Association of ICP, CPP, CT findings and S-100B and NSE in severe traumatic head injury. Prognostic value of the biomarkers.
The association was studied of intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) on S-100B and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). The relationship was explored between biomarkers, ICP, CPP, CT-scan classifications and the clinical outcome. Data were collected prospectively and consecutively in 48 patients with Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8, age 15-70 years. NSE and S-100B were analysed during 5 consecutive days. The initial and follow-up CT-scans were classified according to the Marshall, Rotterdam and Morris-Marshall classifications. Outcome was evaluated with extended Glasgow outcome scale at 3 months. Maximal ICP and minimal CPP correlated with S-100B and NSE levels. Complex relations between biomarkers and CT classifications were observed. S-100B bulk release (AUC = 0.8333, p = 0.0009), and NSE at 72 hours (AUC = 0.8476, p = 0.0045) had the highest prediction power of mortality. Combining Morris-Marshall score and S-100B bulk release improved the prediction of clinical outcome (AUC = 0.8929, p = 0.0008). Biomarker levels are associated with ICP and CPP and reflect different aspects of brain injury as evaluated by CT-scan. The biomarkers might predict mortality. There are several pitfalls influencing the interpretation of biomarker data in respect to ICP, CPP, CT-findings and clinical outcome.


Nicotinic acid and related compounds: A meta-analysis of their use for hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients.
Studies indicate that nicotinic acid and related compounds may decrease phosphorus concentrations effectively by reducing the absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the efficacy and safety of oral niacin treatments have only been investigated in a limited number of small-scale studies. We performed this meta-analysis by pooling 12 qualified relevant preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate the association of nicotinic acid (and its related compounds) treatment and hyperphosphatemia among dialysis patients. Baseline and after treatment data were collected from the studies to evaluate drug efficacy, effect on lipid profile, and drug safety. To evaluate drug efficacy, subgroups were created based on different exposure time (i.e., 4 wks, 8 wks, 12 wks, and 24 wks) and each subgroup was compared against baseline data. In the assessment of lipid profile and drug safety, results of 8-week treatment were compared against baseline data. Our study showed that in the efficacy assessment of drug treatment, serum phosphorus concentration was only significantly reduced in the 4-week (SMD, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.97; P = .000; n = 8), and 8-week (SMD, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.42; P = .000; n = 10) treatment groups. The calcium × phosphorus product showed significantly reduced concentration in all the drug exposure time settings, and no rebound was detected (4-wk treatment: SMD, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.18 to 1.04; P = .005; n = 5; 8-wk treatment: SMD, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.32 to 1.18, P = .001; n = 8; and 12-wks treatment: SMD, 0.28, 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.61; P = .103; n = 3). Lipid profile monitoring showed that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) significantly changed after 8 weeks of treatment (HDL: SMD, -0.63; 95% CI, -1.03 to 0.24; P = .002; n = 5) and TG: SMD, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.49; P = .033; n = 5). Assessment of drug safety detected significant association for incidence of diarrhea (8% incidence rate; 95% CI, 4% to 12%; P = .001) and total adverse event (41% incidence rate, 95% CI: 12% to 69%, P = .001). Our study concludes that nicotinic acid and related compounds can significantly reduce serum phosphorus concentration with additive antilipemic effects. We also recommend that the safety of this drug be further studied, as our results suggest significant incidence of adverse events.


[Studies on the chemical constituents of Smilax glabra].
Smilax glabra is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine which has been used clinically to prevent leptospirosis, to treat syphilis, and acute bacterial dysentery, etc. Its extracts showed anti-tumor and anti-atherosclerosis activity. A new isoflavone, 7,6'-dihydroxy 3'-methoxy isoflavone (1), along with two known compounds taxifolin (2) and astilbin (3), have been isolated from the roots of Smilax glabra. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2DNMR techniques.


HORSE SPECIES SYMPOSIUM: Glucocorticoid programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and metabolic function: Animal studies from mouse to horse.
Adrenal glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are essential for normal fetal development and for maintaining homeostasis in adults. Developmental studies in humans and other animals have shown that exposure to excess glucocorticoids during critical windows of perinatal development can program permanent changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and metabolic function, with adverse implications for the long-term health of the exposed offspring. The current review compares the programming of postnatal HPA axis function and glucose homeostasis among different species overexposed perinatally to glucocorticoids, with emphasis on the horse. The potential role of epigenetic modification of genes involved in the regulation of HPA axis and metabolic function at cellular and molecular levels is also discussed.


Randomised clinical trial: once- vs. twice-daily prolonged-release mesalazine for active ulcerative colitis.
Aminosalicylates are first-choice treatment for mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC); however, multi-dosing regimens are inconvenient. To compare the efficacy and safety of once- (OD) vs. twice- (BD) daily prolonged-release mesalazine (Pentasa, Ferring, Saint-Prex, Switzerland) for active mild-to-moderate UC in a non-inferiority study. Eligible patients (n = 206) were randomised to 8 weeks of mesalazine (4 g/day), either OD with two sachets of 2 g mesalazine granules in the morning (n = 102) or BD with one 2 g sachet in the morning and one in the evening (n = 104). Patients also received 4 weeks of mesalazine enema 1 g/day. Disease activity was assessed at randomisation, weeks 4, 8 and 12 using the UC Disease Activity Index (UC-DAI). Clinical and endoscopic remission (primary endpoint) was assessed after 8 weeks. Patients recorded stool frequency and rectal bleeding in a daily diary. The primary endpoint, non-inferiority in clinical and endoscopic remission with OD vs. BD mesalazine at 8 weeks, was met (intent-to-treat population: 52.1% vs. 41.8%, respectively, 95% confidence interval -3.4, 24.1; P = 0.14). Improvement of UC-DAI score (92% vs. 79%; P = 0.01) and mucosal healing (87.5% vs. 71.1%; P = 0.007) were significantly better, time to remission significantly shorter (26 vs. 28 days; P = 0.04) and safety similar with OD vs. BD dosing. When combined with mesalazine enema, prolonged-release mesalazine once-daily 4 g is as effective and well tolerated as 2 g twice-daily for inducing remission in patients with mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00737789).


Effects of light-emitting diode light v. fluorescent light on growing performance, activity levels and well-being of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets.
More energy-efficient, readily dimmable, long-lasting and more affordable light-emitting diode (LED) lights are increasingly finding applications in poultry production facilities. Despite anecdotal evidence about the benefits of such lighting on bird performance and behavior, concrete research data were lacking. In this study, a commercial poultry-specific LED light (dim-to-blue, controllable correlated color temperature (CCT) from 4500 to 5300 K) and a typical compact fluorescent light (CFL) (soft white, CCT=2700 K) were compared with regards to their effects on growing performance, activity levels, and feather and comb conditions of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets during a 14-week rearing period. A total of 1280-day-old pullets in two successive batches, 640 birds each, were used in the study. For each batch, pullets were randomly assigned to four identical litter-floor rooms equipped with perches, two rooms per light regimen, 160 birds per room. Body weight, BW uniformity (BWU), BW gain (BWG) and cumulative mortality rate (CMR) of the pullets were determined every 2 weeks from day-old to 14 weeks of age (WOA). Activity levels of the pullets at 5 to 14 WOA were delineated by movement index. Results revealed that pullets under the LED and CFL lights had comparable BW (1140±5 g v. 1135±5 g, P=0.41), BWU (90.8±1.0% v. 91.9±1.0%, P=0.48) and CMR (1.3±0.6% v. 2.7±0.6%, P=0.18) at 14 WOA despite some varying BWG during the rearing. Circadian activity levels of the pullets were higher under the LED light than under the CFL light, possibly resulting from differences in spectrum and/or perceived light intensity between the two lights. No feather damage or comb wound was apparent in either light regimen at the end of the rearing period. The results contribute to understanding the impact of emerging LED lights on pullets rearing which is a critical component of egg production.


Representation of Race and Sex in Sleep Surgery Studies.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with many treatment modalities, including surgical intervention. While OSA is known to be more prevalent in males and Black Americans, the representation of race and sex in sleep surgery studies is unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the race and sex demographics represented in sleep surgery studies relative to known OSA demographics. PubMed, MEDLINE, and OVID databases. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies published between 2016 and 2020 that investigated sleep outcomes following nonnasal surgical intervention for OSA in adults. Pooled racial, ethnic, and sex data of the enrolled subjects in selected studies were analyzed. The 148 included studies comprised 13,078 patients. Of the 137 studies that reported sex, 84.0% of participants were male, exceeding the population prevalence of OSA in males, which is estimated at 66%. Only 13 studies reported racial/ethnic demographic data. Of these, 87.8% of patients were White. Out of 30 studies of primarily American patients, only 4 reported race demographic data, with an average of 82.8% White participants. There is a racial/ethnic and sex inclusion bias among sleep surgery studies. Future studies should better document the demographics of enrolled participants as well as recruit participants who better represent the demographics of adults with OSA in the general population.


Recurrent acute coronary syndrome after infliximab infusion in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: Case report.
A 61-year-old male patient with uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis presented acute coronary syndrome on three occasions, less than 48 hours after infliximab infusion. He presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction on two occasions and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome on one, with the identification of multivessel coronary disease. Coronary intervention was performed with thrombus aspiration, medicated stent implantation, medicated balloon angioplasty, discontinuation of infliximab, and modification and optimization of cardiovascular pharmacological management. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have subclinical cardiovascular disease and increased cardiovascular risk. The evidence regarding the relationship between infliximab and ischemic heart disease is controversial. A wide clinical spectrum of cardiac involvement with infliximab infusion is found in case reports, ranging from stable angina to ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The pathophysiology is not elucidated, with hypotheses proposing plaque rupture, allergic reactions, and vasoconstriction as possible disease mechanisms. The direct association between infliximab infusion and acute coronary syndrome needs more clinical research to optimize the management and prognosis of patients presenting with this type of complication.


