Heart diffraction.
A theoretical study of the plane-wave diffraction by a heart-like sharp-edge aperture corresponding to the involute of a circle is proposed here. Through the recently developed paraxial boundary diffraction wave theory, expressed via the language of catastrophe optics, the presence of pseudo-nondiffracting regions within the three-dimensional spatial intensity distribution of the diffracted wavefield is intuitively explained and quantitatively characterized. The results of some old, beautiful, but nearly forgotten, diffraction experiments have also been reconsidered from such a peculiar and rather unorthodox perspective.


[Allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma: antagonistic effect of a synthetic anticholinergic drug (author's transl)].
In ten allergic patients, the effect of inhaltion of increasing quantities of grass pollen on specific airways resistance (SRaw, measured by plethysmography) was estimated after preliminary inhalation of a placebo and of a synthetic anticholinergic drug (SCH 10000). After placebo, the inhalation of grass pollen induced in all cases a bronchoconstriction (mean increase of SRaw : 170 %). After SCH 1000, and for the same quantity of pollen inhaled, seven patients were entirely protected against the bronchoconstrictor effect of the allergen ; for the whole group, the observed bronchoconstriction was significantly lower (p less than 0.01, mean increase of SRaw : 60 %). The possible mechanisms of this protection are discussed. The results suggest that SCH 1000 could be used as a preventive drug in pollinic asthma.


Tenure and promotion: an update on university nursing faculty.
The status of tenure and promotion practices in nursing schools in university settings was studied. Forty nursing administrators from nursing programs around the country responded to a questionnaire regarding requirements to achieve tenure and/or promotion in the areas of teaching, research and scholarly activities, clinical competence, and community service. Findings revealed that while a growing number of nursing programs were more integrated into the academic community, many programs continued to struggle with the need for more faculty prepared at the doctoral level and for increased research activities.


Multi-Level, Multi Time-Scale Fluorescence Intermittency of Photosynthetic LH2 Complexes: A Precursor of Non-Photochemical Quenching?
The light harvesting complex LH2 is a chromoprotein that is an ideal system for studying protein dynamics via the spectral fluctuations of the emission of its intrinsic chromophores. We have immobilized these complexes in a polymer film and studied the fluctuations of the fluorescence intensity from individual complexes over 9 orders of magnitude in time. Combining time-tagged detection of single photons with a change-point analysis has allowed the unambigeous identification of the various intensity levels due to the huge statistical basis of the data set. We propose that the observed intensity level fluctuations reflect conformational changes of the protein backbone that might be a precursor of the mechanism from which nonphotochemical quenching of higher plants has evolved.


Online Dating Is Shifting Educational Inequalities in Marriage Formation in Germany.
Digital technologies govern a large part of our social lives, including the pursuit of a romantic partner. Despite recent inquiries into the social consequences of meeting online, what remains unclear is how the link between education and union formation varies in online versus offline meeting contexts, particularly on the backdrop of growing educational gaps in marriage. Using 2008-2019 pairfam data from Germany (N = 3,561), this study ran a series of Fine-Gray competing risks models to assess how online dating shapes the transition to marriage for partnered adults with nontertiary and tertiary education. Results reveal that irrespective of education, men in online-formed couples had greater chances of marrying than men in couples established offline. Highly educated women who met their partner in nondigital ways were less prone to marry than lower-educated women; for women in couples initiated online, however, the pattern was reversed. The internet dating marriage advantage of well-educated women was partly related to better matching on marriage attitudes and gender ideology. Facing a scarcity of eligible partners offline, high-educated women draw on more abundant online options to select more egalitarian-minded men. This study overall suggests that internet dating fosters an uneven distribution of opportunities for marriage, highlighting the role of digital partner markets in the social demography of union formation.


Overview of epidemiology, diagnosis, and disease progression associated with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 3% of the world's population and has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of knowledge and awareness of HCV among healthcare providers and patients. The ratelimiting factor in the achievement of better treatment outcomes is a lack of access to diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians and patients need better education on the risk factors for HCV to obtain the correct diagnosis and treatment. Once the diagnosis is made, there are a number of factors associated with disease progression, which clinicians must understand to guide appropriate treatment.


Therapeutic effects of methionine sulfoximine in multiple diseases include and extend beyond inhibition of glutamine synthetase.
Methionine sulfoximine (MSO), a well-characterized inhibitor of glutamine synthetase, displays significant therapeutic benefits in animal models for several human diseases. This amino acid might therefore be a viable candidate for drug development to treat diseases for which there are few effective therapies. Areas covered: We describe the effects of MSO on brain swelling occurring in overt hepatic encephalopathy resulting from liver failure, the effects of MSO on excitotoxic damage involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or resulting from stroke, and the effects of MSO on a model for an inflammatory immune response involved in a range of diseases. We conclude that these results imply the existence of another therapeutic target for MSO in addition to glutamine synthetase. Expert opinion: We summarize the various diseases for which MSO treatment might be a candidate for drug development. We discuss why MSO has limited enthusiasm in the scientific and medical communities for use in humans, with a rebuttal to those negative opinions. And we conclude that MSO should be considered a candidate drug to treat brain swelling involved in overt hepatic encephalopathy and diseases involving an inflammatory immune response.


[The effect of somatostatin on specific binding of insulin to receptors in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes].
Tests were performed of the effects of the Somatostatin (SMS) upon the concentration of Insulin, Glucagon and STH, as well as of the effects of SMS upon the specific binding of the insulin to the receptors. The tests were carried out on eight insulin-independent diabetics, and five healthy volunteers. The tests were made with placebo, followed by 100 ug of the analogue SMS 201-995, known under the name of Sandostatin. Blood specimens for determining all parameters mentioned above were taken at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., 9 p.m., and 3 a.m. (09 h, 15 h, 21, and 03 h). The goal of the tests was to determine whether the SMS had any effect upon the glucoregulation, and at which level changes take place. In the group of healthy volunteers, a considerable decrease of insulin took place six hours after the administration of STH, and the decrease of the glucagon was especially marked, tending to increase again after six hours, while the specific binding of the insulin to the receptors, and the number of receptors were decreased six hours following the administration of the SMS when compared with the placebo, and without tending to reach the previous levels until 3 a.m. (03 h). In insulin-independent diabetics, the SMS leads to a considerable drop of concentrations of Insulin, Glucagon, STH and to a specific binding of the insulin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Patients' perspectives of brief cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain: Treatment satisfaction, perceived utility, and global assessment of change.
Introduction: Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (Brief CBT-CP) is a biopsychosocial treatment designed to improve access to nonpharmacological pain care in primary care. Results from a clinical demonstration project in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinics showed rapid improvement in pain outcomes following Brief CBT-CP treatment in Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH). As part of this larger project, the current work aimed to understand patients' perspectives of Brief CBT-CP via a self-report survey completed posttreatment. Method: Thirty-four primary care patients received Brief CBT-CP as part of their usual VHA care and subsequently completed an anonymous survey that included questions regarding treatment modality, intervention content, utility, and satisfaction, as well as global assessment of change in pain-related functioning. Results: Participants reported that Brief CBT-CP content was useful (91%) and that they were satisfied with the intervention overall (89%), including appointment length, frequency of encounters, and comprehensibility of content. On average (M = 4.50, SD = 1.71), participants reported "somewhat better" to "moderately better" pain-related functioning following treatment. Exploratory descriptive analysis indicated that self-reported change in function following treatment may vary by patient characteristics, including gender and opioid use history. Discussion: Patients were receptive to Brief CBT-CP, were satisfied with their experience during treatment, and reported benefit in pain-related functioning after treatment. Further development and evaluation of Brief CBT-CP as a feasible biopsychosocial treatment option for pain in primary care clinics using the PCBH model of integration is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


Adults remember their birth weight, an important anamnestic item for cardiovascular and renal disease risk stratification.
To assess how many adults remember their own birth weight, an important anamnestic item for cardiovascular and renal disease risk stratification, we conducted an inquiry among all employees of public hospitals of Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) in Ticino region (Southern Switzerland). The results show that the vast majority of adults remember their own birth weight. Hence, it is reasonable to include this information in the stratification of risk for cardiovascular and renal diseases.


Planning with elderly outpatients for contingencies of severe illness: a survey and clinical trial.
The authors examined whether elderly patients would report positive or adverse emotional effects after their doctor, during a routine clinic visit, asked them to begin planning for future serious illness. Seventy-four patients, 65 years old or older, who were followed at a university hospital medical clinic were randomly allocated to an intervention or a control group. The intervention was a detailed discussion with the patient's physician of the patient's wishes about decision making and life support therapy in the event of extreme or incapacitating illness. A blinded interviewer then asked all consenting patients how they felt about the physician, the clinic visit, and their medical care. Intervention-group patients were questioned about their reactions to the physician and the discussion. Four important findings emerged: 1) Some emotional uncertainty was created when doctors raised these questions unexpectedly: one patient became visibly upset during the discussion, and three who gave consent to be interviewed afterward said that the discussion had made them wonder about their health. Nonetheless, all patients who received the intervention and completed the study were pleased that their doctor had asked. 2) Only 44% of all consenting patients reported having discussed these issues previously; only one had done so with a doctor. 3) 97% of patients who responded wanted to be kept informed by the doctor about their medical situations in times of serious illness. 4) Patients' replies to specific questions about life-sustaining therapy in the event of their own severe illnesses were quite variable. During routine clinic visits doctors can encourage most elderly patients to begin specific planning for potential severe illnesses.


Correlation of the hemodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of intravenous milrinone in the anesthetized dog.
The relationship between the hemodynamic effects of milrinone and its plasma concentration was studied in the anesthetized instrumented dog. Milrinone was administered intravenously either as a single bolus of 10, 30 or 100 micrograms/kg or infused at a rate of 10 micrograms/kg/min. The changes in drug plasma concentration and cardiovascular parameters were determined simultaneously during the course of drug action. The intravenous bolus injections of milrinone caused dose-dependent increases in its maximum plasma concentration that resulted in concomitant increases in both cardiac contractile force and heart rate with simultaneous decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The intravenous infusion of milrinone caused parallel increases in both drug plasma concentration and cardiac contractile force; following termination of the milrinone infusion, there was a gradual decline in both its plasma concentration and in its inotropic activity, with a similar time course for these two parameters. A positive correlation (r = 0.78; p less than 0.008) was obtained between milrinone plasma concentration and its inotropic effect.


