Biochemical Characterization of Soybean Mutants Lacking Constitutive NADH:Nitrate Reductase.
Two nitrate reductase (NR) mutants were selected for low nitrate reductase (LNR) activity by in vivo NR microassays of M(2) seedlings derived from nitrosomethylurea-mutagenized soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Williams) seeds. The mutants (LNR-5 and LNR-6) appeared to have normal nitrate-inducible NR activity. Both mutants, however, showed decreased NR activity in vivo and in vitro compared with the wild-type. In vitro FMNH(2)-dependent nitrate reduction and Cyt c reductase activity of nitrate-grown plants, and nitrogenous gas evolution during in vivo NR assays of urea-grown plants, were also decreased in the mutants. The latter observation was due to insufficient generation of nitrite substrate, rather than some inherent difference in enzyme between mutant and wild-type plants. When grown on urea, crude extracts of LNR-5 and LNR-6 lines had similar NADPH:NR activities to that of the wild type, but both mutants had very little NADH:NR activity, relative to the wild type. Blue Sepharose columns loaded with NR extract of urea-grown mutants and sequentially eluted with NADPH and NADH yielded a NADPH:NR peak only, while the wild-type yielded both NADPH: and NADH:NR peaks. Activity profiles confirmed the lack of constitutive NADH:NR in the mutants throughout development. The results provide additional support to our claim that wild-type soybean contains three NR isozymes, namely, constitutive NADPH:NR (c(1)NR), constitutive NADH:NR (c(2)NR), and nitrate-inducible NR (iNR).


Molecular architecture of the Bardet-Biedl syndrome protein 2-7-9 subcomplex.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetic disorder characterized by malfunctions in primary cilia resulting from mutations that disrupt the function of the BBSome, an 8-subunit complex that plays an important role in protein transport in primary cilia. To better understand the molecular basis of BBS, here we used an integrative structural modeling approach consisting of EM and chemical cross-linking coupled with MS analyses, to analyze the structure of a BBSome 2-7-9 subcomplex consisting of three homologous BBS proteins, BBS2, BBS7, and BBS9. The resulting molecular model revealed an overall structure that resembles a flattened triangle. We found that within this structure, BBS2 and BBS7 form a tight dimer through a coiled-coil interaction and that BBS9 associates with the dimer via an interaction with the α-helical domain of BBS2. Interestingly, a BBS-associated mutation of BBS2 (R632P) is located in its α-helical domain at the interface between BBS2 and BBS9, and binding experiments indicated that this mutation disrupts the BBS2-BBS9 interaction. This finding suggests that BBSome assembly is disrupted by the R632P substitution, providing molecular insights that may explain the etiology of BBS in individuals harboring this mutation.


Prevalence of Pulmonary Diseases in Association with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Prior reports from small studies suggested an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Large population-based contemporary studies evaluating this association are lacking. In this retrospective observational cohort study utilizing the US Nationwide Readmissions Database year 2014, IBD patients ≥ 15 years of age were identified. Outcomes analyzed were the differences in the rates of diagnosed respiratory diseases between IBD and age- and sex-matched non-IBD control groups, and between patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). The IBD study cohort and the matched non-IBD control group had 87,506 patients each (mean age, 52 years; 57% females). In patients with IBD, obstructive respiratory diseases were the most prevalent (asthma, 8.6%; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 8.7%) followed by pleural diseases (1.9%). Compared with the non-IBD cohort, patients with IBD had a 46% higher rate of bronchiectasis, 52% higher rate of pulmonary vasculitis and interstitial pneumonia, 35% higher risk for lung nodules, 16% higher rate of pulmonary fibrosis, and a 5.5% higher rate of asthma. Among patients with IBD, patients with CD, compared with UC, had a 34% lower age/sex-adjusted risk for bronchiectasis, 56% lower risk for pulmonary vasculitis, 14% lower risk for pleural diseases, and approximately 30% higher risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In this large population-based cohort study, patients with IBD had higher rates of certain respiratory diseases compared with the general population without IBD, and significant differences were present between CD and UC.


Novel Insights on Hantavirus Evolution: The Dichotomy in Evolutionary Pressures Acting on Different Hantavirus Segments.
Hantaviruses are important emerging zoonotic pathogens. The current understanding of hantavirus evolution is complicated by the lack of consensus on co-divergence of hantaviruses with their animal hosts. In addition, hantaviruses have long-term associations with their reservoir hosts. Analyzing the relative abundance of dinucleotides may shed new light on hantavirus evolution. We studied the relative abundance of dinucleotides and the evolutionary pressures shaping different hantavirus segments. A total of 118 sequences were analyzed; this includes 51 sequences of the S segment, 43 sequences of the M segment and 23 sequences of the L segment. The relative abundance of dinucleotides, effective codon number (ENC), codon usage biases were analyzed. Standard methods were used to investigate the relative roles of mutational pressure and translational selection on the three hantavirus segments. All three segments of hantaviruses are CpG depleted. Mutational pressure is the predominant evolutionary force leading to CpG depletion among hantaviruses. Interestingly, the S segment of hantaviruses is GpU depleted and in contrast to CpG depletion, the depletion of GpU dinucleotides from the S segment is driven by translational selection. Our findings also suggest that mutational pressure is the primary evolutionary pressure acting on the S and the M segments of hantaviruses. While translational selection plays a key role in shaping the evolution of the L segment. Our findings highlight how different evolutionary pressures may contribute disproportionally to the evolution of the three hantavirus segments. These findings provide new insights on the current understanding of hantavirus evolution. There is a dichotomy among evolutionary pressures shaping a) the relative abundance of different dinucleotides in hantavirus genomes b) the evolution of the three hantavirus segments.


A Multi-Level Strategy Based on Metabolic and Molecular Genetic Approaches for the Characterization of Different Coptis Medicines Using HPLC-UV and RAD-seq Techniques.
Coptis plants (Ranunculaceae) to have played an important role in the prevention and treatment human diseases in Chinese history. In this study, a multi-level strategy based on metabolic and molecular genetic methods was performed for the characterization of four Coptis herbs (C. chinensis, C. deltoidea, C. omeiensis and C. teeta) using high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) techniques. Protoberberine alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, coptisine, epiberberine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine and groenlandicine in rhizomes were identified and determined based on the HPLC-UV method. Among them, berberine was demonstrated as the most abundant compound in these plants. RAD-seq was applied to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) data. A total of 44,747,016 reads were generated and 2,443,407 SNPs were identified in regarding to four plants. Additionally, with respect to complicated metabolic and SNP data, multivariable statistical methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were successively applied to interpret the structure characteristics. The metabolic variation and genetic relationship among different Coptis plants were successfully illustrated based on data visualization. Summarily, this comprehensive strategy has been proven as a reliable and effective approach to characterize Coptis plants, which can provide additional information for their quality assessment.


In situ detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in liver tissue using a digoxigenin-labeled probe created during a polymerase chain reaction.
The cellular localization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in liver tissue was studied by nonisotopic in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled cDNA probe created during a polymerase chain reaction on samples from 16 patients with chronic HCV infection. Hybridization signals were recognized in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes, and a few hepatocytes had hybridization signals in the nucleus as well. HCV RNA positive hepatocytes were found in 1 of 9 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, 2 of 5 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and in each of 2 patients with chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. Positive signals were found in many hepatocytes within the lobule in liver sections of patients with advanced chronic active hepatitis. A number of HCV RNA positive hepatocytes were found in nodules, but not in the area of fibrosis. On the other hand, positive signals were found in a few hepatocytes scattered in the lobule in a patient with chronic persistent hepatitis. The mean ALT levels in the patients with positive signal (175.6 +/- 44.2 U/L) were significantly higher than in those without a signal (70.27 +/- 16.1 U/L) (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that a larger amount of HCV may be present during the advanced than during the early stages of type C hepatitis and nonisotopic in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled HCV cDNA probe created during a polymerase chain reaction deserves wider application for the detection of HCV replication in specimens.


Phytochrome-mediated detection of changes in reflected light.
Measurements of phytochrome photoequilibria and photoconversion rates in vivo, in seedlings of Cucurbita pepo L. exposed to light in growth chambers, indicate that significant changes in the state of phytochrome can be brought about by changes in the quality and quantity of the light reflected from the walls of the growth chambers. The changes in reflected light, although large, were small in terms of the total radiation (direct light from the lamps plus wall-reflected light) to which the seedlings were exposed. The conditions used were approximate simulations of direct and reflected sunlight conditions in the natural environment. Keeping in mind the limitations imposed by the approximation of the simulations, the results from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that, in the natural environment, a plant might be capable of detecting the presence of nearby plants, before being shaded by them, through the phytochrome-mediated perception of changes in reflected light.


Global interaction, global inequality, and migration of the highly trained to the United States.
The authors "argue that national variation in the size of highly trained migration can be explained by interaction and inequality between nations, both reflecting the process of global integration. Guided by this analytical framework, we tested the structural determinants of highly skilled migration to the United States. The evidence confirms our hypotheses that economic and educational interactions between sending countries and the United States increase the flow of the highly trained to the United States. Results also provide mixed proof for our hypotheses that levels of professional migration are positively associated with disparities between sending countries and the United States in living conditions, research conditions, children's educational opportunities, political conditions, and professional employment opportunities."


