Lung Transplant Procedure of Choice: Bilateral Transplantation Versus Single Transplantation Complications, Quality of Life, and Survival.
This article examines the existing literature regarding single (SLT) and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) to help answer the question of which approach is preferable. Specifically, this review highlights the following subjects: disease-specific indications for SLT versus BLT; the impact of procedure type on posttransplantation functional status; the impact of procedure type on posttransplantation quality of life; chronic rejection after lung transplantation; ethical challenges facing the choice between single and bilateral transplants; and, novel strategies in this arena.


Structure-function analyses of tyrosine phosphatase PTP69D in giant fiber synapse formation of Drosophila.
PTP69D is a receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) with two intracellular catalytic domains (Cat1 and Cat2) and has been shown to play a role in axon guidance of embryonic motoneurons as well as targeting of photoreceptor neurons in the visual system of Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we characterized the developmental role of PTP69D in the giant fiber (GF) neurons, two interneurons in the central nervous system (CNS) that control the escape response of the fly. Our studies revealed that PTP69D has a function in synaptic terminal growth in the CNS. We found that missense mutations in the first immunoglobulin (Ig) domain and in the Cat1 domain, present in Ptp69D10 and Ptp69D20 mutants, respectively, did not affect axon guidance or targeting but resulted in stunted terminal growth of the GFs. Cell autonomous rescue experiments demonstrated a function for the Cat1 and the first Ig domain of PTP69D in the GFs but not in its postsynaptic target neurons. In addition, complementation studies and structure-function analyses revealed that for GF terminal growth Cat1 function of PTP69D requires the immunoglobulin and the Cat2 domains, but not the fibronectin III or the membrane proximal region domains. In contrast, the fibronectin III but not the immunoglobulin domains were previously shown to be essential for axon targeting of photoreceptor neurons. Thus, our studies uncover a novel role for PTP69D in synaptic terminal growth in the CNS that is mechanistically distinct from its function in photoreceptor targeting.


Thrombin-loaded alginate-calcium microspheres: A novel hemostatic embolic material for transcatheter arterial embolization.
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the best non-laparotomy choice for solid visceral organs rupture and bleeding nowadays. In our previous study, a new biodegradable macromolecule material thrombin-loaded alginate-calcium microsphere (TACM) was prepared and its characteristics were investigated preliminarily. In this study, we further investigated the biocompatibility of TACMs, as well as physical characteristic, application method and effect of TACMs with thrombus (embolic agent). The in vivo results attested that TACMs were non-irritating and non-genotoxic with desired biocompatibility, although brought about a slight and temporary inflammation. Application research showed that the function of thrombin was inhibited by common contrast agents, and it was impracticable to add contrast agents in TACMs with thrombus for tracing under X-rays in TAE. Then, a novel delivery method was developed. In addition, stress resistance test indicated that the TACMs with thrombus was significantly stronger than single autologous thrombus, the optimized ratio of TACMs to whole blood was 2:3 for forming mixed thrombus. Finally, large animal experiment revealed that the novel embolic agent - TACMs mixed thrombus was effective and safe in treating hemorrhage of solid abdominal viscera by TAE.


Mannan-binding lectin deficiency augments hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress through IP3R-controlled calcium release.
The aberrant release of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium leads to the disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis, which is associated with the occurrence of ER stress and closely related to the pathogenesis of liver damage. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a soluble calcium-dependent protein synthesized primarily in hepatocytes and is a pattern recognition molecule in the innate immune system. MBL deficiency is highly prevalent in the population and has been reported to be associated with susceptibility to several liver diseases. We here showed that genetic MBL ablation strongly sensitized mice to ER stress-induced liver injury. Mechanistic studies established that MBL directly interacted with ER-resident chaperone immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), and MBL deficiency accelerated the separation of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) from BiP during hepatic ER stress. Moreover, MBL deficiency led to enhanced activation of the PERK-C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) pathway and initiates an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated calcium release from the ER, thereby aggravating the hepatic ER stress response. Our results demonstrate an unexpected function of MBL in ER calcium homeostasis and ER stress response, thus providing new insight into the liver injury related to ER stress in patients with MBL deficiency.


Ca2+-dependent regulation of cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase by parvalbumin.
Carp parvalbumin has been shown to activate rat brain phosphodiesterase in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The concentration of Ca2+ required for half-maximal stimulation is 1.4 X 10(-7) M, whereas rat testis Ca2+-dependent regulator (CDR) of phosphodiesterase required 1.2 X 10(-6) M Ca2+. The difference in the slopes of the two curves demonstrated that the activation induced by parvalbumin was not the result of a small contamination by CDR. In addition, it has been shown that Ca2+ binding to parvalbumin parallels its activation of phosphodiesterase. These data suggest that Ca2+ must bind to a single specific metal binding site before phosphodiesterase can be fully activated.


Urinary metabolomic profiling in rats exposed to dietary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS).
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an omnipresent environmental chemical with widespread nonoccupational human exposure through multiple ways. Although considerable efforts have been invested to investigate mechanisms of DEHP toxicity, the key metabolic biomarkers of DEHP toxicity remain to be identified. The aim of this study was to assess the urinary metabonomics of dietary DEHP in rats using the technique of ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS). Fourteen female Wistar rats were divided into two groups and given increasing dietary doses of DEHP for 30 consecutive days. The urinary metabolite profile was studied using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) enabled clusters to be clearly separated. Eleven principal urinary metabolites were identified as contributing to the clusters. The clusters in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode were xanthurenic acid, kynurenic acid, nonate, N6-methyladenosine, and L-isoleucyl-L-proline. The clusters in the negative ESI mode were hippuric acid, tetrahydrocortisol, citric acid, phenylpropionylglycine, cPA(18:2(9Z, 12Z)/0:0), and LysoPC(14:1(9Z)). The urinary metabonomic changes indicated that exposure to dietary DEHP can affect energy-related metabolism, liver and renal function, fatty acid metabolism, and cause DNA damage in rats. The findings of this study on the urinary metabolites and metabolic pathways of DEHP may form the basis for future studies on the mechanisms of toxicity of this commonly found environmental chemical.


Control performance characteristics of myoelectric signal with additive interference.
Myoelectric signal is an important source of control information for powered prostheses. A commonly used performance measure for the signal processors of such control systems is the ratio of processor output mean to variance. This ratio (SNR) is a function of a number of factors including physiological parameters and additive interference. The paper investigates the effects of motor unit physiological parameters and interference on control performance, with particular reference to SNR. Performance equations are derived and verified with in vivo experiments. The results show a complex interaction among the physiological parameters and interference. A particular point of interest is the misleading SNR values that can occur under certain recruitment and interference conditions.


[Functional capacity after peripheral nerve lesion: significance of pain syndromes].
The loss of functional capacity by peripheral nerve lesion is easy to be estimated: A certain neurologic dysfunction results in a characteristic reduction of the former individual capacity. In contrast, the effect of accompanying pain to every-day life and working ability is not known exactly. In this study, we compared the results of judgement in nerve lesions under the circumstances of additional pain syndromes. From January 1994 until December 1998 we saw 57 patients with peripheral nerve lesions, part of them with an additional pain syndrome. Beside conventional neurological examination a detailed pain analysis has been done. Lesions of the median or ulnar nerves showed regularly disturbances in neurological functions (10/14 for the median nerve, 13/16 for the ulnar nerve). Astonishing is the fact, that serious pain after nerve lesion only occurs in cases of partial nerve lesion. We saw neuralgias in 6 patients with ulnar neuropathy, in three cases of median nerve lesions we could see severe neuralgia (causalgia we found in 3 cases of ulnar neuropathy, in 6 cases after Median Nerve lesion). Patients with a lesion of the central plexus brachialis showed in 10 of 11 cases an additional pain syndrome. Other nerves have been affected more rarely. For the judgement of the loss of earning capacity we saw an additional pain related diminuition of at least 10% compared to those patients without pain problems. The common grading scales for peripheral nerve lesions are not suitable in cases accompanied by an additional pain syndrome. Beside a functional deficit the effect of severe pain in these patients has to be estimated. On an average, patients with additional pain-problems get a 10% extended loss of earning capacity, even more in particular cases.


[The effect of captopril on the arterial pressure, structural resistance and vascular reactivity of the kidney in rats with nephrogenic hypertension].
The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibiting agent captopryl suppressed a moderate hypertension in rats with pyelonephritis and with ureteral obstruction, but not in rats with ureteral obstruction combined with the renal artery constriction. The suppression of the hypertension was accompanied by a reversion of structural alterations in the blood vessels.


Outcome of marriage in schizophrenia.
Marriage is a social process requiring certain social abilities for it to be successful. Schizophrenia, which can lead to a reduction of such abilities, has been associated with a low marital rate, especially in men. Data on long-term marital outcome are, however, sparse. This paper deals with changing marital status in a cohort of 76 first-onset schizophrenic patients followed-up for 10 years. A fairly high marital rate of 70% was observed in this sample, with more men remaining single and more women facing broken marriages. It was observed that good marital outcome, in terms of getting married and keeping the marriage intact, was associated with a number of clinical and sociodemographic variables. Duration of illness, type of onset, auditory hallucinations and simple depression at intake, unemployment and economic slide during the course of illness and a relapsing course of illness were all related to marital outcome. Outcome in other areas such as clinical, social and occupational functioning discriminated between the groups of good and poor marital functioning.


