Language processing: functional organization and neuroanatomical basis.
Earlier formulations of the relation of language and the brain provided oversimplified accounts of the nature of language disorders, classifying patients into syndromes characterized by the disruption of sensory or motor word representations or by the disruption of syntax or semantics. More recent neuropsychological findings, drawn mainly from case studies, provide evidence regarding the various levels of representations and processes involved in single-word and sentence processing. Lesion data and neuroimaging findings are converging to some extent in providing localization of these components of language processing, particularly at the single-word level. Much work remains to be done in developing precise theoretical accounts of sentence processing that can accommodate the observed patterns of breakdown. Such theoretical developments may provide a means of accommodating the seemingly contradictory findings regarding the neural organization of sentence processing.


Structural and dynamic properties of a hydrogen bond from the study of the CH3Cl-HCl complex and isotopic species.
The microwave (4-20 GHz range) and infrared (HCl and DCl stretch ranges) spectra of six isotopic species of the CH3Cl-HCl hydrogen bond complex have been recorded for the first time and analyzed with the support of high level ab initio calculations (MP2 and CCSD(T) levels). Accurate molecular parameters, including rotational, quartic centrifugal distortion, and nuclear-quadrupole coupling constants, vibrational frequencies, and anharmonic coupling constants, are presented in this paper. These parameters have then been used to estimate the hydrogen bond geometry and confirm the strong coupling between intramolecular and low frequency intermolecular modes. Experimental and theoretical evidence, in agreement with each other, tend to point out a free rotation of the CH3Cl unit in the complex, emphasizing the very peculiar dynamical properties of a hydrogen bond and, consequently, the necessity of taking those effects into account to correctly model the intra- and intermolecular interactions.


Impact of age and sex on response to ischemic preconditioning in the rat heart: differential role of the PI3K-AKT pathway.
Sex and aging represent important factors that determine morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in the human population. This study aimed to investigate the impact of aging on the response to ischemia-reperfusion in male and female rat hearts, and to explore a potential role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in the myocardium of younger and older adult males and females. Langendorff-perfused nonpreconditioned and preconditioned hearts of 12- and 18-week-old male and female Wistar rats were subjected to regional ischemia and reperfusion with or without prior perfusion with the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin for the evaluation of ischemia-induced arrhythmias and the size of myocardial infarction (infarct size; IS). Aging did not modify IS in both sexes; however, it markedly increased susceptibility to arrhythmias. Although IPC effectively reduced IS in males and females of both ages, only the hearts of males and 18-week-old females benefited from its antiarrhythmic effect. In the preconditioned 12-week-old females, but not the 18-week-old females, and in males of both ages, wortmannin blunted the anti-infarct effect of IPC. In conclusion, activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway plays an important role in protection against lethal injury conferred by IPC in males irrespective of age. The IS-limiting effect of IPC appears to be PI3K-Akt-dependent only in the 12-week-old females.


The inflammasome puts obesity in the danger zone.
Obesity-induced inflammation is an important contributor to the induction of insulin resistance. Recently, the cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has emerged as a prominent instigator of the proinflammatory response in obesity. Several studies over the last year have subsequently deciphered the molecular mechanisms responsible for IL-1β activation in adipose tissue, liver, and macrophages and demonstrated a central role of the processing enzyme caspase-1 and of the protein complex leading to its activation called the inflammasome. These data suggest that activation of the inflammasome represents a crucial step in the road from obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.


Deceived by a CT Scan: The Case of the Misrepresented Stone Size.
Background: CT has become the gold standard for radiographic evaluation of urolithiasis. CT is highly sensitive for detecting kidney stones and provides valuable information regarding stone size, composition, location, and overall stone burden. Although CT can provide reliable estimations of stone size, we have encountered an instance in which it can be deceiving. Motion artifact in CT images can cause a warping distortion effect that makes renal stones appear larger than they actually are. Case Presentation: We describe a case of a 37-year-old woman with a history of kidney stones and obesity presenting with intermittent flank pain and gross hematuria, found to have a large lower pole renal calculus that appeared deceptively large on CT imaging. Given the apparent size and location of the stone, the patient was counseled and consented for a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Although the stone was initially suspected to be >2 cm based on the preoperative CT scan, intraoperative pyelography revealed a much smaller than expected radio-dense stone. The patient was stone free after PCNL without any immediate postoperative complications. However, her course was later complicated by delayed bleeding causing significant clot hematuria, perinephric hematoma, and reactive pleural effusion. Conclusion: Although CT is especially valuable in preparing for surgery based on its ability to outline collecting system anatomy, it is important to remember that it can be deceiving. Correlation with kidney, ureter, and bladder radiograph and ultrasound is critical to understanding the clinical case and planning the optimal surgical approach.


On-chip electrochemical microsystems for measurements of copper and conductivity in artificial seawater.
The fabrication and characterisation of microelectrochemical sensors for Cu(2+) and conductivity suitable for operation in the marine environment are presented. The impact of the designs on sensor performance and their adequacy to operate in real conditions are discussed. The sensors, tailored to voltammetric and impedimetric measurements, are fabricated on silicon using photolithographic and thin film deposition techniques. The impedimetric sensor is made of Pt interdigitated electrodes which are used for the measurement of conductivity. The voltammetric sensors are based on a three electrode electrochemical cell with on-chip Ag|AgCl reference and Pt counter and working electrodes, used for detection of copper by underpotential deposition-stripping voltammetry at microelectrode array. The sensors operated in the Cu(2+) concentrations ranging from 0.48 to 3.97 µM with a limit of detection of 0.115 μM. The impact of the temperature, the pH and the salinity of the artificial seawater on the sensitivity for Cu(2+) detection are also considered. Measurements of copper concentration and conductivity are validated using certified reference materials and standard solutions.


Accuracy of hemodialysis modeling.
One- and two-compartmental models of hemodialysis (HD) are well known. These models make it possible to analyze the course of treatment and to predict the effect of dialysis procedures. Mathematical modeling helps physicians to match dialysis therapy to the individual needs of the patient; however, the efficiency of the models depends on the accuracy of the coefficients. How to select coefficients in the case of one-compartmental models is known for urea and creatinine. Less information is available for two-compartmental models. Results on modeling of uric acid concentrations have not been published. The identification of the mathematical model coefficients was based on the concentration measurements of three markers of uremic toxicity (urea, creatinine, and uric acid) in both patients' blood and dialysate. Blood samples were taken from the arterial line several times throughout the dialysis period. Simultaneously, dialysate samples were taken from a test port in the dialyzer outflow line. The mathematical model parameters were determined so as to minimize the deviations between the measured points and the calculated curves. In this way, distribution volumes, cellular clearances, and dialyzer mass transfer coefficients were estimated. For a one-compartmental model, the median value of distribution volume V = 0.56 DW was obtained, where DW is the patient's dry weight. For a two-compartmental model, intercompartment volume Vi = 0.36 DW and extracompartment volume Ve = 0.21 DW. The following median values for cellular clearances were established: urea 415 (mL/min), creatinine 207 (mL/min), and uric acid 257 (mL/min). One- and two-compartmental models describe the concentration of the urea, creatinine, and uric acid very effectively, in contrast with phosphorus, in which modeling results are not satisfactory. Although two-compartmental models are more effective, they are much more complicated than one-compartmental models, which justifies using the one-compartmental model for hemodialysis modeling. A two-compartmental model must be used in the case of rebound phenomenon modeling. The total body water values we have obtained are similar to the anthropometrically based values for urea and creatinine and to a lesser degree for uric acid. Distribution volumes for one- and two-compartmental models obtained from patient weight are the simplest coefficients for mathematical models and have sufficient precision as well. The global value of both compartments is slightly greater than the corresponding value for a one-compartmental model. The effectiveness of dialyzers is in practice lower than might be expected on the basis of the data provided by their manufacturers. Urea cellular clearance is two times greater than creatinine and uric acid cellular clearances. The clearance differences are more prominent for the cellular membrane than for artificial semipermeable membranes.


[Effect of huannao yicong capsule on senile mild cognitive impairment].
To observe the effect of Huannao Yicong capsule (HYC) on senile mild cognitive impairment. Sixty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups, the 31 patients in the treated group were treated with HYC 3 capsules, 3 times daily, and the 31 in the control group with Hydergin 3 tablets, 3 times daily. Treatment for two successive months was a therapeutic course. The changes of cognitive effect index (CEI), integral of measuring scale (CCSE, FQA and MMSE), TCM Syndrome scoring, quality of life (QOL), cerebral arterial blood flow (CBF) and hemorrheologic parameters in the two groups were observed. The total effective rate of treatment in improving cognition in the 30 patients of the treated group (with one case lost) was 83.33%, while that in the 29 patients of the control group (with two cases lost) was 48.28%, the difference between them was significant (u = 2.36, P < 0.05). Intent-to-treat analysis, namely, the case lost in the treated marked as ineffective and those in the control group as effective, showed the total effective rate in the two groups was 80.65% and 51.61% respectively, which also showed significant difference (u = 2.02, P < 0.05). In the treated group after treatment, the integrals of CCSE, FAQ and MMSE significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the TCM Syndrome scoring decreased (P < 0.01), the scoring of QOL significantly improved, the mean BBF increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the cerebral arterial resistance index improved significantly. All these improvements in the treated group were significantly higher than those in the control group respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, the hemorrheologic parameters in the treated group were improved, most of them were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). HYC has good therapeutic effect on senile mild cognitive impairment, it is safe without any adverse reaction.


