Use of Spongostan™ for Prevention of Cranial Subdural Adhesions Following Craniotomy in an Experimental Rabbit Model.
Spongostan™ is a sterile, water-insoluble, porcine gelatin absorbable sponge, which is widely used as a hemostatic material. The aim of this study is to test the anti-fibrotic capacity of Spongostan™, using a craniotomy model in an experimental rabbit model. Eighteen rabbits were divided into two groups: Each group consisted of 9 rabbits, duratomy plus Spongostan™ (group 1), and duratomy without Spongostan™ (group 2). Right parietal bone was removed via trephine and low speed drill and dura was opened. On the group 1 rabbits, an appropriate piece of Spongostan™ was meticulously placed under dural layer. On group 2 rabbits, same procedures were repeated without Spongostan™. Histological sections were taken from each group and evaluated for degree of fibrosis and collagen fibers. There was marked increase in number of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in group 2 rabbits, however most of the rabbits in Spongostan™ group demonstrate scarce histopathological findings for fibrosis. We conclude that an appropriately placed subdural Spongostan™ over cerebral tissue may prevent postoperative surgical adhesions after neurosurgical operations.


Erectile dysfunction and type 2 diabetes mellitus in northern Pakistan.
To determine the frequency of erectile dysfunction in married male Type-2 diabetic patients. The cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Unit Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from July 2011 to Apr 2012, comprising 217 male married Type-2 diabetic patients. Serum samples were assayed for blood glucose, lipid profile and glycated haemoglobin A1c. Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio was calculated. Erectile dysfunction was assessed by Sexual Health Inventory for Men questionnaire. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis. A total of 217 patients were initially interviewed. The mean age was 43.1 +/- 8.160 years. The frequency of drectile dysfunction increased with age, duration of patients and increased body mass index. Overall, 6 (2.8%) patients had no erectile dysfunction, 37 (17.1%) had mild, 82 (37.8%) mild to moderate; 47 (21.7%) moderate; and 45 (20.7%) severe. Higher HbAlc levels and atherogenic dyslipidaemia were associated with erectile dysfunction. Poor glycaemic control was associated with increased erectile dysfunction risk. Duration of diabetes, older age, increased body mass index are associated with increased incidence of the condition in patients with diabetes. Intensive lifestyle changes in the beginning can add to the better management of Type-2 diabetes and prevention of erectile dysfunction.


Narcotic dependency in pregnancy. Methadone maintenance compared to use of street drugs.
The course of pregnancy and delivery in 28 women under closely supervised methadone maintenance (group 1) was compared with that of 57 women using heroin or methadone under less controlled circumstances (group 2) and with that of 30 women free of mood-altering medications (group 3). Women in group 1 had the lowest incidence of coexisting medical problems (p=.025), with an incidence of fetal distress not statistically different from that of women in group 3. Infants born to women group 2 had the highest fetal distress (p less than.05), with four congenital defects, one stillbirth, and one neonatal death. Symptoms characteristic of narcotic withdrawal occurred with similar frequency in group 1 and 2 infants, appearing earlier in children whose mothers were users of heroin. These findings indicate that maintenance of the pregnant addict under closely supervised methadone therapy is compatible with an uneventful pregnancy and birth of a healthy infant whose withdrawal symptoms in the neonatal period are readily controllable.


Global analysis of photosynthesis transcriptional regulatory networks.
Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process that depends on the interplay of many components. This work analyzed the gene targets for 4 transcription factors: FnrL, PrrA, CrpK and MppG (RSP_2888), which are known or predicted to control photosynthesis in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) identified 52 operons under direct control of FnrL, illustrating its regulatory role in photosynthesis, iron homeostasis, nitrogen metabolism and regulation of sRNA synthesis. Using global gene expression analysis combined with ChIP-seq, we mapped the regulons of PrrA, CrpK and MppG. PrrA regulates ∼34 operons encoding mainly photosynthesis and electron transport functions, while CrpK, a previously uncharacterized Crp-family protein, regulates genes involved in photosynthesis and maintenance of iron homeostasis. Furthermore, CrpK and FnrL share similar DNA binding determinants, possibly explaining our observation of the ability of CrpK to partially compensate for the growth defects of a ΔFnrL mutant. We show that the Rrf2 family protein, MppG, plays an important role in photopigment biosynthesis, as part of an incoherent feed-forward loop with PrrA. Our results reveal a previously unrealized, high degree of combinatorial regulation of photosynthetic genes and significant cross-talk between their transcriptional regulators, while illustrating previously unidentified links between photosynthesis and the maintenance of iron homeostasis.


Resilience of Urban Transport Network-of-Networks under Intense Flood Hazards Exacerbated by Targeted Attacks.
Natural hazards including floods can trigger catastrophic failures in interdependent urban transport network-of-networks (NoNs). Population growth has enhanced transportation demand while urbanization and climate change have intensified urban floods. However, despite the clear need to develop actionable insights for improving the resilience of critical urban lifelines, the theory and methods remain underdeveloped. Furthermore, as infrastructure systems become more intelligent, security experts point to the growing threat of targeted cyber-physical attacks during natural hazards. Here we develop a hypothesis-driven resilience framework for urban transport NoNs, which we demonstrate on the London Rail Network (LRN). We find that topological attributes designed for maximizing efficiency rather than robustness render the network more vulnerable to compound natural-targeted disruptions including cascading failures. Our results suggest that an organizing principle for post-disruption recovery may be developed with network science principles. Our findings and frameworks can generalize to urban lifelines and more generally to real-world spatial networks.


Investigating the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp on oxidative stress in testes and epididymis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases in humans, affecting 100 million people around the world. Investigating the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp on oxidant and antioxidant factors of testes and epididymis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Thirty two male rats were divided into four groups (n=8) 1) N (normal) group, 2) N+C group, 3) D (diabetic) group and 4) D+C group. Groups N and D received normal saline 2 ml orally for two weeks and groups N+C and D+C received 10 mg/kg.bw Citrullus colocynthis pulp orally for two weeks. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65 mg/kg. D group had a significant increase in H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide) and MDA (malondialdehyde) concentrations, and CAT (catalase) activity, and also a significant decrease in Peroxidase (POD) activity compared to N group. D+C group had a significant decrease in H2O2 and MDA concentrations and, CAT activity and significant increase in POD activity compared to D group. Citrullus colocynthis pulp in two weeks had beneficial effects on oxidants and antioxidants changes in reproductive system in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.


Conditional deletion of Pten causes bronchiolar hyperplasia.
Tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a lipid phosphatase that regulates multiple cellular processes including cell polarity, migration, proliferation, and carcinogenesis. In this work, we demonstrate that conditional deletion of Pten (Pten(Delta/Delta)) in the respiratory epithelial cells of the developing mouse lung caused epithelial cell proliferation and hyperplasia as early as 4 to 6 weeks of age. While bronchiolar cell differentiation was normal, as indicated by beta-tubulin and FOXJ1 expression in ciliated cells and by CCSP expression in nonciliated cells, cell proliferation (detected by expression of Ki-67, phospho-histone-H3, and cyclin D1) was increased and associated with activation of the AKT/mTOR survival pathway. Deletion of Pten caused papillary epithelial hyperplasia characterized by a hypercellular epithelium lining papillae with fibrovascular cores that protruded into the airway lumens. Cell polarity, as assessed by subcellular localization of cadherin, beta-catenin, and zonula occludens-1, was unaltered. PTEN is required for regulation of epithelial cell proliferation in the lung and for the maintenance of the normal simple columnar epithelium characteristics of bronchi and bronchioles.


Crystallographic refinement and structure analysis of the complex of wheat germ agglutinin with a bivalent sialoglycopeptide from glycophorin A.
Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) elicits a number of biological effects in erythrocytes as a result of specific binding to the transmembrane protein glycophorin A. The structure of co-crystals of WGA (isolectin 1: WGA1) with a bivalent sialoglycopeptide fragment of glycophorin A (T5), determined at 2.0 A resolution, has been further refined and analyzed with respect to ligand-induced changes in the tertiary structure, mobility, solvation, saccharide conformation and protein/saccharide interactions at three independent N-acetyl-D-neuraminic (NeuNAc) binding sites. The final model, which includes the two independent WGA1 monomers (composed of domains A, B, C and D), two positions for bound T5 sialo-tetrasaccharide (NeuNAc-alpha 2,3-Gal-beta 1,3-(alpha 2,6-NeuNAc)GalNAc) and 386 water molecules, refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 17.1% (Fo > 1.0 sigma) and an average temperature factor of 31.99 A2. Comparisons between the tertiary structures of the liganded and unliganded WGA1 dimers indicate that the largest deviations from 2-fold symmetry are localized in domains engaged in sugar binding (B1 and C2) and at the C-terminal domain of monomer II (D2), forming a strong lattice contact. Interactions of the tetrasaccharide with amino acid ligands in the three binding sites and with water were carefully analyzed and compared. Bound conformations of terminal NeuNAc match to within a root-mean-square delta r of 0.3 A. The specificity-determining N-acetyl group superimposes best in comparison with other substituents of the sugar ring. Of the five domain binding sites that are not occupied in this dimeric crosslinked complex, only one is accessible to the NeuNAc monosaccharide as determined from a difference Fourier map at 3.0 A resolution.


Measurement of Dynamic Joint Stiffness from Multiple Short Data Segments.
This paper presents our new method, Short Segment-Structural Decomposition SubSpace (SS-SDSS), for the estimation of dynamic joint stiffness from short data segments. The main application is for data sets that are only piecewise stationary. Our approach is to: 1) derive a data-driven, mathematical model for dynamic stiffness for short data segments; 2) bin the non-stationary data into a number of short, stationary data segments; and 3) estimate the model parameters from subsets of segments with the same properties. This method extends our previous state-spacework by recognizing that initial conditions have important effects for short data segments; consequently, initial conditions are incorporated into the stiffness model and estimated for each segment. A simulation study that faithfully replicated experimental conditions delineated the range of experimental conditions for which the method can successfully identify stiffness. An experimental study on the ankle of a healthy subject during a torque matching tasks demonstrated the successful estimation of dynamic stiffness in a slow, time-varying experiment. Together, the simulation and experimental studies demonstrate that the SS-SDSS method is a valuable tool to measure stiffness in functionally important tasks.


