Clinical teaching by community nurses in the Australian context.
A study was conducted to explore factors that impact on the clinical teaching role of community nurses involved in the education of pre-registration nursing students. Respondents were community nurses working in the Western Sydney Area Health Service in New South Wales, Australia. A self-report questionnaire was developed to collect data. Results indicate that community nurses are interested in clinical teaching, that it is an important part of their role and that they perceive themselves to be effective clinical teachers, with the majority indicating motivation to continue developing their clinical teaching skills. Aspects of clinical teaching important to community nurses included facilitating the transition of education from theory to practice, sharing expertise, knowledge and skills and maintaining high standards of nursing practice. There was little support for the view that community nurses experienced difficulty in managing the dual teaching and practice role. Approximately a third of participants reported that being with a student on a one-to-one basis could be stressful. Strategies to assist community nurses in their clinical teaching role were identified.


A specific inhibitor of janus kinase-3 increases survival in a transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder involving the motor neurons of cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. About 10% of all ALS patients are familial cases (FALS), of which 20% have mutations in the Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. The murine model for FALS, which overexpresses a FALS variant of the SOD1 gene, exhibits progressive limbic paralysis followed by death. Treatment of FALS mice with WHI-P131, a specific inhibitor of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), increased survival by more than two months, suggesting that specific inhibitors of JAK3 may be useful in the treatment of human ALS. These results uniquely establish JAK3 as a novel molecular target for the treatment of FALS.


[Hemodynamics in the periodontium and gingiva].
Measurements of hemodynamics in parodontium and gingiva using a reflexive photoelectrical plethysmographic recorder, insensitive to salivation changes, has been described. Registration is accomplished by means of ECG recorder.


Effects of Germinated Brown Rice Addition on the Flavor and Functionality of Yogurt.
This study aimed to investigate the functional and physicochemical properties of yogurt, supplemented with germinated brown rice (GBR) containing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), during storage. GBR was produced by soaking brown rice at 30℃, and saccharified germinated brown rice (SGBR) was produced by treating brown rice with α- and β-amylase for 1 h, at 80℃ and 60℃, respectively. Yogurt was manufactured using a commercial starter (YC-X11, CHR. Hansen, Denmark) at 37℃ for 12 h. The fatty acids and GABA contents were analyzed using GC and HPLC, respectively. The fatty acids in the cereal samples consisted of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid. The portion of oleic acid was the highest, at 35.65% in GBR, and 32.16% in SGBR. During germination, the oleic acid content increased, whereas linolenic and palmitic acid contents from GBR tended to decrease. Although the portion of saturated fatty acids, such as stearic and myristic acid, decreased significantly (p<0.05), that of unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acid, increased with an increase in supplementation of BR, GBR, or SGBR in the yogurt. The yogurt, supplemented with cereal samples, showed a tendency of an increase in the concentration of GABA with an increase in the supplementation of the cereal samples. However, yogurt supplemented with GBR showed the highest concentration of GABA, regardless of the supplementation of the cereal samples. These results indicated that yogurt supplemented with BR, GBR, or SGBR could be a promising dairy product.


Impairment of maximal aerobic power with moderate hypoxia in endurance athletes: do skeletal muscle mitochondria play a role?
This study investigates the role of central vs. peripheral factors in the limitation of maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) with moderate hypoxia [inspired fraction (Fi(O(2))) =14.5%]. Fifteen endurance-trained athletes performed maximal cycle incremental tests to assess Vo(2max), maximal cardiac output (Q(max)), and maximal arteriovenous oxygen (a-vO(2)) difference in normoxia and hypoxia. Muscle biopsies of vastus lateralis were taken 1 wk before the cycling tests to evaluate maximal muscle oxidative capacity (V(max)) and sensitivity of mitochondrial respiration to ADP (K(m)) on permeabilized muscle fibers in situ. Those athletes exhibiting the largest reduction of Vo(2max) in moderate hypoxia (Severe Loss group: -18 +/- 2%) suffered from significant reductions in Q(max) (-4 +/- 1%) and maximal a-vO(2) difference (-14 +/- 2%). Athletes who well tolerated hypoxia, as attested by a significantly smaller drop of Vo(2max) with hypoxia (Moderate Loss group: -7 +/- 1%), also display a blunted Q(max) (-9 +/- 2%) but, conversely, were able to maintain maximal a-vO(2) difference (+1 +/- 2%). Though V(max) was similar in the two experimental groups, the smallest reduction of Vo(2max) with moderate hypoxia was observed in those athletes presenting the lowest apparent K(m) for ADP in the presence of creatine (K(m+Cr)). In already-trained athletes with high muscular oxidative capacities, the qualitative, rather than quantitative, aspects of the mitochondrial function may constitute a limiting factor to aerobic ATP turnover when exercising at low Fi(O(2)), presumably through the functional coupling between the mitochondrial creatine kinase and ATP production. This study suggests a potential role for peripheral factors, including the alteration of cellular homeostasis in active muscles, in determining the tolerance to hypoxia in maximally exercising endurance-trained athletes.


Parental Involvement with College Students in Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, and the United States.
Rates of college attendance have increased throughout the world. This study asked whether students across nations experience high involvement with parents (frequent contact and support) and how satisfied they are with parental involvement. College students from four major Western and Asian economies participated: Germany (n = 458), Hong Kong (n = 276), Korea (n = 257), and the United States (n = 310). Consistent with solidarity theory, students across nations reported frequent contact with parents and receiving several forms of social support (e.g., practical, emotional, and advice) every month. Multilevel models revealed Asian students received more frequent parental support than German or US students, but were less satisfied with that support. Students in Hong Kong resided with parents more often and gave more support to parents than students in other cultures. Discussion focuses on cultural (i.e., filial obligation) and structural (i.e., coresidence) factors explaining parental involvement.


Infectivity and genes differentially expressed between young and aging theront cells of the marine fish parasite Cryptocaryon irritans.
The ciliated protozoan Cryptocaryon irritans infects a wide range of marine fish and causes the highly lethal white spot disease. This parasite possesses three morphologically and physiologically distinct life stages: an infectious theront, a parasitic trophont, and an asexually reproductive tomont. In the past few years, several attempts have been made to help elucidate how C. irritans transforms from one stage to another using transcriptomic or proteomic approaches. However, there has been no research studying changes in transcription profiles between different time points of a single C. irritans life stage-the development of this parasite. Here we use RNA-seq and compare gene expression profiles of theront cells collected by 1 and 10 hrs after they emerged from tomonts. It has been shown that infectivity of theront cells declines 6-8 hours post-emergence, and we used this characteristic as a physiological marker to confirm the aging of theront cells. We identified a total of 41 upregulated and 90 downregulated genes that were differentially expressed between young and aging theront cells. Using Blast2Go to further analyze functions of these genes, we show that genes related to energy production are downregulated, but quite surprisingly many genes involved in transcription/translation processes are upregulated. We also show that expression of all nine detectable agglutination/immobilization antigen genes, with great sequence divergence, is invariably downregulated. Functions of other differentially expressed genes and indications are also discussed in our study.


Crossreactivity of Human versus Swine Platelet Surface Antigens Is Similar for Glycoproteins Ib and IIIa, but Not for the Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Complex.
Swine platalets are very similar to those of humans and are therefore relevant to cardiovascular research. The swine coronary circulation mimics the human circulation and is large enough to obtain multiple blood samples in survival experiments. In swine regional ischemia similar to the human condition is easily obtainable, which makes the porcine model an ideal choice to study coronary artery disease. However, little is known about the similarity between swine and human platelet surface antigens. We tested the hypothesis that certain swine platelet antigens could crossreact with antihuman antibodies. Using FITC-conjugated monoclonal murine antihuman platelet antibodies, surface antigen expression was determined for human and Yorkshire swine platelets. Expression of CD9 (p24), CD42B (Ib), CD41b, (Ilb), CD61 (IIIa), CD41a (Ilb/IlIa), CD49b (VLA-2), CD62p, (P selectin), CD31 (PECAM-1D, and CD51/CD61 (vitronectin) was measured by flow cytometry. Significant crossreactivity with human platelets was observed consistently for swine platelet GP 1b and GP IIIa. Crossreactivity of the swine GPIb, and GP IIIa with the human receptors is evidence of receptor similarity between human and swine platelets. The implications of significant crossreactivity of these antigens and the lack of recognition of IIb/IIIa needs to be understood in cardiovascular research. Determining commercially available antihuman GP Ib and GP IIIa, rather than GP IIb/IIIa, would contribute to better elucidation of the effect of von Willebrand factor and the booming family of platelet inhibitors in the swine model of ischemia-reperfusion.


The use of nasal endoscopy to control profuse epistaxis from a fracture of the basi-sphenoid in a seven-year-old child.
A seven-year-old child sustained a fracture of her basisphenoid resulting in profuse, life-threatening haemorrhage which could not be controlled with a post-nasal pack. The fracture site was identified using rigid endoscopy and packed with oxidized cellulose, resulting in immediate control of the haemorrhage. The use of the nasal endoscope in the management of posterior epistaxis is discussed.


Filaggrin has evolved from an "S100 fused-type protein" (SFTP) gene present in a common ancestor of amphibians and mammals.
The expression of filaggrin in differentiated keratinocytes and the association of filaggrin mutations with ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis suggest that this prototypical member of the S100 fused-type protein (SFTP) family plays a key role in the epidermal barrier to the environment. Here, we report that SFTP genes are present not only in amniotes but also in amphibians. Four SFTPs are expressed in the skin of the frog Xenopus laevis. The results of this study indicate that filaggrin has evolved from an ancestral SFTP that may have contributed to skin modifications during the evolutionary transition to terrestrial life.


