Cerebral oxygen demand for short-lived and steady-state events.
Because of the importance of oxidative energetics for cerebral function, extraction of oxygen consumption (CMR(O2)) from blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal using multi-modal measurements of blood flow (CBF) and volume (CBV) has become an accepted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. This approach, termed calibrated fMRI, is based on a biophysical model which describes tissue oxygen extraction at steady-state. A problem encountered for calculating dynamic CMR(O2) relates to concerns whether the conventional BOLD model can be applied transiently. In particular, it is unclear whether calculation of CMR(O2) differs between short and long stimuli. Linearity was experimentally demonstrated between BOLD-related components and neural activity, thereby making it possible to use calibrated fMRI in a dynamic manner. We used multi-modal fMRI and electrophysiology, in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats during forepaw stimulation to show that respective transfer functions (of BOLD, CBV, CBF) generated by deconvolution with neural activity are time invariant, for events in the millisecond to minute range. These results allowed extraction of a significant component of the BOLD signal that can be ascribed to CMR(O2) transients. We discuss the importance of minimizing residual signal, represented by the difference between modeled and raw signals, in convolution analysis of multi-modal signals.


Domoic acid neurotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule neurons is mediated predominantly by NMDA receptors that are activated as a consequence of excitatory amino acid release.
The participation of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in domoic acid-induced neurotoxicity was investigated in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). Neurons were exposed to 300 microM L-glutamate or 10 microM domoate for 2 h in physiologic buffer at 22 degrees C followed by a 22-h incubation in 37 degrees C conditioned growth media. Excitotoxic injury was monitored as a function of time by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in both the exposure buffer and the conditioned media. Glutamate and domoate evoked, respectively, 50 and 65% of the total 24-h increment in LDH efflux after 2 h. Hyperosmolar conditions prevented this early response but did not significantly alter the extent of neuronal injury observed at 24 h. The competitive NMDA receptor antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid and the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX) reduced glutamate-induced LDH efflux totals by 73 and 27%, respectively, whereas, together, these glutamate receptor antagonists completely prevented neuronal injury. Domoate toxicity was reduced 65-77% when CGCs were treated with competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists. Unlike the effect on glutamate toxicity, NBQX completely prevented domoate-mediated injury. HPLC analysis of the exposure buffer revealed that domoate stimulates the release of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and adenosine from neurons. Domoate-stimulated EAA release occurred almost exclusively through mechanisms related to cell swelling and reversal of the glutamate transporter. Thus, whereas glutamate-induced injury is mediated primarily through NMDA receptors, the full extent of neurodegeneration is produced by the coactivation of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors. Domoate-induced neuronal injury is also mediated primarily through NMDA receptors, which are activated secondarily as a consequence of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA)/kainate receptor-mediated stimulation of EAA efflux.


Smart Nanotherapeutics and Lung Cancer.
Lung cancer is a significant health problem worldwide. Unfortunately, current therapeutic strategies lack a sufficient level of specificity and can harm adjacent healthy cells. Consequently, to address the clinical need, novel approaches to improve treatment efficiency with minimal side effects are required. Nanotechnology can substantially contribute to the generation of differentiated products and improve patient outcomes. Evidence from previous research suggests that nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems could provide a promising platform for the targeted delivery of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs and novel small molecule therapeutic agents to treat lung cancer cells more effectively. This has also been found to improve the therapeutic index and reduce the required drug dose. Nanodrug delivery systems also provide precise control over drug release, resulting in reduced toxic side effects, controlled biodistribution, and accelerated effects or responses. This review highlights the most advanced and novel nanotechnology-based strategies, including targeted nanodrug delivery systems, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, and bio-nanocarriers, which have recently been employed in preclinical and clinical investigations to overcome the current challenges in lung cancer treatments.


The FMRP regulon: from targets to disease convergence.
The fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA metabolism. FMRP has been largely studied in the brain, where the absence of this protein leads to fragile X syndrome, the most frequent form of inherited intellectual disability. Since the identification of the FMRP gene in 1991, many studies have primarily focused on understanding the function/s of this protein. Hundreds of potential FMRP mRNA targets and several interacting proteins have been identified. Here, we report the identification of FMRP mRNA targets in the mammalian brain that support the key role of this protein during brain development and in regulating synaptic plasticity. We compared the genes from databases and genome-wide association studies with the brain FMRP transcriptome, and identified several FMRP mRNA targets associated with autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia, showing a potential common pathway/s for these apparently different disorders.


Convolutional modeling of diffraction effects in pulse-echo ultrasound imaging.
A model is presented for pulse-echo imaging of three-dimensional, linear, weakly-scattering continuum media by ultrasound array transducers. The model accounts for the diffracted fields of focused array subapertures in both transmit and receive modes, multiple transmit and receive focal zones, frequency-dependent attenuation, and aberration caused by mismatched medium and beamformer sound speeds. For a given medium reflectivity function, computation of a B-scan requires evaluation of a depth-dependent transmit/receive beam product, followed by two one-dimensional convolutions and a one-dimensional summation. Numerical results obtained using analytic expressions for transmit and receive beams agree favorably with measured B-scan images and speckle statistics.


A Systematic Study of DFT Performance for Geometry Optimizations of Ionic Liquid Clusters.
Clusters of two ion pairs of imidazolium-based ionic liquids were optimized with 43 different levels of theory, including DFT functionals and MP2-based methods combined with varying Dunning's basis sets, and added dispersion corrections. Better preforming DFT functionals were then applied to clusters consisting of four ion pairs. Excellent performance of some DFT functionals for the two ion pair clusters did not always match that of the four ion-paired clusters despite interionic distances remaining constant between the optimized two and four ion-paired clusters of the same ionic liquid. Combinations of DFT functional and basis set such as ωB97X-D/cc-pVDZ, M06-2X/aug-cc-pVDZ, B3LYP-D3/cc-pVTZ, and TPSS-D3/cc-pVTZ gave excellent results for geometry optimization of two ion-paired clusters of imidazolium ionic liquids but gave larger deviations when applied to the four ion-paired clusters of varying ionic liquids. Empirical dispersion corrections were seen to be crucial in correctly capturing correlation effects in the studied ionic liquid clusters, becoming more important in larger clusters. Dunning's double-ζ basis set, cc-pVDZ, is associated with the smallest root mean squared deviations for geometries; however, it also produces the largest deviations in total electronic energies. ωB97X-D and M06-2X produced the best performance with the augmented version of this basis set. The triple-ζ basis set, cc-pVTZ, leads to the best performance of most of the DFT functionals (especially the dispersion-corrected ones) used, whereas its augmented version, aug-cc-pVTZ, was not seen to improve results. The combinations of functional and basis set that gave the best geometry and energetics in both two and four ion-paired clusters were PBE-D3/cc-pVTZ, ωB97X-D/aug-cc-pVDZ, and BLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ. All three combinations are recommended for geometry optimizations of larger clusters of ionic liquids. PBE-D3/cc-pVTZ performed the best with an average deviation of 2.3 kJ mol-1 and a standard deviation of 3.4 kJ mol-1 for total electronic energy when applied to four ion-paired clusters. Geometries optimized with FMO2-SRS-MP2/cc-pVTZ produced total energy within 2.0 kJ mol-1 off the benchmark in two ion-paired clusters, with the cc-pVDZ basis set performing unsurprisingly poorly with the same method. The error increased to 4.8 kJ mol-1 on average in four ion-paired clusters, with the smallest RMSD deviations in geometries when compared to the benchmark ones. This study is the first report that investigated the performance of DFT functionals for two and four ion-paired clusters of a wide range of ionic liquids consisting of commonly used cations such as pyrrolidinium, imidazolium, pyridinium, and ammonium. It also identified the importance of assessing the performance of quantum chemical methods for ionic liquids on a variety of cation-anion combinations.


Continuous passive motion after total knee arthroplasty. Analysis of cost and benefits.
The authors report the results of a prospective study examining the benefits of daily continuous passive motion combined with physical therapy, compared with physical therapy alone, in 103 consecutive osteoarthritic patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty. The first 51 patients received continuous passive motion initiated in the recovery room and the next 52 patients did not receive continuous passive motion. Both groups underwent an identical physical therapy protocol starting on the first postoperative day. At discharge, there was a significant increase in active flexion in the continuous passive motion group. There were no significant differences regarding pain, wound healing, knee swelling, wound drainage, pulmonary embolism, or length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. At 2 years, there were no clinical differences in the motion or knee scores. Knee manipulation was done for < 50 degrees flexion after the tenth postoperative day. There were 5 manipulations in the noncontinuous passive motion group and none in the continuous passive motion group. The entire costs associated with the 5 manipulations was $48,274 or $937 per patient not receiving continuous passive motion. The average daily inpatient rental of the machine was $60 per day. Continuous passive motion is efficacious in increasing short-term flexion and decreasing the need for knee manipulation without increasing costs.


Optimal identification of Hamiltonian information by closed-loop laser control of quantum systems.
A closed loop learning control concept is introduced for teaching lasers to manipulate quantum systems for the purpose of optimally identifying Hamiltonian information. The closed loop optimal identification algorithm operates by revealing the distribution of Hamiltonians consistent with the data. The control laser is guided to perform additional experiments, based on minimizing the dispersion of the distribution. Operation of such an apparatus is simulated for two model finite dimensional quantum systems.


Electrochemical Measurement of Dopamine Release and Uptake in Zebrafish Following Treatment with Carboplatin.
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, also known as 'chemobrain,' is a neurological condition in which cognitive function is impaired as a result of cancer chemotherapy treatment. In this work, we used fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to measure electrically evoked dopamine release and uptake in whole brain preparations from zebrafish that have been treated with carboplatin, an agent associated with chemobrain. We administered carboplatin by addition to the fish's tank water or their food. One week of treatment with 100 μM carboplatin in the water was needed to significantly impair dopamine release (∼40 % of control); however, only one day of treatment through the zebrafish's food was needed to cause a similar impairment. Atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements suggested that administration through food resulted in higher initial levels of carboplatin compared to water administration, but water administration resulted in an increase over time. Uptake, determined by modeling stimulated release plots, was unaffected. These results are consistent with our previous findings of diminished neurotransmitter release in rats and support a role for zebrafish in chemobrain-related studies.


