Extraction of DNA from soil for analysis of bacterial diversity in transgenic and nontransgenic papaya sites.
The influence of transgenic crops on the soil diversity of microorganisms is one of the major risk assessments being conducted in Taiwan since 2007, and a reliable soil DNA extraction method for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) is required. Six soils of different type, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, and pH were tested, and four previously reported soil DNA extraction methods were applied to these soils. Soil DNA extracts by Zhou's CS method plus QIAquick gel was recommended in our laboratory for DGGE to monitor the microbial diversity in soil. There were some differences on the bacterial diversity based on DGGE patterns at the beginning of planting, and the difference decreased after six months. The results also indicated that clay content (10.8-25.0%) and pH (4.4-6.9) of different soil samples we tested did not affect the DNA extraction efficiencies, but positive correlations were found between the organic matter content (1.2-3.9%) of soils and the DNA yields in Widmer's GS method (r = 0.93, p = 0.005) and the MoBio UC method (r = 0.92, p = 0.007). Coefficient of determinations between organic matter content and DNA yield were higher than those between clay content, CEC, and pH, indicating that organic matter content was more correlated with DNA yield than that clay content, CEC, and pH in our soil samples tested.


A reaction norm sire model to study the effect of metabolic challenge in early lactation on the functional longevity of dairy cows.
Due to the discrepancy of the high energy demand for rapidly increasing milk production and limited feed intake in the transition period around parturition, dairy cows require considerable metabolic adaptations. We hypothesize that some cows are genetically less suited to cope with these metabolic needs than others, leading to adverse follow-up effects on longevity. To test this, we designed a reaction norm model in which functional lifetime was linked to the metabolic challenge in the beginning of the first lactation. As challenge variables, we used either the sum of milk yield or the accumulated fat-to-protein ratio of the first 3 test-days (<120 d in milk), pre-adjusted for herd-test-day variance. We defined a random regression sire model, in which a random slope was estimated for each sire to assess whether a bull had robust (neutral or positive slopes) or non-robust (negative slopes) daughters. We fitted the model to data of ∼580,000 daughters of ∼5,000 Brown Swiss bulls with suitable observations available (≥10 daughters per bull). To validate our proposed model and assess the reliability of the estimated (co)variance components, we conducted an extensive bootstrap approach. For both challenge variables, we found the sire variance for the slope of the random regression to be significantly different from zero, suggesting a genetic component for metabolic adaptability. The results of the study show that the ability to cope with metabolic stress in the transition period has a genetic component, which can be used to breed metabolically robust dairy cows.


Embedding OR modelling as decision support in health capacity planning: insights from an evaluation.
Literature reviews over five decades have reported the paucity of examples of OR methods being routinely used to support decision-making in health and social care. This paper presents insights from an independent evaluation of a project intended to overcome some of the barriers to implementation by establishing a "community of practice" in Kent (England). The project itself was undertaken by practitioners, and had two main aims: providing training in system dynamics modelling to analysts, and making senior managers aware of the benefits of modelling. The findings largely confirmed previous studies, but also raised issues about style of training delivery and selection of problems to be modelled. Project leaders fully understood the barriers to embedding OR modelling skills, and made considerable efforts to avoid them, but nevertheless the main barrier, pressures on people's time, remained an obstacle. The paper concludes with general reflections and advice.


Application of live-cell RNA imaging techniques to the study of retroviral RNA trafficking.
Retroviruses produce full-length RNA that serves both as a genomic RNA (gRNA), which is encapsidated into virus particles, and as an mRNA, which directs the synthesis of viral structural proteins. However, we are only beginning to understand the cellular and viral factors that influence trafficking of retroviral RNA and the selection of the RNA for encapsidation or translation. Live cell imaging studies of retroviral RNA trafficking have provided important insight into many aspects of the retrovirus life cycle including transcription dynamics, nuclear export of viral RNA, translational regulation, membrane targeting, and condensation of the gRNA during virion assembly. Here, we review cutting-edge techniques to visualize single RNA molecules in live cells and discuss the application of these systems to studying retroviral RNA trafficking.


Two-Dimensional Seeded Self-Assembly of a Complex Hierarchical Perylene-Based Heterostructure.
A complex two-dimensional (2D) hierarchical heterostructure was fabricated by a sequential two-dimensional seeded self-assembly, which consisted of laterally grown nanotubes from one perylene monomer and terminally elongated nanocoils from a similar perylene monomer on microribbon seeds from a third perylene. Because the nanotube and nanocoil monomers can form kinetically trapped off-pathway aggregates to prevent self-nucleation and have similar molecular organizations to different facets of the seeds, the nanotube and nanocoil monomers preferentially nucleate and grow on the seed sides and terminal ends, respectively, to form a complex 2D hierarchical heterostructure. The strategy used in this work can be extended to fabricate other complex nanoarchitectures from small molecules.


The story of blindness in premature babies.
Perhaps on such a relaxed evening as this, one might reflect on the problem more freely and recall that all living matter is vulnerable to the injurious effects of oxygen and man is certainly no exception. It is strange indeed that the element upon which our very existence depends, should at the same time be so alien, and withstood only by the antioxidant defence mechanisms our cells have elaborated. We are born into and live in a poisonous atmosphere. Growing retinal vessels die because they have not yet acquired these defences and we all age and die because, it is thought, we lose them. As Gerschman so strikingly expressed it:--"The normal life span can be considered as a survival time for the organism exposed to 0.2 atmospheres of oxygen"--and that is air at sea level.


Representation of numerical magnitude in math-anxious individuals.
Larger distance effects in high math-anxious individuals (HMA) performing comparison tasks have previously been interpreted as indicating less precise magnitude representation in this population. A recent study by Dietrich, Huber, Moeller, and Klein limited the effects of math anxiety to symbolic comparison, in which they found larger distance effects for HMA, despite equivalent size effects. However, the question of whether distance effects in symbolic comparison reflect the properties of the magnitude representation or decisional processes is currently under debate. This study was designed to further explore the relation between math anxiety and magnitude representation through three different tasks. HMA and low math-anxious individuals (LMA) performed a non-symbolic comparison, in which no group differences were found. Furthermore, we did not replicate previous findings in an Arabic digit comparison, in which HMA individuals showed equivalent distance effects to their LMA peers. Lastly, there were no group differences in a counting Stroop task. Altogether, an explanation of math anxiety differences in terms of less precise magnitude representation is not supported.


Effects of trans- and cis-resveratrol on Ca2+ handling in A7r5 vascular myocytes.
Although the natural polyphenol resveratrol posses a direct vasorelaxant effect, its effects on cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in vascular cells remain still unclear. Here, we have investigated the effects of the isomers trans- and cis-resveratrol on agonist- and high-K(+)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases and on voltage-activated transmembrane Ca(2+) fluxes using imaging and patch-clamp techniques in vascular A7r5 myocytes. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) or angiotensin II caused a biphasic increase in [Ca(2+)](i) that was reduced by preincubation with trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol. Both isomers also reduced the agonist-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in absence of extracellular Ca(2+). In high-K(+) Ca(2+)-free solution, reintroduction of Ca(2+) caused a sustained rise in [Ca(2+)](i) that was reduced by preincubation with trans-resveratrol or cis-resveratrol. When the isomers were applied during the plateau phase of the agonist- or the high-K(+)-induced response, a biphasic change in [Ca(2+)](i) was observed: a transient reduction of the plateau (<5 min) followed by an increase (>10 min). Finally, trans-resveratrol and cis-resveratrol inhibited voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca(L))). In conclusion, resveratrol isomers exert a dual effect on [Ca(2+)](i) handling in A7r5 myocytes: 1) a blockade of I(Ca(L)) and 2) an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) by depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores (which interferes with the agonist-induced release of intracellular Ca(2+)) and influx of Ca(2+), mainly due to activation of capacitative Ca(2+) entry, although other Ca(2+)-permeable channels are also involved. Taken together, these effects may explain, in part, the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects of resveratrol in rat aorta.


Formulation and characterization of a cream containing extract of fenugreek seeds.
Fenugreek seeds possess antioxidant effects and contain a mucilage which has emollient properties. It can also produce skin healing, whitening, moisturizing, skin soothening and antiwrinkle effects. The purpose of study was to formulate a stable W/O emulsion containing fenugreek seeds extract using liquid paraffin oil. Fenugreek seeds extract, which was obtained by concentrating methanolic extract of fenugreek seeds, was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of W/O emulsion. A base containing no active material and a formulation containing concentrated extract of fenugreek (in a concentration of 4%) in the internal aqueous phase (W/O emulsion) were prepared and stored at different accelerated conditions for a period of four weeks to predict the stability of these creams. It was found that both, the base and the formulation, were stable at all the accelerated conditions regarding color, liquifaction and phase separation. However, insignificant changes in the pH of base and significant changes in the pH of the formulation were observed with the passage of time. Both the base and the formulation were applied to the cheeks of human volunteers for six weeks and various parameters of the skin were evaluated every week to measure any effect produced by these creams. All the effects of base were statistically significant except the sebum contents and pH, which changed but insignificantly. A significant decrease on skin melanin and erythma was produced by the formulation. An insignificant decrease in TEWL was observed for the formulation.


