Immunogold EM localization of neurochemicals in human pulmonary neuroendocrine cells.
Antibodies against the pulmonary neuroendocrine cell peptides gastrin-releasing peptide (bombesin), calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) have been labeled with colloidal gold spheres for immunocytochemical localization in human fetal and newborn lung tissue. In general, the presence and amount of immunolabeling increased with increasing gestational age, with only calcitonin appearing late in fetal life. The largest percentage of neuroepithelial body (NEB) cells labeled and the largest number of labeled dense core vesicles (DCV) were in infants with chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Serial ribbons allowed identification of more than one peptide in a single NEB cell. The use of two antibodies labeled with colloidal gold spheres of different sizes allowed the identification of two peptides in the same DCV. Quantification of relative amounts of labeled peptides was not possible, as the peptide labeling with the larger size gold sphere was consistently underestimated. Colocalization to the same DCV has been shown in humans for bombesin and calcitonin, calcitonin and CGRP, bombesin and CGRP and, by others for cholecystokinin (CCK) and serotonin. Colocalization of two or more peptides or an amine to a single DCV within the same cell implies simultaneous discharge by exocytosis. The action of the two (or more) substances might be in concert, perhaps with one acting in a paracrine fashion, and the second in an autocrine fashion. In this case, the second peptide or amine might have a regulatory function in the parent cell, influencing DCV storage or rate of release.


[Secondary transurethral surgery of the bladder neck].
In the period from 1970 to 1978 24 patients after transvesical adenomectomy and 76 patients after TUR of the prostate gland underwent a secondary transurethral surgical intervention. Causes were residual adenomas, stenoses of the vesical neck and recidivations of the adenoma. Explanations are given for the differences in the course of the temporary coordination to the primary intervention. The preoperative situation concerning infections, problems of the operation technique and in the case of the TUR the qualification of the resectionists are mentioned. After the TUR as primary intervention clearly less carcinomas were proved in the electro-resectate in comparison to the transvesical adenomectomy.


Transnasal prelacrimal approach to the inferior intraconal space: a feasibility study.
Endonasal access to the inferomedial and inferolateral intraconal space via the orbital floor has not been reported. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of accessing the inferior intraconal space through the orbital floor via a transnasal prelacrimal approach. Secondarily, it aims to highlight anatomical relationships of neurovascular structures in this space, as a requirement to prevent complications. Six cadaveric heads (12 sides) were dissected using a transnasal prelacrimal approach. The orbital floor, medial to the infraorbital canal, was removed and the periorbita opened to expose the inferior rectus muscle. The inferomedial and inferolateral intraconal space was accessed alongside the medial and lateral border of inferior rectus muscle, respectively. Various anatomical relationships of adjacent neurovascular structures were recorded, and the distances among the recti muscles and optic nerve were also measured. The infraorbital nerve is located at the inferolateral aspect of inferior rectus muscle. In the inferomedial intraconal space, we identified the inferomedial muscular trunk of the ophthalmic artery, optic nerve, and branches of the oculomotor nerve; whereas the inferolateral intraconal space contained the inferolateral muscular trunk of ophthalmic artery, branches of the oculomotor and nasociliary nerve, and abducens nerve. Distances from the medial, inferior, and lateral recti muscles to the optic nerve were (mean ± standard deviation) 4.70 ± 1.18 mm, 5.60 ± 0.93 mm, and 7.98 ± 1.99 mm, respectively. Distances from the inferior rectus muscle to the inferior borders of medial and lateral recti muscles were 4.45 ± 1.23 mm and 8.77 ± 1.80 mm. It is feasible to access the inferior intraconal space through the orbital floor via a transnasal prelacrimal approach. The access may be subdivided into inferomedial and inferolateral corridors according to the entry point at the medial or lateral border of the inferior rectus muscle. Neurovascular structures in the inferior intraconal space are visualized directly, which should enhance their preservation.


[Verification on the cut-offs of waist circumference for defining central obesity in Chinese elderly and tall adults].
To describe the characteristics for distribution of waist circumference (WC) and validate the cut-offs of WC in defining the central obesity among Chinese elderly and tall adults. Data from the 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey was used to analyze the characteristics of WC distribution among subjects aged 45 and above and their height beyond the P85 percentile of Chinese adults. Kappa test was used to estimate the consistency of different cut-offs for WC with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 in defining obesity. The odds ratios of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in different cut-offs on WC were calculated by multiple logistic regression. ROC curves analysis was used to determine the cut-offs. The means of WC were: 80.8 cm in male elderly, 79.4 cm in female elderly, 84.1 cm in tall male and 77.9 cm in tall female, respectively. The WC at 85 cm for male and 80 cm for female elderly had the best consistency with BMI at 24, and the distance of ROC curve was the shortest. The odds ratios for diabetes significantly increased from WC categories of 85-cm (OR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.6 - 2.8), 90-cm (OR = 3.0, 95%CI: 2.3 - 4.0), and 95-cm (OR = 4.5, 95%CI: 3.4 - 5.8) in male elderly, and 80-cm (OR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.4 - 2.6), 85-cm (OR = 3.2, 95%CI: 2.4 - 4.3), and 90-cm (OR = 4.8, 95%CI: 3.7 - 6.1) in female elderly (P < 0.01). The odds ratios for impaired fasting glucose also significantly increased from WC categories of 85-cm (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2 - 2.2), 90-cm (OR = 2.6, 95%CI: 1.9 - 3.5), and 95-cm (OR = 3.5, 95%CI: 2.6 - 4.6) in male elderly, and 80-cm (OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.8 - 3.4), 85-cm (OR = 3.2, 95%CI: 2.4 - 4.4), and 90-cm (OR = 4.2, 95%CI: 3.2 - 5.6) in female elderly (P < 0.01). The odds ratios for diabetes (OR = 3.6, 95%CI: 2.1 - 6.4) and impaired fasting glucose (OR = 5.5, 95%CI: 3.0 - 10.1) significantly increased from WC ≥ 95 cm in tall males. The odds ratios for diabetes significantly increased from WC categories of 85-cm (OR = 5.0, 95%CI: 2.7 - 9.4) and 90-cm (OR = 8.0, 95%CI: 4.6 - 14.1), and odds ratio for impaired fasting glucose of WC ≥ 90 cm was 3.7 (95%CI: 2.0 - 6.9) in tall females. The recommended cut-off points of WC were 85 cm for elderly males and 80 cm for elderly females. The cut-offs of WC were also effective predictors for impaired fasting glucose among tall adults. The cut-offs of WC in the Guidelines for Overweight and Obesity Prevention and Control for Chinese Adults were verified and should be applied as preventive indicators.


[Construction of eukaryotic expression vectors of carboxyl terminus and amino terminus of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR) and their expression in 293T cell line].
The present experimental data have showed that the function of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR) is mainly as a scaffold protein that coordinates the assembly of a multiprotein complex containing MAPK and its upstream regulators. But whether KSR has kinase activity is still the point of argument until now. The aim of this study is to construct eukaryotic expression vectors of carboxyl terminus and amino terminus of KSR and to detect their expression in 293T cell line. N-KSR and C-KSR were amplified by PCR. The eukaryotic expression vectors of pCMV-Tag2b-N-KSR and pCMV-Tag2b-C-KSR were constructed by gene recombination technique and the recombinant plasmids were verified by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. Then positive clones were transfected into 293T cell line. Expression of target proteins was analyzed by Western blot. The sequences and open read frames of the two vectors were both completely concordant with experiment design. The target proteins could be observed in transfected 293T cells by Western blot. Eukaryotic expression vectors of pCMV-Tag2b-N-KSR and pCMV-Tag2b-C-KSR are successfully constructed, and they can be expressed in 293T cells. It provides an experimental base for further research work.


Temperature monitorable refractometer of microfiber Bragg grating using a duet of harmonic resonances.
To overcome the temperature cross-sensitivity of the microfiber Bragg grating (m-FBG) refractometer, we propose a novel refractive-index-temperature dual-sensing paradigm involving the third harmonic Bragg resonance that presents distinctive sensing characteristics. Strong resonances are obtained in both 1060 nm and 1550 nm wavebands under the modulation of the UV Talbot pattern. Moreover, higher-order transverse mode coupled resonance is also observed at the third harmonic waveband, supplementing an independent signal for enabling a sensing trio potentially. It is believed that the proposed dual-sensing paradigm would contribute to the m-FBT-based chemoprobes/bioprobes.


"Magic" heteroepitaxial growth on vicinal surfaces.
The step period (Lambda) of vicinal surfaces can be used as a new parameter for the control of metallic heteroepitaxial growth. This is evidenced here in the case of Ag/Cu(211). The deposition of 1 monolayer (ML) exhibits a c(2 x 10) superstructure leading to the formation of [111] steps in the Ag adlayer in contrast with the original [100] steps for the Cu substrate. This wetting layer can be viewed as a (133) Ag plane and it will be the starting point for the epitaxial growth. The deposition of 4 ML shows that the thin Ag film results homogeneous and no twins or stacking faults are detected. Moreover, the film grows along the [133] axis which is the orientation that minimizes the misfit between Cu(211) and the Ag film. Thus, the use of a regular stepped substrate allows one to select the crystallographic orientation of the growth and seems to be a way to avoid the creation of stacking faults.


