Smoking status before and after colorectal cancer diagnosis and mortality in Korean men: A population-based cohort study.
Smoking is a well-known risk factor for colorectal cancer incidence; however, the effect of smoking before and after cancer diagnosis on mortality has not been addressed well. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the association of prediagnosis and postdiagnosis smoking status and mortality among colorectal cancer patients. A retrospective cohort consisted of 37,079 male colorectal cancer patients. Smoking status was defined from information within 2 years of colorectal cancer diagnosis for prediagnosis and at least 1 year later for postdiagnosis. The prediagnostic and postdiagnostic smoking status were categorized into four groups (nonsmoker/nonsmoker, nonsmoker/smoker, smoker/nonsmoker, and smoker/smoker). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model. During a median of 6.3 years of follow-up, a total of 3980 deaths and 2137 deaths from colorectal cancer occurred. The number of prediagnosis smokers were 11,100 and 62.4% of them quitted smoking after the diagnosis. Significantly elevated mortality rate in prediagnosis smokers was observed regardless of postdiagnosis smoking status (smoker/nonsmoker [HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20-1.41] and smoker/smoker [HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.09-1.34]). Among patients treated with surgical operation only, those who quit smoking after diagnosis showed lower mortality rates compared to continual smokers (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.96). Smoking before cancer diagnosis rather than postdiagnosis has stronger impact on prognosis colorectal cancer patients, and quitting smoking may improve survival, especially among early stage colorectal cancer patients.


Identification of differentially methylated region (DMR) networks associated with progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is affected by epigenetics. We performed differentially methylated region (DMR) and co-methylation analyses to identify DMR networks associated with the progression of NAFLD. DMRs displaying differences in multiple consecutive differentially methylated CpGs between mild and advanced NAFLD were extracted. The average values of topological overlap measures for the CpG matrix combining two different DMRs were calculated and two DMR networks that strongly correlated with the stages of fibrosis were identified. The annotated genes of one network included genes involved in transcriptional regulation, cytoskeleton organization, and cellular proliferation. The annotated genes of the second network were primarily associated with metabolic pathways. The CpG methylation levels in these networks were strongly affected by age and fasting plasma glucose levels, which may be important co-regulatory factors. The methylation status of five DMRs in the second network was reversible following weight loss. Our results suggest that CpG methylation in DMR networks is regulated concomitantly via aging and hyperglycemia and plays important roles in hepatic metabolic dysfunction, fibrosis, and potential tumorigenesis, which occur during the progression of NAFLD. By controlling weight and blood glucose levels, the methylation of DMRs in the second network may be reduced.


Alcohol Consumption, Loneliness, Quality of Life, Social Media Usage and General Anxiety before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore.
This cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with anxiety levels of adults living in Singapore before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted from July to November 2020, accruing 264 eligible participants. Ordered logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), ranked as minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), and severe (15-21) before and during the pandemic. About 74% of participants were female, 50% were aged 25-34, and 50% were married. The GAD-7 level went up from the pre-pandemic for moderate (12.5% to 16%) and severe GAD (2% to 11%). Alcohol consumption (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04-3.06), loneliness (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05-1.54), and difficulty in switching off social media (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.29-3.79) predicted increased GAD-7 levels. The quality of life (AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79-0.90) was significantly associated with decreased GAD-7 levels. The results heighten the awareness that early initiation of mental health support is crucial for the population in addition to the various financial support measures provided by the government as they are adapting to live with the COVID-19 pandemic.


Micro-exons of the cardiac myosin binding protein C gene: flanking introns contain a disproportionately large number of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is primarily caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac sarcomere proteins. Large screening studies identify mutations in 35-65% of the diagnosed patients and 15-30% of these are discovered within the MYBPC3 gene encoding the cardiac myosin binding protein C. The aim of this study is to determine whether intronic variation flanking the three micro-exons in MYBPC3 is disease-causing. Two hundred and fifty unrelated patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were genotyped in MYBPC3, using automated single-strand conformation polymorphism, and sequenced for confirmation. Mutations located in the flanking introns of the MYBPC3 micro-exons were examined using in silico methods. Ectopic expression of mRNA in blood leukocytes in the respective patients was examined using reverse transcription-PCR. A total of seven mutations were discovered in the introns flanking the two micro-exons 10 and 14, but none were found in introns flanking exon 11. Functional studies together with co-segregation analysis indicate that four mutations are associated with HCM, in the respective patients. All four mutations result in premature termination codons, which suggests that haploinsufficiency is a pathogenic mechanism of this type of mutation. It is demonstrated that the use of in silico methods together with RNA studies on peripheral blood leukocytes is a useful tool to evaluate the potential effects of mutations on pre-mRNA splicing.


Ambulatory urodynamics monitoring - a video demonstration.
To present a narrated video designed to demonstrate the steps involved in performing and interpreting ambulatory urodynamics monitoring (AUM). This video provides an overview of the role of AUM in clinical practice and describes the process of performing AUM using solid state microtip transducers and the MMS / Laborie Luna ambulatory recorder. Line placement, calibration and the urodynamic protocol are discussed along with descriptions of provocation tests that can be used during AUM. Examples of AUM traces are reviewed demonstrating common findings eg detrusor overactivity, urodynamic stress incontinence and voiding difficulties. Good urodynamic practice in relation to the interpretation of AUM is presented. Its application in clinical practice is often limited due to the cost of equipment (particularly the microtip transducers which range from £1200-£2500) and appropriate decontamination of the transducers (in this unit an anti-sporacidal 3 stage wipe system is employed (Tristel) however, many hospital infection control teams do not consider this sufficient so disposable water or air filled lines are used). Other limitations include the requirement for additional training and the time necessary to perform the test. This video will educate and inform health care professionals regarding AUM so that they may consider its use in their armamentarium of investigations of lower urinary tract function and be able to counsel patients appropriately should they choose to refer them to an alternative provider for further investigation if they do not have direct access in their service. AUM is a second line investigation of lower urinary tract dysfunction used in patients where conventional urodynamics have failed to make a diagnosis or replicate their symptoms. They allow for a more physiological assessment of bladder function. Protocols may vary from 1 h to 24 h but are dependent on re-creation of patient's symptoms.


Complications of lower-limb percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: a prospective analysis of 410 procedures on 295 consecutive patients.
To evaluate complications and their predictors in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of lower-limb arteries. Complications in 410 angioplasty procedures in 295 consecutive patients (192 claudicants and 103 suffering from chronic critical ischemia) were prospectively analyzed. The total complication rate was 10.5% (43/410). There were 21 major complications (5%), eight of which required surgical treatment, including four hematomas, two arteriovenous fistulae, and two pseudoaneurysms at the puncture site, two retroperitoneal hematomas, and 11 thrombotic/thromboembolic complications. There were significantly more complications with treatment of occlusions compared with stenoses (18% vs 7%, p = 0.002). Women had significantly more bleeding complications than men (15% vs 6%, p = 0.032). The 30-day mortality rate in patients with critical ischemia was 10%. In lower-limb PTA a few target lesion- and patient-related determinants of complications could be identified. In patients with critical ischemia, the 30-day mortality was rather high and mainly due to associated coronary and cerebrovascular diseases.


Hyperthermia worsens ischaemic brain injury through destruction of microvessels in an embolic model in rats.
Basal lamina is a major part of the microvascular wall and plays a critical role in the integrity of microvasculature. The aim of this study is to determine whether hyperthermia worsens the destruction of microvascular integrity in the ischaemic injured brain. Focal cerebral ischaemia was induced by embolising a pre-formed clot into the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Rats received either normothermic or hyperthermic treatment. Neurological score and infarct size were evaluated at 24 h after the MCA occlusion. Microvascular collagen type IV and laminin were measured with fluorescence microscopy. The activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA) were determined by zymography. Treatment with hyperthermia significantly increased infarct volume (p<0.01), cortex swelling (p<0.01), striatum swelling (p<0.05) and neurologic score (p<0.01) at 24 h after the MCA occlusion. Compared to the normothermic groups, hyperthermia significantly worsened the losses of microvascular basal lamina structure proteins, collagen type IV and laminin, at 6 h (p<0.001) and 24 h (p<0.01) after MCA occlusion. Hyperthermia increased the MMP-9 activity at 6 and 24 h after MCA occlusion compared with normothermia (p<0.05), whereas increased the MMP-2 activity at 6 h only (p<0.05). Hyperthermia also elevated uPA activity significantly at 6 and 24 h after MCA occlusion compared to normothermia (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that hyperthermia exacerbates the destruction of microvascular integrity possibly by increasing the activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA in the ischaemic cerebral tissues.


Characterization of trichuris species from porcupine (Hystrix cristata) at zoological garden of Spain.
Population of Trichuris sp. isolated from Hystrix cristata was analyzed based on morphological, biometrical characteristics and mitochondrial (cox1, cob, rrnL) and ribosomal (ITS1) (rDNA) region sequences. Morphological and biometrical results revealed that Trichuris sp. from H. cristata present a high similarity with Trichuris landak from Hystrix javanica and less similarity with other Trichuris species from porcupine species (Trichuris hystricis, Trichuris lenkorani and Trichuris mettami). The lack of molecular data corresponding to Trichuris species that parasitize the porcupine (genus Hystrix and Atelerix) has not allowed a comparative molecular or phylogenetic study. Molecular analyses revealed the existence of two different haplotypes that did not correspond to different morphospecies. Relationships among Trichuris sp. from H. cristata and other Trichuris spp. have been resolved by molecular sequence data in this study. Thus, the combined analysis of one ribosomal and three mitochondrial markers revealed a sister relationship between whipworms parasitizing porcupine and other Trichuris spp. from rodents and canids and separated from the rest of Trichuris spp. from other hosts species. It is necessary accurate information on the possible zoonotic behavior of different Trichuris species for health workers to improve existing control measures. Thus, it is necessary to increase the studies of integrative taxonomy on Trichuris spp. based on morphological, biometrical and molecular data, which will inevitably contribute to our knowledge on the etiology of trichuriasis.


Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Early-Life Exposure to Bisphenol A and Obesity-Related Outcomes in Rodents.
Early-life exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been implicated to play a role in the development of obesity. A systematic review with meta-analyses of experimental rodent studies was conducted to answer the following question: does early-life exposure to BPA affect the obesity-related outcomes body weight, fat (pad) weight, and circulating and tissue levels of triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFA), and leptin? The methodology was prespecified in a rigorous protocol using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) approach. Using PubMed and EMBASE, we identified 61 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias and the methodological quality of these articles were assessed using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool, and a confidence-rating methodology was used to score the quality of evidence. Meta-analyses were performed using random effect models and standardized mean differences (SMDs), or, where possible, mean differences (MDs) were calculated. Overall summary estimates indicated significant positive associations between BPA and fat weight [SMD=0.67 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.81)], triglycerides [SMD=0.97 (95% CI: 0.53, 1.40)], and FFA [SMD=0.86 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.22)], and a nonsignificant positive association with leptin levels [MD=0.37 (95% CI: -0.14, 0.87)] and a significant negative association with body weight were estimated [MD=-0.22 (95% CI: -0.37, -0.06)]. Subgroup analyses revealed stronger positive associations for most outcome measures in males and at doses below the current U.S. reference dose of 50μg/kg/d compared with doses above the reference dose. It should be noted that there was substantial heterogeneity across studies for all outcomes assessed and that there was insufficient information to assess risk of bias for most studies. Findings from our systematic review suggest that early-life exposure to BPA may increase adiposity and circulating lipid levels in rodents. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1233.


Transgenic approaches to modifying cell and tissue function.
As our knowledge of cell regulation pathways becomes increasingly sophisticated, the tools and techniques that have emerged from in vitro studies are being applied to the whole organism through transgenesis. With the development of new ways of modifying cellular signalling in intact animals comes the ability to analyse physiological systems and their pathologies with greater spatial and temporal precision.


Replication stress activates DNA repair synthesis in mitosis.
Oncogene-induced DNA replication stress has been implicated as a driver of tumorigenesis. Many chromosomal rearrangements characteristic of human cancers originate from specific regions of the genome called common fragile sites (CFSs). CFSs are difficult-to-replicate loci that manifest as gaps or breaks on metaphase chromosomes (termed CFS 'expression'), particularly when cells have been exposed to replicative stress. The MUS81-EME1 structure-specific endonuclease promotes the appearance of chromosome gaps or breaks at CFSs following replicative stress. Here we show that entry of cells into mitotic prophase triggers the recruitment of MUS81 to CFSs. The nuclease activity of MUS81 then promotes POLD3-dependent DNA synthesis at CFSs, which serves to minimize chromosome mis-segregation and non-disjunction. We propose that the attempted condensation of incompletely duplicated loci in early mitosis serves as the trigger for completion of DNA replication at CFS loci in human cells. Given that this POLD3-dependent mitotic DNA synthesis is enhanced in aneuploid cancer cells that exhibit intrinsically high levels of chromosomal instability (CIN(+)) and replicative stress, we suggest that targeting this pathway could represent a new therapeutic approach.


Sleep-wakefulness patterns in the aged cat.
This investigation compared the 24 h sleep-wake characteristics of young adult (2-4 years) and old (10-11 years) cats in order to determine whether there were significant age- and/or gender-related differences. Aged animals had more brief (6-14 sec) awakenings, less REM sleep, and more NREM sleep than young adults. There were no significant age- or gender-related differences with respect to either the daily numbers or the mean durations of sleep and waking episodes. Compared with the young adults, aged males had substantially less DSWS and fewer numbers of short-duration (less than or equal to 2.5 min) LSWS bouts. Both males and females showed age-related differences with respect to the sequencing of state-patterns. The expression of these patterns in relation to time of day was comparable for young and old animals. Overall, these findings compare favorably with those commonly reported in the elderly human.


Antioxidant profiles of a prepared extract of Chinese herbs for the treatment of atopic eczema.
A standardized mixture of Chinese herbs, Zemaphyte taken orally as a daily decoction has been shown to be effective in the treatment of atopic eczema. This study showed that Zemaphyte is an efficient antioxidant, being capable of scavenging both superoxide and hydroxyl, and preventing peroxidation of biological membranes. It does not degrade hydrogen peroxide directly, but instead most likely forms a Zemaphyte-hydrogen peroxide complex. The complexed hydrogen peroxide can then be degraded in the presence of catalase to form oxygen and water. It is conceivable that Zemaphyte may contribute to the down-regulation of the activities of cells implicated in atopic eczema through its antioxidant activities.


Peer influence of injection drug use cessation among dyads in rural eastern Kentucky.
This analysis aims to assess whether injection drug use cessation among peers predicts injection drug use cessation among individuals and explores whether this association varies by relationship type and strength. Data were collected through baseline and 6-month assessments for the Social Networks among Appalachian People study (2008-2011). Interviewer-administered surveys collected sociodemographic and drug use behaviors (past 6 months and lifetime). Participants also listed sex, drug use, and social support partners (past 6 months). Listed names were cross-referenced with survey participants to identify relationships between study participants. The analytic sample was further restricted to include only those relationship pairs where both individuals reported a history of injection drug use at baseline (n = 244 unique individuals and 746 dyads). We fit a generalized estimating equations logistic regression model to (1) assess the relationship between peer injection cessation and individual injection cessation and (2) determine whether the strength of this association differs by relationship-level variables (i.e., relationship role, relationship type, relationship duration, frequency of interaction, residential proximity). Overall, those with a network member who ceased injection drug use were more likely to stop injecting over the following 6-month period (AOR=1.65). The magnitude of this association was greater for social support partners (AOR=2.95), family members (AOR=3.56), those with whom the participant interacted at least daily (AOR=2.17), and those who the participant knew longer (AOR=2.09). Further, among family members, the effect size was greater when relationships were further restricted to immediate family members (AOR=5.35). Our findings suggest that in this rural community, closer, more supportive relationships, may be more influential for modeling injection cessation; however, relationship-types were not mutually exclusive so differences in effect size across strata may not be statistically significant. In this setting, social support through the recovery process (including cessation attempts with peers) may increase likelihood of injection cessation.


Comparison of fusional ranges measured by Risley prisms, vectograms, and computer orthopter.
Maximum base-in (BI) and base-out (BO) fusion vergence ranges were measured in 38 normal subjects using 3 different clinical procedures. These procedures used different instruments, instructions, and vergence stimuli (Risley prisms, vectograms, and video-displayed contour and random dot stereograms) presented at 50.8 cm. Test-retest measures, which were taken on each test for each subject, indicated high positive correlations between test and retest measures for most vergence tests. Paired inter-test correlations among five different tests varied as a function of the pairing as well as type of measure taken (BI, BO, break, recovery). It was concluded that different methods of measuring vergence provide different kinds of information and such tests may not be used interchangeably.


Cone beam CT imaging of the mandibular third molar: a position paper prepared by the European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR).
Lack of evidence on the use of CBCT for management of mandibular third molars in Radiation Protection guideline no. 172 of the European Commission made the European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR) decide to update the recommendations of the guideline. A literature search was performed addressing the following questions: (1) does CBCT change the treatment of the patient?; (2) does CBCT reduce the number of post-operative sensory disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve?; and (3) can CBCT predict the risk for a post-operative sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve? Since the European Commission published the guideline in 2012 several high-evidence studies on the use of CBCT before removal of mandibular third molars have been conducted including five randomized controlled clinical trials and one meta-analysis. Present literature allows to propose recommendations with highest level of evidence. New and up-to-date evidence-based recommendations advocate that CBCT imaging of the mandibular third molar should not be applied as a routine method before removal of mandibular third molars and therefore, CBCT imaging should only be applied when the surgeon has a very specific clinical question in an individual patient case that cannot be answered by conventional (panoramic and/or intraoral) imaging.


LT, VP1 and TCR-BKV sequence analysis in a patient with post-transplant BKV nephropathy associated with EBV-related PTLD.
A 10-year-old boy kidney transplant recipient (KTR) developed an abdominal post-transplant lymphoproliferative syndrome (PTLD) followed by BK virus nephropathy (BKVN). BK virus (BKV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were studied in renal and PTLD tissue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Afterwards, the patient was monitored in relation to BKV in urine and serum; transcription control region (TCR)-BK polymorphism sequence analysis was also performed. In the PCR assay, both early large T antigen (LT) and late (VP1) transcriptional BKV coding regions were found in renal tissue, whereas EBV and only LT-BK were detected in PTLD abdominal tissue. On the other hand, TCR sequence analysis revealed the AS genomic BK variant.


Changes in nucleic acid and protein content in nuclei of human cervical cells.
Nuclei in five classes of cervical cells observed in Pap smears were studied using quantitative epifluorescence microscopy. The five classes of cells were: parabasal (Pb) cells; intermediate cells with round (I-R), oval (I-O), and rod-pyknotic (I-RP) nuclei; and, pyknotic (P) cells. Six nuclear traits were measured: total nucleic acid, DNA, RNA, total protein, histone, and non-histone protein. The six nuclear indices increased as Pb cells became I-R cells (cell enlargement and maturation), and then decreased as I-R cells degenerated through the following senescence sequence: I-O----I-RP----P. We infer that these changes continue and result in anucleate, superficial cells. Pb cells are probably in early stages of DNA synthesis (S-phase of the cell cycle) since the mean for DNA increased as they became I-R cells. The following types of cells comprised the Pap smears studied: Pb, 7%; I-R, 19%; I-O, 55%; I-RP, 8%; P, 9%; superficial cells with nuclei devoid of nucleic acids, 1%; and, anucleate cells, 1%. We conclude that cervical exfoliative cytology provides a model system for the study of human cell development, maturation, senescence, and death in addition to its use in detecting early through late stages of cervical cancer. The high correlation between the nuclear indices studied suggests that several quantitative nuclear parameters other than DNA may be useful for cancer detection.