Dynamics of marine bacterial and phytoplankton populations using multiplex liquid bead array technology.
Heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton dominate the biomass and play major roles in the biogeochemical cycles of the surface ocean. Here, we designed and tested a fast, high-throughput and multiplexed hybridization-based assay to detect populations of marine heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton based on their small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. The assay is based on established liquid bead array technology, an approach that is gaining acceptance in biomedical research but remains underutilized in ecology. End-labelled PCR products are hybridized to taxon-specific oligonucleotide probes attached to fluorescently coded beads followed by flow cytometric detection. We used ribosomal DNA environmental clone libraries (a total of 450 clones) and cultured isolates to design and test 26 bacterial and 10 eukaryotic probes specific to various ribotypes and genera of heterotrophic bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton. Pure environmental clones or cultures were used as controls and demonstrated specificity of the probes to their target taxa. The quantitative nature of the assay was demonstrated by a significant relationship between the number of target molecules and fluorescence signal. Clone library sequencing and bead array fluorescence from the same sample provided consistent results. We then applied the assay to a 37-day time series of coastal surface seawater samples from the Southern California Bight to examine the temporal dynamics of microbial communities on the scale of days to weeks. As expected, several bacterial phylotypes were positively correlated with total bacterial abundances and chlorophyll a concentrations, but others were negatively correlated. Bacterial taxa belonging to the same broad taxonomic groups did not necessarily correlate with one another, confirming recent results suggesting that inferring ecological role from broad taxonomic identity may not always be accurate.


Pancreatic splenosis mimicking neuroendocrine tumors: microhistological diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration.
Pancreatic splenosis is a benign condition which can mimic a pancreatic neoplasm. To describe the role of the endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic nodules suspicious for pancreatic splenosis. From 1997 to 2011, patients with pancreatic solid tumors suspicious for splenosis by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging were referred to EUS-FNA. Those cases with pancreatic splenosis confirmed by EUS-FNA or surgery were included. Endosonographic findings and clinicopathologic features were also analysed. A total of 2,060 patients with pancreatic solid tumors underwent EUS-FNA. Fourteen (0.6%) cases with pancreatic splenosis were found. After applying exclusion criteria, 11 patients were selected. Most patients were male (7), young (mean age: 42 years) and asymptomatic (8). Endoscopic ultrasound imaging alone suspected pancreatic splenosis in 6 cases, and neuroendocrine tumors in 5 cases. Pancreatic splenosis was found most commonly in the tail, was round, hypoechoic, with homogeneous pattern, regular borders, and with scintigraphy negative for somatostatin receptors. The average diameter of these nodules identified by endoscopic ultrasound was 2.15 cm. Microhistology obtained by EUS-FNA confirmed the diagnosis in 9/10 patients. Pancreatic splenosis can be diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Microhistology prevents unnecessary surgeries, and reassures asymptomatic patients with hypoechoic, homogeneous, and well circumscribed pancreatic nodules.


Successive Cleavage and Reconstruction of Lignin β-O-4 Models and Polymer to Access Quinoxalines.
The construction of N-heterocyclic compounds from lignin remains a great challenge due to the complex lignin structure and the involvement of multiple steps, including the cleavage of lignin C-O linkages and the formation of heterocyclic aromatic rings. Herein, the first example of KOH mediated sustainable synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives from lignin β-O-4 model compounds in a one-pot fashion under transition-metal-free conditions has been achieved. Mechanistic studies suggested that this transformation includes highly coupled cascade steps of cleavage of C-O bonds, dehydrative condensation, sp3 C-H bond oxidative activation, and intramolecular dehydrative coupling reaction. With this protocol, a wide range of functionalized quinoxalines, including an important drug compound AG1295, were synthesized from lignin β-O-4 model compounds and β-O-4 polymer, showcasing the application potential of lignin in pharmaceutical synthesis.


The effect of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level children.
There is limited evidence about the effects of systemic zinc supplementation on oral health in healthy children. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of oral zinc supplementation on oral health in low socioeconomic level primary school children. In this double-blind randomized study, 68 children were randomly separated into two groups (study and placebo) to receive 15 mg/day elemental zinc or placebo syrup five days a week for 10 weeks. Oral examinations were performed before and after supplementation. After supplementation, the Gingival Index improved statistically in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the Plaque Index improved statistically only in the zinc group (p = 0.02). After supplementation, the Plaque Index scores increased in 13 cases and decreased in 15 in the placebo group (p = 0.70) and increased in only 6 cases and decreased in 18 in the study group (p = 0.02). Oral zinc supplementation may contribute to the prevention of dental caries in low socioeconomic level primary school healthy children.


Feasibility of single-beat full-volume capture real-time three-dimensional echocardiography for quantification of right ventricular volume: validation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
The lack of an accurate noninvasive method for assessing right ventricular (RV) volume and function has been a major deficiency of two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. The aim of our study was to test the feasibility of single-beat full-volume capture with real-time three-dimensional echo (3DE) imaging system for the evaluation of RV volumes and function validated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Sixty-one subjects (16 normal subjects, 20 patients with hypertension, 16 patients with pulmonary heart disease and 9 patients with coronary heart disease) were studied. RV volume and function assessments using 3DE were compared with manual tracing with CMRI as the reference method. Fifty-nine of 61 patients (96.7%; 36 male, mean age, 62 ± 15 years) had adequate three-dimensional echocardiographic data sets for analysis. The mean RV end diastolic volume (EDV) was 105 ± 38 ml, end-systolic volume (ESV) was 60 ± 30 and RV ejection fraction (EF) was 44 ± 11% by CMRI; and EDV 103 ± 38 ml, ESV 60 ± 28 ml and RV EF 41 ± 13% by 3DE. The correlations and agreements between measurements estimated by two methods were acceptable. RV volumes and function can be analyzed with 3DE software in most of subjects with or without heart diseases, which is able to be estimated with single-beat full-volume capture with real-time 3DE compared with CMRI.


Rectal carcinoma: are we making a difference?
Evaluation of preliminary results at our institution revealed an improvement in survival of patients treated for rectal cancer from 1950-1988. A study was conducted to analyze responsible factors. A total of 335 patients with accurate staging and follow up for at least 5 years or until death were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 335 patients, 295 (88%) were treated by surgical resection, abdominal perineal resection (APR) (n=179), and anterior resections (n=105), the most common procedures. Operative mortality for patients with curable disease (n=188) was 18 per cent (n=34), which has significantly decreased from 24 per cent (n=28) (1950-1969) to 8 per cent (n=6) (1970-1988), (P < 0.01). Operative mortality for APR and anterior resection was 22 per cent (n=29) and 8 per cent (n=5), respectively. Mortality for APR decreased from 28 per cent (1950-1969) to 10 per cent (1970-1988) (P < 0.02) accounting for most of the improvement. Of the 335 patients, 142 (42%) presented with stage IV disease, which decreased from 54 per cent (n=47) (1950s) to 22 per cent (n=10) (1980s), P < 0.01. The overall 5-year survival was 19 per cent (n=64), with a corresponding increase per decade from 13 per cent (1950s) to 43 per cent (1980s), (P < 0.001). Of the remaining 188 patients, 41 had involved surgical margins and decreased 5-year survival of 8 per cent when compared to patients with clear surgical margins (37%) P < 0.01). Multifactor analysis revealed that stage of disease at presentation, involved surgical margins, and operative mortality were significant independent variables. Earlier stage at presentation and improved operative management increased the survival of patients with rectal cancer at our institution.


[Effect of chemokine interleukin-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 on the angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer].
To detect the expressions of chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1) mRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, to analyze their relationship with microvessel counts (MVC), and their significance in clinic pathologic features of NSCLC. In situ hybridization was used to measure the expressions of chemokine IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1 mRNA in 40 NSCLC tissues and 10 normal pulmonary tissues, and immunohistochemical staining was carried out to measure the MVC in the above tissues. The positive ratios of IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1 mRNA in the 40 NSCLC tissues were apparently higher than those in the 10 normal contrast tissues and the difference was statistically significant. The numbers varied accordingly with the different clinic pathologic features of NSCLC, showing that Group T(3) > Group T(2) or Group T(1), Group III stage> Group II stage> Group I stage Group lymph node and remote transferred > Group non-transferred, and Group of survival time no more than 3 years > Group of survival time more than 3 years. The positive expressions among IL-8, MCP-1,and MIP-1 mRNA and between these and the MVC all had mutually positive correlation. Chemokine IL-8, MIP-1, and MIP-1 in NSCLC tissues might cooperate with one another to promote the tumor angiogenesis and affect the progression, metastasis and prognosis of the tumor.


Epigenetics of Mitochondria-Associated Genes in Striated Muscle.
Striated muscle has especially large energy demands. We identified 97 genes preferentially expressed in skeletal muscle and heart, but not in aorta, and found significant enrichment for mitochondrial associations among them. We compared the epigenomic and transcriptomic profiles of the 27 genes associated with striated muscle and mitochondria. Many showed strong correlations between their tissue-specific transcription levels, and their tissue-specific promoter, enhancer, or open chromatin as well as their DNA hypomethylation. Their striated muscle-specific enhancer chromatin was inside, upstream, or downstream of the gene, throughout much of the gene as a super-enhancer (CKMT2, SLC25A4, and ACO2), or even overlapping a neighboring gene (COX6A2, COX7A1, and COQ10A). Surprisingly, the 3' end of the 1.38 Mb PRKN (PARK2) gene (involved in mitophagy and linked to juvenile Parkinson's disease) displayed skeletal muscle/myoblast-specific enhancer chromatin, a myoblast-specific antisense RNA, as well as brain-specific enhancer chromatin. We also found novel tissue-specific RNAs in brain and embryonic stem cells within PPARGC1A (PGC-1α), which encodes a master transcriptional coregulator for mitochondrial formation and metabolism. The tissue specificity of this gene's four alternative promoters, including a muscle-associated promoter, correlated with nearby enhancer chromatin and open chromatin. Our in-depth epigenetic examination of these genes revealed previously undescribed tissue-specific enhancer chromatin, intragenic promoters, regions of DNA hypomethylation, and intragenic noncoding RNAs that give new insights into transcription control for this medically important set of genes.


