Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Chiral N-Phosphonyl Imines with Methyl Isocyanoacetate for Accessing 2-Imidazolines with Switchable Stereoselectivity.
Asymmetric [3 + 2] cycloaddition of chiral N-phosphonyl imines with methyl isocyanoacetate has been established, enabling controllable/switchable stereoselectivity access to 21 examples of cycloadducts with good to excellent chemical yields (up to 92%) and high diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr). The cycloaddition reaction promoted by Cs2CO3 resulted in diastereoenriched (4R,5S)-products with >99:1 dr. However, it showed the reverse stereoselectivity as diastereoenriched (4S,5R) products when AgF was employed as the catalyst. The synthesis followed the group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry/technology in which the pure 2-imidazoline products were readily provided by washing the crude products with cosolvents of hexane and ethyl acetate.


Alveolar macrophage-derived microvesicles mediate acute lung injury.
Microvesicles (MVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication, packaging a variety of molecular cargo. They have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory diseases; yet, their role in acute lung injury (ALI) remains unknown. We aimed to identify the biological activity and functional role of intra-alveolar MVs in ALI. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was instilled intratracheally into C57BL/6 mice, and MV populations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were evaluated. BALF MVs were isolated 1 hour post LPS, assessed for cytokine content and incubated with murine lung epithelial (MLE-12) cells. In separate experiments, primary alveolar macrophage-derived MVs were incubated with MLE-12 cells or instilled intratracheally into mice. Alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells rapidly released MVs into the alveoli following LPS. At 1 hour, the dominant population was alveolar macrophage-derived, and these MVs carried substantive amounts of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) but minimal amounts of IL-1β/IL-6. Incubation of these mixed MVs with MLE-12 cells induced epithelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and keratinocyte-derived cytokine release compared with MVs from untreated mice (p<0.001). MVs released in vitro from LPS-primed alveolar macrophages caused similar increases in MLE-12 ICAM-1 expression, which was mediated by TNF. When instilled intratracheally into mice, these MVs induced increases in BALF neutrophils, protein and epithelial cell ICAM-1 expression (p<0.05). We demonstrate, for the first time, the sequential production of MVs from different intra-alveolar precursor cells during the early phase of ALI. Our findings suggest that alveolar macrophage-derived MVs, which carry biologically active TNF, may play an important role in initiating ALI.


Avian influenza virus: prospects for prevention and control by vaccination.
Although vaccination does not always prevent infection of avian influenza (AI) virus, the clear benefit of vaccination is in its ability to prevent disease and to reduce the amount of virus in circulation. Thus, judicious use of vaccination can be an important component of an AI control program. However, the long-term use of vaccination without eradication may result in the selection of the antigenically divergent strains, which compromises the value of vaccination. In this review, the effectiveness of currently available and future AI vaccines is discussed with suggestions for the ideal use of vaccination even with antigenic drift of the virus.


Giant appendiceal neurofibroma in von Recklinghausen's disease: A case report and literature review.
A 62-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; also von Recklinghausen's disease) was diagnosed with a giant, thick-walled tubular mass, mainly located in the right abdominal area on computed tomography, following an examination for intermittent abdominal pain and increasing abdominal distension. According to the clinical manifestations and imaging features, the giant tubular mass was considered most likely to be a dilated fallopian tube associated with infection, while the possibility of obstructed bowel loops was excluded. However, the subsequent laparotomy revealed a giant appendix, caused by a large neurofibroma in the root region of the appendix, which occluded the lumen. Neurofibroma of the appendix is extremely rare, even in patients with NF1. To the best of our knowledge, only three such cases have previously been reported in the English literature to date.


Revision ankle fusion using internal compression arthrodesis with screw fixation.
We reviewed 20 revision ankle fusions performed using internal compression arthrodesis with screw fixation. Clinical, functional, and radiographic results were measured at an average follow-up of 30 months (range, 12-50 months). The reasons for the index procedures were nonunion in 11, malunion in 7, infected nonunion in 1, and nonunion associated with avascular necrosis of the talus in 1 case. Fusion occurred in 15 of 20 patients. Two additional patients obtained fusion after subsequent procedures, for a final union rate of 85%. The average time to fusion was 6 months (range, 2-32 months). Nineteen additional operations were necessary in 12 patients, including three amputations for chronic infection (two infected nonunions and one chronic osteomyelitis). All but one patient had a plantigrade limb at follow-up. Seventeen of 20 patients were satisfied with their ultimate outcome, including all three patients with amputations. The three dissatisfied patients were bothered by chronic pain. Revision ankle fusion for nonunion or malunion using internal compression arthrodesis with screw fixation is beneficial for most patients. It is a technically demanding procedure that is associated with a high complication rate. Many patients can be expected to have residual pain. We emphasize the need for accurate alignment and early, aggressive treatment of infectious complications. Amputation should be considered a viable option to improve functional outcome in patients with solid, well-aligned fusions who are disabled by severe chronic pain.


[Retrosternal thyroid cancers. Considerations on 25 cases].
Intrathoracic thyroid cancer is an unusual finding, and few reports are available on this item. Literature data have been reviewed, and some considerations on epidemiologic characteristics of the disease and on its treatment were gained from an analysis of reports based on the files of I Surgical Clinic of the University of Turin, Surgical service of the Oncological Department of the S. Giovanni Battista Hospital and II Pathological Anatomy Service of the University of Turin. No correlation was found between previous thyroid disease, sex, histological findings, previous radiotherapy and incidence of the disease. Older age at the onset and recurrent laryngeal nerve lesions are frequently associated with intrathoracic thyroid cancer; papillary carcinoma is rarely found. Intrathoracic situation is not likely, in Author's opinion, to affect the long term prognosis more than usual risk factors.


Structure-aware machine learning identifies microRNAs operating as Toll-like receptor 7/8 ligands.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as activation signals for membrane receptors, a recently discovered function that is independent of the miRNAs' conventional role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Here, we introduce a machine learning approach, BrainDead, to identify oligonucleotides that act as ligands for single-stranded RNA-detecting Toll-like receptors (TLR)7/8, thereby triggering an immune response. BrainDead was trained on activation data obtained from in vitro experiments on murine microglia, incorporating sequence and intra-molecular structure, as well as inter-molecular homo-dimerization potential of candidate RNAs. The method was applied to analyse all known human miRNAs regarding their potential to induce TLR7/8 signalling and microglia activation. We validated the predicted functional activity of subsets of high- and low-scoring miRNAs experimentally, of which a selection has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. High agreement between predictions and experiments confirms the robustness and power of BrainDead. The results provide new insight into the mechanisms of how miRNAs act as TLR ligands. Eventually, BrainDead implements a generic machine learning methodology for learning and predicting the functions of short RNAs in any context.


Postintervention Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Level, Rather than the Pretreatment or Dynamic Changes of IL-6, as an Early Practical Marker of Tumor Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Transarterial Chemoembolization.
The aim of this study was to determine the potential prognostic roles of the perioperative interleukin-6 (IL-6) level and its dynamic changes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Sixty patients with hepatitis B virus-associated HCC receiving TACE were enrolled in the study. Serum IL-6 levels were determined at baseline and 1 day after TACE by immunoassay. Response to TACE was evaluated after a 4-6-week interval. Factors associated with tumor response were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis in a Cox regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive performance of the included variables on tumor response in patients with HCC undergoing TACE. The serum IL-6 level was significantly elevated 1 day after TACE. Patients in the low postintervention IL-6 level group had a high probability of achieving an objective response (OR) (66.7% vs. 18.8%, p = .021). Post-TACE IL-6 level (≤12.7 pg/mL) and post-/pre-TACE neutrophils ratio (>2.47) were independently correlated with OR after TACE. ROC curve analysis showed that a combined index based on those two factors exhibited optimal predictive power of tumor response among all the included variables (area under the curve = 0.740, 95% confidence interval: 0.601-0.879). Additionally, high post-TACE plasma IL-6 level was associated with maximum tumor size, vascular invasion, post-TACE aspartate aminotransferase, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage. Our study suggests that the post-treatment serum IL-6 level, rather than pretreatment or dynamic changes of IL-6, serves as a powerful predictor for tumor response. These findings provide evidence to help discriminate between patients who will particularly benefit from TACE and those who require more personalized therapeutic regimens and rigorous surveillance. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a major therapeutic regimen for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, identification of early practical markers of tumor response to TACE is of high importance. This study indicated that the post-treatment serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level, rather than the pretreatment or dynamic changes of IL-6, serves as a powerful predictor for tumor response. A combined index based on the post-TACE IL-6 level and post-/pre-TACE neutrophils ratio is optimal for predetermining an objective response after TACE, which may be helpful in guiding individualized treatments and surveillance.


Transmission of hepatitis G virus in patients with angioedema treated with steam-heated plasma concentrates of C1 inhibitor.
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a blood-borne flavivirus that may cause acute and chronic transfusion-transmitted infections. Patients with complement component 1 (C1) inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency may acquire blood-borne infections through infusion of plasma concentrates. Serum samples from 84 patients with C1-INH deficiency (19 who received unmodified C1-INH concentrates, 23 who received steam-heated concentrates, and 42 untreated patients) were tested for HGV RNA and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The samples were also tested for antibodies to the E2 envelope protein of HGV (anti-HGV) and to HCV with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Nine (11%) patients had serum HGV RNA; that is, 7 (17%) of 42 patients previously treated with C1-INH concentrates and 2 of 42 previously untreated patients. HGV RNA was as common in the 19 patients treated with unmodified concentrates as in the 23 given steam-heated concentrates (16 vs. 17%, p = 0.60). Anti-HGV was more common among the recipients of unmodified concentrates than among those given steam-heated concentrates (26 vs. 0%, p = 0.014). HCV RNA was more frequently detected in treated patients than in untreated patients (33 vs. 7%, p = 0.005) and in the 19 recipients of unmodified concentrates than in the 23 treated with steam-heated concentrates (58 vs. 16%, p = 0.003). Only one HGV RNA-seropositive patient had elevated serum aminotransferase activity, compared to 11 with HCV RNA. HGV was transmitted by both unmodified and steam-heated concentrates, but it caused persistent viremia in a minority of the cases and was rarely associated with liver disease.