New insights from Raman MicroSpectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy on the microstructure and chemical composition of vestibular and lingual surfaces in permanent and deciduous human teeth.
Teeth are characterized by a specific chemical composition and microstructure, which are related to their nature, permanent and deciduous, and to the sides, lingual and vestibular. Deeper knowledge in this topic could be useful in clinical practice to develop new strategies in restorative dentistry and in the choice of materials with the best performances. In this study, Raman MicroSpectroscopy (RMS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), and Vickers MicroHardness (VMH) were exploited to: (1) identify the microstructure and the chemical/elemental composition of permanent and deciduous human teeth, also characterizing their lingual and vestibular sides, and (2) validate a new multidisciplinary analytical approach, for obtaining multiple information on calcified tissues. All applied techniques evidenced differences between permanent and deciduous teeth both in the lingual and vestibular sides. In particular, scanning electron micrographs identified areas with an irregular appearance in the vestibular and lingual sides, which presented also different VMH values. Moreover, RMS and EDS displayed a different chemical/elemental composition in outer and inner enamel and dentin, in terms of Mineral/Matrix, Crystallinity, Carbonates/phosphates, and concentrations by weight (%) of calcium, phosphorous, carbon, magnesium, and sodium. A good linear correlation was found between RMS spectral profiles and EDS and VMH measurements, suggesting that RMS may be considered a useful and non-destructive diagnostic tool for obtaining multiple information on calcified tissues.


Acute unilateral ophthalmoplegia as the presenting sign of acute myeloid leukemia in a 15-month-old girl.
Central nervous system manifestations of acute myeloid leukemia are rare at presentation. Acute cranial nerve findings on neurologic examination can be indications for brain imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging can highlight cranial nerves emerging from the brainstem, particularly if they are gadolinium-enhanced or thickened. We describe a 15-month-old girl with acute unilateral ophthalmoplegia as the presenting sign of acute myeloid leukemia. Her presentation emphasizes the importance of appropriate laboratory and radiographic evaluation in a toddler with new-onset strabismus, which may be discounted as a previously unrecognized or benign finding.


Hepatic and metabolic effects of ethanol on rhesus monkeys.
Rhesus monkeys were tube-fed 100 calories per kg of a liquid diet based on casein in which 41% of the calories were derived from grain alcohol. The alcohol intake was 5.8 g per kg per day. Control diets contained isocaloric amounts of glucose. The protein content of the diet was 15% and fat supplied 21% of the calories. After 28 days the animals which had been fed ethanol developed hepatic fatty change and serum L.D.H. levels were elevated. The most striking electron microscopic changes in the alcohol animals were mitochondrial swelling, focal cytoplasmic degradation, and dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the monkeys which had received ethanol the metabolism of alcohol increased from 17.4 mg per 100 ml per hour to 26.6 mg and antipyrene half-life decreased from 61.0 minutes to 49.9 minutes. The carbohydrate animals showed no significant change in alcohol metabolism or antipyrene half life. The ethanol animals lost weight significantly while the carbohydrate animals gained significantly. The metabolic effects of alcohol thus were not reproduced by glucose. Administration of phenobarbital at 30 mg per kg for 5 days increased alcohol metabolism from 16.5 mg per hour to 22.5 mg per hour and shortened antipyrene half life from 76.5 minutes to 33.6 minutes. Alcohol and phenobarbital both induced enhanced drug metabolism but alcohol was a more powerful inducer of its own metabolism than phenobarbital. Phenobarbital on the other hand was a better inducer of antipyrene metabolism than alcohol.


Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic eventration repair in children: about 10 cases.
Recent reports in literature have emphasized the clinical perception of reduced pain, postoperative morbidity, and dysfunction associated with thoracoscopic approach compared with standard thoracotomy. The authors describe a thoracoscopic approach and technical details for diaphragmatic eventration repair in children. Ten patients, 4 girls and 6 boys, 1 teenager (14 years old) and 9 children (age range, 6-41 months; average, 17 months), were operated for a diaphragmatic eventration in 3 different pediatric surgery teams, according to the same technique. Symptoms were recurrent infection (7 cases), dyspnea on exertion (2 cases), and a rib deformity (1 case). An elective thoracoscopy was performed, patient in a lateral decubitus. A low carbon dioxide insufflation allowed a lung collapse. Reduction of the eventration was made progressively when folding and plicating the diaphragm. Plication of the diaphragm was done with an interrupted suture (6 cases) or a running suture (4 cases). The procedure finished either with an exsufflation (4 cases) or a drain (6 cases). A conversion was necessary in 2 cases: 1 insufflation was not tolerated and 1 diaphragm, higher than the fifth space, reduced too much the operative field. Patients recovered between 2 and 4 days. Dyspnea disappeared immediately. Mean follow-up of 16 months could assess the clinical improvement in every patient. Thoracoscopic conditions are quite different between a diaphragmatic hernia repair previously reported and an eventration. Concerning diaphragmatic hernias, reduction is easy, giving a large operative space for suturing the diaphragm. Concerning diaphragmatic eventrations, the lack of space remains important at the beginning of the procedure despite the insufflation into the pleural cavity. The operative ports must be high enough in the chest to allow a good mobility of the instruments. Chest drainage seems to be unnecessary. Diaphragmatic eventration repair by thoracoscopy is feasible, safe, and efficient in children. Above all, it avoids a thoracotomy. It improves the immediate postoperative results with a good respiratory function.


Mechanism of electrically silent Na and Cl transport across the rumen epithelium of sheep.
This study was designed to study the mechanism of electroneutral Na and Cl transport across the isolated rumen epithelium of sheep. Net sodium transport (5.75 +/- 0.35 microequiv cm-2 h-1) was significantly higher than the short-circuit current (0.95 +/- 0.08 microequiv cm-2 h-1). Both, net sodium and net chloride transport were markedly reduced by replacement of chloride, bicarbonate and sodium, respectively, but were not changed by the absence of mucosal potassium. Net sodium and net chloride absorption was significantly decreased by 1.0 mM-amiloride. Mucosal addition of bumetanide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide or low concentrations of amiloride (less than 0.1 mM) did not change sodium fluxes. These results provide compelling evidence consistent with the presence of Na-H exchange as the predominant electroneutral mechanism for transepithelial sodium movement. The ion replacement studies and data from literature suggest that the Na-H exchange is working in parallel with a Cl-HCO3 exchange although luminal addition of DIDS (4,4'diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate, 1 mM) did not significantly influence Cl transport.


Measuring comprehensive outcomes in palliative care: validation of the Korean version of the Good Death Inventory.
No systematic or comprehensive attempts have yet been made to assess quality of death as an indicator of palliative care outcomes in Korea, and no validated instruments exist for the assessment of a good death in Koreans. This study examined the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Good Death Inventory (GDI), which was developed in Japan to evaluate the quality of death from the perspective of bereaved family members. Forward and backward translations and a pilot test were conducted. In a multicenter cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire packet, including the GDI, overall quality of life during the last week, and overall satisfaction with care, was mailed to bereaved family members (n=501) of patients who had died from cancer two to six months before the study. Descriptive analyses were performed, including response rate, mean, median, skewness, and kurtosis for each item. The reliability of the GDI was tested by Cronbach's alpha. The dimensional structure was assessed using confirmatory factor analyses. Concurrent validity was tested by correlation with the overall quality of life and overall satisfaction with care. Participants were able to complete the GDI, and the compliance rates were satisfactory. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was 0.93 overall and ranged from 0.69 to 0.94 for subdomains. The hypothesized 18-factor model of a good death appeared to fit the data (goodness of fit index [GFI]=0.964; adjusted GFI index=0.960; normal fit index=0.952). The overall scores on the GDI correlated with patients' quality of life (0.56; P<0.001) and overall satisfaction with care (0.44; P<0.001). The Korean version of the GDI is a reliable and valid measure of the comprehensive outcomes of palliative care from the perspective of bereaved Korean family members.


Tissue-Specific CRISPR-Cas9 Screening in Drosophila.
Over the last century research in Drosophila has resulted in many fundamental contributions to our understanding of the biology of multicellular organisms. Many of these breakthroughs have been based on the identification of novel gene functions in large-scale genetic screens. However, conventional forward-genetic screens have been limited by the random nature of mutagenesis and difficulties in mapping causal mutations, while reverse-genetic RNAi screens suffer from incomplete knockdown of gene expression. Recently developed large-scale CRISPR-Cas9 libraries promise to address these limitations by allowing the induction of targeted mutations in genes with spatial and temporal control. Here, we provide a guide for tissue-specific CRISPR screening in Drosophila, including the characterization of Gal4 UAS-Cas9 lines, selection of sgRNA libraries, and various quality control measures. We also discuss confounding factors that can give rise to false-positive and false-negative results in such experiments and suggest strategies on how to detect and avoid them. Conditional CRISPR screening represents an exciting new approach for functional genomics in vivo and is set to further expand our knowledge of the molecular underpinning of development, homeostasis, and disease.


An audit of the safe use of the mini c-arm image intensifier in the out-patient setting.
Mini C-arm image intensifiers are used commonly in surgery of the upper limb. With relatively low doses of emitted ionising radiation, portability and superior quality of image, they are a useful aid to the operating surgeon. However, these benefits are not so often used outside the theatre setting. This paper examines the use of a mini C-arm image intensifier in the out-patient clinic and presents an audit of 100 consecutive out-patients. We reviewed the potential benefits and effects on their care pathway. We also look at the specific radiation protection issues of the mini C-arm image intensifier in the out-patients clinic. We believe use of the mini C-arm image intensifier in the out-patient setting may speed treatment and reduce the cost of treatment.


The influence of habitat structure on genetic differentiation in red fox populations in north-eastern Poland.
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has the widest global distribution among terrestrial carnivore species, occupying most of the Northern Hemisphere in its native range. Because it carries diseases that can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals, it is important to gather information about their movements and dispersal in their natural habitat but it is difficult to do so at a broad scale with trapping and telemetry. In this study, we have described the genetic diversity and structure of red fox populations in six areas of north-eastern Poland, based on samples collected from 2002-2003. We tested 22 microsatellite loci isolated from the dog and the red fox genome to select a panel of nine polymorphic loci suitable for this study. Genetic differentiation between the six studied populations was low to moderate and analysis in Structure revealed a panmictic population in the region. Spatial autocorrelation among all individuals showed a pattern of decreasing relatedness with increasing distance and this was not significantly negative until 93 km, indicating a pattern of isolation-by-distance over a large area. However, there was no correlation between genetic distance and either Euclidean distance or least-cost path distance at the population level. There was a significant relationship between genetic distance and the proportion of large forests and water along the Euclidean distances. These types of habitats may influence dispersal paths taken by red foxes, which is useful information in terms of wildlife disease management.


