Influence of chronic inflammation in peripheral target tissue on recovery of crushed nerve injury.
An experimental study was performed to investigate the influence of chronic inflammation in peripheral target tissue on recovery of the sciatic nerve after crush injury. Thirty-four male Wistar rats, weighing 300-370 g were used. The sciatic nerve was crushed unilaterally with an aneurysm clip (250 gf; holding force; 5 min). One week before the operation, chronic inflammation, localized in the tibiotarsal joint of one hind limb, was produced by the intraarticular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant. The animals were divided into five groups, as follows: CIA (crush injury with ipsilateral arthritis), CCA (crush injury with contralateral arthritis), C (crush injury without arthritis), A (sham operation and ipsilateral arthritis), and S (sham operation without arthritis). Specimens for histological examination were taken from the nerve at a site 5 mm distal to the crush injury 4 weeks postoperatively. Histological study showed that the diameters of the axons in group CIA were significantly smaller than those in group CCA and those in group C. No significant differences were observed between group CCA and group C. In conclusion, peripheral nerve recovery after crush injury was suppressed by chronic inflammation in peripheral target tissue.


Incorporation of zinc(II) porphyrins in polyaniline in its perigraniline form leading to polymers with the lowest band gap.
Conjugated copolymers built upon quinone diimine-zinc(II) porphyrin units exhibit a very low lying charge transfer band at 800 nm and are strongly emissive from the S(2) and T(2) states.


Safety of infliximab in Crohn's disease: a large single-center experience.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term safety experience of infliximab treatment in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in clinical practice. The medical records of 297 consecutive patients with CD treated with infliximab at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center were reviewed for demographic features and adverse events. The 297 patients received a total of 1794 infusions. Patients received a median of four infusions and had a median follow-up of 14.3 months. Forty-four patients (15%) experienced a serious adverse event, requiring the infusion to be stopped in 33 patients (11%). Acute infusion reactions occurred in 18 patients (6%) including respiratory problems in 10 patients (3%) and an anaphylactoid reaction in 1 patient (0.3%). Serum sickness-like disease occurred in one patient (0.3%) and three patients (1%) developed drug-induced lupus. One patient developed a probable new demyelination disorder. Eight patients (2.7%), all of whom were on concurrent immunosuppressants, developed a serious infection, one resulting in fatal sepsis. Six patients (2%) developed malignancies including two lymphomas and two skin cancers. A total of four (1.3%) deaths were observed (median age 72.5 years); two due to gastrointestinal bleeding, one due to sepsis, and one due to malignancy. While short- and long-term infliximab therapy was generally well tolerated, serious adverse events occurred in 15% of patients including drug-induced lupus, fatal sepsis, and malignancy. Concomitant immunosuppressants were significantly associated with infections and deaths, particularly among elderly patients.


Definition of the phage G13 receptor as structural domains of trisaccharides in Salmonella and Escherichia coli core oligosaccharides.
The interaction between phage G13 and different bacterial and synthetic oligosaccharides has been studied using equilibrium dialysis inhibition. The results, and conformational analysis of the oligosaccharides, make us conclude that the phage G13 carbohydrate receptor is a conformational domain involving three sugar residues. The following trisaccharide elements contain the domain: alpha-D-Galp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Galp-(1----6)]-alpha-D-Glcp, alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Manp-(1----6)-alpha-D-Manp , and alpha-D-Glcp-(1----3)-[L-gly-alpha-D-man-Hepp-(1----7)]-L-gly-alph a-D- man-Hepp. Thus two structures, either a hexose substituted with alpha-D-glycopyranosyl groups in the 3- and 6-positions, or a heptose substituted with such groups in the 3- and 7-positions are functional G13 binding sites. Such domains are present in several cores of lipopolysaccharides from Salmonella and Escherichia coli species. Some cores, e.g. those from S. typhimurium chemotypes Ra, Rb1 and Rb2, contain two such domains. The identification of two G13 receptor domains within different core saccharides could explain the broad host range of this phage.


Spectrometric measurements and DFT studies on new complex of copper (II) with 2-((E)-9-ethyl-3-(2-(6-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)vinyl)-9H-carbazole.
The molecular structure of a new complex of copper (II) with (E)-9-ethyl-3-(2-(6-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)vinyl)-9H-carbazole ([Cu2(emppc)2Cl2]Cl2) was optimized with B3LYP/LanL2DZ, PBE1PBE/LanL2DZ and M062X/LanL2DZ theoretical level. The ligand, (E)-9-ethyl-3-(2-(6-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)vinyl)-9H-carbazole (emppc), binds to Cu(II) ions with a bi-dentate mode, two Cl(-) serve as bridging ligand, each Cu(II) ion has a highly distorted tetrahedron coordination geometry. With M062X/LanL2DZ theoretical level, the calculated interaction energies of Cu(II) with coordination atoms N are between 183.3-200.0kJmol(-1) for α spin and 319.4-324.9kJmol(-1) for β spin, and interaction energies of Cu(II) with coordination atoms Cl atom are 248.0-252.4kJmol(-1) for α spin and 332.6-333.6kJmol(-1) for β spin. The experimental Fourier transform infrared spectrum was assigned. The calculated IR based on B3LYP/LanL2DZ, PBE1PBE/LanL2DZ and M062X/LanL2DZ methods were performed and compared with experimental results. The UV-Vis experimental spectra of [Cu2(emppc)2Cl2]Cl2 was measured in methanol solution. The calculated electronic spectrum was performed with TD/M062X and PCM-TD/M062X methods with LanL2DZ basis set. The nature bond orbital analysis and temperature dependence of the thermodynamic properties were calculated with the same methods.


Brain Tumor Detection Based on Deep Learning Approaches and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
The rapid development of abnormal brain cells that characterizes a brain tumor is a major health risk for adults since it can cause severe impairment of organ function and even death. These tumors come in a wide variety of sizes, textures, and locations. When trying to locate cancerous tumors, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial tool. However, detecting brain tumors manually is a difficult and time-consuming activity that might lead to inaccuracies. In order to solve this, we provide a refined You Only Look Once version 7 (YOLOv7) model for the accurate detection of meningioma, glioma, and pituitary gland tumors within an improved detection of brain tumors system. The visual representation of the MRI scans is enhanced by the use of image enhancement methods that apply different filters to the original pictures. To further improve the training of our proposed model, we apply data augmentation techniques to the openly accessible brain tumor dataset. The curated data include a wide variety of cases, such as 2548 images of gliomas, 2658 images of pituitary, 2582 images of meningioma, and 2500 images of non-tumors. We included the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) attention mechanism into YOLOv7 to further enhance its feature extraction capabilities, allowing for better emphasis on salient regions linked with brain malignancies. To further improve the model's sensitivity, we have added a Spatial Pyramid Pooling Fast+ (SPPF+) layer to the network's core infrastructure. YOLOv7 now includes decoupled heads, which allow it to efficiently glean useful insights from a wide variety of data. In addition, a Bi-directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) is used to speed up multi-scale feature fusion and to better collect features associated with tumors. The outcomes verify the efficiency of our suggested method, which achieves a higher overall accuracy in tumor detection than previous state-of-the-art models. As a result, this framework has a lot of potential as a helpful decision-making tool for experts in the field of diagnosing brain tumors.


Analysis of obstetric complications and uterine connective tissue in tenascin-X-deficient humans and mice.
Tenascin-X (TNX) is a large, multi-domain, extracellular matrix glycoprotein. Complete deficiency of TNX in humans leads to a recessive form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and TNX haploinsufficiency is a cause of hypermobility type EDS. EDS patients appear to have a higher risk of several complications during pregnancy, such as pelvic instability, premature rupture of membranes, and postpartum hemorrhage. Here, we present a study of genitourinary and obstetric complications in TNX-deficient women of reproductive age. We have found complications, such as uterus prolapses, that are in agreement with previous findings in other EDS types. In TNX knockout (KO) mice, we have observed mild pregnancy-related abnormalities. Morphological and immunohistological analysis of uterine tissues has not revealed obvious quantitative or spatial differences between TNX KO and wildtype mice with respect to collagen types I, III, V, and XII or elastic fibers. We conclude that TNX-deficient women are at risk of obstetric complications, but that TNX KO mice show only a mild phenotype. Furthermore, we show that TNX is involved in the stability of elastic fibers rather than in their initial deposition.


Realistic retinal modeling unravels the differential role of excitation and inhibition to starburst amacrine cells in direction selectivity.
Retinal direction-selectivity originates in starburst amacrine cells (SACs), which display a centrifugal preference, responding with greater depolarization to a stimulus expanding from soma to dendrites than to a collapsing stimulus. Various mechanisms were hypothesized to underlie SAC centrifugal preference, but dissociating them is experimentally challenging and the mechanisms remain debatable. To address this issue, we developed the Retinal Stimulation Modeling Environment (RSME), a multifaceted data-driven retinal model that encompasses detailed neuronal morphology and biophysical properties, retina-tailored connectivity scheme and visual input. Using a genetic algorithm, we demonstrated that spatiotemporally diverse excitatory inputs-sustained in the proximal and transient in the distal processes-are sufficient to generate experimentally validated centrifugal preference in a single SAC. Reversing these input kinetics did not produce any centrifugal-preferring SAC. We then explored the contribution of SAC-SAC inhibitory connections in establishing the centrifugal preference. SAC inhibitory network enhanced the centrifugal preference, but failed to generate it in its absence. Embedding a direction selective ganglion cell (DSGC) in a SAC network showed that the known SAC-DSGC asymmetric connectivity by itself produces direction selectivity. Still, this selectivity is sharpened in a centrifugal-preferring SAC network. Finally, we use RSME to demonstrate the contribution of SAC-SAC inhibitory connections in mediating direction selectivity and recapitulate recent experimental findings. Thus, using RSME, we obtained a mechanistic understanding of SACs' centrifugal preference and its contribution to direction selectivity.


