Hypothermic properties of dexmedetomidine provide neuroprotection in rats following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a sedative and analgesic agent that is widely administered to patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and has been demonstrated to result in hypothermia. Many patients have been revealed to benefit from therapeutic hypothermia, which can mitigate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, studies investigating the efficacy of Dex in I/R treatment is lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Dex in mitigating neuronal damage, and to determine the possible mechanism of its effects in a rat model of cardiac arrest (CA). CA was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by asphyxiation for 5 min. Following successful resuscitation, the surviving rats were randomly divided into two treatment groups; one group was intraperitoneally administered with Dex (D group), whereas the control group was treated with normal saline (N group). Critical parameters, including core temperature and blood pressure were monitored following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Arterial blood samples were collected at 10 min after surgery (baseline) 30 and 120 min post-ROSC; and neurological deficit scores (NDS) of the rats were taken 12 or 24 h after ROSC prior to euthanasia. The hippocampal tissue was then removed for analysis by histology, electron microscopy and western blotting. Rats in the D group exhibited a lower core temperature and higher NDS scores compared with the N group (P<0.05). In addition, Dex injection resulted in reduced expression of apoptotic and autophagy-associated factors in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Dex treatment induced hypothermia and improved neurological function in rats after ROSC following resuscitation from CA by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and reducing autophagy, which suggested that Dex may be a potential therapy option for patients with CA.


4-(3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-2-ium dihydrogen phosphate: a combined X-ray and DFT study.
The molecular structure of the title salt, C(11)H(17)N(4)(+).H(2)PO(4)(-), has been determined from single-crystal X-ray analysis and compared with the structure calculated by density functional theory (DFT) at the BLYP level. The crystal packing in the title compound is stabilized primarily by intermolecular N-H...O, O-H...N and O-H...O hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions, and thus a three-dimensional supramolecular honeycomb network consisting of R(4)(2)(10), R(4)(4)(14) and R(4)(4)(24) ring motifs is established. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap (1.338 eV; HOMO is the highest occupied molecular orbital and LUMO is the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) indicates a high chemical reactivity for the title compound.


Upregulation of T-bet expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
To test the hypothesis that T-bet expression is altered in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. Peripheral blood was withdrawn from 16 VKH patients before and after immunosuppressive treatment and from 16 healthy individuals. IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4 in the serum and the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured with or without phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were measured by ELISA. T-bet mRNA and protein expression in PBMC cultured with or without PHA was detected by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The level of IFN-gamma, but not IL-2 and IL-4, was significantly higher in the supernatants of stimulated PBMC in patients than in controls. A significantly increased T-bet mRNA was found in VKH patients during an active uveitis episode, but not in quiescent patients, compared to controls. T-bet protein was detectable in VKH patients during an active uveitis episode, but not in quiescent patients nor in the healthy controls. Stimulation of PBMC with PHA resulted in a marked upregulation of T-bet mRNA and protein expression for both patients and controls with no significant difference between the two groups. Upregulation of T-bet may be associated with the development of a Th1 mediated immune response in VKH disease.


Tension pneumopericardium in a preterm infant without mechanical ventilation: a rare cause of cardiac arrest.
A preterm infant with a gestational age of 32 weeks developed a tension pneumopericardium during the second day of life. The infant was treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure and was not mechanically ventilated before pneumopericardium occurred. After emergency pericardiocentesis, two recurrences of pneumopericardium without clinical deterioration were diagnosed by X-ray during a 2-d observation period. A continuous pericardial drainage was positioned and was successfully removed on the seventh day of life after weaning from the ventilator. Tension pneumopericardium may occur even in non-ventilated newborns and should be considered as a rare but important differential diagnosis of cardiac arrest.


SOME EFFECTS OF ATROPINE ON SMOOTH MUSCLE.
Contractions of the nerve-free smooth muscle of the chick amnion, either spontaneous or in response to electrical or mechanical stimuli, are potentiated by high conentrations (10(-5) g/ml.) of atropine sulphate. In addition hyoscine, homatropine, lachesine, propantheline bromide and atropine N-methyl and atropine N-butyl salts potentiate spontaneous activity in the amnion. The effects of atropine do not appear to depend on inhibition of cholinesterase; on labilization, stabilization or depolarization of the muscle cell membrane; or on an increase in metabolism. It is suggested that the effects are the result of blockade of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The way in which this may facilitate the conducted response is discussed.


The Effect of Inhaled Milrinone Versus Inhaled Levosimendan in Pulmonary Hypertension Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery - A Pilot Randomized Double-Blind Study.
To compare the effects of inhaled milrinone and levosimendan on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study. Tertiary care cardiac institute with 650 beds. The study comprised 150 adult patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve surgery. Patients were assigned randomly into 1 of the following 3 groups: milrinone (M), levosimendan (L), or control (C); n = 50 per group. In group M, inhaled milrinone (50 µg/kg); in group L, inhaled levosimendan (24 µg/kg); and in group C, normal saline was administered when the patient arrived in the recovery room. Pre-inhalation and post-inhalation hemodynamics (mean arterial pressure [MAP], pulse rate, and systemic vascular resistance [SVR]) were noted until 24 hours of inhalation of the drug. The change in pulmonary artery pressures (pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP] and mean pulmonary artery pressure [MPAP]) and the duration for which they remained decreased compared with the control group, were noted. MAP, pulse rate, and SVR were comparable in the 3 groups at various time intervals. PASP and MPAP decreased comparably after inhalation of levosimendan and milrinone. However, they reached levels near the control group values after 2.5 to 3 hours in group L and after 0.5 hours in group M. Because inhaled levosimendan causes a decrease in PASP and MPAP without causing a decrease in SVR and MAP, the authors conclude that inhaled levosimendan is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. It is as effective as milrinone in reducing pulmonary artery pressures. In addition, it has advantage over inhaled milrinone because it is has a longer duration of action.


Quantifying spin Hall angles from spin pumping: experiments and theory.
Spin Hall effects intermix spin and charge currents even in nonmagnetic materials and, therefore, ultimately may allow the use of spin transport without the need for ferromagnets. We show how spin Hall effects can be quantified by integrating Ni{80}Fe{20}|normal metal (N) bilayers into a coplanar waveguide. A dc spin current in N can be generated by spin pumping in a controllable way by ferromagnetic resonance. The transverse dc voltage detected along the Ni{80}Fe{20}|N has contributions from both the anisotropic magnetoresistance and the spin Hall effect, which can be distinguished by their symmetries. We developed a theory that accounts for both. In this way, we determine the spin Hall angle quantitatively for Pt, Au, and Mo. This approach can readily be adapted to any conducting material with even very small spin Hall angles.


The renin-angiotensin system, dietary salt, and increased sensitivity to noradrenaline in mesenteric vasculature preparations from renal/salt hypertensive rats.
Exogenous angiotensin II causes noradrenaline supersensitivity in rat mesenteric vasculature preparations. The noradrenaline supersensitivity of tissues from renal/salt hypertensive rats, with low plasma renin activity, is not caused by endogenous angiotensin II since it was unaffected by Sar1 Ileu8 angiotensin II. Dietary salt-loading caused a small increase in noradrenaline sensitivity.


The distribution of industry payments among pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021.
To understand the landscape of industry payments to pediatric dermatologists to foster transparency and identify potential disparities in funding. Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database, a national cross-sectional study was performed examining payments to pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021. Of the 147 pediatric dermatologists who received industry funding, 35 were male and 112 were female. $9 million in payments was amassed, with 10% of pediatric dermatologists accounting for 94% of total industry payments. Consulting was the most common service, with Pfizer Inc., Amgen Inc., and Regeneron Healthcare Solutions Inc. representing the top three companies. Mean payment was $143,836 for males and $35,943 for females (p < .001). Eight female and seven male pediatric dermatologists received payments in the top 10th percentile, with different average payment in this subgroup (females $447,588 vs. males $698,746, p = .03). 11 states did not have a pediatric dermatologist receiving industry payments, while California (19) and Texas (12) had the most. There are approximately 400 board-certified pediatric dermatologists in the United States and fewer than 40% are receiving monetary compensation from private industry. A fraction of physicians accounted for a majority of total industry payments and industry payments to male pediatric dermatologists were higher despite nearly triple the number of female pediatric dermatologists. With the rise of valuable partnerships between healthcare and industry in modern medicine, the implications of geographic, gender, and financial disparity of industry payments in pediatric dermatology are worthy of further study.


Steric, quantum, and electrostatic effects on S(N)2 reaction barriers in gas phase.
Biomolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions, S(N)2, are fundamental and commonplace in chemistry. It is the well-documented experimental finding in the literature that vicinal substitution with bulkier groups near the reaction center significantly slows the reaction due to steric hindrance, but theoretical understanding in the quantitative manner about factors dictating the S(N)2 reaction barrier height is still controversial. In this work, employing the new quantification approach that we recently proposed for the steric effect from the density functional theory framework, we investigate the relative contribution of three independent effects-steric, electrostatic, and quantum-to the S(N)2 barrier heights in gas phase for substituted methyl halide systems, R(1)R(2)R(3)CX, reacting with the fluorine anion, where R(1), R(2), and R(3) denote substituting groups and X = F or Cl. We found that in accordance with the experimental finding, for these systems, the steric effect dominates the transition state barrier, contributing positively to barrier heights, but this contribution is largely compensated by the negative, stabilizing contribution from the quantum effect due to the exchange-correlation interactions. Moreover, we find that it is the component from the electrostatic effect that is linearly correlated with the S(N)2 barrier height for the systems investigated in the present study. In addition, we compared our approach with the conventional method of energy decomposition in density functional theory as well as examined the steric effect from the wave function theory for these systems via natural bond orbital analysis.


