Effects of thermocycling and use of ElectroBond on microtensile strength and nanoleakage using commercial one-step self-etch adhesives.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thermocycling and the use of an electronically assisted application technique on the microtensile bond strength and nanoleakage of bonded interfaces created using one-step self-etch adhesives. Composite build-ups were bonded coronally to sectioned human molars using XENO III or Clearfil S(3)Bond. Adhesives were applied following the manufacturers' instructions (control) or with the aid of an electrical application device (ElectroBond). Teeth were sectioned into non-trimmed bonded beams for microtensile testing. Half of the specimens were subjected to 20,000 thermocycles, and the controls were not thermocycled. All specimens were tested to failure and peak stress was calculated. Additional specimens were prepared for nanoleakage analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The immediate bond strength of both adhesives increased as a result of using the ElectroBond device (XENO III 38.9 +/- 8.1 MPa; Clearfil S(3)Bond 46.2 +/- 9.9 MPa) compared with no use of the device (XENO III 26.7 +/- 7.8 MPa; Clearfil S(3)Bond 38.9 +/- 8.1 MPa). Thermocycling significantly decreased the bond strength of XENO III (27.1 +/- 7.9 MPa with the use of ElectroBond; 20.7 +/- 9.2 MPa without the use of ElectroBond); however, thermocycling did not affect the Clearfil S(3)Bond strength (47.2 +/- 8.6 MPa with the use of ElectroBond; 33.6 +/- 8.3 MPa without the use of ElectroBond). Reduced nanoleakage was found for both resins as a result of the use of the ElectroBond device, with or without thermocycling. Application of one-step, self-etch adhesives with the ElectroBond device significantly increased microtensile bond strength and reduced nanoleakage, but the effect of thermocycling was found to be brand-dependent.


Left ventricular function in patients with diabetes mellitus.
The left ventricular function was assessed in 70 diabetics under 60 years of age without clinically evident heart disease using established non-invasive methods, these include systolic time interval method and echocardiography. The ratio of pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time (PEP/ET) was remarkably elevated in diabetics with severe microangiopathy (0.431 +/- 0.037). Even in diabetics without microangiopathy PEP/ET ratio was significantly higher (0.374 +/- 0.037) compared with that in controls (0.331 +/- 0.023, P less than 0.01). Most of diabetics with a PEP/ET value of higher than 0.40 were not under proper care with regard to diabetic control. A tendency toward normalization of PEP/ET values was often observed with the improvement in diabetic control during six to twelve months among the inadequately controlled diabetics. Isovolumic relaxation time in diabetics was longer than in controls (80 +/- 14 msec, 59 +/- 11 msec, P less than 0.005). Our results suggest that abnormalities of left ventricular function in diabetics may be related to not only severity of microangiopathy but also the state of diabetic control. The maintenance of adequate control of diabetes seems to play an important role in the prevention of congestive heart failure in patients with diabetes mellitus.


A latent profile analysis of Asian American men's and women's adherence to cultural values.
The goal of this study was to identify diverse profiles of Asian American women's and men's adherence to values that are salient in Asian cultures (i.e., conformity to norms, family recognition through achievement, emotional self-control, collectivism, and humility). To this end, the authors conducted a latent profile analysis using the 5 subscales of the Asian American Values Scale-Multidimensional in a sample of 214 Asian Americans. The analysis uncovered a four-cluster solution. In general, Clusters 1 and 2 were characterized by relatively low and moderate levels of adherence to the 5 dimensions of cultural values, respectively. Cluster 3 was characterized by the highest level of adherence to the cultural value of family recognition through achievement, whereas Cluster 4 was typified by the highest levels of adherence to collectivism, emotional self-control, and humility. Clusters 3 and 4 were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms than Cluster 1. Furthermore, Asian American women and Asian American men had lower odds of being in Cluster 4 and Cluster 3, respectively. These findings attest to the importance of identifying specific patterns of adherence to cultural values when examining the relationship between Asian Americans' cultural orientation and mental health status.


Prothymosin alpha gene expression correlates with proliferation, not differentiation, of HL-60 cells.
Accumulating evidence suggests that prothymosin alpha has an as yet undefined intracellular, perhaps intranuclear, function related to cell proliferation. Prothymosin alpha mRNA and/or peptide levels increase when cells are stimulated to proliferate. Because proliferation and differentiation events are often inversely correlated, we examined prothymosin alpha gene expression during proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells. Steady-state levels of prothymosin alpha mRNA, which are high in exponentially growing HL-60, decrease within hours after induction of HL-60 to differentiate along the neutrophil pathway with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or along the macrophage lineage with either tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) or bryostatin 1. The decline in prothymosin alpha mRNA in response to these differentiation signals parallels that of c-myc mRNA under the same conditions. We then determined whether the downregulation of prothymosin alpha and c-myc mRNA were due to differentiation or cessation or proliferation. Recombinant human gamma-interferon induces monocytic differentiation of HL-60, but permits continued proliferation, and, under these conditions, expression of prothymosin alpha, as well as of c-myc, mRNA remains elevated. We conclude that prothymosin alpha and c-myc expression are coregulated in differentiating HL-60 and that their expression correlates with the proliferative state of HL-60 cells, rather than with the differentiated state.


Acute, subacute, and chronic x-ray effects on glomerular hemodynamics in rats.
In order to evaluate the effects of x-rays on glomerular hemodynamics, surgically exposed left kidneys of Munich-Wistar rats were irradiated with 15 Gy in a single dose. The animals were studied 45 min (acute group, n = 8), 14 days (subacute group, n = 7), and 60 days (chronic group, n = 7) after irradiation and compared with their respective controls. A decrease in total glomerular filtration (55%) and renal plasma flow (40%) rates with marked elevation of total renal vascular resistance (180%), p < 0.05, occurred within 45 min. Significant changes also occurred in the microcirculation; i.e., single-nephron glomerular filtration (SNGFR), glomerular plasma flow (QA), and glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure (PGC) declined by 35%, 40%, and 12%, respectively, due to an increase in total arteriolar resistance (90%), p < 0.05. Within 14 days, SNGFR was similar to control in spite of a moderate elevation of afferent arteriolar resistance (26%) and reduction in PGC (11%), p < 0.05, and QA (20%). Kf was significantly elevated (46%), p < 0.05. The chronic group presented a response pattern similar to that of the acute group, although less severe. Histopathological changes were not relevant and were restricted to tubules. The present results suggest that: (a) Acutely, there was a marked reduction in filtration, flow, and PGC with significant elevation of resistances. (b) Within 14 days, the maintenance of SNGFR was probably the result of an offsetting effect between QA and PGC decreases and Kf elevation. (c) After 60 days, the homeostatic mechanism was not sufficient to maintain normal renal function. (d) A functional effect is probably the most important pathogenetic mechanism, at least during the initial phase, for the development of radiation nephropathy since no morphological alterations were observed.


Conditionally replication-competent adenoviral vectors with enhanced infectivity for use in gene therapy of melanoma.
To generate vector Ad.Tyr-E1A, which is cytolytic for tyrosinase-positive melanoma cells, we replaced the adenoviral E1A promoter with a human tyrosinase enhancer/promoter. To overcome the low transduction efficiency in populations of melanoma cells that exhibit a low level of the coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR), we inserted an RGD-4C peptide into the HI loop of the fiber knob domain of the Ad.Tyr-E1A vector. The resulting vector was named Ad.Tyr-E1A(RGD). As a result of these changes, the transduction efficiency of the RGD-modified vector was increased both in vitro and in vivo. Western blot analysis proved that infection of cells with the Ad.Tyr-E1A(RGD) vector led to expression of the E1A gene selectively in tyrosinase-positive melanoma cell lines, but not in tyrosinase-negative cell lines. The Ad.Tyr-E1A(RGD) vector was as potent in its cytotoxic effect as a tumor nonselective vector (Ad.CMV-E1A) in tyrosinase-positive melanoma cell lines. The Ad.Tyr-E1A(RGD) vector produced a higher vector particle yield in tumor cells than did the Ad.Tyr-E1A vector. Intratumoral injection of the Ad.Tyr-E1A(RGD) vector into xenotransplanted human melanoma tumors led to tumor regression in vivo. The combination of tumor-specific replication and enhanced infectivity generates a more potent CRAD vector for gene therapy of melanoma.


Triosephosphate isomerase: energetics of the reaction catalyzed by the yeast enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli.
Triosephosphate isomerase from bakers' yeast, expressed in Escherichia coli strain DF502(p12), has been purified to homogeneity. The kinetics of the reaction in each direction have been determined at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. Deuterium substitution at the C-2 position of substrate (R)-glyceraldehyde phosphate and at the 1-pro-R position of substrate dihydroxyacetone phosphate results in kinetic isotope effects on kcat of 1.6 and 3.4, respectively. The extent of transfer of tritium from [1(R)-3H]dihydroxyacetone phosphate to product (R)-glyceraldehyde phosphate during the catalyzed reaction is only 3% after 66% conversion to product, indicating that the enzymic base that mediates proton transfer is in rapid exchange with solvent protons. When the isomerase-catalyzed reaction is run in tritiated water in each direction, radioactivity is incorporated both into the remaining substrate and into the product. In the "exchange-conversion" experiment with dihydroxyacetone phosphate as substrate, the specific radioactivity of remaining dihydroxyacetone phosphate rises as a function of the extent of reaction with a slope of about 0.3, while the specific radioactivity of the products is 54% that of the solvent. In the reverse direction with (R)-glyceraldehyde phosphate as substrate, the specific radioactivity of the product formed is only 11% that of the solvent, while the radioactivity incorporated into the remaining substrate (R)-glyceraldehyde phosphate also rises as a function of the extent of reaction with a slope of 0.3. These results have been analyzed according to the protocol described earlier to yield the free energy profile of the reaction catalyzed by the yeast isomerase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Adiabatic quantum computing with phase modulated laser pulses.
Implementation of quantum logical gates for multilevel systems is demonstrated through decoherence control under the quantum adiabatic method using simple phase modulated laser pulses. We make use of selective population inversion and Hamiltonian evolution with time to achieve such goals robustly instead of the standard unitary transformation language.