The Biosynthesis of the Pyrimidine Moiety of Thiamin in Halobacterium salinarum.
The biosynthetic pathway of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin was studied in the archaean Halobacterium salinarum. Thiamin is biosynthesized from 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine (pyrimidine) and 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazole (thiazole). The pyrimidine and the thiazole are biosynthesized de novo in microorganisms. The biosynthetic routes of pyrimidine in microorganisms differ between eukaryote and eubacteria. In the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, histidine and pyridoxine are the precursors of pyrimidine, while in the eubacterium Escherichia coli, pyrimidine is biosynthesized from 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR), an intermediate of purine biosynthesis. Tracer investigations revealed that [(15)N]-, [1-(13)C]- and [2-(13)C] glycine, precursors of AIR, were incorporated into the pyrimidine in H. salinarum. These results suggested that the biosynthetic route of the pyrimidine in H. salinarum is similar to that of E. coli.


How should nurses deal with patients' personal racism? Learning from practice.
This paper aims to promote practice development in the difficult area of managing patients' expressions of personal racism within the clinical environment. Racism is a global phenomenon and it is well documented that nurses experience racism within their routine practice. Nurses face unpleasant dilemmas in managing racist patients who are also vulnerable because of their health status. The paper is based on the ethnography of acute mental health nursing, conducted within a UK hospital. The study found that nurses conceptualized patients' expressions of racism as a consequence of their mental ill-health and that they managed this difficult issue through nursing methods of direct engagement, trouble avoidance and the minimization of strangeness. It is concluded that patients' racism cannot be managed by following simple, procedural rules but neither should it be managed 'behind closed doors'. A culture should be facilitated in which nurses can feel secure that colleagues and managers will take their concerns about personal racism extremely seriously and engage with, and value their contribution in working out just what to do in specific cases. The nursing methods discussed can be used as a basis for practice development in this unpleasant and uncomfortable area.


Orally Administered Silicon Hydrogen Nanomaterials as Target Therapy to Treat Intestinal Diseases.
The occurrence and development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are inextricably linked to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, there is an urgent need to develop innovative tactics to combat IBDs and scavenge excess ROS from affected areas. Herein, silicon hydrogen nanoparticles (SiH NPs) with ROS-scavenging ability were prepared by etching Si nanowires (NWs) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) to alleviate the symptoms associated with IBD by orally targeting the inflamed colonic sites. The strong reductive Si-H bonds showed excellent stability in the gastric and intestinal fluids, which exhibited efficient ROS-scavenging effects to protect cells from high oxidative stress-induced death. After oral delivery, the negatively charged SiH NPs were specifically adsorbed to the positively charged inflammatory epithelial tissues of the colon for an extended period via electrostatic interactions to prolong the colonic residence time. SiH NPs exhibited significant preventive and therapeutic effects in dextran sodium sulfate-induced prophylactic and therapeutic mouse models by inhibiting colonic shortening, reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulating macrophage polarization, and protecting the colonic barrier. As determined using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, the oral administration of SiH NPs treatment led to changes in the abundance of the intestinal microbiome, which improved the bacterial diversity and restored the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria after the inflamed colon. Overall, our findings highlight the broad application of SiH-based anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of IBD and other inflammatory diseases.


Strategies to Reduce Diagnostic Blood Loss and Anemia in Hospitalized Patients: A Scoping Review.
Blood sampling is a recognized contributor to hospital-acquired anemia. We aimed to bundle all published neonatal, pediatric, and adult data regarding clinical interventions to reduce diagnostic blood loss. Four electronic databases were searched for eligible studies from inception until May 2021. Two reviewers independently selected studies, using predefined criteria. One author extracted data, including study design, population, period, intervention type and comparator, and outcome variables (diagnostic blood volume and frequency, anemia, and transfusion). Of 16,132 articles identified, we included 39 trials; 12 (31%) were randomized controlled trials. Among six types of interventions, 27 (69%) studies were conducted in adult patients, six (15%) in children, and six (15%) in neonates. Overall results were heterogeneous. Most studies targeted a transfusion reduction ( n = 28; 72%), followed by reduced blood loss ( n = 24; 62%) and test frequency ( n = 15; 38%). Small volume blood tubes ( n = 7) and blood conservation devices ( n = 9) lead to a significant reduction of blood loss in adults (8/9) and less transfusion of adults (5/8) and neonates (1/1). Point-of-care testing ( n = 6) effectively reduced blood loss (4/4) and transfusion (4/6) in neonates and adults. Bundles including staff education and protocols reduced blood test frequency and volume in adults (7/7) and children (5/5). Evidence on interventions to reduce diagnostic blood loss and associated complications is highly heterogeneous. Blood conservation devices and smaller tubes appear effective in adults, whereas point-of-care testing and bundled interventions including protocols and teaching seem promising in adults and children.


Gel-like lyomesophases formed in organic solvents by self-assembled guanine ribbons.
Lipophilic guanosine derivatives are self-assembled into ribbonlike aggregates, both in the crystal state and in solution. The structure of the ribbons has been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and, in solution, by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. Two different ribbons with different patterns of hydrogen bonds are present in the solid state and in chloroform solutions. The gel-like phases obtained in hexadecane, toluene and chloroform have been investigated by optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray diffraction: the type of phase observed is related to the molecular structure of the compounds and depends dramatically on the solvent. The structures of the phases are discussed, with the presence of the two different ribbons being taken into account.


Quantum Chemical Investigation of the Interaction of Thalidomide Monomeric, Dimeric, Trimeric, and Tetrameric Forms with Guanine DNA Nucleotide Basis in DMSO and Water Solution: A Thermodynamic and NMR Spectroscopy Analysis.
Thalidomide (TLD) was used worldwide as a sedative, but it was revealed to cause teratogenicity when taken during early pregnancy. It has been stated that the (R) enantiomer of TLD has therapeutic effects, while the (S) form is teratogenic. Clinical studies, however, demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of thalidomide in several intractable diseases, so TLD and its derivatives have played an important role in the development and therapy of anticancer drugs. Therefore, it is important to know the molecular mechanism of action of the TLD, although this is still not clear. In what molecular interactions are concerned, it is known that drug molecules can interact with DNA in different ways, for example, by intercalation between base pairs. Furthermore, the ability of the TLD to interact with DNA has been confirmed experimentally. In this work, we report a theoretical investigation of the interaction of the R and S enantiomers of TLD, in its monomeric, dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric forms, with guanine (GUA) DNA nucleotide basis in solution using density functional theory (DFT). Our initial objective was to evaluate the interaction of TLD-R/S with GUA through thermodynamic and spectroscopic study in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent and an aqueous solution. Comparison of the experimental 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum in DMSO-d6 solution with calculated DFT-PCM-DMSO chemical shifts revealed that TLD can undergo molecular association in solution, and interaction of its dimeric form with a DNA base ((TLD)2-GUA and (TLD)2-2GUA, for example) through H-bond formation is likely to take place. Our results strongly indicated that we must consider the plausibility of the existence of TLD associations in solution when modeling the complexation of the TLD with biological targets. This is new information that may provide further insight into our understanding of drug binding to biological targets at the molecular level.


A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adolescent girls in selected Indian states.
Vitamin D deficiency among adolescents is an emerging public health priority as adolescence marks a period of rapid growth and the onset of the reproductive phase. However, lack of national prevalence data and intervention strategies is of public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adolescent girls in selected Indian states. A systematic literature review was performed using three different search engines. The searches yielded nine eligible articles. Study quality was assessed for 10 different criteria. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adolescent girls and to assess the heterogeneity among selected studies. A sample of n=1352 was used to study prevalence among adolescent girls. The random effects combined estimate for overall prevalence was 25.70% (95% CI 3.89-2137.9). High heterogeneity (tau2=1.71, I2=100%) was observed and seven out of nine studies showed low to moderate risk and two showed high risk of bias. The test for overall effect was observed to be Z=0.77 ( p=0.44). High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adolescent girls identifies the need to introduce screening of adolescents and introduce proven public-health interventions such as fortification of foods to address deficiency.


Changes in membrane potential of human granulocytes antecede the metabolic responses to surface stimulation.
Human granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) exposed to surface stimuli [e.g., immune complexes, concanavalin A (Con A)] generate O(2).(-), undergo a respiratory burst, and secrete lysosomal enzymes. To study the earliest reaction of ligands with surface receptors of granulocytes, purified cells were exposed to bovine serum albumin-anti-albumin complexes (Fc receptors) or Con A (glycoprotein receptors). The membrane potential (DeltaPsi) was measured by distribution of the lipophilic cation [(3)H]triphenylmethyl phosphonium ion. The Nernst equation yielded a resting DeltaPsi of -26.7 mV. Beginning within 10 sec after exposure to the antigen-antibody complex or to Con A, the cells responded with a rapid hyperpolarization --> depolarization --> slow hyperpolarization. Even when phagocytosis was inhibited by cytochalasin B, the triphasic response was obtained: evidence for surface interaction. The hyperpolarization response anteceded O(2).(-) generation (continuous recording) by at least 20-30 sec. O(2).(-) generation in response to immune complexes was stimulated by Ca(2+) whereas DeltaPsi remained unchanged; lack of Ca(2+) in the medium did not inhibit the DeltaPsi response. Dissociation of membrane hyperpolarization from subsequent metabolic responses (O(2).(-) generation) was also found in the presence of steroids (hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone), which inhibited O(2).(-) generation but did not inhibit the DeltaPsi response to antigen-antibody complex. Because O(2).(-) generation could be stimulated (Ca(2+)) or depressed (steroids) without affecting DeltaPsi, the data suggest that DeltaPsi is involved in primary triggering of phagocytic cells and that metabolic stimulation is a secondary consequence of ligand-receptor interactions.


