Stormwater runoff treatment filtration system and backwashing system.
This study has been carried out to evaluate the applicability of the pilot scale hybrid type of stormwater runoff treatment system for treatment of combined sewer overflow. Also, to determine the optimum operation parameter such as coagulation dosage concentration, effectiveness of coagulant usage, surface loading rate and backwashing conditions. The pilot scale stormwater filtration system (SFS) was installed at the municipal wastewater plant serving the city of Cheongju (CWTP), Korea. CWTP has a capacity of 280,000 m3/day. The SFS consists of a hydrocyclone coagulation/flocculation with polyaluminium chloride silicate (PACS) and an upflow filter to treat combined sewer overflows. There are two modes (without PACS use and with PACS use) of operation for the SFS. In case of no coagulant use, the range of suspended solids (SS) and turbidity removal efficiency were 72.0-86.6% (mean 80.0%) and 30.9-71.1% (mean 49.3%), respectively. And, the recovery rate of filter was 79.2-83.6% (mean 81.2%); the rate of remaining solid loading in filter media was 16.4-20.8% (mean 18.8%) after backwashing. The influent turbidity, SS concentrations were 59.0-90.7 NTU (mean 72.0 NTU), 194.0-320.0 mg/L (mean 246.7 mg/L), respectively. The range of PACS dosage concentration was 6.0-7.1 mg/L (mean 6.7 mg/L). The range of SS and turbidity removal efficiency was 84.9-98.2 (mean 91.4%) and 70.7-96.3 (mean 84.0%), respectively. It was found that removal efficiency was enhanced with PACS dosage. The recovery rate of filter was 92.0-92.5% (mean 92.3%) the rate of remaining solid loading in filter media was 6.1-8.2% (mean 7.2%) after backwashing. In the case of coagulant use, the particle size of the effluent is bigger than influent particle size. The results showed that SFS with PACS use more effective than without PACS use in SS and turbidity removal efficiency and recovery rate of filter.


Outsider Witness Groups as a Means of Professional Growth in Family Therapy Training: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.
This exploratory qualitative study examines the experiences and meanings associated with family therapy trainees' participation in the narrative practice of Outsider Witness Groups (OWG). At the Barcai Institute in Tel Aviv, we incorporate OWGs into our live clinical supervision courses. In some sessions, we offer the families undergoing therapy the opportunity to listen to the reflections of the group of trainees regarding what they witnessed during the session. Twenty-nine family therapy trainees participated in the study in five focus group interviews. Analysis of the interviews yielded four core themes regarding the trainees' experiences: (i) Exploring the stance of the therapist; (ii) The art of listening; (iii) Reflection on hierarchy and boundary setting; and (iv) Negotiating self-disclosure. The findings indicate that family therapy trainees stand to benefit significantly in their professional journey, development, and growth from integrating OWG practices into their training. OWG fosters the development of critical reflectivity in trainees, including the deconstruction of common and taken-for-granted assumptions. It also fosters practices related to family therapy, and perhaps also to therapy in general. The findings also suggest that taking part in OWGs during training may contribute to family therapy trainees' development of critical reflectivity as a means of introducing a more critical and political approach to therapy and developing their own preferred stories as therapists.


Associations between Perceived Social Eating Norms and Initiation and Maintenance of Changes in Dietary Habits during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in France.
Changes in dietary habits of the French population have been reported during the national lockdown that was enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated whether perceived social eating norms were associated with the initiation and maintenance of dietary changes that took place as a result of lockdown. An online study collected information on (1) changes in consumption implemented during the lockdown and the maintenance of these changes, and (2) perceptions about changes in consumption implemented during lockdown by household members, relatives out of home, and the general population. The changes in consumption were classified as foods to increase or to decrease according to French national recommendations. The perception of changes to dietary habits by household members and relatives out of home was related to the changes made by individuals for each of the food categories (all p < 0.05) but not to the perception of changes made the general population. Increased consumption of foods to increase was more likely to be maintained when there was a positive perception of the changes made by household members (p = 0.03). These results highlight the influence of the perception of social eating norms, especially by household members and relatives, on the implementation of dietary changes during lockdown and suggest that social eating norms can have a lasting influence.


Crystal structure of human mitoNEET reveals distinct groups of iron sulfur proteins.
MitoNEET is a protein of unknown function present in the mitochondrial membrane that was recently shown to bind specifically the antidiabetic drug pioglizatone. Here, we report the crystal structure of the soluble domain (residues 32-108) of human mitoNEET at 1.8-A resolution. The structure reveals an intertwined homodimer, and each subunit was observed to bind a [2Fe-2S] cluster. The [2Fe-2S] ligation pattern of three cysteines and one histidine differs from the known pattern of four cysteines in most cases or two cysteines and two histidines as observed in Rieske proteins. The [2Fe-2S] cluster is packed in a modular structure formed by 17 consecutive residues. The cluster-binding motif is conserved in at least seven distinct groups of proteins from bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, which show a consensus sequence of (hb)-C-X(1)-C-X(2)-(S/T)-X(3)-P-(hb)-C-D-X(2)-H, where hb represents a hydrophobic residue; we term this a CCCH-type [2Fe-2S] binding motif. The nine conserved residues in the motif contribute to iron ligation and structure stabilization. UV-visible absorption spectra indicated that mitoNEET can exist in oxidized and reduced states. Our study suggests an electron transfer function for mitoNEET and for other proteins containing the CCCH motif.


[Risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding].
To evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006. The overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients. Patients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.


A new emphasis on root traits for perennial grass and legume varieties with environmental and ecological benefits.
Grasslands cover a significant proportion of the agricultural land within the UK and across the EU, providing a relatively cheap source of feed for ruminants and supporting the production of meat, wool and milk from grazing animals. Delivering efficient animal production from grassland systems has traditionally been the primary focus of grassland-based research. But there is increasing recognition of the ecological and environmental benefits of these grassland systems and the importance of the interaction between their component plants and a host of other biological organisms in the soil and in adjoining habitats. Many of the ecological and environmental benefits provided by grasslands emanate from the interactions between the roots of plant species and the soil in which they grow. We review current knowledge on the role of grassland ecosystems in delivering ecological and environmental benefits. We will consider how improved grassland can deliver these benefits, and the potential opportunities for plant breeding to improve specific traits that will enhance these benefits whilst maintaining forage production for livestock consumption. Opportunities for exploiting new plant breeding approaches, including high throughput phenotyping, and for introducing traits from closely related species are discussed.


DNA- and viral-mediated gene transfer in follicular cells: progress toward gene therapy of the thyroid.
The authors investigate the in vitro component of an ex situ strategy for gene transfer into the thyroid gland using DNA complex and retroviral vectors. Canine follicular cells harvested by unilateral lobectomy and grown in low-serum media proliferated in culture and retained their differentiated state as evidenced by morphology and thyroglobulin expression. Transient and "stable" gene transfer in thyroid cells were evaluated by comparing DNA and retroviral transduction techniques. Effective gene transfer and expression was demonstrated by histochemical staining for the marker gene product beta-galactosidase. The efficiency of transduction was assessed using an amphotropic retroviral vector carrying the neomycin resistance gene and semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification of integrated proviral sequences. This analysis demonstrated a proviral frequency in transduced cultures of 10% to 30%. Transduced cells showed no change in morphology or growth patterns and maintained differentiated function as assessed by antibody staining for thyroglobulin. The thyroid gland is an attractive target for somatic gene therapy because of its large protein-synthetic capacity, sensitivity to hormonal regulation, and proportionately high blood flow. Follicular cell gene therapy may be useful not only for treating congenital or acquired diseases of the thyroid, but also disorders of circulating proteins such as hypopituitarism, hemophilia, and diabetes.


Use of physical restraints and psychotropic medications in Alzheimer special care units in nursing homes.
This study analyzed the use of mechanical restraints and psychotropic medication in Alzheimer special care units (SCUs) in nursing homes. We analyzed 1993 data for more than 71,000 nursing home residents in 4 states, including more than 1,100 residents in 48 SCUs. The dependent variable in multinomial logistic regression was use of physical restraints or psychotropic medication. Models contained covariates representing facility and resident characteristics, and multivariate matching strategies were used to protect against selection bias. Residents in SCUs did not differ from similar residents in traditional units in their likelihood of being physically restrained. Residents in SCUs were more likely to receive psychotropic medication. With regard to the measures used in this research, the findings indicate that residents in the SCUs in the 4 study states did not receive quality of care superior to that provided to similar residents in traditional units. In fact, the results related to drug use raise the question of whether some may have received poorer care.


Facile Achievement of Complementary Resistive Switching in Block Copolymer Micelle-Based Resistive Memories.
Interest in resistive random access memory (RRAM) has grown rapidly in recent years for realizing ultrahigh density data storage devices. However, sneak currents in these devices can result in misreading of the data, thus limiting the applicability of RRAM. Complementary resistive switching (CRS) memory consisting of two antiserial RRAMs can considerably reduce sneak currents; however, complicated device architectures and manufacturing processes still remain as challenges. Herein, an effective and simple approach for fabricating CRS memory devices using self-assembled block copolymer micelles is reported. Cu ions are selectively placed in the core of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) spherical micelles, and a hexagonally packed micelle monolayer is prepared through spin-coating. The micelle monolayer can be a symmetrical resistive switching layer, because the micelles and Cu act as dielectric and active metals in memory devices, respectively. The locally enhanced electric field and Joule heating achieved by the structured Cu atoms inside the micelles promote metal ionization and ion migration in a controlled manner, thus allowing for position selectivity during resistive switching. The micelle-based memory device exhibits stable and reliable CRS behavior, with a nonoverlapping and narrow distribution of threshold voltages. Therefore, this approach is promising for fabricating CRS memory devices for high-performance and ultrahigh-density RRAM applications.


