Transient splenomegaly in acute pancreatitis.
Serial changes in splenic volume of 25 patients (18 men and seven women; 53.4 +/- 20.8 years old, range 25-83) with acute pancreatitis who underwent CT examinations were retrospectively studied. Abdominal CT was performed within 3 days after the onset and there was at least one follow-up CT examination after this time. The percentage changes of splenic volume in the first (4-30 days) and second (31-100 days) follow-up CT were calculated. Splenic volume increased in the first follow-up CT (mean +/- SD: 197.8 +/- 121.0 cm3) compared with the initial CT (124.8 +/- 70.0; p < 0.0001), and then decreased in the second follow-up CT (179.7 +/- 100.7; p < 0.002). The average splenic volume increased 65.5 +/- 88.7% (range -10.4-377.4%) between the initial and first follow-up CT examinations. Five of 25 cases (20%) in whom size of spleen increased more than twice had severe acute pancreatitis (p < 0.05), complicated pseudocyst requiring surgical drainage (p < 0.05), pleural effusion (p < 0.01), splenic vein thrombosis or compression (p < 0.05) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.02) compared with patients with a smaller increase in splenic volume. In conclusion, transient splenomegaly was commonly seen in acute pancreatitis, especially in severe or complicated cases. Congestive splenomegaly caused by obstruction or stenosis of the splenic vein and non-specified acute splenitis were suspected of contributing to the transient splenomegaly.


[Exposure to ticks and erythema chronicum migrans among borreliosis patients in Lower Silesia].
The aim of the study was the analysis of Lyme borreliosis cases notified by Clinic for Infections Diseases in Wrocław in connection with exposure to ticks in year 2002. In the analyzed group of patients tick bites were confirmed in 77.9% and the most common places of exposition were forest regions in Lower Silesia (Masyw Slezy, Wzgórza Twardógorskie, Kotlina Kłodzka, Wzgórza Trzebnickie, Bory Dolnoślaskie) and in Wrocław area. EM appeared in 55.8% cases. In cases of multiple ticks professionally exposured persons EM appeared only in 22.2%.


Triterpenoids and other compounds from Salvia roborowskii Maxim.
Two new triterpenoids, 2 alpha-hydroxy-3 beta-methoxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid and 3 alpha-hydroxy-2 alpha-methoxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid as well as 25 known compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Salvia roborowskii Maxim. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectral data and chemical transformation. This is the first report on the chemical constituents of this plant. The presence of eugenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside 22 in a plant of the genus Salvia is also reported for the first time.


When is protein binding important?
The present paper is an ode to a classic citation by Benet and Hoener (2002. Clin Pharm Ther 71(3):115-121). The now classic paper had a huge impact on drug development and the way the issue of protein binding is perceived and interpreted. Although the authors very clearly pointed out the limitations and underlying assumptions for their delineations, these are too often overlooked and the classic paper's message is misinterpreted by broadening to cases that were not intended. Some members of the scientific community concluded from the paper that protein binding is not important. This was clearly not intended by the authors, as they finished their paper with a paragraph entitled: "When is protein binding important?" Misinterpretation of the underlying assumptions in the classic work can result in major pitfalls in drug development. Therefore, we revisit the topic of protein binding with the intention of clarifying when clinically relevant changes should be considered during drug development.


Characteristics of the Family Support Network of Pregnant Adolescents and Its Association with Gestational Weight Gain and Birth Weight of Newborns.
It has been proposed that, in the Mexican culture, family support can be a factor that contributes to protect the maternal and child health of pregnant adolescents. There may be complex associations between family support and the circumstances of a pregnancy during adolescence. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the family support network (FSN) characteristic and the maternal and neonatal outcomes in Mexican adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 352 pregnant adolescents participated; their FSN during pregnancy was assessed. The gestational weight gain and birth weight/length of newborns were registered. The size of the FSN was described and divided into quartiles; the main members for each quartile were identified. Then, sociodemographic and clinical variables were compared by FSN quartiles. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the association of FSN size and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Our results indicate that the mean age was 15 ± 1 year old. The primary support member in the FSN was the mother of the adolescent in each quartile, except for quartile 3, where the primary support was the mother-in-law. In quartile 3 there was a significantly lower gestational weight gain compared to quartile 4 (11.8 ± 5 vs. 13 ± 5 kg, p = 0.054). According to the regression model, a higher risk of small for gestational age (OR 2.99, CI 95% 1.25⁻7.15) newborns was found in quartile 3. We conclude that the maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ between quartiles of FSN size, except for quartile 3. Small for gestational age newborns were observed when a non-blood relative was present in the FSN. The quality rather than the network size might be more important for improving pregnancy outcomes.


"Wrongful life" claims.
On 9 May 2006, the High Court of Australia dismissed "wrongful life" claims brought on behalf of two patients. One of the cases involved the alleged negligent failure by a general practitioner to diagnose prenatal rubella and to advise the mother of the risks to the fetus associated with rubella. This article outlines the case and discusses the nature of "wrongful life" and "wrongful birth" claims.


Neuroimaging findings in patients on immunosuppressive therapy: experience with tacrolimus toxicity.
The purpose of this study is to describe the neuroimaging (CT and MR imaging) findings in liver transplant patients who develop severe neurologic side effects during immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus and to correlate these findings with clinical signs and tacrolimus levels in blood. Brain CT and/or MR imaging was performed on six patients who developed neurologic symptoms while receiving tacrolimus in the post-transplant period. All patients were evaluated by the neurology staff, and imaging studies were independently interpreted by three neuroradiologists. Trough tacrolimus levels in blood were measured with the IMX immunoassay and were correlated with neurologic symptoms and imaging findings. Imaging abnormalities were observed in five of six patients during the course of their neurologic illnesses. For each patient, neurologic symptoms began when the tacrolimus level in blood was at a peak, exceeding the therapeutic limit in all but one case. In five patients, neurologic symptoms eventually resolved after the tacrolimus dose was reduced or after the drug was stopped. Multifocal low attenuation of white matter was the predominant finding seen on CT images, and matching hyperintense white matter foci were observed on long-TR MR images. In three patients, clinical recovery was accompanied by reversal of the white matter abnormalities seen on CT and MR images. Immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus may produce neurologic side effects that are associated with brain CT and MR imaging abnormalities. Resolution of symptoms and reversal of imaging findings occur when the tacrolimus dose is reduced.


Temperate airborne grass pollen defined by spatio-temporal shifts in community composition.
Grass pollen is the world's most harmful outdoor aeroallergen. However, it is unknown how airborne pollen assemblages change across time and space. Human sensitivity varies between different species of grass that flower at different times, but it is not known whether temporal turnover in species composition match terrestrial flowering or whether species richness steadily accumulates over the grass pollen season. Here, using targeted, high-throughput sequencing, we demonstrate that all grass genera displayed discrete, temporally restricted peaks of incidence, which varied with latitude and longitude throughout Great Britain, revealing that the taxonomic composition of grass pollen exposure changes substantially across the grass pollen season.


95 nJ dispersion-mapped amplifier similariton fiber laser at 8.6 MHz repetition rate with linear cavity configuration.
A high-energy and low repetition rate dispersion-mapped amplifier similariton oscillator with a large net intracavity anomalous dispersion and a linear cavity configuration is demonstrated experimentally at 1 μm. The numerical results confirm that self-similar evolution is accomplished in the gain fiber, and both the parabolic- and Gauss-shaped pulses can be emitted at different ports of the cavity, respectively. The maximum output power of 820 mW at a repetition rate of 8.6 MHz under a pump power of 12.76 W, corresponding to a pulse energy as high as of 95 nJ has been obtained.


Biological correlates of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) in cardiovascular disease and healthy community subjects.
This research studies the relationship between Alexithymia, behavioural, biometric, biochemical and cardiovascular risk in clinical and healthy samples. There were 602 participants (mean age of 52.82 ± 10.59) divided into two groups. The first was made up of 202 patients (165 males and 37 females) who had suffered a cardiovascular disease (CVD), while the second was composed of 400 (285 males and 115 females) healthy volunteers without CVD diagnosis. A cardiovascular risk index (CRI) was developed with the high factorial loading of the following variables: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol/HDL, triglycerides, body mass index, glucose and alcohol and tobacco consumption. The results showed a significant correlation between Alexithymia and the CRI. After controlling for age, sex, occupation, alcohol and tobacco consumption, this correlation decreased, but remained significant for most values. Alexithymia predicted 6% of CRI in the entire sample, once age and sex effect were discounted. Alexithymic subjects with scores above a cut-off point set at higher than 60 had higher levels of glucose, systolic, diastolic, cholesterol/HDL and cardiovascular risk. We discuss that Alexithymia scores contribute to cardiovascular risk, supporting previous findings.


Crossing scales, crossing disciplines: collective motion and collective action in the Global Commons.
Two conflicting tendencies can be seen throughout the biological world: individuality and collective behaviour. Natural selection operates on differences among individuals, rewarding those who perform better. Nonetheless, even within this milieu, cooperation arises, and the repeated emergence of multicellularity is the most striking example. The same tendencies are played out at higher levels, as individuals cooperate in groups, which compete with other such groups. Many of our environmental and other global problems can be traced to such conflicts, and to the unwillingness of individual agents to take account of the greater good. One of the great challenges in achieving sustainability will be in understanding the basis of cooperation, and in taking multicellularity to yet a higher level, finding the pathways to the level of cooperation that is the only hope for the preservation of the planet.


