Dietary intake and biomarkers of linoleic acid and risk of prostate cancer in men: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Findings on the association of dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of linoleic acid (LA) with the risk of prostate cancer are conflicting. Also, no meta-analysis summarized available findings in this regard. Therefore, the current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis were done to summarize the findings of prospective cohort studies that assessed dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of LA in relation to prostate cancer risk in adults. We conducted a systematic search using online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science, to identify eligible articles published up to January 2023. We included prospective cohort studies that examined the associations of dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of LA with the risk of prostate cancer (total, advanced, and fatal prostate cancer). Summary relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the highest versus lowest intakes/tissue levels of LA using a fixed-effects model. Also, linear and non-linear dose-response analyses were conducted. In total, 15 prospective cohort studies were included. These studies recruited a total sample size of 511,622 participants with an age range of ≥18 years. During the follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 21 years, 39,993 cases of prostate cancer, 5,929 cases of advanced prostate cancer, and 1,661 cases of fatal prostate cancer were detected. In the meta-analysis, we found that higher tissue levels of LA were associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.96) so that in the dose-response analysis, each 5% increase in levels of LA was associated with a 14% lower risk of prostate cancer. Such a significant association was not seen for advanced prostate cancer (RR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.65-1.13). Also, we found no significant association between dietary intake of LA and risk of total (RR:1.00, 95% CI: 0.97-1.04), advanced (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.90-1.07), and fatal prostate cancer (RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.83-1.13). Our findings support the protective association between tissue levels of LA and the risk of prostate cancer in men.


Assessment of fever in HIV-infected patients.
Fever is common among HIV-infected patients. Because it may signal a serious, potentially fatal underlying infection, a thorough investigation is merited. Where does evaluation begin and end? Drs Gleckman and Czachor discuss a diagnostic approach for primary care physicians that emphasizes rapid identification of the source of fever.


Particle-based hematite crystallization is invariant to initial particle morphology.
SignificanceMany crystallization processes occurring in nature produce highly ordered hierarchical architectures. Their formation cannot be explained using classical models of monomer-by-monomer growth. One of the possible pathways involves crystallization through the attachment of oriented nanocrystals. Thus, it requires detailed understanding of the mechanism of particle dynamics that leads to their precise crystallographic alignment along specific faces. In this study, we discover a particle-morphology-independent oriented attachment mechanism for hematite nanocrystals. Independent of crystal morphology, particles always align along the [001] direction driven by aligning interactions between (001) faces and repulsive interactions between other pairs of hematite faces. These results highlight that strong face specificity along one crystallographic direction can render oriented attachment to be independent of initial particle morphology.


Intensification of heat transfer in high-power laser diode bars by means of porous metal heat-sink.
To intensify a heat transfer in high-power emitters based on laser diode bars we propose the use of a heat sink from a porous permeable material cooled by a fluid flow [1-3]. The main advantage of this class of materials is the possibility of removing significant heat flows with compact heat sink. An analysis of the characteristic values of the thermal loads and their relations with the material and liquid parameters drawn from an one-dimensional model of stationary one-sided heat exchange shows the possibility of heat flow removal of more than 1.5 kW/cm 2 at room temperature in a liquid. Methods for improving the effectiveness of the strategy are considered.


Overview of the activity of a Brucella abortus preparation, Bru-Pel.
The properties of a nonviable, aqueous ether-extracted Brucela abortus preparation, Bru-Pel, are described. In addition to inducing a "virus-type" interferon response and protecting mice against challenge with otherwise lethal doses of Semliki Forest virus, Bru-Pel is demonstrated to have potent antitumor properties in mice. These antitumor effects appear to be mediated by an increase in nonspecific resistance similar to that seen with other experimental antitumor agents.


[Ultrastructural changes in the components of the filtration barrier in the glomerular capillaries of a remaining kidney following its temporary ischemia].
The components of the filtration barrier of the glomerular capillaries of the rat remaining kidney were studied ultrastructurally 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, 180 and 360 days after exposure to 30 minutes and to 1-2 hours of ischemia. Submicroscopic changes found in the glomerular capillaries and in compensation -adaptive processes occurring in the remaining kidney were ascertained to be dependent on the duration of ischemia and the time elapsed since recirculation in the kidney. After 30-minute ischemia experienced by the remaining kidney the structural alterations in the glomerular capillaries were not remarkable, disappearing 14 days following recirculation, with the emergence by that time of the signs of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of intracellular structures. After raising the time of temporary ischemia of the remaining kidney up to 60 min followed by recirculation, appreciable ultrastructural postischemic disorders were recorded in the components of the filtration barrier of the glomerular capillaries. In addition, the compensation-adaptive processes in the kidney remained suppressed for a longer period of time. All these disorders were particularly demonstrable as a result of 2-hour ischemia. It was also discovered that destructive processes dominated over reparative ones thereby leading to the animals' death at early times of experiment.


Determination of organic priority pollutants and emerging compounds in wastewater and snow samples using multiresidue protocols on the basis of microextraction by packed sorbents coupled to large volume injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.
This paper describes the development and validation of a new procedure for the simultaneous determination of 41 multi-class priority and emerging organic pollutants in water samples using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) followed by large volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LVI-GC-MS). Apart from method parameter optimization the influence of humic acids as matrix components on the extraction efficiency of MEPS procedure was also evaluated. The list of target compounds includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phthalate esters (PEs), nonylphenols (NPs), bisphenol A (BPA) and selected steroid hormones. The performance of the new at-line microextraction-LVI-GC-MS protocol was compared to standard solid-phase extraction (SPE) and LVI-GC-MS analysis. LODs for 100 mL samples (SPE) ranged from 0.2 to 736 ng L(-1) were obtained. LODs for 800 microL of sample (MEPS) were between 0.2 and 266 ng L(-1). In the case of MEPS methodology even a sample volume of only 800 microL allowed to detect the target compounds. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity of both procedures which permitted to obtain good recoveries (>75%) for all cases. The precision of the methods, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD) was below 21% for all compounds and both methodologies. Finally, the developed methods were applied to the determination of target analytes in various samples, including snow and wastewater.


Mobilization of cadmium in mice by combined treatment with N-benzyl-N-dithiocarboxy-D-glucamine and diesters of meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.
Mice which had received a non-lethal injection of cadmium (Cd) as CdCl2 nine days prior to therapy were treated with N-benzyl-N-dithiocarboxy-D-glucamine (BDCG) alone or in combination with either di(iso-butyl)dimercaptosuccinate (DiBDMS) or di(iso-amyl)-dimercaptosuccinate (DiADMS). Seven injections of BDCG (1.0 mmole/kg), DiBDMS (0.4 mmole/kg), and DiADMS (0.4 mmol/kg) reduced whole body Cd burdens 50%, 54% and 37%, respectively; coadministration of BDCG + DiBDMS and BDCG + DiADMS produced respective reductions of 65% and 61%. Seven injections of BDCG lowered renal Cd concentrations an average of 82%, but reduced hepatic Cd concentrations only 53%. The DMSA diesters were more effective in lowering hepatic Cd than in reducing the levels of Cd in the kidneys. The respective hepatic and renal Cd reductions were 50% and 20% after treatment with DiADMS, and were 73% and 30% after treatment with DiBDMS. Coadministration of BDCG with DiADMS reduced hepatic and renal Cd concentrations 74% and 82%, respectively, while BDCG co-administered with DiBDMS yielded respective reductions of 80% and 82%. It is suggested that combined use of these newer Cd complexing agents in studies of experimental Cd poisoning may now permit resolution of the issue of reversibility of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity.


Enhancement of mRNA in situ hybridization signal by microwave heating.
Optimization of in situ hybridization protocols is of real interest when trying to detect small amounts of mRNA or when using low concentrations of probes. To enhance the hybridization signal, we have developed a modification of an in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol with radiolabeled cRNA probes. The detailed protocol of ISH used for paraffin sections is also described. In microwave (MW) heating, the tissue sections are heated in a sodium citrate buffer (0.01 M, pH 6). The effects of the pretreatment with MW were studied on kidneys and adrenals of young rats and on human pathologic samples using [35S]-RNA probes complementary to the mRNAs of some components of the renin angiotensin system. The heating pretreatment with the MW permitted us to obtain an enhancement of the hybridization signal, especially when using low doses of radioactive probes. This enhancement could be evaluated to 60 to 120% by computer-assisted quantification of the signal. Furthermore, the histologic structures and the staining with toluidine blue were not impaired by the heating treatment. The enhancing effect of the hybridization signal obtained using MW allows shorter autoradiographic exposure times and/or the use of lower concentrations of radioactive probes for the detection of mRNA or the detection of mRNA expressed at the threshold of detection with usual protocols.


Evaluation and Countermeasures of the Implementation of Forensic Clinical Identification Standards Based on the Perspective of Accreditation.
The new Standardization Law, implemented in 2018, has added a standard post-implementation evaluation system, aiming to continuously improve the quality of standards through post-implementation evaluation. Standards in the forensic science field are closely related to accreditation activities. Forensic science standards are not only the criteria on which accreditation activities are carried out, but also one of the key contents of the inspection of forensic science institutions in accreditation activities. Since 2018, the certification and accreditation policies in the forensic science field have also been changed, which has brought impacts on the construction of a standard system based on accreditation.This paper analyzes the standard data from China National Accreditation Center from Conformity Assessment on forensic clinical identification accreditation assessment. It points out that the current coverage of laboratory accreditation activities is limited, the development in different provinces is unbalanced, and there is overlap and crossover in the standards in use. It is emphasized that the construction of the national forensic science standardization technical committee, the improvement of the forensic science standard system, the establishment of the standard implementation evaluation index system, and promotion of the coordination of standards, and the certifications and accreditations should be accelerated, in order to continue to promote the standardization and accreditation activities in the field of forensic science.


