Modelling the Factors That Predict the Intention to Take COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria.
This study developed a model that predicted factors that prompt the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine among Nigerians. Data were collected from 385 respondents across Nigeria using snowball sampling technique with online questionnaire as instrument. Results indicated that cues to action, health motivation, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control positively predicted the intention to take COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. However, perceived susceptibility, severity, and COVID-19 vaccine benefits did not predict the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Further findings showed that COVID-19 vaccine barrier and attitude was negatively associated with the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine.


Bone dysplasias: an introduction.
Although individual bone dysplasias are rare, as a group they are relatively common and have a significant effect on morbidity and mortality at all ages. In this brief introduction, radiologic classification, diagnosis and differential diagnosis are given. The radiologic diagnosis is emphasized, since distinction among the various bone dysplasias is based largely on radiographic findings. Prenatal diagnosis relies heavily on high-resolution real-time ultrasonography of the fetus. Precise antenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of a bone dysplasia may be very difficult; however, accurate differentiation of a lethal versus a nonlethal anomaly is relatively easy. There has been a recent explosion of knowledge about the genetic basis of skeletal dysplasias. Collagen gene mutations have been found to be responsible for osteogenesis imperfecta and many other bone dysplasias. The locations of the genes implicated in achondroplasia and some other chondrodysplasias are now known. Histologic analysis of the growth plate may also provide specific diagnostic features in achondroplasia and other bone dysplasias. A team approach is mandatory for the diagnosis and management of this fascinating and challenging group of diseases.


Pitfall of modern genetics: recurrent erysipelas masquerading as autoinflammatory disease.
A patient presented with recurrent episodes of fever and skin rash for eight years. DNA analysis of the NLRP3 gene revealed a mutation associated with autoinflammatory disease. After an initial positive response to the biological anakinra, the patient deteriorated. Reassessment revealed recurrent erysipelas. In conclusion, sometimes erysipelas-like skin rash is real erysipelas, and DNA results are not always the final answer.


Formation of F'trp plasmids in Escherichia coli K12.
From strains carrying two different F-prime factors, we recovered F' derivatives that acquired the trp chromosomal region. These F'trp plasmids can be isolated at a frequency of 10(-5) to 10(-6). They were characterized genetically by looking at the size of the trp segment they acquired and at the location of that segment in the parental F' plasmid. Results are discussed in relationship to possible transposition mechanisms.


Wall lizards display conspicuous signals to conspecifics and reduce detection by avian predators.
Visual signals are often under conflicting selection to be hidden from predators while being conspicuous to mates and rivals. Here, we investigated whether 3 different island populations of Aegean wall lizards (Podarcis erhardii) with variable coloration among diverse island habitats exhibit simultaneous camouflage and sexual signals. We examined whether signals appear better tuned to conspecific vision as opposed to that of avian predators, and whether background-matching camouflage and sexual signals are partitioned to specific body regions. This could facilitate both covert sexual signaling and camouflage according to the viewing perspectives of predators and conspecifics. We found that lizards typically appeared twice as conspicuous to conspecifics than to avian predators against the same visual background, largely due to lizards' enhanced sensitivity to ultraviolet, suggesting that P. erhardii signals are tuned to conspecific vision to reduce detection by predators. Males were more conspicuous than females to both predators and conspecifics. In 2 populations, male backs were relatively more camouflaged to predators compared to signaling flanks, whereas in females, exposed and concealed surfaces were camouflaged to predators and generally did not differ in background matching. These findings indicate that lizard coloration evolves under the competing demands of natural and sexual selection to promote signals that are visible to conspecifics while being less perceptible to avian predators. They also elucidate how interactions between natural and sexual selection influence signal detectability and partitioning to different body regions, highlighting the importance of considering receiver vision, viewing perspectives, and signaling environments in studies of signal evolution.


Note: Development of real-time epithermal neutron detector for boron neutron capture therapy.
The real-time detection of epithermal neutrons forms an important aspect of boron neutron capture therapy. In this context, we developed an epithermal neutron detector based on the combination of a small Eu:LiCaAlF6 scintillator and a quartz fiber in order to fulfill the irradiation-field requirements for boron neutron capture therapy. The irradiation test is performed with the use of a reactor-based neutron source. The thermal and epithermal neutron sensitivities of our epithermal neutron detector are estimated to be 9.52 × 10-8 ± 1.59 × 10-8 cm2 and 1.20 × 10-6 cm2 ± 8.96 × 10-9 cm2, respectively. We also subject the developed epithermal neutron detector to actual irradiation fields, and we confirm that the epithermal neutron flux can be measured in realtime.


Discrepancy between transcriptional products and cell surface expression of MHC class I antigens in metastatic and non-metastatic Lewis lung tumor cells.
Major histocompatibility complex class I transcriptional products and cell surface expression of their corresponding proteins were measured in tumorigenic Lewis lung carcinoma cells with either high metastatic activity (G4 cells) or with no metastatic activity (G2 cells). The transcriptional products were measured by hybridization to gene-specific oligonucleotide probes for H-2Kb and H-2Db respectively. The cell surface density of the corresponding H-2 glycoproteins was determined by FACS cell sorter analysis and by radioimmunoassay using anti-H-2Kb and anti-H-2Db specific monoclonal antibodies. The analyses revealed that the cell surface density of both Kb and Db was reduced 4-9 fold in G4 cells compared to G2 cells. However, this reduction of G4 cell surface expression of MHC class I molecules was not reflected at the mRNA level since both subclones had similar low levels of detectable Kb and Db specific mRNA. beta 2-microglobulin was analysed at the mRNA and protein level and found not to be the rate-limiting factor in the MHC class I expression of the metastatic G4 cells. Thus, the cell surface expression of H-2Kb and H-2Db by the two Lewis lung carcinoma subclones did not correlate with the amount of specific mRNA. Other regulatory mechanisms of gene expression acting at the levels between transcription and the appearance of the gene product at the cell surface must therefore account for the observed difference in the cell surface expression of MHC class I molecules of the two Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The potential importance of MHC class I expression in the metastatic capacity of the tumor cells is discussed.


an evaluation of the possible relationship between chronic periodontitis and hypertension.
Periodontal diseases have been reported to have a form of reciprocal relationship with the general systemic health, in which case those with some systemic diseases such as hypertension have poorer periodontal health and vice versa. The issue of causal or casual relationship is however yet to be finally resolved. The aim of this study was to determine any possible relationship between chronic periodontitis and cardiovascular risk factors. A cross-sectional assessment of cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and the carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) was done among 100 consecutive subjects in the echocardiogram unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria over a period of six months. These cardiovascular risk factors were compared with periodontal parameters such as Simplified Oral Hygiene index (OHI-S), Gingival index (GI) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the respondents ranged from 98 - 210 mm Hg with a mean of 133.1 ± 15 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 60 - 136 mm Hg with a mean of 84.6 ± 6.4 mm Hg. There was a statistically significant relationship between the systolic blood pressure and oral hygiene index (P< 0.000), diastolic blood pressure and oral hygiene index (P < 0.010) and mean carotid artery intima media thickness and oral hygiene index (P< 0.012) among the respondents. In view of the significant relationship between the blood pressure and the mean carotid artery intima media thickness, when compared with the oral hygiene status of respondents in this study, more emphasis should be laid on regular preventive dental visit as a way of decreasing cardiovascular health risk.


When deep vein thrombosis occurs in the upper limb.
Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis is a relatively rare condition which has thus far not attracted much interest in the literature. The differences in its aetiopathology, different diagnostic modalities and the current standard of care are discussed in this article.


High maternal vitamin D levels in early pregnancy may protect against behavioral difficulties at preschool age: the Rhea mother-child cohort, Crete, Greece.
Animal studies suggest that prenatal vitamin D status may affect fetal brain growth. However, human studies are scarce with conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the association of maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels with multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes at 4 years of age. We included 487 mother-child pairs from the prospective pregnancy cohort, "Rhea" in Crete, Greece. Maternal serum 25(OH) D concentrations were measured at the first prenatal visit (13 ± 2.4 weeks). Cognitive functions at 4 years were assessed by means of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Behavioral difficulties were assessed by means of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Test. Children of women in the high 25(OH) D tertile (>50.7 nmol/l) had 37% decreased number of hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms (IRR 0.63, 95% CI 0.39, 0.99, p trend = 0.05) and 40% decreased number of total ADHD-like symptoms (IRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37, 0.95, p trend = 0.03) at 4 years of age, compared to children of women in the low 25(OH) D tertile (<38.4 nmol/l), after adjustment for several confounders. Similar associations were found with the hyperactivity/inattention score of the SDQ questionnaire. Children of mothers with high 25(OH) D levels had also fewer total behavioral difficulties (beta-coeff: -1.25, 95% CI -2.32, -0.19) and externalizing symptoms (beta-coeff: -0.87, 95% CI -1.58, -0.15) at preschool age. The observed associations were stronger in girls than in boys (p for interaction < 0.1). No association was observed between maternal 25(OH) D concentrations and cognitive function in preschoolers. Our results suggest that high maternal vitamin D levels in early pregnancy may protect against behavioral difficulties, especially ADHD-like symptoms at preschool age.


