[Coronary angioplasty in unstable angina at rest. Influence of the degree of clinical instability on the immediate and long-term results].
Coronary angioplasty in patients with unstable angina is associated with higher rate of complications and less favourable long term results in contrast to those patients with stable angina. To establish whether temporary clinical stabilization of at least 48 hours prior to PTCA in patients with angina at rest carries an improvement in immediate and long term results. A survey was carried out on 188 consecutive patients with recent onset angina at rest. Analysis included immediate results, complication rate, and 1 year follow up status. Patients were divided in 2 groups in accordance with Braunwald classification: i.e. on the basis of absence (Group II B, 90 patients) or presence (Group III B, 98 patients) of spontaneous angina at rest in the 48 hours prior of PTCA. Patients excluded were those with early postinfarction angina (15 days) and those with unstable angina following coronary restenoses after PTCA. The 2 groups were similar with regard to the main baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics, with the exception of intravenous administration of heparin and nitrates at the time of PTCA (47% in Group II B vs 85% in Group III B, p < 0.01) and the rate of intracoronary thrombus in the angiograms before dilatation (3% vs 15% respectively, p < 0.05). Complication rate was 2% in Group II B (2 acute myocardial infarction--AMI) and 4% in Group III B (1 death and 3 emergency By-pass operation) (p = n.s.). Clinical success was achieved in 93% of II B patients and 92% in Group III B (p = n.s.). During 12 months follow-up no significant difference in adverse events was found in either groups. There were no late deaths. Two patients in both groups experienced AMI. Thirtyone per cent of patients in Group II B and 34% in Group III B complained of recurrence of angina. The 12-months event free survival (the absence of AMI, repeat PTCA, by-pass operation and recurrence of angina) was 62% in both groups. In patients with unstable angina who underwent intensive pharmacological treatment including intravenous heparin and nitrates, the results of PTCA showed no negative influence of spontaneous angina which occurred in the 48 hours prior the procedure. To obtain complete clinical stabilization over a 48 hour waiting period would therefore appear to be no longer warranted.


Multifunctional calcium polyphenol networks reverse the hostile microenvironment of trauma for preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
Abdominal adhesions, a commonly observed complication of abdominal surgery, have a high incidence and adversely affect patients' physical and mental health. The primary causes of abdominal adhesions are intraoperative trauma, acute inflammatory response, bleeding, and foreign body infection. Because most current treatment approaches for abdominal adhesions are limited, improved and novel postoperative anti-adhesion regimens are urgently needed. In this study, we developed calcium polyphenol network (CaPN) microspheres based on the self-assembly of the natural triphenolic compound gallic acid and Ca2+ in solution. The physicochemical properties of CaPNs, including their hemostatic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, were investigated in vitro. Bleeding and cecal-abdominal wall adhesion models were established to observe the hemostatic activity of CaPNs and their preventive effect on postoperative abdominal wall adhesion in vivo. The results showed that CaPNs significantly reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and abdominal adhesion formation and had good hemostatic and antibacterial properties. Our findings suggest a novel strategy for the prevention of postoperative adhesions.


[Role of multislice spiral computed tomography in diagnosis of spinal injuries in polytrauma patients].
Spinal injury in poly trauma patients is serious problem, because they cause high mortality and morbidity. According to WHO statistics, there are registered 30 million cases of spinal injuries annually, 50% of them die before reaching the hospital. In last 5 years incidence of spinal traumas has increased 2.6 fold and is about one third of all spinal diseases. That is why spinal injuries remain a challenge. The purpose of our study is to assess diagnostic efficiency of multislice spiral CT in diagnosis of spinal injuries in poly trauma patients. We randomly assessed data from 200 poly trauma patients, who underwent multislice spiral CT in poly trauma mode. In 92 (46%) patients different types of spinal fractures and injuries were detected. Age distribution was 16-72 (mean age 52 years). Out of 92 patients, 9 (4.5%) had isolated trauma, 83 (41.5%) had multiple trauma. Solitary injury of spinal column was detected in 30 (32.6%) patients, 54 (58.6%) had combined spinal injuries. In spinal injury patients the most common trauma mechanism was MVC - 56 patients (60.86%), fall from height 27 (29.36%) patients, diving 5 (5.43%) patients, gun shot wound 3 (3.26%) patients, industrial injury 1 (1.08%) patients. The most common location of the injury was lumbar vertebra (55 patients), thoracic vertebra (39 patients), cervical vertebra (28 patients). After assessing MDCT and MRI results 37 patients were operated, 6 of them underwent surgical intervention urgently, 31 had delayed surgery, that was performed after treating other life threatening injuries. Indications for surgical intervention were spinal cord compression and non stable vertebral fractures. According to our study results, MDCT is the study of choice for the diagnosis of spinal injuries in poly trauma patients. It helps to detect type and extension of the bony injury and visualize fragments in the spinal canal. It is superior to other radiological studies. 3D, MIP and MPR reconstruction gives information about spatial location of the fracture and helps to timely plan correct management.


Participation of annexins in protein phosphorylation.
Simultaneous discovery of members of the annexin family of calcium and phospholipid binding proteins by several groups is intimately linked to the possibility that these proteins may be controlled by phosphorylation. Indeed, annexin I and annexin II have been identified as major substrates for the tyrosine kinase activity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and for the retrovirus encoded protein tyrosine kinase pp60v-arc. Both annexins are also in vitro and/or in situ substrates for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) receptor tyrosine kinases. In addition, to serve as substrates for tyrosine protein kinases some annexins are cellular targets for serine threonine protein kinases such as protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Although the role of annexin phosphorylation has not been studied in detail, it is thought to influence their vesicle aggregation and phospholipid binding properties. Some annexins are also potent inhibitors of various serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases. The physiological functions of the annexins have still not been clearly defined. Therefore the identification of the ability of these proteins to undergo phosphorylation may be helpful in assigning them a precise biological role.


Carbon deposition from aromatic solvents onto active intact 3d metal surface at ambient conditions.
The process of carbon deposition onto 3d metal surface immersed in aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene, xylene) at ambient conditions was studied for as-prepared magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and Fe-based films by thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The mechanism of the deposition at the interface is likely the heterogeneous Scholl oxidation of the aromatic hydrocarbons, which is the cationic polymerization of the aryl rings. It results in the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) chemically bonded to the surface of a MNP or thin metallic film. The benzene rings in the polycyclic deposit do not maintain planar aligned structures and do not provide delocalization of the π-electrons in the zone structure. Contrary to the dense graphite layers, the polycyclic layers, although chemically bonded, are not attached tightly to the surface. Such "hairlike" structure of the carboneous deposit might be especially favorable for the applications that imply the enhanced interaction at the surfaces incorporated in the functional matrices (polymeric composites or biosensors). The aromatic chemical nature of the deposit provides strong interaction with most polymers, while its loose structure favors conformational mobility of macromolecular chains at the interface.


[Studies on the chemical constituents of Flemingia philippinensis].
Two new prenylated flavonoids, flemiphilippinin C (I) and flemiphilippinin D (II) have been isolated from the root of Flemingia philippinensis (Merr. et Rolfe) Li along with four known compounds. The structure of I and II were elucidated as 7-(.4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-2, 2-dimethyl-10-prenyl-2H,6H-benzo-[1,2-b:5,4-b']dipyran-6-one and 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylisoflavanone, respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data. The four known compounds were identified as 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6,8-diprenylsilflavone (III), flemichin D (IV), beta-sitosterol (VI) and lupeol (VII), and a mixture of n C22-C30 aliphatic acid (V). Compounds III and IV showed significant cytotoxic activities against P388 cell cultures.


[Recurrent peri-stomal varix hemorrhage after diversion using the Bricker's technique].
Peristomal varices can occur in patients with gastrointestinal or urinary diversions associated with portal hypertension. It is now no longer rare to propose radical surgery for invasive bladder tumours in patients also suffering from hepatic cirrhosis, responsible for specific subsequent complications. Less than ten cases of varicose haemorrhages have been described on ileal bladders. The authors report the case of a patient with cirrhosis (Child B) treated surgically (radical cystoprostatectomy and Bricker transileal cutaneous diversion) for invasive bladder tumour. Episodes of bleeding varices occurred two months after surgery. Repeated and abundant haemorrhage led to the placement of an intrahepatic shunt (TIPS) allowing reduction of the portal hypertension and the severity of the bleeding. When local control of the bleeding is no longer possible, reduction of the portosystemic pressure gradient is required. TIPS is an effective alternative to surgical shunts, responsible for high morbidity and mortality in these debilitated patients.


Andean uplift promotes lowland speciation through vicariance and dispersal in Dendrocincla woodcreepers.
Andean uplift contributed importantly to the build-up of high Neotropical diversity. Final uplift of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia separated once-contiguous lowland faunas east and west of the Andes between 5 and 3.5 million years ago (Ma hereafter). We used DNA sequences from several moderate- to fast-evolving mitochondrial and two slow-evolving nuclear genes to generate a well-supported phylogeny of Dendrocincla woodcreepers, a genus with multiple species endemic to lowland regions both east and west of the Andes. A time-calibrated phylogeny and dispersal-vicariance analysis indicated that uplift of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia resulted in the initial vicariant separation of a widespread lowland form east and west of the Andes at c. 3.6 Ma. This was followed by two separate east-to-west dispersal events over or around the completed Andes, each producing a genetically distinct lineage. Our analysis suggests that Andean uplift promoted the build-up of biodiversity in lowland Neotropical faunas both through vicariance-based speciation during uplift and through dispersal-based speciation following uplift. In contrast to the multiple colonizations of the trans-Andean region by Dendrocincla, the Atlantic Forest was colonized from the Amazon only once, followed by in situ diversification.