The relationships between the immunoexpression of KAI1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and steroid receptors expression in endometrial cancer.
The role of the parallel expression of the KAI1 protein and metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in respect to the status of steroid receptors in endometrial cancer is still incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of and correlation between KAI1 on one hand and MMP-2 and MMP-9 on the other hand in terms of the status of the estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in 100 patients with endometrial cancer. The expressions of KAI1, MMP-2, MMP-9, ER and PR were assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded tissues. No correlations were found between these biomarkers and the clinical and pathological parameters of the endometrial cancer. However, in KAI1-positive cases, the expression was limited to a small area of tumor tissue in FIGO stages III-IV. A tendency towards the high expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 was observed in the advanced stages of endometrial cancer (FIGO IIIA-IV). Positive correlations between the presence of KAI1 and PR and between the presence of MMP-9 and PR were found in endometrial cancer. A positive correlation was also observed between KAI1 and MMP-2 expression, and a borderline one between KAI1 and MMP-9 expression in endometrial cancer. KAI1+/PR+ and KAI1+/ER- immunophenotypes were observed more frequently in FIGO low stages and with well-differentiated tumor grade. However, the KAI1-/ER+ and KAI1-/PR+ immunophenotypes were mainly observed in advanced stages of endometrial cancer. KAI1+/MMP-2+ and KAI1+/MMP-9+ immunophenotypes were observed in FIGO Istage and with well-differentiated tumors. KAI1-/MMP-2+ and KAI1-/MMP-9+ phenotypes were more often observed in FIGO stage II. Our study showed that KAI1 protein, as well as steroid receptors, might modulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in endometrial cancer. Our study revealed that the overlapping expression of the biomarkers investigated here suggests that cooperation between these molecules exists, even at the early stages of endometrial cancer growth, and may determine the speed of tumor cell dissemination and might characterize the biological behavior of endometrial cancer.


Colloidal nanoparticles trapped by liquid-crystal defect lines: a lattice Monte Carlo simulation.
Lattice-based Monte Carlo simulations are performed to study a confined liquid crystal system with a topological disclination line entangling a colloidal nanoparticle. In our microscopic study the disclination line is stretched by moving the colloid, as in laser tweezing experiments, which results in a restoring force attempting to minimize the disclination length. From constant-force simulations we extract the corresponding disclination line tension, estimated as ∼50 pN, and observe its decrease with increasing temperature.


Hypertension in the Jerusalem 70 year olds study population: prevalence, awareness, treatment and control.
As part of the Jerusalem 70 year olds study, we evaluated the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (blood pressure > or = 160 mm Hg systolic and/or > or = 95 mm Hg diastolic, or current treatment with prescribed antihypertensive medications). The study cohort consisted of 448 participants, 224 of whom had hypertension. Relative to other populations, awareness was high (87%). Although the treatment rate was also relatively high (86%), the control rate was only 43%. Untreated isolated systolic hypertension was uncommon (5%), as was orthostatic hypotension (6.9%). Thus, despite a remarkable degree of awareness and treatment rate of hypertension, control levels were disappointingly low. This finding, if confirmed, requires further elucidation.


Determination of the donor:host blood cell ratio after haematological stem cell transplant by means of semiquantitative detection of short tandem repeat polymorphisms.
An improved method of quantifying the donor:host blood cell ratio after haematological stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) using a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) markers is presented. The post-transplant DNA is extracted from the patient's blood and amplified by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) without prior mock transplant and plotting of a standard curve. The amplification products are then analysed by ABI PRISM 310 capillary electrophoresis apparatus. The resultant peak areas are correlated with the corresponding microsatellite allele by GeneScan software and the donor:host cell ratio is calculated. Improvements to PCR amplification conditions are essential for the outcome of the quantification since preferential amplification of alleles in the PCR process can account for the marked deviation found between the results gained by measurement of different microsatellite loci. To assess the accuracy of the method, the post-transplant blood samples of 6 patients who had undergone either myeloablative or non-myeloablative transplantation regimens were analysed retrospectively (median observation time 298 days). By analysing 3 or 4 microsatellite loci we were able to detect full engraftment or mixed chimaerism after transplant with a measurement precision of < or = 4.5 (standard deviation). Sensitivity for different primers ranges from 2% to 5%. The results of the microsatellite analysis correlated well with the corresponding clinical findings. We conclude that post-transplant analysis of microsatellite loci using semiquantitative PCR without standard is suitable for clinical purposes.


Differential regulation of the expression of proteinases/antiproteinases in fibroblasts. Effects of interleukin-1 and platelet-derived growth factor.
We have previously reported that polypeptide growth factors had an anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing the cytokine-enhanced expression of factor B (FB), an activator of the alternative complement pathway, in human fibroblasts. To further characterize the role of cytokines and growth factors in the inflammatory/repair continuum, we have studied the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the expression of metalloproteinases/antiproteinases of the extracellular matrix in cultured human fibroblasts. Co-incubation of IL-1 and PDGF synergistically increased the expression of stromelysin and interstitial collagenase to 23-fold (for both proteins) over background, while PDGF decreased the IL-1-enhanced expression of FB by 82%. PDGF, but not IL-1, alone or in combination, increased the synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases. RNA blot analysis indicated that the changes in protein synthesis were regulated at a pretranslational level. Cycloheximide treatment indicated that the effects of PDGF on the metalloproteinases/antiproteinases were not protein-dependent, in contrast to results obtained for FB. The effect of the three dimeric forms of PDGF (AA, AB, and BB) on the synthesis of metalloproteinases and FB was also analyzed. The effects were qualitatively similar for each of the dimeric forms; however, the BB and AB isoforms had considerably greater effects than PDGF-AA. It has been reported that the PDGF receptors found in human fibroblasts have higher binding affinity for the BB and AB isoforms of the growth factor. The results presented in this paper are in accord with the possibility that differences in the biological activity of the three isoforms of PDGF are due to differences in the number or affinity of the binding sites of the target cells, rather than to different activation pathways of the receptor. Thus, PDGF increased cytokine effects on metalloproteinases, while decreasing cytokine effects or complement activator FB. The net effect of these changes may be to decrease inflammation and enhance remodeling early in repair and to enhance matrix stability later in the repair process.


Rapid and Sensitive Reverse-phase High-performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Estimation of Ketorolac in Pharmaceuticals Using Weighted Regression.
A reliable, rapid and sensitive isocratic reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated for assay of ketorolac tromethamine in tablets and ophthalmic dosage forms using diclofenac sodium as an internal standard. An isocratic separation of ketorolac tromethamine was achieved on Oyster BDS (150×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size) column using mobile phase of methanol:acetonitrile:sodium dihydrogen phosphate (20 mM; pH 5.5) (50:10:40, %v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The eluents were monitored at 322 nm for ketorolac and at 282 nm for diclofenac sodium with a photodiode array detector. The retention times of ketorolac and diclofenac sodium were found to be 1.9 min and 4.6 min, respectively. Response was a linear function of drug concentration in the range of 0.01-15 μg/ml (R (2)=0.994; linear regression model using weighing factor 1/x (2)) with a limit of detection and quantification of 0.002 μg/ml and 0.007 μg/ml, respectively. The % recovery and % relative standard deviation values indicated the method was accurate and precise.


[Gene therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: new aspects].
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology that is characterized by the progressive destruction of articular structures. The accumulation of inflammatory cells in the joint and the transformation of the healthy synovial membrane into a hyperplasic and aggressive pannus tissue constitute important steps in the pathology of RA. The synthesis and secretion of inflammatory factors such as cytokines and chemokines as well as the release of matrix degrading enzymes play a decisive role and have, therefore, become of interest for novel therapeutic strategies, among the gene therapy. This article summarizes the principles and current developments of gene therapy in RA and gives an overview about available vector systems and target genes.


The potential of smoking cessation programmes and a smoking ban in public places: comparing gain in life expectancy and cost effectiveness.
Interventions aimed at reducing the number of smokers are generally believed to be cost effective. However as the cost of the interventions should be paid up front whereas the gains in life years only appear in the future--the budgetary consequences might be a barrier to implementing such interventions. The aim of the present paper was to assess the long-term cost effectiveness as well as the short-term (10 years) budget consequences of cessation programmes and a smoking ban in enclosed public places. We develop a population-based Markov model capable of analyzing both interventions and assess long-term costs effectiveness as well as short-term budgetary consequences and outcome gains. The smoking cessation programme model was based on data from the Danish National Smoking Cessation Database (SCDB), while the model of the smoking ban was based on effect estimates found in the literature. On a population level the effect of a smoking ban has the largest potential compared with the effect of smoking cessation programmes. Our results suggest that smoking cessation programmes are cost saving and generate life-years, whereas the costs per life-year gained by a smoking ban are 40,645 to 64,462 DKK (100 DKK = €13.4). These results are conservative as they do not include the healthcare cost saving related to reduced passive smoking. Our results indicate that smoking cessation programmes and a smoking ban in enclosed public places both in the short term and the long term are cost-effective strategies compared with the status quo.


Ising model of polarity formation in molecular crystals: from the growth model to the asymptotic equilibrium state.
We analyze a layer-by-layer growth model of crystals consisting of dipolar molecules with two directional states. The model is characterized by the assumption of thermal equilibrium formation of new adlayers, whereas previous layers are treated as being "frozen" in the state in which they were formed. Longitudinal and transverse Ising-type nearest neighbor interactions are taken into account. Under such assumptions, bulk polarization is known to arise. We mainly consider asymptotic one- and two-layer statistics after many steps of growth; we have obtained a theorem relating this statistics to thermal equilibrium of an appropriate two-layer system. Local polarization patterns resembling those of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism emerge, depending on signs and magnitudes of the coupling constants. We have explored such effects by means of simulations, by a mean field approximation, and by a Bethe-Peierls analysis.


The health care professional as a manager: balancing two important roles.
The health care professional who assumes a management role must recognize that this transition involves adopting a second and concurrent career of equal importance to his/her primary occupation. Many such managers have considerable difficulty balancing the 2 sides of the role because most are well trained in their specialties but enter management with little or no preparation for management. Lack of preparation and inadequate understanding of the requirements of the management side of the combined role lead to discomfort in management matters. This discomfort subsequently causes some managers to seek refuge in the familiar by emphasizing the profession at the expense of attending to management duties. The most successful managers are invariably those who develop the ability to appropriately balance the sides of the dual role.