Depressive symptom heterogeneity among older adults after hip fracture.
to evaluate patterns of depressive symptoms after hip fracture and examine their impact on functional recovery. participants (n = 304) included older adults from the Baltimore Hip Studies 7th cohort who experienced a hip fracture. Depressive symptoms were measured at baseline or 2-, 6- or 12-month post-hip fracture using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Gait speed was measured after hip fracture at 2-, 6- or 12-month follow-up. Latent class analysis was used to identify individuals with similar patterns of depressive symptoms after hip fracture. Item response probabilities characterised symptom profiles, and posterior probability estimates were used to assign participants to a baseline depressive symptom subtype. Weighted estimated equations compared post-fracture gait speed between baseline symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. four patterns of depressive symptoms were identified: asymptomatic (50.8%), somatic (28.6%), melancholic (11.4%) and anhedonic (9.2%). The somatic subtype was characterised by difficultly concentrating and reduced energy and movement, whereas anhedonic symptoms were associated with the inability to experience pleasure. Melancholic symptoms corresponded to anhedonia, decreased physical activity and other psychological and somatic complaints. Compared with the asymptomatic group, somatic symptoms were consistently associated with slower gait speed, -0.03 metres per second (m/s) and between-group differences for melancholic symptomology were as large as -0.05 m/s, but the associations were not statistically significant. findings demonstrate unique depressive symptom subtypes in older adults after hip fracture and provide confirmatory evidence of unique clinical phenotypes; however, their impact on functional recovery after hip fracture remains unclear.


Universal scaling features of spectroscopic constants for diatomic systems.
Based on a new criterion that was proposed to search for the universality of spectroscopic constants for bound ground-state diatomics [R. H. Xie and P. S. Hsu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 243201 (2006)], we have found universal scaling relations between spectroscopic constants of diatomic systems with s-, p-, and d-type valence-shell constituents. Our study suggests a useful empirical approach for the prediction of molecular spectroscopic constants.


Myocardial protection in reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting:.
Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality when compared to first-time CABG. Myocardial infarction and dysfunction contribute significantly to the increased risk of redo CABG. Results of reoperative coronary surgery have gradually improved, largely because of improvements in myocardial protection techniques. In the present review we will highlight the principles of myocardial protection in redo CABG patients with an emphasis on retrograde cardioplegia.


Beliefs about asthma and complementary and alternative medicine in low-income inner-city African-American adults.
The gap in asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality is increasing in low-income racial/ethnic minority groups as compared with Caucasians. In order to address these disparities,alternative beliefs and behaviors need to be identified. To identify causal models of asthma and the context of conventional prescription versus complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) use in low-income African-American (AA) adults with severe asthma. Qualitative analysis of 28 in-depth interviews. Twenty-six women and 2 men, aged 21 to 48, who self-identified as being AA, low-income, and an inner-city resident. Transcripts of semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were inductively analyzed using the constant comparison approach. Sixty-four percent of participants held biologically correct causal models of asthma although 100% reported the use of at least 1 CAM for asthma. Biologically based therapies, humoral balance, and prayer were the most popular CAM. While most subjects trusted prescription asthma medicine, there was a preference for integration of CAM with conventional asthma treatment. Complementary and alternative medicine was considered natural, effective, and potentially curative. Sixty-three percent of participants reported non adherence to conventional therapies in the 2 weeks before the research interview. Neither CAM nor nonmedical causal models altered most individuals(93%) willingness to use prescription medication. Three possibly dangerous CAM were identified. Clinicians should be aware of patient-generated causal models of asthma and use of CAM in this population. Discussing patients' desire for an integrated approach to asthma management and involving social networks are 2 strategies that may enhance patient provider partnerships and treatment fidelity.


Radioimmunoassay of human beta-lipotropin in unextracted plasma.
A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for human beta-lipotropin (betah-LPH) in unextracted plasma was developed using pur betah-LPH as tracer and standard and an antiserum not cross-reacting with human beta-MSH and hACTH. In healthy volunteers plasma betah-LPH ranged from less than 20 to 150 pg/ml at 8:00 a.m. and rose after metyrapone administration. betah-LPH was very low in panhypopituitarism, normal in most patients with untreated Cushing's disease, elevated in acromegaly and extremely high in Nelson's syndrome.


Pressure ulcer prevention in patients with advanced illness.
Pressure ulcers can be challenging to prevent, particularly in patients with advanced illnesses. This review summarizes the relevant literature since 2011. Through a MEDLINE and CINAHL database search from January 1, 2011 to June 1, 2012, a total of 14 abstracts were found addressing the prevention of pressure ulcers in persons with advanced illness. Search terms included pressure ulcer, prevention, and control. Advanced illness was defined as patients transitioning from curative to supportive and palliative care. Ten original studies and four review articles specifically addressed pressure ulcer prevention. There were four articles that specifically addressed patients with advanced illness. The studies varied in quality. One systematic review, one randomized controlled trial, three prospective trials, two retrospective trials, one cost-effectiveness analysis, one quality improvement project, one comparative descriptive design, and four review articles were found. The interventions for pressure ulcer prevention were risk assessment, repositioning, surface selection, nutritional support and maintenance of skin integrity with or without incontinence. The quality of pressure ulcer prevention studies in persons with advanced illness is poor. Increased number and higher quality studies are needed to further investigate this important topic for these fragile patients.


Phototoxicity of topical trioxsalen.
The phototoxic properties of topical trioxsalen preparations were studied in 73 test subjects. A W/O emulsion base was superior to petrolatum, O/W emulsion, double emulsion and carbowax. The optimal interval between application of the drug and UVA irradiation varied between 40 and 60 min for both cream and ointment bases. An occlusive dressing greatly enhanced the phototoxic effect of the drug. The skin lost photosensitivity in 4 hours when the preparations were removed from the skin 45 min after the application. For clinical use a proper concentration of trioxsalen in emulsion bases was 0.01-0.1%. Both W/O and O/W emulsion bases with 0.01% trioxsalen locally applied gave moderate or good clinical results in 16 psoriatics and in 4 patients with lichen planus, W/O emulsion being better in this respect.


Accuracy of the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA) in a Dutch sample.
To prevent negative effects of early-onset psychiatric disorders on children's development, structured diagnostics are needed. However, validated diagnostic instruments (based on DSM-5) for children aged 7 years and younger are scarce. The Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA) is a diagnostic interview developed in the USA for measuring 16 psychiatric disorders in young children. The psychometric properties of the American version of the DIPA have been validated. Here we determined the accuracy of the psychometric properties of the Dutch DSM-5 based version of the DIPA for the corresponding population. Psychometric properties of the DSM-5 based version of the DIPA were determined based on a sample of 136 biological, foster, therapeutic foster and adoptive parents of clinically referred children and children involved in a serious accident (aged 1-7 years). In line with the American validation study, we included the following seven DIPA modules: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We administered the DIPA, Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Analyses were conducted with continuous outcomes (number of symptoms) and categorical outcomes (diagnoses). The Dutch DSM-5 based version of the DIPA showed good internal consistency and interrater reliability with both continuous and categorical variables. The concurrent validity was good; we found a good concordance between the DIPA and corresponding questionnaires on both the symptom and diagnoses level. In addition, the divergence on symptom level between the DIPA and non-corresponding questionnaires was adequate, which indicated adequate divergent validity. Due to a limited number of positive cases, we could not draw conclusions regarding its psychometric properties in the GAD and OCD modules. Our study shows promising initial results regarding the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the DIPA, that is based on the DSM-5. Therefore, we recommend the use of the DIPA in research and clinical practice.


Understanding Delayed Graft Function to Improve Organ Utilization and Patient Outcomes: Report of a Scientific Workshop Sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation.
Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication after kidney transplant. Despite extensive literature on the topic, the extant definition of DGF has not been conducive to advancing the scientific understanding of the influences and mechanisms contributing to its onset, duration, resolution, or long-term prognostic implications. In 2022, the National Kidney Foundation sponsored a multidisciplinary scientific workshop to comprehensively review the current state of knowledge about the diagnosis, therapy, and management of DGF and conducted a survey of relevant stakeholders on topics of clinical and regulatory interest. In this Special Report, we propose and defend a novel taxonomy for the clinical and research definitions of DGF, address key regulatory and clinical practice issues surrounding DGF, review the current state of therapies to reduce and/or attenuate DGF, offer considerations for clinical practice related to the outpatient management of DGF, and outline a prospective research and policy agenda.


Assessing the costs and returns of on-farm food safety improvements: A survey of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) training participants.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) training programs were developed to provide guidance to fruit and vegetable growers on how to reduce food safety risks on the farm. These programs have been enhanced over the years due, in part, to increasing buyer and regulatory requirements. However, the costs of implementing additional food safety practices has been identified as a primary barrier to long-term farm financial feasibility, particularly for smaller scale producers. A survey of past participants in New York State revealed that increasing food safety improvements facilitated by GAPs have not significantly impacted the size of farm operations or the types of crops grown. In terms of farm size, we show that both the financial costs and financial benefits of food safety improvements increase with farm size, but at decreasing rates. In so doing, relatively higher market sales gains per acre by smaller farms from additional food safety investments offset the relatively higher costs to them of their implementation. We also demonstrate that benefits of food safety improvements were significantly higher for farms that had third-party food safety audits and for those that market primarily through wholesale channels. The results should prove welcome by educators as they encourage participation by all scales of producers in GAPs trainings and for growers in understanding that food safety investments can support both reduced microbial risks and sales growth.


Sternal metastases and associated pathological fractures.
A review of 839 necropsies revealed 415 cases of malignant neoplasm, 63 of which were found to have evidence of metastatic spread to the sternum. Nineteen of these metastases resulted in pathological sternal fractures. Fine detail radiography proved a quick and accurate technique for detecting these lesions post mortem. The characteristics of pathological sternal fractures were compared with traumatic sternal fractures with respect to deformity and healing. Pathological fractures of the sternum demonstrate a tendency to greater deformity and slower healing than traumatic sternal fractures.


