Maldescended testes and fertility: a review of 68 cases.
We report an analysis of 68 of 1112 couples who attended an infertility clinic where the man had past or present evidence of testis maldescent. The age at orchiopexy for these 68 men was later than would be expected, taking into account surgical practice in Scotland for the relevant time period and this supports the view that late orchiopexy is a risk factor for subsequent infertility. There was no evidence that antisperm antibodies are responsible for the damage to spermatogenesis in unilateral cases; however, measurement of the serum hormones showed elevations of LH and FSH which cannot be entirely explained as secondary to the damaged spermatogenesis. There was weak but nevertheless significant evidence that testis maldescent may be a poor prognostic factor as far as subsequent fertility is concerned and that this is independent of the length of time the couple have been trying and the man's motile sperm density. In two men there was intra-abdominal undescent and both were found to have testis tumours; we would re-emphasise that abdominal exploration is mandatory in such cases.


Detection of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in non-small cell lung cancer using Luminex multiplex technology.
It has been previously reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 are important for the occurrence and development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study was designed to detect the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in NSCLC, and to explore their diagnostic and prognostic values. A total of 543 cases were involved, of which 332 were NSCLC (272 cases in the pretreatment group and 60 cases in the postoperative group), 91 were patients with benign lung diseases and 120 were healthy controls. The serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were determined by Luminex multiplex technology. The serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were found to be significantly higher in the pretreatment group than those in the patients with benign lung diseases and healthy controls (VEGF, P<0.0001; MMP-9, P<0.0001). Compared with the pretreatment group, the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in the postoperative group were significantly decreased (VEGF, P=0.005; MMP-9, P=0.002), and the levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in the pretreatment group of patients with stages III and IV were higher than those with stages I and II (VEGF, P<0.0001; MMP-9, P=0.021). In addition, the levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were found to closely correlate with lymph node metastasis (VEGF, P<0.0001; MMP-9, P<0.0001) in the pretreatment group, while being independent of other clinicopathological parameters (P>0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 (r=0.159; P=0.009). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the diagnostic value of MMP-9 was higher than that of VEGF in the pretreatment group. The log-rank test indicated that the inoperable NSCLC patients with low levels of VEGF exhibited a significantly longer overall survival time than those with high VEGF levels (P<0.0001). Additionally, the serum levels of VEGF and lymph node metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors of the inoperable NSCLC patients in a multivariate Cox regression analysis (P<0.05). These results indicated that VEGF and MMP-9 may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC.


Chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma: time for a change?
Melanoma is a neoplasm with a rising incidence. Early-stage melanoma is curable, but advanced, metastatic melanoma almost uniformly is fatal, and patients with such advanced disease have a short median survival. Systemic therapy remains unsatisfactory, inducing complete durable responses in a small minority of patients. For the current review, the authors focused on the current role of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and the future prospects for improvements for multiagent chemotherapy and chemotherapy combined with immunomodulatory and/or molecularly targeted agents. They discuss roles of single-agent chemotherapy, combination chemotherapy, combinations of chemotherapy with immunomodulatory or hormone agents, biochemotherapy, and combination chemotherapy with targeted therapies.


Two-dimensional echocardiographic guiding of endomyocardial biopsy.
Two-dimensional echocardiography provides adequate spatial orientation and anatomic definition. Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing myocardial biopsy had concomitant two-dimensional echocardiography during 22 biopsies of five to six samples each. The transducer was placed at the apex and in the subcostal area and four-chamber views were used. The bioptome was seen entering the right atrium and crossing the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. The catheter was then manipulated under two-dimensional echocardiography and the tip's position was strictly adapted, using two different classic views before sampling. The success rate in visualizing the forceps and in defining the site of sampling was 100 percent, and no complication was noted. Radiation exposure was largely reduced. Two-dimensional echocardiography to guide endomyocardial biopsy may reduce the risk of perforation by a better anatomic definition of the sampling site. It permits sampling from different ventricular sites or from the same site during serial procedures for monitoring evolution or treatment.


Infraspecific DNA methylation polymorphism in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).
Cytosine methylation is important in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and development in plants and has been implicated in silencing duplicate genes after polyploid formation in several plant groups. Relatively little information exists, however, on levels and patterns of methylation polymorphism (MP) at homologous loci within species. Here we explored the levels and patterns of methylation-polymorphism diversity at CCGG sites within allotetraploid cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, using a methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism screen and a selected set of 20 G. hirsutum accessions for which we have information on genetic polymorphism levels and relationships. Methylation and MP exist at high levels within G. hirsutum: of 150 HpaII/MspI sites surveyed, 48 were methylated at the inner cytosine (32%) and 32 of these were polymorphic (67%). Both these values are higher than comparable measures of genetic diversity using restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The high percentage of methylation-polymorphic sites and potential relationship to gene expression underscore the potential significance of MP within and among populations. We speculate that biased correlation of methylation-polymorphic sites and genes in cotton may be a consequence of polyploidy and the attendant doubling of all genes.


Structural Characterization of Histatin 5-Spermidine Conjugates: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.
Histatin 5 (Hst5) is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide that acts as the first line of defense against oral candidiasis. It has been shown that conjugation of the active Hst5 fragment, Hst54-15, and the polyamine spermidine (Spd) improves the candidacidal effect. Knowledge about the structure of these conjugates is, however, very limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the structural properties of the Hst54-15-Spd conjugates by performing atomistic molecular dynamics simulations in combination with small-angle X-ray scattering. It was shown that the Hst54-15-Spd conjugates adopt extended and slightly rigid random coil conformations without any secondary structure in aqueous solution. It is hypothesized that the increased fungal killing potential of Hst54-15-Spd, in comparison with the Spd-Hst54-15 conjugate, is due to the more extended conformations of the former, which cause the bonded Spd molecule to be more accessible for recognition by polyamine transporters in the cell.


Patients with severe muscle wasting are prone to develop hypoglycemia during fasting.
The authors investigated whether hypoglycemia develops during 23 hours of fasting in patients with Duchenne dystrophy (7 patients), spinal muscular atrophy (4 patients), and congenital myopathy (2 patients), all with residual muscle mass <10% of body weight. All patients with spinal muscular atrophy and congenital myopathy and one patient with Duchenne dystrophy, but none of six healthy subjects, developed hypoglycemia. Skeletal muscle is an important source of gluconeogenic substrates during fasting. Hypoglycemia must be considered in patients with low muscle mass, especially during surgery and febrile episodes.


A rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous quantitation of aspirin, salicylic acid, and caffeine in effervescent tablets.
A rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure is developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of aspirin, salicylic acid, and caffeine extracted from an effervescent tablet. The method uses a Hypersil C18 column (5 micro m, 15 cm x 4.6 mm) for an isocratic elution in a water-methanol-acetic acid mobile phase at a wavelength of 275 nm. The tablets' buffering effects and acid neutralizing capacity require an extraction solvent of methanol-formic acid. The range of linearity for aspirin is 0.5-1.25 mg/mL, caffeine 0.065-0.195 mg/mL, and salicylic acid 0.4-6.0% of aspirin. The overall recovery is 100.2%, 100.7%, and 99.2% for aspirin, caffeine, and salicylic acid, respectively. Under the conditions of the method, aspirin, caffeine, and salicylic acid are adequately resolved with proper peak symmetry in less than 7 min.


Vector Competence of Aedes caspius and Ae. albopictus Mosquitoes for Zika Virus, Spain.
We assessed the vector competence of Aedes caspius and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Spain for the transmission of Zika virus. Whereas Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were a competent vector, Ae. caspius mosquitoes were unable to transmit Zika virus. We also identified high levels of vertical transmission of Zika virus in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes.


Variation of glutathione level and synthesis activity in chick liver due to selenium and vitamin E deficiencies.
Chicks were fed an amino acid mixture-based diet (basal diet) or one supplemented with selenium (Se, 0.2 micrograms/g as Na2SeO3) and/or vitamin E (100 micrograms/g as alpha-tocopherol). The group receiving the basal diet devoid of Se and vitamin E showed a tendency to grow slowly, but not significantly so, compared to the non-deficient control and manifested a symptom of exudative diathesis after the feeding period of 4 weeks. Supplementation of the basal diet with Se or vitamin E prevented the deficiency symptoms in the chicks. The hepatic GSH level and GSH synthesis activity were about three times as much in the Se- and vitamin E-deficient group as in the control. This was also the case for in vivo sulfur incorporation into hepatic GSH for 10 h post-injection with [35S]methionine. The increased level of GSH may partly compensate the hepatocytes for peroxidative damage.


Effect heating dwell time has on the retention of heavy metals in the structure of lightweight aggregates manufactured from wastes.
The main objective of this paper was to study how effective thermal treatment is in the retention of different heavy metals (HMs) within the structure of artificial lightweight aggregates (LWAs). These LWAs were manufactured by washing aggregate sludge and sewage sludge. The consequence of increasing the heating dwell time whilst manufacturing these LWAs was also determined. Partitioning of the HMs (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) was studied by means of the optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure. Then, the leaching ratio (LRx,y) was calculated. Thermal treatment was totally effective for immobilizing most of the elements studied except for a part of the non-residual Zn and Cd fraction which could volatilize, and the fractions of Pb which were water- and acid-soluble, weakly adsorbed, exchangeable, and oxidable. These were more highly concentrated in the LWAs than in the initial waste mixture. The effect of increasing heating dwell time on the retention of heavy metals in the LWAs depended on both the chemical element studied and the heating dwell time. This study is very important since certain rises in the heating dwell time caused a decrease in retention of some specific heavy metals in the LWAs. BCR-SEP: optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure; b.d.l: below the detection limit; F1: weakly adsorbed, exchangeable and water- and acid- soluble fraction; F2: reducible fraction; F3: oxidable fraction; F4: residual fraction; HM: heavy metal; ICP-MS: inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy; LOI: loss on ignition; LWA: lightweight aggregate; LWA-5: lightweight aggregate sintered for 5 min; LWA-10: lightweight aggregate sintered for 10 min; LWA-20: lightweight aggregate sintered for 20 min; LWA-30: lightweight aggregate sintered for 30 min; LRx,y: leaching ratio of the element x in the fraction y; n.e: not established; S: compressive strength; SS: sewage sludge; WA24h: water absorption after 24 hours; WAS: washing aggregate sludge; W75S25: mixture of 75% (wt) of the dried washing aggregate sludge and 25% (wt) of the dried sewage sludge; ρb: loose bulk density; ρd: dry particle density; ∑1 + 2 + 3: non-residual fraction; ∑1 + 2 + 3 + 4: total concentration; ∑2 + 3: reducible and oxidable fractions.


Anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of resveratrol in the lung.
Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic molecule with several biological activities, is a well recognized anti-oxidant, anti-aging and cancer chemopreventive agent. Moreover, resveratrol anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties have been demonstrated both in vitro and in different animal models of inflammatory pathologies, including bowel and liver diseases. We review the evidence of resveratrol protective role in respiratory diseases such as acute lung injury, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung fibrosis. We conclude that resveratrol and its derivatives may act as a therapeutic agents in respiratory diseases and pertinent clinical trials should be performed.


Reliable real-time clinical monitoring using sensor network technology.
We propose wireless sensor networks composed of nodes using low-power 802.15.4 radios as an enabling technology for patient monitoring in general hospital wards. A key challenge for such applications is to reliably deliver sensor data from mobile patients. We propose a monitoring system with two types of nodes: patient nodes equipped with wireless pulse oximeters and relays nodes used to route data to a base station. A reliability analysis of data collection from mobile users shows that mobility leads to packet losses exceeding 30%. The majority of packet losses occur between the mobile subjects and the first-hop relays. Based on this insight we developed the Dynamic Relay Association Protocol (DRAP), an effective mechanism for discovering the right relays for patient nodes. DRAP enables highly reliable data collection from mobile subjects. Empirical evaluation showed that DRAP delivered at least 96% of data from multiple users. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of wireless sensor networks for real-time clinical monitoring.


The effects of viewing by scrolling on a small screen on the encoding of objects into visual long-term memory.
The perception of an image obtained by scrolling through a small screen can differ from the typical perception of a wide visual field in a stable environment. However, we do not fully understand image perception by scrolling on a small screen based on psychological knowledge of visual perception and cognition of images. This study investigated how screen size limitations and image shifts caused by scrolling affect image encoding in visual long-term memory. Participants explored the stimulus images under three conditions. Under the scrolling condition, they explored the image through a small screen. Under the moving-window condition, they explored the image by moving the screen over a masked image; this is similar to looking through a moving peephole. Under the no-window condition, participants were able to view the entire image simultaneously. Each stimulus comprised 12 objects. After 1 h, the samples were tested for object recognition. Consequently, the memory retention rate was higher in the scrolling and moving-window conditions than in the no-window condition, and no difference was observed between the scrolling and moving-window conditions. The time required by participants to explore the stimulus was shorter under the no-window condition. Thus, encoding efficiency (i.e., the rate of encoding information into memory in a unit of time) did not differ among the three conditions. An analysis of the scan trace of the scrolling and window movements in relation to the image revealed differences between the scrolling and moving-window conditions in terms of the scan's dynamic features. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the memory retention rate and image-scrolling speed. We conclude that perceiving images by scrolling on a small screen enables better memory retention than that obtained through whole-image viewing if the viewing time is not limited. We suggest that viewing through a small screen is not necessarily disadvantageous for memory encoding efficiency depending on the presentation mode, and the results show that participants who scrolled fast tended to have worse memory retention. These findings can impact school education and thus suggest that the use of mobile devices in learning has some merit from the viewpoint of cognitive psychology.


What Can Thinking Like a Gerontologist Bring to Bioethics?
I am a social gerontologist, broadly defined as a social scientist who studies how later life is experienced, structured, and controlled in a society and in social settings. Although gerontology is often confused with geriatrics (a medical specialty), gerontologists are typically not clinicians but may study issues related to old age and health care such as the societal conditions that shape how medical care is provided and financed and how early exposure to education relates to later life health. In this essay, I argue that thinking like a gerontologist is important when considering what makes a good life in late life. To think like a gerontologist is to consider the cultural and societal values-past and present-that shape the experience of aging, to recognize people as complex beings whose individual lives do not follow predictable patterns or easily identified trajectories, and to recognize our own habits of regarding older persons as "other" and the consequences of "othering" for older persons and social systems. After a brief history of gerontology, highlighting a few core concepts that gerontologists share, I propose three important questions to consider regarding a good life in late life.


Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of bacterial reverse transcriptases.
Much less is known about reverse transcriptases (RTs) in prokaryotes than in eukaryotes, with most prokaryotic enzymes still uncharacterized. Two surveys involving BLAST searches for RT genes in prokaryotic genomes revealed the presence of large numbers of diverse, uncharacterized RTs and RT-like sequences. Here, using consistent annotation across all sequenced bacterial species from GenBank and other sources via RAST, available from the PATRIC (Pathogenic Resource Integration Center) platform, we have compiled the data for currently annotated reverse transcriptases from completely sequenced bacterial genomes. RT sequences are broadly distributed across bacterial phyla, but green sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria have the highest levels of RT sequence diversity (≤85% identity) per genome. By contrast, phylum Actinobacteria, for which a large number of genomes have been sequenced, was found to have a low RT sequence diversity. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that bacterial RTs could be classified into 17 main groups: group II introns, retrons/retron-like RTs, diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs), Abi-like RTs, CRISPR-Cas-associated RTs, group II-like RTs (G2L), and 11 other groups of RTs of unknown function. Proteobacteria had the highest potential functional diversity, as they possessed most of the RT groups. Group II introns and DGRs were the most widely distributed RTs in bacterial phyla. Our results provide insights into bacterial RT phylogeny and the basis for an update of annotation systems based on sequence/domain homology.


Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed dehydrogenative C-H activation: An expedient synthesis of uracil-annulated β-carbolinones.
An intramolecular dehydrogenative C-H activation enabled an efficient synthesis of an uracil-annulated β-carbolinone ring system. The reaction is simple, efficient and high yielding (85-92%).


Universal modeling of weak antilocalization corrections in quasi-two-dimensional electron systems using predetermined return orbitals.
We have developed a method to calculate the weak localization and antilocalization corrections based on the real-space simulation, where we provide 147 885 predetermined return orbitals of quasi-two-dimensional electrons with up to 5000 scattering events that are repeatedly used. Our model subsumes that of Golub [L. E. Golub, Phys. Rev. B 71, 235310 (2005)PRBMDO1098-012110.1103/PhysRevB.71.235310] when the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is assumed. Our computation is very simple, fast, and versatile, where the numerical results, obtained all at once, cover wide ranges of the magnetic field under various one-electron interactions H^{'} exactly. Thus, it has straightforward extensibility to incorporate interactions other than the Rashba SOI, such as the linear and cubic Dresselhaus SOIs, Zeeman effect, and even interactions relevant to the valley and pseudo spin degrees of freedom, which should provide a unique tool to study new classes of materials like emerging 2D materials. Using our computation, we also demonstrate the robustness of a persistent spin helix state against the cubic Dresselhaus SOI.


[Reflections on classification of epileptic seizures].
The use of a universal classification, generally agreed and accepted, is an essential step in medicine for the understanding, correct diagnosis and satisfactory treatment of diseases. We review and comment on the various proposed classifications of epileptic seizures, from that of Gastaut in 1970, which related the clinical findings to the electroencephalogram (EEG) of epileptic seizures, to the current classification described by the executive committee of the ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) in 1997. The first classification was described by Gastaut and improved in the first international classification agreed on by the ILAE in 1981. Subsequently, the international classification of the ILAE in 1989 paid special attention to the differentiation of the different types of epilepsy and epileptic syndromes as such, with less emphasis on the correlation of seizures with the EEG. The current classification proposed by the ILAE considers epileptic seizures as just a list of types of seizures, although in greater detail. Concerning definition of the seizures, it does not establish their correlation with clinical investigations that permit greater objectivity (EEG, neuro imaging.).


Increasing access to clinical and educational studies.
In 2001, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) provided funds to support the Increasing Access to Clinical and Educational Studies (ACES) Project of the Thomas Jefferson University, Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The ACES Project enabled the Center to engage in the systematic development of approaches for reducing cancer health disparities among African Americans in Philadelphia. This project brought together community partners, clinical partners, cancer prevention and control experts, and staff from an NCI-designated cancer center to develop and implement a community-based outreach education program, a special populations investigator (SPI) training program, and SPI pilot studies in cancer screening and clinical trials participation. At the end of 5 years, the ACES Project had 1) organized a steering committee, expert panel, and a network of community collaborators and clinical partners; 2) implemented a clinical trials education program for community-based nurses, lay health advocates active in community organizations, and health ministries in community churches; 3) mentored 4 SPIs in cancer prevention and control research; 4) completed SPI pilot studies; and 5) leveraged these activities to gain support for cancer health disparities related research. The Project established a successful dialogue between an NCI-designated cancer center and the African American population related to cancer research, and enabled SPIs from the community to adapt evidence-informed interventions for application in cancer prevention and control research. Lessons learned from the Project can guide the implementation of such projects in the future. Cancer 2006. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society.