Systematic Coarse-graining of Epoxy Resins with Machine Learning-Informed Energy Renormalization.
A persistent challenge in predictive molecular modeling of thermoset polymers is to capture the effects of chemical composition and degree of crosslinking (DC) on dynamical and mechanical properties with high computational efficiency. We established a new coarse-graining (CG) approach that combines the energy renormalization method with Gaussian process surrogate models of the molecular dynamics simulations. This allows a machine-learning informed functional calibration of DC-dependent CG force field parameters. Taking versatile epoxy resins consisting of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether combined with curing agent of either 4,4-Diaminodicyclohexylmethane or polyoxypropylene diamines, we demonstrated excellent agreement between all-atom and CG predictions for density, Debye-Waller factor, Young's modulus and yield stress at any DC. We further introduce a surrogate model enabled simplification of the functional forms of 14 non-bonded calibration parameters by quantifying the uncertainty of a candidate set of high-dimensional/flexible calibration functions. The framework established provides an efficient methodology for chemistry-specific, large-scale investigations of the dynamics and mechanics of epoxy resins.


Effect of an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor on actin remodeling in an in vitro bladder cancer carcinogenesis model.
Alteration of actin remodeling is a marker of malignant-associated field defect and a potential surrogate biomarker for chemoprevention trials. We tested erlotinib, a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), on actin remodeling in a bladder carcinogenic model consisting of untransformed HUC-PC cells and transformed MC-T11 cells, both derived from the same normal human urothelial clone immortalized by SV40. Erlotinib had a selective growth inhibitory and actin remodeling effect on MC-T11 cells over HUC-PC cells, as examined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and immunofluorescence labeling with laser scan cytometer analysis, respectively. The IC(50) of untransformed HUC-PC cells was significantly higher than that of transformed MC-T11 cells (P < 0.05, t test). The actin remodeling effect was more prominent at lower dosage levels (1/8-1/4 of IC(50)), which was accompanied by an increased cell adhesion and decreased motility. At higher dosage levels (1/2 of IC(50)), erlotinib induced a decreased adhesion and anoikis (detachment-associated apoptosis). The transformed MC-T11, but not HUC-PC, showed a weak constitutive EGFR phosphorylation activity, which was inhibited by erlotinib in a dose-response manner. However, on epidermal growth factor stimulation, both cell lines showed a similar dose-response inhibitory effect on phosphorylated EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; P44/P42) activities, and MAPK inhibitor PD98059 showed no specific effect on erlotinib-induced actin remodeling, suggesting that pathways other than MAPK (P44/P42) may be responsible for erlotinib-induced actin remodeling. The findings provide evidence to support erlotinib-based bladder cancer chemoprevention and using actin remodeling as a marker for erlotinib-based intervention trials.


Relative validity and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess fruit and vegetable consumption in school-aged children.
Since the beneficial effects of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on health are well known due to the synergy of their nutrients and non-nutrients, it is crucial to have good tools to assess the FV intake. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is an adequate method to estimate FV consumption, but it is necessary to relate this dietary method to the geographic and cultural environment. Therefore, this study presented the development of a semi-quantitative FFQ to estimate the FV intake in school-aged children who usually consume cooked homemade and school meals. It also aimed to evaluate the relative validity and reproducibility of the FFQ. School-aged children (baseline age 8 years) from 14 primary schools in the city of Zagreb participated in the study during the 2019/2020 school year. Parents/caregivers, together with the children, completed the FFQs and 3-day dietary records (3DDRs). The FFQ was designed to assess the consumption of eight food categories. The FFQ was validated using the 3DDR of 141 children (51.4% of boys), whereas the reproducibility test included the FFQ of 161 children (53.4% of boys). Of the eight food categories, FFQ overestimates the consumption of three and underestimates the consumption of three food categories (p < 0.05; Wilcoxon signed rank test) compared to the 3DDR. De-attenuated correlation coefficients estimated a significant relationship (0.217-0.384) between the FFQ and 3DDR. Cross-classification analysis revealed that overall, 28-41% of children were classified in the same quartile, whereas less than 10% of children were extremely misclassified for all food categories obtained from 3DDR and FFQ1. κ w values showed fair agreement for all food categories. The Bland-Altman analysis results showed a relatively small bias for all food categories (median between -11.7 and -54.8 g), with no systematic patterns between the FFQ and 3DDR. No differences were found between food categories estimated with the FFQs on both occasions, and Spearman's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.664 to 0.712 (p < 0.01). Cronbach's alpha values (α > 0.700) indicate good internal consistency, and ICCs (range 0.724-0.826; p < 0.01) indicate good reproducibility of the FFQ. The results indicate reasonable relative validity and acceptable reproducibility of the FFQ for estimating FV consumption among school-aged children.


Metabolism of radiolabeled glucose by mouse oocytes and oocyte-cumulus cell complexes.
This study was carried out to examine the metabolism of [1-14C]-, [6-14C]-, and [5-3H]glucose by oocyte-cumulus cell complexes (OCC) and denuded oocytes (DO) and to test the hypothesis that metabolism of glucose through the pentose phosphate pathway is associated with meiotic induction. OCC or DO were cultured in hanging drops suspended from the cap of a microfuge tube, with NaOH serving as a trap to collect released 3H2O or 14CO2. Preliminary experiments established that this culture system supports both spontaneous and ligand-induced meiotic maturation. An initial time course experiment (1.5-6 h) showed that hypoxanthine-treated OCC from eCG-primed animals metabolized glucose principally via glycolysis, with an increase to 2.7-fold in response to FSH. Though more [1-14C]glucose was oxidized than [6-14C]glucose, its metabolism was about two orders of magnitude less than that of [5-3H]glucose. Also, FSH significantly increased oxidation of [1-14C]glucose but not [6-14C]glucose, indicating a preferential activation of the pentose phosphate pathway. Pyrroline carboxylate, an activator of the pentose phosphate pathway, increased the activity of this pathway to over 2-fold but failed to affect glucose oxidation through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Glycolytic metabolism was increased by 25%. The addition of pyruvate to pyruvate-free medium resulted in significant reduction in the metabolism of all three glucose analogues. In OCC retrieved from hCG-injected, primed mice and cultured under hormone-free conditions, metabolic responses were similar to those in FSH-treated complexes cultured in hypoxanthine. DO metabolized glucose, but at a much reduced rate when compared to OCC. Pyruvate reduced the consumption of all three glucose analogues by DO. Pyrroline carboxylate reduced [5-3H]glucose metabolism by DO but had little effect on [1-14C]- and [6-14C]glucose oxidation. These data demonstrate metabolism of glucose by both DO and OCC, but reveal that cumulus cells are more active than the oocyte in this regard. In addition, induction of maturation by FSH, hCG, or pyrroline carboxylate was accompanied by a significant increase in the oxidation of [1-14C]glucose but not [6-14C]glucose by OCC, supporting a proposed role for the pentose phosphate pathway in meiotic induction.


Evidence that non-fibrillar tau causes pathology linked to neurodegeneration and behavioral impairments.
The discovery that mutations within the tau gene lead to frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) provided direct evidence that tau alterations can lead to neurodegenerative disease. While the presence of tau fibrils and tangles is a common feature of all tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), data are emerging from biochemical, cell-based and transgenic mouse studies which suggest that a pre-fibrillar form of pathological tau may play a key role in eliciting central nervous system neurodegeneration and behavioral impairments. Herein we review recent findings that implicate diffusible tau pathology in the onset of neurodegeneration, and discuss the implications of these findings as they relate to tau tangles and possible therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD and related tauopathies.


Continuing the journey to a culture of patient safety: from falls prevention to falls management.
This article documents the change management process undertaken in a small community hospital on one stage of the journey toward a patient safety culture. On this part of the journey, the patient care model founded on a philosophy of falls prevention was transformed to one based on a model of falls management. The change process culminated in a more elder-friendly environment complemented by a respect for patients' choices, even when those choices include personal risk. Our cultural transformation resulted in a patient safety culture characterized by (1) a restraints-free physical environment and (2) a rate of patient falls accompanied by serious harm that is lower than the industry average. The first step on our journey to a culture of patient safety was completed over a three-year period.


Approaches to visual arts-based data collection with hospitalized children: A discussion of lessons learnt and suggestions for practice.
To discuss the experience in using a visual arts-based method of draw and talk with hospitalized children, lessons learnt and strategies for practice. Discussion paper. Data were drawn from two sources: first, the databases Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS were searched for approaches to visual arts- based data collection with children. Secondly, relevant literature and the experience of our research team using visual arts-based data collection with children informed this paper. This paper draws on the literature and our experiences of using a visual arts-based approach when conducting research with hospitalized children and foreshadows practical approaches that can be applied when undertaking such research. When undertaking research with sick children a high level of reflexivity is essential when planning and implementing a visual arts-based approach. The paper discusses a visual arts-based method and the issues that are important considerations to the conduct of research with hospitalized children. We provide suggestions for practice and argue that nurses and healthcare professionals researching with hospitalized children using an arts-based method, practice a high level of reflexivity.


