Effects of digital chatbot on gender attitudes and exposure to intimate partner violence among young women in South Africa.
South Africa has among the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) globally, with young women at heightened risk due to inequitable gender roles, limited relationship skills, and inadequate social support. Despite an urgent need for violence prevention in low- and middle-income settings, most efficacious approaches are time-intensive and costly to deliver. Digital, interactive chatbots may help young women navigate safer relationships and develop healthier gender beliefs and skills. Young women (18-24 years old) across South Africa were recruited via Facebook for participation in an individually randomised controlled trial (n = 19,643) during the period of June 2021-September 2021. Users were randomly allocated, using a pipeline algorithm, to one of four trial arms: Pure Control (PC) had no user engagement outside of study measures; Attention Treatment (T0) provided didactic information about sexual health through a text-based chatbot; Gamified Treatment (T1) was a behaviourally-informed gamified text-based chatbot; Narrative Treatment (T2) was a behaviourally-informed drama delivered through pre-recorded voice notes. All chatbots were delivered in WhatsApp, through which users were invited to complete brief "quizzes" comprising adapted versions of validated scales. Primary outcomes were short-form adaptations of scales for gender attitudes (Gender Relations Scale) and past-month IPV (WHO Multi-country Study Instrument). Secondary outcomes were identification of unhealthy relationship behaviours (Intimate Partner Violence Attitudes Scale) and brief screener for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire). A direct chat link to a trained counsellor was a safety measure (accessed by 4.5% of the sample). We estimated treatment effects using ordinary least squares and heteroskedasticity robust standard errors. The trial retained 11,630 (59.2%) to the primary endpoint of gender attitudes. Compared to control, all treatments led to moderate and significant changes in attitudes towards greater gender equity (Cohen's D = 0.10, 0.29, 0.20 for T0, T1, and T2, respectively). The gamified chatbot (T1) had modest but significant effects on IPV: 56% of young women reported past-month IPV, compared to 62% among those without treatment (marginal effects = -0.07, 95%CI = -0.09to-0.05). The narrative treatment (T2) had no effect on IPV exposure. T1 increased identification of unhealthy relationship behaviours at a moderate and significant level (Cohen's D = 0.25). Neither T1 nor T2 had a measurable effect on depressive symptoms as measured by the brief screener. Interpretation: A behaviourally-informed, gamified chatbot increased gender equitable attitudes and was protective for IPV exposure among young women in South Africa. These effects, while modest in magnitude, could represent a meaningful impact given potential to scale the low-cost intervention.


[Current socioepidemiologic and clinico-pathogenetic aspects of pulmonary tuberculosis in the Republic of Moldova].
Among the first detected patients, there was a reduction in the proportion of subjects with posttuberculous changes in the lung decreases in the presence of the deteriorating epidemiological situation. Risk factors of social diseases are of much importance in the development of tuberculosis at present. Infiltrative processes with lung tissue destruction and bronchogenic dissemination are essential in the clinical pattern of the disease. Exogenous infection and superinfection play an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. For most patients with tuberculosis without residual changes in the lung, the optimum hospital stay is 6 months and the total duration of a basic treatment regimen is 1-1.5 year. To reduce the time of treatment in patients with tuberculosis developed in the presence of residual changes in the lung is now inadvisable.


Characterisation of invasive clinical Haemophilus influenzae isolates in Queensland, Australia using whole-genome sequencing.
Haemophilus influenzae is an important aetiological organism of both adult and child respiratory disease. The number of non-typeable (NTHi) invasive H. influenzae isolates referred to the Queensland (QLD) Public Health Microbiology laboratory has increased notably year-by-year. In this study we used whole-genome sequencing to molecularly characterise 100 referred invasive H. influenzae, including 74 NTHi isolates over a 15-year period, observing the carriage of capsular and putative virulence genes, including the major adhesins, antimicrobial resistance genes and population diversity. Encapsulated isolates were largely clonal, however NTHi isolates displayed high genetic variability by MLST and single nucleotide polymorphism typing with no dominant clone observed. The only mechanism for β-lactam resistance identified in the QLD isolates was β-lactamase production. No single set of virulence determinants was conclusively associated with invasive QLD NTHi isolates.


Needs, expectations and consequences for children growing up in a family where the parent has a mental illness.
The lack of pan-European guidelines for empowering children of parents with mental illness led to the EU project CAMILLE - Empowerment of Children and Adolescents of Mentally Ill Parents through Training of Professionals working with children and adolescents. The aim of this initial task in the project was to analyse needs, expectations and consequences for children with respect to living with a parent with mental illness from the perspective of professionals and family members. This qualitative research was conducted in England, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland and Scotland with 96 professionals, parents with mental illness, adult children and partners of parents with mental illness. A framework analysis method was used. Results of the study highlighted that the main consequences described for children of parental mental illness were role reversal; emotional and behavioural problems; lack of parent's attention and stigma. The main needs of these children were described as emotional support, security and multidisciplinary help. Implications for practice are that professionals working with parents with mental illness should be aware of the specific consequences for the children and encourage parents in their parental role; multi-agency collaboration is necessary; schools should provide counselling and prevent stigma.


Bioreactor production of 2,3-butanediol by Pantoea agglomerans using soybean hull acid hydrolysate as substrate.
Production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) by Pantoea agglomerans strain BL1 was investigated using soybean hull hydrolysate as substrate in batch reactors. The cultivation media consisted of a mixture of xylose, arabinose, and glucose, obtained from the hemicellulosic fraction of the soybean hull biomass. We evaluated the influence of oxygen supply, pH control, and media supplementation on the growth kinetics of the microorganism and on 2,3-BD production. P. agglomerans BL1 was able to simultaneously metabolize all three monosaccharides present in the broth, with average conversions of 75% after 48 h of cultivation. The influence of aeration conditions employed demonstrated the mixed acid pathway of 2,3-BD formation by enterobacteria. Under fully aerated conditions (2 vvm of air), up to 14.02 g L-1 of 2.3-BD in 12 h of cultivation were produced, corresponding to yields of 0.53 g g-1 and a productivity of 1.17 g L-1 h-1, the best results achieved. These results suggest the production potential of 2,3-BD by P. agglomerans BL1, which has been recently isolated from an environmental consortium. The present work proposes a solution for the usage of the hemicellulosic fraction of agroindustry biomasses, carbohydrates whose utilization are not commonly addressed in bioprocess.


Reverse transfection using antibodies against a cell surface antigen in mammalian adherent cell lines.
Reverse transfection from a solid surface has the potential to deliver genes to various cells more efficiently than conventional methods. However, the effective gene delivery from a solid surface requires an optimized extracellular matrix (ECM) for the coating of glass slides, dependent on the nature of the cells. In a search for an appropriate substrate for the universal application to multiple types of cell, we focused on cell surface antigens and examined the effects of antibodies raised against them on gene transfer from an antibody-coated surface. We found that a coating of CD29-specific antibody allowed the most effective delivery of genes by reverse transfection in every type of cell that we examined. Our results suggest that reverse transfection with antibodies against CD29 might provide a universal tool for gene delivery and cell array-based analyses.


Calf form bovine leukosis with lameness in a Holstein heifer.
A 12-month-old Holstein heifer with anorexia, lameness, and enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes was suspected of having bovine leukosis. Although lymphocytosis was not observed, cytology of fine needle aspirate from a superficial cervical node, and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase and thymidine kinase activities, strongly suggested lymphosarcoma. Increased numbers of mononuclear cells as well as mitotic cells were observed in synovial fluid collected from swollen joints. Pathological examination confirmed B-cell calf form bovine leukosis and joint swelling related to neoplastic cell infiltration. Both interleukin-2 receptor and thymidine kinase 1 genes were highly expressed in cells from superficial cervical lymph node aspirate.


Relationship between gestational acrylamide exposure and offspring's growth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.
To estimate the current evidence regarding the association between gestational acrylamide (AA) exposure and offspring's growth. Systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search for relevant publications was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science databases from inception to 26 April 2019. The standardised mean difference (SMD) or OR with 95 % CI was selected as the effect sizes and was calculated using a random effects model. Five cohort studies including 54 728 participants were identified. Offspring's birth weight was significantly lower in high AA exposure group than in low AA exposure group (SMD -0·05, 95 % CI -0·09, -0·02, P = 0·005). There was also an association between maternal AA exposure and small for gestational age (OR 1·14, 95 % CI 1·06, 1·23, P < 0·001). In addition, pooled ORs suggested that children had a high risk of developing overweight/obesity in the future in maternal high AA exposure group (OR 1·14, 95 % CI 1·08, 1·21, P < 0·001 at age 3; OR 1·13, 95 % CI 1·07, 1·19, P < 0·001 at age 5; OR 1·09, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·16, P = 0·020 at age 8). These findings have important implications for conducting health education, providing guidance on maternal diet and developing an appropriate dietary strategy for pregnant women to reduce dietary AA exposure.


New orally active PDE4 inhibitors with therapeutic potential.
The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of pyrazolopyridines was carried out. Structural optimization of the aniline moiety of 4-anilinopyrazolopyridine derivative 3a, which is one of the newly discovered chemical leads for PDE4 inhibitors from our in-house library, was performed successfully. The details of the discovery of new orally active PDE4 inhibitors, which are expected to show therapeutic potential, are presented and their structure-activity relationships are discussed. Pharmacological evaluation and pharmacokinetic data for representative compounds are also presented.


Evaluation Method of Comprehensive Quality of Environmental Protection Teachers Based on Big Data Analysis Technology.
In order to improve the shortcomings that the weight of each index is easily affected by human influence in the evaluation of traditional teachers' comprehensive literacy, on the basis of the analysis of index coefficients, feature reorganization, and feature analysis, this paper constructs the comprehensive literacy of environmental protection professional teachers' education in the big data environment. The evaluation model is proposed, and a weight distribution scheme for teachers' comprehensive literacy evaluation indicators is proposed based on the hierarchical Bayesian beta-return model, so as to improve the rationality of the indicator distribution and make the prediction results more accurate. The simulation results further verify the superiority of the proposed model in improving the comprehensive quality evaluation level of environmental protection teachers.


