A record linkage study of antidepressant medication use and weight change in Australian adults.
Antidepressant use is widespread. While weight gain is a commonly reported side-effect of antidepressant use and has the potential to affect population health, there is little large-scale population-based evidence on the issue, particularly for long-term use (⩾12 months). The aim of this study is to investigate the association between antidepressant use and weight change, including whether this relationship varies according to antidepressant class, recency of use, duration of use and dose. Annual percentage weight change was calculated from self-reported weight at two time-points from 20,751 participants aged ⩾45 years from the 45 and Up Study - a population-based cohort study from New South Wales, Australia. Antidepressant use, ascertained from linked pharmaceutical data, from 19 months before baseline until end of follow-up (mean = 3.3 years of follow-up), was categorised as current, past-only, non-persistent or non-use. The association between antidepressant use and weight change was modelled using linear and multinomial logistic regressions and according to antidepressant class, recency, duration and dose. Antidepressants were dispensed to 23% of participants (n = 4748) during the study period. Current antidepressant users were significantly more likely to gain >3% of their body weight annually than non-users (adjusted relative risk ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval: [1.03, 1.38]); the risk increased with increasing dose among current users (p[trend] = 0.003). Risk of weight gain did not vary significantly according to antidepressant class, recency or duration of use; however, statistical power was limited. No significant associations were found between antidepressant use and weight loss. Current antidepressant use was associated with modest but statistically significant annual gains in weight, with similar effects observed across the different classes of antidepressants used.


Tuning the magneto-optical response of iron oxide nanocrystals in Au- and Ag-based plasmonic media.
We investigated the magneto-optical response of chemically synthesized iron oxide magnetic nanocrystals, optically coupled with ordered planar arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles. We compare the signals from two classes of systems, featuring either Au or Ag as the plasmonic counterpart. The localized surface plasmon resonance of the Ag and Au nanoparticles arrays were superimposed or detuned, respectively, with respect to the dominant magneto-optical transitions of the magnetic material. Under resonance, a significant enhancement of the magneto-optical signal was observed. In both cases, we could separate the purely plasmonic and the magnetic contributions in the magneto-optical spectrum of the optically coupled composite based on their different magnetic-field dependence.


An integrated approach to secretion. Phosphorylation and Ca2+-dependent binding of proteins associated with chromaffin granules.
Pharmacological and morphological studies of secretion from bovine chromaffin cells indicate that the nicotinic receptor initiates intracellular signaling. An increase in [Ca2+]i is a necessary but not sufficient element for secretion. Receptor-dependent, but intracellular-Ca2+-independent alterations of the organization of cortical zone allows close approach of chromaffin granules and plasma membrane. Chromaffin granules possess both Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent protein kinases, but the major substrates for these kinases appear to be associated with other organelles or to be soluble cytosolic proteins. Quantitatively the most important Ca2+-dependent cytosolic components that interact with the chromaffin granule do not show strict specificity for this secretory organelle, but are widely distributed in different cell types and are localized at or close to the plasma membrane in intact chromaffin and other cells. These molecules are closely related in biochemical properties and sequence and include substrates for membrane-associated kinases. Two of these proteins (caldesmon and p36) have binding sites for F-actin; the others described have binding sites for acidic phospholipids.


Turtle C-type horizontal cells act as push-pull devices.
Chromaticity (C-type) horizontal cells in the retina of cold-blooded vertebrates receive antagonistic inputs from cone photoreceptors of different spectral types leading to color opponency. The relative contribution of each spectral type of cones can be selectively altered by chromatic background illumination. Therefore, the spectral properties of C-type horizontal cells are expected to change when the intensity and color of ambient illumination are altered. In this study, we investigated the effects of chromatic background lights upon color opponency in Red/Green (RGH) and Yellow/Blue (YBH) C-type horizontal cells in the everted eyecup preparation of the turtle Mauremys caspica. Photoresponses were elicited by long-wavelength and short-wavelength light stimuli in the dark-adapted state and under conditions of chromatic background illumination. We found that the total voltage range. within which graded depolarizing and the hyperpolarizing photoresponses could be elicited, either increased or decreased depending upon the color of the background light. However, the maximal and minimal potential levels determined respectively by long-wavelength and short-wavelength light stimuli of supersaturating intensity remained unchanged, regardless of the wavelength and intensity of the background. These findings indicate that turtle C-type horizontal cells operate as push-pull devices. A sufficiently bright short-wavelength stimulus can push them all the way to the maximal hyperpolarizing level while a very bright long-wavelength stimulus can pull them towards the most depolarizing potential.


HTLV-I protease cleavage of P19/24 substrates is not dependent on NaCl concentration.
Understanding the factors that affect the activity of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type I (HTLV-I) protease is essential for the discovery of inhibitors to be used for the treatment of HTLV-I infection, but little has been reported on the protease to date. Here we report the production of HTLV-I protease in purified yields greater than 150 mg/L, determination of its extinction coefficient, and determination of the optimum conditions for cleavage of the p19/24 substrates (DABCYL)-(GABA)-PQVL-Nph-VMH-(EDANS), (DABSYL)-(GABA)-PQVL-Nph-VMH-(EDANS), and (DABSYL)-(GABA)-PQVLPVMH-(EDANS). The highest activity was found at pH 5.2-5.3 and 37 degrees C. There was no effect on activity upon change in sodium chloride concentration from 0 to 1500 mM. The values of K(m) and k(cat) for cleavage of these substrates by the protease with and without the histidine tag were determined.


Infectious adverse events in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with baricitinib.
Baricitinib is a JAK1-2 inhibitor recently approved in Europe and Japan for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients at doses of 2 and 4 mg daily. The aim of this article is to discuss the safety profile of baricitinib in atopic dermatitis using data from clinical trials and the supporting literature, with a focus on infectious adverse events. An integrated analysis of safety data from eight clinical trials described infections as the most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events, mainly of mild-to-moderate severity, notably upper respiratory tract infections and herpes simplex exacerbations. Real-world data are still limited and will contribute to precisely profile the patients that might benefit from this treatment.


[Therapeutic protocols compared in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic disease].
The authors have compared the results obtained using four main drugs (calcitonin, ipriflavone, transdermal estrogens, fluorine-calcium) actually employed for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis, administered to four groups of fast loser patients (442) in natural (months mean 19.97 +/- 5.99) and surgical (months mean 16.94 +/- 4.29) menopause. After six months of treatment, the efficacy of therapy has been evaluated on the basis of BD (bone density) and osteoarticular pain changes. The BD results have been compared with those of 100 non-treated patients, in the same clinical conditions. The authors have noticed an increase in bone mass (from +0.47% to +1.59%) and a great improvement in osteoarticular pain with all therapeutical protocols used while in the control group there was a progressive decrease of BMC (-1.23%) and a worsening pain. Comparing the results obtained with different therapies, the difference of mean mineralometric gain is not particularly significant among several treatments; but this difference is very significant between treated and non-treated patients who have continued to lose bone mass. The collateral effects, observed during administration of different drugs, have been minimal and the suspension of therapy has been always associated to their disappearance. In the opinion of the authors the good results, achieved with different therapies, depend on the precocity of the treatment, but also on the fact that, in peri-menopausal period, their effect has been increased by the estrogens. Being osteoporosis a multifactorial pathology, a careful control of the risk factors is appropriate and needs to be enforced in order to carry out a precocious treatment with specific drugs on bone metabolism and try to balance the natural turnover with the loss of bone mass.


Genetics of cerebral venous thrombosis.
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is rare compared to arterial causes of stroke. It is often encountered in young patients and may occur in children and neonates. Predisposition to CVT also has a genetic basis and inherited thrombophilias are known to cause 22.4% of the CVT cases. Inherited thrombophilias should be suspected if a patient has recurrent CVT, is less than 45 years age, has a family history of venous thrombosis or has no apparent acquired risk factor. Factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common genetic risk factor, followed by the prothrombin gene mutation G20210A. Other less common inherited venous thrombophilias include deficiencies of Protein S, Protein C and antithrombin III. FVL, the G20210A prothrombin gene mutation and a deficiency of protein S and C, cause a reduction in the control of thrombin generation. Deficiency of antithrombin causes a decreased neutralization of thrombin. Both these mechanisms are responsible for venous thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilias with concomitant acquired risk factors like surgery, trauma, prolonged immobilization, pregnancy and puerperium, oral contraceptives, antiphospholipid antibodies and hyperhomocysteinemia may increase the risk of CVT manifold. Similarly the co-inheritance of two or more known mutations also increases the risk markedly. FVL, prothrombin G20210A mutation, increased factor VIIIc, protein C & S deficiency and antithrombin III deficiency have all been reported to cause neonatal stroke due to CVT. Maternal and foetal testing is suggested when CVT occurs in neonates.


A case report of basal cell adenoma showing elastic fiber (elastin-basement membrane complex) formation of the submandibular gland.
A biopsy case of basal cell adenoma of the submandibular gland was reported in a 15-year-old boy. The tumor was pigeon's egg-sized, spherical in shape and encapsulated by fibrous tissue, and its cut-surface was grayish white. Histologic feature of this neoplasm was a trabecular or tubular monomorphic adenoma with well-developed elastic fibers (elastin-basement membrane complex) in the interstitial tissue. Electron microscopy disclosed 4 kinds of tumor cells, that is, secreting cells, squamous cell-like cells with tonofibrils and tonofilaments, clear cells with a few filaments, and myoepithelial cells. The interstitium contained elastin, collagen fibrils and basement membrane-like substance. Possible production of elastic fibers by the myoepithelial cells of this adenoma was discussed.