Nine hexagonal ca(5)pb(3)z phases in stuffed mn(5)si(3)-type structures with transition metal interstitial atoms z. Problems with classical valence States in possible zintl phases.
Ternary hexagonal Ae(5)Tt(3)Z phases have been obtained from high-temperature reactions (1000-1300 degrees C in Ta) only for Ae (alkaline-earth metal) = Ca, Tt (tetrel) = Pb, and Z = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ru, or Cd. The hexagonal crystal structures (stuffed Mn(5)Si(3)-type, P6(3)/mcm, Z = 2) were refined for Z = Mn and Fe (a = 9.3580(3), 9.3554(5) A, c = 7.009(1), 7.009(1) A, respectively). In contrast, Ca(5)Pb(3)Z for Z = Cu or Ag form only with a trigonal structure (P3c1, Z = 2, a = 9.4130(3) A, c = 7.052(1) A for Cu) in which regular displacements of only the linear strings of Ca1 atoms occur. The existence of these compounds stands in contrast to the nonexistence of all binary Ae(5)Tt(3) products from Ca to Ba (Ae) and Si to Pb (Tt) with a Mn(5)Si(3)-type structure. Therefore, it once seemed attractive to consider the Z elements in these Ca(5)Pb(3)Z compounds as reducing agents (electron donors). The Mn and Fe structures appropriately exhibit greatly enlarged antiprismatic calcium cavities about Z. Other indications of relatively electron-poor environments around Fe are found in its properties, which include soft ferromagnetism with an elevated magnetic moment (6.3 micro(B)) and a large Fe 3p(3/2) binding energy relative to that in La(5)Ge(3)Fe, La(15)Ge(9)Fe, etc. The Ca(5)Pb(3)Mn phase exhibits metallic behavior (rho(295) = 135 microOmega cm) and temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism. These properties are supported by ab initio band structure calculations for Ca(5)Pb(3)Mn, which show strong Ca-Pb bonding and a broad Pb-based band, with appreciable Ca-Mn and Ca-Pb bonding states at and above E(F). Distortion of the Cu analogue gives strengthened Ca-Pb bonding and reduced Cu-Ca1 repulsions. A Zintl phase description of these compounds and some related compounds in terms of closed Pb bands is not appropriate.


Characterization of MboI satellites in Cirrhina mrigala and Clarias batrachus (Pisces).
We have cloned and characterized two highly reiterated, tandemly repeated, and A+T rich MboI DNA fragments, one in Cirrhina mrigala (Cyprinidae), with a monomer size of 266 bp, and one in Clarias batrachus (Clariidae), with a monomer size of 227 bp. The MboI fragment in C. mrigala is species-specific and absent in other carps, such as Catla catla and Labeo rohita. The MboI fragment in C. batrachus was also present in two other catfishes tested, namely Clarias gariepinus and Heteropneustes fossilis. In C, mrigala x C. catla and C. mrigala x L. rohita hybrids, the C. mrigala specific MboI fragment is inherited uniparentally. In the reciprocal hybrids of C. batrachus x H. fossilis, the satellite ladder contains the bands of both parental species. The MboI satellite of carp may be useful in genetic introgression analysis and that of catfish in distinguishing between gynogenetic progeny and true hybrids.


Quadrupole collectivity beyond N = 28: intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation of (47,48)Ar.
We report on the first experimental study of quadrupole collectivity in the very neutron-rich nuclei (47,48)Ar using intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation. These nuclei are located along the path from doubly magic Ca to collective S and Si isotopes, a critical region of shell evolution and structural change. The deduced B(E2) transition strengths are confronted with large-scale shell-model calculations in the sdpf shell using the state-of-the-art SDPF-Uand EPQQM effective interactions. The comparison between experiment and theory indicates that a shell-model description of Ar isotopes around N=28 remains a challenge.


Arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide difference in pediatric intensive care.
Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) is considered the gold standard for scrupulous monitoring in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), but it is invasive, laborious, expensive, and intermittent. The study aims to explore when we can use end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PETCO2) as a reliable, continuous, and noninvasive monitor of arterial CO2. Concurrent PETCO2, fraction of inspired oxygen, PaCO2, and arterial oxygen tension values of clinically stable children on mechanical ventilation were recorded. Children with extra-pulmonary ventriculoatrial shunts were excluded. The PETCO2 and PaCO2 difference and its variability and reproducibility were studied. A total of 624 concurrent readings were obtained from 105 children (mean age [SD] 5.53 [5.43] years) requiring invasive bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation in the PICU. All had continuous PETCO2 monitoring and an arterial line for blood gas measurement. The mean (SD) number of concurrent readings obtained from each child, 4-6 h apart was 6.0 (4.05). The PETCO2 values were higher than PaCO2 in 142 observations (22.7%). The PaCO2-PETCO2 difference was individual admission specific (ANOVA, P < 0.001). The PaCO2-PETCO2 difference correlated positively with the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension [P(A-a)O2] difference (ρ = 0.381 P < 0.0001). There was a fixed bias between the PETCO2 and PaCO2 measuring methods, difference +0.66 KPa (95% confidence interval: +0.57 to +0.76). The PaCO2-PETCO2 difference was individual specific. It was not affected by the primary disorder leading to the ventilation.


Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II binding to an IGF binding protein. An investigation using chemical modification of tyrosine residues as a structural probe for the sites of interaction.
We have investigated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II binding to bovine insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (bIGFBP-2) using chemical modification to locate sites on the IGF involved in the binding interaction. bIGFBP-2 was incubated with either recombinant human (hIGF-I) or purified ovine (oIGF-II) to form a mixture of bound and free IGF. Sites of interaction between the binding protein and IGF were then probed by iodination of the available tyrosine residues. Subsequently, the mixture of free IGF and IGF.bIGFBP-2 complex was resolved by neutral chromatography, and the IGF component of the complex with bIGFBP-2 was recovered by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography at pH 2.1. The tyrosine labeling patterns of the two populations of IGF, one iodinated while free and the other iodinated while associated with binding protein, were determined following endoproteinase Glu-C peptide mapping. Binding of hIGF-I or oIGF-II to bIGFBP-2 resulted in reduced iodination of the tyrosines in both hIGF-I and oIGF-II that are near the carboxyl-terminal, Tyr-60 and Tyr-59, respectively. The reduction in labeling of these tyrosine residues was 2-fold and 6-fold for hIGF-I and oIGF-II, respectively. On the other hand, labeling of the other 2 tyrosines in hIGF-I and oIGF-II was not different between the free and complexed growth factors. From these results we conclude that Tyr-60 and Tyr-59 in the carboxyl-terminal regions of hIGF-I and oIGF-II, respectively, are either directly involved in the binding reaction or lie in a region of the IGF molecule encompassed by the association with bIGFBP-2. Conversely, the labeling pattern of the other tyrosines, Tyr-24 and Tyr-31 in hIGF-I and Tyr-2 and Tyr-27 in oIGF-II, implies that they are not involved in binding to bIGFBP-2. To examine the role of IGF tyrosine residues in the association with bIGFBP-2, we prepared nonradioactive 127I-labeled oIGF-II. In bIGFBP-2 competition binding assays, 127I-labeled oIGF-II was 2.5-fold and 5-fold less potent than native oIGF-II when competing for binding of 125I-labeled IGF-I or IGF-II tracers, respectively. We interpret these results as indicating that at least 1 tyrosine in oIGF-II is involved in binding to bIGFBP-2.


Effectiveness of a smartphone-enabled dyadic self-care programme (SDSCP) for stroke survivors and caregivers: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
The promotion of self-care has begun to serve as a central response strategy to the rising burden of stroke. In fact, stroke self-care can be recognised to be a dyad phenomenon having an effect on the health of stroke survivors and their caregivers. While studies have confirmed the effectiveness of smartphone-based interventions in improving self-care among stroke survivors, there remains a lack of evidence specifically regarding dyadic self-care interventions for both patients and caregivers. The present single-blinded, two-arm, randomised controlled trial aims to verify the effectiveness of a smartphone-enabled dyadic self-care programme (SDSCP) for stroke survivors and their caregivers. The estimated sample size is 152 stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. The participants will be randomly classified (1:1) into either a control (N=76) or an experimental group (N=76) through block randomisation. The participants classified into the experimental group will be provided with SDSCP, and during the initial home visit, the research team members will provide instructions to all patients and caregivers on how to download and use the smartphone application. While the participants in the control group will be given the existing stroke standard care. The main outcome measures of stroke survivors will consist of the Self-Care of Stroke Inventory and a short version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale. The outcome measures of stroke caregivers will primarily cover the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Stroke Inventory and Zarit burden interview. The data of this study will be collected at three time points, including baseline, 1 month and 6 months from the baseline. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhengzhou University (ZZUIRB 2021-115) in January 2021. The results achieved in this study will facilitate the clinical practice to improve self-care of stroke survivors and promote dyadic health outcomes for stroke patients and caregivers. The study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry and the registration number is ChiCTR2100053591.


A Casein Kinase II Phosphorylation Site in AtYY1 Affects Its Activity, Stability, and Function in the ABA Response.
The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins are crucial in the regulation of protein activity and stability in various signaling pathways. In this study, we identified an ABA repressor, Arabidopsis Ying Yang 1 (AtYY1) as a potential target of casein kinase II (CKII). AtYY1 physically interacts with two regulatory subunits of CKII, CKB3, and CKB4. Moreover, AtYY1 can be phosphorylated by CKII in vitro, and the S284 site is the major CKII phosphorylation site. Further analyses indicated that S284 phosphorylation can enhance the transcriptional activity and protein stability of AtYY1 and hence strengthen the effect of AtYY1 as a negative regulator in the ABA response. Our study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of AtYY1 mediated by CKII phosphorylation.


[Glucoamylase enhancement regulated by blue light in Aspergillus niger].
Regulation of glucoamylase production in photoinduced A. niger under blue light were investigated. The results showed that continuous illumination of blue light was effective in promotion of conidiation, leading to more glucoamylase production due to the need of sporulation in A. niger. It was clear that 36h-old mycelium grown in dark was in the developmental stage of formation of conidiophore stalk and was most sensitive to BL A. niger cultures exhibited some competence stage to respond to blue light over a period of 36 h when early conidiophore stalk formed in darkness, and photoinduction at this critical period resulted in relatively higher yield of glucoamylase. The fluence-response data generated with blue light indicated that the optimum fluence required for the photomorphogenetic response in A. niger was no less than 450 (mol/m2 x s) to saturate the photoinduction system. The amount of glucoamylase gene (G1) transcripts accumulated during illumination with blue light was more than that in total darkness, whereas the threshold for G1 induction during illumination with increased gradient light was higher than that exposed directly to light of constant fluence, indicating the existence of a light adaptation mechanism for glucoamyalse production in response to blue light. Nevertheless, both high and low light were able to promote glucoamylase producing. Furthermore, suppression subtractive hybridization experiment revealed that some respiratory chain redox enzymes in mitochondria including alternative oxidase as well as sulfhydryl oxidase participated the photoresponse in A. niger and consequently influenced the metabolism. The results support a possibility of designing strategies to improve glucoamylase yield by application of blue light.


