Decreased anionic groups and increased permeability precedes deposition of immune complexes in the glomerular capillary wall.
To verify whether an increase in glomerular permeability precedes the deposition of immune complexes in the capillary wall, the following were studied in mice with lupus nephritis: 1) urinary proteins; 2) glomerular transfer of IgG, albumin, and anionic ferritin (AF) (isoelectric point, 4.2-4.6); and 3) anionic groups of the capillary wall as detected by binding of cationized ferritin (CF) (isoelectric point, 7.5-8.6). The glomeruli were investigated by immunofluorescence, immunoelectron, and transmission electron-microscopic studies. Urinary proteins were quantitated and characterized by electrophoresis. When mice were 5 months of age, (the time at which pathologic proteinuria was first detected), immune deposits were few and were confined to the mesangium. Although AF molecules were largely retained at the level of the lamina rara interna, focal leakage of albumin and IgG was detected across capillary walls that were not found to contain immune deposits. Focal and irregular loss of anionic groups, reflected by decreased binding of CF molecules, occurred in the laminae rarae of the basement membrane. Foot processes of glomeruli incubated with CF showed no loss of polyanion. We conclude that the increase in glomerular permeability that precedes deposition of immune complexes is due, in part, to focal loss of anionic groups of the basement membrane.


Visible and near infrared spectroscopy coupled to random forest to quantify some soil quality parameters.
This study evaluates the use of visible and near infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) combined with multivariate regression based on random forest to quantify some quality soil parameters. The parameters analyzed were soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), sum of exchange bases (SB), organic matter (OM), clay and sand present in the soils of several regions of Brazil. Current methods for evaluating these parameters are laborious, timely and require various wet analytical methods that are not adequate for use in precision agriculture, where faster and automatic responses are required. The random forest regression models were statistically better than PLS regression models for CEC, OM, clay and sand, demonstrating resistance to overfitting, attenuating the effect of outlier samples and indicating the most important variables for the model. The methodology demonstrates the potential of the Vis-NIR as an alternative for determination of CEC, SB, OM, sand and clay, making possible to develop a fast and automatic analytical procedure.


Response to the needs of Turkish chemotherapy patients and their families.
The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life, depressive symptoms, and informational needs of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and of their family caregivers. This article presents findings from a study of 111 patients with cancer and 34 of their primary family caregivers from an outpatient chemotherapy unit in eastern Turkey. The results indicated that the patients perceived a poorer quality of life than their family caregivers. The patients also were more clinically depressed. Furthermore, both the patients and caregivers received little information regarding the illness and the side effects of chemotherapy from their health professionals. Nearly half of the patients and over half of the caregivers reported that information given by health professionals was verbal. Most of the patients and caregivers reported they felt that they needed to be visited by health professionals at their home when they ask for such services and/or once a week. Patients reported the need for assistance with one or more personal, instrumental, or administrative activities. The need for administrative activities of patients and caregivers were found to be similar. In conclusion, nurses must continue to work hard to focus not only on the disease and its symptoms, but also on the impact on the day-to-day living of the patient with cancer and his or her family. Home visits may empower patients and caregivers by giving them information and professional support.


Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis with Baló-like Lesion by Scorpion Sting: Case Report.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) has been linked to immunizations, viral infections, and occasionally to arthropods stings. Its association with scorpion stings has not been described. A 29-year-old man, who after being stung by a scorpion presented right hemiparesis and language impairment. Brain MRI showed subcortical bihemispheric lesion characteristics of ADEM and a bigger one compatible with Baló concentric sclerosis (BCS). Patient was managed with steroids, showing complete clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 6 months showed cavitation of the bigger lesion with no new findings. In 2 years of follow-up, there is no clinical relapse or new lesions in MRI. Although cases of ADEM have been reported due to venom of chilopoda and hymenoptera, the scorpion sting can be considered as another new cause; this case being even more relevant due to present a Baló-like lesion in MRI.


Contemporary approaches for processing and handling of radical prostactomy specimens.
Standardized protocols for processing radical prostatectomy specimens are critical for superior patient management. It provides accurate information to the clinician in a reliable and consistent format to enhance patient care and prognosis. In recent years, processing protocols have been proposed by various authoritative groups, with similar suggestions for most parts of the practice guidelines; however, discrepancy in processing approaches still exists. Standardization improves the quality and consistency of pathology reports. In this review article, we incorporate the processing schemes for radical prostatectomy addressed in literature and propose a comprehensively standardized approach to evaluate radical prostatectomy specimens.


Preparation of Doxorubicin-Loaded Amphiphilic Poly(D,L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide)-b-Poly(N-Acryloylmorpholine) AB2 Miktoarm Star Block Copolymers for Anticancer Drug Delivery.
Owing to their unique topology and physical properties, micelles based on miktoarm amphiphilic star block copolymers play an important role in the biomedical field for drug delivery. Herein, we developed a series of AB2-type poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(N-acryloyl morpholine) (PLGA-b-PNAM2) miktoarm star block copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization and ring-opening copolymerization. The resulting miktoarm star polymers were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The critical micellar concentration value of the micelles increases with an increase in PNAM block length. As revealed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, the amphiphilic miktoarm star block copolymers can self-assemble to form spherical micellar aggregates in water. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated by polymeric micelles; the drug-loading efficiency and drug-loading content of the DOX-loaded micelles were 81.7% and 9.1%, respectively. Acidic environments triggered the dissociation of the polymeric micelles, which led to the more release of DOX in pH 6.4 than pH 7.4. The amphiphilic PLGA-b-PNAM2 miktoarm star block copolymers may have broad application as nanocarriers for controlled drug delivery.


Micromanipulation of culture niche permits long-term expansion of dental pulp stem cells--an economic and commercial angle.
Stem cells isolated from dental pulp possess the capacity for self-renewal and the potential for multi-lineage differentiation. However, dental pulp stem cells have different characteristics in terms of their culture conditions. The success of stem cells culture is governed by its micro-environmental niche. Therefore, we studied the effects of culture niche on long-term expansion of dental pulp stem cells in terms of cell morphology, growth kinetics, senescence pattern, cell surface marker expression differentiation capacity, and seeding plating density of dental pulp stem cells in four different, widely used media composition Among the various basal media tested, α-minimum essential media and knock out-minimum essential media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum were found to be the most optimal media composition in preserving the phenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential for prolonged periods as compared with DMEM-F12 and DMEM-LG. Plating density has been shown to affect overall yield. As a conclusion, the adoption of an appropriate culture system significantly improved cell yield, thus enabling the attainment of sufficient yields for therapeutic applications economizing in terms of cost of production and minimizing seeding cell density for maximum yield.


Atomic Molybdenum for Synthesis of Ammonia with 50% Faradic Efficiency.
The electrochemical dinitrogen (N2 ) reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions has gained significant interest as an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia (NH3 ). However, up to now, most of the reported NRR electrocatalysts with satisfactory catalytic activities have been hindered by the large overpotential in N2 activation. The preparation of highly efficient Mo-based NRR electrocatalyst in acidic electrolytes under ambient conditions is demonstrated here, consisting of stabilized single Mo atoms anchored on holey nitrogen-doped graphene synthesized through a convenient potassium-salt-assisted activation method. At -0.05 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), an electrode consisting of the resultant electrocatalyst immobilized on carbon fiber paper can attain an exceptional Faradaic efficiency of 50.2% and a NH3 yield rate of 3.6 µg h-1 mgcat-1 with low overpotentials. Density functional theory calculations further unveil that compared to the original graphene without holes, the edge coordinated Mo atoms and the existence of vacancies on holey graphene lower the overpotential of N2 reduction, thereby promoting the NRR catalytic activity. This work could provide new guidelines for future designs in single-atom catalysis that would be beneficial to ambient N2 fixation, and replacement of classical synthesis processes that are very energy-intensive.


Purification and level of expression in bronchoalveolar lavage of a human polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-binding protein: evidence for a structural and functional kinship to the multihormonally regulated protein uteroglobin.
A human lung polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-binding protein was purified by sequential chromatography of lavage fluid incubated with the tritium-labeled, high-affinity ligand, 4,4'-bis(methylsulfonyl)-2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl. From sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gradient gels, it was evident that a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 13 kD was present in the eluate from the final chromatographic step. Antibodies raised against the human lung PCB-binding protein detected a single band of corresponding size in lavage fluid in immunoblotting experiments. Furthermore, the antibodies detected significantly higher levels of the lung PCB-binding protein in lavage fluid from nonsmokers as compared to smokers. The purified protein was sequenced, and an alignment of the obtained aminoterminal amino acid residues of the human lung PCB-binding protein to uteroglobin and to a rat lung PCB-binding protein revealed an overall positional identity of approximately 45%. The amino acids suggested to participate in ligand binding of uteroglobin were extensively conserved in the PCB-binding proteins. Thus, we conclude that we have purified and raised antibodies against a human lung PCB-binding protein and that it has a structural as well as a functional kinship to the steroid-binding and multihormonally regulated rabbit protein uteroglobin.


