Attitudes Toward and Predictors of Videoconferencing Use Among Frequent Family Visitors to Nursing Home Residents in Taiwan.
Videoconferencing with family members benefits nursing home residents by decreasing their depression and loneliness. Nevertheless, the rate of participation in videoconferencing by family members is low. The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes toward and factors related to videoconferencing by family visitors to nursing home residents in Taiwan. For this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 231 family members of residents at 16 medium to large (>70 beds) nursing homes in Taiwan. Data were collected on participants' and residents' demographic and clinical characteristics, acceptance of and attitudes toward using videoconferencing as a form of nursing home visit, and reasons for/roles during visits to nursing home residents. Factors related to the use of videoconferencing were analyzed by logistic regression. Family members' acceptance rate of videoconferencing use was low (7.8%). The findings also showed that videoconference use was predicted by hiring a private caregiver (odds ratio=6.90), the role during/reason for family visits being to maintain residents' emotional status (odds ratio=5.46), and the frequency of in-person visits to the nursing home. We recommend encouraging family use of videoconferencing by available equipment such as smartphones or tablet programs that can address residents' emotional issues in a timely fashion. We also suggest developing more interactive content for videoconferencing, such as a family-oriented picture program to help broaden topics of conversation.


A Case Report Demonstrating the Potential Clinical Benefit of Exhaustive Molecular Profiling in an Aggressive Muscle-Invasive High-Grade Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma.
We present a muscle-invasive high-grade metastatic urothelial carcinoma patient, aged 71 years, with rapid progression from the diagnosis and a poor prognosis after 3 lines of treatment. A clinical exhaustive genomic profile was performed with the goal of finding potential actionable molecular alterations. The patient showed significant symptomatic and laboratory improvement with a nonstandard chemotherapy combination treatment identified by the molecular profiling, which would otherwise not have been considered. This approach illustrates the clinical benefit of a comprehensive genomic analysis in an aggressive and refractory urothelial carcinoma.


Birefringent reflectarray metasurface for beam engineering in infrared.
An infrared reflectarray metasurface with engineered birefringent behavior is demonstrated. The array reradiates incoming light into two orthogonal, linearly polarized reflections. The reflectarray is composed of rectangular metallic patch nanoantennas placed on top of a grounded dielectric stand-off layer. The patches are designed to locally manipulate the phase front of the incoming wave. They tailor the reflection phase to transform the phase front on the surface to the one desired for both orthogonal polarizations at the same time. The proposed nanoantenna metasurface can find applications in many optical devices, such as birefringent modulators, waveplates, polarizers, and splitters.


Influence of genetic differences in feed efficiency on carcass composition of young chickens.
The carcass composition of young chickens differing in efficiency of feed utilization was obtained to study changes in the carcass composition associated with differences in efficiency of feed utilization. As the efficiency of conversion of food to tissue was changed, there were associated changes in carcass moisture and lipid, regardless of differences between different populations in variability for growth rate. Carcass moisture was increased and carcass lipid was decreased in chickens with relatively better conversion of food into carcass. Carcass protein was significantly increased in chickens with better efficiency of feed utilization in one population, but not in another. Changes in carcass composition associated with efficiency of feed utilization were similar regardless of whether differences in efficiency were due to gain or to a combination of gain and consumption. Significant sex differences in carcass moisture, lipid, and protein were observed in the faster-growing broiler population but not in the lines selected from a slower-growing randombred population. There was a significant decrease in 16:1 and an increase in 18:0 fatty acids of chickens with a lower feed conversion ratio.


Intravascular ultrasound use in the treatment of thoracoabdominal dissections, aneurysms, and transections.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has become an important adjunct in the endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology. In this article, we hope to describe and define the expanding role of IVUS as a tool for the vascular surgeon in the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic dissections, aneurysms, and transections. IVUS is of particular benefit in the treatment of aortic dissections and aortic transections.


Development and validation of multivariable models to predict mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure.
From a prospective multicentre multicountry clinical trial, we developed and validated risk models to predict prospective all-cause mortality and hospitalizations because of heart failure (HF) in patients with HF. BIOSTAT-CHF is a research programme designed to develop and externally validate risk models to predict all-cause mortality and HF hospitalizations. The index cohort consisted of 2516 patients with HF from 69 centres in 11 European countries. The external validation cohort consisted of 1738 comparable patients from six centres in Scotland, UK. Patients from the index cohort had a mean age of 69 years, 27% were female, 83% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 31%. The full prediction models for mortality, hospitalization owing to HF, and the combined outcome, yielded c-statistic values of 0.73, 0.69, and 0.71, respectively. Predictors of mortality and hospitalization owing to HF were remarkably different. The five strongest predictors of mortality were more advanced age, higher blood urea nitrogen and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, lower haemoglobin, and failure to prescribe a beta-blocker. The five strongest predictors of hospitalization owing to HF were more advanced age, previous hospitalization owing to HF, presence of oedema, lower systolic blood pressure and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients from the validation cohort were aged 74 years, 34% were female, 85% were in NYHA class II-III, and mean LVEF was 41%; c-statistic values for the full and compact model were comparable to the index cohort. A small number of variables, which are usually readily available in the routine clinical setting, provide useful prognostic information for patients with HF. Predictors of mortality were remarkably different from predictors of hospitalization owing to HF.


Clinical outcome of primary medial collateral ligament-posteromedial corner repair with or without staged anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a prime valgus stabilizer of the knee, and MCL tears are currently managed conservatively. However, posteromedial corner (PMC) injury along with MCL tear is not same as isolated MCL tear and the former is more serious injury and requires operative attention. However, literature is scarce about the management and outcome of PMC-MCL tear alongside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical outcome of primary repair of MCL and PMC with or without staged ACL reconstruction. A retrospective evaluation was performed on patients with MCL-PMC complex injury with ACL tear who underwent primary repair of MCL-PMC tear followed by rehabilitation. Further, several of them chose to undergo ACL reconstruction whereas rest opted conservative treatment for the ACL tear. A total of 35 patients of two groups [Group 1 (n=15): MCL-PMC repaired and ACL conserved; Group 2 (n=20): MCL-PMC repaired and ACL reconstructed] met the inclusion criteria with a minimum follow-up of two years. Clinical outcome measures included grade of valgus medial opening (0° extension and 30° flexion), Lysholm and International knee documentation committee (IKDC) scores, KT-1000 measurement, subjective feeling of instability, range of motion (ROM) assessment and complications. While comparing group 2 versus group 1, mean Lysholm (94.6 vs. 91.06; p=0.017) and IKDC scores (86.3 vs. 77.6; p=0.011) of group 2 were significantly higher than group 1. 60% patients of group 1 complained of instability against none in the group 2 (p<0.0001). All the knees of both the groups were valgus stable with none requiring late reconstruction. The mean loss of flexion ROM in group 1 and 2 was 12° and 9° respectively which was not statistically different (p=0.41). However while considering the loss of motion, two groups did not show any significant difference in clinical scores. Primary MCL-PMC repair renders the knee stable in coronal plane in both the groups and further ACL reconstruction adds on to the stability of the knee providing a superior clinical outcome. Minor knee stiffness remains a concern after primary MCL-PMC repair but without any unfavorable clinical effect.


Ethical and Practical Challenges of the Communication and Behavioral Manifestations of Primary Progressive Aphasia.
The communication and behavioral manifestations of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) present ethical and practical challenges for individuals with this clinical syndrome as well as for individuals who are involved closely in their care. In this article, cases representing all three PPA variants (logopenic variant, nonfluent agrammatic, semantic variant) are presented to illustrate commonly encountered situations in which self-determination is at risk in decisions about housing, driving, social interactions, finances, and treatment interventions. Potential approaches, including patient/family education, implementation of safeguards, redirection to meaningful activities, and protections against vulnerability in treatment decisions, are described to preserve autonomy in patients with this neurodegenerative clinical syndrome.


Diagnostic aspects of fine needle aspiration for lung lesions: series of 245 cases.
Transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) is one of several methods for establishing tissue diagnosis of lung lesions. Other tissue or cell sources for diagnosis include sputum, endobronchial biopsy, washing and brushing, endobronchial FNA, transthoracic core needle biopsy, biopsy from thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of FNA and other diagnostic tests in diagnosing lung lesions. The population included all patients undergoing FNA for lung lesions at Meir Medical Center from 2006 through 2010. Information regarding additional tissue tests was derived from the electronic archives of the Department of Pathology, patient records and files from the Department of Oncology. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each test. FNA was carried out in 245 patients. Malignant tumors were diagnosed in 190 cases (78%). They included adenocarcinoma (43%), squamous cell carcinoma (15%), non-small cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified (19%), neurondocrine tumors (7%), metastases (9%) and lymphoma (3%). The specificity of FNA for lung neoplasms was 100%; sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were 87%. FNA is the most sensitive procedure for establishing tissue diagnoses of lung cancer. Combination with core needle biopsy increases the sensitivity. Factors related to the lesion (nature, degenerative changes, location) and to performance of all stages of test affect the ability to establish a diagnosis.


Eyelid fistula: a feature of occult sinus disease.
To describe the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with eyelid fistula as a complication of occult sinus disease. A retrospective review of patients presenting, to the Orbital Clinic at Moorfields Eye Hospital, with eyelid fistula due to chronic sinus disease; the review including clinical features, management and outcome. Eight patients presented with discharge from an upper lid or medial canthal fistula, of whom 6 had a history of variable lid swelling, 3 had ptosis and 2 had proptosis with restricted upgaze. All patients had ipsilateral frontal or ethmoid sinus opacification on CT, 5 had erosion of the bone and 2 had sinus mucocoeles. Management involved functional endoscopic sinus surgery to establish drainage of the affected sinuses and direct excision of the fistular tract. A discharging eyelid fistula may indicate occult sinus disease, which can remain undiagnosed for long periods. There is typically a history of recurrent upper lid erythema and swelling, with spontaneous drainage through a fistula sited in the supero-medial eyelid sulcus; local features include contracture and thickening of the skin and underlying tissues around the fistula.


