Can't tell the caterpillars from the trees: countershading enhances survival in a woodland.
Perception of the body's outline and three-dimensional shape arises from visual cues such as shading, contour, perspective and texture. When a uniformly coloured prey animal is illuminated from above by sunlight, a shadow may be cast on the body, generating a brightness contrast between the dorsal and ventral surfaces. For animals such as caterpillars, which live among flat leaves, a difference in reflectance over the body surface may degrade the degree of background matching and provide cues to shape from shading. This may make otherwise cryptic prey more conspicuous to visually hunting predators. Cryptically coloured prey are expected to match their substrate in colour, pattern and texture (though disruptive patterning is an exception), but they may also abolish self-shadowing and therefore either reduce shape cues or maintain their degree of background matching through countershading: a gradation of pigment on the body of an animal so that the surface closest to illumination is darker. In this study, we report the results from a series of field experiments where artificial prey resembling lepidopteran larvae were presented on the upper surfaces of beech tree branches so that they could be viewed by free-living birds. We demonstrate that countershading is superior to uniform coloration in terms of reducing attack by free-living predators. This result persisted even when we fixed prey to the underside of branches, simulating the resting position of many tree-living caterpillars. Our experiments provide the first demonstration, in an ecologically valid visual context, that shadowing on bodies (such as lepidopteran larvae) provides cues that visually hunting predators use to detect potential prey species, and that countershading counterbalances shadowing to enhance cryptic protection.


Local clustering of PRSS1 R122H mutations in hereditary pancreatitis patients from Northern Germany.
The R122H mutation represents the most common point mutation of the cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1) in patients with hereditary pancreatitis (HP; Online Mendelian inheritance in man [OMIM] 167800), a rare variety of chronic pancreatitis. We identified a large number of HP families carrying this mutation in a confined region of Northern Germany within a 100-km radius. This apparent clustering could be due to the inheritance from a common ancestor (founder effect). To address this question, we genotyped SNPs in close vicinity of the PRSS1 locus and determined common haplotypes. In members from 10 unrelated HP families (all R122H-positive), we found 7 different haplotypes to segregate with the R122H mutation. This virtually excludes a founder effect and suggests the presence of a mutational hot spot in codon 122 of the PRSS1 gene. An ascertainment bias of a large-volume referral center may have contributed to the locally increased detection of HP cases.


Acceleration of dark reversion of phytochrome in vitro by calcium and magnesium.
Rates of dark reversion of the far red-absorbing form of phytochrome, Pfr, to the red-absorbing form, Pr, have been determined in the presence of several salts. Low concentrations of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride (up to 3 mm) accelerated the rate of dark reversion at all stages of purification of phytochrome from etiolated rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Balbo) seedlings. The complex kinetics of the dark reversion could be resolved into two first-order components. The effect of the added divalent cations was on the relative proportion of the fast and slow reacting components, rather than on the rate constants of the two populations. It was possible to reverse the effects of the cations by adding the chelating agents ethylene-bis-(oxyethylene-nitrilo) tetraacetic acid or ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The effect of the divalent cations is not a nonspecific ionic strength effect. The relative proportion of the two populations was also affected by the degree of purity of the phytochrome samples.


Emanuel Swedenborg.
How is it that the name of a brilliant 18th century scientist and philosopher, many of whose exceptional achievements were often advanced for his time, is almost never mentioned in the annals of science? And how did it happen that a man very deeply dedicated to the advancement of science experienced a vision that completely altered the course of his life? We suggest, based on his extensive self-analytical writings, that the source of his spiritual experiences was temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and that he is among the group of creative religious thinkers also suspected or known to have had epilepsy, from St. Paul and Mohammed to Dostoevsky, who have changed Western civilization.


Release of protein from normal and mutant tomato cell walls.
The nitrogen content of cell wall preparations from normal tomato (cv Ailsa Craig) fruit remained constant during ripening, whereas salt-soluble protein increased throughout this process. Tomato polygalacturonase released about twice as much protein from the preparations as salts did, with a maximum at the orange stage of development. Polygalacturonase-solubilized protein from the tomato mutant ;ripening inhibitor' (rin) was less, and that from the mutant ;Never ripe' (Nr) cell walls was more than that from normal wall preparations. Release of protein by fungal cellulase was limited, but was increased by the addition of polygalacturonase from the same source. Salt-solubilized protein contained a range of enzymic activities but these were distributed between fewer multimolecular forms than is the case for whole cell preparations. The results suggest that metabolically active protein, removable by strong salt solutions, cellulase, or polygalacturonase, remains attached to the cell walls of tomato fruit until late in ripening. The unusual amounts of protein attached to the cell walls of mutant fruit appear to be a reflection of the absence of some or all of the isoenzymes of polygalacturonase that are associated with normal ripening.


Genetic risk scores used in cardiovascular disease prediction models: a systematic review.
Cardiovascular disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. Some risk factors can change with age, but a genetic predisposition is permanent. Therefore, identifying the genotype of cardiovascular disease and using it alone or in combination with existing risk algorithms can improve risk prediction. This systematic review was conducted to examine existing studies on predictive models for cardiovascular disease using genetic risk score and to determine the clinical utility. An electronic database search was conducted to identify studies published from January 2005 to July 2020. The literature search was performed using the search terms "coronary artery disease", "coronary heart disease", "cardiovascular diseases", "genetic risk score", and "polygenic risk score". Through systematic review, 29 studies were identified. In most studies, genetic risk score was associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In 23 studies, clinical utility was improved based on discrimination between or reclassification of subjects who did and did not experience an event, but the improvement was modest. The predictive model for cardiovascular disease using genetic risk score has limited usefulness in clinical practice due to methodological heterogeneity of genetic risk score constructs. Further research to develop a standardized protocol of genetic risk score constructs and validation studies with various cohorts from diverse populations are required.


Photoinduced charge transfer between CdSe nanocrystal quantum dots and Ru-polypyridine complexes.
In this communication, we demonstrate a new approach to sensitization of Ru-polypyridine complexes by using semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs). When mixed in solution, the complexes functionalized by carboxylic groups adsorb onto the surface of the NQDs. Excitation of NQDs by 400 nm light leads to fast, 5 ps hole transfer from the photoexcited NQDs to the surface-adsorbed complexes. This result indicates that Ru complexes can be sensitized by CdSe NQDs, which opens interesting opportunities for designing new types of photocatalytic materials for solar energy conversion applications. These materials will take advantage of broad size-controlled absorption spectra and large extinction coefficients of NQDs as well as the unique property of NQDs to respond to absorption of a single photon by producing multiple electron-hole pairs.


Word frequency, predictability, and return-sweep saccades: Towards the modeling of eye movements during paragraph reading.
Models of eye movement control during reading focus on the reading of single lines of text. Within these models, word frequency and predictability are important input variables which influence fixation probabilities and durations. However, a comprehensive model of eye movement control will have to account for readers' eye movements across multiline texts. Line-initial words are unlike those presented midline; they are routinely unavailable for parafoveal preprocessing. Therefore, it is unclear whether and how word frequency and predictability influence reading times on line-initial words. To address this, we present an analysis of the Provo Corpus (Luke & Christianson, 2018) followed by a novel eye-movement experiment. We conclude that word frequency and predictability impact single-fixation and gaze durations on line-initial words. We also observed that return-sweep error (undersweep-fixations) may, among several other possibilities, allow for parafoveal processing of line-initial words prior to their direct fixation. Implications for models of eye movement control during reading are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).


Considerations in Surgical Management of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Tonsillectomy and Beyond.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly recognized disorder with a reported incidence of 5.7% in children. Tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) in pediatric OSA in otherwise healthy non-obese children has a success rate of approximately 75%. However, the cure rate reported for all children undergoing tonsillectomy varies from 51% to 83%. This article reviews the history of tonsillectomy, its indications, techniques, various methods, risks, and successes. The article also explores other surgical options in children with residual OSA post-tonsillectomy.


Methamphetamine Inhibits Long-Term Memory Acquisition and Synaptic Plasticity by Evoking Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.
Methamphetamine (MA), an illicit drug abused worldwide, leads to cognitive impairment and memory loss. However, the detailed mechanisms of MA-induced neurologic impairment are still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of MA-induced inhibition of memory acquisition from the perspective of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress, caused by the accumulation of wrongly folded proteins in the ER, is important for new protein synthesis, which further influence the formation of long-term memory. A subacute MA poisoning model of mice was established and several behavioral experiments were performed, including elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, electro-stimulus Y-maze, and novel object recognition tasks. The present results suggested that 4 days exposure to MA induced significant memory loss. Whereas, this damage to memory formation could be protected when mice were pre-treated with ER stress inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). The results of Western blotting showed that subacute exposure to MA increased the expression levels of ER stress marker proteins, such as binding immunoglobulin protein, phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α, cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor (ATF)-4, ATF-6, and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein homologous protein. Meanwhile, the enhanced expression levels of these proteins were reversed by TUDCA, indicating that MA administration induced memory loss by evoking ER stress in the hippocampus. We also found that MA inhibited the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Nevertheless, LTP could be induced when mice were pre-treated with TUDCA. In conclusion, MA inhibited long-term memory acquisition and synaptic plasticity via ER stress.


3C-like protease encoded by Rice tungro spherical virus is autocatalytically processed.
The 3C-protease of Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) was previously identified as a cis- and trans-acting protease. In vitro translation of the protease resulted in several protein products, demonstrating that the protease is cleaved by itself. The protease was then produced in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with maltose-binding protein (MBP). Two forms of the protease were purified after MBP affinity chromatography in the column buffer. After analyses of the purified proteins, we speculated that a major internal cleavage site was in the C-terminal half. A point mutation was introduced at a potential major self-cleavage site (C(2763)). The mutation abolished the catalytic activity, suggesting that the mutation site is important for the recognition of the protease.