Hemodialysis without anticoagulants: efficiency and hemostatic aspects.
In 29 patients with high risk of bleeding, 111 hemodialyses have been performed without heparin (WHD) or other anticoagulants. The same patients were switched to low dose heparin dialysis (LDHD) as soon as the bleeding risk had ceased. The dialyzer had to be changed in 11 and the drip chamber in 20 WHDs because of partial clotting. This phenomenon did not occur during LDHD. The comparative efficiencies of the two techniques were evaluated by measuring the urea and creatinine clearances of the dialyzers. No significant difference between LDHD and WHD clearances was observed. In 7 of 29 patients, hemostasis variables were studied before, during and after both modes of treatment. Fibrinogen, platelet count, antithrombin III and prothrombin time did not differ with the different dialysis procedures. During dialysis, platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels were significantly higher than baseline values (P less than 0.01), with no difference between WHD and LDHD. Plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA) levels remained normal during LDHD, but significantly increased during WHD (P less than 0.001). Our data indicate that WHD is feasible, with a low risk of extravascular coagulation. The bleeding risk is not increased during or after dialysis, and the danger of intravascular coagulation is low as confirmed by the isolated elevation of FPA plasma levels, unaccompanied by changes in other variables.


Diet-Induced Maternal Obesity Alters Insulin Signalling in Male Mice Offspring Rechallenged with a High-Fat Diet in Adulthood.
Modern lifestyle has resulted in an increase in the prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities in pregnant women and the young population. It has been well established that the consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) has many direct effects on glucose metabolism. However, it is important to assess whether maternal consumption of a HFD during critical periods of development can lead to metabolic changes in the offspring metabolism. This study evaluated the potential effects of metabolic programming on the impairment of insulin signalling in recently weaned offspring from obese dams. Additionally, we investigated if early exposure to an obesogenic environment could exacerbate the impairment of glucose metabolism in adult life in response to a HFD. Swiss female mice were fed with Standard Chow (SC) or a HFD during gestation and lactation and tissues from male offspring were analysed at d28 and d82. Offspring from obese dams had greater weight gain and higher adiposity and food intake than offspring from control dams. Furthermore, they showed impairment in insulin signalling in central and peripheral tissues, which was associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways. Adipose tissue was ultimately the most affected in adult offspring after HFD rechallenge; this may have contributed to the metabolic deregulation observed. Overall, our results suggest that diet-induced maternal obesity leads to increased susceptibility to obesity and impairment of insulin signalling in offspring in early and late life that cannot be reversed by SC consumption, but can be aggravated by HFD re-exposure.


High prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase mutations in Pneumocystis jirovecii isolated from patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia in South Africa.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Sulfa-containing drugs are used for the treatment and prophylaxis of PCP. Mutations in the P. jirovecii fas gene, which encodes dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), are associated with prior exposure to sulfa drugs, and their appearance suggests the emergence of variants with reduced sulfa susceptibility. The present study examined the prevalence of DHPS mutations in P. jirovecii strains isolated from South African patients with PCP. P. jirovecii infection was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative real-time PCR with respiratory specimens from 712 patients (93% of whom were >15 years of age) with suspected PCP consecutively received for the detection of P. jirovecii over 1 year. PCR amplification and sequencing of the DHPS fas gene was attempted with DNA from the P. jirovecii-positive samples. P. jirovecii infection was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy in 168/712 (24%) of the patients. Carriage of the fungus was revealed by real-time PCR in 17% of the patients with negative microscopy results. The P. jirovecii fas gene was successfully amplified from specimens from 151 patients and sequenced. Mutations resulting in the Thr55Ala and/or Pro57Ser amino acid substitution were detected in P. jirovecii strains from 85/151 (56%) patients. The high frequency of PCP episodes with P. jirovecii harboring DHPS mutations in South Africa indicates that populations of this fungus are evolving under the considerable selective pressure exerted by sulfa-containing antibiotics. These results, similar to previous observations of sulfa drug resistance in bacterial populations, underscore the importance of the rational use of sulfa medications either prophylactically against PCP or for the treatment of other infections.


Intercontinental spread of promiscuous mercury-resistance transposons in environmental bacteria.
We demonstrate that horizontal spread of mer operons similar to worldwide spread of antibiotic-resistance genes in medically important bacteria occurred in bacteria found in ores, soils and waters. The spread was mediated by different transposons and plasmids. Some of the spreading transposons were damaged in different ways but this did not prevent their further spread. Certain transposons are mosaics composed of segments belonging to distinct sequence types. These mosaics arose as a result of homologous and site-specific recombination. Our data suggest that the mercury-resistance operons of Gram-negative environmental bacteria can be considered as a worldwide population composed of a relatively small number of distinct recombining clones shared, at least partially, by environmental and clinical bacteria.


Contrast media induced fibrillation: comparison of Angiovist 370 and Renografin 76. Work in progress.
Angiovist 370, a new formulation of meglumine/sodium diatrizoate, is being marketed for coronary arteriography. Angiovist 370 contains no significant calcium chelator additives, but according to manufacturer specifications may have a pH as low as 6.0. The contact times required to produce ventricular fibrillation with Angiovist 370 and with Renografin 76 were compared using a canine right coronary arteriography model. The fibrillation contact time was 32.2% longer for the Angiovist 370 than for the Renografin 76. The lower pH therefore does not appear to increase the risk of contrast media induced fibrillation. The increased contact time and safety factor with the Angiovist 370 is most likely related to the absence of calcium chelators in the formulation.


Real-time optotracing of curli and cellulose in live Salmonella biofilms using luminescent oligothiophenes.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is the protein- and polysaccharide-rich backbone of bacterial biofilms that provides a defensive barrier in clinical, environmental and industrial settings. Understanding the dynamics of biofilm formation in native environments has been hindered by a lack of research tools. Here we report a method for simultaneous, real-time, in situ detection and differentiation of the Salmonella ECM components curli and cellulose, using non-toxic, luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs). These flexible conjugated polymers emit a conformation-dependent fluorescence spectrum, which we use to kinetically define extracellular appearance of curli fibres and cellulose polysaccharides during bacterial growth. The scope of this technique is demonstrated by defining biofilm morphotypes of Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium, and their isogenic mutants in liquid culture and on solid media, and by visualising the ECM components in native biofilms. Our reported use of LCOs across a number of platforms, including intracellular cellulose production in eukaryotic cells and in infected tissues, demonstrates the versatility of this optotracing technology, and its ability to redefine biofilm research.


Thrombosis of A Prosthetic Mitral Valve After Withdrawal of Phenprocoumon Therapy.
Patients with prosthetic heart valves require lifelong oral anticoagulant therapy based on vitamin K antagonists. These patients may need interruption of their anticoagulant therapy if they have to undergo surgery. The clinical challenge is to identify patients who can safely undergo surgery while continuing their vitamin K antagonist treatment and those who have to take short-acting heparin as part of a bridging therapy. Here we present a case of a patient with a prosthetic mitral valve whose oral anticoagulant therapy was unnecessarily discontinued by the GP prior to an upcoming cataract surgery. As a result, the patient developed thrombosis of the prosthetic mitral valve which needed to be surgically replaced.


Many Genes-One Disease? Genetics of Nephronophthisis (NPHP) and NPHP-Associated Disorders.
Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a renal ciliopathy and an autosomal recessive cause of cystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, and end-stage renal failure, affecting children and young adults. Molecular genetic studies have identified more than 20 genes underlying this disorder, whose protein products are all related to cilia, centrosome, or mitotic spindle function. In around 15% of cases, there are additional features of a ciliopathy syndrome, including retinal defects, liver fibrosis, skeletal abnormalities, and brain developmental disorders. Alongside, gene identification has arisen molecular mechanistic insights into the disease pathogenesis. The genetic causes of NPHP are discussed in terms of how they help us to define treatable disease pathways including the cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway, the mTOR pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathways, and DNA damage response pathways. While the underlying pathology of the many types of NPHP remains similar, the defined disease mechanisms are diverse, and a personalized medicine approach for therapy in NPHP patients is likely to be required.


[A strategic theory of suicide].
A strategic theory of suicide assures that any suicide or attempted suicide is a solution to a problem affronted by a person. The basic question is: "who seeks what solution to what problem by killing oneself or by attempting to do it?" This position allows to distinguish between a dozen different meanings of suicidal conducts. By an escape, somebody tries to get out of an unbearable position; depending on the circumstances, the situation is more or less realistic, so that it becomes feasible to question the state of the mind of the subject. Instead, in an appeal, a subject tries to ring a bell, expressing a need to be helped to live. Other meanings are grief, revenge, blackmail, sacrifice, ordeal... The question "who?" can be answered depending on the meanings and the circumstances. One can show the impact of the status of the mind, of age, gender, status, of a series of indicators pertaining to suicide and attempted suicide. Some statistical observations can be explained in this way. In a third point, it is argued that this theory is able to explain how some factors have a bearing on suicide, be it war, the economic cycle, or some more profound cultural patterns, such as nervous breakdown as an ethnic illness or the modern process of individualization. In a final section, a point is made about the possibility of deducing from the theory some kinds of therapy, one bearing on the connections linking the family, the other building on sessions of "problems solving". On the contrary, one has to keep sceptical about preventing suicides.