Analysis of the enantiomers of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites using chiral liquid chromatography.
A procedure using a chirobiotic V column is presented which allows separation of the enantiomers of citalopram and its two N-demethylated metabolites, and of the internal standard, alprenolol, in human plasma. Citalopram, demethylcitalopram and didemethylcitalopram, as well as the internal standard, were recovered from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction. The limits of quantification were found to be 5 ng/ml for each enantiomer of citalopram and demethylcitalopram, and 7.5 ng/ml for each enantiomer of didemethylcitalopram. Inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation varied from 2.4% to 8.6% for S- and R-citalopram, from 2.9% to 7.4% for S- and R-demethylcitalopram, and from 5.6% to 12.4% for S- and R- didemethylcitalopram. No interference was observed from endogenous compounds following the extraction of plasma samples from 10 different patients treated with citalopram. This method allows accurate quantification for each enantiomer and is, therefore, well suited for pharmacokinetic and drug interaction investigations. The presented method replaces a previously described highly sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography procedure using an acetylated 3-cyclobond column which, because of manufactural problems, is no longer usable for the separation of the enantiomers of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites.


Sustained-release Madopar HBS compared with standard Madopar in the long-term treatment of de novo parkinsonian patients.
In this Danish-Norwegian randomized double-blind parallel-group multicentre study, we compared the therapeutic response of slow-release Madopar HBS to standard Madopar in 134 de novo patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease during a 5-year period. The drugs were dosed according to the individual need of the patients. The Webster, NUDS, UPDRS and Hoehn & Yahr scales were used for evaluation of symptoms. Addition of a morning dose of standard Madopar 62.5 mg was allowed after 6 months. Bromocriptine could be administered but not Selegiline. Sixty-five patients got Madopar HBS and 69 standard Madopar. Surprisingly, no differences were found as to the mean daily levodopa dose, the mean number of daily doses or the use of the doses of bromocriptine. Unexpectedly, we found a trend towards a more frequent use of a morning dose of standard Madopar in the group treated with the standard formulation. No differences were observed in the occurrence of motor fluctuations or dyskinesia, the incidence of which was relatively low. Sustained-release Madopar (HBS) thus proved to be as effective as standard Madopar in the long-term treatment of de novo parkinsonian patients, but the drug showed no advantage in postponing or reducing the long-term levodopa treatment problems.


Detection of Haemophilia A carriers by replicate factor VIII activity and factor VIII antigenicity determinations.
Factor VIII (fVIII) activity and antigenicity were determined on replicate fresh blood samples drawn on three separate occasions in 48 normal females and 37 obligatory haemophilia A carriers, in an attempt to improve the detection rate. fVIII activity was assayed by a one-stage method and fVIII antigenicity by the Laurell's technique employing an anti-fVIII antiserum prepared in rabbits. The mean results for the individual subjects were analysed after establishing a discriminant function. The probability of being a carrier was determined on the basis of laboratory data and family history. The probability data were translated into more simple terms applicable for genetic counselling by defining three categories: Definite carriers, doubtful carriers and definite normals. Of the obligatory carriers, 83.8% were classified definite carriers, 13.5% doubtful carriers and 2.7% as definite normals. Of the normal females, 4.2% were classified as definite carriers, 18.7% doubtful carriers and 77.1% as definite normals. Adjustment of the results according to age was found unnecessary. The precision of the determinations of fVIII antigenicity and fVIII activity in individual subjects was calculated for different numbers of replicate tests performed in the same individual. It was found that if only one test is performed, a substantial error might occur. Three replicate tests considerably diminish this error, although it is still in the range of +/- 16--29%. For suspected carriers who fall in the doubtful category it is suggested that six or even more tests are performed.


Modification of growth rate of Toxoplasma gondii by continuous passage in immune mice.
Growth of the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii, is suppressed in mice immunized with Toxoplasma antigens. At the second passage, the growth of T. gondii harvested from immune mice is suppressed more strongly in immune mice than that of T. gondii from control mice. After 52 passages in immune mice, the growth of T. gondii was still suppressed in immune mice than in control mice. T. gondii did not possess ability of antigenic variation (Pfefferkorn et al., 1983). After vaccination with the S-273 strain of T. gondii, mice were challenged twice with the RH strain. Cysts in brains caused death of all mice by inoculation at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th week after the second challenge of the RH strain. But the cysts from mice at the 16th and 30th week have decreased virulence, causing death in only 2 out of 4 and 1 out of 4 mice, respectively. Virulence of cysts had no definite relationship to Toxoplasma antibodies by indirect latex agglutination test and the numbers of cysts per brain. Growth variation of T. gondii is proposed under unfavourable conditions as in mice immunized with Toxoplasma antigens or vaccinated with the S-273 strain.


High and low performers in internal rotation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a biplane fluoroscopic study.
Internal rotation in adduction is often limited after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), but the origins of this functional deficit are unclear. Few studies have directly compared individuals who can and cannot perform internal rotation in adduction. Little data on underlying 3D humerothoracic, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral joint relationships in these patients are available. Individuals >1-year postoperative to rTSA were imaged with biplane fluoroscopy in resting neutral and internal rotation in adduction poses. Subjects could either perform internal rotation in adduction with their hand at T12 or higher (high, N = 7), or below the hip pocket (low, N = 8). Demographics, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test, and scapular notching grade were recorded. Joint orientation angles were derived from model-based markerless tracking of the scapula and humerus relative to the torso. The 3D implant models were aligned to preoperative computed tomography models to evaluate bone-implant impingement. The Simple Shoulder Test was highest in the high group (11 ± 1 vs. 9 ± 2, P = .019). Two subjects per group had scapular notching (grades 1 and 2), and 3 high group and 4 low group subjects had impingement below the glenoid. In the neutral pose, the scapula had 7° more upward rotation in the high group (P = .100), and the low group demonstrated 9° more posterior tilt (P = .017) and 14° more glenohumeral elevation (P = .047). In the internal rotation pose, axial rotation was >45° higher in the high group (P ≤ .008) and the low group again had 11° more glenohumeral elevation (P = .058). Large rotational differences within subject groups arose from a combination of differences in the resting neutral and maximum internal rotation in adduction poses, not only the terminal arm position. Individuals who were able to perform high internal rotation in adduction after rTSA demonstrated differences in joint orientation and anatomic biases versus patients with low internal rotation. The high rotation group had 7° more resting scapular upward rotation and used a 15°-30° change in scapular tilt to perform internal rotation in adduction versus patients in the low group. The combination of altered resting scapular posture and restricted scapulothoracic range of motion could prohibit glenohumeral rotation required to reach internal rotation in adduction. In addition, inter-patient variation in humeral torsion may contribute substantially to postoperative internal rotation differences. These data point toward modifiable implant design and placement factors, as well as foci for physical therapy to strengthen and mobilize the scapula and glenohumeral joint in response to rTSA surgery.


Extracellular Vesicles in the Progression and Therapeutic Resistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy largely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, which is frequently reported in east and southeast Asia. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) originate from the endosome or plasma membrane, which plays a critical role in tumor pathogenesis for their character of cell-cell communication and its cargos, including proteins, RNA, and other molecules that can target recipient cells and affect their progression. To date, numerous studies have indicated that EVs have crucial significance in the progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of NPC. In this review, we not only summarize the interaction of NPC cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) through EVs, but also explain the role of EVs in radiation and drug resistance of NPC, which poses a severe threat to cancer therapy. Therefore, EVs may show great potential as biomarkers in the early diagnosis of interfered targets of NPC therapy.


Reproductive and developmental toxicity screening study of 2,4-dinitrophenol in rats.
Rats were treated by gavage once daily with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) at 0 (control), 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg bw. Males were dosed for 46 days, beginning 14 days before mating, and females were dosed for 40-47 days, from 14 days before mating to day 3 of lactation. No deaths were observed in males and females of any group. A significant decrease in body weight gain and significant increase in liver weight were found in males and females at 30 mg/kg bw/day. The number of live pups on postnatal days (PNDs) 0 and 4, live birth index, and body weight of live male and female pups on PNDs 0 and 1 were significantly lowered at 30 mg/kg bw/day. External and internal examinations of pups revealed no increased incidence of malformations in DNP-treated groups. On the basis of these findings, we concluded that DNP has general and reproductive/developmental toxicity, but not teratogenicity, under the present conditions. The NOAEL of DNP is considered to be 10 mg/kg bw/day in rats.


The integrated state of the rolling-circle plasmid pTB913 in the composite Bacillus plasmid pTB19.
pTB19, a 27 kb plasmid originating from a thermophilic Bacillus species, contains integrated copies of two rolling-circle type plasmids on a 10.6 kb DNA fragment. In the present study we analysed the part of pTB19 that contains the rolling-circle plasmid pTB913 and the region in between the two rolling-circle plasmids. We show that, in the integrated state, pTB913 was flanked by a 55 bp direct repeat that duplicated part of the replication initiation gene repB. Since repB was interrupted, the integrated pTB913 could not initiate rolling-circle replication. Autonomously replicating pTB913 was produced from pTB19, probably through recombination between the 55 bp direct repeats; this was a rare event. Since the second integrated rolling-circle type plasmid also contained a non-functional replication initiation gene, replication of pTB19 must be controlled by the RepA determinant. Theta-type replication, controlled by RepA is likely to account for the high stability of pTB19. In between the two integrated rolling-circle plasmids was present an open reading frame (447 codons) which could encode a protein of unknown function.


