Histopathological evaluation of cesarean scar defect in women with cesarean scar syndrome.
To explore the histopathological findings of cesarean scar defect (CSD) and the immunological component in women with cesarean scar syndrome (CSS). This retrospective study was conducted in a university hospital and a public hospital. A total of 63 patients with secondary infertility due to CSS who underwent laparoscopic resection of the CSD lesion were enrolled (CSS group), and 21 patients who underwent hysterectomy with a history of cesarean section were enrolled as control (non-CSS group). We compared the differences in histopathological findings of CSD lesions by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD20, CD56, CD68, CD138, myeloperoxidase, and tryptase between the two groups. The frequency of presence of endometrium on the CSD surface was significantly lower (p = 0.0023) and that of adenomyosis was significantly higher (p = 0.0195) in the CSS group than in the non-CSS group. The number of CD3-, CD20-, CD68-, and tryptase-positive cells was significantly lower in the CSS group than in the non-CSS group; however, the number of CD138-positive cells was significantly higher in the CSS group (p = 0.0042). This study suggested that the absence of endometrium, presence of adenomyosis, and chronic inflammation in CSD contributes to secondary infertility due to CSS.


Associations of Telomere Length and Change With Cognitive Decline Were Modified by Sex and Race: The REGARDS Study.
We examined the associations of baseline telomere length (TL) and TL change with cognitive function over time in older US adults, as well as differences by sex and race. A total of 1820 cognitively healthy individuals (median baseline age: 63 years) were included. Telomere length was measured using qPCR-based method at baseline and among 614 participants in the follow-up examination 10 years later. Cognitive function was assessed by a four-test battery every 2 years. In multivariable-adjusted linear mixed models, longer baseline TL and smaller attrition/lengthening of TL over time were associated with better Animal Fluency Test score. Longer baseline TL was also linearly associated with better Letter Fluency Test score. The observed associations were consistently more pronounced in women than men and in Black compared to White participants. Telomere length may be a biomarker that predicts long-term verbal fluency and executive function, particularly in women and Black Americans.


Bullying and employee turnover among healthcare workers: a three-wave prospective study.
To investigate the risk of turnover among targets of bullying at work. Exposure to bullying seems to leave targets with intentions to leave their workplaces. However, it is uncertain to what extent they actually leave. Data were collected by questionnaires in a three-wave study among Danish healthcare workers at the time of graduation (T₁ ), 1 (T₂ ) and 2 years (T₃ ) later. We followed 2154 respondents who participated in all three waves. The first year after graduation, 9.2% reported being bullied at work, 1.8% frequently. Follow-up analyses showed a strong relationship between exposure to bullying at T₂ and turnover at T₃ [odds ratio (OR) for frequently bullied = 3.1]. The inclusion of push factors such as low social support and low sense of community, intention to leave and ill health did not change the relation between bullying and turnover significantly. Three reasons for quitting stood out among reasons given by the bullied respondents: poor leadership, being exposed to negative behaviour and health problems. Bullying may be costly to an organization in terms of staff turnover and subsequent recruitment and training of replacements. IMPACT FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Managers should regularly monitor the psychosocial work environment. To prevent bullying local policies and procedures should be developed, implemented and evaluated.


Age influence on stromal vascular fraction cell yield obtained from human lipoaspirates.
The adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a heterogeneous population of mononuclear cells that includes approximately 1-10% mesenchymal stromal cells. These SVF cells can be freshly obtained from human lipo-aspirates and represent and ideal candidate for regenerative medicine applications. In the present study, we analyzed the SVF yield as a function of the patient's age. Adipose tissue samples from 52 informed subjects (all women) were processed by means of an innovative point-of-care technology for SVF isolation (GID platform). After enzymatic dissociation of adipose tissue and SVF pellet resuspension, we measured the concentration of mononucleated cells as well as other cell quality analyses on the cell suspension obtained. We then calculated the cell yield as total nucleated cells per milliliter of dry adipose processed. The mean SVF yield obtained was 7.19 × 10(5) ± 2.11 × 10(5) total nucleated cells per milliliter of adipose tissue. Our results show that there is a clear statistically significant decline in SVF cell yield with increasing age. Because all samples were obtained from the same donor area and the isolation technique used was the same in all cases, we conclude that the SVF cell yield in women is affected by patient age. Specific age-related factors should be analyzed in the future to explain these results.


Concurrent impalement of two orbits in a child: A case report.
Orbital impalement is a serious and potentially life-threatening trauma if the brain or vessels at the base of the skull are affected. The authors report the results and aftermath of the management of a case of post-traumatic retention of an intra-orbital metallic foreign body. A 5-year-old boy was struck by a motorcycle while crossing a road. His head struck the handlebars of the motorcycle with a left facial-orbital impact point. The examination revealed a foreign body penetrating the orbit at the level of the left upper eyelid with limitation of adduction. The radiological assessment confirmed the intra-orbital presence of the foreign body with probable fracture of the inner wall of the eyeball. Surgical exploration through the palpebral wound revealed an intact eyeball and an incarceration of the medial rectus muscle by a fracture of the internal wall. After delicate and meticulous removal of the foreign body, hemostasis was ensured and the wound was sutured. The evolution was satisfactory, without sequelae or visual prejudice. Imaging, i.e. a CT scan and a standard X-ray, is necessary to evaluate the lesions before adapting a therapeutic attitude. The choice of the approach for extraction must meet two cardinal concerns: extraction of the foreign body and minimal dissection or manipulation of the noble structures of the eye and its adnexa. Intra-orbital foreign bodies are rare but potentially serious. The type of the foreign substance, its intra-orbital extension and related lesions, as well as the extraction process, all influence the prognosis.


Postoperative Opioid Prescribing, Use, and Disposal in Children.
This article provides an overview of postoperative opioid prescribing, use, and disposal patterns in children and also identifies gaps in knowledge and areas for improvement. We present evidence that there is a need to tailor prescriptions to specific procedures to reduce the number of excess, unused prescription opioid pills in the home. We also explain the need to provide culturally competent care when managing a child's pain after surgery. Finally, we discuss the need for widespread provider and caregiver education about safe prescription opioid use, storage, and disposal.


Co-movements, option pricing and risk management: an application to WTI versus Brent spread options.
Co-moments of asset returns play a major role in financial contagion during crises. We study the properties of a particular specification of the generalized bivariate normal distribution which allows for co-volatility and co-skewness. With this probability distribution, formulae for single-name and exchange options can be evaluated quickly since they are based on one-dimensional integrals. We provide a very precise approximation formula for spread option prices and derive the corresponding greeks. We perform a day-to-day re-estimation of the probability distribution on a dataset of WTI vs Brent spread options, showing the ability of this specification to capture the salient empirical features observed in the market. Finally, we show the impact of co-movements on portfolio risk management.


Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the vulva: a multimodal treatment approach.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare in the gynecological population and have a high risk for local and distant failures. Multimodal management of a patient with MPNST of the vulva and review of the literature are outlined. A 34-year-old woman presented with a complaint of a rapidly increasing pelvic mass, pain, and difficulty ambulating. A disfiguring 20 x 20-cm vulvar mass was identified and a recurrent MPNST diagnosed. Therapy included external-beam radiation, anterior pelvic exenteration with pelvic reconstruction, and adjuvant chemotherapy without complication. It is recommended that for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the vulva, complete surgical resection be performed with adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in selected cases.


Schistosomiasis prevention option: toxicological evaluation of Vernonia amygdalina on the tissues of Bulinus truncatus at different pH conditions.
Research into, and the use of plant products in the control of vectors of pathogens is being revived and seriously considered as an alternative or complete replacement for the classical synthetic agents. The study was designed to investigate toxicological assessment of the aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on mortality and tissue level damages of the freshwater snail Bulinus truncatus at different pH levels. The effects of the extract on total protein concentration and activities of acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the tissues of the snail were assayed using standard methods. Compared to the control (snail group not treated with the extract of V. amygdalina), there were significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the total protein concentrations and acetylcholinesterase activity in the snails' tissues of the treated groups (0.20 mg/L, 0.40 mg/L and 1.00 mg/L) at all the pH conditions (3.5, 7.0 and 10.5). The reverse of this trend followed in the case of acid and alkaline phosphatases' activities. The study provides a substantial possibility of exploiting local indigenous plant resources such as V. amygdalina for control of freshwater snails and monitor water pollution. The study also raised a possibility of the locals living around freshwater bodies prone to trematode borne diseases to reflexively control freshwater snail population by just squeeze-washing their V. amygdalina around the river banks.


Delayed hypersensitivity response to oxazolone in neonatally estrogenized mice.
Neonatal NMRI mice were treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES) fof the first 5 days after birth. At 6 and 9 months the same animals were tested for delayed hypersensitivity reaction using an ear test with oxazolone. The DES treated animals had a diminished response to oxazolone compared with controls.


Temperature dependence of glucose transport in erythrocytes from normal and alloxan-diabetic rats.
Alloxan diabetes increased 3-O-methylglucose transport rates in rat red blood cells (RBC) at temperatures below 30 degrees C and decreased them above 30 degrees C. Preincubation of RBC from control rats with 20 mM glucose, 3-O-methylglucose, 2-deoxyglucose or xylose greatly elevated transport at 14 degrees C by increasing Vmax. The effect was slight at 40 degrees C. Preincubation with glucose or deoxyglucose alone caused a 50% depression of transport rates at 40 degrees C as a result of a rise in the Km, which is similar to findings in cells from alloxan-diabetic rats. Measurement of intracellular glucose metabolites suggested inhibition of glycolysis in cells from diabetic rats and a positive correlation between the level of intracellular hexose monophosphates and transport inhibition. Membrane fatty-acid and cholesterol composition and membrane lipid-ordering as monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance were not altered by alloxan diabetes. It is concluded that intracellular sugar and sugar metabolism alter the temperature dependence of glucose transport kinetics. Glucose metabolism can feed back to inhibit transport by increasing the transport Km at physiological temperatures only.


