Programmed cell death in bacteria: proteic plasmid stabilization systems.
Bacterial plasmids are stabilized by a number of different mechanisms. Here we describe the molecular aspects of a group of plasmid-encoded gene systems called the proteic killer gene systems. These systems mediate plasmid maintenance by selectively killing plasmid-free cells (post-segregational killing or plasmid addiction). The group includes ccd of F, parD/pem of R1/R100, parDE of RP4/RK2, and phd/doc of P1. All of these systems encode a stable toxin and an unstable antidote. The antidotes prevent the lethal action of their cognate toxins by forming tight complexes with them. The antidotes are degraded by cellular proteases. Thus, the different decay rates of the toxins and antidotes seem to be the molecular basis of toxin activation in plasmid-free cells. The operons encoding the toxins and antidotes are autoregulated at the level of transcription either by a complex formed by the toxins and the cognate antidotes or by the antidote alone. The cellular targets of the killer proteins have been determined to be DNA gyrase in the case of ccd of F and DnaB in the case of parD of R1. Surprisingly, the Escherichia coli chromosome encodes at least two of these peculiar gene systems.


Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns: a three-year surveillance study in a rehabilitation setting.
To analyze the susceptibility patterns in a rehabilitation center. This retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2011 and to January 2013 at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Number of the patients, specimen type, pathogen detected and antibiogram were entered in database for analysis using Inter System Track care software. A total of 4525 isolates were available from 5148 patients. Most (74%) of the isolates were from urine samples and were due to Eschericia coli (49.8%), Enterococcus faecalis (15%) and (Proteous mirabilis(9.49%). Of all the isolates, Eschericia coli was the commonest (49.8%) Gram negative organism, while(Stahylococcus aureus was the commonest (51%) among Gram positive organisms. The most effective antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeroginosa were ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Meropenem shows excellent activity against Gram negative bacteria. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was susceptible to Vancomycin and Rifampicin in 97% and 85% cases. A high incidence of urinary tract infections caused by Eschericia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Proteous mirabilis was reported. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen isolated from infected bed sores.


How aging individuals with schizophrenia experience the self-etiology of their illness: a reflective lifeworld research approach.
In recent years, there are an increasing number of individuals with schizophrenia who are aging within the general society. Self-etiology of the illness refers to its causal attributions by this population as part of the life review process. The aim of this paper is to develop knowledge from the perspective of older people with schizophrenia regarding the self-etiology of their illness. Focusing on the self-etiology of this particular population is useful, to enhance the understanding of their lived experience in the context of their lifeworld. The study was carried out using the reflective lifeworld phenomenological approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 aging individuals with schizophrenia followed by analysis for meaning. Five major constituents of the phenomenon under study - the experience of self-etiology among aging people with schizophrenia - emerged from the findings: 'It leaves you to your fate' - schizophrenia as a decree of fate; 'I have sinned against God' - schizophrenia as a punishment from God; 'They put something in my coffee' - schizophrenia as a result of witchcraft; 'Her genes are in me' - schizophrenia as genetic; and 'She left me and that's how I got sick' - schizophrenia as a result of personal trauma. The findings show that self-etiology in old age tends to be stable, externally attributed and culturally oriented, and serves as a central component in the life review process. This is relevant for professionals developing intervention methods for aging people with schizophrenia.


Sexual risk and HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men travelers to Key West, Florida: a mathematical modeling analysis.
The present study investigated the sexual risk behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) traveling to a popular gay tourist destination in the United States. In 2004, a brief survey was administered to 247 MSM tourists recruited from gay-oriented venues in Key West, Florida. Data collected included demographics, HIV status, length of stay, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors. A probabilistic model of HIV transmission was used to translate participants' reports of their sexual behaviors while in Key West into estimates of their risk of acquiring HIV. Twenty-two percent of participants reported anal sex with multiple partners over a relatively brief period (M = 4.1 days), and approximately one third reported having sex with a partner met during the vacation period. Modeling analyses suggested that sexual activity among vacationing MSM would account for approximately 201 new HIV infections among MSM visitors to Key West each year. Although previous studies have documented sexual risk behavior in travelers, quantitative estimates of the impact of these behaviors on the spread of HIV are lacking. Findings suggest that the risk-taking behavior of MSM on vacation may play an important role in the dissemination of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Future research should assess additional factors (e.g., use of highly active antiretroviral therapy) that may affect HIV transmission in MSM travelers. In addition, efforts are needed to develop effective risk-reduction interventions for this population.


[Mechanisms of changes in the sensitivity of platelets to prostacyclin in patients with cerebrovascular diseases].
Sensitivity of thrombocytes to the antiaggregation effect of prostacyclin was decreased in patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy, which occurred in response to, at least, two reasons: a decrease in content of highly affinity receptors of prostacyclin on thrombocyte membranes and as a result of impairment in binding ability of the thrombocyte protein kinases. Combination of both these factors was also possible, which caused especially distinct impairments in the prostacyclin control of the thrombocyte functions.


Teaching physiology to predoctoral dental students.
A survey was sent to the physiology course directors of the fifty-three dental schools in the continental United States. Information was collected regarding the type of instructional arrangements, course content and emphasis, and amount and type of nondidactic instruction. Responses were obtained for forty-eight courses, all of which covered the core topics of physiology, although twelve schools taught neurophysiology as part of a neuroscience course. Combined medical and dental student (MS+DS) courses used six to fourteen hours of nondidactic instruction per core topic, whereas the courses taught by dental school-(DS-B) or medical school-based instructors used 0.5 to 2.6 hours per topic. Courses combining dental students with other nonmedical professional students used mainly didactic instruction. While most dental school physiology courses continue to rely on traditional didactic instruction, a few schools integrate physiology with other basic science and clinical courses, include problem-solving exercises, and offer advanced physiological topics during the clinical years. Consequently, there is considerable potential for change in predoctoral physiology instruction.


Screening and Comprehensive Analysis of Cancer-Associated tRNA-Derived Fragments.
tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) constitute a novel class of small non-coding RNA cleaved from tRNAs. In recent years, researches have shown the regulatory roles of a few tRFs in cancers, illuminating a new direction for tRF-centric cancer researches. Nonetheless, more specific screening of tRFs related to oncogenesis pathways, cancer progression stages and cancer prognosis is continuously demanded to reveal the landscape of the cancer-associated tRFs. In this work, by combining the clinical information recorded in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the tRF expression profiles curated by MINTbase v2.0, we systematically screened 1,516 cancer-associated tRFs (ca-tRFs) across seven cancer types. The ca-tRF set collectively combined the differentially expressed tRFs between cancer samples and control samples, the tRFs significantly correlated with tumor stage and the tRFs significantly correlated with patient survival. By incorporating our previous tRF-target dataset, we found the ca-tRFs tend to target cancer-associated genes and onco-pathways like ATF6-mediated unfolded protein response, angiogenesis, cell cycle process regulation, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, cellular senescence and FoxO signaling pathway across multiple cancer types. And cell composition analysis implies that the expressions of ca-tRFs are more likely to be correlated with T-cell infiltration. We also found the ca-tRF expression pattern is informative to prognosis, suggesting plausible tRF-based cancer subtypes. Together, our systematic analysis demonstrates the potentially extensive involvements of tRFs in cancers, and provides a reasonable list of cancer-associated tRFs for further investigations.


[Determination of three body compartments in the chest by scintigraphy].
We adapted a previously described method for the measurement of transthoracic tissue thickness and volumes of blood and interstitial tissue. This non-invasive procedure can be performed safely and by relatively simple means. We used a gamma camera and 99mTc to obtain transmission and emission scintigrams. A computer program written for a personal computer, can recognize the borders of the lung in a fully automatic manner and do the necessary calculations. Clinical studies show significantly higher interstitial volumes of the lung in patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis.


High efficiency gene transfer to the central nervous system of rodents and primates using herpes virus vectors lacking functional ICP27 and ICP34.5.
The safe and efficient use of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors to deliver genes of potentially therapeutic benefit to the central nervous system will require their effective disablement by the inactivation of viral genes required for lytic growth. Here we report that viruses lacking functional genes for ICP27 (which is required for growth in all cell types) and ICP34.5 (which is required for growth in nondividing cell types) can deliver a marker gene to both the rodent and primate CNS with high efficiency whilst producing relatively minimal damage and having no effect on sodium currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Such viruses paradoxically deliver genes at much higher efficiency than the less disabled single mutant lacking ICP34.5 alone and also, as expected, produce less damage in vivo. Moreover, unlike the single mutant lacking ICP27 the double mutant viruses cannot revert to wild-type by acquistion of complimenting gene sequences during growth of virus stocks in vitro on dividing cells expressing ICP27 since artificial expression of ICP34.5 in these cells is not required. Such ICP27-; ICP34.5- viruses thus offer a platform for the development of vectors which are sufficiently safe for ultimate use in human gene therapy.


alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotype PiMZ, a risk factor for liver cirrhosis but not for liver cancers in Thailand.
The risk of developing liver cirrhosis, hepatoma (HCC) and bile duct carcinoma (BDC) have been associated with homozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency especially linked to the Z allele. While the association between liver cancers and AT deficiency remains debatable, the risk of adult AT deficiency carriers to develop liver cirrhosis has not been assessed quantitatively. Liver cancers and liver diseases with subsequent liver cirrhosis are highly prevalent in tropical countries such as Thailand and heterozygous AT phenotypes are rather common in this country as well. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, HCC and BDC by means of case-control studies with Thai patients and controls in connection with AT deficiency. For hepatitis, HCC and BDC to association with AT deficiency was detected. Carriers of PiMZ phenotype in Thailand have a high risk to develop liver cirrhosis (odds. ratio of 10.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-88.1). Patients with predisposing diseases should be screened for Pi phenotypes so that rigorous measures to combat the occurrence of liver cirrhosis can be implemented.