Bilateral Optic Perineuritis in Tuberculosis-Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome.
Optic perineuritis (OPN) in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients while on anti-tuberculous treatment is rare. It may occur due to tuberculosis-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). Visual prognosis is poor if not treated early. We report a rare case of bilateral OPN in an elderly patient on treatment for PTB. A 79-year-old Malay man presented with a painless bilateral blurring of vision for three weeks. He was diagnosed to have PTB and has been on anti-tuberculous treatment for five months. Visual acuity in both eyes was only counting fingers. Optic nerve function tests were significantly reduced bilaterally. Fundoscopy showed bilateral segmental temporal optic disc pallor. Both visual field assessments were constricted. Other infective screenings and tumor markers were negative. Neuro-imaging revealed bilateral OPN involving the intraorbital segment. High-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy was commenced, followed by slow tapering of oral prednisolone. Anti-tuberculous treatment was continued for a total course of nine months. The left visual acuity improved to 3/60. However, the right eye vision remained poor. His general condition was good.


Expanding the mind: insulin-like growth factor I and brain development.
Signaling through the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) after interaction with IGF-I is crucial to the normal brain development. Manipulations of the mouse genome leading to changes in the expression of IGF-I or IGF1R significantly alters brain growth, such that IGF-I overexpression leads to brain overgrowth, whereas null mutations in either IGF-I or the IGF1R result in brain growth retardation. IGF-I signaling stimulates the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of each of the major neural lineages, neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes, as well as possibly influencing neural stem cells. During embryonic life, IGF-I stimulates neuron progenitor proliferation, whereas later it promotes neuron survival, neuritic outgrowth, and synaptogenesis. IGF-I also stimulates oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation although inhibiting apoptosis in oligodendrocyte lineage cells and stimulating myelin production. These pleiotropic IGF-I activities indicate that other factors provide instructive signals for specific cellular events and that IGF-I acts to facilitate them. Studies of the few humans with IGF-I and/or IGF1R gene mutations indicate that IGF-I serves a similar role in man.


Drugs that target aging: how do we discover them?
Biology of aging is focused on elucidating the biochemical and genetic pathways that contribute to cellular damage accumulation over time. Thirty years of research are beginning to bear fruit as the first pharmacological interventions based on biology of aging go through clinical trials. Evolutionary theories of aging suggest that naturally selected traits believed to impart fitness in young organisms may be damaging in later life. Three major areas of focus in biology of aging are lifespan, healthspan, and rejuvenation. Areas covered: Aging research has produced several validated pharmacological interventions currently in clinical trials. Herein, the authors consider two representative case studies: 1) rapamycin analogs and their effect on the mTORC1 pathway, and 2) small molecules that target and kill senescent cells. The authors also provide their expert current and future perspectives on aging targeting drug discovery. Expert opinion: Aging-related therapeutic interventions will continue to emerge at an accelerating pace, both from research in biology of aging, as well as from coordinated biomedical research in aging-related chronic conditions.


[Important Points at Interpretation ofNongenotoxic-Carcinogenicity Induced by Pesticidesin Rodent Bioassays].
Assessment of carcinogenicity is important for human health at dietary risk assessment of pesticide residues. This article indicated important points on interpretation of carcinogenicity in toxicological evaluation of pesticide residues based on principles of risk analysis in foods by CODEX to be a guide for risk assessors. This guidance was referred from the guidance on carcinogenicity evaluation by international and/or national organizations, and the interpretations of Food Safety Commissions of Japan (FSCJ) published in their risk assessment reports. We focused on carcinogenicity obtained from routine carcinogenicity bioassays in rodents. The guidance includes the purpose and usefulness of the bioassay studies, consideration points to be carcinogenicity and influencing factors to carcinogenicity in the test to judge carcinogenic hazard at hazard identification. Considering on human relevance as carcinogenic hazard also was proposed using practical case examples. Next, a carcinogenic hazard is evaluated on dose-response relationship to judge points of departure on carcinogenicity. At the end of this article, we challenged our recommendation on future assessment of carcinogenicity to progress from hazard to risk.


Synthesis of nanostructured silicon carbide spheres from mesoporous C-SiO2 nanocomposites.
Nanostructured porous silicon carbide hollow spheres have been synthesized by phase separation in mesoporous silica-carbon nanocomposites at high temperatures and subsequent carbothermal reduction and crystallization.


Part 2: Effects of renal failure and its treatment on the immune system and assessment of immune system function.
Patients with renal failure often succumb to infection. Alterations in the immune system of these patients, whether inherent to the disease process or precipitated by therapeutic regimens, undermine the promotion of wellness. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of common immune abnormalities, and assessment techniques that can assist nephrology nurses in identifying problems in a patient's immunologic status and direct care to prevent infections, to treat or prevent organ rejection, and to monitor for signs and symptoms of malignancies.


Uncoupling of sustained MAMP receptor signaling from early outputs in an Arabidopsis endoplasmic reticulum glucosidase II allele.
Recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), conserved structures typical of a microbial class, triggers immune responses in eukaryotes. This is accompanied by a diverse set of physiological responses that are thought to enhance defense activity in plants. However, the extent and mechanisms by which MAMP-induced events contribute to host immunity are poorly understood. Here we reveal Arabidopsis priority in sweet life4 (psl4) and psl5 mutants that are insensitive to the bacterial elongation factor (EF)-Tu epitope elf18 but responsive to flagellin epitope flg22. PSL4 and PSL5, respectively, identify beta- and alpha-subunits of endoplasmic reticulum-resident glucosidase II, which is essential for stable accumulation and quality control of the elf18 receptor EFR but not the flg22 receptor FLS2. We notice that EFR signaling is partially and differentially impaired without a significant decrease of the receptor steady-state levels in 2 weakly dysfunctional gIIalpha alleles, designated psl5-1 and rsw3. Remarkably, rsw3 plants exhibit marked supersusceptibility against a virulent bacterial phytopathogen despite nearly intact coactivation of MAPKs, reactive oxygen species, ethylene biosynthesis, and callose deposition in response to elf18, demonstrating that these signaling outputs alone are insufficient to mount effective immunity. However, rsw3 plants fail to maintain high transcript levels of defense-promoting WRKY, PR1, and PR2 genes at late time points (4 to 24 h) after elf18 elicitation. This points to an unexpected separation between initial and sustained activation of EFR-mediated signaling in the absence of proper glucosidase II-mediated endoplasmic reticulum quality control. Our findings strongly suggest the importance of sustained MAMP receptor signaling as a key step in the establishment of robust immunity.


Impact of a Psychiatric Nurse Specialist as a Liaison for Pregnant Women with Mental Disorders.
A number of scholarly reports have shown the importance of mental health care during pregnancy, especially for women with mental disorders. Nevertheless, the postpartum mortality rate due to mental disorders has been a serious issue in Japan. Therefore, since January 2015, our hospital has implemented a liaison system in which one psychiatric nurse specialist contributes to perinatal care. The aim of this study is to explore the impacts of a psychiatric nurse specialist as a liaison for pregnant women with mental disorders. More specifically, the investigation was retrospectively performed from January 2011 to December 2019 using medical records from a single university medical hospital in Japan. Participants comprised pregnant women with mental disorders. Of the 4,066 total deliveries completed during the study period, 152 women were detected as being exposed to the liaison system (2015-2019), while 92 were recognized as controls (2011-2014). We then conducted a comparative analysis between those who were exposed to the liaison system and the control group. Except for Apgar scores taken five minutes after birth, there were no intergroup differences in the patient characteristics or perinatal psychiatric outcomes. We found that the liaison system was associated with an increased rate of referral to the local public health center (p = 0.003). The system also significantly delayed the time at which patients first visited a psychiatrist because a psychiatric nurse could determine the urgency through interviews with the patients. Overall, our results suggest that the liaison system is helpful for pregnant women with mental disorders.


Abrupt Climate Change in an Oscillating World.
The notion that small changes can have large consequences in the climate or ecosystems has become popular as the concept of tipping points. Typically, tipping points are thought to arise from a loss of stability of an equilibrium when external conditions are slowly varied. However, this appealingly simple view puts us on the wrong foot for understanding a range of abrupt transitions in the climate or ecosystems because complex environmental systems are never in equilibrium. In particular, they are forced by diurnal variations, the seasons, Milankovitch cycles and internal climate oscillations. Here we show how abrupt and sometimes even irreversible change may be evoked by even small shifts in the amplitude or time scale of such environmental oscillations. By using model simulations and reconciling evidence from previous studies we illustrate how these phenomena can be relevant for ecosystems and elements of the climate system including terrestrial ecosystems, Arctic sea ice and monsoons. Although the systems we address are very different and span a broad range of time scales, the phenomena can be understood in a common framework that can help clarify and unify the interpretation of abrupt shifts in the Earth system.