[Rare case of primary sinonasal tuberculosis].
Tuberculosis, considering entry of infection, most frequent concerns the lungs. Rarely we observed extrapulmonary cases of tuberculosis within the bones, joints, urogenital organs and lymph nodes as well as within the head and neck region--larynx, middle ear, pharynx, tonsils, tongue, parotid glands and central nervous system. Sinonasal tuberculosis, either primary or secondary to pulmonary infection, is very rare, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sinonasal granulomas. The diagnosis of the head and neck tuberculosis is based on the medical patientis examination as well as on the bacteriological and histological study of the biopsy specimen. The aim of the study was to show own, very rare case of primary sinonasal tuberculosis. We described a case of primary sinonasal tuberculosis in an adult female. She was suspected of the neoplastic disease. The diagnosis was based on the histopathology. The treatment was successful and consisted with antituberculous drug therapy and surgery (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery). The patient was followed up for 12 months and during this time we did not notice any symptoms of recurrence. Tuberculosis of the head and neck region should be take in to consideration during the differential diagnostic of the neoplastic diseases.


[Population censuses and their costs].
This is a summary of a report from an international project involving France, Hungary, Sweden, and the United Kingdom on the cost of taking censuses. "The author...shows...the most important parts of the summary report, pointing out the main characteristics of the recent censuses of the participating countries, the comparisons of costs converted to the price level of 1991, and the explanatory notes necessary to understand the differences." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND RUS)


23Na and 2H magnetic resonance studies of osteoarthritic and osteoporotic articular cartilage.
In this study, the short component of the (23)Na T(2) (T(2f)) and the (23)Na and (2)H quadrupolar interactions (nu(Q)) were measured in bone-cartilage samples of osteoarthritic (OA) and osteoporotic (OP) patients. (23)Na nu(Q) was found to increase in osteoarthritic articular cartilage relative to controls. Similar results were found in bovine cartilage following proteoglycan (PG) depletion, a condition that prevails in osteoarthritis. (23)Na nu(Q) and 1/T(2f) for articular cartilage obtained from osteoporotic patients were significantly larger than for control and osteoarthritic cartilage. Decalcification of both human and bovine articular cartilage resulted in an increase of (23)Na nu(Q) and 1/T(2f), showing the same trend as the osteoporotic samples. Differences in the ratio of the intensity of the large (2)H splitting to that of the small one in the calcified zone were also observed. In osteoporosis, this ratio was twice as large as that obtained for both control and osteoarthritic samples. The (2)H and (23)Na results can be interpreted as due to sodium ions and water molecules filling the void created by the calcium depletion and to calcium ions being located in close association with the collagen fibers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting differences of NMR parameters in cartilage of osteoporotic patients.


Multiplexed tandem PCR: gene profiling from small amounts of RNA using SYBR Green detection.
Multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) is a process for highly multiplexed gene expression profiling. In the first step, multiple primer pairs are added to the RNA to be analysed together with reverse transcriptase and Taq DNA polymerase. Following reverse transcription, the multiplexed amplicons are simultaneously amplified for a small number of cycles so as to avoid competition between amplicons. The reaction product is then diluted and analysed in multiple individual PCRs using primers nested inside the primers used for the multiplexed amplification. As the second PCR uses a template enriched in the amplicons of interest, the conditions can be optimized to significantly reduce 'primer dimer' formation allowing SYBR Green chemistry to be used for quantification. MT-PCR can be configured for as little as 10 pg RNA (equivalent to a single mammalian cell) and works well with RNA extracted from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. We illustrate MT-PCR with gene expression profiles of breast cancer cell lines.


Survey of forceps delivery in North America in 1990.
To determine whether opinions and practice patterns have markedly changed over the past decade and whether clinicians are cognizant of the new ACOG definitions for forceps deliveries. Two hundred ninety-five United States and Canadian residency programs were surveyed via a questionnaire; 203 (69%) responded. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi 2 test, Yates correction factor, and the extended Mantel-Haenszel test. All but two program directors (99%) were familiar with the new definitions, which were being used by 162 (80%) of the programs. All institutions used outlet and low forceps, although 14% no longer performed midforceps deliveries. Attending faculty were the primary instructors in 67% of United States and 100% of Canadian programs. Simpson forceps were the most commonly used for outlet (46%) and low (43%) forceps deliveries. Kielland (27%) and Simpson (24%) instruments were most commonly used for midforceps deliveries. Although the rate of midforceps use decreased, operative vaginal delivery was still commonly taught in residency programs in North America in 1990.


Sample sizes required to estimate the protective efficacy of a vaccine when there is an unequal allocation of individuals across the vaccine and placebo groups.
The effectiveness of a vaccine is measured by means of protective vaccine efficacy, defined by VE=1-ARVARU, where ARV and ARU are, respectively, the disease attack rates in the vaccinated and the unvaccinated population. For each of the cohoret and case-control designs, methods have been presented in the literature for calculating the required sample size when the desired width of the confidence interval and the probability of coverage are pre-specified, where an equal number of individuals were assumed to be allocated to the vaccine and placebo group. In this article, we present a method for calculating the required sample size with a specified degree of precision when there is an unequal allocation of individuals across the two groups. The sample size required to achieve a desired power for the relevant level α test has also been explored, keeping the unequal allocation proportion in mind. The fraction of individuals allocated to the placebo group (ρ) can be so chosen that the total sample size or the expected number of people developing the disease or some other criteria of interest is minimized.


Serpin-derived peptide substrates for investigating the substrate specificity of human tissue kallikreins hK1 and hK2.
The third human tissue kallikrein to be identified, hK2, could be an alternate or complementary marker to kallikrein hK3 (prostate-specific antigen) for prostate diseases. Most of the hK2 in seminal plasma forms an inactive complex with protein C inhibitor (PCI), a serpin secreted by seminal vesicles. As serpin inhibitors behave as suicide substrates that are cleaved early in the interaction with their target enzyme, and kallikreins have different sensitivities to serpin inhibitors, we prepared a series of substrates with intramolecularly quenched fluorescence based on the sequences of the serpin reactive loops. They were used to compare the substrate specificities of hK1 and hK2, which both have trypsin-like specificity, and thus differ from chymotrypsin-like hK3. The serpin-derived peptides behaved as kallikrein substrates whose sensitivities reflected the specificity of the parent inhibitory proteins. Substrates derived from PCI were the most sensitive for both hK1 and hK2 with specificity constants of about 10(7) M-1. s-1. Those derived from antithrombin III and alpha2-antiplasmin were more specific for hK2 while a kallistatin-derived substrate was specifically cleaved by hK1. hK1 and hK2 substrates of greater specificity were obtained using chimeric peptides based on the sequence of serpin reactive loops. The main difference between specificities of hK1 and hK2 arise because hK2 can accommodate positively charged as well as small residues at P2 and requires an arginyl residue at P1. Thus, unlike hK1, hK2 does not cleave kininogen-derived substrates overlapping the region of N-terminal insertion of bradykinin in human kininogens.


The Family Talk Intervention in palliative home care when a parent with dependent children has a life-threatening illness: A feasibility study from parents' perspectives.
One of the main goals of the Family Talk Intervention (FTI) is to increase communication within families with dependent children about illness-related consequences and to support parenting. FTI is family-centered and includes six manual-based meetings led by two interventionists. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the FTI in terms of acceptability from the perspective of parents in families with dependent children where one parent receives specialized palliative home care. A descriptive design employing mixed methods was used to evaluate the FTI in specialized palliative home care. In total, 29 parents participated in interviews and responded to a questionnaire following FTI. Qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics were used for analyses. FTI responded to both the ill parent's and the healthy co-parent's expectations, and they recommended FTI to other families. Parents found the design of FTI to be well-structured and flexible according to their families' needs. Many parents reported a wish for additional meetings and would have wanted FTI to start earlier in the disease trajectory. Parents also would have wished for a more thorough briefing with the interventionists to prepare before the start. The importance of the interventionists was acknowledged by the parents; their professional competence, engagement, and support were vital for finding ways to open communication within the family. The FTI meetings provided them with a setting to share thoughts and views. Parents clearly expressed that they would never have shared thoughts and feelings in a similar way without the meetings. According to parents, FTI was found acceptable in a palliative home care context with the potential to add valuable support for families with minor children when a parent is suffering from a life-threatening illness.


The various sources of mitochondrial oxygen radicals: a minireview.
The mitochondrial respiratory chain is the main source of reactive oxygen species in the cell. The main sites of superoxide radical production are within Complexes I and III; however, Complex II, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, are also sources of oxygen radicals. By using specific inhibitors within the complexes it is possible to obtain indications at the sites where redox components react with oxygen and in the compartments where they are released. The production of oxygen radicals is enhanced when the electron flow is lowered, and partial uncoupling is believed to be a means of preventing excess radical production.


Alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin in human milk: origin, concentrations, and stability.
The protease inhibitors alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin are present in human milk, but little is known about their roles in protein digestion during infancy. It has been hypothesized that alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin may modulate digestion in the infant gut. We determined whether the mammary gland expresses alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin, measured alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin throughout lactation, assessed the resistance of alpha(1)-antitrypsin to proteolysis, and determined the potential of alpha(1)-antitrypsin to affect the survival of other milk proteins. A pool of complementary DNA from the human mammary gland was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction to detect genes for alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin. alpha(1)-Antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin concentrations were measured in milk samples obtained longitudinally (days 4-47) from 8 women. An in vitro model of infant digestion was used to assess the digestive stability of alpha(1)-antitrypsin against pepsin and pancreatin. Lactoferrin, with alpha(1)-antitrypsin present, was digested by pancreatin, and the digested proteins were separated. Alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin concentrations were high in early milk and decreased throughout lactation. Polymerase chain reaction products were detected for both genes. After in vitro digestion, much of the alpha(1)-antitrypsin was still intact, whereas many other milk proteins were digested. Much of the lactoferrin was still intact after digestion, but only when alpha(1)-antitrypsin was added. The results suggest that alpha(1)-antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin are produced by the mammary gland and are present in milk in relatively high amounts in early lactation. alpha(1)-Antitrypsin may survive digestion and may affect the survival of other proteins.