Correlation between pelvic floor strength and physical activity level in healthy men.
The male pelvic floor muscles comprise a pair of compound muscle layers referred to as the levator ani. Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle strength is affected by physical activity. This study aimed to assess male pelvic floor muscle strength through manometry of the external anal sphincter and evaluation of its association with physical activity level, BMI, and rectal pressure in healthy men. To assess physical activity level over the previous week, we used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire 8 (IPAQ). Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed via anorectal manometry. The results shows a negative correlation between resting pressure and MET, a positive correlation between rectal pressure and resting and maximum pressure. The novel finding of this study is a negative correlation between walking and pelvic floor strength. This study raises new questions about the understanding of the interaction among physical activity, intraabdominal pressure, and pelvic floor strength in the physiology of continence in men.


Synthesis of polyethersulfone (PES)/GO-SiO2 mixed matrix membranes for oily wastewater treatment.
The treatment of oily wastewater continues to pose a challenge in industries worldwide. Membranes have been investigated recently for their use in oily wastewater treatment due to their efficiency and relatively facile operational process. Graphene oxide (GO) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles have been found to improve membrane properties. In this study, a polyethersulfone (PES) based GO-SiO2 mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was fabricated, using the phase inversion technique, for the treatment of oil refinery wastewater. The PES/GO-SiO2 membrane exhibited the highest water flux (2,561 LMH) and a 38% increase in oil removal efficiency by comparison to a PES membrane. Compared to PES/GO and PES/SiO2 membranes, the PES/GO-SiO2 MMM also displayed the best overall properties in terms of tensile strength, water permeability, and hydrophilicity.


Dis3- and exosome subunit-responsive 3' mRNA instability elements.
Eukaryotic RNA turnover is regulated in part by the exosome, a nuclear and cytoplasmic complex of ribonucleases (RNases) and RNA-binding proteins. The major RNase of the complex is thought to be Dis3, a multi-functional 3'-5' exoribonuclease and endoribonuclease. Although it is known that Dis3 and core exosome subunits are recruited to transcriptionally active genes and to messenger RNA (mRNA) substrates, this recruitment is thought to occur indirectly. We sought to discover cis-acting elements that recruit Dis3 or other exosome subunits. Using a bioinformatic tool called RNA SCOPE to screen the 3' untranslated regions of up-regulated transcripts from our published Dis3 depletion-derived transcriptomic data set, we identified several motifs as candidate instability elements. Secondary screening using a luciferase reporter system revealed that one cassette-harboring four elements-destabilized the reporter transcript. RNAi-based depletion of Dis3, Rrp6, Rrp4, Rrp40, or Rrp46 diminished the efficacy of cassette-mediated destabilization. Truncation analysis of the cassette showed that two exosome subunit-sensitive elements (ESSEs) destabilized the reporter. Point-directed mutagenesis of ESSE abrogated the destabilization effect. An examination of the transcriptomic data from exosome subunit depletion-based microarrays revealed that mRNAs with ESSEs are found in every up-regulated mRNA data set but are underrepresented or missing from the down-regulated data sets. Taken together, our findings imply a potentially novel mechanism of mRNA turnover that involves direct Dis3 and other exosome subunit recruitment to and/or regulation on mRNA substrates.


The case of Heinrich Wilhelm Poll (1877-1939): a German-Jewish geneticist, eugenicist, twin researcher, and victim of the Nazis.
This paper uses a reconstruction of the life and career of Heinrich Poll as a window into developments and professional relationships in the biological sciences in Germany in the period from the beginning of the twentieth century to the Nazi seizure of power in 1933. Poll's intellectual work involved an early transition from morphometric physical anthropology to comparative evolutionary studies, and also found expression in twin research--a field in which he was an acknowledged early pioneer. His advocacy of eugenics led to participation in state-sponsored committees convened to advise on social policy, one of which debated sterilisation and made recommendations that led eventually to the establishment of the notorious Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Anthropology, Human Heredity and Eugenics. However, his status as a prominent geneticist and, in particular, as a eugenicist had an ironic and ultimately tragic dimension. Heinrich Poll was of Jewish birth, and this resulted in his career being destroyed by an application of the population policies he had helped put in place.


Template guided transperineal saturation biopsy of the prostate: lessons for focal and urethra-sparing high-dose-rate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.
The aim of this work is to evaluate results of prostate transperineal saturation biopsy as a guide for focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Template guided saturation biopsy was performed in 67 primary patients with suspicion for prostate cancer. Biopsy was performed under ultrasonography (US) control with the help of brachytherapy grid and 5 mm distance between samples. We put special attention for accurate sampling of prostate in periurethral region. The number of cores varied from 17 to 81 (average 36 cores). Finally, in 40 patients with confirmed prostate cancer results of biopsy were used for brachytherapy planning. Saturation biopsy revealed prostate cancer in 40 of 67 evaluated patients. The extent of biopsy core involvement varied from 5% to 100% (average: 57%). Focal nature of PCa (single unilateral tumor nodule) was diagnosed in 10 (25%), multifocal - in another 30 (75%) patients. Hemigland invasion was mentioned in 12 (30%) cases. Saturation biopsy detected PCa in periurethral cores in 27 (67.5%) of 40 evaluated patients. In 10 patients, the extent of involvement in periurethral cores varied between 10% and 50%; in another, 17 observations exceeded 50%. According to results obtained on saturation biopsy, we performed HDR brachytherapy with "urethra low dose tunnel" (D10ur ≤ 80-90%) in 13 patients with noninvolved periurethral cores. Theoretically, hemigland brachytherapy was possible in 12 of 40 evaluated patients with PCa. In low risk patients with PCa results of template guided saturation biopsy indicates high frequency (75%) of multifocal disease and high probability (67.5%) of periurethral invasion. Suitable candidates for focal HDR brachytherapy or irradiation with additional sparing of urethra can be effectively determined with the help of saturation biopsy.


Effects of strongman training on salivary testosterone levels in a sample of trained men.
Strongman exercises consist of multi-joint movements that incorporate large muscle mass groups and impose a substantial amount of neuromuscular stress. The purpose of this study was to examine salivary testosterone responses from 2 novel strongman training (ST) protocols in comparison with an established hypertrophic (H) protocol reported to acutely elevate testosterone levels. Sixteen men (24 ± 4.4 years, 181.2 ± 6.8 cm, and 95.3 ± 20.3 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects completed 3 protocols designed to ensure equal total volume (sets and repetitions), rest period, and intensity between the groups. Exercise sets were performed to failure. Exercise selection and intensity (3 sets × 10 repetitions at 75% 1 repetition maximum) were chosen as they reflected commonly prescribed resistance exercise protocols recognized to elicit a large acute hormonal response. In each of the protocols, subjects were required to perform 3 sets to muscle failure of 5 different exercises (tire flip, chain drag, farmers walk, keg carry, and atlas stone lift) with a 2-minute rest interval between sets and a 3-minute rest interval between exercises. Saliva samples were collected pre-exercise (PRE), immediate postexercise (PST), and 30 minutes postexercise (30PST). Delta scores indicated a significant difference between PRE and PST testosterone level within each group (p ≤ 0.05), with no significant difference between the groups. Testosterone levels spiked 136% (225.23 ± 148.01 pg·ml(-1)) for the H group, 74% (132.04 ± 98.09 pg·ml(-1)) for the ST group, and 54% (122.10 ± 140.67 pg·ml) for the mixed strongman/hypertrophy (XST) group. A significant difference for testosterone level occurred over time (PST to 30PST) for the H group p ≤ 0.05. In conclusion, ST elicits an acute endocrine response similar to a recognized H protocol when equated for duration and exercise intensity.


Shock attenuation characteristics of three different military boots during gait.
Musculoskeletal injuries are related to the cushioning properties of boots in military populations. This study aimed to compare ground reaction force (GRF) and subjective perceived comfort from two different military boots supplied by the Brazilian Army with a commercial boot. Twenty army recruits volunteered for a GRF assessment during walking on a 10-m walkway and a perceived comfort test after 20min walking on a treadmill. Both experiments were conducted with three different military boots: CC10 (styrene-butadiene rubber - SBR - midsole 30mm thickness, 65 Shore A; 631.8g weight; supplied by the Brazilian Army); CC13 (SBR midsole 20.6mm thickness, 66 Shore A; 530.3g weight; supplied by the Brazilian Army) and CAT (polyurethane - PU - midsole 31.7mm thickness, 55 Shore A; 423g weight; commercially available). GRF was analyzed in the time (principal component analysis - PCA) and frequency (Blackman-Tukey) domains. No difference was found for the first and second peak forces or loading rate; however, significant influence from the military boots' design on GRF was found by PCA and frequency analysis. Loading factor presented higher values at early stance with lower force for CC10 compared to CC13 at these epochs. CC13 also presented higher power spectral density compared to CC10 at higher frequency bands. However, CAT was significantly more comfortable than CC10. These results suggest that the thicker SBR midsole boot was more effective in reducing impact, while the lightest boot with softer midsole hardness made with PU was the most comfortable.


Impact of shoulder rotation on neck-shaft angle: A clinical study.
Two recent experimental studies evaluated the influence of shoulder rotation on neck-shaft angle, with conflicting results. However, there have been no clinical studies of whether this angle varies in different shoulder positions. The present study aimed to determine whether shoulder rotation affects neck-shaft angle on standard radiographs in patients with complaints of shoulder pain. Shoulder rotation does not affect neck-shaft angle. A prospective study was conducted in selected patients with shoulder pain. Three true anterior-posterior radiographic views were obtained: in neutral rotation, 30° external rotation, and internal rotation with patient's arm in a sling. The X-rays were evaluated by three shoulder and elbow surgeons. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Neck-shaft angle on true AP view did not differ between neutral rotation and 30° external rotation: 132±6° and 130±9°, respectively (P>0.999). In internal rotation with the hand resting on the abdomen, neck-shaft angle was 145±6°: i.e., significantly different (P<0.001) to the other two positions. Intra- and inter-observer correlation demonstrated excellent reliability. Radiographic neck-shaft angle was significantly different in internal rotation with the patient's arm in a sling, compared with views in neutral or 30° external rotation. Intra- and inter-observer correlation showed excellent reliability. II, comparative prospective study.


