Energy efficient modulation of dendritic processing functions.
The voltage dependent ionic conductances and the passive properties of the neural membrane determine how external inputs are processed by the dendritic tree, and define the computational characteristics of neurons. However, what controls these characteristics and how they are implemented at the single neuron level, in such a way that an external input results in the coding of the appropriate output, is essentially unknown. We show here that a slow inactivation of the Na+ channel, involved in the attenuation and/or failure of APs in the dendrites, acts as an active and energy efficient filter of synaptic input, and results in an activity-dependent control of the properties of individual neurons. Thus, the activation or expression of this mechanisms could be an efficient way to selectively modulate the input/output processing properties of dendrites, and could be needed to limit or suppress the onset of a number of pathological brain disorders.


Learning styles and satisfaction with educational activities of Saudi Health Science University Students.
Medical knowledge is constantly changing; this puts pressure on educators to adapt instructional strategies to their students' learning styles (LSs). Therefore, identifying the LSs of medical students could help teachers to develop teaching strategies to achieve better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the LSs of health science university students, and to assess the relationship between LSs and student satisfaction with educational activities. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Colleges of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) Jeddah. We used Kolb's LS and a modified Student Satisfaction Survey from Mott Community College, Michigan. All participants received self-administered questionnaires; LS and demographic data were used as predictor variables. Students' satisfaction levels were considered the outcome variable. A total of 359 students were recruited (mean age 19.0 ± 1.4 years; 53.5% males). The most popular LS was Accommodator (29.2%), followed by Assimilator (27.9%) and Diverger (25.6%), while the Converger style (17.3%) was the least preferred LS. The satisfaction scores of the students showed that they were generally satisfied with a mean score of 64.4%. Males were found to have higher satisfaction across all variables than females (p = 0.002). This study could not find a predominant LS or satisfaction difference across LSs among health science students. Thus, the current educational programmes in KSAU-HS meet students' LSs and satisfaction. Educators need to broaden their strategies for instruction, so as to build an effective learning environment.


Quantitative demonstration of the retrograde axonal transport of endogenous nerve growth factor.
The level of endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) in rat sciatic nerve was determined using a highly sensitive two-site enzyme immunoassay. After crushing this nerve NGF accumulated linearly distal to the crush during the first 12 h to reach levels 13-fold higher than in the uncrushed contralateral side. In contrast, proximal to the crush NGF levels approached or were below the detection limit of the assay. The asymmetrical distribution of NGF on the two sides of a crush is direct evidence for the retrograde axonal transport of endogenous NGF.


Brain Networks, Clinical Manifestations, and Neuroimaging of Cognitive Disorders: The Role of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Other Advanced Neuroimaging Tests.
In this article, we briefly discuss imaging modalities used in clinical settings for neuroanatomical characterization and for diagnosis of the underlying disease. We then discuss how each neuroimaging tool can be used in the context of clinical syndromes. The major underlying causes relevant to our discussion include Alzheimer disease, Lewy body disease, cerebrovascular disease, frontotemporal degeneration, autoimmune diseases, and systemic or metabolic derangements.


Retracted: Study on the Effects of Different Doses of Dahuang Zhechong Pills on the Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway/Nuclear Factor-κB in Rats with Atherosclerosis and Its Mechanism.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/6056829.].


Effect of acute low body temperature on predatory behavior and prey-capture efficiency in a plethodontid salamander.
The low-temperature limit for feeding in some salamander species (Desmognathus, Plethodontidae) has been inferred from field studies of seasonal variation in salamander activity and gut contents, which could not determine whether feeding is more dependent on environmental conditions influencing salamander foraging behavior or prey availability and movement. We performed two controlled laboratory experiments to examine the effect of short-term (acute) low body temperature on predatory behavior and prey-capture efficiency in a semiaquatic plethodontid salamander (Desmognathus conanti). In the first experiment, we quantified variation in the feeding responses of cold salamanders (at 1, 3, 5 and 7°C) to a video recording of a walking, warm (15°C) cricket to determine the lower thermal limit for predatory behavior, independent of any temperature effect on movement of prey. Experimental-group salamanders exhibited vigorous feeding responses at 5 and 7°C, large variation in feeding responses both among and within individuals (over time) at 3°C, and little to no feeding response at 1°C. Feeding responses at both 1 and 3°C were significantly less than at each higher temperature, whereas responses of control-group individuals at 15°C did not vary over time. In the second experiment, we quantified feeding by cold salamanders (at 3, 5, 7 and 11°C) on live, warm crickets to examine thermal effects on prey-capture ability. The mean feeding response to live crickets was significantly less at 3°C than at higher temperatures; however, 50% of salamanders captured and ingested prey with high efficiency at this temperature. We conclude that many individuals stalk and capture prey at very low temperatures (down to 3°C). Our results support a growing body of data that indicate many plethodontid salamanders feed at temperatures only a few degrees above freezing.


Accuracy of 3-dimensional color Doppler-derived flow volumes with increasing image depth.
We and others have reported on the use of digital color Doppler sonography from real-time 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and its use in accurately calculating cardiac flow volumes, namely stroke volume (SV) and, hence, cardiac output. However, in some patients, image depth is higher than average, and this may affect the accuracy of volume calculation. We sought to investigate the impact of image depth and the accompanying change in signal strength, spatial resolution, and pulse repetition frequency on the accuracy of SV calculation from 3D color Doppler data in an in vitro model. A tube model of the left ventricular outflow tract was constructed from plastic tubing and connected to a pulsatile pump. The volume flowing through the tube was imaged using a 3D echocardiography system. Stroke volumes from the pump were computed from the DICOM data using commercially available software and compared with a reference standard of timed volumes with the use of a graduated measuring cylinder over a range of depth settings and SVs. There was good correlation between the 3D-derived SVs and the reference cylinder measures over all depths from 4 to 16 cm at 1-cm increments with a tube diameter of 17 mm, a pump rate of 60 beats/min, and SVs ranging from 20 to 70 mL. The average r(2) value for the 13 different depths was 0.976. However, the accuracy of the 3D method of volume calculation appeared to fall at depths greater than 13 cm, especially at higher SVs. Stroke volume calculation from real-time 3D color Doppler data in this in vitro study shows that at depths greater than approximately 13 cm, accuracy decreases, especially at higher SVs. This may be due to decreased resolution and the reduced frame rate at these depths. At shallower depths, volume calculation form the 3D Doppler data appears very accurate.


Adsorption studies of tritium-labeled peptides on polystyrene surfaces.
In this study, three presentation formats of an epitope peptide (hepta-peptide), derived from the human chorionic gonadotropin amino acid sequence, were compared for adsorption to the polystyrene wells of a microELISA plate. The peptides had either a free N-terminus, an Ata-group or a linear (Lys)7-extension at the N-terminal. In order to measure the adsorption properties, all peptides were tritiated by synthesizing an additional 3H-labeled glycyl residue to the N-terminus of their peptide sequence. Over a broad range of peptide concentrations used as coat solution, extension of the peptide by an Ata-group consistently increased adsorption by a factor of 1.5 to 3 compared to the free parent peptide. Of the three peptides studied, the Ata-peptide showed the highest surface coverage of 0.6 mg/m2 when 1.0 mmol/l was offered as the concentration of peptide in the coating solution. The highest surface coverage observed for the parent peptide was 0.4 mg/m2 (at 1.5 mmol/l). The lysyl (K7) peptide showed a maximum plateau value of 0.2 mg/m2, and therefore the lysyl (K7) extension reduced the peptide surface coverage at relatively high coat concentrations (above 0.1 mmol/l) compared to the parent peptide. At lower input concentrations (below 0.1 micromol/l), however, the packing density of the lysyl (K7) peptide was up to 25 times higher when compared to the other two peptide analogs. We conclude that better adsorption as well as improved antibody binding activity and (functional) affinity could explain the higher reactivity observed in ELISA procedures when peptides are N-terminally extended by an Ata-group or lysyl (K7) extension.


Cryoglobulinemia in subjects with HCV infection alone, HIV infection and HCV/HIV coinfection.
To assess the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in three groups of patients: HCV-positive/HIV-negative, HCV/HIV co-infected and HIV mono-infected. From September 2002 to December 2003, 58 patients with documented HCV infection, 70 subjects with HIV/HCV co-infection, and 48 subjects with HIV infection alone were enrolled. Serum samples were tested for detectable cryoglobulins, liver enzymes, HCV viral load and HCV genotypes. Plasma HIV-RNA levels and CD4+ cell count were also evaluated in HIV-positive subjects. Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 24.1% HCV mono-infected, 14.2% HCV/HIV co-infected and 6% HIV mono-infected patients. A significant statistical correlation was found between the presence of cryoglobulins and HCV infection (P = 0.03), while cryoglobulins were unrelated to HIV mono-infection (P = 0.16) and HCV/HIV co-infection (P=0.7). No significant correlation was observed between the presence of cryoglobulinemia and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, HCV viremia and duration of HCV infection. Circulating cryoglobulins in HIV patients were not correlated with plasma HIV viral load, CD4+ cell count or duration of HIV infection. Only two HCV mono-infected patients complained of arthralgia. A similar rate of cryoglobulinemia prevalence was detected in the patient groups with an HCV-related infection. HIV infection does not appear to play a significant role in cryoglobulin production.


Non-enzymatic glycation of chondrocyte-seeded collagen gels for cartilage tissue engineering.
Collagen glycated with ribose (250 mM) in solution (pre-glycation) and as a gel (post-glycation) was seeded with chondrocytes and the effects of glycation on chondrocyte matrix assembly in culture were determined. Pre-glycation enhanced GAG accumulation significantly over controls at both 2 and 4 weeks (p < 0.05), although at both time points there were no statistical differences in cell number between pre-glycated and control gels. The increased proteoglycan accumulation was shown to be in part due to significantly increased GAG retention by the pre-glycated constructs (p < 0.05). Total collagen content in these pre-glycated gels was also significantly higher than unglycated gels at 4 weeks (p < 0.05). With post-glycation of collagen gels, chondrocyte number and GAG accumulation were all significantly lower than controls (p < 0.05). Post-glycation also inhibited GAG retention by the constructs (p < 0.05). Given these results, pre-glycation may be an improved processing method for collagen gels for tissue engineering techniques.