Expression of Zinc Transporter Genes in Rice as Influenced by Zinc-Solubilizing Enterobacter cloacae Strain ZSB14.
Zinc (Zn) deficiency in major food crops has been considered as an important factor affecting the crop production and subsequently the human health. Rice (Oryza sativa) is sensitive to Zn deficiency and thereby causes malnutrition to most of the rice-eating Asian populations. Application of zinc solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) could be a sustainable agronomic approach to increase the soil available Zn which can mitigate the yield loss and consequently the nutritional quality of rice. Understanding the molecular interactions between rice and unexplored ZSB is useful for overcoming Zn deficiency problems. In the present study, the role of zinc solubilizing bacterial strain Enterobacter cloacae strain ZSB14 on regulation of Zn-regulated transporters and iron (Fe)-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) genes in rice under iron sufficient and deficient conditions was assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. The expression patterns of OsZIP1, OsZIP4, and OsZIP5 in root and shoot of rice were altered due to the Zn availability as dictated by Zn sources and ZSB inoculation. Fe sufficiency significantly reduced the root and shoot OsZIP1 expression, but not the OsZIP4 and OsZIP5 levels. Zinc oxide in the growth medium up-regulated all the assessed ZIP genes in root and shoot of rice seedlings. When ZSB was inoculated to rice seedlings grown with insoluble zinc oxide in the growth medium, the expression of root and shoot OsZIP1, OsZIP4, and OsZIP5 was reduced. In the absence of zinc oxide, ZSB inoculation up-regulated OsZIP1 and OsZIP5 expressions. Zinc nutrition provided to the rice seedling through ZSB-bound zinc oxide solubilization was comparable to the soluble zinc sulfate application which was evident through the ZIP genes' expression and the Zn accumulation in root and shoot of rice seedlings. These results demonstrate that ZSB could play a crucial role in zinc fertilization and fortification of rice.


Phenotypic signatures of genetic frontotemporal dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinically, pathologically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Mutations in a number of genes are associated with FTD, although until recently only two [progranulin (GRN) and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT)] were known to be major causes of the disease. This review describes recent progress in identifying clinical and neuroanatomical phenotypes associated with autosomal-dominant FTD. Around a third to a half of FTD patients have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Up to 10% of patients have a mutation in GRN and a similar proportion have a mutation in MAPT. Recently a group of patients have been shown to have a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the noncoding region of chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72). A further group of patients have an autosomal dominant family history but no mutations in any of the known genes including a group of patients who have the same pathology as GRN mutations (type A TDP-43 pathology) but are negative for GRN mutations. Clinical phenotypes vary across the different mutations. Neuroimaging studies show that GRN and MAPT mutations have distinct patterns of atrophy--asymmetric fronto-temporo-parietal atrophy with GRN versus relatively symmetric medial temporal and orbitofrontal lobe atrophy with MAPT mutations. Neuroimaging of patients with an expansion in C9ORF72 has yet to be studied in detail. Genetic FTD is heterogeneous but certain phenotypic signatures of the major causative genes can be identified.


Preimplantation diagnosis of genetic disease.
If a couple is known to be at risk of transmitting a severe genetic disease to their offspring, the fetus may be tested by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis during pregnancy. If the fetus proves to be affected, the couple has the option of terminating the pregnancy. Recently, an alternative approach has been developed, i.e. to screen embryos produced by in vitro fertilization before implantation. Diagnostic analysis is carried out on a single cell removed by micromanipulation from the 8-cell embryo or on the polar body from the unfertilized egg. Preimplantation diagnosis is now a feasible alternative to screening during pregnancy and may be the preferred route for some couples.


Should Dentists Treat Despite Medical Contraindications?
Dental treatment is contraindicated by some health conditions. As patients live longer and dentists treat more patients with underlying disease, patients often need general medical care before dental care can proceed. For US patients without access to health care and their dentists, lack of medical-dental integration can generate inequity, poor outcomes, and ethical questions. Individual dentists should advocate for patients who need general health care prior to dental care, but the professions of dentistry and medicine must also respond to macro-level health system gaps and failures.


Utility of ProExC and IMP3 immunocytochemical staining in atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance in liquid-based cervical cytology.
The diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) in liquid-based cervical cytology specimens shows significant underlying pathology in only 30% of cases, while the remaining cases are found to be benign (reactive, reparative/metaplastic). Previous studies have reported positive ProExC and IMP3 staining in neoplastic glandular lesions of the uterine cervix and corpus. We present our experience with the utility of these markers in the evaluation of AGUS cases in liquid-based cervical cytology. The case cohort included 34 cases diagnosed as AGUS. ProExC and IMP3 immunocytochemical (ICC) stains were performed on ThinPrep® slides and the results correlated with subsequent biopsy findings. Positive expression was classified as strong diffuse nuclear immunostaining for ProExC and granular cytoplasmic for IMP3. The presence of AGUS cells on the ICC stained slides was confirmed in all cases. IMP3 was positive in 80% of glandular neoplasms and negative in 93% non-glandular lesions/cases negative for squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). ProExC was positive in 60% of glandular neoplasms and negative in 83% non-glandular lesions/cases negative for SIL. When used as a panel (ProExC + IMP3), at least one stain was positive in 100% of glandular neoplasm cases and they were both negative in 83% of non-glandular lesions/cases negative for SIL. Based on this study, both ProExC and IMP3, when used as an immuno panel, can predict the presence of glandular lesions on subsequent biopsies and can serve as an aid in the diagnosis and management of AGUS cases.


Tuning the Interfacial Activity of Mesoporous Silicas for Biphasic Interface Catalysis Reactions.
Interface-active particle materials that are able to assemble at the oil/water interface so as to stabilize droplets, are gaining unprecedented interest due to the intriguing applications in catalysis and materials synthesis, etc. In contrast to these potential applications, this kind of materials are still limited and cannot meet some particular demands of practical utilizations such as rationally designed interfacial activity and high stability against concentrated salts. In this contribution, interface-active mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSS@CxZy) are synthesized through simultaneous incorporation of extremely hydrophilic zwitterionic moiety and hydrophobic octyl moiety in the shell. The textural properties of these materials are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen sorption. The successful decoration of these functionalities in the shell is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), 13C nuclear cross-polar magnetic resonance (13C CP/MAS NMR), and 29Si nuclear cross-polar magnetic resonance (29Si CP/MAS NMR). The prepared mesoporous silicas exhibit tunable interfacial activity, so that oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsions can be easily obtained by varying the molar fraction of these two functionalities. The MSS@CxZy-stabilized Pickering emulsions exhibit high stability to coalescence even at 6.0 M NaCl and have relatively low surface coverage of droplets due to electrostatic repulsion, which is normally difficult to obtain for conventional particles. Interestingly, such interface-active mesoporous silicas can also carry polyoxometalate that is hosted in the nanopore to assemble at the oil/water interface and thus efficiently promotes biphasic epoxidation reactions without any external stirring, exemplifying an innovative application of theses developed mesoporous silicas.


Reproducibility of real-world evidence studies using clinical practice data to inform regulatory and coverage decisions.
Studies that generate real-world evidence on the effects of medical products through analysis of digital data collected in clinical practice provide key insights for regulators, payers, and other healthcare decision-makers. Ensuring reproducibility of such findings is fundamental to effective evidence-based decision-making. We reproduce results for 150 studies published in peer-reviewed journals using the same healthcare databases as original investigators and evaluate the completeness of reporting for 250. Original and reproduction effect sizes were positively correlated (Pearson's correlation = 0.85), a strong relationship with some room for improvement. The median and interquartile range for the relative magnitude of effect (e.g., hazard ratiooriginal/hazard ratioreproduction) is 1.0 [0.9, 1.1], range [0.3, 2.1]. While the majority of results are closely reproduced, a subset are not. The latter can be explained by incomplete reporting and updated data. Greater methodological transparency aligned with new guidance may further improve reproducibility and validity assessment, thus facilitating evidence-based decision-making. Study registration number: EUPAS19636.


Theoretical investigation of protonated thiophene and two of its nitrile substituted derivatives (2-cyanothiophene and 3-cyanothiophene).
Theoretical and experimental spectroscopic data for protonated cyano-thiophenes (R-CNH+ with R = C4H3S), which are needed for their interstellar search and/or detection, are still lacking in the literature. Considering the high abundance and reactivity of H3+ in the interstellar medium (ISM), a quantum chemical investigation on protonated thiophene and two of its nitrile-substituted derivatives (2-cyanothiophene and 3-cyanothiophene) is undertaken for their characterization. The geometrical structures for the title species are calculated at the M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, followed by an empirical correction for systematic errors. At the same level of theory, IR and Raman spectra are explored and the rotational parameters are calculated. The proton affinity (PA) of R-CN and the enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy changes (ΔrH, ΔrS and ΔrG) of the reactions producing R-CNH+ are computed at the G2(MP2) and G3B3 levels of theory and at different temperatures. The PA calculations show that the protonation favors the nitrogen atom, while ΔrH, ΔrS, and ΔrG reveal the spontaneous reactions producing R-CNH+ and their neutral forms. In addition, quadrupole hyperfine structures are predicted, while the region where the brightest lines fall at different temperatures is discussed. These results are expected to assist astrophysicists and astrochemists in the search for new species in the ISM.


Slow binding of progesterone to plasma proteins.
The uptake of 3H- and 14C-progesterone (P) from bovine plasma into the wall of a 1 m PVC-catheter was measured. Fifty ml of bovine plasma (22 degrees) was pumped through the catheter (mean transit time 2 or 10 sec. per m). The 14C-P was added one hour previously while the 3H-P was continuously added at the inlet. The uptake of the isotopes into ten cm sections of the catheter was measured by liquid scintillation counting. The uptake of 3H-P was always higher than that of 14C-P indicating that the binding to plasma proteins does not reach equilibrium within 10 sec. Preincubation with 100 ng/ml cold P further increased the difference in uptake. The increased fraction of accessible steroid hormone may be of physiological importance, because a high fraction of hormone exchanged from the ovarian vein to the ovarian artery may reach the ovary and the tube in a physiologically active form.


