[Effect of nonselective beta-adrenoblocker carvedilol on extrasystolic and postextrasystolic contractility in the rat myocardium after experimental infarction].
Features of the extrasystolic and postextrasystolic contractility of myocardium isolated from rats aged 4 months (group I, n = 30) and 12 months (group II, n = 30) after postinfarction remodeling of the heart (PIRH) and long-term treatment with carvedilol have been studied. Each age group included in 10 intact control animals, 10 animals with postinfarction cardiosclerosis (PICS), and 10 rats with PICS treated with carvedilol (2.1 mg/kg) during 28 days, beginning with the 45th day after coronary occlusion. The isometric contractility of myocardium was monitored at an electric stimulation frequency of 0.5 Hz. The extrasystolic effect was produced by an electric pulse applied within 0.2 - 5 s interval after the basic stimulation. It is established that the inotropic response of myocardium to the extrasystolic impulse exhibits age-dependent features both the intact rats and in the rats with PICS. The differences can be related to the age-dependent involvement of the ion-transport systems of sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum into the modulation of excitation--contractility coupling during PIRH. The long-term treatment with carvedilol led to restoration of the Ca(2+)-accumulation reserve of sarcoplasmic reticulum to the age-normal level in young animalsand decreased the risk of development of hemodynamically significant heart rate disturbances in old rats.


Approximate quantum cloning with nuclear magnetic resonance.
Here we describe a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment that uses a three qubit NMR device to implement the one-to-two approximate quantum cloning network of Buzek et al. [Phys. Rev. A 56, 3446 (1997)]. As expected the experimental results indicate that the network clones all input states with similar fidelities, but as a result of decoherence and incoherent evolution arising from B(1) inhomogeneity the total fidelity achieved does not exceed the measurement bound.


Modeling Pulsatility Index nomograms from different maternal and fetal vessels by quantile regression at 24-40 weeks of gestation: a prospective cross-sectional study.
Recent evidences highlight a considerable heterogeneity in the methodology of previously published studies reporting reference ranges for maternal and fetal Dopplers, which may have relevant implications in clinical practice. In view of these limitations, a standardized methodology to construct Doppler charts has been proposed. The aim of this study was to develop charts for pulsatility index (PI) of maternal and fetal Dopplers based upon the recently proposed standardized methodology and using quantile regression. Prospective cross-sectional study including 2516 low-risk singleton pregnancies between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation. The mean uterine, umbilical (UA), middle cerebral (MCA) and their ratio (cerebroplacental ratio, CPR) centile values were established by quantile regression in the considered gestational interval. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of each maternal and fetal vessel was also computed to assess the intra- and inter-observer agreement of the results. There was a good intra- and inter-observer agreement for each of the explored vessels (ICC >0.92 and >0.91 for a single and two observers, respectively). The 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th and 95th centiles of the reference range for gestation were constructed by quantile regression and compared to previously established reference charts. All the Doppler indices significantly changed with gestation. Second-degree polynomial regression models better described the changes with gestation in PCR and MCA PI values while a linear model better predicted the changes of other Doppler indices with advancing gestation. When compared to other studies reporting reference ranges for maternal and fetal Dopplers, the present charts showed similar median values but different distribution from the median. We provided prospective charts of maternal and fetal Dopplers based upon a previously proposed standardized methodology and using quantile regression. When compared to previously published studies, these new charts showed similar median values but different deviations from the median which may help in better differentiating cases at higher risk of placental insufficiency and adverse perinatal outcome.


Acetyl-CoA carboxylase involvement in the rapid maturation of fatty acid oxidation in the newborn rabbit heart.
Fatty acid oxidation rapidly increases in the rabbit heart following birth. By inhibiting carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), malonyl-CoA is a potent regulator of fatty acid oxidation in the heart. We therefore addressed the hypothesis that a decrease in acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) activity and/or malonyl-CoA inhibition of CPT1 could account for the increase in the ability of the heart to oxidize fatty acids following birth. ACC activity and expression, malonyl-CoA levels, and mitochondrial CPT1 activity were measured in hearts from 1-day, 7-day, and 6-week-old rabbits. CPT1 activity and sensitivity to malonyl-CoA inhibition did not differ between 1-day, 7-day, or 6-week hearts (the IC50 for malonyl-CoA was 32.0 +/- 1.5, 36.0 +/- 0.3, and 36.3 nM, respectively). Western blot analysis with streptavidin showed that all hearts expressed similar amounts of both a 265-kDa (ACC-265) and 280-kDa isoform (ACC-280) of ACC. A progressive and significant decrease in malonyl-CoA levels was seen in 1-day, 7-day, and 6-week hearts (47 +/- 2, 40 +/- 2, and 26 +/- 2 nmol/g dry weight, respectively), paralleling a decline in ACC activity. We hypothesized that these developmental changes could be due to changes in hormonal regulation of cardiac ACC in the postnatal period. In isolated hearts from 1-day-old rabbits, the fatty acid oxidation rate was 9.01 +/- 1.10 nmol.g dry weight-1.min-1. Glucagon (1 ng/ml) did not alter this rate (11.03 +/- 1.42 nmol.g dry weight-1.min-1), but insulin (100 microunits/ml) resulted in a significant decrease in rate (4.81 +/- 0.82 nmol.g dry weight-1.min-1). ACC activity was markedly elevated in 1-day-old hearts perfused with insulin compared to control hearts or glucagon perfused hearts (0.415 +/- 0.052, 0.095 +/- 0.018, and 0.133 +/- 0.013 nmol of malonyl-CoA produced.g dry weight-1.min-1, respectively). Malonyl-CoA levels were also markedly elevated in 1-day hearts perfused with insulin (123.0 +/- 8.3, 2.0 +/- 0.4, and 1.8 +/- 0.6 nmol/g dry weight in insulin, control, and glucagon hearts, respectively). In 7-day-old rabbit hearts, the basal fatty acid oxidation rate had increased to 24.5 +/- 4.8 nmol.mg-1.min-1. In contrast to the 1-day-old hearts, insulin had no significant effect on fatty acid oxidation, although glucagon resulted in a significant increase in rates (38.9 +/- 12.2 and 80.7 +/- 9.1 nmol.g dry weight-1.min-1, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Prediction and Early Warning of Regional Coordinated Development Based on Convolution Neural Network Algorithm.
In order to respond to the regional coordinated development of the country, it is necessary to put forward a method that can predict and analyze the development trend according to the current development situation. In view of this, the research will carry on the present situation and forecast analysis to the coordinated development of urban agglomeration in Western China. Firstly, the 3E system is used to establish the regional coordination degree evaluation model, and on this basis, the ellipsoid model is introduced for better coordination degree evaluation. In addition, in order to improve the prediction ability of the model, the convolution neural network is used to realize the big data analysis of the model. The results show that the overall coordination degree of the western urban agglomeration is in a weak coordination state in 2015, but the coordination degree of the region will reach 147.35 in 2020. The results show that the overall coordination degree of western urban agglomeration will gradually show a good trend, but the change speed is slow. The above results show that the prediction model in the study has strong practicability, the calculation results can fit the current situation, and the good prediction ability can provide decision-making suggestions for many governments.


Molecular dynamics study on DNA oligonucleotide translocation through carbon nanotubes.
Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the translocation of a DNA oligonucleotide in a carbon nanotube (CNT) channel consisting of CNTs of two different diameters. A strong gravitational acceleration field is applied to the DNA molecule and water solvent as an external driving force for the translocation. It is observed that both the CNT channel size and the strength of gravitational field have significant influence on the DNA translocation process. It is found that the DNA oligonucleotide is unable to pass through the (8,8) CNT even under strong gravitational fields, which extends previous finding that DNA cannot be self-inserted into a (8,8) CNT. It is shown that the DNA can pass through the (10,10)-(12,12) and (12,12)-(14,14) CNTs with stronger gravitational field resulting in faster translocation. The translocation time tau is found to follow the inverse power law relationship with the gravitational acceleration a as tau approximately a(-1.21). The energetic analysis of the translocation process shows that there is an energy barrier for DNA translocation into the (10,10) tube from the (14,14) tube, which is in contrast to previous report that DNA can be self-inserted into a (10,10) tube from outside the CNT. This difference with previous report shows that the dynamic behavior of DNA translocation inside a CNT channel is quite different from that of DNA translocation into a CNT from outside the CNT.


Immunological reactivity in ankylosing spondylitis. Circulating immunoblasts, autoantibodies, and immunoglobulins.
Circulating immunoblasts were studied in 39 cases of ankylosing spondylitis. The results were compared with 20 normal subjects and a group of 39 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Immunoblasts were found to be increased in 11 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and in 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in contrast to the controls who were found to have a normal lymphoid cell population in the peripheral blood. Fifteen patients showed raised levels of one or more class of immunoglobulin. Autoantibodies, including antinuclear factors, were negative in all cases. There was a correlation between raised immunoblasts and plasma viscosity but not with clinical assessment of activity. The increase of immunoblasts in the peripheral blood, together with the raised immunoglobulins supports the suggestion of an immunological basis for ankylosing spondylitis.


Cancer Metabolism and Drug Resistance.
Metabolic alterations, driven by genetic and epigenetic factors, have long been known to be associated with the etiology of cancer. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggest that cancer metabolism is intimately linked to drug resistance, which is currently one of the most important challenges in cancer treatment. Altered metabolic pathways help cancer cells to proliferate at a rate higher than normal, adapt to nutrient limited conditions, and develop drug resistance phenotypes. Application of systems biology, boosted by recent advancement of novel high-throughput technologies to obtain cancer-associated, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data, is expected to make a significant contribution to our understanding of metabolic properties related to malignancy. Indeed, despite being at a very early stage, quantitative data obtained from the omics platforms and through applications of (13)C metabolic flux analysis (MFA) in in vitro studies, researchers have already began to gain insight into the complex metabolic mechanisms of cancer, paving the way for selection of molecular targets for therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss some of the major findings associated with the metabolic pathways in cancer cells and also discuss new evidences and achievements on specific metabolic enzyme targets and target-directed small molecules that can potentially be used as anti-cancer drugs.