Third Class Resolver: a retrospective analysis.
To evaluate the use of Third Class Resolver (TCR), a new fixed and functional orthopaedic appliance for the treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion in adolescents and young adults. Study design: Retrospective analysis. Twenty subjects, 10 females and 10 males, affected by Class III malocclusion were treated with a new fixed orthopaedic appliance: the Third Class Resolver (TCR). The mean age was 7 years at the beginning of treatment and 9 years at the end of treatment. The mean treatment time was 6 months. Digital cephalometric superimpositions on lateral radiographs taken at the start and end of treatment were assessed. The cephalometric values were statistically analysed. Cephalometric analysis of changes during treatment shows a statistically significant increase of ANB angle (mean 1°) (P = 0.045); increase of Witts Index (mean 3.5 mm) (P = 0.003); decrease of Maxillo-Mandibular angle (MM) (mean -2.3°) (P = 0.047); increase of Upper incisor-Maxilla Plane angle (angle mean 10.5°) (P = 0.02); increase of the distance between Upper Incisor and A-Pg line (mean 2.4 mm) (P = 0.021); increase of the mandibular branch length (mean 4.8 mm) (P = 0.004). TCR can be used fully for treatment of Class III malocclusions.


[Material and mechanisms induced pseudo allergic reactions of Yuxingcao injection].
To investigate the characteristics, sensitizin and the mechanism of pseudo allergic reaction induced by Yuxingcao injection. Beagle dogs were randomly assigned to control group, 0.5% tween 80 group, Yuxingcao injection without tween 80 group, Yuxingcao injection included 0.5% tween 80 group. The animals in control group were intravenously injected with saline. The other group were intravenously injected with the corresponding test substances. Observe pseudo anaphylaxis of Beagle dogs within 30 min after administration. Blood pressure and respiration rate of Beagle dogs were measured before and after injection drugs 10 min and 30 min respectively. The pseudo allergic reactions were scored at same time points, and the sera of animals were collected to determine the HIS, CH50 and C5b-9 concentration using ELISA. The scores of allergic reaction in 0.5% tween 80 group and Yuxingcao injection included 0.5% tween 80 group was evidently higher than that in control group in 2-5 min after administration. Animals of above two groups showed the symptoms of red swelling on ear part, pruritus, throwing the head, nausea, lapping the tongue, dysphoria and bradykinesia. Some of them had behaved with repose, urination, defecation, cyanosis, the frequency of breathes accelerating and blood pressure decreasing. The rate of pseudo allergic reactions was 100%. Serum CH50 concentration of 0.5% tween 80 group decreased 10 min after injection, while C5b-9 concentration increased. No obvious differences were observed 30 min after injection. There was no significant difference in HIS concentration between control group and treatment groups. The pseudo allergic reactions appeared after intravenous 0.5% tween 80 and Yuxingcao injection when mixed with tween 80. Furthermore, Yuxingcao injection without tween 80 did not induce pseudo allergic reactions. It was suggested that the pseudo allergic reactions of Yu Xing Cao Injection was related to the cosolvent tween 80. The pseudo allergic reactions of tween 80 may relate to the activation of complement.


C-H...O packing motifs in some cyclopenta[a]phenanthrenes.
An analysis has been made of the C-H...O interactions in cyclopenta[a]phenanthrenes, for which structural data on fifteen 15,16-dihydrocyclopenta[a]-phenanthren-17-ones are available. These compounds mostly contain only one O atom, a carbonyl group at the 17-position, and therefore the only groups available for interactions are C-H groups. In addition, the crystal structure of a second polymorph of the 11-ethyl derivative is described. M(r) = 260.33, Pbca, a = 17.012 (2), b = 21.042 (2), c = 7.6465 (6) A, V = 2737.2 (4) A, Z = 8, Dx = 1.264 Mg m-3, Cu K alpha, lambda = 1.5418 A, mu = 0.56 mm-1, F(000) = 1104, T = 295 K, final R = 0.090 for 1669 reflections above 2 sigma (F). The conformation of the ethyl group is gauche [C(12)-C(11)-C(18)-C(19) = 75.8 (7) degrees], differing from the cis value of -1.3 (5) degrees for the Pnaa form. The molecular distortion in the Pbca polymorph is also larger than that in the Pnaa polymorph; this distortion is evidenced by torsion angles (13-20 degrees) in the bay region and by an out-of-plane displacement (0.8 A) of the C atom of the methylene portion of the ethyl group [the C atom attached to C(11)]. Packing diagrams and intermolecular distances were analyzed for all the dihydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrenes for which structural data are available. There appear to be three types of packing. The first type consists of a dimer herringbone formed by the interactions of two molecules by way of the ketone group and the C-H of C(12) of the adjacent ring. The second type of packing also involves a dimer but involves C-H and O-C groups at either ends of the molecule. The third type is a layer structure and involves compounds that crystallize with a unit-cell length of 7.5-7.6 A (or, in a very planar structure, 13.8 A). The translational stacking (approximately 4 A apart) found in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is not observed in the crystal structures of these dihydrocyclopenta[a]-phenanthrenes because of the bulk of methyl or methylene groups and the dipole moment of the carbonyl group.


Is Hardware Removal Recommended after Ankle Fracture Repair?
The indications and clinical necessity for routine hardware removal after treating ankle or distal tibia fracture with open reduction and internal fixation are disputed even when hardware-related pain is insignificant. Thus, we determined the clinical effects of routine hardware removal irrespective of the degree of hardware-related pain, especially in the perspective of patients' daily activities. This study was conducted on 80 consecutive cases (78 patients) treated by surgery and hardware removal after bony union. There were 56 ankle and 24 distal tibia fractures. The hardware-related pain, ankle joint stiffness, discomfort on ambulation, and patient satisfaction were evaluated before and at least 6 months after hardware removal. Pain score before hardware removal was 3.4 (range 0 to 6) and decreased to 1.3 (range 0 to 6) after removal. 58 (72.5%) patients experienced improved ankle stiffness and 65 (81.3%) less discomfort while walking on uneven ground and 63 (80.8%) patients were satisfied with hardware removal. These results suggest that routine hardware removal after ankle or distal tibia fracture could ameliorate hardware-related pain and improves daily activities and patient satisfaction even when the hardware-related pain is minimal.


Finite Element Model of Oxygen Transport for the Design of Geometrically Complex Microfluidic Devices Used in Biological Studies.
Red blood cells play a crucial role in the local regulation of oxygen supply in the microcirculation through the oxygen dependent release of ATP. Since red blood cells serve as an oxygen sensor for the circulatory system, the dynamics of ATP release determine the effectiveness of red blood cells to relate the oxygen levels to the vessels. Previous work has focused on the feasibility of developing a microfluidic system to measure the dynamics of ATP release. The objective was to determine if a steep oxygen gradient could be developed in the channel to cause a rapid decrease in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in order to measure the corresponding levels of ATP released from the red blood cells. In the present study, oxygen transport simulations were used to optimize the geometric design parameters for a similar system which is easier to fabricate. The system is composed of a microfluidic device stacked on top of a large, gas impermeable flow channel with a hole to allow gas exchange. The microfluidic device is fabricated using soft lithography in polydimethyl-siloxane, an oxygen permeable material. Our objective is twofold: (1) optimize the parameters of our system and (2) develop a method to assess the oxygen distribution in complex 3D microfluidic device geometries. 3D simulations of oxygen transport were performed to simulate oxygen distribution throughout the device. The simulations demonstrate that microfluidic device geometry plays a critical role in molecule exchange, for instance, changing the orientation of the short wide microfluidic channel results in a 97.17% increase in oxygen exchange. Since microfluidic devices have become a more prominent tool in biological studies, understanding the transport of oxygen and other biological molecules in microfluidic devices is critical for maintaining a physiologically relevant environment. We have also demonstrated a method to assess oxygen levels in geometrically complex microfluidic devices.


Temperature dependent iodide oxidation by MLCT excited states.
The metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states of two related heteroleptic Ru(ii) compounds [Ru(bpy)2(deeb)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)2(deebq)](2+), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, deeb is 4,4'-(CO2CH2CH3)2-2,2'-bipyridine and deebq is 4,4'-(CO2CH2CH3)2-2,2'-biquinoline, were characterized in fluid acetonitrile by temperature dependent photoluminescence spectroscopies as well as quenching by iodide ions. Photoluminescence emanates from a manifold of thermally equilibrated excited states referred to as the thexi states. Evidence for activated internal conversion to a 4(th) MLCT excited state was garnered from an Arrhenius analysis of temperature dependent lifetime data. The activation energy was found to be 550 cm(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(deeb)](2+)* and 1200 cm(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(deebq)](2+)*. The pre-exponential factor abstracted from the Arrhenius analysis of the [Ru(bpy)2(deebq)](2+)* data suggested that ligand field excited states might be populated, however there was no evidence for ligand loss photochemistry under the conditions studied. The excited states were found to quench iodide by a dynamic process in good agreement with the Stern-Volmer model. Transient absorption data showed that the quenching mechanism was electron transfer to generate an iodine atom and a reduced ruthenium compound as products. The quenching rate constants abstracted from temperature dependent Stern-Volmer quenching data were corrected for diffusion and activated complex formation to yield electron transfer rate constants that were found to increase markedly with temperature. An Arrhenius analysis of the electron transfer data revealed that electron transfer from iodide to the d-orbitals of the excited state was an activated process with an Ea of 2400 cm(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(deeb)](2+) and 3300 cm(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(deebq)](2+).


All-terrain vehicle safety and use patterns in central Illinois youth.
All-terrain vehicles' (ATVs) popularity and associated injuries among children are increasing in the United States. Currently, most known ATV use pattern data are obtained from injured youth and little documented data exist characterizing the typical ATV use patterns and safety practices among American children in general. To describe the typical ATV safety and use patterns of rural youth. A cross-sectional anonymous mail survey was conducted of youth participants (ages 8-18) in the 4-H Club of America in four Central Illinois counties. Questions examined ATV use patterns, safety knowledge, safety equipment usage, crashes, and injuries. Of 1,850 mailed surveys, 634 were returned (34% response rate) with 280 surveys (44% of respondents) eligible for analysis. Respondents were principally adolescent males from farms or rural locations. Most drove < or =1 day per week (60.2%) and used ATVs for recreation (36%) or work (22.6%) on farms and/or private property (53.4%). Most never used safety gear, including helmets (61.4%), and few (14.6%) had received safety education. Of the 67% who experienced an ATV crash, almost half (44%) were injured. Children with safety training had fewer crashes (P= .01), and those riding after dark (P= .13) or without adult supervision (P= .042) were more likely injured. ATV use is common in a rural 4-H population. Most child ATV users were adolescent boys, had little safety training and did not use safety equipment or helmets. ATV injury prevention efforts should focus on these areas.