Drug Use in Night Owls May Increase the Risk for Mental Health Problems.
Drugs of abuse are widely known to worsen mental health problems, but this relationship may not be a simple causational one. Whether or not a person is susceptible to the negative effects of drugs of abuse may not only be determined by their addictive properties, but also the users' chronotype, which determines their daily activity patterns. The present study investigates the relationship between chronotype, drug use and mental health problems in a cross-sectional community sample. Participants (n = 209) completed a selection of questionnaires online, including the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. We conducted multiple regression models to determine relationships between participants' chronotype and their reported mental health symptoms and then estimated mediation models to investigate the extent to which their drug consumption accounted for the identified associations. Chronotype was significantly associated with participants' overall mental health (β = 0.16, p = 0.022) and their anxiety levels (β = 0.18, p = 0.009) but not with levels of depression or stress. However, both relationships were fully mediated by participants' overall drug consumption. Thus, late chronotypes, so-called "night owls", not only use more drugs but consequently have an increased risk for developing anxiety and deteriorating mental health status. This group may be particularly vulnerable to the negative psychological effects of drugs. Our results point toward the importance of considering chronotype in designing preventative and therapeutic innovations, specifically for anxiety, which at present has been largely neglected.


A new biphenyl and antimicrobial activity of extracts and compounds from Clusia burlemarxii.
Phytochemical investigation on Clusia burlemarxii (Clusiaceae) led to isolation and identification of nine compounds. Were isolated from leaves 3-O-α-L- rhamnopyranosylquercetin, 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylkaempferol, 4-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyldihydrofuran-2-one, 2Z-δ-tocotrienoloic acid and friedelin and were isolated from trunk betulinic acid, protocatechuic acid, lyoniresinol, and a new biphenyl 2,2-dimethyl-3,5-dihydroxy-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromane. The structures were determined by ¹H, ¹³C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HMQC, HRESIMS. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides was also determined. Extracts and compounds showed significant activity against tested Gram-positive bacteria, none activity against tested Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.


C35T mutation could slightly decrease the activity of human α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase.
The C35T mutant α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene had been reported related to the para-Bombay phenotype, but recently, our laboratory found that the C35T was a polymorphism in the Chinese population. This study aims at further clarifying the property of C35T mutant FUT1. The mutant C35T FUT1 gene was cloned into expression vector in vitro, the mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the mutant enzyme's activity was determined in vitro. The results showed that the frequencies of 35C and 35T alleles were 0.735 and 0.265, respectively. The FUT1 mRNA level of transfected cells with C35T recombination vector showed 99.85% of the wild-type FUT1 transfected cells. The enzyme relative activity of transfected cell lysates with C35T FUT1 recombination vector was 79.45% compared with that of the wild-type FUT1 transfected cell lysates. The K(m)(phenyl-gal) value of enzyme encoded by C35T allele was 0.5 times higher than that of the enzyme encoded by FUT1 wild-type allele. These results suggested that FUT1 C35T was a polymorphism in the Chinese population and did not affect its mRNA transcription, but could slightly decrease the activity of human α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase in vitro.


Visual surveillance in craniosynostoses.
Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures that may be isolated or syndromic. These children can have multiple developmental issues including speech, hearing, and vision, in addition to the aesthetic issue of an abnormally shaped skull and midfacial hypoplasia. As the aesthetic outcomes of craniofacial surgery have improved, attention has turned on the functional outcomes and visual loss is a well-known problem with these patients. In the past 15 years, a greater understanding of the causes of visual loss has developed. Factors such as amblyopia, corneal exposure, and optic neuropathy are all now looked for to prevent or reduce visual loss. Optic neuropathy is caused by craniocerebral disproportion (though to a lesser extent than originally thought), cerebral hypo perfusion, hydrocephalus, and obstructive sleep apnea. Amblyopia is due to increased incidence of strabismus, anisometropia, astigmatism, and ametropia in these cases. A comprehensive approach to managing these children's visual function allows the clinician to reduce potential visual loss in children with craniosynostoses especially the syndromic variety.


Reconstruction of small to medium defects in the soft tissues of the nose with nasalis musculocutaneous V-Y advancement flaps.
Defects in the soft tissues of the nose are usually reconstructed with skin grafts or frontal flaps. However, skin grafts may cause scar tissue and changes in colour. Frontal flaps, however, may be thicker than normal skin and may give unsatisfactory results. Nasalis musculocutaneous V-Y advancement flaps avoid these disadvantages. We suggest an algorithmic approach for the use of these flaps in the reconstruction of small to medium defects in the soft tissues of various regions of the nose. The pedicles of these flaps are the dorsal and lateral nasal arteries. This approach provides a simple, safe, and reliable reconstruction for small and medium defects in the soft tissues of the nose.


[Agents preventing decrease in ultrafiltration in a rat model with peritoneal hyperpermeability].
Ultrafiltration failure has been one of the major causes of drop out from CAPD treatment. The present study was designed to develop an ultrafiltration failure model in the rat and to assess whether various agents could prevent a decrease in ultrafiltration capacity in this rat model. Peritoneal hyperpermeability was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injection of 15 ml of 4.25% dextrose dialysate for 7 days. Some of the rats received agents, such as phosphatidylcholine, chondroitin sulfate, siliac acid, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, and heparin sodium, simultaneously administered with 4.25 % dextrose dialysate for the same duration. Ultrafiltration volume, D4/D0 ratio of glucose and peritoneal net fluid absorption were evaluated by 4-hour dwelling of 30 ml of 2.5% dextrose dialysate. Sodium phosphate and heparan sulfate prevented peritoneal hyperpermeability due to repeated injection of hypertonic dialysate. Sodium phosphate, sodium sulfate, heparin and heparan sulfate suppressed peritoneal net fluid absorption, resulting in an increase in ultrafiltration. These findings may be applicable to CAPD patients with ultrafiltration loss.


Metabolism of trans-Aconitic Acid in Maize : II. Regulatory Properties of Two Compartmented Forms of Citrate Dehydrase.
Kinetics of two molecular forms of K-dependent citrate dehydrase in maize (Zea mays L.) are reported. The isozymes, designated CD I and CD II, were found to be compartmented in mitochondria and cytosol, respectively.CD I exhibited hyperbolic kinetics with respect to both citrate and potassium with K(m) 2.3 and 12 millimolar, respectively. Maximum velocity was 0.38 micromole of trans-aconitic acid per minute per milligram protein. The pH optimum was 7.2. trans-aconitic synthesis by CD I is regulated by both citrate concentration and pH.CD II exhibited hyperbolic kinetics with respect to citrate (K(m) 0.6 millimolar) but sigmoidal kinetics with respect to potassium. trans-aconitic acid synthesis by CD II is regulated by potassium. This may account for the positive correlation between leaf potassium and trans-aconitic acid in certain grasses (Clark 1968 Crop Sci 8: 165).


Regulation of a proteinaceous elicitor-induced Ca2+ influx and production of phytoalexins by a putative voltage-gated cation channel, OsTPC1, in cultured rice cells.
Pathogen/microbe- or plant-derived signaling molecules (PAMPs/MAMPs/DAMPs) or elicitors induce increases in the cytosolic concentration of free Ca(2+) followed by a series of defense responses including biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites called phytoalexins; however, the molecular links and regulatory mechanisms of the phytoalexin biosynthesis remains largely unknown. A putative voltage-gated cation channel, OsTPC1 has been shown to play a critical role in hypersensitive cell death induced by a fungal xylanase protein (TvX) in suspension-cultured rice cells. Here we show that TvX induced a prolonged increase in cytosolic Ca(2+), mainly due to a Ca(2+) influx through the plasma membrane. Membrane fractionation by two-phase partitioning and immunoblot analyses revealed that OsTPC1 is localized predominantly at the plasma membrane. In retrotransposon-insertional Ostpc1 knock-out cell lines harboring a Ca(2+)-sensitive photoprotein, aequorin, TvX-induced Ca(2+) elevation was significantly impaired, which was restored by expression of OsTPC1. TvX-induced production of major diterpenoid phytoalexins and the expression of a series of diterpene cyclase genes involved in phytoalexin biosynthesis were also impaired in the Ostpc1 cells. Whole cell patch clamp analyses of OsTPC1 heterologously expressed in HEK293T cells showed its voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-permeability. These results suggest that OsTPC1 plays a crucial role in TvX-induced Ca(2+) influx as a plasma membrane Ca(2+)-permeable channel consequently required for the regulation of phytoalexin biosynthesis in cultured rice cells.


BeoBLAST: distributed BLAST and PSI-BLAST on a Beowulf cluster.
BeoBLAST is an integrated software package that handles user requests and distributes BLAST and PSI-BLAST searches to nodes of a Beowulf cluster, thus providing a simple way to implement a scalable BLAST system on top of relatively inexpensive computer clusters. Additionally, BeoBLAST offers a number of novel search features through its web interface, including the ability to perform simultaneous searches of multiple databases with multiple queries, and the ability to start a search using the PSSM generated from a previous PSI-BLAST search on a different database. The underlying system can also handle automated querying for high throughput work. Source code is available under the GNU public license at http://bioinformatics.fccc.edu/


An analysis of audio-visual crossmodal integration by means of event-related potential (ERP) recordings.
Crossmodal integration was studied in humans by presenting random sequences of auditory (brief noise bursts), visual (flashes), and audiovisual (simultaneous noise bursts and flashes) stimuli from a central location at irregular intervals between 600 and 800 ms. The subjects' task was to press a button to infrequent and unpredictable (P=0.15) target stimuli that could be either a more intense noise burst, a brighter flash, or a combination of the two. In accordance with previous studies, behavioral data showed that bimodal target stimuli were responded to much faster and were identified more accurately than the unimodal target stimuli. The neural basis of this crossmodal interaction was investigated by subtracting the ERPs to the auditory (A) and the visual (V) stimuli alone from the ERP to the combined audiovisual (AV) stimuli (i.e. interaction=AV-(A+V)). Using this approach, we replicated previous reports of both early (at around 40 ms) and late (after 100 ms) ERP interaction effects. However, it appears that the very early interaction effects can be largely accounted for by an anticipatory ERP that precedes both the unimodal and bimodal stimuli. In calculating the ERP interaction this slow shift is subtracted twice, resulting in an apparent shift of the opposite polarity that may be confounded with actual crossmodal interactions.