Giant nerve fibers in the ciliary muscle and iris sphincter of Macaca mulatta.
Unusually large nerve processes, containing numerous mitochondria, glycogen particles, and synaptic vesicles are described in both the ciliary muscle and the iris sphincter muscle of the rhesus monkey. The striking similarity of these axonal profiles to the dendritic enlargements observed by Sotelo and Palay (1968) is noted and the possibility that they represent growing ends of peripheral nerve fibers is suggested.


Discovery of N-(4-(2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide (BMS-777607), a selective and orally efficacious inhibitor of the Met kinase superfamily.
Substituted N-(4-(2-aminopyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluoro-phenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamides were identified as potent and selective Met kinase inhibitors. Substitution of the pyridine 3-position gave improved enzyme potency, while substitution of the pyridone 4-position led to improved aqueous solubility and kinase selectivity. Analogue 10 demonstrated complete tumor stasis in a Met-dependent GTL-16 human gastric carcinoma xenograft model following oral administration. Because of its excellent in vivo efficacy and favorable pharmacokinetic and preclinical safety profiles, 10 has been advanced into phase I clinical trials.


Light- and electron-microscopic evaluation of renal tubular cell vacuolation induced by administration of nitrilotriacetate or sucrose.
Cytoplasmic vacuolation of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells was studied in rats following administration of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) or sucrose. Sucrose was administered at both a high dose (29.2 mmol/kg) and low dose (7.3 mmol/kg) by ip injection. Both levels of sucrose induced severe vacuolation of the renal proximal tubular epithelium, as observed by light microscopy. However, at the high dose, the vacuolation was widespread, affecting essentially all the proximal tubules, while at the low dose, the lesion was distributed in a multifocal pattern. Nitrilotriacetate administered by gavage at a level of 7.3 mmol/kg also induced severe cytoplasmic vacuolation in the renal proximal tubular epithelium. The distribution of this lesion was multifocal and indistinguishable from that caused by the 7.3-mmol/kg dose of sucrose. Electron-microscopic examination of vacuolated tubule cells demonstrated that, in both the NTA- and sucrose-treated animals, the lesion was due to changes in the endocytotic/lysosomal system. The nuclei, mitochondria, golgi and endoplasmic reticulum and the highly convoluted areas of the basal membrane appeared normal in both the vacuolated and non-vacuolated tubule cells of rats given either NTA or sucrose.


Genotyping of Equine Lawsonia intracellularis Sampled in Japan by Using Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis.
The incidence of equine proliferative enteropathy, caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, is increasing around the world. To investigate the relationships of variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) patterns with host species and clinical status in horses, multilocus VNTR analysis (MLVA) was applied to 98 L. intracellularis samples collected from horses, seven from pigs, seven from wildlife, one vaccine strain, and 17 public strains. The VNTR patterns were highly diverse: a total of 130 samples identified 99 distinct patterns, and the 98 horses were classified into 71 different patterns. A phylogenetic tree based on the MLVA showed three clusters: porcine, equine, and miscellaneous cluster. The equine cluster contained 46 horse samples, of which 42 (91.3%) were collected from two sampling areas. The MLVA could discriminate horse samples from pig, but the horse samples in the miscellaneous cluster could not be distinguished from wildlife samples. As for clinical data of the horses, the VNTR patterns were unrelated to horse age, clinical signs, and clinical outcomes. This study shows that VNTR patterns had no clear connection with equine clinical status, but the MLVA could be useful to investigate its epidemiological relationships, and interspecific transmission of L. intracellularis between horse and wildlife cannot be ruled out.


[Formula: see text] graded discrete Lax pairs and Yang-Baxter maps.
We recently introduced a class of [Formula: see text] graded discrete Lax pairs and studied the associated discrete integrable systems (lattice equations). In this paper, we introduce the corresponding Yang-Baxter maps. Many well-known examples belong to this scheme for N=2, so, for N≥3, our systems may be regarded as generalizations of these. In particular, for each N we introduce a class of multi-component Yang-Baxter maps, which include HBIII (of Papageorgiou et al. 2010 SIGMA 6, 003 (9 p). (doi:10.3842/SIGMA.2010.033)), when N=2, and that associated with the discrete modified Boussinesq equation, for N=3. For N≥5 we introduce a new family of Yang-Baxter maps, which have no lower dimensional analogue. We also present new multi-component versions of the Yang-Baxter maps FIV and FV (given in the classification of Adler et al. 2004 Commun. Anal. Geom. 12, 967-1007. (doi:10.4310/CAG.2004.v12.n5.a1)).


In search of the best upper age limit for breast cancer screening.
The aim of this study was to determine the best upper age limit for a breast cancer screening programme. We used a model-based study using optimistic and pessimistic assumptions, concerning improvement of prognosis due to screen-detection and duration of the period of mammographic detectability, resulting in upper and lower limits for favourable and unfavourable effects. Under pessimistic assumptions, the balance between positive and negative effects of screening remains favourable up to an age of around 80 years. Under optimistic assumptions, this balance never becomes clearly negative with increase of the upper age limit of a screening programme. When including the costs in the analysis, the balance between effects and costs of increasing the upper age limit from 69 to 75 years is likely to be at least as favourable as intensifying a screening programme within the age group 50-69 years. A further increase leads to a markedly less favourable balance. Competing causes of death do not lead to missing net benefit for women up to at least age 80 years, but the disproportional rise of negative effects of screening with age in older women leads to a lower cost-effectiveness ratio than intensifying screening at ages 50-69 years.


Concentration control of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution and its influence on the growth behavior of fibroblasts.
This work investigated the biological influence of water-soluble multiwalled carbon nanotubes (wsMWCNTs) on fibroblast cell growth as a function of concentration control in an aqueous solution. The wsMWCNTs were prepared by an optimal procedure of ultrasonication/concentrated acids oxidation. The concentration of wsMWCNT in the solution was quantified by an established calibration line. A stable concentration of 0.3mg/ml was obtained in the surfactant-free water. The physicochemical properties of wsMWCNTs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/VIS/NIR spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Cell proliferation and the cell cycle were examined by MTS assay, flow cytometry and TEM respectively. Experimental results showed that the oxidation degree was a key factor that determined the concentration and stability of wsMWCNTs in the aqueous solution. The wsMWCNTs were able to enter into the cells and mainly accumulated in the cytoplasm. The wsMWCNTs-induced variations in cell proliferation and the cell cycle were concentration dependent. Cells cultivated with wsMWCNTs of 0.3mg/ml underwent a dramatic apoptosis. The proliferation was clearly suppressed when the cells were cultivated with wsMWCNTs of 0.03 mg/ml. There were no obvious influences on cell proliferation and the cell cycle when the concentration of wsMWNTs decreased to 0.01 mg/ml.


"Only intelligent attendants need apply": the history of Western Australia's first asylum at Fremantle (1865-1909).
To examine the history of Fremantle, Western Australia's first purpose-built asylum. A range of primary sources were consulted. Fremantle was opened in 1865 to house inmates away from the populace and for the most part under the care of Dr HC Barnett. Attendants as well as inmates were occupied with work roles that kept the asylum functioning cost effectively. Within 15 years, the structure was neglected and overcrowded. Changes to the Penal Servitude Act limiting convict transportation, petty crime and a need to manage its proliferation resulted in large numbers of people being incarcerated at Fremantle.


Cytotoxicity and cytokinetic effects of mitomycin C and/or photochemotherapy in a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line.
1. The cytotoxicity and cytokinetic effects of Mitomycin C (MC) and/or photochemotherapy (PCT) in cultured human colon adenocarcinoma (WiDr) cells were investigated using colony formation to determine cell survival and DNA flow cytometry to analyze cell kinetics. 2. A low concentration of MC (0.01 micrograms/ml) caused accumulation of cells in late S and early G2 phase; higher concentrations (0.05-0.5 micrograms/ml) induced accumulation of the cells in mid and early S phase. 3. The effects of the lowest concentration of MC (0.01 micrograms/ml) were reversible upon removal of the drug, whereas a higher concentration of MC (0.1 micrograms/ml) resulted in a permanent inhibition of cell cycle progression. 4. The sensitivity of Photofrin II-loaded cells to PCT can be enhanced significantly by the addition of MC. 5. The MC-induced accumulation of the cells in S phase may be one reason for the increased cytotoxicity of PCT combined with MC. 6. The data suggest that MC may also inhibit repair of PCT-induced DNA damage.


Degenerated Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention: Should We Target the Native Vessel instead?
Coronary interventions of degenerated saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) continue to present a management challenge. Although repeat coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains a significant risk factor for operative mortality, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still associated with a high risk for periprocedural events. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for patients with severe stenosis of SVGs. It is imperative to review the characteristics of native versus SVG disease, risk factors for complications after SVG intervention, procedural treatment strategies important to the decision on which therapeutic strategy to follow, and measures to mitigate the risks of periprocedural complications.


Impact of lenalidomide dose on progression-free survival in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
This analysis assessed the effect of lenalidomide on progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who received lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in the MM-009 and MM-010 trials were pooled and those who had not progressed and were still receiving lenalidomide at 12 months were included. The median follow-up of surviving patients was 48 months. Of 353 patients who received lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, 116 (33%) had not progressed. Overall, 52 patients (45%) had no dose reductions, 25 (22%) had dose reductions ≥12 months and 39 (34%) had dose reductions before 12 months. Patients who had dose reductions ≥12 months had a significantly longer median PFS than those who had reductions before 12 months (P=0.007) or no dose reductions (P=0.039) (not reached vs 28.0 vs 36.8 months, respectively). In a multivariate Cox regression model, dose reduction ≥12 months was an independent predictor of improved PFS (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.98) after adjusting for patient characteristics. The data suggest that to achieve maximum PFS benefit, patients with RRMM should be treated for ≥12 months with full-dose lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. Thereafter, patients may benefit from lower-dose continued therapy; prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.