The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vif protein reduces intracellular expression and inhibits packaging of APOBEC3G (CEM15), a cellular inhibitor of virus infectivity.
Replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in most primary cells and some immortalized T-cell lines depends on the activity of the viral infectivity factor (Vif). Vif has the ability to counteract a cellular inhibitor, recently identified as CEM15, that blocks infectivity of Vif-defective HIV-1 variants. CEM15 is identical to APOBEC3G and belongs to a family of proteins involved in RNA and DNA deamination. We cloned APOBEC3G from a human kidney cDNA library and confirmed that the protein acts as a potent inhibitor of HIV replication and is sensitive to the activity of Vif. We found that wild-type Vif inhibits packaging of APOBEC3G into virus particles in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, biologically inactive variants carrying in-frame deletions in various regions of Vif or mutation of two highly conserved cysteine residues did not inhibit packaging of APOBEC3G. Interestingly, expression of APOBEC3G in the presence of wild-type Vif not only affected viral packaging but also reduced its intracellular expression level. This effect was not seen in the presence of biologically inactive Vif variants. Pulse-chase analyses did not reveal a significant difference in the stability of APOBEC3G in the presence or absence of Vif. However, in the presence of Vif, the rate of synthesis of APOBEC3G was slightly reduced. The reduction of intracellular APOBEC3G in the presence of Vif does not fully account for the Vif-induced reduction of virus-associated APOBEC3G, suggesting that Vif may function at several levels to prevent packaging of APOBEC3G into virus particles.


Functional imaging of semantic memory predicts postoperative episodic memory functions in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy.
Medial temporal (MTL) structures have crucial functions in episodic (EM), but also in semantic memory (SM) processing. Preoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity within the MTL is increasingly used to predict post-surgical memory capacities. Based on the hypothesis that EM and SM memory functions are both hosted by the MTL the present study wanted to explore the relationship between SM related activations in the MTL as assessed before and the capacity of EM functions after surgery. Patients with chronic unilateral left (n=14) and right (n=12) temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) performed a standard word list learning test pre- and postoperatively, and a fMRI procedure before the operation using a semantic decision task. SM processing caused significant bilateral MTL activations in both patient groups. While right TLE patients showed asymmetry of fMRI activation with more activation in the left MTL, left TLE patients had almost equal activation in both MTL regions. Contrasting left TLE versus right TLE patients revealed greater activity within the right MTL, whereas no significant difference was observed for the reverse contrast. Greater effect size in the MTL region ipsilateral to the seizure focus was significantly and positively correlated with preoperative EM abilities. Greater effect size in the contralateral MTL was correlated with better postoperative verbal EM, especially in left TLE patients. These results suggest that functional imaging of SM tasks may be useful to predict postoperative verbal memory in TLE. They also advocate a common neuroanatomical basis for SM and EM processes in the MTL.


Structure of jammed ellipse packings with a wide range of aspect ratios.
Motivated in part by the recent observation of liquid glass in suspensions of ellipsoidal colloids, we examine the structure of jammed two-dimensional ellipse packings over a much wider range of particle aspect ratios (α, the ratio of the major and minor axis lengths) than has been previously attempted. We determine the jamming densities ϕJ(α) to high precision, and find empirical analytic formulae that predict ϕJ(α) to within less than 0.1% for all 1≤α≤10, for three different particle dispersities. Then we explore how these packings' local structural order varies with α. We find that the densest packings possess unusually-well-defined nearest-neighbor shells, including both a higher fraction fZ=6 of particles with exactly six contacts and a previously-unreported short-range order marked by "kinetically suppressed" regions in their positional-orientational pair correlation function g(r,Δθ). We also show that the previously-reported approach to isostaticity (coordination number ZJ → Ziso ≡ 6) with increasing α is interrupted and then reversed as local nematic order increases: ZJ(α) drops towards 4 as ellipses are more often trapped by contacts with a parallel-oriented neighbor on either side and a perpendicularly-oriented neighbor on either end. Finally we show that ϕJ/ϕs (where ϕs is the saturated RSA packing density) is nearly α-independent for systems that do not develop substantial local hexatic or nematic order during compression.


[The "recommendations of 1928" and its background].
In the "recommendations of the International X-ray Units Committee" published in 1928, the first international unit "Roentgen" was given without any specific definition of the physical quantity represented by the unit. This introduced confusion into the subsequent history of radiation units. The "recommendations" had another distinctive feature, i.e., more than half of the recommendations were concerned with the problems of X-ray measurement. Around 1925, almost all Roentgen societies and physics societies in the world regarded the ionization of air by X-ray as a basic phenomenon for the establishment of the unit. Many devices were proposed for counting the number of ions. O. Glasser and his joint research workers examined the accuracy of each apparatus to choose the best one. The results of their study were adopted in the "recommendations of 1928". In the meantime, owing to the Compton effect discovered in 1923, it had become difficult to relate the X-ray dose unconditionally with air ionization quantity. Consequently, the physical quantity represented by the unit "Roentgen" became difficult to specify, and much time was needed to resolve these problemss. Various sicknesses and lesions had been caused by the misuse of X-ray. To avoid the damage and to reproduce the conditions of treatment, physicians took it as a matter of urgency to standardize the international units. They thought that practical convenience should be given priority over the pursuit of physical precision in the standardization of units and measurements. These factors led to the vagueness of the physical quantity represented by "Roentgen" in the "recommendations of 1928".


A hot spot on interferon α/β receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) underpins its interaction with interferon-β and dictates signaling.
The interaction of IFN-β with its receptor IFNAR1 (interferon α/β receptor subunit 1) is vital for host-protective anti-viral and anti-proliferative responses, but signaling via this interaction can be detrimental if dysregulated. Whereas it is established that IFNAR1 is an essential component of the IFNAR signaling complex, the key residues underpinning the IFN-β-IFNAR1 interaction are unknown. Guided by the crystal structure of the IFN-β-IFNAR1 complex, we used truncation variants and site-directed mutagenesis to investigate domains and residues enabling complexation of IFN-β to IFNAR1. We have identified an interface on IFNAR1-subdomain-3 that is differentially utilized by IFN-β and IFN-α for signal transduction. We used surface plasmon resonance and cell-based assays to investigate this important IFN-β binding interface that is centered on IFNAR1 residues Tyr240 and Tyr274 binding the C and N termini of the B and C helices of IFN-β, respectively. Using IFNAR1 and IFN-β variants, we show that this interface contributes significantly to the affinity of IFN-β for IFNAR1, its ability to activate STAT1, the expression of interferon stimulated genes, and ultimately to the anti-viral and anti-proliferative properties of IFN-β. These results identify a key interface created by IFNAR1 residues Tyr240 and Tyr274 interacting with IFN-β residues Phe63, Leu64, Glu77, Thr78, Val81, and Arg82 that underlie IFN-β-IFNAR1-mediated signaling and biological processes.


Histologic and histochemical reactions in a mouse mammary carcinoma following exposure to combined heat-roentgen irradiation.
In mouse experiments a high curative effect on implanted tumours was obtained by successive application of low local heat and roentgen doses. Histologic and histochemical examinations of tumours so treated revealed a special reaction in the tissues. A total and rapid destruction of all hypoxic tumour tissue was observed and (in successful cases) a total blockade of all mitotic activity in euoxic tumour tissue was followed by a long-drawn necrobiotic decay of the existent tumour cells. The disturbances are electively bound to the tumour cells, only some normal tissues may secondarily be injured. A rapid and intensive lysosomal activity in all the tumour cells may probably be of importance in the reaction.


The effects of HIV-2 infection in a rural area of Guinea-Bissau.
To investigate the clinical and immunologic effects, and pattern of mortality associated with HIV-2 infection. A rural community in Guinea-Bissau. Serologic screening of 2774 subjects aged > 14 years followed by studies of the prevalence of clinical and immunologic abnormalities among 133 subjects with HIV-2 infection and 160 seronegative controls, and surveillance of mortality among all subjects who were screened during a mean of 2 years of follow-up. Generalized lymphadenopathy was the only clinical abnormality significantly associated with HIV-2 infection. Infection was associated with lower CD4 counts and higher beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin levels. During follow-up, 5.5% of infected subjects died compared with 1.8% of the seronegatives (rate ratio adjusted for age and sex, 3.5; 95% confidence interval ((CI), 1.8-6.7). Proportional hazard regression analysis showed that the rate ratio varied with age (P = 0.003) and there was some evidence that the excess of mortality in infected subjects was, in absolute terms, least in the oldest subjects (trend test; P = 0.08). The findings support previous suggestions that HIV-2 is less pathogenic than HIV-1; the data also suggest that mortality associated with infection may be lower in older subjects.


Cloning, sequencing and expressing the carotenoid biosynthesis genes, lycopene cyclase and phytoene desaturase, from the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium Erythrobacter longus sp. strain Och101 in Escherichia coli.
Two genes which encode the enzymes lycopene cyclase and phytoene desaturase in the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium Erythrobacter longus sp. strain Och101 have been cloned and sequenced. The gene for lycopene cyclase, designated crtY, was expressed in a strain of Escherichia coli which contained the crtE, B, I and Z genes encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, and beta-carotene hydroxylase, respectively. As a result, zeaxanthin production was observed in E. coli transformants. In addition, expression of the E. longus gene crtI for phytoene desaturase in E. coli containing crtE and B resulted in the accumulation of lycopene in transformants. Zeaxanthin and lycopene were also determined by mass spectrum. Nucleotide sequence similarities between E. longus crtY gene and other microbial lycopene cyclase genes are 40.2% (Erwinia herbicola), 37.4% (Erwinia uredovora) and 22.9% (Synechococcus sp.), and those between phytoene desaturase genes are 50.3% (E. herbicola), 54.7% (E. uredovora) and 39.6% (Rhodobacter capsulatus).