Non-selective cation channel activity of aquaporin AtPIP2;1 regulated by Ca2+ and pH.
The aquaporin AtPIP2;1 is an abundant plasma membrane intrinsic protein in Arabidopsis thaliana that is implicated in stomatal closure, and is highly expressed in plasma membranes of root epidermal cells. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, AtPIP2;1 increased water permeability and induced a non-selective cation conductance mainly associated with Na+ . A mutation in the water pore, G103W, prevented both the ionic conductance and water permeability of PIP2;1. Co-expression of AtPIP2;1 with AtPIP1;2 increased water permeability but abolished the ionic conductance. AtPIP2;2 (93% identical to AtPIP2;1) similarly increased water permeability but not ionic conductance. The ionic conductance was inhibited by the application of extracellular Ca2+ and Cd2+ , with Ca2+ giving a biphasic dose-response with a prominent IC50 of 0.32 mм comparable with a previous report of Ca2+ sensitivity of a non-selective cation channel (NSCC) in Arabidopsis root protoplasts. Low external pH also inhibited ionic conductance (IC50 pH 6.8). Xenopus oocytes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing AtPIP2;1 accumulated more Na+ than controls. Establishing whether AtPIP2;1 has dual ion and water permeability in planta will be important in understanding the roles of this aquaporin and if AtPIP2;1 is a candidate for a previously reported NSCC responsible for Ca2+ and pH sensitive Na+ entry into roots.


Identification of immune subtypes to guide immunotherapy and targeted therapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Accumulating pieces of evidence suggested that immunotypes may indicate the overall immune landscape in the tumor microenvironment, which were closely related to therapeutic response. The purpose of this study was to classify and define the immune subtypes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), so as to authenticate the potential immune subtypes that respond to immunotherapy. Transcriptome expression profile and mutation profile data of ccRCC, as well as clinical characteristics used in this study were obtained from TCGA database. There were significant differences in the infiltration of immune cells, immune checkpoints, and antigens between ccRCC and para-cancerous tissues. According to immune components, patients with ccRCC were divided into three immune subtypes, with different clinical and molecular characteristics. Compared with other subtypes, IS2 showed cold immune phenotype, and was associated with better survival. IS1 represented complex immune populations and was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Further analysis indicated that expression of immune checkpoints also differed among the three subtypes, and was abnormally up-regulated in IS3. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the mTOR signaling pathway was abnormally enriched in IS3, while the TGF_BETA, ANGIOGENESIS and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways were abnormally enriched in IS2. Furthermore, there was an abnormal enrichment of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathway in IS1, which may be associated with a higher rate of metastasis. Finally, SCG2 was screened as a specific antigen of ccRCC, which was not only related to poor prognosis, but also significantly associated with immune cells and immune checkpoints. In conclusion, the immune subtypes of ccRCC may provide new insights into the tumor biology and the precise clinical management of this disease.


Bleaching herbicide flurtamone interferes with phytoene desaturase.
The mode of action of the furanone herbicide flurtamone and derivatives was investigated with cress seedlings and with the unicellular cyanobacterium Anacystis. Either in the light or in the dark these compounds inhibited the formation of alpha- and beta-carotene and all of the xanthophylls in the seedlings. Instead, phytoene, a precursor of colored carotenoids, was accumulated. In illuminated seedlings photooxidative destruction of chlorophyll was observed. The I(50) value of flurtamone inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis in intact Anacystis cells and the K(1) value for interaction of flurtamone with phytoene desaturase with Anacystis thylakoids were 30 and 18 nanomoles, respectively. Concentrations of flurtamone which strongly inhibited carotenoid synthesis had no direct peroxidative activities and did not inhibit photosynthetic electron transport.


Autoantibodies to human tissue transglutaminase: superior predictors of coeliac disease.
Using selected sample populations, we compared sensitivity and specificity of autoantibodies to guinea pig and human tissue transglutaminase to assess if the human antigen is superior for predicting coeliac disease. Four commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay kits using human tissue transglutaminase as antigen were used to measure autoantibody levels in serum samples from untreated adult coeliacs (n = 32). They were from a series of 130 cases diagnosed between 1997 and 1999 and chosen to bias the group towards subjects with negative autoantibodies when measured with guinea pig tissue transglutaminase as antigen. Samples from 38 control subjects (biased towards false-positive levels with guinea pig antigen) were used to compare specificity. We also assessed if human antigen kits could differentiate between levels in normal subjects and in selective IgA deficiency. Sensitivity for coeliac disease in this selected group using the human antigen kits ranged from 88% to 100%. Three kits showed significantly higher specificity (82%-97%, P < 0.05) than the guinea pig antigen kit (71%) for the samples studied. No kit achieved complete separation between normal autoantibody levels and lower levels in selective IgA deficiency. All human antigen kits showed significantly higher sensitivity for coeliac disease compared to guinea pig antigen (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed the superior diagnostic accuracy of the human antigen kits.


Family experiences of tissue donation in Australia.
Although research exists examining the experiences of organ donor families, little is known about the specific needs of tissue donor families. Understanding family experiences in tissue donation is important to improve the process and potentially increase the number of families who consent to tissue donation. To examine the experiences of recent tissue donor families and to identify potential areas for improvement of the donation process. Cross-sectional survey by mailed questionnaire. Participants were families who had been approached by DonateWest, the coordinating organization in Western Australia, and had agreed to tissue donation. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of data with regards to satisfaction with the approach method, reasons for consent, and appropriateness of support services. Seventy-seven of 140 mailed questionnaires were returned. Almost all respondents expressed satisfaction with the approach to donate, and this did not differ with the mode of approach, that is, by phone or in person. The most common reason for agreeing to donation was that it was known to be the donor's wish. The majority of respondents felt they had sufficient time and information to decide to donate, and almost all were happy with their decision and thought they had received adequate support during and after the process.


Cortical, brainstem and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of central and autonomic dysfunction by means of electroencephalographic (EEG) and cardio-pneumographic recording (CPGR) in infants with Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (PHH). Nineteen infants with PHH were studied, born from October 1998 to January 2000. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by cephalic perimeter measurement and ultrasonographic study. Eight channel bipolar EEG and CPGR were performed after sleep deprivation, EEG features studied were: Temporal organization, symmetry, synchrony, frequency of normal and abnormal patterns. CPGR features studied were: Frequency of apnea and temporal organization by means of beat to beat variability. Averages of birth's age and weight, Apgar scores at one and five minutes, and cephalic perimeter showed lower values in PHH infants. PHH infants showed abnormalities in EEG and CPGR such as: Higher discontinuous activity (63%), asymmetry (73%), asynchrony (89%), abnormal EEG patterns (89%), apnea (26%) and absence of heart rate variability (63%). EEG and CPGR recordings are a useful tools in the examination of infants with PHH. These findings suggest cortical-subcortical, and brainstem dysfunction with severe encephalopathy and autonomic nervous dysfunction related to ventricular dilatation in infants with PHH.


Clinical outcomes of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the anglophone Caribbean: a multi centre audit of regional hospitals.
There has been no report on Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) cholecystectomy outcomes since it was first performed in the Anglophone Caribbean in 2009. A retrospective audit evaluated the clinical outcomes of SILS cholecystectomies at regional hospitals in the 17 Anglophone Caribbean countries. Any cholecystectomy using a laparoscopic approach in which all instruments were passed through one access incision was considered a SILS cholecystectomy. The following data were collected: patient demographics, indications for operation, intraoperative details, surgeon details, surgical techniques, specialized equipment, conversions, morbidity and mortality. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS 12.0. There were 85 SILS cholecystectomies in women at a mean age of 37.4 ± 8.5 years with a mean BMI of 30.9 ± 2.8. There were 59 elective and 26 emergent cases. Specialized access platforms were used in the first 35 cases and reusable instruments were passed directly across fascia in the latter 50 cases. The mean operative time was 62.9 ± 17.9 minutes. There was no mortality, 2 conversions to multi-trocar laparoscopy and 5 minor complications. Ambulatory procedures were performed in 43/71 (60.6%) patients scheduled for elective operations. In the Caribbean setting, SILS cholecystectomy is a feasible and safe alternative to conventional multi-trocar laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder disease.


Pseudogout associated with the use of cyclical etidronate therapy.
Recently the use of etidronate in a cyclical fashion has been shown to be of value in the treatment of osteoporosis. Like all bisphosphonates etidronate is structurally similar to pyrophosphate, further it is also known to interfere with phosphate handling by the kidney resulting in elevated plasma phosphate levels. This report describes the case of a patient with established osteoporosis who developed pseudogout associated with cyclical etidronate use. The possible mechanism responsible for this is discussed.


S-carboxymethylcysteine inhibits adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to human alveolar epithelial cells.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen of respiratory infections that utilizes platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) for firm adherence to host cells. The mucolytic agent S-carboxymethylcysteine (S-CMC) has been shown to exert inhibitory effects against infection by several respiratory pathogens including S. pneumoniae in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, clinical studies have implicated the benefits of S-CMC in preventing exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is considered to be related to respiratory infections. In this study, to assess whether the potency of S-CMC is attributable to inhibition of pneumococcal adherence to host cells, an alveolar epithelial cell line stimulated with interleukin-1α was used as a model of inflamed epithelial cells. Despite upregulation of PAFR by inflammatory activation, treatment with S-CMC efficiently inhibited pneumococcal adherence to host epithelial cells. In order to gain insight into the inhibitory mechanism, the effects of S-CMC on PAFR expression were also investigated. Following treatment with S-CMC, PAFR expression was reduced at both mRNA and post-transcriptional levels. Interestingly, S-CMC was also effective in inhibiting pneumococcal adherence to cells transfected with PAFR small interfering RNAs. These results indicate S-CMC as a probable inhibitor targeting numerous epithelial receptors that interact with S. pneumoniae.


