Prediction of unerupted canines and premolars in a Syrian sample.
The current study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the methods of Moyers and of Tanaka and Johnston to estimate the mesiodistal widths of permanent canines and premolars in Syrian individuals, to determine whether the predicting equations differ by sex, and to develop more accurate regression equations using various teeth groups as predictors. A total of 670 pretreatment pairs of casts belonging to 342 female patients and 328 male patients were selected from the archives of orthodontic clinics in Damascus University and Al-Baath University. All relevant teeth were measured to the nearest 0.01 mm. Paired t tests were used to test the applicability of the Moyers method and the Tanaka and Johnson equation on Syrian individuals. New regression equations were constructed. The predicted values of permanent canines and premolars derived from Moyers' charts at the 50th percentile levels tended to underestimate the actual values for the male subjects but were comparable to the actual values for the female subjects. However, the predicted values derived at the 75th percentile levels tended to be comparable to the actual values for the male subjects and to overestimate the actual values for the female subjects. The predicted values calculated by Tanaka and Johnston's equations tended to overestimate the actual values in both study groups. The Moyers method was more accurate for the mixed dentition analysis for Syrian individuals. However, the proper percentile level is determined by sex. The use of the equations constructed using the Syrian sample is advised.


[Morbidity rate among Georgian sodium cyanide production workers].
With the purpose of evaluation of the role of production-professional factors on the health status of sodium cyanide production workers, the working conditions (pollution of the air by chemical substances, microclimate, noise, vibration) were examined and the data on temporary work incapacity during 2000-2004 years were analyzed. Among the production-professional factors the pollution of the air of working surroundings by toxic substances, as well as the high temperature of air, noise and vibration were leading causes. It is shown that the working conditions have certain influence on the morbidity rate among the workers. Morbidity rate in the main group was 1,7 times higher. In the morbidity structure, diseases of respiratory, cardio-vascular, nervous, digestive and musculoskeletal systems were leading.


Effect of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Flour on the Production and Quality of Low-Fat Camel Milk Processed Cheese Spread.
Camel milk has nutritional and therapeutic properties. Quinoa flour has been incorporated into many kinds of food because of its various nutrients and bio-actives. This study aimed to investigate the effect of using quinoa flour on the properties of low-fat camel milk processed cheese spread (LF-CMPCS) made from fermented retentate camel milk as a camel cheese base. Quinoa flour was used to substitute 1, 3 and 5% of the camel cheese base made with Ras cheese. The resultant cheeses were analyzed for several parameters. Such as physiochemical, texture properties, antioxidant activity, fatty acids, microstructure and organoleptic properties as fresh and during storage period at 5±1°C for 3 months. The data were analyzed by ANOVA using the SPSS computer program. Total solids, protein, fat/dry matter and soluble nitrogen decreased significantly while the fiber, carbohydrates and pH values increased significantly. Meltability value of LF-CMPCS significantly decreased. The results indicated that the hardness increased significantly with the increase in the addition of quinoa flour. The fatty acid profile indicated a significant increase in oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic (18:3) and eicosenoic (20:1) with the increase of quinoa flour. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the presence of quinoa flour in the space within the casein particle network. It could be concluded that the addition of quinoa flour to camel cheese (up to 3%) can improve the chemical, sensory and microstructure and texture properties of LF CMPCS camel milk cheese without altering the quality of the product.


Evaluation of surgical margins according to the histological type of basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical margin of basal cell carcinoma and correlate this with its histologic subtype. A retrospective analysis of pathology laboratory records from 1990 to 2000 was performed and the following data was collected: age, sex, race, anatomical location, histological type, and state of the excision margins in 1,428 histopathological reports of basal cell carcinoma. Ages ranged from 6 to 99 years, with an average of 57. There was a slight predominance of lesions in white women patients, and the most common histological subtype was the nodular, followed by the superficial. The most common locations were in the head and neck, with highest prevalence appeared in the nose. Surgical margins revealed a lateral involvement of 20.14% and a deep involvement of 12.47%. The fibrosing basal cell carcinoma is the histological type that most often presented positive surgical margins.


Identification of genes expressed in premalignant breast disease by microscopy-directed cloning.
Histopathologic study of human breast biopsy samples has identified specific lesions which are associated with a high risk of development of invasive breast cancer. Presumably, these lesions (collectively termed premalignant breast disease) represent the earliest recognizable morphologic expression of fundamental molecular events that lead to the development of invasive breast cancer. To study molecular events underlying premalignant breast disease, we have developed a method for isolating RNA from histologically identified lesions from frozen human breast tissue. This method specifically obtains mRNA from breast epithelial cells and has identified three genes which are differentially expressed in premalignant breast epithelial lesions. One gene identified by this method is overexpressed in four of five noncomedo ductal carcinoma in situ lesions and appears to be the human homologue of the gene encoding the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis.


Effect of sagittal spinal balance, levels of posterior instrumentation, and length of follow-up on low back pain in patients undergoing posterior decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease: a multifactorial analysis.
Prospective controlled clinical study on low back pain (LBP). To investigate the possible effects of radiographic and other related parameters on LBP in patients underwent decompression and posterolateral instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease. Sagittal balance of the spine after spine surgery has gained increasing interest regarding its correlation with LBP and fusion rate. To our knowledge, no advanced statistical analysis on the effects of sagittal roentgenographic and other parameters on LBP after lumbar surgery has been published. Forty-five patients with an average age of 63 years, who underwent pedicle-screw fixation in 2, 3, and 4 vertebrae for degenerative lumbar spine disease were selected to be included in this study. Radiographic and self-assessment (bodily pain, short form-36) data were evaluated using advanced statistics (multifactorial analysis) to investigate all possible correlations between a dependent parameter (LBP) and independent parameters (sex, extension of instrumentation, sagittal spinal balance, and angular motion at the adjacent free level above instrumentation). All patients were observed for an average of 5.5 years (range, 5-7 years). Male patients showed significantly more improvement of LBP than female counterparts (P = 0.024). LBP improved after surgery by the first year (P < 0.000) and thereafter decreased (P < 0.000) at the final evaluation, but remained at levels significantly higher than before surgery (P < 0.000). The deviation of the apical lumbar vertebra from C7-plumbline was correlated with LBP (P < 0.000). Patients, who received third- and fourth- level instrumentation had less LBP (P = 0.0245) than their counterparts, who received second-level instrumentation. Improvement of sagittal deviation of apical lumbar vertebra, instrumentation of third or fourth vertebrae, male gender, and fusion success were correlated with postoperative improvement of LBP after posterior decompression and pedicle screw fixation for symptomatic degenerative lumbar spine disease.This research suggests that the methods directed at the improvement in sagittal spinal balance of the lumbar spine, careful selection of fusion levels, and improvement of fusion rate might be beneficial for decreasing LBP after surgery in degenerative lumbar spine disease.


Activated radiationless decay of rhodamine-3B: nonequilibrium polarization effects in viscous solvents.
Nonequilibrium polarization effects that arise in high viscous polar solvents are discussed as regards to the rhodamine-3B-activated radiationless process. Rate constants are interpreted using dipole isomerization theories which enable the recovery of a barrier top region wave number identical to that previously obtained in less viscous solvents [J. Phys Chem. A 104, 11909 (2000)]. The Onsager-frequency-dependent reaction field can model the friction effect on the rate constants that in glycerol were estimated also from an adiabatic charge-transfer model. The cusp barrier height is half the electronic coupling, as expected from the equality found for the frequencies of the reactant well and barrier top in this process. Coupling to solvent polarization modes can control the friction effect on the reactive mode. A two-dimensional reaction surface explains the photophysical features detected in the radiationless decay and a state energy diagram is proposed for rhodamine-3B.


Family members' experiences of their role in a hospital: a pilot study.
The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of family members in their role of relative in a situation where a next of kin has been admitted to hospital. The questionnaire was used in data collection. The data reported here are from a pilot study. The sample consisted of 70 family members of patients receiving treatment on the neurological wards. It was found that family members spent a lot of time at their relative's bedside, most of them up to several hours a day. The daily routines of families and way of life were also very much affected. The most important way in which the hospital supported families was to keep them informed about the patient's care and treatment. However, this was not possible without an active interest and involvement on the part of family members themselves. There were obvious problems and shortcomings in terms of family orientation: only one third of the family members felt that the nursing staff were seriously interested in the family's well-being, and only one quarter had been told what they could do in hospital. About half of the family members needed to meet nurses to get support from nurses and over one third from doctors. The oldest respondents and women needed more help than did others. Men preferred to turn to doctors rather than nurses for help. In general family members had good experiences of visiting their relative in hospital. They believed that they were expected and that they were of help to their relative. Over half of the family members said they were actively involved in caring for their relative. Only four per cent of the family members reported bad experiences of their visits to hospital, in spite of the obvious shortcomings in family nursing. For this reason it is important that nurses facilitate the involvement and integration of relatives in the process of nursing.


Developmental changes in the understanding of implied motion in two-dimensional pictures.
The power of various pictorial movement cues in eliciting a reading of movement was studied to determine the relationship between the ease with which a picture is interpreted and the degree to which the picture retains the structure of reality. Movement was indicated in 2 ways: pictorial conventions indicated movement by lines, blurs, and vibration marks; and pictorial postures indicated movement by figures which were isomorphic with the postures involved in real movement. Preschoolers, first graders, sixth graders, and college students were asked to label and sort pictures of human figures as "moving" or "still". Members of the 2 young groups did not classify pictures with conventional cues as "moving" as often as they did pictures with postural cues. Members of the 2 older groups classified both types of pictures as "moving". Since postural cues for movement are recognized at an earlier age than conventional cues, those that are more similar to reality may be easier to understand.


