[Changes of Cd forms on wheat root-soil interface under stress of combined Cd and chlorimuron-ethyl].
With rhizobox experiment, this paper studied the changes of Cd forms on wheat root-soil interface under the stress of combined cadmium (Cd) and chlorimuron-ethyl. The root-soil interface (0-5 mm) was separated into 6 parts every other 1 mm, and the sampling time was 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after treatment. The correlativity between Cd forms and Cd absorption by wheat was made to assess the availability of each Cd form. The results showed that exchangeable Cd showed different spatial effect during various growth periods. The trend of carbonate-bound Cd and Fe-Mn oxide-bound Cd transforming to exchangeable Cd was weaken, but the trend of the two Cd forms transforming to residual Cd was strengthened from root-center zone to non-rhizosphere. The concentration of organic-bound Cd varied significantly in neighboring root zone. During the whole experiment period, the concentrations of carbonate-bound Cd, Fe-Mn oxide-bound Cd and organic-bound Cd decreased, while that of residual Cd increased. Correlation analysis suggested that exchangeable Cd and organic-bound Cd nearby the root were the main Cd forms that could be absorbed by wheat. It could be concluded that the transformation of carbonate-bound Cd and Fe-Mn oxide-bound Cd and the concentration of exchangeable Cd were affected by chlorimuron-ethyl significantly.


Adsorption/desorption of arsenic by tropical peat: influence of organic matter, iron and aluminium.
The objective of this work was to investigate the interaction of arsenic species (As(III) and As(V)) with tropical peat. Peat samples collected in Brazil were characterized using elemental analysis and 13C NMR. Adsorption experiments were performed using different concentrations of As with peat in natura and enriched with Fe or Al, at three different pH levels. Peat samples, in natura or enriched with metals, were analysed before and after adsorption processes using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. The adsorption kinetics was evaluated, and the data were fitted using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results showed that interaction between As and peat was dependent on the levels of organic matter (OM) and the metals (Fe and Al). As(III) was not adsorbed by in natura peat or Al-enriched peat, although small amounts of As(III) were adsorbed by Fe-enriched peat. Adsorption of As(V) by the different peat samples ranged from 21.3 to 52.7 μg g(-1). The best fit to the results was obtained using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption of As(V) could be described by the Freundlich isotherm model. The results showed that Fe-enriched peat was most effective in immobilizing As(V). FTIR analysis revealed the formation of ternary complexes involving As(V) and peat enriched with metals, suggesting that As(V) was associated with Al or Fe-OM complexes by metal bridging.


Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 and transforming growth factor-β signaling to promote epithelial transition of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells.
This study was aimed to investigate the epithelial differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling. STEMPRO human ADSCs at passage 2 were treated with CHIR99021 (GSK3 inhibitor), E-616452 (TGFβ1 receptor kinase inhibitor), A-83-01 (TGFβ type 1 receptor inhibitor), valproic acid (histone deacetylase inhibitor), tranylcypromine (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) and all-trans retinoic acid for 72 h. The mesenchymal-epithelial transition was shown by down-regulation of mesenchymal genes (Slug, Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 1 ZEB1, integrin α5 ITGA5 and vimentin VIM) and up-regulation of epithelial genes (E-cadherin, Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule EpCAM, Zonula Occludens-1 ZO-1, occludin, deltaN p63 δNp63, Transcription Factor 4 TCF4 and Twist Family bHLH Transcription Factor TWIST), compared to untreated ADSCs. Cell morphology and stress fiber pattern were examined and the treated cells became less migratory in scratch wound closure assay. The formation of cell junction complexes was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Global gene expression using GeneChip® Human Genome U133 Array (Affymetrix) showed that the treatment up-regulated 540 genes (containing genes for cell cycle, cytoskeleton reorganization, chemotaxis, epithelium development and regulation of cell migration) and down-regulated 483 genes. Human ADSCs were transited to epithelial lineage by inhibiting GSK3 and TGFβ signaling. It can be an adult stem cell source for epithelial cell-based therapy.


Commentary on "Family dynamics and children in medical research.
Gordon and Bonkovsky describe a disturbing case of research involving minors in their article "Family Dynamics and Children in Medical Research." As presented in the case, there is little doubt that the assent obtained from the children was inadequate for the proposed research and that the institutional review board (IRB) failed to assess sufficiently the risk-benefit ratio of the research to the child-subjects.


Allergic Contact Dermatitis From Topical Drugs: An Overview.
Allergic contact dermatitis from topical drugs is frequent and is seen in 10% to 17% of patients patch tested for suspected contact dermatitis. More than 360 drugs have been implicated as contact allergens, of which-generally-antibiotics, corticosteroids, local anesthetics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most frequent culprits. This article provides an overview of allergic contact dermatitis to topical drugs, discussing their prevalence of sensitization, predisposing factors, clinical manifestations (both typical and atypical), the drugs described as allergens, cross-reactivity and coreactivity, and diagnostic procedures.


Antiviral effects of PNA in duck hepatitis B virus infection model.
To study the efficacy of antiviral treatment with PNA for the duck model of HBV (DHBV)-infected ducks. PNA is a 2-amine-9-(2,3-dideoxy-2,3-dihydro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-methoxy-9H-purine. The Sichuan Mallard ducklings in the hepatitis B virus model were treated with PNA, a new antiviral agent. DHBV DNA from the blood serum and liver tissues were measured at 0, 5, and 10 d during the treatment and at 3 d withdrawal by real-time PCR. The duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) in the liver cells was observed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Pathological changes in the liver tissues were also observed. Control group I was administered with distilled water and control group II was administered with 3-thiacytidine. Treatment group I was administered with PNA at a dose of 40 mg/kg and treatment group II was administered perorally (po) with PNA at a dose of 80 mg/kg. Treatment group III was administered with PNA at a dose of 20 mg/kg and treatment group IV was intravenously administered with PNA at a dose of 40 mg/kg. Each group contained 15 ducklings. PNA can significantly lower the DHBV replication levels in serum and liver. Compared with control group II, there were no significant differences in inhibiting efficacy in treatment groups I and III (P>0.05) and there were significant differences in inhibiting efficacy in treatment groups II and IV (P<0.05). Interestingly, significant differences were observed at 3 d withdrawal. The DHBV replication levels in each group slightly increased at 3 d withdrawal, but rebounded slightly in the PNA treatment groups than in control group II (P<0.05). The DHBV replication levels in the treatment groups were lower than in control group I. The DHBV replication levels in sera had a positive relationship with that in the liver, but the DHBV replication levels in the liver was lower than that in sera. Pathological changes in the treatment groups were obviously improved and the changes were associated with liver viral DNA levels. The results demonstrate that PNA is a strong inhibitor of DHBV replication in the DHBV-infected duck model.


Serum miRNA biomarkers serve as a fingerprint for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a retinopathy resulting from diabetes mellitus (DM) which was classified into non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR). Without an early screening and effective diagnosis, patients with PDR will develop serious complications. Therefore, we sought to identify special serum microRNAs (miRNAs) that can serve as a novel non-invasive screening signature of PDR and test its specificity and sensitivity in the early diagnosis of PDR. In total, we obtained serum samples from 90 PDR cases, 90 matched NPDR patients and 20 controls. An initial screening of miRNA expression was performed through TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA). The candidate miRNAs were validated by individual reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) arranged in an initial and a two-stage validation sets. Moreover, additional double-blind testing was performed in 20 patients clinically suspected of having DR to evaluate the diagnostic value and accuracy of the serum miRNA profiling system in predicting PDR. Three miRNAs were significantly increased in patients with PDR compared with NPDR after the multiple stages. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the validated three-serum miRNAs signature were 0.830, 0.803 and 0.873 in the initial and two validation sets, respectively. Combination of miR-21, miR-181c, and miR-1179 possessed a moderate ability to discrimination between PDR and NPDR with an area under ROC value of 0.89. The accuracy rate of the three-miRNA profile as PDR signature was 82.6%. These data provide evidence that serum miRNAs have the potential to be sensitive, cost-effective biomarkers for the early detection of PDR. These biomarkers could serve as a dynamic monitoring factor for detecting the progression of PDR from NPDR.


[Women abandoned by Social and Health Agencies. Challenge in the prevention of HIV/AIDS].
The present study examined the role of an intervention directed to link a group of sexual workers with social and health services. The subjects receptivity to use these services was measured by the degree of acceptance that the selected agencies provided to the participants of this study. The present investigation included two groups of subjects consisting of sexual workers and other women that were at high risk of prostitution because of their social circumstances. The sample consisted of 92 women residents of either the San Juan area of other towns from the eastern part of Puerto Rico. The method of focal group and a agencies directory was utilized during the intervention. In addition, the attempt to establish a helpful relationship between the subject and the agency was also incorporated to the investigation. The present findings showed the presence of a considerable social distance between the agencies and the subjects studies. The use of the studied intervention failed to be an efficient strategy. The authors recommend to explore different and new intervention modalities that elicit significant social change. Moreover, these interventions should innovate the current treatments aimed at the social problems related to sexual work.