[A comparative study of the white cell pipette method and the Makler counting chamber method of counting spermatozoa].
A new method for counting spermatozoa was introduced by Makler. This method was compared with the white blood cell pipette method and the results revealed high precision and accuracy (difference of means = 5,9%). Makler's method, which is very simple to perform, has the advantage that rapid and reliable sperm counts can be done. Therefore, the Makler counting chamber can be used with confidence in the performance of semen analysis by any doctor or in any laboratory.


Biomagnification of organohalogens in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from its main prey species in three areas of the Baltic Sea.
Factors affecting the biomagnification of organohalogens in Baltic salmon from sprat, herring and three-spined stickleback were assessed in three feeding areas. Second sea-year salmon contained (in fresh weight of whole fish) 79-250ngg(-1) polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB), 0.9-2.7pgg(-1) dibenzo-p-dioxins (ΣPCDD), 8-19pgg(-1) dibenzofurans (ΣPCDF), 96-246pgg(-1) coplanar PCBs, 2.4-3.6ngg(-1) polybrominated diphenylethers (ΣPBDE), and 39-136ngg(-1) Σ(indicator) PCB6. The EU limits for WHO toxic equivalent concentrations in fish feed were already exceeded in one-year-old sprat and herring and were exceeded many-fold in older age groups. The differences in the biomagnification rates of organohalogens in salmon appeared to be related to the feeding area, principal prey species, and the fat content and growth rate of the prey species.


Lignin degradation by selected fungal species.
As biological decomposition of plant biomass represents a popular alternative environmental-friendly and economically justified process, screening of ligninolytic enzyme systems of various fungal species is a topical study area. The goal of the study was to obtain clear insight into the dynamics of laccase, Mn-dependent peroxidase, and Mn-independent peroxidase activity and levels of wheat straw lignin degradation in seven wood-rotting fungi. The best laccase producers were Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii. Lenzites betulinus and Fomitopsis pinicola were the best Mn-dependent peroxidase producers, and P. ostreatus the weakest one. The peak of Mn-independent peroxidase was noted in Dichomytus squalens, and the minimum value in P. ostreatus. The profiles of the three enzymes, obtained by isoelectric focusing, were variable depending on the species and cultivation period. D. squalens was the best lignin degrader (34.1% of total lignin amount), and P. ostreatus and P. eryngii the weakest ones (7.1% and 14.5%, respectively).


Modeling the human infectious reservoir for malaria control: does heterogeneity matter?
The complex biological relationships underlying malaria transmission make it difficult to predict the impact of interventions. Mathematical models simplify these relationships and capture essential components of malaria transmission and epidemiology. Models designed to predict the impact of control programs generally infer a relationship between transmission intensity and human infectiousness to the mosquito, requiring assumptions about how infectiousness varies between individuals. A lack of understanding of human infectiousness precludes a standard approach to this inference, however, and field data reveal no obvious correlation between transmission intensity and human population infectiousness. We argue that model assumptions will have important consequences for predicting the impact of control programs.


Presumptive vagally-mediated atrial flutter in a dog.
An asymptomatic nine-year-old Dobermann Pinscher underwent a screening for dilated cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular eccentric hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction; the rest of the echocardiographic parameters were within normal limits. Holter monitoring demonstrated sinus rhythm as the dominant cardiac rhythm during the first hours of the recording. Then, during a period of physiologically enhanced vagal tone (sleep), spontaneous development of atrial flutter (AFL) associated with variable ventricular response was documented. Alternation between AFL and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was also observed. Subsequently, during a period of physiological increase of sympathetic tone (physical activity/excitement), spontaneous conversion of AFL to sinus rhythm occurred. In light of these findings, a presumptive diagnosis of vagal AFL was made. The images here described allow us to study the onset, behavior and termination of this intriguing electrocardiographic entity.


Separation of protein C from Cohn Fraction IV-1 by mini-antibody.
Human protein C (PC) is a natural anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic in the bloodstream. PC deficiency can lead to abnormal blood clot formation inside blood vessels, possibly causing heart attack, stroke, skin necrosis, or even death. PC can be, therefore, a valuable therapeutic with little side effect, unlike the currently used anti-coagulants. To reduce the cost involved in immuno purification of PC from blood plasma, single chain variable fragments (mini-Mab) are being produced by recombinant E. coli using phagemid technique. As an economic means of purifying the PC specific mini-Mab, metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) purification process was also investigated. Then using the purified mini-Mab, the feasibility of PC purification from the Cohn Fraction IV-1 was examined. Cohn Fraction IV-1 is usually a discarded side-stream from the blood plasma fractionation of human serum albumin. It holds 90% of PC in plasma, but is very cheap. Preliminary study of PC purification from the Cohn Fraction IV-1 showed 16% purification yield using mini-Mab immobilized NHS-activated Sepharose. The economic analysis for PC purification using mini-Mab showed that the overall process was found to be tens of times cheaper than that using Mab.


Depression and quality of life in patients with epilepsy in Northwest Greece.
The purpose of the present study was to compare depression and QoL between patients with epilepsy and healthy controls, evaluating potentially related factors to depression and QoL in patients with epilepsy in Northwest Greece. A case study was conducted in adult patients with epilepsy followed up at the University Hospital of Ioannina and in healthy controls. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression's severity evaluation, the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire for the QoL estimation and the Adverse Event Profile (AEP) questionnaire for the Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) adverse effects assessment were used. Seventy patients with epilepsy and 70 controls were recruited. The PHQ-9 score was higher in patients compared to controls and slightly higher than reported in patients with epilepsy. PHQ-9 was significantly associated with the AEP score. Our patients had a poorer QoL compared to controls. The level of education, the AEP and the PHQ-9 scores were associated to QoL, the last two being the most powerful predictors of QoL. Patients with epilepsy in Northwest Greece had higher rates of depression than reported in patients with epilepsy and poorer QoL compared to controls. The adverse effects of AEDs were related to depression in our study, while the adverse effects of AEDs and depression were more powerful predictors of QoL compared to demographics and other characteristics of epilepsy.


Desperate times call for desperate measures: benefits and costs of toxin-antitoxin systems.
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci were first described as killing systems for plasmid maintenance. The surprisingly abundant presence of TA loci in bacterial chromosomes has stimulated an extensive research in the recent decade aimed to understand the biological importance of these potentially deadly systems. Accumulating evidence suggests that the evolutionary success of genomic TA systems could be explained by their ability to increase bacterial fitness under stress conditions. While TA systems remain quiescent under favorable growth conditions, the toxins can be activated in response to stress resulting in growth suppression and development of stress-tolerant dormant state. Yet, several studies suggest that the TA-mediated stress protection is costly and traded off against decreased fitness under normal growth conditions. Here, we give an overview of the fitness benefits of the chromosomal TA systems, and discuss the costs of TA-mediated stress protection.


Involvement of impaired desmosome-related proteins in hypertrophic scar intraepidermal blister formation.
Hypertrophic scar is one of the unique fibrotic diseases in human. Intraepidermal blister is a common clinical symptom following the hypertrophic scar formation. However, little is known about the reason of blister creation. In this study, we selected three patients with hypertrophic scar as manifested by raised, erythematous, pruritic, blister and thickened appearance undergoing scar resection. The first scar sample was 6 months after burn from the neck of a 3 years old male patient with 10 score by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The second scar sample was 12 months after burn from the dorsal foot of a 16 years old female patient with 13 score by VSS. The third one was 9 months after burn from the elbow of a 34 years old male patients with 13 score by VSS. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of blister formation, we screened the different protein expression between hypertrophic scar and normal skin tissue by means of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling technology and high throughput 2D LC-MS/MS. There were 48 proteins found to be downregulated in hypertrophic scar. Among the downregulated ones, plakophilin1 (PKP1), plakophilin3 (PKP3) and desmoplakin (DSP) were the desmosome-related proteins which were validated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting assay. Transmission electron microscopy further showed the considerably reduced size and intensity of hemidesmosome and desmosome in hypertrophic scar tissue, compared to control normal skin. Our data indicted for the first time that downregulation of DSP, PKP1 and PKP3 in hypertrophic scar might be responsible for intraepidermal blister formation.


Orthodontic treatment of an unerupted mandibular canine tooth in a patient with mixed dentition: a case report.
The aim of this case report was to describe the surgical-orthodontic treatment of an unerupted mandibular canine tooth in a 9-year-old girl. A 9-year-old white girl presented with an unerupted right mandibular canine tooth. Combined surgical-orthodontic treatment was performed to correct dental impaction and to achieve good aesthetic and functional results. Orthodontic treatment achieved all of the required objectives.