Stillbirths: What Can Be Done To Confront An Invisible Public Health Problem In Pakistan?
Pakistan has been ranked highest and appears worst in stillbirths' rate according to the recent global estimates. Reasons could be manifold; socio-cultural, health system related country specific, and some of these of course déjà vu, i.e., the biomedical causes. Yet, a fresh stocktaking is necessary to understand the complex phenomenon in a country, awfully affected by this menace. Maternal, neonatal and child health program needs to be informed and geared up toward addressing the actual reasons behind this heavy toll of stillbirths in Pakistan. Maternal health indicators would never be improved, if the issue of stillbirths is not stalled at the earliest. Besides known medical reasons, this account attempts to document the health systems related factors, and more so the social determinants behind the whole scenario, so that appropriate and customized interventions could be suggested, developed and implemented. This paper will be a piece of evidence for policy corridors, program managers, development partners, non-governmental organizations, public health institutions, students, and researchers to enhance their understanding of a major public health problem, and to recognize the strengths and opportunities in the health system of Pakistan to cope with this challenge.


Molecular-Level Overhaul of γ-Aminopropyl Aminosilicone/Triethylene Glycol Post-Combustion CO2 -Capture Solvents.
Capturing carbon dioxide from post-combustion gas streams is an energy-intensive process that is required prior to either converting or sequestering CO2 . Although a few commercial 1st and 2nd generation aqueous amine technologies have been proposed, the cost of capturing CO2 with these technologies remains high. One approach to decrease costs of capture has been the development of water-lean solvents that aim to increase efficiency by reducing the water content in solution. Water-lean solvents, such as γ-aminopropyl aminosilicone/triethylene glycol (GAP/TEG), are promising technologies, with the potential to halve the parasitic load to a coal-fired power plant, albeit only if high solution viscosities and hydrolysis of the siloxane moieties can be mitigated. This study concerns an integrated multidisciplinary approach to overhaul the GAP/TEG solvent system at the molecular level to mitigate hydrolysis while also reducing viscosity. Cosolvents and diluents are found to have negligible effects on viscosity and are not needed. This finding allows for the design of single-component siloxane-free diamine derivatives with site-specific incorporation of selective chemical moieties for direct placement and orientation of hydrogen bonding to reduce viscosity. Ultimately, these new formulations are less susceptible to hydrolysis and exhibit up to a 98 % reduction in viscosity compared to the initial GAP/TEG formulation.


Insights on consciousness from taste memory research.
Taste research in rodents supports the relevance of memory in order to determine the content of consciousness by modifying both taste perception and later action. Associated with this issue is the fact that taste and visual modalities share anatomical circuits traditionally related to conscious memory. This challenges the view of taste memory as a type of non-declarative unconscious memory.


Changes in Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Deemed "Inappropriate" by Appropriate Use Criteria.
Recent studies have demonstrated relatively high rates of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) classified as "inappropriate." The New York State Department of Health shared rates with hospitals and announced the intention of withholding reimbursement pending demonstration of clinical rationale for Medicaid patients with inappropriate PCIs. The objective was to examine changes over time in the number and rate of inappropriate PCIs. Appropriate use criteria were applied to PCIs performed in New York in patients without acute coronary syndromes or previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery in periods before (2010 through 2011) and after (2012 through 2014) efforts were made to decrease inappropriateness rates. Changes in the number of appropriate PCIs were also assessed. The percentage of inappropriate PCIs for all patients dropped from 18.2% in 2010 to 10.6% in 2014 (from 15.3% to 6.8% for Medicaid patients, and from 18.6% to 11.2% for other patients). The total number of PCIs in patients with no acute coronary syndrome/no prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery that were rated as inappropriate decreased from 2,956 patients in 2010 to 911 patients in 2014, a reduction of 69%. For Medicaid patients, the decrease was from 340 patients to 84 patients, a decrease of 75%. For a select set of higher-risk scenarios, there were higher numbers of appropriate PCIs per year in the period from 2012 to 2014. The inappropriateness rate for PCIs and the use of PCI for elective procedures in New York has decreased substantially between 2010 and 2014. This decrease has occurred for a large proportion of PCI hospitals.


[Exploration on the relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy and oxidative stress QU ling and].
The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is not illustrated clearly nowadays, and there are several hypotheses. Oxidative stress response is penetrated in several different hypotheses as the formation of advanced glycosylation end products, polyhydric alcohol metabolic pathway, protein kinase C activation and microvascular lesion, etc. The influence of oxidative stress on DPN and the current status of anti-oxidation therapy by using integrative traditional and Western medicine were reviewed in this paper.


[Phenotypic characterization and distribution of Yersinia in human and environmental samples].
The distribution of species and phenotypes of Yersinia isolated from environmental samples over an eight year period are compared to that of stool cultures obtained from patients of the same geographical location (Zaragoza, Spain). The number of samples and the percentage contamination were as follows: wastewater 362, 67.4%, freshwater 523, 13.4%, raw food 607, 24.5% and cooked food 1134, 7.9%. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated significantly more frequently than other species in wastewater, while Yersinia intermedia was the most significant species found in freshwater. Significant differences between the percentage isolates of identified species in raw and cooked foods were not found. Fifteen different serogroups were identified from faeces, thirteen of which were also isolated from environmental samples. Three serogroups of Y. enterocolitica associated with human disease were isolated from the patients faeces as follows: O:3, 145 cases; O:8, 3 cases and O:5,27, 1 case. A low proportion were isolated from food: O:3, 3 strains; O:8, 2 strains and O:5,27, 5 strains. Only one isolate from serogroup O:3 was obtained from freshwater.


Equal performance of TaqMan, MGB, molecular beacon, and SYBR green-based detection assays in detection and quantification of roundup ready soybean.
We have tested and compared the performance of 12 different assays representing four different real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chemistries in the context of genetically modified organism detection. Several different molecular beacon, SYBR Green, TaqMan, and MGB assays were designed for the event specific detection and quantification of the 3' integration junction of GTS 40-3-2 (Roundup Ready) soybean. Sensitivity as well as robustness in the presence of background DNA were tested. None of the PCR-based approaches appeared to be significantly better than any of the other, but the molecular beacon assays had the lowest efficiency and also seemed more sensitive to changes in experimental setup.


Engaging young people as a community development strategy in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
This chapter focuses on two remote rural communities that engaged young people in meaningful community development efforts to build social capital. One community connected youth to the assets of the community and created opportunities for young adults to strengthen social networks. The other created partnerships and networks to build intergenerational trust. Both communities intentionally engaged young people in these efforts in order to sustain their communities' economic vitality.


Influence of Angus and Belgian Blue bulls mated to Hereford x Brahman cows on growth, carcass traits, and longissimus steak shear force.
Steers and heifers were generated from Angus (A) and Belgian Blue (BB) sires mated to Brahman x Hereford (B x H) F(1) cows to characterize their growth, carcass traits, and LM shear force. A total of 120 B x H cows purchased from 2 herds and 35 bulls (14 A and 21 BB) produced calves during the 5-yr project. After the stocker phase, a representative sample of A- and BB-sired heifers and steers were transported to the Iberia Research Station to be fed a high-concentrate diet. The remaining cattle were transported to a commercial feedlot facility. Each pen of cattle from the commercial feedlot was slaughtered when it was estimated that heifers and steers had 10 mm of fat or greater. The BB-sired calves were heavier at birth (P < 0.01) than the A-sired calves. During the feedlot phase, the A-sired calves gained more BW (P < 0.05) than the BB-sired calves. The BB-sired calves had heavier (P < 0.01) carcass weights than the A-sired calves. This was due to a combination of a heavier final BW and greater dressing percent. Because of their greater muscling and reduced (P < 0.01) fat, carcasses from BB-sired calves had greater yield (P < 0.01) compared with carcasses from A-sired calves. Carcasses from A-sired calves had a greater (P < 0.01) marbling score and greater (P < 0.01) USDA quality grade than carcasses from BB-sired calves. Tenderness, as measured by shear force of the steaks aged for 7 d, was similar for A- and BB-sired calves. However, steaks aged for 14 d from the A-sired calves had a reduced shear force (P < 0.01) compared with steaks from the BB-sired calves. Steer calves were heavier (P < 0.01) at birth and weaning, and had more total BW gain in the feedlot, which resulted in a heavier final BW and HCW compared with the heifers. Steer carcasses also had greater marbling scores and quality grades, whereas the heifer carcasses had larger LM area per 100 kg of carcass weight. In conclusion, the BB-sired calves had heavier carcass weights and greater cutability, whereas the A-sired calves had a greater degree of marbling and greater quality grade, and steaks from carcasses of A-sired calves were more tender as measured by shear force at 14 d.


Adaptive response to GSH depletion and resistance to L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine: involvement of Nrf2 activation.
Pharmacological depletion of L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine (GSH) has been implicated in the sensitization of cancer cells to alkylating agents and apoptosis. However, some types of cells do not induce apoptotic response following chemical depletion of GSH. In the present study, we report that murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) can survive in the presence of GSH inhibitor L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), even though most intracellular GSH was depleted. As a cellular adaptive mechanism, BSO treatment effectively activated the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, which led to up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes in these cells through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade. While nrf2-deficient MEFs lost the inducibility of antioxidant genes, which resulted in higher levels of reactive oxygen species accumulation, caspase-3 activation, and cell death than wild-type cells. Finally, nrf2-deficient cells can be more sensitized to doxorubicin-induced cell death by BSO pre-incubation, while wild-type cells were not. In addition, BSO-mediated cell death was facilitated by administering Nrf2 siRNA to chemoresistant human ovarian cancer cells. These results indicate that Nrf2 is the primary factor inducing the cell survival system under GSH depletion and that the effect of BSO as a chemosensitizer might be enhanced by inhibition of Nrf2.


