Antipsychotic drug use among elderly nursing home residents in the United States.
Antipsychotic utilization in elderly nursing home residents has increased substantially in recent years, primarily due to the use of atypical antipsychotic agents. However, few studies have examined antipsychotic utilization patterns in nursing home residents in the United States since the introduction of atypical agents in the 1990s. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence of and the factors associated with antipsychotic drug use among elderly nursing home residents in the United States. This study involved a cross-sectional analysis of prescription and resident data files from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey (NNNHS). The analysis focused on the use of 11 typical and 6 atypical antipsychotic agents among a nationally representative sample of elderly patients (aged > or =65 years). Descriptive weighted analysis was performed to examine antipsychotic prevalence patterns. Multiple logistic regression analysis within the conceptual framework of the Andersen behavioral model was used to examine the factors associated with antipsychotic drug use among the elderly nursing home residents. According to the 2004 NNHS, 0.32 million elderly nursing home residents received antipsychotic medications, for an overall prevalence of 24.82%. Most received atypical agents (23.45%), while 1.90% received typical agents. Frequently reported diagnoses among the elderly using an antipsychotic agent were dementia (70%), depression (41%), and anxiety (18%). Among the predisposing characteristics, female gender and age (> or =85 years) were negatively associated with antipsychotic drug use. Need factors such as increasing dependence in decision-making ability regarding tasks of daily life, depressed mood indicators, behavioral symptoms, history of falls, and bowel incontinence were positively associated with antipsychotic drug use. In addition to the use of antipsychotic agents in schizophrenia and bipolar mania, this study found high use in conditions such as dementia, anxiety, depression, and parkinsonism in the elderly. Nearly 1 in 4 elderly nursing home residents in the United States received antipsychotic agents. Predisposing and need factors played a vital role in determining the use of antipsychotic agents in these elderly patients. Overall, the study findings suggest that there is a need to monitor antipsychotic drug use by elderly patients in US nursing homes in light of recent efficacy and safety data on atypical agents.


miR-143-3p inhibits proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating its target gene FGF1.
To explore FGF1 and miR-143-3p expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its related mechanisms. Eighty-two HCC patients treated at our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were enrolled as Group A, while further 80 healthy people undergoing physical examinations during the same time period were enrolled as Group B. HCC cells and normal human liver cells were purchased, with HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-FGF1, si-FGF1, NC, miR-143-3p-inhibitor and miR-143-3p-mimics. FGF1 and miR-143-3p expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Slug, E-cadherin and γ-catenin was detected by Western Blotting (WB). Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell invasion was detected by Transwell. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). FGF1 was highly expressed but miR-143-3p was poorly expressed in HCC cells. Areas under the curves (AUCs) of the two indicators were > 0.8. The indicators were correlated with the age, gender, tumor invasion, degree of differentiation, tumor location and TNM staging of the patients. Silencing FGF1 and overexpressing miR-143-3p could promote cell apoptosis, inhibit cell growth, cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Slug, and increase the expression of E-cadherin and γ-catenin. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay (DLRGA) confirmed that FGF1 and miR-143-3p had a targeted relationship. The rescue experiment showed that the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells in the miR-143-3p-mimics+pcDNA3.1-FGF1 and miR-143-3p-inhibitor+Si-FGF1 groups were not different from those in the miR-NC group. Inhibiting FGF1 can upregulate miR-143-3p-mediated Hedgehog signaling pathway, and affect cells' EMT, proliferation and invasion, so FGF1 is expected to become a potential therapeutic target for HCC.


A general strategy to synthesize chemically and topologically anisotropic Janus particles.
Emulsion polymerization is the most widely used synthetic technique for fabricating polymeric particles. The interfacial tension generated with this technique limits the ability to tune the topology and chemistry of the resultant particles. We demonstrate a general emulsion interfacial polymerization approach that involves introduction of additional anchoring molecules surrounding the microdroplets to synthesize a large variety of Janus particles with controllable topological and chemical anisotropy. This strategy is based on interfacial polymerization mediated by an anchoring effect at the interface of microdroplets. Along the interface of the microdroplets, the diverse topology and surface chemistry features of the Janus particles can be precisely tuned by regulating the monomer type and concentration as well as polymerization time. This method is applicable to a wide variety of monomers, including positively charged, neutrally charged, and negatively charged monomers, thereby enriching the community of Janus particles.


Herpesvirus entry mediator, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family, interacts with members of the TNFR-associated factor family and activates the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1.
The mammalian tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family consists of 10 cell-surface proteins that regulate development and homeostasis of the immune system. Based on an expressed sequence tag, we have cloned a cDNA encoding a novel member of the human TNFR family. A closely related protein, designated HVEM (for herpesvirus entry mediator), was identified independently by another group as a mediator of herpesvirus entry into mammalian cells (Montgomery, R., Warner, M., Lum, B., and Spear, P. (1996) Cell 87, 427-436). HVEM differed from our clone by two amino acid residues, suggesting that the two proteins represent polymorphism of a single HVEM gene. We detected HVEM mRNA expression in several human fetal and adult tissues, although the predominant sites of expression were lymphocyte-rich tissues such as adult spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes. The cytoplasmic region of HVEM bound to several members of the TNFR-associated factor (TRAF) family, namely TRAF1, TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF5, but not to TRAF6. Transient transfection of HVEM into human 293 cells caused marked activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcriptional regulator of multiple immunomodulatory and inflammatory genes. HVEM transfection induced also marked activation of Jun N-terminal kinase, and of the Jun-containing transcription factor AP-1, a regulator of cellular stress-response genes. These results suggest that HVEM is linked via TRAFs to signal transduction pathways that activate the immune response.


An intervention program based on team building during tactical training tasks to improve team functioning.
The study aimed to analyze the effects of an intervention program based on team building developed in technical-tactical training tasks in football. Specifically, it examined the benefits of the intervention in variables related to the conceptual model of team building: role clarity, team identification, intra-team communication, cohesion, intra-group conflict, commitment to the team, inside sacrifice, transactive memory systems, collective efficacy, and perceived performance. The participants were 51 young elite footballers divided into an experimental group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 24). The methodological design was quasi-experimental with a duration of 8 weeks. The data were collected three times: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The results showed differences favoring the experimental group compared to the control group after the implementation of the intervention program in the following variables: team identification (p < 0.001), role clarity (p < 0.001), intra-team communication (p < 0.001; except distinctiveness), group cohesion (p < 0.05), social conflict (p = 0.001), commitment to the team (p < 0.001), inside sacrifice (p < 0.001), transactive memory systems (p < 0.01; except coordination), collective efficacy (p = 0.02) and team performance (p = 0.001). Consequently, the application of team-building strategies incorporated into specific technical-tactical training tasks in football seems to improve group dynamics in sports teams.


Detection of adenovirus types 40 and 41 in stool specimens by immune electron microscopy.
An immune electron microscope (IEM) test was developed that allowed the direct detection of adenovirus type 40 (ad 40) or ad 41 in stools specimens. The polyclonal rabbit antisera used differentiated ad 40 and 41 from other ad serotypes but not from each other. The method was evaluated in a 13 month prospective study of stools from children with gastroenteritis. Seventy-two specimens found to contain ad by conventional electron microscope screening were retested by IEM. Results were typically obtained within 2 hr and showed that 55 (76%) viruses typed as ad 40/41. No ads were recovered from conventional virus isolation attempts on these specimens. Additionally, 39 of these 55 viruses were tested by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) after growth in 293 cells, and results showed that all produced digest patterns typical of ad 40 (seven cases) or ad 41 (32 cases). Twenty-four percent (17/72) of viruses could not be typed by IEM; 9/17 (53%) yielded ads [ad 1 (1), ad 2 (4), ad 5 (1), ad 6 (1), ad 7 (2)] in routine culture, whereas REA identified the other eight as ad 2 (6), ad 1 (1), and ad 41 (1). The concordance between IEM and the reference methods was therefore 100% specificity and 97.5% sensitivity. The method described allows the clinically useful diagnosis of ad 40/41 infection to be rapidly made and will be a particularly useful technique in laboratories screening faeces by electron microscopy.


Adherence and effectiveness of drug combination in curative treatment among children suffering uncomplicated malaria in rural Senegal.
Increased Plasmodium falciparum resistance to chloroquine has prompted national malaria programs to develop new policies in several African countries. Less than a year after the introduction of amodiaquine/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ/SP) as first-line treatment in Senegal, we examined adherence rates to therapy and its efficacy among children. The study was conducted in five dispensaries in rural Senegal. Children aged 2-10 years with a presumptive diagnosis of malaria were prescribed AQ/SP. Thick blood film analyses were carried out on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. Blood and urine samples were collected on day 3 for drug level measurements. The principal caregivers were questioned on treatment adherence. Among the 289 recruited children, 144 had a parasitemia >2500/microl. The results demonstrated markedly good efficacy for the treatment, as no detectable parasitemia was observed on day 28 for 97.9% of the children. However, we noticed that 35.3% of children did not comply with the recommended doses and 62.3% did not exactly adhere to the drug schedule. Despite the good efficacy of the drugs, adherence to the therapeutic scheme was poor. Strategies to promote patient adherence would improve drug performance and thus might help to prevent the rapid emergence of drug resistance.


An uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding: the calm before the storm.
A 69-year-old male presented with a 5-day history of backache, asthenia, and fever. At admission, hemoglobin was 6.4 g/dL and there was no gastrointestinal bleeding. His medical history was remarkable for an endovascular aneurysm repair performed 10 years before, with implantation of a bilateral aorto-iliac graft.