[In vitro movement of human embryonic fibroblasts with normal and anomalous sets of chromosomes].
Migration of diploid postnatal and embryonic diploid and aneuploid cells was studied using a modified method of investigation of leukocyte migration under agarose. The method permits to study migration of fibroblasts and other proliferating cells. Embryonic fibroblasts were shown to move faster, than postnatal fibroblasts. Cells with trisomy 7, 9 and C, and triploid cells were found to move slower than diploid cells. Locomotor disturbances are supposed to be the basis of impairment of morphogenesis in chromosomal anomalies in man.


[Diagnosis and severity assessment of patients with depression].
Clinically, depressive patients are increasing. It is very important but difficult to differentiate pathological depressive state from normal depressive reaction. In order to diagnose pathological depressive state (i.e. depression) and assess the severity, several diagnostic criteria and assessment scales for depression are available though most of them are provisional with limitations. In this review, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition-Text Revision(DSM-IV-TR), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) are introduced and discussed. DSM-IV-TR is used for diagnosis and severity assessment of depression whereas HAM-D and MADRS can be used for only severity assessment.


PGH synthase and lipoxygenase generate superoxide in the presence of NADH or NADPH.
Purified PGH synthase when acting on arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide or reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate generated superoxide in burst-like fashion. In eight experiments using different batches of enzyme, the mean +/- SE rate of superoxide generation from 100 U of enzyme measured as the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c was 5.06 +/- 0.19 nmol/min in the first minute and 0.35 +/- 0.03 nmol/min subsequently. Optimum rates of superoxide were seen at concentrations of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide in excess of 80 microM and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate in excess of 100 microM. Using prostaglandin G2 or linoleic acid as substrate rather than arachidonate also resulted in superoxide generation. When prostaglandin H2 was used as substrate, no superoxide was generated. The rate of superoxide generation was markedly inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Superoxide generation was also observed during the action of lipoxygenase on either linoleic or arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide or reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide 3'-phosphate but not in their absence. Indomethacin had no effect on superoxide generation from lipoxygenase. We conclude that PGH synthase and lipoxygenase produce superoxide via a side-chain reaction dependent on the presence of suitable reducing cosubstrate. This mechanism is analogous to that described for peroxidases in general.


A flat-panel-shaped hybrid piezo/triboelectric nanogenerator for ambient energy harvesting.
Recently, many researchers have been paying attention to nanogenerators (NGs) as energy sources for self-powered mirco-nano systems, and studying how to achieve their higher power generation. Hence, we propose a hybrid-type NG for harvesting both the piezoelectric and triboelectric effect simultaneously. In the proposed hybrid NG, the piezoelectric NG (PNG) and triboelectric NG (TENG) are fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and perovskite zinc stannite (ZnSnO3) nanocubes with a high charge polarization of 59 uC cm-2 composite (PDMS + ZnSnO3) and UV surface-treated PDMS, respectively. To effectively combine a high output current of PNG and a high voltage of TENG, these two NGs are stacked upon each other, and separated by sponge spacers providing a uniform air gap for the triboelectric effect. In particular, this fabricated structure has a low Young's modulus for piezoelectricity. The proposed hybrid NG device effectively achieves a combined peak voltage of 300 V on an open circuit, a power density of 10.41 mW cm-2 at 1 MΩ load, and a maximum short circuit current density of 16 mA cm-2 at 50 Ω load. It is feasible that the proposed NG can be utilized as a source for various self-powered systems.


The effects of diffusion and perfusion MRI mismatch on the admission blood glucose and blood pressure values measured in the first 12 hours of acute stroke.
Patients with severe stroke and salvageable brain tissue at admission, who have higher glycaemic and blood pressure levels, may have a risk of iatrogenic hypoglycemia/iatrogenic hypotension. In this study, we examined the relationship between the presence of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)/perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) mismatch, admission blood glucose level, and admission blood pressure level in patients who were admitted in the first 12 hours after onset. We studied 212 patients who were prospectively and consecutively registered to the stroke unit from 2006 to 2009. Correlations between mismatch and admission blood pressure level (ABPL) and admission blood glucose level (ABGL) were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Mismatch (P = .064, adjusted OR = 2.297, 95% CI, 0.953-5.536) was not associated with a high ABGL in the whole group. However, after excluding patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 67, 35%), mismatch (P = .033, adjusted OR = 3.801, 95% CI, 1.110-13.015), an impaired level of consciousness, use of anti-DM medication, glycated hemoglobin levels, and cardioembolic aetiology were independent predictors of a high ABGL. The presence of mismatch or proximal vessel occlusion was not associated with ABPL. Female sex (P = .048) and total anterior circulation stroke (P = .008) were independent predictors associated with a higher ABPL. We conclude that patients with hyperacute ischemic stroke with PWI/DWI mismatch are more likely to have hyperglycemia.


Neural activity affects distribution of glutamate receptors during neuromuscular junction formation in Drosophila embryos.
Changes in the distribution and density of transmitter receptors in the postsynaptic cell are required steps for functional synapse formation. We raised antibodies against Drosophila glutamate receptors (DGluR-II) and visualized the distribution of receptors during neuromuscular junction formation in embryos. In wild-type embryos, embryonic development is complete within 22 hr after egg lying (AEL) and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation begins at 13 hr AEL. At the time of initial synapse formation, DGluR-IIs appeared as clusters closely associated with some muscle nuclei. Subsequently, these nonjunctional clusters dispersed while DGluR-IIs accumulated at the junctional region. In a paralytic temperature-sensitive mutant, para(ts1), neural activity decreases drastically at restrictive temperatures. When neural activity was blocked throughout synaptogenesis by rearing embryos at a restrictive temperature prior to the beginning of synaptogenesis, 12 hr AEL, the dispersal of extrajunctional clusters was significantly suppressed and no accumulation of receptors at the junction was observed at 22 hr AEL. However, when neural activity was blocked later, by rearing embryos at a restrictive temperature from 13 hr AEL, DGluR-IIs did not accumulate at the NMJ, although extrajunctional clusters dispersed normally. These findings suggest that the neural activity differentially regulates dissipation of receptor clusters in the nonjunctional region and accumulation of receptors at the junctional region.


We Have Enough Information to Act.
Evidence clearly indicates that physicians are suffering. This is harming our profession, our colleagues, other health care team members, and sometimes our patients. There are efforts nationally and internationally to explore ways of promoting wellness and decreasing the high levels of burnout among physicians. While promoting wellness is a complex challenge, and the solutions will need to be multifactorial, the literature suggests that the most effective interventions are organizational. Instead of putting the burden solely on us as individuals to be able to cope with challenging environments, we should be working toward improving the culture and processes in the workplace. Some technical solutions will be needed, but the challenges will also require adaptive solutions that address issues of trust and support. Our Center for Professionalism and Peer Support offers organizational initiatives designed to foster a culture of trust and respect through professionalism, conflict management, peer support, and disclosure coaching programs.


Is there a need for chloroprocaine 3% and bupivacaine 0.75%?
Bupivacaine and chloroprocaine have proven to be valuable local anesthetics for a variety of surgical and obstetrical situations. Bupivacaine is particularly useful as a long acting agent which provides excellent sensory analgesia particularly during labor with minimal blockade of motor fibers. The 0.75% solution is useful for epidural surgical anesthesia since it does result in a decrease in onset time and a more marked motor blockade. In recent years, this agent has been reported to cause rapid cardiovascular collapse in some patients. Cardiotoxicity associated with bupivacaine is related not to the concentration employed but to the total dosage administered as a rapid intravenous injection. The careful administration of this agents to avoid an accidental intravenous injection should not preclude the use of 0.75% bupivacaine for epidural anesthesia in surgical patients. This concentration is not recommended in obstetrical cases. Chloroprocaine is valuable as a rapid onset, short duration local anesthetic with a low potential for systemic toxicity. The 3% solution is particularly useful for providing a rapid onset of action. In recent years, localized neural irritation has occurred in some patients in whom large amounts of this agent were administered epidurally or intrathecally. The local neural toxicity of chloroprocaine solutions is referably to the low pH and the inclusion of sodium bisulfite in these particular solutions. The toxicity of chloroprocaine solutions is related to total dosage rather than the concentration of solution employed. Careful administration of chloroprocaine epidurally in order to avoid accidental subarachnoid injection should preclude the possibility of local neural toxicity.


Assessing Nurses' Knowledge of Spiritual Care Practices Before and After an Educational Workshop.
Although current research findings reflect that spiritual care is integral to the discipline of nursing, implementation of spiritual care still remains a neglected area of practice. The purpose of this pretest-posttest study was to determine whether a spiritual care educational workshop would increase nurses' knowledge, self-awareness, and abilities regarding spiritual care practices. The Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS) was used to measure the nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about spirituality and spiritual care practices. Forty-nine nurses working at a satellite hospital within the midwestern United States attended the educational workshop. A statistically significant increase in nurses' knowledge, self-awareness, and abilities regarding spiritual care practices was observed after the educational workshop. The majority of nurses reported that their nursing education inadequately prepared them to provide spiritual care to their patients, and they were unable to meet the spiritual needs of their patients. Findings support the need for continued education regarding spiritual care practices among working nurses. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2017;48(3):115-122.


