days respectively (P = 0.001). In both groups, the lymphocyte subsets were recovered with the inverted CD4/CD8 ratio 12 months after transplantation. Relapse was seen in 3 cases of the CTX + TBI group (14.3%), and 2 cases of the CTX + ATG group (18.2%), and the rest of patients remained free of AID. During transplantation incidence of bacteria infection occurred in 5 of the 21 cases in the CTX + TBI group (23.8%) and in 2 of the 11 cases of the CTX + ATG group (18.2%) respectively; viral infection occurred in 1 of the 21 cases of the CTX + TBI group (4.8%) and in 2 of the 11 cases of the CTX + ATG group (18.2%) respectively. The number of radiated parotitis was 4 among the 21 patients of the CTX + TBI group (19%) and was 3 among the 12 patients of the CTX + ATG group (25%). Serum sickness reaction occurred in 3 of the 12 patients of the CTX + ATG group (25%). Bacterial and viral infections were cured soon after antibacterial or antiviral therapy, no fatal bleeding occurred due to thrombocytopenia in both groups. The conditioning regimen of TBI + CTX delays the hematopoietic reconstitution compared with the ATG + CTX regimen in treating AID. The regimen of CTX + TBI can be better tolerated, but there are no significant differences in efficacy and immune reconstitution among these two regimens.


Approximate genealogies under genetic hitchhiking.
The rapid fixation of an advantageous allele leads to a reduction in linked neutral variation around the target of selection. The genealogy at a neutral locus in such a selective sweep can be simulated by first generating a random path of the advantageous allele's frequency and then a structured coalescent in this background. Usually the frequency path is approximated by a logistic growth curve. We discuss an alternative method that approximates the genealogy by a random binary splitting tree, a so-called Yule tree that does not require first constructing a frequency path. Compared to the coalescent in a logistic background, this method gives a slightly better approximation for identity by descent during the selective phase and a much better approximation for the number of lineages that stem from the founder of the selective sweep. In applications such as the approximation of the distribution of Tajima's D, the two approximation methods perform equally well. For relevant parameter ranges, the Yule approximation is faster.


Studies on serum complement and IgE in bronchial asthma.
Serum levels of the third component of complement (C3) were significantly lower in patients with perennial asthma and also in patients with the longer duration of the disease. No change in C3-proactivator (C3PA) and CH50 levels was observed in asthma patients. Significantly raised C4 levels were observed in the patients with late onset asthma. Raised serum IgE levels were found in all the three groups of asthma patients studied (depending on age of onset, duration and periodicity of the disease) above the control group. Within a group no difference was found with the duration or periodicity of the disease. However, low IgE levels were observed in patients with late onset asthma as compared to early onset asthma patients but this difference was not statistically significant.


A donor-derived asialo-GM1+ cell induces depression of B-cell genesis during systemic graft-versus-host disease.
The nature of the effector cell(s) responsible for the depression of B-cell genesis in the bone marrow of mice undergoing systemic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has been examined. Donor C57BL/6 (B6) mice were treated in vivo with either a single injection of anti-asialo GM1 antibody (anti-ASGM1) to eliminate naturally occurring (endogenous) ASGM1+ cells or B6xAF1 (B6AF1) lymphoid cells followed by anti-ASGM1 to eliminate both endogenous and "induced" ASGM1+ cells. Lymphoid cells from donor mice after the elimination of endogenous ASGM1+ cells produced severe GVHD and concomitant depression of B-cell genesis when injected into B6AF1 recipients. In contrast, cells from donors depleted of both the endogenous and inducible ASGM1+ populations did not cause GVHD or depletion of B lineage cells in B6AF1 recipients but did depress B-cell genesis in B6C3F1 mice. The "induced" ASGM1+ cells were Thy 1+, but their elimination did not significantly alter either overall T-cell function or specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) reactivity against the sensitizing (B6AF1) strain. The results suggest that the effector cell responsible for the depression of B-cell genesis during systemic GVHD can be induced to express ASGM1, is strain-specific and Thy 1+; but is not a conventional CTL.