Aggressive policing and the mental health of young urban men.
We surveyed young men on their experiences of police encounters and subsequent mental health. Between September 2012 and March 2013, we conducted a population-based telephone survey of 1261 young men aged 18 to 26 years in New York City. Respondents reported how many times they were approached by New York Police Department officers, what these encounters entailed, any trauma they attributed to the stops, and their overall anxiety. We analyzed data using cross-sectional regressions. Participants who reported more police contact also reported more trauma and anxiety symptoms, associations tied to how many stops they reported, the intrusiveness of the encounters, and their perceptions of police fairness. The intensity of respondent experiences and their associated health risks raise serious concerns, suggesting a need to reevaluate officer interactions with the public. Less invasive tactics are needed for suspects who may display mental health symptoms and to reduce any psychological harms to individuals stopped.


[The suicide rate in Czechoslovakia 1975-1990].
The author investigates the development of the suicide rate in Czechoslovakia in 1975-1990. From comparison of statistics in the Annual Statistical Report and statistics of UZIS he concludes that the Annual Statistical Report provides more accurate data. According to data in the latter the annual suicide rate in recent years is by 500-800 suicides higher than according to UZIS. Using the method of the smallest squares, linear trends of the suicide rate are calculated according to both sources for the Czechoslovak Republic and the Czech and Slovak Republic separately. The decline is more marked in the Czech and Slovak Republic where the suicide rate is higher and thus a convergent trend was recorded. These conclusions are supported by linear trends developmental trends obtained from the above sources differ as to the degree of convergence; while according to data in the Annual Statistical Report data in the Czech and Slovak Republic will be equal during future decades, according to data from UZIS equal levels were reached already between 1989 and 1990. The author discusses the reliability of statistics of the suicide rate, possible escapes associated with different types of collection of data and the comparability of statistics where it is obvious that they are not quite complete.


Simian virus 40 large T antigen associates with cyclin A and p33cdk2.
In this paper we provide evidence that a fraction of large T antigen of simian virus 40 (SV40) interacts with cyclin A and p33cdk2 in both virus-infected and stably transformed cells. Immunoprecipitates of SV40 large T antigen from SV40-infected or SV40 large-T-antigen-transformed cells contain cyclin A, p33cdk2, and histone H1 kinase activity. Conversely, immunoprecipitates of cyclin A from these cells contain SV40 large T antigen. In this respect, SV40 large T antigen has properties similar to those of the E1A oncogene of adenoviruses and the E7 oncogene of human papillomaviruses.


High-pressure stopped-flow apparatus up to 3 kbar.
A high-pressure stopped-flow apparatus was constructed which could be operative at hydrostatic pressures up to 3 kbar. Some preparative results on anionic sigma-complex formation reactions are presented up to 1.5 kbar between 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (I) and hydroxide ion and between compound (I) and sulfite ion in water. It was found that this apparatus was sufficient to follow a chemical reaction whose half-life was longer than several milliseconds.


Genomic Instability and Carcinogenesis of Heavy Charged Particles Radiation: Clinical and Environmental Implications.
One of the uses of ionizing radiation is in cancer treatment. The use of heavy charged particles for treatment has been introduced in recent decades because of their priority for deposition of radiation energy in the tumor, via the Bragg peak phenomenon. In addition to medical implications, exposure to heavy charged particles is a crucial issue for environmental and space radiobiology. Ionizing radiation is one of the most powerful clastogenic and carcinogenic agents. Studies have shown that although both low and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiations are carcinogenic, their risks are different. Molecular studies have also shown that although heavy charged particles mainly induce DNA damage directly, they may be more potent inducer of endogenous generation of free radicals compared to the low LET gamma or X-rays. It seems that the severity of genotoxicity for non-irradiated bystander cells is potentiated as the quality of radiation increases. However, this is not true in all situations. Evidence suggests the involvement of some mechanisms such as upregulation of pro-oxidant enzymes and change in the methylation of DNA in the development of genomic instability and carcinogenesis. This review aimed to report important issues for genotoxicity of carcinogenic effects of heavy charged particles. Furthermore, we tried to explain some mechanisms that may be involved in cancer development following exposure to heavy charged particles.


Revisiting the relationship between attributional style and academic performance.
Previous research into the relationship between attributions and academic performance has produced contradictory findings that have not been resolved. The present research examines the role of specific dimensions of attributional style in predicting subsequent academic performance in a sample of pupils (N = 979) from both high- and low-achieving schools. Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses indicate that internal, stable, and global, attributional styles for positive events predict higher levels of academic performance. Global attributions for negative events were related to poorer performance across all schools. Stable attributions for negative events were related to higher levels of performance in high-achieving schools but not in low-achieving schools. Higher levels of internality for negative events were associated with higher performance only in low achieving schools.


In vivo biofluid dynamic imaging in the developing zebrafish.
Flow-structure interactions are ubiquitous in nature, and are important factors in the proper development of form and function in living organisms. In order to uncover the mechanisms by which flow-structure interactions affect vertebrate development, we first need to establish the techniques necessary to quantitatively describe the fluid flow environment within the embryo. To do this, we must bring dynamic, in vivo imaging methods to bear on living systems. Traditional avian and mammalian model systems can be problematic in this regard. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is widely accepted as an excellent model organism for the study of vertebrate biology, as it shows substantial anatomical and genetic conservation with higher vertebrates, including humans. Their small size, optical transparency, and external development make zebrafish the ideal model system for dynamic imaging. This article reviews the current state of research in imaging biofluid flow within and around developing zebrafish embryos, with an emphasis on dynamic imaging modalities.


The perceptions of Danish physiotherapists on the ethical issues related to the physiotherapist-patient relationship during the first session: a phenomenological approach.
In the course of the last four decades, the profession of physiotherapy has progressively expanded its scope of responsibility and its focus on professional autonomy and evidence-based clinical practice. To preserve professional autonomy, it is crucial for the physiotherapy profession to meet society's expectations and demands of professional competence as well as ethical competence. Since it is becoming increasingly popular to choose a carrier in private practice in Denmark this context constitutes the frame of this study. Physiotherapy in private practice involves mainly a meeting between two partners: the physiotherapist and the patient. In the meeting, power asymmetry between the two partners is a condition that the physiotherapist has to handle. The aim of this study was to explore whether ethical issues rise during the first physiotherapy session discussed from the perspective of the physiotherapists in private practice. A qualitative approach was chosen and semi-structured interviews with 21 physiotherapists were carried out twice and analysed by using a phenomenological framework. Four descriptive themes emerged: general reflections on ethics in physiotherapy; the importance of the first physiotherapy session; the influence of the clinical environment on the first session and; reflections and actions upon beneficence towards the patient within the first session. The results show that the first session and the clinical context in private practice are essential from an ethical perspective. Ethical issues do occur within the first session, the consciousness about ethical issues differs in Danish physiotherapy private practice, and reflections and acts are to a lesser extent based on awareness of ethical theories, principles and ethical guidelines. Beneficence towards the patient is a fundamental aspect of the physiotherapists' understanding of the first session. However, if the physiotherapist lacks a deeper ethical awareness, the physiotherapist may reason and/or act ethically to a varying extent: only an ethically conscious physiotherapist will know when he or she reflects and acts ethically. Further exploration of ethical issues in private practice is recommendable, and as management policy is deeply embedded within the Danish public sector there are reasons to explore public contexts of physiotherapy as well.


TLR4 induces tumor growth and inhibits paclitaxel activity in MyD88-positive human ovarian carcinoma in vitro.
In ovarian cancer patients, chemotherapy resistance is the principal factor restricting long-term treatment. Paclitaxel (Pac) has been previously reported to be a ligand to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). It was determined that TLR4 signaling is divided into the following two pathways: Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent and MyD88-independent. The present study investigated the effect of TLR4 ligation by Pac in MyD88-positive (MyD88+) and MyD88-negative (MyD88-) human ovarian cancer cell lines. An RNA interference expression vector was specifically constructed to target TLR4 mRNA, which was stably transfected into the human ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3, OVCAR3, A2780 and 3AO). Cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, were detected. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed in the cells transfected with scramble control and TLR4 shRNA to explore the possible functions of TLR4 in ovarian cancer cell growth. It was found that lipopolysaccharide and Pac significantly increase the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in the SKOV3 cell line. Similarly, Pac resulted in a significant upregulation of IL-6 and IL-8 in OVCAR3 cells, but not in A2780 and 3AO cells. These results suggested that in MyD88+ ovarian cancer cell lines, TLR4 depletion shows increased sensitivity to Pac treatment in inhibiting cell proliferation compared with in cells without TLR4 knockdown. On the contrary, such changes were not found in MyD88- cells (A2780 and 3AO). TLR4 negatively regulates Pac chemotherapy, particularly in terms of cell proliferation, and TLR4 may be a novel treatment target in Pac-resistant ovarian cancer.


Science catching up: Experiential family therapy and neuroscience.
Experiential family therapy, pioneered by Virginia Satir and Carl Whitaker, centered the experience of the "here and now," human authenticity and congruent communication in the work of psychotherapy. Their approach-often considered atypical and atheoretical-was popular for a while, then relegated as behavioral and cognitive theories developed. However, with the proliferation of modern neuroscience, particularly the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology, therapists can see neuroscience research providing hard data and respective frameworks delineating the underlying architecture for understanding the connections between the mind, emotions, behavior, and relationships. This article highlights the neurobiological mechanisms that explain why classic experiential family therapy was so powerful. The main tenets of both Carl Whitaker's symbolic experiential family therapy as well as Virginia Satir's model for peoplemaking are illuminated through the postulates and scientific findings of interpersonal neurobiology.


