Short-term and long-term epidemiological impacts of sustained vector control in various dengue endemic settings: A modelling study.
As the most widespread viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, dengue has been estimated to cause 51 million febrile disease cases globally each year. Although sustained vector control remains key to reducing the burden of dengue, current understanding of the key factors that explain the observed variation in the short- and long-term vector control effectiveness across different transmission settings remains limited. We used a detailed individual-based model to simulate dengue transmission with and without sustained vector control over a 30-year time frame, under different transmission scenarios. Vector control effectiveness was derived for different time windows within the 30-year intervention period. We then used the extreme gradient boosting algorithm to predict the effectiveness of vector control given the simulation parameters, and the resulting machine learning model was interpreted using Shapley Additive Explanations. According to our simulation outputs, dengue transmission would be nearly eliminated during the early stage of sustained and intensive vector control, but over time incidence would gradually bounce back to the pre-intervention level unless the intervention is implemented at a very high level of intensity. The time point at which intervention ceases to be effective is strongly influenced not only by the intensity of vector control, but also by the pre-intervention transmission intensity and the individual-level heterogeneity in biting risk. Moreover, the impact of many transmission model parameters on the intervention effectiveness is shown to be modified by the intensity of vector control, as well as to vary over time. Our study has identified some of the critical drivers for the difference in the time-varying effectiveness of sustained vector control across different dengue endemic settings, and the insights obtained will be useful to inform future model-based studies that seek to predict the impact of dengue vector control in their local contexts.


Prolonged intra-myocardial growth hormone administration ameliorates post-infarction electrophysiologic remodeling in rats.
Experimental studies indicate improved ventricular function after treatment with growth hormone (GH) post-myocardial infarction, but its effect on arrhythmogenesis is unknown. Here, we assessed the medium-term electrophysiologic remodeling after intra-myocardial GH administration in (n = 33) rats. GH was released from an alginate scaffold, injected around the ischemic myocardium after coronary ligation. Two weeks thereafter, ventricular tachyarrhythmias were induced by programmed electrical stimulation. Monophasic action potentials were recorded from the infarct border, coupled with evaluation of electrical conduction and repolarization from a multi-electrode array. The arrhythmia score was lower in GH-treated rats than in alginate-treated rats or controls. The shape and the duration of the action potential at the infarct border were preserved, and repolarization-dispersion was attenuated after GH; moreover, voltage rise was higher and activation delay was shorter. GH normalized also right ventricular parameters. Intra-myocardial GH preserved electrical conduction and repolarization-dispersion at the infarct border and decreased the incidence of induced tachyarrhythmias in rats post-ligation. The long-term antiarrhythmic potential of GH merits further study.


Electrodes for Semiconductor Gas Sensors.
The electrodes of semiconductor gas sensors are important in characterizing sensors based on their sensitivity, selectivity, reversibility, response time, and long-term stability. The types and materials of electrodes used for semiconductor gas sensors are analyzed. In addition, the effect of interfacial zones and surface states of electrode-semiconductor interfaces on their characteristics is studied. This study describes that the gas interaction mechanism of the electrode-semiconductor interfaces should take into account the interfacial zone, surface states, image force, and tunneling effect.


The transcription factors TLR1 and TLR2 negatively regulate trichome density and artemisinin levels in Artemisia annua.
The important antimalarial drug artemisinin is biosynthesized and stored in Artemisia annua glandular trichomes and the artemisinin content correlates with trichome density; however, the factors affecting trichome development are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the A. annua R2R3 MYB transcription factor TrichomeLess Regulator 1 (TLR1) negatively regulates trichome development. In A. annua, TLR1 overexpression lines had 44.7%-64.0% lower trichome density and 11.5%-49.4% lower artemisinin contents and TLR1-RNAi lines had 33%-93.3% higher trichome density and 32.2%-84.0% higher artemisinin contents compared with non-transgenic controls. TLR1 also negatively regulates the expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes in A. annua. When heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, TLR1 interacts with GLABROUS3a, positive regulator of trichome development, and represses trichome development. Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays indicated that TLR1 interacts with the WUSCHEL homeobox (WOX) protein AaWOX1, which interacts with the LEAFY-like transcription factor TLR2. TLR2 overexpression in Arabidopsis and A. annua showed that TLR2 reduces trichome development by reducing gibberellin levels. Furthermore, artemisinin contents were 19%-43% lower in TLR2-overexpressing A. annua plants compared to controls. These data indicate that TLR1 and TLR2 negatively regulate trichome density by lowering gibberellin levels and may enable approaches to enhance artemisinin yields.


Extensive grey matter pathology in the cerebellum in multiple sclerosis is linked to inflammation in the subarachnoid space.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory neurological disease affecting myelin, neurons and glia. Demyelination and neurodegeneration of cortical grey matter contribute to a more severe disease, and inflammation of the forebrain meninges associates with pathology of the underlying neocortical grey matter, particularly in deep sulci. We assessed the extent of meningeal inflammation of the cerebellum, another structure with a deeply folded anatomy, to better understand the association between subarachnoid inflammation and grey matter pathology in progressive MS. We examined demyelinating and neuronal pathology in the context of meningeal inflammation in cerebellar tissue blocks from a cohort of 27 progressive MS cases previously characterized on the basis of the absence/presence of lymphoid-like aggregates in the forebrain meninges, in comparison with 11 non-neurological controls. Demyelination and meningeal inflammation of the cerebellum was greatest in those cases previously characterized as harbouring lymphoid-like structures in the forebrain regions. Meningeal inflammation was mild to moderate in cerebellar tissue blocks, and no lymphoid-like structures were seen. Quantification of meningeal macrophages, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells and plasma cells revealed that the density of meningeal macrophages associated with microglial activation in the grey matter, and the extent of grey matter demyelination correlated with the density of macrophages and plasma cells in the overlying meninges, and activated microglia of the parenchyma. These data suggest that chronic inflammation is widespread throughout the subarachnoid space and contributes to a more severe subpial demyelinating pathology in the cerebellum.


Integrable Digital Quantum Simulation: Generalized Gibbs Ensembles and Trotter Transitions.
The Trotter-Suzuki decomposition is a promising avenue for digital quantum simulation (DQS), approximating continuous-time dynamics by discrete Trotter steps of duration τ. Recent work suggested that DQS is typically characterized by a sharp Trotter transition: when τ is increased beyond a threshold value, approximation errors become uncontrolled at large times due to the onset of quantum chaos. Here, we contrast this picture with the case of integrable DQS. We focus on a simple quench from a spin-wave state in the prototypical XXZ Heisenberg spin chain, and study its integrable Trotterized evolution as a function of τ. Because of its exact local conservation laws, the system does not heat up to infinite temperature and the late-time properties of the dynamics are captured by a discrete generalized Gibbs ensemble (dGGE). By means of exact calculations we find that, for small τ, the dGGE depends analytically on the Trotter step, implying that discretization errors remain bounded even at infinite times. Conversely, the dGGE changes abruptly at a threshold value τ_{th}, signaling a novel type of Trotter transition. We show that the latter can be detected locally, as it is associated with the appearance of a nonzero staggered magnetization with a subtle dependence on τ. We highlight the differences between continuous and discrete GGEs, suggesting the latter as novel interesting nonequilibrium states exclusive to digital platforms.


Alginate biosynthetic enzymes in mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa: overproduction of phosphomannose isomerase, phosphomannomutase, and GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase by overexpression of the phosphomannose isomerase (pmi) gene.
The specific activities of phosphomannose isomerase (PMI), phosphomannomutase (PMM), GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP), and GDP-mannose dehydrogenase (GMD) were compared in a mucoid cystic fibrosis isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in two spontaneous nonmucoid revertants. In both revertants some or all of the alginate biosynthetic enzymes we examined appeared to be repressed, indicating that the loss of the mucoid phenotype may be a result of decreased formation of sugar-nucleotide precursors. The introduction and overexpression of the cloned P. aeruginosa phosphomannose isomerase (pmi) gene in both mucoid and nonmucoid strains led not only to the appearance of PMI levels in cell extracts several times higher than those present in the wild-type mucoid strain, but also in higher PMM and GMP specific activities. In extracts of both strains, however, the specific activity of GMD did not change as a result of pmi overexpression. In contrast, the introduction of the cloned Escherichia coli manA (pmi) gene in P. aeruginosa caused an increase in only PMI and PMM activities, having no effect on the level of GMP. This suggests that an increase in PMI activity alone does not induce high GMP activity in P. aeruginosa. The heterologous overexpression of the P. aeruginosa pmi gene in the E. coli manA mutant CD1 led to the appearance in cell extracts of not only PMI activity but also GMP activity, both of which are normally undetectable in extracts of CD1. We discuss the implications of these results and propose a mechanism by which overexpression of the P. aeruginosa pmi gene can cause an elevation in both PMM and GMP activities.


Antibody response to virus-encoded proteins after cytomegalovirus mononucleosis.
We determined serial IgG antibody responses to cytomegalovirus (CMV)-encoded proteins in sera collected over a one-year interval from 14 subjects with CMV mononucleosis. Antigens from infected human fibroblasts included three components: cytoplasmic, nuclear, and high-speed pellet. Antibody was detected by radioimmunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty to 21 bands were observed with the cytoplasmic component, whereas 10 and 9, respectively, were seen with the nuclear and high-speed pellet antigens. The most intense reactions occurred with the higher-molecular-mass proteins (50-215 kDa) by using the cytoplasmic and high-speed antigens and with the more rapidly migrating proteins (less than 50 kDa) by using the nuclear antigen. The precipitin responses increased for three months or more after onset of symptoms with the nuclear and high-speed pellet antigens but peaked within one to two months with the cytoplasmic antigen.