Temporal metabolic rate variation in a continental Antarctic springtail.
Terrestrial systems in Antarctica are characterized by substantial spatial and temporal variation. However, few studies have addressed the paucity of data on metabolic responses to the unpredictable Antarctic environment, particularly with regard to terrestrial biota. This study measured metabolic rate variation for individual springtails at a continental Antarctic site using a fiber-optic closed respirometry system incorporating a custom-made respiration chamber. Concurrent measures of (behavioural) activity were made via daily pitfall counts. Metabolic rate of Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni measured at constant temperature varied systematically with progression through the austral summer, and was greatest mid-season. This finding of clear intra-seasonal and temperature-independent variation in mass-specific metabolic rate in G. hodgsoni is one of very few such reports for a terrestrial invertebrate (and the only such study for Antarctica), and parallels physiological studies in the Antarctic marine environment linking metabolic rate elevation with biological function rather than temperature adaptation per se. However, response to temperature at relatively short time-scales is also likely to be an important part of the life history strategy of Antarctic terrestrial invertebrates such as G. hodgsoni, which appears capable of both physiologically and behaviourally 'tuning' in to short-term thermal variability to respond appropriately to the local unpredictable Antarctic habitat.


Effects of ovarian theca cells on apoptosis and proliferation of granulosa cells: changes during bovine follicular maturation.
We have investigated the role of theca cells in the control of apoptosis and proliferation of granulosa cells during bovine ovarian follicular development using a coculture system in which granulosa and theca cells were grown on opposite sides of a collagen membrane. A DNA fluorescence flow cytometry was used to determine the extent of apoptosis and proliferation in populations of granulosa cells. When granulosa cells were isolated from small follicles (3-5 mm), the percentage of apoptotic cells gradually increased by 1.8-fold during the 3 days of culture. This change was reduced (3.1-fold) by the presence of theca cells. When the cells were isolated from large follicles (15-18 mm), the percentage of apoptotic granulosa cells was gradually reduced (3.4-fold) during the 3 days of culture in single-cultured groups. The percentage of apoptosis on Day 1 was reduced (1.6-fold) by the presence of theca cells. However, such an effect was not detected on Days 2 and 3 of the culture. Theca cells did not affect the proliferation of granulosa cells obtained from either small or large follicles. The present study suggests that theca cells regulate the fate of granulosa cells throughout the follicular maturation process by secreting factors that suppress apoptosis.


[Radiologic differential diagnosis of inflammatory round pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients. A prospective study using CT and MRT].
In a prospective study we examined the diagnostic ranking of CT and MR in 52 immunocompromised patients with nodular pulmonary lesions and clinical suspicion of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). For early diagnosis of IPA (clinical symptoms having existed for less than 10 days) the CT halo sign proved highly sensitive and specific. MRT showed at this time a comparatively high sensitivity but only low specificity that could not be improved upon after Gd-DTPA. At a later stage of the aspergillosis infection (clinical symptoms manifested for more than 10 days) MR identified aspergillus-specific lesions with on-target characteristics (marked enhancement of margins after Gd-DTPA) or the so-called "reverse" target phenomenon (T2-weighted sequences). Such lesions were never seen in the early stage of the disease in patients with nodular pulmonary lesions of different aetiology (pseudomonal or staphylococcal pneumonia).


Effective fiber diameter for modeling the acoustic properties of polydisperse fiber networks.
The purpose of this research is to determine whether the acoustic properties of polydisperse fibrous medium (PDFM) and bidisperse fibrous medium (BDFM) can be modeled by monodisperse fiber media (MDFM) with an effective fiber diameter. Multi-scale numerical simulations on representative elementary volumes of these media are performed to retrieve the transport and geometrical properties governing their acoustic properties. Results show no significant difference between predictions obtained by PDFM or BDFM, and their corresponding effective MDFM.


[Personal experience with the Barron method of treatment of hemorrhoidal nodules].
The authors present their experience with the treatment of haemorrhoidal nodes by Barron's method, having used this method for 2.5 years at the surgical department of the Vítkov hospital. By this method in 1999-2001 122 patients with clinical manifestations of grade I-III haemorrhoids were treated. In the described group six relapses were recorded.


[Patients surviving 5 years after curative oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer].
To analyse the clinical and pathological parameters of 5-year survival patients after curative oesophageal resection for cancer and to identify factors predictive of long-term survival. The data of 370 patients who underwent oesophagectomy with curative intent from January 1982 for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 320) or adenocarcinoma (n = 50) were reviewed. After excluding postoperative deaths (n = 20), these patients were surviving (S group, n = 113) or dead (NS group, n = 237) with a 60-month follow-up. Uni- and multivariate analysis allowed comparison between the two groups. Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 4.0% and 37.6%, respectively. Parameters related to 5-year survival were: absence of preoperative malnutrition or dysphagia, transhiatal resection, no reoperation, limited tumour, histological response to neoadjuvant treatment, absence of lymph node capsular invasion, number of invaded lymph nodes < or = 4, invaded lymph node ratio < or = 0.1, absence of tumour recurrence or metachronous primary cancer. On multivariate analysis, factors predictive of 5-year survival were: absence of preoperative dysphagia (P < 0.001), stage 0-I-IIA tumour (P<0.001) and absence of metachronous cancer (P = 0.016). Complete surgical resection allows 5-year survival. Factors predictive of long-term survival assessed in preoperative evaluation, dysphagia and tumour stage, should be useful to select patients for neoadjuvant treatment.


Enhancement of interface thermal conductance between Cr-Ni alloy and dielectric via Cu nano-interlayer.
Facilitating interfacial thermal transport is highly desirable for various engineering applications, such as improving heat dissipation in microelectronics and efficiency of electrothermal heating element. Here, the interface thermal conductances (ITCs) of Cr0.22Ni0.78/MgO and Cr0.22Ni0.78/Al2O3 interfaces are studied through the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the two ITCs can be hugely enhanced by 3 and 2.4 times, respectively, with the introduction of Cu nano-interlayer of a thickness larger than 7.2 Å. The enhanced ratio is robust and shows weak dependence on temperature. Further vibrational spectral analysis and phonon transmission function reveal that the enhancement in ITC mainly originates from the boosting of inelastic phonon scattering, which is generally considered to contribute a small proportion to ITC. Here, the inelastic scattering contributes as high as 63% to the ITC of Cr0.22Ni0.78/Cu/MgO interface at 300 K. The findings provide an effective strategy to enhance ITC at a wide temperature range and advance our understanding of inelastic scattering in interfacial phonon transport.


ABO gene editing for the conversion of blood type A to universal type O in Rhnull donor-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
The limited availability of red cells with extremely rare blood group phenotypes is one of the global challenges in transfusion medicine that has prompted the search for alternative self-renewable pluripotent cell sources for the in vitro generation of red cells with rare blood group types. One such phenotype is the Rhnull , which lacks all the Rh antigens on the red cell membrane and represents one of the rarest blood types in the world with only a few active blood donors available worldwide. Rhnull red cells are critical for the transfusion of immunized patients carrying the same phenotype, besides its utility in the diagnosis of Rh alloimmunization when a high-prevalence Rh specificity is suspected in a patient or a pregnant woman. In both scenarios, the potential use of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived Rhnull red cells is also dependent on ABO compatibility. Here, we present a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ABO gene edition strategy for the conversion of blood type A to universal type O, which we have applied to an Rhnull donor-derived hiPSC line, originally carrying blood group A. This work provides a paradigmatic example of an approach potentially applicable to other hiPSC lines derived from rare blood donors not carrying blood type O.


Motor unit number estimates in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
We previously reported changes in motor unit morphology in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using subjective and computerized quantitative electromyography. Now, we present data on motor unit number estimates (MUNE) to address the hypothesis of motor neuron dropout in PD. Twenty patients with PD and 20 age-matched control subjects were screened by clinical criteria and nerve conduction studies to exclude those with neuropathy. Motor unit number estimates in the extensor digitorum brevis and hypothenar group were assessed by three different MUNE techniques. The MUNE technique types included (1) the statistical method developed by Daube, (2) a threshold method, and (3) an F-wave method. The overall multivariate comparison for the six MUNE measurements was significantly lower for the patients than the controls (P=0.02). The only significant difference in the individual measures was found in the threshold MUNE method of the hypothenar group (P<0.05). These results are consistent with those of our previous work, and both support the hypothesis that mild motor neuron dropout occurs in idiopathic PD. However, MUNE methods characteristically have large standard deviations which make it difficult to detect small changes. Progress in decreasing the variance of MUNEs will facilitate their use in detecting small motor unit number changes in neurodegenerative disease.


Clinical characteristics and associated factors of canal switch in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Canal switch benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (CS-BPPV) is a transition of BPPV involving one canal to another canal during or after canalith repositioning procedures (CRP). To investigate the clinical characteristics of CS-BPPV and its associated factors. The data of 2,303 patients with BPPV involving the lateral canal (LC) or posterior canal (PC) were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, etiologies, and various clinical parameters related to CRP were compared between patients with and without CS-BPPV. Sixty-eight (2.95%) patients exhibited CS-BPPV. For patients with CS-BPPV from the PC to the LC, as well as those with CS-BPPV from the LC to the PC, the CRP number for the original canal in CS-BPPV was significantly greater than in non-CS-BPPV (P = 0.002). More CRP cycles were required to treat CS-BPPV than non-CS-BPPV involving the same canal. Multivariate analysis showed that CS-BPPV from the LC to the PC was significantly associated with multiple CRP cycles and use of the Gufoni maneuver (P = 0.038 and P < 0.001, respectively). The use of multiple cycles of CRP and the Gufoni maneuver were significantly associated with the onset of CS-BPPV. Furthermore, more CRP cycles were needed for the treatment of CS-BPPV than for non-CS-BPPV involving the same canal.