Psychometric Properties of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Venous Leg Ulcer Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Symptoms and treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) adversely impact patients' quality of life (QoL). There is no QoL tool that considers the linguistic and cultural specificities of patients with VLU in Taiwan. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the Venous Leg Ulcer Quality of Life Questionnaire (VLU-QoL). The processes of translation and cultural adaptation of the VLU-QoL from English to traditional Chinese included forward translation, back translation, linguistic modification, and expert review. Using a sample of 167 patients with VLU from a hospital in southern Taiwan, the psychometric properties analyzed were internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and criterion-related. The traditional Chinese version of the VLU-QoL demonstrated good overall internal consistency (Cronbach α = .95) and overall test-retest reliability coefficient (r = 0.98). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the convergent validity of the scale; results showed that the Activity, Psychology, and Symptom Distress constructs had acceptable fit and a structure similar to that of the original scale. The scale had its criterion-related validity verified using the Taiwanese version of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, demonstrating a good correlation coefficient r that ranged from -0.7 to -0.2 (P < .001). The Chinese version of the VLU-QoL is valid and reliable for assessing the QoL in patients with VLU, delivering a tool that nurses can use to deliver timely and appropriate care to improve patients' QoL.


Effects of kinesiology taping on trunk function, balance, and mobility in stroke patients: a pilot feasibility study.
[Purpose] This study aimed to explore whether trunk kinesiology taping (KT) can improve trunk function, mobility, and balance in post-stroke patients with hemiparesis. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a single-group pre-post design pilot feasibility study. Thirteen individuals with post-stroke hemiplegia were recruited for this study. All patients received therapeutic trunk KT on the skin, representing the direction of fibres of the trunk muscles underneath. We used the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Trunk Control Test (TCT) to measure trunk function, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for balance, limits of stability (LOS) to evaluate balance, and the modified Rivermead mobility index (MRMI) to assess mobility in post-stroke patients. All measures were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. [Results] No adverse effects were found and all patients completed the trial. Compared to the baseline, TIS scores were significantly increased after KT, whereas no changes in TCT score were detected. The directional control of LOS was significantly improved, while no significant changes were seen in the other parameters of LOS, FMA-balance, and MRMI scores. [Conclusion] The results of this investigation show that trunk KT has immediate effects that improve certain trunk functional and balance parameters in stroke patients.


kappa-Hefutoxin1, a novel toxin from the scorpion Heterometrus fulvipes with unique structure and function. Importance of the functional diad in potassium channel selectivity.
An important and exciting challenge in the postgenomic era is to understand the functions of newly discovered proteins based on their structures. The main thrust is to find the common structural motifs that contribute to specific functions. Using this premise, here we report the purification, solution NMR, and functional characterization of a novel class of weak potassium channel toxins from the venom of the scorpion Heterometrus fulvipes. These toxins, kappa-hefutoxin1 and kappa-hefutoxin2, exhibit no homology to any known toxins. NMR studies indicate that kappa-hefutoxin1 adopts a unique three-dimensional fold of two parallel helices linked by two disulfide bridges without any beta-sheets. Based on the presence of the functional diad (Tyr(5)/Lys(19)) at a distance (6.0 +/- 1.0 A) comparable with other potassium channel toxins, we hypothesized its function as a potassium channel toxin. kappa-Hefutoxin 1 not only blocks the voltage-gated K(+)-channels, Kv1.3 and Kv1.2, but also slows the activation kinetics of Kv1.3 currents, a novel feature of kappa-hefutoxin 1, unlike other scorpion toxins, which are considered solely pore blockers. Alanine mutants (Y5A, K19A, and Y5A/K19A) failed to block the channels, indicating the importance of the functional diad.


Toward a sustainable environment: Nexus between CO2 emissions, resource rent, renewable and nonrenewable energy in 16-EU countries.
The study investigates the long-run and causal interaction between, renewable energy consumption, nonrenewable energy consumption, and economic growth in a carbon function. The current study incorporates natural resources rent to the model as an additional variable. Empirical evidence is based on a balanced panel data between annual periods of 1996-2014 for selected EU-16 countries. The Kao test reveals a cointegration between carbon dioxide emissions, economic growth, natural resources rent, renewable, and nonrenewable energy consumption. The Panel Pooled Mean Group-Autoregressive Auto regressive distributive lag model (PMG-ARDL) suggests a positive significant relationship between the countries' natural resource rent and CO2 emissions in the long-run. Implying that the overdependence on natural resource rent affects environmental sustainability of the panel countries if conservation and management options are ignored. Our study affirms that nonrenewable energy consumption and economic growth increase carbon emission flaring while renewable energy consumption declines CO2 emissions. The panel causality analysis reveals a feedback mechanism between economic growth, renewable, and nonrenewable energy consumption. We further observed a feedback causality between natural resources rent and economic growth. Effective policy implications could be drawn toward modern and environmentally friendly energy sources, especially in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.


High frequency of parasitic and viral stool pathogens in patients with active ulcerative colitis: report from a tropical country.
Diarrhoeal relapses in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) may be associated with enteric infections and its diagnosis may lessen avoidable exposure to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of stool pathogens (parasitic and viral) in patients with active UC. This prospective cross-sectional study included 49 consecutive patients (32 M, 17 F, mean age 35.8+/-12 years) with active UC. Three stool samples were collected from each patient and examined for parasitic infection. Rectal biopsies were obtained during sigmoidoscopy to demonstrate cytomegalovirus (CMV) inclusion bodies and to conduct qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CMV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA detection. Median duration of illness was 3.9+/-3.7 years and 83.7% of the patients had moderate to severe disease. The prevalence of parasitic infections in UC was 12%. The organisms isolated were Strongyloides stercoralis in 4%, Ankylostoma duodenale in 4%, Cryptosporidium in 2% and Entamoeba histolytica in 2% of the patients. The prevalence of CMV and HSV in rectal biopsies using qualitative PCR was 8% and 10%, respectively. No predictive factor was identified with CMV superinfection in patients with active UC. In India there is a high prevalence of parasitic and viral infections in patients with active UC. The results of the study suggest that, in tropical countries with a known high prevalence of parasitic diseases, aggressive evaluation for parasitic and viral infections should be carried out, as early identification and prompt treatment of such infections can improve the clinical course of patients with active UC.


Phentermine induced acute interstitial nephritis.
Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) has a number of medication-related aetiologies. Antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are common causes; however, any medication has the potential to cause drug-induced AIN. We report the first case of phentermine-induced AIN. A Caucasian woman aged 43 years presented with a 5-week history of lethargy, left-sided lower abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. She had been taking phentermine for weight loss for 9 months and had recently ceased the medication. The patient underwent a renal biopsy that showed a predominantly lymphohistiocytic interstitial infiltrate with a moderate number of eosinophils consistent with AIN. Phentermine is increasingly used for weight loss in obese patients. This is the first case implicating phentermine as the causative agent for drug-induced AIN. While rare, phentermine-induced AIN is a possible adverse reaction of phentermine. Physicians and patients need to be aware of this risk.


Takes your breath away--the immunology of allergic alveolitis.
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (synonym: hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by inhaling antigenic aerosols which induce hypersensitivity responses in susceptible individuals. It is an interstitial inflammatory disease affecting the distal, gas-exchanging parts of the lung, in contrast to allergic asthma where the inflammation is more proximal, affecting the conducting airways. The aims of this review are to describe current concepts of the immunology of this model of lung inflammation, to describe some of the constitutional and environmental characteristics which affect disease susceptibility and development, and to describe topics for prospective study.


[Preterm birth in Bulgaria--changes in aetiology and incidence in the last decade].
There is no decrease in the incidence of preterm birth in Bulgaria and in the world, despite of all the therapeutic and prophylactic efforts. The rate of prematurity in University Maternity Hospital 'Maichin dom' in the last decade has increased significantly- from 11.6% in 2003 to 17.5% in 2013. The numbers are higher than the national average due to the essence of the Hospital being a leading clinical and scientific center. Thorough analysis demonstrates significant increase in the first grade prematurity being 5.8% of all live births in 2003 and 10.2% of all live births in 2013. In fact 58% of all premature births result in first grade preterm newborn. There is no significant increase in the forth grade- severe prematurity in the last decade. We believe that this increase in preterm birth rate is due to several reasons: the success of assisted reproductive technologies, which in Bulgaria leads to a significant increase in the number of multiple pregnancies; destructive/ablative methods of treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, especially LLETZ (LEEP), postponing of first pregnancy, increase in the number of adult primiparous women and as a whole pregnancy at later age, pregnancy in puberty. All these impose changes in the protocol for pregnancy follow up. Furthermore, we believe it is high time to increase the effectiveness of this service, as lack of adequate follow up is a reason for preterm birth on its own.


