Informing the measurement of wellbeing among young people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa for policy evaluations: a mixed-methods systematic review.
Young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at high risk of having a poor quality of life. Addressing wellbeing explicitly within HIV/AIDS policies could assist mitigation efforts. However, guidance on wellbeing measures to evaluate policies for YPLHIV is scarce. The aims of this mixed-methods review were to identify: i) key dimensions of wellbeing and ii) wellbeing measures that align to these dimensions among YPLHIV (15-24 years) in SSA. We searched six social science and medical databases, including grey literature. We included studies that examined correlates and lived experiences of wellbeing, among YPLHIV in SSA, from January 2000 to May 2019. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full texts and assessed methodological quality of included articles. We analysed quantitative and qualitative data using descriptive and meta-ethnographic approaches, respectively. Thereafter, we integrated findings using a framework approach. We identified 6527 citations. Of these, 10 quantitative and 30 qualitative studies were included. Being male, higher educational status, less stigma and more social support were likely correlates of wellbeing. Themes that shaped experiences suggestive of wellbeing were: 1) acceptance and belonging- stigma, social support; 2) coping; 3) standard of living. Our final synthesis found that the following dimensions potentially characterise wellbeing: self-acceptance, belonging, autonomy; positive relations, environmental mastery, purpose in life. Wellbeing for YPLHIV is multi-dimensional and relational. Relevant measures include the Personal Wellbeing Index, Ryff's Psychological Wellbeing Scale and Mental Health Continuum Short Form. However, psychometric evaluations of these scales among YPLHIV in SSA are needed.


Epidermal keratin levels during oral 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 treatment for psoriasis.
Recently the treatment of psoriasis with vitamin D3, its metabolites or analogues, has been reported to be clinically effective and free from side effects. We have quantified the changes in the levels of epidermal lesional keratins in 15 psoriatic patients receiving oral 1 alpha(OH)D3 treatment. Lesions were sampled before treatment commenced and at monthly intervals for 4-6 months. Clinical resolution occurred in 7 patients within this time; 3 other patients showed incomplete lesion resolution and the remaining 5 patients showed a complete lack of response within the treatment period. Lesion resolution, as judged by clinical criteria, was accompanied by significant changes in the levels of three of the keratin polypeptides and smaller changes in others. Keratin 2 increased to levels greater than those in normal epidermis, while keratins 16 and 18 decreased to normal levels. Changes in the levels of keratins 1 and 5 were small and those of keratins 7, 10 and 14 minimal. These changes were compared with values found during lesion resolution with other therapies used in psoriasis, i.e. topical dithranol, PUVA, oral etretinate and hydroxyurea and were highly reminiscent of those observed during PUVA therapy but contrasted with those during etretinate treatment. The decrease in level of keratin 16, a hyperproliferation marker, suggests that 1 alpha(OH)D3 inhibits keratinocyte proliferation, but at the same time the overproduction of keratin 2, a major keratin of the granular cells, indicates that there is an increase in the number of cells in the later stages of differentiation.


Prion protein as a mediator of synaptic transmission.
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by synaptic and neuronal dysfunction which precedes general neuronal loss and subsequent cognitive or behavioral anomalies. Although the exact early cellular signaling mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases are largely unknown, a view is emerging that compromised synaptic function may underlie the initial steps in disease progression. Much recent research has been aimed at understanding these early underlying processes leading to dysfunctional synaptic signaling, as this knowledge could identify putative sites of interventions, which could potentially slow progression and delay onset of disease. We have recently reported that synaptic function in a Drosophila melanogaster model can be modulated by the presence of native mouse prion protein and this modulation is negatively affected by a mutation within the protein which is associated with the Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, a human form of prion disease. Indeed, wild-type prion protein facilitates synaptic release, whereas the mutated form induced diminished phenotypes. It is believed that together with the gain-of-function of neurotoxic misfolded prion signaling, the lack of prion protein contributes to the pathology in prion diseases. Therefore, our study investigated a potential endogenous role of prion protein in synaptic signaling, the lack of which could resemble a lack-of-function phenotype in prion disease.


Anchoring Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes for Microwave-Induced Catalytic Degradation of Antibiotics.
Microwave-induced catalytic degradation is considered amongst the most efficient techniques to remove antibiotic such as chlortetracycline from contaminated water. Described here is a new microwave-induced oxidation catalyst based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated uniformly with nanoparticles of Fe3O4. The combination of dielectric loss and magnetic loss of the material contributed to its stronger microwave absorption and the ability to produce more "hot spots". These hot spots promoted the oxidation of common antibiotics such as chlortetracycline, tetracycline, and oxytetracycline under microwave irradiation. Experiments with the addition of scavenger showed that hydroxy radicals (•OH) together with superoxide radicals (•O2-) contributed to the antibiotics removal as well. The final degradation products included CO2 and NO3- as confirmed by mass spectroscopy and ion chromatography analyses. The results indicated that the Fe3O4/CNTs was an efficient catalyst for microwave-induced oxidation.


Prediction of Drug Clearance in Premature and Mature Neonates, Infants, and Children ≤2 Years of Age: A Comparison of the Predictive Performance of 4 Allometric Models.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance of 4 allometric models to predict clearance in pediatric ages ranging from premature neonates to children ≤2 years of age. Four allometric models were used to predict clearances of 28 drugs in children from preterm neonates to 2 years of age (n = 564). The 4 models are (1) basal metabolic rate-dependent model; (2) age-dependent exponent model; (3) an allometric model based on kidney and liver weights as well as kidney and liver blood flow; and (4) an allometric model based on a fixed exponent of 0.75. The predictive performance of these models was evaluated by comparing the predicted clearance of the studied drugs with the observed clearance in an individual child. The results of the study indicated that the 3 new proposed models predicted the mean clearance of the drugs with reasonable accuracy (≤50% prediction error). On the other hand, the exponent of 0.75 produced substantial prediction error. Predicted individual clearance values were ≥50% in approximately 30% of the children by the proposed 3 methods and 73% by exponent 0.75. The 3 new proposed allometric models can predict mean clearances of drugs in children from premature neonates to ≤2 years of age with reasonable accuracy and are of practical value during pediatric drug development.


The interaction between filarial parasites and human monocyte/macrophage populations.
Lymphatic filariasis is a mafor tropical disease affecting approximately 120 million people worldwide. Patent infection, by and large, is clinically asymptomatic but is associated with the inability of T cells to proliferate or produce IFN-γ in response to parasite antigen. Monocyte dysfunction is one hypothesis felt to explain the lack of an antigen-specific T cell response. In fact, monocytes from filaria-infected individuals have been shown to be studded with internalized filarial antigens. Understanding how the phenotype and the function of these monocytes are altered through the internalization of these parasite antigens is one of the areas our laboratory has focused on. In fact, the existence and/or function of alternatively activated macrophages in murine models of filarial infections have been extensively studied. Whether this population of macrophages can be induced in human filarial infections is the main focus of this review.


Laurencia okamurai extract containing laurinterol induces apoptosis in melanoma cells.
Laurinterol is a marine sesquiterpene that has been known to have antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Laurencia okamurai extract containing laurinterol (LOEL) on induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells (B16F1). Anticancer activity of LOEL against melanoma cells was shown in a dose-dependent manner by the 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. It was for the first time found that LOEL exhibited an excellent effect on the induction of apoptosis as determined by DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP in situ nick-end labeling assay, cell cycle analysis, and measurement of activities of several caspases in melanoma cells. It was also demonstrated that transcriptional activation of p53, a tumor suppressor gene, and activation of p21 promoter by LOEL were involved in the induction of apoptosis by reporter gene assay. In particular, western blot analysis confirmed that LOEL above 5 microg/mL significantly increased the expression level of phospho-p53, the active form. These results indicate that LOEL can induce apoptosis through a p53-dependent pathway in melanoma cells.


The significance of recurrent tonsillitis in sickle cell disease.
Forty-five patients with homozygous sickle cell disease who had tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis, when compared with 45 matched controls with haemoglobin genotype AA, showed significant differences in the clinical manifestations and complications of recurrent tonsillitis between the two groups. Although throat swabs in the sickle cell group were mostly negative because they were on prophylactic penicillin, all tonsils harboured Streptococcus pneumoniae when cultured. This study suggests the tonsils to be the more specific source of pneumococcal infection that causes systemic complications which increase morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease. Although the sickle cell patients may be less clinically symptomatic with tonsillitis, the incidence of serious complications caused by pneumococcal infections, now shown to arise from the tonsils, is significant. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is linked with an increased risk of a sleep apnoea which causes serious neurological complications such as cerebral infarction and stroke. Tonsillectomy has greatly reduced the incidence of complications from pneumococcal infections in the sickle cell group and should therefore be recommended for sickle cell patients taking prophylactic penicillin and still developing pneumococcal infections.


Inhibition of proliferation and stimulation of migration of endothelial cells by secretoneurin in vitro.
Vascular cell responses in inflammation are affected by several neuropeptides of perivascular nerve fibers. Secretoneurin is a 33-amino acid peptide that is coreleased from these nerve endings with other proinflammatory neuropeptides, eg, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Furthermore, secretoneurin has been shown to be chemotactic for human skin fibroblasts and human blood monocytes in vitro and in vivo. An action on cellular components of the vascular wall is not yet reported. We therefore investigated in vitro effects of this novel sensory neuropeptide on endothelial cells. Secretoneurin exerted a potent and reversible inhibitory effect both on endothelial cell growth under low serum conditions (1% fetal calf serum) and endothelial cell growth factor-activated endothelial cell proliferation. We show in the present study that secretoneurin exerts this effect on aortic (rat) and pulmonary artery (bovine) endothelial cells, as well as venous (human umbilical vein) endothelium. Endothelial cell chemotaxis was tested by means of three different migration assays employing nitrocellulose and polycarbonate micropore filters. Secretoneurin consistently exhibited potent chemoattractant activity. The effective concentrations for the observed effects were in the picomolar range. The combination of chemotactic and antiproliferative effects on endothelial cells suggests that secretoneurin may act as a regulatory factor of vascular cell functions.