Commitment and effector phases of the physiological cell death pathway elucidated with respect to Bcl-2 caspase, and cyclin-dependent kinase activities.
Physiological cell deaths occur ubiquitously throughout biology and have common attributes, including apoptotic morphology with mitosis-like chromatin condensation and prelytic genome digestion. The fundamental question is whether a common mechanism of dying underlies these common hallmarks of death. Here we describe evidence of such a conserved mechanism in different cells induced by distinct stimuli to undergo physiological cell death. Our genetic and quantitative biochemical analyses of T- and B-cell deaths reveal a conserved pattern of requisite components. We have dissected the role of cysteine proteases (caspases) in cell death to reflect two obligate classes of cytoplasmic activities functioning in an amplifying cascade, with upstream interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme-like proteases activating downstream caspase 3-like caspases. Bcl-2 spares cells from death by punctuating this cascade, preventing the activation of downstream caspases while leaving upstream activity undisturbed. This observation permits an operational definition of the stages of the cell death process. Upstream steps, which are necessary but not themselves lethal, are modulators of the death process. Downstream steps are effectors of, and not dissociable from, actual death; the irreversible commitment to cell death reflects the initiation of this downstream phase. In addition to caspase 3-like proteases, the effector phase of death involves the activation in the nucleus of cell cycle kinases of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) family. Nuclear recruitment and activation of Cdk components is dependent on the caspase cascade, suggesting that catastrophic Cdk activity may be the actual effector of cell death. The conservation of the cell death mechanism is not reflected in the molecular identity of its individual components, however. For example, we have detected different cyclin-Cdk pairs in different instances of cell death. The ordered course of events that we have observed in distinct cases reflects essential thematic elements of a conserved sequence of modulatory and effector activities comprising a common pathway of physiological cell death.


MR imaging findings of early bile duct cancer.
To retrospectively evaluate the MR imaging features of early bile duct cancer and to correlate them with the clinicopathologic findings. This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. Seventeen patients with surgically proven early bile duct cancer who had undergone preoperative MR cholangiopancreatography with gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging, were included in this study. Two, experienced radiologists evaluated the MR images in consensus regarding the following findings: tumor number and morphology; signal intensity of the tumor; sharpness of the outer border of the bile duct wall; enhancement pattern of the tumor; and the presence of enlarged peribiliary lymph nodes. Another radiologist measured the SNR of the tumor and bile duct wall on gadolinium-enhanced MRI during the dynamic phases to evaluate the tumor enhancement degree. In all patients, MR imaging demonstrated single or multiple intraluminal bile duct masses showing a sharply defined outer margin. The most common enhancement pattern of the biliary lesions showed heterogeneous amorphous enhancement or heterogeneous enhancement with central, dot-like structures or vascular structures (76.5%, 13/17 patients). The difference of SNR between bile duct and tumor was greatest in the equilibrium phase (P < 0.05). MRCP combined with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can be useful for detecting early bile duct cancers. Common MR findings of early bile duct cancer include one or more inhomogeneously enhancing intraductal masses with clear outer margins and preservation of the bile duct wall.


Severe toxicity associated with a markedly elevated mycophenolic acid free fraction in a renal transplant recipient.
A 58-year-old man with end-stage renal failure secondary to polycystic kidney disease developed a profoundly elevated mycophenolic acid (MPA) free fraction and associated severe toxicity after cadaveric renal transplantation. Initial immunosuppressive therapy was 4 mg/kg body weight bid cyclosporin (Neoral; Novartis Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Sydney, Australia) given orally with 1 g bid mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (CellCept; Roche Products Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia). In the first 5 days posttransplantation, the serum creatinine concentration fell, and the patient developed profound hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <20 g/L) and hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin >150 micromol/L) that resulted from progressing biliary obstruction. On day 5 posttransplantation, the 2-hour whole-blood cyclosporin concentration and total MPA area under the curve (AUC(0-6)) were low (837 microg/L and 12.6 mg x h/L, respectively), while the total mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG) AUC(0-6) was elevated (1317 mg x h/L). MMF was continued at the same dose, but tacrolimus substituted for cyclosporin. The patient subsequently experienced severe nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, and pancytopenia (nadir white cell count 1.6 x 10(9)/L, platelet count 32 x 10(9)/L, and hemoglobin 73 g/L) that were normalized after cessation of MMF. Retrospective measurement of the free MPA concentration on day 5 showed that free MPA AUC(0-6) was markedly elevated at 2.3 mg x h/L, as was the free fraction, at 18.3%. This case illustrates how altered protein binding can be associated with severe MMF toxicity caused by an increased free MPA concentration despite relatively low total MPA. These data support the monitoring of free MPA concentrations in those patients considered at risk for MMF-related toxicity.


Myxobolus freitasi n. sp. (Myxozoa: Bivalvulida), a parasite of the brain of the electric knifefish in the Brazilian Amazon region.
A total of 30 specimens of the Amazonian electric knifefish, Brachyhypopomus beebei Schultz, 1944 (Gymnotiformes: Hypopomidae), were collected from the Peixe-Boi River in the state of Pará, Brazil (1°06'59" S; 47°18'26" W). Fragments of the brain tissue were extracted for analysis via optical microscopy, and 18 specimens (60%) presented microparasites of the genus Myxobolus, with unequal capsules. The spores were 18.6 µm (17.7-19.8 µm) long and 8.6 µm (8.4-9.0 µm) wide; the largest polar capsule was 13.0 µm (12.4-13.4 µm) long and 5.6 µm (5.3-6.0 µm) wide, and the smallest capsule was 5.0 µm (4.5-5.3 µm) long and 2.5 µm (2.3-2.6 µm) wide. Infected brain fragments were extracted for histological processing and staining with hematoxylin-eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen. Some fragments were conserved in ethanol for molecular genetics analysis. A partial sequence of the 18S DNA gene was obtained from the spores, which did not correspond to any other sequences deposited in GenBank, although it did form a clade with other Myxobolus parasites of the nervous system. The morphological data, together with molecular phylogeny, supported the designation of a new species Myxobolus freitasi n. sp.


[Immunohistochemical study of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in normal and embryonic human tissues using a CEA-specific oncoprecipitin, krustacin].
Using immunoperoxidase technique, antibodies to CEA (Ab) were compared to a glycoprotein krustacin (Kr) extracted from Pagurus prideauxii, which has an ability to precipitate specifically CEA. It was found that Kr and Ab reacted in a similar manner with embryonic and normal gastrointestinal tissues, revealing practically identical localization of the antigen in the tissues and cells. It was possible, however, to note some quantitative and qualitative differences in the distribution of antigen, which showed that Kr and Ab reacted with different determinants of the CEA molecule.


Simultaneous Determination of Concentration and Enantiomeric Composition in Fluorescent Sensing.
Fluorescent sensors have found broad applications in determining the concentrations of diverse analytes by measuring specific sensor-analyte fluorescent responses. For a chiral substrate containing varying composition of two enantiomers, both the concentration and enantiomeric composition should greatly influence the fluorescent response of an enantioselective fluorescent sensor. Thus, multiple independent measurements are normally needed to determine both the concentration and enantiomeric composition of a chiral compound. In order to facilitate the application of the enantioselective fluorescent sensors, our laboratory has developed four strategies to simultaneously determine the concentration and enantiomeric composition of various chiral substrates by a single fluorescence measurement. A mixture of a chiral BINOL-based dialdehyde and an achiral compound salicylaldehyde in the presence of Zn2+ is used to interact with chiral diamines, amino alcohols, and amino acids. The fluorescence enhancement at λ1 = 447 nm due to the achiral sensor is mostly determined by the concentration of the substrates, and the fluorescence enhancement at λ2 > 500 nm due to the chiral sensor is highly enantioselective. A 3D graph combining the fluorescence intensities at λ1 and λ2 can be used to determine the enantiomeric composition. A chiral conjugated polymer containing the BINOL-dialdehyde units is shown to amplify the enantioselectivity of the small molecule sensor under the same conditions. Combination of the chiral polymer with salicylaldehyde allows simultaneous concentration and enantiomeric composition determination. In a pseudoenantiomeric sensor pair of the BINOL-based amino alcohols, one sensor shows greater fluorescence enhancement with one enantiomer of chiral α-hydroxy carboxylic acid at λ1 = 374 nm and another sensor shows greater fluorescence enhancement with another enantiomer at λ2 = 330 nm. Using a mixture of this sensor pair allows the determination of both concentration and enantiomeric composition with one fluorescence measurement. A BINOL-based trifluoromethyl ketone is found to exhibit dual emission responses toward a chiral diamine at λ1 = 370 nm and λ2 = 438 nm. The fluorescence enhancement at λ1 is mostly determined by the substrate concentration and that at λ2 is highly enantioselective. Thus, using one sensor with one measurement gives both parameters. A BINOL-naphthyl imine compound is designed to show two different fluorescent responses toward functional chiral amines in the presence of Zn2+. When the naphthylamine unit is displaced off the sensor by a chiral amine substrate via imine metathesis, the emission of naphthylamine is restored at λ1 = 427 nm, which allows determination of the substrate concentration. The fluorescence enhancement at λ2 > 500 nm due to the formation of the new chiral imine products is highly enantioselective. The work discussed here has provided convenient methods to obtain the two important parameters of a chiral molecule by a single fluorescence measurement. They should contribute to the development of analytical tools for the rapid assay of chiral compounds.


Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for COVID-19 drug discovery and vaccine design.
The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide. Despite many efforts, the development of effective drugs and vaccines for this novel virus will take considerable time. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions that could accelerate the discovery and optimization of new antivirals. Motivated by this, in this paper, we present an extensive survey on the application of AI and ML for combating COVID-19 based on the rapidly emerging literature. Particularly, we point out the challenges and future directions associated with state-of-the-art solutions to effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that this review provides researchers with new insights into the ways AI and ML fight and have fought the COVID-19 outbreak.


[Impact of summer heat waves on key parameters of oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease].
To assess the impact of summer heat waves on key parameters of oxidative stress in patients with coronary heart disease. We included 30 male patients aged 5213 years with stable angina pectoris of IIIII functional class with at least one coronary artery stenosis proved by angiography (ischemic group) in comparison with 10 male patients aged 487 years with no angiographic sings of significant coronary stenosis and without angina manifestation (non-ischemic group). The following parameters were studied: activity of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and MDA-modified low-density lipoproteins (MDA-LDL). The analysis of indicators was performed at normal average daily temperature (daytime temperature not higher than 20С) and after a heat wave (daytime temperature above 27C for more than 2 consecutive days). Our study revealed the decrease of CAT and GSH-Px activities with increased activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in both groups after the heat wave. At the same time we observed accumulation of MDA and increased MDA-LDL level in both groups. Initially ischemic patients showed significantly increased level of CAT and GSH-Px activity compared to the non-ischemic group, while it was no difference in activity of Cu,Zn-SOD and MDA and MDA-LDL level. We observed significant reduce of Cu,Zn-SOD activity in ischemic patients compared to non-ischemic group with no significant differences in all other studied parameters of oxidative stress after heat wave. Changes in the key parameters of oxidative stress in patients with ischemic heart disease during summer heat waves are comparable to those in patients without ischemia, however significantly greater inhibition of GSH-Px activity and significantly lower increase in Cu,Zn-SOD activity was noted. These results may indicate misregulation of free radical processes in patients with ischemic heart decease.


The effect of acculturation and discrimination on mental health symptoms and risk behaviors among adolescent migrants in Israel.
This study examines the role of acculturation, perceived discrimination, and self-esteem in predicting the mental health symptoms and risk behaviors among 1.5 and second generation non-Jewish adolescents born to migrant families compared with native-born Jewish Israeli adolescents in Israel. Participants included n = 65 1.5 migrant adolescents, n = 60 second generation migrant adolescents, and n = 146 age, gender, and socioeconomic matched sample of native-born Jewish Israelis. Participants completed measures of acculturation pattern, perceived discrimination, and self-esteem as well as measures of mental health symptoms and risk behaviors. Results show that migrant adolescents across generations reported worse mental health symptoms compared with native-born Jewish Israelis. However, only the 1.5 generation migrants reported higher engagement in risk behaviors compared with second generation migrants and native-born Jewish Israelis. Our findings further showed that acculturation plays an important role in predicting the mental health status of migrant youth, with those characterized with integrated acculturative pattern reporting lower mental health symptoms compared with assimilated acculturation pattern. Importantly, contextual factors, such as higher perception of discrimination in the receiving culture as well as individual factors such as lower self-esteem and female gender were strongly associated with worse mental health symptoms. The findings manifest the complex relationship between contextual factors and individual level variables in the acculturative process of migrants as well as the importance of examining the effect of migration generation on mental health outcomes.


Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase in serum of cancer patients.
Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity determined by enzyme immunoassay was higher in the serum of cancer patients than that in normal blood donors. The highest activity was found among patients having malignancy metastatic to bone. The classic colorimetric method showed a broad range of values among normal blood donors, and the contrast between normal and cancer patients was less obvious. Most of the cancer patients had normal to low alkaline phosphatase activities.


Maternal Diet and Infant Risk of Eczema and Food Allergy: A Systematic Review.
A significant portion of the pediatric population is affected by allergy diseases, which have become a worldwide public health concern. Could maternal diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding influence allergy outcomes in offspring? If this cause-and-effect relationship exists, it will be simpler to design prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of allergic disorders in children, reduce costs to the public health system and to parents, and improve the quality of life of allergic children and their parents. In this systematic review, we will visit the literature from January 2019 to December 2022 to see if any relationship was found between maternal nutrition and its consequences on children's allergy occurrence. We will focus only on food allergy and eczema outcomes in the offspring. Also, we will summarize what was found to be protective or nonprotective to better control the outcomes if applied in the future.


Technology and application of the reusable Olympus Ultrasonic Dissector.
With US scalpels a new era of laparoscopic surgery has begun. We have given instances of the striking advantages of modern ultrasonic dissectors in general, and of the SonoSurg system in particular. Key aspects are reusability, modularity and multi-functionality. Modularity allows for extension of the basic scalpel e.g. to an aspirator, reusability results in cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, ultrasonically activated devices are not limited to the well-known scalpels and aspirators. New technologies such as the SonoSurg ultrasound trocar and combination instruments are currently under development.


Enantioselective direct α-amination of aldehydes via a photoredox mechanism: a strategy for asymmetric amine fragment coupling.
The direct, asymmetric α-amination of aldehydes has been accomplished via a combination of photoredox and organocatalysis. Photon-generated N-centered radicals undergo enantioselective α-addition to catalytically formed chiral enamines to directly produce stable α-amino aldehyde adducts bearing synthetically useful amine substitution patterns. Incorporation of a photolabile group on the amine precursor obviates the need to employ a photoredox catalyst in this transformation. Importantly, this photoinduced transformation allows direct and enantioselective access to α-amino aldehyde products that do not require postreaction manipulation.


Characterization, expression profiles, intracellular distribution and association analysis of porcine PNAS-4 gene with production traits.
In a previous screen to identify differentially expressed genes associated with embryonic development, the porcine PNAS-4 gene had been found. Considering differentially expressed genes in early stages of muscle development are potential candidate genes to improve meat quality and production efficiency, we determined how porcine PNAS-4 gene regulates meat production. Therefore, this gene has been sequenced, expression analyzed and associated with meat production traits. We cloned the full-length cDNA of porcine PNAS-4 gene encoding a protein of 194 amino acids which was expressed in the Golgi complex. This gene was mapped to chromosome 10, q11-16, in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 1 where the human homologous gene was localized. Real-time PCR revealed that PNAS-4 mRNA was widely expressed with highest expression levels in skeletal muscle followed by lymph, liver and other tissues, and showed a down-regulated expression pattern during prenatal development while a up-regulated expression pattern after weaning. Association analysis revealed that allele C of SNP A1813C was prevalent in Chinese indigenous breeds whereas A was dominant allele in Landrace and Large White, and the pigs with homozygous CC had a higher fat content than those of the pigs with other genotypes (P < 0.05). Porcine PNAS-4 protein tagged with green fluorescent protein accumulated in the Golgi complex, and its mRNA showed a widespread expression across many tissues and organs in pigs. It may be an important factor affecting the meat production efficiency, because its down-regulated expression pattern during early embryogenesis suggests involvement in increase of muscle fiber number. In addition, the SNP A1813C associated with fat traits might be a genetic marker for molecular-assisted selection in animal breeding.


Current role of Nuclear Medicine in the diagnosis and therapy of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), are heterogenic neoplasms that arise from the disseminated endocrine cell system, primarily from gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) organs. Nuclear Medicine has a central role in both diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NETs. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) is still performed with SPECT/CT in case that PET/CT is not available but numerous studies have demonstrated the superior diagnostic accuracy of the latter for GEP-NETs. 68Ga -Dota peptide PET/CT (SSA-PET/CT) has high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (86%-100%) and is recommended for the staging as also for the restaging of GEP-NETs.


Radioembolization with 90yttrium microspheres: a state-of-the-art brachytherapy treatment for primary and secondary liver malignancies. Part 2: special topics.
Yttrium-90 microspheres are increasingly being used as a treatment modality for primary and secondary liver tumors. As these therapies continue to be accepted, it is natural that their application in more complex clinical scenarios will become more common. This article is meant to introduce these controversies and to generate interest and dialogue by the interventional oncology community. This discussion is based on more than 900 (90)Y radioembolization procedures performed over a 5-year period.


Design of interferometer system for Keda Torus eXperiment using terahertz solid-state diode sources.
A solid-state source based terahertz (THz) interferometer diagnostic system has been designed and characterized for the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX). The THz interferometer utilizes the planar diodes based frequency multiplier (X48) to provide the probing beam at fixed frequency 0.650 THz, and local oscillator is provided by an independent solid-state diode source with tunable frequency (0.650 THz +/- 10 MHz). Both solid-state sources have approximately 1 mW power. The planar-diode mixers optimized for high sensitivity, ∼750 mV/mW, are used in the heterodyne detection system, which permits multichannel interferometer on KTX with a low phase noise. A sensitivity of ⟨nel⟩min = 4.5 × 10(16) m(-2) and a temporal resolution of 0.2 μs have been achieved during the initial bench test.


Current assessment and proposed improvement to emergency medical information systems in Japan.
Most prefectural governments in Japan have been implementing, or planning to implement, emergency medical information systems that take advantage of advanced information-related technologies such as computers and communication systems, in order to improve their emergency medical care systems. We studied the emergency medical information systems to analyse their present status, clarify their purpose, and present the ideal system, in view of community health care requirements. Here the results of the research are examined, and there is a discussion of what is needed to improve the system in the future. The emergency medical information system in Aichi prefecture is taken as an example, to closely survey its present situation and analyse the evaluation of the system by the residents who are the major beneficiaries of the system.