A novel all-trans retinoid acid derivatives inhibits the migration of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 via myosin light chain kinase involving p38-MAPK pathway.
To explore the effect and its probable mechanism of a synthetic retinoid 4-amino-2-tri-fluoromethyl-phenyl ester (ATPR) on the migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. MTT assay was performed to measure the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with different concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and ATPR. The effect of ATPR and ML-7, a selective inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38, on the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells were analyzed by wound healing assay. The expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC), ERK, JNK, p38 proteins were detected by western blot After the cells were treated by ATRA and ATPR, the proliferation and migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were inhibited significantly. The IC 50 of ATRA and ATPR is 34.08 μmol/l and 18.06 μmol/l respectively. The relative migration rate of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with ATPR reached 50% at 48 h while the ATRA group is over 90%. The relative migration rate of ML-7 group and SB group had significant decrease compared with control group. The expression level of MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC of breast cancer cells was reduced when the cells were treated by ATPR with 48 h, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 in breast cancer also reduced when cells were treated by ATPR with 2 h. In addition, ML-7 (50 μmol/l) could inhibit the phosphorylation of p38 and SB (50 μmol/l) could inhibit the expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC. ATPR had a better inhibition on the proliferation and the migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells than ATRA, and its probable mechanism was associated with the down regulation of expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC protein involving p38-MAPK pathway.


Stigmatization of obesity in medieval times: Asia and Europe.
To describe the stigmatization of obesity in medieval times in Asia and in Europe. Literature review. Obesity was stigmatized in medieval Japan in part, at least, because it was viewed as the karmic consequence of a moral failing in a Buddhist context. The stigma in Europe was based on the Christian deadly sin of gluttony. Stigmatization of obesity is not new. It was foreshadowed centuries ago by attitudes deriving from then extant theories of the origins of obesity.


Increasing hepatitis C prevalence and associated risk behaviors among incarcerated young adults.
This study sought to assess the rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors in young adults 18-28 years of age who were incarcerated in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. The majority of participants reported injection drug use and engaged in high-risk behaviors such as needle sharing. Despite having these risk factors and believing themselves to be at risk, the majority of youths reported no prior HCV testing. Correctional facilities present a unique opportunity to detect HCV infection and provide risk reduction education to young adults, the population with the highest rates of new infections in the US. Seventy-two incarcerated individuals with a history of drug use were approached to participate in the study; 68 completed the screening and interview. The rate of HCV infection among adults <30 years of age and incarcerated at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections in 2011 was high (24%). In 1998, the rate of HCV among inmates <30 years of age at the same facility was only 11.4%. These data follow the same increase in HCV infection rates among young adults observed in non-incarcerated young adults across the nation. HCV is the leading cause of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma in the US. Despite a decline and leveling in HCV incidence nationwide, alarming increases in HCV rates among adolescents and young adults have been reported during the period between the years 1992 and 2005. This disquieting epidemic is attributable to injection drug use amongst young adults.


Nature-inspired new isoindole-based Passerini adducts as efficient tumor-selective apoptotic inducers via caspase-3/7 activation.
The development of novel therapeutics promoting selective tumor elimination is the mainstay of clinical oncology. Emerging insights into tumor targeting reveal caspases activation, especially caspase-3, as a personalized anticancer strategy. Our on-going cancer research has exploited Passerini α-acyloxy carboxamides as caspase-3/7-dependent apoptotic inducers. Herein, we adopted scaffold hopping design to introduce new series of isoindole-based Passerini adducts as caspase-3/7 activators inspired by natural alkaloids from Lion's Mane mushroom promoting caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. Additional pharmacophoric motifs of lead caspase activators were merged into the tailored Passerini skeleton. The rationally designed adducts were synthesized utilizing one-pot reaction of the novel 4-(2'-phthalimido)phenylisonitrile 5, cyclohexanone and miscellaneous carboxylic acids under Passerini conditions. All derivatives were screened for their antiproliferative activities against lung A549, colorectal Caco-2 and breast MDA-MB 231 cancer cells compared to normal fibroblasts utilizing MTT assay. Most of the evaluated derivatives were superior to 5-fluorouracil. The 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetate derivative (8a) recorded the highest anticancer potency (IC50 = 0.04-0.11 μM) and selectivity (SI = 42.59-125.53), followed by the 3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acrylate (8m), the 2-(phenylsulfonyl)glycinate (8q), and the 2-(2-(3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenoxy)acetate (8c) derivatives, respectively. The four hits induced cancer cells apoptosis (up to 57.99%) via caspase-3/7 activation (up to 5.47 folds). Apoptosis-inducing factor1 (AIF1) quantification assay excluded their caspase-independent apoptosis induction potential via AIF1 signaling pathway. Docking simulations clarified the possible binding modes of the hit compounds with XIAP BIR2 domain; the specific receptor of caspase-3/7 activators, and aided identifying their structural determinants of activity. Finally, their practical LogP, efficiency metrics, in silico ADMET profiling were drug-like.


Depression of reverse transcriptase activity by hybridoma supernatants: a potential problem in screening for retroviral contamination.
Murine hybridoma cell lines generally produce retroviral particles (type A and/or type C), often in large numbers. We have measured reverse transcriptase activity in the supernatant of some 30 hybridoma lines of murine origin and found that the observed activity expressed as pmoles of [3H]-dGMP incorporated into an acid insoluble polymer, is frequently much lower than would be expected from the amount of retrovirus seen by electron microscopy in the corresponding cells. We demonstrate that this reduction is due to the presence of a nuclease which degrades the high molecular weight product but is not due to a change in the reverse transcriptase activity. This nuclease activity may be associated with mycoplasma contamination of the cell lines.


Neural stem cells: mechanisms and modeling.
In the adult brain, neural stem cells have been found in two major niches: the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone [corrected]. Neurons derived from these stem cells contribute to learning, memory, and the autonomous repair of the brain under pathological conditions. Hence, the physiology of adult neural stem cells has become a significant component of research on synaptic plasticity and neuronal disorders. In addition, the recently developed induced pluripotent stem cell technique provides a powerful tool for researchers engaged in the pathological and pharmacological study of neuronal disorders. In this review, we briefly summarize the research progress in neural stem cells in the adult brain and in the neuropathological application of the induced pluripotent stem cell technique.


Combined ultrasound-ozone treatment for reutilization of primary effluent-a preliminary study.
The present work is a preliminary study on the potential of low-frequency ultrasound irradiation coupled with O3 process for the disinfection of a primary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant preserving nutrient levels (in particular nitrogen and phosphorous), for its possible reuse in civil, industrial, and agricultural sectors. The treated water could be reused, after appropriate dilution, contributing to the circular economy perspective and reducing the need for both chemical fertilizer addition and freshwater supply. The effect of different specific ultrasonic energies and ozone doses was assessed on a bench-top system, composed of an ultrasonic reactor and a semi-batch ozonation vessel. The results showed that the combined US-O3 process produces a good removal efficiency regarding soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand, sCOD (ca. 60%), anionic surfactants (ca. 50%), and formaldehyde (ca. 50%), and an optimal abatement for Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS, > 90%). The process also reached high disinfection performances, obtaining 4 logs for E. coli and 5 log abatement for Total Coliforms. The high removal efficiency is matched by an outstanding retention of nutrients (total nitrogen and orthophosphate) highlighting a high potential value for agricultural reuse of the treated primary effluent, with possible significant saving of chemical fertilizers. It was concluded that low-frequency ultrasound pre-treatment, combined with ozonation, could be a useful process for primary effluent recovery for several purposes. Further studies are expected to be planned and executed to evaluate system scale-up feasibility.


Heparin-induced platelet activation: the role of thromboxane A2 synthesis and the extent of platelet granule release in two patients.
Heparin-induced thrombosis is due to an immune-mediated activation of circulating platelets and has significant clinical implications for patients with vascular disease. The purpose of this article was (1) to define the biochemical mechanisms of heparin-induced platelet activation (HIPA) and (2) to determine the relationship between thromboxane A2 (TxA2) synthesis and platelet granule release. In two patients with confirmed HIPA, heparin (3 U/ml) induced extensive platelet aggregation (61.5%), release of 14C-serotonin (81.5% of releasable 14C-serotonin, a dense granule marker) and platelet factor 4 (63.7% of releasable platelet factor 4, an alpha granule marker) and generation of TxB2, a stable metabolite of TxA2 (100% relative to serum control). In one patient heparin did not induce release of n-acetyl-beta-glucosaminadase (N-AC, a lysosomal granule marker), and aspirin (4 mmol/L), which abolished TxA2 synthesis, prevented aggregation and granule release. In the second patient heparin did induce release of N-AC (39.7% of releasable N-AC) and aspirin, despite abolishing TxA2 synthesis, did not prevent aggregation or granule release. In contrast, by elevating intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate, iloprost (0.01 mumol/L), a stable prostacyclin analogue, prevented heparin-induced aggregation, granule release, and TxB2 generation in both patients. Thus we show (1) HIPA can proceed independently of TxA2 synthesis; (2) heparin in certain patients can release lysosomal hydrolases, thus mimicking strong platelet agonists such as thrombin; and (3) iloprost but not aspirin prevents HIPA regardless of the biochemical pathways involved.


Multilocus sequence analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in Russia.
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a species complex that includes the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (LB). Classification of the complex was greatly influenced by the method of multilocus sequence typing (MLST), proposed in 2008 and analyzing the spatial distribution of sequence types (STs). Despite the fact that Russia is the largest natural focus of LB to date, it is represented by only 3 strains of the 1323 strains deposited in the MLST database. In this paper, we identified STs for 24 B. burgdorferi s.l. strains isolated from ticks from almost all regions of Russia, 16 of which have not been described so far. It has been shown that the Russian isolates of B. afzelii are of Asian origin and are characterized by a lack of territorial mixing of STs. In contrast, B. garinii and B. bavariensis showed ST mixing between different localities. Comparison of MLST data with the results of sequence analysis of rrf-rrl intergenic spacer led to the conclusion that the previously described genomic groups of B. garinii correspond to the genospecies according to the new classification: 20047 corresponds to B. garinii, and NT29 corresponds to B. bavariensis. The genomic group, ChY13p, characterized by an unusual PCR-RFLP profile, belongs to the species B. garinii (prototype strain 20047). Thus, the use of a reliable method to study the phylogeny and evolution of Borrelia based on MLST, helps to clarify the existing classification. The standardized research procedure and database created could become the basis for a global scientific cooperation in LB research.


