Psychometric Properties of PERMA Profiler Scale in Argentinian Adolescents.
To adapt and validate the PERMA Profiler Scale (Butler & Kern, 2016) for Argentinian adolescents. The items were reviewed by 6 expert judges and 21 adolescents. The sample consisted of 421 adolescents (M = 14.9; SD = 1.75). The content validity and the discrimination capacity of the items were assessed. Afterwards, the structure of the scale was analyzed, as well as the internal consistency and the concurrent validity. All the items obtained an Aiken's V between .8 and 1 and were discriminatory. The factor analysis confirmed the five-dimension structure (CFI = .94, T LI = .92; RMSEA = .08, SRMR = .04). An Alpha of .92 was obtained for the full scale and satisfactory levels were obtained for the subscales. The correlations for concurrent validity were significant and in line with what was theoretically expected. This adaptation enables the assessment of flourishing in a practical way.


Strong expression of paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) is associated with a favorable outcome in human osteosarcoma.
Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. However, the biological and clinical significance of PITX1 in osteosarcoma has not been fully elucidated. Here, we studied the expression and clinical significance of PITX1 in 6 normal lower limb bone tissue specimens and 35 osteosarcoma tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. PITX1 was expressed in all normal tissues (6/6, 100 %) and in 85.7 % (30/35) of tumor tissues (P > 0.05). In addition, all normal tissue specimens showed high PITX1 expression (6/6, 100 %) while only 23.3 % (7/30) osteosarcoma tissue specimens had high PITX1 expression (P < 0.05). Patients with median overall survival (OS) >12 months had significantly higher PITX1 levels compared with those whose median OS was less than or equal to 12 months (P < 0.05 or 0.001). Furthermore, patients with lung metastasis had significantly lower PITX1 levels than patients without lung metastasis. In conclusion, PITX1 expression is downregulated in osteosarcoma and correlates with patient survival and lung metastasis.


Comorbidity of psychiatric and communication disorders in children.
The co-occurrence of psychiatric and communication disorders in children is considerable. Many children who are treated by mental health professionals are also in need of speech and language services. This article discusses comorbidity and outlines communication problems that accompany a variety of childhood psychiatric conditions. Empiric studies and clinical impressions of these co-occurring problems are described.


The cytoplasmic nuclear shuttling of Beclin 1 in neurons with Alzheimer's disease-like injury.
The abnormal expression of the autophagy-related protein Beclin 1 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, whereas the precise involvement of Caspase-mediated Beclin 1 cleavage in AD neurons has not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we investigated the distribution of Beclin 1 fragments in neurons with AD-like injury. Our results demonstrated that Beclin 1 was expressed in neurons but not in astrocytes in both neuron-glia co-cultures and in cortical tissue slices. The full length and C-terminal fragments of human Beclin 1 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, while the N-terminal fragment of Beclin 1 was predominantly localized in nucleus. Compared to amyloid-β (Aβ)42-1 treatment control, exposure of PC12 cells or cortical neurons to Aβ1-42 resulted in cell injury, with the appearance of neuritic shortening, reduced nuclear diameter in PC12 cells, beading formation and fragmentation in cortical neurons. A partial nuclear translocation of Beclin 1 was detected in cells incubated with Aβ1-42, which could be inhibited by the administration of pan-Caspase inhibitor or Caspase 3 specific inhibitor. Moreover, Beclin 1 mutation at 146/149 sites was resistant to Aβ1-42-induced nuclear translocation. The nuclear translocation of Beclin 1 could also been detected in the brains of 12-month-old APPSwe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. Our findings suggest that after Caspase 3-mediated Beclin 1 cleavage at 146/149 sites, the N-terminal fragments of Beclin 1 may partially translocate into nuclei in neurons subjected to AD-like injury.


Subcellular distribution of androgens and oestrogens in target tissue.
To study the endogenous concentration of androgens and oestrogens in target tissue, three different methods have been used: (a) measurement of concentration gradient across mammary tumours, (b) long-term infusion of subphysiological amounts of labelled oestrogens and measurement of tissue-plasma gradients in human uterine tissue and (c) measurement of endogenous concentrations in mammary and uterine tissues. In addition to the tissue-plasma gradient, the subcellular distribution was also measured. An improved method is presented for processing the tissue and for the quantitative extraction of steroid hormones from cytosol and nuclear fraction. The data obtained show clearly that steroid hormones have a tissue-plasma gradient that varies from tissue to tissue and from one hormone to another. As steroid hormones exert their influence intracellularly at the site of receptor binding, our findings may have major consequences for the study of hormone-related cancers of the breast and of the uterus.


Modernized standards in burns management: a comparative study in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Management of burns patients before May 2009 was very difficult at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). To compile burns patients' information in the new Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU), analyze it and draw comparisons to information from the old BICU at KATH. This retrospective study involves data from May 2007 to April 2009 (Group 1--old BICU) and May 2009 to April 2011 (Group 2--new BICU). The parameters of burn patients recorded included: record of admission, gender, age, aetiology of injury, Total Burns Surface Area (TBSA), the patients' treatment regime and record of discharge/death. This information was analyzed with SPSS version 18.0. The total number of patients in the study was 511; Group 1 constituted 47.36% (n=242) patients; males (n=307, 61%) outnumbering females (n=204, 39%). The overall mean, median and interquartile range (IQR) ages of the patients were 12.4±2; 9.5 and 18.0 years respectively. The main aetiology of burns in Group 1 was flame burns (n=115, 47.5%) and for Group 2 was scald (n=151, 56.1%). The median TBSA recorded for Groups 1 and 2 were 32% and 41% respectively. A mortality rate of 19.1% (n=46) and 12.7% (n=34) were recorded for Groups 1 and 2 respectively which was statistically significant (p<0.05). We found no differences for age and TBSA (P=0.7168 and P=0.8020 respectively). A Chi Square analysis for gender and aetiology of burn revealed no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2. A risk factor analysis for mortality within the Groups (using multiple regression analysis) identified only aetiology of burn in Group 1 to be a factor (P=0.044). This comparative study reveals that a significant difference in mortality was recorded for both groups. The mortality difference does not appear to be due to socio-demographic features. This study may demonstrate that modernized and advanced equipment with the adequate personnel play an essential role in burn management in low income countries such as Ghana.