Disposition of ceftazidime in surgical patients with intra-abdominal infection.
The disposition of ceftazidime was assessed in 11 surgical patients with suspected intra-abdominal infection. All patients had normal hepatic function, and creatinine clearances ranged from 43 to 186 ml/min. Patients received 2 g of ceftazidime intravenously every 8 h. Trough and peak concentrations in serum were measured on day 2, and trough and postdose concentrations in serum were determined on 10 samples collected during a dosage interval between days 3 and 6 of therapy. Ceftazidime peak and trough concentrations in serum at steady state determined by high-performance liquid chromatography were 257.4 +/- 122.0 (mean +/- standard deviation) and 13.1 +/- 20.6 mg/liter. The serum-concentration-versus-time profile was multiexponential. The elimination half-life, steady-state volume of distribution, and total body clearance were 2.52 +/- 1.39 h, 0.31 +/- 0.12 liter/kg, and 0.11 +/- 0.05 liter/h per kg, respectively. Total predicted body clearance significantly correlated with the measured values (r = 0.868; P = 0.001). The disposition of ceftazidime is dependent on creatinine clearance and is not significantly altered by surgery or acute infectious processes.


Cat-scratch disease presenting as multiple hepatic lesions: case report and literature review.
Although infectious diseases are the most prevalent cause of fevers of unknown origin (FUO), this diagnosis remains challenging in some pediatric patients. Imaging exams, such as computed tomography (CT) are frequently required during the diagnostic processes. The presence of multiple hypoattenuating scattered images throughout the liver associated with the history of cohabitation with cats should raise the suspicion of the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease (CSD), although the main etiologic agent of liver abscesses in childhood is Staphylococcus aureus. Differential diagnosis by clinical and epidemiological data with Bartonella henselae is often advisable. The authors report the case of a boy aged 2 years and 9 months with 16-day history of daily fever accompanied by intermittent abdominal pain. Physical examination was unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound performed in the initial work up was unrevealing, but an abdominal CT that was performed afterwards disclosed multiple hypoattenuating hepatic images compatible with the diagnosis of micro abscesses. Initial antibiotic regimen included cefotaxime, metronidazole, and oxacillin. Due to the epidemiology of close contact with kittens, diagnosis of CSD was considered and confirmed by serologic tests. Therefore, the initial antibiotics were replaced by clarithromycin orally for 14 days followed by fever defervescence and clinical improvement. The authors call attention to this uncommon diagnosis in a child presenting with FUO and multiple hepatic images suggestive of micro abscesses.


Endocarditis-Induced Mycotic Brain Aneurysm following Right MCA Stroke.
The diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident is extremely common in emergency medicine; however, CVA resulting from hemorrhage following mycotic brain aneurysm following embolic stroke is extremely uncommon. This case reports such an event.


Evaluation of elevations in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein: a review.
Maternal serum AFP screening has had significant clinical impact on reducing unrecognized anencephaly and open neural tube defects at delivery. In addition, a growing number of other associations with maternal serum AFP elevations have become apparent since antepartum screening has become commonplace. We present in this review a clinically oriented approach to understanding the physiologic basis of maternal serum AFP elevations, both true- and false-positives. Compartmentalization of etiology, fetal and maternal, and routes of communication, amniotic fluid and placenta, allows a more logical approach to developing a differential diagnosis in this group of patients. In evaluating an elevation in maternal serum AFP, it is first necessary to consider the amount of fetal production by confirming the gestational age of the fetus and the number of fetuses present. Adjustments for maternal factors (weight, race, diabetes) must also be made. Fetal developmental defects which may lead primarily to leakage of the fetal proteins into the surrounding amniotic fluid with secondary elevations of maternal serum AFP enter into the differential diagnosis. The placenta itself is probably not a production source of AFP, but when the placenta is abnormal, a greater amount of AFP may be transported to the maternal circulation. Although our thoughts frequently do turn first to an increased maternal serum AFP reflecting an increased AFP concentration in the amniotic cavity with greater transference "across the membranes," in fact a far more common etiology is an increased transfer from the fetal circulation to the maternal via the fetal-maternal interface within the placenta. This is supported by the simple fact that the vast majority of maternal serum AFP elevations are not associated with amniotic fluid AFP elevations; the amniotic fluid AFP concentrations are usually normal. Thus, in circumstances where the fetal anatomy is grossly normal and there is not another explanation for elevations in maternal serum AFP, the placenta, either secondary to providing increased areas of transport or in providing an abnormal endothelial barrier, allows for greater transfer of fetal serum, and thus AFP, into the maternal compartment. An abnormal placenta is also a likely explanation for the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome that is associated with increased maternal serum AFP elevations for which no obvious etiology is found. The case herein reported suggests that an abnormal placenta which provides an altered interface for AFP flow between the fetal and maternal circulations may in fact be the etiology of the significant elevations of maternal serum AFP seen in cases of triploidy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


[Mobility of physicians in Europe: health policies and health care provision].
Objective: To define the place of geographical mobility of physicians in medical demography policies in EU countries. Methods: Review of international migration assumptions in national projection models of numbers of physicians by broad categories of social protection systems in the EU. Results: Some countries fail to achieve medium-term projections of the number of physicians and those that do adopt the assumption of net migration, assume that they converge to zero. Migration is not considered to be a solution to the expected shortage of physicians, but rather a problem to be solved. Discussion: Three approaches to labour mobility are discussed: liberal, normative and ethical. The last approach appears to be the most popular by combining preservation of national interests with the World Health Organisation Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.


Computational Discovery and Experimental Validation of Inhibitors of the Human Intestinal Transporter OATP2B1.
Human organic anion transporters (OATPs) are vital for the uptake and efflux of drugs and endogenous compounds. Current identification of inhibitors of these transporters is based on experimental screening. Virtual screening remains a challenge due to a lack of experimental three-dimensional protein structures. Here, we describe a workflow to identify inhibitors of the OATP2B1 transporter in the DrugBank library of over 5,000 drugs and druglike molecules. OATP member 2B1 transporter is highly expressed in the intestine, where it participates in oral absorption of drugs. Predictions from a Random forest classifier, prioritized by docking against multiple comparative protein structure models of OATP2B1, indicated that 33 of the 5,000 compounds were putative inhibitors of OATP2B1. Ten predicted inhibitors that are prescription drugs were tested experimentally in cells overexpressing the OATP2B1 transporter. Three of these ten were validated as potent inhibitors of estrone-3-sulfate uptake (defined as more than 50% inhibition at 20 μM) and tested in multiple concentrations to determine exact IC50. The IC50 values of bicalutamide, ticagrelor, and meloxicam suggest that they might inhibit intestinal OATP2B1 at clinically relevant concentrations and therefore modulate the absorption of other concomitantly administered drugs.


Genome wide re-sequencing of newly developed Rice Lines from common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) for the identification of NBS-LRR genes.
Common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) is an important germplasm for rice breeding, which contains many resistance genes. Re-sequencing provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore the abundant useful genes at whole genome level. Here, we identified the nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) encoding genes by re-sequencing of two wild rice lines (i.e. Huaye 1 and Huaye 2) that were developed from common wild rice. We obtained 128 to 147 million reads with approximately 32.5-fold coverage depth, and uniquely covered more than 89.6% (> = 1 fold) of reference genomes. Two wild rice lines showed high SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) variation rate in 12 chromosomes against the reference genomes of Nipponbare (japonica cultivar) and 93-11 (indica cultivar). InDels (insertion/deletion polymorphisms) count-length distribution exhibited normal distribution in the two lines, and most of the InDels were ranged from -5 to 5 bp. With reference to the Nipponbare genome sequence, we detected a total of 1,209,308 SNPs, 161,117 InDels and 4,192 SVs (structural variations) in Huaye 1, and 1,387,959 SNPs, 180,226 InDels and 5,305 SVs in Huaye 2. A total of 44.9% and 46.9% genes exhibited sequence variations in two wild rice lines compared to the Nipponbare and 93-11 reference genomes, respectively. Analysis of NBS-LRR mutant candidate genes showed that they were mainly distributed on chromosome 11, and NBS domain was more conserved than LRR domain in both wild rice lines. NBS genes depicted higher levels of genetic diversity in Huaye 1 than that found in Huaye 2. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis showed that NBS genes mostly interacted with the cytochrome C protein (Os05g0420600, Os01g0885000 and BGIOSGA038922), while some NBS genes interacted with heat shock protein, DNA-binding activity, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase and a coiled coil region. We explored abundant NBS-LRR encoding genes in two common wild rice lines through genome wide re-sequencing, which proved to be a useful tool to exploit elite NBS-LRR genes in wild rice. The data here provide a foundation for future work aimed at dissecting the genetic basis of disease resistance in rice, and the two wild rice lines will be useful germplasm for the molecular improvement of cultivated rice.


MASA syndrome is due to mutations in the neural cell adhesion gene L1CAM.
MASA syndrome is a recessive X-linked disorder characterized by mental retardation, adducted thumbs, shuffling gait, aphasia and, in some cases, hydrocephalus. Since it has been shown that X-linked hydrocephalus can be caused by mutations in L1CAM, a neuronal cell adhesion molecule, we performed an L1CAM mutation analysis in eight unrelated patients with MASA syndrome. Three different L1CAM mutations were identified: a deletion removing part of the open reading frame and two point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions. L1CAM, therefore, harbours mutations leading to either MASA syndrome or HSAS, and might be frequently implicated in X-linked mental retardation with or without hydrocephalus.