Using Cognitive Testing to Develop Items for Surveying Asian American Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers as a Pathway to Culturally Competent Care.
We report the results from cognitive interviews with Asian American patients and their caregivers. We interviewed seven caregivers and six patients who were all bilingual Asian Americans. The main goal of the cognitive interviews was to test a survey instrument developed for a study about perspectives of Asian American patients with advanced cancer who are facing decisions around end-of-life care. We were particularly interested to see whether items commonly used in White and Black populations are culturally meaningful and equivalent in Asian populations, primarily those of Chinese and Vietnamese ethnicity. Our exploration shows that understanding respondents' language proficiency, degree of acculturation, and cultural context of receiving, processing, and communicating information about medical care can help design questions that are appropriate for Asian American patients and caregivers, and therefore can help researchers obtain quality data about the care Asian American cancer patients receive.


Acute collective gas poisoning at work in a manure storage tank.
Cases of deaths in manure or septic tanks are rare in legal-medical practice, more frequently as unfortunate occupational accidents. Poisoning with toxic gases, especially with hydrogen sulfide, is reported as the cause of death, while the exhaustion of oxygen in the air is omitted with the simultaneous excess of carbon dioxide. In such cases, determination of the direct cause of death constitutes a big problem because post-mortem examination does not reveal the specific changes. A case of acute collective poisoning by gases in a manure storage tank is presented of 5 agricultural workers, 2 of whom died. While explaining the cause of poisoning and deaths, toxicological blood tests were performed in the victims of the accident, as well as gases inside the manure storage tank. The post-mortem examinations and toxicological blood tests performed did not allow determination of the direct cause of death. Toxicological tests of gases from inside the manure tank showed a very low concentration of oxygen, with a simultaneous very high concentration of carbon dioxide, and a considerable level of hydrogen sulfide. The cause of fainting of three and deaths of two workers was not the poisoning with hydrogen sulfide, but oxygen deficiency in the air of the tank.


Disruption of corticocortical information transfer during ketamine anesthesia in the primate brain.
The neural mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness have yet to be fully elucidated, in part because of the diverse molecular targets of anesthetic agents. We demonstrate, using intracortical recordings in macaque monkeys, that information transfer between structurally connected cortical regions is disrupted during ketamine anesthesia, despite preserved primary sensory representation. Furthermore, transfer entropy, an information-theoretic measure of directed connectivity, decreases significantly between neuronal units in the anesthetized state. This is the first direct demonstration of a general anesthetic disrupting corticocortical information transfer in the primate brain. Given past studies showing that more commonly used GABAergic drugs inhibit surrogate measures of cortical communication, this finding suggests the potential for a common network-level mechanism of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness.


Calcium-independent binding of human C-reactive protein to lysophosphatidylcholine in supported planar phospholipid monolayers.
Details describing the molecular dynamics of inflammation biomarker human C-reactive protein (CRP) on plasma membranes containing bioactive lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) remain elusive. Here, we measured the binding kinetics of CRP to supported phospholipid monolayers deposited on an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on a planar gold substrate using surface plasmon resonance. Surprisingly, CRP binding to supported 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/LPC monolayers was calcium-independent although CRP binding to supported POPC monolayers was calcium-dependent. Binding inhibition assays indicate a specific interaction between CRP and the glycerophosphate group in LPC in the absence of calcium ions. Binding experiments on supported POPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) monolayers further validated calcium-independent binding of CRP through the glycerophosphate moiety. Docking analysis predicted a new binding site for LPC in the absence of calcium ions, which is located on the opposite side of the known binding site for PC of cyclic pentameric CRP. These results using model plasma membranes should aid our understanding of the activation dynamics of CRP in altered local microenvironments of inflammation and infection. C-reactive protein (CRP), a major acute-phase pentraxin, binds to plasma membranes through the multivalent contacts with zwitterionic phosphorylcholine groups for activating classical complement systems. However, the interaction of CRP with phosphorylcholine-based biomaterials is unknown due to the lack of our understanding on the activation mechanism of CRP in altered local microenvironments. This paper reports the novel calcium-independent interaction of CRP to bioactive phospholipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in supported phospholipids monolayers as determined using SPR. Binding inhibition experiments indicate exposure of glycerophosphate moiety of LPC is responsible for the calcium-free interaction. Our study may explode the established concept that CRP requires calcium for binding to LPC on damaged cell membranes or biomaterials.


Semen analysis in the Usher syndrome type 2A.
Semen analysis in patients with Usher syndrome suggested that defective connecting cilia axonemes may be involved in the irreversible, progressive loss of photoreceptors in Usher's syndrome. In the framework of clinical genetic research into Usher syndrome, a pilot study was set up to test these findings. The semen of 6 Usher 2A patients was analysed. The fertility status of the study group of Usher 2A patients was evaluated, including semen analysis, supplemented by electron microscopic examination of the spermatozoa. Except for a significantly increased pH value, no abnormalities were found in the functional semen analysis, whereas electron microscopy revealed microtubular tail abnormalities. The latter finding was of little relevance, however, in view of the normal motility of the spermatozoa observed in these patients. There were no fertility problems in our group of Usher 2A patients, nor have any been mentioned in Usher patients in general. Earlier study findings were not supported by our data.


Fibularis tertius muscle in women & men: A surface anatomy cross-sectional study across countries.
The fibularis tertius muscle (FTM) is a rare anatomic variation. The prevalence of this exclusively human structure, which is found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is often underestimated, and it is believed that foot and ankle conditions are more difficult to manage in patients with an FTM. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of the FTM palpation and determine whether its presence is associated with an individual's sex, because the exact prevalence in males and females is unclear. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out. The study included 481 people (23.49% men and 76.51% women) with a mean age of 23.51±5.369 years, who were recruited from a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Clinic (Spain). Data on routine demographic and clinical factors were recorded, and the presence or absence of the FTM was determined based on surface visual or palpated localization of the tendon (using a consistent protocol). The FTM was present in 38.25% (184/481) of the participants. Furthermore, FTM were present in 38.6% (142/481) of females and 37.2% (42/481) of males. The study revealed that the presence of the FTM varies between individuals and does not depend on an individual's sex. Significant differences in the prevalence of the FTM between countries should be carefully evaluated rather than generalizing the results of this Spanish study to other non-Spanish populations. Larger numbers of participants should be enrolled in future studies in order to meet the statistical criteria.


Transmission electron microscopic study of interface between bioactive bone cement and bone: comparison of apatite and wollastonite containing glass-ceramic filler with hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate fillers.
We developed a bioactive bone cement that consists of apatite and wollastonite containing glass-ceramic (AW-GC) powder and bisphenol-a-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) based resin. In this study, we made three types of cement (designated AWC, HAC, and TCPC) consisting of either AW-GC, hydroxyapatite (HA), or beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) powder as the inorganic filler and Bis-GMA based resin as the organic matrix. These cements were implanted into rat tibiae and cured in situ. Specimens were prepared 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the operation and observed using transmission electron microscopy. Each of the bone cements was in direct contact with the bone. In AWC-implanted tibiae, the uncured surface layer of Bis-GMA based resin was completely filled with newly formed bone-like tissue 2 weeks after implantation. The AW-GC particles were surrounded by bone and were in contact with bone through an apatite layer. No intervening soft tissue was seen. In HAC-implanted tibiae, it took 4 weeks for the uncured layer to completely fill with newly formed bonelike tissue. The HA particles were also in contact with bone through an apatite layer. In TCPC-implanted tibiae, it took 8 weeks for the uncured layer to fill with newly formed bone-like tissue. The new bone that formed on the TCPC was not as dense as that on the AWC or HAC, and an intervening apatite layer was not evident. Results indicated that AWC had higher bioactivity than either HAC or TCPC.


Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of two new antioxidants: 4-O- and 3-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acids.
Chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoyl quinic acid (CQA)) extracted from Hydrangea macrophylla (44%, w/w) with 98% purity, was acylated with palmitic acid by Novozym 435 to yield mono-acylated CQA. Acylation of CQA was achieved in 2-methyl-2-butanol at 60°C, and yielded two mono-acylated products: a major product acylated at the C-4 of the quinic moiety (4-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acid) and a minor product acylated at the C-3 (3-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acid). The bioconversions obtained in 7 days ranged from 14 to 60% and were influenced by the molar ratio of palmitic acid/CQA, which ranged from 10 to 80. The regioselectivity (4-O-palmitoyl/3-O-palmitoyl ratio) of the reaction was also affected by the molar ratio, and ranged from 90 to 70%. The scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radicals demonstrated that these palmitoyl CQA derivatives are associated with antioxidant activity (70% vs CQA).


Evaluation of multimodal segmentation based on 3D T1-, T2- and FLAIR-weighted images - the difficulty of choosing.
Voxel-based morphometry is still mainly based on T1-weighted MRI scans. Misclassification of vessels and dura mater as gray matter has been previously reported. Goal of the present work was to evaluate the effect of multimodal segmentation methods available in SPM12, and their influence on identification of age related atrophy and lesion detection in epilepsy patients. 3D T1-, T2- and FLAIR-images of 77 healthy adults (mean age 35.8 years, 19-66 years, 45 females), 7 patients with malformation of cortical development (MCD) (mean age 28.1 years,19-40 years, 3 females), and 5 patients with left hippocampal sclerosis (LHS) (mean age 49.0 years, 25-67 years, 3 females) from a 3T scanner were evaluated. Segmentation based on T1-only, T1+T2, T1+FLAIR, T2+FLAIR, and T1+T2+FLAIR were compared in the healthy subjects. Clinical VBM results based on the different segmentation approaches for MCD and for LHS were compared. T1-only segmentation overestimated total intracranial volume by about 80ml compared to the other segmentation methods. This was due to misclassification of dura mater and vessels as GM and CSF. Significant differences were found for several anatomical regions: the occipital lobe, the basal ganglia/thalamus, the pre- and postcentral gyrus, the cerebellum, and the brainstem. None of the segmentation methods yielded completely satisfying results for the basal ganglia/thalamus and the brainstem. The best correlation with age could be found for the multimodal T1+T2+FLAIR segmentation. Highest T-scores for identification of LHS were found for T1+T2 segmentation, while highest T-scores for MCD were dependent on lesion and anatomical location. Multimodal segmentation is superior to T1-only segmentation and reduces the misclassification of dura mater and vessels as GM and CSF. Depending on the anatomical region and the pathology of interest (atrophy, lesion detection, etc.), different combinations of T1, T2 and FLAIR yield optimal results.