Clinical features and prognostic impact of asymptomatic pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly lethal, and early diagnosis is challenging. Because patients who present with symptoms generally have advanced-stage diseases, analysis of asymptomatic PDAC provides invaluable information for developing strategies for early diagnosis. Here, we reviewed 577 patients with PDAC (372 diagnosed with symptoms [symptomatic group] and 205 without symptoms [asymptomatic group]) diagnosed at our institute. Among the 205 asymptomatic PDAC patients, 109 were detected during follow-up/work-up for other diseases, 61 because of new-onset or exacerbation of diabetes mellitus, and 35 in a medical check-up. Asymptomatic PDAC is characterized by smaller tumor size, earlier disease stage, and higher resectability than those of symptomatic PDAC. In 22.7% of asymptomatic cases, indirect findings, e.g., dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, triggered PDAC detection. Although pancreatic tumors were less frequently detected, overall abnormality detection rates on imaging studies were nearly 100% in asymptomatic PDAC. Asymptomatic PDAC had a better prognosis (median survival time, 881 days) than symptomatic PDAC (342 days, P < 0.001). In conclusion, diagnosis of PDAC in the asymptomatic stage is associated with early diagnosis and a better prognosis. Incidental detection of abnormal findings during the follow-up/work-up for other diseases provides important opportunities for early diagnosis of asymptomatic PDAC.


Modifications at the C-terminus to improve pyrrole-imidazole polyamide activity in cell culture.
Pyrrole-imidazole (Py-Im) hairpin polyamides are a class of small molecule DNA minor groove binding compounds that have been shown to modulate endogenous gene expression in cell culture. Gene regulation by polyamides requires efficient cellular uptake and nuclear localization properties for candidate compounds. To further optimize Py-Im polyamides for enhanced potency in cell culture, a focused library of polyamides possessing various modifications at the C-terminus was synthesized and tested. Comparison of polyamide biological activity in two cell lines revealed tolerance for structural modifications and agreement in activity trends between cell lines. The use of an oxime linkage between the polyamide and an aromatic functionality on the C-terminus resulted in a approximately 20-fold increase in the potency of polyamides targeted to the androgen response element (ARE) in LNCaP cells by measuring AR-activated PSA expression.


Solid phase behavior of mixture systems based on tripalmitoyl glycerol and monounsaturated triacylglycerols forming a molecular compound.
Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the mixing behavior of triacylglycerol (TAG) mixtures of PPP/PPO (tripalmitoyl glycerol/1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol) and PPP/MCPOP/PPO (where MCPOP/PPO is the equimolecular blend of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol and PPO forming a molecular compound) under metastable and stable conditions. During cooling and reheating treatments at moderate rates, the eutectic properties of the two systems examined were mainly governed by the crystallization, transformation, and melting behavior of structurally similar β' forms. In addition, steric and kinetic effects determined the formation of solid solutions with up to 10% and 20% of mixed-acid components in PPP/PPO and PPP/MCPOP/PPO mixtures, respectively. These values increased to 30% and 35% when thermodynamically stable β crystalline phases were obtained. In PPP/MCPOP/PPO mixtures, the diffraction data suggested that POP and PPO acted as a single component by dissolving in similar amounts in the solid solution phases and forming molecular compound crystals in eutectic compositions. This fundamental research shows the important role of specific combinations of mixed-acid TAGs and their interaction with high-melting components on the solidification behavior of edible lipids.


The prognostic significance of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels in gastric carcinoma patients.
The usefulness of gastric juice CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma is controversial. There is only one study related with their prognostic value. In this study the clinical significance of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels in patients with gastric carcinoma was investigated. Preoperative serum and gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA concentrations were measured in 139 patients with gastric carcinoma, 54 patients with benign gastroduodenal disease and as the 'healthy' control group 46 patients with inguinal hernia and with no other pathology. In all groups the mean gastric juice levels of CA 19-9 and CEA were significantly higher than the serum levels. The gastric juice CA 19-9 levels were not different between groups. Gastric juice CEA levels of the gastric carcinoma group were significantly higher than those of the benign gastroduodenal disease group (P=0.007) and had a tendency to increase when compared to those of the control group (P=0.064) whereas there was no significant difference between the benign gastroduodenal disease and the control group. The cut-off values of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA were 440U/ml and 320ng/ml and the positivity ratios of these markers in gastric carcinoma patients were 16.5 and 27.3%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the histopathological features and the gastric juice CA 19-9 or CEA positivities. Neither univariate analysis nor the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed prognostic value for gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA positivities. The gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels have no diagnostic and prognostic significance in gastric carcinoma patients.


Evolution of flower allometry and pigmentation in Mammillaria haageana (Cactaceae).
A puzzle in evolution is the understanding of how the environment might drive subtle phenotypic variation, and whether this variation is adaptive. Under the neutral evolutionary theory, subtle phenotypes are almost neutral with little adaptive value. To test this idea, we studied the infraspecific variation in flower shape and color in Mammillaria haageana, a species with a wide geographical distribution and phenotypic variation, which populations are often recognized as infraspecific taxa. We collected samples from wild populations, kept them in the greenhouse for at least one reproductive year, and collected newly formed flowers. Our first objective was to characterize tepal natural variation in M. haageana through geometric morphometric and multivariate pigmentation analyses. We used landmark-based morphometrics to quantify the trends of shape variation and tepal color-patterns in 20 M. haageana accessions, belonging to five subspecies, plus 8 M. albilanata accessions for comparison as the sister species. We obtained eight geometric morphometric traits for tepal shape and color-patterns. We found broad variation in these traits between accessions belonging to the same subspecies, without taxonomic congruence with those infraspecific units. Also the phenetic cluster analysis showed different grouping patterns among accessions. When we correlated these phenotypes to the environment, we also found that solar radiation might explain the variation in tepal shape and color, suggesting that subtle variation in flower phenotypes might be adaptive. Finally we present anatomical sections in M. haageana subsp. san-angelensis to propose some of the underlying tepal structural features that may give rise to tepal variation. Our geometric morphometric approach of flower shape and color allowed us to identify the main trends of variation in each accession and putative subspecies, but also allowed us to correlate these variation to the environment, and propose anatomical mechanisms underlying this diversity of flower phenotypes.


[Arachnofauna (araneae: Araneae) in transgenic and conventional cotton crops (Gossypium hirsutum) in the North of Santa Fe, Argentina].
Spiders have considerable potential importance for their role as predators to some pests in agricultural systems. The composition of spiders in transgenic and conventional cotton at the Research Station of INTA Reconquista (Santa Fe) was studied during the 2005-2006 season. The experiment was a complete randomized block design with three replications and three treatments: transgenic Bt cotton (ALBt), conventional cotton without chemical control (ALCSC), and conventional cotton with chemical control (ALCCC). Weekly, spiders were collected using nets, vertical cloth and pitfall-traps. A total of 1255 specimens (16 families, and 32 species) were collected. Seven families were found in all the treatments, mainly Thomisidae (n=1 51, 84.04%) and Araneidae (n=83, 6.64%). The Hunting spiders guild ambushers (n=1053, 83.91%), "Orb weavers" (n=85, 6.77%) and "Stalkers" (n=53, 4.22%) were more abundant. There were no significant differences in the indexes diversity between treatments. Spiders were presented during the whole crop season, with peaks about flowering and boll maturity, with the highest abundance in ALBt. This work is part of the first set of data registered in Argentina about spider's community in cotton crops.


The seven principles of good practice: applications for online education in nursing.
Traditional education has been studied over time for the purpose of documenting what constitutes good practice in teaching. Online education in nursing is still relatively new and has not endured the same scrutiny as classroom education. The authors discuss how Chickering and Gamson's Seven Principles of Good Practice for Undergraduate Education apply to online nursing education and provide practical examples of how the principles can be implemented in Web-based nursing courses.


Transmissibility of seasonal and pandemic influenza in a cohort of households in Hong Kong in 2009.
The household secondary attack proportion (SAP) is commonly used to measure the transmissibility of an infectious disease. We analyzed the final outbreak size distributions of pandemic A(H1N1), seasonal A(H1N1), and A(H3N2) infections identified in paired sera collected from members of 117 Hong Kong households in April and in August-October 2009. The estimated community probability of infection overall was higher for children than adults; the probability was similar for pandemic A(H1N1) and seasonal A(H3N2) influenza. The household SAP for pandemic A(H1N1) was higher in children than in adults, whereas for seasonal A(H3N2), it was similar in children and adults. The estimated SAPs were similar for seasonal A(H3N2) and pandemic A(H1N1) after excluding persons with higher baseline antibody titers from analysis. Pandemic and seasonal influenza A viruses had similar age-specific transmissibility in a cohort of initially uninfected households, after adjustment for baseline immunity.