Asymmetric distribution of retinal ganglion cells in goldfish.
The distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in goldfish was determined by removing an eye and applying cobaltous-lysine to the optic nerve for 24 hr. This procedure allowed the cobalt label to be in continuous contact with the cut ends of the optic axons and thereby backfilled many RGCs. RGC density was determined across three different sizes of retinae by using fish with different eye sizes. Confirming earlier work, we found that RGC density diminished as retinal area increased. However, irrespective of the retinal size, the density of RGCs was elevated along the temporal boundary between the dorsal and the ventral retina. A conservative estimate indicated that the RGC density in the temporal retina was at least 1.8-2.5 times higher than the mean RGC density of the entire retina. Thus, the goldfish retina does not appear to have a homogeneous distribution of RGCs as was previously considered. Small and large retinae differed with respect to the percentage of cells in the RGC layer that was RGCs. In small retinae, even when the noncobalt-filled cells (glia and displaced amacrine cells) were added to the cobalt-filled RGCs, the density of all cell types was elevated in the temporal retina relative to the remainder of the retina. Furthermore, in small retinae, the percentage of cells in the RGC layer that was RGCs (75%) was constant across the radial and circumferential aspects of the retina. In marked contrast, in medium-large retinae, a homogeneous distribution of cells across the entire retina resulted when the noncobalt-filled cells were added to the cobalt-filled cells. However, the percentage of cells that was cobalt-filled RGCs was significantly greater in the temporal retina (50%) than in the remainder of the retina (35%). In large retinae, as in small retinae, the percentage of cells that was RGCs did not vary as a function of distance from the optic disc. These data suggest that, in the course of retinal maturation, cell density in the temporal retina is elevated initially and then declines subsequently to the level of the surrounding retina. Over time, more displaced to the level of the surrounding retina. Over time, more displaced amacrine cells may be added to the tissue surrounding the temporal retina. Alternatively, more RGCs outside the temporal retina may become displaced amacrine cells. Such events could account for the growth-associated, disproportionate decrease in the percentage of cells that is RGCs in the tissue surrounding the temporal retina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Electrolithography--A New and Versatile Process for Nano Patterning.
We report a new lithography technique based on electromigration driven material transport for drawing patterns at nanometer scales in ambient conditions. We use a thin metal film as a masking layer and a polymer layer beneath it as a pattern transfer layer. The desired pattern is drawn in the metal layer by etching the metal with a conducting scanning probe assisted by liquid electromigration. The pattern drawn on the metal layer is transferred to the polymer layer by etching the polymer with an appropriate solvent. Subsequently, the pattern is transferred to the desired material layer using a film deposition technique followed by conventional lift-off process. Using this simple technique, we have achieved pattern resolutions of 9 nm on the polymer and 40 nm on transferring the pattern to another material. Based on the ease of use and process costs, this technique promises to be competitive to e-beam lithography that employs high energy and ultra-high vacuum, or the industrial standard ultra-violet light photolithography that employs extremely expensive implements to reach nano-scale resolutions. We also demonstrate direct mask writing using this technique and explain the fundamentals behind the workings of the developed method.


Development of the sex difference in neuron numbers of the superior cervical ganglion: effects of transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk.
The number of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons does not differ for males and females on the day of birth, but by 15 days, after most of the normal neuron death has occurred, males have significantly more neurons than females. This difference persists in the adult. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the presence of afferent input to the SCG is required for the development of this sex difference. Bilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk, which deafferents the SCG neurons, or a sham operation was performed on male and female Sprague Dawley rats on the day of birth. Numbers of neurons were counted in SCGs of animals sacrificed on either postnatal day 4 or 15, before or after normal development of the SCG sex difference. At 4 days, the number of SCG neurons in sham-operated males and females were not different, but by 15 days, females had lost a significant number of neurons, whereas the males had not. Transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk led to a significant loss of over 6,000 SCG neurons by postnatal day 4 in both males and females. Whereas some of this loss is due to axotomy of caudally projecting SCG neurons, at least half of the neuron loss is due to removal of the afferent input. At 15 days, sham-operated males had significantly more SCG neurons than did sham-operated females, but the gender difference was not significant in animals with neonatally deafferented ganglia. Thus, the normal development of the gender difference in SCG neuron numbers requires an intact afferent input.


Short-term environmental nitrogen dioxide exposure and neurology clinic visits for headaches, a time-series study in Wuhan, China.
Previous studies showed the adverse impacts of air pollution on headache attacks in developed countries. However, evidence is limited to the impact of exposure to air pollutants on headache attacks. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure on neurology clinic visits (NCVs) for headache onsets. Records of NCVs for headaches, concentrations of ambient NO2, and meteorological variables were collected in Wuhan, China, from January 1st, 2017, to November 30th, 2019. A time-series study was conducted to investigate the short-term effects of NO2 exposure on daily NCVs for headaches. Stratified analyses were also computed according to season, age, and sex, and the exposure-response (E-R) curve was then plotted. A total of 11,436 records of NCVs for headaches were enrolled in our study during the period. A 10-μg/m3 increase of ambient NO2 corresponded to a 3.64% elevation of daily NCVs for headaches (95%CI: 1.02%, 6.32%, P = 0.006). Moreover, females aged less than 50 years of age were more susceptible compared to males (4.10% vs. 2.97%, P = 0.007). The short-term effects of NO2 exposure on daily NCVs for headaches were stronger in cool seasons than in warm seasons (6.31% vs. 0.79%, P = 0.0009). Our findings highlight that short-term exposure to ambient NO2 positively correlated with NCVs for headaches in Wuhan, China, and the adverse effects varied by season, age, and sex.


Identification of poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as a target protein of immunosuppressive agent 15-deoxyspergualin.
15-Deoxyspergualin (DSG) is an immunosuppressive agent being clinically used. Unlike tacrolimus and cyclosporine A, it does not inhibit the calcineurin pathway, and its mechanism of action and target molecule have not been elucidated. Therefore, we previously prepared biotinylated derivative of DSG (BDSG) to fish up the target protein. In the present research, we identified poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as a DSG-binding protein using this probe. DSG was confirmed to bind to PCBP2 by pull-down assay. Intracellular localization of PCBP2 was changed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by DSG treatment. DSG inhibited the cell growth, and over-expression of PCBP2 reduced the anti-proliferative activity of DSG. PCBP2 is known to regulate various proteins including STAT1/2. Thus, we found PCBP2 as the first target protein of DSG that can explain the immunosuppressive activity.


Utilization of Electrochromically Luminescent Transition-Metal Complexes for Erasable Information Recording and Temperature-Related Information Protection.
Transition metal complexes containing pyrazinium or pyridinium moieties display reversible luminescence changes in response to electrical stimuli, which is useful in the development of erasable information recording electric devices. These complexes are also suitable for temperature-related information protection, since chemically-induced luminescence turn-on is temperature-dependent.


Risk factors for postpartum depression in Chinese women: A cross-sectional study at 6 weeks postpartum.
Postpartum depression (PPD) has received increasing attention due to its harmful impacts and high incidence. PPD is affected by physiological and psychological factors, but the conclusions are not uniform at present, so this study explored the risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) in Chinese population. A total of 397 women attending the obstetric department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University participated in the questionnaire survey, mainly through a cross sectional study. At 6 weeks postpartum, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess PPDS and sleep quality, respectively. The incidence of probable PPDS in our study population was 14.6% at 6 weeks postpartum. Women with blood group A had an almost 3-fold greater risk of PPDS than those with blood group B (OR [95% CI], 2.99 [1.43-6.28], p = 0.004). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, the blood group A phenotype was significantly more prevalent in women with PPDS compared to blood group B (OR [95% CI], 2.65 [1.23-5.70], p = 0.01). Compared to women with blood groups B, AB or O, women with blood group A had high odds of PPDS. If this result can be demonstrated and replicated in other populations, blood group A may be a useful predictor of risk for PPDS in Chinese postpartum women.


Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Adults.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but potentially fatal syndrome of pathologic immune dysregulation characterized by clinical signs and symptoms of extreme inflammation. HLH can occur as a genetic or sporadic disorder and, though seen as an inherited condition affecting primarily a pediatric population, can occur at any age and can be encountered in association with a variety of underlying diseases. Clinically the syndrome, whether genetic or acquired, is characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, and activated macrophages in hematopoietic organs. Therapy centers on suppression of this hyperinflammatory state with cytotoxic, immunosuppressive therapy and treatment of any existing HLH triggers.


GSDMA3 deficiency reprograms cellular metabolism and modulates BCR signaling in murine B cells.
Metabolism plays a crucial role in B cell differentiation and function. GSDMA3 is related to mitochondrial metabolism and is involved in immune responses. Here, we used Gsdma3 KO mice to examine the effect of GSDMA3 on B cells. The results demonstrated that GSDMA3 deficiency reprogrammed B cell metabolism, evidenced by upregulating PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling, along with elevated ROS reproduction and reduced maximal oxygen consumption rate in mitochondria. Moreover, the BCR signaling in the KO B cells was impaired. The reduced BCR signaling was associated with decreased BCR clustering, caused by inhibited activation of WASP. However, GSDMA3 deficiency had no effects on B cell development and functions in humoral immunity, which might be associated with the compensation of upregulated GSDMA2 expression and the fine balance between PI3K signaling and BCR signals interaction. Our observations reveal a previously unknown influence of GSDMA3 on B cells under physiological and immunized states.


Altered mitochondrial RNA production in adipocytes from HIV-infected individuals with lipodystrophy.
Damage to mitochondria (mt) is a major side effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) that includes a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Such damage is associated with the onset of lipodystrophy in HAART-treated HIV+ patients. To further investigate mt changes during this syndrome, we analysed the expression of mtRNA in adipocytes from lipodystrophic HIV+ patients taking NRTI-containing HAART and compared it with similar cells from healthy individuals. Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes collected from different anatomical locations of 11 HIV+ lipodystrophic patients and seven healthy control individuals. RNA was reverse transcribed and Taqman-based real-time PCR was used to quantify three different mt transcripts (ND1, CYTB and ND6 gene products). mtRNA content was normalized versus the housekeeping transcript L13. ND1, CYTB and ND6 expression was significantly reduced in HIV+ lipodystrophic patients. HIV+ men and women did not differ in a statistically significant way regarding the levels of ND1 and ND6, whereas the opposite occurred for CYTB. Lipodystrophy following treatment with NRTI-containing HAART is associated with a decrease in adipose tissue mtRNAs.