Effectiveness of and risk associated with aspirin therapy in hemodialysis patients with a background of antiplatelet factor 4/heparin complex antibody detection.
The optimal prevention measures against hemodialysis (HD)-associated complications, including all-cause thrombotic events and death, are unclear. This prospective study was designed to assess the effect of aspirin on prevention of HD-associated complications. Patients were divided into four groups according to platelet factor-4/heparin-complex (PF4/H) antibody detection and aspirin prescription: Group 1, antibody(-)/aspirin(+); Group 2, antibody(-)/aspirin(-); Group 3, antibody(+)/aspirin(+); and Group 4, antibody(+)/aspirin(-). Adverse events were compared among all four groups. Cox hazard regression was performed to analyze the effects of anti-PF4/H antibody and aspirin on thrombosis and death. This study included 648 patients undergoing HD; 142 were positive for anti-PF4/H antibodies, and 229 had received aspirin before enrollment. During the 4-year follow-up period, 138 patients developed thrombosis, and 63 of these events were anti-PF4/H antibody-associated. A total of 112 patients died; 75 died of coronary heart disease (CHD). Group 4 had a significantly higher incidence of total and anti-PF4/H antibody-associated thrombosis events as well as total and CHD-associated death than did the other three groups. Aspirin had a preventive effect against all adverse events in anti-PF4/H antibody-positive patients, but not in antibody-negative patients. Group 1 patients with baseline D-dimer levels of <0.6μg/mL developed more hemorrhagic events than did patients in the other groups. Aspirin prevention of thrombosis and death in patients undergoing HD might require consideration of the anti-PF4/H antibody status. In antibody-positive individuals, taking aspirin could improve the prognosis and therefore might be recommended. In antibody-negative individuals, prevention was minimal and the bleeding risk was obviously increased; thus, aspirin should be avoided or at least require careful evaluation prior to aspirin treatment.


Effect of organic additives on silver release from nanosilver-polyethylene composite films to acidic food simulant.
The effects of organic additives (Irgafos 168, Irganox 1076, Tinuvin 622, Chimassorb 944, UV-P, and UV-531) on silver release from nanosilver-polyethylene composite films into an acidic food simulant (3% acetic acid) were investigated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantification, coefficient of determination, and recoveries of the method used were 3.7ngL-1, 12.4ngL-1, 0.999, and 89-113%, respectively. The results indicated that additives can affect silver release via two simultaneous processes: (i) reactions between organic additives and silver that promote silver release from the composite film to the acidic food simulant; and (ii) the promotion or inhibition of silver release by affecting silver oxidation. High temperature and humidity treatment of the composite films was found to significantly increase silver release by promoting silver oxidation.


Caffeine exacerbates seizure-induced death via postictal hypoxia.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading epilepsy-related cause of premature mortality in people with intractable epilepsy, who are 27 times more likely to die than the general population. Impairment of the central control of breathing following a seizure has been identified as a putative cause of death, but the mechanisms underlying this seizure-induced breathing failure are largely unknown. Our laboratory has advanced a vascular theory of postictal behavioural dysfunction, including SUDEP. We have recently reported that seizure-induced death occurs after seizures invade brainstem breathing centres which then leads to local hypoxia causing breathing failure and death. Here we investigated the effects of caffeine and two adenosine receptors in two models of seizure-induced death. We recorded local oxygen levels in brainstem breathing centres as well as time to cessation of breathing and cardiac activity relative to seizure activity. The administration of the non-selective A1/A2A antagonist caffeine or the selective A1 agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine reveals a detrimental effect on postictal hypoxia, providing support for caffeine modulating cerebral vasculature leading to brainstem hypoxia and cessation of breathing. Conversely, A2A activation with CGS-21680 was found to increase the lifespan of mice in both our models of seizure-induced death.


Surgical risk and outcome of repair versus replacement for late tricuspid regurgitation in redo operation.
Late tricuspid regurgitation after previous cardiac operation remains controversial in terms of when to repair and who will benefit. We reviewed our surgical experiences and stratified the risk factors for death and morbidity. From September 2005 to September 2010, 77 consecutive patients (36 men [47%]) underwent redo open heart operations with the tricuspid valve (TV) procedure. Their mean age was 56±13 years (range, 27 to 83 years). TV repair was performed in 44 (57%) and TV replacement in 33 (43%): 23 received bioprostheses; 10 received mechanical prostheses. Fourteen (18%) patients died after the operation. Risk factors of hospital death by multivariate analysis were age (>65 years), preoperative renal insufficiency (creatinine>2 mg/dL), and preoperative severe liver cirrhosis (Child classification C). Compared with the group that underwent TV repair, those who underwent TV replacement tended to have had previous TV operations (46% vs 9%; p<0.001) and preoperative Child class C liver cirrhosis (21% vs 2%; p=0.018). Although in-hospital mortality was insignificant (24% vs 14%; p=0.232), postoperative morbidities of tracheotomy, gastrointestinal bleeding, and late death were higher in the replacement group. Patients who had previous TV operations and preoperative severe liver cirrhosis were more likely to undergo TV replacement in tricuspid reoperations. Compared with patients in the repair group, patients in the replacement group had higher morbidities and low late survival. Earlier intervention, before decompensated heart failure occurs, is warranted to improve the outcome.


Satisfaction of impaired health care professionals with mandatory treatment and monitoring.
To measure the satisfaction of impaired health professionals with treatment and monitoring programs in Michigan and Indiana. Mailed surveys assessed overall program satisfaction, usefulness of various aspects of monitoring, and several miscellaneous items. Persons active in the Michigan (n = 620) and Indiana (n = 267) programs in July 2002 were included. Anonymous responses were received from 263 (43%) of Michigan and 120 (45%) of Indiana participants. Means on the 1 to 5 satisfaction subscale were 3.6 (SD = .94) for Michigan and 4.1 (SD = .86) for Indiana. Means on the 1 to 4 monitoring subscale were 2.7 (SD = .62) for Michigan and 2.7 (SD = .57) for Indiana. 40% of Michigan respondents and 53% of Indiana respondents lacked insurance coverage for program costs. 39% of Michigan and 35% of Indiana respondents reported substance abuse or mental health difficulties prior to their professional career.


Predominant role of interferon-γ in the host protective effect of CD8(+) T cells against Neospora caninum infection.
It is well established that CD8(+) T cells play an important role in protective immunity against protozoan infections. However, their role in the course of Neospora caninum infection has not been fully elucidated. Here we report that CD8-deficient mice infected with N. caninum presented higher parasitic loads in the brain and lungs and lower spleen and brain immunity-related GTPases than their wild-type counterparts. Moreover, adoptive transfer of splenic CD8(+) T cells sorted from N. caninum-primed immunosufficient C57BL/10 ScSn mice prolonged the survival of infected IL-12-unresponsive C57BL/10 ScCr recipients. In both C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 ScSn mice CD8(+) T cells are activated and produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ) upon challenged with N. caninum. The host protective role of IFN-γ produced by CD8(+) T cells was confirmed in N. caninum-infected RAG2-deficient mice reconstituted with CD8(+) T cells obtained from either IFN-γ-deficient or wild-type donors. Mice receiving IFN-γ-expressing CD8(+) T cells presented lower parasitic burdens than counterparts having IFN-γ-deficient CD8(+) T cells. Moreover, we observed that N. caninum-infected perforin-deficient mice presented parasitic burdens similar to those of infected wild-type controls. Altogether these results demonstrate that production of IFN-γ is a predominant protective mechanism conferred by CD8(+) T cells in the course of neosporosis.


Self-collection of hair samples during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, public health restrictions were implemented that required study protocol revisions for our collection of hair cortisol samples from in-person to self-collection. The purpose is to provide descriptions of the protocol transition process from in-person hair cortisol sample collection to participant self-collection using written and video instructions as well as the acceptability and feasibility of this transition. The protocol transition required revisions to the written instructions with a link to a newly developed video for hair sample self-collection. There was little difference in the initial participant agreement to provide a hair sample between in-person (79/114; 69.3%) versus self-collection (254/417; 60.9%) protocol methods. Some participants were initially hesitant to provide a self-collected hair sample but commented that self-collection was easier than they anticipated which supports the acceptability of this protocol change. However, regarding feasibility, 16.8% of participant self-collected hair samples were not received by study staff despite reminders (14.3%) or there was an issue with mail delivery or return (2.5%). The transition of our hair sample collection protocol from in-person to self-collection was acceptable and feasible. Providing instructions for hair sample self-collection in a variety of formats (oral, written, video) helped to decrease uncertainty and hesitancy regarding the process and promote agreement among participants. In addition, consistent follow-up communication was key to timely receipt of the hair samples from participants.


Effect of ultrasound and chemical pretreatment on drying characteristics and quality attributes of hot air dried pineapple slices.
Drying of food materials is a time consuming activity making the process cost and energy intensive and hence, several pretreatments are used to improve the drying rate. The present study aims to study the effect of potassium metabisulphite (KMS solution, 0.25% w/v) and ultrasound (20 and 30 min) pretreatment on hot air drying characteristics and quality of pineapple slices. The results indicated that pretreated samples provided higher drying rate, enhanced moisture diffusivity, brighter color and lower hardness than that of untreated dried sample. It was observed that KMS and ultrasound pretreatment for 20 and 30 min reduced the drying time by 23.8%, 19% and 14.3%, respectively. Further, ten thin layer drying models were applied to the experimental drying data and logarithmic model was best fitted to explain the drying behavior of pretreated and untreated samples. Additionally, the effect of shrinkage on moisture transfer mechanism was also studied. Results highlighted that instantaneous moisture diffusivity was increased during drying while shrinkage was not accounted. However, shrinkage consideration reduced the average moisture diffusivity values by 72-83%. Overall color change (13.95 ± 0.92) and browning index (36.02 ± 2.45) were found to be lowest in ultrasound (30 min) pretreated dried sample, highlighting better color stability. Scanning electron microscopy presented noticeable effects of pretreatment on alterations of microstructure of pineapple slices. It can be interpreted that KMS pretreatment was found to be more effective for improvement of drying characteristics of pineapple slices as compared to ultrasound pretreatment.