Naringenin inhibits migration, invasion, induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells and arrests tumour progression in vitro.
Lung cancer is one of the major cause for high-death rate all over the world, due to increased metastasize and difficulties in diagnosis. Naringenin is naturally occurring flavonoid found in various fruits including tomatoes, citrus fruit and figs. Naringenin is known to have several therapeutic effects including anti-atherogenic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anticancer and anti-mutagenic. The present study was aimed to analyse the naringenin induced anti-proliferative and apoptosis effects in human lung cancer cells. Cells were treated with various concentrations of naringenin (10, 100 & 200 µmol/L) for 48 hours. Cisplatin (20 µg/mL) was used as positive control. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and mRNA, and protein expression of caspase-3, matrixmetallo proteinases-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were determined. The cell viability was 93.7 ± 7.5, 51.4 ± 4.4 and 32.1 ± 2.1 at 10, 100 and 200 µmol/L of naringenin respectively. Naringenin significantly increased apoptotic cells. The 100 and 200 µmol/L of naringenin significantly suppressed the larger wounds of cultured human cancer cells compared with the untreated lung cancer cells. Naringenin increased d the expression of caspase-3 and reduced the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taking all these data together, it is suggested that the naringenin was effective against human lung cancer proliferation, migration and metastasis.


To tele- or not to telehealth? Ongoing COVID-19 challenges for private psychiatry in Australia.
Following a very rapid and significant uptake of metropolitan telepsychiatry in private practice in Australia during COVID-19, practical questions remain: How long should psychiatrists continue telepsychiatry? Are there benefits of continuing: reduced COVID-19 risks to patient and psychiatrist, and flexibility of appointments? Will the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items be retained? How does metropolitan telepsychiatry fit into the overall mix of public and private services? This is an important debate. Private psychiatrists may continue to offer the majority of care, where practical, via telepsychiatry to reduce COVID-19 exposure risks, as well as allow for the realities of practice management for pandemic public health measures. However, consideration has to be given to the potential drawbacks for patients with sight, hearing and illness-related disabilities or risks, when in-person consultation is required. There are also risks: some patients may not benefit from telepsychiatry due to the nature of their illness, and will patients feel rapport is lost? However, the retention of COVID-19 MBS telehealth items is needed for ongoing flexible and comprehensive private practice psychiatry.


Characteristics of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in the Succulent C(4) Dicot, Portulaca oleracea L.
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in leaves and stems of the succulent C(4) dicot Portulaca oleracea L. Diurnal acid fluctuations, CO(2) gas exchange, and leaf resistance were monitored under various photoperiod and watering regimes. No CAM activity was seen in well watered plants grown under 16-hour days. Under 8-hour days, however, well watered plants showed a CAM-like pattern of acid fluctuation with amplitudes of 102 and 90 microequivalents per gram fresh weight for leaves and stems, respectively. Similar patterns were also observed in detached leaves and defoliated stems. Leaf resistance values indicated that stomata were open during part of the dark period, but night acidification most likely resulted from refixation of respiratory CO(2). In water-stressed plants maximum acid accumulations were reduced under both long and short photoperiods. At night, these plants showed short periods of net CO(2) uptake and stomatal opening which continued all night long during preliminary studies under natural environmental conditions. Greatest acid fluctuations, in P. oleracea, with amplitudes of 128 microequivalents per gram fresh weight, were observed in water-stressed plants which had been rewatered, especially when grown under short days. No net CO(2) uptake took place, but stomata remained open throughout the night under these conditions. These results indicate that under certain conditions, such as water stress or short photoperiods, P. oleracea is capable of developing an acid metabolism with many similarities to CAM.


Surgical outcome of a repeat midurethral sling procedure after failure of a first procedure.
Although there is no consensus on the management of persistent or recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after placement of a midurethral synthetic sling (MUS), a repeat MUS procedure is commonly performed with favorable results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a repeat MUS procedure compared to the primary procedure in women with SUI, and to investigate factors associated with the failure of the repeat procedure. We retrospectively analyzed data from 53 women who underwent a repeat MUS procedure and 102 women who underwent a primary MUS procedure at a single center. Success was defined as no urine leakage during physical activity based on the Sandvik questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed using the Sandvik Severity Index and Incontinence-Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors predicting failure of the repeat procedure. The success rate was 76.5 % for the primary MUS procedure (78/102 patients) and 69.8 % for the repeat MUS procedure (37/53 patients; p = 0.369). The mean follow-up duration was significantly longer for the primary procedure (83.8 months vs. 54.6 months, p < 0.001). SUI and all domain scores of the I-QOL were significantly better following the repeat MUS procedure than following the primary procedure. In the multivariate analysis, SUI grade 3 was the only independent factor predicting failure of the repeat qq (odds ratio 7.610, p = 0.023). A repeat MUS procedure after a failed primary MUS procedure was shown to be effective. However, a repeat procedure may be unsuccessful in patients with grade 3 SUI.


Solar urticaria: report of two cases with augmentation spectrum.
Two adult Japanese patients with severe solar urticaria are reported. In both patients, an action spectrum existed in the visible light range, and an augmentation spectrum was demonstrated in the visible light range longer than the action spectrum. The augmentation phenomenon has rarely been documented, and in the previous reports, it was induced by preirradiation with the augmentation spectrum. In our cases, however, only postirradiation with the augmentation spectrum enhanced urticarial reactions.


Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Single Center Experience in China.
The aim is to investigate the efficiency and outcome of robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) in a cohort of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in our Gynecology Department. We performed a retrospective study of female patients who underwent RASC in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2020. Their clinical features included age, degree of prolapse, menopause time, body mass index, pregnancy, delivery, operation time, and bleeding volume. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. POP-Q was recorded to evaluate the position of prolapsed organs. PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, and PGI-I were used to evaluate the life quality after surgery. Twenty-four patients with POP received RASC in our center. The intraoperative bleeding was 86.9 ± 98.3 ml (20-300 ml). The operation time was 143.5 ± 47.3 min (60-240 minutes). The hospitalization time was 10.4 ± 2.1 days (8-16 days). And the follow-up time was 40.8 ± 22.0 months (6-72 months). In the POP-Q follow-up, postoperative Aa, Ba, Ap, Bp, and C were significantly improved than those before surgery (P < 0.05). The objective and subjective cure rate was 100%. PGI-I score was very good in 9 (9/24), very good in 10 (10/24), and good in 3 (3/24). Postoperative PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were 2.78 ± 3.82 and 1.57 ± 3.86, which decreased dramatically after surgery (P < 0.05). Mesh exposure occurred in 4 cases (16.7%) at 2-12 months. The exposed diameters were less than 1 cm in 3 cases (2 A/T3/S1) and 1-2 cm in 1 case (3 B/T3/S1). These mesh exposures healed after conservative observation or mesh excision. RASC for POP has the advantage of less bleeding and hospitalization time. It is a minimally invasive option for pelvic organ prolapse.


Molecular characterization and pathogenicity of swine influenza H9N2 subtype virus A/swine/HeBei/012/2008/(H9N2).
The H9N2 subtype influenza virus (IV) is a remarkable member of the influenza A viruses because it can infect not only chickens, ducks and pigs, but also humans. Pigs are susceptible to both human and avian influenza viruses and have been proposed to be intermediate hosts for the generation of pandemic influenza viruses through reassortment or adaptation to the mammalian host. To further understand the genetic characteristics and evolution, we investigated the source and molecular characteristics of the H9N2 subtype swine influenza virus (SIV), and observed its pathogenicity in BALB/c mice. The BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with 100 median mouse infectious dose of A/swine/HeBei/012/2008/(H9N2) viruses to observe the pathogenicity. The HA, NP, NA and M gene were cloned, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed with related sequences available in GenBank. The infected mice presented with inactivity, weight loss and laboured respiration, while the pathological changes were characterized by diffuse alveolar damage in the lung. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of HA, NP, NA and M gene was similar with that of A/chicken/Hebei/4/2008(H9N2). The HA protein contained 6 glycosylation sites and the motif of HA cleavage site was PARSSR GLF, which is characteristic of low pathogenic IV. In the HA, NP, M and NA gene phylogenetic trees, the isolate clustered with A/chicken/Hebei/4/2008(H9N2). The isolate possibly came from A/chicken/Hebei/4/2008(H9N2) and was partially varied during its cross-species spread.


A comparison of the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations and BMI in predicting body fatness and cardiovascular disease risk factor levels in children.
Although estimation of percentage body fat with the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations (PBF(Slaughter)) is widely used, the accuracy of this method has not been well studied. The objective was to determine the accuracy of the Slaughter skinfold-thickness equations. We compared agreement between PBF(Slaughter) and estimations derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (PBF(DXA)) in 1169 children in the Pediatric Rosetta Body Composition Project and the relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors, as compared with body mass index (BMI), in 6725 children in the Bogalusa Heart Study. PBF(Slaughter) was highly correlated (r = 0.90) with PBF(DXA), but it markedly overestimated levels of PBF(DXA) in children with large skinfold thicknesses. In the 65 boys with a sum of skinfold thicknesses (subscapular- plus triceps-skinfold thicknesses) ≥ 50 mm, PBF(Slaughter) overestimated PBF(DXA) by 12 percentage points. The comparable overestimation in girls with a high skinfold sum was 6 percentage points. We also found that, after adjustment for sex and age, BMI showed slightly stronger associations with lipid, lipoprotein, insulin, and blood pressure values than did PBF(Slaughter). These results indicate that PBF(Slaughter), which was developed among a group of much thinner children and adolescents, is fairly accurate among nonobese children, but markedly overestimates the body fatness of children who have thick skinfold thicknesses. Furthermore, PBF(Slaughter) has no advantage over sex- and age-adjusted BMIs at identifying children who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease based on lipid, lipoprotein, insulin, and blood pressure values.


Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after mixed malaria infection (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) with MRI closely simulating multiple sclerosis.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a monophasic, inflammatory, immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system. It is particularly difficult to distinguish between ADEM and an initial attack of multiple sclerosis (MS) clinically and based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or cerebrospinal fluid. ADEM is quite rare after malaria infection. Our patient, although diagnosed provisionally of ADEM after mixed malaria infection, had neuroimaging closely simulating MS. We report a case of a woman with an adult type 2 diabetes presenting with fever and diagnosed by antigen assay to be suffering from mixed malaria infection (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax). While recovering with artesunate and doxycycline therapy, she developed acute onset bladder retention followed by paraparesis. On examination she had evidence of Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) signs in all the 4 limbs along with truncal sensory loss. Her MRI of spine showed T2 hyperintensities suggestive of resolving myelitis. MRI of the brain showed multifocal and confluent areas of demyelination mostly involving the corpus callosum and periventricular region. Lesions, particularly the callosal ones, closely simulated MS. In accordance with the McDonald Criteria and Barkhof's MRI Criteria, this patient did not fit into the diagnosis of MS. Our provisional diagnosis was ADEM.


[Applied anatomy of compound flap based on fibular head to rebuild defects of internal malleolus].
To provide anatomical evidences for the blood supply compound flap based on fibular head to rebuild internal malleolus. The morphology of vessels and bones in donor site and in recipient site was observed. The materials for the study were listed as follows: 1) Forty desiccative adult tibias (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the basilar width, middle thickness, anterior length, posterior length and introversion angle of internal malleolus; 2) Forty desiccative adult fibulas (20 left and 20 right respectively) were used to measure the middle width and thickness, as well as the extraversion angle of articular surface of fibular head; 3) Thirty adult lower limb specimens which perfused with red rubber were used to observe the blood supply relationships between the anterior tibial recurrent vessels and fibular head, and internal anterior malleolar vessels inside recipient site. The internal malleolus had a basilar width of (2.6 +/- 0.2) cm, a middle thickness of (1.3 +/- 0.2) cm, an anterior length of (1.4 +/- 1.9) cm and a posterior length of (0.6 +/- 0.1) cm. Its articular facet was half-moon. Its introversion angle was (11.89 +/- 3.60) degrees. The fibular head had a middle thickness of (1.8 +/- 0.6) cm, a middle width of (2.7 +/- 0.4) cm. Its articular facet was toroid, superficial and cavae in shape, and exposed inwardly and upwardly, and had a extraversion angel of (39.2 +/- 1.3) degrees. The anterior tibial recurrent artery directly began from anterior tibial artery, accounting for 93.3%. Its initiation point was (4.5 +/- 0.7) cm inferior to apex of fibular head. Its main trunk ran through the deep surface of anterior tibial muscle, and ran forwards, outwards and upwards with sticking to the lateral surface of proximal tibia. Its main trunk had a length of (0.5 +/- 0.2) cm and a outer diameter of (2.0 +/- 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins, which had outer diameters of (2.1 +/- 0.5) mm and (2.6 +/- 0.4) mm, entry into anterior tibial vein. It constantly gave 1-2 fibular head branches which had a outer diameter of (1.7 +/- 1.3) mm at (1.0 +/- 0.4) cm from the initiation point. The internal anterior malleolar artery which began from anterior tibial artery or dorsal pedal artery had a outer diameter of (1.6 +/- 0.4) mm. Its accompanying veins had outer diameters of (1.3 +/- 0.5) mm and (1.1 +/- 0.4) mm. The blood supply compound flap based on fibular head had a possibility to rebuild internal malleolus. Its articular facet was characterized as the important anatomical basis to rebuild internal malleolus.


[Histological observation on programmed cell death in wheat-leaf rust fungus intreaction].
The biochemical character of PCD in different interaction between wheat and Puccinia recondita f. sp tritici was observed using DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and end labeling in situ (Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End TUNEL). The DNA ladder, which is the typical character of programmed cell death(PCD), was observed in incompatible combination (cv.lorvin10 x race 162) and the positive reaction in wheat leaves of incompatible combination since 12h after inoculation also appeared. The results, coupled with the previous study, indicated that HR was a typical form of PCD in incompatible combination between wheat and wheat leaf fungus.


Adapting the Facilitating Conditions Questionnaire (FCQ) for Bilingual Filipino Adolescents: Validating English and Filipino Versions.
This study examined the applicability of the English and Filipino versions of the Facilitating Conditions Questionnaire (FCQ) among Filipino high school students. The FCQ measures the external forces in students' social environments that can influence their motivation for school. It is composed of 11 factors: university intention, school valuing, parent support, teacher support, peer help, leave school, pride from others, negative parent influence, affect to school, negative peer influence, and positive peer influence. It was translated into conversational Filipino. Seven hundred sixty-five high school students answered one of the two language versions. Both within-network and between-network approaches to construct validation were used. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) of the two versions showed good fit. Results of the multigroup CFA indicated that there was invariance in terms of factor loadings for the two versions. Results of the between-network test also showed that the factors in the FCQ correlated systematically with theoretically relevant constructs. Taken together, this study supports the applicability of the FCQ for use with Filipino bilingual adolescents.


[Feasibility and limits of laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumours].
Borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) are mainly diagnosed in young women with early stage disease. Due to the absence of specific pre operative criteria for BOT, a laparoscopy is usually performed. A review of the literature found no pejorative data on laparoscopic approach for BOT. Strict surgical procedures must be performed to avoid incomplete surgical staging, cells dissemination and port-site metastases. The limits of the laparoscopic management are the stage of disease and the tumour size. Laparoscopic treatment of BOT for women with early stage disease is feasible. This treatment should be evaluated in specialized centres for women with advanced stage diseases and/or peritoneal implants.


Error rate and outcome predictability affect neural activation in prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate during decision-making.
Decision-making in the presence of uncertainty is a complex process that involves both affective and cognitive factors. Both error rate and predictability have been implicated in the process of response selection during decision-making. This study examined the hypothesis that the rate of errors during decision-making differentially affects the activation in prefrontal and cingulate cortex. BOLD echo-planar signal intensity was obtained during a two-choice prediction task across 90-s blocks with 20, 50, or 80% error rates. This study yielded three main findings. First, at chance level error rates, activation of the right dorsolateral (BA 9, 46), inferior prefrontal (BA 44), and precuneus (BA 7) during the two-choice prediction task replicated the finding previously reported. Second, premotor (BA 6) and parahippocampal (BA 36) areas were relatively more active at high error rates, and dorsolateral (BA 9, 46) and inferior prefrontal cortex (BA 44) as well as parietal (BA 40) and cingulate cortex (BA 25, 32) were more active during low error rates. Third, the relationship between the frequency of the dominant strategy underlying decision-making (win-stay/lose-shift) and the activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate was dependent on error rate or outcome predictability. These results support the hypothesis that error rates and predictability affect the activation patterns in the neural systems underlying decision-making because these structures maintain a representation of the reinforcement history for the available response alternatives to select an "optimal strategy."


Functional role of alpha-actinin, PI 3-kinase and MEK1/2 in insulin-like growth factor I receptor kinase regulated motility of human breast carcinoma cells.
Within epithelial tissue, cells are held together by specialized lateral junctions. At particular stages of development and in pathological processes such as metastasis, cells break down the intercellular junctions, separate from the epithelial sheet and migrate individually. Despite the importance of these processes, little is understood about the regulatory mechanisms of active cell separation. In view of the effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on mammary gland development and cancer, we developed a model using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in which the process of cell separation can be induced by IGF-I. The separation was enhanced in MCF-7 cells overexpressing the IGF-IR and blocked in the cells expressing a dead-kinase mutant of this receptor. Activation of the IGF-IR resulted in a rapid formation of motile actin microspikes at the regions of cell-cell contacts, disorganization of mature adherens junctions and the onset of cell migration. In cell separation, the signaling between the IGF-IR kinase and actin required phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI 3)-kinase-generated phospholipids but not MAP kinases and was mediated by alpha-actinin. The activity of MEK1/2 kinases was needed for consecutive cell migration. This work also defined a new function for alpha-actinin. Upon IGF-IR activation, green fluorescence protein (GFP)-labeled alpha-actinin concentrated at the base of actin microspikes. Deletion of the N-terminal actin-binding domain of alpha-actinin prevented this redistribution, indicating that this domain is necessary. Detection of the C-terminal tail of alpha-actinin reduced the number of microspikes, showing that alpha-actinin has a role in the development of microspikes and is not passively reorganized with filamentous actin. We suggest that the signaling pathway from the IGF-IR kinase through the PI-3 kinase to alpha-actinin participates in the rapid organization of actin into microspikes at the cell-cell junctions and leads to active cell separation, whereas signaling through ERK1/2 MAP kinases controls cell migration following cell separation.


Brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulates production of prostacyclin in cerebral arteries.
The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B, in control of cerebral circulation is poorly understood. The present study was designed to investigate the cerebral vascular effects of BDNF in vivo. Replication incompetent adenovirus encoding either rat BDNF (AdBDNF) or green fluorescent protein was injected intracisternally into rabbits. Forty-eight hours later, animals were euthanized. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of BDNF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, vasomotor function of isolated basilar arteries was studied in organ chambers, protein expression in the basilar arteries was studied by Western blotting, prostanoid levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of BDNF in the cerebrospinal fluid were significantly elevated in AdBDNF-treated rabbits as compared with adenovirus encoding green fluorescent protein-treated rabbits (37+/-5 ng/mL versus 0.006+/-0.003 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.05; n=14). Western blotting studies revealed that in basilar arteries, AdBDNF increased protein expression of prostacyclin synthase, whereas expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and phosphorylated (Ser 1177) endothelial nitric oxide synthase remained unchanged. During incubation with arachidonic acid (1 micromol/L), PGI(2) production and levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate were significantly elevated only in AdBDNF-treated rabbit basilar arteries (P<0.05, n=6). Relaxations to acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-5) mol/L) and arachidonic acid (10(-9) to 10(-5) mol/L) were significantly potentiated in basilar arteries from rabbits injected with AdBDNF. Potentiation of relaxations to acetylcholine in AdBDNF-treated basilar arteries was inhibited by the nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10(-5) mol/L, P<0.05, n=6) and constitutive phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, AACOCF3 (2x10(-5) mol/L, P<0.05, n=5). Our results demonstrate that in cerebral arteries, BDNF-induced activation of tropomyosin receptor kinase B receptor signaling in vivo promotes prostacyclin biosynthesis. These findings provide novel mechanistic insight into the vascular protective effect of BDNF in cerebral circulation.