Common polymorphic inversions at 17q21.31 and 8p23.1 associate with cancer prognosis.
Chromosomal inversions are structural genetic variants where a chromosome segment changes its orientation. While sporadic de novo inversions are known genetic risk factors for cancer susceptibility, it is unknown if common polymorphic inversions are also associated with the prognosis of common tumors, as they have been linked to other complex diseases. We studied the association of two well-characterized human inversions at 17q21.31 and 8p23.1 with the prognosis of lung, liver, breast, colorectal, and stomach cancers. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we observed that inv8p23.1 was associated with overall survival in breast cancer and that inv17q21.31 was associated with overall survival in stomach cancer. In the meta-analysis of two independent studies, inv17q21.31 heterozygosity was significantly associated with colorectal disease-free survival. We found that the association was mediated by the de-methylation of cg08283464 and cg03999934, also linked to lower disease-free survival. Our results suggest that chromosomal inversions are important genetic factors of tumor prognosis, likely affecting changes in methylation patterns.


O-serogroups, eae gene and EAF plasmid in Escherichia coli isolates from cases of bovine mastitis in Brazil.
Mastitis has been recognized for some time as the most costly disease in dairy herds. From March 1997 to August 1998, 2144 samples of bovine mastitic milk were collected, from which 182 Escherichia coli isolates were made, and from which 141 isolates had the somatic antigen (serogroup) determined. Twelve different serogroups were isolated from mastitic milk, and among them were O26, O55, O111 and O119, all of them classic enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) serogroups. These represented 40.0% of the isolates. The 20 of 57 isolates tested had plasmids and in dot blot hybridization, nine isolates were positive for an EaeA probe and an EPEC adherence factor (EAF) probe while two isolates were negative for EaeA probe but positive for the EAF probe. The nine isolates were characterized as attaching and effacing (A/E) E. coli (AEEC) isolates.


Diaphragmatic Hernia Post Liver Transplant With Thrombosis of the Hepatic Artery Due to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Case Report.
Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (ADH) is a rare complication after liver surgery in adult and pediatric patients. In the literature, a few low case series have been reported. Its incidence is estimated to be between 0.74% and 2.9%. Main descriptions of ADH concern liver resection for tumors, living donor hepatic donation in adult patients, and partial liver graft transplant in children [1,2]. We encountered a rare case of ADH in the postoperative time of a liver transplant with thrombosis of hepatic artery due to median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). The patient was a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with symptomatic hepatorenal polycystic disease who underwent a liver transplant with an isogroup graft from a cardiac-dead donor. During the first postoperative day, the rutinary color Doppler ultrasonography showed absent artery hepatic flow, and angiography suggested thrombosis of the hepatic artery (HA). With these findings, exploratory laparotomy was done. We performed thrombectomy and liberation of the celiac artery from the median arcuate ligament by dividing its fibers. At discharge, the liver function was normal, and Doppler showed good blood flow in the HA. At fourth postoperative month, she presented in the urgency unit with upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Radiologic and endoscopic evaluation revealed an incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia and signs of gastric ischemia. After emergency laparotomy and evaluation of the left hemithorax, we performed hernial sac reduction with recovery of gastric hypoperfusion. The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired. Diaphragmatic hernia is a rarely reported complication of liver transplant and should be considered a potential late complication [1].


Exposure and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds and airborne phthalates in Singapore's Child Care Centers.
Infants and children under 6 years old spend most of daily time in Child Care Centers (CCCs), especially in the tropical regions like Singapore. Environmental exposure and associated risk during this early critical developmental stage is of great public concern. In this study, seven representative volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and five typical phthalates were analyzed in the indoor and outdoor air samples collected from 32 Singapore CCCs. The median of total VOC and phthalate concentration in indoor air was 19.03 and 5.41 μg m-3; respectively. For both indoors and outdoors environment, benzene, toluene and xylene were the dominant VOC contributors (more than 68%). For indoor air phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) accounts for 60-76%. The level of both VOCs and phthalates in indoor environment was significantly higher than that in outdoor, with an average indoor/outdoor ratio of 1.24 and 1.45; respectively. A strong correlation (r > 0.50, p < 0.05) was observed between indoor and outdoor air compounds. VOC and phthalate levels have no significant difference between CCCs with split-unit and centrally ventilated air conditioners. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate exposure uncertainty and variability for the risk assessment. Overall, the concentrations of VOC were below the healthy reference values from either EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) or Singapore guideline. However, similar to other countries' report, benzene, DBP, ethylbenzene and naphthalene were at levels that could exceed the stringent standards such as Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) cancer and reproductive health-based benchmarks.


Two new benzoquinone derivatives and two new bisorbicillinoids were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium terrestre.
Four new compounds were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium terrestre, namely 2-(2', 3'-dihydrosorbyl)-3,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (1), 3-acetonyl-2,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (2), dihydrobisvertinolone (3), tetrahydrobisvertinolone (4). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of 3 and 4 were determined by their CD spectra. Their cytotoxic effects on P388 and A-549 cell lines were preliminarily examined by the MTT method.


People with HIV have a higher risk of COVID-19 diagnosis but similar outcomes to the general population.
We investigated the effect of HIV on COVID-19 outcomes with attention to selection bias due to differential testing and comorbidity burden. This was a retrospective cohort analysis using four hierarchical outcomes: positive SARS-CoV-2 test, COVID-19 hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and hospital mortality. The effect of HIV status was assessed using traditional covariate-adjusted, inverse probability-weighted (IPW) analysis based on covariate distributions for testing bias (testing IPWs), HIV infection status (HIV-IPWs) and combined models. Among people living with HIV (PWH), we evaluated whether CD4 count and HIV plasma viral load (pVL) discriminated between those who did and those who did not develop study outcomes using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Between March and November 2020, 63 319 people were receiving primary care services at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), of whom 4017 were PWH. The PWH had 2.1 times the odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test compared with those without HIV after weighting for potential testing bias, comorbidity burden and HIV-IPW [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-2.8]. Relative to people without HIV, PWH did not have an increased rate of COVID-19 hospitalization after controlling for comorbidities and testing bias [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.1-1.4]. PWH did not have a different rate of ICU admission (aIRR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.31-3.80) or of in-hospital death (aIRR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.08-10.94) in any examined model. Neither CD4 count nor pVL predicted any of the hierarchical outcomes among PWH. People living with HIV have a higher risk of COVID-19 diagnosis than those without HIV but the outcomes are similar in both groups.


Multi-locus Sequencing Typing of Bartonella henselae isolates reveals coinfection with different variants in domestic cats from Midwestern Brazil.
Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for causing Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and other clinical manifestations in humans. Domestic cats are the main reservoirs of this Bartonella species. Previous studies have suggested that certain genotypes of B. henselae seem to be more associated with human infections. The present study aimed to genotype B. henselae isolates from domestic cats' blood samples in the state of Goiás, midwestern Brazil. The association of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on the nuoG gene from Bartonella spp. of blood samples, before and after incubation in pre-enrichment liquid medium (BAPGM) and isolation on chocolate agar, showed a positivity frequency of 42% (42/100) for Bartonella spp. Twelve B. henselae isolates obtained on agar chocolate from six cats' blood samples (two isolates from each animal) were characterized by Multi-locus Sequencing Typing (MLST) and revealed to belong to Sequence Types ST1 and ST5. One of the cats (1/6) presented both STs, demonstrating that domestic cats can be coinfected with different variants of B. henselae. The STs detected in this study are distributed worldwide and have already been detected in humans with clinical manifestations of bartonellosis. This is the first report of the zoonotic variants ST1 and ST5 of B. henselae in domestic cats from Brazil.


Procalcitonin level as an aid for the diagnosis of bacterial infections following pediatric cardiac surgery.
The aim of the present study was to determine if blood procalcitonin can serve as an aid to differentiate between bacterial and nonbacterial cause of fever in children after cardiac surgery. A nested case-control study of children who underwent open cardiac surgery in critical care units of fourth-level pediatric hospital was performed. Blood samples for procalcitonin level were collected 1 day before operation; 1 hour postoperation; on postoperative days 1, 2, and 5; and on the day of fever, when it occurred. Of 665 children who underwent cardiac bypass surgery, 126 had a febrile episode postoperatively, 47 children with a proven bacterial infection and 79 without bacterial infection. Among the 68 children in whom fever developed within the first 5 postoperative days, procalcitonin level at fever day was significantly higher in those with bacterial infection (n = 16) than in those without infection (n = 52). Similarly, among the 58 children in whom fever developed after day 5 postoperation, a significant difference was found in procalcitonin level at fever day between those with (n = 31) and without (n = 27) bacterial infection. During the critical early and late periods after cardiac surgery in children, procalcitonin level may help to differentiate patients with bacterial infection from patients in whom the fever is secondary to nonbacterial infectious causes.


Diminution of contractile response of the aorta from endotoxin-injected rats.
The contractility of a helical strip of the thoracic aorta was studied in rats injected intraperitoneally with endotoxin. The contractile response to any of the agonistic agents, KCl, norepinephrine or 5-hydroxytryptamine was time dependently diminished in the endotoxin-injected rats compared to the controls. This diminution preceded the depression of blood pressure. When the external calcium concentration was increased from 2.5 to 7.5 mM after the KCl (80 mM)-induced contractile response reached a plateau, the diminished contractile response was reversed in the endotoxin-injected group. The strips from the endotoxin-injected rats showed a higher 45CaCl2 uptake into the vascular tissue with the KCl-stimulated contraction. These findings suggest that the blood pressure depression during endotoxic shock may be attributed partially to the diminished contractility of the blood vessels and that this diminution is induced by a disorder of calcium utilization within vascular smooth muscle during vascular contraction.