Understanding the Role of M13 Bacteriophage Thin Films on a Metallic Nanostructure through a Standard and Dynamic Model.
The dynamic and surface manipulation of the M13 bacteriophage via the meeting application demands the creation of a pathway to design efficient applications with high selectivity and responsivity rates. Here, we report the role of the M13 bacteriophage thin film layer that is deposited on an optical nanostructure involving gold nanoparticles/SiO2/Si, as well as its influence on optical and geometrical properties. The thickness of the M13 bacteriophage layer was controlled by varying either the concentration or humidity exposure levels, and optical studies were conducted. We designed a standard and dynamic model based upon three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D FDTD) simulations that distinguished the respective necessity of each model under variable conditions. As seen in the experiments, the origin of respective peak wavelength positions was addressed in detail with the help of simulations. The importance of the dynamic model was noted when humidity-based experiments were conducted. Upon introducing varied humidity levels, the dynamic model predicted changes in plasmonic properties as a function of changes in NP positioning, gap size, and effective index (this approach agreed with the experiments and simulated results). We believe that this work will provide fundamental insight into understanding and interpreting the geometrical and optical properties of the nanostructures that involve the M13 bacteriophage. By combining such significant plasmonic properties with the numerous benefits of M13 bacteriophage (like low-cost fabrication, multi-wavelength optical characteristics devised from a single structure, reproducibility, reversible characteristics, and surface modification to suit application requirements), it is possible to develop highly efficient integrated plasmonic biomaterial-based sensor nanostructures.


Infrared Refraction Spectroscopy.
We suggest a new modality of infrared spectroscopy termed Infrared Refraction Spectroscopy, which is complimentary to absorption spectroscopy. The beauty of this new modality lies not only in its simplicity but also in the fact that it closes an important gap: It allows to quantitatively interpret reflectance spectra by simplest means. First, the refractive index spectrum is calculated from reflectance by neglecting absorption. The change of the refractive index is proportional to concentration, and the spectra with features similar to second derivative absorbance spectra can simply be computed by numerically deriving the refractive index spectra, something which can be easily carried out by standard spectra software packages. The peak values of the derived spectra indicate oscillator positions and are approximately proportional to the concentration in a similar way as absorbance is. In contrast to absorbance spectra, there are no baseline ambiguities for first derivative refractive index spectra, and in refractive index spectra, instead of integrating over a band area, a simple difference of two refractive index values before and after an absorption leads to a quantity that correlates perfectly linearly with concentration in the absence of local field effects.


Lessons learned in preparing method 29 filters for compliance testing audits.
Companies conducting compliance testing are required to analyze audit samples at the time they collect and analyze the stack samples if audit samples are available. Eastern Research Group (ERG) provides technical support to the EPA's Emission Measurements Center's Stationary Source Audit Program (SSAP) for developing, preparing, and distributing performance evaluation samples and audit materials. These audit samples are requested via the regulatory Agency and include spiked audit materials for EPA Method 29-Metals Emissions from Stationary Sources, as well as other methods. To provide appropriate audit materials to federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as agencies performing environmental activities and conducting emission compliance tests, ERG has recently performed testing of blank filter materials and preparation of spiked filters for EPA Method 29. For sampling stationary sources using an EPA Method 29 sampling train, the use of filters without organic binders containing less than 1.3 microg/in.2 of each of the metals to be measured is required. Risk Assessment testing imposes even stricter requirements for clean filter background levels. Three vendor sources of quartz fiber filters were evaluated for background contamination to ensure that audit samples would be prepared using filters with the lowest metal background levels. A procedure was developed to test new filters, and a cleaning procedure was evaluated to see if a greater level of cleanliness could be achieved using an acid rinse with new filters. Background levels for filters supplied by different vendors and within lots of filters from the same vendor showed a wide variation, confirmed through contact with several analytical laboratories that frequently perform EPA Method 29 analyses. It has been necessary to repeat more than one compliance test because of suspect metals background contamination levels. An acid cleaning step produced improvement in contamination level, but the difference was not significant for most of the Method 29 target metals. As a result of our studies, we conclude: Filters for Method 29 testing should be purchased in lots as large as possible. Testing firms should pre-screen new boxes and/or new lots of filters used for Method 29 testing. Random analysis of three filters (top, middle, bottom of the box) from a new box of vendor filters before allowing them to be used in field tests is a prudent approach. A box of filters from a given vendor should be screened, and filters from this screened box should be used both for testing and as field blanks in each test scenario to provide the level of quality assurance required for stationary source testing.


Cardiorespiratory effects of inelastic chest wall restriction.
We examined the effects of chest wall restriction (CWR) on cardiorespiratory function at rest and during exercise in healthy subjects in an attempt to approximate the cardiorespiratory interactions observed in clinical conditions that result in restrictive lung and/or chest wall changes and a reduced intrathoracic space. Canvas straps were applied around the thorax and abdomen so that vital capacity was reduced by >35%. Data were acquired at rest and during cycle ergometry at 25 and 45% of peak workloads. CWR elicited significant increases in the flow-resistive work performed on the lung (160%) and the gastric pressure-time integral (>400%) at the higher workload, but it resulted in a decrease in the elastic work performed on the lung (56%) compared with control conditions. With CWR, heart rate increased and stroke volume (SV) fell, resulting in >10% fall in cardiac output at rest and during exercise at matched workloads (P < 0.05). Blood pressure and catecholamines were significantly elevated during CWR exercise conditions (P < 0.05). We conclude that CWR significantly impairs SV during exercise and that a compensatory increase in heart rate does not prevent a significant reduction in cardiac output. O(2) consumption appears to be maintained via increased extraction and a redistribution of blood flow via sympathetic activation.


Bidirectional signaling between calcium channels of skeletal muscle requires multiple direct and indirect interactions.
We have defined regions of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) essential for bidirectional signaling with dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) and for the organization of DHPR into tetrad arrays by expressing RyR1-RyR3 chimerae in dyspedic myotubes. RyR1-RyR3 constructs bearing RyR1 residues 1-1681 restored wild-type DHPR tetrad arrays and, in part, skeletal-type excitation-contraction (EC) coupling (orthograde signaling) but failed to enhance DHPR Ca(2+) currents (retrograde signaling) to WT RyR1 levels. Within this region, the D2 domain (amino acids 1272-1455), although ineffective on its own, dramatically enhanced the formation of tetrads and EC coupling rescue by constructs that otherwise are only partially effective. These findings suggest that the orthograde signal and DHPR tetrad formation require the contributions of numerous RyR regions. Surprisingly, we found that RyR3, although incapable of supporting EC coupling or tetrad formation, restored a significant level of Ca(2+) current, revealing a functional interaction with the skeletal muscle DHPR. Thus, our data support the hypotheses that (i) the structural/functional link between RyR1 and the skeletal muscle DHPR requires multiple interacting regions, (ii) the D2 domain of RyR1 plays a key role in stabilizing this interaction, and (iii) a form of retrograde signaling from RyR3 to the DHPR occurs in the absence of direct protein-protein interactions.


Exploring Perceptions of Health Care Providers' Use of Electronic Advance Directive Forms in Electronic Health Records.
The current study explored the perceptions of health care providers' use of electronic advance directive (AD) forms in the electronic health record (EHR). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to guide the study. Of 165 surveys distributed, 151 participants (92%) responded. A moderately strong positive correlation was noted between perceived usefulness and actual system usage (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001). Perceived ease of use and actual system usage also had a moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001). In contrast, the strength of the relationship between behavioral intention to use and actual system usage was more modest (r = 0.22, p < 0.004). There was a statistically significant difference in actual system usage of electronic ADs across six departments (χ2[5] = 79.325, p < 0.001). The relationships among primary TAM constructs found in this research are largely consistent with previous TAM studies, with the exception of behavioral intention to use, which is slightly lower. These data suggest that health care providers' perceptions have great influence on the use of electronic ADs. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(1), 17-21.].


Simulator induced syndrome: evidence for long-term aftereffects.
Pilots have experienced various adverse symptoms hours and even days following flight simulator training. This study surveyed pilots undergoing simulator training in an attempt to provide an initial gauge of the extent, severity, and possible risk factors of long-term (greater than 1 day) simulator aftereffects. A three-part voluntary and anonymous questionnaire was used to gather data. We studied pilots of varying experience undergoing advanced flight training which included the use of flight simulators. Some 238 pilots participated in the study, and 196 completed the follow-up survey concerning long-term effects. Nine (4.6%) pilots experienced adverse symptoms 24 h or more after completion of their last simulator training, which they attributed to their recent simulator experience. Symptoms reported included: recurrent visual flashbacks, continued balance disturbance, and hand-eye discoordination. Three pilots (1.5%) reported difficulties flying aircraft. Pilot flight experience level, total simulator time, length of simulator session, and sex were not predictive of risk. This study suggests that long-term (greater than 1 day) adverse aftereffects may occur following simulator training.