[Wittgenstein and Freud].
In this paper I present the most important limits in the reading that Ludwig Wittgenstein made of Sigmund Freud. In particular, starting from certain thematic axes (distinction causes / reasons, conception of the meaning, interpretation concept, the problem of the truth in the therapeutic treatment, the paper of the patient's conviction), I try to show that the position of Wittgenstein in front of the Freudian psychoanalysis was ambiguous: on one hand he conceives it as an example more than "philosophical mythology", but on the other hand, he is identified with the psychoanalyst and he is conceived itself as making something related with that an analyst makes.


Characterization of DNA primary sequences by a new similarity/diversity measure based on the partial ordering.
The similarity/diversity measures play a fundamental role in library searching, virtual screening, and quantitative structure-activity relationship/quantitative structure-property relationship modeling as well as in genomics and proteomics. In this paper, a new similarity/diversity measure is proposed as a new approach for the analysis of sequential data, where useful information can be also obtained by the ordering relationships between the sequence elements. This methodology can be applied for evaluating molecular similarity/diversity, using sets of sequential descriptors, and for evaluating the similarity between spectra, sensor arrays, and other sequential data such as DNA and protein sequences. The new proposed distance (weighted standardized Hasse distance) is evaluated between pairs of Hasse matrices derived from the classical partial-ordering rules. It can be naturally standardized, thus allowing the interpretation of these distances as absolute values (e.g., percentage) and deriving simple similarity and correlation indices. A simple example is taken to highlight the behavior of the new similarity/diversity measure on DNA sequences taken from the first exons of the beta-globins for eight different species. Sensitivity analysis has been also performed, showing the high capability of this measure to take into account small modifications of the DNA sequences. Finally, a comparison with results obtained from the literature is given, together with a comparison with matrix invariants derived from the Hasse matrix.


Making the commitment to compliance.
After several years of investigations into allegations of fraud and abuse by healthcare organizations, the federal government is not letting up. Organizations should not underestimate the importance of having a compliance program in place. Organizations need to evaluate their program to determine what's working and what's not and maintain clear channels of communication with their board of directors.


Schizophrenia: management and care in the community.
The move to community care has resulted in many more individuals with severe mental health needs relying on community services. Community facilities did not receive the proceeds from hospital closures and this had led to inadequate provision and facilities for individuals with severe mental health needs. There also appears to have been a lack of effective interventions and skills for dealing with this specific client group. The National Framework Strategy (Department of Health, 1999) for mental health outlines ways to modernize mental health services and aims to ensure that they will be more accessible, more effective and coordinated across health and social care. Over the past decade, there has been a great deal of research examining the effectiveness of psychosocial and family interventions for individuals with psychosis. This article discusses how such interventions could address some of the shortcomings of community care for the severely mentally ill.


Exogenous Melatonin Counteracts NaCl-Induced Damage by Regulating the Antioxidant System, Proline and Carbohydrates Metabolism in Tomato Seedlings.
Melatonin, a natural agent, has multiple functions in animals as well as in plants. However, its possible roles in plants under abiotic stress are not clear. Nowadays, soil salinity is a major threat to global agriculture because a high soil salt content causes multiple stresses (hyperosmotic, ionic, and oxidative). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore: (1) the involvement of melatonin in biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments and in regulation of photosynthetic enzymes, such as carbonic anhydrase (CA) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco); (2) the role of melatonin in osmoregulation by proline and carbohydrate metabolism; and (3) the function of melatonin in the antioxidant defense system under salinity. Outcomes of the study reveal that under non-saline conditions, application of melatonin (20 and 50 µM) improved plant growth, viz. shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight (FW), root FW, shoot dry weight (DW), root DW and leaf area and physio-biochemical parameters [chlorophyll (Chl) a and b, proline (Pro) and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC) content, and increased the activity of CA and Rubisco]. However, tomato seedlings treated with NaCl exhibited enhanced Chl degradation, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; superoxide and hydrogen peroxide). ROS were detected in leaf and root. Interestingly, application of melatonin improved plant growth and reduced EL, MDA and ROS levels through upregulation of photosynthesis enzymes (CA, Rubisco), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate reductase) and levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants [ascorbate (ASC) and reduced glutathione (GSH)], as well as by affecting the ASC-GSH cycle. Additionally, exogenous melatonin also improved osmoregulation by increasing the content of TSC, Pro and Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase activity. These results suggest that melatonin has beneficial effects on tomato seedlings growth under both stress and non-stress conditions. Melatonin's role in tolerance to salt stress may be associated with the regulation of enzymes involved in photosynthesis, the antioxidant system, metabolism of proline and carbohydrate, and the ASC-GSH cycle. Also, melatonin could be responsible for maintaining the high ratios of GSH/GSSG and ASC/DHA.


Effect of progesterone on proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes stimulated with pathogens associated with preterm birth.
A number of clinical trials have demonstrated that supplemental progesterone (P4) can prevent preterm birth. Although P4 can decrease the production of mediators of inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, a majority of infections associated with preterm birth are due to Ureaplasma urealyticum, which does not contain LPS. Therefore, we studied whether P4 could lower the production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes stimulated with U. urealyticum. Human monocytes (THP-1 cells) were treated with P4 and then stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli or U. urealyticum. Cytokine concentrations in the conditioned medium were then measured by ELISA and relative viability of the cells was assessed colorimetrically. The impact of P4 on interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-8 production was assessed by comparing levels across different P4 dosages and organism concentrations. Both organisms increased IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha and IL-8 production in a dose-dependent manner. P4 enhanced the production of IL-1beta and IL-8, but inhibited TNF-alpha production by monocytes stimulated with either organism. P4 modulates cytokine production by E. coli and U. urealyticum-stimulated monocytes in a similar manner and is not strictly immunosuppressive. This suggests that P4 does not prevent preterm birth by simply suppressing bacteria-stimulated cytokine production.


Autoradiographic localization of binding sites for oxytocin and vasopressin in the rat kidney.
The distribution of [3H]vasopressin- and [3H]oxytocin-binding sites was examined, using an autoradiographical technique, in the kidney of Long-Evans and Brattleboro rats. Two types of binding sites with affinities in the nanomolar range were detected: one, located on glomeruli, bound both vasopressin and oxytocin; the other, on collecting ducts, bound vasopressin selectively. In the presence of 10 mumol oxytocin/l, [3H]vasopressin labelling was abolished in glomeruli, but only reduced in collecting ducts; [3H]oxytocin labelling was completely abolished by 10 mumol vasopressin/l. These observations are discussed in relation to known effects of neurohypophysial hormones on renal physiology.


[Susceptibility to antibiotics of Staphylococcus aureus strains].
Staphylococcus aureus is a very important pathogen in humans about 20% of all bacterial infections are caused by S. aureus. Because the staphylococcal sensitivity patterns have changed, the aim of this study was to investigate the current susceptibility of the S. aureus strains to 9 antibiotics: penicillin (P), amoxacillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), erythromycin (E), cortimoxazole (SXT), tetracycline (T), chloramphenicol (C), mupirocin (MUP), gentamicin (Ge) and vancomycin (Va). Susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion technique, by the procedure outlined by the National Committe for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Susceptibility to methicillin was determined using 5 micrograms methicillin disks. beta-lactamase production in the penicillin-resistant strains was detected with nitrocefin impregnated disk (Cefinase, BBL Microbiology system). The microbiological characteristics of the samples: 338 of the isolates were derived, from noses and the throats 382--from surgical wound secretions. The analysis of the results showed that most S. aureus strains (82.8%) are penicillin resistant and beta-lactamase producing 13.5% of all strains were methicillin-resistant. 16.5%--were erythromycin resistant; 3.2%--were cotrimoxazole resistant; 51.4%--were mupirocin resistant; 20.6%--were gentamicin resistant. All of the strains were vancomycin sensitive.


Management of unilateral staghorn renal stones with concurrent urinary tract infections by retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy with prolonged renal posterior lower segment incision.
The present study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the removal of unilateral staghorn renal stones with concurrent infections by retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (RLP) with prolonged renal posterior lower segment incision. Patients with staghorn renal stone and concurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) who underwent RLP with prolonged renal posterior lower segment incision as the primary, one-session treatment at our institution between March 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Routine laboratory tests were performed and the patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics from at least 3 days prior to the operation. All patients were examined pre-operatively by urinary ultrasonography, computed tomography or intravenous urography. UTI was confirmed by laboratory tests with or without radiographic evidence by an experienced urologist. All patients (18 females and 10 males) successfully underwent the procedures and there was no conversion to open surgery in any case. The mean age was 57.0±10.81 years (age range, 40-74 years) and the mean calculus size was 3.3±0.79 cm. The mean operation time, warm ischemia time and post-operative hospital stay were 114.4±12.09 min, 28.1±4.23 min and 5.8±1.42 days, respectively. The mean hemoglobin drop on day 3 following surgery was 0.5±0.38 g/dl and there was no requirement for blood transfusion in any patient. The mean change of serum creatinine levels between pre-operative baseline and post-operative day 3 or post-operative month 6 was 6.0±20.03 or -4.5±15.13 µmol/l, respectively. The stone-free rate was 100% at 3 days and at 6 months. Mild post-operative complications (Grade I or II) occurred in 6 patients, including temporary and constant elevated body temperature (>38.5°C). No severe complications, including urine leakage, sepsis, residual stones requiring auxiliary procedures, were noted and there were no circumstances requiring further surgical intervention in any of the patients. In conclusion, RLP with prolonged renal posterior lower segment incision is an effective and safe procedure for patients with staghorn renal stones and concurrent UTI, and its feasible application as a single-session monotherapy is particularly convenient considering the financial and medical situation, as well as the patients' preference.