Single incision simultaneous liver kidney transplantation: Feasibility and outcomes.
Traditionally, simultaneous liver kidney transplantation (SLK) has been performed using a subcostal incision for the liver allograft and a lower abdominal incision for kidney transplantation (dual incision, DI). At our institution, we performed SLK using a single subcostal incision (SI). The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of single versus dual incisions for SLK. A retrospective cohort study of consecutive SLK procedures performed at our center from January 2015 to April 2021 was performed. The demographic characteristics, complications, intraoperative findings, and complications after SI and DI were statistically compared. A total 37 SLK were performed (19 DI and 18 SI). The age and indications for transplantation were comparable between the two groups. Patient in SI group had significantly higher MELD score (27.0 ± 1.5 vs. 31.7 ± 1.5, p = .038). The cold ischemic time of kidney transplantation (599 ± 26 min vs. 447 ± 27 min, p < .001) and the total surgical time (508 ± 21 min vs. 423 ± 22 min, p = .008) were significantly shorter in the SI group. The incidence of complications and post-transplant kidney function was comparable between the groups. A slightly higher incidence of surgical site complications was noted in the DI group without any statistically significance (p = .178). Single-subcostal incision SLK is technically feasible and has comparable outcomes to dual-incision SLK. SI was associated with shorter cold ischemic time for kidney transplant, as well as shorter overall operative time.


Auditory Lexical Decision and Repetition in Children: Effects of Acoustic and Lexical Constraints.
The objective of this study was to identify factors that may detract from children's ability to identify words they do and do not know. Factors investigated were acoustic constraints stemming from the presence of hearing loss (HL) or an acoustic competitor, and lexical constraints due to an impoverished or cluttered vocabulary. Eleven children with normal hearing (NH) and 11 children with bilateral, mild to moderately severe sensorineural HL were asked to categorize and repeat two-syllable real and nonsense words. Stimuli were amplified and frequency shaped for each child with HL and presented randomly at a level consistent with average conversational speech (65 dB SPL). About half of the children in each group listened in quiet while the other half listened in multitalker babble. In addition to overall performance, responses were judged based on the word category chosen by the child (real or nonsense), the category of the word produced by the child as judged by an examiner (real or nonsense), and the accuracy of the verbal response compared with the stimulus. From these judgments, 10 discrete types of errors were identified. Analyses were conducted for three different combinations of the 10 error categories to best characterize the effects of acoustic and lexical constraints. Performance was highest for real words presented in quiet and poorest for nonsense words presented in multitalker babble. Also, the performance of the children with HL was poorer than that of the children with NH. Error analyses revealed strong effects of acoustic constraints on performance but few effects of lexical constraints. The two most frequently occurring errors were the same for both children with NH and the children with HL and entailed the misperception of nonsense words and the mistaking of nonsense words for real words. However, while both groups of children exhibited these errors in multitalker babble, the children with HL demonstrated these errors in quiet as well. These results suggest that children's interactions with real and nonsense words are significantly constrained when the acoustic signal is degraded by HL and/or an acoustic competitor. The children's tendency to repair unknown words into real words in the presence of acoustic interference may be beneficial when perceiving familiar speech, but could also be detrimental if that tendency causes them to miss opportunities to learn new words.


Clinical experience with Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis in the anterior segment.
The clinical experience of two surgeons performing Nd:YAG laser anterior vitreolysis to disrupt vitreous strands adherent to surgical wounds with and without pupillary distortions and/or cystoid macular edema is presented. We describe our technique. The results indicate that vision improved in 50% of the cases, with visual acuity improving from 20/40 or better in three of 20 eyes preoperatively to 11 of 20 eyes postoperatively. No adverse effects or complications occurred in any of our 20 patients. Neodymium:YAG laser vitreolysis should be considered presently as the method of choice for initial treatment of vitreous strands incarcerated in the wound.


Coexistence of periodic modulation of quasiparticle states and superconductivity in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta.
In this article we show, using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, the existence of static striped density of electronic states in nearly optimally doped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta in zero field. This modulation is aligned with the Cu-O bonds, with a periodicity of four lattice constants, and exhibits features characteristic of a two-dimensional system of line objects. We further show that the density of states modulation manifests itself as a shift of states from above to below the superconducting gap. The fact that a single energy scale (i.e., the gap) appears for both superconductivity and stripes suggests that these two effects have the same origin.


Effect of temperature on transovarial transmission of Babesia bigemina (Smith and Kilborne, 1893) in Boophilus annulatus (Say, 1821).
The effect of the temperature on the transovarial passage of Babesia bigemina has been studied in female Boophilus annulatus during their oviposition. Kinetes of Babesia were present in eggs laid at the temperatures of 16, 20, 26, 28, 30 and 35 degrees C. The rate of infection was temperature dependent. It reached at least 50%, even at low temperatures. The average infection level at 26 and 30 degrees C was 270 kinetes per egg. However, between 20 and 35 degrees C the eggs laid during the first 3 days were parasite free. At 16 degrees C, no kinetes were detected during the first 13 days of oviposition.


Indices of cardiac function during treatment with betamimetic drugs (fenoterol and hexoprenaline).
The limiting factor in the treatment of preterm labor by betamimetics is the effect of these drugs on heart rate and cardiac action. In this paper we compare these effects produced by hexoprenaline and fenoterol, which are both beta-sympathomimetic drugs now in clinical use. As indices of cardiac action we measured the pre-ejection period (PEP), the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and their sum, namely total electromechanical systole (QS2) by thoracic impedance cardiography. In 20 individual tests, seven subjects were given both hexoprenaline and fenoterol on separate occasions in a dose relationship of 1 : 12.5. We found a relation between PEP/LVET on the one hand and the Heather-index (an impedance specific parameter of response to stress) on the other. Both parameters represent inotropic effects in cardiac action. With increasing betamimetic stimulation there was a decrease of PEP/LVET (-23% for hexoprenaline and -29% for fenoterol) and an increase in the Heather-index (+98% for hexoprenaline and +117% for fenoterol). These results are not statistically significantly different and so we cannot agree with Lipshitz [19 ]who reported less beta 1-stimulation with hexoprenaline.


A simple method to select high superovulatory responder goats.
In most female mammals, a common drawback to multiple ovulation embryo transfer programs is the variability in the superovulatory response to the multidose pFSH treatment. The aim of the present study was to identify embryo donor goats based on their response to superovulation before the performance of a high-cost hormonal treatment, as we have previously done in sheep. To this end, we evaluated the number of ovulations obtained in response to the administration of a one-shot eCG treatment and related it with the subsequent ovarian response to a multiple-dose pFSH treatment in 33 goats of the Criolla-Neuquina breed. Goats received a one-shot eCG treatment of 800 IU at the end of a 17-day progestational treatment; 9 days later, started a second 17-day progestational treatment and then received a multiple-dose pFSH treatment on days 15-17 (116 mg pFSH, in six decreasing doses). The number of corpora lutea (CL) per goat was recorded laparoscopically after both hormonal treatments. On day 8 after the second pessary removal, embryos were surgically recovered and classified by quality. Results showed a significant positive correlation between the number of CL obtained in response to the eCG and pFSH treatments (r = 0.41; y = 0.8352x + 6.9906; P < 0.05), although of limited value to select high ovulatory responding goats, due to its low correlation value. Then, goats were grouped into high and low ovulatory responders to the eCG (High ≥9; Low <9 CL) and pFSH treatments (High ≥13; Low <13 CL). After the eCG and pFSH treatments, 60% of the goats maintained their classification as high or low superovulatory responders (expressed as recurrence rate). Significant differences were found in the number of CL (18.2 ± 1.3 vs 9.9 ± 1.3), number of embryos + oocytes (13.5 ± 1.7 vs 7.6 ± 1.7), number of embryos (10.8 ± 1.4 vs 5.1 ± 1.4) and number of Grade 1 and Grade 2 embryos (8.8 ± 1.4 vs 4.3 ± 1.4) between high and low superovulatory responder goats (P < 0.05), while no differences were observed in the number of oocytes and in the recovery of embryos + oocytes, embryos, Grade 1 and Grade 2 embryos and fertilization rates (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the recurrence rate in ovarian response between the one-shot eCG treatment and the multiple-dose pFSH treatment would confirm the existence of an "individual or intrinsic factor" of the donor goat that would respond as a high or low ovulatory responder to superovulatory treatments.


Dihydroxanthopterinuria in phenylketonuria and lethal hyperphenylalaninemia patients.
7,8-Dihydroxanthopterin in identified in urine from phenylketonuria and lethal hyperphenylalaninemia patients. Because 7,8-dihyroxanthopterin is readily oxidised to xanthopterin, most of the characterisation was performed on xanthopterin. This finding indicates a gross disturbance of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism in these patients. 7,8-dihydroxanthopterin or a related pterin may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurological symptoms in phenylketonuria and lethal hyperphenylalaninemia.


Use of the single cell gel electrophoresis/comet assay for detecting DNA damage in aquatic (marine and freshwater) animals.
The comet assay is a rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method for measuring DNA strand breaks. The comet assay has advantages over other DNA damage methods, such as sister chromatid exchange, alkali elution and micronucleus assay, because of its high sensitivity and that DNA strand breaks are determined in individual cells. This review describes a number of studies that used the comet assay to determine DNA strand breaks in aquatic animals exposed to genotoxicants both in vitro and in vivo, including assessment of DNA damage in aquatic animals collected from contaminated sites. One difficulty of using the comet assay in environmental work is that of comparing results from studies that used different methods, such as empirical scoring or comet tail lengths. There seems to be a consensus in more recent studies to use both the intensity of the tail and the length of the tail, i.e. DNA tail moment, percentage of DNA in the tail. The comet assay has been used to assess DNA repair and apoptosis in aquatic animals and modifications of the comet assay have allowed the detection of specific DNA lesions. There have been some recent studies to link DNA strand breaks in aquatic animals to effects on the immune system, reproduction, growth, and population dynamics. Further work is required before the comet assay can be used as a standard bio-indicator in aquatic environments, including standardization of methods (such as ASTM method E2186-02a) and measurements.