Methylprednisolone and Hyaluronic Acid versus Each Agent Alone to Control Complication of Impacted Wisdom Removal.
Extraction of impacted molars is commonest operation in oral cavity and associated with complications disturbing patient's quality of life. Hyaluronic acid is a nontoxic agent recommended for wound management due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Also, methylprednisolone sodium is used to reduce pain and edema. The aim this study was to compare the effect of combined use of corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid versus each agent alone in controlling postextraction complications of impacted mandibular third molars. This prospective randomized trial included patients suffering from impacted mandibular third molar. Patients were divided into four groups. Group I, control, and group II received methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection preoperatively, group III received hyaluronic acid applied in extraction socket, and group IV received preoperative methylprednisolone sodium succinate injection and topical hyaluronic acid in the socket. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperative day to assess swelling, pain, mouth opening, and total analgesic dose. Group IV showed insignificant edema along the study period, and other groups showed significant edema on third postoperative day that improved on seventh postoperative in group II and III and tenth postoperative day in group I. Significant decreased mouth opening occurred on second postoperative day in group I, while in other groups, it occurred in third postoperative day. Significant improvement occurred on seventh postoperative day in all groups except in group I which occurred on tenth postoperative day. There was less pain and analgesic dose reported in group IV than other groups. Combined use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate and hyaluronic acid significantly decrease postoperative complications than using each agent alone.


[Diagnostic significance of B-type natriuretic peptide combined with noninvasive cardiac output monitoring in patients with dyspnea.].
To explore the clinical significance of carrying out fast blood B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) detection together with noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring for pathogenic diagnosis in patients with dyspnea and to assess further the application value of noninvasive cardiac output monitoring in emergency room. 354 patients were diagnosed as dyspnea in the Emergency Department of Chaoyang Hospital, being Affiliated to Capital Medical University during a period from May 2007 to January 2008 by using USCOM noninvasive ultrasonic cardiac output monitor to measure cardiac output (CO). If CO was less than 4 L/min, cardiac dyspnea will be diagnosed. Meanwhile, certain amount of venous blood was kept for rapid measuring of BNP concentration. If BNP concentration was higher than 100 pg/ml, cardiac dyspnea would be diagnosed. After diagnosis was made clearly, all the 354 patients were divided in two groups according to Framingham standards whether they had cardiac dyspnea or not and then comparison was carried out between the patients with the diagnosis of cardiac dyspnea with CO and BNP. The relationship between CO and BNP was studied as well. In a group of 127 patients with cardiac dyspnea, there was no difference in terms of the number of patients showing positive results with CO or BNP as judging criteria (122 vs 119, P = 0.393) and CO and BNP had negative correlation; while the results were opposite in a group of 227 patients with non-cardiac dyspnea (102 vs 11, showing negative CO or BNP P = 0.000) and there was no correlation between BNP and CO. For patients with dyspnea in the emergency room, the value of BNP concentration of blood plasma to determine cardiac dyspnea is somewhat limited. Appling non-invasive ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in the emergency room to detect CO for identifying the cause of dyspnea is clinically valuable.


Bilateral External Ventricular Drain Placement and Intraventricular Irrigation Combined with Concomitant Serial Prone Patient Positioning: A Novel Treatment for Gravity-Dependent Layering in Bacterial Ventriculitis.
A feared complication of ventricular access for drainage or shunting is ventriculitis. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to prevent morbidity and mortality. Efficacy of directed antibiotic therapy in ventriculitis is limited by increasing multidrug resistant microorganisms and insufficient systemic antibiotic absorption into the cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment may involve intravenous and/or intrathecal antibiotics as well as external ventricular drainage. We present the first case report suggesting a potential role of a novel technique - direct ventricular catheter-mediated continuous saline irrigation and serial prone patient positioning - to treat a fulminant bacterial ventriculitis. This novel technique promotes egress of purulence from the ventricles and may result in more rapid control of intraventricular infectious burden.


THE EVOLUTION OF CLUTCH SIZE. I. AN EQUATION FOR PREDICTING CLUTCH SIZE.
We derive an equation for calculating the clutch sizes of birds and other long-lived animals from Murray's (1979) theory on the evolution of clutch size. For the Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) in Indiana, this equation predicts an average clutch size of 3.49, less than half an egg smaller than the recorded average clutch size of 3.89. We attribute the discrepancy to sampling error and suggest that the equation satisfactorily identifies the important factors affecting the evolution of clutch size. The success of the equation in predicting clutch size of the Prairie Warbler provides additional support for Murray's theory on the evolution of clutch size.


Mechanism of salutary effects of melatonin-mediated liver protection after trauma-hemorrhage: p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway.
Although melatonin attenuates the increases in inflammatory mediators and reduces organ injury during trauma-hemorrhage, the mechanisms remain unclear. This study explored whether melatonin prevents liver injury after trauma-hemorrhage through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent, inducible nitrite oxide (iNOS)/hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α pathway. After a 5-cm midline laparotomy, male rats underwent hemorrhagic shock (mean blood pressure ~40 mmHg for 90 min) followed by fluid resuscitation. At the onset of resuscitation, rats were treated with vehicle, melatonin (2 mg/kg), melatonin plus p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (2 mg/kg), or melatonin plus the melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (2.5 mg/kg). At 2 h after trauma-hemorrhage, histopathology score of liver injury, liver tissue myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde, adenosine triphosphate, serum alanine aminotransferase, and asparate aminotransferase levels were significantly increased compared with sham-operated control. Trauma-hemorrhage resulted in a significant decrease in the p38 MAPK activation compared with that in the sham-treated animals. Administration of melatonin after trauma-hemorrhage normalized liver p38 MAPK phosphorylation and iNOS and HIF-1α expression and attenuated cleaved caspase 3 and receptor interacting protein kinase-1 levels. Coadministration of SB203580 or luzindole abolished the melatonin-mediated attenuation of the trauma-hemorrhage-induced increase of iNOS/HIF-1α protein expression and liver injury markers. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin prevents trauma-hemorrhage-induced liver injury in rats, at least in part, through melatonin receptor-related, p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Trauma-hemorrhage resulted in a significant decrease in liver p38 MAPK activation and increase in nitrite oxide synthase (iNOS) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression. Administration of melatonin after trauma-hemorrhage normalized liver p38 MAPK phosphorylation and iNOS and HIF-1α expression, which was abolished by coadministration of SB203580 or luzindole. Melatonin prevents trauma-hemorrhage-induced liver injury in rats via the melatonin receptor-related, p38 MAPK-dependent iNOS/HIF-1α pathway.


Flipping the Classroom in Medical Student Education: Does Priming Work?
The emergency medicine (EM) clerkship curriculum at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center includes monthly lectures on pediatric fever and shortness of breath (SOB). This educational innovation evaluated if learning could be enhanced by "priming" the students with educational online videos prior to an in-class session. Factors that impacted completion rates were also evaluated (planned specialty and time given for video viewing). Twenty-minute videos were to be viewed prior to the didactic session. Students were assigned to either the fever or SOB group and received links to those respective videos. All participating students took a pre-test prior to viewing the online lectures. For analysis, test scores were placed into concordant groups (test results on fever questions in the group assigned the fever video and test results on SOB questions in the group assigned the SOB video) and discordant groups (crossover between video assigned and topic tested). Each subject contributed one set of concordant results and one set of discordant results. Descriptive statistics were performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. Lecture links were distributed to students two weeks prior to the in-class session for seven months and three days prior to the in-class session for eight months (in which both groups included both EM-bound and non-EM bound students). In the fifteen-month study period, 64% of students rotating through the EM elective prepared for the in class session by watching the videos. During ten months where exclusively EM-bound students were rotating (n=144), 71.5% of students viewed the lectures. In four months where students were not EM-bound (n=54), 55.6% of students viewed the lectures (p=0.033). Participation was 60.2% when lecture links were given three days in advance and 68.7% when links were given two weeks in advance (p=0.197). In the analysis of concordant scores, the pre-test averaged 56.7% correct, the immediate post-test averaged 78.1% correct, and the delayed post-test was 67.2%. In the discordant groups, the pretest averaged 51.9%, the immediate posttest was 67.1% and the delayed by 68.8%. In the concordant groups, the immediate post-test scores improved by 21.4%, compared with 15.2% in the discordant groups (p = 0.655). In the delayed post-test the concordant scores improved by 10.5% and discordant scores by 16.9 percent (p=0.609). Sixty-two percent of students surveyed preferred the format of online videos with in-class case discussion to a traditional lecture format. Immediate post-tests and delayed post-tests improved but priming was not demonstrated to be a statistically superior educational method in this study. Medical student completion of the preparatory materials for the EM rotation session increased when the students were EM-bound. Participation rates were not significantly different when given at two weeks versus three days.


Cellular and humoral responses to an HIV DNA prime by electroporation boosted with recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing HIV subtype C Env in a randomized controlled clinical trial.
HIV subtypes B and C together account for around 60% of HIV-1 cases worldwide. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a subtype B DNA vaccine prime followed by a subtype C viral vector boost. Fourteen healthy adults received DNA plasmid encoding HIV-1 subtype B nef/tat/vif and env (n = 11) or placebo (n = 3) intramuscularly (IM) via electroporation (EP) at 0, 1, and 3 months, followed by IM injection of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding subtype C Env or placebo at 6 and 9 months. Participants were assessed for safety, tolerability of EP, and Env-specific T-cell and antibody responses. EP was generally well tolerated, although some device-related adverse events did occur, and vaccine reactogenicity was mild to moderate. The vaccine stimulated Env-specific CD4 + T-cell responses in greater than 80% of recipients, and CD8 + T-cell responses in 30%. Subtype C Env-specific IgG binding antibodies (bAb) were elicited in all vaccine recipients, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses to vaccine-matched subtype C targets in 80%. Negligible V1/V2 and neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses were detected. This prime/boost regimen was safe and tolerable, with some device-related events, and immunogenic. Although immunogenicity missed targets for an HIV vaccine, the DNA/rVSV platform may be useful for other applications. gov: NCT02654080.