[In vitro antibacterial activity of pazufloxacin (PZFX) against clinical isolates from infectious enteritis].
Antibacterial activity of pazufloxacin (PZFX) against 65 strains of Shigella spp., 13 strains of Salmonella spp., 7 strains of Escherichia coli, 4 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4 strains of V. cholerae O1, 2 strains of Aeromonas spp., 4 strains of Plesionomas shigelloides and 3 strains of V. cholerae non-O1 isolated from patients of infectious enteritis and carriers was compared with that of ofloxacin (OFLX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), tosufloxacin (TFLX) and nalidixic acid (NA). The MIC90 of PZFX against Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli were 0.025, 0.025 and 0.025 micrograms/ml, respectively. The MIC90 of PZFX against Shigella spp. was comparable to that of CPFX, 2-fold higher than that of TFLX and 4-fold lower than that of OFLX. Against Salmonella spp., MIC90 of PZFX was comparable to TFLX and 2- to 8-fold lower than those of CPFX and OFLX. PZFX showed the highest antibacterial activity between the drugs tested. Against other species, the MIC90 values of PZFX were < or = 0.006-0.1 micrograms/ml. No NA-resistant isolates were observed. The antibacterial activity of PZFX against stocked strains (clinical isolates from Aug 1989 to Feb 1991), containing 51 strains of Shigella spp., 50 strains of Salmonella spp., 19 strains of E. coli, 12 strains of V. cholerae O1 and 13 strains of V. parahaemolyticus, was also investigated. The MIC90 of PZFX of each strains were 0.05 micrograms/ml for Shigella spp., 0.05 micrograms/ml for Salmonella spp., 0.1 micrograms/ml for E. coli, 0.0125 micrograms/ml for V. cholerae O1, 0.2 micrograms/ml for V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. As shown above, PZFX has strong antibacterial activity against isolates from infectious enteritis and this suggests the usefulness of PZFX for the treatment of these patients and carriers.


Effect of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) deficiency on atherosclerotic plaque stability in the apolipoprotein E deficient mouse.
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a cross-linking enzyme that confers supra-molecular structures with extra rigidity and resistance against proteolytic degradation, is expressed in the shoulder regions of human atherosclerotic plaques. It has been proposed that TG2 prevents tearing and promotes plaque repair at these potential weak points, and also promotes ectopic calcification of arteries. TG2 is also expressed within plaques that develop within the brachiocephalic arteries of apolipoprotein E (apoE) deficient mice. To determine the role that TG2 plays in plaque development and calcification, mice were bred that were doubly deficient in apoE and TG2, and were maintained on a high-fat diet for 6 months. Lesion size and composition were not significantly altered in the apoE/TG2 double-knockout mice, with the exception of a 9.7% decrease in the proportion of the plaque occupied by lipid (p=0.032). The frequency of buried fibrous caps within brachiocephalic plaques was significantly higher in male than in female mice, but TG2 deficiency had no effect on either gender. The extent of lesion calcification varied markedly between individual mice, but it was not decreased in the apoE/TG2 double-knockout mice. These data indicate that, in the apoE knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis, TG2 does not influence plaque composition or calcification. The data further suggest that TG2 does not influence plaque stability or repair in these mice.


Radionuclide concentration ratios in Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock: data compilation and analysis.
Radionuclide concentrations in Australian terrestrial fauna, including indigenous kangaroos and lizards, as well as introduced sheep and water buffalo, are of interest when considering doses to human receptors and doses to the biota itself. Here, concentration ratio (CR) values for a variety of endemic and introduced Australian animals with a focus on wildlife and livestock inhabiting open rangeland are derived and reported. The CR values are based on U- and Th-series concentration data obtained from previous studies at mining sites and (241)Am and (239/240)Pu data from a former weapons testing site. Soil-to-muscle CR values of key natural-series radionuclides for grazing Australian kangaroo and sheep are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of grazing cattle in North and South America, and for (210)Po, (230)Th, and (238)U are one to two orders of magnitude higher than the ERICA tool reference values. When comparing paired kangaroo and sheep CR values, results are linearly correlated (r = 0.81) for all tissue types. However, kidney and liver CR values for kangaroo are typically higher than those of sheep, particularly for (210)Pb, and (210)Po, with values in kangaroo liver more than an order of magnitude higher than those in sheep liver. Concentration ratios for organs are typically higher than those for muscle including those for (241)Am and (239/240)Pu in cooked kangaroo and rabbit samples. This study provides CR values for Australian terrestrial wildlife and livestock and suggests higher accumulation rates for select radionuclides in semi-arid Australian conditions compared with those associated with temperate conditions.


Pre- and Post-Operative Nutrition Assessment in Patients with Colon Cancer Undergoing Ileostomy.
Patients undergoing ileostomy surgery often experience electrolyte disturbances and dehydration, especially during the first post-operative period. Recently, research has also begun on how the newly constructed ileostomy affects the patient's nutritional status. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the nutritional status of patients before and after the construction of the ileostomy as well as nutrition-related factors. This was a pilot study. The sample consisted of 13 adult patients diagnosed with colorectal or colon cancer who underwent scheduled ileostomy surgery. The evaluation tool used was "Original Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)". Patients underwent nutritional assessment before the surgery (time 0), on the 7th post-operative day (time 1), and on the 20th post-operative day (time 2). The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. All patients had a drop in MNA score on the 7th and 20th post-operative days. Factors associated with MNA were weight loss, mobility, body mass index (BMI), number of full meals consumed per day, portions of fruits and vegetables consumed per day, and mid-arm circumference, p < 0.05, respectively. Pre-operatively, 38.5%, of patients had severe weight loss (>3 kg), 23% moderate weight loss and 38.5% minimal weight loss. Pre-operatively, 92.3% of participants were able to move on their own and 69.2% on the 20th post-operatively day. Furthermore, BMI >23 kg/m2 had 84.6% of participants pre-operatively and 30.8% on the 20th post-operative day. In terms of portions of fruits and vegetables consumed per day, 30.8% of patients consumed at least 2 times, pre-operatively and no one (0%) on the 20th post-operative day. Moreover, pre-operatively all participants (100%) had arm circumference >22 cm while on the 20th post-operative day, only 38.5% of participants had arm circumference >22 cm. In the first 20 days after the construction of an ileostomy, the nutritional status of the patients is significantly affected. Decreased patient nutrition in both quantity and ingredients and reduced fluid intake appear to adversely affect the patient's nutritional status.


[Lumbar spinal stenosis in systemic diseases and in hereditary syndromes].
In the general category of congenital spinal stenosis, there is a group of patients with particular features: patients suffering from a hereditary or systemic disease with congenital narrowing of the spinal canal. Evaluation of their neurological symptoms is influenced by the peculiarities of the underlying disease. The tendency toward paralysis and paraplegia is much higher in those patients. Attention must especially be given to technical details when operating on achondroplastic dwarfs. Early, most extensive surgery is recommended. We report our experience between 1987 and 1992 with operations on 6 cases of stenosis of the lumbar canal with hereditary or systemic disease.


Structures on the I-A molecule predisposing for susceptibility to type II collagen-induced autoimmune arthritis.
The susceptibility to type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice is profoundly influenced by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes in the H-2 region. Analyses of MHC-congenic strains on the B10 background show that only strains developing an anti-CII antibody response after immunization with autologous CII develop arthritis after induction with CII from various species. The susceptible haplotypes have been found to be H-2q, H-2r, H-2w3 and H-2w17. In addition, these haplotypes respond to different patterns of CII derived from various species suggesting that T cell receptors and CII peptides interact. In contrast, certain haplotypes closely related to H-2q, such as the H-2p and H-2w5 haplotypes, are resistant to induction of CIA and are nonresponders to CII. We have earlier shown that a critical structure on the I-A beta molecule determines the susceptibility differences between the p and q haplotypes. We have now determined the structure of exon 2 of the A beta as well as some of the A alpha genes of the remaining haplotypes in the p, q and r families. The sequences show similarities between the CIA-susceptible haplotypes in the A beta C-terminal part and the A alpha N-terminal part of the first domains forming a large part of the antigenic peptide-binding site. Among the wild mouse-derived haplotypes, the w5 haplotype showed an A beta sequence identical to that of the p haplotype consistent with its nonresponder nature to CII immunization. These findings suggest that (a) structures shared between different class II molecules are of importance for the susceptibility to disease in mouse strains and (b) most likely recognition of different CII peptides is important for development of disease.


Cervical Human Papillomavirus Testing With Two Home Self-Collection Methods Compared With a Standard Clinically Collected Sampling Method.
The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of 2 self-collection methods to detect cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA with outcomes from a standard clinical method. The standard method samples were collected by a clinician at a routine pelvic examination. Self-samples were taken at home and mailed to the clinical laboratory. The 2 self-collection methods were a tampon-based method and a swab-based method using a commercial device, an Eve Medical HerSwab. All HPV samples were processed by a clinical laboratory using the Food and Drugs Administration approved Roche Cobase HPV method, which specifically identifies HPV 16, HPV 18, and a set of 12 other high-risk subtypes. Patients were recruited from 2 cancer screening clinics 2015 to 2017. All patients signed an informed consent. Screening outcomes, such as prevalence, percent agreement with standard, sensitivity, and specificity, were calculated for each self-collection method. Measures of similarity between self and standard collection outcomes, Cohen's κ, percent concordance, McNemar equivalence, and others were tested statistically. One hundred seventy-four patients were randomized. The prevalence of 1 or more positive HPV high-risk subtypes from the standard clinical specimens was 13.5%. All clinical specimens were sufficient for valid HPV detection. For the tampon method, 15 (27%) of the specimens were insufficient quality. Only 1 (2%) swab specimen was insufficient. Only the swab self-collection method was found to be statistically noninferior to the clinical method. The tampon method had an unacceptably high rate of insufficient quality specimens and also failed the equivalency tests. The swab home collection samples were equivalent to the clinical samples, but the tampon method had an unacceptably high rate of specimens insufficient for HPV detection.