Metabolism of non-growing bacteria.
A main function of bacterial metabolism is to supply biomass building blocks and energy for growth. This seems to imply that metabolism is idle in non-growing bacteria. But how relevant is metabolism for the physiology of non-growing bacteria and how active is their metabolism? Here, we reviewed literature describing metabolism of non-growing bacteria in their natural environment, as well as in biotechnological and medical applications. We found that metabolism does play an important role during dormancy and that especially the demand for ATP determines metabolic activity of non-growing bacteria.


Hindered rotor models with variable kinetic functions for accurate thermodynamic and kinetic predictions.
We present an extension of some popular hindered rotor (HR) models, namely, the one-dimensional HR (1DHR) and the degenerated two-dimensional HR (d2DHR) models, allowing for a simple and accurate treatment of internal rotations. This extension, based on the use of a variable kinetic function in the Hamiltonian instead of a constant reduced moment of inertia, is extremely suitable in the case of rocking/wagging motions involved in dissociation or atom transfer reactions. The variable kinetic function is first introduced in the framework of a classical 1DHR model. Then, an effective temperature and potential dependent constant is proposed in the cases of quantum 1DHR and classical d2DHR models. These methods are finally applied to the atom transfer reaction SiCl(3)+BCl(3)→SiCl(4)+BCl(2). We show, for this particular case, that a proper accounting of internal rotations greatly improves the accuracy of thermodynamic and kinetic predictions. Moreover, our results confirm (i) that using a suitably defined kinetic function appears to be very adapted to such problems; (ii) that the separability assumption of independent rotations seems justified; and (iii) that a quantum mechanical treatment is not a substantial improvement with respect to a classical one.


Effects of geometric isomerism and ligand substitution in bifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes on binding properties and conformational changes in DNA.
The DNA binding profile of a series of dinuclear platinum complexes [{trans-PtCl-(L)2}2H2N(CH2)nNH2]2+ (L = NH3 or py; 1,1/t,t/NH3 and 1,1/t,t/py, respectively) and [{cis-PtCl-(NH3)2H2N(CH2)nNH2]2+ (1,1/c,c/NH3) was examined to compare the effects of geometrical isomerism and the presence of ligands other than NH3 in the coordination sphere. Steric effects, because of the geometry of the leaving groups cis to the diamine bridge or the presence of planar pyridine ligands, result in diminished binding to calf thymus DNA for these isomers. In contrast, the pyridine derivative shows a distinct binding preference for poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in comparison to both NH3 isomers. Both NH3 complexes induced the B-->Z transition in poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), but the presence of a pyridine ligand stabilized the B conformation. The bifunctional binding of the NH3 isomers results in unwinding of supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA equivalent to cis-DDP, while the unwinding of the pyridine derivative is approximately twice that of the mononuclear trans-[PtCl2(py)2]. DNA-DNA interstrand cross-linking is very efficient for all three agents, but sequencing studies indicated that only the 1,1/t,t/NH3 derivative is capable of forming a (Pt,Pt) intrastrand cross-link to the adjacent guanines of a d(GpG) sequence. The effects on DNA caused by bifunctional binding of dinuclear complexes are compared with those from the mononuclear [PtCl2(NH3)2] isomers. The results are discussed with respect to the antitumor activity of the dinuclear series.


The Carrot and the Stick: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Influences on Responsible Merchant Practices to Reduce Underage Drinking.
Alcohol merchants (N=331) completed a cross-sectional survey assessing their attitudes and beliefs about underage drinking, its likely consequences, requirements for responsible beverage service (RBS) training, and performance of RBS practices and checking IDs. Merchants requiring more rigorous RBS training (i.e., state-approved versus in-house or none) have stronger beliefs that outlets who sell to minors will get cited and that their employees know RBS practices. Also, merchants who engage in more RBS practices require more rigorous RBS training, and believe more strongly that outlets who sell to minors are more likely to face, and deserve, stricter sanctions. Merchants who check IDs more strictly conduct more RBS practices and believe more strongly that underage drinking is serious and will result in stronger consequences if caught selling to minors. These findings about the attitudes, practices, and enforcement of alcohol merchants suggests ways communities can better target their limited resources to prevent underage drinking.


Risk factors for bladder cancer: a case-control study in northeast China.
A case-control study of risk factors for bladder cancer was carried out in Heilongjing Province, China. Between May 1989 and May 1990, 217 histologically confirmed cases of bladder cancer and 254 controls with non-neoplastic and non-urine system disease were recruited. Individuals were interviewed in the wards of six major hospitals. Controls were matched by sex, age and area of residence. Information was collected concerning economic status, occupation, histories of smoking and consumption of alcohol, use of tea, the taking of analgesics, dietary histories and previous diseases. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated from stratified analysis and conditional logistic regression models. Increased risk was observed with increasing times per year and number of years of saccharine use. Compared with non-users, the use of saccharine for more than 19 times per year, and for more than 15 years, the adjusted ORs were 3.9 (95% CI = 1.8-8.67) and 5.1 (95% CI = 2.3-11.6), respectively. Statistically significant associations were also found for diseases related to the urinary system (OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.1-7.6). Increased consumption of fruit and vegetable may reduce the risk of bladder cancer. Cigarette smoking had no effect on the risk of bladder cancer in both genders. There was no association between the consumption of alcohol or tea, or types of water supply, with bladder cancer risk.


Observational-based assessment of contributions to maximum ozone concentrations in the western United States.
Archived Ozone Design Values (ODVs) provide smoothed temporal records of maximum ozone concentrations impacting monitoring sites throughout the US. Utilizing time series of ODVs recorded at sites along the US West Coast, we separately estimate ODV contributions from US background ozone and from production driven by US anthropogenic precursor emissions. Sondes launched from Trinidad Head in northern California measure the vertical distribution of baseline ozone transported ashore from the Pacific; this profile is reflected in the increase of the US background ODV contribution with monitoring site elevation in both rural and urban areas. The ODVs that would result from US background ozone alone are small at coastal, sea level locations (average ~45 ppb), but increase with altitude; above 1 km US background ODVs can exceed 60 ppb. US background ozone contributions now constitute the majority of the maximum ODVs throughout the US west coast region, including the Los Angeles urban area, which records the country's highest ODVs. US anthropogenic emissions presently cause enhancements of 35 to 55 ppb to the maximum ODVs in the Los Angeles area; thus, local emission controls can further reduce ozone even though the background contribution is larger. In other US west coast urban areas ODV enhancements from US anthropogenic emissions are much smaller than the US background ODV contribution. The past decrease in US anthropogenic ODV enhancements from emission controls is larger than generally realized - a factor of more than 6 from 1980 to 2020, while US background ODV contributions varied to only a small extent over those four decades. Wildfire impacts on ODVs are significant in urban areas of the Pacific Northwest, but not over the vast northern US rural region. There is an indication that agricultural emissions of nitrogen oxides in California's Salinas Valley increase downwind maximum ODVs by 5-10 ppb.Implications: In 2020 the ozone design values (ODVs) resulting from transported background ozone alone are now larger than the ODV enhancements from US anthropogenic precursor emissions, even in the Los Angeles urban area, where the nation's highest ODVs are recorded. The US anthropogenic ODV enhancements have been reduced by more than a factor of 6 from 1980 to 2020. The maximum US background ODV contributions have varied somewhat, but in each of the US west coast urban areas it was 60 ppb or larger in 2000. These contributions are so large that reducing maximum urban ODVs to the 70 ppb required by the 2015 ozone NAAQS is very difficult. There remains relatively little room for further reducing ODVs through domestic emission controls alone. From this perspective, degraded US ozone air quality in the western US is primarily due to the US background ozone contribution, with the US anthropogenic enhancement making a significant, but smaller contribution. Notably, the US background ODV has slowly decreased (~1 ppb decade-1; Parrish, Derwent, and Faloona 2021) since the mid-2000s; cooperative, international emission control efforts aimed at continuing or even accelerating this background ozone decrease may be an effective approach to further ODV reductions, since the US background ODV is largely due to a hemisphere-wide, transported reservoir of ozone with contributions from all northern midlatitude continents. Given the major contribution of background ozone to observed ODVs, future reviews of the ozone NAAQS will be better informed if observational-based estimates of background ODV contributions are considered, in addition to model-derived estimates upon which past reviews have solely relied.


A randomized trial comparing a pentavalent antimonial drug and recombinant interferon-gamma in the local treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In a randomized prospective trial N-methyl-glucamine antimoniate (Glucantime) and human recombinant interferon-gamma were infiltrated around lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in Syria. A previous trial had shown that intradermal application of interferon-gamma promoted the healing of similar lesions in the study area. Twenty patients with 38 lesions received 1-3 ml Glucantime and 20 patients with 37 lesions received 25 micrograms of interferon-gamma intradermally once weekly for 5 consecutive weeks. While all lesions treated with Glucantime were free of parasites after the third injection, only 69% of those treated with interferon-gamma were parasitologically cured by week 10. Within 10 weeks, lesions treated with Glucantime healed completely in 29/38, and partially in 9/38, cases, whereas 1/37 and 13/37 lesions treated with interferon-gamma healed completely and partially, respectively. Perilesional application of Glucantime was highly effective and superior to interferon-gamma for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica.