Primary Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Duodenal Stricture and Hepatic and Gastroduodenal Artery Encasement: A Case Report.
Primary small bowel adenocarcinoma is rare, with an estimated U.S. annual incidence of 3.9 cases per million persons, and is often associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 68-year-old male diagnosed with primary duodenal adenocarcinoma with hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery encasement. The patient initially presented with persistent nausea and vomiting unresponsive to ondansetron and metoclopramide, and initial computed tomography (CT) of abdomen and pelvis revealed significant stomach distension concerning for gastric outlet obstruction. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed significant duodenal stricture, with results of triple phase CT of pancreas significant for tissue encasing the common hepatic artery and the origin of the gastroduodenal artery. Pathology results verified the presence of a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma involving the small bowel. Due to artery encasement by the tumor, the patient was deemed to be a poor surgical candidate, and instead received a duodenal stent for symptomatic relief with initiation of a chemotherapy regimen consisting of folinic acid, oxaliplatin, and fluorouracil (FOLFOX) as an outpatient. This case highlights the presentation and diagnostic workup of a rare cancer.


Immune receptor repertoire for influenza haemagglutinin.
An extensive analysis was made of receptor specificity and gene usage in the neutralising antibody (mAb) and Class II-restricted T cell responses to influenza haemagglutinin (HA) following natural infection of MHC (H-2(k) or H-2(d)) congenic mice with X31 virus (H3N2 subtype). Despite the diversity of available antigenic sites on the HA1 subunit, there was striking immunodominance in the mAb response as deduced by sequencing the HA genes of escape mutants and the corresponding antibody H and L chain gene rearrangements. Similarly, Class II restricted T cell responses of individual donors focused on a single antigenic site, or immunodominant peptide; and PCR sequence analysis of T cell receptor (alpha beta) gene usage indicated that T cell memory was derived from a single progenitor cell. Focusing of the immune repertoire to limited regions of the HA molecule during a primary viral infection may be a significant factor in immune pressure for antigenic variation.


Mechanisms of scent-tracking in humans.
Whether mammalian scent-tracking is aided by inter-nostril comparisons is unknown. We assessed this in humans and found that (i) humans can scent-track, (ii) they improve with practice, (iii) the human nostrils sample spatially distinct regions separated by approximately 3.5 cm and, critically, (iv) scent-tracking is aided by inter-nostril comparisons. These findings reveal fundamental mechanisms of scent-tracking and suggest that the poor reputation of human olfaction may reflect, in part, behavioral demands rather than ultimate abilities.


Characteristics of suicide from 1998-2001 in metropolitan area.
In order to establish effective suicide preventive programs, it is important to know the etiologic factors and causal relationships between suicide and behavior. Coroner data was analyzed for the 468 suicides that occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana during 1998-2001. The age-adjusted suicide rate was 14.08 per 100,000. Almost one-half of the victims had a mental illness and 26% had a history of alcohol/substance abuse. The leading risk factors for suicide were age, impaired health, psychosocial stressors, and access to firearms. This information can be used by health departments and mental health professionals to help reduce suicide.


Quantitative magneto-mechanical detection and control of the Barkhausen effect.
Quantitative characterization of intrinsic and artificial defects in ferromagnetic structures is critical to future magnetic storage based on vortices or domain walls moving through nanostructured devices. Using torsional magnetometry, we observe finite size modifications to the Barkhausen effect in the limiting case of a single vortex core interacting with individual pointlike pinning sites in a magnetic thin film. The Barkhausen effect in this limit becomes a quantitative two-dimensional nanoscale probe of local energetics in the film. Tailoring the pinning potential using single-point focused ion beam implantation demonstrates control of the effect and points the way to integrated magneto-mechanical devices incorporating quantum pinning effects.


Epilepsy and cognition.
Patients with epilepsy are more prone to cognitive and behavioral deficits. Epilepsy per se may induce or exacerbate an underlying cognitive impairment, a variety of factors contribute to such deficits, i.e., underlying neuropathology, seizure type, age of onset, psychosocial problems, and treatment side effects. Epilepsy treatment may offset the cognitive and behavioral impairments by stopping or decreasing the seizures, but it may also induce untoward effects on cognition and behavior. The neurocognitive burden of epilepsy may even start through in utero exposure to medications. Epilepsy surgery can also induce certain cognitive deficits, although in most cases this can be minimized. Clinicians should consider cognitive side effect profiles of antiepileptic medications, particularly in extreme age groups. While no effective treatments are available for cognitive and behavioral impairments in epilepsy, comprehensive pretreatment evaluation and meticulous selection of antiepileptic drugs or surgical approach may minimize such untoward effects.


Feasibility study of a layer-oriented wavefront sensor for solar telescopes: reply.
We appreciate the thoughtful comments by Kellerer [Appl. Opt.53, 7643 (2014)10.1364/AO.53.007643] to our recent study [Appl. Opt.53, 685 (2014)10.1364/AO.53.000685] in which we evaluate the practicability of a layer-oriented wavefront sensing approach suggested for use in solar multiconjugate adaptive optics. After careful review of Kellerer's comment, we remain cautious about the feasibility of a solar-layer-oriented Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. However, we strongly encourage further analysis and proof-of-concept work that addresses the difficulties outlined in our original paper and that demonstrates the operating principles behind such an instrument.


Birthweight, postnatal growth and cognitive function in a national UK birth cohort.
Birthweight is associated with cognition and educational attainment across the full birthweight range in the normal population, independently of social background. However, the extent to which birthweight reflects fetal growth, or is a marker of subsequent size, with respect to this association, is not clear. We therefore investigated the independent effects of birthweight and postnatal height adjusted for postnatal weight on cognitive function and educational attainment while controlling for family background. Using the British 1946 birth cohort we investigated the association between cognitive function at various ages and birthweight, height adjusted for weight in childhood and adulthood, and educational attainment, controlling for sex, father's social class, maternal education, birth order, and maternal age. Birthweight was positively associated with cognition up to age 26, and with the likelihood of obtaining advanced educational qualifications. Height was positively associated with cognition at all ages, and also with educational attainment. Weight was not associated with cognition at ages 8 and 15, but was negatively associated with verbal ability at age 26, with verbal memory at age 43, and with educational attainment. These effects were independent of each other, and of family background. Conditional analyses suggested the positive effect of height growth on cognition at two intervals, one in early childhood, and the other in late adolescence. In addition, weight gain after age 15 was negatively associated with cognition at 26. Birthweight and postnatal growth are independently associated with cognition.


Exploring the early origins of the synapse by comparative genomics.
One set of evolutionary features that has received less attention than the evolution of genes or species is the evolution of cellular machines, the self-contained structures in cells with dedicated functions. Here I suggest that domain expansion through shuffling, duplication, and changes in protein expression level are critical drivers in the evolution of cellular machines. Once established, evolutionary change in these cellular machines tends to occur by paralogy or expansion and modification of the existing core genes. A comparative genomics approach to one cellular machine--the post-synaptic complex--provided preliminary validation of these views. A comparative genomics approach to the entire cellulome may reveal the diversity of cellular machines and their inter-relationships.


Primary angiosarcoma of the bladder in a young female.
Our case report pertains to a 32-year-old woman initially presenting with left flank pain and gross haematuria throughout her urinary stream. CT of her kidney/ureter/bladder (CT KUB) revealed ureteric dilatation to the level of the bladder without evidence of renal calculus and subsequently a stent was inserted. She represented a month later with contralateral flank pain, and a transuretheral resection of bladder tumour was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was epithelioid angiosarcoma. Further imaging (MRI pelvis) revealed that the tumour arose from the posterior bladder wall with local invasion and regional lymph node metastasis. Ifosfamide and epirubicin chemotherapy with single-fraction radiotherapy induced significant reduction in tumour bulk, although this initial response was followed by the development of symptoms suggestive of disease progression. She died 19 months after initial diagnosis with persistent pulmonary and vertebral metastases although no autopsy was performed.


TaPCNA plays a role in programmed cell death after UV-B exposure in wheat (Triticum aestivum).
Ultraviolet (UV)-B is a component of sunlight and shows a significant effect on DNA damage, which can be regulated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The role of TaPCNA in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) programmed cell death (PCD) under UV-B has not been investigated previously. Here, we explored the function of TaPCNA in wheat exposed to UV-B utilising Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus-virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The results showed that the expression of TaPCNA was downregulated, and curly wheat leaves with several spots were determined by VIGS. The growth rate and mesophyll cell length were significantly inhibited after TaPCNA was silenced. The activity of superoxide dismutase and the contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein decreased, whereas the activities of peroxidase and catalase and malondialdehyde content increased in TaPCNA-silenced and UV-B treatment groups. DNA laddering and propidium iodide staining results showed that DNA fragments and micronucleus accumulated after TaPCNA silencing with or without UV-B. Thus, TaPCNA participates in plant growth and DNA damage and PCD under UV-B. This study suggests an idea for the exploration of the function of certain genes in such complex wheat genomes and offers a theoretical basis to improve wheat agronomic traits.


Taxonomic revision of Cyphanthidium Pasteels (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Anthidiini), an endemic Afrotropical bee genus.
The Afrotropical bee genus Cyphanthidium Pasteels is revised. It comprises four species. Cyphanthidium gessorum, new species, and Cyphanthidium whiteheadi, new species, are described as well as the previously unknown female of Cyphanthidium intermedium. A key for identifying the species is given. Supplemental information is provided on the recently published revisions of Serapista and Plesianthidium.


Rapid purification of RNAs using fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC).
We present here an improved RNA purification method using fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) size-exclusion chromatography in place of denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The method allows preparation of milligram quantities of pure RNA in a single day. As RNA oligonucleotides behave differently from globular proteins in the size-exclusion column, we present standard curves for RNA oligonucleotides of different lengths on both the Superdex 75 column and the Superdex 200 size-exclusion column. Using this approach, we can separate monomer from multimeric RNA species, purify the desired RNA product from hammerhead ribozyme reactions, and isolate refolded RNA that has aggregated after long-term storage. This methodology allows simple and rapid purification of RNA oligonucleotides for structural and biophysical studies.