TLR3-Activated Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Trigger Progression from Acute Viral Infection to Chronic Disease in the Lung.
Acute infection is implicated as a trigger for chronic inflammatory disease, but the full basis for this switch is uncertain. In this study, we examine this issue using a mouse model of chronic lung disease that develops after respiratory infection with a natural pathogen (Sendai virus). We investigate this model using a combination of TLR3-deficient mice and adoptive transfer of immune cells into these mice versus the comparable responses in wild-type mice. We found that acute and transient expression of TLR3 on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) was selectively required to induce long-term expression of IL-33 and consequent type 2 immune-driven lung disease. Unexpectedly, moDC participation was not based on canonical TLR3 signaling and relied instead on a trophic effect to expand the alveolar epithelial type 2 cell population beyond repair of tissue injury and thereby provide an enriched and persistent cell source of IL-33 required for progression to a disease phenotype that includes lung inflammation, hyperreactivity, excess mucus production, and remodeling. The findings thereby provide a framework wherein viral infection activates TLR3 in moDCs as a front-line immune cell niche upstream of lung epithelial cells to drive the type 2 immune response, leading to chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung (such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in humans) and perhaps progressive and long-term postviral disease in general.


A single nucleotide polymorphism in Prostate Stem Cell Antigen is associated with endoscopic grading in Kyoto classification of gastritis.
The risk allele of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2294008 in the Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene is strongly associated with gastric cancer. Although the Kyoto classification score is believed to be an indicator of gastric cancer risk, it lacks supporting genetic evidence. We investigated the effect of this risk allele of PSCA SNP on the Kyoto score. Participants without a history of gastric cancer or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, H. pylori evaluation, and SNP genotyping. The Kyoto score is the sum of scores obtained from endoscopy-based atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, enlarged folds, nodularity, and diffuse redness. The Kyoto score is novel in the light of scoring for gastritis. A total of 323 patients were enrolled (number of individuals with genotype CC: 52; CT: 140; TT: 131, average age: 50.1 years, male: 50.8%). The patient baseline characteristics including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, drinking, family history of gastric cancer, and H. pylori status had no association with PSCA SNP. The Kyoto score was higher in T (CT or TT genotype; risk allele) carriers than in CC carriers. Atrophy, enlarged folds, and diffuse redness scores were higher in T allele carriers (risk allele) than in CC genotype individuals. In multivariate analysis, the Kyoto score was independently associated with PSCA SNP (OR: 1.30, p = 0.012). Thus, the Kyoto score was associated with a genetic predisposition.


Habitat heterogeneity induced by pyrogenic organic matter in wildfire-perturbed soils mediates bacterial community assembly processes.
Although pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) generated during wildfires plays a critical role in post-fire ecosystem recovery, the specific mechanisms by which PyOM controls soil microbial community assembly after wildfire perturbation remain largely uncharacterized. Herein we characterized the effect of PyOM on soil bacterial communities at two independent wildfire-perturbed forest sites. We observed that α-diversity of bacterial communities was the highest in wildfire-perturbed soils and that bacterial communities gradually changed along a sequence of unburnt soil → burnt soil → PyOM. The microbial communities reconstructed from unburnt soil and PyOM resembled the real bacterial communities in wildfire-perturbed soils in their α-diversity and community structure. Bacterial specialists in PyOM and soils clustered in phylogenetic coherent lineages with intra-lineage pH-niche conservatism and inter-lineage pH-niche divergence. Our results suggest that PyOM mediates bacterial community assembly in wildfire-perturbed soils by a combination of environmental selection and dispersal of phylogenetic coherent specialists with habitat preference in the heterogeneous microhabitats of burnt soils with distinct PyOM patches.


Rapidly Processed Stool Swabs Approximate Stool Microbiota Profiles.
Studies of the intestinal microbiome commonly utilize stool samples to measure the microbial composition in the distal gut. However, collection of stool can be difficult from some subjects under certain experimental conditions. Sampling of fecal material using sterile swabs can streamline sample collection, handling, and processing. In this study, we validate the use of swabs of fecal matter to approximate measurements of microbiota in stool using 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing and evaluate the effects of shipping time at ambient temperatures on accuracy. The results indicate that swab samples reliably replicate the stool microbiota bacterial composition, alpha diversity, and beta diversity when swabs are processed quickly (≤2 days) but that sample quality quickly degrades after this period and is accompanied by increased abundances of Enterobacteriaceae Fresh swabs appear to be a viable alternative to stool sampling when standard collection methods are challenging, but extended exposure to ambient temperatures prior to processing threatens sample integrity.IMPORTANCE Collection of fecal swab samples simplifies handling, processing, and archiving compared to collection of stool. This study confirms that fecal swabs reliably replicate the bacterial composition and diversity of stool samples, provided that the swabs are processed shortly after collection. These findings support the use of fecal swabs, when shipping and handling are done properly, to streamline measurements of intestinal microbiota.


Effect of systemic hypotension on cerebral energy metabolism during chronic cerebral vasospasm in primates.
The influence of systemic hypotension on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and energy metabolism during chronic cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage was studied in 15 monkeys. Changes in the phosphorus spectrum, as demonstrated by in vivo phosphorus-31 (31P) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, or in regional CBF were measured in the parietal cortex during graded hypotension. Sequential changes in the phosphorus spectrum were observed during moderate hypotension in the animals 7 days after the introduction of an autologous blood clot around the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Angiograms revealed a reduction in vessel caliber by approximately 50% in the right MCA. The mean CBF in the spasm side decreased in parallel with a decrease in the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) from 120 to 40 mm Hg, indicating the abolition of autoregulation. There were no significant differences in the mean percentage totals of inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and pH between the hemispheres at baseline MABP before hypotension. The values of PCr, ATP, and pH decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and Pi increased significantly (p < 0.05) at an MABP of less than 60 mm Hg in the involved hemisphere. The ratio of PCr:Pi decreased in parallel with a decrease in MABP. The ATP showed a stepwise decrease during moderate hypotension (MABP 60 mm Hg) and was reduced significantly 20 minutes after the beginning of hypotension (p < 0.05). The results indicate that, during chronic vasospasm, changes in cerebral energy metabolism are coupled with changes in CBF in the state of impaired autoregulation. There exists a critical level for ischemia below which high-energy phosphorus metabolites become markedly depleted. It is suggested that 31P MR spectroscopy may be useful to evaluate the ischemic vulnerability of brain tissue in order to prevent delayed neurological deficit during cerebral vasospasm.


What are the nonsurgical treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is now recognized as a relatively common cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, with resultant psychosocial impairment and motor vehicle accidents, and it likely contributes to premature cardiovascular disease. Treatment is naturally directed at the upper airway; however, it is also important to identify and correct significant risk factors, such as obesity and hypothyroidism, whenever possible. Oral appliances or nasal continuous positive airway pressure may immediately reverse symptoms caused by OSA and can be used either indefinitely or as a bridge to potentially definitive surgery.


The futility of the chest radiograph in the febrile infant without respiratory symptoms.
Major pediatric textbooks advocate a chest radiograph as part of the diagnostic evaluation for a sepsis workup for febrile infants less than 3 months old. Very few studies have addressed the value of performing a chest radiograph in this situation. Two studies previously published lack the numbers to statistically justify a conclusion about the need to perform a chest radiograph in the febrile infant. Evaluated were 197 febrile infants 3 months old or less with a history, physical examination, chest radiograph, and other laboratory studies to determine the cause of their fever. This group of infants was combined with the group of infants from two similar studies published previously in the literature using cumulative meta-analysis. The combined group resulted in 617 infants. The combined group of infants had 361 infants who had no clinical evidence of pulmonary disease on history or physical examination. All 361 infants had normal chest radiograph. These results gave a 95% confidence interval that the chance of a positive chest radiograph in a patient with no pulmonary symptoms would occur less than 1.02% of the time. The generally advocated policy of obtaining a chest radiograph as part of the sepsis workup in febrile infants should be discontinued, and chest radiographs should be obtained only in febrile infants who have clinical indications of pulmonary disease.


Expression of the cell cycle phosphatase cdc25C is down-regulated by the tumor suppressor protein p53 but not by p73.
The cdc25C phosphatase dephosphorylates cdc2 kinase which then in complex with cyclin B can catalyse transition from the G(2) phase to mitosis. We demonstrate that transcription of cdc25C is repressed by p53 in a dose-dependent manner. In stably transfected DLD-1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, cdc25C expression is down-regulated when p53 is induced from a (tet)-off-regulated system. In contrast to p53, its homologue p73 is not able to down-modulate cdc25C expression. A previously identified site in the cdc25C promoter can bind p53 in vitro and, when placed in a heterologous construct, is able to activate transcription. However, transcriptional repression by p53 is not mediated through this site but is dependent on a segment containing three CCAAT-boxes. In general down-regulation of cdc25C transcription by reducing the levels of active cdc2 kinase contributes to G(2) arrest and G(2)/M checkpoint control. This reveals functional differences between p73 and p53 in regulating cell division.