Replication and pathogenesis of the AIDS virus.
Some of the major features of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome may be understood in terms of the characteristics of the virus. Life-long infection is a consequence of the life cycle of retroviruses, the formation of stably integrated viral genetic information into host-cell DNA. The silent infection, controlled replication, and profile replication may be understood in terms of the interactions of the positive and negative regulatory genes that control virus growth. Selective infectivity and selective cytotoxicity of HIV-1 are primarily the consequences of the properties of the envelope glycoprotein and its interactions with the surface CD4 molecule. The ability of HIV-1 to enter a state of prolific replication in the presence of an antiviral immune response is largely attributed to the design of the outside of the virus. The functional domains of the envelope glycoprotein are not accessible to the immune system and other regions appear to be covered by a dense cloud of sugar molecules. Concealment of the virus by regulated growth, by budding to the interior surfaces of macrophages as well as concealment by a sugar coating, may help to explain the failure to protect chimpanzees from infection by candidate vaccines. Rapid medical prophylaxis is required in populations that currently experience high incidence of HIV-1 infection. Chemoprevention, the use of chemicals to prevent establishment of viral infection, in addition to vaccination should be investigated as means to control the AIDS epidemic.


Genetic education for non-geneticist health professionals.
It was the aim of this study to assess educational needs and priorities in genetics amongst non-genetic health professionals. The methods used included website reviews and direct contact with individuals and organisations involved in health professional education. Health professional education and training differed in structure with wide variation in the content and duration of genetics education provided. Evidence from the UK, France and Germany indicates that genetics professionals are influencing the genetics content of medical curricula. In post-graduate training, some specialist regulators have adopted specific genetics education requirements, but many programmes lack any explicit genetics. We show that within each country, a sometimes confusing plethora of organisations has responsibility for setting, assessing and delivering medical and midwifery education.


Dynamics of oscillatory changes associated with the perception of human motion.
Neurophysiological evidence suggests that a specialized cortical network is involved in the visual perception of biological motion; however, the temporal dynamics underlying this network is largely unexplored. We used magnetoencephalography to determine the spatial distribution and task-related temporal dynamics of the oscillatory activity of random and human motion. We recorded cortical responses in healthy adults while they passively viewed point-light displays of static dots, random, and human motion. By analyzing differences in the time-frequency distributions between pairs of conditions, we found that: (a) the perception of both motion conditions resulted in a significant decrease in the α/β band in the right superior occipital gyrus and a significant decrease in the β band in the right insula and (b) the human motion condition was associated with specific alterations in α, β, and γ bands with significant reductions in the α band in the right superior temporal gyrus, right precuneus, and left inferior parietal lobule, significant reductions in the β band in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, together with a significant increase in the γ band in the left inferior parietal lobule and superior temporal regions. These data suggest that although the perception of both random and human motion involves desynchronization of oscillatory activity in α and β bands in similar cortical regions, only human motion is associated with a larger network and significant alterations in the α/β band particularly in the right hemisphere.


Tropical pyomyositis in a Greek adult.
A case of tropical pyomyositis in a 24-year-old Greek is reported. The patient presented with high fever and swelling of the left thigh, generalized lymphadenopathy and multiple infiltrations in both lung fields on X-ray of the chest. Multifocal muscle abscesses were detected by CT scan of the left thigh and gluteal area. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in cultures of the purulent material which was surgically drained. The patient was subsequently treated with appropriate antibiotics. Lack of familiarity with this disease caused diagnostic confusion and delayed the initiation of treatment.


Development and Application of Nanosized Polymer-Stabilized Cobinders and Their Effect on the Viscoelastic Properties and Foaming Tendencies of Coating Colors.
Polymer latexes have long been used as coating binders by various branches of industry due to their capacity to adhere coating components and increase the strength of the dried final coatings. In addition, these latexes have been known to affect the rheology of coating dispersions. Currently, emulsion polymerization is the most widely used method of producing polymer latexes. While the stability of these latexes is primarily provided by electrostatic repulsion between surfactants, this property also causes foaming problems during coating processes. In this research, these problems were addressed by preparing polymer-stabilized (PS) latexes that contained different concentrations of acrylic acid. Steric protection of the latexes was provided by a protective shell consisting of starch and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The viscosity, particle size, ζ-potential, and viscoelastic behavior of the prepared latexes were investigated as a function of pH, and their surface tension and foaming tendencies were evaluated. The latexes were applied as coating cobinders in calcium carbonate and clay coating dispersions, and the viscoelastic properties, surface tensions, and foaming tendencies of these mixtures were studied. The presence of acrylic acid monomers was found to be an important factor affecting the viscosity, particle size, and ζ-potential of the PS latexes prepared in this work, which were further found to generate less foam than comparable emulsion-polymerized latexes. Finally, coating color viscoelastic properties were modified via the partial substitution of styrene-butadiene (S/B) latexes with PS latexes.


Unusual Coronary Sinus Tumor in a Pregnant Woman.
Primary coronary sinus tumors are extremely rare. Herein, we present a case of a pregnant woman with a primary myxoma in the coronary sinus (CS), which was diagnosed by echocardiography and computed tomography. We reviewed the literature and found two other primary CS tumors. We summarized the gender, ages, symptoms, diagnostic methods, associated anomalies, treatments, histologic findings, and outcomes of the 3 cases. Dyspnea was a common symptom of all 3 patients. Diagnostic methods included echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and coronary angiography. Associated anomalies included coronary artery fistulas, coronary sinus orifice atresia with persistent left superior vena cava, intra-cardiac invasion, and pericardial effusion. The 3 histologic types of primary CS tumor were haemangioma, lymphoma, and myxoma. The 3 patients received proper treatment and had good therapeutic outcomes.


A prospective survey of cases of complications of induced abortion presenting to Goroka Hospital, Papua New Guinea, 2011.
Induced abortion on demand or for socio-economic indications is illegal in Papua New Guinea under the 1974 Criminal Code. Nevertheless, the procedure is known to be widely practised. This prospective study examines the demographic and medical features of women presenting with complications of induced abortion to Goroka Hospital in a 6-month period. It was noted that abortion was most commonly induced using the synthetic prostaglandin analogue misoprostol. Although illegal induced abortion cannot be condoned, it appears that misoprostol, much safer in this context than mechanical or traditional herbal methods, is now being widely used for the purpose of induced abortion in Papua New Guinea, as it is in other developing countries.


[Determination of plasma fibronectin in myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative diseases and other malignancies].
Plasma fibronectin concentration was determined by electroimmunodiffusion and laser nephelometry in 40 healthy persons and 321 patients with myelo- and lymphoproliferative diseases and other malignancies. Decreased fibronectin concentrations were found in patients with leukemia, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, myelofibrosis, polycythaemia rubra vera and angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Elevated fibronectin level was detected in patients with multiple myeloma. In patients with cancer of the lung, stomach and colon, fibronectin level was found in the normal range. Decreased fibronectin concentration was observed in patients with cancer of the breast and prostate. Lower plasma fibronectin concentrations were detected in all groups of patients with infectious septical complications as compared to the patients without infections.


α-pyrone derivatives from a marine actinomycete Nocardiopsis sp. YIM M13066.
Five new α-pyrones namely nocapyrones O-S (2-6) and nocapyrone F (1) were isolated from a deep-sea sediment strain Nocardiopsis sp. YIM M13066. Their structures were elucidated by their NMR spectroscopic data, HR-ESI-MS and crystal X-ray diffraction. Their cytotoxic activities against H1299, HeLa, HL7702, MCF-7, PC3 and U251 cell lines were evaluated.


Telomere lengths in dogs decrease with increasing donor age.
In vitro and in vivo studies of human tissues have demonstrated telomeric attrition with age and have linked this attrition to cellular senescence and aging. Telomere studies in canine subjects have not thus far consistently uncovered the same pattern of telomere attrition that would be expected because of the end replication problem. In this report we describe the investigation of telomere lengths in a broad age range of dogs from three different breeds: the Labrador Retriever, Miniature Schnauzer and Beagle. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived DNA samples were subjected to terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis and demonstrated a range of mean TRFs from 9.7 to 22.3 kbp. Telomeric attrition tended to be associated with increasing donor age (P = 0.06). Interbreed differences in mean TRF values were also noted (P = 0.006). These results warrant further investigation of possible interbreed differences, given that shorter telomeres may contribute to differing life expectancy between breeds.


International Conference on Harmonisation; Guidance on M3(R2) Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials and Marketing Authorization for Pharmaceuticals; availability. Notice.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance entitled "M3(R2) Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials and Marketing Authorization for Pharmaceuticals.'' The guidance was prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The guidance, which is a revision of an existing guidance, discusses the types of nonclinical studies, their scope and duration, and their relation to the conduct of human clinical trials and marketing authorization for pharmaceuticals. The guidance is intended to facilitate the timely conduct of clinical trials and reduce the unnecessary use of animals and other drug development resources.