Homolanthionine in fungi: accumulation in the methionine-requiring mutants of Aspergillus nidulans.
Homolanthionine, a higher homologue of cystathionine, was found to accumulate in the mutants of Aspergillus nidulan impaired in the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine. The additional introduction of mutation resulting in a block at cystathionine gamma-synthase but not at cystathionine beta-synthase abolishes accumulation of both homolanthionine and cystathionine. This suggests a possible participation of cystathionine gamma-synthase in homolanthionine synthesis.


Gastric emptying rates to liquid or solid meals appear to be unaffected by spinal cord injury.
There is controversy with regard to the effect of spinal cord injury (SCI) on gastric emptying times of liquids. The emptying rates of solids in subjects with SCI have not yet been addressed. Thus, the gastric emptying rates for both liquids and solids were studied by radionuclide imaging in subjects with chronic SCI. After an overnight fast, subjects with SCI were evaluated for gastric emptying rates for iso-osmolar (normal saline) and hyperosmolar (glucose) liquids and a mixed meal of liquids and solids. Twenty-five subjects received normal saline (500 ml). Of these 25 subjects, 16 and 4 others (a total of 20 subjects) received 75 g glucose dissolved in 225 ml water. Each of the liquid meals was labeled with 300 microCi technetium-99-m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DPTA). The mixed meal consisted of egg white labeled with 300 microCi technetium-99m-sulfur colloid (99mTc-SC) between two slices of toast with water (110 ml). Each test meal was followed by anterior radionuclide imaging of the stomach with the subject seated. The results were compared with those of matched healthy nonSCI subjects from the literature. Compared with gastric emptying times reported in the literature in healthy subjects without SCI, no significant differences were noted in those with SCI with regard to rates of gastric emptying for liquids (whether iso- or hyperosmolar) and for solids. Our findings do not support the previously reported results of a delay in gastric emptying for liquids in subjects with SCI. We have extended our findings of essentially normal rates of gastric emptying of liquids to that of solids.


Local Structure Study of Lanthanide Elements by X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure Spectroscopy.
This paper describes a systematic study of the spectra and local structures of lanthanide (Ln) L-edge XANES. We found that Ln L1 and L3 -edge XANES spectra exhibit characteristic features correlated to their local symmetry through experimental and theoretical simulations. We also propose a simple local structure index criterion for a combination of XANES study and theoretical simulation. Possible solutions of intrinsic problems such as low resolution of characteristic features in the Ln L-edge XANES and site distributions are also discussed.


Cornel iridoid glycoside ameliorates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1/tau triple transgenic mice by attenuating amyloid-beta, tau hyperphosphorylation and neurotrophic dysfunction.
Targeted proteinopathy is involved in creating pharmacological agents that protect against Alzheimer disease (AD). Cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG) is an effective component derived from Cornus officinalis. The present study aimed to determine the effects of CIG on β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology and the underlying mechanisms in APP/PS1/tau triple transgenic (3×Tg) model mice. We intragastrically administered 16-month-old 3×Tg mice with CIG (100 and 200 mg/kg) daily for two months. Learning and memory abilities were determined using the Morris water maze (MWM) and object recognition tests (ORT). Amyloid plaques and Aβ40/42 and the expression of related proteins in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice was determined by western blotting. CIG improved learning and memory impairment in 3×Tg model mice, decreased amyloid plaque deposition, Aβ40/42 and the expression of full-length amyloid precursor protein, and increased levels of ADAM-10 (α-secretase), neprilysin (NEP), and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) in the brains of the model mice. CIG also reduced tau hyperphosphorylation, and elevated phosphorylation level of GSK-3β at Ser9 and methylation of PP2A catalytic subunit C in the model mice. Moreover, CIG increased the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein (p-CREB) in the brain of 3×Tg mice. CIG ameliorated learning and memory deficit via reducing Aβ content and, tau hyperphosphorylation and increasing neurotrophic factors in the brain of 3×Tg mice. These results suggest that CIG may be beneficial for AD therapy.