La operacion.
At long last we have some official information regarding that troublesome statistic often used by persons implying a genocidal plot in Puerto Rico: "35% fo all Puerto Rican women have been sterilized." According to a letter received by Mrs. Mary Morain, AVS board member, from Dr. Maria Teresa Berio, president of Puerto Rico's Commission for the Improvement of Women's Rights: Sterilization is a favorite method of the Puerto Rican women for family planning. It began in 1943 and its rate among women of reproductive age increased until 1968 when, according to a study done by Dr. Jose Velasquez Calzada, professor of demography of the University of Puerto Rico, School of Public Health, it reached 35%. The government had never officially offered these services through its family planning progra. In february 1974, when the leadership of the program was reorganized and the socioeconomic composition of that 35% was analyzed, it was found that the majority, almost 66% of the women, were of the upper class and the upper middle class, denying the concept that only the poor are sterilized and at the same time indicating an injustice in regard to the accessibility of these services. Only women of means or those who could pay were being sterilized, and those with lower incomes had no access to these services although they wanted and needed them as much as those who could pay. It was in order to correct an injustice in the offering of sterilization services that we decided to offer this operation free of charge to all strata of society. The poor did not have the same access as the rich to these serviecs. The Puerto Rican Family Planning Program is strictly voluntary. In no way are people convinced or coerced to use these services. The people of Puerto Rico have enthusiastically endorsed the family planning program. In a study carried out in 1974 by the Department of Health, 83% of the population believes that sterilization should be offered by the program and should be free of charge.


Genetic polymorphism of prophenoloxidase A1 in Drosophila melanogaster.
Electrophoretic variations of prophenoloxidase were obtained from natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster. A1, one of the 2 isoforms of the prophenoloxidases, is polymorphic: 10 fast-migrating and 2 slow-migrating types were found in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis among 271 wild strains. The majority were the intermediate-migrating type. By use of these variants, A1 gene was mapped at 79.6 on the right arm of the second chromosome. By deletion mapping, its cytological position was located at 55A-B. In the electropherograms, hybrids between the types differing in mobility exhibited 3 bands, indicating that A1 is a dimeric protein. The gene for A1 is expressed through larval, pupal and adult stages.


Theoretical explanations for preschoolers' lowercase alphabet knowledge.
Letter knowledge is a key aspect of children's language development, yet relatively little research has aimed to understand the nature of lowercase letter knowledge. We considered 4 hypotheses about children's lowercase letter knowledge simultaneously--uppercase familiarity, uppercase-lowercase similarity, own-name advantage, and frequency in printed English--as well as 3 interactions. Participants were 461 children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years, all of whom attended public preschool programs serving primarily children from low-income homes, who completed a letter naming task. Uppercase familiarity was the strongest predictor of children's lowercase alphabet knowledge; children were more than 16 times more likely to know a lowercase letter if they knew the corresponding uppercase letter. Uppercase-lowercase similarity and frequency in printed English also predicted children's lowercase letter knowledge, as did the interaction between uppercase familiarity and own-name advantage and the interaction between uppercase familiarity and uppercase-lowercase similarity. Findings suggest that transference from uppercase letter knowledge may be a primary mechanism for lowercase letter knowledge and that young children's knowledge of the lowercase alphabet letters is multiply determined.


Neural mechanisms of prospection in individuals with schizotypal traits, autistic traits, or depressive symptoms.
Prospection refers to the ability to mentally construct future events, which is closely related to motivation and anhedonia. The neural underpinning of impaired prospection in psychiatric populations remains unclear. We recruited 34 individuals with autistic traits (AT), 27 individuals with schizotypal traits (ST), 31 individuals with depressive symptoms (DS), and 35 controls. Participants completed a prospection task while undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). We found that regions of the "default mode network" including the medial frontal gyrus, the posterior cingulate cortex, the precuneus and the parahippocampus were activated; and regions of the "task-positive network" including the inferior parietal lobe, the inferior frontal gyrus and the precentral gyrus were deactivated during prospection in controls. Compared with controls, AT, ST, and DS showed comparable behavioral performance on prospection. However, reduced activation in anterior cingulate cortex and frontal gyrus was found in AT individuals relative to controls during prospection. ST individuals showed hyperactivation in the caudate relative to controls when processing positive emotion, while DS individuals and controls showed similar neural responses during prospection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


Effect of Encoding on Prospective Memory.
Event-based prospective memory (ProM) refers to remembering to execute planned actions in response to a target ProM cues. Encoding modality influences ProM performance; visual encoding has been studied more than auditory encoding. Further, it has not yet been examined whether different encoding may influence ProM performance in different encoding modalities. This study examines the effects of encoding modality (visual vs. auditory), cue-encoding specificity (specific cue vs. non-specific cue), and encoding modes (standard vs. implementation intention) on event-based ProM tasks. In Experiment 1, cue specificity and encoding modality were manipulated as a within-groups encoding of visual cues is more commonly and between-groups variable. Results revealed the facilitative effect of cue specificity on ProM performance. Also, with respect to encoding modality, participants showed better performance when receiving auditory instructions compared with the visual encoding condition. In Experiment 2, as in Experiment 1, cue specificity and encoding modality were manipulated. Encoding mode was added as a new between-group variable. Result revealed that there was a significant interaction between encoding modality and encoding modes. Visual implementation intention encoding was a more effective method for improving ProM performance compared with visual standard encoding. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between cue-encoding specificity and encoding modes. Implementation intention encoding enhances ProM performance in non-specific cue-encoding conditions. Overall, the present study found that (1) auditory encoding modality showed superior ProM performance compared with visual encoding, although implementation intention had facilitative on ProM performance regardless of the encoding modalities, and (2) there was better ProM performance under specific encoding compared with non-specific encoding, and implementation intention had a facilitative effect on ProM performance in the non-specific condition.


Ethanol-Sensitive Pacemaker Neurons in the Mouse External Globus Pallidus.
Although ethanol is one of the most widely used drugs, we still lack a full understanding of which neuronal subtypes are affected by this drug. Pacemaker neurons exert powerful control over brain circuit function, but little is known about ethanol effects on these types of neurons. Neurons in the external globus pallidus (GPe) generate pacemaker activity that controls basal ganglia, circuitry associated with habitual and compulsive drug use. We performed patch-clamp recordings from GPe neurons and found that bath application of ethanol dose-dependently decreased the firing rate of low-frequency GPe neurons, but did not alter the firing of high-frequency neurons. GABA or glutamate receptor antagonists did not block the ethanol effect. The GPe is comprised of a heterogeneous population of neurons. We used Lhx6-EGFP and Npas1-tdTm mice strains to identify low-frequency neurons. Lhx6 and Npas1 neurons exhibited decreased firing with ethanol, but only Npas1 neurons were sensitive to 10 mM ethanol. Large-conductance voltage and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel have a key role in the ethanol effect on GPe neurons, as the application of BK channel inhibitors blocked the ethanol-induced firing decrease. Ethanol also increased BK channel open probability measured in single-channel recordings from Npas1-tdTm neurons. In addition, in vivo electrophysiological recordings from GPe showed that ethanol decreased the firing of a large subset of low-frequency neurons. These findings indicate how selectivity of ethanol effects on pacemaker neurons can occur, and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to acute ethanol effects on the basal ganglia.


Herpes in the time of AIDS: a comparison of the epidemiology of HIV-1 and HSV-2 in young men in northern Thailand.
To compare the epidemiologic pattern of HIV-1, a recently introduced sexually transmitted disease (STD) agent in Thailand, with the pattern of HSV-2, a well-established STD agent, so that future trends for both viruses can be better understood. We obtained questionnaire data and determined HSV-2 (by specific gG-2) and HIV-1 seroreactivity in a cohort of 1,115 young male army conscripts who entered service in northern Thailand in 1991. Seroprevalence of HIV-1 and HSV-2 was 6.9% and 14.9%, respectively. For HSV-2-seropositive men who reported previous genital ulcers, HIV-1 seroprevalence was 32%. For most variables, there was a close correspondence between the prevalence ratios for HIV-1 and for HSV-2, except that prevalence ratios for HIV-1 tended to be greater than the corresponding ratios for HSV-2. The seroprevalence of both viruses was strongly related to early and frequent contact with female sex workers (FSWs), infrequent use of condoms with FSWs, and residence in the upper north region of Thailand. When differences in sexual behavior between the upper north and lower north were controlled for, the seroprevalence of both viruses still differed significantly by region. Although the seroprevalence levels of HSV-2 and HIV-1 were quite different in this cohort of Thai army conscripts in 1991, the patterns of infection in terms of demographic, residential, and behavioral variables were similar. Seroprevalence studies of HSV-2 in other populations, particularly where the HIV-1 epidemic is just beginning, may be useful in predicting which subgroups might be most vulnerable to the epidemic and could therefore benefit the most from public health intervention. Where differences in the patterns of the two viruses have been noted, we hypothesize that the pattern for HIV-1 will evolve toward that seen for HSV-2.