Suitability of a structured Fundamental Movement Skills program for long day care centres: a process evaluation.
Early childhood presents an opportunity to encourage development of Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS). Implementation of a structured program in the Long Day Care (LDC) setting presents challenges. Implementation of a structured FMS program FunMoves was assessed in LDC in metropolitan New South Wales. LDC staff attended a training session conducted by trained Health Promotion Officers (HPOs) and completed an evaluation. During implementation HPOs completed lesson observations. De-identified attendance data was collected and director and staff feedback on the program including barriers to implementation was obtained via questionnaire. Qualitative information relevant to process evaluation was obtained via open questions on questionnaires, and a de-brief diary recording feedback from directors and staff. Knowledge of FMS and FunMoves and staff confidence to deliver the program were high after training. On average, staff stated they ran lessons more than the suggested twice weekly and the majority of children attended 1-3 lessons per week. However, lesson delivery was not as designed, and staff found FunMoves disruptive and time consuming. Six directors and the majority of staff thought that FunMoves could be improved. Structured program delivery was hampered by contextual issues including significant staff turnover and program length and structure being at odds with the setting. Implementation could be enhanced by guidelines for more flexible delivery options including less structured approaches, shorter and simpler lessons, ongoing conversations with the early childhood sector, in-centre engagement of staff and post-training support.


Membrane-Based Affinity Purification to Identify Target Proteins of a Small-Molecule Drug.
Identifying the target proteins of small-molecule drug candidates is important for determining their molecular mechanisms of action. Porous membranes derivatized with such small molecules may provide an attractive target-identification platform due to a high protein-capture efficiency during flow through membrane pores. This work employs carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) binding to immobilized 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonamide (AEBSA) to examine the efficiency and selectivity of affinity capture in modified membranes. Selective elution of captured protein, tryptic digestion, tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and label-free quantification (LFQ) identify CAII as the dominant AEBSA target in diluted serum or cell lysate. CAII identification relies on determining the ratio of protein LFQ intensities in sample and control experiments, where free AEBSA added to the control loading solution limits CAII capture. Global proteomics shows that the spiked CAII is the only protein with a log2 ratio consistently >2, and the detection limit for CAII identification is 0.004 wt % of the total protein in 1:4 diluted human serum or 0.024 wt % of the total protein from breast cancer cell lysates. The same approach also identifies native CAII in human kidney cell lysate as an AEBSA target. Comparison of affinity capture using membranes, Affi-Gel 10 resin or M-270 Dynabeads derivatized with AEBSA suggests that only membranes allow identification of low-abundance CAII as a target.


Factors influencing mortality in malignant hypertension.
In a study designed primarily to assess mortality, 139 consecutive patients presenting with malignant hypertension (MHT) in Glasgow between 1968 and 1983 were matched individually for age, sex and initial blood pressure with 139 non-malignant hypertensives attending the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic. Fifty-four patients with MHT and 34 controls died before 1 April 1984. Multivariate analysis showed that initial serum creatinine and blood pressure achieved during treatment were significantly and independently related to outcome among the patients with MHT, but that age, smoking habit, presence of papilloedema, underlying diagnosis, initial blood pressure and year of presentation were not. Overall survival among patients with MHT was 63% at 5 years and 47% at 10 years. Although this was better than in earlier studies patients with MHT were still twice as likely to die as non-malignant controls. The excess mortality was confined largely to patients with underlying renal disease and/or renal failure at presentation. Moreover, renal failure contributed to four times more deaths among patients with MHT than controls. Thus, despite an improvement in survival compared with previous years, renal failure remains the most serious manifestation of patients with this disease.


Identification of Rack1, EF-Tu and Rhodanese as aging-related proteins in human colonic epithelium by proteomic analysis.
The aging process of human colonic epithelium involves a slow decline in physiological vigor and an increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases, especially, colon cancer, but the mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. To reveal the molecular bases of colonic epithelial aging, a proteomic approach was used to screen for differential proteins in the human normal colonic epithelial tissues from young and old people. As a result, 17 differential proteins were identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and the partial differential proteins were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Rack1, EF-Tu and Rhodanese, three validated differential proteins, were further investigated for their role in the in vitro cell senescence. Western blot showed that the expression of all the three proteins was downregulated in the senescent NIH/3T3 cells induced by D-galactose as compared to the control cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Rack1 by siRNA could promote NIH/3T3 cell senescence. Taken together, our results suggest that Rack1, EF-Tu and Rhodanese are aging-related proteins in human colonic epithelium, and injury of mitochondrial function and decline of antioxidant capability are important reasons for the aging of human colonic epithelium.


A quantitative criterion for predicting solid-state disordering during high strain rate deformation.
A quantitative criterion for predicting the onset of disordering during high strain rate deformation is defined that is based on the potential energy (PE) per atom (PE/atom). The criterion is a necessary, but not sufficient condition to predict disorder. The stress state and loading direction of the crystal must allow deviatoric displacements that can induce disordering and the strain rate must be sufficiently high. The criterion is tested using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for Ag over a range of a stress states and loading directions relative to the crystal axis. It is found that, above a minimum PE per atom of -2.70 ± 0.01 eV/atom, the crystal becomes unstable and disorders at temperatures well below the equilibrium melting temperature. This criterion is found to be independent of stress state and loading direction, and results suggest that it can be applied broadly to other material systems and to scenarios where deformation is non-uniform and time dependent. An example is given for its application to Au in shear. We show that the minimum critical PE for disordering under high strain rate loading is estimated by finding the equilibrium PE per atom at melting, which can be obtained from a single MD simulation for each material. An example is provided that illustrates how PE/atom can be used to predict where a simulated system is with respect to the disordering threshold without conducting multiple simulations.


Supported Rh-phosphine complex catalysts for continuous gas-phase decarbonylation of aldehydes.
Heterogeneous silica supported rhodium-phosphine complex catalysts are employed for the first time in the catalytic decarbonylation of aldehydes in continuous gas-phase. The reaction protocol is exemplified for the decarbonylation of p-tolualdehyde to toluene and further extended to other aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes achieving excellent results in terms of both conversion and selectivity.


Orientation of calcium in the Mn4Ca cluster of the oxygen-evolving complex determined using polarized strontium EXAFS of photosystem II membranes.
The oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (PS II) in green plants and algae contains a cluster of four Mn atoms in the active site, which catalyzes the photoinduced oxidation of water to dioxygen. Along with Mn, calcium and chloride ions are necessary cofactors for proper functioning of the complex. The current study using polarized Sr EXAFS on oriented Sr-reactivated samples shows that Fourier peak II, which fits best to Mn at 3.5 A rather than lighter atoms (C, N, O, or Cl), is dichroic, with a larger magnitude at 10 degrees (angle between the PS II membrane normal and the X-ray electric field vector) and a smaller magnitude at 80 degrees . Analysis of the dichroism of the Sr EXAFS yields a lower and upper limit of 0 degrees and 23 degrees for the average angle between the Sr-Mn vectors and the membrane normal and an isotropic coordination number (number of Mn neighbors to Sr) of 1 or 2 for these layered PS II samples. The results confirm the contention that Ca (Sr) is proximal to the Mn cluster and lead to refined working models of the heteronuclear Mn(4)Ca cluster of the oxygen-evolving complex in PS II.


Relative robustness of NOEC and ECx against large uncertainties in data.
The relative ability of the NOEC (no-observed-effect concentration) and ECx (the effect concentration corresponding to x-percent response) to determine benchmark toxicant concentrations, which are expected to ensure environmental safety, when there are large uncertainties in data was investigated with Monte Carlo simulations. We assumed a hypothetical true concentration-response function, and examined how random fluctuations of responses around the true responses affected the NOEC and ECx values. For assessment of the relative performances of these endpoints, we adopted two criteria: how large uncertainties were allowed for the minimum requirement for safety to be met, and the probability with which the estimated endpoints exceeded the minimum requirement for safety. The results of simulations indicated that, when there were small uncertainties in the data, performance of the NOEC was comparable with or slightly better than the ECx (EC5 and EC10) in providing benchmark concentrations that satisfied the minimum requirement for safety. With larger random variation of data (the coefficient of variation in responses between replicates within treatments or in the control was noticeably larger than 10 percent), the NOEC performed considerably worse than the ECx in terms of the frequency of simulated runs in which the endpoints exceeded the minimum requirement of safety. We conclude that the NOEC is as relevant as the ECx for risk assessment of chemicals under limited situations.


Human health effects of residual carbon nanotubes and traditional water treatment chemicals in drinking water.
The volume of industrial and domestic wastewater is increasing significantly year by year with the change in the lifestyle based on mass consumption and mass disposal brought about by the dramatic development of economies and industries. Therefore, effective advanced wastewater treatment is required because wastewater contains a variety of constituents such as particles, organic materials, and emulsion depending on the resource. However, residual chemicals that remain during the treatment of wastewaters form a variety of known and unknown by-products through reactions between the chemicals and some pollutants. Chronic exposure to these by-products or residual chemicals through the ingestion of drinking water, inhalation and dermal contact during regular indoor activities (e.g., showering, bathing, cooking) may pose cancer and non-cancer risks to human health. For example, residual aluminium salts in treated water may cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). As for carbon nanotubes (CNTs), despite their potential impacts on human health and the environment having been receiving more and more attention in the recent past, existing information on the toxicity of CNTs in drinking water is limited with many open questions. Furthermore, though general topics on the human health impacts of traditional water treatment chemicals have been studied, no comparative analysis has been done. Therefore, a qualitative comparison of the human health effects of both residual CNTs and traditional water treatment chemicals is given in this paper. In addition, it is also important to cover and compare the human health effects of CNTs to those of traditional water treatment chemicals together in one review because they are both used for water treatment and purification.