Polymicrobial catheter sepsis in long term central venous catheters.
We present 2 cases of polymicrobial catheter sepsis in patients with long term central venous catheters who were receiving home parenteral nutrition. Both patients were generally unwell with haemodynamic instability. Attempts at catheter salvage by combined antibiotic and fibrinolytic administration through the central line were unsuccessful and resulted in patient deterioration. Catheters were removed in both patients. We conclude that catheter salvage should be considered very carefully in patients with polymicrobial catheter sepsis and there should be a low threshold for catheter removal in these cases.


A three dimensional model of the digestion of peptidoglycan by lysozyme.
The digestion of single peptidoglycan chains of the recently proposed conformation (Formanek et al., 1974) can be described with the same enzymatic mechanism as proposed by Phillips for a hexasaccharide consisting of alternating N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylmuramic acid residues (Phillips, 1966). It is shown by model building, that in a peptidoglycan lysozyme complex the peptide chains do not exhibit any sterical hindrance. The digestion of the peptidoglycan sacculus by lysozyme may occur at latice defects of its paracrystalline structure. A slit of about 30 A length and 10--15 A width between peptidoglycan micells may be sufficient for the attachment of lysozyme.


[Functional disability indexes: translation difficulties and cross cultural adaptation problems].
To summarize the difficulties involved in translating tests in Arabic and to describe the translation methods and to apply those to functional indexes. Four functional indexes were translated and then subjected to the following test validation methods: back translation, pre-test, and review by an expert committee. Translation problems were underlined. These include in particular the different types of equivalence between the source language and the target language (semantics, idioms, conceptual... equivalences). Problems related to comprehensive literal words were the most observed. The current method combining translation with back translation is not sufficient and must be used with, a pre-test and a review committee.


Value of Thrombomodulin as a Marker for Sepsis in Critically Ill Children.
Pediatric sepsis is altered organ function in critically ill children and a main etiology of mortality for children. Therefore, the authors aimed to assess the role of serum thrombomodulin as valuable biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis in acutely ill pediatrics in the intensive unit. This prospective clinical study conducted on 140 acutely ill patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Menoufia University Hospital and 50 apparently healthy controls from October 2018 through September 2019. All included children were subjected to clinical examination and the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) and Pediatric Index of Mortality II (PIM II) scores were calculated. Serum thrombomodulin was measured for both patients and the control group upon admission. The children were followed for a period of 30 d. Serum thrombomodulin level was increased among all the patients and those with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and severe sepsis compared with controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, serum thrombomodulin was higher in patients who died than who survived (p = 0.005). Thrombomodulin had area under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) =0.915 for predicting sepsis, whereas C-reactive protein had AUC = 0.789. According to the prognosis, thrombomodulin had AUC = 0.711 for predicting mortality whereas PRISM and PIM scores had AUC = (0.918, 0.960) respectively. Serum thrombomodulin is a promising marker for pediatric sepsis. The data showed that serum thrombomodulin had a valuable role in diagnosis of sepsis early in critically ill pediatrics.


Occupational endotoxin exposure and health effects.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), also termed endotoxin, is an integral structural component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and has been a focus of bioaerosol research for many years. Endotoxin is nearly ubiquitous in the environment; however, exposure at specific workplaces, such as waste collecting, livestock farming, agriculture, the textile industry has been associated with adverse health effects. The aim of this review is to summarize studies published in the last 10 years on endotoxin measurement and health effects due to endotoxin in occupational settings. The search was mainly performed using MEDLINE (Pubmed), focusing on publications related to the determination of endotoxin, inhalative occupational endotoxin exposure, and health effects. The review shows that despite the well-established methods available to measure endotoxin, a global comparison of studies still remains difficult because the details of sampling strategies and exposure assessment are variable and depend on the specific workplace situation. Thus, health-based threshold limit values still cannot be derived on the basis of available data. Since endotoxin is only one component in a heterogeneous bioaerosol mixture, the question remains open on how to evaluate and record the additional effects of the other components. In particular, there is a lack of intervention studies investigating the effectiveness of protective measures with respect to health outcome. In addition, the studies selected in this review show a wide range of endotoxin exposure, even within one industry or sector. The level of exposure seems to depend more on the specific task performed and the way it was performed rather than on the profession or industry itself. The identification of hot spots of exposure, as well as methods of communication on hazards and possible protective measures, seem to remain important tasks in occupational health protection.


Antenatally detected urinary tract dilatation: a 12-15-year follow-up.
Antenatally diagnosed urinary tract dilatation (UTD) still burdens healthcare providers and parents. This study was conducted to establish long-term outcome in an unselected group of children with antenatally detected UTD. Seventy-one out of 103 children born in 2003-2005 and diagnosed with antenatal UTD agreed to participate in a 12-15-year follow-up including blood and urine samples, a kidney ultrasound exam, and kidney scintigraphy. The records were searched for previous urinary tract infections. Among children with an anteroposterior diameter (APD) ≤ 7 mm and no calyceal, kidney, ureteral, or bladder pathology in the early postnatal period, no one tested had reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, or UTD at the follow-up at a mean age of 13.6 years. One child had kidney damage not affecting kidney function. Among children with postnatal APD > 7 mm and/or kidney, calyceal, ureteral, or bladder pathology, 15% had persistent UTD and 32-39% (depending on the method used) had kidney damage. Major postnatal urinary tract ultrasound abnormalities and a congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) diagnosis were factors associated with an increased risk for permanent kidney damage (odds ratios 8.9, p = 0.016; and 14.0, p = 0.002, respectively). No one had reduced eGFR. One child (1/71, 1%) had a febrile urinary tract infection after the age of 2. We conclude that in children with postnatal APD ≤ 7 mm, no calyceal dilatation, normal bladder, ureters, and kidney parenchyma, the outcome is excellent. There is no need for long-term follow-up in these patients.


Verification of the dose attenuation of a newly developed vacuum cushion for intensity-modulated radiation therapy of prostate cancer.
This study measured the dose attenuation of a newly developed vacuum cushion for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of prostate cancer, and verified the effect of dose-correction accuracy in a radiation treatment planning system (RTPS). The new cushion was filled with polystyrene foams inflated 15-fold (Sφ ≒ 1 mm) to reduce contraction caused by air suction and was compared to normal polystyrene foam inflated to 50-fold (Sφ ≒ 2 mm). The dose attenuation at several thicknesses of compression bag filled with normal and low-inflation materials was measured using an ionization chamber; and then the calculated RTPS dose was compared to ionization chamber measurements, while the new cushion was virtually included as region of interest in the calculation area. The dose attenuation rate of the normal cushion was 0.010 %/mm (R (2) = 0.9958), compared to 0.031 %/mm (R (2) = 0.9960) in the new cushion. Although the dose attenuation rate of the new cushion was three times that of the normal cushion, the high agreement between calculated dose by RTPS and ionization chamber measurements was within approximately 0.005 %/mm. Thus, the results of the current study indicate that the new cushion may be effective in clinical use for dose calculation accuracy in RTPS.


Occurrence, leaching, and degradation of Cry1Ab protein from transgenic maize detritus in agricultural streams.
The insecticidal Cry1Ab protein expressed by transgenic (Bt) maize can enter adjacent water bodies via multiple pathways, but its fate in stream ecosystems is not as well studied as in terrestrial systems. In this study, we used a combination of field sampling and laboratory experiments to examine the occurrence, leaching, and degradation of soluble Cry1Ab protein derived from Bt maize in agricultural streams. We surveyed 11 agricultural streams in northwestern Indiana, USA, on 6 dates that encompassed the growing season, crop harvest, and snowmelt/spring flooding, and detected Cry1Ab protein in the water column and in flowing subsurface tile drains at concentrations of 3-60ng/L. In a series of laboratory experiments, submerged Bt maize leaves leached Cry1Ab into stream water with 1% of the protein remaining in leaves after 70d. Laboratory experiments suggested that dissolved Cry1Ab protein degraded rapidly in microcosms containing water-column microorganisms, and light did not enhance breakdown by stimulating assimilatory uptake of the protein by autotrophs. The common detection of Cry1Ab protein in streams sampled across an agricultural landscape, combined with laboratory studies showing rapid leaching and degradation, suggests that Cry1Ab may be pseudo-persistent at the watershed scale due to the multiple input pathways from the surrounding terrestrial environment.


Structural characterization and comparison of promoter activity of mouse and bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) gene 5' flanking regions in WERI, Y79, chick retina cells, and transgenic mice.
To determine the sequences of the mouse and bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) 5' flanking regions and whether these 5' flanking regions contain functional IRBP promoter activity in multiple cell types using both quantitative and statistical analyses. We sequenced the bovine and mouse 5' flanking regions of the IRBP gene and compared these sequences to the human gene sequence. To test for functional activity of this region, we used the same DNA construct, p1783, in four different cell types. Mobility shift, DNase footprints, and southwestern blots were used to determine where nuclear protein complexes bind the IRBP 5' flanking region. The 5' flanking regions of the bovine, human, and mouse IRBP genes exhibit sequence similarity in regions immediately adjacent to the start of transcription (roughly 350 bases in length) and also over a 220 base sequence about 1.25 to 1.50 kb upstream of the transcription start site. Two different statistical approaches showed that the IRBP 5' flanking region possesses promoter activity in four different cell types. By using mobility shift, DNase I-protection experiments, and southwestern blotting, a region of about 45 bases at position -300 was identified that specifically binds a protein from the nuclei of bovine retina and Y79 cells. Specific DNA binding events are an essential part of IRBP promoter activity. The conservation of sequences far upstream of the transcription start suggest that unknown physiological processes remain to be understood in IRBP transcriptional regulation.