Genetic score of multiple risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms is a marker for genetic susceptibility to bladder cancer.
Genome-wide association studies have identified 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with bladder cancer; three of these SNPs were validated in the Chinese population. This study assessed the performance of these three SNPs, in combination, to predict genetic susceptibility to bladder cancer in Chinese. Three previously established bladder cancer risk-associated SNPs (rs798766 in TACC3, rs9642880 in MYC, and rs2294008 in PSCA) were genotyped in 1,210 bladder cancer patients and 1,008 control subjects in Shanghai, China. A genetic score was calculated for each subject based on these three SNPs. Each of these three SNPs was significantly associated with bladder cancer risk in this independent study population, P < 0.05. The genetic score based on these three SNPs was significantly higher in cases than controls, with a mean of 1.05 and 0.99, respectively, P = 1.03E-05. Compared with subjects with a genetic score <= 1.00, subjects with an elevated genetic score (>1.00) had a significantly increased risk for bladder cancer after adjusting for age, gender, and smoking status, OR = 1.58, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.21 - 2.06, P = 0.0007. When tested separately for lower (Ta) or higher (Tis, T1-T4) tumor stage, the association was significantly stronger for lower (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.66 - 3.01, P = 1.02E-07) than higher tumor stage (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.00 - 1.78, P = 0.05), P = 0.001. In conclusion, A combination of three previously implicated bladder cancer risk-associated SNPs is a significant predictor of genetic susceptibility to bladder cancer in Chinese.


Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor and(or) thyrotropin-releasing hormone on growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and blood hormones and metabolites in beef heifers.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of long-term administration of a growth hormone (GH)-releasing factor analog (GRFa) and(or) thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and blood hormones and metabolites in beef heifers. Crossbred heifers (n = 48; 345.9 +/- 2.8 kg) were divided into four equal groups: control (vehicle), 1 microgram of GRFa (human GRF 1-29 analog).kg BW-1.d-1, 1 microgram of TRH.kg BW-1.d-1, or GRFa + TRH. Daily s.c. injections continued for 86 d. Blood samples were collected from half of the heifers after injection on d 1, 36, and 78. On d 89, all heifers were slaughtered. Treatments did not affect (P > .05) ADG but GRFa + TRH decreased (P < .05) ADFI relative to all other treatments. Feed conversion efficiency tended (P < .10) to be improved in the groups given GRFa alone or TRH alone. Treatment with GRFa and(or) TRH did not affect carcass weight, dressing percentage, conformation score, backfat thickness, or weights of liver, kidneys, pituitary, and ovaries. The GRFa + TRH treatment reduced (P < .05) fat score and increased (P < .05) longissimus muscle area relative to other treatments. The GRFa treatments reduced (P < .05) the weight and fat percentage of the mammary gland and increased (P < .05) heart weight. Treatment with TRH alone failed to stimulate GH on d 1, 36, and 78. Treatment with GRFa alone increased (P < .05) GH above controls on d 36, whereas GRFa + TRH increased (P < .05) GH on d 1, 36, and 78. Treatment with GRFa alone increased (P < .05) IGF-I only on d 1, whereas GRFa + TRH was without effect on all days. Across sampling days, treatments had little effect on blood concentrations of insulin, triiodothyronine, nonesterified fatty acids, urea nitrogen, and glucose. The GRFa alone and GRFa + TRH decreased (P < .05) and TRH alone increased (P < .05) thyroxine concentrations. In conclusion, with the dose and administration regimen used, GRFa and(or) TRH yielded small but positive improvements in animal performance.


Finite thermal conductivity in 1D models having zero Lyapunov exponents.
Heat conduction in three types of 1D channels is studied. The channels consist of two parallel walls, right triangles as scattering obstacles, and noninteracting particles. The triangles are placed along the walls in three different ways: (i) periodic, (ii) disordered in height, and (iii) disordered in position. The Lyapunov exponents in all three models are zero because of the flatness of triangle sides. It is found numerically that the temperature gradient can be formed in all three channels, but the Fourier heat law is observed only in two disordered ones. The results show that there might be no direct connection between chaos (in the sense of positive Lyapunov exponent) and normal thermal conduction.


Ischemic induction of protooncogene expression in gerbil brain.
Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion results in an active series of metabolic events, eventually leading to cell death. The expression of specific genes during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion may play an important, determinant role in the mechanisms controlling cellular processes. Ten minutes of bilateral carotid occlusion in the Mongolian gerbil was found to increase the messenger RNA for both the c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes. The changes in gene expression were detected in the regions of ischemia, specifically the cortex and striatum, and no increases were seen in either the brain stem or the cerebellum, which possess a separate circulation. Induction of protooncogene mRNA is correlated to the duration of ischemia, i.e., the longer the time of ischemia, the greater the increase in c-fos expression. Pretreatment of animals with pentobarbital reduced the effect of the ischemic insult and prevented the increase in c-fos mRNA. Analysis of the c-fos and c-jun proteins after ischemia demonstrated an increase in the formation of a functional transcriptional complex and association with the AP-1 binding region. These findings suggest that ischemic cell death and recovery in neurodegenerative disorders such as stroke may involve the regulated expression of these protooncogenes early in the pathway of ischemia.


Effects of Abscisic Acid on the Hydraulic Conductance of and the Total Ion Transport through Phaseolus Root Systems.
The response of solute and volume fluxes of Phaseolus root systems to applied AbA was observed under conditions of applied pressure which were used to enhance the volume flow. The growth regulator elicited three separate responses: a transient release of solutes to the xylem which was responsible for an initial increase in volume flux; a long term increase in the total ion flux; and a long term decrease in the hydraulic conductance of the root systems. The exact response was highly dependent on the magnitude of the pre-AbA volume flux density, the relative contributions of osmotic and pressure-induced flow, and the applied dosage.Calculations suggested that the volume flux in naturally exuding root systems is relatively insensitive to changes in the conductance.


Mania associated with complicated hereditary spastic paraparesis.
Hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) is an inherited group of neurological disorders with progressive lower limb spasticity. HSP can be clinically grouped into pure and complicated forms. Pure HSP is one without any associated neurological/psychiatric comorbidity. Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity. Presence of mania or bipolar affective illness with HSP is a rare phenomenon. We report a case of a 17-year-old boy who presented with classical features of HSP with complaints of excessive happiness, irritability, increased self-esteem and decreased sleep since 1 month. The patient also had complex partial seizure ever since he had features of HSP. The patient's father and younger sister suffer from pure HSP. The patient was diagnosed to have first episode mania with complicated HSP. The details of treatment and possible neurobiology are discussed in this case report.


A Comparison of Two Monofilament Suture Materials for Repair of Partial Flexor Tendon Lacerations: A Controlled In-vitro Study.
Surgical repair is advocated for flexor tendon lacerations deeper than 70%. Repair can be undertaken with different suturing techniques and using different materials. Different materials used for tendon repair will have a different gliding resistance (GR) at the joint. Previous studies have compared strength of repair and gliding resistance for various braided suture materials and for 100% laceration of flexor tendons. We directly compare the GR of two monofilament sutures when used for a peripheral running suture repair of partially lacerated tendons. Sixteen flexor tendons and A2 pulleys were harvested from Turkey feet. They were prepared, partially lacerated to 50% depth, and then repaired with a core suture (modified Kessler technique with 4-0 Ethibond) as well as an additional superficial running suture of either 6-0 Prolene or Nylon (half randomised to each). Gliding resistance was measured for all tendons before and after repair, at different flexion angles (40 and 60 degrees) and for different loads (2N and 4N). After surgical repair, gliding resistance was increased for all tendons (P < 0.01). The tendons repaired with Prolene had a higher mean gliding resistance than those repaired with Nylon (P = 0.02). Increased flexion angle and load amplified the gliding resistance (both P < 0.01). 6-0 Nylon was associated with a lower gliding resistance than 6-0 Prolene but the minor differences bare unknown clinical significance.


History of child abuse and severity of adult depression: the mediating role of cognitive schema.
The link between childhood abuse, adult depression, and anxiety has been well studied, but few studies have empirically explored the mechanism of that link. Using a clinical sample of women, this study examined the relationship between retrospectively measured childhood abuse and neglect and current adult symptoms of anxiety and depression, via the mediating effects of cognitive style. This study found that women who reported a positive abuse history were significantly more depressed and exhibited more maladaptive schemas than women who did not report a history of abuse. Specifically, it would appear that cognitive styles marked by interpersonal disconnection and rejection are particularly pathogenic. These findings contribute to the growing literature by providing support for the role of cognitions in mediating the link between childhood abuse and psychopathology.


Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles/Doxorubicin-Loaded Starch-Octanoic Micelles for Targeted Tumor Therapy.
The magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis and high-efficiency tumor targeting treatment are of notable importance for cancer therapy. In this study, starch-octanoic acid (ST-OA) micelles were successfully prepared to co-encapsulate the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (DOX) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), taking advantage of the hydrophobic core of the core-shell micellar structure. Size distribution, morphology and in vitro release behaviors of micelles were investigated. In addition, magnetic properties and the anti-tumor theranostic performance were confirmed by conducting the cellular uptake, in vivo imaging and anti-tumor activity experiments. Therefore, co-encapsulation and specific delivery of the chemotherapeutic drug and contrast agent into tumor cells can realize the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumor at the same time.


