C-reactive protein and leukocytes do not reliably indicate severity of influenza a infection in childhood.
Influenza in children may mimic other infections leading to insufficient treatment. Determination of parameters that facilitate diagnosis and indicate severity would be useful to optimize treatment modalities. We prospectively screened 432 children for influenza infection. Forty-six children at the age of 4 weeks to 14 years (median, 18 months) with confirmed influenza A infection were analyzed. A clinical score of illness severity was calculated from the symptoms presented. To evaluate the dependency of the clinical score on C-reactive protein value, leukocyte count, age, and days of hospitalization, correlation and regression analyses were carried out. Neither the C-reactive protein values (median, 0.85 mg/dL; range, 0.2-18.6; r=0.14; p=0.35) nor the leukocyte counts (median, 7.95 G/L; range, 3.5-17.6; r=-0.14, p=0.34) correlated significantly with the clinical score of influenza severity. Thus, in daily clinical practice, C-reactive protein and leukocytes seem to be insufficient parameters to describe the clinical severity of influenza A infection in children.


Improvement in immune function in ICU patients by enteral nutrition supplemented with arginine, RNA, and menhaden oil is independent of nitrogen balance.
Hypermetabolism and multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS) after trauma, surgery, or sepsis is associated with accelerated catabolism, the rapid onset of malnutrition, and immune system failure. Current nutritional support, enteral or parenteral, can achieve an acceptable nutritional response but appears unable to improve immune function. Nutrients such as arginine, refined menhaden oil, and RNA have been found to have immune-stimulating properties. This randomized blind prospective trial compared two nutritionally complete enteral formulas, one supplemented with arginine, menhaden oil, and RNA, on the disease-specific effects of anergy and suppression of in vitro tests of immune function in intensive-care patients and the nutritional outcome of nitrogen balance. After 7-10 days of enteral nutrition in patients with persistent sepsis syndrome, both formulas were associated with the achievement of net nitrogen retention and improved visceral protein status but with nonresolution of anergy. However, the supplemented formula was associated with marked stimulation of in vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses and a significant reduction in 3-methylhistidine excretion. Six and 12-mo follow-up data demonstrated no long-term effects. Nutrients targeted to effect the disease-induced in vitro suppression of immune function in MOFS appear to achieve that end independent of the nutritional outcome of nitrogen balance and without adverse clinical outcome.


A Review of Heart Transplantation for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.
As techniques for corrective and palliative surgery in congenital heart disease improve, the number of patients surviving to become adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) has increased. A significant proportion of these patients will progress to develop advanced heart failure, the symptoms of which vary, complicating prediction of life expectancy. Unlike acquired heart failure, there is a lack of evidence-based treatments with which to relieve symptoms and prolong survival. As a result, a number of ACHD patients will proceed to heart transplantation. Referral for transplantation should be considered early, given the difficulties with prognostication, and should take place in a center with surgical and medical expertise in the management of ACHD patients and transplantation. In addition to assessing contraindications to heart transplantation for the general population, factors specific to ACHD should be considered. These include pulmonary hypertension, cyanosis, liver disease, previous surgeries, and the degree of allosensitization. Once listed for transplantation, ACHD patients spend longer on the waitlist, and are more likely to die or be delisted than their non-ACHD counterparts. Mechanical circulatory support is used less commonly as a bridge to transplantation given the difficulties with implantation and unfamiliarity of use. Recent evidence suggests that with increased experience and early consideration, mechanical circulatory support can be used successfully as a bridging therapy. Despite a higher early mortality, long-term survival is greater for ACHD patients after transplant due to younger age and relative lack of comorbidities. With early referral, careful assessment of each individual's unique anatomy and physiology, and care in a center experienced with ACHD patients and transplantation, outcomes will continue to improve.


The novel isocoumarin 2-(8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl) propionic acid (NM-3) induces lethality of human carcinoma cells by generation of reactive oxygen species.
2-(8-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-3-yl) propionic acid (NM-3) is an isocoumarin derivative that has recently entered clinical trials for evaluation as a p.o.-bioavailable, antiangiogenic molecule. NM-3 induces endothelial cell death at low microM concentrations by a nonapoptotic mechanism. The present studies have assessed the direct effects of NM-3 on human carcinoma cells. The results demonstrate that NM-3 treatment is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species and loss of clonogenic survival. In concert with these findings, we show that exposure to NM-3 is associated with increases in expression of the p53 tumor suppressor. In human MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells, NM-3 induces the p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, cell cycle arrest at G1-S-phase, and necrotic cell death. Moreover, human PA-1 ovarian carcinoma and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells respond to NM-3 with the induction of apoptosis by a reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism. These findings demonstrate that NM-3 has direct effects on carcinoma cells at clinically achievable concentrations and that this agent could be effective in targeting both the tumor and its vasculature.


Species pool size alters species-area relationships during experimental community assembly.
The species pool concept has advanced our understanding for how biodiversity is coupled at local and regional scales. However, it remains unclear how species pool size, the number of species available to disperse to a site, influences community assembly across spatial scales. We provide one of the first studies that assesses diversity across scales after experimentally assembling grassland communities from species pools of different sizes. We show that species pool size causes scale-dependent effects on diversity in grasslands undergoing restoration by altering the shape of the species-area relationship (SAR). Specifically, larger species pools increased the slope of the SAR, but not the intercept, suggesting that dispersal from a larger pool causes species to be more spatially aggregated. This increased aggregation appears to be caused by sampling effects due to fewer individuals arriving per species, rather than stronger species sorting across variation in soil moisture. These scale-dependent effects suggest that studies evaluating species pools at a single, small scale may underestimate their effects, thereby contributing to uncertainty about the importance of regional processes for community assembly and their consequences for ecological restoration.


Evidence for lower CD4+ T cell and higher viral load in asymptomatic HIV-1 infected individuals of India: implications for therapy initiation.
We have earlier documented that the south Indian population had lower CD4 counts. The aim of this study was to investigate a previous suggestion on a new CD4+ T cell cut off and association with HIV-1 RNA levels for decision on anti retroviral therapy in India (south). We evaluated a new methodology i.e., artus real-time PCR and CD4+ T cell count by Guava EasyCD4 system. From 146 HIV infected individuals seen at a tertiary care centre, blood was collected for CD4+ T cell and HIV-1 RNA estimation. The receiver operating characteristic curve cut off value for the CD4 counts to distinguish between CDC clinical categories A and B was 243 cells/microL, and to distinguish B and C was 153 cells/microL. The RNA level that differentiated CDC A and B was 327473 RNA copies/mL, while for CDC B and C was 688543 copies/mL. There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.55, P + T cell counts in HIV infected individuals. A majority with CD4 counts of 201-350 cells/microL in our population had higher viral load than the treatment threshold suggested by the International AIDS society and the above two methodologies are useful in monitoring HIV infections.


Laser-Induced Selective Electroless Plating on PC/ABS Polymer: Minimisation of Thermal Effects for Supreme Processing Speed.
The selective surface activation induced by laser (SSAIL) for electroless copper deposition on Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) blend is one of the promising techniques of electric circuit formation on free-shape dielectric surfaces, which broadens capabilities of 3D microscopic integrated devices (3D-MIDs). The process consists of laser excitation, chemical activation of laser-excited areas by dipping in a liquid and electroless copper deposition of the laser-treated areas. The limiting factor in increasing throughput of the technology is a laser activation step. Laser writing is performed by modern galvanometric scanners which reach the scanning speed of several meters per second. However, adverse thermal effects on PC/ABS polymer surface abridge the high-speed laser writing. In this work, an investigation was conducted on how these thermal effects limit surface activation for selective metal deposition from the view of physics and chemistry. An advanced laser beam scanning technique of interlacing with precise accuracy and the pulse-on-demand technique was applied to overcome mentioned problems for fast laser writing. Initially, the modelling of transient heat conduction was performed. The results revealed a significant reduction in heat accumulation. Applied methods of laser writing allowed the overall processing rate to increase by up to 2.4 times. Surface morphology was investigated by a scanning electron microscope. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to investigate the modification of atomic concentration on the surface after laser treatment. Experiments did not show a correlation between surface morphology and electroless plating on laser-treated areas. However, significant variation in the composition of the material was revealed depending on the surface activity for electroless plating.


Provision and Supervision of Food and Protein Substitute in School for Children with PKU: Parent Experiences.
Children spend a substantial part of their childhood in school, so provision of dietary care and inclusion of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in this setting is essential. There are no reports describing the dietary support children with PKU receive whilst at school. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the experiences of the dietary management of children with PKU in schools across the UK. Data was collected using an online survey completed by parents/caregivers of children with PKU. Of 159 questionnaire responses, 92% (n = 146) of children attended state school, 6% (n = 10) private school and 2% (n = 3) other. Fourteen per cent (n = 21/154) were at nursery/preschool, 51% (n = 79/154) primary and 35% (n = 54/154) secondary school. Sixty-one per cent (n = 97/159) said their child did not have school meals, with some catering services refusing to provide suitable food and some parents distrusting the school meals service. Sixty-one per cent of children had an individual health care plan (IHCP) (n = 95/155). Children were commonly unsupervised at lunchtime (40%, n = 63/159), with snacks (46%, n = 71/155) and protein substitute (30%, n = 47/157), with significantly less supervision in secondary than primary school (p < 0.001). An IHCP was significantly associated with improved supervision of food and protein substitute administration (p < 0.01), and better communication between parents/caregivers and the school team (p < 0.05). Children commonly accessed non-permitted foods in school. Therefore, parents/caregivers described important issues concerning the school provision of low phenylalanine food and protein substitute. Every child should have an IHCP which details their dietary needs and how these will be met safely and discreetly. It is imperative that children with PKU are supported in school.