L-arginine and superoxide dismutase prevent or reverse cerebral hypoperfusion after fluid-percussion traumatic brain injury.
To determine whether treatment with L-arginine or superoxide dismutase (SOD) would prove effective in reducing cerebral hypoperfusion after traumatic brain injury (TBI), we measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in rats treated before or after moderate (2.2 atm) fluid-percussion (FP) TBI. Rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and prepared for midline FP TBI and then for LDF by thinning the calvaria using an air-cooled drill. Rats were then randomly assigned to receive sham injury, sham injury plus L-arginine (100 mg/kg, 5 min after sham TBI), TBI plus 0.9% NaCl, TBI plus L-arginine (100 mg/kg, 5 min post-TBI), TBI plus SOD (24,000 U/kg pre-TBI + 1600 units/kg/min for 15 min after TBI), or TBI plus SOD and L-arginine. A second group of rats received TBI plus saline, L-, or D-arginine (100 mg/kg, 5 min after-TBI). After treatment and TBI or sham injury, CBF was measured continuously using LDF for 2 h and CBF was expressed as a percent of the preinjury baseline for 2 h after TBI. Rats treated with saline or D-arginine exhibited significant reductions in CBF that persisted throughout the monitoring period. Rats treated with L-arginine alone or in combination with SOD exhibited no decreases in CBF after TBI. CBF in the SOD-treated group decreased significantly within 15 min after TBI but returned to baseline levels by 45 min after TBI. These studies indicate that L-arginine but not D-arginine administered after TBI prevents posttraumatic hypoperfusion and that pretreatment with SOD will restore CBF after a brief period of hypoperfusion.


Unravelling the Antiproliferative Activity of 1,2,5-oxadiazole Derivatives.
To develop several new derivatives aimed to complete the studies concerning the antiproliferative profile of the oxadiazole derivative MD77. The substitution pattern around the phenyl rings of this compound was analyzed through the synthesis of positional isomers and of analogues bearing different substituents at the para positions (2-12). The results of the antiproliferative activity of these derivatives versus HCT-116 and HeLa cancer cell lines shed light on the effects of the presence, nature and position of such substituents. Notably, derivative 4, a regioisomer of 1 in which the substituents at the para positions of the phenyl rings were inverted, showed the best antiproliferative profile, exhibiting a significant activity also against MCF7 and MDA-MB 468 cancer cell lines. Preliminary results showed the ability of compound 4 to reduce the viability of cancer cells by counteracting human recombinant topoisomerase II α relaxation activity.


Statement of Retraction: "Kishali NF, Imamoglu O, Kaldirimci M, Akyol P, Yildirim K. Comparison of lipid and lipoprotein values in men and women differing in training status.".
The editors and publisher would like to inform the readers that the following article has been retracted from publication in The International Journal of Neuroscience: Kishali NF, Imamoglu O, Kaldirimci M, Akyol P, Yildirim K. Comparison of lipid and lipoprotein values in men and women differing in training status. Int J Neurosci 2005 Sep;115(9):1247-57. The corresponding author, Dr. Kishali, notified the editors and the publisher that this article was previously published by The Biology of Sport: Imamoglu, O, Atan, T, Kishali, NF, Burmaoglu, G, Akyol, P, Yildirim, K. Comparison of lipid and lipoprotein values in men and women differing in training status. Biol Sport 2005 Sep;22(3):261-70. Dr. Kishali requested the retraction and we agreed. Our policy in this respect is clear: The International Journal of Neuroscience considers all manuscripts on the strict condition that they have been submitted only to The International Journal of Neuroscience, that they have not been published already, nor are they under consideration for publication or in press elsewhere. The International Journal of Neuroscience published this article in good faith, and on the basis of signed statements made by the corresponding author regarding the originality of their work. The article is withdrawn from all print and electronic editions.


In vitro effects of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide on the morphology and function of human peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytic cells (macrophages).
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated for 1 hr in 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (0.5 to 10.0 micrograms/ml), and the adherent, esterase-positive cells (macrophages) were studied. At 2 hr, a reduction was noted in both latex particle ingestion and Fc gamma receptor binding and phagocytosis. At 24 hr, spreading and pinocytosis were reduced, and cytoplasmic vacuoles developed. This vacuolization represented dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. These morphological and functional changes occurred with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide concentrations which did not reduce viability or produce detectable DNA alkylation. This effect on macrophages may offer a mechanism whereby low-dosage cyclophosphamide could modify the immune response.


Differential proteomic screening and identification for non-traumatic necrotic femoral osseous tissue.
Currently, there is a lack of effective early screening and detection methods for femoral head necrosis. Current research on most orthopedic diseases focuses on proteomics in the preliminary stage. The recent fluorescence differential in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) has advantages such as a high reproducibility, high sensitivity, high throughput, and high dynamic range. It is currently one of the most widely used quantitative proteomic research means. We conducted this study to investigate the pathogenesis of non-traumatic femoral head necrosis using the fluorescence DIGE to screen non-traumatic femoral head necrosis based on proteomics and provide a theoretical basis for screening possible biomarkers and molecular targeted treatment. The DIGE technique was used to separate the protein. An electrophoretogram was established on the basis of scanning and analysis. Identification and a bioinformatics analysis were conducted for the differential protein. The protein with differential expression of over 2-fold was excavated and ionized by means of substrate assisted laser desorption. The flight time was identified with a mass spectrometer (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF/TOF). The formation on sequences, structures and functions of these proteins were obtained through database retrieval. Western blot analysis was used to verify the differential protein expression and the reliability of the DIGE result was verified. DIGE was used to successfully separate 1,500±40 protein spots. There were 252 significant differential protein spots. The Ettan™ Spot Picker automatic work station was used to excavate 49 significant differential protein spots with expression difference over 2-fold. The MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer was used to identify these differential protein spots. Six proteins were identified in total, which include apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), fibrous protein original chain, fibrous protein original chain, serum albumin, sulfur-oxygen protein peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) and actin. APOA1 and PRDX2 were subject to western blot analysis detection; results were consistent with the DIGE result. Based on an analysis of the biological information, these proteins may be associated with the incidence and progression of femoral head necrosis.


Assessment of intramuscular emulsified disulfiram in alcoholics by estimation of urinary diethylamine.
Five alcoholics administered 1 g of disulfiram in soybean emulsion by deep intramuscular injection were found to have insignificant urinary levels of disulfiram metabolites compared with five patients on oral disulfiram. Disulfiram administered in this way is unlikely to produce a significant reaction with ethanol, but its value as a placebo should not be discounted. In this pilot trial, the technique caused moderate local and systemic reactions and possible hepatic toxicity. Although in other respects the method is superior to surgical implants, modification of dosage and vehicle will be necessary, and the high incidence and severity of side effects preclude further clinical use of disulfiram in this form. Based on the work of Gordis and Peterson, a qualitative and quantitative thin-layer chromatographic urine assay method for the disulfiram metabolite diethylamine, measured as cupric diethyldithiocarbamate, was developed. This is practicable in a hospital laboratory situation and has application for compliance testing in patients on oral disulfiram.


Selective nitrile inhibitors to modulate the proteolytic synergism of cathepsins S and F.
A series of dipeptide nitriles with different P3 substituents was designed to explore the S3 binding pocket of cathepsin S. Racemic 7-16 and the enantiopure derivative (R)-22 proved to be potent inhibitors of human cathepsin S and exhibited notable selectivity over human cathepsins L, K, and B. Inhibition of cathepsin F, the functional synergist of cathepsin S, was not observed. The azadipeptide analogue of 22, compound 26, was highly potent but nonselective.


Aging may be a conditional strategic choice and not an inevitable outcome for bacteria.
Aging is known in all organisms that have different somatic and reproductive cells or in unicellular organisms that divide asymmetrically. Bacteria that divide symmetrically were believed to be immune to natural aging. The demonstration of functionally asymmetric division and aging in Escherichia coli recently has challenged this belief and led to the suggestion that aging might be inevitable for all life forms. We modeled the effects of symmetric and asymmetric division in bacteria to examine selective advantages of the alternative strategies of division. Aging of cell components was modeled by using a modified Leslie matrix framework. The model suggests that asymmetric division accompanied by aging and death of some cells results in a higher growth rate but a reduced growth yield. Symmetric division with or without gradual replacement of the old components, on the other hand, slows down the growth rate but may increase growth yield over a wide range of conditions. Thus, aging and immortality can be selected under different sets of conditions, and this selection may also lead to a tradeoff between growth rate and growth yield.


Weakly and strongly coupled Belousov-Zhabotinsky patterns.
We investigate experimentally and numerically the synchronization of two-dimensional spiral wave patterns in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction due to point-to-point coupling of two separate domains. Different synchronization modalities appear depending on the coupling strength and the initial patterns in each domain. The behavior as a function of the coupling strength falls into two qualitatively different regimes. The weakly coupled regime is characterized by inter-domain interactions that distorted but do not break wave fronts. Under weak coupling, spiral cores are pushed around by wave fronts in the other domain, resulting in an effective interaction between cores in opposite domains. In the case where each domain initially contains a single spiral, the cores form a bound pair and orbit each other at quantized distances. When the starting patterns consist of multiple randomly positioned spiral cores, the number of cores decreases with time until all that remains are a few cores that are synchronized with a partner in the other domain. The strongly coupled regime is characterized by interdomain interactions that break wave fronts. As a result, the wave patterns in both domains become identical.


[Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia in a patient treated with amiodarone].
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a well-defined clinicopathological entity. The aetiology of BOOP is generally unknown, although it has been associated with specific diseases or various pharmaceutical drugs. The amiodarone is one of them. We report a patient with BOOP secondary to amiodarone therapy, who presented with cough, fever and sputum production, dyspnoea and night sweats lasting for two months. A chest radiograph showed bilateral patchy and interstitial infiltrates. Lymphocyte phenotyping of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed decreased ratio of CD4+:CD8+ lymphocytes. Transbronchial lung biopsy established the diagnosis of BOOP. After stopping amiodarone therapy, symptoms disappeared and the chest radiograph remained normal within two months.