Models of cell interaction based on differential adhesion.
Recent efforts to model the mechanical interaction of aggregates of biological cells are reviewed. Differential adhesion is discussed as a means of creating a field of stress equivalent to tension elements at interfaces between unlike cell types. Several numerical algorithms are described and applied to shortening and folding of cell sheets, three-dimensional monolayers, and two-dimensional cell aggregates.


How does altering the resolution of chromosomal microarray analysis in the prenatal setting affect the rates of pathological and uncertain findings?
Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) has a higher detection rate of pathogenic chromosome abnormalities over conventional (G-band) karyotyping. The optimum resolution of CMA in the prenatal setting remains debatable. Our objective was to determine if an increased detection rate was obtained by performing differing resolution of CMA on the same fetal samples and whether this resulted in an increase in variants of uncertain clinical significance (VOUS). Sixty-two fetal cases initially underwent a 1 Mb targeted BAC microarray within a clinical diagnostic setting in addition to conventional karyotyping. At the conclusion of pregnancy, a higher resolution 60 K oligonucleotide microarray was performed. The 1 Mb BAC analysis demonstrated a detection rate of pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) in 4.1% (95% CI 2.1-7.6) of cases and a variation of unknown significance (VOUS) rate of 0.4% (95% CI 0.07-2.2) over conventional G-band karyotyping. The 60 K array had an additional pathogenic detection rate of 4.8% (95% CI 1.6-13.3) over the BAC array but also detected an additional 8% (95% CI 1.3-14.8) VOUS. As the CMA platform resolution increases detection rates increase but are associated with an increase in VOUS rates. Our findings support the need for further large scale studies to inform the national consensus on the resolution required and on reporting of VOUS in the antenatal setting.


FM echolocating bats shift frequencies to avoid broadcast-echo ambiguity in clutter.
Sonar broadcasts are followed by echoes at different delays from objects at different distances. When broadcasts are emitted rapidly in cluttered surroundings, echo streams from successive broadcasts overlap and cause ambiguity in matching echoes to corresponding broadcasts. To identify reactions to ambiguity in clutter, echolocating bats that emit multiple-harmonic FM sounds were trained to fly into a dense, extended array of obstacles (multiple rows of vertically hanging chains) while the sonar sounds the bat emitted were recorded with a miniature radio microphone carried by the bat. Flight paths were reconstructed from thermal-infrared video recordings. Successive rows of chains extended more than 6 m in depth, so each broadcast was followed by a series of echoes from multiple rows of chains that lasted up to 40 ms. Bats emitted sounds in pairs ("strobe groups") at short (20-40 ms) interpulse intervals (IPIs) alternating with longer IPIs (>50 ms). For many short IPIs, the stream of echoes from the first broadcast was still arriving when the second broadcast was emitted. This overlap caused ambiguity about matching echoes with broadcasts. Bats shifted frequencies of the first sound in each strobe group upward and the second sound downward by 3-6 kHz. When overlap and ambiguity ceased, frequency shifts ceased also. Frequency differences were small compared with the total broadcast band, which was 75-80 kHz wide, but the harmonic structure of echoes enhances the differences in spectrograms. Bats could use time-frequency comparisons of echoes with broadcasts to assign echoes to the corresponding broadcasts and thus avoid ambiguity.


Conformation change of hornet silk proteins in the solid phase in response to external stimulation.
Hornet silks adopt a variety of morphology such as fibers, sponge, films, and gels depending on the preparation methods. We have studied the conformation change of hornet silk proteins (Vespa mandarina) as regenerated films, using chiroptical spectrophotometer universal chiroptical spectrophotometer 1, which can measure true circular dichroism spectra without artifact signals that are intrinsic to solid-state samples. The spectra showed that the proteins in films alter the conformation rapidly from the α-helix to the coiled coil and then to a β-sheet structure in response to heat/moisture treatment, but the transformation stopped at the coiled coil state when the sample was soaked in EtOH/water solution. Water is required for the α-helix to the coiled coil transition, and extra energy is required for the further transition to a β-sheet structure. This is the first successful circular dichroism study of fibril silk proteins to follow the conformation changes in the solid state. This work shows that proteins can undergo conformational changes easily even in the solid phase in response to external stimuli, and this can be traced by solid-phase-feasible chiroptical spectrophotometers. Application of unnatural stress to proteins gives valuable insights into their structure and characteristics.


Cluster synchronization in networks of identical oscillators with α-function pulse coupling.
We study a network of N identical leaky integrate-and-fire model neurons coupled by α-function pulses, weighted by a coupling parameter K. Studies of the dynamics of this system have mostly focused on the stability of the fully synchronized and the fully asynchronous splay states, which naturally depends on the sign of K, i.e., excitation vs inhibition. We find that there is also a rich set of attractors consisting of clusters of fully synchronized oscillators, such as fixed (N-1,1) states, which have synchronized clusters of sizes N-1 and 1, as well as splay states of clusters with equal sizes greater than 1. Additionally, we find limit cycles that clarify the stability of previously observed quasiperiodic behavior. Our framework exploits the neutrality of the dynamics for K=0 which allows us to implement a dimensional reduction strategy that simplifies the dynamics to a continuous flow on a codimension 3 subspace with the sign of K determining the flow direction. This reduction framework naturally incorporates a hierarchy of partially synchronized subspaces in which the new attracting states lie. Using high-precision numerical simulations, we describe completely the sequence of bifurcations and the stability of all fixed points and limit cycles for N=2-4. The set of possible attracting states can be used to distinguish different classes of neuron models. For instance from our previous work [Chaos 24, 013114 (2014)CHAOEH1054-150010.1063/1.4858458] we know that of the types of partially synchronized states discussed here, only the (N-1,1) states can be stable in systems of identical coupled sinusoidal (i.e., Kuramoto type) oscillators, such as θ-neuron models. Upon introducing a small variation in individual neuron parameters, the attracting fixed points we discuss here generalize to equivalent fixed points in which neurons need not fire coincidently.


Modulation of diorganoyl dichalcogenides reactivity by non-bonded nitrogen interactions.
The study was designed to explore the biochemical influence of non bonding nitrogen interactions (N⋯Se/S) on organochalcogens potency. Approximately five and six times higher thiol peroxidase (TPx) like activity was observed for compound (C)-2 than C-1 and C-3, respectively. C-2 also displayed significantly (p<0.05) higher activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and deoxyribose degradation assays. All compounds, except C-4 and C-6 significantly inhibited Fe (II) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) production in rat's brain, liver and kidney preparations with highest activity observed for C-2. The highest C-2 activity was attributed to the presence of non-bonded nitrogen interactions which were absent in C-1 and blocked with butoxycarbonyl (BOC group) in C-3. The same structural activity analogy was extended to organosulfur compounds and it was observed that compound with non-bonding nitrogen interactions, i.e. C-5 has significantly (p<0.05) higher TPx like activity than C-6 and C-4. C-5 at the highest tested concentration significantly (p<0.05) protected against Fe (II) and SNP induced TBARS formation in rat's brain, kidney and liver preparations but did not display activity in DPPH and deoxyribose degradation assays. This study confirms the influence of not only N⋯Se interaction but also for the first time the effect of non bonded N⋯S interactions on organochalcogens potency. C-2 (with the highest activity) was also tested in vivo and was administered at three different doses, i.e. 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg to get an exact idea about its interaction with thiol containing molecules (NPSH) and enzyme α-ALA-D (sulfhydryl containing enzyme). Oxidative stress parameters, i.e. free radical concentration by dichlorofluoreseein (DCF) assay, TBARS, ascorbic acid level, hepatic (ALT and AST) and renal (urea and creatinine) toxicity markers were also estimated to get an insight about its possible toxicological profile. Our data indicates that C-2 has higher TPx and Antioxidant activity and importantly, C2 did not induce toxicity even when tested at relatively high doses, indicating that its pharmacological properties should be further explored in models of diseases associated with oxidative stress.


GENETIC DIVERSITY AND CAPILLARIA HEPATICA (NEMATODA) PREVALENCE IN MICHIGAN DEER MOUSE POPULATIONS.
There have been few field tests of the hypothesis that homozygous populations are prone to high levels of disease. I tested for a negative correlation between genetic diversity and parasitism by estimating the allozyme heterozygosity, population density, and proportion of individuals infected by Capillaria hepatica (Nematoda) in nine Michigan populations of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Parasite prevalence was correlated negatively with heterozygosity when the effects of density were held constant, but was not correlated with population density after controlling for the effects of genetic diversity. These data support the prediction that inbred populations will be more susceptible to parasite infestations.


Gut Microbial Profiles in Nereis succinea and Their Contribution to the Degradation of Organic Pollutants.
Gut microbiota of wildlife are usually exposed to and involved in degrading environmental pollutants, yet their biodegrading capacity remains largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed gut microbial profiles of a marine benthic polychaete, Nereis succinea, and elaborated the capacity of gut microbiota in degrading various organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, phenols, and synthetic musks. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that the structures of microbial communities, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, varied along the gut, manifesting distinct structural features in the fore-, mid-, and hindgut regions. Community-level physiological profiles and the capacity of gut microbiota in degrading the pollutants showed profound gut region and oxygen dependent features. In general, anaerobes were more active in degrading the pollutants, and those in the midgut presented the maximum degrading potential. Degradation capability of the gut microbiota was further quantitatively validated in an in vitro culture system using chlorpyrifos and malathion as representative compounds. Our results demonstrated a potential impact of gut microbiota in wildlife on the fate of organic pollutants in the ecosystem, which calls for further research on the influences of gut microbiota on biotransformation and bioaccumulation of xenobiotics in organisms.