Relativity or aromaticity? A first-principles perspective of chemical shifts in osmabenzene and osmapentalene derivatives.
We have studied the magnetic response properties and aromaticity of osmium metallacycles by means of scalar-relativistic (1c) and fully relativistic (4c) density functional theory computations. For osmabenzene, whose aromatic character is controversial, a topological analysis of the current density has revealed the presence of a unique σ-type Craig-Möbius magnetic aromaticity. We show that the partially filled osmium valence shell induces a large paratropic current, which may interfere with certain methods commonly used to analyze aromaticity, in particular NICS. Further, we show that the extreme deshielding of the light atoms in the vicinity of the osmium atoms in osmapentalene derivatives is not a consequence of aromaticity but can be explained by paramagnetic couplings between σOs-C bonding orbitals and the π*Os orbitals. We demonstrate that variations in the orientation of the induced magnetic currents through the molecule dictates the alternating signs of the spin-orbit contribution to the NMR chemical shift.


Using xCELLigence RTCA Instrument to Measure Cell Adhesion.
Cell adhesion to neighbouring cells and to the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental requirement for the existence of multicellular organisms. As such, the formation, stability and dissociation of cell adhesions are subject to tight control in space and time and perturbations within the sophisticated adhesion machinery are associated with a variety of human pathologies. Here, we outline a simple protocol to monitor alterations in cell adhesion to the ECM, for example, following genetic manipulations or overexpression of a protein of interest or in response to drug treatment, using the xCELLigence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system.


Characterization of a Fe-Based Soft Magnetic Alloy System with High Saturation Magnetization.
The ratios of Fe/Co and Fe/B in a ferromagnetic alloy system, Fe(87-x-y) Co(x) Ti7 Zr6 By (x = 20, 30, and 40 at% and y = 2 and 4 at%), which was produced by the melt-spinning technique in the form of thin ribbons, were investigated to improve the saturation magnetization. The thermal properties T(x) were in the range of 792.0 K to 838.0 K, and it decreased by decreasing Fe/Co ratio. In the as-spun amorphous ribbons, the saturation magnetization and coercivity ranged from 137.5 emu/g to 164.2 emu/g and from 0.027 Oe to 1.245 Oe, respectively. The optimum Fe/Co ratio for the Fe(83-x) Co(x) Ti7 Zr6 B4 system was determined to be 64:36. In other words, the optimum system was Fe60 Co25 Ti7 Zr6 B2, which exhibited robust soft magnetic properties, such as a low coercivity of 0.252 Oe, and high saturation magnetization of 164.2 emu/g (1.55 T). Also, in this system, magnetic properties such as the saturation magnetization and coercivity increased with decreasing Fe/Co ratio.


Liver aminotransferases in under-five HIV-positive children on HAART.
Higher mortality rates were reported in developing countries during early months of HAART initiation than in developed countries. The study aimed at assessing the effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on liver function of under-fives. Two hundred and thirty-eight under-fives children were enrolled from five hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Ethical permission and written consent were obtained. Group A involved 91 seropositive-children on HAART regimen while Group B1 involved 24 seronegative-infants who received nevirapine from birth till age 6-week. Group B2 (18) and B3 (48) involved seronegative-children who received co-trimoxazole and were 6-month and 18-month old respectively. Group C involved 11 seropositive-children who received co-trimoxazole only. Group D involved 46 seronegative-children who served as the control group. A 2ml blood sample was obtained from each participant during first phase of the study and was analysed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using kits manufactured by Randox. Group A children returned for second and third phases of the study after 3-month and 6-month respectively. Data were analysed by using ANOVA. The results showed that ALT was highest in group A (12.8 ± 11.0 IU/L) suggesting hepatotoxicity while AST was highest in group B2 (35.4 ± 53.1 IU/L). Second phase, ALT and AST of group A were significantly reduced by 39.3% (p < 0.05), 29.9% (p < 0.05) respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity. Third phase, ALT and AST were significantly reduced by .50.6% (p < 0.05) and 32.2% (p < 0.05) respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity observed among HIV-infected children on HAART was resolved after 6-month of monitoring.


Retargeting Human-Object Interaction to Virtual Avatars.
In augmented reality (AR) applications, a virtual avatar serves as a useful medium to represent a human in a different place. This paper deals with the problem of retargeting a human motion to an avatar. In particular, we present a novel method that retargets a human motion with respect to an object to that of an avatar with respect to a different object of a similar shape. To achieve this, we developed a spatial map that defines the correspondences between any points in the 3D spaces around the respective objects. The key advantage of the spatial map is that it identifies the desired locations of the avatar's body parts for any input motion of a human. Once the spatial map is created offline, the motion retargeting can be performed in real-time. The retargeted motion preserves important features of the original motion such as the human pose and the spatial relation with the object. We report the results of a number of experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.


Metabolite profile analysis reveals association of vitamin B-6 with metabolites related to one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not with biomarkers of inflammation in oral contraceptive users and reveals the effects of oral contraceptives on these processes.
The use of oral contraceptives (OCs) has been associated with low plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The functional consequences are unclear. To determine whether functional vitamin B-6 insufficiency occurs in OC users and is attributable to OCs, we investigated the associations of PLP with metabolites of one-carbon metabolism, tryptophan catabolism, and inflammation in OC users, and evaluated the effects of OCs on these metabolites. Plasma metabolite concentrations were measured in 157 OC users (20-40 y of age). Associations between PLP and the metabolites were analyzed through use of generalized additive models and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Additionally, data from 111 of the 157 OC users were compared to previously reported data from 11 nonusers, at adequate and low vitamin B-6 status, with use of multivariate ANOVA. PLP showed significant (P < 0.05) negative nonlinear association with homocysteine, glutathione, and ratios of asymmetric dimethylarginine to arginine, 3-hydroxykynurenine to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and 3-hydroxykynurenine to kynurenic acid. PLS-DA supported these conclusions and identified 3-hydroxykynurenine and the 3-hydroxykynurenine-to-kynurenine ratio as discriminating biomarkers in women with PLP ≤30 nmol/L. Among the many differences, OC users had significantly higher plasma pyridoxal (157% at adequate and 195% at low vitamin B-6 status), 4-pyridoxic acid (154% at adequate and 300% at low vitamin B-6 status), xanthurenic acid (218% at low vitamin B-6 status), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (176% at adequate and 166% at low vitamin B-6 status), quinolinic acid (127% at low vitamin B-6 status), and nicotinamide (197% at low vitamin B-6 status). Biomarkers of inflammation were not associated with PLP, and no differences were found between the 2 groups. PLP is associated with biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not with biomarkers of inflammation in OC users. Independent of vitamin B-6 status, OCs have effects on metabolites and ratios of one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not on biomarkers of inflammation. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01128244. The study from which data for nonusers was derived was registered as NCT00877812.


Pretreating porcine sperm with lipase enhances developmental competence of embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been widely applied in humans, mice, and some domestic animals to cure human infertility, or produce genetically superior or genetically engineered animals. However, the production efficiency of ICSI in pigs remains quite low. In this study, we developed a new sperm pretreatment method to improve production efficiency of ICSI in pigs. Experiment 1 revealed that pretreating porcine sperm with 2.5 mg/ml lipase before ICSI operation, not only can reduce the adhesion between sperm and the injection pipette without adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the operating medium, but also significantly improve male pronuclei (MPN) formation rate (55.56% vs. 40.00% (0 mg/ml), 42.59% (5.0 mg/ml), 40.00% (10.0 mg/ml), P < 0.05) and enhance developmental competence of ICSI embryos (26.03% vs. 10.87% (0 mg/ml), 10.00% (5.0 mg/ml), 10.13% (10.0 mg/ml), P < 0.05). Experiment 2 showed that this method has a higher MPN formation rate (50.47% vs. 30.78%, P < 0.05) and blastocyst rate (18.81% vs. 7.41%, P < 0.05) than the PVP method, and was better than the Triton X-100 treatment method (50.47% vs. 46.23%, 18.81% vs. 12.75%). Therefore, pretreating porcine sperm with 2.5 mg/ml lipase before ICSI operation is highly recommended, instead of adding PVP in the operating medium.


Radioimmunoassay of serum LH and testosterone in male rabbits actively immunized against testosterone.
Five male rabbits were actively immunized against testosterone to determine if this procedure could permanently inactivate circulating testosterone. To assess the response to immunization, serum LH, serum testosterone and antitestosterone titer (titer) were measured by radioimmunoassay at various times after immunization. All rabbits produced antisera to testosterone and developed serum LH levels similar to those measured in castrated males. The rise in serum LH was particularly pronounced after a booster immunization but these elevated levels were not maintained which suggests that biological neutralization was only transient. Serum testosterone rose dramatically after immunization and was directly correlated with titer. High serum testosterone concentrations were associated with both high and low serum LH. No correlation existed between titer ans serum LH. It is concluded that active immunization against testosterone does not necessarily result in a permanent neutralization of circulating testosterone and that titer alone is an inadequate criterion of neutralization.


Conformation and orientation of penetratin in phospholipid membranes.
The binding, conformation and orientation of a hydrophilic vector peptide penetratin in lipid membranes and its state of self-association in solution were examined using circular dichroism (CD), analytical ultracentrifugation and fluorescence spectroscopy. In aqueous solution, penetratin exhibited a low helicity and sedimented as a monomer in the concentration range approximately 50-500 microM. The partitioning of penetratin into phospholipid vesicles was determined using tryptophan fluorescence anisotropy titrations. The apparent penetratin affinity for 20% phosphatidylserine/80% egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles was inversely related to the total peptide concentration implying repulsive peptide-peptide interactions on the lipid surface. The circular dichroism spectra of the peptide when bound to unaligned 20% phosphatidylserine/80% egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles and aligned hydrated phospholipid multilayers were attributed to the presence of both alpha-helical and beta-turn structures. The orientation of the secondary structural elements was determined using oriented circular dichroism spectroscopy. From the known circular dichroism tensor components of the alpha-helix, it can be concluded that the orientation of the helical structures is predominantly perpendicular to the membrane surface, while that of the beta-type carbonyls is parallel to the membrane surface. On the basis of our observations, we propose a novel model for penetratin translocation.