Repair of spontaneously deamidated HPr phosphocarrier protein catalyzed by the L-isoaspartate-(D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase.
The non-enzymatic deamidation at residues Asn-12 and Asn-38 of Escherichia coli phosphocarrier protein, HPr, and the repair of the resulting L-isoaspartyl (or beta-aspartyl) derivatives, HPr-1 and HPr-2, by recombinant human S-adenosylmethionine-dependent L-isoaspartate-(D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase (EC 184.108.40.206) were investigated. HPr is a component of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system that is involved in the concomitant translocation and phosphorylation of many hexose sugars. The major products of the deamidation reaction, L-isoaspartyl (or beta-aspartyl) residues at positions 12 and 38, were found to be substrates for the L-isoaspartate-(D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase, an enzyme active on a wide variety of peptides and proteins containing these abnormal residues. This enzyme has been shown to catalyze the first step in a process that can convert L-isoaspartyl residues in peptides to normal L-aspartyl residues. The affinity of a recombinant human methyltransferase for HPr-1, a form deamidated at Asn-38, was relatively poor (Km = 3.6 mM), while a greater affinity was found for HPr-2, a form deamidated at both Asn-12 and Asn-38 (Km = 197 microM). When HPr-2 was incubated with S-adenosylmethionine and the methyltransferase, the bulk of the L-isoaspartyl residues at position 12 was converted to L-aspartyl residues. The major-by-product was the D-isoaspartyl form. The conversion of L-isoaspartyl residues at position 38 to L-aspartyl residues was less complete, reflecting the lower affinity of the methyltransferase for this site. The phosphohydrolysis activity of the repaired form was found to be midway between the form containing only L-aspartyl residues at positions 12 and 38 and the deamidated HPr-2 form.


Crosstalk between melatonin and reactive oxygen species in fruits and vegetables post-harvest preservation: An update.
Fruits and vegetables contain numerous nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and dietary fibers. They reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and the risk of certain chronic diseases, and improve the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. Moreover, melatonin was found in various fruits and vegetables species. Melatonin acts as a multifunctional compound to participate in various physiological processes. In recent years, many advances have been found that melatonin is also appraised as a key modulator on the fruits and vegetables post-harvest preservation. Fruits and vegetables post-harvest usually elicit reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and accumulation. Excess ROS stimulate cell damage, protein structure destruction, and tissue aging, and thereby reducing their quality. Numerous studies find that exogenous application of melatonin modulates ROS homeostasis by regulating the antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants systems. Further evidences reveal that melatonin often interacts with hormones and other signaling molecules, such as ROS, nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and etc. Among these 'new' molecules, crosstalks of melatonin and ROS, especially the H2O2 produced by RBOHs, are provided in fruits and vegetables post-harvest preservation in this review. It will provide reference for complicated integration of both melatonin and ROS as signal molecules in future study.


The influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment on the body weight and body mass index in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty and early puberty.
This study aimed to investigate the influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment on the weight and body mass index (BMI) of girls who were diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) or early puberty (EP). Patients who were younger than 8 years of age at diagnosis were classified as CPP and patients aged between 8 and 9 years at diagnosis were classified as EP. Of 129 patients, 34 were diagnosed with CPP and 95 were diagnosed with EP. The patients were divided according to pretreatment weight status into normal weight group, an overweight group, or an obese group. No significant changes were observed with respect to the weight standard deviation score (SDS) before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient groups. No significant changes were observed in relation to the BMI SDS before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient group. Depending on the degree of obesity, differences with respect to the weight SDS and BMI SDS were observed. BMI SDS increased in the GnRHa-treated patients as a whole group, but was not statistically significant. But BMI SDS increased significantly in the normal weight group after 2 years of GnRHa treatment. So, GnRHa treatment may affect the change of BMI SDS depending on degree of obesity.


The HD-ZIP II Transcription Factors Regulate Plant Architecture through the Auxin Pathway.
The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) family transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here we found that ATHB2, encoding a HD-ZIP transcription factor, is an early auxin responsive gene. Phenotypic analyses show that overexpression of ATHB2 impairs plant architecture, including reduced plant height and small leaves, and also reduces auxin response in leaves when grown in soil. Simultaneously, the seedlings with chemical induction of ATHB2 exhibit abnormal root gravitropism, a typical auxin-related phenotype. We further show that the auxin response pattern is altered in roots of the inducible ATHB2 seedlings. Consistently, the transcript levels of some auxin biosynthetic and transport genes are significantly decreased in these transgenic seedlings. Further, protein and promoter sequence analyses in common wheat showed that the HD-ZIP II subfamily transcription factors have highly conserved motifs and most of these encoding gene promoters contain the canonical auxin-responsive elements. Expression analyses confirm that some of these HD-ZIP II genes are indeed regulated by auxin in wheat. Together, our results suggest that the HD-ZIP II subfamily transcription factors regulate plant development possibly through the auxin pathway in plants.


Synergy between Photodynamic Therapy and Dactinomycin Chemotherapy in 2D and 3D Ovarian Cancer Cell Cultures.
In this study we explored the efficacy of combining low dose photodynamic therapy using a porphyrin photosensitiser and dactinomycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. The studies were carried out on compressed collagen 3D constructs of two human ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and HEY) versus their monolayer counterparts. An amphiphilc photosensitiser was employed, disulfonated tetraphenylporphine, which is not a substrate for ABC efflux transporters that can mediate drug resistance. The combination treatment was shown to be effective in both monolayer and 3D constructs of both cell lines, causing a significant and synergistic reduction in cell viability. Compared to dactinomycin alone or PDT alone, higher cell kill was found using 2D monolayer culture vs. 3D culture for the same doses. In 3D culture, the combination therapy resulted in 10 and 22 times higher cell kill in SKOV3 and HEY cells at the highest light dose compared to dactinomycin monotherapy, and 2.2 and 5.5 times higher cell kill than PDT alone. The combination of low dose PDT and dactinomycin appears to be a promising way to repurpose dactinomycin and widen its therapeutic applications.


Extended duration use of menopausal hormone therapy.
Although providing guidance to patients regarding duration of hormone therapy represents a topic surrounded by controversy, clinicians often encounter this issue in practice. As pointed out in the NAMS 2012 Hormone Therapy (HT) Position Statement, determining the optimal duration of HT is challenging both for clinicians and for patients. This Practice Pearl addresses clinical situations for which long-term HT might be appropriate and provides practical guidance regarding prudent therapeutic choices for women using HT for an extended duration.


[Research advances in drought resistance and heavy metals tolerance of transgenic plant].
Drought and heavy metals contamination greatly affect plant growth, while the cloning and function analysis of stress-inducible genes provide an effective approach to improve the stress tolerance and yield of crops by genetic engineering. The expression of LEA (late embryogenesis abundant protein) gene could be induced by various stresses such as drought, high salinity, cold, and heavy metals. The study on transgenic plants showed that LEA could increase plant tolerance to water stress, had ion-binding activity, and acted as an antioxidant under abiotic stresses. Aquaporins largely presented in plasma membrane and vacuolar membrane, and played a key role in root water uptake and transportation both at cellular and at whole plant level. The expression of aquaporins was up-regulated in response to drought and salinity, and conferred the water stress tolerance in plant. Cation-efflux transport proteins were involved in the absorption, transportation, and accumulation of heavy metals in plants. All of the proteins mentioned above could have potential applied profits on improving the biological water-saving, drought resistance, and heavy metals tolerance of lawny grass.


[Management of giant inguinal hernias: five cases].
In Africa, difficulties in health care access and illiteracy promote the development of giant inguinal hernias. Management of these hernias can be very challenging, according to the risk of replacing the intestines into the abdominal cavity. We report five cases in Senegal.


Infantile versus childhood posterior urethral valve diagnosis: management patterns and clinical outcomes at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Management patterns and outcomes are poorly defined in cases of late PUV diagnosis. To compare post-ablation management and clinical outcomes of patients with infantile (<1 year) versus childhood (>5 year) PUV diagnosis to gain insight into the pathologies at opposite ends of the PUV spectrum. A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX research network between 2006 and 2022. TriNetX synthesizes insurance claims and electronic medical record data for over 110 million patients from 92 healthcare organizations. We defined two cohorts: 1) The <1 year arm had an index diagnosis of PUV and cystoscopy with valve ablation within 1 year of life, 2) the >5 year arm had an index diagnosis of PUV and valve ablation after age 5. We report rates and time-to-first use of antispasmodics, alpha-blockers, CIC, bladder botox, enterocystoplasty or Mitrofanoff or secondary cutaneous vesicostomy, and CKD. We identified 569 patients (323 <1 year; 246 >5 year). Median age at diagnosis was 1 month (median follow-up 8 years) and 9 years (median follow-up 10 years) for the <1 year and >5 year cohorts, respectively. Following ablation, both arms were primarily managed with antispasmodics, with no difference between groups. The >5 year arm was significantly more likely to receive alpha-blockers or bladder botox. The <1 year arm was significantly more likely to be started on CIC, undergo enterocystoplasty, Mitrofanoff or secondary cutaneous vesicostomy, or renal transplantation. The <1 year arm had significantly higher rates and shorter time-to-progression to all stages of CKD. Despite higher utilization of conservative strategies among patients with a late PUV diagnosis, these patients had superior renal outcomes and low rates of progression to invasive treatments. Limitations include potential inaccuracies in medical coding as well as variations in thresholds to initiate CIC, perform surgical reconstruction, or proceed with renal transplantation at participating centers. These findings provide evidence that a late PUV diagnosis reflects an overall milder disease process.


Qualitative angiographic and quantitative myocardial perfusion assessment using fluorescent cardiac imaging during graded coronary artery bypass stenosis.
Intraoperative graft assessment in coronary artery bypass (CAB) grafting is important to avoid early graft failure. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of fluorescent cardiac imaging (FCI) for intraoperative qualitative angiographic and quantitative myocardial perfusion assessment during graded CAB stenosis compared to coronary angiography (CA). After CAB grafting to the left anterior descending coronary artery, graded distal bypass stenoses were created in ten pigs by 25, 50, 75, and 100% flow reduction assessed by transit-time flow measurement (TTFM). Visual angiographic assessment was performed by FCI and CA during baseline and graded bypass stenoses. Altered myocardial perfusion was assessed by quantitative intraoperative fluorescence intensity (QIFI) derived from FCI and correlated to TTFM. Patent bypass grafts and graft occlusion were visualized successfully by FCI and CA, while discrimination between various graded bypass stenosis was possible in 73.3%. The degree of CAB stenosis was overestimated in 16.7% and underestimated in 10.0% by FCI compared to CA. Graded CAB stenosis reduced regional myocardial perfusion quantified by decreased QIFI value (p < 0.001). Mean QIFI value was 76.8 (95% CI 67.2-86.3) during baseline, 55.6 (95% CI 45.3-65.9) during 25% flow-reduction, 30.6 (95% CI 22.3-39.0) during 50% flow-reduction, 20.3 (95% CI 15.4-25.3) during 75% flow-reduction, and 0 during CAB occlusion (p < 0.001) with a significant correlation to TTFM (r = 0.955; p < 0.0001). Solely visual assessment of CAB quality using FCI is limited as compared to CA. Additional QIFI assessment identified graded CAB stenosis and occlusion with a significant correlation to TTFM.