Gender Bias in the Study of Genital Evolution: Females Continue to Receive Less Attention than Males.
The evolution of female genitalia has historically received less attention than male reproductive organs. Several papers have underscored the disparities in research efforts, but have calls for change resonated with the scientific community and rectified the skew? A literature review was conducted of journal articles published between 2013 through 2021 that explore genital evolution to determine if gender bias (sex of research subject) and imbalance (sex of researcher) have changed. Of the 334 articles that specifically explored genital evolution, first authors of both sexes published on female genitalia less than half as often as male genitalia, although the majority of authors published on genitalia of both sexes. First authors of both sexes mentioned females after males substantially more often than females before males. Female first authors published the most about genital evolution in all taxa except for insects and arachnids. Female first authors published in high impact journals marginally less often than male first authors. Articles about genital evolution across taxa generally had high impact factors, but how impact factors and number of citations varied by the sex of the subject was not clear. Although the number of studies exploring genital co-evolution between the sexes has increased across taxa and years, female genitalia continue to be researched less often than male genitalia when only one sex is investigated. Both female and male scientists are publishing in the field of genital evolution, although research on female subjects continue to lag behind males, demonstrating continued bias within the discipline.


Effects of celiprolol (REV 5320), a new cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, on in vitro adenylate cyclase, alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor binding and lipolysis.
Celiprolol has been previously shown in vivo to be an effective beta-adrenergic antagonist with cardio-selectivity and weak intrinsic sympathomimetic activity but no membrane stabilizing or "quinidine-like" effects. With in vitro systems reported here, the following was observed. Against the stimulation of adenylate cyclase from dog ventricular muscle by isoproterenol, celiprolol had a Ki of 2.6 X 10(-7) M which was about 1/20 the potency of propranolol. At 100 microM, celiprolol did not affect histamine or dopamine concentration-response curves for the stimulation of adenylate cyclase from guinea-pig cerebral cortex. By itself, up to 1 mM, celiprolol did not affect basal adenylate cyclase activity from either preparation. With in vitro radioligand binding assays to directly measure beta-adrenergic receptor interactions, celiprolol had Ki values of 1.4 X 10(-7) to 8.3 X 10(-6) M. A 35-fold beta selectivity was noted with membranes from rat heart vs. rat reticulocytes, which supports previously reported in vivo data on cardioselectivity. No difference in affinity to beta-receptors was noted with frog vs. turkey erythrocyte membranes which supports the contention that these two non-mammalian systems are not predictive of beta1/beta2 specificity with mammalian systems. Celiprolol also showed some selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonism against (3H)-yohimbine binding vs. (3H)-prazosin binding to membranes from rat cerebral cortex. With rat adipocytes, up to 300 microM celiprolol did not stimulate basal lipolysis in the presence or absence of 10 microM 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-xanthine. Celiprolol inhibited isoproterenol-induced lipolysis with a potency about 2 times greater than practolol. Unlike propranolol, celiprolol at very high concentrations did not show non-specific inhibition of lipolysis induced with cyclic nucleotides. These and other published data would suggest the following: in vitro beta adrenergic receptor antagonist activity can be demonstrated for celiprolol, cardioselectivity is due to a combination of many factors including stereochemistry of the molecule and in vivo distribution and metabolism, celiprolol does not possess "non-specific" membrane activity, the "intrinsic-sympathomimetic activity" of celiprolol is selectively observed in some but not all in vitro test models, celiprolol has about a 10-fold selectivity for alpha 2-vs. alpha 1-receptors which is relatively unique to beta-antagonists and needs further investigations as to the potential physiological significance.


Contextual Factors and Decision-Making in the Behavior of Finalization in the Positional Attack in Beach Handball: Differences by Gender Through Polar Coordinates Analysis.
The aim of this study was to analyze, in the framework of the mixed methods, the relationship of different contextual factors with the decisions shown in the finalization of the positional attack in beach handball. For this reason, a polar coordinates analysis was carried out, by gender, using as focal behaviors the simple and double goal, and the loss of possession of the attacking team, which are considered decisive in assessing the success of the decisions at the end of the positional attack. These focal behaviors have been linked to criteria that characterize the attack situation such as the minute, the score, the numerical balance, the defensive system and the duration. A total of 24 sessions were observed with the HOISAN computer software, using an ad hoc designed tool. The model of observation used was punctual, multidimensional, and nomothetic. The observation unit used for the positional attack from when the specialist gains control of play until the possession changes. The results obtained showed that an advantage of goals scored and the numerical balance situations of the teams modulate significantly the appropriate decision made by both categories. However, they also indicated differences in the flow of pairing behaviors for both categories in some aspects. Specifically, it has been observed that a longer duration of the attack in the female category has been linked significantly to a successful performance and the results also show that an elaborated attack is related to successful behaviors. In the male category, it has been observed that the technical fouls made by the attackers increase in the last minutes of the match. Likewise, as regards the to the opposing team's defensive system, the results in the male category are related to successful behaviors before any of them; whereas, in the female category, when playing against a defensive pressure system, the results relate more to errors during the performance of the pass and reception. The use of polar coordinates for the estimation of technical-tactical relations allows, from a psychological point of view, determine the techniques and procedures of psychological intervention that optimize the action resources of the players individually and the team as a collective.


Retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones - Part 1.
The main aim in the treatment of renal stones is to clearance of the stones completely with the least morbidity. Parallel to the improvements in technology during recent years, new flexible ureterorenoscopes and effective lithotripters such as holmium laser have been developed, thus retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has become an efficient and safe option in the management of urinary system stone disease with a gradually increasing popularity. Therewithal, innovations in auxiliary equipment such as guide-wires, ureteral access sheath and stone baskets have made this procedure more effective. With this modality, nowadays, the vast majority of renal stones can be treated successfully without need of open surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy. RIRS can be used as a primary treatment in patients with renal stones smaller than 2 cm, in cases with prior unsuccessful shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), infundibular stenosis, renoureteral malformation, musculoskeletal deformity, bleeding diathesis as well as obese patients. The efficiency of this procedure has been also proved in pediatric patients. In the first part of this detailed review for RIRS, history, indications and contraindications, preoperative preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis, anesthesia, surgical technique related to flexible ureteroscopes and auxiliary equipment being used, postoperative care and complications of this operation are discussed with up-to-date literature.


Statistical Analyses of Hydrophobic Interactions: A Mini-Review.
This review focuses on the striking recent progress in solving for hydrophobic interactions between small inert molecules. We discuss several new understandings. First, the inverse temperature phenomenology of hydrophobic interactions, i.e., strengthening of hydrophobic bonds with increasing temperature, is decisively exhibited by hydrophobic interactions between atomic-scale hard sphere solutes in water. Second, inclusion of attractive interactions associated with atomic-size hydrophobic reference cases leads to substantial, nontrivial corrections to reference results for purely repulsive solutes. Hydrophobic bonds are weakened by adding solute dispersion forces to treatment of reference cases. The classic statistical mechanical theory for those corrections is not accurate in this application, but molecular quasi-chemical theory shows promise. Finally, because of the masking roles of excluded volume and attractive interactions, comparisons that do not discriminate the different possibilities face an interpretive danger.


[Treatment of myasthenia gravis].
The authors discuss various therapeutical possibilities for myasthenia, such as drug therapy, immuno-suppression, radiological, and operative treatment. The indicatons of the different therapeutical methods are dealth with. Thymectomy was performed in 92 of our patients. Due to complex therapy the fate of patients with myasthenia is to be regarded as much more favourable than in the past.


The adolescent perception of invincibility and its influence on teen acceptance of health promotion strategies.
The purposes of this study were to explore the phenomenon of invincibility and to identify key factors contributing to risk behavior involvement in teens. Semistructured interviews revealed the following common themes: adolescence, a time of transition, the meaning of invincibility, learning the balance of taking chances and being safe, differences between risky and dangerous, and strategies for working with teens. Participants provided insights about intervention strategies that are most effective in working with teens. Their suggestions reinforce the critical importance of teen involvement in shaping, planning, and conducting health promotion interventions for this age-group.


Generation and initial characterization of a novel polyclonal antibody directed against homocysteine thiolactone-modified low density lipoprotein.
Elevated plasma homocysteine (homocysteinemia) are presumed to be responsible for the development of coronary artery disease, however, the precise etiology is unclear. We examined the possibility that the adduct formed from the reaction between homocysteine thiolactone, a metabolic product of homocysteine, and apolipoprotein B-100 lysyl residues of low density lipoprotein (LDL) was immunogenic. New Zealand White rabbits were immunized with this adduct at 6-week intervals. Antisera collected following the 3rd immunization was assayed for antibody titers using solid phase ELISA techniques. Titers (defined as the inverse of the greatest serum dilution in which there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the percentage antibody bound from the antiserum and the pre-immune serum) were approximately 10(5). In competition-based ELISAs, homocysteine thiolactone-treated LDL competed for binding with the antiserum, as the 50% inhibitory concentration was approximately 10 microg/ml. Neither homocysteine, homocystine (homocysteine disulfide), nor Cu2-oxidized LDL competed for binding. LDL in which lysyl residues were derivatized by acetylation or methylation were not recognized by the antiserum. Homocysteine thiolactone-treated plasma competed for binding to the antiserum, whereas native plasma did not. All lipoprotein fractions from the homocysteine thiolactone-treated plasma competed for binding to the antiserum. We conclude that homocysteine thiolactone-modified LDL is highly immunogenic and specific for homocysteine thiolactone-modified lysines. The potential for using this antibody as a diagnostic tool for measuring plasma homocysteine concentrations and the implications for understanding diseases induced by homocysteinemia are discussed.