[House effect and family contamination in sleeping sickness: interpretative trial of the phenomenon. Study of 3 Congolese foci].
A review is given of the different hypotheses concerning the concentration of trypanosomiasis cases at the house or family level: 1. Mechanical transmission by haematophagous insects. 2. Interrupted feeding of a tsetse fly with cyclic infection on different people. 3. Family biological factor. These hypotheses are used as a introduction to an epidemiological field study in three congolese foci. Whereas their distribution among village districts is random, patients are significantly aggregated at the house and/or family level. This distribution may be partly explained by the behaviour of members of the family and community cells, associated with amplifying factors, the most probable being interrupted feeding of a tsetse fly with cyclic infection. In some foci other possibilities can be considered, such as mechanical transmission by Aedes or hereditary population factors. This spatial and/or familial concentration of cases is an important epidemiological property of sleeping sickness, the practical implication of which is the exhaustive survey of the human environment of cases.


High affinity copper transport protein in the lizard Podarcis sicula: molecular cloning, functional characterization and expression in somatic tissues, follicular oocytes and eggs.
Copper (Cu) is an essential element required in many biological processes including cellular growth and development. The molecular mechanisms involved in copper homeostasis include proteins that play a role in Cu uptake. Genes encoding high affinity copper transporters (Ctr) have been identified in yeast, plant and mammalian cells. Analysis of copper and zinc content in growing ovarian follicles and ovulated eggs of the reptilian Podarcis sicula demonstrated that the levels of both metals rise during oocyte growth, reaching the maximum in ovulated eggs. By exploiting the remarkable evolutionary conservation of the primary structure of Ctr proteins, cDNA encoding a Ctr was isolated from the liver of the lizard P. sicula by reverse transcriptase PCR and RACE strategy by using primers designed based on consensus motifs present in mammalian Ctr. The predicted protein sequence contains three transmembrane domains and a putative hydrophilic extracellular amino-terminal domain. Besides complementing the respiratory deficiency of yeast cells defective in high affinity Cu transport, expression of lizard Ctr1(1) in Hek293 cells stimulates Cu uptake.Gene expression assessed by Northern blot hybridization of RNA from different tissues of P. sicula shows the highest levels of transcript in both intestine and liver. The profile of Ctr1 mRNA in growing ovarian follicles and eggs demonstrates that the transcript accumulates during the oocyte growth and reaches the highest levels in ovulated eggs. These results suggest that lizard Ctr1 protein may function in Cu acquisition in growing oocytes and eggs.


Chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting with cholecystitis-like symptoms and gallbladder wall invasion.
Although infiltration of the gallbladder by lymphoma is rare, it has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with cholecystitis-like symptoms. The most common lymphomas masquerading as acute cholecystitis are mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and large B-cell lymphoma. We describe a 75-year-old patient who presented with an acute cholecystitis-like picture, featuring chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with gallbladder wall involvement as the initial disease presentation. The cholecystectomy specimen showed perineural invasion present within the gallbladder wall, which likely accounted for the patient's right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness. In this way, we would like to alert clinicians and pathologists alike to CLL as yet another cause of a cholecystitis-like symptomatology.


Susceptibility of goats and calves after experimental inoculation or contact exposure to a Canadian strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides isolated from a goat.
Transmissibility of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides infection from experimentally inoculated goats to other goats and calves was studied. Eight goats and six calves were housed in an 18 m2 room. Six of the goats were inoculated endobronchially with strain D44 isolated from a natural case of polyarthritis in Ontario. These six goats died within a week of Mycoplasma septicemia. The two contact goats or the six calves never showed signs of disease and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides was not recovered from these animals. The contact goats and four calves were killed 25 days after exposure. They were all seronegative, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides was not recovered at necropsy and none had pathomorphological changes attributable to this Mycoplasma. The two remaining calves were inoculated endobronchially with 10(9) CFU of strain D44 and observed for 20 days. They never showed signs of disease and did not have significant lesions at necropsy. Both developed a significant serological response to M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, although this organism was not recovered during the experimental period or at necropsy. This study did not provide evidence for transmission of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides from endobronchially inoculated goats to contact goats or calves and endobronchially inoculated calves did not develop pneumonia. This would suggest that the infection of the goat population in Canada with this pathogen would not be a significant threat to the cattle population.


Efficacy of Glucose or Amino Acid-Based Commercial Beverages in Meeting Oral Rehydration Therapy Goals After Acute Hypertonic and Isotonic Dehydration.
The efficacy of different commercial beverage compositions for meeting oral rehydration therapy (ORT) goals in the treatment of acute dehydration in healthy humans has not been systematically tested. The objective of the study was to compare fluid retention, plasma volume (PV), and interstitial fluid (ISF) volume restoration when using 1 popular glucose-based and 1 novel amino acid-based (AA) commercial ORT beverage following experimental hypertonic or isotonic dehydration. Twenty-six healthy adults (21 males, 5 females) underwent either a controlled bout of hypertonic (n = 13) or isotonic (n = 13) dehydration (3%-4% body mass) via eccrine or renal body water and electrolyte losses induced using exercise-heat stress (EHS) or Lasix administration (LAS), respectively. Rehydration was achieved over 90 minutes by matching fluid intake to water losses (1:1) using a sports drink (SP) or AA commercial ORT beverage. Fluid retention (water and electrolytes), PV, and ISF volume changes were tracked for 180 minutes. AA produced significantly (P <0.05) greater fluid retention (75% vs 57%), ISF volume restoration, and tended (P = 0.06) to produce greater PV restoration in trial EHS. In trial LAS, neither beverage exceeded 65% retention, but AA replaced electrolytes and preserved ISF volume better than SP (P <0.05). The results of this study demonstrate superior rehydration when using AA compared with SP for both hypertonic and isotonic dehydration.


Severe Clinical Worsening in COVID-19 and Potential Mechanisms of Immune-Enhanced Disease.
Infection by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus produces a range of outcomes, with the majority of cases producing mild or asymptomatic effects, and a smaller subset progressing to critical or fatal COVID-19 disease featuring severe acute respiratory distress. Although the mechanisms driving severe disease progression remain unknown, it is possible that the abrupt clinical deterioration observed in patients with critical disease corresponds to a discrete underlying expansion of viral tropism, from infection of cells comprising respiratory linings and alveolar epithelia to direct infection and activation of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages. Dysregulated immune responses could then contribute to disease severity. This article discusses the potential role of monocyte/macrophage (Mo/Mϕ) infection by SARS-CoV-2 in mediating the immune response in severe COVID-19. Additional mechanisms of immune-enhanced disease, comprising maladaptive immune responses that may aggravate rather than alleviate severity, are also discussed. Severe acute clinical worsening in COVID-19 patients may be influenced by the emergence of antibodies that participate in hyperinflammatory monocyte response, release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), thrombosis, platelet apoptosis, viral entry into Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-expressing immune cells, and induction of autoantibodies with cross-reactivity against host proteins. While the potential roles of Mo/Mϕ infection and immune-enhanced pathology in COVID-19 are consistent with a broad range of clinical and laboratory findings, their prominence remains tentative pending further validation. In the interim, these proposed mechanisms present immediate avenues of inquiry that may help to evaluate the safety of candidate vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics, and to support consideration of pathway-informed, well-tolerated therapeutic candidates targeting the dysregulated immune response.


Enhanced survival of the LINCL mouse following CLN2 gene transfer using the rh.10 rhesus macaque-derived adeno-associated virus vector.
Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the CLN2 gene and a deficiency of tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP-I). Prior studies with adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2 or 5 mediated transfer of the CLN2 complementary DNA to the central nervous system (CNS) of CLN2(-/-) mice cleared CNS storage granules, but provided no improvement in the phenotype or survival of this model of LINCL. In this study, AAV serotypes (AAV2, AAV5, AAV8, and AAVrh.10) were compared for the delivery of the same CLN2 expression cassette. AAVrh.10, derived from rhesus macaque, provided the highest TPP-I level and maximum spread beyond the site of injection. The AAVrh.10-based vector functioned equally well in naive rats and in rats previously immunized against human serotypes of AAV. When administered to the CNS of CLN2(-/-) mice, the AAVrh.10CLN2 vector provided widespread TPP-I activity comparable to that in the wild-type mice. Importantly, the AAVrh.10CLN2-treated CLN2(-/-) mice had significant reduction in CNS storage granules and demonstrated improvement in gait, nest-making abilities, seizures, balance beam function, and grip strength, as well as having a survival advantage.


Avian leukocytic cytokines.
Leukocytic cytokines are produced by cells of the immune system and are prominent regulators of the immune response and in some cases various systemic responses. Leukocytic cytokines are released during immune responses and may act in autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manners. Although over a dozen avian leukocytic cytokines have been described based on functional activities, characterization at the molecular level is not well developed. Two exceptions are 1) myelomonocytic growth factor, a colony-stimulating factor-like cytokine required for the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells, particularly myelomonocytic cells; and 2) the avian transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of cytokines, which modulate wound healing, bone metabolism, and cellular differentiation. Cytokines with bioactivities similar to mammalian interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, and interferon-gamma have been at least partially purified. Cytokines with bioactivities similar to mammalian IL-8, colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha have been reported but are not well characterized at the molecular level. With a few exceptions, including TGF-beta and thymulin, highly purified leukocytic cytokines of mammalian origin have diminished or no specific activity in avian assay systems. The chicken IL-1 receptor has been cloned and the predicted amino acid sequence shares 60% homology with the human IL-1 receptor. A component of the chicken IL-2 receptor has been partially purified but little is known about other avian leukocytic cytokine receptors. Potential applications of leukocytic cytokines in poultry production originate from their regulation of a variety of functions such as disease resistance, would healing, bone accretion, nutrient partitioning, appetite, growth, and reproduction.