Novel Mannich-bases as Potential Anticonvulsants: Syntheses, Characterization and Biological Evaluation.
Mannich bases are known to be an important pharmacophore or bioactive leads in the synthesis of various potential agents that have a variety of therapeutic activities like anticancer, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and so forth. Thus, in the present research, conjugation of moieties like 1,5-benzoxazepines and 1,5-benzothiazepines with secondary amines like piperazine, methyl piperazine and morpholine was carried out in a Mannich base with an anticipation of good anticonvulsant activity. Synthesis, characterization, structure activity relationship and anticonvulsant activity of the Mannich bases of 1,5-benzothiazepine and 1,5-benzoxazepine derivatives. All the derivatives were synthesized in three steps. In the first step, substituted 4-hydroxy chalconylbenzene was synthesized by the reaction of 4-hydroxyacetophenone and substituted benzaldehyde, in the presence of potassium hydroxide. In the second step, 2,3-dihydro- 1,5- benzothiazepines and 2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzoxazepines were synthesized by the reaction of 2- thio/aminophenol with chalcones in the presence of glacial acetic acid. In the third step, these compounds finally underwent Mannich reaction with different secondary amines to the respective title compounds. All the synthesized derivatives were characterised and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity using MES (Maximal Electroshock Induced Seizure) and INH (Isoniazide Induced Convulsion) models. The synthesized derivatives were found to be more active in the MES model than INH model, with phenytoin and diazepam being the standards respectively. Accordingly, the mode of action of the synthesized compounds may be similar to phenytoin. The methyl piperazine containing compound, at a dose of 30 mg/kg., was found to be the most active and promising compound in the series. The benzothiazepine derivatives showed better anticonvulsant activity than the benzoxazepines derivatives.


Extended Helmholtz resonator in low-temperature photoacoustic spectroscopy.
The acoustic transfer function of resonant PA cells is investigated experimentally and theoretically in the 10-300-K temperature range. The underlying cell design consists of two cavities that are interconnected by a cylindrical tube. The acoustic properties are treated in the scope of a generalized Helmholtz resonator model, which includes elements of acoustic transmission lines. For the low-temperature measurements the cell construction was modified to fit into a commercial optical cryostat. Photoacoustic signals are recorded from carbon and graphon samples as a function of the chopping frequency and of the temperature. With decreasing sample temperature the photoacoustic signal amplitude increases proportional to T(-2.75), as the phase angle and the resonance frequencies are simultaneously reduced.


Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells.
This work demonstrates a protocol to fabricate a fiber-based photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells, consisting of a light-scattering layer made of electrospun titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO2-NFs) on top of a blocking layer made of commercially available titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). This is achieved by first electrospinning a solution of titanium (IV) butoxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and glacial acetic acid in ethanol to obtain composite PVP/TiO2 nanofibers. These are then calcined at 500 °C to remove the PVP and to obtain pure anatase-phase titania nanofibers. This material is characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoanode is prepared by first creating a blocking layer through the deposition of a TiO2-NPs/terpineol slurry on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass slide using doctor blading techniques. A subsequent thermal treatment is performed at 500 °C. Then, the light-scattering layer is formed by depositing a TiO2-NFs/terpineol slurry on the same slide, using the same technique, and calcinating again at 500 °C. The performance of the photoanode is tested by fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell and measuring its efficiency through J-V curves under a range of incident light densities, from 0.25-1 Sun.


Safety and benefits of interventions to increase folate status in malaria-endemic areas.
For decades, folic acid has routinely been given to prevent or treat anaemia in children, pregnant women and people with sickle cell disease. However, there is no conclusive evidence that folate deficiency anaemia constitutes a public health problem in any of these groups. Industrial flour fortification is recommended and implemented in many countries to combat neural tube defects. Dietary folates or folic acid can antagonise the action of antifolate drugs that play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Randomised trials have shown that folic acid supplementation increases the rate of treatment failures with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. The efficacy of antifolate drugs against Plasmodium is maximized in the absence of exogenous folic acid, suggesting that there is no safe minimum dose of ingested folic acid. We here review the safety and benefits of interventions to increase folate status in malaria-endemic countries. We conclude that formal cost-benefit analyses are required.


Nucleotide sequence requirements for self-cleavage of Neurospora VS RNA.
We have used several complementary approaches to investigate the minimal contiguous sequence required for the in vitro self cleavage reaction performed by Neurospora VS RNA. Deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that only a single nucleotide is required upstream of the self-cleavage site, and that the identity of this nucleotide is not critical. This distinguishes VS RNA from all currently known ribozymes except hepatitis delta virus RNA. The shortest contiguous sequence capable of cleavage contains 153 nt downstream of the cleavage site. Linker insertion mutagenesis suggests that much of this downstream sequence is important for self-cleavage. Comparative sequence analysis of the VS plasmid from six natural isolates supports the importance in vivo of the minimal region determined by in vitro methods. Also, phylogenetic analysis raises the possibility of a recent horizontal transfer of the VS plasmid from Neurospora intermedia to Neurospora sitophila.


Chargemaster Pricing Variation for Commonly Billed Procedures in Interventional Cardiology.
A chargemaster is a database of all of the billable items offered by a hospital with their base price listings. A 2018 executive order required all American hospitals to publish their chargemasters to increase price transparency and reduce healthcare expenditures. Chargemaster listings, however, demonstrate marked variability and inconsistency and have not been associated with consumer benefit. The objective of this study was to analyze chargemasters for commonly billed interventional cardiology procedures across five diverse states to explore relationships between price listings and hospital characteristics, ownership, location, and hospital quality. Chargemasters were downloaded from hospitals in five states selected to represent the nation's healthcare diversity. Price listings for five interventional cardiology procedures (percutaneous coronary angiography, coronary angiography, single-vessel angioplasty, single-vessel stent, and percutaneous coronary intervention of acute myocardial infarction) were extracted. Statistical analyses such as the Kruskal-Wallis test were performed to explore relationships between mean chargemaster price listings for each procedure and hospital characteristics, ownership, location, and quality ratings. The median mean chargemaster price of four of the five interventional cardiology procedures significantly differed across all states. Price listings were significantly higher in urban versus rural areas and in general acute care hospitals and state government-owned facilities. The highest prices were found with the highest hospital quality rating. Chargemaster price listings for common interventional cardiology procedures varied significantly across these five states. Urban and metropolitan hospital location, hospital type, and hospital ownership could be factors driving increased chargemaster procedure prices. Prices were highest at hospitals with the highest quality rating.


[Pericardial puncture and drainage with a pig-tail catheter. A low-risk method for diagnosis and therapy of pericardial effusions].
Using the Seldinger technique a large-bore pig-tail angiography catheter was inserted into the pericardial space for reduction of pressure and drainage in 10 patients with recurrent pericardial effusion of different pathogenesis. Catheters remained in situ for several days. This method permits complete drainage of the effusion with a low risk and thus comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. For the repeated application of not immediately available drugs this method offers decisive advantages.


Selective activation by bryostatin-1 demonstrates unique roles for PKC epsilon in neurite extension and tau phosphorylation.
Phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradeonyl phorbol-13 acetate (TPA) induce a time-dependent biphasic effect on protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated events by fostering translocation of cytosolic (latent) PKC to the plasma membrane (where it is activated). Continued treatment, however, depletes the cell's entire PKC complement and induces a functional stake of PKC inhibition. Previous studies from several laboratories have demonstrated that long-term TPA treatment, like treatment with PKC inhibitors, induces neuronal differentiation. Bryostatin-1 also induces translocation and overall downregulation of PKC following long-term treatment, yet, unlike TPA or PKC inhibitors, does not induce neuronal differentiation, promoting controversy regarding the role of PKC inhibition in neuronal differentiation. We demonstrate herein that, despite overall downregulation in human neuroblastoma cells, membrane-associated levels of one PKC isoform (PKC epsilon) are actually increased following long-term bryostatin-1 treatment. Since previous studies have implicated this PKC isoform in phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau and in neuritogenesis, we examined the consequences of long-term bryostatin treatment on these phenomena. Treatment with 25 n-100 M bryostatin-1 for 72 h increased tau phosphorylation and inhibited neuritogenesis. By contrast, treatment with either TPA or the PKC inhibitor staurosporine did not induce tau phosphorylation and induced neurite elaboration. Bryostatin-1 antagonized neurite induction by staurosporine. These findings provide additional evidence for a unique role of PKC epsilon in the regulation of tau phosphorylation and neuronal differentiation, and demonstrate that bryostatin-1 can function under certain conditions as a selective PKC epsilon activator even following long-term treatment.


CRISPR-Cas9 Methods and Key Considerations in the Production of Aedes aegypti Mutant Strains.
Since the characterization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in prokaryotes, it has become the prime choice in gene editing because of its exceptional flexibility, ease of use, high efficiency, and superior specificity. As a result, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene-editing technologies have enabled researchers not only to engineer transgenic animal strains with site-directed insertions more efficiently but also to generate desired mutants for previously intractable species. One such species is the invasive yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which is notorious for its ability to transmit many blood-borne human pathogens. Methods for developing new transgenic strains of the yellow fever mosquito may aid in the effort to control its populations and provide significant benefits for the public. Here, we provide an overview of injection and noninjection methods for generating transgenic mosquitoes and also highlight important experimental design features.