Predictive Value of Ercc1 and Xpd Polymorphisms for Clinical Outcomes of Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Prisma-Compliant Meta-Analysis.
Excision repair cross complementing 1 (ERCC1) and xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) play important roles in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. The correlation between ERCC1 polymorphisms (rs11615 and rs3212986) and XPD polymorphisms (rs13181 and rs1799793) with the response rate and overall survival of cancer patients who accept neoadjuvant therapy has been extensively investigated. However, the results are inconclusive. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the strength of this correlation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, PubMed, and Embase up to February 2015. A review of all titles and abstracts was performed by 2 of the authors to screen the articles based on the eligibility criteria. Clinical trials, observational studies, and epidemiological studies describing ERCC polymorphisms and neoadjuvant treatment were considered for review. The response rate was analyzed using pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall survival was assessed using the hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. In the present meta-analysis, we demonstrated that the ERCC1 rs3212986 polymorphism was significantly correlated with the response rate of esophageal cancer patients to neoadjuvant therapy (OR = .49, 95% CI = 0.31-0.76, heterogeneity P = 0.480). Furthermore, a considerable correlation was observed between ERCC1 rs11615 and the response rate of esophageal cancer patients to neoadjuvant therapy (OR = 0.228, 95% CI = 0.125-0.418, heterogeneity P = 0.291). No correlation was observed in the meta-analysis of overall survival. The individual studies included in our study differed in their patient selection and therapeutic protocols, which might lead to some bias in the results. These findings indicate that the ERCC1 rs11615 and ERCC1 rs312986 polymorphisms may be candidate pharmacogenomic factors capable of predicting the response rate of esophageal cancer patients who accept neoadjuvant therapy. Further studies are warranted.


Liesegang rings in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a case report.
Liesegang rings are concentric noncellular lamellar structures, rarely seen in vivo, occurring as a consequence of the accumulation of insoluble products in a colloidal matrix. These characteristic structures are a rare phenomenon usually found in association with cystic or inflammatory lesions and may be mistaken for parasites. The authors examined Liesegang rings from an inflammatory kidney lesion identified previously as a tumoral lesion on computerized tomography. On microscopic evaluation, Liesegang rings can be mistaken for eggs and larvae of parasites, psammoma bodies and calcification. Special stains like PAS, Grocott, von Kossa and Masson's trichrome facilitate the diagnosis.


Disorder of Biological Quality and Autophagy Process in Bovine Oocytes Exposed to Heat Stress and the Effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization.
The main problem in dairy herds is reproductive disorders, which are influenced by many factors, including temperature. Heat stress reduces the quality of oocytes and their maturation through the influence of, e.g., mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are crucial during oocyte maturation as well as the process of fertilization and embryonic development. Disturbances related to high temperature will be increasingly observed due to global warming. In present studies, we have proven that exposure to high temperatures during the cleaving of embryos statistically significantly (at the level of p < 0.01) reduces the percentage of oocytes that cleaved and developed into blastocysts eight days after insemination. The study showed the highest percentage of embryos that underwent division in the control group (38.3 °C). The value was 88.10 ± 6.20%, while the lowest was obtained in the study group at 41.0 °C (52.32 ± 8.40%). It was also shown that high temperature has a statistically significant (p < 0.01) effect on the percentage of embryos that developed from the one-cell stage to blastocysts. The study showed that exposure to a temperature of 41.0 °C significantly reduced the percentage of embryos that split relative to the control group (38.3 °C; 88.10 ± 6.20%). Moreover, it was noted that the highest tested temperature limits the development of oocytes to the blastocyst stage by 5.00 ± 9.12% compared to controls (33.33 ± 7.10%) and cleaved embryos to blastocysts by 3.52 ± 6.80%; the control was 39.47 ± 5.40%. There was also a highly significant (p < 0.0001) effect of temperature on cytoplasmic ROS levels after 6 and 12 h IVM. The highest level of mitochondrial ROS was found in the group of oocytes after 6 h IVM at 41.0 °C and the lowest was found in the control group. In turn, at 41.0 °C after 12 h of IVM, the mitochondrial ROS level had a 2.00 fluorescent ratio, and the lowest in the group was 38.3 °C (1.08). Moreover, with increasing temperature, a decrease in the expression level of both LC3 and SIRT1 protein markers was observed. It was proved that the autophagy process was impaired as a result of high temperature. Understanding of the cellular and molecular responses of oocytes to elevated temperatures will be helpful in the development of heat resistance strategies in dairy cattle.


Obesity, epidural analgesia, and subcostal incision are risk factors for postoperative desaturation.
This study was designed to determine the incidence of oxygen desaturation after upper abdominal surgery during the first 48 hr on general surgical wards and also to identify risk factors for oxygen desaturation. This descriptive study was conducted in 206 patients not expected to receive supplemental oxygen postoperatively who were undergoing upper abdominal surgery in a tertiary care university hospital. Desaturation was classified either as constant, i.e., oxygen saturation < 90% for > three minutes or < 85% once or as episodic, i.e., when oxygen saturation is decreased by > or = 5% below baseline for one to two minutes ten times or more during the night period. Possible risk factors were elderly patients (> 70 yr), obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg.m(-2)), smoking, surgical time > 180 min, postoperative pain control methods, intraoperative blood loss, and site of incision. Of the 206 patients enrolled, 171 were retained for analysis. Desaturation occurred in 65 patients (38%). Forty-eight of these had constant hypoxemia with nadir oxygen saturation values ranging from 71-89%. The remaining 17 patients experienced nocturnal episodic hypoxemia. After multivariate analysis, the three factors that correlated with postoperative desaturation were BMI > 25 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38-6.79; P = 0.006), subcostal incision (OR 2.68; 95%CI 1.34-5.38; P = 0.005), and neuraxial opioids (OR 2.44; 95%CI 1.21-4.91; P = 0.013). Oxygen desaturation is common after upper abdominal surgery, and the risk factors are obesity, a subcostal incision, and neuraxial opioid administration.


9-[(2-Chloro-benz-yl)amino]-5-(3,4,5-trimeth-oxy-phen-yl)-5,5a,8a,9-tetra-hydro-furo[3',4':6,7]naphtho-[2,3-d][1,3]dioxol-6(8H)-one.
In the title compound, C(29)H(28)ClNO(7), the tetra-hydro-furan ring and the six-membered ring fused to it both display envelope conformations. The dihedral angles between the plane of the benzene ring of the benzo[d][1,3]dioxole system and the planes of the other two benzene rings are 80.59 (3) and 63.60 (2)°.


Polyethylene glycol additives reduce hemolysis in red blood cell suspensions exposed to mechanical stress.
Mechanical damage to blood cells is of considerable concern in the development and use of circulatory assist devices and other blood contacting systems. Furthermore, hemodilution with saline, dextran, and other plasma expanders applied during extracorporeal circulation and dialysis increases red blood cell (RBC) susceptibility to the high shear stresses associated with these procedures. In this paper, we present polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a potential erythrocyte protective agent against mechanically induced cellular trauma. Bovine RBCs were subjected to mechanical stress induced by rolling stainless steel shots through RBC suspensions for a constant exposure time. The suspensions were prepared at a hematocrit of 30% in various media: PEG (20,000 molecular weight), autologous bovine plasma, Dextran 40 solution, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). RBC suspensions in Dextran 40 were prepared at a viscosity similar to the PEG suspensions. We found the hemolysis level of RBCs suspended in plasma and in PEG solutions to be several times lower (p < 0.001) than in the Dextran and PBS solutions. No statistically significant difference was found between the hemolysis that occurred in suspensions of RBCs in autologous plasma and in 2.0% PEG solutions. Even PEG concentration as low as 0.1% reduced hemolysis by more than 40% compared with PBS or the same concentration of Dextran in suspension medium. Our data demonstrate the efficacy of PEG molecules in reducing mechanical trauma to erythrocytes and suggest the potential for using PEG in assisted circulation, dialysis, and other procedures where RBCs are subjected to extensive mechanical stress.


Moesin is an independent prognostic marker for ER-positive breast cancer.
Moesin, a cytoskeletal protein belonging to the ezrin-radixin-moesin family serves important roles in cell motility, invasion and metastasis. Moesin has been demonstrated to be of prognostic significance in tumor progression, due to its role in the metastatic process; however, its role in breast cancer is not well characterized. In the present study, the moesin expression was determined using immunohistochemistry in 404 and 46 patients with breast cancer and fibroadenoma, respectively, and the associations between moesin expression and the clinical parameters and prognostic values were analyzed. The positive rate of moesin protein expression was 47.8% (193/404) in breast cancer tissues, which was significantly higher than in fibroadenoma tissues (15.2%, 14/46). Overexpression of moesin was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P=0.002), positive lymph node metastasis (P<0.0001), and estrogen receptor (ER; P=0.008) and progesterone receptor (P=0.026) status. Patients with high moesin expression had significantly lower recurrence-free survival time, compared with patient with low moesin expression. Notably, overexpression of moesin was significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with ER-positive breast cancer, and in patients treated with tamoxifen. Using a Cox proportional hazard regression model, further analysis was conducted, which demonstrated that moesin overexpression was a predictive prognostic factor for reduced overall survival time in patients with ER-positive breast cancer, and in patients treated with tamoxifen. These results indicated that moesin may be a potential marker for poor prognosis in patients with ER-positive breast cancer treated with tamoxifen. In conclusion, moesin serves an important role in the progression of breast cancer, and may be a valuable marker of breast cancer prognosis.