[Hepatic resection after neoadjuvant therapy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases].
Recently, an increased number of reports have been published on liver resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( NAC) in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (IUCLM). However, the definition of unresectable liver metastases differs among institutions. The size of liver tumor B5 cm and number of tumors B5 is commonly a contraindication for resection of liver metastases. The present study was performed to compare the short and longterm results between patients who underwent liver resection following NAC for IUCLM and those with multiple bilobar metastases for initially resectable liver metastases. Twenty-seven patients with multiple bilobar liver metastases between 1994 and 2007 were divided into two groups, i. e. 11 patients who underwent liver resection following NAC for IUCLM and 16 patients who initially underwent liver resection. NAC was used in three in J-IFL and eight cases in mFOLFOX6. All eleven patients with IUCLM were H3/grade C. The median course of NAC was 6 (4-6 courses, Mean+/-SD: 6+/-2 courses). The objective overall response rate was 100% (11/11). H3 of eleven patients was changed to two in H1 and nine in H2 after chemotherapy. Grade C of 11 patients was down-staged in 4 in grade Band 2 in grade A. The H factors and grade of 16 patients who initially underwent liver resection were H16H28H32 and grade A4/B6/C6, respectively. The disease-free and overall survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases between patients with initially unresectable and resectable liver metastases were not significantly different. NAC enables liver resection in some patients with IUCLM. It should be performed not only preoperatively but also postoperatively for IUCLM because of better survival after surgery.


[A case of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias probably due to psychotropic drugs].
We present a case provoked life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias probably due to psychotropic drugs. The patient was a 55-year-old man who had previously twice operations of aortic valve replacement (AVR). The signs of cardiac failure were recurrently appeared from the end of 1991, and he had received promethazine and sulpiride for his depressive state. From cardiac catheterization, we planned his third AVR. The electrocardiographic (ECG) QTc interval was prolonged to 0.48 seconds on this admission. In March 1992 syncopal attack appeared suddenly, and his monitor ECG revealed frequent polymorphous ventricular tachycardia (VT) and Torsade de Pointes (Tdp). These arrhythmias stopped by emergent cardiac pacing. After discontinuing these psychotropic drugs, no ventricular arrhythmias appeared. Since the patient complained severe insomnia one month before operation, the diminished dose of psychotropic drugs (promethazine and levomepromazine) was readministered. Ten days after the operation, syncopal attack reappeared and his ECG recorded frequent VT and Tdp. During both syncopal attacks his serum potassium and magnesium were within normal limits. Two days later, he died from multi-organ failure. We concluded that life-threatening arrhythmias such as VT and Tdp might develop under the administration of mild psychotropic drugs (promethazine or levomepromazine), therefore, must better take a care of ECG changes in cases of using any psychotropic drugs.


Post-Transplant Maintenance Therapy for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Approaches and the Need for More Trials.
Relapse rates following allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia remain unacceptably high and a major cause of death. Maintenance therapies post-transplant administered either to patients with impending relapse or at high risk of relapse could present a strategy to improve survival and overall outcomes. With the increasing use of molecular and genomic characterization of the disease, more novel therapies became available as maintenance strategies. These options were, however, hindered by excessive toxicities, mostly hematologic, especially with the use of myeloablative conditioning regimens. Several key questions have also emerged including the efficacy of these therapies, the duration of maintenance, as well as the potential modulation of the graft and the immune microenvironment. These issues are further complicated by the paucity of well-designed prospective randomized clinical trials evaluating these agents. Future directions in this field should include better risk stratification and patient selection based on assays of minimal residual disease, as well as the incorporation of novel targets and pathways of leukemogenesis. In this article, we highlight the current evidence behind the use of post-transplant maintenance therapy, the optimal patient and disease selection, as well as the challenges faced by these strategies in an area that remains quite controversial. We will focus on therapies targeting leukemia stem cells that directly or indirectly modulate the allografted immune microenvironment and augment the graft-versus-leukemia impact.


Neuroinflammation in Huntington's Disease: A Starring Role for Astrocyte and Microglia.
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. HD causes motor, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Since no existing treatment affects the course of this disease, new treatments are needed. Inflammation is frequently observed in HD patients before symptom onset. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the presence of reactive microglia, astrocytes and inflammatory factors within the brain, is also detected early. However, in comparison to other neurodegenerative diseases, the role of neuroinflammation in HD is much less known. Work has been dedicated to altered microglial and astrocytic functions in the context of HD, but less attention has been given to glial participation in neuroinflammation. This review describes evidence of inflammation in HD patients and animal models. It also discusses recent knowledge on neuroinflammation in HD, highlighting astrocyte and microglia involvement in the disease and considering anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches.


Reward-related neuronal activities in basal ganglia of domestic chicks.
We aimed to reveal what is coded in the basal ganglia of domestic chicks. In the water-reinforced 'go' task, chicks learned to peck selectively at a colored bead in order to obtain a drop of water. Out of 38 units obtained, seven showed excitatory activities specifically during the reward period. In the food-reinforced go/no-go task, chicks learned to discriminate two colors to obtain mash food after a delay period. They also learned to ignore another color, which was not associated with a reward. Out of 27 units obtained, four showed excitatory activities during the cue period, specifically when a food reward was anticipated. LPO neurons may code qualities of the obtained rewards, and also chick's anticipation of the forthcoming rewards.


Immunohistochemical study of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors in salivary gland tumors.
The aim of this work was to study the immunohistochemical expression of androgen receptor, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor in pleomorphic adenomas, Warthin's tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas of salivary glands. A total of 41 pleomorphic adenomas, 30 Warthin's tumors, 30 mucoepidermoid carcinomas and 30 adenoid cystic carcinomas were analyzed, and the immunohistochemical expression of these hormone receptors were assessed. It was observed that all cases were negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors. Androgen receptor was positive in 2 cases each of pleomorphic adenoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. In conclusion, the results do not support a role of estrogen and progesterone in the tumorigenesis of pleomorphic adenomas, Warthin's tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas. However, androgen receptors can play a role in a small set of salivary gland tumors, and this would deserve further studies.


Neutralizing effect of zinc oxide on dehydroabietic acid-induced toxicity on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
The cytotoxic effect of dehydroabietic acid (DHAA), a resin acid found in rosin, was studied on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes using leakage of 51Cr from prelabeled cells, supravital staining, and transmission electron microscopy. DHAA caused a strong dose-related release of 51Cr, a high uptake of trypan blue, and total cell necrosis, as seen in transmission electron microscopy. Albumin slightly reduced the toxic effects, whereas the addition of zinc in various forms strongly inhibited these toxic effects of DHAA in the concentration range of 10-500 micrograms/mL. In the presence of albumin, zinc oxide as a suspension inhibited the damage of the cell membranes more than a filtrate of zinc oxide, indicating a subsequent slow release of zinc from the zinc oxide.


Wide bandwidth constant current source for ac galvanomagnetic measurements.
A simple one-op-amp constant current source which has great versatility is described. Its important features include a wide bandwidth ( greater, similar10 kHz) and the ability to float from third-wire ground. Applications to three separate types of measurement are included, ac conductivity measurements on ionic conductors, Double-ac Hall effect measurements, and tunneling measurements.


Metabolism of Exogenous Indoleacetic Acid to Its Amide Conjugates in Cucumis sativus L.
Incubation of hypocotyl segments of light-grown Cucumis sativus L. in 0.1 millimolar 3-indoleacetic acid for 16 hours led to the formation of indoleacetylaspartate and indoleacetylglutamate. There was no evidence for the formation of other conjugates of 3-indoleacetic acid with individual amino acids during the period from 4 to 48 hours of incubation. Indoleacetylglutamate reached its maximum concentration after about 4 hours of incubation and indoleacetylaspartate after about 8 hours. These levels remained unchanged for at least 40 hours. Indoleacetylaspartate caused small increases in cucumber hypocotyl segment growth at high concentrations, 1 millimolar being more effective than 0.1 millimolar.


Horizontal Spread of Human and Poultry-Derived Strains of Campylobacter jejuni among Broiler Chicks Held in Incubators and Shipping Boxes.
The first chick to hatch and dry in each of a series of incubators was fed a suspension of Campylobacter jejuni via a stomach tube and returned to the incubator. Subsequently, all hatched chicks were taken out of the incubators and housed in standard transport boxes for a further 24 h, after which they were killed by carbon dioxide inhalation. The intestinal tracts of all hatched birds were excised, enriched in liquid media and then plated on media selective for C. jejuni . Campylobacters were cultured from up to 70% of the chicks but this percentage varied with the strain originally fed to the initial chick. The spread of poultry-derived strains was as extensive as that of some human-derived strains, while other human strains showed little tendency to spread amongst chicks. A significant number of hatched, healthy chicks had distended intestinal tracts and showed abnormal gross liver pathology. This symptom was typical of those strains of C. jejuni known to be invasive or toxigenic. However, the gross pathology occurred more frequently than did the incidence of viable C. jejuni in the intestine of the same chicks, suggesting either that the C. jejuni were now mainly unculturable or that some cellular product was responsible for the intestinal pathology. The serotype of each of the strains isolated, was identical to the serotype of the strain initially fed to each banded bird. This laboratory study shows that one infected chick in an incubator potentially can infect other chicks before the birds reached the farm in transport boxes, so accounting for a further source of C. jejuni contamination of poultry.