Effects of external potassium (k) supply on drought tolerances of two contrasting winter wheat cultivars.
Drought is a common stress limiting crops growth and productivities worldwide. Water deficit may increase cellular membrane permeability, resulting in K outflow. Internal K starvation may disorder plant metabolism and limit plant growth. However, it is seldom reported about the effects of external K on drought tolerance of contrasting wheat cultivars. A hydroponics experiment was carried out in a non-controlled greenhouse. Seedlings of drought-tolerant SN16 and intolerant JM22 were simultaneously treated by five levels of K2CO3 (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 mM) and two levels of PEG6000 (0, 20%) for 7 days. External K2CO3 significantly increased shoot K(+) content, water potential, chlorophyll content as well as gas exchange, but decreased electrolyte leakage (EL) and MDA content in both cultivars under PEG6000 stress. Antioxidant enzymes activities were up-regulated by PEG6000 while external K2CO3 reduced those changes. Molecular basis was explained by measuring the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes related genes. Shoot and root biomass were also increased by K2CO3 supply under drought stress. Although adequate K2CO3 application enhanced plant growth for both cultivars under drought stress, SN16 was better than JM22 due to its high drought tolerance. Adequate external K may effectively protect winter wheat from drought injuries. We conclude that drought-tolerant wheat combined with adequate external K supply may be a promising strategy for better growth in arid and semi-arid regions.


Common peroneal nerve palsy after grade I inversion ankle sprain.
This case report presents a 28-year-old man with foot drop 48 hours after a grade I inversion ankle sprain. Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies showed common peroneal nerve palsy. The patient was managed with conservative treatment and rehabilitation and recovered completely 4 months after the injury. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of delayed peroneal nerve injury after grade I ankle sprain. Function of the peroneal nerve should be evaluated in all patients with inversion ankle sprain as part of initial and follow-up evaluations. Early electrodiagnostic studies are helpful to localize and provide indications of the severity of the injury.


Oxidized phospholipids induce expression of human heme oxygenase-1 involving activation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein.
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme degradation, protects against oxidative stress, and shows potent anti-inflammatory effects. Oxidized phospholipids, which are generated during inflammation and apoptosis, modulate the inflammatory response by inducing the expression of several genes including HO-1. Here we investigated the signaling pathways and transcriptional events involved in the induction of HO-1 gene expression by oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. OxPAPC up-regulated HO-1 mRNA and protein in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas pro-inflammatory agents like TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide did not significantly induce HO-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Signaling pathways involved in the OxPAPC-mediated HO-1 induction included protein kinases A and C, as well as the mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and ERK. The cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) was phosphorylated via these pathways in response to OxPAPC treatment and expression of a dominant-negative mutant of CREB inhibited OxPAPC-induced activity of a human heme oxygenase-1 promoter-driven luciferase reporter construct. We identified a cAMP-responsive element and a Maf recognition element to be involved in the transcriptional activation of the HO-1 promoter by OxPAPC. In gel shift assays we observed binding of CREB to the cAMP-responsive element after OxPAPC treatment. Induction of HO-1 expression by lipid oxidation products via CREB may represent a feedback mechanism to limit inflammation and associated tissue damage.


[Simultaneous quantitation of artemisinin, arteannuin B, artemisic acid, and scopoletin in mice plasma by HPLC-MS].
The objective of this study is to develop a sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for simultaneous determination of artemisinin, arteannuin B, artemisic acid, and scopoletin, and study the pharmacokinetics of the four constituents in mouse serum after oral administration of the four components to mice. The analytical column used was Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (2.1 mm x 150 mm, 5 mm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile: 0.5% acetic acid (60: 40) and the flow rate was 0.3 mL x min(-1). The temperature of the column was 40.0 degrees C. In this condition, we established an analysis method to simultaneously determine the four components. A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of artemisin in derivatives in mice plasma. The method we established has a linear range of 5-3 000 μg x L(-1) with a good sensitivity and specificity for all of the four components. This method is simple, rapid, accurate and suitable for the determination of the content of the four compounds.


Constrictive pericarditis and anemia post myocardial infarction.
A 67-year-old male presented with acute inferolateral myocardial infarction complicated by transient acute post infarction pericarditis. Six weeks later, he developed Dressler's syndrome associated with moderately severe anemia of chronic disease. Both of these resolved over the next few weeks, however, shortly thereafter, right sided congestive heart failure occurred. This progressed despite medical therapy and the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made 10 months post infarction. Total pericardectomy was done one year after the onset of acute myocardial infarction with complete resolution of signs and symptoms.


Predicting outcome of psychiatric hospitalization: a comparison of attitudinal and psychopathological measures.
Demonstrated that a generalized measure of locus of control (the Rotter I-E Scale) is not as effective in predicting outcome of hospitalization as a direct assessment of psychiatric patients' (N = 103) willingness to admit to having problems. The addition of diagnostic classification to patients' acknowledgment of problems did not improve the discriminative capacity of the latter with regard to length of hospitalization or readmission within 1 year. Patients' acceptance of responsibility for their problems was not related significantly to length of stay or readmission, except in the presence of severe pathology (as indicated by diagnostic classification). Implications for therapeutic strategies based on these findings were presented.


Detection and genotyping of Helicobacter pylori in saliva versus stool samples from asymptomatic individuals in Northeastern Thailand reveals intra-host tissue-specific H. pylori subtypes.
Two-thirds of the world's population is thought to be infected by Helicobacter pylori. Although most people infected with H. pylori are asymptomatic, this pathogen is associated with several gastric pathologies including cancer. The risk factors for colonization are still unclear and the genetic diversity within individual hosts has never been clearly investigated. This study determined the prevalence of, and explored risk factors for, H. pylori infection directly from paired saliva (n = 110) and stool (n = 110) samples from asymptomatic persons in Northeast Thailand. Samples were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), 16S rRNA-based real-time PCR and vacA-based semi-nested PCR. Partial vacA gene sequences of H. pylori were compared between saliva and stool samples. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection in our asymptomatic study population was 64%. Age, gender, occupation and frequency of brushing teeth were not found to be associated with H. pylori colonization. The vacA gene was successfully sequenced from both saliva and stool samples of 12 individuals. For seven of these individuals, saliva and stool sequences fell into different clusters on a phylogenetic tree, indicating intra-host genetic variation of H. pylori. This study reports a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic persons in this region of Thailand and demonstrates that genotypes (vacA gene sequences) of H. pylori may differ between the oral cavity and intestinal tract.


Reporting suspected child abuse: a pilot comparison of middle and high school counselors and principals.
A survey on experiences with child abuse reporting was obtained from 116 middle and high school counselors and principals across the U.S. Results revealed that counselors throughout their careers had made more reports than principals and perceived themselves to be better trained on child abuse. Those school professionals with fewer years of experience reported more adequate pre-service training. Counselors also failed to report in more instances than principals, citing as deterrents the lack of physical evidence and little faith in child protective services. Most counselors and principals took appropriate action when presented with case examples of child sexual abuse. Recommendations for future research are provided.


Correlation of PICCO/CT on cardiac output index value and prognosis in patients with heart disease.
The aim of this paper is to study the correlation between the cardiac output index value and the prognosis of patients with heart disease with the help of Pulse-induced Contour Cardiac Output (PICCO) and computed tomography (CT). Three hundred eighteen patients with pathologically confirmed heart disease were selected as study subjects. The Sime ns Av anto 1.6T type superconducting magnetic resonance meter and GE Light Speed Pro 48 slice spiral CT were used for the phased array coil scanning and enhanced scanning, respectively and to analyze the relationship between the cardiac output index value and prognosis in patients with heart disease with the help of PICCO and CT. The accuracy rates of PICCO and CT in determining the cardiac output index of heart disease were 93.2% and 76.1%, respectively, which were significantly different (P less than 0.05). The coincidence rate between the results of the cardiac output index and pathological results of heart disease from PICCO and CT were 57.6%and 54.7%, respectively. According to the χ2 test results, the diagnostic results of PICCO were consistent with the pathological results of the heart disease group (Kappa = 0.039, 0.496, P less than 0.05). The coincidence rate for the five-year survival rate of PICCO/CT with the total survival rate and the results of the patients were 56.7% and 43.8%, respectively. The coincidence rate of PICCO and CT diagnosis results with the cardiac output index values, as well as prognosis results, was high. In judging the value of the cardiac output index and the prognosis of patients with heart disease, PICCO was superior to CT. The diagnostic results of PICCO have a strong correlation with the pathological results, therefore, PICCO can be used to accurately determine the cardiac output index and the prognoses of patients with heart disease.


The effects of deterioration and technological levels on pollutant emission factors for gasoline light-duty trucks.
Vehicle deterioration and technological change influence emission factors (EFs). In this study, the impacts of vehicle deterioration and emission standards on EFs of regulated pollutants (carbon monoxide [CO], hydrocarbon [HC], and nitrogen oxides [NOx]) for gasoline light-duty trucks (LDTs) were investigated according to the inspection and maintenance (I/M) data using a chassis dynamometer method. Pollutant EFs for LDTs markedly varied with accumulated mileages and emission standards, and the trends of EFs are associated with accumulated mileages. In addition, the study also found that in most cases, the median EFs of CO, HC, and NOx are higher than those of basic EFs in the International Vehicle Emissions (IVE) model; therefore, the present study provides correction factors for the IVE model relative to the corresponding emission standards and mileages. Currently, vehicle emissions are great contributors to air pollution in cities, especially in developing countries. Emission factors play a key role in creating emission inventory and estimating emissions. Deterioration represented by vehicle age and accumulated mileage and changes of emission standards markedly influence emission factors. In addition, the results provide collection factors for implication in the IVE model in the region levels.