Difference of adherence, proliferation and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on different HA/ZrO2 composites.
To study the adherence, proliferation and osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured on different HA/ZrO2 composites. The simplex and graded HA/ZrO2 compo-sites were prepared using dry-laid method. The surface topography of the composites was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The MSCs were isolated from rabbits and cultured on experimental groups (simplex HA/ZrO2 composite, graded HA/ZrO2 composite, pure HA or pure ZrO2 coatings respectively) and control group (ordinary culture plate). Then, we observed the adherence, proliferation and osteogenesis of the MSCs, detected the cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, extracted total RNA and detected the mRNA expression of collagen I, osteocalcin and osteopontin using the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The SEM images confirmed that the surface of the simplex HA/ZrO2 composite was coverd by discon-tiguous HA layer with clear visualization of the partial ZrO2 matrix, while the surface of the graded HA/ZrO2 composite was fairly rough with porosity. X-ray diffraction showed that after high temperature sintering, the ZrO2 phase still remained, while the HA phase was transformed to beta-Ca3(PO4)2 , alpha-Ca3(PO4)2 and CaZrO3 phases on the surface of both composites. Cell culture indicated that the HA/ZrO2 composites supported cell attachment. Neither ALP expression nor mRNA expression of collagen I, osteocalcin or osteopontin from RT-PCR results showed significant deviation among four groups. Among these four composites, the graded HA/ZrO2 composite promotes the MSCs proliferation and the osteogenic differentiation to a certain extent.


Genome-Wide Analysis of Prognostic lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs Forming a Competing Endogenous RNA Network in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent subtype of primary liver tumor worldwide. Growing evidence has led to a consensus that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have considerable influence on tumorigenesis and tumor progression of HCC via the mechanism of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Here, we systematically investigated the expression landscape and clinical prognostic value of lncRNAs, micorRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially expressed RNAs were submitted to Cox regression analysis and the construction of prognostic indexes. A lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was then constructed based on interaction information derived from miRcode, TargetScan, miRTarBase, and miRDB. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to reveal and determine the functional roles of the ceRNA network in the prognosis of HCC. We detected 77 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 29 differentially expressed miRNAs, and 1014 differentially expressed mRNAs in HCC, which were significantly associated with the overall survival of patients with HCC. We developed three prognostic prediction models that showed moderate predicting prognosis performance and were highly correlated with tumor burden, histological grade and pathological stage. Additionally, 10 survival-related lncRNAs, 6 survival-related miRNAs, and 31 survival-related mRNAs were included to develop a ceRNA network. Further functional enrichment analysis suggested that the ceRNA network was associated with a dismal prognosis for patients with HCC by disturbing the homeostasis of the cell cycle. Together, our study highlights the significant roles of lncRNAs in the development and implementation of monitoring surveillance and prognosis of HCC and provides a deeper understanding of the lncRNA-related ceRNA regulatory mechanism in the pathogenesis of HCC.


XLMR genes: update 1994.
We provide a comprehensive list of all known forms of X-linked mental retardation. It comprises 127 entries, subdivided into 5 categories (syndromes, dominant disorders, metabolic disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and nonspecific mental retardation). Map location of 69 putative loci demonstrates several overlaps, which will only be resolved by more refined mapping or cloning of the respective genes. The ultimate goal of identifying all the genes on the X chromosome whose mutations cause mental retardation will require a concerted effort between clinical and molecular investigators.


CRS-PRO and SNOT-22 correlations with type 2 inflammatory mediators in chronic rhinosinusitis.
The 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and 12-item Patient Reported Outcomes in Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS-PRO) instrument are validated patient-reported outcomes measures in CRS. In this study we assess the correlation of these with type 2 (T2) biomarkers before and after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Middle meatal mucus data were collected and the SNOT-22 and CRS-PRO were administered to 123 patients (71 CRS without nasal polyps [CRSsNP], 52 CRS with nasal polyps [CRSwNP]) with CRS before and 6 to 12 months after undergoing ESS. Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were measured using a multiplexed bead assay and enzyme-linked immunoassay. Pre- and post-ESS SNOT-22 and CRS-PRO were compared with T2 biomarkers. Before ESS neither PROM correlated with any biomarker. After ESS, CRS-PRO showed a correlation with 2 mediators (IL-5 and IL-13: p = 0.012 and 0.003, respectively) compared with none for the SNOT-22. For CRSwNP patients, pre-ESS CRS-PRO and SNOT-22 correlated with IL-4 (p = 0.04 for both). However, after ESS, CRS-PRO correlated with 3 biomarkers (IL-5, IL-13, and ECP: p = 0.02, 0.024, and 0.04, respectively) and SNOT-22 with 2 biomarkers (IL-5 and IL-13: p = 0.038 and 0.02, respectively). There were no significant relationships between any of the T2 biomarkers pre- or post-ESS among patients with CRSsNP. Exploratory analyses of the subdomains showed the SNOT-22 rhinologic and CRS-PRO rhinopsychologic subdomains correlated better with the T2 biomarkers. On individual item analysis, IL-13 correlated significantly post-ESS with 8 of 12 items on the CRS-PRO vs 6 of 22 items on the SNOT-22. The CRS-PRO total score showed a significant correlation with T2 biomarkers especially when assessed post-ESS and among CRSwNP patients.


Important Roles and Potential Uses of Natural and Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) in Oral Diseases: Cavity, Periodontal Disease, and Thrush.
Numerous epithelial cells and sometimes leukocytes release AMPs as their first line of defense. AMPs encompass cationic histatins, defensins, and cathelicidin to encounter oral pathogens with minimal resistance. However, their concentrations are significantly below the effective levels and AMPs are unstable under physiological conditions due to proteolysis, acid hydrolysis, and salt effects. In parallel to a search for more effective AMPs from natural sources, considerable efforts have focused on synthetic stable and low-cytotoxicy AMPs with significant activities against microorganisms. Using natural AMP templates, various attempts have been used to synthesize sAMPs with different charges, hydrophobicity, chain length, amino acid sequence, and amphipathicity. Thus far, sAMPs have been designed to target Streptococcus mutans and other common oral pathogens. Apart from sAMPs with antifungal activities against Candida albicans, future endeavors should focus on sAMPs with capabilities to promote remineralization and antibacterial adhesion. Delivery systems using nanomaterials and biomolecules are promising to stabilize, reduce cytotoxicity, and improve the antimicrobial activities of AMPs against oral pathogens. Nanostructured AMPs will soon become a viable alternative to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial mechanisms, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, low drug residue, and ease of synthesis and modification.


The usefulness of ultrasound in predicting outcomes in patients with shoulder pain: a prospective observational study.
Shoulder pain is common but current clinical classification has limited utility. We aimed to determine whether groups of ultrasound-based shoulder pathologies exist and to evaluate outcomes according to identified groups and individual pathologies. Prospective study of a community-based cohort with shoulder pain referred for their first ultrasound scan at a single radiology unit, with subsequent routine clinical care. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 months; standardised ultrasound reporting was employed. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified ultrasound pathology-based groups. Multiple linear regression analysis explored associations between baseline pathologies, subsequent treatment and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Short-term response to corticosteroid injections was investigated. Of 500 participants (mean age 53.6; 52% female), 330 completed follow-up. LCA identified 4 groups: bursitis with (33%) or without (27%) acromioclavicular joint degeneration, rotator cuff tear (21%), no bursitis/tear (19%). Total SPADI was higher at baseline for cuff tears (mean 55.1 vs 49.7-51.3; overall p= 0.005), but accounting for this, groups did not differ at 6 months (43.5 vs 38.5-40.5; p= 0.379). Baseline SPADI was the only predictor of 6-month SPADI retained by penalised modelling; neither LCA-derived US groups nor individual pathologies were selected. Response to baseline injection at week 2 did not differ between groups (mean SPADI 40.1-43.8; p= 0.423). Ultrasound-based classification (groups or individual pathologies) of shoulder pain did not predict medium-term outcomes using current treatments. The role of routine diagnostic ultrasound for shoulder pain needs consideration; it may be useful if evidence-based therapies for specific pathologies are established.


Resistant Hypertension: A Real Entity Requiring Special Treatment?
Resistant hypertension (RH) was defined many years ago as a clinical situation in which blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite concomitant intake of at least three antihypertensive drugs (one of them preferably being a diuretic) at full doses. This operative definition was aimed at identifying a subset of hypertensive patients requiring a more extensive clinical workup in order to achieve an adequate blood pressure control. An oversimplification of this picture led to consider RH as a separate clinical entity requiring special, expensive treatments, such as renal denervation and baroreceptor activating therapy. In this review we will discuss the utility and the shortcomings of the definition of RH and the possible consequences for treatment.


Resveratrol Derivatives as Potential Treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in different regions of the nervous system. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the two most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, and the symptoms associated with these pathologies are closely related to the regions that are most affected by the process of neurodegeneration. Despite their high prevalence, currently, there is no cure or disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of these conditions. In the last decades, due to the need for the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, several authors have investigated the neuroprotective actions of naturally occurring molecules, such as resveratrol. Resveratrol is a stilbene found in several plants, including grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and peanuts. Studies have shown that resveratrol presents neuroprotective actions in experimental models of AD and PD, however, its clinical application is limited due to its rapid metabolism and low bioavailability. In this context, studies have proposed that structural changes in the resveratrol molecule, including glycosylation, alkylation, halogenation, hydroxylation, methylation, and prenylation could lead to the development of derivatives with enhanced bioavailability and pharmacological activity. Therefore, this review article aims to discuss how resveratrol derivatives could represent viable molecules in the search for new drugs for the treatment of AD and PD.


Detection of specific types of human papillomavirus in cervical scrapes, anal scrapes, and anogenital biopsies by DNA hybridization.
Specific varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV) infecting the anogenital region were detected in clinical samples by use of a filter hybridization technique suitable for rapid screening of cervical and anal scrapes. In this way possibly benign types (HPV6 and HPV11) could be differentiated from types thought to be capable of malignant transformation (HPV 16 and HPV 18). Cervical or anal canal cells were applied directly to nylon filters and fixed by u.v. irradiation before hybridization with mixed viral DNA probes under both low- and high-stringency conditions. In addition, probe for the human Alu-repeated DNA sequence was used to assess the relative amount of total nucleic acids in each sample applied to the filter. HPV DNA was detected in 3 of 19 cervical scrapes from patients with no past or present history of wart virus infection or cervical dysplasia. Within a positive study group totalling 71 patients, HPV (6/11 or 16/18) was detected in cervical scrapes from 24% of 41 patients who did not have visible genital dysplasia, 30% of 27 patients with visible genital dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, and in 1 of 3 patients with past CIN II/III. In addition, HPV6/11 or 16/18 DNA was detected in anal scrapes from 3 of 6 male patients and in 85% of genital biopsies. A notably high proportion (4/6) of vaginal condylomata were positive with both the HPV6/11 and the HPV16/18 mixed viral DNA probes. Of the biopsies prepared for histopathology and positive for HPV DNA, the HPV group-specific antigen could be detected in only 60%.