Field-induced control of universal fluorescence intermittency of a quantum dot light emitter.
With the nonstochastic quantum mechanical study of a quantum dot light emitter, we find that fluorescence intermittency statistics are universal and insensitive to the microscopic nature of the tunneling fluctuation between quantum dot and trapping state. We also investigate the power-law exponent theta and the crossover time tau(C) of the on-time (tau(on)) probability P(tau(on)) proportional to tau(on) (-theta) (for tau(on) less than or approximately equal tau(C)) and proportional to e(-Gamma)tau(on) ) (for tau(on) greater than or approximately equal tau(C)) under an optical field of given energy and strength. For easy off-resonance excitation, it is found in both numerical and analytic ways that tau(C) (-1) is proportional to the intensity of the optical field (i.e., the square of the field strength) independent of the internal parameters of a quantum dot. Furthermore, it is also found that theta=2 in the limit of vanishing field strength is the upper bound of the exponent and theta becomes less than 2 as the field strength increases.


Danilo Cargnello and his contribution to the development of phenomenological thought: an overview.
Danilo Cargnello was one of the greatest authors of Italian phenomenological psychopathology. He wrote the first articles on the subject in 1947-8, a period in which phenomenological ideas began to spread in Italy. His main contribution was to introduce and disseminate Binswanger's ideas in Italy and to emphasise the anthropological character of Daseinsanalyse. His book analysing results of experimental psychosis constitutes one of the most important and meticulous psychopathological reports of substance-induced psychosis. It is essential to keep alive the knowledge of phenomenological authors such as Cargnello, who are of great clinical and psychopathological relevance, and also to integrate the teachings they have left us into professional training.


Radiographic skeletal changes in juvenile GM1-gangliosidosis.
Two cases of biochemically verified juvenile GM1-gangliosidosis are reported and the radiographic skeletal changes described in detail. Earlier reports are surveyed.


Vaccines against RNA Viruses.
RNA viruses cause animal, human, and zoonotic diseases that affect millions of individuals, as is being exemplified by the devastating ongoing epidemic of the recently identified SARS-Cov-2 [...].


Distinct mechanisms for cross-protection of the upper versus lower respiratory tract through intestinal priming.
A main feature of the common mucosal immune system is that lymphocytes primed in one mucosal inductive site may home to distant mucosal effector sites. However, the mechanisms responsible for such cross-protection remain elusive. To address these we have used a model of local mucosal infection of mice with reovirus. In immunocompetent mice local duodenal priming protected against subsequent respiratory challenge. In the upper respiratory tract this protection appeared to be mainly mediated by specific IgA- and IgG2a-producing B cells, whereas ex vivo active effector memory CTL were found in the lower respiratory tract. In accordance with these findings, clearance of reovirus from the lower respiratory tract, but not from the upper respiratory tract, of infected SCID mice upon transfer of gut-primed lymphocytes depended on the presence of T cells. Taken together this study reveals that intestinal priming leads to protection of both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, however through distinct mechanisms. We suggest that cross-protection in the common mucosal immune system is mediated by trafficking of B cells and effector memory CTL.


The case for the medical director.
Seeking to fulfill their ultimate responsibility for quality of care, growing numbers of hospital boards have created the post of full-time, salaried medical director. Medical staffs have often resisted such a position, seeing in it a threat to cherished concepts of self-governance and an institutional balance of power. However, such a step is designed to enhance rather than control medical practice, and it will not inhibit physicians from playing an increasingly effective role in institutional affairs.


How to build a molecular shock absorber.
Newly determined structures of the alpha-helical repeats that make up the key 'rod' domains of spectrin and alpha-actinin - which serve as spacers between their actin-binding domains - have provided important insights into how these proteins function as molecular shock absorbers in cells.


Strong, polarized Balmer-alpha fluorescence after resonant core excitation of HCl.
Visible-UV fluorescence has been analyzed after resonant Cl 2p core excitation of HCl molecules. The dispersed fluorescence spectra are dominated by emissions from atomic fragments. In particular, an intense and polarized Balmer H(alpha) line is observed after photoexcitation of the 2p(-1)nl Rydberg states. The excited hydrogen atoms are efficiently produced in the resonant Auger process and the subsequent dissociation of high lying HCl+ states. The experimental results, complemented by a time-resolved measurement of the H(alpha) decay, point to a universal mechanism for the production of H( n = 3) atoms in the dissociation of innershell excited HCl molecules.


[Cartilage tissue engineering with acellular cartilage matrix as scaffold in rabbit model].
To study how to repair the cartilage defect according to the principles of tissue engineering with acellular cartilage matrix as scaffold material. The ear cartilage was obtained from a New Zealand white rabbit (weighing 2.4 kg )and then treated by a modified Courtman's four-step method to produce the acellular cartilage matrix. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits (aged 6 months, weighing 2.4-2.6 kg) with no sex limit were divided into three groups. For every rabbit, two pieces of ear cartilage measured 1 cm x 1 cm were excised in each ear. Defects were repaired as follows: group A with the combined graft of acellular cartilage matrix and perichondrium, group B with acellular cartilage matrix and group C with perichondrium. Three animals in each group were killed 4 and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Tissue samples obtained were analyzed with gross observation, hematoxylin-eosin stain, Safranine O-alcian blue stain and type II collagen messenger RNA in situ hybridization respectively. In gross observation, the repaired sites in groups A and B were not change meaningfully in their shape 4 weeks postoperatively; but they felt a bit of thicker and harder 12 weeks postoperatively. In group C two repaired sites formed scabs at 2 weeks and perforated at 5 weeks. In histological observation, there was a slight inflammatory reaction surrounding the acellular cartilage matrix 4 weeks after it was implanted in groups A and B. The inflammatory cells were mainly lymphocytes. The perichondrium graft in group C was collapsed in the defects in HE stain. The defect sites were negative for Safranine O-alcian blue stain and type II collagen mRNA in situ hybridization in all groups. At 12 weeks cells were found in the acellular matrix which arranged in irregular manner in group A in HE stain and was positive for Safranine O-alcian blue stain and type II collagen mRNA in site hybridization. In groups B and C, no new cell was found in HE stain and the repaired sites were negative for Safranine O-alcian blue stain and type II collagen mRNA in situ hybridization. Acellular cartilage matrix is a potential scaffold material to the cartilage tissue engineering. The combined graft of acellular cartilage matrix and perichondrium can be an alterative method for the repair of the wounded cartilage.


Burden of caregiving in mild to moderate dementia: an Asian experience.
This survey sought to determine (a) the prevalence of carer stress in patients with mild to moderate dementia, (b) whether caregiver burden was already associated with plans to institutionalize patients, and (c) which patient-related and caregiver-related variables best predicted caregiver burden. The principal caregivers of 93 Asian patients with mild to moderate dementia attending an outpatient cognitive assessment clinic were interviewed via a structured questionnaire that focused upon (a) patient-related variables such as their behavioral and functional abnormalities; and (b) caregiver-related variables such as whether they were having problems looking after the patients, the duration of their caregiving, their associated feelings of anger and/or depression, and their financial status as well as intentions to institutionalize patients. Forty-nine percent of caregivers reported problems in looking after the patients, and their perception of difficulties was significantly associated with institutionalization plans for the patients. Logistic regression analysis using a forward variable selection procedure showed two of the patients' behavioral abnormalities (repetition, agitation) and one of their functional impairments (urinary incontinence) as well as the carers' depressed feelings to be predictive of the carers' problematic status, explaining 40% of the variance. It is important that even in the early stages of dementia, the medical assessment also evaluate behavioral, functional, and social dimensions of the illness, so that appropriate interventions can be implemented to reduce caregiving burden and delay institutionalization.


Excitatory actions of peptide histidine isoleucine on thalamic relay neurons.
Peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are neuropeptides synthesized from a common precursor, prepro-VIP, and share structural similarity and biological functions in many systems. Within the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, PHI and VIP have overlapping distribution. PHI-mediated functions are generally via activation of VIP receptors; however, the potency and affinity of PHI for VIP receptors are significantly lower than VIP. In addition, several studies suggest distinct PHI receptors that are independent of VIP receptors. PHI receptors have been cloned and characterized in fish, but their existence in mammals is still unknown. This study focuses on the functional role of PHI in the thalamus because of the localization of both PHI and VIP receptors in this brain region. Using extracellular multiple-unit recording techniques, we found that PHI strongly attenuated the slow intrathalamic rhythmic activity. Using intracellular recording techniques, we found that PHI selectively depolarized thalamic relay neurons via an enhancement of the hyperpolarization-activated mixed cation current, Ih. Further, the actions of PHI were occluded by VIP and dopamine, indicating these modulators converge onto a common mechanism. In contrast to previous work, we found that PHI was more potent than VIP in producing excitatory actions on thalamic neurons. We next used the transgenic mice lacking a specific VIP receptor, VPAC2, to identify its possible role in PHI-mediated actions in the thalamus. PHI depolarized all relay neurons tested from wild-type mice (VPAC2(+/+)); however, in knockout mice (VPAC2(-/-)), PHI produced no change in membrane potential in all neurons tested. Our findings indicate that excitatory actions of PHI are mediated by VPAC2 receptors, not by its own PHI receptors and the excitatory actions of PHI clearly attenuate intrathalamic rhythmic activities, and likely influence information transfer through thalamocortical circuits.


[Morphochemical changes in the brain in experimental hypothyroidism].
Under conditions of experimentally induced thyroid insufficiency a number of structural changes were revealed in the brain tissues and the pia mater. Of a particular importance among them were changes in the vessels of the microcirculation system that manifested themselves in the form of disturbed metabolism of acidic mucopolysaccharides with their accumulation and polymerization in the course of hypothyroidism, as well as accumulation of biogenic monoamines (noradrenaline and serotonin) in the endothelium of the precapillary arterioles and capillaries. The changes discovered may be taken as a basis for the explanation of some neurological and especially vascular manifestations on the part of the nervous system in patients with hypothyroidism.