Excitatory synaptic involvement in epileptiform bursting in the immature rat neocortex.
1. Neocortical brain slices were prepared from animals 8-15 days of age and maintained in vitro. Intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons in cortical layers 2-3. The role of synaptic activity and excitatory amino acid receptors in generation of picrotoxin-induced ictal-like epileptiform activity in the immature neocortex was investigated. D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-APV) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) were used as selective antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors, respectively. 2. Ictal-like epileptiform discharges were induced by bath application of the GABAA-receptor antagonist picrotoxin. Paroxysmal discharges, 7-25 s in duration, occurred spontaneously or could be evoked by electrical stimulation. These events consisted of an initial paroxysmal depolarizing shift (PDS) followed by a long-duration depolarization (LLD) with superimposed late PDSs. 3. The amplitudes of the initial PDS, LLD, and late PDSs were linearly dependent on membrane potential, increasing with hyperpolarization and diminishing on depolarization. All responses reversed polarity near 0 mV. Under voltage-clamp conditions, both transient and sustained currents were observed, coincident with PDSs and the LLD, respectively. The duration of the ictal-like events was similar under current- and voltage-clamp conditions, suggesting activation of intrinsic membrane currents did not significantly prolong epileptiform discharges. 4. Bath application of D-APV (20 microM) decreased the amplitude and duration of both the initial PDS and LLD without affecting the time-to-onset of epileptiform activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Hemidiaphragmatic paralysis: a rare complication of cervical herpes zoster.
Herpes zoster, a sequel of the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, usually presents with cutaneous eruptions associated with intense pain and burning sensation in the affected dermatomes. Motor weakness, however, can sometimes complicate herpes zoster. In this report we present a case that had diaphragmatic motor weakness as a sequel of herpes zoster lesions in the neck.


Audiology occupational stress experienced by audiologists practicing in India.
The aim of the present study is to identify the levels of occupational stress across different types of setting, years of experience, and age. A questionnaire-based observational research design using the audiology occupational stress questionnaire (AOSQ) was used. The sample comprised of audiologists registered under the Indian Speech and Hearing Association. The questionnaire was sent via personal email to 400 audiologists, of which 100 responded. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were carried out. Participants in both the groups experienced stress to some extent, with more stress reported in private practitioners. This study helps to identify certain factors that contribute towards work-related stress. These in turn have an impact on the overall professional output of a professional.


Factors associated with hypertension control in the general population of the United States.
Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common and important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. We studied factors associated with hypertension control in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 3077 non-Hispanic whites, 1742 non-Hispanic blacks, and 1067 Mexican Americans 18 years or older with hypertension were included in the current analysis. Blood pressure was measured by trained observers by means of a standard mercury sphygmomanometer, and controlled hypertension was defined as a mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg. Percentages of persons with controlled hypertension differed significantly by ethnicity and sex: 19.2% and 28.7% for white men and women, 17.5% and 28.6% for black men and women, and 12.7% and 18.0% for Mexican American men and women, respectively. After adjustment for important covariables, percentages of persons with controlled hypertension were significantly higher among persons who were currently (odds ratio [OR] 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-3.74) or formerly (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.12-2.93) married, had private health insurance (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.02-2.49), visited the same facility for their health care (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.88-4.09) or saw the same provider for their health care (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.74-3.02), had their blood pressure checked during the preceding 6 months (OR, 8.00; 95% CI, 3.75-17.1) or 6 to 11 months (OR, 5.31; 2.51-11.2), and reported using lifestyle modification to control their hypertension (OR, 6.02; 95% CI, 4.20-8.63). These data strongly suggest that access to a regular source of health care and modification of lifestyle are important factors in the control of hypertension in the community.


Reconstruction of a Circumferential Upper Extremity Soft Tissue Defect With a Dermal Regeneration Template and Skin Grafting.
Extensive degloving injuries of the upper extremity are rare and pose unique reconstructive challenges. Circumferential loss of soft tissue coverage over the elbow treated by skin grafting is often complicated by elbow contracture and decreased range of motion, requiring secondary contracture release and free-flap reconstruction to restore function. As an alternative approach, we report a good outcome after the use of a dermal regenerative template and subsequent split-thickness skin grafting. A 38-year-old right hand dominant man presented with circumferential degloving injury of the entire right upper extremity to the level of the chest wall after an industrial accident. An immediate right transradial amputation was performed and serial debridement was required to remove all devitalized tissue. A dermal regenerative template with subsequent split-thickness skin grafting was used to cover the circumferential elbow soft tissue defect. Occupational therapy and splinting were used preoperatively and postoperatively to prevent contracture. However, axillary scar contracture release was required 4 months after injury. Six months after skin grafting, the patient had stable soft tissue coverage of the upper extremity. Shoulder motion measured 120-degree abduction and 140-degree forward flexion and elbow range of motion was 15 to 150 degrees. In this case, an excellent clinical outcome was obtained with a dermal regenerative template, aggressive wound care, and a multidisciplinary team approach.


QUANTITATIVE STUDIES ON GLYCOLYTIC ENZYMES IN LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM. I. CONCENTRATION OF INORGANIC IONS AND COENZYMES IN FERMENTING CELLS.
Mizushima, Shôji (University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan), Yoshiaki Machida, and Kakuo Kitahara. Quantitative studies on glycolytic enzymes in Lactobacillus plantarum. I. Concentration of inorganic ions and coenzymes in fermenting cells. J. Bacteriol. 86:1295-1300. 1963.-An attempt was made to summarize the intracellular conditions of Lactobacillus plantarum in which a lactic acid fermentation proceeded at a steady state. The structure of the fermenting cell was studied by fractionating the cell constituents and measuring the volume of each constituent by the inulin space method. The pH value in the cell was estimated to be 5.4. The intracellular concentrations of inorganic ions and coenzymes and their changes during the fermentation are also presented.


Modified Non-Cultured Cell Spray Induced Epithelization in LAMB3 Mutation Epidermolysis Bullosa.
Autologous non-cultured cell (ANCC) spray has been used to treat burns, chronic wounds, and vitiligo, but its use in junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) has not been published previously. Chronic wounds in JEB are caused by mutations of laminin 332 (L322), whose function is to attach and act as a glue in the basal membrane. It is proposed that ANCC applications can provide keratinocytes and fibroblasts required to improve epithelization and spontaneously correct revertant keratinocytes in the wound area. To develop a modified procedure of ANCC spray and improve epithelization using silver sulfadiazine covered with plastic wrap to treat chronic wounds of JEB. Shave excision of the donor site was performed on a 19-year-old girl with JEB. The ANCC spray was prepared and applied to the chronic wound, which was then covered with silver sulfadiazine occluded with plastic wrap. Following the ANCC spray application, epithelization was successfully initiated. Unfortunately, the wounds recurred after four months of follow-up. The modified application method of ANCC spray provides a good alternative to treat chronic wounds in JEB.


The role of respiratory syncytial virus in acute bronchiolitis in small children in northern Japan.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays an important role in acute bronchiolitis, which is life threatening in some infants. We investigated the epidemiology of RSV acute bronchiolitis in children less than 3 years old in northern Japan. From April 1991 to March 1993, 162 infants with acute bronchiolitis were hospitalized in our pediatric wards. The diagnosis of RSV acute bronchiolitis was based on the typical clinical manifestations and the presence of RSV antigen in their nasopharyngeal specimens or the rise of the RSV antibody titer. 124 out of 162 patients (76.5%) were diagnosed as having RSV acute bronchiolitis. 43.5% of patients with RSV acute bronchiolitis were 6 months old or less. The epidemic of RSV acute bronchiolitis commenced in October, peaked in December and ended in summer. RSV is quite prevalent in infants with acute bronchiolitis in northern Japan.


Increased mortality of older patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
To examine the relationship between age and mortality in ARDS patients and evaluate the importance of factors that increase the mortality of older ARDS patients. Prospective inception cohort study. Community-based referral hospital. Two hundred fifty-six ARDS patients identified from May 1987 to December 1990. ARDS was defined by the following: (1) PaO2/PAO2 < or = 0.2; (2) pulmonary capillary wedge pressure < or = 15 mm Hg; (3) total static thoracic compliance < or = 50 mL/cm H2O; (4) bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph; and (5) an appropriate clinical setting for ARDS. Comparison of organ failure, incidence of sepsis, patient demographics, arterial oxygenation, and level of support in those 55 years and younger and those older than 55 years of age. Withdrawal of support in patients who died. Seventy-two of 112 patients older than 55 years (64%) died vs 65 of 144 patients 55 years and younger (45%) (p = 0.002). Examination of patient groups using age identified older than 55 years as a "cutpoint" above which mortality was greater (p = 0.002). Older nonsurvivors did not differ from nonsurvivors 55 years or younger with respect to gender, smoking history, ARDS risk factors, ARDS identifying characteristics, APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation), number of organ failures, or the incidence of sepsis. In the 48 h prior to death, nonsurvivors 55 years and younger had more organ failure (3.4 +/- 0.2 vs 2.8 +/- 0.2; p = 0.03), higher fraction of inspired oxygen (0.82 +/- 0.03 vs 0.68 +/- 0.03; p = 0.008), and higher positive end-expiratory pressure levels (13 +/- 1 vs 8 +/- 1; p = 0.001) than older nonsurvivors. Despite more severe expression of disease, only 32 (50%) nonsurvivors 55 years and younger had support withdrawn. Significantly more nonsurvivors older than 55 years (73%) had support withdrawn (p = 0.009). Even in the absence of chronic disease states, withdrawal was more likely for patients older than 55 years (21/51) than in those 55 years and younger (3/32; p < 0.001). Mortality is significantly higher for patients with ARDS older than 55 years. Decisions to withdraw support are made more often in ARDS patients older than 55 years. These data suggest that age bias may influence decisions to withdraw support.