The effects of vasoactive mediator antagonists on endotoxic shock in dogs. I.
Many vasoactive mediators have been implicated in causing or maintaining the hypotension of endotoxic shock. What has yet to be firmly established is the relative importance of each of these mediators in a given shock model. In a canine endotoxic shock model (LD100), we studied the effects of opiate and prostaglandin inhibition 60 min after endotoxin administration. After thiopental anesthesia, the animals were instrumented to measure various cardiovascular parameters. Endotoxic shock was induced by injecting E. coli endotoxin (0111:B4) (1 mg/kg i.v.). Drug intervention occurred 60 min after endotoxin administration. Naloxone (2 mg/kg i.v.) improved mean arterial pressure (MAP) transiently. A more significant increase of MAP (85% of preshock levels) was attained after ibuprofen (12.5 mg/kg i.v.) administration secondary to an increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR). All groups had 0% 24-hour survival. These data suggest that the endogenous opioids, presumably inhibited by naloxone, seem to contribute little to this lethal canine endotoxic shock model. By contrast, the prostanoids which are inhibited by ibuprofen appear to be more hemodynamically significant in this model.


Severe obesity, gestational weight gain, and adverse birth outcomes.
The 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee to Reevaluate Gestational Weight Gain Guidelines concluded that there were too few data to inform weight-gain guidelines by obesity severity. Therefore, the committee recommended a single range, 5-9 kg at term, for all obese women. We explored associations between gestational weight gain and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births, spontaneous preterm births (sPTBs), and medically indicated preterm births (iPTBs) among obese women who were stratified by severity of obesity. We studied a cohort of singleton, live-born infants without congenital anomalies born to obesity class 1 (prepregnancy body mass index [BMI (in kg/m(2))]: 30-34.9; n = 3254), class 2 (BMI: 35-39.9; n = 1451), and class 3 (BMI: > or =40; n = 845) mothers. We defined the adequacy of gestational weight gain as the ratio of observed weight gain to IOM-recommended gestational weight gain. The prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain declined, and weight loss increased, as obesity became more severe. Generally, weight loss was associated with an elevated risk of SGA, iPTB, and sPTB, and a high weight gain tended to increase the risk of LGA and iPTB. Weight gains associated with probabilities of SGA and LGA of < or =10% and a minimal risk of iPTB and sPTB were as follows: 9.1-13.5 kg (obesity class 1), 5.0-9 kg (obesity class 2), 2.2 to <5.0 kg (obesity class 3 white women), and <2.2 kg (obesity class 3 black women). These data suggest that the range of gestational weight gain to balance risks of SGA, LGA, sPTB, and iPTB may vary by severity of obesity.


[A Case of Subcortical Intracerebral Hemorrhage Caused by Underlying Oligodendroglioma Diagnosed through Long-Term Follow-Up].
We report on a case of an oligodendroglioma that caused intracerebral hemorrhage, which was diagnosed by long-term follow-up. An 82-year-old man with underlying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presented with weakness in the right upper extremity. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed intracerebral hemorrhage and focal brain edema. Since there was a discrepancy between hematoma and focal brain edema, we first diagnosed cardiogenic cerebral embolism. Six months later, MRI results showed an improvement of the brain edema; however, the lesion developed after a year. We suspected that this lesion included a brain tumor and performed an open surgical biopsy. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was an oligodendroglioma(World Health Organization grade 2). Because brain tumors that are complicated with intratumoral bleeding are often highly malignant and the lesions gradually increase in size, it is relatively easy to make a precise diagnosis. However, in low-grade gliomas, the intracerebral hemorrhage and brain edema may occasionally improve in the short term. We show that a case with a discrepancy between hematoma and brain edema should be followed up for at least more than a year, even when initial MRI does not reveal a brain tumor .


Correlation between visual scores and parathyroid function.
This mini review summarizes the controversies regarding routine parathyroid identification reviews publications that assess visual scores to predict parathyroid function after thyroidectomy during the pre-ICG era.