Usefulness of 3-dimensional computed tomography for caudate lobectomy by transhepatic anterior approach.
Improvement of precision and safety of resection of caudate lobe by the transhepatic anterior approach using preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography. The 3D-computed tomography images of 32 patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic tumors were reviewed. The usefulness of 3D-computed tomography was assessed on the basis of its depiction of the portal branch distribution of the caudate lobe and of the position of the parenchymal division plane in the transhepatic anterior approach. 1) Number of portal vein branches in the caudate lobe: 1 to 5 (average, 2.75) portal vein branches were detected in the caudate lobe at the optimal angle (left-posterior 135 degrees) by 3D-computed tomography: P1l-sup in 84.3%, P1r-sup in 71.9%, P1r-inf in 71.9%, P1l-med in 15.6% and P1-trunk in 3.1%. 2). We classified the structure of the caudate lobe into four types, one type having two subtypes, based on the 3D-computed tomography findings of its portal branch distribution: Type 1: presence of 1rs, 1ri, 1ls; Type 2a: absence of 1ri; Type 2b: absence of 1rs; Type 3: absence of 1ls; Type 4: presence of 1t alone. Type 1 was observed in 16 of the 32 patients (50.0%), type 2a in 4 (12.5%), type 2b in 8 (25.0%), type 3 in 3 (9.4%) and type 4 in 1 (3.1%). 3) When the tributary of the right hepatic vein draining segment 5 (RV5) can be detected (type 1: 81.3%), the right surface of the middle hepatic vein should be exposed; whereas its left surface should be exposed when RV5 cannot be detected (types 2 and 3: 18.7%). Preoperative 3D-computed tomography images enable more accurate diagnosis of intrahepatic tumor location and facilitate detection of the portal veins of the caudate lobe, thus simplifying both caudate lobectomy and the selection of which side of the division plane and of the middle hepatic vein to divide the liver parenchyma in the transhepatic anterior approach, and allowing complete preservation of the circulation of the remnant liver.


Detection of replication-defective hepatitis A virus based on the correlation between real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA in situ results.
ELISA in situ can be used to titrate hepatitis A virus (HAV) particles and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been shown to be a fast method to quantify the HAV genome. Precise quantification of viral concentration is necessary to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious particles. The purpose of this study was to compare cell culture and RT-PCR quantification results and determine whether HAV genome quantification can be correlated with infectivity. For this purpose, three stocks of undiluted, five-fold diluted and 10-fold diluted HAV were prepared to inoculate cells in a 96-well plate. Monolayers were then incubated for seven, 10 and 14 days and the correlation between the ELISA in situ and RT-PCR results was evaluated. At 10 days post-incubation, the highest viral load was observed in all stocks of HAV via RT-PCR (10(5) copies/mL) (p = 0.0002), while ELISA revealed the highest quantity of particles after 14 days (optical density = 0.24, p < 0.001). At seven days post-infection, there was a significant statistical correlation between the results of the two methods, indicating equivalents titres of particles and HAV genome during this period of infection. The results reported here indicate that the duration of growth of HAV in cell culture must be taken into account to correlate genome quantification with infectivity.


Upper aerodigestive tract manifestations of cicatricial pemphigoid.
Cicatricial pemphigoid is a chronic mucosal blistering disorder with a predilection for subsequent scar formation. Many physicians may be unaware of the various presentations and sequelae of this uncommon disease. This report of the largest series to date focuses on the upper aerodigestive tract manifestations of this disease. During the years 1975 to 1985, 142 patients with cicatricial pemphigoid were seen at the Mayo Clinic. There were 93 women and 49 men; the age range was 21 to 92 years. Mucosal lesions occurred most often in the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and conjunctiva. Involvement of the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus was less common. Stenosis of the nasopharynx or larynx necessitated surgical repair in several persons and caused obstructive sleep apnea in two. The otolaryngologist can make an important contribution to the early recognition, diagnosis, and management of the complications of cicatricial pemphigoid.


CSF antibody to myelin basic protein. Measurement in patients with multiple sclerosis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
A solid phase radioimmunoassay was used to detect antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBP) in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). F(ab')2 fragments prepared from SSPE IgG retained their activity, which showed that the assay measures a true antigen-antibody reaction rather than nonspecific adherence to IgG to MBP. Samples of CSF from 48 patients with MS and 30 patients with SSPE were tested and, in both conditions, antibody activity was significantly greater than in controls, when tested at identical IgG concentrations. In MS, levels of antibody were highest in patients with acute exacerbations and lower in patients in remission, which supported the hypothesis that autoimmunity to a myelin antigen may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The reaction with MBP was consistently more pronounced in SSPE than in MS. In view of the association of SSPE with measles virus and the presence of high titers of measles antibody in the CSF, antibodies to measles and to MBP may be directed against similar antigenic determinants.


Effects of alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the cardiovascular system in the rabbit.
The effects of two different doses of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on regional blood flows were studied in urethane-anaesthetized rabbits pretreated with the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan. The effects of yohimbine were also studied using unanaesthetized rabbits. Blood flow measurements were performed using the tracer microsphere method. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone was injected i.v. at a dose of either 0.1 mg kg-1 or 2.0 mg kg-1. Yohimbine and idazoxan did not modify the effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on mean arterial blood pressure. In the anaesthetized animals, blockade of the alpha 2-adrenoceptors resulted in a vasoconstriction in several peripheral organs and the vasoconstriction increased after thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration. Pretreament with yohimbine reduced total cerebral blood flow moderately and in such animals thyrotropin-releasing hormone elicited only minor cerebral blood flow effects. Pretreatment with idazoxan did not reduce the total cerebral blood flow and in such animals it increased from 53 +/- 1 to 75 +/- 4 g min-1 100 g-1 (P less than 0.01) after the administration of the lower dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and from 64 +/- 5 to 112 +/- 17 g min-1 100 g-1 (P less than 0.01) after the higher dose. In the conscious animals, yohimbine caused an increase in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Vascular resistance increased in several organs. The cerebral blood flow decreased in white matter (P less than 0.05) and the caudate nucleus (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that there is a yohimbine-sensitive mechanism involved in the cerebrovasodilating effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in anaesthetized rabbits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Sonographic features of anal atresia at 12 weeks.
Anorectal atresia results from abnormal development of the anorectal septum. Prenatal diagnosis is difficult but the condition may be suspected by the sonographic demonstration of a dilated colon. We present the sonographic features of a fetus with anal atresia and a ventricular septal defect at 12 weeks of gestation. This case illustrates that a dilated colon may be present in association with fetal anal atresia as early as 12 weeks.


Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health: Developing Biomarkers for Pulmonary Health.
Children with inherited and/or acquired respiratory disorders often arrive in adolescence and adulthood with diminished lung function that might have been detected and prevented had better mechanisms been available to identify and to assess progression of disease. Fortunately, advances in genetic assessments, low-cost diagnostics, and minimally- invasive novel biomarkers are being developed to detect and to treat respiratory diseases before they give rise to loss of life or lung function. This paper summarizes the Developing Biomarkers for Pulmonary Health sessions of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute- sponsored 2021 Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health workshop. These sessions discussed genetic testing, pulse oximetry, exhaled nitric oxide, and novel biomarkers related to childhood lung diseases.


[The development of attention, memory and the inhibitory processes: the chronological relation with the maturation of brain structure and functioning].
Development during childhood and adolescence is characterized by greater efficiency in performing cognitive tasks. The correlations between cognitive and brain development are not altogether clear and have not been studied in depth. The aim of this study is to survey the research carried out into the development of cognitive functioning in children, adolescents and adults, and its chronological relation with brain development. Anatomofunctional and cognitive-behavioural studies are presented. Anatomical studies have shown that the white matter increases linearly throughout childhood and adolescence, whereas cortical and subcortical grey matter increases in the pre-adolescent period and later diminishes in the post adolescent stage. It has been claimed that these changes are regional and that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the last areas to mature. Functional research has studied cognitive processes attributed to the functioning of the PFC, such as attention, working memory and the inhibition of irrelevant responses. The findings from these studies have shown a behavioural and physiological development of these three processes during childhood and adolescence. Behavioural results have evidenced greater efficiency in capacities such as discriminating between relevant and irrelevant information, storing and handling information in the memory and the inhibition of unsuitable responses during the performance of a task. The physiological results have presented changes in the magnitude, spread and integration of the regions activated during task performance. Cognitive and behavioural maturation is consecutive to structural and physiological maturing and this is produced in a chronologically and qualitatively different way in the distinct regions of the brain.


Direct Reductive N-Functionalization of Aliphatic Nitro Compounds.
The first general protocol for the direct reductive N-functionalization of aliphatic nitro compounds is presented. The nitro group is partially reduced to a nitrenoid, with a mild and readily available combination of B2 pin2 and zinc organyls. Thereby, the formation of an unstable nitroso intermediate is avoided, which has so far severely limited reductive transformations of aliphatic nitro compounds. The reaction is concluded by an electrophilic amination of zinc organyls.