Neutrophil infiltration leads to fetal growth restriction by impairing the placental vasculature in DENV-infected pregnant mice.
Dengue virus (DENV) infection during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, which has become a new clinical challenge. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The effect of DENV-2 infection on fetuses was investigated using pregnant interferon α/β receptor-deficient (Ifnar1-/-) mice. The histopathological changes in the placentas were analyzed by morphological techniques. A mouse inflammation array was used to detect the cytokine and chemokine profiles in the serum and placenta. The infiltration characteristics of inflammatory cells in the placentas were evaluated by single-cell RNA sequencing. Fetal growth restriction observed in DENV-2 infection was mainly caused by the destruction of the placental vasculature rather than direct damage from the virus in our mouse model. After infection, neutrophil infiltration into the placenta disrupts the expression profile of matrix metalloproteinases, which leads to placental dysvascularization and insufficiency. Notably, similar histopathological changes were observed in the placentas from DENV-infected puerperae. Neutrophils play key roles in placental histopathological damage during DENV infection, which indicates that interfering with aberrant neutrophil infiltration into the placenta may be an important therapeutic target for adverse pregnancy outcomes in DENV infection. The National Key Research and Development Plans of China (2021YFC2300200-02 to J.A., 2019YFC0121905 to Q.Z.C.), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (U1902210 and 81972979 to J. A., 81902048 to Z. Y. S., and 82172266 to P.G.W.), and the Support Project of High-level Teachers in Beijing Municipal Universities in the Period of 13th Five-year Plan, China (IDHT20190510 to J. A.).


Priority-based transformations of stimulus representation in visual working memory.
How does the brain prioritize among the contents of working memory (WM) to appropriately guide behavior? Previous work, employing inverted encoding modeling (IEM) of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) datasets, has shown that unprioritized memory items (UMI) are actively represented in the brain, but in a "flipped", or opposite, format compared to prioritized memory items (PMI). To acquire independent evidence for such a priority-based representational transformation, and to explore underlying mechanisms, we trained recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with a long short-term memory (LSTM) architecture to perform a 2-back WM task. Visualization of LSTM hidden layer activity using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed that stimulus representations undergo a representational transformation-consistent with a flip-while transitioning from the functional status of UMI to PMI. Demixed (d)PCA of the same data identified two representational trajectories, one each within a UMI subspace and a PMI subspace, both undergoing a reversal of stimulus coding axes. dPCA of data from an EEG dataset also provided evidence for priority-based transformations of the representational code, albeit with some differences. This type of transformation could allow for retention of unprioritized information in WM while preventing it from interfering with concurrent behavior. The results from this initial exploration suggest that the algorithmic details of how this transformation is carried out by RNNs, versus by the human brain, may differ.


Anterior tibial artery flap: anatomy and case report.
A simple, large fasciocutaneous flap based on the perforating branches of the proximal anterior tibial artery and venae comitantes can be raised which is particularly suitable as an inferiorly based island pedicle flap to cover cutaneous defects of the lower third of the lower leg, an area notoriously difficult to cover with local flaps. The flap has an extremely wide arc of rotation and can reach from the knee superiorly to the sole inferiorly. It can be transferred as a fascial flap or as a free flap. The secondary donor site defect overlies muscle bellies, lies well away from bone and readily accepts split skin grafts.


An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach to Mitral Regurgitation Evaluation: A Case-Based Illustration.
Echocardiography is the first-line modality for assessing mitral regurgitation (MR). In addition to evaluation of the MR jet characteristics, echocardiography can provide quantitative parameters of MR severity. This case series illustrates the importance of integrating multiple parameters in the evaluation of MR and the role of multimodality imaging. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).


Ethyl-enedi-ammonium chloride thio-cyanate.
In the ethyl-enedi-ammonium dication of the title salt, C2H10N2 (2+)·Cl(-)·SCN(-), the N-C-C-N torsion angle is 72.09 (12)°. In the crystal, an extensive three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network, formed by N-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, holds all the ions together.


Cytogenetic effect of carboplatin on human lymphocytes.
Carboplatin, a second generation cisplatin analogue, was tested for induction of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) as well as chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. A dose-dependent effect was observed for increased frequency of metaphases with SCE (r = 0.984, P less than 0.001) as well as chromosomal aberrations (r = 0.994, P less than 0.001), primarily chromatid gap or break, in vitro. SCE induction by carboplatin was less than that by cisplatin at the same concentration. When patients were treated with a single dose of carboplatin at a dose of 450 mg/m2, the frequency of SCE and chromatid type aberrations increased significantly. However, even when considering dose and peak plasma concentration in patients receiving carboplatin, it appears that the ability of carboplatin to induce SCE and chromosomal aberrations is weaker than that of cisplatin. SCE frequencies induced by carboplatin decreased with time going by, and in one patient who was tested 5 weeks after treatment, SCE frequency showed a decrease to the pretreatment level. It thus appears that carboplatin has an improved therapeutic index over the parent compound, cisplatin, because of its less mutagenic or carcinogenic hazard, in addition to the largely reduced incidence of untoward effects.


Social support and social adjustment: implications for mental health professionals.
The general importance of an individual's support network has been recognized in the field of community mental health; yet a more detailed understanding of how a client's available social ties may contribute to his or her adjustment is presently lacking. This study used network analysis to examine differences in the social networks of mental health clients to identify factors associated with positive social adjustment. Subjects were selected from three different types of mental health programs as well as from the general population of Marion County, Oregon. Results generally revealed that subjects from the community sample more often would look to immediate family members for support. Better functioning chronic clients emphasized professional contacts, whereas more poorly adjusted chronic clients would look to friends for support. The results have implications both for understanding the nature of the support available to a client and mobilizing the support resources of the existing network of relationships to aid adjustment to community living.