[E-health for all: are we reaching the patients who really need it?].
The introduction and implementation of e-health into our healthcare system may have great benefits. E-health as a means of improving health and lowering healthcare expenditure may be especially efficacious when aimed specifically at older patients and those in lower income groups. However, older patients may not generally feel as comfortable using e-health as younger patients do, and sometimes lack the necessary skills. In addition, patients from lower income groups may not have the necessary access to e-health. New cost-effectiveness analyses of e-health should take into account costs necessary for improving computer skills as well as access to e-health.


Evidence for phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relation traits.
Evolutionary relationships are likely to play a significant role in shaping plant physiological and structural traits observed in contemporary taxa. We review research on phylogenetic signal and correlated evolution in plant-water relation traits, which play important roles in allowing plants to acquire, use, and conserve water. We found more evidence for a phylogenetic signal in structural traits (e.g. stomatal length and stomatal density) than in physiological traits (e.g. stomatal conductance and water potential at turgor loss). Although water potential at turgor loss is the most-studied plant-water relation trait in an evolutionary context, it is the only trait consistently found to not have a phylogenetic signal. Correlated evolution was common among traits related to water movement efficiency and hydraulic safety in both leaves and stems. We conclude that evidence for phylogenetic signal varies depending on: the methodology used for its determination, that is, model-based approaches to determine phylogenetic signal such as Blomberg's K or Pagel's λ vs statistical approaches such as ANOVAs with taxonomic classification as a factor; on the number of taxa studied (size of the phylogeny); and the setting in which plants grow (field vs common garden). More explicitly and consistently considering the role of evolutionary relationships in shaping plant ecophysiology could improve our understanding of how traits compare among species, how traits are coordinated with one another, and how traits vary with the environment.


Diagnostic approach of myocarditis: strike the golden mean.
Myocarditis is a challenging diagnosis due to the extreme diversity of clinical manifestations. The actual incidence of myocarditis is also difficult to determine as endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), the diagnostic gold standard, is used infrequently. Nevertheless, in up to 30 % of patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis, progression to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can occur and is associated with a poor prognosis. Recent position statements of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the American Heart Association vary widely with regard to indications for performing an EMB in these patients. This makes decision-making, in particular for general practitioners (GPs) and regional hospitals, difficult and unclear. Therefore, we will present a short summary of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases statement and our suggestions for GPs and regional hospitals for the diagnostic approach in patients with suspected myocarditis.


The 18S rRNA is basically composed of two tandem quasirepeats. Insights into the evolution of some innate immunity receptors.
The gene encoding the 18S rRNA is an ancient molecule and its basic structure has been highly conserved from fish to mammals. Recently, we compared the nucleotide sequences of the human 18S rRNA and the human formyl peptide receptor 1 mRNA and concluded that selected segments of the two sequences exhibit similarities that are unlikely to be due simply to chance. Other data suggest the existence of nonrandom similarities between the 18S rRNA and the chemokine CXC receptor 4 mRNA. Therefore we advance the hypothesis that some groups of genes encoding 7-transmembrane G-coupled receptors of immunological interest may be evolutionarily related to the 18S gene. In this article we analyze the base-sequence architecture of the human 18S rRNA in terms of similarities between selected segments within the molecule. The method of study was based on the recording of the positions of 7- to 11-base oligonucleotide repeats, followed by a probabilistic analysis of the random occurrence of the repeats. Herein we show that most of the 18S rRNA molecule appears to be composed of two long tandem quasirepeats. We hypothesize that an ancestral gene structure composed of a chain of about 850 nucleotides duplicated to form a two-unit tandem repeat. Then the two units diverged as a consequence of independent nucleotide mutations, deletions, and insertions, but still retaining recognizable homologies. In addition, further nonduplicated shorter segments were added to build up the complete sequence.


Absence of systemic in vivo genotoxicity after dermal exposure to ethyl acrylate and tripropylene glycol diacrylate in Tg.AC (v-Ha-ras) mice.
Acrylates may be polymerized to stable surface coatings (paints, lacquers, inks, etc.) by alkylation via the Michaelis-type addition reaction. Thus, acrylates have an inherent potential as electrophiles to be genotoxic, limited in their biological activity by their physicochemical properties. To evaluate their systemic genotoxicity, ethyl acrylate (EA), tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA), or Lacquer A, an ultraviolet radiation curable lacquer containing TPGDA as the active ingredient, were applied dermally to Tg.AC mice (3 times a week for 20 weeks). Peripheral blood leukocytes were evaluated for DNA damage (single-strand breaks, alkali labile sites, DNA crosslinking) at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 by using the alkaline (pH: 13) single cell gel (SCG) assay. Peripheral blood polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) were evaluated for the presence of micronuclei at week 20. The extent of DNA migration in leukocytes and the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was not significantly altered by treatment with TPGDA when administered alone or in Lacquer A or with EA, at doses that induced cell proliferation in keratinocytes. The absence of genotoxicity in these two cell populations suggests that these acrylates are not genotoxic or that they are not absorbed systemically when applied dermally. However, a significant, dose-dependent increase in the percentage of PCE relative to the vehicle control was present in mice treated with TPGDA, while a dose-dependent, but nonsignificant, increase in the percentage of PCE was observed in mice treated with Lacquer A. This observed increase in the rate of erythropoiesis may reflect bone marrow/blood toxicity, a homeostatic mechanism in response to the treatment-induced tumor burden, and/or a hematopoietic response to epidermal keratinocyte cytokines induced by tissue injury.


[Reorientation of health services and health promotion: a review of the situation].
The Ottawa Charter constitutes a major turning point in the world's vision of health, resources and the strategies to be implemented in order to respond to the populations expectations in this field. However, these expectations are no longer limited to the conventional biomedical concept of health, strongly care-oriented and focused on diseases. They currently integrate prevention of diseases and health promotion. Five main strategic actions have been identified to achieve these goals: 1) elaboration of public health policies; 2) creation of supportive environments; 3) strengthening of community actions; 4) development of individual skills; and 5) reorientation of health services. Almost 3 decades after the Ottawa Charter, what is the real orientation of health services in relation to health promotion? To answer this question, we will discuss the results of this approach, while analysing the multiple elements and factors that have contributed to these results, largely considered to have a mixed record in the literature.


Fluorescence anisotropy assays implicate protein-protein interactions in regulating trp repressor DNA binding.
The study of interactions between proteins and nucleic acids is central to the understanding of the control of genetic expression. Fluorescence anisotropy has been used to measure, in solution, the equilibrium binding profiles of a bacterial repressor protein, the tryptophan repressor (TR), to a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide containing one of its target operator sequences. Investigation of the effects of changing concentrations of corepressor, operator DNA, and protein implicate TR oligomers in the regulation of DNA binding. These studies also demonstrate that the relatively straightforward technique of fluorescence anisotropy can be applied to the study of the interactions between proteins and nucleic acids. The fluorescence technique exhibits sufficient sensitivity to replace radioactive methods of detection in most cases. In addition, since it is a solution-based methodology, it offers a true equilibrium measure of the protein-nucleic acid equilibria, and the effects of changes in solution conditions such as salt and ligand concentration, pH, and temperature can be readily evaluated. Data acquisition is relatively simple and rapid, and the data are of sufficient quality for detailed thermodynamic analyses of complex systems. Given these attributes, fluorescence anisotropy will find multiple applications in the area of genetic regulation.


Structure and characterization of RNase H3 from Aquifex aeolicus.
The crystal structure of ribonuclease H3 from Aquifex aeolicus (Aae-RNase H3) was determined at 2.0 Å resolution. Aae-RNase H3 consists of an N-terminal TATA box-binding protein (TBP)-like domain (N-domain) and a C-terminal RNase H domain (C-domain). The structure of the C-domain highly resembles that of Bacillus stearothermophilus RNase H3 (Bst-RNase H3), except that it contains three disulfide bonds, and the fourth conserved glutamate residue of the Asp-Glu-Asp-Glu active site motif (Glu198) is located far from the active site. These disulfide bonds were shown to contribute to hyper-stabilization of the protein. Non-conserved Glu194 was identified as the fourth active site residue. The structure of the N-domain without the C-domain also highly resembles that of Bst-RNase H3. However, the arrangement of the N-domain relative to the C-domain greatly varies for these proteins because of the difference in the linker size between the domains. The linker of Bst-RNase H3 is relatively long and flexible, while that of Aae-RNase H3 is short and assumes a helix formation. Biochemical characterizations of Aae-RNase H3 and its derivatives without the N- or C-domain or with a mutation in the N-domain indicate that the N-domain of Aae-RNase H3 is important for substrate binding, and uses the flat surface of the β-sheet for substrate binding. However, this surface is located far from the active site and on the opposite side to the active site. We propose that the N-domain of Aae-RNase H3 is required for initial contact with the substrate. The resulting complex may be rearranged such that only the C-domain forms a complex with the substrate.


Complications of Teflon injection for stress urinary incontinence.
Four significant complications of Teflon injections for stress urinary incontinence are reported in 22 women and eight men. Three of the complications included periurethral abscess, urethral diverticulum, and periurethral Teflon granuloma with urethral wall prolapse occurred in women. These complications needed surgical excision and further surgery for stress incontinence, in two patients the outcome was good. Among the female patients the cure rate for stress incontinence with Teflon injection was only 18% in the 5-year follow-up. One other complication, a Teflon cyst, occurred in a male who had previously undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy. Only two of the eight men (25%) who received Teflon injections had maintained improvement after 1 year.