Reduced Photosystem II Activity and Accumulation of Viral Coat Protein in Chloroplasts of Leaves Infected with Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
We previously reported (A Reinero, RN Beachy 1986 Plant Mol Biol 6:291-301) that coat protein (CP) of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) accumulates in chloroplasts of systemically infected leaves. To determine the significance of such interaction we examined electron transport rates in chloroplasts containing different levels of TMV-CP. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants were infected with either a TMV strain inducing chlorosis or with a strain inducing mild symptoms, and both the accumulation pattern of TMV-CP inside chloroplasts as well as the rates of photosynthetic electron transport were followed. The CP of the TMV strain inducing chlorosis was detected inside chloroplasts 3 days after infection, and thereafter accumulated at a rapid rate, first in the stroma and then in the thylakoid membranes. On the other hand, the CP of the TMV strain that caused only mild symptoms accumulated in chloroplasts to lower levels and little CP was associated with the thylakoids. In vivo and in vitro measurements of electron transport revealed that photosystem II activity was inhibited in plants infected with the aggressive TMV strain while no reduction was observed in plants infected with the mild strain. The capacity of chloroplasts to synthesize proteins was equivalent in organelles isolated from healthy and virus-infected leaves. The possibility that a large accumulation of TMV-CP inside chloroplasts may affect photosynthesis in virus-infected plants by inhibiting photosystem II activity is discussed.


Inhibition of plant glutamine synthetases by substituted phosphinothricins.
Glutamine synthetase (GS) utilizes various substituted glutamic acids as substrates. We have used this information to design herbicidal alpha- and gamma-substituted analogs of phosphinothricin (l-2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid, PPT), a naturally occurring GS inhibitor and a potent herbicide. The substituted phosphinothricins inhibit cytosolic sorghum GS(1) and chloroplastic GS(2) competitively versusl-glutamate, with K(i) values in the low micromolar range. At higher concentrations, these inhibitors inactivate glutamine synthetase, while dilution restores activity through enzyme-inhibitor dissociation. Herbicidal phosphinothricins exhibit low K(i) values and slow enzyme turnover, as described by reactivation characteristics. Both the GS(1) and GS(2) isoforms of plant glutamine synthetase are similarly inhibited by the phosphinothricins, consistent with the broad-spectrum herbicidal activity observed for PPT itself as well as other active compounds in this series.


In Situ Sol-Gel Synthesis of Unique Silica Structures Using Airborne Assembly: Implications for In-Air Reactive Manufacturing.
Optical trapping enables the real-time manipulation and observation of morphological evolution of individual particles during reaction chemistry. Here, optical trapping was used in combination with Raman spectroscopy to conduct airborne assembly and kinetic experiments. Micro-droplets of alkoxysilane were levitated in air prior to undergoing either acid- or base-catalyzed sol-gel reaction chemistry to form silica particles. The evolution of the reaction was monitored in real-time; Raman and Mie spectroscopies confirmed the in situ formation of silica particles from alkoxysilane droplets as the product of successive hydrolysis and condensation reactions, with faster reaction kinetics in acid catalysis. Hydrolysis and condensation were accompanied by a reduction in droplet volume and silica formation. Two airborne particles undergoing solidification could be assembled into unique 3D structures such as dumb-bell shapes by manipulating a controlled collision. Our results provide a pipeline combining spectroscopy with optical microscopy and nanoscale FIB-SEM imaging to enable chemical and structural insights, with the opportunity to apply this methodology to probe structure formation during reactive inkjet printing.


A putative phosphatase, LSF1, is required for normal starch turnover in Arabidopsis leaves.
A putative phosphatase, LSF1 (for LIKE SEX4; previously PTPKIS2), is closely related in sequence and structure to STARCH-EXCESS4 (SEX4), an enzyme necessary for the removal of phosphate groups from starch polymers during starch degradation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves at night. We show that LSF1 is also required for starch degradation: lsf1 mutants, like sex4 mutants, have substantially more starch in their leaves than wild-type plants throughout the diurnal cycle. LSF1 is chloroplastic and is located on the surface of starch granules. lsf1 and sex4 mutants show similar, extensive changes relative to wild-type plants in the expression of sugar-sensitive genes. However, although LSF1 and SEX4 are probably both involved in the early stages of starch degradation, we show that LSF1 neither catalyzes the same reaction as SEX4 nor mediates a sequential step in the pathway. Evidence includes the contents and metabolism of phosphorylated glucans in the single mutants. The sex4 mutant accumulates soluble phospho-oligosaccharides undetectable in wild-type plants and is deficient in a starch granule-dephosphorylating activity present in wild-type plants. The lsf1 mutant displays neither of these phenotypes. The phenotype of the lsf1/sex4 double mutant also differs from that of both single mutants in several respects. We discuss the possible role of the LSF1 protein in starch degradation.


Purification and thermal dependence of glutathione reductase from two forage legume species.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) are forage legumes that differ in their responses to high and low temperature stresses. Thermal limitations on the function of glutathione reductase (EC 126.96.36.199) could adversely affect the ability of the plant to cope with adverse temperatures. Our objectives were to (a) purify glutathione reductase from ;Cimarron' alfalfa and ;PI 212241' sainfoin and (b) investigate the intraspecies variation in the thermal dependency of glutathione reductase from each of three cultivars of alfalfa and two cultivars and an introduction of sainfoin. Glutathione reductase was purified 1222-and 1948-fold to a specific activity of 281 and 273 units per milligram of protein, from one species each of alfalfa and sainfoin, respectively. The relative molecular mass of the protein was approximately 140 kilodaltons with subunits of 57 and 37 kilodaltons under denaturing conditions. The activation energies were approximately 50 kilojoules per mole for both species. Over a 5 to 45 degrees C temperature gradient, large variation among species and genotypes within species was found for: (a) the minimum apparent Michaelis constant (0.6-2.1 micromoles of NADPH), (b) the temperature at which the minimum apparent Michaelis constant was observed (10-25 degrees C), and (c) the thermal kinetic windows (6-19 degrees C width). Future studies will focus on relating the thermal dependence of the Michaelis constant of the glutathione reductases and plant growth rates and forage quality of these species throughout the growing season.


Medical management of appendicitis in early-term pregnancy.
A 19-year-old G1 at 37 weeks presented with acute non-ruptured appendicitis. Her advanced gestational age and surgical anatomy presented a complex surgical scenario. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and induction of labour, which resulted in resolution of the appendicitis and an uncomplicated vaginal delivery at early term. This case is an example that appendicitis occurring in early-term pregnancy can be successfully managed with intravenous antibiotics, but this is a complex clinical scenario with a limited evidence base to make management decisions. Future studies of medical management of appendicitis in pregnancy, specifically in later gestation, are needed to provide additional information to guide clinicians.


Development of a Premixed Combustion Capability for Dual-Mode Scramjet Experiments.
Hypersonic air-breathing engines rely on scramjet combustion processes, which involve high-speed, compressible, and highly turbulent reacting flows. The combustion environment and the turbulent flames at the heart of these engines are difficult to simulate and study in the laboratory under well controlled conditions. Typically, wind-tunnel testing is performed that more closely approximates engine development rather than a careful investigation of the underlying physics that drives the combustion process. The experiments described in this paper, along with companion data sets, aim to isolate the chemical kinetic effects and turbulence-chemistry interaction from the fuel-air mixing process in a dual-mode scramjet combustion environment. A unique fuel injection approach is adopted that produces a uniform fuel-air mixture at the entrance to the combustor and results in premixed combustion. This approach relies on the mixing enhancement of a precombustion shock train upstream of the dual-mode scramjet's combustor. For the first time a stable flame, anchored on a cavity flameholder, is reported for a scramjet combustor operating in premixed fuel-air mode. The new experimental capability has enabled numerous companion studies involving advanced diagnostics such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), particle image velocimetry (PIV), and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF).


Cord and maternal glycosylated haemoglobin levels: a study in Sudanese pregnant diabetic women.
Blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels measured at delivery in 27 normal and 19 diabetic women were compared with those of the corresponding fetuses and their birthweights. In both groups, neonatal blood glucose levels were significantly higher (p much less than 0.001) than the maternal levels despite significantly lower (p much less than 0.001) glycosylated haemoglobin values in the neonates. In the control group, there was a significant correlation of maternal glycosylated haemoglobin with both cord glycosylated haemoglobin and birthweight ratio (p less than 0.01). The same was not obtained in the diabetic group, suggesting a dissociation in glucose homeostasis between the diabetic pregnant mother and her fetus.


[Mesenchymal stem cells transduced by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector maintain their biological features and differentiation].
Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) has been an important reporter gene for gene therapy. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are ideal target cells in cell transplantation and tissue engineering. We investigated their biological characteristics and differentiation mediated by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral transduction. hMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient fractionation and adherence to plastic flasks. Individual colonies were selected and cultured in tissue dishes. Packaging cells PT67 were transfected by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector, and hMSCs were transduced by viral supernatant infection. Meanwhile, hMSCs-EGFP were identified by immune phenotypes and whether it could differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes under conditioned media was investigated. The rate of stably transduced hMSCs-EGFP was up to 96% after being screened by G418. hMSCs-EGFP exhibited fibroblast-like morphological features. Flow cytometric analyses showed that hMSCs-EGFP were positive for CD73, CD105, CD166, CD90 and CD44, but negative for CD34 and CD45. In addition, it could functionally be induced into osteocytes or adipocytes under conditioned media. These biological features of hMSCs-EGFP were consistent with those of hMSCs. hMSCs transduced by PLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector can be used in vivo securely because they can maintain their biological characteristics and differentiation. It is a simple and reliable way to trace the changes of hMSCs in vivo by EGFP during cell transplantation and gene therapy.