Complete Genome Sequence of a New H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated in China.
The complete genomic sequence of a new H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV), isolated in northwestern China, was determined. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses based on the sequences of eight genomic segments revealed that the isolate is phylogenetically related to the Y280-like sublineage.


Climatic adaptation and species status in the lawn ground cricket : II. Body size.
The cricket tentatively identified as Pteronemobius taprobanensis shows a saw-toothed pattern of variation in adult size along the latitudinal gradient of the Japanese Islands. A slight but abrupt increase in adult size at about 28° N indicates the replacement of the subtropical form by the temperate one. The body size of the latter slightly decreases north to about 33° N, then conspicuously increases to about 39° N and again decreases to the northern extreme. This pattern of variation seems to be related to the local adjustment of nymphal development by means of the photoperiodic response and genetic variation, since the adult size varies as a function of the duration of nymphal development. Multiple regression analysis of the variance between local populations reared at various photoperiods suggests, however, that the decrease in body size due to selection for shorter development in cooler climates is to a certain extent counteracted by selection for a higher rate of growth. The latter component of climatic selection is possibly due to greater egg production by larger-sized females within the shorter reproductive season. This hypothesis may also account for the divergence in size between the two climatic forms of this nominal species.


Restrictive left ventricular filling pattern does not result from increased left atrial pressure alone.
The restrictive filling pattern seen with severe heart failure (HF) may be due to diastolic dysfunction with elevated left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressure or may be merely a manifestation of an overfilled LV as a result of increased left atrial (LA) pressure. We investigated whether the LV restrictive filling pattern is due to elevated LA pressure alone. We studied conscious dogs instrumented to measure LA pressure, LV pressure, and 3 LV diameters. LV filling dynamics were evaluated in 2 situations with similar elevations of LA pressure: in normal animals after rapid volume loading with dextran 500 mL and in animals with pacing-induced HF with restrictive filling. With HF, there was increased LV chamber stiffness and slow relaxation. Volume loading and HF had similar heart rates (129+/-19 versus 131+/-15 bpm) and LA pressure (22.1+/-5.8 versus 22.6+/-3.3 mm Hg). The peak early filling rate (E) was increased with both HF and volume loading. However, in HF, the peak mitral annular velocity (E') was decreased and delayed, and the E deceleration time was shorter. In contrast, with volume loading, E' was increased and not delayed. The restrictive filling pattern is distinguished from overfilling of a normal ventricle by a reduced and delayed E' and a shortened E deceleration time that reflect slow relaxation and increased LV stiffness.


Human spermatozoa: unidirectional rotation of the tail as indicated by head-to-head agglutinates.
Rotating head-to-head agglutinates of human spermatozoa were always observed to turn counter-clockwise. The phenomenon seems to suggest a unidirectional rotatory component in the tail movement that may be related to the substructure of the axoneme.


Patient participation in electronic nursing documentation: An interview study among home-care patients.
Patients are increasingly expected to take an active role in their own care. Participation in nursing documentation can support patients to take this active role since it provides opportunities to express care needs and preferences. Yet, patient participation in electronic nursing documentation is not self-evident. To explore how home-care patients perceive their participation in electronic nursing documentation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 home-care patients. Interview transcripts were analysed in an iterative process based on the principles of reflexive inductive thematic analysis. We identified a typology with four patient types: 'high need, high ability', 'high need, low ability', 'low need, high ability' and 'low need, low ability'. Several patients felt a need for participation because of their personal interest in health information. Others did not feel such a need since they trusted nurses to document the information that is important. Patients' ability to participate increased when they could read the documentation and when nurses helped them by talking about the documentation. Barriers to patients' ability to participate were having no electronic devices or lacking digital skills, a lack of support from nurses and the poor usability of electronic patient portals. Patient participation in electronic nursing documentation varies between patients since home-care patients differ in their need and ability to participate. Nurses should tailor their encouragement of patient participation to individual patients' needs and abilities. Furthermore, they should be aware of their own role and help patients to participate in the documentation. Home-care patients were involved in the interviews.


Comparisons between tumor burden and other prognostic factors that influence survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The use of baseline tumor burden (TB) as a prognostic factor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and associations between TB and other prognostic biomarkers remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between TB and survival in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs in comparison with other biomarkers. We retrospectively evaluated 83 NSCLC patients with ICIs administered between February 2016 and December 2018. TB was measured as the sum of the unidimensional diameters of up to five target lesions. The median observation period was 14.2 months. A total of 42 patients died during the follow-up. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline TB was associated with OS. Cox regression analysis adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) alone or with addition of programmed cell death ligand 1 expression and treatment line showed that TB was a prognostic factor for OS. Using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal TB cutoff for predicting OS was 12 cm, and patients were divided into a high TB group (n = 21) and a low TB group (n = 62). The low TB group achieved significantly longer OS than the high TB group (median OS: 18.5 months, [95% CI = 11.7-not reached] vs. 2.3 months [95% CI = 1.3-2.9], P < 0.001). TB is a useful, clinically measurable prognostic factor of survival in NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.


Emodin improves lipid and glucose metabolism in high fat diet-induced obese mice through regulating SREBP pathway.
Currently, obesity has become a worldwide epidemic associated with Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and chronic metabolic diseases. Emodin is one of the active anthraquinone derivatives from Rheum palmatum and some other Chinese herbs with anti-inflammatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective properties. In the present study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of emodin in obese mice and explore its potential pharmacological mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Then the obese mice were divided into four groups randomly, HFD or emodin (40mg/kg/day and 80mg/kg/day) or lovastatin (30mg/kg/ day) for another 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake were recorded every week. At the end of the treatment, the fasting blood glucose, glucose and insulin tolerance test, serum and hepatic lipid levels were assayed. The gene expressions of liver and adipose tissues were analyzed with a quantitative PCR assay. Here, we found that emodin inhibited sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) transactivity in huh7 cell line. Furthermore, emodin (80mg/kg/day) treatment blocked body weight gain, decreased blood lipids, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride content, ameliorated insulin sensitivity, and reduced the size of white and brown adipocytes. Consistently, SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the liver and adipose tissue after emodin treatment. These data demonstrated that emodin could improve high-fat diet-induced obesity and associated metabolic disturbances. The underlying mechanism is probably associated with regulating SREBP pathway.