Some implications of an alternative structure for DNA.
We have constructed a space-filling (Corey-Pauling-Koltun) model of an alternative structure for DNA. This structure is not a double helix, but consists of a pair of polynucleotide strands lying side by side and held together by Watson-Crick base pairing. Each of the two strands has alternating right- and left-handed helical segments approximately five base pairs in length. Sugar residues in alternating segments along a strand point in opposite directions. A structure slightly different from the present one proposed earlier by ourselves and another group and in which sugars in a strand all point in the same direction is ruled out. The present structure yields natural solutions to the problems of supercoiling of DNA and of strand separation during DNA replication. This model is energetically more favorable than the double helix.


Taking levels of analysis in humor more seriously: comment on Romero and Arendt.
Humor is a phenomenon that can simultaneously coexist at the individual, dyadic, and group levels, making its measurement and conceptualization complex. In a recent field study, Romero and Arendt (2011) examined relationships between four humor styles (i.e., affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, self-defeating) and four outcomes (i.e., stress, satisfaction with co-workers, team cooperation, organizational commitment), however, the latter was apparently measured as a self-report at the individual level of analysis. Their interesting results indicated different humor styles can have either positive or negative effects on these outcome variables. However, if their operational definition--and hence their conceptualization--of humor is based on self-report by the initiator, it may be problematic to use it at the dyadic and group levels because it potentially mixes levels of analysis and may cause misalignment between data and theory. Cautions and implications for future research are discussed.


Towards a molecular understanding of the fanconi anemia core complex.
Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder characterized by the inability of patient cells to repair DNA damage caused by interstrand crosslinking agents. There are currently 14 verified FA genes, where mutation of any single gene prevents repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). The accumulation of ICL damage results in genome instability and patients having a high predisposition to cancers. The key event of the FA pathway is dependent on an eight-protein core complex (CC), required for the monoubiquitination of each member of the FANCD2-FANCI complex. Interestingly, the majority of patient mutations reside in the CC. The molecular mechanisms underlying the requirement for such a large complex to carry out a monoubiquitination event remain a mystery. This paper documents the extensive efforts of researchers so far to understand the molecular roles of the CC proteins with regard to its main function in the FA pathway, the monoubiquitination of FANCD2 and FANCI.


[Changing trend of clinical characteristics on aortic dissection over the last 10 years in Urumqi].
To discuss both clinical and epidemiological features as well as the changing trend of aortic dissection (AD). Retrospective analysis on 238 patients with AD over a 10 year period in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Hospital records and data on prognosis were compared between the two five-year periods. 238 cases with AD were hospitalized during the past 10 years with mean age as 51.9 +/- 12.1. The male/female ratio was 3.67 to 1. Hypertension was present in 73.5% of all the patients. Heavy smoking history was elicited in 44.1% of all the patients. Type I dissection were identified in 35.3% of all the cases, 7.6% in type II and 57.1% in type III. The mean age of the type A was much younger than in type B. In-hospital mortality of acute type A dissection was 36.5% and acute type B dissection was 9.5%. In the two five-year periods, the total number of cases increased by 240%, among which type I the fastest which increased by 360%. Changes regarding mean age and male/female ratio were not obvious. For acute AD, one-year survival rate improved but did not reach statistical significance. Our data provided insight into current regional profiles of AD. The number of hospitalized patients with AD was increasing dramatically. Also the mean age of the first-attack was much younger and proportion of males and in-hospital mortality of acute type A dissection were together with both much higher than reports provided by researchers from other regions. These data suggested that there was an urgent need for further improvement in prevention and treatment of AD.


Clipping prevents perforation in large, flat polyps.
To determine if prophylactic clipping of post-polypectomy endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) mucosal defects of large, flat, right sided polyps prevents perforations. IRB approved review of all colonoscopies, and prospective data collection of grasp and snare EMR performed by 2 endoscopists between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2014 in a community ambulatory endoscopy center. The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase, all right-sided, flat polyps greater than or equal to 1.2 cm in size were removed using the grasp and snare technique. Clipping was done at the discretion of the endoscopist. In the second phase, all mucosal defects were closed using resolution clips. Phase 2 of the study was powered to detect a statistically significant difference in perforation rate with 148 EMRs, if less than or equal to 2 perforations occurred. In phase 1 of the study, 2121 colonoscopies were performed. Seventy-five patients had 95 large polyps removed. There were 4 perforations in 95 polypectomies (4.2%). The perforations occurred in polyps ranging in size from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. In phase 2, there were 2464 colonoscopies performed. One hundred and sixteen patients had 151 large polyps removed, and all mucosal defects were clipped. There were no perforations (P = 0.0016). There were no post-polypectomy hemorrhages in either phase. An average of 2.15 clips were required to close the mucosal defects. The median time to perform the polypectomy and clipping was 13 min, and the median procedure duration was 40 min. Five percent of all patients undergoing colonoscopy in our community based, ambulatory endoscopy center had flat, right sided polyps greater than or equal to 1.2 cm in size. Prophylactic clipping of the mucosal resection defect of large, right-sided, flat polyps reduces the incidence of perforation.


The question about the numerical value and quantitative data transfer of implant prosthodontics-orom experience guidance to digital guidance.
The correct implant site design and placement are the basic clinical techniques that must be known for implant restoration. For a long time, most implants have been placed by free hands, and the choice of site is mostly dependent on the accumulation of long-term experience of the surgeon. The selection of implant site guided by this experience analogy logic is often based on the surgeon's level of experience,which often makes it very easy to produce complications related to the implant restoration of the incorrect site. In contrast, a clinical program using digital guidance and real-time measurable verification has emerged based on the restoration-oriented implantation concept, which marks the formation of an accurate, measurable and verifiable whole-process digital implant prototype. Furthermore, from the perspective of surveying, the numerical requirements that digital implant restoration relies on are actually incomplete to the four elements of measurement, which leading to the doubts about its authenticity. This article will question the numbers in implant restoration, and conduct a preliminary demonstration, and propose a new reliable actual measurement and verification method of the correct location and the numerical requirements of the restoration space and a new clinical program that relies on numbers from the perspective of the evolution of digital restoration, guided implantology and actual measurement technology. And this article further discusses the current mainstream implant restoration technology based on experience analogy which cannot effectively support the whole process of digital implant restoration and provides a new logical cognitive basis for the final realization of the entire process of digital implant restoration.


[Interleukin 2 deficiency in pemphigus vulgaris].
The synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been determined in 5 patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris. It is well-known that these lymphokine play an important role with regard to the stimulation of lymphocytes. All 5 patients were treated with auric sodium thiomalate (Tauredon) according to Penney. Therapy with corticosteroids had to be reduced or even interrupted because of their numerous side effects. In comparison to the control group, all 5 patients showed decreased synthesis of interleukin-2. Total T-, T-helper, and T-suppressor lymphocytes were measured by immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies: The number of T-lymphocytes as well as the ratio of OKT4/OKT8 were normal. We discuss the role of deficient synthesis of IL-2 for the formation of auto-antibodies as well as the effect of gold with regard to modulation of the immune response.


Rickettsial infection among military personnel deployed in Northern Sri Lanka.
Military personnel deployed in field actvities report on frequent tick bites. Therefore they may run the risk of exposure to rickettsial organisms. In order to assess the risk of exposure to rickettsial organisms, two groups of military personnel who were deployed in field activities of Nothern Sri Lanka were investigated. The first group was studied in order to assess the sero-prevalence of rickettsioses and consisted of soldiers who were admitted following injuries during field activities. The second group was studied to identify the incidence of acute rickettsioses during their acute febrile presentations. They were tested with IFA-IgG against spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFG), scrub typhus (ST) and murine typhus. In the first group, 48/57 (84%) military personnel had serological evidence of exposure to rickettsioses (in all, IFA-IgG titer ≥ 1:128): 33/50 (66%) to SFG rickettsioses, 1/50 (2%) to ST and 14/50 (28%) had mixed titers for both (in all, titers were higher for SFG). While all of them were in military uniform most of the time and frequently slept on scrub land, 35/57 (61.4%) had never used insect repellents and none were on doxycycline prophylaxis. 48/57 (84%) had experienced tick bites during field activity. In the second group, there were 49 who presented with acute febrile illness with a mean duration of 8.5 days (SD 3.2). 33/49 (67.3%) were serologically positive for acute rickettsioses (IgG ≥1:256); 26 (79%) due to ST and 7 (21%) due to SFG rickettsioses, Exposure to rickettsial disease was common among soldiers who were deployed in Northern Sri Lanka. Scrub typhus was the predominent species accounting for acute febrile illness. Further studies are needed to understand the reasons for very high sero-prevalence for SFG rickettsioses with no anticedent febrile illness. Use of preventive measures was not satisfactory. The high sero-prevelence of SFG rickettsioses is likely to interfere with serological diagnosis of acute SFG rickettsioses in this population.


High prevalence of coronary heart disease in patients with intermittent claudication. A preliminary report.
Twenty-five men aged 53-70 years, with stable intermittent claudication and similar symptoms and walking distance, were investigated with myocardial scintigraphy, duplex ultrasonography of carotid arteries and femoral angiography. Each patient was scored according to the degree of stenosis in the popliteal trifurcation and the aortoiliac and carotid arteries. Eighteen of the 25 men had coronary heart disease, which was clinically evident in nine cases and scintigraphically demonstrated in 17/24. Ischemia or infarction without clinical manifestation was located in the atrio-ventricular septal region in all nine cases. Eight of the 25 patients were shown to have carotid lesions. Significant correlation was found between lesions in the trifurcation and in the carotid arteries, but not between aortoiliac and carotid lesions. Trifurcational disease was a somewhat weaker marker for coronary heart disease. The high prevalence of coronary heart disease is noteworthy, especially the septal pathology, and further studies on the clinical significance of the findings appear to be urgently required.