Structural characterization of nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome c-552 variants with marked differences in electronic structure.
Nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome c-552 (Ne c-552) variants with the same His/Met axial ligand set but with different EPR spectra have been characterized structurally, to aid understanding of how molecular structure determines heme electronic structure. Visible light absorption, Raman, and resonance Raman spectroscopy of the protein crystals was performed along with structure determination. The structures solved are those of Ne c-552, which displays a "HALS" (or highly anisotropic low-spin) EPR spectrum, and of the deletion mutant Ne N64Δ, which has a rhombic EPR spectrum. Two X-ray crystal structures of wild-type Ne c-552 are reported; one is of the protein isolated from N. europaea cells (Ne c-552n, 2.35 Å resolution), and the other is of recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli (Ne c-552r, 1.63 Å resolution). Ne N64Δ crystallized in two different space groups, and two structures are reported [monoclinic (2.1 Å resolution) and hexagonal (2.3 Å resolution)]. Comparison of the structures of the wild-type and mutant proteins reveals that heme ruffling is increased in the mutant; increased ruffling is predicted to yield a more rhombic EPR spectrum. The 2.35 Å Ne c-552n structure shows 18 molecules in the asymmetric unit; analysis of the structure is consistent with population of more than one axial Met configuration, as seen previously by NMR. Finally, the mutation was shown to yield a more hydrophobic heme pocket and to expel water molecules from near the axial Met. These structures reveal that heme pocket residue 64 plays multiple roles in regulating the axial ligand orientation and the interaction of water with the heme. These results support the hypothesis that more ruffled hemes lead to more rhombic EPR signals in cytochromes c with His/Met axial ligation.


Spacial compartmentalization of Ca2+ signaling complexes in pancreatic acini.
Imaging [Ca2+]i at high temporal resolution and measuring the properties of Ca2+ signaling in streptolysin O (SLO)-permeabilized cells were used to study the spacial organization of signaling complexes. Sequential stimulation of single cells within pancreatic acini with several Ca2+-mobilizing agonists revealed an agonist-specific pattern and propagation rate of Ca2+ waves in the same cells, with CCK8 stimulating the fastest and bombesin the slowest waves. More importantly, each agonist initiated the wave in a different region of the same cell. On the other hand, repetitive stimulation with the same agonist induced Ca2+ waves of the same pattern that were initiated from the same region of the cell. The agonist-specific Ca2+ signaling does not appear to be the result of coupling to different G proteins as infusion of an anti-Galphaq antibody into the cells through a patch pipette equally inhibited Ca2+ signaling by all agonists. Further evidence for compartmentalization of signaling complexes was developed in permeabilized cells. The time-dependent loss of Ca2+ signaling due to SLO permeabilization occurred in an agonist-specific manner in the sequence cabachol > bombesin > cholecystokinin. Signaling by all agonists could be completely restored with as low as 2 micro guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS). At this low concentration GTPgammaS recoupled inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and Ca2+ release, rather than enhancing phospholipase C activity. Priming of Ca2+ signaling by GTPgammaS was agonist-specific. Guanosine 5'-O-(thio)diphosphate (GDPbetaS) uncoupled the ability of signaling complexes to release Ca2+ much better than stimulating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production. The uncoupling of Ca2+ signaling by GDPbetaS was also agonist-specific. The combined findings of agonist-specific initiation sites of the Ca2+ wave and differential access of guanine nucleotides to signaling complexes suggest spacial compartmentalization of Ca2+ signaling complexes. Each complex must include a receptor, G protein, and phospholipase C that are coupled to a specific portion of the Ca2+ pool.


Esophagogastric Fistula Associated with Paraesophageal Hernia in a 5-Year-Old Girl.
Esophagogastric fistula is a rare complication related to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, previous surgery, or malignancy. We describe an unusual case of esophagogastric fistula associated with paraesophageal hernia in a 5-year-old girl. This is the first report in pediatric patients.


Verbal and nonverbal communication of events in learning-disability subtypes.
This study compared a group of nondisabled children (ND) with groups of learning-disabled children who were primarily impaired in reading and arithmetic skills (Reading-Arithmetic Disabled; RAD) and arithmetic but not reading (Arithmetic Disabled; AD) on a set of tasks involving comprehension and production of verbally and nonverbally presented events. Children viewed videotaped scenarios presented in verbal (narrative) and nonverbal (puppet actors) formats and were asked to describe or enact with puppets the events depicted in the stories. Rourke (1978, 1982) has shown that RAD children have problems with verbal skills, whereas AD children have problems with nonverbal skills. Consequently, it was hypothesized that children's performance in comprehending and reproducing stories would be related to the type of learning disability. Results showed that RAD children made more errors than AD children with verbal presentations and describe-responses, whereas AD children made more errors than RAD children with nonverbal presentations and enact-responses. In addition, learning disabled children were more likely than controls to misinterpret affect and motivation depicted in the stories. These results show that learning disabled children have problems with social communication skills, but that the nature of these problems varies with the type of learning disability.


Does medical culture limit doctors' adoption of quality improvement? Lessons from Camelot.
This paper analyses aspects of medical culture, explains why this culture is antagonistic to quality improvement, and provides solutions to help medical colleges meet the challenge of clinical governance. Like the knights of Camelot, doctors have their own all-pervading culture, occupationally centred, exclusive to the initiated and tending to the traditional, either overtly or through assumed values. The Camelot metaphor is supported by analysis of empirical evidence, especially the documents produced by medical colleges. Suggested initiatives to overcome these organisational barriers include improvements in continuing medical education, accreditation, guideline production and responsibility for the performance of doctors. Central to these improvements should be the involvement of every doctor, via the Delphi process, and substantial contributions to college processes from other health care professions and patients.


Laser Ranging System with 1-cm Resolution.
A laser ranging system has been developed in which an image converter tube equipped with deflection plates is used to make a precise measurement of the fractional amount by which the time of flight of the ranging pulse exceeds an integral multiple N of the period of a stable oscillator. The value of N is determined in an auxiliary measurement. In short-range tests with a laboratory breadboard version of the system, time-of-flight uncertainties of about 45 psec were observed. The corresponding uncertainty in a range measurement is smaller than 7 mm.


Impact of Rectus Diastasis Repair on Abdominal Strength and Function: A Systematic Review.
Rectus diastasis plication performed during abdominoplasty aims to narrow the widened linea alba and return the rectus muscle bellies to their anatomic position. It is unclear whether plication improves abdominal strength and function. This systematic review summarizes the effect of rectus plication on abdominal strength, function, and postoperative complications. A comprehensive search of CINAHL, Embase, Medline and Web of Science was performed. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Data were extracted from the included articles, and outcomes were analyzed categorically. A total of 497 patients from seven articles were included. Mean age was 44.5 years (range 20.5-72) and 94.4% were female. Three articles reported abdominal strength measurements, with two showing significant improvement. Four articles used the SF-36 survey, all demonstrating improvement in physical function subscale postoperatively. An additional six instruments were used to assess functional outcomes, of which four demonstrated significant improvement. The overall complication rate was 17.0%. Rectus plication is commonly performed during abdominoplasty to improve abdominal form and function. While the literature to date is encouraging with respect to functional outcomes, improvements in abdominal strength are less consistent. Heterogeneity in patient population, outcome measures, and comparison groups limit the strength of our conclusions. Future research should include a large comparative study as well as a protocol for standardizing outcomes in this population.


[Survey of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy in Tokyo].
On the 1st of April in 1988, we identified 26 children with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) among 1,227,000 children in Tokyo whose ages ranged from 6 to 14 years. The prevalence rate of FCMD was 2.1 per 100,000. All affected children attended special school for crippled children. Mean absence from school on account of illness was 33.9 days in a year. Fifteen among 26 affected children had ability of verbal communication. The loss of gross motor function started at ages 6-7 years but muscle weakness might have occurred earlier. Ten affected children were treated with antiepileptic drugs. Six affected children needed to be hospitalized for the treatment of vomiting with dehydration, acute bronchitis, or pertussis infection during one year until the 1st of April in 1989. Two cases among 26 with FCMD died of respiratory complications shortly after admission.


Novel in vitro model for assessing susceptibility of synthetic hernia repair meshes to Staphylococcus aureus infection using green fluorescent protein-labeled bacteria and modern imaging techniques.
Mesh infection complicating hernia repair is a major cause of patient morbidity and results in substantial healthcare expenditures. The various constructs of prosthetic mesh may alter the ability of bacteria to attach and form a biofilm. Few data exist evaluating biofilm formation. Using the Maestro in-Vivo Imaging System (CRi, Inc., Woburn, MA) to detect green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Staphylococcus aureus, we studied the ability of synthetic mesh to withstand bacterial biofilm formation in an in vitro model. We included four meshes: Polypropylene (PP), polypropylene/expanded PTFE (PX), compressed PTFE (cPTFE), and polyester/polyethylene glycol and collagen hydrogel (PE). Five samples of each mesh were exposed to GFP-expressing S. aureus for 18 h at 37°C. Next, green fluorescence was measured using the Maestro Imaging System, with the results expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU), subtracting the fluorescence of uninfected mesh (control). Each mesh subsequently underwent sonication and quantitative culture of the released bacteria, with the results expressed in colony-forming units (CFU). Analysis of variance was performed to compare the mean values for the different meshes. There was a statistically significant difference in bacterial fluorescence for the four meshes: PE (49.9 ± 25.5 [standard deviation] RFU), PX (30.8 ± 9.4 RFU), cPTFE (10.1 ± 4.0 RFU), and PP (5.8 ± 7.5 RFU)(p = 0.001). Bacterial counts also were significantly different: PE (2.2 × 10(8) CFU), PX (8.6 × 10(7) CFU), cPTFE (3.7 × 10(7) CFU), and PP (9.1 × 10(7) CFU)(p < 0.001). Using novel imaging technology, this study documented significantly different amounts of S. aureus biofilm formation and proliferation on different mesh constructs, with good agreement between imaging and culture results. A multifilament woven mesh (PE) had the highest degree of biofilm formation. These findings are being evaluated in a clinical infection model.