Searching with iterated maps.
In many problems that require extensive searching, the solution can be described as satisfying two competing constraints, where satisfying each independently does not pose a challenge. As an alternative to tree-based and stochastic searching, for these problems we propose using an iterated map built from the projections to the two constraint sets. Algorithms of this kind have been the method of choice in a large variety of signal-processing applications; we show here that the scope of these algorithms is surprisingly broad, with applications as diverse as protein folding and Sudoku.


Modular Attachment of Appended Boron Lewis Acids to a Ruthenium Pincer Catalyst: Metal-Ligand Cooperativity Enables Selective Alkyne Hydrogenation.
A new series of bifunctional Ru complexes with pendent Lewis acidic boranes were prepared by late-stage modification of an active hydrogen-transfer catalyst. The appended boranes modulate the reactivity of a metal hydride as well as catalytic hydrogenations. After installing acidic auxiliary groups, the complexes become multifunctional and catalyze the cis-selective hydrogenation of alkynes with higher rates, conversions, and selectivities compared with the unmodified catalyst.


A novel training program: laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer can be trained simultaneously.
Current expectations are that surgeons should be technically proficient in minimally invasive low anterior resection (LAR)-both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery. However, methods to effectively train surgeons for both approaches are under-explored. We aimed to compare two different training programs for minimally invasive LAR, focusing on the learning curve and perioperative outcomes of two trainee surgeons. We reviewed 272 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic LAR by surgeons A and B, who were novices in conducting minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Surgeon A was trained by first operating on 80 cases by laparoscopy and then 56 cases by robotic-assisted surgery. Surgeon B was trained by simultaneously performing 80 cases by laparoscopy and 56 by robotic-assisted surgery. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used to evaluate the learning curves of operative time and surgical failure. For laparoscopic surgery, the CUSUM plots showed a longer learning process for surgeon A than surgeon B (47 vs. 32 cases) for operative time, but a similar trend in surgical failure (23 vs. 19 cases). For robotic surgery, the plots of the two surgeons showed similar trends for both operative times (23 vs. 25 cases) and surgical failure (17 vs. 19 cases). Therefore, the learning curves of surgeons A and B were respectively divided into two phases at the 47th and 32nd cases for laparoscopic surgery and at the 23rd and 25th cases for robotic surgery. The clinicopathological outcomes of the two surgeons were similar in each phase of the learning curve for each surgery. For surgeons with rich experience in open colorectal resections, simultaneous training for laparoscopic and robotic-assisted LAR of rectal cancer is safe, effective, and associated with accelerated learning curves.


Heart Rate Variability for Outcome Prediction in Intracerebral and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review.
This systematic review presents clinical evidence on the association of heart rate variability with outcome prediction in intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages. The literature search led to the retrieval of 19 significant studies. Outcome prediction included functional outcome, cardiovascular complications, secondary brain injury, and mortality. Various aspects of heart rate recording and analysis, based on linear time and frequency domains and a non-linear entropy approach, are reviewed. Heart rate variability was consistently associated with poor functional outcome and mortality, while controversial results were found regarding the association between heart rate variability and secondary brain injury and cardiovascular complications.


Conceptualisation of health inequalities by local healthcare systems: A document analysis.
In 2019, local healthcare systems in England were asked to develop formal plans to reduce health inequalities. Here, we explore plans to understand how local healthcare systems conceptualise health inequalities and why. A broad Internet search and targeted search of NHS websites were conducted to identify all publicly accessible healthcare planning documents (National Health Service (NHS) Long-Term Plan (LTP) response documents) produced by local health partnerships in England. A thematic document analysis of the accessible plans was undertaken in NVivo by coding text relating to health inequalities. Of the 44 documents developed, 13 were publicly accessible. These 13 local plans were submitted to NHS England for review between September 2019 and January 2020 and averaged 167 pages (range: 41-273 pages). Only one document contained a chapter dedicated to health inequalities. After analysis, five themes were identified: (1) variation and (2) vagueness explained how health inequalities were conceptualised and (3) use of value judgements, (4) lack of prior conceptualisation and approach and (5) a lack of commitment to action in the documents to reduce health inequalities explained what led to the overall vagueness and variation. Local healthcare systems were found to conceptualise health inequalities in a vague and varying manner, and their conceptualisations did not reflect established health inequalities frameworks. A clear conceptual national framework for addressing health inequalities is needed to support local healthcare systems, so they can address health inequalities meaningfully and sustainably.


[The influence of pregnancy on the systemic lupus erythematosus].
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease caused by the interaction between genetic and environment factors which leads to abnormal immune responses. SLE affects more commonly women of childbearing age which raises the following questions--the influence of the disease activity on pregnancy and the influence of pregnancy on disease activity. On the one hand physiological changes occurring during pregnancy could lead to increased SLE activity, on the other hand the latter could mimic SLE activity. Differentiating these manifestations is important for the clinical practice--pregnancy and delivering guidance and SLE therapy.


Nasal epithelial repair and remodeling in physical injury, infection, and inflammatory diseases.
To summarize the current knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms of nasal epithelial repair and remodeling during physical and pathophysiological conditions. Nasal epithelial repair and remodeling is a highly organized and well coordinated process, involving inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, matrix deposition, and remodeling, and is regulated by a wide variety of growth factors and cytokines. From the in-vivo and in-vitro studies conducted in both human and animal models, undifferentiated basal cells (progenitors) are able to migrate from adjacent epithelium, spread over the denuded basement membrane, and proliferate in injured regions (self-renewal) in necessary (homeostasis) or excessive (hyperplasia) degree. Progenitor cells reorient to an apical-basal polarity, and progressively differentiate into ciliated and nonciliated columnar cells and goblet cells, reconstituting a functional respiratory epithelium after several weeks. This recovery process can be observed during various types and severity of injury, and also in common nasal diseases, including acute viral, allergic, and nonallergic rhinitis, as well as chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps. Although nearly 10 000 articles about nasal epithelium have been published in the last decade, the mechanisms underlying the nasal epithelial repair are still understood at only a superficial descriptive level. In order to advance rhinology to the next level of a comprehensive knowledge of the orchestrated genetic and molecular processes acting during epithelial repair, combined clinical and experimental studies using sophisticated investigational plans to elucidate the functions of both the protein-coding and regulatory portions of the human genome are required.


Hybrid two-stage active contour method with region and edge information for intensity inhomogeneous image segmentation.
This paper presents a novel two-stage image segmentation method using an edge scaled energy functional based on local and global information for intensity inhomogeneous image segmentation. In the first stage, we integrate global intensity term with a geodesic edge term, which produces a preliminary rough segmentation result. Thereafter, by taking final contour of the first stage as initial contour, we begin second stage segmentation process by integrating local intensity term with geodesic edge term to get final segmentation result. Due to the suitable initialization from the first stage, the second stage precisely achieves desirable segmentation result for inhomogeneous image segmentation. Two stage segmentation technique not only increases the accuracy but also eliminates the problem of initial contour existed in traditional local segmentation methods. The energy function of the proposed method uses both global and local terms incorporated with compacted geodesic edge term in an additive fashion which uses image gradient information to delineate obscured boundaries of objects inside an image. A Gaussian kernel is adapted for the regularization of the level set function and to avoid an expensive re-initialization. The experiments were carried out on synthetic and real images. Quantitative validations were performed on Multimodal Brain Tumor Image Segmentation Benchmark (BRATS) 2015 and PH2 skin lesion database. The visual and quantitative comparisons will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.


Effects of dietary supplementation of glucose oxidase, catalase, or both on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, fecal microflora and apoptosis in multiparous sows.
The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary glucose oxidase (GOD), catalase (CAT), or both supplementation on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in sows. A total of 104 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 26) with each group given a basal diet, basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg, basal diet plus CAT at 75 U/kg, and basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg and CAT at 75 U/kg. Sows were fed the experimental diets throughout gestation and lactation. Dietary GOD supplementation increased average daily feed intake of sows and litter weight at weaning (p<0.05). Dietary CAT supplementation reduced the duration of parturition, stillbirth, and piglet mortality and increased growth performance of weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and lessened oxidative stress product levels in plasma of sows and elevated anti-oxidant capacity of 14-day milk and plasma in weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD supplementation increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts of sows (p<0.05). Compared with the basal diet, the GOD diet reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows, but the addition of CAT did not reduce Escherichia coli counts in the GOD diet. Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation reduced the apoptosis rate of the liver, endometrium, and ovarian granulosa cells in sows (p<0.05). In the liver, uterus, and ovary of sows, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was downregulated by dietary GOD and CAT supplementation (p<0.05). Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation could improve the antioxidant capacity of sows and weaned piglets, and alleviate hepatic, ovarian and uterine apoptosis by weakening apoptosis-related gene expression. Glucose oxidase regulated fecal microflora of sows, but supplementation of CAT to GOD could weaken the inhibitory effect of GOD on fecal Escherichia coli.


Topical henna for capecitabine induced hand-foot syndrome.
Capecitabine is a chemotherapeutic drug for use in cancers. Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is side effect of capecitabine which can lead the cessation of the therapy or dose reduction. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a traditionally used plant of Middle-East that is applied on hands and feet. Some of cancer patients in capecitabine treatment who developed HFS, we recommended to apply henna. In these patients, six patients were grade 3 HFS and four were grade 2 HFS. Complete response (CR) were seen in four of grade 3 HFS and all of grade 2; two grade 3 HFS improved to grade 1. So far, in the chemotherapy, there was no need of dose reduction and also no side effect of henna seen. Clinical improvement in these patients may relate to anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of henna. Prospective studies are needed to show this therapeutic effect of henna.