[Decreased plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor activity in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome].
We measured plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) levels in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), chance proteinuria and/or hematuria, and normal controls to examine the roles of proteinase inhibitors in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Plasma alpha 1-PI concentrations were significantly decreased in patients with INS at relapses and remissions of INS. The alpha 1-PI activities, anti-trypsin and anti-elastase activities, were also decreased in relapses of INS. However, the values revealed no statistically significant difference in remissions of INS. Significant correlations between the PI activities and alpha 2-macroglobulin levels were revealed, which suggested a possible contribution of alpha 2-macroglobulin to the plasma PI activities in INS. From these results we conclude that the decrease in plasma alpha 1-PI activities may be responsible for the reduction of glomerular negative charge, possibly caused by some unknown proteinase(s), and the resultant development of proteinuria.


High-Performance Recognition, Cell-Imaging, and Efficient Removal of Carbon Monoxide toward a Palladium-Mediated Fluorescent Sensing Platform.
Novel high-performance fluorescent approaches have always significant demand for room-temperature detection of carbon monoxide (CO), which is highly toxic even at low concentration levels and is not easy to recognize due to its colorless and odorless nature. In this paper, we constructed a palladium-mediated fluorescence turn-on sensing platform (TPANN-Pd) for the recognition of CO at room temperature, revealing simultaneously quick response speed (<30 s), excellent selectivity, superior sensitivity, and low detection limit (∼160 nM for CORM-3, ∼1.7 ppb for CO vapor). Moreover, rapid detection and efficient removal (24%) from the air by naked-eye vision has been successfully realized based on TPANN-Pd supramolecular gels. Furthermore, the developed sensing platform was elucidated with low cytotoxicity and high cellular uptake, and it was successfully applied to CO imaging in living cells, providing real-time monitoring of potential CO-involved reactions in biological systems.


Manipulating particle trajectories with phase-control in surface acoustic wave microfluidics.
We present a 91 MHz surface acoustic wave resonator with integrated microfluidics that includes a flow focus, an expansion region, and a binning region in order to manipulate particle trajectories. We demonstrate the ability to change the position of the acoustic nodes by varying the electronic phase of one of the transducers relative to the other in a pseudo-static manner. The measurements were performed at room temperature with 3 μm diameter latex beads dispersed in a water-based solution. We demonstrate the dependence of nodal position on pseudo-static phase and show simultaneous control of 9 bead streams with spatial control of -0.058 μm/deg ± 0.001 μm/deg. As a consequence of changing the position of bead streams perpendicular to their flow direction, we also show that the integrated acoustic-microfluidic device can be used to change the trajectory of a bead stream towards a selected bin with an angular control of 0.008 deg/deg ± 0.000(2) deg/deg.


Antimicrobial susceptibility and genotyping analysis of Hungarian Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in 2013.
Emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major public health concern worldwide. The current study aims to determine the antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae and associated molecular typing to enhance gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance in Hungary. In the National N. gonorrhoeae Reference Laboratory of Hungary 187 N. gonorrhoeae infections were detected in 2013, antibiograms were determined for all the isolated strains, and 52 (one index strain from every sexually contact related group) of them were also analysed by the N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) method. Twenty-two different NG-MAST sequence types (STs) were identified, of which 8 STs had not been previously described. In Hungary, the highly diversified gonococcal population displayed high resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline (the antimicrobials previously recommended for gonorrhoea treatment). Resistance to the currently recommended extended spectrum cephalosporines were rare: only two of the expected strains, an ST 1407 and an ST 210, had cefixime MIC above the resistance breakpoint. By the revision of our National Treatment Guideline, it must be considered, that the azithromycin resistance is about 60% among the four most frequently isolated STs in Hungary.


Body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning and treated with diet containing flour or flaxseed oil after 21 days until 60 days.
The aim of this study was analyzed if the flour or flaxseed oil treatment contributes to body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning. Pups were weaned for separation from mother at 14 (early weaning, EW) and 21 days (control, C). At 21 days, part of the pups was evaluated (C21 v. EW21). After 21 days, control (C60) was fed with control diet. EW was divided in control (EWC60); flaxseed flour (EWFF60); flaxseed oil (EWFO60) diets until 60 days. Body mass, length and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were determined. EW21 (v. C21) and EWC60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) mass, length and body composition. EWFO60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) body mass and length, body and trunk lean mass, bone mineral density and content and bone area. Flaxseed flour, in comparison with flaxseed oil, contributes to recovery of body composition after early weaning.


Improved detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in bovine lymphoid cell lines using PrimeFlow RNA assay.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections, whether as acute, persistent or contributing to co-infections, result in significant losses for cattle producers. Although, BVDV can be identified readily by real-time PCR and ELISA, detection and quantification of viral infection at the single cell level is extremely difficult. Detection at the single lymphoid cell level is important due to the immunomodulation that accompanies BVDV infection. A novel PrimeFlow RNA assay using in-situ detection of BVDV was evaluated. The model used to develop this technique included three BL-3 cell lines with different infection statuses, one not infected with BVDV, one infected with BVDV and one dual infected with BVDV and bovine leukosis virus. Using RNA probes specific for the BVDV-2a Npro-Erns coding region, BVDV RNA was detected from both contaminated BL-3 cell lines by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. This is the first report on in-situ detection of BVDV at the single-cell level.


[Mucocele of the paranasal sinuses].
Twelve cases selected from the group of 123 chronic rhinosinusitis patients are presented in the paper. Severe headaches were noted as the most typical complaints of the clinical picture of the disease. The most cases were accompanied by rhinitis and paranasal sinusitis symptoms. The best diagnostic method of mucocele is MRI. The endoscopic sinus surgery is a safe and effective method of the treatment in a case of mucocele.


Thermal degradation processes of end-capped poly(L-lactide)s in the presence and absence of residual zinc catalyst.
Thermal degradation processes of end-capped poly(L-lactide)s (PLLAs) were investigated by means of several thermoanalytical techniques under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis, it was found that two distinct processes at temperatures below and above 330 degrees C were existed in the nonisothermal degradation for PLLA samples depending on the amounts of residual zinc compounds from synthesis process. Isothermal degradation experiments at different temperature regions showed that the sample weight of PLLA decreased linearly with time in both cases, whereas the changes in molecular weight revealed different tendency for the temperature. On the basis of characterization of the residual PLLA molecules after isothermal degradation at 330 degrees C, it was confirmed that the omega chain end of the residual molecules was an acrylic ester unit. Majority of volatile products during thermal degradation of PLLA was the lactide regardless of the degradation temperature. From these results, it is concluded that, during the thermal degradation of PLLA samples in the presence of large amounts of residual zinc compounds, the zinc compounds catalyze both the intermolecular transesterification generating PLLA with low molecular weights and the selective unzipping depolymerization of PLLA with low molecular weights at temperatures below 330 degrees C. In contrast, the primary reaction of thermal degradation for PLLA in the absence of residual zinc compounds above 330 degrees C is a competition between the random chain scission via a cis-elimination reaction and the cyclic rupture via intramolecular transesterification of PLLA molecules. In addition, it was evidenced that the racemization of lactic acid units in the main chain of PLLA molecules occurred at temperatures above 330 degrees C.


Liver transplantation recipients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis have lower risk hepatocellular carcinoma.
Liver transplantation (LT) is a well-established treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in carefully selected patients. Risk factors for tumors with poor prognostic features on explant have not been well described in a national cohort. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult LT recipients with HCC transplanted from April 8, 2012 (when explant pathology in United Network for Organ Sharing [UNOS] became available) until September 30, 2014. We evaluated the association between listing diagnosis and other demographic factors with tumor features on explant using logistic regression. High-risk tumor features included the following: > 3 tumors, largest tumor > 5 cm, presence of vascular invasion, presence of metastases, and poor differentiation of tumor. In total, 3733 LT recipients with HCC who had complete explant data in UNOS were included. The median age was 60 years; 78% were male; and 68% were white. Of the primary non-HCC listing diagnoses, 2608 (70%) had hepatitis C virus (HCV); 271 (7%) had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); 246 (7%) had alcoholic cirrhosis; and 189 (5%) had hepatitis B virus. Also, 1140 (31%) had evidence of ≥ 1 high-risk explant feature(s). The presence of ≥ 1 high-risk explant feature(s) was associated with HCC recurrence after transplant (odds ratio [OR], 5.00; P < 0.001). Compared with HCV-associated HCC transplant recipients, individuals with NASH had lower likelihood of high-risk explant features (OR, 0.71; P = 0.02) after adjusting for covariables. Women were more likely to have high-risk explant features (OR, 1.23; P = 0.04). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was not associated with high-risk explant features. In conclusion, LT recipients with NASH-associated HCC had fewer high-risk tumor features on explant compared with HCV-associated HCC, despite having higher rates of DM and other potential risk factors for the development of HCC. Women had a higher likelihood of high-risk tumor features. Further study is warranted whether these differences are due to disease-specific or sex-specific influences on tumor biology or due to selection criteria for transplant. Liver Transplantation 23 1015-1022 2017 AASLD.