A rapid assay for protein-A in Staph. aureus strains, using immunomagnetic monosized polymer particles.
Monosized magnetic polystyrene beads, Dynabeads M-450, coated with sheep IgG were used in an agglutination test for the detection of cell-surface protein-A, based on Fc-protein-A binding. Ninety-three per cent of the bovine Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from clinical mastitis expressed surface protein-A. The agglutination test was rapid compared to FITC-labelled IgG binding or dog-serum agar precipitation test for protein-A, and was significantly correlated with these methods. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated binding of protein-A positive bacteria to the particle surface, thus bridging the beads and forming the agglutination lattice. The microsphere agglutination assay described is a quick, simple and reproducible method for detecting surface protein-A in staphylococci.


Longitudinal trends and subgroup analysis in publication patterns for preclinical data of newly approved drugs.
Having observed a large variation in the number and type of original preclinical publications for newly registered drugs, we have explored whether longitudinal trends and/or factors specific for certain drugs or their manufacturers may explain such variation. Our analysis is based on 1954 articles related to 170 newly approved drugs. The number of preclinical publications per compound declined from a median of 10.5 in 1991 to 3 in 2011. A similar trend was observed for the number of in vivo studies in general, but not in the subset of in vivo studies in animal models of disease. The percentage of compounds with studies using isolated human cells or cell lines almost doubled over time from 37 to 72%. Number of publications did not exhibit major differences between compounds intended for human versus veterinary use, therapeutic areas, small molecules versus biologicals, or innovator versus follow-up compounds; however, some companies may publish fewer studies per compound than others. However, there were qualitative differences in the types of models being used depending on the therapeutic area; specifically, compounds for use in oncology very often used isolated cells and cell lines, often from human origin. We conclude that the large variation in number and type of reported preclinical data is not easily explained. We propose that pharmaceutical companies should consistently provide a comprehensive documentation of the preclinical data they generate as part of their development programs in the public domain to enable a better understanding of the drugs they intend to market.


Temperature and salinity regulation of growth and gas exchange of Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.
Salicornia fruticosa was collected from a salt marsh on the Mediterranean sea coast in Libya. Growth and gas exchange of this C3 species were monitered in plants pretreated at various NaCl concentrations (0, 171, 342, 513 and 855 mM). Maximum growth was at 171 mM NaCl under cool growth conditions (20/10° C) and at 342 mM NaCl under warm growth conditions (30/15° C) with minimum growth at 0 mM NaCl (control). Net photosynthesis (Pn) was greatest in plants grown in 171 mM NaCl with plants grown at 513 and 855 mM having lowest rates. Maximum Pn was at 20-25° C shoot temperatures with statistically significant reductions at 30° C in control plants while salt treated plants showed such reductions at 35° C. Salt treatments increased dark respiration over the control at 171 and 342 mM but reduced it at higher concentrations. Photorespiration was reduced by salt treatment and increased by increasing shoot temperature. Greatest transpiration was in 171 mM NaCl treated plants and increasing shoot temperature increased transpiration in all treatments. Stomatal resistance to CO2 influx was influenced only moderately by temperature while increasing salinity resulted in increased stomatal resistance. In general both temperature and salinity increased the mesophyll resistance to CO2 influx. The species seems adapted to the warm saline habitat along the Mediterranean sea coast, at least partially, by its ability to maintain relatively high Pn at moderate NaCl concentrations over a broad range of shoot temperatures.


Strand-specific RNA sequencing uncovers chloroplast ribonuclease functions.
Organellar gene expression incorporates ribonucleases as indispensable participants. Here, we explored the capacity of strand-specific RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) as a tool to analyze chloroplast ribonuclease functions using the 3'→5' exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) as a proof of concept. The role of PNPase in transcript 3' end maturation was easily monitored, and additional targeted mRNAs were discovered. Moreover, a role in tRNA precursor degradation was predicted and validated. These results, together with previously published data, suggest that RNA-Seq represents a unique opportunity to decipher the roles of organellar ribonucleases and deepen our understanding of chloroplast gene expression.


Pigmented lesions--a plan for management in general practice.
This article sets out a plan for examining and managing pigmented lesions in general practice based on risk categories, history and appearance at x10 magnification. A family history of melanoma, sun exposure in the first 15 years of life, recent change and size above 7 mm should give concern. Benign lesions should not be removed from the "cape" area because of probable hypertrophic scarring.


Establishment of a reporter system to monitor silencing status in induced pluripotent stem cell lines.
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have proven to be an effective technology in regenerative medicine; however, the low efficiency of reprogramming is a major obstacle to the successful generation of iPS cell lines. One of the most important characteristics of a high-quality iPS cell line is the inactivation of transgenes driven by a retrovirus-derived long terminal repeat promoter. In this study, we established a novel marker system containing three kinds of proteins: secreted-type luciferase (MetLuc), copepod Pontellina plumata green fluorescent protein (copGFP), and an antibiotic-resistant gene product (Neo(r)). The introduction of MetLuc-copGFP-Neo(r) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) allowed us to monitor the reporter expression changes as an indicator of the state of silencing during reprogramming. Transformation of iPS cells induced a remarkable reduction in reporter activity, indicating that the retroviral silencing was detected successfully. Our system enables us to monitor the silencing status of transgenes and to efficiently select iPS cell lines that can be used for further applications.


Overview of cephalosporin prophylaxis.
After an uncertain and highly controversial beginning, the use of antimicrobials for prophylaxis of surgical wound infection has evolved to represent state-of-the-art management of the surgical patient. Although a truly ideal prophylactic antimicrobial does not exist, the cephalosporins, particularly those of the first generation, have emerged as the mainstay of prophylaxis in surgery. However, new pathogens and newly recognized problems have necessitated a comparative evaluation of a wide variety of antibiotic regimens. The choice of an appropriate antibiotic is complicated by the lack of an adequate experimental model of infection in clean and clean-contaminated surgical procedures. Moreover, clinical trials have proved to be an inefficient method of comparing antibiotic regimens, as important variations in risk factors for infection cannot be reliably controlled. Significant differences exist among cephalosporins and between the cephalosporins and other classes of antimicrobials in several clinically important parameters: antimicrobial spectrum, serum half-life, ease of administration, tissue penetrability, cost, and incidence of allergy and toxicity. New generations of cephalosporins and new classes of antibiotics have demonstrated the potential to out-perform the first-generation cephalosporins in many of these areas. Although the first-generation cephalosporins were essential in establishing the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery, there are no guarantees that this class of cephalosporin, or that any cephalosporin, for that matter, will continue to dominate the prophylactic arena.


Cancer patients as parents: implementation of a cross sector service for families with adolescent and young adult children.
Cancer patients who are parents show concerns about their ability to parent following diagnosis, and their adolescent and young adult (AYA) children have a need for improved cancer communication within the family. However, psychosocial support for families affected by parental cancer is not routinely available. This study explores the implementation of the Parent Support Worker (PSW) role, as part of a new cross sector model of care to support parent patients, their partners, and AYA children. Two PSWs, social workers and healthcare staff (n = 26) from three hospitals participated in audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews about implementation of the PSW role. Template Analysis and Normalization Process Theory were used to analyze the interviews. Data on PSW service activity and referrals of AYA to support from a community organization were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Eleven themes categorized into enablers and barriers of implementation were identified. Regarding acceptability of the role, three enablers (social workers' understanding of the PSW role increasing, easy and prompt access of staff and parent patients to PSWs, satisfaction with the PSW role) and one barrier (communication related confusion and frustration about the PSW role) were identified. Additionally, three enablers (the PSW role fills gaps in parenting-focused support and continuity of care, the PSW role alleviates social workers' workload, negotiation helped to define responsibilities) and one barrier (fear of social work roles to be overtaken by PSWs) for appropriateness of the role were found. Finally, two enablers of feasibility of the role (PSWs and social workers co-managing the work, higher confidence from hospital staff to talk about children in the family) and one barrier (lack of systematic identification and referral processes) were identified. Across hospitals, the number of referrals of AYA children to the community organization increased between 2.7 and 12 times nine months post-introduction of the service. Established in response to identified gaps in oncology care for parents with cancer, their partners and AYA children, a novel cross-sector model of care was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. Barriers and enablers to implementation identified in this study need to be considered when designing and implementing similar services.


Retracted: Computational Prediction of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Based on Protein Sequences and Convolutional Neural Networks.
[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/4455604.].


Interference in the establishment of tsetse-transmitted Trypanosoma congolense, T. brucei or T. vivax superinfections in goats already infected with T. congolense or T. vivax.
An interference phenomenon that delays superinfection with a trypanosome species different from that used for the initial infection has been found to occur in goats. Following tsetse transmission of Trypanosoma brucei to goats already infected with T. congolense, there was a delay in chancre development, as well as in the appearance of T. brucei and anti-T. brucei antibodies in the blood when compared to previously uninfected goats. However, there was no delay in the establishment of a tsetse-transmitted superinfection with T. vivax in goats already infected with either T. congolense or in animals already infected with a different serodeme of T. vivax.