Renal haemodynamics and tubular function in human pregnancy.
In human pregnancy, effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate increase to levels 50-80% above non-pregnant values. The increments occur shortly after conception, persist throughout the second trimester and reduce slightly in late pregnancy. The hyperfiltration of pregnancy does not seem to be a potentially damaging process, as intraglomerular pressure remains unchanged. The increased excretion of glucose and other nutrients, as well as uric acid and protein, is related in part to altered tubular function. Renal physiology is altered so much in pregnancy that non-pregnant norms cannot be used in antenatal care.


[Psychopathological consequences of confinement].
The psychological effects of isolation have already been described in the literature (polar expeditions, submarines, prison). Nevertheless, the scale of confinement implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. In addition to reviewing the published studies, we need to anticipate the psychological problems that could arise during or at a distance from confinement. We have gone beyond the COVID-19 literature in order to examine the implications of the known consequences of confinement, like boredom, social isolation, stress, or sleep deprivation. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal or addictive behaviours, domestic violence are described effects of confinement, but the mechanisms of emergence of these disorders and their interrelationships remain to be studied. For example, what are the mechanisms of emergence of post-traumatic stress disorders in the context of confinement? We also remind the reader of points of vigilance to be kept in mind with regard to eating disorders and hallucinations. Hallucinations are curiously ignored in the literature on confinement, whereas a vast literature links social isolation and hallucinations. Due to the broad psychopathological consequences, we have to look for these various symptoms to manage them. We quickly summarize the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches already in place, such as telemedicine, which is undergoing rapid development during the COVID-19 crisis.


Using "Policy Briefs" to Present Scientific Results of CBPR: Farmworkers in North Carolina.
Using scientific results to inform policy that improves health and well-being of vulnerable community members is essential to community-based participatory research (CBPR). We describe "policy briefs," a mechanism developed to apply the results of CBPR projects with migrant and seasonal farmworkers to policy changes. Policy briefs are two-page summaries of published research that address a single policy issue using language and graphics to make the science accessible to diverse audiences. Policy brief topics are selected by community advocates, based on collaborative research, and address a specific policy or regulation. Development is an iterative process of discussion with community representatives. Briefs have been used to provide information to advocates, state and national policymakers, and the public. Disseminating CBPR results to address policy is needed. Collaborating with community partners to produce policy briefs ensures that information about concerns and struggles reflects their priorities.


Evidence of antiblockade in an ultracold Rydberg gas.
We present the experimental observation of the antiblockade in an ultracold Rydberg gas recently proposed by Ates et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 023002 (2007)]. Our approach allows the control of the pair distribution in the gas and is based on a strong coupling of one transition in an atomic three-level system, while introducing specific detunings of the other transition. When the coupling energy matches the interaction energy of the Rydberg long-range interactions, the otherwise blocked excitation of close pairs becomes possible. A time-resolved spectroscopic measurement of the Penning ionization signal is used to identify slight variations in the Rydberg pair distribution of a random arrangement of atoms. A model based on a pair interaction Hamiltonian is presented which well reproduces our experimental observations and allows one to deduce the distribution of nearest-neighbor distances.


How to introduce yourself to patients.
Rationale and key points This article explores the process of introducing yourself to patients. This is an essential interaction because it forms the basis of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. ▶ Effective communication skills are essential to foster therapeutic nurse-patient relationships based on mutual trust and respect. ▶ It is important to consider both verbal and non-verbal communication in patient interactions. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How this article will change your practice when meeting patients for the first time. 2. How you could use this article to educate your colleagues. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .


Treatment strategies in follicular lymphomas: current status and future perspectives.
Although little progress has been made in the treatment of follicular lymphomas (FL) within the last few decades, several new therapeutic modalities have recently demonstrated promising activity. These include myeloablative therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in younger patients in first remission revealing a significant prolongation of remission duration in three prospective randomized trials, whereas the impact on overall survival still needs to be determined. Adding the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab to conventional chemotherapy resulted in a significant increase in remission rate, remission duration and in two of four currently available prospective randomized studies even in a longer overall survival. A prolongation of remission duration was also seen when rituximab was administered as maintenance after cytoreductive therapy or by prolonged application as a single agent. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with radioisotopes coupled to monoclonal antibodies revealed encouraging data in several phase II studies. Prospective randomized studies are warranted, however, to define the impact of RIT on FL therapy. New therapeutic perspectives also emerge from increasing insights into the biology of the disease that unravel molecular targets for novel agents, some of which have entered clinical evaluation already.


Serum and aortic lipid profiles in spontaneous and cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in Rhesus monkeys.
Serum lipids and lipoproteins and various lipid fractions in the aorta were compared in spontaneously-occurring and cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis of rhesus monkeys. A group of 30 normal monkeys were also studied. Serum cholesterol, total phospholipid and triglyceride values in spontaneous atherosclerosis were similar to normal, but were significantly elevated in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. Fractionation of the major phospholipids in animals with spontaneous atherosclerosis showed increased PC with decreased LPC and SP + LPE, while PE was elevated and SP + LPE diminished in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. Beta-lipoproteins were markedly increased in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, but remained normal in spontaneous atherosclerosis. Among the aortic lipid, PC and PE were significantly elevated in spontaneous atherosclerosis, but in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis all the neutral lipids were raised, together with a specific rise of PC and decrease of SP + LPE. These observations tend to indicate that the mechanism of atherosclerosis production in the two states greatly varies.


The Cognitive Advantages of Counting Specifically: A Representational Analysis of Verbal Numeration Systems in Oceanic Languages.
The domain of numbers provides a paradigmatic case for investigating interactions of culture, language, and cognition: Numerical competencies are considered a core domain of knowledge, and yet the development of specifically human abilities presupposes cultural and linguistic input by way of counting sequences. These sequences constitute systems with distinct structural properties, the cross-linguistic variability of which has implications for number representation and processing. Such representational effects are scrutinized for two types of verbal numeration systems-general and object-specific ones-that were in parallel use in several Oceanic languages (English with its general system is included for comparison). The analysis indicates that the object-specific systems outperform the general systems with respect to counting and mental arithmetic, largely due to their regular and more compact representation. What these findings reveal on cognitive diversity, how the conjectures involved speak to more general issues in cognitive science, and how the approach taken here might help to bridge the gap between anthropology and other cognitive sciences is discussed in the conclusion.


Effects of procaterol, a beta-2-adrenoceptor stimulant, on neuroeffector transmission in human bronchial tissue.
It has been reported that low concentrations of noradrenaline or isoprenaline reduce the resting tension of the smooth muscle cells and suppress acetylcholine release from the vagal nerve terminals through activation of beta 2-adrenoceptors. Procaterol, beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulant, has a high potency and selectivity for airway smooth muscle tissues. However, there is little documentation on the prejunctional actions of this chemical in airway smooth muscle, especially in man. In the present study, the effects of procaterol on excitatory neuroeffector transmission in the human bronchus were investigated. Procaterol (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) dose dependently reduced the amplitude of the contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation in the presence of indomethacin (10(-5) M), FPL-55712 (10(-6) M), and guanethidine (10(-6) M). By contrast, procaterol (10(-10) to 10(-9) M) had no effect on the postjunctional response of smooth muscle cells to exogenously applied acetylcholine. Pretreatment with ICI-118551 (10(-7) M), a beta 2-adrenoceptor-blocking agent, reduced the inhibitory action of procaterol on the amplitude of twitch contractions evoked by field stimulations in the human bronchus. These results indicate that procaterol at low concentrations has a prejunctional action, inhibiting the excitatory neuroeffector transmission and presumably suppressing transmitter release from the vagal nerve terminals through beta 2-adrenoceptors in the human bronchial tissue. The prejunctional action of procaterol explains partly its potent bronchodilator effects in clinical use.


The Effect of Covalently Immobilized FGF-2 on Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Bone Substitute on Enhanced Biological Compatibility and Activity.
The purpose of this research was to covalently graft fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) onto biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) via a bifunctional cross-linker technique and to estimate the optimal dose of FGF-2 resulting in the best osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). SEM observation revealed that the surface of the 100 ng FGF-2 coated BCP was completely covered with the nanoparticles expected to be from the silane coupling agent. XRD, FT-IR, and XPS analysis showed that silane treatment, bifunctional cross-linker coating, and FGF-2 covalent grafts were conducted successfully without deforming the crystalline structure of BCP. An MTT assay demonstrated that FGF-2 coated BCP had good biocompatibility, regardless of the concentration of FGF-2, after 24 or 48 h of incubation. An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay (14 days of incubation) and the ALP gene expression level of real-time PCR analysis (7 days of incubation) revealed that 50, 100, and 200 ng FGF-2 coated BCP induced the highest activities among all experimental groups and control group (P < 0.05). Thus, low concentrations of FGF-2 facilitated excellent osteogenesis and were effective at enhancing osteogenic potential. Also, the bifunctional cross-linker technique is expected to be a more feasible way to induce osteogenic differentiation while minimizing the risk of FGF-2 overdose.


Metabolic syndrome induced by anticancer treatment in childhood cancer survivors.
The number of childhood cancer survivors is increasing as survival rates improve. However, complications after treatment have not received much attention, particularly metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome comprises central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, and cancer survivors have higher risks of cardiovascular events compared with the general population. The mechanism by which cancer treatment induces metabolic syndrome is unclear. However, its pathophysiology can be categorized based on the cancer treatment type administered. Brain surgery or radiotherapy may induce metabolic syndrome by damaging the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which may induce pituitary hormone deficiencies. Local therapy administered to particular endocrine organs directly damages the organs and causes hormone deficiencies, which induce obesity and dyslipidemia leading to metabolic syndrome. Chemotherapeutic agents interfere with cell generation and growth, damage the vascular endothelial cells, and increase the cardiovascular risk. Moreover, chemotherapeutic agents induce oxidative stress, which also induces metabolic syndrome. Physical inactivity caused by cancer treatment or the cancer itself, dietary restrictions, and the frequent use of antibiotics may also be risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Since childhood cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome have higher risks of cardiovascular events at an earlier age, early interventions should be considered. The optimal timing of interventions and drug use has not been established, but lifestyle modifications and exercise interventions that begin during cancer treatment might be beneficial and tailored education and interventions that account for individual patients' circumstances are needed. This review evaluates the recent literature that describes metabolic syndrome in cancer survivors, with a focus on its pathophysiology.