Deep Perceptual Image Enhancement Network for Exposure Restoration.
Image restoration techniques process degraded images to highlight obscure details or enhance the scene with good contrast and vivid color for the best possible visibility. Poor illumination condition causes issues, such as high-level noise, unlikely color or texture distortions, nonuniform exposure, halo artifacts, and lack of sharpness in the images. This article presents a novel end-to-end trainable deep convolutional neural network called the deep perceptual image enhancement network (DPIENet) to address these challenges. The novel contributions of the proposed work are: 1) a framework to synthesize multiple exposures from a single image and utilizing the exposure variation to restore the image and 2) a loss function based on the approximation of the logarithmic response of the human eye. Extensive computer simulations on the benchmark MIT-Adobe FiveK and user studies performed using Google high dynamic range, DIV2K, and low light image datasets show that DPIENet has clear advantages over state-of-the-art techniques. It has the potential to be useful for many everyday applications such as modernizing traditional camera technologies that currently capture images/videos with under/overexposed regions due to their sensors limitations, to be used in consumer photography to help the users capture appealing images, or for a variety of intelligent systems, including automated driving and video surveillance applications.


Use of thyroid hormone to diminish the cognitive side effects of psychiatric treatment.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and lithium are highly effective treatments for mood disorders. Both treatments, however, are associated with cognitive side effects which reduce patient compliance and treatment satisfaction. Both therapies also have a significant effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT) activity. Preliminary results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of adjunctive thyroid hormone (T3) and ECT showed better memory function in patients receiving T3 compared with placebo. This neuroprotective effect of T3 has been confirmed using electroconvulsive shock (ECS) in rats, and shown to be independent of the number of electrical stimulations. Results of studies in patients with bipolar disorder taking lithium have demonstrated that cognitive deficits are significantly related to diminished thyroid status, but not lithium levels. Preliminary evidence also shows that adjunctive thyroid hormone improves cognitive functioning in patients taking lithium. These findings, if replicated and confirmed, indicate a potential role for adjunctive thyroid hormone in reducing the cognitive side effects of these important psychiatric treatments. This, in turn, may lead to improved treatment compliance, diminished overall morbidity, and reduced healthcare utilization.


Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults: Dangers, Management, and Alternative Therapies.
Several major medical and psychiatric organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society, advise against using benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics in older adults. Despite these recommendations, benzodiazepines continue to be massively prescribed to a group with the highest risk of serious adverse effects from these medications. This article summarizes legitimate reasons for prescribing benzodiazepines in the elderly, serious associated risks of prescribing them, particularly when not indicated, barriers physicians encounter in changing their prescription patterns, and evidence-based strategies on how to discontinue benzodiazepines in older patients. Although more research is needed, we propose several alternatives for treating insomnia and anxiety in older adults in primary care settings. These include nonpharmacological approaches such as sleep restriction-sleep compression therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety or insomnia, and as well as alternative pharmacological agents.


Estrogenic activity of polychlorinated biphenyls present in human tissue and the environment.
This study evaluated the estrogenicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in environmental media and human tissue and assessed exposure pathways for PCB-derived estrogenic potency in air, soil, and dust from New Bedford, MA, an area with a PCB-contaminated Superfund site. Thirty-four PCB congeners were assayed for estrogenic potency using E-SCREEN, an assay based on the estrogen-dependent proliferation of MCF-7 cells in vitro. Childhood exposure to estradiol-equivalents via PCBs in environmental media was estimated byweighting previously reported New Bedford congener-specific concentrations by their relative estrogenic potency and published inhalation and soil ingestion rates. Thirteen congeners were weakly estrogenic in E-SCREEN: PCBs 17, 18, 30, 44, 49, 66, 74, 82, 99, 103, 110, 128, and 179. These PCBs were typically 6 orders of magnitude less potent than 17beta-estradiol, with proliferative potencies ranging from 0.0007% to 0.0040%. Of the environmental media assessed, air (inhalation) had the highest PCB-derived estradiol-equivalent exposure. PCB estrogenic potency information from this study provides an important resource both for preliminary estimation of routes of human exposure to xenoestrogens and for application to human health studies focused on estrogen-responsive health outcomes, such as reproductive development and related malignancies.


The Kleihauer-Betke test. Clinical utility, indication, and correlation in patients with placental abruption and cocaine use.
This study examines the indications for performing the Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test and makes recommendations for its use. Results of 523 KB tests performed during 1993 at our hospital (Cleveland, Ohio) are reviewed in conjunction with surgical pathology reports of placental findings, obstetric records, and toxicology results. We conclude that the KB test should be performed following a positive screening test on all Rh negative mothers of Rh positive infants. Additional indications include cases of maternal trauma, unexplained increased maternal alpha-fetoprotein levels, fetal distress with abnormal heart tracings, intrauterine fetal death, and cases of unexplained neonatal anemia. We note that the KB test should not be performed to detect suspected placental abruption.


Advancements in automation for plasma proteomics sample preparation.
Automation is necessary to increase sample processing throughput for large-scale clinical analyses. Replacement of manual pipettes with robotic liquid handler systems is especially helpful in processing blood-based samples, such as plasma and serum. These samples are very heterogenous, and protein expression can vary greatly from sample-to-sample, even for healthy controls. Detection of true biological changes requires that variation from sample preparation steps and downstream analytical detection methods, such as mass spectrometry, remains low. In this mini-review, we discuss plasma proteomics protocols and the benefits of automation towards enabling detection of low abundant proteins and providing low sample error and increased sample throughput. This discussion includes considerations for automation of major sample depletion and/or enrichment strategies for plasma toward mass spectrometry detection.


Skin exudate levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 1 and other cytokines in mycosis fungoides.
The role of locally released cytokines in inducing lymphocyte activation and infiltration in the skin lesions of mycosis fungoides has been investigated. The levels of selected cytokines were measured in chamber fluid samples from lesional and control skin. Biologically active interleukin 6 was significantly elevated in lesional samples and a recombinant form of this cytokine was shown to induce lymphocyte migration in an in vitro assay. Biologically active interleukin 1 was detected in all control chamber fluid samples. Significantly reduced levels of this cytokine were present in lesional samples, which may be the result of the release of preformed material. Interleukin 2 and tumour necrosis factor activity, and gamma interferon and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor immunoreactivity, were not detectable in any of the samples. Interleukins 1 and 6 may play a role in the pathogenesis of the lesional lymphocyte infiltrates in mycosis fungoides.


Relationship between knowledge and claimed compliance with genuine and false nutrition messages.
Nutrition education messages about eight different foods, four of them genuine and four false, were set in a Latin square and eight questionnaires were produced and distributed to customers sitting in a cafe. For each message, subjects were asked to score the extent of their agreement and compliance. Scores were adjusted to remove effects of sex, age group and social class. Correlation coefficients between agreement and compliance scores were significant (P < 0.001) for each message. Subjects who had correct knowledge tended towards correct behaviour and those who agreed with misconceptions tended to have incorrect behaviour.


A guide to commissioning in the NHS and its effects on clinical care.
Commissioning in the NHS involves identifying the needs of a local population and then planning and funding care to meet those needs. This article gives an overview of the commissioning process and its effect on clinical care.


Disparate maturation adaptations to size-dependent mortality.
Body size is an important determinant of resource use, fecundity and mortality risk. Evolution of maturation size in response to size-dependent selection is thus a fundamental part of life-history theory. Increased mortality among small individuals has previously been predicted to cause larger maturation size, whereas increased mortality among large individuals is expected to have the opposite effect. Here we use a continuously size-structured model to demonstrate that, contrary to these widespread expectations, increased mortality among small individuals can have three alternative effects: maturation size may increase, decrease or become evolutionarily bistable. We show that such complex responses must be reckoned with whenever mortality is size-dependent, growth is indeterminate, reproduction impairs growth and fecundity increases with size. Predicting adaptive responses to altered size-dependent mortality is thus inherently difficult, since, as demonstrated here, such mortality cannot only reverse the direction of adaptation, but also cause abrupt shifts in evolutionarily stable maturation sizes.


A novel co-culture model of the blood-retinal barrier based on primary retinal endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes.
Loss of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) properties is an important feature in the pathology of diabetic macular edema (DME), but cellular mechanisms underlying BRB dysfunction are poorly understood. Therefore, we developed and characterized a novel in vitro BRB model, based on primary bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs). These cells were shown to maintain specific in vivo BRB properties by expressing high levels of the endothelial junction proteins occludin, claudin-5, VE-cadherin and ZO-1 at cell borders, and the specific pumps glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) and efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (MDR1). To investigate the influence of pericytes and astrocytes on BRB maintenance in vitro, we compared five different co-culture BRB models, based on BRECs, bovine retinal pericytes (BRPCs) and rat glial cells. Co-cultures of BRECs with BRPCs and glial cells showed the highest trans-endothelial resistance (TEER) as well as decreased permeability of tracers after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation, suggesting a major role for these cell types in maintaining barrier properties. To mimic the in vivo situation of DME, we stimulated BRECs with VEGF, which downregulated MDR1 and GLUT1 mRNA levels, transiently reduced expression levels of endothelial junctional proteins and altered their organization, increased the number of intercellular gaps in BRECs monolayers and influence the permeability of the model to differently-sized molecular tracers. Moreover, as has been shown in vivo, expression of plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) was increased in endothelial cells in the presence of VEGF. This in vitro model is the first co-culture model of the BRB that mimicks in vivo VEGF-dependent changes occurring in DME.