Dietary changes in nutritional studies shape the structural and functional composition of the pigs' fecal microbiome-from days to weeks.
The possible impact of changes in diet composition on the intestinal microbiome is mostly studied after some days of adaptation to the diet of interest. The question arises if a few days are enough to reflect the microbial response to the diet by changing the community composition and function. The present study investigated the fecal microbiome of pigs during a time span of 4 weeks after a dietary change to obtain insights regarding the time required for adaptation. Four different diets were used differing in either protein source (field peas meal vs. soybean meal) or the concentration of calcium and phosphorus (CaP). Twelve pigs were sampled at seven time points within 4 weeks after the dietary change. Fecal samples were used to sequence the 16S rRNA gene amplicons to analyse microbial proteins via LC-MS/MS and to determine the SCFA production. The analysis of OTU abundances and quantification values of proteins showed a significant separation of three periods of time (p = 0.001). Samples from the first day are used to define the 'zero period'; samples of weeks 1 and 2 are combined as 'metabolic period' and an 'equilibrium period was defined based on samples from weeks 3 and 4. Only in this last period, a separation according to the supplementation of CaP was significantly detectable (p = 0.001). No changes were found based on the corn-soybean meal or corn-field peas administration. The analysis of possible factors causing this significant separation showed only an overall change of bacterial members and functional properties. The metaproteomic approach yielded a total of about 9700 proteins, which were used to deduce possible metabolic functions of the bacterial community. A gradual taxonomic and functional rearrangement of the bacterial community has been depicted after a change of diet composition. The adaptation lasts several weeks despite the usually assumed time span of several days. The obtained knowledge is of a great importance for the design of future nutritional studies. Moreover, considering the high similarities between the porcine and human gastrointestinal tract anatomy and physiology, the findings of the current study might imply in the design of human-related nutritional studies.


Fully Automated Lab-On-A-Disc Platform for Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Using Micro-Carbon-Activated Cell Lysis.
Fast and fully automated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) amplification methods are of interest in the research on lab-on-a-disc (LOD) platforms because of their full compatibility with the spin-column mechanism using centrifugal force. However, the standard procedures followed in DNA amplification require accurate noncontact temperature control as well as cell lysis at a low temperature to prevent damage to the LOD platform. This requirement makes it challenging to achieve full automation of DNA amplification on an LOD. In this paper, a fully automated LOD capable of performing cell lysis and amplification on a single compact disc of DNA samples is proposed. The proposed system uses micro-carbon to heat DNA samples without damaging the LOD as well as a noncontact heating system and an infrared camera sensor to remotely measure the real temperature of the amplification chamber. Compared with conventional DNA amplification systems, the proposed system has the advantage of full automation of the LOD platform. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed system offers a stable heating method for DNA amplification and cell lysis.


A Comparison of Psychiatric and Nonpsychiatric Nurse Practitioner Knowledge and Management Recommendations Regarding Adolescent Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are statutorily authorized to provide assessment and cognitive recommendations for concussion in most states. Their scope of practice includes assessment and management of concussion sequalae including anxiety, insomnia, and depression, as well as return to school and activity guidance. Analysis of symptom-based diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adolescents, including return to school and school workload recommendations comparing psychiatric and nonpsychiatric NPs. Cross-sectional Web-based survey with embedded videos using standardized actors and scripts randomized for patient sex and sport. A total of 4,849 NPs licensed in Oregon or Washington were invited by e-mail to view and respond to this study, with a response rate of 23%. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) were 44% less likely than family NPs to report using standardized concussion tools. 17% had completed continuing education on mild TBI compared to 54.5% of family NPs. Seven PMHNPs provided additional feedback related to discomfort in completing the survey due to lack of comfort or experience. Return to school recommendations and reduced workload advice did not significantly differ by NP type. PMHNPs may support individualized assessment through concussion evaluation, use of standardized tools, and differential consideration of TBI for mental health symptoms. More research is required related to the role and contribution of cognitive rest to full recovery.


Alteration of serum lipid profile and its prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Several serum lipid components have been implicated in the development of cancer. However, the prognostic significance of serum lipid components in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is unknown. Here, we investigated the predictive value of serum lipid profile at diagnosis and in the overall survival of the patients. The study population consists of 136 pathologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases diagnosed between years 2009 and 2014 at a tertiary medical center. Levels of preoperative serum lipid component's total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a) were compared between patients and normal controls matched for age and gender. Serum lipid profiles and their association with clinical parameters were analyzed. The effects of the serum lipid components on survival were examined using the proportional hazards regression model to estimate hazard ratio. Significant lower levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A, and apolipoprotein B were found in patients with oral cancer (P < 0.0001). However, a significantly higher level of lipoprotein (a) was found in the cancer group (P < 0.0001). Patients with higher lipoprotein (a) had significantly shorter overall survival than those with lower lipoprotein (a) (P = 0.0042). Multivariate analysis showed that both higher lipoprotein (a) and lymph node metastasis are independent prognostic factors in the patient population (P < 0.01). A higher lipoprotein (a) was associated with poorer prognosis and might be a novel marker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.


Iatrogenic Gastrointestinal Perforation Following Therapeutic Endoscopic Procedures: Management and Outcome.
The aim of this study was to analyze the location, the cause and treatment of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations following therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Perforation occurred in 12 patients out of 3,389, giving cases occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. Among them, 6 cases were closed by titanium clipping and 1 case by purse string suture. In another case after cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (EMRC), attempted titanium clipping failed, emergency surgery had to be performed. One each case, after Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and case after endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR), recovered well spontaneously. In two cases, titanium clips fell off endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) resulting in delayed perforation, required surgery. Key factors for preventing and managing the perforation of endoscopic treatment, include the choice of endoscopic approach, processing method of perforation, detail processing in endoscopic therapy, proficient degree of operators and psychological quality.


Prevention and management of pain and stress in the neonate.
This statement is intended for health care professionals caring for neonates (preterm to one month of age). The objectives of this statement are to: increase awareness that neonates experience pain; provide a physiological basis for neonatal pain and stress assessment and management by health care professionals; make recommendations for reduced exposure of the neonate to noxious stimuli and to minimize associated adverse outcomes; and recommend effective and safe interventions that relieve pain and stress.


Local sequence dependence of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid degradation in Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava.
The first order intracellular degradation of various polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) inclusions in Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava cells was investigated by analyzing the compositional and microstructural changes of the PHA using gas chromatography, (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Two types of PHA, copolymers and blend-type polymers, were separately accumulated in cells for comparison. The constituent monomers were 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB), 4-hydroxybutyric acid (4HB), and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid (3HV). It was found that the 3HB-4HB copolymer was degraded only when the polymer contained a minimal level of 3HB units. With the cells containing a 3HB/4HB blend-type polymer, only poly(3HB) was degraded, whereas poly(4HB) was not degraded, indicating the totally inactive nature of the intracellular depolymerase against poly(4HB). On the basis of the magnitude of the first order degradation rate constants, the relative substrate specificity of the depolymerase toward the constituting monomer units was determined to decrease in the order 3HB > 3HV > 4HB. (13)C NMR resonances of the tetrad, triad, and dyad sequences were analyzed for the samples isolated before and after degradation experiments. The results showed that the intracellular degradation depended on the local monomer sequence of the copolymers. The relative substrate specificity of the depolymerase determined from the NMR local sequence analysis agreed well with that obtained from the kinetics analysis. It is suggested that, without isolation and purification of the intracellular PHA depolymerase and "native" PHA substrates, the relative specificity of the enzyme as well as the microstructural heterogeneity of the PHA could be determined by measuring in situ the first order degradation rate constants of the PHA in cells.


A novel stable polyalanine [poly(A)] expansion in the HOXA13 gene associated with hand-foot-genital syndrome: proper function of poly(A)-harbouring transcription factors depends on a critical repeat length?
Hand-foot-genital syndrome (HFGS) is a dominantly inherited congenital malformation affecting the distal limbs and genitourinary tract. Here, we describe the phenotype and its molecular basis in a family that presented with HFGS. Genetic analysis revealed that the condition is caused by an 18-bp in-frame duplication within a cryptic trinucleotide repeat sequence encoding an 18-residue polyalanine tract in the homeoboxgene ( HOX) A13. This mutation expands the stretch with six extra alanine residues. Similar types of mutation (plus eight alanines) have recently been found in another HFGS family and also in the human HOXD13 gene (plus seven up to plus 14 residues) where it leads to synpolydactyly (SPD), a further congenital limb malformation rarely associated with genital abnormalities. As observed in our family, all the expanded tracts encoding polyalanine, either reported for HOXA13 or HOXD13, are quite stable when transmitted within affected families. Unlike disorders with unstable expansions of perfect trinucleotide repeats the molecular mechanism underlying these polyalanine expansions should be unequal crossing-over rather than replication slippage. The alanine tract elongation may prevent protein-protein interactions of the mutant HOXA13, thereby inducing a localized heterochrony in the sequence of distal limb and genitourinary development.