[Action of Calendula officinalis essence on bone preservation after the extraction].
Calendula officinalis is a phytodrug used as analgesic, antiseptic and wound-healing agent due to its collagenogenic effect, which is why it is a convenient and affordable treatment that promotes alveolar bone preservation after tooth extraction in vivo. The aim of this study was to use Calendula officinalis during and after tooth extraction to determine its ability to preserve bone after this procedure. We established two groups matched by age, gender and position of the third molar. We used with patients on the experimental group Calendula officinalis diluted 10% as an irrigant during surgical extraction of third molars. We performed the conventional way with the control group irrigating with saline solution. Subsequently, both groups continued to make mouthwash for a week with the irrigating agent. Every week for a month, each patient underwent periapical radiography, out of which we took measurements of alveolar ridges and depth of alveolar bone, which were compared. There is statistically significant evidence to state that Calendula officinalis favorably affects bone preservation after extraction.


Comparing integrative cognitive-affective therapy and guided self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat binge-eating disorder using standard and naturalistic momentary outcome measures: A randomized controlled trial.
Innovative treatments and outcome measures are needed for binge-eating disorder (BED). This randomized controlled trial compared Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy (ICAT-BED), an individual psychotherapy targeting momentary behavioral and emotional precipitants of binge eating, with an established cognitive-behavioral guided self-help (CBTgsh) treatment using standard and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) outcome measures. A total of 112 participants were randomized to 17 weeks of treatment (21 sessions for ICAT-BED and 10 sessions for CBTgsh). Binge-eating frequency was assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) as well as EMA using cell phone-based real-time, naturalistic assessment at end of treatment (EOT) and 6-month follow-up. Hypothesized maintenance mechanisms were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Binge-eating frequency as measured by the EDE and real-time assessment showed significant reductions at EOT and follow-up, with no significant differences between treatments. Hypothesized maintenance mechanisms, including emotion regulation, cognitive self-discrepancy, self-directed style, as well as measures of associated eating disorder psychopathology, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and negative affect, showed similar improvement at EOT and follow-up with no differences between treatments. Abstinence rates at EOT (ICAT-BED: 57.1%; CBTgsh: 42.9%) and 6-month follow-up (ICAT-BED: 46.4%; CBTgsh: 42.9%) were not significantly different. Treatment retention was significantly higher for ICAT-BED (87.5%) than CBTgsh (71.4%). These findings suggest that ICAT-BED and CBTgsh were associated with similar improvements in binge eating, psychopathology, and putative maintenance mechanisms as measured by traditional self-report and momentary, naturalistic assessments and that these changes were generally sustained at 6-month follow-up.


Selective deposition of lanthanum in mammalian cardiac cell membranes. Ultrastructural and electrophysiological evidence.
Perfusion of beating false tendons of the dog heart with ionic lanthanum produced drastic but reversible modifications of the excitability and the transmembrane action potential of Purkinje cells. Ultrastructural examination of these cells revealed the appearance of a fine extracellular precipitate detectable on unstained sections. In addition, specimens perfused with La(+++) showed a striking increase in the contrast of the sarcolemma, particularly in gap junctions and in pinocytic vesicles. La(+++) deposits were restricted to the cytoplasmic leaflets of the sarcolemma; no precipitates were found at the plasma membrane of fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, or unmyelinated nerve fibers present in the same specimens. A selective deposition of La(+++) was also observed in the sarcolemma of atrial and ventricular cells of dog, rabbit, and cat hearts, as well as in the membrane of the transverse tubular system of ventricular cells. Both the electrophysiological effects and the ultrastructural membrane deposits produced by La(+++) disappeared when the specimens were subsequently perfused with phosphate-containing tyrode solution. These results tend to demonstrate that a distinctive feature of the sarcolemma of mammalian cardiac cells is the presence of regions with a high surface density of binding sites for polyvalent cations.


Treadmill exercise induces murine cardiac allograft survival and generates regulatory T cell.
Exercise therapy has been associated with improvement in functional capacity and quality of life. The role of exercise therapy in heart transplant recipients is of great interest for the transplant society, although concerning the effect of exercise therapy, there is little knowledge at present. We analyzed the effects of exercise on alloimmune responses in murine cardiac allograft transplantation. CBA mice (H2(k) ) underwent transplantation of C57Bl/6 (H2(b) ) hearts and exercised on a treadmill. Untreated CBA recipients rejected C57Bl/6 cardiac grafts acutely (median survival time [MST], 7 days). CBA recipients treated with treadmill for 1 week after transplantation, and for 1 week both before and after transplantation prolonged allograft survivals (MSTs, 35 and 18 days, respectively). However, treadmill exercise recipients for 1 week before transplantation were not effective to allograft survival (MST, 8 days). Adoptive transfer of whole splenocytes and CD4(+) cells from treadmill exercise recipients significantly prolonged allograft survival in naive secondary recipients (MSTs, 30 and 52 days, respectively), suggesting that regulatory cells was generated after treadmill exercise. Moreover, flow cytometry studies showed that CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) cell population increased in treadmill exercise recipients. Therefore, postoperative but not pre-operative exercise could induce prolongation of survival of fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and generate CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells.


Cone-beam computed tomography versus digital periapical radiography in the detection of artificially created periapical lesions: A pilot study of the diagnostic accuracy of endodontists using both techniques.
The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of previously trained endodontists in the detection of artificially created periapical lesions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital periapical radiography (DPR). An ex vivo model using dry skulls was used, in which simulated apical lesions were created and then progressively enlarged using #1/2, #2, #4, and #6 round burs. A total of 11 teeth were included in the study, and 110 images were obtained with CBCT and with an intraoral digital periapical radiographic sensor (Instrumentarium dental, Tuusula, Finland) initially and after each bur was used. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated. All images were evaluated by 10 previously trained, certified endodontists. Agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient. The accuracy of each method in detecting apical lesions was calculated using the chi-square test. The kappa coefficient between examiners showed low agreement (range, 0.17-0.64). No statistical difference was found between CBCT and DPR in teeth without apical lesions (P=.15). The accuracy for CBCT was significantly higher than for DPR in all corresponding simulated lesions (P<.001). The correct diagnostic rate for CBCT ranged between 56.9% and 73.6%. The greatest difference between CBCT and DPR was seen in the maxillary teeth (CBCT, 71.4%; DPR, 28.6%; P<.01) and multi-rooted teeth (CBCT, 83.3%; DPR, 33.3%; P<.01). CBCT allowed higher accuracy than DPR in detecting simulated lesions for all simulated lesions tested. Endodontists need to be properly trained in interpreting CBCT scans to achieve higher diagnostic accuracy.


Long-term efficacy and duration of action of dexamethasone implant, in vitrectomised and non-vitrectomised eyes with persistent diabetic macular oedema.
To evaluate the efficacy and duration of action of an intravitreal (dexamethasone (Ozurdex)) implant in vitrectomised and non-vitrectomised eyes with persistent diabetic macular oedema (DMO). We retrospectively analysed the records for 18 eyes that had or had not been vitrectomised but required an intravitreal dexamethasone implant for DMO after a poor response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. Optical coherence tomography and visual acuity (VA) examinations were performed before and 1, 3 and 6 months after implantation. The six months following implantation constituted one treatment round; up to three rounds were studied. Ten of 18 eyes had undergone vitrectomy. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were significantly improved by months 1-3 after implantation of the Ozurdex device in all rounds of treatment. The BCVA and CMT deteriorated gradually after month 3 through to month 6 post implantation. There were no statistically significant differences between the vitrectomised and non-vitrectomised groups at any time point. When the implantation interval was <6 weeks from the end of each treatment round, the improvement in BCVA and CMT was obvious even after 18 months of treatment. Vitrectomy did not have a negative effect on the duration of action or efficacy of the Ozurdex implant in patients with persistent DMO. The implant started working from the first month after implantation regardless of whether vitrectomy had or had not been performed. The maximum functional and anatomic improvement was achieved in the first 3 months post implantation in all treatment rounds.


The three-dimensional morphological effects of captivity.
Many captive animals are fed diets that are drastically different in mechanical properties than their wild diet. Most captive pantherines are fed a nutritionally supplemented diet consisting almost entirely of ground meat. While many zoos supplement this diet with bones, the fact remains that large captive felids are fed diets that require substantially less masticatory effort than those of their wild counterparts. The osteological effects of this dietary difference have not been fully evaluated. To this end, we compared linear measurements and 3D geometric morphometric landmarks of captive and wild lions and tigers. Using Principal Component (PC) analysis of the linear measurements, not only were the sexes and species statistically distinct, but so too was the population clearly divisible in terms of captivity status. The 3D analysis supported these findings: although the most influential variable in the sample (PC1, 21.5% of the variation) separates the two species, the second most influential contributor (PC2) to the overall skull shape is driven not by the sex differences in these highly dimorphic species, but rather by their captivity status. In fact, captivity status drives nearly twice as much of the 3D variation as sexual dimorphism (14.8% vs. 8.0% for PC2 vs. PC3). Thus the shape is influenced nearly twice as much by whether the animal was captive or wild than by whether it was male or female. If a causal relationship can be demonstrated between dietary mechanical properties and morphology, people who oversee the diets of captive carnivores should consider modifying these diets to account for not only nutritional but also the mechanical properties of a carcass-based diet as well. In addition to the husbandry implications, our analyses show the ways in which captive specimens are different than their wild counterparts--ndings that have implications for morphologists when considering anatomical samples.