Developments on the horizon in the treatment of neurovascular problems.
The field of Interventional Neuroradiology and Endovascular Neurosurgery has seen much technical advancement in the past two decades, which has brought the specialty from its infancy as an alternative therapy to the current standing as near standard of care for many complex neurovascular pathologies. This past year is no exception with flow diverting stents and stent retriever devices aiming to make their mark on advanced treatments for intracranial aneurysms and ischemic stroke, respectively. This review article will focus on the development of these technologies, current data supporting their advantages and limitations, and a brief expert opinion on where these technologies may take the field in the next few years.


Which are the most important discriminatory items for subclassifying non-specific low back pain? A Delphi study among Greek health professionals.
Developing homogenous low back pain (LBP) classification groups is recommended for enhancing clinical outcomes. However, an important step towards the development of specific subgroups is the selection and consensus agreement among health professionals on the discriminatory clinical items (sings and symptoms) that should be included in the classification process. Thus, this study's objective was to develop a list of clinical features for the assessment of LBP by health care providers within Greece, which are believed to be discriminatory in identifying LBP subgroups. A random sample stratified by geographical region and work status of 150 Greek physiotherapists (PTs) participated in a two-round Delphi study. PTs were asked to obtain consensus and hierarchy, the most important items out of a list of evaluating/diagnostic features believed to be discriminatory for LBP patients. These items included 80 clinical features and were generated in by PTs and doctors previous work. Second-round questionnaires were returned by 112 PTs (74.6% response rate). A total of 66 clinical features were rated as important discriminatory items in LBP assessment. Clinical items included characteristics of present symptoms and the history's condition, general medical history, information regarding patient function, patients' attitudes regarding movement, diagnosis, expectations, fear-avoidance beliefs as well as aspects of a physical examination including observation, active and passive movements, neurological and muscular examination. This is the first study identifying important clinical items for LBP patients in Greece. It may be that these features are 'discriminatory' for different LBP subsets; however, further research is needed.


[Achalasia mimicking psychiatric eating disorders].
Anorexia nervosa and psychogen vomiting are psychiatric eating disorders characterized by unexplained weight loss and induced vomiting. These diagnoses require absence of somatic disease. Achalasia is a primary disorder of the esophagus that can be responsible for the same symptoms. This may occult the real diagnosis, especially as dysphagia is not constant and variable in time. We report four cases of achalasia mistakenly diagnosed and treated as anorexia nervosa or psychogen vomiting. Achalasia was unrecognized because specific symptoms, such as dysphagia, were overlooked or misinterpreted by the patients' physicians and psychiatrists, or by the patients themselves. In patients with such eating disorders considered to be psychiatric, physicians should inquire about signs suggestive of achalasia. The diagnosis of achalasia is suspected by imaging and endoscopy, and confirmed or ruled out by manometry.


Impact of a five-day short course on integration of health promotion into practice in north Queensland.
Workforce development is one element of health promotion capacity building. This paper describes the extent to which participants in a five-day short course in health promotion, delivered three times in north Queensland during 2007, reported greater adoption of health promotion within their work roles, and the factors that affected the level of adoption. Out of 54 course attendees, 39 completed a post-course survey five to nine months after completing the course (72% response rate). Additionally, 11 course attendees participated in a focus group or phone interview to explore survey findings. The courses succeeded in providing knowledge, skills, confidence and enthusiasm to undertake health promotion work. Eighty per cent of participants stated they had incorporated health promotion into their work frequently or all of the time since undertaking the course. Lack of understanding of health promotion from co-workers and managers, lack of organisational support and commitment, lack of resources, competing clinical priorities, and lack of time were cited as the main barriers for undertaking health promotion. The course met participant training needs. However, similar training across all levels of staff including management may help to develop organisational capacity, thereby building a more knowledgeable workforce that is supported to undertake health promotion as a core part of an organisation's business.


[Genomic analysis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 strains isolated in Saitama City].
To elucidate the origin of infection, we conducted epidemiological and bacteriological studies to clarify the origin of five sporadic outbreaks of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 between May and July 2007 in Saitama City and its outskirts. Of the 20 subjects were reported; including 6 patients and 5 infected persons, none of the 9 symptomatic subjects developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome. No association was confirmed between infection and food materials, but 11 organisms showed almost the same chromosomal DNA restriction patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Our results suggested that these 5 sporadic outbreaks were part of a diffuse outbreak induced by an EHEC O157:H7 strain having a single origin.


Iron supplementation in the non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) patient: oral or intravenous?
The management of iron-deficiency anaemia in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) remains controversial, particularly regarding the use of oral versus intravenous iron supplementation. A PubMed search from 1970 to February 2009 was conducted to identify relevant research articles. Iron supplementation is advisable for all iron-deficient CKD patients receiving erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), and intravenous iron may be preferable to oral iron. However, there is also a growing body of data indicating that iron supplementation may avoid or delay the need for ESA therapy in some ND-CKD patients. In each of four randomised trials that included ND-CKD patients without ESA, the haemoglobin response was greater with i.v. versus oral iron. Moreover, some ND-CKD patients who remain anaemic on oral iron may subsequently respond to i.v. iron. Newer preparations (ferric carboxymaltose and ferumoxytol) permit rapid, high-dose administration. In a randomised study, a single 15-minute injection of ferric carboxymaltose, with up to two additional doses as required, resulted in 53.2% of ND-CKD patients achieving > or =1 g/dL increase in haemoglobin by day 56 without ESA, compared to 29.9% of patients given oral iron supplements. Two large, randomised, ongoing trials will address the important question of whether i.v. or oral iron supplementation affects the progression of renal dysfunction. While i.v. iron is more costly than oral iron, the cost differential over time may be lower than widely believed, and i.v. therapy avoids the poor absorption, gastrointestinal intolerance and non-compliance associated with oral preparations. In terms of safety, true anaphylaxis does not occur with modern preparations such as iron sucrose and iron gluconate. The novel preparations ferric carboxymaltose and ferumoxytol do not require a test dose and appear to offer a good safety profile, but long-term safety monitoring is mandatory. Intravenous iron offers an effective, feasible route towards reducing the heavy burden of iron-deficiency anaemia in the non-dialysis CKD patient, even in the absence of ESA therapy.


Heterogeneity in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Progression Rates: Implications for Therapeutic Trials.
The clinical presentation and the pathological processes underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be very heterogeneous in severity, location, and composition including the amount and distribution of AB deposition and spread of neurofibrillary tangles in different brain regions resulting in atypical clinical patterns and the existence of distinct AD variants. Heterogeneity in AD may be related to demographic factors (such as age, sex, educational and socioeconomic level) and genetic factors, which influence underlying pathology, the cognitive and behavioral phenotype, rate of progression, the occurrence of neuropsychiatric features, and the presence of comorbidities (e.g., vascular disease, neuroinflammation). Heterogeneity is also manifest in the individual resilience to the development of neuropathology (brain reserve) and the ability to compensate for its cognitive and functional impact (cognitive and functional reserve). The variability in specific cognitive profiles and types of functional impairment may be associated with different progression rates, and standard measures assessing progression may not be equivalent for individual cognitive and functional profiles. Other factors, which may govern the presence, rate, and type of progression of AD, include the individuals' general medical health, the presence of specific systemic conditions, and lifestyle factors, including physical exercise, cognitive and social stimulation, amount of leisure activities, environmental stressors, such as toxins and pollution, and the effects of medications used to treat medical and behavioral conditions. These factors that affect progression are important to consider while designing a clinical trial to ensure, as far as possible, well-balanced treatment and control groups.


A comparison of the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ivermectin after spring and autumn treatments against Cyathostominae in horses.
The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ivermectin against Cyathostominae infections and to describe the drug's pharmacokinetic parameters during two seasonal deworming treatments in horses. The study was performed on warm-blooded mares aged 3-12 years weighing 450-550 kg. A single bolus of an oral paste formulation of ivermectin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BW in spring and autumn. Fecal samples were tested before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 days after treatment. Ivermectin concentrations in blood samples collected before treatment, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after treatment, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 75 days after drug administration were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Drug absorption was significantly (p<0.05) slower (tmax: 21.89±11.43 h) in autumn than in spring (tmax: 9.78±8.97 h). Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of ivermectin in the blood plasma of individual horses (8.40-43.08 ng/ml) were observed 2-24 h after drug administration during the spring treatment and 2-36 h (6.43-24.86 ng/ml) after administration during the autumn treatment. Significantly higher (p<0.05) ivermectin concentrations were found during the first 4 hours after administration in spring in comparison with those determined after the autumn treatment. The administration of the recommended dose of ivermectin resulted in 100% elimination of parasitic eggs from feces in spring and autumn treatment.


Identification and characterization of a new prespore-specific regulatory gene, rsfA, of Bacillus subtilis.
Differential gene expression during Bacillus subtilis sporulation is controlled by sigma factors and other regulatory effectors. The first compartmentalized sigma factor, sigma(F), is active specifically in the prespore compartment. During our screening for new chromosome segregation mutants using a sigma(F)-dependent gpr-lacZ reporter as a probe, we identified a new gene (ywfN) required for maximal expression of the reporter and named it rsfA. The product of rsfA has features of gene regulatory proteins, and the protein colocalizes with DNA. The expression of rsfA is under the control of both sigma(F) and sigma(G). Null mutations in rsfA have different effects on the expression of sigma(F)-dependent genes, suggesting that the RsfA protein is a regulator of transcription that fine-tunes gene expression in the prespore.