Searching for alternative methods of diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus in a Mexican urban population.
The aim of the study was to determine whether a predictive value for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could be established using different glucose screening test thresholds in Mexican urban pregnant women. A group of 635 pregnant women (12-33 weeks of gestation) with serum glucose screening values of > or = 7.2 mmol (> or = 130 mg/dl) were evaluated with a 100-g 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The positive predictive values (PPVs) for serum glucose screening values of > or = 7.2 mmol to > or = 11.1 mmol (> or = 130 to > or = 200 mg/dl), age, and pregestational BMI were calculated. Of the women, 304 (47.8%) had a normal OGTT, 126 (19.8%) had impaired glucose tolerance, and 205 (32.3%) had GDM. A serum glucose screening value of > or = 9.4 mmol (> or = 170 mg/dl) had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.85 and the relative risk for GDM was 6.62 (95%CI: 4.40-9.97, p=0.001). Omission of the 3-h value during OGTT yielded a sensitivity of 91.2% (187/205). In this group of Mexican urban pregnant women, a serum glucose screening value of > or = 9.4 mmol (> or = 170 mg/dl) had a PPV of 85%. An algorithm is proposed to reduce the number of OGTTs performed in pregnant women attending prenatal care by 36.2%.


Up-regulated lncRNA CYLD as a ceRNA of miR-2383 facilitates bovine viral diarrhea virus replication by promoting CYLD expression to counteract RIG-I-mediated type-I IFN production.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most important pathogens of cattle, causing numerous economic losses to the cattle industry. To date, many potential mechanisms of BVDV evading or subverting innate immunity are still unknown. In this study, an lnc-CYLD/miR-2383/CYLD axis involved in BVDV-host interactions was screened from RNA-seq-based co-expression networks analysis of long noncoding RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs in BVDV-infected bovine cells, and underlying mechanisms of lnc-CYLD/miR-2383/CYLD axis regulating BVDV replication were explored. Results showed that BVDV-induced up-regulation of the lnc-CYLD competed for binding to the miR-2383, and then promoted CYLD expression, thereby inhibiting RIG-I-mediated type-I interferon (IFN) production, which was subsequently confirmed by treatment with lnc-CYLD overexpression and miR-2383 inhibitor. However, miR-2383 transfection and small interfering RNA-mediated lnc-CYLD knockdown inhibited CYLD expression and enhanced RIG-I-mediated type-I IFN production, inhibiting BVDV replication. In addition, interaction relationship between lnc-CYLD and miR-2383, and colocalization relationship of lnc-CYLD, miR-2383 and CYLD were confirmed by dual-luciferase assay and in situ hybridization assay. Conclusively, up-regulation of the lnc-CYLD as a competing endogenous RNA binds to the miR-2383 to reduce inhibitory effect of the miR-2383 on the CYLD expression, playing an important role in counteracting type-I IFN-dependent antiviral immunity to facilitate BVDV replication.


Radiographic classification of temporal bone fractures: clinical predictability using a new system.
To compare the traditional system of radiographic classification of temporal bone fractures (transverse vs longitudinal vs oblique) with a newer system (otic capsule violating vs otic capsule sparing) with respect to their ability to predict sequelae of temporal bone trauma. Retrospective chart and radiology review. University trauma center and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Patients with temporal bone fractures. Clinic records and computed tomographic scans were reviewed to evaluate the clinical predictability of complications of temporal bone fractures. Complications of temporal bone fractures (ie, sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and facial nerve weakness) were recorded. Two classification schemes for temporal bone fractures were statistically analyzed and compared as to their ability to predict each complication. A total of 234 temporal bone fractures were identified; 30 cases met our strict criteria for inclusion. The traditional classification system of temporal bone fractures did not significantly predict temporal bone complications (P = .71). On the other hand, the otic capsule-based system did demonstrate statistically significant predictive ability (P < .001). Patients with otic capsule-violating fractures were 5 times more likely to have facial nerve injury, 25 times more likely to have sensorineural hearing loss, and 8 times more likely to have cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea than those with otic capsule-sparing fractures. The traditional radiographic classification system failed to demonstrate clinical predictability in our series. Furthermore, the newer system of classification (otic capsule sparing vs otic capsule violating) demonstrated statistically significant predictive ability for serious clinical outcomes associated with temporal bone fractures.


Males with low birthweight examined at 18 years of age.
An 18 years follow-up study of 105 males born in 1962/63 with birthweight less than or equal to 2 500 g was made at the military draft board examinations in 1981. The medical and psychological tests were compared to the tests of the total cohort of 35 728 Norwegian conscripts. The early neonatal mortality in the study was 15.2%, and of those examined at 18 years of age was 6.7% unfit for military service, compared to 6.2% in the total cohort. Ten organ systems were analyzed, significantly increased frequency of unfitness being found only for the vision. Intelligence testing was done on 71 of the studied subjects, and the mean was the same as the national average. Children with weight-for-date centile less than 10 at birth had the same general intelligence at 18 years as the national average. However, the weight and height at adult age were significantly correlated to the weight-for-date at birth. The study indicates that those low birthweight children who survived the neonatal period in the beginning of the nineteen-sixties, were except for stature and minor defects of vision, indistinguishable from those of normal birthweight at the age of eighteen.


Platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome: the impact of PCSK9 inhibition.
Platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction contribute to adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The goals of this study were to assess the impact of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition on markers of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in ACS patients and the interaction among PCSK9, platelets, and endothelial cells (ECs) on left internal mammary artery (LIMA) vascular endothelium using specimens obtained during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Acute coronary syndromes patients enrolled in the Evolocumab in ACS trials were randomized to placebo or a single dose of 420 mg evolocumab within 24 h of hospitalization. Serum samples for analysis of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and P-selectin, markers of platelet activation, and von Willebrand factor (vWF), a marker of endothelial dysfunction, were obtained at baseline and 30 days. Additionally, LIMA segments obtained during CABG from patients who were and were not receiving evolocumab were immunostained with PCSK9; CD61, a platelet-specific marker; and CD31, an endothelial cell-specific marker. Forty-six participants were randomized to placebo or to evolocumab. Controlling for baseline levels, PF4 and vWF were significantly lower in the evolocumab, than in the placebo, group at 30 days. Immunostaining of LIMA specimens from twelve participants undergoing CABG revealed colocalization of PCSK9, CD61, and CD31 at the vascular endothelium. Administration of evolocumab was associated with decreased overlap of PCSK9, CD61, and CD31. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 inhibition decreases markers of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in ACS patients. PCSK9 is associated with platelets and vascular ECs in LIMA segments and PCSK9 inhibition decreases that interaction.


Hair counts from normal scalp biopsy in Taiwan.
Horizontal scalp biopsy is a better method to use when evaluating hair disorders, but an accurate diagnosis requires quantitative data regarding normal hair counts to be used as a control, which are currently available only for Caucasians, African Americans, Koreans, and Iranians. To evaluate scalp hair counts in the Taiwanese population. Two 4-mm punch biopsies were taken from clinically normal-looking scalp skin of 31 patients who underwent scalp surgery for non-hair-loss disorders. Punch biopsy specimens were sectioned horizontally at the sebaceous gland level and the number of follicular units, terminal hairs including anagen and telogen hairs, and vellus hairs were counted and compared with other published data. The numbers of hairs were also compared between the sexes, different age groups, and different anatomical locations of the scalp. The average counts of total hairs, terminal hairs, vellus hairs, and follicular units per 4-mm punch scalp skin were 21.3, 20.5, 0.8, and 9.4, respectively. The mean ratio of anagen hair to telogen hair was 91.6:8.4 and of terminal hair to vellus hair was 25.3:1. The average density of hair follicles was 1.69 mm(2). The mean counts of terminal hairs, total hairs, follicular units, and hair follicles/mm(2) were significantly different between different age groups. Differences in hair count parameters were recognized between different ethnic groups. Parameters of hair density established in the Taiwanese population will provide clinicians with useful reference data for the evaluation of hair disorders in Asians.


[Hepatic coma in fulminating viral hepatitis--treatment results in 1981 in a district hospital].
n the basis of clinical case reports on liver disintegration comata in foudroyant virus hepatitis the coma therapy was explained which was performed in the clinic for infectious and tropic diseases of the County Hospital St. Georg Leipzig in 1981 and this therapy was compared with the possibilities mentioned in literature. The aim of the article was to determine the present position of a county hospital in the great number of forms of therapy proposed. The basic therapy aimed at the reduction of neurotoxic protein metabolites and the application of intensive-medical therapeutic methods in interdisciplinary cooperation of internal specialist, specialist in dialysis and haemostaseologist are valuated as successful. The combined haemoperfusion/haemodialysis--two out of three patients treated survived--as a constituent of the present concept of therapy is assessed positively.


3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole Induces Quick and Strong Fat Loss in Mice with High Fat-Induced Metabolic Syndrome.
Obesity is a growing epidemic with limited effective treatments and an important risk factor for several diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATZ), an inhibitor of catalase and heme synthesis, in a murine model for MetS. Male C57BL/6 mice with high-fat diet-induced MetS received ATZ (500 mg·kg-1·24 h-1) for 12 weeks. The HFD group showed increased blood pressure and body weight, enhanced fat deposition accompanied by an increase in adipocyte diameter, and decreased lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT). The expression of genes related to inflammation was increased in WAT of the HFD group. Concurrently, these mice exhibited an increase in leptin, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), insulin, and glucose in plasma, coupled with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Strikingly, ATZ prevented the increase in blood pressure and the HFD-induced obesity as observed by lower body weight, WAT index, triglycerides, NEFA, and leptin in plasma. ATZ treatment also prevented the HFD-induced increase in adipocyte diameter and even induced marked atrophy and the accumulation of macrophages in this tissue. ATZ treatment also improved glucose metabolism by increasing glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, GLUT4 mRNA expression in WAT in parallel to decreased insulin levels. In the context of HFD-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome, the fat loss induced by ATZ is probably due to heme synthesis inhibition, which blocks adipogenesis by probably decreased RevErbα activity, leading to apoptosis of adipocytes and the recruitment of macrophages. As a consequence of fat loss, ATZ elicits a beneficial systemic antiobesity effect and improves the metabolic status.