Requirement of longer term antiviral therapy in patients with cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis with corneal endothelial cell damage.
The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of therapy in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis. We reviewed the records of patients with CMV anterior uveitis who attended our institution between October 2010 and December 2015 and who were confirmed to have CMV DNA in the aqueous humor by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Fourteen immunocompetent patients (10 men and 4 women, total of 17 eyes) were enrolled. The mean ± SD age at the onset of antiviral therapy was 63.1 ± 11.3 years (range, 44-87 years). CMV DNA was not detected in the aqueous humor of 3 patients on initial testing, but it was detected on subsequent analysis. All patients underwent systemic antiviral therapy. Among the patients who were followed up for more than 6 months after starting systemic antiviral therapy, systemic antiviral therapy was successfully terminated in all 4 patients without corneal endothelial loss but had to be continued because of disease recurrence on its termination in 5 of 8 patients (62.5%) with corneal endothelial damage (P = 0.038). Patients with corneal endothelial cell loss are likely to require longer term antiviral therapy than those without endothelial damage. In addition, whereas definitive diagnosis of CMV anterior uveitis requires the detection of CMV DNA in aqueous humor by polymerase chain reaction, one-fifth of patients in the present study tested negative on initial examination.


Development of a Series of (1-Benzyl-3-(6-methoxypyrimidin-3-yl)-5-(trifluoromethoxy)-1H-indol-2-yl)methanols as Selective Protease Activated Receptor 4 (PAR4) Antagonists with in Vivo Utility and Activity Against γ-Thrombin.
Here, we describe the development of a series of highly selective PAR4 antagonists with nanomolar potency and selectivity versus PAR1, derived from the indole-based 3. Of these, 9j (PAR4 IC50 = 445 nM, PAR1 response IC50 > 30 μM) and 10h (PAR4 IC50 = 179 nM, PAR1 response IC50 > 30 μM) maintained an overall favorable in vitro DMPK profile, encouraging rat/mouse in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) and activity against γ-thrombin.


[The Psychoanalytic-interactional Method (PIM): A Psychodynamic Treatment for Adolescents with Severe Disorders of Personality Functioning].
The Psychoanalytic-interactional Method (PIM): A Psychodynamic Treatment for Adolescents with Severe Disorders of Personality Functioning The psychoanalytic-interactional method (PIM) was developed as a psychodynamic treatment for adult patients with severe disorders of personality functioning (Streeck u. Leichsenring, 2015). However, it is also well suited for the treatment of adolescent patients because its techniques fit with specific conditions of adolescence. A modified version of the PIM for adolescents (Streeck-Fischer, Cropp, Streeck, Salzer, 2016) has proven to be efficacious. The paper describes the basic principles of the PIM and names aspects that have to be taken into account in the treatment of adolescents with severe disorders of personality functioning. Finally, previous empirical results regarding the PIM treatment in adolescence are presented.


Exposure to solvents and outcome of pregnancy in university laboratory employees.
The outcome of pregnancy was studied among personnel employed in laboratory work at the University of Gothenburg between 1968 and 1979. A questionnaire was distributed to 782 women; the response rate was 95%. When the 1160 pregnancies were divided into those with and without exposure to organic solvents during laboratory work, a slightly increased, but not significant, difference in the miscarriage rate was found (relative risk (RR) 1.31, 95% confidence interval 0.89-1.91). No differences in perinatal death rates or the prevalence of malformations were found between infants whose mothers were exposed to solvents and those who were not. Shift work during pregnancy was related to a higher miscarriage rate (RR 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.36-7.47). No relation between cigarette smoking and miscarriage rate was found, although birth weights were lower when the mother smoked during pregnancy.


The impact of outdoor pollution on upper respiratory diseases.
We evaluated the prevalence of upper airway diseases among two groups living in areas with different pollution levels. The study was conducted among highschool students living in Bayrampasa (an area polluted by SO2 and total suspended particulates) and Beykoz (an unpolluted residential area) in Istanbul (n = 386). Each subject filled out a standardized zelf-administered questionnaire. Also, anterior active rhinomanometry was performed to objectively evaluate the symptoms in all students. A significantly higher prevalence rate for rhinitis was found in Bayrampaşa, as compared to Beykoz. However, the prevalence rate for pharyngitis was not significantly different between both groups. Smoking was more frequent in the unpolluted area. Exposure to parental smoking in childhood and heating systems in houses were evenly distributed. Household crowding was lower in Beykoz. Rhinomanometric measurements did not show any significant difference between both groups. Multiple logistic regression models estimating the role of each risk factor independently, showed a significant odds ratio associated with residence in Bayrampasa for rhinitis (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 3.0-1.3). In conclusion, this study indicates that outdoor pollution has adverse effects on the degree of upper airway diseases in Istanbul in the 1990s.


Shedding of gangliosides from tumor cells depends on cell density.
The ganglioside composition of mouse ascites hepatoma ( MAH ) cells, the ascites fluid and cell-conditioned media were determined and found to be qualitatively identical, but quantitatively different. The ganglioside content of the ascites fluid and the medium conditioned by MAH -cells at the native cell concentration (10(8) cells/ml) comprised respectively 74.9% and 23% of the cell-associated gangliosides. When incubated at lower cell-density (10(6) cells/ml) the cells were found to be release about three-times higher amounts of ganglioside per cell than during incubation at the native concentration. Centrifugation of the dense-cell-conditioned medium revealed the major part of the released gangliosides to be associated with a 150000 X g pellet that probably contains shed plasma membrane fragments. In the 150000 X g pellet of the extracellular fluids the relative content of the most polar cell ganglioside corresponding chromatographically to GT1b was about ten-times higher than in the cells. The possibility is raised that the more intense shedding of gangliosides from less crowded MAH cells may play a role in the self protection of the tumor from host immune rejection during initial stages of growth.


Effect of agmatine on experimental vascular endothelial dysfunction.
This study was designed to investigate the effect of agmatine sulfate (AG, CAS2482-00-0) in nicotine (NIC)-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) in rabbits. NIC was administered to produce VED in rabbits with or without AG for 6 weeks. Serum lipid profile, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase generation, serum nitrite/nitrate, serum vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and aortic nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels were analyzed.Treatment with AG markedly improves lipid profile and prevented NIC-induced VED and oxidative stress. The mechanism of AG in improving NIC-induced VED may be due to the significant reduction in serum VCAM-1 levels and aortic NF-κB. Thus, it may be concluded that AG reduces the oxidative stress, nitric oxide production, VCAM-1 levels, and aortic NF-κB expression, thereby consequently improving the integrity of vascular endothelium.


Gingival Recession and Localized Aggressive Periodontitis Among HIV-infected Children and Adolescents Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy.
Limited information is available on gingival recession or localized aggressive periodontitis among HIV-infected children and adolescents. This study reports on the prevalence of these conditions among children and adolescents receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). A cross-sectional study on HIV-infected children and adolescents attending a Pediatric HIV clinic in Gauteng, South Africa, between January 2013 and June 2016. Patients received an oral examination and oral hygiene instructions, irrespective of oral- or dental-related complaints. Hard and soft tissue pathology was managed and recorded, together with relevant demographic and clinical data. Statistical analysis was performed in Stata 14 with P < 0.05 as significant. A total of 554 children and adolescents 5-19 years of age (median age: 12.2 years; interquartile range: 10.3-14.9) were included, of whom 78 (14.1%) presented with gingival recession on permanent mandibular incisors and/or localized aggressive periodontitis of molar teeth. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that patients with gingival recession and aggressive periodontitis had a significantly shorter duration of ART and were more likely to have suboptimal HIV control (CD4 count ≤500 cells/µL and/or HIV viral load ≥50 copies/mL) and be on advanced ART regimens after virologic failure on first- and second-line treatment. The results emphasize the importance of oral health care among HIV-infected children and adolescents from the onset, to prevent and manage conditions that could result in tooth loss and permanent disfigurement. This is of particular importance in the presence of virologic failure and immunosuppression.


Oyster Mushroom Spherical Virus Crosses the Species Barrier and Is Pathogenic to a New Host Pleurotus pulmonarius.
Oyster mushroom spherical virus (OMSV) is a mycovirus with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome that infects the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. OMSV is horizontally transferred from an infected strain to a cured strain via mycelia. The infection results in significant inhibition of mycelial growth, malformation of fruiting bodies, and yield loss in oyster mushrooms. This study successfully transferred OMSV from P. ostreatus to Pleurotus pulmonarius. However, transmission was not successful in other Pleurotus species including P. citrinopileatus, P. eryngii, P. nebrodensis, and P. salmoneostramineus. The successful OMSV infection in P. pulmonarius was further verified with Western blot analysis using a newly prepared polyclonal antiserum against the OMSV coat protein. Furthermore, OMSV infection reduced the mycelial growth rate of P. pulmonarius. The OMSV-infected strain demonstrated abnormal performance including twisted mushrooms or irregular edge of the cap as well as reduced yield of fruiting bodies in P. pulmonarius, compared to the OMSV-free strain. This study is the first report on the infection and pathogenicity of OMSV to the new host P. pulmonarius. The data from this study therefore suggest that OMSV is a potential threat to P. pulmonarius.


The SF-8 Spanish Version for Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment: Psychometric Study with IRT and CFA Models.
The aim of current research is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SF-8, overcoming previous shortcomings. A double line of analyses was used: competitive structural equations models to establish factorial validity, and Item Response theory to analyze item psychometric characteristics and information. 593 people aged 60 years or older, attending long life learning programs at the University were surveyed. Their age ranged from 60 to 92 years old. 67.6% were women. The survey included scales on personality dimensions, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors related to aging. Competitive confirmatory models pointed out two-factors (physical and mental health) as the best representation of the data: χ2(13) = 72.37 (p < .01); CFI = .99; TLI = .98; RMSEA = .08 (.06, .10). Item 5 was removed because of unreliability and cross-loading. Graded response models showed appropriate fit for two-parameter logistic model both the physical and the mental dimensions. Item Information Curves and Test Information Functions pointed out that the SF-8 was more informative for low levels of health. The Spanish SF-8 has adequate psychometric properties, being better represented by two dimensions, once Item 5 is removed. Gathering evidence on patient-reported outcome measures is of crucial importance, as this type of measurement instruments are increasingly used in clinical arena.