The impact of cellulose nanocrystals on the aggregation and initial adhesion of Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria.
Deposition on silica surfaces of two Pseudomonas fluorescens strains (CHA0 and CHA19-WS) having different extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) producing capacities was studied in the absence and presence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Batch (batch soaking) and continuous flow (quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation) methods were used to evaluate the impact of CNCs on bacterial initial adhesion. This study demonstrated that bacterial initial adhesion to solid surfaces can be significantly hindered by CNCs using both methods. In the presence of CNCs, it was observed that bacteria with more EPS aggregated more significantly compared to bacteria with less EPS, and that bacterial deposition under this condition decreased to a greater extent. The classic DLVO theory failed to predict bacterial adhesion behavior in this study. A detailed discussion is provided regarding potential antibacterial adhesion mechanisms of CNCs.


Novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system for enhanced solubility and dissolution of lutein.
Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) containing oil (Phosal 53 MCT), surfactant (Labrasol), and cosurfactant (Transcutol-HP or Lutrol-E400) was prepared to enhance solubility and dissolution of lutein. Ternary phase diagram of the SNEDDS was constructed to identify the self-emulsifying regions following which the percentage of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant in the SNEDDS were optimized in terms of emulsification time and mean emulsion droplet size. The optimized SNEDDS consists of 25% oil, 60% surfactant, and 15% cosurfactant. When measured using USP XXIII dissolution apparatus II, the emulsification time of the SNEDDS prepared with Transcutol-HP as cosurfactant was less than 20 sec, and it was 20-30 sec in the SNEDDS prepared with Lutrol-E400. Mean emulsion droplet size was slightly smaller when Transcutol-HP was used as cosurfactant (80 +/- 6 nm), compared to when Lutrol- E400 was used (93 +/- 6 nm). Dissolution of lutein from the solid SNEDDS (physical mixture of the optimized SNEDDS and Aerosil 200) took place immediately (less than 5 min) in distilled water, and, once dissolved, no precipitation or aggregation of the drug were observed. In contrast, no drug was released from lutein powder or from the commercial product (Eyelac(R)) until 3 h of the study duration.


A unified approach to demographic data collection for research with young children across diverse cultures.
Culture is a key determinant of children's development both in its own right and as a measure of generalizability of developmental phenomena. Studying the role of culture in development requires information about participants' demographic backgrounds. However, both reporting and treatment of demographic data are limited and inconsistent in child development research. A barrier to reporting demographic data in a consistent fashion is that no standardized tool currently exists to collect these data. Variation in cultural expectations, family structures, and life circumstances across communities make the creation of a unifying instrument challenging. Here, we present a framework to standardize demographic reporting for early child development (birth to 3 years of age), focusing on six core sociodemographic construct categories: biological information, gestational status, health status, community of descent, caregiving environment, and socioeconomic status. For each category, we discuss potential constructs and measurement items and provide guidance for their use and adaptation to diverse contexts. These items are stored in an open repository of context-adapted questionnaires that provide a consistent approach to obtaining and reporting demographic information so that these data can be archived and shared in a more standardized format. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).


Weak evidence base for bee protective pesticide mitigation measures.
Pesticides help produce food for humanity's growing population, yet they have negative impacts on the environment. Limiting these impacts, while maintaining food supply, is a crucial challenge for modern agriculture. Mitigation measures are actions taken by pesticide users, which modify the risk of the application to nontarget organisms, such as bees. Through these, the impacts of pesticides can be reduced, with minimal impacts on the efficacy of the pesticide. Here we collate the scientific evidence behind mitigation measures designed to reduce pesticide impacts on bees using a systematic review methodology. We included all publications which tested the effects of any pesticide mitigation measure (using a very loose definition) on bees, at any scale (from individual through to population level), so long as they presented evidence on the efficacy of the measure. We found 34 publications with direct evidence on the topic, covering a range of available mitigation measures. No currently used mitigation measures were thoroughly tested, and some entirely lacked empirical support, showing a weak evidence base for current recommendations and policy. We found mitigation measure research predominantly focuses on managed bees, potentially failing to protect wild bees. We also found that label-recommended mitigation measures, which are the mitigation measures most often applied, specifically are seldom tested empirically. Ultimately, we recommend that more, and stronger, scientific evidence is required to justify existing mitigation measures to help reduce the impacts of pesticides on bees while maintaining crop protection.


The genomics revolution: will canine atopic dermatitis be predictable and preventable?
Heritability studies suggest that atopic dermatitis (AD) involves multiple genes and interactions with environmental factors. Advances in genomics have given us powerful techniques to study the genetics of AD. To review the application of these techniques to canine AD. Candidate genes can be studied using quantitative PCR and genomic techniques, but these are hypothesis-dependent techniques and may miss novel genes. Hypothesis-free techniques avoid this limitation. Microarrays quantify expression of large numbers of genes, although false-positive associations are common. In the future, expression profiling could be used to produce a complete tissue transcriptome. Genome-wide linkage studies can detect AD-associated loci if enough affected dogs and unaffected relatives are recruited. Genome-wide association studies can be used to discover AD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms without relying on related dogs. Genomic studies in dogs have implicated numerous genes in the pathogenesis of AD, including those involved in innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, cell cycle, apoptosis, skin barrier formation and transcription regulation. These findings, however, have been inconsistent, and problems include low case numbers, inappropriate controls, inconsistent diagnosis, incomplete genome coverage, low-penetrance mutations and environmental factors. Canine AD has a complex genotype that varies between breeds and gene pools. Breeding programmes to eliminate AD are therefore unlikely to succeed, but this complexity could explain variations in clinical phenotype and response to treatment. Genotyping of affected dogs will identify novel target molecules and enable better targeting of treatment and management options. However, we must avoid misuse of genomic data.


Loss Aversion and Current, Former, and Never-Smoking Status.
Loss aversion (LA) is a bias in decision-making wherein potential losses have a greater influence on choices than equivalent gains. Such a bias may protect individuals from harm. Consistent with this idea, lower LA has been measured in individuals who endorse current cigarette smoking as well as other substance use compared to controls matched on important sociodemographic variables (age, gender, and educational attainment). The goal of the present study was to systematically replicate and extend this association between LA and smoking status by comparing those meeting criteria for current-, former-, and never-smoking status. In total, 984 individuals (N = 984) that endorsed current cigarette smoking (past 30-day use; n = 361), former-smoking (no past 30-day use, >100 cigarettes lifetime; n = 317), and never-smoking (no past 30-day use, <100 cigarettes lifetime; n = 306) were recruited using standard crowdsourcing methods and completed measures of LA (50-50 gambles) and delay discounting (DD) (monetary choice questionnaire), an important decision-making bias with an established relationship to cigarette-smoking status. Lower LA was observed in those endorsing current smoking compared to former smoking (t[952] = -9.57, Bonferroni corrected p < .0001), and never-smoking (t[952] = -3.99, Bonferroni corrected p = .0002). LA was also greater in former- compared to the never-smoking (t[952] = -5.26, Bonferroni corrected p < .0001). This pattern did not change when accounting for DD and sociodemographics. DD results replicated prior findings. The results support LA as a decision-making bias related to the risk of cigarette smoking and other substance use. Further research is needed to understand the causal contributions of LA and DD and their potential intersections. Low LA is a risk factor for cigarette smoking. This study reports higher LA among individuals that endorsed never-smoking and former-smoking status in comparison to those endorsing current cigarette smoking. LA may influence or be influenced by a change in smoking status.


Are we there yet? Seizing the moment to integrate medicine and public health.
Multiple promising but unsustainable attempts have been made to maintain programs integrating primary care and public health since the middle of the last century. During the 1960s, social justice movements expanded access to primary care and began to integrate primary care with public health concepts both to meet community needs for medical care and to begin to address the social determinants of health. Two decades later, the managed care movement offered opportunities for integration of primary care and public health as many employers and government payers attempted to control health costs and bring disease prevention strategies in line with payment mechanisms. Today, we again have the opportunity to align primary care with public health to improve the community's health.


COVID-19 fear and its associated correlates among type-2 diabetes patients in Bangladesh: A hospital-based study.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused widespread fear among people around the world, particularly those with underlying health conditions such as type-2 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 fear and its associated potential factors among type-2 diabetes patients in Bangladesh. A total of 1,036 type-2 diabetes patients residing in the Jashore district of Bangladesh were interviewed using the COVID-19 Fear Scale in Bengali language. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, lifestyle-related characteristics, and COVID-19-related information. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with perceived fear of COVID-19. The mean score of the COVID-19 fear was 18.1 ± 5.6. Approximately 45 and 39% were most afraid and uncomfortable thinking about COVID-19, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that gender, age, occupation, residence, physical activity, smoking, and dietary diversity score were associated with fear. Additionally, respondents who had limited self-care practice, unaffordable medicine, medicine shortages, a close friend or family member diagnosed with COVID-19, and financial problems during COVID-19 were significant predictors of COVID-19 fear. Healthcare providers should implement interventions, including appropriate education and counseling, to address the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on type-2 diabetes patients in Bangladesh.


A study of the relationship between protective behaviors and drinking consequences among undergraduate college students.
The authors identified the number, type, and frequency of protective behaviors that undergraduate college students who consume alcohol use to prevent alcohol-related consequences. Their hypothesis was that students who engage in more types of protective behaviors with greater frequency would be less likely to experience alcohol-related consequences. Participants consisted of a randomly selected sample of 1,355 undergraduates aged 18 years and older at a large public university. Students completed a mailed questionnaire on alcohol and health behaviors in spring 2002. The findings (after adjustment for covariates) indicated that self-protective behaviors are inversely associated with alcohol-related problems for women but not for men. The influences of gender and racial and ethnic differences are considered in relation to prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol-related consequences on college campuses.