Racial disparities in the association between resilience and ART adherence among people living with HIV: the mediating role of depression.
Research examining the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between resilience and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mediating role of depression between resilience and ART adherence, as well as to explore whether this relationship varies across racial background. A total of 327 people living with HIV and on ART in South Carolina were surveyed about their ART adherence and mental health, including resilience and depressive symptoms. Path analyses were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects between resilience, depressive symptoms, and ART adherence. After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, employment and time since diagnosis, among Black individuals, resilience was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (β = --0.248, p < 0.001); depressive symptoms were negatively associated with ART adherence (β = -0.166, p = 0.020); however, resilience was not significantly associated with ART adherence. Among White individuals, there was no statistically significant association. The indirect effect between resilience and ART adherence through depressive symptoms was statistically significant (β = 0.041, p = 0.040) for Black individuals, while not statistically significant for White individuals (β = 0.024, p = 0.578). Interventions aimed at improving ART adherence, which attenuate depressive symptoms through accentuating resilience may be especially beneficial for Black populations living with HIV.


Evidence for targeting of Yop effectors by the chromosomally encoded Ysa type III secretion system of Yersinia enterocolitica.
Yersinia enterocolitica O:8 has two contact-dependent type III secretion systems (TTSSs). The Ysa TTSS is encoded by a set of genes located on the chromosome and exports Ysp proteins. The Ysc TTSS and the Yop effector proteins it exports are encoded by genes located on plasmid pYVe8081. In this study, secretion of YspG, YspH, and YspJ by the Ysa TTSS was shown to require pYVe8081. Furthermore, mutations that blocked the function of the Ysc TTSS did not affect YspG, YspH, and YspJ production. This indicated that YspG, YspH, and YspJ are encoded by genes located on pYVe8081 and that they may correspond to Yops. A comparison of Ysps with Yop effectors secreted by Y. enterocolitica indicated that YspG, YspH, and YspJ have apparent molecular masses similar to those of YopN, YopP, and YopE, respectively. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that antibodies directed against YopN, YopP, and YopE recognized YspG, YspH, and YspJ. Furthermore, mutations in yopN, yopP, and yopE specifically blocked YopN, YopP, and YopE secretion by the Ysc TTSS and YspG, YspH, and YspJ secretion by the Ysa TTSS. These results indicate YspG, YspH, and YspJ are actually YopN, YopP, and YopE. Additional analysis demonstrated that YopP and YspH secretion was restored to yopP mutants by complementation in trans with a wild-type copy of the yopP gene. Examination of Y. enterocolitica-infected J774A.1 macrophages revealed that both the Ysc and Ysa TTSSs contribute to YopP-dependent suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha production. This indicates that both the Ysa and Ysc TTSSs are capable of targeting YopP and that they influence Y. enterocolitica interactions with macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the Ysa and Ysc TTSSs contribute to Y. enterocolitica virulence by exporting both unique and common subsets of effectors.


Increased expression of long non-coding RNA GLIDR in prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer (PCa) was one of the most common cancers in males in China. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), a class of non-coding RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides, played key roles in the progression of prostate cancer. GLIDR, a novel long intergenic ncRNA, was found to be upregulated in tumors compared to normal tissues by using publically databases. In the clinical validation cohort, our results showed GLIDR was significantly up-regulated in prostate cancer samples and cell lines. To explore the potential functions of the GLIDR, we constructed gene co-expression networks and applied GO analysis. Our analysis revealed that GLIDR was involved in the regulation of translational elongation, transcription, rRNA processing, RNA splicing, signal transduction, and cell adhesion. Furthermore, a GLIDR-mediated ceRNA network in prostate cancer was also identified. We believed that this study still provided some clues in exploring new therapeutic and prognostic targets for prostate cancer.


Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the top end of Australia's Northern Territory.
To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the Top End of the Northern Territory. A retrospective review (in some instances as far back as the 1960s) of all cases of known or suspected acute rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart diseases, with prospective validation of clinical status where necessary. Cases were ascertained from hospital and community medical clinic records and medical staff; and from records and health staff of 10 rural communities. Three hundred and eighty-six revised Jones criteria-confirmed episodes of acute rheumatic fever were documented in 249 individuals (99% Aboriginal). The annual incidence of confirmed acute rheumatic fever between 1989 and 1993 was 254 per 100,000 Aboriginal people aged 5 to 14 years. A more accurate estimate of 651 per 100,000 came from 10 rural communities with more complete information. As of 1995, there were 286 people living with established rheumatic heart disease (95% Aboriginal). The point prevalence of rheumatic heart disease among Aboriginal people was 9.6 per 1000, with a rate of 24 per 1000 in one large rural community. Sydenham's chorea was common, and associated with later rheumatic heart disease in 49% of cases. There was a preponderance of females with acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and chorea. In Aboriginal people in rural northern Australia the incidence of acute rheumatic fever is higher than that reported anywhere in the world, and the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease is among the highest in the world. While continuing attention must be paid to alleviating the causes of these diseases of poverty, immediate action is needed to improve diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, adherence to secondary benzathine penicillin prophylaxis regimens, and follow-up of rheumatic heart disease cases.


Improving pediatric chemotherapy safety through voluntary incident reporting: lessons from the field.
A multidisciplinary team within Vanderbilt Children's Hospital (VCH) designed, developed, and implemented a pediatric chemotherapy incident reporting and improvement system (CIRIS) for pediatric oncology nurse and pharmacists. The aim of this collaboration was to improve pediatric chemotherapy by translating recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine into an operational safety improvement system that is embedded into daily care processes. CIRIS improves chemotherapy safety by linking two distinct components: (a) a technical component that uses desktop, laptop, and portable wireless handheld computers to interface the Web-based software application for point-of-care incident reporting and on-demand retrieval of patient support information, and (b) a human component that performs process analysis, data reporting, and clinical improvement. This integrated system facilitates and supports a blame-free culture for reporting of near misses and preventable adverse drug events. Between February 8, 2002, and March 9, 2003, pediatric oncology nurses and chemotherapy pharmacists electronically reported 97 chemotherapy-related incidents associated with 96 unique patients. Ordering errors were the most commonly reported incidents. CIRIS improved reporting performance demonstrated using the conventional paper-based reporting system.


T lymphocyte cytokine profile at a single cell level in alveolar Echinococcosis.
The metacestode Echinococcus multilocularis causes a life-threatening disease in humans, named alveolar echinococcosis (AE). A comparative analysis of the early activation marker CD69 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with AE and healthy controls after in vitro culture with crude E. multilocularis antigen revealed that specific expression of CD69 was induced in CD4(+)T lymphocytes as well as in CD8(+)T lymphocytes. Using a protocol for intracellular staining of cytokines followed by fluorescence activating cell sorting (FACS) analysis, production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5 and IL-10 was detected in CD4(+)as well as in CD8(+)lymphocytes. Most notably, there was a definite increase in the expression of IL-10 in CD8(+) lymphocytes from patients with alveolar echinococcosis. The data support an important role of CD8(+) lymphocytes in the long persistence of the metacestode.


[Enhanced heterologous expression of the cytochrome c from uncultured anaerobic methanotrophic archaea].
Cytochrome c is a type of heme proteins that are widely distributed in living organisms. It consists of heme and apocytochrome c, and has potential applications in bioelectronics, biomedicine and pollutant degradation. However, heterologous overexpression of cytochrome c is still challenging. To date, expression of the cytochrome c from uncultured anaerobic methanotrophic archaea has not been reported, and nothing is known about the function of this cytochrome c. A his tagged cytochrome c was successfully expressed in E. coli by introducing a thrombin at the N-terminus of CytC4 and co-expressing CcmABCDEFGH, which is responsible for the maturation of cytochrome c. Shewanella oneidensis, which naturally has enzymes for cytochrome c maturation, was then used as a host to further increase the expression of CytC4. Indeed, a significantly higher expression of CytC4 was achieved in S. oneidensis when compared with in E. coli. The successful heterologous overexpression of CytC4 will facilitate the exploitation of its physiological functions and biotechnological applications.


Magnetic alginate-layered double hydroxide composites for phosphate removal.
The objective of this study was to investigate phosphate removal using magnetic alginate-layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites. The magnetic composites were prepared by entrapping synthetic magnetic iron oxide and calcined Mg-Al LDH in polymer matrix (alginate). Results showed that the magnetic composites (2% magnetic iron oxide and 6% calcined Mg-Al LDH) were effective in the removal of phosphate with the sorption capacity of 5.0 +/- 0.1 mgP/g under given experimental conditions (adsorbent dose = 0.05 g in 30 ml solution; initial phosphate concentration = 10 mgP/l; reaction time = 24 h). Both magnetic iron oxide and calcined Mg-Al LDH have the ability to adsorb phosphate, with the latter having much higher sorption capacity. In the magnetic composites, calcined Mg-Al LDH functions as a phosphate adsorbent while magnetic iron oxide provides both magnetic and sorption properties. Results also demonstrated that phosphate sorption to the magnetic composites reached equilibrium at 24 h. The maximum phosphate sorption capacity was determined to be 39.1 mgP/g. In addition, phosphate removal was not sensitive to initial solution pH between 4.1 and 10.2. Only 9% of the phosphate sorption capacity was reduced as the solution pH increased from 4.1 to 10.2. This study demonstrated that magnetic alginate-LDH composites could be used for phosphate removal in combination with magnetic separation.