Plant-Based Formulas and Liquid Feedings for Infants and Toddlers.
Exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended feeding for all infants. Recent research has focused on the importance of balanced feeding during the first 1000 days, starting at conception with a balanced diet of the pregnant woman, up to the age of two years. The following step, a balanced diet after the age of two years is a challenge, as the dietary intake becomes more diversified. The role of young-child formula in this process is debated. This paper discusses the use of planted-based drinks, since they are a valuable and progressively more popular alternative for cow's milk, if nutritionally adapted to the requirements of toddlers. Plant-based drinks are per definition lactose free.


Recorded psychiatric comorbidity with bipolar disorder--a Finnish hospital discharge register study.
Bipolar disorder is frequently connected to other psychiatric disorders. On the basis of The National Hospital Discharge Register in Finland, we studied the recorded prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among bipolar inpatients by clinicians, and the factors that were associated with it. Of the 2687 hospital stays in 1998, 82% had no other recorded psychiatric diagnosis except an episode of bipolar disorder. Psychiatric comorbidity was recorded in 18% of hospital stays, of which 20% had two comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Substance-related disorders (11%) were the most commonly recorded comorbid disorders. Personality disorders were recorded in 6%, and anxiety disorder in 1% of the hospital stays. These figures should be considered far below the expected ones. Recorded comorbidity was associated with the type of episode. Comorbidity in bipolar disorder in psychiatric hospitals in Finland seems to go greatly undetected and may have a deteriorating impact on the course of the illness.


Biophysical profiling of tumor cell lines.
Despite significant differences in genetic profiles, cancer cells share common phenotypic properties, including membrane-associated changes that facilitate invasion and metastasis. The Corning Epic optical biosensor was used to monitor dynamic mass rearrangements within and proximal to the cell membrane in tumor cell lines derived from cancers of the colon, bone, cervix, lung and breast. Data was collected in real time and required no exogenously added signaling moiety (signal-free technology). Cell lines displayed unique profiles over the time-courses: the time-courses all displayed initial signal increases to maximal values, but the rate of increase to those maxima and the value of those maxima were distinct for each cell line. The rate of decline following the maxima also differed among cell lines. There were correlations between the signal maxima and the observed metastatic behavior of the cells in xenograft experiments; for most cell types the cells that were more highly metastatic in mice had lower time-course maxima values, however the reverse was seen in breast cancer cells. The unique profiles of these cell lines and the correlation of at least one profile characteristic with metastatic behavior demonstrate the potential utility of biophysical tumor cell profiling in the study of cancer biology.


Nucleotide prodrugs for the treatment of HCV infection.
The HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is an essential enzyme in HCV viral replication and has been a prominent target in the search for therapies to treat individuals infected with HCV. The development of both nucleoside and nucleotide HCV inhibitors has been pursued because of their potential for showing pangenotypic activity and because of their high barrier to resistance. Even though nucleoside inhibitors were shown to be effective in a clinical setting, their potency limited their effectiveness. The exploitation of prodrug strategies to deliver nucleoside 5'-monophosphates has resulted in the development of a number of very potent inhibitors of HCV replication. In addition, several of these nucleotide prodrugs have demonstrated liver-targeting characteristics when administered orally. Human clinical studies have shown that a number of nucleotide prodrugs are potent inhibitors of viral replication leading to significant reductions in viral load when given orally. Combinations of these nucleotide prodrugs with either pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin or another direct acting antiviral alone has lead to cure rates as high as 100% after only 12 weeks of therapy. The combination of a nucleotide prodrug and another direct-acting antiviral agent holds the promise of delivering an interferon-free therapy for HCV patients thus eliminating the undesirable side effects associated with taking interferon.


Multiple myxoid cysts secondary to occupation.
We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with eight digital myxoid cysts (DMCs) involving the fingers of both hands. They developed within 12 months of the patient starting a job that involved pushing a garment into an embroidery mould, thus exerting a downward force on the fingertips. The pressure exerted from this force could have potentially damaged the joint synovial capsule, leading to rupture and loss of synovial gel, thus inducing myxoid cysts. This case suggests that DMCs may be related to occupation, and to our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of occupationally induced DMCs.


Health status of migrant farmworkers: a literature review and commentary.
I made a computerized search of MEDLINE files from 1966 through October 1989 followed by a review of this literature. Four hundred eighty-five articles were scanned; 152 were found specifically related to migrant families, while another 51 articles addressed the health of agricultural workers or farmers in general. Solid data exist on dental health, nutrition and, to a lesser extent, childhood health. Data also were prominent in several disease categories including certain infectious diseases, pesticide exposures, occupational dermatoses, and lead levels in children. Estimates of the size of the migrant and seasonal farmworker population vary widely. Basic health status indicators such as age-related death rates are unknown. Prevalence rates of the most common cause of death in the United States have yet to be studied. More research is needed into the health problems and health status of migrant and seasonal farmworker families.


[The Life Style Index: correlations with psychological distress and hostility].
The Life Style Index (LSI) was designed to assess defense mechanisms, assuming that their use is related to specific emotional states and diagnostic concepts. Aiming to further investigate the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the LSI, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of specific defense mechanisms with dimensions of psychological distress and hostility features in three different populations. The sample comprised 1261 adults (410 healthy participants, 723 medical patients and 128 psychiatric patients). Along with defense mechanisms (LSI), Psychological Distress (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28) and Hostility features (Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, HDHQ) were also assessed. The results showed that increased psychological distress is related with increased use of all defenses except Denial, with which psychological distress is negatively associated. Regression is constantly related with psychological distress and differentiates psychiatric patients from the other groups of participants, while Compensation and Reaction Formation are related to depressive symptomatology. In medical patients, Repression was found to increase the physical dimension of psychological distress and the social dysfunction. On the contrary,Denial was negatively associated with these dimensions of psychological distress. In the psychiatric patient and healthy participant samples, Projection plays the most detrimental role. Regarding hostility and direction of hostility, those who were found to introvert their hostility presented with higher scores in Denial, indicating that they possibly 'deny' their hostility, and the degree of the Denial was found to be negatively associated with the degree of Introverted Hostility. Those who directed their hostility towards the others, presented with higher rates of Projection, while neither Denial nor Reaction Formation seemed sufficient enough to temper the degree of Extroverted Hostility. In conclusion,the present results strengthen further the validity of the Greek version of the LSI and provide additional evidence about the relation of defence mechanisms with dimensions of psychological distress and the direction of hostility in different populations, indicating that the empirical assessment of defense mechanisms can contribute significantly in the study of the factors that mediate or moderate the course or the outcome of medical or psychiatric disorders.


Orthogonal polynomial regression for the detection of response variability in event-related fMRI.
Previous studies using event-related potentials (ERPs) have identified a variety of brain regions that respond to rare nontarget distractor stimuli presented in the visual oddball task. By contrast, event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (ER-fMRI) studies using similar stimuli have found little or no response in these same regions, suggesting that ER-fMRI may be less sensitive than ERPs for detecting stimulus-evoked activity. It was hypothesized here that variations in ER-fMRI response amplitude evoked by successive stimuli may have reduced detection sensitivity in these previous studies. Multiple regression with orthogonal polynomials (OPR) was used to increase detection sensitivity by employing orthogonal polynomial equations to model such variations in response amplitude. ER-fMRI data was collected from 17 subjects during performance of the visual oddball task, which included frequent nontarget, rare nontarget distractor, and rare target block letter stimuli, to which subjects made a speeded button press response. When compared with multiple regression using main effect regressors alone, OPR identified an increased volume of significant target and distractor evoked main effect response due to reduced error variance. In addition, distractor-evoked activity was found to correlate with orthogonal polynomial regressors but not main effect regressors across a large volume of prefrontal and paralimbic brain regions including dorsal-lateral prefrontal, inferior-lateral prefrontal, and cingulate cortex. These results illustrate that considerable variability is present in ER-fMRI responses evoked by rare distractor stimuli in the oddball task. Such variability can be modeled using OPR, leading to increased detection sensitivity and better anatomical correspondence between the findings of ER-fMRI and ERP studies.


Quality characteristics of fresh loin and cooked ham muscles as affected by genetic background of commercial pigs.
This study was performed to investigate meat quality traits of loin and ham of commercial pigs as affected by genetic differences in carcass and growth traits of the parent lines. Three hybrid sow lines were crossbred with two types of Belgian Piétrain with different breeding goals (BPgrowth and BPcarcass emphasizing daily growth and carcass conformation, respectively). Pig live performance and carcass quality of 270 offspring were measured, and meat quality of the loin and (cooked) ham was evaluated on 216 animals. Despite the differences in pig live performance and carcass quality for sow line, little effect on meat quality was observed. Only a lower (p < 0.05) intramuscular fat content of ham and a tendency (p < 0.1) toward lower cooking yield was observed in offspring of the sow line with the highest versus the lowest carcass lean content. Loin traits were only weakly associated with fresh and cooked ham quality traits.


Genetically engineered resistance against grapevine chrome mosaic nepovirus.
Nepoviruses are a group of isometric plant viruses with a genome divided between two-single-stranded, positive-sense, RNA molecules. They are usually transmitted by nematodes and a number of them have significant economic impact, especially in perennial crops such as grapevine and fruit trees. Like all other picorna-like viruses, nepoviruses express their coat protein (CP) as part of a larger polyprotein which is further processed by a virus-encoded protease, a feature which poses specific problems when trying to express the viral coat protein in transgenic plants. A hybrid gene, driving the high-level expression of the CP of grapevine chrome mosaic nepovirus (GCMV) has been constructed and transferred to the genome of tobacco plants. Progeny of CP-expressing transformants show resistance against GCMV. When compared to control plants, fewer inoculated plants become infected and those that become infected accumulate reduced levels of viral RNAs. This protection was also shown to be efficient when plants are inoculated with purified viral RNA.