A Three-State System Based on Branched DNA Hybrids.
There is a need for materials that respond to chemical or physical stimuli through a change in their structure. While a transition between water-soluble form and solid is not uncommon for DNA-based structures, systems that transition between three different states at room temperature and ambient pressure are rare. Here we report the preparation of branched DNA hybrids with eight oligodeoxycytidylate arms via solution-phase, H-phosphonate-based synthesis. Some hybrids assemble into hydrogels upon lowering the pH, acting as efficient gelators at pH 4-6, but can also transition into a more condensed solid state form upon exposure to divalent cations. Together with the homogeneous solutions that the i-motif-forming compounds give at neutral pH, three-state systems result. Each state has its own color, if chromophores are included in the system. The assembly and gelation properties can be tuned by choosing the chain length of the arms. Their responsive properties make the dC-rich DNA hybrids candidates for smart material applications.


The principle of 'maximum energy dissipation': a novel thermodynamic perspective on rapid water flow in connected soil structures.
Preferential flow in biological soil structures is of key importance for infiltration and soil water flow at a range of scales. In the present study, we treat soil water flow as a dissipative process in an open non-equilibrium thermodynamic system, to better understand this key process. We define the chemical potential and Helmholtz free energy based on soil physical quantities, parametrize a physically based hydrological model based on field data and simulate the evolution of Helmholtz free energy in a cohesive soil with different populations of worm burrows for a range of rainfall scenarios. The simulations suggest that flow in connected worm burrows allows a more efficient redistribution of water within the soil, which implies a more efficient dissipation of free energy/higher production of entropy. There is additional evidence that the spatial pattern of worm burrow density at the hillslope scale is a major control of energy dissipation. The pattern typically found in the study is more efficient in dissipating energy/producing entropy than other patterns. This is because upslope run-off accumulates and infiltrates via the worm burrows into the dry soil in the lower part of the hillslope, which results in an overall more efficient dissipation of free energy.


Distinct functional relevance of dynamic GTPase cysteine methylation in fission yeast.
The final step in post-translational processing of Ras and Rho GTPases involves methylation of the prenylated cysteine residue by an isoprenylcysteine-O-carboxyl methyltransferase (ICMT). ICMT activity is essential for cell growth and development in higher eukaryotes, and inhibition of GTPase methylation has become an attractive target in cancer therapy to inactivate prenylated oncoproteins. However, the specificity and dynamics of the GTPase methylation process remain to be fully clarified. Notably, cells lacking Mam4, the ICMT ortholog in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, are viable. We have exploited this feature to analyze the role of methylation on GTPase localization and function. We show that methylation differentially affects GTPase membrane localization, being particularly relevant for plasma membrane tethering and downstream signaling of palmitoylated and farnesylated GTPases Ras1 and Rho2 lacking C-terminal polybasic motifs. Indeed, Ras1 and Rho2 cysteine methylation is required for proper regulation of differentiation elicited by MAPK Spk1 and for stress-dependent activation of the cell integrity pathway (CIP) and its main effector MAPK Pmk1. Further, Mam4 negatively regulates TORC2 signaling by a cross-inhibitory mechanism relying on Rho GTPase methylation. These results highlight the requirement for a tight control of GTPase methylation in vivo to allow adequate GTPase function.


Performance or marketing benefits? The case of LEED certification.
Green building adoption is driven by both performance-based benefits and marketing based benefits. Performance based benefits are those that improve performance or lower operating costs of the building or of building users. Marketing benefits stem from the consumer response to green certification. This study illustrates the relative importance of the marketing based benefits that accrue to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings due to green signaling mechanisms, specifically related to the certification itself are identified. Of course, all participants in the LEED certification scheme seek marketing benefits. But even among LEED participants, the interest in green signaling is pronounced. The green signaling mechanism that occurs at the certification thresholds shifts building patterns from just below to just above the threshold level, and motivates builders to cluster buildings just above each threshold. Results are consistent across subsamples, though nonprofit organizations appear to build greener buildings and engage in more green signaling than for-profit entities. Using nonparametric regression discontinuity, signaling across different building types is observed. Marketing benefits due to LEED certification drives organizations to build "greener" buildings by upgrading buildings at the thresholds to reach certification levels.


A Novel Wearable Device for Continuous Ambulatory ECG Recording: Proof of Concept and Assessment of Signal Quality.
Diagnosis of arrhythmic disorders is challenging because of their short-lasting, intermittent character. Conventional technologies of noninvasive ambulatory rhythm monitoring are limited by modest sensitivity. We present a novel form of wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors providing an alternative tool for long-term rhythm monitoring with the potential of increased sensitivity to detect intermittent or subclinical arrhythmia. The objective was to assess the signal quality and R-R coverage of a wearable ECG sensor system compared to a standard 3-lead Holter. In this phase-1 trial, healthy individuals underwent 24-h simultaneous rhythm monitoring using the OMsignal system together with a 3-lead Holter recording. The OMsignal system consists of a garment (bra or shirt) with integrated sensors recording a single-lead ECG and an acquisition module for data storage and processing. Head-to-head signal quality was assessed regarding adequate P-QRS-T distinction and was performed by three electrophysiologists blinded to the recording technology. The accuracy of signal coverage was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis. Fifteen individuals underwent simultaneous 24-h recording. Signal quality and accuracy of the OMgaments was equivalent to Holter-monitoring (84% vs 93% electrophysiologists rating, p = 0.06). Signal coverage of R-R intervals showed a very close overlay between the OMsignal system and Holter signals, mean difference in heart rate of 2 5 bpm. The noise level of OMgarments was comparable to Holter recording. OMgarments provide high signal quality for adequate rhythm analysis, representing a promising novel technology for long-term non-invasive ECG monitoring.


When a drip becomes a flood: Lessons learned from Target Corporation's first large-scale business disruption.
Business continuity practitioners routinely determine which teams in their companies are critical and undertake extensive and rigorous planning processes. But what happens when a business is faced with an unanticipated long-term disruption that primarily affects non-critical teams? How can a company use the essential principles of business continuity and crisis management in order to respond? This paper explores a 2013 business disruption experienced by Target Corporation at one of its headquarters locations caused by a leak in the water line for an ice machine. Challenges encountered and reviewed include supporting non-critical teams, leadership of a multi-week business disruption and how remote work technologies have changed traditional continuity alternative workspace solution planning. Lessons learned from this activation are presented with implications for business continuity and emergency management planning that are applicable to any industry.


Laminin-332 regulates differentiation of human interfollicular epidermal stem cells.
Interfollicular epidermal stem cells (IFE-SCs) have self-renewal and differentiation potentials, and maintain epidermal homeostasis. Stem cells in vivo are regulated by the surrounding environment called niche to function properly, however, IFE-SC niche components are not fully understood. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of keeping epidermal homeostasis and of skin aging, and also to develop new therapeutic technologies for skin diseases, we searched for niche factors that regulate IFE-SCs. We found that laminin-332, a basement membrane component, was highly expressed at the tips of the dermal papillae, where IFE-SCs are localized, and that the stem cells by themselves expressed laminin-332. Knockdown of laminin-332 during the culture of IFE-SC-model cells to construct 3-dimensional epidermis in vitro resulted in failure to form proper structure, although no significant change was observed in either cell growth or apoptosis. Pre-coating of the culture insert with laminin-332 restored the normal formation of 3-dimensional epidermis. From these results, it was shown that laminin-332 is an essential niche component for the proper differentiation of IFE-SCs.


Food vacuole proteome of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
The Plasmodium falciparum food vacuole (FV) is a lysosome-like organelle where erythrocyte hemoglobin digestion occurs. It is a favorite target in the development of antimalarials. We have used a tandem mass spectrometry approach to investigate the proteome of an FV-enriched fraction and identified 116 proteins. The electron microscopy analysis and the Western blot data showed that the major component of the fraction was the FV and, as expected, the majority of previously known FV markers were recovered. Of particular interest, several proteins involved in vesicle-mediated trafficking were identified, which are likely to play a key role in FV biogenesis and/or FV protein trafficking. Recovery of parasite surface proteins lends support to the cytostomal pathway of hemoglobin ingestion as a FV trafficking route. We have identified 32 proteins described as hypothetical in the databases. This insight into FV protein content provides new clues towards understanding the biological function of this organelle in P. falciparum.


On wavemodes at the interface of a fluid and a fluid-saturated poroelastic solid.
Pseudo interface waves can exist at the interface of a fluid and a fluid-saturated poroelastic solid. These waves are typically related to the pseudo-Rayleigh pole and the pseudo-Stoneley pole in the complex slowness plane. It is found that each of these two poles can contribute (as a residue) to a full transient wave motion when the corresponding Fourier integral is computed on the principal Riemann sheet. This contradicts the generally accepted explanation that a pseudo interface wave originates from a pole on a nonprincipal Riemann sheet. It is also shown that part of the physical properties of a pseudo interface wave can be captured by loop integrals along the branch cuts in the complex slowness plane. Moreover, it is observed that the pseudo-Stoneley pole is not always present on the principal Riemann sheet depending also on frequency rather than on the contrast in material parameters only. Finally, it is shown that two additional zeroes of the poroelastic Stoneley dispersion equation, which are comparable with the P-poles known in nonporous elastic solids, do have physical significance due to their residue contributions to a full point-force response.