Exploring Coping and Religiosity in an Indian Ashram for Older Adults.
With the aging of Indians and the cultural context of family care, faith-based ashrams are a possible middle way for older adult care for strained families. Religiosity is multidimensional, but it is unclear how its different dimensions relate to coping. This exploratory study investigates the profile of residents living in a faith-based ashram of Haridwar, a pilgrimage town in Northern India. Additionally, it examines religiosity and coping in this population, and the correlates of positive coping response (PCR). Preliminary field survey helped zero in on a single consenting ashram. We included 95 older adult participants (≥ 60 years) residing for more than six months. Relevant dimensions were captured with a survey interview form to record sociodemographics, BriefCOPE, and Duke University Religion Index. The sample was representative of the institutionalized older-adult population considering the overlap of sociodemographics (age, gender, and marital status). We conducted linear regression to examine possible predictors of PCR. Most older adults were Hindus, higher educated, married, and lived with their spouses. The participants were highly religious. Coping through religion was most common, followed by active coping. On linear regression, a significant model emerged [F (13, 63) = 3.411, p < .001), where age, education, and organizational religious activity were significant predictors of PCR. However, other sociodemographic (sex, marital status, economics, family contact) and dimensions of religiosity (non-organizational religious activity and intrinsic religiosity) variables failed to predict PCR. Lesser age, higher education, and involvement in the public practice of religiosity are essential contributors to PCR in older adults. How different aspects of religiosity influence coping and lend meaning to dealing with stress, needs further exploration.


New insights into the impact of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics on the nutritional quality of marine jacopever (Sebastes schlegelii).
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in the marine environments due to the wide use and mismanagement of plastics. However, the effect of MPs/NPs on the nutrition quality of economic species is poorly understood, and their underlying mechanisms remained unclear. We therefore investigated the impacts of polystyrene MPs/NPs on the nutrition composition of marine jacopever Sebastes schlegelii from the perspective of assimilation and metabolism. Results showed that NPs reduced more nutrition quality than MPs. Despite no notable impact on intestinal microbiota function, MPs/NPs influenced the assimilation of fish through intestinal damage. Furthermore, NPs induced greater damage to hepatocyte metabolism than MPs, caused by hepatocyte uptake through membrane protein pumps/channels and clathrin/caveolin-mediated endocytosis for NPs, while through phagocytosis/pinocytosis for MPs. NPs triggered more cell apoptosis signals in Ferroptosis and FoxO signaling pathways than MPs, destroying mitochondria structure. Compared with MP treatments, a significant upregulation of genes (PRODH and SLC25A25A) associated with the electron transfer chain of mitochondria was detected in the NP treatments, influencing the tricarboxylic acid cycle and interfering with liver metabolism of proteins, fatty acid, glycerol phospholipids, and carbohydrates. This work provides new insights into the potential impacts of MPs/NPs on the quality and safety of seafood.


Retention of Escherichia coli, Giardia lamblia cysts and Ascaris lumbricoides eggs in agricultural soils irrigated by untreated wastewater.
In central Mexico, agricultural irrigation reusing Mexico City's municipal wastewater has been occurring for the last century, resulting in the recharge of the local aquifer. However, groundwater of this zone is of good quality, indicating that the microorganisms contained in wastewater are retained by soil after infiltration. This study aims to assess the capacity of three agricultural soils to retain three microorganisms frequently found in wastewater, namely Escherichia coli (E. coli), Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) cysts and Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) eggs, through batch sorption-desorption assays. The tested soils were: an organic-clayey soil (C-OM), a clayey soil (C-om) and a sandy soil (c-om). For the three soils, sorption equilibrium of E. coli was reached before 1 h, while for G. lamblia cysts and A. lumbricoides eggs, sorption equilibrium took 2.5 h. Sorption of E. coli was better described by the Freundlich model than by the Langmuir one. Higher retention of bacteria was observed in the C-om soil (KF = 4340) than in the C-OM and c-om ones (KF = 1821 and 0.01, respectively). Regarding G. lamblia cysts and A. lumbricoides eggs, data could not be fitted to the tested sorption models. For both organisms, retention was lower in the C-OM soil than in the C-om and c-om ones. In the desorption tests, a sudden liberation of E. coli from soils was observed, probably due to bacterial re-growth. Desorption of G. lamblia was higher in the sandy soil than in the clayey ones; desorption was not increased when a surfactant was applied to the soil, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions are not necessarily responsible for retention of the cysts onto the tested soils. For A. lumbricoides eggs, desorption using NaOCl solution suggested that retention was caused by interactions between the mineral fraction of the soil and the external walls of eggs. This study showed that the three target microorganisms are retained by the tested soils and that mineral domain of soil has an important role in such retention.


How environmental leadership shapes green innovation performance: A resource-based view.
Considering rapid climate change and its effects, an increasing number of enterprises are paying more attention to environmental protection behavior in order to realize their green innovation activities. However, environmental leadership is critical for delivering green innovation in business and industry. As such, can environmental leadership promote the green innovation performance of enterprises? If so, what is the influence mechanism? In the previous research on environmental leadership, the impact of environmental leadership on the green innovation performance of enterprises had not yet been effectively explored. Therefore, drawing on a resource-based view, this study explored the mechanism through which environmental leadership influences a firm's green innovation performance. In this study, with the help of the mature scale at home and abroad, variables were measured, and the relationship between variables was verified by multiple regression analysis using samples collected from 224 heavy-polluting enterprises in western China at multiple time points. It was found that (1) environmental leadership has significant positive effects on green product innovation performance and green process innovation performance; (2) proactive environmental strategies partly mediate the relationships between environmental leadership and green product, as well as green process innovation performance; and (3) a firm's organizational structure positively moderates the relationship between environmental leadership and proactive environmental strategies. Therefore, the results of our study provide theoretical and practical contributions for research on environmental leadership and proactive environmental strategies.


Captopril alleviates oxidative damage in diabetic retinopathy.
To primarily explore the mechanism of captopril in oxidative stress and investigate the link between captopril alleviated oxidative damage and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were used for in vitro experiments and cultured in a 5.5 mM or 30 mM glucose medium. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for in vivo experiments, and parts of the rats were established for diabetic groups by injected streptozotocin (n = 10, each group). Both experiments had a captopril-treated group. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and human 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) were detected in assay kits and ELISA. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of steroid regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Evans blue were used to describe retinal histopathology. The levels of TC, ROS, NO, and 3-NT were increased in the higher glucose groups compared with the normal controls during in vivo and in vitro experiments. Western blotting showed a higher level of SREBP2, iNOS, and VEGF and a lower eNOS level in the higher glucose groups. These results were reversed by captopril. Captopril relieved diabetic retinal vascular leakage. Our study suggested that captopril alleviates oxidative damage in DR due to creating lower peroxynitrite by decreasing ROS and NO, which may provide a visible direction for DR research.


Cytochromes c': Structure, Reactivity and Relevance to Haem-Based Gas Sensing.
Cytochromes c' are a group of class IIa cytochromes with pentacoordinate haem centres and are found in photosynthetic, denitrifying and methanotrophic bacteria. Their function remains unclear, although roles in nitric oxide (NO) trafficking during denitrification or in cellular defence against nitrosoative stress have been proposed. Cytochromes c' are typically dimeric with each c-type haem-containing monomer folding as a four-α-helix bundle. Their hydrophobic and crowded distal sites impose severe restrictions on the binding of distal ligands, including diatomic gases. By contrast, NO binds to the proximal haem face in a similar manner to that of the eukaryotic NO sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase and bacterial analogues. In this review, we focus on how structural features of cytochromes c' influence haem spectroscopy and reactivity with NO, CO and O2. We also discuss the relevance of cytochrome c' to understanding the mechanisms of gas binding to haem-based sensor proteins.


Managing Carbon on Federal Public Lands: Opportunities and Challenges in Southwestern Colorado.
Federal lands in the United States have been identified as important areas where forests could be managed to enhance carbon storage and help mitigate climate change. However, there has been little work examining the context for decision making for carbon in a multiple-use public land environment, and how science can support decision making. This case study of the San Juan National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office in southwestern Colorado examines whether land managers in these offices have adequate tools, information, and management flexibility to practice effective carbon stewardship. To understand how carbon was distributed on the management landscape we added a newly developed carbon map for the SJNF-TRFO area based on Landsat TM texture information (Kelsey and Neff in Remote Sens 6:6407-6422. doi: 10.3390/rs6076407 , 2014). We estimate that only about 22 % of the aboveground carbon in the SJNF-TRFO is in areas designated for active management, whereas about 38 % is in areas with limited management opportunities, and 29 % is in areas where natural processes should dominate. To project the effects of forest management actions on carbon storage, staff of the SJNF are expected to use the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and extensions. While identifying FVS as the best tool generally available for this purpose, the users and developers we interviewed highlighted the limitations of applying an empirically based model over long time horizons. Future research to improve information on carbon storage should focus on locations and types of vegetation where carbon management is feasible and aligns with other management priorities.