Dialogic gathering of films. Promoting meaningful online interactions during COVID-19 confinement.
A broad body of scientific literature exists on the effects that COVID-19 related confinement has had on the population: mental health problems, isolation, and problems concerning cohesion and employment, among others. However, there is a gap in the literature on the actions that reverse some of the effects generated during lockdown. This article collects the results of a study conducted with 53 people participating in a dialogic gathering of films (DGF) that was held online during two months of confinement. The data from the survey show that the development of this DGF generated improvements in 1) personal welfare and attitudes concerning the management of confinement, 2) living together and online relationships, 3) motivation and creativity in the professional domain, and 4) openness to a diversity of perspectives and realities, which improves the understanding, argumentation and positioning in social, scientific and ethical debates.


Thermal and endocrine regulation of gonadal apoptosis during sex differentiation in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis.
The fate of the differentiating gonads in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis is determined by the environmental water temperature experienced by the larvae during the critical period of sex determination. We previously reported a link between apoptosis, temperature and sex differentiation in this species. To clarify this link, we subjected larvae to thermal and endocrine treatments between hatching and the onset of histological sex differentiation of the gonads and assessed the patterns of gonadal development and apoptosis by light microscopic histology and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) analysis, respectively. Apoptotic labeling was widespread among somatic cells of the anterior region of the right gonads of fish reared at the male-producing temperature (MPT) and part of the fish at the mixed sex-producing temperature prior to sex differentiation. In contrast, TUNEL-positive cells were rarely observed in gonads at the female-producing temperature (FPT). Administration of exogenous estrogen completely prevented MPT-induced masculinization, induced feminization and reduced gonadal apoptosis, whereas an aromatase inhibitor (fadrozole) induced TUNEL signals in the gonads of FPT-reared larvae. These results provide strong evidence that apoptosis in somatic cells in the right lobe of the gonads might play a key role in testicular differentiation in pejerrey and that estrogens are involved in the regulation of this process.


Identification and validation of a risk model and molecular subtypes based on tryptophan metabolism-related genes to predict the clinical prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in lower-grade glioma.
Lower-grade glioma (LGG) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the central nervous system (CNS). Accumulating evidence have demonstrated that tryptophan metabolism is significant in tumor. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively clarify the relationship between tryptophan metabolism-related genes (TRGs) and LGGs. The expression level of TRGs in LGG and normal tissues was first analyzed. Next, the key TRGs with prognostic value and differential expression in LGGs were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. Subsequently, a risk model was constructed and Consensus clustering analysis was conducted based on the expression level of key TRGs. Then, the prognostic value, clinicopathological factors, and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) characteristics between different risk groups and molecular subtypes were analyzed. Finally, the expression, prognosis, and TIME of each key TRGs were analyzed separately in LGG patients. A total of 510 patients with LGG from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and 1,152 normal tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) dataset were included to evaluate the expression level of TRGs. After LASSO regression analysis, we identified six key TRGs and constructed a TRGs risk model. The survival analysis revealed that the risk model was the independent predictor in LGG patients. And the nomogram containing risk scores and independent clinicopathological factors could accurately predict the prognosis of LGG patients. In addition, the results of the Consensus cluster analysis based on the expression of the six TRGs showed that it could classify the LGG patients into two distinct clusters, with significant differences in prognosis, clinicopathological factors and TIME between these two clusters. Finally, we validated the expression, prognosis and immune infiltration of six key TRGs in patients with LGG. This study demonstrated that tryptophan metabolism plays an important role in the progression of LGG. In addition, the risk model and the molecular subtypes we constructed not only could be used as an indicator to predict the prognosis of LGG patients but also were closely related to the clinicopathological factors and TIME of LGG patients. Overall, our study provides theoretical support for the ultimate realization of precision treatment for patients with LGG.


Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of molecular tweezers and clips.
Molecular clips and tweezers are able to selectively bind electron-deficient aromatic and aliphatic substrates. By means of pressure-area isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), the self-association process and phase behavior of dimethylene-bridged molecular clips and tetramethylene-bridged molecular tweezers each substituted with two acetoxy groups as polar head groups were investigated. In a series of experiments, we observed that the molecular surface area of the clips and tweezers only depended on the skeletal structure and not on the polar groups. The measured areas agreed with the effective molecular diameters of the molecules if the aromatic side walls of the clips or tweezers were assumed to be aligned perpendicularly to the water surface. We compared the phase behavior of the pure molecular clips and tweezers with that of the host-guest complexes of these molecules, which were formed with 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) as the guest molecule. For the clips with a central benzene (I) and naphthalene spacer unit (II), the complex formation with TCNB had no measurable influence on the phase diagrams of the films. We observed, however, a dramatic difference in the BAM images and pi-A isotherms between the pure molecular tweezers III and its complex with TCNB (TCNB@III). In addition to the pi-A isotherms, we used the surface potential (V)-area (A) isotherms to compare the pure tweezers III with the corresponding complex (TCNB@III). There was a strong difference in the maximum surface potential value for the pure tweezers (450 mV) and that for the complex (300 mV). In additional experiments, we prepared LB layers of such molecules, which were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. In comparison to the pure tweezers III, a luminescence emission of charge-transfer (CT) origin was observed for the host-guest complex (TCNB@III) fixed on the solid substrate. It turned out that the spectra were in good agreement with the results observed in chloroform solution.


Cellulose nanowhiskers and fiber alignment greatly improve mechanical properties of electrospun prolamin protein fibers.
Electrospun fibers from natural polymers must possess appropriate mechanical properties if they are to be functional in numerous applications. In this research, two convenient physical approaches were applied to reinforce the assembled hordein/zein electrospun nanofabrics: incorporation of surface-modified cellulose nanowhiskers (SCN) and fiber alignment. The mechanical properties and stability of the modified fibers were tested in relation to fiber morphology and structure as characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. SCN modified by quaternary ammonium salt were well-dispersed in hordein/zein networks, leading to fibers with significantly improved mechanical properties and water resistance. With the addition of 3 wt % SCN, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of hordein/zein fibers increased from 4.36 ± 0.29 to 7.79 ± 0.36 MPa and from 195.80 ± 13.02 to 396.64 ± 18.33 MPa, respectively, and the elongation at break was retained because of the formation of a percolating network of SCN. The alignment of electrospun fibers strengthened the hordein/zein nanofabrics in both tangential and normal directions to 17.26 ± 1.41 and 14.02 ± 0.74 MPa, respectively, by not only altering the piling up pattern, but also by promoting phase separation and improved interactions. When applying both of the reinforcing methods, the tensile strength of hordein/zein fibers was further enhanced to 21.99 ± 1.19 MPa, stronger than that of cancellous bones (5-10 MPa). All the reinforced fibers exhibited a reduced burst effect in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) while releasing the incorporated bioactive molecule in a controlled manner. These physically reinforced prolamin protein fibers possessed significantly improved mechanical properties and may have potential to be used as tissue engineering scaffold materials or natural delivery systems for biomedical applications.


Caries prevention using a 1.2% sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice in an aluminium oxide trihydrate base.
A 3-year clinical trial was carried out in France just after fluoride toothpaste was allowed to be sold on the mass market. The aim was to assess the caries preventive effect of a toothpaste containing the maximum fluoride level permitted by the EEC (1.2% SMFP). The trial started with 1318 10-12-yr-old children from a wide socioeconomic background in a typical French community. Test toothpaste was given to 659 children whereas the remaining 659 children obtained the same toothpaste without the fluoride additive. The brushing was unsupervised and performed by the children at home. Dental caries was assessed by clinical and radiographic examinations. 1061 children completed the trial. An interview carried out at the final examination identified a group of 116 uncooperative children (less than five brushings a week on average) who were not included in the statistical analysis. The following mean reductions were found: 26% for DMFT, 27% for DMFS, and 39% for DMFSU. The DMFS index for approximal, buccal-lingual and occlusal surfaces showed caries reductions of 32%, 25%, and 22%, respectively. The trial demonstrated a highly significant effectiveness of the 1.2% SMFP toothpaste in a French population.


Hydrolysis of hydrophobic esters in a bicontinuous microemulsion catalysed by lipase B from Candida antarctica.
Selective enzyme-catalysed biotransformations offer great potential in organic chemistry. However, special requirements are needed to achieve optimum enzyme activity and stability. A bicontinuous microemulsion is proposed as reaction medium because of its large connected interface between oil and water domains at which a lipase can adsorb and convert substrates in the oil phase of the microemulsion. Herein, a microemulsion consisting of buffer-n-octane-nonionic surfactant Ci Ej was used to investigate the key factors that determine hydrolyses of p-nitrophenyl esters catalysed by the lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB). The highest CalB activity was found around 44 °C in the absence of NaCl and substrates with larger alkyl chains were better hydrolysed than their short-chained homologues. The CalB activity was determined using two different co-surfactants, namely the phospholipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and the sugar surfactant decyl β-D-glucopyranoside (β-C10 G1 ). The results show the CalB activity as linear function of both enzyme and substrate concentration with an enhanced activity when the sugar surfactant is used as co-surfactant.