Flow cytometric analysis of DNA indices, expression of p53 and multidrug resistance genes in multiple myeloma patients.
To perform a quantitative analysis of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction % (SPF%), p53 and multidrug resistance (MDR) gene expression as independent prognostic parameters and to compare these parameters with stage of the disease in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Peripheral blood bone marrow samples were analyzed for DNA ploidy and SPF% using a FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson). Detection of p53 and MDR gene expression was done using immunocytochemistry. Aneuploidy was found in 5/48 (10.42%) total myeloma patients, all of whom revealed hyperdiploidy. High SPF% was noted in 18/37 (48.65%) newly diagnosed MM patients and 5/11 (45.45%) follow-up cases of myeloma. p53 Gene product was noted in 8/48 (16.66%) myeloma patients, 6 newly diagnosed and 2 on follow-up. MDR gene expression was detected in 4/27 (10.81%) newly diagnosed patients and in 1/11 (9.09%)follow-up patients. All myeloma patients with aneuploidy revealed hyperdiploidy. The majority of cases with high SPF% were at advanced stages, indicating the prognostic significance of SPF%. Although, there was no statistical significance of DNA ploidy, SPF%, p53 and MDR gene product expression, they are important prognostic parameters. Our results can provide baseline data for comparison with future studies since these parameters have not been reported earlier from the Indian subcontinent.


Consequences of peripheral chemoreflex inhibition with low-dose dopamine in humans.
Low-dose dopamine inhibits peripheral chemoreceptors and attenuates the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in humans. However, it is unknown: (1) whether it also modulates the haemodynamic reactions to acute hypoxia, (2) whether it also modulates cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and (3) if there is any effect of dopamine withdrawal. We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 11 healthy male volunteers. At sea level over 2 days every subject was administered low-dose dopamine (2 μg kg(-1) min(-1)) or saline infusion, during which we assessed both ventilatory and haemodynamic responses to acute hypoxia. Separately, we evaluated effects of initiation and withdrawal of each infusion and BRS. The initiation of dopamine infusion did not affect minute ventilation (MV) or mean blood pressure (MAP), but increased both heart rate (HR) and cardiac output. Concomitantly, it decreased systemic vascular resistance. Dopamine blunted the ventilatory, MAP and HR reactions (hypertension, tachycardia) to acute hypoxia. Dopamine attenuated cardiac BRS to falling blood pressure. Dopamine withdrawal evoked an increase in MV. The magnitude of the increment in MV due to dopamine withdrawal correlated with the size of the HVR and depended on the duration of dopamine administration. The ventilatory reaction to dopamine withdrawal constitutes a novel index of peripheral chemoreceptor function.


Parthenogenetic activation of mouse oocytes by exposure to strontium as a source of cytoplasts for nuclear transfer.
Cell-cycle phase of the donor and recipient cells at the moment of nuclear transfer influences subsequent development of the reconstituted embryo. In order to study this effect, the precise cell-cycle phase of the recipient oocyte at the time of fusion must be known and this depends on reliable activation of oocytes in a protocol that has a low incidence of spontaneous activation. Mouse oocytes recovered before (8-10 hours post-human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) and after ovulation (14 and 18 hours post-hCG) were exposed to strontium ions in calcium magnesium-free M16 culture medium. The effect on development of haploid parthenotes of post-hCG age of the oocyte, the duration of exposure, and strontium concentration in the medium was determined. These experiments established a reliable method of parthogenetic activation of recently ovulated mouse oocytes, involving the culture of oocytes for 60 minutes in 25 mM strontium in a calcium magnesium-free M16 medium. This method of activation was also able to induce activation of preovulatory oocytes after a preincubation period in vitro. Only a low incidence of spontaneous activation was observed if oocytes were recovered before or immediately after ovulation (14 hours after hCG).


Acute basophilic leukaemia: a case report.
Acute basophilic leukaemia is an uncommon form of acute leukaemia, rarely occurring as de novo disease. Due to rarity of the disease, consistent diagnostic criteria for the identification of this entity still remain the topic of discussion. Immunophenotypic profile, electron microscopy and cytogenetic analysis in addition to morphological features, are said to be highly desirable for correct identification of this entity. In set-up like ours, where such facilities are either not available or not in reach of the patients due to financial constraints, morphological features and simple technique like demonstration of metachromasia in blasts with toluidine blue stain remain the most useful diagnostic tool for identification of this rare condition. We present a case of acute basophilic leukaemia with (11q23)-MLL gene rearrangement, in an 18-year-old male with review of literature and discussion of diagnostic criteria.


Robust ab initio solution of the cryo-EM reconstruction problem at low resolution with small data sets.
Single particle cryo-electron microscopy has become a critical tool in structural biology over the last decade, able to achieve atomic scale resolution in three dimensional models from hundreds of thousands of (noisy) two-dimensional projection views of particles frozen at unknown orientations. This is accomplished by using a suite of software tools to (i) identify particles in large micrographs, (ii) obtain low-resolution reconstructions, (iii) refine those low-resolution structures, and (iv) finally match the obtained electron scattering density to the constituent atoms that make up the macromolecule or macromolecular complex of interest. Here, we focus on the second stage of the reconstruction pipeline: obtaining a low resolution model from picked particle images. Our goal is to create an algorithm that is capable of ab initio reconstruction from small data sets (on the order of a few thousand selected particles). More precisely, we propose an algorithm that is robust, automatic, and fast enough that it can potentially be used to assist in the assessment of particle quality as the data is being generated during the microscopy experiment.


A comparison of patient and population values for health states in varicose veins patients.
Cost utility analyses typically incorporate preferences based upon the mean values for health states generated from a sample of the general population. The main argument for using general population values rests upon the premise that in a publicly funded health care system the main objective of the health care system is a societal one, namely to maximise health subject to equity concerns. Alternatively, it can be argued that patients themselves should be asked to value their own health state given that they have first hand experience of the state being valued. This paper investigates the relationship between patient and general population values within the context of a randomised controlled trial to compare alternative treatments for varicose veins. It was found that patients' own health valuations tended to be higher than those of the general population sample. The results from this study have important implications for economic evaluation. The incremental QALY gain for patients receiving treatment for moderate varicose veins would be almost halved if patients' own values were used to estimate QALYs in contrast to the general population values. The results also suggest that the variant of elicitation technique may be more important than the source of those values in revealing discrepancies.


Risk of lung cancer among masons in Iceland.
To estimate the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer in a cohort of masons exposed to cement and hexavalent chromium by a follow up in the Icelandic Cancer Registry. The cohort, 1172 men, was defined as those who had served their apprenticeship and were fully licensed as masons (cement finishers) in Iceland, were born after 1880 and were alive in 1955. The men were exposed to an aerosol of wet concrete, particularly when spraying. According to the analyses of urinary chromium the masons were exposed to hexavalent chromium. A computer file on masons was record linked to the Cancer Registry by making use of the personal identification numbers. Expected cancer incidence was calculated on the basis of number of person-years for each five-year age category during the individual calendar years of the study period and multiplied by the specific incidence for cause and calendar year for men in Iceland provided by the Cancer Registry. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was 1.13 in the total cohort and 1.33 when allowance was made for 30 years to elapse before starting to count person years of risk. The risk for gastrointestinal cancers was not increased. The SIR for lung cancer was 1.69 in the total cohort and 1.77 when a lag of 30 years was included. The SIR for lung cancer among those born in 1920 or later was 1.86. Results from a postal questionnaire showed that fewer masons had never smoked and more masons had stopped smoking than the controls from the general population. The increased risk of lung cancer among the masons may be related to their work. The exposure information, although limited, supports the suggestion that hexavalent chromium in the cement may be the causal link, as information on the smoking habits indicate that the control for this important possible confounder is adequate.


Stomatal opening: role of potassium uptake by guard cells.
Stomata in isolated epidermal strips open in response to light plus air free of carbon dioxide when the strips are floated on potassium chloride solutions of low concentrations. This opening depends on the stimulation of active accumulation of potassium in quantities sufficient to account for the observed changes in solute potential of the guard cells.


Enhancing social support and knowledge perception decreases patient delay in breast cancer.
Patient delay commonly appears in breast cancer (BC), but the findings for influential factors may be contaminated by recall bias. The real factors in patient delay (divided into appraisal delay and utilization delay) for women with BC urgently need to be objectively analyzed for preventing the progression of this disease. Women meeting strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were asked to fill in a questionnaire, which included three sections of sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and knowledge of BC. Later on, the outcomes were processed according to the verification of BC by pathological diagnosis. Then, multiple linear regression was conducted to analyze the potential factors of the delay and to explore their relations between these factors and BC. Appraisal delay is the leading component of patient delay. Appraisal delay's time distribution of a higher percentage at delay time 0-29 and >360 days, while other delay time occupies lower percentage, which is highly consistent with that of patient delay, while utilization delay mainly occurs in the 0-29 days period. Concerning the influential factors for the different phases of delay, age (P=0.051, P=0.035 separately in appraisal and patient delay), residential address (P=0.036, P=0.010) and symptom disclosure to others (P=0.015, P=0.015) led to a decrease of appraisal and patient delay. However, reasons for first medical consultation (P=0.033, P=0.006) and knowledge of BC (P=0.027, P=0.002) would accelerate appraisal and patient delay. Many factors related to hospitals, such as hospital category for first medical consultation (P=0.030) and examinations for first medical consultation (P=0.055) would reduce utilization delay. Obstacles in medical consultation for younger women should be removed, and early interventions are needed to avoid progression of BC.