Ultrasound measurement of bladder wall thickness is associated with the overactive bladder syndrome.
To assess the relationship between mean bladder wall thickness and components of the overactive bladder (OAB syndrome). Women attending urogynaecology clinic was categorized into overactive bladder syndrome, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and mixed urinary continence (MUI) according to International Continence Society (ICS) definitions based on symptom history. Women completed a bladder diary, visual analog score (VAS) for urgency, and the mean bladder wall thickness (BWT) was determined. Comparison was made between the mean BWT and symptom history, daytime frequency, nocturia, VAS scores. Three hundred seventy-nine women were recruited to the study with a mean age of 56 years (range: 24-92 years). The mean bladder wall thickness did not show any age-related difference. Of these women 138/379 (36%) reported overactive bladder symptoms (mean BWT = 5.6 mm) 75/379 (20%) gave a history of stress urinary incontinence (mean BWT = 4.7 mm), and 166/379 (44%) had mixed urinary incontinence (mean BWT = 5.4). Women with nocturia >1 had mean BWT 5.6 mm, with nocturia <1 a mean BWT 4.9 mm. Women with daytime frequency >7 had mean BWT 5.7 mm and those <7 had mean BWT 5.1 (P < 0.001). Women with a mean BWT of ≤5 mm had a mean VAS score lower than women with a BWT >5 mm (P < 0.001). Mean BWT is associated with a symptom history of OAB and MUI, higher daytime and nightime frequency, and higher VAS scores.


The Total Life Concept Transplanted from AT&T to Sandia National Laboratories.
Abstract This study illustrates how the Total Life Concept (TLC) program originated by AT&T was successfully transplanted to another work site, Sandia National Laboratories. Demographics of the participants at A T&T and Sandia differ and make comparisons difficult, but it is possible to assess program impact in terms of participation rates for each program. The original AT&T TLC pilot study had three major components: orientation, testing, and risk interpretation; lifestyle-improvement courses; and activities to promote health. Sandia kept the three major components of the AT&T TLC concept and made some modifications to meet Sandia's needs. Sandia's experience of adopting a model program and tailoring it to local needs worked well, demonstrating that an existing model can be successfully altered to meet the needs of different companies in varied settings.


Ontogeny of the opioidergic regulation of LH and prolactin secretion in lactating sows. II: Interaction between suckling and morphine administration.
Administration of morphine to ten suckled and nine zero-weaned (piglets removed immediately after farrowing) sows was used to investigate the apparent absence of opioid regulation of LH and prolactin secretion in early lactation. Blood samples were collected at 10 min intervals at 24-30, 48-54, 72-78 h post partum, and for a 12 h period from 08:00 to 20:00 on day 10 after farrowing. Morphine (0.1 mg kg-1) was administered as three i.v. bolus injections at intervals of 1 h during the last 3 h of each of the 6 h sampling periods, and at 6, 7 and 8 h after the beginning of sampling on day 10. There were significant (P < 0.001) group (zero-weaned versus suckled), time and morphine effects on LH secretion. Plasma LH concentrations increased (P < 0.001) within 48 h of farrowing in zero-weaned sows. Long-term trends of an increase in mean plasma LH in the sampling periods before treatment were attenuated in both groups by morphine treatment. Morphine also significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) prolactin secretion in suckled sows. In zero-weaned sows, plasma prolactin was already low at the start of sampling and did not change with time or in response to morphine treatment. Therefore, the inability to demonstrate an opioidergic involvement in the suckling-induced inhibition of LH secretion during the early post-partum period in sows is not due to a lack of opioid receptors. Furthermore, in suckled sows, morphine is stimulatory to systems that have an inhibitory effect on prolactin secretion.


Patient-reported outcomes after corrective osteotomy for a symptomatic malunion of the distal radius.
The primary aim of this study was to describe patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following corrective osteotomy for a symptomatic malunion of the distal radius. We retrospectively identified 122 adult patients from a single centre over an eight-year period who had undergone corrective osteotomy for a symptomatic malunion of the distal radius. The primary long-term outcome was the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. Secondary outcomes included the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, the EQ-5D-5L score, complications, and the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the PRWE score. Long-term outcomes were available for 89 patients (72%). The mean age was 57 years (SD 15) and 68 were female (76%). The median time from injury to corrective osteotomy was nine months (interquartile range (IQR) 6 to 13). At a mean follow-up of six years (1 to 11) the median PRWE score was 22 (IQR 7 to 40), the median QuickDASH score was 11.4 (IQR 2.3 to 31.8), and the median EQ-5D-5L score was 0.84 (IQR 0.69 to 1). The NPS was 69. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of an associated ulnar styloid fracture was the only significant independent factor associated with a worse PRWE score when adjusting for confounding variables (p = 0.004). We found that corrective osteotomy for malunion of the distal radius can result in good functional outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction. However, the presence of an ulnar styloid fracture may adversely affect function. Level of Evidence: III (cohort study). Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(11):1542-1548.


A new diterpene from the stems of Manihot esculenta.
A new diterpene, named yucalexin P-23 (1), together with three known compounds, yucalexin P-15 (2), protocatechuic acid (3), and catalpinic acid (4), was isolated from the stems of Manihot esculenta. Their structures were determined by means of physicochemical evidence and spectral analysis. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited antimicrobial activity.


Role of central nervous system-derived or circulating gamma-aminobutyric acid on prolactin secretion in the rat.
To investigate the respective role in PRL secretion of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), either derived from the central nervous system or circulating in plasma, experiments were performed using ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS), a specific inhibitor of GABA catabolism. Intracerebroventricular injection of EOS (2 mg/kg) induced in unanesthetized male rats 2-8 h post injection a clear-cut rise in hypothalamic, anterior pituitary (AP), and plasma GABA concentrations. Rises in GABA titers occurred earlier in the hypothalamus and AP (2 h) than in the plasma (4 h). Concomitant to alterations of GABA, there was a striking lowering of plasma PRL evident at 2 h and still present 24 h after EOS administration. In contrast, systemic administration of graded doses of EOS (200-400 mg/kg, iv) did not induce significant changes in plasma GABA concentrations 4 h post injection; only the 600 mg/kg dose of EOS increased GABA concentrations 4 h post injection in the hypothalamo-AP system and decreased plasma PRL concentrations. Finally, in hypophysectomized rats bearing ecotopic pituitaries, despite the occurrence of rises in the hypothalamic GABA after intracerebroventricular or systemic (600 mg/kg) administration of EOS, AP, plasma GABA, and plasma PRL concentrations were not altered. In all these findings indicate that: 1) changes in plasma PRL are best correlated to variations in the amino acid titers occurring in the hypothalamo-AP systems; and 2) circulating GABA does not play a functional role in the control of PRL secretion. Finally, since alterations in blood GABA levels after central or systemic administration of EOS appear to reflect primary changes occurring in the brain concentration of the amino acid, circulating GABA may be a reliable indicator of central nervous system GABAergic function.


Long Noncoding RNAs in the Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Metastasis is the main cause of the death of OSCC patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), one of the key factors affecting OSCC metastasis, are a subtype of RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides that has little or no coding potential. In recent years, the important role played by lncRNAs in biological processes, such as chromatin modification, transcription regulation, RNA stability regulation, and mRNA translation, has been gradually revealed. More and more studies have shown that lncRNAs can regulate the metastasis of various tumors including OSCC at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels. In this review, we mainly discussed the role and possible mechanisms of lncRNAs in OSCC metastasis. Most lncRNAs act as oncogenes and only a few lncRNAs have been shown to inhibit OSCC metastasis. Besides, we briefly introduced the research status of cancer-associated fibroblasts-related lncRNAs in OSCC metastasis. Finally, we discussed the research prospects of lncRNAs-mediated crosstalk between OSCC cells and the tumor microenvironment in OSCC metastasis, especially the potential research value of exosomes and lymphangiogenesis. In general, lncRNAs are expected to be used for screening, treatment, and prognosis monitoring of OSCC metastasis, but more work is still required to better understand the biological function of lncRNAs.


The canadian family practice accoucheur.
Family practice obstetrics is strongly influenced by demography and marketing. The falling birth rate is leading to a surplus of caregivers who may inappropriately apply their technical skills to a population of low-risk pregnant women. This in turn may lead to a 'cascade' of negative consequences for the normal, child-bearing public. The family practice accoucheur has a key role to play as an advocate of high quality, humanistic maternity care. Training programs must address the academic base of family practice obstetrics through direct teaching, role modelling, research, and quality assurance.


T-Tubular Electrical Defects Contribute to Blunted β-Adrenergic Response in Heart Failure.
Alterations of the β-adrenergic signalling, structural remodelling, and electrical failure of T-tubules are hallmarks of heart failure (HF). Here, we assess the effect of β-adrenoceptor activation on local Ca(2+) release in electrically coupled and uncoupled T-tubules in ventricular myocytes from HF rats. We employ an ultrafast random access multi-photon (RAMP) microscope to simultaneously record action potentials and Ca(2+) transients from multiple T-tubules in ventricular cardiomyocytes from a HF rat model of coronary ligation compared to sham-operated rats as a control. We confirmed that β-adrenergic stimulation increases the frequency of Ca(2+) sparks, reduces Ca(2+) transient variability, and hastens the decay of Ca(2+) transients: all these effects are similarly exerted by β-adrenergic stimulation in control and HF cardiomyocytes. Conversely, β-adrenergic stimulation in HF cells accelerates a Ca(2+) rise exclusively in the proximity of T-tubules that regularly conduct the action potential. The delayed Ca(2+) rise found at T-tubules that fail to conduct the action potential is instead not affected by β-adrenergic signalling. Taken together, these findings indicate that HF cells globally respond to β-adrenergic stimulation, except at T-tubules that fail to conduct action potentials, where the blunted effect of the β-adrenergic signalling may be directly caused by the lack of electrical activity.


iRest yoga-nidra on the college campus: changes in stress, depression, worry, and mindfulness.
There is evidence that yoga practice is associated with decreased stress, worry, and depression, and with improved mindfulness-based skills. These findings had not been previously replicated for a sample of college students. This study evaluated whether iRest yoga-nidra practice was associated with reduced perceived stress, worry, and depression, and increased mindfulness in a sample of college student s. Sixty-six students age 18-56 completed an 8-week iRest yoga-nidra intervention that was offered for 8 semesters. Assessment occurred 1 week prior to intervention onset and during the class period following the intervention. Qualitative data were collected at Weeks 4 and 8. Statistically significant pre- to posttest improvements in perceived stress, worry, and depression were found. Pre-existing depression accounted for most of the change in worry and perceived stress scores. Pre- to post test improvements in mindfulness-based skills were also detected. iRest yoga-nidra practice may reduce symptoms of perceived stress, worry, and depression and increase mindfulness-based skills.


Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in school children.
A total number of 8449 school children, in the 5-15 years old, group were examined clinically for evidence of valvular lesions and confirmed by roentgenographic electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings. Twelve children (0.14%) were suffering from rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The disease was significantly more (p < 0.05) prevalent in the higher age group of 11-15 years as compared to younger children. Boys (0.18%) were affected more than girls (0.09%). The disease was more frequent among children belonging to economically backward group (0.34%) and those living in large families (0.28%). Children living in the slums had significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence (0.41%) than those residing in urban areas (0.06%). Only 3 out of 12 (25%) were previously diagnosed cases and remaining were diagnosed for the first time. Past history of rheumatic activity was seen in 41.67% cases. Mitral valve involvement was most frequent, being detected in 10 (83.33%) cases. Majority of cases (58.33%) had the development of symptomatic RHD within 2 years of having suffered from RF. Our study helped to detect the hitherto undiagnosed cases of RHD and showed that its prevalence was higher in older children and those from urban slums.


Cluster of differentiation 44- and octamer-binding transcription factor-4-positive stem-like osteosarcoma cells involved in tumor development.
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive primary bone cancer that usually affects children and young adolescents. Previous studies have demonstrated the implications of a small sub-population of cancer stem cells on treatment failure and tumor recurrence. The present study analyzed the characteristic features of the stem-like cells within the human OS-55 cell line. It was identified that 2.3% of the OS-55 cells were cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells. Following treatment with verapamil, the population of SP cells was reduced to 0.7%. The sphere formation assay revealed that the OS cells were able to rapidly form tumor spheres (also known as sarcospheres). Immunofluorescence analysis identified that the OS-55 cells expressed the cluster of differentiation 44, octamer-binding transcription factor-3/4A and Nanog stem cell surface markers. The results of the present study suggest that, as with other tumors, OS also contains a sub-population of cancer stem-like cells, which may have important implications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.


Profiling neurosteroids in cerebrospinal fluids and plasma by gas chromatography/electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
A quantitative method for the determination of allopregnanolone (5alpha,3alpha-THP) and related neurosteroids in CSF and plasma was established using gas chromatography/electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/ECNCI/MS). Neurosteroids were converted to carboxymethoxime, pentafluorobenzyl and trimethylsilyl derivatives and detected as intense (M-181)(-) fragment ions generated under the negative ion chemical ionization process. The response curves constructed using d(4)-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and d(4)-5alpha,3alpha-THP as internal standards showed linearity in the concentration range of 10-1000 pg/ml. The variation of response ratios determined against internal standards over a 2-month period was less than 10%. Instrumental detection limits for most neurosteroids were in the low picogram range with the exception of progesterone and dihydroprogesterone (DHP) which were detected with approximately 10 times less sensitivity in comparison to other steroids. In conjunction with solid-phase extraction, this method allowed the quantification of at least four neurosteroids, including androsterone, testosterone, 5alpha,3alpha-THP, and pregnenolone in 1-2 ml of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). While the level of 5alpha, 3alpha-THP in human CSF was comparable to that in the human plasma, other steroid levels were significantly lower. Although individual CSF and plasma samples showed widely varying neurosteroid levels, species specificity appeared to exist. The levels of 5alpha, 3alpha-THP and pregnenolone in human CSF were higher than those of monkey CSF where these steroids were often not detected with our current detection limit. In comparison to human plasma, rat plasma samples contained considerably lower levels of androsterone and pregnenolone. Among THP stereoisomers, 5beta,3alpha-THP and 5alpha, 3beta-THP were observed only in human plasma, while 5beta,3beta-THP was detected only in rat plasma.


Nonlinear and Spatial Effects of Tourism on Carbon Emissions in China: A Spatial Econometric Approach.
Reducing carbon emissions is crucial to the sustainable development of tourism. However, there are no consistent conclusions about the nexus between tourism and carbon emissions. Considering the possible nonlinear and spatial effects of tourism on carbon emissions, this paper employed spatial econometric models combined with quadratic terms of explanatory variables to explore the nexus between them using Chinese provincial panel data from 2003 to 2016. The main results are as follows: (1) There is a significant inverse U-shaped relationship between tourism development and carbon emissions. In the provinces whose tourism receipts are relatively low, the effects of tourism on carbon emissions are positive but decrease gradually as the tourism receipts increase and then shifts to negative and continues decreasing gradually when the tourism receipts beyond the critical value. (2) For the geographical proximity and industrial relevance, one province's tourism development not only affects its carbon emissions but also affects its neighbors' carbon emissions through spatial lag effect (indirect effect) which is also inverse U-shaped. (3) Carbon reduction policies, sustainable education, and transportation infrastructure all have significant moderating effects on the relationship between tourism and carbon emissions, but the moderating effect of the management efficiency of tourism is not statistically significant. Furthermore, improvements to the sustainable education and transportation infrastructure not only strengthen the direct negative effect of tourism on carbon emissions but also strengthen the indirect negative effect of tourism on carbon emissions. This study not only advances the existing literature but is also of considerable interest to policymakers.


Two-year effects of interdisciplinary intervention for hip fracture in older Taiwanese.
To explore the 2-year outcomes of an interdisciplinary intervention for elderly patients with hip fracture. Randomized experimental design. A 3,000-bed medical center in northern Taiwan. Patients with hip fracture (N=162): 80 in the intervention group and 82 in the usual care control group. An interdisciplinary program of geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning. Outcomes (clinical outcomes, self-care ability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), service utilization, and depressive symptoms) were assessed 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Self-care ability (ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)) was measured using the Chinese Barthel Index. HRQoL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey, Taiwan version (SF-36). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale, short form. Subjects in the intervention group had significantly better ratios of hip flexion (beta=5.43, P<.001), better performance on ADLs (beta=9.22, P<.001), better recovery of walking ability (odds ratio (OR)=2.23, P<.001), fewer falls (OR=0.56, P=.03), fewer depressive symptoms (beta=-1.31, P=.005), and better SF-36 physical summary scores (beta=6.08, P<.001) than the control group during the first 24 months after discharge. The intervention did not affect the peak force of the fractured limb's quadriceps, mortality, service utilization, or SF-36 mental summary score. The interdisciplinary intervention for hip fracture benefited elderly persons with hip fracture by improving clinical outcomes, self-care ability, and physical health-related outcomes and by decreasing depressive symptoms during the first 24 months after hospital discharge.


[Autotransplantation with mesh grafts in extensive burns].
Proceeding from experience with 667 operations during the past 9 years in patients with burns affecting more than 20 percent of the body surface, the author analyses the importance and frequency with which reticulate autografts are used. The advantages of manual and mechanically perforated grafts are compared. The decisive importance of this type of grafts in the operative treatment of large-scale burns is emphasized.


Central pain after pontine infarction is associated with changes in opioid receptor binding: a PET study with 11C-diprenorphine.
Using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-diprenorphine positron emission tomography (PET), we investigated alterations in glucose metabolism and opioid receptor binding in a patient with central poststroke pain, which developed after a small pontine hemorrhagic infarction. In comparison with normal databases, reduced 11C-diprenorphine binding was more accentuated than the hypometabolism on the lateral cortical surface contralateral to the symptoms, and a differential abnormal distribution between the tracers was seen in pain-related central structures. These results show that 11C-diprenorphine PET provides unique information for the understanding of central poststroke pain.


Chloro- and trifluoromethyl-substituted flanking-ring m-terphenyl isocyanides: η6-arene binding to zero-valent molybdenum centers and comparison to alkyl-substituted derivatives.
Presented herein are synthetic and structural studies exploring the propensity of m-terphenyl isocyanide ligands to provide flanking-ring η(6)-arene interactions to zerovalent molybdenum centers. The alkyl-substituted m-terphenyl isocyanides CNAr(Mes2) and CNAr(Dipp2) (Ar(Mes2) = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2C6H3; Ar(Dipp2) = 2,6-(2,6-(i-Pr)2C6H3)2C6H3) react with Mo(η(6)-napthalene)2 in a 3:1 ratio to form tris-isocyanide η(6)-arene Mo complexes, in which a flanking mesityl or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group, respectively, of one isocyanide ligand is bound to the zerovalent molybdenum center. Thermal stability and reactivity studies show that these flanking ring η(6)-arene interactions are particularly robust. To weaken or prevent formation of a flanking-ring η(6)-arene interaction, and to potentially provide access to the coordinatively unsaturated [Mo(CNAr(R))3] fragment, the new halo-substituted m-terphenyl isocyanides CNAr(Clips2) and CNAr(DArF2) (Ar(Clips) = 2,6-(2,6-Cl2C6H3)2(4-t-Bu)C6H2; Ar(DArF2) = 2,6-(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)2C6H3) have been prepared. Relative to their alkyl-substituted counterparts, synthetic and structural studies demonstrate that the flanking aryl rings of CNAr(Clips2) and CNAr(DArF2) display a lower tendency toward η(6)-binding. In the case of CNAr(DArF2), it is shown that an η(6)-bound 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group can be displaced from a zerovalent molybdenum center by three molecules of acetonitrile. This observation suggests that the CNAr(DArF2) ligand effectively masks low-valent metal centers in a fashion that provides access to low-coordinate isocyano targets such as [Mo(CNAr(R))3]. A series of Mo(CO)3(CNAr(R))3 complexes were also prepared to compare the relative π-acidities of CNAr(Mes2), CNAr(Clips2), and CNAr(DArF2). It is found that CNAr(DArF2) shows increased π-acidity relative to CNAr(Mes2) and CNAr(Clips2), despite the fact that its electron-withdrawing CF3 groups are fairly distal to the terminal isocyano unit.


