[Study on Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma bletillae].
To investigate the Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma Bletillae. The scurf and dust of R. bletillae were obtained by brushing, and the mites samples were separated and identified. Totally 520 g samples were collected, and 56 adult mites (female-male ratio 0.12) and 18 dormant bodies were obtained from the samples, and they were identified as H. apromyzarum with an average breeding density of 0.14/g. H. apromyzarum could breed on the traditional Chinese medicine R. bletillae, and the corresponding control measures should be strengthened.


On the expression of joint moments during gait.
The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of different reference frames on lower limb joint moments during gait with a view to identifying a recommended convention for clinical purposes. Data were collected from 10 subjects (nine able-bodied adults and one child with diplegic cerebral palsy) whilst walking at a self-selected speed. Calculations utilised a three-dimensional inverse dynamics model. For each joint, moments were expressed in four different reference frames. Three of the frames were orthogonal: laboratory frame; anatomical frame of proximal segment; anatomical frame of distal segment. The fourth reference frame was a non-orthogonal joint coordinate system (JCS). Significant differences in the joint moment profiles during gait were found with alternative references frames. This was apparent primarily for the transverse plane joint moments for able-bodied adult gait. For the pathological gait pattern presented, there were also marked differences in the frontal plane joint moments and more subtle ones in the sagittal plane. Whilst it is recognised that all possible reference frames for the expression of the net moment vector are mathematically valid, a decision needs to be made as to which one is more clinically useful. It is proposed that the non-orthogonal JCS is most logical on the basis of what, biomechanically, the joint moment actually represents.


Comparison of cellular mechanisms underlying histamine release from rat mast cells induced by ionic and nonionic radiographic contrast media.
To determine the cellular mechanisms underlying mast cell histamine release induced by ionic and nonionic radiographic contrast media. Histamine release from rat pulmonary mast cells was measured after incubation with various radiographic contrast media. The cellular cAMP content was determined by an enzymatic immunoassay. Both ionic and nonionic contrast media stimulated the histamine release, although the former was more potent than the latter. Dibutyryl cAMP suppressed histamine release evoked by ionic but not nonionic contrast media in a manner dependent on A kinase. The cellular cAMP content was lowered only by ionic contrast media. However, a secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitor p-bromophenacyl bromide inhibited both ionic and nonionic contrast media-evoked histamine releases. We demonstrated for the first time the difference and similarity in the cellular mechanisms underlying histamine release induced by ionic and nonionic contrast media, in which the reduction in cAMP was specific for ionic materials and the activation of secretory phospholipase A2 may be common to both agents.


Molecular characteristics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from the Chicago area: high prevalence of ST131 producing CTX-M-15 in community hospitals.
This study was designed to characterise 30 non-duplicate extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates from the community in the Chicago metropolitan area collected during 2008. The majority of isolates (n=28) were recovered from urine and 2 isolates were from blood. Molecular characterisation was done using the following techniques: isoelectric focusing; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of bla(ESBL); PCR for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants; identification of ST131; phylogenetic grouping; and replicon typing. Genetic relatedness was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with XbaI and repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) typing. Twenty-six (87%) of the ESBL-producing E. coli were positive for bla(CTX-M) genes (22 CTX-M-15 and 4 CTX-M-14), whilst the remaining 4 isolates produced SHV-2. Twenty-eight isolates (93%) were non-susceptible to ciprofloxacin and 16 (53%) were positive for aac(6')-Ib-cr. Overall, 16 (53%) of the ESBL-producers belonged to clonal complex ST131 that produced CTX-M-15 or CTX-M-14. Molecular characteristics of ST131 showed that it belonged to three distinct but related PFGE clones, was derived from phylogenetic group B2 and contained IncFII type plasmids. These results illustrate that E. coli clonal complex ST131 producing CTX-M-15, CTX-M-14, OXA-1, TEM-1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr has emerged as an important cause of community-onset urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli isolates in the Chicago area.


Unsuccessful cimetidine treatment of peptic ulcer: analysis of the factors involved.
Healing rates were examined retrospectively in 124 outpatients with peptic ulcer who had received cimetidine for at least four weeks. Treatment was unsuccessful in 73 patients. A statistical analysis of the factors involved in treatment failure revealed that in patients with duodenal ulcers 60.6% of the treatment successes versus 26.8% of the treatment failures were nonsmokers (P less than 0.001). There was a significantly higher (P less than 0.01) incidence of varioliform gastritis among treatment failures (19.2%) than treatment successes (3.9%). The following factors seemed to have no influence on rates of ulcer healing: age, sex, duration of ulcer disease, duration (beyond four weeks) of cimetidine therapy, family history of peptic ulcer, alcohol consumption, and coffee consumption. Although there was a higher gastric:duodenal ulcer ratio as well as higher consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs in treatment failures than in treatment successes, the difference was not statistically significant.


Risky business: stories from the field of rural community nurses' work in domestic violence.
This paper reports on a descriptive study into family violence in rural Victoria. Focus groups were held in a number of areas across rural Victoria with a total of 24 community nurse participants. The focus groups were audio-taped and the tapes transcribed to enable the clustering of themes. The dominant themes were: picking up cues, helping and helplessness, holding secrets and quiet resistance. Underpinning all these themes however, was the notion of 'risky business'. All nurses in the study gave examples of situations that they encountered; their ways of helping; of working around a system that is unhelpful; and the ways in which their work while skilled, thoughtful and wise, is also costly in terms of the emotional wounds they carry. Rural nurses work with considerable risk and courage as they engage in the care and support of women experiencing family violence.


The use of reverse micelles for the simultaneous extraction of oil and proteins from vegetable meal.
A method for the simultaneous extraction of oil and proteins from vegetable meals is presented. The method uses hydrocarbon reverse micelles, so that the oil is extracted directly into the hydrocarbon phase and the proteins are solubilized in the water pools of the reverse micelles. The surfactant used is bis (2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) in isooctane at variable w(0) values (w(0) measures the amount of water in the system, where w(0) = [H(2)O]/[AOT]). A comparison with the usual extraction methods is offered. It is shown that with the micelle system the extraction of oil is as large as with the usual methods, and it is independent of w(0). However the amount and type of proteins extracted depends strongly on w(0). At w(0) values below 6, no protein and only low molecular weight compounds (i.e. chlorogenic acid) are extracted, at larger water content (i.e. by increasing the dimension of the micelle water pool), also proteins are solubilized in a significant amount and with a molecular weight which increases by increasing W(0). The protein solubilized in the microemulsion system can be recovered into an aqueous phase with a back-transfer step.


Examination of polymorphism in hybrid wheat by using amplified fragment length polymorphism marker.
To investigate the polymorphism of two groups of male sterile lines and their maintainer lines, we used amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Of the 64 primer pairs, five reproducibly demonstrated polymorphism. Group I had 27 polymorphic bands, and Group II had 24 polymorphic bands. The maximum number of polymorphic bands was produced by line 2 (18 polymorphic bands) followed by line 7 (15 polymorphic bands). Of the five primer pairs, the highest number of polymorphic bands was produced by primer pair E1/M4, and the smallest number of polymorphic bands was produced by primer pair E1/M2. DNA fingerprinting, germplasm characterization, and cytogenetic research have especially been emphasized in studies of bread wheat; these methods are highly useful to select appropriate accessions for plant improvement and hybridization through molecular breeding approaches to evolve suitable safeguard strategies.


β-Amyloid Peptides Manipulate Switching Behaviors of Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts.
Molecular switching plays a critical role in biological and displaying systems. Donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) is a newly re-discovered series of switchable photochromes, and light is the most used approach to control its switching behavior. In this report, we speculated that hydrophobic binding pockets of biologically relevant peptides/proteins could be harnessed to alter its switching behavior without the assistance of light. We designed and synthesized a DASA compound SHA-2, and we demonstrated that the Aβ40 species could stabilize SHA-2 in the linear conformation and decrease the rate of molecular switching via fluorescence spectral studies. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulation revealed that SHA-2 could bind to the hydrophobic fragment of the peptide and resulted in substantial changes in the tertiary structure of Aβ40 monomer. This structural change is likely to impede the aggregation of Aβ40, as evidenced by the results from thioflavin T fluorescence and ProteoStat aggregation detection experiments. We believe that our study opens a new window to alter the switching behavior of DASA via DASA-peptide/protein interactions.


Regional age-related changes in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), messenger RNA levels and activity in SAMP8 brain.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional molecule synthesized by three isozymes of the NO synthase (NOSs) acting as a messenger/modulator and/or a potential neurotoxin. In rodents, the role of NOSs in sleep processes and throughout aging is now well established. For example, sleep parameters are highly deteriorated in senescence accelerated-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a useful animal model to study aging or age-associated disorders, while the inducible form of NOS (iNOS) is down-regulated within the cortex and the sleep-structures of the brainstem. Evidence is now increasing for a role of iNOS and resulting oxidative stress but not for the constitutive expressed isozyme (nNOS). To better understand the role of nNOS in the behavioural impairments observed in SAMP8 versus SAMR1 (control) animals, we evaluated age-related variations occurring in the nNOS expression and activity and nitrites/nitrates (NOx-) levels, in three brain areas (n = 7 animals in each group). Calibrated reverse transcriptase (RT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and biochemical procedures were used. We found that the levels of nNOS mRNA decreased in the cortex and the hippocampus of 8- vs 2-month-old animals followed by an increase in 12-vs 8-month-old animals in both strains. In the brainstem, levels of nNOS mRNA decreased in an age-dependent manner in SAMP8, but not in SAMR1. Regional age-related changes were also observed in nNOS activity. Moreover, nNOS activity in hippocampus was found lower in 8-month-old SAMP8 than in SAMR1, while in the cortex and the brainstem, nNOS activities increased at 8 months and afterward decreased with age in SAMP8 and SAMR1. NOx- levels showed profiles similar to nNOS activities in the cortex and the brainstem but were undetectable in the hippocampus of SAMP8 and SAMR1. Finally, NOx- levels were higher in the cortex of 8 month-old SAMP8 than in age-matched SAMR1. Concomitant variations occurring in NO levels derived from nNOS and iNOS at an early age constitute a major factor of risk for sleep and/or memory impairments in SAMP8.