Short-term effects of a hypocaloric diet and a physical activity programme on weight loss and exercise capacity in obese subjects with chronic ischaemic heart disease: a study in everyday practice.
The objective of this paper is to describe the effects of a rehabilitation programme in obese patients affected with chronic ischaemic heart disease; to identify the factors that influence weight loss and improvement in exercise capacity in everyday practice. We studied 562 white patients (381 men) who followed a 23.3 +/- 3.9 days in-hospital programme. They attended daily sessions of aerobic activity (cycloergometer, walking, and strength exercise); a low-calorie diet was set at approximately 80% of resting energy expenditure. By the end of the programme BMI decreased from 38.0 +/- 4.9 to 36.7 +/- 4.8 kg/m2 (P < 0.001 ). Attained metabolic equivalents (METs) increased from 6.2 +/- 2.5 METs to 7.3 +/- 2.7 (P < 0.001). Age, sex, presence of diabetes and education level were significantly related to the outcomes. Patients who took beta-blockers and statins had less BMI improvement: -1.2 +/- 0.7 kg/m2 vs. -1.4 +/- 0.6 (P = 0.013) and -1.3 +/- 0.6 vs. -1.4 +/- 0.7 (P = 0.023), respectively. Patients that took diuretics and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) had less improvement in exercise capacity: 0.9 +/- 1.0 METS vs. 1.3 +/- 1.3 (P < 0.001) and 0.8 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.2 +/- 1.3 (P = 0.011 ), respectively. After a median interval of 358 days, 152 patients were seen at a follow-up visit: their BMI increased by 1.0 +/- 2.4 kg/m2 and only 21% of patients lost weight. Rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and induces significant weight loss in obese patients with stable IHD, but women, diabetic, elderly and poorly educated subjects obtained unsatisfactory results. Use of diuretics and ARB seem to worsen the results. At follow-up only a small percentage of patients further improves BMI.


Polymer-hybrid nanoparticles: Current advances in biomedical applications.
The unique properties of polymer-hybrid nanosystems enable them to play an important role in different fields such as biomedical applications. Hybrid materials, which are formed by polymer and inorganic- or organic-base systems, have been the focus of many recently published studies whose results have shown outstanding improvements in drug targeting. The development of hybrid polymer materials can avoid the synthesis of new molecules, which is an overall expensive process that can take several years to get to the proper elaboration and approval. Thus, the combination of properties in a single hybrid system can have several advantages over non-hybrid platforms, such as improvements in circulation time, structural disintegration, high stability, premature release, low encapsulation rate and unspecific release kinetics. Thus, the aim of the present review is to outline a rapid and well-oriented scenario concerning the knowledge about polymer-hybrid nanoparticles use in biomedical platforms. Furthermore, the ultimate methodologies adopted in synthesis processes, as well as in applications in vitro/in vivo, are the focus of this review.


[Assessment to fixed and variable ROI (region-of-interest) settings in the determination of left ventricular ejection fraction by multiple gated cardiac pool imaging: the benefit of variable ROI setting].
The accuracy of left ventricular ejection fractions (EF) determined by multiple gated cardiac pool imaging (RI-EF) and by M-mode echocardiography (Echo-EF) (Teichholz's method) was evaluated by comparing with those derived from angiocardiography (LVG-EF) in 19 patients including 9 with myocardial infarction, 3 with rest angina, 2 with effort angina, 2 with valvular disease, 1 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 1 with congestive cardiomyopathy and 1 with hypertensive heart. Measurement of RI-EF was carried out by the fixed ROI method using a single end-diastolic ROI, and the variable ROI method where end-diastolic and end-systolic ROI were used.


Intracellular gradients of electrical potential in the epithelial cells of the Necturus gallbladder.
When single-barrelled electrodes (5-60 Momega) were advanced under manual control from the mucosal side of the epithelium the mucosal membrane was on average indented by about 40 micron before the microelectrode pentrated the cell. Since this dimpling was comparable with the total depth of the cell, which recovered its original shape within 0.5 sec, the steady intracellular potential was recorded only about 14 micronm from the basal (serosal) membrane. Fast recording of the associated change in potential revealed an abrupt drop to -26 mV at a mean rate of 84 V/sec, followed by a further slow drop to a steady value of about -50 mV at a mean rate of 0.28 V/sec. The initial level of -26 mV may be regarded as the potential difference across the mucosal membrane. This conclusion was confirmed by mounting the microelectrode on a piezoelectric probe, which delivered 3 micron jabs in less than 0.5 msec. With this device in operation to prevent dimpling, the mean potential difference across the mucosal membrane was recorded as -29 mV. In all cases the potential across the basal membrane was recorded as -52 mV. Manual advance of the microelectrode tip within the cytoplasm yielded an intracellular potential gradient of 0.6 mV/micron. The same potential profile and membrane potentials were demonstrated on penetrating the epithelium from the serosal side, and measurements with multibarrelled electrodes whose tips were staggered in depth gave roughly the same internal potential gradient. The resistivity of the cytoplasm was determined by a triple-barrelled microelectrode, and varied from 10 times that of Necturus saline at the mucosal end of the cell to 4 times in the middle and 6 times at the serosal end.


Pas Kinase Deficiency Triggers Antioxidant Mechanisms in the Liver.
Metabolic dysfunction in the liver is the cause of numerous pathologies, which are associated with an altered redox state. PASK (PAS Domain Kinase) is a nutrient and bioenergetic sensor. We contend that PASK could act as an oxidative stress sensor in liver and/or control the metabolic balance, playing a role in the mitochondrial homeostasis. Using PASK-deficient mice, we observed that PASK deficiency promotes antioxidant response mechanisms: a lower production of ROS/RNS under non-fasting conditions, overexpression of genes coding to ROS-detoxifying enzymes and mitochondrial fusion proteins (MnSod Gpx, Mfn1 and Opa1), coactivator Ppargc1a, transcription factors (Pparg and FoxO3a) and deacetylase Sirt1. Also, under fasting conditions, PASK deficiency induced the overexpression of Ppargc1a, Ppara, Pparg, FoxO3a and Nrf2 leading to the overexpression of genes coding to antioxidant enzymes such as MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD, GPx, HO1 and GCLm. Additionally, inducing PINK1 involved in cell survival and mitophagy. These changes kept ROS steady levels and improved the regenerative state. We suggest a new role for PASK as a controller of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics in the liver. In fact, antioxidant response is PASK dependent. PASK-targeting could therefore be a good way of reducing the oxidative stress in order to prevent or treat liver diseases.


Corneal crosslinking with riboflavin using sunlight.
To assess whether sunlight might be used to induce a biomechanical stiffening effect in riboflavin-soaked corneas similar to the effect observed in corneal crosslinking (CXL) using riboflavin and UV-A light. Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Experimental study. 52 porcine eyes were assayed. The concentration of riboflavin in the corneal stroma was estimated using UV-A transmission in a preliminary experiment. Then, the duration of sunlight exposure to achieve a fluence of 7.2/cm 2 was calculated. Finally, de-epithelialized corneas were divided equally into 3 groups and soaked with riboflavin 0.1% (control group and Group 1) or 0.5% (Group 2). Eyes from Groups 1 and 2 were then exposed to sunlight. The elastic modulus was calculated as an indicator of stiffness. Riboflavin concentration in Group B was higher by a factor of 2.8 than Group A. According to live illuminance measurements and stromal riboflavin concentration, the sunlight exposure duration varied between 16 minutes and 45 minutes. Groups 1 and 2 had higher elastic modulus than controls ( P < .0001) but did not differ between them ( P = .194). The stiffening effect was 84% and 55%, respectively. Sunlight exposure of ex vivo corneas soaked in both riboflavin 0.1% and 0.5% resulted in increased corneal stiffness. Specifically, riboflavin 0.1% with longer UV-A exposure showed a trend for a greater stiffening effect, which might open new alleys for the use of oral riboflavin and fractioned sunlight exposure as less invasive CXL techniques.


Leaching characteristics of rare metal elements and chlorine in fly ash from ash melting plants for metal recovery.
In terms of resource recovery and environmental impact, melting furnace fly ash (MFA) is attracting much attention in Japan due to its high metal content. The study aims to obtain fundamental information on using a water extraction method not only to concentrate valuable rare metals but also to remove undesirable substances such as chlorine for their recovery from MFA. The composition and leaching characteristics of MFA was investigated. The results revealed that the metal content in MFA is nearly equal to raw ore quality. The content of Ag, In, Pd, Pb, and Zn is, in fact, higher than the content of raw ore. As for leaching behavior, Ag, Bi, In, Ga, Ge, Sb, Sn, and Te showed the lowest release at a neutral pH range. Pd was leached constantly regardless of pH, but its concentration was quite low. On the other hand, most of the Tl was easily leached, revealing that water extraction is not appropriate for Tl recovery from MFA. Major elements Cl, Ca, Na, and K, occupying about 70% of MFA, were mostly leached regardless of pH. Base metal elements Cu, Pb, and Zn showed minimum solubility at a neutral pH. The leaching ratio of target rare metal elements and base metal elements suggests that the optimal pH for water extraction is 8-10, at which the leaching concentration is minimized. The water extraction process removed most of the Cl, Ca, Na, and K, and the concentration of rare metals and base metals increased by four or five times.


"Treat us as a person": A narrative inquiry of experiences and expectations of interactions with pharmacists and pharmacy staff among people who are transgender.
Despite the increased visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, little is known about their interactions with pharmacists and pharmacy staff while accessing care from the pharmacies. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and expectations of the TGD people regarding their interactions with pharmacists and pharmacy staff in Queensland, Australia. This study is situated in a transformative paradigm and utilized narrative inquiry to conduct semi-structured interviews with TGD participants. An interview guide based on the relevant literature and the constructs of the Theoretical Framework of Accessibility was developed. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit people who identified as TGD and had previously visited pharmacies to access care. Depending on participants' preferences, interviews were conducted face-to-face or via phone or Zoom application. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and organized in chronological stories. Data were analyzed to derive themes from the participant stories. A total of 22 participants (transwomen = 11, transmen = 8, non-binary trans masculine = 3) were interviewed. Two major themes were identified, (1) Challenges of accessing care from the pharmacy and (2) Making the most of the interactions between TGD people and pharmacists. Major challenges of accessing care from pharmacies included anticipated anxiety of accessing care, healthcare system constraints, compromised privacy and confidentiality at the pharmacy, and being challenged about their gender. Many avoided interacting with pharmacists and staff or kept their interactions minimal. Participants recognized that pharmacists play a meaningful role in TGD health and provided insights about how pharmacists can improve care provision to TGD people. Cultural and pharmacotherapeutic education in transgender health are crucial for Australian pharmacists and staff to provide inclusive, respectful, and person-centered care to TGD people.