Validation of a deep learning-based image analysis system to diagnose subclinical endometritis in dairy cows.
The assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) proportions (%) of endometrial samples is the hallmark for subclinical endometritis (SCE) diagnosis. Yet, a non-biased, automated diagnostic method for assessing PMN% in endometrial cytology slides has not been validated so far. We aimed to validate a computer vision software based on deep machine learning to quantify the PMN% in endometrial cytology slides. Uterine cytobrush samples were collected from 116 postpartum Holstein cows. After sampling, each cytobrush was rolled onto three different slides. One slide was stained using Diff-Quick, while a second was stained using Naphthol (golden standard to stain PMN). One single observer evaluated the slides twice at different days under light microscopy. The last slide was stained with a fluorescent dye, and the PMN% were assessed twice by using a fluorescence microscope connected to a smartphone. Fluorescent images were analyzed via the Oculyze Monitoring Uterine Health (MUH) system, which uses a deep learning-based algorithm to identify PMN. Substantial intra-method repeatabilities (via Spearman correlation) were found for Diff-Quick, Naphthol, and Oculyze MUH (r = 0.67 to 0.76). The intra-method agreements (via Kappa value) at ≥1% PMN (κ = 0.44 to 0.47) were lower than at >5 (κ = 0.69 to 0.78) or >10% (κ = 0.67 to 0.85) PMN cut-offs. The inter-method repeatabilities (via Lin's correlation) were also substantial, and values between Diff-Quick and Oculyze MUH, Naphthol and Diff-Quick, and Naphthol and Oculyze MUH were 0.68, 0.69, and 0.77, respectively. The agreements among evaluation methods at ≥1% PMN were weak (κ = 0.06 to 0.28), while it increased at >5 (κ = 0.48 to 0.81) or >10% (κ = 0.50 to 0.65) PMN cut-offs. To conclude, deep learning-based algorithms in endometrial cytology are reliable and useful for simplifying and reducing the diagnosis bias of SCE in dairy cows.


[Urbanization, the growth of big cities, and some of their problems].
The system of cities in developing countries (which usually are ex-colonial countries) is commonly characterized by primate city domination. The presence of big cities are often felt as parasitic, rather than being economically constructive. Rapid population growth in big cities is often accompanied by 1) shortages of productive employment opportunities, urban housing, and public services; and 2) emergence of squatter settlements, environmental pollution, and sociopsychological stress. In 1985, the urban population of Indonesia had reached 43 million, or 26.2% of the total population. So far, the growth of Indonesia's urban population is concentrated in its metropolitan cities. Even though the pattern of primacy is not striking, a tendency exists for the city-size distribution to deviate more from rank-size rule distribution. Distorted patterns of spatial development have restricted the development of small and middle range cities. In the year 2000, the urban population of Indonesia is estimated to become more than twice its number in 1985. Therefore, national urban policies need to focus more on promoting the development of intermediate and small cities.


The influence of computer navigation on trainee learning in hip resurfacing arthroplasty.
Computer navigation in arthroplasty surgery is a form of concurrent augmented feedback. Motor learning theory suggests such feedback may be detrimental to learning as a result of the learner either developing a dependence on the additional feedback or being distracted from using intrinsic feedback. To determine whether computer navigation influences the learning curve of novices performing hip resurfacing arthroplasty, a systematic review and critical appraisal of the current English-language literature on the topic was conducted. There is some evidence that use of navigation by trainees facilitates more accurate placement of arthroplasty components as compared to conventional instrumentation. However, there is no evidence that training with computer navigation impairs performance in retention or transfer tests. Thus, although the published literature has significant limitations, there is no evidence that supports concerns regarding the impact of computer navigation on the learning curve of arthroplasty trainees.


Pineal parenchymal tumours: minimum apparent diffusion coefficient in prediction of tumour grading.
Retrospective assessment was performed of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (minADC) together with quantitative assessment of the histopathological features of resected tumour tissue and the Ki-67 labelling index (LI) for predicting pineal parenchymal tumour (PPT) grade. Magnetic resonance images of tumours from 26 male and female patients (mean age 27.7 years) with pathologically confirmed PPTs, comprising 10 pineocytomas (PCs), seven pineal parenchymal tumours of intermediate differentiation (PPTIDs) and nine pineoblastomas (PBs), were reviewed retrospectively. Using ADC maps derived from isotropic diffusion-weighted images, the minADC value of each tumour was determined postoperatively from several regions of interest defined in the tumour, excluding cystic, necrotic, haemorrhagic or calcified components. Surgical intervention was undertaken in all cases. The Ki-67 LI was measured in surgical specimens. Mean minADC and Ki-67 LI showed significant differences among PCs, PPTIDs and PBs, and minADC was negatively correlated with Ki-67 LI. It is concluded that the minADC of PPTs provide useful additional information when predicting tumour grading.


[Study on nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffold structure and osteogenic ability in vivo].
This study was aimed to develop nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffold and investigate its structure, osteogenic ability and biocompatibility in vivo. According to biomimetic and self-organization mechanism, nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffold was developed with nano-hydroxyapatite and pure type I collagen. General observation, scanning electron microscope, porosity measurement and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the scaffold. In vivo test, the model of rabbit skull with two defects was created, the scaffold was embedded in one defect, and another defect served as vacuity control. The in vivo study involved 12 rabbits. At 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed in sequence and specimens were obtained for histological observation. Nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffold was similar to sponge under microscope, the pore size was 100-300 microm, the average ratio of porosity was 92.6%, and the inner structure was homothetic to the natural bone. No acute or chronic immunologic rejection was observed in vivo. The rabbit skull defect was repaired by nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffolds completely in 12 weeks. Nano-hydroxyapatite/type I collagen artificial bone scaffold structure was homothetic to natural bone structure, and had excellent osteogenic ability, biocompatibility, osteogenesis and suitable degradation.


Regulation of c-fos and c-jun protooncogene expression by the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin.
Thapsigargin, a non-phorbol-ester-type tumor promoter, discharges intracellular Ca2+ stores by specific inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. We used this drug to analyze the involvement of Ca2+ and Ca(2+)-ATPases in the control of growth- and transformation-related genes. Here we show that treatment of mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts with thapsigargin induced rapid expression of the c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes. Inhibition or depletion of protein kinase C partially diminished the c-fos but not the c-jun response. Furthermore, thapsigargin could synergize with the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to induce c-fos but not c-jun. However, thapsigargin had no effect on basal or phorbol ester-induced protein kinase C activity. Our results indicate that Ca2+ is a potent second messenger that controls expression of growth- and transformation-related genes. Since inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase results in a strong induction of these genes, our data suggest that this Ca2+ pump may act as a negative regulator of cell growth.


Genetic and antigenic heterogeneity of GI-1/Massachusetts lineage infectious bronchitis virus variants recently isolated in China.
Four GI-1/Massachusetts-type (GI-1/Mass-type) infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains were isolated and the complete genomes of these isolates, coupled with the Mass-type live-attenuated vaccine H120 and the Mass-type pathogenic M41 strains, were sequenced in the present study. Our results show that isolates LJL/140820 and I0306/17 may be derived from the Ma5 (another Mass-type live-attenuated vaccine strain) and H120 vaccine strains, respectively. The I1124/16 strain was found to be a M41 variant that likely resulted from nucleotide accumulated mutations in the genome. Consistently, the results of the virus neutralization test showed that isolate I1124/16 was antigenically related but slight different from the M41. Our results from the protection experiments pointed out that chickens immunized with H120 failed to eliminate viral shedding after infection with the isolate I1124/16, which was different from that of M41; this result was consistent to the field observation and further implicated that the variant IBV isolate I1124/16 was antigenic different from the M41 strain. Furthermore, the I1124/16 was found to have comparable but slightly lower pathogenicity with the M41 strain. More studies based on the reverse genetic techniques are needed to elucidate the amino acids in the S1 subunit of spike protein contributing to the altered antigenicity of the isolate I1124/16. In addition, an IBV isolate, LJL/130609, was found to be originated from recombination events between the I1124/16- and Connecticut-like strains. Our results from the virus neutralization test also showed that isolates LJL/130609 and I1124/16 were antigenic closely related. Hence, there are at least 3 different genetic evolution patterns for the circulation of the GI-1/Mass-type IBV field strains in China. The differences of vaccines used, the field conditions and genetic pressures between different flocks, likely account for the emergence, evolution patterns, and characteristics of the Mass-type IBV strains.


[A case of congenital Coxsackie B virus infection].
The paper describes a clinical case of congenital Coxsackie B virus infection in a girl aged 1 month and 15 days of life who has undergone a detailed postmortem examination.


Radiofrequency endocardial catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathway atrial insertion sites.
High rates of success using radiofrequency ablation energy have rapidly transformed catheter ablation from an investigational procedure to the nonpharmacological therapy of choice for symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Prior studies of radiofrequency accessory pathway ablation were based on a ventricular approach. Risks associated with prolonged arterial catheter manipulation, retrograde left ventricular catheterization, and production of ventricular lesions required for successful ventricular insertion ablation can be avoided using atrial insertion ablation procedures. The purpose of the present study was to define the safety and efficacy of accessory pathway ablation using radiofrequency energy delivered solely to accessory atrioventricular pathway atrial insertion sites. One hundred fourteen patients with accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia underwent attempted radiofrequency current ablation at the accessory pathway atrial insertion site. All catheters were introduced transvenously. Left-sided accessory pathways were approached using transseptal left atrial catheterization techniques. Retrograde localization of the atrial insertion site during reentrant tachycardia was characterized by 40 +/- 15-msec local ventriculoatrial and 79 +/- 17-msec surface QRS to local atrial electrogram intervals. Presumed accessory pathway potentials were present in only 30% of ablation site electrograms. Successful ablation required 6.2 +/- 5.3 radiofrequency energy applications. Cumulative energy dose required for success was 2,341 +/- 2,233 J. There were no complications associated with transseptal catheterization. Energy delivery to accessory pathway atrial insertion sites was associated with non-life-threatening complications in two patients. Recurrent conduction requiring repeat ablation occurred in 10 of 115 (9%) successfully ablated accessory pathways, all within 1 month of the ablation procedure. After 21.2 +/- 4.6 months of follow-up, 108 of 114 (95%) patients are asymptomatic and without evidence of accessory pathway conduction. The atrial insertion approach to accessory pathway ablation is safe and highly effective. This approach compares favorably with the retrograde ventricular insertion ablation technique. Atrial insertion ablation eliminates the need to produce ventricular lesions and avoids the risks of prolonged arterial catheter manipulation and retrograde left ventricular catheterization.