Inverse Association Between Riboflavin Intake and New-Onset Hypertension: A Nationwide Cohort Study in China.
The prospective relation of dietary riboflavin intake with hypertension remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the relationship of dietary riboflavin intake with new-onset hypertension and examine possible effect modifiers in general population. A total of 12 245 participants who were free of hypertension at baseline from China Health and Nutrition Survey were included. Dietary intake was measured by 3 consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a household food inventory. The study outcome was new-onset hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg or diagnosed by physician or under antihypertensive treatment during the follow-up. A total of 4303 (35.1%) subjects developed hypertension during 95 573 person-years of follow-up. Overall, there was a nonlinear, inverse association between total, plant-based, or animal-based riboflavin intake and new-onset hypertension (all P for nonlinearity, <0.001). The risk of new-onset hypertension was increased only in participants with relatively lower riboflavin intake. Accordingly, a significantly lower risk of new-onset hypertension was found in participants in quartiles 2 to 4 of total riboflavin intake (hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.68-0.80]), plant-derived riboflavin intake (hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.71-0.84]), or animal-derived riboflavin intake (hazard ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.65-0.77]), compared with those in quartile 1. In addition, the association between total riboflavin intake and new-onset hypertension was particularly evident in those with lower dietary sodium/potassium intake ratio (P interaction, <0.001). In summary, there was an inverse association between riboflavin intake and new-onset hypertension in general Chinese adults. Our results emphasized the importance of maintaining relatively higher riboflavin intake levels for the prevention of hypertension.


[Cicatricial pemphigoid: management in stomatology].
Cicatricial pemphigoid is a subepidermal disease of the mucous membranes. In some patients blisters involving the oral cavity may be the only manifestation. The purpose of this work was to detail the clinical features and biological findings, highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Seventeen patients, nine women (mean age 59.6 years) and eight men (mean age 67.8 years) managed between 1990 and 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Mucous membranes of the mouth were the only localization in six of the seventeen patients. Other localizations (skin, eye, nose, anus) were associated, alone or in combination, in the other eleven patients. The gingivae were involved in 15/17 patients and constituted the only localization in six. Skin lesions (sometimes involving the lower limb) were variable and found in 6/17 patients. Ocular lesions were present at diagnosis in six patients, including two with severe lesions at onset. Nasal and/or laryngeal involvement was found in 6/17 patients. These lesions were often severe with major functional impact. ENT localizations were found in patients with at least three localizations and lesions extending to mucous membranes distant from the oral cavity. A biopsy was obtained from all patients and demonstrated subepidermal detachment in eleven. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in eleven. Indirect immunofluorescence, performed in twelve patients, was negative. In two patients, both histology and immunofluorescence were negative. Electron immunomicroscopy was performed in four patients and confirmed the diagnosis. Five out of six isolated oral manifestations were treated with topical steroids alone. Multiple lesions were treated case by case using daprosone and/or systemic corticosteroids associated with topical steroids in 16/17 patients. A bolus of cyclophosphamid was given for four patients with very severe lesions which did not respond to other treatments. At last follow-up (22 +/- 17 months), none of the patients was considered cured. Cicatricial pemphigoid is a complex chronic disease. Oral manifestations may be isolated or associated with lesions of the skin or other mucous membranes. The painful aspect of oral lesions explains why the diagnosis is often made in stomatology. Careful evaluation at diagnosis is essential and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Certain diagnosis can be provided by immunohistology, particularly electron immunomicroscopy which enables distinguishing cicatricial pemphigoid from other autoimmune diseases of the dermo-epidermal junction. Treatment depends on disease severity. Isolated oral manifestations are generally well controlled by topical corticosteroids which ocular, nasal, and laryngeal localizations often require more extensive treatment.


Mechanical demands of kettlebell swing exercise.
The aims of this study were to establish mechanical demands of kettlebell swing exercise and provide context by comparing them to mechanical demands of back squat and jump squat exercise. Sixteen men performed 2 sets of 10 swings with 16, 24, and 32 kg, 2 back squats with 20, 40, 60, and 80% 1-repetition maximum (1RM), and 2 jump squats with 0, 20, 40, and 60% 1RM. Sagittal plane motion and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were recorded during swing performance, and GRFs were recorded during back and jump squat performances. Net impulse, and peak and mean propulsion phase force and power applied to the center of mass (CM) were obtained from GRF data and kettlebell displacement and velocity from motion data. The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that all swing CM measures were maximized during the 32-kg condition but that velocity of the kettlebell was maximized during the 16-kg condition; displacement was consistent across different loads. Peak and mean force tended to be greater during back and jump squat performances, but swing peak and mean power were greater than back squat power and largely comparable with jump squat power. However, the highest net impulse was recorded during swing exercise with 32 kg (276.1 ± 45.3 N·s vs. 60% 1RM back squat: 182.8 ± 43.1 N·s, and 40% jump squat: 231.3 ± 47.1 N·s). These findings indicate a large mechanical demand during swing exercise that could make swing exercise a useful addition to strength and conditioning programs that aim to develop the ability to rapidly apply force.


Goat Milk Oligosaccharides: Their Diversity, Quantity, and Functional Properties in Comparison to Human Milk Oligosaccharides.
Human milk is considered the golden standard in infant nutrition. Free oligosaccharides in human milk provide important health benefits. These oligosaccharides function as prebiotics, immune modulators, and pathogen inhibitors and were found to improve barrier function in the gut. Infant formulas nowadays often contain prebiotics but lack the specific functions of human milk oligosaccharides (hMOS). Milk from domesticated animals also contains milk oligosaccharides but at much lower levels and with less diversity. Goat milk contains significantly more oligosaccharides (gMOS) than bovine (bMOS) or sheep (sMOS) milk and also has a larger diversity of structures. This review summarizes structural studies, revealing a diversity of up to 77 annotated gMOS structures with almost 40 structures fully characterized. Quantitative studies of goat milk oligosaccharides range from 60 to 350 mg/L in mature milk and from 200 to 650 mg/L in colostrum. These levels are clearly lower than in human milk (5-20 g/L) but higher than in other domesticated dairy animals, e.g., bovine (30-60 mg/L) and sheep (20-40 mg/L). Finally, the review focuses on demonstrated and potential functionalities of gMOS. Some studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of mixtures enriched in gMOS. Goat MOS also display prebiotic potential, particularly in stimulating growth of bifidobacteria preferentially. Although functional studies of gMOS are still limited, several structures are also found in human milk and have known functions as immune modulators and pathogen inhibitors. In conclusion, goat milk constitutes a promising alternative source for milk oligosaccharides, which can be used in infant formula.


Comb-drive tracking and focusing lens actuators integrated on a silicon-on-insulator wafer.
This paper reports integrated tracking (horizontal) and focusing (vertical) actuators using microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology for optical storage. The design, fabrication and characterization of the integrated tracking and focusing actuators are demonstrated. The integrated tracking and focusing lens actuators that consist of springs, a lens holder and comb-drive actuators are implemented to obtain the two-dimensional tuning effect of an objective lens. A two-mask process is used to define the actuators on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The DC displacements and the frequency responses are characterized by applying voltage to the micro lens actuators. Displacements are experimentally characterized with ± 24.6μm in tracking direction and 5.7μm in focusing direction. Moreover, the influences of the cross-axis coupling are measured and evaluated. This MEMS device which has a small form factor provides an excellent response time and size reduction. The minimization and integration of the lens actuators can offer low costs in assembly and expand the application area of the optical head.


Inorganic functional materials: optimization of properties by structural and compositional control.
A review is given of the strategies used to dope inorganic solids and the consequences for properties such as ionic and electronic conductivity. Doping mechanisms involve either substitution of foreign ions onto lattice sites, creation of vacancies on either cation or anion sites, or population of normally empty interstitial sites by either anions or cations. Mechanisms for charge compensation associated with aliovalent doping are reviewed and examples are given in the fields of solid state ionics and high-temperature superconductivity. The strategies used for targeting materials with new properties are reviewed, including a surprising number of cases where startling new properties are encountered in well-known materials. Specific examples discussed include MgB2 superconductor, Na beta-alumina sodium ion conductor, Ca12Al14O33 oxide ion conductor, LiCoMnO4 lithium battery cathode, doped Li4SiO4 tunable lithium ion conductor, and La-doped BaTiO3 ferroelectric, which can be either semiconducting or insulating. Examples are also given of a curious observation that extraordinary properties are often encountered in materials that are on the edge of stability, either structurally or compositionally or at the crossover between different property types.


Concentrated bleach burns in a child.
After a review of the literature on inflicted burns in children, we present a case of caustic burns in a child aged 6 months. Its interest lies in the causative agent (concentrated bleach) and in discussion of the intentional nature of the burn.