Prion disease pathogenesis in the absence of the commensal microbiota.
Prion diseases are a unique group of transmissible, typically sub-acute, neurodegenerative disorders. During central nervous system (CNS) prion disease, the microglia become activated and are thought to provide a protective response by scavenging and clearing prions. The mammalian intestine is host to a large burden of commensal micro-organisms, especially bacteria, termed the microbiota. The commensal microbiota has beneficial effects on host health, including through the metabolism of essential nutrients, regulation of host development and protection against pathogens. The commensal gut microbiota also constitutively regulates the functional maturation of microglia in the CNS, and microglial function is impaired when it is absent in germ-free mice. In the current study, we determined whether the absence of the commensal gut microbiota might also affect prion disease pathogenesis. Our data clearly show that the absence of the commensal microbiota in germ-free mice did not affect prion disease duration or susceptibility after exposure to prions by intraperitoneal or intracerebral injection. Furthermore, the magnitude and distribution of the characteristic neuropathological hallmarks of terminal prion disease in the CNS, including the development of spongiform pathology, accumulation of prion disease-specific protein (PrP), astrogliosis and microglial activation, were similar in conventionally housed and germ-free mice. Thus, although the commensal gut microbiota constitutively promotes the maintenance of the microglia in the CNS under steady-state conditions in naïve mice, our data suggest that dramatic changes to the abundance or complexity of the commensal gut microbiota are unlikely to influence CNS prion disease pathogenesis.


[Severe dyspnea caused by vecuronium bromide administration for priming and precurarization].
Vecuronium bromide 1mg was injected intravenously for priming or precurarization in 42 cases. Apparent dyspnea was observed in 2 cases. The doses of vecuronium bromide in these 2 cases, 0.018 and 0.016 mg.kg-1, respectively were the same and less than those in the other 40 cases (0.018 +/- 0.003 mg.kg-1, mean +/- SD). Although respiratory sparing effect of vecuronium bromide is expected, intensive respiratory assist should be taken at the time of priming or precurarization with the drug.


Methods for household waste composition studies.
The question is how to conduct household waste composition studies. The review is divided into three parts: overview of known methods, sampling theory, and the waste components. Twenty methods are listed and commented on. There is no adopted, working international standard. In accordance with Pierre Gy's Theory of Sampling, the seven types of sampling errors, when collecting and splitting solid samples, are described and commented on in relation to sampling of household solid waste. It is concluded that the most crucial choices in household waste composition studies are: to divide the investigation into relevant number and types of strata; to decide the required sample size and number of samples; to choose the sampling location, i.e., sampling at household level or sampling from loads of waste collection vehicles; and to choose the type and number of waste component categories to be investigated. Various classifications of household waste components used in composition studies are listed and discussed. Difficulties and weaknesses of the reviewed methods are discussed and concluded in suggested questions for further research.


Clinical spectrum of pulmonary hydatidosis and raised serum IgE levels in the Indian southern peninsula.
Fifteen patients with surgically proven hydatid disease of the lung aged between 4 and 51 years were studied. The disease spectrum varied from single to multiple cysts of different sizes, with associated pyogenic chest infections or parasitic infestations of the gut. The serum IgE level varied widely in these cases and very high levels were found in 60% of the patients. This high IgE response was related to the vitality of the cysts, associated bacterial infection of the chest, infection with helminths and smoking habit.


Nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of chloroazines with bisulfide (HS-) and polysulfides (Sn2-).
Reactions of bisulfide and polysulfides with chloroazines (important constituents of agrochemicals and textile dyes) were examined in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C. For atrazine, rates are first-order in polysulfide concentration, and polysulfide dianions are the principal reactive nucleophiles; no measurable reaction occurs with HS-. Second-order rate constants for reactions of an array of chloroazines with polysulfides are several orders of magnitude greater than for reactions with HS-. Transformation products indicate the substitution of halogen(s) by sulfur. Ring aza nitrogens substantially enhance reactivity through a combination of inductive and mesomeric effects, and electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituents markedly enhance or diminish reactivity, respectively. The overall second-order nature of the reaction, the products observed, and reactivity trends are all consistent with a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar) mechanism. Rate constants for reactions with HS- and Sn2- (n = 2-5) correlate only weakly with lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies, suggesting that the electrophilicity of a chloroazine is not the sole determinant of its reactivity. When second-order rate constants are extrapolated to HS- and Sn2- concentrations reported in salt marsh pore waters, half-lives of minutes to years are obtained. Polysulfides in particular could play an important role in effecting abiotic transformations of chloroazines in hypoxic marine waters.


Association Between Board Certification, Maintenance of Certification, and Surgical Complications in the United States.
Physician credentialing processes aim to improve patient safety and quality, but little research has examined their direct relationship with surgical outcomes. Using national Medicare claims for 2009 to 2013, the authors studied the association between board certification and completion of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements and surgeon rates of complications for 8 elective procedures. Exemplar surgeons were defined as those in the lowest decile of complication rates, and outlier surgeons were those in the highest decile. The analysis included 1.9 million procedures performed by 14 598 surgeons (64% orthopedics, 17% general surgery, 11% urology, 7% neurosurgery). Board-certified surgeons were less likely to be outliers (odds ratio 0.79 [0.66-0.94]). However, completion of MOC was not associated with differences in complication rates in orthopedic surgery or urology. Incorporating additional assessment methods into MOC, such as video evaluation of technical skills, retraining on state-of-the-art care, and peer review, may facilitate further improvements in surgical quality.


Kinetics and thermodynamics of basic dye sorption on phosphoric acid esterifying soybean hull with solid phase preparation technique.
In this paper, the solid phase preparation method of a cationic sorbent, which bears hydroxyl groups of phosphoric acid derived from esterified soybean hull (ESH), was reported. The sorption kinetics and thermodynamics of two basic dyes, acridine orange (AO) and malachite green (MG), from aqueous solution onto ESH were investigated with a batch system. The isothermal data of dye sorptions followed the Langmuir model better than the Freundlich model. The maximum sorption capacity (Q(m)) of ESH for AO and MG was 238.1 mg/g and 178.57 mg/g, respectively. The dye sorption processes could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic study indicated that the dye sorptions were spontaneous and exothermic. Lower temperatures were favorable for the sorption processes.


The views of elderly patients and their relatives on cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Little was previously known of the factors that may influence patients and relatives when asked to make decisions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Attitudes towards resuscitation in general appear to influence the wishes of elderly patients and their relatives for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowledge of the procedure involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and its success rate and the patients' sex and health status do not influence their wishes.


Quantitation of changes in cell surface determinants during skeletal muscle cell differentiation using monospecific antibody.
The differentiation of skeletal muscle is characterized by recognition, alignment, and subsequent fusion of myoblast cells at their surfaces to form large, multinucleated myotubes. Monoclonal antibodies were used to investigate antigenic changes in the cell surface membrane specific for various stages of myogenesis. Chick embryonic skeletal muscle cells were cultured in vitro to the desired stage of differentiation and then injected into BALB/c mice. Spleen cells from the immunized mice were hybridized with NS-1 or P3 8653 mouse myeloma cells. Hybrid cell clones were selected in HAT medium and screened using an indirect radioimmunoassay for the production of monoclonal antibodies specific to myogenic cell surfaces. Target cells for the radioimmunoassay included three stages of myogenesis (myoblasts, midfusion, myoblasts, and myotubes) and chick lung cells as a control for polymorphic antigens. Sixty-one clones were obtained which produced antibodies specific for myogenic cells. Thirty-five of these clones were generated from mice immunized with midfusion myoblast stages of myogenesis and 26 were obtained from mice immunized with the later myotube stage of myogenesis. Quantitative measurements by RIA of myogenic determinants per cell surface area on each target cell type revealed that most of the determinants decrease during myogenesis when midfusion myoblasts are used as the immunogen. When myotube stages are used as the immunogen, more determinants increase with cell differentiation. Therefore, the most common pattern of determinant change is for them to be present at all stages of myogenesis but to vary quantitatively through development. There are determinants unique to each stage of myogenesis and marked quantitative differences within a cell stage for each determinant.


Surgical Site Infection Research Opportunities.
Much has been done to identify measures and modify risk factors to decrease the rate of surgical site infection (SSI). Development of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core recommendations for the prevention of SSI revealed evidence gaps in six areas: Parenteral antimicrobial prophylaxis, glycemic control, normothermia, oxygenation, antiseptic prophylaxis, and non-parenteral antimicrobial prophylaxis. Using a modified Delphi process, seven SSI content experts identified nutritional status, smoking, obesity, surgical technique, and anemia as additional areas for SSI prevention research. Post-modified Delphi process Staphylococcus aureus colonization and SSI definition and surveillance were also deemed important topic areas for inclusion. For each topic, research questions were developed, and 10 were selected as the final SSI research questions.