Continuous use of standard process audit filters has limited value in an established trauma system.
To evaluate the ability of five quality assurance/ quality improvement audit filters to identify opportunities for improvement in patient care in a mature trauma system. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Total patient population at risk and audit filter fallouts were evaluated for the following audit filters: patients with (1) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score < 14 who did not receive a CT scan within 2 hours of admission; (2) subdural/ epidural hematomas who did not undergo craniotomy within 4 hours; (3) open tibial fractures who did not undergo debridement within 8 hours; (4) abdominal gunshot wounds who did not undergo laparotomy within 4 hours; and (5) all deaths where a quality assurance action was taken. The filters were used for 1 year. Mortality was compared between fallouts and nonfallouts in each category and the frequency of corrective actions for each category were determined. Corrective actions were taken in 97 of the 418 fallouts from 3,787 patients at risk. The majority (77%) of these actions were for patients in the death audit filter group. There were 343 nondeath fallouts, representing 13% of the 2,719 nondeath patients at risk. Of these, 22 corrective actions were taken, representing 6.4% of the fallouts and less than 1% of the patients at risk. The non-death process based audit filters that we evaluated in our trauma system documented adherence to care process standards but found few opportunities for quality improvement, suggesting that audit filters should be periodically evaluated and changed when their goals have been accomplished.


Medicinal properties of 'true' cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): a systematic review.
In traditional medicine Cinnamon is considered a remedy for respiratory, digestive and gynaecological ailments. In-vitro and in-vivo studies from different parts of the world have demonstrated numerous beneficial medicinal effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ). This paper aims to systematically review the scientific literature and provide a comprehensive summary on the potential medicinal benefits of CZ. A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in the following databases; PubMed, Web of Science, SciVerse Scopus for studies published before 31st December 2012. The following keywords were used: "Cinnamomum zeylanicum", "Ceylon cinnamon", "True cinnamon" and "Sri Lankan cinnamon". To obtain additional data a manual search was performed using the reference lists of included articles. The literature search identified the following number of articles in the respective databases; PubMed=54, Web of Science=76 and SciVerse Scopus=591. Thirteen additional articles were identified by searching reference lists. After removing duplicates the total number of articles included in the present review is 70. The beneficial health effects of CZ identified were; a) anti-microbial and anti-parasitic activity, b) lowering of blood glucose, blood pressure and serum cholesterol, c) anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging properties, d) inhibition of tau aggregation and filament formation (hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease), e) inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis, f) anti-secretagogue and anti-gastric ulcer effects, g) anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, h) wound healing properties and i) hepato-protective effects. The studies reported minimal toxic and adverse effects. The available in-vitro and in-vivo evidence suggests that CZ has many beneficial health effects. However, since data on humans are sparse, randomized controlled trials in humans will be necessary to determine whether these effects have public health implications.


A Rare Pigmented Lesion of the Eyelid.
This study aims to report a rare case of melanoacanthoma of the eyelid. Melanoacanthoma is very rare variant of seborrheic keratosis presenting as a rare benign pigmented lesion composed of both melanocytes and keratinocytes usually presenting over the head, neck, and trunk of elderly people. A 61-year-old female presented with 8 mm × 4 mm × 3 mm brownish black mass in her right lower lid for the past 4 years associated with itching. Clinical differential diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis and nevus was offered. The patient underwent shave biopsy, and biopsy tissue was sent for histopathological examination. A diagnosis of melanoacanthoma was made on histopathology. Melanoacanthoma of the eyelid is a rare entity, and one should consider in differential diagnosis of pigmented lesion of the eyelid mass.


Analysis of gene expression in the midgut of Bombyx mori during the larval molting stage.
Insects can be models for understanding human intestinal infection and pathology. Molting, a special period during which the old insect cuticle is shed and a new one is produced, is crucial for insect development. Holometabolous insects may experience several larva-to-larva moltings to become larger, a pupal molt and adult eclosion to become adults. During the larval molts, they stop feeding and become quiescent. Although the molting larvae become quiescent, it is not known if changes in microbiome, physiology, development and immunity of midguts occur. Transcriptome analysis indicated that functions such as metabolism, digestion, and transport may become reduced due to the downregulated expression of many associated genes. During the molting stage, midguts harbor less microflora and DNA synthesis decreases. Both ecdysone and juvenile hormone in the larval midgut likely degrade after entering the larva-to-larva molting stage. However, at 12 h after ecdysis, the feeding larvae of 5th instars that were injected with 20-hydroxyecdysone entered a molting-like stage, during which changes in midgut morphology, DNA synthesis, gene expression, and microflora exhibited the same patterns as observed in the actual molting state. This study is important for understanding insect midgut physiology, development and immunity during a special development stage when no food is ingested. Although the molting larva becomes immobile and quiescent, we demonstrate that numerous changes occur in midgut morphology, physiology, metabolism and microbiome during this period.


Erythema a computatro.
Historically, erythema ab igne (EAI) was commonly seen on the shins of individuals working in front of coal stoves or sitting close to a fireplace. In the more recent past, this condition has been primarily observed after repeated application of heating pads. Today, unintentional and unperceived exposure to heat from laptop computers needs to be considered as a potential trigger. A rising number of laptop-induced cases of EAI have been reported recently. For this modern-age version of classic EAI, we propose thus the more accurate neo-Latin term erythema a computatro.


Determination of occupancies of the SPH and GT-IIC transcription factor binding motifs in SV40: evidence for two forms of transcription elongation complex.
Occupancies of the SPH and GT-IIC sequence motifs in the native SV40 late transcription elongation complex were determined by assessing blockage to restriction enzyme cleavage. Cleavages specific to the transcription elongation complex were quantified by radioactive extension labeling and polymerase run-off analysis. The SPH motif was assayed by Sphl digestion and found to be unoccupied. In contrast, digestion with Pvull at the GT-IIC site was blocked in 36% of the complexes, indicating that approximately a third of the complexes are occupied by factor. This fractional occupancy indicates that there are at least two forms of SV40 late transcription elongation complexes, one form with the GT-IIC site occupied by a factor and another with the site vacant.


MiR-222 inhibits apoptosis in porcine follicular granulosa cells by targeting the THBS1 gene.
Apoptosis of granulosa cells affects follicular atresia and reproduction and is regulated by miRNAs and the expression of certain genes. For the present study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between microRNA-222 (miR-222) and THBS1 in porcine follicular granulosa cells (pGCs) and its effects on apoptosis to provide empirical data for developing methods to improve pig fecundity. Results revealed that miR-222 promotes the proliferation of pGCs. MiRNA mimics and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-222 functions as an anti-apoptotic factor in pGCs. MiR-222 mimics in pGCs result in the upregulation of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene, down-regulation of the proapoptotic caspase-3 gene, and inhibition of apoptosis. MiR-222 inhibitors reduced BCL-2 and had no significant effect on caspase-3. MiR-222 mimics promoted estrogen levels. Inhibition of THBS1 inhibited pGC apoptosis. Transfection of THBS1-siRNA reduced the proapoptotic BAX gene. MiR-222 can directly target the 3'-untranslated region of the THBS1 gene. MiR-222 mimics suppressed THBS1 mRNA and proteins, but these were upregulated by the miR-222 inhibitor. Transfection of THBS1-siRNA resulted in the inhibition of the miR-222 inhibitor, which suggests that miR-222 inhibits pGC apoptosis by targeting THBS1. These findings suggest that miR-222 and THBS1 play important roles in follicular atresia, ovarian development, and female reproduction.


Prostate Cancer Clinical Guidelines Panel Summary report on the management of clinically localized prostate cancer. The American Urological Association.
The American Urological Association convened the Prostate Cancer Clinical Guidelines Panel to analyze the literature regarding available methods for treating locally confined prostate cancer, and to make practice policy recommendations based on the treatment outcomes data insofar as the data permit. The panel searched the MEDLINE data base for all articles from 1966 to 1993 on stage T2 (B) prostate cancer and systematically analyzed outcomes data for radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and surveillance as treatment alternatives. Outcomes considered most important were survival at 5, 10 and 15 years, progression at 5, 10 and 15 years, and treatment complications. The panel found the outcomes data inadequate for valid comparisons of treatments. Differences were too great among treatment series with regard to such significant characteristics as age, tumor grade and pelvic lymph node status. The panel elected to display, in tabular form and graphically, the ranges in outcomes data reported for each treatment alternative. In making its recommendations, the panel presented treatment alternatives as options, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each, and recommended as a standard that patients with newly diagnosed, clinically localized prostate cancer should be informed of all commonly accepted treatment options.


Expression of myo-inositol oxygenase in tissues susceptible to diabetic complications.
Alterations of intracellular levels of myo-inositol (MI) have the potential to impact such cellular processes as signaling pathways and osmotic balance. Depletion of MI has been implicated in the etiology of diabetic complications; however, the mechanistic details remain sketchy. myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX-EC 220.127.116.11) catalyzes the first committed step of the only pathway of MI catabolism. In the present study, extra-renal tissues and cell types, including those affected by diabetic complications, were examined for MIOX expression. Western blotting results indicated that kidney is the only major organ where MIOX protein is expressed at detectable levels. Immunohistochemical examination of the kidney revealed that the proximal tubular epithelial cells are the only site of MIOX expression in the kidney. Reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western immunoblot analyses, however, revealed that the cell lines ARPE-19 and HLE-B3, representing human retinal pigmented epithelium and lens epithelium, respectively, also express MIOX. In addition, quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of all major tissues in the mouse showed that the sciatic nerve contained MIOX transcript, which was found to be significantly higher than that observed in other non-renal organs. These results indicate that MIOX is found at lower levels in extra-renal tissues where diabetic complications, including nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataract, are frequently observed.