Evaluation of Serum C-reactive Protein Levels in Subjects with Aggressive and Chronic Periodontitis in Comparison with Healthy Controls: A Clinico-biochemical Study.
Evaluation and comparison of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in subjects with chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Based on the periodontal status, 45 subjects were selected and divided into three groups. Group I - subjects with clinically healthy periodontium, Group II - generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP), and Group III - chronic periodontitis (CP). Blood samples were collected from subjects for measurement of CRP. Periodontal parameters include plaque index (PI), gingival index, bleeding index (BI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were assessed. CRP levels were assessed by means of a commercially available high sensitivity-CRP enzyme immunoassay kit. CRP levels were increased in Group III (6.0671 ± 3.15639 mg/L) and Group II subjects (4.5453 ± 2.88116 mg/L) compared to the Group I (1.0180 ± 0.94069 mg/L). CRP levels showed a positive correlation with all clinical parameters in Group I subjects. BI (r = 0.073), PI (r = 0.120) showed a positive correlation with CRP level in Group II and a positive correlation was also seen for PI (r = 0.492), PPD (r = 0.340), CAL (r = 0.160), and CRP level in Group III subjects. The mean CRP levels were found to be greater in CP compared to GAP subjects, but there was no statistically significant difference.


Association of Internet Addiction with Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Adolescents.
Objective: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of internet addiction and its impact on the psychological well-being of adolescents in Tehran, considering the sociodemographic characteristics. Method : In this cross sectional study, a total of 945 (mean age of 14.85) students (522 boys and 423 girls) were recruited by 2-stage clustering sampling method in 2017. The Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) were used to measure internet addiction and psychological characteristics, respectively. The data were analyzed using multiple-logistic regression analysis adjusted for internet addiction and sociodemographic variables. Results: Overall, 20% of the adolescents were internet addicts. Gender, consanguineous marriage, and father's education level were significantly associated with internet addiction. Regarding emotional and behavioral characteristics, internet addiction was significantly associated with the scores of internalizing (OR = 5.03; 95% CI: 3.05-8.28) and externalizing problems (OR = 5.84; 95% CI: 3.61-9.43), the total score of empirical scales (OR = 6.51; 95% CI: 3.71-11.6), and all DSM-oriented scales of the YSR (p < 0.001). Except for school performance, other competency scales had no correlations with internet addiction. Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of the internet addiction and its correlation with emotional and behavioral characteristics, students and their parents should be advised of the detrimental impacts of internet addiction and try to focus on its constructive application.


Population structure and phylogeography of Toda buffalo in Nilgiris throw light on possible origin of aboriginal Toda tribe of South India.
We report the genetic structure and evolutionary relationship of the endangered Toda buffalo of Nilgiris in South India with Kanarese and two other riverine buffalo breeds. The upgma phylogeny drawn using Nei's distance grouped South Kanara and Toda buffaloes at a single node while Marathwada and Murrah together formed a separate node. Principal component analysis was performed with pairwise interindividual chord distances which revealed clustering of Murrah and Marathwada buffaloes distinctly, while individuals of Toda and South Kanara breeds completely intermingled with each other. Furthermore, there were highly significant group variances (p < 0.01) when the breeds were grouped based on phylogeny, thus revealing the existence of cryptic genetic structure within these buffalo breeds. To know the evolutionary relationship among these breeds, 537-bp D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA was analysed. The phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA haplotypes following NJ algorithm with Chinese swamp buffalo as outgroup revealed a major cluster that included haplotypes from all the four investigated breeds and two minor clusters formed by South Kanara and Toda haplotypes. Reduced median network analysis revealed haplotypes of South Kanara and Toda to be quite distinct from the commonly found haplotypes indicating that these might have been ancestral to all the present-day haplotypes. Few mutations in two of the haplotypes of South Kanara buffalo were found to have contributed to ancestral haplotypes of Toda buffalo suggesting the possible migration of buffaloes from Kanarese region towards Nilgiris along the Western Ghats. Considering the close social, economic and cultural association of Todas with their buffaloes, the present study supports the theory of migration of Toda tribe from Kanarese/Mysore region along with their buffaloes.


Effects of low concentrations copper on antioxidant responses, DNA damage and genotoxicity in thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus.
For the aim to study potential detrimental effects induced by Cu exposure at low, environmentally relevant concentrations, the in vivo activities at different levels of biological organisations of thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus exposed to two levels of copper were assessed. Cu-induced stresses were evaluated through antioxidant responses, DNA damage and genotoxicity. The results revealed significant higher SOD and CAT activities, and MDA concentration in haemocytes of M. coruscus with Cu exposure at 8 μg/L, while only significant accumulation in CAT activity with Cu exposure at 2 μg/L and no significant changes with SOD activity and MDA concentration at this level of Cu exposure. Copper exposure induced DNA damage as induction of OTM value in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, copper exposure could significantly induced the expressions of MT-10, Hsp70, Hsp90 and C3. The present results deepen the mussels as a suitable model marine invertebrate species to study potential detrimental effects induced by possible toxicants, in combinations at different levels of biological organisations.


NO3- Promotes Nitrogen-Containing Disinfection Byproduct Formation in Corroded Iron Drinking Water Pipes.
Nitrogen-containing disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs) are highly toxic DBPs in drinking water. Though, under normal conditions, NO3- could not directly participate in disinfection reactions to generate N-DBPs, here, we first found that NO3- could promote the formation of N-DBPs in corroded iron drinking water pipes. The coexistence of corrosion produced Fe(II) and iron oxides is a critical condition for the transformation of N species; meanwhile, most of the newly generated N-DBPs had aromatic fractions. The Fe-O-C bond formed between iron corrosion products and natural organic matter promoted electron transfer for the N transformation with pyrrolic N as the intermediate N species. Density functional calculation confirmed that the coexistence of Fe(II) and iron oxides effectively reduced the Gibbs free energy for NO3- reduction. ΔG of the key rate-determining step from NO* to NOH* decreased from 1.55 eV on FeOOH to 1.35 eV on Fe(II)+FeOOH. In addition, the large decrease of cell viability of the water samples from 74.3% to 45.4% further confirmed the formation of highly toxic N-DBPs. Thus, in a drinking water distribution system with corroded iron pipes, the low toxic NO3- may increase toxicity risks via N-DBP formation.


Minimal role of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus in fulminant and subfulminant hepatitis in Taiwan.
The role of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) in fulminant hepatitis (FH) and subfulminant hepatitis (SFH) remains unclear. Thirty-two FH or SFH patients, with adequate clinical information and serum specimens, were studied. Serum samples were tested for hepatitis markers and genomes of hepatitis A-E viruses, as well as GBV-C/HGV. Of the cases of FH/SFH studied, one (3%) was caused by anti-tuberculosis agents, 26 (81%) had hepatotropic virus infection, and five (16%) had no identifiable cause. Of the 26 patients with hepatotropic virus infection, five had acute hepatitis B infection (one with acute hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection), one had acute hepatitis C infection, 16 were hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with reactivation or superimposed by unidentified agent(s) (two had triple virus infections), three were hepatitis B carriers with HDV superinfection, and one had GBV-C/HGV infection in addition to exposure to halothane. GBV-C/HGV-RNA was detected in only three of 32 patients (9%) and all had a history of blood transfusion or co-existing causative factors. Of the 26 patients with hepatotropic virus infection, 18 were tested for antibodies against GBV-C/HGV envelope protein and seven were reactive, suggesting past infection. The role of GBV-C/HGV in causing FH and SFH is minimal in Taiwan and HBV infection remains the major aetiology. These findings also suggest the existence of as yet unrecognized agents, responsible for such catastrophic illnesses.


Evidence-Based Interventions for Transitions in Care for Individuals Living With Dementia.
Despite numerous, often predictable, transitions in care, little is known about the core elements of successful transitions in care specifically for persons with dementia. The paper examines available evidence-based interventions to improve the care transitions for persons with dementia and their caregivers. A state-of-the-art review was conducted for research published on interventions targeting transitions in care for persons living with dementia and their caregivers through January 2017. Our review revealed seven evidence-based interventions to postpone/prevent or reduce care transitions specific to persons living with dementia. Effective approaches appear to be those that involve the individual and caregiver in establishing goals of care, educate the individual and caregiver about likely transitions in care; provide timely communication of information about the individual, create strong inter professional teams with competencies in dementia care, and implement evidence-based models of practice. Five essential features for consistent and supported care transitions for persons with dementia and their caregivers are recommended. Findings reinforce the need for additional research and adaptation of evidence-based transitions in care interventions.


Protein-mediated looping of DNA under tension requires supercoiling.
Protein-mediated DNA looping is ubiquitous in chromatin organization and gene regulation, but to what extent supercoiling or nucleoid associated proteins promote looping is poorly understood. Using the lac repressor (LacI), a paradigmatic loop-mediating protein, we measured LacI-induced looping as a function of either supercoiling or the concentration of the HU protein, an abundant nucleoid protein in Escherichia coli. Negative supercoiling to physiological levels with magnetic tweezers easily drove the looping probability from 0 to 100% in single DNA molecules under slight tension that likely exists in vivo. In contrast, even saturating (micromolar) concentrations of HU could not raise the looping probability above 30% in similarly stretched DNA or 80% in DNA without tension. Negative supercoiling is required to induce significant looping of DNA under any appreciable tension.