A study on habit of preservation of prescriptions by pregnant women in India.
Irrational use of medicine is very common in developing countries like India. Drug or medicine use during pregnancy is an important event for both mother and child. Thalidomide disaster showed the adverse effects of drugs on the unborn child. Knowledge about use of medicines can play a crucial role in rational drug use. Prescription is an important tool to assess the past clinical condition of patients and the use of medicines for them. The present study explored the habit of preservation of previous prescriptions in the pregnant women of villages of Wardha District of Maharashtra state of India. This is an observational cross sectional survey using predesigned, precoded and pretested questionnaire. This study showed an interesting habit of these women. 81% of pregnant women have a habit of preservation of prescription as an important document. It was clear that with increasing level of formal education there is a definite increase in habit of preservation of prescription among the pregnant women in rural areas of India.


Use of affinity capillary electrophoresis to determine kinetic and equilibrium constants for binding of arylsulfonamides to bovine carbonic anhydrase.
Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) provides a new approach to studying protein-ligand interactions. The basis for ACE is the change in the electrophoretic mobility of the protein when it forms a complex with its ligand. This binding interaction can be quantified directly for charged ligands or indirectly for neutral ligands in competition with a previously characterized charged ligand. Determination of kinetic and equilibrium constants using ACE relies only on the changes in the migration time and shape (but not the area) of the peak due to protein. Simulation of the protein mobility under conditions of ACE suggests that the experimentally obtained electropherograms can be explained in terms of few variables: on and off rates (and thus, binding constant), concentration of the ligand(s), and relative mobilities of the protein and its complex(es).


Use of psychotropic drug urine test strips in opiate maintenance therapy: A clinical assessment of its advantages.
Methadone and buprenorphine are the 2 opiate maintenance treatments (OMTs) available in France. According to good clinical practices, a full clinical and biological assessment is required before deciding to initiate or renew an OMT. For methadone, this assessment includes psychoactive drug consumption investigation through an initial interview completed by a systematic urine test mandatory before starting methadone treatment. In case of buprenorphine prescription, the situation is less clear and the urine test was not systematically performed. This work aims at evaluating changes in the therapeutic strategy brought by the systematic use of urine strips for detecting drug consumptions. During 1 month, for each case of OMT renewal, physicians belonging to the 3 types of prescribing structures in France (general medicine, specialized centers for drug addict patients, and specialized centers for drug addict patients in prison) had to complete a specific questionnaire about prescription renewal. This questionnaire contained 2 parts. The first part was completed by the physicians before the urine test strip realization. The second part was completed by the same physicians at the end of the consultation, after obtaining the results from the urine test strip. A change between parts 1 and 2 of the questionnaire concerning OMT prescription, dialogue with the patient, associated psychotropic drug prescription, and orientation were considered as a change in therapeutic strategy. A total of 429 questionnaires have been collected. Among them, 315 showed at least 1 change in therapeutic strategy (73.4%). This study highlighted the important benefits brought by the urine test strip in managing patients under opiate maintenance treatment. Urine test strips provided an immediate answer that allowed physicians to optimize their therapeutic strategy. However, regulatory evolutions would be necessary to ease their implantation.


Characterizing Consumer Behavior in Leveraging Social Media for E-Patient and Health-Related Activities.
The emergence of e-patients has encouraged consumers, people who are non-medical experts, to be more engaged in healthcare needs by utilizing online sources via social media. However, the nature of social media and regulation issues have caused concerns for the reliability and validity of the shared information. These phenomena shape consumers behavior in leveraging social media for e-patient activities. This study investigates consumer behavior using an integrated model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). The data collected from the participants (N = 312) was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling. The results showed that behavioral intention to use social media for e-patient activities was significantly affected by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and response efficacy; and that behavioral intention corresponded positively to usage intention. In addition, the results also indicate that the intention to use social media for health-related purposes is driven by awareness of preventing health problems and attempts to reduce the risk of developing an illness. Based on findings, this study recommends strategies and initiatives to optimize social media for promoting a healthy lifestyle and educating society about public health and healthcare management.


Mass spectrometric characterization of covalent modification of human serum albumin by 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal.
Several pieces of evidence indicate that albumin modified by HNE is a promising biomarker of systemic oxidative stress and that HNE-modified albumin may contribute to the immune reactions triggered by lipid peroxidation-derived antigens. In this study, we found by HPLC analysis that HNE is rapidly quenched by human serum albumin (HSA) because of the covalent adduction to the different accessible nucleophilic residues of the protein, as demonstrated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) direct infusion experiments (one to nine HNE adducts, depending on the molar ratio used, from 1:0.25 to 1:5 HSA:HNE). An LC-ESI-MS/MS approach was then applied to enzymatically digested HNE-modified albumin, which permitted the identification of 11 different HNE adducts, 8 Michael adducts (MA) and 3 Schiff bases (SB), involving nine nucleophilic sites, namely: His67 (MA), His146 (MA), His242 (MA), His288 (MA), His510 (MA), Lys 195 (SB), Lys 199 (MA, SB), Lys525 (MA, SB) and Cys34 (MA). The most reactive HNE-adduction site was found to be Cys34 (MA) followed by Lys199, which primarily reacts through the formation of a Schiff base, and His146, giving the corresponding HNE Michael adduct. These albumin modifications are suitable tags of HNE-adducted albumin and could be useful biomarkers of oxidative and carbonylation damage in humans.


The evidence base for psychological interventions for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of reviews.
Psychological interventions are an important but often overlooked adjunctive treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Findings from systematic reviews of psychological interventions for this patient group are conflicting. A systematic review of reviews can explain inconsistencies between studies and provide a clearer understanding of the effects of interventions. To: 1) determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions in improving biopsychosocial outcomes for adults with rheumatoid arthritis, 2) determine the relationship between the intensity of the psychological interventions (number of sessions, duration of sessions, duration of intervention) on outcomes, and 3) assess the impact of comparator group (usual care, education only) on outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of reviews using the following inclusion criteria: 1) randomised controlled trials of psychological interventions (including cognitive behavioural therapy, supportive counselling, psychotherapy, self-regulatory techniques, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and disclosure therapy) provided as an adjunct to medication, 2) included rheumatoid arthritis patients aged ≥ 18 years, 3) reported findings for at least 1 of the primary outcomes: pain, fatigue, psychological status, functional disability and disease activity and 4) were published in English between January 2000 and March 2015 (updated January 2018). We searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects. Reference lists were searched for additional reviews. Study selection and 50% of the quality assessments were performed by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality was measured using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist. Data extraction was conducted by one reviewer using a predesigned data extraction form. Eight systematic reviews met inclusion criteria (one review was excluded due to its low-quality score). Small post intervention improvements in patient global assessment, functional disability, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression were observed. The effect on coping, self-efficacy and physical activity was greater. Improvements in depression, coping and physical activity were maintained (8.5-14 months). Interventions delivered over a longer period with a maintenance component appeared more effective. Attention, education, and placebo control groups produced some improvements but not as large as those produced by the psychological interventions. Psychological interventions result in small to moderate improvements in biopsychosocial outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in addition to those achieved by standard care. Several priorities for future research were identified, including determining the cost effectiveness of non-psychologically trained health professionals delivering psychological interventions.


Estrogenicity of coumestrol in the mouse: fluorescence detection of interaction with estrogen receptors.
The estrogenicity of coumestrol, a fluorescent phytoestrogen, has been examined in murine uteri. Coumestrol competed with 17 beta-[3H]estradiol for binding to cytoplasmic estrogen receptors, caused cytoplasmic estrogen receptors to associate with chromatin in the nucleus, and induced progesterone receptors. By use of size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SEHPLC), the interaction of coumestrol with estrogen receptors was examined directly by monitoring the fluorescence associated with macromolecules having properties characteristic of estrogen receptors. These analyses were made possible by the addition of dimethylformamide to the elution buffer, at a concentration (7.5%) which improved recoveries but did not interfere with estrogen receptor binding. It was possible to detect fluorescent coumestrol at approximately 0.5 nM. All determinations were performed with preparations in which estrogen receptor activity was 3-10 nM. Exposure of these preparations to coumestrol (50 nM) resulted in the elution of increased fluorescent activity in the regions where estrogen receptors eluted during SEHPLC. This fluorescent activity was reduced when diethylstilbestrol, 17 beta-estradiol, hexestrol, or tamoxifen was present as a competitor (2 microM) but was unaffected by testosterone or progesterone. Diethylstilbestrol reduced fluorescence below endogenous base lines and thereby displayed a fluorescence quench property which was not observed with other ligands. When hepatic and renal estrogen receptor preparations were used, the injected receptor activity was observed to be the major limiting factor in detecting the interaction of coumestrol with estrogen receptors. These observations are relevant to attempts to visualize estrogen receptors in tumor cells and demonstrate that accepted biochemical criteria for ligand-receptor interaction can be satisfied when fluorescent ligands are examined.


The asiA gene of bacteriophage T4 codes for the anti-sigma 70 protein.
The anti-sigma 70 factor of bacteriophage T4 is a 10-kDa (10K) protein which inhibits the sigma 70-directed initiation of transcription by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme. We have partially purified the anti-sigma 70 factor and obtained the sequence of a C-terminal peptide of this protein. Using reverse genetics, we have identified, at the end of the lysis gene t and downstream of an as yet unassigned phage T4 early promoter, an open reading frame encoding a 90-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 10,590. This protein has been overproduced in a phage T7 expression system and partially purified. It shows a strong inhibitory activity towards sigma 70-directed transcription (by RNA polymerase holoenzyme), whereas it has no significant effect on sigma 70-independent transcription (by RNA polymerase core enzyme). At high ionic strength, this inhibition is fully antagonized by the neutral detergent Triton X-100. Our results corroborate the initial observations on the properties of the phage T4 10K anti-sigma 70 factor, and we therefore propose that the gene which we call asiA, identified in the present study, corresponds to the gene encoding this T4 transcriptional inhibitor.