Silver staining of histone-depleted metaphase chromosomes.
To investigate a possible relationship between the core-like structures seen in silver-stained chromosomes (prepared by standard cytogenetic methods) and the scaffolds observed in histone-depleted chromosomes, the ability of the scaffold to stain with silver has been examined. Isolated chromosomes were histone-depleted by washing in ammonium acetate or by spreading the chromosomes on an ammonium acetate hypophase. The residual chromosome structures were carbon-platinum shadowed or stained with silver, and then examined by electron microscopy. The results provide clear evidence that the scaffold structure has a high affinity for silver and is therefore similar in its silver-staining potential to the core structure in standard chromosomes. This suggests that the silver core in standard chromosomes may represent the scaffold visualized by histone depletion. The peripherally dispersed DNA radiating from the scaffold also proved to be silver-reactive, and additional experiments demonstrated that purified DNA is capable of binding silver. This result indicates that cytological silver staining is not simply a matter of staining protein, as has previously been thought, but may also involve the staining of chromosomal DNA. In the ammonium acetate-treated and carbon-platinum-shadowed preparations, the scaffold structure was highly variable in its morphology and appeared to be composed of undispersed or incompletely dehistonized chromatin fibers. The silver-stained scaffold reflected this variability. Taken together with other evidence, these findings lead to a questioning of the reality of chromosome core structures.


A psychotherapeutic approach to severely depressed patients.
Even severely depressed patients respond to psychotherapy. A knowledge of the psychodynamic patterns of the life of depressed patients is required for effective therapy. The psychodynamics and main psychotherapeutic procedures for the treatment of two common types of severe depression are described.


Managing invasive hybrids with pond hydroperiod manipulation in an endangered salamander system.
When invasive and endangered native taxa hybridize, the resulting admixture introduces novel conservation challenges. Across a large region of central California, a hybrid swarm consisting of admixed endangered California tiger salamanders (CTS) (Ambystoma californiense) and introduced barred tiger salamanders (BTS) (Ambystoma mavortium) has replaced native populations, threatening the genetic integrity of CTS and the vernal pool systems they inhabit. We employed a large-scale, genomically informed field experiment to test whether shortening breeding pond hydroperiod would favor native CTS genotypes. We constructed 14 large, seminatural ponds to evaluate the effect of hydroperiod duration on larval survival and mass at metamorphosis. We tracked changes in non-native allele frequencies with a 5237-gene exon capture array and employed a combination of custom Bayesian and generalized linear models to quantify the effect of pond duration on salamander fitness. Earlier work on this system showed hybrid superiority under many conditions and suggested that hybrids are favored in human-modified ponds with artificially long hydroperiods. Consistent with these earlier studies, we found overwhelming evidence for hybrid superiority. Very short hydroperiods substantially reduced the mass (1.1-1.5 fold) and survival probability (10-13 fold) of both native and hybrid larvae, confirming that hydroperiod likely exerts a strong selective pressure in the wild. We identified 86 genes, representing 1.8% of 4723 screened loci, that significantly responded to this hydroperiod-driven selection. In contrast to earlier work, under our more natural experimental conditions, native CTS survival and size at metamorphosis were always less than hybrids, suggesting that hydroperiod management alone will not shift selection to favor native larval genotypes. However, shortening pond hydroperiod may limit productivity of hybrid ponds, complementing other strategies to remove hybrids while maintaining vernal pool ecosystems. This study confirms and expands on previous work that highlights the importance of hydroperiod management to control invasive aquatic species.


Diffusion tensor imaging and behavior in premature infants at 8 years of age, a randomized controlled trial with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight<1500 g) children have increased risk of behavioral problems. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the brain shows reduced white matter maturation. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are hypothesized to improve both myelination and behavioral outcome. To test the hypothesis that postnatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) to very low birth weight infants would influence cerebral white matter measured by DTI and improve behavioral outcome at 8 years of age. Eight-year follow-up of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of postnatal supplementation with DHA and AA to 129 VLBW infants fed human milk. Ninety-eight children (76%) met for follow-up at 8 years. Cerebral white matter measured by DTI. Behavioral outcome measured by Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire and selected scales from the Child Behavior Checklist. No significant differences between the intervention group and the control group were found on white matter microstructure or behavioral data. A non-significant finding of higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in a cluster in the corpus callosum of the intervention group is discussed. The present study is the first long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial with DHA and AA to human milk fed VLBW infants exploring cerebral white matter microstructure measured by DTI and parent-reported behavioral problems. No effects on white matter microstructure or behavioral outcome were observed at 8 years of age.


Serum ferritin levels associated with increased risk for developing CHD in a low-income urban population.
The present study examined the association of serum ferritin with CHD risk using the Framingham Heart Study's 10-year risk algorithm. Ordinal logistic regression modelling was used to interpret risk. Proportional odds modelling assessed four divisions of ranked CHD risk (4, high; 3, increased; 2, slight; 1, minimal), separately by sex. Baltimore, MD, USA. African-American and white participants (n 1823) from baseline of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study, aged 30-64 years. For men, there was a 0·5 % increase in risk for every 10-unit rise in serum ferritin (pmol/l). Other significant predictors included increased BMI, white race, unemployment and C-reactive protein ≥9·5 mg/l. For women, there was a 1·5 % [corrected] increase in risk per 10-unit rise in serum ferritin (pmol/l). Other significant predictors included increased BMI, lower education, unemployment and C-reactive protein ≥9·5 mg/l. Serum ferritin is a significant predictor of 10-year hard CHD risk for HANDLS study participants, a low-income, urban population. Serum ferritin, independent of elevated C-reactive protein, was associated with increased 10-year CHD risk for HANDLS participants. To our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence of the role of serum ferritin as a risk factor for hard CHD in African-American and white postmenopausal women in the USA. Future research on cardiovascular events from this prospective study may confirm the association.


Incidence and risk factors of facet joint violation following percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been widely used to osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). No previous investigations have reported the incidence and risk factors of facet joint violation (FJV) caused by PKP. To determine the incidence and risk factors of FJV following PKP in patients with OVCFs. We reviewed a total of 153 patients who underwent bilateral PKP. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were assessed to determine the degree of FJV owing to invasion by a puncture trocar. Clinical outcomes, including visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, were collected from all patients. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed to identify the risk factors for FJV. FJV caused by PKP affected 18.9% of patients and 9.6% of facet joints; approximately 3.9% and 5.7% of facet joints were considered to have grade 1 and grade 2 violations, respectively. There were significant differences between the FJV and non-FJV groups in VAS and ODI scores after surgery. Significant differences were found with respect to the facet joint angle (FJA), the pedicle diameter (PD), and the distance from the entry point to the facet joint space (DEF). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that an FJA > 55°, a PD < 5 mm, and a DEF < 5 mm were independent risk factors for FJV. The placement of a puncture trocar can cause FJV in patients with OVCFs and impact clinical outcomes after PKP. Special attention should be given to patients with an FJA > 55°, a PD < 5 mm, and a DEF < 5 mm.


First isolation of a Yucaipa-like virus in Africa.
A virus having a hemagglutinin closely related to that of paramyxovirus Yucaipa was isolated from the feces of a wild bird in Senegal, West Africa.


Microbial interactions play a keystone role in rapid anaerobic ammonium oxidation sludge proliferation and biofilm formation.
Two mature anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) consortia with high/low relative abundance of anammox bacteria were inoculated for the rapid sludge proliferation and biofilm formation in this study, named up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB1) (high) and UASB2 (low), respectively. Results showed that the nitrogen removal efficiency of UASB2 reached 90.94% after the 120-day operation, which was 13% higher than that of UASB1. Moreover, its biomass amounts were 22.18% (biofilm) and 40.96% (flocs) higher than that of UASB1, respectively. Ca. Kuenenia possessed relative abundances of 29.32% (flocs), 27.42% (biofilm) and 31.56% (flocs), 35.20% (biofilm) in the UASB1 and UASB2, respectively. The relative abundances of genes involved in anammox transformation (hzs, nir) and carbon metabolism (fdh, lgA/B/C, acs) were higher in the UASB2, indicating that Ca. Kuenenia might produce acetate and glycogen to enhance microbial interactions. These findings emphasized the importance of microbial interactions in anammox sludge proliferation and biofilm formation.


Structural analysis of light-colored separated lignin (lignocresol) and its antioxidant properties.
The use of lignin is limited by its heterogeneity and complexity. This study was processed using different methods to obtain spruce milled wood lignin (SMWL), spruce kraft lignin (SKL), and spruce lignocresol (SLC) for comparative analysis of the structure and antioxidant activity. SMWL has a complete softwood lignin side-chains structure and lignin carbohydrate complexes. SKL contains fewer ether bonds, while more conjugate structures and condensed structures contribute to the color. However, the α-position of the lignin side chain eliminates most of the hydroxyl and ether bonds (β-O-4/α-OH, phenylcoumaran, and dibenzodioxocine structure) and effectively grafts p-cresol in the phase separation reaction. It not only inhibits the self-condensation of lignin, but also forms the 1,1-diarylpropane unit while protecting β-O-4 linkages from not breaking. Importantly, SLC has few conjugate structures that result in the lightest color among all lignin isolated. Besides, SLC has a high yield and contains trace carbohydrates, indicating that the phase separation method can achieve great amounts of purity separated lignin. The antioxidant activity of lignin was evaluated, results show that 85% of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were scavenged at the end of 60 min. Owing to its unique color, structural properties, and continuous antioxidant activity, SLC has the potential to manufacture antioxidant cosmetics.