Molecular characterization of a JC virus (Sap-1) clone derived from a cerebellar form of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease caused by polyomavirus JC (JCV). In the majority of cases of PML the cerebrum is mainly affected (cerebral PML) but on rare occasions lesions are restricted to the cerebellum and brain stem (cerebellar PML). We report a rare cerebellar PML case which occurred in a Japanese patient undergoing prolonged hemodialysis treatment. To understand the molecular basis of the viral tissue tropism, we molecularly cloned JCV DNA and compared it with those of cerebral PML. Of ten clones analyzed nine showed identical fragment patterns after digestion with various restriction endonucleases, and we designated these clones Sap-1. It could be shown that the basic structures of the regulatory regions are similar between Sap-1 and isolates from cerebral PML. Restriction endonuclease mapping analysis was used to examine the genetic relationship between Sap-1 and urine-derived isolates containing the archetypal regulatory sequence. We found that Sap-1 was genetically related to an archetypal JCV isolate in Japan.


Ultracytochemistry as a tool for the study of the cellular and subcellular localization of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase (GC) activity. Applicability to both receptor-activated and receptor-independent GC activity.
Membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity was detected by ultracytochemistry at the electron microscope level in several mammalian tissues. The technique used in these studies allows the detection of active enzyme at the membrane site where it is located. In a few cases, such as normal and regenerating peripheral nerves and placenta, membrane-bound guanylate cyclase could be detected in the absence of stimulators of enzyme activity. However, in the majority of these studies membrane-bound guanylate cyclase was investigated following stimulation with natriuretic peptides, guanylin, or the Ca2+ sensor proteins, S100B and S100A1. In general, membrane-bound guanylate cyclase was localized to plasma membranes, in accordance with the functional role of this enzyme. Yet, in secretory cells the enzyme activity was localized on intracellular membranes, suggesting a role of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase in secretory processes. Finally, S100B and S100A1 were found to colocalize with membrane-bound guanylate cyclase on photoreceptor disc membranes and to stimulate enzyme activity at these sites in dark-adapted retinas in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The results of these analyses are discussed in relation to the proposed functional role(s) of this enzyme.


Gender and race/ethnic differences in the persistence of alcohol, drug, and poly-substance use disorders.
To examine gender and racial/ethnic differences in the effect of substance use disorder (SUD) type on SUD persistence. Data were provided by 1025 women and 1835 men from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to examine whether gender and race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic) moderate the effects of DSM-IV defined past-12 month SUD type (alcohol, drug, poly-substance) on SUD persistence at 3-year follow-up, controlling for covariates. Using gender-stratified weighted binary logistic regression, we examined predictors of SUD persistence, tested an SUD type by race/ethnicity interaction term, and calculated and conducted Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons of predicted probabilities. SUD persistence rates at 3-year follow-up differed for SUD type by gender by race/ethnicity sub-group, and ranged from 31% to 81%. SUD persistence rates were consistently higher among poly-substance users; patterns were mixed in relation to gender and race/ethnicity. Among women, alcohol disordered Hispanics were less likely to persist than Whites. Among men, drug disordered Hispanics were less likely to persist than Whites. Also, Black men with an alcohol or drug use disorder were less likely to persist than Whites, but Black men with a poly-substance use disorder were more likely to persist than Hispanics. The effect of SUD type on SUD persistence varies by race/ethnicity, and the nature of these relationships is different by gender. Such knowledge could inform tailoring of SUD screening and treatment programs, potentially increasing their impact.


Market Exclusivity Time for Top Selling Originator Drugs in Canada: A Cohort Study.
This study looks at market exclusivity time for the top selling originator drugs in Canada. Total sales for drugs without competition were also calculated. A list of the top selling originator drugs by dollar sales from 2009 to 2015 inclusive, except for 2010, was compiled along with their annual sales. Health Canada databases were used to extract the following information: generic name, date of Notice of Compliance (NOC, date of marketing authorization), whether the product was a small molecule drug or a biologic, and date of NOC for a generic or biosimilar. Market exclusivity time was calculated in days for drugs. A total of 121 drugs were identified. There were 96 small molecule drugs (63 with a generic competitor and 33 with no generic competitor) and 25 biologics (none with a biosimilar competitor). The 63 drugs with a competitor had a mean market exclusivity time of 4478 days (12.3 years) (95% CI 4159-4798). The 58 drugs without competition had total annual sales of Can$8.59 billion and were on the market for a median of 5357 days (14.7 years) (interquartile range 3291-6679) as of January 31, 2017. Top selling originator drugs in Canada have a considerably longer period of market exclusivity than the 8 to 10 years that the research-based pharmaceutical industry claims.


Transient ST elevation and left ventricular asynergy associated with normal coronary artery in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A 62-year-old woman presented with transient ST segment elevation and left ventricular asynergy in an acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A coronary arteriogram during ongoing ST elevation showed no fixed stenoses or spasm. These findings refute epicardial coronary vasospasm as a cause of transient ST elevation and left ventricular asynergy in patients with SAH.


Melaxillines A and B, monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Melodinus axillaris.
Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, melaxillines A (1) and B (2), together with four known alkaloids (3-6), were isolated from the roots of Melodinus axillaris. The structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometric data, and by comparison to literature data. New compounds 1-2 might be derived from a common precursor (3) by proposing their biogenetic route, and compound 1 represents the first Melodinus alkaloid featuring an ethyl acetate group skeleton at C-18. The anti-inflammatory effects of all the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring the inhibitory ratios of β-glucuronidase release in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) induced by platelet-activating factor. Compounds 1-4 showed significant anti-inflammatory activities with IC50 values ranging from 1.51 to 21.56μM, respectively.