Identification of novel iso/anteiso nonacosadienoic acids from the phospholipids of the sponges Chondrosia remiformis and Myrmekioderma styx.
The previously unreported 27-methyl-5,9-octacosadienoic acid [1] and 26-methyl-5,9-octacosadienoic acid [2] were identified in the phospholipids of the Caribbean sponges Chondrosia remiformis and Myrmekioderma styx. Both sponges also contain the novel 15-methyl-5,9-hexadecadienoic acid [3] in their phospholipids. These results extend the possible chain lengths in delta 5,9 iso/anteiso fatty acids in sponge phospholipids from C17 to C29.


Syphilitic uveitis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
This work investigates the incidence and clinical features of syphilitic uveitis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We retrospectively reviewed syphilitic uveitis in patients coinfected with HIV that presented at a referral center between July 2001 and November 2003. Twelve patients (20 eyes) were included. The ocular manifestations of syphilis led to the discovery of HIV-1 seropositivity in three patients. All patients were male and homosexual. One patient has been previously treated for syphilis with benzathine penicillin G. One patient presented with anterior uveitis and 11 patients had panuveitis or posterior uveitis. Necrotizing retinitis was noted in seven eyes (35%), posterior placoid chorioretinitis in six eyes (30%) and optic nerve involvement in five eyes (25%). Of nine patients with available cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies, seven (77.8%) had CSF abnormalities. Eleven patients were treated with intravenous penicillin G and one with intravenous ceftriaxone sodium. One patient required a second course of antibiotics to control uveitis. Ocular inflammation decreased and visual acuity improved in all nine patients for whom follow-up was available after treatment. Manifestations of syphilitic uveitis in HIV-infected patients are multiple, with high frequencies of posterior uveitis, posterior placoid chorioretinitis, necrotizing retinitis and optic nerve involvement. Syphilitic uveitis in HIV-infected patients seems to have a more severe course and may relapse despite high-dose intravenous penicillin therapy.


Differential accuracy of aimed movements to visual and somatic targets in young children.
Children, aged 2.5-8 years, were required to touch accurately a target located either on their bodies or on the chair in which they sat. Movements were made when visual information was: 1. complete (target lit for 3 s, room illuminated); 2. partial (target lit for 3 s, room dark); 3. reduced (target lit for 0.7 s, room dark); and finally, when the target was somatically specified. Movements to visible targets did not differ in any important way as a function of target location with respect to on/off body. Accuracy improved with age to visually but noto somatically specified targets, decreased with decreasing availability of visual information, and was poorest to somatically specified targets. We conclude that during development, the sense-modality through which the target is specified and the visibility of the arm/hand during the movement, but not the personal/extra personal visible space in which the target is located, are important determinants of reaching performance.


On the privacy of mental health apps: An empirical investigation and its implications for app development.
An increasing number of mental health services are now offered through mobile health (mHealth) systems, such as in mobile applications (apps). Although there is an unprecedented growth in the adoption of mental health services, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about data privacy risks due to security breaches are also increasing. Whilst some studies have analyzed mHealth apps from different angles, including security, there is relatively little evidence for data privacy issues that may exist in mHealth apps used for mental health services, whose recipients can be particularly vulnerable. This paper reports an empirical study aimed at systematically identifying and understanding data privacy incorporated in mental health apps. We analyzed 27 top-ranked mental health apps from Google Play Store. Our methodology enabled us to perform an in-depth privacy analysis of the apps, covering static and dynamic analysis, data sharing behaviour, server-side tests, privacy impact assessment requests, and privacy policy evaluation. Furthermore, we mapped the findings to the LINDDUN threat taxonomy, describing how threats manifest on the studied apps. The findings reveal important data privacy issues such as unnecessary permissions, insecure cryptography implementations, and leaks of personal data and credentials in logs and web requests. There is also a high risk of user profiling as the apps' development do not provide foolproof mechanisms against linkability, detectability and identifiability. Data sharing among 3rd-parties and advertisers in the current apps' ecosystem aggravates this situation. Based on the empirical findings of this study, we provide recommendations to be considered by different stakeholders of mHealth apps in general and apps developers in particular. We conclude that while developers ought to be more knowledgeable in considering and addressing privacy issues, users and health professionals can also play a role by demanding privacy-friendly apps. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10664-022-10236-0.


Novel bunyavirus in domestic and captive farmed animals, Minnesota, USA.
We tested blood samples from domestic and captive farmed animals in Minnesota, USA, to determine exposure to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and Heartland-like virus. We found antibodies against virus nucleoproteins in 10%-18% of samples from cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and elk in 24 Minnesota counties.


Perilipin5 protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by increasing 11-Dodecenoic acid and inhibiting the occurrence of ferroptosis.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major contributor to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There remains no effective pharmacological therapy. The hepatic lipid metabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation are regulated by Perilipin5 (Plin5). However, it is yet unknown how Plin5 affects NASH and the molecular process. High-fat, high-cholesterol and high-fructose (HFHC) diets were used to mimic the progression of NASH in wild type (WT) mice and Plin5 knockout (Plin5 KO) mice. The degree of ferroptosis was measured by detecting the expression of key genes of ferroptosis and the level of lipid peroxide. The degree of NASH was judged by observing the morphology of the liver, detecting the expression of inflammation and fibrosis related genes of liver damage. Plin5 was overexpressed in the liver of mice by tail vein injection of adenovirus, and the process of NASH was simulated by methionine choline deficiency (MCD) diet. The occurrence of ferroptosis and NASH was detected by the same detection method. Targeted lipidomics sequencing was used to detect the difference in free fatty acid expression in the WT Plin5 KO group. Finally, it was verified in cell experiments to further study the effect of free fatty acids on ferroptosis of hepatocytes. In various NASH models, hepatic Plin5 was dramatically reduced. Plin5 knockout (KO) worsened NASH-associated characteristics in mice given a high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet, such as lipid accumulation, inflammation and hepatic fibrosis. It has been shown that ferroptosis is involved in NASH progression. We revealed that Plin5 KO in mice aggravated the degree of ferroptosis in NASH models. Conversely, overexpression of Plin5 significantly alleviated ferroptosis and further ameliorated progression of MCD-induced NASH. Analysis of livers obtained from HFHC diet-fed mice by targeted lipidomics revealed that 11-Dodecenoic acid was significantly decreased in Plin5 KO mice. Addition of 11-Dodecenoia acid to Plin5 knockdown hepatocytes effectively prevented ferroptosis. Our study demonstrates that Plin5 protects against NASH progression by increasing 11-Dodecenoic acid level and further inhibiting ferroptosis, suggesting that Plin5 has therapeutic potential as a target for the management of NASH.


BIBN4096BS is a potent competitive antagonist of the relaxant effects of alpha-CGRP on human temporal artery: comparison with CGRP(8-37).
Release of CGRP during migraine may produce harmful dilatation of cranial arteries, thereby possibly causing pain. We have compared the antagonism by BIBN4096BS and CGRP(8-37) of the relaxant effects of alpha-CGRP on rings of human temporal artery. alpha-CGRP relaxed the arteries precontracted with 9 - 24 mM KCl (-logEC50=9.4) nearly as efficaciously as sodium nitroprusside (10 microM). BIBN4096BS (0.1 - 100 nM) antagonized the effects of alpha-CGRP in surmountable manner with slopes of Schild-plots not different from unity. -LogKB values of 10.1 and 10.4 were estimated for BIBN4096BS when administered before or during the KCl-contracture respectively. BIBN4096BS (1 microM) did not modify the relaxant effects of papaverine and sodium nitroprusside. CGRP(8-37) (1 - 10 microM) antagonized the effects of alpha-CGRP in a surmountable manner with slopes of Schild-plots not different from unity. -LogKB values of 6.6 and 6.7 were estimated for CGRP(8-37) administered before or during the KCl-contracture respectively. The high affinity of BIBN4096BS for CGRP receptors of human temporal artery makes it an excellent tool to explore the hypothesis of CGRP-evoked cerebral vasodilation in migraine.


Direct gas-phase formation of formic acid through reaction of Criegee intermediates with formaldehyde.
Ozonolysis of isoprene is considered to be an important source of formic acid (HCOOH), but its underlying reaction mechanisms related to HCOOH formation are poorly understood. Here, we report the kinetic and product studies of the reaction between the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) and formaldehyde (HCHO), both of which are the primary products formed in ozonolysis of isoprene. By utilizing time-resolved infrared laser spectrometry with the multifunctional dual-comb spectrometers, the rate coefficient kCH2OO+HCHO is determined to be (4.11 ± 0.25) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 296 K and a negative temperature dependence of the rate coefficient is observed and described by an Arrhenius expression with an activation energy of (-1.81 ± 0.04) kcal mol-1. Moreover, the branching ratios of the reaction products HCOOH + HCHO and CO + H2O + HCHO are explored. The yield of HCOOH is obtained to be 37-54% over the pressure (15-60 Torr) and temperature (283-313 K) ranges. The atmospheric implications of the reaction CH2OO + HCHO are also evaluated by incorporating these results into a global chemistry-transport model. In the upper troposphere, the percent loss of CH2OO by HCHO is found by up to 6% which can subsequently increase HCOOH mixing ratios by up to 2% during December-January-February months.


The kinetic study of arginine kinase from the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid).
The Stichopus japonicus arginine kinase (AK) is a significant dimeric enzyme. Its modification and inactivation course with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and the reactivation course of DTNB-modified AK by dithiothreitol were investigated on the basis of the kinetic theory of the substrate reaction during the modification of enzyme activity. The results show that the modification is a biphasic course while the inactivation is monophasic, with one essential reactive cysteine per subunit. The Cys274 (numbering from the Stichopus sequence) is exposed to DTNB and is near the ATP binding site. The modified AK can be reactivated by an excess concentration of dithiothreitol in a monophasic kinetic course. The presence of ATP or the transition-state analog markedly slows the apparent reactivation rate constant. The analog components, arginine-ADP-Mg2+ can induce conformational changes of the modified enzyme, but adding NO3- cannot induce further changes that occur with the native enzyme. The reactive cysteines' location and its role in the catalysis of AK are discussed. The results suggest that the cysteine may be located in the hinge area of the two domains of AK. The reactive cysteine of AK, which was proposed to be Cys274, may play an important role not in the binding of the transition-state analog but in the conformational changes caused by the transition-state analog.