Elevated Expression of Gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase Is Associated With Poor Prognosis and Altered Immune Signature in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma.
Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system with poor prognosis in advanced, recurrent, and metastatic cases. Identification of reliable molecular markers will help in the development of clinical strategies for early detection, diagnosis, and intervention. Gamma-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) is a key enzyme in folate metabolism pathway. High expression of GGH is associated with severe clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of several cancers. High GGH expression is also related to cell resistance to antifolate drugs such as methotrexate. In this study we focused on the prognostic value of immunohistochemical GGH expression level in UCEC tissue and RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to establish associations with clinical features and outcomes. Further, we conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to identify and functionally annotate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with UCEC upregulation and assessed the effects of upregulation on immune infiltration. Both GGH mRNA and protein expression levels were elevated in tumor tissues, and higher expression was significantly associated with advanced clinicopathological features and poor prognosis by univariate analysis. Further multivariate analysis identified elevated GGH expression as an independent risk factor for poor outcome. Nomograms including GGH expression yielded a c-index for disease-specific survival prediction of 0.884 (95% confidence interval: 0.861-0.907). A total of 520 DEGs (111 upregulated and 409 downregulated) were identified between high and low GGH expression groups. Analysis using Gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, Gene set enrichment analysis, and protein‒protein interaction indicated significant associations of altered GGH expression with cell proliferation, immune response, and the occurrence and development of UCEC tumors. Finally, GGH expression level was associated with high Th2 cell and low natural killer CD56bright cell infiltration. Collectively, these findings indicate that GGH drives UCEC progression and could be a useful biomarker for survival prediction as well as a therapeutic target.


Appendage-patterning genes regulate male and female copulatory structures in horned beetles.
Explaining the extraordinarily rapid diversification of insect copulatory structures has been a longstanding objective in evolutionary biology. However, remarkably little is known about the developmental genetic underpinnings of their formation. Furthermore, recent work has questioned whether male genitalic structures in beetles are serially homologous to appendages, or even homologous to the genitalia of other orders. Using RNA interference, we demonstrate that several cardinal appendage-patterning genes regulate the formation of copulatory structures in Onthophagus beetles of both sexes. These results are in strong disagreement with previous findings in the model beetle species Tribolium castaneum, but congruent with earlier studies in true bugs and flies. Our results support the hypotheses that genitalic development is largely conserved across insect orders, and that genitalia constitute serial appendage homologues. Moreover, we identify two patterning genes with striking phenotypic effects in both sexes. In these cases, the affected structures are known to interact functionally during copulation, but are not homologous to each other. This suggests that shared developmental regulation of male and female copulatory structures may extend beyond components related by descent to those related by function.


[Family history of children with chronic kidney failure: data collection].
The systematization process of care has as its first step the nursing history. This study aims to present the experience of data collection for care planning involving families of children with Chronic Kidney Failure on peritoneal dialysis. Family Nursing was used as a theoretical reference framework. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews, documentary analysis, field diary, genogram and ecomap. Study participants were four families. The authors discuss in-depth interviews, its limitations and advantages, the construction of the genogram and ecomap and ethical, legal and social implications. Finally, it is presented general considerations on how to apply these instruments in care delivery involving families of children with Chronic Kidney Failure on peritoneal dialysis.


[Congenital nystagmus in the ophthalmologic automobile driving fitness verdict].
A driver with congenital nystagmus (CN) is supposed to have a certain minimum visual acuity and a minimum velocity of reading, with the head directed straight ahead or 10 degrees laterally. The ability to perform different oculomotor tasks depends, however, on individual properties of nystagmus and compensatory mechanisms, as is demonstrated in 4 cases. Detailed electrooculographic (EOG) recordings were performed in 4 CN patients, in addition to the examination of visual functions. The visual acuity of patient 1 is sufficient (0.6 on both eyes), yet his retinal image is intermittently destabilized by a periodic alternating nystagmus. Case 2 with high myopic astigmatism and severely reduced visual acuity (right eye: finger counting; left eye: 0.2) compensates for his vertical pendular nystagmus by head nodding and for his manifest-latent horizontal nystagmus by a head turn. The optimal visual acuity of patient 3 (horizontal pendular nystagmus) is 0.3, with an oblique head position and convergence. In other head and gaze positions he has a coarse jerk nystagmus beating in the direction of gaze. Patient 4, with a high myopic astigmatism, microstrabism and manifest-latent fixational nystagmus, has a visual acuity between 0.2 and 0.3 in both eyes. He had been a licensed professional car driver, in spite of contradicting national and international criteria: but his license was refused later. In patients with CN, the influence of head and gaze position, monocular fixation, convergence and self or object motion on nystagmus intensity and wave forms could be important for driving, because it might influence visual acuity and motion perception. The latter hypothesis still has to be proven in further studies, performed under conditions relevant for traffic.


Nonoperative care to manage sacroiliac joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis: high costs and medical resource utilization in the United States Medicare population.
Low-back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent among older adults, and the cost to treat the US Medicare population is substantial. Recent US health care reform legislation focuses on improving quality of care and reducing costs. The sacroiliac (SI) joint is a recognized generator of LBP, but treatments traditionally have included either nonoperative medical management or open SI joint fusion, which has a high rate of complications. New minimally invasive technologies have been developed to treat SI joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis, so it is important to understand the current cost impact of nonoperative care to the Medicare program. The objective of this study was to evaluate the medical resource use and associated Medicare reimbursement for patients managed with nonoperative care for degenerative sacroiliitis/SI joint disruption. A retrospective study was conducted using claim-level data from the Medicare 5% Standard Analytical Files (SAFs) for the years 2005-2010. Included were patients with a primary ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification) diagnosis code for degenerative sacroiliitis/SI joint disruption (ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes 720.2, 724.6, 739.4, 846.9, or 847.3) with continuous enrollment for at least 1 year before and 5 years after diagnosis. Claims attributable to degenerative sacroiliitis/SI joint disruption were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes (claims with a primary or secondary ICD-9-CM diagnosis code of 71x.xx, 72x.xx, 73x.xx, or 84x.xx), and the 5-year medical resource use and Medicare reimbursement (in 2012 US dollars) were tabulated across practice settings. A subgroup analysis was performed among patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion. Among all Medicare patients with degenerative sacroiliitis or SI joint disruption (n = 14,552), the mean cumulative 5-year direct medical costs attributable to degenerative sacroiliitis/SI joint disruption was $18,527 ± $28,285 (± SD) per patient. The cumulative 5-year cost was $63,913 ± $46,870 per patient among the subgroup of patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion (n = 538 [3.7%]) and $16,769 ± $25,753 per patient among the subgroup of patients who had not undergone lumbar spinal fusion (n = 14,014 [96.3%]). For the total population, the largest proportion of cumulative 5-year costs was due to inpatient hospitalization (42.1%), outpatient physician office (20.6%), and hospital outpatient costs (14.9%). The estimated cumulative 5-year Medicare reimbursement across practice settings attributable to SI joint disruption or degenerative sacroiliitis is approximately $270 million among these 14,552 Medicare beneficiaries ($18,527 per patient). In patients who suffer from LBP due to SI joint disruption or degenerative sacroiliitis, this retrospective Medicare claims data analysis demonstrates that nonoperative care is associated with substantial costs and medical resource utilization. The economic burden of SI joint disruption and degenerative sacroiliitis among Medicare beneficiaries in the US is substantial and highlights the need for more cost-effective therapies to treat this condition and reduce health care expenditures.


'Radical hope' and rain: climate change and the mental health of Indigenous residents of northern Australia.
Objective: This paper considers the short, intermediate and longer term effects of climate change in relation to the mental health of Indigenous residents of northern Australia, and what these effects mean in terms of supporting adaptation and resilience. Conclusions: Indigenous Australians have contended with change for millennia, with the drivers shifting from ecological to social pressures since European colonization. Climate change resulting from human activities introduces a new set of change forces which will in the short term be mediated by economic and social effects internationally.


Synchronization of circadian rhythms of house sparrows by oral melatonin: effects of changing period.
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) whose circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and feeding had been abolished by pinealectomy were held in constant dim light and periodically exposed to melatonin in the drinking water. By alternating 8 h of melatonin water with variable phases of tap water, rhythms with periods (T) ranging from 21 to 27 h were produced. When melatonin was administered in rhythms with periods of 23, 24, and 25 h, feeding and locomotion behavior of most birds were rhythmic and synchronized with the exogenous melatonin rhythm. The rest phase coincided approximately with the phase of melatonin availability. Under melatonin cycles < 23 h and > 25 h, fewer birds had synchronized rhythms. Nonsynchronized birds were either arrhythmic or they expressed free-running rhythms. Under melatonin rhythms with periods between 23 and 26 h, the phase-angle difference between defined phases of the behavioral rhythms and the melatonin rhythm became more positive with increasing T. These data are consistent with the hypothesis (a) that periodic exogenous melatonin can substitute, at least to a certain degree, for the endogenous plasma melatonin rhythm normally resulting from the periodic melatonin secretion by the pineal gland, and (b) that this melatonin rhythm acts on another oscillator, possibly the SCN, as part of the overall circadian pacemaking system.