Eosinophil- and neutrophil-mediated injury of human lung fibroblast cells.
The effect of culturing purified rat peritoneal neutrophils and eosinophils with the human foetal lung fibroblast cell line, MRC-5, was studied. Target cell damage was measured by the failure of the MRC-5 cells to form confluent monolayers during a 6-day incubation period. Neutrophils were more effective at inhibiting cell growth than were eosinophils with greater than 50% inhibition being recorded at initial effector: target cell ratios of 5:1 using neutrophils and 40:1 using eosinophils. Following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), one quarter the number of eosinophils was required to give 50% inhibition of cell growth. The addition of either catalase or superoxide dismutase partly reduced the activity of PMA-stimulated eosinophils, although only with catalase did this reach significance. PMA-stimulated neutrophils did not show any enhanced activity against the MRC-5 cells. Addition of the bacterial analogue f-Met-Leu-Phe (10(-7)M) was unable to increase the cytotoxic activity of eosinophils. Disrupted eosinophil suspensions were as effective as intact cells at inhibiting the growth of target cells whereas some loss in effectiveness was seen with disrupted neutrophils. Membrane-free supernatants from both eosinophils and neutrophils were inactive. The results suggest that although eosinophils and neutrophils are both capable of damaging lung fibroblast cells in culture, the latter is more effective, eosinophils appearing to require an additional stimulation in vitro. Possible mechanisms of cytotoxicity are discussed.


Putting behavior back into feeding behavior: a tribute to George Collier.
In an attempt to explain my failure to find any correlation between meal size and intermeal intervals in free-feeding rats, George Collier, my mentor, suggested that perhaps eating behavior had strong extra-physiological determinants, a heretical idea that had an enormous impact on my subsequent research. After moving to Cornell University, my students and I began a series of studies, first with animals, then with humans, all of which supported George's idea. We observed that, under our test conditions, humans (a) do not respond to overfeeding by reducing their food intake, (b) do not change the amount they consume at meals when snacks or breakfasts are added or subtracted from their daily intake, (c) do not change the amount they eat when the energy density of their food is changed, (d) nor do they increase their intake following a semi or total fast for 24 h. They also increase the amount they consume proportionally to the amount of food they are served, the variety of foods offered, and the number of people with whom they eat. The combination of these data with George's insightful idea, has merged into a modification of the popular Set-Point Theory of the regulation of body weight. The alternative "Settling Zone" Theory suggests that whereas biology may determine a range of body weights (adiposity) that are maintained fairly constant for long periods of time, within this "zone", the behaviors responsible for controlling energy intake and energy expenditure are influenced primarily by environmental and cognitive stimuli. The size of the "Settling Zone" is not currently known, but if it is 10% or greater, then efforts to identify and understand the environmental and cognitive stimuli that influence body weight may produce advances that will reduce our high rates of overweight and obesity.


The development of reasoning about the teaching of values in school and family contexts.
This study investigated children's, adolescents', and young adults' reasoning about the teaching of a variety of values in the school and family contexts. One-hundred and sixty participants in four age groups (8-, 10-, and 13-year-olds, and college students) evaluated acts involving the teaching of values and laws that regulate the teaching of these values. Both the valence (positive or negative) of values and the context in which they were presented (school, family) were systematically varied. Results showed that a variety of factors were considered in evaluating the teaching of values, including context, the valence of the value, and the type of value being taught. Participants' reasoning about values education was found to be multifaceted and included distinctions between moral values that reflect justice and rights, and values that reflect other forms of personality traits and social values. The findings suggest that conceptions of values education may be better understood within models of social reasoning that draw distinctions between types of values (e.g., moral and other values) and account for the increasing capacity to differentiate social contexts and spheres of legitimate governmental regulation with development.


Symptomatic Fetal-Type Cardiac Rhabdomyoma.
Rhabdomyomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors, especially seen during early periods of childhood. Fetaltype rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor described almost always in extracardiac locations. Although the natural history of the cardiac rhabdomyoma is to regress, the behaviour of the fetal-type rhabdomyomas when present in the heart is unknown with respect to its infrequency. Herein, we report a hemodynamically unstable female neonate with a single large intra-cardiac mass unresponsive to medical treatment, who underwent surgery. The neonate could not survive the operation due to ventricular fibrillation. The mass was diagnosed as fetal-type cardiac rhabdomyoma on autopsy.


NanoForms: an integrated server for processing, analysis and assembly of raw sequencing data of microbial genomes, from Oxford Nanopore technology.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques dominate today's landscape of genetics and genomics research. Though Illumina still dominates worldwide sequencing, Oxford Nanopore is one of the leading technologies currently being used by biologists, medics and geneticists across various applications. Oxford Nanopore is automated and relatively simple for conducting experiments, but generates gigabytes of raw data, to be processed by often ambiguous set of alternative bioinformatics command-line tools, and genomics frameworks which require a knowledge of bioinformatics to run. We established an inter-collegiate collaboration across experimentalists and bioinformaticians in order to provide a novel bioinformatics tool, free for academics. This tool allows people without extensive bioinformatics knowledge to simply process their raw genome sequencing data. Currently, due to ICT resources' maintenance reasons, our server is only capable of handling small genomes (up to 15 Mb). In this paper, we introduce our tool, NanoForms: an intuitive and integrated web server for the processing and analysis of raw prokaryotic genome data, coming from Oxford Nanopore. NanoForms is freely available for academics at the following locations: http://nanoforms.tech (webserver) and https://github.com/czmilanna/nanoforms (GitHub source repository).


Population structure in the endangered Blanca Cacereña bovine breed demonstrated by RAPD analyses.
RAPD analyses have been used to determine the genetic diversity and the population structure of the endangered Blanca Cacereña bovine breed. Genetic variability was evaluated on the basis of 1048 loci produced by 71 primers. RAPD produced a number of polymorphic loci (30.44%), and it has been proved to be a useful method for evaluating polymorphisms in this breed. The dendrograms based on simililarity indexes and on Nei's genetic distances between 60 animals and the value of genetic differentiation among subpopulations (F(ST)) showed a clear population substructure defined by herds and a scarce genetic flow among herds. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 32.4% of the total variance was due to differences among herds and confirmed the clustering found. The results of the present study allow us to plan more adequate mating in order to maintain the genetic diversity and to improve the efficiency of conservation for the Blanca Cacereña bovine breed.


Tryptophan Metabolic Pathways Are Altered in Obesity and Are Associated With Systemic Inflammation.
Background: Obesity is a condition with a complex pathophysiology characterized by both chronic low-grade inflammation and changes in the gut microbial ecosystem. These alterations can affect the metabolism of tryptophan (TRP), an essential amino acid and precursor of serotonin (5-HT), kynurenine (KYN), and indoles. This study aimed to investigate alterations in KYN and microbiota-mediated indole routes of TRP metabolism in obese subjects relatively to non-obese controls and to determine their relationship with systemic inflammation. Methods: Eighty-five obese adults (avg. BMI = 40.48) and 42 non-obese control individuals (avg. BMI = 24.03) were recruited. Plasma levels of TRP catabolites were assessed using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-ElectroSpray-Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and high-sensitive interleukin 6 (hsIL-6) were measured in the serum as markers of systemic inflammation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Both KYN and microbiota-mediated indole routes of TRP metabolism were altered in obese subjects, as reflected in higher KYN/TRP ratio and lower 5-HT and indoles levels, relatively to non-obese controls. HsIL-6 and hsCRP were increased in obesity and were overall associated with TRP metabolic pathways alterations. Conclusion: These results indicate for the first time that KYN and indole TRP metabolic pathways are concomitantly altered in obese subjects and highlight their respective associations with obesity-related systemic inflammation.


Tethered ureteric stents--a clinical assessment.
The acceptability and complications of tethered double-J stents were assessed in 17 patients. The study showed tethered ureteric stents to be safe, well tolerated and easy to remove. The technique avoids unnecessary ureteral instrumentation and general anaesthesia and has benefits for both patients and hospital resources.


Salt sensitivity of nitric oxide generation and blood pressure in mice with targeted knockout of the insulin receptor from the renal tubule.
To elucidate the role of the insulin receptor (IR) on kidney nitric oxide generation and blood pressure (BP) control, we generated mice with targeted deletion of renal tubule IR using loxP recombination driven by a Ksp-cadherin promoter. Male knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) littermates (~4 mo old) were transitioned through three 1-wk treatments: 1) low-NaCl diet (0.085%); 2) high-NaCl diet (HS; 5%); and 3) HS diet plus 3 mM tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, in the drinking water. Mice were then switched to medium-NaCl (0.5%) diet for 5 days and kidneys harvested under pentobarbital anesthesia. Twenty-four-hour urinary nitrates plus nitrites were significantly higher in the WT mice under HS (2,067 ± 280 vs. 1,550 ± 230 nmol/day in WT and KO, respectively, P < 0.05). Tempol attenuated genotype differences in urinary nitrates plus nitrites. A rise in BP with HS was observed only in KO mice and not affected by tempol (mean arterial pressure, dark period, HS, 106 ± 5 vs. 119 ± 4 mmHg, for WT and KO, respectively, P < 0.05). Renal outer medullary protein levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms by Western blot (NOS1-3 and phosphorylated-S1177-NOS3) revealed significantly lower band density for NOS1 (130-kDa isoform) in the KO mice. A second study, when mice were euthanized under HS conditions, confirmed significantly lower NOS1 (130 kDa) in the KO, with an even more substantial (>50%) reduction of the 160-kDa NOS1 isoform. These studies suggest that the loss of renal IR signaling impairs renal nitric oxide production. This may be important in BP control, especially in insulin-resistant states, such as the metabolic syndrome.