Background field removal by solving the Laplacian boundary value problem.
The removal of the background magnetic field is a critical step in generating phase images and quantitative susceptibility maps, which have recently been receiving increasing attention. Although it is known that the background field satisfies Laplace's equation, the boundary values of the background field for the region of interest have not been explicitly addressed in the existing methods, and they are not directly available from MRI measurements. In this paper, we assume simple boundary conditions and remove the background field by explicitly solving the boundary value problems of Laplace's or Poisson's equation. The proposed Laplacian boundary value (LBV) method for background field removal retains data near the boundary and is computationally efficient. Tests on a numerical phantom and an experimental phantom showed that LBV was more accurate than two existing methods.


First Report of Puccinia lagenophorae on Senecio vulgaris in Pennsylvania.
Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.), is an aster native to Eurasia and is now a common weed in gardens, roadsides and vacant lots worldwide. In 2001, Scholler and Toike were first to report that common groundsel was a host for the rust fungus Puccinia lagenophorae Cooke in North America (Scholler and Toike 2001). This report from California was followed by reports of P. lagenophorae infections on common groundsel in New York, Oklahoma, and Oregon (Little-field et al. 2005). In 2007, Bruckart et al. published the first report of this host-pathogen combi-nation in Canada (Bruckart et al. 2007). To our knowledge, there are no published reports of P. lagenophorae on common groundsel in Pennsylvania (Farr and Rossman 2022). In May 2022, symptomatic common groundsel plants were observed in Biglerville, Adams Co., southern Penn-sylvania (N 39.9268047, E 77.2473878). Host plants exhibited conspicuous aecia on deformed stems (Fig. 1). Disease symptomology and morphology were consistent with P. langenophorae (Scholler and Toike 2001). P. lagenophorae is an autoecious rust that forms aecia and telia, but only aecia are typically formed on Senecio spp.; telia were not noted during our observations. Aecia were orange, cup-shaped, bordered by fragmented recurved peridia (Fig. 1), and they had mean diameters 262.9 ± 20.9 X 175.2 ± 22.2 μm (n = 20). Aeciospores were orange, oval, with mean diameters of 16.5 ± 0.97 X 11.5 ± 1.08 μm (n = 20). Fungal DNA was extracted from symptomatic stems. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the 28S region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat were conducted with primers Rust2inv and LR6 following protocols in Aime (2006). The sequence shared 100% identity (909 / 909 bp) with 8 sequences of P. la-genphorae in GenBank, including one on Ozothamnus cordatus from Perth, Western Australia, Australia (KF690699), vouchered in the Queensland Plant Pathology Herbarium (BRIP 57770), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. A voucher specimen has been preserved in the Arthur Fungari-um at Purdue University (PUR N24039) with corresponding 28S sequence (GenBank accession OP718536).


COMP Report: CPQR technical quality control guidelines for CyberKnife® Technology.
The Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP), in close partnership with the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR) has developed a series of Technical Quality Control (TQC) guidelines for radiation treatment equipment. These guidelines outline the performance objectives that equipment should meet in order to ensure an acceptable level of radiation treatment quality. This particular TQC contains detailed performance objectives and safety criteria for CyberKnife® Technology. The quality control recommendations in this document are based upon previously published guidelines and the collective experience of all Canadian sites using this technology. This TQC guideline has been field tested at the newest Canadian CyberKnife installation site and includes recommendations for quality control of the Iris™ and InCise™ MLC collimation systems.


An open trial of buspirone in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Of 14 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who entered an 8-week open trial of buspirone, none improved. The ineffectiveness of buspirone may shed light on the serotonergic hypothesis that has been proposed for this disorder.


[Anhydrous Ethanol Improves Efficiency of Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Benign Thyroid Nodules:A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial].
Objective To investigate the value of injecting a small amount of absolute ethanol into the benign solid nodules of the thyroid before radiofrequency ablation(RFA)to improve the efficiency of radiofrequency ablation. Methods A total of 98 eligible patients(98 nodules)with pathologically confirmed benign solid nodules who were treated in our center from December 2016 to February 2018 were included and randomized into ethanol ablation(EA)combined with radiofrequency ablation(RFA)group(EA+RFA group)and RFA group,with 49 patients in each group.Routine ultrasound,contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS),and thyroid function test were performed before treatment and 1,3,6,and 12 months after treatment.The general information,treatment time,ablation energy,ablation power,postoperative nodule volume reduction ratio(VRR),symptom score(SS)and cosmetic score(CS),thyroid function level,and incidence of complications were compared between these two groups. Results The mean treatment time [(441.30±243.31)s vs.(790.70±349.82)s;t= 4.403, P=0.000],mean ablation energy [(3.92±2.01)kJ vs.(5.15±2.12)kJ;t=2.709, P=0.009],and mean ablation power [(6.07±1.44)W vs.(7.30±1.29)W;t=3.612, P=0.006] were significantly lower in the EA+RFA group than in the RFA group.At 3,6 and 12 months after surgery,the VRR in the EA+RFA group was(57.73±11.07)%(t=-3.16, P<0.001),(64.40±10.56)%(t=-5.45, P<0.001),and(77.29±8.48)%(t=-10.46, P<0.001),respectively;the VRR in the RFA group was(55.44±13.01)%(t=-1.76, P<0.001),(65.28±11.33)%(t=-5.09, P<0.001),and(75.17±9.84)%(t=-8.93, P<0.001),which were significantly smaller than those before surgery.There was no significant difference in VRR between the EA+RFA group and the RFA group at 1(t=3.41, P=0.33),3(t=2.05, P=0.21),6(t=2.77, P=0.49),and 12 months(t=5.05, P=0.10)after treatment.During the follow-up,no recurrence of nodules was observed on CEUS.In the EA+RFA group,the SS [(1.77±0.86)vs.(5.54±2.15);t=9.63, P<0.001] and the CS[(1.39±0.77)vs.(3.32±0.61);t=10.09, P=0.004]at 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery.In the RFA group,SS [(1.63±1.04)vs.(5.90±1.79);t=12.72, P<0.001] and CS [(1.64±0.83)vs.(3.15±0.72);t=8.13, P=0.012] at 12 months after surgery were also significantly lower than those before surgery.The CSS in the EA+RFA group was significantly lower than that in the RFA group [(0.93±0.55)vs.(2.44±0.53);t=-11.70, P=0.007].Both groups had no significant change in thyroid function during the follow-up period,and no serious complications were observed. Conclusion Anhydrous alcohol injection can effectively improve the efficiency of radiofrequency ablation in treating benign solid thyroid nodules and is effective in reducing nodule volume,alleviating compressive symptoms,and decreasing cosmetic discomfort.


Normalization of complement activation and consumption in diabetic children and adolescents after switch-over from porcine to semisynthetic human insulin.
As the use of human insulin could possibly modify the immunogenicity of insulin, the present prospective study compares complement evaluation (CH50, C3, C3d/C3, C4) as well as other immunological factors (insulin antibodies, autoantibodies, ...), metabolic control (HbA1, lipids, ...) and clinical data (insulin dose/kg, number of hypoglycaemic episodes, ...), before and after a switch-over from monocomponent porcine insulins (Actrapid MC, Monotard MC) to human semisynthetic insulins (Actrapid HM, Protaphane HM). Forty-six type I diabetic children and adolescents (mean age +/- SD: 14.3 +/- 3.8 years) participated in the trial. The duration of diabetes ranged from 1.0 to 16.9 years (mean +/- SD: 7.3 +/- 3.7). The study protocol consisted of a 9 month period during which, at monthly intervals, the subjects were assessed clinically and blood samples taken for measurement of biological data. After 3 months, porcine insulins were switched to human insulins. The main results were as follows: 1) The insulin dose/kg was increased after the switch-over (porcine insulin: 0.90 +/- 0.03 U/kg; human insulin: 0.98 +/- 0.03 U/kg; p less than 0.001). This can perhaps be explained by the different bioavailabilities of Monotard MC and Protaphane HM. 2) The objective degree of metabolic control (HbA1), as well as the HDL-cholesterol level and the apo A1/B ratio, were not statistically different before and after the switch-over. 3) IgG insulin antibody binding was not statistically different on transfer from porcine insulin to semisynthetic insulin. 4) Mean level of total IgE and IgE specific insulin antibodies, determined before and after the switch-over, were not different. 5) Autoantibodies and antinuclear factor were unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Application of Strict Criteria for Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features and Encapsulated Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: a Retrospective Study of 50 Tumors Previously Diagnosed as Follicular Variant PTC.
Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) was recently proposed as a designation for a subset of follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). Encapsulated FVPTC has been shown to be a fairly indolent tumor, and NIFTP are expected to represent the most indolent subset of these tumors. Many of the exclusion criteria for NIFTP related to architecture and a lack of psammoma bodies are designed to preclude the inclusion of more aggressive non-FVPTC tumors in this indolent group and also exclude the diagnosis of FVPTC. In addition to strict application of histologic features to ensure that NIFTP represents a subset of encapsulated FVPTC without invasion, other exclusion criteria including high mitotic activity and necrosis may also lead to a lack of one-to-one correlation between the diagnosis of NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC without invasion. In this series, 50 cases previously diagnosed as FVPTC over a 2-year period from a large academic center are retrospectively reviewed for reclassification as NIFTP. Additionally, cases not meeting criteria for NIFTP are more accurately classified using the most up to date WHO criteria. Prior BRAF V600E mutation testing was examined for these tumors when available. Seventeen of 50 (34%) tumors met criteria for classification as NIFTP and, 17 (34%) were classified as encapsulated FVPTC with invasion. Strict application of architectural features led to classification of 12 (24%) tumors as non-FVPTC with a variety of more aggressive designations. Tumors classified as NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC with invasion lacked lymph node metastases (0/4; 0/7, respectively) and BRAF mutations (0/12; 0/13, respectively). In contrast, infiltrative FVPTC, encapsulated PTC with or without invasion, and conventional PTC showed more aggressive features with lymph node metastases and BRAF V600E mutations. One case not meeting criteria for NIFTP maintained the diagnosis of encapsulated FVPTC without invasion but demonstrated significant mitotic activity (three mitoses/ten HPF) and lacked lymph node metastases and BRAF V600E mutation. These findings demonstrate the importance of using strict criteria, especially the lack of true papillary architecture, for the diagnosis of NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC to ensure that only truly indolent tumors will be included in these diagnoses and to allow tumors with potential for more aggressive behavior to be appropriately treated.