Historical note on cumulative recorders manufactured in Japan.
The history of cumulative recorders manufactured in Japan between the early 1970s and the present is described. The first such instrument was the Tosoku-Kogyo Company's Model T-45A, followed thereafter by its Model T-45B, built on the same chassis as the T-45A, but with different electrical and mechanical components. When Tosoku-Kogyo closed its recorder operations, the recorder continued to be manufactured and sold by Okubo-Sokkouki as its Model OS 180. The appearance of such commercially manufactured cumulative recorders in countries other than the United States further attests to the internationalization of behavior analysis during the mid- to late-20th century.


Effectiveness of Dalbavancin Compared With Standard of Care for the Treatment of Osteomyelitis: A Real-world Analysis.
Preliminary data suggest that the effectiveness of dalbavancin may be similar to current standard-of-care (SoC) treatment options for osteomyelitis with an advantageous dosing schedule. This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of adult patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis. Patients were matched 1:2 to dalbavancin (administered as 2 doses separated by 1 week) or SoC treatment for osteomyelitis according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index, site of infection, and causative pathogen. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of treatment failure after a 1-year follow-up period. Secondary objectives included hospital length of stay (LOS), infection-related 1-year readmission rates, and treatment-related adverse events. A total of 132 patients received dalbavancin (n = 42) or SoC (n = 90). Baseline characteristics, including rates of surgical intervention, were similar between the 2 treatment groups. Treatment failure was similar between those who received dalbavancin and SoC (21.4% vs 23.3%; P = .81). Patients who received dalbavancin had a shorter hospital LOS (5.2 days vs 7.2 days; P = .01). There was no difference in the rates of infection-related readmission between the dalbavancin and the SoC group (31% vs 31.1%; P = .99). There were numerically fewer adverse events in the dalbavancin group compared with the SoC group (21.4% vs 36.7%; P = .08). Peripherally inserted central catheter line-related complications were reported in 17.8% of patients in the SoC group. Dalbavancin administered as a 2-dose regimen is a safe and effective option for the treatment of osteomyelitis.


Field theory of bicritical and tetracritical points. III. Relaxational dynamics including conservation of magnetization (model C).
We calculate the relaxational dynamical critical behavior of systems of O(n_{ parallel}) plus sign in circleO(n_{ perpendicular}) symmetry including conservation of magnetization by renormalization group theory within the minimal subtraction scheme in two-loop order. Within the stability region of the Heisenberg fixed point and the biconical fixed point, strong dynamical scaling holds, with the asymptotic dynamical critical exponent z=2varphinu-1 , where varphi is the crossover exponent and nu the exponent of the correlation length. The critical dynamics at n_{ parallel}=1 and n_{ perpendicular}=2 is governed by a small dynamical transient exponent leading to nonuniversal nonasymptotic dynamical behavior. This may be seen, e.g., in the temperature dependence of the magnetic transport coefficients.


A molecularly defined skin test reagent for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis compatible with vaccination against Johne's Disease.
Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivatives (PPDs) exhibit multiple limitations: they are crude extracts from mycobacterial cultures with largely unknown active components; their production depends on culture of mycobacteria requiring expensive BCL3 production facilities; and their potency depends on the technically demanding guinea pig assay. To overcome these limitations, we developed a molecularly defined tuberculin (MDT) by adding further antigens to our prototype reagent composed of ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c (DIVA skin test, DST). In vitro screening using PBMC from infected and uninfected cattle shortlisted four antigens from a literature-based list of 18 to formulate the MDT. These four antigens plus the previously identified Rv3020c protein, produced as recombinant proteins or overlapping synthetic peptides, were formulated together with the three DST antigens into the MDT to test cattle experimentally and naturally infected with M. bovis, uninfected cattle and MAP vaccinated calves. We demonstrated significant increases in MDT-induced skin responses compared to DST in infected animals, whilst maintaining high specificity in unvaccinated or MAP vaccinated calves. Further, MDT can also be applied in in vitro blood-based interferon-gamma release assays. Thus, MDT promises to be a robust diagnostic skin and blood test reagent overcoming some of the limitations of PPDs and warrants full validation.


[The effect of different doses of gonadotropins on the quantitative, morphological and cytogenetic characteristics of oocytes from CBA mice].
The effect of gonadotropins (PMSG/HCG) dose on number, quality and cytogenetic characteristics of CBA mouse oocytes was investigated. The oocytes from natural cycle were used as a control. Using of 5 IU dose led to increasing of oocytes number with no differences in their parameters from control ones. Percentage of oocytes of bed quality, with nuclear material degeneration, and parthenogenetically activated oocytes were found to increase under 10 IU and 15 IU dosage.


The Ground State Rotational Spectra of HDCO and D2CO.
The ground state rotational spectra of HDCO and D2CO have been measured from 5 to 2000 GHz. These new measurements together with older ones have been fitted to a standard A-reduced Watson-type Hamiltonian. The accuracy of the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants has been significantly improved. It has to be noted that it was necessary to include octic constants. The experimental constants are compared to ab initio predictions. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.


The assassin bug genera Nagustoides and Stenolemus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) newly recorded from Japan.
Two assassin bug genera, Nagustoides Miller, 1954 of Harpactorinae and Stenolemus Signoret, 1858 of Emesinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae), are recorded from Japan for the first time, with the presence of the representative species N. lii Zhao, Cai & Ren, 2006 and S. alikakay Rédei & Tsai, 2010. Distribution ranges of the two species are revised by the present finding.


Correlation between Polysomnographic Parameters and Tridimensional Changes in the Upper Airway of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated with Mandibular Advancement Devices.
The effectiveness of mandibular advancement devices has been solidly demonstrated in the past. They are considered a valid alternative treatment to continuous positive airway pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the relationship between polysomnographic parameters and the increase in the volume of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has not been clearly established so far. This study aimed to determine the impact of these oral appliances upon the volume of the airway after the device titration phase and correlate it with the degree of mandibular advancement and the improvement of polysomnographic parameters. All patients were diagnosed by polysomnography and were treated with a customized, titratable mandibular advancement device. Three-dimensional volumetric measurements were performed using cone beam computed tomography. The present study included 45 patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (mild in 23 patients, moderate in 11 and severe in 11). Forty-four percent of the patients presented with an apnea hypopnea index <5/h at the end of treatment. The volume of the upper airway increased an average of 4.3 ± 5.9 cm3, this represents a percentage increase of 20.9%, which was significantly correlated with an apnea hypopnea index and a minimum oxygen saturation improvement. The mandibular advancement device used was found to be effective in improving polysomnographic parameters. Moreover, the oral appliance was able to significantly increase the tridimensional dimensions of the upper airway. Moreover, this finding was correlated with a reduction in the apnea hypopnea index (p = 0.007) and an increase on minimum oxygen saturation (p = 0.033).


Excretion of Dietary Zinc in Mammals (rats) Fed Overdoses of Zinc Lactate and Infected with Tapeworms.
Tapeworms parasitize at sites that are important for the management of micronutrients, including zinc. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that tapeworms will significantly affect the excretion of zinc in the feces of a host. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects that tapeworms have on the excretion of zinc in the feces of the host. Rats were divided into 4 groups: groups 0T and MT (infected with Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi, 1819)) and groups 00 and M0 (uninfected). The experimental groups (M0 and MT) were fed a standard rodent compound feed (ST-1) with added zinc lactate; the daily zinc intake was 20.5 mg. The control groups (00 and 0T) were fed only ST-1 with 1.75 mg of added Zn per day. For six weeks, the amount of consumed feed was recorded and fecal samples were taken. The samples were then analyzed by optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and levels of excreted zinc were subsequently calculated as a percentage. The most signifi cant difference in zinc excretion levels between the experimental groups was observed in the third week, when rats infected with tapeworms (MT) excreted substantially lower levels of zinc than did uninfected rats (M0). This difference amounted to 28.36 % (p <0.01). In the control groups, tapeworms affected the excretion of zinc in the feces to a lesser extent, and the most substantial difference in zinc levels was seen in the fifth week (8.46 %). However, there was no signifi cant difference in zinc excretion levels between the control groups during any of the monitored weeks. Tapeworms in the host affect levels of zinc excreted in the feces. However, this is dependent on the amount or form of zinc ingested.


Effect of Charging Parameter on Fruit Battery-Based Oil Palm Maturity Sensor.
Oil palm is one of the key industries highly observed in Malaysia, due to its high demand both whether locally or internationally. The oil extraction rate (OER) in palm oil production is used as an element to identify the performance of the mills, estates and producers. In view of this, there are specific instrument or sensor needs to be implemented at the mills especially during the reception of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) transported from the field for oil content processing. This paper aims to study and propose the use of a fruit battery-based oil palm maturity sensor to analyse the effect of the sensor to various parameters. The study utilizes a charging method with different parameters, including a moisture content test on the palm oil samples. Three types of parameters are tested along with the different grades of oil palm fruit from different bunches, such as the load resistance, charging voltage and charging time. The repeatability data of the samples are obtained with the used list of values in each parameter. The results show that the parameters tested for the unripe, under ripe and ripe samples can affect the sensor sensitivity.