The sunburn cell.
The sunburn cell, with its pyknotic nucleus and eosinophilic cytoplasm, is characteristic of mammalian epidermis after exposure to UVC and UVB radiation or UVA radiation in the presence of psoralens. The photochemical events that lead to its formation are not known, but there is good evidence that damage to DNA is an important factor. The fate of the sunburn cell, a keratinocyte which shows abnormal and premature keratinization, is not known. Desquamation and/or phagocytosis seem probable. Sunburn cells may be regarded as examples of apoptosis: controlled individual cell death.


A case of adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with markedly elevated PTHrP and G-CSF levels.
A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with anorexia. Computed tomography revealed a tumor lesion measuring 110mm in the liver at S4/5 with calcification and swelling of a paraaortic lymph node. The gallbladder was not visualized. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen from the liver tumor revealed squamous cell and undifferentiated carcinomas, and several tumor markers were elevated. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with gallbladder adenosquamous cell carcinoma T3N2M0 stage III. Because the serum parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels were significantly elevated, we suspected that PTHrP and G-CSF production occurred because of adenosquamous cell carcinoma in the gallbladder. We initiated chemotherapy with S-1.


Connective tissue growth factor acts within both endothelial cells and beta cells to promote proliferation of developing beta cells.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes result from an absolute or relative reduction in functional β-cell mass. One approach to replacing lost β-cell mass is transplantation of cadaveric islets; however, this approach is limited by lack of adequate donor tissue. Therefore, there is much interest in identifying factors that enhance β-cell differentiation and proliferation in vivo or in vitro. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a secreted molecule expressed in endothelial cells, pancreatic ducts, and embryonic β cells that we previously showed is required for β-cell proliferation, differentiation, and islet morphogenesis during development. The current study investigated the tissue interactions by which CTGF promotes normal pancreatic islet development. We found that loss of CTGF from either endothelial cells or β cells results in decreased embryonic β-cell proliferation, making CTGF unique as an identified β cell-derived factor that regulates embryonic β-cell proliferation. Endothelial CTGF inactivation was associated with decreased islet vascularity, highlighting the proposed role of endothelial cells in β-cell proliferation. Furthermore, CTGF overexpression in β cells during embryogenesis using an inducible transgenic system increased islet mass at birth by promoting proliferation of immature β cells, in the absence of changes in islet vascularity. Together, these findings demonstrate that CTGF acts in an autocrine manner during pancreas development and suggest that CTGF has the potential to enhance expansion of immature β cells in directed differentiation or regeneration protocols.


Time of day - effects on motor coordination and reactive strength in elite athletes and untrained adolescents.
the issue of time-of-day effects on performance is crucial when considering the goal of reaching peak results in sport disciplines. The present study was designed to examine time-of-day effects in adolescents on motor coordination, assessed with Hirtz's battery and neuromuscular components of strength, evaluated with reactive strength tests. forty-two elite female gymnasts, aged 13.3 ± 0.5 years (Mean ± SD), were recruited for the study. Fifty healthy female students (aged 12.8 ± 1.7 years) served as the control group. All participants underwent the testing sessions over two days at two different times of day in a randomized order. Oral temperature was measured at the two times of the day and a significant diurnal variation (p < 0.01) in both groups was found. MANOVA revealed significant group differences in the overall tests (p < 0.01). The gymnast group showed no significant differences in the coordination tests with respect to the time of day, but significant differences were observed for reactive strength as assessed with the vertical jump tests (p < 0.01). Gyamnasts attained better results in the evening in the reactive strength tests [flight time (F1.90 = 17.322 p < 0.01) and ground contact time (F1.90 = 8.372; p < 0.01) of the hopping test]. the temperature effect was more evident in the reactive strength tests and orientation test, especially in the gymnast group in which this effect added to their usual training time effect. The time-since-awakening influenced coordination performances in complex tasks more than reaction strength tests in simple tasks. The main outcome of the study was that we did not observe time-of-day effects on coordination skills in elite gymnasts and in untrained adolescents. The time of day in which athletes usually trained these skills could influence these results. Key pointsThe results obtained in this study suggested that the best time to perform a particular task depends specifically on the nature of the task, the precise size of the cognitive load and the level of practice of the participants.In the field of practice, it is incumbent for coaches to organise sports selection based on reactive strength, using the morning hours for untrained adolescents, when alertness and the benefits of sleeping could improve performance. Evening hours, conversely, should be used for elite gymnasts who specifically train at that time (specific "temporal training effect").These study results cannot give indications about the best time of the day to organize selection tests based on coordination skills.


Atomic resolution crystal structure of squid ganglion DFPase.
Diisopropylfluorophosphatases (DFP-ases) are capable of detoxifying chemical warfare agents like diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) by hydrolysis. The protein reported here was recombinantely expressed in E. coli. The X-ray crystal structure of this enzyme has been refined to a resolution of 0.85 A and a crystallographic R value of 9.4%. Reversible flash-cooling improved both, mosaicity and resolution of the crystals considerably. The overall structure of this protein represents a six-bladed beta-propeller with two calcium ions bound in a central water filled tunnel. 496 water, 2 glycerol, 2 MES-buffer molecules, and 18 PEG fragments of different lengths could be refined in the solvent region. The 208 most reliable residues, without disorder or reduced occupancy in their side-chains, were finally refined without restraints. A subsequent full-matrix refinement cycle for the positional parameters yielded estimated standard deviations (esds) by matrix inversion. The herewith calculated bond lengths and bond-esds were used to obtain averaged bond lengths, which have been compared to the restraints used in preceding refinement cycles.


[Mechanisms of prevention of progression of diabetic nephropathy by dietary protein restriction].
This study was designed to clarify the mechanisms by which the progression of diabetic nephropathy is inhibited by low-protein diet. Six control and twenty-five streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were divided into 4 group: Group I consisted of non-diabetic control rats administered a 40% protein diet (n = 6); Group II, diabetic rats administered a 40% protein diet (n = 8); Group III, diabetic rats treated with a 10% protein diet (n = 8), and Group IV, diabetic rats treated together with a 10% protein diet and ad lib, drinking water containing 0.75 mg/l of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) (n = 9). The follow-up period was 24 weeks. Urinary albumin excretion rate (AER), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and morphometric measurement of renal biopsy specimens obtained at 12 and 24 weeks were evaluated. AER was significantly increased in the untreated diabetic Group II compared with the control Group I. However, AER was significantly decreased in the treated Group III and IV compared with the untreated diabetic Group II. There was no significant difference in AER between Group III and IV. Compared with Group II, the increase in GFR was significantly inhibited in Group IV but not in Group III. The increase in mesangial matrix and GBM thickening were both prominent in the untreated diabetic Group II, and significantly inhibited in the treated Group III and IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The assessment of pi-pi selective stationary phases for two-dimensional HPLC analysis of foods: application to the analysis of coffee.
Differences between alkyl, dipole-dipole, hydrogen bonding, and pi-pi selective surfaces represented by non-resonance and resonance pi-stationary phases have been assessed for the separation of 'Ristretto' café espresso by employing 2DHPLC techniques with C18 phase selectivity detection. Geometric approach to factor analysis (GAFA) was used to measure the detected peaks (N), spreading angle (beta), correlation, practical peak capacity (n(p)) and percentage usage of the separations space, as an assessment of selectivity differences between regional quadrants of the two-dimensional separation plane. Although all tested systems were correlated to some degree to the C18 dimension, regional measurement of separation divergence revealed that performance of specific systems was better for certain sample components. The results illustrate that because of the complexity of the 'real' sample obtaining a truly orthogonal two-dimensional system for complex samples of natural origin may be practically impossible.


[Determination of five compounds in Scrophularia ningpoensis by HPLC-UV-ELSD].
To develop an HPLC-UV-ELSD method for the determination of aucubi, harpagide, harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid in Scrophularia ningpoensis. The analytical column was SHIMADZU C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phase was acetonirile-0.4% acetic acid in a gradient elution. Initial conditions was 5% A; 0-20 min, changed to 10% A; 20-50 min, to 55% A. The flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C. The UV detector wavelength was set at 280 nm for harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid, and the evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) drift tube temperature was 105 degrees C, the flow rate of nebulizer gas was 1.2 L x min(-1) for aucubi and harpagide. Aucubi, harpagide, harpagoside, angoroside C and cinnamic acid was separated well. The linear calibration curves were obtained over of 0.752-13.536 microg for aucubi (r=0.9993, n=6), 0.8280-14.90 microg for harpagide (r=0.9994, n=6), 0.6360-11.45 microg for harpagoside (r=0.9997, n=6), 0.5440- 9.792 microg for angoroside C, (r=0.9997, n=6) and 0.0108-0.1939 microg for cinnamic acid (r=0.9999, n=6). The mean recovers of five compounds were 98.12%, 99.14%, 100.21%, 98.17% and 100.35% with RSD of 2.3%, 1.5%, 1.9%, 1.7% and 0.5%. This method could simultaneously determinate the content of the five compounds in the S. ningpoensis.