Reactive sulphur species: an in vitro investigation of the oxidation properties of disulphide S-oxides.
We have recently proposed that disulphide S-monoxides (thiosulphinates) and disulphide S-dioxides (thiosulphonates) are formed from their parent disulphides and 'reactive oxygen species' during oxidative stress. These 'reactive sulphur species' are themselves strong oxidizing agents that preferably attack the thiol functionality. We now show that under conditions where disulphides show little effect, disulphide S-oxides rapidly modify metallothionein, alcohol and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenases and a zinc finger-protein fragment in vitro. The known antioxidants ascorbate, NADH, trolox and melatonin are unable to inhibit this oxidation pathway and only an excess of the cellular redox-buffer glutathione quenches the disulphide S-oxide activity. These results suggest that, under conditions of oxidative stress, despite the presence of high concentrations of antioxidants, reactive sulphur species formation may occur and inhibit the function of thiol-dependent proteins. Such a characterization of the disulphide S-oxide-oxidation pathway might also account for some previously observed anomalies in protein oxidation.


Case Commentary: Uncertainty in Evaluating Treatment Outcomes in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections.
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections are challenging to treat and associated with poor clinical outcomes. In this issue, sulbactam-durlobactam, a novel β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor, was used with cefiderocol to successfully treat CRAB pneumonia. While this report and in vitro data are encouraging, determining the impact of treatment regimens on clinical outcomes after CRAB infections is not straightforward. Therefore, careful evaluation in pathogen-directed randomized controlled trials is needed to determine the optimal treatment of CRAB infections.


Acute Fulminant Cerebral Edema Caused by Influenza Type B in an 18-Year-Old Female: A Rare Case.
Most influenza B infections are self-limited, but in some instances, they can cause substantial morbidity and mortality due to complications. Acute fulminant cerebral edema (AFCE) is one of the rare complications. AFCE, a consequence of acute encephalitis, presents as acute onset of alteration in mental status, seizure, and/or headache followed by rapidly progressive encephalopathy, often leading to death. The exact pathophysiology of AFCE is unknown, but many pathomechanisms have been proposed. We present a case of an 18-year-old female in excellent physical condition who presented with respiratory insufficiency after being recently diagnosed with influenza B infection. Three days later, she developed acute encephalopathy, leading to brain death. To our knowledge, this rare case of AFCE developing following influenza B infection is the first reported case outside the pediatric population.


NEW PAPOVAVIRUS CONTAMINATING SHOPE PAPILLOMATA.
A virus having the characteristics of the papovaviruses was isolated from several naturally occurring cottontail papillomata. Serologic and animal inoculation studies indicate that it is not Shope papilloma virus, but a previously undescribed, nonpathogenic agent of cottontail rabbits.


A historical vignette: red-hair medicine.
Since 1650 Dutch medical doctors have played a key role in teaching western medicine in Japan. Two hundred years later, Dutch naval surgeons, trainees of the College of Army Surgeons in Utrecht, The Netherlands, became together with their Japanese students the founding fathers of the University Medical Faculties of Nagasaki, Tokyo and Osaka. The Deshima settlement surgeons Engelbert Kaempfer and Philipp Franz von Siebold (of German decent) were of great importance for our knowledge of Japan in the 18th and 19th century.


Impact of intraprosthetic drilling on the strength of the femoral stem in periprosthetic fractures: A finite element investigation.
Treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures after total hip arthroplasty remains a major challenge in orthopedic surgery. Recently, a novel surgical technique using intraprosthetic screw fixation has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of drilling the femoral hip stem on integrity and strength of the implant. The hypothesis was that intraprosthetic drilling and screw fixation would not cause the load limit of the prosthesis to be exceeded and that deformation would remain within the elastic limit. A sawbone model with a conventional straight hip stem was used and a Vancouver C periprosthetic fracture was created. The fracture was fixed with a nine-hole less invasive stabilization system plate with two screws drilled and inserted through the femoral hip stem. Three different finite element models were created using ANSYS software. The models increased in complexity including joint forces and stress risers from three different dimensions. A variation of drilling positions was analyzed. Due to the complexity of the physiological conditions in the human femur, the most complex finite element model provided the most realistic results. Overall, significant changes in the stresses to the prosthesis caused by the drilling procedure were observed. While the stresses at the site of the bore hole decreased, the load increased in the surrounding stem material. This effect is more pronounced and further the holes were apart, and it was found that increasing the number of holes could counteract this. The maximum load was still found to be in the area of the prosthesis neck. No stresses above the load limit of titanium alloy were detected. All deformations of the prosthesis stem remained in the elastic range. These results may indicate a potential role for intraprosthetic screw fixation in the future treatment of periprosthetic femur fractures.


Acoustic gaps in a chain of magnetic spheres.
Acoustic gaps are normally observed in granular inhomogeneous structures made of composite materials. The modulation of the elastic properties in such media creates the coherent effects of scattering and interference that ultimately lead to frequency intervals where sound propagation is forbidden. Contrastingly, we report here an experimental observation of acoustic gaps in homogeneous media; specifically, in granular chains. The beads used in our study are magnetic. Therefore, instead of modulating the elastic properties of the chain, we modulate the magnetization (i.e., the contact forces). We also observe that the propagation speed of acoustic signals through the magnetic chains used in this study is at odds with the speed predicted by Hertz's law.


Gray scale inversion in digital image for measurement of tooth length.
The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of gray scale inversion in performing digital linear endodontic measurements. Standardized digital images were taken of 40 extracted human permanent single-rooted teeth with K-files size 15 placed at different lengths in the root canal, using the CDR Wireless(®) digital system. All images were treated with Positive, a digital tool that inverts the grayscale value. Eight radiologists measured the distance between the lower limit of the rubber stop and the tip of the file on both original and positive images. After 15 days, they repeated this procedure in 50% of the image samples. The intra- and inter-examiner agreement was analyzed by intraclass correlation test, and the comparison between the two image groups and the actual lengths by the Student's t-test (α=0.05). Intra- and inter-examiner evaluation showed high reproducibility (r>0.95) of both original and positive images. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found between measurements performed on original and positive images, but both differed significantly from the actual lengths (p<0.05). Gray scale inversion has low applicability in measuring endodontic files, since it did not improve the accuracy of measurements.


Intracerebral hemorrhage demonstrated by nuclear cerebral angiogram: case report.
Two intracerebral hemorrhages were detected because of vascular displacement on the radionuclide cerebral angiogram. The static brain images in both patients were normal.


Co-incubation of PMN and CaCo-2 cells modulates inflammatory potential.
Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) are activated in inflammatory reactions. Intestinal epithelial cells are relevant for maintaining the intestinal barrier. We examined interactions of PMN and intestinal epithelial cell-like CaCo-2 cells to elucidate their regulation of inflammatory signalling and the impact of cyclooxygenase (COX), nitric oxide (NO) and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Human PMN and CaCo-2 cells, separately and in co-incubation, were stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187 or with N-Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanin (fMLP) that activates PMN only. Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and respiratory Burst were measured. To evaluate the modulation of inflammatory crosstalk we applied inhibitors of COX (acetyl salicylic acid; ASA), NO-synthase (N-monomethyl-L-arginin; L-NMMA), and the PAF-receptor (WEB2086). Unstimulated, co-incubation of CaCo-2 cells and PMN led to significantly reduced Burst and elevated HNE as compared to PMN. After stimulation with A23187, co-incubation resulted in an inhibition of Burst and HNE. Using fMLP co-incubation failed to modulate Burst but increased HNE. Without stimulation, all three inhibitors abolished the effect of co-incubation on Burst but did not change HNE. ASA partly prevented modulation of Burst L-NMMA and WEB2086 did not change Burst but abolished mitigation of HNE. Without stimulation, co-incubation reduced Burst and elevated HNE. Activation of PMN and CaCo-2 cells by fMLP as compared to A23187 resulted in a completely different pattern of Burst and HNE, possibly due to single vs. dual cell activation. Anti-inflammatory effect of co-incubation might in part be due to due to COX-signalling governing Burst whereas NO- and PAF-dependent signalling seemed to control HNE release.


Minimally invasive technique for direct repair of the pars defects in young adults using a spinal endoscope: a technical note.
Pars defect (spondylolysis) of the lumbar spine can cause chronic low back pain, and it sometimes requires surgical intervention. Direct repair is selected for the surgery if young adult patients do not present significant disc degeneration and lumbar instability. In order to lessen damages of back muscles during surgery, we added the use of a spinal endoscope to the "Buck's screwing procedure" the direct repair. There are four steps in this procedure: 1) identification of the defect, 2) curettage (refresh) of the defect, 3) percutaneous insertion of the annulated screws and 4) cancellous bone grafting. All these steps can be done endoscopically. We treated 3 young adults--a baseball player, a professional cycle-racer and a sculptor--using this endoscopic procedure. There were no complications during or after the operation. Union was obtained in all defects within 3 months, and they returned to their previous activities within 6 months after the surgery.


CYP19 gene variants affect the assisted reproduction outcome of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Cytochrome P450 aromatase catalyzes the irreversible transformation of androgens into estrogens. The association of CYP19(TTTA)n polymorphism with the hormonal profile and the assisted reproduction outcome of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was explored. One hundred and thirty-two women with PCOS and 200 with male-factor infertility, as controls, participated in the current study. The CYP19(TTTA)n polymorphism was genotyped, while the hormonal profile was determined at the third day of the menstrual cycle. During oocyte retrieval, the follicular size, the follicle and oocyte numbers were recorded. Genotype analysis revealed 6 CYP19(TTTA)n alleles with 7-12 repeats. In PCOS women, the CYP19(TTTA)7 allele presence was associated with lower serum E2 levels at the third day of the menstrual cycle (p < 0.009), lower large follicle (p < 0.02) and total oocyte numbers (p = 0.006), but with significantly higher pregnancy rates after assisted reproduction (p < 0.004). Potential associations of the CYP19(TTTA)7 allele with ovarian response to standard gonadotrophin stimulation and with assisted reproduction outcome were found in PCOS women, probably due to androgen/estrogen ratio alterations.