Bony dehiscence between singular canal and round window niche.
The incidence of bony dehiscence of the human singular canal was studied by examining 409 human temporal bones obtained from 300 individuals. Such a dehiscence was noted in three (0.7%) of the bones from three (1%) of the individuals, all male, aged 2, 6, and 76 years. All of these bony dehiscences were located between the round window niche and the cribrose area of the singular canal. The finding of a microfissure in the vicinity of the bony dehiscence in two of the three cases indicates that such dehiscences occur independently of microfissures. Although the incidence of bony dehiscences of the singular canal is small, these dehiscences appear to have considerable clinical significance in that they form a communication between the middle and inner ears or possibly between the middle ear and the cerebrospinal fluid space.


Visual preference and ecological assessments for designed alternative brownfield rehabilitations.
This paper describes an integrative method for quantifying, analyzing, and comparing the effects of alternative rehabilitation approaches with visual preference. The method was applied to a portion of a major industrial area located in southern Italy. Four alternative approaches to rehabilitation (alternative designs) were developed and analyzed. The scenarios consisted of the cleanup of the brownfields plus: (1) the addition of ground cover species; (2) the addition of ground cover species and a few trees randomly distributed; (3) the addition of ground cover species and a few trees in small groups; and (4) the addition of ground cover species and several trees in large groups. The approaches were analyzed and compared to the baseline condition through the use of cost-surface modeling (CSM) and visual preference assessment (VPA). Statistical results showed that alternatives that were more ecologically functional for forest bird species dispersal were also more visually preferable. Some differences were identified based on user groups and location of residence. The results of the study are used to identify implications for enhancing both ecological attributes and visual preferences of rehabilitating landscapes through planning and design.


Computing back-calculation estimates of AIDS epidemic.
The method of back-calculation estimates the number of HIV infections from AIDS incidence data and projects future AIDS incidence. We explore a conditional likelihood approach for computing estimates of the number of HIV infections and the parameters in the epidemic density. This method is asymptotically equivalent to the usual likelihood method. The asymptotic normal distribution of the estimates facilitates the computation of confidence intervals. We compute standard deviations for the estimates of HIV incidence and project AIDS incidence from the underlying multinomial distributions. We illustrate the methods with applications to AIDS data in the United States.


Utility of participatory rural appraisal for health needs assessment and planning.
While poverty and lack of life opportunities are root causes of a high burden of disease and infant and maternal mortality, inadequate health care contributes heavily. Often those who are left without care are those who need it most. Existing health services are managed without taking into account acceptance and need perspectives. This further reduces the effectiveness of and equity in health care. In order to guide the planning of reproductive health services by a national NGO, health needs were assessed in a district in Sindh using a combination of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and qualitative and quantitative research methods. PRA is considered as a better framework to assess, analyse and develop programs with communities. The objective of PRA was to initiate community involvement and to understand the needs of health care from a community perspective. PRA was conducted with groups of men and women from three rural areas in a district of Sindh, Pakistan using a life cycle framework. The community members identified various stages of their life with the associated health issues. This research was empowering to community members as it facilitated community involvement. The respondents took charge of the process of identification of health needs at PRA sessions. PRA helped identify health problems considered prevalent and important by the community. More importantly, it helped potential service providers and the community to initiate community involvement in planning. PRA is not only an effective tool for assessment and analysis of health issues but also a vehicle to promote community involvement. Additionally, participatory methods contribute to understand the context of quantitative data generated for planning purposes.


Protective effects of lupeol against D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice.
This study examined the hepatoprotective effects of lupeol (1, a major active triterpenoid isolated from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica) against d-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fulminant hepatic failure. Mice were orally administered 1 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; dissolved in olive oil) 1 h before GalN (800 mg/kg)/LPS (40 μg/kg) treatment. Treatment with GalN/LPS resulted in increased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6, as well as increased mortality, all of which were attenuated by treatment with 1. In addition, levels of toll-like receptor (TLR)4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-1, and TNF receptor associated factor 6 protein expression were increased by GalN/LPS. These increases, except TRIF, were attenuated by 1. Interestingly, 1 augmented GalN/LPS-mediated increases in the protein expression of IRAK-M, a negative regulator of TLR signaling. Following GalN/LPS treatment, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression increased, which were attenuated by 1. Together, the present findings suggest that lupeol (1) ameliorates GalN/LPS-induced liver injury, which may be due to inhibition of IRAK-mediated TLR inflammatory signaling.


[Prognostic factors of long-standing improvement in cervical dystonia, treated with botulinum A toxin].
The clinical improvement after injections of botulinum toxin A in patients with idiopathic spasmodic torticollis lasts usually about 3 months. Nevertheless in some patients it exceeds several months. The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of prolonged response (arbitrally established as > 6 months) and to find the possible prognostic factors of such longer effect. In the group of 43 patients (F30, M13), average age 43.9 (19-72) years, we observed prolonged effect in 13 (30.2%). In 5 of them remission was repeated in following sessions (two times in four and four times in one). The frequency of spontaneous remissions in spasmodic torticollis (12%) is significantly lower than after botulinum toxin, what means that they are triggered by drug injection in our group of patients with prolonged effect. Within the analysed parameters only the lower average age and the average age at the onset of symptoms statistically significantly differ in both groups. The authors suggest the possibility of other mechanisms responsible for prolonged clinical effect after botulinum toxin: e.g. different time of reinnervation (remodelling of synapses) or the modification of natural course (feed-back mechanisms) of spasmodic torticollis in some patients.


A Comparison of Dynamic and Static Hip-Knee-Ankle Angle during Gait in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients and Healthy Individuals.
Malalignment of the lower limbs is the main biomechanical factor for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The static hip-knee-ankle angle (S-HKAA) measured from radiograph is regarded as the "gold standard" of the malalignment. However, many evidences showed that the S-HKAA has no significant correlation with the knee dynamic-load distribution, unlike the dynamic HKAA (D-HKAA). The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze the D-HKAA and investigate the relationship between D-HKAA and S-HKAA for both KOA and healthy participants. In this paper, twenty-five healthy subjects and twenty-five medial compartment KOA (M-KOA) patients were recruited. Three-dimensional motion analysis and standing lower-limbs-full-length radiograph were utilized to obtain the D-HKAA and S-HKAA, respectively. The results showed that the mean D-HKAA was more varus than the S-HKAA (p < 0.05). For the mean D-HKAA, larger varus angle was observed in swing phase than stance phase (p < 0.05). Compared with healthy subjects, the M-KOA patients had remarkably smaller S-HKAA and D-HKAA during gait cycle (p < 0.01). For the relationship between the S-HKAA and mean D-HKAA, no significant correlation was found for both healthy subjects and M-KOA patients (r < 0.357, n = 25, p > 0.05, Spearman correlation analysis). In conclusion, the S-HKAA was limited to predict the D-HKAA for both M-KOA patients and healthy subjects. The D-HKAA should be given more attention to the orthopedist and the designer of knee brace and orthotics.


[Advances in researches on enamel biomimetic mineralization].
Dental enamel biomimetic mineralization is a process to form the enamel-like mineral structures, which possess unique microstructure and exceptional physic-chemical properties, by mimicking the mechanism of natural enamel formation and biomineralization. Varieties of techniques such as molecular mimetic synthesis and molecular self-assembling were used to accomplish the microenvironment and molecular conditions similar to that of natural tooth enamel within human body. Early remineralization and biomineralization is the future of restoration for enamel defect, research on such products have huge potential in clinical applications, with speedy advancement in recent two decades. This review summarizes the major advances in researches on enamel biomimetic mineralization in recent years.


Mechanical and biological properties of apatite composite resins.
Well-crystallized hydroxyapatite was synthesized at 80 degrees C and pH 7.4, and mixed as filler with 2.2'(4-methacryloxydiethoxyphenyl) propane. BPO and DHPT were used as polymerization initiators. The compressive strength and Knoop hardness of the apatite composite resins increased with the increase of apatite content, and approached a plateau above an apatite-resin ratio (Ap/R) of 1. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite with apatite-resin ratio Ap/R = 1 was almost equal to that of teeth. In tooth cavities, the composites seemed to adhere well to enamel without a bonding agent. The biocompatibility of the composites implanted hypodermically into rats appeared to improve with the increase of apatite content, and implants showed no significant inflammation after 1 wk and 4 wk.


Energy expenditure associated with posture transitions in preschool children.
Despite growing scientific interest in the benefits of breaking up sedentary time with intermittent standing or walking, few studies have investigated the energy cost of posture transitions. This study aimed to determine whether posture transitions are associated with increased energy expenditure in preschool children. Forty children (mean age 5.3 ± 1.0y) completed a ~150-min room calorimeter protocol involving sedentary, light, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity activities. This study utilised data from ~65-min of the protocol, during which children were undertaking sedentary behaviours (TV viewing, drawing/colouring in, and playing with toys on the floor). Posture was coded as sit/lie, stand, walk, or other using direct observation; posture transitions were classified as sit/lie to stand/walk, sit/lie to other, stand/walk to other, or vice versa. Energy expenditure was calculated using the Weir equation and used to calculate individualised MET and activity energy expenditure (AEE) values. Spearman's rank correlations were used to compare the number of posture transitions, in the individual activities separately and combined, with corresponding MET and AEE values. Participants were divided into tertiles based on the number of posture transitions; MET and AEE values of children in the lowest and highest tertiles of posture transitions were compared using unpaired t-tests. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. There was a positive correlation between the total number of posture transitions and average METs (rs = 0.42, p = 0.02) and AEE (rs = 0.43, p = 0.02). MET differences between the lowest and highest tertiles of posture transitions resulted in a small effect size for playing with toys (d = 0.27), and moderate effect sizes for TV viewing, drawing and all three activities combined (d = 0.61, 0.50 and 0.64 respectively). Similar results were found for AEE. Results from this study showed that variation in posture transitions may be associated with variation in energy expenditure in preschool children. The findings suggest that the concept that variation in posture transitions may have meaningful biological or health effects in early childhood is worth investigating further.