The triptans.
The migraine-specific triptans have revolutionized the treatment of migraine and are currently the drugs of choice to treat a migraine attack in progress. Over the past 15 years, triptans were released in rapid succession, with each one demonstrating some specific pharmacokinetic properties that may be translated into clinical advantages. Triptans share many similarities, but also have important differences from one another. Accordingly, herein we discuss the class of the triptans. We first define the trigeminovascular system and its importance in migraine pain, then discuss the mechanism of action of the triptans and contrast the evidence supporting the use of different triptans. We close with our view of the future and hopes for the next generation of antimigraine therapies.


Evaluation of commercially available heart rate monitors.
The accuracy and tracking ability of nine commercially available heart rate monitors were assessed. The heart rate of 16 young healthy men was continuously monitored by a single-lead electrocardiograph while they exercised on a stationary bicycle ergometer. Readings were obtained from the devices during exercise. The devices that measured the cardiac electrical potential with a three-electrode system or that incorporated a light transmission device attached to the earlobe were the most accurate and provided suitable monitoring of the heart rate during exercise.


[Screening for gestational diabetes in Bulgaria--preliminary results].
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. There is no data regarding the prevalence of GDM in Bulgaria. The aim of this study is to present the preliminary results from a pilot study for GDM in Bulgaria, including the prevalence and the epidemiological differences between women with or without this disorder. A 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75g glucose was performed on 330 pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, using ADA criteria to define pregnancies complicated by GDM. Blood glucose levels, insulin levels, HbA1c, hsCRP and lipid parameters were evaluated. GDM was found in 11.3% of the patients. Women with GDM were older than the ones without the disorder (p < 0.006), had higher fasting glucose levels (p < 0.0001), higher fasting insulin levels (p < 0.0001), higher HOMA index (p < 0.0001) and higher HbA1c (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy (p < 0.003) and at the time of screening (p < 0.001) between GDM and control groups (p < 0.001). GDM women more frequently had thyroid disease, developed early preeclampsia, had family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and history of PCOS. In conclusion the prevalence of GDM in high risk Bulgarian population is relatively high--11.3%. This confirms the necessity of establishing of a national screening program. If financial recourses are limited selective screening in high risk patients should be considered.


No evidence for allelic association between bipolar disorder and monoamine oxidase A gene polymorphisms.
We have tested the hypothesis that DNA markers in the MAOA gene show allelic association with bipolar affective disorder. Eighty-four unrelated Caucasian patients with DSM III-R bipolar disorder and 84 Caucasian controls were typed for three markers in MAOA: a dinucleotide repeat in intron 2, a VNTR in intron 1, and an Fnu4HI RFLP in exon 8. No evidence for allelic association was observed between any of the markers and bipolar disorder.


Seroprevalence of Q fever in sheep and goat flocks with a history of abortion in Iran between 2011 and 2012.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in sheep and goat flocks with a history of abortion in different areas of Iran. One thousand and one hundred ovine and 180 caprine samples from 43 sheep and goat flocks in four counties located in the Northeast (Mashhad), Central (Isfahan), Western (Arak), and Southwest (Shiraz) Iran were collected randomly between March 2011 and April 2012. The CHEKIT Q fever ELISA kit was used to identify specific antibodies against C. burnetii in sheep and goats. The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii in sheep and goats was 19.5% and 27.2%, respectively. There was a significant difference in seropositivity between sheep and goats (p<0.05). Central Iran significantly had the highest prevalence among the studied areas, especially in goat coxiellosis (23.8% and 40.8% in sheep and goats, respectively). The lowest prevalence in sheep was 12.8% in Northeast Iran while in Western Iran C. burnetii antibodies were absent in goats. The higher prevalence of Q fever in Central Iran may be partly due to persistent favourable conditions to spread C. burnetii in this area including drought and dust storms that originated from neighbouring Iraq and Kuwait. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the relatively high prevalence of Q fever in sheep and goat flocks with a history of abortion. Therefore, Q fever could be responsible for considerable numbers of ovine and caprine abortions in Iran.


Pregnant Women Sharing Pregnancy-Related Information on Facebook: Web-Based Survey Study.
Research indicates expectant and new mothers use the Internet, specifically social media, to gain information and support during the transition to parenthood. Although parents regularly share information about and photos of their child or children on Facebook, researchers have neither explored the use of Facebook to share pregnancy-related information nor investigated factors that influence such sharing. The aim of this study was to address a gap in the literature by exploring the use of Facebook by pregnant women. Specifically, the study examined the use of Facebook to share pregnancy-related information, as well as any association between prenatal attachment and the aforementioned aspects of sharing pregnancy-related information on Facebook. Pregnant women who were at least 18 years of age were recruited for participation in the study through posts and paid advertisements on Facebook and posts to professional organization listservs. Individuals interested in participating were directed to a secure Web-based survey system where they completed the consent form and the survey that focused on their current pregnancy. Participants completed the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale and answered questions that assessed how often they shared pregnancy-related information on Facebook, who they shared it with, why they shared it, and what they shared. A total of 117 pregnant women completed the survey. Descriptive statistics indicated that the pregnancy announcement was most commonly shared (75/108, 69.4%), with most women sharing pregnancy-related information on Facebook less than monthly (52/117, 44.4%) with only family and friends (90/116, 77.6% and 91/116, 78.4%, respectively) and for the purpose of involving others or sharing the experience (62/107, 57.9%). Correlation and regression analyses showed that prenatal attachment, in general, was positively and significantly related to all aspects of sharing pregnancy-related information at the P<.05 level, with the exception of sharing because of expectations. Quality of attachment, which involves the positive feelings the woman has about her unborn child, was significantly associated with sharing to involve others or share the pregnancy (t8,93=2.654 , P=.009). In contrast, after controlling for other variables, the strength or preoccupation component of prenatal attachment was significantly associated with frequency of sharing (t8,100=2.554 , P=.01), number to types of information shared (t8,97=2.605 , P=.01), number of groups with whom shared (t8,99=3.467, P=.001), and sharing to get advice (χ28=5.339 , P=.02). Pregnant women in this study used Facebook for a variety of reasons, demonstrating the use of the social media platform during pregnancy for supportive and informational purposes. Overall, the results of this study are likely to be useful to professionals who are seeking alternative methods for providing intervention, information, and support to pregnant women via social media in our technology-driven society.


Do patients and other stakeholders value health service quality equally? A prospect theory based choice experiment in cataract care.
This study aims to compare the valuation of health service quality by patients and other stakeholders through a case study in cataract care. The valuation of health service quality by Dutch patients, ophthalmologists and healthcare purchasers involved in cataract care are elicited by a prospect theory-based measurement task. Respondents stated preferences for probabilities and scores for the clinical indicator Complication (posterior capsular rupture with vitreous loss) and the patient-reported experience measure Information Provisioning (the ophthalmologist provides sufficient information about risks of cataract surgery to the patient). Our subject pool (n = 256) consisted of 90 ophthalmologists, 125 cataract patients, and 41 healthcare purchasers employed by health insurance companies. Following prospect theory, respondents were loss averse, and risk averse for gains. However, utilities differed from prospect theory, especially the concave utility for losses. Patients were significantly more loss averse than the other respondents, more subject to a pessimistic view on losses, and had significantly more concave utility for losses, especially for the clinical quality indicator Complications. For each of the stakeholders, the results differed significantly between the two essentially different quality indicators. The heterogeneous valuations of patients and other stakeholders invalidate commonly applied cataract care quality assessment frameworks. Incorporating loss aversion, pessimism and concave utility for losses can remedy existing shortcomings. The valuation differences between patients and other stakeholders emphasize the need for communication and shared decision making in patient-centered treatment, purchasing and policy.


Combined tears of the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendon: clinical outcome, rotator cuff strength and structural integrity following open repair.
Anterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendons are less common than other tears of the rotator cuff. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome, rotator cuff strength and structural integrity of open repair of combined anterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Forty-eight patients at an average age of 58 years underwent open repair of a combined supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon tear. The follow-up evaluation included clinical scores, rotator cuff strength testing with a custom-made force measurement plate (FMP) and postoperative MRI to evaluate repair integrity and muscle cross-sectional area. After a mean follow-up of 49 months the average Constant score improved from 43 points preoperatively to 79 points postoperatively. The SST and the pain VAS were significantly improved by the procedure (each <0.05). The combined tear group with partial subscapularis tears (G1) did not achieve significantly better score results than the combined tear group with a full-thickness subscapularis tear (G2) (p > 0.05). Strength for all rotator cuff components was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) compared with the contralateral shoulder in both groups. MRI revealed a retear-rate of 4% for the subscapularis and a retear-rate of 19% for the supraspinatus. Postoperative muscle cross-sectional area of all rotator cuff muscles did not differ significantly between G1 and G2 (p > 0.05). Open repair of combined anterosuperior rotator cuff tears achieved good postoperative results despite a residual rotator cuff strength deficit. Combined supraspinatus-/full-thickness subscapularis tears achieved equal clinical and radiographic results compared with supraspinatus-/partial-thickness subscapularis tears.