Bacterial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty.
Bacterial keratitis continues to be a serious problem in developing countries. The authors studied 881 patients who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty (total of 947 procedures) from January 1983 to March 1986 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. All patients were followed for at least 6 months. Clinical evidence of bacterial keratitis developed in 113 (11.9%) eyes with penetrating keratoplasties in 108 patients. The causative organisms among those patients included: Streptococcus pneumoniae, 29 (26%); Staphylococcus epidermidis, 24 (21%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 13 (12%); Staphylococcus aureus, 5 (4%); Hemophilus influenzae, 5 (4%); Moraxella spp, 5 (4%); alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, 5 (4%); and other bacteria, 27 (25%). In addition, postoperative epithelial defects that required hospital admission for treatment developed in 21 (2.2%) patients. Herpetic keratitis developed in three (0.3%) patients and fungal keratitis developed in 1 (0.1%). Statistically significant predisposing risk factors included: trichiasis (P less than 0.0001), epithelial defects (P less than 0.0001), soft contact lens wear (P less than 0.0001), and eroding sutures (P less than 0.0001). The authors believe that the incidence of postoperative bacterial keratitis can be minimized or avoided by appropriate selection of patients for penetrating keratoplasties as well as good preoperative and postoperative management of associated ocular conditions.


Small Intestinal Pro-Inflammatory Immune Responses Following Campylobacter Jejuni Infection of Secondary Abiotic IL-10-/- Mice Lacking Nucleotide-Oligomerization-Domain-2.
Host immune responses are crucial for combating enteropathogenic infections including Campylobacter jejuni. Within 1 week following peroral C. jejuni infection, secondary abiotic IL-10-/- mice develop severe immunopathological sequelae affecting the colon (ulcerative enterocolitis). In the present study, we addressed whether pathogen-induced pro-inflammatory immune responses could also be observed in the small intestines dependent on the innate receptor nucleotide-oligomerization-domain-protein 2 (Nod2). Within 7 days following peroral infection, C. jejuni stably colonized the gastrointestinal tract of both IL-10-/- mice lacking Nod2 (Nod2-/- IL-10-/-) and IL-10-/- controls displaying bloody diarrhea with similar frequencies. Numbers of apoptotic and regenerating epithelial cells increased in the small intestines of C. jejuni-infected mice of either genotype that were accompanied by elevated ileal T and B lymphocyte counts. Notably, ileal T cell numbers were higher in C. jejuni-infected Nod2-/- IL-10-/- as compared to IL-10-/- counterparts. Furthermore, multifold increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF, and MCP-1 could be measured in small intestinal ex vivo biopsies derived from C. jejuni-infected mice of either genotype. In conclusion, C. jejuni-induced pro-inflammatory immune responses affected the small intestines of both Nod2-/- IL-10-/- and IL-10-/- mice, whereas ileal T lymphocyte numbers were even higher in the former.


Spatial organization of RYRs and BK channels underlying the activation of STOCs by Ca(2+) sparks in airway myocytes.
Short-lived, localized Ca(2+) events mediate Ca(2+) signaling with high efficiency and great fidelity largely as a result of the close proximity between Ca(2+)-permeable ion channels and their molecular targets. However, in most cases, direct evidence of the spatial relationship between these two types of molecules is lacking, and, thus, mechanistic understanding of local Ca(2+) signaling is incomplete. In this study, we use an integrated approach to tackling this issue on a prototypical local Ca(2+) signaling system composed of Ca(2+) sparks resulting from the opening of ryanodine receptors (RYRs) and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) caused by the opening of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels in airway smooth muscle. Biophysical analyses of STOCs and Ca(2+) sparks acquired at 333 Hz demonstrate that these two events are associated closely in time, and approximately eight RYRs open to give rise to a Ca(2+) spark, which activates ∼15 BK channels to generate a STOC at 0 mV. Dual immunocytochemistry and 3-D deconvolution at high spatial resolution reveal that both RYRs and BK channels form clusters and RYR1 and RYR2 (but not RYR3) localize near the membrane. Using the spatial relationship between RYRs and BK channels, the spatial-temporal profile of [Ca(2+)] resulting from Ca(2+) sparks, and the kinetic model of BK channels, we estimate that an average Ca(2+) spark caused by the opening of a cluster of RYR1 or RYR2 acts on BK channels from two to three clusters that are randomly distributed within an ∼600-nm radius of RYRs. With this spatial organization of RYRs and BK channels, we are able to model BK channel currents with the same salient features as those observed in STOCs across a range of physiological membrane potentials. Thus, this study provides a mechanistic understanding of the activation of STOCs by Ca(2+) sparks using explicit knowledge of the spatial relationship between RYRs (the Ca(2+) source) and BK channels (the Ca(2+) target).


Explore the Influence of Shallow Information on Point Cloud Registration.
Feature extraction is a key step for deep-learning-based point cloud registration. In the correspondence-free point cloud registration task, the previous work commonly aggregates deep information for global feature extraction and numerous shallow information which is positive to point cloud registration will be ignored with the deepening of the neural network. Shallow information tends to represent the structural information of the point cloud, while deep information tends to represent the semantic information of the point cloud. In addition, fusing information of different dimensions is conducive to making full use of shallow information. Inspired by this, we verify shallow information in the middle layers can bring a positive impact on the point cloud registration task. We design various architectures to combine shallow information and deep information to extract global features for point cloud registration. Experimental results on the ModelNet40 dataset illustrate that feature extractors that incorporate shallow information will bring positive performance.


Tripping the light fantastic: blue-light photoreceptors as examples of environmentally modulated protein-protein interactions.
Blue-light photoreceptors play a pivotal role in detecting the quality and quantity of light in the environment, controlling a wide range of biological responses. Several families of blue-light photoreceptors have been characterized in detail using biophysics and biochemistry, beginning with photon absorption, through intervening signal transduction, to regulation of biological activities. Here we review the light oxygen voltage, cryptochrome, and sensors of blue light using FAD families, three different groups of proteins that offer distinctly different modes of photochemical activation and signal transduction yet play similar roles in a vast array of biological responses. We cover mechanisms of light activation and propagation of conformational responses that modulate protein-protein interactions involved in biological signaling. Discovery and characterization of these processes in natural proteins are now allowing the design of photoregulatable engineered proteins, facilitating the generation of novel reagents for biochemical and cell biological research.


Deep learning assisted diagnosis system: improving the diagnostic accuracy of distal radius fractures.
To explore an intelligent detection technology based on deep learning algorithms to assist the clinical diagnosis of distal radius fractures (DRFs), and further compare it with human performance to verify the feasibility of this method. A total of 3,240 patients (fracture: n = 1,620, normal: n = 1,620) were included in this study, with a total of 3,276 wrist joint anteroposterior (AP) X-ray films (1,639 fractured, 1,637 normal) and 3,260 wrist joint lateral X-ray films (1,623 fractured, 1,637 normal). We divided the patients into training set, validation set and test set in a ratio of 7:1.5:1.5. The deep learning models were developed using the data from the training and validation sets, and then their effectiveness were evaluated using the data from the test set. Evaluate the diagnostic performance of deep learning models using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, and compare them with medical professionals. The deep learning ensemble model had excellent accuracy (97.03%), sensitivity (95.70%), and specificity (98.37%) in detecting DRFs. Among them, the accuracy of the AP view was 97.75%, the sensitivity 97.13%, and the specificity 98.37%; the accuracy of the lateral view was 96.32%, the sensitivity 94.26%, and the specificity 98.37%. When the wrist joint is counted, the accuracy was 97.55%, the sensitivity 98.36%, and the specificity 96.73%. In terms of these variables, the performance of the ensemble model is superior to that of both the orthopedic attending physician group and the radiology attending physician group. This deep learning ensemble model has excellent performance in detecting DRFs on plain X-ray films. Using this artificial intelligence model as a second expert to assist clinical diagnosis is expected to improve the accuracy of diagnosing DRFs and enhance clinical work efficiency.


Thyroid dose estimation with potassium iodide (KI) administration in a nuclear emergency.
In a breach-of-containment nuclear reactor accident, the near-field exposure is primarily through inhalation of radioiodine. Thyroid blockade by oral potassium iodide (KI) is a practical and effective protective measure for the general public in such an emergency. The retention functions incorporating the thyroid blocking effects by KI have been derived using a standard three-compartment model of iodine metabolism. This allows more accurate estimation of the thyroid dose by calculating the blocking factor.


Frequency response mismatch calibration in 2-channel time-interleaved oscilloscopes.
The time-interleaved (TI) structure has been widely implemented in high speed, wideband data acquisition systems to increase the system sampling rate. However, the frequency responses of each sub-sampling path are not identical. This is named frequency response mismatches (FRMs). In TI-based printed circuit board level systems, due to the impact of the parasitic parameters, the FRMs are more complicated than the mismatches in TI analog-to-digital converters (TIADCs), which degrade the system performance severely. Therefore, the FRM calibration in 2-channel TI acquisition systems with two features is researched. The first one is that the TI system has a larger mismatch range than in most previous research. The second one is that the channel frequency response uses the general model. The calibration structure is established by the analysis of the digital TI model, which implements the TI operation in the digital domain to reconstruct the mismatches in the time domain. Furthermore, the problem of designing an arbitrary frequency response filter is transformed to the question of designing a three-stage cascaded filter group, which gives a method to realize the arbitrary frequency response in a real system. An oscilloscope prototype is proposed to verify the calibration performance. The simulation and experiment show the following: (i) Even though it uses the general frequency response and the FRMs are significant, the proposed method is still effective. (ii) The mismatch range of magnitude and phase responses is highly suppressed, and the spurious-free dynamic range is improved by 16.26 dB after calibration of the prototype.