Stimuli-Responsive Biomass Cellulose Particles Being Able to Reversibly Self-Assemble at Fluid Interface.
Stimuli-responsive surface-active microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) particles are obtained by interaction with conventional cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous media, where MCC are in situ hydrophobized by adsorption of the cationic surfactant in water via electrostatic interaction and with the in situ hydrophobization removed by adding an equimolar amount of an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The trigger is that the electrostatic interaction between the oppositely charged ionic surfactants is stronger than that between the cationic surfactant and the negative charges on particle surfaces, or the anionic surfactant prefers to form ion pairs with the cationic surfactants and thus making them desorbed from surface of MCC. Reversible O/W Pickering emulsions can then be obtained by using the MCC in combination with trace amount of a cationic surfactant and an anionic surfactant, and the anionic surfactant with a longer alkyl chain is more efficient for demulsification. With excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, as well as low toxicity, the biomass cellulose particles that can be made stimuli-responsive and able to reversibly self-assemble at fluid interface become ideal biocompatible particulate materials with extensive applications involving emulsions and foams.


Amniotic and allantoic fluid concentrations of thyroxine, 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine, 3,3'-di-iodothyronine and 3',5'-di-iodothyronine in the pig during the period of gestation.
Thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine (reverse T3; rT3) and di-iodothyronines (3,3'-T2 and 3',5'-T2) were measured in pig amniotic fluid (AF) and allantoic fluid (Al) between 32 and 113 days of normal pregnancy. Low but measurable quantities of T4 in AF and Al (2.1 +/- 0.3 and 3.2 +/- 0.5 nmol/l respectively) were found before the onset of fetal thyroid gland function, which indicates the maternal source of T4. The presence of rT3 (55.8 +/- 4.1 pmol/l in AF and 49.8 +/- 5.3 pmol/l in Al), 3,3'-T2 (45.5 +/- 0.6 pmol/l in AF and 49.2 +/- 9.2 pmol/l in Al) and 3',5'-T2 (20.8 +/- 2.6 pmol/l in AF and 24.0 +/- 2.2 pmol/l in Al) may be attributed to the monodeiodinase system already active in fetal pig tissues in early pregnancy, as demonstrated previously. T3 concentration was undetectable in both AF and Al. An approximately twofold increase in the levels of T4, rT3 and T2s in AF and Al at mid-gestation was observed. T4 and rT3 in AF showed a positive correlation with protein concentrations. AF rT3 concentration (but not T4) correlated with rT3 in the cord and maternal serum. The 3,3'-T2 and 3',5'-T2 in AF and Al showed parallel changes to rT3, while the rT3/3,3'-T2 and rT3/3',5'-T2 molar ratios remained constant. T4 concentrations in AF and Al were markedly lower than in corresponding maternal and fetal serum; the rT3 concentration in Al was equal to that in AF and two to four times lower than in fetal serum. In spite of differences between serum hormone patterns in the pig and human near term, iodothyronine concentrations in AF showed some similarities, mainly the following: undetectable T3, a strong correlation between rT3, T4 and AF total protein and the presence of 3,3'-T2 and 3',5'-T2 in measurable levels. Comparative data for Al, except the ones in the present study in the pig, are not available.


Rapid identification of Listeria species and screening for variants by melting curve and high-resolution melting curve analyses of the intergenic spacer region of the rRNA gene.
The presence of any Listeria species in food may be an indicator of poor hygiene in food processing facilities. The biochemical identification of Listeria species is laborious and time consuming. Therefore, the development of novel identification methods that are rapid and simple to perform would be an asset. In this study, large intergenic spacer region amplicons of 343-374 bp were generated from 207 Listeria isolates. The melting curve analysis of these amplicons specifically classified all isolates into 6 Listeria species and generated 11 high-resolution melting (HRM) curve profiles. In this study, 3 HRM profiles were found in Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua, and 2 were found in Listeria seeligeri. Sequencing of the amplicons representing these profiles revealed that each profile related to a unique sequence. The smallest difference recognized in this study was 1 nt. The results represented in this study show that HRM curve analysis of Listeria intergenic spacer sequences is a simple, quick, and reproducible method of simultaneously identifying 6 Listeria species and screening for variants. In particular, the completion of both reaction and analysis in a closed tube saves time by eliminating the separate steps and lowers the risk of contamination.


Photoenergy storage and power amplification strategy in membrane-less photoelectrochemical biofuel cells.
The photoelectrochemical biofuel cell (PBFC) has drawn great attention because of its potential in the conversion of both photoenergy and chemical energy from biomass into electricity. Herein, we proposed a novel integrated PBFC by insetting a third electrode with high efficiency energy storage and release between the bioelectrode and the photoelectrode, resulting in a higher power output than that of the original PBFC.


Sleep seizures versus wake seizures: a comparative hospital study on clinical, electroencephalographic and radiological profile.
Epileptic seizures, predominantly or exclusively during sleep had been the focus of attention for many electroencephalographers. Though few epileptic syndromes are associated with sleep seizures (SS) its frequencies in Indian patients is still unknown. To find out the patterns of epilepsies in patients having SS and compare them with patients having wake seizures (WS). Open label hospital based study. One hundred and forty-four (13%) patients having predominantly SS were compared with 976 (87%) patients of WS by various clinical, electrophysiological and radiological factors. Chi square test and student T test, using software SPSS (version 10, 1999) was applied to compare various parameters. Relative risk was calculated by 2 x 2 contingency table. The seizure semiology was better defined in patients with WS and GTCS was more common in SS (P=0.001). Wake-electroencephalogram (EEG) was abnormal in significantly (P=0.001) higher number of patients with WS. Symptomatic etiologies were found in more than half patients. Left lobe involvement was more common in patients having SS (P=0.000). After symptomatic, idiopathic generalized and frontal lobe epilepsy were most frequent with SS. Undetermined epilepsy was found in 37 (25.7%) patients with SS. Epilepsies associated with SS were less frequent and had symptomatic cause in most cases. Left hemispherical and frontal lobe lesion were more commonly associated with SS. Frontal lobe and idiopathic generalized epilepsy was most frequent in patients of SS. Sleep EEG should always be done in patients with sleep seizures.


Stress relaxation of porcine tendon under simulated biological environment: experiment and modeling.
The aim of the study was to investigate the viscoelastic response in the low and high physiological strain with the use of experimental and modeling approach. Viscoelastic response in the low, transition and high physiologic strain (3, 6 and 9%) with consideration of simulated biological environment (0.9% saline solution, 37 °C) was measured in relaxation tests. Preconditioning of tendons was considered in the testing protocol and the applied range of load was obtained from tensile testing. The quasi-linear viscoelasticity theory was used to fit experimental data to obtain constants (moduli and times of relaxation), which can be used for description of the viscoelastic behavior of tendons. The exponential non-linear elastic representation of the stress response in ramp strain was also estimated. Differences between stress relaxation process can be seen between tendons stretched to the physiological strain range (3%) and exceeding this range (6 and 9%). The strains of 6% and 9% showed a similar stress relaxation trend displaying relatively rapid relaxation for the first 70 seconds, whereas the lowest strain of 3% displayed relatively slow relaxation. Results of the model fitting showed that the quasi-linear viscoelastic model gives the best fit in the range of low physiological strain level.


Effects of CO(2) and O(2) on Photosynthesis and Growth of Autotrophic Tobacco Callus.
Mean inhibition of net photosynthesis in autotrophic tobacco callus by 21 and 40% O(2) was 30 and 47%, respectively, similar to intact leaves. Increasing CO(2) concentrations (500-2000 microliters per liter) produced a steady decline in percent inhibition at both O(2) concentrations, indicating that O(2) inhibition resulted primarily from photorespiration. Net photosynthetic rate was plotted as a function of CO(2) concentration at 1, 21, and 40% O(2) for calculation of kinetic constants. Values for V(max) were similar at all O(2) concentrations (x = 5.27 mumol CO(2) per gram fresh weight per hour), indicating that O(2) inhibition of net photosynthesis was fully reversible by CO(2). To determine whether CO(2) and O(2) produced similar effects on growth, autotrophic callus was incubated for three weeks in atmospheres of normal air, high CO(2), high O(2) and high CO(2)/high O(2). Growth in high CO(2) was nearly double that in normal air. High O(2) decreased growth significantly relative to air, but growth in high CO(2)/high O(2) was similar to that in air. Lack of CO(2) reversal of growth inhibition by O(2) indicates that prolonged exposure to high O(2) results in toxicity arising from a nonphotorespiratory source. Growth of heterotrophic callus (2% sucrose), however, was not inhibited by 40 or 60% O(2), suggesting that O(2) toxicity in autotrophic callus results primarily from disruption of photosynthetic functions.


Biosynthesis of malonylated flavonoid glycosides on the basis of malonyltransferase activity in the petals of Clitoria ternatea.
The crude malonyltransferase from the petals of Clitoria ternatea was characterized enzymatically to investigate its role on the biosynthetic pathways of anthocyanins and flavonol glycosides. In C. ternatea, a blue flower cultivars (DB) and mauve flower variety (WM) accumulate polyacylated anthocyanins (ternatins) and delphinidin 3-O-(6''-O-malonyl)-beta-glucoside which is one of the precursors of ternatins, respectively. Moreover, WM accumulates minor delphinidin glycosides - 3-O-beta-glucoside, 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucoside, 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl-6''-O-malonyl)-beta-glucoside of delphinidin. These glycosidic patterns for minor anthocyanins in WM are also found among the minor flavonol glycosides in all the varieties including a white flower variety (WW) although the major flavonol glycosides are 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucoside, 3-O-(6''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucoside, 3-O-(2'',6''-di-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucoside of kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. How do the enzymatic characteristics affect the variety of glycosidic patterns in the flavonoid glycoside biosynthesis among these varieties? While the enzyme from DB highly preferred delphinidin 3-O-beta-glucoside in the presence of malonyl-CoA, it also has a preference for other anthocyanidin 3-O-beta-glucosides. It could use flavonol 3-O-beta-glucosides in much lower specific activities than anthocyanins; however, it could not utilize 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucosides of anthocyanins and flavonols, and 3,3'-di- and 3,3',5'-tri-O-beta-glucoside of delphinidin - other possible precursors in ternatins biosynthesis. It highly preferred malonyl-CoA as an acyl donor in the presence of delphinidin 3-O-beta-glucoside. The crude enzymes prepared from WM and WW had the same enzymatic characteristics. These results suggested that 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl-6''-O-malonyl)-beta-glucosides of flavonoids were synthesized via 3-O-(6''-O-malonyl)-beta-glucosides rather than via 3-O-(2''-O-alpha-rhamnosyl)-beta-glucosides, and that malonylation proceeded prior to glucosylation at the B-ring of delphinidin in the early biosynthetic steps towards ternatins. It seemed that the substrate specificities largely affected the difference in the accumulated amount of malonylated glycosides between anthocyanins and flavonols although they are not simply proportional to the accumulation ratio. This enzyme might join in the production of both malonylanthocyanins and flavonol malonylglycosides as a result of broad substrate specificities towards flavonoid 3-O-beta-glucosides.