Metronidazole and Norfloxacin induced Generalized Fixed Drug Eruptions in an adult male patient - A Case Report.
Fluoroquinolones are most widely used for empirical treatment of gastrointestinal disease due to emergence of drug resistant strains to other antimicrobials. They are also indulged in cutaneous adverse drug reactions with varying form of severity. A 43 year old male patient developed fixed drug eruptions after administration of tablet norfloxacin and metronidazole for treatment of colicky abdominal pain with diarrhoea. Erythematous rashes involved whole body including buccal mucosa. Causative drugs were stopped and patient was managed by local as well as systemic therapy and was recovered after 20 days. Awareness among healthcare professionals regarding FDEs and its management is essential to prevent mortality and morbidity and counsel patient regarding future use of drugs causing reactions with physician's advice.


Discontinued drugs in 2008: anti-infectives.
Of the many drugs dropped from development in 2008, 27 were under development for therapy or prophylaxis of infectious diseases. The majority of these were for diseases of viral etiology (15 agents), while nine were antibacterials and the remaining three were directed against fungal and protozoan pathogens. The antiviral agents were primarily against HIV and hepatitis C virus, together with agents against hepatitis B virus and West Nile virus. The antibacterial agents were mostly from known classes (carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, oxazolidinones), but also included several novel compounds and approaches. With regard to drug type, 19 were small-molecule therapeutics, seven were biologics comprising five vaccines and two antibodies, and one was a high-molecular-weight polymer. Each of these agents is briefly reviewed and the reasons for failure are discussed.


18F-FDG PET/MR in focal epilepsy: A new step for improving the detection of epileptogenic lesions.
Hybrid PET/MR is a promising tool in focal drug-resistant epilepsy, however the additional value for the detection of epileptogenic lesions and surgical decision-making remains to be established. We retrospectively compared 18F-FDG PET/MR images with those obtained by a previous 18F-FDG PET co-registered with MRI (PET+MR) in 25 consecutive patients (16 females, 13-60 years) investigated for focal drug-resistant epilepsy. Visual analysis was performed by two readers blinded from imaging modalities, asked to assess the technical characteristics (co-registration, quality of images), the confidence in results, the location of PET abnormalities and the presence of a structural lesion on MRI. Clinical impact on surgical strategy and outcome was assessed independently. The location of epileptic focus was temporal in 9 patients and extra-temporal in 16 others. MRI was initially considered negative in 21 patients. PET stand-alone demonstrated metabolic abnormalities in 19 cases (76%), and the co-registration with MRI allowed the detection of 4 additional structural lesions. Compared to PET+MR, the PET/MR sensitivity was increased by 13% and new structural lesions (mainly focal cortical dysplasias) were detected in 6 patients (24%). Change of surgical decision-making was substantial for 10 patients (40%), consisting in avoiding invasive monitoring in 6 patients and modifying the planning in 4 others. Seizure-free outcome (follow-up>1 year) was obtained in 12/14 patients who underwent a cortical resection. Hybrid PET/MR may improve the detection of epileptogenic lesions, allowing to optimize the presurgical work-up and to increase the proportion of successful surgery even in the more complex cases.


Ising quantum Hall ferromagnet in magnetically doped quantum wells.
We report on the observation of the Ising quantum Hall ferromagnet with Curie temperature T(C) as high as 2 K in a modulation-doped (Cd,Mn)Te heterostructure. In this system field-induced crossing of Landau levels occurs due to the giant spin-splitting effect. Magnetoresistance data, collected over a wide range of temperatures, magnetic fields, tilt angles, and electron densities, are discussed taking into account both Coulomb electron-electron interactions and s-d coupling to Mn spin fluctuations. The critical behavior of the resistance "spikes" at T-->T(C) corroborates theoretical suggestions that the ferromagnet is destroyed by domain excitations.


Series of metal organic frameworks assembled from Ln(III), Na(I), and chiral flexible-achiral rigid dicarboxylates exhibiting tunable UV-vis-IR light emission.
Two series of isoreticular chiral metal-organic frameworks assembled from Ln(III) (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), Na(I), and chiral flexible-achiral rigid dicarboxylate ligands, formulated as [NaLn(Tart)(BDC)(H(2)O)(2)] (S1) and [NaLn(Tart)(biBDC)(H(2)O)(2)] (S2) (H(2)Tart = tartaric acid; H(2)BDC = terephthalic acid; H(2)biBDC = biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid), were obtained as single phases under hydrothermal conditions. The compounds have been studied by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses (TG-MS and DSC), vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), elemental analysis, and X-ray thermodiffractometry. The catalytic activity has been also investigated. The photoluminescence properties of selected compounds have been investigated, exhibiting room temperature tunable UV-vis-IR light emission.


On the Potential Role of Dietary Lysine as a Contributing Factor in Development of Liver Abscesses in Cattle.
Liver abscessation is an important metabolic disorder that commonly afflicts cattle consuming cereal-based, high-concentrate diets. Economic ramifications of liver abscessation are substantial, and include liver condemnation, decreased body weight gain, poorer efficiency of feed utilization, reduced carcass yield, and impairments in operational efficiency of commercial abattoirs. The etiological agent most commonly associated with liver abscesses is Fusobacterium necrophorum, which is an anaerobic, Gram-negative, nonmotile, nonsporulating, and rod-shaped (pleomorphic) bacterium. Fusobacterium necrophorum is one of the major proteolytic species of bacteria in the rumen, and it is believed to have a major role in degradation of dietary lysine. Herein we describe interactions between lysine and F. necrophorum, and the potential role of dietary lysine as an enabling factor in the development of liver abscesses in cattle.


Damage spreading in small world Ising models.
We study damage spreading in the ferromagnetic Ising model on small world networks using Monte Carlo simulation with Glauber dynamics. The damage spreading temperature T(d) is determined as a function of rewiring probability p for small world networks obtained by rewiring the two-dimensional square and three dimensional cubic lattices. We find that the damage for different values of p collapse onto master curves when plotted against a rescaled temperature and that the distance between T(d) and the critical temperature T(c) increases with p. We argue that when using the Ising model to study social systems, it is necessary to place the spins on a small world network rather than on a regular lattice.


Incidence and risk factors for exertional rhabdomyolysis in thoroughbred racehorses in the United Kingdom.
Telephone surveys of 34 racing yards with 1276 horses in training were made to establish the overall incidence of exertional rhabdomyolysis in the previous year. A case-control study was used to investigate the risk factors for the syndrome in 12 yards selected on the basis of the routine confirmation of diagnoses by the evaluation of the serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase. The overall incidence of the syndrome was 6.7 per cent and 80 per cent of the trainers had at least one affected horse. In 74 per cent of the affected horses it frequently recurred, with an average of six lost training days per episode. Risk factors identified for the syndrome included being female, having a nervous, excitable temperament, and being two years old.


Pharmacokinetics and the most suitable regimen of panipenem/beta mipron in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: a pilot study.
Critically ill patients often have complications of acute renal failure induced by severe infection or sepsis. The patients need administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics as well as continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). However, there is no uniform pharmacokinetics of antibiotics during the CRRT because CRRT is performed with the various combinations of dialysate flows (QD) and ultrafiltrate flows (QF). The aims of this study were to estimate the pharmacokinetics of panipenem/beta Mipron (PAPM/BP) and to determine the appropriate treatment regimens for PAPM/BP in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. In patients with CRRT, the PAPM total clearance (PAPM CLtot) was calculated as the sum of PAPM clearance dependent on the living body and CRRT and shown as follows:PAPM CLtot (ml/min) = (1.2 CLcre + 66.5) + 0.86 (QD + QF) where CLcre is creatinine clearance. Pharmacokinetic values of PAPM were measured in 4 patients with CRRT. According to these results, the most appropriate treatment regimen regarding PAPM CLtot (ml/min) showed as follows:PAPM CLtot < 80 0.5 g every 12 hours or 1 g every 15 hoursPAPM CLtot 80 to 120 0.5 g every 8 hours or 1 g every 12 hoursPAPM CLtot 120 to 160 0.5 g every 6 hours or 1 g every 8 hours.


Simplified analysis of contaminant rejection during ground- and surface water nanofiltration under the information collection rule.
A simple, closed-form analytical expression based on the homogenous solution diffusion model is derived for contaminant removal during nanofiltration (NF) of ground and surface water. Solute permeation and back-diffusion coefficients were used as fitting parameters to model rejection characteristics of four thin-film composite NF membranes under conditions typical of drinking water NF. Nonlinear fits of the model to experimental data suggests that the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA)'s Information Collection Rule protocol for bench-scale studies could be improved to obtain greater precision of the mass transfer coefficients. The model was found to fit rejection data for several water treatment contaminants including total organic carbon, precursors to total organic halide, four trihalomethanes and nine haloacetic acids containing chlorine and bromine, calcium and total hardness, alkalinity and conductivity. The simplified approach to mass transfer calculations from multisolute systems suggests that feed water recovery has a stronger influence on contaminant rejection than permeate flux. Evidence for coupled transport of divalent inorganic ions is also presented. Even though the model developed does not account for ion coupling and cannot be applied in a purely predictive mode, it can assist in the better design and interpretation of data obtained from site-specific pilot-scale water treatment NF studies conducted in support of plant design.