Fibrin Clot Properties in Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Outcomes.
Fibrin is a major component of thrombi formed on the surface of atherosclerotic plaques. Fibrin accumulation as a consequence of local blood coagulation activation takes place inside atherosclerotic lesions and contributes to their growth. The imbalance between thrombin-mediated fibrin formation and fibrin degradation might enhance atherosclerosis in relation to inflammatory states reflected by increased fibrinogen concentrations, the key determinant of fibrin characteristics. There are large interindividual differences in fibrin clot structure and function measured in plasma-based assays and in purified fibrinogen-based systems. Several observational studies have demonstrated that subjects who tend to generate denser fibrin networks displaying impaired clot lysis are at an increased risk of developing advanced atherosclerosis and arterial thromboembolic events. Moreover, the majority of cardiovascular risk factors are also associated with unfavorably altered fibrin clot properties, with their improvement following effective therapy, in particular with aspirin, statins, and anticoagulant agents. The prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype has been reported to have a predictive value in terms of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and acute limb ischemia. This review article summarizes available data on the association of fibrin clot characteristics with atherosclerotic vascular disease and its potential practical implications.


[Effects of iodine prophylaxis on a voluntary basis on the thyroid volume of a young population in Val Tiberina].
In the present study, the thyroid volume of children residing in an area (Val Tiberina in Tuscany) characterized by moderate iodine deficiency in the past, was evaluated after iodized salt prophylaxis. In children born before the institution of iodine prophylaxis, thyroid volume was significantly higher than that in controls, both considering the entire population and only the nongoitrous children. In children born after iodine prophylaxis, no difference in thyroid volume was found with respect to controls. The data of the present study indicate that the exposure to iodine deficiency causes an enlargement of thyroid volume in schoolchildren. The iodized salt prophylaxis is able to prevent the development of goiter in the children born after prophylaxis and to keep the further increase of thyroid volume in older children.


Investigation of the In Vitro and In Vivo efficiency of RM-532-105, a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 inhibitor, in LAPC-4 prostate cancer cell and tumor models.
In the fight against androgen-sensitive prostate cancer, the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3) is an attractive therapeutic target considering its key role in the formation of androgenic steroids. In this study, we attempted to assess the in vivo efficacy of the compound RM-532-105, an androsterone derivative developed as an inhibitor of 17β-HSD3, in the prostate cancer model of androgen-sensitive LAPC-4 cells xenografted in nude mice. RM-532-105 did not inhibit the tumor growth induced by 4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-dione); rather, the levels of the androgens testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased within the tumors. In plasma, however, DHT levels increased but T levels did not. In troubleshooting experiments, the non-androgenic potential of RM-532-105 was confirmed by two different assays (LAPC-4 proliferation and androgen receptor transcriptional activity assays). The enzyme 5α-reductase was also revealed to be the predominant enzyme metabolizing 4-dione in LAPC-4 cells, yielding 5α-androstane-3,17-dione and not T. Other 17β-HSDs than 17β-HSD3 seem responsible in the androgen synthesis. From experiments with LAPC-4 cells, we fortuitously came across the interesting finding that 17β-HSD3 inhibitor RM-532-105 is concentrated inside tumors.


Winter diet of brown trout Salmo trutta in groundwater-dominated streams: influence of environmental factors on spatial and temporal variation.
Winter diet composition of brown trout Salmo trutta was quantified from November to March in 35 temperate groundwater-dominated streams in south-eastern Minnesota, U.S.A., in relation to stream physical characteristics including drainage area, channel slope and influence of groundwater on stream thermal regime. Aquatic invertebrates made up the majority of S. trutta diet in all streams and sampling periods and individual S. trutta typically had consumed 30 or more prey items at each sampling event. Differences in diet composition were greater among streams than between sampling periods within a stream, with Gammarus spp., Brachycentrus spp., Glossosoma spp., Chironomidae and Physella spp. the most common taxa. Landscape-scale stream characteristics were not significantly associated with S. trutta consumption or diet composition. Winter was period of significant activity in groundwater-dominated streams, as S. trutta fed on a variety of aquatic prey taxa highlighting the importance of winter base-flow in moderating S. trutta populations in seasonally cold catchments.


Self-Unity as Ground Zero of Learning and Development.
Contrary to the suggestion that we are born in a state of confusion and primordial state of a-dualism with the environment, infancy research of the past 40 years shows that from the outset, infants are objective perceivers guided by rich evolved survival values of approach and avoidance in relation to specific resources in the environment such as faces, food, or smell. This starting-state competence drives and organizes their behavior. Evidence-based ascription of self-unity at birth is discussed. Selected findings are presented suggesting that self-unity is a primordial human experience, the main organizer of behavior from the outset. Self-unity is the necessary ground zero enabling the rapid learning and development taking place early in human life.


Tilted wave emission in optical parametric oscillators induced by a bichromatic pumping.
Tilted wave emission is found in a mean-field model of a degenerate optical parametric oscillator pumped by a bichromatic field with a frequency offset much smaller than the cavity free-spectral range. Tilted wave emission arises due to a nonadiabatic mechanism induced by the slow pump modulation, and disappears when either one of the two pump waves is blocked.


Measurement of unscheduled DNA synthesis on alkylating carcinogens in rat intestinal mucosal cells from different sites.
Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) induced by in vitro exposure to five alkylating carcinogens was measured in the mucosal cells from three different sites of the rat intestine. The yield of UDS by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or methylazoxymethanol acetate was higher in the cells of colon & rectum than in those of the jejunum or ileum. Conversely, UDS induction by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea or methyl-methanesulphonate was seen at a rather higher level in the cells from the small intestine compared with those from the colon & rectum.


Sodium Valproate Combined With Topiramate vs. Sodium Valproate Alone for Refractory Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background: Among antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), sodium valproate alone or in the combination of topiramate (TPM) for treating refractory epilepsy was controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical effects of these two regimens in this population. Methods: Relevant studies up to August 2021 were identified through systematic searches of CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Embase databases. We assessed the effectiveness and the frequency of absence seizures, atonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures. The included literature's risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the results' stability. STATA 15.0 was utilized for all pooled analyses in the included studies. Results: Totally 10 articles were determined for our meta-analysis, involving 976 patients with epilepsy in total (combined group, n = 488; monotherapy group, n = 488). The results of this meta-analysis indicated that the total effective rate of sodium valproate combined with TPM was higher than that of sodium valproate alone (random-effect model: OR = 3.52; 95% CI 1.47 to 8.47; p < 0.001; I 2 = 73.8%). The frequency of absence seizures in the combined group was lower (fixed-effect model: WMD = -6.02; 95% CI -6.50 to -5.54; I 2 = 0.0%) than that in the monotherapy group, with a statistical difference (p < 0.05). The combined group had lower frequency of atonic seizures (WMD = -4.56, 95% CI -6.02 to -3.10; I 2 = 82.6%) and lower frequency of tonic-clonic seizures (WMD = -3.32; 95% CI -4.75 to -1.89; I 2 = 96.4%). In addition, the distinct difference of adverse events was non-existent between two groups. Conclusions: Sodium valproate combined with TPM was more effective than sodium valproate alone for epilepsy therapy. This meta-analysis provides feasibility data for a larger-scale study on AED therapy of refractory epilepsy and may contribute to better therapy strategies for epilepsy clinically.


Hospice utilization during the SARS outbreak in Taiwan.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic threw the world into turmoil during the first half of 2003. Many subsequent papers have addressed its impact on health service utilization, but few have considered palliative (hospice) care. The aim of the present study was to describe changes in hospice inpatient utilization during and after the SARS epidemic in 2003 in Taiwan. The data sources were the complete datasets of inpatient admissions during 2002 and 2003 from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Before-and-after comparisons of daily and monthly utilizations were made. Hospice analyses were limited to those wards that offered inpatient services throughout these two years. The comparisons were extended to total hospital bed utilization and to patients who were still admitted to hospice wards during the peak period of the SARS epidemic. Only 15 hospice wards operated throughout the whole of 2002 and 2003. In 2003, hospice utilization began to decrease in the middle of April, reached a minimum on 25 May, and gradually recovered to the level of the previous November. Hospices showed a more marked reduction in utilization than all hospital beds (e.g. -52.5% vs. -19.9% in May 2003) and a slower recovery with a three-month lag. In total, 566 patients were admitted to hospice wards in May/June 2003, in contrast to 818 in May/June 2002. Gender, age and diagnosis distributions did not differ. Hospice inpatient utilization in Taiwan was indeed more sensitive to the emerging epidemic than general inpatient utilization. A well-balanced network with seamless continuity of care should be ensured.


Influence of the N-terminal region on the oligomerisation between human and Xenopus laevis p53.
The p53 proteins from human, murine and Xenopus laevis are tetrameric. Previous work has shown that both human and murine p53 can form heterotetramers. However, despite a very high level of sequence homology at their tetramerisation domain, the human and the X. laevis p53 do not form heterooligomers. It is shown here that when inserted in the human p53 protein, the X. laevis tetramerisation domain is able to oligomerise with the human one. This indicates that the inability of X. laevis p53 to heterooligomerise with human p53 is due to another structural difference. The use of N and C-truncated X. laevis p53 proteins reveals that the deletion of the N terminus favours from the heterooligomerisation between the human and the X. laevis p53. The oligomerisation of the X. laevis p53 with the human protein is also enhanced when the N terminus of the X. laevis p53 is replaced by the human one. Altogether these data suggest that the N terminus of p53 influences the oligomerisation.