A characteristic change in ventilation mode during exertional dyspnea in patients with chronic heart failure.
Although exertional dyspnea is an important symptom limiting daily lives in patients with chronic heart failure, there is no objective assessment of this symptom. To characterize the exertional dyspnea, ventilatory responses to exercise were studied in relation to exertional dyspnea. Gas exchange data were obtained during a maximal bicycle exercise in 43 patients with chronic heart failure and 20 normal subjects. In addition to standard ventilatory variables, the ventilation mode was assessed from the tidal volume-ventilation rate (VT-f) relationship. The exercise was performed again after sublingual administration of 5 mg of isosorbide dinitrate. In normal subjects, the f and VT increased almost proportionally with exercise intensity. In 17 (85 percent) of 20 patients with exertional dyspnea, the VT-f relationship abruptly lost linearity at the onset of exertional dyspnea. This change resulted from an inadequate increase in VT and a further increase in f. In 8 of these 17 patients, isosorbide dinitrate improved exertional dyspnea with normalization of the VT-f relationship; however, in 9 patients whose dyspnea was not improved, the abnormal VT-f relationship was unaltered. Only 2 (9 percent) of 23 patients without exertional dyspnea showed the abnormal VT-f relationship. Other ventilatory variables were not different between patients with and without dyspnea. Thus, exertional dyspnea is characterized by simultaneous appearance of rapid and shallow ventilation. The VT-f relationship appears to be a simple and useful objective assessment of exertional dyspnea in patients with chronic heart failure.


Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research on Perinatal Palliative Care.
The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of publications related to perinatal palliative care to identify scientific output and research trends at a global level. The Web of Science Core Collection database was searched to retrieve publications focusing on perinatal palliative care published between 2001 and 2020. All retrieved publications were identified by title and abstract for their relevance to perinatal palliative care. These eligible publications were extracted from the following data: title, abstract, year, keywords, author, organization, journal and cited literature. VOSviewer software was used to conduct bibliographic coupling, coauthorship, and cooccurrence analyses and to detect publication trends in perinatal palliative care research. A total of 114 publications concerning perinatal palliative care were included. The annual number of publications has increased dramatically in recent years. The United States has made the largest contribution to this field with the majority of publications (68, 59.6%) and citations (1,091, 70.5%) and with close collaborations with researchers in Canada, Portugal and Australia. Wool C and her institution, York College of Pennsylvania, are the respectively, most prolific author and institution in this field, publishing 18 papers (15.8%). Journal of Palliative Medicine is the leading and main journal in this field. According to the cooccurrence network analysis, five main research topics were identified: the candidates for PPC, service models and forms, framework components, parental perspectives and satisfaction, and challenges and needs of health care providers. The findings of this bibliometric study illustrate the current state and global trends of perinatal palliative care for the past two decades, which will help researchers determine areas of research focus and explore new directions for future research in this field.


Bloodstream Infections With Candida auris Among Children in Colombia: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of 34 Cases.
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infections and healthcare-associated outbreaks. Here, we describe 34 cases of pediatric C. auris bloodstream infections (BSIs) identified during July 2014-October 2017 in 2 hospitals in Colombia. We conducted a retrospective review of microbiology records for possible C. auris cases in 2 hospitals in Barranquilla and Cartagena. BSIs that occurred in patients aged <18 years confirmed as C. auris were included in this analysis. We identified 34 children with C. auris BSIs. Twenty-two (65%) patients were male, 21% were aged <28 days, 47% were aged 29-365 days, and 32% were aged >1 year. Underlying conditions included preterm birth (26%), being malnourished (59%), cancer (12%), solid-organ transplant (3%), and renal disease (3%). Eighty-two percent had a central venous catheter (CVC), 82% were on respiratory support, 56% received total parenteral nutrition (TPN), 15% had a surgical procedure, and 9% received hemodialysis. Preinfection inpatient stay was 22 days (interquartile range, 19-33 days), and in-hospital mortality was 41%. Candida auris affects children with a variety of medical conditions including prematurity and malignancy, as well as children with CVCs and those who receive TPN. Mortality was high, with nearly half of patients dying before discharge. However, unlike most other Candida species, C. auris can be transmitted in healthcare settings, as suggested by the close clustering of cases in time at each of the hospitals.Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive infections and healthcare-associated outbreaks. This report describes 34 cases of pediatric C. auris bloodstream infections, identified in two hospitals in Colombia, South America.


Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy With a Novel LRP5 Mutation.
This report reviews the genetics of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and describes the identification of a novel variant in the LRP5 gene. A 20-month-old boy presented with reduced visual acuity in the right eye from exudative retinal detachment with mild retinal traction. Fluorescein angiography in the right eye disclosed extensive peripheral retinal non-perfusion and telangiectatic vessels and the left eye showed minimal peripheral non-perfusion. These features were suggestive of FEVR. Treatment with laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy to the region of non-perfusion was performed with resolution of the exudative retinal detachment. Fundus examination of the father revealed mild signs of FEVR, such as hyperacute retinal vascular branching and slight retinal vascular traction, whereas the mother's fundus examination was unremarkable. Genetic testing revealed that the affected boy was negative for mutations in the FZD4, NDP, and TSPAN12 genes and heterozygous for a previously unreported A745V variant in the LRP5 gene. The father was also heterozygous for the A745V variant in the LRP5 gene and the unaffected mother showed no mutation. A genetic evaluation of the known genes associated with FEVR revealed a novel variant in the LRP5 gene that co-segregated with the phenotype in the family. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53:e39-e42.].


Short communication: Effects of prill size of a palmitic acid-enriched fat supplement on the yield of milk and milk components, and nutrient digestibility of dairy cows.
The objective of our experiment was to evaluate the effects of prill size of a palmitic acid-enriched fatty acid supplement (PA; 85% C16:0) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and production responses of dairy cows. Twenty-four primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows were assigned based on parity and production level to replicated 4×4 Latin squares balanced for carryover effects with 21-d periods. Treatments were a control diet (no added PA), or 2.0% PA added as a small prill size (PA-SM; 284±12.4µm), a medium prill size (PA-MD; 325±14.7µm), or a large prill size (PA-LG; 600±17.4µm) supplement. Overall, PA treatments increased milk fat content (4.25 vs. 3.99%), milk fat yield (1.48 vs. 1.39kg/d), 3.5% fat-corrected milk (39.2 vs. 37.7kg/d), and improved feed efficiency (fat-corrected milk:dry matter intake; 1.51 vs. 1.42) compared with control. Compared with control, PA treatments did not affect dry matter intake, body weight, body condition score, or yields of milk, protein, and lactose. The PA treatments increased neutral detergent fiber digestibility (44.8 vs. 42.4%) and reduced the digestibility of 16-carbon fatty acids (72.3 vs. 79.1%) and total fatty acids (76.6 vs. 80.3%). Compared with control, PA treatments reduced the contents of de novo synthesized milk fatty acids (23.0 vs. 25.8g/100g of fatty acids) and preformed milk fatty acids (36.3 vs. 39.1g/100g of fatty acids), but did not affect their yields. In contrast, PA treatments increased the content (40.8 vs. 35.1g/100g of fatty acids) and yield (570 vs. 436g/d) of 16-carbon milk fatty acids compared with control. The PA prill size had no effect on dry matter intake, yield of milk and milk components, or feed efficiency. However, PA-LG tended to increase milk fat content compared with PA-SM (4.28 vs. 4.22%), and it increased 16-carbon fatty acid digestibility compared with PA-MD (74.2 vs. 71.0%) and PA-SM (74.2 vs. 71.7%). Additionally, PA-LG increased total fatty acid digestibility compared with PA-MD (78.1 vs. 75.6%) and PA-SM (78.1 vs. 76.0%). Results demonstrate that PA increased milk fat content and yield, and feed efficiency. Reducing prill size decreased fatty acid digestibility, but it had no effect on animal performance under the dietary conditions and prill sizes evaluated.


Validity and reliability of the Spanish fear-avoidance components scale in breast cancer survivors.
The aim of this study was to carry out a psychometric analysis of the Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS-Sp) in Spanish breast cancer survivors (BCS). A validation study was carried out in 154 BCS. Participants were recruited from the service of Medical Oncology of the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, in Málaga (Spain). A psychometric analysis of internal consistency, internal structure and convergent validity of the FACS-Sp was performed. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to determine the internal structure of the FACS-Sp. Convergent validity with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The internal consistency was high (McDonald's ω = 0.91). The Exploratory Factor Analysis yielded one factor explaining the 40.80% of total variance. Convergent validity with the TSK and the PCS was demonstrated. The FACS-Sp has demonstrated to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing pain-related fear avoidance in BCS based on internal consistency, structural validity and convergent validity. Further studies that analyse other measurement properties in different Spanish cancer populations are needed.


Catalytic C(sp(3) )-H Arylation of Free Primary Amines with an exo Directing Group Generated In Situ.
Herein, we report the palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of unactivated aliphatic C-H bonds in free primary amines. This method takes advantage of an exo-imine-type directing group (DG) that can be generated and removed in situ. A range of unprotected aliphatic amines are suitable substrates, undergoing site-selective arylation at the γ-position. Methyl as well as cyclic and acyclic methylene groups can be activated. Furthermore, when aniline-derived substrates were used, preliminary success with δ-C-H arylation was achieved. The feasibility of using the DG component in a catalytic fashion was also demonstrated.