Research on Quantitative Evaluation of Remote Sensing and Statistics Based on Wireless Sensors and Farmland Soil Nutrient Variability.
The combination of wireless sensor networks and radio technology can form a new type of communication network. The emergence of wireless sensor networks has effectively solved the problems existing in radio technology, but traditional wireless sensor networks and radio technology networks cannot be directly applied to wireless sensors. On this basis, this paper studies the remote sensing of soil nutrient variability in agricultural land using wireless sensors. Due to traditional farmland management and agricultural systems, farmland soil nutrient variability has led to polarization: fertile soil has excess nutrients, reducing the use rate of chemical fertilizers and polluting high-quality farmland. Traditional farming methods can no longer meet the requirements, and modern technology must be used to comprehensively understand the spatiotemporal variability of soil nutrients during plant growth. Remote sensing technology has the advantages of accuracy, speed, economy, and regular monitoring. It provides new ideas and technical guarantees for soil quality evaluation in land development and consolidation projects. This paper also studies the use of statistical quantitative evaluation technology to carry out multidimensional statistical quantification of soil protection function evaluation at a given location. Finally, wireless sensor networks are used to analyze the relationship between several natural factors and quantitative estimation of soil protection. Based on wireless sensor technology, this paper studies the variability of farmland soil nutrients and statistical quantitative evaluation, hoping to lay a foundation for the development of agriculture and statistics.


Recent Aspects on the Pathogenesis Mechanism, Animal Models and Novel Therapeutic Interventions for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infections.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging zoonotic virus considered as one of the major public threat with a total number of 2 298 laboratory-confirmed cases and 811 associated deaths reported by World Health Organization as of January 2019. The transmission of the virus was expected to be from the camels found in Middle Eastern countries via the animal and human interaction. The genome structure provided information about the pathogenicity and associated virulent factors present in the virus. Recent studies suggested that there were limited insight available on the development of novel therapeutic strategies to induce immunity against the virus. The severities of MERS-CoV infection highlight the necessity of effective approaches for the development of various therapeutic remedies. Thus, the present review comprehensively and critically illustrates the recent aspects on the epidemiology of the virus, the structural and functional features of the viral genome, viral entry and transmission, major mechanisms of pathogenesis and associated virulent factors, current animal models, detection methods and novel strategies for the development of vaccines against MERS-CoV. The review further illustrates the molecular and computational virtual screening platforms which provide insights for the identification of putative drug targets and novel lead molecules toward the development of therapeutic remedies.


[The principles of tissue engineering: role of growth factors in the bone regeneration].
In this article the principles of tissue engineering are analyzed. The growth factors release from platelets, TGF-beta, PDGF, IGF-I and -II, are accurately described and the structure and functions of these growth factors are reported. Then a simple model of bone regeneration is proposed. This model is used every time that bone grafts are used in oral and maxillofacial surgery. On the basis of this model of bone regeneration, the cells and biochemical indicators (pH and pO2) of bone wound where the bone graft is placed, and of surrounding tissues, are described. Then three phases of bone regeneration are analyzed: the beginning, the second (or immature bone), the third or mature bone with lamellar architecture. In each phase the importance of growth factors are evaluated. The conclusion is drawn that factors influence the bone regeneration and that their increased concentration leads to a quick bone formation and quantity. Moreover, the techniques of regeneration in vivo with autogenous bone, are better than those in vitro, since the bone structure, is also the result of the biomechanical environment, where the bone graft grows up.


Move to the head of the class: developing staff nurses as teachers.
Nurses, while clinical experts in their specific fields, rarely have an opportunity to learn and practice teaching skills needed in an educator role. Clinical experts experience anxiety when asked to make the transition from a clinical environment to the teaching role. This article describes a 4-hour program developed to train nurses to become teachers. Adult learning principles, learning styles, and curriculum development were included to demonstrate the skills necessary to help nurses become proficient teachers.


Chromosome damage in G0 X-irradiated lymphocytes from patients with hereditary retinoblastoma.
The amount of chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes following 400 rads G0 X-irradiation in 10 of 11 hereditary retinoblastoma patients was shown to be intermediate between that in normals and damage in trisomy 21 patients. The difference between normals and hereditary retinoblastoma patients was small, it varied between hereditary retinoblastoma patients, and no difference was detected following 200 rads G0 X-irradiation. No difference was found in levels of spontaneous chromosome damage in hereditary retinoblastoma patients, trisomy 21 patients, and normals. These results suggest that, although sensitivity to ionizing radiation may be associated with hereditary retinoblastoma, the observed difference is so small that it is probably not the major effect of the gene predisposing to retinoblastoma.


Localization of Cinnamic Acid 4-Monooxygenase and the Membrane-bound Enzyme System for Dhurrin Biosynthesis in Sorghum Seedlings.
The localization of three monooxygenase (hydroxylase) enzyme systems which occur in dark-grown seedlings of Sorghum bicolor has been studied. Cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (CAH) (trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase, EC 18.104.22.168), which has been increasingly utilized in plants as a marker for the endoplasmic reticulum, migrated with that fraction in continuous and discontinuous sucrose gradients. When 10 mm MgCl(2) was used to shift the density banding of the marker enzyme, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, from 1.12 to 1.17 g/cm(3), the CAH activity was displaced as well.The membrane-bound enzyme system involved in the biosynthesis of the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin was also shown to be closely associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. This system contains hydroxylases capable of hydroxylating tyrosine to form N-hydroxytyrosine and hydroxylating p-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile to form p-hydroxy-(S)-mandelonitrile.


Gonadoblastoma in patient with Turner's syndrome.
A 15-year-old phenotypic female referred for the investigation of primary ammenorrhea, was found to have a 45,XO karyotype and an ovarian cyst. She demonstrated some of the features of Turner's syndrome, as well as virilization. On laparotomy, she was found to have bilateral gonadoblastomas. She was treated with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Subsequently, repeated chromosomal analysis detected the presence of Y chromosomes, which was confirmed by the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The difficulties encountered in searching for the Y chromosome in patients with gonadoblastoma are discussed. Prophylactic gonadectomy is suggested in those cases associated with atypical features.


In vitro evaluation of polyester-based scaffolds seeded with adipose derived stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration.
To overcome the disadvantages of autografts for peripheral nerve repair, different methods such as artificial nerve conduits have been investigated for an alternative approach. This study demonstrated that solvent casting is a simple but efficient method to create thin polyester-based scaffolds for stem cell delivery. Using poly (ε-caprolactone) and poly (D,L-lactic acid), we produced scaffold films containing heterogenous depressions (pits) on the air surface with a size ranging from 0.5 to 30 μm(2). These scaffolds were moderately hydrophobic; however, they supported the differentiation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) into a Schwann cell-like phenotype. The differentiated ADSC (dADSC) expressed S100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein and readily adhered to the films and proliferated at a similar rate to those cultured on tissue culture polystyrene. Cells were also positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Furthermore, dADSC retained functional activity and significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia neurons. This study suggests polymer scaffolds combined with dADSCs could be a promising therapy for peripheral nerve injuries.


Evaluation of cervical cerclage for sonographically incompetent cervix in at high risk patients.
To determine the impact of Cervical Cerclage (CC) for prolongation of pregnancy, maternal and foetal outcome. This Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 2 years patients with history of two or more recurrent midtrimester abortions/preterm deliveries were included. Those with abnormal foetus, vaginal bleeding and choreoamneonitis were excluded. All patients were subjected to transvaginal sonography. Those having sonographic evidence of cervical shortening/dilatation/cone formation were subjected to McDonald suture. Age, parity, period of gestation and aetiological factors were determined. Results were evaluated on the basis of pregnancy prolongation, 14-28 weeks (7.5%), 28-36 weeks (18.7%), 35-37 weeks (73.7%),vaginal delivery in (70%), instrumental (1305%), Caesarean section (17.5%),miscarriage (7.5%), prematurity (18.7%), term delivery (73.7%), prenatal death (13.7%), foetal survival rate (85.1%). No intraoperative complication found. During pregnancy premature rupture of membrane (3.7%), abruption (2.5%), severe pre-eclampsia (3.7%). During labour cervical dystocia was found in (2.5%), foetal distress (8.7%), mal-presentations (6.2%), cervical trauma (3.7%). We determined a high success rate of cervical cerclage on properly selected patients with sonographic evidence of cervical changes. Cervical sonography can be a valuable adjunct to clinical evaluation of these patients.


Custom and modular components in primary total hip replacement.
Cementless custom implants attempted to enhance fit and fill of variable hip geometry. Fabrication of custom implants in referenced from a computed tomography scan, thus allowing three dimensional specifications of femoral anatomy. However, the aggregate charge of manufacturing the implant and obtaining the computed tomography scan is prohibitive in today's healthcare climate. Clinical studies have not shown that customized implants incrementally improve clinical success or implant longevity. Modular prostheses allow the surgeon intraoperative versatility, allowing adjustment of leg length, offset, neck length, anteversion, and fixation. This is particularly helpful in developmental dysplasia of the hip and posttraumatic arthritis. Other advantages of modularity include decreased implant inventory and the ability to remove the femoral head at revision surgery to improve exposure or change head size without component removal. Subsequent clinical experience has witnessed significant drawbacks associated with modularity. These include corrosion, especially with mixed metals, fretting, dissociation, implant fracture below the head and neck taper joint, and reduced range of motion. In addition, thin acetabular polyethylene contributes to higher were rates, earlier failure, local or distal debris particles, and osteolysis. Finally, the cost of modular implants is generally higher than a comparable monolithic prosthesis. In primary hip arthroplasty, use of custom or modular implants should be judicious. Modularity beyond the head and neck junction should be reserved for those cases where a comparable monolithic implant would not suffice.


Novel Diethyl Ether Gas Sensor Based on Cataluminescence on Nano-Pd/ZnNi3Al2O7.
A sensitive diethyl ether gas sensor based on cataluminescence on nano-Pd/ZnNi3Al2O7 at a temperature lower than 150 °C was reported. The composition of the sensitive material was determined by energy-dispersive spectrometry, and a particle size of less than 50 nm was shown by transmission electron microscopy. When the atomic percentage of Pd in the sensing material is 0.8-1.3%, it is beneficial to the low-temperature and high-selective cataluminescence of diethyl ether. The signal response and recovery of diethyl ether on the sensitive material can be completed quickly in 0.5 s, and the relative standard deviation of the signal within 500 h of continuous operation is not more than 2.5%. There is good linear relationship between the luminescence intensity and the concentration of diethyl ether in the range of 0.08-75 mg/m3. The detection limit (3σ) is 0.04 mg/m3. The working conditions optimized by the response surface methodology were an analytical wavelength of 548.86 nm, a reaction temperature of 109.18 °C, and a carrier gas velocity of 125.88 mL/min. The sensitivity of the method can be increased by 4.5% under the optimized working conditions. The optimization method is universal for many multi-parameter processes.