Visual Obstruction of Flow Indicator Increases Inspiratory Volumes in Incentive Spirometry.
Incentive spirometers were developed to facilitate sustained maximum inspiration. In addition to a slow-rising float that indicates volume displacement, the incentive spirometers includes a sensitive, rapid-fluttering flow indicator. Achieving the target inspiratory volume is believed to be the most important factor in successful incentive spirometers use. This investigation hypothesized that patients focus on the rapid fluttering of the flow indicator rather than volume float during incentive spirometers use. The effects of adjusting hand positioning to cover the flow indicator on inspiratory volumes were evaluated. A randomized, prospective, counter-balanced crossover analysis of postoperative subjects was completed. In alternating assignment, the subjects were randomized to 1 of 2 study groups: (A) with the flow indicator covered first followed by the flow indicator standard exposed, and (B) with the flow indicator standard exposed first, followed by the flow indicator covered. The subjects were asked to perform 2 inhalations on their incentive spirometers in the first flow indicator condition: covered or the standard exposed. After a 2-min delay, the subjects were then asked to perform an additional 2 inhalations with the alternate flow indicator condition. The difference between mean inspiratory volumes under covered and standard exposed conditions was evaluated for all subjects, within and between groups. A total of 42 subjects were evaluated. For all the subjects, there was a mean increase of 255.4 mL of inspired volume when the flow indicator was covered (1,869.0 vs 1,613.7 mL, P < .001). For the subjects in group B who had their flow indicators covered after standard exposure, mean inspiratory volumes increased by 285.7 mL (1,613.1 vs 1,898.8 mL, P = .009). For subjects in group A who had their flow indicator covered before standard exposure, their mean inspiratory volumes increased by 225.0 mL (1,614.3 vs 1839.3 mL, P = .007) when covered. There was no significant difference between the mean increases across patients in groups A and B (225.0 vs 285.7 mL, P = .63). Covering the flow indicator during incentive spirometers significantly increased achieved inspiratory volumes. Increased volumes were generated, irrespective of flow indicator covering order, which strongly suggested that the covering effect was greater than any learning or condition order carry-over effects. Because achieving target inspiratory volumes is considered the most important factor in successful incentive spirometers use, these findings may have immediate applications for improving incentive spirometers protocols, patient education, and device design implications.


Evidence-based human resources: the case for exit interview surveys.
This bimonthly department, sponsored by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, presents information to assist nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare through creative and innovative leadership. The strategic priorities of the American Organization of Nurse Executives anchor the editorial content. They reflect contemporary healthcare and nursing practice issues that challenge nurse executives as they strive to meet the needs of patients. In this article, the author discusses exit interview surveys that identify reasons why employees leave their organization, what may have encouraged them to stay, and what would entice them back to the organization.


Near-infrared absorbing Cu12Sb4S13 and Cu3SbS4 nanocrystals: synthesis, characterization, and photoelectrochemistry.
Herein, we present the novel synthesis of tetrahedrite copper antimony sulfide (CAS) nanocrystals (Cu12Sb4S13), which display strong absorptions in the visible and NIR. Through ligand tuning, the size of the Cu12Sb4S13 NCs may be increased from 6 to 18 nm. Phase purity is achieved through optimizing the ligand chemistry and maximizing the reactivity of the antimony precursor. We provide a detailed investigation of the optical and photoelectrical properties of both tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) and famatinite (Cu3SbS4) NCs. These NCs were found to have very high absorption coefficients reaching 10(5) cm(-1) and band gaps of 1.7 and 1 eV for tetrahedrite and famatinite NCs, respectively. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to determine the band positions. In each case, the Fermi energies reside close to the valence band, indicative of a p-type semiconductor. Annealing of tetrahedrite CAS NC films in sulfur vapor at 350 °C was found to result in pure famatinite NC films, opening the possibility to tune the crystal structure within thin films of these NCs. Photoelectrochemistry of hydrazine free unannealed films displays a strong p-type photoresponse, with up to 0.1 mA/cm(2) measured under mild illumination. Collectively these optical properties make CAS NCs an excellent new candidate for both thin film and hybrid solar cells and as strong NIR absorbers in general.


Coulomb explosions and energy loss of molecular ions in plasmas.
Interactions of swift molecular ions with high-density plasma targets are studied by means of the linearized Vlasov-Poisson theory, allowing the dynamically screened interaction potential among the constituent ions to be expressed in terms of the classical plasma dielectric function. Coulomb explosions and the energy losses of a molecular ion are simulated by solving the equations of motion for the constituent ions. It is found that, due to the wakelike asymmetry of the interaction potential, the molecular axis tends to align itself along the beam direction. In addition, a strong enhancement of the energy loss of the molecular ion has been found in the initial stages of Coulomb explosions due to proximity of the constituent ions, but this effect diminishes at latter stages when the ions are sufficiently far apart.


[Baicalin inhibits LPS/IFN-γ-induced inflammation via TREM2/TLR4/NF-κB pathway in BV2 cells].
This study investigated the mechanism of baicalin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)/interferon γ(IFN-γ)-induced inflammatory microglia based on the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB) pathway. Specifically, LPS and IFN-γ were used to induce inflammation in mouse microglia BV2 cells. Then the normal group, model group, low-dose(5 μmol·L~(-1)) baicalin group, medium-dose(10 μmol·L~(-1)) baicalin group, high-dose(20 μmol·L~(-1)) baicalin group, and minocycline(10 μmol·L~(-1)) group were designed. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay and cell morphology was observed under bright field. The expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-4(IL-4), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), and arginase-1(Arg-1) mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-1β, TREM2, TLR4, inhibitor kappaB-alpha(IκBα), p-IκBα, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 by Western blot, and transfer of NF-κB p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus by cellular immunofluorescence. Compared with the normal group, most of the BV2 cells in the model group tended to demonstrate the pro-inflammatory M1 amoeba morphology, and the model group showed significant increase in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS, decrease in the mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-10, and Arg-1(P<0.01), rise of the protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65(P<0.01), reduction in TREM2 protein expression, and increase in the expression of NF-κB p65 in nucleus. Compared with the model group, baicalin groups and minocycline group showed the recovery of BV2 cell morphology, significant decrease in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS, increase in the mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-10, and Arg-1(P<0.01), reduction in the protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65(P<0.05), rise of TREM2 protein expression, and decrease in the expression of NF-κB p65 in nucleus. In summary, these results suggest that baicalin can regulate the imbalance between TREM2 and TLR4 of microglia and inhibit the activation of downstream NF-κB, thus promoting the polarization of microglia from pro-inflammatory phenotype to anti-inflammatory phenotype.


Allosteric Inactivation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) by Inhibiting Its Adapter Protein: Embryonic Ectodomain Development (EED).
Aberrant PRC2 activity produces gene repressive epigenetic marks in multiple diseases and led to identification of Ezh2 as a drug target. Recent studies have shown that the epigenetic reader protein EED, associated with Ezh2 in PRC2, has an additional function to stimulate the PRC2 activity after binding to H3K27me3. Optimizing a compound known to block the H3K27me3 site in EED discovered by in-house screening, Novartis scientists have now produced a compound that shows durable tumor regression in a lymphoma xenograft model.


Detection of small airway dysfunction in asymptomatic smokers using aerosol bolus behavior.
Tests using inhaled particles assess ventilatory nonuniformities and may be sensitive to early changes in the small airways of cigarette smokers. We measured aerosol bolus behavior in 20 asymptomatic smokers and 20 age- and sex-matched nonsmokers for comparison with pulmonary function parameters including the single-breath nitrogen test. Narrow boluses containing 1-micron particles were introduced into 1-I breaths and inhaled to varying lung depths. We examined changes in bolus shape between inhalation and exhalation using plots of aerosol concentration versus respired volume for measurement of bolus dispersion, volumetric change in mean location (mean shift), and quantitative particle deposition. We found exhaled bolus dispersion to be significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Volumetric mean shift was significantly different in smokers at shallow lung depths, with the center of bolus mass occurring later in exhalation. FEV1/FVC in smokers was significantly inversely correlated with dispersion at deeper lung depths and with mean shift at all lung depths. Smokers with abnormal spirometry (n = 4) or an abnormal single-breath nitrogen test (n = 7) had significantly increased dispersion compared with smokers with normal pulmonary function tests. We conclude that aerosol bolus dispersion is a useful tool for examination of small airway function in asymptomatic smokers.


The role of user preference in the customized control of robotic exoskeletons.
User preference is a promising objective for the control of robotic exoskeletons because it may capture the multifactorial nature of exoskeleton use. However, to use it, we must first understand its characteristics in the context of exoskeleton control. Here, we systematically measured the control preferences of individuals wearing bilateral ankle exoskeletons during walking. We investigated users' repeatability identifying their preferences and how preference changes with walking speed, device exposure, and between individuals with different technical backgrounds. Twelve naive and 12 knowledgeable nondisabled participants identified their preferred assistance in repeated trials by simultaneously self-tuning the magnitude and timing of peak torque. They were blinded to the control parameters and relied solely on their perception of the assistance to guide their tuning. We found that participants' preferences ranged from 7.9 to 19.4 newton-meters and 54.1 to 59.2 percent of the gait cycle. Across trials, participants repeatably identified their preferences with a mean standard deviation of 1.7 newton-meters and 1.5 percent of the gait cycle. Within a trial, participants converged on their preference in 105 seconds. As the experiment progressed, naive users preferred higher torque magnitude. At faster walking speeds, these individuals were more precise at identifying the magnitude of their preferred assistance. Knowledgeable users preferred higher torque than naive users. These results highlight that although preference is a dynamic quantity, individuals can reliably identify their preferences. This work motivates strategies for the control of lower limb exoskeletons in which individuals customize assistance according to their unique preferences and provides meaningful insight into how users interact with exoskeletons.