Effect of reduced dietary calcium concentration and phytase supplementation on calcium and phosphorus utilization in weanling pigs with modified mineral status.
The present study was conducted to assess the effect of 2 dietary Ca concentrations on P and Ca digestive and metabolic utilization in weanling pigs fed diets providing practical concentrations of P, with or without phytase. The responses of pigs fed diets adequate or moderately deficient in Ca and P postweaning were compared. A total of 60 pigs weaned at 28 d of age were used. Two groups of 30 pigs with differing mineral status resulted from a 10-d depletion period, during which the animals received depletion diets (DD) that consisted of corn-soybean meal with either 1.42% Ca and 0.80% P (DD+) or 0.67% Ca and 0.43% P (DD-), designed to achieve the same Ca:digestible P ratio. At the end of the depletion period, a plasma sample was taken from each pig and 12 pigs (6 from each group) were slaughtered for bone assessment to establish the baseline mineral status. The animals fed the DD- diet had signs of P deficiency with reduced plasma P (13%; P < 0.01) and femur ash concentration (8%; P < 0.05), and increased plasma Ca (9%; P < 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase activity (31%; P < 0.01). For the subsequent 25-d period, the remaining 24 pigs from each group were fed 1 of 4 repletion diets: 1) 0.56% P, 1.06% Ca; 2) 0.56% P, 0.67% Ca; 3) diet 1 + 1,000 phytase units (FTU) of Natuphos phytase/kg; and 4) diet 2 + 1,000 FTU of Natuphos phytase/kg. Total feces and urine were collected from d 5 to 11, and a blood sample was taken from each pig at d 11 and 25. The initial moderate P deficiency (DD-) stimulated Ca absorption (5%; P < 0.01), irrespective of the repletion diet, and stimulated P absorption (5%; DD x phytase, P < 0.05), only when the diets contained phytase. At the end of the repletion period, because of these compensatory phenomena, the depleted pigs achieved full recovery of femur DM and ash weight when they received phytase, whereas ash concentration tended to remain reduced by 3% (P = 0.08). Phosphorus digestibility was improved in the diets supplemented with phytase (73.0 vs. 56.0%; P < 0.001), whereas an increase in dietary Ca decreased P digestibility (65.6 vs. 63.4%; P < 0.05). Those 2 effects were independent, indicating that dietary Ca reduced equally P digestibility with and without phytase and did not influence the efficiency of phytase in releasing P in the digestive tract. In pigs fed diets with phytase, however, the reduction of Ca (Ca:P from 1.9 to 1.3) increased urinary P losses 5-fold. Those extra losses were due to a lack of Ca for skeleton ash deposition, resulting in a 4% reduction in femur ash concentration. In the end, reducing the dietary Ca:P from 1.9 to 1.3 in a practical diet containing 0.56% P did not improve the efficiency of phytase in releasing P. Moreover, the reduction in dietary Ca (Ca:P) caused an imbalance between Ca and P that impaired bone mineralization.


Momentum-shell renormalization-group flow from simulation.
Our recently developed Fourier Monte Carlo algorithm permits a nonperturbative calculation of momentum-shell renormalization-group flows by simulation which despite its apparent simplicity is illustrative both numerically as well as conceptually interesting. We study the example of a varphi(4) model with long-range lattice interaction. For this model we show that the topology of the renormalization flow is globally accessible in a particularly convenient way. The nontrivial fixed point of Wilson-Fisher type is observed its accompanying critical exponents are numerically determined from fitting its surrounding flow pattern to a linearized renormalization-group transformation. The results are compared to those obtained from perturbation theory, -expansion and earlier Monte Carlo simulations. Application of our method is also expected to be rewarding in other models with long-range interactions.


[SCHIZOBANK - The Hungarian national schizophrenia biobank and its role in schizophrenia research and in personalized medicine].
Delineating the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases is a major challenge of the postgenomial era. Genetic factors are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of certain psychiatric disorders as well as in the development of adverse reactions to psychoactive drugs. Containing large numbers of samples and linking them clinical data, biobanks are gaining importance in the studies of chronic multifactorial diseases. Several biobanks are under establishment in Hungary. The first initiative to collect samples in neurological and psychiatric disorders was the NEPSYBANK coordinated by the Hungarian Society of Clinical Neurogenetics. The national biobank network is currently established by the NEKIFUT project of the National Office of Research and Technology. In this article we describe the structure, logistics and informatical background of the national schizophrenia biobank (SCHIZOBANK). The initiative of the SCHIZOBANK originates from a consortium in which academy and health industry partners are collecting biological materials and data in five major psychiatric center under the coordination of the Medical and Health Science Center of the University of Debrecen. We review other international schizophrenia biobanks as well. Major strength of the SCHIZOBANK is the collection of very detailed phenotypic data and of RNA and plasma both in psychotic and non-psychotic state of the patient which permits longitudinal follow-up and the study of both static and dynamically changing transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic markers. The collection of the SCHIZOBANK is available not only to consortial partners but to other national and international research groups as well.


Non contiguous-finished genome sequence and description of Microbacterium gorillae sp. nov.
Strain G3(T) (CSUR P207 = DSM 26203) was isolated from the fecal sample of a wild gorilla (Gorilla gorilla subsp gorilla) from Cameroon. It is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic short rod. This strain exhibits a 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 98.2 % with Microbacterium thalassium, the closest validly published Microbacterium species and member of the family Microbacteriaceae. Moreover, it shows a low MALDI-TOF-MS score (1.1 to 1.3) that does not allow any identification. Thus, it is likely that this strain represents a new species. Here we describe the phenotypic features of this organism, the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 3,692,770 bp long genome (one chromosome but no plasmid) contains 3,505 protein-coding and 61 RNA genes, including 4 rRNA genes. In addition, digital DNA-DNA hybridization values for the genome of the strain G3(T) against the closest Microbacterium genomes range between 19.7 to 20.5, once again confirming its new status as a new species. On the basis of these polyphasic data, consisting of phenotypic and genomic analyses, we propose the creation of Microbacterium gorillae sp. nov. that contains the strain G3(T).


The association of aluminum Alzheimer's disease, and neurofibrillary tangles.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the development of large numbers of neurofibrillary tangles in certain neuronal populations. Aluminum salts inoculated into experimental animals produce neurofilamentous lesions which are similar, but not identical, to the neurofibrillary tangle of Alzheimer's disease. Although a few reports suggest evidence of increased amounts of aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer's disease victims, such bulk analysis studies have been difficult to replicate. Using scanning electron microscopy with x-ray spectrometry, we have identified accumulations of aluminum in neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons of Alzheimer's disease. Similar accumulations have been identified in the neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons found in the brains of indigenous natives of Guam who suffer from parkinsonism with dementia and from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This ongoing research still cannot ascribe a causal role of aluminum in the pathogenesis of the neurofibrillary tangle; however, it does suggest that environmental factors may play an important part in the formation of this abnormality.


Should "Psychodynamics" Cease to Exist?
This article considers the use of the term psychodynamics. I reflect on a recent exchange with a reviewer who suggested that the adjective psychodynamic is the preferred term, and I make a case for the importance of the noun form. The implication of the elimination of the noun form may have far-reaching unconscious meaning about the perception of psychodynamics, and whether psychodynamics exists only when there is conscious effort of its application, such as in outpatient psychotherapy. This has bearing on how psychodynamics is currently taught in training programs and perhaps the role of psychodynamics in larger practice.


Predispersal seed herbivores, not pollinators, exert selection on floral traits via female fitness.
Herbivores that oviposit in flowers of animal-pollinated plants depend on pollinators for seed production and are therefore expected to choose flowers that attract pollinators. This provides a mechanism by which seed herbivores and pollinators could impose conflicting selection on floral traits. We measured phenotypic selection on floral traits of Lobelia siphilitica (Lobeliaceae) via female fitness to determine the relative strength of selection by pollinators and a specialist predispersal seed herbivore. We were able to attribute selection on flowering phenology to the herbivores. However, no selection could be attributed to pollinators, resulting in no conflicting selection on floral traits. Unlike pollinators, whose preference for certain floral traits does not always translate into higher fitness, any discrimination by seed herbivores is likely to decrease fitness of the preferred floral phenotype. Thus predispersal seed herbivores may be a significant agent of selection on floral traits.


Effect of Low Energy Waves on the Accumulation and Transport of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Sand and Pore Water at Freshwater Beaches.
Elevated fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in beach sand and pore water represent an important nonpoint source of contamination to surface waters. This study examines the physical processes governing the accumulation and distribution of FIB in a beach aquifer. Field data indicate E. coli and enterococci can be transported 1 and 2 m, respectively, below the water table. Data were used to calibrate a numerical model whereby FIB are delivered to a beach aquifer by wave-induced infiltration across the beach face. Simulations indicate FIB rapidly accumulate in a beach aquifer with FIB primarily associated with sand rather than freely residing in the pore water. Simulated transport of E. coli in a beach aquifer is complex and does not correlate with conservative tracer transport. Beaches with higher wave-induced infiltration rate and vertical infiltration velocity (i.e., beaches with higher beach slope and wave height, and lower terrestrial groundwater discharge) had greater E. coli accumulation and E. coli was transported deeper below the beach face. For certain beach conditions, the amount of FIB accumulated in sand over 5-6 days was found to be sufficient to trigger a beach advisory if eroded to surface water.


Four years of practice-based and exercise-supported behavioural medicine in one community of the German CINDI area. Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Intervention.
The main goal of the preventive intervention study in one community of the German CINDI (Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Intervention programme of the WHO) area was to improve cardiovascular health by reducing the risk factors smoking, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, and by changing sedentary lifestyle. The intervention was performed by using the special "Three-Level-Strategy", which is characterised by activities of primary care physicians in the usual consulting hour (1st level), with patient groups in their practices (2nd level), and at community level (3rd level) where a special work group and a co-ordinating general practice are co-operating. To evaluate the occurrence of the risk factors in practice and the local population, four cross-sectional random samples (N(total) = 4881) were carried out in seven practices from 1992 to 1995. On the community level, 23 special exercise-based health groups (N(total) = 600) were established and were investigated by means of a questionnaire, related to behaviour and health beliefs. A "Local Health Information System" facilitated the evaluation, the management of the data, and the organisation of the health programme. The results of the practice samples showed a significant reduction of smoking (-17.8%) and hypertension (-31.5%) (p < 0.01). The exercise-based groups were combined with nutritional counselling or relaxation and were accepted very well by the participants (83.8%). The participants considerably improved their health behaviour: 82% discussed health in their family, 37.3% stated an increase of healthy nutrition, 52% of relaxation; 86.2% intended to regularly increase physical activity in leisure time and 82 % could not imagine regular health training without exercise meetings. We conclude that the practice-based "Three-Level-Strategy" provides a strong support for successful long-term prevention of cardiovascular risk, particularly, when exercise-based health training sessions are performed in order to change sedentary lifestyle. When organised on community level, they might have a positive impact on the health behaviour of the whole community. Physical activity can be used as a "prodrug" for health promotion in a holistic way.