The spontaneous umbilical perforation of the distal end of ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
We present a case of umbilical perforation of the distal end of ventriculoperitoneal shunt as a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts including an umbilical abscess and an infection related with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The ventriculoperitoneal catheter was removed, the umbilical abscess was drained and appropriate medication was employed for infection with successful outcome. Possible factors that might predispose to these complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunting are suggested.


The response of platelets to epinephrine in storage pool deficiency--evidence pertaining to the role of adenosine diphosphate in mediating primary and secondary aggregation.
Aggregation responses and thromboxane (Tx) formation in ten patients with storage pool deficiency (SPD) specific to the dense granules (delta-SPD) were studied to assess further the role of dense granule adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in mediating platelet aggregation by epinephrine. The ability of epinephrine to elicit secondary aggregation (SA) responses was highly variable in delta-SPD when tested at 5 mumol/L epinephrine, but was consistently abnormal when tested over a range of concentrations. The occurrence of SA in both delta-SPD patients and normal subjects was correlated with the magnitude of the rate of primary aggregation (PA). This PA rate was normal, on average, for the entire patient group but was greater in patients with more consistent SA responses. The PA findings were related to the Kd value obtained in binding studies with 3H-yohimbine, but not with the number of alpha 2-receptor sites. Studies on Tx production (assessed by radioimmunoassay of TxB2) showed that the ability to synthesize Tx from arachidonate was not impaired in delta-SPD, and that there was an absolute positive correlation between epinephrine-induced SA and Tx production. Aggregation in delta-SPD platelets in response to the Tx receptor agonist U44069 was consistently decreased, but could be corrected by addition of ADP. The results of the study suggest that dense granule-derived ADP is not required for PA by epinephrine, but mediates SA as a synergistic agonist with TxA2. This role of ADP in SA may be elucidated more precisely by further studies on platelet activation processes in delta-SPD.


An efficacy study of a metacognitive group intervention for people with schizophrenia.
Poor cognitive outcomes among people with schizophrenia are associated with poor function in daily life. Cognitive interventions aimed at improving function lead to better cognitive outcomes, but the question of generalization to real-world functioning remains relevant. The ability to generalize or to apply learned skills in the clinic to everyday functioning must include metacognitive components which are the underlying mechanisms of function. To address such generalization, we developed a metacognitive group intervention based on Toglia's (2005) dynamic interactional model, which aims to promote daily activities and participation by focusing on metacognitive components. We assessed 84 participants with schizophrenia (41 in the control group and 43 in the intervention group) before and after completing the intervention and at a 12-week follow-up. Assessments addressed executive function, performance, and participation. The intervention group's performance, participation, and everyday functions significantly increased post-intervention and at follow-up, compared with the control group. Results provide important information about the potential for change in real-world functioning and a basis for the rationale of employing metacognitive interventions in this population.


Autognosis rounds for medical house staff.
The authors describe the autognosis countertransference rounds for medical house staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital. At these rounds, which have been held weekly for more than a decade in the intensive care unit, countertransference phenomena and their relationship to medical practice are discussed. Methods that have facilitated the autognostic process are provided and highlighted by brief case examples. Participants at these rounds report that their self-awareness increases and the clinical care they provide often improves.


Can we achieve public accountability for graduate medical education outcomes?
Calls for greater public accountability for graduate medical education (GME) outcomes continue to come from a broad array of stakeholders. Creation of ways to measure accountability requires a clear understanding of the domains of GME outcomes and the creation of specific measures that are reliable and accurate and do not create an undue measurement burden. Three domains of outcomes are necessary: individual trainee competence, the quality and diversity of the training environment, and workforce factors that address workforce size, specialty mix, diversity, and geographic distribution. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has begun to develop measures that have the potential to form the basis of the first two domains, and other data sources exist to measure the quality of the training environment. Little progress, however, has been made to accurately describe institution-specific workforce outcomes. The article by Chen and colleagues in this issue makes a major contribution in the measurement of institution-specific outcomes. Their article creates optimism that a system that incentivizes and rewards specific desirable GME outcomes can be designed. This commentary further defines some practical next steps to achieve this desired GME accountability.


A rapid and sensitive microassay for bacterial collagenase and other proteolytic activities on collagenous substrates.
Many of the common substrate digestion assays have the disadvantage of being tedious and expensive, thus aggravating serial determinations of collagenase activity. In the assay presented here, the proteolytic reaction proceeds on a sheet of chromatographic paper bearing spots of dried gelatin or collagen solutions. After application of the enzyme sample, the sheets are incubated in a water-saturated atmosphere for 45 min and the reaction products are visualized by spraying with chromatographic, ninhydrin-containing peptide reagents. By its specific yellow staining, the activity of bacterial collagenase can be discriminated from the gray, brown, red, or violet spots which are produced by eight tested noncollagenolytic proteases. The detection limit for collagenase activity reaches down to 0.002 U in a sample volume of 1-2 microliters dropped onto a spot of 25 microliters gelatin solution (3%), thus corresponding with the sensitivity of a conventional radioassay. The sensitivity for noncollagenolytic proteases is better than 2 ng per sample, herewith exceeding a common casein-agar diffusion test. The method is also evaluated for native collagen. Within 1.5 h, 100 samples can be assayed. An example for the application in a collagenase purification step (ion exchange chromatography) is also presented.


J774 murine macrophage-like cell interactions with Cryptococcus neoformans in the presence and absence of opsonins.
The interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with the murine macrophage-like cell line J774.16 was studied in the presence and absence of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). In the absence of MAb 2H1 to GXM, coincubation of J774.16 cells with C. neoformans reduced fungal colony-forming units in only 26.6% of 21 independent experiments. In the presence of MAb 2H1, coincubation of J774.16 cells with C. neoformans reduced fungal colony-forming units in > 95% of experiments. Comparison of the relative efficacy of two IgG1 MAbs revealed that the higher affinity MAb was more effective at low concentrations. Antibody-mediated reductions of C. neoformans colony-forming units by J774.16 cells occurred despite inhibition of nitric oxide synthase, addition of reactive oxygen intermediate scavengers, or the use of a superoxide-deficient J774 mutant line.


Changing the food environment: the effect of trained volunteers on mealtime care for older people in hospital.
This review will describe the evidence for changing the hospital environment to improve nutrition of older people, with particular emphasis on the role of additional mealtime assistance. Poor nutrition among older people in hospital is well recognised in many countries and is associated with poor outcomes of hospital care including increased mortality and longer lengths of stay. Factors recognised to contribute to poor dietary intake include acute illness, co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, low mood and medication. The hospital environment has also been scrutinised with reports from many countries of food being placed out of reach or going cold because time-pressured ward and catering staff often struggle to help an increasingly dependent group of patients at mealtimes. Routine screening in hospital for people at risk of under nutrition is recommended. Coloured trays and protected mealtimes are widespread although there is relatively little evidence for their impact on dietary intake. Volunteers can be trained to sfely give additional mealtime assistance including feeding to older patients on acute medical wards. They can improve the quality of mealtime care for patients and nursing staff although the evidence for improved dietary intake is mixed. In conclusion, improving the nutrition of older patients in hospital is challenging. Initiatives such as routine screening, the use of coloured trays, protected mealtimes and additional mealtime assistance can work together synergistically. Volunteers are likely to be increasingly important in an era when healthcare systems are generally limited in both financial resources and the ability to recruit sufficient nursing staff.


Yes-Associated Protein Promotes the Development of Condyloma Acuminatum through EGFR Pathway Activation.
Investigate the role of Yes-associated protein (YAP1) in the development of condyloma acuminatum (CA). We enrolled 30 male patients with CA and 20 healthy individuals as a control group, to compare the YAP1 expression in their tissue samples. Following this, we overexpressed and downregulated YAP1 expression in HaCaT cells to examine the migratory, proliferative, and apoptotic potential of HaCaT cells expressing different levels of YAP1. In the CA patient tissue samples, an increase in YAP1 expression can be observed. In vitro,the overexpression of YAP1 was shown to promote the growth and migration of HaCaT cells and to activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway-associated proteins, while the downregulation of YAP1 inhibited cell growth and migration of these cells. YAP1 promotes the growth of keratinocytes in CA through the activation of the EGFR pathway, and it may mediate the development of human papilloma virus-associated diseases.