Biexciton and trion dynamics in InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots.
Transient absorption (TA) and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies have been used to elucidate the hole tunneling and Auger dynamics in biexcitons and negative trions in high-quality InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). In a previous paper [Nguyen et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 125, 15405-15414 (2021)], we showed that under high-intensity photoexcitation, two types of biexcitons are formed: those having two conduction band electrons and two valence band holes (designated as an XX state) and those having two conduction band electrons, one valence band hole, and an additional trapped hole (designated as an XT state). In the present paper, we show that both types of biexcitons can undergo Auger processes, with those of the XT state being a factor of four to five slower than those of the XX state. In addition, the trapped holes can undergo tunneling into the valence band, converting an XT state to an XX state. The relative amplitudes of the fast (XX) and slow (XT) components are different in the TA and PL kinetics, and these differences can be quantitatively understood in terms of oscillator strengths and electron-hole overlap integrals of each state. XT to XX hole tunneling rates are obtained from the comparison of the XT state lifetimes with those of the negative trions. This comparison shows that the tunneling times decrease with decreasing core size and shell thickness. These times are about 2 ns for the thinnest shell red-emitting QDs and decrease to 330 ps for QDs that luminesce in the yellow.


Has mortality risen disproportionately for the least educated?
We examine whether the least educated population groups experienced the worst mortality trends at the beginning of the 21st century by measuring changes in mortality across education quartiles. We document sharply differing gender patterns. Among women, mortality trends improved fairly monotonically with education. Conversely, male trends for the lowest three education quartiles were often similar. For both sexes, the gap in mortality between the top 25 percent and the bottom 75 percent is growing. However, there are many groups for whom these patterns are reversed - with better experiences for the less educated - or where the differences are statistically indistinguishable.


Hajdu-Cheney syndrome: case report.
A case of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome with acro-osteolysis of the left hand, bizarrely shaped skull, early eruption of permanent teeth and ventricular septal defect is presented. Biochemical investigations revealed high levels of acid phosphatase. The child was treated routinely and the lower primary central incisors were extracted due to early lingual eruption of the permanent central incisors.


Successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill: The effect of previous loading into a trailer.
A horse learning about the entrance to narrow, cage-shaped places may be challenging both for the horses as well as for the owners. For some behaviors, such as loading into a trailer or climbing onto a treadmill, the final behavioral goal can be achieved by working towards it in stages. This study compared the successive approximation of horses to their first work on a treadmill with horses hardly ever loaded (HE L) and regularly loaded (R L) into a trailer. Fourteen horses were divided into two groups (HE L n = 7 and R L n = 7) based on their experiences of entering into a trailer. All horses were taught using four stages of successive approximation. The average lead time was longer in the HE L than in the R L group, both in the first (HE L: 33.8 ± 12.4 s; R L: 17.6 ± 12.9 s; p = 0.035) and last stages (HE L: 12.0 ± 10.3 s; R L: 3.7 ± 1.0 s; p = 0.032) of trials. With the subsequent repetitions of each step, the heart rate decreased in both groups. Very few behaviors indicating fear or unwillingness ("rearing," "sideways," and "backwards") were observed. Horses that were regularly loaded exhibited signs of relaxation. The successive approximation of horses to the first work on a treadmill differed and may depend on the previous experiences with loading and travelling in the confined space of a trailer.


1.3-μm, 4 × 25-Gbit/s, EADFB laser array module with large-output-power and low-driving-voltage for energy-efficient 100GbE transmitter.
A 1.3-μm, 4 × 25-Gbit/s, EADFB laser array module with large output power and low driving voltage is developed for 100GbE. A novel rear grating DFB laser is introduced to increase the output power of the laser while keeping the single mode lasing, which is desirable for a monolithic integration. Also, InGaAlAs-based electroabsorption modulators make very-low-driving-voltage operation possible due to their steep extinction curves. With the module, very clear 25-Gbit/s eye openings are obtained for four wavelengths with the driving voltage of only 0.5 V while securing the dynamic extinction ratio required by the system. These results indicate that the presented module is a promising candidate for energy-efficient future 100GbE transmitter.


Active Videogaming for Individuals with Severe Movement Disorders: Results from a Community Study.
Active videogaming (AVG) has potential to provide positive health outcomes for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), but their use for individuals with severe motor impairments is limited. Our objective was to evaluate the accessibility and enjoyment of videogames using the Kinect™ (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) with the Flexible Action and Articulated Skeleton Toolkit (FAAST) system (University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies, Los Angeles, CA) for individuals with severely limiting CP. A videogaming system was installed in a community center serving adults with CP, and a staff member was instructed in its use. Participants completed a baseline survey assessing demographics, mobility, and prior videogame experience; they then used the FAAST system with Kinect and completed a 5-point Likert survey to assess their experience. Descriptive statistics assessed overall enjoyment of the system, and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to determine whether responses differed by demographic factors, mobility, or prior videogame experience. Twenty-two subjects were recruited. The enjoyment scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.88). The mean total enjoyment score was 4.24 out of 5. Median scores did not significantly differ by ethnicity, gender, CP severity, or previous videogame exposure. The FAAST with Kinect is a low-cost system that engages individuals with severe movement disorders across a wide range of physical ability and videogame experience. Further research should be conducted on in-home use, therapeutic applications, and potential benefits for socialization.


The 'sacral hand wedge': a cause of arrest of descent of the fetal head during vacuum assisted delivery.
During a study of 108 vacuum assisted deliveries, a fetal hand was detected in the pelvic space between the head and maternal sacrum in seven of the procedures. The larger presenting diameters resulting from the compound fetal presentations were reflected in a greater number of pulls and higher traction forces recorded during the deliveries. In all cases, extraction of the hand facilitated the completion of birth without causing serious injury to the fetus or maternal perineum. It is recommended that a digital examination to detect the presence of a fetal hand in the sacral space should become a part of standard vacuum delivery practice.


Paclitaxel and gemcitabine chemotherapy for advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract: a phase II trial of the Minnie pearl cancer research network.
To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract. Fifty-four patients with advanced unresectable urothelial carcinoma entered this multi-centered, community-based, phase II trial between May 1997 and December 1999. All patients were treated with paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2) by 1-hour intravenous (IV) infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) IV on days 1, 8, and 15; courses were repeated every 21 days. Patients who had objective response or stable disease continued treatment for six courses. Twenty-nine of 54 patients (54%; 95% confidence interval, 40% to 67%) had major responses to treatment, including 7% complete responses. With a median follow-up of 24 months, 16 patients (30%) remain alive and nine (17%) are progression-free. The median survival for the entire group was 14.4 months; 1- and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 57% and 25%, respectively. Seven (47%) of 15 patients previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy responded to paclitaxel/gemcitabine. Grade 3/4 toxicity was primarily hematologic, including leukopenia (46%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (28%). Ten patients (19%) required hospitalization for neutropenia and fever, and one patient had treatment-related septic death. The combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine is active and well tolerated in the first- or second-line treatment of patients with advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract. Response rate and duration compare favorably with those produced by other active, first-line regimens. This regimen should be further evaluated in phase II and III studies, as well as in patients with compromised renal function.


Biological activities of pertussigen from Bordetella pertussis strains of various agglutinogen types.
Pertussigen prepared from Bordetella pertussis strains of various agglutinogen types was found to have similar biological activities in mice, and to give precipitin lines of identity in agar diffusion tests. The doses required to induce histamine hypersensitivity ranged from 0.9 to 9.5 ng, and to induce leukocytosis from 124 to 190 ng. When pertussigen was detoxified by treatment with glutaraldehyde, it protected mice from intracerebral challenge with B. pertussis at doses of from 12.7 to 24.4 micrograms. The results showed that all smooth strains of B. pertussis produced pertussigen that was biologically and serologically similar, and that it was produced independently of fimbrial hemagglutinin.


A phosphodiesterase III inhibitor protects rat liver from sinusoidal obstruction syndrome through heme oxygenase-1 induction.
The aim of study was to investigate pharmacological treatment for sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). SOS is associated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with hepatic colorectal metastases. Patients with SOS have increased postoperative morbidity after major hepatectomy, but a method for effective prevention of SOS has not been established. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP) or olprinone (OLP), a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and hepatic HO-1 expression and HO enzymatic activity were determined. Monocrotaline (MCT) was given to rats to induce SOS, and blockage of SOS by CoPP or OLP-induced hepatic HO-1 was examined in these rats. Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a competitive HO inhibitor, was given to MCT-treated rats together with OLP to clarify the mechanism of protection against SOS. We also examined if OLP preserved remnant liver function after 70% hepatectomy in MCT-treated rats. OLP up-regulated hepatic HO-1 protein expression and HO enzymatic activity, and activated Akt protein. Administration of ZnPP to OLP-treated rats resulted in inhibition of HO activity and inactivation of Akt. Induction of HO-1 by pretreatment with CoPP led to amelioration of SOS in histologic findings and blockage of elevation of serum liver enzymes. Pretreatment with OLP gave a similar result and preserved remnant liver function, as indicated by improved survival after hepatectomy. ZnPP completely abolished the protective effects of OLP. Protection of the liver from drug-induced injury by prior up-regulation of HO-1 using OLP may have potential as a therapeutic strategy for prevention of SOS.


Water absorption and desorption from the dipole ordered polymer poly(methylvinylidene cyanide).
From thermal desorption studies, we find evidence that absorbed water in the bulk of poly(methylvinylidene cyanide) is more weakly bound than is the case for copolymer films of poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene). Ultraviolet laser enhanced thermal desorption of absorbed water exhibits little light polarization dependence for poly(methylvinylidene cyanide) in contrast to absorbed water in copolymer films of poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene). The implications of these differences are discussed.