Genetic landscape of hepatitis B virus-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in some parts of Asia, Africa, and South America and remains to be a significant public health problem in these areas. It is known as a leading risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, but epidemiological studies have also shown that the infection may increase the incidence of several types of B-cell lymphoma. Here, by characterizing altogether 275 Chinese diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, we showed that patients with concomitant HBV infection (surface antigen positive [HBsAg+]) are characterized by a younger age, a more advanced disease stage at diagnosis, and reduced overall survival. Furthermore, by whole-genome/exome sequencing of 96 tumors and the respective peripheral blood samples and targeted sequencing of 179 tumors from these patients, we observed an enhanced rate of mutagenesis and a distinct set of mutation targets in HBsAg+ DLBCL genomes, which could be partially explained by the activities of APOBEC and activation-induced cytidine deaminase. By transcriptome analysis, we further showed that the HBV-associated gene expression signature is contributed by the enrichment of genes regulated by BCL6, FOXO1, and ZFP36L1. Finally, by analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene sequences, we showed that an antigen-independent mechanism, rather than a chronic antigenic simulation model, is favored in HBV-related lymphomagenesis. Taken together, we present the first comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic study that suggests a link between HBV infection and B-cell malignancy. The genetic alterations identified in this study may also provide opportunities for development of novel therapeutic strategies.


Protein kinase C activity and its relationship to myo-inositol uptake during hyperglycemic conditions in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells.
Incubation of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLECs) in minimal essential medium (MEM) containing 40 mM galactose for 20 hr results in an attenuation of 3H-myo-inositol (3H-MI) concentrating ability. Decreased MI uptake could negatively impact on normal phosphoinositide turnover and diacylglycerol production, and presumably, protein kinase C (PKC) activation. The present report examines the relationship between PKC activity, myo-inositol transport and hyperglycemic conditions. PKC activities in the cytosol and particulate fractions of bovine lens epithelial cells in culture were quantitated using a mixed micelle assay following DEAE-cellulose (DE52) and Sephadex G-25 chromatography. Protein kinase C activity was assessed as Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent Ac-myelin basic protein substrate peptide phosphorylation and confirmed using a PKC pseudosubstrate inhibitor peptide (PKC 19-36). Total PKC activity was similar in galactose-incubated cells (871 +/- 64 pmol/mg total protein/min) and control cells (881 +/- 8 pmol/mg total protein/min) after 20 hr. In unstimulated cells, approximately 90% of the total cellular PKC activity was recovered in the cytosolic fraction. Enzyme translocation was induced with the tumor promoting phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), resulting in a 6-fold increase in membrane-associated PKC activity. A similar PMA-induced translocation was observed in BLECs incubated with 40 mM galactose MEM-maintained cells briefly treated with PMA or the non-phorbol PKC activators, SC-10 and mezerein, displayed a rate of 3H-MI uptake similar to the untreated control cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Community-led trials: Intervention co-design in a cluster randomised controlled trial.
In conventional randomised controlled trials (RCTs), researchers design the interventions. In the Camino Verde trial, each intervention community designed its own programmes to prevent dengue. Instead of fixed actions or menus of activities to choose from, the trial randomised clusters to a participatory research protocol that began with sharing and discussing evidence from a local survey, going on to local authorship of the action plan for vector control.Adding equitable stakeholder engagement to RCT infrastructure anchors the research culturally, making it more meaningful to stakeholders. Replicability in other conditions is straightforward, since all intervention clusters used the same engagement protocol to discuss and to mobilize for dengue prevention. The ethical codes associated with RCTs play out differently in community-led pragmatic trials, where communities essentially choose what they want to do. Several discussion groups in each intervention community produced multiple plans for prevention, recognising different time lines. Some chose fast turnarounds, like elimination of breeding sites, and some chose longer term actions like garbage disposal and improving water supplies.A big part of the skill set for community-led trials is being able to stand back and simply support communities in what they want to do and how they want to do it, something that does not come naturally to many vector control programs or to RCT researchers. Unexpected negative outcomes can come from the turbulence implicit in participatory research. One example was the gender dynamic in the Mexican arm of the Camino Verde trial. Strong involvement of women in dengue control activities seems to have discouraged men in settings where activity in public spaces or outside of the home would ordinarily be considered a "male competence".Community-led trials address the tension between one-size-fits-all programme interventions and local needs. Whatever the conventional wisdom about how prevention works at a system level, programmes have to be perceived as locally relevant and they must engage stakeholders who make them work. Locally, each participating community has to know the intervention is relevant to them; they have to want to do it. That happens much more easily if they design the programme themselves.


Automated prediction of ligand-binding sites in proteins.
We present a method, termed AutoLigand, for the prediction of ligand-binding sites in proteins of known structure. The method searches the space surrounding the protein and finds the contiguous envelope with the specified volume of atoms, which has the largest possible interaction energy with the protein. It uses a full atomic representation, with atom types for carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur (and others, if desired), and is designed to minimize the need for artificial geometry. Testing on a set of 187 diverse protein-ligand complexes has shown that the method is successful in predicting the location and approximate volume of the binding site in 73% of cases. Additional testing was performed on a set of 96 protein-ligand complexes with crystallographic structures of apo and holo forms, and AutoLigand was able to predict the binding site in 80% of the apo structures.


Diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary hepatic lymphoma.
To assess the benefits and limits of surgery for primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL), and probability of survival after postoperative chemotherapy. A retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine the results of surgical treatment of PHL over the past 8 years. Only nine patients underwent such treatment. The detailed data of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were carefully studied. All patients were mistaken as having α-fetoprotein-negative hepatic cancer before pathological diagnosis. The mean delay time between initial symptoms and final diagnosis was 26.8 d (range: 14-47 d). Hepatitis B virus infection was noted in 33.3% of these patients. Most of the lesions were found to be restricted to a solitary hepatic mass. The surgical procedure performed was left hepatectomy in five cases, including left lateral segmentectomy in three. Right hepatectomy was performed in three cases and combined procedures in one. One patient died on the eighth day after surgery, secondary to hepatic insufficiency. The cumulative 6-mo, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates after hepatic surgery were, respectively, 85.7%, 71.4%, and 47.6%. One patient survived for > 5 years after surgery without any signs of recurrence until latest follow-up, who received routine postoperative chemotherapy every month for 2 years and then regular follow-up. By univariate analysis, postoperative chemotherapy was a significant prognostic factor that influenced survival (P = 0.006). PHL is a rare entity that is often misdiagnosed, and has a potential association with chronic hepatitis B infection. The prognosis is variable, with good response to early surgery combined with postoperative chemotherapy in strictly selected patients.


Time-resolved circular dichroism studies of protein folding intermediates of cytochrome c.
The circular dichroism spectra of cytochrome c (cytc) in 4.6 M guanidine hydrochloride (pH 6.5) indicate that the secondary structure in reduced cytc is near-native, whereas in the CO-bound species (COCytc) it is substantially unfolded. Photolysis of COCytc should thus induce large changes in the secondary structure, which can be probed with time-resolved circular dichroism (TRCD) spectroscopy in the far-UV region. Time-resolved absorption (TROA) and TRCD methods were used to study the photolysis reaction of COCytc in efforts to identify structural intermediates in cytc folding on time scales from nanoseconds to seconds. TROA data from the Soret region, similar to previous studies, showed four intermediates with lifetimes of 2, 50, 225, and 880 micros. The 2-micros process is proposed to involve Fe(II)-Met80 coordination. Approximately 7% of the native CD signal was observed in the TRCD signal at 220 nm within 500 ns, with no significant additional secondary structure formation observed. Further folding after 2 micros may be inhibited by ligation of His26/His33 with Fe(II), which is suggested to be associated with the 50-micros phase. The two slowest components, tau = 225 and 880 micros, are attributed to CO rebinding on the basis of mixed-gas experiments. CO rebinding is expected to compete with protein folding and favor the unfolded state. However, when the two CO rebinding lifetimes are extended into milliseconds by reducing the CO concentration, there is still no significant increase in CD signal at 220 nm.


Mindful Learning Improves Positive Feelings of Cancer Patients' Family Caregivers.
Positive feelings are an important health dimension for family caregivers of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Langerian mindfulness is a valid proactive method to increase the positive feelings of family caregivers for cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness group or a mindlessness group and completed the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) as a measure of caregivers' feelings before the intervention. Subsequently, both groups were given four sessions of mindfulness training using "innovation classification". Finally, participants completed the Langer Mindfulness Scale (LMS) and the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale as post-intervention measures. The results revealed that participants in the mindfulness and mindlessness groups differed significantly in LMS and PAC scores, with the mindfulness group having higher levels of positive feelings than those in the mindlessness group. The results also indicated that mindfulness level significantly predicted positive feelings of caregivers. Thus mindful interventions may play a meaningful role in promoting family caregivers' spirituality and faith, improving the willingness of sharing their thoughts, beliefs, and grief, which could be useful for increasing the positive feelings of caregivers.


Dimensional changes and water sorption of two acrylic polymer materials reinforced with glass fibres.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of glass fibre reinforcement on the dimensional changes and water sorption of a heat-polymerising denture acrylic polymer and a microwave-polymerising denture acrylic polymer. Fifteen specimens from each group were prepared with 2% by weight (18 mg) E-glass fibre and 15 without glass fibre. The dimensional change measurements were made at three different stages on the 60 specimens. The water sorption calculations were made on specimens immersed in distilled water at 37 degrees C +/- 1 degree C for 0, 1 and 7 days. Glass fibre reinforcement and processing method do not affect the dimensional change of test specimens, but as the time increased the dimensional change decreased. The glass fibre reinforcement decreased water sorption, but the two processing methods failed to show a significant difference.