The Development of Latent Dimensions of Psychopathology across Early Childhood: Stability of Dimensions and Moderators of Change.
Recent research has described the structure of psychopathology as including one general and multiple specific factors, and this structure has been found in samples across development. However, little work has examined whether this structure is consistent across time, particularly in young children, within the same sample. Further, few studies have examined factors that influence the magnitude of the stability of latent dimensions of psychopathology. In the present study, we examine these issues in a community sample of 545 children assessed at ages 3 and 6. In addition, we explored child temperament, parental history of psychopathology, and parenting behaviors as potential moderators of the longitudinal stability of latent dimensions of psychopathology. We found that the same bifactor model structure identified at age 3 provided an adequate fit to the data at age 6. Further, our model revealed significant homotypic stability of the general, internalizing, and externalizing specific factors. We also found evidence of differentiation of psychopathology over time with the general factor at age 3 predicting the externalizing factor at age 6. However, we failed to identify moderators of the longitudinal associations between psychopathology latent factors. Overall, our results bolster support for the bifactor structure of psychopathology, particularly in early childhood.


Alternative rearrangements of immunoglobulin light chain genes in human leukemia.
Immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes undergo rearrangement before they can be expressed by B-cells. A sequence of successive rearrangements has been proposed, suggesting that these events are initiated on heavy chain genes and are followed by sequential attempts of light chain gene rearrangements involving kappa gene alleles before lambda genes. This hypothesis, mainly established on B-cell clones of medullary origin, is consistent with the predominance of kappa chains among human serum immunoglobulins. However, data from tumors or normal lymphoid tissue suggest that lambda chain expression could be favored outside the bone marrow, due to an alternative rearrangement hierarchy. We investigated this hypothesis further on 17 leukemia samples. In three instances, we observed that lambda genes had undergone rearrangement while kappa genes remained in germline configuration. These data support the hypothesis of occasional alternative rearrangements of light chain genes.


Vertical musculocutaneous trapezius flap for the closure of postpneumonectomy empyema.
The aim of the study was to present our experience with the vertical musculocutaneous trapezius (VMCT) flap and highlight its utility in the thoracic wall reconstruction in patients with bronchopleural fistula (BPF). We present a five case series of patients with long-standing cavities and BPF. The VMCT flap was used, and a direct pathway into the defect was made through a separate posterior thoracotomy shortening the distance between the flap and the defect. In 80% of the cases, the flap succeeded in solving the fistula and filling the defect, quality of life improved, and the need for oxygen decreased. Management of open window thoracostomy is challenging. Debridement, thoracoplasty, and flap coverage are the mainstream of their treatment, but these patients have scarce available muscle. The VMCT flap represents the major non-affected musculocutaneous unit in the thoracic area after lung surgery. Its dermal component offers a rigid matrix to form a seal over the bronchial stump. Its muscular component adds a good amount of vascularized tissue. No functional impairment has been described after its use.


Endometrial adenocarcinoma coexisting with an intrauterine pregnancy: a case report.
A rare case of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium discovered during curettage for incomplete abortion was presented and 12 similar cases in the literature were reviewed. In 7 of the 12 patients, a complication of pregnancy led to the discovery of the tumor. In the remaining five, the pregnancy occurred in patients known to have endometrial carcinoma. Most of the cases were well differentiated and minimally invading the myometrium. The pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were described.


Clinical pharmacokinetics of sotalol.
Sotalol is an antiarrhythmic agent with combined class II and III properties. It is nearly completely absorbed after oral administration and undergoes essentially no first-pass hepatic metabolism. As a result, its absolute bioavailability is 90-100%. Peak plasma concentrations are reached 2-4 hours after an oral dose. Administering sotalol with food reduces its bioavailability by approximately 20%. A 2-compartment model adequately describes the decline of sotalol plasma concentrations after intravenous or oral administration. The drug has an apparent volume of distribution of 1.2-2.4 liters/kg. Results of animal studies indicate that sotalol distributes into a number of tissues, including those of the heart, liver, and kidney, but it is hydrophilic and thus penetrates the central nervous system poorly. Sotalol does not bind to plasma proteins. No significant biotransformation of sotalol takes place in humans. Sotalol is primarily eliminated by renal excretion, with approximately 80-90% of a dose being excreted unchanged in the urine; a small amount is excreted unchanged in the feces. In subjects with normal renal function, total body clearance of sotalol averages 150 mL/min and the terminal elimination half-life is 10-20 hours. Long-term administration of sotalol does not alter its kinetics, and plasma concentrations following single or multiple doses are proportional to the dose. Sotalol is a racemic mixture of the d- and l-stereoisomers. d,l-Sotalol is excreted in the urine equally as d- and l-sotalol, and there is no evidence of racemization. The clearance of sotalol is reduced and its elimination half-life is prolonged in patients with renal insufficiency; as a result, dosage adjustment is necessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Immunologic and Infectious Diseases in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care: Proceedings of the 10th International Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society Conference.
Since the inception of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (PCICS) in 2003, remarkable advances in the care of children with critical cardiac disease have been developed. Specialized surgical approaches, anesthesiology practices, and intensive care management have all contributed to improved outcomes. However, significant morbidity often results from immunologic or infectious disease in the perioperative period or during a medical intensive care unit admission. The immunologic or infectious illness may lead to fever, which requires the attention and resources of the cardiac intensivist. Frequently, cardiopulmonary bypass leads to an inflammatory state that may present hemodynamic challenges or complicate postoperative care. However, inflammation unchecked by a compensatory anti-inflammatory response may also contribute to the development of capillary leak and lead to a complicated intensive care unit course. Any patient admitted to the intensive care unit is at risk for a hospital acquired infection, and no patients are at greater risk than the child treated with mechanical circulatory support. In summary, the prevention, diagnosis, and management of immunologic and infectious diseases in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit is of paramount importance for the clinician. This review from the tenth PCICS International Conference will summarize the current knowledge in this important aspect of our field.


Cardiac micro-computed tomography imaging of the aging coronary vasculature.
Alterations at the level of the coronary circulation with aging may play an important role in the evolution of age-associated changes in left ventricular (LV) fibrosis and function. However these age-associated changes in the coronary vasculature remain poorly defined primarily due to the lack of high resolution imaging technologies. The current study was designed to utilize cardiac micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) technology as a novel imaging strategy, to define the 3-dimensional coronary circulation in the young and aged heart and its relationship to LV fibrosis and function. Young (2 months old; n=10) and aged (20 months old; n=10) Fischer rats underwent cardiac micro-CT imaging as well as echocardiography, blood pressure, and fibrosis analysis. Importantly, when indexed to LV mass, which increased with age, the total and intramyocardial vessel volumes were lower, whereas the epicardial vessel volume, with and without indexing to LV mass, was significantly higher in the aged hearts compared with the young hearts. Moreover, the aged hearts had a significantly lower percentage of intramyocardial vessel volume and a significantly higher percentage of epicardial vessel volume, when normalized to the total vessel volume, compared with the young hearts. Further, the aged hearts had significant LV fibrosis and mild LV dysfunction compared with the young hearts. This micro-CT imaging study reports the reduction in normalized intramyocardial vessel volume within the aged heart, in association with increased epicardial vessel volume, in the setting of increased LV fibrosis, and mild LV dysfunction.


Late relapse of non-seminomatous testicular cancer during treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon β-1a: A case report.
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) comprise 95% of malignant tumors arising in the testes. The present study reports a patient diagnosed with non-seminomatous testicular cancer, stage IB, with a good risk prediction according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group classification. The patient received chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, and achieved complete remission. Eleven years later, while receiving treatment with interferon β-1a for multiple sclerosis, the patient developed a relapse of the original cancer in the lungs and lymph nodes. The majority of GCTs relapse within the first two years of treatment, while 2-4% of patients can present with late relapses. There is no clear established association between multiple sclerosis and testicular cancer; we present the hypothesis that the inmunosupressor treatment that was administered for the multiple sclerosis promoted the cancer relapse.


Are there therapies for bad cosmologies?
This paper explores geopolitics in terms of 'deep culture'--the assumptions and beliefs in the subconscious of individuals and in the collective subconscious, which are expressed in the ways nations and groups of nations relate to each other. One deep structure is the 'chosenness-myth-trauma' syndrome. Three structural reactions to mental disorder--sociotherapy, somatherapy and psychotherapy--are then applied to international relations. The possibility of collective therapy for a nation or group of nations is described.


[Physical fitness of short-statured children at the early-school age].
Unique somatic build, structure, composition and functioning of the body of short-statured children bring about uneven chances compared to other children performing physical fitness test. Evaluation of physical fitness of short-statured children is even more important in the con-text of widely used in a school practice uniform assessment criteria. To assess the physical fitness of overweight or normal-weight, short-statured children, as measured by the EUROFIT test. Short-statured (body height below 10th percentile) boys and girls aged 8 years took part in the study. Using weight-for-height index (WHI), the subjects were additionally classified into groups of overweight (WHI>1.28 SD) or normal-weight (-1.28 SD<WHI<1.28 SD), short-statured children. Body height and body mass were 119.9+/-3.19 cm and 25.5+/-3.52 kg in overweight boys (OWB; n=102) and 120.1+/-2.72 cm and 21.9+/-1.47 kg in normal-weight boys (NWB; n=219), respectively. The same values recorded for short-statured overweight girls (OWG; n=96) were 118.2+/-2.45 cm and 24.0+/-2.00 kg, and for normal-weight girls (NWG; n=162) 118.9+/-2.35 cm and 20.9+/-1.30 kg, respectively. The children were subjected to the following EUROFIT fitness tests: sit-and-reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), handgrip (HGR), bent-arm hang (BAH) and shuttle run 10x5 m (SHR). The results were standardised against the functions of means and standard deviations for age computed for the Polish population and compared with the t-test. Both groups of short-statured girls performed significantly worse compared with the general population with respect to HGR, and significantly better with respect to BAH. In boys, it was only true for the normal-weight ones. Compared to normal-weight girls, the overweight ones performed significantly worse with respect to SBJ. Since the early-school age various forms of physical activity should be provided that would decrease the potential deficiencies in physical fitness of children. Systematically undertaken physical activity would be also one of the key elements in the treatment of obesity.