Evaluating a push-pull strategy for management of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura in red raspberry.
Drosophila suzukii Matsumura is a serious pest of small fruits that lays its eggs in growing fruit. Current management strategies rely on an unsustainable schedule of foliar applications of chemical insecticides. Alternative approaches to suppressing oviposition are under investigation, such as attract-and-kill and the use of oviposition deterrents. Here, we evaluated two behavioral control approaches in combination as a push-pull strategy using laboratory and field assays. In laboratory caged assays, both an attractive mass trapping device (pull) and an oviposition deterrent (push: 1-octen-3-ol) reduced oviposition by D. suzukii, and the combination of the two (push-pull) resulted in significantly greater reduction than either treatment alone. In field experiments, oviposition reduction was observed in fruit from plots treated with oviposition deterrent (push) or a combination of mass trapping devices and deterrent (push-pull) compared with fruit from control plots. However, oviposition in plots with mass trapping devices (pull) was higher than observed in all other treatments. Additionally, the protection provided by the deterrent in push plots extended to the entire plot rather than just in fruit closest to deterrent dispensers. Push-pull treatments negatively affected D. suzukii infestation in both laboratory and field experiments. The reduction in oviposition observed in laboratory experiments was based on the additive effect of push and pull components acting on a finite population, while the reduction observed in field experiments appeared to be mainly based on the effect of pull components. We discuss potential underlying reasons for the discrepancy results and suggest potential improvements. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.


Brain network analysis for the discrimination of dementia disorders using electrophysiology signals: A systematic review.
Dementia-related disorders have been an age-long challenge to the research and healthcare communities as their various forms are expressed with similar clinical symptoms. These disorders are usually irreversible at their late onset, hence their lack of validated and approved cure. Since their prodromal stages usually lurk for a long period of time before the expression of noticeable clinical symptoms, a secondary prevention which has to do with treating the early onsets has been suggested as the possible solution. Connectivity analysis of electrophysiology signals has played significant roles in the diagnosis of various dementia disorders through early onset identification. With the various applications of electrophysiology signals, the purpose of this study is to systematically review the step-by-step procedures of connectivity analysis frameworks for dementia disorders. This study aims at identifying the methodological issues involved in such frameworks and also suggests approaches to solve such issues. In this study, ProQuest, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Springer Link, and Science Direct databases are employed for exploring the evolution and advancement of connectivity analysis of electrophysiology signals of dementia-related disorders between January 2016 to December 2022. The quality of assessment of the studied articles was done using Cochrane guidelines for the systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy. Out of a total of 4,638 articles found to have been published on the review scope between January 2016 to December 2022, a total of 51 peer-review articles were identified to completely satisfy the review criteria. An increasing trend of research in this domain is identified within the considered time frame. The ratio of MEG and EEG utilization found within the reviewed articles is 1:8. Most of the reviewed articles employed graph theory metrics for their analysis with clustering coefficient (CC), global efficiency (GE), and characteristic path length (CPL) appearing more frequently compared to other metrics. This study provides general insight into how to employ connectivity measures for the analysis of electrophysiology signals of dementia-related disorders in order to better understand their underlying mechanism and their differential diagnosis.


Ginger extract modulates the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in the central nervous system and serum of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
The main function of IL-12 is differentiation of naive T cells intoTh1 cells and TGF-β is a powerful immunoregulatory cytokine. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have also been reported in some studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. The mice were administered intra-peritoneally with ginger extracts or PBS, from day +3 to +30. On day 31, mice were scarified and the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β mRNA in the spinal cord were determined by using real time-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. In PBS-treated EAE mice, the expression of IL-12 P35 and IL-12 P40 mRNA in the CNS and the mean serum levels of IL-12 were significantly higher than those of healthy group (p<0.001). In ginger-treated EAE mice, the expression of IL-12 mRNA and its serum levels were significantly lower as compared to PBS-treated EAE mice. No significant difference was observed between PBS-treated EAE mice and healthy group regarding the expression of TGF-β mRNA. In ginger (300 mg/kg)-treated EAE group, the expression of TGF-β mRNA and its serum levels were significantly higher in comparison to PBS-treated EAE mice (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). These results indicated that ginger extract modulates the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in CNS and serum of EAE mice.


Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury Following Emergent Appendectomy: A Case Study of MARSI and Missed Opportunities in Nursing Care.
The potential for skin damage from adhesive products is documented in the literature. Nevertheless, health care providers continue to lack understanding of the impact and seriousness of skin injury associated with use of tapes or other adhesive devices when applied to a patient with a history or hypersensitivity or allergy to adhesives. A 67-year-old woman with a history of tape allergy underwent emergency appendectomy. Initial removal of an adhesive bandage placed over the surgical incision revealed medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI). The largest of the 3 wounds was a Class III skin tear based on the Payne-Martin Classification System. It measured (L) 4.4 cm × (W) 1.8 cm × (D) 0.3 cm and required 3 months to heal. Experiences with this case revealed the need for evidence-based practice innovations to prevent physical, emotional, and economic cost resulting from MARSI. We recommend early identification and careful documentation of susceptibility to MARSI prior to surgery and implementation of consensus-based recommendations for prevention of MARSI as advocated by the MARSI consensus group when preparing patients for surgery and treating wounds.


[Cesarean section on a full-term parturient with convulsive crises].
A 34-years-old woman in her 35th week of pregnancy experienced epileptic seizures and underwent emergency cesarean delivery of a healthy boy under general anesthesia. The patient had no history of epilepsy and the seizures were later attributed to an intracerebral cavernous angioma. She received treatment with phenytoin and was asymptomatic 3 months later. Although seizures unrelated to preeclampsia or eclampsia in pregnancy are rare, differential diagnosis must determine the etiology of the crisis.


ErbB Proteins as Molecular Target of Dietary Phytochemicals in Malignant Diseases.
ErbB proteins overexpression, in both normal and mutated forms, is associated with invasive forms of cancer prone to metastasis and with stronger antiapoptotic mechanisms and therefore more challenging to treat. Downstream effectors of ErbB receptors mediating these phenotypic traits include MAPK, STAT, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Various phytochemical compounds were studied for their large number of biological effects including anticancer activity. Among these compounds, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main catechin from green tea leaves, and curcumin, component of the curry powder, constituted the object of numerous studies. Both compounds were shown to act directly either on ErbB expression, or on their downstream signaling molecules. In this paper we aim to review the involvement of ErbB proteins in cancer as well as the biologic activity of EGCG and curcumin in ErbB expressing and overexpressing malignancies. The problems arising in the administration of the two compounds due to their reduced bioavailability when orally administered, as well as the progress made in this field, from using novel formulations to improved dosing regimens or improved synthetic analogs, are also discussed.


Intrabiliary rupture of a large liver echinococcal cyst in an adolescent managed with endoscopic sphincterotomy and albendazole.
We report the case of a 17-year-old male with a rupture into the biliary tract. The patient was urgently admitted to the surgical department with the clinical diagnosis of cholangitis. Modern imaging techniques and specific serologic tests established the diagnosis of intrabiliary rupture of a liver hydatid cyst due to E. granulosus. Despite the fact that surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment, conservative management was preferred, due to the location of the echinococcal cyst in the right lobe of the liver adjacent to the inferior vena cava and the age of the patient. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed with subsequent evacuation of the biliary tree, followed by a sixcycle treatment with albendazole. At one-year follow-up, the patient is in good health, with no radiologic or serologic evidence of relapse.


Utilization of a Visit-Based Sepsis Assessment to Prevent Hospital Readmissions.
Sepsis results in 270,000 deaths annually in the United States. Despite the current healthcare focus on sepsis, there exist few postacute best-practice standards to rapidly identify health changes in home healthcare patients to prevent and reduce hospital readmissions due to sepsis. We systematically examined whether an evidence-based process and intervention triggering home healthcare clinicians to activate a Positive Sepsis Assessment would reduce the likelihood that the patient would be readmitted to the acute care hospital. Over 24 months, we tracked the rate of sepsis readmissions to acute care hospitals through the initial phase of early recognition education; assessment, review, and revision of best-practice algorithms; standardized documentation; and proactive care management, in conjunction with the patient's primary care provider. During our review of the last 12 months of data on home care patients triggering the Positive Sepsis Assessment 130 patients were identified to have potential signs of sepsis. Ninety-seven of these patients received early medical intervention in place and were not readmitted to the hospital. Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary home healthcare team utilizing standard sepsis education and sepsis algorithm on every patient during every visit can reduce and prevent readmissions.


From good institutions to generous citizens: Top-down incentives to cooperate promote subsequent prosociality but not norm enforcement.
What makes people willing to pay costs to help others, and to punish others' selfishness? Why does the extent of such behaviors vary markedly across cultures? To shed light on these questions, we explore the role of formal institutions in shaping individuals' prosociality and punishment. In Study 1 (N=707), American participants who reported living under higher quality cooperation-enforcing institutions (police and courts) gave significantly more in a Dictator Game (DG), but did not punish significantly more in a Third-Party Punishment Game (TPPG). In Study 1R (N=1705), we replicated the positive relationship between reported institutional quality and DG giving observed in Study 1. In Study 2 (N=516), we experimentally manipulated institutional quality in a repeated Public Goods Game with a centralized punishment institution. Consistent with the correlational results of Study 1 and 1R, we found that centralized punishment led to significantly more prosociality in a subsequent DG compared to a no-punishment control, but had no significant direct effect on subsequent TPPG punishment (only an indirect effect via increased DG giving). Thus we present convergent evidence that the quality of institutions one is exposed to "spills over" to subsequent prosociality but not punishment. These findings support a theory of social heuristics, suggest boundary conditions on spillover effects of cooperation, and demonstrate the power of effective institutions for instilling habits of virtue and creating cultures of cooperation.