Tolerability of spironolactone in patients with chronic heart failure -- a cautionary message.
To assess how well heart failure patients tolerate spironolactone in routine clinical practice. Retrospective analysis of 226 patients attending a specialist heart failure clinic. One hundred and thirty of 226 (57.5%) patients tried spironolactone at least once. Forty-four of 130 (33.8%) discontinued spironolactone due to side-effects after a mean of 11.1 months; 59/141 (41.8%) trials of spironolactone resulted in at least one side-effect; therapy was stopped in 30/141 (21.3%) trials due to raised potassium or creatinine. Significant risk factors for raised potassium/creatinine were age and baseline potassium level. Potentially serious side-effects are common despite appropriate use of spironolactone.


An auditory event related potential evaluation of sonar task experience and age.
To gauge the interaction of real-world sonar-task experience and age on brain electrical activity, the effect of sonar experience and age on event related potentials (ERP) was examined. A three-group design was used and the results suggest that sonar experience and age affect the amplitude and distribution of the ERP component. The results concerning age and ERPs support and extend the results of previous studies and suggest that age-related differences occur at a much younger age than is reported elsewhere. Attentional and stimulus evaluation processes which have been linked to parameters of the ERP component may be enhanced with real-world auditory task experience. Research on ERP should control for the possible confounds of auditory-task experience and age.


Effects of chest resistance exercise and chest expansion exercise on stroke patients' respiratory function and trunk control ability.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of chest resistance and chest expansion exercises for improving respiratory function and trunk control ability in patients with stroke. [Subjects] Forty patients with stroke were randomly allocated into a chest resistance exercise group (CREG, n = 20) and a chest expansion exercise group (CEEG, n = 20). [Methods] CREG patients underwent chest resistance exercises, and diaphragmatic resistance exercises by way of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. CEEG patients underwent respiratory exercises with chest expansion in various positions. Both groups received 30 minutes of training per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] Both the CERG and CEEG groups showed significant changes in FVC, FEV1, and TIS after the intervention. TIS was significantly increased in the CREG compared to the CEEG after the intervention. [Conclusion] Both chest resistance and chest expansion exercises were effective for improving respiratory function and trunk control ability in stroke patients; however, chest resistance exercise is more efficient for increasing trunk control ability.


Chronic myeloid leukaemia--the XXI century.
CML has served as a model for study of pathogenesis, evolution and treatment of malignancy for nearly 150 years and will continue to do so. The increasing interest worldwide in biology and medicine and the explosion of activity in molecular biology make it probable that many forms of leukaemia, lymphoma and solid tumours that are lethal today will be readily prevented or cured within the next 20 or 30 years.


Antimicrobial Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Biopsy Samples from Lima/Peru.
Background: Helicobacter pylori prevalence and gastric cancer rates are remarkably high in Peru. Effective antimicrobial regimens are essential for successful H. pylori eradication. We aimed at assessing antimicrobial resistance rates to first- and second-line therapeutic agents in H. pylori strains detected in gastric biopsy samples. Materials and Methods: Gastric biopsy samples (antrum and corpus) were collected from therapy-naive patients (n = 154). H. pylori presence in the samples was confirmed by histopathology. Genotypic resistance to clarithromycin and quinolones was determined by real-time PCR. Results: Histology results were 100% concordant with PCR results (97/154; 63% H. pylori-positive in both). In 6% (6/97) of the patients, we found discordant results of H. pylori infection in antrum and corpus samples from the same patient. Resistance rates to clarithromycin and quinolone were 34% (33/97) and 68% (56/82), respectively. Antimicrobial resistance to both antimicrobials was 30% (25/82). Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance rates of H. pylori to clarithromycin and quinolones are very high in Lima, Peru. Many first- and second-line, empiric eradication regimens may not be recommended for Peruvian patients.


Deletion of the aconitase gene in Corynebacterium glutamicum causes strong selection pressure for secondary mutations inactivating citrate synthase.
The aconitase gene acn of Corynebacterium glutamicum is regulated by four transcriptional regulators, indicating that the synthesis of this enzyme is carefully controlled. To understand the causes for this elaborate regulation, the properties of the Δacn-1 deletion mutant were analyzed in detail. The mutant was glutamate auxotrophic in glucose minimal medium, showed a strong growth defect, and secreted large amounts of acetate. None of these phenotypes could be complemented by plasmid-encoded aconitase, suggesting the presence of a secondary mutation. In fact, a point mutation within the gltA gene encoding citrate synthase was identified that caused the instability of the protein and an almost complete lack of its enzymatic activity. Subsequently, 27 further, independent Δacn clones were isolated, and 15 of them were found to contain distinct mutations in gltA, causing the loss of citrate synthase activity. A similar result was observed for mutants lacking the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene icd. In this case, 8 of 24 Δicd clones contained additional mutations in gltA. Indirect evidence was obtained that elevated intracellular citrate concentrations could be the cause of this selection pressure. Accordingly, the careful control of aconitase synthesis might have evolved due to the necessity to avoid inhibitory cytoplasmic citrate levels on the one hand and to prevent the excessive synthesis of an oxygen-sensitive protein requiring both iron and sulfur on the other hand.


Determination of polyamine oxidase activities in human tissues.
A very simple fluorometric assay for polyamine oxidase (PAO) in tissues, with N1-monoacetylspermine as substrate, is described. The PAO was present in all human organs tested; it was highest in the liver, followed by the testis, kidney, spleen and small intestine.


Lymph nodal Merkel cell carcinoma: primary or metastatic disease? a clinical case.
We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) presenting in the lymph nodes in the absence of a primary cutaneous site. The MCC was treated by palliative radiotherapy, which controlled the disease locally. Eight months after diagnosis a mass appeared on the ipsilateral knee; histopathological examination of this lesion confirmed the diagnosis of MCC. The patient died two months later due to the development of pulmonary metastases. Interestingly, the neoplastic tissue was confined to the regional lymph nodes for several months before the primary site appeared. Primary lymph nodal MCC is rare and the diagnosis is difficult. In our opinion the only way to make a diagnosis of primary lymph nodal MCC is by appropriate clinical follow-up.


Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 in Mesenchymal Cell Differentiation During Lung Development and Disease.
During organogenesis and pathogenesis, fibroblast growth factor 10 (Fgf10) regulates mesenchymal cell differentiation in the lung. Different cell types reside in the developing lung mesenchyme. Lineage tracing in vivo was used to characterize these cells during development and disease. Fgf10-positive cells in the early lung mesenchyme differentiate into multiple lineages including smooth muscle cells (SMCs), lipofibroblasts (LIFs) as well as other cells, which still remain to be characterized. Fgf10 signaling has been reported to act both in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. Autocrine Fgf10 signaling is important for the differentiation of LIF progenitors. Interestingly, autocrine Fgf10 signaling also controls the differentiation of pre-adipocytes into mature adipocytes. As the mechanism of action of Fgf10 on adipocyte differentiation via the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparγ) signaling is quite well established, this knowledge could be instrumental for identifying drugs capable of sustaining LIF differentiation in the context of lung injury. We propose that enhanced LIF differentiation could be associated with improved repair. On the other hand, paracrine signaling is considered to be critical for the differentiation of alveolar epithelial progenitors during development as well as for the maintenance of the alveolar type 2 (AT2) stem cells during homeostasis. Alveolar myofibroblasts (MYFs), which are another type of mesenchymal cells critical for the process of alveologenesis (the last phase of lung development) express high levels of Fgf10 and are also dependent for their formation on Fgf signaling. The characterization of the progenitors of alveolar MYFs as well the mechanisms involved in their differentiation is paramount as these cells are considered to be critical for lung regeneration. Finally, lineage tracing in the context of lung fibrosis demonstrated a reversible differentiation from LIF to "activated" MYF during fibrosis formation and resolution. FGF10 expression in the lungs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) vs. donors as well as progressive vs. stable IPF patients supports our conclusion that FGF10 deficiency could be causative for IPF progression. The therapeutic application of recombinant human FGF10 is therefore very promising.


MiR-155 is involved in major depression disorder and antidepressant treatment via targeting SIRT1.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mood disorder, and the treatment of MDD requires a variety of biopsychosocial approaches. The role of Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in the regulation of MDD has recently been implicated. Here, we aimed to explore and elucidate the therapeutic effects of a microRNA, miR-155, in the treatment of MDD. With quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, we confirmed that cellular and serum levels of miR-155 were up-regulated in individuals with depression compared with those in healthy controls. TargetScan analysis indicated that SIRT1 is a target of miR-155, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Treatment of human neural progenitor cells with the antidepressant drug citalopram down-regulated miR-155 expression and up-regulated SIRT1 expression. These results suggest that miR-155 is an important factor in the pathophysiology of depression. miR-155 is a potential target for the development of new antidepressant treatments.


Estimation of the Serial Interval for Pandemic Influenza (pH1N1) in the Most Southern Province of Argentina.
A retrospective cohort study, in the context of household transmission, to estimate the serial interval (SI) of pH1N1 influenza in the island of Tierra del Fuego was carried out. We collected data from the epidemiological surveillance system during disease outbreak in Ushuaia and Rio Grande, the two main cities of the southernmost province of Argentina. Only the records of patients and households with a positive result of RT-PCR assay for pH1N1 virus were used. A total of 283 laboratory confirmed cases were detected, from 550 samples analyzed. Hospitalizations were necessary in 13.8% of patients, yet no deaths were reported. Complete data of household contacts were available in 13 patients. We calculated an SI of 2.0 days (95% CI = 1.5 - 2.6 days), fitting to a log-normal distribution, the one that presented the best adjustment. These results were consistent with estimates of SI calculated from Mexico, but lower than estimations from Canada, Germany and USA. We discuss these differences in relation to limitations of the current study design.