Testing the Effect of Vapor in ENDS Public Service Announcements on Current Smokers and ENDS Users' Psychophysiological Responses and Smoking and Vaping Urge.
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are increasingly popular, especially among young adults. Many ENDS advertisements and anti-ENDS public service announcements (PSAs) contain portrayals of ENDS use and visible vapor. Though it is plausible that vapor would be processed in similar ways to traditional combustible cigarette smoking cues, this has not been consistently established. In a laboratory session, we assessed cognitive and emotional processing using psychophysiological measures (e.g., facial electromyography, heart rate, and skin conductance) among young participants who were either smokers only (N = 43) or dual users of ENDS and cigarettes (N = 28) as they viewed four anti-vaping PSAs depicting either vapor or no vapor. Self-report urge to smoke traditional cigarettes and urge to vape and recognition (encoding) of information within the PSAs were measured following each PSA. Orbicularis oculi activation (positive emotion), heart rate deceleration (cognitive resource allocation), recognition (encoding), and vaping urge were greater in the vapor-present condition relative to vapor-absent condition. Hence, the presence of vapor in anti-vaping PSAs activates the approach/appetitive motivational system indicated by greater positive emotion, cognitive resource allocation, and memory, but also greater vaping urge compared to PSAs absent in vapor. Recommendations for inclusion of vapor and design of anti-vaping PSAs are discussed.


Nonprojectile penetrating iron rod from the oral cavity to the posterior cranial fossa: a case report and review of literature.
Nonprojectile penetrating skull base injuries as a result of falls have rarely been confronted in normal neurosurgery although a few nonmissile injuries have been reported. These kinds of injuries represent a life-threatening emergency. We present an unusual case of a 25-year-old male construction worker who suffered an accidental penetrating skull base injury when he fell on a metal rod while he was walking on a 2-meter-high platform. He was clinically stable at presentation. Skull radiograph showed a solid metallic bar, 30 cm long, that penetrated through the right anguli oris eminence and was lodged low in the right occipital bone. Penetrating injury to the head is considered a form of severe traumatic brain injury. Although case of penetrating head injuries as a result of fall from heights are very rare, we anticipate the construction works on high-rise buildings are at maximum risk. We advise that removal of this kind of foreign bodies be done in the theater and not outside because of risk of involvement of larger vessels leading to fatal hemorrhage. We further suggest that patients with nonprojectile injuries should undergo a preoperative computed tomography-angiography to rule out any vascular injury.


The value of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR for predicting left main coronary artery lesion in patients suspected of acute coronary syndrome.
The use of lead aVR for predicting appearance of left main coronary artery (LMCA) lesion has been recently a subject of great interest. This study evaluates the predictive value of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR on electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of significant LMCA lesions. The study population consisted of 400 consecutive patients admitted within 6 hours from the onset of typical chest pain to coronary care unit (CCU). Electrocardiogram was recorded after the admission to emergency ward. ST segment elevation in aVR lead was measured and coronary angiography was performed within 48 hours admission to CCU. Overall, 31% of suspected patients had ST segment elevation in aVR lead that elevation more than 0.1 mv was observed in 34.7% of all subjects. High incidence of ST segment elevation > 0.1 mv was seen in the group with left main lesion so that 40.7% of men and 43.8% of women with (LMCA) lesion had ST segment elevation > 0.1 mv. There was a significant relationship between the incidence of ST segment elevation > 0.1 mv and the number of diseased coronary vessels in men. However, this relation was not observed in women. Different risk profile of ACS did not influence the incidence of the ST-segment elevation in aVR lead. Compared with coronary angiography, ST-segment elevation in lead aVR in ECG had a sensitivity of 62.7%, a specificity of 73.6%, a positive predictive value of 25.8%, and a negative predictive value of 93.1% in predicting LMCA disease. ST-elevation of lead aVR is a valuable indicator for predicting LMCA lesion with acceptable accuracy and predictive value.


Depression of anticapsular antibody after immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide-diphtheria conjugate vaccine.
Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections have been observed in the week after immunization with capsular polysaccharide vaccine. We sought to document depression of antibody concentrations after immunization of 18-month-old infants with H. influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide-diphtheria conjugate vaccine. All 9 infants with detectable preimmunization anticapsular antibody had depression of antibody concentrations on the second day after immunization (P = 0.002). By Day 7 all had achieved anticapsular antibody concentrations greater than 0.15 micrograms/ml, a level believed to provide protection to immediate challenge with H. influenzae type b. Of those without detectable preimmunization antibody, 7 of 21 (33%; 95% confidence interval, 11 to 56%) had not achieved concentrations of greater than 0.15 mg/ml 1 week after immunization. We conclude that there is depression of anticapsular antibody concentrations during the first week after immunization with H. influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide-diphtheria conjugate vaccine. We speculate that H. influenzae type b infections after immunization with H. influenzae type b vaccines may be the result of: (1) low antibody concentrations because of either depression of antibody concentrations or failure to develop antibody; and (2) exposure to H. influenzae type b. Depression of antibody concentrations could be explained by binding of in vivo antibody to the vaccine.


The pathophysiology of pancreatitis.
The pancreas is an exocrine and endocrine gland that is required for normal digestion and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory process of the pancreas that involves peripancreatic tissues and remote organs. Mild AP occurs in 80% of patients requiring hospitalization and severe AP occurs in the other 20%. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an inflammatory disorder that causes anatomic changes, including infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells and fibrosis of the pancreas. This review discusses biochemical and histologic features of pancreatic injury in AP and CP and some of the important clinical sequelae associated with these abnormalities.


[STEREOTACTIC ABLATIVE BODY RADIATION -SABR: A NEW THERAPEUTIC OPTION FOR TREATMENT OF STAGE I LUNG CANCER].
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers a new therapeutic option for stage 1 lung cancer that cannot undergo surgery due to co-morbidities or patient refusal. This treatment evolved in the last decade thanks to technologic advancement of radiation therapy planning and delivery that allow real time imaging of the tumor and real time position correction before every treatment. Ultra high doses of radiation cause ablation of the target with very low collateral scatter dose to surrounding tissue. Numerous phase I/II trials and institutional series have demonstrated efficacy of this treatment with over 90% control of tumors of 3 cm or less and 80-85% for larger tumors, very similar to surgical results. Data from trials have driven guidelines for safe administration, thus, when properly administered, toxicity is minimal. SABR treatment is administered routinely at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center and in other radiation centers in Israel.


Purification of Exosomes from Primary Schwann Cells, RNA Extraction, and Next-Generation Sequencing of Exosomal RNAs.
Exosomes are small (30-150 nm) vesicles of endosomal origin secreted by most cell types. Exosomes contain proteins, lipids, and RNA species including microRNA, mRNA, rRNA, and long noncoding RNAs. The mechanisms associated with exosome synthesis and cargo loading are still poorly understood. A role for exosomes in intercellular communication has been reported in physiological and pathological conditions both in vitro and in vivo. Previous studies have suggested that Schwann cell-derived exosomes regulate neuronal functions, but the mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we describe protocols to establish rat neonatal Schwann cell cultures and to isolate exosomes from the conditioned medium of these cultures by differential ultracentrifugation. To analyze the RNA content of Schwann cell-derived exosomes, we detail protocols for RNA extraction and next-generation sequencing using miRNA and mRNA libraries. The protocol also includes RNA sequencing of Schwann cells, which allows the comparison between RNA content from cells and the secreted exosomes. Identification of RNAs present in Schwann cell-derived exosomes is a valuable tool to understand novel roles of Schwann cells in neuronal function in health and disease.


Assessment and treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs in the opioid substitution setting: ETHOS study.
Access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment remains extremely limited among people who inject drugs (PWID). HCV assessment and treatment was evaluated through an innovative model for the provision of HCV care among PWID with chronic HCV infection. Enhancing Treatment for Hepatitis C in Opioid Substitution Settings (ETHOS) was a prospective observational cohort. Recruitment was through 5 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics, 2 community health centers, and 1 Aboriginal community controlled health organization in New South Wales, Australia. Among 387 enrolled participants, mean age was 41 years, 71% were male, and 15% were of Aboriginal ethnicity. Specialist assessment was undertaken in 191 (49%) participants, and 84 (22%) commenced interferon-based treatment. In adjusted analysis, HCV specialist assessment was associated with non-Aboriginal ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-7.90), no recent benzodiazepine use (AOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.31-3.24), and non-1 HCV genotype (AOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.32-3.43). In adjusted analysis, HCV treatment was associated with non-Aboriginal ethnicity (AOR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.49-14.12), living with the support of family and/or friends (AOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.25-3.71), never receiving OST (AOR, 4.40; 95% CI, 2.27-8.54), no recent methamphetamine use (AOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.12-4.57), and non-1 HCV genotype (AOR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.67-5.64). HCV treatment uptake was relatively high among this highly marginalized population of PWID. Potentially modifiable factors associated with treatment include drug use and social support.


Animal infection models and ethics -- the perfect infection model.
Experimental infection models have long been recognized as an essential part of testing anti-infective therapies. A perfect animal model would be a model that satisfied not only scientific criteria, but ethical criteria as well. In the design and execution of such experiments, scientific and ethical considerations are not mutually exclusive, but should be convergent and therefore result in the optimal model.


Einstein-Helfand form for transport coefficients from coarse-grained descriptions.
We revisit the statistical mechanics problem of coarse-graining a system that at a detailed level is described by an already coarse-grained dynamics. The dynamics at the more detailed level is described by a Fokker-Planck equation instead of the Liouville equation. The method generalizes Zwanzig theory of projection operators and produces a friction matrix in terms of a correlation function that is not manifestly an autocorrelation. Therefore, from this expression, it is not obvious that the friction matrix is definite positive. We show that the Green-Kubo transport matrix can be written in the Einstein-Helfand form, which is manifestly positive definite. We also discuss the role of time reversal and detailed balance in the coarse-grained dynamics.