Systolic Blood Pressure <110 mm Hg as a Threshold of Hypotension in Patients with Isolated Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Hypotension is a known risk factor for poor neurologic outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Current guidelines suggest that higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) thresholds likely confer a mortality benefit. However, there is no consensus on the ideal perfusion pressure among different age groups (i.e., recommended SBP ≥100 mm Hg for patients age 50-69 years; ≥ 110 mm Hg for all other adults). We hypothesize that admission SBP ≥110 mm Hg will be associated with improved outcomes regardless of age group. A retrospective database review of the 2010-2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was performed for adults (≥ 18 years) with isolated moderate-to-severe TBIs (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥3; all other AIS <3). Sub-analyses were performed after dividing patients by SBP and age; comparison groups were matched with propensity score matching. Primary outcomes were early (6 h, 12 h, and 1 day) and overall in-hospital mortality. Overall, 154,725 patients met the inclusion criteria (mean age 62.8 ± 19.8 years, 89,431 [57.8%] males, Injury Severity Score13.9 ± 6.8). Multi-variate logistic regression showed that the risk of in-hospital mortality decreased with increasing SBP, plateauing at 110 mm Hg. Among patients of all ages, SBP ≥110 mm Hg was associated with improved mortality (SBP 110-129 vs. 90-109 mm Hg: 12 h 0.4% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.001; 1 day 0.8% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.004; overall 3.2% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.001). Among patients age 50-69 years, SBP ≥110 mm Hg was associated with improved mortality (SBP 110-119 vs. 100-109 mm Hg: 12 h 0.3% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.018; 1 day 0.5% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.007; overall 2.7% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.015). In conclusion, SBP ≥110 mm Hg is associated with lower in-hospital mortality in adult patients with isolated TBIs, including patients age 50-69 years. SBP <110 mm Hg should be used to define hypotension in adult patients of all ages.


Evolutionary quantitative genetics of nonlinear developmental systems.
In quantitative genetics, the effects of developmental relationships among traits on microevolution are generally represented by the contribution of pleiotropy to additive genetic covariances. Pleiotropic additive genetic covariances arise only from the average effects of alleles on multiple traits, and therefore the evolutionary importance of nonlinearities in development is generally neglected in quantitative genetic views on evolution. However, nonlinearities in relationships among traits at the level of whole organisms are undeniably important to biology in general, and therefore critical to understanding evolution. I outline a system for characterizing key quantitative parameters in nonlinear developmental systems, which yields expressions for quantities such as trait means and phenotypic and genetic covariance matrices. I then develop a system for quantitative prediction of evolution in nonlinear developmental systems. I apply the system to generating a new hypothesis for why direct stabilizing selection is rarely observed. Other uses will include separation of purely correlative from direct and indirect causal effects in studying mechanisms of selection, generation of predictions of medium-term evolutionary trajectories rather than immediate predictions of evolutionary change over single generation time-steps, and the development of efficient and biologically motivated models for separating additive from epistatic genetic variances and covariances.


A multiple additive regression tree analysis of three exposure measures during Hurricane Katrina.
This paper analyses structural and personal exposure to Hurricane Katrina. Structural exposure is measured by flood height and building damage; personal exposure is measured by the locations of 911 calls made during the response. Using these variables, this paper characterises the geography of exposure and also demonstrates the utility of a robust analytical approach in understanding health-related challenges to disadvantaged populations during recovery. Analysis is conducted using a contemporary statistical approach, a multiple additive regression tree (MART), which displays considerable improvement over traditional regression analysis. By using MART, the percentage of improvement in R-squares over standard multiple linear regression ranges from about 62 to more than 100 per cent. The most revealing finding is the modelled verification that African Americans experienced disproportionate exposure in both structural and personal contexts. Given the impact of exposure to health outcomes, this finding has implications for understanding the long-term health challenges facing this population.


Conceptualizing social support in families of children with special health needs.
The concept of social support is used increasingly to understand families and their functioning. While conceptualization of the support process is regrettably absent for much research on families, earlier models developed for examining social support of individuals can enlighten research on families. The history of the social support concept is presented along with an overview of current typologies of social support and models of how it impacts physical and mental health. Research on the social support of families with children with special needs is reviewed relative to these issues. Greater recognition of a comprehensive model of support is advocated. Recommendations are made for longitudinal research on temporal patterns of utilization and satisfaction with support, and for consideration of cultural contexts in interpreting social supports.


Detection of glycine receptor/Cl- channel beta subunit transcripts in mouse testis.
The sperm glycine receptor/Cl- channel (GlyR) is important to the initiation of the mammalian sperm acrosome reaction by the egg zona pellucida, but its presence in spermatogenic cells has not been demonstrated. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies confirmed that GlyR beta subunit transcripts similar to those of the neuronal GlyR beta subunit are present in the testis of Swiss Webster mice. In situ hybridisation analysis demonstrated that GlyR beta subunit mRNAs were expressed within the germ cells of seminiferous tubules in those mice.


Consideration of nutrient levels in studies of cognitive decline.
Epidemiological studies suggest that certain micronutrients may improve or maintain cognitive function. Consistent demonstration of benefits in intervention trials has been elusive, possibly because most intervention trials do not select subjects on the basis of nutrient status and/or intake. The objective of this review was to identify levels of intake or markers of nutrient insufficiency that define at-risk older adult populations to determine whether these populations will benefit from nutritional intervention. This review examines evidence from interventional and prospective observational studies that evaluated the effects of folate, vitamin B12 , and vitamin E on cognitive decline in older populations. The studies suggest that supplementation may protect against cognitive decline when serum folate is <12 nmol/L or vitamin E intake is <6.1 mg/day. The literature is inadequate to define a level for vitamin B12 . Epidemiological studies investigating the relations of nutrients to cognitive decline should consider nutrient status in the reporting and interpretation of results. Randomized trials should design inclusion and exclusion criteria to select individuals with low intake and to disallow multivitamin intake. These recommendations may be useful for the design of valid trials and to advance the current understanding of nutrition and neurological diseases.


Study on the interaction mechanism between C-reactive protein and platelets in the development of acute myocardial infarction.
Myocardial infarction (MI) is the single most critical event in coronary disease. Platelets are involved in the processes of acute MI (AMI). They lack nuclear DNA but retain megakaryocyte mRNAs, hence, their transcriptome could provide information preceding coronary events. However, their mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we obtained a gene expression atlas of platelets from patients after their very first AMI, and our purpose was to clarify the mechanisms of platelet involvement in the occurrence of AMI through bioinformatics analyses and animal models of AMI in vivo. We obtained a gene expression atlas of platelets from patients after their very first AMI from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were retrieved using R language. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was implemented in order to construct a gene co-expression correlation network among DEGs. Animal models of AMI in vivo were constructed to confirm the results of the bioinformatics analysis. Gene integration analysis yielded 2,852 DEGs (P<0.05, |log2FC| >1). Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated a significant association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and Staphylococcus aureus infection (SAI) (P=0.015). Data from in vivo experiments showed that CRP increased significantly in AMI rats (P<0.001), and the expression of FCGR2B mRNA and HLA-DRB4 mRNA was elevated in response to the increase of CRP (P<0.001). From the results of this study, we speculate that in the development of AMI, the increase in CRP activates platelets and induces platelets to play an anti-inflammatory role.


Immunomodulation: bioengineering aspects.
Plasmapheresis is generally recognized as a "black box" therapy. Factors effecting the immunomodulating influence of plasmapheresis and their impact on the clinical results include the disease state and stage, associated drug and medical therapies, and the methodology of plasmapheresis. The immunomodulating influence of the methodology of plasmapheresis, including duration of treatment, frequency of treatment, equipment type, materials choice, anticoagulant choice, and volume replacement versus selective removal, has a profound impact on the clinical results. Limitations in the design of controlled trials emphasize the importance of assessing the events occurring within and as a result of the individual black box utilized in plasmapheresis therapy. The analysis and understanding of the immunomodulating influences of the "black box" will prove to be very valuable in the development of better technologies for patient care.


Elemental sulfur toxicosis in a flock of sheep.
Two thousand Panama X Rambouillet ewes from a flock of 2,200 developed signs of acute toxicosis after being moved to a field that had been sprayed 16 hours earlier with elemental sulfur. Acute signs were lethargy, abdominal discomfort, and prostration. Two hundred six (10%) of the affected ewes died within 24 hours. Polioencephalomalacia that was unresponsive to thiamine treatment developed in another 40 (2%) of the ewes; 28 (70%) of the ewes with polioencephalomalacia recovered. Sulfur is converted to hydrogen sulfide in the rumen. Signs of sulfur toxicosis are a result of absorption of hydrogen sulfide and interaction with the cytochrome system and hemoglobin. Sulfide is detoxified in the RBC and by the liver.


Stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-trans-tetrahydropyran via primary diamine-catalyzed oxa-conjugate addition reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketone: total synthesis of psymberin.
The total synthesis of psymberin was achieved employing a readily available chiral epoxide to prepare two of the three subunits in the natural product. The key reaction was a highly stereoselective organocatalytic oxa-conjugate addition reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketone catalyzed by primary diamine for the synthesis of the 2,6-trans-tetrahydropyran embedded in psymberin.


Host suitability and gas exchange response of grapevines to potato leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).
Although potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is highly polyphagous, classic host studies do not recognize grapevines (Vitis spp.), as suitable hosts. Recently, injury has been reported and reproduction documented within grape vineyards, suggesting a host expansion for the leafhopper. To document this apparent expansion in host use, we determined whether grape plants were suitable hosts for potato leafhopper reproduction, measured the consequence of feeding injury on gas exchange rates of grape leaves, and compared the susceptibility to feeding injury among cultivars. We found that potato leafhopper adults survived equally well on grape (Vitis vinifera L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fava bean (Vicia faba L.). The total number of offspring was greater on fava bean but did not differ between alfalfa and grape. Injury to grapevines was assessed by measuring gas exchange responses of leaves in field cages and in greenhouse tests. We found marginally significant declines in photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the field (9.6 and 13.2%, respectively), and much stronger effects in greenhouse tests (ranging between 22 and 52%). Our results verify that Vitis is a suitable host, and that potato leafhopper is capable of injuring its gas exchange physiology. We discuss possible explanations for the host expansion, and its potential to damage commercial grapevines.