Mechanical emulsification of lipoaspirate by different Luer-Lok connector changes the viability of adipose derived stem cells in Nanofat.
Nanofat grafting is a fat transfer procedure that uses a thin needle to smooth out wrinkles, thereby achieving the goal of skin rejuvenation. The Luer-Lok connector is one of the most common methods for obtaining Nanofat. In the present study, we compared three different Luer-Lok connectors (2.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 1.1 mm in diameter) in terms of their impact on the viability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to determine the optimal size of the connector for efficient Nanofat grafting. We observed that a smaller diameter of the Luer-Lok connector created a higher mechanical shear force, which broke more fat cells during the emulsifying procedure, thereby reducing the viability of ADSCs from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Nanofat obtained from the 2-mm Luer-Lok connector had a better effect on skin rejuvenation than the 1.5-mm and 1.1-mm connectors. Therefore, this study presents an advance in the simple procedure of preparing Nanofat based on a previous technique and provides evidence that a procedure associated with less trauma may be a better choice.


Characterization of two tyrosine-specific protein kinases from pig spleen. Substrate-specific effect of autophosphorylation.
Spontaneously active tyrosine-specific protein kinases I and II (designated TyrK I and TyrK II) have been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from a particulate fraction of porcine spleen based on an assay that used poly(4Tyr, Glu) as a substrate. SDS/polyacrylamide gels revealed a doublet of bands of about Mr 51,000 for TyrK I and two protein bands of Mr 55,000 and 54,000 for TyrK II. After incubation in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, the bands corresponding to both protein kinases contained phosphotyrosine. The two tyrosine protein kinases showed high activities with poly(Tyr, 4Glu) and poly(Tyr, 3Ala, 6Glu) as substrates and lower activity with angiotensin II. Neither histone, phosvitin, casein nor bovine serum albumin were phosphorylated. Both protein tyrosine kinases were activated by millimolar concentrations of Mg2+ whereas Mn2+ was less effective. The effects of various polyanionic and polycationic substances depended on the nature of the peptide substrate. With poly(Tyr, 4Glu) as a substrate, the substances either inhibited the activities of TyrK I and TyrK II or had no effect. However, activation was observed with angiotensin II as substrate in the presence of polylysine, polyornithine, protamine sulfate, and heparin as effectors. When angiotensin II was used as substrate, activation also occurred by autophosphorylation, in parallel to the phosphate incorporation into the protein kinases. Activation by autophosphorylation was not observed with the synthetic peptide substrates, poly(Tyr, 4Glu) and poly(Tyr, 3Ala, 6Glu).


First report of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in naturally infected dogs from southern Bahia, Brazil.
In order to verify the Trypanosoma cruzi infection in domestic domiciled dogs in a rural endemic area from the south region of the State of Bahia, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed using S35 and S36 primers in 272 dogs living in the district of Vila Operaria, in the municipality of Buerarema. All animals were clinically evaluated; 2.5 mL of blood were collected through venipuncture for the performance of molecular tests. None of these animals showed clinical signs of the illness and only two were identified with the DNA parasite. This result is the first report of natural infection by T. cruzi in domestic dogs in southern Bahia.


Development of Three Orthogonal Assays Suitable for the Identification and Qualification of PIKfyve Inhibitors.
FYVE-type zinc finger-containing phosphoinositide kinase (PIKfyve) catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2) from phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P). PIKfyve has been implicated in multiple cellular processes, and its role in the regulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways and the production of proinflammatory cytokines has sparked interest in developing small-molecule PIKfyve inhibitors as potential therapeutics to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We developed three orthogonal assays to identify and qualify small-molecule inhibitors of PIKfyve: (1) a purified component microfluidic enzyme assay that measures the conversion of fluorescently labeled PI(3)P to PI(3,5)P2 by purified recombinant full-length human 6His-PIKfyve (rPIKfyve); (2) an intracellular protein stabilization assay using the kinase domain of PIKfyve expressed in HEK293 cells; and (3) a cell-based functional assay that measures the production of interleukin (IL)-12p70 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with TLR agonists lipopolysaccharide and R848. We determined apparent Km values for both ATP and labeled PI(3)P in the rPIKfyve enzyme assay and evaluated the enzyme's ability to use phosphatidylinositol as a substrate. We also tested four reference compounds in the three assays and showed that together these assays provide a platform that is suitable to select promising inhibitors having appropriate functional activity and confirmed cellular target engagement to advance into preclinical models of inflammation.


Neuralgic amyotrophy: criteria for diagnosis and a clinical with electromyographic study of 21 cases.
Twenty-one cases of neuralgic amyotrophy referred for diagnosis and for electromyography were studied. The criteria used for diagnosis included pain, wasting and paralysis of shoulder girdle muscles, the absence of a compressive or traumatic lesion, spontaneous full or partial recovery and electromyographic findings of denervation or reduced numbers of functioning motor units of the muscles involved. Pain was usually sudden in onset and preceded paralysis. The commonest muscles involved were the deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and biceps. Sensory changes were minimal. Recovery was the rule and repeat electromyogram after full clinical recovery was normal. The common diagnostic difficulties were excluding poliomyelitis in children, trauma in adults and cervical spondylosis in the elderly. The atypical manifestations need to be recognised in this condition, the aetiology of which is unknown in the majority of cases.


[Monosaccharide and fatty acid composition of exopolymer complex of bacteria-destructors of the protective coating of gas pipeline].
Monosaccharide and fatty acid composition of the exopolymer complex (EPC) of heterotrophic bacteria Pseudomonas pseudoalkaligenes 109, Pseudomonas sp. T/2, Rhodococcus erythropolis 102--destructors of the protective coating Polyken 980-25 has been studied. It is shown that qualitative and quantitative composition of EPC components changes depending on the model of bacteria growth. Arabinose, mannose, galactose and glucose are dominating saccharides. Xylose has been revealed only under conditions of the biofilm form of growth of all the studied bacteria; ribose only in the biofilm of Pseudomonas sp. T/2. The fatty acid composition of EPC contains saturated and unsaturated acids with 12-19 carbon atoms. Hexadecanoic acid (C 16:0) acid which content in the biofilm and plankton conditions is from 24.9 to 32.4% prevailed in the spectrum of fatty acids of EPC bacteria. Unsaturated fatty acids: hexadecanoic (C 16:1) and octadecenoic (C 18:1) ones have been revealed only in the biofilm of bacteria-destructors of the coating.


The molecular basis of ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 deamidation by the bacterial effector protein Cif.
The cycle inhibiting factors (Cifs) are a family of translocated effector proteins, found in diverse pathogenic bacteria, that interfere with the host cell cycle by catalyzing the deamidation of a specific glutamine residue (Gln40) in NEDD8 and the related protein ubiquitin. This modification prevents recycling of neddylated cullin-RING ligases, leading to stabilization of various cullin-RING ligase targets, and also prevents polyubiquitin chain formation. Here, we report the crystal structures of two Cif/NEDD8 complexes, revealing a conserved molecular interface that defines enzyme/substrate recognition. Mutation of residues forming the interface suggests that shape complementarity, rather than specific individual interactions, is a critical feature for complex formation. We show that Cifs from diverse bacteria bind NEDD8 in vitro and conclude that they will all interact with their substrates in the same way. The "occluding loop" in Cif gates access to Gln40 by forcing a conformational change in the C terminus of NEDD8. We used native PAGE to follow the activity of Cif from the human pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and selected variants, and the position of Gln40 in the active site has allowed us to propose a catalytic mechanism for these enzymes.


Efficient Sorption of Arsenic on Nanostructured Fe-Cu Binary Oxides: Influence of Structure and Crystallinity.
To study the structure-performance relationship, a series of nanostructured Fe-Cu binary oxides (FCBOs) were prepared by varying synthesis conditions. The obtained binary oxides were well characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET), magnetic and Zeta potential measurement techniques. Both As(V) and As(III) sorption on the FCBOs were evaluated by batch tests. Results show that the surface structure and crystallinity of FCBOs are greatly dependent on preparation conditions. The crystallinity of FCBOs gradually increases as the synthesis pH value increasing from 9.0 to 13.0, from amorphous phase to well-crystalline one. Simultaneously, the morphology change of FCBOs from irregular agglomerate to relatively uniform polyhedron has been observed. The sorption of arsenic is greatly influenced by the crystallinity and structure of FCBOs, decreasing with increasing degree of crystallinity. The amorphous FCBO has higher surface hydroxyl density than well-crystalline one, which might be the reason of higher sorption performance. As(V) is sorbed by the FCBOs via formation of inner-sphere surface complexes and As(III) is sorbed through formation of both inner- and outer-sphere surface complexes. This investigation provides new insights into structure-performance relationship of the FCBO system, which are beneficial to develop new and efficient sorbents.


Association of endothelin receptor type A rs5333 gene polymorphism with steroid response in Egyptian children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
To investigate ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism distribution in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and to analyze their association with response to steroid therapy, and biochemical markers of INS. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze ENDRA rs5333 polymorphism in 100 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrom (INS) and 100 healthy children. Plasma endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA. The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism was not associated with risk of INS. The frequency of minor allele (C) was significantly higher in the steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group than the steroid sensitive group. The CC and TC mutant variants were associated with higher plasma levels of cholesterol, albumin, urea and 24-h urinary protein, but were not associated with risk of hypertension. The endothelin-1 plasma level was higher in INS than control and in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group when compared with steroid sensitive group cases. The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism may be associated with genetic predisposition to steroid resistance in INS Egyptian children.