Effective, Low-Cost Recovery of Toxic Arsenate Anions from Water by Using Hollow-Sphere Geode Traps.
Because of the devastating impact of arsenic on terrestrial and aquatic organisms, the recovery, removal, disposal, and management of arsenic-contaminated water is a considerable challenge and has become an urgent necessity in the field of water treatment. This study reports the controlled fabrication of a low-cost adsorbent based on microscopic C-,N-doped NiO hollow spheres with geode shells composed of poly-CN nanospherical nodules (100 nm) that were intrinsically stacked and wrapped around the hollow spheres to form a shell with a thickness of 500-700 nm. This C-,N-doped NiO hollow-sphere adsorbent (termed CNN) with multiple diffusion routes through open pores and caves with connected open macro/meso windows over the entire surface and well-dispersed hollow-sphere particles that create vesicle traps for the capture, extraction, and separation of arsenate (AsO43- ) species from aqueous solution. The CNN structures are considered to be a potentially attractive adsorbent for AsO43- species due to 1) superior removal and trapping capacity from water samples and 2) selective trapping of AsO43- from real water samples that mainly contained chloride and nitrate anions and Fe2+ , and Mn2+ , Ca2+ , and Mg2+ cations. The structural stability of the hierarchal geodes was evident after 20 cycles without any significant decrease in the recovery efficiency of AsO43- species. To achieve low-cost adsorbents and toxic-waste management, this superior CNN AsO43- dead-end trapping and recovery system evidently enabled the continuous control of AsO43- disposal in water-scarce environments, presents a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for AsO43- species, and selectively produced water-free arsenate species. These CNN geode traps show potential as excellent adsorbent candidates in environment remediation tools and human healthcare.


Continuity of routine immunization programs in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted many routine health services, placed additional strain on the health care system, and resulted in many Canadians being either unable or unwilling to attend routine immunization appointments. We sought to capture and synthesize information about changes to routine immunization programs in response to the pandemic and plans to catch-up any missed immunizations. Provincial/territorial (P/T) public health leaders were interviewed via teleconference between August-October 2020 to collect information on the following topics: how routine immunization delivery was affected during and after initial lockdown periods, plans to catch-up missed doses, and major challenges and achievements in continuing routine immunization programs. Data were coded and categorized according to common responses and descriptive analysis was performed. Interviews occurred with participants from 11 of 13 P/Ts. School immunization programs were reported to be most negatively affected by the pandemic (n = 9). In the early pandemic period, infant, preschool, and maternal/prenatal programs were prioritized, with most P/Ts continuing these services with adaptations for COVID-19. After the initial lockdown period, all routine programs were continuing with adaptations in most P/Ts. Infant, preschool, and school programs were most often targeted for catch-up through measures such as appointment rebooking and making additional clinics and/or providers available. Major challenges included resource limitations (e.g., staff shortages, PPE shortages, limited infrastructure) (n = 11), public health restrictions (n = 8), and public hesitancy to attend appointments (n = 5). Canadian routine immunization programs faced some disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the school, adult, and older adult programs. Further research is needed to determine the measurable impact of the pandemic on routine vaccine coverage levels.


The proliferative status of microcolony-forming cells in mouse small intestine.
The technique of thymidine (TdR) suicide has been used with the intestinal microcolony assay to demonstrate that in the middle of the light cycle, nearly all intestinal clonogenic cells, in the B6D2F1 mice used in these experiments, were not in S phase. Doses of tritiated thymidine [3H]TdR up to 1 mCi/mouse did not kill a significant fraction of those clonogenic cells which survived a test dose of 12 Gy gamma-rays. This finding supports some data in the literature, but conflicts with others. However, the suicide technique was found in the studies reported here to be very efficient in sterilizing clonogenic cells in the middle of the dark cycle, and also in a regenerating epithelium at day 3 after a dose of 9 Gy. This implies that the technique can discriminate well between populations of clonogenic cells which differ in their content of cells in S phase. The lack of a suicide effect in the middle of the light cycle indicates that the majority of proliferative epithelial cells are not clonogenic.


Double hyperautofluorescent ring on fundus autofluorescence in ABCA4.
We report an unusual phenotype in a child with a clinical diagnosis of recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1) and two pathogenic variants in the ABCA4 gene. Typically, the diagnosis of early-onset STGD1 is challenging because children may present with a variety of fundus changes and a variable rate of progression. At the time of his initial visit, the 6-year-old boy presented with 20/200 OD (right eye) and 20/150 OS (left eye), symmetrical mild foveal atrophy without flecks on fundus exam, and foveal hypoautofluorescence surrounded by a homogeneous hyperautofluorescent background on wide-field fundus autofluorescence. Over 4 years of follow-up, the retinal atrophy continued to progress, resulting in two well-defined and concentric hyperautofluorescent rings: one ring located at the posterior pole and the other located around the peripapillary region. Visual acuity also deteriorated to counting fingers at 4ft OD and 20/500 OS. To the best of our knowledge, this phenotype has not been previously described with the ABCA4 gene.