A Low-Cost Facial and Dental Nerve Regional Anesthesia Task Trainer.
This facial and dental regional anesthesia task trainer is designed for teaching emergency medicine (EM) residents and medical students; however, it can be used by other specialties including plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral surgery, and dentistry. While the opioid epidemic remains a public health crisis, emergency departments (EDs) continue to treat patients who require painful facial procedures or who present with severe dental pain. There is increasing interest and renewed use of regional anesthesia for procedural anesthesia and as an effective non-opioid analgesic. Although many nerve blocks are now being taught using ultrasound guidance, regional anesthesia of the face and mouth is still performed using landmark-based techniques. To date, there are no commercially available task trainers for teaching regional anesthesia of the face and mouth. Therefore, a low-cost, feedback-enhanced, partial task trainer was created for teaching regional anesthesia of the supraorbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar nerves. By the end of this educational session, learners should be able to:Describe and identify relevant anatomy for supra-orbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar nerves.Successfully demonstrate supra-orbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar nerve blocks using a partial task trainer. Using inexpensive and commonly found materials, we were able to successfully modify an existing airway task trainer in order to create a feedback-enhanced partial task trainer for teaching supra-orbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar regional anesthesia. When the needle is inserted in the correct nerve location by the learner, the task trainer provides positive feedback in the form of an audible alert. This innovative task trainer has been used to teach post graduate year (PGY) 1-4 resident learners as part of a standard emergency medicine residency didactics curriculum. After a brief introductory didactic session, participants are given the opportunity for hands-on skills practice using the task trainer under faculty supervision. An existing airway task trainer was successfully modified in order to create a feedback-enhanced, partial task trainer for teaching supra-orbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar regional anesthesia. Learners were asked to complete a post-session survey to assess the educational value of the station and the task trainer. Twenty-one residents (10 PGY-1, 9 PGY-3, 2 PGY-4) participated in a didactic session and all completed a brief post-session survey. Many participants (N=10, 48%) had never previously performed any of these nerve blocks. On average, participants rated their comfort performing these specific nerve blocks before the session to be 1.96 on a 5-point Likert-scale (where 1=not at all comfortable and 5=extremely comfortable). Following the session, participants' comfort level increased to 3.67 on the same scale. Participants rated the usefulness of the feedback-enhanced task trainer to be a 4.71 on a 5-point scale (where 1=not at all useful and 5=extremely useful). Using inexpensive and commonly available materials, we were able to successfully modify an existing airway task trainer in order to create a feedback-enhanced partial task trainer for teaching regional anesthesia of the face and mouth. Learners reported that the educational session greatly increased their confidence in performing supra-orbital, infra-orbital, mental, and inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Additionally, they found the feedback-enhanced partial task trainer to be extremely helpful for teaching appropriate landmark identification. Our model was successfully used to teach facial and dental nerve block techniques which are able to provide both procedural anesthesia and non-opioid analgesia. Future studies could investigate whether this educational session and model leads to increased competence and/or increased performance of facial nerve blocks in the clinical setting. Nerve blocks, regional anesthesia, dental emergencies, facial trauma.


[3,3]-Sigmatropic shifts of N-allylhydrazones: quantum chemical comparison of concerted and radical cation pathways.
N-Allylhydrazones are reported to undergo an elaborate [3,3]-sigmatropic shift/N2 extrusion sequence. Both concerted and radical cation pathways for the [3,3]-sigmatropic shift of several N-allylhydrazones were investigated using B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculations. It was discovered that, assuming facile formation of the N-allylhydrazone radical cation, the rearrangement takes place through a series of low barrier steps energetically preferred to the concerted alternative available to neutral N-allylhydrazones. Subsequent N2 extrusions forming corresponding homoallyl radicals were found to be extremely facile.


Use of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to monitor expression of intronless genes.
Our data demonstrate the use of the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to study mRNA expression of genes that are devoid of introns. We have developed conditions that eliminate the false positives that can result from any preexisting DNA and that could confuse the interpretation of results. This modification (DNase pretreatment under specified conditions) ensures that the product resulting from RT-PCR is due to amplification of cDNA that has been synthesized during the reverse transcriptase reaction. Our results illustrate and emphasize the importance of including both a DNase pretreatment and a minus RT control. Using this modified procedure, our data illustrate clearly the ability of this protocol to demonstrate the presence of very low levels of olfactory marker protein (OMP) mRNA in three non-olfactory rat brain regions (cerebellum, thalamus/hypothalamus and cerebral hemispheres) where OMP mRNA was previously unknown. These data confirm a prior report of the ectopic expression of OMP immunoreactivity in these locations and indicate for the first time the "illegitimate" expression of extremely low levels of OMP mRNA in a non-neural tissue. Finally, this modification of the RT-PCR procedure will now permit the study of expression of specific, rare, mRNA molecules in the absence of any prior knowledge of the structure of their genes of origin.


EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SOME IMINES DERIVATIVES OF L-ARGININE.
L-Arginine is an a-amino acid which plays important roles in different diseases or processes, such as Alzheimer disease, inflammatory process, healing and tissue regeneration and it also could be useful as an anti-atherosclerotic agent. Considering the large amount of studies on the beneficial effects of different antioxidants, this paper is focused on the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of some imine derivatives, synthesized by the authors and described in a previous article. The evaluation of the antioxidant power was performed using phosphomolydenum-reducing antioxidant power (PRAP) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, tests described in the literature and which are used with some minor modifications. It was found that most of the imine derivatives are more active than the L-Arginine in the PPAP and FRAP assays. The most active derivative was the compound obtained by condensation of L-arginine with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (2k) and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (2g). Following the described protocol, some imine derivatives of L-arginine were evaluated in terms of antioxidant potential using in vitro methods. The most favorable influence was obtained by the aromatic substitution with nitro and hydroxyl, the corresponding derivatives being the most active derivatives compared to L-arginine.


The cancer stem cell subtype determines immune infiltration of glioblastoma.
Immune cell infiltration varies widely between different glioblastomas (GBMs). The underlying mechanism, however, remains unknown. Here we show that TGF-beta regulates proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity of mesenchymal GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) in vivo and in vitro. In contrast, proneural GBM CSCs resisted TGF-beta due to TGFR2 deficiency. In vivo, a substantially increased infiltration of immune cells was observed in mesenchymal GBMs, while immune infiltrates were rare in proneural GBMs. On a functional level, proneural CSC lines caused a significantly stronger TGF-beta-dependent suppression of NKG2D expression on CD8(+) T and NK cells in vitro providing a mechanistic explanation for the reduced immune infiltration of proneural GBMs. Thus, the molecular subtype of CSCs TGF-beta-dependently contributes to the degree of immune infiltration.


Mortality among lifelong nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home: cohort data and sensitivity analyses.
Evidence is growing that secondhand smoke can cause death from several diseases. The association between household exposure to secondhand smoke and disease-specific mortality was examined in two New Zealand cohorts of lifelong nonsmokers ("never smokers") aged 45-77 years. Individual census records from 1981 and 1996 were anonymously and probabilistically linked with mortality records from the 3 years that followed each census. Age- and ethnicity-standardized mortality rates were compared for never smokers with and without home exposure to secondhand smoke (based on the reported smoking behavior of other household members). Relative risk estimates adjusted for age, ethnicity, marital status, and socioeconomic position showed a significantly greater mortality risk for never smokers living in households with smokers, with excess mortality attributed to tobacco-related diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, but not lung cancer. Adjusted relative risk estimates for all cardiovascular diseases were 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.38) for men and 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.16) for women from the 1981-1984 cohort, and 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.47) for men and 1.35 (95% confidence interval: 1.11, 1.64) for women from the 1996-1999 cohort. Passive smokers also had nonsignificantly increased mortality from respiratory disease. Sensitivity analyses indicate that these findings are not due to misclassification bias.


Tracing the transcriptomic changes in synthetic Trigenomic allohexaploids of Brassica using an RNA-Seq approach.
Polyploidization has played an important role in plant evolution and speciation, and newly formed allopolyploids have experienced rapid transcriptomic changes. Here, we compared the transcriptomic differences between a synthetic Brassica allohexaploid and its parents using a high-throughput RNA-Seq method. A total of 35,644,409 sequence reads were generated, and 32,642 genes were aligned from the data. Totals of 29,260, 29,060, and 29,697 genes were identified in Brassicarapa, Brassicacarinata, and Brassica allohexaploid, respectively. We compared 7,397 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Brassica hexaploid and its parents, as well as 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid. We hypothesized that the higher ploidy level as well as secondary polyploidy might have influenced these changes. The majority of the 3,184 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its paternal parent, B. rapa, were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant-pathogen interactions, photosynthesis, and circadian rhythm. Among the 2,233 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its maternal parent, B. carinata, several played roles in plant-pathogen interactions, plant hormone signal transduction, ribosomes, limonene and pinene degradation, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. There were more significant differences in gene expression between the allohexaploid and its paternal parent than between it and its maternal parent, possibly partly because of cytoplasmic and maternal effects. Specific functional categories were enriched among the 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid compared with the additive genes; the categories included response to stimulus, immune system process, cellular process, metabolic process, rhythmic process, and pigmentation. Many transcription factor genes, methyltransferases, and methylation genes showed differential expression between Brassica hexaploid and its parents. Our results demonstrate that the Brassica allohexaploid can generate extensive transcriptomic diversity compared with its parents. These changes may contribute to the normal growth and reproduction of allohexaploids.