Potent 'new pressor protein' related to coagulation factor XII is potentiated by inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme.
'New pressor protein' was observed after tryptic activation of human and rat plasma in vitro, which is done conventionally for prorenin measurements. It is potently pressor, heat labile, possesses enzyme activity, and has a relative molecular mass > 30 kDa with isoelectric point(s) 4.7-4.9. New pressor protein equivalent to only 0.01 ml human, or rat, plasma injected intravenously quickly raises systolic blood pressure in 300 g anesthetized, ganglion-blocked, bioassay rats by about 15 mmHg. For unknown reasons, this is potentiated to about 45 mmHg after treatment with angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors (such as captopril and enalapril). New pressor protein activity in rats remains normal 24 h after bilateral nephrectomy, suggesting that it has an extrarenal origin and, furthermore, excluding the possibility of an association with renin-angiotensin system. Systolic blood pressure elevation is greater than the diastolic one, implicating cardiotonic effects. Human plasma new pressor protein was purified using standard biochemical techniques and its N-terminal sequence (19 residues) found to be homologous with the beta factor XIIa fragment of coagulation factor XII. This was supported by demonstrating inhibition of new pressor protein activity in vitro using the factor XII-specific corn trypsin inhibitor. Also, human new pressor protein activity in humans congenitally deficient in coagulation factor XII is very low. The high potency and multiphasic, cardiotonic effects of injected new pressor protein suggest that it interacts synergistically with other systems in the body. This was confirmed by showing that, within 10 min of total bilateral adrenalectomy, responses to new pressor protein decreased markedly. New pressor protein's action requires adrenal (medullary?) involvement, but its mechanism of action and that of its potentiation by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors remain unknown. The physiologic and clinical relevance of these observations depends on whether activation of new pressor protein can occur in vivo.


Polyoxometalate Interlayered Zinc-Metallophthalocyanine Molecular Layer Sandwich as Photocoupled Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Catalyst.
Developing efficient and robust heterogeneous metallophthalocyanine electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction remains a challenge. Here, a general synthetic method of zinc-metallophthalocyanine (MPc) molecular layer/polyoxometalate (POM) sandwich lamellar material is developed, and thus improved performance of electrocatalytic and photocoupled electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is achieved. The incorporation of POM could prevent the packing of MPc molecular layers from aggregation, which would be favorable to the exposure of active sites. The molecular layer sandwich catalyst presents superior CO2 reduction activity, delivering the highest CO Faradaic efficiency (FECO) of 96.1% at -0.7 V vs RHE in dark field. Under light irradiation, over 93% FECO is achieved in a broad potential range from -0.6 to -0.9 V vs RHE with a maximum of 96.2%, and the carbon monoxide turnover frequency could exceed 2060 h-1. Photoelectrochemical tests and luminescence characterizations reveal the molecular layer is beneficial for carrier separation during light irradiation; density functional theory calculations and electron paramagnetic resonance indicated a 2-fold enhancement of the external light field on the catalytic performance.


Effective and transient mapping of protein-protein interactions: Application of novel releasable photoaffinity linkers.
Herein, two novel multifunctional releasable photoaffinity linkers were developed for effective and transient tracking interacting proteins with the overall objective of understanding their in vivo biological functions in real-time. These linkers could be used for the chemical modification of protein under moderate experimental conditions to form protein photoaffinity probes. These probes incorporated with both photoaffinity labels and tag-transfer, enable photo-crosslinking of bait proteins along with the release of unrelated groups. These photoaffinity linkers can be utilized to construct probes for disease markers, which could enable rapid diagnosis in a clinical setting at minimal interference with normal physiology.


The application of fiber core posts in restoring badly destroyed primary incisors.
Early childhood caries (ECC) represents a challenge to pediatric dentists especially, when teeth are badly destroyed. ECC involves the upper anterior teeth early in life and by the time the dentist sees the child, most of the coronal structure is lost. Dentally, this is a very devastating situation for both the dentist and parents, as in many cases, extraction of these teeth is the only option. With the introduction of new adhesive systems and restorative materials, a new approach for treating these teeth is explained and documented by clinical cases, where fiber core posts are introduced into the root canals of primary incisors for a distance of 2 to 3 mm. It is retained in place by flowable composite, then the coronal part is reconstructed by a strip crown to restore the crown form. After a follow up period of one year, only 2 teeth out of 30 had to be extracted. The failure was attributed to failure in pulpal therapy rather than failure in the restorations, which were totally intact. A laboratory testing of the fracture load resistance of the restored teeth proved that this technique significantly improved the fracture load resistance of composite celluloid crowns, making it a valuable procedure to consider when the coronal tooth structure is not enough to support and retain a composite celluloid strip crown.


Trends in type 2 diabetes detection among adults in the USA, 1999-2014.
To examine recent trends in type 2 diabetes detection among adults in the USA. We used data from the 1999-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys on non-pregnant adults (aged ≥18 years) not reporting a diagnosis of diabetes (n=16 644 participants, averaging about 2000 for each 2-year cycle). We defined undiagnosed diabetes as a fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or a hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol). We measured case detection as the probability of finding undiagnosed type 2 diabetes among the population without diagnosed diabetes. Linear regression models were used to examine trends overall and by sociodemographic characteristics (ie, age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, poverty-income ratio (PIR)). Age-standardized probability of finding undiagnosed type 2 diabetes was 3.0% (95% CI 2.1% to 4.2%) during 1999-2000 and 2.8% (2.2%-3.6%) during 2013-2014 (P for trend=0.52). Probability increased among Mexican-Americans (P for trend=0.01) but decreased among adults aged 65 years or older (P for trend=0.04), non-Hispanic (NH) white (P for trend=0.02), and adults in the highest PIR tertile (P for trend=0.047). For all other sociodemographic groups, no significant trends were detected. We found little evidence of increased detection of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes among adults in the USA during the past 15 years. Although improvements were seen among NH white, older, and wealthy adults, these improvements were not large. As the scope of primary prevention efforts increases, case detection may improve.


A model to predict nodal metastasis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Difficulty in precise decision making on necessity of surgery is a major problem when managing oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) with clinically negative neck. Therefore, use of clinical and histopathological parameters in combination would be important to improve patient management. The main objective is to develop a model that predicts the presence of nodal metastasis in patients with OSCC.623 patients faced neck dissections with buccal mucosal or tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were selected from patients' records. Demographic data, clinical information, nodal status, Depth of invasion (DOI) and pattern of invasion (POI) were recorded. The parameters which showed a significant association with nodal metastasis were used to develop a multivariable predictive model (PM). Univariate logistic regression was used to estimate the strengths of those associations in terms of odds ratios (OR). This showed statistically significant associations between status of the nodal metastasis and each of the following 4 histopathological parameters individually: size of the tumour (T), site, POI, and DOI. Specifically, OR of nodal metastasis for tongue cancers relative to buccal mucosal cancers was 1.89, P-value < 0.001. Similarly, ORs for POI type 3 and 4 relative to type 2 were 1.99 and 5.83 respectively. A similar relationship was found with tumour size; ORs for T2, T3, and T4 compared to T1 were 2.79, 8.27 and 8.75 respectively. These four histopathological parameters were then used to develop a predictive model for nodal metastasis. This model showed that probability of nodal metastasis is higher among tongue cancers with increasing POI, with increasing T, and with larger depths while other characteristics remained unchanged. The proposed model provides a way of using combinations of histopathological parameters to identify patients with higher risks of nodal metastasis for surgical management.


The spatiotemporal transfer function of crayfish lamina monopolar neurons.
1. The graded, synaptic potentials of first-order visual interneurons (lamina monopolar cells) were examined with intracellular recordings. The spatiotemporal properties were characterized with drifting sine wave gratings and annuli. 2. Annulus-elicited inhibition is maximal for annulus-test pulse intervals of approximately 140 ms and declines exponentially. The inhibition declines with increasing annular internal radii (ri). 3. Grating responses were examined with respect to spatial and temporal frequency. The gratings elicit sinusoidal signals that are approximately linear with contrast. 4. Variations in spatial frequency produce response functions with a low-pass or modest band-pass characteristic, which are described by a difference of Gaussians sensitivity profile. The central Gaussian approximates the sensitivity profile of photoreceptors. The inhibitory Gaussian is similar to the inhibitory field estimated with annulus pulses. The peak of the inhibitory Gaussian is approximately 18% of the peak excitatory Gaussian. 5. Variations in temporal frequency generally produce transfer functions with a band-pass characteristic and a peak at 1.0 Hz. These data were described by a difference of exponentials function convolved with a low-pass filter that approximates the photoreceptor response. The inhibitory time course estimated from these data was similar to that of the annulus measurements. 6. The spatiotemporal properties of lateral inhibition are consistent with inhibitory action by the lamina amacrine neurons. The proposed model is spatiotemporally inseparable and nonrecurrent. 7. Eleven of 20 monopolar cells tested exhibited a strong orientation preference with a bias to the vertical. Photoreceptors exhibit little or no orientation preference.


Gold nanoshelled liquid perfluorocarbon magnetic nanocapsules: a nanotheranostic platform for bimodal ultrasound/magnetic resonance imaging guided photothermal tumor ablation.
Imaging guided ablation therapy has been applied in both biomedical research and clinical trials and turned out to be one of the most promising approaches for cancer treatment. Herein, the multifunctional nanocapsules were fabricated through loading perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocapsules (NCs), followed by the formation of PEGylated gold nanoshell on the surface. The resulting multi-component NCs were proved to be able to act as nanotheranostic agent to achieve successful bimodal ultrasound (US)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided photothermal ablation in human tumor xenograft models non-invasively. Such a single theranostic agent with the combination of real-time US and high-resolution MR imaging would be of great value to offer more comprehensive diagnostic information and dynamics of disease progression for the accurate location of therapeutic focusing spot in the targeted tumor tissue, showing great potential as an effective nanoplatform for contrast imaging guided photothermal therapy.