Change of salivary IgA secretion and caries development in irradiated rats.
Xerostomia is a serious side-effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and often enhances caries activity. However, the relationship between caries induction and the IgA level in saliva in rats subjected to irradiation of the salivary glands is unclear. The effect of salivary gland irradiation on salivary function was examined in specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats infected with or without Streptococcus mutans MT8148R (serotype c). The flow rate of saliva and the protein concentration in saliva were significantly reduced in irradiated rats, regardless of infection of S. mutans. The caries activity was enhanced in these rats, and and irradiation level of 50 Gy significantly increased the caries score. However, longitudinal study indicated that the salivary concentration of IgA reactive with S. mutans whole cells maintained similar or significantly higher levels in irradiated rats, when compared with those of nonirradiated rats. In addition, there was no negative correlation between the caries score and the salivary concentration of IgA reactive with S. mutans. These findings suggest that the secreted IgA against S. mutans may not play a significant role in the caries induction of hyposalivated rats.


Planning ideology and geographic thought in the early twentieth century: Charles Whitnall's progressive era park designs for socialist Milwaukee.
As Milwaukee's chief park planner in the early to mid-twentieth century, Charles Whitnall responded to the various underlying ideologies of the period within which he worked. His preference for parks was a political and physical response to and remedy for the industrialized and heavily congested city he called home. By examining the Progressive Era discourse associated with planning, this article situates Whitnall's work within the political, aesthetic, and environmental contexts of geographic thought that influenced his plans for Milwaukee. In promoting a physical awareness associated with the natural features of the region and responding to the sociopolitical framework of contemporaries such as Ebenezer Howard, Whitnall incorporated a sense of compassion within his planning. He responded to the preexisting beer gardens of Pabst and Schlitz, as well as Olmsted-designed park spaces, by advocating for decentralization as part of a broader socialist agenda that had swept through Milwaukee during the early 1900s.


Entry of US medical school graduates into family medicine residencies: 2004-2005 and 3-year summary.
This is the 24th report prepared by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) on the percentage of each US medical school's graduates entering family medicine residency programs. Approximately 9.2% of the 15,895 graduates of US medical schools between July 2003 and June 2004 were first-year family medicine residents in 2004, compared with 9.3% in 2003 and 10.3% in 2002. Medical school graduates from publicly funded medical schools were more likely to be first year family medicine residents in October 2004 than were residents from privately funded schools, 10.8% compared with 6.5%. The West North Central and the Mountain regions reported the highest percentage of medical school graduates who were first-year residents in family medicine programs in October 2004 at 14.9% and 12.8%, respectively; the New England and Middle Atlantic regions reported the lowest percentages at 6.6% and 5.2%, respectively. Nearly half of the medical school graduates (46.8%) entering a family medicine residency program as first-year residents in October 2004 entered a program in the same state where they graduated from medical school. The percentages for each medical school have varied substantially from year to year since the AAFP began reporting this information. This article reports the average percentage for each medical school for the last 3 years. Also reported are the number and percentage of graduates from colleges of osteopathic medicine who entered Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited family medicine residency programs, based on estimates provided by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.


Biopsychosocial Functions of Human Walking and Adherence to Behaviourally Demanding Belief Systems: A Narrative Review.
Human walking is a socially embedded and shaped biological adaptation: it frees our hands, makes our minds mobile, and is deeply health promoting. Yet, today, physical inactivity is an unsolved, major public health problem. However, globally, tens of millions of people annually undertake ancient, significant and enduring traditions of physiologically and psychologically arduous walks (pilgrimages) of days-to-weeks extent. Pilgrim walking is a significant human activity requiring weighty commitments of time, action and belief, as well as community support. Paradoxically, human walking is most studied on treadmills, not 'in the wild', while mechanistically vital, treadmill studies of walking cannot, in principle, address why humans walk extraordinary distances together to demonstrate their adherence to a behaviourally demanding belief system. Pilgrim walkers provide a rich 'living laboratory' bridging humanistic inquiries, to progressive theoretical and empirical investigations of human walking arising from a behaviourally demanding belief system. Pilgrims vary demographically and undertake arduous journeys on precisely mapped routes of tracked, titrated doses and durations on terrain of varying difficulty, allowing investigations from molecular to cultural levels of analysis. Using the reciprocal perspectives of 'inside→out' (where processes within brain and body initiate, support and entrain movement) and 'outside→in' (where processes in the world beyond brain and body drive activity within brain and body), we examine how pilgrim walking might shape personal, social and transcendental processes, revealing potential mechanisms supporting the body and brain in motion, to how pilgrim walking might offer policy solutions for physical inactivity.


Carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus: potential role of endothelin-1, lipoperoxides, and prostacyclin.
Factors were studied that may initiate macroangiopathy or enhance or aggravate its pathogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 151 diabetics were compared with healthy controls (n=50); all patients and subjects were normotensive and without renal failure. Plasma endothelin-1 and free radical levels were measured. In addition, plasma prostacyclin levels were assessed by assaying its stable, spontaneous, breakdown product 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1a. Diabetics were divided into three groups: those with clinically evident macroangiopathy and those with early or without atherosclerosis (as determined by the carotid intima-media thickness. Plasma endothelin-1 levels were increased in all diabetics with atherosclerosis. Plasma free radical levels were increased in diabetics with macroangiopathy when compared with control subjects. The plasma levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1a were slightly, but significantly, decreased in the diabetics with macroangiopathy when compared with control subjects. The carotid intima-media thickness was significantly greater in diabetics without macroangiopathy when compared with the controls. Furthermore, the intima-media thickness increased significantly in this group of diabetics but not in the controls over a 30-month follow-up period. Several factors may contribute to atherogenesis in diabetics. These include increased plasma endothelin-1 and free radical levels as well as a deficiency of prostacyclin. These factors may become targets for intervention as well as markers of disease progression.


[Biomorphology of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants].
Under the term gastrointestinal nematodes are included numerous parasites species of livestock belonging to the families Strongyloididae (Strongyloides), Strongylidae (Chabertia, Oesophagostomum) Trichostrongylidae (Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Teladorsagia, Cooperia, Marshallagia), Molineidae (Nematodirus), Ancylostomatidae (Bunostomum) and Trichuridae (Trichuris). This paper reviews the biomorphology aspects of these parasites as well as the controversy by the taxonomists in the classifications.


P2X purinergic receptor channel expression and function in bovine aortic endothelium.
We examined bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) for the functional expression of P2X receptors, the ATP-gated cation channels. We identified the P2X subtypes present in BAECs using RT-PCR. mRNA was present for only three of seven family members: P2X4, P2X5, and P2X7. We then characterized agonist-activated currents in whole cell and outside-out patch recordings using 2-methyl-thio-ATP (MeSATP) as a P2X4 and P2X5 receptor agonist and 2',3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP) as a P2X7 receptor agonist. MeSATP (10-20 microM) produced current with characteristics of P2X4 receptors. The current was an inwardly rectifying current, reversed near 0 mV, slowly desensitized, was not blocked by suramin (300 microM) or reactive blue (60 microM), and had a single channel conductance of 36 pS. BzATP (10-100 microM), on the other hand, activated a 9-pS channel with sustained activity in the continued presence of the agonist. BzATP-activated current was blocked by reactive blue (60 microM) and by suramin (approximately 50% block at 300 microM). We confirmed, by immunocytochemistry, the presence of P2X4 and P2X7 protein. The agonists failed, however, to induce significant uptake of the large molecule YO-PRO, indicating the lack of pore development that has been demonstrated for P2X7 and P2X4 in response to agonist in some cell types.


Design of shallow donor levels in diamond by isovalent-donor coupling.
Using the first-principles pseudopotential method, we have studied simultaneous isovalent and n-type doping in diamond. We show that Si induces fully occupied isovalent levels near the valence band maximum. The Si levels interact with N donor levels, making them much shallower. The donor transition energy level of the N + 4Si defect complexes is found to be 0.09 eV below the conduction band minimum, which is the shallowest level found thus far for this system. The binding energy of the N + 4Si complex is also large enough to insure its stability.


[Study on ecological stereoscopic cultivation mode of Amomum villosum-Dimocarpus longan].
In order to set up a technical standard for planting Amomum villosum in wood forest in the future, we analyzed the relationship between the ecological factors and the yield of A. villosum planted in five Dimocarpus imocarpus longan wood forests and five miscellaneous wood forests in Yangchun city, to find out the dominant factors that affect the yield of A. villosum. The results showed that agricultural measures of fertilization, artificial irrigation and removing the old plants were positively correlated with the yield of A. villosum, the pesticide spraying and soil pH value were negatively correlated with the yield of A. villosum. But the effects of ecological factors on the yield were not significantly. High yield regions are generally located in the ravine, two sides of mountain stream and other places where water is more adequate. The slope of cultivated field with high yield is generally less than 30°, lighting and ventilation are more appropriate; soil type is generally sandy or loam, shade density is generally about 50%, and pollinators are many in quantity and variety. And we found that there was a large difference in mineral nutrient contents of soils among ten plantations. Results indicate that the yield of A. villosum is determined by the combination of each ecological factor. Suitable light intensity, moisture, ventilation and reasonable fertilization are conductive to increase the yield of A. villosum, but the use of pesticides and soil alkalization hinder the increase of A. villosum production. Too high shade density and the abuse of pesticides may be the main reason for limiting the yield of A. villosum planted in D. longan wood forests. This study has obtained key techniques of the ecological stereoscopic cultivation mode of A. villosum-D. longan, which lays a theoretical foundation for the guidance of farmers in planting A. villosum in the D. Longan forest in the future.