Protective effects of liriodendrin on myocardial infarction-induced fibrosis in rats via the PI3K/Akt autophagy pathway: A network pharmacology study.
Liriodendrin (LIR) has been reported to improve cardiac function in rats following myocardial infarction. However, its role and mechanism in reparative myocardial fibrosis remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of myocardial fibrosis was established via left anterior descending artery ligation and randomly divided into three groups (n = 6 per group): sham-operated, myocardial infarction, and LIR intervention (100 mg/kg/day) groups. The pharmacological effects of LIR were assessed using echocardiography, hematoxylin, and eosin (H&E) staining, and Masson staining. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics were utilized to identify potential mechanisms of LIR, which were further validated via western blot analysis. Our findings demonstrated that LIR improved cardiac function, histology scores, and collagen volume fraction. Moreover, LIR downregulated the expression of Beclin-1, LC3-II, and LC3-I while upregulating the expression of p62, indicating LIR-activated autophagy in the heart after myocardial infarction. Further analysis revealed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was significantly enriched and validated by western blot. This analysis suggested that the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly increased. LIR may attenuate myocardial infarction-induced fibrosis in rats by inhibiting excessive myocardial autophagy, with the potential mechanism involving the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.


Age as a major factor affecting adherence to medication for hypertension in a general practice population.
An audit of the treatment of hypertension in a general practice revealed that 51 out of 246 patients prescribed medication did not collect their monthly supply of drugs. There were no significant differences between the adherers and the non-adherers in sex, severity of hypertension, type or complexity of medication. The patient's age was the only factor which was associated with adherence. Patients under the age of 55 years or over 65 years had significantly lower adherence than those aged 55-64 years. Most previous studies coming from hospital-based or clinical trial populations have failed to demonstrate this association with age which may be characteristic of an unselected general practice population. The results may not be applicable to populations of different social or cultural background but they suggest appropriate directions for health promotion efforts in our community.


Barriers to self-management and quality-of-life outcomes in seniors with multimorbidities.
Persons with multiple chronic diseases must integrate self-management tasks for potentially interacting conditions to attain desired clinical outcomes. Our goal was to identify barriers to self-management that were associated with lower perceived health status and, secondarily, with lower reported physical functioning for a population of seniors with multimorbidities. We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of 352 health maintenance organization members aged 65 years or older with, at a minimum, coexisting diagnoses of diabetes, depression, and osteoarthritis. Validated questions were based on previous qualitative interviews that had elicited potential barriers to the self-management process for persons with multimorbidities. We analyzed associations between morbidity burden, potential barriers to self-management, and the 2 outcomes using multivariate linear regression modeling. Our response rate was 47%. Sixty-six percent of respondents were female; 55% were aged 65 to 74 years, and 45% were aged 75 years or older. Fifty percent reported fair or poor health. On average they had 8.7 chronic diseases. In multivariate analysis, higher level of morbidity, lower level of physical functioning, less knowledge about medical conditions, less social activity, persistent depressive symptoms, greater financial constraints, and male sex were associated with lower perceived health status. Potential barriers to self-management significantly associated with lower levels of physical functioning were higher level of morbidity, greater financial constraints, greater number of compound effects of conditions, persistent depressive symptoms, higher level of patient-clinician communication, and lower income. In addition to morbidity burden, specific psychosocial factors are independently associated with lower reported health status and lower reported physical functioning in seniors with multimorbidities. Many factors are amenable to intervention to improve health outcomes.


[Dobutamine stress echocardiography and troponin T as a marker of myocardial injury].
Introduction and objectives. Troponin T (TnT) is a very specific marker of myocardial damage. Our objective was to describe TnT behavior after dobutamine stress echocardiography (EDOB) and evaluate its usefulness for improving the diagnostic power of EDOB.Methods. Blood levels of TnT were measured at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after EDOB in 63 patients (mean age: 69 9; 38 males). Coronary angiography was performed on 36 patients.Results. EDOB was positive in 29 patients and there was an increase over baseline values in 15 of them (51%); EDOB was negative in 34 patients and there was only a rise in TnT in 7 (20%; p < 0.01). The TnT increment was higher in patients with a positive response to EDOB (0.033 0.02 vs. 0.026 0.01; p < 0.01). The ischemia score index was higher in patients in which a significant increase in TnT values was later detected (0.41 0.31 vs. 0.38 0.20; p < 0.01). Coronariography was performed in 36 patients. EDOB was positive in 22 of the 29 patients with coronary artery disease (76%) and TnT was raised in 14 of them (48%; p < 0.05).Conclusion. The rise in TnT levels during EDOB suggests that this test may produce myocardial damage associated with the appearance of contractility disorders during dobutamine infusion.


The existence of two distinct Wee1 isoforms in Xenopus: implications for the developmental regulation of the cell cycle.
In eukaryotic cells, the Wee1 protein kinase phosphorylates and inhibits Cdc2, thereby creating an interphase of the cell cycle. In Xenopus, the conventional Wee1 homolog (termed Xe-Wee1A, or Wee1A for short) is maternally expressed and functions in pregastrula embryos with rapid cell cycles. Here, we have isolated a second, zygotic isoform of Xenopus Wee1, termed Xe-Wee1B (or Wee1B for short), that is expressed in postgastrula embryos and various adult tissues. When ectopically expressed in immature oocytes, Wee1B inhibits Cdc2 activity and oocyte maturation (or entry into M phase) much more strongly than Wee1A, due to its short C-terminal regulatory domain. Moreover, ectopic Wee1B, unlike Wee1A, is very labile during meiosis II and cannot accumulate in mature oocytes due to the presence of PEST-like sequences in its N-terminal regulatory domain. Finally, when expressed in fertilized eggs, ectopic Wee1B but not Wee1A does affect cell division and impair cell viability in early embryos, due primarily to its very strong kinase activity. These results suggest strongly that the differential expression of Wee1A and Wee1B is crucial for the developmental regulation of the cell cycle in Xenopus.


Construction of SNP fingerprint and population genetic analysis of honeysuckle germplasm resources in China.
The flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb. are widely used in Chinese medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties, and they have played an important role in the fight against SARS COVID-19 and other major epidemics. However, due to the lack of scientific and accurate variety identification methods and national unified standards, scattered and non-standardized management in flower bud production has led to mixed varieties that have caused significant difficulties in the cataloging and preservation of germplasm resources and the identification, promotion, and application of new L. japonica varieties. In this study, we evaluated the population structure, genetic relationships, and genetic fingerprints of 39 germplasm resources of Lonicera in China using simplified genome sequencing technology. A total of 13,143,268 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Thirty-nine samples of Lonicera were divided into four subgroups, and the population structure and genetic relationships among existing Lonicera germplasm resources were determined using principal component analysis, population structure analysis, and phylogenetic tree analysis. Through several stringent selection criteria, 15 additional streamlined, high-quality DNA fingerprints were filtered out of the validated 50 SNP loci and verified as being able to effectively identify the 39 Lonicera varieties. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study measuring the diversity and population structure of a large collection of Lonicera varieties in China. These results have greatly broadened our understanding of the diversity, phylogeny, and population structure of Lonicera. The results may enhance the future analysis of genetic diversity, species identification, property rights disputes, and molecular breeding by providing a scientific basis and reference data for these efforts.


The importance of base pairing in the penultimate stem of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA for ribosomal subunit association.
The influence of base pairing in the penultimate stem of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA (defined as nt 1409-1491) on ribosome function has been addressed by the construction of mutations in this region of rRNA. Two sets of mutations were made on either side of a structurally conserved region in the penultimate stem that disrupted base pairing, while a third set of mutations replaced the wild-type sequence with other base pair combinations. The effects of these mutations were analyzed in vivo and in vitro . The mutations that disrupted base pairing caused significant increases in cell doubling times as well as a severe subunit association defect and a modest increase in frame shifting and stop codon read-through. Restoration of base pairing restored wild-type growth rates, decoding and subunit association, indicating that base pairing in this region is essential for proper ribosome function.


Supramolecular Self-Assembly of β3 -Peptides Mediated by Janus-Type Recognition Units.
To gain mechanistic insights, natural systems with biochemical relevance are inspiring for the creation of new biomimetics with unique properties and functions. Despite progress in rational design and protein engineering, folding and intramolecular organization of individual components into supramolecular structures remains challenging and requires controlled methods. Foldamers, such as β-peptides, are structurally well defined with rigid conformations and suitable for the specific arrangement of recognition units. Herein, we show the molecular arrangement and aggregation of β3 -peptides into a hexameric helix bundle. For this purpose, β-amino acid side chains were modified with cyanuric acid and triamino-s-triazine as complementary recognition units. The pre-organization of the β3 -peptides leads these Janus molecule pairs into a hexameric arrangement and a defined rosette nanotube by stacking. The helical conformation of the subunits was indicated by circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the supramolecular arrangement was detected by dynamic light scattering and confirmed by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS).


Sensitivity of carboxylesterases of rat serum to diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate.
The effects of varying concentrations of the organophosphorus inhibitor E600 (diethyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate) have been studied on the hydrolysis of a homologous series of n-alkyl aliphatic esters of alpha-naphthol by carboxylesterases of whole rat serum and by an esterase isozyme purified from the latter. The results indicate a regressing organophosphate susceptibility of the isozyme with progressively higher substrates. Inhibitor profiles of the whole serum, however, are more complex and do not exhibit any definite pattern in response to a sequential variation in the acyl carbon chain length of the esters. Both the isozyme and whole serum manifest an unusually high degree of organophosphate sensitivity towards substrates bearing odd number of carbon atoms in the acyl chain.