[Resection of child meningoencephaloceles by transnasal endoscopy].
To discuss the diagnosis of child meningoencephaloceles in nasal cavity and its methods of transnasal endoscopic surgery. Two cases of congenital meningoencephalocele which have manifested mass in nasal cavity or nasopharynx received total resection by transnasal endoscopic surgery. Their medical records, radiographic imagings, and surgical procedures were reviewed. We identified 2 patients with endonasal meningoencephaloceles whose main symptoms were watery rhinorrhea,nasal obstruction and mass in nasal cavity. A high index of suspicion for this diagnosis must be maintained, especially in patients with reiterative high fever or meningitis. Imaging examination should be done in those patients. Endonasal meningoencephaloceles, wherever the bone defects were located on the ethmoid roof or skull base,can be remove by endoscopy. CT and MRI are significant in diagnosis of endonasal meningoencephaloceles, nasal endoscopic surgery could be considered to be the best surgical approach without any severe complications.


Evidence of the existence of adenylyl cyclase 10 (ADCY10) ortholog proteins in the heads and connecting pieces of boar spermatozoa.
The aim of this study is to provide evidence of the existence of the adenylyl cyclase 10 (ADCY10) ortholog proteins in boar spermatozoa. Experiments with RT-PCR techniques, nucleotide sequence analyses and Northern blot analyses revealed that boar testes exclusively express approximately 5.1-kbp RNA, the nucleotide sequence of which is highly similar to that of human ADCY10. Database analyses with CDART suggested that pig ADCY10 ortholog proteins conserve two catalytic domains of adenylyl cyclase. Western blot techniques and indirect immunofluorescence with a specific antiserum to pig recombinant ADCY10 ortholog proteins showed that 48-kDa and 70-kDa truncated forms of pig ADCY10 ortholog proteins are localized in the equatorial segments and connecting pieces of boar ejaculated spermatozoa. Finally, cell imaging techniques with fluo-3/AM indicated that incubation with sodium bicarbonate (an ADCY10 activator) can initiate the calcium influx in the boar sperm heads that is controlled via the cyclic AMP signaling cascades. These results are consistent with the suggestion that functional ADCY10 ortholog proteins exist in the heads of boar spermatozoa. This is the first direct evidence of the existence of ADCY10 proteins in the heads of mammalian spermatozoa.


[Importance of cyclin D1 (and CD5) detection in the diagnosis of malignant lymphomas other than mantle cell lymphoma].
In association to our undestanding of the pathogenesis and biopsy diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma using immunohistochemical detection of cyclin D1 expression and/or FISH detection of t(11;14)(q13;q32) all the lymphomas interfering with these factors are discussed in a form of a review. This includes a cyclin D1 negative mantle cell lymphoma, as well as other than MCL lymphomas showing positive intranuclear cyclin D1 positivity due to the changes either at transcriptional or postranscriptional levels. In addition to the MCL, the cyclin D1 positivity might be detected in the cells of hairy cell leukemia, plasmocytic lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In the first two lymphomas the differential diagnostic problems usually do not arise (with exception of G3 plasmacytoma) and cyclin D1 expression might be of interess to understand better their biology, or to represent a prognostically significant factor. In contrast, cyclin D1 positivity in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas demonstrates the possible role of cyclins in the pathogenesis of this lymphoma and may lead to the problems of the differential diagnosis of aggressive variant of pleomorphic MCL (especially when occuring with CD5 positivity coexpression ). The review includes discussion related to the significance of cyclin D1 positivity and to the approach in the immunohistochemical and FISH analysis of the biopsy material.


Targeting Hsp90 for the treatment of cancer.
Heat shock protein (Hsp)90 is a molecular chaperone that is responsible for the correct folding of a large number of proteins, which allows these proteins to achieve their functional conformation. Client proteins of Hsp90 include many overexpressed or mutated oncogenes that are known to be critical for the transformed phenotype observed in tumors. The compounds 17-AAG (Kosan Biosciences Inc/National Cancer Institute) and 17-DMAG (Kosan Biosciences Inc/National Cancer Institute) are Hsp90 inhibitors that are derived from the prototypical ansamycin natural product Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin. These compounds have demonstrated preclinical efficacy in mouse xenograft models, and are now undergoing phase II and I clinical trials, respectively. Preclinical efficacy studies of these compounds are collated and discussed in this review. More recent disclosures of small-molecule Hsp90 inhibitors include purine and resorcinol analogs, and the first small-molecule Hsp90 compounds showing oral efficacy have been described. Inhibition of Hsp90 not only results in the degradation of client proteins, but also results in the induction of another chaperone, Hsp70. Hsp70 is known to be anti-apoptotic, and therefore the induction of Hsp70 may ultimately limit the efficacy of Hsp90 inhibitors under certain circumstances. Histone deacetylase inhibitors have recently been demonstrated to exert some of their effect through modulation of Hsp90 chaperoning activity, and some mechanistic aspects of this control are also discussed herein.


Human papillomavirus dysregulates the cellular apparatus controlling the methylation status of H3K27 in different human cancers to consistently alter gene expression regardless of tissue of origin.
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cancer at multiple distinct anatomical locations. Regardless of the tissue of origin, most HPV positive (HPV+) cancers show highly upregulated expression of the p16 product of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene. Paradoxically, HPV+ tumor cells require continuous expression of this tumor suppressor for survival. Thus, restoration of normal p16 regulation has potential therapeutic value against HPV induced cancers. Normally, p16 transcription is tightly controlled at the epigenetic level via polycomb repressive complex-mediated tri-methylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Although a mechanism by which HPV induces p16 has been proposed based on tissue culture models, it has not been extensively validated in human tumors. In this study, we used data from over 800 human cervical and head and neck tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to test this model. We determined the impact of HPV status on expression from the CDKN2A locus, the adjacent CDKN2B locus, and transcript levels of key epigenetic regulators of these loci. As expected, HPV+ tumors from both anatomical sites exhibited high levels of p16. Furthermore, HPV+ tumors expressed higher levels of KDM6A, which demethylates H3K27me3. CpG methylation of the CDKN2A locus was also consistently altered in HPV+ tumors. This data validates previous tissue culture studies and identifies remarkable similarities between the effects of HPV on gene expression and DNA methylation in both cervical and oral tumors in large human cohorts. Furthermore, these results support a model whereby HPV-mediated dysregulation of CDKN2A transcription requires KDM6A, a potentially druggable target.


Effect of insulin on the oxidative desaturation of fatty acids in non-diabetic rats and in isolated liver cells.
The effect of insulin on the oxidative desaturation of 1-14C palmitic acid to palmitoleic acid (delta 9 desaturase) 1-14C linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid (delta 6 desaturase) on rat liver microsomes and 1-14C eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid to arachidonic acid (delta 5 desaturase) on rat liver microsomes and hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells was studied. After 12 h of insulin injection, at a dose of 2.5-12.5 U/kg no change was found in delta 9 desaturation activity while delta 5 desaturation activity decreased. The conversion of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid decreased when the amount of insulin injected was 5 U/kg or more. The effect of insulin (5 U/kg) on delta 9, delta 6 or delta 5 desaturation activity was tested from 1 to 12 h after the injection. The conversion of palmitic acid to palmitoleic acid showed no important changes along the time, while delta 5 desaturation activity decreased at all the times tested. delta 6 Desaturation activity showed a slight increase after 1 h of insulin treatment and then decreased significantly up to the end of the experiment. The addition of 400 mU/ml or more of insulin to the incubation medium of HTC cells produced a significant decrease on the conversion of eicosatrienoic acid to arachidonic acid. The effect of insulin on fatty acid desaturation activity of liver microsomes of normal rats differs from that of diabetic rats. The role of this hormone in relation to other hormones, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid biosynthesis on the activity of the desaturases was discussed.


N-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)quinolin-2-amine.
There is a twist in the title mol-ecule, C(15)H(11)ClN(2), as seen in the dihedral angle of 18.85 (9)° between the quinoline and benzene rings. A short C-H⋯N contact arises from this conformation and the amine H and quinoline N atoms are directed towards opposite sides of the mol-ecule. In the crystal, supra-molecular layers in the ab plane are mediated by C-H⋯π inter-actions.


Changes in endodontic status 1973-1993 among 35-year-olds in Oslo, Norway.
Epidemiological investigations from Scandinavia have documented high prevalence of apical periodontitis and inferior quality and results of endodontic treatment performed in general practice. The present investigation is part of a 20-year follow-up study on oral health in 35-year-old Oslo citizens focusing on endodontic conditions. The results indicate reduced prevalence of apical periodontitis and statistically significant improvement in endodontic status compared with results from a similar study performed in 1984.


Nortriptyline and its hydroxymetabolites in breastfeeding mothers and newborns.
We previously reported the serum nortriptyline levels of a series of breastfeeding mother-infant pairs. Nortriptyline was below the level of detectability in the infants' sera; however, two young infants aged 10 weeks or less had low concentrations of 10-hydroxy-nortriptyline. Because very young breastfeeding infants are likely to be at increased risk for toxicity, we have focused our study on breastfeeding newborns. We present additional data from six mothers and their infants (4 weeks of age), as well as data from one prematurely born baby. We were able to quantify nortriptyline in one infant and another had higher levels of hydroxymetabolites than previously reported, although still very low. No adverse clinical effects were observed in the infants.