Recovery of RNA from flow-sorted fixed cells.
We describe a method for the preparation of RNA from ethanol-fixed cells, allowing analysis of the RNA from cells "frozen" in a given physiological state. This technique may have important applications in experiments which require prolonged cell manipulations before RNA preparation, such as investigations of cell-cycle-regulated gene expression, which require the preparation of cells for cell-cycle flow analysis, and even for long-term cell sorting. It eliminates all the inconveniences associated with the use of fresh cells, and allows cell-cycle biologists to couple flow cytometry methodology with the advancing techniques of molecular biology.


[Electromyographic studies on the effect of transection-anastomosis of goat abomasum (author's transl)].
The four bipolar electrods were chronically sutured on the serosa of pylorus of four female goasts (29-36 kg in weight): from oral, electrod No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4. Electromyograms of abomasum were recorded before and after transection-end-to-end anastomosis of pylorus (between No. 2 and No. 3 electrods). The results are summarized as follows: 1. Before transection - anastomosis, anti-peristaltic discharge was not found in the pylorus. 2. After the anastomosis, prolonged discharge interval of peristalses and anti-peristaltic discharges occured in the upper part of the anastomosis (No. 1 and 2). 3. In the lower part of the anastomosis (No. 3 and 4), prolonged discharge interval of peristalses occured in all four goats, but anti-peristalic discharges were found in three goats. 4. Propagation velocity of anti-peristalic discharges became more faster than that of normo-peristalses.


Impact of outpatient total hip or knee replacement on informal caregivers at home: a scoping review.
Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) offer significant cost savings to our health care system, the degree to which the burden of postoperative care has been transferred onto the informal caregiver is often overlooked. We performed a scoping review to identify the characteristics and factors that contribute to the burden of care experienced after outpatient THA and TKA. We systematically searched electronic literature databases according to scoping review guidelines from inception to June 2021 for articles reporting the experiences of informal caregivers providing care for patients having undergone outpatient THA or TKA. Our review included English-language studies that sought to elucidate the impact on caregivers in the acute postoperative period (up to 6 wk after surgery). Our search yielded 1423 unique articles, which were screened for inclusion. We removed 310 duplicate records and excluded another 1099 articles because they did not meet the inclusion criteria for full-text screening with relevancy. We thus assessed 14 articles for full-text review, and none were found to meet our inclusion criteria. We found no published data pertaining to the burden borne by informal caregivers who provide perioperative care to patients who have undergone ambulatory THA or TKA. Further research is needed to identify, quantify and determine the modifiability of the various characteristics and factors that contribute to caregiver burden in the outpatient setting.


[Uselessness of systematic bone scintigraphy in the assessment of the spread of bladder cancer, before excision surgery].
The authors reviewed bone scans in 55 patients with carcinoma of the bladder. Only 3 patients had a pathological bone scan. In two, an ordinary X-ray of the spine (visible on IVP) showed the existence of bone metastases. Thus amongst the total of 55 cases, bone scan was of specific value only once (1,9%). The authors mention the frequency of bone metastases at autopsy (24 to 37%) and the superiority of bone scan over an ordinary radiological skeletal survey. In the literature, false negative results for bone scan do not exceed 5% whilst the false negative rate for ordinary X-ray is 19%. Despite this reliability, bone scan alone is of basic importance in only a small number of cases. The present series is in line with those in the literature. Thus, other than where there is a special indication, the authors no longer request a bone scan in the assessment of spread of carcinoma of the bladder.


[Genetic analysis of TPO, DUOX2 and DUOXA2 genes in children with permanent congenital hypothyroidism suspected dyshormonogenesis].
Objective: To explore the TPO, DUOX2 and DUOXA2 genotypes and phenotypes of children with permanent congenital hypothyroidism(PCH) suspected dyshormonogenesis in Guangzhou, identified and treated at Guangzhou Newborn Screening Center. Six of them were born between 2011 and 2012. Method: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 9 children with PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis. Genetic analysis of TPO, DUOX2 and DUOXA2 genes were performed with Sanger sequencing. Result: Of the 9 patients, four were identified variants in TPO gene including three cases with biallelic variants and one case with monoallelic variant. Novel c. 1784G>C( p. R595T) variant in TPO was predicted to be damaging by SIFT and PolyPhen-2. Four patients harbored monoallelic known variants in DUOX2 gene and the other one harbored heterozygous known mutation c. 738C>G(p.Y246X) in DUOXA2 gene.Two adolescent patients with biallelic variants in TPO gene showed classical PCH phenotypes with thyroid goiter or nodules. The six patients with monoallelic variant in TPO, DUOX2 or DUOXA2 presented variable phenotypes. Among the 433 578 newborns in the 2011-2012 cohort, there were 156 cases of CH. Six of these cases were PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis, among which 1 case was confirmed TPO biallelic variants and 5 cases were monoallelic variants of TPO, DUOX2, or DUOXA2 genes. Conclusion: TPO and DUOX2 variants are the common molecular pathogenesis in children with PCH suspected dyshormonogenesis. Monoallelic variants in TPO, DUOX2 or DUOXA2 are associated with PCH and showed wide variability in their phenotypes. The novel variant p. R595T in TPO is probably a pathologic variant. The prevalence of PCH caused by TPO gene defects is rare in Guangzhou.


Hard contact lenses alter accommodative gain but do not prevent refractive adaptation in chicks.
This study compared the compensatory response to hyperopic defocus imposed on chicks in two different ways: (1) with-10 D spectacle lenses, and (2) with plano hard contact lens. The hyperopia seen with the contact lenses in situ was a consequence of their flat profile relative to the chick cornea, resulting in a negative fluid lens of approximately 16 D at day 2 and 9 D by day 10. This decrease with age reflects the corneal flattening that accompanies normal eye growth. By optically neutralizing the cornea, the contact lenses also had two other important effects: (1) a reduction in refractive astigmatism to almost negligible levels, and (2) a reduction in accommodative gain. The latter effect reflects the loss of the corneal component of the chick's accommodation and was estimated to be of the order of 40 to 57%, based on measurements made using topically applied nicotine to stimulate accommodation. Thus any estimate of the imposed hyperopic defocus based on accommodative effort required to overcome such errors will be too large. Chicks wearing either lens type on a continuous basis from hatching to 10 days only partially compensated for the imposed hyperopia through an increase in vitreous chamber growth. However, the effects were smaller in the spectacle lens group (e.g., a mean myopic shift of -4.1 +/- 2.3 D compared to -6.3 +/- 2.4 D for the contact lens group at day 10), although both groups experienced similar amounts of hyperopic defocus around day 10 (effective power of -10 D spectacle lens: -9.4 D). The changes seen in the spectacle lens group thus represent poorer compensation, i.e., 44 vs. 71% of the imposed error. However, overcompensation is the predicted effect, if any, of the accommodative deficit imposed on the contact lens group, and this was not seen. That compensation, albeit incomplete, occurred with the contact lens as well as the spectacle lens, suggests that neither accommodation nor astigmatism are fundamental cues for emmetropization as modeled here.


Hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract from Berchemia lineate against CCl4-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice.
The roots of Berchemia lineate (L.) DC. (Rhamnaceae) have been long used as a remedy for the treatment of some diseases in Guangxi Province, China. The present study investigates the hepatoprotective effect of Berchemia lineate ethanol extract (BELE) on CCl4-induced acute liver damage in mice. Effect of BELE administrated for 7 consecutive days was evaluated in mice by the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), albulin (ALB), globulin (GLB), and total protein (TP) levels, as well as liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Moreover, histopathological examinations were also taken. Compared with the model group, administration of 400 mg/kg BELE for 7 d in mice significantly decreased the serum ALT (56.25 U/L), AST (297.67 U/L), ALP (188.20 U/L), and TBIL (17.90 mol/L), along with the elevation of TP (64.67 g/L). In addition, BELE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, i.g.) treated mice recorded a dose-dependent increment of SOD (291.17, 310.32, and 325.67 U/mg prot) and reduction of MDA (7.27, 6.77, and 5.33 nmol/mg prot) levels. Histopathological examinations also confirmed that BELE can ameliorate CCl4-induced liver injuries, characterized by extensive hepatocellular degeneration/necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, and sinusoidal dilatation. The results indicated that BELE possessed remarkable protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity and oxidative injuries induced by CCl4, and that the hepatoprotective effects of BELE may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.


Spectrum of imaging findings on MRI and CT after uterine artery embolization.
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is an effective treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is typically employed to evaluate the uterus following UAE for fibroid infarction, size, location change, persistent enhancement, changes in adenomyosis, and uterine necrosis. Variable pattern of calcification on computed tomography (CT) can differentiate embolic particles and fibroid involution. CT following UAE may be requested because of acute pelvic pain or chest discomfort or pyrexia and/or for complications that may require treatment in acute phase. Visualization of gas in uterus and uterine vessels following UAE is an expected finding that should not be misinterpreted as a sign of infection. The MRI and CT appearances vary depending upon the time interval after UAE and success of the procedure. Radiologists should be familiar with the range of post-UAE appearances on MRI and CT to better aid clinicians in correct diagnosis and treatment. The main purpose of this pictorial review is to identify the spectrum of findings on MRI and CT performed after UAE, to illustrate UAE-associated common and uncommon MRI and CT appearances and discuss post-UAE complications that require urgent medical or surgical intervention.