Ewing's tumour: uncommon presentation of an uncommon tumour.
A case of Ewing's sarcoma presenting with high cervical cord compression is described and disseminated disease was present at the time of diagnosis. A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not result in a cure. The current treatment of Ewing's sarcoma is briefly reviewed.


Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the Incidence and Outcomes of COVID-19 Needing Hospital Admission According to Sex: Retrospective Cohort Study Using Hospital Discharge Data in Spain, Year 2020.
(1) Background: To analyze incidence and in-hospital mortality (IHM) of COVID-19 needing hospital admission in Spain (2020) in patients with T2DM. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Using the Spanish Register of Specialized Care-Basic Minimum Database we estimated age-adjusted incidence rates (IR). (3) Results: We included 203,488 patients (56.77% men), of whom 45,620 (22.41%) had T2DM. Age-adjusted IRs/1000 for men with and without T2DM was 12.90 and 5.87, respectively (IRR 2.20; 95% CI 2.18−2.22; p < 0.001), and for women with and without T2DM was 9.23 and 4.27, respectively (IRR 2.16; 95% CI 2.13−2.19; p < 0.001). Crude IHM was 23.86% in people with T2DM, and 15.94% in non-T2DM people (p < 0.001). After matching, intensive-care admission (7.37% vs. 6.15%; p < 0.001) and IHM (23.37% vs. 20.41%; p < 0.001) remained higher in women with T2DM. After matching, IHM among T2DM men was 1.5% higher than among non-T2DM men (24.27% vs. 22.72%; p < 0.001). Men with T2DM had a 34% higher IHM than women with T2DM. Prevalent T2DM increased IHM among women (1.09; 95% 1.03−1.16) and men (1.05; 95% 1.01−1.10). (4) Conclusions: Incidence rates of COVID-19 needing hospital admission were higher in men vs. women, and for people with T2DM vs. non-T2DM. Men had higher IHM beside T2DM status. Prevalent T2DM was associated with higher IHM for both sexes.


The influence of hemodynamics on graft patency prediction model based on support vector machine.
In the existing patency prediction model of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the characteristics are based on graft flow, but no researchers selected hemodynamic factors as the characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to study whether the introduction of hemodynamic factors will affect the performance of the prediction model. Transit time flow-meter (TTFM) waveforms and 1-year postoperative patency results were obtained from 50 internal mammary arterial grafts (LIMA) and 82 saphenous venous grafts (SVG) in 60 patients. Taking TTFM waveforms as the boundary conditions, the CABG ideal models were constructed to obtain hemodynamic factors in grafts. Based on clinical characteristics and combination of clinical and hemodynamic characteristics, patency prediction models based on support vector machine (SVM) were constructed respectively. For LIMA, after the introduction of hemodynamic factors, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the prediction model increased from 70.35%, 50% and 74.17% to 78.02%, 70% and 78.89%, respectively. For SVG, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the prediction model increased from 63.24%, 40% and 76.91% to 74.41%, 60.1% and 82.73%, respectively. The performance of the prediction model can be improved by introducing hemodynamic factors into the characteristics of the model. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the prediction results are higher with the addition of hemodynamic characteristics.


Population growth rate and genetic variability of small and large populations of Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) following multigenerational exposure to copper.
We reared large (1000 individuals) and small (20 individuals) populations of Tribolium castaneum on diet contaminated with copper in order to determine if the size of a population affects its ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions. After 10 generations, we used microsatellite markers to estimate and subsequently compare the genetic variability of the copper-treated populations with that of the control populations, which were reared on uncontaminated medium. Additionally, we conducted a full cross-factorial experiment which evaluated the effects of 10 generations of "pre-exposure" to copper on a population's fitness in control and copper-contaminated environments. In order to distinguish results potentially arising from genetic adaptation from those due to non-genetic effects associated to parental exposure to copper, we subjected also F11 generation, originating from parents not exposed to copper, to the same cross-factorial experiment. The effects of long-term exposure to copper depended on population size: the growth rates of small populations that were pre-exposed to copper were inhibited compared to those of small populations reared in uncontaminated environments. Large Cu-exposed populations had a higher growth rate in the F10 generation compared to the control groups, while the growth rate of the F11 generation was unaffected by copper exposure history. The only factor that had a significant effect on genetic variability was population size, but this was to be expected given the large difference in the number of individuals between large and small populations. Neither copper contamination nor its interaction with population size affected the number of microsatellite alleles retained in the F10 generation.


[Clinical study on ligustrazine in treating myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury].
To explore the protective effect of Ligustrazine in treating myocardial ischemia, and reperfusion injury. The activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as the effects of Ligustrazine (LGT) on them were determined in 16 patients with cardiopulmonary bypass, who were, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery, were randomly divided into control group and LGT group. Ligustrazine was given by intravenous drip within 2-3 minute with a definite speed before occlusion and immediately after release respectively. Their venous blood samples were collected to measure the serum levels of SOD, GSH-Px, LDH and MDA by biochemical methods before the occlusion of aorta, at 30 minutes of occlusion and at 30 minutes after release respectively. There were significantly and very significantly differences between the values of control group and LGT group. LGT could effectively protect the myocardium from ischemia and reperfusion injury.


Neuroimaging in epilepsy: recent developments in MR imaging, positron-emission tomography, and single-photon emission tomography.
PET, SPECT, and MR imaging are valuable techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of the epilepsies. MR imaging displays structural disturbances such as neoplasms; dysplasias, and atrophy with great sensitivity. Recent advances in MR technology also will permit the imaging of cerebral blood flow. PET and SPECT show physiologic derangements in epilepsy, including localized reductions in cerebral blood flow and metabolism and highly focal decreases in neurotransmitter receptor binding. These methods are particularly valuable when combined with electroencephalogram evaluation in selecting patients for epilepsy surgery. MR imaging is also a valuable diagnostic tool in the routine care of epilepsy patients.