Anger expression and essential hypertension: behavioral response to confrontation.
The purpose of this study was to examine the range of anger-expressive behaviors and social competencies among essential hypertensive patients. Behavioral reactions to both neutral and anger-evoking role-play interactions were measured in 26 hypertensive and 15 normotensive patients. Social behaviors were assessed using self-report measures of anger expression, assertiveness, self- and other-ratings of social competence and behavioral measures of anger expression observed during role-play interactions. Hypertensive patients showed less eye contact, used fewer positive assertive statements and were rated as being less assertive during confrontational role-play scenarios than normotensive controls. Hypertensive patients also exhibited higher pulse pressure reactions to confrontation than normotensives, particularly hypertensive patients who expressed anger overtly. Essential hypertension is associated with specific social skill deficits that are only apparent during the assertive expression of anger.


There are days ... and moons. Self-poisoning is not lunacy.
To determine whether there are significant circadian, weekly or lunar variations in self-poisoning presentations and whether patients' names or dates of birth have an influence on the likelihood of self-poisoning by analysing biorhythms, numerology and star sign. Hunter Valley, Australia. Consecutive adult patients admitted with self-poisoning between January 1987 and June 1993. There were 2215 patients admitted. There was a marked circadian variation. Over 6% of all admissions occurred in each of the hours between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. compared with less than 2% per hour between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. This pattern was not different for patients with a diagnosis of depression. Numerology, biorhythms and star signs had no significant correlations with self-poisoning, nor was there a significant weekly or yearly variation in presentations. There was a small but statistically significant sex difference in presentations analysed by lunar phases. At the new moon 60% of self-poisonings were in women, compared with 45% when the moon was full. The odds ratios (OR) for women to be admitted at full moon and at new moon were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.66; P value not significant) and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.57-0.92; P = 0.009) respectively. The mean illumination of the moon at the time of overdose was 50.63% +/- 0.91% for men, compared with 47.45% +/- 0.85% for women (P = 0.014). The circadian cycle (but not weekly, yearly or mystical cycles) should be taken into account when determining staffing levels for poison information and casualty services. The full moon is protective for women.


Allogenic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has a therapeutic effect in acute myocardial infarction in rats.
The goal of the study was to examine if allogenic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a useful therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Buffer (control; group C, n=41), MSCs of male ACI rats (allogenic; group A, n=38, 5 x 10(6)), or MSCs of male LEW rats (syngenic; group S, n=40, 5 x 10(6)) were injected into the scar 15 min after myocardial infarction in female LEW rats. After 28 days, fractional left ventricular shortening significantly increased in groups A (21.3+/-1.7%, P=0.0467) and S (23.2+/-1.9%, P=0.0140), compared to group C (17.1+/-0.9%). Fibrosis in groups A and S was significantly lower. Quantitative PCR of the male-specific sry gene showed disappearance of donor cells within 28 days (5195+/-1975 cells). Secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by MSCs was enhanced under hypoxic conditions in vitro. In groups A and S, the plasma VEGF concentration, VEGF level, and capillary density in recipient hearts increased after 28 days. Flow cytometry revealed the absence of B7 signal molecules on MSCs. A mixed lymphocyte reaction showed that ACI MSCs failed to stimulate proliferation of LEW lymphocytes. After 1 day after cell transplantation, transient increases in interleukin-1 beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in recipient hearts were enhanced in group A, with macrophage infiltration at the injection site. T cells remained at the level of normal tissue in all groups. We conclude that allogenic MSC transplantation therapy is useful for AMI. The donor MSCs disappear rapidly, but become a trigger of VEGF paracrine effect, without induction of immune rejection.


Effects of heroin and cocaine on brain activity in rats using [1-14C]octanoate as a fast functional tracer.
Brain activity was measured autoradiographically using [1-14C]octanoate (OCTO) as a fast functional tracer in rats receiving either saline, heroin or cocaine. Regional optical densities were normalized to a relative optical density index for comparisons of OCTO labeling between treatment groups. Heroin significantly increased labeling in the dentate gyrus and cocaine increased density in the anterior cingulate cortex, globus pallidus, hippocampus CA3-4, lateral septum, hypothalamus and ventral tegmentum. Heroin and cocaine induced significant, but opposing effects in medial cortex and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Both drugs decreased labeling density in the nucleus accumbens and piriform cortex, and increased density in the substantia nigra, subthalamus, medial septum, claustrum, lateral hypothalamus and hippocampus CA2. These results demonstrate the ability of the OCTO method to discriminate the brief metabolic effects of different drug classes, and suggest that heroin and cocaine may activate a common functional system in the brain.


[Simple pelvic fracture - presentation of life-threatening complications and their therapy].
The risk of life-threatening bleeding in stable pelvic-ring fractures is often underestimated. The angioembolisation is, in these cases, an important treatment option. Two case reports illustrate the risks of such haemorrhagic complications in stable pelvic-ring fractures and their immediate treatment. The fracture itself can often be treated conservatively and does not require treatment in a trauma centre. However, in the case of haemorrhage complications such treatment seems to be essential.


Enzymic properties of intestinal aminopeptidase P: a new continuous assay.
A continuous photometric assay of aminopeptidase P activity was developed which is based on a coupled enzymic assay with the substrate Gly-Pro-Pro-pNA and DPP IV as auxiliary enzyme. This assay was used to evaluate the kinetic parameters and inhibitory profile of intestinal brush border aminopeptidase P.


Is minimal preparation computed tomography comparable with barium enema in elderly patients with colonic symptoms?
The barium enema (BE) examination in the elderly is often an unsatisfactory investigation. Recent papers have proposed computed tomography (CT) as an alternative method of investigation. They have used a variety of preparation techniques prior to the CT study such as bowel preparation, rectal air insufflation, tap water enemas and intravenous contrast medium. We wished to devise a minimal preparation, minimal supervision technique that could realistically replace the standard BE. One hundred and eighteen elderly patients admitted with symptoms referable to the large bowel had an unenhanced CT following oral contrast medium commenced the previous evening, followed at an interval by a BE performed to a standard technique. Both techniques congruently gave negative reports in 66 (68.8%) individuals. Ten tumours were confidently diagnosed on CT. One annular tumour of the sigmoid colon and one case of colitis were diagnosed on BE only and the severity of a diverticular stricture was underestimated on CT. CT raised the possibility of lesions in 3 (3.1%) patients where the BE was negative. Ten (8.5%) patients had significant abnormalities identified outside the colon using CT. Seven (5.9%) barium enemas were abandoned or severely limited. Minimal preparation, minimal supervision CT is a practical alternative to BE in the frail elderly patient. Radiologists and referring clinicians should be aware that occasionally lesions will not be identified on CT but CT has the advantage that other significant pathology unrelated to the colon may be detected.


[Kabuki syndrome].
Kabuki syndrome (OMIM: #147 920) presents as large palpebral fissures with eversion of the lateral third of the lower eyelids, depressed nasal bridge, arched eyebrows, dysplastic ears and in most cases, with mental retardation. Patients have minor and major abnormalities in different systems. Its genetic basis is heterogeneous, but recently has been associated with mutations in gen MLL2. We present two patients with clinical features compatibles with the syndrome, mainly: large palpebral fissures with eversion of the lateral third of the lower eyelids, depressed nasal bridge, arched eyebrows, flat nose, persistent fingertip pads, cardiopathies and renal anomalies. The diagnosis of this condition is clinical. The characteristics in the cases are compared with the patients reported in the literature. The importance of early diagnosis is to provide preventive management and an appropriate genetic counseling for the family.


A microbubble contrast agent improves prediction of ablated areas during radiofrequency ablation: a rabbit liver study.
The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a microbubble contrast agent (SonoVue; Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) on the spread of gas generated by heating during radiofrequency ablation in vivo. Radiofrequency ablation was performed with or without SonoVue on 2 areas per rabbit liver in 20 rabbits under sonographic guidance. They were divided into groups 1 and 2 on the basis of ablation with and without SonoVue. In group 1, SonoVue (0.05 mL/kg) was injected as an intravenous bolus. After radiofrequency ablation, 3 orthogonal diameters of hyperechogenicity and defects of enhancement on contrast-enhanced sonography were measured sonographically. Coagulated zones and ablation times were also evaluated. There were no significant differences in the sizes of the hyperechoic areas, defects, or coagulated zones between the groups (P > .05). However, the total number of ablations with clearly visualized hyperechogenicity was 15 in group 1 versus 7 in group 2, as opposed to ablations with partial or not clearly visualized hyperechogenicity (P< .05). A comparison between hyperechoic and pathologic volumes provided correlation values of r(2) = 0.803 and r(2) = 0.624 for groups 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, the ablation time for group 1 was significantly shorter (P < .05). A microbubble agent would not change the size of the ablated area, but it can improve prediction of ablated areas and reduce the ablation time for achieving the same effects. Therefore, it might be useful to prevent unfavorable ablation of adjacent organs and vessels.


Trabeculectomy with ologen in secondary glaucomas following failed trabeculectomy with MMC: comparative study.
PurposeWe aimed to assess the IOP-lowering effect of trabeculectomy with ologen in refractory secondary glaucoma following failed trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC), and to compare its surgical outcome between open angle (SOAG) and angle closure (SACG) cases.MethodsThis is a prospective interventional comparative study conducted on 40 eyes (40 patients) with medically uncontrolled secondary glaucoma. Patients were divided into group A: 18 eyes (18 patients) with SOAG, and group B: 22 eyes (22 patients) with SACG. All patients underwent trabeculectomy with insertion of ologen implant. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, SITA standard perimetry (Central 24-2), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and anterior segment OCT for bleb morphology, were all done pre- and postoperatively. Primary outcome measures were comparing preoperative to postoperative measurements and also comparing these measurements between SOAG and SACG. All patients were examined up to 1 year.ResultsWhen preoperative IOP was compared with postoperative IOP, in each group, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). IOP percentage difference was statistically insignificantly different between both groups except at 1 month. According to Moorfields bleb grading system; postoperative bleb was better than the bleb of the previously failed trabeculectomy (P<0.001), and there was a significant difference between group A and B regarding bleb area. Total success rate was 100%; in group A, complete success was 100%, while in group B it was 72.7% (P=0.016).ConclusionOur results suggest that Ologen may be a useful alternative to MMC in repeat trabeculectomy.