Frequent detection of HIV-1-specific mRNAs in infected individuals suggests ongoing active viral expression in all stages of disease.
It has been shown that only a small fraction of CD4+ T cells are infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vivo, particularly early in the course of infection. An even smaller proportion of cells have been shown to be expressing virus. Recent studies suggest that plasma viremia in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals, representing active viral replication, is more common than was previously believed (range 23-100% of patients). To determine the in vivo state of HIV expression, samples of peripheral blood of 49 HIV-infected individuals at all stages of disease were examined. All subjects were positive for viral DNA by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a modified PCR was utilized to detect HIV-specific mRNAs (gag, major splice junction, env, and tat/rev). Patient's plasma was also assayed for p24 antigen and viremia. The results were as follows: (formula: see text) Overall, the findings suggest that active viral expression occurs at all stages of HIV infection. In particular, the presence of gag mRNA was determined in only 2 of 14 patients with T4% greater than 30% but in 20 of 35 patients with T4% less than or equal to 30% (p less than 0.05), demonstrating a direct association between the presence of message for a structural protein, and more advanced immunosuppression. Determination of the expression of certain HIV-specific messages from within a patient's cells adds a new dimension to understanding the pathogenesis of HIV infection. The presence of HIV-specific mRNAs, and in particular gag message, in many healthy seropositives may further argue for early initiation of antiviral therapy.


Supraventricular tachycardia after heterotopic heart transplantation.
Heterotopic cardiac transplantation where the recipient heart remains in tandem with the donor heart has a one-year survival of approximately 80%. Rhythm disturbances after heterotopic cardiac transplantation have rarely been described and their potential influence on the patients symptoms and prognosis is unclear. We report a case of supraventricular tachycardia of the recipient heart in a patient following heterotopic heart transplantation recorded during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring.


Cervical Spinal Epidural Abscess: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes: A Case Series and a Literature Review.
Although recent diagnostic and management methods have improved the prognosis of cervical epidural abscesses, morbidity and mortality remain significant. The purpose of our study is to define the clinical presentation of cervical spinal epidural abscess, to determine the early clinical outcome of surgical treatment, and to identify the most effective diagnostic and treatment approaches. Additionally, we analyzed studies regarding cervical epidural abscesses and performed a review of the literature. In this study, four patients with spinal epidural abscess were included. There were three men and one woman with a mean age of 53 years. Three patients presented with motor deficits, and one patient was diagnosed incidentally through spinal imaging. All the patients had fever, and blood cultures were positive. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured from abscesses. All patients underwent a surgical procedure, and three patients recovered their normal neurological functions, but one remained with mild neurological disability that was resolved two years postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 12 months, and no deaths occurred in this series. Furthermore, we identified 85 studies in the literature review and extracted data regarding the diagnosis and management of these patients. The timely detection and effective management of this condition are essential for minimizing its associated morbidity and mortality.


Targeted Cancer Therapies World Congress 2010--part 2. 21-23 September 2010, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Targeted Cancer Therapies World Congress, held in Zurich, included topics covering new regulatory and therapeutic developments in the field of cancer therapy and accompanying diagnostics. This conference report highlights selected presentations on improving market access, minimizing redundant R&D investment and standardizing cancer biomarkers, incorporating diagnostics into drug development and advances in biomarker discovery for cancer.


[Analysis of chemotherapeutic efficacies in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer].
To explore the chemotherapeutic efficacies and prognostic factors of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The clinicopathologic data of 151 patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer were collected from September 1994 to November 2011 and their clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence and survival were analyzed. Platinum plus taxol or vinorelbine was significantly higher than others for these patients (42.1% vs 23.1%, P = 0.022). The median overall survivals of those on first-line chemotherapy with partial remission, stable disease and progressive disease were 29.6, 24.7 and 13.1 months respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.045). Two or three-line chemotherapy showed no obvious statistical relationship with total overall survival. Simple factor analysis showed that the number of metastasis, visceral metastases and the efficacies of first-line chemotherapy were correlated with overall survival (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression showed that disease-free survival and the efficacies of first-line chemotherapy were the independent prognostic factors of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The combined chemotherapy of platinum may achieve better efficacies in the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. And the efficacies of first-line chemotherapy are closely correlated with survival.


Safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent influenza vaccine in adults 65 y of age and older.
Frequent mismatches between the predominant circulating B strain lineage and the B strain lineage in trivalent influenza vaccines have resulted in missed opportunities to prevent influenza illness. Quadrivalent influenza vaccines containing B strains from each of the 2 lineages have been developed for improved prevention of influenza B infections. Here, we describe the results of a phase III, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicenter trial examining the safety and immunogenicity of a split-virion inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4) in 675 adults ≥ 65 y of age (NCT01218646). Participants were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive a single intramuscular injection with the investigational IIV4, or one of 2 split-virion trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV3s): a licensed IIV3 containing a B Victoria-lineage strain or an investigational IIV3 containing a B Yamagata-lineage strain. Post-vaccination (day 21) hemagglutinin inhibition titers to all strains induced by IIV4 were statistically non-inferior to those induced by the 2 IIV3s. In addition, for each B strain, rates of seroconversion in the IIV4 group were superior to those induced by the comparator IIV3 not containing that B strain. For all vaccines, the most common solicited reaction was injection-site pain, and most reactions were mild to moderate in intensity and transient. Overall safety profiles were similar between IIV4 and the IIV3s, and no vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. These results confirm that in adults ≥ 65 y of age, IIV4 was well tolerated and immunogenic against the additional B lineage strain without compromising the immunogenicity of the other 3 vaccine strains.


Feasibility of a mobile feedback system for gait retraining in people with lower limb loss-A technical note.
Gait retraining in people with musculoskeletal and/or neurological impairments requires sustained dedicated efforts by the patient and the rehabilitation therapist. Various technical approaches have been proposed and utilized to improve the effectiveness of training interventions. Among the most promising approaches is the provision of real-time feedback information to the patient, which has been used with success on treadmill-based interventions in the past. We are describing a mobile visual feedback system that is intended to work in the user's everyday-life environment. The data are captured by a small mobile load cell, processed in a wearable computer, and displayed to the user via smart-glasses. Preliminary testing of the initially selected feedback variable stance/step ratio (i.e., the duration of a step's stance phase in relation to the overall step's duration) confirmed that data quality is sufficient for purposes of generating feedback information and that the chosen variable is responsive to changes in gait symmetry. The presented work may inform future studies and developments on the topic of mobile visual feedback for gait rehabilitation.


A Rare Case of Obliterated Femoral Canal in Atypical Femoral Shaft Fracture Related to Bisphosphonate Therapy.
Bisphosphonates have been accepted as the first-line treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Atypical femoral shaft fracture is one of the side effects of long-term bisphosphonate therapy. The mainstay treatment of this atypical fracture is bisphosphonates cessation and stabilization with internal fixation. We are reporting a rare case of a blocked intramedullary femoral canal found during surgery of an 85-year-old Indian lady with an atypical femoral shaft fracture related to her five-year alendronate therapy. We found difficulty in passing the guidewire through the fracture site during the closed method, which renders open reduction to manage the obliterated intramedullary canal. The importance of changing decisions intraoperatively should be highlighted to avoid further complications. Fracture union is achieved during our follow-up in the clinic.


Treatment of Spider Phobia Using Repeated Exposures and Adjunctive Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Proof-of-Concept Study.
Specific phobias represent the largest category of anxiety disorders. Previous work demonstrated that stimulating the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) with repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) may improve response to exposure therapy for acrophobia. To examine feasibility of accelerating extinction learning in subjects with spider phobia using intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) rTMS of vmPFC. In total, 17 subjects with spider phobia determined by spider phobia questionnaires [Spider Phobia Questionnaire (SPQ) and Fear of Spiders questionnaire (FSQ)] underwent ratings of fear of spiders as well as behavioral and skin conductance data during a behavioral avoidance test (BAT). Subjects then received a sequential protocol of in vivo spider exposure followed by iTBS for three sessions administered to either active or control treatment sites (vmPFC [n = 8] or vertex [n = 9], respectively), followed 1 week later by repetition of questionnaires and BAT. All subjects improved significantly regardless of group across both questionnaires (FSQ η2 = 0.43, p = 0.004; SPQ η2 = 0.39, p = 0.008) and skin conductance levels during BAT (Wald χ2 = 30.9, p < 0.001). Subjects in the vmPFC group tolerated lower treatment intensity than in the control group, and there was a significant correlation between treatment intensity, BAT subjective distress improvement, and physiologic measures (all ρ > 0.5). This proof-of-concept study provides preliminary evidence that a sequential exposure and iTBS over vmPFC is feasible and may have rTMS intensity-dependent effects on treatment outcomes, providing evidence for future areas of study in the use of rTMS for phobias.


Designing attractive gamification features for collaborative storytelling websites.
Gamification design is considered as the predictor of collaborative storytelling websites' success. Although aforementioned studies have mentioned a broad range of factors that may influence gamification, they neither depicted the actual design features nor relative attractiveness among them. This study aims to identify attractive gamification features for collaborative storytelling websites. We first constructed a hierarchical system structure of gamification design of collaborative storytelling websites and conducted a focus group interview with eighteen frequent users to identify 35gamification features. After that, this study determined the relative attractiveness of these gamification features by administrating an online survey to 6333 collaborative storytelling websites users. The results indicated that the top 10 most attractive gamification features could account for more than 50% of attractiveness among these 35 gamification features. The feature of unpredictable time pressure is important to website users, yet not revealed in previous relevant studies. Implications of the findings were discussed.


A Novel 4-Gene Score to Predict Survival, Distant Metastasis and Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer.
We generated a 4-gene score with genes upregulated in LM2-4, a metastatic variant of MDA-MB-231 (DOK 4, HCCS, PGF, and SHCBP1) that was strongly associated with disease-free survival (DFS) in TCGA cohort (hazard ratio [HR]>1.2, p < 0.02). The 4-gene score correlated with overall survival of TCGA (HR = 1 .44, p < 0 .001), which was validated with DFS and disease-specific survival of METABRIC cohort. The 4-gene score was able to predict worse survival or clinically aggressive tumors, such as high Nottingham pathological grade and advanced cancer staging. High score was associated with worse survival in the hormonal receptor (HR)-positive/Her2-negative subtype. High score enriched cell proliferation-related gene sets in GSEA. The score was high in primary tumors that originated, in and metastasized to, brain and lung, and it predicted worse progression-free survival for metastatic tumors. Good tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy was accompanied by score reduction. High scores were also predictive of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HR-positive/Her2-negative subtype. High score tumors had increased expression of T cell exhaustion marker genes, suggesting that the score may also be a biomarker for immunotherapy response. Our novel 4-gene score with both prognostic and predictive values may, therefore, be clinically useful particularly in HR-positive breast cancer.