Polarity of the ecdysone receptor complex interaction with the palindromic response element from the hsp27 gene promoter.
The functional 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor is a heterodimer of two members of the nuclear hormone receptors superfamily; the product of the EcR (EcR) and of the ultraspiracle (Usp) genes. As most of the natural 20E-response elements are highly degenerated palindromes, we were interested in determining whether or not such asymmetric elements could dictate the defined orientation of the Usp/EcR complex. We have investigated interaction of EcR and Usp DNA-binding domains (EcRDBD and UspDBD, respectively) with the palindromic response element from the hsp27 gene promoter (hsp27pal). The hsp27pal half-sites contribute differently to the binding of the heterodimer components; the 5' half-site exhibits higher affinity for both DBDs than the 3' half-site. This observation, along with data demonstrating that UspDBD exhibits approximate fourfold higher affinity to the 5' half-site than EcRDBD, suggest that UspDBD locates the EcRDBD/UspDBD heterocomplex in the defined orientation (5'-UspDBD-EcRDBD-3') on the hsp27pal sequence. The binding polarity onto hsp27pal is accompanied by different contribution of the UspDBD and EcRDBD C-terminal sequences to the DNA-binding and heterocomplex formation. This is supported by finding that deletion of the C-terminal of EcRDBD region corresponding to the putative A-helix severely decreased binding of the EcRDBD to the hsp27pal. In contrast, UspDBD in which corresponding residues were deleted exhibited the same hsp27pal binding pattern as the wild type UspDBD. Additional truncation comprising the putative T-box, resulted in a reduced binding of the mutated UspDBD. This truncation however, still allowed effective EcRDBD/UspDBD heterodimer formation. Finally we demonstrated that perfect palindromes, composed of two hsp27pal 5' half-sites (or of the related sequence) contain all of the structural information necessary for the anisotropic UspDBD/EcRDBD heterocomplex formation. However, the perfect palindromes bind isolated homomeric DBDs as well as their heterocomplex with higher affinity than imperfect hsp27pal. This is the first report indicating that natural 20E response elements, which with one exception are degenerated palindromes, may act as functionally asymmetric elements in a manner similar to the action of direct repeats in vertebrates.


Pharmacokinetic considerations in pediatric pharmacotherapy.
The changes in physiological functions as children grow and organ systems mature result in pharmacokinetic alterations throughout childhood. These alterations in children result in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs that are different from those seen in the typical adult diseased population. Changes in gastrointestinal motility and gastric pH in neonates and infants affect the absorption rate and bioavailability of drugs. Skin absorption rate and extent can be altered by different skin structures and perfusion in young children. Intramuscular and rectal absorption become less predictable in children due to erratic absorption site perfusion and other factors. Children's body compositions also differ greatly from that in adults. Water-soluble drugs distribute more extensively in newborns due to larger water content than in older children and adults. Drug elimination and excretion are also affected in pediatric population due to differences in liver and renal function. Immature enzyme development and renal function result in reduced clearance of drugs in young children. There are limited pharmacokinetic data available for many drugs used in children. Considering the changes in pharmacokinetics in children can help pharmacists optimize the dosing and monitoring of drugs and do the best they can to help this vulnerable population.


Divergence of scent pheromones in allopatric populations of Acanthodactylus boskianus (Squamata: Lacertidae).
The evolutionary phenomena associated with divergence in chemical signals between populations of the same species help to understand the process of speciation. Animals detect and react to semiochemicals and pheromones used in communication. Comparison between populations of the same species that are geographically isolated from one another allows us to determine the genetic or environmental factors responsible for chemical differentiation. Acanthodactylus boskianus from the east and west of Egypt were used as an example to compare the geographical diversity in chemical fingerprints of this species' femoral gland secretions and its phylogeography. Chemical analysis via GC-MS showed that the two geographically distinct populations' odor fingerprints are quantitatively different despite sharing the same components of the secretions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the eastern and western Egyptian populations are genetically distinct and that chemical divergence of these lizards' odor profiles may be an example of signal evolution.


Leakage radiation microscope for observation of non-transparent samples.
We describe a leakage radiation microscope technique that can be used to extend the leakage radiation microscopy to optically non-transparent samples. In particular, two experiments are presented, first to demonstrate that acquired images with our configuration correspond to the leakage radiation phenomenon and second, to show possible applications by directly imaging a plasmonic structure that previously could only be imaged with a near-field scanning optical microscope. It is shown that the measured surface plasmon wavelength and propagation length agree with theoretically-calculated values. This configuration opens the possibility to study important effects where samples are optically non-transparent, as in plasmonic cavities and single hole plasmonic excitation, without the use of time-consuming near-field scanning optical microscopy.


Human leukocyte antigen distribution analysis in North Italian brain Glioma patients: an association with HLA-DRB1*14.
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are widely expressed cell surface molecules that present antigenic peptides to T-lymphocytes and modulate the immune response against inflammatory and malignant disease. Frequently, tumoral cells express antigens that are recognized by the immune system. Ineffective immune response could be the result of defects in antigen presentation in those subjects with peculiar HLA alleles, which, owing to mechanisms that are still unknown, are unable to carry out their function. Only a few studies on glioma and HLA association have been performed to date. The aim of our study was to characterize a group of Italian Caucasian patients with glioma, to investigate a possible association between HLA antigens and cerebral glioma tumorigenesis in Italian patients. HLA typing of class I and class II loci was done by molecular typing performed on blood DNA from 36 glioma patients from northern Italy. The data obtained were compared with HLA frequencies taken from the database of northern Italian organ donors.A positive association between HLA-DRB1*14 and the presence of symptomatic cerebral glioma was observed (p = 0.02, odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-5.45). This is the first Italian report on a case-control data study of HLA distribution conducted on a group of glioma patients and a first step in defining a possible involvement of HLA in susceptibility to brain glioma in the Italian population.


A case-control study of EAS child and parental temperaments in selectively mute children with and without a co-morbid communication disorder.
Clarification of sub-groups of children with selective mutism (SM) may enhance the understanding of symptom development. The present case-control study compares temperament characteristics applying EAS temperament survey in SM children with a co-morbid communication disorder (CoD), SM children without CoD and matched controls. Temperament characteristics in the parents are compared as well. The results show that SM children with CoD are characterized by more emotional stability and higher sociability than SM children without CoD. The parents of the SM children with CoD did not differ in temperament characteristics from the control parents. The parents of the SM children without CoD differed from the controls on the Distress, Fear and Activity scales. The study suggests different familial transmission in the two sub-groups of children with SM.


Large Multinodular Toxic Goiter: Is Surgery Always Necessary?
Patients suffering from multinodular toxic goiter (MNTG) are candidates to thyroidectomy or radioiodine 131I (131I) therapy. Thyroidectomy may be preferable especially when the volume of hyperfunctioning tissue is so large that a single administration of 131I is unlikely to cure the patient in terms of nodule's volume reduction and thyroid function. We describe the case of a 71-year-old man suffering from thyrotoxic state for the presence of two large hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules. As the patient refused surgery, at first we administered 600 MBq dose of 131I, which was unable to solve hyperthyroidism and local compressive symptoms. Then, before administering another 131I dose, the patient underwent a laser ablation treatment (LAT) in both nodules. After a significant shrinkage due to LAT, the patient received 400 MBq 131I. This procedure was able to definitely cure hyperthyroidism, to induce a significant reduction of nodules' volume, and to render the patient asymptomatic for compressive symptoms. This case demonstrates that 131I preceded by LAT represents a valid alternative strategy to surgery, even in the presence of two large coexistent hot nodules.


Light-Dark Regulation of Starch Metabolism in Chloroplasts: I. Levels of Metabolites in Chloroplasts and Medium during Light-Dark Transition.
In Spinacia oleracea the kinetics of CO(2) fixation, of starch formation, and of changes in the levels of metabolites in chloroplasts and the surrounding medium has been investigated during light-dark and dark-light transitions with isolated intact chloroplasts.The internal level of orthophosphate stays constant throughout a light-dark-light cycle. The concentration of 3-phosphoglycerate in the chloroplasts is about 4 millimolar in the light and decreases in the dark within 3 minutes to about 1.6 millimolar. The level of the hexose monophosphates shows a reverse trend, increasing from about 2.2 millimolar in the light to 6 millimolar in darkness. In the subsequent light period both compounds reach their original levels within 2 minutes. The chloroplastic concentrations of dihydroxyacetone phosphate, of the pentose monophosphates, and of the hexose- and heptose bisphosphates remain constant at about 0.4 millimolar throughout the light-dark-light cycle.In the medium, the concentration of 3-phosphoglycerate increases and dihydroxyacetone phosphate decreases in the dark phase: this is due to an exchange of internal 3-phosphoglycerate for external dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Part of the reimported dihydroxyacetone phosphate is converted into hexose monophosphates via aldolase and fructose bisphosphatase during the first minutes of darkness. Due to the observed exchange transport reactions, the large difference between the transenvelope concentration gradients of 3-phosphoglycerate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and orthophosphate which exist in the light, is completely abolished after 2 to 3 minutes in the dark.The kinetics and the magnitudes of the changes of metabolite concentrations during the light-dark-light cycle are compared to the kinetics of starch formation, and their relevance for a possible light-dark regulation of starch synthesis is discussed.


[Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the age of spiral computed tomography ].
Diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) we can use many investigations. We are presenting analysis of pulmonary artery investigations performed using spiral CT during 18 months in the J. Jonston hospital in Lubin. There were 38 PE cases diagnosed. They were complicating following states: surgical intervention, lower limbs profound thrombophlebitis, COPD, chronic circulatory insufficiency, neoplastic disease, oral contraceptive drugs and unknown. PE affected 0.1% surgical departments patients (that means 0.2% subjected to operation), and 0.4% internal diseases departments patients. 16 cases, i.e. 42% were connected with operative procedures. The largest group of internal medicine departments patients with PE were those suffering from severe chronic airway obstruction (9 cases per 27), chronic circulatory insufficiency (3 per 27), lower limbs profound thrombophlebitis (4 per 27). This data shows, as important problem is PE differential diagnostics of patients suffering from severe internal diseases especially and an important role of spiral computer tomography in it.


Prevalence and Correlates of Cardiovascular Calcification and Its Prognostic Effects Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Results From the C-STRIDE Study.
Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics and risk factors for cardiovascular calcification, and its relationship to prognosis, in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-4. Methods: Cardiovascular calcification was evaluated at baseline by lateral abdominal radiography to detect abdominal aortic calcifications (AAC), and by echocardiogram to detect cardiac valvular calcifications (CVC), respectively. Demographic and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the factors associated with the indicators of cardiovascular calcification, while Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between AAC/CVC and incidence of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Results: A subgroup of 2,235 patients with measurement of AAC in the C-STRIDE study and a subgroup of 2,756 patients with CVC were included in the analysis. AAC was present in 206 patients (9.22%) and CVC was present in 163 patients (5.91%). Age, gender, history of cardiovascular diseases, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, levels of hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid were associated with prevalence of AAC, while only age, history of cardiovascular diseases, levels of serum albumin and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with prevalence of CVC (all p < 0.05).Survival analyses showed that cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality were significantly greater in patients with AACor with CVC (all p-values for log-rank tests <0.05). After adjustment for age, sex and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), AAC was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 1.67[95% confidence interval: 0.99, 2.79]), while CVC associated with that of cardiovascular events only among patients with comparatively normal eGFR (≥45 ml/min/1.73m2) (hazard ratio = 1.99 [0.98, 4.03]). Conclusion: Demographic and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were associated with cardiovascular calcification, especially AAC. AAC may be associated with risk of death for patients CKD of any severity, while CVC as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease only among those with mild to moderate CKD. Assessments of vascular calcification are need to be advanced to patients in the early and middle stages of chronic kidney disease and to initiate appropriate preventive measures earlier.