The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system.
The standard concept of the renin-angiotensin system is that renin is secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney into the circulation, where it cleaves angiotensin to release angiotensin I. The angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by a converting enzyme located on the plasma membrane of the endothelial cell. The released angiotensin II binds to receptors on target cells to initiate a series of intracellular actions that result in a specific cell function. The kidney was conceived to secrete renin with the circulatory angiotensin II returning to the kidney to alter renal function. It is now clear that all the components of the renin-angiotensin system can be synthesized within the kidney. In fact, angiotensin II is formed in very high concentrations in the renal interstitial space. Local angiotensin II production can have profound influences on renal function, ie, alter glomerular hemodynamics, reduce sodium excretion, and constrict small arterioles. In certain disease states, the local action of angiotensin II may have harmful effects on the kidney, and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system can be beneficial to the kidney.


Iliac Artery-Uretero-Colonic Fistula Presenting as Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage and Hematuria: A Case Report.
Background: The experience with uretero-arterial fistulas has been limited. However, the aggressive treatment of pelvic tumors with surgical resection and radiotherapy, along with liberal use of ureteral catheters, has been attributed to an increase in their incidence. Unless they are promptly diagnosed and treated, uretero-arterial fistulas are associated with considerably high rates of morbidity and mortality. Urologists need maintain a high degree of suspicion for uretero-arterial fistula in high-risk patients. We herein present the clinical course of an iliac artery-uretero-colonic fistula. Case Presentation: A 67-year-old woman with a history of colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic high anterior resection in July 2010. A ureteral stent inserted to right ureteral stricture, which developed as a result of local recurrence of the tumor in September 2010. She had undergone chemoradiotherapy, but the lesion had slowly increased in size. During the replacement of the ureteral stent in April 2016, she immediately experienced bladder tamponade, bloody bowel discharge, and hypotension. Contrast CT revealed a complex fistula between the right distal ureter and the right internal iliac artery. Furthermore, contrast medium flowed into the intestinal tract through the tumor. The patient was therefore diagnosed with internal iliac artery-uretero-colonic fistula. Arteriography revealed a right uretero-internal iliac artery fistula, and the embolization of the right internal iliac artery was performed. The right ureteral stent was removed. Her hematuria and bloody bowel discharge disappeared, but right nephrostomy was performed because she presented with acute pyelonephritis to ureteral obstruction. Conclusion: In the present case, the uretero-arterial fistula was caused by the long use of an indwelling stent, chemoradiotherapy, infection, and an increase in the size of the lesion. When a suspected uretero-arterial fistula is accompanied by bloody bowel discharge, we should consider the possibility of traffic to the intestinal tract.


Emotional Dysregulation is the Core Problem in Psychopathological Manifestations.
The established opinion is that emotions are the gift given to us by nature in order to help us connect with other people. They are constantly generated, usually by stimuli in our intrapersonal as well as in external world. Problems raised in our relationships initiate emotions to help us to fix those problems. Almost all forms of human psychopathology are associated with dysregulated emotions. The failure to apply appropriate cognitive, attentive, and behavioural regulatory strategies is the core for emotion dysregulation. The brain regulates emotions through a biological mechanism. Emotions rise in intensity, peak, and then go flat once the emotion adaptive action tendency has been expressed. The aim of the therapist is to help clients express, face, and regulate their emotions, and to channel these emotions into healthy actions. The idea of this article is to present contributions from both affective neuroscience and psychotherapy in order to explain the ways how our emotions become dysregulated in life and how they can become regulated through psychotherapy.


Correlation between source asymmetry and scalp potential asymmetry in a prolate spheroid model of the head.
The correlation between electric source asymmetry in the brain and potential amplitude asymmetry developed on the scalp was investigated using a computerized analytical prolate spheroid model of the head. The source was modeled by a single current dipole located in the occipital region of the brain. The potential created by the dipole was calculated using Laplace's equation with boundary conditions while allowing a quasi-static formulation and linear media. The dipole was located in the inner part of a four-compartment medium representing the scalp, the skull (with non-isotropic conduction), the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the cortex. The asymmetry was modeled by a dipole located with an angle to the major axis connecting the nasion and the inion. The present study shows that source asymmetry can cause non-negligible asymmetries in the potential amplitude measured on the scalp above homotopic points of the two hemispheres. A potential asymmetry of up to 15% in the O1-O2 pair of electrodes was found when the dipole is rotated from the symmetric major axis at an angle of 10 degrees. The source asymmetry in the occipital region can be related to falx deviation, which is an asymmetry present in the majority of the population. Since this asymmetry is not related to real physiologic and psychologic sources of potential amplitude asymmetries, it should be taken under consideration when potential distribution analysis is performed.


An incubation flask to study metabolism of foreign compounds by intestinal microflora.
1. The design and procedure for use of an all-glass incubation flask which facilitates the production and maintenance of an anaerobic environment suitable for the study of drug metabolism by intestinal microflora is described. 2. Evaluation was based on monitoring available oxygen with an oxygen electrode. 3. Removal of air by the combination of replacement with hydrogen, a room temperature catalyst and a fluching technique, produced low oxygen levels comparable to vacuum systems without the need for adverse pressure changes.


Risk factors associated with gastric malignancy during chronic Helicobacter pylori Infection.
Chronic Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is considered to be the single most important risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma in humans, which is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Nonetheless, Hp infection does not always progress to malignancy, and, gastric adenocarcinoma can occur in the absence of detectable Hp carriage, highlighting the complex and multifactorial nature of gastric cancer. Here we review known contributors to gastric malignancy, including Hp virulence factors, host genetic variation, and multiple environmental variables. In addition, we assess emerging evidence that resident gastric microflora in humans might impact disease progression in Hp-infected individuals. Molecular approaches for microbe identification have revealed differences in the gastric microbiota composition between cancer and non-cancerous patients, as well as infected and uninfected individuals. Although the reasons underlying differences in microbial community structures are not entirely understood, gastric atrophy and hypochlorhydria that accompany chronic Hp infection may be a critical driver of gastric dysbiosis that promote colonization of microbes that contribute to increased risk of malignancy. Defining the importance and role of the gastric microbiota as a potential risk factor for Hp-associated gastric cancer is a vital and exciting area of current research.


Effectiveness of psychosocial treatments on suicidality in personality disorders.
Axis II disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder, are highly associated with suicidal behaviours. This paper aims to evaluate treatment of suicidality in borderline personality disorder. Systematic review of the empirical literature on the clinical effectiveness of psychosocial treatments in reducing suicidal behaviours in patients with personality disorders. A summary of empirical findings is presented, and recommendations for clinical practice are offered. While there is currently a dearth of well-controlled treatment trials, interest in this field of research is growing, and several recent randomized controlled trials support the effectiveness of certain interventions. Several different types of psychosocial interventions are associated with reductions in suicidal behaviour.


Carbamoylphosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency: clinical, biochemical, and molecular characterization in Malaysian patients.
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of ureagenesis presenting as life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we present the main clinical features and biochemical and molecular data of six Malaysian patients with CPS1 deficiency. All the patients have neonatal-onset symptoms, initially diagnosed as infections before hyperammonemia was recognized. They have typical biochemical findings of hyperglutaminemia, hypocitrullinemia, and low to normal urinary excretion of orotate. One neonate succumbed to the first hyperammonemic decompensation. Five neonatal survivors received long-term treatment consisting of dietary protein restriction and ammonia-scavenging drugs. They have delayed neurocognitive development of varying severity. Genetic analysis revealed eight mutations in CPS1 gene, five of which were not previously reported. Five mutations were missense changes while another three were predicted to create premature stop codons. In silico analyses showed that these new mutations affected different CPS1 enzyme domains and were predicted to interrupt interactions at enzyme active sites, disturb local enzyme conformation, and destabilize assembly of intact enzyme complex. All mutations are private except one mutation; p.Ile1254Phe was found in three unrelated families. Identification of a recurrent p.Ile1254Phe mutation suggests the presence of a common and unique mutation in our population. Our study also expands the mutational spectrum of the CPS1 gene.


An integrating thermoluminescent Rn daughter personal dosimeter.
An integrating Rn daughter dosimeter using conventional Dy-doped CaSO4 thermoluminescent (TL) material has been developed for use as a personal monitor. The dosimeter was found to have a linear response over the range 0.5 WL-h to 25 WL-h and to be insensitive to the state of equilibrium of the Rn daughters. The use of the dosimeter to monitor both 222Rn and 220Rn daughters is described. The limiting sensitivity of the dosimeter, at a sampling rate of 1 L min-1, was determined to be 0.1 WL-h for 222Rn daughters and 0.5 WL-h for 220Rn daughters. The application of the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) to occupational monitoring of 222Rn and 220Rn daughters is discussed.


Multiauthorship and false authorship: why worrying about this?
Authorship and authorship abuse are in the focus of interest of all main actors in the publication game--authors, reviewers and editors of scientific journals. Along with the steady rise of the number of publications, the number of coauthors in multiauthored papers raises even more, some of them being undeserved authors. Because publication is the main way for evaluating scientists, authorship is prone to abuse, and thus the false/undeserved/gift authorship emerges. This dilutes the responsibility and damages the publication enterprise, thus initiating a constant struggle of scientific community against this type of scientific dishonesty. In this paper, several prevention and corrective measures with the aim to diminish such a dishonest behavior of authors are described.