Mere surgery will not cure cluster headache--implications for neurostimulation.
This case study concerns a patient with primary chronic cluster headache, who was unresponsive to all treatments and consecutively underwent hypothalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS had no effect on the cluster attacks, but cured an existing polydipsia as well as restlessness. However, hypothalamic DBS produced a constant, dull headache without concomitant symptoms and a high-frequent tremor. All of these effects were repeated when the stimulation was stopped and than started again. DBS had no effect on a pathological weight gain from 70 kg to 150 kg due to bulimia at night, usually during headache attacks. This case illustrates that cluster headache is, in some patients, only one symptom of a complex hypothalamic syndrome. This case also underlines that the stimulation parameters and anatomical target area for hypothalamic DBS may be too unspecific to do justice to the clinical variety of patients and concomitant symptoms. Hypothalamic DBS is an exquisite and potentially life-saving treatment method in otherwise intractable patients, but needs to be better characterised and should only be considered when other stimulation methods, such as stimulation of the greater occipital nerve, are unsuccessful.


HIV infection in obstetric and gynaecological practice.
The initial impact of HIV infection on the practising obstetrician and gynaecologist was specifically related to the treatment of HIV positive women who were pregnant. The current North American experience suggests that HIV will be an important consideration in gynaecology from now on.


[Hydronephrosis arterial hypertension. Report of 4 cases].
Four cases of ureteropelvic junction syndrome associated with arterial hypertension were reported. The authors discuss the ethiopathogenic of hypertension, on the basis of these observations and a review of the literature. They conclude that union bilateral hydronephrosis can lead to hypertension and renal failure by both inappropriate production of renin and water chronic retention. The correction of ureteropelvic junction should return blood pressure to normal levels.


Resolving an 87-year-old taxonomical curiosity with the description of Psylla frodobagginsi sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae), a second distinct Psylla species on the New Zealand endemic plant kōwhai.
A recent DNA-based assessment of the psyllid fauna of New Zealand recorded high genetic variation between populations that were expected to belong to the same psyllid species. Among these, a number of populations of the kōwhai psyllid Psylla apicalis (Ferris & Klyver, 1932), from a kōwhai species, Sophora microphylla Aiton (Fabaceae), presented high genetic variability. This gave new endorsement of an 87-year-old observation made by the entomologists Ferris and Klyver who, when describing the kōwhai psyllid, from Sophora tetraptera J.S. Muell., suggested that morphological variations could support more than one species. Accordingly, the morphological assessment conducted here, together with the genetic information now available, resulted in the description of Psylla frodobagginsi sp. nov. as a second New Zealand endemic psyllid species hosted by S. microphylla.


Vegetative phase change and photosynthesis in Eucalyptus occidentalis: architectural simplification prolongs juvenile traits.
To understand the effect of shoot architecture on vegetative and reproductive phase changes, seedlings of Eucalyptus occidentalis (Myrtaceae) were grown as free-branching or as single-stem plants, the latter treatment resulting from the continual removal of axillary vegetative buds. In E. occidentalis, vegetative phase change was characterized by increasing leaf length/width ratios. In contrast to the behaviour of other woody species subjected to architectural manipulation of this kind, vegetative phase change was faster in branched plants than in single-stem plants, which continued to exhibit juvenile leaf morphology throughout the duration of this study. However, the first appearance of flowers occurred approximately synchronously in both treatments after 9 months, demonstrating that vegetative phase change and floral transition are developmentally uncoupled in this species. Leaf morphological changes that characterized phase change lagged behind changes in leaf anatomy and gas exchange. In single-stem plants with juvenile leaves, leaf intercellular airspace (20.9%) was almost double that in branched plants with adult foliage (11.2%). Photosynthetic gas exchange analyses indicated that the juvenile leaves of single-stem plants had greater Rubisco and electron transport capacities than those of free-branching plants. Higher leaf N concentrations were recorded in single-stem plants than in branched plants. These observations support the hypothesis that the complexity of shoot architecture impacts the rate of vegetative phase change, but does not affect reproductive phase change in this species.


Genome-Wide Association Studies of Salt Tolerance at Seed Germination and Seedling Stages in Brassica napus.
Most crops are sensitive to salt stress, but their degree of susceptibility varies among species and cultivars. In order to understand the salt stress adaptability of Brassica napus to salt stress, we collected the phenotypic data of 505 B. napus accessions at the germination stage under 150 or 215 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) and at the seedling stage under 215 mM NaCl. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 16 salt tolerance coefficients (STCs) were applied to investigate the genetic basis of salt stress tolerance of B. napus. In this study, we mapped 31 salts stress-related QTLs and identified 177 and 228 candidate genes related to salt stress tolerance were detected at germination and seedling stages, respectively. Overexpression of two candidate genes, BnCKX5 and BnERF3 overexpression, were found to increase the sensitivity to salt and mannitol stresses at the germination stage. This study demonstrated that it is a feasible method to dissect the genetic basis of salt stress tolerance at germination and seedling stages in B. napus by GWAS, which provides valuable loci for improving the salt stress tolerance of B. napus. Moreover, these candidate genes are rich genetic resources for the following exploration of molecular mechanisms in adaptation to salt stress in B. napus.


HIV and HCV among people who inject drugs in Central Asia.
Over the last decade, Central Asia has become a focal point of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID account for the majority of HIV infections in most countries in the region, while a large proportion have been exposed to HCV. Shared modes of transmission of these infections point to an increasing burden of HIV/HCV co-infection in this population. HIV/HCV co-infection is more likely to result in progressive liver disease, increased mortality and hepatic complications from antiretroviral therapy (ART). While the HIV treatment response has improved, less than a quarter of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the region are receiving ART, with treatment uptake among PWID particularly low. HCV treatment is available in some areas, though at a very high cost to patients thereby preventing access to those at most need. Robust surveillance of HIV/HCV infection among PWID is needed to inform a comprehensive response to HIV and HCV prevention and treatment among PWID, including increasing coverage of opioid substitution therapy (OST) and needle and syringe programs (NSPs), improving access and uptake of ART, and lowering costs and other barriers to HCV treatment across the five republics. Optimising uptake of these initiatives by increasing prevention and treatment literacy among PWID and decreasing barriers to screening and testing will also be necessary to mitigate the increasing burden of HIV/HCV co-infection in the region.


Phorbol esters induce transient internalization without degradation of unoccupied epidermal growth factor receptors.
4 beta-Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment of KB cells at 37 degrees C rapidly induces a 50% reduction in epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding that is maximal by 30 min. EGF binding activity returns to the original value by 1 hr and remains constant for 2 hr thereafter. Using a polyclonal antibody directed against the cytoplasmic domain of the EGF receptor (EGF-R), we examined the fate of the receptor after PMA treatment. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic localization of the EGF-R after PMA treatment demonstrated that about 50% of the receptor became internalized into endocytic vesicles (receptosomes) and Golgi-associated structures. Unlike EGF-induced internalization, PMA-induced internalization did not cause delivery of EGF-R to lysosomes or receptor degradation. Rather, receptor reappeared on the cell surface. No stimulation of EGF-R synthesis was observed after 1 hr of PMA treatment. Loss of cell surface binding correlated with the internalization of the EGF-R observed morphologically. A possible explanation for these observations is that PMA, an activator of protein kinase C, confers a signal sufficient for EGF-R clustering and internalization but not for transport to lysosomes.


Bryophytes Harbor Cultivable Actinobacteria With Plant Growth Promoting Potential.
This study was designed to investigate the cultivable actinobacteria associated with bryophytes and their plant growth promoting ability. Thirteen actinobacteria were isolated and tested for their ability to promote growth of plant in vitro and in planta. All isolates were able to produce IAA and siderophores. Six isolates were identified as members of the genus Micromonospora. Five isolates belonged to the genus Streptomyces and one each of Microbispora and Mycobacterium. Micromonospora sp. CMU55-4 was inoculated to rare moss [Physcomitrium sphaericum (C. Ludw.) Fürnr.] and could increase the amount of carotenoid, fresh weight, and dry weight of this moss. In addition, this strain promoted capsule production, and rescued P. sphaericum's gametophytes during acclimatization to land. Strain CMU55-4 was identified as Micromonospora chalcea based on whole genome sequence analysis. Its plant growth promoting potential was further characterized through genome mining. The draft genome size was 6.6 Mb (73% GC). The genome contained 5,933 coding sequences. Functional annotation predicted encoded genes essential for siderophore production, phosphate solubilization that enable bacteria to survive under nutrient limited environment. Glycine-betaine accumulation and trehalose biosynthesis also aid plants under drought stress. M. chalcea CMU55-4 also exhibited genes for various carbohydrate metabolic pathways indicating those for efficient utilization of carbohydrates inside plant cells. Additionally, predictive genes for heat shock proteins, cold shock proteins, and oxidative stress such as glutathione biosynthesis were identified. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that bryophytes harbor plant growth promoting actinobacteria. A representative isolate, M. chalcea CMU55-4 promotes the growth of P. sphaericum moss and contains protein coding sequences related to plant growth promoting activities in its genome.