Selecting initial therapy. Seminoma and nonseminoma.
About 80% of seminoma presents as low-stage disease. If clinical studies are negative, the usual initial therapy is "prophylactic" radiotherapy to the retroperitoneal zone. If clinical Stage II disease is evident, radiotherapy versus primary chemotherapy is being studied. Primary chemotherapy is treatment of choice for clinical Stage III disease. Postchemotherapy radiographic lesions are safe to follow without surgical extirpation as they are usually necrotic. Surveillance for clinical Stage I disease is another option. For nonseminoma, clinical Stage I disease has been managed with staging RPLND. But 70% of such cases will have negative nodes. Hence, primary surveillance studies are under way, with chemotherapy reserved for those who relapse clinically (estimated 95% survival). Sadly, surveillance has not been effective when applied on an ad hoc basis at the community level. Problems are compliance, delayed detection of relapse, nonreporting of failures. Clinical Stage II disease is managed with RPLND. Adjuvant, limited postoperative chemotherapy is an option versus no postoperative chemotherapy followed by full chemotherapy for those who relapse as Stage III disease later. Another option under study for Stage II disease is primary chemotherapy with RPLND surgery reserved for those who achieve only a partial remission.


Severe neurological complications post-open heart surgery. The Jamaican experience.
During the period January 1994 to December 1999, a total of 395 patients--adults and children--underwent various types of open heart surgical (OHS) procedures. The age range of these patients was 10 days to 77 years. Most (43.5%) of these patients underwent valve replacement--first time and 'redo'--as a result of rheumatic heart disease of varying duration and severity. The other large group was the complex congenital heart abnormalities (16%), followed by the group that underwent repair of atrial septal defect (13%), coronary artery bypass graft (13%) and repair of ventricular septal defect (12%). Open valve repair (2%) and excision of atrial myxoma (0.5%) were uncommon OHS procedures. Nine patients (2.3%) developed severe neurological complications (NCs) post-OHS. These included: a short period (< 48 hours) of irritability and fluctuating consciousness level; seizure activity associated with hemisparesis and/or blindness; severe encephalopathy and vegetative state. Four patients showed complete recovery, but one died as a result of complications of the anti-seizure medication. Of the other five, four died as a result of the NCs, and one was discharged in a vegetative state. Such severe neurological complications after an otherwise successful cardiac surgery represent a devastating outcome for patients and their families, and the social and economic impacts are enormous. Several risk factors were identified. The main ones being mitral valve replacement (MVR), especially 'redo' surgery, female gender, age over 60 years, high New York Heart Association functional class and post-operative hypotension. However, the true incidence of NCs (gross and subtle) in the study group cannot be ascertained. A detailed, structured neurological and neuropsychiatric assessment, both pre- and post-operatively, is therefore needed to document the true incidence of this complication. There is also the need for public education, especially for those with valvular disease, in order to encourage changes in attitude and behaviour towards continued follow-up care and valve surgery, both first time and 'redo'.


Functional and developmental heterogeneity of pituitary lactotropes in medaka.
In fish, prolactin-producing cells (lactotropes) are located in the anterior part of the pituitary and play an essential role in osmoregulation. However, small satellite lactotrope clusters have been described in other parts of the pituitary in several species. The functional and developmental backgrounds of these satellite clusters are not known. We recently discovered two distinct prolactin-expressing cell types in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), a euryhaline species, using single cell transcriptomics. In the present study, we characterize these two transcriptomically distinct lactotrope cell types and explore the hypothesis that they represent spatially distinct cell clusters, as found in other species. Single cell RNA sequencing shows that one of the two lactotrope cell types exhibits an expression profile similar to that of stem cell-like folliculo-stellate cell populations. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the medaka pituitary often develops additional small satellite lactotrope cell clusters, like in other teleost species. These satellite clusters arise early during development and grow in cell number throughout life regardless of the animal's sex. Surprisingly, our data do not show a correspondence between the stem cell-like lactotropes and these satellite lactotrope clusters. Instead, our data support a scenario in which the stem cell-like lactotropes are an intrinsic stage in the development of every spatially distinct lactotrope cluster. In addition, lactotrope activity in both spatially distinct lactotrope clusters decreases when environmental salinity increases, supporting their role in osmoregulation. However, this decrease appears weaker in the satellite lactotrope cell clusters, suggesting that these lactotropes are regulated differently.


A bioinspired silica nanocomposite for enhanced multidrug-resistant bacteria treatment and wash-free imaging.
Bacterial infections have posed significant threats to public health due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In this work, a novel antibacterial composite nanomaterial based on spiky mesoporous silica spheres loaded with poly(ionic liquid)s and aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) was designed for efficient multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria treatment and imaging. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent and long-term antibacterial activity towards both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Meanwhile, fluorescent AIEgens facilitate real-time bacterial imaging. Our study provides a multifunctional platform and a promising alternative to antibiotics for combating pathogenic MDR bacteria.


Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a challenge for healthcare systems, and healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure. Protecting HCWs is of paramount importance to maintain continuous patient care and keep healthcare systems functioning. Used alongside administrative and engineering control measures, personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defense and the core component of protection. Current data suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact. Airborne transmission may occur during aerosol-generating procedures. However, the modes of transmission still remain uncertain, especially regarding the possibility of airborne transmission when aerosol-generating procedures are not performed. Thus, there are some inconsistencies in the respiratory protective equipment recommended by international and national organizations. In Korea, there have been several modifications to PPE recommendations offering options in choosing PPE for respiratory and body protection, which confuses HCWs; they are often unsure what to wear and when to wear it. The choice of PPE is based on the risk of exposure and possible modes of transmission. The level of protection provided by PPE differs based on standards and test methods. Thus, understanding them is the key in selecting the proper PPE. This article reviews evidence on the mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, compares the current PPE recommendations of the World Health Organization with those in Korea, and discusses standard requirements and the proper selection of PPE.


Functional and molecular profiling of fasted piglets reveals decreased energy metabolic function and cell proliferation in the small intestine.
The small intestine requires energy to exert its important role in nutrient uptake and barrier function. Pigs are an important source of food and a model for humans. Young piglets and infants can suffer from periods of insufficient food intake. Whether this functionally affects the small intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) metabolic capacity and how this may be associated with an increased vulnerability to intestinal disease is unknown. We therefore performed a 48-h fasting intervention in young piglets. After feeding a standard weaning diet for 2 wk, 6-wk-old piglets (n = 16/group) were fasted for 48 h, and midjejunal IECs were collected upon euthanasia. Functional metabolism of isolated IECs was analyzed with the Seahorse XF analyzer and gene expression was assessed using RNA-sequencing. Fasting decreased the mitochondrial and glycolytic function of the IECs by 50% and 45%, respectively (P < 0.0001), signifying that overall metabolic function was decreased. The RNA-sequencing results corroborated our functional metabolic measurements, showing that particularly pathways related to mitochondrial energy production were decreased. Besides oxidative metabolic pathways, decreased cell-cycle progression pathways were most regulated in the fasted piglets, which were confirmed by 43% reduction of Ki67-stained cells (P < 0.05). Finally, the expression of barrier function genes was reduced upon fasting. In conclusion, we found that the decreased IEC energy metabolic function in response to fasting is supported by a decreased gene expression of mitochondrial pathways and is likely linked to the observed decreased intestinal cell proliferation and barrier function, providing insight into the vulnerability of piglets, and infants, to decreased food intake.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Fasting is identified as one of the underlying causes potentiating diarrhea development, both in piglets and humans. With this study, we demonstrate that fasting decreases the metabolism of intestinal epithelial cells, on a functional and transcriptional level. Transcriptional and histological data also show decreased intestinal cell proliferation. As such, fasting-induced intestinal energy shortage could contribute to intestinal dysfunction upon fasting.


Can Lokomat therapy with children and adolescents be improved? An adaptive clinical pilot trial comparing Guidance force, Path control, and FreeD.
Robot-assisted gait therapy is increasingly being used in pediatric neurorehabilitation to complement conventional physical therapy. The robotic device applied in this study, the Lokomat (Hocoma AG, Switzerland), uses a position control mode (Guidance Force), where exact positions of the knee and hip joints throughout the gait cycle are stipulated. Such a mode has two disadvantages: Movement variability is restricted, and patients tend to walk passively. Kinematic variability and active participation, however, are crucial for motor learning. Recently, two new control modes were introduced. The Path Control mode allows the patient to walk within a virtual tunnel surrounding the ideal movement trajectory. The FreeD was developed to support weight shifting through mediolaterally moveable pelvis and leg cuffs. The aims of this study were twofold: 1) To present an overview of the currently available control modes of the Lokomat. 2) To evaluate if an increase in kinematic variability as provided by the new control modes influenced leg muscle activation patterns and intensity, as well as heart rate while walking in the Lokomat. In 15 adolescents with neurological gait disorders who walked in the Lokomat, 3 conditions were compared: Guidance Force, Path Control, and FreeD. We analyzed surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity from 5 leg muscles of the more affected leg and heart rate. Muscle activation patterns were compared with norm curves. Several muscles, as well as heart rate, demonstrated tendencies towards a higher activation during conditions with more kinematic freedom. sEMG activation patterns of the M.rectus femoris and M.vastus medialis showed the highest similarity to over-ground walking under Path Control, whereas walking under FreeD led to unphysiological muscle activation in the tested sample. Results indicate that especially Path Control seems promising for adolescent patients undergoing neurorehabilitation, as it increases proximal leg muscle activity while facilitating a physiological muscle activation. Therefore, this may be a solution to increase kinematic variability and patients' active participation in robot-assisted gait training.