Prolonged inflammatory reactions induced by artificial ceramics in the rat air pouch model.
The male Sprague-Dawley rat subcutaneous air pouch was used to study the inflammatory potential of artificial ceramics that are used in joint replacement surgery. Local leukocyte influx, proteinase, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were measured after injection of hydroxyapatite type I ceramic (HAP), tricalcium phosphate ceramic (TCP) and apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic (GC) into the pouch. Synthetic monosodium urate crystals (MSU) were used as positive controls and normal saline (NS) was a negative control. The response was monitored over 168 h by irrigating the pouch with 5 ml of NS and withdrawing 4 ml. MSU produced the greatest response in leukocyte counts, proteinase and PGE2, whereas HAP, TCP and GC elicited less response. The peak response with HAP, TCP and GC often appeared later than with MSU. TNF activity was significantly detected only after ceramics and not after MSU. The chronic and relatively prolonged reaction to some ceramics suggests that an inflammatory reaction may be seen after human implantation of these ceramics. The increased levels of TNF and production of PGE2, which is one substance proposed to contribute to bone lysis associated with loosening, are of special interest.


[Molecular basis of bone metastasis formation and its targeted therapy].
Formation of bone metastasis is a hallmark of the progression of several solid cancers, providing example for the organ specificity of the process. Bone metastasis may result in both venous and arterial dissemination. Though the molecular basis of the lytic and plastic bone metastasis formation is different, in reality these organ metastases represent a mixture of the two processes. The basis of bone metastasis formation is the activation of osteoclasts and the resulting bone resorption, initiating a vicious circle by activating the initiator cancer cell. The discovery of osteoclast-bone matrix interaction inhibitor bisphosphonates revolutionized the therapy of bone metastasis. Clarifying the molecular pathways involved in bone metastasis formation identified osteoclast differentiation as another feasible target. This process is under control of the TNF receptor family member RANK and its ligand RANKL. The feasibility of using this system to control bone resorption or cancer-induced skeletal events was proven clinically in trials using an anti-RANKL antibody. The clinical success of anti-RANKL antibody therapy provide further evidence that only precise identification of molecular pathways operational in cancers can lead to discovery of more effective (targeted) therapies.


Relationship between mean arterial pressure and parameters derived from blood flow velocity waveforms in the systemic circulation of fetal sheep.
In 8 fetal sheep under anesthesia, we examined the relationship between the fetal aorta blood flow velocity waveform and fetal mean arterial pressure after administration of norepinephrine and angiotensin II. It was hypothesized that the pulsatility index (PI) of the waveform would change during fetal hypertension. Measurements were performed using a 20-MHz Doppler transducer on the aorta directly beneath the diaphragm and a catheter inserted via the femoral artery into the abdominal aorta. Further instrumentation included a Doppler transducer and an electromagnetic flowmeter on the common umbilical artery and a catheter in the inferior vena cava. Fetal hypertension was induced by bolus administration of either norepinephrine or angiotensin II or by infusion of norepinephrine. With the Doppler transducer on the common umbilical artery, it was possible to study external iliac artery blood velocity waveforms in 4 fetal lambs, whereas aorta blood velocity waveforms were recorded in 7 fetal lambs. The measurements of external iliac artery PI and mean arterial pressure were characterized by a linear regression with a correlation coefficient of 0.72, whereas the measurements of aorta PI and mean arterial blood pressure were characterized by a linear regression with a correlation coefficient of 0.40. However, notable changes were observed in the aorta blood velocity waveform, which were not expressed by a substantial increase in the aorta PI. These changes can be described as a narrowing of the systolic peak and an earlier occurrence of the first dicrotic notch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


New treatment methods for myocardial infarction.
For a long time, cardiovascular clinicians have focused their research on coronary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and acute myocardial infarction due to their high morbidity, high mortality, high disability rate, and limited treatment options. Despite the continuous optimization of the therapeutic methods and pharmacological therapies for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, the incidence rate of heart failure continues to increase year by year. This situation is speculated to be caused by the current therapies, such as reperfusion therapy after ischemic injury, drugs, rehabilitation, and other traditional treatments, that do not directly target the infarcted myocardium. Consequently, these therapies cannot fundamentally solve the problems of myocardial pathological remodeling and the reduction of cardiac function after myocardial infarction, allowing for the progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction. Coupled with the decline in mortality caused by acute myocardial infarction in recent years, this combination leads to an increase in the incidence of heart failure. As a new promising therapy rising at the beginning of the twenty-first century, cardiac regenerative medicine provides a new choice and hope for the recovery of cardiac function and the prevention and treatment of heart failure after myocardial infarction. In the past two decades, regeneration engineering researchers have explored and summarized the elements, such as cells, scaffolds, and cytokines, required for myocardial regeneration from all aspects and various levels day and night, paving the way for our later scholars to carry out relevant research and also putting forward the current problems and directions for us. Here, we describe the advantages and challenges of cardiac tissue engineering, a contemporary innovative therapy after myocardial infarction, to provide a reference for clinical treatment.


[Macrolides].
The first macrolides were marketed almost 30 years ago. These drugs constitute a homogeneous class of antibiotics with very similar mechanisms of action and resistance. Owing to their specific antibacterial spectrum and their mild side-effects, interest in macrolides has now been renewed, notably because of their activity against bacteria that develop within cells. Recent studies have provided additional information on their pharmacokinetic profiles, and notably on their tissue and intracellular distribution.


Counterculture, Local Authorities and British Christianity at the Windsor and Watchfield Free Festivals (1972-5).
Four free pop festivals, held in Windsor and Watchfield in 1972-75, attracted significant public attention. This article discusses the aims and ideals of the festivalgoers, the confused reactions of the authorities, the ambivalence of the Anglican Church and the hostility of some conservative groups. We argue that the free festivals mark an important stage in the constitution of the counterculture and that they created a model which later pop festivals (in particular Glastonbury) attempt to emulate. We show that themes relating to a revival of the pilgrimage experience became important markers of this new type of event, shifting the emphasis from political protest to a memorialized and performative activism.


The pilot study of anti-tumor effects versus immunosuppression of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C.
Superantigens tremendously activate T lymphocytes by recognizing the particular region on TCR Vbeta, by which cytotoxic T cells can be well armed to kill tumor cells. However, the obstacle exists in the fact that immunosuppression is induced adversely. Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are pyrogenic superantigens who invoke T lymphocytes cytotoxicity at a very low dosage where their endotoxic activity diminishes. Despite that the elaborate mechanisms are largely unknown, tumoricidal capacity of SEA and SEB has been well studied. In this study, we devoted our attention to evaluate Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C (SEC) regarding its tumoricidal activity versus immunosuppression. We proved with flow cytometry that SEC treatment on C57 mice resulted in a boost of the differentiation of T lymphocytes into CD4(+), CD8(+) subpopulations. In vitro, SEC causes increased IFNgamma release from human PBMC. Furthermore, in coculture SEC-treated human PBMC led to more death of cancer cell lines from a variety of origins. Systemic SEC treatment in mouse and rabbit models significantly decreases tumor growth. In tumor-bearing rabbits, tumor necrosis and strong infiltration of lymphocytes into tumor tissue were observed; the rabbits also benefit with less metastasic cancer cells in the lung. In the meantime, the induced cell immune responses, both T cell differentiation and PBMC IFNgamma release, declined as SEC concentration rose. Tumor growth data obtained from animal models are in accordance with the changes in immunity, in which tumor growth ceased to respond to high dosage SEC as it did to lower dosage. These observations on SEC investigation, particularly in aspect of dosage-related immunosuppression, are of significance to SEC therapeutic potential to cancer. Molecular mechanism underlying these findings warrants further intensive investigation.


Heterotopic ossification in skeletal muscle metastasis from colonic adenocarcinoma--a case report.
Colonic adenocarcinoma metastasising to the skeletal muscle is rare. A-56-yr-old Malay man was diagnosed to have adenocarcinoma of the right colon [Dukes B] for which a right hemicolectomy was performed, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Five years later the patient presented with a mass in the rectus abdominis muscle. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 71 ng/Ml. The mass was resected. Gross and microscopical examination showed multiple deposits of mucin-secreting adenocarcinoma with prominent heterotopic ossification in the stroma. The exact pathogenesis and significance of heterotopic ossification is not clear, but bone morphogenetic proteins may play an important role.


Prevalence of uropathogen and their antibiotic resistance pattern among diabetic patients.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and antibiotic resistance is an emerging public health problem in Ethiopia. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and occasionally life-threatening condition among diabetic patients. Despite, all these problems, antibiotics are prescribed empirically which may adversely affect antibiotic resistance so far. Therefore the aim of this study was to identify the etiologic agents of UTI and their antibiotic resistance pattern among diabetic patients attending diabetic clinic of Hawassa University Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 240 diabetic patients from June to October, 2014. After obtaining an informed written consent, socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using pre-structured questionnaire. Clean catch mid-stream urine samples were collected and processed for identification of uropathogen through culture using standard microbiologic procedure. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The overall prevalence of diabetic UTI was 13.8%. Out of the total number of patients, 11.2% and 23.1% had asymptomatic and symptomatic bacteriuria respectively. DM patients with no previous history of UTI [AOR=3.55; 95% CI=1.186-10.611] and illiterate [AOR=2.5; 95% CI=1.052-5.989] had higher odds of UTI compared with their counterparts. E. coli was the commonest isolated uropathogen followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococci. All the isolated bacteria were resistant to ampicillin but sensitive to nitrofurantoin. Gram-negative isolates demonstrated high level of resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole in 9 (81.8%), gentamicin in 8 (72.7%) and ceftriaxone in 7 (63.6%) patients. Gram-positive bacteria showed resistance to penicillin in 14 (87.5%), norfloxacin in 10 (62.5%) and ciprofloxacin in 8 (50.0%) patients. Multidrug resistance was observed in 93.9% of the isolated uropathogens. Illiterate DM patients with no previous history of UTI were significantly associated with UTI. Nitrofurantoin can be used as a drug of choice for empiric treatment of UTI in the study area. Multidrug resistance to commonly used antibiotics is an alarming phenomenon. Therefore, performing of urine cultures and periodic surveillance of UTI among DM patients is necessary.