Interplay of Zero-Field Splitting and Excited State Geometry Relaxation in fac-Ir(ppy)3.
The lowest energy triplet state, T1, of organometallic complexes based on iridium(III) is of fundamental interest, as the behavior of molecules in this state determines the suitability of the complex for use in many applications, e.g., organic light-emitting diodes. Previous characterization of T1 in fac-Ir(ppy)3 suggests that the trigonal symmetry of the complex is weakly broken in the excited state. Here we report relativistic time dependent density functional calculations of the zero-field splitting (ZFS) of fac-Ir(ppy)3 in the ground state (S0) and lowest energy triplet (T1) geometries and at intermediate geometries. We show that the energy scale of the geometry relaxation in the T1 state is large compared to the ZFS. Thus, the natural analysis of the ZFS and the radiative decay rates, based on the assumption that the structural distortion is a small perturbation, fails dramatically. In contrast, our calculations of these quantities are in good agreement with experiment.


Small Pd Clusters, up to the tetramer at least, are highly mobile on the MgO(100) surface.
Density functional theory calculations predict that small clusters of Pd atoms, containing up to at least four atoms, are highly mobile on the MgO(100) surface with the tetramer having the largest diffusion rate at room temperature--larger than the monomer. Surface vacancies are found, however, to bind the larger clusters strongly enough to trap them. These are important considerations when analyzing the growth and sintering of metal islands on oxide surfaces, in particular, the role of point defects.


Construction of diagnostic prediction model for canine nasal diseases using less invasive examinations without anesthesia.
Advanced imaging techniques under general anesthesia are frequently employed to achieve a definitive diagnosis of canine nasal diseases. However, these examinations may not be performed immediately in all cases. This study aimed to construct prediction models for canine nasal diseases using less-invasive examinations such as clinical signs and radiography. Dogs diagnosed with nasal disease between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively investigated to construct a prediction model (Group M; GM), and dogs diagnosed between 2020 and 2021 were prospectively investigated to validate the efficacy (Group V; GV). Prediction models were created using two methods: manual (Model 1) and LASSO logistic regression analysis (Model 2). In total, 103 and 86 dogs were included in GM and GV, respectively. In Model 1, the sensitivity and specificity of neoplasia (NP) and sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA) were 0.88 and 0.81 in GM and 0.92 and 0.78 in GV, respectively. Those of non-infectious rhinitis (NIR) and rhinitis secondary to dental disease (DD) were 0.78 and 0.88 in GM and 0.64 and 0.80 in GV, respectively. In Model 2, the sensitivity and specificity of NP and SNA were 0.93 and 1 in GM and 0.93 and 0.75 in GV, respectively. Those of NIR and DD were 0.96 and 0.89 in GM and 0.80 and 0.79 in GV, respectively. This study suggest that it is possible to create a prediction model using less-invasive examinations. Utilizing these predictive models may lead to appropriate general anesthesia examinations and treatment referrals.


[Effect of sildenafil citrate on the cortical visual responses].
To study the possible effect of oral sildenafil citrate on the response of cortical visual cells to visual stimulation. Multiunit activity was recorded from cortical area V2 of one behaving monkey. Spatio-temporal receptive field maps were obtained by using a reverse cross correlation technique and white noise visual stimulation before and after oral administration of sildenafil citrate. The receptive field maps showed a reduction in response latency after administration of sildenafil citrate. Since sildenafil citrate is an inhibitor of retinal phosphodiesterase-6, an enhancement on light sensitivity in the photoreceptors is proposed as the cause of the observed reduction in response latency (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 241-246).


Immunophenotyping and metastatic localization of breast cancer.
Monoclonal antibody SM 92 is involved in the immunophenotype of gastrointestinal and liver cells, SM 43 in ovarian cells, and SM 13 in lung cells. Based on a study of 61 breast adenocarcinoma patients, we found that tumors reacting with SM 92 appear associated with liver metastases, SM 43 with ovarian metastases, and SM 13 with lung metastases. These associations are highly significant. They lend some support to the concept that tumor cells that metastasize tend to go to sites where cells normally have the same surface antigens.


B-1 cell development: evidence for an uncommitted immunoglobulin (Ig)M+ B cell precursor in B-1 cell differentiation.
Murine phosphatidyl choline (PtC)-specific B cells in normal mice belong exclusively to the B-1 subset. Analysis of anti-PtC (VH12 and VH12/Vkappa4) transgenic (Tg) mice indicates that exclusion from B-0 (also known as B-2) occurs after immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. This predicts that PtC-specific B-0 cells are generated, but subsequently eliminated by either apoptosis or differentiation to B-1. To investigate the mechanism of exclusion, PtC-specific B cell differentiation was examined in mice expressing the X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) mutation. xid mice lack functional Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), a component of the B cell receptor signal transduction pathway, and are deficient in B-1 cell development. We find in C57BL/ 6.xid mice that VH12 pre-BII cell selection is normal and that PtC-specific B cells undergo modest clonal expansion. However, the majority of splenic PtC-specific B cells in anti-PtC Tg/xid mice are B-0, rather than B-1 as in their non-xid counterparts. These data indicate that PtC-specific B-0 cell generation precedes segregation as predicted, and that Btk function is required for efficient segregation to B-1. Since xid mice exhibit defective B cell differentiation, not programmed cell death, these data are most consistent with an inability of PtC-specific B-0 cells to convert to B-1 and a single B cell lineage.


Measurement of the refractive indices of hydrogel materials by interferometry.
The purpose of this study was to measure the refractive indices of hydrophilic hydrogel materials of different equilibrium water content. The need to measure the refractive indices precisely has been an important factor in the design of soft hydrophilic lenses. The inaccuracy of measuring the refractive index of hydrogel materials using an Abbé refractometer led to the use of a Linnik micro-interferometer. The experimental results showed a close agreement to the theoretical data.


Elevation of plasma renin activity during pregnancy and rupture of a dissecting aortic aneurysm in a patient with primary aldosteronism.
This is a case report of a 37-year-old Japanese woman with primary aldosteronism who was found to have high plasma renin activity during toxemia of pregnancy and who died of a dissecting aneurysm of the aorta about 2 years later. The autopsy findings showed cystic medial necrosis in the aorta and a right adrenocortical adenoma. The dissecting aneurysm in this case is probably related to hypertension and cystic medial necrosis. A definite diagnosis of primary aldosteronism cannot be made during toxemia of pregnancy, and it is necessary to do serial determinations of plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration after delivery to confirm the diagnosis.


A sociocultural health model for late-in-life immigrants.
This study develops a sociocultural health and illness model for Iranian late-in-life immigrants in Sweden by analyzing ways in which they perceive, experience, and explain their health situations. Fifteen Iranian immigrants, ages 55 to 80, were interviewed; data were analyzed using the interpretive-phenomenology method. The interviews revealed the following concepts: Reflections on the meaning of health were interpreted as cultural understanding of health. Reflections expressing knowledge about preventing illness and maintaining health were interpreted as proposed strategies and beliefs. Reflections expressing how to prevent illness and maintain health were interpreted as practical strategies, which were based on understanding of cultures and were contingent on immigration. Health care providers might use the resulting model to assist patients and families in appropriating cures and symptom management to support patients' sense of well-being.


Molecular Responses of Cancers by Natural Products: Modifications of Autophagy Revealed by Literature Analysis.
Although numerous bibliometric studies have examined various aspects of cancer research, the landscape of scientific studies focusing on natural products in cancer research has not been characterized. Using the Web of Science Core Collection online database, we identify and analyze scientific articles on natural products in cancer-related research. English is the language of publication for 99% of articles. In general, annual citation count of an article increases quickly after publication, reaches a plateau in the second year, stays in this plateau for 10 yr, and then begins to fall. The five most contributing journal categories are medicinal chemistry, contributing the most at 1890 articles (24% of 8012 articles); oncology (20%, with 1572 articles); pharmacology and pharmacy (19%, with 1557); biochemistry and molecular biology (15%, with 1225); and plant sciences (11%, with 883 articles). The United States and Spain yield a larger number of articles with high average citations, and China has been increasing since 2009. Apoptosis and cytotoxicity are the two most-frequently used keywords. Effects of natural products on autophagy with a relevance to cancer are mentioned in 69 publications. Our literature analysis reveals a dynamically evolving landscape and an increasing volume of research investigations that are focused on the study of natural products in the context of cancer. Curcumin, flavonoids, and resveratrol are the most-frequently mentioned natural products. Cancer of the breast, prostate, and colon are the most-frequently mentioned cancers.


Residual stress of free-standing membranes of yttria-stabilized zirconia for micro solid oxide fuel cell applications.
The present study is devoted to analyze the compatibility of yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition techniques, with microfabrication processes based on silicon technologies for micro solid oxide fuel cells applications. Deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia on Si/SiO2/Si3N4 substrates was optimized for both techniques in order to obtain high density and homogeneity, as well as a good crystallinity for film thicknesses ranging from 60 to 240 nm. In addition, stabilized zirconia free-standing membranes were fabricated from the deposited films with surface areas between 50 x 50 microm2 and 820 x 820 microm2. Particular emphasis was made on the analysis of the effect of the nature of the deposition technique and the different design and fabrication parameters (membrane area, thickness and substrate deposition temperature) on the residual stress of the membranes in order to control their thermomechanical stability for application as electrolyte in micro solid oxide fuel cells.


Self-assembly of photochromic diarylethenes with amphiphilic side chains: reversible thermal and photochemical control.
Diarylethene derivatives with hexaethylene glycol side chains were synthesized and their self-assembling and photochromic reactivity were investigated. The diarylethenes showed photochromism in organic solvents and even in water. The aqueous solution of the compounds turned turbid quickly upon heating. The clouding behavior was investigated using 1H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and absorption spectroscopy. It was revealed that, in the aqueous solution, the compounds self-assembled into aggregates, and the aggregates were loosened by raising the temperature. The cloud-point temperature of the closed-ring isomer was 5-7 degrees C lower than that of the open-ring isomer. When asymmetric methyl groups were introduced in the amphiphilic side chains, induced circular dichroism (ICD) was observed upon irradiation with UV light in water. This ICD was explained by the difference in the self-assembling behavior between the open- and the closed-ring isomers. It was suggested that the closed-ring isomers assembled into a chiral nanostructure.