Role of the Maillard reaction in diabetes mellitus and diseases of aging.
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed by spontaneous chemical reactions between carbohydrates and tissue proteins. The accumulation of AGEs in long-lived proteins contributes to the age-related increase in brown colour, fluorescence and insolubilisation of lens crystallins and to the gradual crosslinking and decrease in elasticity of connective tissue collagens with age. These nonenzymatic reactions, known collectively as Maillard or browning reactions, are also implicated in the development of pathophysiology in age-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and in dialysis-related amyloidosis. Oxygen and oxidation reactions accelerates Maillard reactions in vitro, and the structurally characterised AGEs that accumulate in long-lived tissue proteins are in fact glycoxidation products, formed by sequential glycation and oxidation reactions. In addition to their immediate effects on protein structure and function, AGEs also induce oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and propagation of tissue damage. Thus, glycation of protein, formation of AGEs and resultant oxidative stress, which accelerate Maillard reactions, can initiate an autocatalytic cycle of deleterious reactions in tissues. Pharmacological inhibition of the Maillard reaction should improve the prognosis for a broad range of age-related diseases. The role of oxidative stress as a catalyst and the consequences of Maillard reaction damage in tissues suggests that antioxidant therapy may also retard the progression of age-related pathology.


Human galanin: molecular cloning reveals a unique structure.
Galanin, a novel neuropeptide/hypothalamic hormone originally identified and isolated by virtue of its carboxy-terminal amide group, has recently been shown to have a diverse range of biological activities, including potent effects on the secretion of insulin and growth hormone. The physiological role of galanin remains unclear, with different effects being observed when porcine and rat galanin have been used in various animal model systems and in human studies. Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding human galanin and galanin mRNA associated peptide (GMAP) from both pituitary and neuroblastoma sources has revealed a unique and unexpected structure. In contrast to porcine, bovine and rodent galanin, human galanin lacks a carboxy-terminal amide. By analogy to other neurohormones, the absence of carboxy-terminal amidation would be expected to have significant effects on functional properties such as affinity for different receptor subtypes and physiological half life, and may be responsible for the species specificity observed in the action of galanin.


Detailed MRI-anatomic study of the lateral epicondyle of the elbow and its tendinous and ligamentous attachments in cadavers.
The objective of our study was to document discrete bone landmarks in the lateral epicondyle of the humerus that represent the "footprints" of those tendons and ligaments that attach to it using MRI-anatomic correlation in cadavers. Thirty-three dried humeral specimens were inspected to document bone landmarks in the lateral epicondyle. MRI with anatomic correlation was performed in 10 additional cadaveric elbows. The locations of the tendinous and ligamentous attachments to the lateral epicondyle were determined with respect to the same osseous landmarks. The surface of the lateral epicondyle ranged from a flat surface to a surface with up to six discrete landmarks: superior tubercle, anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, intertubercular sulcus, rough area surrounding the tubercles, and epicondylar ridge. The radial collateral ligament attached to the superior aspect of the intertubercular sulcus and inferior aspect of the superior tubercle and was indistinguishable from the attachment of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament. The extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum communis, and extensor digiti minimi had a common origin in the superior aspect of the lateral epicondyle. The extensor carpi ulnaris tendon arose from the posteroinferior aspect of the lateral epicondyle. Our investigation documents osseous landmarks that are useful in the identification of the footprints of the tendons and ligaments that attach to the lateral epicondyle. Knowledge of these structures contributes to correct interpretation of MR images in persons with tendinous and ligamentous abnormalities in this region.


Embodiment effects and language comprehension in Alzheimer's disease.
It has been shown that when participants are asked to make sensibility judgments on sentences that describe a transfer of an object toward or away from their body, they are faster to respond when the response requires a movement in the same direction as the transfer described in the sentence. This phenomenon is known as the action compatibility effect (ACE). This study investigates whether the ACE exists for volunteers with Alzheimer's disease (AD), whether the ACE can facilitate language comprehension, and also whether the ACE can still be produced if the order of the two events is inverted, that is, whether overt movement can prime comprehension of transfer sentences. In Study 1, participants with AD, younger, and older adults were tested on an adaptation of the ACE Paradigm. In Study 2, the same paradigm was modified to include an arm movement that participants had to perform prior to sentence exposure on screen. In Study 1, young, older adults, and individuals with AD were faster to respond when the direction of the response movement matched the directionality implied by the sentence (ACE). In Study 2, no traditional ACE was found; participants were faster when the direction of the movement immediately preceding the sentence matched the directionality of the sentence. It was found that compatibility effects generated a relative advantage, that transfer schemata are easier to process, and that an ACE-like effect can be the result of mutual priming between language and movement. Results suggested preservation in AD of the neural systems for action engaged during language comprehension, and conditions under which comprehension in AD can be facilitated in real life may be identified.


Single-Mode Semiconductor Nanowire Lasers With Coupled Cavities.
Semiconductor nanowires are one of the most fascinating topics over the past few decades. As miniaturized coherent light sources, semiconductor nanowires have been attracting tremendous attention in recent years for scientific and technological interest as potential ultra-compact, low cost, high efficiency, and low power consumption. Among different types of lasers, one-dimensional nanowires are of great interest as a promising material for next-generation nanophotonics and nanoelectronics applications due to their unique optical and electrical properties. Semiconductor nanowire lasers with single-mode output are vital in a variety of practical applications ranging from signal processing, spectroscopy, displays, optical sensing, on-chip communications, and biological studies. This article reviews the basic technology and research progress of single-mode semiconductor nanowire lasers. Afterward, the key methods and development of the different types of coupling to achieved single-mode laser output are elaborated. Finally, the challenges faced by each scheme are summarized.


COVID-19 pandemic or chaos time management: first-line worker shortage - a qualitative study in three Canadian Provinces.
Over the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, front-line care workers (FLCWs) -in this case, at long-term care facilities (LTCFs)- have been the backbone of the fight. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected LTCFs in terms of the number of cases, deaths, and other morbidities, requiring managers to make rapid and profound shifts. The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of the pandemic on LTCF services offered and LTCFs staff dedicated to linguistic minorities in three Canadian provinces. This qualitative descriptive study involved eleven managers and fourteen FLCWs, from six LTCFs of three Canadian provinces (New-Brunswick, Manitoba and Quebec). A qualitative content analysis was performed to identify key themes describing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the services offered and the management of LTCFs staff. Based on participants' experiences, we identified three main categories of themes. These macro-themes are as follows: (i) organization and management of staff, (ii) communication and decision-making method, and (iii) staff support. The study highlighted the tremendous impact of COVID-19 on direct care staff in terms of the high risks associated with caring for LTCFs residents, which are exacerbated by absences and resignations (sometimes up to 50% of staff), resulting in higher resident to FLCWs ratios. Team members had to support each other, they also received accolades and appreciation from the residents.. Finally, the pandemic led to the rethinking of management procedures centred on a coordinated, inclusive and more hands-on management approach.


Analysis of needlestick injuries among nursing students in Hong Kong.
Research has shown that nursing personnel are exposed to the serious risk of contracting bloodborne diseases from needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs). Only a few studies have examined the problem among nursing students. In Hong Kong, there is an equal lack of research in this area. A review of accident reports in one university was employed to determine the injury rate, causation, and epidemiological profile of NSIs. Descriptive statistics, prevalence, incidence density, cumulative incidence, and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data. From January 2002 to December 2006, there were a total of 51 reported cases of NSIs (43 needlestick injuries and 8 sharps injuries). The annual prevalence of NSIs in four academic years from 2002-2003 to 2005-2006 ranged from 0.6 to 1.6 cases while the incidence rate was one new case per 100 nursing students per academic year. The cumulative incidence of NSIs for year-one, year-two and year-three students were 0, 0.03 and 0.004 respectively. The majority of needlestick injuries (n=25; 58.14%) were from contaminated needles. Procedures involved in the needlestick injuries were giving injection (n=22; 51.16%), collecting urine specimen (n=5; 11.63%), removal of urinary catheter (n=4; 9.30%), and checking blood glucose using glucometer (n=3; 6.98%). Giving injection (n=5; 62.50%) also accounted for the highest percentage of sharps injuries. Specific activities that were identified were opening the needle cap, opening ampoules, inserting the needle and mixing dirty and clean material in one kidney dish. Results showed that nursing students are at high risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens because of NSIs. A hierarchy control involving engineering, administrative and personal behavioral activities is recommended to reduce the occurrence of NSIs among nursing students.


Percutaneous Full Endoscopic Treatment of Bertolotti Syndrome: A Report of Three Cases with Technical Note.
Background Bertolotti syndrome is characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the transverse process of the most caudal lumbar vertebra. Most of the time it is asymptomatic, but when it is symptomatic it is associated with low back pain, radiating leg pain, or both. There is no consensus regarding management of this pathology. Open to minimal invasive tubular resection techniques are described in the literature, but a full endoscopic resection technique has not yet been described. Endoscopic technique is a less invasive target-oriented iliolumbar ligament preserving technique. We report our percutaneous full endoscopic technique for the treatment of symptomatic Bertolotti syndrome. Method We have treated three symptomatic cases of Bertolotti syndrome with the percutaneous endoscopic technique. We review the feasibility of this technique and the outcomes. Result Full endoscopic resection of Bertolotti syndrome is feasible and safe with comparable good outcomes and the added benefits of minimal invasive surgery. Conclusion We believe this novel percutaneous full endoscopic technique will yield good results in the hands of expert endoscopic spine surgeons and can be an alternative treatment method in cases of symptomatic Bertolotti syndrome. To our knowledge this is the first report of percutaneous full endoscopic treatment of Bertolotti syndrome in the world.


Environmental determinants of participation in tourism and recreation of people with varying degrees of disability.
Environmental determinants for participation of disabled subjects in tourism and recreation comprise an important social problem. The amount and use of free time for individuals with disabilities in daily life, holidays, and vacation leave and the location for tourism and recreation were examined. Seven hundred and fifty individuals, aged 16-75 yr, with varying degrees of disability, from three eastern provinces of Poland: Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Podkarpackie were investigated. In these studies, a diagnostic survey method with the use of questionnaire, interviews, and analysis of data was carried out. It was found that individuals with disabilities have a significant amount of free time, which is usually spent with family and friends. Among the specific benefits of participation in physical activities are well-being, health improvement, and making new acquaintances. The main factors determining participation in tourism and recreation were price, a friendly group, and doctor recommendations.