Leg stiffness in human running: Comparison of estimates derived from previously published models to direct kinematic-kinetic measures.
It is not presently clear whether mathematical models used to estimate leg stiffness during human running are valid. Therefore, leg stiffness during the braking phase of ground contact of running was calculated directly using synchronous kinematic (high-speed motion analysis) and kinetic (force platform) analysis, and compared to stiffness calculated using four previously published kinetic models. Nineteen well-trained male middle distance runners (age=21.1±4.1yr; VO(2max)=69.5±7.5mlO(2)kg(-1)min(-1)) completed a series of runs of increasing speed from 2.5 to 6.5ms(-1). Leg stiffness was calculated directly from kinetic-kinematic analysis using both vertical and horizontal forces to obtain the resultant force in the line of leg compression (Model 1). Values were also estimated using four previously published mathematical models where only force platform derived and anthropometric measures were required (Models 2-5; Morin et al., 2005, Morin et al., 2011, Blum et al., 2009, Farley et al., 1993, respectively). The greatest statistical similarity between leg stiffness values occurred with Models 1 and 2. The poorest similarity occurred when values from Model 4 were compared with Model 1. Analyses suggest that the poor correlation between Model 1 other models may have resulted from errors in the estimation in change in leg length during the braking phase. Previously published mathematical models did not provide accurate leg stiffness estimates, although Model 2, used by Morin et al. (2005), provided reasonable estimates that could be further improved by the removal of systematic error using a correction factor (K=1.0496K(Model2)).


Randomized study to characterize glycemic control and short-term pulmonary function in patients with type 1 diabetes receiving inhaled human insulin (exubera).
Previous studies with inhaled human insulin [Exubera (EXU); insulin human (recombinant DNA origin) Inhalation Powder, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY; Nektar Therapeutics, San Carlos, CA) show comparable efficacy to sc insulin and small declines in pulmonary function in type 1 and 2 diabetes. This is a detailed characterization of short-term efficacy and pulmonary safety profile of EXU. In a 24-wk multicenter study, 226 nonsmoking patients with type 1 diabetes and normal lung function were randomized to intensive regimens of premeal EXU or sc insulin for 12 wk (comparative phase), followed by sc insulin for 12 wk (washout phase). Glycosylated hemoglobin, hypoglycemia, general adverse events, and pulmonary function were measured. Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity were measured using standardized equipment and methodology. Comparable declines from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin were observed in both groups (0.5%) and sustained throughout the study. There was a higher rate of hypoglycemia (risk ratio 1.23; 90% confidence interval 1.16, 1.30) but a lower rate of severe hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.51; 90% confidence interval 0.30, 0.86) with EXU vs. sc insulin. The treatment group differences in changes from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity were small, occurred within 2 wk of EXU initiation, and were reversible shortly after discontinuation. More patients reported mild cough with EXU vs. sc insulin (30.9% vs. 7.8%, respectively). Three months of EXU therapy is as effective and well tolerated as intensive sc insulin therapy. This study supports the role of EXU in type 1 diabetes.


A candidate reference method for determination of total protein in serum. I. Development and validation.
We developed a candidate Reference Method for measuring total serum protein by use of the biuret reaction. The method involves a previously described biuret reagent (Clin. Chem. 21: 1159, 1975) and Standard Reference Material (SRM) 927 bovine albumin (National Bureau of Standards) as the standard. At 25 degrees C, color development for 30 or 60 min provides identical serum protein values. Glucose (up to 10 g/L) and bilirubin (up to 300 mg/L) do not interfere. Hemoglobin, at 3 g/L, increases apparent serum protein by 0.4 g/L. The presence of dextran in serum causes easily detected turbidity, but this interference can be eliminated by centrifuging the reaction mixture. Therapeutic concentrations of ampicillin, carbenicillin, penicillin, oxacillin, nafcillin, chloramphenicol, cephalothin, and methicillin in blood do not interfere, nor do triglycerides up to 10 g/L. Within-run and day-to-day standard deviations of the method are 0.1 and 0.4 g/L, respectively.