[Plasmapheresis in medical practice].
Therapeutic plasmapheresis means the removing of patient's plasma with simultaneous administration of blood products. The expected therapeutic effect is connected with mechanical removal of certain compounds present in plasma: abnormal cellular metabolites, antigens, immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin complexes. The procedure activates immune system. Therapeutic plasmapheresis has been used in the management of different diseases. However, some complications associated with this therapy have been noted and therefore critical evaluation of this therapeutic method is necessary.


Patterns of chemokine receptor expression on peripheral blood gamma delta T lymphocytes: strong expression of CCR5 is a selective feature of V delta 2/V gamma 9 gamma delta T cells.
Gammadelta T lymphocytes play an important role in the immune defense against infection, based on the unique reactivity of human Vdelta2Vgamma9 gammadelta T cells toward bacterial phosphoantigens. Chemokines and their corresponding receptors orchestrate numerous cellular reactions, including leukocyte migration, activation, and degranulation. In this study we investigated the expression of various receptors for inflammatory and homeostatic chemokines on peripheral blood gammadelta T cells and compared their expression patterns with those on alphabeta T cells. Although several of the analyzed receptors (including CCR6, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5) were not differentially expressed on gammadelta vs alphabeta T cells, gammadelta T cells expressed strongly increased levels of the RANTES/macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha/-1beta receptor CCR5 and also enhanced levels of CCR1-3 and CXCR1-3. CCR5 expression was restricted to Vdelta2 gammadelta T cells, while the minor subset of Vdelta1 gammadelta T cells preferentially expressed CXCR1. Stimulation with heat-killed extracts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis down-modulated cell surface expression of CCR5 on gammadelta T cells in a macrophage-dependent manner, while synthetic phosphoantigen isopentenyl pyrophosphate and CCR5 ligands directly triggered CCR5 down-modulation on gammadelta T cells. The functionality of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR3 on gammadelta T cells was demonstrated by Ca(2+) mobilization and chemotactic response to the respective chemokines. Our results identify high level expression of CCR5 as a characteristic and selective feature of circulating Vdelta2 gammadelta T cells, which is in line with their suspected function as Th1 effector T cells.


Endovascular stent-graft placement in aortic dissection: a meta-analysis.
This article summarizes all available published data with respect to clinical success, complications, and outcomes of endovascular stent-graft placement among patients with descending aortic dissection (AD). We performed a meta-analysis of all published series on retrograde endovascular stent-graft placement encompassing >or=3 patients with AD. Thirty-nine studies, involving a total of 609 patients, were included. Procedural success was reported in 98.2+/-0.5% of patients. Major complications were reported in 11.1+/-1.4%, with the most dreaded neurologic complications in 2.9+/-0.7% patients. Periprocedural stroke was encountered more frequently than paraplegia (1.9+/-0.6% vs. 0.8+/-0.4%). Overall complications were significantly higher in patients undergoing stent-graft placement for acute AD than in patients with chronic AD (21.7+/-2.8% vs. 9.1+/-2.3%, P=0.005). The overall 30-day mortality was 5.3+/-0.9%, and was three-fold higher in patients with acute AD when compared with chronic AD (9.8+/-2.2% vs. 3.2+/-1.4%, P=0.015). In addition, 2.8+/-0.7% of patients died over a mean follow-up period of 19.5+/-7.1 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded overall survival rates of 90.6+/-1.6% at 6 months, 89.9+/-1.7% at 1 year, and 88.8+/-1.9% at 2 years, respectively. Endovascular stent-graft placement in type B-AD is technically feasible with success rates of >95% in selected cohort. Although minimally invasive, major complications occurred in 14-18% of patients depending upon the acuity of presentation, with very low incidence of paraplegia. Both, acute and mid-term mortality of this novel treatment strategy appear to favourably compare with surgical treatment but further studies are necessary to compare stent-graft placement with medical treatment in uncomplicated AD.


Dietary aflatoxin B1-related risk factors for the presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk of cows from Ecuador.
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is hepatotoxic and carcinogenic, and it may be present in milk due to dairy cow's ingestion when feed is contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The objective of this research was to determine the potential risk factors of dietary AFB1 contamination in dairy cows, which causes AFM1 contamination of the raw milk, through an epidemiological survey and statistical analysis. 209 raw milk samples were collected, and AFM1 concentrations were detected by lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. It was determined that 100% of the samples contained concerning levels of this mycotoxin with a mean of 0.077 μg/kg, which exceeds the maximum allowed by the European Union legislations (0.05 μg/kg) but not Ecuadorian Regulations (0.5 μg/kg). An adjustment to a linear model by weighted least squares was used to correct the presented heteroscedasticity. Potential risk factors for dietary AFB1 contamination were analyzed in relation to the appearance of AFM1 in milk from Ecuador. Among factors including legumes consumption, the use of silage, type of production system (intensive, extensive, and mixed), and farm size (small, medium, and big), the intensive production system and the big producers presented higher levels of AFM1. Considering that all the milk samples presented AFM1 and since there is no specific feed determined to be a risk factor, it was concluded that any of the feed offered to dairy cows may be contaminated with AFB1. It is necessary to reduce AFB1 levels in feed by implementing good agricultural practices and improving feed storage to decrease milk AFM1 levels. This study identified that intensive systems have a lot of animals, and silage is incorporated into the diet, which can significantly increase AFM1 levels.


Angiopoietin correlates with glomerular capillary loss in anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis.
Emerging evidence suggests that endothelial turnover occurs in several glomerular diseases and correlates with resolution or progression of glomerular lesions. We hypothesized that the growth factors modulating embryonic kidney endothelial cell survival and capillary morphogenesis may be implicated in capillary loss that occurs in immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (GN). GN was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intravenous administration of sheep anti-mouse glomerular basement membrane (GBM) globulin and assessed with markers of vascularity in glomerular lesions, correlating these with expression of specific vascular growth factors. As assessed by periodic acid Schiff staining, 14 +/- 4% (mean +/- SD) glomeruli were affected by sclerosis at 14 days after globulin administration, and 33 +/- 5% were affected at 21 days. By 21 days, a significant increase of plasma creatinine and urinary protein occurred. P-selectin expression was increased in glomerular capillaries 14 days after disease induction, and capillary loss, as assessed by immunohistochemistry for platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and the angiopoietin (Ang) receptor Tie-2, was recorded at 14 and 21 days in glomeruli affected by proliferative crescents and/or sclerosis. VEGF-A immunostaining, evident in control glomeruli, was qualitatively diminished in glomeruli with lesions. Ang-1 immunostaining was detected in control glomeruli and was diminished at 14 days after administration of anti-mouse GBM globulin; instead, Ang-1 was immunolocalized to distal tubules. In contrast, Ang-2 immunostaining was barely detectable in control glomeruli but was prominent in disease glomeruli. In GN mice, rare apoptotic glomerular endothelia were detected by electron microscopy and in situ end-labeling, but such cells were not seen in controls. Loss of glomerular capillaries during the course of anti-GBM GN in mice was temporally associated with decreases in endothelial survival molecules VEGF-A and Ang-1, and with up-regulation of Ang-2, an antagonist of Ang-1. A changing balance of these growth factors may contribute to decreased glomerular vascularity in crescentic GN.


[A study of work stress and professional commitment in outpatient department nurses].
Nurses working in outpatient departments face tremendous pressure from multiple sources. The effect of nurse professional commitment on continued professional development is an issue worth exploring further. This study explored relationships among nurses' personal attributes, work stress and professional commitment. The Lazarus cognitive appraisal model framed the research plan design. Tools used included stress level and professional commitment scales for healthcare professionals. Of 180 questionnaires sent to outpatient department nurses nurses, 171 (95%) were returned and used in analysis. SPSS 12.0 for windows software was used for statistical analysis. We found a significant negative correlation between work stress and professional commitment and no significant relationship between level of education and either ability to handle work stress or professional commitment. Years of work experience, age and position all correlated positively with ability to handle work stress. Years of work experience correlated positively with professional commitment. This study suggests that nurses experience the highest work stress levels during their first five years of work. Findings show that providing nurses a clear career development path, in addition to attractive incentives and a reasonable workload, is essential to reducing work stress, bolstering professional commitment and increasing retention.


Anything but a biopsy: noninvasive monitoring for cardiac allograft rejection.
Endomyocardial biopsy has stood the test of time as a surveillance technique; however, the expense, resources required, invasive nature, and low but definite risks have motivated investigators to pursue less invasive techniques. The search for noninvasive surveillance techniques for cardiac rejection have centered on measurements of cardiac function, intragraft electrical events, peripheral proteomic markers of graft micronecrosis, immune activation, and nonimmune accompaniments of rejection. Although several investigations allude to a reasonable negative predictive value of such monitoring, the specificity of these techniques remains poor. Until well-constructed studies not only define the predictive values of noninvasive techniques but also appropriately evaluate the clinical safety of any such approach, invasive endomyocardial biopsy will remain the gold standard.