Neonatal pain: Knowledge and perception among pediatric doctors in Malaysia.
Inadequate pain management is linked to potential neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. Sufficient knowledge in neonatal pain is required to facilitate optimal pain management. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge and perception of pain experienced by neonates requiring intensive care among pediatric doctors working in a level III neonatal intensive care unit in Malaysian hospitals. This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 18 months. A self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge and perception regarding neonatal pain was used. Twenty-four hospitals participated in the study, with 423 respondents. The response rate was 85%. One hundred and ninety-seven respondents (47%) were aware of tools for neonatal pain assessment, but only 6% used them in daily practice. Doctors with >4 years of experience in neonatal care had better awareness of available pain assessment tools (59.4% vs 40.9%, P = 0.001). Sixteen statements regarding knowledge were assessed. Mean score obtained was 10.5 ± 2.5. Consultants/specialists obtained a higher mean score than medical officers (11.9 vs 10.4, P < 0.001). More than 80% of respondents were able to discriminate painful from non-painful procedures. Clinicians involved in neonatal care, especially those with longer experience were knowledgeable about neonatal pain. Gaps between knowledge and its application, however, remain. Implementation of clinical guidelines to improve the quality of assessment and adequate pain management in neonates is recommended.


Temporal Trends in the Incidence and Characteristics of Sudden Cardiac Death among Subjects under 40 Years of Age in Northern Finland during 1998-2017.
Although the mean age of sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims has increased during recent decades, overall incidence has remained relatively stable. Small but very important proportion of SCDs occur in subjects under 40 years of age and temporal trends in the incidence and characteristics of SCD in this age-group are not well known. The Fingesture study has prospectively gathered data from 5,869 consecutive autopsy verified SCD victims in Northern Finland during 1998-2017. On the basis of Finnish law, all who die unexpectedly undergo autopsy. Out of total 5,869 SCDs, 160 occurred in subjects under 40 years of age (3%) indicating a total incidence of 2.9/100,000/year. Incidence decreased during the study period: 4.0/100,000/year (n = 50) in 1998-2002, 3.7/100,000/year (n = 45) in 2003-2007, 2.5/100,000/year (n = 36) in 2008-2012, and 1.5/100,000/year (n = 29) in 2013-2017. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was the cause of death in 46 SCD victims (29%). Among nonischemic causes, most common were obesity-related hypertrophic myocardial disease (24%), primary myocardial fibrosis (19%), and hypertensive myocardial disease (6%). The incidence of SCD caused by CAD decreased as follows: 1.5/100,000/year in 1998-2002, 1.2/100,000/year in 2003-2007, 0.6/100,000/year in 2008-2012, and 0.2/100,000/year in 2013-2017. Proportion of male gender (81%) and obesity as a comorbidity (body mass index >30 kg/m2, 40%) remained relatively stable during the period (p = 0.58 and p = 0.79, respectively). The incidence of SCD in subjects under 40 years of age has decreased in Northern Finland during 1998-2017. According to autopsy data, most of the deaths are due to nonischemic myocardial diseases and relative proportion of CAD has decreased.


Determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes in air by solid phase micro-extraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
The aim of the study was to analyse BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) in air by solid phase micro-extraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME/GC/MS), and this article presents the features of the calibration method proposed. Examples of real-world air analysis are given. Standard gaseous mixtures of BTEX in air were generated by dynamic dilution. SPME sampling was carried out under non-equilibrium conditions using a Carboxen/PDMS fibre exposed for 30 min to standard gas mixtures or to ambient air. The behaviour of the analytical response was studied from 0 to 65 microg/m3 by adding increasing amounts of BTEX to the air matrix. Detection limits range from 0.05 to 0.1 microg/m3 for benzene, depending on the fibre. Inter-fibre relative standard deviations (reproducibility) are larger than 18%, although the repeatability for an individual fibre is better than 10%. Therefore, each fibre should be considered to be a particular sampling device, and characterised individually depending on the required accuracy. Sampling indoor and outdoor air by SPME appears to be a suitable short-delay diagnostic method for volatile organic compounds, taking advantage of short sampling time and simplicity.


Alterations in T-lymphocyte sub-set profiles and cytokine secretion by PBMC of systemic lupus erythematosus patients upon in vitro exposure to organochlorine pesticides.
Chronic exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCP) has been suspected of causing immunoregulatory abnormalities that eventually lead to development and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the role of these non-genetic stimuli has remained poorly understood. The objectives of the study were to quantify the levels of different OCP residues in the blood of SLE patients and to study the effects of in vitro treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from these patients and healthy controls with OCP. Levels of different OCP residues in the blood were measured by gas-liquid chromatography. Isolated PBMC were treated in vitro with hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), o,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), or phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA-M) for 72 h, then stained with different dye-labeled monoclonal antibodies to analyze alterations in T-lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Levels of different T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokines were also estimated by ELISA. Significantly higher levels of p,p'-DDE and β-HCH were detected in the blood of SLE patients than in healthy controls. HCH exposure markedly increased the percentages of CD3(+)CD4(+) T-lymphocytes and expression of CD45RO(+) on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes, but decreased CD4(+)CD25(+) T-lymphocytes in SLE patients. DDT exposure increased the percentages of CD3(+)CD4(+) T-lymphocytes and decreased those of CD4(+)CD25(+) T-lymphocytes in SLE patients as compared to healthy controls. No significant responsiveness of patient PBMC to PHA-M stimulation was observed indicating suppression of T-lymphocytes by these OCP. Further, both HCH and DDT decreased the levels of IL-2 and IFNγ but had no effect on IL-4 levels in SLE patients. DDT also increased significantly the levels of IL-10 in patients. It is likely that higher levels and prolonged durations of exposure to HCH and DDT may significantly influence T-lymphocyte sub-sets and cytokine expression in vivo that could lead to the development or exacerbation of SLE.


Formation of the extracellular mucous matrix of olfactory neuroepithelium: identification of partially glycosylated and nonglycosylated precursors of olfactomedin.
Olfactomedin is the major glycoprotein of the extracellular mucous matrix of frog olfactory neuroepithelium. It is responsible for the primary architecture of this extracellular matrix by forming via intermolecular disulfide bonds polymers, which are covered with evenly spaced carbohydrate groups. To study glycosylation of olfactomedin, we raised antibodies against the mature protein and antibodies against a region adjacent to an N-linked glycosylation site near its amino terminus. The latter antibodies cannot bind when this site is glycosylated and reveal precursors of olfactomedin in the perinuclear regions of Bowman's glands. In contrast, antiserum against the mature protein stains acinar regions of glands and the ciliary surface. Enzymatic deglycosylation of olfactomedin shows stepwise removal of carbohydrate and reveals a 51-kDa deglycosylated form. Our results indicate that, prior to secretion, most, if not all, of the six potential N-linked glycosylation sites of olfactomedin are glycosylated with carbohydrate moieties of about 8-10 sugar residues.


Energy Contribution of Beverages in US Children by Age, Weight, and Consumer Status.
Messaging to reduce unhealthy beverage intake is often targeted to overweight and obese children; however, there is little evidence to show that healthy weight children have healthier beverage intake patterns. Further, data on consumers only may further elucidate beverage intake patterns. The aim of this study was to update the current body of literature describing beverage intake in children by weight category, with the addition of consumer-only data. Day one 24-hour recalls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010 were analyzed to assess beverage intake of children 2-18 years old and differences by weight category. Beverages were coded as water, milk, 100% juice, coffee/tea, fruit drinks, soda, or low-calorie/diet drinks. On average, 18.7% of total daily calories for 2- to 18-year-old children came from beverages; 60% of total daily calories from added sugar came from beverages. Mean calories from beverages were 359, 358, and 386 kcal for normal weight, overweight, and obese children, respectively. Across all weight categories, there were clinically significant differences between overall means and means for consumers only. There were overlapping confidence intervals for intake of calories from soda and fruit drinks consumed by 2- to 5-year-olds and 12- to 18-year-olds, suggesting nonsignificant differences in intake across weight categories for these age groups. Messaging around beverage intake may be beneficial for children of all weights, particularly for those known to consume sugar-sweetened beverages. The per-consumer estimates may represent a better measure of intakes in future examinations of 24-hour recall data.


Succinate accumulation in pig large intestine during antibiotic-associated diarrhea and the constitution of succinate-producing flora.
Succinate was the major organic acid detected in the hindgut content of pigs suffering from antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea was induced by an oral dose of polymyxin B sulfate (3,000,000 units/day) or an intramuscular injection of enrofloxacin (0.6 g enrofloxacin/day). In the large intestine of enrofloxacin-treated pigs, Gram-negative facultative anaerobic rods phylogenetically related to Escherichia coli and Gram-positive facultative anaerobic non-spore-forming rods phylogenetically related to Lactobacilli were isolated as succinate producers. Succinate-producing Lactobacilli were only isolated as the succinate producer in polymyxin B sulfate-treated pigs. In contrast to antibiotic-associated diarrhea pigs, bacteria belonging to Bacteroidaceae, Fusobacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae were detected as succinate producers in a non-treated pig. In antibiotic-associated diarrhea conditions, antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteria, E. coli in particular, and Lactobacilli may contribute to an abnormal succinate accumulation and may affect water absorption in the hindgut that relates to an expression of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.


Chemosensory cues alter earthworm (Eisenia fetida) avoidance of lead-contaminated soil.
Earthworms were shown to significantly avoid soils spiked with Pb at concentrations lower than or comparable to concentrations that demonstrate significant effects for other endpoints. It was also shown that inclusion of a microorganism-produced volatile compound that attracts earthworms, ethyl valerate, decreased avoidance of spiked soils. These findings suggest that care should be taken when analyzing earthworm avoidance of soils in which microorganism communities are not controlled. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:999-1004. © 2016 SETAC.