In situ effects of metal contamination from former uranium mining sites on the health of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus, L.).
Human activities have led to increased levels of various pollutants including metals in aquatic ecosystems. Increase of metallic concentrations in aquatic environments represents a potential risk to exposed organisms, including fish. The aim of this study was to characterize the environmental risk to fish health linked to a polymetallic contamination from former uranium mines in France. This contamination is characterized by metals naturally present in the areas (manganese and iron), uranium, and metals (aluminum and barium) added to precipitate uranium and its decay products. Effects from mine releases in two contaminated ponds (Pontabrier for Haute-Vienne Department and Saint-Pierre for Cantal Department) were compared to those assessed at four other ponds outside the influence of mine tailings (two reference ponds/department). In this way, 360 adult three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were caged for 28 days in these six ponds before biomarker analyses (immune system, antioxidant system, biometry, histology, DNA integrity, etc.). Ponds receiving uranium mine tailings presented higher concentrations of uranium, manganese and aluminum, especially for the Haute-Vienne Department. This uranium contamination could explain the higher bioaccumulation of this metal in fish caged in Pontabrier and Saint-Pierre Ponds. In the same way, many fish biomarkers (antioxidant and immune systems, acetylcholinesterase activity and biometric parameters) were impacted by this environmental exposure to mine tailings. This study shows the interest of caging and the use of a multi-biomarker approach in the study of a complex metallic contamination.


Examining the Association between Weapon Carrying on School Property and Suicide Attempt among Adolescents in the United States.
Suicidal behaviors among adolescents in the United States are the second leading cause of death and has been steadily increasing over the years. Although access to and possession of a weapon may facilitate the transition from suicidal ideation to a suicide attempt, few studies have examined the association between weapon carrying and suicide attempts among adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the association between weapon carrying on school property and suicide attempt among adolescents. Data for this study came from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. A sample of 14,547 adolescents aged 14-18 years old (50.5% female) was analyzed using logistic regression. Of the 14,547 adolescents, 4% carried a weapon on school property, and 7.7% attempted suicide during the past 12 months. In the multivariate logistic regression, adolescents who reported carrying a weapon on school property had more than double the odds of attempting suicide when compared to their counterparts who did not carry a weapon on school property. Other significant predictors of suicide attempt include sexual minority, history of forced sexual intercourse, school bullying and cyberbullying victimization, feeling sad or hopeless, and substance use. Examining the association between weapon carrying and suicide attempt among adolescents would contribute to early identification of adolescents who are likely to engage in suicidal behaviors.


The effect of cognitive style and mode of presentation on learning performance.
The effect of text-plus-text versus text-plus-picture computer presentation conditions, and the students' cognitive styles, on learning performance was investigated. In the text-plus-text condition, the learning material content described the working of car braking systems. The text-plus-picture condition consisted of text with additional pictorial information. Fifty-nine 15-16-year-old students in a secondary school were randomly assigned, within sexes, to one of the conditions. Having worked through the computer presented material, they were given a post-test overall learning performance. Immediately following this, they did the Cognitive Styles Analysis (CSA) (Riding, 1991) which measures an individual's position on two cognitive style dimensions; Verbal-Imagery and Wholist-Analytic. It was found that the Verbal-Imagery cognitive style and presentation condition interacted in their effect on overall learning performance (p < .05). In the text-plus-picture condition Imagers were superior to Verbalisers, while the text-plus-text condition Verbalisers did better than Imagers. It was also observed that Imagers used more diagrams to illustrate their answers than Verbalisers. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for instruction.


Intrauterine contraceptive device appendicitis: a case report.
Uterine perforation is one of the serious complications associated with use of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Uterine perforation by IUD can involve several neighboring organs. A case of acute appendicitis was caused by a Multiload Cu 375 IUD inserted previously. This is a rare complication and only fourteen previous cases were recorded in the literature.


Intracellular pH-measurements in rat duodenal mucosa in vitro using confocal laserscan microscopy.
An improved technique was developed to measure intracellular pH-changes in in vitro duodenal mucosa. A confocal laserscan microscope was equipped with a second laser to permit dual wavelength excitation measurements employing BCECF (2'7'-bis-2-carboxyethyl-5-(and-6)carboxyfluorescein), a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. Intact rat duodenal epithelium was mounted in a microperfusion chamber and loaded with BCECF via submucosal injection. Viability of the epithelial cells could be directly monitored by estimating the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio of the fluorescence intensity of BCECF. A calibration procedure using isolated duodenal cells, allowed estimation of the apparent intracellular pH. Initial apparent intracellular pH was 7.32 +/- 0.12, identical to that of isolated duodenocytes. Exposure of the duodenal epithelium to 60 mM NH4Cl led to a steady increase in apparent intracellular pH of 0.46 units within 2 min. Luminal application of 0.01 N HCl led to a steady decrease in apparent intracellular pH of 0.53 pH units within 1 min and was followed by a slow increase to baseline level after acid removal. Thus, confocal laserscan microscopy in combination with BCECF allowed noninvasive monitoring of intracellular pH-changes in single cells of an intact duodenal epithelium.


Long-term followup of 1121 cases of carcinoma in situ.
A series of 1121 patients with carcinoma in situ have been followed for 5 to 25 years. Recurrences of in situ lesions and development of invasive cancer wwere found, often many years after treatment. Thereapeutic conization was performed in 795 patients, of which 19 (2.3%) had recurrent carcinoma in situ and 7 patients (0.9%) developed invasive cancer. The corresponding figures for 238 patients treated with hysterectomy were, respectively, 3 (1.2%) and 5 (2.1%). The invasive lesions appeared after treatment several years later than the in situ lesions. It is stressed that women having once had in situ carcinoma of the cervix will always be at some risk, and therefore should be carefully followed for a much longer time than the conventional 5 years. Of 42 cases of preinvasive carcinoma extending to the border of the surgical specimen in which conization was performed, 25 were not immediately treated but only observed. Four of these patients developed recurrence from 2 to 6 years after treatment, while 21 are well after a followup period of between 5 and 15 years.


Deuterium body array for the simultaneous measurement of hepatic and renal glucose metabolism and gastric emptying with dynamic 3D deuterium metabolic imaging at 7 T.
Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) is a novel noninvasive method to assess tissue metabolism and organ (patho)physiology in vivo using deuterated substrates, such as [6,6'-2 H2 ]-glucose. The liver and kidneys play a central role in whole-body glucose homeostasis, and in type 2 diabetes, both hepatic and renal glucose metabolism are dysregulated. Diabetes is also associated with gastric emptying abnormalities. In this study, we developed a four-channel 2 H transmit/receive body array coil for DMI in the human abdomen at 7 T and assessed its performance. In addition, the feasibility of simultaneously measuring gastric emptying, and hepatic and renal glucose uptake and metabolism with dynamic 3D DMI upon administration of deuterated glucose, was investigated. Simulated and measured B1 + patterns were in good agreement. The intrasession variability of the natural abundance deuterated water signal in the liver and right kidney, measured in nine healthy volunteers, was 5.6% ± 0.9% and 4.9% ± 0.7%, respectively. Dynamic 3D DMI scans with oral administration of [6,6'-2 H2 ]-glucose showed similar kinetics of deuterated glucose appearance and disappearance in the liver and kidney. The measured gastric emptying half time was 80 ± 10 min, which is in good agreement with scintigraphy measurements. In conclusion, DMI with oral administration of [6,6'-2 H2 ]-glucose enables simultaneous assessment of gastric emptying and liver and kidney glucose uptake and metabolism. When applied in patients with diabetes, this approach may advance our understanding of the interplay between disturbances in liver and kidney glucose uptake and metabolism and gastric emptying, at a detail that cannot be achieved by any other method.


The immunological activities of components isolated from Corynebacterium parvum in mice injected with polyoma tumor cells.
The inhibition of polyoma tumor in CBA mice after immunization with different fractions of Corynebacterium parvum was investigated. Treatment with 200 micrograms of polysaccharide from culture filtrate before s.c. inoculation 2 X 10(6) of tumor cells induced antitumor effect in mice. Treatment with lower doses (1 microgram or 20 micrograms) after transplantation of tumor cells was not effective. Injection of lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli abolished a positive response on inhibition of polyoma tumor growth after immunization with Corynebacterium parvum fractions. Additionally, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to protein fractions contain tumor antigenic components of membrane vesicles from polyoma tumor cells in the mice immunized with different compounds of Corynebacterium parvum was very strong. These findings suggest that the Corynebacterium parvum preparations are capable to inhibit tumor growth and could be used in special circumstances in immunoprophylaxis.


Adipose Derived Stem Cells Exert Immunomodulatory Effects on Natural Killer Cells in Breast Cancer.
Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs), as one of the important stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, are determined with immunomodulatory effects. The principle aim of this study was to evaluate the immunosuppressive effects of ASCs on natural killer (NK) cells. In this experimental study, we assessed the expressions of indolamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO1), IDO2 and human leukocyte antigen-G5 (HLA-G5) in ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients with different stages as well as normal individuals, using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunomodulatory effects of ASCs on the expression of CD16, CD56, CD69, NKG2D, NKp30, NKG2A and NKp44 was also assessed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by flow-cytometry. Our result showed that IDO1, IDO2 and HLA-G5 had higher mRNA expressions in ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients than those from normal individuals (P>0.05). mRNA expression of these molecules were higher in ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients with stage III tumors than those with stage II. The indirect culture of ASCs isolated from breast cancer patients and normal individuals with activated PBLs significantly reduced NKG2D+ and CD69+ NK cells (P<0.05). Results of the present study suggest more evidences for the immunosuppression of ASCs on NK cells, providing conditions in favor of tumor immune evasion.


Factors affecting IL-1-mediated collagen metabolism by fibroblasts and the pathogenesis of periodontal disease: a review of the literature.
Fibroblasts have been studied extensively for their contribution to connective tissue destruction in diseases where the metabolism of extracellular matrix components plays an essential part in their pathogenesis. A considerable dissolution, especially of collagen fibrils, is a well-known characteristic of the periodontal ligament and the gingival connective tissue in microbial-induced periodontal disease. Fibroblasts, responsible for the assembly of the extracellular matrix, are capable of responding directly to oral microbial challenges or indirectly, following activation of the host immune response, and can alter the composition of connective tissue in several ways: synthesis of inflammatory mediators, their receptors and antagonists; fibroblast proliferation; collagen synthesis; phagocytosis of collagen fibrils; and synthesis of proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases and their corresponding inhibitors. The contributions of these cellular fibroblastic properties to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease are reviewed in the context of the cytokine, interleukin-1, as the inflammatory regulator.