The evolution of vertebrate eye size across an environmental gradient: phenotype does not predict genotype in a Trinidadian killifish.
Vertebrates exhibit substantial variation in eye size. Eye size correlates positively with visual capacity and behaviors that enhance fitness, such as predator avoidance. This foreshadows a connection between predation and eye size evolution. Yet, the conditions that favor evolutionary shifts in eye size, besides the well-known role for light availability, are unclear. We tested the influence of predation on the evolution of eye size in Trinidadian killifish, Rivulus hartii. Rivulus are located across a series of communities where they coexist with visually oriented piscivores ("high predation" sites), and no predators ("Rivulus-only" sites). Wild-caught Rivulus from high predation sites generally exhibited a smaller relative eye size than communities that lack predators. Yet, such differences were inconsistent across rivers. Second-generation common garden reared fish revealed repeatable decreases in eye size in Rivulus from high predation sites. We performed additional experiments that tested the importance of light and resources on eye size evolution. Sites that differ in light or resource availability did not differ in eye size. Our results argue that differences in predator-induced mortality underlie genetically-based shifts in vertebrate eye size. We discuss the drivers of eye size evolution in light of the nonparallel trends between the phenotypic and common garden results.


Radiation sensitivity of resting and activated nonspecific cytotoxic cells of T lineage and NK lineage.
Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing of tumor cells is a radiation-sensitive function that in most subjects is completely abrogated by treatment of the effector cells with 3,000 cGy. The radiation sensitivity of LAK (lymphokine-activated killer) cells and their precursors, the bulk of which are NK cells, is undetermined. In this study, functional cytotoxicity assays and electron microscopy were used to determine the effect of radiation on the cytotoxic function of NK cells, LAK cells (generated by three-day culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes with IL-2), and LAK cell precursors (lymphocytes irradiated prior to culture with IL-2). For comparison, we analyzed the radiation sensitivity of lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC), which is primarily a function of CD3+ CD8+ granular lymphocytes. We also analyzed the radiation sensitivity of nonspecific cytotoxicity mediated by mitogen-activated T cells (AK activity). Following 3,000 cGy irradiation, NK cells retained their ability to bind to tumor cell targets but, as shown by both morphologic and functional analyses, they did not undergo activation after conjugate formation, and were unable to release the content of their granules. In order to evaluate LDCC, lymphocytes were depleted of CD16+ cells and tested in a cytotoxicity assay in the presence of Con A. The radiation sensitivity curve was comparable to that of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. IL-2-treated lymphocytes (LAK cells) were relatively radioresistant as compared with untreated NK cells, and their cytotoxic function was not abrogated until treatment with greater than 10,000 cGy. Cells receiving such radiation doses displayed cytoplasmic blebbing and damage of their cytoskeletal structures, with disruption of centrioles and microtubules, and disarray of the intermediate filaments. As was shown with NK cells, irradiated LAK cells formed conjugates with tumor targets but failed to degranulate. The radiation sensitivity of nonspecific cytotoxicity mediated by mitogen-activated T cells was identical to that of LAK effector cells. Doses up to 2,000 cGy did not prevent generation of LAK cells from blood lymphocytes, but 3,000 cGy did so. Blast transformation similar to that observed in IL-2-stimulated controls occurred when lymphocytes irradiated with 3,000 cGy were cultured with IL-2. These transformed cells were not cytotoxic and displayed a normal cytoskeletal apparatus but did not bear electron-dense granules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


[Impact of coronary artery lesion calcification on the long-term outcome of patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention].
Objective: To investigate the impact of coronary lesion calcification on the long-term outcome of patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 10 119 consecutive patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention from January 1 to December 31, 2 103 in our hospital were enrolled. The patients were divided into non/mild calcification group (8 268 cases) and moderate/severe calcification group (1 851 cases) according to the angiographic results. The primary endpoint was one-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Results: The patients were (58.3±10.3) years old, and there were 2 355 females (23.3%). Compared with non/mild calcification group, patients in the moderate/severe calcification group were older ((60.0±10.6) years vs. (57.9±10.2) years, P<0.01), and had higher proportion of female (25.4% (470/1 851) vs. 22.8% (1 885/8 268), P=0.02), debates (33.9% (628/1 851) vs. 29.0% (2 399/8 268), P<0.01), hypertension (68.0% (1 259/1 851) vs. 63.7% (5 264/8 268), P<0.01), coronary artery bypass grafting (4.6% (85/1 851) vs. 3.2% (268/8 268), P<0.01), stroke (12.6% (233/1 851) vs. 10.4% (861/8 268), P=0.01), and renal dysfunction (6.2% (115/1 851) vs. 3.7% (303/8 268), P<0.01). Compared with non/mild calcification group, patients in themoderate/severe calcification group experienced longer procedure time (37 (24, 61) min vs. 27 (17,40) min, P<0.01) and stent length was longer (32 (23,48) mm vs. 27 (18,38) mm, P<0.01), and percent of rotational atherectomy was higher (2.56%(57/2 229) vs. 0.03% (3/11 930), P<0.01). One-year follow-up results showed that MACE (7.5% (139/1 846) vs. 4.9% (402/8 243), P<0.01), all-cause death (1.0% (19/1 846) vs. 0.6% (49/8 243), P=0.04), myocardial infarction (2.2% (41/1 846) vs. 1.4% (114/8 243), P=0.01), and target vessel revascularization (5.0% (92/1 846) vs. 3.2% (266/8 243), P<0.01) were all significantly higher in moderate/severe calcification group than in non/mild group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that moderate/severe calcification was an independent predictor of MACE at one-year after the procedure (HR=1.41, 95%CI 1.16-1.72, P<0.01). Conclusion: Moderate/severe calcification in coronary lesion is an independent predictor of long-term poor prognosis in coronary heart disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.


Drosophila Importin-α2 is involved in synapse, axon and muscle development.
Nuclear import is required for communication between the cytoplasm and the nucleus and to enact lasting changes in gene transcription following stimuli. Binding to an Importin-α molecule in the cytoplasm is often required to mediate nuclear entry of a signaling protein. As multiple isoforms of Importin-α exist, some may be responsible for the entry of distinct cargoes rather than general nuclear import. Indeed, in neuronal systems, Importin-α isoforms can mediate very specific processes such as axonal tiling and communication of an injury signal. To study nuclear import during development, we examined the expression and function of Importin-α2 in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that Importin-α2 was expressed in the nervous system where it was required for normal active zone density at the NMJ and axonal commissure formation in the central nervous system. Other aspects of synaptic morphology at the NMJ and the localization of other synaptic markers appeared normal in importin-α2 mutants. Importin-α2 also functioned in development of the body wall musculature. Mutants in importin-α2 exhibited errors in muscle patterning and organization that could be alleviated by restoring muscle expression of Importin-α2. Thus, Importin-α2 is needed for some processes in the development of both the nervous system and the larval musculature.


Possible gadolinium ions leaching and MR sensitivity over-estimation in mesoporous silica-coated upconversion nanocrystals.
Mesoporous silica (m-SiO2) coated gadolinium (Gd) ions-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are regarded as one of most attractive nano-platforms which hold great potential in future cancer theranostics. The current general synthetic strategy for such promising structures includes the extraction of surfactant molecules in the final step. Here, in this article, we focus our interest on probing the potential influence of hydrochloric acid extraction on lanthanide ions leakage, MR sensitivity over-estimation and the optical intensity weakening of m-SiO2 coated Gd-doped UCNPs. Control experiments provide evidence of inner core damage, Gd(3+) ion release and residual Gd(3+) ions "trapped" within the core@shell structures. Our investigation shows that: (1) the small Gd-doped UCNPs could be fragile and sensitive to the hydrochloric acid-extraction and thermal treatment processes; and (2) the presence of "trapped" Gd(3+) ions not only provokes the concerns of potential cytotoxicity but also interfere with the contrast imaging tests of Gd-doped UCNPs, providing possible erroneous information on the determination of the longitudinal relaxivities of given probes.


Journal Aspirations: Improving Scientific Writing and Publication Through a Writing Mentorship Program.
Looking to help novice scientific writers improve their skills and enhance the likelihood of scientific publication, the IJTMB launched a writing mentorship program. Research indicates that when novice writers have a mentor and work on writing as a team, the authors can gain self-efficacy, manuscripts are improved, thoughts and writing are clarified, and differing perspectives are added. This editorial identifies the process for being recommended to use a writing mentor, discusses recommendations in the forming of a mentor/mentee relationship, describes the qualities of good mentors and mentees, and offers suggestions for improving writing for scientific publication. As our database of writing mentors grows, we encourage those who join this program both as mentors and as mentees to consider what it means to be in these roles. It is my hope that the suggestions herein help in developing these relationships.


An update on mechanism of entry of white spot syndrome virus into shrimps.
Host-parasite relationships can be best understood at the level of protein-protein interaction between host and pathogen. Such interactions are instrumental in understanding the important stages of life cycle of pathogen such as adsorption of the pathogen on host surface followed by effective entry of pathogen into the host body, movement of the pathogen across the host cytoplasm to reach the host nucleus and replication of the pathogen within the host. White Spot Disease (WSD) is a havoc for shrimps and till date no effective treatment is available against the disease. Moreover information regarding the mechanism of entry of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) into shrimps, as well as knowledge about the protein interactions occurring between WSSV and shrimp during viral entry are still at very meagre stage. A cumulative and critically assessed information on various viral-shrimp interactions occurring during viral entry can help to understand the exact pathway of entry of WSSV into the shrimp which in turn can be used to device drugs that can stop the entry of virus into the host. In this context, we highlight various WSSV and shrimp proteins that play role in the entry mechanism along with the description of the interaction between host and pathogen proteins.


Assessing Adolescent Substance Abuse Programs with Updated Quality Indicators: The Development of a Consumer Guide for Adolescent Treatment.
When adolescent substance abuse requires treatment, few parents know which treatment features are important and which treatment programs are effective. There are few resources to help them select appropriate care. We describe early work on an evaluation method and comparative treatment guide for parents based upon the premise that the quality of a program and its potential effectiveness is a function of the number and frequency of evidence-based treatment practices (EBPs) delivered. Thus, we describe the development of and measurement approach for a set of EBPs toward the goal of developing a Consumer Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment.