Taxonomic diversity of bacteria from mangrove sediments of Goa: metagenomic and functional analysis.
The present study compared the taxonomic diversity and evaluated the functional attributes of the bacterial species from Mandovi and Zuari mangrove sediments, Goa, using paired-end amplicon sequencing of 16S rDNA and culture-based analyses, respectively. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria as the dominant phyla in both the sediments. However, the abundance of these phyla significantly differed between the samples. Bacteroidetes from Mandovi sediment, and Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes from Zuari sediment were the other exclusive major phyla. Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, and WS3 were the minor phyla observed in both. However, a significant difference in the distribution of minor phyla and lower bacterial taxa under each phylum was noted between the sediments, indicating that the resident microbial flora completely differed between them. This was further validated by high values from distance matrix analyses between the samples. In addition, the pathogenic Vibrio sp. was recorded exclusively in Mandovi sediment, while higher abundance of ecologically important bacterial classes including Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Bacilli was observed in Zuari sediment. Taken together, the data indicated that Zuari sediment was taxonomically richer than Mandovi sediment, while a greater incidence of anthropogenic activities occurred in the latter. This observation was further validated by non-parametric richness estimators which were found to be higher for Zuari sediment. The cultured bacterial isolates, all identified as Firmicutes, were tested for activities related to biofertilization and production of enzymes to be used for bioremediation and chemotherapeutic applications. Higher number of bacterial isolates from Mandovi was found to produce indole-acetic-acid, tannase, xylanase, and glutaminase enzymes, and could solubilize phosphate. In contrast, higher proportion of bacterial isolates from Zuari sediment were capable of producing amylase, cellulase, gelatinase, laccase, lipase, protease, and asparaginase enzymes, emphasizing the fact that the Zuari mangrove sediment is a rich reservoir for economically and biotechnologically important bacterial species.


Rhus verniciflua Stokes glycoprotein (36kDa) has protective activity on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice.
This study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the glycoprotein isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), which has traditionally been used for healing of inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activities in treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in vivo. When mice were treated with CCl(4) in the absence of RVS glycoprotein, the activities of ALT, LDH, and TBARS were increased, while the antioxidant enzymes activities were decreased. However, when the mice were treated with CCl(4) in the presence of RVS glycoprotein, the activities of ALT, LDH, and TBARS were significantly reduced and SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were remarkably increased. In addition, RVS glycoprotein increased the nitric oxide (NO) production and decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in CCl(4)-treated mice. Collectively, these results pointed out that RVS glycoprotein can inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increase the NO production, and decrease the NF-κB and AP-1 activations. Therefore, we speculate that RVS glycoprotein protects from liver damage through its radical scavenging ability.


Occurrence and distribution of organophosphate flame retardants in seawater and sediment from coastal areas of the East China and Yellow Seas.
Organophosphates (OPEs) are manmade organic pollutants that are widely used as flame retardants, plasticizers, and antifoaming and hydraulic agents. In this study, seven OPEs in seawater and sediment from the Yellow Sea and East China Sea were determined to study the distribution and diffusion behavior, and to evaluate the environmental risks. The ΣOPEs in the seawater and sediments ranged from below the method detection limit (<MDL) to 497.40 ng/L and from < MDL to 66.50 ng/g dw, respectively. Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris-(1, 3-Dichloro-2-Propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and tri-meta-cresyl phosphate (TmCP) were the dominant OPEs in the seawater and sediments. OPEs were mainly distributed in coastal areas and the South Yellow Sea, indicating that they are mainly affected by land-based pollution and ocean currents. Fugacity analysis shows that tri-para-cresyl phosphate (TpCP) was in a state of equilibrium, while TDCPP, TnBP, and TmCP other OPEs tended to diffuse from sediment to water. The diffusion behavior of OPEs is mainly affected by their chemical properties. Hazard quotient (HQ) values of TmCP and TpCP in sediment samples were >1.0, indicating high ecological risks to aquatic organisms.


Interleukin-18 in cervical mucus and amniotic fluid: relationship to microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, intra-amniotic inflammation and preterm delivery.
To evaluate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-18 in cervical mucus and amniotic fluid and microbial invasion of amniotic fluid, preterm delivery and intra-amniotic inflammation in women in preterm labour, with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes and at term. A prospective follow up study. Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Women with singleton pregnancies (<34 weeks) presenting with preterm labour (n = 87) or preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (n = 47) and women, not in labour, at term (n = 28). Amniotic fluid was retrieved transabdominally. Cervical mucus was taken from the uterine cervix of women in preterm labour and at term. IL-18 was analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-18 in relation to microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, delivery within seven days or <34 weeks of gestation and intra-amniotic inflammation. The levels of IL-18 in cervical mucus and amniotic fluid were higher in women with preterm labour than in those not in labour at term. In the preterm labour group, significant associations were found between elevated IL-18 in amniotic fluid and microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, as well as between delivery within seven days or <34 weeks of gestation and intra-amniotic inflammation. Delivery was delayed longer in the preterm prelabour rupture of membranes subgroup with IL-18 >or=1.0 ng/mL than in that with IL-18 <1.0 ng/mL. In the preterm labour group, high IL-18 in amniotic fluid (but not in the cervix) was associated with microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid, intra-amniotic inflammation and prompt delivery. On the other hand, elevated IL-18 in preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes group correlated with a longer interval to delivery.


Arsenic extractability and uptake by velvetgrass Holcus lanatus and ryegrass Lolium perenne in variously treated soils polluted by tailing spills.
Phytostabilization should be considered as an appropriate phytoremediation technique to restore the area affected by tailing spills in Zloty Stok, where arsenic ores were mined and processed for several centuries. The study aimed to compare the suitability of velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus L.) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) for development of plant cover in that area. Various treatments commonly applied to support phytostabilization were examined. A pot experiment was carried out to assess the effects of soil amendment with phosphate (P), sewage sludge (SS) and iron salts (Fe) on arsenic extractability and its uptake by grass. Four kinds of soil material, containing 356-5350 mg kg(-1) As, were examined. Velvetgrass proved to be more resistant than ryegrass to the toxicity of soil arsenic. Ammonium sulphate extractability of As in soils correlated well with As concentrations in the biomass of both grass species. In three of four tested soils, application of Fe failed to decrease As extractability and to reduce its concentrations in the aboveground parts of grasses. Application of P and SS resulted in increased As solubility in soils, but their effects on plant biomass and As uptake were ambiguous. SS had a strong beneficial influence on the growth of velvetgrass, while such an effect was not observed for ryegrass.


A common haplotype on methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene modifies the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on blood pressure in essential hypertension patients--a family-based association study.
Our recent study indicated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism may involve in genetic control of blood pressure response to treatment by benazepril, an ACE inhibitor. Currently, we proposed to further investigate whether short-term blood pressure response to benazepril, was modulated by haplotypes re-constructed from both C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in MTHFR gene. A total of 410 hypertensive patients recruited from 344 nuclear families were treated orally with benazepril at a daily dosage of 10 mg for 15 consecutive days. Blood pressures were measured at baseline and on the 16th day of treatment. In addition, 689 family members of these patients were also genotyped. Among these patients, the frequency of MTHFR A1298C AA, AC and CC genotypes was 74.4%, 23.9%, and 1.7%, respectively. The frequency of MTHFR C677T CC, CT and TT genotypes was 23.7%, 51.2%, and 25.1%, respectively. Only three haplotypes, 677T-1298A (50.8%), 677C-1298A (35.7%), and 677C-1298C (13.5%) were re-constructed. Multivariate regression models with generalized estimating equation (GEE) correction detected that the individuals carrying one copy of haplotype 677C-1298C had significantly lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure response (DeltaDBP and DeltaSBP) to benazepril treatment (p= 0.003 and p =0.043, respectively), in comparison to those without haplotype 677C-1298C. The results of family-based association test further confirmed that haplotype 677C-1298C was more frequently transmitted in subjects with either lower residual of DeltaDBP or DeltaSBP. For residual of DeltaDBP, the p-values are 0.007 in an additive model and 0.005 in a dominant model. For residual of DeltaSBP, the p-values are 0.009 in an additive model and 0.006 in a dominant model. Our findings suggest that MTHFR 677C-1298C haplotype modulate blood pressure responsiveness to shortterm treatment of ACE inhibitor in Chinese essential hypertensive patients.


Protection against oxidative damage of erythrocyte membrane by the flavonoid quercetin and its relation to iron chelating activity.
Incubation of glutathione (GSH) depleted mouse erythrocytes with the oxidants phenylhydrazine, acrolein, divicine and isouramil resulted in the release of free iron and in lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. The addition of the flavonoid quercetin, which chelates iron and penetrates erythrocytes, resulted in remarkable protection against lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. The protection seems to be due to intracellular chelation of iron, since a semi-stoichiometric ratio between released iron and the amount of quercetin necessary to prevent lipid peroxidation and hemolysis was found. Incubation of GSH depleted human erythrocytes with divicine and isouramil did not induce lipid peroxidation and hemolysis in spite of a substantial release of iron. However, divicine and isouramil produced alterations of membrane proteins, such as spectrin and band 3, as well as formation of senescent cell antigen. The addition of quercetin prevented these alterations.