Index of cardiac-electrophysiological balance in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with fingolimod.
Fingolimod is indicated for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and also targets cardiovascular system due to receptors on cardiomyocytes. Results of previous studies are controversial for the effect of fingolimod in terms of ventricular arrhythmias. Index of cardio-electrophysiological balance (iCEB) is a risk marker for predicting malignant ventricular arrhythmia. There is no evidence on the effect of fingolimod on iCEB in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The aim of this study was to evaluate iCEB in patients with RRMS treated with fingolimod . A total of 86 patients with RRMS treated with fingolimod were included in the study. All patients underwent a standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram at initiation of treatment and 6 h after treatment. Heart rate, RR interval, QRS duration, QT, QTc (heart rate corrected QT), T wave peak-to-end (Tp-e) interval, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, iCEB (QT/QRS) and iCEBc (QTc/QRS) ratios were calculated from the electrocardiogram. QT correction for heart rate was performed using both the Bazett and Fridericia formulas. Pre-treatment and post-treatment values were compared. Heart rate was significantly lower after fingolimod treatment (p< 0.001). While the post-treatment values of RR and QT intervals were significantly longer (p< 0.001) and post-treatment iCEB was higher (median [Q1-Q3], 4.23 [3.95-4.50] vs 4.53 [4.18-5.14]; p< 0.001), it was found that there was no statistically significant change in iCEB and other study parameters derived using QT after correcting for heart rate using both of two formulas. In this study, it was found that fingolimod did not statistically significantly change any of the heart rate-corrected ventricular repolarization parameters, including iCEBc, and it is safe in terms of ventricular arrhythmia.


Systemic haemodynamic, renal perfusion and renal oxygenation responses to changes in inspired oxygen fraction during total intravenous or volatile anaesthesia.
Anaesthesia-induced changes in renal perfusion are dependent on the choice of anaesthetic agent. However, the effects of varying inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) on renal perfusion and oxygenation during TIVA (propofol + fentanyl) or volatile anaesthesia (VA; isoflurane) are unknown. In 16 Merino ewes, we surgically implanted a renal artery flow probe and laser-Doppler and oxygen-sensing probes in the renal medulla and cortex. We compared the systemic and renal effects of graded alterations in FiO2 (0.21, 0.40, 0.60, and 1.0) during TIVA or VA and compared the changes with those in the non-anaesthetised state. Compared with the non-anaesthetised state, TIVA and VA decreased renal blood flow (-50% vs -75%), renal oxygen delivery (-50% vs -80%), and renal cortical (-40% vs -60%) and medullary perfusion (-50% vs -75%). At an FiO2 of 0.21, both anaesthetic regimens induced similar reductions in cortical (-58 vs -65%) and medullary (-37% vs -38%) oxygenation. At higher concentrations of FiO2, renal blood flow and renal tissue perfusion were not changed, but intrarenal oxygenation improved similarly under TIVA and VA. In particular, at an FiO2 of ≥0.40 and ≤0.60, cortical and medullary oxygen tension were similar to the non-anaesthetised state. Irrespective of FiO2, TIVA decreased renal and intrarenal perfusion less than VA, but at low FiO2 concentrations both led to equivalent reductions in renal cortical and medullary oxygenation. However, with FiO2 between 0.40 and 0.60 during TIVA or VA, both cortical and medullary oxygenation was maintained at normal physiological levels.


Evidence of neuroinflammation and immunotherapy responsiveness in individuals with down syndrome regression disorder.
Down syndrome regression disorder is a symptom cluster consisting of neuropsychiatric regression without cause. This study evaluated the incidence of neurodiagnostic abnormalities in individuals with Down syndrome regression disorder and determined if abnormalities are indicative of responses to therapeutic intervention. A retrospective, multi-center, case-control study was performed. Patients were required to have subacute onset and the presence of four of five symptom groups present (cognitive decline, expressive language, sleep derangement, loss of ability to perform activities of daily living, and/or a new movement disorder) and no other explanation for symptoms. Individuals with Down syndrome regression disorder were comparable to a cohort of individuals with only Down syndrome although had higher rates of autoimmune disease (p = 0.02, 95%CI 1.04-1.75). Neurodiagnostic abnormalities were found on EEG (n = 19, 26%), neuroimaging (n = 16, 22%), and CSF (n = 9, 17%). Pleocytosis was appreciated in five cases, elevated total protein in nine, elevated IgG index in seven, and oligoclonal bands in two. Testing within 2 years of symptom onset was more likely to have neurodiagnostic abnormalities (p = 0.01, 95%CI 1.64-37.06). In individuals with neurodiagnostic abnormalities, immunotherapy was nearly four times more likely to have a therapeutic effect than in those without neurodiagnostic abnormalities (OR 4.11, 95%CI 1.88-9.02). In those with normal neurodiagnostic studies (n = 43), IVIg was effective in 14 of 17 (82%) patients as well although other immunotherapies were uniformly ineffective. This study reports the novel presence of neurodiagnostic testing abnormalities in individuals with Down syndrome regression disorder, providing credence to this symptom cluster potentially being of neurologic and/or neuroimmunologic etiology.


Endothelin ETA receptors and endothelium partially mediate the positive inotropic and lusitropic effects of angiotensin II.
We analyzed the influence of endothelin-1 and endocardial endothelium on the myocardial effects of angiotensin-II. Angiotensin-II (10(-9)-10(-5) M) was tested in rabbit right papillary muscles in absence (Protocol-A) or presence of PD-145065 (10(-7) M; Protocol-B), BQ-123 (10(-7) M; Protocol-C) or losartan (10(-6) M; Protocol-E), as well as, after removing the endocardial endothelium with Triton X-100 0.5% (Protocol-D). In Protocol-F increasing concentrations of endothelin-1 (10(-10)-10(-8) M) were added in presence of angiotensin-II (10(-7) M) after selective removal of the endocardial endothelium. In Protocol-A, angiotensin-II had dose-dependent positive inotropic and lusitropic effects, maximal at 10(-6) M increasing 122+/-13% active tension, 117+/-16% dT/dtmax and 86+/-9% dT/dtmin. In Protocols B, C and D the inotropic and lusitropic effects of angiotensin-II were significantly attenuated. The same concentration (10(-6) M) of angiotensin-II increased respectively 48+/-11%, 59+/-27% and 72+/-16% active tension; 54+/-14%, 54+/-20% and 32+/-9% dT/dtmax; and 39+/-8%, 48+/-19% and 59+/-11% dT/dtmin; and 40+/-10%. EC(50) for active tension significantly increased from -7.8+/-0.1 logM in Protocol A to -7.1+/-0.3, -6.7+/-0.4 and -6.8+/-0.3 logM in Protocols B, C and D respectively, while Emax decreased from 106+/-14% in Protocol A to 50+/-14 and 51+/-19% in Protocols B and C respectively, but did not significantly change in Protocol D (114+/-25%). Losartan completely blocked the inotropic and lusitropic effects of angiotensin-II, while the attenuation of these effects after the selective removal of the endocardial endothelium was blunted by concomitant administration of endothelin-1 (Protocol F). In conclusion, angiotensin-II has a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect that depends, to a great extent, on endothelin ETA receptor activation and intact endocardial endothelium.


Adolescents' explicit and implicit evaluations of hypothetical and actual peers with different bullying participant roles.
This study examined how adolescents evaluate bullying at three levels of specificity: (a) the general concept of bullying, (b) hypothetical peers in different bullying participant roles, and (c) actual peers in different bullying participant roles. Participants were 163 predominantly ethnic majority adolescents in The Netherlands (58% girls; Mage=16.34years, SD=0.79). For the hypothetical peers, we examined adolescents' explicit evaluations as well as their implicit evaluations. Adolescents evaluated the general concept of bullying negatively. Adolescents' explicit evaluations of hypothetical and actual peers in the bullying roles depended on their own role, but adolescents' implicit evaluations of hypothetical peers did not. Adolescents' explicit evaluations of hypothetical peers and actual peers were different. Hypothetical bullies were evaluated negatively by all classmates, whereas hypothetical victims were evaluated relatively positively compared with the other roles. However, when adolescents evaluated their actual classmates, the differences between bullies and the other roles were smaller, whereas victims were evaluated the most negatively of all roles. Further research should take into account that adolescents' evaluations of hypothetical peers differ from their evaluations of actual peers.


Bilateral, hyperdense middle cerebral arteries predict bihemispheric stroke.
The hyperdense vessel sign is a debated topic in terms of its sensitivity and specificity for acute cerebral ischemia. Bilateral, hyperdense middle cerebral artery signs are rare presentations of bilateral cerebral infarction. We describe a 17-year-old boy with a history of cerebral palsy and a repaired atrial septal defect, presenting with lethargy and respiratory failure. Noncontrast computed tomography of the brain revealed bilateral, hyperdense middle cerebral artery signs, and he subsequently demonstrated bilateral cerebral infarctions in the distributions of the middle cerebral arteries. Hyperdense artery signs must alert physicians to evaluate patients for stroke, with an especially high index of suspicion for pediatric patients with hyperdense vessels, who are less likely to present with atherosclerotic disease causing vascular calcifications; rather, hyperdense artery signs could be an early sign of large-vessel thrombosis and cerebral infarction.