Description of a new tick species, Ixodes collaris n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae), from bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae) in Vietnam.
In a recent study on ixodid bat ticks from Eurasia, a high genetic difference was found between Ixodes vespertilionis from Europe and Vietnam. Accordingly, it was proposed that I. vespertilionis is a species complex, with at least one additional, hitherto undescribed species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphology of bat ticks from Vietnam and to assess their taxonomic status in comparison with those collected in Europe. Ixodid bat ticks (two females and two nymphs) collected from the pomona leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros pomona) (Hipposideridae) and intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis) (Rhinolophidae) in Vietnam showed major morphological differences from European isolates of I. vespertilionis, including the shape of the scutum, the enclosure and shape of porose areas, the presence of a caudo-lateral collar-like ridge ventrally on the basis capituli, polytrich coxae with short setae, and grouped (non-linear) arrangement of anterior pit sensillae in Haller's organ. In this study the female and the nymph of an ixodid bat tick species from Vietnam are described for the first time. The genetic and morphological differences between I. vespertilionis Koch, 1844 and these bat ticks from Vietnam justify the status of the latter as a distinct species, Ixodes collaris Hornok n. sp.


Finding sacral: Developmental evolution of the axial skeleton of odontocetes (Cetacea).
Axial morphology was dramatically transformed during the transition from terrestrial to aquatic environments by archaeocete cetaceans, and again during the subsequent odontocete radiation. Here, we reconstruct the sequence of developmental events that underlie these phenotypic transitions. Archaeocete innovations include the loss of primaxial/abaxial interaction at the sacral/pelvic articulation and the modular dissociation of the fluke from the remainder of the tail. Odontocetes subsequently integrated lumbar, sacral, and anterior caudal vertebrae into a single torso module, and underwent multiple series-specific changes in vertebral count. The conservation of regional proportions despite regional fluctuations in count strongly argues that rates of somitogenesis can vary along the column and that segmentation was dissociated from regionalization during odontocete evolution. Conserved regional proportions also allow the prediction of the location and count of sacral homologs within the torso module. These predictions are tested with the analysis of comparative pudendal nerve root location and geometric morphometrics. We conclude that the proportion of the column represented by the sacral series has been conserved, and that its vertebrae have changed in count and relative centrum length in parallel with other torso vertebrae. Although the sacral series of odontocetes is de-differentiated, it is not de-regionalized.


[Integrated case fees in cardiosurgery--a pilot project for fast-track rehabilitation].
Lengthy recovery and treatment times following cardiosurgical interventions were the motivation for introducing a pilot procedure to integrate acute and rehabilitative treatment structures. The advantage of such a pilot procedure is the medico-economic link between direct transition from acute care to rehabilitation treatment and cutting average case costs. With this in mind, shared case fees for patients following cardiosurgery are being agreed in a pilot project between health insurance companies, acute-care hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. The aim of this study was thus to investigate whether rehabilitation directly after cardiosurgery without prior transferral to an acute-care hospital is comparable with the conventional procedure involving acute care. A total of 221 patients were included in the investigation. The pilot project group comprised 159 patients (mean age 70 +/- 6 yrs, 117 men and 42 women) who were transferred directly to rehabilitation following cardiosurgery. The control group, comprising 62 patients (mean age = 71 +/- 6 yrs, 42 men and 20 women), was transferred to an acute-care hospital following cardiosurgery before commencing rehabilitation. Sociodemographic and clinical data were comparable between the two groups. At the end of rehabilitation, the mean maximum ergometric performance in the pilot group was 96 +/- 33 W, significantly higher than the control group's performance of 81 +/- 31 W. One difference between the two groups related to complications. During rehabilitation, complications occurred more frequently within the pilot group. In the pilot group, compared to the control group, postcardiotomy syndrome occurred in 45.3 versus 25.8% and impaired wound healing in 10.1 versus 4.8% of cases. Despite these results, the pilot group demonstrated a significantly shorter overall hospital stay of 39.5 +/- 7.5 days compared to the control group stay of 45.7 +/- 9.7 days. Compared to the control group, the pilot group was at no disadvantage with regard to clinical or performance data by the end of rehabilitation. Cardiac complications occur more often during rehabilitation taking place directly after cardiosurgery than with the conventional procedure. These can be viewed, however, as complications occurring directly in temporal conjunction with the operation and as to be expected. Complications attributed directly to fast-track rehabilitation can be excluded. In the pilot group the overall hospital stay was thus shortened. In an environment of legislative restructuring within the healthcare sector, this shows that adequate treatment of cardiosurgical patients is still guaranteed with fast-track rehabilitation.


NONRANDOM GENOTYPIC ASSOCIATIONS IN A LEGUME-BRADYRHIZOBIUM MUTUALISM.
Genetically divergent lineages often coexist within populations of the annual legume Amphicarpaea bracteata. At one site dominated by two such lineages (termed biotypes "C" and "S"), isolates of root-nodule bacteria (Bradyrhizobium sp.) were sampled from both hosts and analyzed by enzyme electrophoresis. Symbiont populations on the two plant biotypes were highly distinct. Out of 15 bacterial multilocus genotypes detected (among 51 isolates analyzed), only one was shared in common by the two plant biotypes. Cluster analysis revealed three bacterial lineages (designated I, II, and III), with lineage I found exclusively on biotype C plants, and the two other lineages almost completely restricted to biotype S hosts. Laboratory inoculation tests indicated that lineage I bacteria were strictly specialized on biotype C hosts, forming few or no nodules on plants of the other host biotype. Bacterial lineages II and III were capable of forming nodules on both kinds of plants, but nodule numbers were often significantly higher on biotype S hosts. The nonrandom association between plant and bacterial lineages at this site implies that genetic diversity of hosts is an important factor in the maintenance of polymorphism within the symbiont population.


Using ecological socioeconomic position (SEP) measures to deal with sample bias introduced by incomplete individual-level measures: inequalities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis as an example.
When studying the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) on health from data where individual-level SEP measures may be missing, ecological measures of SEP may prove helpful. In this paper, we illustrate the best use of ecological-level measures of SEP to deal with incomplete individual level data. To do this we have taken the example of a study examining the relationship between SEP and breast cancer (BC) stage at diagnosis. Using population based-registry data, all women over 18 years newly diagnosed with a primary BC in 2007 were included. We compared the association between advanced stage at diagnosis and individual SEP containing missing data with an ecological level SEP measure without missing data. We used three modelling strategies, 1/ based on patients with complete data for individual-SEP (n = 1218), or 2/ on all patients (n = 1644) using an ecological-level SEP as proxy for individual SEP and 3/ individual-SEP after imputation of missing data using an ecological-level SEP. The results obtained from these models demonstrate that selection bias was introduced in the sample where only patients with complete individual SEP were included. This bias is redressed by using ecological-level SEP to impute missing data for individual SEP on all patients. Such a strategy helps to avoid an ecological bias due to the use of aggregated data to infer to individual level. When individual data are incomplete, we demonstrate the usefulness of an ecological index to assess and redress potential selection bias by using it to impute missing individual SEP.


Concordance between RNA-sequencing data and DNA microarray data in transcriptome analysis of proliferative and quiescent fibroblasts.
DNA microarrays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) are major technologies for performing high-throughput analysis of transcript abundance. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the concordance of data derived from the two techniques. Using cDNA libraries derived from normal human foreskin fibroblasts, we measured changes in transcript abundance as cells transitioned from proliferative growth to quiescence using both DNA microarrays and RNA-seq. The internal reproducibility of the RNA-seq data was greater than that of the microarray data. Correlations between the RNA-seq data and the individual microarrays were low, but correlations between the RNA-seq values and the geometric mean of the microarray values were moderate. The two technologies had good agreement when considering probes with the largest (both positive and negative) fold change (FC) values. An independent technique, quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), was used to measure the FC of 76 genes between proliferative and quiescent samples, and a higher correlation was observed between the qRT-PCR data and the RNA-seq data than between the qRT-PCR data and the microarray data.


The type specimens of Tachinidae (Diptera) housed in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires.
The type material of species of Tachinidae (Diptera) housed in the collection of the Entomology Division of the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" were examined and are herein documented. The collection contains 202 type specimens consisting of 54 species described by E.E. Blanchard and 12 described by J. Brèthes. Comparison of their original descriptions with the label information reveals the existence of 24 holotypes, 1 lectotype, 141 syntypes and 36 paratypes. Complete information is given for each type, including reference to the original description, label data, and preservation condition.


Acute effect of smoking on gallbladder emptying and refilling in chronic smokers and nonsmokers: a sonographic study.
To ultrasonographically evaluate the acute effects of smoking on gallbladder contraction and refilling in chronic smokers and nonsmokers. Fifteen chronic smokers (21-30 years old) and fifteen nonsmokers (21-35 years old) participated in this study. Chronic smokers were selected among the volunteers who had been smoking for at least 5 years and 10 cigarettes per day (mean 17.5/d). Examinations were performed in two separate days. In the first day, basal gallbladder (GB) volumes of volunteers were measured after 8-h fasting. After the examinations, participants had a meal containing at least 30-40 gram fat. Gallbladder volume was assessed at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the meal. In the second day, participants smoked 2 cigarettes after 8-h fasting. Then, they had the same meal, and gallbladder measurements were repeated at the same time points. Same procedures were applied to both groups. The mean starving GB volumes were 23.3 +/- 3.3 mL in the first day, 21.9 +/- 3.0 mL in the second day in nonsmoker group and 18.3 +/- 3.0 mL in the first day, 19.5 +/- 2.8 mL in second day in smoker group. There was no significant difference between starving GB volumes. We did not find any significant difference between the GB volumes measured at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min in the first and second days in nonsmoker group. In smokers, post cigarette GB volume was found significantly higher at 5, 15 and 30 min which corresponded to GB contraction phase (P < 0.05). Control GB volume measurements were not significantly different between the two groups. Post-smoking GB volumes were also not significantly different between the two groups. Smoking prolongs the maximal GB emptying time both in smokers and in nonsmokers though it is not significant. It delays GB contraction in chronic smokers and causes a significant decrease in GB emptying volume. Smoking causes no significant delay in GB refilling in both smokers and nonsmokers. These effects of smoking observed in acute phase result in bile stasis in GB. Bile stasis is the underlying cause of most GB disorders in chronic process.