Balloon-Occluded Transarterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center US Preliminary Experience.
This report describes a single-center experience with balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization for liver-directed therapy. A total of 26 patients (11 male, 4 female; mean age, 65 y ± 7) with 28 tumors (mean diameter, 2.7 cm; range, 1.1-5.9 cm) were treated. Technical success rate was 100% (28 of 28 cases), with 1 minor complication of left portal vein thrombosis and small liver infarct. Of the 15 tumors analyzed for response, 60% (9 of 15) exhibited complete response, 33.3% (5 of 15) exhibited partial response, and 6.6% (1 of 15) had stable disease on follow-up. Eight patients exhibited overall progression with a new hepatic lesion and a median time to progression of 7.9 months (range, 5-11 mo).


Depression history as a predictor of outcomes during buprenorphine-naloxone treatment of prescription opioid use disorder.
In the multi-site Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study (POATS), the best predictor of successful opioid use outcome was lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder. The primary aim of this secondary analysis of data from POATS was to empirically assess two explanations for this counterintuitive finding. The POATS study was a national, 10-site randomized controlled trial (N = 360 enrolled in the 12-week buprenorphine-naloxone maintenance treatment phase) sponsored by the NIDA Clinical Trials Network. We evaluated how the presence of a history of depression influences opioid use outcome (negative urine drug assays). Using adjusted logistic regression models, we tested the hypotheses that 1) a reduction in depressive symptoms and 2) greater motivation and engagement in treatment account for the association between depression history and good treatment outcome. Although depressive symptoms decreased significantly throughout treatment (p <.001), this improvement was not associated with opioid outcomes (aOR = 0.98, ns). Reporting a goal of opioid abstinence at treatment entry was also not associated with outcomes (aOR = 1.39, ns); however, mutual-help group participation was associated with good treatment outcomes (aOR = 1.67, p <.05). In each of these models, lifetime major depressive disorder remained associated with good outcomes (aORs = 1.63-1.82, ps = .01-.055). Findings are consistent with the premise that greater engagement in treatment is associated with good opioid outcomes. Nevertheless, depression history continues to be associated with good opioid outcomes in adjusted models. More research is needed to understand how these factors could improve treatment outcomes for those with opioid use disorder.


An introduction to the measurement of sound.
The need for greater interest and participation in hearing conservation on the part of otolaryngologists, audiologists, and others is growing. Ever increasing numbers of people are being handicapped by noise induced hearing impairment. This costly damage is not curable but is preventable. Complaints of noise or annoyance must be investigated, and the primary tool for investigation is the sound level meter. It can be used by anyone with some basic knowledge to identify hazardous noise levels. Understanding the parts of the meter, the standards governing its construction, the basic steps in reading hazardous noise levels, including sources of error, methods of reporting the readings and knowing where expert assistance is available form the basis for monitoring hazardous noise levels. The following references contain material that can be used for additional study and sources of professional help. The number of publications dealing with noise has, as with the number of instruments and companies dealing with noise, risen sharply in the last three years. The sources listed constitute only a small portion of those available. These are selected for their detailed information, or their concrete and practical approach in providing immediately useful information, and for their usefulness as sources for further study materials or help with your hearing conservation program.


The ternary complex structure of d-mandelate dehydrogenase with NADH and anilino(oxo)acetate.
Enterococcus faecium NAD-dependent d-mandelate dehydrogenase (d-ManDH) belongs to a ketopantoate reductase (KPR)-related d-2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase family, and exhibits broad substrate specificity toward bulky hydrophobic 2-ketoacids, preferring C3-branched substrates. The ternary complex structure of d-ManDH with NADH and anilino(oxo)acetate (AOA) revealed that the substrate binding induces a shear motion of the N-terminal domain along the C-terminal domain, following the hinge motion induced by the NADH binding, and allows the bound NADH molecule to form favorable interactions with a 2-ketoacid substrate. d-ManDH possesses a sufficiently wide pocket that accommodates the C3 branched side chains of substrates like KPR, but unlike the pocket of KPR, the pocket of d-ManDH comprises an entirely hydrophobic surface and an expanded space, in which the AOA benzene is accommodated. The expanded space mostly comprises a mobile loop structure, which likely modulates the shape and size of the space depending on the substrate.


Corona mortis: in vivo anatomical knowledge and the risk of injury in totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.
Corona mortis (CMOR) is the arterial and/or venous vascular communication(s) between the obturator and external iliac vessels. Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernioplasty can be associated with vascular complications especially during the fixation of the mesh. Theoretically, CMOR is an important nominee. But, the data in literature are insufficient about CMOR injury. Additionally, most of the studies about CMOR have been usually performed on cadavers. We aimed to reveal the preperitoneal vascular anatomy of inguinal area and provide in vivo knowledge about CMOR. The risk of arterial injury was also evaluated. The data of preperitoneal vascular anatomy of 321 patients who underwent TEP procedure between January 2005 and July 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Mean age was 46 ± 8.9 years, 53 females vs 268 males. 391 hemipelvises were evaluated. Two types of arterial structure were identified; (1) an aberrant obturator artery forming an anastomosis with branches of ordinary obturator artery; (2) a pubic branch of inferior epigastric artery. The incidence of arterial CMOR was 28.4 % and of any arterial structure was 45.0 %. An arterial CMOR was considered as thick (≥2 mm) or thin (<2 mm). Injury of arterial CMOR during tack stapling on Cooper's ligament was seen in six cases (1.5 %). All of them were thin (<2 mm) in structure. Venous CMOR was visible only under low pressure in work space. During TEP hernia repair, CMOR and/or pubic branch of inferior epigastric artery can be damaged. To prevent this complication, tacks should be stapled to Cooper's ligament close to symphysis pubis and dissection should be careful on the posterior surface of superior pubic ramus. Small caliber (<2 mm) arterial CMOR is more prone to be injured during TEP procedure. To explore venous structures properly, pressure in workspace should be kept as low as possible.