Molecular diversity of local Norwegian meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) populations and Nordic cultivars-consequences for management and utilisation.
Genetic diversity and relatedness were studied in 30 Norwegian local populations of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The populations were also compared with 13 Nordic meadow fescue cultivars in order to analyse the distribution of variation in local populations and cultivars and to elucidate relationships between local populations and cultivars. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA: ) analysis showed that most of the variation was present within populations and that little variation was found between local populations and cultivars. Separate AMOVA: analyses of local populations and cultivars revealed a higher level of variation within registered cultivars than within local populations. A cluster analysis based on corrected average pairwise differences between populations showed that the populations could be divided into three clusters, of which one also contained the cultivars. These results were supported by principal coordinates analysis. The results indicate that the Norwegian meadow fescue has a narrow genetic basis and that the local populations in Norway can be divided into three groups following the most probable routes of introduction of the species into Norway. The inland populations are closely related to the cultivars and have most probably been established as a result of migration from sown meadows. The western and southern populations probably originate from human activity-for example, trade-to the coastal western and northern parts of the country and to the central parts of southern Norway.


One-year cardiovascular outcomes of drug-eluting stent versus bare-metal stent implanted in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome.
The outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) versus bare-metal stent (BMS) use in patients with diabetic mellitus (DM) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are rarely reported in Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the 1-year cardiovascular outcomes of DESs versus BMSs implanted in Taiwanese patients with DM and ACS. For this study, we collected and analyzed patient information from the database of the Taiwan ACS Full Spectrum registry regarding characteristics and cardiovascular events in participants with DM and ACS who received implantation of either BMS (BMS group) or DES (DES group) from October 2008 to January 2010. We found that several characteristics significantly varied between the groups. Compared with the BMS group (n = 575), the DES group (n = 199) had significantly lower rates of in-hospital cardiogenic shock (1.5% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.037) and acute renal failure (0.5% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.008), all-cause mortality (5.0% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.048), and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 1 year (11.1% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.006) with an identical target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate (6.0% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.395). The BMS group had significantly higher risk-adjusted all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-5.7; p = 0.048] and MACE (HR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9; p = 0.011) at 1 year with identical risks of TVR (HR = 1.3, 95% CI 0.6-2.9; p = 0.505) and nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.5-4.4; p = 0.478). The results of this study support the use of DES over BMS in Taiwanese patients with DM and ACS, providing the clinical benefits of lower rates of total mortality and MACE, and without increased TVR at 1 year in a real-world setting.


Integrins, cadherins, and catenins: molecular cross-talk in cancer cells.
In the past decade, there have been major advances in the understanding of some of the mechanisms underlying tumour differentiation, invasion, and metastasis, in which cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules play a critical role. Cadherin/catenin complex and the integrins are the prime mediators of cell adhesion in normal and transformed cells, cadherin/catenin being largely responsible for intercellular adhesion and integrins for cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Intercellular and cell-matrix adhesion mediated by cadherin/catenin and integrins is likely to play a role in the control of both structural morphology and functional differentiation; hence, any loss of this control mechanism may well facilitate the neoplastic process. Indeed, in cancer cells, there is a co-ordinated down-regulation of both integrins and cadherins which correlates with tumour dedifferentiation. However, the expression and cellular localization of catenins do not always correlate with cadherin expression, since the catenins are rather promiscuous molecules which interact not only with E-cadherin, but also with growth regulatory and signalling molecules such as epidermal growth factor receptor and the adenomatous polyposis coli gene product.


Mechanical and geometric properties of thermoformed and 3D printed clear dental aligners.
The aim of this research was to compare compressive mechanical properties and geometric inaccuracies between conventionally manufactured thermoformed Duran clear dental aligners and 3D printed Dental Long Term (LT) resin-based clear aligners using 3D modeling and printing techniques. Impressions of the patient's dentition were scanned and using 3D modeling software, dental models were designed and 3D printed. These printed models then underwent vacuum thermoforming to thermoform a clear Duran thermoplastic sheet of 0.75-mm thickness into clear dental aligners of the same thickness of 0.75 mm. For the same dental model, aligners were also designed and 3D printed to 0.75-mm thickness creating biocompatible clear dental aligners using Dental LT resin utilizing a Formlabs 3D printing machine for direct usage by the patients. Five observers calculated teeth height for both types of aligners for evaluation of geometric deviations. Both types of aligners were subjected to compression loading of 1000 N to evaluate their load vs displacement behavior. 3D printed cured clear dental aligners were found to be geometrically more accurate with an average relative difference in tooth height of 2.55% in comparison with thermoformed aligners (4.41%). Low standard deviations (0.03-0.09 mm) were observed for tooth height measurements taken by all the observers for both types of aligners. 3D printed aligners could resist a maximum load of nearly 662 N for a low displacement of 2.93 mm; whereas, thermoformed aligners could resist a load on only 105 N for 2.93-mm displacement. Thermoformed aligners deformed plastically and irreversibly for large displacements; whereas, 3D printed aligners deformed elastically with reversibility for lower displacements. 3D printed and suitably cured Dental LT resin-based clear dental aligners are suggested to be more suitable for patient use as they are geometrically more accurate; this presents an opportunity to make processing time savings while ensuring an aligner is mechanically stronger and elastic in comparison with the conventionally produced thermoplastic-based thermoformed clear dental aligners.


Nodules in antrum after variceal eradication a new finding in patients with portal hypertension.
Portal hypertension is known to cause esophageal varices, gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). The prevalence of gastric varices and PHG is known to increase after eradication of esophageal varices. PHG includes the presence of a mucosal mosaic pattern, cherry red spots, and/or black-brown spots and gastric vascular ectasia (GAVE). Patients with portal hypertension in whom esophageal varices were eradicated were on follow up endoscopy for detection of recurrence of esophageal varices. Their status of PHG was assessed and patients antral nodules were enrolled. Twenty patients with antral nodules were identified over one year. Fifteen out of 20 patients had cirrhosis as etiology of portal hypertension, three had non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and two had extra-hepatic portal vein thrombosis. GAVE was seen more commonly (n=8, 40%) in patients with PHG with nodules. PHG with antral nodules is a novel endoscopic finding present both in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension with unknown pathogenesis, and is seen more commonly in patients with eradicated varices who are on long-term follow up.


Alzheimer's disease: anterior-posterior and lateral hemispheric alterations in cortical glucose utilization.
We performed dynamic positron emission tomographic studies with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose in 17 subjects with presumed Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 7 healthy aged subjects. Glucose metabolism was depressed by 27% in temporal-parietal cortex of the AD group, as compared to healthy aged controls. This focal impairment in temporal-parietal glucose use was found in all AD subjects. In addition, the AD group showed a striking lateral asymmetry of cortical metabolism not favoring either hemisphere, which has not been previously reported. Relationships between these focal changes and behavioral features of the illness were demonstrated. These results have important implications for the diagnosis and perhaps the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.


Endocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract: Chemotherapy.
Malignant neuroendocrine tumours are less sensitive to chemotherapy than other epithelial malignancies. If chemotherapy is considered, tumours of pancreatic origin have a higher sensitivity than tumours from the gastrointestinal tract ('carcinoids'). Chemotherapy with streptozocin combinations and with dacarbazine should be considered in patients with progressive malignant neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas. A favourable response to chemotherapy can be expected in up to 60% of patients receiving a combination of streptozocin plus doxorubicin, and in up to 40% of patients receiving dacarbazine. A survival benefit has been shown for streptozocin combinations. Treatment regimens are effective in functioning and non-functioning tumours. The response to treatment cannot be predicted. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumours, independent of their origin, respond to a combination of etoposide plus cisplatin. Chemotherapy is, however, almost ineffective in patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours originating in the gastrointestinal tract ('carcinoids').


Reconfigurable Two-Dimensional DNA Molecular Arrays.
In biology, molecular cascade signaling is an essential tool to mediate various pathways and downstream behaviors. Mimicking these molecular cascades plays an important role in synthetic biology. The use of DNA self-assembly represents an elegant way to build sophisticated molecular cascades. For instance, a DNA molecular array connected by a number of dynamic anti-junction units was able to realize prescribed, multistep, long-range cascaded transformation. The dynamic DNA molecular array is able to execute transformations with programmable initiation, propagation, and regulation. The transformation of the array can be initiated at selected units and then propagated, without addition of extra triggers, to neighboring units and eventually the entire array.


10-[(4-Nitro-phen-yl)ethyn-yl]-10H-pheno-thia-zine.
The title compound, C20H12N2OS, is a 10-ethynyl-10H-pheno-thia-zine derivative. The pheno-thia-zine unit has a butterfly shape, where the folding angle between the two benzene rings is 153.87 (7)°, which is almost as in other reported pheno-thia-zine derivatives. The dihedral angle between the mean plane including the C atoms bonded to the pheno-thia-zine N atom and the benzene ring of the nitro-benzene group is 10.34 (5)°. The near planar geometry of the mol-ecule is reasonably explained by intra-molecular charge-transfer inter-actions.