Clinical value of peripheral blood circulating tumor DNA in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
The high expression of programmed cell death 1-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a valid biological indicator of the therapeutic benefit of pembrolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the response rate of NSCLC patients with positive PD-L1 expression to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy is still low. From January 2019 to January 2021, a retrospective study was conducted at the Fujian Medical University Xiamen Humanity Hospital. In total, 143 patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and the efficacy of the treatment [complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), or progression disease (PD)] was evaluated. Patients with a CR and PR were defined as an objective response (OR) group (n=67), and the other patients were defined as a control group (n=76). The differences in the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and clinical features between the 2 groups were compared, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of ctDNA in predicting the failure to achieve an OR after immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC, and a multivariate regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the OR after immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. R4.0.3 statistical software (Ross Ihaka Robert Gentleman, New Zealand) was used to establish and verify the prediction model of OR after immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. CtDNA was valuable in predicting the non-OR of patients with NSCLC after immunotherapy, and the area under the curve was 0.750 [95% CI: 0.673-0.828, P<0.001]. CtDNA <3.72 ng/µL can be used to predict which NSCLC patients will achieve objective remission after immunotherapy (P<0.001). Based on the regression model, a prediction model was established. The data set was randomly divided into the training set and validation set. The sample size of the training set was 72 and that of the validation set was 71. The area under the ROC curve of the training set was 0.850 (95% CI: 0.760-0.940), and that of the validation set was 0.732 (95% CI: 0.616-0.847). CtDNA was valuable in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients.


Usefulness of six non-proprietary indirect markers of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
The aim of the study was to perform a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of six popular, non-proprietary, indirect markers of liver fibrosis in a cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C representing the full spectrum of disease severity. A total of 167 consecutive, hepatitis C virus RNA positive, untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied. Liver biopsy with histological evaluation and age/platelet index, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, Bonacini's discriminant score, Forn's fibrosis index and FibroIndex were assessed in all patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the six tests was always greater when performed to discriminate patients with METAVIR score F4 than when assessed to discriminate patients with METAVIR score > or =F2. At step-wise discriminant analysis the only indirect marker of fibrosis entered was FibroIndex, with the following correct classification of the patients: total=52.1, patients with scores F0-F1=62.2, patients with scores F2-F3=26.0 and patients with score F4=68.4. The ability to correctly classify patients using a panel of non-proprietary indirect markers of liver fibrosis is far from being ideal. Among them, FibroIndex appears to possess the best discriminating capacity. The simultaneous use of several indirect markers of liver fibrosis does not improve their diagnostic accuracy.


Fingertip reconstruction with a palmar advancement flap and free dermal graft: a report of six cases.
The palmar thumb advancement flap was first described by Moberg in 1964. It was further utilized for the thumb and defined by Posner and Smith in 1971. In 1980, Macht and Watson favorably reported their technique of palmar advancement that was applicable not only for the thumb, but also for all five digits with soft tissue tip losses. A further refinement of their technique is to augment the digital tip with an autogenous dermal graft. This dermal "padding" is placed directly over the bony tuft to act as a "shock absorber," add bulk and contour to the distal tip of the finger, increase soft tissue stability, eliminate direct percussive tenderness of the bone, and decrease disability for specific occupations such as those requiring typewriting. Six cases are reported.


Detection of bile leakage from traumatic right hepatic duct laceration with technetium-99m DISIDA cholescintigraphy.
A woman was admitted to the hospital after blunt abdominal trauma. Initial ultrasound was equivocal but suggested a localized hepatic laceration. The patient was discharged but returned three weeks later with ascites and mild pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Hepatobiliary imaging identified a large bile leak originating from the porta hepatis but showed no evidence of parenchymal injury. No hepatic injury was found at surgery, but a laceration of the right hepatic duct was identified. Hepatobiliary imaging is the procedure of choice in diagnosing bile leaks from the extrahepatic biliary system.


In lonely mice, astrocytes turn inhibitory.
Social deprivation in mice switches the role of astrocytes from supporting to inhibiting cognition.


Failure of 3-methylindole to contract the bovine pulmonary vein or to release mediators of anaphylaxis from the bovine lung in vitro.
Strips of smooth muscle from the pulmonary vein, pulmonary artery, trachea and bronchus of calves were incubated in an organ bath with 3-methylindole (3MI) and 3-methyloxindole (3MOI). 3MI and 3MOI (5-640 micrograms/ml) did not cause contraction of any of the isolated smooth muscle preparations. No evidence for the release of mediators of anaphylaxis was obtained when chopped bovine lung preparations were incubated with 3MI (20 micrograms/ml) and 3MOI (25 micrograms/ml). Results of the present work diminish the possibility that the pneumotoxic effect of 3MI is due to a primary hydrodynamic imbalance across the alveolocapillary membrane resulting in excess filtration over reabsorption.


The contribution of color to depth perceived from motion parallax.
Perceived depth was measured in a colored stimulus while stimulus movement yoked to head displacement simulated a depth of 1 cm. Velocity judgments were also made for similar stimuli moving at the same average speed but without head movement. Both measures decreased to a minimum of about 30-40% of the veridical values when the stimuli were equiluminous. Perceived depth and speed also decreased for a monochromatic stimulus as a function of luminance contrast but much more abruptly than for the chromatic stimuli. The results indicate that equiluminous color stimuli contribute to the perception of depth from motion parallax and that the contribution is not mediated by residual luminance.


Genetic variants within the interleukin-1 gene cluster, and risk of incident myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke: a nested case-control approach.
Recent findings implicating specific gene polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 superfamily gene cluster in the risk of developing athero-thrombotic disorders have generated great interest. However, to date, no prospective, genetic-epidemiological data are available. Using DNA samples collected at baseline in a prospective cohort of 14,916 initially healthy American men, we evaluated seven gene polymorphisms within the interleukin-1 gene cluster among 599 individuals who subsequently developed athero-thrombotic event and among 599 age- and smoking-matched individuals who remained free of reported cardiovascular disease during follow-up (341 incident myocardial infarction matched case-control pairs and 258 incident ischemic stroke matched case-control pairs). Overall, we observed little evidence of association between the polymorphisms tested and risk of incident athero-thrombotic events. Further adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors yielded similar null findings. Of note, a modest association of rs1143623 with reduced risk of incident MI was found (recessive model: OR=0.455, 95% CI=0.215-0.960, uncorrected p=0.039). However, this finding was not corrected for multiple testing, and thus requires cautious interpretation. In contrast to prior retrospective studies, our prospective data suggest that the IL-1 cluster gene variation is not associated with risk of athero-thrombotic disorders.


Kinetic separation in flow injection spectrophotometry: simultaneous determination of copper and zinc in a single run.
A flow injection spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of copper (II) and zinc (II) in mixtures was developed, utilizing metal-zincon complex formation and kinetic differences in the ligand substitution reaction of these complexes with aminopolycarboxylic acids at pH 9.18. The linear range for the determination of zinc is 0.2-9.7 microg ml(-1) and for copper is 0.2-3.5 microg ml(-1). About 90 samples can be determined in 1h. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of zinc and copper in various vitamin formulations with no need for previous separation.


Erratum - Transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2) ameliorates sepsis-associated acute kidney injury by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and improving the mitochondrial function.
This corrects the article published in European Journal of Histochemistry 2022;66:3412. doi: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3412.


Gene expression as an indication for ochratoxin A biosynthesis inPenicillium nordicum.
The expression level of theotapksPN gene ofPenicillium nordicum was determined by Reverse Transcription Real Time PCR in relation to several growth parameters known to have an influence on ochratoxin A biosynthesis, like pH, medium composition and temperature. Generally there was a good correlation between the expression level of this key gene and ochratoxin A biosynthesis. The results, which were obtained by Real Time PCR for a single gene, could generally be confirmed by microarray analysis with a whole set of genes related to ochratoxin A biosynthesis. Growth conditions which favour the expression of the ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes also resulted in the biosynthesis of ochratoxin A by the fungal culture, indicating that the influence of abiotic parameters is mediated via the regulation of transcription of the ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes. The influence of several parameters, like pH, salt concentration and temperature on the expression of the ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes has been analysed. Optimum conditions for the activation of the ochratoxin A biosynthesis genes were: pH 6.0-8.0, 25 °C and a sodium chloride concentration of 20 g/l. This was paralleled by the capacity ofP. nordicum to produce ochratoxin A under the same conditions. After combining the most inhibitory conditions (15 °C, sodium chloride 10 g/l, pH 5.0) nearly a complete deactivation of the ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes could be observed resulting in a complete abolishment of ochratoxin A biosynthesis. In contrast, a high expression and a high production of ochratoxin A could be observed after growth ofP. nordicum under more optimal conditions (25 °C, 20 g/1 sodium chloride, pH 8.0).


Continued Visibility of COVID-19 Article Removals.
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has produced an unprecedented amount of scientific research as well as a high number of article retractions. Social and news media have been used to disseminate scientific research, and this can include retracted or withdrawn research. This risks the persistence of low-quality research and may contribute to controversial ideas or conspiracy theories. We examined 34 retracted or withdrawn coronavirus disease 2019 articles using alternative metrics. These articles continued to receive social and news media mentions up to 180 days postremoval, although most mentions occurred within 30 days postremoval. Articles available on preprint servers accounted for 45.5% of total mentions. A significant, positive correlation was observed among Scimago Journal Rank, Immediacy Index, and Journal Citation Index, and total article mentions.