How Subtle Changes Can Make a Difference: Reproducibility in Complex Supramolecular Systems.
The desire to construct complex molecular systems is driven by the need for technological (r)evolution and our intrinsic curiosity to comprehend the origin of life. Supramolecular chemists tackle this challenge by combining covalent and noncovalent reactions leading to multicomponent systems with emerging complexity. However, this synthetic strategy often coincides with difficult preparation protocols and a narrow window of suitable conditions. Here, we report on unsuspected observations of our group that highlight the impact of subtle "irregularities" on supramolecular systems. Based on the effects of pathway complexity, minute amounts of water in organic solvents or small impurities in the supramolecular building block, we discuss potential pitfalls in the study of complex systems. This article is intended to draw attention to often overlooked details and to initiate an open discussion on the importance of reporting experimental details to increase reproducibility in supramolecular chemistry.


Routes to complete synchronization via phase synchronization in coupled nonidentical chaotic oscillators.
We study the transition route to complete synchronization through phase synchronization in generic coupled nonidentical chaotic oscillators. Through numerical studies, two routes are found, i.e., one, via lag synchronization, the other, via the intermittent chaotic burst state without lag synchronization. We claim that these two routes are universal. As evidence, we analyze several examples on the basis of the conventional theory of intermittency in the presence of noise.


Association between serum fetuin-A levels, carotid artery stiffness, and intima-media thickness in patients with normotensive obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and stiffness, reflecting subclinical atherosclerosis, are associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The relationship between serum fetuin-A, which inhibits ectopic calcification, and atherosclerosis is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the association between serum fetuin-A levels and carotid artery stiffness and cIMT in patients with normotensive OSAS (n = 50) and non-OSAS controls (n = 38). Compared with controls, there were lower fetuin-A levels (59.4 ± 6.5 vs 68.2 ± 5.8 ng/mL, P = .029), higher mean cIMT (0.73 ± 0.2 vs 0.63 ± 0.3 mm, P < .001), and greater stiffness (β) index (7.45 ± 0.9 vs 5.2 ± 0.7, P = .001) in the OSAS group. The cIMT and stiffness (β) index were inversely correlated with fetuin-A levels (r = -.324, P = .033; r = -.466, P < .001, respectively) and positively correlated with apnea hypopnea index (r = .498, P < .001; r = .422, P = .001, respectively) in the OSAS group. Decreased serum fetuin-A levels were associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with normotensive OSAS.


Medicaid program; state plans and grants to states--HCFA. Final rules with comment period.
These regulations amend Medicaid regulations to incorporate the applicable provisions of 45 CFR Parts 201, 204, 205, and 213. The intent is two-fold: To update and simplify the existing regulations, as they apply to Medicaid program, to reflect current organizational and staff titles (e.g, "HCFA" instead of "SRS" or the "the Service"; "Regional Administrator" instead of "Regional Medicaid Director"), and minor procedural changes. To incorporate the revised regulations in 42 CFR Part 430 so that users of Medicaid regulations need not search in Title 45 for these provisions. These regulations also amend regulations at 45 CFR Parts 201, 204, 205, 211, 212, 213, and 282 relating to federally assisted State public assistance programs to make nomenclature and other technical changes to reflect changes in organization and delegations of authority.


Informational masking by everyday sounds.
Tone-in-noise detection is severely degraded when only a few spectral components of the noise are presented at random on each trial [Neff and Green, Percept. Psychophys. 41, 409-415 (1987)]. The elevations in threshold are attributed to uncertainty regarding the noise caused by sparse sampling of noise components-informational masking is the term used to describe the result. The present experiment was undertaken to determine how informational masking is affected when sparse sampling is from a set of common everyday sounds instead of noise. On each presentation a different masker waveform of constant total power was synthesized from the magnitude and phase of a fixed number, m, of spectral components (m = 2-921 across blocks of trials). The components were selected at random from 1 of 50 common environmental sounds (e.g., baby crying, door slamming, phone ringing), or 1 of 50 samples of Gaussian noise. Masked thresholds for a 1.0-kHz signal in the presence of both types of maskers were obtained using an adaptive, two-interval, forced-choice procedure. Results with noise replicated earlier, results showing largest elevations in threshold for 10-20 sampled components. Results with everyday sounds showed a similar pattern with thresholds elevated above those for noise by as much as 10 dB at the larger values of m. The differences in masked thresholds were systematically related to differences in the ensemble variance of masker spectra, as predicted by a model previously applied to noise [Lutfi, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94, 748-758 (1993)]. Not predicted was the result of a subsequent trial-by-trial analysis in which 9-11 dB less masking was observed for samples from everyday sounds rated as easily recognized by listeners. The results suggest that listeners fail to exploit lawful dependencies among spectral components of everyday sounds to aid detection, unless enough information is available for the sound to be easily recognized.


Nonsingular van der Waals Potential and Its Contributions to Gravitational Coagulation.
The coagulation and the stability of dilute colloids at high Péclet number were studied in consideration of the universal nonsingular van der Waals interactions recently developed by J. X. Lu and W. H. Marlow (1995, Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 1724). The capture efficiency of gravitational coagulation of uncharged colloids was found to be diminished due to the effect of finite molecular size (EFMS). The gravitational coagulation stability diagram of charged colloids was also found to be shifted when the gravitational convection was much stronger than the Brownian diffusion. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.


Cooperative regulation of Mcl-1 by Janus kinase/stat and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase contribute to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-delayed apoptosis in human neutrophils.
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are phagocytic cells constitutively programmed for apoptotic cell death. Exposure to GM-CSF delays apoptosis as measured by annexin-V staining and cell morphological change. We found that STAT5B, STAT1, and STAT3 DNA-binding activity was induced by GM-CSF. We also detected activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathway after GM-CSF treatment which was inhibited by treatment with the PI 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002. We investigated whether STAT or PI 3-kinase activity was necessary for the pro-survival response of GM-CSF in PMN. Exposure of PMN to GM-CSF in the presence of either AG-490, antisense STAT3 oligonucleotides, or wortmannin resulted in a partial inhibition of GM-CSF-mediated pro-survival activity. GM-CSF induced a time-dependent increase in the mRNA and protein expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-family protein, Mcl-1. We examined the hypothesis that Janus kinase/STAT and PI 3-kinase regulation of Mcl-1 contributed to GM-CSF-delayed apoptosis. Using either AG-490 or wortmannin alone, we observed a dose-dependent inhibition of GM-CSF-induced Mcl-1 expression. Using suboptimal doses of AG-490 and wortmannin, we found that both drugs together had an additive effect on delayed apoptosis and Mcl-1 expression. These data suggest that cooperative regulation of Mcl-1 by the Janus kinase/STAT and PI 3-kinase pathways contribute to GM-CSF-delayed apoptosis.


Congenital giant hydroureteric cistern in a duplex system of an infant.
Duplex collecting system is a congenital genitourinary anomaly commonly found incidentally. Our experience with a duplex system associated with giant hydroureter presenting as mobile abdominal swelling that was noticed from birth, constipation, and failure to thrive is described. Ultrasound and IVU did not assist in making the diagnosis, while a barium enema suggested a colonic duplication. Congenital giant hydroureter should be considered as a differential diagnosis in infants with cystic abdominal swelling. A preserved renal moiety attributed to a dilated ureteric cistern was a unique theory in this case.


Using individual differences to assess modulation-processing mechanisms and age effects.
This study used a correlational approach to clarify the mechanisms involved in modulation coding. Amplitude-modulation (AM) and frequency-modulation (FM) detection thresholds (AMDTs and FMDTs, respectively) were assessed for 70 normal-hearing listeners. In order to increase between-listeners variability in peripheral coding, participants with a wide range of age (20-70 years) were included. AMDTs and FMDTs were measured at a 5-Hz rate, using a 500-Hz sinusoidal carrier. FMDTs were also measured in the presence of an interfering AM to discourage the use of temporal-envelope cues. The results showed that AMDTs were significantly correlated with FMDTs, but not with FMDTs measured with interfering AM. FMDTs with and without interfering AM were significantly correlated with each other. This pattern of correlation proved to be robust, providing additional evidence that for low carrier frequencies, (i) low-rate AM and FM detection is based on a common code using temporal-envelope cues and (ii) low-rate FM detection is based on an additional code using cues distinct from temporal-envelope. The analyses also showed that age was correlated with FMDTs only. However, no significant difference was found when comparing the various correlations with age. Hence, the effects of age on modulation sensitivity remain unclear.


Advances in Hollow Inorganic Nanomedicines for Photothermal-Based Therapies.
Nanotechnology has prompted the development of hollow inorganic nanomedicine. These medicines are now widely investigated as photothermal-based therapies for various diseases due to their high loading capacity, tuneable wavelength, relatively small size and low density. We begin this review with a brief introduction, followed by a summary of the development of imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer treatment during the last three years (from 2017 to 2020). We then introduce the antibacterial effects of these medicines on some bacterial infections, in which the pathogenic bacteria can be killed by mild photothermal effects, ions and antibiotic release. Other diseases can also be treated using hollow inorganic photothermal agents. Specifically, we discuss the use of PTT for treating Alzheimer's disease, obesity and endometriosis. Finally, we share our perspectives on the current challenges and future prospects of using hollow inorganic materials in clinical PTT for various diseases.


PSI-Guided Mandible-First Orthognathic Surgery: Maxillo-Mandibular Position Accuracy and Vertical Dimension Adjustability.
In orthognathic surgery, patient-specific osteosynthesis implants (PSIs) represent a novel approach for the reproduction of the virtual surgical planning on the patient. The aim of this study is to analyse the quality of maxillo-mandibular positioning using a hybrid mandible-first mandibular-PSI-guided procedure on twenty-two patients while the upper maxilla was fixed using manually bent stock titanium miniplates. The virtual surgical plan was used to design PSIs and positioning guides, which were then 3D printed using biocompatible materials. A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan was performed one month after surgery and postoperative facial skeletal models were segmented for comparison against the surgical plan. A three-dimensional cephalometric analysis was carried out on both planned and obtained anatomies. A Spearman correlation matrix was computed on the calculated discrepancies in order to achieve a more comprehensive description of maxillo-mandibular displacement. Intraoperatively, all PSIs were successfully applied. The procedure was found to be accurate in planned maxillo-mandibular positioning reproduction, while maintaining a degree of flexibility to allow for aesthetics-based verticality correction in a pitch range between -5.31 and +1.79 mm. Such a correction did not significantly affect the achievement of planned frontal symmetry.