Effect of JBP485 on obstructive jaundice is related to regulation of renal Oat1, Oat3 and Mrp2 expression in ANIT-treated rats.
The objective was to determine whether protective effects of JBP485 on biliary obstruction induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) are mediated by the organic anion transporters Oat1, Oat3 and the multidrug resistance-associated protein Mrp2. The ANIT-induced increases in bilirubin (BIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in rat serum were inhibited significantly by oral administration of JBP485. The plasma concentration of JBP485 which is the substrate of Oat1 and Oat3 determined by LC-MS/MS was markedly increased after intravenous administration in ANIT-treated rats, whereas cumulative urinary excretion of JBP485 in vivo and the uptake of JBP485 in kidney slices were decreased remarkably. RT-PCR and Western blot showed the decreased expression of Oat1 and Oat3, increased expression of Mrp2 in ANIT-induced rats, meanwhile, the expression levels of Mrp2 and Oat1 were up-regulated after administration of JBP485. The up-regulation of Mrp2 and Oat1 was associated with a concomitant increase in urinary BIL after treatment with JBP485 in ANIT-treated rats. The mechanism for JBP485 to restore liver function might be related to improvement of the expression and function for Oat1 and Mrp2 as well as facilitation of urinary excretion for hepatoxic substance.


Salmonella induces prominent gene expression in the rat colon.
Salmonella enteritidis is suggested to translocate in the small intestine. In vivo it induces gene expression changes in the ileal mucosa and Peyer's patches. Stimulation of Salmonella translocation by dietary prebiotics fermented in colon suggests involvement of the colon as well. However, effects of Salmonella on colonic gene expression in vivo are largely unknown. We aimed to characterize time dependent Salmonella-induced changes of colonic mucosal gene expression in rats using whole genome microarrays. For this, rats were orally infected with Salmonella enteritidis to mimic a foodborne infection and colonic gene expression was determined at days 1, 3 and 6 post-infection (n = 8 rats per time-point). As fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) affect colonic physiology, we analyzed colonic mucosal gene expression of FOS-fed versus cellulose-fed rats infected with Salmonella in a separate experiment. Colonic mucosal samples were isolated at day 2 post-infection. Salmonella affected transport (e.g. Chloride channel calcium activated 6, H+/K+ transporting Atp-ase), antimicrobial defense (e.g. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein, Defensin 5 and phospholipase A2), inflammation (e.g. calprotectin), oxidative stress related genes (e.g. Dual oxidase 2 and Glutathione peroxidase 2) and Proteolysis (e.g. Ubiquitin D and Proteosome subunit beta type 9). Furthermore, Salmonella translocation increased serum IFN gamma and many interferon-related genes in colonic mucosa. The gene most strongly induced by Salmonella infection was Pancreatitis Associated Protein (Pap), showing >100-fold induction at day 6 after oral infection. Results were confirmed by Q-PCR in individual rats. Stimulation of Salmonella translocation by dietary FOS was accompanied by enhancement of the Salmonella-induced mucosal processes, not by induction of other processes. We conclude that the colon is a target tissue for Salmonella, considering the abundant changes in mucosal gene expression.


The influence of two different essential amino acid/keto analogue preparations on the clinical status of patients with chronic renal failure.
58 outpatients with a serum creatinine between 6-10 mg/dl received a low protein diet (LPD) with 30 g protein/day, supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) or their keto analogues (KA). Group A (n = 19) was given an EAA/KA supplement according to the pattern proposed by Rose and group B (n = 39) received a preparation with an increased amount of KAs of branched chain amino acids (BCKA), as recommended by Walser. At the start of treatment with a LPD supplemented with either of the two supplements and after 6 months of treatment we assessed: plasma branched chain amino acids (BCAA), renal function, nutritional status, and bone metabolism. After six months of dietary treatment the results showed in group B in contrast to group A an improvement of nutritional status (body weight increased, urea decreased, and BCAA normalized). The same was true for bone metabolism (significantly lower phosphate levels, increased calcium values). In both groups progression of chronic renal failure slowed down, but the delay was more pronounced in group B. All results were statistically significant (p less than 0.01).


Circulating antibodies and antigenic cross-reactivity in Hendersonula toruloidea and Scytalidium hyalinum infections.
Twelve (34%) of thirty-five patients with an active infection on the palms or soles caused by Hendersonula toruloidea or Scytalidium hyalinum were found to have circulating antibodies to these organisms by counter immunoelectrophoresis or immunodiffusion, compared with 9% of uninfected controls. In every instance there was cross-reactivity between the positive patients' sera and the heterologous non-dermatophyte antigen. Using crossed and intermediate gel immunoelectrophoresis it was found that cytoplasmic extracts of H. toruloidea and S. hyalinum showed 34 and 41 precipitin peaks respectively, most of which were shared by both organisms. No cross-reactions were observed between the non-dermatophyte cytoplasmic extracts and hyperimmune animal antisera raised to Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Aspergillus fumigatus or Candida albicans. Exoantigens prepared from the two non-dermatophytes showed similar cross-reactivity between the two species. It appears that H. toruloidea and S. hyalinum are very similar in antigenic structure, a finding which lends support to the view that they may be closely related. They are also antigenically distinct from other pathogenic fungi which commonly infect skin, a fact which may be useful in their cultural identification as well as their recognition in tissue specimens.


Correlation of Tumor Location to Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer: A Single-institution Retrospective Analysis.
Recent data highlighted that location of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) may have a prognostic impact and also a predictive value of the outcomes of first-line therapy. The records of mCRC patients who underwent first-line therapy from 2011 to April 2018 at our Institute were retrospectively reviewed. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) according to the primary tumor location were investigated. Overall, 130 patients were eligible. Two-year OS was 82.9% in left-sided colon cancers (LCC) and 67.5% in right-sided (RCC) (p=0.32). One-year mPFS was statistically longer in LCC (46.8% vs. 24.2%, p=0.0005). mPFS was longer in LCC treated with anti-VEGF vs. anti-EGFR (p=0.06). ORR was 51.1% in LCC, 25% in RCC (p=0.008). Overall, 11 complete responses all in LCC were observed (p=0.03). Tumor location has a prognostic impact and might influence the outcomes of mCRC patients.


Corpus Callosum Maturation and Line Bisection Performance in Healthy Children.
Line bisection performance in children has been hypothesized to be a measure of corpus callosum maturation. Several previous studies have shown that normal prepubescent children bisect lines to the right of true center with their right hand and to the left with their left hand (symmetrical neglect). In contrast, children entering puberty reportedly bisect lines to the left with both the right and left hands (pseudoneglect). The shift from symmetrical to pseudoneglect has been hypothesized to reflect corpus callosum maturation and its involvement in the transfer of attention-based visuospatial processes. In the current study, line bisection performance and MR quantitative corpus callosum volumes were examined in 46 healthy children ages 8-18 years. A linear relationship between corpus callosum volume and age was found. However, the expected age-contingent line bisection performance pattern was not observed. In addition to the expected two patterns of line bisection bias, pseudoneglect and symmetric neglect, two additional distinct patterns of line bisection were identified. These findings, and other findings in the literature, raise important questions about the reliability and validity of the line bisection test. No relationship was found between corpus callosum volume and amount or direction of line bisection deviation. Our findings do not support previous hypotheses regarding line bisection-corpus callosum relationship.


Poly (diglycerol adipate) variants as enhanced nanocarrier replacements in drug delivery applications.
Sustainably derived poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) has been deemed to deliver all the desirable features expected in a polymeric scaffold for drug-delivery, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, self-assembly into nanoparticles (NPs) and a functionalisable pendant group. Despite showing these advantages over commercial alkyl polyesters, PGA suffers from a series of key drawbacks caused by poor amphiphilic balance. This leads to weak drug-polymer interactions and subsequent low drug-loading in NPs, as well as low NPs stability. To overcome this, in the present work, we applied a more significant variation of the polyester backbone while maintaining mild and sustainable polymerisation conditions. We have investigated the effect of the variation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments upon physical properties and drug interactions as well as self-assembly and NPs stability. For the first time we have replaced glycerol with the more hydrophilic diglycerol, as well as adjusting the final amphiphilic balance of the polyester repetitive units by incorporating the more hydrophobic 1,6-n-hexanediol (Hex). The properties of the novel poly(diglycerol adipate) (PDGA) variants have been compared against known polyglycerol-based polyesters. Interestingly, while the bare PDGA showed improved water solubility and diminished self-assembling ability, the Hex variation demonstrated enhanced features as a nanocarrier. In this regard, PDGAHex NPs were tested for their stability in different environments and for their ability to encode enhanced drug loading. Moreover, the novel materials have shown good biocompatibility in both in vitro and in vivo (whole organism) experiments.


Differential effect of benserazide (Ro4-4602) on the concentration of indoleamines in rat pineal and hypothalamus.
1 Low doses (50 and 80 mg/kg) of benserazide (Ro4-4602), an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, markedly reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine and melatonin in the rat pineal gland without affecting hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine. 2 This differential effect shows that inhibition of the pineal gland decarboxylase activity is possible, and confirms that the rat pineal gland is accessible to peripherally acting agents.


Identification and characterization of TcCRP1, a pollen tube attractant from Torenia concolor.
During sexual reproduction in higher angiosperms, the pollen tubes are directed to the ovules in the pistil to deliver sperm cells. This pollen tube attraction is highly species specific, and a group of small secreted proteins, TfCRPs, are necessary for this process in Torenia fournieri. A candidate pollen tube attractant protein in Torenia concolor, a related species of T. fournieri, was isolated and the attractant abilities between them were compared. TcCRP1, an orthologous gene of TfCRP1 from T. concolor, is expressed predominantly in the synergid cell. The gene product attracted pollen tubes in a concentration-dependent manner, but attracted fewer pollen tubes from the other species. The results indicated that this class of CRP proteins is a common pollen tube attractant in Torenia species. The sequence diversity of these proteins is important for species-specific pollen tube attraction.


Alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment conducted by emergency nurses: an impact evaluation.
In a quasi-experimental study, control and intervention group outcomes were compared following implementation of alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) by emergency nurses. The primary hypothesis was: Trauma patients who participate in nurse-delivered ED SBIRT will have greater reductions in alcohol consumption and fewer alcohol-related incidents than those who do not. Patients were screened for alcohol use and those with risky drinking were randomly assigned to either the intervention or usual care group. Those in the intervention group received a brief motivational intervention and referral to appropriate follow-up services. Using medical and driving history records, subjects' alcohol consumption, alcohol-related traffic incidents, repeat injuries, and repeat ED visits were compared between groups at baseline and three-month follow-up. Alcohol consumption decreased by 70% in the intervention group compared to 20% in the usual care group. Drinking frequency also decreased in both groups. Fewer patients from the intervention group (20%) had recurring ED visits compared to patients in the usual care group (31%). The SBIRT procedure can impact alcohol consumption and potentially reduce injuries and ED visits when successfully implemented by staff nurses in the emergency department environment. Further research is needed to improve follow-up methods in this hard to reach, mobile patient population.


Iliac-femoral stent-graft infection after hybrid procedure redo: Case report.
Stent-graft infection in peripheral arteries is rare and potentially dangerous. The use of hybrid procedures, in complicated patients previously treated, involves an increase of infective risk especially in no collaborative patients. We report a case of rare stent-graft infection in a patient treated for a Rutherford IV Multiple Peripheral Arterial Disease (MPAD) involving the right iliac-femoral axis with stenosis on deep femoral artery due to a previously stenting procedure for Superficial Femoral artery (SFA) stenosis. The first simultaneous hybrid intervention consisted of an endovascular iliac stent-graft placement and a surgical common femoral patch angioplasty. After two months the patient was readmitted to our unit for a purulent secretion through a fistulous channel and a suspect infection of stent-graft. Subsequently, the stent-graft was completely removed without possibility to have a surgical revascularization. An amputation major amputation was needed for irreversible ischemia of right leg. The incidence of stent-graft infection after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair had been reported as 0.4-1.0% while Aortoiliac graft infection occurs in 2-6% of patients. Hybrid procedures are secure and need close follow-up for cases of redo and patient with comorbidities. Graft infection is a rare complication after endovascular treatments. Hybrid procedures outcomes are good with less morbidity but in patient with high risk of infection is important a close follow-up.


Uptake of aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons by juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in an urban estuary.
A study was conducted to assess the potential for uptake of toxic chemicals by down-stream migrant salmon in an urban estuary. Juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were collected from the Duwamish Waterway (located in Seattle, Washington) and from the Nisqually River (a reference site). The mean concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the stomach contents (food organisms) of salmon from the Duwamish Waterway were approximately 650 times and 4 times, respectively, higher than those in salmon from the Nisqually River. Similarly, the mean concentration of bile metabolites of aromatic compounds which fluoresce at benzo[a]pyrene wavelengths was 24 times higher in the urban salmon compared to the reference salmon, whereas the mean concentration of PCBs in liver of urban salmon was 3 times higher than that in reference salmon. The study clearly demonstrated that, during their residency in this urban estuary, juvenile chinook salmon bioaccumulate substantial levels of toxic chemicals. The possible effects of these chemical exposures on the health and survival of this species are not presently known.


Iptakalim alleviates synaptic damages via targeting mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel in depression.
Synaptic plasticity damages play a crucial role in the onset and development of depression, especially in the hippocampus, which is more susceptible to stress and the most frequently studied brain region in depression. And, mitochondria have a major function in executing the complex processes of neurotransmission and plasticity. We have previously demonstrated that Iptakalim (Ipt), a new ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channel opener, could improve the depressive-like behavior in mice. But the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The present study demonstrated that Ipt reversed depressive-like phenotype in vivo (chronic mild stress-induced mice model of depression) and in vitro (corticosterone-induced cellular model). Further study showed that Ipt could upregulate the synaptic-related proteins postsynaptic density 95 (PSD 95) and synaptophysin (SYN), and alleviated the synaptic structure damage. Moreover, Ipt could reverse the abnormal mitochondrial fission and fusion, as well as the reduced mitochondrial ATP production and collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential in depressive models. Knocking down the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (Mito-KATP) channel subunit MitoK partly blocked the above effects of Ipt. Therefore, our results reveal that Ipt can alleviate the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and function depending on MitoK, contributing to improve synaptic plasticity and exert antidepressive effects. These findings provide a candidate compound and a novel target for antidepressive therapy.


C-erbB2 oncoprotein: prognostic marker in breast cancer.
The invasive mammary cancer is the most frequent malign tumor of a woman. Among the potential prognostic factors are included the biomarkers which measure or are associated with biological processes involved in the tumoral progression. We study the prognostic importance of the c-erbB2 oncoprotein in the invasive mammary cancer. We included in the study 56 female patients suffering of invasive mammary cancer. The tissue fragments were fitted in formol, included to paraffin, commonly colored haematoxylin-eosine (HE); for the determination of the c-erbB2 we used the immunohistochemical method of avidin-biotin (ABC) complex. From the total of 56 tumors, 38 (67.9%) presented different degrees of positivity; 18 (32.1%) did not express the oncoprotein c-erbB2. The positivity of c-erbB2 oncoprotein was correlated with the size of the tumor; the carcinomas which are not infiltrative ductal, knows as having a better prognostic, were c-erbB2 negative.


Perineal and pelvic aggressive angiomyxoma: Imaging finding in an uncommon case report.
Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare benign and locally invasive mesenchymal tumor that is found most frequently in women at reproductive age. We report typical CT and MRI appearances of a 36-year old young woman with an aggressive angiomyxoma of the pelvis and perineum that was proved by ultrasound guided biopsy.This study describe the imaging features of theses tumors,wich may help to approch the diagnosis by their distinctive imaging with high signal intensity on T2-weighted image related to the myxomatous stroma and their characteristic of swirling or layering internal pattern after intravenous gadolinium contrast administration.We also review the CT and MRI features of this disease in the current literature.


Amnion epithelial cells, in contrast to trophoblast cells, express all classical HLA class I molecules together with HLA-G.
The expression of the non-classical HLA-G gene has been shown at the protein level on trophoblast-derived embryonic tissue, like the extravillous cytotrophoblast. However, the presence of HLA-G on embryoblast-derived cells is currently controversial. The amnion epithelium is an embryoblast-derived cell layer covering the amnion cavity and is the main source for the amnion fluid. The expression of HLA class I molecules was investigated by immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological methods in amnion membranes and amnion fluid. Immunohistochemically, HLA-C and occasionally also-B molecules as well as HLA-A and/or -G molecules have been identified on amnion epithelial cells. These results were extended by Western blotting with purified amnion epithelial cells where HLA-B and/or -C, HLA-A and HLA-G antigens have been detected. As expected HLA-G mRNA was detected in amino epithelial cells. Furthermore, classical HLA molecules as well as HLA-G were found in amnion fluid. These results show that the amnion epithelium frequently expresses classical HLA class I molecules as well as HLA-G. The expression of HLA-G antigens on amnion epithelial cells and their presence in the amnion fluid, which is continually ingested by the fetus, may be particularly relevant for the induction of peripheral tolerance.


Polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor and parathyroid hormone genes in the development and progression of obstructive sleep apnea in Asian Indians.
Vitamin D plays a role in multiple aspects of human physiology, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) genes are associated with obesity. No data are available, to our knowledge, on the possible relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and genetic variations of VDR and PTH genes. This study aimed to assess the significance of vitamin D and PTH, as well as VDR, and PTH gene polymorphisms with body composition and biochemical investigations in Asian Indians with and without OSA. In this study, 120 obese subjects with OSA, 110 obese subjects without OSA, and 70 nonobese subjects without OSA were recruited. Clinical, body composition, anthropometry, and biochemical investigations, as well as a full overnight polysomnography were measured. Genotyping related to VDR (BsmI, ApaI FokI, and TaqI) and PTH (BstBI and DraII) genes were investigated with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mean values of the lower serum 25(OH) D (12.9 ± 3.8; P = 0.0001) and higher serum PTH levels (61.9 ± 12.5; P = 0.0001) were observed in obese subjects with OSA. There was an indirect correlation between serum 25(OH) D levels and OSA severity (P < 0.001). VDR (BsmI and FokI) and PTH (BstBI and DraII) genes were significantly associated with OSA (P < 0.05). Analyses of VDR haplotype combination variants (BBFFAATt [odds ratio: 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.986-4.567] and BbFFAaTt [odds ratio: 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.345-4.981) were more frequent in obese subjects with OSA (P = 0.001). The BBDD and bbDd haplotypes of the PTH gene seems to be a predisposing factor for OSA (P < 0.05). Lower serum 25(OH) D levels were significantly observed in patients with OSA and correlate with disease severity. Also, VDR and PTH mutations were found to be highly related with OSA in Asian Indians.


Dead bacteria reverse antibiotic-induced host defense impairment in burns.
Burn patients can incur high rates of hospital-acquired infections. The mechanism of antibiotic exposure on inducing infection vulnerability has not been determined. This study aimed to examine the effects of antibiotic treatment on host defense mechanisms. First we treated C57/BL6 mice with combined antibiotic treatment after 30% to 35% total body surface area burn. Animals were sacrificed at 48 hours after sham or thermal injury treatment. Bacterial counts in intestinal lumen and mucosa were measured. Next, we treated animals with or without oral dead Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus supplementation to stimulate Toll-like receptor in the intestinal mucosa. Toll-like receptor 4, antibacterial protein expression, nuclear factor (NF)-κB DNA-binding activity, and bacteria-killing activity in the intestinal mucosa; intestinal permeability; bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes; Klebsiella pneumoniae translocation; interleukin-6 in the blood; and phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages, were assessed. Thermal injury increased microflora and NF-κB DNA-binding activity of the intestine. Systemic antibiotic treatment decreased gut microflora and increased bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal permeability, and interleukin-6 levels in the blood. Antibiotic treatment also decreased bacteria-killing activity in intestinal mucosa and phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages. Oral dead E coli and S aureus supplementation induced NF-κB DNA-binding activity, Toll-like receptor 4, and antibacterial protein expression of the intestinal mucosa. Taken together with the fact that dead bacteria reversed antibiotic-induced K pneumoniae translocation and intestinal and pulmonary defense impairment, we conclude that combined antibiotic treatment results in systemic host defense impairment in burns through the decrease in intestinal flora. We suggest that dead bacteria supplementation could induce nondefensin protein expression and reverse antibiotic-induced gut and lung defense impairment in burn patients.