[Prognosis and therapeutic goals of diabetes mellitus in children].
According to recent studies, the glycemic control of type 1 diabetic children remains largely insufficient, with glycated Alc hemoglobin levels averaging 9-9.5% after only a few years of evolution. This high incidence of retinal microangiopathy associated with such values should encourage pediatricians to optimise therapy and to organize patient management through specialized teams of doctors, nurses and dietitians.


Lentiviral vector-mediated doxycycline-inducible iASPP gene targeted RNA interference in hepatocellular carcinoma.
iASPP, an inhibitory member of the apoptosis-stimulating proteins of p53 (ASPP) family, has been found to be up-regulated in various human tumor types. This study was to construct an efficient doxycycline-regulated, lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown system for iASPP that will allow for inducible down-regulation of iASPP gene expression and preliminary functional analysis. A pair of complementary oligos with hairpin structures targeting the iASPP gene and a negative control were synthesized, then ligated with pLVTHM vector and sequenced. The fragment containing the shRNA cassette was cloned to pLVCT-tTR-KRAB plasmid. The recombinant vectors were co-transfected with viral packaging mix into 293T cells, and viral supernatant was harvested to determine the titer. After treatment with or without doxycycline, HepG2 cells infected with virus were harvested and the expression of iASPP was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Its effects on tumor growth were characterized using MTS assay, soft agar colony formation, and flow cytometry analysis. The lentiviral vector expressing shRNA that targets to the oncogene iASPP was constructed successfully. HepG2 infected with the lentivirus expressing shRNA against iASPP inhibited the expression of iASPP in the presence of doxycycline, which resulted in the repression of tumor cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth potential. The lentiviral vector-mediated tet-on system demonstrates efficient and inducible knockdown of iASPP in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. iASPP gene may be involved in tumorigenesis and progression of human tumors.


Quantitative ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of inflammation by Doppler technique.
To evaluate ultrasonographic methods, including the Doppler technique, as measures of synovial inflammation in finger joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ultrasonography was performed with a high frequency transducer (13 MHz). Evaluation of the sonographic data was conducted by two independent observers and included measurement of synovial area and thickness (grey tone ultrasound), vascularisation (power/colour Doppler), and indices of the intra- and extrasynovial arterial flow (spectral Doppler). The flow pattern was estimated by the indices of pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI). The sonographic measurements of joint space were reproducible with intraobserver, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) 0.82-0.97 (p<0.0001) and interobserver ICC 0.81 (p<0.0001). The mean (SD) fraction of the synovium vascularised in the patients was 0.15 (0.15). The synovial blood flow was characterised by a diastolic flow-that is, the flow persisting during the diastole. The mean (SD) PI was 1.92 (1.18) and RI 0.70 (0.13). The estimated vascular fraction correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r(s)=0.53, p=0.03). The relative Pi (rPi), an estimate of an abnormally low resistance to vascularisation, correlated with both ESR (r(s)=-0.557, p<0.05) and Health Assessment Questionnaire score (r(s)=-0.584, p<0.05). After an injection of contrast Levovist the vascular fraction increased, while no difference in PI and RI was observed. Ultrasonography is a reliable tool for estimating the size of the joint space and the synovial activity measured by the degree of vascularisation and pattern of flow. Ultrasonography may be useful in monitoring the synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.


Variations in the cerebral venous anatomy and pitfalls in the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: low field MR experience.
Knowledge of variations in the cerebral venous anatomy and apparent signal abnormalities seen on Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography are essential to avoid over-diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), while interpreting the MR angiograms. To evaluate the variations of cerebral venous anatomy and signal abnormalities by using 3D phase contrast MR angiography performed in a 0.5 Tesla MRI scanner. One hundred patients who underwent MR imaging and MR angiography examinations at our institution from March 2004 to February 2005, with normal MR imaging of brain were studied retrospectively. Patients with clinical suspicion of CVST and patients who underwent color doppler evaluation for suspected deep vein thrombosis were excluded. The superior sagittal, straight sinus and the internal cerebral veins were visualized in all patients. There was hypoplasia of the right transverse sinus in 13 patients, left transverse sinus in 35 patients, right sigmoid sinus in 6 patients and left sigmoid sinus in 19 patients. Absence of transverse sinus on left side was observed in one patient and absence of sigmoid sinus in 2 patients on left side. Flow gaps were observed in non-dominant transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus as well as transverse sigmoid sinus junctions. The occipital sinus was visualized in 17 patients. MR angiography done at low field strengths is also a reliable method, for assessing cerebral venous sinuses. Awareness of the normal anatomical variations of venous sinuses and apparent MR angiographic flow gaps prevent misdiagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.


Epigenetic regulation of miR-21 in colorectal cancer: ITGB4 as a novel miR-21 target and a three-gene network (miR-21-ITGΒ4-PDCD4) as predictor of metastatic tumor potential.
Previous studies have uncovered several transcription factors that determine biological alterations in tumor cells to execute the invasion-metastasis cascade, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We sought to investigate the role of miR-21 in colorectal cancer regulation. For this purpose, miR-21 expression was quantified in a panel of colorectal cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. High expression was found in cell lines with EMT properties and in the vast majority of human tumor specimens. We demonstrate in a cell-specific manner the occupancy of MIR-21 gene promoter by AP-1 and ETS1 transcription factors and, for the first time, the pattern of histone posttranslational modifications necessary for miR-21 overexpression. We also show that Integrin-β4 (ITGβ4), exclusively expressed in polarized epithelial cells, is a novel miR-21 target gene and plays a role in the regulation of EMT, since it is remarkably de-repressed after transient miR-21 silencing and downregulated after miR-21 overexpression. miR-21-dependent change of ITGβ4 expression significantly affects cell migration properties of colon cancer cells. Finally, in a subgroup of tumor specimens, ROC curve analysis performed on quantitative PCR data sets for miR-21, ITGβ4, and PDCD4 shows that the combination of high miR-21 with low ITGβ4 and PDCD4 expression is able to predict presence of metastasis. In conclusion, miR-21 is a key player in oncogenic EMT, its overexpression is controlled by the cooperation of genetic and epigenetic alterations, and its levels, along with ITGβ4 and PDCD4 expression, could be exploited as a prognostic tool for CRC metastasis.


Expression and distribution of the intermediate filament protein nestin and other stem cell related molecules in the human olfactory epithelium.
The olfactory epithelium (OE) is unique in regenerating throughout life and thus is an attractive target for examining neurogenesis. The nestin protein was shown to be expressed in the OE of rodents and is suggested to be essentially involved in the process of regeneration. Here we report the expression and distribution of nestin in the human OE at RNA and protein level. Moreover, we analysed the expression profiles in dependence on age and olfactory capacity. After sinus surgery, biopsies were taken from the olfactory epithelium of 16 patients aged 20-80 years with documented differences in their olfactory function. Our studies revealed that nestin is constantly detectable in the apical protuberances of sustentacular cells within the human OE of healthy adults. Its expression is not dependent on age, but rather appears to be related to the olfactory function, as a comparison with specimens obtained from patients suffering either from persistent anosmia or hyposmia suggests. Particularly, in the course of dystrophy, often accompanied with impaired olfaction, nestin expression was occasionally decreased. Contrarily, the expression of the p75-NGFR protein, a marker for human OE basal cells, was not altered, indicating that at least in the tested samples olfactory impairment is not connected with abnormalities at the basal cell level. These observations emphasize an essential role of nestin for the process of regeneration, and also highlight this factor as a candidate marker for sustentacular cells in the human olfactory epithelium.


A preliminary ethnographic decision tree model of injection drug users' (IDUs) needle sharing.
This article presents a preliminary ethnographic decision tree model of the needle sharing and HIV risk decision-making processes common to injection drug users (IDUs) in Houston, Texas. Ethnographic tree decision modeling is a rigorous qualitative method used to understand and predict how and why people in certain groups do things the way they do. The model was developed from data collected from focus group and individual interviews and naturalistic observations. The research participants were White, African-American and Latino male and female IDUs. The model presents IDUs' needle-sharing routines or scripts based on several prioritized criteria. The model supports other researchers' findings that social roles play an important part in shaping IDUs' needle sharing. Yet, the model attempts to specify the different kinds of roles and relationships. The model suggests that social roles IDUs play and the status hierarchy between roles are the translation mechanisms that organize IDUs' social relationships into drug and HIV risky activities.


Prediction of Flow Effect on Crystal Growth of Semi-Crystalline Polymers Using a Multi-Scale Phase-Field Approach.
A multi-scale phase-field approach, which couples the mesoscopic crystallization with the microscopic orientation of chain segments and macroscopic viscoelastic melt flow, is proposed to study how the crystal growth of semi-crystalline polymers is affected by flows. To make the simulation feasible, we divide the problem into three parts. In the first part, a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) dumbbell model is used to simulate the flow induced molecular structure. In the second part, formulas for estimating the density, orientation and aspect ratio of nuclei upon the oriented molecular structure are derived. Finally, in the third part, a massive mathematical model that couples the phase-field, temperature field, flow field and orientation field is established to model the crystal growth with melt flow. Two-dimensional simulations are carried out for predicting the flow effect on the crystal growth of isotactic polystyrene under a plane Poiseuille flow. In solving the model, a semi-analytical method is adopted to avoid the numerical difficult of a "high Weissenberg number problem" in the first part, and an efficient fractional step method is used to reduce the computing complexity in the third part. The simulation results demonstrate that flow strongly affects the morphology of single crystal but does not bring a significant influence on the holistic morphology of bulk crystallization.