Operative and Hepatic Function Outcomes of Laparoscopic vs. Open Liver Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Liver resection is a pivotal treatment for various liver diseases, and the choice between laparoscopic (LR) and open (OR) methods is debatable. This study aims to compare their respective complications and hepatic outcomes comprehensively, providing critical insights to guide clinical decisions and optimize patient results. We conducted a comprehensive review across PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, and the Cochrane Library until September 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing laparoscopic (LR) and open (OR) liver resections were included. Data screening, extraction, and quality assessments utilized the Risk of Bias (ROB-2). We conducted our analysis using Review Manager (RevMan 5.4) software, and the data were presented as risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our comprehensive research yielded 3,192 relevant records, and 9 RCTs were finally included. LR exhibited reduced operative bleeding (MD = -82.87 ml, 95% CI: -132.45 to -33.30, P=0.001) and shorter hospital stays (MD = -2.32 days, 95% CI: -3.65 to -0.98, P=0.0007). The risk of complications was significantly lower in the LR group (RR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43-0.76, P<0.0001), especially in Clavian-Dindo classification degree 1 and 2 complications (RR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28-0.79, P=0.005). LR patients also had lower postoperative AST levels at one day (MD = -123.16 U/L, 95% CI: -206.08 to -40.24, P=0.004) and three days (MD = -35.95 U/L, 95% CI: -65.83 to -6.06, P=0.02). These findings underscore LR's superiority, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes, reduce complications, and improve recovery in liver resection procedures.


Effects of the High-Probability Instructional Sequence in Children With Feeding Disorders: A Synthesis.
The high-probability (high-p) instructional sequence is an intervention commonly used to increase compliance in a variety of skill domains, including compliance with low-probability (low-p) mealtime demands in children with pediatric feeding disorders. However, the effects of the high-p sequence on feeding have varied across studies, a systematic synthesis of the literature to guide practice and further research is lacking, and whether the high-p sequence, as an intervention for feeding problems, meets current evidence-based practice standards in special education is unknown. First, we conducted a systematic multistep search, identified seven studies that met inclusion criteria, and synthesized participant and study characteristics. Then we compared the evidence with the 2014 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): Standards for Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education. The results suggest that (a) the high-p sequence can improve compliance with low-p mealtime demands in young children with feeding disorders but that more research is needed to clarify relevant contexts and for whom the intervention is likely to be effective, (b) additional research should examine the effects of the high-p sequence on feeding in older children or adults with disabilities as more intrusive procedures based on escape extinction become inappropriate, and (c) the evidence falls short of meeting the CEC standards for an evidence-based practice. We conclude with preliminary practice guidelines.


Mechanical retraction in laparoscopic surgery: intraoperative cholangiography.
The utility of mechanical retraction in laparoscopic surgery is presented. The steps required for its utilization during intraoperative laparoscopic cholangiography are outlined.


A tale of 2 torsions: ovarian torsion in infants and toddlers.
Abdominal pain is a common chief complaint in both the emergency department and the primary care setting. Although most patients are ultimately diagnosed with benign self-limited conditions, the differential diagnosis in infants and toddlers does include ovarian torsion. In this article, we present 2 cases involving female infants younger than 18 months who were found to have ovarian torsion during evaluation in our pediatric emergency department. We discuss the clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, management, and potential long-term complications of ovarian torsion, with special attention to the younger population.


Development of terahertz laser diagnostics for electron density measurements.
A two color laser interferometer using terahertz laser sources is under development for high performance operation on the large helical device and for future burning plasma experiments such as ITER. Through investigation of terahertz laser sources, we have achieved high power simultaneous oscillations at 57.2 and 47.6 microm of a CH(3)OD laser pumped by a cw 9R(8) CO(2) laser line. The laser wavelength around 50 microm is the optimum value for future fusion devices from the consideration of the beam refraction effect and signal-to-noise ratio for an expected phase shift due to plasma. In this article, recent progress of the terahertz laser diagnostics, especially in mechanical vibration compensation by using a two color laser operation and terahertz laser beam transmission through a dielectric waveguide, will be presented.


Global and Regional Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy; A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
We conducted a systematic search to estimate DR prevalence in different age and gender groups, and to evaluate the determinants of heterogeneity in its prevalence. A systematic and comprehensive search from inception to August 10, 2020, was done in international databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and other data sources without any restriction to find cross-sectional studies related to the prevalence of DR. Of 6399 studies, 90 articles with a sample size of 563460 individuals and 204189 diabetic patients were analyzed. The estimated pooled prevalence of DR in the diabetic population in general; in female and in male was 28.41% (95% CI: 25.98 to 30.84); 25.93% (95% CI: 23.54 to 28.31) and 28.95% (95% CI: 26.57 to 31.32); respectively and the prevalence of DR showed no inter-gender difference. The heterogeneity of the pooled prevalence according to I2 was 99% (p < .001). According to the meta-regression results, the variables of WHO region (Coefficient of AMRO vs SEARO: 15.56; p: 0.002), age (Coefficient of above 60 years vs below 40 year: 18.67; p: 0.001), type of DR (Coefficient: 19.01; p < .001), and publication year (Coefficient: -0.60; p: 0.001) had a significant correlation with heterogeneity. One third of diabetic patients suffered from DR, mostly NPDR. DR increased markedly after the age of 60 years, which could be due to the longer duration of diabetes. Age, WHO region, type of DR, and publication year affected the heterogeneity in the prevalence of DR.


Late-life migraine accompaniments: A narrative review.
Migraine is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders. In 1980, C. Miller Fisher described late-life migraine accompaniments as transient neurological episodes in older individuals that mimic transient ischemic attacks. There has not been an update on the underlying nature and etiology of late-life migraine accompanimentsd since the original description. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive and extensive review of the late-life migraine accompaniments including the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, and treatment. Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE®, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases for publications from 1941 to July 2014. The search terms "Migraine accompaniments," "Late life migraine," "Migraine with aura," "Typical aura without headache," "Migraine equivalents," "Acephalic migraine," "Elderly migraine," and "Transient neurological episodes" were used. Late-life onset of migraine with aura is not rare in clinical practice and can occur without headache, especially in elderly individuals. Visual symptoms are the most common presentation, followed respectively by sensory, aphasic, and motor symptoms. Gradual evolution, the march of transient neurological deficits over several minutes and serial progression from one symptom to another in succession are typical clinical features for late-life migraine accompaniments. Transient neurological disturbances in migraine aura can mimic other serious conditions and can be easily misdiagnosed. Careful clinical correlation and appropriate investigations are essential to exclude secondary causes. Treatments are limited and still inconsistent.


Alteration of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase cascade in the multilobulated nuclear formation of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL).
Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) has been characterized as one of the most aggressive human neoplasias and its incidence is thought to be caused by both genetic and epigenetic alterations to the host cellular genes of T cells infected with human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). A multilobulated nuclear appearance is an important diagnostic marker of ATLL, and we have now identified that the molecular mechanisms underlying these formations occur through microtubule rearrangement via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) activation by AILIM/ICOS signaling. We also show that PTEN and/or SHIP-1, which are PIP3 inositol phosphatases that inhibit the activation of downstream effectors of the PI3-kinase cascade, are disrupted in both ATLL neoplasias and in multilobulated nuclei-forming Jurkat cells. This down-regulation of PTEN was found to be essential for the formation of ATLL-type nuclear lobules. Furthermore, PI3-kinase and PTEN activities were observed to be closely associated with cellular proliferation. Thus, our results suggest that alteration of PI3-kinase signaling cascades, as a result of the down-regulation of inositol phosphatases, induces ATLL-type multilobulated nuclear formation and is also associated with the cellular proliferation of malignant T cell leukemias/lymphomas.


Herniation of caecum through the foramen of Winslow.
The radiological features on plain abdominal imaging and CT in a case of caecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow is presented. This rare condition is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, which emphasizes the importance of accurate preoperative diagnosis.


Toxicogenetics: in search of host susceptibility to environmental toxicants.
Heavy metals, various pesticide and herbicides are implicated as risk factors for human health. Paraquat, maneb, and rotenone, carbamate, and organophosphorous insecticides are examples of toxicants for which acute and chronic exposure are associated with multiple neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, the role of pesticide exposure in neurodegenerative diseases is not clear-cut, as there are inconsistencies in both the epidemiological and preclinical research. The aim of this short review is to show that at least, some of the inconsistencies are related to individual differences in susceptibility to the effects of neurotoxicants, individual differences that can be traced to the genetic constitution of the individuals and animals studies, i.e., host-based susceptibility.


Effects of drought stress on water content and biomass distribution in summer maize(Zea mays L.).
The resource allocation of different component organs of crops under drought stress is a strategy for the coordinated growth of crops, which also reflects the adaptability of crops to drought condition. In this study, maize variety namely 'Denghai 618', under the ventilation shed, two treatment groups of light drought (LD) and moderate drought (MD), and the same rehydration after drought are set, as well as the normal water supply for control in shed (CS). The drought experiment was conducted in the jointing-tasseling stage in 2021. The effects of different drought stress on the water content and biomass allocation of each component organ were analyzed. The results showed that (1) during the drought period, the water content of each component organ of summer maize decreased in general, but the Water content distribution ratio (WCDR) of the root increased by 1.83%- 2.35%. The WCDR of stem increased by 0.52%- 1.40%. (2) Under different drought treatments, the root biomass (RB) increased 33.94% ~ 46.09%, and fruit biomass (FB) increased 1.46% ~ 2.49%, the leaf biomass (LB) decreased by 8.2% and 1.46% respectively under LD and MD. (3) The allometric growth model constructed under sufficient water is not suitable for drought stress; the allometric exponent α under drought stress is lower than that of the CS: CS (α=1.175) > MD (α = 1.136) > LD (α = 1.048), which also indicates that the impact of existing climate change on grain yield may be underestimated. This study is helpful to understand the adaptive strategies of the coordinated growth of maize component organs under drought stress and provide a reference for the prediction of grain yield under climate change.