Prostaglandin synthesis inhibition reverses the gastric antisecretory activity of somatostatin in anaesthetized rats.
The inhibitory action on somatostatin (ST) on the spontaneous and stimulated (pentagastrin 18 micrograms/kg/h i.v. and histamine 5 mg/kg/h i.v.) gastric acid secretion and its modification after pretreatment with an inhibitor of endogenous prostaglandins biosynthesis (indomethacin 5 mg/kg i.v.) has been studied in the anaesthetized rat. ST 30 micrograms/kg/h i.v. inhibits basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. In the presence of indomethacin the inhibition elicited by ST on basal and pentagastrin induced gastric acid secretion was partially attenuated, whereas in the histamine group the inhibitory action was totally abolished. The antagonism elicited by indomethacin was not surmounted by increasing (X 3.3) the dose of ST. These findings suggest that endogenous prostaglandins may be involved in the mechanism by which ST exerts its antisecretory effect in this model.


Intestinal Microbiota in the SARS-CoV-2 Infection: What Is Known?
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19, emerged last year in China and quickly spread to millions of people around the world. This virus infects cells in different tissues and causes pulmonary (e.g., pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome), neurological, cardiovascular, and intestinal manifestations, which can be the result of a direct viral effect or secondary to endothelial, thrombotic, or immunological alterations. In this chapter, we discuss recent studies which highlighted the relevance of the intestinal microbiota for other infectious respiratory diseases. We present the "altered microbiota" (dysbiotic) as a point of connection between conditions that are risk factors for the development of severe forms of COVID-19. In addition, we describe the findings of recent studies reporting alterations of microbiota composition in COVID-19 patients and speculate on how this may impact in development of the disease.


[Effect of advanced maternal age on birth defects and postnatal complications of neonates].
To investigate the effect of advanced maternal age on birth defects and postnatal complications of neonates. Among the 1 109 neonates who were born at The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between January 2014 and December 2015, 536 neonates whose mothers were aged ≥35 years were enrolled as advanced age group and 573 neonates whose mothers were aged <35 years were enrolled as appropriate-age group. The incidences of the comorbidities in pregnancy, fetal intrauterine distress, neonatal birth defects, and postnatal complications were compared between the two groups. A univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of advanced maternal age on neonatal comorbidities during perinatal period. Compared with the appropriate-age group, the advanced age group had significantly higher rate of caesarean section and incidence rates of multiple birth, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, in vitro fertilization, and fetal intrauterine distress (P<0.01). The neonates in the advanced age group had a significantly higher incidence rate of cleft lip and palate and a significantly lower rate of skeletal dysplasia than in the appropriate-age group (P<0.05). Advanced maternal age was the risk factor for fetal intrauterine distress (OR=2.27, 95%CI: 1.33-3.88, P=0.003), neonatal resuscitation (OR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.19-2.31, P=0.003), and intracranial hemorrhage (OR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.21-6.04, P=0.02). The women of maternal advanced age have higher incidence rates of pregnancy comorbidities than those of appropriate age, and the neonates born to the mothers of advanced maternal age have a higher incidence rate of cleft lip and palate. Advanced maternal age may increase the risks of fetal intrauterine distress, neonatal resuscitation, and intracranial hemorrhage.


Keratinocyte exosomes activate neutrophils and enhance skin inflammation in psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that severely affects patients physiologically and psychologically. The pathogenesis involving communication between psoriatic keratinocytes and infiltrated immune cells such as neutrophils remains unclear. Exosomes are emerging mediators of intercellular communication. Herein we aim to investigate the release and function of psoriatic keratinocyte exosomes, which have not been illustrated to any extent. We first isolated exosomes from both healthy and psoriasis-like keratinocytes treated with psoriatic cytokine cocktail. These exosomes were observed to be endocytosed by neutrophils. Unlike non-cytokine-treated keratinocyte exosomes, cytokine-treated keratinocyte exosomes significantly induced NETosis (the process by which neutrophils produce and release neutrophil extracellular traps) and the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in neutrophils. Proteomic analysis showed that cytokine-treated keratinocyte exosomes exhibited a specific protein profile with proteins enriched in immune-related pathways. We then confirmed that NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways were activated in neutrophils stimulated by cytokine-treated keratinocyte exosomes and were responsible for the expressions of proinflammatory factors mentioned above. Finally, we verified in vivo that cytokine-treated keratinocyte exosomes participated in the skin lesion development of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Collectively, we reveal that the release of exosomes works as a way of keratinocyte-neutrophil communication, indicating that keratinocyte exosomes, with their specific cargoes, are therapeutic candidates for psoriasis.-Jiang, M., Fang, H., Shao, S., Dang, E., Zhang, J., Qiao, P., Yang, A., Wang, G. Keratinocyte exosomes activate neutrophils and enhance skin inflammation in psoriasis.


Structure and Stability of Partial Dislocation Complexes in 3C-SiC by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
In this work, the structure and stability of partial dislocation (PD) complexes terminating double and triple stacking faults in 3C-SiC are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The stability of PD complexes is demonstrated to depend primarily on the mutual orientations of the Burgers vectors of constituent partial dislocations. The existence of stable complexes consisting of two and three partial dislocations is established. In particular, two types of stable double (or extrinsic) dislocation complexes are revealed formed by two 30° partial dislocations with different orientations of Burgers vectors, or 30° and 90° partial dislocations. Stable triple PD complexes consist of two 30° partial dislocations with different orientations of their Burgers vectors and one 90° partial dislocation, and have a total Burgers vector that is equal to zero. Results of the simulations agree with experimental observations of the stable PD complexes forming incoherent boundaries of twin regions and polytype inclusions in 3C-SiC films.


Novel Risk Factors for Progression of Diabetic and Nondiabetic CKD: Findings From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study.
Identification of novel risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression may inform mechanistic investigations and improve identification of high-risk subgroups. The current study aimed to characterize CKD progression across levels of numerous risk factors and identify independent risk factors for CKD progression among those with and without diabetes. The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is a prospective cohort study of adults with CKD conducted at 7 US clinical centers. Participants (N=3,379) had up to 12.3 years of follow-up; 47% had diabetes. 30 risk factors for CKD progression across sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and biochemical domains at baseline. Study outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope and the composite of halving of eGFR or initiation of kidney replacement therapy. Stepwise selection of independent risk factors was performed stratified by diabetes status using linear mixed-effects and Cox proportional hazards models. Among those without and with diabetes, respectively, mean eGFR slope was-1.4±3.3 and-2.7±4.7mL/min/1.73m2 per year. Among participants with diabetes, multivariable-adjusted hazard of the composite outcome was approximately 2-fold or greater with higher levels of the inflammatory chemokine CXCL12, the cardiac marker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the kidney injury marker urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Among those without diabetes, low serum bicarbonate and higher high-sensitivity troponin T, NT-proBNP, and urinary NGAL levels were all significantly associated with a 1.5-fold or greater rate of the composite outcome. The observational study design precludes causal inference. Strong associations for cardiac markers, plasma CXCL12, and urinary NGAL are comparable to that of systolic blood pressure≥140mm Hg, a well-established risk factor for CKD progression. This warrants further investigation into the potential mechanisms that these markers indicate and opportunities to use them to improve risk stratification.


Clinical practice guidelines: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Clinical practices guidelines (CPGs) play a fundamental role in improving healthcare and patients' outcomes by helping clinicians make the best evidence-based decisions for their patients in a time-efficient manner. By following the available methods and criteria to create trustworthy CPGs, panel members can develop high-quality guidelines. However, despite the improvements over the years, CPGs are still subjected to biases and limitations, with conflicts of interest being the ugliest problem GCPs must face. In this review, we discuss the main characteristics of clinical practice guidelines, their pros and cons, and the future challenges they need to overcome.


The validity and reliability of an automated method of scoring dental arch relationships in unilateral cleft lip and palate using the modified Huddart-Bodenham scoring system.
To evaluate an automated software tool for the assessment of dental arch relationships using the modified Huddart and Bodenham (MHB) index. Cohort of 43 models of subjects aged 9-21 with UCLP and the ten GOSLON reference models sets. The 53 sets of plaster models were scored using the MHB index and scanned with a benchtop scanner. The digital models were MHB scored visually using a commercial software program and landmarked for automatic scoring using a software plug-in. Scoring/landmarking was undertaken by three observers and repeated after 1 month. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility were tested using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (threshold > 0.9). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated inter-observer agreement for each model format. Random and systematic error with digital landmark identification error were determined using the x, y, and z co-ordinates for 28 models digitized twice 1 month apart using Cronbach's alpha and a t-test, respectively. Intra-operator landmark identification was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.933) with no differences between sessions (P > 0.05). Intra-observer reproducibility was excellent for all examiners (Cronbach's alpha and ICC 0.986-0.988). Inter-observer reproducibility was highest for the software plug-in (0.991), followed by plaster (0.989) and OrthoAnalyzer (0.979) and Bland-Altman plots confirmed no systematic bias and greater consistency of scores with the automated software. The automated MHB software tool is valid, reproducible, and the most objective method of assessing maxillary arch constriction for patients with UCLP. The authors declare no conflict of interest or financial relationship with any organization or software used within the study.


The effect of co-trimoxazole on serum potassium concentration: safety evaluation of a randomized controlled trial.
Co-trimoxazole maintains a well-established role in the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as urinary tract infections. Observational studies report hyperkalaemia to be associated with co-trimoxazole, which may stem from an amiloride-like potassium-sparing effect. The current study investigated changes in serum potassium in patients without acute infections, and the influence of concomitant antikaliuretic drugs on this effect. A post hoc analysis was carried out of a randomized controlled trial in patients with interstitial lung disease who were assigned to placebo or 960 mg co-trimoxazole twice daily. Serum potassium and creatinine were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the difference in mean serum potassium concentrations between co-trimoxazole and placebo at 6 weeks. Mean serum potassium levels were similar at baseline: 4.24 (± 0.44) mmol l-1 in the 87 co-trimoxazole group participants and 4.25 (± 0.39) mmol l-1 in the 83 control participants. Co-trimoxazole significantly increased mean serum potassium levels at 6 weeks, with a difference between means compared with placebo of 0.21 mmol l-1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09, 0.34; P = 0.001). This significant increase in serum potassium was detectable even after exclusion of patients on antikaliuretic drugs, with a difference between means for co-trimoxazole compared with placebo of 0.23 mmol l-1 (95% CI 0.09, 0.38; P = 0.002). There were 5/87 (5.7%) patients on co-trimoxazole whose serum potassium concentrations reached ≥5.5 mmol l-1 during the study period. Co-trimoxazole significantly increases serum potassium concentration, even in participants not using antikaliuretic drugs. While the magnitude of increase was often minor, a small proportion in our outpatient cohort developed hyperkalaemia of clinical importance.