The threshold algorithm: Description of the methodology and new developments.
Understanding the dynamics of complex systems requires the investigation of their energy landscape. In particular, the flow of probability on such landscapes is a central feature in visualizing the time evolution of complex systems. To obtain such flows, and the concomitant stable states of the systems and the generalized barriers among them, the threshold algorithm has been developed. Here, we describe the methodology of this approach starting from the fundamental concepts in complex energy landscapes and present recent new developments, the threshold-minimization algorithm and the molecular dynamics threshold algorithm. For applications of these new algorithms, we draw on landscape studies of three disaccharide molecules: lactose, maltose, and sucrose.


Survival of family medicine in a corporate health care environment: lessons from the United Kingdom.
The preservation of small, independent family practices within a changed health care delivery environment is a goal worth pursuing. Properly organized, such practices would maintain the special fiduciary relationship between physicians and patients. Fundholding practices, which are a growing organizational form of general practice in the United Kingdom, are described as a model that could serve as the basis for an American alternative to corporate medicine.


Novel Sulfonamide-Based Analogs of Metformin Exert Promising Anti-Coagulant Effects without Compromising Glucose-Lowering Activity.
Metformin, one of the most frequently prescribed oral anti-diabetic drugs, is characterized by multidirectional activity, including lipid lowering, cardio-protective and anti-inflammatory properties. This study presents synthesis and stability studies of 10 novel sulfonamide-based derivatives of metformin with alkyl substituents in the aromatic ring. The potential of the synthesized compounds as glucose-lowering agents and their effects on selected parameters of plasma and vascular hemostasis were examined. Compounds with two or three methyl groups in the aromatic ring (6, 7, 9, 10) significantly increased glucose uptake in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), e.g., 15.8 µmol/L for comp. 6 at 0.3 µmol/mL versus 11.4 ± 0.7 µmol/L for control. Basic coagulation studies showed that all examined compounds inhibit intrinsic coagulation pathway and the process of fibrin polymerization stronger than the parent drug, metformin, which give evidence of their greater anti-coagulant properties. Importantly, synthesized compounds decrease the activity of factor X, a first member of common coagulation pathway, while metformin does not affect coagulation factor X (FX) activity. A multiparametric clot formation and lysis test (CL-test) revealed that the examined compounds significantly prolong the onset of clot formation; however, they do not affect the overall potential of clot formation and fibrinolysis. Erythrotoxicity studies confirmed that none of the synthesized compounds exert an adverse effect on erythrocyte integrity, do not contribute to the massive hemolysis and do not interact strongly with the erythrocyte membrane. In summary, chemical modification of metformin scaffold into benzenesulfonamides containing alkyl substituents leads to the formation of potential dual-action agents with comparable glucose-lowering properties and stronger anti-coagulant activity than the parent drug, metformin.


Immunity elicitors for induced resistance against the downy mildew pathogen in pearl millet.
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a globally important cereal whose production is severely constrained by downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.). In this study, immunity eliciting properties of 3,5-dichloroanthranilic acid (DCA), Cell Wall Glucan (CWG), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Glycinebetaine (GB) was deciphered through enzymatic and protein studies based on elicitor treatment activated defense mechanisms. Glycinebetaine, LPS, CWS and DCA elicited enzyme activities and gene expression of the defense enzymes, such as β-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), lipoxygenase (LOX) and defense protein hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs). However, the speed and the extent of elicitation differed. High levels of enzyme activities and gene expression in elicitor-treated P. glaucum positively correlated with the increased downy mildew resistance. A very rapid and large changes in elicitor-treated seedlings, in contrast to the delayed, smaller changes in the untreated susceptible control seedlings suggests that the rate and magnitude of defense gene expression are important for effective manifestation of defense against pathogen. As compared to other elicitors and control, GB promoted increase in enzyme activities and gene expression, implicating that GB is a promising elicitor of downy mildew resistance in P. glaucum.


Computer-Generated Written Behavioral Contracts with Problem Drinkers in Primary Medical Care.
Problem drinking is common among patients in primary medical care, but often unrecognized. Brief physician interventions can be helpful, but several barriers hinder their adoption in practice, notably a lack of time. We conducted a randomized pilot study of written behavioral contracts that patients wrote with help from a computer program. In eight family medicine practices, 2684 patients were approached and 2399 screened with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Of those, 186 screened positive, 154 were eligible, and 80 enrolled. Follow-up interviews were completed with 69 (86%). At 12 months, the AUDIT and Addiction Severity Index alcohol scores decreased nonsignificantly more in the intervention group than in the controls. The study demonstrated that computer-based interventions are acceptable to patients and physicians, feasible in busy primary care practices, and have effect sizes comparable to those of physician-based interventions. Computer-based interventions may be an effective and efficient tool to enhance identification of and intervention with problem drinkers in primary care.


On the origin of chaotrope-modulated electrocatalytic activity of cytochrome c at electrified aqueous|organic interfaces.
Electrochemical, spectroscopic and computational methods are used to demonstrate that electrified aqueous|organic interfaces are a suitable bio-mimetic platform to study and contrast the accelerated electrocatalytic activity of cytochrome c towards the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of denaturing agents such as guanidinium chloride and urea.


Childless and one-child Families in the Soviet Union.
Soviet authorities have recently initiated a demographic policy aimed particularly at reducing the levels of childless and one child families. An examination of available data indicates that the USSR has a level of childlessness equivalent to that of the United States, but a frequency of one child families that is considerably greater. Popular explanations for very low fertility, such as inadequate housing or finances, do not explain the decision to remain childless or to stop childbearing after a single child is born. Furthermore, the effects of education and female labor force participation are mediated by cultural factors. It is these cultural factors that seem to differentiate among zero, one, and two child families. In the Soviet case, the most appropriate policy tool for intervention in such cultural processes is propaganda, but such a value transformation approach is more complex and unpredicatable than a structural approach. Nevertheless, a structural explanation for fertility decline is inadequate for this situation.


Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes/Graphite Nanosheets Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen and Dopamine.
Graphite nanosheets prepared by thermal expansion and successive sonication were utilized for the construction of a multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphite nanosheets based amperometric sensing platform to simultaneously determine acetaminophen and dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid in physiological conditions. The synergistic effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphite nanosheets catalyzed the electrooxidation of acetaminophen and dopamine, leading to a remarkable potential difference up to 200 mV. The as-prepared modified electrode exhibited linear responses to acetaminophen and dopamine in the concentration ranges of 2.0 × 10(-6) - 2.4 × 10(-4) M (R = 0.999) and 2.0 × 10(-6) - 2.0 × 10(-4) M (R = 0.998), respectively. The detection limits were down to 2.3 × 10(-7) M for acetaminophen and 3.5 × 10(-7) M for dopamine (S/N = 3). Based on the simple preparation and prominent electrochemical properties, the obtained multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphite nanosheets modified electrode would be a good candidate for the determination of acetaminophen and dopamine without the interference of ascorbic acid.


When to say what: trustees and the media.
If your organization were suddenly thrust into the media's glare, and you were called upon for comment, would you know how to handle it? Does your board have a media game plan? It's important that trustees decide, before media attention hits, who speaks on what issues to which audience.


Polydopamine-Based Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy/Chemotherapy and their Synergistic Therapy with Autophagy Inhibitor to Promote Antitumor Treatment.
Polydopamine (PDA) has attracted much attention recently due to its strong adhesion capability to most substrates. After combining with organic (such as organic metal framework, micelles, hydrogel, polypeptide copolymer) or inorganic nanomaterials (such as gold, silicon, carbon), polydopamine-based nanoparticles (PDA NPs) exhibit the merging of characteristics. Until now, the preparation methods, polymerization mechanism, and photothermal therapy (PTT) or chemotherapy (CT) applications of PDA NPs have been reported detailly. Since the PTT or CT treatment process is often accompanied by exogenous stimuli, tumor cells usually induce pro-survival autophagy to protect the cells from further damage, which will weaken the therapeutic effect. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of PDA NPs modulated PTT, CT, and autophagy is required. However, this association is rarely reviewed. Herein, we briefly described the relationship between PTT/CT, autophagy, and tumor treatment. Then, the outstanding performances of PDA NPs in PTT/CT and their combination with autophagy inhibitors for tumor synergistic therapy have been summarized. This work is expected to shed light on the multi-strategy antitumor therapy applications of PDA NPs.


Non-profits discover the benefits of using software through the Internet.
Many non-profits are looking at ways that they can leverage the Internet to assist in fund raising. Some organizations are using the Internet as a form of e-commerce to accept online gifts, while others are using the immediacy of the Internet for online auctions.


(Bio)degradable Polymeric Materials for Sustainable Future-Part 2: Degradation Studies of P(3HB-co-4HB)/Cork Composites in Different Environments.
The degree of degradation of pure poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] and its composites with cork incubated under industrial and laboratory composting conditions was investigated. The materials were parallelly incubated in distilled water at 70 °C as a reference experiment (abiotic condition). It was demonstrated that addition of the cork into polyester strongly affects the matrix crystallinity. It influences the composite degradation independently on the degradation environment. Moreover, the addition of the cork increases the thermal stability of the obtained composites; this was related to a smaller reduction in molar mass during processing. This phenomenon also had an influence on the composite degradation process. The obtained results suggest that the addition of cork as a natural filler in various mass ratios to the composites enables products with different life expectancies to be obtained.