Genome-wide analysis of horizontal transfer in non-model wild species from a natural ecosystem reveals new insights into genetic exchange in plants.
Horizontal transfer (HT) refers to the exchange of genetic material between divergent species by mechanisms other than reproduction. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated HTs in eukaryotes, particularly in the context of parasitic relationships and in model species. However, very little is known about HT in natural ecosystems, especially those involving non-parasitic wild species, and the nature of the ecological relationships that promote these HTs. In this work, we conducted a pilot study investigating HTs by sequencing the genomes of 17 wild non-model species from a natural ecosystem, the Massane forest, located in southern France. To this end, we developed a new computational pipeline called INTERCHANGE that is able to characterize HTs at the whole genome level without prior annotation and directly in the raw sequencing reads. Using this pipeline, we identified 12 HT events, half of which occurred between lianas and trees. We found that mainly low copy number LTR-retrotransposons from the Copia superfamily were transferred between these wild plant species, especially those of the Ivana and Ale lineages. This study revealed a possible new route for HTs between non-parasitic plants and provides new insights into the genomic characteristics of horizontally transferred DNA in plant genomes.


Comparative cytotoxicity of high-osmolar and low-osmolar contrast media on HKCs in vitro.
Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy is a clinically important complication of intravascularly applied radiocontrast media. A predominant toxic effect of contrast media on renal tubules has been shown in previous clinical trials and animal experiments. Bax and Bcl-2 are members of the Bcl-2 family. Caspases are a family of cell death proteases, caspase-3 is one of the key executioners of apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of high-osmolar contrast media (HOCM; diatrizoate) and low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM; iohexol) on human renal tubular epithelial cells (HKCs), and determined the regulatory roles of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 on apoptosis induced by contrast media (CM) in HKCs. An HKC line was used. Experiments were divided into 7 groups: the HOCM group with iodine 111 mg/mL, HOCM group with iodine 74 mg/mL, LOCM group with iodine 111 mg/mL, LOCM group with iodine 74 mg/mL, mannitol high-osmolar control group, mannitol low-osmolar control group and a culture media control group . The cytotoxicity of HOCM and LOCM were evaluated by cell proliferation and viability assay (MTT assay) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Apoptosis were assessed by Hochest 33258 fluorescence-stained cytospins, TUNEL staining, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, electron microscope and flow cytometric DNA analysis. The protein ex-pression of Bax/Bcl-2 was determined by Western blot analysis, and caspase-3 activity was also determined by the fluo-rometric method. Compared with the control group, LDH levels increased significantly (p<0.05) and cell viability decreased in cells treated with HOCM or LOCM (p<0.05) in an osmotic pressure-, iodinated ion- and time-dependent manner; in the HOCM groups, diatrizoate induced cultured HKC apoptosis. In the LOCM groups, iohexol did not induce apoptosis. Compared with equal osmotic pressure mannitol, apoptosis increased in HKCs incubated with diatrizoate (p<0.05). Bax/Bcl-2 production and caspase-3 activity were up-regulated in cultured HKCs treated with HOCM iodine 74 or 111 mg/mL meglumine diatrizoate. Both HOCM and LOCM had toxic effects on HKCs, HOCM was more cytotoxic than LOCM; HOCM induced cultured HKC apoptosis while LOCM did not induce cultured HKC apoptosis in the indicated concentrations. The regulation of apoptosis induced by HOCM in HKCs may be regulated by Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3.


Macroprolactinemia. Is treatment necessary?
A 26-year old symptom-free woman was admitted to our Clinic for evaluation of hyperprolactinemia. The patient, who had normal menstrual cycles, was found accidentally to have a cystic adnexal mass and was placed on oral contraceptives (OC) for 3 months. During the first OC-cycle a bilateral breast nipple discharge was noticed and an elevated serum prolactin (PRL) was detected (2.7 nmol/l). The OC was discontinued and bromocriptine therapy was started. Serum PRL levels were restored and spontaneous menses resumed. The Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the anterior pituitary function, assessed by dynamic tests, and the thyroid hormone levels were normal. Upon bromocriptine discontinuation, PRL levels increased to 13.8 nmol/l. Poly-ethylene-glycol precipitation of the patient's serum, in two consecutive measurements, demonstrated the presence of macroprolactinemia. Since the patient was asymptomatic, a dopamine agonist was not resumed. Macroprolactinemia is characterized by most authors, as a benign condition with no clinical implications. However, a number of investigators challenge this view, suggesting that in some cases mild symptomatology is present possibly requiring therapeutic intervention.


Optimal dual-energy computed tomography scan parameters to detect small-sized urinary stones and their composition.
To investigate the optimal scanning parameters of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), which can accurately determine sensitivity (the detectability of urinary stones) and accuracy (the composition matching of urinary stones), and to apply them to clinical trials. Fifteen urinary stones were chemically analyzed, and their chemical compositions were considered a reference standard with which we compared the uric acid (UA) and non-UA compositions determined using DECT. The urinary stones were placed inside a bolus and scanned with a dual-source CT scanner under various selected dual-energy conditions (A to X) using various solid water phantom thicknesses. These datasets were analyzed using the Siemens syngo.via software tool (integrated into the CT system) for matching the sensitivity and accuracy assessments. This study showed that 80% of the highest sensitivity (detection of urinary stones) and 92% of the highest accuracy (composition matching of urinary stones) were achieved under condition A (a collimation beam width setting of 2 × 32 × 0.6 mm, an automatic exposure control setting of 80/sn140 peak kilovoltage, and a slice thickness of 0.5/0.5 mm) (P < 0.05). Application of the DECT energy parameters presented in the study will help identify the sensitivity and accuracy of UA and non-UA stone analysis, even in patients with small-sized urinary stones and in conditions difficult for analysis.


Bilateral retinoblastoma in early infancy: a case report.
Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular tumour of childhood. Though congenital, it is not diagnosed at birth, and is usually seen between 1-2 years of age. We here report a case of bilateral retinoblastoma with early presentation at the age of one month.


[Intraabdominal complications in the lumbar disc surgery].
: Removal of a lumbar disc herniation is, at present, the most frequent surgical procedure, related to the spine in Neurosurgical Departments. It carries a very low rates of complications and a short postoperative hospital stay. However, in spite of their rarity, serious adverse intraoperative complications may occur, so we must be aware of its existence in order to make an early diagnosis and treatment to prevent a fatal outcome. It is important to ensure that the patient understand the possible complications and obtaining written consent to avoid later medico-legal problems. We report two cases with typical lumbociatic pain secondary to lumbar disc herniation operated at our Department, that resulted in intraoperative complications, due to perforation of intraabdominal structures. Initially, the patients underwent planned flavectomy, followed by simple disc removal. However, symptoms of abdominal pain and systemic hypotension in each case, began some hours later. Early diagnosis was achieved using abdominal-pelvic CT scan, showing an intestinal perforation in one patient and a tear of both iliac artery and vein in the other. In both, an urgent laparotomy was performed by colleagues from the Department of General and Vascular Surgery, with surgical repair. The final outcome was good and both are asymptomatic. Surgical removal of the lumbar disc herniation is a very effective procedure, but is not free from certain severe though rare complications. Intestinal perforation and vascular tears are two possible complications to suspect if abdominal pain or systemic arterial to suspect if abdominal pain or systemic arterial urgent surgical repair of such complications. It is of vital importance that the patient knows the existence of such complications and so obtain a written consent.


Some anamnestic and clinical parameters correlated to longterm pulmonary hypertension development in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.
A statistical correlation between anamnestic and hemodynamic data was performed in 40 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and pulmonary hypertension at rest. Cardiopulmonary hemodynamic performance was significantly correlated with some of the assessed parameters, especially duration of illness and symptoms generally related with airway obstruction as dyspnea, cough and sputum.


A region-based segmentation method for ultrasound images in HIFU therapy.
Precisely and efficiently locating a tumor with less manual intervention in ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy is one of the keys to guaranteeing the therapeutic result and improving the efficiency of the treatment. The segmentation of ultrasound images has always been difficult due to the influences of speckle, acoustic shadows, and signal attenuation as well as the variety of tumor appearance. The quality of HIFU guidance images is even poorer than that of conventional diagnostic ultrasound images because the ultrasonic probe used for HIFU guidance usually obtains images without making contact with the patient's body. Therefore, the segmentation becomes more difficult. To solve the segmentation problem of ultrasound guidance image in the treatment planning procedure for HIFU therapy, a novel region-based segmentation method for uterine fibroids in HIFU guidance images is proposed. Tumor partitioning in HIFU guidance image without manual intervention is achieved by a region-based split-and-merge framework. A new iterative multiple region growing algorithm is proposed to first split the image into homogenous regions (superpixels). The features extracted within these homogenous regions will be more stable than those extracted within the conventional neighborhood of a pixel. The split regions are then merged by a superpixel-based adaptive spectral clustering algorithm. To ensure the superpixels that belong to the same tumor can be clustered together in the merging process, a particular construction strategy for the similarity matrix is adopted for the spectral clustering, and the similarity matrix is constructed by taking advantage of a combination of specifically selected first-order and second-order texture features computed from the gray levels and the gray level co-occurrence matrixes, respectively. The tumor region is picked out automatically from the background regions by an algorithm according to a priori information about the tumor position, shape, and size. Additionally, an appropriate cluster number for spectral clustering can be determined by the same algorithm, thus the automatic segmentation of the tumor region is achieved. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, 50 uterine fibroid ultrasound images from different patients receiving HIFU therapy were segmented, and the obtained tumor contours were compared with those delineated by an experienced radiologist. For area-based evaluation results, the mean values of the true positive ratio, the false positive ratio, and the similarity were 94.42%, 4.71%, and 90.21%, respectively, and the corresponding standard deviations were 2.54%, 3.12%, and 3.50%, respectively. For distance-based evaluation results, the mean values of the normalized Hausdorff distance and the normalized mean absolute distance were 4.93% and 0.90%, respectively, and the corresponding standard deviations were 2.22% and 0.34%, respectively. The running time of the segmentation process was 12.9 s for a 318 × 333 (pixels) image. Experiments show that the proposed method can segment the tumor region accurately and efficiently with less manual intervention, which provides for the possibility of automatic segmentation and real-time guidance in HIFU therapy.