Geometrical features of lips using the properties of parabola for recognizing facial expression.
Various real-time applications such as Human-Computer Interactions, Psychometric analysis, etc. use facial expressions as one of the important parameters. The researchers have used Action Units (AU) of the face as feature points and its deformation is compared with the reference points on the face to estimate the facial expressions. Among many parts of the face, features from the mouth contribute largely to all the well-known emotions. In this paper, the parabola theory is used to identify and mark various points on the lips. These points are considered as feature points to construct feature vectors. The Latus Rectum, Focal Point, Directrix, Vertex, etc. are also considered to identify the feature points of the lower lips and upper lips. The proposed approach is evaluated on benchmark datasets such as JAFFEE and Cohn-Kanade dataset and it is found that the performance is encouraging in understanding the facial expressions. The results are compared with contemporary methods and found that the proposed approach has given good classification accuracy in recognizing facial expressions.


Delayed endoscopic intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) removal and endoscopic third ventriculostomy may not prevent consecutive communicating hydrocephalus if IVH removal was insufficient.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether delayed endoscopic treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) can prevent consecutive communicating hydrocephalus. A retrospective series of 9 patients with IVH caused by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who were treated with external ventricular drainage (EVD) or endoscopic IVH removal and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was studied in our institute. Five of these patients who had previously been treated a year before in our institute with the installation of a flexible endoscope, were treated with EVD alone on admission. Of the other patients, three received endoscopic removal of IVH and ETV and, after a one week, EVD placement, and the final patient underwent endoscopic IVH removal and ETV one day after onset. Three of the patients treated with EVD alone were fitted with the EVD for 8, 11 and 16 days, and 2 patients were fitted with the EVD until they died. No patients treated with EVD alone required shunt placement. In contrast, of the 4 patients treated endoscopically, EVD was placed totally for 0, 6, 9, and 22 days for each patient, among whom 2 patients required shunt placement. Delayed endoscopic IVH removal and ETV might not prevent consecutive communicating hydrocephalus if IVH removal was insufficient.


A cross-sectional study of smoking and depression among US adults: NHANES (2005-2018).
The relationship between smoking and depression remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between smoking and depression from three aspects: smoking status, smoking volume, and smoking cessation. Data from adults aged ≥20 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2005 and 2018 were collected. The study gathered information about the participants' smoking status (never smokers, previous smokers, occasional smokers, daily smokers), smoking quantity per day, and smoking cessation. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with a score ≥10 indicating the presence of clinically relevant symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association of smoking status, daily smoking volume, and smoking cessation duration with depression. Previous smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.48] and occasional smokers (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.39-2.45) were associated with a higher risk of depression compared with never smokers. Daily smokers had the highest risk of depression (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 2.05-2.75). In addition, a tendency toward a positive correlation was observed between daily smoking volume and depression (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.24-2.19) (P for trend < 0.05). Furthermore, the longer the smoking cessation duration, the lower the risk of depression (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.79) (P for trend < 0.05). Smoking is a behavior that increases the risk of depression. The higher the smoking frequency and smoking volume, the higher the risk of depression, whereas smoking cessation is associated with decreased risk of depression, and the longer the smoking cessation duration, the lower the risk of depression.


Activation and evasion of type I interferon responses by SARS-CoV-2.
The pandemic of COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented threat to global public health. However, the interplay between the viral pathogen of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and host innate immunity is poorly understood. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 induces overt but delayed type-I interferon (IFN) responses. By screening 23 viral proteins, we find that SARS-CoV-2 NSP1, NSP3, NSP12, NSP13, NSP14, ORF3, ORF6 and M protein inhibit Sendai virus-induced IFN-β promoter activation, whereas NSP2 and S protein exert opposite effects. Further analyses suggest that ORF6 inhibits both type I IFN production and downstream signaling, and that the C-terminus region of ORF6 is critical for its antagonistic effect. Finally, we find that IFN-β treatment effectively blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication. In summary, our study shows that SARS-CoV-2 perturbs host innate immune response via both its structural and nonstructural proteins, and thus provides insights into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.


Laparoscopic Thal fundoplication in severely scoliotic children.
Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in severely scoliotic children can be quite bothersome because sometimes the working space between the subcostal margins, iliac crest, and spinal column is very limited; the hiatus lies extremely deep away and is frequently rotated, making exposure more difficult. The laparoscopic approach could lend the necessary extension to the surgeons' hands to reach the deep hiatus. Moreover the entrance of the ports can be adjusted to the special requirements dictated by the scoliosis. Between February and December 1994 laparoscopic Thal fundoplication was performed in five severely scoliotic children; four also had a feeding gastrostomy. There were no intraoperative complications. The laparoscopic approach allowed improved operative visibility. Mean hospital stay was 3 days. The children displayed no symptomatic postoperative gastroesophageal reflux, which was confirmed by 3 months postoperative pH study. The laparoscopic approach of fundoplication allows improved visibility and easier access to the hiatus in severely scoliotic patients in comparison to the open approach. Results so far are good.


Biochemical transformation of mouse cells by fragments of herpes simplex virus DNA.
Mouse L cells lacking the enzyme thymidine kinase (LMTK-) have been converted to a TK+ phenotype by infection with fragmented HSV2 strain 333 DNA. The DNA fragments used were either unique, produced by cleavage with the restriction endonucleases Eco RI and Hild III, or randomly produced by mechanical shearing. Survival in HAT medium was used initially to establish the TK+ phenotype; clones possessing the ability to grow in selective medium were picked on the basis of differing morphology and growth rates. Cytosol extracts of these clones possessed virus-specified TK activity identical to that present in cells lytically infected with HSV2, as indicated by thermolability and mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The transformed cells also exhibit HSV-specific immunofluorescence. Based on these transformation studies, it is possible to assign a map location to the TK gene on the HSV genome.


The specific role of isoflavones on estrogen metabolism in premenopausal women.
There is increasing evidence that dietary factors may play a role in the production, metabolism, and bioavailability of sex hormones and their impact on target tissues. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing a group of premenopausal women who were free of breast carcinoma with a dietary supplement of isoflavones (40 mg per day) in producing a change in steroid hormones and menstrual cycle length. Sixty-eight consecutively recruited, premenopausal, omnivorous women of all races and ethnicities between the ages of 25 years and 55 years were admitted to the study and randomized to an experimental group supplemented with soy (40 mg genistein per day) or to a control group that consumed a placebo for a 12-week period. Changes in their anthropometric, nutritional, and hormonal biomarkers from early follicular phase were analyzed at baseline and post-intervention. Serum-free estradiol and estrone levels decreased moderately in the experimental group. Serum hormone-binding globulin levels increased in 41.4% of women in the experimental group compared with 37.5% of women in the placebo group. Free estradiol decreased in 53.85% of women in the experimental group compared with 37.5% of women in the placebo group. Estrone decreased in 55.56% of women in the experimental group compared with 42.86% in the placebo group. Those women in the experimental group who were consuming soy had their mean menstrual cycle length increased by 3.52 days compared with a mean decrease of 0.06 days for women in the placebo group (P = 0.04) from baseline to the third menstrual cycle. In addition, women who were taking soy had their mean follicular phase increase by 1.46 days compared with a mean increase of 0.14 days for women who were taking the placebo (P = 0.08). These data suggest that increased isoflavone intake affects estrogen metabolism by altering the steroid hormone concentrations and menstrual cycle length, thereby demonstrating a potential to reduce the risk for breast carcinoma.


Cyclic fatigue resistance of waveone gold, protaper next and 2shape nickel titanium rotary instruments using a reliable method for measuring temperature.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistances of the WaveOne Gold (WOG), ProTaper Next (PTN), 2Shape (TS) instruments. Totally 45 new WOG (25/.07), PTN (25/.06), TS (25/.06) files were tested inside the artificial canal of a custom-made stainless steel block with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm, a 60° angle, and a 5-mm radius of curvature. A 16-mm-long file segment (from the tip) was introduced and was immersed in 37°C water. The number of cycles to fracture (NCF), time to failure (TTF), fractured fragment length (FL) was recorded and the fractured surface was examined using microscope. WOG > PTN > TS according to TTF results (P = 0.00). PTN > TS according to NCF results (P = 0.00). The FL values showed no significant difference (P = 0.335). Reciprocating motion can be used more safely than continuous rotation due to the higher cyclic fatigue resistance.


Addition of binahong (Anredera cordifolia) leaf powder to diets to produce eggs with low cholesterol.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of binahong leaf powder to quail rations on the production and quality of eggs. The study involved the use of two hundred 7-week-old quails housed evenly in 20 wire cages with a body weight of 123.77±0.72 g. The quails were treated as follows: Ration without binahong leaf powder (T0), addition 2% of binahong leaf powder (T1), addition 4% of binahong leaf powder (T2), and addition 6% of binahong leaf powder (T3). The study used a completely randomized design. The parameters measured were the production, weight, and characteristics of the eggs, as well as the cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and egg protein content in the yolk. The addition of 2-6% binahong powder did not significantly affect egg production, egg characteristics, or egg protein content, but significantly (p<0.05) affected the cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL contents in yolk. The cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL contents decreased significantly in T1, whereas HDL increased significantly in T2 and T3. The addition of 2% binahong was enough to obtain healthy quail eggs with low levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL.