A simple scoring tool for the evaluation of patients in an emergency department chest pain unit.
There are multiple risk scores to determine the prognosis of high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to emergency departments (ED) and chest pain units (CPU), however, there are few options for patients without ACS (no diagnostic ST-segment deviation or positive biomarkers). To derive a clinical risk score for the management of lower-risk patients seen in ED CPUs. We evaluated all patients triaged through the Mount Sinai ED CPU over a 76-month period who underwent stress testing after negative serial biomarkers and ECGs. Primary and secondary endpoints of hospital admission and coronary revascularization were retrospectively obtained. Variables associated with admission at P < 0.1 level were entered into a multivariable model. Each variable was assigned an integer score based on the beta coefficients in the final model. A total of 4,666 patients were evaluated and 738 (15.8%) had an abnormal stress test, 575 (12.3%) were admitted to the hospital, and 133 (2.9%) underwent coronary revascularization. A score consisting of age > 55 years, gender, chest pain quality (typical vs atypical), known coronary artery disease, shortness of breath, diabetes, smoking, and abnormal ECG demonstrated strong correlation between observed vs predicted hospital admission. The clinical score showed good ability to predict admission with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area of 0.72, which improved to 0.81 when the results of stress testing were added. This new clinical risk score is simple to use, predicts a clinically relevant outcome to ED physicians, and the results of noninvasive testing are additive.


Red blood cell distribution width and 1-year mortality in acute heart failure.
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) predicts mortality in chronic heart failure (HF) and stable coronary artery disease. The prognostic value of RDW in more acute settings such as acute HF, and its relative prognostic value compared with more established measures such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), remains unknown. In a cohort of 205 patients with acute HF, independent predictors of RDW were identified using linear regression analysis. The association between RDW and 1-year survival in the context of other predictors was assessed using Cox's proportional hazards analysis. Red blood cell distribution width was elevated in 67 (32.7%) patients; RDW was independently associated with haematological variables such as haemoglobin (P < 0.001) as well as the use of loop diuretics (P = 0.006) and beta-blockers (P = 0.015) on presentation, but not with nutritional deficiencies, recent transfusion, or inflammatory variables. Log-transformed RDW values independently predicted mortality in multivariable Cox's proportional hazards analysis (hazards ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.06; P = 0.04); when stratified on the basis of RDW and NT-proBNP status, the combination provided additional prognostic information. Red blood cell distribution width is frequently elevated among patients with acute HF and does not appear to be associated with nutritional status, transfusion history, or inflammation. Red blood cell distribution width independently predicts 1-year mortality in acute HF. The value of RDW appears additive to other established prognostic variables such as NT-proBNP.


Extramammary Paget's disease: an annotated review.
The incidence, clinical features, histogenesis, and treatment of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) are reviewed. This unusual skin lesion is associated with an underlying adnexal neoplasm in about 50% of cases. Also, the incidence of distant organ malignancies of EMPD is higher than expected by chance. Even in the absence of a recognizable underlying cancer, EMPD may occasionally produce distant metastases, indicating the malignant potential of this condition. Histochemical, immunohistological, and lectin binding studies demonstrate that the cell of origin of EMPD is the exocrine cell of sweat glands. Although EMPD may arise from eccrine cells, derivation from apocrine cells appears more common. The treatment of the primary lesion, by wide margin excision, is fraught by a high recurrence rate. Chemosurgery may reduce local relapse of EMPD. The value of adjuvant radiation therapy is unestablished. Chemotherapy has induced remission in 2 cases of advanced EMPD and needs testing in clinical trials.


[Striving to promote precise diagnosis of dry eye].
Dry eye is a common ocular surface disease worldwide that affects the patients' visual quality and life quality. Correctly distinguishing its etiology, severity and subtypes is the basis for precise diagnosis and effective treatment. This article summarizes the challenges and bottlenecks in the development of dry eye precise diagnosis, and discusses the current situation and development trend of dry eye diagnosis from traditional evaluation methods to novel diagnostic techniques, aiming to provide reference and guidance for promotion of clinical precise diagnosis of dry eye.


[Nonspecific low-back pain: approaches to diagnosis and treatment].
This review considers the problem of pain chronification process based on the biopsychosocial model. Treatment of nonspecific low-back pain is specifically highlighted. Algorithms for the management of such patients are described. The efficacy and safety of nimesulide is discussed.


Functional anatomy of distant-acting mammalian enhancers.
Transcriptional enhancers are a major class of functional element embedded in the vast non-coding portion of the human genome. Acting over large genomic distances, enhancers play critical roles in the tissue and cell type-specific regulation of genes, and there is mounting evidence that they contribute to the aetiology of many human diseases. Methods for genome-wide mapping of enhancer regions are now available, but the functional architecture contained within human enhancer elements remains unclear. Here, we review recent approaches aimed at understanding the functional anatomy of individual enhancer elements, using systematic qualitative and quantitative assessments of mammalian enhancer variants in cultured cells and in vivo. These studies provide direct insight into common architectural characteristics of enhancers including the presence of multiple transcription factor-binding sites and the mixture of both transcriptionally activating and repressing domains within the same enhancer. Despite such progress in understanding the functional composition of enhancers, the inherent complexities of enhancer anatomy continue to limit our ability to predict the impact of sequence changes on in vivo enhancer function. While providing an initial glimpse into the mutability of mammalian enhancers, these observations highlight the continued need for experimental enhancer assessment as genome sequencing becomes routine in the clinic.


Classification tree method for bacterial source tracking with antibiotic resistance analysis data.
Various statistical classification methods, including discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and cluster analysis, have been used with antibiotic resistance analysis (ARA) data to construct models for bacterial source tracking (BST). We applied the statistical method known as classification trees to build a model for BST for the Anacostia Watershed in Maryland. Classification trees have more flexibility than other statistical classification approaches based on standard statistical methods to accommodate complex interactions among ARA variables. This article describes the use of classification trees for BST and includes discussion of its principal parameters and features. Anacostia Watershed ARA data are used to illustrate the application of classification trees, and we report the BST results for the watershed.


Quantum mechanical calculation of the effects of stiff and rigid constraints in the conformational equilibrium of the alanine dipeptide.
If constraints are imposed on a macromolecule, two inequivalent classical models may be used: the stiff and the rigid one. This work studies the effects of such constraints on the conformational equilibrium distribution (CED) of the model dipeptide HCO-L-Ala-NH(2)without any simplifying assumption. We use ab initio quantum mechanics calculations including electron correlation at the MP2 level to describe the system, and we measure the conformational dependence of all the correcting terms to the naive CED based in the potential energy surface that appear when the constraints are considered. These terms are related to mass-metric tensors determinants and also occur in the Fixman's compensating potential. We show that some of the corrections are non-negligible if one is interested in the whole Ramachandran space. On the other hand, if only the energetically lower region, containing the principal secondary structure elements, is assumed to be relevant, then, all correcting terms may be neglected up to peptides of considerable length. This is the first time, as far as we know, that the analysis of the conformational dependence of these correcting terms is performed in a relevant biomolecule with a realistic potential energy function.


[KDM6A mutation and expression in gastric cancer are associated with prognosis].
Objective: To investigate the relationship between KDM6A mutation or expression and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer. Methods: Fifty-seven cases of gastric cancer tissues were analyzed by second-generation sequencing, and bioinformation database such as Cbioportal, Kaplan Meier-Plotter, and the Human Protein Atlas were used to analyze the relationship between KDM6A mutation and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer. Results: Among 57 gastric cancer samples, 14 were KDM6A mutation, and the mutation proportion was 24.6%. Compared with the non-mutation group, the Borrmann classification, T stage, TNM stage and tumor diameter of KDM6A mutant group were significantly different (all P<0.05). The median survival time of the KDM6A mutant patients was 53.5 months, significantly shorter than 72.0 months of the KDM6A non-mutation patients (P=0.007). The analysis result of Kaplan Meier-Plotter database showed that, among all of the 875 patients, 655 patients had low KDM6A expression and 220 patients had high expression. The median survival time of patients with low expression was 23.5 months, significantly shorter than 30.8 months of patients with high expression (P=0.002). In male, gastric cancer patients with stage Ⅲ, intestinal type, diffuse type, simple surgical treatment and fluorouracil chemotherapy, the expression of KDM6A is related to the patient's overall survival time (all P<0.05). The analysis result of Cbioportal database showed that, among all of the 1 172 gastric cancer patients, 70 patients with KDM6A mutation, 1100 patients with non-mutation. The median overall survival time of mutant patients was 28.9 months, significantly shorter than 35.9 months of non-mutation patients (P<0.001). The analysis result of Human Protein Atlas database showed that, among all of the 355 gastric cancer patients, 97 patients had high KDM6A expression and 258 patients had low KDM6A expression. The median survival time of patients with low expression was 13.7 months, significantly shorter than 19.8 months of patients with high expression (P=0.022). Conclusions: The survival time of gastric cancer patients with KDM6A mutation or low expression is shorter. The mutation and expression of KDM6A are related to clinical pathological factors, which may become a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.


A many-body term improves the accuracy of effective potentials based on protein coevolutionary data.
The study of correlated mutations in alignments of homologous proteins proved to be successful not only in the prediction of their native conformation but also in the development of a two-body effective potential between pairs of amino acids. In the present work, we extend the effective potential, introducing a many-body term based on the same theoretical framework, making use of a principle of maximum entropy. The extended potential performs better than the two-body one in predicting the energetic effect of 308 mutations in 14 proteins (including membrane proteins). The average value of the parameters of the many-body term correlates with the degree of hydrophobicity of the corresponding residues, suggesting that this term partly reflects the effect of the solvent.