Disposition and pharmacokinetics of the antimigraine drug, rizatriptan, in humans.
The absorption and disposition of rizatriptan (MK-0462, Maxalt(TM)), a selective 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist used in the treatment of migraine headaches, was investigated in humans. In a two-period, single i.v. (3 mg, 30-min infusion), and single oral (10 mg) dose study with [(14)C]rizatriptan in six healthy human males, total recovery of radioactivity was approximately 94%, with unchanged rizatriptan and its metabolites being excreted mainly in the urine (89% i.v. dose, 82% p.o. dose). Approximately 26 and 14% of i.v. and oral rizatriptan doses, respectively, were excreted in urine as intact parent drug. In a second, high-dose study (60 mg p.o.), five metabolites excreted into urine were identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and NMR methods. They were triazolomethyl-indole-3-acetic acid, rizatriptan-N(10)-oxide, 6-hydroxy-rizatriptan, 6-hydroxy-rizatriptan sulfate, and N(10)-monodesmethyl-rizatriptan. Urinary excretion of triazolomethyl-indole-3-acetic acid after i.v. and oral administrations of rizatriptan accounted for 35 and 51% of the dose, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for rizatriptan-N(10)-oxide were 4 and 2% of the dose. Plasma clearance (CL) and renal clearance (CL(r)) were 1325 and 349 ml/min, respectively, after i.v. administration. A similar CL(r) value was obtained after oral administration (396 ml/min). The primary route of rizatriptan elimination occurred via nonrenal route(s) (i.e., metabolism) because the CL(r) of rizatriptan accounted for 25% of total CL. Furthermore, the CL(r) was higher than normal glomerular filtration rate ( approximately 130 ml/min), indicating that this compound was actively secreted by renal tubules. The absorption of rizatriptan was approximately 90%, but it experienced a moderate first-pass effect, resulting in a bioavailability estimate of 47%.


Ototoxicity monitoring in South African cancer facilities: A national survey.
National information regarding ototoxicity monitoring practices are limited for patients undergoing chemotherapy in South Africa. To determine (1) the national status of ototoxicity monitoring implemented in private and public cancer facilities, (2) the knowledge and ototoxicity monitoring approaches implemented, and (3) reported challenges. A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted in public and private oncology units and audiology referral clinics. Private (60%) and public (43%) oncology units that provide platinum-based chemotherapy in South Africa and audiology referral units (54%) were: (1) surveyed telephonically to determine if ototoxicity monitoring takes place; and (2) a self-administered survey was sent to qualifying oncology units and audiology referral clinics. All public oncology units reported that ototoxicity monitoring only occurs on referral and is not standard practice. All private oncology units indicated that monitoring is on a patient self-referral basis when symptoms occur. Poor awareness of ototoxicity monitoring best practice guidelines was reported by all oncology units and 14% of audiology referral clinics. Audiology referral clinics reported adequate knowledge of ototoxicity protocols although they are not widely used with only 43% following best practice guidelines. The most prominent challenges reported by participants was referral system (67% oncology units; 57% audiology referral clinics), environmental noise (83% oncology units; 86% audiology referral clinics) and the compromised status of cancer patients (67% oncology units; 57% audiology referral clinics). Ototoxicity monitoring is not routinely implemented across oncology units in South Africa. Multidisciplinary teamwork and a simplified national ototoxicity monitoring protocol may improve hearing outcomes for patients.


Microbial Translocation Associated with an Acute-Phase Response and Elevations in MMP-1, HO-1, and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Strongyloides stercoralis Infection.
Microbial translocation, characterized by elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and related markers, is a common occurrence in HIV and some parasitic infections. This is usually associated with extensive inflammation and immune activation. To examine the occurrence of microbial translocation and the associated inflammatory response in asymptomatic Strongyloides stercoralis infection, we measured the plasma levels of LPS and other microbial translocation markers, acute-phase proteins, inflammatory markers, and proinflammatory cytokines in individuals with (infected [INF]) or without (uninfected [UN]) S. stercoralis infections. Finally, we also measured the levels of all of these markers in INF individuals following treatment of S. stercoralis infection. We show that INF individuals exhibit significantly higher plasma levels of microbial translocation markers (LPS, soluble CD14 [sCD14], intestinal fatty acid-binding protein [iFABP], and endotoxin core IgG antibody [EndoCAb]), acute-phase proteins (α-2 macroglobulin [α-2M], C-reactive protein [CRP], haptoglobin, and serum amyloid protein A [SAA]), inflammatory markers (matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1] and heme oxygenase 1 [HO-1]), and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and IL-1β) than do UN individuals. INF individuals exhibit significantly decreased levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 4 (TIMP-4). Following treatment of S. stercoralis infection, the elevated levels of microbial translocation markers, acute-phase proteins, and inflammatory markers were all diminished. Our data thus show that S. stercoralis infection is characterized by microbial translocation and accompanying increases in levels of acute-phase proteins and markers of inflammation and provide data to suggest that microbial translocation is a feature of asymptomatic S. stercoralis infection and is associated with an inflammatory response.


Development and Characterization of Eudragit-RL-100-Based Aceclofenac Sustained-Release Matrix Pellets Prepared via Extrusion/Spheronization.
Aceclofenac (AC) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of chronic pain in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, with frequent administration during the day. The formulation of sustained release matrix pellets can provide a promising alternative dosage form that controls the release of the drug, with less blood fluctuation and side effects-especially those related to the gastric system. The extrusion/spheronization technique was used to formulate AC matrix pellets. The response surface methodology (version 17.2.02.; Statgraphics Centurion) was used to study the impacts of Eudragit RL 100 and PVP K90 binder solution concentrations on the pellets' wet mass peak torque, pellet size, and the release of the drug. Statistically, a significant synergistic effect of PVP K90 concentration on the peak torque and pellet size was observed (p = 0.0156 and 0.031, respectively), while Eudragit RL 100 showed significant antagonistic effects (p = 0.042 and 0.013, respectively). The peak torque decreased from 0.513 ± 0.022 to 0.41 ± 0.021 when increasing the Eudragit RL 100 from 0 to 20%, and the pellet size decreased from 0.914 ± 0.047 to 0.789 ± 0.074 nm. The tested independent factors did not significantly affect the drug release in the acidic medium within 2 h, but these pellet formulae maintained the drug release at less than 10% in the acidic medium (pH 1.2), which may decrease gastric irritation side effects. In contrast, a highly significant synergistic effect of Eudragit and highly antagonistic effect of the PVP solution on drug release in the alkaline-pH medium were observed (p = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). The optimized pellet formula derived from the statistical program, composed of 3.21% Eudragit and 5% PVP solution, showed peak torque of 0.861 ± 0.056 Nm and pellet size of 1090 ± 85 µm, and resulted in a significant retardation effect on the release after 8 h compared to the untreated drug.


[Clinical Course and Treatment of Acute Urinary Retention after Robot- Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy : A Single Institution Experience of 11 Cases].
Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is becoming the standard treatment procedure for localized prostate cancer. The main complications associated with RARP include urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. In addition, acute urinary retention (AUR) after urethral catheter removal is sometimes seen. Early catheter removal is a risk factor for AUR, and administration of alphablockers before catheter removal reduces the occurrence of AUR. However, the ideal management of AUR after RARP is not known. Here we report the clinical course and treatment after AUR. We performed 279 RARPs at our institution, and AUR developed in 11 cases. In all cases, urination status was improved after placement of a urinary catheter or intermittent catheterization. Later, urethral stricture was seen in 2 out of 11 cases. Ourstudy suggests that when AUR is observed afterRARP, catheterur ination should be initially performed. If urinary retention recurs, a urinary catheter should be placed with administration of alpha-blockers. The catheter is removed after about 3 days, and administration of analgesics is effective for reducing the pain on urination. If urination status is not improved, evaluation of the urethral stricture should be considered.


Direct Self-Assembly of MXene on Zn Anodes for Dendrite-Free Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.
Metallic zinc is a promising anode candidate of aqueous zinc-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity and low redox potential. However, Zn anodes usually suffer from dendrite and side reactions, which will degrade their cycle stability and reversibility. Herein, we developed an in situ spontaneously reducing/assembling strategy to assemble a ultrathin and uniform MXene layer on the surface of Zn anodes. The MXene layer endows the Zn anode with a lower Zn nucleation energy barrier and a more uniformly distributed electric field through the favorable charge redistribution effect in comparison with pure Zn. Therefore, MXene-integrated Zn anode exhibits obviously low voltage hysteresis and excellent cycling stability with dendrite-free behaviors, ensuring the high capacity retention and low polarization potential in zinc-ion batteries.