A Kalman filter-based Hybrid Model Predictive Control Algorithm for Mixed Logical Dynamical Systems: Application to Optimized Interventions for Physical Activity.
Hybrid Model Predictive Control (HMPC) is presented as a decision-making tool for novel behavioral interventions to increase physical activity in sedentary adults, such as Just Walk. A broad-based HMPC formulation for mixed logical dynamical (MLD) systems relevant to problems in behavioral medicine is developed and illustrated on a representative participant model arising from the Just Walk study. The MLD model is developed based on the requirement of granting points for meeting daily step goals and categorical input variables. The algorithm features three degrees-of-freedom tuning for setpoint tracking, measured and unmeasured disturbance rejection that facilitates controller robustness; disturbance anticipation further improves performance for upcoming events such as weekends and weather forecasts. To avoid the corresponding mixed-integer quadratic problem (MIQP) from becoming infeasible, slack variables are introduced in the objective function. Simulation results indicate that the proposed HMPC scheme effectively manages hybrid dynamics, setpoint tracking, disturbance rejection, and the transition between the two phases of the intervention (initiation and maintenance) and is suitable for evaluation in clinical trials.


Generality with specificity: the dynamic field theory generalizes across tasks and time scales.
A central goal in cognitive and developmental science is to develop models of behavior that can generalize across both tasks and development while maintaining a commitment to detailed behavioral prediction. This paper presents tests of one such model, the Dynamic Field Theory (DFT). The DFT was originally proposed to capture delay-dependent biases in spatial recall and developmental changes in spatial recall performance. More recently, the theory was generalized to adults' performance in a second spatial working memory task, position discrimination. Here we use the theory to predict a specific, complex developmental pattern in position discrimination. Data with 3- to 6-year-old children and adults confirm these predictions, demonstrating that the DFT achieves generality across tasks and time scales, as well as the specificity necessary to generate novel, falsifiable predictions.


On Gesell Evaluation System for Disabled Children in Minority Areas.
This paper takes 105 disabled children from the Disabled Rehabilitation Research Center of the South China minority autonomous region as the survey objects. Based on the Gesell scale, it collects health data such as exercise ability and health status of disabled children, analyzes the data in accordance with SPSS software, and constructs comprehensive disease analysis model of 105 disabled children. Moreover, according to five indicator data collected and tested for disabled children (adaptability, big movements, fine movements, language, and personal-social) in Gesell scale, comprehensive disease indicators of the disabled children are calculated and statistically analyzed together with age and gender information. This study analyzed comprehensive diseases and the correlation among various indicators, concluding that most disabled children aged 3-7 are diagnosed with moderate and severe developmental retardation, and retardation level is in obvious normal distribution. At the same time, there is a significant correlation between indicators of ability test interval and measurement indicators with age. This study suggests that targeted treatment and rehabilitation plans should be implemented for disabled children of different ages according to different indicators of ability test interval, which has reference value and significance for improving the treatment level of disabled children and realizing targeted rehabilitation.


Francolin phylogenetics: molecular, morphobehavioral, and combined evidence.
The phylogenetics of francolins (Francolinus species) were reassessed by obtaining 660 bp of sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b gene from 20 species, the Common Quail Coturnix coturnix africana, and the Madagascar Partridge Margaroperdix madagarensis. Published sequences of the Japanese Quail C. c. japonica, Alectoris partridges, and the Junglefowl Gallus gallus were also included. Separate analysis of the 200 phylogenetically informative cytochrome b characters and the 25 informative morphobehavioral characters, as well as a combined analysis of molecular and morphobehavioral data, do not support francolin monophyly but provide strong evidence for two previously suggested clades--the quail-francolins (or partridges) and the partridge-francolins (pheasants/francolins). The quail-francolin clade comprises three groups of African francolins and three Asian species that were previously considered more closely related to the partridge-francolins. The partridge-francolin clade, which includes four groups of African francolins, forms a sister group to the Coturnix quails, the Madagascar Partridge, and the Alectoris partridges. The molecular data suggest that the two francolin clades diverged approximately 3-6 MYA. Climatic fluctuations of the past 2.5 MYA may have led to the diversification of the ecologically different francolin species groups and speciation within them.


Neuroprotective and Disease-Modifying Effects of the Triazinetrione ACD856, a Positive Allosteric Modulator of Trk-Receptors for the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease.
The introduction of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies against Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of high importance. However, even though treated patients show very little amyloid pathology, there is only a modest effect on the rate of cognitive decline. Although this effect can possibly increase over time, there is still a need for alternative treatments that will improve cognitive function in patients with AD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the triazinetrione ACD856, a novel pan-Trk positive allosteric modulator, in multiple models to address its neuroprotective and potential disease-modifying effects. The pharmacological effect of ACD856 was tested in recombinant cell lines, primary cortical neurons, or animals. We demonstrate that ACD856 enhanced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, increased the levels of the pre-synaptic protein SNAP25 in PC12 cells, and increased the degree of phosphorylated TrkB in SH-SY5Y cells. In primary cortical neurons, ACD856 led to increased levels of phospho-ERK1/2, showed a neuroprotective effect against amyloid-beta or energy-deprivation-induced neurotoxicity, and increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Consequently, administration of ACD856 resulted in a significant increase in BDNF in the brains of 21 months old mice. Furthermore, repeated administration of ACD856 resulted in a sustained anti-depressant effect, which lasted up to seven days, suggesting effects that go beyond merely symptomatic effects. In conclusion, the results confirm ACD856 as a cognitive enhancer, but more importantly, they provide substantial in vitro and in vivo evidence of neuroprotective and long-term effects that contribute to neurotrophic support and increased neuroplasticity. Presumably, the described effects of ACD856 may improve cognition, increase resilience, and promote neurorestorative processes, thereby leading to a healthier brain in patients with AD.


DNA sequence of the promoter region for the alpha ribosomal protein operon in Escherichia coli.
Previous studies showed that the gene for RNA polymerase subunit alpha at 72 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome is co-transcribed with genes for ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) S11, S4, and L17, and probably S13. DNA sequence analysis of a deletion mutant has now established that the S13 gene is a part of the alpha operon and the gene order is promoter (P alpha), rpsM (S13), rpsK (S11), rpsD(S4), rpoA(alpha), and rplQ(L17). The DNA sequence extending 650 bases before S13 gene was determined. In vitro transcription experiments establish the probable location of the alpha promoter (P alpha) within this sequence. The start site is 94 nucleotides upstream from the initiation codon (GUG) of the S13 gene. This promoter has features previously noted as common to E. coli promoters. However, comparison with four other sequenced promoters of r-protein operons shows no unique common features that might account for the common regulation of synthesis of r-proteins. This lack of sequence similarity in promoters of r-protein operons may be because r-protein synthesis is regulated at least partially at a post-transcriptional level.


A Framework for Training Transdisciplinary Scholars in Cancer Prevention and Control.
Traditionally, postdoctoral training programs largely have focused efforts within a single discipline or closely related fields. Yet, addressing the complex questions around cancer prevention and control increasingly requires the ability to work and communicate across disciplines in order to gain a perspective that encompasses the multilevel and multifaceted issues involved with this public health issue. To address this complexity, a transdisciplinary training program was implemented to cultivate the professional and scientific development of the postdoctoral fellows in Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine's Division of Public Health Sciences and NCI-funded centers (Community Networks Program Center and Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics in Cancer Center). Fellows are matched with primary mentors and assemble a multidisciplinary mentoring team. Structured programs support the transition of fellows from disciplinary trainees to independent transdisciplinary scholars and provide exposure to multiple disciplines. This article describes the training program, challenges encountered in implementation, solutions to those problems, and the metrics employed to evaluate the program's success. The goal of the program is to train emerging investigators in the conceptual bases, language, and practices that underlie a transdisciplinary perspective on cancer prevention and control research, to create an infrastructure for continued cross-discipline dialogue and collaboration, and to develop disseminable strategies for such training.


A role for histone-like protein H1 (H-NS) in the regulation of hemolysin expression by Serratia marcescens.
The histone-like protein H1 (H-NS) is an abundant structural component of the bacterial nucleoid and influences many cellular processes including recombination, transcription and transposition. Mutations in the hns gene encoding H-NS are highly pleiotropic, affecting the expression of many unrelated genes. We have studied the role of H-NS on the regulation of hemolysin gene expression in Serratia marcescens. The Escherichia coli hns mutant carrying S. marcescens hemolysin genes on a plasmid constructed by ligation of the 3.2-kb HindIII-SacI fragment of pR02 into pBluescriptIIKS, showed a high level of expression of this hemolytic factor. To determine the osmoregulation of wild-type and hns defective mutants the cells were grown to mid-logarithmic phase in LB medium with 0.06 or 0.3 M NaCl containing ampicillin and kanamycin, whereas to analyze the effect of pH on hemolysin expression, the cells were grown to late-logarithmic phase in LB medium buffered with 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 4.5 to 8.0. To assay growth phase-related hemolysin production, bacterial cells were grown in LB medium supplemented with ampicillin and kanamycin. The expression of S. marcescens hemolysin genes in wild-type E. coli and in an hns-defective derivative at different pH and during different growth phases indicated that, in the absence of H-NS, the expression of hemolysin did not vary with pH changes or growth phases. Furthermore, the data suggest that H-NS may play an important role in the regulation of hemolysin expression in S. marcescens and its effect may be due to changes in DNA topology influencing transcription and thus the amount of hemolysin expression. Implications for the mechanism by which H-NS influences gene expression are discussed.