Alloreactivity and the predictive value of anti-recipient specific interleukin 2 producing helper T lymphocyte precursor frequencies for alloreactivity after bone marrow transplantation.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a treatment modality with the potential of curing otherwise lethal diseases. The predominant indications for BMT are haematological malignancies. In BMT alloreactivity plays a pivotal role for the outcome. Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft-versus-leukaemia (GvL) are correlated manifestations of alloreactivity. Severe GvHD is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality post-BMT. In the absence of GvL the risk of relapse is high. The main effector cells are T lymphocytes. Donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) for treatment of leukaemic relapse after BMT can induce durable remissions. DLI causes GvHD in the majority of the responding patients. However, a GvL effect may be present without evidence of GvHD and vise versa. The importance of alloreactivity for the treatment outcome prompted the interest for a predictive test of alloreactivity. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) producing helper T lymphocyte precursor (HTLp) frequencies determined by limiting dilution analysis (LDA) in the graft-versus-host direction were explored. The HTLp assay was optimized and the sources of error minimized to ensure sensitive and reproducible results. The IL-2 dependent cell line, CTLL-2 was optimized to detect 0.6 pg IL-2. UV-B irradiation of the cells was demonstrated to effectively terminate proliferation of the responder cells and thus allow IL-2 to be detected in the whole culture volume. The design of the assay was explored by Monte Carlo simulations resulting in a design yielding frequencies with a coefficient of variation of 20% in the range of 1:20,000-1:1,000,000. The influence of autoreactivity of the donor and recipient cells was minimized as well as the risk of the stimulator cells producing IL-2. The HTLp frequencies correlated with the degree of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) disparity and the assays were able to detect minor histocompatibility antigen mismatches. The HTLp frequencies of 28 HLA-identical sibling BMT pairs and 20 HLA-matched unrelated and partially HLA-matched related BMT pairs were determined. HTLp frequencies from the HLA-identical sibling BMT pairs had a median of 1:557,362 (range 1:9.511 to < 1:2,500,000). The HTLp frequencies from the HLA-matched unrelated and partially HLA-matched related BMT pairs had a median of 1:88,110 (range 1:4.139-1:736,123). Analysis of the HLA-identical sibling BMT pairs in a high and a low HTLp frequency group above and below 1:500,000 showed a trend towards a higher risk of acute GvHD > or = grade II and a significantly higher risk of chronic GvHD in the high HTLp frequency group. This group had a significantly lower risk of relapse as well as a significantly better overall survival and leukaemia free survival. The HLA-matched unrelated and partially HLA-matched related BMT pairs were split evenly in a high and a low HTLp frequency group above and below 1:90,000. There was a significantly higher risk of acute GvHD > or = grade II and a trend towards a higher treatment related mortality (TRM) in the high HTLp frequency group. There were no differences in chronic GvHD, risk of relapse, overall survival and leukaemia free survival. Analyzing all 48 patients the risk of acute GvHD > or = grade II and TRM was significantly higher with HTLp frequencies > 1:100,000 and there was a trend towards a higher risk of relapse with low HTLp frequencies < 1:400,000. Patients in the intermediate HTLp frequency group 1:100,000-1:400,000 had a trend towards improved survival. The HTLp frequency seems to detect clinically significant differences in alloreactivity, that can be useful in donor selection, graft-engineering, T cell add-back and the pharmacological immunosuppression used after BMT.


Gemini lipopeptides as vaccine adjuvants: a new role for these versatile carriers.
The design of subunit vaccines requires new adjuvant systems. We designed and synthesized new lipopeptides (cysteine-based) of low molecular weight with different hydrophobic chains that dimerize becoming gemini lipopeptides. They were characterized and their adjuvant capacity was tested in mice by the inoculation of a protein antigen formulated with the lipopeptides, with and without the addition of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides. Formulations were able to induce an immune response and produced no adverse effects. An adjuvant ability is described for the first time for this type of molecules.


An all-in-one homogeneous DNA walking nanomachine and its application for intracellular analysis of miRNA.
DNA walker is a powerful type of DNA nanomachine that can produce amplified signals during the "burnt-bridge"-like walking process. Despite their successful application in extracellular bioanalysis, the heterogeneity of the existing DNA walkers makes it difficult to guarantee the consistency of the results during the analysis of different cells. Methods: Here, an all-in-one homogeneous DNA walking nanomachine is reported that can be delivered into living cells for intracellular bioanalysis of miRNA without auxiliary materials. Results: This DNA walking nanomachine is constructed of gold nanoparticles on which two types of interrelated DNA tracks are assembled. The target miRNA, cancer-related miR-21, can be captured by one of the tracks (track 1) and then walk to the other track (track 2), releasing the hybrid of track 1 and track 2 from the nanoparticle to produce a signal. The walking process can proceed in a cyclic 1-2-1-2 manner and thereby produce amplified signals. Thus, sensitive imaging of the miRNA in situ can be achieved. Conclusion: Benefiting from the homogeneity of the detection system, the method can be applied for intracellular analysis without interference induced by the fluctuations of stimuli or accessorial contents.


[Mediastinal liposarcoma. A report of 2 cases].
Liposarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors whose primary location in the mediastinum is rare. We report two cases of mediastinal liposarcoma, describing the clinical signs and radiologic features found and the diagnostic procedures performed. The significance of histologic variability as a factor that conditions treatment and prognosis is underlined.


Housing of pregnant sows in loose and confined systems--a field study 1. Vulva and body lesions, culling reasons and production results.
A field study was carried out in 18 herds with loose housing of pregnant sows (loose herds) and in 18 herds with tethered or stalled pregnant sows (confined herds). Three of the loose herds were excluded due to different kind of flooring from the rest of the herds. The remaining 15 herds had partly slatted concrete floors and electronic sow feeding. The frequencies of sows with vulva and body lesions, thin sows as well as the culling reasons and production results were used as animal welfare indicators for the herds. Vulva lesions were found only in the loose herds and the mean prevalence proportion of sows with lesions within these herds was 15.2%. All vulva lesions observed in this study seemed to be caused by biting. The relative risk of vulva lesions was 2.6 times higher in the loose herds with no roughage feeding as compared to loose herds with appetite feeding of roughage. The sows in the loose herds, that had a feeding station with a mechanical hind gate had 1.8 greater risk of vulva lesions than sows in the loose herds that used a feeding station with an electronic gate. The mean prevalence proportion of sows with body lesions was 13.1% in the loose herds and 4.0% in the confined herds. Aggression between sows seemed to be the main cause of body lesions in the loose herds, while decubitus ulcers on the shoulders were the main cause of body lesions in the confined herds. Sows in loose herds that were not fed additional roughage feeding had 1.7 times greater risk of body lesions than sows in herds that used additional roughage feeding. The main culling reasons and production results were similar in the loose and confined herds. This study showed that there were welfare problems both in confined and loose herds, however, with improved management, many of the welfare problems associated with loose housing can be reduced.


Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage and DNA Repair in Female Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is associated with oxidative stress which in turn can lead to DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to analyze oxidative stress, DNA damage and DNA repair in regard to hyperglycemic state and diabetes duration. Female T2DM patients (n = 146) were enrolled in the MIKRODIAB study and allocated in two groups regarding their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (HbA1c≤7.5%, n = 74; HbA1c>7.5%, n = 72). In addition, tertiles according to diabetes duration (DD) were created (DDI = 6.94±3.1 y, n = 49; DDII = 13.35±1.1 y, n = 48; DDIII = 22.90±7.3 y, n = 49). Oxidative stress parameters, including ferric reducing ability potential, malondialdehyde, oxidized and reduced glutathione, reduced thiols, oxidized LDL and F2-Isoprostane as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were measured. Damage to DNA was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and whole blood with single cell gel electrophoresis. DNA base excision repair capacity was tested with the modified comet repair assay. Additionally, mRNA expressions of nine genes related to base excision repair were analyzed in a subset of 46 matched individuals. No significant differences in oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, damage to DNA and base excision repair capacity, neither between a HbA1c cut off />7.5%, nor between diabetes duration was found. A significant up-regulation in mRNA expression was found for APEX1, LIG3 and XRCC1 in patients with >7.5% HbA1c. Additionally, we observed higher total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Framingham risk score, systolic blood pressure, BMI and lower HDL-cholesterol in the hyperglycemic group. BMI, blood pressure and blood lipid status were worse in hyperglycemic individuals. However, no major disparities regarding oxidative stress, damage to DNA and DNA repair were present which might be due to good medical treatment with regular health checks in T2DM patients in Austria.


Additive and synergistic relations of early mother-child and caregiver-child interactions for predicting later achievement.
This study examines associations between stimulating-responsive social interactions with mothers and nonparental childcare providers during the first 3 years of life and children's vocabulary and mathematics skills through age 15 (N = 1,364). Additive relations were found in which more stimulating-responsive interactions with mothers and with caregivers were linked to higher mathematics achievement in childhood and adolescence. More stimulating-responsive early interactions with mothers were also associated with larger child vocabularies through age 15. Synergistic relations, consistent with the dual-risk hypothesis, also were found. Children whose early interactions with both mothers and caregivers were low in stimulation and responsivity had substantially lower mathematics skills. Implications for early childhood interventions and policies are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).


[Therapy of immune thrombopenia].
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) belongs to the family of autoimmune diseases. The term "idiopathic", however, is no longer correct as it is in fact an immunologically-related thrombocytopenia. This is why nowadays it is referred to as immune thrombopenia. Clinically the acute and chronic forms of ITP can be distinguished. We discuss the different forms of treatment based upon data provided by various studies of ITP. If treatment with prednisone or with gammaglobulins fails, or after unsuccessful splenectomy, then alternative experimental therapies may have to be used. Some of these treatments are described with reference to their therapeutic benefit and their function.


[A biographical approach to demography].
The merits of a biographical approach to demographic analysis are examined using survey data. "The analysis of complex interaction between diverse phenomena, using bivariate or multivariate models has been elaborated, and it allows the discovery of various types of dependence between events (reciprocal or unilateral) or of their independence. At this stage, heterogeneity of the observed populations was introduced, with the help of parametric or semi-parametric models, which point out the different strategies followed. The problems caused by non-observed heterogeneity have been partially solved but interdisciplinary collaboration would now appear to be necessary." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND GER AND SPA)