Carbamazepine in psychiatry: a review.
Carbamazepine is a tricyclic compound structurally related to imipramine that has been used since the 1960's for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgias and then approved as an anticonvulsant in the U.S. in 1974. In the last decade the use of carbamazepine has been expanded to include the treatment of certain disorders of mood and behaviour. In this paper possible clinical applications of carbamazepine in psychiatry are reviewed along with its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Also discussed are adverse reactions and drug interactions which are relevant to its use.


Lessons from monochorionic twin delivery.
The presence of acute peripartum anaemia in a monochorionic twin pregnancy represents a clinical challenge requiring prompt recognition and management. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a major complication of these pregnancies and a medical emergency in its acute form. Acute intrapartum fetoplacental transfusion (AIFT) has been reported infrequently. The authors present a case of a probable acute TTTS in an uneventful monochorionic monoamnionic twin pregnancy, where typical ultrasound criteria for long-standing TTTS were absent. The first twin was born pale, hypotonic and developed hypovolemic shock due to acute anaemia. Soon after birth, she presented with seizures and a cerebral ultrasound detected a large parieto-occipital infarction. The second twin, although plethoric, was clinically well. The risk of acute TTTS and AIFT, although infrequent and unpredictable, should be kept in mind when planning delivery of monochorionic twins, because the consequences for one or both twins can be disastrous.


Evaluation of quality of life among dental students using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study.
The objective was to use modified version of WHOQOL-BREF to assess the well-being and QOL of dental students of King Saud University based on four major domains. The questionnaire related to the survey was distributed to all dental students (N= 782) who were enrolled from 1st year to 5th year in College of Dentistry, King Saud University in the fall of 2018. The questionnaire comprised of four domains having different set of questions i.e. Physical domain, Psychological domain, Environmental domain and Social relationship domain. Two stand-alone questions related to (Overall Quality of life and Satisfaction with health) were also part of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Cronbach's Alpha was used to assess the reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF domains. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare the means of the four domains and chi-square. Chi-square test was used to find association of demographic characteristics with four domains and two stand-alone questions. The overall quality of life and satisfaction with health of the dental students was found to be satisfactorily favorable with environmental domain and moderately favorable with social relationship and physical health domains. Physical health domain with psychological domain was statistically significant (p-value <0.001) whereas physical health domain with social relationship and environmental domain was also found to be statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Respondents, who highly rated their overall quality of life and satisfaction with health, had higher domain scores. In the present study, overall quality of life and satisfaction with health of dental students in King Saud University was found to be satisfactorily favorable.


An anti-lipid A antibody obtained from the human fetal repertoire is encoded by VH6-V lambda 1 genes.
The human hybridoma cell line CB-201 has been obtained from a fusion of fetal spleen lymphocytes (31st gestational week) with heteromyeloma cells. The IgM (lambda) secreted was found to bind to lipid A, whereas other endogenous and exogenous antigens were not recognized. The CB-201 antibody is encoded by the unmutated VH6 gene recombined with DN4 and JH3 elements and a V lambda subgroup 1 gene. Therefore, a VH gene, which was previously described to be over-represented in the fetal repertoire and to be expressed in autoantibody-producing B cells, may encode an anti-bacterial specificity.


Medical management of radiological casualties.
Victims of radiological terrorism events require prompt diagnosis and treatment of medical and surgical conditions as well as conditions related to radiation exposure. Hospital emergency personnel should triage victims using traditional medical and trauma criteria. Radiation dose can be estimated early post-event using rapid-sort, automated biodosimetry and clinical parameters such as the clinical history, the time to emesis (TE), and lymphocyte depletion kinetics. For TE < 2 h, the effective whole-body dose is at least 3 Gy. If TE < 1 h, the whole-body dose most probably exceeds 4 Gy. Lymphocyte depletion follows dose-dependent, first order kinetics after high-level gamma and criticality incidents. Patient radiation dose can be estimated very effectively from the medical history, serial lymphocyte counts, and TE, and subsequently confirmed with chromosome-aberration bioassay, the current gold standard. These data are effectively analyzed using the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Biodosimetry Assessment Tool. The medical management of patients with acute, moderate to severe radiation exposure (effective whole-body dose >3 Gy) should emphasize the rapid administration of colony stimulating factors. All of these compounds decrease the duration of radiation-induced neutropenia and stimulate neutrophil recovery, albeit with some variability, in patients who have received myelotoxic chemotherapy, and all have demonstrated benefit in irradiated animals. For those patients developing febrile radiation-induced neutropenia, adherence to the current Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for high-risk neutropenia is recommended.


Functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles for cancer cell-specific delivery of antitumor drug.
The unique reduction-triggered functional graphene oxide nanoparticles (GON) with well-defined size and uniform distribution were designed as an innovative drug delivery platform for cancer treatment for the first time, via the redox radical polymerization of methacrylic acid from the polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified GON (GON-PEG), following by cross-linking with cystamine. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrates that the typical PMAA2-GON-PEG carriers contain about 16 wt % PEG segments and 33 wt % poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brushes. PEG moieties are incorporated to make the drug delivery platforms stealthy during blood circulation. Notably, introducing the cross-linked PMAA brushes efficiently minimizes the premature release of doxorubicin (DOX) in the stimulated normal tissues, and accelerates DOX release in the stimulated tumor tissues through response to reduce agent. The carriers showed a 6-fold faster releasing rate at pH 5.0 in the presence of 10 mM glutathione (GSH) (stimulated tumor tissues) than at pH 7.4 with 10 μM GSH (stimulated normal tissues). In vitro cytotoxicity test also showed that the cross-linked PMAA2-GON-PEG (CPMAA2-GON-PEG) carriers had remarkable cytocompatibility, and that the DOX-loaded CPMAA2-GON-PEG had excellent killing capability to SiHa cells.


Unifying miscellaneous performance criteria for a prototype supercapacitor via Co(OH)2 active material and current collector interactions.
The use of transition metal oxides and hydroxides in supercapacitors can yield high specific capacity electrodes. However, the effect of interaction between active material and current collector has remained unexplored. Here the behaviour of electrodeposited hexagonal cobalt hydroxide nanosheets on a variety of substrates was investigated, and the resulting valence bonding, morphological evolutions and phase transformations examined. It is shown that the electrochemical activity of the face centred cubic (FCC) Ni substrate dramatically decreases cyclability, the FCC Cu substrate also demonstrates decreased performance, and hexagonal carbon nanofibre (CNF) and Ti substrates exhibit far more stability. The miscellaneous roles of valence bonding, redox reactions and crystal structure mismatch between active material and current collector are examined, and their consequences discussed. Using the resulting insights into performance criteria, it was possible to select a suitable substrate for the fabrication of an asymmetric supercapacitor. The high performance and stability of the device demonstrates the usefulness of this approach, and the utility of applying these insights to energy storage devices.


Kidney fibroxanthoma (malignant fibrous xanthoma): a rare tumor and an unusual cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage.
A case of kidney fibroxanthoma (malignant fibrous xanthoma, malignant variant of xanthogranuloma), a rare malignant neoplasm of kidney, is described. In addition to the typical histologic features of retroperitoneal xanthogranuloma, this tumor showed obvious pleomorphism and mitotic activity of the histiocytes. We present this case in view of the rarity of this neoplasm and the unusual presentation as massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage.


[The characteristics of sinus headache resembling the primary headaches].
It has to be excluded organic lesions to diagnose the primary headache, however they are tended to be misdiagnosed in a routine practice. Acute sinusitis is the most common disease to be misdiagnosed as the primary headaches and we have reported that the characteristics of sinus headache have closely resembled migraine, cluster headache or tension type headache. The effectiveness of triptans does not become an evidence for a diagnosis of migraine or cluster headache, because it was also effective for the pain of the acute sinusitis. The etiology of sinus headache that resembles the primary headaches is similar to the trigemino-vascular theory. In this paper, we clarify the characteristics of sinus headache resembling the primary headaches.


Hemolytic activity of membrane-active peptides correlates with the thermodynamics of binding to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayers.
Understanding the mechanisms of antimicrobial, cytolytic and cell-penetrating peptides is important for the design of new peptides to be used as cargo-delivery systems or antimicrobials. But these peptides should not be hemolytic. Recently, we designed a series of such membrane-active peptides and tested several hypotheses about their mechanisms on model membranes. To that end, the Gibbs free energy of binding to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) vesicles was determined experimentally. Because the main lipid components of the outermost monolayer of erythrocyte membranes are zwitterionic, like POPC, we hypothesized that the Gibbs free energy of binding of these peptides to POPC would also be a good indicator of their hemolytic activity. Now, the hemolytic activity of those synthetic peptides was examined by measuring the lysis of sheep erythrocyte suspensions after peptide addition. Indeed, the Gibbs free energy of binding was in good correlation with the hemolytic activity, which was represented by the concentration of peptide in solution that produced 50 % hemolysis. Furthermore, with two exceptions, those peptides that caused graded dye release from POPC vesicles were also hemolytic, while most of those that caused all-or-none release were not.