Failure of viridans group streptococci causing bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients to express superantigens.
Group A Streptococcus pyogenes causes a distinctive clinical disorder, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, mediated by superantigenic bacterial exotoxins. Oncology patients with viridans group streptococcal sepsis frequently present with a streptococcal toxic shocklike syndrome of unclear pathogenesis. Viridans group streptococci isolated from pediatric oncology patients with streptococcal toxic shocklike illnesses do not possess homologs of known superantigen genes. Supernatants from cultures of these bacteria also fail to stimulate T-cell proliferation, suggesting these bacteria do not commonly elaborate superantigens. Adjunctive treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, which is advantageous in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, may not benefit these patients.


Spatial spillover and threshold effect of green development efficiency on urban human settlement resilience in Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration.
Green development is the necessary path and fundamental way for urban development. Exploring the influence mechanism and spatial effect of green development on the urban human settlement resilience is conducive to promoting high-quality and sustainable urban development. We used the entropy method, super-efficient SBM model, spatial econometric model and threshold model to analyze the spatial spillover effect of green development efficiency on urban human settlement resilience and its nonlinear impact in the Yangtze River Delta(YRD) urban agglomeration. The results indicated that During the study period, the level of green development efficiency and urban settlement resilience was on the rise, and the spatial differences between different regions was significant. The green development efficiency of each city in the YRD urban agglomeration has a significant contribution to urban human settlement resilience in the region, but has a negative spatial effect on the level of urban human settlement resilience in the neighboring region. At different population density levels, the effect of green development efficiency on urban human settlement resilience shows a significant "V" non-linear characteristic. Furthermore, the influence of green development efficiency on urban human settlement resilience increases in a stepwise manner under different industrial structure distribution. The results of this study can help provide a reference basis for the creation of high-level, high-quality green and livable resilient cities in the YRD urban agglomeration under the concept of green development, and provide relevant experience for the construction of livable cities in other regions of China.


Approach to Bethesda system category III thyroid nodules according to US-risk stratification.
This study evaluated how to manage Bethesda category III (Bethesda III) (atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance [AUS/FLUS]) thyroid nodules according to the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) to reduce unnecessary surgeries. A total of 161 thyroid nodules diagnosed as Bethesda III underwent surgery from 2016 to 2019. Ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB) was used for repeat examination. K-TIRADS category was assigned to the thyroid nodules. The proportion of malignancy in Bethesda III nodules confirmed by surgery were significantly increased in proportion relative to K-TIRADS with 60.0% low suspicion, 88.2% intermediate suspicion, and 100% high suspicion nodules (p < 0.001). The proportion of malignancy in AUS and FLUS were significantly different (94.2% vs. 40.0% p = 0.003). The proportion of malignancy in AUS increased with K-TIRADS categories, but there was no difference in FLUS. All K-TIRADS high suspicion nodules were AUS as papillary carcinomas (99%), while 80% of FLUS nodules and 50% of follicular carcinomas showed K-TIRADS low suspicion. In 116 nodules with repeat FNA or CNB after initial Bethesda III results, the conclusive result rate was significantly increased in proportion to K-TIRADS with 58.3% low suspicion, 83.3% intermediate suspicion, and 88.8% high suspicion nodules (p = 0.015). K-TIRADS low suspicion nodules of Bethesda III nodules should be managed after risk-benefit consideration rather than immediate surgery or repeat examination. K-TIRADS for Bethesda III nodules can predict papillary carcinoma well, but not follicular carcinoma.


Initial study in rats evaluating the effects of 1,4-dichlorobutene-2 (DCB) on the respiratory tract.
Rats were exposed by inhalation to either 0.5 ppm 1,4-dichlorobutene-2 (DCB) for two years or to 5.0 ppm for seven months, 2.5 ppm for five months, and no further exposure for 12 months prior to sacrifice. Malignant and non-malignant tumors of the nasal tissues were seen in both test groups with the incidence and proportion of malignant tumors being much higher in the 5.0/2.5 ppm rats. Under the conditions of this study, DCB is carcinogenic in rats of both sexes.


[Role of receptor for advanced glycation end-products in pathgenesis of psoriasis].
This review summarizes the existing knowledge regarding the role of receptor for advanced glycation end products which is a key participant of the inflammatory process, in pathogenesis of psoriasis. By interacting with multiple ligands and activating several signaling mechanisms, receptor for advanced glycation end products regulates gene expression via a group transcription factors, that includes NFKB and AP1. According to the published data the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products in both immune cells and their targets, a high stability of this receptor in complexes with ligands as well as a positive feedback loop, upregulating the expression of its certain ligands, suggest receptor for advanced glycation end products as a possible principal factor that makes the inflammatory response in psoriasis sustainable. Considering receptor for advanced glycation end products as a potential master regulator of several processes that play a crucial role in development of psoriatic plaques, we believe that further experimental studies are needed to elucidate how exactly this receptor converts a transient inflammatory reaction to a sustainable inflammatory response. These studies are also needed for the development of novel medications that target receptor for advanced glycation end products and signaling mechanisms that this receptor activates.


Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloidosis in Female Patients - Consideration of Sex Differences.
Background: With recent advances in non-invasive diagnostic tools, some studies indicate that wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) may be more common in females than previously reported. However, the clinical characteristics of female ATTRwt patients have not been determined. Methods and Results: Of the 78 consecutive patients with ATTRwt in our cohort, 14 (17.9 %) were female. Compared with male patients, female ATTRwt patients had smaller left ventricular (LV) wall thicknesses (ventricular septum thickness 12.9 vs. 14.2 mm [P=0.081]; posterior wall thickness 12.7 vs. 13.6 mm [P=0.035]) and a higher LV ejection fraction (EF; mean [±SD] 58.4±8.9% vs. 48.9±11.8%; P=0.006). However, the severity of heart failure (HF), as assessed by HF stage, New York Heart Association functional class and B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations, did not differ between female and male patients. Moreover, LV mass index and relative wall thickness were increased and the stroke volume index was reduced in both female and male patients. In organ biopsies, female patients had a higher sensitivity to transthyretin deposition from abdominal fat than male patients (positive abdominal fat biopsy 80.0 % vs. 26.5%; P=0.016). Conclusions: This study suggests that a relatively large proportion of elderly females have ATTRwt. Female ATTRwt patients had HF symptoms even at the stage of mild LV hypertrophy and preserved EF. Abdominal fat biopsy may be useful to diagnose ATTRwt, especially in female patients with HF.


Fecal microbial biomarkers combined with multi-target stool DNA test improve diagnostic accuracy for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health burden. The current diagnostic tests have shortcomings of being invasive and low accuracy. To explore the combination of intestinal microbiome composition and multi-target stool DNA (MT-sDNA) test in the diagnosis of CRC. We assessed the performance of the MT-sDNA test based on a hospital clinical trial. The intestinal microbiota was tested using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This case-control study enrolled 54 CRC patients and 51 healthy controls. We identified biomarkers of bacterial structure, analyzed the relationship between different tumor markers and the relative abundance of related flora components, and distinguished CRC patients from healthy subjects by the linear discriminant analysis effect size, redundancy analysis, and random forest analysis. MT-sDNA was associated with Bacteroides. MT-sDNA and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were positively correlated with the existence of Parabacteroides, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was positively associated with Faecalibacterium and Megamonas. In the random forest model, the existence of Streptococcus, Escherichia, Chitinophaga, Parasutterella, Lachnospira, and Romboutsia can distinguish CRC from health controls. The diagnostic accuracy of MT-sDNA combined with the six genera and CEA in the diagnosis of CRC was 97.1%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 98.1% and 92.3%, respectively. There is a positive correlation of MT-sDNA, CEA, and AFP with intestinal microbiome. Eight biomarkers including six genera of gut microbiota, MT-sDNA, and CEA showed a prominent sensitivity and specificity for CRC prediction, which could be used as a non-invasive method for improving the diagnostic accuracy for this malignancy.


Carbohydrate Derived Organogelators and the Corresponding Functional Gels Developed in Recent Time.
Owing to their multifarious applicability, studies of molecular and supramolecular gelators and their corresponding gels have gained momentum, particularly in the last two decades. Hydrophobic⁻hydrophilic balance, different solvent parameters, gelator⁻gelator and gelator⁻solvent interactions, including different noncovalent intermolecular interactive forces like H-bonding, ionic interactions, π⁻π interactions, van der Waals interactions, etc., cause the supramolecular gel assembly of micro and nano scales with different types of morphologies, depending on the gelator, solvent, and condition of gelation. These gel structures can be utilized for making template inorganic superstructures for potential application in separation, generation of nanocomposite materials, and other applications like self-healing, controlled drug encapsulation, release and delivery, as structuring agents, oil-spill recovery, for preparation of semi-conducting fabrics, and in many other fields. Sugars, being easily available, inexpensive, and nontoxic natural resources with multi functionality and well-defined chirality are attractive starting materials for the preparation of sugar-based gelators. This review will focus on compilation of sugar derived organogelators and the corresponding gels, along with the potential applications that have been developed and published recently between January 2015 and March 2018.