Association between eating alone and cardiovascular diseases in elderly women: a cross-sectional study of KNHANES 2016 data.
To investigate differences in health behaviors, nutritional status, and the likelihood of having cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors according to the presence of an eating companion in older women. Using 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 data, 590 menopausal women aged ≥65 years were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Participants who ate more than two meals a day alone were assigned to an eating-alone (EA) group and those who ate more than two meals a day with others were assigned to an eating-with-others (EO) group. Complex-samples general linear analysis, t tests, and logistic regression were used for the analysis of the data. Awareness of nutrition labels (P = 0.012), using of nutrition labels (P = 0.014), and impact of nutrition labels (P = 0.016) were lower in the EA group than in the EO group. The intake of energy, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sodium, and potassium was lower in the EA group than in the EO group (P < 0.05). The likelihood of having angina was 2.58 times higher in the EA group than in the EO group (95% CI, 1.20-5.55). Older women who ate alone had poorer nutritional knowledge and intake. In addition, eating alone in older women was strongly associated with the prevalence of angina. Thus, it is necessary to consider nutrition education and cardiovascular disease screening for older women who mainly eat alone.


A toxicity study of parenteral thiamine hydrochloride.
Thiamine deficiency is not uncommon in certain populations and clinical disease states such as Wernicke's encephalopathy or beriberi. Rapid parenteral repletion may be required, yet questions about the safety of IV thiamine have been raised because of reports of anaphylaxis. Our study was a prospective evaluation of the safety of thiamine hydrochloride given as a 100-mg IV bolus in 989 consecutive patients (1,070 doses). A total of 12 adverse reactions (1.1%) were reported. Minor reactions consisting of transient local irritation were seen in 11 patients (1.02%), and there was only one major reaction (0.093%) consisting of generalized pruritus. Thiamine hydrochloride may be administered intravenously without undue concern. Intradermal test doses before administration are not warranted unless patients have had previous allergic reactions.


Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Porous Carbons Derived from Betelnut Shells for Supercapacitor Electrodes.
Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems are attracting research attention as an alternative to fossil fuels. Advances in the design and composition of energy storage materials are particularly significant. Biomass waste-derived porous carbons are particularly suitable for use in EES systems as they are capable of tuning pore networks from hierarchical porous structures with high specific surface areas. These materials are also more sustainable and environmentally friendly and less toxic and corrosive than other energy storage materials. In this study, we report the creation of a three-dimensional hierarchical porous carbon material derived from betelnut shells. The synthesized three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous carbon electrode showed a specific capacitance of 290 F g-1 using 1 M KOH as an electrolyte at a current density of 1 A g-1 in three-electrode systems. Moreover, it offered a high charge/discharge stability of 94% over 5000 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A g-1. Two-electrode symmetric systems show a specific capacitance of 148 F g-1, good cyclic stability of 90. 8% for 5000 charge-discharge cycles, and high energy density of 41 Wh Kg-1 at the power density of 483 W Kg-1 in aqueous electrolyte.


Multifunctional hydrogels: advanced therapeutic tools for osteochondral regeneration.
Various joint pathologies such as osteochondritis dissecans, osteonecrosis, rheumatic disease, and trauma, may result in severe damage of articular cartilage and other joint structures, ranging from focal defects to osteoarthritis (OA). The osteochondral unit is one of the critical actors in this pathophysiological process. New approaches and applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine continue to drive the development of OA treatment. Hydrogel scaffolds, a component of tissue engineering, play an indispensable role in osteochondral regeneration. In this review, tissue engineering strategies regarding osteochondral regeneration were highlighted and summarized. The application of hydrogels for osteochondral regeneration within the last five years was evaluated with an emphasis on functionalized physical and chemical properties of hydrogel scaffolds, functionalized delivery hydrogel scaffolds as well as functionalized intelligent response hydrogel scaffolds. Lastly, to serve as guidance for future efforts in the creation of bioinspired hydrogel scaffolds, a succinct summary and new views for specific mechanisms, applications, and existing limitations of the newly designed functionalized hydrogel scaffolds were offered.


Polarization-dependent phase locking in stimulated Brillouin scattering systems.
Measurements of the mutual coherence of the output beams from a seeded, two-pump-beam, stimulated Brillouin scattering system are reported. Mutual coherence depends on the relative polarizations of the pump beams and the seed beam. A seed beam can phase-lock the Stokes outputs even if the pump beams are orthogonally polarized. Four-wave mixing is responsible for this phase locking.


Identification and characterization of novel rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat markers.
Short tandem repeat polymorphisms on the male-specific part of the human Y-chromosome (Y-STRs) are valuable tools in many areas of human genetics. Although their paternal inheritance and moderate mutation rate (~10-3 mutations per marker per meiosis) allow detecting paternal relationships, they typically fail to separate male relatives. Previously, we identified 13 Y-STR markers with untypically high mutation rates (>10-2 ), termed rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs, and showed that they improved male relative differentiation over standard Y-STRs. By applying a newly developed in silico search approach to the Y-chromosome reference sequence, we identified 27 novel RM Y-STR candidates. Genotyping them in 1,616 DNA-confirmed father-son pairs for mutation rate estimation empirically highlighted 12 novel RM Y-STRs. Their capacity to differentiate males related by 1, 2, and 3 meioses was 27%, 47%, and 61%, respectively, while for all 25 currently known RM Y-STRs, it was 44%, 69%, and 83%. Of the 647 Y-STR mutations observed in total, almost all were single repeat changes, repeat gains, and losses were well balanced; allele length and fathers' age were positively correlated with mutation rate. We expect these new RM Y-STRs, together with the previously known ones, to significantly improving male relative differentiation in future human genetic applications.


Central cardiovascular effects of phentolamine in chloralose-anesthetized cats.
Phentolamine (50, 100 and 200 microng/min for 30 min) perfused through the cerebroven system of chloralose-anesthetized cats produced dose-related reductions in tricular blood pressure. Evidence is presented which suggests that this hypotensive activity was due to an interaction at central nervous system sites and was not attributable to escape of the compound from the brain. Centrally administered phentolamine was more effective in lowering blood pressure than the i.v. infusion of phentolamine at a dose (25 microng/kg/min for 30 min) which markedly antagonized peripheral alpha-adrenoceptors. In addition, central phentolamine induced bradycardia in contrast to the tachycardia which accompanied i.v. administration. By limiting the perfusion of phentolamine to selected portions of the cerebrospinal fluid spaces a major site of action responsible for the hypotensive activity was located outside the ventricles in an area accessible from the subarachnoid spaces. A second, less important site, anterior to the midbrain adjacent to the ventricular system apparently contributed to the hypotension. Phentolamine, introduced centrally, also impaired reflexogenic bradycardia elicited by pressor doses of norepinephrine. Both the sympathetic withdrawal and the vagal activation which account for this reflex seemed to be antagonized by phentolamine.


Pulmonary responses of acute exposure to ultrafine iron particles in healthy adult rats.
As critical constituents of ambient particulate matter, transition metals such as iron may play an important role in health outcomes associated with air pollution. The purpose of this study was to determine the respiratory effects of inhaled ultrafine iron particles in rats. Sprague Dawley rats 10-12 weeks of age were exposed by inhalation to iron particles (57 and 90 microg/m(3), respectively) or filtered air (FA) for 6 h/day for 3 days. The median diameter of particles generated was 72 nm. Exposure to iron particles at a concentration of 90 microg/m(3) resulted in a significant decrease in total antioxidant power along with a significant induction in ferritin expression, GST activity, and IL-1beta levels in lungs compared with lungs of the FA control or of animals exposed to iron particles at 57 microg/m(3). NFkappaB-DNA binding activity was elevated 1.3-fold compared with that of control animals following exposure to 90 microg/m(3) of iron, but this change was not statistically significant. We concluded that inhalation of iron particles leads to oxidative stress associated with a proinflammatory response in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of NFkappaB may be involved in iron-induced respiratory responses, but further studies are merited.


Hierarchical Cu2O/NiFeCo layered double hydroxide nanoarrays on copper foam obtained by a self-sacrificial templated route for a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction.
The design of highly active, economical and highly stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is very important for realizing sustainable energy conversion. Herein, a Cu2O/NiFeCo layered double hydroxide electrode on a copper foam (CF) with a nanoarray structure (Cu2O/NiFeCo LDH/CF) is fabricated by using Cu(OH)2 on CF (Cu(OH)2/CF) as a self-sacrificial template. The prepared Cu2O/NiFeCo LDH/CF has a unique hierarchical nanostructure, high electrochemical active area and excellent integration of Cu2O and NiFeCo LDH, resulting in low overpotentials of 228 mV and 269 mV for current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH, respectively, as well as an ultrasmall Tafel slope of 40 mV dec-1. In highly alkaline 6 M KOH, a overpotential of only 213 mV can deliver a current density of 100 mA cm-2. Moreover, the assembled water hydrolysis device operates stably for 50 h without a significant change in the potential in the strong alkaline solution. This high-efficiency OER performance and long-term stability make Cu2O/NiFeCo LDH/CF promising for practical applications.