Synthesis and Characteristics of Organic Red-Emissive Materials Based on Phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole.
Red emission is one of the three primary colors that are essential for the realization of full-color displays and solid-state lightings. A high solid-state efficiency is a crucial factor for the applications in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this work, two new donor-acceptor-donor type phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole (PIM)-based derivatives, (2Z,2'Z)-2,2'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(3-(4-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)phenyl)acrylonitrile) (PIDSB) and 2,3-bis(4'-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)fumaronitrile (PIDPh), are designed and synthesized. Both of them possess high thermal stabilities. PIDPh shows typical characteristics of aggregation-induced emission enhancement, while PIDSB displays an aggregation-caused quenching effect. They both exhibit significant red-shifted emissions compared with PIM owing to intramolecular charge transfer. In the film state, the emission peaks of PIDSB and PIDPh are located at 538 nm and 605 nm with high photoluminescent quantum yields of 63.82 % and 41.26 %, respectively. The non-doped OLED using PIDPh as the active layer shows the maximum external quantum efficiency of 2.06 % with a very low efficiency roll-off, and exhibits the electroluminescent peak at 640 nm with a Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage coordinate of (0.617,0.396), meeting well the criteria of red OLEDs.


Use of advanced PET-volume metrics predicts risk of local recurrence and overall survival in anal cancer.
Anal cancer is an uncommon malignancy with the primary treatment for localized disease being concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. Pre-treatment PET/CT is useful for target delineation, with minimal exploration of its use in prognostication. In the post-treatment setting there is growing evidence for advanced PET metrics in assessment of treatment response, and early identification of recurrence essential for successful salvage, however this data is limited to small series. Patient with non-metastatic anal cancer from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed for receipt of pre- and post-treatment PET/CTs. PET data was co-registered with radiation therapy planning CT scans for precise longitudinal assessment of advanced PET metrics including SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), for assessment with treatment outcomes. Treatment outcomes included local recurrence (LR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), as defined from the completed radiation therapy to the time of the event. Cox proportional hazard modeling with inverse probability weighting (IPW) using the propensity score based on age, BMI, T-stage, and radiation therapy dose were utilized for assessment of these metrics. From 2008 to 2017 there were 72 patients who had pre-treatment PET/CT, 61 (85%) had a single follow up PET/CT, and 35 (49%) had two follow up PET/CTs. The median clinical follow-up time was 25 months (IQR: 13-52) with a median imaging follow up time of 16 months (IQR: 7-29). On pre-treatment PET/CT higher MTV2.5 and TLG were significantly associated with higher risk of local recurrence (HR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06-1.16, p<0.001; and HR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.19, p<0.001), and worse PFS (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.13, p<0.001; and HR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12, p = 0.003) and OS (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16, p = 0.001; and HR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.20, p = 0.004). IPW-adjusted pre-treatment PET/CT showed higher MTV2.5 (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, p = 0.012) and TLG (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.00-1.20, p = 0.048) were significantly associated with worse PFS, and post-treatment MTV2.5 was borderline significant (HR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.35, p = 0.052). Advanced PET metrics, including higher MTV2.5 and TLG, in the pre-treatment and post-treatment setting are significantly associated with elevated rates of local recurrence, and worse PFS and OS. This adds to the growing body of literature that PET/CT for patient with ASCC should be considered for prognostication, and additionally is a useful tool for consideration of early salvage or clinical trial of adjuvant therapies.


Endonasal endoscopic release of a delayed tension pneumocephalus after craniofacial resection of a tumor of the anterior skull base.
Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication that can occur after craniofacial resection of lesions of the anterior skull base. Early diagnosis is important to avoid potential serious neurologic deficits, including death. It has been associated with the perioperative placement of a lumbar drainage and with esthesioneuroblastoma. Therapy consists of evacuation of the intracranial air as well as conservative measures. Here we report a case of a patient with an ethmoidal esthesioneuroblastoma who underwent a traditional microsurgical craniofacial resection and developed a delayed epidural tension pneumocephalus. This was treated by performing an incision in the pericranial flap covering the anterior cranial base defect using an endonasal endoscopic approach. To our knowledge, this particular treatment technique has not been reported before in this context.


Melanoma and melanocytic nevi in decorative tattoos: three case reports.
In response to the demands of style and fashion, the number of decorative tattoos has been increasing worldwide. This has been paralleled by a rising incidence of melanocytic proliferations, including melanoma. The coincidence of various dermatological diseases and skin tumors with tattoos has been documented with some frequency, but reports of melanoma associated with tattoos are exceedingly rare. To date, only 13 cases have been documented in the English language literature. The possibility of an association between melanocytic proliferations and tattoos remains an area for further study. This report presents two cases of melanocytic nevi and one of melanoma occurring in association with a decorative tattoos. At present, the pathogenesis of melanoma developing in a tattoo is unknown. Mere coincidence cannot be ruled out. However, trauma, ultraviolet light exposure, a photoallergic effect, or an inflammatory reaction may promote malignant transformation. Clinicians and histopathologists should be aware of the clinical and pathological features if they are to make a correct diagnosis.


Evaluation of graft viability in heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation in the rat.
In the rat model of heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation, the coexistence of the engrafted liver and the recipient's native liver makes it difficult to evaluate the posttransplant graft viability. In this study, auxiliary liver transplantation was performed in Wistar rats, in which the recipient's native liver was handicapped with a 68% partial hepatectomy and a common bile duct ligation. Serum biochemistry of the liver was analyzed and compared with that of the selected control group. The surgical handicap of the liver showed severe damaging effects: the handicapped native livers appeared atrophic at autopsy, and no long-term animal survival could be achieved without an auxiliary liver transplantation. As the engrafted liver corrected the cholestasis of the handicapped native liver, significant differences of serum biochemistry were found between the transplanted group and the control group: for bilirubin concentration and gamma glutamyl transferase activity from postoperative day 3 to 28 (p < .05); for alkaline phosphatase on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 (p < .05); for alanine aminotransferase activity on days 3 and 14 (p < .05); and for aspartate aminotransferase activity on day 14 (p < .05). The efficiency to induce hepatic failure and to hamper its regeneration capacity in the native liver makes animal survival and liver biology as reliable parameters to evaluate the posttransplant graft viability in this rat model.


Mechanochemistry-Based Synthesis of Highly Crystalline γ-Zirconium Phosphate for Selective Ion Exchange.
Highly crystalline γ-zirconium phosphate has been synthesized by a novel minimalistic approach and investigated as a selective ion exchanger for cesium, ammonium and potassium. In contrast to current solution-based preparations, the mechanochemistry-based synthesis provides easy access to γ-zirconium phosphate with short synthesis times and low crystallization temperature. The addition of NaF as a mineralizer increases the crystallinity of γ-zirconium phosphate, which forms micrometer-sized uniformly shaped rectangular platelets. The crystalline material has extremely high selectivity to cesium even in the presence of 1000- or 500-fold excess Na+ or Ca2+, respectively. The removal efficiency was >98% in the pH range of 2-5.5. As an ion exchanger for purification of dialysate, crystalline γ-zirconium phosphate shows higher uptake of ammonium and potassium ions than the amorphous gel compound currently used in sorbent cartridges. This sustainable protocol opens up opportunities for many practical applications of γ-zirconium phosphate.


Avascular necrosis in children with cerebral palsy after reconstructive hip surgery.
Progressive hip displacement is one of the most common orthopaedic pathologies in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Reconstructive hip surgery has become the standard treatment of care. Reported avascular necrosis (AVN) rates for hip reconstructive surgery in these patients vary widely in the literature. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency and associated risk factors of AVN for reconstructive hip procedures. A retrospective analysis was performed of 70 cases of reconstructive hip surgery in 47 children with CP, between 2009 and 2013. All 70 cases involved varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO), with 60% having combined VDRO and pelvic osteotomies (PO), and 21% requiring open reductions. Mean age at time of surgery was 8.82 years and 90% of patients were Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) 4 and 5. Radiographic dysplasia parameters were analysed at selected intervals, to a minimum of one year post-operatively. Severity of AVN was classified by Kruczynski's method. Bivar- iate statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test and Student's t-test. There were 19 (27%) noted cases of AVN, all radio- graphically identifiable within the first post-operative year. The majority of AVN cases (63%) were mild to moderate in severity. Pre-operative migration percentage (MP) (p = 0.0009) and post-operative change in MP (p = 0.002) were the most significant predictors of AVN. Other risk factors were: GMFCS level (p = 0.031), post-operative change in NSA (p = 0.02) and concomitant adductor tenotomy (0.028). AVN was observed in 27% of patients. Severity of displacement correlates directly with AVN risk and we suggest that hip reconstruction, specifically VDRO, be performed early in the 'hip at risk' group to avoid this complication.


A lung graph model for the radiological assessment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in CT.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a possible complication of pulmonary embolism (PE), with poor prognosis if left untreated. Surgical curative treatment is available, particularly in the early stages of the disease. However, most cases are not diagnosed until specific symptoms become evident. A small number of computed tomography (CT) findings, such as a widened pulmonary artery and mosaicism in the lung parenchyma, have been correlated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Quantitative texture analysis in the CT scans of these patients could provide complementary sub-visual information of the vascular changes taking place in the lungs. For this task, a lung graph model was developed with texture descriptors from 37 CT scans with confirmed CTEPH diagnosis and 48 CT scans from PE patients who did not develop PH. The probability of presenting CTEPH, computed with the graph model, outperformed a convolutional neural network approach using 10 different train/test splits of the data set. An accuracy of 0.76 was obtained with the proposed texture analysis, and was then compared to the visual assessment of CT findings, manually identified by a team of three expert radiologists, commonly associated with pulmonary hypertension. This graph-based score combined with the information attained from the radiological findings resulted in a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.47 when differentiating patients with confirmed CTEPH from those with PE who did not develop the disease. The proposed texture quantification could be an objective measurement, complementary to the current analysis of radiologists for the early detection of CTEPH and thus improve patient outcome.