Pivotal role of Harakiri in the induction and prevention of gentamicin-induced hearing loss.
Gentamicin is a widely used ototoxic agent. In this study, we shed light on the mechanisms underlying gentamicin-induced hearing loss. More importantly, we demonstrate in vivo and in vitro the effectiveness of a strategy for preventing drug-induced hearing loss using l-carnitine (LCAR), a safe micronutrient that plays a key role in energy metabolism and detoxification [Rebouche, C. J. & Seim, H. (1998) Annu. Rev. Nutr. 18, 39-61]. We show that LCAR prevents changes in hearing threshold and cochlear damage in newborn guinea pigs exposed to gentamicin in utero. Mechanistically, gentamicin-induced apoptosis of auditory cells is mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway through up-regulation of the proapoptotic factor Harakiri (Hrk). Most important, small interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments demonstrate that Hrk up-regulation is crucial for gentamicin-induced apoptosis. LCAR, in contrast, prevents both gentamicin-induced Hrk up-regulation and apoptosis acting by means of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Together, these results outline pathways for gentamicin-induced hearing loss and its prevention and assign a key role to Hrk in these processes. Thus, our data offer a conceptual framework for designing clinical trials using a safe micronutrient, LCAR, as a simple preventive strategy for iatrogenically induced ototoxicity.


Multiple uses of fibrin sealant for nervous system treatment following injury and disease.
Lesions to the nervous system often produce hemorrhage and tissue loss that are difficult, if not impossible, to repair. Therefore, scar formation, inflammation and cavitation take place, expanding the lesion epicenter. This significantly worsens the patient conditions and impairment, increasing neuronal loss and glial reaction, which in turn further decreases the chances of a positive outcome. The possibility of using hemostatic substances that also function as a scaffold, such as the fibrin sealant, reduces surgical time and improve postoperative recovery. To date, several studies have demonstrated that human blood derived fibrin sealant produces positive effects in different interventions, becoming an efficient alternative to suturing. To provide an alternative to homologous fibrin sealants, the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP, Brazil) has proposed a new bioproduct composed of certified animal components, including a thrombin-like enzyme obtained from snake venom and bubaline fibrinogen. Thus, the present review brings up to date literature assessment on the use of fibrin sealant for nervous system repair and positions the new heterologous bioproduct from CEVAP as an alternative to the commercial counterparts. In this way, clinical and pre-clinical data are discussed in different topics, ranging from central nervous system to peripheral nervous system applications, specifying positive results as well as future enhancements that are necessary for improving the use of fibrin sealant therapy.


Effect of European Chafer Larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on Winter Wheat and Role of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments in Their Management.
A critical density of four third-instar larvae per 900 cm2 for European chafer, Rhizotrogus (Amphimallon) majalis (Razoumowsky), in winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was derived from small-plot greenhouse and field experiments conducted under favorable crop growing conditions at several Ontario and Michigan locations from 2001-2003. On average, plant weight was decreased by 14% and plant stand by 11% between zero and four larvae per 900 cm2. In a commercial field under moisture stress, a yield loss of 35% occurred at a density of two third-instars per 900 cm2. In short-term greenhouse experiments, density-dependent mortality was evident, whereas low larval recovery in field experiments indicates a high level of overwintering mortality, regardless of larval density. Winter wheat seed treatments of neonicotinoid insecticides, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam provided protection from damage by larvae, but the level of protection was inconsistent between greenhouse and field small plots, and there was no apparent difference in protection amongst active ingredients or between application rates. There was little evidence of larval mortality owing to seed treatment, which supports the suggestion that neonicotinoid insecticides protect seedlings from loss by a nonlethal mechanism. Overall, we estimate that a low rate of neonicotinoid insecticide used at larval densities just less than the critical density will mitigate winter wheat losses by 85%.


Management of giant liver hemangiomas: an update.
Liver hemangiomas are the most common benign liver tumors and are usually incidental findings. Liver hemangiomas are readily demonstrated by abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Giant liver hemangiomas are defined by a diameter larger than 5 cm. In patients with a giant liver hemangioma, observation is justified in the absence of symptoms. Surgical resection is indicated in patients with abdominal (mechanical) complaints or complications, or when diagnosis remains inconclusive. Enucleation is the preferred surgical method, according to existing literature and our own experience. Spontaneous or traumatic rupture of a giant hepatic hemangioma is rare, however, the mortality rate is high (36-39%). An uncommon complication of a giant hemangioma is disseminated intravascular coagulation (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome); intervention is then required. Herein, the authors provide a literature update of the current evidence concerning the management of giant hepatic hemangiomas. In addition, the authors assessed treatment strategies and outcomes in a series of patients with giant liver hemangiomas managed in our department.


CRISPR-based genetic diagnostics in microgravity.
Monitoring astronauts' health during space missions poses many challenges, including rapid assessment of crew health conditions. Sensitive genetic diagnostics are crucial for examining crew members and the spacecraft environment. CRISPR-Cas12a, coupled with isothermal amplification, has proven to be a promising biosensing system for rapid, on-site detection of genomic targets. However, the efficiency and sensitivity of CRISPR-based diagnostics have never been tested in microgravity. We tested the use of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) coupled with the collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a for genetic diagnostics onboard the International Space Station. We explored the detection sensitivity of amplified and unamplified target DNA. By coupling RPA with Cas12a, we identified targets in attomolar concentrations. We further assessed the reactions' stability following long-term storage. Our results demonstrate that CRISPR-based detection is a powerful tool for on-site genetic diagnostics in microgravity, and can be further utilized for long-term space endeavors to improve astronauts' health and well-being.


[Morphometrical analysis of projection neurons in reeler mutant mice].
The projection neurons in the cerebral cortex are localized in the specific layers, and present the characteristic shape of cell bodies and dendritic arborization according to their properties. To examine what factors could cause the morphological characteristics of the reeler neurons, of which cortical layers are generally inverted, we morphometrically analyzed three types of projection neurons, callosal (CC-neurons), corticospinal (CS-neurons), and corticothalamic neurons (CT-neurons), by the retrograded labeling method. The results were as follows: 1) Although in the normal mice, the CC-neuron cell bodies in the layer 2 + 3 were significantly smaller than ones in the layer 5, the reeler CC-neurons were uniform regardless of their intracortical positions. 2) The cell bodies of the reeler CS-neurons were normal in size throughout the entire cortex. 3) The cell bodies of reeler CT-neurons were generally larger than normal ones, and they were larger in the location near the pia mater. 4) The apical dendrites of the normal CC-, CS- and CT-neurons were generally directed toward the layer 1 of neocortex, which is the plexiform zone (PZ) in the embryo stage, whereas those of the reeler CC- and CS-neurons were directed toward the upper-middle zone of neocortex, which is the interplexiform zone (IPZ) that corresponds with the normal PZ; however, those of the reeler CT-neurons were not oriented toward dominant direction. These results suggest that the sizes of CS-neurons vary depending upon the target of the projection, whereas CC- and CT-neurons are influenced by the volume of afferent inputs as well as the target of the projection. The afferent factors, especially thalamocortical fibers, may also influence the direction of the apical dendrites of CT-neurons.


Quality assurance of electron beams using a Varian electronic portal imaging device.
The feasibility of utilizing an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for the quality assurance of electron beams was investigated. This work was conducted on a Varian 2100iX machine equipped with an amorphous silicon (aS1000) portal imager. The linearity of the imager pixel response as a function of exposed dose was first confirmed. The short-term reproducibility of the EPID response to electron beams was verified. Low (6 MeV), medium (12 MeV) and high (20 MeV) energies were tested, each along with small (6 × 6 cm(2)), medium (10 × 10 cm(2)) and large (20 × 20 cm(2)) applicators. Acquired EPID images were analyzed using an in-house MATLAB code for radiation field size, penumbra, symmetry and flatness. Field sizes and penumbra values agreed with those from film dosimetry to within 1 mm. Field symmetry and flatness constancies were measured over a period of three weeks. The results indicate that EPID can be used for routine quality assurance of electron beams.


[The impact of social deadaptation on rural population health in the Novosibirsk oblast].
The sociological survey was organized for developing of organization of medical care to socially deadapted patients in rural territories. The sampling consisted of 156 district therapists of central district hospitals of the Novosibirskaia oblast providing primary medical care at out-patient stage. The females consisted 83.3%, males 16.7°%, average age of respondents made up to 43 years. The carrier experience made up to 19 years in average. It is established that in 57.1% of cases patients indicated social factors as a cause of development of disease. At that, 82.7°% of physicians are confident that activities concerning social adaptation of socially deadapted patients will ameliorate quality of provided medical care. The most of respondents (64.15) indicate the need in activities concerning social adaptation of such patients. The most of physicians (67.2%) mention that activities of adaptation of socially deadapted patients are to involve clinical psychologists and psychotherapists and 31.7°% consider that it is necessary to involve social workers. The organization of rehabilitation activities of social adaptation for this type of contingent is to be intersectoral with participation of medical and social workers.


Implication of natural killer T cells in atherosclerosis development during a LPS-induced chronic inflammation.
Atherosclerosis has many features of a chronic inflammatory disease. To evaluate the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mimicking a systemic infection, we administered the endotoxin to apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. LPS injections increase the atherosclerotic lesion size and the titer of plasma autoantibodies directed against oxidized low-density lipoprotein. We found that Th1 and Th2 T cells help the activation of B cells in the autoimmune response. The number of interleukin-4 producing natural killer T cells is highly increased in peripheral blood, liver, spleen and thymus cells, as well as in the atherosclerotic plaque of the LPS-treated mice. Finally, an important adventitial infiltrate of activated lymphocytes, sign of an advanced atherosclerosis, is observed only in the LPS-treated mice. Our results demonstrate that LPS administration aggravates atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. LPS-injected apoE-deficient mice appear to be an excellent animal model to analyze the implementation of new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of atherosclerosis by manipulating immunological effectors.