Efficacy of ranolazine in patients with chronic angina observations from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled MERLIN-TIMI (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes) 36 Trial.
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ranolazine in a larger and more diverse group of patients with angina than previously studied. Ranolazine is an antianginal shown to reduce angina and improve exercise performance in selected patients with early-positive exercise testing and those with frequent angina. We investigated the antianginal effects of ranolazine in the subgroup of patients with prior chronic angina (n = 3,565, 54%) enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled MERLIN-TIMI (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes) 36 trial of patients with acute coronary syndrome. Follow-up was a median of 350 days. Patients with prior angina received evidence-based therapy (95% aspirin, 78% statins, 89% beta-blockers, average 2.9 antianginal agents). The primary end point (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, recurrent ischemia) was less frequent with ranolazine (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75 to 0.97; p = 0.017), due entirely to a significant reduction in recurrent ischemia (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.91; p = 0.002). Ranolazine also reduced worsening angina (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.00; p = 0.048) and intensification of antianginal therapy (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.92, p = 0.005). Exercise duration at 8 months was greater with ranolazine (514 s vs. 482 s, p = 0.002). Cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction did not differ between treatment groups (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.16; p = 0.71). Symptomatic documented arrhythmias (2.9% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.92) and total mortality (6.2% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.96) were similar with ranolazine or placebo. In this largest study of ranolazine in patients with established coronary artery disease, ranolazine was effective in reducing angina with favorable safety in a substantially broader group of patients with angina than previously studied. (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes; NCT00099788).


Fas/Fas Ligand pathways gene polymorphisms in pediatric renal allograft rejection.
An essential milestone in pediatric transplantation is to find noninvasive biomarkers to monitor acute rejection (AR). In this retrospective (Case-control) study, we examined the role of Fas -670A/G and Fas Ligand (FasL) -843C/T gene polymorphisms in allograft nephropathy in pediatric renal transplant recipients. In 47 pediatric kidney transplant recipients and 20 healthy controls, Fas -670A/G and FasL -843C/T gene polymorphisms as well as serum soluble Fas Ligand level (sFasL) were measured. Serum sFasL levels were significantly higher in transplant recipients children than that in controls (548.25±298.64pg/ml vs 143.17±44.55pg/ml, p=0.0001). There was no significant difference between patients with AR and those without AR in regards to serum sFasL levels (567.70±279.87pg/ml vs 507.85±342.80pg/ml, p=0.56). Fas -670A/G genotypes or alleles were not significantly different between controls and transplant recipients and among transplant recipients with and without AR. (P>0.05 for all). FasL -843C/T genotypes were not different between transplant recipients and controls and among transplant recipients with and without AR (P>0.05 for all). However, Frequency of C allele in transplant patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (44.68% vs 25%, P=0.03). FasL -843C/T alleles were significantly different between patients with and without AR (P=0.03). The percentages of C allele were higher in children with AR (58.82% vs 36.67%). We found that serum FasL and serum creatinine were variables that were independently associated with AR. This study suggests that FasL gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood might be accurate in detecting cellular AR.


Reversible morphological switching of nanostructures in solution.
The design and synthesis of a tuneable and reversible morphology switching copolymer system is reported. The kinetics of the transition under a range of conditions has been explored, as has the stabilization of the resultant structures.


Endometriosis of Extra-Abdominal Soft Tissues: A Tertiary Center Experience.
While endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue in extrauterine sites, is most frequently encountered within the peritoneal cavity, a small but significant proportion of cases occur at extra-abdominal soft tissue sites, particularly in relation to previous abdominal surgery. We reviewed the cases of endometriosis of soft tissue sites seen at a tertiary soft tissue center. All cases of extra-abdominal soft tissue endometriosis diagnosed at this institution over a 13-year period were reviewed, and clinical and pathologic findings were recorded. Forty-five patients had diagnoses of soft tissue endometriosis and there were 34 diagnostic biopsies and 26 surgical excision specimens. All but 1 case were abdominal wall lesions, with 1 located in the upper arm. A total of 33 patients presented with lesions in scars of previous operations (31 in Pfannenstiel incisions for Caesarean sections, presenting with a median interval of 6 years (range 1-16 years) following surgery). The lesions ranged in size from 1 to 8 cm (median 3.5 cm). One case showed decidualized stroma with trophoblast cells, while 2 had secondary adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis. Eighteen cases were tested for β-catenin expression immunohistochemically, of which 5 showed at least focal nuclear positivity in the surrounding fibrous tissue (although not within glands or stroma). Soft tissue endometriosis is seen most commonly in surgical scars, particularly following Caesarean sections. Spontaneous endometriosis also most commonly occurs in the abdominal wall, although can occur exceptionally at unusual sites, such as extremities. Secondary changes, including carcinomas, can arise from endometriosis. The differential diagnosis of these lesions includes fibromatosis, which may be erroneously diagnosed on small, nonrepresentative core biopsy specimens.


Using wellness recovery action plan and sensory-based intervention: a case example.
ABSTRACT The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a tool used by persons living with psychiatric disabilities, which guides the development of an individualized plan of action to help achieve and/or maintain wellness and recovery. Through use of sensory-based treatment, the clients are able to explore sensory preferences and use this information when developing their plan. The WRAP and sensory-based treatment are complementary in nature and can be successfully blended to promote wellness and recovery for this population. As the occupational therapists are equipped to educate the clients on the link between sensory preferences and obtainment of wellness and recovery, this paper describes how the occupational therapy practitioners developed a program that used both for implementation of services.


Melatonin receptors in the lamb pars tuberalis/median eminence throughout the day.
After validation of the methodology, melatonin receptors have been measured by binding of (125I)-melatonin to membranes of individual pars tuberalis/median eminence of lambs at different times of the day in the course of three experiments. Plasma melatonin was assessed by radioimmunoassay 60 min, 30 min and just before slaughter. Kd was found in the range of 10-25 pM and did not vary with the time of slaughter. Particularly, the mean Kd values were identical and equal to 17 pM in animals slaughtered either during the light or the dark phase of the day. The pattern of Bmax changes was similar in the three experiments and varied significantly (p < 0.001) with the time of the day. The apparent numbers of receptors were found to be the highest at the end of the day and at the onset of the night and to be the lowest at the end of the night: 63.4 +/- 6.3, 61.4 +/- 6.5 and 34.4 +/- 2.8 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Values were found to be intermediary either at the middle of the day (51.1 +/- 5.3 fmol/mg protein) or at the middle of the night (40.4 +/- 6.3 fmol/mg protein). Furthermore, plasma melatonin was positively correlated to the melatonin receptor number (p < 0.02) but only at the onset of the night. In conclusion, the results are strongly suggestive of the existence of a circadian rhythm in the apparent number of melatonin receptors in the lamb pars tuberalis/median eminence with a possible downregulation occurring during the night.


Iterative solution of the radiative transfer equation for the temperature and absorbing gas profile of an atmosphere.
An iterative solution is developed for the temperature and absorbing gas profiles of an atmosphere from spectral and angular measurements of atmospheric radiance. This iterative solution is novel in that there is no limiting assumption made about the analytical form of the profile imposed by the number of radiance observations available. The solution is demonstrated through the determination of temperature and water vapor profiles of the earth's atmosphere from Nimbus III and Nimbus IV Satellite InfraRed Spectrometer (SIRS) observations. The solutions are compared with conventional rawinsonde and rocket-sonde observations. The results indicate that this solution can be used effectively to specify the general meteorological characteristics of an atmosphere from satellite or ground-based radiometric observations.


Chromosome-specific microsatellite multiplex sets for linkage studies in the domestic dog.
To expedite linkage studies and positional cloning efforts in the dog, Minimal Screening Set 2 (MSS-2) of 327 canine microsatellite markers has been multiplexed into chromosome-specific panels. MSS-2 provides 9 Mb coverage of the canine genome with no gaps larger than 17.1 Mb and is the most recent and comprehensive set of microsatellites available for whole-genome scans. Markers were labeled with fluorescent dyes based on locations and expected product sizes to facilitate the multiplexing of a maximum number of markers for each chromosome. All markers are amplified using a single thermal cycling program and PCR mix and are optimized for resolution on an ABI 3100 genetic analyzer. Sixty-nine chromosome-specific panels were created by coamplification of a maximum number of markers and subsequent coloading of the remaining markers.


[Effect of mechanical stress on lon mutant strain of Escherichia coli K-12].
It was found that, depending on their frequency, mechanical vibrations (MVs) can either stimulate (4 Hz) or inhibit (50 Hz) the growth and the division of the lon mutant of Escherichia coli K-12. Similar effects were observed when the MV-treated nutrient medium was inoculated with untreated mutant cells. MVs enhanced the motility of mutant cells and the fragmentation of filament cells always present in the populations of lon mutants.


Nucleotide sequence and replication properties of the Bacillus borstelensis cryptic plasmid pHT926.
The nucleotide sequence of pHT926, a cryptic plasmid found in Bacillus borstelensis HP926, was determined. pHT926 replicates by a rolling-circle mechanism and belongs to the pC194 plasmid family. The copy number of pHT926 was fourfold higher than that of pUB110 and very stably maintained in Bacillus choshinensis.