Establishment and characterization of an oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line from a never-smoking patient.
The rising incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) in patients who have never smoked and the paucity of knowledge of its biological behavior prompted us to develop a new cell line originating from a never-smoker. Fresh tumor tissue of keratinizing OTSCC was collected from a 44-year-old woman who had never smoked. Serum-free media with a low calcium concentration were used in cell culture, and a multifaceted approach was taken to verify and characterize the cell line, designated UCSF-OT-1109. UCSF-OT-1109 was authenticated by STR DNA fingerprint analysis, presence of an epithelial marker EpCAM, absence of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA, and SCC-specific microscopic appearance. Sphere-forming assays supported its tumorigenic potential. Spectral karyotype (SKY) analysis revealed numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified 46 non-synonymous and 13 synonymous somatic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one frameshift deletion in the coding regions. Specifically, mutations of CDKN2A, TP53, SPTBN5, NOTCH2, and FAM136A were found in the databases. Copy number aberration (CNA) analysis revealed that the cell line loses chromosome 3p and 9p, but lacks amplification of 3q and 11q (as does HPV-negative, smoking-unrelated OTSCC). It also exhibits four distinctive focal amplifications in chromosome 19p, containing 131 genes without SNPs. Particularly, 52 genes showed >3- to 4-fold amplification and could be potential oncogenic drivers. We have successfully established a novel OTSCC cell line from a never-smoking patient. UCSF-OT-1109 is potentially a robust experimental model of OTSCC in never-smokers.


Prediction of human intestinal first-pass metabolism of 25 CYP3A substrates from in vitro clearance and permeability data.
Intestinal first-pass metabolism may contribute to low oral drug bioavailability and drug-drug interactions, particularly for CYP3A substrates. The current analysis predicted intestinal availability (F(G)) from in vitro metabolic clearance and permeability data of 25 drugs using the Q(Gut) model. The drug selection included a wide range of physicochemical properties and in vivo F(G) values (0.07-0.94). In vitro clearance data (CLu(int)) were determined in human intestinal (HIM) and three liver (HLM) microsomal pools (n = 105 donors) using the substrate depletion method. Apparent drug permeability (P(app)) was determined in Caco-2 and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with human MDR1 gene (MDCK-MDR1 cells) under isotonic conditions (pH = 7.4). In addition, effective permeability (P(eff)) data, estimated from regression analyses to P(app) or physicochemical properties were used in the F(G) predictions. Determined CLu(int) values ranged from 0.022 to 76.7 microl/min/pmol of CYP3A (zolpidem and nisoldipine, respectively). Differences in CLu(int) values obtained in HIM and HLM were not significant after normalization for tissue-specific CYP3A abundance, supporting their interchangeable usability. The F(G) predictions were most successful when P(app) data from Caco-2/MDCK-MDR1 cells were used directly; in contrast, the use of physicochemical parameters resulted in significant F(G) underpredictions. Good agreement between predicted and in vivo F(G) was noted for drugs with low to medium intestinal extraction (e.g., midazolam predicted F(G) value 0.54 and in vivo value 0.51). In contrast, low prediction accuracy was observed for drugs with in vivo F(G) <0.5, resulting in considerable underprediction in some instances, as for saquinavir (predicted F(G) is 6% of the observed value). Implications of the findings are discussed.


[The effect of the formulation of a skin cream with a procyanidin polymer base and its effect on skin lesions caused by herpesviruses].
Procyanidin polymers are reported to be virostatic and virucidal in vitro. In this experiment we showed, on a hairless mouse model, biological effects of these agents, already demonstrated in vitro on cell cultures. Several dermic cream compositions have been tested and compared for reduction of HSV1 cutaneous lesions. In this study, it appeared clearly that active principle dosage form is as important as the biological effect of the agent. Composition and water content influence permeation speed, contact time with surface skin layers and consequently the pharmacological effect on herpetic skin injuries.


Complex dynamics and enhanced photosensitivity in a modified Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction.
This study presents an experimental investigation of nonlinear dynamics in a modified Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, in which the addition of 1,4-benzoquinone induced various complex behaviors such as mixed-mode oscillations and consecutive period-adding bifurcations. In addition, the presence of 1,4-benzoquinone significantly enhanced the photosensitivity of the ferroin-catalyzed BZ system, in which light-induced transitions between simple and complex oscillations have been achieved. Mechanistic study suggests that the influence of benzoquinone may arise from its interactions with the metal catalyst ferroin/ferriin, where cyclic voltammograms illustrate that the presence of benzoquinone causes an increase in the redox potential of ferroin/ferriin couple, which may consequently alternate the oxidation and reduction paths of the catalyst.


High-dimensional quantum dynamical study of the dissociation of H2 on Pd110.
We report the first six-dimensional quantum dynamical study of the dissociative adsorption of H(2) on a (110) surface. We have performed quantum coupled-channel calculations for the system H(2)/Pd(110) based on a potential energy surface (PES) that was derived from ab initio electronic structure calculations. In particular, we have focused on the effects of the corrugation and anisotropy of the PES on the H(2) dissociation probability. Our results agree well with the available experimental data for the sticking probability as a function of the initial kinetic energy and the angle of incidence. Because of the coupling between the anisotropy and corrugation of the potential energy surface our calculations predict an unusual rotational heating and a rather small rotational alignment in desorption.


Quantitating therapeutic disruption of tumor blood flow with intravital video microscopy.
Vascular-disrupting agents (VDA) kill tumor cells by selectively disrupting blood circulation in tumors. In vivo analysis of this intensely studied class of anticancer agents is invaluable for preclinical assessment of pharmacodynamic end points and effective therapeutic windows. In this review, we consider the role of intravital video microscopy in measuring tumor vascular response to VDAs, the potential of which lies in the opportunity to quantitate specific variables and to obtain real-time information on how VDAs affect tumor microcirculation.


The Intestinal Fate of Citrus Flavanones and Their Effects on Gastrointestinal Health.
Citrus flavanones, with hesperidin and naringin as the most abundant representatives, have various beneficial effects, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Evidence also indicates that they may impact the intestinal microbiome and are metabolized by the microbiota as well, thereby affecting their bioavailability. In this review, we provide an overview on the current evidence on the intestinal fate of hesperidin and naringin, their interaction with the gut microbiota, and their effects on intestinal barrier function and intestinal inflammation. These topics will be discussed as they may contribute to gastrointestinal health in various diseases. Evidence shows that hesperidin and naringin are metabolized by intestinal bacteria, mainly in the (proximal) colon, resulting in the formation of their aglycones hesperetin and naringenin and various smaller phenolics. Studies have also shown that citrus flavanones and their metabolites are able to influence the microbiota composition and activity and exert beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function and gastrointestinal inflammation. Although the exact underlying mechanisms of action are not completely clear and more research in human subjects is needed, evidence so far suggests that citrus flavanones as well as their metabolites have the potential to contribute to improved gastrointestinal function and health.


Vascular aging, the vascular cytoskeleton and aortic stiffness.
Vascular aging, aortic stiffness and hypertension are mechanistically interrelated. The perspective presented here will focus mainly on the molecular mechanisms of age-associated increases in the stiffness of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). This review will highlight the mechanisms by which the VSMC contributes to disorders of vascular aging. Distinct functional sub-components of the vascular cell and the molecular mechanisms of the protein-protein interactions, signaling mechanisms and intracellular trafficking processes in the setting of the aging aorta will be detailed.


Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Versus Continuous Endurance Training: Effects on Hematological and Cardiorespiratory System Adaptations in Professional Canoe Polo Athletes.
Sheykhlouvand, M, Gharaat, M, Khalili, E, Agha-Alinejad, H, Rahmaninia, F, and Arazi, H. Low-volume high-intensity interval versus continuous endurance training: effects on hematological and cardiorespiratory system adaptations in professional canoe polo athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 1852-1860, 2018-The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 paddling-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous endurance training (CET) on hematological, immunological, and cardiorespiratory adaptations in professional canoe polo athletes. A total of 21 male canoe polo athletes were randomly divided into 1 of 3 groups (N = 7): (a) HIIT with variable intensity (VIHIIT) (6 × 60 seconds at 100, 110, 120, 130, 130, 130, 120, 110, 100% vV[Combining Dot Above]O2peak from first to ninth session, respectively, 1:3 work to recovery ratio); (b) HIIT with variable volume (VVHIIT) (6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 9, 8, 7, 6 repetitions/session from first to ninth session, respectively) × 60 seconds at lowest velocity that elicited V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (vV[Combining Dot Above]O2peak), 1:3 work to recovery ratio); and (c) the CET group performed 3 times × 60 minutes paddling sessions (75% vV[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) per week for 3 weeks. Significant increases in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (ml·kg·min) (VIHIIT = 7.6%, VVHIIT = 6.7%), ventilation (V[Combining Dot Above]E) at V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (VIHIIT = 11.5%, VVHIIT = 15.2%), respiratory frequency (Rf) at V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (VVHIIT = 21.1%), V[Combining Dot Above]O2 at ventilatory threshold (VT) (VIHIIT = 10.5%, VVHIIT = 25.1%), V[Combining Dot Above]E at VT (VIHIIT = 12.4%, VVHIIT = 34.0%), tidal volume at VT (VIHIIT = 11.7%, VVHIIT = 33.3%), Rf at VT (VIHIIT = 9.7%), V[Combining Dot Above]E/V[Combining Dot Above]O2 at VT (VVHIIT = 13.1%), V[Combining Dot Above]O2/heart rate (HR) at VT (VIHIIT = 12.9%, VVHIIT = 21.4%), and V[Combining Dot Above]E/HR at VT (VIHIIT = 7.8%, VVHIIT = 27.2%) were seen compared with pretraining. Training interventions resulted in significant increases in mean platelet volume (VIHIIT = 2.7%, VVHIIT = 1.9%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (CET = 3.3%), and significant decrease in red blood cell distribution width (VVHIIT = -4.3), and cell numbers of lymphocyte (CET = -27.1) compared with pretraining. This study demonstrated that paddling-based HIIT enhances aerobic capacity and respiratory makers, without negatively affecting the immune system over 3 weeks.