Decreased Cortisol and Pain in Breast Cancer: Biofield Therapy Potential.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races. Pain is a common symptom associated with cancer; 75-90% of cancer patients experience pain during their illness and up to 50% of that pain is undertreated. Unrelieved pain leads to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of bioenergy on fecal cortisol levels for mice injected with murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 in two separate pilot studies. Using a multiple experimental group design, six to eight week old female BALB/c mice were injected with tumor and randomly assigned, in groups of 10, to daily treatment, every other day treatment, and no treatment groups. Five days after tumor cell injection, bioenergy interventions were begun for a period of ten consecutive days. Fecal samples were collected for each study and ELISA analysis was conducted at the end of both studies. For both studies, cortisol levels were decreased in the every other day treatment groups but remained high in the no treatment groups. Future studies utilizing bioenergy therapies on cortisol levels in a murine breast cancer model can begin to describe pain outcomes and therapeutic dose.


Excretion of 2- and 3-monomethyl ethers of 2-hydroxyestrogens in healthy male volunteers.
The formation of catecholestrogens by 2- and 4-hydroxylation of monophenolic estrogens represents a major route of estrogen metabolism. In vitro and in vivo studies on catecholestrogens have shown that 2-hydroxylated catecholestrogens are primarily inactivated by O-methylation, while o-methylation of 4-hydroxylated estrogen is of minor importance. In the present study the in vivo production of isomeric 2- and 3-monomethyl ethers of 2-hydroxyestrogens was measured in 12 healthy omnivorous male volunteers aged 51 +/- 4 years. The sum of estrone and 17 beta-estradiol, 2-hydroxyestrogens (sum of 2-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestradiol), 4-hydroxyestrogens (sum of 4-hydroxyestrone and 4-hydroxyestradiol) and the sum of the isomeric monomethyl ethers of 2-hydroxyestrone and 2-hydroxyestradiol were measured in 24-h urinary samples. The determination included hydrolysis of steroid conjugates, separation by chromatographic steps and final quantification by radioimmunoassay. The specificity of the antibodies enabled differentiation between the isomeric monomethyl ethers. The mean urinary excretion rates were 8.8 +/- 2.9 micrograms/24 h for estrone plus estradiol, 5.2 +/- 2.4 micrograms/24 h for 2-hydroxyestrogens and 1.3 +/- 0.5 micrograms/24 h for the 4-hydroxyestrogens. The 2- and 3-monomethyl ethers of the 2-hydroxyestrogens were found in all individuals, with excretion rates of 5.8 +/- 2.6 micrograms/24 h for 2-methoxyestrogens and 3.6 +/- 1.1 micrograms/24 h for 2-hydroxyestrogen-3-methyl ethers. The findings indicated that 2-hydroxyestradiol is metabolized in vivo by 2-O-methylation and, to a lesser extent, by 3-O-methylation.


Psychology of gender: Addressing misconceptions and setting goals for the field.
As an active interdisciplinary subfield, the psychology of gender has made major contributions to social psychology, and to psychological science more broadly. And yet, it has often been viewed as a special-interest area producing less rigorous work than other subfields. Such unduly negative perceptions may undermine the extent to which developments in gender-related scholarship ultimately contribute to broader scientific and social advances. The current work seeks to address common misconceptions about the psychology of gender, both by highlighting impactful contributions from existing work and identifying opportunities for further research. To do so, it discusses three specific misconceptions that may distort the assessment (and ultimately limit the impact) of work in this field. It also presents three underlying goals for future programs of gender-related scholarship. It does so in service of the broader goal of extending the robust body of existing research into new generations of gender science that are rigorous, inclusive, impactful, and can serve as the foundation for both scientific and social progress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).


A new species of Leioseius (Acari: Ascidae) from Brazil, redescription of Leioseius basis and a key for separation of the world species of the genus.
Leioseius Berlese is known in South America only from one especies described from Chile. Leioseius cananeiensis n. sp. is described based on the morphology of adult females found in association with barnacles (Crustacea, Cirripedia) on roots of Laguncularia racemosa (L.) (Combretaceae) collected in Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil. Leioseius basis Karg is redescribed based on the holotype female, one paratype female and two sparatype males. A key for the separation of females of the 19 recognisable world Leioseius species is provided.


Hydrostannylation of Red Phosphorus: A Convenient Route to Monophosphines.
The preparation of valuable and industrially relevant organophosphorus compounds currently depends on indirect multistep procedures involving difficult-to-handle white phosphorus as a common P atom source. Herein, we report a practical and versatile method for the synthesis of a variety of monophosphorus compounds directly from the bench-stable allotrope red phosphorus (Pred ). The relatively inert Pred was productively functionalised by using the cheap and readily available radical reagent tri-n-butyltin hydride, and subsequent treatment with electrophiles yields useful P1 compounds. Remarkably, these transformations require only modest inert-atmosphere techniques and use only reagents that are inexpensive and commercially available, making this a convenient and practical methodology accessible in most laboratory settings.


Contributions of asparagine at alpha 97 to the cooperative oxygenation process of hemoglobin.
According to the X-ray crystallographic results from human deoxyhemoglobin, beta 99Asp at the alpha 1 Beta 2 interface forms hydrogen bonds with alpha 42Tyr and alpha 97Asn. To clarify the structural and functional roles of the hydrogen bond between alpha 97Asn and beta 99Asp, we have engineered a recombinant hemoglobin in which alpha 97Asn is replaced by Ala, and have investigated its oxygen-binding properties, and have used proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the structural consequences of the mutation. Recombinant Hb (alpha 97Asn-->Ala) shows a milder alteration of functional properties compared to the severely impaired beta 99 mutants of the human abnormal hemoglobins. The addition of inositol hexaphosphate, an allosteric effector, causes recovery of the functional properties of recombinant Hb (alpha 97 Asn-->Ala) almost to the level of human normal adult hemoglobin without this allosteric effector. r Hb (alpha 97 Asn-->Ala) shows very similar tertiary structure around the heme pockets and quaternary structure in the alpha 1 beta 2 interface compared to those of human normal adult hemoglobin. The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the deoxy form of this recombinant hemoglobin shows the existence of an altered hydrogen bond which is believed to be between alpha 42Tyr and beta 99Asp at the alpha 1 beta 2 interface. Thus, the present results suggest that the intersubunit hydrogen bond between alpha 97 Asn and beta 99Asp at the alpha 1 beta 2 interface is not as crucial as the one between alpha 42Tyr and beta 99Asp in the deoxy quaternary structure. Preliminary molecular dynamics simulations have been used to calculate the contributions of specific interactions of several amino acid residues in r Hb (alpha 97Asn-->Ala) to the free energy of cooperativity of this recombinant hemoglobin. The results of these calculations are consistent with the experimental results.


Partial generalization of (-)DOM to fluvoxamine in the rat: implications for SSRI-induced mania and psychosis.
Recent reports have implicated selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the induction of psychosis and mania when SSRIs are given in combination with neuroleptics. We hypothesize that the partial substitution of fluvoxamine for the hallucinogen, (-)DOM, in the rat provides evidence for a 5-HT(2)-mediated effect of fluvoxamine which may in turn account for the adverse effects observed in humans. Male Fischer-344 rats were trained with (-)DOM (0.56 mg/kg) as a discriminative stimulus using standard operant procedures. Tests of generalization were then conducted with fluvoxamine either alone or in combination with the 5-HT(1A) antagonist, WAY-100635, the 5-HT(2) antagonist, pirenperone, and the neuroleptics, fluphenazine, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, loxapine, risperidone, and clozapine. In rats trained with (-)DOM, fluvoxamine at a dose of 20 mg/kg yielded a maximum 58% (-)DOM-appropriate response. This partial generalization was potentiated by treatment with WAY-100635 and antagonized by pirenperone, loxapine, risperidone, and clozapine. The present data are compatible with a 5-HT(2)-mediated effect of fluvoxamine which may play a role in SSRI-induced mania and psychosis. It is predicted by the results of this study that the probability of these adverse effects will be increased by the concurrent use of antagonists at 5-HT(1A) receptors and decreased by neuroleptics with antagonistic activity at 5-HT(2) receptors.


Sn(II)/PN@AC catalysts: synthesis, physical-chemical characterization, and applications.
In this study, the novel tin-based catalysts (Sn(II)/PN@AC) were prepared using the phosphorus and nitrogen dual-modified activated carbon as support and SnCl2 as active compounds, as well as then evaluated in acetylene hydrochlorination. Under the reaction temperature of 180 °C and an acetylene gas hourly space velocity (GHSV-C2H2) of 30 h-1, the 15%Sn(II)/PN@AC-550 showed the initial acetylene conversion of 100% and vinyl chloride selectivity over 98.5%. Additionally, the deactivation rate of 15%Sn(II)/PN@AC-550 reached 0.47% h-1, which was lower than that of 15%Sn(II)/AC-550 (1.02% h-1), suggesting that PN@AC-550 as novel support can retarded the deactivation of Sn(II)/AC-550 catalysts during acetylene hydrochlorination. Based on the catalytic tests and characterization results (XRD, Raman, BET surface area, TEM, C2H2-TPD, H2-TPR, XPS, FT-IR, TGA, and ICP), it demonstrated that PN@AC-550 as support could effectively improve the dispersion of tin species, retard the formation of coke deposition, lessen the oxidation of SnCl2 during the preparation process, as well as relatively inhibit the leach of tin species during the reaction. By combing the FTIR results and Rideal-Eley mechanism, we proposed that that HSnCl3 was transition state of SnCl2 in catalysis acetylene hydrochlorination and then adsorbed the acetylene to produce the vinyl chloride.