Inducible HSP70 mediates delayed cardioprotection via U-50488H pretreatment in rat ventricular myocytes.
To test the hypothesis that heat-shock proteins (HSPs) mediate delayed cardioprotection of prior kappa-opioid receptor (kappa-OR) stimulation, we first correlated cellular injury and viability with the expression of HSP70s in isolated rat ventricular myocytes subjected to prior kappa-OR stimulation with the selective agonist trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide (U-50488H) and delayed lethal simulated ischemia (LSI). Cell injury and viability were indicated by lactate dehydrogenase release and trypan blue exclusion, respectively. The reduced injury and increased viability after pretreatment with U-50488H were concentration dependent and correlated directly with the expression of both stress-inducible (HSP70) and constitutive (HSC70) proteins. The effects mimic those with metabolic inhibition preconditioning (MIP). The cardioprotection against LSI by pretreatment with U-50488H and MIP was abolished and antagonized, respectively, via blockade of the kappa-OR by its selective antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine. We also found that blockade of the production of HSP70 but not HSC70 blocked the inhibitory effect of pretreatment with U-50488H on injury and viability. These observations provide evidence that stress-inducible HSP70 mediates delayed cardioprotection of prior kappa-OR stimulation.


Sc3CH@C80: selective (13)C enrichment of the central carbon atom.
Sc3CH@C80 is synthesized and characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (45)Sc NMR. A large negative chemical shift of the proton, -11.73 ppm in the Ih and -8.79 ppm in the D5h C80 cage isomers, is found. (13)C satellites in the (1)H NMR spectrum enabled indirect determination of the (13)C chemical shift for the central carbon at 173 ± 1 ppm. Intensity of the satellites allowed determination of the (13)C content for the central carbon atom. This unique possibility is applied to analyze the cluster/cage (13)C distribution in mechanistic studies employing either (13)CH4 or (13)C powder to enrich Sc3CH@C80 with (13)C.


A theoretical investigation of the nonrigid six-coordinate compounds [Mo(R)F5], [W(R)F5], and related compounds.
Density functional calculations for [M(CH3)F5], [M(CF3)F5], [M(CH3S)F5], and [M(CF3S)F5] (M=Mo, W) show that they are expected to be nonrigid molecules, with energy barriers for the octahedral-trigonal-prismatic interchange as low as 7.2 kJ mol(-1). The ground state for the CH3- and CF3- compounds is trigonal prismatic, for the CH3S- and CF3S- compounds, (distorted) octahedral. All calculated compounds [M(C6F5)nF(6-n)] (M=Mo, W) have a trigonal-prismatic ground state, whereas the situation for [M(C6H5)nF(6-n)] (M=Mo, W) is more complex.


Frontal asymmetry and alcohol cue reactivity: Influence of core personality systems.
Greater left frontal activation appears to be a measure of appetitive reactivity for desired stimuli, such as alcohol cues. However, inconsistencies in past research examining frontal asymmetry to appetitive stimuli suggest that individual differences strongly influence frontal asymmetry to appetitive stimuli. Because core personality systems of approach, avoidance, and supervisory control play a fundamental role in directing alcohol behavior, the current study sought to determine which core system would influence asymmetric frontal activation to alcohol cues. Results revealed that greater trait impulsivity (reduced functioning of the supervisory control system) is related to greater relative left frontal activation in response to alcohol cues. Approach motivation and avoidance motivation were unrelated to greater relative left frontal activation in response to alcohol cues. These results suggest that decreased activation of the supervisory control system (increased trait impulsivity) is responsible for appetitive reactivity to alcohol cues.


Ca2+-activated non-selective cation current in rabbit ventricular myocytes.
Oscillatory currents (OCs) were studied in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes with whole cell mode voltage clamp using Na+-free intracellular and extracellular solutions under conditions where K+ currents were anticipated to be eliminated or minimized. All OCs were dependent on release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) because they were associated with intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) transients, and were suppressed by high concentrations of BAPTA (20 mmol l-1) or pretreatment with the SR antagonist agents ryanodine (10 micromol l-1) or thapsigargin (1 micromol l-1). The reversal potential (Vrev) for OCs shifted with changes in the calculated Vrev for Cl- (ECl) but was between ECl and the calculated Vrev for elemental monovalent cations (ECat), indicating that more than one Ca2+-activated current contributed to OCs. Addition of the Ca2+-activated Cl- current (ICl(Ca)) antagonist, niflumic acid, shifted the OC Vrev to ECat, suggesting that ICl(Ca) and a Ca2+-activated non-selective cation current (ICAN) contributed to the observed OCs. A reduced niflumic acid-insensitive Ca2+-activated OC persisted following marked symmetrical reduction of Cl- in the intracellular and extracellular solutions. Subsequent removal of all extracellular monovalent cations, by N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) substitution, eliminated OCs and the inward holding current suggesting that ICAN and ICl(Ca) accounted for all or most of the Ca2+-activated OC in the absence of Na+. The OC Vrev was equal to ECl in the absence of monovalent elemental cations. Under these conditions niflumic acid eliminated all OCs. Macroscopic OC is partially due to ICAN in rabbit ventricular myocytes.


Allele-specific protein-DNA interactions between the single-stranded DNA-binding protein, ssA-TIBF, and DNA replication determinants in Tetrahymena.
Type I elements are multifunctional, cis-acting determinants that regulate the initiation of DNA replication, replication fork movement and transcription of the Tetrahymena thermophila rDNA minichromosome. Previous studies identified a protein, ssA-TIBF, that binds specifically to the A-rich strand of type I elements. Here, we examine interactions of ssA-TIBF with the wild-type C3 allele, and a natural variant, B rDNA, which manifests a defect in replication initiation and fork pausing. Purified ssA-TIBF is a homotetramer that binds one substrate molecule and contacts DNA via a single 24 kDa subunit. Both the A-rich and T-rich strands of type I elements are bound by ssA-TIBF, suggesting that this protein might stabilize replication origins in their unwound state. Nucleotides downstream of type I elements contribute to DNA binding, with the extent of DNA-protein contact being greater for wild-type C3 rDNA compared to B rDNA. Allele-specific protein-DNA contacts also occur within the conserved type I element itself. Despite these differences, the binding affinities of ssA-TIBF for C3 and B rDNA substrates are indistinguishable. Consequently, the mode of DNA binding must account for any role ssA-TIBF might play in the regulation of rDNA replication.


Incremental and interactive relations of triarchic psychopathy measure scales with antisocial and prosocial correlates: A preregistered replication of Gatner et al. (2016).
Meanness (i.e., callousness/unemotionality, antagonism) and disinhibition (e.g., impulsivity, antisocial behavior) are the consensus traits that undergird psychopathy. Significant debate exists regarding a proposed third dimension of boldness or fearless dominance, characterized by particularly high levels of both extraversion and emotional stability. The present study is a preregistered direct replication of the work of Gatner and colleagues (2016) regarding the importance of boldness in psychopathy. Specifically, in a large undergraduate sample (n = 1,015), which more than doubled the original study sample size, we examined whether boldness exhibited curvilinear relations to antisocial and prosocial outcomes, provided incremental predictive utility, and interacted with meanness and disinhibition. Consistent with Gatner and colleagues' findings, incremental, interactive, or curvilinear effects of boldness did not account for more than a small amount of variance in outcomes beyond the main effects of meanness and disinhibition. We discuss both process and results in the context of promoting a culture of reproducibility as well as transparent and open practices in clinical science. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).


Factors associated with ethnic differences in health insurance coverage and type among Asian Americans.
This study examines the discrepancies in health insurance coverage and type across Asian American ethnic groups and the potential factors that may explain why these differences exist. Asian Americans are often considered as a homogeneous population and consequently, remain largely "invisible" in the current research literature. Recent data have highlighted discrepancies in the health insurance coverage between different Asian American ethnic groups-particularly the high uninsurance rates among Korean and Vietnamese Americans. For this study, the 2003 and 2005 California Health Interview Surveys were pooled to obtain a sample of 6,610 Asian American adults aged 18-64, including those of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, South Asian, and Vietnamese ethnicity. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the likelihood of current health coverage and insurance type (employer-based vs. private vs. public), respectively. The results showed that ethnic differences in uninsurance and insurance type were partially explained by socioeconomic and immigration-related characteristics-particularly for Vietnamese Americans and to a lesser extent, for Chinese and Korean Americans. There were also key differences in the extent to which specific ethnic groups purchased private insurance or relied on public programs (e.g., Medicaid) to offset the lack of employer-based coverage. This study reaffirms the tremendous heterogeneity in the Asian American population and the need for more targeted policy approaches. With the lack of adequate national data, more localized studies may help to improve our understanding of the health issues affecting specific Asian ethnic groups.