A Comparison of 2- and 3-dimensional Healing Assessment after Endodontic Surgery Using Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Volumes or Periapical Radiographs.
The aim of this study was to compare the assessment of healing after endodontic microsurgery using 2-dimensional (2D) periapical films versus 3-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging. The healing of 51 teeth from 44 patients was evaluated using Molven's criteria (2D) and modified PENN 3D criteria. The absolute area (2D) and volume (3D) changes of apical lesions preoperatively and at follow-up were calculated by segmentation using OsiriX software (Pixmeo, Bernex, Switzerland) and ITK-Snap (free software). There was a significant difference between the mean preoperative lesion volumes of 95.34 mm3 (n = 51, standard deviation [SD] ±196.28 mm3) versus 6.48 mm3 (n = 51, SD ±17.70 mm3) at follow-up (P < .05). The mean volume reduction was 83.7%. Preoperatively, mean lesion areas on periapical films were 13.55 mm2 (n = 51, SD ±18.80 mm2) and 1.83 mm2 (n = 51, SD ±.68 mm2) at follow-up (P < .05). According to Molven's criteria, 40 teeth were classified as complete healing, 7 as incomplete healing, and 4 as uncertain healing. Based on the modified PENN 3D criteria, 33 teeth were classified as complete healing, 14 as limited healing, 1 as uncertain healing, and 3 as unsatisfactory healing. The variation in the distribution of the 2D and 3D healing classifications was significantly different (P < .05). Periapical healing statuses incomplete healing or uncertain healing according to Molven's criteria could be clearly classified using 3D criteria. CBCT analysis allowed a more precise evaluation of periapical lesions and healing of endodontic microsurgery than periapical films. Significant differences existed between the 2 methods. Over the observation period, the mean periapical lesion sizes significantly decreased in volume. Given the correct indications, the use of CBCT imaging may be a valuable tool for the evaluation of healing of endodontic surgery.


Chemomodulatory action of Brassica compestris (var sarason) on hepatic carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant profiles and lipid peroxidation.
The effect of two different doses (400 and 800 mg/kg body wt/day for 15 days) of a 95% ethanolic extract of the seeds of Brassica compestris (var sarason) was examined on carcinogen metabolizing phase-I and phase-II enzymes,antioxidant enzymes and glutathione content and lipid peroxidation in the liver of Swiss albino mice. Positive control mice were treated with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Significant elevation in the levels of cytochrome p450 (p<0,.05), cytochrome b5 (p < 0.05) glutathione s-transferase (p<0.01), DT-diaphorase (p<0.05), superoxide dismutase (p<0.01), catalase (p < 0.001) and reduced glutathione (p<0.001) was noted in the group treated with 800 mg/kg body wt. of Brassica extract in comparison with the negative control group. Brassica compestris acted as a bifunctional inducer since it induced both phase - I and phase - H enzyme systems. Since phase-I and phase-II enzymes are considered to be reliable markers for evaluating the chemoprevention efficacy of particular test materials,these findings are suggestive of potential chemopreventive roles for Brassica seed extract.


Testing method of plus and minus Gz tolerance at Czech Air Force pilots.
Pilots' physiological measurement in conditions of alternating plus and minus Gz (gravitational acceleration) has been done during real flights. The comparison of physiological responses during flights at the safe altitude of 7000 ft and low level flights at the altitude of 900 ft over ground bears on the evaluation of changes of the continuous blood pressure and the heart rate. High level of pilots' plus-minus Gz tolerance is essential requirement to cope with low level flights in agile aircraft. It was proved that the sinusoidal profile during real flights is possible to use for pilots' tolerance to plus and minus Gz load evaluation. A system for the physiological signal acquisition in a cockpit of combat aircraft was developed for this purpose.


Lower Extremity Nerve Transfers in Acute Flaccid Myelitis Patients: A Case Series.
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is characterized by flaccid paralysis following prodromal symptoms. Complete recovery is rare, and patients typically have residual extremity weakness. This study aimed to describe the technique and outcomes of lower extremity nerve transfers for children with AFM. A retrospective review of eight children who developed AFM in 2016 and had lower extremity nerve transfers was performed. Principles of nerve transfer were applied to develop novel nerve transfer procedures to restore function for this patient population. Pre- and postoperative muscle strength grades were reviewed, and qualitative improvements in function were recorded. A variety of nerve transfers were utilized in eight patients with average time to surgery from AFM diagnosis of 15.7 months. Restoration of gluteal, femoral, hamstring, and gastrocnemius function was attempted. Variable MRC grade improvement was achieved (range MRC grade 0-4). All patients reported subjective improvements in function. Four of five patients with follow-up who underwent nerve transfers for restoration of gluteal function transitioned from wheelchair use to walking with assistive devices as their primary modes of ambulation. No donor site complications occurred. The unique needs of this patient population and variable patterns of residual weakness require meticulous assessment and development of individualized surgical plans. With appropriate goals and expectations in mind, functional improvement may be achieved, including return to ambulation.


A 5 kA pulsed power supply for inductive and plasma loads in large volume plasma device.
This paper describes 5 kA, 12 ms pulsed power supply for inductive load of Electron Energy Filter (EEF) in large volume plasma device. The power supply is based upon the principle of rapid sourcing of energy from the capacitor bank (2.8 F/200 V) by using a static switch, comprising of ten Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). A suitable mechanism is developed to ensure equal sharing of current and uniform power distribution during the operation of these IGBTs. Safe commutation of power to the EEF is ensured by the proper optimization of its components and by the introduction of over voltage protection (>6 kV) using an indigenously designed snubber circuit. Various time sequences relevant to different actions of power supply, viz., pulse width control and repetition rate, are realized through optically isolated computer controlled interface.


Effect of donor age and 3D-cultivation on osteogenic differentiation capacity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Age and co-morbidities compromise healing tendencies of traumatic fractures in geriatric patients. Non-healing fractures may need regenerative medicine techniques involving autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Donor age may affect the viability and differentiation capacity of MSCs. We investigated age-related differences in adipose-derived MSCs (AMSCs) concerning osteogenic potential in 2D and 3D cultivation. AMSCs were harvested from young (mean age: 37.5 ± 8.6 years) and old (mean age: 75.8 ± 9.2 years) patients. Cells were induced to osteogenic differentiation and cultivated in 2D and 3D for 14 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization and gene expression were investigated. ALP activity revealed highest levels in 3D of old AMSCs after 14 days. ALP expression showed significant rises in old vs. young cells in 2D (p = 0.0024). Osteoprotegerin revealed the highest levels in old AMSCs in 2D. Highest osteocalcin levels presented in young cells compared to old cells in 2D (p = 0.0258) and young cells in 3D (p = 0.0014). 3D arrangement of old AMSCs without growth factors is not ensuring superior osteogenesis in vitro. AMSCs, especially cells from older patients, reveal higher osteogenic potential in 2D than in 3D. 3D arrangement favors osteogenic potential of young cells.


Sensitive capillary electrophoretic profiling of nicotine and nornicotine in mushrooms with amperometric detection.
A highly sensitive capillary electrophoretic profiling of nicotine (NIC) and nornicotine (NNIC) was developed and applied to mushrooms with amperometric detection (AD). Effects of the experimental factors including detection potential, separation parameters, and sample pretreatment conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the electrophoretic analysis of NIC and NNIC was achieved within 8 min on a pencil carbon disc working electrode at 0.95 V, which was lower than those reported previously. Good calibration curves were obtained in 0.01-2.0 μg/mL and 0.02-3.0 μg/mL with the LOD of 2 ng/mL and 5 ng/mL for NIC and NNIC, respectively. The feasibility of the resultant method was verified. Average recoveries of different fortified levels ranged in 80.7-86.0% and 94.0-98.6% for NNIC and NIC were gained, respectively. Applied to a range of mushrooms (Boletus edulis and Lentinus edodes), the NIC contained naturally was successfully found in the level of 19.71-79.20 μg/kg. The results obtained with CE-AD method were acceptable and close to that of HPLC-MS.


Optical Diode Effect at Spin-Wave Excitations of the Room-Temperature Multiferroic BiFeO_{3}.
Multiferroics permit the magnetic control of the electric polarization and the electric control of the magnetization. These static magnetoelectric (ME) effects are of enormous interest: The ability to read and write a magnetic state current-free by an electric voltage would provide a huge technological advantage. Dynamic or optical ME effects are equally interesting, because they give rise to unidirectional light propagation as recently observed in low-temperature multiferroics. This phenomenon, if realized at room temperature, would allow the development of optical diodes which transmit unpolarized light in one, but not in the opposite, direction. Here, we report strong unidirectional transmission in the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO_{3} over the gigahertz-terahertz frequency range. The supporting theory attributes the observed unidirectional transmission to the spin-current-driven dynamic ME effect. These findings are an important step toward the realization of optical diodes, supplemented by the ability to switch the transmission direction with a magnetic or electric field.


Hepatoviruses promote very-long-chain fatty acid and sphingolipid synthesis for viral RNA replication and quasi-enveloped virus release.
Virus-induced changes in host lipid metabolism are an important but poorly understood aspect of viral pathogenesis. By combining nontargeted lipidomics analyses of infected cells and purified extracellular quasi-enveloped virions with high-throughput RNA sequencing and genetic depletion studies, we show that hepatitis A virus, an hepatotropic picornavirus, broadly manipulates the host cell lipid environment, enhancing synthesis of ceramides and other sphingolipids and transcriptionally activating acyl-coenzyme A synthetases and fatty acid elongases to import and activate long-chain fatty acids for entry into the fatty acid elongation cycle. Phospholipids with very-long-chain acyl tails (>C22) are essential for genome replication, whereas increases in sphingolipids support assembly and release of quasi-enveloped virions wrapped in membranes highly enriched for sphingomyelin and very-long-chain ceramides. Our data provide insight into how a pathogenic virus alters lipid flux in infected hepatocytes and demonstrate a distinction between lipid species required for viral RNA synthesis versus nonlytic quasi-enveloped virus release.