Declining procollagen mRNA sequences in chick embryo fibroblasts infected with rous sarcoma virus. Correlation with procollagen synthesis.
Chick cells infected with Rous sarcoma virus are characterized by a wide variety of changes known collectively as transformation. Among these are decreases in the level of procollagen biosynthesis and in the level of procollagen mRNA. In this communication, we examine the time course of the decrease in procollagen biosynthesis, as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and collagenase assay, and compare it with the decrease in procollagen mRNA sequences measured by hybridization to a complementary DNA. Procollagen biosynthesis and procollagen mRNA sequences decrease simultaneously after infection. Even the initial decrease in procollagen biosynthesis, therefore, is due to a decline in the level of procollagen mRNA.


Natural Multimerization Rules the Performance of Affinity-Based Physical Hydrogels for Stem Cell Encapsulation and Differentiation.
Tissue engineering and stem cell research greatly benefit from cell encapsulation within hydrogels as it promotes cell expansion and differentiation. Affinity-triggered hydrogels, an appealing solution for mild cell encapsulation, rely on selective interactions between the ligand and target and also on the multivalent presentation of these two components. Although these hydrogels represent a versatile option to generate dynamic, tunable, and highly functional materials, the design of hydrogel properties based on affinity and multivalency remains challenging and unstudied. Here, the avidin-biotin affinity pair, with the highest reported affinity constant, is used to address this challenge. It is demonstrated that the binding between the affinity hydrogel components is influenced by the multivalent display selected. In addition, the natural multivalency of the interaction must be obeyed to yield robust multicomponent synthetic protein hydrogels. The hydrogel's resistance to erosion depends on the right stoichiometric match between the hydrogel components. The developed affinity-triggered hydrogels are biocompatible and support encapsulation of induced pluripotent stem cells and their successful differentiation into a neural cell line. This principle can be generalized to other affinity pairs using multimeric proteins, yielding biomaterials with controlled performance.


A comparison of the influence of breast-feeding and bottle-feeding on the fatty acid composition of the erythrocytes.
The proportion of long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives of linoleic and linolenic acids in the erythrocyte lipids of infants fed a cow's milk formula was lower than in breast-fed infants. Although th formula provided only 0.55% of the total energy as linoleic acid, essential fatty acid deficiency was not detected; the triene:tetraene ratio was 0.09.


Tarsal tunnel syndrome and flexor hallucis longus tendon hypertrophy.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) defines an entrapment neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve or one of its branches, within the tarsal tunnel. Numerous etiologies have been described explaining this entrapment, including trauma, space-occupying lesions, foot deformities, etc. We present an unreported cause of a space-occupying lesion in the etiology of TTS, namely the combination of a hypertrophic long distally extended muscle belly of the flexor hallucis longus and repetitive ankle motion. Surgical debulking of the muscle belly in the posterior ankle compartment resolved all symptoms.


Macromolecular assembly: chainmail stabilization of a viral capsid.
The subunits that make up the capsid of a double-stranded DNA phage have been found to be arranged as covalently bonded, interlinked pentamer and hexamer rings. This remarkable 'chainmail' arrangement raises interesting new questions about macromolecular assembly.


Gastrobiliary motility after liquid fatty meal in progressive systemic sclerosis. A sonographic study.
Gastric emptying, antral motility, and gallbladder emptying after a liquid fatty meal were studied by ultrasound in 25 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and in 25 sex- and age-matched controls. In patients with systemic sclerosis, the possible role of autonomic dysfunction was evaluated by four noninvasive cardiovascular reflex tests. Despite a significant delay of gastric emptying and a significant postprandial antral hypomotility in the patients with systemic sclerosis, the fat-induced gallbladder emptying was only slightly reduced, reaching no significant level when compared to the controls. The prolongation of gastric emptying correlated significantly with the duration of the disease. Although 36% of the patients in the systemic sclerosis group exhibited signs of autonomic cardiac dysfunction, there was no evidence of an association between these signs and gastric motor dysfunction. In conclusion motility disorders of the gallbladder seem to play a minor role in the upper gut involvement of systemic sclerosis, whereas motility disorders of the stomach are frequent and can be easily recognized noninvasively by real-time ultrasound.


Phase I trial of intravenous carboplatin added to oral etoposide and oral cyclophosphamide for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.
The combination of oral etoposide and oral cyclophosphamide is an active and easily administered outpatient regimen for non-small cell lung cancer with leukopenia as the most common severe toxicity. To maintain ease of outpatient administration and to take advantage of a differing dose-limiting toxicity, we attempted to add escalating doses of intravenous carboplatin to full-dose oral etoposide and oral cyclophosphamide for chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. The first 4 patients received etoposide and cyclophosphamide (each at 50 mg PO BID Days 1-12 every 28 days) with intravenous carboplatin on Day 1 at a dose calculated by the Calvert formula to achieve AUC 4. With this regimen dose-limiting toxicity (2 patients with Grade 4 leukopenia/granulocytopenia) was noted. An additional 3 patients therefore received etoposide and cyclophosphamide at a 25% reduced dose (each at 50 mg PO BID Days 1-9 every 28 days) with intravenous carboplatin on Day 1 at a dose calculated to achieve AUC 4. Dose-limiting toxicity (2 patients with Grade 4 leukopenia/granulocytopenia) was again noted. One patient achieved a partial response maintained for 6 months. However potentiation of leukopenia/granulocytopenia by carboplatin prevents full-dose use of either cyclophosphamide and etoposide or of carboplatin in this regimen.


Real-life impact of respiratory panel PCR assay on antibiotic prescription in geriatric acute care in the pre-COVID-19 era.
In this era of bacterial resistance, avoiding inappropriate use of antibiotic treatments is of major importance. Respiratory tract infections are frequent among older patients, and differentiating viral from bacterial infections is a challenge. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of recently available respiratory PCR testing on antimicrobial prescription in geriatric acute care. We performed a retrospective study, including all hospitalized geriatric patients who had had multiplex respiratory PCR testing prescribed from 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019. The PCR test comprised a respiratory viral panel (RVP) and a respiratory bacterial panel (RBP). PCR testing could be prescribed at any time during hospitalization by geriatricians. Our primary endpoint was antibiotic prescription after viral multiplex PCR testing results. All in all, 193 patients were included, 88 (45.6%) of whom had positive RVP, while none had positive RBP. Patients with positive RVP had significantly fewer antibiotic prescriptions following test results than patients with negative RVP (odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.77; p = 0.004). Among positive-RVP patients, factors associated with antibiotic continuation were presence of radiological infiltrate (OR 12.02, 95%CI 3.07-30.29), and detected Respiratory Syncytial Virus (OR 7.54, 95%CI 1.74-32.65). That said, discontinuation of antibiotic treatment seems safe. In this population, the impact of viral detection by respiratory multiplex PCR on antibiotic therapy was low. It could be optimized by means of clearly formulated local guidelines, qualified staff and specific training by infectious disease specialists. Cost-effectiveness studies are necessary.


Lead poisoning in adults from renovation of an older home.
Presented is the case of a group exposure to lead occurring during the removal of lead-based paint from an older home. One patient had symptoms from the time of exposure to the time of presentation, when he was acutely ill and encephalopathic. The patient was treated successfully with an initial course of British Anti-Lewisite agent and calcium disodium versenate (CaEDTA) chelation, and two subsequent chelations with CaE-DTA alone. The other two patients had elevated lead levels but were asymptomatic. They were followed closely, and their lead levels steadily declined over several months. The evaluation and treatment of lead poisoning and excessive lead levels in adults is discussed, as is the need for physicians and the lay public to become aware of the hazards of renovating older homes.


Bucking the trend: genetic analysis reveals high diversity, large population size and low differentiation in a deep ocean cetacean.
Understanding the genetic structure of a population is essential to its conservation and management. We report the level of genetic diversity and determine the population structure of a cryptic deep ocean cetacean, the Gray's beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi). We analysed 530 bp of mitochondrial control region and 12 microsatellite loci from 94 individuals stranded around New Zealand and Australia. The samples cover a large area of the species distribution (~6000 km) and were collected over a 22-year period. We show high genetic diversity (h=0.933-0.987, π=0.763-0.996% and Rs=4.22-4.37, He=0.624-0.675), and, in contrast to other cetaceans, we found a complete lack of genetic structure in both maternally and biparentally inherited markers. The oceanic habitats around New Zealand are diverse with extremely deep waters, seamounts and submarine canyons that are suitable for Gray's beaked whales and their prey. We propose that the abundance of this rich habitat has promoted genetic homogeneity in this species. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the lack of beaked whale sightings is the result of their low abundance, but this is in contrast to our estimates of female effective population size based on mitochondrial data. In conclusion, the high diversity and lack of genetic structure can be explained by a historically large population size, in combination with no known exploitation, few apparent behavioural barriers and abundant habitat.


The effects of HAp coating layer on mechanical and optical properties at bonding interface of high-performance polymers.
The effect of hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating layer on mechanical and optical properties at bonding interface of high-performance polymers (HPPs) used in computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacture (CAM) technology was investigated in this in vitro study. Two hundred-twenty specimens were divided into two material groups (n = 110): polyetheretherketone (PEEK, KERA® starPEEK) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK, Pekkton® ivory). For mechanical testing, each group was divided into five surface pretreatment subgroups and a control group (n = 10): HAp coating (1%,3%, 5%, and 10% concentrations) and sandblasting with 110-μm Al2O3 particles. For optical testing, each group was divided into five subgroups (n = 10): HAp coating (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% concentrations) and control. The effects of the HAp coating on the optical changes and shear bond strength (SBS) of the specimens were investigated. Data was statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. Failure modes and surface properties of the specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and coupled electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Average translucency and color change values increased with increasing HAp coating concentration in HPPs. As a result of the data, statistically significant differences were observed in terms of the effect of the HAp coating on SBS of HPPs (p < 0.05). Failure modes were examined, and mixed failure mode was observed. HAp coating can contribute to the improvement of both the optical properties and bond strength of the HPPs to resin composite. Adhesion and color problems of high performance polymers are still under discussion. In order to solve these problems, generally focused on surface modifications of these polymers, but the effect of the HAp coating has not been investigated.