Insights in public health: Promoting healthy snack and beverage choices in Hawai'i worksites: the Choose Healthy Now! pilot project.
Over half of the adults in Hawai'i are overweight or obese, exposing them to increased risk for chronic diseases and resulting in higher health care expenses. Poor dietary habits and physical inactivity are important contributors to obesity and overweight. Because adults spend most of their waking hours at work, the workplace is an important setting for interventions to solve this growing problem. Changing the nutrition environment to support healthy eating is a recommended practice for worksite wellness interventions. Following this recommendation, the Hawai'i State Department of Health (DOH) launched the Choose Healthy Now! Healthy Vending Pilot Project to increase access to healthy options in worksites. Choose Healthy Now! utilized an education campaign and a traffic light nutrition coding system (green = go, yellow = slow, red = uh-oh), based on federal nutrition guidelines, to help employees identify the healthier options in their worksite snack shops. Inventory of healthy items was increased and product placement techniques were used to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. DOH partnered with the Department of Human Services' Ho'opono Vending Program to pilot the project in six government buildings on O'ahu between May and September of 2014. Vendors added new green (healthy) and yellow (intermediate) options to their snack shop and cafeteria inventories, and labeled their snacks and beverages with green and yellow point-of-decision stickers. The following article outlines background and preliminary findings from the Choose Healthy Now! pilot.


Effects of induction of low plasma progesterone concentrations with a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device on follicular turnover and fertility in cattle.
The effects of concentration of progesterone in plasma on development and fertility of the first wave dominant follicle were studied in cattle. To identify a source of exogenous progesterone that would permit extension of the first wave dominant follicle, nonlactating Holstein cows (n = 6) received on day 8 of two successive oestrous cycles an injection of PGF2 alpha (25 mg) and a new (1.9 g of progesterone (Period 1)) or used (approximately 1.2 g of progesterone (Period 2)) CIDR-B device that was removed on day 17. Control cows (n = 6) received a new CIDR-B device on day 8 that was removed on day 17 and a PGF2 alpha injection (25 mg) on day 17. Ultrasonography and collection of blood samples were performed on alternate days throughout the experiment. Plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol were different between treatments (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). The dominant follicle was maintained until day 17 and ovulated upon removal of the intravaginal device in 1 of 6, 6 of 6 and 0 of 6 in new CIDR-B, used CIDR-B and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01). The preovulatory dominant follicles were 14.2 +/- 1.6 mm, 20 +/- 1.3 mm and 10 +/- 1.3 mm, respectively (P < 0.001) on day 17. There were fewer 5-9 mm follicles in cows having a persistent dominant follicle (P < 0.01). The interval to onset of oestrus was negatively correlated with size of the dominant follicle on day 17 (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


When Do Morally Motivated Innovators Elicit Inspiration Instead of Irritation?
Innovators (i.e., consumers who are the first to adopt an innovation) are pivotal for the societal diffusion of sustainable innovations. But when are innovators most influential? Recent work suggests that morally motivated innovators (i.e., consumers who adopt an innovation out of concern for the welfare of others) can make fellow consumers who have not yet adopted that innovation feel morally inadequate. As a self-defense mechanism, those fellow consumers might dismiss these innovators and their choices. As a result, ironically, morally motivated innovators might discourage others to adopt sustainable innovations. In an experimental study, we replicate this pattern, but also show that moral innovators can elicit a more positive response as well. Specifically, our results offer initial evidence that morally motivated innovators may be more inspiring than self-interested innovators, provided that their actions do not directly pose a threat to the moral self-concept of observers. In sum, our research sheds empirical light on the conditions under which innovators are likely to facilitate, rather than slow down the transition to a more sustainable society.


Identification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, dibenzofuran, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl sources in Tokyo Bay, Japan.
A dated sediment core collected from Tokyo Bay, Japan, was used to assess the historical inputs of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) from multiple sources. The levels, patterns, and profiles of these compounds in the core were congener-specifically investigated, and the results show that the PCDD and PCDF (PCDD/F) and the Co-PCB inputs increased abruptly from the late 1950s and peaked during the period 1967 to 1972. From 1972 to 1981, the inputs decreased continuously and then generally leveled off. Using principal component analysis, two herbicides widely used in the past, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and chloronitrofen (CNP), as well as combustion processes were identified as the major dioxin sources in Tokyo Bay. The PCB formulations and combustion processes were estimated to be the major sources of Co-PCBs. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed for dioxin-source apportioning, and it was found that the herbicides PCP and CNP have mainly contributed to the PCDD/F burdens since the late 1950s. This study suggests that herbicide-derived PCDD/Fs remaining in agricultural land will continue to run off and pollute the aquatic environment in Japan for a long time.


Blue fluorescent emitters: design tactics and applications in organic light-emitting diodes.
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are competitive candidates for the next generation flat-panel displays and solid state lighting sources. Efficient blue-emitting materials have been one of the most important prerequisites to kick off the commercialization of OLEDs. This tutorial review focuses on the design of blue fluorescent emitters and their applications in OLEDs. At first, some typical blue fluorescent materials as dopants are briefly introduced. Then nondoped blue emitters of hydrocarbon compounds are presented. Finally, the nondoped blue emitters endowed with hole-, electron- and bipolar-transporting abilities are comprehensively reviewed. The key issues on suppressing close-packing, achieving pure blue chromaticity, improving thermal and morphological stabilities, manipulating charge transporting abilities, simplifying device structures and the applications in panchromatic OLEDs are discussed.


Joint duration-cost-quality optimization model for complex product supply chains under contingency conditions.
The Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) and complex networks are used to simulate and analyse complex product supply chain networks based on the characteristics of complex product supply chain networks. And the traditional GERT is improved by constructing a grey parametric GERT network with restricted output results, taking into account the fact that the duration, product quality and product cost of each supplier in a complex product supply chain are interval values rather than definite values, and that customers have restrictions on the duration, product quality and product cost of the final product. The functional relationship between product quality, product cost and duration is analysed, and two satisfaction functions for duration and cost are constructed in order to quantify the multi-objective requirements of shortening duration, saving product cost and guaranteeing product quality for complex products under emergency situations. Then, a duration-cost-quality model for complex product supply chains in contingency situations is constructed to obtain the better duration, product cost and product quality of each supplier by optimising the indicator parameters in the network. Finally, the scientific validity and effectiveness of the model and method are verified by means of arithmetic example. The results show that the method is able to analyse the optimal duration, product quality and product cost of each supplier, and the main manufacturer can obtain an optimised combination of duration, cost and quality for a complex product supply chain in different contingency situation. To further promote the sustainable and secure development of complex product supply chains, this paper also suggests the integration of data sharing and blockchain technology with complex product supply chains to develop dynamic supply chain feedback management systems.


Concern on Skin Lightening Product Safety: Level of Awareness and Associated Factors Among Female Users in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.
Most skin lightening products are composed of some toxic chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone which are classified under critical ingredients which need evaluation. Consumption without sufficient awareness may lead to toxicities endangering skin health. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness towards the side effects of skin lightening products and associated factors among females in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Bahir Dar city from June 28 to August 28, 2022 among females that had been using skin whitening. Samples of 362 females were selected by using multistage sampling technique from selected drug retail outlets. The data was coded, cleaned, and analyzed by using SPSS version 26. The variables were analyzed through multiple regression in order to identify the associated factors towards the level of awareness on the side effects of skin lightening products. Only 42.7% of the respondents had a favorable level of awareness. The highly influencing factors for using skin lightening products were peer pressure (39.9%) and social media (37.4%). Nearly half of the users experienced side effects. Only 8.9% of the respondents know the active ingredients of the products. Level of education was found to have significant association with level of awareness (AOR = 7.66, 95% CI: (1.23, 47.59); P = 0.029). Only less than half of women have favorable awareness towards skin lightening products they use. The significant association between educational level and level of awareness should be considered as an alternative intervention in addition to regulatory restrictions.


Potential role of immunoglobulin replacement therapy on MRI measures in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the nervous system. In the early disease course, axonal loss and neurodegeneration occurs that could possibly lead to irreversible neurological impairments. Preventing brain atrophy may have important clinical implications affecting treatment decisions in the future. In recent years, research efforts have directed towards finding agents to modify the disease and reduce brain volume loss. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may have some potential roles in this regard.


Phylogeny of Coccomyxa (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae) spp. with the description of a new species from Bathygobius cyclopterus (Gobiidae) in the northern Red Sea.
Two species of Coccomyxa Léger et Hesse, 1907, one of the least studied myxosporean genera, are reported from shallow coastal waters in the Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea, Israel. A new species, Coccomyxajirilomi sp. n. is described from the spotted frillgoby Bathygobius cyclopterus (Valenciennes) (Gobiidae). It forms polysporous plasmodia that invade the liver and form packed clusters inside the bile ductules. Plasmodia also occur in the bile ducts and gall bladder of the host, attached to the epithelial lining or free floating in the bile. Infected hepatic bile ductules packed with plasmodia were partially occluded, with evidence of cholestasis, periductular fibrosis and pericholangitis. The mature spore is ellipsoid, has smooth valves and contains a single polar capsule with the polar filament arranged in 4-5 oblique coils. Spore dimensions are 9.0-11.3 x 5.0-7.0 microm. A second species, Coccomyxa sp., with smaller 7.6-9.6 x 4.2-5.2 microm and more delicate spores, was found in the gall bladder of the rippled rockskipper, Istiblennius edentulus (Forster et Schneider) (Blenniidae). The small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequence analysis of both Coccomyxa species suggests that they are closely related to members of the genera Myxidium, Zschokkella and Auerbachia, whose members infect the gall bladder of marine fish.