Atomic Force Microscopy Investigations of DNA Lesion Recognition in Nucleotide Excision Repair.
AFM imaging is a powerful technique for the study of protein-DNA interactions. This single molecule method allows the simultaneous resolution of different molecules and molecular assemblies in a heterogeneous sample. In the particular context of DNA interacting protein systems, different protein complex forms and their corresponding binding positions on target sites containing DNA fragments can thus be distinguished. Here, an application of AFM to the study of DNA lesion recognition in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) systems is presented. The procedures of DNA and protein sample preparations are described and experimental as well as analytical details of the experiments are provided. The data allow important conclusions on the strategies by which target site verification may be achieved by the NER proteins. Interestingly, they indicate different approaches of lesion recognition and identification for the eukaryotic NER system, depending on the type of lesion. Furthermore, distinct structural properties of the two different helicases involved in prokaryotic and eukaryotic NER result in and explain the different strategies observed for these two systems. Importantly, these experimental and analytical approaches can be applied not only to the study of DNA repair but also very similarly to other DNA interacting protein systems such as those involved in replication or transcription processes.


Impact of different welding techniques on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate of 58 mild steel welders.
Total mass and composition of welding fumes are predominantly dependent on the welding technique and welding wire applied. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of welding techniques on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of 58 healthy welders. The welding techniques applied were gas metal arc welding with solid wire (GMAW) (n=29) or flux cored wire (FCAW) (n=29). Welding fume particles were collected with personal samplers in the breathing zone inside the helmets. Levels of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2α)) were measured with immunoassay kits and the EBC pH was measured after deaeration. Significantly higher 8-iso-PGF(2α) concentrations and a less acid pH were detected in EBC of welders using the FCAW than in EBC of welders using the GMAW technique. The lowest LTB(4) concentrations were measured in nonsmoking welders applying a solid wire. No significant influences were found in EBC concentrations of PGE(2) based upon smoking status or type of welding technique. This study suggests an enhanced irritative effect in the lower airways of mild steel welders due to the application of FCAW compared to GMAW, most likely associated with a higher emission of welding fumes.


Unique biofilm structure and mass transfer mechanisms in the foam aerated biofilm reactor (FABR).
The foam-aerated biofilm reactor (FABR) is a novel biofilm process that can simultaneously remove carbon and nitrogen from wastewater. A porous polyurethane foam sheet forms an interface between wastewater and aerated water, making it a counter-diffusional biofilm process similar to the membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR). However, it is not clear how biofilm develops the foam interior, and how this impacts mass transfer and performance. This research explored biofilm development within the foam sheet and determined whether advective transport within the sheet played a significant role. Foam sheets with 2-, 4.5- and 9-mm thicknesses were explored. Oxygen, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia profiles in the sheet were measured using microsensors, and biofilm imaging studies were carried out using optical coherence tomography (OCT). On the foam's aerated side, a dense nitrifying biofilm formed. Beyond the aerobic zone, much less biomass was observed, with a high porosity foam-biofilm layer. The higher effective diffusivity within the foam for the 4- and 9-mm sheets suggested advective transport within the foam channel structures. Using an effective diffusivity factor in conventional 1-D biofilm models reproduced the measured substrate concentration profiles within the foam. Four different practical conditions were modelled. The maximum TN removal efficiency was about 70% and a nitrogen removal flux of 1.25 gN.m-2.d-1. We conclude that mass transfer resistance occurred primarily in the dense, nitrifying layer near the aerated side. The rest of the foam sheet was porous, allowing the advective mass transfer.


Fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yields of rhodamine derivatives: new insights from theory and experiment.
Although lifetimes and quantum yields of widely used fluorophores are often largely characterized, a systematic approach providing a rationale of their photophysical behavior on a quantitative basis is still a challenging goal. Here we combine methods rooted in the time-dependent density functional theory and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to accurately determine and analyze fluorescence signatures (lifetime, quantum yield, and band peaks) of several commonly used rhodamine and pyronin dyes. We show that the radiative lifetime of rhodamines can be correlated to the charge transfer from the phenyl toward the xanthene moiety occurring upon the S(0) ← S(1) de-excitation, and to the xanthene/phenyl relative orientation assumed in the S(1) minimum structure, which in turn is variable upon the amino and the phenyl substituents. These findings encourage the synergy of experiment and theory as unique tool to design finely tuned fluorescent probes, such those conceived for modern optical sensors.


Direct recognition of initiator elements by a component of the transcription factor IID complex.
A core promoter element called an initiator (Inr) overlaps the transcription start site of numerous mammalian protein-coding genes. In promoters that lack a TATA box, the Inr is functionally analogous to TATA, in that it is capable of directing basal transcription by RNA polymerase II and of determining the precise site of transcription initiation. In promoters that contain a TATA box, the Inr can greatly enhance promoter strength. Mammalian Inr consensus sequences have been defined through functional studies and sequence comparisons of the start site regions of protein-coding genes. Here, we show that, in a DNase I footprinting assay with synthetic promoters, the purified TATA-binding protein complex TFIID specifically contacted the Inr. The TFIID-Inr interaction relies on the precise nucleotides needed for Inr function. Detection of the interaction was dependent either on a TATA box or on Sp1 bound to upstream sites. Furthermore, recombinant TFIIB appeared to influence the TFIID-Inr interaction, whereas TFIIA stabilized the TFIID-TATA interaction. These results demonstrate that distinct components of TFIID interact with the TATA boxes and Inr elements of core promoters for RNA polymerase II.


Expanding the phenotype of Bruck syndrome: Severe limb deformity, arthrogryposis, congenital cardiac disease and pulmonary hemorrhage.
Bruck syndrome is a rare collagen disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance caused by pathogenic variants in either FKBP10 or PLOD2 genes. It is characterized by bone fragility and fractures similar in severity and variability to osteogenesis-imperfecta as well as congenital joint contractures. This article describes an infant with a homozygous (partial) gene deletion of PLOD2 that includes the start codon and would be expected to lead to nonfunctional protein product. The infant had a severe phenotype of Bruck syndrome and is the only reported case of Bruck syndrome with congenital cardiac disease (triscuspid valve dysplasia with severe regurgitation, mitral valve prolapses with moderate regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension) and pulmonary hemorrhage. We hypothesize that the additional feature of congenital cardiac disease in this case was due to the underlying defect in type I collagen, and that the pulmonary hemorrhage was multifactorial, with underlying vessel fragility, rib fractures, and high pulmonary pressures likely to be major contributing factors. Management was largely supportive with the use of bisphosphonates to assist in pain management. Care was complicated by comorbid cardiopulmonary compromise, limited evidence-base guiding care, and difficulties in discussing end-of-life care.


Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's disease psychosis: a perspective on the challenges, treatments, and economic burden.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with a decrease in the neurotransmitter dopamine and characterized by the cardinal motor hallmarks of resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia/akinesia, and postural instability. Lesser-known features of PD revolve around nonmotor concerns including psychosis, dementia, sleep disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, and sensory abnormalities. Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality, nursing home placement, and quality of life (QOL). PDP management suffers from a lack of safe, effective pharmacological agents and the opposing nature of atypical antipsychotics and dopaminergic therapies. Pimavanserin, the only atypical antipsychotic currently approved by the FDA for treating PDP-related hallucinations and delusions, has no appreciable affinity for dopaminergic receptors, and a controlled clinical study demonstrated its efficacy in treating PDP-associated hallucinations and delusions without affecting motor function. A recent analysis of all health resource utilization (HRU) and total costs attributable to PD and PDP found that mean 12-month HRU services per patient were 2.3 times higher and costs were 2.1 times higher in the PDP cases, while falls were 3.4 times higher and fractures 2.3 times higher, respectively. Products or services that prevent, delay, or lessen the severity of PDP may contribute to reduced healthcare system costs and improve the QOL of patients with PDP and of their caregivers.


Epibiotic pressure contributes to biofouling invader success.
Reduced competition is a frequent explanation for the success of many introduced species. In benthic marine biofouling communities, space limitation leads to high rates of overgrowth competition. Some species can utilise other living organisms as substrate (epibiosis), proffering a competitive advantage for the epibiont. Additionally, some species can prevent or reduce epibiotic settlement on their surfaces and avoid being basibionts. To test whether epibiotic pressure differs between native and introduced species, we undertook ex situ experiments comparing bryozoan larval settlement to determine if introduced species demonstrate a greater propensity to settle as epibionts, and a reduced propensity to be basibionts, than native species. Here we report that introduced species opportunistically settle on any space (bare, native, or introduced), whereas native species exhibit a strong tendency to settle on and near other natives, but avoid settling on or near introduced basibionts. In addition, larvae of native species experience greater larval wastage (mortality) than introduced species, both in the presence and absence of living substrates. Introduced species' ability to settle on natives as epibionts, and in turn avoid epibiosis as basibionts, combined with significantly enhanced native larval wastage, provides a comprehensive suite of competitive advantages contributing to the invasion success of these biofouling species.