Out-of-pocket expenditures for HIV in the Dominican Republic: findings from a community-based participatory survey.
The aim of this study was to estimate out-of-pocket expenditures incurred by individuals with HIV in the Dominican Republic. The study utilized different definitions and components for these expenditures and differentiated the results by wage ranges. Data was obtained from an in-person survey of people living with HIV. The study was developed and implemented in collaboration with Dominican grassroots organizations and networks of people with HIV, through a process of community-based participatory research. The mean HIV-related expenditure reported by individuals in the sample in the last six months prior to the survey was in US$ 181; 15.4% of this total was spent for transportation and housing and costs to access the HIV facility. The mean expenditure reported by individuals for their current visit to an HIV center was US$ 10. These out-of-pocket expenditures exhibited regressivity, with lower-wage patients spending proportionally more to receive care. The results highlight the importance of considering other resources required to access treatment, such as lodging expenses and the time needed to travel to an HIV center and then to wait to be seen by a care provider. There should be more focus on expenditures made directly by people with HIV in the Dominican Republic so that these payments do not become a barrier to accessing health care. Using a community-based participatory design can ensure that such data can be leveraged to address the specific barriers to care that are faced by individuals with HIV.


Biochemical studies of two patients with the gray platelet syndrome. Selective deficiency of platelet alpha granules.
The biochemistry of platelets from two unrelated patients with the gray platelet syndrome, a deficiency of platelet alpha-granules, has been evaluated. Ultrastructural studies of their platelets revealed the number of alpha-granules to be less than 15% of normal, whereas the number of dense bodies was within normal limits. Platelets from both patients had severe deficiencies of platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin (less than 10% of normal). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a marked deficiency of thrombin-sensitive protein in both patients. Analysis of the platelet-derived growth factor in one patient showed it was also markedly reduced. Levels of lysosomal enzymes, adenine nucleotides, serotonin, and catalase, and conversion of arachidonic acid by the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, were within normal limits. The results provide important evidence to define the contents of alpha-granules and to differentiate these contents from the contents of lysosomal granules, dense bodies, and peroxisomes. Functional studies of these platelets showed deficiencies in ADP, thrombin, and collagen aggregation. The results suggest that alpha-granules or their contents make a contribution to normal platelet aggregation.


Brief excitotoxic insults cause a calpain-mediated increase in nuclear membrane permeability in neonatal neurons.
Neuronal edema after excitotoxic brain insults results in neuronal injury and death. Osmotic and surgical interventions designed to mitigate edema yield poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the need to explore other mechanisms. Concurrent with neuronal swelling, excessive Ca2+ loading can be deleterious but remains poorly investigated, especially during the neonatal period. We used in and ex vivo multiphoton Ca2+ imaging to evaluate the relationship between cytotoxic edema and Ca2+ load in neonatal GCaMP6-expressing neurons after different and brief excitotoxic insults. We report acute translocation of cytosolic GCaMP6s into the nucleus of neonatal neurons after various short excitotoxic insults quantified as the ratio of nuclear: cytosolic intensity (N/C ratio). The increase in the N/C ratio occurred independently of neuronal swelling. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that elevated N/C ratios correlated with increased nuclear pore size in neurons. Inhibiting calpains in and ex vivo prevented increased N/C ratios and decreased neuronal swelling. Our results demonstrate that brief excitotoxic injury can enlarge nuclear pores and dysregulate nuclear transport in neurons through a calpain-mediated mechanism during early brain development. Additionally, N/C ratio measurements can be used to detect acute neuronal injury in real-time.


[Liver cirrhosis mortality at the Outpatient Clinic in District 8 in Prague 1985-1993].
In 1985-1993 in the out-patient clinic in Prague 8 a total of 59 patients died from cirrhosis of the liver, incl. 30 who were for prolonged periods HBsAg positive and 29 who were HBsAg negative. In the group of cirrhotics with positive HBsAg who died 19 of 29 (66%) were also HBeAg positive which suggested advanced HBV replication during the period of reconstruction of the liver. 43% of those who died and had HBV infection, had glucocorticoid treatment. Only one female patient of 13 had positive anti-HD in serum. In HBsAg negative cirrhotics the main cause of development of cirrhosis was ingestion of alcohol, but at that time it was not possible to assess antibodies against HCV. The most frequent cause of death in cirrhotics was haemorrhage into the digestive tract (25%), hepatic failure (20%) and a malignant tumour (12%). The most frequently encountered malignant tumour was primary carcinoma of the liver (in 8 of 11, 73%). Because in chronic hepatitis the replication activity of HBV is high and can persist also in advanced cirrhosis of the liver, patients with hepatitis B in the stage of active viral replication must be treated in time with interferon to prevent the development of the disease into cirrhosis of the liver and its complications.


Overexpression of polyphenol oxidase in transgenic tomato plants results in enhanced bacterial disease resistance.
Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs; EC 126.96.36.199 or EC 18.104.22.168) catalyzing the oxygen-dependent oxidation of phenols to quinones are ubiquitous among angiosperms and assumed to be involved in plant defense against pests and pathogens. In order to investigate the role of PPO in plant disease resistance, we made transgenic tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Money Maker) plants that overexpressed a potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) PPO cDNA under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. The transgenic plants expressed up to 30-fold increases in PPO transcripts and 5- to 10-fold increases in PPO activity and immunodetectable PPO. As expected, these PPO-overexpressing transgenic plants oxidized the endogenous phenolic substrate pool at a higher rate than control plants. Three independent transgenic lines were selected to assess their interaction with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. The PPO-overexpressing tomato plants exhibited a great increase in resistance to P. syringae. Compared with control plants, these transgenic lines showed less severity of disease symptoms, with over 15-fold fewer lesions, and strong inhibition of bacterial growth, with over 100-fold reduction of bacterial population in the infected leaves. These results demonstrate the importance of PPO-mediated phenolic oxidation in restricting plant disease development.


DNA immunization using a non-viral promoter.
Most DNA vaccines rely on strong viral promoters to optimize levels of transgene expression. Some studies have demonstrated that the potency of viral promoters does not necessarily correlate with DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. This has partly been attributed to downregulation of these promoters by cytokines such as interferon gamma induced by the CpG motives of these vaccines. In an attempt to avoid downregulation of viral promoters by IFN-gamma, we tested vaccine vectors driven by the MHC class II promoter. To enhance the activity of this promoter, another plasmid expressing the human MHC class II transactivator driven by a viral promoter, the native IFN-gamma inducible CIITA type IV promoter (PIV) or a synthetic promoter containing IFN-gamma inducible elements was co-inoculated. Our data show that a non-viral promoter such as the MHC class II promoter tested in this study can indeed be used in DNA vaccines.


New animal models to study the role of tyrosinase in normal retinal development.
Albino animals display a hypopigmented phenotype associated with several visual abnormalities, including rod photoreceptor cell deficits, abnormal patterns of connections between the eye and the brain and a general underdevelopment of central retina. Oculocutaneous albinism type I, a common form of albinism, is caused by mutations in the tyrosinase gene. In mice, the albino phenotype can be corrected by functional tyrosinase transgenes. Tyrosinase transgenic animals not only show normal pigmentation but the correction of all visual abnormalities associated with albinism, confirming a role of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, in normal retinal development. Here, we will discuss recent work carried out with new tyrosinase transgenic mouse models, to further analyse the role of tyrosinase in retinal development. We will first report a transgenic model with inducible tyrosinase expression that has been used to address the regulated activation of this gene and its associated effects on the development of the visual system. Second, we will comment on an interesting yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)-tyrosinase transgene, lacking important regulatory elements, that has highlighted the significance of local interactions between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and developing neural retina.


A unique specificity of a calcium activated neutral protease indicated in histone hydrolysis.
Calf thymus histones were found to be susceptible to a calcium-activated neutral protease [CANP: EC 184.108.40.206] which required a high concentration of calcium ions for its activity (mCANP). The susceptibilities of histones were in the order of relative degradation rate: H2B, H2A, and H3. The major peptide fragments released by CANP from H2A, H2B, and H3 were isolated and the cleavage sites were determined. Examination of amino acid sequences and environmental features around the cleavage site as well as kinetic analysis of the degradation process led us to the following conclusions about the mode of substrate recognition of mCANP: 1) The cleavage sites in histones could not be interpreted in terms of the primary structure around them. Thus, it seems unlikely that the specificity of CANP solely depends on its recognition of any specific amino acid residues or sequences. 2) The susceptible bonds were never located in the midst of either a hydrophobic or hydrophilic alignment of amino acid residues but in the vicinity of the boundary between hydrophilic and hydrophobic clusters. 3) Once a peptide fragment was generated by the proteolytic degradation, no further cleavage occurred even if the peptide still contained a bond corresponding to what was susceptible to CANP in an intact histone. This observation was interpreted to mean that CANP may recognize a certain higher order structure of its substrates.