Bispectral index reveals death-feigning behavior in a red kite (Milvus milvus).
Red kites (Milvus milvus) are birds of prey known to feign death in the presence of humans. An adult wild red kite was anesthetized with isoflurane for coelioscopy. During surgery, heart rate and respiratory rate ranged from 240 to 260 beats per minute and from 16 to 28 breaths rates per minute, respectively. Pupil and corneal reflexes remained present, and body temperature was maintained at 40.4 degrees C (104.7 degrees F). Suppression ratio was 0 during the anesthetic episode. The bispectral index was 44 immediately after intubation, ranged from 44 to 57 during maintenance of anesthesia, and was 59 at the moment of extubation. The index increased to 85 while the kite remained immobile, which was suggestive of feigning death in sternal recumbency. Once the bird was perched upright, it immediately kept the upright position, which confirmed the correspondence of the bispectral index value (85) with a fully conscious patient. Although behavioral or cardiorespiratory variables remained unchanged, the degree of hypnosis was indicated by the bispectral index, which anticipated a possible sudden awakening episode of this bird.


Numerical simulation and field test study of desulfurization wastewater evaporation treatment through flue gas.
Aimed at cost saving and pollution reduction, a novel desulfurization wastewater evaporation treatment system (DWETS) for handling wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) wastewater of a coal-fired power plant was studied. The system's advantages include simple process, and less investment and space. The feasibility of this system has been proven and the appropriate position and number of nozzles, the spray droplet size and flue gas temperature limitation have been obtained by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The simulation results show that a longer duct, smaller diameter and higher flue gas temperature could help to increase the evaporation rate. The optimal DWETS design of Shangdu plant is 100 μm droplet sprayed by two nozzles located at the long duct when the flue gas temperature is 130 °C. Field tests were carried out based on the simulation results. The effects of running DWETS on the downstream devices have been studied. The results show that DWETS has a positive impact on ash removal efficiency and does not have any negative impact on the electrostatic precipitator (ESP), flue gas heat exchanger and WFGD. The pH values of the slurry of WFGD slightly increase when the DWETS is running. The simulation and field test of the DWETS show that it is a feasible future technology for desulfurization wastewater treatment.


Tetraparental mice reveal complex cellular interactions of the mutant, autoimmunity-inducing lpr gene.
Lpr is a murine recessive autosomal mutant gene that, in conjunction with the background genes of different inbred mouse strains, produces varied syndromes of lymphadenopathy and autoantibody production. We have investigated the cellular basis of the lpr determined phenomena by constructing allophenic (tetraparental) chimeras of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr combined with C57BL/6 and MRL/+ combined with C57BL/6-lpr/lpr. The appearance of lymphadenopathy, lpr atypical T cells, and autoantibodies was found to depend on the relative amounts +/+ and lpr tissue. The failure of these three abnormalities to correlate in certain animals suggested different pathways of lpr gene action. Furthermore, in the lpr predominant animals, both the lymphadenopathy and autoantibodies were essentially entirely contributed by the lpr donor. The expression of the lpr gene within the same cells expressing the MRL or B6 background determined the pathologic and serologic manifestations characteristic of the disease of that lpr strain, despite the presence of +/+ cells of the other background in the same individual. The lpr syndrome thus depends on the intracellular interaction of the lpr and background genes, and on positive signalling between different lpr cell populations.


LincRNA-p21 suppresses development of human prostate cancer through inhibition of PKM2.
Previously, we found that long intergenic non-coding RNA-p21 (lincRNA-p21) inhibited the development of human prostate cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we attempted to investigate the downstream targets of lincRNA-p21 in prostate cancer. Expression of lincRNA-p21 and PKM2 was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Lentivirus expressing shPKM2 or shCtrl was used to explore the role of PKM2 on the enhanced cell proliferation and glycolysis of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate cancer cells. A xenograft mouse model was performed to investigate the effect of PKM2 suppression, glycolytic or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor on the tumorigenic capacity of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate cancer cells. We revealed that lincRNA-p21 silencing in DU145 and LNCaP cells induced up-regulation of PKM2 and activation of glycolysis, which could be reversed by PKM2 knockdown or rapamycin treatment. We also found that the proliferation and tumorigenesis of lincRNA-p21-silenced prostate cancer cells were significantly inhibited after knocking down PKM2. 3-bromopyruvate (3-Brpa) or rapamycin treatment largely decreased the tumour burden. Importantly, PKM2 expression was inversely correlated with the lincRNA-p21 level and the survival of prostate cancer patients. We demonstrated that lincRNA-p21 blunted the prostate cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenic capacity through down-regulation of PKM2. Therefore, targeting PKM2 or glycolysis might be a therapeutic strategy in prostate cancer patients with lowly expressed lincRNA-p21.


Identification of bacterial micropredators distinctively active in a soil microbial food web.
The understanding of microbial interactions and trophic networks is a prerequisite for the elucidation of the turnover and transformation of organic materials in soils. To elucidate the incorporation of biomass carbon into a soil microbial food web, we added 13C-labeled Escherichia coli biomass to an agricultural soil and identified those indigenous microbes that were specifically active in its mineralization and carbon sequestration. rRNA stable isotope probing (SIP) revealed that uncultivated relatives of distinct groups of gliding bacterial micropredators (Lysobacter spp., Myxococcales, and the Bacteroidetes) lead carbon sequestration and mineralization from the added biomass. In addition, fungal populations within the Microascaceae were shown to respond to the added biomass after only 1 h of incubation and were thus surprisingly reactive to degradable labile carbon. This RNA-SIP study identifies indigenous microbes specifically active in the transformation of a nondefined complex carbon source, bacterial biomass, directly in a soil ecosystem.


The association between obstructive sleep apnea and sleep spindles in middle-aged and older men: a community-based cohort study.
Sleep spindles show morphological changes in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, previous small studies have limited generalizability, leaving associations between OSA severity measures and spindle metrics uncertain. This study examined cross-sectional associations between OSA severity measures and spindle metrics among a large population-based sample of men. Community-dwelling men with no previous OSA diagnosis underwent home-based polysomnography. All-night EEG (F4-M1) recordings were processed for artifacts and spindle events identified using previously validated algorithms. Spindle metrics of interest included frequency (Hz), amplitude (µV2), overall density (11-16 Hz), slow density (11-13 Hz), and fast density (13-16 Hz) (number/minute). Multivariable linear regression models controlling for demographic, biomedical, and behavioral confounders were used to examine cross-sectional associations between OSA severity measures and spindle metrics. In adjusted analyses, higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI/h, as a continuous variable) and percentage total sleep time with oxygen saturation <90% (TST90) were associated with decreased slow spindle density (AHI, B = -0.003, p = 0.032; TST90, B = -0.004, p = 0.047) but increased frequency (AHI, B = 0.002, p = 0.009; TST90, B = 0.002, p = 0.043). Higher TST90 was also associated with greater spindle amplitude (N2 sleep, B = 0.04, p = 0.011; N3 sleep, B = 0.11, p < 0.001). Furthermore, higher arousal index was associated with greater spindle amplitude during N2 sleep (B = 0.31, p < 0.001) but decreased overall density (B = -1.27, p = 0.030) and fast density (B = -4.36, p = 0.028) during N3 sleep. Among this large population-based sample of men, OSA severity measures were independently associated with spindle abnormalities. Further population studies are needed to determine associations between spindle metrics and functional outcomes.


Practice and perceptions of female genital mutilation among Nigerian Igbo women.
Genital mutilation occurred in 296 (48.5%) of 610 pregnant Nigerian Igbo women attending antenatal clinics. The incidence was especially high in association with high maternal age, high parity and low social class. Female genital mutilation (FGM) class 1 occurred in 75 (25.3%) cases while FGM class 2 occurred in 221 (74.7%). There was no cases of FGM class 3 (infibulation). The majority, 322 (52.8%) of the women were positively aware of their true genital mutilation status, but 288 (47.2%) showed negative response being either unaware of their true genital mutilation status or had become confused. Female genital mutilation was no longer practised in the locality of 337 (55.3%) of the women, was occasionally practised in that of 55 (9.0%) and was still fully practised in that of 88 (14.4%) of the respondents. Most of the women, 324 (53.1%) had no knowledge of any advantages of female genital mutilation. However, 157 (25.7%) believed that it discourages infidelity while 56 (9.2%) believed that it facilitated delivery. Similarly, 336 (55.1%) of the women were not aware of any risks of female genital mutilation, although 164 (26.9%) believed that it would cause difficult labour. Eighty (13.1%) of the respondents would advocate FGM for their daughters, out of which 34 (42.5%) cited cultural reasons. Four hundred and sixty-six women (76.4%) would not wish their daughters to be circumcised. The eradication of female genital mutilation must involve the identification of issues sustaining the practice in different localities and subsequent action supported either by logical persuasion following aggressive health education and by legislation.


Left ventricular hypertrophy: an independent risk factor.
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), an increase in the muscle mass of the left ventricle, has been identified as a powerful risk factor for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The risk of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, sudden death, and other cardiovascular events increases six- to eightfold with the presence of LVH. The increase in myocardial mass lowers coronary reserve and enhances cardiac oxygen requirements, gives rise to ventricular ectopy, and impairs left ventricular filling and contractility. Hypertension, obesity, advanced age, valvular heart disease, and other disorders that cause an increase in the hemodynamic burden can lead to LVH. Left ventricular hypertrophy and its sequelae can be reduced by specific antihypertensive therapy but, despite these promising findings, future epidemiological studies are necessary to document the clinical benefits of a reduction of LVH.


Thermodynamics of glass/crystal transformation in Se58Ge(42-x)Pb(x) (9 < or = x < or = 20) glasses.
This article reports the thermodynamics of Se(58)Ge(42-x)Pb(x) (9 < or = x < or = 20) glassy alloys determined from the heat of fusion and specific heat capacity measurements. A differential scanning calorimetry method has been employed for the determination of thermodynamic quantities such as entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy differences between the glassy and crystalline phase of these alloys as a function of temperature. An effort has also been made to determine the stability of these glasses using the data obtained from different thermodynamic quantities. This study reveals that stability of the samples increases with the increase of lead (Pb) content in the glassy alloys.