Biodegradable Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stents Versus Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stents in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Final 5-Year Report From the COMPARE II Trial (Abluminal Biodegradable Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stent Versus Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent).
This analysis investigates the 5-year outcomes of the biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stent (BP-BES) and durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) in an all-comers population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Recent 1- and 3-year results from randomized trials have indicated similar safety and efficacy outcomes of BP-BES and DP-EES. Whether benefits of the biodegradable polymer device arise over longer follow-up is unknown. Moreover, in-depth, prospective, long-term follow-up data on metallic drug-eluting stents with durable or biodegradable polymers are scarce. The COMPARE II trial (Abluminal Biodegradable Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stent Versus Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent) was a prospective, randomized, multicenter, all-comers trial in which 2,707 patients were randomly allocated (2:1) to BP-BES or DP-EES. The pre-specified endpoint at 5 years was major adverse cardiac events, a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization. Five-year follow-up was available in 2,657 patients (98%). At 5 years, major adverse cardiac events occurred in 310 patients (17.3%) in the BP-BES group and 142 patients (15.6%) in the DP-EES group (p = 0.26). The rate of the combined safety endpoint all-cause death or myocardial infarction was 15.0% in the BP-BES group versus 14.8% in the DP-EES group (p = 0.90), whereas the efficacy measure target vessel revascularization was 10.6% versus 9.0% (p = 0.18), respectively. Interestingly, definite stent thrombosis rates did not differ between groups (1.5% for BP-BES vs. 0.9% for DP-EES; p = 0.17). The 5-year analysis comparing biodegradable polymer-coated BES and the durable polymer-coated EES confirms the initial early- and mid-term results regarding similar safety and efficacy outcomes in this all-comers percutaneous coronary intervention population.


Elderly at greater risk for root caries: a look at the multifactorial risks with emphasis on genetics susceptibility.
Root caries is one of the most significant dental problems among older adults today. Many studies have demonstrated that older adults are at greater risk for developing root caries. Here we examine what risk factors older adults are prone to and explain how they contribute to higher rates of oral disease, in particular root caries. The elderly are at risk for root caries due to dentures, lack of dexterity, a shift from complex to simple sugars, and poor oral hygiene. Decreased salivary flow and its manifestations with other social/behavioral and medical factors may provide a more comprehensive explanation to a higher frequency of root caries in older adults.


Inheritance analysis of herbicide-resistant transgenic soybean lines.
Four transgenic soybean lines generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation were used to analyze inheritance of the transgenes. Seed chip GUS assay and herbicide leaf painting and spraying assays were applied to test the gus reporter gene and the herbicide resistant bar selectable marker gene, respectively. Three of the four transgenic soybean lines were stably inherited in a Mendelian fashion with co-segregation of both transgenes in a 3:1 segregation ratio in the T(1) progeny, indicating that both transgenes were integrated into the same locus of the soybean genome. Homozygous transgenic progeny plants were obtained in the T(2) generation of these lines, and the transgenes were inherited in five successive generations. However, in one transgenic line, all the T(1) progeny plants showed GUS negative and herbicide sensitive. Southern blotting analysis confirmed that the transgenes were passed into the T(1) progeny, indicating that the transgenes were both silenced. To test if the transgene silencing was due to transcriptional or post-transcriptional level, Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) was inoculated on leaf tissues of the T(1) plants to test possible reverse effects on transgene silencing. Infection with SMV did not suppress transgene silencing, suggesting that transgene silencing in this transgenic line may not be due to post-transcriptional gene silencing.


Mental Rotation Skill Shapes Haptic Exploration Strategies.
Haptic exploration strategies have been traditionally studied focusing on hand movements and neglecting how objects are moved in space. However, in daily life situations touch and movement cannot be disentangled. Furthermore, the relation between object manipulation as well as performance in haptic tasks and spatial skill is still little understood. In this study, we used iCube, a sensorized cube recording its orientation in space as well as the location of the points of contact on its faces. Participants had to explore the cube faces where little pins were positioned in varying number and count the number of pins on the faces with either even or odd number of pins. At the end of this task, they also completed a standard visual mental rotation test (MRT). Results showed that higher MRT scores were associated with better performance in the task with iCube both in term of accuracy and exploration speed and exploration strategies associated with better performance were identified. High performers tended to rotate the cube so that the explored face had the same spatial orientation (i.e., they preferentially explored the upward face and rotated iCube to explore the next face in the same orientation). They also explored less often twice the same face and were faster and more systematic in moving from one face to the next. These findings indicate that iCube could be used to infer subjects' spatial skill in a more natural and unobtrusive fashion than with standard MRTs.


Talking about the experiences of racism: A study of reporting racism in broadcast interviews.
This study examines how experiences of racism are talked about during broadcast interviews. Inspired by discursive-psychological and conversation-analytic investigations on experience in interactions, this study approaches experience as a 'loose term' and as a participant's issue in the unfolding sequence of talks. The analysis documents a range of interactional moments wherein experiences are invoked and negotiated over the course of reporting racism in the interviews. The findings align with the existing discursive-psychological and conversation-analytic research on experiences, and provide further evidence on how speakers jointly orient to and manage the issues of who knows and owns an experience, and has the premier authority to claim an experience, in relation to reporting racism. The analysis unveils the intricacy of inquiring and talking about a victim's experience of racism. People's (use of) common sense understanding of the detrimental nature of racism is met and complicated by an orientation to our unlevelled access to an experience of racism, which is a category-based societal problem.


Can non-swallowing function assessment predict nasogastric tube removal in patients with poststroke dysphagia? A clinical study.
This study aimed to predict nasogastric tube (NGT) removal in patients with poststroke dysphagia (PSD) by non-swallowing function assessment. We enrolled 232 eligible patients and performed rehabilitation. The Fugl-Meyer assessment motor (FMM) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were used to measure the motor and overall nervous system functions. Predictors for NGT removal in patients with PSD after rehabilitation were analyzed. Of the 232 included patients, the NGTs were removed from 78% of them, while 22% were dependent on a feeding tube after 4 weeks of rehabilitation. Compared to the preserved NGT group, older age, a higher rate of intubation or tracheostomy, and more severe baseline functions were found in the NGT removal group. Age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.907; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.859-0.957; p = 0.000], difference in the FMM score after 4 weeks of rehabilitation (OR = 1.219; 95% CI: 1.145-1.299; p = 0.00), and item 9 of NIHSS (OR = 0.488; 95% CI: 0.252-0.946; p = 0.034) were predictors of NGT removal after rehabilitation. We established a predictive model in patients with PSD using a non-swallowing assessment, which enabled us to predict swallowing recovery based on the non-swallowing function.


Usability Evaluation of Visual Representation Formats for Emergency Department Records.
Integration of electronic information is a challenge for multitasking emergency providers, with implications for patient safety. Visual representations can assist sense-making of complex data sets; however, benefit and acceptability in emergency care is unproven. This article evaluates visually focused alternatives to lists or tabular formats, to better understand possible usability in Emergency Department Information System (EDIS). A counterbalanced, repeated-measures experiment, satisfaction surveys, and narrative content analysis was conducted remotely by Web platform. Participants were 37 American emergency physicians; they completed 16 clinical cases comparing 4 visual designs to the control formats from a commercially available EDIS. They then evaluated two additional chart overview representations without controls. Visual designs provided benefit in several areas compared to controls. Task correctness (90% to 76%; p = 0.003) and completion time (median: 49-74 seconds; p < 0.001) were superior for a medication history timeline with class and schedule highlighting. Completion time (median: 45-60 seconds; p = 0.03) was superior for a past medical history design, using pertinent diagnosis codes in highlighting rules. Less mental effort was reported for visual allergy (p = 0.04), past medical history (p < 0.001), and medication timeline (p < 0.001) designs. Most of the participants agreed with statements of likeability, preference, and benefit for visual designs; nonetheless, contrary opinions were seen, and more complex designs were viewed less favorably. Physician performance with visual representations of clinical data can in some cases exceed standard formats, even in absence of training. Highlighting of priority clinical categories was rated easier-to-use on average than unhighlighted controls. Perceived complexity of timeline representations can limit desirability for a subset of users, despite potential benefit.


Delayed laparotomy after selective non-operative management of penetrating abdominal injuries.
Main concern during the practice of selective non-operative management (SNOM) for abdominal stab wounds (SW) and gunshot wounds (GSW) is the potential for harm in patients who fail SNOM and receive a delayed laparotomy (DL). The aim of this study is to determine whether such patients suffer adverse sequelae because of delays in diagnosis and treatment when managed under a structured SNOM protocol. 190 patients underwent laparotomy after an abdominal GSW or SW (5/04-10/12). Patients taken to operation within 120 min of admission were included in the early laparotomy (EL) group (n =153, 80.5 %) and the remaining in the DL group (n =37, 19.5 %). Outcomes included mortality, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. The median time from hospital arrival to operation was 43 min (range: 17-119) for EL patients and 249 min (range: 122-1,545) for DL patients. The average number and type of injuries were similar among the groups. Mortality and negative laparotomy were observed only in the EL group. There was no significant difference in the hospital stay between the groups. The overall complications were higher in the EL group (44.4 vs. 24.3 %, p =0.026). DL was independently associated with a lower likelihood for complications (OR 0.39, 95 % CI 0.16-0.98, p =0.045). Individual review of all DL patients did not reveal an incident in which complications could be directly attributed to the delay. In a structured protocol, patients who fail SNOM and require an operation are recognized and treated promptly. The delay in operation does not cause unnecessary morbidity or mortality.


Accommodating families during a child's hospital stay: implications for family experience and perceptions of outcomes.
Family accommodation programs, such as Ronald McDonald House® (RMH), aim to facilitate family proximity and family-centered care during a child's hospitalization, yet little is known about how the programs influence family experience. The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of families regarding the impact of the RMH stay on the family and their hospital experience and to explore the influence of demographic and clinical factors on family member views about their experience and outcome of their child's hospitalization. Family members who spent one or more nights at an RMH in Southern California completed a cross-sectional, self-report survey that included descriptive information about the family and the hospital experience. The 2,081 respondents (53% mothers, 24% fathers, 7% other family members, and 15% multiple family members) generally reported positive experiences at RMH. Although effect sizes were small, families who stayed together for at least a portion of their stay believed more strongly that their ability to stay nearby improved their child's recovery and that RMH helped their family to stay together. Cultural differences were also evident, with Hispanic families believing more strongly that RMH shortened their child's hospital stay. A family's ability to stay together and in close proximity during a pediatric hospital stay is facilitated by accommodations such as RMH and provides important benefits in terms of family experience, psychosocial well-being, and perceptions of child recovery. These services also contribute meaningfully to the priority of providing family-centered care.