Plasma sex hormone-binding globulin, corticosteroid-binding globulin, cortisol, and free cortisol levels in outpatients attending a lipid disorders clinic: a cross-sectional study of 1137 subjects.
We measured plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), and total cortisol, and calculated free plasma cortisol in 1 137 subjects attending a hospital outpatient lipid disorders clinic to investigate whether or not these analytes correlated with the degree of insulin resistance and the presence of the metabolic syndrome. In both males and females, plasma SHBG correlated inversely with anthropometric measures and with fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and triglycerides, and positively with HDL-cholesterol. However, in males with the metabolic syndrome, unlike females, the relationship between SHBG, some anthropometric measures, fasting glucose, insulin, and HDL-cholesterol were lost, which suggests that in males SHBG may not co-cluster with other components of the metabolic syndrome. In males and males with the metabolic syndrome, total plasma cortisol and calculated plasma free cortisol correlated positively with fasting glucose. Corticosteroid-binding globulin correlated inversely with percentage body fat and positively with HDL-cholesterol in males with and without the metabolic syndrome. CBG correlated negatively with age in both sexes. Overall, the results confirm the finding that SHBG is a marker of insulin resistance in males and females and that SHBG is associated with fasting triglycerides in males with the metabolic syndrome. Importantly, SHBG could be considered a stronger component of the metabolic syndrome in females than in males. However, the aetiological role of CBG and cortisol in insulin resistance is uncertain, although in males, cortisol and CBG could be subtly related to the degree of insulin resistance.


Ewing's sarcoma as a cause of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.
A patient with Ewing's sarcoma presented with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) (1). Plasma values for vasopressin were found to be over four times the normal values expected for the plasma osmolality. At postmortem examination, the arginine vasopressin concentration in the tumor tissue was ten times that of the plasma. These data suggest that Ewing's sarcoma may cause SIADH.


Life-Space Activities Are Associated with the Prognosis of Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease.
Life-space activities are a measure of daily activity level. Here, we examined the association between life-space activities and prognosis in 129 cardiovascular diseases (CVD) patients 65 years of age or older (average age, 79.2 ± 7.6 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 56.7 ± 13.2%) who had been admitted to our hospital for worsening CVD. Subjects were followed, and the primary endpoints were cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular death. Receiver operating characteristic analysis produced a cutoff value for life-space assessment (LSA) score for increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalization for two years of 53.0 points (sensitivity, 55.9%; specificity, 82.1%). Kaplan−Meier analysis using this cutoff value revealed that the rates of cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular death were significantly higher in subjects with an LSA score below the cutoff than in those with a score above the cutoff (both p < 0.001). Cox proportional analysis revealed that low LSA score was independently associated with cardiovascular hospitalization (HR, 2.540; 95% CI, 1.135−5.680; p = 0.023) and cardiovascular death (HR, 15.223; 95% CI, 1.689−137.180; p = 0.015), even after adjusting for age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, and log-transformed brain natriuretic peptide level. Thus, life-space activities are associated with prognosis in older adults with CVD.


The adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, istradefylline enhances anti-parkinsonian activity induced by combined treatment with low doses of L-DOPA and dopamine agonists in MPTP-treated common marmosets.
The adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, istradefylline improves motor function in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) optimally treated with a combination of L-DOPA and a dopamine agonist without increasing the risk of troublesome dyskinesia. However, the effects of istradefylline on motor function when administered in combination with low dose of L-DOPA and dopamine agonists as occurs in early PD are unknown. We investigated whether istradefylline enhances the combined anti-parkinsonian effects of a suboptimal dose of L-DOPA and a threshold dose of either the non-ergot dopamine agonist, ropinirole or the ergot dopamine agonist, pergolide in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated common marmoset. Threshold doses of ropinirole (0.025-0.075 mg/kg p.o.) and pergolide (0.01 mg/kg p.o.) produced a weak anti-parkinsonian effect. Co-administration of a suboptimal dose of L-DOPA (2.5mg/kg p.o.) with threshold doses of the dopamine agonists enhanced their anti-parkinsonian effect that led to increased 'ON' time without dyskinesia appearing. Administering istradefylline (10mg/kg p.o.) with the threshold doses of dopamine agonists and the suboptimal dose of L-DOPA in a triple combination caused a further enhancement of the anti-parkinsonian response but dyskinesia was still absent. In early PD, dopamine agonists are often used as first-line monotherapy, but efficacy is usually lost within a few years, at which time L-DOPA is added but with the risk of dyskinesia appearance. These results show that istradefylline is effective in improving motor function in combination with low dose dopaminergic drug treatment without provoking dyskinesia.


Detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ear tissue and dried blood spots from naturally infected wild rodents.
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can cause severe neurological disease in humans. Its geographical distribution is expanding in Western Europe with unresolved causes and spatial patterns, necessitating enhanced surveillance. Monitoring the virus in the environment is complicated, as it usually relies on destructive sampling of small rodents to test organs for TBEV, which in addition to ethical considerations also raises issues for long-term monitoring or longitudinal studies. Moreover, even when the virus is not detected in the blood or organs of the rodent, TBEV can still be transmitted from an infected tick to uninfected ticks feeding nearby. This is due to the ability of TBEV to replicate and migrate locally within the epidermis of small mammals, including those that do not appear to have systemic infection. This suggests that the virus may be detectable in skin biopsies, which has been confirmed in experimentally infected laboratory rodents, but it remains unknown if this sample type may be a viable alternative to destructively obtained samples in the monitoring of natural TBEV infection. Here we test ear tissue and dried blood spot (DBS) samples from rodents to determine whether TBEV-RNA can be detected in biological samples obtained non-destructively. Rodents were live-trapped and sampled at three woodland areas in The Netherlands where presence of TBEV has previously been recorded. Ear tissue (n = 79) and DBSs (n = 112) were collected from a total of 117 individuals and were tested for TBEV-RNA by real-time RT-PCR. TBEV-RNA was detected in five rodents (4.3% of tested individuals), all of which had a TBEV-positive ear sample, while only two out of four of these individuals (for which a DBS was available) had a positive DBS. This equated to 6.3% of ear samples and 1.8% of DBSs testing positive for TBEV-RNA. We provide the first evidence to our knowledge that TBEV-RNA can be detected in samples obtained non-destructively from naturally infected wild rodents, providing a viable sampling alternative suitable for longitudinal surveillance of the virus.


In vitro effects of vanadate on human immune functions.
Vanadium (V) is an element with wide industrial applications and environmental release. The object of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of high (10(-4) M) and low (10(-7) M) concentrations of sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) on cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, cytokine release, CD expression, and granulocyte O2- production. At 10(-4) and 10(-7) M, NaVO3 did not modify PBMC proliferation in the absence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). On the other hand, 10(-4) M NaVO3 reduced by -25% the PBMC proliferation in PHA-stimulated cultures, with a significant reduction of the stimulation index (SI) of blastogenesis. Moreover, 10(-4 M NaVO3 significantly reduced the release of IFN-gamma by PHA-stimulated PBMCs, and 10(-7) M NaVO3 significantly enhanced the release of TNF-alpha. In addition, IL-5 release was significantly inhibited by high concentration of sodium metavanadate and significantly enhanced by low concentration of NaVO3. Neither 10(-4) nor 10(-7) M NaVO3 modified the expression of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, or CD56+ in PHA-stimulated and unstimulated lymphocytes. Finally, 10(-4) M NaVO3 reduced the granulocyte production of O2- by about 70%, while 10(-7) vanadate reduced its production to a lesser extent. These results show that 10(-4) M NaVO3 exerts inhibitory effects on PBMCs, while at 10(-7) M it exerts a stimulatory action with a slight shift of the immune response towards a Th2-type response. This investigation suggests that environmental V can have important effects on the human immune system.


Prostaglandin EP1 receptor contributes to excitotoxicity and focal ischemic brain damage.
The clinical side effects associated with the inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes under pathologic conditions have recently raised concerns. A better understanding of neuroinflammatory mechanisms and neuronal survival requires knowledge of cyclooxygenase downstream pathways, especially PGE2 and its G-protein-coupled receptors. In this study, we postulate that EP1 receptor is one of the mechanisms that propagate neurotoxicity and could be a therapeutic target in brain injury. This hypothesis was tested by pretreating C57BL/6 wildtype mice with the EP1 receptor selective agonist ONO-DI-004 and the selective antagonist ONO-8713, followed by striatal unilateral NMDA injection. Results revealed that ONO-DI-004 increased NMDA-induced lesion volume up to 128.7 +/- 12.0%, while ONO-8713 significantly decreased lesion volume to 71.3 +/- 10.9%, as compared to the NMDA-control group. Neurotoxic EP1 receptor properties were also studied using C57BL/6 EP1 receptor knockout (EP1-/-) mice, which revealed a significant decrease to 74.5 +/- 8.2%, as compared to wildtype controls. The protective effect of the antagonist ONO-8713 was also tested in the EP1-/- mice, revealing no additional protection in these mice. Together, these results support the selectivity of ONO-8713 toward EP1 receptor and suggest the neurotoxic role of EP1 receptor. Furthermore, the EP1 receptor role in ischemic brain damage was investigated using a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion. The infarct volume was significantly reduced to 56.9 +/- 11.5% in EP1-/- mice, as compared to wildtype controls. This is the first study that demonstrates that EP1 receptor aggravates neurotoxicity and that modulation of this receptor can determine the outcomes in both excitotoxic and focal ischemic neuronal damage.