Acute heat shock leads to cortical domain internalization and polarity loss in the C. elegans embryo.
Many developmental processes are inherently robust due to network organization of the participating factors and functional redundancy. The heterogeneity of the factors involved and their connectivity puts these processes at risk of abrupt system collapse under stress. The polarization of the one-cell C. elegans embryo constitutes such an inherently robust process with functional redundancy. However, how polarization is affected by acute stress has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we report that heat shock (34°C, 1 h) triggers a highly reproducible loss of the anterior and collapse of the posterior polarity domains. Temperature-dependent loss of cortical non-muscle myosin II drastically reduces cortical tension and leads to internalization of large plasma membrane domains including the membrane-associated polarity factor PAR-2. After internalization, plasma membrane vesicles and associated factors cluster around centrosomes and are thereby withdrawn from the polarization process. Transient formation of the posterior polarity domain suggests that microtubule-induced self-organization of this domain is not compromised after heat shock. Hence, our data uncover that the polarization system undergoes a temperature-dependent collapse under acute stress.


In-patient hospital mortality patterns by day of the week: an analysis of admissions to a regional renal unit.
Higher mortality rates have been reported for patients admitted at a weekend compared to a weekday. Our aim was to assess in-patient mortality patterns by day of the week, in a tertiary renal unit. Mortality related to day of admission and day of death was analysed over a two-year period at Glasgow Western Infirmary renal unit. Typical caseload was also assessed over two random four-week periods. As a proportion of admissions, 30-day mortality was 46/540 (8.5%) on a weekend day compared with a weekday 107/2013 (5.3%) (RR1.60, p = 0.005). Thirty-day mortality rate was 46/208 = 0.22 deaths/weekend day of admission compared with 107/523 = 0.20 deaths/weekday of admission (incident rate ratio = 1.08, p = 0.67). There was no significant increased risk of death on a weekend day compared to a weekday (RR1.23, p = 0.23). A higher proportion of weekend admissions were from other hospitals. Acute kidney injury and haemodialysis patients formed a higher percentage of admissions. Admission day mortality expressed as a death rate/day does not differ between weekend/weekday admissions. Admission day mortality expressed as a proportion of total admissions was significantly higher at weekends. This suggests admission case-mix/workload differs at weekends with fewer 'well' patients admitted. In-patient mortality patterns are complex and any conclusions made should take into account case mix and workload.


Enzyme-histochemical characterization of macrophages in the rat thymus, with special reference to metallophilic cells of the corticomedullary zone.
The cortex and medulla of the normal rat thymus are populated with scattered cells which are strongly positive for acid phosphatase and only weakly (cortex) or moderately (medulla) positive for nonspecific esterase. Corticomedullary zone is characterized, as a specific entity within the thymic tissue, by the presence of very large macrophages, highly positive for acid phosphatase and nonspecific esterase. Moreover, these cells, located exclusively in the corticomedullary zone, show very strong succinic dehydrogenase activity and contain the intracytoplasmic granules of varying size, which are aldehyde fuchsin, PAS, and oil red O positive. The presence of cholesterol was demonstrated within the lipid content.


Sex hormone binding globulin in clinical perspective.
The plasma steroid-binding proteins play a fundamental role in the modification and delivery of the steroid "signal" to its target tissue. While their precise function requires further evaluation, the measurement of these proteins, particularly of SHBG, provides clinically useful information. This article reviews the current theories of sex steroid transport and uptake, and documents the changes in SHBG status relevant to health, disease and drug therapy.


[Effect of ligation of the pancreatic ducts on endogenous serotonin distribution in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract].
The content of endogenous serotonin in the mucosa of various parts of the stomach and the small intestine and also in the homogenates of the pancreatic tissue and the peripheral blood was traced in the course of 12 months after the ligation of the pancreatic ducts in dogs. Marked and prolonged disturbances were revealed in the deposition of the endogenous serotonin characterized by definite regularities in all the tissues under study, connected with the changes of the relative constancy of the enteral medium due to the absence of pancreatic secretion in the lumen of the digestive tube.


Ex vivo human placental transfer of rifampin and rifabutin.
The purpose of this study was to determine the ex vivo human placental transfer of rifampin and rifabutin. Seven placentas from uncomplicated term vaginal or cesarean deliveries were studied utilizing the ex vivo single cotyledon perfusion system. Antipyrine was used for the reference compound in the determination of the clearance indices of rifampin and rifabutin. The clearance indices of rifampin at maternal concentrations of 1.0 and 10.0 mug/ml were 0.12 +/- 0.05 and 0.12 +/- 0.11, respectively. The clearance indices of rifabutin at maternal concentrations of 1.0 and 10.0 mug/ml were 0.44 +/- 0.11 and 0.37 +/- 0.15, respectively. Because of its greater lipophilicity, rifabutin was found to have a greater clearance than rifampin. However, because of rifabutin's trend toward greater deposition in tissue, there was proportionately less accumulation of rifabutin in the fetal circulation when compared to rifampin.


The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food waste behaviour of young people.
The aim of this research is to analyse the way young people perceive the food waste process, as well as the determinants and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the responsible behaviour of young people towards food waste. The research design involves a study on a sample of 375 students from Romanian universities and the development and validation of a model using SEM-PLS. Our findings show that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to more people exhibiting food waste reduction behaviour, an increased awareness for the ethics of food waste among young people, and increased awareness of the environmental consequences of food waste. The limits of the paper refer to non-probability sampling technique and sampling structure that is limited to a single country. The practical implications of the study highlight that this pandemic is a good moment to raise awareness among young people about food waste and we discuss possible strategies on this matter. Our research offers a new perspective on food waste in the conditions of current health crisis, and possible anticipated economic recession, in the future.


How to help the patient motivate himself?
In order to help a patient with a chronic disease motivate himself, caregivers spontaneously make use of reason with a view to having the patient share the caregivers' point of view, in other words, to some extent, transforming the care recipient into a caregiver. However, it is not unusual for a caregiver suffering from the disease in which he specializes not to treat himself in compliance with the rules he recommends to his patients. Man is a trinity with three instances of the self. In addition to the "rational self" that tends towards the universal, there is also an "animal self" subject to powerful, frequently imperious, primary needs which may be compared to impulsions, compulsions and addictions. Lastly, there is an "identity self", an irreducible singularity, governed by the law of optimizing pleasure or, in any event, avoiding moral distress. The patient has to learn to navigate between objectives oriented by reason, more or less imperious urges and the striving for well-being and avoidance of moral distress. These various instances of the "self" have a distinct relationship with the norm and with time. Psychologists recognize two types of motivation: intrinsic motivation, an activity implemented for itself, and extrinsic motivation, an activity practiced for its secondary beneficial effects. Clearly, caring for oneself derives from an extrinsic motivation. This motivation may be very powerful but is frequently of limited duration. Helping a patient suffering from a chronic disease motivate himself over time thus consists in helping the patient take on board an extrinsic motivation in order for the treatment to become a routine or a source of satisfaction or even pleasure. The physician has to promote the acquisition of self-care skills and a feeling of success in the patient. The physician is also to help the patient negotiate the optimum compromise between his "rational self" and his "identity self" by acting as the advocate of the two parties, while not forgetting to play the devils' advocate. Lastly, the expression of the patient's "identity self" through discussion groups, drawing or writing workshops, or "living theatre" may enable expression of an encysted wound. While progressing in that direction, the patient will modify his representation of the disease and its treatment, and enhance his understanding of who he is and how he functions (metacognition). This is the objective of therapeutic education. However, it is necessary for caregivers to demonstrate real empathy that is not only cognitive but also emotional.


Regulation of actin polymerization by villin, a 95,000 dalton cytoskeletal component of intestinal brush borders.
A 95,000 dalton actin-binding polypeptide, villin, has been purified to 98% homogeneity from brush border cytoskeletons of chicken intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro, this protein exerts control over the polymerization of actin. In the presence of villin, the lag phase preceding detectable actin polymerization is shortened and the steady state equilibrium viscosity is reduced in proportion to the amount of villin present. A molar ratio of villin:actin of 1:40 results in a 70% reduction of the Ostwald viscosity. Significant effects can be detected at a ratio of 1:600. These ratios are physiologically relevant because the ratio of villin:actin in brush borders is 1:13 and in isolated microvilli is 1:9-12. Reduction of viscosity is mirrored by an increase in the amount of protein which fails to sediment at 150,000 X g for 60 min. An assay of the nonsedimentable protein for actin monomers by the inhibition of DNAase I showed that the concentration of monomer was not significantly altered by the presence of villin. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained, nonsedimentable actin demonstrated that the presence of villin during actin polymerization results in the production of short oligomers which cannot anneal with each other to form long filaments. Villin is also effective in reducing the viscosity of F-actin when it is added to a fuly polymerized actin sample. In view of these striking properties, villin is likely to be an important in vivo regulator of cytoskeletal structure and, by implication, of cell shape and motility.


Soft-tissue release of the knee in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.
We report the results of 23 soft-tissue release procedures in 15 patients who had juvenile chronic arthritis. The operation, which includes hamstring tenotomies and posterior capsulotomy, is a safe and effective way of eliminating contracture, relieving pain and improving function.


[Elevated CEA levels in a group of polyvinyl workers (author's transl)].
Carcinoembryonic antigen was assayed in plasma from a population of polyvinyl chloride workers from the same industry. We have found 56% of elevated levels in a group of workers as compared to 9.2% for a normal population including smokers and non-smokers.


Health care worker carriage of drug-resistant bacteria and infection control practices at a tertiary care hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey.
bacterial carriage by health care workers (HCWs) is a major risk factor for transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Often, these pathogens are multiple drug resistant (MDR) and are transmitted from hospital environments. We aimed to study the carriage of pathogenic bacteria among HCWs at a tertiary care hospital in Uganda. a cross-sectional study was done at Naguru Regional Referral Hospital from June 2017 to August 2017. Five finger imprints of both hands-on blood and MacConkey agar were done. We assessed pathogenic bacterial carriage by HCWs and characterized drug sensitivity and relatedness of these isolates. Genotyping of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) positive isolates was done to determine intra-hospital transmission. A survey of the hospital's IPC de program was done. one hundred and eight (108) HCWs were enrolled. Carriage of pathogenic bacteria was highest in surgical and emergency wards at 36% and 35.6% respectively, p-value of 0.00. The proportion of microbial carriage was highest among nurses 16 (34.8%) followed by medical officers 11 (23.9%). Among the isolated pathogenic bacteria, 25 (36.2%) were Gram-positive and 44 (63.8%) were Gram-negative. Fifty percent of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant, and one isolate was vancomycin-resistant. Fifty-four percent (54.6%) of HCWs had never been trained on moments of hand hygiene, only 44.4% recognized the presence of an IPC program in the hospital and 49% were not aware of problems associated with poor IPC practices. this study demonstrated that hands of HCWs at Naguru Regional Referral Hospital were colonized with pathogenic bacteria with varying prevalence, some with multidrug-resistant strains including MRSA and ESBL.