Optimization of a Neural Stem-Cell-Mediated Carboxylesterase/Irinotecan Gene Therapy for Metastatic Neuroblastoma.
Despite improved survival for children with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma (NB), recurrent disease is a significant problem, with treatment options limited by anti-tumor efficacy, patient drug tolerance, and cumulative toxicity. We previously demonstrated that neural stem cells (NSCs) expressing a modified rabbit carboxylesterase (rCE) can distribute to metastatic NB tumor foci in multiple organs in mice and convert the prodrug irinotecan (CPT-11) to the 1,000-fold more toxic topoisomerase-1 inhibitor SN-38, resulting in significant therapeutic efficacy. We sought to extend these studies by using a clinically relevant NSC line expressing a modified human CE (hCE1m6-NSCs) to establish proof of concept and identify an intravenous dose and treatment schedule that gave maximal efficacy. Human-derived NB cell lines were significantly more sensitive to treatment with hCE1m6-NSCs and irinotecan as compared with drug alone. This was supported by pharmacokinetic studies in subcutaneous NB mouse models demonstrating tumor-specific conversion of irinotecan to SN-38. Furthermore, NB-bearing mice that received repeat treatment with intravenous hCE1m6-NSCs and irinotecan showed significantly lower tumor burden (1.4-fold, p = 0.0093) and increased long-term survival compared with mice treated with drug alone. These studies support the continued development of NSC-mediated gene therapy for improved clinical outcome in NB patients.


[Epidemiology of depressive disorders in Japan and the world].
Recent epidemiologic studies of community residents revealed that the prevalence of major depression according to DSM-IV criteria was 1-2% for 12 month and 3-7% for lifetime in Japan. The prevalence was much lower than that in Western countries but very similar with that reported in China, suggesting that the prevalence of major depression is lower in Asian countries. While women had a more risk of the disorder as seen in other countries, age and social class distributions were different from other countries. Among those who experienced major depression in Japan, 27% sought any medical treatment; only 14% saw a psychiatrist. The rate is lower than that reported from many Western countries, and is almost half of that in the U.S.


Introduction of the Microdroplet Technique with Incobotulinumtoxin A for the Treatment of Crow's Feet.
To investigate the efficacy and safety of the addition of the microdroplet technique to conventional injections for the treatment of crow's feet with incobotulinumtoxin A, four women with moderate-to-severe crow's feet at maximum expression received three standard intradermal injections of incobotulinumtoxin A on both sides of the face (4U [0.1mL] at each injection point) plus six microdroplet injections of incobotulinumtoxin A (0.5U [0.025mL] per point) into the lateral canthal area on the left side of the face and an equal quantity of saline at the same injection points on the right side of the face. Investigators and subjects independently evaluated the degree of rhytide improvement both at rest and maximum expression after 28 and 84 days. Investigator and subject ratings for wrinkle severity at maximum expression were improved to a greater degree on the side of the face treated with additional microdroplet incobotulinumtoxin A in all subjects, except one who was over 65 years old. All women preferred the results on the left side of their face. Treatment was well tolerated. The addition of the microdroplet technique to standard practice for injecting incobotulinumtoxin A is a promising procedure for the treatment of crow's feet in women with moderate-to-severe wrinkles.


The eHealth usage during COVID-19 pandemic 2020 year-Case of Poland.
According to the DESI 2022 digital economy and society ranking, Poland still ranks in one of the last position. Although, in digitising healthcare Poland has made significant progress over the last five years, some inequities in the usage of eHealth have been recognised. This has become an especially important topic after the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, eHealth innovations were much needed to maintain the accessibility of healthcare. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore determinants of eHealth usage by Poles and identify existing potential barriers. Data was collected from the databases of Statistic Poland and statistical methods were employed in this research. The results showed that five variables such as Internet access, Internet use, Internet skills and average monthly disposable income per capita in PLN, along with the number of practicing physicians per capita were important determinants explaining eHealth usage by the analysed Poles between the age of 16-74. The findings showed to increase the usage of eHealth, health policy makers should ensure that Poles acquire and improve Internet skills. Based on results of the research an extended model of eHealth development in Poland, consisting of a central governmental institution and local facilities coordinating remote electronic services, collecting statistical data and providing educational campaigns, was proposed as well.


A continuum formulation of the ideal free distribution and its implications for population dynamics.
The ideal free distribution is a description of how organisms would distribute themselves in space if they were free to move so as to maximize fitness. The standard formulation of the ideal free distribution envisions the environment as consisting of finitely many discrete habitats. In this paper, a version of the ideal free distribution is derived for the case where the environment is a continuum. The continuum formulation allows computation of average fitness at the population level by taking account of both local fitness and the spatial distribution of the population. An example shows that the average fitness may have a different form than the local fitness; in particular, if local fitness is described by a logistic equation at each location, the average fitness may obey the theta-logistic equation of F. J. Ayala et al. (1973, Theor. Popul. Biol. 4, 331-356). This gives a mechanistic derivation of the theta-logistic equation.


Protective Role of Crocin Against Nicotine-induced Damages on Male Mice Liver.
Nicotine is a major pharmacologically active substance in cigarette smoke. It is mainly metabolized in liver and causes devastating effects. Crocin is the chemical ingredient primarily responsible for the color of saffron. It has different pharmacological effects such as antioxidant and anticancer. This study was designed to evaluate the protective role of crocin against nicotine on the liver of mice. Forty-eight mice were equally divided into 8 groups; control (normal saline), nicotine (2.5 mg/kg), crocin (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and crocin plus nicotine treated groups. Saline, crocin, nicotine and crocin/nicotine (once a day) were intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks. The liver weight and histology, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum nitric oxide levels have been studied. The results indicated that nicotine administration significantly decreased liver weight (48.37%) and increased the mean diameter of hepatocyte (239%), central hepatic vein (28.45%), liver enzymes level (ALP 29.43%, AST 21.81%, ALT 21.55%), and blood serum nitric oxide level (57.18%) compared to saline group (P < 0.05). However, crocin and crocin plus nicotine administration significantly boosted liver weight (49.54%) and decreased the mean diameter of hepatocyte (40.48%), central hepatic vein (15.44%), liver enzymes (ALP 22.02%, AST 19.05%, ALT 23.11%), and nitric oxide levels (35.80%) in all groups compared to nicotine group (percentages represent the maximum dose) (P < 0.05). Crocin showed its partly protective effect against nicotine-induced liver toxicity.


The impact of uterine immaturity on obstetrical syndromes during adolescence.
Pregnant nulliparous adolescents are at increased risk, inversely proportional to their age, of major obstetric syndromes, including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. Emerging evidence indicates that biological immaturity of the uterus accounts for the increased incidence of obstetrical disorders in very young mothers, possibly compounded by sociodemographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy. The endometrium in most newborns is intrinsically resistant to progesterone signaling, and the rate of transition to a fully responsive tissue likely determines pregnancy outcome during adolescence. In addition to ontogenetic progesterone resistance, other factors appear important for the transition of the immature uterus to a functional organ, including estrogen-dependent growth and tissue-specific conditioning of uterine natural killer cells, which plays a critical role in vascular adaptation during pregnancy. The perivascular space around the spiral arteries is rich in endometrial mesenchymal stem-like cells, and dynamic changes in this niche are essential to accommodate endovascular trophoblast invasion and deep placentation. Here we evaluate the intrinsic (uterine-specific) mechanisms that predispose adolescent mothers to the great obstetrical syndromes and discuss the convergence of extrinsic risk factors that may be amenable to intervention.


Strand breaks and chemical modification of intracellular DNA induced by cold atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation.
DNA damage in the A549 human lung cancer cell line treated with cold plasma irradiation was investigated. We confirmed that cold atmospheric plasma generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in a liquid, and the intracellular RONS level was increased in plasma-irradiated cells. However, a notable decrease in cell viability was not observed 24 hours after plasma irradiation. Because RONS induce oxidative damage in cells, strand breaks and chemical modification of DNA in the cancer cells were investigated. We found that 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) formation as well as DNA strand breaks, which have been thoroughly investigated, were induced by plasma irradiation. In addition, up-regulation of 8-oxoG repair enzyme was observed after plasma irradiation.


Real-World Experience With Higher-Than-Recommended Doses of Lamivudine in Patients With Varying Degrees of Renal Impairment.
Although nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been associated with lactic acidosis, lamivudine (3TC) has not been reported to have an increased risk with elevated concentrations. Therefore, some recommend that the lowest tablet strength of 3TC be considered in patients with kidney disease to avoid the inconvenience of liquid formations. Our institution avoids dose-adjusting 3TC until creatinine clearance (CrCl) <30 mL/min and uses 100-150-mg tablets daily in hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to describe the use of higher-than-recommended doses of 3TC in a real-world setting. Blood samples were collected before and 0.5-1.5 hours after 3TC administration in HIV+ adults. Predose (Cmin) and postdose (Cmax) samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was utilized to simulate areas under the curve (AUCs) and profiles by CrCl. Lactic acid levels and patient-reported adverse events were obtained to monitor for safety, and viral suppression was assessed for efficacy. Thirty-four patients with varying degrees of renal function were enrolled. Observed 3TC Cmax values were comparable among CrCl cohorts. Simulated 3TC AUC values in patients with CrCl 30-49, 15-29, and 0-15 mL/min were consistent with historical data, and fold-errors were between 0.5 and 2.0. All lactic acid levels were within normal limits, and no adverse effects were reported. This study is the first to describe the use of higher-than-recommended doses of 3TC in a real-world setting. 3TC was well tolerated across all levels of renal function. These results can guide providers in their selection of higher 3TC dosing in select patients with renal dysfunction to maximize adherence.