An Innovative Free-Hand Puncture Technique to Reduce Radiation in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Using Ultrasound with Navigation System Under Magnetic Field: A Single-Center Experience in Hong Kong.
Traditionally, fluoroscopy or ultrasound (US) or both are used for guiding tract creation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, the use of fluoroscopy inevitably incurs radiation exposure, which should be cut down as much as possible in view of its potential adverse effects on health: both deterministic effects and stochastic effects. Conventional US guidance, being radiation free, can serve the purpose, but it is difficult to visualize the needle tract during screening without a needle-guiding system fixed to the transducer, and hence, there is a lack of predictability and sense of security. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of using US with navigation system (USNS) to solve the above problems. In 2014, we performed PCNL on 18 patients with USNS guidance. During the puncture step, the magnetic field-based navigation US could help visualize the position of the needle tract in relation to the target calix. The procedure was done in free hand without the usage of needle-guiding system attached to the transducer. Needle deviation could be detected and adjusted immediately to achieve precise puncture. Of the 18 patients, 83.3% (15/18) of them had their punctures effectively done with a single attempt. Three puncture procedures were performed by two urologic trainees without any previous USNS experience. The mean fluoroscopy time during dilatation was 74.6s, with no radiation at all during the puncture step. The stone clearance rate was 72.2%, with 66.7% (12/18) being tubeless procedures. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.8 days. No immediate complications related to the puncture procedure were found. USNS can provide radiation-free guidance for tract creation in PCNL. It is predictable, precise, reliable, and safe. Most importantly, the technique is easy to learn, particularly for urologists who are new to PCNL.


Detection of endogenous retinoids in the molluscan CNS and characterization of the trophic and tropic actions of 9-cis retinoic acid on isolated neurons.
Retinoic acid (RA) is an active metabolite of Vitamin A that plays an important role in the growth and differentiation of many cell types. All-trans RA (atRA) is the retinoic acid isomer that has been most widely studied in the nervous system, and can induce and direct neurite outgrowth from both vertebrate and invertebrate preparations. The presence and role of the 9-cis-RA isomer in the nervous system is far less well defined. Here, we used high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) to show for the first time, the presence of both atRA and 9-cis-RA in the CNS of an invertebrate. We then demonstrated that 9-cis-RA was capable of exerting the same neurotrophic and chemotropic effects on cultured neurons as atRA. In this study, significantly more cells showed neurite outgrowth in 9-cis-RA versus the EtOH vehicle control, and 9-cis-RA significantly increased the number and length of neurites from identified neurons after 4 d in culture. 9-cis-RA also extended the duration of time that cells remained electrically excitable in culture. Furthermore, we showed for the first time in any species, that exogenous application of 9-cis-RA induced positive growth cone turning of cultured neurons. This study provides the first evidence for the presence of both atRA and 9-cis-RA in an invertebrate CNS and also provides the first direct evidence for a potential physiological role for 9-cis-RA in neuronal regeneration and axon pathfinding.


Quality of life of elderly patients with solid tumours undergoing adjuvant cancer therapy: a systematic review.
The measurement of quality of life (QoL) in elderly cancer population is increasingly being recognised as an important element of clinical decision-making and the evaluation of treatment outcome. This systematic review aimed to summarise the evidence of QoL during and after adjuvant therapy in elderly patients with cancer. A systematic search was conducted of studies published in CINAHL plus, CENTRAL, PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science from the inception of these databases to December 2016. Eligible studies included RCTs and non-RCTs in which QoL was measured in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above) with stage I-III solid tumours who were undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Because of the heterogeneity and the insufficient data among the included studies, the results were synthesised narratively. We included 4 RCTs and 14 non-RCTs on 1785 participants. In all four RCTs, the risk of bias was low or unclear for most items but high for detection. Of the 14 non-RCTs, 5 studies were judged to have a low or moderate risk of bias for all domains, and the other 9 studies had a serious risk of bias in at least one domain. The bias was observed mainly in the confounding and in the selection of participants for the study. For most elderly patients with breast cancer, the non-significant negative change in the QoL was transient. A significant increase in the QoL during the course of temozolomide in elderly patients with glioblastoma but a decreasing trend in QoL after radiotherapy was shown. This review also shows a uniform trend of stable or improved QoL during adjuvant therapy and at follow-up evaluations across the studies with prostate, colon or cervical cancer population. This review suggests that adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy may not have detrimental effects on QoL in most elderly patients with solid tumours.


A computational study of the urinary excretion rates for 339Pu using new ICRP internal dosimetry models.
A computational study of the urinary excretion rates for 239Pu has been carried out using a methodology which involved the solution of a complete compartmental model describing the biokinetic behaviour of inhaled plutonium aerosols in the human body. The methodology, after proper validation, was applied to investigate the dependence of urinary excretion rates for 239Pu on the transfer rates given in the complete compartmental model. For this purpose, the default values of the transfer/absorption rates were modified by factors of 2 and 4 and urinary excretion rates were computed on 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 d post-intake. The percentage variations in the urinary excretion rates as a result of the modified transfer rates were computed for exposures to Type M and S aerosols of 239Pu. These results facilitated the identification of parameters significantly affecting the short-term and long-term urinary excretion rates. In addition, time variations of the predicted ratios of 239Pu activity in daily urine to that in blood (excretion ratios) were studied for the three biokinetic models of plutonium: the ICRP 67 model, the modified ICRP 67 model with the compartment STI to urinary bladder removed and Luciani and Polig's model. All the computational results are presented and discussed in this paper.


The humanistic and economic burden of systemic lupus erythematosus : a systematic review.
Increased survival in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has shifted attention towards the burden that SLE imposes upon patients, healthcare systems and society. New interventions aimed at alleviating this burden will require economic evaluation. A summary of the current evidence of the humanistic and economic burden provides a platform for such subsequent studies. The objective of this study was to systematically review the current evidence on the humanistic and economic burden of SLE in terms of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and costs, and summarize the evidence on the factors found to be associated with this burden. Relevant literature for the years 1990 to February 2011 were obtained from systematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science. Articles reporting the humanistic (preference-based outcome measures or an SLE disease-specific HR-QOL measure) or economic burden (costs) of SLE in adult populations published in English were identified. The following exclusion criteria were applied: studies specifically examining lupus nephritis, SLE not being the main condition of focus (e.g. SLE is a co-existing condition), studies focusing on diagnostics or tests (including genetics and antibodies), mixed patient groups from which SLE could not be separated, paediatric populations, case studies, abstract unavailable, and non-English language studies. Estimates of the burden in terms of either HR-QOL or costs were extracted, tabulated and reported narratively. Annual cost figures were also converted into year 2010 US dollars using the consumer price index (CPI) and the purchasing power parity (PPP) conversion factor to allow for greater comparability across studies. Evidence on the factors found to be independently associated with either HR-QOL or costs was also examined. Of the 1969 studies initially identified as being potentially relevant, 32 papers were retained for the final review. Eighteen of these presented estimates of the burden in terms of HR-QOL, and 14 in terms of the economic cost. Mean utility scores reported on preference-based measures of HR-QOL ranged from 0.6 to 0.75. Mean annual direct costs per patient ranged from US$2,214 to US$16,875, and mean annual indirect cost estimates from US$2,239 to US$35,540 (year 2010 values). Disease activity and damage, along with poor mental and physical health, were repeatedly reported to predict both reduced HR-QOL and increased costs. The burden of SLE was found to be substantial, not only for patients but also for the health services that provide care for them. Treatments that are able to alleviate this burden are therefore likely to be highly valued by sufferers. After an extended period in which few therapeutic advances were made or treatments licensed, fundamental developments are finally being made. These new treatments will need to be evaluated for both clinical and cost effectiveness if their use is to be widely implemented.


Variations in myo-inositol in fronto-limbic regions and clinical response to electroconvulsive therapy in major depression.
Though electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for severe depression, the neurobiological factors accounting for the clinical effects of ECT are largely unknown. Myo-inositol, a neurometabolite linked with glial activity, is reported as reduced in fronto-limbic regions in patients with depression. Whether changes in myo-inositol relate to the antidepressant effects of ECT is unknown. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS), we measured dorsomedial anterior cingulate cortex (dmACC) and left and right hippocampal myo-inositol in 50 ECT patients (mean age: 43.78, 14 SD) and 33 controls (mean age: 39.33, 12 SD) to determine cross sectional effects of diagnosis and longitudinal effects of ECT. Patients were scanned prior to treatment, after the second ECT and at completion of the ECT index series. Controls were scanned twice at intervals corresponding to patients' baseline and end of treatment scans. Myo-inositol increased over the course of ECT in the dmACC (p = 0.042). A significant hemisphere by clinical response effect was observed for the hippocampus (p = 0.003) where decreased myo-inositol related to symptom improvement in the left hippocampus. Cross-sectional differences between patients and controls at baseline were not detected. Changes in myo-inositol observed in the dmACC in association with ECT and in the hippocampus in association with ECT-related clinical response suggest the mechanisms of ECT could include gliogenesis or a reversal of gliosis that differentially affect dorsal and ventral limbic regions. Change in dmACC myo-inositol diverged from control values with ECT suggesting compensation, while hippocampal change suggested normalization.