The pathology of nasopharyngeal myiasis in Saudi Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius).
Thirty-two out of thirty-five camels examined at Jeddah and Riyadh slaughter houses were infected with the camel nasal bot Cephalopina titillator. The larvae occurred mainly in the nasopharynx and, occasionally, degenerated larvae were found embedded between the turbinated bones. In the pharynx, the pathological changes included the formation of lymphoid nodules, with central abscesses, at the sites of larval attachment, and a combination of inflammatory, degenerative and reparative processes in other parts of the pharyngeal wall. The nasal cavity was congested and filled with mucus in which some larvae were entangled.


Identification and characterization of a type five-like somatostatin receptor in goldfish pituitary.
In this study, a somatostatin receptor (Sst) cDNA was cloned and sequenced from goldfish pituitary. The cDNA encodes a 390-amino acid type five-like Sst (designated as gfSst(5)). The amino acid sequence of the receptor has slightly higher homology to mammalian Sst(5'), compared with other mammalian Sst subtypes and recently identified fish Sst(1), Sst(2) and Sst(3). In CCL39-SRE-Luci cells stably expressing the cloned receptor, agonist radioligand [125I]LTT-SRIF(28'), a mammalian SRIF(28) analog, bound to a homogenous population of receptors with high affinity (nM K(d)). Competition binding studies showed that all three natural goldfish SRIF ligands, SRIF(14), [Pro(2)]SRIF(14), and goldfish SRIF(28) (gfSRIF(28)), and LTT-SRIF(28) bind the cloned gfSst(5) with high affinity and significantly stimulate [35S]GTPgammaS binding, with SRIF(28) peptides showing higher affinity in receptor binding and potency in [35S]GTPgammaS binding compared with SRIF(14) peptides. The receptor gene is highly and predominately expressed in pituitary; lower levels of the receptor mRNA were also detected in different brain regions by reverse transcriptor-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by Southern blot analysis.


Cardiolipin synthase from Escherichia coli.
Escherichia coli cardiolipin synthase catalyzes reversible phosphatidyl group transfer from one phosphatidylglycerol molecule to another to form cardiolipin (CL) and glycerol. The enzyme is specified by the cls gene, located at min 28.02 of the E. coli genetic map. Cells with mutations in cls have longer doubling times, tend to lose viability in the stationary phase, are more resistant to 3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate, and have an altered sensitivity to novobiocin. Although cls null mutants appear to lack CL synthase activity, they are still able to form trace quantities of CL. The enzyme appears to be regulated at both the genetic and enzymatic levels. CL synthase's molecular mass is 45-46 kDa, or about 8 kDa less than the polypeptide predicted by the gene sequence, suggesting that posttranslational processing occurs. CL synthase can use various polyols such as mannitol and arabitol to convert CL to the corresponding phosphatidylglycerol analog. When the amino acid sequences of four bacterial CL synthases are compared, three highly conserved regions are apparent. One of these regions contains a conserved pentapeptide sequence, RN(Q)HRK, and another has a conserved HXK sequence. These two sequences may be part of the active site. E. coli CL synthase has been studied by using a mixed micelle assay. The enzyme is inhibited by CL, the product of the reaction, and by phosphatidate. Phosphatidylethanolamine partially offsets inhibition caused by CL but not by phosphatidate. CDP-diacylglycerol does not appear to affect the activity of the purified enzyme but does stimulate the activity associated with crude membrane preparations.


Methylxanthine reversal of opioid-evoked inspiratory depression via phosphodiesterase-4 blockade.
Hypothetic mechanisms for respirogenic methylxanthine actions include blockade of adenosine receptors or phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) in inspiratory pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) networks. Here, we studied this by analyzing stimulating caffeine and theophylline actions on mu-opioid-depressed inspiratory-related rhythm in the ventrolateral aspect of rat brainstem slices. The methylxanthines restored DAMGO (0.5-1 microM) depressed rhythm only at >1mM, which is approximately 10-fold higher than selective for adenosine receptors. Adenosine receptor blockers did neither counter DAMGO inhibition nor change control rhythm, similar to adenosine (0.1-2.5 mM). The specific PDE4 blocker rolipram (5 microM) restored DAMGO-depressed rhythm incompletely, but effectively reversed similar inhibition by clinical mu-agonist (fentanyl, 0.1 microM). At 0.25 microM, rolipram boosted incomplete recovery by 1 mM theophylline of DAMGO-depressed rhythm. Findings indicate that methylxanthines excite rhythmogenic preBötC networks via blockade of cAMP dependent PDE4 and suggest that specific PDE4 inhibitors (plus low methylxanthine doses) stimulate breathing effectively. We discuss why methylxanthine doses for preBötC stimulation need to be higher than those for respirogenic effects in vivo.


Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO: The Influence of Doped Metal Ions.
Recent developments have been highlighted for UiO-type materials, a class of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high stability, as catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. We design and synthesize two metal ion (Co2+, Re+)-doped UiO-67 as catalysts for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction and demonstrate that Co-UiO-67 exhibits better photocatalytic activity relative to Re-UiO-67. The superior photocatalytic activity of Co-UiO-67 over Re-UiO-67 results from the improved charge transportability and higher CO2 adsorption capacity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the energy barrier of Co-UiO-67 (0.86 eV) for catalytic CO2 reduction to CO is lower than that of Re-UiO-67 (0.92 eV), thus leading to superior photocatalytic performance of Co-UiO-67 than that of Re-UiO-67.


Transcriptome analysis of the mantle tissue of Pinctada fucata with red and black shells under salinity stress.
To understand the molecular responses of Pinctada fucata with different shell colors to salinity stress, we used transcriptome sequencing on the mantle of P. fucata with a black shell and red shell color under the salinity of 20, 35, and 50. The 414 and 2371 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in P. fucata with a black shell under low- or high-salt stress, while there were 588 and 3009 DEGs in P. fucata with a red shell. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that, under low salt stress, the DEGs of P. fucata with the black shell were significantly enriched in pathways MAPK signaling pathway, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, vitamin B6 metabolism, longevity regulating pathway-multiple species, estrogen signaling pathway and antigen processing and presentation, the DEGs of P. fucata with a red shell were significantly enriched in pathways vitamin B6 metabolism. Under high salt stress, the DEGs of P. fucata with a red shell were significantly enriched in pathways arginine biosynthesis. 11 DEGs were randomly selected for quantitative real-time PCR, and the results were consistent with the RNA-seq. In addition, under high salt stress, DEGs were enriched into some pathways related to osmotic regulation and immune defense of P. fucata with black shell and red shell, such as Glycolysis / Gluconeogenesis, AMPK signaling pathway, Beta-Alanine metabolism, Glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, MAPK signaling pathway and Phagosome. The study showed that high salt stress had a greater influence on P. fucata with two shell colors, and P. fucata with a black shell made a positive immune defense response. Our results will improve to further understand the salt tolerance mechanism of P. fucata with different shell colors.


Five pillars for stakeholder analyses in sustainability transformations: The global case of phosphorus.
Phosphorus is a critical agricultural nutrient and a major pollutant in waterbodies due to inefficient use. In the form of rock phosphate it is a finite global commodity vulnerable to price shocks and sourcing challenges. Transforming toward sustainable phosphorus management involves local to global stakeholders. Conventional readings of stakeholders may not reflect system complexity leaving it difficult to see stakeholder roles in transformations. We attempt to remedy this issue with a novel stakeholder analysis method based on five qualitative pillars: stakeholder agency, system roles, power and influence, alignment to the problem, and transformational potential. We argue that our approach suits case studies of individual stakeholders, stakeholder groups, and organisations with relationships to sustainability challenges.


Differences in lysine pKa values may be used to improve NMR signal dispersion in reductively methylated proteins.
Reductive methylation of lysine residues in proteins offers a way to introduce 13C methyl groups into otherwise unlabeled molecules. The 13C methyl groups on lysines possess favorable relaxation properties that allow highly sensitive NMR signal detection. One of the major limitations in the use of reductive methylation in NMR is the signal overlap of 13C methyl groups in NMR spectra. Here we show that the uniform influence of the solvent on chemical shifts of exposed lysine methyl groups could be overcome by adjusting the pH of the buffering solution closer to the pKa of lysine side chains. Under these conditions, due to variable pKa values of individual lysine side chains in the protein of interest different levels of lysine protonation are observed. These differences are reflected in the chemical shift differences of methyl groups in reductively methylated lysines. We show that this approach is successful in four different proteins including Ca2+-bound Calmodulin, Lysozyme, Ca2+-bound Troponin C, and Glutathione S-Transferase. In all cases significant improvement in NMR spectral resolution of methyl signals in reductively methylated proteins was obtained. The increased spectral resolution helps with more precise characterization of protein structural rearrangements caused by ligand binding as shown by studying binding of Calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine to Calmodulin. Thus, this approach may be used to increase resolution in NMR spectra of 13C methyl groups on lysine residues in reductively methylated proteins that enhances the accuracy of protein structural assessment.


Modulation of brain apoptosis-related proteins by the opioid antagonist naltrexone in mice.
Neuronal loss by apoptosis has been implicated in some neural pathologic disorders. Increasing evidence suggests a neuroprotective effect for opioid antagonists, such as naloxone and naltrexone, in a variety of neural damage experimental models and in the clinic. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of naltrexone on the expression levels of proteins regulating the extrinsic (FasL and Fas) and the mitochondrial (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bad and Bax) apoptotic pathways, as well as the active fragment of the executioner caspase-3 in the mouse brain. Western blotting showed that a single injection of naltrexone (1 mg/kg) induced a down-regulation of the pro-apototic proteins Fas, FasL, Bad and Bax. Our results suggest that naltrexone provides neuronal protection against injuries activating either mitochondrial, or death receptor-apoptotic pathways.