[Comparative restriction analysis of HindIII-F-fragments of DNA from 4 strains of vaccinia virus].
The localization of KpnI, SacI, XhoI, AvaI, PstI, BglI, BamHI, EcoRI, PmiI, SalI, BglII, restriction endonuclease cleavage sites in HindIII-F-fragments of DNA from vaccinia strains WR, Copenhagen, LIVP and neurovaccine has been detected. The fragments have been shown to differ in the number of AvaI, EcoRI and BamHI sites. The fragments also differ from the analogue of Tian Tan vaccinia strain in the pattern of restriction by AvaI, XhoI, PstI, EcoRI and BamHI endonucleases.


Alcohol-related symptoms in heterogeneous families of hospitalized alcoholics.
Heterogeneity in the clinical symptoms of alcohol abuse was examined in 243 men and 305 women from families of hospitalized alcoholics, who had demonstrated different patterns of inheritance of susceptibility to alcoholism. Discriminant analysis was utilized to identify nine alcoholic symptoms that distinguished male relatives of alcoholic men from those of alcoholic women. Inability to abstain from alcohol, fighting and reckless driving while intoxicated, and alcohol treatment other than Alcoholics Anonymous were more prevalent in families of male probands. Male relatives of female probands experienced later onset of loss of control over drinking associated with benders, and cirrhosis and feelings of guilt. Female relatives of alcoholic men and women showed a marked predominance of the latter (Type 1) features, whereas male relatives had different clinical features, depending on the associated mode of inheritance.


Thrombophilia and pregnancy.
Inherited and acquired thrombophilia are the main cause of thrombosis in pregnant women. A growing number of reports over the last 6 years suggest that these disorders are also associated with an increased incidence of vascular pathologies resulting in poor gestational outcome. This review discusses recent data on thrombophilia and vascular placental pathology, and then discusses therapies to prevent placental vascular thrombosis and to maximize successful gestational outcome.


Prenatal ultrasonographical features of limb body wall complex: a review of etiopathogenesis and a new classification.
Limb body wall complex is a spectrum of multiple severe anomalies. The etiopathogenesis and clinical classification are still under discussion. In our article, while reviewing previous etiopathogenetical hypothesis, we propose a new clinical classification regarding embryological theories and pheneotypical features. According to the Van Allen diagnostic criteria, the findings of 6 affected fetuses are presented. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in 5 of 6 cases. Craniofacial malformations were present in only 1 case. Thoracic defect and abdominoschisis (either infraumbilical or supraumbilical) associated with visceral eventration, placental-umbilical cord anomalies, and limb defects were detected in the other 5 cases. Aberrant development of each of the 4 embryonic folds (cephalic, 2 lateral abdominal, and caudal) associated with faulty umbilical ring development and placental formation were considered responsible for development of various malformations. In previous clinical classifications, existence or absence of the craniofacial malformation was utilized as an unique discriminating criterion while multiple anomalies exist. In this report, we propose a new clinical classification concerning almost all anomalies caused by defective placental attachment and maldevelopment of the 4 folds.


Levels of mRNA for bone morphogenetic proteins, their receptors and SMADs in goat ovarian follicles grown in vivo and in vitro.
This study investigated the stability of housekeeping genes (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, β-tubulin, β-actin, phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), 18S rRNA, ubiquitin and ribosomal protein 19) and the levels of mRNA for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), -4 (BMP-4), -6 (BMP-6), -7 (BMP-7) and -15 (BMP-15), their receptors (BMPR-IA, -IB and -II) and Similar to Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (SMADs) (-1, -5 and -8) in goat follicles of 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm, as well as in secondary follicles before and after culture for 18 days. β-tubulin and PGK were the most stable housekeeping genes and the levels of mRNA for BMP-2 in follicles of 0.2mm were higher than in follicles of 0.5 and 1.0mm. For BMP-4, -6 and -7, the highest levels of mRNA were found in follicles of 1.0mm. The expression of BMPR-IB was higher in follicles of 0.2mm, whereas the levels of BMPR-II were higher in follicles of 0.5mm. The levels of mRNA for SMAD-5 were higher in follicles of 0.2mm, whereas SMAD-8 had higher levels in 0.5-mm follicles. After culture, follicles showed increased levels of mRNA for BMP-2 and reduced mRNA for BMP-4, BMP-7, BMPR-IA and SMAD-5. In conclusion, β-tubulin and PGK are the most stable reference genes, and BMPs, their receptors and SMADs have variable levels of mRNA in the follicular size classes analysed.


Sequential dose-dense adjuvant therapy with doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide.
The recognition of paclitaxel's (Taxol) activity and non-cross-resistance with doxorubicin (Adriamycin) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer has motivated study of the agent in the adjuvant setting. However, the ideal means of incorporating this new agent is not yet known. In stage IV disease, exciting results have been seen with combinations of doxorubicin plus paclitaxel, and this approach is being tested as adjuvant treatment. An alternative approach that has produced superior results with other non-cross-resistant regimens is sequential administration of the combination agents. Based on prior clinical trials, we tested sequential dose-dense therapy with high-dose doxorubicin, followed first by paclitaxel and then by cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) for high-risk operable breast cancer. This regimen was associated with marked toxicity but was nonetheless tolerable and resulted in promising relapse-free survival. This regimen is now being compared to high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support for women with operable breast cancer, metastatic to four to nine axillary lymph nodes.


Real-Time Blood Velocity Vector Measurement Over a 2-D Region.
Quantitative blood velocity measurements, as currently implemented in commercial ultrasound scanners, are based on pulsed-wave (PW) spectral Doppler and are limited to detect the axial component of the velocity in a single sample volume. On the other hand, vector Doppler methods produce angle-independent estimates by, e.g., combining the frequency shifts measured from different directions. Moreover, thanks to the transmission of plane waves, the investigation of a 2-D region is possible with high temporal resolution, but, unfortunately, the clinical use of these methods is hampered by the massive calculation power required for their real-time execution. In this paper, we present a novel approach based on the transmission of plane waves and the simultaneous reception of echoes from 16 distinct subapertures of a linear array probe, which produces eight lines distributed over a 2-D region. The method was implemented on the ULAO-OP 256 research scanner and tested both in phantom and in vivo. A continuous real-time refresh rate of 36 Hz was achieved in duplex combination with a standard B-mode at pulse repetition frequency of 8 kHz. Accuracies of -11% on velocity and of 2°on angle measurements have been obtained in phantom experiments. Accompanying movies show how the method improves the quantitative measurements of blood velocities and details the flow configurations in the carotid artery of a volunteer.


Hydration and physical performance.
There is a rich scientific literature regarding hydration status and physical function that began in the late 1800s, although the relationship was likely apparent centuries before that. A decrease in body water from normal levels (often referred to as dehydration or hypohydration) provokes changes in cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, metabolic, and central nervous function that become increasingly greater as dehydration worsens. Similarly, performance impairment often reported with modest dehydration (e.g., -2% body mass) is also exacerbated by greater fluid loss. Dehydration during physical activity in the heat provokes greater performance decrements than similar activity in cooler conditions, a difference thought to be due, at least in part, to greater cardiovascular and thermoregulatory strain associated with heat exposure. There is little doubt that performance during prolonged, continuous exercise in the heat is impaired by levels of dehydration >or= -2% body mass, and there is some evidence that lower levels of dehydration can also impair performance even during relatively short-duration, intermittent exercise. Although additional research is needed to more fully understand low-level dehydration's effects on physical performance, one can generalize that when performance is at stake, it is better to be well-hydrated than dehydrated. This generalization holds true in the occupational, military, and sports settings.


[Improvement on the making process of double splints before orthognathic surgery of skeletal Class III].
The conventional methods on making double splints in presurgery of skeletal Class III were complicated. To find an easy method for the improvement of the production of splints and simplify the making process, 17 severe skeletal Class III patients accepted bimaxillary surgery after making double splints were used. According to visual treatment objective (VTO) forecasting on the lateral cephalometric radiograph of ending presurgical orthodontics and analyzing study models, the surgical methods were designed, the mobile osteotomy bone volume was estimated and the maxillary abnormity was classified. For the patients with right midline and without adjusting their occlusion plane, use the single model method (antedisplace maxillary model twice) or double models method (antedisplace maxillary model firstly, and then retrodisplace mandibular model) to make the double splints which guided the fixtion of bimaxillary surgery through their parallel models and simple articulators. The making process of the double splints was simplified and improved, and the postsurgery effects of all patients were satisfied. Therefore, for making the double splints of skeletal Class III bimaxillary surgery, utilizing the proper method on the basis of the specific abnormal conditions of patients can simplify the production process and get twice the result with half the effort.


The Scaffold Protein KATNIP Enhances CILK1 Control of Primary Cilia.
The primary cilium functions as a cellular sensory organelle and signaling antenna that detects and transduces extracellular signals. Mutations in the human gene CILK1 (ciliogenesis associated kinase 1) cause abnormal cilia elongation and faulty Hedgehog signaling, associated with developmental disorders and epilepsy. CILK1 is a protein kinase that requires dual phosphorylation of its TDY motif for activation and its extended C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) mediates targeting to the basal body and substrate recognition. Proteomics previously identified katanin-interacting protein (KATNIP), also known as KIAA0556, as a CILK1 interacting partner. In this study we discovered that CILK1 colocalizes with KATNIP at the basal body and the CILK1 IDR is sufficient to mediate binding to KATNIP. Deletion analysis of KATNIP shows one of three domains of unknown function (DUF) is required for association with CILK1. KATNIP binding with CILK1 drastically elevated CILK1 protein levels and TDY phosphorylation in cells. This resulted in a profound increase in phosphorylation of known CILK1 substrates and suppression of cilia length. Thus, KATNIP functions as a regulatory subunit of CILK1 that potentiates its actions. This advances our understanding of the molecular basis of control of primary cilia.