Addressing inequity in health and health care in Mexico.
Despite the fact that life expectancy at birth in Mexico has improved from forty-two years in 1940 to seventy-three in 2000, major inequalities persist in health and access to health care. The Mexican health care system has evolved into a series of disjointed subsystems that are incapable of delivering universal health insurance. Without greatly restructuring the way health care is financed, performance with respect to equity will remain poor. This paper presents the inequities of the system and describes how the current system contributes to the status quo rather than redressing the situation. After tracing the origins of the present system, we discuss policy initiatives for moving toward universal health insurance.


Real-time monitoring and accurate diagnosis of drug-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo by ratio-fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of peroxynitrite.
Because of the low tissue penetration depth and poor photostability of organic cyanine dye, in addition to environmental interference, it is a great challenge to monitor the degree of drug-induced hepatotoxicity by the in vivo detection of peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Herein, we fabricated heptamethine cyanine dye (P-cy7)-coordinated upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), namely UCY7, as a fluorescent nanoprobe for evaluating drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Due to the luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) between UCNPs and the cyanine dye (P-cy7), the irradiation changed from visible light at 660 nm to near infrared (NIR) light at 980 nm; therefore, the issues of poor photostability and severe photobleaching of cyanine dye can be effectively solved. After injecting via the tail vein, the nanoprobes are rapidly concentrated in the liver. Since the level of ONOO- is up-regulated during the drug-induced liver injury, the LRET between UCNPs and P-cy7 is disrupted to release the upconversion luminescence at 656 nm, while the upconversion luminescence at 800 nm remains constant, thus achieving the ratio-fluorescent imaging (RFLI) of ONOO- in the liver to calibrate the influence of the environment. In addition, the reduction in the absorption of nanoprobes in the presence of ONOO- allows for sensitive photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Based on the RFLI and PAI of the liver, the real-time monitoring and accurate diagnosis of different degrees of hepatotoxicity using the model of Acetaminophen (APAP) induction was achieved successfully, providing a new approach for the clinical evaluation of drug-induced hepatotoxicity.


Influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6-59 months--six immunization information system sentinel sites, United States, 2006-07 influenza season.
In June 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its 2004 recommendation for routine influenza vaccination of children aged 6-23 months to include children aged 24-59 months. The 2006 ACIP recommendations also reemphasized that previously unvaccinated children aged <9 years should receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine administered at least 1 month apart to be fully vaccinated. In 2007, using data from six immunization information system (IIS) sentinel sites, CDC conducted the first assessment of influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6-59 months during the 2006-07 influenza season. The findings demonstrated that, at all six sites, <30% of children aged 6-23 months and <20% of children aged 24-59 months were fully vaccinated. Vaccination coverage data from national and state surveys for an influenza season generally are not available until the next influenza season. Rapid assessment of influenza vaccination coverage can help direct activities of state and local public health agencies aimed at increasing the number of children fully vaccinated against influenza.


3-Mercaptopropionic acids as efficacious inhibitors of activated thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa).
A novel series of cyclic potent, selective, small molecule, thiol-based inhibitors of activated thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa) and the crystal structures of TAFIa inhibitors bound to porcine pancreatic carboxypeptidase B are described. Three series of cyclic arginine and lysine mimetic inhibitors vary significantly in their selectivity against other human basic carboxypeptidases, carboxypeptidase N and carboxypeptidase B. (-)2a displays TAFIa IC50 = 3 nM and 600-fold selectivity against CPN. Inhibition of TAFIa with (rac)2a resulted in dose dependent acceleration of human plasma clot lysis in vitro and was efficacious as an adjunct to tPA in an in vivo rabbit jugular vein thrombolysis model.


Roles of the ribosomal protein S19 dimer and chemically induced apoptotic cells as a tumor vaccine in syngeneic mouse transplantation models.
We examined the roles of a chemotherapeutic reagent in both inducing apoptosis and conferring acquired tumor immunity using mouse syngeneic tumor transplantation models. A chemotherapeutic reagent, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), effectively induced apoptosis in Colon-26 cells originating from a BALB/c mouse. Three intradermal inoculations of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)-treated Colon-26 cells conferred tumor immunity against viable Colon-26 cells in BALB/c mice but not in athymic BALB/c mice. The acquired immunity was Colon-26 cell specific and was adoptively transferable with splenic cells. We next examined the involvement of the cross-linked ribosomal protein S19 dimer (RP S19), which is released during apoptosis, in the acquisition of tumor immunity. A Colon-26 transformant that produces a Gln137Asn-mutant RP S19 prevents the formation of a functional RP S19 dimer. Acquired tumor immunity was significantly reduced when the transformant was used in combination with anti-RP S19 antibodies as the vaccination source. These data suggest the importance of the RP S19 dimer in chemotherapeutic agent-induced acquired immunity.


Calcium sulfate: Properties and clinical applications.
Calcium sulfate (CS) has enjoyed a longer history of clinical use than most currently available biomaterials. It is well-tolerated when used to fill bone defects and undergoes rapid and complete resorption without eliciting a significant inflammatory response. The raw material from which it is made is relatively inexpensive and abundant. In addition, CS can be used as a vehicle to deliver antibiotics, pharmacologic agents, and growth factors. It has found wide use in orthopedics and dentistry, and has been used in a variety of clinical applications, including the periodontal defect repair, the treatment of osteomyelitis, sinus augmentation, and as an adjunct to dental implant placement. Despite these advantages, the material has not enjoyed the popularity of many other regenerative materials, although there has been a recent resurgence of interest in the material. This review examines the properties and clinical applications of CS, with an emphasis on dental applications of the material. Limitations of the material are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.


Depletion of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells confers susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in GM-CSF-deficient Csf2-/- mice.
Previous studies established that GM-CSF-deficient (Csf2-deficient) mice exhibit profound resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This study addressed whether the resistance of Csf2-deficient mice was a result of a requirement for GM-CSF in controlling the functional balance between effector and regulatory T cell subsets during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The main observation was that treatment with the anti-CD25 mAb PC61 rendered Csf2-deficient mice fully susceptible to severe, chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, with disease incidences and severities equivalent to that of C57BL/6 mice. When both donors and recipients were treated with PC61 in a passive model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, adoptive transfer of myelin-specific Csf2-deficient T cells into Csf2-deficient recipients resulted in a nonresolving chronic course of severe paralytic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The peripheral Csf2-deficient T cell repertoire was marked by elevated CD3+ T cell frequencies that reflected substantial accumulations of naïve CD44null-low CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but essentially normal frequencies of CD4+ CD25+ forkhead box P3+ T cells among the CD3+ T cell pool. These findings suggested that Csf2-deficient mice had secondary deficiencies in peripheral T cell sensitization to environmental antigens. In accordance, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55/CFA-sensitized Csf2-deficient mice exhibited deficient peripheral sensitization to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, whereas pretreatment of Csf2-deficient mice with PC61 enabled the robust induction of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific T cell responses in the draining lymphatics. In conclusion, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis resistance of Csf2-deficient mice, at least in part, reflects a deficient induction of effector T cell function that cannot surmount normal regulatory T cell barriers. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis effector responses, however, are unleashed upon depletion of regulatory CD25+ T cells.


Rim sign and histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient values on diffusion-weighted MRI in triple-negative breast cancer: Comparison with ER-positive subtype.
To investigate associations between the clinicopathologic features and MRI features of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and ER-positive breast cancer (BC) via apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis. In this study, 221 breast cancer patients with pre-operative MRI performed from August 2009 to March 2015 were included in a retrospective analysis. All patients had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of invasive carcinoma and were grouped into ER-positive (149) or triple-negative (72) subtypes. DWI rim sign and various ADC parameters (mean; mode; 25, 50, and 75 percentiles; skewness; and kurtosis) between ER-positive and TNBC were compared using whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used for statistical comparison. DWI rim signs were detected in 42.3% and 41.7% of ER-positive subtype and TNBC, respectively (P = 0.931). TNBC had poorer histologic grade (P<0.001) and higher Ki-67 expression (P <0.001) than ER-positive subtype BC. TNBC displayed higher ADC parameters (mean, mode, 50th & 75th percentiles, kurtosis on univariate analysis, all P<0.001; only kurtosis on multivariate anaylsis; P<0.001) than ER-positive subtype BC. TNBC had significantly more recurrence events than ER-positive subtype BC on univarate analysis (9.7% (7/72) vs. 2.7% (4/149), P = 0.035). Poorer clinicopathologic outcomes were found in TNBC. Whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis revealed ADC kurtosis to be higher in TNBC than ER-positive subtype BC.