Coronary artery disease in critical patients of Iran.
To identify the risk factors for Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD), such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, age, obesity, immobility and diabetes mellitus, in critical patients of Sistan-Baluchistan (SB), Iran. This cross-sectional research was performed in 2006. The sampling method was convenience, and involved 616 hospitalised patients in the CCUs of hospitals of Sistan-Baluchistan province. Data was collected by structured interview and a checklist which included personal characteristics and risk factors like lifestyles as well as biochemical and physiological factors for CAD. SPSS software, Chi-square and exact fisher tests were used for analysis. Frequency of risk factors among patients with CAD was found to be high in the study area. Also, the results showed that the prevalence of some risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus 198 (32.5%), hypertension 266 (43.7%) and obesity 131 (22.9%), was significantly higher in women than men. Besides, there was a significant relationship between smoking, 317(52.3%) and low mobility 503 (83.3%), with gender (p = 0.001). Clinical and para-clinical data indicated that the adult population has a high level of CAD risk factors in the Sistan-Baluchistan province which may require urgent steps to address national control measures regarding CAD. Implementation of a prevention programme is necessary in order to reduce the risk factors. Also, health education is necessary, specially for women.


The evolution of HIV-1 entry phenotypes as a guide to changing target cells.
Through a twist of fate the most common form of HIV-1, as defined by entry phenotype, was not appreciated until recently. The entry phenotype is closely linked to the target cell and thus to virus-host interactions and pathogenesis. The most abundant form of HIV-1 uses CCR5 as the coreceptor and requires a high density of CD4 for efficient entry, defining its target cell as the CD4+ memory T cell. This is the transmitted form of the virus, the form that is found in the blood, and the form that rebounds from the latent reservoir. When CD4+/CCR5+ T cells become limiting the virus evolves to use alternative target cells to support viral replication. In the CNS, the virus can evolve to use a cell that displays only a low density of CD4, while maintaining the use of CCR5 as the coreceptor. When this evolutionary variant evolves, it must be sustaining its replication in either macrophages or microglial cells, which display only a low density of CD4 relative to that on T cells. In the blood and lymphoid system, the major switch late in disease is from T cells expressing CD4 and CCR5 to T cells expressing CD4 and CXCR4, with a change in coreceptor specificity. Thus the virus responds in two different ways to different environments when its preferred target cell becomes limiting.


Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha using RNA interference in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a disease with increased prevalence and unfavorable prognosis calling for development of novel therapeutic strategies. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in the development and progression of cancer. The present study was designed to assess the impact of TNF-α specific inhibition using small interference RNA (siRNA) in SSC-4 cells, a representative model for OSCC. The present study evaluated the effect of TNF-α inhibition using siRNA as inhibitory mechanism on SCC-4 cells. The study focused on the effect of TNF-α inhibition on apoptosis, autophagy and invasion in parallel with a panel of 20 genes involved in apoptosis and angiogenesis. TNF-α inhibition was related with reduction of cell viability, activation of apoptosis and autophagy in parallel with the inhibition of migration in SCC-4 cells. Evaluating the impact on gene expression levels, inhibition of FASL-FADD, NFκB, SEMA 3C, TNF-α, TGFB1, VEGFA, along with activation of PDGFB and SEMA 3D was observed. Our study confirms the important role of TNF-α and sustains that it might be a therapeutic target in OSCC. TNF-α is a key mediator of the immune system, with important role in OSCC tumorigenesis, and might be considered as a therapeutic target using siRNA technology, particularly for those risk cases having FASL/FADD overexpressed.


Burns from illegal cannabis oil manufacturing: a case series.
The increasing consideration of cannabis legalization in Canada and the United States has motivated physicians to assess its prospective impact on the health care system. Health care providers in the burns community are concerned about injuries sustained as a result of the illegal manufacturing of cannabis oil because it involves highly flammable reagents. We report a retrospective case series of patients with cannabis oil burns (identified by evidence of combustion during cannabis oil manufacturing) treated from April 2012 to March 2014 at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We compare the characteristics of these patients with those of patients admitted over the same period with any burns. We found that 12 (out of 161 patients) admitted over the review period sustained burns from cannabis oil manufacturing. Compared with patients in the total burn group, patients with cannabis oil burns were younger (75% and 48% were younger than 41 years in the group with cannabis oil burns and the total burn group, respectively), were more likely to be male (83% in the group with cannabis oil burns v. 74% in the total burn group) and sustained burns over a larger percentage of their total body surface area (24% v. 9%). Patients with cannabis oil burns also required extensive surgical management (skin grafting in 75% of cases) and spent a substantial amount of time (mean 32 d) in the burn unit. Burns from illegal cannabis oil manufacturing are large, require extensive management and involve younger patients than burns in general. Given that the frequency of cannabis oil burns may increase in Canada after legalization, Canadian burn centres are encouraged to monitor and report on cases with this injury mechanism.


Solitary fibrous tumor with giant multinucleated cells in the retroperitoneum - a case report.
Solitary fibrous tumor is a distinct neoplasm, rarely recognized in extrathoracic sites. The article reports a new case in the retroperitoneum in a 55 year-old man, who presented with urinary symptoms. Tumor was completely excised, and the solitary fibrous tumor was diagnosed after pathologic examination and immunohistochemistry. The patient has remained free of disease for five years since surgery. An uncommon variant of retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor with giant multinucleated cells was documented in the study.


Hypomethylation upregulates the expression of CD30 in lymphoma induced by Marek's disease virus.
Epigenetic modification is widely known to be involved in embryo development, aging, tumorigenesis, and many complex diseases. Both hypermethylation of CpG islands at the gene promoters and global hypomethylation are involved in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. However, only a small portion of hypomethylation occurs at gene promoters and leads to the overexpression of certain oncogenes. To determine whether DNA methylation plays a role in tumorigenesis of Marek's disease, we selected one putative oncogene and 8 tumor suppressor genes from the gene expression profile for the analysis of DNA methylation variation. Four normal spleen tissues and 4 Marek's disease virus-infected tumor spleen tissues were collected, and the methylation level of the promoter region of each gene was analyzed using MassARRAY. As a result, the promoter region of CD30 was hypomethylated and displayed a significantly higher expression in Marek's disease virus-infected tumor spleen tissues compared with normal ones (P < 0.05). In neoplastic cells, CD30 was known to promote the survival and proliferation of T-cell lymphomas. This result suggests that activation of CD30 is possibly associated with the tumorigenesis of Marek's disease.


Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Radiomics Model Predicting Lymph Node Status in Operable Cervical Cancer.
Aim: To develop and validate a deep learning radiomics model, which could predict the lymph node metastases preoperatively in cervical cancer patients. Patients and methods: We included a cohort of 226 pathological proven operable cervical cancer patients in two academic medical institutions from December 2014 to November 2017. Then this dataset was split into training set (n = 176) and independent testing set (n = 50) randomly. Five radiomic features were selected and a radiomic signature was established. We then combined these five radiomic features with the preoperative tumor histology and grade of these patients together. Baseline logistic regression model (LRM) and support vector machine model (SVM) were established for the comparison. We then explored the performance of a deep neural network (DNN), which is a popular deep learning model nowadays. Finally, performance of this DNN was validated in another independent test set including 50 cases of operable cervical cancer patients. Results: One thousand forty-five radiomic features were extracted for each patient. Twenty-eight features were found to be significantly correlated with the lymph node status in these patients (P < 0.05). Five radiomic features were further selected for further study due to their higher predictive powers. Baseline LRM incorporating these five radiomic and two clinicopathological features was established, which had an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of 0.7372 and an accuracy of 89.20%. The established DNN model had four neural layers, in which layer there were 10 neurons. Adagrad optimizer and 1,500 iterations were used in training. The trained DNN had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.99 and an accuracy of 97.16% in the internal validation. To exclude the overfitting, independent external validation was also performed. AUC and accuracy in test set could still retain 0.90 and 92.00% respectively. Conclusion: This study used deep learning method to provide a comprehensive predictive model using preoperative CT images, tumor histology, and grade in cervical cancer patients. This model showed an acceptable accuracy in the prediction of lymph node status in cervical cancer. Our model may help identifying those patients who could benefit a lot from radiation therapy rather than primary hysterectomy surgery if this model could resist strict testing of future randomized controlled trials (RCTs).


Endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
Intracranial aneurysms are common, with an overall frequency ranging from 0.8% to 10%. Because prognosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage is still very poor, treatment of unruptured aneurysms, either neurosurgically or endovascularly, has been advocated. However, risk of rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage needs to be considered against the risks of elective treatment. We analyzed the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of endovascular treatment of a consecutive series of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. From July 1997 through December 2000, a total of 76 patients with 82 unruptured cerebral aneurysms were treated at our institution. Endovascular treatment was administered to 39 consecutive patients with a total of 42 unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Thirty-six aneurysms were treated with an endovascular technique; in six patients, the parent artery was occluded to eliminate aneurysmal perfusion. Aneurysms were located either in the anterior (n = 31) or posterior (n = 11) circulation. Eight patients had experienced previous subarachnoid hemorrhage from other aneurysms and were treated electively after complete rehabilitation. Ten patients had neurologic symptoms; in 21 patients, the aneurysm was an incidental finding. Eighteen aneurysms were small (0-5 mm), 11 were medium (6-10 mm), nine were large (11-25 mm), and four were giant (> 25 mm). Occlusion rate was categorized as complete (100%), subtotal (95-99%), and incomplete (< 95%) obliteration. Endovascular treatment was technically feasible for 38 of 42 aneurysms. Complete (100%) or nearly complete (95-99%) occlusion was achieved in 34 of 38 aneurysms. In four aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, only incomplete (< 95%) occlusion was achieved. All patients except one with mild neurologic deficits according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale and one with mild memory dysfunction but no focal neurologic deficit achieved good recovery, resulting in a morbidity rate of 4.8% and a mortality rate of 0%. Endovascular embolization of unruptured cerebral aneurysms is an effective therapeutic alternative to neurosurgical clipping and is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. For the management of unruptured aneurysms, endovascular treatment should be considered.