Dosimetric problems at low monitor unit settings for scanned and scattering foil electron beams.
Electron beam dosimetry at low monitor unit (MU) settings is important for dosimetric applications. Dose linearity, beam flatness, and beam energies were studied at low MU settings with various dose rates for different types of linear accelerators. It is observed that for the scattering foil units, the dose/MU is a smooth function of MU for all beam energies. Discrepancies in dose/MU are highest at the lowest MU. Significant variation (5%-245%) in dose linearity is observed among various linear accelerators at low MU settings. Dose rate has no effect on the dose linearity for all energies for the scattering foil units tested. On the contrary, for the scanned beam, there is no predictable pattern as dose/MU is random in nature and varies with time and beam energy. The maximum dosimetric error is observed for the highest energy beam where the beam width is most narrow. Using film, the beam uniformity was noticed to be very poor at low MU and high energy for scanned beams. The beam uniformity and dose linearity are random at low MU due to the random nature of the scan cycle. Under the adverse conditions, the deviation in dosimetric parameters was observed up to 200 MU.


Memantine alters striatal plasticity inducing a shift of synaptic responses toward long-term depression.
Memantine is an open channel blocker that antagonizes NMDA receptors reducing the inappropriate calcium (Ca(2+)) influx occurring in presence of moderately increased glutamate levels. At the same time, memantine has the ability to preserve the transient physiological activation of NMDA receptor, essential for learning and memory formation at synaptic level. In the present study we investigated the effects exerted by memantine on striatal synaptic plasticity in rat striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs). In vitro application of memantine in striatal slices elicited a disruption of long-term potentiation (LTP) induction and maintenance, and revealed, in the majority of the recorded neurons, a long-term depression (LTD), whose amplitude was concentration-dependent (0.3-10 μM). Interestingly, preincubation with the dopamine (DA) D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (10 μM) prevented memantine-induced LTD and restored LTP. Moreover, the DA D2 agonist quinpirole (10 μM), similarly to memantine, induced LTD in a subgroup of SPNs. In addition, memantine-induced LTD was also prevented by the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor antagonist AM 251 (1 μM). These results suggest that the actions exerted by memantine on striatal synaptic plasticity, and in particular the induction of LTD observed in SPNs, could be attributed to its ability to activate DA D2 receptors. By contrast, blockade of NMDA receptor is not involved in memantine-induced LTD since APV (30 μM) and MK801 (10 μM), two NMDA receptor antagonists, failed to induce this form of synaptic plasticity. Our data indicate that memantine could be used as treatment of neurological disorders in which DA D2 receptor represents a possible therapeutic target.


Identification of the Regulatory Role of SlWRKYs in Tomato Defense against Meloidogyne incognita.
Root-knot nematode (RKN) infections are among the most serious soil-borne diseases in the world, and tomato is a common host of RKNs. WRKY transcription factors are involved in complex, diverse biological processes in plants. In a previous study, a resistant variety, LA3858 (Mi-3/Mi-3), was treated at different soil temperatures before RNA-seq, and six differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding WRKY proteins were screened. In this study, cloning and sequencing were used to identify six target DEGs encoding SlWRKY1, SlWRKY13, SlWRKY30, SlWRKY41, SlWRKY46, and SlWRKY80. Conserved domain identification and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SlWRKY1, SlWRKY13, and SlWRKY46 have similar functions and are mainly involved in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. SlWRKY30 and SlWRKY41 share high homology, while AtWRKY46 and AtWRKY70, which are highly homologous to SlWRKY80, play an important role in the disease resistance of A. thaliana. Considering these findings combined with the high level of SlWRKY80 expression observed in the roots and leaves of the resistant variety Motelle (Mi-1/Mi-1) and the continuous upregulation of SlWRKY80 expression in the roots after inoculation of Motelle with M. incognita, it is speculated that SlWRKY80 plays an important role in the Mi-1-mediated disease resistance pathway. Further study revealed that SlWRKY80 is a typical nuclear-localized protein, and a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assay verified that SlWRKY80 is involved in tomato resistance to RKNs as a positive regulator. SA and JA signals play an important role in Mi-1-mediated resistance to RKNs. SlWRKY80 was able to respond rapidly to treatment with both plant hormones, which indicated that SlWRKY80 might be involved in disease resistance regulation through various immune pathways.


Multiple fractures of the axis.
Multiple fractures of the axis are not common lesions. A retrospective study was performed to identify the different fracture patterns and to analyze the incidence of these injuries and their long-term behavior. The medical records of 674 consecutive patients with fractures of the cervical spine were reviewed. Nine (1%) of 674 patients (6 men and 3 women) had multiple fractures of the axis. Mean patient age was 48 years. The most common lesion was a combination of traumatic spondylolisthesis with either an odontoid process or a teardrop fracture of the axis body. All patients were treated conservatively with an excellent or good outcome at mean 12-year follow-up (range: 2-18 years). Computed tomography was the imaging modality of choice for the correct diagnosis of these rare lesions.


The role of bovine causal genes underlying dairy traits in Spanish Churra sheep.
In dairy cattle, quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL) for milk production traits have been identified in bovine DGAT1, GHR and ABCG2 genes. The SPP1 gene has also been proposed to be a regulator of lactation. In sheep, QTL underlying milk production traits have been reported only recently, and no proven QTN has been identified. Taking into account the close phylogenetic relationship between sheep and cattle, this study examined the possible effects of the aforementioned genes on sheep milk production traits. We first studied the genetic variability of the DGAT1, GHR, ABCG2 and SPP1 genes in 15 rams of the Spanish Churra dairy sheep breed. Second, we performed an association analysis between SNPs identified in these genes and three milk production traits recorded in a commercial population of Churra sheep. This analysis revealed only three significant associations at the nominal level (P-value <0.05) involving allelic variants of the ABCG2 gene, whereas no significant association was found for the DGAT1, GHR and SPP1 genes. When the Bonferroni correction was applied to take into account the multiple tests performed, none of the associations identified at the nominal level remained significant. Nevertheless, taking into account the high level of false-negative findings that can arise when applying the stringent Bonferroni correction, we think that our results provide a valuable primary assessment of strong candidate genes for milk traits in sheep.


A novel human immunoglobulin Fc gamma Fc epsilon bifunctional fusion protein inhibits Fc epsilon RI-mediated degranulation.
Human mast cells and basophils that express the high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor, Fc epsilon receptor 1 (Fc epsilon RI), have key roles in allergic diseases. Fc epsilon RI cross-linking stimulates the release of allergic mediators. Mast cells and basophils co-express Fc gamma RIIb, a low affinity receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif and whose co-aggregation with Fc epsilon RI can block Fc epsilon RI-mediated reactivity. Here we designed, expressed and tested the human basophil and mast-cell inhibitory function of a novel chimeric fusion protein, whose structure is gamma Hinge-CH gamma 2-CH gamma 3-15aa linker-CH epsilon 2-CH epsilon 3-CH epsilon 4. This Fc gamma Fc epsilon fusion protein was expressed as the predicted 140-kappa D dimer that reacted with anti-human epsilon- and gamma-chain specific antibodies. Fc gamma Fc epsilon bound to both human Fc epsilon RI and Fc gamma RII. It also showed dose- and time-dependent inhibition of antigen-driven IgE-mediated histamine release from fresh human basophils sensitized with IgE directed against NIP (4-hydroxy-3-iodo-5-nitrophenylacetyl). This was associated with altered Syk signaling. The fusion protein also showed increased inhibition of human anti-NP (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl) and anti-dansyl IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in transgenic mice expressing human Fc epsilon RI alpha. Our results show that this chimeric protein is able to form complexes with both Fc epsilon RI and Fc gamma RII, and inhibit mast-cell and basophil function. This approach, using a Fc gamma Fc epsilon fusion protein to co-aggregate Fc epsilon RI with a receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif, has therapeutic potential in IgE- and Fc epsilon RI-mediated diseases.


Coxa plana--the fate of the physis.
Eighty patients who had unilateral coxa plana and who had been treated conservatively were followed to a mean age of sixteen and one-quarter years, and their cases were reviewed for radiographic evidence of a disturbance of the femoral capital growth plate. This physeal involvement was inferred by the presence of one or more of five findings: premature physeal closure, overgrowth of the greater trochanter, change in physeal shape, lateral protrusion of the capital nucleus, and medial bowing of the femoral neck. Premature physeal closure, which was more common in the girls than in the boys, occurred in 25 per cent of the affected femoral heads, and 90 per cent of the patients showed some interference with normal physeal growth in the affected femoral head. A direct correlation was found between the severity of the physeal involvement and the ultimate deformity of the femoral head. The possible causes of interference with physeal growth and damage are discussed.


Modulating the endometrial epithelial proteome and secretome in preparation for pregnancy: The role of ovarian steroid and pregnancy hormones.
Dialogue between an appropriately developed embryo and hormonally-primed endometrium is essential to achieve implantation and establish pregnancy. Importantly, the point-of-first-contact between the embryo and the maternal endometrium occurs at the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE). Implantation events occur within the uterine cavity microenvironment regulated by local factors. Defects in embryo-endometrial communication likely underlie unexplained infertility; enhanced knowledge of this communication, specifically at initial maternal-fetal contact may reveal targets to improve fertility. Using a human endometrial luminal-epithelial (LE) cell line (ECC1), this targeted proteomic study reveals unique protein changes in both cellular (98% unique identifications) and secreted (96% unique identifications) proteins in the transition to the progesterone-dominated secretory (receptive) phase and subsequently to pregnancy, mediated by embryo-derived human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This analysis identified 157 progesterone-regulated cellular proteins, with further 193 significantly altered in response to hCG. Cellular changes were associated with metabolism, basement membrane and cell connectivity, proliferation and differentiation. Secretome analysis identified 1059 proteins; 123 significantly altered by progesterone, and 43 proteins altered by hCG, including proteins associated with cellular adhesion, extracellular-matrix organization, developmental growth, growth factor regulation, and cell signaling. Collectively, our findings reveal dynamic intracellular and secreted protein changes in the endometrium that may modulate successful establishment of pregnancy. This study provides unique insights into the developmental biology of embryo implantation using targeted proteomics by identifying endometrial epithelial cellular and secreted protein changes in response to ovarian steroid hormones and pregnancy hormones that are essential for receptivity and implantation.


Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2 and -3: their biological effects in bovine thecal cells.
This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that the insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBP)-2 and -3 can modulate the hormone-dependent differentiation of thecal cells in vitro. Thecal cells from large (> or = 8 mm) follicles were collected from cattle, cultured for 2 days in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, washed, and then treated for an additional 2 days in serum-free medium with bovine LH (100 ng/ml), recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I (0 or 30 ng/ml), recombinant human IGFBP-2 (0, 200, or 400 ng/ml; i.e., 0, 6.5, or 12.9 nM), or recombinant human IGFBP-3 (0, 200, or 400 ng/ml; i.e., 0, 4.3, or 8.5 nM). IGFBP-2 (200 and 400 ng/ml) inhibited (p < 0.05) IGF-I-induced androstenedione production by 18-30% but did not influence (p > 0.10) progesterone production or thecal cell proliferation in the presence of LH and/or IGF-I. In contrast, IGFBP-3 (200 ng/ml) inhibited the IGF-I-induced increase in thecal cell numbers by 76%, and thecal cell progesterone and androstenedione production by 52% and 89%, respectively. A higher dose of IGF-I (i.e., 100 ng/ml) overcame the inhibitory effects of IGFBP-3 on IGF-I-induced cell proliferation and on progesterone and androstenedione production by thecal cells. As with IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3 had no effect (p > 0.10) on LH-induced progesterone or androstenedione production by thecal cells in the absence of IGF-I. Both IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 directly inhibited [125I]IGF-I and -II binding to thecal cells; IGFBP-2 was a weaker inhibitor of thecal [125I]IGF-I and -II binding than IGFBP-3. These results indicate that IGFBP-3 has a more pronounced inhibitory effect than IGFBP-2 on IGF-I action in cultured bovine thecal cells. Thus, IGFBP-3 may play a more significant role than IGFBP-2 in regulating thecal cell proliferation and steroidogenesis during follicular development in cattle.


Ion channel modulators: new targets and new indications for old targets.
Over recent years, our ever-increasing knowledge of the physiological roles of specific ion channel subtypes has led to drug discovery efforts aimed at ion channels of unknown pharmacology. Two of these are the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel TRPV1 and the acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) family. Drug discovery efforts focused on both of these targets have led to interesting outcomes related to species differences in the mechanism of action of TRPV1 blockers and tissue differences in the physiological roles of the different ASIC subtypes. In addition to the pursuit of novel targets, recent evidence suggests that there are new indications for known channel subtypes and modulators, including pain management for sodium and T-type calcium channel blockers and urinary incontinence for K(ATP) openers.


Acute kidney injury and hyperbilirubinemia in a young male after ingestion of Tribulus terrestris.
Acute tubular necrosis (ATN), especially from toxic injury is frequently accompanied by tubular casts and crystals. Myeloma casts, myoglobin, red blood cell and granular casts are well described. However, bile casts in tubules are rarely seen. We describe a case of Tribulus terrestris toxicity in a young healthy male, presenting with severe hyperbilirubinemia followed by acute renal failure and bile containing casts in the tubules. Tribulus terrestris is an herb often used by athletes as a nutritional supplement for performance enhancement. Although it is thought to be relatively safe, serious side effects have been reported before. Our aim is to increase awareness of the potential toxicities of performance enhancing herbal medications. These are often sold over-the-counter and therefore casually used, especially by young healthy individuals. Beneficial effects are controversial. Under-reporting by patients and infrequent documentation by health-care providers can delay diagnosis. We elaborately describe the kidney biopsy findings in Tribulus terrestris toxicity, and also provide a concise overview of the spectrum of tubular casts and their staining patterns, found in various kidney diseases.


Expression of trophoblastic interferon genes in sheep and cattle.
The trophoblastic interferons ovine and bovine trophoblast protein-1 (oTP-1 and bTP-1, respectively) have been implicated as mediators of maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep and cattle. The objective of this study was to describe the onset and duration of gene expression for oTP-1 and bTP-1 in preimplantation ovine and bovine conceptuses by in situ hybridization and Northern analysis. Sections from paraffin-embedded ovine conceptuses, collected on Days 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 of gestation (n = 1, 3, 3, 2, 2), and bovine conceptuses, collected on Days 12/13, 15/16, and 19 (n = 2, 4, 5), were hybridized to specific [35S]-labeled cDNA probes. Two different probes, one encompassing bases 442-918 and representing both coding and 3'-untranslated regions, and a second 3'-specific probe (bases 650-912) were used to detect oTP-1 mRNA. At all stages examined, oTP-1 mRNA was confined to trophectoderm of ovine conceptuses. Consistent with earlier studies, expression increased markedly at Day 13. oTP-1 mRNA was detected at low levels in seven of seven ovine conceptuses prior to Day 13 when the longer probe was employed. With the 3'-specific probe, however, oTP-1 mRNA was detected in only one of the seven ovine conceptuses prior to Day 13. Thus, although low amounts of oTP-1 mRNA may be present in ovine conceptuses prior to Day 13, massive induction of this mRNA occurs on Day 13 coincident with the initiation of maternal recognition of pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Current recommendations for the treatment of hypertension: are they still valid?
Recent trials have helped to clarify indications for the initial pharmacological therapy of hypertension. Both the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) and World Health Organization-international Society of Hypertension (WHO-ISH) recommendations should be revised. The more recent trials indicate that: (1) diuretics and beta-blockers appear to be as effective in reducing overall morbidity/ mortality as other agents (Swedish Trial in Old Patients with Hypertension [STOP-2], United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study [UKPDS], Intervention as a Goal in Hypertension Treatment [INSIGHT], Nordic diltiazem [NORDIL]); (2) the use of an a-blocker results in more cardiovascular events, especially congestive heart failure, when compared with a diuretic (Antihypertensive Therapy and Lipid Lowering Heart Attack Trial [ALLHAT]); (3)the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor results in fewer myocardial infarctions and episodes of heart failure than calcium channel blockers in the elderly and in diabetic patients (Fosinopril vs. Amlodipine Cardiovascular Events Randomized Trial [FACET], Appropriate Blood Pressure Control in Diabetes [ABCD], STOP-2) - other data (Captopril Prevention Project [CAPPP]) suggest that the use of an ACE inhibitor is preferred in diabetic patients; (4) overall cardiovascular events are similar with calcium channel blockers compared with a diuretic - however, there are fewer strokes with non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (NORDIL) and a trend towards an increase in heart failure and myocardial infarctions with either a dihydropyridine or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers compared with a diuretic (INSIGHT, NORDIL); (5) angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) will decrease proteinuria and slow progression of renal disease in type 2 diabetic patients when compared with regimens that do not include an ARB or an ACE inhibitor (Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan [RENAAL], Irbesartan Type II Diabetic Nephropathy Trial [IDNT], Irbesartan Type II Diabetes with Microalbuminuria [IRMA Il]). The debate over initial therapy may be moot. High-risk hypertensive patients should probably be treated initially with combination therapy, one of which should be a diuretic. The use of diuretics and beta-blockers as well as ACE-inhibitors alone or with a diuretic should be considered as initial therapy (a change from JNCVI). Alpha-blockers should be reserved for special situations, i.e. prostatic hypertrophy (in contrast to WHO-ISH recommendations). An ACE-inhibitor or ARB, usually along with a diuretic, can be considered as preferred therapy in hypertensive diabetic patients. Some data suggest equal or greater reduction in strokes with a calcium channel blocker than other medications.


The ethics of machine learning-based clinical decision support: an analysis through the lens of professionalisation theory.
Machine learning-based clinical decision support systems (ML_CDSS) are increasingly employed in various sectors of health care aiming at supporting clinicians' practice by matching the characteristics of individual patients with a computerised clinical knowledge base. Some studies even indicate that ML_CDSS may surpass physicians' competencies regarding specific isolated tasks. From an ethical perspective, however, the usage of ML_CDSS in medical practice touches on a range of fundamental normative issues. This article aims to add to the ethical discussion by using professionalisation theory as an analytical lens for investigating how medical action at the micro level and the physician-patient relationship might be affected by the employment of ML_CDSS. Professionalisation theory, as a distinct sociological framework, provides an elaborated account of what constitutes client-related professional action, such as medical action, at its core and why it is more than pure expertise-based action. Professionalisation theory is introduced by presenting five general structural features of professionalised medical practice: (i) the patient has a concern; (ii) the physician deals with the patient's concern; (iii) s/he gives assistance without patronising; (iv) s/he regards the patient in a holistic manner without building up a private relationship; and (v) s/he applies her/his general expertise to the particularities of the individual case. Each of these five key aspects are then analysed regarding the usage of ML_CDSS, thereby integrating the perspectives of professionalisation theory and medical ethics. Using ML_CDSS in medical practice requires the physician to pay special attention to those facts of the individual case that cannot be comprehensively considered by ML_CDSS, for example, the patient's personality, life situation or cultural background. Moreover, the more routinized the use of ML_CDSS becomes in clinical practice, the more that physicians need to focus on the patient's concern and strengthen patient autonomy, for instance, by adequately integrating digital decision support in shared decision-making.