Theoretical Study of the Reactions of Methane and Ethane with Electronically Excited N2(A(3)Σu(+)).
Comprehensive quantum chemical analysis with the usage of density functional theory and post-Hartree-Fock approaches were carried out to study the processes in the N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + CH4 and N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + C2H6 systems. The energetically favorable reaction pathways have been revealed on the basis of the examination of potential energy surfaces. It has been shown that the reactions N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + CH4 and N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + C2H6 occur with very small or even zero activation barriers and, primarily, lead to the formation of N2H + CH3 and N2H + C2H5 products, respectively. Further, the interaction of these species can give rise the ground state N2(X(1)Σg(+)) and CH4 (or C2H6) products, i.e., quenching of N2(A(3)Σu(+)) by CH4 and C2H6 molecules is the complex two-step process. The possibility of dissociative quenching in the course of the interaction of N2(A(3)Σu(+)) with CH4 and C2H6 molecules has been analyzed on the basis of RRKM theory. It has been revealed that, for the reaction of N2(A(3)Σu(+)) with CH4, the dissociative quenching channel could occur with rather high probability, whereas in the N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + C2H6 reacting system, an analogous process was little probable. Appropriate rate constants for revealed reaction channels have been estimated by using a canonical variational theory and capture approximation. The estimations showed that the rate constant of the N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + C2H6 reaction path is considerably greater than that for the N2(A(3)Σu(+)) + CH4 one.


Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of noroviruses detected in outbreak and sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis in Bulgaria.
Noroviruses constitute a genetically diverse group of viruses in the Caliciviridae family, and are recognized as an important cause of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. To date there are no data on the incidence of noroviruses as a cause of gastroenteritis in Bulgaria. Fecal samples from an outbreak, and sporadic cases of diarrhea that occurred between December 2006 and April 2007 were tested for the presence of noroviruses. From a total of 474 stools (341 from sporadic cases and 133 cases from a single outbreak) examined, 72 samples (37 from sporadic cases and 35 from the outbreak) were positive using a norovirus-specific enzyme immunoassay. Fifty-nine specimens were confirmed and genotyped by RT-PCR and sequencing of regions of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and/or capsid. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of 29 norovirus strains revealed a great diversity of norovirus genotypes among the sporadic cases including: GGII.3, GGII.4/2006a, GGII.4/2006b, GGII.20, and GGII.Karachi. A single norovirus genotype (GGII.4/2006b) was identified as the causative agent of the outbreak. This first investigation on the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of noroviruses demonstrates the significant role of these viruses as etiologic agents in acute gastroenteritis in Bulgaria.


Assessment of antibiotic treatment on Anopheles darlingi survival and susceptibility to Plasmodium vivax.
Antibiotic treatment has been used to enhance anopheline susceptibility to Plasmodium infection, because bacterial microbiota play a fundamental role in modulating the vector competence of mosquitoes that transmit Plasmodium parasites. However, few studies have examined the impact of antibiotic treatments on Plasmodium vivax sporogonic development in neotropical anopheline mosquitoes. Herein, we assessed the impact of antibiotic treatment on P. vivax development and survival in Anopheles darlingi, the main vector of malaria in the Amazon region. Female mosquitoes were treated continuously with antibiotics to impact the gut bacterial load and then tested for prevalence, infection intensity, and survival in comparison with untreated mosquitoes. Antibiotic-fed mosquitoes had not dramatic impact on P. vivax development previously observed in P. falciparum. However, antibiotic treatment increases mosquito survival, which is known to increase vectorial capacity. These findings raise questions about the effect of antibiotics on P. vivax development and survival in An. darlingi.


Merkel cell carcinoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient.
In the general population, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a very rare neuroendocrine primary skin cancer, known for its high propensity for local recurrence and distant metastases. Treatment for this neoplasm is individualized on the grounds of clinical staging at presentation, and may include surgical excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Several studies suggest that MCC occurs more frequently and with a more aggressive course in immunocompromised patients such as organ transplant recipients and those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A case of this cutaneous malignancy, characterized by a short-term local recurrence and systemic fatal spread in spite of surgical treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is described in a patient with advanced HIV infection.


Renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney.
A case of renal cell carcinoma arising in a horseshoe kidney and presenting with a pathologic fracture of humerus is reported. Relevant literature is discussed.


Failures of endoscopic therapy for bleeding peptic ulcer: an analysis of risk factors.
The role of therapeutic endoscopy in bleeding peptic ulcer is well documented. Nevertheless, failures of endoscopic therapy occur, and such patients could be put at an increased risk of death by delays in definitive surgery. The aim of this study was to define factors associated with failed endoscopic therapy. Endoscopic intervention was attempted in 326 consecutive patients presenting with bleeding peptic ulcer using injection or heater probe therapy. Endoscopic therapy was possible in 308 (94%) patients, and permanent hemostasis was achieved in 269 (82.5%) of these. Fifty-seven (17.5%) patients continued to bleed or rebled in hospital. Patients who presented with active hemorrhage, shock on admission, and the lowest hemoglobin concentration did less well than those without these risk factors (p < 0.001). A history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin usage, coagulopathy, previous peptic ulceration, and concomitant cardiorespiratory disease did not predict outcome of endoscopic therapy. Age of the patient was not an independent risk factor for outcome of therapy. The position of a gastric ulcer did not affect outcome, but a posterior duodenal ulcer was significantly more often associated with failed endoscopic therapy than was the case with an anterior ulcer (p = 0.02). Endoscopic interventional treatment should be offered to all high-risk bleeding ulcer patients; no subgroup of patients unlikely to benefit from therapy could be identified.


Peripheral airway involvement in CF and asthma compared by inert gas washout.
Multiple-breath N2 washouts were performed before and after bronchodilation in 15 patients with moderately severe asthma (mean age 13 years), and in 11 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF; mean age 16 years) matched for FEV1. Eighteen healthy subjects (mean age 15 years) were studied before bronchodilation. The lung clearance index (LCI) was determined from the washout curve and gas trapping was assessed from five subsequent large breaths. Analysis of the progression of the concentration normalized phase III slopes (Sn(III)) over the washout was used to determine inhomogeneity in the conducting airways (S(cond)) and inhomogeneity close to or within the gas exchange zone (S(acin)). Before bronchodilation all washout indexes were abnormal in the CF group, and all but S(acin) in the asthma group. Two indexes were higher in CF than in asthma: LCI (11.5 (3.3) vs. 8.7 (1.3); P < 0.01), and S(acin) (0.307 (0.207) vs. 0.142 (0.071); P < 0.01), while gas trapping indexes and S(cond) (0.151 (0.071) vs. 0.127 (0.041)) did not differ significantly. After bronchodilation, all indexes improved in asthma and only S(cond) remained abnormally elevated. In CF, only a modest but statistically significant S(acin) improvement was seen and all indexes stayed abnormal. The study shows that overall ventilation inhomogeneity and particularly inhomogeneity in or close to the gas exchange zone are more pronounced in CF than in asthma matched for FEV1, while inhomogeneity in the conducting airway zone is similar. After bronchodilation, residual abnormalities of airway function are seen all through the airway tree in CF but only in the conducting airways in asthma.


[Value of manual therapy in the complex treatment of patients with neurologic manifestations of cervical osteochondrosis].
The authors propose a method for combined treatment of patients with varying neurologic syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis which includes manual therapy, traction of the cervical portion of the vertebral column and some physiotherapeutic procedures (hydrocortisone phonophoresis and various baths). The use of drugs was limited. The above treatment was given to 330 patients with reflectory and radicular syndromes of cervical osteochondrosis. The results of the treatment proved significantly better as against those observed in patients receiving conventional treatment.


Landau-de Gennes model for nonuniform configurations in nematic liquid crystalline elastomers.
Through a mean field theory, an elastic free energy describing the nonuniform elastic textures observed in nematic elastomers, is proposed. To construct it, an order parameter that describes the nematic-isotropic phase transition through the change of the elastic properties of the strain tensor at the transition point is introduced. The resulting elastic free energy can be written in a form that resembles the Frank free energy of the usual nematic liquid crystals, becoming equivalent to it when the size of the elastic nematic domains is a fixed constant along the whole sample. Using this approach, a model for nonhomogeneous deformations found by Macromolecules 33, 7675 (2000)] in elastomeric thin films of urethane/urea is proposed.


Clone-contig and STS maps of the hereditary hemochromatosis region on human chromosome 6p21.3-p22.
YAC-based and bacterial-clone based STS-content maps were constructed that served as the framework physical maps for the positional cloning of a candidate gene for hereditary hemochromatosis. The YAC-based map comprises 43 YACs and 86 STS and spans approximately 8 Mb of DNA between the class I region of the major histocompatibility complex on human chromosome 6p21.3 and D6S276 in 6p22. Comparison with published maps revealed a hole in the MIT/Whitehead and CEPH YAC maps that includes the immediate region around the hemochromatosis gene itself. Approximately 3 Mb of DNA was covered by a bacterial clone contig that consists of 38 BACs, 45 PACs, 26 PI clones and one lambda phage. The bacterial clone-based STS map comprises 153 STSs. A contiguous block of 8 STSs could be amplified from both human chromosome 6 and 5. Further characterization of selected STSs and bacterial clones by radiation hybrid mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization, respectively, revealed the presence of a multicopy DNA segment, more than one bacterial clone length in size, which is duplicated near the chromosome-6 centromere and part of which is present in multiple copies on chromosome 5. Possible implications of the incomplete public YAC-contig map and of the multicopy segment for physical mapping and linkage disequilibrium studies of the hemochromatosis candidate region are discussed.


Headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a prospective study with selective nerve root blocks in 275 patients.
Since many years we routinely use diagnostic selective nerve root blocks (SNRB) at our department when evaluating patients with cervical radiculopathy. Frequently patients who also presented with headache reported that the headache disappeared when the nerve root responsible for the radicular pain was blocked with local anaesthetics. Headache has been described as a companioning symptom related to cervical radiculopathy but has never before been evaluated with SNRB performed in the lower cervical spine. For this reason we added to our routine an evaluation of the response from the SNRB on headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy. The aim was to describe the frequency of headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy and its response to a selective nerve root block of the nerve root/roots responsible for the radiculopathy. Can nerve root compression in the lower cervical spine produce headache? In this consecutive series of 275 patients with cervical radiculopathy, 161 patients reported that they also suffered from daily or recurrent headache located most often unilaterally on the same side as the radiculopathy. All patients underwent a careful clinical examination by a neurosurgeon and a MRI of the cervical spine. The significantly compressed root/roots, according to the MRI, underwent SNRB with a local anaesthetic. The effect of the nerve root block on the radiculopathy and the headache was carefully noted and evaluated by a physiotherapist using visual analogue scales (VAS) before and after the SNRB. All patients with headache had tender points in the neck/shoulder region on the affected side. Patients with headache graded significantly more limitations in daily activities and higher pain intensity in the neck/shoulder/arm than patients without headache. After selective nerve root block, 59% of the patients with headache reported 50% or more reduction of headache and of these 69% reported total relief. A significant correlation was seen between reduced headache intensity and reduced pain in the neck, shoulder and arm. The result indicates that cervical root compression from degenerative disease in the lower cervical spine producing radiculopathy might also induce headache.


COVID-19 health worries and anxiety symptoms among older adults: the moderating role of ageism.
A prominent feature of anxiety in late life is concerns regarding physical health. Anxiety symptoms among older adults have been connected with various psychological outcomes, including social isolation and loneliness. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many societies have demonstrated increased ageist attitudes, encouraging older adults to distance themselves from society. Accordingly, the current study examined the moderating role of COVID-19-related ageism in the connection between COVID-19 health worries and anxiety symptoms among older adults. Data were collected from 243 older adults (age range 60-92; M = 69.75, SD = 6.69), who completed scales assessing COVID-19-related health worries and ageism, as well as anxiety symptoms. The results demonstrated that both health worries and ageism were positively associated with anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the connection between health worries and anxiety symptoms was more pronounced among older adults with high ageism levels. The study highlights the vulnerability of older adults in general, and ageist older adults in particular, to the negative consequences of COVID-19-related health worries, and emphasizes the role of the increased ageist stance of society during the pandemic in this regard.


Therapeutic Effects of Long-Term Administration of Tranilast in an Animal Model for the Treatment of Fibroids.
Tranilast (N-3, 4-dimethoxycinnamoyl anthranilic acid) is an orally administered drug with antiallergic properties and approved in Japan and the Republic of Korea for the treatment of asthma and hypertrophic scars. Previous in vitro studies indicated that tranilast reduced fibroid growth through its inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of tranilast for treatment of human-derived fibroids in a mouse model. SCID mice (ovariectomized, supplemented with estrogen and progesterone) were implanted with fibroid explants and treated for two months with tranilast (50 m/kg/daily) or the vehicle. After sacrifice, xenografts were excised and analyzed. Tranilast was well tolerated without adverse side effects. There was a 37% reduction in tumor weight along with a significant decrease in staining for Ki67, CCND1, and E2F1; a significant increase in nuclear staining for cleaved caspase 3; and reduced staining for TGF-β3 and Masson's trichrome in the tranilast treated mice. There was a significant inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of fibronectin, COL3A1, CCND1, E2F1, and TGF-β3 in the xenografts from the tranilast-treated mice. These promising therapeutic effects of tranilast warrant additional animal studies and human clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy for treatment of fibroids.


Experiences with VHA care: a qualitative study of U.S. women veterans with self-reported trauma histories.
Women veterans in the United States, particularly those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a history of military sexual assault, have unique health care needs, but their minority status in the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has led to documented healthcare disparities when compared to men. This study's objective was to obtain a richer understanding of the challenges and successes encountered by women veterans with self-reported service-related trauma histories (particularly those with a history of military sexual assault and/or posttraumatic stress symptomology) receiving VHA care. Thirty-seven female Vietnam and post-Vietnam (1975-1998) era veterans were randomly selected from a cohort of PTSD disability benefit applicants to complete semi-structured interviews in 2011-2012. Grounded-theory informed procedures were used to identify interview themes; differences between veterans with and without a history of military sexual assault were examined through constant comparison. At the time of the interviews, many women believed that VHA was falling short of meeting women veterans' needs (e.g., lack of women-only mental health programming). Also common, but particularly among those with a military sexual assault history, was the perception that VHA's environment was unwelcoming; being "surrounded by men" yielded emotions ranging from discomfort and mistrust to severe anxiety. A few veterans reported recent positive changes and offered additional suggestions for improvement. Findings suggest that while at the time of the interviews gains had been made in the delivery of gender-sensitive outpatient medical care, women veterans with a history of military sexual assault and/or posttraumatic stress symptomology perceived that they were not receiving the same quality of care as male veterans.


Non-pharmacological interventions targeting sleep quality in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review aimed to examine the available evidence about non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) aimed at improving sleep quality in older adults without insomnia or dementia.Methods: Studies on NPIs targeting older adults' sleep were searched in the PsycInfo, PubMed and Scopus databases, with no restriction on publication year up to September 2021. Studies on NPIs for older adults with no diagnosed sleep disorders were included, while those on pharmacological therapies and/or concerning pathological samples were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using tools based on Joanna Briggs' criteria. The data extracted were meta-analyzed using random effects models for subgroups of NPIs.Results: Of the 1,893 records identified, 31 studies on NPIs (N = 2,224; range of mean ages: 60-78 years) were analyzed. All NPIs improved self-reported sleep quality, albeit to a different extent (physical activity: d=.97 - 95% CI=.62, 1.32-; psychological/psychoeducational, or NPIs that combined more than one sleep-targeting activity: d range: .21 to .97). Only the NPIs based on physical activity improved objectively-measured sleep, d=.31 (.04, .57). The methodological quality of most studies was limited.Conclusion: The most often used NPIs targeting sleep rely on physical activity and sensory stimulation with promising results on sleep quality for the former. More data are needed on psychological/psychoeducational NPIs and combined interventions in order to test their effectiveness. The methodological weaknesses of the available studies suggest they their findings should be interpreted with caution. Supplemental data for this article is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2056879.


Time course and responses of sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the dog.
The stability of the pulmonary blood pressure and flow response to alveolar hypoxia (hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction or HPV) was studied in six pentobarbital anesthetized, mechanically ventilated open-chested dogs. Aortic and left pulmonary artery blood flows; systemic and pulmonary arterial, central venous, left atrial, and airway pressures; hemoglobin; arterial and mixed venous blood gases were measured. The right lung was ventilated continuously with 100% oxygen, while the left lung was ventilated alternately with 100% O2 ( prehypoxia control phase), an hypoxic gas mixture containing 4% O2, 3% CO2, balance N2 for 4 h, or 100% O2 (post-hypoxia control phase). Hypoxic ventilation of the left lung resulted in an immediate and sustained decrease in left lung blood flow (QL%) from 39.0 +/- 1.8% (mean +/- SE) to 9.9 +/- 3.6% at 15 min of hypoxic ventilation. QL% remained decreased and did not vary significantly during the 4 h of hypoxia. Venous admixture correspondingly was increased and PaO2 decreased by hypoxic ventilation and did not vary significantly during the 4 h of hypoxia. All variables returned to control levels upon reestablishing ventilation with 100% O2. While the maximal reduction in QL% with left lung hypoxic ventilation was identical to that observed during atelectasis previously in our laboratory, the time course of the response was different. The response to hypoxia was maximal by 15 min, however, QL% decreased more slowly during atelectasis, where the maximal reduction was observed by 60 min. The present study therefore demonstrated that hypoxic ventilation of the left lung yielded an immediate and sustained decrease in left lung blood flow for 4 h. The stability of the HPV response probably was accounted for by the lack of such confounding factors as respiratory alkalosis, severe systemic hypoxemia, and increased cardiac output.


[Hematopoiesis in the yolk sac of several representatives of the Sauropsida].
Hemopoiesis in the yolk sac of chicken and crocodile embryos was studied at different developmental stages. Primary intravascular erythropoiesis is closely related to the formation of sanguineous islands appearing in the zone of the yolk growth in the visceral mesoderm. With the development of folds enlarging the surface of the yolk resorbtion, around the vessels running within the folds there appear foci of primary granulopoiesis. The process begins in the paravasal mesenchyma which is gradually disguised by hemopoietic cells (in chicken embryos--at the stage of 8 days, in crocodiles--23 days of incubation). The granulopoiesis continues in chicken embryos during 1/3 of the incubation period, in crocodiles--during 2/3 of the incubation time. The leukopoiesis foci are developed more intensively in crocodiles as well at the size of the yolk sac folds. Leukocytic accumulations disappear in the crocodile sac after hatching (38-40 cm). The change of primary erythropoiesis for the secondary one in the chicken is preceded by the appearance of megaloblastic forms of erythrocytes with the compact homogeneous cytoplasm. They are absent from crocodiles.


Amiodarone and optic neuropathy: the heart of the matter.
Amiodarone is one of the most effective antiarrhythmic drugs currently available. Although a subject of intense controversy, a causal link between amiodarone and optic neuropathy has never been firmly established. Indications for treatment with amiodarone are outlined, and features of the optic neuropathy in patients on amiodarone are compared with those of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. An approach to patients treated with amiodarone who present with optic neuropathy is outlined, and suggestions for a registry and prospective study of such patients are presented.