Two Different Populations within the Healthy Elderly: Lack of Conflict Detection in Those at Risk of Cognitive Decline.
During healthy aging, inhibitory processing is affected at the sensorial, perceptual, and cognitive levels. The assessment of event-related potentials (ERPs) during the Stroop task has been used to study age-related decline in the efficiency of inhibitory processes. Studies using ERPs have found that the P300 amplitude increases and the N500 amplitude is attenuated in healthy elderly adults compared to those in young adults. On the other hand, it has been reported that theta excess in resting EEG with eyes closed is a good predictor of cognitive decline during aging 7 years later, while a normal EEG increases the probability of not developing cognitive decline. The behavioral and ERP responses during a Counting-Stroop task were compared between 22 healthy elderly subjects with normal EEG (Normal-EEG group) and 22 healthy elderly subjects with an excess of EEG theta activity (Theta-EEG group). Behaviorally, the Normal-EEG group showed a higher behavioral interference effect than the Theta-EEG group. ERP patterns were different between the groups, and two facts are highlighted: (a) the P300 amplitude was higher in the Theta-EEG group, with both groups showing a P300 effect in almost all electrodes, and (b) the Theta-EEG group did not show an N500 effect. These results suggest that the diminishment in inhibitory control observed in the Theta-EEG group may be compensated by different processes in earlier stages, which would allow them to perform the task with similar efficiency to that of participants with a normal EEG. This study is the first to show that healthy elderly subjects with an excess of theta EEG activity not only are at risk of developing cognitive decline but already have a cognitive impairment.


Clinical and molecular diagnostic criteria of congenital atrichia with papular lesions.
Congenital atrichia with papular lesions is a rare, autosomal recessive form of total alopecia and mutations in the hairless (hr) gene have been implicated in this disorder. Published estimates of the prevalence of this disorder remain surprisingly low considering pathogenetic mutations in hr have been found in distinct populations around the world. Therefore, it is likely that congenital atrichia with papular lesions is more common than previously thought and is often mistaken for the putative autoimmune form of alopecia universalis. To clarify this discrepancy, we propose criteria for the clinical diagnosis of congenital atrichia with papular lesions. Among these is the novel report of the consistent observation of hypopigmented whitish streaks on the scalp surface of affected individuals. Additionally, we report the identification of a novel missense mutation in hr from a family of Arab Palestinian origin that exhibits the pathognomonic features of atrichia with papular lesions. Collectively, we anticipate that an increased recognition of this disorder will result in more accurate diagnosis and the sparing of unnecessarily treatment to patients.


Valproic acid malabsorption in 30 year-old female patient - Case study.
Valproic acid (VPA) is used in epilepsy treatment and as a stabilizer in bipolar affective disorder for over 40 years. Although, the pharmacokinetic properties of valproic acid are well known, it is often forgotten that the formulation of the drug significantly influences its gastrointestinal absorption. We are describing the case of 30 year-old female patient, diagnosed at the age of 13 with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Complete ineffectiveness of the treatment was caused by malabsorption of sodium valproate and valproic acid in the patient. The change of the drug formulation resulted in a several times higher bioavailability of the drug and a partial improvement of the patient's clinical condition. Low concentration of valproic acid after administration the slow-released tablets are usually observed. However, a low bioavailability beside the bad compliance should be considered when the minimal level is extremely low during therapy. It is known that form of the drug, beside presence of food and its components, as well as gastrointestinal tract condition or interactions with other drugs can influence the drug level. Modification of the formulation of the drug may lead to improvement of absorption and increase its effectiveness.


High Titer of (S)-Equol Synthesis from Daidzein in Escherichia coli.
(S)-Equol is the terminal metabolite of daidzein and plays important roles in human health. However, due to anaerobic inefficiency, limited productivity in (S)-equol-producing strains often hinders (S)-equol mass production. Here, a multi-enzyme cascade system was designed to generate a higher (S)-equol titer. First, full reversibility of the (S)-equol synthesis pathway was found and a blocking reverse conversion strategy was established. As biosynthetic genes are present in the microbial genome, an effective daidzein reductase was chosen using evolutionary principles. And our analyses showed that NADPH was crucial for the pathway. In response to this, a novel NADPH pool was redesigned after analyzing a cofactor metabolism model. By adjusting synthesis pathway genes at the right expression level, the entire synthesis pathway can take place smoothly. Thus, the cascade system was optimized by regulating the gene expression intensity. Finally, after optimizing fermentation conditions, a 5 L bioreactor was used to generate a high (S)-equol production titer (3418.5 mg/L), with a conversion rate of approximately 85.9%. This study shows a feasible green process route for the production of (S)-equol.


Implementing Introductory Training in Trauma-Informed Care Into Mental Health Rehabilitation Services: A Mixed Methods Evaluation.
This paper describes the implementation of training in trauma-informed care (TIC) across a mental health rehabilitation service. A mixed-methods approach was applied incorporating baseline measures of staff attitudes toward TIC, quantitative description of staff training participation, and semi-structured interviews of Team Leaders' views on the implementation of TIC. Fifty-five of 123 staff responded to the Organizational Change Readiness Assessment (OCRA) survey (44.7%). Training completion varied considerably between the eight rehabilitation teams (4.8-78%). Analysis of the Team Leader interviews identified four broad themes: The need to respect the person's life journey including the risk of re-traumatization; the importance of considering the context of implementing TIC training; TIC being an essential part of mental health care; and staff may also have trauma histories. Staff working in mental health rehabilitation are supportive of the need for TIC. The variable training uptake did not reflect the staff comments about the importance of TIC. The burden of adjusting mental health care delivery to COVID-19 restrictions was reported as a major influence on the uptake of training. Systematically implementing training in TIC is required but needs to be complemented by a structured organizational approach to aid embedding this approach into daily mental healthcare delivery.


Mesenchymal stem cells and serelaxin synergistically abrogate established airway fibrosis in an experimental model of chronic allergic airways disease.
This study determined if the anti-fibrotic drug, serelaxin (RLN), could augment human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated reversal of airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) associated with chronic allergic airways disease (AAD/asthma). Female Balb/c mice subjected to the 9-week model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic AAD were either untreated or treated with MSCs alone, RLN alone or both combined from weeks 9-11. Changes in airway inflammation (AI), epithelial thickness, goblet cell metaplasia, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression, myofibroblast differentiation, subepithelial and total lung collagen deposition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and AHR were then assessed. MSCs alone modestly reversed OVA-induced subepithelial and total collagen deposition, and increased MMP-9 levels above that induced by OVA alone (all p<0.05 vs OVA group). RLN alone more broadly reversed OVA-induced epithelial thickening, TGF-β1 expression, myofibroblast differentiation, airway fibrosis and AHR (all p<0.05 vs OVA group). Combination treatment further reversed OVA-induced AI and airway/lung fibrosis compared to either treatment alone (all p<0.05 vs either treatment alone), and further increased MMP-9 levels. RLN appeared to enhance the therapeutic effects of MSCs in a chronic disease setting; most likely a consequence of the ability of RLN to limit TGF-β1-induced matrix synthesis complemented by the MMP-promoting effects of MSCs.


Background Inactivity Blunts Metabolic Adaptations to Intense Short-Term Training.
This study determined if the level of background physical inactivity (steps per day) influences the acute and short-term adaptations to intense aerobic training. Sixteen untrained participants (23.6 ± 1.7 yr) completed intense (80%-90% V˙O2peak) short-term training (5 bouts of exercise over 9 d) while taking either 4767 ± 377 steps per day (n = 8; low step) or 16,048 ± 725 steps per day (n = 8; high step). At baseline and after 1 d of acute exercise and then after the short-term training (posttraining), resting metabolic responses to a high-fat meal (i.e., plasma triglyceride concentration and fat oxidation) were assessed during a 6-h high-fat tolerance test. In addition, responses during submaximal exercise were recorded both before and after training during 15 min of cycling (~79% of pretraining V˙O2peak). High step displayed a reduced incremental area under the curve for postprandial plasma triglyceride concentrations by 31% after acute exercise and by 27% after short-term training compared with baseline (P < 0.05). This was accompanied by increased whole-body fat oxidation (24% and 19%; P < 0.05). Furthermore, stress during submaximal exercise as reflected by heart rate, blood lactate, and deoxygenated hemoglobin were all reduced in high step (P < 0.05), indicating classic training responses. Despite completing the same training regimen, low step showed no significant improvements in postprandial fat metabolism or any markers of stress during submaximal exercise after training (P > 0.05). However, the two groups showed a similar 7% increase in V˙O2peak (P < 0.05). When completing an intense short-term exercise training program, decreasing daily background steps from 16,000 to approximately 5000 steps per day blunts some of the classic cardiometabolic adaptations to training. The blunting might be more pronounced regarding metabolic factors (i.e., fat oxidation and blood lactate concentration) compared with cardiovascular factors (i.e., V˙O2peak).


Procalcitonin and pyelonephritis in children.
In the past few years, procalcitonin has been proposed as a sensitive and specific inflammatory marker in various fields of medicine, especially in infectivology, where it has been used to discriminate between bacterial infections, viral infections and inflammation processes. Recently, different studies have emerged in the literature on the use of this marker to identify renal involvement in febrile urinary tract infections. Procalcitonin seems to be a valid biological marker, with an acceptable sensitivity and specificity, which predicts a renal involvement of the infection (pyelonephritis), in comparison with the low specificity of C-reactive protein. Procalcitonin also seems to be correlated with the degree of the involvement at the moment of diagnosis of febrile urinary tract infections and with scarring. Renal involvement has always been the main diagnostic objective in children with febrile urinary tract infections. If more studies confirm the correlation between procalcitonin, renal involvement during urinary infections and scar formation, we will finally have a noninvasive tool that can identify children at risk of complications and in need of a close follow-up as early as their first episode of febrile urinary tract infection.