[Can cardiotocography provide information regarding fetal death in utero? Casuistic (author's transl)].
A case of fetal death in utero is discussed in which fetal heart tones were picked up with the cardiotocograph via direct leads from the scalp electrode during labor induction, i.e., during the course of labor. After delivery, however, it was apparent that the fetus had been dead for some time (third grade maceration). Technical errors originating in the instrument itself could be excluded since the instrument was used successfully for other deliveries before and after this particular birth. A defect caused by the scalp electrode was also not possible since the electrode was changed three times.


[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a child].
The paper deals with a case history of a 12-year-old boy, with lateral amyotrophical sclerosis. The process beginning with the bulbar syndrome and an adjunction of lesions of the central and peripheral motoneurons of the pyramidal path, had a malignant development. After 6 months the boy died from a respiratory paralysis. An analysis of the disease and histological data permit to allocate this observation to rare "slow" infections--the child form of lateral amyotrophical sclerosis.


The Brain-Gut Axis Contributes to Neuroprogression in Stress-Related Disorders.
There is a growing emphasis on the relationship between the complexity and diversity of the microorganisms that inhabit our gut (human gastrointestinal microbiota) and brain health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a dynamic matrix of tissues and organs including the brain, glands, gut, immune cells, and gastrointestinal microbiota that communicate in a complex multidirectional manner to maintain homeostasis. Changes in this environment may contribute to the neuroprogression of stress-related disorders by altering physiological processes including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, neurotransmitter systems, immune function, and inflammatory responses. While appropriate, coordinated physiological responses, such as immune or stress responses, are necessary for survival, the contribution of repeated or chronic exposure to stress may predispose individuals to a more vulnerable state leaving them more susceptible to stress-related disorders. In this chapter, the involvement of the gastrointestinal microbiota in stress- and immune-mediated modulation of neuroendocrine, immune, and neurotransmitter systems and the consequential behavior is considered. We also focus on the mechanisms by which commensal gut microbiota can regulate neuroinflammation and further aim to exploit our understanding of their role in the effects of the microbiota-gut-brain axis on the neuroprogression of stress-related disorders as a consequence of neuroinflammatory processes.


MRI in headache.
Headaches are described as primary, where no contributing cause is found, or secondary, where a discrete lesion or other condition has triggered the phenotype. Primary headache is a common condition; migraine causes much of the morbidity in this population, at great personal and economic cost. The decision to use MRI is a common dilemma facing clinicians, particularly as primary headache phenotypes can be triggered by secondary causes. Studies demonstrate that there is no appreciable difference in the frequency of pathological and incidental findings in common headache populations compared with the general community. Imaging is therefore not routinely required where a primary headache diagnosis can be made. Clinicians must be aware of the risk of manufacturing morbidity in uncovering incidental and nonsignificant imaging changes. However, patients demonstrating 'red flags' on medical history and examination do require imaging to help exclude a secondary cause of symptoms. Other headache phenotypes, such as the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, also generally require MRI.


Investigating high speed phenomena in laser plasma interactions using dilation x-ray imager (invited).
The DIlation X-ray Imager (DIXI) is a new, high-speed x-ray framing camera at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) sensitive to x-rays in the range of ≈2-17 keV. DIXI uses the pulse-dilation technique to achieve a temporal resolution of less than 10 ps, a ≈10× improvement over conventional framing cameras currently employed on the NIF (≈100 ps resolution), and otherwise only attainable with 1D streaked imaging. The pulse-dilation technique utilizes a voltage ramp to impart a velocity gradient on the signal-bearing electrons. The temporal response, spatial resolution, and x-ray sensitivity of DIXI are characterized with a short x-ray impulse generated using the COMET laser facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. At the NIF a pinhole array at 10 cm from target chamber center (tcc) projects images onto the photocathode situated outside the NIF chamber wall with a magnification of ≈64×. DIXI will provide important capabilities for warm-dense-matter physics, high-energy-density science, and inertial confinement fusion, adding important capabilities to temporally resolve hot-spot formation, x-ray emission, fuel motion, and mix levels in the hot-spot at neutron yields of up to 10(17). We present characterization data as well as first results on electron-transport phenomena in buried-layer foil experiments.


Fast and efficient protein purification using membrane adsorber systems.
The purification of proteins from complex cell culture samples is an essential step in proteomic research. Traditional chromatographic methods often require several steps resulting in time consuming and costly procedures. In contrast, protein purification via membrane adsorbers offers the advantage of fast and gentle but still effective isolation. In this work, we present a new method for purification of proteins from crude cell extracts via membrane adsorber based devices. This isolation procedure utilises the membranes favourable pore structure allowing high flow rates without causing high back pressure. Therefore, shear stress to fragile structures is avoided. In addition, mass transfer takes place through convection rather than diffusion, thus allowing very rapid separation processes. Based on this membrane adsorber technology the separation of two model proteins, human serum albumin (HSA) and immungluboline G (IgG) is shown. The isolation of human growth hormone (hGH) from chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture supernatant was performed using a cation exchange membrane. The isolation of the enzyme penicillin acylase from the crude Escherichia coli supernatant was achieved using an anion exchange spin column within one step at a considerable purity. In summary, the membrane adsorber devices have proven to be suitable tools for the purification of proteins from different complex cell culture samples.


Rice ONAC106 Inhibits Leaf Senescence and Increases Salt Tolerance and Tiller Angle.
NAM/ATAF1/ATAF2/CUC2 (NAC) is a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) family, and NACs participate in many diverse processes during the plant life cycle. Several Arabidopsis thaliana NACs have important roles in positively or negatively regulating leaf senescence, but in other plant species, including rice, the senescence-associated NACs (senNACs) remain largely unknown. Here we show that the rice senNAC TF ONAC106 negatively regulates leaf senescence. Leaves of onac106-1D (insertion of the 35S enhancer in the promoter region of the ONAC106 gene) mutants retained their green color under natural senescence and dark-induced senescence conditions. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed that key senescence-associated genes (SGR, NYC1, OsNAC5, OsNAP, OsEIN3 and OsS3H) were differentially expressed in onac106-1D during dark-induced senescence. In addition to delayed senescence, onac106-1D also showed a salt stress-tolerant phenotype; key genes that down-regulate salt response signaling (OsNAC5, OsDREB2A, OsLEA3 and OsbZIP23) were rapidly up-regulated in onac106-1D under salt stress. Interestingly, onac106-1D also exhibited a wide tiller angle phenotype throughout development, and the tiller angle-related gene LPA1 was down-regulated in onac106-1D. Using yeast one-hybrid assays, we found that ONAC106 binds to the promoter regions of SGR, NYC1, OsNAC5 and LPA1. Taking these results together, we propose that ONAC106 functions in leaf senescence, salt stress tolerance and plant architecture by modulating the expression of its target genes that function in each signaling pathway.


Cloning and transcriptional analysis of the lipA (lipoic acid synthetase) gene from Rhizobium etli.
We report here the isolation of a Rhizobium etli gene involved in lipoic acid metabolism, the lipA gene, which complements a lipA mutant strain of Escherichia coli. A promoter region (lipAp) was mapped immediately upstream of lipA and two in vivo transcription initiation sites were identified, preceded by sequences showing some homology to the -10/-35 promoter consensus sequences. The activity of the lipAp was found not to be regulated either by the carbon source or by the addition of lipoic acid. Moreover, quantitative analysis of the lipA transcript by RNase protection assays indicated its down-regulation during entry into stationary phase.


Detection of pulse and respiratory signals from the wrist using dry electrodes.
A dry, tetrapolar electrode array was used to detect the differential impedance signal at the wrists of 11 adult human subjects. Experiments were conducted to determine the importance of potential-sensing electrode spacing to detect each wearer's pulse rate and respiratory rate. The current-injecting electrodes were at the sides of the wrist; the potential-sensing electrodes were on the volar wrist surface. The bandwidth-filtered root-mean-square amplitudes of the pulse and respiratory components were computed and found to increase with increasing electrode spacing. Optimum spacings were slightly different for the pulse and respiration and were slightly different in the male and female subjects. A spacing for the potential electrodes of about 60% of the wrist hemicircumference is a good compromise for detecting respiration and pulse.


Origin of the Order-Disorder Transition and the Associated Anomalous Change of Thermopower in AgBiS2 Nanocrystals: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.
Bulk AgBiS2 crystallizes in a trigonal crystal structure (space group, P3̅m1) at room temperature, which transforms to a cation disordered rock salt structure (space group, Fm3̅m) at ∼473 K. Surprisingly, at room temperature, a solution-grown nanocrystal of AgBiS2 crystallizes in a metastable Ag/Bi ordered cubic structure, which transforms to a thermodynamically stable disorded cubic structure at 610 K. Moreover, the order-disorder transition in nanocrystalline AgBiS2 is associated with an unusual change in thermopower. Here, we shed light on the origin of a order-disorder phase transition and the associated anomalous change of thermopower in AgBiS2 nanocrystals by using a combined experimental, density functional theory based first-principles calculation and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Positron-annilation spectroscopy indicates the presence of higher numbers of Ag vacancies in the nanocrystal compared to that of the bulk cubic counterpart at room temperature. Furthermore, temperature-dependent two-detector coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopy and Doppler broadening of the annihilation radiation (S parameter) indicate that the Ag vacancy concentration increases abruptly during the order-disorder transition in nanocrystalline AgBiS2. At high temperature, a Ag atom shuttles between the vacancy and interstitial sites to form a locally disordered cation sublattice in the nanocrystal, which is facilitated by the formation of more Ag vacancies during the phase transition. This process increases the entropy of the system at higher vacancy concentration, which, in turn, results in the unusual rise in thermopower.