An evaluation of a national mass media campaign to raise public awareness of possible lung cancer symptoms in England in 2016 and 2017.
A two-phase 'respiratory symptoms' mass media campaign was conducted in 2016 and 2017 in England raising awareness of cough and worsening shortness of breath as symptoms warranting a general practitioner (GP) visit. A prospectively planned pre-post evaluation was done using routinely collected data on 15 metrics, including GP attendance, GP referral, emergency presentations, cancers diagnosed (five metrics), cancer stage, investigations (two metrics), outpatient attendances, inpatient admissions, major lung resections and 1-year survival. The primary analysis compared 2015 with 2017. Trends in metrics over the whole period were also considered. The effects of the campaign on awareness of lung cancer symptoms were evaluated using bespoke surveys. There were small favourable statistically significant and clinically important changes over 2 years in 11 of the 15 metrics measured, including a 2.11% (95% confidence interval 1.02-3.20, p < 0.001) improvement in the percentage of lung cancers diagnosed at an early stage. However, these changes were not accompanied by increases in GP attendances. Furthermore, the time trends showed a gradual change in the metrics rather than steep changes occurring during or after the campaigns. There were small positive changes in most metrics relating to lung cancer diagnosis after this campaign. However, the pattern over time challenges whether the improvements are wholly attributable to the campaign. Given the importance of education on cancer in its own right, raising awareness of symptoms should remain important. However further research is needed to maximise the effect on health outcomes.


The relationship between natural killer cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to 2,4-dinitrochlorbenzene in the spectrum of chronic, intractable pulmonary tuberculosis.
We examined natural killer (NK) cell activity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to 2,4-dinitrochlorbenzene (DNCB) in the spectrum of chronic, intractable pulmonary tuberculosis. A high reactive group as defined by high NK cell activity and positive reaction to DNCB were characterised by stable clinical courses assessed by radiographical and clinical changes. A low reactive group defined by non-augmented NK cell activity and negative reaction to DNCB were characterised by progressive clinical courses. Although far advanced radiographic lesions were observed more frequently in the low reactive group and moderately advanced lesions more frequently in the high reactive group, there was not a significant statistical trend.


Examining the relationship between free recall and immediate serial recall: the serial nature of recall and the effect of test expectancy.
In two experiments, we examined the relationship between free recall and immediate serial recall (ISR), using a within-subjects (Experiment 1) and a between-subjects (Experiment 2) design. In both experiments, participants read aloud lists of eight words and were precued or postcued to respond using free recall or ISR. The serial position curves were U-shaped for free recall and showed extended primacy effects with little or no recency for ISR, and there was little or no difference between recall for the precued and the postcued conditions. Critically, analyses of the output order showed that although the participants started their recall from different list positions in the two tasks, the degree to which subsequent recall was serial in a forward order was strikingly similar. We argue that recalling in a serial forward order is a general characteristic of memory and that performance on ISR and free recall is underpinned by common memory mechanisms.


A newly isolated and identified vitamin B12 producing strain: Sinorhizobium meliloti 320.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, VB12) has several physiological functions and is widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries. A new unicellular species was extracted from China farmland, and the strain could produce VB12 which was identified by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS. 16S rDNA analysis reveals this strain belongs to the species Sinorhizobium meliloti and we named it S. meliloti 320. Its whole genome information indicates that this strain has a complete VB12 synthetic pathway, which paves the way for further metabolic engineering studies. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources are sucrose and corn steep liquor (CSL) plus peptone. The optimal combination of sucrose and CSL was obtained by response surface methodology as they are the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. This strain could produce 140 ± 4.2 mg L(-1) vitamin B12 after incubating for 7 days in the optimal medium.


A combination of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test and urea breath test is useful for clinical evaluation of eradication therapy: a multicenter study.
Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test is a new tool for evaluating the H. pylori infection. The present study was carried out to investigate the clinical usefulness of the HpSA test in the evaluation of eradication therapy by comparing it with the (13)C-urea breath test (UBT). One hundred and five patients received eradication therapy for H. pylori. After more than 8 weeks, the success of the therapy was evaluated by the HpSA test and the UBT. Concordant results were regarded as a final diagnosis, but when the results were discordant, histological examination was carried out. Of the 105 patients receiving eradication therapy for H. pylori, 25 patients were regarded as H. pylori positive by the UBT and and 20 patients were regarded as H. pylori positive by the the HpSA test. Nine patients (8.6%) showed discordant results (seven cases with UBT(+) and HpSA(-), and two with UBT(-) and HpSA(+)). Five cases out of nine were ultimately judged as having a false-positive result of the UBT, and in these cases the UBT values were relatively low (below 10 per thousand). The final diagnostic accuracies of the UBT and the HpSA test were 94.3% (88.0-97.9%; 95% CI) and 97.1% (91.9-99.4%), respectively. When we used the HpSA test in cases with weakly positive UBT values, we were able to diagnose the correct status of H. pylori infection after eradication in 99% of all patients (94.8-100.0%). The HpSA test is a useful tool for the evaluation of eradication therapy and a combination of the HpSA test and UBT is clinically recommended.


mRNA differential display of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced rat mammary gland tumors.
The mRNA differential display technique was used to compare mRNAs between normal mammary gland and tumor-derived epithelial cells from female Sprague-Dawley rat mammary gland tumors induced by the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and promoted by a high-fat diet (23.5% corn oil). Two genes, beta-casein and transferrin, were identified as differentially expressed. The expression of these genes was examined across a bank of rat mammary gland tumors derived from animals on a low-fat diet (5% corn oil) or the high-fat diet. Carcinomas had over a 10- and 50-fold lower expression of beta-casein and transferrin, respectively, than normal mammary gland. In addition, carcinomas from animals on the high-fat diet showed on average a 5-fold higher expression of beta-casein and transferrin than carcinomas from animals on the low-fat diet. The results indicate the process of mammary gland tumorigenesis alters the expression of certain genes in the mammary gland, and that the level of dietary fat further modulates the expression of these genes.


Malignant transformation of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia: a systematic review of overall survival.
The incidence of malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia (FD) is very rare. Thus, the available knowledge of its characteristics, management, and survival is scarce. Here, we present a systemic review of fibrous dysplasia that had undergone malignant transformation. A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed electronic database. The survival rates and hazard ratios of age, gender, past history of previous radiotherapy, type of FD, and treatment were collected from the published articles and analyzed. Forty-eight cases were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patient's age, gender, past history radiotherapy, and type of FD did not influence the overall survival (OS). The Kaplan Meier analysis showed that the patients who had not received any treatment had poor prognosis with a median survival of 4 months. The patients that received surgery had significantly longer OS than that in the biopsy group. The prognosis of malignant transformation of FD is relatively poor, and surgery is the optimal treatment of choice. Nevertheless, the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy to patient OS is still undefined.


Concentration dependence of the self-diffusion of human and Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin.
The self-diffusion coefficient of the extracellular hemoglobin of Lumbricus terrestris (mol wt 3.7 x 10(6) daltons) has been measured at protein concentrations ranging from 2 to 25 g/100 ml. The self-diffusion coefficient of human hemoglobin has been measured at concentrations between 10 and 43 g/100 ml. For these measurements, (14)C-labeled hemoglobin was made to diffuse from one Millipore filter into three consecutively arranged Millipore filters containing unlabeled hemoglobin. After a suitable time the filters were separated, and the protein diffusion coefficient was determined from the distribution of radioactivity in the four filters with a table given by Kawalki (1894, Ann. Phys. Chem.52:166-190.). The following results were obtained. The diffusion coefficient of Lumbricus hemoglobin is 1.2 x 10(-7) cm(2)s(-1) at a protein concentration of 2.1 g/100 ml, and is reduced to about 1/10 of this value when the concentration is 25 g/100 ml (T = 21 degrees C). Between 0 and 16 g/100 ml the logarithm of the diffusion coefficient of Lumbricus hemoglobin falls linearly with concentration. Above 16 g/100 ml a marked increase in the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient is observed. Extrapolation of the data to zero hemoglobin concentration yields a limiting value of the diffusion coefficient of Lumbricus hemoglobin of 1.3 x 10(-7) cm(2)s(-1). The diffusion coefficient of human hemoglobin is 4.5 x 10(-7) cm(2)s(-1) at a hemoglobin concentration of 9.7 g/100 ml, and falls to 0.14 x 10(-7) cm(2)s(-1) at a hemoglobin concentration of 43.0 g/100 ml. In addition to diffusivities, the viscosities of human and Lumbricus hemoglobin solutions were measured in a wide range of protein concentrations.The concentration dependence of the diffusivity of Lumbricus hemoglobin is compared to that of myoglobin, ovalbumin, and tetrameric hemoglobin. Proportionality between the diffusion coefficient and the reciprocal of the viscosity of the protein solution is found for all these proteins. It is also shown that an equation proposed by Anderson (1973) gives an excellent description of the diffusivity of the various proteins up to moderate protein concentrations. Above concentrations of 16 g/100 ml for Lumbricus hemoglobin, and 30 g/100 ml for tetrameric hemoglobin, however, protein diffusivity falls much more rapidly with increasing concentration than is predicted by this equation.


Impact of extensive negative pressure wound therapy on neonatal respiration: A case report.
An extensive topical negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) from the abdominal to chest walls in neonates may decrease the compliance of the chest wall. Therefore, it is important to monitor respiratory function carefully during the procedure.


Time to computed tomography: does this affect trauma patient outcomes? A retrospective analysis at an Australian major trauma centre.
Computed tomography (CT) is an essential diagnostic tool for severe multi-trauma patients. International guidelines recommend an optimal time of 1 h from arrival. The aim of this study was to determine the time interval from arrival at the emergency department to CT for all trauma patients and the effects on in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay. Retrospective study of all patients who triggered a trauma call and underwent CT scanning at the Gold Coast University Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. Exclusion criteria were scans performed at peripheral hospitals or performed more than 5 h after arrival to emergency department. One thousand six hundred and nineteen eligible trauma patients were admitted over the study period and underwent CT scanning. Median time to CT was found to be 43 min. CTs done within 1 h compared to those done after 1 h from emergency department arrival were found to have a higher mean injury severity score (11 ± 10 versus 9 ± 9, P = 0.003), a longer mean hospital length of stay (9 ± 21 versus 7 ± 13 days, P = 0.012) and no difference in mortality rates (2.2% versus 2.1%, P = 1.000). Age, injury severity score and intubation status were identified as independent predictors for longer hospital length of stay and higher mortality while time to CT did not. Injury severity score was shown to be an independent predictor of time to CT. Our time to CT scanning is well within the timeframe recommended by international guidelines. Early CT scanning may also improve outcomes in severely injured trauma patients.