Differences in posttraumatic growth and grief reactions among adolescents by relationship with the deceased.
The aim of this study was to examine three hypotheses: (1) adolescents who had experienced the death of a parent would report higher grief reactions than those who had lost a grandparent; (2) adolescents who experienced the death of a parent would report higher posttraumatic growth than those who had lost a grandparent; and (3) posttraumatic growth and grief reactions are positively associated. To date, no study has investigated adolescents' posttraumatic growth by their relationship with the deceased. Cross-sectional web-based survey. Participants were adolescents who had experienced the death of a parent or grandparent in the last 5 years. Participants completed the Japanese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and grief reaction items. We conducted a web-based survey during January 2014. We used Pearson product-moment correlations to examine the association between each Posttraumatic Growth Inventory domain and each grief reaction item. Differences in the relationship with the deceased for each Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and grief reaction item were compared with an independent-sample t-test. Participants (n = 124) reported grief reactions including 'I began to get frustrated at the little things' (43·5%), 'It was difficult to go to school' (41·1%) and 'I was not able to sleep at night' (33·9%). The independent t-test indicated that parentally bereaved adolescents reported higher grief reactions than those who had lost a grandparent. There were no differences in post-traumatic growth by relationship with the deceased. [corrected]. Pearson's bivariate analysis showed an association between grief reactions and posttraumatic growth. Parentally bereaved adolescents reported higher grief reactions. [corrected]. Nurses should ensure bereaved adolescents receive appropriate support.


Innate immunity to malaria: The good, the bad and the unknown.
Malaria is the cause of 600.000 deaths annually. However, these deaths represent only a tiny fraction of total malaria cases. Repeated natural infections with the causative agent, Plasmodium sp. parasites, induce protection from severe disease but not sterile immunity. Thus, immunity to Plasmodium is incomplete. Conversely, immunization with attenuated sporozoite stage parasites can induce sterile immunity albeit after multiple vaccinations. These different outcomes are likely to be influenced strongly by the innate immune response to different stages of the parasite lifecycle. Even small numbers of sporozoites can induce a robust proinflammatory type I interferon response, which is believed to be driven by the sensing of parasite RNA. Moreover, induction of innate like gamma-delta cells contributes to the development of adaptive immune responses. Conversely, while blood stage parasites can induce a strong proinflammatory response, regulatory mechanisms are also triggered. In agreement with this, intact parasites are relatively weakly sensed by innate immune cells, but isolated parasite molecules, notably DNA and RNA can induce strong responses. Thus, the innate response to Plasmodium parasite likely represents a trade-off between strong pro-inflammatory responses that may potentiate immunity and regulatory processes that protect the host from cytokine storms that can induce life threatening illness.


Femoral compartment syndrome due to haemangiosarcoma in the semimembranosus muscle in a dog.
A five-year-old, entire male German shepherd dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital-Koret School of Veterinary Medicine because of an acute, painful swelling of the right thigh and severe lameness of two-weeks duration. On physical examination, a firm and painful mass was detected in the hamstring region. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed a soft tissue mass, with a 250 cc fluid accumulation craniomedial to it. Intracompartmental pressure measurement with a Wick catheter demonstrated significantly elevated pressure within the right caudal femoral compartment (25 to 28 mmHg compared with 5 to 7 mmHg in the unaffected leg). Surgical exploration of the area was undertaken, fasciotomy and mass excision were performed, and resolution of the clinical signs was achieved. The mass was identified by histopathology results as haemangiosarcoma. Two and a half months after surgery, which was followed by adjunct chemotherapy (doxorubicin), the dog was readmitted with a subcutaneous mass in the same area, although he was not lame at this time. Radiographs of the thoracic cavity demonstrated widely disseminated metastases in the lungs. At that point, the owner elected to have the dog euthanased.


[Results of low-vision rehabilitation in vision impaired patients].
Diseases of the retina, the optic nerve and the cornea may lead to a non-treatable loss of central vision. We report on low vision rehabilitation in 100 vision impaired patients. Low vision rehabilitation was performed in 100 consecutive patients (61 % AMD, 23 % diabetic retinopathy, 16 % other diseases). Most of the patients were between 70 and 90 years old (78 %). In 62 cases we fitted optic systems for visual rehabilitation of the far distance (Galilei systems 54; Kepler systems 8), in additional 54 of them we fitted optic systems for the reading distance (additional lens 40; others 14; e. g. magnifier, television reader) and in 38 patients we fitted optic systems for visual rehabilitation only of the reading distance (magnifier 21, reading glasses with higher refraction and additional prism system 17). In 62 patients with low vision fitted with a system for the far distance we reached an increase of the visual acuity of more than one line in 95 %. In all 92 patients fitted with a system for the reading distance the reading of newspaper letters was possible. In 8 patients we could not fit a low vision systems due to handling difficulties. We could reach a satisfactory improvement of visual acuity in more than 90 % of the patients fitted for the far and the reading distance. Especially in elderly, vision impaired patients significant improvements in overall quality of life and specific areas of daily living are possible.


Synthesis of BiOClx Br1-x Nanoplate Solid Solutions as a Robust Photocatalyst with Tunable Band Structure.
The use of bismuth oxyhalides as photocatalysts has received extensive interest because of their high photocatalytic activity and stability. However, available methods for the synthesis of bismuth oxyhalides with tailored morphologies, well-defined facets, and tunable band gaps are still lacking. In this work, two-dimensional BiOClx Br1-x solid solution with exposed {001} facets and tunable band gaps were synthesized by using solvothermal methods. The BiOClx Br1-x solid solution nanoplates crystallized in a homogeneous crystal structure but possessed continuously tuned band gaps from 3.39 to 2.78 eV by decreasing the ratio of Cl/Br. Among the synthesized nanoplates, the BiOCl0.5 Br0.5 sample exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for degrading Rhodamine B (RhB), a typical organic pollutant, under visible light. The highest photoactivity of the BiOCl0.5 Br0.5 sample was attributed to a synergetic effect of higher surface area, facets exposed, and optimized band structure. The results are of profound significance for the design of novel photocatalyst materials.


[Polymorphism I/D of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and disturbance of blood pressure in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents].
The aim of the study was to evaluate an association between ACE genotypes and blood pressure (BP) disturbances in children and adolescents withType 1 diabetes mellitus. 126 normo-albuminuric, type 1 diabetic children and adolescents at the age 10.5-19.7 years, and duration of diabetes 2.0-17.8 years, were included in the study. All patients were clinically normotensive and normoalbuminuric. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was undertaken in all patients. The values of systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean arterial BP blood pressure and diurnal variation in BP were estimated. Prehypertension was diagnosed as BP values between 90pc or 120/80 mmHg and 95pc. ACE genotypes were assessed using polymerase chain reaction. In 48 individuals (38.1%) prehypertension was diagnosed. ACE genotypes distributed in patients were as follow: 31 (24.6%) genotype II, 45 (35.7%)--ID, and 50 (39.7%)--DD. Patients with DD genotype had higher nocturnal systolic BP (104 vs. 101 mmHg; p=0.029), diastolic BP (54 vs. 52 mmHg, p=0.003) and mean arterial BP (71 vs. 68 mmHg, p=0.003) as compared to carriers of the I allele (group ID + II). In the group DD in compare to the group ID + II lower nocturnal depletion in diastolic BP (18.0 vs. 20.5 mmHg, p=0.024) and mean BP (14.8 vs 16.6 mmHg, p=0.049) was observed. 14% patients of the DD group were non-dipper and 1.32% in the group ID + II (p=0.01). There was no differences in the prevalence of prehypertension between genotype groups (II+ID vs. DD: 38.2 vs. 38.0%, ns). Genotype DD is associated with nocturnal BP abnormalities in normotensive and normo-albuminuric children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. There is no relationship between frequency of prehypertension and ACE gene polymorphism.


Development of simple sequence repeat DNA markers and their integration into a barley linkage map.
Simple sequence repeats (SSRs), or microsatellites, are a new class of PCR-based DNA markers for genetic mapping. The objectives of the present study were to develop SSR markers for barley and to integrate them into an existing barley linkage map. DNA sequences containing SSRs were isolated from a barley genomic library and from public databases. It is estimated that the barley genome contains one (GA)n repeat every 330 kb and one (CA)n repeat every 620 kb. A total of 45 SSRs were identified and mapped to seven barley chromosomes using doubled-haploid lines and/or wheat-barley addition-line assays. Segregation analysis for 39 of these SSRs identified 40 loci. These 40 markers were placed on a barley linkage map with respect to 160 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and other markers. The results of this study demonstrate the value of SSRs as markers in genetic studies and breeding research in barley.


Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Negatively Affect Nitrogen Acquisition and Grain Yield of Maize in a N Deficient Soil.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in enhancing the acquisition of immobile nutrients, particularly phosphorus. However, because nitrogen (N) is more mobile in the soil solution and easier to access by plants roots, the role of AMF in enhancing N acquisition is regarded as less important for host plants. Because AMF have a substantial N demand, competition for N between AMF and plants particularly under low N condition is possible. Thus, it is necessary to know whether or not AMF affect N uptake of plants and thereby affect plant growth under field conditions. We conducted a 2-year field trial and pot experiments in a greenhouse by using benomyl to suppress colonization of maize roots by indigenous AMF at both low and high N application rates. Benomyl reduced mycorrhizal colonization of maize plants in all experiments. Benomyl-treated maize had a higher shoot N concentration and content and produced more grain under field conditions. Greenhouse pot experiments showed that benomyl also enhanced maize growth and N concentration and N content when the soil was not sterilized, but had no effect on maize biomass and N content when the soil was sterilized but a microbial wash added, providing evidence that increased plant performance is at least partly caused by direct effects of benomyl on AMF. We conclude that AMF can reduce N acquisition and thereby reduce grain yield of maize in N-limiting soils.