The nature of hydrogen bonding in protic ionic liquids.
The size, direction, strength, and distribution of hydrogen bonds in several protic ionic liquids (PILs) has been elucidated using neutron diffraction and computer simulation. There is significant variation in PIL hydrogen bond interactions ranging from short and linear to long and bi-/trifurcated. The nature of the PIL's hydrogen bonds reflects its macroscopic properties.


Complement C3a receptors in the pituitary gland: a novel pathway by which an innate immune molecule releases hormones involved in the control of inflammation.
Two-way communication exists between the endocrine and immune systems using molecules such as hormones and cytokines. Here we describe a new pathway by which C3a, a complement-derived cytokine, stimulates anterior pituitary hormone release and activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a reflex central to the stress response and to the control of inflammation. We show that C3a receptors are expressed in pituitary hormone secreting and non-hormone secreting (folliculostellate) cells and that both C3a and C3adesArg (a non-inflammatory metabolite) stimulate pituitary cell cultures to release prolactin, growth hormone, and adrenocorticotropin. Serum levels of these hormones, together with adrenal corticosterone, increase dose dependently with recombinant C3a and C3adesArg administration in vivo. Pertussis toxin blocks the response to C3a but not C3adesArg, which indicates the presence of two receptors, only one of which is coupled to Galphai-proteins. We propose that the complement innate immune molecules (cytokines) modulate tissue-specific and systemic inflammatory responses through communication with the endocrine pituitary gland.


Prediction of Advisability of Returning Home Using the Home Care Score.
Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess whether the home care score (HCS), which was developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan in 1992, is useful for the prediction of advisability of home care. Methods. Subjects living at home and in assisted-living facilities were analyzed. Binominal logistic regression analyses, using age, sex, the functional independence measure score, and the HCS, along with receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, were conducted. Findings/Conclusions. Only HCS was selected for the regression equation. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (0.9), sensitivity (0.82), specificity (0.83), and positive predictive value (0.84) for HCS were higher than those for the functional independence measure, indicating that the HCS is a powerful predictor for advisability of home care. Clinical Relevance. Comprehensive measurements of the condition of provided care and the activities of daily living of the subjects, which are included in the HCS, are required for the prediction of advisability of home care.


Knowledge, attitudes and barriers towards prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women attending antenatal clinics in Uyam District of Zaki-Biam in Benue State, Nigeria.
Benue State in north central Nigeria has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates of 9.3%, among children and adults aged 13-45 years. To improve the survival of mothers and children and to identify the major challenges in scaling-up PMTCT services, a descriptive, study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and barriers to the uptake of PMTCT by 384 women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) in Uyam, Zaki-Biam, a semi-urban area of Benue State. A standard questionnaire was used for data collection. A high number of subjects knew that unprotected sexual intercourse is a risk factor for transmission, with most 281 (73.2%) of them aware that an HIV infected woman could get pregnant; while 275 (71.6%) knew that infection can be transmitted from the mother to her unborn child. Only 214 (55.7%) of the study participants had done the HIV test in pregnancy because of, inadequate VCT centers, issues of stigma and absence of family support including attitudes of staff. Age, parity and socio- economic status, as well as location influenced the responses of respondents. In spite of the increasing public awareness in Nigeria about HIV/AIDS, there still exist gaps as a result of different levels of education and access to information, coupled with lack of trained personnel and adequately equipped health care facilities. To improve survival and probably eliminate HIV/AIDS, the integration of PMTCT into primary health care services in Nigerian communities should be considered.


Diverse and Dynamic Interactions: A Model of Suicidal Men's Help Seeking as It Relates to Health Services.
There is a striking gender difference in suicide rates worldwide, with men accounting for approximately 80% of all suicide deaths. In contradictory public discussions, suicidal men are presented sometimes as victims of "poor" health services and sometimes as irremediable, "poor" help seekers. A more substantive theory of suicidal men's help seeking, which moves beyond homogenizing accounts to examine the complex interplay between help seeking and health services, is now required. Eighteen life history interviews were undertaken with men who had engaged in nonfatal suicide. Interviews were analyzed within a theoretical framework of gender relations. The findings challenge static and uniform notions of suicidal men's help seeking. While a few men actively avoided health services, others actively sought help, and in many cases help-seeking practices were triggered by unsolicited encounters with health services. Responsibility for help-seeking behavior did not rest solely with suicidal men. Men's help-seeking practices could either be facilitated or blocked by the character of the professional support that was available. Men in this study overwhelmingly rejected services that framed emotional distress and suicidal behavior as mental illness.


Measuring and modeling the trajectory of visual spatial attention.
In a novel choice attention-gating paradigm, observers monitor a stream of 3 x 3 letter arrays until a tonal cue directs them to report 1 row. Analyses of the particular arrays from which reported letters are chosen and of the joint probabilities of reporting pairs of letters are used to derive a theory of attention dynamics. An attention window opens 0.15 s following a cue to attend to a location, remains open (minimally) 0.2 s, and admits information simultaneously from all the newly attended locations. The window dynamics are independent of the distance moved. The theory accounts for about 90% of the variance from the over 400 data points obtained from each of the observers in the 3 experiments reported here. With minor elaborations, it applies to all the principal paradigms used to study the dynamics of visual spatial attention.


Introduction.
The Japanese Society for Vaccinology (JSV) is an academic organization with approximately 1000 members, who work to combat infectious disease outbreak, to develop vaccines, to look into the basic fundamentals of vaccinology, immunology, and infectious diseases, to clarify the epidemiology, and to produce vaccines. JSV has been established in 1997. Although JSV is still young scientific community in the field of a broad-range vaccinology in Japan, we believe that Japanese scientists in the field of vaccinology have contributed to combating or managing the infectious diseases and promotion of the basic research in vaccinology. Prof. M. Takahashi developed a highly attenuated varicella vaccine in the 1970s. Prof. S. Hashizume developed a highly attenuated smallpox vaccine. The development of these vaccines has contributed not only to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in our society, but also to developing the new vaccines for other infectious diseases in the future. The development of varicella vaccine by Prof. M. Takahashi is one of the great achievements in the vaccinology. We, the JSV members, believe that we need to keep and strengthen the academic activity in the field of vaccinology as we have done before. In this supplement, Special Issue from the Japanese Society for Vaccinology, the manuscripts submitted by the members of JSV, which are partly specific to Japan but contribute to the international society, are published. The contents of the manuscripts are focused on development of new vaccines, epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, evaluation of currently used vaccines, and basic vaccinology in Japan.


Prosthetic rehabilitation of a midfacial defect resulting from lethal midline granuloma--a clinical report.
Prosthetic rehabilitation of the midfacial defects has always perplexed maxillofacial prosthodontists. These midfacial defects lead to functional and cosmetic deficiencies. One of the causes of such defects is midline lethal granuloma, which is a destructive granulomatous lesion of uncertain aetiology, involving the nose, paranasal sinuses and the palate. Presented here is a clinical report of a 22-year-old male patient diagnosed to have lethal midline granuloma, who was referred to the Department of Prosthodontics, SDM College of Dental Sciences Dharwad. The patient had a severe midfacial defect involving the nose, the paranasal sinuses, the palate and the soft tissues of the face. Although the lesion was not of the rapidly progressive type at the time of rehabilitation, the non-specific inflammatory process was persisting. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and palliative therapy. The primary objective of the prosthetic rehabilitation was to provide closure of the severe defect to protect the soft tissues from environmental exposure. Secondarily the prosthesis also provided acceptable aesthetics and psychological benefit to the patient.


[Current epidemiology and pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated liver cancer].
Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor. Although the overall incidence and mortality rates of liver cancer has been decreasing in recent years, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated liver cancer tends to increase. The health and social issues brought by NAFLD-associated liver cancer have attracted more and more attention, and its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis and treatment await further research. This article summarizes the current epidemiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated liver cancer.


In vitro inhibition of human erythrocyte hexokinase by various hyperglycemic drugs.
Hemolysis is the red blood cell abnormality most often associated with adverse effect of drug therapy. Drug-induced or drug-associated hyperglycemia could decrease the activity of hexokinase. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of some commonly used drugs that have hyperglycemic side effect on the human erythrocyte hexokinase enzyme in vitro. Hexokinase was purified from human erythrocytes using sequential chromatography, with a specific activity of 0.96 ± 0.18 U/g hemoglobin, and assayed in the presence of selected drugs that have hyperglycemic side effect. The IC50 were determined from the regression analysis graph. Correlation analysis showed that there was positive correlation between the hyperglycemic side effect of some of the tested drugs and decrease of hexokinase activity. This suggests that, at least in part, these drugs exert their hyperglycemic effect by inhibiting glucose phosphorylation by the hexokinase, which consequently causes the glucose accumulation.