The Conservation Genetics of Iris lacustris (Dwarf Lake Iris), a Great Lakes Endemic.
Iris lacustris, a northern Great Lakes endemic, is a rare species known from 165 occurrences across Lakes Michigan and Huron in the United States and Canada. Due to multiple factors, including habitat loss, lack of seed dispersal, patterns of reproduction, and forest succession, the species is threatened. Early population genetic studies using isozymes and allozymes recovered no to limited genetic variation within the species. To better explore genetic variation across the geographic range of I. lacustris and to identify units for conservation, we used tunable Genotyping-by-Sequencing (tGBS) with 171 individuals across 24 populations from Michigan and Wisconsin, and because the species is polyploid, we filtered the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) matrices using polyRAD to recognize diploid and tetraploid loci. Based on multiple population genetic approaches, we resolved three to four population clusters that are geographically structured across the range of the species. The species migrated from west to east across its geographic range, and minimal genetic exchange has occurred among populations. Four units for conservation are recognized, but nine adaptive units were identified, providing evidence for local adaptation across the geographic range of the species. Population genetic analyses with all, diploid, and tetraploid loci recovered similar results, which suggests that methods may be robust to variation in ploidy level.


Plasma binding and the affinity of propranolol for a beta receptor in man.
The effects of plasma drug binding on the relationship between propranolol concentration and the antagonism of isoproterenol tachycardia have been investigated in 8 normal subjects and 8 hypertensive patients. During chronic intravenous infusion of propranolol giving a narrow range of total plasma concentrations (22.5 to 50 ng/ml), there was, at best, a poor correlation with effects. On the other hand, there was excellent correlation between efficacy and free drug concentration, which fitted the predictions of the receptor theory of competitive antagonism. The true affinity constant for the binding of propranolol to its receptor can be calculated in terms of free drug concentration (KAfree) and was found to vary 2-fold compared to the affinity constant in terms of total plasma concentration (KAtotal) which varied 4-fold, the greater variation being due to plasma binding differences. Compared to normal subjects, KAfree and KAtotal were smaller in hypertensive subjects, implying lesser sensitivity to the drug, and plasma propranolol binding was greater. There was no difference in KAfree between high- and low-renin essential hypertensives, but KAtotal was smaller in the high-renin group due to increased plasma binding which did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that the effect of propranolol on heart rate is a predictable function of free drug concentration in man and that the contribution of individual variation in receptor sensitivity to differences in oral dosage requirement is minor compared to that of variations in bioavailability.


The association of maternal growth and socio-economic measures with infant birthweight in four ethnic groups.
Both maternal socio-economic status (SES) and growth measures are themselves interrelated and are also related to infant birthweight. The objective of this study is to compare the relative importance of such maternal measures as determinants of birthweight of female infants-the prospective mothers of the next generation. The study base was derived from a population-based multiethnic intergenerational cohort: the Washington State Intergenerational Cohort. Infants of mothers from four ethnic groups were included: non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. We generated simple, partial, and multiple correlation coefficients to investigate the association between birthweight and the maternal growth and SES measures. While there were slight differences among the ethnic groups, generally each of three maternal pre-conceptional growth measures-birthweight, stature, and pre-pregnant weight-was a stronger predictor of female infant birthweight than were each of the five maternal SES factors-age, parity, marital status, educational attainment, and prenatal care onset. After accounting for the proportion of variation in birthweight explained by the maternal growth measures and maternal smoking, the addition of the five SES variables added relatively little to the prediction of infant birthweight. The maximal multiple correlation coefficients (R2) yield values ranging from 9.5% to 12.8%. A mother's growth before pregnancy is a stronger predictor of infant birthweight than is her current socio-economic circumstance. Since the mother's growth must have been influenced by the socio-economic circumstances of her family of upbringing, this further highlights the intergenerational contribution on a woman's reproductive success.


The regulation of DNAse activities in subcellular compartments of activated thymocytes.
Thymocytes expressing self-reactive T-cell receptors (TCR) are eliminated in the thymus through a TCR-mediated signal. This cell death signal (negative selection) generates nuclear morphological change and DNA fragmentation in thymocytes. However, the pathway leading to DNA fragmentation of thymocytes following TCR engagement remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the localization and function of caspase-activated DNAse (CAD) and its inhibitor (ICAD) in thymocytes prior to or after in vivo TCR stimulation. We showed that CAD and ICAD are co-localized in microsome, nuclei and cytosol in unstimulated thymocytes. Following in vivo TCR engagement, ICAD located in cytosol and microsome was degraded and the resulting activated CAD induced chromosomal DNA fragmentation. CAD present in cytosol and microsome of unstimulated thymocytes was activated by recombinant caspase-3, and microsomal CAD was released to the cytosol. These results demonstrate that TCR engagement of thymocytes induces caspase-3-dependent activation of CAD localized in both cytosol and microsome, leading to DNA fragmentation in harmony.


Comparison of broth enrichment and direct plating for the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from dogs.
Two techniques for the isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from feces, direct plating and thioglycolate broth enrichment, were compared. A total of 272 rectal swab cultures were performed on 156 laboratory dogs. Campylobacter blood agar plates and Campylobacter thioglycolate broth were inoculated immediately upon sampling of the dogs. After incubation at 4 degrees C for 12 to 16 h, material from the Campylobacter thioglycolate medium was inoculated onto Campylobacter blood agar plates. A total of 157 samples were positive for C. jejuni; 154 were positive by the direct method and 112 were positive by the enrichment technique. Forty-five samples which were negative by the enrichment were positive by the direct method, and three samples which were negative by the direct method were positive for C. jejuni by the enrichment method. The use of the enrichment step resulted in an increase in the isolation rate from 56.6 to 57.7%.


Two distinct modes of ESCRT-III recognition are required for VPS4 functions in lysosomal protein targeting and HIV-1 budding.
The ESCRT pathway mediates membrane remodeling during enveloped virus budding, cytokinesis, and intralumenal endosomal vesicle formation. Late in the pathway, a subset of membrane-associated ESCRT-III proteins display terminal amphipathic "MIM1" helices that bind and recruit VPS4 ATPases via their MIT domains. We now report that VPS4 MIT domains also bind a second, "MIM2" motif found in a different subset of ESCRT-III subunits. The solution structure of the VPS4 MIT-CHMP6 MIM2 complex revealed that MIM2 elements bind in extended conformations along the groove between the first and third helices of the MIT domain. Mutations that block VPS4 MIT-MIM2 interactions inhibit VPS4 recruitment, lysosomal protein targeting, and HIV-1 budding. MIT-MIM2 interactions appear to be common throughout the ESCRT pathway and possibly elsewhere, and we suggest how these interactions could contribute to a mechanism in which VPS4 and ESCRT-III proteins function together to constrict the necks of budding vesicles.


Expression of E-cadherin and c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu oncoprotein in high-grade breast cancer.
E-cadherin (E-CD) is an epithelial-specific cell adhesion molecule, whose expression is lost in invasive lobular (ILC) but not in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. This cell adhesion system can be disrupted by tyrosine kinase c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu. We examined 106 cases of high-grade invasive breast cancer, including 91 IDCs, 12 ILCs and 3 pleomorphic lobular carcinomas (PLCs). We determined Nottingham histological grade and performed immunohistochemistry for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR), Ki-67, E-CD and c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu with subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization. Amplification of c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu gene was observed in 55/91 (60.4%) of IDCs, 3/12 (25%) of ILCs and 1/3 (33.3%) of PLCs, and associated with positive axillary lymph nodes. E-CD expression was lost in 14/91 (15.4%) of IDCs, 10/12 (83.3%) of ILCs and 2/3 (66.7%) of PLCs. The loss of E-CD immunoreactivity in IDCs appeared to be associated with c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu gene amplification, negative ER/PR status and positive lymph nodes, whereas E-CD-positive ILCs tended to be HER-2/neu-positive. The biological significance of E-CD expression seems to be different in high-grade IDC and ILC. Oncogenic pathway mediated by c-erbB-2/HER-2/neu may affect the E-CD expression in most invasive ductal breast carcinomas in vivo.


Unhealthy cities: corporate medicine, community economic underdevelopment, and public health.
The growing corporate dominance in U.S. medical care has been a major factor in the increasingly inequitable distribution of health care resources and the declining public health conditions in poor and minority urban communities. Alongside this trend has been a parallel phenomenon of economic disinvestment and political neglect in these same at-risk neighborhoods. This article analyzes these trends as related components of austerity, retrenchment, and capital consolidation policies that have characterized the U.S. political economy for several decades. Emphasized are the relationships among corporatization, capital consolidation, deindustrialization of the workforce, and medical indigence; the resulting economic stress placed upon community hospitals and other caregivers in poor and minority communities; and the marked discrepancy between conditions of development and underdevelopment in American cities. It is argued that the effects of these policies are pathogenic in nature: they place populations at risk for disease and social dysfunction, they reduce access to necessary preventive and curative services, and they weaken coping mechanisms. Community economic development, empowerment, and a direct challenge to the growing concentration of wealth and power in the corporate class are proposed as essential elements of public health policy.


Histone acetyl transferase GCN5 promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma progression by enhancing AIB1 expression.
General control non-depressible 5 (GCN5) is a crucial catalytic component of a transcriptional regulatory complex that plays important roles in cellular functions from cell cycle regulation to DNA damage repair. Although GCN5 has recently been implicated in certain oncogenic roles, its role in liver cancer progression remains vague. In this study, we report that GCN5 was overexpressed in 17 (54.8 %) of 31 human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens. Down-regulation of GCN5 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and xenograft tumor formation. GCN5 knockdown decreased the protein levels of the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1), but increased the protein levels of cell cycle inhibitor p21(Cip1/Waf1) in HepG2 cells. GCN5 regulated AIB1 expression, at least in part, by cooperating with E2F1 to enhance AIB1 transcription. Consistently, GCN5 expression was positively correlated with AIB1 expression in human HCC specimens in two GEO profile datasets. Since AIB1 plays a promoting role in HCC progression, our results propose that GCN5 promotes HCC progression at least partially by regulating AIB1 expression. This study implicates that GCN5 might be a potential molecular target for HCC diagnosis and treatment.