Prevalence of wife rape and other intimate partner sexual coercion in a nationally representative sample of women.
This article provides a national estimate of wife rape and various other types of sexual coercion by a spouse or intimate partner. Findings from a 1997 national probability sample revealed that 34% of women were victims of some type of sexual coercion with a husband or partner in their lifetime. Of these women, 10% experienced rape by a current partner. This rate increased to 13% when only victims of rape by a current husband were included, which is consistent with previous studies on wife rape. Other findings reveal that women had unwanted sex with a current spouse or partner in return for a partner's spending money on them (24%), because they thought it was their "duty" (43%), after a romantic situation (29%), after the partner begged and pleaded with them (26%), and after their partner said things to bully them (9%). The importance of examining a continuum of sexual coercion is discussed and findings are compared and contrasted with other prevalence rates for sexual coercion in marriage.


Regulation of airway mucosal ion transport.
The secretion of fluid into the airway lumen is due in part to active chloride secretion across the epithelium. Changes in Cl secretion require coordinated changes in the turnover of several transport proteins in order to avoid lethal changes in cell volume. Several different Ca- and cAMP-dependent pathways effect this coordination. Many mediators raise cyclic AMP which activates protein kinase A which in turn opens the apical membrane Cl channel. Cyclic AMP also raises Cai (without change in levels of inositol triphosphate, IP3), and this Ca is probably responsible for activation of basolateral K channels and NaK2Cl cotransporters. Other mediators raise Cai by elevating IP3, and seem to stimulate chloride secretion entirely by Ca-dependent pathways with no change in cyclic AMP levels. Protein kinase C and arachidonic acid inhibit Cl secretion.


First report of the bat fly species Basilia italica in Romania.
Bat flies are haematophagous ectoparasites, highly specialised to bats and are also considered to have vectorial potential for several pathogens like Bartonella spp. or Polychromophilus spp. In Romania, past studies mostly focused on the ectoparasitic fauna of cave-dwelling bats, listing the occurrence of 10 bat fly species in the country, with only scarce information on bat flies infesting crevice-roosting bat species. Here we report the occurrence of Basilia italica, a rare nycteribiid species infesting primarily forest-dwelling bats. This is the first country-record for Romania and also represents the easternmost occurrence of this species. Further studies are needed to evaluate the vectorial potential of B. italica.


Bacterial pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Eighteen episodes of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia were diagnosed in 13 patients among 336 with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cared for at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center since 1979. Bacterial pathogens isolated in 16 of 18 episodes were Haemophilus influenzae in 8, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 6, group B streptococcus in 1, and Branhamella catarrhalis in 1. Eight episodes were presumed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia until cultures obtained at bronchoscopy confirmed a bacterial cause. Specific antibacterial therapy was curative in 16 of 18 episodes; 2 patients died. Given an estimated yearly incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia in the general population of 2.6/1000, 1.09 cases were expected in our patients with AIDS; we saw 6 (p = 0.001), for an attack rate of 17.9/1000. Bacteria associated with B-cell defects should be anticipated when formulating empiric antibiotic therapy, pending a definitive diagnosis, for pulmonary infiltrates in patients with AIDS.


Low dynamics, high longevity and persistence of sessile structural species dwelling on Mediterranean coralligenous outcrops.
There is still limited understanding of the processes underlying benthic species dynamics in marine coastal habitats, which are of disproportionate importance in terms of productivity and biodiversity. The life-history traits of long-lived benthic species in these habitats are particularly poorly documented. In this study, we assessed decadal patterns of population dynamics for ten sponge and anthozoan species that play key structural roles in coralligenous outcrops (∼25 m depth) in two areas of the NW Mediterranean Sea. This study was based on examination of a unique long-term photographic series, which allowed analysis of population dynamics over extensive spatial and time spans for the very first time. Specifically, 671 individuals were censused annually over periods of 25-, 15-, and 5-years. This long-term study quantitatively revealed a common life-history pattern among the ten studied species, despite the fact they present different growth forms. Low mortality rates (3.4% yr(-1) for all species combined) and infrequent recruitment events (mean value of 3.1±0.5 SE recruits yr(-1)) provided only a very small fraction of the new colonies required to maintain population sizes. Overall, annual mortality and recruitment rates did not differ significantly among years; however, some species displayed important mortality events and recruitment pulses, indicating variability among species. Based on the growth rates of these 10 species, we projected their longevity and, obtained a mean estimated age of 25-200 years. Finally, the low to moderate turnover rates (mean value 0.80% yr(-1)) observed among the coralligenous species were in agreement with their low dynamics and persistence. These results offer solid baseline data and reveal that these habitats are among the most vulnerable to the current increases of anthropogenic disturbances.


Application of new emerging techniques in combination with classical methods for the determination of the quality and authenticity of olive oil: a review.
The determination of the quality and authenticity of olive oil becomes more and more required by producers, consumers, and authorities to thwarter falsification. Several analytical techniques including chemical, sensory, chromatography, and so on, are used for the determination of the quality and authenticity of olive oil. Although these methods are considered as the reference ones, they are cumbersome, time-consuming and destructive. Therefore, rapid analytical techniques such as fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible, near infrared, and mid infrared spectroscopies, electronic sensing, among others, are more and more used for the determination of the quality and authenticity of olive oils. This review will identify current gaps related to different analytical techniques in olive oil authentication and discuss the drawbacks of existing analytical methods concerning olive oil authenticity from 2010 up to now.


The positional magnetic resonance imaging changes in the lumbar spine following insertion of a novel interspinous process distraction device.
Patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis underwent magnetic resonance imaging to study changes in the lumbar spine in various postures before and after implantation of the X STOP Interspinous Process Distraction Device (St. Francis Medical Technologies, Concord, CA). To visualize the effect of the device in vivo. Previous studies have shown vertebral canal and exit foraminal area to reduce from flexion to extension. Recently, reports on improved kinematics in vitro at the implantation level of the X STOP device have also been published. Using positional magnetic resonance imaging, patients were scanned before and 6 months after surgery. Images were taken with the patient in sitting flexed, extended, neutral, and standing positions. The total range of motion of the lumbar spine and individual segments were measured, along with changes in disc height, areas of the exit foramens, and dural sac. In 12 patients with 17 distracted levels, the area of the dural sac at these levels increased from 77.8 to 93.4 mm after surgery in the standing position (P = 0.006), with increase in the exit foramens, but no change in lumbar posture. This study shows that the X STOP device increases the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and exit foramens without causing changes in posture.


Enhanced ATP-dependent copper efflux across the root cell plasma membrane in copper-tolerant Silene vulgaris.
We studied copper uptake in inside-out plasma membrane vesicles derived from roots of copper-sensitive, moderately copper-tolerant and highly copper-tolerant populations of Silene vulgaris (Amsterdam, Marsberg and Imsbach, respectively). Plasma membrane vesicles were isolated using the two-phase partitioning method and copper efflux was measured using direct filtration experiments. Vesicles derived from Imsbach plants accumulated two and three times more copper than those derived from Marsberg and Amsterdam plants, respectively. This accumulation was ATP-dependent. Also, 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine fluorescence quenching rates upon copper addition decreased in the order Imsbach>Marsberg>Amsterdam. Our results support the hypothesis that efflux of copper across the root plasma membrane plays a role in the copper tolerance mechanism in S. vulgaris.


TSGB: Target-Selective Gradient Backprop for Probing CNN Visual Saliency.
The explanation for deep neural networks has drawn extensive attention in the deep learning community over the past few years. In this work, we study the visual saliency, a.k.a. visual explanation, to interpret convolutional neural networks. Compared to iteration based saliency methods, single backward pass based saliency methods benefit from faster speed, and they are widely used in downstream visual tasks. Thus, we focus on single backward pass based methods. However, existing methods in this category struggle to successfully produce fine-grained saliency maps concentrating on specific target classes. That said, producing faithful saliency maps satisfying both target-selectiveness and fine-grainedness using a single backward pass is a challenging problem in the field. To mitigate this problem, we revisit the gradient flow inside the network, and find that the entangled semantics and original weights may disturb the propagation of target-relevant saliency. Inspired by those observations, we propose a novel visual saliency method, termed Target-Selective Gradient Backprop (TSGB), which leverages rectification operations to effectively emphasize target classes and further efficiently propagate the saliency to the image space, thereby generating target-selective and fine-grained saliency maps. The proposed TSGB consists of two components, namely, TSGB-Conv and TSGB-FC, which rectify the gradients for convolutional layers and fully-connected layers, respectively. Extensive qualitative and quantitative experiments on the ImageNet and Pascal VOC datasets show that the proposed method achieves more accurate and reliable results than the other competitive methods. Code is available at https://github.com/123fxdx/CNNvisualizationTSGB.


The relationships among working memory, math anxiety, and performance.
Individuals with high math anxiety demonstrated smaller working memory spans, especially when assessed with a computation-based span task. This reduced working memory capacity led to a pronounced increase in reaction time and errors when mental addition was performed concurrently with a memory load task. The effects of the reduction also generalized to a working memory-intensive transformation task. Overall, the results demonstrated that an individual difference variable, math anxiety, affects on-line performance in math-related tasks and that this effect is a transitory disruption of working memory. The authors consider a possible mechanism underlying this effect--disruption of central executive processes--and suggest that individual difference variables like math anxiety deserve greater empirical attention, especially on assessments of working memory capacity and functioning.


Executive Functioning, Motor Difficulties, and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
The current study assessed a comprehensive range of executive functions (EFs) in children with poor motor skills, comparing profiles of children with a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and those identified with motor difficulties (MD). Children in both groups performed more poorly than typically developing controls on nonverbal measures of working memory, inhibition, planning, and fluency, but not on tests of switching. The similar patterns of strengths and weaknesses in children with MD and DCD have important implications for parents, teachers, and clinicians, as children with MD may struggle with EF tasks even though their motor difficulties are not identified.