Consensus conference on immediate loading: the single tooth and partial edentulous areas.
A consensus conference was held to determine what the parameters should be for the immediate functional loading of the single-tooth implant restoration and short-span fixed implant-supported bridgework. Forty-one clinicians and researchers presented cases and situations relating to the topic. A panel then distilled questions that were presented to the audience (430) at large. Answers were gleaned to formulate a consensus. Ten distinct answers evolved that constituted the essence of guidelines for clinicians to be aware of when undertaking immediate loading. These guidelines are contained within the body of the text. Extreme caution and adherence to a universal generic protocol are suggested for clinicians who are involved with single-tooth and short-span multiple-teeth implant replacements as related to immediate loading as defined within this text.


Preliminary study on the differentiation between parapelvic cyst and hydronephrosis with non-calculous using only pre-contrast dual-energy spectral CT scans.
To investigate the value of using the quantitative parameters from only the pre-contrast dual-energy spectral CT imaging for distinguishing between parapelvic cyst and hydronephrosis with non-calculous (HNC). This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. 28 patients with parapelvic cyst and 24 patients with HNC who underwent standard pre-contrast and multiphase contrast-enhanced dual-energy spectral CT imaging were retrospectively identified. The parapelvic cyst and HNC were identified using the contrast-enhanced scans, and their CT number in the 70-keV monochromatic images, effective atomic number (Zeff), iodine concentration (IC) and water concentration in the pre-contrast images were measured. The slope of the spectral curve (λ) was calculated. The difference in the measurements between parapelvic cyst and HNC was statistically analyzed using SPSS® v. 19.0 (IBM Corp., New York, NY; formerly SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) statistical software. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance. The CT numbers in the 70-keV images, Zeff and IC values were statistically different between parapelvic cyst and HNC (all p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these parameters for distinguishing between parapelvic cyst and HNC were 89.2%, 73.3% and 82.1%; 86.5%, 43.3% and 67.2%; 91.9%, 40.0% and 68.7%; and 64.9%, 73.3% and 83.6%, respectively, and the combined specificity was 92.9%. There was no statistical difference in λ between the two groups (p > 0.05). The quantitative parameters obtained in the pre-contrast dual-energy spectral CT imaging may be used to differentiate between parapelvic cyst and HNC. Advances in knowledge: The pre-contrast dual-energy spectral CT scans may be used to screen parapelvic cysts for patients who are asymptomatic, thereby avoiding contrast-enhanced CT or CT urography examination for these patients to reduce ionizing radiation dose and contrast dose.


An evaluation of truncated birth histories for the rapid measurement of fertility and child survival.
Full birth histories (FBHs) are a key tool for estimating fertility and child mortality in low- and middle-income countries, but they are lengthy to collect. This is not desirable, especially for rapid turnaround surveys that ought to be short (e.g., mobile phone surveys). To reduce the length of the interview, some surveys resort to truncated birth histories (TBHs), where questions are asked only on recent births. We used 32 Malaria Indicator Surveys that included TBHs from 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Each set of TBHs was paired and compared to an overlapping set of FBHs (typically from a standard Demographic and Health Survey). We conducted a variety of data checks, including a comparison of the proportion of children reported in the reference period and a comparison of the fertility and mortality estimates. Fertility and mortality estimates from TBHs are lower than those based on FBHs. These differences are driven by the omission of events and the displacement of births backward and out of the reference period. TBHs are prone to misreporting errors that will bias both fertility and mortality estimates. While we find a few significant associations between outcomes measured and interviewer's characteristics, data quality markers correlate more consistently with respondent attributes, suggesting that truncation creates confusion among mothers being interviewed. Rigorous data quality checks should be put in place when collecting data through this instrument in future surveys.


Which liver enzymes are better indicators of metabolic syndrome in adolescents: the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010.
This study aimed to examine the relationships of liver enzyme levels with metabolic syndrome in adolescents. A total of 808 adolescents (430 males and 378 females, aged 10-19 years) participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1) in 2010, the relationships between liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ratio of AST to ALT (AST/ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT)] and metabolic syndrome defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria were assessed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. After adjusting for age, higher ALT and GGT levels and a lower AST/ALT level were associated with clustering of metabolic syndrome components, whereas AST level was not associated with it in both sexes. The strength of association between the liver enzymes and clustering of metabolic syndrome components was higher in females than in males. In the non-overweight group, higher AST, ALT, and GGT levels and a lower AST/ALT level were associated with clustering of metabolic syndrome components, whereas none of the liver enzymes was associated with metabolic syndrome in the overweight group. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of AST to determine metabolic syndrome was not significant and was significantly lower than AUCs of ALT, AST/ALT, and GGT in both sexes. The cutoff values of ALT, AST/ALT, and GGT to determine metabolic syndrome were higher in males than in females. ALT, AST/ALT, and GGT were found to be associated with clustering of metabolic syndrome components, and the relationships appear to be sex- and weight group-specific.


Functional analysis of CD14+HLA-DR-/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Immunomodulatory therapy is a potential effective treatment for advanced cancer that may provide an alternative to chemotherapy, which patients can experience adverse side effects to. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been demonstrated to cause T-cell tolerance in rodents and humans; however, little is known about the role of MDSCs in squamous cell carcinoma. In the present study, the role of MDSCs in lung squamous cell carcinoma was investigated. Peripheral blood from 78 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma and 30 healthy controls was examined for the presence and function of human MDSCs, denoted as monocyte differentiation antigen CD14-positive HLA class II histocompatibility antigen DR-negative/low (CD14+ HLA-DR-/low) cells by flow cytometry. The sorted T-cell surface glyoprotein CD3 (CD3)+ cells and CD14+HLA-DR-/low cells were subsequently co-cultured with a tumor cell line (NCI-H226). T-cell apoptosis was detected using annexin-V-fluorescein isothicyanate and 7-aminoactinomycin D. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels were detected using an ELISA. The frequency of MDSCs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher compared with that of the healthy controls (P<0.05), whereas the frequency of T-cell surface glyoprotein CD4 (CD4)+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in PBMCs was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In an MDSC/CD8+ co-culture system, the proportion of CD8+ T-cell apoptosis significantly increased with the increase in ratio of MDSCs (P<0.05), while the proportion of tumor cell apoptosis significantly decreased (P<0.05). The concentration of IFN-γ significantly decreased with the increase in MDSCs (P<0.05). Therefore, MDSCs participate in the immune escape of lung squamous cell carcinoma, and may provide a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease.


Comparing inhaled medications reported by adolescents with persistent asthma and their caregivers.
Objectives: To compare concordance (agreement) between teens with persistent asthma and their caregivers on the reported number of inhaled asthma medications used (rescue and controller); examine concordance specific to controller medications; and determine whether concordance over controller medications within caregiver/teen dyads is associated with demographics or clinical outcomes.Methods: We used baseline data from the School-Based Asthma Care for Teens (SB-ACT) trial in urban Rochester, NY. Caregivers and teens (12-16 yrs.) with poorly controlled persistent asthma separately reported the teens' inhaled therapy, and could name up to two rescue and two controller medications. We compared the total number of medications and number of controller medications reported by each dyad member with Cohen's Kappa, and assessed whether concordance over the number of controller medications was associated with demographics, symptoms, or healthcare utilization using chi-square and t-tests.Results: Of 210 dyads (79% public health insurance, 61% Black teens), 132 (63%) were disconcordant in reporting the overall number of inhaled medications. Teens or caregivers from 173 dyads (82%) reported any controller medication; however, a majority (61%) were discordant in the reporting of controller medications. Compared with concordant dyads, fewer caregivers from dyads with controller medication discordance reported education past high school (35% vs. 51%, p = 0.04); no other differences in demographics, symptoms, or healthcare utilization were identified based on controller medication concordance.Conclusions: Most dyads identified different numbers of inhaled medications, with substantial disagreement over controller medications. Working to ensure a basic understanding of treatment plans may promote successful self-management in persistent childhood asthma.


Review on the occurrence and biological effects of illicit drugs in aquatic ecosystems.
Illicit drugs (IDs) and their metabolites are recognized as contaminants of emerging concern. After consumption, illicit drugs are partially metabolized and excreted unchanged in urine and feces or as active metabolites reaching wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Furthermore, most WWTPs are insufficient in the treatment of effluents containing IDs, which may be released into aquatic ecosystems. Once in the water or sediment, these substances may interact and affect non-target organisms and some evidences suggest that illicit drugs may exhibit pseudo-persistence because of a continuous environmental input, resulting in long-term exposure to aquatic organisms that may be negatively affected by these biologically active compounds. We reviewed the literature on origin and consumption, human metabolism after consumption, aquatic occurrences, and toxicity of the major groups of illicit drugs (opioids, cannabis, synthetic drugs, and cocaine). As a result, it could be concluded that illicit drugs and their metabolites are widespread in diverse aquatic ecosystems in levels able to trigger sublethal effects to non-target organisms, besides to concentrate in seafood. This class of emerging contaminants represents a new environmental concern to academics, managers, and policymakers, whose would be able to assess risks and identify proper responses to reduce environmental impacts.


Status analysis and strategic framework for sanitation management in Asia and Africa.
Following rapid population increase and industrial development, the ever increasing environmental pollution and the associated sanitation-related problem are no longer regional or local but have become an issue requiring global-dimensional concern and the provision of problem-solving alternatives. Especially, since most problems result from inappropriate sewerage and the lack of sewage treatment system are in a serious state occurring in economically underdeveloped regions, and as such, their significance is enormous. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been making efforts to establish the technology selection methodology applicable in developing countries, through the accurate status, investigation and analysis of the wastewater management state in Asian and African regions, and the sanitation management guideline utilisable by political leaders or decision-makers. As part of this effort, the Korea Institute of Water Environment (KIWE), together with the UNEP, selected China and Vietnam (in Asia) and Kenya and Ethiopia (in Africa) as subject countries to investigate and perform on-site sanitation management investigations and analysis in this research. Results obtained from the on-site investigation were analysed, and in order to be helpful in establishing a strategy for sanitation management in underdeveloped countries, the strategic framework (SF) has been made based on characterised results.