Additive Influence of Top Metal Contact and Alumina Deposition on the Threshold Voltage of Suspended Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors.
One-dimensional nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes offer excellent properties useful for applications in gas sensors, piezoresistive devices, and radio frequency resonators. Considering their nanoscale form factor, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are highly sensitive to surface adsorbents. This study presents the fabrication flow of CNT devices with extended passivated areas around electrical contacts between the CNT and source and drain electrodes. These types of structures could help in understanding the intrinsic CNT response by eliminating the analyte impact on the Schottky barrier regions of the CNT field-effect transistors (CNTFETs). The influence of multiple processing conditions on the electronic properties of CNTFETs with a suspended individual CNT used as the CNTFET channel is presented. Our findings show a threshold voltage shift in CNT ISD-Vg characteristics following the metal deposition and alumina atomic layer deposition.


[Legionnaires' disease in Germany (author's transl)].
In February 1979 a 51 year old man fell will in Munich, displaying symptoms of an influenza-like illness which developed into pneumonia. The patient died eight days later of circulatory collapse which failed to respond to treatment, accompanied by high temperature, leucopenia and agranulocytosis. Typical rods detected in the lung tissue and histological sections by immunofluorescence indicated the possibility of a Legionella pneumophila infection. The pathogen isolated from the lung tissue on CYE agar was identified as L. pneumophila, serogroup I. The diagnosis was confirmed by the CDC, Atlanta. This is the first time this organism has been isolated in Central Europe from a case with a fatal outcome.


Performance evaluation of a new fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab combination electrochemiluminescence immunoassay - evaluation of a new HIV assay.
A new fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for screening of HIV infection, the Elecsys HIV Combi PT (Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany) assay, is going to be commercially available in clinical laboratories in China. This assay was evaluated and compared with two commonly used assays: Elecsys HIV Combi assay and the Livzon anti-HIV-1/2 ELISA. Commercially available panels and 30 established HIV infection samples were tested to evaluate the sensitivity. In addition, a total of 675 routine clinical samples were collected and tested in West China Hospital to compare the specificity. Any reactive result from a screening test was retested and all reactive retested samples were confirmed with Western blot assay, Elecsys HIV Ag test, Elecsys HIV Ag confirmatory test or HIV-1 RNA NAT testing. According to the results of the HIV seroconversion panels, the Elecsys HIV Combi PT could detect seroconversion at the same bleed or at least one bleed earlier compared to the other two assays. Among the 675 clinical samples, most results were consistent except for one specimen with a false-negative result using Elecsys HIV Combi assay. In conclusion, the Elecsys HIV Combi PT has shown satisfactory sensitivity and specificity to be a screening test for HIV infection.


Infrared sauna as exercise-mimetic? Physiological responses to infrared sauna vs exercise in healthy women: A randomized controlled crossover trial.
Passive heat therapies have been reported to have similar effects on the cardiovascular system as exercise. Studies supporting these findings in healthy populations have predominantly been done with men using warm water immersions or traditional saunas, rather than newer infrared-based saunas. To explore short-term thermal and cardiovascular responses in women using an infrared sauna as compared to moderate-intensity exercise. Randomized controlled crossover trial with balanced allocations. Brisbane, Australia (August 2019 - March 2020) PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy women (36 ± 9 years) INTERVENTIONS: 45 min of resting, infrared sauna or indoor bicycling PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: tympanic/skin temperatures; respiratory rate; blood pressure; arterial stiffness; heart rate variability RESULTS: Tympanic temperatures were elevated during infrared sauna as compared to both control (mean diff = +1.05 oC ± SEM 0.12 oC, 95% C.I.: 0.73 - 1.36, p < 0.0005) and exercise (mean diff = +0.79 oC ± SEM 0.12 oC, 95% C.I.: 0.49 - 1.08, p < 0.0005). Respiratory rates were higher during exercise as compared to both control (mean diff = +7.66 ± SEM 1.37, 95% C.I.: 4.09 - 11.23, p < 0.0005) and infrared sauna (mean diff = +6.66 ± SEM 1.33, 95% C.I.: 3.20 - 10.11, p < 0.0005). No significant differences in non-invasive measures of blood pressure, arterial stiffness or heart rate variability were detected between any of the interventions. These findings suggest the physiological effects of infrared sauna bathing are underpinned by thermoregulatory-induced responses, more so than exercise-mimetic cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular activations.


[Lengthening and correction of deformation of the femur in children and adolescents using rod and bar-rod apparatus of external fixation].
55 patients with thigh shortening and deformations have been subjected to 65 operations with the use of the rod-based apparatus with outer fixation. Original arrangement diagrams and indications for application of apparatus with external fixation of different versions are provided. Planned lengthening has been achieved with 54 patients. Decrease of the apparatus mass and dimensions, reduction of operative intervention time period, improvement of conditions of remedial gymnastics carrying out and patient self-servicing are considered as advantages of the rod-based apparatus with external fixation.


Quantitative assessment of land surface temperature and vegetation indices on a kilometer grid scale.
Due to expanding populations and thriving economies, studies into the built environment's thermal characteristics have increased. This research tracks and predicts how land use and land cover (LULC) changes may affect ground temperatures, urban heat islands, and city thermal fields (UTFVI). The current study examines land surface temperature (LST), urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI), normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land use land cover (LULC) on a kilometer scale. According to the comparative study, the mean LST decreases by 3 °C and the NDVI increases considerably. Correlation analysis showed that LST and NDVI are inversely connected, while LST and NDBI are positively correlated. NDVI and NDBI have a strong negative association, while LST and UTFVI have a positive correlation. Urban planners and environmentalists can study the LST's effects on land surface parameters in different environmental contexts during the lockout period. The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, in which the land surface qualities of an urban region cause a change in the urban thermal environment, forms and intensifies over an urban area. The minimum and maximum LST in grid number 1 in 2009 was 20.30 °C and 29.91 °C, respectively, with a mean LST of 25.1 °C. There was a decline in the minimum and maximum LST in grid number 1 in 2020 with a minimum and maximum LST of 17.31 °C and 25.35 °C, respectively, with a mean LST of 21.33 °C. There was a 3.8 °C drop in the LST of this grid. The minimum and maximum NDVI were also - 0.16 and 0.59, respectively, with an average NDVI value of 0.21. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate and foresee the impact of LULC change on the thermal environment and examines the connection between LULC shifts with subsequent changes in land surface temperature (LST) along with the UHI phenomenon. Maps of the UTFVI reveal positive UHI phenomena, with the highest UTFVI zones occurring over the developed area and none over the adjacent rural territory. During the summer months, the urban area with the strongest UTFVI zone grows noticeably larger than it does during the winter months during the forecasted years. Future policymakers and city planners can mitigate the effects of heat stress and create more sustainable urban environments by evaluating the expected distribution maps of LULC, LST, UHI, and UTFVI.


A novel tumor-associated protein: clinical significance of serum levels in various clinical conditions with special reference to gynecological malignant diseases.
A novel tumor-associated protein (TAP), that was originally detected immunologically through the use of a monospecific antiserum against a placental antigen, was quantified by means of the rocket technique of Laurell. Four hundred and fifty-seven serum samples were obtained from healthy female subjects (55), and patients with leiomyomas (162), benign ovarian tumors (78), pelvic endometriosis (45), cervical cancer (73), endometrial cancer (18) and ovarian cancer (26), respectively. Statistical analysis showed that TAP exhibited the closest relationship in ovarian cancer patients in whom the appearance of TAP and its high level were most prominent. The present preliminary study suggests the clinical usefulness of this protein as a clinical adjunct for the management of ovarian cancer.


Outcomes post-discharge from an early intervention in psychosis service.
To investigate the effectiveness of an early intervention in psychosis (EIP) service on engagement and hospital bed usage, post-discharge. A secondary aim was to identify if there was a subgroup of patients with 'poor outcomes'. A naturalistic study comparing engagement and hospital bed day usage of individuals who received treatment from an EIP service (n = 75) with those who presented before the service was established (n = 113). The EIP service demonstrated better engagement with service users in year 5 (P = 0.001). No significant differences were observed on hospital bed day usage. When 'poor outcome' cases were removed, a trend towards lower bed usage in EIP services emerged (P = 0.139). EIP services improve engagement with service users. There was not a significant reduction in hospital bed usage. However, advantages could be masked by a relatively small number of individuals with 'poor outcomes'.


Quantitative determination of the induction of apoptosis in a murine B cell line using flow cytometric bivariate cell cycle analysis.
WEHI-231 cells have been used extensively as a model of tolerance induction in B cells. Recent evidence has shown that anti-IgM treatment of WEHI-231 cells resulted in the induction of apoptosis. In this study, using acridine orange staining and flow cytometric analysis, we demonstrated that apoptotic cells are detected as a distinct population of cells separate from the cells in normal cell cycle progression. The validity of analysis gates was confirmed by cell sorting of the apoptotic population versus normal cells and subsequent gel analysis. Using this technique, we have demonstrated that F(ab')2 anti-mu, A23187, or PMA induced apoptosis in the WEHI-231 cells. The addition of LPS reversed apoptotic induction as seen previously with the WEHI-231 cell line. In contrast, however, PMA did not prevent the induction of apoptosis in anti-mu-treated cells. Additionally, we were interested in determining if the induction of apoptosis was restricted to a specific phase of cell cycle. Since growth inhibition results in most cells arresting in the G1 phase of cell cycle, we wanted to demonstrate apoptosis as a G1-dependent event. This was examined with WEHI-231 cells treated with known cell cycle inhibitors. Interestingly, inhibition of cells in each phase of cycle resulted in the induction of apoptosis. LPS was able to inhibit the induction of apoptosis with each of the cell cycle inhibitors except actinomycin D. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the WEHI-231 cells contain a Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-dependent preexisting endonuclease.


Novel 7-methoxy-6-oxazol-5-yl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazolin-4-ones as IMPDH inhibitors.
The synthesis and biological activity of a novel series of 7-methoxy-6-oxazol-5-yl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinazolin-4-ones are described. Some of these compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase type II (IMPDH II).