How does the functional mobility scale relate to capacity-based measures of walking ability in children and youth with cerebral palsy?
This study examined the relationship between walking performance rated on the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) and measures of walking capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A total of 143 participants with spastic CP (GMFCS levels I to III) were rated on the FMS and had assessment of self-selected walking speed (WS), fast 1 minute walk test (1MWT) and six minute walk test (6MWT). For each FMS distance, children rated 6 had significantly better 6MWT than children scored 5; children rated FMS 2, 3, or 4 had lower walking capacity measures but were not clearly distinguishable from each other. The 6MWT was an independent predictor of variation in FMS score, accounting for 20% to 27% of the variance across the three FMS distances. While walking capacity impacts on community mobility in children with CP much of the variance remains unexplained, suggesting that other factors play an important role.


High-resolution rotational spectroscopy of the carbon chain anions C3N-, C4H-, and C4D(-).
The rotational spectra of C(3)N(-), C(4)H(-), and C(4)D(-) have been measured at high-spectral resolution by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. For both C(3)N(-) and C(4)D(-), hyperfine structure in the lowest-J transitions has been resolved and measured to better than 0.1 ppm. The quadrupole coupling constants eQq for both anions are close to those of the neutral counterparts C(3)N and C(4)D, and that of C(3)N(-) is in good agreement with theoretical calculations. Several properties of these anions, including their linewidths, drift velocities, and abundances, are systematically compared to similar-sized neutral molecules. The production of C(4)H(-) with different hydrocarbon precursor and buffer gases is also discussed.


Teaching mass casualty triage skills using immersive three-dimensional virtual reality.
Virtual reality (VR) environments offer potential advantages over traditional paper methods, manikin simulation, and live drills for mass casualty training and assessment. The authors measured the acquisition of triage skills by novice learners after exposing them to three sequential scenarios (A, B, and C) of five simulated patients each in a fully immersed three-dimensional VR environment. The hypothesis was that learners would improve in speed, accuracy, and self-efficacy. Twenty-four medical students were taught principles of mass casualty triage using three short podcasts, followed by an immersive VR exercise in which learners donned a head-mounted display (HMD) and three motion tracking sensors, one for their head and one for each hand. They used a gesture-based command system to interact with multiple VR casualties. For triage score, one point was awarded for each correctly identified main problem, required intervention, and triage category. For intervention score, one point was awarded for each correct VR intervention. Scores were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each student. Before and after surveys were used to measure self-efficacy and reaction to the training. Four students were excluded from analysis due to participation in a recent triage research program. Results from 20 students were analyzed. Triage scores and intervention scores improved significantly during Scenario B (p < 0.001). Time to complete each scenario decreased significantly from A (8:10 minutes) to B (5:14 minutes; p < 0.001) and from B to C (3:58 minutes; p < 0.001). Self-efficacy improved significantly in the areas of prioritizing treatment, prioritizing resources, identifying high-risk patients, and beliefs about learning to be an effective first responder. Novice learners demonstrated improved triage and intervention scores, speed, and self-efficacy during an iterative, fully immersed VR triage experience.


Adherence of Candida species to newly polymerized and water-stored denture base polymers.
The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the adherence of yeasts to newly polymerized and water-stored denture base polymers using four Candida strains with different cell surface hydrophobicities. Thirty-two autopolymerized denture base polymer specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 7 days and 32 were newly polymerized. Sixteen specimens of each group were pretreated with unstimulated mixed saliva (saliva group), and 16 were pretreated with phosphate-buffered saline ([PBS] PBS group) at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. Hydrophobicity of the newly polymerized and water-stored specimen surfaces was determined by contact angle measurements. C guilliermondii, C albicans, C glabrata, and C tropicalis were grown on tryptic soy agar. They were pretreated either with saliva or PBS and suspended in PBS. Four parallel test specimens were incubated without agitation in each yeast suspension at 37 degrees C for 1 hour, washed, and allowed to dry in air. Adherent cells were fixed, gram stained, and counted from 10 high-power light-microscopy fields of each specimen. Enhanced adherence of yeasts was observed in water-stored test specimens in comparison to newly polymerized test specimens. Salivary pellicle reduced the hydrophobicity of test specimens and the adherence of yeasts. No differences in contact angles of distilled water between newly polymerized and water-stored polymers were observed. Yeasts seem to adhere less to newly polymerized than water-stored denture base polymer. This may be due to the release of residual monomer from the newly polymerized material.


NMR analysis of the interaction between protein L and Ig light chains.
Protein L is a cell wall protein expressed by some strains of the anaerobic bacterial species Peptostreptococcus magnus. It binds to immunoglobulin (Ig) light chains predominantly of the kappa subtype from a wide range of animal species. This binding is mediated by five highly homologous repeats designated as B1-B5, each of which comprises 72 to 76 amino acid residues. The fold of the Ig light chain-binding B1 domain of protein L has previously been shown to comprise an alpha-helix packed against a four-stranded beta-sheet. The Ig-binding region of the protein L domain involves most of the residues in the second beta-strand, the C-terminal residues of the alpha-helix, and residues in the loop connecting the alpha-helix with the third beta-strand. In the present study, we have identified the protein L-binding site of an Ig light chain by use of stable isotope-assisted NMR spectroscopy. The light chain of a murine monoclonal anti-17alpha-hydroxy-progesterone Fab fragment (IgG2b, kappa) was selectively labeled with 13C at carbonyl groups of Ala, Arg, Cys, Ile, Lys, Met, Phe, Trp, or Tyr. The residues in which the carbonyl 13C chemical shift was significantly perturbed upon binding of the protein L B1 domain were preferentially found in the second beta-strand of the variable kappa domain and parts of its flanking beta-strands. None of these residues were affected by the addition of the antigen against which the monoclonal Fab fragment is directed. Therefore, we conclude that protein L binds to the outer surface of the framework region of the V(L) domain, primarily involving the V(L) second strand, and that this binding is independent of antigen-binding. The present NMR data, in combination with sequence comparisons between kappa light chains with and without protein L affinity, suggest that the amino acid substitutions at positions 9, 20, and/or 74 of the kappa light chains could crucially affect the interaction between protein L and the V(L) domain.


Solidification and Segregation Behaviors of Superalloy IN718 at a Slow Cooling Rate.
The solidification and micro- and macro-segregation behaviors of as-cast INCONEL 718 (IN718) alloy at different temperatures under a slow cooling rate (5 °C/min) were investigated in this study. The results indicate that the solid-liquid interface grows into reticulation of hexagons during solidification. The variation trend of the solid fraction and transition rate of the solid phase with solidification time can be well characterized by the Boltzmann and Gaussian distribution, respectively. The order of segregation degree of negative segregation elements is: Fe > Cr > Al. Nb is the most principal positive segregation element, which is abundant in the long-term unsolidified remaining liquid. At the terminal stage of solidification, the increasing tendencies of the Nb and Mo contents in the liquid and the residual liquid density with decreasing temperature reverse due to the formation of the Laves phase. The freckles are most likely to form in the early stages of solidification, at which the liquid fraction is between 0.3 and 0.2, and the temperature range is about 1320 °C to 1310 °C. The information produced is expected to characterize the solidification and segregation behaviors of IN718 alloy when cooled at a slow rate characteristic of larger ingots typical of those required for industrial gas turbines and aircraft engines.


Glatiramer acetate immune system augmentation for peripheral nerve regeneration in rat crushed sciatic nerve model.
Protective antiself response to nervous system injury has been reported to be mediated by a T-cell subpopulation that can recognize self-antigens. Immune cells have been shown to play a role in the regulation of motor neuron survival after a peripheral nerve injury. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of immune system augmentation with use of the antigen glatiramer acetate, which is known to affect T-cell immunity, on peripheral nerve regeneration. Wild-type and nude-type (T-cell-deficient) rats underwent crush injury of the sciatic nerve. Three and six weeks after the injury, the sciatic nerve was examined, both functionally (on the basis of footprint analysis and the tibialis anterior muscle response and weight) and histologically (on the basis of axon count). Significantly greater muscle responses were measured after three weeks in the group of wild-type rats that were treated with glatiramer acetate (control limb:injured limb ratio, 0.05 for the glatiramer acetate group [n = 9], compared with 0.51 for the saline solution group [n = 8]; p < 0.05). Higher axon counts were also found in this group (control limb:injured limb ratio, -0.07 for the glatiramer acetate group [n = 10], compared with 0.29 for the saline solution group [n = 8]; p < 0.05). The nude-type rats showed no response to the intervention after three weeks but showed a delayed response after six weeks. A second dose of glatiramer acetate, delivered forty-eight hours after the injury, did not result in an improved response as compared with the control groups. We found that a single treatment with glatiramer acetate resulted in accelerated functional and histological recovery after sciatic nerve crush injury. The role of T-cell immunity in the mechanism of glatiramer acetate was suggested by the partial and late response found in the T-cell-deficient rats.


Single cell analysis of free cytosolic calcium changes in human lung mast cells--II. The relationship between desensitization and the cellular regulation of calcium changes.
Stimulation of mast cells results in two opposing reactions, activation events that cause degranulation and desensitization events that inhibit mediator release. Previous studies of human lung mast cells and murine mast cells have suggested that desensitization resulted from events that negatively regulated free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels; the current studies suggest otherwise. Stimulation of purified human lung mast cells with anti-IgE demonstrated that histamine release had reached a maximum at a time (5 mins) when [Ca2+]i levels were still near their maximum elevation. While there was a slow return of [Ca2+]i levels to baseline (T1/2 = 7.8 min), this rate of return could not clearly account for the cessation of histamine release. The heterogeneity in this decay parameter was also calculated to be insufficient to account for the heterogeneity in the peak calcium response while heterogeneity in the cell surface IgE density could adequately account for the heterogeneity in calcium responses. Preincubation of mast cells with anti-IgE antibody without extracellular calcium did lead to a progressive loss of the subsequent [Ca2+]i response when calcium was added back to the reaction, but the rate of desensitization determined by this measure, T1/2 of 8 min, was slower than the rate determined by measuring the progressive inhibition of histamine release (T1/2 of 4.5 min). In addition, no correlation existed for the rate of desensitization as measured by histamine release and that measured by the peak calcium response. These data suggested that the extent of histamine release was not strictly controlled by regulation of free cytosolic calcium and that desensitization events measured by the progressive loss in histamine release and calcium response were also not strictly related.