Protecting young children against skin cancer: Parental beliefs, roles, and regret.
To examine the role of parental beliefs, roles, and anticipated regret toward performing childhood sun-protective behaviours. Parents (N = 230; 174 mothers, 56 fathers), recruited using a nonrandom convenience sample, of at least 1 child aged between 2 and 5 years completed an initial questionnaire assessing demographics and past behaviour as well as theory of planned behaviour global (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control) and belief-based (behavioural, normative, and control beliefs) measures, role construction, and anticipated regret regarding their intention and behaviour to protect their child from the sun. Two weeks later, participants completed a follow-up questionnaire assessing their sun protection of their child during the previous 2 weeks. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified attitude, perceived behavioural control, role construction, anticipated regret, past behaviour, and a normative belief ("current partner/other family members") as significant predictors of parents' intention to participate in sun-protective behaviour for their child. Intention and past behaviour were significant predictors of parents' follow-up sun-protective behaviour. The regression models explained 64% and 36% of the variance in intention and behaviour, respectively. The findings of this study highlight the importance of anticipated regret and role-related beliefs alongside personal, normative, and control beliefs in determining parents' intentional sun-protective behaviour for their children. Findings may inform the development of parent- and community-based sun protection intervention programs to promote parents' sun-safety behaviours for their children to prevent future skin cancer incidence.


Extinction and resurrection in gene networks.
When gene regulatory networks operate in regimes where the number of protein molecules is so small that the molecular species are on the verge of extinction, the death and resurrection of the species greatly modifies the attractor landscape. Deterministic models and the diffusion approximation to the master equation break down at the limits of protein populations in a way very analogous to the breakdown of geometrical optics that occurs at distances <1 wavelength of light from edges. Stable stochastic attractors arise from extinction and resurrection events that are not predicted by the deterministic description. With this view, we explore the attractors of the regular toggle switch and the exclusive switch, focusing on the effects of cooperative binding and the production of protein in bursts. Our arguments suggest that the stability of lysogeny in the lambda-phage may be influenced by such extinction phenomena.


Angiotensin-converting enzyme in sarcoid and chalazion granulomas of the conjunctiva.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was studied immunohistochemically in conjunctival biopsies from 6 patients with systemic sarcoidosis, 4 patients with posterior non-sarcoid uveitis and in specimens from 4 patients with chalazion of the eyelid. Specimens with sarcoid granulomas showed intense ACE-positive immunoreactivity in epitheloid cells of the granuloma, whereas chalazion granulomas did not contain ACE-immunoreactivity. There was no difference in staining patterns between specimens without granulomas. Thus immunohistochemical staining for ACE may be of help in differentiating conjunctival granulomatous tissue of a chalazion from sarcoid granuloma.


Taxonomic and ecophysiological characteristics of actinobacteria in soils of the dry steppe zone of the Selenga Highlands (Western Transbaikalia).
Arid habitats have recently attracted increasing attention in terms of biodiversity research and the discovery of new bacterial species. These habitats are among the target ecosystems suitable for isolating new strains of actinobacteria that are likely to produce new metabolites. This paper presents the results on the isolation of actinobacteria from soils of the dry steppe zone of the Selenga Highlands, the characterization of their taxonomic diversity, as well as ecological and trophic properties. The bacterial counts on ISP 4 medium ranged from 6.6 × 105 to 7.1 × 106 CFU/g. The highest bacterial counts were observed in the subsurface and middle horizons of the studied soils. 28 strains of Gram-positive bacteria represented by thin-branched mycelium, coccoid and bacilliform forms were isolated. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, the isolated strains were representatives of Streptomyces, Arthrobacter, Glycomyces, Kocuria, Microbacterium, Micromonospora, Nocardioides, Pseudarthrobacter, and Rhodococcus (Actinomycetota). One isolate that showed low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with previously isolated and validly described species was a new species of the genus Glycomyces. It was shown that all tested strains are mesophilic, prefer neutral or slightly alkaline conditions, have growth limits in the temperature range of 5-45 °C and pH 6-9. The optimal NaCl concentration for growth of most strains was 0-1 %. The strains under study were capable of utilizing a wide range of mono- and disaccharides and polyatomic alcohols as a carbon source. The isolated strains were capable of using both organic (proteins and amino acids) and inorganic (ammonium salts and nitrates) compounds as nitrogen sources. The examinations of extracellular enzymes showed that all isolates were capable of producing catalase and amylase; 78.6 % of the total number of isolates produced protease and lipase; 53.6 %, cellulase; and 28.6 %, urease. The data obtained expand current knowledge about the diversity of microbial communities in soils of the Selenga Highlands and also confirm the potential of searching for new actinobacteria species in these soils.


Single-molecule optomechanical cycle.
Light-powered molecular machines are conjectured to be essential constituents of future nanoscale devices. As a model for such systems, we have synthesized a polymer of bistable photosensitive azobenzenes. Individual polymers were investigated by single-molecule force spectroscopy in combination with optical excitation in total internal reflection. We were able to optically lengthen and contract individual polymers by switching the azo groups between their trans and cis configurations. The polymer was found to contract against an external force acting along the polymer backbone, thus delivering mechanical work. As a proof of principle, the polymer was operated in a periodic mode, demonstrating for the first time optomechanical energy conversion in a single-molecule device.


Lack of chart reminder effectiveness on family medicine resident JNC-VI and NCEP III guideline knowledge and attitudes.
The literature demonstrates that medical residents and practicing physicians have an attitudinal-behavioral discordance concerning their positive attitudes towards clinical practice guidelines (CPG), and the implementation of these guidelines into clinical practice patterns. A pilot study was performed to determine if change in a previously identified CPG compliance factor (accessibility) would produce a significant increase in family medicine resident knowledge and attitude toward the guidelines. The primary study intervention involved placing a summary of the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP III) CPGs in all patient (>18 yr.) charts for a period of three months. The JNC VI and NCEP III CPGs were also distributed to each Wayne State family medicine resident, and a copy of each CPG was placed in the preceptor's area of the involved clinics. Identical pre- and post- intervention questionnaires were administered to all residents concerning CPG knowledge and attitude. Post-intervention analysis failed to demonstrate a significant difference in CPG knowledge. A statistically significant post-intervention difference was found in only on attitude question. The barriers to CPG compliance were identified as 1) lack of CPG instruction; 2) lack of critical appraisal ability; 3) insufficient time; 4) lack of CPG accessibility; and 5) lack of faculty modeling. This study demonstrated no significant post intervention changes in CPG knowledge, and only one question that reflected attitude change. Wider resident access to dedicated clinic time, increased faculty modeling, and the implementation of an electronic record/reminder system that uses a team-based approach are compliance factors that should be considered for further investigation. The interpretation of CPG non-compliance will benefit from a causal matrix focused on physician knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Recent findings in resident knowledge-behavior discordance may direct the future investigation of physician CPG non-compliance away from generalized barrier research, and toward the development of information that maximizes the sense of individual practitioner urgency and certainty.


Mobile clinical decision support systems and applications: a literature and commercial review.
The latest advances in eHealth and mHealth have propitiated the rapidly creation and expansion of mobile applications for health care. One of these types of applications are the clinical decision support systems, which nowadays are being implemented in mobile apps to facilitate the access to health care professionals in their daily clinical decisions. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to make a review of the current systems available in the literature and in commercial stores. Secondly, to analyze a sample of applications in order to obtain some conclusions and recommendations. Two reviews have been done: a literature review on Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Knowledge and PubMed and a commercial review on Google play and the App Store. Five applications from each review have been selected to develop an in-depth analysis and to obtain more information about the mobile clinical decision support systems. Ninety-two relevant papers and 192 commercial apps were found. Forty-four papers were focused only on mobile clinical decision support systems. One hundred seventy-one apps were available on Google play and 21 on the App Store. The apps are designed for general medicine and 37 different specialties, with some features common in all of them despite of the different medical fields objective. The number of mobile clinical decision support applications and their inclusion in clinical practices has risen in the last years. However, developers must be careful with their interface or the easiness of use, which can impoverish the experience of the users.


Glycerol metabolism of Pichia pastoris (Komagataella spp.) characterised by 13C-based metabolic flux analysis.
Metabolic flux analysis based on 13C-derived constraints has proved to be a powerful method for quantitative physiological characterisation of one of the most extensively used microbial cell factory platforms, Pichia pastoris (syn. Komagataella spp.). Nonetheless, the reduced number of carbon atoms and the symmetry of the glycerol molecule has hampered the comprehensive determination of metabolic fluxes when used as the labelled C-source. Moreover, metabolic models typically used for 13C-based flux balance analysis may be incomplete or misrepresent the actual metabolic network. To circumvent these limitations, we reduced the genome-scale metabolic model iMT1026-v3.0 into a core model and used it for the iterative fitting of metabolic fluxes to the measured mass isotope distribution of proteinogenic amino acids obtained after fractional 13C labelling of cells with [1,3-13C]-glycerol. This workflow allows reliable estimates to be obtained for in vivo fluxes in P. pastoris cells growing on glycerol as sole carbon source, as well as revising previous assumptions concerning its metabolic operation, such as alternative metabolic branches, calculation of energetic parameters and proposed specific cofactor utilisation.