[The effectiveness of a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium longum BB-46 and Enterococcus faecium ENCfa-68 in the treatment of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. Prospective randomized comparative study].
In the treatment of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS), the leading role belongs to the normalization of the composition of the intestinal microbiome, the disturbances of which are associated with previous intestinal infections. To study the effectiveness of the drug Bifiform in the treatment of PI-IBS. An open, prospective, comparative, randomized study included 62 patients with PI-IBS. The diagnosis was confirmed by the results of clinical, laboratory and endoscopic examination of the intestine and met the diagnostic criteria for IBS of the Rome Consensus IV. The patients were randomized into 2 groups depending on the therapy. The patients of the main group received an antispasmodic drug (mebeverin 200 mg 2 times a day or trimebutin 200 mg 3 times a day for 4 weeks), an antibiotic (rifaximin 400 mg 3 times a day or nifuroxazide 400 mg 2 once a day for 1 week), a drug that normalizes the consistency of feces (dioctahedral smectite or macrogol 4000) and Bifiform 2 capsules 2 times a day for 2 weeks. For patients of control group similar therapy was performed without the Bifiform. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out at the end of the course of therapy and 6 months after its termination. All included patients with PI-IBS had abdominal pain, flatulence and tenderness to palpation along the bowel, most of them had diarrhea. Disorders of the intestinal microbiota were detected in 77.4% of patients, while excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine occurred in 72.6%, disorders of the colon microbiocenosis with the presence of opportunistic bacteria in 62.9% of patients. A significant part of the patients had a combination of small and large intestinal dysbiosis. Histological examination of the colon mucosa showed signs of low degree of inflammation activity in all patients. The moderate increase in the level of fecal calprotectin was found in 62.2% of patients with colonic dysbiosis. The majority of patients in the main group showed a pronounced positive dynamics of clinical manifestations of the disease, restoration of the normal composition of the intestinal microbiota and normalization of the content of fecal calprotectin at the end of the course therapy. The good result was observed much more often in the main group at the end of the course of treatment and 6 months after its termination. The inclusion of Bifiform in the complex therapy of PI-IBS significantly increases its effectiveness both in arresting the clinical manifestations of the disease, and in restoring the normal composition of the intestinal microbiome and reducing the inflammatory process in the intestinal mucosa. In the majority of patients receiving Bifiform, the remission of the disease achieved at the end of the course of treatment and persisted even 6 months after its termination.


Syringohydromyelia in Patients with Chiari I Malformation: A Retrospective Analysis.
The association of syringohydromyelia with Chiari I malformation has a wide range, between 23% and 80% of cases in the current literature. In our experience, this range might be overestimated compared with our observations in clinical practice. Because there is an impact of Chiari I malformation-associated syringohydromyelia on morbidity and surgical intervention, its diagnosis is critical in this patient population. Identifying related variables on the basis of imaging would also help identify those patients at risk of syrinx formation during their course of disease. We performed a retrospective analysis of the MR imaging studies of 108 consecutive cases of Chiari I malformation. A multitude of factors associated with syrinx formation were investigated, including demographic, morphometric, osseous, and dynamic CSF flow evaluation. Thirty-nine of 108 (36.1%) patients with Chiari I malformation had syringohydromyelia. On the basis of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a skull base angle (nasion-sella-basion) of 135° was found to be a statistically significant classifier of patients with Chiari I malformation with or without syringohydromyelia. Craniocervical junction osseous anomalies (OR = 4.3, P = .001) and a skull base angle of >135° (OR = 4.8, P = .0006) were most predictive of syrinx formation. Pediatric patients (younger than 18 years of age) who developed syringohydromyelia were more likely to have associated skull base osseous anomalies than older individuals (P = .01). Our findings support evidence of the role of foramen magnum blockage from osseous factors in the development of syringohydromyelia in patients with Chiari I malformation.


Occurrence in human urine of new sulphur-containing N-nitrosamino acids N-nitrosothiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid and its 2-methyl derivative, and their formation.
To quantitate endogenous nitrosation reactions in man, the quantity of N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) excreted in the urine after ingestion of proline and/or nitrate was estimated. When this monitoring method (NPRO test) was applied in clinical and field studies, several hitherto unidentified N-nitroso compounds were frequently detected. These were recently identified as sulphur-containing N-nitrosamino acids, N-nitrosothiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid (NTCA), and trans- and cis-isomers of N-nitroso-2-methylthiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid (NMTCA). NTCA and NMTCA were readily formed in vitro following nitrosation at acidic pH of the respective precursor, thiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid (TCA) or of 2-methylthiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid (MTCA). As the latter compounds can be formed by reaction of L-cysteine with formaldehyde or acetaldehyde, respectively, NTCA and NMTCA were also formed by reacting L-cysteine with the respective aldehyde and with nitrite at optimal pH (2.5 for NTCA and 4.5 for NMTCA). Up to 95% of NTCA and NMTCA given orally to fasted rats was recovered as such in urine and faeces within 2 days. Administration of TCA or MTCA, together with nitrite increased the urinary excretion of NTCA and NMTCA, as did co-administration of L-cysteine, nitrite, and the respective aldehyde. NTCA and NMTCA were also detected in the 24-h urine of human volunteers, and smokers tended to excrete higher levels than nonsmokers. Daily excretion levels varied, however, and a diet supplemented with ascorbic acid significantly decreased the total amount of nitrosamino acids. NTCA and NMTCA may occur in human urine as a result of (i) intake of preformed N-nitroso compounds; (ii) intake of thiazolidine 4-carboxylic acid or its 2-methyl derivative and subsequent nitrosation in vivo; (iii) endogenous two-step synthesis by the reaction of L-cysteine with the respective aldehyde and a nitrosating agent. Thus, measurement of NTCA and NMTCA together with NPRO in urine may provide an index for the exposure of human subjects to nitrosamines or their precursors, i.e., nitrosating agents, certain aldehydes, or aldehyde-generating compounds. Our data demonstrate unequivocally that N-nitroso compounds are formed in the human body, as suggested previously by Druckrey. Their relevance to human cancer at specific sites should now be investigated.


New products and regimens (since 2003).
The downturn in the use of hormone replacement therapy since the original publication of the Women's Health Initiative (2002) and Million Women studies (2003) has now stabilized. New products are now being developed which maintain benefits and minimise risks. However, some useful products have been withdrawn by Pharma companies through profitability decisions; other products will regrettably not be launched despite favorable data. New low- and ultra-low-dose oral preparations (containing 0.3 mg conjugated equine estrogens and 0.5 mg estradiol, respectively) appear to maintain benefits for symptom relief and osteoporosis whilst minimizing side-effects and risks. A 14 microg transdermal system appears to maintain bone protection without the need for endometrial protection. New progestogens can minimize progestogenic side-effects through antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid effects, e.g. drospirenone, bioidentical progesterone and selective progesterone receptor modulators. A new female androgen patch has been licensed in Europe for treatment of low libido causing distress (hypoactive sexual desire disorder) in surgically menopaused women on estrogen therapy. A non-hormonal option, desvenlafaxine succinate (a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor), for vasomotor symptoms is currently in phase-III clinical trial stage and should be launched in the next year. Additionally, a selective estrogen receptor modulator/conjugated equine estrogen preparation combination currently in phase-III clinical trials is showing encouraging data for efficacy/risks and should provide a further option for women using hormone therapy in the future.


Tension-type, the forgotten headache. How to recognize this common but undertreated condition.
Tension-type headache is the most prevalent headache type, affecting most women and men at some time in their lives, and can impair job productivity and interfere with family and social time. However, despite its impact, tension-type headache is also the most misunderstood headache type. Because of these misperceptions, many affected people are reluctant to seek medical treatment. In this article, Dr Mueller discusses possible triggers of tension-type headache, appropriate evaluation, and management with pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and alternative therapies.


Proinflammatory cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with cell-free supernatants of Viridans streptococci.
Viridans streptococci (VS) have become recognized as an increasingly important cause of bacteraemia in neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy. Surprisingly, VS bacteraemia is associated with toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), features not seen in non-neutropenic patients with viridans streptococcal bacteraemia. The mechanism by which these Gram-positive bacteria cause hypo-tension in the absence of endotoxin is not known. In this study, we have analysed the ability of cell-free bacterial supernatants derived from VS to induce the production of a number of cytokines from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). These cytokines were tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), tumour necrosis factor beta (TNF-beta) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). All 59 strains were able to induce these proinflammatory cytokines. We conclude that VS do produce secreted products which are able to stimulate the production of cytokines which may be important in the pathogenesis of shock caused by these bacteria.


Ultrastructural alterations associated with the growth of resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of benzalkonium chloride.
Cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to benzalkonium chloride (BC) underwent unique ultrastructural reorganizations when they were grown in the presence of 1 mg of BC/ml. The resistant cells usually contained a single, centrally positioned pseudovacuole. The pseudovacuole was surrounded by a diffuse substance that spread irregularly throughout the cytoplasm. The presence of the pseudovacuole seemed to cause a physical compartmentalization of the cytoplasm into random pockets of ribosomes and nuclear material. Contained within the pseudovacuole was a horseshoe-shaped, electron-dense body which was bounded by a trilaminar membrane 5.2 nm in width. These bodies averaged 77 nm when measured through the long axis. The surfaces of resistant cells were covered by an additional layer not found in sensitive cells. Thin sections of sensitive cells which had been treated with 1 mg of BC/ml showed little or no lysis. The cytoplasm appeared to be deeply stained and coagulated. Ribosomes were no longer distinctly visible. Although the cell wall remained intact, the cell membrane was dissolved and fragmented. BC-grown resistant cells could not be successfully stained by standard techniques; however, details were demonstrated with the aid of a combination of 1.5% glutaraldehyde, 1% osmium tetroxide, and 1% phosphotungstic acid prepared in 0.1 m sodium dimethylarsonate buffer (pH 6.8).


Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Past, present and future.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major human pathogen associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, after decades of efforts, treatment of H. pylori remains a challenge for physicians, as there is no universally effective regimen. Due to the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, mainly to clarithromycin, efficacy of standard triple therapies has declined to unacceptably low levels in most parts of the world. Novel regimens, specifically experimented to improve the therapeutic outcome against antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains, are now recommended as first-line empirical treatment options providing high efficacy (reportedly > 90% in intention to treat analysis) even in high clarithromycin resistance settings. These include the bismuth quadruple, concomitant, sequential and hybrid therapies. Due to the rapid development of quinolone resistance, levofloxacin-based regimens should be reserved as second-line/rescue options. Adjunct use of probiotics has been proposed in order to boost eradication rates and decrease occurrence of treatment-related side effects. Molecular testing methods are currently available for the characterization of H. pylori therapeutic susceptibility, including genotypic detection of macrolide resistance and evaluation of the cytochrome P450 2C19 status known to affect the metabolism of proton pump inhibitors. In the future, use of these techniques may allow for culture-free, non-invasive tailoring of therapy for H. pylori infection.


Incidence and clinical outcomes of bacterial superinfections in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Bacterial superinfection is not uncommon in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. However, there is still a lack of evidence related to bacterial superinfection and their clinical significance in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Therefore, we assessed the incidence of bacterial superinfections and their effects on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19. This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU at a tertiary academic hospital between February 2020 and December 2021. We reviewed data including patient demographics, clinical and microbiological characteristics, and outcomes. During the study period, 106 patients (median [IQR] age, 67 [58-75] years) were included, of which 32 (30%) were diagnosed with bacterial superinfections. Of these, 12 cases (38%) were associated with multidrug-resistant pathogens. Klebsiella aerogenes (6 cases [19%]) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6 cases [19%]) were the most common pathogens associated with superinfections. The median time to bacterial superinfection was 13 (IQR, 9-20) days after ICU admission. Patients with bacterial superinfections had significantly fewer ventilator-free days on day 28 (0 [IQR, 0-0] days) than those without bacterial superinfections (19 [IQR, 0-22] days) (p < 0.001). Patients with bacterial superinfections had a longer ICU length of stay (32 [IQR, 9-53] days) than those without bacterial superinfections (11 [IQR, 7-18] days) (p < 0.001). Additionally, they had a longer hospital length of stay after ICU admission (39 [IQR, 18-62] days) than those without bacterial superinfections (18 [IQR, 12-37] days) (p = 0.001). There were no differences in ICU mortality or in-hospital mortality between the two groups. In the multivariable analysis, higher SAPS II score (OR, 2.697; 95% CI, 1.086-6.695) and thrombocytopenia (OR, 3.318; 95% CI, 1.355-8.123) were identified as risk factors for development of bacterial superinfection. In critically ill patients with COVID-19, bacterial superinfections were common, and more than one-third of the bacterial superinfection cases were caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. As patients with bacterial superinfections had worse clinical outcomes, the development of bacterial superinfections should be actively monitored.


Serum Metabolomics Analysis in Wasp Sting Patients.
To analyze the dynamic changes of serum metabolomics in wasp sting victims, we collected serum from 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients who had been stung 3 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours before sample collection. We analyzed the metabolomics by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) techniques and then performed enrichment analysis. A total of 838 metabolites were identified. Serum metabolomics analysis using MetaboAnalyst revealed 289 metabolites that were significantly different among patients in the 3-hour group versus healthy controls (P<0.001). Pathway analysis of those metabolites indicated that those metabolic sets were associated with sphingolipid metabolism. Based on the differences among the control, 3-hour, 24-hour, and 72-hour groups, we classified serum metabolites into different categories. The first and second categories included 297 and 280 metabolites that were significantly different in terms of concentration among healthy controls versus the participants whose sera were analyzed 3 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after wasp stings. Pathway analysis of those metabolites indicated that those metabolic sets were associated with thiamine metabolism. The third category included 269 significant metabolites. The fourth category included 28 significant metabolites. Pathway analysis of the metabolites in third and fourth categories indicated that those metabolic sets were associated with phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. The fifth category included 31 metabolites, which were not significantly different between the control and 3-hour groups but were higher in concentration in the 24-hour and 72-hour groups. Pathway analysis of the fifth category of significant metabolites identified linoleic acid metabolism. In conclusion, multiple metabolic pathways are associated with wasp stings, and these might provide a basis for exploring mechanisms of wasp sting injury and potential targets for therapy.


A novel anastrozole intravaginal ring for endometriosis: Pharmacokinetic characteristics and mucosal irritation.
In order to achieve the long-term management of endometriosis, a more economical and environmentally friendly material, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), was used to prepare a intravaginal ring with anastrozole (ATZ). This paper has compared the pharmacokinetic parameters with oral tablets (Aida®) in mini pigs and evaluated the uterine targeted effect and mucosal irritation of the ring. A bioassay method was developed and validated for the determination of ATZ in mini pigs. The determination of ATZ was achieved by LC-MS/MS using terfenadine as the internal standard. Separation was achieved on a Kinetex-C18 110A chromatographic column (3 × 30 mm, 2.6 μm; Phenomenex) with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol (0.1% formic acid) and water (0.1% formic acid). The method has been proved to be scientific and sensitive through methodological validation and can be easily and quickly applied to the determination of the content of anastrozole in mini pigs. The pharmacokinetic test results show that there was no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between the two formulations. The intravaginal ring has a passive targeting effect on the uterus, and its mucosal irritation is acceptable. The intravaginal ring provides a new method for long-term management of endometriosis.


Practical guidelines for educating policymakers: the family impact seminar as an approach to advancing the interests of children and families in the policy arena.
Psychologists are well positioned to contribute to policymaking on issues affecting the well-being of children, youth, and families. A good deal of psychological research is relevant to policy issues such as child mental health services, child care, adoption and foster care, and children's media. In this article we offer an alternative to direct policy advocacy as a means for psychologists' involvement in the policy arena. Policy education, a nonpartisan and nonadversarial approach to working with policymakers, is described and differentiated from child advocacy. We then present an example of 1 approach to policy education, the Family Impact Seminar. The article closes with a discussion of lessons we have learned regarding effectively communicating research to policymakers.


Direct visualization of deep brain stimulation targets in Parkinson disease with the use of 7-tesla magnetic resonance imaging.
A challenge associated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating advanced Parkinson disease (PD) is the direct visualization of brain nuclei, which often involves indirect approximations of stereotactic targets. In the present study, the authors compared T2*-weighted images obtained using 7-T MR imaging with those obtained using 1.5- and 3-T MR imaging to ascertain whether 7-T imaging enables better visualization of targets for DBS in PD. The authors compared 1.5-, 3-, and 7-T MR images obtained in 11 healthy volunteers and 1 patient with PD. With 7-T imaging, distinct images of the brain were obtained, including the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and internal globus pallidus (GPi). Compared with the 1.5- and 3-T MR images of the STN and GPi, the 7-T MR images showed marked improvements in spatial resolution, tissue contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio. Data in this study reveal the superiority of 7-T MR imaging for visualizing structures targeted for DBS in the management of PD. This finding suggests that by enabling the direct visualization of neural structures of interest, 7-T MR imaging could be a valuable aid in neurosurgical procedures.


Mediterranean diet is associated with bone mineral density and muscle mass in postmenopausal women.
This study aimed to investigate the association between the Mediterranean diet (MD), body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, 105 apparently healthy postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 65 years were included. BMD, percentage body fat, and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI, appendicular lean mass/height squared) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Assessment of MD adherence was based on intake of cereals, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, fish, red wine, and olive oil, and expressed as the Mediterranean diet score (MDS). Women with higher adherence to the MD had higher ALMI (6.6 ± 0.8 kg/m2 vs. 6.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2; p = 0.039) and lumbar spine BMD (1.076 ± 0.149 vs. 0.997 ± 0.143 g/cm2; p = 0.007) compared to those with lower MDS. Linear regression analysis adjusted for previous hormone therapy, previous smoking behavior, and habitual physical activity showed an independent positive contribution of MDS to lumbar spine BMD (mean difference 0.088 g/cm2, 95% confidence interval 0.028-0.147; p = 0.004) and ALMI (mean difference 0.296 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval 0.020-0.591; p = 0.049). Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and ALMI were positively associated with the MDS in a sample of postmenopausal women from a non-Mediterranean region.


Benzene formation in electronic cigarettes.
The heating of the fluids used in electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes") used to create "vaping" aerosols is capable of causing a wide range of degradation reaction products. We investigated formation of benzene (an important human carcinogen) from e-cigarette fluids containing propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (GL), benzoic acid, the flavor chemical benzaldehyde, and nicotine. Three e-cigarette devices were used: the JUULTM "pod" system (provides no user accessible settings other than flavor cartridge choice), and two refill tank systems that allowed a range of user accessible power settings. Benzene in the e-cigarette aerosols was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Benzene formation was ND (not detected) in the JUUL system. In the two tank systems benzene was found to form from propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GL), and from the additives benzoic acid and benzaldehyde, especially at high power settings. With 50:50 PG+GL, for tank device 1 at 6W and 13W, the formed benzene concentrations were 1.9 and 750 μg/m3. For tank device 2, at 6W and 25W, the formed concentrations were ND and 1.8 μg/m3. With benzoic acid and benzaldehyde at ~10 mg/mL, for tank device 1, values at 13W were as high as 5000 μg/m3. For tank device 2 at 25W, all values were ≤~100 μg/m3. These values may be compared with what can be expected in a conventional (tobacco) cigarette, namely 200,000 μg/m3. Thus, the risks from benzene will be lower from e-cigarettes than from conventional cigarettes. However, ambient benzene air concentrations in the U.S. have typically been 1 μg/m3, so that benzene has been named the largest single known cancer-risk air toxic in the U.S. For non-smokers, chronically repeated exposure to benzene from e-cigarettes at levels such as 100 or higher μg/m3 will not be of negligible risk.