Effect of bilirubin and bile acids on biliary phospholipid secretion during bromobenzene-induced hepatic injury in the rabbit.
The interrelationship between the biliary secretion of phospholipids, bilirubin and bile acids was studied in New Zealand rabbits after acinar zone 3 hepatocyte damage induced by bromobenzene (4 mmol/kg body wt; i.p.). Treatment with the toxin did not significantly modify biliary phospholipid secretion, suggesting that the transport of phospholipids is mainly a zone 1 function. Bilirubin infusion at 1 mumol/min kg body wt induced a significant inhibition in biliary phospholipid secretion both in control and treated animals. This effect was overcome by the additional infusion of sodium glycodeoxycholate at 1.6 mumol/min kg body wt, although higher increases in phospholipid output were found in the control than in the treated rabbits. This would be related to the lowered recruitment of zone 3 cells for secretion in bromobenzene-damaged livers.


Examination of heterogeneous crossing sequences between toner and rollerball pen strokes by digital microscopy and 3-D laser profilometry.
The determination of line crossing sequences between rollerball pens and laser printers presents difficulties that may not be overcome using traditional techniques. This research aimed to study the potential of digital microscopy and 3-D laser profilometry to determine line crossing sequences between a toner and an aqueous ink line. Different paper types, rollerball pens, and writing pressure were tested. Correct opinions of the sequence were given for all case scenarios, using both techniques. When the toner was printed before the ink, a light reflection was observed in all crossing specimens, while this was never observed in the other sequence types. The 3-D laser profilometry, more time-consuming, presented the main advantage of providing quantitative results. The findings confirm the potential of the 3-D laser profilometry and demonstrate the efficiency of digital microscopy as a new technique for determining the sequence of line crossings involving rollerball pen ink and toner.


Long-term outcome after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is widely accepted as the preferred procedure to establish long-term enteral feeding. To learn the long-term outcomes of the patients who have undergone PEG placement, we reviewed our experience with children who underwent this procedure in our institute. A total of 83 pediatric patients (42 males and 41 females), who were aged from 3 months to 20 years, underwent PEG insertion in National Taiwan University Hospital from January 2000 to April 2011. The underlying diseases of the patients receiving PEG were neurological dysfunction (n = 67), metabolic disorders (n = 9), gastrointestinal disease (n = 2), and congenital heart disease (n = 1). This procedure was performed under intravenous sedation or under general anesthesia. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered for 1 day. Tube feeding began 24 hours after the PEG placement. The body weight of the patients was recorded 1 day before PEG placement and at least 6 months after PEG placement. The weight-for-age Z-score before and at 6 months after PEG placement were -1.5 ± 2.0 and -0.9 ± 2.1, respectively, which was statistically significant (paired t test, p = 0.006). The catch-up growth was recorded after PEG placement. Complications of PEG in our patients included cellulitis at the gastrostomy wound (n = 14), dislodgement of the tube (n = 17), and persistent gastrocutaneous fistula (n = 3). The PEG tube was removed permanently in seventeen patients because they resumed an adequate oral intake. During the follow-up period, 14 patients died of an underlying disease or infection. Our experience confirmed that PEG placement is a good long-term route for nutritional supply with no serious complications in children.


OmpF porin from Yersinia ruckeri as pathogenic factor: Surface antigenic sites and biological properties.
Bacterium Yersinia ruckeri as a pathogen induces causative agent of intestinal fish disease called enteric redmouth disease (ERM) is known. In this study, outer membrane OmpF porin from the Y. ruckeri (YrOmpF) has been identified as a pathogenic factor which affects host macrophage activation and life cycle of eukaryotic cells. Using synthetic peptides corresponding to the sequences of the outer loops of YrOmpF L1 loop of the porin is most involved in the structure of B epitopes on the surface of the microbial cell it was found. T epitopes of the isolated YrOmpF trimer not only by linear, but also by discontinuous determinants, which is due to the secondary structure of the protein are represented. It was shown that YrOmpF was twice more cytotoxic to THP-1 cells (human monocytes, cancer cells) in comparison with CHH-1 cells (Oncorhynchus keta cardiac muscle cell, non-cancer cells). It was found YrOmpF induce cell cycle S-phase arrest in both normal CHH-1 and cancer THP-1 cells. In the cancer cells observed effect was most pronounce. In addition, we have observed an induction of apoptosis in THP-1 cell line treated with YrOmpF for 48 h at IC50 (48.6 μg/ml). Significant cytotoxic effect of YrOmpF on primary mouse peritoneal macrophages been detected as well. Of note, co-incubation of macrophages with anti-YrOmpF antibodies could decrease the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, while the number of living cells significantly increased. YrOmpF stimulates the activity of the phagocytic bactericidal systems especially of the oxygen-independent subsystem it was found. Antibodies against YrOmpF decreased MPO release and CP synthesis by peritoneal macrophages and increased their viability.


Expandable metallic stents applied to benign bronchostenosis.
Tandem Gianturco expandable metallic stents (GEMSs) with barbs were inserted to dilate the left main bronchus of a 38-year-old man who had developed left bronchostenosis due to bronchial tuberculosis. Through the use of these GEMSs, ventilation in the left lung remarkably improved; however, the central airway resistance was found to be greater than that exhibited by the normal side and the mucociliary transport function was reduced.


The molecular mosaic of regulated cell death in the cardiovascular system.
Cell death is now understood to be a highly regulated process that contributes to normal development and tissue homeostasis, alongside its role in the etiology of various pathological conditions. Through detailed molecular analysis, we have come to know that all cells do not always die in the same way, and that there are at least 7 processes involved, including: apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, and autophagy-mediated cell death. These processes act as pieces in the mosaic of cardiomyocyte cell death, which come together depending on context and stimulus. This review details each individual process, as well as highlights how they come together to produce various cardiac pathologies. By knowing how the pieces go together we can aim towards the development of efficacious therapeutics, which will enable us to prevent cardiomyocyte loss in the face of stress, both reducing mortality and improving quality of life.