Effects of beta-adrenergic blockers on glutamate-induced calcium signals in adult mouse retinal ganglion cells.
Betaxolol, a selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, is an antiglaucoma drug commonly used to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) in treatment of glaucoma. Recent evidence has also shown that it attenuates ligand- and voltage-gated currents in retinal ganglion cells, which may lead to reduction of intracellular calcium and prevention of glutamate-induced ganglion cell damage in glaucoma. In the present study, we examined the effectiveness of betaxolol and other beta-adrenergic blockers on glutamate-induced calcium signals. Dissociated adult mouse retinal ganglion cells were immuno-labeled with antibody CD90.2 and loaded with Fura-2AM. Calcium signals were recorded with optical recording techniques. Low doses of glutamate cause an increase in intracellular calcium that may result in pathological changes in ganglion cells. The action of glutamate could be reversibly suppressed by beta-adrenergic blockers and the order of inhibitory potency is (s)(-)-propranolol>betaxolol>>timolol, with average IC(50) of 78.05, 235.7 and 2167.05, microM, respectively. Betaxolol compressed the dose-response curve of glutamate. The EC(50) of glutamate was shifted from 6.19 to 23.53 microM, indicating that betaxolol acts as a non-competitive inhibitor of glutamate response in retinal ganglion cells. Our data are consistent with previous reports that betaxolol and other beta-adrenergic blockers may exert its neuroprotective action by suppression of glutamate-induced intracellular calcium increase in retinal ganglion cells.


Dosimetric evaluations of the interplay effect in respiratory-gated intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
The interplay between a mobile target and a dynamic multileaf collimator can compromise the accuracy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Our goal in this study is to investigate the dosimetric effects caused by the respiratory motion during IMRT. A moving phantom was built to simulate the typical breathing motion. Different sizes of the gating windows were selected for gated deliveries. The residual motions during the beam-on period ranged from 0.5 to 3 cm. An IMRT plan with five treatment fields from different gantry angles were delivered to the moving phantom for three irradiation conditions: Stationary condition, moving with the use of gating system, and moving without the use of gating system. When the residual motion was 3 cm, the results showed significant differences in dose distributions between the stationary condition and the moving phantom without gating beam control. The overdosed or underdosed areas enclosed about 33% of the treatment area. In contrast, the dose distribution on the moving phantom with gating window set to 0.5 cm showed no significant differences from the stationary phantom. With the appropriate setting of the gating window, the deviation of dose from the respiratory motion can be minimized. It appeals that limiting the residual motion to less than 0.5 cm is critical for the treatments of mobile structures.


Immunosuppressive effects of deflazacort - a new glucocorticoid with bone-sparing and carbohydrate-sparing properties: comparison with prednisone.
Deflazacort is a synthetic glucocorticoid with fewer adverse effects on bone and carbohydrate metabolism than prednisone or beta-methasone. Its antiinflammatory effects have compared favorably to prednisone in European studies of rheumatoid arthritis. We compared the immune effects of prednisone and deflazacort in normal volunteers. Circulating lymphocytes were reduced similarly by equivalent doses of both drugs; monocyte numbers were reduced more by deflazacort. Each drug suppressed autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in vitro and in vivo; this effect persisted longer with deflazacort. Deflazacort may be a superior therapeutic agent because of its lower toxicity and longer duration of one immunosuppressive effect; it might be effective in alternate day regimens.


Anisotropy effect on global minimum structures of clusters: two-center Lennard-Jones model.
Using a two-center Lennard-Jones (2CLJ) model, the simplest anisotropic case, we investigated how anisotropy affects global minimum structures of clusters and obtained some interesting results. The anisotropy parameter, R, is defined as the ratio of the bond length of 2CLJ dimer to the LJ equilibrium pair separation, where a larger R value means higher anisotropy. For low R values, the structures resemble those of the Lennard-Jones atomic clusters. However, as the pairwise interaction becomes more anisotropic, the "magic numbers" change, and several novel cluster patterns emerge as particularly stable structures, and the global minima change from icosahedral, to polyicosahedral and to novel irregular structures. Moreover, increasing the anisotropy effectively softens the 2CLJ potential. Given the general importance of the LJ cluster as a simple model cluster, 2CLJ model can provide a straightforward and useful analysis of the effect of molecular shape on the structures of clusters.


New Pathogens and Rapid Diagnostic Methods -Clinical Microbiology in the 21st Century-
This presentation is actually a predictive opinion piece from the author's experience. No one really knows what new pathogens are awaiting us around the year of 2000 corner but, in 1985, the author was asked by the NCCLS (USA) to predict the emerging pathogens for the 1990's in the U.S. and hit on 80% of them. Thus, using the experience of this decade, we can predict what will happen in the U.S. in the first decade of the new century with 80-90% accuracy of those we predict. In the next millennium we will see a marked increase in the infection rate of the atypical (non-TB) mycobacteria, the environmental fungi, and even greater problems with the "water organisms". All of this will be described in detail with the preliminary data that indicates these trends for the years "2000 and beyond". In the area of what will be new in rapid testing, whether manual or automated, the future is even more cloudy. Manufacturers will not discuss with consumers what their long-range plans are for new products. Even long-time associations with Becton-Dickinson, Gen-Probe, Vitek, etc., has yielded little if any indication of their company's plans for the years "2000 and beyond". One can, however, conceive and get into their minds to some degree based on their previous track records. We think these companies are working very hard on current tests or instruments to upgrade and improve their products yielding tests with greater sensitivity and specificity, while decreasing the technicians "hands-on time". We anticipate the increased utilization of chromogenic detectors rather than nucleotides due to the inherent problem of disposal of radioactive compounds regardless of how few actual "micro-curies" involved. The use of ligand assay technology to supplement or replace currently employed PCR technology is totally predictable and will occur. One must remember that industry faces the same problems as we do with the "new pathogens" of the future. They will need to develop detection and identification systems for organisms that at this time don't even have names because we haven't encountered them yet. Additionally there are all those organisms out there that environmental microbiologists may be familiar with, but not clinical microbiologists. Industry will respond to need, they always have, they always will, but it is hard to respond to the unknown organism at this time. That problem relates to the philosophical nature and brevity of this abstract, that is "the unknown". If we knew for sure what the future was, it would be the past.


Food intake and prevalence of obesity in Brazil: an ecological analysis.
To investigate the correlation between the consumption of refined carbohydrates and fats and the prevalence of obesity in the state capitals of Brazil. An ecological evaluation of obesity and dietary risk factors was carried out in twenty-six state capitals of Brazil. Analysis was based on the age-standardized prevalence of obesity (BMI >or= 30.0 kg/m2) among adults aged 20-59 years. Both intake and obesity prevalence were obtained from the last National Family Household Budget Survey (HBS). The survey was conducted from July 2002 to June 2003, based on a probabilistic national sample of 48 470 households. In each household, during seven consecutive days, all monetary and non-monetary expenses for food and beverages for family consumption were transformed into energy. The relative contribution of foods and food groups was expressed as the proportion (%) of total energy. Fruits and vegetables were also measured by the quantity bought in grams. Prevalence of obesity varied from 5.1 % to 13.6 % among women and from 5.2 % to 17.6 % among men. For women, there were statistically significant correlations between obesity and intake of sugar and soft drinks (rS = 0.60; P = 0.001), ready-to-eat meals (rS = 0.39; P = 0.05) and potatoes (rS = 0.40; P = 0.04). For men there were no such associations. Increasing intake of refined carbohydrates, mainly soft drinks, may play a role in the prevalence of obesity among women in Brazil. Effecting changes in family purchase patterns may be a strategy to reduce obesity.


[Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in hepatic stellate cells activation].
To investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in activation of primary hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and to explore the blocking effect of specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs) targeting MIF on the activation of primary HSCs. Rat primary HSC were isolated from SD rats by in situ perfusion of collagenase and pronase and single-step Nycodenz density gradient centrifugation, and then cultured and activated. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), the marker of HSC activation, was assessed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC). The expression of MIF was detected by RT-PCR, enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence (IF) or ICC. Completely activated primary HSC were transfected with MIF-specific antisense oligonucleotide (MIF-ASONs), mis-sense oligonucleotides of MIF, or blank liposome (negative-control). Quiescent HSC expressed very low level of MIF, while MIF gene and protein expression increased significantly during the process of HSC activation. Positive correlation was found between the expression of alpha-SMA and MIF (r = 0.944, P < 0.01). Compared with the control, activated primary Gen HSC transfected with MIF-ASONs showed lower MIF and alpha-SMA expressions at gene and protein profiles (P < 0.05). The expression of MIF was up-regulated in the process of HSC activation. Activation in culture of primarily isolated rat HSC could be inhibited by MIF-ASONs, suggesting at least in part that, MIF might be a novel and important factor involved in HSC activation and hepatic fibrosis.


Image-based phenotyping to estimate anthocyanin concentrations in lettuce.
Anthocyanins provide blue, red, and purple color to fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Due to their benefits for human health and aesthetic appeal, anthocyanin content in crops affects consumer preference. Rapid, low-cost, and non-destructive phenotyping of anthocyanins is not well developed. Here, we introduce the normalized difference anthocyanin index (NDAI), which is based on the optical properties of anthocyanins: high absorptance in the green and low absorptance in the red part of the spectrum. NDAI is determined as (Ired - Igreen)/(Ired + Igreen), where I is the pixel intensity, a measure of reflectance. To test NDAI, leaf discs of two red lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivars 'Rouxai' and 'Teodore' with wide range of anthocyanin concentrations were imaged using a multispectral imaging system and the red and green images were used to calculate NDAI. NDAI and other commonly used indices for anthocyanin quantification were evaluated by comparing to with the measured anthocyanin concentration (n = 50). Statistical results showed that NDAI has advantages over other indices in terms of prediction of anthocyanin concentrations. Canopy NDAI, obtained using multispectral canopy imaging, was correlated (n = 108, R2 = 0.73) with the anthocyanin concentrations of the top canopy layer, which is visible in the images. Comparison of canopy NDAI from multispectral images and RGB images acquired using a Linux-based microcomputer with color camera, showed similar results in the prediction of anthocyanin concentration. Thus, a low-cost microcomputer with a camera can be used to build an automated phenotyping system for anthocyanin content.