Can dolphins heal by ultrasound?
In recent years, dolphin-assisted therapy has become very popular and an increasing number of facilities offer therapy programs with dolphins worldwide. To this date, there are no studies concerning the behavior of dolphins during these therapies. As a result of speculations that the echolocation of dolphins may play an important role for the success of the therapy and the high publicity of this in the media, people pay much more for dolphin-assisted than for other animal-assisted therapy programs. Based on publications in medicine, we will show that ultrasound emitted by dolphins could have an effect on biological tissue under some circumstances; such as sufficient intensity, repeated application over several days or weeks and a certain application duration per session. We recorded 83 sessions at the "Dolphins Plus", a fenced area with ocean water in the Florida Keys. Our observations demonstrate that only one out of five observed dolphins behave significantly differently towards patients compared to other humans and that the duration of the observed close contacts did not meet the requirements for common ultrasound therapies.


Guidelines for the management of diabetes services and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK National Diabetes Inpatient COVID Response Group was formed at the end of March 2020 to support the provision of diabetes inpatient care during the COVID pandemic. It was formed in response to two emerging needs. First to ensure that basic diabetes services are secured and maintained at a time when there was a call for re-deployment to support the need for general medical expertise across secondary care services. The second was to provide simple safe diabetes guidelines for use by specialists and non-specialists treating inpatients with or suspected of COVID-19 infection. To date the group, comprising UK-based specialists in diabetes, pharmacy and psychology, have produced two sets of guidelines which will be continually revised as new evidence emerges. It is supported by Diabetes UK, the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and NHS England.


Greedy reconstruction algorithm for fluorescence molecular tomography by means of truncated singular value decomposition conversion.
Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is a promising imaging modality that enables three-dimensional visualization of fluorescent targets in vivo in small animals. L2-norm regularization methods are usually used for severely ill-posed FMT problems. However, the smoothing effects caused by these methods result in continuous distribution that lacks high-frequency edge-type features and hence limits the resolution of FMT. In this paper, the sparsity in FMT reconstruction results is exploited via compressed sensing (CS). First, in order to ensure the feasibility of CS for the FMT inverse problem, truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) conversion is implemented for the measurement matrix of the FMT problem. Then, as one kind of greedy algorithm, an ameliorated stagewise orthogonal matching pursuit with gradually shrunk thresholds and a specific halting condition is developed for the FMT inverse problem. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, we compared it with a TSVD method based on L2-norm regularization in numerical simulation and phantom experiments. The results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain higher spatial resolution and higher signal-to-noise ratio compared with the TSVD method.


Effects of anharmonicity on diffusive-controlled symmetric electron transfer rates: From the weak to the strong electronic coupling regions.
The approach for the diffusive-controlled electron transfer rates [W. Zhu and Y. Zhao, J. Chem. Phys. 126, 184105 (2007)], which is modeled after the Sumi-Marcus theory, is applied to symmetric electron-transfer reactions in a solvent environment with anharmonic potential functions. The electron-transfer rates are evaluated using the quantum R-matrix theory for dealing with the intramolecular vibrational motions and imaginary-time split operator technique for solving the diffusive equations, thereby taking explicit account of the weak-to-strong electronic couplings. The effect of anharmonicity for both the solvent and intramolecular vibrational degrees of freedom are investigated. It is found that the anharmonicity of the intramolecular modes always enhances the rate while the solvent anharmonicity decreases the rate, compared with the harmonic modes. The possible mechanisms have been clarified.


Aldosterone production despite absence or defectiveness of the CYP21 genes in two patients with salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
Aldosterone and cortisol were found in plasma samples from two patients with salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. One patient had a CYP21 gene deletion on one chromosome and a mutation causing erroneous mRNA splicing on the other. The other patient had a CYP21 gene deletion on one chromosome and a large scale conversion of CYP21 to CYP21P on the other. All CYP21P-like genes in these patients were defective, since they carried a deleterious 8 bp deletion in the third exon. After HPLC purification of the patients' plasma samples, cortisol was no longer detectable in the radioimmunoassay, but aldosterone levels were still within or slightly above the normal reference range. Aldosterone dropped to very low levels after steroid replacement therapy had taken effect. In at least one of these patients, the genetic defect rules out normal functioning of the adrenocortical steroid 21-hydroxylase, which implies involvement of an alternative enzyme system.


Differentiating untreated and cross-linked porcine corneas of the same measured stiffness with optical coherence elastography.
Structurally degenerative diseases, such as keratoconus, can significantly alter the stiffness of the cornea, directly affecting the quality of vision. Ultraviolet-induced collagen cross-linking (CXL) effectively increases corneal stiffness and is applied clinically to treat keratoconus. However, measured corneal stiffness is also influenced by intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, experimentally measured changes in corneal stiffness may be attributable to the effects of CXL, changes in IOP, or both. We present a noninvasive measurement method using phase-stabilized swept-source optical coherence elastography to distinguish between CXL and IOP effects on measured corneal stiffness. This method compared the displacement amplitude attenuation of a focused air-pulse-induced elastic wave. The damping speed of the displacement amplitudes at each measurement position along the wave propagation were compared for different materials. This method was initially tested on gelatin and agar phantoms of the same stiffness for validation. Consequently, untreated and CXL-treated porcine corneas of the same measured stiffness, but at different IOPs, were also evaluated. The results suggest that this noninvasive method may have the potential to detect the early stages of ocular diseases such as keratoconus or may be applied during CLX procedures by factoring in the effects of IOP on the measured corneal stiffness.


[Study of reference material for excitation spectrum wavelength calibration of fluorescence spectrophotometer].
A reference material used for wavelength calibration of fluorescence spectrophotometer was found. The holmium doped oxide reference material GBW(E) 130112 is a kind of standard reference material for absorption spectrophotometer. It can emit 547.7 nm fluorescence when excited by xenon lamp light. The excitation spectrum of 547.7 nm fluorescence was measured. It was found that the measured peaks of excitation spectrum are positioned at 333.56, 360.43 and 418.39 nm, respectively, which are coincident with the true values 333.8, 360.9 and 418.5 nm of reference material certification. It was illustrated that the holmium doped oxide reference material GBW(E)130112 could be used as reference material for the excitation wavelength calibration of the fluorescence spectrophotometer. Its property could be enhanced very much if high luminescent efficiency material is selected as rare earth ion doped matrix, and the purity is enhanced to reduce the cross relaxation.


Developing Ultrasound Measures for the Early Diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis.
The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) ultrasound (US) steering committee provided an update at GRAPPA's 2022 annual meeting on activities to enable earlier diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. An update of the Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET) study included preliminary reliability results for US enthesitis elementary lesions. Common scanning pitfalls were reviewed. New projects included widening the scope of US beyond large entheses and validating small point-of-care US probes to evaluate enthesitis.


Treatment of resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin.
A combination of cisplatin (60 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1), etoposide (100 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1-3) and bleomycin (15 mg i.v. on days 1 and 8) (PEB regimen) was given every 4 weeks as salvage therapy in 10 refractory and 13 relapsing patients with poor-prognosis non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. All but one of these patients had previously been treated with anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy. We observed 4 complete remissions (CRs) and 4 partial responses (PRs), whereas 3 patients showed only a minor response (MR) and 12 were considered to be induction failures. Therefore, the objective (CR + PR) response rate was 35%. The most frequent side effect was vomiting, registered in all patients despite antiemetic treatment. Hematologic toxicity was of moderate degree, and bone marrow recovery was observed after almost all cycles after a 3-week rest period. Since objective responses were achieved only in relapsing patients, the PEB regimen seemed to be effective in these cases, whereas it was useless in early refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.


Analysis of small molecule drugs, excipients and counter ions in pharmaceuticals by capillary electromigration methods - recent developments.
Capillary electromigration techniques have become important tools for the analysis of pharmaceutical drugs. The present review updates on recent developments of the analysis of small molecule drugs, excipients and counter ions dating between January 2014 and May 2017. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) continues to be a very popular method for the analysis of the active pharmaceutical ingredients and their related substances in pharmaceutical formulations, especially for the determination of the stereoisomeric purity of chiral drugs, which is evidenced by a large number of related literature reported in the reviewed period of time. The simultaneous analysis of several drugs has been easily achieved by CE. Moreover, the flexibility of the technique has been clearly illustrated by the application of various separation modes including capillary zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis as well as various modes of electrokinetic chromatography such as micellar electrokinetic chromatography or microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography in combination with various detection modes including direct and indirect UV, laser-induced fluorescence, mass spectrometry and contactless conductivity detection. A general trend also observed in other analytical techniques is the application of quality by design principles in CE.


A cluster of invasive meningococcal disease in young men who have sex with men in Berlin, October 2012 to May 2013.
Between October 2012 and May 2013, five cases of invasive meningococcal disease in young men who have sex with men (MSM) living in Berlin were notified to local health authorities in Germany. Three of the five cases died. All were caused by serogroup C variants with the finetype P1.5-1,10-8:F3-6. Awareness was increased through the use of community networks; an extension of the existing vaccination recommendation to all MSM is currently being considered.


Converting the DriveSafe subtest of DriveSafe DriveAware for touchscreen administration.
DriveSafe measures awareness of the driving environment. It is one subtest of DriveSafe DriveAware, a cognitive fitness-to-drive screening instrument. We converted DriveSafe to a touchscreen format for ease of administration; this necessitated the development of an automatic data collection and scoring system to reflect the decision that would otherwise have been made by an expert rater. We applied a structured process to determine what constituted 'correct' scores. We then examined the resulting scoring parameters to determine if these discriminated at-risk drivers from a comparison sample. Thirty at-risk older drivers and 30 younger drivers took touchscreen DriveSafe. Following presentation of images containing between one and four objects/hazards for 4 seconds, participants indicated their recall of object/hazard characteristics (type, location and direction of movement) by touching the screen. We analysed responses via descriptive statistics to compare spread, accuracy and consistency; and via a Fisher's exact test to determine whether the set scoring parameters could discriminate between at-risk and comparison drivers. Fisher's exact test results indicated 24 of 28 location zones and 18 of 28 direction ranges discriminated at-risk drivers from the comparison group (P < 0.05). Frequency of missed or incorrectly identified hazards was much higher for the at-risk group for all variables. At-risk drivers missed or misidentified significantly (P < 0.00) more object types (34%), directions (47%), and locations (36%) than the comparison group (≤4% for each variable). At-risk drivers entered 31 additional responses for objects/hazards not displayed; the comparison group entered no additional responses. The automatic variable data collection and scoring system reflected decisions that would have been made by an expert rater. This systematic process provided automated scoring decisions that enabled us to discriminate at-risk drivers from a comparison group. Psychometric evaluation of data gathered with touchscreen DriveSafe is required prior to use in clinical practice.