Chromosomal genes essential for stable maintenance of the mini-F plasmid in Escherichia coli.
We have isolated mutants of Escherichia coli which do not support stable maintenance of mini-F plasmids (delta ccd rep+ sop+). These host mutations, named hop, were classified into five linkage groups on the E. coli chromosome. Genetic analyses of these hop mutations by Hfr mating and P1 transduction showed their loci on the E. coli genetic map to be as follows: hopA in the gyrB-tnaA region, hopB in the bglB-oriC region, hopD between 8 and 15 min, and hopE in the argA-thyA region. Kinetics of stability of the sop+ and delta sop mini-F plasmids in these hop mutants suggest that the hopA mutants are defective in partitioning of mini-F rather than in plasmid replication. The hopB, hopC, and hopD mutants were partially defective in replication of mini-F. The physical structure of the plasmid DNA was normal in hopA, B, C, and D mutants. Large amounts of linear multimers of plasmid DNA accumulated in mutants of the fifth linkage group (hopE). None of the hop mutations in any linkage group affected the normal growth of cells.


Endoscopic Adhesiolysis of Flexor Hallucis Longus Muscle.
Adhesion of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle to the distal tibia can occur after distal tibial fracture, distal fibular fracture, low tibial osteotomy, soft-tissue injury at the posterior ankle, subclinical compartment syndrome of the distal deep posterior compartment of the leg, or Volkmann contracture after deep posterior compartment syndrome of the leg. The purpose of this Technical Note is to report the endoscopic approach of FHL muscle adhesiolysis. It is indicated in patients with symptomatic adhesion of the FHL muscle and contraindicated if there is entrapment of the FHL muscle or tendon in the fracture callus or if there is extensive fibrosis and contracture of the FHL muscle as a result of Volkmann contracture after deep posterior compartment syndrome of the leg.


Genes responsible for the characteristics of primary cultured invasive phenotype hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
The common genes responsible for the characteristics of primary cultured invasive phenotype hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were investigated. Primary cultured HCC cells from three patients were separated by Matrigel invasion into parent and invasive cells. Whole human genome oligo microarray was applied to detect the differentially expressed genes in invasive cells. A purchased HCC cell line (HA 22T/VGH) was studied for comparison. Forty genes were consistently up-regulated and 14 genes were consistently down-regulated among primary cultured invasive cells. Among these genes, only three up-regulated genes (CNN1, PLAT, SPARC) and one down-regulated tumor suppressor gene (MDFI) had same expressions in invasive cells originated from purchased cell line. For primary cultured invasive cells, differential expressions of several groups of common genes are known to have capacities to promote proliferation (CAV1, IL6, PLAT, RRAD, SRPX), remodeling of extracellular matrix (COL1A1, COL1A2, NID2, TNC, RELN, SPARC), migration (ACTG2, CAV1, CCL2, CCL26, CDC42EP3, CNN1, PHLDB2, PLAT, RRAD, SRPX), implantation (IL6), immune escape (CD70) and angiogenesis (CCL2, IL6, IL18, PLAT, SLIT3). Two genes related to signal transduction (AXL, RASL10B) and one related to metabolism (PTGS2) also showed consistent expressions. Differential expressions of these genes are capable for tumor invasiveness. In conclusion, the characteristics of invasive phenotype HCC cells are originated from differential expressions of several groups of genes rather than few target genes. This information may give us a new insight to design new stratagems in HCC treatment. Analysis of the results from a purchased cell line may have bias due to long-term repeated in vitro cultures.


Quality of life in veterans suffering from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
To assess possible differences in quality of life assessment between the group of veterans with combat experience who meet the criteria for the diagnosis of chronic PTSD and the group of veterans with combat experience who do not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of chronic PTSD. To compare and analyze possible differences between the two groups in socio-demographic characteristics. The subjects were 100 adult men, veterans with combat exposure who met the inclusion criteria for the study and who agreed to sign the informed consent for the participations in this study. The subjects were divided in two groups (experimental group and control group), each comprising of 50 subjects. Experimental group consisted of 50 adult men, age 40-50, veterans with combat exposure who meet the criteria for the diagnosis of chronic PTSD according to ICD-10. Control group consisted of 50 adult men, age 40-50, veterans with combat exposure who do not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of chronic PTSD according to ICD-10. The subjects were assessed with the use of the following standardized psychometric instruments: MMSE, MINI, IES-90 R, MANSA; Life Stressor List and a socio-demographic questionnaire. In subjects with PTSD, assessed satisfaction with all components of the quality of life is significantly lower than in the subjects from the non-PTSD group. Yet, the scores of assessment of satisfaction with family life, although lower than in the non-PTSD group, were relatively high in the PTSD group (4.76 +/- 1.3). The results indicate the importance of factors of both PTSD diagnosis and the posttraumatic environment on the subjective perception of the quality of life for the subjects in this study.


New perspectives in the therapeutic approach of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of mature T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell neoplasms in the WHO 2016 classification. Patient prognosis is poor when treated with CHOP, and there is an unmet need for new drugs. Several agents have been developed for PTCL, and their use is the subject of this review. Phase 2 studies demonstrated the activity of new drugs in Relapsed/refractory PTCL. Only four compounds were approved by the food and drug administration: romidepsin and belinostat, which are epigenetic modifiers, the antifolate agent pralatrexate, the immuno-conjugate brentuximab vedotin. New combinations have been tested, but the results were disappointing. Given the latest progress in biology, targeted agents are evaluated in different subtypes of PTCL. Relapsed anaplastic large-cell lymphoma exhibits improved prognosis with the approved anti-CD30 drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin. Localized nasal NK/T is treated with radiotherapy and nonanthracycline chemotherapy with L-asparaginase. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrated activity in NK/T lymphoma and can be used in elderly patients. Treatment remains a challenge for PTCL, and several targeted drugs provide new approaches. Progress will be made incrementally in the different subtypes. One of the critical situations facing new drugs is the ability to run robust clinical trials in rare diseases.


Varicella zoster infection in the immunocompromised child.
To describe varicella zoster virus infection in the immunocompromised child and provide guidelines to decrease the risk of infection and complications for these children. Children infected with varicella zoster virus, particularly those with a compromised immune system. Varicella zoster virus infection can have serious consequences for children with malignancies and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, as well as children on chronic steroid therapy. The advanced practice nurse often is responsible for identifying those children at increased risk for VZV infection and its complications and for planning and implementing interventions to decrease the risks to the immunocompromised child.


Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Matrisome Alteration as a Key Feature of Ovarian Cancer Progression.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. There is a lack of comprehensive investigation of disease initiation and progression, including gene expression changes during early metastatic colonization. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was done with matched primary tumors and fallopian tubes (n = 8 pairs) as well as matched metastatic and primary tumors (n = 11 pairs) from ovarian cancer patients. Since these are end point analyses, it was combined with RNA-seq using high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells seeded on an organotypic three-dimensional (3D) culture model of the omentum, mimicking early metastasis. This comprehensive approach revealed key changes in gene expression occurring in ovarian cancer initiation and metastasis, including early metastatic colonization. 2987 genes were significantly deregulated in primary tumors compared to fallopian tubes, 845 genes were differentially expressed in metastasis compared to primary tumors and 304 genes were common to both. An assessment of patient metastasis and 3D omental culture model of early metastatic colonization revealed 144 common genes that were altered during early colonization and remain deregulated even in the fully developed metastasis. Deregulation of the matrisome was a key process in early and late metastasis. These findings will help in understanding the key pathways involved in ovarian cancer progression and eventually targeting those pathways for therapeutic interventions.


Age at the time of onset of psychosis: A marker of specific needs rather than a determinant of outcome?
While there is suggestion that early onset of psychosis is a determinant of outcome; knowledge regarding correlates of later onset age is more limited. This study explores the characteristics of patients developing psychosis after age 26, towards the end of the usual age range of early intervention programs, in order to identify potential specific needs of such patients. Two hundred and fifty-six early psychosis patients aged 18-35 were followed-up prospectively over 36 months. Patients with onset after 26 ("later onset", LO) were compared to the rest of the sample. LO patients (32% of the sample) had shorter DUP, were less likely to be male, had better premorbid functioning and were more likely to have been exposed to trauma. They had greater insight at presentation and less negative symptoms overall. The trajectories for positive and depressive symptoms were similar in both groups. Evolution of functional level was similar in both groups, but while LO patients recovered faster, they were significantly less likely to return to premorbid functional level. Later psychosis onset correlates with better premorbid functioning and higher rate of trauma exposure; the latter should therefore be a treatment focus in such patients. LO patients were less likely to return to premorbid functional level, which suggests that current treatment strategies may not be efficient to help patients maintain employment. The possibility of distinct illness mechanisms according to onset age and the more central role for trauma in patients with onset after age 26 needs to be further explored.