Prediction of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Self-Reported Disability Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery.
To investigate the predictive value of preoperative fear-avoidance factors (self-efficacy for exercise, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and depression), walking capacity, and traditional predictor variables for predicting postoperative changes in physical activity level and disability 6 months after lumbar fusion surgery in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). We prospectively enrolled 118 patients scheduled for lumbar fusion surgery for motion-elicited chronic LBP with degenerative changes in 1-3 segments of the lumbar spine. Associations between the predictors and the dependent variables were investigated with multiple linear regression analysis. Dependent variables were physical activity level as objectively measured with a triaxial accelerometer and disability as measured with the Oswestry Disability Index. Preoperative physical activity level (β = -0.349; P < 0.001) and self-efficacy for exercise (β = 0.176; P = 0.021) were significant predictors of the postoperative change in physical activity. Preoperative disability (β = -0.790; P < 0.001), self-efficacy for exercise (β = 0.152; P = 0.024), and pain catastrophizing (β = 0.383; P = 0.033) were significant predictors for the change in the Oswestry Disability Index. Patients with low levels of preoperative physical activity were more likely to increase their level of physical activity after lumbar fusion surgery, especially when their self-efficacy for exercise was high. However, most of these patients still had low levels of physical activity after surgery, and they may therefore need extra support in increasing their postoperative physical activity levels.


Nutrient loss with runoff from fairway turf: an evaluation of core cultivation practices and their environmental impact.
The presence of excess nutrients in surface waters can result in undesirable environmental and economic consequences, including nuisance algal blooms and eutrophication. Fertilizer use in highly managed turf systems has raised questions concerning the contribution of nutrients to surrounding surface waters. Experiments were designed to quantify phosphorus and nitrogen transport with runoff from turf plots maintained as a golf course fairway to identify which cultural practice, solid tine (ST) or hollow tine (HT) core cultivation, maximized phosphorus and nitrogen retention at the site of fertilizer application. Simulated precipitation and collection of resulting runoff were completed 26 ± 13 h following granular fertilizer application (18-3-18: N-P₂O₅-K₂O) and 63 d and 2 d following core cultivation. Runoff volumes were reduced in fairway turf plots aerated with HT relative to ST (63 d: 10%, 2 d: 55% reduction). Analysis of the runoff revealed a reduction in soluble phosphorus, ammonium nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen losses with runoff from plots managed with HT; a 5 to 27% reduction after 63 d; and a 39 to 77% reduction at 2 d. Golf course runoff-to-surface water scenarios were used to calculate estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) of nitrogen and phosphorus in surface water receiving runoff from turf managed with ST or HT core cultivation. Surface water concentrations of phosphorus remained above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's water quality criteria to limit eutrophication, with the exception of concentrations associated with HT core cultivation at 2 d. Regardless of management practice (ST or HT) and time between core cultivation and runoff (63 d or 2 d), all EECs of nitrogen were below levels associated with increased algal growth. Understanding nutrient transport with runoff and identifying strategies that reduce off-site transport will increase their effectiveness at intended sites of application and minimize undesirable effects to surrounding surface water resources.


The effects of vitamin E on non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Are they sustainable with 12 months of therapy.
Prolonged uncontrolled hyperglycaemia has shown to cause oxidative stress, inflammation, thrombosis and upregulation of angiogenesis in diabetics, which all contributes to diabetic retinopathy development and progression. Vitamin E is found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-thrombogenic and anti-angiogenesis which could play an important role in early treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This study aims to investigate the effect of Tocotrienol-rich vitamin E (Tocovid) on the progression of retinal microhaemorrhages and diabetic macular oedema in patients with diabetic retinopathy. This is a multi-centred, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial which involved 55 eligible participants. The participants in the treatment group (n = 22) received Tocovid 200 mg twice daily while those in the placebo group (n = 23) would receive placebo twice daily. Both groups will be on the treatment for a total duration of 12 months. Both retinal signs will be assessed at baseline, 2 months, 6 months and 12 months of treatment to determine the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor which reflects on the angiogenesis process in the eye was analysed as well at similar time points as the retinal findings. After 12 months of treatment, the placebo group had a significant increase of 23.42% in retinal microhaemorrhages (p < 0.05), but the Tocovid group had no significant changes. Moreover, the Tocovid group showed a significant decrease of 48.38% in area of diabetic macular oedema over the 12 months period (p < 0.05), but the placebo group had no significant changes. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in serum vascular endothelial growth factor level when comparing between both groups. These findings could indicate that Tocovid has an important role in preventing early diabetic retinopathy progression.


A preliminary study on comparison and fusion of metabolic images of PET with anatomic images of CT and MRI.
To compare and match metabolic images of PET with anatomic images of CT and MRI. The CT or MRI images of the patients were obtained through a photo scanner, andthen transferred to the remote workstation of PET scanner with a floppy disk. A fusion method was developed to match the 2-dimensional CT or MRI slices with the correlative slices of 3-dimensional volume PET images. Twenty-nine metabolically changed foci were accurately localized in 21 epilepsy patients' MRI images, while MRI alone had only 6 true positive findings. In 53 cancer or suspicious cancer patients, 53 positive lesions detected by PET were compared and matched with the corresponding lesions in CT or MRI images, in which 10 lesions were missed. On the other hand, 23 lesions detected from the patients' CT or MRI images were negative or with low uptake in the PET images, and they were finally proved as benign. Comparing and matching metabolic images with anatomic images helped obtain a full understanding about the lesion and its peripheral structures. The fusion method was simple, practical and useful for localizing metabolically changed lesions.


Data of PCL-b-P(MMA-DMAEMA)2 characterization and related assays.
The data presented here are related to the research paper entitled "PCL-b-P(MMA-co-DMAEMA)2 new triblock copolymer for novel pH-sensitive nanocapsules intended for drug delivery to tumors" by Franco et al. [1]. Characterization data of PCL-diol, macroinitiator Br-PCL-Br, homopolymers (PMMA and PDMAEMA) and copolymers (batch 1 and batch 2) analyzed by FTIR, SEC and NMR, as well as, characterization of PCL-NS formulation by laser diffraction and DLS analysis, initial nanocapsule formulations and 1C-NC and 2C-NC formulations, including hydrodynamic diameter at different pH media, and DMSO cytotoxicity.


[Expression of E-cadherin in human embryo].
To investigate the role of calcium dependent adhesion molecules (cadherin) during the implantation and development of human embryo by studying the expression of E-cadherin in human embryo and blastocysts. Expression of E-cadherin in preimplantation embryos and blastocysts was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay and quantitated by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Expression of E-cadherin was found in all the preimplantation embryos and blastocysts the present authors studied. The expression was higher in blastocysts than that in preimplantation embryos. The above results suggested that human embryos and blastocysts could express E-cadherin and the expression increased during their development. These may be of significance to the adhesion and implantation of the human embryo and blastocysts.


Smoking and age-at-onset of both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Several evidence suggest that smoking may decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease and is associated with an older age-at-onset of motor signs. The relation between smoking and age-at-onset of non-motor symptoms has never been analyzed. Objective of the study is to evaluate whether smoking habit and pack-years of smoking are associated with a delay of age-at-onset of motor signs, and of some non-motor symptoms. The study population consisted of 262 consecutive parkinsonian patients. Information on relevant demographic/clinical data focused on motor signs, REM sleep behavior disorder, constipation, depression, and hyposmia. Patients were stratified according to smoking habit (ever-versus never-smoker) and number of pack-years of smoking was computed. Repeatability of data on age-at-onset was checked 6 months after the initial interview in a randomly recruited subsample. Smoking habit and number of pack-years smoked were associated with an older in age-at-onset of motor signs, REM sleep behavior disorder and depression. By contrast, smoking did not affect age-at-onset of hyposmia and constipation. information from this study confirms that smoking may be associated with an older age-at-onset of motor signs, and that a similar effect can be observed on some non-motor symptoms like REM sleep behavior and depression.


Allograft arthrodesis of the knee in high-grade osteosarcoma.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of massive allograft arthrodesis in the management of high-grade osteosarcoma around the knee. The results of 19 patients with high-grade osteosarcoma around the knee, which was treated by wide resection and reconstruction using allograft arthrodesis, were evaluated for a mean length of 7.3 years (range, 3-13 years). The mean age at the time of surgery was 13.3 years (range, 6-27 years). According to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society staging system, 17 patients were stage IIB and 2 were stage IIIB at presentation. Evaluations were based on the oncologic results, non-oncologic results and complications. Functional evaluation was performed with the Enneking functional evaluation form. Four patients (21.1%) died of their disease; 3 (15.8%) are alive with disease; and 12 (63.2%) are free of disease. Four patients (21.1%) had local recurrence of their tumor at a mean of 23 months postoperatively (range, 9-44 months). The mean time to union of the metaphyseal junction was 24.7 weeks (range, 16-30 weeks) and the diaphyseal junction was 47 weeks (range, 24-78 weeks). The overall complication rate was 31.6%, including 2 (10.5%) infections, 3 (15.8%) allograft fractures, and 1 (5.3%) nonunion. Our mean final functional result was 65%. Due to the high rate of complications in this study, we conclude that allograft arthrodesis should be left as a salvage or "back-up" reconstructive procedure after resection of osteosarcoma around the knee, unless there are special indications for this procedure. We found allograft fracture to be the most common complication.