Prevalence of Eimeria spp. in Broilers by Multiplex PCR in the Southern Region of Brazil on Two Hundred and Fifty Farms.
Parasitic infections caused by Eimeria species are responsible for most economic losses in poultry production. Prevalence studies can adequately assist the design of prophylaxis strategies for disease control. Therefore, stool samples from 251 flocks of broilers from 28 to 48 days old were collected in 21 municipalities in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, to detect and examine the prevalence of Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria brunetti. The oocysts were recovered and quantified, and the species were identified by a multiplex PCR technique. Amplicons of seven Eimeria species originating from the PCR-positive samples were cloned. Microscopy studies demonstrated that 96% of the farms were positive for the Eimeria. Seven species were identified, as follows: E. maxima (63.7%) and E. acervulina (63.3%) were the most prevalent species, followed by E. tenella (54.6%), E. mitis (38.6%), E. praecox (25.1%), E. necatrix (24.3%), and E. brunetti (13.1%). The average number of species detected per farm was 2.96, and the most common were E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella (9.16%). The sequencing of the clones confirmed the specificity and effectiveness of multiplex PCR for the identification of seven species of Eimeria, so this tool can be useful in studying circulating species in poultry farms, thereby assisting prophylactic measures against coccidiosis.


Three-Dimensional Monitoring of Plant Structural Parameters and Chlorophyll Distribution.
Image analysis is widely used for accurate and efficient plant monitoring. Plants have complex three-dimensional (3D) structures; hence, 3D image acquisition and analysis is useful for determining the status of plants. Here, 3D images of plants were reconstructed using a photogrammetric approach, called "structure from motion". Chlorophyll content is an important parameter that determines the status of plants. Chlorophyll content was estimated from 3D images of plants with color information. To observe changes in the chlorophyll content and plant structure, a potted plant was kept for five days under a water stress condition and its 3D images were taken once a day. As a result, the normalized Red value and the chlorophyll content were correlated; a high R² value (0.81) was obtained. The absolute error of the chlorophyll content estimation in cross-validation studies was 4.0 × 10-2 μg/mm². At the same time, the structural parameters (i.e., the leaf inclination angle and the azimuthal angle) were calculated by simultaneously monitoring the changes in the plant's status in terms of its chlorophyll content and structural parameters. By combining these parameters related to plant information in plant image analysis, early detection of plant stressors, such as water stress, becomes possible.


Effect of salts on the solubility of thermolysin: a remarkable increase in the solubility as well as the activity by the addition of salts without aggregation or dispersion of thermolysin.
Thermolysin is remarkably activated in the presence of high concentrations (1-5 M) of neutral salts [Inouye, K. (1992) J. Biochem. 112, 335-340]. The activity is enhanced 13-15 times with 4 M NaCl at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. In this study, the effect of neutral salts on the solubility of thermolysin has been examined. Although the solubility was only 1.0-1.2 mg/ml in 40 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5, in the temperature range between 0 and 60 degrees C, it was increased greatly by the addition of salts. With NaCl, the solubility showed a bell-shaped behavior with increasing NaCl concentration, and the maximum solubility (10 mg/ml) was at 2.0-2.5 M NaCl. With LiCl and NaI, it increased progressively to 20-50 mg/ml with increasing salt concentration up to 5 M. The solubility observed in the presence of salts decreased with increasing temperature from 0 to 60 degrees C, and also with the order of chaotropic anion effect. The molecular weight of thermolysin was estimated to be 33.0(+/-2.5) x 10(3) in the presence of 0-3 M NaCl, suggesting that thermolysin exists as a monomer in the presence or absence of 3 M NaCl. The possibility that aggregation and/or dispersion of thermolysin might be related to the remarkable activation by salt was ruled out.


Müllerectomy for upper eyelid retraction and lagophthalmos due to facial nerve palsy.
Facial nerve palsy often results in symptoms of ocular irritation due to inadequate eyelid closure. Weakened protractor function results in relative upper eyelid retraction and contributes to lagophthalmos. To evaluate the role of müllerectomy in the comprehensive surgical treatment of ocular exposure due to facial nerve palsy. Thirty-four patients with chronic facial nerve palsy underwent unilateral transconjunctival removal of Müller muscle and were followed up for an average of 20 months postoperatively. Other procedures were performed to treat lower eyelid retraction, as required. Preoperative and postoperative ocular exposure symptoms, upper eyelid position, lagophthalmos, and keratopathy were compared. Of the 59 preoperative symptoms, 15 (25%) resolved and 39 (66%) improved. Upper eyelid position was lowered by an average of 1.35 mm (P<.001). Lagophthalmos (P = .002) and corneal exposure (P<.001) were significantly improved. Three patients required levator aponeurosis repair, 2 for preexisting dehiscence and 1 for inadvertent aponeurosis transection. Müllerectomy is a rapid, safe, and reproducible surgical method for lowering the upper eyelid and reducing ocular exposure symptoms and signs due to chronic facial nerve palsy.


Adverse interactions of rofecoxib with lisinopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Hypertension and arthritis are frequent comorbidities. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well known to produce hypertension or attenuate the effects of antihypertensive agents in a few patients. The influence of selective NSAIDs on blood pressure and the cardiovascular and renal effects of coxibs have still to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that rofecoxib interferes with antihypertensive activity and cardiorenal protective effects of lisinopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Twenty-one unanaesthetised, male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), 16 weeks old, were randomized to receive lisinopril (LS) 15 mg/kg/d or rofecoxib (RF) 20 mg/kg/d or combination of lisinopril (LS) and rofecoxib (RF) for 2 weeks. The arterial blood pressure changes were recorded each week. The Sodium Hydrogen Exchange (NHE) activity of erythrocytes was determined 2 weeks after the study. The surviving animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose, and the sections of their hearts and kidneys were assessed histologically for injury by a pathologist masked to the treatment. RF completely prevented the hypotensive effects of LS during the first week of treatment but the antihypertensive efficacy of LS was restored during the second week of treatment. The NHE in erythrocytes of 18-week-old SHRs was found to be significantly lower than the age-matched Wistar rats (P < 0.05), and LS treatment reversed these values to Wistar control in SHRs. RF was devoid of any effect on NHE of erythrocytes. The histological examination revealed that the myocardial and renal protection induced by LS was attenuated by concomitant RF therapy. These results indicate that COX-2 inhibitors should be used judiciously in patients with history of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or chronic renal failure.


Computer-aided detection system for breast masses on digital tomosynthesis mammograms: preliminary experience.
The purpose of the study was to design a computer-aided detection (CAD) system for breast mass detection on digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) mammograms and to perform a preliminary evaluation of the performance of this system. Twenty-six patients were imaged with a prototype DBT system. Institutional review board approval and written informed patient consent were obtained. Use of the data set in this study was HIPAA compliant. The CAD system first screened the three-dimensional volume of the mass candidates by means of gradient-field analysis. Each mass candidate was segmented from the structured background, and its image features were extracted. A feature classifier was designed to differentiate true masses from normal tissues. The CAD system was trained and tested by using a leave-one-case-out method. The classifier calculated a mean area under the test receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.91 +/- 0.03 (standard error of mean). The CAD system achieved a sensitivity of 85%, with 2.2 false-positive objects per case. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the authors' approach to the development of a CAD system for DBT mammography.


Disentangling the causes of heterogeneity in male fecundity in gynodioecious Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima.
Variation among individuals in reproductive success is advocated as a major process driving evolution of sexual polymorphisms in plants, such as gynodioecy where females and hermaphrodites coexist. In gynodioecious Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima, sex determination involves cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) genes and nuclear restorers of male fertility. Both restored CMS and non-CMS hermaphrodites co-occur. Genotype-specific differences in male fitness are theoretically expected to explain the maintenance of cytonuclear polymorphism. Using genotypic information on seedlings and flowering plants within two metapopulations, we investigated whether male fecundity was influenced by ecological, phenotypic and genetic factors, while taking into account the shape and scale of pollen dispersal. Along with spatially restricted pollen flow, we showed that male fecundity was affected by flowering synchrony, investment in reproduction, pollen production and cytoplasmic identity of potential fathers. Siring success of non-CMS hermaphrodites was higher than that of restored CMS hermaphrodites. However, the magnitude of the difference in fecundity depended on the likelihood of carrying restorer alleles for non-CMS hermaphrodites. Our results suggest the occurrence of a cost of silent restorers, a condition supported by scarce empirical evidence, but theoretically required to maintain a stable sexual polymorphism in gynodioecious species.


Angiographic Predictors of Septal Collateral Tracking During Retrograde Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion: Anatomical Analysis or Rolling the Dice?
The aim of this study was to identify independent angiographic predictors of collateral channel (CC) tracking success, microcatheter tracking failure, and complications in chronic total occlusion (CTO) retrograde approach. We also developed a "crossability score," comparing its predictive performance with pre-existing scores. The retrograde approach was introduced for recanalization of challenging CTOs. The passage of guidewires through CCs is a key step of the procedure. Two scoring systems have been recently developed to predict CC tracking success. A total of 180 patients and 297 CCs were retrospectively analyzed in an unselected retrograde CTO population. Guidewire crossing was successful in 203 collaterals (68.3%). The only independent predictor of successful CC tracking was Werner score 2. Conversely, Werner score 0, severe tortuosity (>180°), acute exit angle (<90°), and length of collateral were independently associated with tracking failure. We assigned a score to each "significant" variable to create a model that showed a greater accuracy than pre-existing scores (area under the receiver-operator characteristics curve, 0.72 vs 0.65 and 0.69). Moreover, CC length was also associated with microcatheter tracking failure and complications. Werner score 0, tortuosity, acute exit angle, and CC length were independently associated with CC tracking failure, whereas Werner score 2 was a predictor of crossing success. Length of CC is associated with a higher rate of microcatheter crossing failure and complications. We combined these findings into the R-ICPS score, which showed an adequate accuracy for collateral crossing prediction.