Use of whole cosmid cloned genomic sequences for chromosomal localization by non-radioactive in situ hybridization.
We report a general procedure which allows the application of whole cosmid cloned genomic sequences for non-radioactive in situ hybridization. The presence of highly repetitive sequences, like Alu and Kpn fragments, is eliminated through competition hybridization with Cot-1 DNA. The method has been tested and optimized with several randomly chosen cosmids of the human thyroglobulin (Tg) gene (8q24). At present, the procedure can be performed with three of the four tested individual cosmids. In cases where a single clone does not result in a specific signal, a larger fragment may be required, which can be accomplished by using two (partially overlapping) cosmids of the same region. The advantages and further potentialities of such a hybridization approach are discussed.


Influence of supersaturation on surface structure.
Using low-energy electron microscopy, we have investigated the influence of an external flux on the structure of the Si(111) surface during growth and etching at elevated temperatures. We find that varying the adatom supersaturation effectively changes the surface free energies of coexisting 7 x 7 and '1 x 1' regions of the surface. In response, the boundaries separating the phases adopt a new steady-state configuration. The measured configuration can be used to quantitatively determine the difference in free energy between the phases, Deltagamma. The change in Deltagamma provides a measure of the local supersaturation at the surface, and can be interpreted as a change in the phase-transition temperature.


Do Genetic Alterations in Sex Steroid Receptors Contribute to Lacrimal Gland Disease in Sjögren's Syndrome?
BACKGROUND: Defects in sex steroid receptors have been linked to the onset, progression and severity, as well as the sex-related prevalence, of a variety of autoimmune disorders, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. We hypothesize that defects in estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) and/or the androgen receptor (AR) may also contribute to the development of lacrimal gland autoimmune sequelae in Sjögren's syndrome. To begin to test this hypothesis, we examined whether mutations exist in the coding regions of ESR1, ESR2 and AR transcripts in lacrimal tissues of mouse models of Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Lacrimal and submandibular glands were collected from adult MRL/MpJ-Tnfrsf6(lpr), nonobese diabetic and/or BALB/c mice. Tissues were pooled according to sex and experiment and processed for cDNA generation. PCR primers were designed to amplify 566-875 base pair segments of the entire open reading frame of each receptor. Segments were amplified, purified and then sequenced. Receptor sequences were assembled and compared to each other and to known NCBI sequences. RESULTS: Our results show that almost all ESR1, ESR2 and AR sequences in exocrine tissues of male and female autoimmune and non-autoimmune mice were identical to those of NCBI standards. There was a G-->A shift at position 998 of the ESR2 complete coding sequence in all tissue samples when compared to NCBI reference sequence U81451.1, but this polymorphism was not found in other ESR2 reference sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that defects in the coding region of sex steroid receptors do not contribute to the pathogenesis of lacrimal gland disease in mouse models of Sjögren's syndrome.


Short communication: concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in dairy cows are not well correlated during the transition period.
The objective was to use longitudinal data of blood nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations to describe the relationship between NEFA and BHBA in dairy cows during the periparturient period. Blood NEFA and BHBA concentration data collected from d 21 prepartum to 21 postpartum for 269 multiparous Holstein cows were selected from 4 different studies carried out within our research groups. Overall, NEFA concentrations were increased beginning near parturition with a relatively steady elevation of NEFA through d 9, after which concentrations gradually decreased. Prepartum BHBA concentrations began to increase beginning several days before parturition, continued to increase during the first week after parturition, and remained elevated through d 21 postpartum. Of the 269 cows included in the data set, 117 cows (43.5%) had at least one postpartum hyperketonemic event (BHBA ≥1.2mmol/L), and 202 cows (75.1%) had at least one event of elevated postpartum NEFA concentrations (≥0.70mmol/L) between 3 and 21 d in milk. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to investigate relationships between metabolites over time. Overall, the correlations between transition period NEFA and BHBA AUC were weak. We detected a negative correlation between prepartum BHBA AUC and postpartum NEFA AUC (r=-0.26). A positive correlation existed between postpartum NEFA AUC and postpartum BHBA AUC; however, the correlation coefficient was low (r=0.26). Large variation was found between the day of maximum NEFA concentration within the first 21 d in milk and day of maximum BHBA concentration for the same period. The mean and median times of maximum NEFA concentration were 6.8 and 6 d, respectively, whereas the mean and median times of maximum BHBA were 9.6 and 8 d, respectively; however, the range in days for both the mean and median day of maximum concentrations was very large. Overall, our data set indicates a weak relationship between blood concentrations of NEFA and BHBA during the periparturient period of dairy cows, suggesting that elevated concentrations of one should not be extrapolated to suggest elevated concentrations of the other metabolite.


Analysis of self-feeding in children with feeding disorders.
In the current investigation, we evaluated a method for increasing self-feeding with 3 children with a history of food refusal. The children never (2 children) or rarely (1 child) self-fed bites of food when the choice was between self-feeding and escape from eating. When the choice was between self-feeding 1 bite of food or being fed an identical bite of food, self-feeding was low (2 children) or variable (1 child). Levels of self-feeding increased for 2 children when the choice was between self-feeding 1 bite of food or being fed multiple bites of the same food. For the 3rd child, self-feeding increased when the choice was between self-feeding 1 bite of food or being fed multiple bites of a less preferred food. The results showed that altering the contingencies associated with being fed increased the probability of self-feeding, but the specific manipulations that produced self-feeding were unique to each child.


[Epileptic psychosis].
A relationship between serious psychiatric disorders and epilepsy has been observed since antiquity. An association between schizophrenia and epilepsy has been noted since the turn of century, but this relationship appeared to be uncertain. From the 1950s on, a number of studies were devoted to this subject. Epileptic patients are more risk for psychosis than the general population. Others psychiatric syndromes, some of which have been individualized recently, can occur in patients with epilepsy: alternative psychosis, affective states, postictal psychoses, postoperative psychoses. In this article we present the different aspects of the psychoses of epilepsy. Their knowledge allows in most cases a precise diagnosis and an appropriate treatment.


Drifting dynamics of dense and sparse spiral waves in heterogeneous excitable media.
Spiral wave is shown to drift in heterogeneous excitable media, yet the dynamics remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of heterogeneities in excitable media on the drifting behaviors of dense and sparse spiral waves. Dense spiral waves occur in media of normal excitability and sparse spiral waves in media of low excitability. We numerically simulated the spiral wave drifting in a reaction-diffusion system with the Barkley kinetics and showed that dense and sparse spiral waves drifted differently under the same heterogeneous medium. To understand the drifting behaviors, we developed a kinematic model to describe the tip properties of the spiral waves under different conditions and showed that the kinematic model could well recapitulate the results observed in the reaction-diffusion system.


Influence of breathing pattern and lung inflation on impulse oscillometry measurements in horses.
The objective of this paper was to determine if changes in ventilation patterns could influence the outcome of respiratory function measurements performed with our impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in horses. In a first study, IOS tests were performed in vitro on six isolated equine lungs. Lung inflation levels were controlled by modifying depressurisation inside an artificial thorax and different ventilation patterns were imposed. In a second in vivo study, transient variations in breathing pattern were evaluated both with the IOS and a current reference technique (CRT) in five healthy mature horses after an intravenous (i.v.) injection of lobeline hydrochloride. In both studies, respiratory rate (RR, range: 7-42 breaths/min.) and tidal volume (V(T), range: 0.4-25 L) had minor or no influence on IOS parameters. The influence of lung inflation, most marked for resistance at 5 Hz (R(5 Hz)), was limited for the considered physiological range. In vivo, statistical models indicated that maximal changes in pleural pressure (Max Delta Ppl) and peak flows were the main determinants of the variability of the resistance (R(rs)) and the reactance (X(rs)) of the respiratory system. The fourfold increase in baseline Max Delta Ppl and peak flows obtained during hyperpnoea caused a significant increase in R(rs) at 5 and 10 Hz and a decrease in X(rs) at all frequencies. We conclude that IOS parameters are not influenced by tachypnoea, but will reflect alterations in respiratory mechanics caused by hyperpnoeic breathing.


Extraction, chemical characterization and biological activity determination of broccoli health promoting compounds.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) contains substantial amount of health-promoting compounds such as vitamins, glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, and dietary essential minerals; thus, it benefits health beyond providing just basic nutrition, and consumption of broccoli has been increasing over the years. This review gives an overview on the extraction and separation techniques, as well as the biological activity of some of the above mentioned compounds which have been published in the period January 2008 to January 2013. The work has been distributed according to the different families of health promoting compounds discussing the extraction procedures and the analytical techniques employed for their characterization. Finally, information about the different biological activities of these compounds has been also provided.


[Efficacy of direct revascularization of choroid in the treatment of atherosclerotic macular dystrophies].
The operation of direct revascularization of the choroid in atherosclerotic maculodystrophy was modified. The method of choroid revascularization is based on the formation of numerous anastomoses with vessels from the basin of the external carotid artery and with various branches of the orbital artery. The authors analyze the results of vascularization in 21 patients (27 eyes) aged 60 to 75 with atherosclerotic maculodystrophy. Vision acuity improved by 0.06 diopters on average in 80% of patients, the difference being statistically reliable (p < 0.05). The peripheral visual field (the sum of grades for 8 meridians) extended by 97% on average in 96% of patients. The index of the critical frequency of fusion of flashes increased directly after treatment by 4 Hz on average, which is 13% of the initial level (p < 0.05). The rheographic coefficient increased by 35% of the initial level. Hence, revascularization is an effective method for the treatment of atherosclerotic maculodystrophies, stabilizing the visual functions, and is recommended for clinical use.