The "hard, relentless, never-ending" work of focusing on discharge: a qualitative study of managers' perspectives.
Interventions to hasten patient discharge continue to proliferate despite evidence that they may be achieving diminishing returns. To better understand what such interventions can be expected to accomplish, the authors aim to critically examine their underlying program theory. Within a broader study on patient flow, spanning 10 jurisdictions across Western Canada, the authors conducted in-depth interviews with 300 senior, middle and frontline managers; 174 discussed discharge initiatives. Using thematic analysis informed by a Realistic Evaluation lens, the authors identified the mechanisms by which discharge activities were believed to produce their impacts and the strategies and context factors necessary to trigger the intended mechanisms. Managers' accounts suggested a common program theory that applied to a wide variety of discharge initiatives. The chief mechanism was inculcation of a sharp focus on discharge; reinforcing mechanisms included development of shared understanding and a sense of accountability. Participants reported that these mechanisms were difficult to produce and sustain, requiring continual active management and repeated (re)introduction of interventions. This reflected a context in which providers, already overwhelmed with competing demands, were unlikely to be able (or perhaps even willing) to sustain a focus on this particular aspect of care. The finding that "discharge focus" emerged as the core mechanism of discharge interventions helps to explain why such initiatives may be achieving limited benefit. There is a need for interventions that promote timely discharge without relying on this highly problematic mechanism.


[Attitudes and practices towards seasonal influenza vaccination amongst French hospital staff].
This survey intends to describe the attitudes towards vaccination amongst the hospital staff in the region of Castres, in the south-west of France, and their influenza vaccination coverage. A questionnaire was attached to all pay slips in March 2014 and 471 questionnaires were completed (return rate: 22.4%). Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rate was similar to that reported in other French surveys. Paramedical personnel were less commonly immunized against influenza compared to medical personnel and age was the major factor associated with vaccination. Three quarters of the non-immunized hospital personnel did not wish to be vaccinated against influenza. Nearly 50% of respondents believed that healthcare personnel do not have to be role models regarding vaccination. The arguments considered most compelling in favour of vaccination are protection of the family, then patient protection and finally protection of other staff members. A demand for accurate scientific information was expressed by respondents, preferably delivered at their workplace.


Test of models for the sequence specificity of UV-induced mutations in mammalian cells.
We have used mathematical modeling and statistical analysis to examine the correlation between UV-induced DNA damage and resulting base-substitution mutations in mammalian cells. The frequency and site specificity of UV-induced photoproducts in the supF gene of the pZ189 shuttle vector plasmid were compared with the frequency and site specificity of base-substitution mutations induced upon passage of the UV-irradiated vector in monkey cells. The hypothesis that the observed mutational spectrum is due to a preferential insertion of adenosine opposite UV photoproducts in the DNA template was found to best explain the mutational data. Models in which it was postulated that only (6-4) photoproducts, and not cyclobutane dimers, are mutagenic, or that the relative frequency of photoproduct formation does not influence mutation frequencies, fit the data much less well. This analysis demonstrates that molecular mechanisms of mutagenesis in mammalian cells can be deduced from mutational data obtained with a shuttle vector system.


A new subspecies of Xixuthrus from Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Prioninae).
The prionine genus Xixuthrus consists of species among the largest cerambycids in the world, attaining sizes more than 150 mm. The genus occurs in the Australo-Indo-Pacific regions with 18 species, six of which are found in New Guinea (Xixuthrus arfakianus, granulipennis, helleri, lameerei, microcerus axis, thomsoni). Their habitat is limited to primeval rainforests, and in many areas, it is under threat because of logging and human deforestation. The life cycle of these beetles is unknown, and they remain elusive and mysterious because of the limited accessibility to specimens living in dense rainforest of middle-high volcanic regions with inaccessible steep slopes affected by high humidity, fog, and heavy rainfall. The new subspecies described here was collected in the centre of Papua New Guinea, where many beetles are to date undescribed.


Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of the Efficacy of a Collagen Membrane in Regenerative Endodontics: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.
Recent reviews confirm a general lack of randomized, controlled clinical studies on the efficacy of regenerative endodontics in immature teeth affected by pulp and periapical diseases. Moreover, we have no evidence of the curative efficacy of collagen membranes used as scaffolds in regenerative endodontics. Here, we evaluated whether a Bio-Gide collagen membrane (Geistlich Pharma AG, Wolhusen, Switzerland) has efficacy in promoting dentin formation in regenerative endodontics. Forty-three patients yielding a total of 46 nonvital immature teeth were divided randomly into 2 groups. Subsequent to chemomechanical preparation, regenerative endodontics with (the experimental group) and without (the control group) Bio-Gide were performed. All cases were followed up clinically and radiographically every 3 months for at least 6 months. Quantitative analyses using an imaging program yielded percentage changes in root dimensions based on a comparison between preoperative and recall radiographs. The results of 40 patients (43 teeth) were included in the final analyses. All patients from both groups showed clinical success with complete resolution of signs and symptoms. Radiographically, the thickness of the dentin wall at the middle third of the root was higher for the experimental group than the control group. However, other indicators were comparable between both groups. The use of the Bio-Gide collagen membrane promoted the development of the dentin wall in the middle third of the root in patients undergoing regenerative endodontic procedures. The convenience of operation and the assured positioning of the sealing material make the Bio-Gide collagen membrane especially suitable for handling wide root canals.


Assessment of 30/20-Microgram Disk Content versus MIC Results for Ceftazidime-Avibactam Tested against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
We evaluated the correlation between MIC and disk diffusion inhibition zones when testing ceftazidime-avibactam, using the 30/20-μg disk and the disk diffusion and MIC breakpoints established by the U.S. FDA and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Organisms used included 2 groups of Enterobacteriaceae isolates and 2 groups of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates; 1 group of each consisted of randomly selected isolates and the second group consisted of a challenge group from thousands of surveillance isolates with an increased proportion of organisms displaying ceftazidime-avibactam MIC values close to the breakpoints. Broth microdilution, disk diffusion tests, and data analysis were performed according to reference standardized methods. Ceftazidime-avibactam breakpoints of ≤8/4 (susceptible) and ≥16/4 μg/ml (resistant) for MIC and ≥21/≤20 mm for disk diffusion, as established by the U.S. FDA and the CLSI, were applied for Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa Ceftazidime-avibactam MIC and disk zone (30/20-μg disk) correlation were acceptable when testing Enterobacteriaceae (overall, very major [VM] and major [Ma] error rates of 0.4% and 0.0%, respectively) and nearly so when testing P. aeruginosa (2.3% VM and 2.9% Ma errors). In summary, disk diffusion and broth microdilution testing results demonstrated good categorical agreement for ceftazidime-avibactam against Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa, using 30/20-μg disks.


Prevention by retinoic acid of anionic site redistribution on the surface of cultured human sarcoma cells.
The distribution of cell surface negatively-charged macromolecules was determined electron microscopically on untreated and on retinoic acid (RA)-treated cultured human osteosarcoma Hs791 and chondrosarcoma Hs705 cells using cationized ferritin (CF), an electron-dense marker of anionic sites. Labeling on the surface of prefixed cells was continuous and uniform whether they were grown in the absence or presence of RA. In contrast, CF distribution on unfixed cells was markedly affected by RA; CF labeling of untreated cells occurred in patches and clusters whereas the label on RA-treated cells was continuous, as on prefixed cells. CF labeling of unfixed cells decreased considerably after incubation of the cells either with hyaluronidase or neuraminidase. There was also a reduction in patching and clustering. Changes induced by RA in the apparent membrane microviscosity, in neuraminidase-releasable sialic acid, or in transglutaminase activity could not be related to the effect of RA on CF-induced anionic site redistribution since these characteristics were modulated differently in the two cell lines. In contrast, RA increased the sialylation of specific cell surface membrane glycoproteins on both cell types. These results suggest that RA prevents redistribution of cell surface sialoglycoconjugates and glycosaminoglycans by CF. This effect may be the result of increased sialylation of specific surface components and may be related causally to the suppression of the transformed phenotype in the sarcoma cells.


Transfer of noncovalent chiral information along an optically inactive helical peptide chain: allosteric control of asymmetry of the C-terminal site by external molecule that binds to the N-terminal site.
This study aims at demonstrating end-to-end transfer of noncovalent chiral information along a peptide chain. The domino-type induction of helical sense is proven by using achiral peptides 1-m of bis-chromophoric sequence with different chain lengths: H-(Aib-Delta(Z)Phe)(m)-(Aib-Delta(Z)Bip)(2)-Aib-OCH(3) [m = 2, 4, and 6; Aib = alpha-aminoisobutyric acid; Delta(Z)Phe = (Z)-alpha,beta-didehydrophenylalanine; Delta(Z)Bip = (Z)-beta-(4,4'-biphenyl)-alpha,beta-didehydroalanine]. They all showed the tendency to adopt a 3(10)-helix. Whereas peptide 1-m originally shows no circular dichroism (CD) signals, marked CD signals were induced at around 270-320 nm based on both the beta-aryl didehydroresidues by chiral Boc-proline (Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl). The observed CD spectra were interpreted on the basis of the exciton chirality method and theoretical CD simulation of several helical conformations that were energy-minimized. The experimental and theoretical CD analysis reveals that Boc-l-proline induces the preference for a right-handed helicity in the whole chain of 1-m. Such noncovalent chiral induction was not observed in the corresponding N-terminally protected 1-m. Obviously, helicity induction in 1-m originates from the binding of Boc-proline to the N-terminal site. In the 17-mer (1-6), the information of helix sense reaches the 16th residue from the N-terminus. We have monitored precise transfer of noncovalent chiral stimulus along a helical peptide chain. The present study also proposes a primitive allosteric model of a single protein-mimicking backbone. Here chiral molecule binding the N-terminal site of 1-6 controls the chiroptical signals and helical sense of the C-terminal site about 30 A away.