Association between health risk behaviors and food consumption in adolescents.
The study aims to evaluate the association between substance use and social isolation with food consumption in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,040 adolescents from a medium-sized city in Brazil. The exposures assessed were the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, and social isolation. The outcomes were the regular consumption (≥5 times/week) of beans, fruit/fruit salad, candies, and soft drinks, and an unhealthy eating score. The association between health risk behaviors and food consumption was assessed through logistic and linear regressions. Regular users of alcohol were more likely to have regular consumption of candies and soft drinks, and those who used tobacco regularly were less likely to have regular bean consumption and more likely to have regular candies consumption. The use of at least one substance was negatively associated with regular bean consumption and positively associated with regular consumption of sweets and soft drinks. Socially isolated adolescents were less likely to have regular bean consumption. Substance use was positively associated with the unhealthy eating score. In conclusion, substance use and social isolation were associated with less regular consumption of healthy food markers and greater regular consumption of unhealthy food markers.


Nuclear fast red-based colorimetric sensors for sensitive and selective detection of Ag ions.
The reduction of nuclear fast red (NFR) stain by sodium tetrahydroboron was catalyzed in the presence of silver ions (Ag+ ). The fluorescence properties of reduced NFR differed from that of NFR. The product showed fluorescence emission at 480 nm with excitation at 369 nm. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of the mixture increased strongly in the presence of Ag+ and Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 4.78. There was a good linear relationship between increased fluorescence intensity (ΔI) and Ag+ concentration in the range 5.0 × 10-9 to 5.0 × 10-8 M. The correlation coefficient was 0.998, and the detection limit (3σ/k) was 1.5 × 10-9 M. The colour of the reaction system changed with variation in Ag+ concentration over a wide range. Based on the colour change, a visual semiquantitative detection method for recognition and sensing of Ag+ was developed for the range 1.0 × 10-8 to 5.0 × 10-4 M, with an indicator that was visible to the naked eye. Therefore, a sensitive, simple method for determination of Ag+ was developed. Optimum conditions for Ag+ detection, the effect of other ions and the analytical application of Ag+ detection of synthesized sample were investigated.


Protocol for a systematic review with network meta-analysis of the modalities used to deliver eHealth interventions for chronic pain.
As eHealth interventions prove both efficacious and practical, and as they arguably overcome certain barriers encountered by traditional face-to-face treatment for chronic pain, their number has increased dramatically in recent times. However, there is a dearth of research that focuses on evaluating and comparing the different types of technology-assisted interventions. This is a protocol for a systematic review that aims to evaluate the eHealth modalities in the context of psychological and non-psychological (other than non-drug) interventions for chronic pain. We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL: The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with more than 20 participants per trial arm that have evaluated non-drug psychological or non-psychological interventions delivered via an eHealth modality and have pain as an outcome measure will be included. Two review authors will independently extract data and assess the study suitability in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Studies will be included if they measure at least one outcome variable in accordance with the IMMPACT guidelines (i.e. pain severity, pain interference, physical functioning, symptoms, emotional functioning, global improvement and disposition). Secondary outcomes will be measures of depression and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A network meta-analysis will be conducted based on direct comparisons to generate indirect comparisons of modalities across treatment trials, which will return rankings for the eHealth modalities in terms of their effectiveness. Most trials that use an eHealth intervention to manage chronic pain typically use one modality. As a result, little evidence exists to support which modality type is the most effective. The current review will address this gap in the literature and compare the different eHealth modalities used for technology-assisted interventions for chronic pain. With the growing reliance and use of technology as a medium for delivering treatment for chronic conditions more generally, it is imperative that research identify the most efficacious eHealth modalities and systematically identify the most important features of such treatment types, so they may be replicated and used for research and in the provision of care. PROSPERO, CRD42016035595.


Brain functional connectivity density and individual fluid reasoning capacity in healthy young adults.
Functional connectivity density (FCD) is a newly developed data-driven method to measure the number of functional connections of each voxel, possibly providing new insight into the neural correlates of fluid reasoning. Here, we recruited 211 healthy young adults (91 men and 120 women) to investigate associations between the global FCD and fluid reasoning capacity as measured by the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices. Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices scores were correlated negatively with the global FCD in multiple brain regions of the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal cortices in male participants. No significant correlation was found in female participants. Our findings confirmed the association between fluid reasoning and functional connectivity of multiple cognitive-related brain regions. The positive correlation with the functional connectivity strength and the negative correlation between fluid reasoning and FCD suggest that individuals with superior fluid reasoning capacity may possess a small number of strong functional connections. The sex dichotomy of this association indicates that the fluid reasoning capacity of men and women may have different neural substrates.


[The extraction of the 6-year molars in orthodontic practice].
There is no orthodontic indication for the extraction of sixth-year molars. Nevertheless, one-third of all permanent teeth extracted by us in orthodontic cases terminated within one year were first molars. The indication for the extraction of these permanent first molars was based exclusively on caries incidence. The resultant disadvantages to the course of treatment are discussed from medical and economic aspects.


Synthesis and application of polypyrrole nanofibers: a review.
State-of-the-art polypyrrole nanofiber-based nanoarchitectonics can be generally fabricated by electrospinning, interfacial polymerization and reactive template methods. Even though analogous nanofiber morphologies and nanofibrous network architectures can be obtained by these methods, the structural details and structural complexities may alter significantly as different synthesis methods are applied. For the electrospinning technique, on one hand, nanofibers can be directly obtained by spinning polypyrrole-containing dope solutions; on the other, the electrospun nanofiber mats can be used as templates to direct the nanofiber formation; a two-step fabrication process, including the electrospinning of polymer nanofiber mats and deposition of polypyrrole on the polymer nanofibers' surface, is generally employed. By tuning the electrospinning parameters, the composition, diameter, morphology, and alignment of the as-obtained electrospun nanofiber mat can be effectively controlled, which may allow the fabrication of polypyrrole nanofibers with sophisticated nanostructures and nanoarchitectures. Interfacial polymerization is capable of generating polypyrrole nanofibers without templates. It is speculated that the protonation and re-orientation of polypyrrole at the oil-water interface may decoil the polymer chains and transform them into more extended conformations, while the charged polymer chains more easily diffuse into the water phase and form a stable dispersion. Different from electrospinning, the reactive templates may drive the formation of polypyrrole nanofibers through either redox or protonation mechanisms. Nanofibers with different curvatures, compositions, and architectures can be obtained by using different types of reactive template in a simple, fast, environment-friendly and one-step manner. A wide range of applications have been demonstrated by the polypyrrole nanofiber-based nanoarchitectonics, including cell culture, tissue engineering, neural stimulation, energy storage, and organic electronics.


Exploring critical determinants of protein amyloidogenesis: a review.
The transformation of polypeptide chains from their globular native structure to fibrillar aggregates has been a matter of great concern because of the involvement of these aggregates in the onset of several degenerative diseases. These aggregates exhibit highly ordered cross β sheet structures and are known as 'amyloids'. Formation of amyloids in the body is associated with cytotoxicity due to direct interaction of the aggregated species with the cell membrane leading to cellular permeability or due to loss of functionality of the proteins involved in the amyloid formation. The preference of polypeptide chains to remain in their native conformation or to aggregate into amyloids is guided by several factors such as its conformation at specific condition, concentration, physicochemical properties of the amino acid sequence and so on. In the current review, we have reviewed the different factors that guide the transition of proteins from their natively folded state to the amyloidogenic state. Understanding the critical determinants of amyloidogenesis is vital towards deciphering the molecular mechanism of amyloidogenesis and for the development of effective therapeutics against amyloidosis.


Investigating cultural heterogeneity in San Pedro de Atacama, northern Chile, through biogeochemistry and bioarchaeology.
Individuals living in the San Pedro de Atacama oases and the neighboring upper Loa River Valley of northern Chile experienced the collapse of an influential foreign polity, environmental decline, and the appearance of a culturally distinct group during the Late Intermediate Period (ca. AD 1,100-1,400). We investigate cultural heterogeneity at the Loa site of Caspana through analyses of strontium and oxygen isotopes, cranial modification styles, and mortuary behavior, integrating biological aspects of identity, particularly geographic origins, with cultural aspects of identity manifested in body modification and mortuary behavior. We test the hypothesis that the Caspana population (n = 66) represents a migrant group, as supported by archeological and ethnographic evidence, rather than a culturally distinct local group. For Caspana archeological human tooth enamel, mean (87)Sr/(86)Sr = 0.70771 +/- 0.00038 (1sigma, n = 30) and mean delta(18)O(c(V-PDB)) = -3.9 +/- 0.6 per thousand (1sigma, n = 16); these isotopic data suggest that only one individual lived outside the region. Material culture suggests that the individuals buried at Caspana shared some cultural affinity with the San Pedro oases while maintaining distinct cultural traditions. Finally, cranial modification data show high frequencies of head shaping [92.4% (n = 61/65)] and an overwhelming preference for annular modification [75.4% (n = 46/61)], contrasting sharply with practices in the San Pedro area. Based on multiple lines of evidence, we argue that, rather than representing a group of altiplano migrants, the Caspana population existed in the region for some time. However, cranial modification styles and mortuary behavior that are markedly distinct from patterns in surrounding areas raise the possibility of cultural heterogeneity and cultural fissioning.