Antisense inhibition of syndecan-3 expression during skeletal muscle differentiation accelerates myogenesis through a basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent mechanism.
Syndecan-3 is a member of a family of transmembrane proteoglycans that posses highly homologous cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains and function as extracellular matrix receptors and low-affinity receptors for signaling molecules such as basic fibroblasts growth factor (FGF-2). Syndecan-3 is transiently expressed in developing limb bud and absent in adult skeletal muscle. In this study we investigated the expression of syndecan-3 and its role on FGF-2-dependent inhibition of myogenesis. Syndecan-3 expression was down-regulated during skeletal muscle differentiation of C(2)C(12) myoblasts, as determined by Northern blot analyses and immunoprecipitation. To probe the function of syndecan-3 during myogenesis, C(2)C(12) myoblasts were stably transfected with a plasmid coding for antisense syndecan-3 mRNA. The resulting inhibition of syndecan-3 expression caused accelerated skeletal muscle differentiation, as determined by expression of creatine kinase and myosin and myoblast fusion. Expression of a master transcription factor for muscle differentiation, myogenin, was also accelerated in antisense syndecan-3-transfected myoblasts compared with control transfected and wild type cells. Reduced expression of syndecan-3 resulted in a 13-fold decrease in sensitivity to FGF-2-dependent inhibition of myogenin expression. Addition of heparin partially reversed this effect. These results demonstrate that syndecan-3 expression is down-regulated during differentiation and the level of expression of membrane-bound heparan sulfate on myoblast surface is critical for fine modulation of responsiveness to FGF-2. These findings strongly suggest a role for syndecan-3 in regulation of skeletal muscle terminal differentiation.


Two compartment pharmacokinetic model describes the intra-articular delivery and retention of rhprg4 following ACL transection in the Yucatan mini pig.
Treatment of the injured joint with rhPRG4 is based on recent observations that inflammation diminishes expression of native PRG4. Re-establishing lubrication between pressurized and sliding cartilage surfaces during locomotion promotes the nascent expression of PRG4 and thus intra-articular (IA) treatment strategies should be supported by pharmacokinetic evidence establishing the residence time of rhPRG4. A total of 21 Yucatan minipigs weighing ∼55 kg each received 4 mg of 131 I-rhPRG4 delivered by IA injection 5 days following surgical ACL transection. Animals were sequentially euthanized following IA rhPRG4 at 10 min (time zero), 24, 72 h, 6, 13 and 20 days later. The decay of the 131 I-rhPRG4 was measured relative to a non-injected aliquot and normalized to the weight of cartilage samples, menisci and synovium, and known cartilage volumes from each compartment surface obtained from representative Yucatan minipig knees. Decay of 131 I-rhPRG4 from joint tissues best fit a two-compartment model with an α half-life (t1/2α ) of 11.28 h and β half-life (t1/2β ) of 4.81 days. The tibial and femoral cartilage, meniscii, and synovium retained 7.7% of dose at 24 h. High concentrations of rhPRG4 were found in synovial fluid (SF) that was non-aspiratable and resided on the articular surfaces, removable by irrigation, at 10 min following 131 I-rhPRG4 injection. Synovial fluid K21 exceeded K12 and SF t1/2β was 28 days indicating SF is the reservoir for rhPRG4 following IA injection. Clinical Significance: rhPRG4 following IA delivery in a traumatized joint populates articular surfaces for a considerable period and may promote the native expression of PRG4. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:386-396, 2019.


Completion of the Total Synthesis of Several Bioactive Sarpagine/Macroline Alkaloids including the Important NF-κB Inhibitor N4-Methyltalpinine.
The unification of the general synthetic strategy regarding the important and emerging group of C-19 methyl-substituted sarpagine/macroline alkaloids has culminated in the completion of the total synthesis of several bioactive alkaloids. Key transformations include an ACE-Cl mediated late-stage N(4)-demethylation and an anhydrous acid-mediated intramolecular quaternary hemiaminal formation between a tertiary amine and an aldehyde function to allow efficient access to several biologically important alkaloids from this group. Herein, the enantiospecific total synthesis of the first known sarpagine/macroline alkaloid with NF-κB inhibitory activity, N(4)-methyltalpinine (as a chloride salt), as well as the anticancer alkaloids talpinine, O-acetyltalpinine, and macrocarpines F-G, are described.


Comparative Genomics of Facultative Bacterial Symbionts Isolated from European Orius Species Reveals an Ancestral Symbiotic Association.
Pest control in agriculture employs diverse strategies, among which the use of predatory insects has steadily increased. The use of several species within the genus Orius in pest control is widely spread, particularly in Mediterranean Europe. Commercial mass rearing of predatory insects is costly, and research efforts have concentrated on diet manipulation and selective breeding to reduce costs and improve efficacy. The characterisation and contribution of microbial symbionts to Orius sp. fitness, behaviour, and potential impact on human health has been neglected. This paper provides the first genome sequence level description of the predominant culturable facultative bacterial symbionts associated with five Orius species (O. laevigatus, O. niger, O. pallidicornis, O. majusculus, and O. albidipennis) from several geographical locations. Two types of symbionts were broadly classified as members of the genera Serratia and Leucobacter, while a third constitutes a new genus within the Erwiniaceae. These symbionts were found to colonise all the insect specimens tested, which evidenced an ancestral symbiotic association between these bacteria and the genus Orius. Pangenome analyses of the Serratia sp. isolates offered clues linking Type VI secretion system effector-immunity proteins from the Tai4 sub-family to the symbiotic lifestyle.


Calculation of the left ventricular ejection fraction without edge detection: application to small hearts.
Quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) software has been reported to overestimate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with small hearts. This finding is caused by the inaccurate detection of the endocardial surface of the left ventricle (LV) due to low resolution and partial-volume effects. In this article we develop a method to calculate the LVEF from gated SPECT data without edge detection and compare it with the QGS method of calculating the LVEF. The short-axis images were transformed to the prolate spheroid coordinate system, and detection of the layer of maximum counts (a surface area of maximum counts) was made. First, the volume enclosed by the layer of maximum counts (V(max)) was calculated; then the corresponding ejection fraction [(LVEF)(max)] was calculated. The LVEF was calculated by multiplying the (LVEF)(max) by a constant factor, which was determined from a series of calculations made using QGS on larger hearts. In computer simulations the end-diastolic left ventricular volume (EDV) and the targeted LVEF (tLVEF) were varied to produce LVs of different sizes. The LVs were modeled by 2 confocal hemiellipsoids with 7 different EDVs. The tLVEF was increased from 25% to 75%, in 5% step-size increments, for a total of 11 different ejection fractions. These datasets were then smoothed, creating a total of 77 smoothed sets. The smoothed images were processed by the QGS method and by our method. In patient studies, 58 patient datasets were processed by the QGS method and by our method. No attenuation correction was performed on these datasets. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 44 patients with large hearts (EDV > or = 80 mL) and 14 patients with small hearts (EDV < 80 mL). In computer simulations, the QGS method and our method performed well when imaging large EDVs (EDV > or = 80 mL). Our method derived better results than did the QGS method for small EDVs. In patient studies the LVEF calculated by our method matched well with the QGS LVEF in the 44 patients with large hearts. The correlation coefficient between them was found to be 0.957. Of the 14 patients with small hearts, the LVEFs of 5 patients were severely overestimated by the QGS method compared with the results obtained with our method. It is possible to calculate the LVEF without edge detection. Compared with QGS LVEF, our method gave better results for small LVs in computer simulations.


Is Exercise Really Medicine? An Evolutionary Perspective.
An evolutionary perspective helps evaluate the extent to which exercise is medicine and to explain the exercise paradox: why people tend to avoid exercise despite its benefits. Many lines of evidence indicate that humans evolved to be adapted for regular, moderate amounts of endurance physical activity into late age. However, because energy from food was limited, humans also were selected to avoid unnecessary exertion, and most anatomical and physiological systems evolved to require stimuli from physical activity to adjust capacity to demand. Consequently, selection never operated to cope with the long-term effects of chronic inactivity. However, because all adaptations involve trade-offs, there is no evolutionary-determined dose or type of physical activity that will optimize health. Furthermore, because humans evolved to be active for play or necessity, efforts to promote exercise will require altering environments in ways that nudge or even compel people to be active and to make exercise fun.


Do magnitude estimation and lexical decision tap similar processes?
Young adults (n = 54 for Exp. 1, n = 50 for Exp. 2) and elderly adults (the same n = 40 in each experiment) participated in studies that required nonspeeded magnitude estimation scaling in response to words that varied in frequency and number of meanings. Across both experiments and across both groups, subject and item analyses indicated significant word frequency effects (low-frequency words were judged more difficult to process than high-frequency words) and significant word meaning effects (unambiguous words were judged to be more difficult to process than ambiguous words). Mean magnitude estimate values were significantly and positively correlated with mean lexical-decision task values obtained from the same subjects on the same stimuli based on data from a previous experiment. Results suggest that processes required for magnitude estimation are similar to those measured with the lexical decision task in word-recognition studies involving young and elderly adults.


Revascularization of occluded haemodialysis fistulae with the Hydrolyser thrombectomy catheter: description of the technique and report of six cases.
Our purpose was to describe initial experience with a new mechanical thrombectomy catheter for treating haemodialysis fistulae. The Hydrolyser thrombectomy catheter combines thrombus fragmentation by a saline jet with simultaneous low-pressure aspiration. This catheter was used in six cases of dialysis-fistula occlusion. In four instances this was a polytetrafluoroethylene loop, in two cases a Brescia-Cimino fistula. In all cases rapid revascularization was obtained without complications. Reocclusion occurred in one patient, immediate reintervention being successful. Our initial results suggest that the Hydrolyser is a quick, minimally invasive, and useful alternative to the presently accepted methods of revascularizing occluded haemodialysis fistulae.