Interstitial K+ concentration in active muscle after myocardial infarction.
Previous work demonstrated that Na(+)-K(+) pump activity within skeletal muscle is attenuated in myocardial infarction (MI). This may lead to enhanced interstitial K(+) concentration ([K(+)](o)) in the muscle. We tested the hypothesis that [K(+)](o) rises with muscle contraction and that, in rats with MI, the rate of rise in [K(+)](o) is greater than it is in control animals. Microdialysis probes were inserted in the skeletal muscle of six healthy control and six MI rats. The ends of the probes were then attached to the K(+) electrodes, and [K(+)](o) was continuously measured. Muscle contraction was induced by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerves for 1 min. Stimulation at 1 and 3 Hz increased muscle [K(+)](o) by 14.2% and 44.7% in controls and by 22.9% and 62.8% in MI rats (P < 0.05 vs. controls), respectively. When ouabain, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+) pump, was added to the perfusate, muscle [K(+)](o) rose significantly. This effect of ouabain was significantly attenuated in MI animals. In conclusion, when compared with that in control animals, an increase of [K(+)](o) in exercising muscle is augmented in MI rats, likely due to an attenuation of Na(+)-K(+) pump activity.


The dissociation/recombination reaction CH4 (+M) ⇔ CH3 + H (+M): a case study for unimolecular rate theory.
The dissociation/recombination reaction CH(4) (+M) ⇔ CH(3) + H (+M) is modeled by statistical unimolecular rate theory completely based on dynamical information using ab initio potentials. The results are compared with experimental data. Minor discrepancies are removed by fine-tuning theoretical energy transfer data. The treatment accounts for transitional mode dynamics, adequate centrifugal barriers, anharmonicity of vibrational densities of states, weak collision and other effects, thus being "complete" from a theoretical point of view. Equilibrium constants between 300 and 5000 K are expressed as K(c) = k(rec)/k(dis) = exp(52,044 K/T) [10(-24.65) (T/300 K)(-1.76) + 10(-26.38) (T/300 K)(0.67)] cm(3) molecule(-1), high pressure recombination rate constants between 130 and 3000 K as k(rec,∞) = 3.34 × 10(-10) (T/300 K)(0.186) exp(-T/25,200 K) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Low pressure recombination rate constants for M = Ar are represented by k(rec,0) = [Ar] 10(-26.19) exp[-(T/21.22 K)(0.5)] cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1), for M = N(2) by k(rec,0) = [N(2)] 10(-26.04) exp[-(T/21.91 K)(0.5)] cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1) between 100 and 5000 K. Weak collision falloff curves are approximated by asymmetric broadening factors [J. Troe and V. G. Ushakov, J. Chem. Phys. 135, 054304 (2011)] with center broadening factors of F(c) ≈ 0.262 + [(T - 2950 K)/6100 K](2) for M = Ar. Expressions for other bath gases can also be obtained.


Coinfection in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Children Patients.
The aim of this study is to determine the coinfections with other respiratory pathogens in SARS-CoV-2 infected children patients in a pediatric unit in Istanbul. This retrospective descriptive study was conducted in a 1000-bedded tertiary education and research hospital in Istanbul. All children hospitalized with the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection had been investigated for respiratory agents in nasopharyngeal secretions. Laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and the other respiratory pathogens were performed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 209 hospitalized children with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020-May 2020 were enrolled in this study. Among 209 children, 93 (44.5%) were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 116 (55.5%) were RT-PCR negative. The most common clinical symptoms in all children with SARS-CoV-2 infection were fever (68.8%) and cough (57.0%). The other clinical symptoms in decreasing rates were headache (10.8%), myalgia (5.4%), sore throat (3.2%), shortness of breath (3.2%), diarrhea (2.2%) and abdominal pain in one child. In 7 (7.5%) patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, coinfection was detected. Two were with rhinovirus/enterovirus, two were with Coronavirus NL63, one was with adenovirus, and one was with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In one patient, two additional respiratory agents (rhinovirus/enterovirus and adenovirus) were detected. There was a significantly longer hospital stay in patients with coinfection (p = 0.028). Although the coinfection rate was low in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in our study, we found coinfection as a risk factor for length of hospital stay in the coinfected patient group.


Stereochemistry and Validation of Macromolecular Structures.
Macromolecular structure is governed by the strict rules of stereochemistry. Several approaches to the validation of the correctness of the interpretation of crystallographic and NMR data that underlie the models deposited in the PDB are utilized in practice. The stereochemical rules applicable to macromolecular structures are discussed in this chapter. Practical, computer-based methods and tools of verification of how well the models adhere to those established structural principles to assure their quality are summarized.


A novel anti-proliferative role of HMGA2 in induction of apoptosis through caspase 2 in primary human fibroblast cells.
The HMGA2 (high-mobility group AT-hook) protein has previously been shown as an oncoprotein, whereas ectopic expression of HMGA2 is found to induce growth arrest in primary cells. The precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be unravelled. In the present study, we determined that HMGA2 was able to induce apoptosis in WI38 primary human cells. We show that WI38 cells expressing high level of HMGA2 were arrested at G2/M phase and exhibited apoptotic nuclear phenotypes. Meanwhile, the cleaved caspase 3 (cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease 3) was detected 8 days after HMGA2 overexpression. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed that the ratio of cells undergoing apoptosis increased dramatically. Concurrently, other major apoptotic markers were also detected, including the up-regulation of p53, Bax and cleaved caspase 9, down-regulation of Bcl-2; as well as release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. We further demonstrate that the shRNA (small-hairpin RNA)-mediated Apaf1 (apoptotic protease activating factor 1) silencing partially rescued the HMGA2-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by the decrease of cleaved caspase-3 level and a decline of cell death ratio. Our results also reveal that γH2A was accumulated in nuclei during the HMGA2-induced apoptosis along with the up-regulation of cleaved caspase 2, suggesting that the HMGA2-induced apoptosis was dependent on the pathway of DNA damage. Overall, the present study unravelled a novel function of HMGA2 in induction of apoptosis in human primary cell lines, and provided clues for clarification of the mechanistic action of HMGA2 in addition to its function as an oncoprotein.


[Rickettsiosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients having fever related to travelling].
Rickettsial diseases are increasingly reported in international travellers. Prospective studies have shown that 2-4 % of travellers returning with fever have a rickettsiosis. We discuss epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnostics, treatment and prevention of rickettsiosis. In conclusion, rickettsiosis should be considered in the returned traveller with fever, especially when malaria, dengue fever and typhoid fever have been excluded. There is a possibility that doxycycline may have a prophylactic effect on rickettsiosis, but this thesis is only imaginary and needs further investigation.


A critical role for murine transferrin receptor 2 in erythropoiesis during iron restriction.
Effective erythropoiesis requires an appropriate supply of iron and mechanisms regulating iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis are intrinsically linked. Iron dysregulation, typified by iron-deficiency anaemia and iron overload, is common in many clinical conditions and impacts the health of up to 30% of the world's population. The proteins transmembrane protease, serine 6 (TMPRSS6; also termed matriptase-2), HFE and transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) play important and opposing roles in systemic iron homeostasis, by regulating expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin. We have performed a systematic analysis of mice deficient in these three proteins and show that TMPRSS6 predominates over HFE and TFR2 in hepcidin regulation. The phenotype of mice lacking TMPRSS6 and TFR2 is characterized by severe anaemia and extramedullary haematopoiesis in the spleen. Stress erythropoiesis in these mice results in increased expression of the newly identified erythroid iron regulator erythroferrone, which does not appear to overcome the hepcidin overproduction mediated by loss of TMPRSS6. Extended analysis reveals that TFR2 plays an important role in erythroid cells, where it is involved in terminal erythroblast differentiation and the regulation of erythropoietin. In conclusion, we have identified an essential role for TFR2 in erythropoiesis that may provide new targets for the treatment of anaemia.


An iterative approach to optimize loudspeaker placement for multi-zone sound field reproduction.
Various array patterns, such as circular, linear, and arc-shaped arrays, have been used in multi-zone sound field reproduction, but most of them are based on empirical rather than judicious selection. This article proposes an iterative optimization method to select the loudspeaker positions from a large set of candidate locations. Both the number and locations of the loudspeakers can be designed with superior performance. Both single-frequency and broadband simulations based on the acoustic contrast control method are performed to validate the proposed scheme, and the performance of the optimized array is compared with that of an arc-shaped array and that of an array optimized with an existing method.


Expression of alpha5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNA during hippocampal and cortical development.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated pentameric cation channels of alpha and beta subunits. The alpha5 subunit, when added to heteromeric complexes, alters pharmacological and physiological properties of nAChRs, which may be important during development. Here we have evaluated the pre- and postnatal expression of alpha5 subunit mRNA in rat cortex and hippocampus using highly sensitive in situ hybridization. In the cortex, alpha5 mRNA was detected in the subplate, claustrum, and endopiriform nucleus at embryonic day 18 (E18), areas with sustained expression into adulthood. Transient cortical expression was detected in numerous cells, scattered mainly in layers V and II/III, during the first 2 postnatal weeks. In the hippocampus, alpha5 transcripts first appeared in the CA1 region at E18. During postnatal development, increased hybridization signal was detected in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and granule cells of the dentate gyrus, which strongly contrasted with the low levels in the adult. Interneurons in CA1/CA3 stratum radiatum and moleculare, and in the hilus region of the dentate gyrus, strongly expressed alpha5 mRNA in postnatal and adult animals. With double in situ hybridization, co-expression of alpha5 and alpha7 mRNAs was detected in a subpopulation of hippocampal interneurons. In contrast, in the subiculum, numerous cells exhibited strong hybridization signal for alpha5 and alpha7 mRNAs, but co-expression was rarely detected. In conclusion, similar to other nAChR subunits, there is transient expression of alpha5 mRNA during cortical and hippocampal development. This expression pattern places nicotinic receptors containing the alpha5 subunit in a position to regulate glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission during the postnatal period.