On timing-optimized SiPMs for Cherenkov detection to boost low cost time-of-flight PET.
Objective.Recent SiPM developments and improved front-end electronics have opened new doors in TOF-PET with a focus on prompt photon detection. For instance, the relatively high Cherenkov yield of bismuth-germanate (BGO) upon 511 keV gamma interaction has triggered a lot of interest, especially for its use in total body positron emission tomography (PET) scanners due to the crystal's relatively low material and production costs. However, the electronic readout and timing optimization of the SiPMs still poses many questions. Lab experiments have shown the prospect of Cherenkov detection, with coincidence time resolutions (CTRs) of 200 ps FWHM achieved with small pixels, but lack system integration due to an unacceptable high power uptake of the used amplifiers.Approach.Following recent studies the most practical circuits with lower power uptake (<30 mW) have been implemented and the CTR performance with BGO of newly developed SiPMs from Fondazione Bruno Kessler tested. These novel SiPMs are optimized for highest single photon time resolution (SPTR).Main results.We achieved a best CTR FWHM of 123 ps for 2 × 2 × 3 mm3and 243 ps for 3 × 3 × 20 mm3BGO crystals. We further show that with these devices a CTR of 106 ps is possible using commercially available 3 × 3 × 20 mm3LYSO:Ce,Mg crystals. To give an insight in the timing properties of these SiPMs, we measured the SPTR with black coated PbF2of 2 × 2 × 3 mm3size. We confirmed an SPTR of 68 ps FWHM published in literature for standard devices and show that the optimized SiPMs can improve this value to 42 ps. Pushing the SiPM bias and using 1 × 1 mm2area devices we measured an SPTR of 28 ps FWHM.Significance.We have shown that advancements in readout electronics and SiPMs can lead to improved CTR with Cherenkov emitting crystals. Enabling time-of-flight with BGO will trigger a high interest for its use in low-cost and total-body PET scanners. Furthermore, owing to the prompt nature of Cherenkov emission, future CTR improvements are conceivable, for which a low-power electronic implementation is indispensable. In an extended discussion we will give a roadmap to best timing with prompt photons.


The Traditional Chinese Medicine and Relevant Treatment for the Efficacy and Safety of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) has become a common skin disease that requires systematic and comprehensive treatment to achieve adequate clinical control. Traditional Chinese medicines and related treatments have shown clinical effects for AD in many studies. But the systematic reviews and meta-analyses for them are lacking. The systematic review and meta-analysis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicines and related treatments for AD treatment. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched based on standardized searching rules in eight medical databases from the inception up to December 2016 and a total of 24 articles with 1,618 patients were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that traditional Chinese medicines and related treatments did not show statistical differences in clinical effectiveness, SCORAD amelioration, and SSRI amelioration for AD treatment compared with control group. However, EASI amelioration of traditional Chinese medicines and related treatments for AD was superior to control group. We need to make conclusion cautiously for the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine and related treatment on AD therapy. More standard, multicenter, double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine and related treatment for AD were required to be conducted for more clinical evidences providing in the future.


In vitro antitumor and antimicrobial activities of N-substituents of maleimide by adamantane and diamantane.
New N-1-adamantylcitraconimide (compound 1) and N-1-diamantylcitraconimide (compound 2) were synthesized by reaction of citraconic anhydride with 1-aminoadamantane, and 1-aminodiamantane, respectively, followed by imidization with acetic anhydride and sodium acetate. Compound 1, N-1-adamantylmaleimide (compound 3) and N-1-diamantylmaleimide (compound 4) exhibited strong growth-inhibitory activity against four cancer cell lines (Colo 205, Hep G2, SK-BR-3 and Molt-4). Moreover, compound 1 showed relatively specific cytotoxicity against the test tumor cell lines. Compound 2 exhibited growth inhibitory activity against Colo 205, and SK-BR-3 cells, similar to 5-fluorouracil. It was noted that compound 2 showed relatively low cytotoxicity against Molt-4 cells, approximately 42 times lower than 5-fluorouracil. The N-substituents of imides with adamantly substituents have a more potent antitumor activity than the imides with diamantyl substituents. The imides with methyl substituents (compounds 1 and 2) showed relatively higher selectivity against the tested cancer cell lines than the imides without methyl substituents (compounds 3 and 4). Compounds 3 and 4 show good in vitro activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Compound 1 had weak antimicrobial activity against T. mentagrophytes.


Incidence and risk factors of functional upper airway complications of primary esthetic closed rhinoplasty in two residency programs: A 6-month preliminary prospective cohort study.
Although esthetic rhinoplasty has many advantages, it might lead to some complications as well. The literature includes scarce and severely controversial studies on these issues, and there is no research on complications of cosmetic closed rhinoplasty. In addition, some complications are not assessed after any rhinoplasty types. Besides, there is no investigation on the outcome of rhinoplasty carried out by graduate students. The purpose of this study was to determine these. In this preliminary prospective cohort study, 96 healthy patients underwent closed esthetic rhinoplasty by senior residents of otolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery at Taleghani Hospital (Tehran, 2004-2006). Afterward, at 11 follow-up sessions (the 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), 4(th), 6(th), 8(th), 10(th), 12(th), 16(th), 20(th), and 24(th) postoperative weeks), five functional complications (hyposmia/anosmia, nasal obstruction, unpleasant voice changes, recurrent colds, and synechiae) were questioned/examined. The presence of a symptom during at least four subsequent sessions (without elimination until the sixth postoperative month) and the appearance of synechiae in any session were regarded as positive. The data were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient (α = 0.05). The incidence rates of synechiae, nasal obstruction, unpleasant voice changes, hyposmia/anosmia, and recurrent colds were 56.25%, 37.5%, 0%, 1.04%, and 29.17%, respectively. No statistically significant relationship was found between the complications with age, gender, or the surgeon's specialty (P > 0.05), but the correlation with home care compliance was significant (ρ = -0.29, P = 0.01). High complication rates were observed in both residency programs. Failure to follow home care instructions might prevent/delay recovery. Further in-depth studies are needed to assess this.


Effect of maturation conditions on light and temperature requirements during seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis from the Arabian Desert.
Seed germination of Citrullus colocynthis, as in many other species of Cucurbitaceae, is inhibited by light, particularly at low temperatures. Germination response to light and temperature has been attributed to day length and temperature during seed maturation. This study assessed the effects of these factors on the germination response of C. colocynthis to temperature and light quality. Ripe fruits were collected from natural habitats during December and February and germinated at three temperatures (15/25, 20/30 and 25/35 °C) in five light treatments (dark, white light and Red:Far Red (R:FR) ratios of 0.30, 0.87 and 1.19). Additionally, unripe fruits were also collected from natural habitats and completed their maturation in growth chambers under different day lengths (6, 16 and 24 h of darkness) at 10/20 °C, and in darkness at both 10/20 °C and 25/35 °C. Mature seeds of the different treatments were germinated in the same five light treatments at 15/25 °C. Germination was significantly higher in the dark than that in any light treatment. Seeds matured at higher temperatures (i.e. seeds from the December collection and those matured at 25/35 °C) had significantly higher germination than those matured at lower temperatures (i.e. seeds from the February collection and those matured at 10/20 °C). Dark germination was significantly higher for the December collection than for the February collection. Seeds of the two collections germinated in the dark only at 15/25 °C. However, seeds matured in a growth chamber at 10/20 °C in darkness germinated at 15/25 °C in all light treatments, except for the R:FR ratio 0.30. Seeds of the different treatments failed to germinate in FR-rich light. This study demonstrates that both temperature and day length during seed maturation play significant roles in the germination response of C. colocynthis. Additionally, the dark requirement for germination is likely beneficial for species with the larger seeds, such as C. colocynthis, which produce bigger seedlings that are able to emerge from deep soils and are competitively superior under dense vegetation and resource-limited conditions.


Unsafe driving in North American automobile commercials.
Motor-vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a leading cause of death of young Americans and Canadians. Aggressive driving and driving at high speed are frequently cited as contributing to crashes. Consumer and safety associations have raised concern that driving behaviour portrayed in automobile commercials may influence consumer-driving behaviour. However, the prevalence of aggressive driving in automobile commercials has not been systematically evaluated. To identify the prevalence and types of unsafe driving that are portrayed in United States and Canadian televised automobile commercials as well as the use of safety promotion and disclaimers. All English language automobile and truck commercials (>or=30 seconds in length), airing nationally on major broadcast and cable networks in either the United States or Canada during January or July between 1998 and 2002 were assessed by three independent raters for the presence and type of unsafe driving activity, presence of safety promotion and the use of written disclaimers in each commercial. Of 250 total commercials, 113 (45 per cent) contained an unsafe driving sequence as determined by at least two of three raters. Unanimous agreement as to the presence of an unsafe driving sequence was found in 63 (25 per cent) commercials. Aggressive driving accounted for 85 per cent of the unsafe driving sequences, including 56 per cent with speed violations. Safety promotion was present in 30 (12 per cent) commercials. Of 141 commercials in which the gender /sex of the driver was shown, 115 (81 per cent) displayed a male driver. Unsafe driving is prevalent in North American automobile commercials. Given the extent to which MVCs are a public health and economic concern, this finding seems in conflict with responsible advertising. The degree to which the portrayal of driving in automobile commercials affects consumer-driving behaviour should be an area of further investigation.


Moderate glucose supply reduces hemolysis during systemic inflammation.
Systemic inflammation alters energy metabolism. A sufficient glucose level, however, is most important for erythrocytes, since erythrocytes rely on glucose as sole source of energy. Damage to erythrocytes leads to hemolysis. Both disorders of glucose metabolism and hemolysis are associated with an increased risk of death. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of intravenous glucose on hemolysis during systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation was accomplished in male Wistar rats by continuous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion (1 mg LPS/kg and h, 300 min). Sham control group rats received Ringer's solution. Glucose was supplied moderately (70 mg glucose/kg and h) or excessively (210 mg glucose/kg and h) during systemic inflammation. Vital parameters (eg, systemic blood pressure) as well as blood and plasma parameters (eg, concentrations of glucose, lactate and cell-free hemoglobin, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase) were measured hourly. Clot formation was analyzed by thromboelastometry. Continuous infusion of LPS led to a so-called post-aggression syndrome with disturbed electrolyte homeostasis (hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, and hypernatremia), changes in hemodynamics (tachycardia and hypertension), and a catabolic metabolism (early hyperglycemia, late hypoglycemia, and lactate formation). It induced severe tissue injury (significant increases in plasma concentrations of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase), alterations in blood coagulation (disturbed clot formation), and massive hemolysis. Both moderate and excessive glucose supply reduced LPS-induced increase in systemic blood pressure. Excessive but not moderate glucose supply increased blood glucose level and enhanced tissue injury. Glucose supply did not reduce LPS-induced alterations in coagulation, but significantly reduced hemolysis induced by LPS. Intravenous glucose infusion can diminish LPS-related changes in hemodynamics, glucose metabolism, and, more interestingly, LPS-induced hemolysis. Since cell-free hemoglobin is known to be a predictor for patient's survival, a reduction of hemolysis by 35% only by the addition of a small amount of glucose is another step to minimize mortality during systemic inflammation.