Impact of non-adherence to endocrine therapy on recurrence risk in older women with stage I breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.
We examined the impact of non-adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) on the risk and site of recurrence among older women with early stage, hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (EBC). A population-based cohort of women age ≥ 65 years with T1N0 HR + EBC who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2016 and treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) + ET was identified. Treatment and outcomes were ascertained through linkage with administrative databases. ET non-adherence was examined as a time-dependent covariate in multivariable cause-specific Cox regression models to evaluate its effect on the risks of ipsilateral local recurrence (LR), contralateral breast cancer, and distant metastases. The population cohort includes 2637 women; 73% (N = 1934) received radiation (RT) + ET and 27% (N = 703) received ET alone. At a median follow-up of 8.14 years, the first event was LR in 3.6% of women treated with ET alone and 1.4% for those treated with RT + ET (p < 0.001); the risk of distant metastases was < 1% in both groups. The proportion of time adherent to ET was 69.0% among those treated with RT + ET and 62.8% for those treated with ET alone. On multivariable analysis, increasing proportion of time non-adherent to ET was associated with increased risk of LR ((HR = 1.52 per 20% increase in time; 95%CI 1.25, 1.85; p < 0.001), contralateral BC (HR = 1.55; 95%CI 1.30, 1.84; p < 0.001), and distant metastases (HR = 1.44; 95%CI 1.08, 1.94; p = 0.01) but absolute risks were low. Non-adherence to adjuvant ET was associated with an increased risk of recurrence, but absolute recurrence rates were low.


Gill denervation eliminates the barostatic reflex in a neotropical teleost, the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).
The baroreflex is one of the most important regulators of cardiovascular homeostasis in vertebrates. It begins with the monitoring of arterial pressure by baroreceptors, which constantly provide the central nervous system with afferent information about the status of this variable. Any change in arterial pressure relative to its normal state triggers autonomic responses, which are characterized by an inversely proportional change in heart rate and systemic vascular resistance and which tend to restore pressure normality. Although the baroreceptors have been located in mammals and other terrestrial vertebrates, their location in fish is still not completely clear and remains quite controversial. Thus, the objective of this study was to locate the baroreceptors in a teleost, the Colossoma macropomum. To do so, the occurrence and efficiency of the baroreflex were both analyzed when this mechanism was induced by pressure imbalancements in intact fish (IN), first-gill-denervated fish (G1), and total-gill-denervated fish (G4). The pressure imbalances were initiated through the administration of the α1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (100 µg kg(-1)) and the α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin (1 mg kg(-1)). The baroreflex responses were then analyzed using an electrocardiogram that allowed for the measurement of the heart rate, the relationship between pre- and post-pharmacological manipulation heart rates, the time required for maximum chronotropic baroreflex response, and total heart rate variability. The results revealed that the barostatic reflex was attenuated in the G1 group and nonexistent in G4 group, findings which indicate that baroreceptors are exclusively located in the gill arches of C. macropomum.


Reduction of Th2 inflammation and fibrosis in eosinophilic esophagitis in a murine model by citri reticulatae pericarpium.
Inflammation and subepithelial fibrosis play major roles in the early pathology of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, there are currently no pharmacotherapeutic interventions that directly target eosinophilic esophagitis. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP, known as Chen-Pi) is one of most frequently used qi-regulating drugs in Chinese medicine and nutrition. CRP is rich with flavonones and polymethoxy flavones, both of which exhibit superior anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-fibrosis effects. This study is to investigate intervention effect of CRP on EoE, to identify its active compounds and to explore its underlying mechanisms. The CRP extract was obtained by liquid-liquid extraction with 70% ethanol, and its main components were identified by HPLC and TLC chromatography as hesperidin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and narirutin in turn. Furthermore, we evaluated its effect and underlying mechanisms in an PN (Peanut protein extract)-sensitized murine model of food allergy induced EoE. CRP treatment attenuated EoE model mice symptomatology, blocked hypothermia, reduced the production of PN-specific IgE and IgG1 and TH2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5), and increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ. CRP treatment also significantly alleviated the pathological damage and reduced fibrosis in inflamed tissues like esophagus, lung, and intestine. These results were strongly associated with reducing the expression of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and p-Smad 3 proteins. CRP extract markedly inhibited TH2 immune response and attenuated subepithelial fibrosis with a dose-dependent manner through down-regulating MAPK/TGF-β signaling pathway. It is suggested that CRP extract might serve as a potential therapy for food allergy-induced EoE like disease.


Expression profile of the CSF3 and LPO genes in milk from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with and without mastitis.
This study compared the expression profile of the candidate genes, CSF3 and LPO, by investigating the immune response mechanisms involved in the phenotype of resistance and susceptibility to mastitis of healthy and infected buffaloes. The Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor 3 (CSF3) and Lactoperoxidase (LPO) genes expression profiles were determined in 24 milk samples from buffaloes with (N = 12) and without (N = 12) mastitis, using the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technique. CSF3 and LPO expressions were 5.14 (P = 0.001) and 2.41 (P = 0.097) times higher in animals with mastitis compared to healthy animals, respectively, evidencing a trend toward different expressions of this gene in the studied groups. Our finding suggests that LPO and CSF3 genes are an important defense mechanism against mastitis in dairy buffaloes, and may be putative genes for selecting healthier animals in buffalo breeding programs.


Surfactant-assisted air flotation: A novel approach for the removal of microplastics from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash.
The potential for the presence of microplastics (MPs) in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) has not been fully explored. In this study, surfactant-assisted air flotation separation in aqueous media was used to examine the removal of MPs and other pollutants from different particle size fractions of MSWI-BA. The use of 1 mmol L-1 sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), at a liquid-solid ratio of 60:1, increased by 66 % the quantity of MPs floated from the MSWI-BA 0-0.3 mm fraction, as compared to pure water. The four most common shapes of the floated MPs were pellets, fragments, films and fibers, and the major polymers were polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene (approximately 450 μg g-1 BA). The flotation of <10 μm MPs increased by up to 7 % using this method compared to flotation in saturated NaCl solution. Reuse of the flotation solution with the SDBS concentration maintained resulted in reduced MPs removal abundance by 22 % in the fourth use as compared to the first use. MPs removal correlated positively to SDBS concentration and negatively to turbidity. Precipitation from the fourth flotation solution was evaluated using polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) for the purpose of promoting the regeneration and recycling of the flotation solution. This treatment reduced MPs abundance, turbidity, and potential heavy metals in the recycled flotation solution. It is estimated that 3.4 kg of MPs could be removed from each ton of MSWI-BA. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the redistribution of MPs during MSWI-BA pre-use treatment and provides a reference for the practical application of surfactant-assisted air flotation separation.


Changes of serum albumin affinity for aspirin induced by fatty acid.
Saturated fatty acids such as myristic acid play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Using the quenching fluorescence method we examined the influence of myristate on the changes of transporting protein affinity towards aspirin-the most popular anticoagulant. Our results showed that the presence of the myristic acid alters the stability of the anticoagulant-albumin complex. The ranges of [myristate]/[albumin] molar ratio at which the stability of drug-protein complex increases or decreases were determined. The differences in interaction between ligands and human or bovine serum albumins were identified. The competition in binding of ligands with these albumins was also described.


[Effect of lipopolysaccharide and transforming growth factor-beta 1 on expression and signal pathway of Toll like receptor 4 in dental pulp cells].
To explore the expression of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the pulp cells and the change of related signaling molecules under the condition of concomitant lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) during the course of pulpitis. After treated by LPS and TGF-beta 1, the expression of TLR4 on pulp cells was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The expressions of signaling molecules evolutionarily conserved signaling intermediate in Toll pathways (ECSIT) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and Western blot. The secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the change of corresponding targets in inflamed pulp cells from clinical samples were detected by real-time PCR. After treated by LPS and TGF-beta 1 in vitro, there was no change in the expression of TLR4 on pulp cells, but the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 increased. LPS and TGF-beta 1 could also increase the expression of signal downstream ECSIT and actived NF-kappaB. Furthermore, the expression of TLR4 mRNA had no increase in inflamed pulp cells from clinical samples, while the expression of TGF-beta 1, ECSIT and IL-6 mRNA increased through real-time PCR. During the course of pulpitis, although the expression of TLR4 on pulp cells was inhibited by increased expression of TGF-beta 1, the TLR4 pathway was still activated. This effect could be caused through activation of ECSIT mediated by LPS, which might inhibit the TGF-beta 1 pathway.


Geometric sieve over number fields for higher moments.
The geometric sieve for densities is a very convenient tool proposed by Poonen and Stoll (and independently by Ekedahl) to compute the density of a given subset of the integers. In this paper we provide an effective criterion to find all higher moments of the density (e.g. the mean, the variance) of a subset of a finite dimensional free module over the ring of algebraic integers of a number field. More precisely, we provide a geometric sieve that allows the computation of all higher moments corresponding to the density, over a general number field K. This work advances the understanding of geometric sieve for density computations in two ways: on one hand, it extends a result of Bright, Browning and Loughran, where they provide the geometric sieve for densities over number fields; on the other hand, it extends the recent result on a geometric sieve for expected values over the integers to both the ring of algebraic integers and to moments higher than the expected value. To show how effective and applicable our method is, we compute the density, mean and variance of Eisenstein polynomials and shifted Eisenstein polynomials over number fields. This extends (and fully covers) results in the literature that were obtained with ad-hoc methods.