Structural characterization and self-association of (Arylimido)vanadium(V) triisopropoxides.
(Arylimido)vanadium(V) triisopropoxides, [( p-RC 6H 4N)V(O (i) Pr) 3] (R = NMe 2, OMe, H, CN, NO 2, Br), were prepared by the reaction of VO(O (i) Pr) 3 with the aryl isocyanates without solvent. The structures of the (arylimido)vanadium(V) triisopropoxides were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination to elucidate the substituent effect on the self-association properties. Controlled association of the (arylimido)vanadium(V) triisopropoxides to the mu-oxo-bridged dimer complexes or the mu-imido-bridged dinuclear complex was achieved by changing the p-substituent on the benzene rings, which regulates the nature of the imido bonds. Furthermore, the one-dimensional linear polymer complex or the one-dimensional zigzag one through mu-oxo-bridging was formed in a solid state with the bimetallic (arylimido)vanadium(V) complex, [( (i) PrO) 3V(N- p-C 6H 4N)V(O (i) Pr) 3] or [( (i) PrO) 3V(N- m-C 6H 4N)V(O (i) Pr) 3], respectively.


Attrition from randomized controlled trials of pharmacological weight loss agents: a systematic review and analysis.
Clinical trials of obesity treatments have been limited by substantial dropout. Participant-level variables do not reliably predict attrition, and study-level variables have not yet been examined. We searched MEDLINE and identified 24 large randomized controlled trials of weight loss medications. These trials were comprised of 23 placebo and 32 drug groups. Two authors independently extracted the following for each treatment group: (i) treatment received; (ii) design characteristics (inclusion of a lead-in period, selection of participants with weight-related comorbidities, study location and number of study visits); (iii) sample characteristics (sample size, % female, and mean baseline age and body mass index); and (iv) attrition (total, adverse event [AE]-related and non-AE-related) at 1 year. The primary outcome was total attrition, which was significantly related to treatment (i.e. 34.9%, 28.6%, 28.3% and 35.1% in placebo, orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant groups, respectively, P < 0.0001). In adjusted multivariable models, total attrition was significantly lower in groups that completed a pre-randomization lead-in period than in those that did not (29.1% vs. 39.9%, P < 0.01). Gender also was significantly related to total attrition; groups with more women had higher dropout (P < 0.01). The pattern was similar for predicting non-AE-related attrition. Findings suggest ways to design studies that maximize retention.


[Justice and good nursing care].
In this article the value orientations of justice and of the good are analysed in their concrete meanings for nursing proceeding. Firstly, the usual interpretation of justice in the practice field which reduces it to economical justice of distribution, is criticized. A stronger orientation of justice to the criterion of adequacy is proposed as an alternative. This would make possible a synthesis between the two demands of a just care and of a good care and would permit the mediation of two value orientations that often seem to be irreconcilable in nursing practice. The definition of the contents of good care attributes high importance to the aspect of relation. Because the nursing relation is in its essence an asymmetrical relation, the dimension of power has a decisive importance in this context. This leads to the question which kind of conditions must be created to give nurses the opportunity to use the power that they get from their function in a responsible way and to cultivate an attitude of non-indifference toward those who need their help.


Probing the interaction of cisplatin with the human copper chaperone Atox1 by solution and in-cell NMR spectroscopy.
Among anticancer therapeutics, platinum-based drugs have a prominent role. They carry out their antitumor activity by forming stable adducts with DNA, thus interfering with replication and transcription processes. Cellular uptake of these drugs is tightly connected to copper transport. The major Cu(I) influx transporter Ctr1 has been found to mediate transport of cisplatin and its analogues. Evidence also suggests that ATP7A and ATP7B mediate cisplatin sequestration and efflux from cells, thus influencing drug resistance. The copper-chaperone Atox1, which normally binds Cu(I) via two cysteines and delivers the metal to ATP7A/B, has also been reported to interact with cisplatin in in vitro experiments. In the present investigation we apply a combined approach, using solution and in-cell NMR spectroscopy methods, to probe intracellular drug delivery and interaction of cisplatin with Atox1. The intracellular environment provides itself the suitable conditions for the preservation of the protein in its active form. Initially a {Pt(NH(3))(2)}-Atox1 adduct is formed. At longer reaction time we observed protein dimerization and loss of the ammines. Such a process is reminiscent of the copper-promoted formation of Atox1 dimers which have been proposed to be able to cross the nuclear membrane and act as a transcription factor. We also show that overexpression of Atox1 in E. coli reduces the amount of DNA platination and, consequently, the degree of cell filamentation.


The Macalister archive: records from the Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, 1917-1921.
The Queen's Hospital opened in 1917 to care for soldiers receiving facial injuries in Western Front trenches, usually as a result of a gunshot wound. Some 8000 patients were treated by the medical teams of the UK, the Dominions and the USA. The wartime records were removed by their respective sections in 1921, but Queen Mary's Hospital has recently reacquired those of the New Zealand section, rescued from imminent destruction by Professor A.D. Macalister, late Dean of the Dental School at Dunedin, and kindly donated by him. There are 282 sets of case-notes containing typescript summaries, clinical photographs and radiographs, drawings, 77 watercolor paintings and a life-size wax model of head and upper torso illustrating some of the surgical techniques. The archive is a fine example of medical illustration 75 years ago, and provides invaluable detail on the plastic surgery and dental reconstructive methods that were developed at Sidcup.


Awareness of biologically confirmed HCV among a community residing sample of drug users in Baltimore City.
The present study sought to examine: (1) the prevalence and correlates of biologically confirmed Hepatitis C (HCV) and (2) the prevalence and correlates of prior HCV diagnosis and an unmet need for HCV treatment, among a community residing sample of drug users. The current study used a subset of HCV tested participants from the larger NEURO-HIV Epidemiologic Study from Baltimore, Maryland (M(age) = 34.81, SD = 9.25; 46% female). All participants were tested for HCV at baseline. Self-report was used to assess awareness of an HCV diagnosis and participation in treatment. Of the 782 participants tested for HCV, 19% reported having received an HCV diagnosis in the past while 48% tested positive for HCV. Only 6% reported having received treatment for any form of hepatitis. Of those who tested HCV positive, 63% reported never being diagnosed, and only 13% received any treatment for HCV. We found that only 35% of those who reported a prior HCV diagnosis received any treatment. The findings regarding lack of HCV awareness and diagnosis were considerable as expected. These deficits suggest that there are numerous gaps in patients' knowledge and beliefs regarding HCV that may interfere at multiple steps along the path from diagnosis to treatment. This study clearly demonstrates that a critical need exists to improve public knowledge of HCV risk factors, the need for testing, and the availability of effective treatment.


Approach for treating methadone patients created.
* Patients are required to attend sessions in order to receive Methadone. * Medication alone will often not result in positive outcomes. * Patient care is 'stepped' up or down depending on progress.


A neutrophil elastase inhibitor, sivelestat, improves leukocyte deformability in patients with acute lung injury.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor, sivelestat, improves leukocyte deformability and pulmonary function in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Twenty-four patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were divided into two groups: those with ALI (ALI group, n = 14), and those without ALI (non-ALI group, n = 10). Within 72 hours after the diagnosis, we measured the total leukocyte count (TLC), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, NE concentration, APACHE II score, Goris multiple organ failure (MOF) index, respiratory index (RI), lung injury score (LIS), and oxygenation index (P/F ratio). Leukocyte deformability was examined with a microchannel array etched on a single-crystal silicon tip that simulates the microvasculature. The number of obstructed microchannels (NOM) because of stiffened neutrophils and transit time (TT), defined as the time needed for 100 microL of whole blood to pass through the microchannels, were determined. We then administered sivelestat (4.8 mg/kg/d) to nine ALI patients (sivelestat group) for 5 days and compared with seven ALI patients treated previously without sivelestat (conventional group). The factors described above were measured before and 5 days after treatment. There were no significant differences in age, TLC, CRP, APACHE II score, and MOF index between ALI and non-ALI group. RI and LIS were higher and the P/F ratio was significantly lower in the ALI group than in the non-ALI group. NE concentration, NOM, and TT were significantly higher in the ALI group than in the non-ALI group (p < 0.05). After 5 days of treatment with sivelestat, the APACHE II score, MOF index, RI, LIS, NE concentration, TT, and NOM were lower and the P/F ratio was significantly higher than baseline values and those in the conventional group (p < 0.05). NE concentration and neutrophil rigidity are significantly increased in SIRS patients with ALI. Sivelestat appears to reduce NE concentration and neutrophil stiffness and improve pulmonary oxygenation in patients with ALI.


Adipocyte extracellular matrix composition, dynamics and role in obesity.
The central role of the adipose tissue in lipid metabolism places specific demands on the cell structure of adipocytes. The protein composition and dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is of crucial importance for the functioning of those cells. Adipogenesis is a bi-phasic process in which the ECM develops from a fibrillar to a laminar structure as cells move from the commitment phase to the growth phase characterized by storage of vast amounts of triglycerides. Mature adipocytes appear to spend a lot of energy on the maintenance of the ECM. ECM remodeling is mediated by a balanced complement of constructive and destructive enzymes together with their enhancers and inhibitors. ECM remodeling is an energy costing process regulated by insulin, by the energy metabolism, and by mechanical forces. In the obese, overgrowth of adipocytes may lead to instability of the ECM, possibly mediated by hypoxia.