Cellular response to conditional expression of hepatitis C virus core protein in Huh7 cultured human hepatoma cells.
Data suggesting that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein influences normal cellular processes remain controversial. To determine the effects of core on cellular gene expression in hepatocytes, we developed a human hepatoma (Huh7)-derived cell line with tightly regulated core expression under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter. Cells expressing core did not have impaired proliferative abilities. Changes in gene expression profiles in response to core expression were determined using commercial oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix GeneChip). Significant increases were observed in the abundance of mRNA-encoding members of the metallothionein (MT) family, as well as nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) and glutathione peroxidase-like protein (GPLP). These changes did not result from removal of tetracycline from growth media, and were confirmed in reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. They suggest that core protein expression leads to intracellular oxidative stress, and that vital cellular functions are, in turn, protected by up-regulation of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. In conclusion, these findings can explain many potentially conflicting prior observations concerning the effects of core on cellular physiology, and are of relevance to the role of core protein in the pathogenesis of HCV-related fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.


Morphological changes induced by phospholipase C and by sphingomyelinase on large unilamellar vesicles: a cryo-transmission electron microscopy study of liposome fusion.
Cryo-transmission electron microscopy has been applied to the study of the changes induced by phospholipase C on large unilamellar vesicles containing phosphatidylcholine, as well as to the action of sphingomyelinase on vesicles containing sphingomyelin. In both cases vesicle aggregation occurs as the earliest detectable phenomenon; later, each system behaves differently. Phospholipase C induces vesicle fusion through an intermediate consisting of aggregated and closely packed vesicles (the "honeycomb structure") that finally transforms into large spherical vesicles. The same honeycomb structure is also observed in the absence of enzyme when diacylglycerols are mixed with the other lipids in organic solution, before hydration. In this case the sample then evolves toward a cubic phase. The fact that the same honeycomb intermediate can lead to vesicle fusion (with enzyme-generated diacylglycerol) or to a cubic phase (when diacylglycerol is premixed with the lipids) is taken in support of the hypothesis according to which a highly curved lipid structure ("stalk") would act as a structural intermediate in membrane fusion. Sphingomyelinase produces complete leakage of vesicle aqueous contents and an increase in size of about one-third of the vesicles. A mechanism of vesicle opening and reassembling is proposed in this case.


LC-NeRF: Local Controllable Face Generation in Neural Radiance Field.
3D face generation has achieved high visual quality and 3D consistency thanks to the development of neural radiance fields (NeRF). However, these methods model the whole face as a neural radiance field, which limits the controllability of the local regions. In other words, previous methods struggle to independently control local regions, such as the mouth, nose, and hair. To improve local controllability in NeRF-based face generation, we propose LC-NeRF, which is composed of a Local Region Generators Module (LRGM) and a Spatial-Aware Fusion Module (SAFM), allowing for geometry and texture control of local facial regions. The LRGM models different facial regions as independent neural radiance fields and the SAFM is responsible for merging multiple independent neural radiance fields into a complete representation. Finally, LC-NeRF enables the modification of the latent code associated with each individual generator, thereby allowing precise control over the corresponding local region. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations show that our method provides better local controllability than state-of-the-art 3D-aware face generation methods. A perception study reveals that our method outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods in terms of image quality, face consistency, and editing effects. Furthermore, our method exhibits favorable performance in downstream tasks, including real image editing and text-driven facial image editing.


Rapid and economical identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test methodology for urinary tract pathogens.
To decrease the time and cost of processing urine cultures, we devised a critical pathway to identify and perform antibiotic susceptibility tests on commonly isolated microbial pathogens within 6 h of growth detection. The strategy was based on eliminating expensive kits and automated procedures when not required. A pathway utilizing a statistical matrix and three rapid biochemical tests required to identify the most common pathogen, Escherichia coli, was developed. This species, which represented 82% of urinary isolates, was identified in 1 h for less than 10% the cost of a commercial kit. The specificity of the 1-h E. coli identification battery was greater than or equal to 99.9% with a sensitivity of 93%. In addition, this critical pathway, adapting published methods, permitted the identification of other enteric pathogens, the group D streptococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 4 to 6 h. Furthermore, it accounted for other microbes that required longer periods of incubation. The pathway also included a rapid disk diffusion sensitivity test. Utilizing the critical pathway strategy, 76% (E. coli frequency of 0.82 X E. coli sensitivity of 0.93) of all urinary pathogens were identified within 1 h, and 98% were identified within 4 h with an antibiotic sensitivity test available within 6 h after the observation of growth. Costs were reduced from 2.5 to 5.0 times. This methodology is applicable to other specimen types.


Quality marker prediction in Trillium tschonoskii based on UHPLC-MS chemical characterisation and network pharmacology.
As a folk herbal medicine, Trillium tschonoskii has been used for thousands of years. However, due to the complexity of the chemical constituents of this herb, few investigations have acquired a comprehensive understanding of its quality markers. This study was conducted to characterise the chemical composition of T. tschonoskii and identify its potential quality markers. A systematic analytical method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to characterise the constituents of T. tschonoskii. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to investigate the chemical differences between different tissues, as well as the relationship between chemical compositions and habitats. The potential quality markers were predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking, then confirmed by cellular assays. A total of 77 compounds were co-isolated and identified, and among them, 26 were discovered from the genus Trillium for the first time. Ten batches of roots/rhizomes were explicitly clustered into five groups according to the climate types of the habitats, and the clusters of the fruits and roots/rhizomes from the same plants were independent due to the significant difference in chemical composition. Diosgenin had a good docking affinity with the relevant targets within the IL-17 pathway and cytokine pathway and could significantly inhibit TNF-α expression in hypoxic brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). This is the first study to establish the chemical composition profile of T. tschonoskii by UHPLC-MS systematically, and diosgenin was confirmed to be a potential quality marker of T. tschonoskii for the treatment of headaches.


The effect of thoracic epidural analgesia on the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the effect of perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia followed by postoperative epidural analgesia compared with conventional IV anesthesia on the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Randomized controlled trial. Cardiac surgery unit at a university hospital. A total of 50 patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either conventional IV anesthesia (CON) or general anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia followed by postoperative epidural analgesia (TEA) with bupivacaine. Postoperatively, the patients were monitored in the surgical ward with a pulse oximeter for a total of two postoperative nights (the second and third postoperative nights). The overall incidence of episodic hypoxemia was 56% (28 of 50 patients) on the second postoperative night and 89% (41 of 46 patients) on the third postoperative night. More than 30 episodes of hypoxemia developed on the second night in 22% of patients (11 of 50 patients), and on the third night in 30% of patients (14 of 46 patients). Despite oxygen therapy, 7% of patients (3 of 46 patients) experienced constant hypoxemia on the third night. In general, hypoxemia seemed to be slightly worse on the third postoperative night compared with the second postoperative night. Significantly more patients in the TEA group (25 of 25 patients) experienced episodic hypoxemia on the third postoperative night compared with the CON group (16 of 21 patients; p < 0.05). Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the two regimens. Both episodic and constant hypoxemia were common in the late postoperative period in patients on the ward after CABG surgery with no clinically significant intergroup differences. Thus, perioperative epidural anesthesia/analgesia combined with postoperative epidural anesthesia/analgesia was not protective against hypoxemia, and therapy with opioids did not seem to be of importance for the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia on nights 2 and 3 after CABG surgery.


[The treatment of injured front teeth].
Prefabricated steel crowns have been in use up to now as a classical method of preserving of fractured front teeth. They are, however, unsatisfactory for esthetical reasons. With the introduction to the acid etch technique incisal restorations have been made with composites. They are, however, subject to some abrasion and surface staining, as the inorganic filler particles loosen from the organic matrix. The clinical experiences with the new dental filling material Isosit lead to an esthetically and functionally accurate restoration of broken teeth or hypoplasia. After one year of observation 28 traumatically damaged teeth built up with Isocap have shown no marginal discoloration, staining or material loss.


[Factors affecting Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)].
Immature embryos and embryo-derived calli from two cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), BAU146 and BAU170, were transformed with three strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, AGL-1, EHA105 and LBA4404 harboring expression vector p3301 or pBTAaB. Both vectors contained bar gene and p3301 contained also gus gene with an intron. The highest explant survival rate and transformation efficiency was obtained when the bacterial cell density was OD600 1.0 with 1 h of infection incubation. Higher osmotic treatment of the explants before inoculation had a positive effect on transformation, while addition of acetosyringone showed ambiguous one, depending on the explant types and bacterium strains. The efficiencies of transformation and transgenic plant regeneration were varied greatly with the bacterium strain, receptor genotype, explant type and its age and physiological state. After optimizing these factors, a large number of PPT-resistant calli and some of PPT-resistant plants were obtained. The resistant plantlet tested and 50% to 60% of the resistant calli were GUS-positive. The integration of foreign DNA into the genome of transgenic plants (3 out 6) was further confirmed by PCR and Southern Blot analysis.