On the parameter describing the generalised equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) for tumours.
The purpose of the present work was to estimate the parameter 'a' describing the generalised equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) for tumours and its dependence on radiobiological parameters. The consequences of uncertainties in a on the gEUD were also studied. An estimate of a was found by requiring that, for a given target dose distribution, the mechanistic EUD (based on radiobiological linear quadratic modelling) equals gEUD. The estimate of a was found to depend on the dose distribution, and decreased with factors that increase the slope of the cell survival curve (i.e. decreasing alpha/beta values and increasing alpha values). Furthermore, the parameter a was estimated for 35 prostate cancer IMRT plans of varying dose distributions, for two sets of previously published radiobiological parameters: (1) alpha=0.15 Gy(-1) and alpha/beta=3 Gy, and (2) alpha=0.26 Gy(-1) and alpha/beta=10 Gy. The estimated values of a ranged from -25.6 to -22.4 for all combinations of dose distributions and parameter sets. Uncertainties in a were found to give only small uncertainties in gEUD. Although the current work shows limitations of the gEUD model for tumours, gEUD may still be preferable for biological treatment plan optimization, evaluation and reporting.


[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in surgically treated non-small-cell stage III bronchial carcinoma].
Patients with unfavorable stages of lung cancer are rarely cured with local treatment modalities alone. Aim of our phase II trial was to investigate the effectivity of a multimodality treatment. Ninety-four patients with NSCLC (stage IIIA/IIIB) were treated preoperatively with chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide, 45 Gy hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy). After repeat mediastinoscopy patients underwent surgery. Complete resection (R0) was achieved in 53% of all patients with NSCLC. Two patients died of sepsis preoperatively and four postoperatively (90-days lethality: 6.4%). The median survival time was 20 months for IIIA and 18 months for IIIB. Calculated survival rates at 6 years were 34% for IIIA and 17% for IIIB. This multimodality treatment demonstrates high efficacy in prognostically unfavorable NSCLC compared with historical controls.


Tubular explant culture of fetal Syrian golden hamster tracheae.
Two types of organ culture technique (stationary and rocking) were compared for their ability to maintain the epithelial structures in the tubular explants of fetal Syrian golden hamster tracheae. A simple new technique has been devised for the organ culture of small tubular explants of fetal tracheae. A large pore-sized membrane filter is introduced into the rocking culture, which improves unfavourable in vitro effects of the stationary technique.


Helping parents choose treatments for young children with autism: A comparison of applied behavior analysis and eclectic treatments.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) increasingly meet with families of young children who have been recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These families face a bewildering variety of treatment options and can benefit from working with NPs who can help them better understand those options and the likely outcomes for their children. This study describes outcomes for young children with autism, who were treated with either applied behavior analysis (ABA) or eclectic treatment. Nurse practitioners can use this information to help families choose treatments for their children. Children diagnosed with autism received ABA (n = 50) or eclectic treatment (n = 32). Age-appropriate assessments in a variety of domains were made before and after up to 7 years of treatment. Initial scores were below normal in every domain except motor skills. Sixty percent of children had normal cognitive scores after ABA, compared with only 25% of children after eclectic treatment. Other domains also showed better outcomes after ABA than eclectic treatment. Nurse practitioners should be prepared to help families understand treatment options and their likely outcomes. The present study suggests that young children diagnosed with ASD can achieve normal levels of functioning in a variety of domains. These outcomes are much more likely after ABA than eclectic treatment.


rDNA targeted oligonucleotide primers for the identification of pathogenic yeasts in a polymerase chain reaction.
Species-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed for PCR identification of the basidiomycetous yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichosporon cutaneum and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The procedure uses standard PCR components including DNA from the test species and three primers: two universal external (upstream and downstream) limiting primers and a species-specific internal primer. Species identification requires the formation of a species-specific rDNA nucleotide segment that is significantly smaller (approximately 200 bp) than a non-target segment (approximately 600 bp). The procedure can be used to identify yeasts from single and mixed populations.


Defining anatomic variants of the coronary artery in taiwanese subjects using 64-multidetector-row computed tomography.
The newly developed 64-multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) prompted us to evaluate coronary angiography using this noninvasive method. We reviewed 281 images of MDCT coronary angiography in Taiwanese. The origins of the coronary arteries were identified from the luminal aspect of the aorta. We described them as seen from the aortic sinus looking toward the cardiac ventricle. The sinus facing the left ventricle was designated sinus 1, and that facing the right ventricle was designated sinus 2. Anatomic variants of the coronary artery were divided into five types according to the structure of the left anterior descending artery, right coronary artery, and left circumflex artery. Of the 281 patients, 275 (97.9%) had the type I variant in which the right coronary artery originated from sinus 2. MDCT provides advantages in defining anatomic variation and helps in the planning of clinical therapy or surgery.


Uniportal Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (u-VATS) for Management of pulmonary hydatid cyst: A systematic review.
Hydatid disease of the lung, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is an unusual parasitic disease. The aim of the current review for managing pulmonary hydatid cysts by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (u-VATS), and their complications, the size of hydatid cyst, length of hospital stay, surgery time, the rate of conversion from u-VATS to thoracotomy or mini-thoracotomy, follow-up, and outcomes. We conduct the platform searches on the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases from inception to January 20, 2022, among patients diagnosed with pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) who underwent the u-VATS approach. This systematic review comprised five studies reporting 85 cases of PHC underwent (u-VATS) approach. Most patients were adults. The most common location of pulmonary hydatid cyst was the right lower lobe followed by the left lower lobe. The average size of PHC was 8.41 cm in all studies. The length of hospital stay was 3.85 days. The duration of operation time based on the means of the included studies was 86.19 min for each patient. Furthermore, the overall complication occurred in 9.35% of patients (n = 11) from 85 cases. The most complication was emphysema and prolonged air leak. The recurrence of pulmonary hydatid cyst did not occur in all studies. The feasibility of the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach has been proven globally in terms of reducing the overall complication, shorter chest tube duration, shorter surgery time, reduce postoperative pain, shorter chest tube duration, lower chest tube drainage, and less required to pain killers postoperatively.


Advanced seminoma--treatment results and prognostic factors for survival after first-line, cisplatin-based chemotherapy and for patients with recurrent disease: a single-institution experience in 145 patients.
Advanced seminoma is a rare clinicopathologic entity. To the authors' knowledge, very few sizeable reports published to date have studied the outcome of patients with advanced seminoma after first-line and salvage therapy, and few have dealt with prognostic factors initially or in patients with recurrent disease. The records of 145 men with advanced seminoma who were treated with cisplatin-based first-line chemotherapy regimens were reviewed. Six patient characteristics, including age, prior radiotherapy, primary tumor site, initial serum lactate dehydrogenase and human chorionic gonadotropin levels, and disease stage, were studied as initial prognostic factors. In patients with recurrent disease, outcome according to the site of recurrence and the salvage treatment was also reviewed. A complete response was obtained in 130 patients (90%) after cisplatin-based first-line chemotherapy, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 81% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 73-87%). Nonpulmonary visceral metastasis at diagnosis was the only initial adverse prognostic factor. Thirty-one patients (21%) developed recurrent disease. Recurrence in the liver or the central nervous system was a major adverse prognostic factor, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 7% (95% CI, 1-32%), compared with 58% (95% CI, 33-79%) in patients who had lymph node, lung, or bone recurrences. The only durable complete remission after a liver recurrence was obtained with high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation. All 12 patients who were treated for primary mediastinal seminoma with cisplatin-based chemotherapy alone were long-term disease free survivors. Overall, the prognosis of patients with advanced seminoma was good after cisplatin-based, first-line chemotherapy. Metastasis in the liver or the central nervous system, initially or at recurrence, is currently the only proven adverse prognostic factor.


Altered resting-state hippocampal functional connectivity in breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea.
Amenorrhea induced decrease of hormones is associated with cognitive impairment. This study aimed to evaluate hippocampal functional connectivity patterns in chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) breast cancer (BC) patients, to evaluate the relationship between the functional connectivity features and hormone levels. Neuropsychological test, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and assessment of hormone levels were conducted in 21 premenopausal BC patients before chemotherapy (t0 ) and 1 week after completing chemotherapy (t1 ). Twenty matched healthy controls (HC) were also included and underwent the same assessments at similar time intervals. Mixed effect analysis and paired t-test were used to compare differences in brain functional connectivity. Voxel-based paired t-tests revealed increased functional connectivity of the right and left hippocampus with the left fusiform gyrus, inferior and middle temporal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, left lingual gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus after chemotherapy (p < .001) in CIA patients. Repeated measures analysis revealed significant group-by-time interactions in the left hippocampus with the bilateral fusiform gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus, and left inferior occipital gyrus (p < .001). Premenopausal BC patients had no significant differences in cognitive function compared with HC at baseline. However, the CIA patients had high levels of self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Further, the CIA patients showed significant differences in hormone and fasting plasma glucose levels and cognitive performances between t0 and t1 (p < .05). Functional connectivity changes between the left hippocampus and the left inferior occipital gyrus was negatively correlated with E2 and luteinizing hormone changes (p < .05). The CIA patients had cognitive dysfunction mainly in memory and visual mobility. Chemotherapy may affect hippocampal-posterior cortical circuit which mediates visual processing in CIA patients. Moreover, E2 may be involved in this process.