The adenosine A(2A) receptor knockout mouse: a model for anxiety?
The main behavioural features of the adenosine A(2A) receptor knockout mouse include anxiety, aggressiveness in males and a paradoxical response to caffeine. These behavioural characteristics caused by the lack of adenosine A(2A) receptor function in mice correspond to the effects of functional antagonism of adenosine A(2A) receptors in humans and rodents. Increased anxiety in patients with panic disorder and increased psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia have been observed after caffeine administration. Several hypotheses have been developed suggesting a reduced adenosine A(2A) receptor-mediated transmission as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Recent genetic studies, in particular of panic disorder, suggest an involvement of adenosine A(2A) receptor gene variation. If future studies prove a pathogenetic role for a genetically determined loss of A(2A) receptor function in psychiatric disorders, the A(2A) receptor knockout mouse will be a valuable model to develop novel pharmacological therapies for these disorders.


Diclofenac sodium 3% gel for darier's disease treatment.
Darier's disease (DD) is an autosomal dominant skin disorder which causative gene, ATP2A2, is located atchromosome 12q23-24. The lesions of DD are skin-coloured to brown, hyperkeratotic, greasy papules that coalesce into warty plaques commonly involving the seborrhoeic areas of the trunk and face, especially the scalp margins, temples, ears, and scalp. The most common complaint associated with the disease is itching, with exacerbations attributed to heat, sweating, sunlight, lithium, steroid therapy, stress, and menstruation We report a patient with DD treated with topical diclofenac sodium 3%. We report a 33-year-old patient with Darier's Disease. He was followed in our department since 2009, and we had tried to control several flares of lesions during follow-up, but oral isotretinoin was not tolerated because of adverse effects; and oral doxycycline showed lack of efficacy.At April 2014, patient presented with new lesions, involving anterior chest wall, abdomen, back and shoulders areas. We started with diclofenac sodium 3% in hyaluronic acid 2.5% once daily, only applied at abdomen and anterior chest wall. After six-month therapy, hyperkeratotic papules were flattened and less harshness of them was noticed, even some of them disappeared. We consider topical diclofenac therapy as a useful alternative treatment for DD patients, in which previous therapies have not shown efficacy. We did not observed topical adverse effects, neither systemic absorption symptoms, but werecognized further and larger studies are needed to asses the efficacy and safety of this treatment in DD.


Combination treatment with an ET(A)-receptor blocker and an ACE inhibitor is not superior to the respective monotherapies in attenuating chronic transplant vasculopathy in different aorta allotransplantation rat models.
The effect of the specific endothelin (A) (ET(A))-receptor antagonist LU 302146 (LU) was assessed in a normotensive model of chronic transplant vasculopathy, i.e. orthotopic allotransplantation of the infrarenal abdominal aorta from spontaneously hypertensive-to-Wistar-Kyoto (SHR-to-WKY) rats. A second experimental setting was used to confirm the results in a different model, which to some extent may also address the issue of blood pressure (BP) in transplant vasculopathy, i.e. orthotopic allotransplantation of infrarenal abdominal aorta from WKY-to-SHR rats. Untreated sham-operated and isografted WKY and SHR served as controls. Allotransplanted animals treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor trandolapril served as positive treatment controls. Rats were randomized to receive standard diet or a diet designed to deliver either 30 mg LU/kg bw/day, 0.3 mg/kg bw/day trandolapril or a combination of both. The duration of either experiment was 8 weeks. BP was measured by tail plethysmography. Treatment with LU did not affect systolic BP in either experimental setting. In contrast, trandolapril and combination treatment significantly reduced systolic BP in SHRs. The increase in aortic wall thickness (given in mm) was abrogated to a similar extent in the three treatment groups as compared with untreated allotransplanted animals in either experimental setting (e.g. WKY sham-operated 0.084 +/- 0.013, P < 0.05 vs treatment groups; WKY isotransplanted 0.100 +/- 0.010, P < 0.05 vs treatment groups; WKY allotransplanted 0.289 +/- 0.077, P < 0.05 vs all groups; WKY allotransplanted + trandolapril 0.185 +/- 0.025; WKY allotransplanted + LU 301246 0.192 +/- 0.049; WKY allotransplanted + LU 301246 + trandolapril 0.190 +/- 0.041). This was due to an attenuation of the increase of intima and media thickness. Treatment with LU and trandolapril were similarly effective in attenuating the increase of the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in the intima. Again, combination treatment did not confer additional benefit. In contrast, trandolapril was more effective than LU in attenuating the increase in the number of PCNA-positive cells in the media. Trandolapril or combination treatment, but not LU, attenuated transforming growth factor-beta expression in aortic allografts. The ET(A)-receptor blockade abrogates allograft vasculopathy in two different aorta allotransplantation models to a similar extent as ACE inhibition even in the absence of concomitant immunosuppression. At least in SHRs the effect of ET(A)-receptor blockade is independent of BP. This finding is consistent with the notion that ET(A)-receptor mediated events play a partly BP-independent role in the genesis of chronic transplant vasculopathy.


A core outcome set for evaluating self-management interventions in people with comorbid diabetes and severe mental illness: study protocol for a modified Delphi study and systematic review.
People with diabetes and comorbid severe mental illness (SMI) form a growing population at risk of increased mortality and morbidity compared to those with diabetes or SMI alone. There is increasing interest in interventions that target diabetes in SMI in order to help to improve physical health and reduce the associated health inequalities. However, there is a lack of consensus about which outcomes are important for this comorbid population, with trials differing in their focus on physical and mental health. A core outcome set, which includes outcomes across both conditions that are relevant to patients and other key stakeholders, is needed. This study protocol describes methods to develop a core outcome set for use in effectiveness trials of self-management interventions for adults with comorbid type-2 diabetes and SMI. We will use a modified Delphi method to identify, rank, and agree core outcomes. This will comprise a two-round online survey and multistakeholder workshops involving patients and carers, health and social care professionals, health care commissioners, and other experts (e.g. academic researchers and third sector organisations). We will also select appropriate measurement tools for each outcome in the proposed core set and identify gaps in measures, where these exist. The proposed core outcome set will provide clear guidance about what outcomes should be measured, as a minimum, in trials of interventions for people with coexisting type-2 diabetes and SMI, and improve future synthesis of trial evidence in this area. We will also explore the challenges of using online Delphi methods for this hard-to-reach population, and examine differences in opinion about which outcomes matter to diverse stakeholder groups. COMET registration: http://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/911 . Registered on 1 July 2016.


Intra-articular somatostatin 14 reduces synovial thickness in rheumatoid arthritis: an ultrasonographic study.
Sixteen patients with RA (3 males, 13 females), diagnosed according to RA revised criteria, were selected and entered the study. They underwent six intra-articular injections of 750 mcg of SST14 at 15-day intervals. The thickness of the synovial membrane (SM) was measured with a 5-MHz linear sound with longitudinal and transversal scanning carried out on the upper patellar cavity. The contralateral knee was also assessed together with the injected knee in order to ascertain any systemic effect of the drug. A significant reduction of SM thickness was observed already at the first control (T3) in 14 out of 16 patients. At the 5th and 6th injections (T5 and T6) the reduction was still significant but to a lower extent. In 8 out of 16 cases a reduction of SM thickness was observed in the contralateral knee. Analysis of these data clearly shows that the intra-articular injection of SST14 is able to reduce the thickness of SM in patients with RA, and indicates that SST14 may directly reduce synovitis. This particularity has been detected in our work with a non-invasive technique such as the joint ultra-sound (US). In conclusion, our work confirms the efficacy of SST14 in the control of RA synovial hypertrophy and the reliability of US technique in the measurement of SM thickness.


Scaling phenomenon of graphene surface plasmon modes in grating-spacer-graphene hybrid systems.
We investigate the excitations of graphene surface plasmon waves in grating-spacer-graphene hybrid systems. It is demonstrated that the resonant absorption rate is scaling invariant as the geometric parameters of the hybrid system are scaled, and this phenomenon is nearly unaffected by the dispersions of the optical parameters of graphene and the grating material. We present an analytical model to calculate the absorption rate and elucidate that the scaling invariant phenomenon originates from the scalabilities of the graphene surface plasmon modes. This study could benefit the development of graphene plasmonic devices at infrared and terahertz frequencies.


Comprehensive Analysis of circRNA-Mediated ceRNA Regulatory Networks in relation to Recurrent Implantation Failure.
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is attributed to endometrial receptivity dysfunction with many unanswered questions. Up to now, there is no explanation for RIF, and therapeutic strategies are usually limited to supportive care. In this study, we differentially analyzed the raw data deposited in three eligible microarray datasets, GSE111974, GSE121219, and GSE147442 to screen DE-mRNAs, DE-miRNAs, and DE-circRNAs, respectively. The value of log2-fold change |log2FC| ≥ 1 and the adjusted p value < 0.05 were considered differentially expressed between RIF and fertile control. We found 350 DE-mRNAs, 43 DE-miRNAs, and 1968 DE-circRNAs between RIF and fertile control. The PPI network identified 6 hub genes with degree ≥10, KDR, AGT, POSTN, TOP2A, RRM2, and PTGS2, in RIF. KDR, AGT, POSTN, TOP2A, and RRM2 were downregulated in endometrial tissue samples of RIF compared with those of fertile control, while PTGS2 was upregulated in endometrial tissue samples of RIF compared with those of fertile control. According to the ceRNA hypothesis, 15 groups of ceRNA network based on 10 circRNAs, hsa_circ_001572, hsa_circ_001884, hsa_circ_001375, hsa_circ_001449, hsa_circ_000029, hsa_circ_001168, hsa_circ_000210, hsa_circ_001484, hsa_circ_001698, and hsa_circ_000089 were constructed in RIF. In conclusion, the present study examined the possible role of circRNAs and their related ceRNA network involved in the pathogenesis of RIF.