Repeated surgery for recurrent Crohn's disease: does the outcome keep worsening operation after operation? A comparative study of 1224 consecutive procedures.
Complicated Crohn's disease (CD) will require surgical treatment during patients' lifetime, with a considerable recurrence rate requiring additional surgery. The present study is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database in an IBD Tertiary Centre that included all the consecutive, unselected patients undergoing surgery for CD between 1993 and 2019. Patients treated with small bowel resections, colonic resections, conventional and non-conventional strictureplasties were considered. The aim was to evaluate morbidity and long-term recurrence of repeated surgery. Among the population included, the following procedures were performed: 713 (58.2%) primary surgery (group S1), 325 (26.5%) first recurrence (group S2), and 186 (15.3%) multiple recurrences (group S3). Patients undergoing repeat surgery were older (p < 0.0001) and had a longer disease duration (p < 0.0001), extended disease (p = 0.0001), shorter time frame to first surgery (p < 0.0001), nutritional impairment (p < 0.0001), and a history of aggressive medical therapy (p = 0.04). Patients undergoing surgery for recurrences required higher complexity level surgery, with more conservative approaches (p = 0.0004) and a higher ostomy number (p = 0.06). Recurrent patients had higher short bowel syndrome rate (p < 0.0001), higher minor (p = 0.04) but not major (p = 0.2) postoperative complications rate. The 10-year surgical recurrence rate was 18% for group S1, 27% for S2, and 48% for S3, with significant differences at the log-rank test. Repeated surgery for complicated CD was associated with an increased rate of minor, but not major complications, requiring high-risk surgery, with a major ostomy rate and short bowel syndrome, and is associated with an increased long-term surgical recurrence, even on strictureplasty sites.


Effects of three-month streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice on blood platelet reactivity, COX-1 expression and adhesion potential.
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This is partially attributed to an altered activation status of blood platelets in this disease. Previously, alterations have been shown in COX-1 and protease activated receptor (PAR)-3 receptor expression in platelets in two animal models of diabetes, there have not been studies which address expression of these proteins in mice with long-term streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. We have also addressed the effect of diabetes on platelet adhesion under flow conditions. With the use of flow cytometry, we have shown that certain markers of platelet basal activation, such as active form of αIIb β3 and of CD40L were increased in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Platelets from STZ-induced diabetic mice were also more reactive when stimulated with PAR-4 activating peptide as revealed by higher expression of active form of αIIb β3 , membrane-bound on vWillebrand Factor and binding of exogenous fluorescein isothyanate-labelled fibrinogen. Expression of COX-1 and production of thromboxane A2 in platelets of STZ-induced diabetic mice were higher than in control animals. We observed no effect of diabetes on ability of platelets to form stable adhesions with fibrinogen in flow conditions. We conclude that although certain similarities exist between patterns of activation of platelets in animal models of diabetes, the differences should also be taken into account.


Larvicidal efficacy and chemical constituents of O. gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil against Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae).
The current study accentuates the use of botanicals as an alternative to the chemical compounds in vector control by estimating the mosquito larvicidal potential of Ocimum gratissimum L. leaf essential oil against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae). The chemical composition of essential oil from leaves was evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. GC/MS revealed that the essential oil of O. gratissimum contained 51 compounds. The major chemical constituents identified were 3-allyl-6-methoxyphenol (19.30%), 4-(5-ethenyl-1-azabicyclo (2, 2, 2) octan-2) (16.82%), 1-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanol (12.23%) and 1-(1-hydroxybutyl)-2, 5-dimethoxybenzene (5.53%). The essential oil showed pertinent larvicidal effect, and the LC50 value in 24 h was 26.10 ppm (LC90 = 82.83 ppm). Aromatic plants and their essential oils are very important sources of many compounds that are used for different applications, and they are more promising pesticides or insecticides for control of mosquito populations than synthetic ones. The results of the present investigation justify the larvicidal potential of leaf essential oil of O. gratissimum as a safer and more effective larvicide against A. albopictus.


Transmission of clones of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli between a hospital and an urban wastewater treatment plant.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) constitute an urgent threat to worldwide public health. The spread of CRE is facilitated by transmission via the environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered to be important sources of antibiotic resistance and hot spots of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) which can facilitate dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, water samples were collected over one year from a WWTP in Jinan, Shandong province, China, from different functional sites in the wastewater treatment process. Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) were isolated by selective cultivation and whole-genome sequenced to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of CREC in the WWTP. A total of 77 CREC isolates were included in the study and the detection rate of CREC in the WWTP water inlet was found to be 85%. An additional 10 CREC were isolated from a nearby teaching hospital during the sampling period and included for comparison to the environmental isolates. Susceptibility testing showed that all CREC were multidrug-resistant. 6 different carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) were detected, including blaNDM-5 (n = 75), blaNDM-1 (n = 6), blaNDM-4 (n = 3), blaNDM-6 (n = 1), blaNDM-9 (n = 1), and blaKPC-2 (n = 4). 42 CREC isolates were whole-genome sequenced with Illumina short-read sequencing. 11 of these were also sequenced with Nanopore long-read sequencing. Plasmids carrying CRGs were found to belong to IncX3 (n = 35), IncFII (n = 12), IncFIA (n = 5), IncFIB (n = 2), IncC (n = 1), and IncP6 (n = 1). Clonal dissemination of CREC belonging to ST167, ST448, and ST746 was observed between different parts of the WWTP. Furthermore, isolates from the WWTP, including an isolate belonging to the high-risk ST167 strain, were found to be clonally related to CREC isolated at the hospital. The spread of CRGs is of considerable concern and strategies to prevent environmental dissemination of this contaminant urgently needs to be implemented.


Prospective and retrospective high order eddy current mitigation for diffusion weighted echo planar imaging.
The proposed method is aimed at reducing eddy current (EC) induced distortion in diffusion weighted echo planar imaging, without the need to perform further image coregistration between diffusion weighted and T2 images. These ECs typically have significant high order spatial components that cannot be compensated by preemphasis. High order ECs are first calibrated at the system level in a protocol independent fashion. The resulting amplitudes and time constants of high order ECs can then be used to calculate imaging protocol specific corrections. A combined prospective and retrospective approach is proposed to apply correction during data acquisition and image reconstruction. Various phantom, brain, body, and whole body diffusion weighted images with and without the proposed method are acquired. Significantly reduced image distortion and misregistration are consistently seen in images with the proposed method compared with images without. The proposed method is a powerful (e.g., effective at 48 cm field of view and 30 cm slice coverage) and flexible (e.g., compatible with other image enhancements and arbitrary scan plane) technique to correct high order ECs induced distortion and misregistration for various diffusion weighted echo planar imaging applications, without the need for further image post processing, protocol dependent prescan, or sacrifice in signal-to-noise ratio.


Current Landscape and Future Directions on Bladder Sparing Approaches to Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.
Although radical cystectomy is considered the gold standard approach for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, tri-modal therapy (TMT) is a well-tolerated and efficacious alternative to radical cystectomy that is underutilized in inoperable patients and rarely offered to cystectomy candidates in the USA. Retrospective data suggest similar outcomes between radical cystectomy and TMT after adjusting for patient selection and other confounding factors. Nearly 70-80% of patients can keep their native bladder with favorable post-treatment quality of life metrics. Current trials are investigating novel combination strategies including immune checkpoint inhibition along with chemoradiation or radiation. Emerging techniques for improved patient selection and risk stratification include incorporating MP-MRI, and novel biomarkers such as inflammatory, stromal, and DNA damage response gene signatures may guide patient selection and expand the landscape of bladder preservation options available to patients in the future.


Use of a nested PCR-enzyme immunoassay with an internal control to detect Chlamydophila psittaci in turkeys.
Laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydophila psittaci, an important turkey respiratory pathogen, is difficult. To facilitate the diagnosis, a nested PCR-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) was developed to detect the Cp. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in pharyngeal swabs. The fluorescein-biotin labelled PCR products were immobilized on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates and detected with anti-fluorescein peroxidase conjugate and a colorimetric substrate. An internal inhibition control was included to rule out the presence of inhibitors of DNA amplification. The diagnostic value of the ompA nested PCR-EIA in comparison to cell culture and a 16S-rRNA based nested PCR was assessed in pharyngeal turkey swabs from 10 different farms experiencing respiratory disease. The sensitivity of the nested PCR-EIA was established at 0.1 infection forming units (IFU). Specificity was 100%. The ompA nested PCR-EIA was more sensitive than the 16S-rRNA based nested PCR and isolation, revealing 105 out of 200 (52.5%) positives against 13 and 74 for the latter two tests, respectively. Twenty-nine (23.8%) out of 122 ompA PCR-EIA negatives showed the presence of inhibitors of DNA amplification, although 27 of them became positive after diluting (1/10) the specimens in PCR buffer or after phenol-chloroform extraction and subsequent ethanol precipitation. The present study stresses the need for an internal control to confirm PCR true-negatives and demonstrates the high prevalence of chlamydiosis in Belgian turkeys and its potential zoonotic risk. The ompA nested PCR-EIA described here is a rapid, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assay and will help to facilitate the diagnosis of Cp. psittaci infections in both poultry and man.


Part 19: What is a P value?
This review represents a nontechnical explanation of P values intended for the statistical novice.