Update on the changing numbers and distribution of periodontists.
A review of the 2006 and past American Dental Association (ADA) studies on the distribution of dentists provides information on the evolving number of periodontists. Despite an overall increase in the number of periodontists, major differences continue in practitioner/population ratios in different geographic areas. As in past reviews, suggestions are offered for efforts by the ADA and/or the American Academy of Periodontology to draw attention to the limited numbers of periodontists in particular regions and states; to increase efforts to educate the public on the need and value of periodontal services; and to increase the profession's awareness of the growing diversity in the nation's population and the need to modify and adjust its efforts to attract underserved populations with different familial, cultural, and educational backgrounds.


[Trainee psychiatrists in residence need to be taught interactions skills].
Trainee psychiatrists can find themselves in interactions where there is practically no collaboration with patients, their relatives, members of the treatment team and supervisors. A psychiatrist needs to be competent in establishing working relationships in complex situations and should be proficient in safeguarding professional boundaries. To evaluate the interaction skills training for first-year psychiatrist in residence at hospitals and clinics forming part of the East Netherlands Consortium. METHODS All trainee psychiatrists in residence were asked to complete two evaluation forms concerning the suitability of the skills training course, the first directly after the course ended and the second at follow-up 1 to 3 years later. The training was rated highly directly after the training (n=42, average 7.8) (scale 0-10) and at follow-up (n=23, average 7.7) (scale 0-10). 17 of the 23 respondents at follow-up stated that they felt the need for a refresher training course. The interaction skills training is greatly appreciated and satisfies the need of first-year psychiatrists to acquire the competence and skills that are important in complex situations.


Radiographic diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 63 cases.
To identify radiographic features that can be used to aid in the diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits. Retrospective study comparing radiographic features of 63 cases of confirmed intestinal obstruction with 50 abdominal radiographs taken of rabbits without gastrointestinal disease. Abdominal radiographs were examined for gastric size, gastric contents, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum. Gastric size, gastric contents, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum were all features that differed between rabbits with small intestinal obstruction and rabbits without gastrointestinal disease. Radiographic features associated with small intestinal obstruction included severe gastric dilation, gastric contents primarily consisting of liquid and gas, small intestinal dilation and absence of large amounts of gas in the caecum and large intestine. Observation on gastric size, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum aid in radiological diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in rabbits and so can guide appropriate treatment.


[Myocardial revascularization in left coronary trunk lesion in patients over 65 years old].
To study the short and long-term follow-up of patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and age over 65 years, by comparing the results with patients under 65 years-old. Twenty-two patients with LMCAD and mean age of 69 +/- 3.5 years (group I) were underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and compared to 31 patients with LMCAD, mean age of 54 +/- 7 years (group II), who also underwent isolated CABG. The life-table Kaplan-Meyer method was used to estimate the post-operative survival. The chi-square and Student "t" test were used when necessary. Despite higher operative mortality in group I (9.1% x 3.2%), the difference was statistically not significant. The operative morbidity was similar in both groups. Actuarial survival at 4 years was 85% in group I and 95% in group II. Actuarial survival free of cardiac events was 69% in group II and 75% in group II. The CABG is well tolerated and had low morbidity and acceptable mortality in old patients with LMCAD. The long-term survival in these patients was very similar to the younger patients.


Safer medicine administration through the use of e-learning.
The administration of medicines to patients in acute hospitals can generate significant clinical risk. Nurses who undertake this must be competent and confident to practise. This article describes the development and implementation of an e-learning programme to educate and assess nurses in safe drug administration practice.


Bluetongue Virus Infections in Cattle Herds of Manabí Province of Ecuador.
Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to domestic and wild ruminants. Infections in cattle are mainly subclinical, but severe necrotic and hemorrhagic illness and death may occur depending on the strain of the virus and other factors; cattle act as a reservoir for the virus. Although the Ecuadorian coast has climatic conditions that favor the presence of the vector, there are few serologic or virologic BTV studies available. Manabí is a coastal province in which livestock farming is mostly implemented in the northern part. We conducted two studies to assess, for the first time, the presence of active BTV infections in Manabí province. We collected 430 serum samples from 38 randomly selected farms between March and July 2019 to perform BTV competitive ELISA. In addition, six seropositive farms were selected to place eight sentinel BTV-naive calves. All these calves were blood sampled and the presence of BTV RNA and antibodies was tested for by RT-PCR and competitive ELISA, respectively, once a week for 6-8 weeks until seroconversion was evidenced. A high individual seroprevalence (99%) was obtained, and all investigated farms had BTV seropositive animals. All sentinel calves became BTV viremic and seroconverted. The first viremia appeared after 2-5 weeks from arrival at the farm; they seroconverted 1-3 weeks later. We demonstrate for the first time that there is a high level of BTV circulation north of Manabí, with active infections on these farms. Integrated control strategies such as hygienic measures on farms to reduce midge populations would be advisable for the owners as mitigation measures.


Multiscale modeling of cortical gradients: The role of mesoscale circuits for linking macro- and microscale gradients of cortical organization and hierarchical information processing.
The gradient concept in neuroscience describes systematic and continuous progressions of features of cortical organization across the entire cortex. Recent multimodal studies revealed a macroscale gradient from primary sensory to transmodal association areas which is linked to increasing representational abstraction along the cortical hierarchy, and which is paralleled by microscale gradients of cytoarchitecture and gene expression profiles. Convergent or divergent evidence from these multimodal studies is then used to support inferences about the existence of one common or multiple scale-specific gradients of hierarchical information processing. This paper evaluates the validity of such inferences within the framework of multiscale modeling. In branches of physics and biology where multiscale modeling techniques are used, the simple averaging of microscale details can introduce errors in macroscale modeling if it ignores structures at the intermediate mesoscales of organization which affect system behavior. Conversely, information about mesoscale structures can be used to determine which microscale details are actually relevant to macroscale behavior. In this paper, I similarly argue that multiscale modeling of cortical gradients needs to take organization of mesoscale circuits into account if it affects the structure-function relation that the models describe. Information about these circuits provides crucial evidence for evaluating inferences from micro- and macroscale data to the role of cortical gradients in hierarchical information processing. My application of the multiscale modeling framework reveals that the gradient concept tracks multiple overlapping progressions of cortical properties, rather than one overall gradient of hierarchical information processing. I support this argument by proposing a mesoscale gradient of connectivity which describes architectural differences between granular and agranular circuits, and which helps us better understand the relation between neural connectivity and hierarchical information processing.


Calibrating system errors of large scale three-dimensional profile measurement instruments by subaperture stitching method.
This study presents a subaperture stitching method to calibrate system errors of several ∼2 m large scale 3D profile measurement instruments (PMIs). The calibration process was carried out by measuring a Φ460 mm standard flat sample multiple times at different sites of the PMI with a length gauge; then the subaperture data were stitched together using a sequential or simultaneous stitching algorithm that minimizes the inconsistency (i.e., difference) of the discrete data in the overlapped areas. The system error can be used to compensate the measurement results of not only large flats, but also spheres and aspheres. The feasibility of the calibration was validated by measuring a Φ1070 mm aspheric mirror, which can raise the measurement accuracy of PMIs and provide more reliable 3D surface profiles for guiding grinding, lapping, and even initial polishing processes.


Bioregenerative food system cost based on optimized menus for advanced life support.
Optimized menus for a bioregenerative life support system have been developed based on measures of crop productivity, food item acceptability, menu diversity, and nutritional requirements of crew. Crop-specific biomass requirements were calculated from menu recipe demands while accounting for food processing and preparation losses. Under the assumption of staggered planting, the optimized menu demanded a total crop production area of 453 m2 for six crew. Cost of the bioregenerative food system is estimated at 439 kg per menu cycle or 7.3 kg ESM crew-1 day-1, including agricultural waste processing costs. On average, about 60% (263.6 kg ESM) of the food system cost is tied up in equipment, 26% (114.2 kg ESM) in labor, and 14% (61.5 kg ESM) in power and cooling. This number is high compared to the STS and ISS (nonregenerative) systems but reductions in ESM may be achieved through intensive crop productivity improvements, reductions in equipment masses associated with crop production, and planning of production, processing, and preparation to minimize the requirement for crew labor.


Identification and characterization of a cystathionine beta/gamma-lyase from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris MG1363.
This paper describes the nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding cystathionine beta/gamma-lyase from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris MG1363, its overexpression in Escherichia coli and some functional characteristics of the purified recombinant protein.


The Selective SIK2 Inhibitor ARN-3236 Produces Strong Antidepressant-Like Efficacy in Mice via the Hippocampal CRTC1-CREB-BDNF Pathway.
Depression is a widespread chronic medical illness affecting thoughts, mood, and physical health. However, the limited and delayed therapeutic efficacy of monoaminergic drugs has led to intensive research efforts to develop novel antidepressants. ARN-3236 is the first potent and selective inhibitor of salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2). In this study, a multidisciplinary approach was used to explore the antidepressant-like actions of ARN-3236 in mice. Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) models of depression, various behavioral tests, high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, stereotactic infusion, viral-mediated gene transfer, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were used together. It was found that ARN-3236 could penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Repeated ARN-3236 administration induced significant antidepressant-like effects in both the CSDS and CUMS models of depression, accompanied with fully preventing the stress-enhanced SIK2 expression and cytoplasmic translocation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) in the hippocampus. ARN-3236 treatment also completely reversed the down-regulating effects of CSDS and CUMS on the hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) system and neurogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrated that the hippocampal CRTC1-CREB-BDNF pathway mediated the antidepressant-like efficacy of ARN-3236. Collectively, ARN-3236 possesses strong protecting effects against chronic stress, and could be a novel antidepressant beyond monoaminergic drugs.