The Cost of Hospital Admission: Brief Resolved Unexplained Events.
The modern health care system continues to expand at a meteoric rate with ever-increasing technological advancements. However, with these advancements come unsustainably rising costs and occasionally unintended, avoidable harm. In this article, we use a brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) to illustrate how recent guidelines can help physicians practice value in this modern health care system. A BRUE is a common pediatric problem that is seen in ambulatory and emergency department settings. Infants presenting with a BRUE can be separated into low- and high-risk groups per recent guidelines. Most low-risk infants who present with a BRUE can be discharged home with anticipatory guidance, whereas high-risk infants should undergo further testing and admission to determine the cause of their event. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(7):e262-e264.].


Robust Whispering-Gallery-Mode Microbubble Lasers from Colloidal Quantum Dots.
Microlasers hold great promise for the development of photonics and optoelectronics. Among the discovered optical gain materials, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have been recognized as the most appealing candidate due to the facile emission tunability and solution processability. However, to date, it is still challenging to develop CQD-based microlasers with low cost yet high performance. Moreover, the poor long-term stability of CQDs remains to be the most critical issue, which may block their laser aspirations. Herein, we developed a unique but generic approach to forming a novel type of a whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microbubble laser from the hybrid CQD/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. The formation mechanism of the microbubbles was unraveled by recording the drying process of the nanocomposite droplets. Interestingly, these microbubbles naturally serve as the high-quality WGM laser resonators. By simply changing the CQDs, the lasing emission can be tuned across the whole visible spectral range. Importantly, these microbubble lasers exhibit unprecedented long-term stability (over one year), sufficient for practical applications. As a proof-of-concept, the potential of water vapor sensing was demonstrated. Our results represent a significant advance in microlasers based on the advantageous CQDs and may offer new possibilities for photonics and optoelectronics.


Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in infants and children in South Africa: implications for food-based dietary guidelines.
The implications for food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) that are being developed in South Africa are reviewed in relation to HIV-exposed and -infected children. The nutritional consequences of HIV infection and nutritional requirements along with programmes and guidelines to address undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency in these children are also investigated. Based on studies for HIV-infected children in South Africa, more than 50% are underweight and stunted, while more than 60% have multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Nutritional problems in these children are currently addressed through the Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child Transmission Programme (PMTCT), the Integrated Nutrition Programme and Guidelines for the Management of HIV-infected Children which include antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in South Africa. Evaluations relating to the implementation of these programmes and guidelines have not been conducted nationally, although certain studies show that coverage of the PMTCT and the ARV therapy programmes was low. FBDGs for infants and young children could complement and strengthen the implementation of these programmes and guidelines. However, FBDGs must be in line with national and international guidelines and address key nutritional issues in these infants and young children. These issues and various recommendations are discussed in detail in this review.


[Spontaneous Respiration Technique for Pediatric Microlaryngeal Surgery without Endotracheal Intubation].
We report the anesthetic management of microlaryngeal surgery in children using tubeless total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) without endotracheal intubation under spontaneous breathing. In 9 patients (median age : 4.9 yr. range 1 months-14 years, body weight : 17 kg, range 3-61 kg), 19 procedures were performed with TIVA using propofol and remifentanil. The median time from the start of TIVA to rigid laryngoscope insertion was 11 minutes. Propofol 15.7 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and remifentanil 0.05 μg x kg(-1) x min(-1) was infused in this interval. Laryngospasm was observed in two cases, but it responded to a bolus of propofol (0.5-1.0 mg x kg(-1)) and additional topical anesthesia with 1% lidocaine. Three children were found apneic after a bolus administration of remifentanil or after increasing the rate of remifentanil infusion accompanied with desaturation and their tracheae were intubated. The spontaneous respiration technique using TIVA without intubation provides an excellent view of the operative field while allowing stable anesthesia. Further studies are required to establish the optimal dose of propofol and remifentanil and the timing of rigid laryngoscope insertion.


Colonic prostaglandin E2 levels and olsalazine metabolism in relapsing ulcerative colitis: implications for controlled trials in the long term.
To examine the tolerance and pharmacokinetics of long-term olsalazine administration, increasing doses of the drug were given to 31 patients with ulcerative colitis. All patients were refractory to or intolerant of sulphasalazine. Complete azo-reduction occurred in most cases. Concentrations of 5-ASA, but not acetyl-5-ASA, in faecal dialysates increased dose-dependently. Estimates of efficacy were more favourable among those intolerant of sulphasalazine. Patients with high prostaglandin E2 levels determined by equilibrium in vivo dialysis of rectum were less likely to benefit from treatment. In conclusion, olsalazine is a highly effective means of delivering 5-ASA to the colonic mucosa. Long-term use of olsalazine in controlled trials may be considered safe, even in high doses.


Meningeal worm in a reintroduced elk population in Kentucky.
Meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) has been implicated in the failure of several elk (Cervus elaphus) restoration attempts in the eastern United States. However, limited post-release monitoring and a paucity of published literature prevents a clear understanding of this parasite's role in past failures. During winters of 1997-2001, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources translocated 1,044 elk from western states to eastern Kentucky (USA) in an effort to restore a free-ranging population. We monitored 521 radio-collared elk over 4 yr to determine the impact meningeal worm had on population establishment. Thirty (23%) of 129 non-capture related mortalities were attributed to meningeal worm. Twenty-two (73%) of these meningeal worm-caused mortalities were animals < 3 yr old. If younger elk born in Kentucky suffer higher mortality rates than older translocated elk, the population growth observed during the initial years of restoration may be temporary. Additional research is necessary to determine the influence meningeal worm will have on elk population growth in Kentucky.


Pharmacological studies on cadralazine: a new antihypertensive vasodilator drug.
Cadralazine is a new, orally effective antihypertensive vasodilator. Acute experiments indicate that the compound reduces blood pressure and increases heart rate. The doses which reduce systolic blood pressure by 25% (ED25) are very similar after oral and intravenous administration (spontaneously hypertensive rats, 1.8 mg/kg, p.o.; 2.3 mg/kg, i.v.; renal hypertensive dogs, 0.26 mg/kg, p.o.; 0.24 mg/kg, i.v.; awake normotensive dogs, 0.98 mg/kg, p.o.; 1.01 mg/kg, i.v.). By both routes the peak effect is reached after 3-5 hr, and the activity lasts more than 24 hr. Repeated oral administration in spontaneously hypertensive rats reduces blood pressure with no evidence of tolerance. Cadralazine reverses hypertensive responses to epinephrine in awake normotensive dogs and anesthetized cats. The inhibition of the increase in blood pressure induced by sympathetic outflow activation in pithed rats parallels the antihypertensive activity in onset, intensity, and duration. The effects of cadralazine are not due to a blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors, sympathetic neurons, or ganglionic transmission. Cadralazine has no antihistaminic, anticholinergic, or spasmolytic activity and no specific effect on behavioral tests. In comparison with hydralazine, cadralazine has less acute toxicity and a greater activity by the oral route.


A method for determination of dimethyl benzoylphenyl urea (BPU) in human plasma by using LC/UV.
Dimethyl benzoylphenyl urea (BPU) inhibited tubulin polymerization, caused microtubule depolymerization in vitro and demonstrated activity against solid tumors. BPU is being tested in phase I clinical trials. A rapid and specific method using LC/UV has been developed for quantitation of BPU in human heparin-containing plasma to perform pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. BPU is extracted from plasma into acetonitrile:n-butyl-chloride using paclitaxel as the internal standard and separated on a Waters Symmetry C18 (3.9 x 150 mm, 5 microm) column with acetonitrile-water mobile phase (70:30, v/v) using isocratic flow at 1 mL/min for a run time of 5 min. Ultraviolet detection was utilized and performed at 225 nm for BPU and paclitaxel. The retention times were 1.9 min for paclitaxel and 4.1 min for BPU. Calibration curves were generated over the range of 0.01-10 microg/mL with coefficient of determination of > 0.99. The values for within-day and between-day precision were < or = 17.0% at the LLOQ and < or = 7.4% at the low, medium and high quality controls; accuracy was +/- 5.4%. Following administration of BPU 320 mg as a weekly oral dose to a patient with advanced solid tumor malignancies, the maximum plasma concentration was 2 micro g/mL and concentrations were quantifiable up to 168 h after administration. The lower limit of quantitation of 0.01 microg/mL allows for successful measurement of plasma concentrations in patients.


Structure transition and swapping pattern of clathrate hydrates driven by external guest molecules.
We first report here that under strong surrounding gas of external CH4 guest molecules the sII and sH methane hydrates are structurally transformed to the crystalline framework of sI, leading to a favorable change of the lattice dimension of the host-guest networks. The high power decoupling 13C NMR and Raman spectroscopies were used to identify structure transitions of the mixed CH4 + C2H6 hydrates (sII) and hydrocarbons (methylcyclohexane, isopentane) + CH4 hydrates (sH). The present findings might be expected to provide rational evidences regarding the preponderant occurrence of naturally occurring sI methane hydrates in marine sediments. More importantly, we note that the unique and cage-specific swapping pattern of multiguests is expected to provide a new insight for better understanding the inclusion phenomena of clathrate materials.