Sensitivity analysis of permeability parameters of bovine nucleus pulposus obtained through inverse fitting of the nonlinear biphasic equation: effect of sampling strategy.
Permeability controls the fluid flow into and out of soft tissue, and plays an important role in maintaining the health status of such tissue. Accurate determination of the parameters that define permeability is important for the interpretation of models that incorporate such processes. This paper describes the determination of strain-dependent permeability parameters from the nonlinear biphasic equation from experimental data of different sampling frequencies using the Nelder-Mead simplex method. The ability of this method to determine the global optimum was assessed by constructing the whole manifold arising from possible parameter combinations. Many parameter combinations yielded similar fits with the Nelder-Mead algorithm able to identify the global maximum within the resolution of the manifold. Furthermore, the sampling strategy affected the optimum values of the permeability parameters. Therefore, permeability parameter estimations arising from inverse methods should be utilised with the knowledge that they come with large confidence intervals.


Stimulation of high-affinity adenosine A2 receptors decreases the affinity of dopamine D2 receptors in rat striatal membranes.
Since high-affinity adenosine A2 receptors (A2a) are localized exclusively in dopamine-rich regions in the central nervous system and mediate inhibition of locomotor activity, we have examined the effect of A2a receptor activation on D1 and D2 receptor binding in membrane preparations of the rat striatum. The A2a agonist 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) increased the Kd of the dopamine D2 agonist L-(-)-N-[3H]propylnorapomorphine without affecting the Bmax. The increase in Kd was maximal (40%) at 30 nM CGS 21680. CGS 21680 (30 nM) decreased the dopamine-induced inhibition of [3H]raclopride (a D2 antagonist) binding due to an increase (about 3-fold) in KH and KL, the dissociation constants of high- and low-affinity binding sites. The effects of CGS 21680 were antagonized by the adenosine antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM). (-)-N6-(2-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine produced an effect similar to that of CGS 21680, provided the concentration used was high enough to stimulate A2a receptors (300 nM). GTP (50 microM) also decreased the dopamine-induced inhibition of [3H]raclopride binding but, in contrast to CGS 21680, GTP decreased the proportion of D2 receptors in the high-affinity state. CGS 21680 (30 nM) did not affect the Kd or Bmax of [3H]raclopride and failed to affect ligand binding to D1 receptors. Thus, stimulation of A2a receptors potently reduces the affinity of D2 agonist binding sites within the plasma membrane of striatal neurons. This A2a-D2 interaction may underlie the neuroleptic-like actions of adenosine agonists and the enhancing effects of adenosine antagonists, such as caffeine, on locomotor activity.


Gene structure, phylogeny and expression profile of the sucrose synthase gene family in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.).
In higher plants, sucrose synthase (Sus, EC 18.104.22.168) is widely considered as a key enzyme involved in sucrose metabolism. Although, several paralogous genes encoding different isozymes of Sus have been identified and characterized in multiple plant genomes, to date detailed information about the Sus genes is lacking for cacao. This study reports the identification of six novel Sus genes from economically important cacao tree. Analyses of the gene structure and phylogeny of the Sus genes demonstrated evolutionary conservation in the Sus family across cacao and other plant species. The expression of cacao Sus genes was investigated via real-time PCR in various tissues, different developmental phases of leaf, flower bud and pod. The Sus genes exhibited distinct but partially redundant expression profiles in cacao, with TcSus1, TcSus5 and TcSus6, being the predominant genes in the bark with phloem, TcSus2 predominantly expressing in the seed during the stereotype stage. TcSus3 and TcSus4 were significantly detected more in the pod husk and seed coat along the pod development, and showed development dependent expression profiles in the cacao pod. These results provide new insights into the evolution, and basic information that will assist in elucidating the functions of cacao Sus gene family.


Aortic balloon valvuloplasty prior to orthotopic liver transplantation: a novel approach to aortic stenosis and end-stage liver disease.
The combination of severe aortic stenosis and end-stage liver disease increases the morbidity and mortality of surgical aortic valve replacement or orthotopic liver transplantation resulting in a prohibitive operative risk. We propose a staged approach of balloon aortic valvuloplasty prior to orthotopic liver transplantation as a bridge to definitive aortic valve replacement. Between 2010 and 2012, four patients with severe aortic stenosis and end-stage liver disease underwent staged balloon aortic valvuloplasty followed by orthotopic liver transplantation. All patients had been deemed to be inappropriate candidates for liver transplantation or aortic valve surgery due to their comorbidity. One patient died of complications from a perivalvular abscess. Three patients went on to successful graft implantation and function and surgical recovery. Two of the three patients proceeded to definitive surgical aortic valve replacement with the remainder currently undergoing evaluation. In this case series, we present a novel approach of balloon aortic valvuloplasty prior to liver transplantation as a potential bridge to definitive treatment of severe aortic stenosis in the end-stage liver patient.


The Global Landscape of Domestic Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an alarming increase in domestic violence against women owing to lockdown measures and limited access to support services. This article provides insights into the global prevalence of domestic violence, barriers to seeking help, its impact on women and children, and the best practices implemented worldwide. Domestic violence encompasses various forms of abuse; many young women experience partner violence. Barriers to seeking help include fear, financial constraints, lack of awareness of available services, and distrust among stakeholders. The consequences of domestic violence affect the mental health of both mothers and children. Countries have increased shelter funding and developed innovative protocols to reach survivors and address this issue. However, the healthcare sector's involvement in addressing domestic violence has been limited. This review advocates collaboration among healthcare institutions and government bodies. Key recommendations include utilizing telehealth services, implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective referral systems, enhancing health education, developing a domestic violence registry, improving the responses of law enforcement and justice systems through healthcare integration, promoting data sharing, and conducting further research. Healthcare systems should recognize domestic violence as a public health concern and detect, prevent, and intervene in cases to support survivors.


MYC Protein-positive Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Features an Activated B-Cell Receptor Signal Pathway.
Components of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway represent promising therapeutic targets in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other B-cell malignancies. MYC, a transcriptional factor and oncoprotein, is overexpressed in a fraction of DLBCL and indicates poor prognosis and aggressive clinical course when treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). However, BCR signaling status in MYC-positive DLBCL cases and the potential efficacy of BCR signal inhibitors in treating this aggressive disease are unknown. To further elucidate the BCR signaling pathway in MYC-positive DLBCL, we analyzed the levels of BCR-associated genes according to MYC gene status, detected phosphorylated protein with primary DLBCL samples, and estimated the patient survival with MYC expression. In addition, we manipulated MYC gene expression and tested its effects on BCR signaling in vitro. We found that CD19, SYK, and BLK were highly expressed in DLBCL with MYC gene overexpression. MYC-positive DLBCL had higher levels of pSYK and pBLK, but only pSYK level correlated with patient survival. The in vitro studies demonstrated that overexpression of the MYC gene augmented BCR signaling, whereas MYC gene knockdown attenuated BCR signaling. Thus, MYC protein-positive DLBCL features highly activated BCR signaling and may represent a potential candidate for BCR inhibitor therapy.


Drinking-induced alterations in reward pathways: an in vivo autoradiographic analysis.
An in vivo autoradiographic technique permitted the visualization of discrete neuroanatomical changes in opiate receptor binding as a result of 23-h water deprivation and drinking. Two groups of rats (n = 5) were placed on a 23-h water deprivation schedule for 10 days. On the last day, one group was given access to water for 15 min. These groups, plus a matched ad libitum water control group (n = 5), received an injection of 0.002 mg/kg [3H]diprenorphine ([3H]Dpr) through chronically implanted jugular catheters followed by preparation for opiate receptor autoradiography. Relative cerebral blood flow was estimated non-quantitatively by the injection of 75 microCi/kg iodo-[14C]antipyrene into 3 additional groups identically treated. Results indicated that water-deprivation stress increased [3H]Dpr binding in the claustrum, lateral hypothalamus, amygdala and ventral tegmental area while decreasing binding in the medial frontal cortex, lateral septum, dorsolateral thalamus and central gray. All effects of water deprivation were reversed in animals receiving water. Observations of changes in relative blood flow were shown to have no correlation with changes in opiate receptor binding. It appears that water deprivation stress causes a reduction in opioid release in areas along the mesotelencephalic dopamine pathway which may contribute to a drive state. Water intake may then reduce or otherwise alter the drive state through the release of opioids along these pathways, contributing to the perception of reward.