Enantioselective deprotonation of meso-cycloheptanone derivative: application to the synthesis of a potential intermediate for pseudomonic acid B.
[reaction: see text] A novel synthetic path to a potential intermediate for the synthesis of pseudomonic acid B was established by employing enantioselective deprotonation of a meso-cycloheptanone derivative bearing hydroxy groups at the 3,4,5,6-positions with lithium (S,S')-alpha,alpha'-dimethyldibenzylamide as a key step.


[Patient education, medication and physical therapy. Balm for "cardiac neurosis"].
In the management of psychogenic chest pain, the family doctor has a key role to play. His main task is to exclude physical or organic causes and identify the underlying psychogenesis--admittedly without wishing to establish a definitive (ICD-10) diagnosis. For this purpose, empathic reassurance of the patient is of major importance. Wherever possible, hospitalization of the patient for a diagnostic clarification should be avoided. Therapeutic options comprise suitable physiotherapy, psychohygienic measures, and appropriate pharmacotherapy. Major goals of such an approach are the establishment of a trusting relationship, and improving the patient's sleep patterns, physical fitness and emotional status. In the event of long-term persistence of the condition or a severe course, referral to a specialist is indicated.


Return period of enhanced gamma ray dose rates: regional differences observed in Japan.
We estimated the return period of an increased gamma ray dose rate (Delta gamma) derived from (222)Rn progeny deposited with precipitation. The approximate probability distribution for Delta gamma followed a Hazen plot, which is an empirical plotting equation, indicating that the distribution of Delta gamma was approximated by a nearly double-exponential. The distribution of Delta gamma was well represented by the Gumbel distribution, and the return period for Delta gamma was estimated theoretically. There was a notable regional difference in the return period between the coast of the Japan Sea and the inland or Pacific coast areas: the return period for a given Delta gamma at monitoring sites on the Sea of Japan coast was 1.5 to 2.5 times shorter than that in the inland or Pacific coast areas. This variation with locality suggests that the rate of wet-deposition of (222)Rn progeny is larger at sites on the Sea of Japan coast than inland or on the Pacific coast areas. The expected return period for the maximum Delta gamma at each site was about 10 years. This estimation of the return period of Delta gamma is a novel approach to the study of environmental science in fields such as radioactivity.


Predicting individual differences in reading comprehension: a twin study.
We examined the Simple View of reading from a behavioral genetic perspective. Two aspects of word decoding (phonological decoding and word recognition), two aspects of oral language skill (listening comprehension and vocabulary), and reading comprehension were assessed in a twin sample at age 9. Using latent factor models, we found that overlap among phonological decoding, word recognition, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and reading comprehension was primarily due to genetic influences. Shared environmental influences accounted for associations among word recognition, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Independent of phonological decoding and word recognition, there was a separate genetic link between listening comprehension, vocabulary, and reading comprehension and a specific shared environmental link between vocabulary and reading comprehension. There were no residual genetic or environmental influences on reading comprehension. The findings provide evidence for a genetic basis to the "Simple View" of reading.


Deficiency in sPLA(2) does not affect HDL levels or atherosclerosis in mice.
Secretory non-pancreatic phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) has been implicated in inflammation and has been found in human atherosclerotic lesions. To test the effect of sPLA(2) deficiency on atherosclerosis, C57BL/Ks mice (apoE(+/+) and PLA(2)(++) were bred with C57BL/6 apoE knockout mice which are sPLA(2)(--) due to a spontaneous mutation. Sibling pairs of mice (apoE(--)/sPLA(2)(++) and apoE(--)/sPLA(2)(--)) on high fat Western diets were dissected at 22 weeks. In vitro enzyme assays confirmed higher serum sPLA(2) activity in the sPLA(2)(++) compared to sPLA(2)(--) for both sexes, while sPLA(2)(--) males had slightly higher serum cholesterol and phospholipids. Analysis of lipoprotein profiles by FPLC showed no effect of sPLA(2) genotype on any measured parameters. Atherosclerosis was quantitated by assaying cholesterol in aortic extracts. Male sPLA(2) trended slightly higher than sPLA(2)(++) with no statistical significance. Female sPLA(2)(++) and sPLA(2)(--) mice showed no significant differences in any of the measured parameters. These results suggest that the endogenous mouse sPLA(2) gene does not significantly affect HDL or atherosclerosis in mice.


Increasing home-time after a first diagnosis of heart failure in Sweden, 20 years trends.
This study was performed to compare trends in home-time for patients with heart failure (HF) between those of working age and those of retirement age in Sweden from 1992 to 2012. The National Inpatient Register (IPR) was used to identify all patients aged 18 to 84 years with a first hospitalization for HF in Sweden from 1992 to 2012. Information on date of death, comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors were collected from the Swedish National Register on Cause of Death, the IPR, and the longitudinal integration database for health insurance and labour market studies, respectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age: working age (<65 years) and retirement age (≥65 years). Follow-up was 4 years. In total, following exclusions, 388 775 patients aged 18 to 84 years who were alive 1 day after discharge from a first hospitalization for HF were included in the study. The working age group comprised 62 428 (16%) patients with a median age of 58 (interquartile range, 53-62) years and 31.2% women, and the retirement age group comprised 326 347 (84%) patients with a median age of 77 (interquartile range, 73-81) years and 47.4% women. Patients of working age had more home-time than patients of retirement age (83.8% vs. 68.2%, respectively), mainly because of their lower 4 year mortality rate (14.2% vs. 29.7%, respectively). Home-time increased over the study period for both age groups, but the increase levelled off for older women after 2007, most likely because of less reduction in mortality in older women than in the other groups. This nationwide study showed increasing home-time over the study period except for women of retirement age and older for whom the increase stalled after 2007, mainly because of a lower mortality reduction in this group. Efforts to improve patient-related outcome measures specifically targeted to this group may be warranted.


The moral status of babies.
In their controversial paper 'After-birth abortion', Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva argue that there is no rational basis for allowing abortion but prohibiting infanticide ('after-birth abortion'). We ought in all consistency either to allow both or prohibit both. This paper rejects their claim, arguing that much-neglected considerations in philosophical discussions of this issue are capable of explaining why we currently permit abortion in some circumstances, while prohibiting infanticide.


Methylcobalamin Alleviates Neuronal Apoptosis and Cognitive Decline Induced by PM2.5 Exposure in Mice.
Fine particulate matter (particulate matter 2.5, PM2.5) is considered one of the harmful factors to neuronal functions. Apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of neuronal injury induced by PM2.5. Methylcobalamine (MeCbl) has been shown to have anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects. The current work tried to explore the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms that MeCbl protects mice against cognitive impairment and neuronal apoptosis induced by chronic real-time PM2.5 exposure. Twenty-four 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ambient PM2.5 and fed with MeCbl for 6 months. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the changes of spatial learning and memory ability in mice. PC12 cells and primary hippocampal neurons were applied as the in vitro model. Cell viability, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were examined. And cells were stained with JC-1 and mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated. In C57BL/6 mice, MeCbl supplementation alleviated cognitive impairment and apoptosis-related protein expression induced by PM2.5 exposure. In in vitro cell model, MeCbl supplementation could effectively rescue the downregulation of cell viability induced by PM2.5, and inhibited the increased levels of ROS, cellular apoptosis, and the expressions of apoptosis related proteins related to PM2.5 treatment, which may be associated with modulation of mitochondrial function. MeCbl treatment alleviated cognitive impairment and neuronal apoptosis induced by PM2.5 both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism for the neuroprotective effects of MeCbl may at least be partially dependent on the regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis.


Implementation of an oral care protocol and its effects on oral mucositis.
Oral complications are commonly seen in pediatric oncology patients. Induced by chemotherapy or radiation, oral mucositis is a debilitating side effect that has much clinical significance. Oral mucositis may decrease the effectiveness of treatment as well as decrease the quality of life in the pediatric oncology patient. Therefore, it is our responsibility as health care professionals to reduce the incidence and/or severity of mucositis as much as possible. One intervention that has been proven to be successful is basic oral hygiene implemented through an oral care protocol. It is important that nurses are educated on the significance of adequate dental hygiene and the process and need for institutional change of protocols. Nurses and other health care professionals can positively influence patient care by incorporating the evidence-based practice of an oral care protocol- improving consistency of care while promoting an intervention of proven benefit against oral mucositis.


Reducing implicit racial preferences: III. A process-level examination of changes in implicit preferences.
Implicit bias change was initially assumed to reflect changes in associations, but subsequent research demonstrated that implicit bias change can also reflect changes in control-oriented processes that constrain the expression of associations. The present research examines the process-level effects of 17 different implicit bias-reduction interventions and one sham intervention by analyzing data from more than 20,000 participants who completed an intervention condition or a baseline control condition followed by a race Implicit Association Test (IAT). To identify the processes influenced by each intervention, we applied the Quadruple process model to participants' IAT responses then meta-analyzed parameter estimates according to a taxonomy of interventions based on shared features. Interventions that relied on counterstereotypic exemplars or strategies to override biases influenced both associations and control-oriented processes, whereas interventions that relied on evaluative conditioning influenced only control-oriented processes. In contrast, interventions that focused on egalitarian values, perspective taking, or emotion had no reliable influence on any of the processes examined. When interventions did change associations, they were much more likely to reduce positive White associations than negative Black associations. The present research extends upon traditional dual-process perspectives by identifying robust intervention effects on response biases. These findings connect features of interventions with changes in the processes underlying implicit bias. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).