Cardiac output measurement by partial carbon dioxide rebreathing, 2-dimensional echocardiography, and lithium-dilution method in anesthetized neonatal foals.
The objective of this study was to assess 2 noninvasive methods of measuring cardiac output (CO) in neonatal foals by comparing results to that of the lithium-dilution method. Ten neonatal foals were anesthetized and CO was manipulated by varying the depth of anesthesia and infusion of dobutamine. Concurrent CO measurements were obtained by lithium dilution (reference method), partial carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing, volumetric echocardiography (cubic, Teichholz, Bullet, area-length, and single and biplane modified Simpson formulas), and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Thirty pairs of lithium-dilution/noninvasive CO measurements were taken from the 10 foals. For each method, relative bias was calculated as a percentage of the average CO. Lithium determinations of CO ranged between 3.09 and 1 1.1 L/min (mean +/- SD = 6.39 +/- 2.1 L/min), resulting in cardiac indices ranging between 79.0 and 209 mL/kg/min (mean +/- SD = 131 +/- 35.9 mL/kg/min). Relative bias of Doppler echocardiography significantly increased (P < .05), whereas that of partial CO2 rebreathing significantly decreased (P = .03) with increasing CO. Other methods were not influenced by the level of CO. Among methods not influenced by the level of CO, relative bias of the Bullet method (-4.2 +/- 20.9%; limits of agreement -45.2 to 36.7%) was significantly lower (P < .05) than that of each of the other noninvasive methods evaluated. Volumetric echocardiography using the Bullet method provides an accurate and noninvasive estimate of CO in anesthetized neonatal foals and warrants investigation in critically ill conscious foals.


[Salvation of the diabetic foot through a comprehensive individualized treatment of the patient with type 2 diabetes: case study].
This is a case of men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot. The patient was in danger of limb amputation. After improvement of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia therapies a comprehensive treatment of diabetic foot including angioplasty, antibiotics and local maggot therapy was used for diabetic foot management. Therapy result was very satisfying for the patient. Despite of amputation of the 2nd digit due to advanced gangrene, the whole foot function was saved.Key words: diabetes foot - maggot therapies - type 2 diabetes mellitus.


L-cycloserine: a potent anticonvulsant.
The L-isomer of 4-amino-3- isoxazolidinone (L-cycloserine), a potent transaminase inhibitor, was tested for its anticonvulsant action. Intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg kg-1 protects the inbred epileptic mouse (DBA/2J) from convulsions. The drug exerts its protective influence 3 h after administration, and its effect subsides gradually thereafter. A normal mouse (CBA/Ca) can be made prone to sound-induced epilepsy by enhancing its cerebral concentrations of Zn2+ and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP). Prior administration of 25-50 mg kg-1 L-cycloserine counteracts the convulsive effects of these substances. The pretreated animal is resistant to seizures. The concentrations of glutamate and aspartate in the inferior colliculus of the treated animal are diminished, whereas the concentration of gamma-aminobutyrate is enhanced. The time course of the changes in the amino acid concentrations broadly mirrors the changes in seizure susceptibility following the treatment. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of a mixture containing equimolar concentrations of L-cycloserine, PLP, and ZnSO4 were obtained. From the resonance peaks of such an adduct, we have ascertained that a molecule of L-cycloserine forms an irreversible Schiff base with the 4-aldehyde group of PLP, and this adduct is stabilized by a zinc ion. The significance of this finding for the anticonvulsant action of the drug is discussed.


Postnatal anxiety prevalence, predictors and effects on development: A narrative review.
The increasing prevalence of postnatal anxiety highlights the need for summarizing the recent research on this condition to inform screening and intervention efforts. This narrative review of the literature was derived from a search on PubMed and PsycINFO for papers published since 2010. The demographic risk factors for postnatal anxiety include being a young mother, having more education and being employed. Childbirth risk factors include being primiparous in one sample and multiparous in another, caesarean delivery, fear of the birth and of death during delivery, lack of control during labor, low self-confidence for the delivery and the delivery staff, and premature delivery. Social support problems include the lack of family support, marital/family conflict, and social health issues. Psychiatric history risk factors include prenatal depression and anxiety. Postnatal anxiety has negative effects on breast-feeding, bonding, mother-infant interactions, infant temperament, sleep, mental development, health and internalizing behavior and on conduct disorder in adolescents. Unfortunately, only six postnatal anxiety intervention studies could be found including paternal education, music therapy during labor, mothers massaging their infants, cognitive behavior therapy and administering oxytocin. The negative effects of postnatal anxiety and the limitations of the research in this review highlight the need for further research.


On treating adolescent girls: focus on strengths and resiliency in psychotherapy.
This strength-based psychotherapy with adolescent girls and their families is derived from feminist psychology, positive psychology, and strength-based interventions with teens. Research reviewed by the American Psychological Association's Presidential Task Force on Adolescent Girls formed the basis of specific interventions within this approach. Research findings that contributed are the effects on teen girls of positive parental relationships; utilizing strengths of their race, ethnicity, class, and gender; positive body images; being outspoken in relationships; problem-solving skills that foster independence; and family support for independence. The strength-based approach is illustrated by a case example of a 13-year-old European American girl with acting-out behaviors, depression, and subclinical attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The case illustrates how to empower adolescent girls within therapy, when and how to include parents, how to change the focus to strengths, and how to help the parents assess and build upon their daughters' strengths.


Seasonal Variation in Hip Fracture Mortality.
This study aims to identify if wintertime surgery increases the mortality of the patients after hip fracture operations. Retrospective observational cohort study. The data for this citywide retrospective observational cohort study came from Clinical Data Analysis Reporting System. This study included 35 409 patients with hip fracture operations from July 2005 to December 2013. Cox regression hazard model was used to estimate the independent effect of operation being performed in winter on the hazard of mortality. The hazard model included covariates found to be independent predictors of mortality: age, sex, surgical delay, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). There was a seasonal variation with more hip fracture operations happening in the winter months. The 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 5-year mortality were 3%, 11%, 17%, and 47%, respectively. Operation performed in winter was associated with a higher hazard of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.040; 95% confidence interval: 1.010-1.072; P = .009). The HR was greater with male sex (HR 1.786; P = .000), advanced age (≥85 years old: HR 2.819; P = .000), the longer surgical delay (HR 1.018; P = .000), and higher CCI (severe CCI group: HR 2.963; P = .000). Wintertime hip fracture surgery was associated with an increased hazard of mortality after adjusting for other known risk factors affecting mortality post hip fracture operations.


A random-effects mixture model for classifying treatment response in longitudinal clinical trials.
A random-effects regression model that allows the random coefficients to have a multivariate normal mixture distribution is described for classifying treatment response in longitudinal clinical trials. The proposed model is capable of dealing with longitudinal data from unknown heterogeneous populations. As applied to longitudinal clinical trials, for example, the model can distinguish subgroups of treatment response. Use of the proposed model is illustrated by analyzing data from two psychiatric clinical trials. The first includes depressed patients assigned to drug treatment who are repeatedly measured in terms of their level of depression. The second trial examined schizophrenic patients longitudinally who were assigned to either a drug or placebo condition. For both, the random-effects mixture model allows an assessment of whether patients comprise distinct populations in terms of their treatment response. Based on parameter estimates of the mixture model, ample evidence for a mixture of response to treatment is observed for both datasets.


Targeted Co-delivery of the Iron Chelator Deferoxamine and a HIF1α Inhibitor Impairs Pancreatic Tumor Growth.
Rapidly growing cancer cells exhibit a strong dependence on iron for their survival. Thus, iron-removing drugs, iron chelators, have potential applications in cancer treatment. Deferoxamine (DFO) is an efficient iron chelator, but its short circulation half-life and ability to induce hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) overexpression restricts its use as an antitumor agent. In the present study, we first found that a pattern of iron-related protein expression favoring higher intracellular iron closely correlates with shorter overall and relapse-free survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We subsequently found that a combination of DFO and the HIF1α inhibitor, lificiguat (also named YC1), significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of DFO in vitro. We then employed transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) targeting liposomes to codeliver DFO and YC1 to pancreatic tumors in a mouse model. The encapsulation of DFO prolonged its circulation time, improved its accumulation in tumor tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and facilitated efficient uptake by cancer cells, which express high level of TFR1. After entering the tumor cells, the encapsulated DFO and YC1 were released to elicit a synergistic antitumor effect in subcutaneous and orthotopic pancreatic cancer xenografts. In summary, our work overcame two major obstacles in DFO-based cancer treatment through a simple liposome-based drug delivery system. This nanoencapsulation and targeting paradigm lays the foundation for future application of iron chelation in cancer therapy.


Studies on the topography of the catalytic site of acetylcholinesterase using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.
Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were generated against a synthetic peptide (25 amino acid residues) corresponding to the amino acid sequence surrounding the active site serine of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Prior to immunization, the peptide was either coupled to bovine serum albumin or encapsulated into liposomes containing lipid A as an adjuvant. To determine whether this region of AChE is located on the surface of the enzyme and thus accessible for binding to antibodies, or located in a pocket and thus not accessible to antibodies, the immunoreactivity of the antibodies was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation, Western blots, and competition ELISA. The polyclonal antibody and several of the monoclonal antibodies failed to react with either Torpedo or fetal bovine serum AChE in their native conformations, but showed significant cross-reactivity with the denatured enzymes. Human serum butyrylcholinesterase, which has a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with these AChEs, failed to react with the same antibodies in either native form or denatured form. Chymotrypsin also failed to react with the monoclonal antibodies in either form. Eighteen octapeptides spanning the entire sequence of this region were synthesized on polyethylene pins, and epitopes of representative monoclonal antibodies were determined by ELISA. The reactivity of peptides suggest that a portion of the 25 mer peptide in AChE containing the active site serine is the primary epitope. It is not exposed on the surface of the enzyme and is most likely sequestered in a pocket-like conformation in the native enzyme.