Chronic myelogenous leukemia cells remodel the bone marrow niche via exosome-mediated transfer of miR-320.
Rationale: Reciprocal interactions between leukemic cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSC) remodel the normal niche into a malignant niche, leading to leukemia progression. Exosomes have emerged as an essential mediator of cell-cell communication. Whether leukemic exosomes involved in bone marrow niche remodeling remains unknown. Methods: We investigated the role of leukemic exosomes in molecular and functional changes of BMMSC in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics were employed to screen for miRNAs that are selectively sorted into leukemic exosomes and the corresponding RNA binding proteins. Results: We demonstrated that leukemia cells significantly inhibited osteogenesis by BMMSC both in vivo and in vitro. Some tumor suppressive miRNAs, especially miR-320, were enriched in exosomes and thus secreted by leukemic cells, resulting in increased proliferation of the donor cells. In turn, the secreted exosomes were significantly endocytosed by adjacent BMMSC and thus inhibited osteogenesis at least partially via β-catenin inhibition. Mechanistically, miR-320 and some other miRNAs were sorted out into the exosomes by RNA binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1), as these miRNAs harbor the recognition site for HNRNPA1. Conclusion: HNRNPA1-mediated exosomal transfer of miR-320 from leukemia cells to BMMSC is an important mediator of leukemia progression and is a potential therapeutic target for CML.


TLR Signaling Is Activated in Lymph Node-Resident CLL Cells and Is Only Partially Inhibited by Ibrutinib.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of mature B cells driven by B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and activated primarily in the lymph node. The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib effectively inhibits BCR-dependent proliferation and survival signals and has emerged as a breakthrough therapy for CLL. However, complete remissions are uncommon and are achieved only after years of continuous therapy. We hypothesized that other signaling pathways that sustain CLL cell survival are only partially inhibited by ibrutinib. In normal B cells, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling cooperates with BCR signaling to activate prosurvival NF-κB. Here, we show that an experimentally validated gene signature of TLR activation is overexpressed in lymph node-resident CLL cells compared with cells in the blood. Consistent with TLR activation, we detected phosphorylation of NF-κB, STAT1, and STAT3 in lymph node-resident CLL cells and in cells stimulated with CpG oligonucleotides in vitro. CpG promoted IRAK1 degradation, secretion of IL10, and extended survival of CLL cells in culture. CpG-induced TLR signaling was significantly inhibited by both an IRAK1/4 inhibitor and ibrutinib. Although inhibition of TLR signaling was incomplete with either drug, the combination achieved superior results, including more effective inhibition of TLR-mediated survival signaling. Our data suggest an important role for TLR signaling in CLL pathogenesis and in sustaining the viability of CLL cells during ibrutinib therapy. The combination of ibrutinib with a TLR pathway inhibitor could provide superior antitumor activity and should be investigated in clinical studies. SIGNIFICANCE: CLL relies on the concomitant cooperation of B-cell receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling; inhibition of both pathways is superior to inhibition of either pathway alone. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/2/360/F1.large.jpg.


Using LSTMs to learn physiological models of blood glucose behavior.
For people with type 1 diabetes, good blood glucose control is essential to keeping serious disease complications at bay. This entails carefully monitoring blood glucose levels and taking corrective steps whenever they are too high or too low. If blood glucose levels could be accurately predicted, patients could take proactive steps to prevent blood glucose excursions from occurring. However, accurate predictions require complex physiological models of blood glucose behavior. Factors such as insulin boluses, carbohydrate intake, and exercise influence blood glucose in ways that are difficult to capture through manually engineered equations. In this paper, we describe a recursive neural network (RNN) approach that uses long short-term memory (LSTM) units to learn a physiological model of blood glucose. When trained on raw data from real patients, the LSTM networks (LSTMs) obtain results that are competitive with a previous state-of-the-art model based on manually engineered physiological equations. The RNN approach can incorporate arbitrary physiological parameters without the need for sophisticated manual engineering, thus holding the promise of further improvements in prediction accuracy.


Hepcidin protects pulmonary artery hypertension in rats by activating NF-κB/TNF-α pathway.
The pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) model was established in rats in this study. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the protective role of Hepcidin in PAH rats and its underlying mechanism. 24 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, PAH group and Hepcidin group, with 8 rats in each group. After animal procedures, hemodynamic parameters and right ventricular hypertrophy indexes were determined in rats. Cytokines in serum samples of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological lesions in lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Finally, Western blot was conducted to detect the protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in lung tissues of rats. Compared with sham group, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were significantly elevated in rats of PAH group (p<0.05). On the contrary, mPAP and RVSP in rats of Hepcidin group were both significantly lower than PAH group (p<0.05). Hepcidin treatment attenuated PAH-induced pathological lesions in lung tissues. ELISA results elucidated that Hepcidin treatment significantly decreased serum levels of TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, Western blot results demonstrated that protein levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in Hepcidin group were remarkably lower than those of PAH group. Hepcidin alleviates inflammatory response in PAH rats by inhibiting NF-kB/ TNF-α pathway.


Nicotinamide-Containing Di- and Trinucleotides as Chemical Tools for Studies of NAD-Capped RNAs.
We report the chemical synthesis of a set of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) cap analogues containing chemical modifications that reduce their susceptibility to NAD-RNA-degrading enzymes. These analogues can be incorporated into transcripts in a similar way as NAD. Biochemical characterization of RNAs carrying these caps with DXO, NudC, and Nudt12 enzymes led to the identification of compounds that can be instrumental in unraveling so far unaddressed biological aspects of NAD-RNAs.


Innate immune responses to Encephalitozoon species infections.
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular, eukaryotic fungi, which have gained recognition as opportunistic parasites in immunocompromised patients. Resistance to lethal microsporidia infections requires a Th1 immune response; how this protection is initiated against Encephalitozoon species is the focus of this review article.


Quantum Cascade Laser Measurements of Line Intensities, N2-, O2- and Ar- Collisional Broadening Coefficients of N2O in the ν3 Band Near 4.5 µm.
This study deals with precise measurements of absolute line intensities, N2-, O2- and Ar- collisional broadening coefficients of N2O in the P-branch of the ν3 vibrational band near 4.5 µm. Collisional broadening coefficients of N2O-air are derived from the N2- and O2- broadening contributions by considering an ideal atmospheric composition. Studies are performed at room temperature for 10 rotational transitions over 2190-2202 cm(-1) spectral range using a distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser. To retrieve spectroscopic parameters for each individual transition, measured absorption line shape is simulated within Voigt and Galatry profiles. The obtained results compare well with previous experimental data available in the literature: the discrepancies being less than 4% for most of the probed transitions. The spectroscopic data reported here are very useful for the design of sensors used to monitor the abundance of N2O in earth's atmosphere.


Behavioral and characterological self-blame in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To assess behavioral and characterological self-blame, identify demographic and relational correlates of self-blame, and determine the association of self-blame with psychological and clinical outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data were collected via self-report questionnaires completed by 398 individuals with COPD who had at least a 10 pack-year history of smoking. Behavioral and characterological self-blame were measured, and multiple regression was used to identify correlates of both types of self-blame. Multiple regression was also used to determine the association of self-blame with outcomes of COPD. More than one-third of participants endorsed the maximum possible score on the measure of behavioral self-blame. The perception that family members blamed the individual for having COPD (p=.001), tobacco exposure (p=.005), and general family functioning (p=.002) were associated with behavioral self-blame. Current smoking status (p=.001) and perception of blame from family (p<.001) were associated with characterological self-blame. While behavioral self-blame was associated with fewer symptoms of depression (p=.02), characterological self-blame was associated with more symptoms of depression (p=.02). Individuals with COPD tend to blame themselves for smoking and other behaviors that may have led to their COPD. Smoking-related variables and the perception that family members blamed the individual for having COPD were associated with self-blame. Findings support the importance of distinguishing between behavioral and characterological self-blame in COPD, as behavioral self-blame had a negative association with depression and characterological self-blame had a positive association with depression.


Molecular survey of concrete sewer biofilm microbial communities.
The microbial composition of concrete biofilms within wastewater collection systems was studied using molecular assays. SSU rDNA clone libraries were generated from 16 concrete surfaces of manholes, a combined sewer overflow, and sections of a corroded sewer pipe. Of the 2457 sequences analyzed, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Proteobacteria represented 15%, 22%, 11%, and 4% of the clones, respectively. β-Proteobacteria (47%) sequences were more abundant in the pipe crown than any of the other concrete surfaces. While 178 to 493 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were associated with the different concrete samples, only four sequences were shared among the different clone libraries. Bacteria implicated in concrete corrosion were found in the clone libraries while archaea, fungi, and several bacterial groups were also detected using group-specific assays. The results showed that concrete sewer biofilms are more diverse than previously reported. A more comprehensive molecular database will be needed to better study the dynamics of concrete biofilms.


Simultaneous Bilateral Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty.
Simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been performed successfully, with good outcomes and low complication rates reported. Most published studies on the topic used anterolateral or posterior surgical approaches. The anterior approach is performed under live fluoroscopy with the patient supine, obviating the need for patient repositioning during bilateral surgery. The authors report their experience with simultaneous bilateral anterior approach total hip arthroplasty. The authors retrospectively reviewed data for 75 patients (150 hips). Mean follow-up was 26 months (range, 5-60 months). Mean patient age was 59 years and the majority were American Society of Anesthesiology class 2 (range, 1-3). Mean total surgical time was 144 minutes (72 minutes per hip). Mean blood loss was 565 mL. Mean hospital length of stay was 2.75 days (range, 1-4 days). Ninety-six percent of patients were able to ambulate on postoperative day 1. Sixty-eight percent of patients were discharged to home. Mean Harris Hip Score improved from 50 to 97. All patients noted a return to preoperative level of activity or higher. Complications included 1 atraumatic minimally displaced trochanteric fracture occurring 2 weeks postoperatively, 1 pulmonary embolism on postoperative day 3 treated without sequelae, 1 episode of postoperative atrial fibrillation, and 4 minor local wound complications. No readmission, infection, nerve palsy, dislocation, reoperation, or death occurred. Anterior approach THA has the advantage of a single supine position for bilateral simultaneous surgery and the current study supports its use in appropriate patients.