Localization of cytoskeletal filaments during membrane rearrangement in rat parietal cells stimulated with gastrin.
When stomachs are stimulated to secrete acid, the intracellular canaliculi of the parietal cell increase and there is a concomitant depletion of the cytoplasmic tubulovesicular system. This change is believed to occur through the transformation of tubulovesicular membranes into intracellular canaliculi. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of the cytoskeletons in rat gastric parietal cells during this process. In the resting parietal cells, actin filaments decorated with heavy meromyosin (HMM) were found in the cores of microvilli, extending from the apex of microvilli into the pericanalicular cytoplasm and forming radial networks. In some cases, these actin filaments were also associated with the tubulovesicles. Moreover, tubulovesicular membranes were rare in the 300 nm zone around intracellular canaliculi but numerous actin filaments were seen in this region. Soon after stimulation of the parietal cells by gastrin, tubulovesicles were closely associated with the intracellular canaliculi, while actin filaments networks adjacent to the canaliculi diminished and their labeling with HMM seemed less orderly. By immunocytochemistry, immunogold particles indicating ezrin were associated with microvillous membranes in the resting as well as stimulated parietal cells but were absent on the tubulovesicular membranes. When intermediate filaments were immunocytochemically investigated using anti-cytokeratin immunogold particles clearly labeled filamentous bundles present around the intracellular canaliculi, perinuclear spaces and under the basolateral cell membrane. Their localization was not changed after stimulation. These results suggest that actin filaments in the cytoplasm around the intracellular canaliculi may play a key role in the translocation of the tubulovesicles toward the intracellular canaliculi during the acid secreting process.


[Selective expansion of human natural killer cells].
Natural killer (NK) cells have strong potential of killing tumor cells, but it is difficult to expand sufficient NK cells to satisfy the treatment of tumor. This study was to explore the feasibility of efficiently expand NK cells through co-culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Wilms tumor cell line HFWT. PBMCs and HFWT cells were co-cultured to expand NK cells. The cytotoxicity of NK cells was measured using 51Cr release assay and crystal violet (CV) staining. The proportions of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD16(+), and CD56(+) cells were detected using flow cytometry. When PBMCs were co-cultured with irradiated HFWT cells for 10-21 days, NK cells were selectively expanded; the proportion of CD56(+)/CD16(+) cells was over 50%. The NK cells killed more than 80% of fresh HFWT cells at an effector/target ratio of 2. The expansion of NK cells required continuous stimulation of PBMCs by HFWT cells. HFWT cells can effectively stimulating PBMCs to sensitively expand human NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy of human tumors.


Consonant and sign phoneme acquisition in signing children following cochlear implantation.
Deaf children from signing programs provide new opportunities to investigate changes in sign and speech acquisition following cochlear implantation. We describe the acquisition of sign phonemes (location, movement, and handshapes) and speech phonemes (consonants) in 22 implanted children with diverse demographic backgrounds. New consonants and new sign phonemes emerged in developmentally expected sequences and with statistically significant correlation coefficients between cumulative number of new consonants and new sign phonemes over time. Regression slopes from plotted z scores revealed a burst in consonant and sign growth in early months post-implant, with continuous but plateauing growth over time. These results and documentation of developmental levels of sign and speech phoneme trajectories should be helpful to other researchers and to clinicians working with signing children who have cochlear implants.


Comparison of the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from a Tibetan "Snow Lotus" (Saussurea laniceps) herb.
To understand the impacts of different processing methods on the composition and effects of the herb Saussurea laniceps (SL), the present study report the first comparison of the chemical constituents of aqueous and ethanolic SL extracts using chromatographic analysis, and to compare their pharmacological effects in a mouse anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive model and an in vitro anti-oxidant test. Chemical comparison demonstrated that the types of chemicals in the two extracts were identical, but the contents of the main constituents in the aqueous extract were lower than those of the ethanolic extract. A transesterification of dicaffeoylquinic acids took place in the aqueous extract during boiling. As for pharmacological effects, oral administration of aqueous and ethanolic SL extracts significantly inhibited croton oil-induced mice ear edema, and significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced mice writhings, respectively. In the DPPH anti-oxidant activity test, the IC50 values were calculated as 409.6 mg/L and 523.4 mg/L for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. The inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extract were more potent than those of the aqueous extract in all pharmacological tests, although there was no significant difference. This study suggests that the two preparations should be distinguished when used.


[Malnutrition detected by "bioelectrical status" of total and segmental body mass to nutritional management of patients].
We examined 182 controls with Body Mass Index (BMI) between 20 and 25 kg/m2 and 246 hospitalised patients divided into 3 groups: the first one consisted of 70 severe malnourished with (BMI) < 20 kg/m2, the second one of 43 light malnourished with BMI between 20 and 25 kg/m2 and the last one of 133 obese with BMI > 25 kg/m2. The Resistance (Rs) and Reactance (Xc), with the Phase angle ((phi), are detected from total and segmental (Arm and "Trunk + Leg") body. We analysed electric parameters plotting them on 4 different graphs which reported the values of: 1) total Rs vs total Xc; 2) segmental Rs vs segmental Xc; 3) total Rs/height vs weight/ height; 4) total Xc/height vs weight/height. Rs and Xc were different in all groups: the severe malnourished patients (1st group) gave evidence of a paradoxical increase of Rs and a decrease of phi. The mean values decreased for the patient of the 2nd and 3rd group (the (phi reduced especially for the 2nd group). Referring to the segmental measures, "Trunk + Leg" biases total Rs and Xc much more than Arm. In addition the phi of "Trunk + Leg" is more similar to the total o than the Arm one. If compared with the total, this last one highly decreases in the patients of the 1st and 2nd group. We conclude that segmental bioelectrical values (Rs, Xc, phi) integrate the total one, because they allow to find out the correlation between total parameters and a specific body segment. Total and segmental Rs, Xc (and phi) values and segmental phi ratio are related to the malnutrition. The approach together with the analysis of the Graphics result to a prompt inspection of the individual bioelectrical status in subjects.


Biopsychosocial implications of living with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is estimated to affect 2.8 million people worldwide, with increasing prevalence in all world regions (Walton et al). While there is no cure for MS, medication and lifestyle modifications can slow disease progression and enhance patients' quality of life. The biopsychosocial model of health recognises important interactions among biological, psychological and social factors in illness, including those relating to illness management, which contribute to the experience of those diagnosed with MS. This qualitative, idiographic study aimed to explore the lived experiences of patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) diagnosed with S. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of eight patients with MS ranging in age from 25 to 56 years. All participants were residing in the UAE at the time of data collection. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the data. Three superordinate themes were identified from patients' candid accounts of their lives with MS, highlighting issues of illness management, acceptance and gratitude, and adaptive coping. These themes broadly illustrate biological, psychological and social aspects of patients' MS experiences. The study emphasised the importance of adopting the biopsychosocial model to treat and manage MS. Additionally, it highlights the need for routine assessment and early, multidimensional approach with multidisciplinary team efforts to improve patients' quality of life.


Erdheim-Chester disease: a rare cause of acute renal failure.
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare systemic histiocytic infiltrative disease of unknown aetiology. In radiology it is characterized by symmetrical sclerotic bone lesions predominantly affecting the diaphyses and metaphyses of long bones. Perivascular fibrosis has been reported in the literature as being a feature of this disease and we report one such case that presented with an encased aorta and renal arteries leading to acute renal failure. The diagnosis of ECD was delayed until a biopsy of the retroperitoneal infiltrate was performed. Further imaging with fluorine 18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography, bone scintigraphy, plain films of the long bones and CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis were performed to assess the extent of the patient's systemic disease involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ECD presenting with acute renal failure secondary to bilateral occlusion of the renal arteries.


Can fire safety in hotels be improved? Results from the survey of a panel of experts in Spain.
The hotel industry is an important driver of the European labour market with over 250,000 hotels employing some 2 million people. In Spain, 240 workers were injured by fires in hotels from 2004 to 2008. Fire is considered to be the most important risk in the hotel industry, but the lack of an EU-wide data recording system for hotels makes it difficult to give exact figures for fire events. We analysed the state of fire prevention systems in hotels in Spain with the aim of proposing strategies to improve fire safety. A 10-item questionnaire was administered from 2007 to 2009 to 15 Spanish experts in fire safety. The questions were measured using a Likert scale and classified into 4 sections: current state of installations, influence of establishment characteristics, application of regulations and priority ranking of actions. Descriptive statistics summarized the data and t-tests evaluated the agreement foreach statement in the questionnaire. The statistical analysis showed homogeneity in the responses by the experts in all four categories: current state of fire safety installations, influence of establishment characteristics, application of regulations, and priority of actions. There was consensus among the experts over the necessity to improve the enforcement of regulations and also regarding the existence of an association between the hotel category (in Spain they are ranked using a 1 to 5 "star" rating system) and the level of fire safety; hotels with a higher category had higher levels of safety. There is a need to identify ways to apply fire safety standards to older hotels so that they comply with new regulations, to standardize regulations for different regions and countries, to improve the maintenance of installations and equipment, to increase the effectiveness of inspections conducted by government bodies, and to raise the general awareness of stakeholders involved in hotel fire prevention.


The effect of amylose content on insulin and glucose responses to ingested rice.
We evaluated the effect of amylose and amylopectin content on the glucose and insulin responses to rice. Thirty-three normal volunteers were given three types of rice containing 0, 14 to 17, or 23 to 25% of carbohydrate in the form of amylose. The glucose and insulin responses were measured over a period of 180 min. Serum glucose response to high amylose rice was significantly lower at 30 min, and dropped more gradually by 180 min than with 0% amylose rice. In addition, the high amylose rice produced significantly lower insulin levels at 30 and 60 min, as well as lower integrated secretion over the 3-h test. Thus, our results suggest the presence of a factor in high-amylose rice which delays digestion and/or absorption of carbohydrate. Since fiber content and surface area of the test rices were identical, other factors must underlie these observed differences. These include differential enzymatic hydrolysis of amylose and amylopectin and the presence of lipid-starch complexes in the amylose-containing rice.