Factor XI dependent and independent activation of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in plasma associated with clot formation.
Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) also known as plasma procarboxypeptidase B is activated by relatively high concentrations of thrombin in a reaction stimulated by thrombomodulin. In plasma an intact factor XI-dependent feed back loop via the intrinsic pathway is necessary to generate sufficient thrombin for TAFI activation. This thrombin generation takes place after clot formation with consequent down-regulation of fibrinolysis. We developed a specific and sensitive assay for activated TAFI (TAFIa) and studied its factor XI-dependent generation during clot formation. In the absence of thrombomodulin, addition of 20 nM thrombin to normal plasma generated 5-10% of the amount of TAFIa generated by 20 nM thrombin in the presence of 8 nM thrombomodulin. Minimal activation of TAFI was detected in factor II deficient plasma when clotting was initiated by 20 nM thrombin. Addition of 320-640 nM of thrombin to factor II deficient plasma resulted in the same amount of TAFIa as in normal plasma, suggesting that approximately 50% of factor II has to be converted to thrombin for extensive activation of TAFI. A Mab that neutralizes activated factor XII had no effect on TAFI activation indicating that an intact contact system is not necessary for the activation of TAFI. The dependency of TAFI activation of factor XI was tested using a Mab that neutralizes activated factor XI. When plasmas from 13 healthy individuals were tested, this Mab reduced TAFI activation by 65% (range 35-89%). Our results indicate that activation of TAFI in serum after clot formation can be quantitated and that it takes place in both factor XI-dependent and factor XI-independent mechanisms.


IL28B genotype predicts response to chronic hepatitis C triple therapy with telaprevir or boceprevir in treatment naïve and treatment-experienced patients other than prior partial- and null-responders.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL28B gene were shown to have limited utility in predicting response to telaprevir and boceprevir in treatment of chronic HCV infection in clinical trials. Data outside of the clinical trial setting are lacking. We assessed the value of single and combined IL28B SNPs rs12979860 and rs8099917 genotypes in predicting sustained virological response 12 weeks after cessation of triple therapy (SVR12) with telaprevir or boceprevir in a single-centre cohort of treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 HCV mono-infection (n = 105). The overall SVR12 rate was 65.7%. By unadjusted bivariate logistic regression analysis, rs12979860-CC and rs8099917-TT were significantly associated with SVR12 in the subgroup of patients including all naïve patients and all treatment-experienced patients with the exception of partial- and null-responders to previous HCV therapy. The predictive value of rs12979860-CC was stronger than rs8099917-TT and only rs12979860-CC remained significantly predictive of treatment success when the two variants were assessed by adjusted logistic regression analysis in the whole study cohort. In patients presenting the rs12979860-CC variant, the additional determination of rs8099917 genotype had no value. IL28B rs12979860-CC remained significantly associated with SVR12 also in the multivariate analysis including the other baseline characteristics associated to SVR12 in the bivariate analysis (i.e., female gender, HCV genotype 1b, baseline viral load <800,000 IU/mL, advanced liver fibrosis and prior partial- or null-response to HCV therapy). Our study suggests that testing for the IL28B rs12979860 genotype may still be useful in predicting response to triple therapy with boceprevir and telaprevir in naïve patients and treatment-experienced patients other than partial and null-responders.


[Optical coherence tomography: from retina imaging to intraoperative use - a review].
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is new diagnostic procedure that has rapidly evolved in the last years. The recently developed spectral domain OCT allows one to increase the imaging speed by a hundred times compared to the first generation time domain OCT and enables three-dimensional imaging as well as real-time imaging of fast moving structures. Volumetric imaging improves the quantitative measurement of morphology and the evaluation of temporal changes. In addition, an exact correlation with images acquired with other imaging modalities is possible. Real-time imaging enables also the use of OCT during examinations with the slit-lamp and during ophthalmological surgery. A spectral domain OCT was adapted to a slit lamp. 70 patients (91 eyes) were examined at the anterior or posterior segment of the eye. Images of healthy structures and different pathologies were compared to OCT images obtained with Stratus 3, Spectralis, and the SL-OCT. To demonstrate the feasibility of OCT during surgery, spectral domain OCT devices working with 20,000 and 210,000 A scans per second were coupled by specially developed optics to the camera port of a surgical microscope. The device was tested with phantoms and enucleated pig eyes. A 5 kHz spectral domain OCT can image the retina during slit lamp-based indirect ophthalmoscopy with a quality similar to that of the Stratus 3. In addition, relevant structures of the anterior segment were imaged. Here, compared to commercially available devices, the imaged field was smaller and the angle of the anterior chamber was not directly visible due to the 830 nm wavelength, which had to be used for retinal imaging. Through the surgical microscope, a volumetric imaging of epithelium, Bowman's, Descemet's membranes, limbus, iris, lens, conjunctiva and sclera was demonstrated with several tens of centimetre working distance. Instruments and incisions in the cornea were visualised with 20 microm precision. Real-time imaging and visualisation of volumetric OCT data were also demonstrated. In principle, all technical problems of an intraoperative use of OCT have been solved and a clinical trial will start in the near future. OCT has the potential to improve the precision of surgical interventions and may even enable new interventions.


Hormonal contraception increases the risk of psychotropic drug use in adolescent girls but not in adults: A pharmacoepidemiological study on 800 000 Swedish women.
The burden of depression and anxiety disorders is greater in women, and female sex hormones have been shown to affect mood. Psychological side effects of hormonal contraception (HC) are also a common complaint in the clinic, but few previous studies have investigated this subject. We therefore wanted to investigate whether use of HC was associated with adverse psychological health outcomes, and whether this association was modified by age. All women aged 12-30 years on 31 December 2010, residing in Sweden for at least four years and with no previous psychiatric morbidity (n = 815 662), were included. We followed the women from their first HC use (or 31 December 2010, if they were non-users) at baseline, until a prescription fill of psychotropic drugs or the end of the one-year follow-up. We performed age-stratified logistic regression models and estimated odds ratios (OR) to measure the association between different HC methods and psychotropic drug use, as well as the area under the receiver operating curve to estimate discriminatory accuracy of HC in relation to psychotropic drugs. Overall, we found an association between HC and psychotropic drugs (adjusted OR 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-1.37). In the age-stratified analysis, the strongest association was found in adolescent girls (adjusted OR 3.46, 95% CI 3.04-4.94 for age 12 to 14 years), while it was non-existent for adult women. We conclude that hormonal contraception is associated with psychotropic drug use among adolescent girls, suggesting an adverse effect of HC on psychological health in this population.


Novel patient-specific navigational template for total knee arthroplasty.
Current techniques for total knee arthroplasty have certain drawbacks, including violation of the intramedullary canals and limited accuracy. The aim of this research was to develop and validate the accuracy of a new computer-assisted preoperative planning concept for the creation of patient-specific navigational templates to replace conventional instruments. Volumetric computerized tomography (CT) scanning was performed on 30 cadaveric knees, and a three-dimensional reconstruction model of each knee was generated from the scan data. Using a reverse-engineering technique, optimal lower-limb alignment and rotational alignment were determined. A navigational template was also designed with a surface that matched the distal femur and proximal tibia. This template, with its corresponding femur and tibia, was manufactured using a rapid-prototyping technique and tested for violations. The navigational template was then used intraoperatively to assist with an arthroplasty in each of the 30 cadaveric knees. Following surgery, the positions of the prostheses were evaluated with X-rays and CT scans. The method showed a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility. In all cases, placing the template manually on the lamina of the femur and tibia was relatively easy. Twenty-eight prostheses were considered to be positioned entirely accurately, whereas two prostheses were considered to have a 1-2° malpositioning. This study thus introduces a novel navigational template for total knee arthroplasty. Preliminary cadaveric trials have demonstrated that this design can improve the accuracy of osteotomy in the surgical procedure.


Microscale Cohesive-Friction-Based Finite Element Model for the Crack Opening Mechanism of Hooked-End Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete.
The entire mechanical properties of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) are significantly dependent on the fiber-matrix interactions. In the current study, a finite element (FE) model was developed to simulate the pullout response of hooked-end SFRC employing cohesive-frictional interactions. Plain stress elements were adapted in the model to exemplify the fiber process constituents, taking into consideration the material nonlinearity of the hooked-end fiber. Additionally, a surface-to-surface contact model was used to simulate the fiber's behavior in the pullout mechanism. The model was calibrated against experimental observations, and a modification factor model was proposed to account for the 3D phenomenalistic behavior of the pullout behavior. Realistic predictions were obtained by using this factor to predict the entire pullout-slip curves and independent results for the peak pullout load. The numerical results indicated that the increased fiber diameter would alter the mode of crack opening from fiber-matrix damage to that combined with matrix spalling, which can neutralize the sensitivity of the entire pullout response of hooked-end steel fiber to embedment depth. Additionally, the fiber-matrix bond was enhanced by increasing the fiber's surface area, sensibly leading to a higher pullout peak load and toughness. The developed FE model was also proficient in predicting microstructural stress distribution and deformations during the crack opening of SFRC. This model could be extended to fully model a loaded SFRC composite material by the inclusion of various randomly oriented dosages of fibers in the concrete block.