Amino Acid Transporters as Disease Modifiers and Drug Targets.
Amino acids perform a variety of functions in cells and organisms, particularly in the synthesis of proteins, as energy metabolites, neurotransmitters, and precursors for many other molecules. Amino acid transport plays a key role in all these functions. Inhibition of amino acid transport is pursued as a therapeutic strategy in several areas, such as diabetes and related metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, cancer, and stem cell biology. The role of amino acid transporters in these disorders and processes is well established, but the implementation of amino acid transporters as drug targets is still in its infancy. This is at least in part due to the underdeveloped pharmacology of this group of membrane proteins. Recent advances in structural biology, membrane protein expression, and inhibitor screening methodology will see an increased number of improved and selective inhibitors of amino acid transporters that can serve as tool compounds for further studies.


Process optimization by use of design of experiments: Application for liposomalization of FK506.
Design of experiments (DoE) can accelerate the optimization of drug formulations, especially complexed formulas such as those of drugs, using delivery systems. Administration of FK506 encapsulated in liposomes (FK506 liposomes) is an effective approach to treat acute stroke in animal studies. To provide FK506 liposomes as a brain protective agent, it is necessary to manufacture these liposomes with good reproducibility. The objective of this study was to confirm the usefulness of DoE for the process-optimization study of FK506 liposomes. The Box-Behnken design was used to evaluate the effect of the process parameters on the properties of FK506 liposomes. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that there was interaction between the hydration temperature and the freeze-thaw cycle on both the particle size and encapsulation efficiency. An increase in the PBS hydration volume resulted in an increase in encapsulation efficiency. Process parameters had no effect on the ζ-potential. The multiple regression equation showed good predictability of the particle size and the encapsulation efficiency. These results indicated that manufacturing conditions must be taken into consideration to prepare liposomes with desirable properties. DoE would thus be promising approach to optimize the conditions for the manufacturing of liposomes.


Modeling time resolved light propagation inside a realistic human head model.
Near infrared spectroscopy imaging is one of the new techniques used for investigating structural and functionality of different body tissues. This is done by injecting light into the medium and measuring the photon intensity at the surface of the tissue. In this paper the different medical applications, various imaging and simulation techniques of NIRS imaging is described. Each method is introduced and discussed. Then, the optimized model is prepared for numerical simulations. In this paper, the finite element method is used for solving the diffusion equation numerically. Diffusion equation was solved for realistic human head model using finite element approach for a point light source and time resolved case. The photon intensity distribution in different head layers has been shown and the intensity orientation via the CSF layer has been illustrated. Simulating the photon transformation inside the tissue is essential for investigating the NIRS imaging technique. The finite element approach is a fast and accurate method for simulating this fact. The time resolved approach of this technique could illustrate the photon migration and intensity orientation in the tissue for time dependent light sources in tissues.


A dominant form of adult neuronal ceroidlipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease) with an associated occipital astrocytoma: early diagnosis by cortical biopsy.
A patient with a dominantly inherited form of Kuf's disease and an associated occipital astrocytoma is presented. This is the first reported case in which the diagnosis of Kufs' disease was made by a cortical biopsy several years before its expected clinical onset. The nosology of this disease, and its clinical, genetic, and histopathological characteristics are discussed. The establishment of an early diagnosis by cortical biopsy and its implications are considered.


Antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in Norwegian primary care out-of-hours service.
To examine factors correlating with antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in Norwegian primary care out-of-hours service. Retrospective data analysis for the year 2014 in two out-of-hours primary care units located in the towns of Hamar and Tønsberg in Norway, analysing type and frequency of different antibiotics prescribed by 117 medical doctors for ARTIs, and factors correlating with these. The 117 doctors in two out-of-hours units diagnosed 6757 cases of ARTIs. 2310 (34.2%) of these resulted in an antibiotic prescription, where of 1615 (69.9%) were penicillin V (PcV). Tonsillitis and sinusitis were the two ARTI diagnoses with the highest antibiotic prescription rate. The antibiotic prescription rate increased successively with increasing activity level, measured as shorter median duration of consultations per session, from 28.7% (reference) in the least busy quintile of sessions to 36.6% (OR: 1.38 (95% CI =1.06-1.80)) in the busiest quintile of sessions. Prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics was not correlated with median duration of consultations per session. Female doctors had an OR of 0.61 (0.40-0.92) of a broad-spectrum antibiotic prescription compared to their male colleagues. Antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs in the primary care out-of-hours services investigated is at the same level as in Norwegian general practice, but with a higher prescription rate of PcV. Antibiotic prescribing increases on busy sessions, measured as median duration of consultations per session. The work frame in primary care out-of-hours service might influence the quality of clinical decisions.


Generation and characterization of a human iPSC line SANi006-A from a Gray Platelet Syndrome patient.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from erythroblasts (EBLs) obtained from a patient diagnosed with Gray Platelet Syndrome (GPS), caused by compound heterozygous NBEAL2 mutations (c.6568delT and c.7937T>C). GPS is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by a lack of α-granules in platelets and progressive myelofibrosis. EBLs were reprogrammed with CytoTune-iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit, where the generated iPSCs showed normal karyotype, expression of pluripotency associated markers and in vitro spontaneous differentiation towards the three germ layers. The generated iPSCs can be used to study GPS pathophysiology and the basic functions of NBEAL2 protein in different cell types.


One-Pot Deconstruction and Conversion of Lignocellulose Into Reducing Sugars by Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquid-Metal Salt System.
Constantly decreasing fossil resources and exceeding energy demands are the most alarming concerns nowadays. The only way out is to develop efficient, safe, and economical biomass processing protocols that can lead toward biofuels and fine chemicals. This research is one of such consequences involving the deconstruction and conversion of wheat straw carbohydrate constituents into reducing sugars via one-pot reaction promoted by Lewis acidic pyridinium-based ionic liquids (PyILs) mixed with different metal salts (MCl). Various parameters such as the type of metal salt, loading amount of metal salt, time, temperature, particle size of biomass, and water content which affect the deconstruction of wheat straw have been evaluated and optimized. Among the studied ionic liquid (IL) and metal salt systems, the best results were obtained with [BMPy]+ CoCl 3 - . The dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assay was used to determine the percentage of total reducing sugars (TRS) generated during treatment of wheat straw. The deconstructed wheat straw was characterized with various analytical tools, that is, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses. The IL-metal salt system was recycled for subsequent treatment of wheat straw. Statistical parameters were calculated from analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of confidence.


Diversity of vertebrate class I alcohol dehydrogenase. Mammalian and non-mammalian enzyme functions correlated through the structure of a ratite enzyme.
Class I alcohol dehydrogenase has been characterized from ostrich liver in order to evaluate enzyme variability between two independent lines, mammalian forms of class I alcohol dehydrogenase as a group, and a sufficient number of the enzyme from the most recent animal class (Aves, birds) as another. Between the two enzyme groups, patterns are consistent and mutually similar. This indicates conserved metabolic and catalytic properties of class I alcohol dehydrogenase, suggesting its metabolic role to be distinct, in spite of its protein variability. The new structure has a microheterogeneity (position 112, Arg/Cys) in a variable Zn-binding loop. In addition, it also establishes further native variants at active-site positions, including one thus far unique residue at the inner part of the substrate-binding pocket (Ala141), and a replacement at position 271 (giving His271), which is also the site of a human alcohol dehydrogenase gamma 1/gamma 2 isozyme variability. The data correlate with functional differences in catalytic properties, the ostrich enzyme having a comparatively high Km for ethanol (5.9 mM at pH 10), and emphasize the importance of single positions in substrate and coenzyme binding, paralleling isozyme variability with protein variability within the class I enzymes.


Perovskite Sr₁-xCexCoO₃-δ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) as superior cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells.
Perovskite Sr(1-x)Ce(x)CoO(3-δ) (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) have been prepared by a sol-gel method and studied as cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. As SOFC cathodes, Sr(1-x)Ce(x)CoO(3-δ) materials have sufficiently high electronic conductivities and excellent chemical compatibility with SDC electrolyte. The peak power density of cells with Sr(0.95)Ce(0.05)CoO(3-δ) is 0.625 W cm(-2) at 700 °C. By forming a composite cathode with an oxygen ion conductor SDC, the peak power density of the cell with Sr(0.95)Ce(0.05)CoO(3-δ)-30 wt %SDC composite cathode, reaches 1.01 W cm(-2) at 700 °C, better than that of Sm(0.5)Sr(0.5)CoO(3)-based cathode. All these results demonstrates that Sr(1-x)Ce(x)CoO(3-δ) (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15)-based materials are promising cathodes for an IT-SOFC.


[Effect of excitation summation during interaction of self-stimulation zones].
A study was made on rats with electrodes implanted in the lateral preoptic hypothalamic area, of the interaction between distant foci of "positive" excitation in a situation when one of the foci (conditioning one) was set up by the animal itself by self-stimulation with a rhythmic current, while the other (testing) was imposed through stimulation of a different positive point with rhythmic and direct currents. Imposed stimulation of the distant positive zones by rhythmic current within a sufficiently wide range of intensities intensifies the self-stimulation in the conditioning focus. Polarization of the testing positive zones by a DC cathode produces a two-phase reaction of the conditioning points of self-stimulation: initial inhibition at the action of relatively weak DC intensities attended with its subsequent intensification when intensity of the polarizing current increases. It is suggested that the motivation (low-threshold) and reinforcing (high-threshold) components may be involved in the mechanism of phasic interaction between excitation foci in the self-stimulation system.


Supplementary educational model (SEM) in social work education for health care settings.
A supplementary educational model (SEM) was developed and evaluated in order to expand educational opportunities for social work students, to enable a professional interaction for field instructors and to connect the academia teachers to the field. The study highlights the importance of SEM to update the current academic curricula to meet the ongoing changes and challenges in health care settings. One hundred thirty-seven B.A. students and 58 field instructors employed in health care settings participated in the project. Results indicated that 90% of the participants rated the knowledge contributions of the study days and study day satisfaction positively. The results suggest that SEM has potential as a tool to complement traditional field instruction programs.