Monoclonality of lymphoproliferative lesions in cardiac-transplant recipients. Clonal analysis based on immunoglobulin-gene rearrangements.
Whether lymphoproliferative disorders arising in immunosuppressed recipients of organ transplants are primarily neoplastic or hyperplastic in nature is a matter of controversy. Reports of polyclonal B-cell proliferations in these lesions suggest the presence of hyperplasia, but these disorders resemble lymphoma histologically and are clinically aggressive and often rapidly fatal, as expected of a malignant neoplastic disease. We examined tissue specimens from 10 cases of lymphoproliferative disease that occurred in immunosuppressed recipients of cardiac transplants. Specimens from nine of these patients lacked cellular immunoglobulin; however, analysis of DNA extracted from these tissues revealed that each lesion contained large numbers of cells possessing uniform, clonal rearrangements of immunoglobulin-gene DNA. Therefore, when first seen clinically these proliferations contained a notable monoclonal-cell population typical of conventional B-cell lymphomas that are not associated with immunosuppression. We therefore suggest that lymphoproliferative disorders in recipients of cardiac transplants are neoplastic at the earliest stages of detectable disease.


Herbal Medicines for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
Gastrointestinal disorders are common childhood complaints. Particular types of complementary and alternative medicine, such as herbal medicine, are commonly used among children. Research information on efficacy, safety, or dosage forms is still lacking. To systematically summarize effectiveness and safety of different herbal treatment options for gastrointestinal disorders in children. Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched through July 15, 2016. Randomized controlled trials comparing herbal therapy with no treatment, placebo, or any pharmaceutical medication in children and adolescents (aged 0-18 years) with gastrointestinal disorders were eligible. Two authors extracted data on study design, patients, interventions, control interventions, results, adverse events, and risk of bias. Fourteen trials with 1927 participants suffering from different acute and functional gastrointestinal disorders were included in this review. Promising evidence for effectiveness was found for Potentilla erecta, carob bean juice, and an herbal compound preparation including Matricaria chamomilla in treating diarrhea. Moreover, evidence was found for peppermint oil in decreasing duration, frequency, and severity of pain in children suffering from undifferentiated functional abdominal pain. Furthermore, evidence for effectiveness was found for different fennel preparations (eg, oil, tea, herbal compound) in treating children with infantile colic. No serious adverse events were reported. Few studies on specific indications, single herbs, or herbal preparations could be identified. Because of the limited number of studies, results have to be interpreted carefully. To underpin evidence outlined in this review, more rigorous clinical trials are needed.


A national survey of adult placement schemes in England: recruitment and retention of adult placement carers.
Adult placement (AP) schemes and the carers they support have been, up to now, a largely invisible part of the social care workforce. Carers in particular fail to appear in workforce statistics. They provide a unique form of care to vulnerable people, under-pinned by values of extended family ('kinship') support. Little is known about the range of current activities of AP schemes and the carers they support. This study of AP schemes in England aimed to provide baseline data about the workforce, care provision, qualification levels, training and support issues, and recruitment and retention problems. Questionnaires were sent to all known schemes in England in both statutory and independent sectors. A final database of 130 schemes was compiled and of these, 124 contributed to the survey with complete or partial information. Variables relating to carers, and recruitment and retention problems experienced by schemes were analysed in detail. Age, gender and ethnic profiles of AP carers were described. Anecdotal evidence had suggested that the current regulatory system was leading to a loss of AP carers and/or an increasingly unregulated sector. Results from analyses supported this as the major reason given by schemes for the problems they had experienced in the last 12 months. Estimates of both the current level of registration and the numbers of carers cancelling their registration in the previous 12 months were made. Recently agreed regulatory changes aim to shift the burden of regulation from individual carers to AP schemes, and thereby ensure a consistent standard of assessment, training and support across England. Evidence from the survey provided support for such a move.


[Rift Valley Fever and phleboviroses in the Central African Republic].
During 1984 and 1985, six Rift Valley Fever virus strains (RVF) were isolated in Central African Republic, among them five from human samples. Three strains were isolated in 1985 at the end of the rainy season, from sera of patients dead with severe jaundice with haemorrhagic syndrome, what could evoke a little outbreak. At this occasion, these RVF strains and the other strains of phleboviruses previously isolated in CAR, were antigenically compared by Immuno-fluorescent assay (IFA) and Complement Fixation Test (CF), using mice immuno ascitic fluids prepared against each strain. A lot of cross reactions were noted between the different strains, but all the RVF strains seem to have the same antigenic outline.


Mechanisms of obesity-related hypertension.
Obesity has become an epidemic problem in western societies, contributing to metabolic diseases, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Although the importance of obesity as a cause of hypertension is well established, the molecular basis of the relationship between obesity and increased blood pressure remains poorly understood. This brief review examines the association between obesity and hypertension along with the mechanisms proposed to explain this association, while presenting evidence of a direct causal effect of adipose tissue in the development of hypertension through the involvement of the adrenal cortex.


Acinar cell plasticity and development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Acinar cells in the adult pancreas show high plasticity and can undergo transdifferentiation to a progenitor-like cell type with ductal characteristics. This process, termed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), is an important feature facilitating pancreas regeneration after injury. Data from animal models show that cells that undergo ADM in response to oncogenic signalling are precursors for pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions, which can further progress to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). As human pancreatic adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed at a stage of metastatic disease, understanding the processes that lead to its initiation is important for the discovery of markers for early detection, as well as options that enable an early intervention. Here, the critical determinants of acinar cell plasticity are discussed, in addition to the intracellular and extracellular signalling events that drive acinar cell metaplasia and their contribution to development of PDAC.


Sibling and environmental correlates of adolescents' aspirations: family group differences.
Relationships were examined between sibling variables, perceptions of learning environments and aspirations for Australian adolescents from family contexts defined conjointly by human and social capital. Generally, the findings using a regression approach indicated that sibling variables continued to have significant and often complex associations with adolescents' aspirations after taking into account relationships between perceptions of learning environments and aspirations. Also, relationships between sibling variables, perceptions of learning environments and aspirations, varied for adolescents from the different family contexts.


What´s floating on my plasma?
We report on a preanalytical issue we encountered during routine clinical chemistry analyses, potentially leading to deviated analysis results and believe that it might help other laboratories to overcome similar problems. In a heparin-gel tube we measured an implausible glucose value of 0.06 mmol/L. Re-measurement of the same sample resulted in a glucose value of 5.4 mmol/L. After excluding an analytical error, we inspected the sample closer and found a white material as well as fatty droplets floating on the surface of the plasma tube. Evaluation of these structures revealed that the white particulate matter (WPM) consisted of fibrinogen, platelets and leukocytes and the fatty droplets most probably originated from the separator gel. We concluded that these structures formed a temporary clot in the instruments pipetting needle thereby altering the sampling volume and subsequently the measured glucose value. The formation of WPM might be attributable to high speed centrifugation, high cholesterol levels, the gel formulation or a combination of several issues such as temperature, heparin concentration, pH and patient-specific factors. The gel droplets were most probably caused by an aberrant gel formulation in combination with an improper storage of the empty tubes on the wards prior to phlebotomy. After adding an additional instrument cleansing cycle and changing to another batch of heparin tubes the problems could be significantly reduced.


A flexible luminescent probe to monitor fast ion losses at the edge of the TJ-II stellarator.
A mobile luminescent probe has been developed to detect fast ion losses and suprathermal ions escaping from the plasma of the TJ-II stellarator device. The priorities for its design have been flexibility for probe positioning, ease of maintenance, and detector sensitivity. It employs a coherent fiber bundle to relay, to the outside of the vacuum chamber, ionoluminescence images produced by the ions that impinge, after entering the detector head through a pinhole aperture, onto a screen of luminescent material. Ionoluminescence light detection is accomplished by a charge-coupled device camera and by a photomultiplier, both of which are optically coupled to the in-vacuum fiber bundle head by means of a standard optical setup. A detailed description of the detector, and the first results obtained when operated close to the plasma edge, are reported.


African Swine Fever Virus, Siberia, Russia, 2017.
African swine fever (ASF) is arguably the most dangerous and emerging swine disease worldwide. ASF is a serious problem for the swine industry. The first case of ASF in Russia was reported in 2007. We report an outbreak of ASF in Siberia, Russia, in 2017.


Effect of Mycoplasma hominis and cytomegalovirus infection on pregnancy outcome: A prospective study of 200 Mongolian women and their newborns.
In Mongolia, diagnostic tests for the detection of the sexually transmitted mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are currently not routinely used in clinical settings and the frequency of these STIs are enigmatic. The prevalence of these STI pathogens were prospectively evaluated among 200 Mongolian pregnant women and their newborns and correlated with pregnancy outcome. TaqMan PCRs were used to detect bacterial and viral STI pathogens in pre-birth vaginal swabs of the pregnant women and in oral swabs of their newborns. A standardized questionnaire concerning former and present pregnancies was developed and linear regression analysis was used to correlate pathogen detection with pregnancy outcome. Ureaplasmas were the most prevalent of the tested pathogens (positive in 90.5% positive women and 47.5% newborns), followed by mycoplasmas (32.5% and 7.5%), chlamydia (14.5% and 7.5%), trichomonas (8.5% and 4.0%) and gonococcus (0.5% and 0%). CMV was found in 46.5% of the pregnant women and in 10.5% of their newborns, whereas HSV-2 was detected in only two mothers. Multiple regression analyses indicate that colonization of the mothers with U. urealyticum, M. hominis, T. vaginalis or CMV is associated with transmission to newborns and that transmission of M. hominis or CMV from Mongolian pregnant women to offspring is associated with reduced neonatal length and gestational age. Thus, diagnostic tests for their detection should be implemented in the clinical settings in Mongolia.