Drug dose delivery and treatment outcome relationship in standard bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in nonseminomatous germ cell tumor patients.
This study retrospectively evaluated the influence of drug dose delivery components (DDDC) of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors on treatment outcome (NSGCT). Between December 1987 and January 1995, 75 NSGCT patients were treated with a median of 4 cycles (range 3-8) of cisplatin 120 mg/m2 on day 1, etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1 through 5 and bleomycin 30 U on days 1, 3, and 5 every 3 weeks. DDDC, such as cumulative dose, cumulative dose in mg/m2, dose intensity (DI), relative dose intensity (RDI), dose intensity products, and relative dose intensity products by drug, were calculated and tested as possible predictors of treatment outcome in patients classified according to Indiana University (IU), and International Germ Cell Cancer Cooperative Group (IGCCCG) classifications. Overall complete response (CR) rate was 64%, and 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 59%. By IU classification there were statistical differences in CR and survival between moderate (89-81%) and advanced disease (42-40%) (p < 0.005), while for patients classified according to IGCCCG criteria, statistical differences in CR and PFS there were not registered. DI (mg/m2/week) and RDI values for the entire group were: cisplatin 33-0.82; etoposide 133-0.80 and bleomycin 11-0.37. We did not observe a statistically significant difference in drug dose delivery components for treatment outcome between patients who achieved a CR and incomplete response when analyzed by either extent of disease or whole group. Extent of disease was the most important predictor of treatment outcome.


Selenium content and distribution in cow's milk supplemented with two dietary selenium sources.
The effect of two sources of Se, selenized yeast (Se-Y) and sodium selenite, added to total mixed rations (TMR) fed to cows on Se milk content and distribution in milk components was studied on three farms for 6 weeks. The maximal increase in milk Se was attained with Se-Y supplemented at 0.3 microg g(-1). The effect was immediate, with an increase of 9 microg L(-1) being observed after only 5 days, and remained steady until the last sample at day 40 of Se supplementation. Se distribution in milk components was constant, 53.6, 42.6, and 9.3% in whey, casein, and fat, respectively, and was unaffected by the form of supplementation. The effect of the level of Se-Y supplementation on milk Se was studied on two farms. Increasing dietary Se-Y from 0 to 0.5 microg g(-1) elevated milk Se content from 20 to 39 microg L(-1). Se-enriched cow's milk at different levels can be produced by varying dietary Se supplementation in the form of selenized yeast.


Structure and regulation of the rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.
Complementary DNA clones encoding the entire rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were isolated, and the total 423-amino acid sequence was deduced. The amino acid sequence of the rat receptor is similar but not identical to the reported human receptor sequence. The cysteine-rich DNA-binding domain is completely conserved and the steroid-binding domain is greater than 93% conserved between rat and human. The cDNA was used as a probe in blot analysis of polyadenylylated RNA to show that the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor mRNA is a single 4.4-kilobase mRNA that is expressed in intestine and kidney, slightly expressed in heart, and not detectable in liver and spleen. The receptor mRNA concentration is markedly increased during development of the rat intestine between day 14 and day 21, in accord with previous results obtained by measurement of receptor concentration by ligand binding or immunoblotting.


The Role of BRAF V600E in Reducing AUS/FLUS Diagnosis in Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration.
BRAF V600E mutations are common in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and some de-differentiated thyroid cancers. In this study, we summarize AUS/FLUS diagnosed cases from thyroid fine needle aspirations in our center from 2015 to 2017 to explore the impact of BRAF V600E detection on the cytopathological diagnosis of PTC. BRAF V600E detection could significantly reduce the AUS/FLUS diagnosis rates from 11.59 to 8.42% when all BRAF V600E-mutated AUS/FLUS cases were diagnosed as conforming to PTC (20.01 to 19.13% in 2016 and 10.92 to 7.93% in 2017, respectively). The AUS/M rates decreased from 0.67 to 0.64 in 2016 and from 0.33 to 0.23 in 2017. We further discuss a case with a single BRAF V600E cytological mutant lacking a postoperative PTC diagnosis and discuss the limitations of BRAF V600E detection using puncture elution fluid. Our findings support the notion that BRAF V600E detection can effectively reduce the diagnostic rates of AUS/FLUS and help clinicians decide both treatment strategies and patient prognosis.


Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A: occurrence and contamination levels in cocoa beans from Brazil.
In the present study, the occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was evaluated in 123 samples of cocoa beans produced in five Brazilian states. The presence of these mycotoxins was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) after immunoaffinity column clean-up. The mean level of total AFs in cocoa beans samples was 5.7 μg.kg-1. Four (3.3%) samples exceeded the maximum limit of 10 μg.kg-1 established by the Brazilian legislation for total AFs. The mean level of OTA contamination was 1.2 μg.kg-1, and none of the samples exceeded the maximum limit established by the Brazilian legislation. The co-occurrence of AFs and OTA was observed in 4.9% of the samples. The results of the present study demonstrated that, in relation to the levels of AFs and OTA established by the Brazilian legislation, most samples of cocoa beans analyzed are safe for consumption. This is the first report on the occurrence and levels of AFs and OTA in cocoa beans from the five main Brazilian states producing cocoa. The data in this study provide important information for farmers, traders, industry, consumers and law enforcement agencies.


Cysteine-scanning analysis of helices TM8, TM9a, and TM9b and intervening loops in the YgfO xanthine permease: a carboxyl group is essential at ASP-276.
Bacterial and fungal members of the ubiquitous nucleobase-ascorbate transporter (NAT/NCS2) family use the NAT signature motif, a conserved 11-amino acid sequence between amphipathic helices TM9a and TM9b, to define function and selectivity of the purine binding site. To examine the role of flanking helices TM9a, TM9b, and TM8, we employed Cys-scanning analysis of the xanthine-specific homolog YgfO from Escherichia coli. Using a functional mutant devoid of Cys residues (C-less), each amino acid residue in sequences (259)FLVVGTIYLLSVLEAVGDITATAMVSRRPIQGEEYQSRLKGGVLADGLVSVIASAV(314) and (342)TIAVMLVILGLFP(354) including these TMs (underlined) was replaced individually with Cys, except the irreplaceable Glu-272 and Asp-304, which had been studied previously. Of 67 single Cys mutants, 55 accumulate xanthine to 35-140% of the steady state observed with C-less, five (I265C, D276C, I277C, G299C, L350C) accumulate to low levels (10-20%) and seven (T278C, A279C, T280C, A281C, G305C, G351C, P354C) show negligible expression in the membrane. Extensive mutagenesis reveals that a carboxyl group is needed at Asp-276 for high activity and that D276E differs from wild type as it recognizes 8-methylxanthine (K(i) 79 μm) but fails to recognize 2-thioxanthine, 3-methylxanthine or 6-thioxanthine; bulky replacements of Ala-279 or Thr-280 and replacements of Gly-305, Gly-351, or Pro-354 impair activity or expression. Single Cys mutants V261C, A273C, G275C, and S284C are sensitive to inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide and sensitivity of G275C (IC(50) 15 μm) is enhanced in the presence of substrate. The data suggest that residues crucial for the transport mechanism cluster in two conserved motifs, at the cytoplasmic end of TM8 (EXXGDXXAT) and in TM9a (GXXXDG).


Surface-associated properties of Actinomyces strains and their potential relation to pathogenesis.
Twenty-nine strains from the Actinomyces species were tested for a range of surface properties. Results show considerable heterogeneity both between different species and within some of the species, especially Actinomyces naeslundii. Two commonly used A. naeslundii strains, T14V and ATCC 12104, fell within the low (salivary aggregation and collagen binding by T14V), moderate (surface charge and haemagglutination) or high range of values (hydrophobicity, saliva-coated hydroxyapatite adhesion, polystyrene binding by T14V, fibrinogen binding by T14V and collagen binding by A. naeslundii ATCC 12104). Both strains adhered well to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite; T14V bound the highest amount of fibrinogen, ATCC 12104 had the highest number of cells bound to collagen and T14V was not bound at all. The heterogeneity of these characteristics highlights the need to include a range of strains of Actinomyces in studies on their pathogenicity. Statistical correlations were found between a number of properties, for example saliva-coated hydroxyapatite adhesion and hydrophobicity, and between haemagglutination and hydrophobicity.


Nurse Directors' jobs - a European perspective.
BACKGROUND OF STUDY: The European Nurse Directors Association (ENDA) was founded in 1996. Members agree on an annual action plan based on the three main aims of the Association to strengthen the nursing contribution to policy making within Europe, further nursing leadership and to establish a communication network of experts Nurse Directors across Europe. This study supports the above aims by examining issues relating to the job of Nurse Directors across Europe. The aim of the study was to identify shared aspects of the job from which further work could emerge to support the three aims of the Association and, in particular, to further nursing leadership across Europe. An action centred research method (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats [SWOT] analysis) was chosen which gave the opportunity for respondents to expand on key points. The texts were submitted in French, German and English with opportunities built in to individually discuss statements in order to minimize inaccuracies which could have emerged during translation. Nurse Directors of today give a clear indication of 'can-do' mentality and the strengths and weaknesses which are demonstrated indicate that there are areas which need to be further explored and supported. The findings were presented at the 5th Congress of ENDA in Rotterdam in 2001 and were well received. Funding has been obtained from the National Nursing Leadership Centre to expand the research. This study is a snapshot only of those working at the leading edge in nursing. The responses also reflect feedback from nurses working in mainly acute hospitals and further work needs to be undertaken to include additional European countries. It has been demonstrated how Nurse Directors in Europe are taking and making opportunities to lead influence nursing and healthcare. Areas of further work that need to be addressed have emerged.


Sustained cannabinoid agonist treatment augments CGRP release in a PKA-dependent manner.
Studies have shown that sustained cannabinoid treatment increases the sensitivity to painful heat stimuli (thermal hyperalgesia) and innocuous mechanical stimuli (tactile allodynia). It has been suggested that augmented release of pain neurotransmitters (such as calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP) might be responsible for this abnormal pain sensitization. We hypothesize that intracellular adaptations upon sustained cannabinoid treatment causes augmented release of CGRP from primary nociceptors leading to increased pain sensitivity. We show that sustained (24 h) cannabinoid agonist [(+)WIN 55,212-2] treatment of 7-day-old neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons significantly augments basal CGRP release from these cells in a protein kinase A-dependent manner. Our results indicate that these intracellular compensatory adaptations may play a crucial trigger role in further neuronal system adaptations for modulation of pain.