Bringing together cell biology commentary and genetics.
March 27, 2002 saw the official inauguration of the latest Max Planck Institute in Germany, the Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden. This new institute is innovative on many levels, from the range of science it aims to cover to the potential it provides for additional integration of European science. These themes were highlighted in the symposium that accompanied the inauguration.


The relationship between trauma centrality, self-efficacy, posttraumatic stress and psychiatric co-morbidity among Syrian refugees: Is gender a moderator?
This study examined the inter-relationship between trauma centrality, self-efficacy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychiatric co-morbidity among a group of Syrian refugees living in Turkey, and whether gender would moderate the mediational effect of self-efficacy on the impact of trauma centrality on distress. Seven hundred and ninety-two Syrian refugees completed the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-28, Centrality of Event Scale and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. The results showed that 52% met the cutoff for PTSD. Trauma centrality was positively correlated with PTSD, psychiatric co-morbidity and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with PTSD only. Gender did not moderate the mediational effect of self-efficacy on the path between trauma centrality and distress outcomes. To conclude, following exposure to traumatic events, more than half reported PTSD. Perception of the future and identity construction was affected. Signs of psychological distress were evident, alongside resilience, regardless of gender.


Antimalarials: screening of (orally administered) silver solfonamides against Plasmodium berghei.
Orally administered silver sulfadiazine is effective against Plasmodium berghei. Attempts to synthesize an active analogue with antimalarial activity failed. Although several of the analogues were chemically stable (like silver sulfadiazine) in sodium chloride, none of the analogues were biologically active. This suggests that the antimalarial activity of silver sulfadiazine is stereo-specific.


Efficacy of Naturally Occurring and Commercial Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Sugar Beet Wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae).
Wireworms are the larval stage of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), and some of their species are serious pests of many crops. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of naturally occurring and commercial entomopathogenic nematode species against the sugar beet wireworm, Limonius californicus (Mannerheim), in the laboratory. First, efficacies of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) collected from an irrigated (S. feltiae-SSK) and a dryland (S. feltiae-SSC) field and the two commercial entomopathogenic nematode species, S. carpocapsae (Weiser) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), were examined. Efficacies of the two field-collected S. feltiae isolates were also compared against a commercial S. feltiae strain. In the first bioassay, S. feltiae-SSK caused 63.3% wireworm mortality, followed by 30% caused by S. carpocapsae, 23.3% by S. feltiae-SSC, and 6.7% by H.bacteriophora. In the second assay, S. feltiae-SSK killed 56.7% of the wireworms, ≈2.1- and ≈5.7-fold higher than S. feltiae-SSC and the commercial isolate, respectively.


The synthesis and super capacitive characterization of microwave-assisted highly crystalline α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nanoheterostructures.
A facile microwave-assisted solvothermal process for the synthesis of narrow-size distributed α-Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4, and Fe3O4 nanostructures was demonstrated using PVP as a surfactant. During the reaction, the influence of the reaction media, such as the mixture of ethylene glycol and water on the formation of α-Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4, and Fe3O4 was systematically studied. Interestingly, pure aqueous medicated solvothermal reaction conferred phase pure rhombohedral Fe2O3 (hematite) and linearly upsurging the formation of cubic Fe3O4 (magnetite) with the increasing concentration of EG and further, in pure EG, it deliberated cubic Fe3O4. FESEM and FETEM images of α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nano heterostructure clearly showed the nanosized Fe3O4 particles of 4-6 nm decorated onto Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Further, the electrochemical properties of α-Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were investigated with galvanostatic charge-discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements using a 3-electrode system. The findings show that their specific capacitances are linked to the type of iron oxide. More significantly, the α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nanoheterostructure exhibited the utmost capacitance of 165 F g-1, which is greater than that of pristine α-Fe2O3 and Fe3O4. Enhancement in the electrochemical performance was found due to the improved charge transfer that occurred at the interface of the nanoheterostructure. The nanoparticles of Fe3O4 deposited on the Fe2O3 increased the active sites, which accelerated the process of adsorption and desorption of ions, thereby enhancing the interface-assisted charge transfer and reducing the internal resistance, which is ultimately responsible for enhanced capacitance. Such heterostructures of nano iron oxide may fulfill the requirements of electrodes in supercapacitors.


Sensitive performance-based assessment of everyday action in older and younger adults.
Everyday function is compromised by mild cognitive changes in aging. These changes predict risk for future decline and dementia but remain poorly characterized, largely due to a scarcity of sensitive, objective measures.Twenty-seven younger adults and 25 non-demented older adults completed the Naturalistic Action Test (NAT), a performance-based measure of everyday action involving simple and complex tasks. Performance was coded for overt errors and subtle inefficiencies. Participants also completed self-report functional measures and cognitive tests. Mixed ANOVAs revealed that older adults made more subtle NAT errors with high task demands; groups did not differ in overt errors. Correlations did not reveal significant relations between self-report and NAT errors, but NAT performance was correlated with learning and recall.The NAT provides a promising tool for detecting subtle age-related changes and examining decline across levels of impairment. Self-report may lack sensitivity to subtle changes, and episodic memory changes underlie early functional disruption.


Late onset hydrocephalus in children with tuberculous meningitis.
Hydrocephalus is a known complication of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). It is almost always present in patients who have had the disease for four to six weeks. However, hydrocephalus can also develop later in the disease course as seen in our 3 patients. All 3 patients had multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and developed hydrocephalus after variable time after starting second line anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT). A 7 years old girl had hydrocephalus at onset of TBM and was shunted but the hydrocephalus increased in size after 6 months of being on second line ATT in spite of a patent ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt. Hydrocephalus responded to oral acetazolamide. Other 2 patients, a 2 years old girl and 3½ years old boy developed hydrocephalus after being on treatment for 14 months. Both required insertion of VP shunt. Thus, in patients with MDR-TB, hydrocephalus may develop as late onset phenomenon and a neurological examination would be essential in each visit to the hospital.


Herpetic Anterior Uveitis - Analysis of Presumed and PCR Proven Cases.
To describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with herpetic anterior uveitis (HAU), and compare characteristics by pathogen, recurrence, and association to iris atrophy. Multicenter, retrospective study of AU patients diagnosed clinically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The study included 112 eyes in 109 patients: 54 (48.2%) HSV, 34 (30.4%) VZV, 2 (1.8%) CMV, and 22 (19.6%) unspecified diagnosis. HSV eyes, compared to VZV, had a higher recurrence rate, corneal involvement, KPs, iris atrophy, elevated IOP and posterior synechia (p < 0.05). VZV patients had more frequent immunomodulatory treatments and history of systemic herpetic disease (p < 0.05). Fifty-nine (52.7%) eyes had recurrent disease. Iris atrophy was associated with a higher prevalence of posterior synechia, dilated distorted pupil, and high IOP (p < 0.05). Different HAU-causing Herpesviridae produce common clinical findings; therefore, PCR should be used more often to confirm specific diagnosis. Iris atrophy was associated with more severe disease.


Inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and synergism of cisplatin with silvestrol and episilvestrol isolated from Aglaia stellatopilosa.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of tumour that arises from the epithelial cells that line the surface of the nasopharynx. NPC is treated with radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. However, current strategies are often associated with potential toxicities. This has prompted efforts to identify alternative methods of treatment. The present study aimed to investigate silvestrol and episilvestrol-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation in human NPC cells. The growth kinetics of NPC cells treated with silvestrol or episilvestrol were monitored dynamically using a real-time, impedance-based cell analyzer, and dose-response profiles were generated using a colorimetric cell viability assay. Furthermore, apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and high content analysis. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to determine cell cycle distribution. Finally, the effects of combining silvestrol or episilvestrol with cisplatin on NPC cells was examined. Apoptosis was not observed in silvestrol and episilvestrol-treated NPC cells, although cell cycle perturbation was evident. Treatment with both compounds induced a significant increase in the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase, as compared with the control. In vitro cultures combining silvestrol or episilvestrol with cisplatin showed synergistic effects against NPC cells. The results of the present study suggested that silvestrol and episilvestrol had an anti-tumour activity in NPC cells. Silvestrol and episilvestrol, particularly in combination with cisplatin, merit further investigation, so as to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying their action(s) as anti-NPC agents.


The hemodialysis membranes: a historical perspective, current state and future prospect.
Transport and biocompatibility characteristics are two important considerations when choosing hemodialysis membranes. Dialyzer performance depends on clearances of small solutes, middle molecules, and oncotically active proteins. Although complement and neutrophil activation have become the gold standards for biocompatibility testing of dialysis membranes, alterations of other cellular and noncellular blood elements as a result of blood-membrane interactions are also important. Because of concerns about middle molecule transport and biocompatibility, the original cellophane membrane has been gradually replaced by modified cellulosic membranes and synthetic membranes for clinical use. Recent studies suggest that the choice of dialysis membrane influences the clinical outcome of patients in several areas, including intradialytic acute anaphylactoid reactions, beta 2-microglobulin associated amyloidosis, recovery from acute renal failure, and mortality of chronic hemodialysis patients. However, the relative contributions of middle molecule transport, biocompatibility, and other factors in determining these differences in outcome are unclear. Future development of hemodialysis membranes should focus on improving biocompatibility and enhancing clearances of small solutes and middle molecules, while minimizing the loss of larger plasma proteins.