Early genotoxic response and accumulation induced by waterborne copper, lead, and arsenic in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax.
Cu, Pb, and As, which are among the most abundant metals in the aquatic environment, are also among the most health-threatened by causing diverse cellular injuries. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the potential early induction of genotoxic effects after waterborne Cu, Pb, and As exposure in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, a commercial widely cultured fish, using the micronucleus (MN) assay in peripheral blood erythrocytes. Fish were exposed under laboratory conditions to nominal solutions ranging 0-10 mg/L for 24 and 96 h. Furthermore, actual metal ion concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in water and four fish tissues differentially related to environmental exposition and metal accumulation, i.e. the gills, liver, muscle, and brain. Dose-dependent increases of micronuclei (MNi) frequency were observed after these very short exposures; based on measured metal concentrations in water, the genotoxic effect ordered as Cu > As > Pb. Significant genotoxic effect at 0.009 mg/L Cu, 0.57 mg/L Pb, and 0.01 mg/L As was seen. For Cu and Pb these are only slightly higher, but for As it is notably lower than the USEPA criteria of maximum concentration to prevent acute toxicity in aquatic organisms. Furthermore, genotoxicity was differentially related to metal accumulation. MNi frequency correlated positively with the content of Pb in all the organs, with the content of As in liver and gills and only with the content of Cu in the brain. In conclusion, our findings raised environmental concerns because these depicted a genotoxic potential of Cu, Pb, and As after a very short exposure to low but environmentally relevant concentrations, too close to regulatory thresholds. In addition, the MN test in D. labrax could be considered an early biomarker of genotoxicity induced by these metals in fish.


A phase 1, open-label safety and immunogenicity study of an AS03-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in children aged 6 to 35 months.
There is a need for better vaccines and vaccine strategies to reduce the burden of influenza in very young children. This phase 1, open-label study assessed the reactogenicity, safety, and immunogenicity of an inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) containing low doses of hemagglutinin antigen (7.5 µg each strain), adjuvanted with a tocopherol-based oil-in-water emulsion Adjuvant System (AS03). Influenza vaccine-naïve children aged 6-35 months were sequentially enrolled to receive TIV-AS03D (1.48 mg tocopherol) or TIV-AS03C (2.97 mg tocopherol), then a 6-month booster of conventional TIV. The primary endpoint was the incidence of fever (axillary temperature >38 °C) for 7 days post-vaccination. Immune responses were assessed by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. Forty children were sequentially enrolled into the TIV-AS03D or the TIV-AS03C group. Fever >38.0 °C was reported in 5/20 (25.0%) and 7/20 (35.0%) children after the first and second doses of TIV-AS03D, respectively, and in 7/20 (35.0%) children after 1 dose of TIV-AS03C; the latter fulfilled the holding rule for safety, and the second dose of TIV-AS03C was cancelled. HI immune responses exceeded adult European licensure criteria for the immunogenicity, and all children had HI antibody titers ≥ 1:40 after 1 dose of TIV booster against booster strains. One dose of primary vaccine containing a low dose of antigen and AS03 may be a possible influenza vaccination strategy for young children. The relatively high frequency of fever warrants further investigation, although the generalizability of the findings are uncertain given that many of the children had antibody evidence suggesting recent infection with A(H1N1)pdm09.


Rapid response teams, do not resuscitate orders, and potential opportunities to improve end-of-life care: a multicentre retrospective study.
Rapid response teams (RRTs) were created to stabilize acutely ill patients on the ward, but recent studies suggest that RRTs may improve end-of-life care (EOLC). To learn more about the role of the RRT in EOLC at our institutions, we conducted a retrospective review. Retrospective review of 300 RRT consultations at 3 academic hospitals in Toronto, Canada. The typical consultation was for an elderly patient with chronic illness. More than 90% had a "full resuscitation" order at the time of consultation. One third were admitted to the intensive care unit within 48 hours of the RRT consultation, and 24.7% ultimately died. Twenty-seven (9.3%) had a patient/family conference on the ward within 48h of the RRT consultation, 24 (8.3%) of whom changed their resuscitation order as a result. Among those who changed their resuscitation order, fewer than 20% were referred to the palliative care or spiritual care service, or prescribed comfort medications as needed (pro re nata), within 48 h of the RRT consultation; 2 patients died without receiving any common EOLC orders, and 15 (63%) died before discharge. RRT consultation is an important milestone for many patients approaching EOL. RRTs frequently participate in EOL discussions and decision-making, but they may miss opportunities to facilitate EOLC.


Recent Advances in Deep Learning for Protein-Protein Interaction Analysis: A Comprehensive Review.
Deep learning, a potent branch of artificial intelligence, is steadily leaving its transformative imprint across multiple disciplines. Within computational biology, it is expediting progress in the understanding of Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs), key components governing a wide array of biological functionalities. Hence, an in-depth exploration of PPIs is crucial for decoding the intricate biological system dynamics and unveiling potential avenues for therapeutic interventions. As the deployment of deep learning techniques in PPI analysis proliferates at an accelerated pace, there exists an immediate demand for an exhaustive review that encapsulates and critically assesses these novel developments. Addressing this requirement, this review offers a detailed analysis of the literature from 2021 to 2023, highlighting the cutting-edge deep learning methodologies harnessed for PPI analysis. Thus, this review stands as a crucial reference for researchers in the discipline, presenting an overview of the recent studies in the field. This consolidation helps elucidate the dynamic paradigm of PPI analysis, the evolution of deep learning techniques, and their interdependent dynamics. This scrutiny is expected to serve as a vital aid for researchers, both well-established and newcomers, assisting them in maneuvering the rapidly shifting terrain of deep learning applications in PPI analysis.


Chemiluminescent detection of neutral gaseous radicals.
This paper presents a systematic approach to the development of novel solid-state chemical sensors on the basis of heterogeneous chemiluminescence. The method is applicable for the identification and measurements of concentration of H, O, and other gaseous chemical radicals, where utilization of standard techniques is difficult. The luminescence is invoked during Eley-Rideal recombination of the radicals in question on the surface of the sensor core. A technique is discussed to separate the contributions of Eley-Rideal and Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanisms, and to select appropriate materials for the sensor emitter fabrication. Typical sensor characteristics include sensitivity of 10(5) cm(-3), working gas pressures of 10(-8) - 10(1) Torr, and measurement time approximately 1 s.


Dislocation dynamics in an anisotropic stripe pattern.
The dynamics of dislocations confined to grain boundaries in a striped system are studied using electroconvection in the nematic liquid crystal N4. In electroconvection, a striped pattern of convection rolls forms for sufficiently high driving voltages. We consider the case of a rapid change in the voltage that takes the system from a uniform state to a state consisting of striped domains with two different wave vectors. The domains are separated by domain walls along one axis and a grain boundary of dislocations in the perpendicular direction. The pattern evolves through dislocation motion parallel to the domain walls. We report on features of the dislocation dynamics. The kinetics of the domain motion is quantified using three measures: dislocation density, average domain wall length, and total domain wall length per area. All three quantities exhibit behavior consistent with power-law evolution in time, with the defect density decaying as t(-1/3), the average domain wall length growing as t(1/3), and the total domain wall length decaying as t(-1/5). The two different exponents are indicative of the anisotropic growth of domains in the system.


Generalized common spatial factor model.
There are often two types of correlations in multivariate spatial data: correlations between variables measured at the same locations, and correlations of each variable across the locations. We hypothesize that these two types of correlations are caused by a common spatially correlated underlying factor. Under this hypothesis, we propose a generalized common spatial factor model. The parameters are estimated using the Bayesian method and a Markov chain Monte Carlo computing technique. Our main goals are to determine which observed variables share a common underlying spatial factor and also to predict the common spatial factor. The model is applied to county-level cancer mortality data in Minnesota to find whether there exists a common spatial factor underlying the cancer mortality throughout the state.


Prevalence and Molecular Diagnosis of Babesia ovis and Theileria ovis in Lohi Sheep at Livestock Experiment Station (LES), Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan.
Babesia ovis and Theileria ovis are among the important and main etiological agents causing ovine babesiosis and ovine theileriosis, causing severe economic losses among sheep and goats. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and molecular diagnosis of B. ovis and T. ovis in Lohi sheep at Livestock Experiment Station Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan. The prevalence of B. ovis and T. ovis was investigated in 200 Lohi sheep of mixed age and sex by PCR during 2011. The assay was employed using primers Bbo-F & Bbo-R, specific for a 549-bp fragment in B. ovis genomic DNA and primers TSsr 170F & TSsr 670R, specific for a 520-bp fragment in T. ovis genomic DNA. The animals were also screened for both haemoparasites through stained thin blood smears. Thirty two (16%), 48 (24%) and 26 (13%) were the number of animals found positive for B. ovis, T. ovis and for mixed infection with both parasites, respectively, through microscopy. Sixty eight (34%), 73 (37%) and 42 (21%) were the number of animals found positive for B. ovis, T. ovis and for mixed infection with both parasites, respectively, through PCR test. The results indicate the high sensitivity of PCR for surveying babesiosis and theileriosis and there is noteworthy prevalence of these diseases in sheep at an experimental station where environmental conditions are relatively controlled as compared to field conditions.