Therapeutic management of congenital forms of endocrine hypertension.
Congenital forms of endocrine hypertension are rare and potentially life-threatening disorders, primarily caused by genetic defects affecting adrenal steroid synthesis and activation pathways. These conditions exhibit diverse clinical manifestations, which can be distinguished by their unique molecular mechanisms and steroid profiles. Timely diagnosis and customized management approach are crucial to mitigate unfavorable outcomes associated with uncontrolled hypertension and other related conditions. Treatment options for these disorders depend on the distinct underlying pathophysiology, which involves specific pharmacological therapies or surgical adrenalectomy in some instances. This review article summarizes the current state of knowledge on the therapeutic management of congenital forms of endocrine hypertension, focusing on familial hyperaldosteronism (FH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, apparent mineralocorticoid excess, and Liddle syndrome. We provide an overview of the genetic and molecular pathogenesis underlying each disorder, describe the clinical features, and discuss the various therapeutic approaches available and their risk of adverse effects, aiming to improve outcomes in patients with these rare and complex conditions.


Wave-particle dynamics of wave breaking in the self-excited dust acoustic wave.
The wave-particle microdynamics in the breaking of the self-excited dust acoustic wave growing in a dusty plasma liquid is investigated through directly tracking dust micromotion. It is found that the nonlinear wave growth and steepening stop as the mean oscillating amplitude of dust displacement reaches about 1/k (k is the wave number), where the vertical neighboring dust trajectories start to crossover and the resonant wave heating with uncertain crest trapping onsets. The dephased dust oscillations cause the abrupt dropping and broadening of the wave crest after breaking, accompanied by the transition from the liquid phase with coherent dust oscillation to the gas phase with chaotic dust oscillation. Corkscrew-shaped phase-space distributions measured at the fixed phases of the wave oscillation cycle clearly indicate how dusts move in and constitute the evolving waveform through dust-wave interaction.


Ethanol-phosphotungstic acid and bismuth staining of spermatid nucleoli in mouse spermiogenesis.
The nucleoli of developing mouse spermatids were examined with ethanol-phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA) staining, and also with bismuth staining following formaldehyde fixation (FA-Bi staining) and glutaraldehyde fixation (GA-Bi staining). Only the cortical zone of the nucleolar dense fibrillar component (DFC) in the round spermatids was stained with E-PTA, while the inner area remained either faintly (early Golgi-phase spermatids) or completely unstained (cap-phase spermatids). Incubation of the fixed testis with dithiothreitol before E-PTA staining resulted in homogeneously intense staining of the DFC. The facts suggest that numerous E-PTA-positive basic proteins were present in the DFC, but disulfide crosslinks formed in the DFC proteins prevent penetration of PTA into the DFC interior. The DFC was stained with bismuth after FA-Bi and GA-Bi staining until the disappearance of the nucleoli occurring in acrosome-phase spermatids. The fibrillar center, homogeneously stained using E-PTA, FA-Bi, and GA-Bi methods was present in the nucleoli of Golgi-phase and early cap-phase spermatids, but disappeared in the nucleoli of late cap-phase spermatids. These results are discussed based on the previous studies dealing with the ribosomal RNA synthesis in mouse spermiogenesis.


Interobserver variations in clinical signs for diagnosis of pleuritis.
A study was conducted on 150 patients admitted in a teaching hospital to find out reliable clinical signs for diagnosing pleuritis. Cases were selected based on suspicion of pleural involvement by history and examination. Final diagnosis was made by correlations with radiographic and ultrasonographic reports. Reliability of the signs was determined on the basis of high concordance of independently observed variations between two medical consultants. Inflammatory involvement of pleura was seen in 69.3% cases and 30.7% were due to oedema disorders. Concordance between observers was high for crepitations (95.5%) and pleural rub (93.8%) followed by vocal resonance (87.6%), dull percussion note (76.9%) and mediastinal shift (76.9%).


Oxytocinergic regulation of endogenous as well as drug-induced mood.
The interconnections between the serotonin and oxytocin pathways in the brain suggest that changes in oxytocin levels - arising from natural or drug-induced stimuli - lead to measureable changes in mood. In this paper, we review our findings in the context of what is known about the roles of oxytocin and vasopressin in the expression of a range of behaviours. In our first set of studies we investigated whether stimulation of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors, via central or systemic drug administration, would produce behavioural changes indicative of anti-depressant or anxiolytic activity. In our second study we investigated whether oxytocin receptor activation might be implicated in the interoceptive effects experienced with the popular party drug, MDMA ('ecstasy'). Our first study demonstrated that carbetocin, an oxytocin analogue, had anti-depressant actions following systemic and central administration, effects which were blocked by the oxytocin and vasopressin 1A receptor antagonist, atosiban. Carbetocin also had anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze. In an evaluation of the complementary nature of oxytocin and vasopressin, we found that systemic administration of desmopressin, a vasopressin analogue, was anxiogenic; its effects blocked by atosiban which on its own produced robust anxiolytic behavioural changes. In our second study, we evaluated MDMA's interoceptive effects using a drug discrimination paradigm. Carbetocin partially substituted for MDMA, while atosiban interfered with MDMA discrimination, suggesting that oxytocin receptor activation contributes to MDMA-related interoceptive cues. The results of these and other clinical and preclinical studies suggest that oxytocin, as well as its closely related counterpart vasopressin, may provide alternative therapeutic targets for the treatment of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. The possibility that oxytocin release may contribute to the perception of and processes underlying natural and drug-induced behavioural reinforcement offers exciting prospects for future study.


The overgeneralization of non-finite complements to finite contexts: the case of decide.
Current views on the acquisition of PRO can roughly be divided into two areas: lexical and syntactic accounts. We present data on one verb, decide, that yields data that not only differs from the data for other similar verbs with the same children, but does not lend itself easily to either type of account. Data from a sentence elicitation task conducted with 20 typically-developing children (4;o-7;11), along with 3 case studies illustrate that children may not be assigning a referent for PRO in an adult-like manner for particular verbs. Instead they may be overgeneralizing the use of non-finite complements to finite contexts.


Species of Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae on native Myrtaceae in Uruguay: evidence of fungal host jumps.
Mycosphaerella species are well-known causal agents of leaf diseases on many economically and ecologically important plant species. In Uruguay, a relatively large number of Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae are found on Eucalyptus, but nothing is known of these fungi on native Myrtaceae. The aim of this study was to identify Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae species associated with leaf diseases on native Myrtaceae in Uruguay and to consider whether host jumps by the pathogen from introduced Eucalyptus to native Myrtaceae have occurred. Several native forests throughout the country were surveyed with special attention given to those located close to Eucalyptus plantations. Five species belonging to the Mycosphaerellaceae and Teratosphaeriaceae clades were found on native Myrtaceous trees and three of these had previously been reported on Eucalyptus in Uruguay. Those occurring both on Eucalyptus and native Myrtaceae included Pallidocercospora heimii, Pseudocercospora norchiensis, and Teratosphaeria aurantia. In addition, Mycosphaerella yunnanensis, a species known to occur on Eucalyptus but not previously recorded in Uruguay, was found on leaves of two native Myrtaceous hosts. Because most of these species occur on Eucalyptus in countries other than Uruguay, it appears that they were introduced in this country and have adapted to be able to infect native Myrtaceae. These apparent host jumps have the potential to result in serious disease problems and they should be carefully monitored.


Studies on the property and transplantation of haemopoietic stem cells from peripheral blood.
Comparative studies of the properties of murine haemopoietic stem cells from different sources revealed that the peripheral haemopoietic stem cell is relatively weaker than the haemopoietic stem cell from bone marrow in promoting the recovery of hemopoiesis in the irradiated animals. This is due to the heterogenity of stem cell population in which some aged cellsubpopulations are co-existing. The modified potential in proliferation and differentiation of haemopoietic stem cells in the peripheral blood seems to be irreversible under normal physiological conditions. In a preliminary experiment, the use of an anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin to eliminate immunocompetent cells proved effective in reducing the severity and incidence of secondary diseases and in increasing the number of survivors of lethally irradiated semi-isologous mice after transplantation of parental peripheral mononuclear cells.


Draft Genome Sequence of Salirhabdus euzebyi Strain Q1438.
In 2007, Salirhabdus euzebyi was first described as a bacterial isolate from a sea salt evaporation pond. As no genome sequence was previously available for this species, we performed whole-genome sequencing. The chromosome of strain Q1438 was 3,784,443 bp long with 36% G+C content, 3,830 protein-coding genes, and 74 RNA genes.