The effect of intensity and duration on the light-induced sodium and potassium currents in the Hermissenda type B photoreceptor.
Light duration and intensity influence classical conditioning in Hermissenda through their effects on the light-induced currents. Furthermore, the contribution of voltage-dependent potassium currents to the long-lasting depolarization in type B photoreceptors depends on light-induced currents active at resting potentials. Thus, the present study measures the effect of holding potential, duration, and intensity on the light-induced currents in discontinuous single-electrode voltage clamp mode. Three distinct current components are distinguished by their temporal and voltage characteristics and sensitivity to pharmacological agents. One current component is a transient sodium current, I(Nalgt); another is a plateau sodium current, I(plateau), which persists for the duration of the light stimulus. Substitution of trimethylammonium chloride for sodium reduces both currents equally, suggesting that I(plateau) represents partial inactivation of I(Nalgt). The third current component is a prolonged reduction in potassium currents, I(Klgt); it is accompanied by an increase in input resistance, and it appears at potentials close to rest. An increase in light duration or intensity causes an increase in the peak conductance of both I(Nalgt) and I(Klgt). Latency of I(Nalgt) is decreased by intensity, whereas rise time is increased by duration. An increase in light duration or intensity causes an increase in the time-to-peak and duration of I(Klgt). Characteristics of these currents suggest that I(Klgt) is responsible for the long-lasting depolarization seen after light termination, and thus plays a role in classical conditioning.


Emotional intelligence: a moderator of perceived alcohol peer norms and alcohol use.
This study investigated the roles of emotional intelligence and perceived alcohol peer norms in relation to alcohol use. Two hundred and forty-two undergraduates completed the Campus Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Norms (Core Institute, 1997) and the Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, & Cooper, 1998). Contrary to emerging research findings, emotional intelligence (EI) was not directly associated with the study's alcohol-use variables. However, the moderating role of EI was supported in the relationship between perceived alcohol peer norms and students' alcohol use. Among college students with lower EI, there was a significantly stronger association between these variables, compared to students with higher EI.


Tolerability and Efficacy of Bevacizumab Monotherapy in Older Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.
The aim of this study was to compare the tolerability and efficacy of bevacizumab monotherapy between older and younger patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. We enrolled 32 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who were treated with bevacizumab monotherapy and divided them into those who were 65 years and older (n=12) and those younger than 65 years (n=20). Except for grade ≥3 proteinuria, incidences of adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. Although older patients exhibited more frequently cycle delay caused by non-hematological toxicities, this difference was not significant. There was no significant difference in tumor response and survival between the groups. Bevacizumab monotherapy was tolerable and effective for older patients with recurrent ovarian cancer compared with younger patients.


Marginal folate deficiency as a possible cause of hyperhomocystinaemia in stroke patients.
It has been reported that patients with vascular disease seem to increase their concentration of plasma homocysteine after the acute episode, whereas reexamined control subjects do not change their concentration of plasma homocysteine over time. Since the main determinants of plasma homocysteine are serum cobalamin, blood folate and serum creatinine we measured these quantities in 20 control subjects and 49 stroke patients in the acute phase and at reexamination 1.5-2 years after acute stroke onset. There were no significant differences between the levels of blood folate, serum cobalamin and serum creatinine in the acute and convalescent phase of all 49 stroke patients. However, we noted a significant decrease of blood folate concentrations in a subgroup of patients (n = 25) who had increased plasma homocysteine concentrations. Thus the increase in plasma homocysteine concentrations in this group of patients may partly be caused by a marginal folate deficiency.


Intraoperative pressure measurement in radial artery harvest. A tool with additional value?
The radial artery is widely used as a graft in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Due to its location and function it should be screened prior to harvesting to avoid ischaemic complications of the hand. In acute situations the Allen test is often the only preoperative screening method available. As has been noted earlier, a negative Allen test does not mean a non-harvestable radial artery. We endeavoured to find out whether intraoperative pressure measurement could be used as a complement while screening the radial artery. Ninety patients planned for elective CABG with radial artery as a conduit were examined preoperatively with the Allen test, handheld Doppler and pletysmography of the second and fourth digits. Radial artery pressure was measured intraoperatively. Symptom scale was recorded pre- and postoperatively. There were ten patients with a positive Allen test. The intraoperative index of radial artery pressures was 0.868 in the Allen positive group and 0.885 in the Allen negative group with no statistically significant difference (P value .68). Tolerance of exercise and cold was significantly impaired postoperatively, P values .002 and .001 respectively. No ischaemic complications occurred. Intraoperative pressure measurement can be used when screening radial arteries are to be harvested and no metric preoperative screening methods are available.


Depression as a predictor of worse quality of life outcomes following nonoperative treatment for lumbar stenosis.
The goal of this study was to determine whether pretreatment depression is predictive of quality of life (QOL) improvement for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who are treated conservatively. This retrospective cohort study included patients with LSS and concordant neurogenic claudication who were treated nonoperatively at a single institution between September 2010 and March 2013. Patient QOL measures were recorded pretreatment and then 4 months after treatment. Pretreatment depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Successful outcome was defined as posttreatment improvement in EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) index or in Pain and Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) scores. Regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of outcome while controlling for confounding variables. A total of 502 patients were included in the study. The average age for these patients was 66.1 years, with 51% female and 90.6% white. After adjusting for baseline demographic and clinical variables, there was a statistically significant association between baseline PHQ-9 score and posttreatment change in EQ-5D index (β = -0.007, p = 0.0002). All other things being equal, a patient with a baseline PHQ-9 score of 0 (no depression) would be expected to improve in the EQ-5D index by 0.14 points (greater than the minimum clinically important difference) more than would a patient with a baseline PHQ-9 score of 20 (major depression). There was no significant association between baseline PHQ-9 score and change in Pain and Disability Questionnaire scores. When controlling for other baseline characteristics, severely depressed patients with LSS who are treated nonoperatively have significantly less improvement in their QOL compared with those with little or no depression. These data are similar to the negative predictive effects of depression on posttreatment QOL following lumbar fusion surgery.


Indoor thermal fogging against vector mosquitoes with two Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis formulations, Vectobac ABG 6511 water-dispersible granules and Vectobac 12AS liquid.
Bioefficacy of thermal fogging application of 2 Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis formulations, Vectobac ABG 6511 water-dispersible granules (3,000 international toxic unit [ITU]/mg) and Vectobac 12AS liquid (1,200 ITU/mg), was assessed for larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles dirus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Portable Agrofog AF35 sprayers were used to apply the 2 formulations indoors in residential premises on Penang Island, Malaysia. Vectobac ABG 6511 showed good larvicidal effect against all 4 mosquito species at 3 of the higher doses tested (2.91 x 10(9), 1.45 x 10(9), and 0.71 x 10(9) ITU/ha), with more than 96% mortality at 48 h after spraying. As a comparative formulation, Vectobac 12AS also showed good larvicidal activity against all 4 mosquito species at 2 of the higher doses tested (2.87 x 10(9) and 1.46 x 10(9) ITU/ha), with more than 92.5% mortality at 48 h after spraying. Larvae of An. dirus were significantly more susceptible to both water-based Vectobac formulations when compared to the other 3 mosquito species. Both microbial formulations showed better efficacy at higher doses. However, even at the lowest dose tested, Vectobac ABG 6511 and Vectobac 12AS (both at 0.36 x 10(9) ITU/ha) showed larvicidal properties, with more than 66% mortality at 48 h after spraying. Overall, for this bacterial agent, the water-dispersible granule formulation has better prospects than the liquid formulation for the control of larvae of vector mosquitoes.


Effects of narratives, frames, and involvement on health message effectiveness.
An online 2 (evidence type: narrative vs. informational) × 2 (message frame: gain vs. loss) × 2 (involvement: low vs. high) between-subjects factorial experiment was conducted to examine their effects in skin cancer awareness campaigns. Results showed that loss-framed narratives were convincing for high-involved individuals, whereas both gain-framed informational and loss-framed narratives evoked higher issue attitudes and behavioral intentions for low-involved ones. Mediation analyses showed that identification with the story protagonist mediated narrative effects on the outcome variables. Theoretical and practical implications for sun protection awareness campaigns are discussed.


Audibility and speech perception of children using wide dynamic range compression hearing AIDS.
This study examined the relation of audibility for frequency-specific sounds and the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) to speech perception abilities of children with sensorineural hearing loss using digital signal-processing hearing aids with wide dynamic range compression. Twenty-six children age 5-15 years with pure-tone averages (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz) from 60-98 dB HL participated. Three subgroups were created based on the compression characteristics of each hearing aid. Minimum audibility was determined using aided thresholds for frequency-modulated tones and the SII calculated at 55 and 70 dB SPL using the simulated real-ear output of the hearing aid. The Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT; K. I. Kirk, D. B. Pisoni, & M. J. Osberger, 1995) was presented at 50 and 70 dB SPL. LNT scores at 70 dB SPL were significantly higher than at 50 dB SPL. Average aided thresholds at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz were negatively correlated with LNT scores at 50 dB SPL, and SIIs at 55 and 70 dB SPL were positively correlated with LNT scores at 50 and 70 dB SPL. Results support using aided thresholds and speech test scores at soft to loud levels as part of the amplification fitting process.


Temperature induces significant changes in both glycolytic reserve and mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity in colorectal cancer cell lines.
Thermotherapy, as a method of treating cancer, has recently attracted considerable attention from basic and clinical investigators. A number of studies and clinical trials have shown that thermotherapy can be successfully used as a therapeutic approach for various cancers. However, the effects of temperature on cancer bioenergetics have not been studied in detail with a real time, microplate based, label-free detection approach. This study investigates how changes in temperature affect the bioenergetics characteristics (mitochondrial function and glycolysis) of three colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines utilizing the Seahorse XF96 technology. Experiments were performed at 32°C, 37°C and 42°C using assay medium conditions and equipment settings adjusted to produce equal oxygen and pH levels ubiquitously at the beginning of all experiments. The results suggest that temperature significantly changes multiple components of glycolytic and mitochondrial function of all cell lines tested. Under hypothermia conditions (32°C), the extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) of CRC cells were significantly lower compared to the same basal ECAR levels measured at 37°C. Mitochondrial stress test for SW480 cells at 37°C vs 42°C demonstrated increased proton leak while all other OCR components remained unchanged (similar results were detected also for the patient-derived xenograft cells Pt.93). Interestingly, the FCCP dose response at 37°C vs 42°C show significant shifts in profiles, suggesting that single dose FCCP experiments might not be sufficient to characterize the mitochondrial metabolic potential when comparing groups, conditions or treatments. These findings provide valuable insights for the metabolic and bioenergetic changes of CRC cells under hypo- and hyperthermia conditions that could potentially lead to development of better targeted and personalized strategies for patients undergoing combined thermotherapy with chemotherapy.