24-Hour electrocardiographic recordings in mild acute infectious myocarditis.
Arrhythmias and even sudden death may be caused by acute infectious myocarditis. We therefore recorded 24-hour electrocardiograms in 26 myocarditis patients both one week and two to three months after the detection of myocarditis. Two of the patients were also monitored on the first day of their symptomatic myopericarditis . Twenty-eight control subjects had recordings one to two weeks after the onset of acute uncomplicated infections. One of the two patients monitored during the first day of myopericarditis had repetitive, asymptomatic bursts of ventricular tachycardia. In the 1-week recordings 27% of the myocarditis patients and 7% of the control subjects (p less than 0.06) had complex ventricular premature beats; these occurred in only 8% of the myocarditis patients during the late recording. However, the overall number of ventricular premature beats was low in both groups and recordings. A lengthening of the QT interval was related (p less than 0.05) to the occurrence of complex premature beats in repeated recordings in the same individuals. The heart rate was higher (p less than 0.02) in myocarditis patients, but no significant difference was noted in the frequency of conduction defects. We conclude that there seems to be no reason for a prolonged restriction of physical activity during clinically uncomplicated recovery from mild acute myocarditis. However, potentially dangerous arrhythmias may occur during the very first days of the disease.


[Serological study of the virus responsible for hemorrhagic fever in an urban population of Cameroon].
A sero-epidemiological study of Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses in a urban population of Cameroon. The authors report the results of a sero-epidemiological survey undertaken in a urban population of Cameroon and concerning Congo, Rift (RVF), Lassa, Ebola, Marburg and Yellow Fever Viruses. On 375 human sera tested, 1.06% show antibodies against RVF virus and 1.87% are positive for anti-Ebola antibodies thus yielding evidence that these two viruses are present in this area of Cameroon. 33.75% have antibodies against Yellow Fever Virus as determined with an Hemagglutination-inhibition test. This quite high percentage, in spite of the weak specificity of the method for this virus, could raise the problem of the opportunity of a vaccination campaign. No antibody to Marburg, Lassa or Congo viruses is detected.


Exploring the Pathophysiology of Delirium: An Overview of Biomarker Studies, Animal Models, and Tissue-Engineered Models.
Delirium is an acute brain disorder associated with disorganized thinking, difficulty focusing, and confusion that commonly follows major surgery, severe infection, and illness. Older patients are at high risk for developing delirium during hospitalization, which may contribute to increased morbidity, longer hospitalization, and increased risk of institutionalization following discharge. The pathophysiology underlying delirium remains poorly studied. This review delves into the findings from biomarker studies and animal models, and highlights the potential for tissue-engineered models of the brain in studying this condition. The aim is to bring together the existing knowledge in the field and provide insight into the future direction of delirium research.


Osteoconductivity of Porous Titanium Structure on Implants in Osteoporosis.
In compromised bone conditions such as osteoporosis, developments of the implant surface are necessary to secure the stability of implants. This study investigated the effect of the surface porous titanium structure (PS) on the osseointegration of implants in osteoporotic bone. Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in 4 female beagle dogs to induce osteoporosis for 32 wk. Success of induction was based on the evaluation of bone mineral density by Hounsfield units (HU) in computed tomography images. Posterior teeth in both mandibles were extracted 1 wk after OVX, and a total of 30 implants (15 implants in each group) were placed after 32 wk of osteoporosis induction. The control group implant underwent resorbable blast media (RBM) surface treatment, whereas the test group underwent RBM surface treatment in the coronal two-thirds and a PS added to the apical 3-mm portion. HU values in the mandibular trabecular bone, lumbar, and femoral head significantly decreased 32 wk after OVX, confirming osteoporotic condition after induction. Resonance frequency analysis and removal torque test showed comparable values between the 2 groups at 4 wk after implant placement. The surface topography of the implant after removal showed hard tissue integration at the PS in the test group. Bone-to-implant contact length was greater in the apical portion of the test group, although statistical significance was not found between the groups. Interthread bone area in the apical portion of the test group showed a significant increase compared to the control group (control: 0.059 ± 0.041 mm2, test: 0.121 ± 0.060 mm2, P = 0.028) with the histological feature of bone ingrowth at the PS. The findings of the study demonstrated that the surface PS could improve osteoconductivity in the osteoporotic trabecular bone by bone ingrowth at the pore space, thereby enhancing the osseointegration and stability of the implants.


Semiquantitative 67Ga scintigraphy as an indicator of response to and prognosis after corticosteroid treatment in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.
The prognosis in some forms of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), especially idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), is still poor. A minority of patients will respond to immunosuppressive treatment. In patients with IPF or fibrotic NSIP, pulmonary (67)Ga scintigraphy may be useful for predicting response to therapy and prognosis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether semiquantitative (67)Ga scintigraphy can be used to predict responsiveness to therapy with high-dose corticosteroids in a well-defined population of patients with IIP (IPF and fibrotic NSIP). This study was performed in a tertiary referral center. We prospectively performed (67)Ga scintigraphy in 23 consecutive patients previously diagnosed with IIP (IPF and fibrotic NSIP) before and after treatment with 3 monthly courses of high-dose methylprednisolone. Lung function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed before and after these 3 courses, and patients were monitored for 1 y after the start of the treatment. During follow-up, 5 patients died, none during the first 3 mo. Although pulmonary (67)Ga uptake significantly decreased after treatment (P = 0.001), there was no correlation between either initial (67)Ga uptake or change in (67)Ga uptake on treatment and 1-y prognosis. This finding was independent of prior immunosuppressive treatment, diagnosis of IPF or NSIP, or whether initial (67)Ga uptake was elevated or not. BAL cellularity was correlated with neither pulmonary (67)Ga uptake nor response to treatment. Pulmonary (67)Ga uptake cannot be used to predict response to corticosteroid treatment or prognosis in patients with IIP. Apparently, the (inflammatory) process influenced by treatment with methylprednisolone does not determine the progression of disease. This finding supports the hypothesis that although inflammation is present in IPF and fibrotic NSIP, it is neither the hallmark of the disease nor the major factor determining prognosis.


Fatty acid profiles in demented patients: identification of hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) as a blood lipid biomarker of dementia.
Several lipid metabolism alterations have been described in the brain and plasma of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, suggesting a relation between lipid metabolism alteration and dementia. We attempted to identify blood fatty acids as biomarkers of dementia. Fatty acid profiles were established using gas chromatography with or without mass spectrometry on matched plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) of demented patients diagnosed with AD, vascular dementia, or other dementia, and compared with a control group of elderly individuals. The severity of dementia was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination test. Fatty acid analysis showed significant variations of fatty acid levels in demented patients including AD patients. The highest plasma and RBC accumulation was found with hexacosanoic acid (C26:0). Our data also support that alterations of desaturase and elongase activities may contribute to cognitive dysfunction. The variations of fatty acid levels and the accumulation of C26:0 in the plasma and RBCs highlight an alteration of fatty acid metabolism in demented patients and point toward possible peroxisomal dysfunction. It is suggested that C26:0 may constitute a convenient blood biomarker of dementia that could be useful in routine medical practice.


Mild hypothermia preserves myocardial conduction during ischemia by maintaining gap junction intracellular communication and Na+ channel function.
Acute cardiac ischemia induces conduction velocity (CV) slowing and conduction block, promoting reentrant arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac arrest. Previously, we found that mild hypothermia (MH; 32°C) attenuates ischemia-induced conduction block and CV slowing in a canine model of early global ischemia. Acute ischemia impairs cellular excitability and the gap junction (GJ) protein connexin (Cx)43. We hypothesized that MH prevented ischemia-induced conduction block and CV slowing by preserving GJ expression and localization. Canine left ventricular preparations at control (36°C) or MH (32°C) were subjected to no-flow prolonged (30 min) ischemia. Optical action potentials were recorded from the transmural left ventricular wall, and CV was measured throughout ischemia. Cx43 and Na+ channel (NaCh) remodeling was assessed using both confocal immunofluorescence (IF) and/or Western blot analysis. Cellular excitability was determined by microelectrode recordings of action potential upstroke velocity (dV/dtmax) and resting membrane potential (RMP). NaCh current was measured in isolated canine myocytes at 36 and 32°C. As expected, MH prevented conduction block and mitigated ischemia-induced CV slowing during 30 min of ischemia. MH maintained Cx43 at the intercalated disk (ID) and attenuated ischemia-induced Cx43 degradation by both IF and Western blot analysis. MH also preserved dV/dtmax and NaCh function without affecting RMP. No difference in NaCh expression was seen at the ID by IF or Western blot analysis. In conclusion, MH preserves myocardial conduction during prolonged ischemia by maintaining Cx43 expression at the ID and maintaining NaCh function. Hypothermic preservation of GJ coupling and NaCh may be novel antiarrhythmic strategies during resuscitation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Therapeutic hypothermia is now a class I recommendation for resuscitation from cardiac arrest. This study determined that hypothermia preserves gap junction coupling as well as Na+ channel function during acute cardiac ischemia, attenuating conduction slowing and preventing conduction block, suggesting that induced hypothermia may be a novel antiarrhythmic strategy in resuscitation.


Presentation of trypanosomiasis in nkhotakota.
In 2002, we identified 28 people in Nkhotakota District who were suffering from Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). Sixteen of these were identified when they presented to the District Hospital with a febrile illness. The remaining twelve were identified through a rural cross-sectional survey, in which 500 people were visited in their homes, persons found to be febrile, were examined by blood film microscopy. Of the 28 people, 50% (14) presented within a month of the onset of symptoms. Sixteen (57%) had splenomegaly, and 24 were anaemic ([Hb] <12 g/dl). Four patients died (14%), of which two were in the late stage of the disease. None of the patients recall having a chancre that could be attributed to the bite of tsetse flies. 9 out of 28 (32%) reported illness longer than 90 days. Of the 9 patients 6 (66%) of them remained in the early stage after reporting illness of 180 days. This study reports on the prevalence and clinical features of Trypansoma brucei rhodesiense infection in a endemic district in Malawi.