Cutaneous eruptions and intrauterine contraceptive copper device.
In the course of 6 months, 1888 intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) were inserted in a public clinic for contraception. In 10 of the women the IUCD subsequently had to be removed because of skin complaints. Four of these women as well as 3 out-patients of the Department of Dermatology. The Finsen Institute, who had been fitted with an IUCD were tested for metal allergy with closed patch tests and intracutaneous tests. None of the women was allergic to copper. One woman was allergic to nickel, which could be traced in minimal amounts in the copper wire of the IUCD, though causal connection between nickel in the IUCD and the skin symptoms is believed to be unlikely.


Direct Dehydrogenation of n-Butane Over Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 Catalyst: Effect of Hydrogen in the Feed.
Al2O3 was prepared by a sol-gel method for use as a support. Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst was then prepared by a sequential impregnation method, and it was applied to the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane to n-butenes and 1,3-butadiene. Physicochemical properties of Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), CO chemisorption, and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) measurements. In order to improve the catalyst stability, the effect of hydrogen in the feed on the catalytic performance in the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane was studied. The catalyst stability and reusability in the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane was also investigated. Experimental results revealed that the addition of hydrogen in the feed decreased conversion of n-butane and yield for total dehydrogenation products but improved the stability of the catalyst. The catalytic activity and stability of regenerated Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst in the presence of hydrogen slightly decreased compared to those of fresh Pt/Sn/Zn-K/Al2O3 catalyst due to the slight sintering of platinum particles.


Isolation and functional characterization of a methyl jasmonate-responsive 3-carene synthase from Lavandula x intermedia.
A methyl jasmonate responsive 3-carene synthase (Li3CARS) gene was isolated from Lavandula x intermedia and functionally characterized in vitro. Lavenders produce essential oils consisting mainly of monoterpenes, including the potent antimicrobial and insecticidal monoterpene 3-carene. In this study we isolated and functionally characterized a leaf-specific, methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-responsive monoterpene synthase (Li3CARS) from Lavandula x intermedia. The ORF excluding transit peptides encoded a 64.9 kDa protein that was expressed in E. coli, and purified with Ni-NTA agarose affinity chromatography. The recombinant Li3CARS converted GPP into 3-carene as the major product, with K m and k cat of 3.69 ± 1.17 µM and 2.01 s-1 respectively. Li3CARS also accepted NPP as a substrate to produce multiple products including a small amount of 3-carene. The catalytic efficiency of Li3CARS to produce 3-carene was over ten fold higher for GPP (k cat /K m = 0.56 µM-1s-1) than NPP (k cat /K m = 0.044 µM-1s-1). Production of distinct end product profiles from different substrates (GPP versus NPP) by Li3CARS indicates that monoterpene metabolism may be controlled in part through substrate availability. Li3CARS transcripts were found to be highly abundant in leaves (16-fold) as compared to flower tissues. The transcriptional activity of Li3CARS correlated with 3-carene production, and was up-regulated (1.18- to 3.8-fold) with MeJA 8-72 h post-treatment. The results suggest that Li3CARS may have a defensive role in Lavandula.


Laser Treatment of Tattoos: Basic Principles.
Tattooing has become very popular worldwide during the past decades, and millions of people have one or many tattoos at different anatomical sites. The color of tattoos is mainly black, followed by red, green, blue, and other colors. A part of the tattooed people regret tattooing or have permanent problems with tattoos and therefore seek for tattoo removal. Tattoos consist of solid pigment particles in the skin. Thus, tattoo removal requires fragmentation of these permanently incorporated particles. The gold standard of tattoo removal is laser therapy. Short light pulses at high intensities are applied to the tattooed skin surface. The laser light penetrates the skin and is selectively absorbed in the pigment particles. The absorbed laser light leads to heat-up and fragmentation of the particles. Due to the complex chemistry of the various tattoo pigments, the efficacy of this fragmentation process is frequently unpredictable. Due to the short and intense pulses, nonlinear effects of light and thermal properties of tattoo particles may play a role, and the assumptions of selective photothermolysis may not reflect the real process of tattoo particle fragmentation as a whole. In case fragmentation occurs, the concentration of pigment particles in the skin decreases, yielding a fading of the tattoo color in the skin. Laser therapy is most effective in black tattoos and less effective for colored tattoos. The rate of side effects is low due to the selectivity of the treatment. Laser light may change the chemistry of the tattoo pigments and hence provoke toxic decomposition products.


Assessment of resin-dentin interfacial morphology of two ethanol-based universal adhesives: A scanning electron microscopy study.
The objective of this study was to assess the resin-dentin interfacial morphology created by two universal adhesives using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The occlusal surfaces of ten (n = 5) molars were reduced to expose a flat surface of dentin. Two universal adhesives, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive and Tetric N-Bond Universal, were independently applied to air-dried dentin. Light-cured resin-based composite restorative materials were used to incrementally build a composite "buildup." The specimen was sectioned mesiodistally to expose the resin-dentin interface. The inner surfaces of the specimens were polished. Samples were immersed in hydrochloric acid and then rinsed using distilled water. This was followed by immersion of the samples in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Then, samples were thoroughly rinsing with distilled water. Dehydration of samples was performed using ascending concentration of ethyl alcohol. Prepared samples were observed SEM at magnifications ×1500 and x4000. Both universal adhesives could penetrate dentin-forming well-defined resin tags, lateral branches as well as a uniform hybrid layer. Two tested universal adhesives applied in self-etch mode can infiltrate into dentin-producing high-quality interfacial morphology. Similar interfacial morphology may be due to the similarity in composition and application mode.


Regulation of drugs and devices: an evolution.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) drug approval process has evolved from a system in which a drug could lawfully be marketed unless the FDA were able to prove that the manufacturer knew that the drug would not work for the conditions for which it was promoted to one in which drug-makers require advance approval from the agency for almost every important step in testing, production, and marketing. The more modern system for regulating medical devices is the product of amendments to the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1976. In those amendments, Congress sought to create a framework for control of device technology that would also facilitate innovation. This paper suggests that, notwithstanding this aspiration, both external pressures and internal practices are inexorably bringing device regulation closer to the "drug model."


Teleophthalmology in the post-coronavirus era.
173,766 New Zealanders suffer from visual impairment. The associated health-system costs are $523 million in total, or $3,008 per person. Yet eighty percent (80%) of blindness is avoidable if detected on time. Public health services have an increasing workload but are also limited by material and technical resources. Optometry practices continually increase referrals (up to 100% in one year) that cannot be solved on time, reducing the efficiency of the service. Teleophthalmology works by improving the efficiency of screening and monitoring and integrating eye healthcare and by decreasing referrals by up to 40%.


Malignant tumors of the ear and temporal bone: a study of 27 patients and review of their management.
To evaluate the management of patients with malignant tumors of the ear and temporal bone. Retrospective analysis of data. Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, United Kingdom. Twenty-seven patients were classified into two groups according to the site of origin of the tumor: (1) superficial (17 tumors): tumors arising from the skin of the pinna, parotid, and temporomandibular joint area; (2) deep (10 tumors): tumors arising in the ear canal and temporal bone. Treatment modality, complications, recurrence rate, disease-free interval, and survival. The mean follow-up period was 25 months (0 to 60), and the median overall survival 46 months (0 to 102). Complications occurred in 6 patients (22%). The 3-year survival was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19 to 58%), and the 5-year survival 19% (95% CI, 3 to 35%). There were insufficient data to demonstrate any difference in survival or disease-free interval related to the site of tumor origin (superficial versus deep tumors). There were independent differences in survival in favor of both performing parotidectomy and using postoperative radiotherapy, but neither reached significance at the 0.05 level.


Breeding of Biomphalaria tenagophila in mass scale.
An efficient method for breeding Biomphalaria tenagophila (Taim lineage/RS) was developed over a 5-year-period (2005-2010). Special facilities were provided which consisted of four cement tanks (9.4 x 0.6 x 0.22 m), with their bottom covered with a layer of sterilized red earth and calcium carbonate. Standard measures were adopted, as follows: each tank should contain an average of 3000 specimens, and would be provided with a daily ration of 35,000 mg complemented with lettuce. A green-house effect heating system was developed which constituted of movable dark canvas covers, which allowed the temperature to be controlled between 20 - 24 ºC. This system was essential, especially during the coldest months of the year. Approximately 27,000 specimens with a diameter of 12 mm or more were produced during a 14-month-period. The mortality rates of the newly-hatched and adult snails were 77% and 37%, respectively. The follow-up of the development system related to 310 specimens of B. tenagophila demonstrated that 70-day-old snails reached an average of 17.0 ± 0.9 mm diameter. The mortality rates and the development performance of B. tenagophila snails can be considered as highly satisfactory, when compared with other results in literature related to works carried out with different species of the genus Biomphalaria, under controlled laboratory conditions.


Initial evaluation and interview techniques for child sexual abuse.
Because physicians are often the first professionals to have contact with a sexually abused child, they must be alert to the symptoms and prepared to respond knowledgeably. Early and effective intervention affects the overall prognosis for the child and family positively. As physicians become aware of child sexual abuse, protocols can be used routinely as part of a child's medical care. Regular checks on potentially abusive situations can prevent the tragic and traumatic occurrence of child sexual abuse.


CONCLUDING SUMMARY.
We have heard a wide-ranging set of talks on cosmology and high energy astrophysics at this conference. All I can really do in this short talk is to present my subjective impression of an arbitrary selection of highlights.