Pretransplant functional imaging and outcome in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing autologous transplantation.
Pretransplant functional imaging (FI), particularly a negative positron emission tomography (PET), is a strong predictor of outcome in adults with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but data in pediatrics are limited. The medical records of 49 consecutive pediatric patients, who received autologous transplant at a single institution, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had either gallium or PET scan before transplant and were conditioned with carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (BEAM). Deauville scores were retrospectively assigned for patients with PET (score ≥ 4 positive). Of the 49 patients (median age, 16.2 years), 41 (84%) were pretransplant FI negative and eight (16%) were pretransplant FI positive, after first- to fourth-line salvage therapy, and a median of two salvage cycles. Eighteen patients (37%) received posttransplant radiation. At a median follow up of 46 months, 45 patients (92%) were alive and disease free, and there were three nonrelapse deaths and only one relapse death (Deauville score of 5). The 4-year progression-free survival (PFS) for the entire cohort was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78-97), and PFS based on pretransplant disease status was 95% (95% CI: 82-99%) in the negative FI group versus 75% (95% CI: 31-93) if positive FI (P = 0.057). Our analysis revealed outstanding outcomes for children and adolescents with relapsed/refractory HL. There were too few relapses to identify the predictive value of pretransplant metabolic status, but pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory HL and a negative pretransplant FI had excellent survival.


NBDHEX re-sensitizes adriamycin-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting glutathione S-transferase pi.
Adriamycin is a novel chemotherapeutic agent of great benefit for treating breast cancer. However, adriamycin -resistance remains a major obstacle. The vital Glutathione transferase P1 (GSTPi) inhibitor 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio) hexanol (NBDHEX) has recently shown antitumor activity in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed the effect of NBDHEX and adriamycin combination against breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8 assay was performed to test cell viability. The location and expression level of GSTpi was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blot in cells and immunohistochemistry staining in tissues. The enzyme activity test was applied to detect the effect of NBDHEX on the activity of GSTpi. The apoptosis related proteins' expression was tested using Western blot. The phosphorylation sites of GSTpi were detected by mass spectrometry. Antitumor effects of single treatment or co-administration of adriamycin and NBDHEX were evaluated in nude mice. NBDHEX treatment inhibited GSTpi enzyme activity and co-administration of adriamycin and NBDHEX promoted apoptosis of adriamycin-resistance breast cancer cell. Moreover, drug combination of NBDHEX and adriamycin significantly enhanced tumor growth inhibition compared with single agent. NBDHEX serves as a good candidate for combination with adriamycin, offering new insights for breast cancer treatment.


Altered expression of c-kit and nanog in a rat model of Adriamycin-induced chronic heart failure.
A small number of cardiac stem cells that express the c-Kit and Nanog biomarkers can be differentiated into myocardial cells, which suggests that these stem cells may be able to repair damage and provide an internal reserve for tissue regeneration. It is unknown, however, whether the levels of myocardial stem cells are altered after heart failure (HF), and whether HF affects the myocardial regenerative ability. In this study, to address this question, we developed a rat model of chronic HF induced by Adriamycin, and examined the morphological changes in c-Kit and Nanog-expressing stem cells in heart tissue of normal and HF rats. We further measured levels of c-Kit and Nanog expression in the hearts of HF vs. healthy control rats using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and semi-quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR methods. c-Kit and Nanog were expressed in both normal and HF rats; c-Kit was mainly found in and around the epicardial region, whereas Nanog was primarily expressed in vascular endothelium of some myocardial cells and in stem cells. However, expression of both c-Kit and Nanog was significantly decreased in myocardial cells from HF rats, which may be reflective of reduced myocardial regeneration capacity. These findings indicate that HF not only seriously damages the heart muscle cells, but also the cardiac stem cells. This reduced pool of cardiac stem cells and their related factors is likely to be deleterious for tissue repair after myocardial injury.


Triggering mitosis.
Entry into mitosis is triggered by the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). This simple reaction rapidly and irreversibly sets the cell up for division. Even though the core step in triggering mitosis is so simple, the regulation of this cellular switch is highly complex, involving a large number of interconnected signalling cascades. We do have a detailed knowledge of most of the components of this network, but only a poor understanding of how they work together to create a precise and robust system that ensures that mitosis is triggered at the right time and in an orderly fashion. In this review, we will give an overview of the literature that describes the Cdk1 activation network and then address questions relating to the systems biology of this switch. How is the timing of the trigger controlled? How is mitosis insulated from interphase? What determines the sequence of events, following the initial trigger of Cdk1 activation? Which elements ensure robustness in the timing and execution of the switch? How has this system been adapted to the high levels of replication stress in cancer cells?


MicroRNAs-Based Imaging Techniques in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy.
Cancer is one of the most serious global health concerns in different populations. Several studies indicated that there are many potentially promising cellular and molecular targets for cancer therapy within cancer cells and their microenvironment. Among different cellular and molecular targets involved in cancer pathogenesis, microRNAs (miRNAs) are well known as key targets for cancer therapy. miRNAs are one of main classes of non-coding RNAs. These molecules play important roles in different critical processes of cancer pathogenesis. Hence, this makes miRNAs as a suitable tool for cancer diagnosis and therapy. There are different approaches for monitoring miRNAs in cancer patients. Some conventional approaches including next-generation sequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), northern blotting, and microarrays could be used for assessment of miRNAs expression. Some studies revealed that the utilization of these approaches associated with various limitations. Recently, it has been revealed that molecular imaging techniques are powerful tools for monitoring of different cellular and molecular targets involved in various diseases such as cancer. These techniques help investigators to investigate and monitor miRNAs functions through assessing different targets by fluorescent proteins, bioluminescent enzymes, molecular beacons, as well as various nanoparticles. Therefore, utilization of molecular imaging techniques could assist investigators to better monitor and more effectively treat patients during different phases of malignancy. Here, we give a review on the current state of miRNAs-based imaging techniques in cancer diagnosis and therapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4121-4128, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Graphene-hollow PPy sphere 3D-nanoarchitecture with enhanced electrochemical performance.
A rationally designed graphene-hollow polypyrrole (PPy) nanoarchitecture in which hollow PPy spheres were inserted between graphene layers was constructed by mixing graphene oxide and polystyrene (PS)@PPy core-shell sphere, followed by reduction of graphene oxide and etching of PS. The as-prepared graphene-hollow PPy nanoarchitecture was explored as electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The specific capacitance may gradually rise to as high as 500 F g(-1) with a charging/discharging current density of 5 A g(-1), and remains stable even after 10,000 cycles. Analysis indicates that the tailored nanoarchitecture enhances specific area of the electrode and promotes synergetic effect between RGO and PPy, thus leading to a significantly enhanced electrochemical performance.


Propranolol-withdrawal rebound phenomenon. Exacerbation of coronary events after abrupt cessation of antianginal therapy.
Effects on anginal symptoms of sudden withdrawal of large doses of propranolol or placebo were evaluated in 20 patients in a double-blind crossover efficacy trial requiring sudden cessation of the agent. With propranolol, 160 to 320 mg per day for six and 12 weeks, no patients had increased angina or nitroglycerin use, and there were no hospitalizations or deaths. However, within two weeks of discontinuance of propranolol, untoward ischemic events developed in 10 patients. Six had serious withdrawal complications: intermediate coronary syndrome in three, and ventricular tachycardia, fatal myocardial infarction, and sudden death in one each. In four patients discontinuance of placebo increased anginal symptoms; in the remaining 10, ischemic symptoms were not provoked. The rebound phenomenon was related to degree of pre-propranolol angina and relief of pain by the agent. Thus, chronically administered propranolol should be gradually reduced, and activity restricted during its withdrawal.


Nutrition and wound healing.
A role for nutrition therapy in the regulation of wound healing has been predicated on two concepts. The first is that malnutrition increases the risk of wound-related complications. The second is that dietary intervention, either in the form of complete nutrition support or as single nutrient supplementation, can improve or accelerate the wound-healing response. Although frequently stated and extensively discussed, these two concepts are not supported by objective data.


Pheochromocytoma and glucoregulation disorders.
Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine-producing tumors presenting with various clinical symptoms and a serious potentially lethal cardiovascular complications due to the potent effects of secreted catecholamines. Glucoregulation disorders could also occur leading to impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of adrenalectomy on patient recovery with regard to their glycemic status. Case notes of all patients who underwent adrenalectomy surgery for pheochromocytoma from 2009 to 2018, followed up in the Department of Diabetology, Endocrinology, and Nutrition at University Hospital Center Hassan II of Fez, were retrieved, and data were collected from them to identify those with preoperative diagnosis of glucoregulation disorder and to verify if adrenalectomy can reverse or improve glycemic abnormality. Overall, 23 patients underwent surgery for pheochromocytoma, 26% of cases had diabetes mellitus, whereas 34.78% had glucose intolerance. One year after surgery, diabetes and glucose intolerance were cured in 57.14% of cases. We noticed also that patients with large and symptomatic tumors were more likely to develop preoperative diabetes; it was also more likely to persist in patients who had an elevated body mass index (BMI). In our data, diabetes and glucose intolerance were found concurrently with pheochromocytoma in 60.78% of patients. Thus, it is important for clinicians to screen for glycemic disorder when pheochromocytoma is diagnosed, especially in patients with other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes such as elevated BMI. Removal of these tumors can reduce insulin secretion and severe peripheral insulin resistance making early diagnosis important.