Effects of a six-week intraduodenal supplementation with quercetin on liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in peripartal dairy cows.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible effects of quercetin (Q) on liver lipid metabolism and antioxidative status in periparturient dairy cows. The periparturient period is associated with enormous metabolic changes for dairy cows. Energy needs for incipient lactation are too high to be balanced by feed intake, leading to negative energy balance and body fat mobilization. It has been estimated that this leads to the development of fatty liver in about 50% of cows, which are at high risk for disease. Furthermore, the antioxidative status of these cows may be impaired. Quercetin is a plant flavonoid having hepatoprotective and antioxidative potential and the ability to reduce liver lipid accumulation in monogastric animals. Little information is available in regard to these effects in ruminants. To prevent microbial Q degradation in the rumen, Q was administered via a duodenal fistula to improve systemic availability. Five cows of the Q-treated group received, daily, 100 mg of quercetin dehydrate/kg BW in a 0.9% sodium chloride solution from d -20 until d 20 relative to calving, whereas 5 control (CTR) cows received only a sodium chloride solution. Blood samples were taken weekly and liver biopsies were performed in wk -4, -2, and 3 relative to calving. Cows treated with Q showed a tendency ( = 0.082) for lower liver fat content compared with CTR cows. Liver glycogen, glutathione concentrations, and relative mRNA abundance of genes related to hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidative status as well as parameters of antioxidative status in plasma were not affected ( > 0.1) by Q supplementation. In conclusion, liver fat content in dairy cows tended to be reduced by Q supplementation, but potential underlying mechanisms remain unclear because analyzed parameters related to hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidative defense were not altered by Q supplementation.


[Directed evolution by error-prone PCR of Armillariella tabescens MAN47 beta-mannanase gene toward enhanced thermal resistance].
Firstly, We used error-prone PCR to induce mutations on Armillariella tabescens MAN47 beta-mannanase gene, Secondly, we cloned the mutated fragments into secreted expression vector pYCalpha, Then the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ5465 after amplified and extracted in DH5alpha cells. Through three cycles of error-prone PCR we built a mutant database, Then we screened one optimum (named M262) from about 104 mutants. The evoluted MAN47 beta-mannanase displayed both higher thermal stability and activity than wide type. The evoluted enzyme M262 retained high activity after treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min, whereas, the wild type nearly lost activity under this condition. Meanwhile, the activity of M262 can reach to 25 U/mL, which is 4.3 times as wide type under optimum temperature. In addition, pH stability and pH range of evoluted enzyme M262 were both improved compared with wild-type enzyme. The optimum pH was estimated to be similar to that of wild-type enzyme. The sequence comparison illustrated that there were three nucleotide substitutions (T343A/C827T/T1139C) which carried corresponding amino acid changes (Ser115Thr/Thr276Met/Val380Ala). According to homologous modeling by SWISS-MODEL Repository, three mutated amino acids located at the sixth amino acid of the fourth beta-sheet, the first amino acid of the sixth alpha-helix, the turn between the tenth and eleventh beta-sheet, respectively.


Perceived Institutional Restraint Is Associated With Psychological Distress in Forensic Psychiatric Inpatients.
Background: Patients in forensic mental health care experience internal and external coercion; the latter comprises different levels of institutional restraint. These restrictions of individual freedom are mainly justified by the safety interests of third parties and are not necessarily in the patients' best interests. The effects of such a setting on mentally disordered offenders' psychological state and treatment course are not fully understood. Assessing both patients' perception of restraint and psychopathological symptoms would allow us to better understand how restraint and psychopathology interact and how they might influence treatment. Methods: In 184 forensic psychiatric inpatients, we assessed perception of institutional restraint with an adapted version of the Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (aMQPL) questionnaire and current psychological state with the Brief Symptom Checklist (BSCL) and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). Results: Perceived institutional restraint (as expressed in the aMPQL subscales Transparency of procedures and decisions, Fairness, and Respect) was associated with a higher general level of psychological symptoms. Furthermore, patients who perceived a lack of institutional transparency and respect were more likely to have higher scores for hostility, depression, and suicidal ideation. We also found age and sex differences, with higher levels of psychological symptoms in younger and female patients. The diagnosis and duration of detention did not relate to perceived restraint. Discussion: Our results indicate that certain aspects of institutional restraint in long-term forensic inpatient settings correlate with certain psychological symptoms. The observed association might be explained by different kinds of factors: institutional (custodial focus), individual (self-efficacy, diagnosis, and personality), and situational (duration of detention). Although not all of these explanatory factors were addressed by the present study design, forensic mental health professionals should be aware of the relationship between perceived institutional restriction and psychopathology because it might influence treatment course and outcome.


HPLC method for the determination and pharmacokinetic studies on geniposide in rat serum after oral administration of traditional Chinese medicinal preparation Yin-Zhi-Ku decoction.
A new HPLC method for the determination of geniposide in rat serum with solid-phase extraction (SPE) for preconcentration is described. Geniposide and an internal standard (paeoniflorin) were extracted from serum by SPE using C18 cartridges. Analysis of the extract was then performed on a reversed-phase C18 column using acetonitrile-water (16:84, v/v) as the eluting solvent system, and UV detection at 238 nm was used to measure the analyte with a limit of quantitation about 0.1 microg/mL. The calibration curve for geniposide was linear (r = 0.9993) in the concentration range 0.1-16.0 microg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision of the geniposide were determined and their RSD did not exceed 10%. The validated method has been successfully applied for pharmacokinetic studies of geniposide from rat serum after oral administration of Yin-Zhi-Ku decoction.


Alpha-particle emitting atomic generator (Actinium-225)-labeled trastuzumab (herceptin) targeting of breast cancer spheroids: efficacy versus HER2/neu expression.
The humanized monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab (Herceptin), directed against HER2/neu, has been effective in the treatment of breast cancer malignancies. However, clinical activity has depended on HER2/neu expression. Radiolabeled trastuzumab has been considered previously as a potential agent for radioimmunotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of trastuzumab labeled with the alpha-particle emitting atomic generator, actinium-225 ((225)Ac), against breast cancer spheroids with different HER2/neu expression levels. (225)Ac has a 10-day half-life and a decay scheme yielding four alpha-particles. The breast carcinoma cell lines MCF7, MDA-MB-361 (MDA), and BT-474 (BT) with relative HER2/neu expression (by flow cytometry) of 1:4:18 were used. Spheroids of these cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of (225)Ac-trastuzumab, and spheroid growth was measured by light microscopy over a 50-day period. The activity concentration required to yield a 50% reduction in spheroid volume at day 35 was 18.1, 1.9, and 0.6 kBq/ml (490, 52, 14 nCi/ml) for MCF7, MDA, and BT spheroids, respectively. MCF7 spheroids continued growing but with a 20-30 day growth delay at 18.5 kBq/ml. MDA spheroid growth was delayed by 30-40 days at 3.7 kBq/ml; at 18.5 kBq/ml, 12 of 12 spheroids disaggregated after 70, days and cells remaining from each spheroid failed to form colonies within 2 weeks of being transferred to adherent dishes. Eight of 10 BT spheroids failed to regrow at 1.85 kBq/ml. All of the BT spheroids at activity concentrations 3.7 kBq/ml failed to regrow and to form colonies. The radiosensitivity of these three lines as spheroids was evaluated as the activity concentration required to reduce the treated to untreated spheroid volume ratio to 0.37, denoted DVR(37). An external beam radiosensitivity of 2 Gy was found for spheroids of all three of the cell lines. After alpha-particle irradiation a DVR(37) of 1.5, 3.0, and 2.0 kBq/ml was determined for MCF7, MDA, and BT, respectively. These studies suggest that (225)Ac-labeled trastuzumab may be a potent therapeutic agent against metastatic breast cancer cells exhibiting intermediate to high HER2/neu expression.


Optimum water supplement strategy to restore reed wetland in the Yellow River Delta.
In order to supply optimum water to restore reed wetlands used for bird habitats, a field investigation and greenhouse experiment were conducted. Three water supplementation stages (early stage at 20 May, middle stage at 20 July and later stage at 20 September, respectively) and five depths (0, 10, 15, 20 and 35 cm over the surface, respectively) were established, with three replicates for each treatment combination. Reed growth characteristics (survival rate, height, density and biomass) and soil properties of field investigation and experiment were recorded to determine the impacts of water supplementation on reed wetland restoration. The field investigation showed that reeds in natural wetlands grow better than those in degraded wetlands and soil properties in degraded wetlands were significantly different from soils in natural wetlands. With freshwater supplementation, reed growth characteristics and soil properties greatly improved. As water depth increased, reed growth decreased gradually. Reeds grew best in shallow water depth (≦10cm) than in the greater flooding depths. Saturated soils with no standing water at the early stage of reed growth increased reed survival and water depth can be increased as the reeds grow. During the process of water supplementation, soil salinity was reduced significantly. Soil salinity was reduced dramatically at early and middle stages of reed growth, but it increased slightly at the later stage. Soil pH increased greatly during the experiment. Soil total nitrogen (TN) and total organic carbon (TOC) showed contrasting changes, with soil TN decreasing and TOC increasing. To best manage reed wetlands restoration, we suggest saturating wetland in the spring to stimulate reed germination, increasing surface water depth up to 15cm at the stage of reed rapid growth, and then reducing water depth during the later growth stage.