Roles of NMDA NR2B subtype receptor in prefrontal long-term potentiation and contextual fear memory.
Cortical plasticity is thought to be important for the establishment, consolidation, and retrieval of permanent memory. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular mechanism of learning and memory, requires the activation of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In particular, it has been suggested that NR2A-containing NMDA receptors are involved in LTP induction, whereas NR2B-containing receptors are involved in LTD induction in the hippocampus. However, LTP in the prefrontal cortex is less well characterized than in the hippocampus. Here we report that the activation of the NR2B and NR2A subunits of the NMDA receptor is critical for the induction of cingulate LTP, regardless of the induction protocol. Furthermore, pharmacological or genetic blockade of the NR2B subunit in the cingulate cortex impaired the formation of early contextual fear memory. Our results demonstrate that the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor in the prefrontal cortex is critically involved in both LTP and contextual memory.


Enzyme-entrapping behaviors in alginate fibers and their papers.
Enzyme immobilization in the form of fiber and paper was easily achieved by wet spinning of aqueous admixture of sodium alginate and enzymes into divalent metallic ion solution as a coagulating bath, followed by paper making of resultant shortly cut fibers. Entrapment yields of enzymes used, e.g., glucoamylase, cyclodextrin glucanotransferase, endo-polygalacturonase, and protease, were always higher in calcium alginate fibers and their papers than those in corresponding beads. It was found that the yields increased with an increase of the discharge rate through the spinning nozzle because the higher discharge rate could provide more highly oriented metal-chelate linear polymer molecules along the fiber axis for preventing leakage of entrapped enzymes. Divalent metallic ions affected greatly the entrapment of glucoamylase in alginate fibers, the order of which followed roughly the ionotropic series of Thiele. Entrapment of glucoamylase in bicomponent systems comprising alginate and other water-soluble polymers was also investigated.


The effectiveness of a training program on perceptions of caring culture among Turkish nurses: A quasi-experimental trial.
To assess the effectiveness of a training program on perceptions of caring culture among Turkish nurses and investigate the relationships among caring culture, job satisfaction, and intention to leave. Every organisation has its on culture with its vairous components including values, symbols, practices and policies. Healthcare organizations need a favorable caring culture to support nurses and other professional working in the organisation. This was a quasi-experimental trial of an educational intervention conducted between October and December 2020 at a university hospital in Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 86 nurses. A four-week training program based on caring culture was provided for the training group. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Turkish version of the Caring Culture Survey, and the Job Satisfaction Scale. Intention to leave was measured with a single question. The mean total caring culture and personal caring scores of the training group were significantly higher after the training than before (p < 0.05). There were significant positive correlations between the mean caring culture total and subscale scores of the participants and their total job satisfaction scores. Besides, there were significant negative correlations between the caring culture total and subscale scores of the participants and their intentions to leave, but these relationships were weak or moderate (p < 0.05). This training program based on caring culture can contribute to improving the caring culture perceptions of nurses. Caring culture is positively related to job satisfaction and negatively related to intentions to leave. Healthcare organizations should prioritize creating a caring culture and designing initiatives that focus on caring culture. The perceptions of nurses about caring culture should be measured and identified regularly.


[F. V. Raspail, founder of histochemistry and pioneer of the cell theory, reflected in contemporary medals].
Contemporary medals on F. V. Raspail are not related to the pioneering scientist, founder of histochemistry and pioneer of cell theory. They show the politician Raspail on cheap coinage popular as a souvenir and sign of political following. Raspail's personality and political mind made science and politics inseparable for him. For the general public Raspail first of all was a political man.


Fabrication of hierarchical micro/nanostructures via scanning probe lithography and wet chemical etching.
In this study, we propose a simple and effective method for fabricating hierarchical silicon structures via the combination of scanning probe lithography (SPL) and wet chemical etching. Here, silicon oxide structures were protruded from a <100>-oriented silicon surface, followed by the passivation of silicon nitride by AFM tip-induced local oxidation. Based on the two-dimensional (2D) silicon oxide patterns, three-dimensional (3D) microstructures with high aspect ratios were formed by wet etching with HF and KOH. A variety of combinations of SPL and the etching process allowed us to fabricate diverse silicon-based structures such as deep-etched microstructures and multi-terraced nanostructures.


Different Resistance Mechanisms for Cadazolid and Linezolid in Clostridium difficile Found by Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis.
Cadazolid (CDZ) is a new antibiotic currently in clinical development for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections. CDZ interferes with the bacterial protein synthesis machinery. The aim of the present study was to identify resistance mechanisms for CDZ and compare the results to those obtained for linezolid (LZD) in C. difficile by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of strains generated by in vitro passages and to those obtained for LZD-resistant clinical isolates. Clones of C. difficile 630 selected with CDZ during 46 passages had a maximally 4-fold increase in CDZ MIC, while the LZD MIC for clones selected with LZD increased up to 16-fold. CDZ cross-resistance with LZD was maximally 4-fold, and no cross-resistance with other antibiotics tested was observed. Our data suggest that there are different resistance mechanisms for CDZ and LZD in C. difficile Mutations after passages with CDZ were found in rplD (ribosomal protein L4) as well as in tra and rmt, whereas similar experiments with LZD showed mutations in rplC (ribosomal protein L3), reg, and tpr, indicating different resistance mechanisms. Although high degrees of variation between the sequenced genomes of the clinical isolates were observed, the same mutation in rplC was found in two clinical isolates with high LZD MICs. No mutations were found in the 23S rRNA genes, and attempts to isolate the cfr gene from resistant clinical isolates were unsuccessful. Analysis of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) determined in in vitro transcription/translation assays performed with C. difficile cell extracts from passaged clones correlated well with the MIC values for all antibiotics tested, indicating that the ribosomal mutations are causing the resistant phenotype.


In vitro selection of state-specific peptide modulators of G protein signaling using mRNA display.
The G protein regulatory (GPR) motif is a approximately 20-residue conserved domain that acts as a guanine dissociation inhibitor (GDI) for G(i/o)(alpha) subunits. Here, we describe the isolation of peptides derived from a GPR consensus sequence using mRNA display selection libraries. Biotinylated G(i)(alpha)(1), modified at either the N or C terminus, serves as a high-affinity binding target for mRNA-displayed GPR peptides. In vitro selection using mRNA display libraries based on the C terminus of the GPR motif revealed novel peptide sequences with conserved residues. Surprisingly, selected peptides contain mutations to a highly conserved Arg in the GPR motif, previously shown to be crucial for binding and inhibition activities. The dominant peptide from the selection, R6A, and a minimal 9-mer peptide, R6A-1, do not contain Arg residues yet retain high affinity (K(D) = 60 and 200 nM, respectively) and specificity for the GDP-bound state of G(i)(alpha)(1), as measured by surface plasmon resonance. The selected peptides also maintain GDI activity for G(i)(alpha)(1), inhibiting both the exchange of GDP in GTPgammaS binding assays and the AlF(4)(-)-stimulated enhancement of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. The kinetics of GDI activity, however, are different for the selected peptides and demonstrate biphasic kinetics, suggesting a complex mechanism for inhibition. Like the GPR motif, the R6A and R6A-1 peptides compete with G(betagamma) subunits for binding to G(i)(alpha)(1), suggesting their use as activators of G(betagamma) signaling.


A Shape-Persistent Cryptand for Capturing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
A shape-persistent cryptand 1, containing two face-to-face oriented electron-deficient 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine units separated by approximately 7 Å, and bridged by two rigid 1,8-naphthyridine linkers and a pentaethylene oxide loop, is created for capturing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cryptand 1 formed 1:1 complexes with PAH guest molecules, such as phenanthrene (6), anthracene (7), pyrene (8), triphenylene (9), and tetraphene (10). The single-crystal structure of complex 6⊂1 revealed that 6 was included in the cavity of 1 via face-to-face π···π stacking interactions. Soaking crystalline 1 in a toluene solution of anthracene resulted in anthracene from the toluene solution being picked up by the crystalline solid of 1.


Palmprint Recognition Based on Complete Direction Representation.
Direction information serves as one of the most important features for palmprint recognition. In the past decade, many effective direction representation (DR)-based methods have been proposed and achieved promising recognition performance. However, due to an incomplete understanding for DR, these methods only extract DR in one direction level and one scale. Hence, they did not fully utilize all potentials of DR. In addition, most researchers only focused on the DR extraction in spatial coding domain, and rarely considered the methods in frequency domain. In this paper, we propose a general framework for DR-based method named complete DR (CDR), which reveals DR by a comprehensive and complete way. Different from traditional methods, CDR emphasizes the use of direction information with strategies of multi-scale, multi-direction level, multi-region, as well as feature selection or learning. This way, CDR subsumes previous methods as special cases. Moreover, thanks to its new insight, CDR can guide the design of new DR-based methods toward better performance. Motived this way, we propose a novel palmprint recognition algorithm in frequency domain. First, we extract CDR using multi-scale modified finite radon transformation. Then, an effective correlation filter, namely, band-limited phase-only correlation, is explored for pattern matching. To remove feature redundancy, the sequential forward selection method is used to select a small number of CDR images. Finally, the matching scores obtained from different selected features are integrated using score-level-fusion. Experiments demonstrate that our method can achieve better recognition accuracy than the other state-of-the-art methods. More importantly, it has fast matching speed, making it quite suitable for the large-scale identification applications.


A century of delusions in south west Scotland.
Two groups of patients admitted to psychiatric hospital in Dumfries were studied, drawn from the periods 1880-1889 and 1970-1979. Feighner criteria were applied to make three diagnostic categories - depression, mania and schizophrenia - and the occurrence and content of delusions were noted for each. A significant decline in the prevalence of delusional depressive illness was found between the two periods, and a similar trend was noted for delusional manic illness. In contrast, the prevalence of delusional schizophrenic illness was stable. This decline is taken to reflect a change in the phenomenology of affective illness since last century in South West Scotland. The content of delusions is also discussed.