Enhancement of cysteamine cytotoxicity by hyperthermia and its modification by catalase and superoxide dismutase in Chinese hamster ovary cells.
Chinese hamster ovary cells were exposed to the sulfhydryl compound cysteamine at concentrations ranging from 0 to 8 mM for 120 min. No toxicity was found in cells maintained at 5 degrees during treatment; however, at 37 degrees and 44 degrees a paradoxical toxicity was observed, i.e., substantial toxicity was observed at cysteamine concentrations of 0.2 to 1 mM but decreased at higher drug concentrations. When drug-treated cells were exposed to a 30-min 44 degrees -heat treatment (surviving fraction, 0.15 in the absence of drug) toxicity was markedly enhanced. At 0.4 mM cysteamine, the surviving fraction was approximately 0.6 at 5 degrees, 0.01 at 37 degrees, and 0.00008 when the 44 degrees -heat treatment was also used. Cysteamine toxicity was not modified by the addition of superoxide dismutase (10 micrograms/ml) but was completely blocked by the addition of catalase (50 micrograms/ml) over the drug concentration range of 0.2 to 2.0 mM. Cysteamine autoxidation as measured by O2 uptake at 0.4 mM proceeds through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production as evidenced by the regeneration of O2 upon the addition of catalase. In contrast, at 4.0 mM cysteamine, O2 regeneration was not pronounced. The data suggest that the production of H2O2 is the first reaction step in the mechanism of cysteamine toxicity. The subsequent production of highly reactive oxygen species like hydroxyl radicals (.OH) from H2O2 in the presence of reduced metal (Fenton chemistry) probably leads to the observed cellular toxicity.


Benefit of a new provisional stenting strategy, the re-proximal optimisation technique: the rePOT clinical study.
A new coronary bifurcation provisional stenting technique without kissing balloon, rePOT, associating the proximal optimisation technique (POT), side branch inflation and final POT, showed excellent mechanical results in a bench test. The present study sought to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to quantify the mechanical results of rePOT in vivo in a large patient sample with complex coronary bifurcations. A total of 106 patients with coronary bifurcations were included in a multicentre prospective registry (left main, 40.6%; true Medina bifurcation, 39.6%). Three OCT runs were performed, at baseline, just after stent implantation and after the complete rePOT sequence, quantifying global malapposition, side branch obstruction (SBO), and various geometric arterial criteria. RePOT was completed systematically. RePOT significantly reduced global strut malapposition from 18.9±13.4% just after stent implantation to 3.2±3.9% (p<0.05), residual SBO from 44.3±12.9% to 17.0±14.3% (p<0.05), and ellipticity index from 1.19±0.11 to 1.13±0.12 (p<0.05). Exhaustive six-month follow-up found only one mother-vessel target lesion revascularisation. This clinical study of a large sample of complex coronary bifurcations with OCT analysis showed the benefit of the rePOT sequence in provisional stenting, replicating in vivo the excellent in vitro geometric results previously reported, and confirming ease of implementation and medium-term safety.


Synthesis and Evaluation of 5,5'-Bitetralone-Based Chiral Phosphoric Acids.
A new type of phosphoric acid bearing a 5,5'-bitetralone scaffold was synthesized from BINOL and was shown to be a highly effective catalyst as illustrated in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2-phenylquinoline and the Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone.


Cardiac effects of salvia miltiorrhiza/dalbergia odorifera mixture, an intravenously applicable Chinese medicine widely used for patients with ischemic heart disease in China.
Chronotropic, inotropic and coronary vasodilator actions of the clinically available ampoule preparation of Salvia miltiorrhiza/Dalbergia odorifera mixture were examined using canine isolated, blood-perfused heart preparations. The mixture slightly decreased the sinoatrial rate and significantly increased coronary blood flow, but hardly affected the developed tension of the papillary muscle. The effect on coronary blood flow was induced by at least a 10-fold smaller dose than that which induced the chronotropic effect. These results were quite similar to those of a typical calcium channel blocker, verapamil, used in a previous study, suggesting that the Salvia miltiorrhiza/Dalbergia odorifera mixture may have potential as an anti-anginal drug.


An association of soluble CD40 ligand (CD154) with adverse reactions to platelet transfusions.
Removal of stored supernatant abrogates most transfusion reactions to leukoreduced platelets (PLTs), suggesting that PLT-derived soluble mediators are involved. PLTs are the primary source of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). Engagement of the receptor for CD40L induces synthesis of proinflammatory mediators including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Supernatants from poststorage leukoreduced PLT concentrates were assayed for white cell- (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1) and PLT-derived (sCD40L, RANTES) inflammatory mediators. These levels were correlated with clinical outcomes. Of 534 transfusions, there were 12 reported (2.2%) and 2 unreported reactions (0.4%)--10 febrile and 4 allergic. Transfusions with reactions had significantly higher levels of IL-6 (2.3-fold higher; p = 0.005), IL-8 (2.2-fold higher; p = 0.001), MCP-1 (2.6-fold higher; p = 0.002), and sCD40L (1.24-fold higher; p = 0.015), but not RANTES. (1.14-fold higher; p = 0.22). The vast majority (>93%) of patients transfused with mediator levels in the highest quintile had no reactions. When levels of all five mediators were summed, the reaction rates in the first through fifth quintiles increased from 1 to 7 percent (p = 0.027). All but one reaction occurred in patients with hematologic malignancies (13 reactions/380 transfusions; 3.4%; p = 0.04 vs. other diagnoses). These are the first data demonstrating that a PLT-derived mediator, sCD40L, is associated with adverse transfusion events. Existing clinical factors, for example, inflammation or leukopenia, may influence whether infused mediators cause reactions.


[Prevention of viral hepatitis].
Prevention of viral hepatitis infection involves health measures designed to avert transmission of viral agents and promote the use of gammaglobulin and vaccines. The availability of safe drinking water and improvements in quality of life result in better individual hygiene; these factors have had the greatest impact on hepatitis A prevention. Serum gammaglobulin administration has been replaced by vaccinations for pre-exposure, and to a great extent for post-exposure prophylaxis because of the progressively lower anti-HAV content of gammaglobulin and the short duration of the protective effect. Universal vaccination in childhood is the recommended measure for controlling hepatitis A. Adults belonging to high-risk groups should also undergo vaccination. The incidence of hepatitis B has decreased worldwide because of universal vaccination programs, initiated in preadolescence and childhood. Prevention of hepatitis C requires control of situations in which there is a likelihood of parenteral infection with the virus. Post-transfusion hepatitis has been virtually eradicated, but considerable effort is still needed to prevent nosocomial hepatitis.


Vulnerability of dentate granule cells to disruption of arc expression in human amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice.
Activity-induced expression of Arc is necessary for maintenance of long-term potentiation and for memory consolidation. In transgenic (TG) mice with neuronal production of human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) and hAPP-derived amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides, basal Arc expression was reduced primarily in granule cells of the dentate gyrus. After exploration of a novel environment, Arc expression in these neurons was unaltered in hAPP mice but increased markedly in nontransgenic controls. Other TG neuronal populations showed no or only minor deficits in Arc expression, indicating a special vulnerability of dentate granule cells. The phosphorylation states of NR2B and ERK1/2 were reduced in the dentate gyrus of hAPP mice, suggesting attenuated activity in NMDA-dependent signaling pathways that regulate synaptic plasticity as well as Arc expression. Arc reductions in hAPP mice correlated with reductions in the actin-binding protein alpha-actinin-2, which is located in dendritic spines and, like Arc, fulfills important functions in excitatory synaptic activity. Reductions in Arc and alpha-actinin-2 correlated tightly with reductions in Fos and calbindin, shown previously to reflect learning deficits in hAPP mice. None of these alterations correlated with the extent of plaque formation, suggesting a plaque-independent mechanism of hAPP/Abeta-induced neuronal deficits. The brain region-specific depletion of factors that participate in activity-dependent modification of synapses may critically contribute to cognitive deficits in hAPP mice and possibly in humans with Alzheimer's disease.


Automatic Associations Between One's Partner and One's Affect as the Proximal Mechanism of Change in Relationship Satisfaction: Evidence From Evaluative Conditioning.
The current study examined whether directly altering affective associations involving a relationship partner through evaluative conditioning can lead to changes in relationship satisfaction. Married couples ( N = 144) were asked to view a brief stream of images once every 3 days for 6 weeks. Embedded in this stream were pictures of the partner, which, according to random assignment of couples to experimental group, were paired with either positive or neutral stimuli. Couples also completed measures of automatic partner attitudes and explicit marital satisfaction at baseline and once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Spouses who viewed their partners paired with positive stimuli demonstrated more-positive automatic partner attitudes than did control spouses, and these attitudes predicted increased self-reported marital satisfaction over time. These results provide novel evidence for a mechanism of change in relationship satisfaction, represent a step toward documenting how strong attitudes can evolve through passive exposure to information, and suggest novel avenues for relationship interventions.


Reference charts of sitting height, leg length and body proportions for Chinese children aged 0-18 years.
The reference charts of sitting height (SH), subischial leg length (LL) and the sitting height/leg length ratio (SH/LL) are useful tools in assessing body proportion for clinicians and researchers in related areas. However, reference charts of body proportions for Chinese children and adolescents are limited. To construct reference charts of SH, LL and SH/LL for Chinese children and adolescents. Stature and sitting height of 92 494 (46 240 boys and 46 254 girls) healthy Han nationality children, aged 0-18 years, were measured in two national large-scale cross-sectional surveys in 2005 in China. SH/LL was selected as the indicator of body proportion. References of SH, LL and SH/LL were constructed using the LMS method. The reference charts demonstrated that SH and LL increased with age. Growth in SH slowed by the age of 17 years in boys and 15 years in girls. Similarly, growth in LL slowed at 16 years in boys and 14 years in girls. The SH/LL ratio declined from birth (2.00 in boys and 2.03 in girls) to 13 years in boys (1.11) and to 11 years in girls (1.13), then increased slightly to the age of 18 (1.16 in boys and 1.18 in girls). The gender difference of SH/LL was not significantly different before the age of 11 years. After the age of 11, SH/LL appeared elevated in girls compared to boys. The reference charts of SH, LL and SH/LL are useful tools for assessing body proportions for Chinese children and adolescent individuals.