Complete genome sequence of Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6, a degrader of lignin-derived biaryls and monoaryls.
Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6 is able to grow on an extensive variety of lignin-derived biaryls and monoaryls, and the catabolic genes for these compounds are useful for the production of industrially valuable metabolites from lignin. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of the SYK-6 genome which consists of the 4,199,332-bp-long chromosome and the 148,801-bp-long plasmid.


Hypertropia and the posterior blowout fracture: Mechanism and management.
To better understand the pathophysiology and proper management of a subgroup of patients with orbital blowout fracture which manifests by a vertical diplopia and hypertropia on the affected side. This report is based on a series of ten consecutive patients with orbital floor blowout fractures who had diplopia and hypertropia on the affected side. All patients were followed through at least 13 days of conservative care. Computed tomography demonstrated a characteristic depressed fracture of the posterior orbital floor extending to the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus in all patients. In many patients, the inferior rectus looped inferiorly and then rose to contact the globe at a steep angle. Diplopia did not spontaneously resolve in any patient. At surgery, the orbital contents were elevated to the posterior extent of the fracture, and the floor defects were bridge. Patients were followed for resolution of diplopia. Eight patients had resolution of the hypertropia and diplopia within 2 months of surgery, and two patients had residual diplopia in extreme downgaze but were significantly improved. When hypertropia and vertical diplopia are noted after orbital trauma, a posterior blowout fracture should be suspected. In these patients, infraduction may be diminished due to changes in the effective origin and insertion of the inferior rectus muscle. The diagnosis of a posterior blowout fracture should be supported by characteristic findings on computed tomography. If the motility abnormality persists for 10 to 14 days, posterior orbital exploration and fracture repair should be undertaken.


An Examination of the Plastid DNA of Hypohaploid Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Plants.
DNA was extracted from different morphological types of hypohaploid Nicotiana plumbaginifolia plants. The cellular levels of chloroplast DNA (expressed as percent of total DNA) were found to be approximately two- to threefold higher in two albino hypohaploids than in a green hypohaploid. The level of chloroplast DNA in the green hypohaploid was not significantly different from either in vitro or in vivo grown haploid N. plumbaginifolia plants. Molecular hybridization with DNA probes for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase from spinach and with Pvull fragments representing the entire Nicotiana tabacum chloroplast genome revealed no gross qualitative differences in the chloroplast DNAs of hypohaploid plants. Based on these observations we have concluded that the lack of chloroplast function observed in the albino forms of hypohaploid N. plumbaginifolia plants is not due to changes in the chloroplast genome.


Controlled synthesis and anomalous magnetic properties of relatively monodisperse CoO nanocrystals.
Monodisperse cobalt monoxide (CoO) nanocrystals ranging in size from 4.5 to 23 nm were prepared via the thermal decomposition of cobalt acetylacetonate (Co(acac)(2)) in oleylamine under vigorous stirring. The size control of the nanocrystals was achieved by tailoring the reaction temperature or by seed-mediated growth. The nanocrystals have been characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-prepared nanocrystals are stable because of the organic coating (oleylamine) that occurred in situ. Magnetic measurement reveals that all of the nanocrystals are superparamagnetic at high temperatures and show ferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures due to the existence of uncompensated moments on the surface of the nanoparticles. The weak ferromagnetic interactions increase with decreasing particle size.


Influence of Particle Orientation on One-Dimensional Compression of Montmorillonite
Methods have recently been developed for calculating the double-layer repulsive and the van der Waals attractive forces between two nonparallel clay particles immersed in a fluid system. In the present study, these theories are used in an approximate model of one-dimensional compression to examine the role of particle orientation on the behavior of a montmorillonite. It is shown that consideration of nonparallel fabric could potentially explain the discrepancy observed in the past between experimental and theoretical behaviors. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press


Modulation of the error-related negativity by response conflict.
An arrow version of the Eriksen flanker task was employed to investigate the influence of conflict on the error-related negativity (ERN). The degree of conflict was modulated by varying the distance between flankers and the target arrow (CLOSE and FAR conditions). Error rates and reaction time data from a behavioral experiment were used to adapt a connectionist model of this task. This model was based on the conflict monitoring theory and simulated behavioral and event-related potential data. The computational model predicted an increased ERN amplitude in FAR incompatible (the low-conflict condition) compared to CLOSE incompatible errors (the high-conflict condition). A subsequent ERP experiment confirmed the model predictions. The computational model explains this finding with larger post-response conflict in far trials. In addition, data and model predictions of the N2 and the LRP support the conflict interpretation of the ERN.


Core needle breast biopsy in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy: preliminary results.
We compared complication rates of core needle breast biopsy in patients with and without concurrent anticoagulation therapy. Experience with 501 14-gauge and 179 11-gauge core needle breast biopsies was recorded prospectively. We performed 18 (3%) of 680 procedures on patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Eleven biopsies were performed in eight women treated with warfarin, one in a patient treated with heparin, and six in six women treated with aspirin. Ten biopsies were performed with sonographic guidance and a 14-gauge automated biopsy gun. Eight biopsies were performed with an 11-gauge vacuum-assisted probe and stereotactic guidance. Hematomas occurred in three (38%) of eight anticoagulated patients undergoing 11-gauge vacuum-assisted stereotactic biopsy, measuring 13 mm, 17 mm, and 40 mm. In patients not known to be anticoagulated, small hematomas were mammographically evident in 77 (45%) of 171 biopsies performed with an 11-gauge probe, averaging 8 mm (range, 2-17 mm); only 13 (8%) of 171 had hematomas larger than 10 mm. Small hematomas, averaging 6 mm (range, 2-12 mm) were evident mammographically in 45 (45%) of 100 stereotactic biopsies using a 14-gauge automated biopsy gun; three (3%) experienced hematomas larger than 10 mm. A 10-mm hematoma was evident during one (10%) of the 10 biopsies performed in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy under sonographic guidance using a 14-gauge automated biopsy gun; small hematomas (mean, 10 mm) were noted during seven (2%) of 391 corresponding sonographically guided biopsies in patients not undergoing anticoagulation therapy. No patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy experienced clinically important complications; preliminary results suggest rates of hematoma formation similar to those in the control group. As such, discontinuing anticoagulation medication before core needle breast biopsy may be unnecessary when the need for biopsy is urgent.


The endocrine disruptor mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate affects the differentiation of human liposarcoma cells (SW 872).
Esters of phthalic acid (phthalates) are largely used in industrial plastics, medical devices, and pharmaceutical formulations. They are easily released from plastics into the environment and can be found in measurable levels in human fluids. Phthalates are agonists for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), through which they regulate translocator protein (TSPO; 18 kDa) transcription in a tissue-specific manner. TSPO is a drug- and cholesterol-binding protein involved in mitochondrial respiration, steroid formation, and cell proliferation. TSPO has been shown to increase during differentiation and decrease during maturation in mouse adipocytes. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the differentiation of human SW 872 preadipocyte cells, and examine the role of TSPO in the process. After 4 days of treatment with 10 µM MEHP, we observed changes in the transcription of acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha, adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase, glucose transporters 1 and 4, and the S100 calcium binding protein B, all of which are markers of preadipocyte differentiation. These observed gene expression changes coincided with a decrease in cellular proliferation without affecting cellular triglyceride content. Taken together, these data suggest that MEHP exerts a differentiating effect on human preadipocytes. Interestingly, MEHP was able to temporarily increase TSPO mRNA levels through the PPAR-α and β/δ pathways. These results suggest that TSPO can be considered an important player in the differentiation process itself, or alternatively a factor whose presence is essential for adipocyte development.


High mobility group box 1 mediates inflammatory response of astrocytes via cyclooxygenase 2/prostaglandin E2 signaling following spinal cord injury.
High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) interacts with pattern-recognition receptors of immune cells to activate the inflammatory response. Astrocytes play a positive role in the inflammatory response of the central nervous system by expressing a broad range of pattern-recognition receptors. However, the underlying relationship between HMGB1 and the inflammatory reaction of astrocytes remains unclear. In this study, we established rat models of spinal cord injury via laminectomy at the T8-10 level, and the injured spinal cord was subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Our results showed that the HMGB1/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) axis was involved in the activation of astrocyte inflammatory response through regulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling. Both TLR4 and COX2 were distributed in astrocytes and showed elevated protein levels following spinal cord injury. Stimulation of primary astrocytes with recombinant HMGB1 showed that COX2 and microsomal PGE synthase (mPGES)-1, rather than COX1, mPGES-2, or cytosolic PGE synthase, were significantly upregulated. Accordingly, PGE2 production in astrocytes was remarkably increased in response to recombinant HMGB1 challenges. Pharmacologic blockade of TLR2/4 attenuated HMGB1-mediated activation of the COX2/PGE2 pathway. Interestingly, HMGB1 did not impact the production of tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1β in astrocytes. Our results suggest that HMGB1 mediates the astrocyte inflammatory response through regulating the COX2/PGE2 signaling pathway. The study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Nantong University, China (approval No. 20181204-001) on December 4, 2018.