Constructing spike-like energy band alignment at the heterointerface in highly efficient perovskite solar cells.
The interface between the absorber and transport layers is shown to be critical for highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The undesirable physical and chemical properties of interfacial layers often cause unfavorable band alignment and interfacial states that lead to high charge-carrier recombination and eventually result in lower device performance. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and effective strategy to improve the performance of PSCs by constructing a conduction band offset (CBO) with a small spike, through the inductive effect induced by an organic small molecule. As a result, the modified devices show an enhancement in all photovoltaic performance characteristics with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) increase of 10.6% and retaining more than 94% of its initial PCE after 1800 h of exposure to N2. Importantly, we find that a moderate spike-like CBO at the interface between the perovskite film and hole transport layer facilitates rapid charge-carrier injection in devices and reduces charge recombination at the interface, thereby increasing the open-circuit voltage and fill factor. Furthermore, a large spike barrier at the interface increases device resistance, leading to a reduced fill factor. Our present work provides valuable information for understanding the influence of a spike-like CBO on charge-carrier dynamics to further improve the performance and stability of PSCs.


Bioactive compounds and antioxidants from a Mediterranean garland harvested at two stages of maturity.
Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (garland) is an herbaceous plant rich in bioactive compounds. The chemical composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of a Mediterranean garland population were investigated in different organs at two phenological stages. Antioxidant capacity varied from 7.9 (vegetative) to 14.4 (flowering) mmol Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity 100 g-1 dry weight (DW). A significant correlation between antioxidant capacity and total phenolics and total flavonoids was found at flowering stage. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid reached a maximum of 4.7 μg g-1 DW in leaves; flowers were high in luteolin (2.37 μg g-1 DW), whereas leaves showed a remarkable content of rutin (1.78 μg g-1 DW). Results highlight differences in bioactive compound levels and antioxidant capacity related to plant stages and organs. This research provides new insights into antioxidant activities and chemistry of garland, in view of its exploitation in areas of fodder resources, functional foods and natural antioxidants.


Diffusive partitioning tracer test for nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) detection in the vadose zone.
This paper proposes the theory and practical application of a new partitioning tracer test for nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) detection in the vadose zone, which is based on diffusion. A mixture of chlorofluorocarbons as gaseous tracers is injected into the vadose zone to form a point source at the injection point. While the tracers diffuse away, small volumes of gas are withdrawn from the injection point. The quantitative determination of the NAPL saturation is based on a comparison of the concentration decline of tracers with different air-NAPL partitioning coefficients. The test has been evaluated in laboratory sand columns contaminated with dodecane. NAPL in saturations of 0.8-4% of the total porosity have been quantified in a wide range of different water contents. Actual and measured NAPL saturations calculated as an average from four different tracer pairs agreed within +/-30%. The new method was successfully used for repeated NAPL quantification in a large-scale field lysimeter contaminated with artificial kerosene. This rapid and inexpensive test is potentially of value for site investigations especially in combination with soil gas measurements, because it requires similar equipment. Possible applications are source delineation and repeated NAPL quantification in situ during a remediation.


Dose-dependent effects of submicrometer sulfuric acid aerosol on particle clearance from ciliated human lung airways.
We previously showed that 1 hr exposures to submicrometer sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosol at 100 and 1000 micrograms/m3 altered the bronchial mucociliary clearance of monodisperse 7.6 micron MMAD 99mTc-labelled ferric oxide (Fe2O3) in healthy, nonsmoking humans. The 7.6 micron particles were primarily deposited in the larger bronchial airways, where submicrometer H2SO4 has very little deposition. To determine the extent that submicrometer H2SO4 aerosol affects clearance from the more distal ciliated airways, we measured the clearance of a monodisperse 4.2 micron MMAD Fe2O3 aerosol in eight other healthy nonsmoking subjects. A greater fraction of 4.2 micron particles deposited in distal conductive airways. Bronchial mucociliary clearance was slower following 1 h nasal H2SO4 inhalations at 100, 300 and 1000 micrograms/m3 than after sham exposures, while mucociliary transport rates within the trachea and indices of respiratory mechanics were unchanged. A comparison of the effects of 1 h exposures at 100 micrograms/m3 on the clearance of 7.6 and 4.2 micron particles suggests greater physiological response in distal ciliated airways than in larger central airways.


Elevated serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor (Tac antigen) levels in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients with blastic crisis.
We examined the expression of cell-surface interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (Tac antigen) on peripheral blood leukemic cells and measured soluble IL-2 receptor p55(alpha) chain (sIL-2R) levels in sera from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients with blastic crisis. Flow cytofluorometric analysis performed by dual immunofluorescence in three cases demonstrated coexpression of Tac antigen with myeloid (CD13, CD14, or CD33) or lymphoid (CD10) antigen on significant proportions of peripheral blood leukemic cells. Radiolabeled IL-2-binding assay demonstrated the specific IL-2 binding sites in three cases examined. The exogenous IL-2, however, failed to induce proliferative response. A myeloid cell line, Yut-K3, established from peripheral blood leukemic cells from a CML patient with blastic crisis, also expressed cell-surface Tac antigen and CD13 concurrently. SIL-2R assay showed that Yut-K3 released a detectable amount of sIL-2R in its culture supernatant. The serum sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated (range: 2,580 to 172,000 U/mL) in 12 CML patients with blastic crisis and were slightly elevated in ten patients in chronic phase (range: 250 to 820 U/mL) and in three in accelerated phase (range: 790 to 1,305 U/mL) compared with those in 24 normal controls (range: 70 to 695 U/mL, P less than .01). These results indicated that the leukemic cells from CML patients with blastic crisis expressed and released IL-2 receptor (Tac antigen). Longitudinal studies performed in three cases of CML with blastic crisis showed that the change of serum sIL-2R level was closely associated with that of the number of peripheral blood leukocytes and blasts, the percentage of blasts and serum LDH levels, also suggesting that the serum sIL-2R level is a useful clinical indicator of the leukemic cell burden in vivo.


A review of eight cases of cavernous sinus thrombosis secondary to sphenoid sinusitis, including a12-year-old girl at the present department.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a severe disease which can result from infection of any of the tissues drained by the cavernous sinus. We here review eight cases, including a 12-year-old girl, all secondary to sphenoid sinusitis. The clinical manifestations, laboratory data, imaging findings, pathogens, medications, surgical treatment and clinical outcomes were analyzed. All eight patients had headache and five of them fever. All cases were associated with one or more ophthalmic symptoms. In four cases, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging showed isolated sphenoid sinusitis. In three cases, streptococci were isolated from blood culture and two cases showed Staphylococcus aureus in blood and sinus cultures. In seven cases, surgery was undertaken. All eight subjects received antibiotics, and 5 were administered intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole. Six subjects received anticoagulation therapy and one received corticosteroids. No mortality was recorded. Three cases showed sequelae, including Lemierre syndrome, ophthalmic complaints, and cranial nerve paralysis. In conclusion, the management of CST should include intravenous antibiotic therapy, combined with endonasal sinus surgery.


Prosthetic Vascular Grafts The state of the art in the 1990s.
During the early years of vascular prosthetic development (1940-1960), the characteristics of the ideal graft were gradually defined. In order to be clinically useful, a vascular graft must be readily available in a variety of sizes and lengths and be suitable for use throughout the body.


Modern indications for the use of opipramol.
Opipramol is considered as a pharmacological agent that does not fit the classification taking into account the division of antidepressants, antipsychotics and anxiolytics. It has a structure related to tricyclic antidepressants but it has a different mechanism of action, i.e. binding to sigma1 and to sigma2 sites. It has been regarded as an effective drug in general anxiety disorders together with other agents like SSRI`s, SNRI`s, buspirone and pregabalin for many years. It can however also be indicated in other conditions, e.g. it may be used as a premedication in the evening prior to surgery, positive results are also observed in psychopharmacological treatment with opipramol in somatoform disorders, symptoms of depression can be significantly reduced in the climacteric syndrome. The latest data from literature present also certain dangers and side effects, which may result due to opipramol administration. Mania may be induced not only in bipolar patients treated with opipramol, but it can be an adverse drug reaction in generalized anxiety disorder. This analysis shows however that opipramol is an important drug still very useful in different clinical conditions.


Epidural infusions of sufentanil with and without bupivacaine: comparison with diamorphine-bupivacaine.
The requirements for supplementary 3 ml epidural injections of bupivacaine 0.5% (top-ups) were used in a randomized double-blind study to compare the effects of five types of thoracic epidural infusions given at 2.5 ml h-1 for the first 24 h after major surgery to the upper abdomen in 99 patients and the lower abdomen in 72. The infusions were: bupivacaine 0.167% alone; diamorphine 0.167 mg ml-1 (0.417 mg h-1) in bupivacaine 0.167%; sufentanil 2 micrograms ml-1 (5 micrograms h-1) in 0.167% bupivacaine; sufentanil 4 micrograms ml-1 (10 micrograms h-1) in 0.167% bupivacaine; and sufentanil 4 micrograms ml-1 (10 micrograms h-1) in normal saline. The patients who had upper abdominal surgery were on average older than those having lower abdominal surgery and a larger proportion of them were female. They received on average fewer top-ups. After both upper and lower abdominal surgery, epidural infusions of bupivacaine alone required the most frequent supplementation (inter-quartile range 6-14 top-ups in 24 h) and the two sufentanil-bupivacaine mixtures required the fewest (interquartile range 0-12 top-ups in 24 h). The infusions of sufentanil without bupivacaine were significantly less effective than the sufentanil-bupivacaine mixtures after upper (but not lower) abdominal surgery. Although the two sufentanil-bupivacaine mixtures were indistinguishable in analgesic effectiveness after either upper or lower abdominal surgery, the lower (5 micrograms h-1) dose rate of sufentanil gave a significantly higher average breathing rate and lower average PaCO2 for the first 24 h after lower (but not upper) abdominal surgery. Blood samples were taken (as an afterthought) from 11 patients receiving sufentanil 10 micrograms h-1, just before the epidural infusion was stopped. The concentrations were mostly above the range for systemic analgesia, but below the values that would have been expected if a steady state had been achieved.