Effects of the atypical stimulant modafinil on a brief gambling episode in pathological gamblers with high vs. low impulsivity.
Pathological gambling (PG) is a serious psychiatric disorder afflicting 1-3% of the general population. Experimental evidence indicates shared neurochemical substrates for PG and psychostimulant addiction. Impulsivity characterizes one key subtype of PG. Therefore, medications that ameliorate psychostimulant addiction and impulsive syndromes might also benefit impulsive PG subjects. The atypical stimulant, modafinil reduces cocaine abuse and impulsivity in patients with ADHD. The present study sought to determine if modafinil (200 mg) would reduce the reinforcing effects of slot machine gambling in PG subjects, and if this effect was stronger in high (H-I) vs. low (L-I) impulsivity subjects (N = 20). A placebo-controlled, double-blind, counterbalanced, repeated measures design was employed. Apart from bet size, which declined uniformly in both groups under drug, modafinil had bi-directional effects in the two groups. In H-I subjects, the drug decreased desire to gamble, salience of Gambling words, disinhibition and risky decision-making. In L-I subjects, modafinil increased scores on these indices. Modafinil also differentially affected blood pressure response to the game in the two groups. These findings for modafinil appear to fit well with a growing literature demonstrating bi-directional effects of D2 agonists as a function of trait impulsivity. Impulsivity could critically moderate medication response in PG.


A Glio-Protective Role of mir-263a by Tuning Sensitivity to Glutamate.
Glutamate is a ubiquitous neurotransmitter, mediating information flow between neurons. Defects in the regulation of glutamatergic transmission can result in glutamate toxicity, which is associated with neurodegeneration. Interestingly, glutamate receptors are expressed in glia, but little is known about their function, and the effects of their misregulation, in these non-neuronal cells. Here, we report a glio-protective role for Drosophila mir-263a mediated by its regulation of glutamate receptor levels in glia. mir-263a mutants exhibit a pronounced movement defect due to aberrant overexpression of CG5621/Grik, Nmdar1, and Nmdar2. mir-263a mutants exhibit excitotoxic death of a subset of astrocyte-like and ensheathing glia in the CNS. Glial-specific normalization of glutamate receptor levels restores cell numbers and suppresses the movement defect. Therefore, microRNA-mediated regulation of glutamate receptor levels protects glia from excitotoxicity, ensuring CNS health. Chronic low-level glutamate receptor overexpression due to mutations affecting microRNA (miRNA) regulation might contribute to glial dysfunction and CNS impairment.


Relationship between Immunological Abnormalities in Rat Models of Diabetes Mellitus and the Amplification Circuits for Diabetes.
A better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms is required in order to treat diseases. However, the mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications are extremely complex. Immune reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, while diabetes influences immune reactions. Furthermore, both diabetes and immune reactions are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. To address these issues, animal models are useful tools. So far, various animal models of diabetes have been developed in rats, which have advantages over mice models in terms of the larger volume of tissue samples and the variety of type 2 diabetes models. In this review, we introduce rat models of diabetes and summarize the immune reactions in diabetic rat models. Finally, we speculate on the relationship between immune reactions and diabetic episodes. For example, diabetes-prone Biobreeding rats, type 1 diabetes model rats, exhibit increased autoreactive cellular and inflammatory immune reactions, while Goto-Kakizaki rats, type 2 diabetes model rats, exhibit increased Th2 reactions and attenuation of phagocytic activity. Investigation of immunological abnormalities in various diabetic rat models is useful for elucidating complicated mechanisms in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Studying immunological alterations, such as predominance of Th1/17 or Th2 cells, humoral immunity, and innate immune reactions, may improve understanding the structure of amplification circuits for diabetes in future studies.


Kinematic measures for upper limb robot-assisted therapy following stroke and correlations with clinical outcome measures: A review.
This review classifies the kinematic measures used to evaluate post-stroke motor impairment following upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation and investigates their correlations with clinical outcome measures. An online literature search was carried out in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and IEEE-Xplore databases. Kinematic parameters mentioned in the studies included were categorized into the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains. The correlations between these parameters and the clinical scales were summarized. Forty-nine kinematic parameters were identified from 67 articles involving 1750 patients. The most frequently used parameters were: movement speed, movement accuracy, peak speed, number of speed peaks, and movement distance and duration. According to the ICF domains, 44 kinematic parameters were categorized into Body Functions and Structure, 5 into Activities and no parameters were categorized into Participation and Personal and Environmental Factors. Thirteen articles investigated the correlations between kinematic parameters and clinical outcome measures. Some kinematic measures showed a significant correlation coefficient with clinical scores, but most were weak or moderate. The proposed classification of kinematic measures into ICF domains and their correlations with clinical scales could contribute to identifying the most relevant ones for an integrated assessment of upper limb robot-assisted rehabilitation treatments following stroke. Increasing the assessment frequency by means of kinematic parameters could optimize clinical assessment procedures and enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments.


The Relationship between Self-Compassion and the Experience of Memorial Symptoms in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer.
Patients with Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer experience a range of physical and psychological memorial symptoms after developing cancer and beginning to receive medical care. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and the experience of memorial symptoms in patients with GI cancer. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in July to August 2019. The study sample included 190 patients admitted to Seyed Al-Shohada Hospital, with GI cancer who entered the study by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a patient demographic information form, Neff's Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Memorial Symptoms Assessment Scale (MSAS) and then analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS-20. The mean (SD) total score of self-compassion was 86.67 (16.65) out of 130, and the mean (SD) total score of memorial symptoms was 1.40 (0.64) out of 4 in patients with GI cancer. The most frequently reported physical symptom was lack of energy, with an 86.84% prevalence, and the most frequently reported psychological symptoms included worrying and feeling nervous, with 70.52% prevalence rates. The total score of self-compassion was inversely correlated with the total score of memorial symptoms, the score of psychological symptoms, and the score of physical symptoms. Furthermore, the total score of the memorial symptoms was inversely correlated with the scores of all the self-compassion components (p < 0.001). Cancer patients had memorial symptoms in both physical and psychological domains. These symptoms decrease with an increase in self-compassion, so compassion-based educational interventions by nurses can be used to reduce these symptoms.


[Effect of mercazolyl on the course of isadrin lesions of the heart].
Tests conducted on rats established the prophylactic administration of mercazolil to produce a beneficial influence on the course of experimental isadrine-induced heart affections Administration of mercazolil concurrently with isadrine, on the contrary, tends to aggravate the course of the pathological process.


Manipulation of a Nuclear Spin by a Magnetic Domain Wall in a Quantum Hall Ferromagnet.
The manipulation of a nuclear spin by an electron spin requires the energy to flip the electron spin to be vanishingly small. This can be realized in a many electron system with degenerate ground states of opposite spin polarization in different Landau levels. We present here a microscopic theory of a domain wall between spin unpolarized and spin polarized quantum Hall ferromagnet states at filling factor two with the Zeeman energy comparable to the cyclotron energy. We determine the energies and many-body wave functions of the electronic quantum Hall droplet with up to N = 80 electrons as a function of the total spin, angular momentum, cyclotron and Zeeman energies from the spin singlet ν = 2 phase, through an intermediate polarization state exhibiting a domain wall to the fully spin-polarized phase involving the lowest and the second Landau levels. We demonstrate that the energy needed to flip one electron spin in a domain wall becomes comparable to the energy needed to flip the nuclear spin. The orthogonality of orbital electronic states is overcome by the many-electron character of the domain - the movement of the domain wall relative to the position of the nuclear spin enables the manipulation of the nuclear spin by electrical means.


Investigation of the micellization process of single and gemini surfactants from arginine by SAXS, NMR self-diffusion, and light scattering.
We have investigated the aggregates formed by gemini and single-chain cationic surfactants with arginine head groups in dilute solutions by combining SAXS, static and dynamic light scattering, and PGSE NMR techniques. SAXS and NMR spectroscopy indicate that the single-chain homologue forms spheroidal aggregates, whereas the gemini surfactants form cylindrical micelles. The main parameters characterizing the micellar shape, i.e., aggregation numbers and geometrical dimensions, were evaluated from the analysis of the SAXS and NMR data. These structural parameters are in good agreement with those determined previously by surface tension and cryo-TEM studies. Some divergences were obtained using the light scattering technique, in which case the shapes of the aggregates formed by the single-chain surfactant were not in accordance with those obtained by SAXS and NMR spectroscopy.


The Anterior Temporal Face Area Contains Invariant Representations of Face Identity That Can Persist Despite the Loss of Right FFA and OFA.
Macaque neurophysiology found image-invariant representations of face identity in a face-selective patch in anterior temporal cortex. A face-selective area in human anterior temporal lobe (fATL) has been reported, but has not been reliably identified, and its function and relationship with posterior face areas is poorly understood. Here, we used fMRI adaptation and neuropsychology to ask whether fATL contains image-invariant representations of face identity, and if so, whether these representations require normal functioning of fusiform face area (FFA) and occipital face area (OFA). We first used a dynamic localizer to demonstrate that 14 of 16 normal subjects exhibit a highly selective right fATL. Next, we found evidence that this area subserves image-invariant representation of identity: Right fATL showed repetition suppression to the same identity across different images, while other areas did not. Finally, to examine fATL's relationship with posterior areas, we used the same procedures with Galen, an acquired prosopagnosic who lost right FFA and OFA. Despite the absence of posterior face areas, Galen's right fATL preserved its face selectivity and showed repetition suppression comparable to that in controls. Our findings suggest that right fATL contains image-invariant face representations that can persist despite the absence of right FFA and OFA, but these representations are not sufficient for normal face recognition.