Potential of Varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase as a suicide gene in breast cancer cells.
To investigate the potential of the thymidine kinase gene from Varicella zoster virus (VZVtk) to act as a suicide gene, VZVtk was transferred via a dicistronic retroviral construct into MCF7, T-47D and MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of antiviral drugs was then evaluated in vitro on the wild-type and transduced cells. Acyclovir and ganciclovir did not show any selective toxicity for the modified cells. In contrast, (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) was extremely toxic for the VZVtk expressing cells, with IC50 values of 0.6 microM, 0.1 microM and 0.06 microM for MCF7, T-47D and MDA-MB-435 cells, respectively. The selectivity index of BVDU (ie the IC50 value ratio of the wild-type to the VZVtk cells) was 400 for MCF7, 750 for T-47D and 2000 for MDA-MB-435 cells. To test the system in vivo, VZVtk carrying MDA-MB-435 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice. An intraperitoneal treatment with BVDU administered at the emergence of the tumors, led to a prolonged arrest of the tumor growth and a reduced tumor mass. This effect was BVDU dose-dependent. No bystander effect of BVDU killing could be demonstrated in vitro on mixed populations of VZVtk positive and negative MDA-MB-435 cells. However, an important bystander effect was observed in identical experiments performed on 9L rat gliosarcoma cells infected with the VZVtk-carrying vector. These results demonstrate the efficiency of VZVtk as a suicide gene when BVDU is used as prodrug. The bystander effect measured in vitro, depends however on the tumoral cell type used.


Sham radiation in clinical trials assessing radiotherapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
To evaluate the effectiveness of sham radiation treatments in masking patients to their randomization group in the Radiation of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ROARMD) Study. Patients with choroidal neovascularization complicating age-related macular degeneration were randomized to a treatment (RAD) group that received external beam irradiation (seven treatment sessions) or to a control (SHAM) group that received sham radiation (one sham treatment session). During a telephone survey, 62 of 73 randomized patients responded to the following questions: Do you think you received radiation? Why do you feel that way? Did the vision in your study eye worsen after enrollment? Eighty-one percent of the RAD group and 59% of the SHAM group thought that they had received radiation. In patients who thought that their vision had stabilized or improved, 82% thought that they had received radiation. In patients who thought that their vision was worse, only 39% thought that they had received radiation. In 54% of patients, subjective perception of vision influenced their guess as to whether they received radiation. Subjective patient perception of visual outcome was the most influential variable for masking. Variation between radiation treatment and sham session techniques, such as equipment used and duration of treatments, played a lesser role in the masking of patients. Seven treatment days correlated with a higher number of patients who thought that they had received radiation. Although our procedures do not strictly mask the two groups, one sham radiation session was effective in keeping patients guessing their randomization group.


Mating systems of blood-feeding flies.
The mating system of each species is a unique, dynamic suite of interactions between the sexes. In this review I describe these interactions in the families of flies that contain blood-feeding species. A transition from the aerial swarm, with rapid copulae and no direct female choice, to substrate-based systems with lengthy copulae and opportunities for female choice is evident at both a phylogenetic scale and within nematoceran families under specific ecological conditions. Female monogamy is associated with the former, polyandry with the latter. I suggest that the intensity of sexual selection operating on males in systems where the probability of mating is low has favored male ability to control female receptivity. Reproductive success of males is universally correlated to successful foraging for sugar or blood and (in some species and ecological conditions) to body size. Understanding the ecological basis of the mating systems of these flies will help formulate integrative, sustainable, and biologically lucid approaches for their control.


COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown: Adverse effects on psychological health of Indian women.
COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown have led to adverse psychological outcomes in general population. Stress is mounting at an unbelievable pace and one gender is taking the brunt more than the other. While it's easy to understand the predicaments of working women and how stressful they are during the lockdown, what escapes the notice is the condition of homemaker women who face a lot of challenges as their workload has increased due to lack of house help. Hence the study was conducted to assess anxiety and stress related to problems arising out of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown among Indian women. Cross-sectional study was carried out among women across India using snowball sampling technique. Data was collected by a semi-structured online questionnaire based on GAD-7 and PSS scales. It was done using STATA 10.1 and Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kendall's Tau, etc., were applied. Majority of study participants mentioned either improvement or no change in their personal relations. Anxiety was present in 55.97% and moderate stress in 90.53% of the female participants. Mean GAD and PSS scores were 5.91 and 21.91 respectively. Anxiety and stress were found to be significantly related to getting help in the household work and occupational status. Watching movies and trying different recipes were the main destressors. More than half of the women are having anxiety and almost all have some form of stress due to COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.


Signal subspace analysis for decoherent processes during interferometric fiber-optic gyroscopes using synchronous adaptive filters.
Conventional signal processing methods for improving the random walk coefficient and the bias stability of interferometric fiber-optic gyroscopes are usually implemented in one-dimension sequence. In this paper, as a comparison, we allocated synchronous adaptive filters with the calculations of correlations of multidimensional signals in the perspective of the signal subspace. First, two synchronous independent channels are obtained through quadrature demodulation. Next, synchronous adaptive filters were carried out in order to project the original channels to the high related error channels and the approximation channels. The error channel signals were then processed by principal component analysis for suppressing coherent noises. Finally, an optimal state estimation of these error channels and approximation channels based on the Kalman gain coefficient was operated. Experimental results show that this signal processing method improved the raw measurements' variance from 0.0630 [(°/h)2] to 0.0103 [(°/h)2].


Cross-national clinical and functional remission rates: Worldwide Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (W-SOHO) study.
Evidence suggests that schizophrenia may have a better outcome for individuals living in low- and middle-income countries compared with affluent settings. To determine the frequency of symptom and functional remission in out-patients with schizophrenia in different regions of the world. Using data from the Worldwide-Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcomes (W-SOHO) study we measured clinical and functional remission in out-patients with schizophrenia in different regions of the world, and examined sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with these outcomes. The 11 078 participants analysed from 37 participating countries were grouped into 6 regions: South Europe, North Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa and Middle East, and East Asia. In total, 66.1% achieved clinical remission during the 3-year follow-up (range: 60.1% in North Europe to 84.4% in East Asia) and 25.4% achieved functional remission (range: 17.8% in North Africa and Middle East to 35.0% in North Europe). Regional differences were not explained by participants' clinical characteristics. Baseline social functioning, being female and previously untreated were consistent predictors of remission across regions. Clinical outcomes of schizophrenia seem to be worse in Europe compared with other regions. However, functional remission follows a different pattern.


Metabolism of Monoterpenes : Evidence for the Function of Monoterpene Catabolism in Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Rhizomes.
l-Menthone of peppermint leaves is reduced to d-neomenthol which is glucosylated and transported to the rhizome, whereupon the beta-d-glucoside is hydrolyzed, the aglycone oxidized back to l-menthone, and this ketone converted to l-3,4-menthone lactone. l-[G-(3)H]-3,4-Menthone lactone and its labeled progenitors, when incubated with excised mint rhizomes, gave rise to nonvolatile lipids as well as polar metabolites. The lipids thus generated consisted of labeled squalene and phytosterols in the nonsaponifiable fraction and C(14)-C(26) fatty acids in the saponifiable fraction. These results imply degradation of the terpenoid to acetylcoenzyme A and reduced pyridine nucleotide, and reincorporation of label via these products. Starch and soluble carbohydrates were also found to be labeled; however, chemical degradation of the [(3)H]glucose obtained on hydrolysis of starch indicated the presence of tritium only on interior carbons, suggesting that labeling had occurred via reduced pyridine nucleotides. Analysis of the labeled organic acids revealed the presence of several hydroxy methylacyl intermediates suggesting the operation of a modified beta-oxidation pathway in the degradation of the acyclic terpenoid skeleton. The results indicate that monoterpenes transported to the rhizome are oxidized to yield acetyl-coenzyme A and reduced pyridine nucleotides, and suggest that metabolic turnover of monoterpenes in mint represents a mechanism for recycling carbon and energy from foliar terpenes into other metabolites of the rhizome.


The liver biochemical tests and serological markers of hepatitis B virus in the very old-aged population in Taiwan.
Human liver alters with aging. Lower serum albumin with elevation in serum cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been reported in the elders, but there was no further report on the very old people (i.e., >75 Y/O). We evaluated changes of liver biochemical tests and hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers in the very old-aged population. From October 1993 to June 1994, 2,549 subjects attended our hospital for physical check-up. Of them 1,742 were healthy subjects (M/F = 1,058/648) and were enrolled for analysis of the normal range of liver biochemical tests in different age groups. They were divided into four groups; young-aged group (age between 18 and 40, n = 231), middle-aged group (age between 41 and 64, n = 991), old-aged group (age between 65 and 75, n = 424), and very old-aged group (age > or = 76, n = 96). The items of liver biochemical tests included albumin, total bilirubin, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALP and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). The whole population, totally 2,549 subjects, were used for the analysis of the prevalence of HBV serological markers in different age groups. Serum albumin was the only biochemical parameter that persisted to decline after the age of 75 (p <0.05). Cholesterol began to elevate in the middle-age but decreased after 75 Y/O. The old-aged and very old-aged subjects had higher levels of serum bilirubin, AST, ALP, and GGT levels than the other two groups (p <0.05), however, the changes of ALT levels among these groups were not so remarkable. The HBV carrier rates in the young-aged, middle-aged, old-aged and the very old-aged groups were 16.8%, 12.3%, 6.8% and 7.0%, respectively (p <0.001). Furthermore, the very old-aged group had a significantly higher prevalence of negativity in both HBsAg and anti-HBs (p <0.001). Serum albumin is the only biochemical parameter that persists to decline after the age of 75. In contrast, elevation of cholesterol tends to reverse after that age. All the aging-related changes in biochemical tests are clinically nonsignificant though some of them are significant in statistical analysis. In addition, a low HBV carrier rate and a high prevalence of negativity in both HBsAg and anti-HBs are noted in the very old-aged people, possibly due to the progressive loss of HBV markers in the elders.