Hyponatremia accompanying volatile hypertension caused by baroreflex failure after neck surgery: case report and literature review.
: The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the most common cause of euvolemic hyponatremia, and many disorders have been associated with it. Baroreflex failure is a rare disorder characterized by extreme blood pressure (BP) fluctuations, most frequently caused by neck or head trauma and irradiation. We report a case of a 48-year-old patient referred to our department for asymptomatic hyponatremia and volatile hypertension. His past medical history included nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with surgery and bilateral neck radiation. Following the diagnostic algorithm for hyponatremia, the diagnosis of SIADH was made. Ambulatory BP monitoring revealed highly variable BP; extensive autonomic nervous system function testing suggested baroreflex-cardiovagal failure. We propose the hypothesis that not only labile hypertension because of baroreflex failure but also hyponatremia can develop as a late consequence of neck trauma and irradiation.


[A novel standard protocol of long-term follow-up shared with general practitioners after percutaneous coronary intervention: appropriateness and economic impact].
Follow-up modalities for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined and standard protocols have been not established. The purpose of this study was to assess: a) the frequency and patterns of cardiology visits, echocardiographic examinations and stress tests after PCI in clinical practice; b) the impact of a multidisciplinary protocol of long-term follow-up after PCI shared with general practitioners on the appropriateness and reduction in healthcare costs. A total of 780 patients who underwent PCI in 2010 in two Italian hospitals were analyzed. The number of cardiological examinations (total, routine and clinically driven) performed during 2 years of follow-up were recorded and stratified according to the patient's risk profile. The latter was defined according to the multidisciplinary protocol. In addition, a simulation of the spread between provided and necessary tests (according to the multidisciplinary protocol) was carried out. The mean number of cardiological examinations per patient provided during follow-up was 5, of which 4.4 were routine tests in asymptomatic patients. Routine tests were performed more frequently in patients at low risk compared to those at higher risk. By applying the multidisciplinary protocol to the case mix and by merging clinical visit and stress test or echocardiographic examination, a reduction of 0.87 tests per patient/year would be expected. This reduction would result in a 39% decrease in follow-up examinations in this specific clinical setting. This observational study demonstrates that unnecessary cardiological clinical and functional tests are often performed in long-term follow-up of patients submitted to PCI. The application of a standard protocol of follow-up shared with general practitioners may help avoiding unnecessary consultations, thus reducing healthcare costs.


The acid-sensing nociceptor TRPV1 controls breast cancer progression in bone via regulating HGF secretion from sensory neurons.
Cancers showing excessive innervation of sensory neurons (SN) in their microenvironments are associated with poor outcomes due to promoted growth, increased tumor recurrence, metastasis, and cancer pain, suggesting SNs play a regulatory role in cancer aggressiveness. Using a preclinical model in which mouse 4T1 breast cancer (BC) cells were injected into the bone marrow of tibiae, we found 4T1 BC cells aggressively colonized bone with bone destruction and subsequently spread to the lung. Of note, 4T1 BC colonization induced the acidic tumor microenvironment in bone in which SNs showed increased innervation and excitation with elevated expression of the acid-sensing nociceptor transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), eliciting bone pain (BP) assessed by mechanical hypersensitivity. Further, these excited SNs produced increased hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Importantly, the administration of synthetic and natural TRPV1 antagonists and genetic deletion of TRPV1 decreased HGF production in SNs and inhibited 4T1 BC colonization in bone, pulmonary metastasis from bone, and BP induction. Our results suggest the TRPV1 of SNs promotes BC colonization in bone and lung metastasis via up-regulating HGF production in SNs. The SN TRPV1 may be a novel therapeutic target for BC growing in the acidic bone microenvironment and for BP.


Living with cost containment.
Cost containment need not have an adverse effect on quality of care. A critical review of policies and practices can reveal possibilities for controlling and containing costs while maintaining or even increasing quality. The author discusses several areas that deserve the attention of nursing administrators and staff.


Measuring tryptophan dynamics using fast scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon fiber microelectrodes with improved sensitivity and selectivity.
Despite the fact that tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that humans typically obtain through diet, there are several interesting tryptophan dynamics at play in the body. Quantifying and understanding these dynamics are crucial in studies of depression, autism spectrum disorder, and other disorders that involve neurotransmitters directly synthesized from tryptophan. Here we detail the optimization of waveform parameters in fast scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon fiber microelectrodes to yield four-fold higher sensitivity and six-fold higher selectivity compared to previously reported methods. We demonstrate the utility of our method in measuring (1) exogenous Trp dynamics from administration of Trp to PC-12 cells with and without overexpression of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 and (2) endogenous Trp dynamics in pinealocyte cultures with and without stimulation via norepinephrine. We observed interesting differences in Trp dynamics in both model systems, which demonstrate that our method is indeed sensitive to Trp dynamics in different applications.


Cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiogram in gallstone pancreatitis.
To determine the long term outcome of cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) in patients recovering from acute gallstone pancreatitis with normal preoperative liver function tests and imaging. The medical records of all patients who underwent cholecystectomy without IOC for gallstone pancreatitis at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2005 and December 2009 were studied retrospectively. Patients with severe pancreatitis and those who had preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) were excluded from the study. Data on patients' demography, symptoms, laboratory findings, intraoperative and postoperative findings, length of hospital stay, and outpatient follow up were collected and analyzed. A total of 160 patients were treated for acute gallstone pancreatitis. Forty-four patients with preoperative ERCP (n = 39), and severe pancreatitis (n = 5), were excluded. The remaining 116 patients initially underwent conservative treatment followed by cholecystectomy without IOC. All were followed up for an average of 2-4 visits. Five patients (4.3%) were re-admitted with gallstone related bilio-pancreatic complications. They underwent ERCP and CBD stone clearance. Four patients were lost to follow up. The remaining 107 patients have remained asymptomatic 12-55 months after cholecystectomy. The incidence of bilio-pancreatic complications from unsuspected CBD stones in patients of biliary pancreatitis that underwent cholecystectomy without IOC is very low. Therefore, a routine IOC in these patients can be omitted safely.


[A case of emphysematous cystitis: a case report].
A 86-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic gross hematuria,and visited our hospital, and a vesicorectal fistula was suspected from a computed tomographic (CT) scan. She had a lower abdominal mass and urinary retention on arrival. Pclvic CT demonstrated intramural gas in the urinary bladder,which suggested a diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis. Cystoscopy demonstrated reddish mucosa and gas within the bladder wall. The gross hematuria was improved and the intramural gas disappeared on a CT scan after urinary drainage and antibiotic therapy. Although emphysematous cystitis is almost always cured with conservative therapy, an accurate diagonosis and prompt treatment are required because rarely emphysematous cystitis can result in rupture of the urinary bladder and lead to septic shock.


Choline metabolites and incident cardiovascular disease in a prospective cohort of adults: Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.
The potential role for choline metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) has garnered much attention, but there have been limited data from diverse population-based cohorts. Furthermore, few studies have included circulating choline and betaine, which can serve as precursors to TMAO and may independently influence CVD. We quantified prospective associations between 3 choline metabolites and 19-y incident CVD in a population-based cohort and tested effect modification of metabolite-CVD associations by kidney function. Data were from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, a prospective cohort with recruitment from 4 US urban centers (year 0: 1985-1986, n = 5115, ages 18-30). The analytic sample included 3444 White and Black males and females, aged 33 to 45, who attended the year 15 follow-up exam and did not have prevalent CVD. TMAO, choline, and betaine were quantitated from stored plasma (-70°C) using liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry. Nineteen-year incident CVD events (n = 221), including coronary heart disease and stroke, were identified through adjudicated hospitalization records and linkage with the National Death Register. Plasma choline was positively associated with CVD in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusted for demographics, health behaviors, CVD risk factors, and metabolites (hazard ratio: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.40 per standard deviation-unit choline). TMAO and betaine were not associated with CVD in an identically adjusted analysis. There was statistical evidence for effect modification by kidney function with CVD positively associated with TMAO and negatively associated with betaine at lower values of estimated glomerular filtration rate (interaction P values: 0.0046 and 0.020, respectively). Our findings are consistent with a positive association between plasma choline and incident CVD. Among participants with lower kidney function, TMAO was positively, and betaine negatively, associated with CVD. These results further our understanding of the potential role for choline metabolism on CVD risk.


A Method of Managing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the Absence of Intracranial Pressure Monitoring: The Imaging and Clinical Examination Protocol.
The imaging and clinical examination (ICE) algorithm used in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST TRIP) randomized controlled trial is the only prospectively investigated clinical protocol for traumatic brain injury management without intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. As the default literature standard, it warrants careful evaluation. We present the ICE protocol in detail and analyze the demographics, outcome, treatment intensity, frequency of intervention usage, and related adverse events in the ICE-protocol cohort. The 167 ICE protocol patients were young (median 29 years) with a median Glasgow Coma Scale motor score of 4 but with anisocoria or abnormal pupillary reactivity in 40%. This protocol produced outcomes not significantly different from those randomized to the monitor-based protocol (favorable 6-month extended Glasgow Outcome Score in 39%; 41% mortality rate). Agents commonly employed to treat suspected intracranial hypertension included low-/moderate-dose hypertonic saline (72%) and mannitol (57%), mild hyperventilation (adjusted partial pressure of carbon dioxide 30-35 mm Hg in 73%), and pressors to maintain cerebral perfusion (62%). High-dose hyperosmotics or barbiturates were uncommonly used. Adverse event incidence was low and comparable to the BEST TRIP monitored group. Although this protocol should produce similar/acceptable results under circumstances comparable to those in the trial, influences such as longer pre-hospital times and non-specialist transport personnel, plus an intensive care unit model of aggressive physician-intensive care by small groups of neurotrauma-focused intensivists, which differs from most high-resource models, support caution in expecting the same results in dissimilar settings. Finally, this protocol's ICP-titration approach to suspected intracranial hypertension (vs. crisis management for monitored ICP) warrants further study.