Review article: breath analysis in inflammatory bowel diseases.
There is an urgent need for cheap, reproducible, easy to perform and specific biomarkers for diagnosis, differentiation and stratification of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Technical advances allow for the determination of volatile organic compounds in the human breath to differentiate between health and disease. Review and discuss medical literature on volatile organic compounds in exhaled human breath in GI disorders, focusing on diagnosis and differentiation of IBD. A systematic search in PubMed, Ovid Medline and Scopus was completed using appropriate keywords. In addition, a bibliography search of each article was performed. Mean breath pentane, ethane, propane, 1-octene, 3-methylhexane, 1-decene and NO levels were elevated (P < 0.05 to P < 10(-7)) and mean breath 1-nonene, (E)-2-nonene, hydrogen sulphide and methane were decreased in IBD compared to healthy controls (P = 0.003 to P < 0.001). A combined panel of 3 volatile organic compounds (octene, (E)-2-nonene and decene) showed the best discrimination between paediatric IBD and controls (AUC 0.96). Breath condensate cytokines were higher in IBD compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.008). Breath pentane, ethane, propane, isoprene and NO levels correlated with disease activity in IBD patients. Breath condensate interleukin-1β showed an inverse relation with clinical disease activity. Breath analysis in IBD is a promising approach that is not yet ready for routine clinical use, but data from other gastrointestinal diseases suggest the feasibility for use of this technology in clinical practice. Well-designed future trials, incorporating the latest breath detection techniques, need to determine the exact breath metabolome pattern linked to diagnosis and phenotype of IBD.


Extracellular Vesicles in Lung Disease.
Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role in the pathogenesis of lung diseases. These vesicles include exosomes, ectosomes (ie, microparticles, extracellular vesicles, microvesicles, and shedding vesicles), and apoptotic bodies. Exosomes are generated by inward budding of the membrane (endocytosis), subsequent forming of multivesicular bodies, and release by exocytosis. Ectosomes are formed by outward blebbing from the plasma membrane and are then released by proteolytic cleavage from the cell surface. Apoptotic bodies are generated on apoptotic cell shrinkage and death. Extracellular vesicles are released when the cells are activated or undergo apoptosis under inflammatory conditions. The number and types of released EVs are different according to the pathophysiological status of the disease. Therefore, EVs can be novel biomarkers for various lung diseases. EVs contain several molecules, including proteins, mRNA, microRNA, and DNA; they transfer these molecules to distant recipient cells. Circulating EVs modify the targeted cells and influence the microenvironment of the lungs. For this unique capability, EVs are expected to be a new drug delivery system and a novel therapeutic target.


Room temperature surfactant assisted crystal growth of silver nanoparticles to nanoribbons.
This study presents a simple and systematic growth of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) to nanoribbons by changing the hydrophobicity parameter of a series of cationic Gemini surfactants by using seed-mediated approach in aqueous phase at room temperature. At lowest hydrophobicity of a Gemini surfactant (i.e., dimethylene bis(decyldimethyl-ammonium bromide), 10-2-10), Ostwald ripening process was observed which caused fusion among growing Ag NPs. This process was quite prominent when 0.5 ml of Ag seed solution was used for the growth process but weakened as the amount of seed decreased to 0.125 ml. Similar behavior was demonstrated by Au NPs studied for comparison. The nanostructures were characterized by TEM, XRD, and UV-visible measurements. Further increase in the hydrophobicity of a Gemini surfactant from 10-2-10 to dimethylene bis(tetradecyldimethylammonium bromide) (14-2-14) through dimethylene bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-2-12), resulted in the participation of threads like micelles and liquid crystalline phase as soft-templates towards the nanoribbon formation. Fine polycrystalline Ag nanoribbons were obtained in the presence 14-2-14 and were characterized by the HRTEM and EDX analysis.


Molecular cloning of the helodermin and exendin-4 cDNAs in the lizard. Relationship to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide 1 and evidence against the existence of mammalian homologues.
Helodermin and exendin-4, two peptides isolated from the salivary gland of the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, are approximately 50% homologous to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), respectively, and interact with the mammalian receptors for VIP and GLP-1 with equal or higher affinity and efficacy. Immunohistochemical studies suggested the presence of helodermin-like peptides in mammals. To determine whether helodermin and exendin-4 are present in mammals and their evolutionary relationship to VIP and GLP-1, their cDNAs were first cloned from Gila monster salivary gland. Northern blots and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of multiple Gila monster tissues identified approximately 500-base pair transcripts only from salivary gland. Both helodermin and exendin-4 full-length cDNAs were approximately 500 base pairs long, and they encoded precursor proteins containing the entire amino acid sequence of helodermin and exendin-4, as well as a 44- or 45-amino acid N-terminal extension peptide, respectively, having approximately 60% homology. The size and structural organization of these cDNAs indicated that they were closely related to one another but markedly different from known cDNAs for the VIP/GLP-1 peptide family previously identified in both lower and higher evolved species. Cloning of the Gila monster VIP/peptide histidine isoleucine, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide, and glucagon/GLP-1 cDNAs and Southern blotting of Gila monster DNA demonstrate the coexistence of separate genes for these peptides and suggests, along with the restricted salivary gland expression, that helodermin and exendin-4 coevolved to serve a separate specialized function. Probing of a variety of rat and human tissues on Northern blots, human and rat Southern blots, and genomic and cDNA libraries with either helodermin- or exendin-4-specific cDNAs failed to identify evidence for mammalian homologues. These data indicate that helodermin and exendin-4 are not the precursors to VIP and GLP-1 and that they belong to a separate peptide family encoded by separate genes. Furthermore, the existence of as yet undiscovered mammalian homologues to helodermin and exendin-4 seems unlikely.


[Research of inflammatory factors and signaling pathways in knee osteoarthritis].
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, which is manifested by the deformation and degeneration of articular cartilage and the discomfort of patients with joint pain, which affects the quality of life of patients and aggravates the medical burden of society. The pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis is very complex. This paper reviews the inflammatory factors and signal pathways involved in knee osteoarthritis. It is found that most of the inflammatory factors involved are interleukin, such as IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factors, such as TNF-α. These inflammatory factors aggravate knee osteoarthritisby activating corresponding pathways and promoting the release of inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory signaling pathways involved in knee osteoarthritis are complex. Notch pathway, Wnt pathway, SDF-1 / CXCR4 pathway, TLRs pathway, MAPKs pathway, hippo Yap pathway, OPG-RANK-RANKL pathway and TGF-β pathway are all involved in the regulation of knee osteoarthritis, and the pathways related to inflammatory mechanism are mainly MAPKs pathway and TLRs pathway. Different signaling pathways can cause the destruction of articular cartilage, promote the apoptosis of chondrocytes, and finally lead to the further imbalance of homeostasis in the knee joint. At the same time, the activation of signal pathway can promote the release of inflammatory factors, so under the cascade reaction of inflammatory factors and signal pathway, knee osteoarthritis is aggravating.


Pneumoretroperitoneum and Pneumomediastinum Revealing a Left Colon Perforation.
Left colon perforation usually occurs in complicated diverticulitis or cancer. The most frequent signs are intraperitoneal abscess or peritonitis. In cases of retroperitoneal colonic perforation, diagnosis may be difficult. A 59-year-old woman presented with left thigh pain and with abdominal discomfort associated with mild dyspnea. Computed tomography scan showed air bubbles and purulent collection in the retroperitoneum, with subcutaneous emphysema extending from the left thigh to the neck. Computed tomography scan also revealed portal vein gas and thrombosis with multiple liver abscesses. An emergency laparotomy revealed a perforation of the proximal left colon. No masses were found. A left colectomy was performed. The retroperitoneum was drained and washed extensively. A negative pressure wound therapy was applied. A second-look laparotomy was performed 48 hours later. The retroperitoneum was drained and an end colostomy was performed. Intensive Care Unit postoperative stay was 9 days, and the patient was discharged on the 32nd postoperative day. Pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum are rare signs of colonic retroperitoneal perforation. The diagnosis may be delayed, especially in the absence of peritoneal irritation. Clinical, laboratory, and especially radiologic parameters might be useful. Surgical treatment must be prompt to improve prognosis.


[Clinical application of botulinum toxin].
The clinical application of botulinum toxin (BoNT) was first proposed by Justinus Kerner in 1822. BoNT was formally accepted as a therapeutic agent in the 1970s, and currently, it is used worldwide for treating diseases as well as for cosmetic conditions. In Japan, Botox® is the only type A formulation that has been officially approved for the treatment of blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, cervical dystonia, pes equinus of cerebral palsy, adult spasticity of upper and lower limbs, and Botox Vista® is applied for glabellar frown lines. Its effect is symptomatic, but long-lasting remission is noted after treatment in more than 30% of cases with cervical dystonia. Ultrasound guidance is useful and may be even superior to electromyographic monitoring, especially when the obliquus capitis inferior muscle is targeted in rotatocollis, because the vertebral artery or upper cervical nerve root(s) may be injured when the needle penetrates the muscle. BoNT alleviates pain or glandular secretion besides causing a neuromuscular block. After being transported to the axons, BoNT is carried centrally and even to the adjacent neurons via synapses (toxin jump). A direct central action has also been postulated. BoNT is generally safe, but serious adverse reactions may occur very rarely. Individual differences in toxin sensitivity may be considerably greater than assumed, and even the routine clinical dose may be too high in some patients. The future strategy includes clinical application of other types of toxin or chimera toxins, or the use of the toxin as a cargo ("Trojan Horse") carrying some bioactive molecules into the cell. A non-injection procedure for mucosal application or cosmetic use is currently under clinical trials.


Basilar invagination and mid-line skeletal abnormalities due to in utero exposure to phenytoin.
A case of basilar invagination which is thought to have arisen from the patient's intrauterine exposure to phenytoin is presented. The patient was treated surgically by foramen magnum decompression and occipito-cervical fusion, and by transoral resection of the clivus. His symptoms of brain stem compression were alleviated and the role of phenytoin in the production of his craniocervical abnormality is discussed.