Orbital giant cell fibroblastoma.
BACKGROUND: This report describes the clinical and morphologic (light and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical) features of orbital giant cell fibroblastoma which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported before in the ophthalmological literature. METHODS: Clinical symptoms, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) features, light and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical findings were reviewed in a 65-year-old woman who developed an orbital giant cell fibroblastoma. RESULTS: The patient presented with a large, infiltrating, intra- and periorbital mass, causing severe proptosis, ocular displacement, and visual loss on the left side. CT and MR imaging demonstrated a large, irregular tissue density in the orbit leading to displacement of the globe anteriorly and inferolaterally. With T(1)-weighted MR images, the lesion was isointense to the gray matter of the brain and revealed marked enhancement with Gd-DTPA. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of a mixture of spindle and multinucleated giant cells scattered within a myxomatous stroma. CONCLUSION: Giant cell fibroblastoma, a benign mesenchymal tumor of infancy, is rarely encountered within the orbital region. This lesion is considered to be a distinct, non-metastasizing tumor, but its clinical management may be very difficult, as in our case, because of its invasive nature and potential for recurrence.


Intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for cervical ripening.
Forty-five women with an unfavourable cervix (cervical score less than 3) and an obstetric indication for delivery were given intracervical prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel 0.5 mg/3 g to prime the uterine cervix. Twenty-one women (47%) went into labour after PGE2 gel application only. In 13 women (29%) the cervical score sufficiently improved within 12 hours and labour was successfully induced with intravenous oxytocin. The rate of adverse effects was notably: there were two uterine ruptures, the rate of cesarean sections was 33%, hypertonic uterine contractility 25%, premature rupture of membranes 16%, and neonatal asphyxia 21%. In our experience, cervical ripening with PGE2 gel, although efficient, may also bring about complications, which appear partly iatrogenic. Therefore, a critical evaluation of indications and the risk/benefit ratio is required.


Probing the dynamics of matrix hydration in the presence of electrolytes.
The aim of our work was to probe the mechanisms associated with induced matrix stiffening via textural analysis as a consequence of in situ electrolyte interactions within hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrices in relation to their role in controlling the release of highly soluble drugs such as diltiazem hydrochloride (>50% water soluble at 25 degrees C). The dynamics of HPMC and PEO matrix swelling during hydration in the presence of appropriate electrolytes intended to induce constant drug release rates from simple monolithic systems are influenced by continuously shifting peripheral matrix stiffening toward the matrix core in a manner dependent on electrolyte content and hydration time. Matrix erosion for HPMC and PEO controls (i.e., without electrolyte) follow linear dissolution kinetics (r2 > 0.97), while formulations with electrolyte characteristically undergo a square root of time decline in weight. The swelling potential of the electrolyte-containing matrices, influenced by the boundary infiltration process, reflected considerable suppression during the first 2 hr of exposure to medium, while subsequent events differed in both polymers. In view of these differences, simultaneous measurements in textural transitions and electrolyte conductivity showed that PEO has a higher affinity for water molecules than does HPMC.


The ontogeny of class-regulation of CD4+ T lymphocyte populations.
The differential class-regulation of CD4+ T lymphocyte populations is believed to play a major role in determining the qualitative behaviour of the immune system, and in the fate of immune responses in particular. In this article we propose a model for the dynamics of the Th1 and Th2 subpopulations. We put forward the concept of an 'antigenic niche' which allows us to postulate that the key feature underlying the regulation of Th differentiation pathways is the population dynamics of the lymphocytes themselves. Using this model we are able to account for a number of well established experimental observations which were hitherto apparently unrelated and poorly understood. This suggests that our simplified model might be capturing some essential features of the immune system.


[A demographic forecasting model with reference to population groups that intermarry, using the example of the Evangelical Church in Austria].
"This research note develops a multi-state population projection model in which inter-marriage between the states and the following uncertainty about the state of the children plays a major role. Since only 5% of the Austrian population belong to the Evangelical Church, but more than 80% of their members marry partners not belonging to the church, the question of the percentage of children from mixed marriages that become church members turns out to be vital for the future size and age composition of the church." Five different scenarios to the year 2030 are examined. (SUMMARY IN ENG)


The slippery slope of social media and academic dishonesty: A case review and discussion.
Social media use and digital cheating are increasing. There is a gap in the literature regarding social media and acts of academic dishonesty among nursing students. Nursing faculty suspected cheating in a nursing class on a popular social media platform. There were no published policies that addressed academic dishonesty and social media. The case and actions taken by the nursing faculty are detailed. There is a need for research focused on academic dishonesty and social media in nursing students. Nurse educators must develop e-professionalism policies.


Impact of hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation on the efficacy of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.
Stroke is the crucial cause of death annually. Inconsistent results from the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aroused controversy on efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT). To evaluate the efficacy of EVT in stroke patients. We searched three databases including PubMed, Web of science and the Cochrane Library from Jan 2011 to Apr 2017. Eligible studies were RCTs comparing EVT versus standard medical therapy alone. The primary outcomes were favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) at 3 months. Meta regression analysis and subgroup analysis were used to explore potential influence factors responsible for the effectiveness of EVT. Eleven RCTs involving 3018 patients were included in our study. EVT showed better functional outcomes at 90 days (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.28-2.28; P < 0.001) and a higher recanalization rate at 24h (OR, 6.49; 95% CI, 4.79-8.79; P < 0.001). In meta-regression and subgroup analysis, primary outcomes were significantly better among patients with atrial fibrillation (Adj R-squared 46.30%, P = 0.054; OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.81-3.19; P < 0.001), patients without hyperlipidemia (Adj R-squared 35.21%, P = 0.159; OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.80-3.04; P < 0.001) and when new generation thrombectomy device was used (Adj R-squared 72.21%, P = 0.011; OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.75-2.61; P < 0.001). EVT showed superior clinical outcomes compared with standard medical therapy. The rate of using new generation thrombectomy device was the critical factor influencing therapeutic outcome. Hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation may also cause the potential effect.


New Kendomycin Derivative Isolated from Streptomyces sp. Cl 58-27.
In the course of screening new streptomycete strains, the strain Streptomyces sp. Cl 58-27 caught our attention due to its interesting secondary metabolite production profile. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of an ansamycin natural product that belongs structurally to the already known kendomycins. The structure of the new kendomycin E was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, and the corresponding biosynthetic gene cluster was identified by sequencing the genome of Streptomyces sp. Cl 58-27 and conducting a detailed analysis of secondary metabolism gene clusters using bioinformatic tools.


Specific Biological Activity of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) Glycosylation Sites in Cells Expressing Equine Luteinizing Hormone/CG (eLH/CG) Receptor.
Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), produced by the endometrial cups of the placenta after the first trimester, is a specific glycoprotein that displays dual luteinizing hormone (LH)-like and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-like effects in non-equid species. However, in equidaes, eCG exhibits only LH-like activity. To identify the specific biological functions of glycosylated sites in eCG, we constructed the following site mutants of N- and O-linked glycosylation: eCGβ/αΔ56, substitution of α-subunit56 N-linked glycosylation site; eCGβ-D/α, deletion of the O-linked glycosylation sites at the β-subunit, and eCGβ-D/αΔ56, double mutant. We produced recombinant eCG (rec-eCG) proteins in Chinese hamster ovary suspension (CHO-S) cells. We examined the biological activity of rec-eCG proteins in CHO-K1 cells expressing the eLH/CG receptor and found that signal transduction activities of deglycosylated mutants remarkably decreased. The EC50 levels of eCGβ/αΔ56, eCGβ-D/α, and eCGβ-D/αΔ56 mutants decreased by 2.1-, 5.6-, and 3.4-fold, respectively, compared to that of wild-type eCG. The Rmax values of the mutants were 56%-80% those of wild-type eCG (141.9 nmol/104 cells). Our results indicate that the biological activity of eCG is greatly affected by the removal of N- and O-linked glycosylation sites in cells expressing eLH/CGR. These results provide important information on rec-eCG in the regulation of specific glycosylation sites and improve our understanding of the specific biological activity of rec-eCG glycosylation sites in equidaes.


Thermally Activated Upconversion with Metal-Free Sensitizers Enabling Exceptional Anti-Stokes Shift and Anti-counterfeiting Application.
Photochemical upconversion (UC) via triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) has attracted considerable attention for its potential applications in solar energy conversion, photocatalysis, and bioimaging. Achieving a large anti-Stokes shift in photochemical UC is appealing but still a great challenge, especially for purely organic sensitizers. Here, we develop solid-state TTA UC systems with metal- and heavy atom-free dyes as the sensitizers, which sensitize the 9,10-diphenylanthracene acceptor through thermally activated triplet-triplet energy transfer. Solid-state UC emission with remarkable anti-Stokes shifts up to 1.10 eV is achieved owing to an evident enthalpy gain by the endothermic sensitization. The solid upconverter shows air-stable UC emission and potentials in dual-mode anti-counterfeiting and encryption applications. The present UC approach involving thermally activated sensitization enabled by purely organic dyes provides a versatile strategy to develop TTA UC materials with large anti-Stokes shift, air-tolerant emission, and environmental compatibility, which would have promising applications in information encryption, photochemical conversion, and bioimaging.


Knowledge-driven lead discovery.
Virtual screening encompasses several computational approaches which have proven valuable for identifying novel leads. These approaches rely on available information. Herein, we review recent successful applications of virtual screening. The extension of virtual screening methodologies to target families is also briefly discussed.