Ullmann homocoupling of arenediazonium salts in a deep eutectic solvent. Synthetic and mechanistic aspects.
A deep eutectic solvent (DES) based on glycerol and KF is successfully exploited as a solvent medium in Ullmann homocoupling of arenediazonium salts. The reactions were carried out in mild conditions and target products were obtained in fairly good yields. A computational study is presented aiming to understand the reaction mechanism and Raman spectroscopy is employed as an experimental tool to support it.


Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: an Autopsy Case.
Liposarcoma is very rare mesenchymal tumor that occurs in deep soft tissue and mostly seen in limbs and retroperitoneum, accounts for 24% of extremity and 45% of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas. Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are typically present with advanced disease and often carry a poor prognosis. Retroperitoneal liposarcomas grow slowly in the very expandable retroperitoneal space in the deeply hidden and clinically silent therefore diagnosis is usually made late. Liposarcomas have five histological subtypes; well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS), pleomorphic, myxoid and round cell liposarcoma. Our case is 81-year-old male who was found dead in the village homeless shelter. This was classified as a suspicious death and transferred to our service for autopsy. The external examination revealed rectal prolapse, abdominal distension and scrotal swelling. The internal autopsy showed green membrane on the peritoneum, brown smelly contents in the abdominal space, a perforation area 1.5x1 cm in size that in the first part of the duodenum and the dimension of tumor was 48x30x6 cm in the retroperitoneal space. The pathological report was dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We present a rare case of a dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma with duodenal ulcer perforation.


Cell Death Effects Induced by Sulforaphane and Allyl Isothiocyanate on P-Glycoprotein Positive and Negative Variants in L1210 Cells.
Variants of L1210 leukemia cells-namely, parental P-glycoprotein-negative S cells and R and T cells expressing P-glycoprotein, due to selection with vincristine and transfection with the human p-glycoprotein gene, respectively-were used. The responses of these cell variants to two naturally occurring isothiocyanates-sulforaphane (SFN, from cruciferous vegetables) and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, from mustard, radish, horseradish and wasabi)-were studied. We obtained conflicting results for the cell death effects induced by isothiocyanates, as measured by i. cell counting, which showed inhibited proliferation, and ii. cell metabolic activity via an MTS assay, which showed an increased MTS signal. These results indicated the hyperactivation of cell metabolism induced by treatment with isothiocyanates. In more detailed study, we found that, depending on the cell variants and the isothiocyanate used in treatment, apoptosis and necrosis (detected by annexin-V cells and propidium iodide staining), as well as autophagy (detected with monodansylcadaverine), were involved in cell death. We also determined the cell levels/expression of Bcl-2 and Bax as representative anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, the cell levels/expression of members of the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways, and the cell levels of 16 and 18 kDa fragments of LC3B protein as markers of autophagy.


Hydrogen bonding in 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine, 2-benzylamino-4,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyrimidine and 2-amino-4,6-bis(N-pyrrolidino)pyrimidine: chains of fused rings and a centrosymmetric dimer.
Molecules of 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine, C(6)H(9)N(3)O(2), (I), are linked by two N-H.N hydrogen bonds [H.N 2.23 and 2.50 A, N.N 3.106 (2) and 3.261 (2) A, and N-H.N 171 and 145 degrees ] into a chain of fused rings, where alternate rings are generated by centres of inversion and twofold rotation axes. Adjacent chains are linked by aromatic pi-pi-stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional framework. In 2-benzylamino-4,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyrimidine, C(25)H(23)N(3)O(2), (II), the molecules are linked into centrosymmetric R(2)(2)(8) dimers by paired N-H.N hydrogen bonds [H.N 2.13 A, N.N 2.997 (2) A and N-H.N 170 degrees ]. Molecules of 2-amino-4,6-bis(N-pyrrolidino)pyrimidine, C(12)H(19)N(5), (III), are linked by two N-H.N hydrogen bonds [H.N 2.34 and 2.38 A, N.N 3.186 (2) and 3.254 (2) A, and N-H.N 163 and 170 degrees ] into a chain of fused rings similar to that in (I).