Using hyperspectral leaf reflectance to estimate photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen content across eastern cottonwood and hybrid poplar taxa.
Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall) and hybrid poplars are well-known bioenergy crops. With advances in tree breeding, it is increasingly necessary to find economical ways to identify high-performing Populus genotypes that can be planted under different environmental conditions. Photosynthesis and leaf nitrogen content are critical parameters for plant growth, however, measuring them is an expensive and time-consuming process. Instead, these parameters can be quickly estimated from hyperspectral leaf reflectance if robust statistical models can be developed. To this end, we measured photosynthetic capacity parameters (Rubisco-limited carboxylation rate (Vcmax), electron transport-limited carboxylation rate (Jmax), and triose phosphate utilization-limited carboxylation rate (TPU)), nitrogen per unit leaf area (Narea), and leaf reflectance of seven taxa and 62 genotypes of Populus from two study plantations in Mississippi. For statistical modeling, we used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and principal component analysis (PCA). Our results showed that the predictive ability of LASSO and PCA models was comparable, except for Narea in which LASSO was superior. In terms of model interpretability, LASSO outperformed PCA because the LASSO models needed 2 to 4 spectral reflectance wavelengths to estimate parameters. The LASSO models used reflectance values at 758 and 935 nm for estimating Vcmax (R2 = 0.51 and RMSPE = 31%) and Jmax (R2 = 0.54 and RMSPE = 32%); 687, 746, and 757 nm for estimating TPU (R2 = 0.56 and RMSPE = 31%); and 304, 712, 921, and 1021 nm for estimating Narea (R2 = 0.29 and RMSPE = 21%). The PCA model also identified 935 nm as a significant wavelength for estimating Vcmax and Jmax. Therefore, our results suggest that hyperspectral leaf reflectance modeling can be used as a cost-effective means for field phenotyping and rapid screening of Populus genotypes because of its capacity to estimate these physicochemical parameters.


Rapidly Induced Wound Ethylene from Excised Segments of Etiolated Pisum sativum L., cv. Alaska: III. Induction and Transmission of the Response.
Increased ethylene synthesis was rapidly induced throughout the apical meristematic region of etiolated seedlings of Pisum sativum L., cv. Alaska by cuts made 1 centimeter from the apical hook. The wound signal was transmitted at about 2 millimeters per minute. Accumulation of substance(s) at the cut surfaces of excised sections, as the result of interrupted translocation, did not initiate or significantly contribute to wound-induced ethylene synthesis, nor was the cut surface the site of enhanced ethylene synthesis. Cutting subapical sections into shorter pieces showed that cells less than 2 millimeters from a cut surface produced about 30% less ethylene than cells greater than 2 millimeters from a cut surface.


Involvement of amyloid proteins in the formation of biofilms in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.
Candida species represent a major fungal threat for human health. Within the Candida genus, the yeast Candida albicans is the most frequently incriminated species during episodes of candidiasis or candidemia. Biofilm formation is used by C. albicans to produce a microbial community that is important in an infectious context. The cell wall, the most superficial cellular compartment, is of paramount importance regarding the establishment of biofilms. C. albicans cell wall contains proteins with amyloid properties that are necessary for biofilm formation due to their adhesion properties. This review focuses on these amyloid proteins during biofilm formation in the yeast C. albicans.


Simple and efficient approach for restoration of non-uniformly warped images.
A high accuracy image dewarping method is proposed to restore images from non-uniformly warped video sequences degraded by atmospheric turbulence. This approach contains three major steps. First, a non-rigid image registration technique is employed to register all the frames in the sequence to a reference frame and estimate the motion fields. Second, an iterative First Register Then Average And Subtract (iFRTAAS) method is applied to correct the geometric deformations of the warped frames. The third step involves applying a non-local means filter for the compensation of noise and to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the restored reference frame. Simulations are carried out by applying the method to synthetic and real-life turbulence degraded videos and by determining various quality metrics. A performance comparison is presented between the proposed method and two earlier methods, which verifies that the proposed method provides significant improvement on the image restoration accuracy.


Emergence of dengue virus type 4 (genotype I) in India.
Dengue is an emerging arboviral disease and currently poses the greatest arboviral threat to human health. In recent decades, there has been a substantial increase in dengue outbreaks in many parts of the world including India. We performed an in-depth investigation of a major dengue outbreak in Andhra Pradesh, southern India in 2007 by serology, virus isolation, RT-PCR and genotyping. The results revealed an unusual emergence of dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4) along with the prevailing DENV-3. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete envelope gene of 182 globally diverse DENV-4 isolates demonstrated the involvement of a unique clade of genotype I of DENV-4 in the outbreak. This study also demonstrated a clear shift in the dominant serotype from DENV-3 to DENV-4 in India. This is the first report regarding the molecular characterization of Indian isolates of DENV-4, which has the potential to be involved in future outbreaks.


Tobacco use among school enrolled and no enrolled adolescent in Medellin, Colombia. A population survey.
Tobacco use among adolescents is a problematic risk behavior with early age of onset and consequences in health outcomes in adulthood. Estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents at school and off school. A community-base cross sectional study was conducted during 2007 to estimate the prevalence of tobacco consumption in adolescents aged 12-15 (n=1.998), school and off school. A multistage probability sampling was conducted. Life prevalence of tobacco consumption was 26.8% and currently use tobacco was 6%, the age onset was 11 years; non-enrolled in school adolescents had higher smoking rates. Majority of current smokers were able to buy cigarettes. Non-enrolled adolescents have more risk to tobacco use. Public policies should generate strategies to intervene this population. It is important to conduct the Global Youth Tobacco Survey in a national sample of adolescents including of school adolescents and establish an epidemiological surveillance system of risk behaviors based on surveys conducted periodically.


Serine repeat antigen (SERA5) is predominantly expressed among the SERA multigene family of Plasmodium falciparum, and the acquired antibody titers correlate with serum inhibition of the parasite growth.
The Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen (SERA) is one of the blood stage malaria vaccine candidates. The malaria genome project has revealed that SERA is a member of the SERA multigene family consisting of eight SERA homologues clustered on chromosome 2 and one SERA homologue on chromosome 9. Northern blotting and real time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR with five independent parasite strains, including three allelic representative forms of the SERA gene, have shown that all of the SERA homologues are transcribed most actively at trophozoite and schizont stages and that SERA5 (SERA/SERP) is transcribed predominantly among the family. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against recombinant proteins representing the N-terminal portions of four significantly transcribed SERA homologues (SERA3 to -6) in the center of the cluster on chromosome 2. Using these antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy detected the expression of SERA3 to -6, with similar localization, in all trophozoite- and schizont-infected erythrocytes. We have examined 40 sera from Ugandan adults for their antibody reactivity and found that enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer against SERA5 N-terminal domain, but not against other SERA proteins, is positively correlated with the inhibition of in vitro parasite growth by individual sera. Our data confirm the usefulness of the N-terminal domain of SERA5 as a promising malaria candidate vaccine.


Strong coupling and bounds on the spin-2 mass in massive gravity.
The de Rham-Gabadadze-Tolley theory of a single massive spin-2 field has a cutoff much below its Planck scale because the extra modes from the massive spin-2 multiplet involve higher derivative self-interactions, controlled by a scale convoluted from its mass. Generically, these correct the propagator by environmental effects. The resulting effective cutoff depends on the environmental parameters and the spin-2 "graviton" mass. Requiring the theory to be perturbative down to O(1) mm, we derive bounds on the mass, corresponding to ≳O(1) meV for the generic case, assuming the coupling to be given by the standard Newton's constant, and somewhat weaker bounds in cases with fine-tuning. Thus, the theory of a single massive spin-2 can really only be viewed as a theory describing the full nonlinear propagation of a massive spin-2 field on a fixed background and not as an approximation to general relativity.


Hyperalphalipoproteinemia in human lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase transgenic rabbits. In vivo apolipoprotein A-I catabolism is delayed in a gene dose-dependent manner.
Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an enzyme involved in the intravascular metabolism of high density lipoproteins (HDLs). Overexpression of human LCAT (hLCAT) in transgenic rabbits leads to gene dose-dependent increases of total and HDL cholesterol concentrations. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this effect, 131I-HDL apoA-I kinetics were assessed in age- and sex-matched groups of rabbits (n=3 each) with high, low, or no hLCAT expression. Mean total and HDL cholesterol concentrations (mg/dl), respectively, were 162+/-18 and 121+/-12 for high expressors (HE), 55+/-6 and 55+/-10 for low expressors (LE), and 29+/-2 and 28+/-4 for controls. Fast protein liquid chromatography analysis of plasma revealed that the HDL of both HE and LE were cholesteryl ester and phospholipid enriched, as compared with controls, with the greatest differences noted between HE and controls. These compositional changes resulted in an incremental shift in apparent HDL particle size which correlated directly with the level of hLCAT expression, such that HE had the largest HDL particles and controls the smallest. In vivo kinetic experiments demonstrated that the fractional catabolic rate(FCR, d(-1)) of apoA-I was slowest in HE (0.328+/-0.03) followed by LE (0.408+/-0.01) and, lastly, by controls (0.528+/-0.04). ApoA-I FCR was inversely associated with HDL cholesterol level (r=-0.851,P<0.01) and hLCAT activity (r=-0.816, P<0.01). These data indicate that fractional catabolic rate is the predominant mechanism by which hLCAT overexpression differentially modulates HDL concentrations in this animal model. We hypothesize that LCAT-induced changes in HDL composition and size ultimately reduce apoA-I catabolism by altering apoA-I conformation and/or HDL particle regeneration.


Modification of two-photon excited fluorescence from quantum dots on SiN photonic crystals.
We investigate two-photon excited fluorescence from CdSe quantum dots with a center-emitting wavelength of 655 nm on SiN photonic crystals. We find that two-photon excited fluorescence is enhanced by more than 1 order of magnitude in the vertical direction when a photonic crystal is used compared to the fluorescence spectra in the absence of photonic crystals. The spectrum of two-photon excited fluorescence from quantum dots on SiN photonic crystal is observed to shift to blue compared to that from quantum dots on SiN without photonic crystals.