Long-term outcomes after standard graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis with or without anti-human-T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin in haemopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors: final results of a randomised controlled trial.
Previously, we demonstrated that the addition of anti-human-T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin (ATLG) to standard ciclosporin and methotrexate prophylaxis reduced graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in adult patients treated with allogeneic haemopoietic cell transplantation from matched unrelated donors without negatively affecting relapse and survival. Since reports on long-term results from randomised trials testing anti-thymocyte globulin are scarce, we performed an extended follow-up of the trial. Between May 26, 2003, and Feb 8, 2007, 202 patients with haematological malignancies were centrally randomly assigned using computer-generated centre-stratified block randomisation to receive ciclosporin and methotrexate with or without ATLG. 201 patients who underwent transplantation with peripheral blood (n=164; 82%) or bone marrow (n=37; 18%) grafts after myeloablative conditioning were included in the full analysis set, and were analysed according to their randomly assigned treatment (ATLG n=103, non-ATLG n=98). We assessced chronic GvHD, non-relapse mortality, relapse, relapse mortality, disease-free survival, overall survival, severe GvHD-free (acute GvHD III-IV, and extensive chronic GvHD) and relapse-free survival, and time under immunosuppressive therapy after long-term follow-up. The trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00000002), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00655343), and EudraCT (2004-000232-91). Median follow-up was 8·6 years (IQR 8·0-9·3). Only patients at risk for chronic GvHD (ie, patients who were alive and without a second transplant at 100 days) were included in the analyses of chronic GvHD (90 patients in the ATLG group, 80 patients in the non-ATLG group). At 8 years, the incidence of extensive chronic GvHD was 14% (95% CI 8-29) in the ATLG group versus 52% (42-64) in the non-ATLG group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·18, 95% CI 0·09-0·34; p<0·0001). Non-relapse mortality was 21% (95% CI 14-30) versus 34% (26-45; adjusted HR 0·66, 95% CI 0·38-1·16; p=0·15), incidence of relapse was 35% (95% CI 27-46) versus 30% (22-41; adjusted HR 1·17, 95% CI 0·71-1·93; p=0·54), relapse mortality was 31% (95% CI 23-41) versus 29% (21-40; adjusted HR 1·03, 95% CI 0·61-1·76; p=0·90), disease-free survival was 44% (95% CI 35-54) versus 36% (27-46) (adjusted HR 0·91, 95% CI 0·63-1·31; p=0·60), overall survival was 49% (95% CI 39-59) versus 37% (27-47; adjusted HR 0·82, 95% CI 0·56-1·20; p=0·31), and severe GvHD-free and relapse-free survival was 34% (25-43) versus 13% (7-21) (adjusted HR 0·55, 95% CI 0·39-0·76; p=0·0003). The probability of being alive and free of immunosuppressive therapy was 47% (95% 37-57) in the ATLG group and 11% (5-18) in the non-ATLG group at 8 years. ATLG in addition to standard ciclosporin and methotrexate as GvHD prophylaxis improves severe GvHD-free and relapse-free survival in the long term. The use of ATLG in unrelated donor transplantation after myeloablative conditioning substantially increases the probability of surviving free of immunosuppressive therapy, and thus reduces the risk associated with long-term immunosuppression. Neovii Biotech.


Prevalence and distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Spain during the 2000-2015 period (the GEHEP 005 study).
We report the largest study on the prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes in Spain (2000-2015), and we relate them with clinical, epidemiological and virological factors. Patients from 29 hospitals in 10 autonomous communities (Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla-Leon, Catalonia, Galicia, Canary Islands, Madrid Community, Valencian Community, Murcia Region and Basque Country) have been studied. Annual distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes, as well as gender, age, transmission route, HIV and/or HBV coinfection, and treatment details were recorded. We included 48595 chronically HCV-infected patients with the following characteristics: median age 51 years (IQR, 44-58), 67.9% male, 19.1% HIV-coinfected, 23.5% HBV-coinfected. Parenteral transmission route was the most frequent (58.7%). Genotype distribution was 66.9% GT1 (24.9% subtype 1a and 37.9% subtype 1b), 2.8% GT2, 17.3% GT3, 11.4% GT4 and 0.1% GT5 and 0.02% GT6. LiPA was the most widely HCV genotyping test used (52.4%). HCV subtype 1a and genotypes 3 and 4 were closely associated with male gender, parenteral route of infection and HIV and HBV coinfection; in contrast, subtype 1b and genotype 2 were associated with female gender, nonparenteral route and mono-infection. Age was related to genotype distribution, and different patterns of distribution and biodiversity index were observed between different geographical areas. Finally, we describe how treatment and changes in transmission routes may have affected HCV genotype prevalence and distribution patterns. We present the most recent data on molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in Spain. This study confirms that genotype distributions vary with age, sex, HIV and HBV coinfection and within geographical areas and epidemiological groups.


Investigating the effects of preinduction on human adipose-derived precursor cells in an athymic rat model.
The osteogenic potential of human adipose-derived precursor cells seeded on medical-grade polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds was investigated in this in vivo study. Three study groups were investigated: (1) induced--stimulated with osteogenic factors only after seeding into scaffold; (2) preinduced--induced for 2 weeks before seeding into scaffolds; and (3) uninduced--cells without any introduced induction. For all groups, scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously into the dorsum of athymic rats. The scaffold/cell constructs were harvested at the end of 6 or 12 weeks and analyzed for osteogenesis. Gross morphological examination using scanning electron microscopy indicated good integration of host tissue with scaffold/cell constructs and extensive tissue infiltration into the scaffold interior. Alizarin Red histology and immunostaining showed a heightened level of mineralization and an increase in osteonectin, osteopontin, and collagen type I protein expression in both the induced and preinduced groups compared with the uninduced groups. However, no significant differences were observed in these indicators when compared between the induced and preinduced groups.


[Identification of intracavitary electrograms predictive of success in ablation of anomalous pathways by radiofrequency].
To analyze the characteristics of atrial (A) and ventricular (V) electrograms, AV and VA intervals relation to determine a precise radiofrequency ablation site. A and V electrograms (EG) recorded at successful (group 1) and unsuccessful (group 2) sites in 22 patients submitted to RF catheter ablation were identified. Specific criteria as morphology, AV and VA intervals relation and the presence of an accessory pathway were analyzed. The shortest AV interval with a VEG that precedes the delta wave in the onset of the QRS recorded at the EKG leads was the best outcome predictor. The AV connection potential was only recorded in five out of 22 patients and did not interfere with the result when not present. The interval measured between the onset of the V electrogram and the onset (delta wave) of the QRS complex (V-d) varied from -4.9 to -11msec (m = 7.5 + 1.6) in G1 and from -6 to 15msec (m = 9.6 +/- 3) in G2 (p = 0.03). Unsuccessful sites had the VEG preceding the delta wave but the AV interval was not short. Success in the retrograde mapping of target site seems to be the presence of an atrial potential that occurs simultaneously with the nadir (S wave) of the QRS complex. Specific criteria such as morphology of the local VEG, a short AV or VA intervals and a VEG that precede the onset (delta wave) of the QRS identified a successful site for RF ablation. When present the accessory pathway potential indicates a high chance of a successful ablation; however when not present did not decrease the chance of success.


Class II composite resin restorations using glass-ionomer liners: microleakage studies.
Microleakage studies were undertaken for Class II composite resin restorations that had been lined with glass-ionomer cement using the 'sandwich' technique. Thirty freshly extracted permanent molars and premolars were mounted in polymethylmethacrylate blocks. Class II cavities were prepared using carbide burs No. 245 in a water cooled dental handpiece, (cavity box 5 x 3 x 2 mm). Specimens were divided into three groups of 10 each. Group A was restored with hybrid composite resin only, Group B with hybrid composite using a light-cured glass-ionomer liner applied to dentin only, and Group C with hybrid composite using light-cured glass-ionomer liner carried out to the cavosurface margin, (beyond the DEJ). All the specimens were thermocycled between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C for 250 cycles for 3 hours, followed by placement in 0.5% aqueous basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. Specimens were sectioned mesio-distally through the restorations using an Isomet apparatus. The extent of dye penetration was scored under a stereomicroscope with reference to the DEJ, (0 = no penetration, 1 = penetration to the enamel, 2 = penetration beyond the DEJ). Statistical analysis of the data showed significant differences among the means of the groups at p < 0.001. The results of this study indicate that the application of a light-cured glass-ionomer up to the cavosurface margin inhibits the microleakage of Class II restorations in vitro.


Glycine transport accounts for the differential role of glycine vs. D-serine at NMDA receptor coagonist sites in the salamander retina.
In this study, we demonstrate that d-serine interacts with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) coagonist sites of retinal ganglion cells of the tiger salamander retina by showing that exogenous d-serine overcomes the competitive antagonism of 7-chlorokynurenic acid for this site. Additionally, we show that exogenous d-serine was more than 30 times as effective at potentiating NMDAR currents compared with glycine. We thus examined the importance of glycine transport through the application of selective antagonists of the GlyT1 (NFPS) and GlyT2 (ALX-5670) transport systems, while simultaneously evaluating the degree of occupancy of the NMDAR coagonist binding sites. Analysis was carried out with electrophysiological recordings from the inner retina, including whole-cell recordings from retinal ganglion cells and extracellular recordings of the proximal negative field potential. Blocking the GlyT2 transport system had no effect on the light-evoked NMDAR currents or on the sensitivity of these currents to exogenous d-serine. In contrast, when the GlyT1 system was blocked, the coagonist sites of NMDARs showed full occupancy. These findings clearly establish the importance of the GlyT1 transporter as an essential component for maintaining the coagonist sites of NMDARs in a non-saturated state. The normal, unsaturated state of the NMDAR coagonist binding sites allows modulation of the NMDAR currents, by release of either d-serine or glycine. These results are discussed in light of contemporary findings which favor d-serine over glycine as the major coagonist of the NMDARs found in ganglion cells of the tiger salamander retina.


Self-reinforced ciprofloxacin-releasing polylactide-co-glycolide 80/20 inhibits attachment and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis: an in vitro study.
We have observed the efficiency of antibiotic-releasing polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) 80/20 in preventing Staphylococcus epidermidis attachment and biofilm formation in vitro. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of self-reinforced (SR) implants with enhanced antibiotic release on bacterial attachment and biofilm formation rates, and also on growth inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Cylindrical SR-PLGA+AB specimens (length 30 mm, diameter 3 mm) were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for attachment of S. epidermidis ATCC 35989 on biomaterial surface and formation of biofilm, after incubating with bacterial suspension of ca. 10 cfu/mL for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. SR-PLGA and SR-PLGA+AB implants were tested on agar plates by measuring the inhibition distance around implants. On the surface of SR-PLGA+AB, at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21, the percentage of areas with not a single bacteria attached, was 88.6%, 71.1%, 73.7%, 73.7%, and 68.4%, respectively. On the areas where bacteria were detected, the number of bacterial cells remained low during whole study period, and no significant increase by time was seen. There was no biofilm observed on 97-99% of the examined areas during the whole study period on SR-PLGA+AB. In agar plates, the SR-PLGA+AB showed inhibition of bacterial growth, with (mean) 53.2 mm diameter of inhibition area with peeled implants and 50.5 mm with non-peeled implants. There was no inhibition seen around implants without ciprofloxacin. Bioabsorbable ciprofloxacin-releasing self-reinforced PLGA (SR-PLGA+AB) was superior to plain SR-PLGA in preventing bacterial attachment, biofilm formation, and also the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis.