Perioperative cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with diabetes who undergo elective major vascular surgery.
The importance of diabetes mellitus (DM) as an independent risk factor for perioperative cardiac morbidity after vascular surgery is controversial. This study examined the impact of DM on perioperative outcomes and length of stay in patients who underwent major vascular surgery. Patients who underwent elective aortic reconstruction (n = 2792), lower extremity bypass (n = 3838), carotid endarterectomy (n = 5522), and major amputation (n = 3883) from 1997 to 1999 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Outcomes assessed were death, cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and length of stay. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to control for patient demographics, procedure type, comorbidities, and diabetic complications. Before adjustment for potential confounders, patients with diabetes had a higher incidence rate of perioperative death (3.9% versus 2.6%; P =.001) and cardiovascular complications (3.3% versus 2.6%; P =.01) when compared with patients without diabetes. After controlling for comorbid conditions, procedure type, and diabetic complications, only patients with DM who underwent treatment with insulin were at statistically increased risk for cardiovascular complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.91). Neither DM treated with insulin (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.41) nor DM treated with oral medications (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.73-1.28) was an independent risk factor for death. Important independent risk factors for death included several conditions that are commonly associated with diabetes, including proteinuria, elevated creatinine level, history of congestive heart failure, and history of cerebrovascular accident. DM was also found to increase length of stay by as much as 38% even after adjustment for comorbidities. Patients with diabetes have a higher incidence rate of death and cardiovascular complications. However, after controlling for specific comorbid conditions, the only independent association was between patients with insulin treatment and the risk of cardiovascular complications. DM does not appear to be an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. All patients with diabetes, regardless of insulin use, have a prolonged length of stay after major vascular surgery.


Ibuprofen improves oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model.
Retinopathy of prematurity is a developmental vascular anomaly occurring in the incompletely vascularized retina of the premature infant. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent similar to indomethacin, but with less pronounced side-effects. The goal of the study was to test the hypothesis that ibuprofen would improve oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model. C57BL6 mice pups were exposed to 75% oxygen from postnatal day 7 through postnatal day 12. Ibuprofen was administered along with oxygen exposure as a single subcutaneous dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Animals were sacrificed on postnatal day 17 through postnatal day 20. The severity of retinopathy was assessed by a retinopathy scoring system of fluorescein-conjugated dextran-perfused retinal flat mounts and by quantitation of extra-retinal nuclei by use of periodic acid-Schiff-stained retinal sections. Animals that received ibuprofen during hyperoxia exposure had a significantly lower median (25th, 75th quartile) retinopathy score of 6 (5, 7.5) compared with animals that received oxygen only, with a score of 12 (10.5, 12.5), with p < 0.005. Animals given ibuprofen during hyperoxia exposure had a significantly lower extra-retinal nuclei count per section (14.2 +/- 3.6) compared with animals that were only exposed to oxygen (26.8 +/- 5.8), with p < 0.005. Ibuprofen did not affect the growth of the animals. Ibuprofen improves oxygen-induced retinopathy when administered concurrently with the injury phase without affecting the normal retinal development of the animals.


Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) associated with rice mills: fumigation efficacy and population rebound.
The red flourbeetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is the most important stored-product insect pest infesting rice (Oryza sativa L.) mills in the United States. Due to the phasing out of methyl bromide in accordance with the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the efficacy of alternative fumigants in controlling flour beetles in mill structures must be evaluated. Long-term trapping data sets (2-6 yr) of T. castaneum in and around seven rice mills were analyzed to assess the efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride fumigation (n = 25). Fumigation efficacy was evaluated as the percentage reduction in mean trap captures of adults and proportion of traps capturing at least one adult beetle. Beetle trap captures fluctuated seasonally, with increased captures during the warmer months, June-September, that dropped off during the cooler months, October-March. Fumigations resulted in a 66 +/- 6% (mean +/- SE) reduction in mean trap captures within mills and a 52 +/- 6% reduction in the proportion of traps capturing at least one adult beetle. Lengths of time for captures to reach prefumigation levels, or rebound rates, were variable, and adult capture levels inside were most influenced by seasonal temperature changes. Temperatures inside mills followed those outside the mill closely, and a significant positive relationship between outside temperatures and trap captures was observed. Inside and outside trap captures exhibited a significant, positive relationship, but fumigations consistently led to reductions in beetle captures outside of mills, highlighting the interconnectedness of populations located inside and outside mill structures.


Classifier of cross talk genes predicts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The present study aimed to establish a prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the cross talk genes from important biological pathways involved in HCC. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for HCC were identified from mRNA profiles of GSE36376, which were mapped to protein‑protein interaction (PPI) networks from BioGrid and the human protein reference database. Then critical genes based on the deviation score and the degree of node were selected from the novel PPI network. Cross talk genes were screened from the network established based on the associations of gene‑gene, gene‑pathway and pathway‑pathway. A classifier based on specific cross talk genes was constructed for prediction of HCC using the random forest algorithm. Finally, the diagnostic performance of this prediction model was verified by predicting survival time of patients with HCC from the genome cancer atlas (TCGA) and other independent gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases. From the novel PPI network, a total of 200 critical genes were screened out and they were significantly enriched in 23 pathways, which have been reported to be significantly associated with the development of HCC. Based on these identified pathways, cross talk genes were identified including AKT1, SOS1, EGF, MYC, IGF1, ERBB2, CDKN1B, SHC2, VEGFA and INS. The prediction model has a relative average classification accuracy of 0.94 for HCC, which has a stable predicting efficacy for survival time of HCC patients validated in the TCGA database and two other independent GEO datasets. In conclusion, a total of 39 cross talk genes in HCC were identified and a classifier based on the cross talk genes was constructed, which indicates a high prognosis prediction efficacy in several independent datasets. The results provide a novel perspective to develop a multiple gene diagnostic tool for HCC prognosis, which also provided potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HCC.


Cloning and characterization of a leucyl aminopeptidase from three pathogenic Leishmania species.
Aminopeptidases are emerging as exciting novel drug targets and vaccine candidates in parasitic infections. In this study, we describe for the first time an aminopeptidase from three highly pathogenic Leishmania species. Intronless genes encoding a leucyl aminopeptidase (lap) were cloned from Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania major, which encoded 60-kDa proteins that displayed homology to leucyl aminopeptidases from Gram-negative bacteria, plants, and mammals. The lap genes were present as a single copy in each genome, and lap mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-PCR in all life-cycle stages of L. amazonensis. Lap assembled into catalytically competent 360-kDa hexamers and demonstrated potent amidolytic activity against synthetic aminopeptidase substrates containing leucine, methionine, and cysteine residues, representing the most restricted substrate specificity of any leucyl aminopeptidase described to date. Optimal activity was observed against L-leucyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (k(cat)/K(m) approximately 63 s(-1) x mm(-1)) with a pH optimum of 8.5. Leishmania Lap activity was inhibited by metal ion chelators and enhanced by divalent manganese, cobalt, and nickel cations, although only zinc was detected in the purified Lap by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, indicating that zinc is the natural Lap cofactor. Activity was potently inhibited by bestatin and apstatin in a slow binding competitive fashion, with K(i)* values of 3 and 44 nm, respectively. Actinonin was a tight binding competitive inhibitor (K(i) approximately 1 nm), whereas arphamenine A (K(i) approximately 70 microm) and L-leucinol (K(i) approximately 100 microm) were non-tight binding competitive inhibitors. Lap was not secreted by Leishmania in vitro and was localized to the parasite cytosol.


[Virulence factors and host responses in urinary tract infections].
Pathogenicity of urinary tract infection (UTI) has been reviewed mainly focussing on the bacterial adherence in uropathogens and the inflammatory responses of urinary mucosa. Bacterial fimbriae or pili, which are encoded by chromosomal gene clusters played a major role in the adherence mechanisms of uropathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli. Furthermore, inflammatory responses in urinary mucosa including cytokine release was also investigated. The latest information concerning pathogenicity of UTI is described and discussed here.


Older adults predict more recollective experiences than younger adults.
We investigated whether older adults could successfully monitor age-related declines in recollection that are typically found on episodic memory tests. In two experiments, we elicited prospective metamemory judgments based on the remember-know procedure, called Judgments of Remembering and Knowing (JORKs). That is, participants predicted whether word pairs would be remembered (i.e., accompanied by recollective details), known (i.e., have a sense of familiarity devoid of recollective details), or forgotten, on a later test. Compared with actual test performance, older adults were highly overconfident in predicting remembering, whereas younger adults' predictions more closely corresponded with actual remembering. These data suggest that older adults have difficulties monitoring age-related declines in recollection.


Biotin-labeled oligonucleotides: enzymatic synthesis and use as hybridization probes.
An oligonucleotide probe (23-mer) containing a single biotinylated deoxyuridine residue at the 3' terminus was prepared by a primer extention reaction using Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment). For efficient synthesis of the probe, it was necessary to add about 16-fold molar excess of the template oligonucleotide (pentadecanucleotide) to the primer oligonucleotide (nonadecanucleotide) in the reaction mixture and to continue the reaction for 2.5 hr at 4 degrees C. The probe was purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The probe could be specifically and tightly bound with Avidin D (Vector Laboratories) in 1 M NaCl. It could be hybridized to a plasmid DNA containing a perfectly matched complementary sequence, but not to a DNA containing five consecutive noncomplementary bases. The hybridized biotinylated probe could be detected by Avidin D and biotinylated alkaline phosphatase, even when 1.8 ng of the plasmid DNA (0.5 fmoles) was used. A general approach to the enzymatic synthesis of oligonucleotides containing a single biotinylated deoxyuridine at the 3' end is described.


Circulating IgA- and IgM-rheumatoid factors in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome. Correlation to extraglandular manifestations.
IgM- and IgA-rheumatoid factors (RF) were determined by ELISA technique in 40 consecutive patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (primary SS), all fulfilling the Copenhagen diagnostic criteria. Increased concentrations of IgM-RF were found in 25 patients (63%) (median concentration: 85 IU/ml, range 11-302 IU/ml). Increased concentrations of IgA-RF were found in 22 of the patients (55%) (median concentration: 100 AU/ml, range 25-255 AU/ml). The levels of IgM- and IgA-RF were closely correlated (r = 0.82, p less than 0.001). IgM-RF (p = 0.037), but not IgA-RF (p = 0.17), was significantly correlated to the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). In contrast, IgA-RF (p = 0.002), but not IgM RF (p = 0.068), was significantly correlated to the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia. The most common extraglandular manifestations were: arthralgia/synovitis (60%), myalgia/myositis (28%), Raynaud's phenomenon (20%) and pulmonary manifestations (15%). Concentrations of both IgM-RF (r = 0.43, p less than 0.01) and IgA-RF (r = 0.57, p less than 0.001) were correlated to the number of extraglandular manifestations present in each patient.