Primary cutaneous Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a rare and aggressive cutaneous lymphoma.
Cutaneous B-cell lymphomas represent a group of lymphomas derived from B lymphocytes in various stages of differentiation. The skin can be the site of primary or secondary involvement of any of the B-cell lymphomas. The classification of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas has evolved as the use of immunohistochemical and molecular genetic techniques have become more widespread. Primary cutaneous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neoplasm with a more aggressive clinical course and poorer prognosis than most of the primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma subtypes. Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment regimens for this aggressive cutaneous lymphoma. Although rare, EBV-positive DLBCL is an important entity to consider when evaluating a patient with a suspected primary cutaneous lymphoma.


Validation of ozone monitoring instrument ultraviolet index against ground-based UV index in Kampala, Uganda.
The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) overpass solar ultraviolet (UV) indices have been validated against the ground-based UV indices derived from Norwegian Institute for Air Research UV measurements in Kampala (0.31° N, 32.58° E, 1200 m), Uganda for the period between 2005 and 2014. An excessive use of old cars, which would imply a high loading of absorbing aerosols, could cause the OMI retrieval algorithm to overestimate the surface UV irradiances. The UV index values were found to follow a seasonal pattern with maximum values in March and October. Under all-sky conditions, the OMI retrieval algorithm was found to overestimate the UV index values with a mean bias of about 28%. When only days with radiation modification factor greater than or equal to 65%, 70%, 75%, and 80% were considered, the mean bias between ground-based and OMI overpass UV index values was reduced to 8%, 5%, 3%, and 1%, respectively. The overestimation of the UV index by the OMI retrieval algorithm was found to be mainly due to clouds and aerosols.


Expression and function of transforming growth factor‑β‑activated protein kinase 1 in gastric cancer.
The present study aimed to investigate the expression and role of transforming growth factor (TGF) ‑β‑activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1) in human gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the expression of TAK1 in surgical specimens of human gastric cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue. The association between TAK1 and clinicopathologic factors was analyzed and the association between TAK1 expression and the overall survival rates was evaluated using Kaplan‑Meier curves. In addition, the effect of the TAK1 selective inhibitor 5Z‑7‑oxozeaenol (OZ) on the biological characteristics of MGC803 human gastric cancer cells in vitro were investigated. The role of TAK1 in gastric cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were determined by cell proliferation assays, flow cytometry analysis and transwell invasion assays, respectively. The findings of the present study demonstrated that the positive expression rate of TAK1 in gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues was 70.5 and 25.9%, respectively. Furthermore, TAK1 expression was significantly associated with advanced N stage and pathological stage (P<0.05). Survival analysis of 139 patients with gastric cancer indicated a lower overall survival rate of patients in the TAK1‑positive group compared with the TAK1‑negative group (P<0.05). In addition, treatment with the TAK1 selective inhibitor OZ reduced the proliferation and invasion abilities of MGC803 cells and significantly reduced the expression levels of phosphorylated‑TAK1 (Thr187), nuclear p65, cyclin D1, Bcl‑2 apoptosis regulator and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)9 (P<0.05). OZ treatment significantly increased the expression levels of cytosolic cytochrome c and cleaved caspase 3 and the apoptosis rate in MGC803 cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that increased TAK1 expression may be involved in the progression of gastric cancer; therefore, TAK1 may be used as a future therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.


Understanding Heterogeneity in the Impact of National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Programmes: Evidence from School-Based Deworming in Kenya.
The implementation of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) treatment programmes occurs in varied environmental, social and economic contexts. Programme impact will be influenced by factors that affect the reduction in the prevalence and intensity of infections following treatment, as well as the subsequent rate of reinfection. To better understand the heterogeneity of programme impact and its underlying reasons, we investigated the influence of contextual factors on reduction in STH infection as part of the national school based deworming (SBD) programme in Kenya. Data on the prevalence and intensity of infection were collected within the monitoring and evaluation component of the SBD programme at baseline and after delivery of two annual treatment rounds in 153 schools in western Kenya. Using a framework that considers STH epidemiology and transmission dynamics, capacity to deliver treatment, operational feasibility and financial capacity, data were assembled at both school and district (county) levels. Geographic heterogeneity of programme impact was assessed by descriptive and spatial analyses. Factors associated with absolute reductions of Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infection prevalence and intensity were identified using mixed effects linear regression modelling adjusting for baseline infection levels. The reduction in prevalence and intensity of A. lumbricoides and hookworms varied significantly by county and within counties by school. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with programme impact showed that absolute A. lumbricoides reductions varied by environmental conditions and access to improved sanitation at schools or within the community. Larger reduction in prevalence and intensity of hookworms were found in schools located within areas with higher community level access to improved sanitation and within counties with higher economic and health service delivery indicator scores. The study identifies factors associated with the impact of school-based deworming and in particular highlights how access to water, sanitation and hygiene and environmental conditions influence the impact of deworming programmes.


The Effects of Emotional Design on Multimedia Learning and Appreciation of Chinese Poetry.
Painting, music, literature, and other art forms embody the essence of human wisdom and induce esthetic experience, among which poetry is inherently creative, because it contains a wealth of symbols, imageries, insights, and so forth. The appreciation and learning of Chinese poetry is an important part of the curriculum in secondary schools. However, studies have mainly focused on textual characters of poetry, with little literature focusing on esthetic appreciation and in-depth learning of poetry. In this vein, we ask whether emotional designs will promote the appreciation and learning of Chinese poetry. To answer this question, we explored the influence of the combination of external emotion induction (positive and neutral movie clips) and internal colorful design (chromatic and achromatic) on esthetic preference and learning of poetry. One hundred and sixty-six participants (14-15 years old) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions created by two factors (external emotion induction and internal colorful design). The results showed that the combination of external emotion induction and internal colorful design promoted positive emotions, retention, and transfer performances of learners. Furthermore, perceived difficulty of learners decreased significantly when external emotional induction and internal colorful design were both positive. Consequently, these findings indicated that emotional designs in multimedia facilitated the learning performance of middle school students in Chinese poetry, and supported the cognitive-affective theory of learning with media. This research was a preliminary exploration of emotional design in humanities.


If Background Lung Abnormalities Do Not Affect the Presentation of Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Is Lung Resection Always Justified?
The suggestion that spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) may result from diffuse porosity rather than discrete anatomic abnormality challenges the practice of targeted bullectomy. We assessed whether underlying pulmonary abnormalities are correlated or could be predicted from the mode of presentation, with potential implications for treatment. We analyzed 192 consecutive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resections for SP (139 primary, 53 secondary) in 171 patients (115 male, age 36, range, 16 to 81). Presentation was categorized as: recurrent never drained (RND), recurrent drained, persistent air leak (PAL). Resected lung pathology was categorized as: no bleb/bulla, ruptured bleb/bulla, unruptured bleb/bulla. No correlation between presentation and resected lung pathology was observed for primary (P=0.608) or secondary SP (P=0.597). A similar proportion of patients in each pathologic group presented with PAL or RND; ruptured bleb/bulla or no bleb/bulla was equally noted in PAL and RND group. There is lack of association between resected lung pathology and mode of presentation. This suggests that discrete anatomic abnormalities may not be responsible for the air leak leading to pneumothorax. In conjunction with favorable reported outcomes from medical thoracoscopy and talc pleurodesis alone, these findings challenge the current practice of routine video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lung resection in these patients.


MEK/ERK regulates adherens junctions and migration through Rac1.
Polyamine depletion with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO), prevents Rac1 activation causing the formation of a thick actin cortex at the cell periphery and inhibits migration of intestinal epithelial cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that MEK activation by EGF increased Rac1 activation, dissociation of intercellular contacts, and migration in both control and polyamine-depleted cells, while U0126, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, prevented disruption of junctions as well as EGF-induced Rac1 activation. Constitutively active MEK1 (CA-MEK) expression altered cell-cell contacts in control and polyamine depleted cells. The expression of constitutively active Rac1 (CA-Rac1) restored beta-catenin to the cell periphery and prevented the formation of actin cortex and caused the appearance of F-actin stress fibers in polyamine-depleted cells. Inhibition of Rac activation by NSC23766, a specific inhibitor of Tiam1, an upstream guanidine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1, reproduced the beta-catenin localization and actin structure of polyamine-depleted cells. Tiam1 localized more extensively with beta-catenin at the cell periphery in CA-Rac1 cells compared to vector cells. Polyamine depletion decreased the expression of E-cadherin to a greater extent compared to beta-catenin. Subcellular fractionation further confirmed our immuno-localization and western blotting observations. These data suggest that EGF acting through MEK1/ERK to activate Rac1 regulates cell-cell contacts. Thus, decreased migration in polyamine depleted cells may be due to the inhibition of Tiam1 activation of Rac1 and the subsequent decreased expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin leading to reduced cell-cell contacts.


4'-Epidoxorubicin plus cisplatin as first-line therapy in the treatment of small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.
Twenty-seven patients with small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were treated with a combination of 4'-Epidoxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 i.v. every 3-4 weeks. Three patients (11%) had a complete remission (CR), and 12 (44%) had a partial remission (PR) with a 55% overall remission rate. The median duration of response was 36 weeks (range 11-256+). No severe bone marrow depression was noted. The other side effects were of mild grade. Because of the "minimal aggressiveness" of this combination for the patients, the results obtained in this preliminary phase can probably be improved by the integration of other drugs in the scheme.