Primary omental ectopic pregnancy: A rare case report.
Primary abdominal pregnancy is the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is directly implanted into peritoneal cavity. This condition poses significantly high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a case of 5 weeks of primary omental pregnancy managed by laparotomy.


Acute partial sleep deprivation increases food intake in healthy men.
Acute partial sleep deprivation increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and decreases those of leptin. The objective was to observe modifications in energy intake and physical activity after acute partial sleep deprivation in healthy men. Twelve men [age: 22 +/- 3 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 22.30 +/- 1.83] completed a randomized 2-condition crossover study. During the first night of each 48-h session, subjects had either approximately 8 h (from midnight to 0800) or approximately 4 h (from 0200 to 0600) of sleep. All foods consumed subsequently (jam on buttered toast for breakfast, buffet for lunch, and a free menu for dinner) were eaten ad libitum. Physical activity was recorded by an actimeter. Feelings of hunger, perceived pleasantness of the foods, desire to eat some foods, and sensation of sleepiness were also evaluated. In comparison with the 8-h sleep session, subjects consumed 559 +/- 617 kcal (ie, 22%) more energy on the day after sleep restriction (P < 0.01), and preprandial hunger was higher before breakfast (P < 0.001) and dinner (P < 0.05). No change in the perceived pleasantness of the foods or in the desire to eat the foods was observed. Physical activity from 1215 to 2015 was higher after sleep restriction than after 8 h of sleep (P < 0.01), even though the sensation of sleepiness was more marked (P < 0.01). One night of reduced sleep subsequently increased food intake and, to a lesser extent, estimated physical activity-related energy expenditure in healthy men. These experimental results, if confirmed by long-term energy balance measurements, suggest that sleep restriction could be a factor that promotes obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00986492.


[Studies on structure modification and structure-activity relationship of new taxoids derived from sinenxan a].
In order to develop new taxol analogues with possible antitumor properties, sinenxan A (SIA), a new biosynthetic taxoid, was chemically modified, mainly by esterification of C14-OH with taxol-like side-chain acids. Twenty-one new taxoids thus formed were tested on three kinds of cell lines. Their activities are far below those of taxol. The SAR of SIA derivatives partly agree with that of taxol and can be roughly discerned.


Assessment of Health Literacy and Health Promoting Behaviors among the Urban Adult Population.
The main criteria of health determinants are Health Promoting Behaviors (HPBs) and Health Literacy (HL). This study aimed to assess HL and HPBs among the urban population of adults. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study with 379 adults in Iran. The inclusion criteria was that participants were randomly selected from health centers using health records. Data were collected by demographic information questionnaire, Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and Pearson's r correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Also, the hierarchical regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders. There was a significant association between HL and demographic factors, including age, gender and education level. HL dimensions were significantly correlated with HPBs of adults (p <0.05). Decision-making was the strongest HL dimension to predictive HPBs (β=0.606). In this study, 49.7% of the variation in HPBs is predicted by the HL, and the demographic characteristics. It can be advantageous to design programs to promote HL and HPBs in adults, focusing on the aging group, gender, and education level.


PPARgamma agonists prevent TGFbeta1/Smad3-signaling in human hepatic stellate cells.
PPARgamma agonists inhibit liver fibrosis, but the mechanisms involved are uncertain. We hypothesized that PPARgamma agonists inhibit transforming growth factor (TGF)beta1-activation of TGFbeta receptor (TGFbetaR)-1 signaling in quiescent stellate cells, thereby abrogating Smad3-dependent induction of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, such as PAI-1 and collagen-1alphaI. To test this, human HSC were cultured to induce a quiescent phenotype, characterized by lipid accumulation and PPARgamma expression and transcriptional activity. These adipocytic HSC were then treated with TGFbeta1+/-a TGFbetaR-1 kinase inhibitor (SB431542) or a PPARgamma agonist (GW7845). TGFbeta1 caused dose- and time-dependent increases in Smad3 phosphorylation, followed by induction of collagen and PAI-1 expression. Like the TGFbetaR-1 kinase inhibitor, the PPARgamma agonist caused dose-dependent inhibition of all of these responses without effecting HSC proliferation or viability. Thus, the anti-fibrotic actions of PPARgamma agonists reflect their ability to inhibit TGFbeta1-TGFbetaR1 signaling that initiates ECM gene expression in quiescent HSC.


Double-lumen catheter assessment of aortic stenosis: comparison with separate catheter technique.
Hemodynamic assessment of aortic stenosis in the catheterization laboratory accurate determination of the transvalvular gradient. A commercially available double-lumen pigtail catheter can be used to obtain this gradient via a single arterial puncture. The catheter has several advantages over other methods used to measure the gradient in aortic stenosis, but it has not been critically evaluated. In order to assess the performance of this catheter compared to the traditional standard of separate catheters above and across the aortic valve, we studied 10 patients with aortic stenosis using both catheter systems. Aortic valve areas ranged from 0.34 cm2 to 1.1 cm2. Linear regression analysis confirmed excellent correlation between the two methods in measurement of the mean transvalvular gradient (r = 0.98) and calculation of the aortic valve area (r = 0.99) using the Gorlin formula. We conclude that the double-lumen pigtail catheter provides accurate data in the hemodynamic evaluation of aortic stenosis.


Transposition of the Zorro2 retrotransposon is activated by miconazole in Candida albicans.
Zorro2 is a member of a non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon family in Candida albicans, but as yet no clear evidence has been provided to establish either transcription or transposition activity for Zorro2. In this study, the relative expression changes of two open reading frames in Zorro2, ORF19.7274 and ORF19.7275, were examined in response to miconazole (MCZ), and were found to be increased by this treatment. As well, the copy number and the transcripts of Zorro2 in MCZ-induced resistant daughter strains were increased compared to the parental strain, indicating that transposition of Zorro2 occurred during long-term MCZ treatment. Intriguingly, the transcription activity of Zorro2 retrotransposons was significantly inhibited when the cells were treated with MCZ together with antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). As both the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of genes involving DNA repair activated by MCZ were reduced when combined with the treatment of NAC, we propose that the damage caused by accumulation of ROS under MCZ stress is a major reason for the transcription and transposition activation of the Zorro2 retrotransposon.


Simple risk models to predict surgical mortality in acute type A aortic dissection: the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection score.
Surgical mortality for acute type A aortic dissection is frequently related to preoperative clinical conditions. We report a predictive score to identify risk of death that may be helpful to assist surgeons who are considering whether to proceed with surgical correction in the case of patients in extreme clinical risk. Surgical outcome of 682 patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection from 1996 to 2003 was analyzed. Two different models were used. The initial model included only preoperative variables such as demographics, history, symptoms, signs, and diagnostic methods (model 1). The second model also tested intraoperative hemodynamic and surgical variables (model 2). A bedside risk prediction tool to predict operative mortality in individual patients was developed. The overall in-hospital surgical mortality was 23.9%. Independent preoperative predictors of mortality in model 1 were age greater than 70 years, prior cardiac surgery, hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg) or shock at presentation, migrating pain, cardiac tamponade, any pulse deficit, and electrocardiogram with findings of myocardial ischemia or infarction. In model 2, other predictors of surgical death were intraoperative hypotension, a right ventricle dysfunction at surgery, and a necessity to perform coronary revascularization. An independent predictor for favorable surgical outcome was right hemiarch replacement. Surgery in unstable patients with acute type A aortic dissection can be highly unsuccessful. The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection risk models predict in-hospital mortality using a multivariable risk prediction tool, useful for surgeons and patients as they consider their surgical risk and the pros and cons of embarking on high-risk surgery.


Discovery of (R)-8-(1-(3,5-difluorophenylamino)ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-morpholino-4-oxo-4H-chromene-6-carboxamide (AZD8186): a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kβ and PI3Kδ for the treatment of PTEN-deficient cancers.
Several studies have highlighted the dependency of PTEN deficient tumors to PI3Kβ activity and specific inhibition of PI3Kδ has been shown activity against human B-cell cancers. We describe the discovery and optimization of a series of 8-(1-anilino)ethyl)-2-morpholino-4-oxo-4H-chromene-6-carboxamides as PI3Kβ/δ inhibitors, which led to the discovery of the clinical candidate 13, also known as AZD8186. On the basis of the lower lipophilicity of the chromen-4-one core compared to the previously utilized pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimid-4-one core, this series of compounds displayed high metabolic stability and suitable physical properties for oral administration. Compound 13 showed profound pharmacodynamic modulation of p-Akt in PTEN-deficient PC3 prostate tumor bearing mice after oral administration and showed complete inhibition of tumor growth in the mouse PTEN-deficient PC3 prostate tumor xenograft model. 13 was selected as a clinical candidate for treatment of PTEN-deficient cancers and has recently entered phase I clinical trials.


Common dyes used to determine bacterial polysaccharides on agar are affected by medium acidification.
In this work, we highlight effects of pH on bacterial phenotypes when using the bacteriological dyes Aniline blue, Congo red, and Calcofluor white to analyze polysaccharide production. A study of galactose catabolism in Sinorhizobium meliloti led to the isolation of a mutation in dgoK1, which was observed to overproduce exopolysaccharides when grown in the presence of galactose. When this mutant strain was spotted onto plates containing Aniline blue, Congo red, or Calcofluor white, the intensity of the associated staining was strikingly different from that of the wild type. Additionally, a Calcofluor dull phenotype was observed, suggesting production of a polysaccharide other than succinoglycan. Further investigation of this phenotype revealed that these results were dependent on medium acidification, as buffering at pH 6 had no effect on these phenotypes, while medium buffered at pH 6.5 resulted in a reversal of the phenotypes. Screening for mutants of the dgoK1 strain that were negative for the Aniline blue phenotype yielded a strain carrying a mutation in tkt2, which is annotated as a putative transketolase. Consistent with the plate phenotypes, when this mutant was grown in broth cultures, it did not acidify its growth medium. Overall, this work shows that caution should be exercised in evaluating polysaccharide phenotypes based strictly on the use of dyes.