Nutrition for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent, lethal genetic disorder among northern Europeans. The etiology of this autosomal recessive disease is known to be a defect in the cAMP activation of chloride (Cl-) channels in secretory cells in many organs of the body. Although this defect usually leads to severe lung disease, many of these patients also have nutritional deficiencies. Nutrition is one of the key components in the management of CF. Patients are at high risk for malnutrition, which may result in accelerated progression of the disease and increased morbidity. This review will discuss nutrition recommendations for calories, protein, vitamins and minerals, and enteral and parenteral nutrition support practices.


Mitigation of photodarkening phenomenon in fiber lasers by 633 nm light exposure.
In this work, the influence of photodarkening (PD) and photobleaching (PB) on the lasing features of the ytterbium-doped aluminosilicate fiber lasers is examined. Simultaneous PD and PB with 633 nm irradiation was monitored at the lasing wavelength of 1070 nm and compared with individually caused PD and PB effects. The variation of laser threshold and slope efficiency was reported. By analyzing the laser performances it was found that the ratio of excess loss at 633 and 1070 nm is expected to be less than 20. In addition, considerable mitigation of the PD with 633 nm light irradiation is demonstrated.


Are Photosynthetic Characteristics and Energetic Cost Important Invasive Traits for Alien Sonneratia Species in South China?
A higher photosynthesis and lower energetic cost are recognized as important characteristics for invasive species, but whether these traits are also important for the ability of alien mangrove species to become invasive has seldom been reported. A microcosm study was conducted to compare the photosynthetic characteristics, energetic cost indices and other growth traits between two alien species (Sonneratia apetala and S. caseolaris) and four native mangrove species over four seasons in a subtropical mangrove nature reserve in Shenzhen, South China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the invasive potential of Sonneratia based on these physiological responses. The annual average net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and total carbon assimilation per unit leaf area (Atotal) of the two alien Sonneratia species were significantly higher than the values of the native mangroves. In contrast, the opposite results were obtained for the leaf construction cost (CC) per unit dry mass (CCM) and CC per unit area (CCA) values. The higher Atotal and lower CC values resulted in a 72% higher photosynthetic energy-use efficiency (PEUE) for Sonneratia compared to native mangroves, leading to a higher relative growth rate (RGR) of the biomass and height of Sonneratia with the respective values being 51% and 119% higher than those of the native species. Higher photosynthetic indices for Sonneratia compared to native species were found in all seasons except winter, whereas lower CC values were found in all four seasons. The present findings reveal that alien Sonneratia species may adapt well and become invasive in subtropical mangrove wetlands in Shenzhen due to their higher photosynthetic characteristics coupled with lower costs in energy use, leading to a higher PEUE. The comparison of these physiological responses between S. apetala and S. caseolaris reveal that the former species is more invasive than the latter one, thus requiring more attention in future.


Chronic thromboxane synthase inhibition prevents fructose-induced hypertension.
To investigate the role of thromboxane A(2) in the development of hypertension in the fructose-fed rat, we treated male fructose-fed rats with dazmegrel (a thromboxane synthase inhibitor) and monitored blood pressure, fasting plasma parameters, and insulin sensitivity for 7 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was measured each week using tail plethysmography, and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed at the end of the study to assess insulin sensitivity. Treatment with a 60% fructose diet and dazmegrel (100 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) via oral gavage) was initiated on the same day. Plasma triglyceride levels increased 2-fold in both fructose- and fructose/dazmegrel-treated groups, and plasma insulin levels tended to be higher in these groups, although not significantly. Systolic blood pressure increased significantly throughout the study in the fructose-fed group only (132+/-3 versus 112+/-4 mm Hg in control rats, 118+/-2 mm Hg in control-treated rats, 116+/-2 mm Hg in fructose-treated rats). Both fructose groups demonstrated a higher peak insulin response to oral glucose challenge and had 40% to 60% lower insulin sensitivity index values. The results of this study show that treatment with a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, dazmegrel, can prevent the development of hypertension but does not improve insulin sensitivity or other fructose-induced metabolic impairments. Based on these data, we conclude that the potent vasoconstrictor thromboxane is involved in the link between hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance and hypertension.


Thyrotropin-releasing hormone increases GABA release in rat hippocampus.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a tripeptide that is widely distributed in the brain including the hippocampus where TRH receptors are also expressed. TRH has anti-epileptic effects and regulates arousal, sleep, cognition, locomotion and mood. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying such effects remain to be determined. We examined the effects of TRH on GABAergic transmission in the hippocampus and found that TRH increased the frequency of GABAA receptor-mediated spontaneous IPSCs in each region of the hippocampus but had no effects on miniature IPSCs or evoked IPSCs. TRH increased the action potential firing frequency recorded from GABAergic interneurons in CA1 stratum radiatum and induced membrane depolarization suggesting that TRH increases the excitability of interneurons to facilitate GABA release. TRH-induced inward current had a reversal potential close to the K+ reversal potential suggesting that TRH inhibits resting K+ channels. The involved K+ channels were sensitive to Ba2+ but resistant to other classical K+ channel blockers, suggesting that TRH inhibits the two-pore domain K+ channels. Because the effects of TRH were mediated via Galphaq/11, but were independent of its known downstream effectors, a direct coupling may exist between Galphaq/11 and K+ channels. Inhibition of the function of dynamin slowed the desensitization of TRH responses. TRH inhibited seizure activity induced by Mg2+ deprivation, but not that generated by picrotoxin, suggesting that TRH-mediated increase in GABA release contributes to its anti-epileptic effects. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism to explain some of the hippocampal actions of TRH.


Atypical parkinsonism in a family of Portuguese ancestry: absence of CAG repeat expansion in the MJD1 gene.
We studied the clinical features and molecular genetics of a family, afflicted with a form of atypical parkinsonism, originating from the Madeira Islands of Portugal. We examined four affected individuals and reviewed clinical information on one other affected family member. Mean age at onset was 31 years. Parkinsonism (akinesia, rigidity, gait disturbance) was the most prominent feature in advanced disease. Levodopa responsiveness with peak-dose dyskinesia was present in one individual. Initial symptoms and other clinical features were variable and included other extrapyramidal signs (dystonia, action tremor of the limbs and bulbar muscles, synkinesis), ophthalmologic abnormalities (ptosis, slow saccades, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, hypometric saccades, saccadic pursuit movements), speech abnormalities (dysarthria, hypernasality), cortical impairment (dementia, frontal lobe dysfunction, palilalia, perseveration), minor cerebellar signs (dysmetria, gait ataxia), pyramidal abnormalities (spasticity, hyperreflexia), and peripheral nervous system abnormalities (propioceptive loss, areflexia, distal weakness, atrophy). The length of trinucleotide repeats in the MJD1 gene was in the normal range for all affected individuals.


Influence of blood-pool contrast media on MR imaging and flow measurements in the presence of pulmonary arterial stents in swine.
To compare the effects of various stents on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging flow volume measurements and to determine the value of a blood-pool MR imaging contrast medium in assessment of vascular stents. In 11 pigs, six nitinol stents (Memotherm), four platinum stents (NuMed), and one elgiloy stent (Wallstent) were placed in the main pulmonary artery under x-ray fluoroscopic guidance. MR imaging was performed 3 months after stent placement before and after injection of NC100150 contrast medium. Blood flow volumes were assessed with velocity-encoded cine MR imaging through and next to the stent. The signal-to-noise ratio and width of susceptibility artifacts of the stents also were determined. Measurements were analyzed with the paired Student t test and Bland-Altman test, where appropriate. Blood flow volumes measured through the nitinol and platinum stents disclosed no significant difference between velocity-encoded cine MR imaging measurements through and next to the stent. On cine MR images, small susceptibility artifacts were observed around the nitinol and platinum stents. Signal-to-noise ratio in the stent lumen was reduced in nitinol and platinum stents when compared with that next to the stent. The elgiloy stent produced severe susceptibility artifacts, making measurement of flow volumes impossible. NC100150 injection caused no significant effect on flow volume measurements. It improved the signal-to-noise ratio of the pulmonary arterial lumen outside and, to a lesser extent, inside the stent. Assessment of morphology and flow volumes through nitinol and platinum stents is feasible with MR imaging. Blood-pool contrast media provide persistent signal enhancement in the pulmonary artery and, to a lesser extent, in the lumina of nitinol and platinum stents.


Plasma sodium stiffens vascular endothelium and reduces nitric oxide release.
Dietary salt plays a major role in the regulation of blood pressure, and the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone controls salt homeostasis and extracellular volume. Recent observations suggest that a small increase in plasma sodium concentration may contribute to the pressor response of dietary salt. Because endothelial cells are (i) sensitive to aldosterone, (ii) in physical contact with plasma sodium, and (iii) crucial regulators of vascular tone, we tested whether acute changes in plasma sodium concentration, within the physiological range, can alter the physical properties of endothelial cells. The tip of an atomic force microscope was used as a nanosensor to measure stiffness of living endothelial cells incubated for 3 days in a culture medium containing aldosterone at a physiological concentration (0.45 nM). Endothelial cell stiffness was unaffected by acute changes in sodium concentration <135 mM but rose steeply between 135 and 145 mM. The increase in stiffness occurred within minutes. Lack of aldosterone in the culture medium or treatment with the epithelial sodium channel inhibitor amiloride prevented this response. Nitric oxide formation was found down-regulated in cells cultured in aldosterone-containing high sodium medium. The results suggest that changes in plasma sodium concentration per se may affect endothelial function and thus control vascular tone.