[Expression, purification of proteasome subunit PSMB1 and application in screening of possible proteasome inhibitors].
Proteasome is a multi-subunit protease complex in eukaryocytes, and plays an important role in ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. Recombinant proteasome can be used to screen proteasome inhibitors. In this study, recombinant plasmid of pET28a-PSMB1 was constructed by inserting human proteasome catalytic subunit (PSMB1) cDNA (726 bp) into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a(+), and transforming the plasmid into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells for expression. After overnight induction (1 mmol/L IPTG, 20 degrees C), an expected protein band with molecular weight of 27 kDa was observed on SDS-PAGE gel. The recombinant protein was then purified through affinity chromatography, and the purity is more than 95%. The amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein was validated by NanoLC-MS/MS. The data from in vitro BIAcore analysis showed that the recombinant PSMB1 could bind to celastrol. The binding affinity between PSMB1 and 10 micromol/L celastrol was more than 27RU.


[Laparoscopic interventions in previously operated patients].
This prospective study investigates the technical feasibility and the potential advantage of laparoscopic operative techniques in patients following previous surgery. Data were obtained from a group of patients following previous surgery who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, explorative laparoscopy, laparoscopic adhesiolysis, or laparoscopic procedures on the intestinal tract; all of these patients presented intraabdominal adhesions leading to a change of the originally intended operative procedure. 240 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without previous surgery or with previous surgery but without relevant adhesions represented the control group. Endpoints of investigation were duration of operation, post-operative hospitalization, intra- and postoperative complications, and postoperative quality of life. A total of 370 patients was followed after laparoscopic procedures. With an equal distribution of complications in both groups a higher percentage of calculated and emergency conversions was found in the group of patients following previous surgery; these conversions did not lead to a larger ratio of complications. The patients' postoperative quality of life, recorded by means of a complaint score, was equal in both groups. These results show that "previous abdominal surgery" does not represent a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery and that patients following previous surgery will profit from laparoscopic operations to the same extent as already proven for patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures without previous surgery.


[Protective hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis based on three-dimensional reconstruction technique].
To assess the value of protective hepatectomy based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique in the treatment of hepatolithiasis. The image data of 64-slice spiral CT scan were obtained from 21 patients with hepatolithiasis and processed using the MI-3DVS software for 3D reconstruction and visible simulation surgery of protective hepatectomy. The actual protective hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis was performed based on the preoperative surgical plan according to the 3D model and the simulation hepatectomy. The consistency between the actual hepatectomy and the simulation surgery was evaluated, and the operating time, lengths of postoperative hospital stay, estimated blood loss, calculus depletion rate and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. The consistency rate between the actual procedures of hepatectomy were carried out with a total consistency with the preoperative surgical simulation, and the normal functioning liver tissues were retained in all the 21 patients. The operating time of the procedures was 215.2∓51.3 min, the average postoperative hospital stay was 10.7∓4.3 days, estimated blood loss was 301.4∓60.7 ml, and the calculus depletion rate was 95.2%. The procedure was associated with an incidence of intra- and postoperative complications of 19.0%. Protective hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis based on 3D technique allows efficient calculus depletion, lesion removal, elimination of strictures, and total bile drainage, and also protects the maximum functional liver tissue and reduces the surgical complications.


Isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for the deep-sea shrimp Nematocarcinus lanceopes (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea).
The shrimp Nematocarcinus lanceopes Bate, 1888 is found in the deep sea around Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands. Previous studies on mitochondrial data and species distribution models provided evidence for a homogenous circum-Antarctic population of N. lanceopes. However, to analyze the fine-scale population genetic structure and to examine influences of abiotic environmental conditions on population composition and genetic diversity, a set of fast evolving nuclear microsatellite markers is required. We report the isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Antarctic deep-sea shrimp species Nematocarcinus lanceopes (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea). Microsatellite markers were screened in 55 individuals from different locations around the Antarctic continent. All markers were polymorphic with 9 to 25 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.545 to 0.927 and the expected heterozygosity from 0.549 to 0.934. The reported markers provide a novel tool to study genetic structure and diversity in Nematocarcinus lanceopes populations in the Southern Ocean and monitor effects of ongoing climate change in the region on the populations inhabiting these.


Immunological detection of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in rat livers after insulin injection.
Tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in Triton X-100-solubilized fractions of rat livers were examined by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. After 2 min of insulin injection via the portal vein into livers, three major bands of 170,000, 140,000, and 95,000 Mr were stimulated. Because the incubation of nitrocellulose membrane with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies in the presence of 40 mM phosphotyrosine completely abolished these bands, the anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies appear to recognize the phosphotyrosine residues of these proteins. Insulin injection (2-2000 micrograms) very quickly stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, insulinlike growth factor I or epidermal growth factor injection had little effect in stimulating the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins. Because anti-insulin-receptor antibodies immunoprecipitated a tyrosine-phosphorylated 95,000-Mr protein, this protein must be the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor; i.e., the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor and two other proteins were phosphorylated at tyrosine residues in vivo by insulin injection. These data suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor may have important roles in in vivo insulin action.


Structural and mechanical properties of "peelable" organoaqueous dispersions with partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate)-borate networks: applications to cleaning painted surfaces.
The preparation and structural characterization of a family of viscoelastic dispersions of borate cross-linked, 80% hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (80PVAc) in aqueous-organic liquids are presented. Correlations between mechanical properties (from rheological measurements) and the degree and nature of cross-linking (from (11)B NMR spectroscopy) are reported, and the results are used to assess their potential as low-impact cleaning agents for the surfaces of paintings. Because the dispersions can be prepared at room temperature by simple procedures from readily available materials and can contain up to 50% (w/w) of an organic liquid, they offer important advantages over previously described cleaning agents that are based on fully hydrolyzed PVAc (i.e., poly(vinyl alcohol). The mechanical properties of the various aqueous-organic dispersions, as determined quantitatively by rheological investigations and qualitatively by their ease of removal from a solid surface (i.e., the so-called "peel-off" ability) have been tuned systematically by varying the amount of organic liquid, its structure, and the concentrations of borax and 80PVAc. The (11)B NMR studies demonstrate that the concentration of borate ions actively participating in cross-linking increases significantly with the amount of organic liquid in the mixture. The degree of cross-linking remains constant when the 80PVAc and borax concentrations are varied, as long as their ratios are kept constant. Some of the 80PVAc-borax dispersions have been tested successfully as cleaning agents on the surface of a 16th-17th century oil-on-wood painting by Lodovico Cardi, "Il Cigoli", that was covered by a brown patina and on the surface of a Renaissance wall painting by Vecchietta in Santa Maria della Scala, Siena, Italy, that had a degraded polyacrylate coating from a previous conservation treatment.


Equilibrium of Treg/Th17 cells of peripheral blood in syphilitic patients with sero-resistance.
The aim of the present study was to examine changes of cellular homeostasis in regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells by detecting the proportion of Treg and Th17 cells of peripheral blood, as well as the expression of specific transcription factors in these two types of cells, in syphilitic patients with sero-resistance. A total of 49 subjects were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups, comprising 26 cases of sero-resistant syphilitic patients in the experimental group, and 23 cases of healthy donors in the normal control group. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the proportion of Treg and Th17 cells, as well as the quantitative expression of relevant specific transcription factors [forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (ROR-γt)] in the two groups. A correlation analysis was subsequently performed. The results showed that in syphilitic patients with sero-resistance, the proportion of peripheral blood Treg cells was obviously higher than that of the normal control group (p<0.01) and the proportion of Th17 cells was significantly lower than that of the normal control group (p<0.01). In addition, the expression of transcription factor Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells was higher than that of the normal control group, while the expression of ROR-γt was lower than that of the normal control (p<0.05). The expression of Foxp3 and ROR-γt in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells had a negative correlation (r=-0.481, p<0.01). In conclusion, the peripheral blood of syphilitic patients with sero-resistance may have abnormalities in Treg/Th17 cellular balance.


Natural Medicines for Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review.
Patients with psychotic disorders regularly use natural medicines, although it is unclear whether these are effective and safe. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of evidence for improved outcomes by natural medicines. A systematic literature search was performed through Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane until May 2015. In 110 randomized controlled trials, evidence was found for glycine, sarcosine, N-acetylcysteine, some Chinese and ayurvedic herbs, ginkgo biloba, estradiol, and vitamin B6 to improve psychotic symptoms when added to antipsychotics. Ginkgo biloba and vitamin B6 seemed to reduce tardive dyskinesia and akathisia. Results on other compounds were negative or inconclusive. All natural agents, except reserpine, were well tolerated. Most study samples were small, study periods were generally short, and most results need replication. However, there is some evidence for beneficial effects of certain natural medicines.


Retinal Arteriovenous Malformation Assessment Using Swept-Source OCT Angiography.
Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) is a promising new imaging modality for assessing retinal and choroidal vasculature. Faster scanning speed, large number of A-scan acquisition, and enhanced depth penetration has enhanced the detailed analysis of retinal layers. The authors discuss SS-OCTA features of a rare case of retinal arteriovenous malformation. Image analysis revealed the anomalous large-caliber vessels occupying up to the entire retinal thickness with associated echolucent changes in the inner retinal layers surrounding the retinal vessels, along with disruption of the outer retinal layers, including the inner/outer segments of photoreceptors beneath the large tortuous vessels outside the foveola in absence of any capillary nonperfusion areas or lack of significant macular edema. At the fovea, the outer retinal layers were intact due to a smaller caliber and less-deep extension of the anomalous vessels. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:216-219.].