Non-invasive estimation of brain-volume in infants.
Neurological development is determined by brain growth. Methods to measure total brain volume (TBV) in clinical settings are limited. MR-imaging represents the gold-standard. The present study tests the hypotheses that in infants without any brain pathology, TBV - as determined by MRI - can be accurately estimated by cranial volume (CrV), measured by 3D-laser scanning. In case of good correlation of CrV with TBV it was further tested, whether CrV can be also estimated by (I) head circumference (HC) or (II) by other technology than laser scanning. To test the hypothesis, that TBV can be reliably estimated by CrV-measurement, data from routine MRI and 3D-laser-scanner measurements were analyzed in infants if no major structural brain anomaly was found in MR-imaging. To test whether CrV can be predicted by HC-measurements during infancy, data from routine follow-up visits were used from preterms born in a two year period. Preterms are invited for a routine follow-up visit (which includes laser scanning of the head) at an age of 3 months and, for further follow-ups at 6, 9 or 12 months. To compare accuracy of CrV measurement by other techniques, a puppet head was measured, using different 3D-measurement principles: (i) Structured light projection system, (ii) The non-invasive laser-shape-digitizer, and (iii) Structure-from-motion (SFM) technique. TBV was compared with CrV using a Passing-Bablok-Regression. To determine how well HC predicts CrV, the coefficient of determinant (R2) was calculated for each age group. CrV and TBV of 25 infants (median age 19 month, body weight of 11 kg) showed a median bias of -86.7 mm3 with a slightly smaller TBV (median of 1034.1 mm3, IQR 875.9 … 1179.8 mm3) than CrV (median 1092.2, IQR 950.5 … 1258.4 mm3). CrV was poorly estimated by HC, with R2 between 0.79 and 0.87 at 3 and 9 month of age respectively. For the non-invasive laser-shape-digitizer and the SFM-technique the accuracy was good (radial coordinate differences ±0.3 vs. ±0.5 mm). The present study provides convincing evidence that CrV can be used to estimate TBV in routine care, whereas HC is a poor predictor of individual CrV.


Comparison of the serum-supplemented Todd-Hewitt and the new Haemophilus test media for broth microdilution susceptibility testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Horse serum-supplemented Todd-Hewitt broth (STH) in use at Hôpital Ste-Justine for the last 12 years was compared to the recently proposed Haemophilus test medium (HTM), for broth microdilution susceptibility testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae. One hundred and twenty S. pneumoniae isolates from pediatric clinical specimens were used in this study. In general, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in STH for 15 antimicrobial agents were quite comparable to those determined in HTM but tended to be higher. Drugs which generated MICs within +/- 1 log2 concentration differences in both media included penicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cefixime, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin. Cefaclor and tetracycline MICs tended to be > or = 2 log2 dilutions higher with STH for most of the isolates tested, while erythromycin MICs were often 2 log2 dilutions lower with STH than with HTM. Despite some differences in MICs noted above, few very major (0.4%), major (0.2%) and minor interpretive category errors (4.4%) were observed. The visual reading of the MICs for most of the 120 clinical isolates tested was generally easier in STH which was superior in supporting best the bacterial growth as detected by spectrophotometry. The risk of false susceptibility is thus decreased by using STH rather than HTM; furthermore, STH is free of the technical problems of the lysed horse blood Mueller-Hinton (LHB-MH) recommended by the NCCLS.


Deterministic chaos and the sciences of complexity: psychoanalysis in the midst of a general scientific revolution.
A combination of new concepts and the enormous powers of computation now available have created the beginnings of a major new scientific revolution. It does not have to do with psychoanalysis per se, but with some basic assumptions among the sciences generally. The result is already showing in new visions of nature variously called "deterministic chaos," "nonlinear dynamics," or "sciences of complexity." For the first time it is possible to study complex systems in process, over time. This paper, especially attending to issues of separation and integration, focuses on two components of the new understandings, fractal geometry (part of the mathematics of topology) and deterministic chaos (the tendency of nonlinear systems to oscillate toward and away from absolute chaotic disorganization). In a diverse group of intellectual disciplines, it is now possible to describe systems in operation in detail, in terms of nonlinear differential equations. From these, computer models of multiple variables in interaction can be produced. In turn, this allows experimentation on the models by altering variables. At this time, psychoanalysis can only use deterministic chaos and fractals metaphorically, but in the future, especially if psychoanalysis is seen in terms of process or organismic theory, it is likely that such models can be produced.


A complete Neandertal mitochondrial genome sequence determined by high-throughput sequencing.
A complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence was reconstructed from a 38,000 year-old Neandertal individual with 8341 mtDNA sequences identified among 4.8 Gb of DNA generated from approximately 0.3 g of bone. Analysis of the assembled sequence unequivocally establishes that the Neandertal mtDNA falls outside the variation of extant human mtDNAs, and allows an estimate of the divergence date between the two mtDNA lineages of 660,000 +/- 140,000 years. Of the 13 proteins encoded in the mtDNA, subunit 2 of cytochrome c oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain has experienced the largest number of amino acid substitutions in human ancestors since the separation from Neandertals. There is evidence that purifying selection in the Neandertal mtDNA was reduced compared with other primate lineages, suggesting that the effective population size of Neandertals was small.


The Effects of Employees' Perceived Intrinsic Motivation on Knowledge Sharing and Creative Self-Efficacy.
Knowledge sharing is the major driving force to maintain enterprises' competitiveness. This study extends the current knowledge-sharing research by considering knowledge sharing as comprising four types: automatic response, rational reflection, ridiculed reflection, and deprived reflection, based on Kahneman's (2011) types of system thinking. Drawing on the motivation-action-outcome model, this study explored how individuals' intrinsic motivation can guide the action of knowledge sharing and reflect the outcome of creative self-efficacy in intelligent transportation jobs. By snowball sampling in intelligent transportation companies, a total of 232 effective questionnaires were collected, and confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modeling was performed. The research results showed that: intrinsic motivation was positively related to the four types of knowledge sharing tendencies; automatic response was not significantly related to creative self-efficacy; rational reflection was positively associated with creative self-efficacy; but ridiculed and deprived reflection were negatively related to creative self-efficacy. These results can be applied to encourage employees to practice rational reflection in knowledge sharing to enhance their creative self-efficacy in intelligent transportation jobs.


Inhibitory effect of a high-molecular-weight constituent of cranberry on adhesion of oral bacteria.
A high-molecular-weight nondialysable material (NDM) isolated from cranberry juice at a concentration of 0.6 to 2.5 mg/ml dissociated coaggregates formed by many intergeneric oral bacteria. A lower concentration of NDM was required to inhibit formation of such coaggregates. NDM acted preferentially on pairs of oral bacteria in which one or both members are Gram-negative anaerobes. The high-molecular-weight material from blueberry also inhibited the coaggregation, although its activity was weaker, whereas such materials obtained from other fruits were inactive. Saliva did not interfere with the ability of NDM to inhibit coaggregation. A preliminary clinical trial showed that NDM reduces S. mutans counts in saliva. The antiadhesion activity of cranberry juice has a potential for altering the oral microbial flora resulting in improved oral hygiene.


Characterization of DNA binding properties of the immediate-early gene product of equine herpesvirus type 1.
The equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) immediate-early (IE) gene encodes a phosphoprotein that is essential for the activation of transcription from viral early and late promoters and that regulates the transcription from its own promoter. Employment of EHV-1 IE promoter DNA probes and glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins harboring truncated portions of the IE gene product in gel shift assays, super shift assays with anti-IE monoclonal antibodies, and DNase I footprinting analyses revealed: (1) amino acid residues 422 to 597 within the 1487-amino-acid IE protein are sufficient for sequence-specific DNA binding; (2) the IE protein binds to EHV-1 DNA at sequences from -11 to +14 that overlap the transcription initiation site (+1); (3) the conserved pentanucleotide 5'-ATCGT-3' in the IE promoter located at nucleotides (nt) -6 to -2, relative to the transcription initiation site (+1), is critical for IE protein binding; (4) a weak binding site for the IE protein is also present at nt -92 to -82 of the IE gene within the sequence (-86)ATCGA(-82) in which four of the five nt in the consensus binding sequence are conserved; (5) the IE protein binds to sequences in EHV-1 early and late promoters that contain a degenerate version of the consensus sequence 5'-ATCGT-3'; and (6) mutation of the C or G nt in the pentanucleotide 5'-ATCGT-3' prevents sequence-specific binding of the IE protein, whereas mutation of each of the other three nt only reduces binding. These results suggest that the IE protein can recognize the sites which differ slightly from the proposed consensus sequence. Overall, these findings suggest that formation of a specific complex between an IE protein and its own gene promoter may be a common mechanism used by Alphaherpesvirinae to autoregulate transcription of an essential IE gene. In addition, the finding that the DNA binding domain of the IE protein maps within amino acids 422 to 597, a domain conserved in the IR2 early protein that is a truncated form of the IE protein, suggests that the IR2 protein plays a role in the regulation of the IE gene expression.


Clinical report--physicians' roles in coordinating care of hospitalized children.
The care of hospitalized children and adolescents has become increasingly complex and often involves multiple physicians beyond the traditional primary care pediatrician. Hospitalists, medical subspecialists, surgical specialists, and hospital attending physicians may all participate in the care of hospitalized children and youth. This report summarizes the responsibilities of the pediatrician and other involved physicians in ensuring that children receive coordinated and comprehensive medical care delivered within the context of their medical homes as inpatients, and that care is appropriately continued on an outpatient basis.


Food consumption trends and drivers.
A picture of food consumption (availability) trends and projections to 2050, both globally and for different regions of the world, along with the drivers largely responsible for these observed consumption trends are the subject of this review. Throughout the world, major shifts in dietary patterns are occurring, even in the consumption of basic staples towards more diversified diets. Accompanying these changes in food consumption at a global and regional level have been considerable health consequences. Populations in those countries undergoing rapid transition are experiencing nutritional transition. The diverse nature of this transition may be the result of differences in socio-demographic factors and other consumer characteristics. Among other factors including urbanization and food industry marketing, the policies of trade liberalization over the past two decades have implications for health by virtue of being a factor in facilitating the 'nutrition transition' that is associated with rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Future food policies must consider both agricultural and health sectors, thereby enabling the development of coherent and sustainable policies that will ultimately benefit agriculture, human health and the environment.