Translational Personas and Hospital Library Services.
Academic health centers, CTSA hubs, and hospital libraries experience similar funding challenges and charges to do more with less. In recent years academic health center and hospital librarians have risen to these challenges by examining their service models, and beyond that, examining their patron base and users' needs. To meet the needs of employees, patients, and those who assist patients, hospital librarians can employ the CTS Personas, a project of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program National Center for Data to Health. The Persona profiles, which outline the motivations, goals, pain points, wants, and needs of twelve employees and two patients in translational science, provide vital information and insights that can inform everything from designing software tools and educational services, to advertising these services, to designing impactful and collaborative library spaces.


Alkamide stability in Echinacea purpurea extracts with and without phenolic acids in dry films and in solution.
Degradation of the major alkamides in E. purpurea extracts was monitored under four different accelerated storage conditions, phenolic-depleted and phenolic-rich dry E. purpurea extracts and phenolic-depleted and phenolic-rich DMSO E. purpurea extracts at 70, 80, and 90 degrees C. Degradation of alkamides followed apparent first-order reaction rate kinetics. Alkamides degraded faster in dry films than in DMSO solution. The phenolic acids acted as antioxidants by limiting the loss of the alkamides in dry E. purpurea extracts. In contrast, E. purpurea alkamides in DMSO degraded faster when the phenolic fraction was absent. The overall order of degradation rate constants was alkamides 1 approximately 2 approximately 6 > 9 approximately 8 > 3 approximately 5 approximately 7. The energy of activation (Ea) predicted for alkamide degradation averaged 101 +/- 12 kJ/mol in dry films +/- phenolic acids, suggesting the oxidation mechanism was the same under both conditions. In DMSO solutions, Ea values were about one-half of those in dry films (61 +/- 14 kJ/mol), suggesting a different mechanism for alkamide oxidation in solution compared to dry. Predicted half-lives for alkamides in extracts suggested very good stability.


A client-server framework for 3D remote visualization of radiotherapy treatment space.
Radiotherapy is safely employed for treating wide variety of cancers. The radiotherapy workflow includes a precise positioning of the patient in the intended treatment position. While trained radiation therapists conduct patient positioning, consultation is occasionally required from other experts, including the radiation oncologist, dosimetrist, or medical physicist. In many circumstances, including rural clinics and developing countries, this expertise is not immediately available, so the patient positioning concerns of the treating therapists may not get addressed. In this paper, we present a framework to enable remotely located experts to virtually collaborate and be present inside the 3D treatment room when necessary. A multi-3D camera framework was used for acquiring the 3D treatment space. A client-server framework enabled the acquired 3D treatment room to be visualized in real-time. The computational tasks that would normally occur on the client side were offloaded to the server side to enable hardware flexibility on the client side. On the server side, a client specific real-time stereo rendering of the 3D treatment room was employed using a scalable multi graphics processing units (GPU) system. The rendered 3D images were then encoded using a GPU-based H.264 encoding for streaming. Results showed that for a stereo image size of 1280 × 960 pixels, experts with high-speed gigabit Ethernet connectivity were able to visualize the treatment space at approximately 81 frames per second. For experts remotely located and using a 100 Mbps network, the treatment space visualization occurred at 8-40 frames per second depending upon the network bandwidth. This work demonstrated the feasibility of remote real-time stereoscopic patient setup visualization, enabling expansion of high quality radiation therapy into challenging environments.


Stiffening the Pb-X Framework through a π-Conjugated Small-Molecule Cross-Linker for High-Performance Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells.
Inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskites have witnessed incredible advances as a promising representative for translucent and tandem solar cells, but unfortunately, they are still plagued by serious energy losses and undesired phase instability. Herein, a new type of π-conjugated small molecule of 4-guanidinobenzoic-acid-hydrochloride (4-GBACl) is demonstrated to effectively cross-link the Pb-X framework of perovskites. The strong coordination between 4-GBACl and the [PbX6]4- octahedron of perovskites effectively stiffens the Pb-X framework to suppress the ion migration, thus stabilizing the perovskite phase structure against light and thermal conditions. Apart from the physical barrier for phase instability resulting from the hydrophobic benzene ring at grain boundaries (GBs), guanidinium cations and -COOH and Cl- groups can simultaneously afford the passivation of positively and negatively charged defects at the GBs and surface, including undercoordinated halide species and undercoordinated Pb2+ ions, thereby effectively inhibiting the charge trapping/recombination centers. Two-dimensional confocal-fluorescence mapping images provide a visualized sight into the significantly suppressed nonradiative recombination and the prolonged carrier lifetime. It is suggested that the 4-GBACl additive plays multiple roles in grain cross-linking to regulate crystallization, distinctly reducing the trap-state density, ion migration inhibition, and moisture barrier in CsPbI2Br films. Consequently, the 4-GBACl-treated device exhibits a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.59% accompanied with a considerably improved Voc of 1.28 V and maintains 88% of the initial PCE value after 1200 h aging under 20% relative humidity.


Isolation and Optimization of a Broad-Spectrum Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptide, Ap920-WI, from Arthrobacter sp. H5 for the Biological Control of Plant Diseases.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring molecules found in various organisms that can help to defend against invading microorganisms and reduce the likelihood of drug resistance development. This study focused on the isolation of new AMPs from the genome library of a Gram-positive bacterium called Arthrobacter sp. H5. To achieve this, we used the Bacillus subtilis expression system and employed bioinformatics techniques to optimize and modify the peptides, resulting in the development of a new synthetic antimicrobial peptide (SAMP). Ap920 is expected to be a new antimicrobial peptide with a high positive charge (+12.5). Through optimization, a new synthetic antimicrobial peptide, Ap920-WI, containing only 15 amino acids, was created. Thereafter, the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of Ap920-WI were determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50). The Ap920-WI peptide was observed to target the outer membrane of fungal hyphae, leading to inhibition of growth in Rhizoctonia Solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Botrytis cinerea. In plants, Ap920-WI showed significant antifungal activity and inhibited the infestation of S. sclerotiorum on rape leaves. Importantly, Ap920-WI was found to be safe for mammalian cells since it did not show any hemolytic activity against sheep red blood cells. Overall, the study found that the new synthetic antimicrobial peptide Ap920-WI exhibits broad-spectrum activity against microorganisms and may offer a new solution for controlling plant diseases, as well as hold potential for drug development.


A high-resolution tungstate membrane label.
A new class of membrane labels was synthesized which contain a tungstate cluster (having 11 tungsten atoms) and an aliphatic organo-tin moiety with various chain lengths (C4, C8, C12, C18, C22). These molecules were found to insert into synthetic phospholipid vesicles and biological membranes (human red blood cell membranes). The tungstate clusters can be individually visualized in the high resolution STEM or seen en mass in thin-sectioned labeled membranes in the CTEM. These new labels should provide a means for direct high-resolution imaging of lipid-phase systems.


Linking vitamin D status, executive functioning and self-perceived mental health in adolescents through multivariate analysis: A randomized double-blind placebo control trial.
The aim of the present randomized double-blind placebo control trial was to investigate if vitamin D supplementation had an effect on vitamin D status, executive functioning and self-perceived mental health in a group of Norwegian adolescents during winter time. Fifty adolescents were randomly assigned into an intervention group (vitamin D pearls) or a control group (placebo pearls). Before (pre-test in December/January) and after (post-test in April/May) the intervention period the participants were exposed to a test procedure, consisting of blood draw, completion of cognitive tests (Tower of Hanoi and Tower of London), and the Youth Self-report version of the Child Behavior Checklist. Multivariate data analysis showed that participants with low vitamin D status scored worse on the Tower of London tests and the more difficult sub-tasks on the Tower of Hanoi tests. They also had a tendency to report higher frequency of externalizing behavior problems and attention deficit. At pre-test, the overall mean vitamin D status measured as 25-hydroxy vitamin D was 42 nmol/L, defining deficiency (Intervention group = 44 nmol/L, Control group = 39 nmol/L). However, vitamin D supplementation caused a significant increase in vitamin D status resulting in a sufficient level in the Intervention group at post-test (mean 62 nmol/L). The results also revealed that the intervention group improved their performance on the most demanding sub-tasks on the ToH. Overall, the study indicates that vitamin D status in adolescents may be important for both executive functioning and mental health.


Improvement of amoxicillin removal from aqueous environment by applying functionalized carbon nanotube.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were applied for amoxicillin removal from aqueous environment. To enhance the adsorption capacity of adsorbent, MWCNT with modified surface was applied. A functional group as 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) and carboxyl group were selected to modify the surface of MWCNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful surface modification of MWCNTs. Some important parameters associated with the adsorption capacity such as pH, initial concentration of amoxicillin and equilibrium time of adsorption were investigated for pristine and functionalized MWCNTs. Adsorption results suggested that the maximsum removal efficiency of pollutant was achieved at pH = 5 for pristine and 8-HQ functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) and pH = 3 for the functionalized CNT with carboxylic groups. The equilibrium time of adsorption was 4 h for the pristine and 2 h for the functionalized CNTs. The maximum adsorption capacity of 8-HQ CNTs was nearly 50% higher than that of pristine MWCNT. The modeling of adsorption process suggested that adsorption of amoxicillin on pristine and functionalized MWCNTs was best fitted with Langmuir model. Moreover, pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to be the best kinetic model for the adsorption process. In conclusion, functionalized MWCNT with 8-HQ functional groups offers a novel alternative for removing amoxicillin from water.