[Analysis of factors affecting live birth outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle].
Objective: To analyze the related factors affecting the success of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods: A total of 563 couples treated in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to March 2020 were selected as subjects. A total of 736 FET cycles were included to analyze the live birth outcomes of FET. Pregnancy outcomes, pregnancy complications and embryo status of patients between the live birth group and the non-live birth group were compared. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the 15 candidate factors and live birth outcomes for identifying independent factors associated with the live birth outcomes of the FET. Results: Among the enrolled subjects, the men were (33±5) years old at sperm extraction while the women were (31±4) years old at ovum pick-up (OPU) and (32±4) years old at embryo transfer (ET) and their infertility duration were (3.5±2.6) years. There were 333 (45.2%) live birth cycles and 403 (54.8%) non-live birth cycles in the 736 FET cycles. Pregnancy complications occurred in 49 cases (14.7%) of the live birth group. The age of the women at ET ((31±4) vs (32±4) years), the age of the women at OPU ((30±4) vs (32±4) years) and the age of the men at sperm extraction ((33±4) vs (34±5) years) in the live birth group were all lower than those in the non-live birth group. The infertility duration was shorter ((3.2±2.2) vs (3.6±2.8) years), and the proportion of primary infertility was higher ((63.1%, 210 cases) vs (49.6%, 200 cases)) in the live birth group (P<0.05) than those in the non-live birth group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the age of woman at ET (OR (95%CI): 0.50 (0.27-0.92), P=0.026), the types of infertility (0.62 (0.43-0.88), P=0.008), the numbers of optimal embryos transferred (1.60(1.11-2.31), P=0.012), and the types of embryos transferred (2.43 (1.46-4.01), P=0.001) were statistically significant related factors for live birth outcome of FET. Conclusion: The age of the woman at ET, the types of infertility, the numbers of optimal embryos transferred and the types of embryos transferred are associated factors for the outcomes of live birth after FET.


[The effect of substance P on the regeneration of nerve fibres in vitro (author's transl)].
Explants of the ganglion trigeminale from chick embryos (PNS) and of the hippocampus from fetal rats (CNS) were cultivated in maximow chambers in the presence of synthetic substance P (SP). SP Stimulated the outgrowth of neuronal processes in PNS-culture. In SP-treated CNS cultures a stimulation was not observed. The density of SP-treated medio-dorsal neuroblasts decreased. The possible role of SP as a system in controlling in-vitro-processes of nerve fibre regeneration is discussed.


Constructive effects of long alkyl chains on the electroluminescent properties of cationic iridium complex-based light-emitting electrochemical cells.
A series of cationic iridium complexes (1-6) were synthesized using alkylated imidazole-based ancillary ligands, and the photophysical and electrochemical properties of these complexes were subsequently evaluated. Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) were fabricated from these complexes, and the effects of the alkyl chain length on the electroluminescent properties of the devices were investigated. The LECs based on these complexes resulted in yellow emission (complexes 1, 3, and 5) and green emission (complexes 2, 4, and 6) with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.49, 0.50) and (0.33, 0.59), respectively. Our results indicate that the luminance and efficiency of the LECs can consistently be enhanced by increasing the alkyl chain length of the iridium complexes as a result of suppressed intermolecular interaction and self-quenching. Subsequently, a high luminance of 7309 cd m(-2) and current efficiency of 3.85 cd A(-1) were achieved for the LECs based on complex 5.


The stress response in headache sufferers: physiological and psychological reactivity.
When examining headache sufferers' reactivity to stress, few studies attend to differing characteristics of the environment. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the clarity/ambiguity and positive/negative valence of an event on subjects' physiological and psychological reactivity. Migraine (n = 30), tension (n = 39), and control (n = 35) subjects participated in a laboratory experience in which they had to practice and then deliver a news story to a videocamera (similar to a newscaster on television). During this experience, they received performance feedback and were instructed to try to use the information to improve their performance. In reality, this feedback was noncontingent, with subjects semirandomly assigned to either a positive, negative, or ambiguous feedback condition. Physiological and psychological measures were collected prior to this experience, during an anticipation or practice period prior to the newscast, and during a recovery period following the delivery of the news story. Results suggested that tension subjects might not attend to information from their environment when assessing, responding, or reevaluating potentially stressful events: relying instead on more global beliefs or attributions. Results also indicated that migraine might be associated with a prolonged cardiovascular response (i.e., delayed recovery) following a stressful experience.


Aurothioglucose does not improve alveolarization or elicit sustained Nrf2 activation in C57BL/6 models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
We previously showed that the thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR1) inhibitor aurothioglucose (ATG) improves alveolarization in hyperoxia-exposed newborn C3H/HeN mice. Our data supported a mechanism by which the protective effects of ATG are mediated via sustained nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation in hyperoxia-exposed C3H/HeN mice 72 h after ATG administration. Given that inbred mouse strains have differential sensitivity and endogenous Nrf2 activation by hyperoxia, the present studies utilized two C57BL/6 exposure models to evaluate the effects of ATG on lung development and Nrf2 activation. The first model (0-14 days) was used in our C3H/HeN studies and the 2nd model (4-14 days) is well characterized in C57BL/6 mice. ATG significantly inhibited lung TrxR1 activity in both models; however, there was no effect on parameters of alveolarization in C57BL/6 mice. In sharp contrast to C3H/HeN mice, there was no effect of ATG on pulmonary NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1 ( Nqo1) and heme oxygenase-1 ( Hmox1) at 72 h in either C57BL/6 model. In conclusion, although ATG inhibited TrxR1 activity in the lungs of newborn C57BL/6 mice, effects on lung development and sustained Nrf2-dependent pulmonary responses were blunted. These findings also highlight the importance of strain-dependent hyperoxic sensitivity in evaluation of potential novel therapies.


Contrasting spin dynamics between underdoped and overdoped Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2.
We report the first NMR investigation of spin dynamics in the overdoped nonsuperconducting regime of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 up to x=0.26. We demonstrate that the absence of interband transitions with large momentum transfer Q{AF} approximately (pi/a,0) between the hole and electron Fermi surfaces results in complete suppression of antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations for x greater than or approximately 0.15. Our experimental results provide direct evidence for a correlation between T{c} and the strength of Q{AF} antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations.


[Comparative study of various staining methods for mycobacteria].
The present paper intends to show what coloration method for mycobacteria is the better. Samples was assessed and processed by hot Ziehl-Neelsen, cold Ziehl-Neelsen, Ziehl Gabbet and Ziehl-Neelsen with alkaline metilene blue. After microscopy by five different persons the method selected were the cold Ziehl-Neelsen.


Physique and motor performance characteristics of US national rugby players.
Anthropometric and performance data were collected on 65 US rugby players (mean age = 26.3 years) to make comparison on these characteristics by player position and performance level. Anthropometry included stature, body mass, nine skinfolds, two girths and two bone breadths. Skinfold patterns, estimated percent fat and Heath-Carter somatotypes were calculated from anthropometry. Motor performance measures included standing vertical jump, 40 yard dash, 110 yard dash, shuttle run, repeated jump in place, push-up, sit-up and squat thrust. Descriptive statistics were used for the total sample as well as selected sub-groups. Discriminant function analyses were employed to determine which combination of variables best discriminated between position and level of performance for the anthropometric and performance data. The results indicated that forwards were taller, heavier and had more subcutaneous adiposity than backs. Additionally, forwards and backs differed in somatotypes, with forwards being more endo-mesomorphic than backs and with a greater scatter about their mean. The anthropometric variables that best discriminated between backs and forwards were body mass, femur breadth and arm girth, with 88% correctly classified using these variables. The motor performance variables that best discriminated between backs and forwards were repeated jump in place, push-up and standing vertical jump, with 76% correct classification using these variables. Classification into three playing levels was unsatisfactory using either anthropometric or motor performance variables. These data can be used to assess present status and change in players, or potential national players, by position to locate strengths and weaknesses.


Percutaneous nephrolithotomy of transplanted kidney.
Urinary lithiasis after renal transplantation is a relatively uncommon disease; the predisposing factors and the composition of calculi are identical to those of patients with native kidneys. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman with a staghorn stone in a left-sided transplanted kidney who was treated successfully by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). After reviewing the literature, we conclude that PCNL in transplanted kidney is a feasible and safe procedure. The technical aspects of the procedure, such as patient position and the use of the ultrasound-guided caliceal puncture, are stressed.


Regulation of Estrogen Receptor α Expression in the Hypothalamus by Sex Steroids: Implication in the Regulation of Energy Homeostasis.
Sex differences exist in the complex regulation of energy homeostasis that utilizes central and peripheral systems. It is widely accepted that sex steroids, especially estrogens, are important physiological and pathological components in this sex-specific regulation. Estrogens exert their biological functions via estrogen receptors (ERs). ERα, a classic nuclear receptor, contributes to metabolic regulation and sexual behavior more than other ER subtypes. Physiological and molecular studies have identified multiple ERα-rich nuclei in the hypothalamus of the central nervous system (CNS) as sites of actions that mediate effects of estrogens. Much of our understanding of ERα regulation has been obtained using transgenic models such as ERα global or nuclei-specific knockout mice. A fundamental question concerning how ERα is regulated in wild-type animals, including humans, in response to alterations in steroid hormone levels, due to experimental manipulation (i.e., castration and hormone replacement) or physiological stages (i.e., puberty, pregnancy, and menopause), lacks consistent answers. This review discusses how different sex hormones affect ERα expression in the hypothalamus. This information will contribute to the knowledge of estrogen action in the CNS, further our understanding of discrepancies in correlation of altered sex hormone levels with metabolic disturbances when comparing both sexes, and improve health issues in postmenopausal women.