Loss of heterozygosity of selected tumor suppressor genes in parathyroid carcinoma.
The histologic diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is challenging. We evaluated a large PC series for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of selected tumor suppressor genes with histopathologic correlation. Among 2,238 patients explored for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), the cytoarchitectural parameters of 60 patients with surgical and/or pathologic suspicion for PC were examined by 1 pathologist. PC was diagnosed with >/=1 of the following: extracapsular, thyroidal, perineural, or angiolymphatic invasion; atypical mitoses; or metastasis. LOH was determined for PC or parathyroid adenoma (PA) using a panel of 12 tumor suppressor gene loci. Fractional allelic loss (FAL) was calculated as the percentage of loci with LOH divided by the number of informative loci. PC occurred in 0.8% of patients with PHP. Angiolymphatic (68%) and soft tissue (47%) invasion were the most common histologic findings. For PC, mean FAL was 32% vs 14% for PA (P = .03). Among informative cases, LOH was found at the HRPT2 locus in 7 of 14 (50%) PC vs 0 of 7 (0%) PA; the Rb locus in 4 of 15 (27%) PC vs 0 of 8 (0%) PA; the MEN1 locus in 6 of 15 (40%) PC vs 1 of 8 (13%) PA; and the 1p35.2-36.2 (including p21) locus in 8 of 13 (62%) PC vs 2 of 6 (33%) PA. In PC diagnosed by strict histologic criteria, LOH for a selected tumor suppressor gene panel was common. Specific tumor suppressor genes such as HRPT2 demonstrated LOH in up to 50% of PC, while not seen in any PA. Evaluation of LOH may be useful for the definitive diagnosis of PC.


Postural vertigo and positional nystagmus.
Oscillation of the eyes of a patient when the head is placed in a certain position is objective evidence to support a complaint of postural vertigo-dizziness when the head is tilted forward or upward or turned to one side or the other. Since positional nystagmus may be difficult to evoke and may be elicited at one time and not at another, it is important to make repeated tests, lest a causative lesion be overlooked. Vertigo in such cases may be caused by pathologic change in the eighth peripheral nerve or in the central vestibular pathways. Sometimes no organic disease is observable even though positional nystagmus validates a complaint of vertigo. In such instances the patient should be assured that he does not have a progressive disease and be advised against activity in which dizziness would be hazardous.


Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Eye Drops for the Treatment of Post-LASIK Chronic Ocular Surface Syndrome.
To evaluate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) eye drops for the treatment of chronic ocular surface syndrome (OSS) following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). This prospective interventional consecutive clinical study include 156 eyes of 80 patients affected by post-LASIK chronic OSS who were treated with autologous E-PRP 6 times a day as monotherapy for 6 weeks. Dry eye symptoms improved in 85% of the cases. A decrease in at least one quadrant to total disappearance on CFS was observed in 89.6% of the patients who had positive CFS before treatment. Three eyes presented severe punctate keratitis (1.9%) at baseline, all of which healed completely. Conjunctival hyperemia improved in 93.3% of the patients with previous signs of ocular surface inflammation. There was a significant improvement in logMAR CDVA from 0.14 ± 0.19 to 0.06 ± 0.12 (p = 0.000), and 74 (71.4%) eyes improved at least 1 line in CDVA. Monotherapy with autologous E-PRP is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for the management of post-LASIK ocular surface syndrome. Monotherapy with autologous platelet-rich plasma eye drops has been shown to be an adequate option for the treatment of post-LASIK chronic ocular surface syndrome. This trial is registered with NCT03322917.


Treatment with beta-SQAG9 prevents rat hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs in various situations, including transplantation, trauma, and shock. We previously reported that the synthetic beta-SQDG (18:0), which was derived from sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol of the sea urchin, possessed immunosuppressive effects, such as inhibition of T-cell responses in human allogenic human mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and skin allograft survival in rats. beta-SQAG9 was synthesized from beta-SQDG (18:0) to improve structural stability in aqueous solution with the same biological activities to bind to CD62L (L-selectin) and CD62P (P-selectin) in vitro. We hypothesized that beta-SQAG9 might attenuate leukocyte rolling on the endothelium and neutrophil infiltration in which L-selectin and P-selectin are key molecules. We investigated the protective effect of beta-SQAG9 against hepatic I/R injury. Male Lewis rats were divided into 6 groups: sham, control, and treatment. Rats in the control, and the treatment groups were subjected to hepatic ischemia for 30 minutes. They were injected with PBS or beta-SQAG9 at doses of 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg into the penile vein immediately before reperfusion. To assess the damage to the hepatic parenchyma, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured and histological evaluation was performed at 6 hours after reperfusion. In the group treated with beta-SQAG9 at a dose of 10 mg/kg, AST, ALT, and LDH were significantly reduced, and the amount of neutrophil infiltration also was significantly reduced. Our data suggest that SQAG-9 (10 mg/kg) reduces the warm hepatic I/R injury.


Sport Practice, Fluid Reasoning, and Soft Skills in 10- to 18-Year-Olds.
Engaging in physical activity and sports has been associated with various cognitive abilities and other personal characteristics. The contemporary link between doing sports and personal attributes such as soft skills and an individual's cognitive abilities have yet to be investigated, however. This study aims to analyze the association between years of practicing a sport, cognitive abilities (in terms of fluid reasoning), and personal attributes (in terms of soft skills). A large sample of 1,115 individuals (10-18 years old) completed the Cattell test (measuring fluid reasoning) and answered a questionnaire measuring six soft skills (adaptability, curiosity, initiative, leadership, perseverance, and social awareness). A multivariate regression analysis show that, after controlling for age and gender, participants' years of practicing a sport were positively associated with three soft skills (i.e., initiative, leadership, and perseverance) and with fluid reasoning. No differences emerged between team and individual sport practitioners. Our findings suggest an association between practicing sports, which entails more than just physical activity, and both cognitive abilities (fluid reasoning) and other important personal characteristics, such as soft skills.


Intraoperative Completion Studies, Local Anesthesia, and Antiplatelet Medication Are Associated With Lower Risk in Carotid Endarterectomy.
In Germany, all surgical and endovascular procedures on the carotid bifurcation must be documented in a statutory nationwide quality assurance database. We aimed to analyze the association between procedural and perioperative variables and in-hospital stroke or death rates after carotid endarterectomy. Between 2009 and 2014, overall 142 074 elective carotid endarterectomy procedures for asymptomatic or symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were documented in the database. The primary outcome of this secondary data analysis was in-hospital stroke or death. Major stroke or death, stroke, and death, each until discharge were secondary outcomes. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) were assessed by multivariable multilevel regression analyses. The primary outcome occurred in 1.8% of patients, with a rate of 1.4% in asymptomatic and 2.5% in symptomatic patients, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, lower risks of stroke or death were independently associated with local anesthesia (versus general anesthesia: RR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.95), carotid endarterectomy with patch plasty compared with primary closure (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.97), intraoperative completion studies by duplex ultrasound (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88) or angiography (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90), and perioperative antiplatelet medication (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97). No shunting and a short cross-clamp time were also associated with lower risks; however, these are suspected to be confounded. Local anesthesia, patch plasty compared with primary closure, intraoperative completion studies by duplex ultrasound or angiography, and perioperative antiplatelet medication were independently associated with lower in-hospital stroke or death rates after carotid endarterectomy.


Seeding nerve sutures with minced nerve-graft (MINE-G): a simple method to improve nerve regeneration in rats.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seeding the distal nerve suture with nerve fragments in rats. On 20 rats, a 15 mm sciatic nerve defect was reconstructed with a nerve autograft. In the Study Group (10 rats), a minced 1 mm nerve segment was seeded around the nerve suture. In the Control Group (10 rats), a nerve graft alone was used. At 4 and 12 weeks, a walking track analysis with open field test (WTA), hystomorphometry (number of myelinated fibers (n), fiber density (FD) and fiber area (FA) and soleus and gastrocnemius muscle weight ratios (MWR) were evaluated. The Student t-test was used for statistical analysis. At 4 and 12 weeks the Study Group had a significantly higher n and FD (p = .043 and .033). The SMWR was significantly higher in the Study Group at 12 weeks (p = .0207). Seeding the distal nerve suture with nerve fragments increases the number of myelinated fibers, the FD and the SMWR. The technique seems promising and deserves further investigation to clarify the mechanisms involved and its functional effects.


Linguistically-Based Comparison of Different Approaches to Building Corpora for Text Simplification: A Case Study on Italian.
In this paper, we present an overview of existing parallel corpora for Automatic Text Simplification (ATS) in different languages focusing on the approach adopted for their construction. We make the main distinction between manual and (semi)-automatic approaches in order to investigate in which respect complex and simple texts vary and whether and how the observed modifications may depend on the underlying approach. To this end, we perform a two-level comparison on Italian corpora, since this is the only language, with the exception of English, for which there are large parallel resources derived through the two approaches considered. The first level of comparison accounts for the main types of sentence transformations occurring in the simplification process, the second one examines the results of a linguistic profiling analysis based on Natural Language Processing techniques and carried out on the original and the simple version of the same texts. For both levels of analysis, we chose to focus our discussion mostly on sentence transformations and linguistic characteristics that pertain to the morpho-syntactic and syntactic structure of the sentence.


Suprathel® or Mepilex® Ag for treatment of partial thickness burns in children: A case control study.
The study aim was to investigate if Suprathel® can be an adequate alternative to Mepilex® Ag for the treatment of partial-thickness scalds in children. A retrospective study including 58 children admitted to The Burn Centre in Linköping, Sweden between year 2015 and 2022. Of the 58 children, 30 were dressed with Suprathel ® and 28 with Mepilex ® Ag. Outcomes investigated were healing time, burn wound infection (BWI), need for operations and number of dressing changes. We found no significant differences in any of the outcomes. In the Suprathel ® group 17 children and in the Mepilex ® Ag group 15 children were healed within 14 days. Ten children from each group received antibiotics for suspected BWI and two from each group underwent an operation with skin grafting. Each group had on median four dressing changes. Two different treatments were compared for children with partial-thickness scalds, and the data indicates that similar results are received with both dressings.