Disseminated epitheloid hemangioendothelioma mimicking symptoms of systemic vasculitis.
Epitheloid hemangioendothelioma is a rare malignant tumor which can involve bones, liver, lungs, kidneys, deep soft tissue, muscles, dermis, and central nervous system. Multifocal disease occurs in 10% of the cases. The clinical presentation results from occlusion of small blood vessels due to the disease itself or as a paraneoplastic syndrome. We present a patient with symptoms suggesting systemic vasculitis (ESR and CRP elevated, weight loss, arthralgia, livedoid rash, and skin ulcerations) who finally was diagnosed having a disseminated epitheloid hemangioendothelioma when PET scan revealed hypermetabolic multifocal skeletal and soft tissue lesions. Diseases mimicking systemic vasculitis and the value of PET in this setting are discussed.


Scale Effects on Spatially Embedded Contact Networks.
Spatial phenomena are subject to scale effects, but there are rarely studies addressing such effects on spatially embedded contact networks. There are two types of structure in these networks, network structure and spatial structure. The network structure has been actively studied. The spatial structure of these networks has received attention only in recent years. Certainly little is known whether the two structures respond to each other. This study examines the scale effects, in terms of spatial extent, on the network structure and the spatial structure of spatially embedded contact networks. Two issues are explored, how the two types of structures change in response to scale changes, and the range of the scale effects. Two sets of areal units, regular grids with 24 different levels of spatial extent and census units of three levels of spatial extent, are used to divide one observed and two reference random networks into multiple scales. Six metrics are used to represent the two structures. Results show different scale effects. In terms of the network structure, the properties of the observed network are sensitive to scale changes at fine scales. In comparison, the clustered spatial structure of the network is scale independent. The behaviors of the network structure are affected by the spatial structure. This information helps identify vulnerable households and communities to health risks and helps deploy intervention strategies to spatially targeted areas.


[Antisense oligonucleotide targeting endostatin enhances hematopoiesis reconstitution in BMT mice].
To explore the effect of antisense oligonucleotide targeting endostatin (endostatin-ASON) transfecting bone marrow stromal cells ( BMSC) on hematopoiesis reconstitution in BMT mice. Inhibition of endostatin / VCAM-1 protein and mRNA expression was investigated by transfection of antisense oligonucleotide targeting endostatin with confocal microscopy, Western blot and RT-PCR. Bone marrow stromal cells were cultured and divided into 4 groups: group (1) without any treatment; group (2) BMT only; group (3) BMT + endostatin-ASON transfection; group (4) BMT + endostatin scrambled sequence transfection. (1) Endostatin-ASON was successfully introduced into BMSC in vitro, and the transfecting rate was 86% ;(2) After Endostatin-ASON transfected into BMSC, the expression of Endostatin mRNA and its protein on the BMSC was signficantly inhibited at different time point after BMT [the grey value of Endostatin was (0.09 +/- 0.03) - (1.44 +/- 1.19) and (0.02 + 0.02) - (0.14 +/- 0.05), respectively] (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05); (3) Transfecting with Endostatin-ASON effectively promoted the expression of VCAM-1 mRNA and its protein on the BMSC [the gray value of VCAM-1 was (1.60 +/- 0. 92) - (8.05 +/- 0.87) and (0.07 +/- 0.02) - (0.67 +/- 0.09) , respectively] (P <0.01 and P <0.05) ; (4) There was no effects of transfecting Endostatin scrambled sequence on the expression of Endostatin and VCAM-1 on the BMSC (P > 0.05). Endostatin-ASON could inhibit Endostatin expression and enhance VCAM-1 expression in BMSC after syngeneic-BMT in mice, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying the endostatin-ASON accelerating hematopoiesis reconstitution after allogeneic-BMT.


Identification of Anthocyanins from Four Kinds of Berries and Their Inhibition Activity to α-Glycosidase and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B by HPLC-FT-ICR MS/MS.
The polyphenolic profiles of four berries (blueberry, bilberry, mulberry, and cranberry) in China were investigated using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Thirty-nine polyphenols including 26 anthocyanins, 9 flavonoids, and 4 phenolic acids were identified accurately. Cyanidin aglycones are common in four berries, and malvidin aglycones are the main compounds found in bilberry and cranberry. The anthocyanin level in blueberry are the highest with 739.6 ± 17.14 mg/g DW and presented the strongest antioxidant capacity in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC assay. In α-glycosidase, the inhibition activity was in the following order: mulberry > bilberry > blueberry > cranberry. For the PTP1B inhibition assay, blueberry demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect with IC50 3.06 ± 0.02 μg/mL, followed by bilberry, mulberry, and cranberry. Molecular docking results showed that cyanidin aglycones had the highest inhibition activity to PTP1B.


Expression of class A scavenger receptor is enhanced by high glucose in vitro and under diabetic conditions in vivo: one mechanism for an increased rate of atherosclerosis in diabetes.
In the early stage of atherosclerosis, macrophages take up chemically modified low density lipoproteins (LDL) through the scavenger receptors, leading to foam cell formation in atherosclerotic lesions. To get insight into a role of the scavenger receptors in diabetes-enhanced atherosclerotic complications, the effects on class A scavenger receptor (SR-A) of high glucose exposure in vitro as well as the diabetic conditions in vivo were determined in the present study. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that high glucose exposure to human monocyte-derived macrophages led to an increased SR-A expression with a concomitant increase in the endocytic uptake of acetylated LDL and oxidized LDL. The endocytic process was significantly suppressed by an anti-SR-A neutralizing antibody. Stability analyses revealed a significant increased stability of SR-A at a mRNA level but not a protein level, indicating that high glucose-induced up-regulation of SR-A is due largely to increased stability of SR-A mRNA. High glucose-enhanced SR-A expression was prevented by protein kinase C and NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors as well as antioxidants. High glucose-enhanced production of intracellular peroxides was visualized in these cells, which was attenuated by an antioxidant. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that peritoneal macrophages from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice increased SR-A expression when compared with those from nondiabetic mice. Endocytic degradation of acetylated LDL and oxidized LDL were also increased with these macrophages but not with the corresponding macrophages from diabetic SR-A knock-out mice. These in vitro and in vivo results probably suggest that reactive oxygen species generated from a protein kinase C-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase pathway plays a role in the high glucose-induced up-regulation of SR-A, leading to the increased endocytic degradation of modified LDL for foam cell formation. This could be one mechanism for an increased rate of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.


Kerboull-type plate in a direct anterior approach for severe bone defects at primary total hip arthroplasty: technical note.
For cases with extensive acetabular bone defects, we perform surgery combining the Kerboull-type (KT) plate and bone graft through direct anterior approach (DAA) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) requiring acetabular reconstruction as minimally invasive surgery. This paper provides the details of the surgical procedure. The basic structure of the Kerboull-type plate is a cruciform plate. Since the hook of the Kerboull-type plate has to be applied to the tear drop, a space for it was exposed. The tear drop is located in the anterior lower region in surgery through DAA in supine position. It was also confirmed by fluoroscopy as needed. The bone grafting was performed using an auto- or allogeneic femoral head for bone defects in the weight-bearing region of the hip joint. Of 563 patients who underwent primary THA between 2012 and 2014, THA using the KT plate through DAA was performed in 21 patients (3.7%). The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 31.8 months. The mean operative time was 188.4 min, and the mean blood loss was 770 g. The patients became able to walk independently after 2.4 days on average (1-4 days). On clinical evaluation, the modified Harris Hip Score was 45.6 ± 12.4 before surgery, and it was significantly improved to 85.3 ± 8.97 on the final follow-up. DAA is a true intermuscular approach capable of conserving soft tissue. Since it is applied in a supine position, fluoroscopy can be readily used, and it was very useful to accurately place the plate.


Congenital lymphedema and distichiasis.
Distichiasis is defined as a double row of eyelashes. Inherited forms of distichiasis have been associated with early and late-onset congenital lymphedema. We report on a child with distichiasis and congenital lymphedema in which it is unknown whether the cause of lymphedema was due to a spontaneous mutation or acquired secondary to an intrauterine infection. Acquired forms of distichiasis are reviewed.


Diagnostic value of hyaline globules in endodermal sinus tumor: report of two cases.
Two cases of ovarian endodermal sinus tumor are reported. The cytologic preparations were obtained from ascitic and/or autopsy specimens. The findings on Papanicolaou-stained smears included clustering of malignant cells, pleomorphism of nuclei and cytoplasmic vacuolization and thus resembled those seen in cases of mucinous cystoadenocarcinoma of the ovary. Hyaline globules, characteristic of the alpha-fetoprotein-synthesizing (AFP-synthesizing) cells found in endodermal sinus tumor, were observed inside the cells with periodic-acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. The presence of PAS-positive hyaline globules can be regraded, therefore, as a diagnostic clue to endodermal sinus tumor in an appropriate clinical setting and in the presence of AFP production.


Low noise single-frequency single-polarization ytterbium-doped phosphate fiber laser at 1083 nm.
We present a low noise single-frequency and single-polarization distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser at 1083 nm by using a 1.8 cm long newly developed ytterbium-doped phosphate single mode glass fiber. The maximum output power is more than 100 mW with a slope efficiency of >29.6%. The signal to noise ratio is higher than 61 dB and the laser linewidth of less than 2 kHz is estimated. The obtained relative intensity noise for frequencies of over 4.0 MHz is less than -150 dB/Hz, which approaches the shot noise limit. The achieved linear polarization extinction ratio is more than 30 dB.