Structure, gene cluster of the O antigen and biological activity of the lipopolysaccharide from the rhizospheric bacterium Ochrobactrum cytisi IPA7.2.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Ochrobactrum cytisi IPA7.2, a bacterium isolated from the roots of Solanum tuberosum L., was extracted from dry bacterial cells and chemically characterized. The O-specific polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of the LPS and studied by sugar analysis and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 1H,1H COSY, 1H,1H TOCSY, 1H,1H ROESY, 1H,13C HSQC, and 1H,13C HMBC experiments. The polysaccharide was linear and consisted of trisaccharide repeating units of the following structure: A putative O-antigen gene cluster of O. cytisi IPA7.2 was identified and found to be consistent with the O-specific polysaccharide structure. The LPS of Ochrobactrum cytisi IPA7.2 promoted the growth of potato microplants in vitro.


The impact of extensive agricultural water drainage on the hydrology of the Kleine Nete watershed, Belgium.
Agricultural water drainage can significantly lower groundwater levels and affect catchment hydrology. Therefore, building models with and without these features can indicate an adverse impact on the geohydrological process. Therefore, the standalone Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+) model was initially developed to simulate streamflow at the Kleine Nete catchment outlet. Next, a physically based and spatially distributed groundwater module (gwflow) was integrated into the SWAT+ model and calibrated for stream discharge at the catchment outlet. Finally, the same model was calibrated for both streamflow and groundwater heads. These final model parameters are used to investigate the basin-wide hydrologic fluxes with and without including agricultural drainage systems in the model scheme. The result suggested that the standalone SWAT+ model poorly represented the stream discharge and attained low NSE values of 0.18 and 0.37 during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. Integrating the gwflow module to SWAT+ improved the model representation of stream discharge (NSE = 0.91 and 0.65 for calibration and validation periods, respectively) and groundwater heads. However, calibrating the model for only streamflow resulted in a high root mean square error (above 1 m) for groundwater head, and the seasonality is not captured. On the other hand, calibrating the coupled model for streamflow and hydraulic head reduced the root mean square error (below 0.5 m) and captured the seasonality of groundwater level fluctuations. Finally, drainage application resulted in a 50 % (from 33.04 mm to 16.59 mm) reduction in groundwater saturation excess flow and an 18.4 mm increment in drainage water to streams. To conclude, the new SWAT+gwflow model is more appropriate than the standalone SWAT+ model for the case study. Furthermore, calibrating the SWAT+gwflow model for streamflow and groundwater head has improved the model simulation, with implications for general coupled models where representing surface and groundwater in the calibration strategy is beneficial.


Tweaking the Optoelectronic Properties of S-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Chemical Oxidation.
Peri-thiaxanthenothiaxanthene, an S-doped analog of peri-xanthenoxanthene, is used as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) scaffold to tune the molecular semiconductor properties by editing the oxidation state of the S-atoms. Chemical oxidation of peri-thiaxanthenothiaxanthene with H2 O2 led to the relevant sulfoxide and sulfone congeners, whereas electrooxidation gave access to sulfonium-type derivatives forming crystalline mixed valence (MV) complexes. These complexes depicted peculiar molecular and solid-state arrangements with face-to-face π-π stacking organization. Photophysical studies showed a widening of the optical bandgap upon progressive oxidation of the S-atoms, with the bis-sulfone derivative displaying the largest value (E00 =2.99 eV). While peri-thiaxanthenothiaxanthene showed reversible oxidation properties, the sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives mainly showed reductive events, corroborating their n-type properties. Electric measurements of single crystals of the MV complexes exhibited a semiconducting behavior with a remarkably high conductivity at room temperature (10-1 -10-2 S cm-1 and 10-2 -10-3 S cm-1 for the O and S derivatives, respectively), one of the highest reported so far. Finally, the electroluminescence properties of the complexes were tested in light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), obtaining the first S-doped mid-emitting PAH-based LECs.


Kinetic behavior of the reaction between hydroxyl radical and the SV40 minichromosome.
Aqueous solutions containing the minichromosomal form of the virus SV40 and the radical scavenger DMSO were subjected to gamma-irradiation, and the resulting formation of single strand breaks (SSB) was quantified. Under the irradiation conditions, most SSBs were produced as a consequence of hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) reactions. By controlling the competition between DMSO and the viral DNA substrate for (•)OH, we are able to estimate the rate coefficient for the reaction of (•)OH with the SV40 minichromosome. The results cannot be described adequately by homogeneous competition kinetics, but it is possible to describe the rate coefficient for the reaction as a function of the scavenging capacity of the solution. The experimentally determined rate coefficient lies in the range 1×10(9) - 2×10(9) L mol(-1) s(-1) at 10(7) s(-1), and increases with increasing scavenging capacity.


The Mechanical and Electronic Properties of Carbon-Rich Silicon Carbide.
A systematic investigation of structural, mechanical, anisotropic, and electronic properties of SiC₂ and SiC₄ at ambient pressure using the density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation is reported in this work. Mechanical properties, i.e., the elastic constants and elastic modulus, have been successfully obtained. The anisotropy calculations show that SiC₂ and SiC₄ are both anisotropic materials. The features in the electronic band structures of SiC₂ and SiC₄ are analyzed in detail. The biggest difference between SiC₂ and SiC₄ lies in the universal elastic anisotropy index and band gap. SiC₂ has a small universal elastic anisotropy index value of 0.07, while SiC₂ has a much larger universal elastic anisotropy index value of 0.21, indicating its considerable anisotropy compared with SiC₂. Electronic structures of SiC₂ and SiC₄ are calculated by using hybrid functional HSE06. The calculated results show that SiC₂ is an indirect band gap semiconductor, while SiC₄ is a quasi-direct band gap semiconductor.


Prospective mixed-methods study evaluating the potential of a voicebot (CovBot) to relieve German health authorities during the COVID-19 infodemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telephone hotlines of local health authorities in Germany were overloaded due to information requests by the public. Evaluating the use of a COVID-19-specific voicebot (CovBot) in local health authorities in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the performance of the CovBot by assessing a perceptible relief of staff in the hotline service. This prospective mixed-methods study enrolled local health authorities in Germany from 01 February 2021 to 11 February 2022 to deploy the CovBot, which was mainly designed to answer frequently asked questions. To capture the user perspective and acceptance, we performed semistructured interviews and online surveys with their staff, conducted an online survey among callers, and analyzed the performance metrics of the CovBot. The CovBot was implemented in 20 local health authorities serving 6.1 million German citizens and processed almost 1.2 million calls during the study period. The overall assessment was that the CovBot contributed to a perceived relief of the hotline service. In a survey among callers, 79% indicated that a voicebot could not replace a human. The analyzed anonymous metadata revealed that 15% of calls hung up immediately, 32% after hearing an FAQ answer, and 51% of calls were forwarded to the local health authority offices. A voicebot primarily answering FAQs can provide additional support to relieve the hotline service of local health authorities in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. For complex concerns, a forwarding option to a human proved to be an essential functionality.


Contribution of folic acid to human health and challenges of translating the science into effective policy: a call to action for the implementation of food fortification in Ireland.
Over 30 years ago it was proven beyond doubt that folic acid supplementation of mothers in early pregnancy protects against neural tube defects (NTD) in their babies. Such conclusive scientific evidence led to clear recommendations for women worldwide to take 0⋅4 mg/d folic acid before conceiving and in early pregnancy, but implementing these into effective policy has been problematic. As a result, there has been no change in the incidence of NTD in Ireland, the UK or any other European country over the 25-year period that the current strategy, recommending periconceptional folic acid supplements to women, has been in place. Thus preventable NTD are not being prevented. Notably, in September 2021, the UK government announced that starch is to be fortified with folic acid on a mandatory basis. A similar decision is now urgently needed in Ireland, where rates of NTD are among the highest in the world. A policy of mandatory folic acid fortification of food would be highly effective in preventing NTD because it reaches all women, including those who have not planned their pregnancy. International evidence shows that wherever such a policy has been introduced, it has proved to be effective in reducing rates of NTD in that country. Apart from preventing NTD, the driver of policy in the area, other potential health benefits across the lifecycle can be anticipated from folic acid fortification. Urgent action is needed on implementation of mandatory food fortification with folic acid in Ireland so that mothers and their babies can benefit.


Beta-thromboglobulin levels in diabetes mellitus: influence of degenerative lesions and glycemic regulation using an artificial pancreas.
Plasma beta-Thromboglobulin levels (beta-TG) were measured by radioimmunoassay in two groups of diabetic patients: first group of 152 diabetics classified according to their vascular complications and anti-diabetic therapy, a second group of 21 poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetics before and after 24 and 48 hours of strict blood glucose control using an artificial pancreas. beta-TG levels were on average higher in diabetic patients than in 47 healthy subjects. There was no difference between beta-TG levels in non-insulin-dependent patients with one or two microangiopathic lesions were not different from patients without complications. Only diabetics with severe degenerative lesions reveal plasma beta-TG levels significantly increased. Blood Glucose control during 48 hours is accompanied by a significant reduction of beta-TG levels, although the values remained higher than those of the control group. These results suggest that platelet hyperfunction shown in diabetes by beta-TG can precede the appearance of clinically detectable lesions, but the influence of lesions on platelet behaviour is still obscure. It appears however that strict metabolic control of diabetes could have some part in platelet hyperactivity.


Evolution: Understanding the origins of facultative multicellular life cycles.
Multicellular organisms exhibit a fascinating diversity of life cycles, but little is known about the factors governing life-cycle evolution. New studies of wild yeast and cyanobacteria provide insight into how and why facultative multicellular life cycles arise.


Genetic variation at the STR loci D12S391 and CSF1PO in four populations from Austria, Italy, Egypt and Yemen.
The short tandem repeat systems (STRs) D12S391 and CSF1P0 were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples from 100 to 158 unrelated Austrians, Italians, Yemenians and Egyptians. The samples were analyzed by both native and denaturing electrophoresis and two primer pairs were tested for the CSF1PO locus. Except for the CSF1PO data on the Egyptians, no deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. For D12S391, no significant differences were found between the two Arab populations and between the two European populations, but the differences between both Arab populations and the Italians were significant. For CSF1PO, differences were only observed between the Yemenians and all three other populations. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium between the two STRs was found. The observation of a D12S391 allele consisting of only 14 repeats was confirmed by sequencing.