Mutation in insulin receptor attenuates oxidative stress and apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells induced by nutrition excess: reduced insulin signaling and ROS.
Type 2 diabetes results from the failure of beta-cells to adequately compensate for insulin resistance. Although the reduction of beta-cell mass is because of increased cell death and/or inadequate replication or neogenesis, the mechanism underlying beta-cell mass reduction is not fully understood. Here, we clarify the role of insulin signaling pathway in the beta-cell apoptosis using insulin resistant model mice. Wild-type mice and those carrying a mutation in the insulin receptor (mIR) were fed either regular chow or a high-fat diet for 6 weeks and subsequently investigated for beta-cell apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and oxidative stress. Insulin tolerance tests revealed that mIR mice fed a high-fat diet (mIRHF) had higher insulin resistance. Beta-cell apoptosis was increased 2-fold in the wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet (wHF) compared with control mice, whereas beta-cell apoptosis in mIRHF mice did not increase compared with that in mIR mice. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in isolated islets did not differ between the groups. Staining of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in islets of wHF mice significantly increased, but the staining in mIRHF mice was not different from that in control group. Gene expression of the antioxidant enzyme MnSOD was significantly higher in mIRHF mice than those in the other 3 groups. A mutation in the insulin receptor attenuated the oxidative stress and apoptosis in beta-cells even though high caloric nutrient was loaded. Our results suggest that reduced insulin signaling protects beta-cells thorough decline of oxidative stress.


Dose response study of N-nitrosodiethanolamine initiation of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.
Initiating activity of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) for rat liver carcinogenesis was investigated using an 8-weeks bioassay system. Male F344 rats were initially treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of NDELA at one of five dose levels: 1,600, 800, 400, 200, or 100 mg/kg. Two weeks later, the rats were placed on 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) or 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) containing diet for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy 4 weeks after the NDELA treatment, and killed at the end of the eighth week. NDELA itself exerted low toxicity in terms of body weight gain. Clear dose-dependent initiating activity of NDELA was observed in terms of development of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive liver cell foci, this being more apparent with PB promotion than with 2-AAF where the enhancing regimen itself caused multiple lesion development. Initiating potential of NDELA, however, was much lower than that observed for diethylnitrosamine in our previous work.


[A case report of the chondroma arising from the falx cerebri].
We have reported a case of chondroma arising from the falx cerebri in a 60-year-old female with no neurological symptom. The tumor was revealed as a round mass, attached to the falx cerebri, with marginally scattered calcification on CT scan and with slight enhancement on MRI images. And cerebral angiogram presented a mass with no tumor stain on the external carotid angiography against our preoperative diagnosis of falx meningioma. A subtotal removal of the mass was performed with the diagnosis of chondroma on pathological examination. The chondroma arising from the falx cerebri is extremely rare with only 15 reported cases in the literature. We have presented the first case in Japan and reviewed the previous reports.


Expression of calbindin-D28k in human fallopian tubes.
The present study was aimed at investigating the expression of calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k) in human fallopian tube, which were collected from 33 childbearing age women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy for benign disease in the pelvic cavity. These women had normal menstrual cycle and history of normal pregnancy. Isthmus, ampullary and umbrella segments of fallopian tubes were respectively collected. These specimens were divided into 6 groups based on their menstrual cycles: early-proliferative stage (n=6), mid-proliferative stage (n=5), late-proliferative stage (n=5), early-secretory stage (n=7), mid-secretory stage (n=5) and late-secretory stage (n=5). The expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA in fallopian tubes were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Positive expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA were observed in human fallopian tubes. There was no significant difference in the expression of CaBP-D28k protein among the isthmus, ampulla and umbrella segments in the same phase of menstrual cycle (P>0.05). However, in the menstrual cycle, the expression level of CaBP-D28k protein in the epithelium was the lowest during the early- and mid-proliferative stages and increased in both the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05), and then decreased in the mid- and late-secretory stages (P<0.05). The expressed CaBP-D28k protein was disposed to gobbets or dispersed sheets in cytoplasm in the early- and mid- proliferative stages, and showed concentrated granules on the top of cells in the late-proliferative and early-, mid-secretory stages. Then in the late-secretory stage redistribution renewed as in the early- and mid-proliferative stages. The CaBP-D28k mRNA obviously increased in the late-proliferative and early-secretory stages (P<0.05). These findings indicate that the expressions of CaBP-D28k protein and mRNA exist in human fallopian tubes and exhibit a cyclic change.


Satiation, satiety and the action of fibre on food intake.
This paper sets out to provide a review of the effect of fibre upon the motivation to eat and ultimately upon the amount of energy consumed. In addition the authors suggest various ways in which the analysis and understanding of the effects of fibre may be extended by embracing different types of experimental design and varying the assessment procedures. In the course of this work it became obvious that some important pieces of information had yet to be demonstrated. In particular it seems necessary for studies to measure the actual amounts of energy ingested in addition to tapping motivational indices. Moreover, the evaluation of the motivation to eat could become more sensitive and more comprehensive. Evidence suggests that fibre does exert effects on the short-term control of food consumption. The action appears to be expressed both within and between meals. Both of these effects may be clinically relevant. It has yet to be determined the extent to which these effects are influenced by the mode of administration of the fibre, the type of fibre and the amount.


Clinical impact of IMPORT HIGH trial (CRUK/06/003) on breast radiotherapy practices in the United Kingdom.
IMPORT HIGH is a multicentre randomized UK trial testing dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) after tumour excision in females with early breast cancer and higher than average local recurrence risk. A survey was carried out to investigate the impact of this trial on the adoption of advanced breast radiotherapy (RT) techniques in the UK. A questionnaire was sent to all 26 IMPORT HIGH recruiting RT centres to determine whether the trial has influenced non-trial breast RT techniques in terms of volume delineation, dosimetry, treatment delivery and verification. In order to compare the clinical practice of breast RT between IMPORT HIGH and non-IMPORT HIGH centres, parts of the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) breast RT audit result were used in this study. 26/26 participating centres completed the questionnaire. After joining the trial, the number of centres routinely using tumour bed clips to guide whole-breast RT rose from 5 (19%) to 21 (81%). 20/26 (77%) centres now contour target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) in some or all patients compared with 14 (54%) before the trial. 14/26 (54%) centres offer inverse-planned IMRT for selected non-trial patients with breast cancer, and 10/14 (71%) have adopted the IMPORT HIGH trial protocol for target volume and OARs dose constraints. Only 2/26 (8%) centres used clip information routinely for breast treatment verification prior to IMPORT HIGH, a minority that has since risen to 7/26 (27%). Data on 1386 patients was included from the RCR audit. This suggested that more cases from IMPORT HIGH centres had surgical clips implanted (83 vs 67%), were treated using CT guided planning with full three-dimensional dose compensation (100 vs 75%), and were treated with photon boost RT (30 vs 8%). The study suggests that participation in the IMPORT HIGH trial has played an important part in providing the guidance and support networks needed for the safe integration of advanced RT techniques, where appropriate, as a standard of care for breast cancer patients treated at participating cancer centres. We investigated the impact of the IMPORT HIGH trial on the adoption of advanced breast RT techniques in the UK and the trial has influenced non-trial breast RT techniques in terms of volume delineation, dosimetry, treatment delivery and verification.


Brain-behavior relationships in the experience and regulation of negative emotion in healthy children: implications for risk for childhood depression.
Structural and functional alterations in a variety of brain regions have been associated with depression and risk for depression across the life span. A majority of these regions are associated with emotion reactivity and/or regulation. However, it is generally unclear what mechanistic role these alterations play in the etiology of depression. A first step toward understanding this is to characterize the relationships between variation in brain structure/function and individual differences in depression severity and related processes, particularly emotion regulation. To this end, the current study examines how brain structure and function predict concurrent and longitudinal measures of depression symptomology and emotion regulation skills in psychiatrically healthy school-age children (N = 60). Specifically, we found that smaller hippocampus volumes and greater responses to sad faces in emotion reactivity regions predict increased depressive symptoms at the time of scan, whereas larger amygdala volumes, smaller insula volumes, and greater responses in emotion reactivity regions predict decreased emotion regulation skills. In addition, larger insula volumes predict improvements in emotion regulation skills even after accounting for emotion regulation at the time of scan. Understanding brain-behavior relationships in psychiatrically healthy samples, especially early in development, will help inform normative developmental trajectories and neural alterations in depression and other affective pathology.


Bone safety of aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen.
Bone loss may be a potential side effect of implementing aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting. Current evidence suggests a minor bone loss during treatment with the steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane compared to placebo and a nonsignificant increase in fracture rate during treatment with exemestane when compared to tamoxifen. Such a difference could be due to the bone-sparing effects of tamoxifen. For the nonsteroidal inhibitors letrozole and anastrozole, the MA17 study revealed a nonsignificant increase in fracture rate for letrozole compared to placebo. In contrast, both anastrozole and letrozole were found to significantly increase fracture rate compared to tamoxifen when administered as monotherapy or given sequentially. While an increased fracture rate may have detrimental effects, evidence suggests that enhanced bone loss may be preventable through careful bone mineral density (BMD) assessment and treatment with bisphosphonates.


Coexistence of bullous pemphigoid, vitiligo, and thyroid disease: a multiple autoimmune syndrome?
Bullous pemphigoid is the most common autoimmune blistering skin diseases. The significance of the association of bullous pemphigoid with other autoimmune diseases is still unknown. There have been reports of an association with many autoimmune skin diseases. We report the simultaneous occurrence of bullous pemphigoid and thyroid disease in a 76-year-old patient who also suffered from vitiligo. It is possible that there is a common underlying pathogenic mechanism involved in the co-existence of these three diseases. The association adds to the documentation of bullous pemphigoid co-existing with other autoimmune disorders. This association is probably not fortuitous and suggests a pathogenic relationship.


Newspaper reporting on schizophrenia: a content analysis of five national newspapers at two time points.
This study aimed to assess change in the quality of reporting of schizophrenia in UK national daily newspapers, comparing 1996 with 2005. Five newspapers were searched using the PROQUEST database for articles published in 1996 or 2005 which contained the term 'schizo...'. 1196 articles were identified and rated against indicators of poor quality reporting. Derived from guidelines for media reporting on mental health the indicators were: metaphoric use of schizophrenia terms; use of stigmatising descriptors; use of equating descriptors; not including information putting the risk of violence into perspective in articles about violence; and use of the term 'release(d)' in articles about discharge from psychiatric hospital. More recent year of publication was associated with a decrease in the odds of an article using a schizophrenia term metaphorically by a factor of 0.103 (95% CI 0.014-0.776), but this masked a pattern of decreasing use in broadsheets and increasing use in tabloids. The use of equating descriptors was significantly lower in 2005 in the univariate analysis (p<0.001), but this was no longer significant (p=0.558) when confounding variables were controlled for. There was no significant change in the use of stigmatising descriptors; the non-inclusion of information putting risk of violence into perspective, nor in the use of the term 'release(d)'. There is little evidence that the quality of reporting of schizophrenia has changed over time. This suggests a need for the implementation of effective measures to bring newspaper reporting in line with current guidelines.


Long-term gonadal hormone treatment and endogenous neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the adult female monkey.
Neurogenesis occurs continually throughout life in all mammals and the extent of neurogenesis is influenced by many factors including gonadal hormones. Most research regarding hormones and neurogenesis has been performed on non-primate species. To determine whether gonadal hormones can modulate endogenous neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in non-human primates, ovariectomized (OVX) female rhesus monkeys received continuous, unopposed beta-estradiol (OVX-E-Con), cyclic unopposed beta-estradiol (OVX-E-Cyc), continuous beta-estradiol+cyclic progesterone (OVX-E-Con+P-Cyc), or control (OVX-Veh) treatments. At week 29, all monkeys received BrdU injections for 4 consecutive days, in addition to the ongoing treatment. Twenty days after the last BrdU injection, all animals were sacrificed for tissue collection. In DG of hippocampus, scattered BrdU-ir cells were observed mainly in the subgranular zone (SGZ) and in the granule cell layer and occasionally these BrdU-ir cells in the SGZ formed clusters containing between 2 and 5 cells. In the granule cell layer and SGZ, virtually none of the BrdU-ir cells were either Dcx, a marker of immature neurons, or GFAP positive. However, an occasional BrdU-ir cell was positive for both neuronal marker NeuN or beta III-tubulin. Unbiased stereological analysis of BrdU-ir cells within the SGZ and the granule cell layer of DG revealed that among the experimental groups, there was no significant difference in number of BrdU-ir cells within the SGZ and the granule cell layer of the DG: OVX-E-Con (1801+/-218.7), OVX-E-Cyc (1783+/-415.6), OVX-E-Con+/-P-Cyc (1721+/-229.6), and OVX-Veh (1263+/-106.3), but a trend towards increased BrdU-ir cells was observed in all the experimental groups.


Outcomes of a Comprehensive Mobile Smoking Cessation Program With Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Adult Smokers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death, underscoring ongoing need for evidence-based solutions. Pivot, a US Clinical Practice Guideline-based mobile smoking cessation program, comprises a personal carbon monoxide breath sensor; a smartphone app; in-app, text-based human-provided coaching; nicotine replacement therapy; and a moderated web-based community. Promising Pivot cohort studies have established the foundation for comparative assessment. This study aimed to compare engagement, retention, attitudes toward quitting smoking, smoking behavior, and participant feedback between Pivot and QuitGuide, a US Clinical Practice Guideline-based smoking cessation smartphone app from the National Cancer Institute. In this remote pilot randomized controlled trial, cigarette smokers in the United States were recruited on the web and randomized to Pivot or QuitGuide. Participants were offered 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy. Data were self-reported via weekly web-based questionnaires for 12 weeks and at 26 weeks. Outcomes included engagement and retention, attitudes toward quitting smoking, smoking behavior, and participant feedback. The primary outcome was self-reported app openings at 12 weeks. Cessation outcomes included self-reported 7- and 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA), abstinence from all tobacco products, and continuous abstinence at 12 and 26 weeks. PPA and continuous abstinence were biovalidated via breath carbon monoxide samples. Participants comprised 188 smokers (94 Pivot and 94 QuitGuide): mean age 46.4 (SD 9.2) years, 104 (55.3%) women, 128 (68.1%) White individuals, and mean cigarettes per day 17.6 (SD 9.0). Engagement via mean "total app openings through 12 weeks" (primary outcome) was Pivot, 157.9 (SD 210.6) versus QuitGuide, 86.5 (SD 66.3; P<.001). Self-reported 7-day PPA at 12 and 26 weeks was Pivot, 35% (33/94) versus QuitGuide, 28% (26/94; intention to treat [ITT]: P=.28) and Pivot, 36% (34/94) versus QuitGuide, 27% (25/94; ITT: P=.12), respectively. Self-reported 30-day PPA at 12 and 26 weeks was Pivot, 29% (27/94) versus QuitGuide, 22% (21/94; ITT: P=.32) and Pivot, 32% (30/94) versus QuitGuide, 22% (21/94; ITT: P=.12), respectively. The biovalidated abstinence rate at 12 weeks was Pivot, 29% (27/94) versus QuitGuide, 13% (12/94; ITT: P=.008). Biovalidated continuous abstinence at 26 weeks was Pivot, 21% (20/94) versus QuitGuide, 10% (9/94; ITT: P=.03). Participant feedback, including ease of setup, impact on smoking, and likelihood of program recommendation were favorable for Pivot. In this randomized controlled trial comparing the app-based smoking cessation programs Pivot and QuitGuide, Pivot participants had higher engagement and biovalidated cessation rates and more favorable user feedback at 12 and 26 weeks. These findings support Pivot as an effective, durable mobile smoking cessation program. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04955639; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04955639.


Two-staged en bloc excision of a retinal haemangioma.
A 31-year-old man presented to us with diminution of vision in the right eye which he noticed since 10 days, with a visual acuity of hand motions only. On examination, festooned pupil and a complicated cataract were noted with no view of the retina. Ultrasonography of the right eye showed retinal detachment in all quadrants with suspected areas of traction and membranes in the vitreous. Left eye examination revealed a normal anterior and posterior segment. Intraoperatively, he underwent a pars plana lensectomy following which an inferior large retinal haemangioma was noted with dilated and tortuous feeder artery and draining vein. The haemangioma was managed by a two-staged procedure including ligature of the feeder artery in the first surgery and the en bloc excision of the angioma at the time of the second procedure after significant shrinkage in size of the tumour.


The therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy combined with Kinesio Tape on plantar fasciitis.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with Kinesio Tape (KT) for plantar fasciitis (PF) is lacking in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ESWT combined with KT on foot pain and function in patients with PF based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching. A total of 91 patients with PF were randomly divided into the ESWT group (ETG, n= 23), KT group (KTG, n= 23), combined treatment group (CTG, n= 22) and control group (CG, n= 23). Herein, changes in visual analysis scale (VAS) score, plantar fascia thickness (PFT) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were examined. The groups were compared after 4 weeks and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG were significantly smaller than that of CG (P< 0.05). In addition, the VAS score of CTG was significantly smaller than that of KTG (P< 0.001). Meanwhile, the AOFAS scores of ETG and CTG were significantly greater than that of CG (P< 0.001). Moreover, the AOFAS score of CTG was significantly greater than those of ETG and KTG (P< 0.01). Comparisons within groups were also conducted at weeks 0 and 4 and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly decreased (P< 0.001); the PFT of ETG and CTG significantly decreased (P< 0.05); and the AOFAS score of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly increased (P< 0.001). Based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching, ESWT and KT therapy could improve the foot pain and function of patients with PF, and the combined modality therapy is more effective. ESWT and combined treatment has a positive effect on patients' PFT. However, single KT treatment has a limited effect on PFT.


The effect of hookah use on COVID-19 related adverse outcomes: Lessons learned from integrating STEPs 2016 and national COVID-19 registration databases.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, an international effort has been concerted to identify the factors associated with more adverse outcomes to better allocate resources and perform more effective targeted preventive measures. This study aims to describe the risk of COVID-19 adverse outcomes among individuals with a history of being ever cigarette smokers and being ever hookah users. We combined two databases, including the Iran national registry of COVID-19 patients, including 2020 with 656258 hospitalized patients and STEPs survey 2016 with 30541 participants. After merging the two databases using the national ID, the association was investigated between being ever smoker or hookah user and the adverse outcomes of COVID-19 including death, need for a ventilation therapy, and admission in the intensive care unit (ICU), among 474 severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases and 211 PCR-positive patients. Among 211 PCR-positive patients, 40 (19%) patients were ever hookah users and 28 (13.3%) were ever cigarette smokers. Death occurred in 27 (12.8%) patients and severe COVID-19 in 17 (11.6%). Among 211 PCR-positive patients, ever cigarette smokers had 4.2 times (95% CI: 1.1-15.4, p=0.03) higher odds of ICU admission and 4.2 times (95% CI: 1.1-15.4, p=0.03) increased odds for need of ventilation, compared with non-smokers. Besides, ever hookah users had 3.9 times (95% CI: 1.1-13.6, p=0.03) higher odds for need of ventilation therapy, compared with non-hookah users. Tobacco use and hookah smoking were associated with adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients in Iran.


In situ determination of hydrogen inside a catalytic reactor using prompt gamma activation analysis.
Prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) has been further developed to analyze reacting components inside a chemical reactor. The new method, in situ PGAA, was used to determine the hydrogen-to-palladium molar ratio under various conditions of palladium-catalyzed alkyne hydrogenation. The H/Pd molar ratio was successfully measured in the range of 0.1-1.0 in an approximately 2-g catalytic reactor containing a few milligrams of palladium catalyst. The amount of hydrogen was only a few tens of micrograms, and the detection limit was approximately 5 microg, i.e., at ppm level compared to the whole reactor. The description of the device, methodological developments, a feasibility study, and results of a series of catalytic measurements are presented.