The value of computed tomography in the evaluation of the enlarged head.
The contribution of computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of macrocrania has been examined with reference to a consecutive series of 93 cases. In the great majority a definitive diagnosis could be made without resorting to more noxious procedures. Hydrocephalus was present in 46% of this group. The incidence of macrocrania with childhood hydrocephalus and its relationship to the aetiology and other CT features was examined with reference to 109 consecutive cases with hydrocephalus shown on CT. Macrocrania was present in only 11% of cases with an underlying tumour, but in 71% with other obstructing lesions.


Platelet-derived growth factor levels in wounds of diabetic rats.
Delayed wound healing is a troublesome complication of Diabetes. Results from recent investigations concerning the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for diabetic wound healing deficiency are preliminary in nature. Some studies have demonstrated that direct application of certain growth factors/cytokines can facilitate wound healing in diabetic models. It is possible that refractory diabetic wounds are the result of deficiencies in growth factors/cytokines important for the normal wound healing process. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) levels were examined by radioimmunoassay in wound tissue of normal and diabetic rats (streptozotocin-induced diabetes). Immunohistochemical analysis was utilized to localize and characterize PDGF immunopositive cells at the wound site of normal and diabetic animals. At the wound site, normal animals demonstrated significantly elevated PDGF levels compared to diabetic animals at 5 days post-wounding (no differences were observed in the spleen or contralateral control tissue). There appeared to be a visible increase in PDGF immunopositive cells at the wound site in both experimental and control groups. By day 10 post-wounding, PDGF levels at the wound site in normal animals were reduced becoming similar to PDGF levels in diabetic animals. This corresponded to an apparent reduction of PDGF immunopositive cells in both groups (similar to baseline levels). PDGF levels in both groups remained stable until day 20 post-wounding when a significant elevation of wound site PDGF levels occurred in the diabetic group. The findings suggest that absence of an initial increase in PDGF may play an important role in poor wound healing observed in diabetic animals. The reduction in PDGF may be related to decreased cellular PDGF production rather than a lack of PDGF-producing cells. Perhaps the diabetic state inhibits cellular PDGF gene expression signaled by wounding or interferes with normal PDGF expression at the wound site.


Similarities in the surface area/volume ratio in the fibers of the recurrent laryngeal nerve can explain the symmetry in the vocal fold mobility?
We demonstrate in this paper that although there are statistical differences for all morphometric data [axon length, axon diameter, myelinated fiber diameter and degree of the myelination (g-Ratio)] between the fibers of recurrent laryngeal nerve right and left, the surface area/volume ratio in the fibers of both nerves is exactly the same (1/1.7). Thereby, this paper presents the hypothesis that this similarity between the nerves can actually trigger a considerable synchrony in mobility of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx that control of the vocal folds.


Obtaining blood oxygenation levels from MR signal behavior in the presence of single venous vessels.
The MR signal decay in gradient echo sequences includes signal loss due to spin dephasing caused by static magnetic field inhomogeneities. This decay can be calculated for different geometries of the susceptibility distribution, such as spheres, cylinders, or cylinder networks. In particular, the model of an infinitely long cylinder is a good approximation for single straight blood vessels. Blood oxygenation and blood volume fraction are important parameters, which influence the signal in a characteristic way. In this work the signal decays for a single cylindrical vessel were investigated and evaluated in simulations, phantom measurements as well as in vivo measurements of small single veins in the human brain by using a 3D multiecho gradient echo sequence. Good agreement between simulations and phantom experiments was obtained for different experimental settings. Based on the simulations, physiologically consistent values of venous blood oxygenation level, Y, were extracted from the in vivo measurements of different veins and volunteers (Y = 0.55 +/- 0.02). The methods ability to measure changes in venous blood oxygenation induced by carbogen breathing was demonstrated in one volunteer, where an increase from Y approximately 0.5 to Y approximately 0.7 was observed.


Captopril magnifies the increase in angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity in rats with aminonucleoside nephrosis.
1. Serum, tissue and urine angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was estimated in the following groups of rats: saline-injected rats (controls); captopril-treated (CAP) control animals (CONTROL-CAP); puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrotic syndrome (NS); and CAP-treated animals with NS (NS-CAP). 2. Serum ACE activity increased in the CONTROL-CAP, NS, and NS-CAP groups. The increase in the NS-CAP group was significantly higher compared with the NS or CONTROL-CAP groups. 3. In the CONTROL-CAP group, tissue ACE decreased in brain, heart and adrenal glands, and remained unchanged in the lung, testis, kidney, small intestine and liver. In the NS group, tissue ACE activity increased in the lung and testis, decreased in the brain and heart, and remained unchanged in the small intestine, adrenal glands, kidney and liver. Tissue ACE activity increased significantly in the NS-CAP group compared with the other groups. This increase in tissue ACE may contribute to an increase in the serum ACE activity in the NS-CAP group compared with the NS group. 4. Urine ACE activity increased in the NS and NS-CAP groups, although the rise in the NS-CAP group was significantly higher. The urine ACE correlated significantly with the circulating levels of this enzyme in the NS and NS-CAP groups. The loss of ACE in the urine in the presence of an increased serum ACE activity indicates that the biosynthesis of tissue ACE and its release into the bloodstream must be elevated.


Patient compliance with medical advice given by telephone.
Data on compliance with medical advice given by telephone consultation services are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to assess patient compliance with medical advice given by a call center. A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out on a random sample of 463 callers 72 hours after contacting the Grenoble Dial 15 center in France. Four hundred nine subjects (88.3%) participated in the study. Of these, 286 callers (69.9%) complied with the medical advice given. Compliance was 61.4% among patients who were advised to treat themselves, 83.9% among patients who were advised to consult a general practitioner during business hours, and 64.0% among patients who were advised to go to an accident and ED (P <.01). The survey pointed out adverse events resulting from the service. Assessing patient compliance can be an important source of information for improving aspects of patient management provided by telephone consultation services.


Study on the Adaptive Regulation of Light on the Stress Response of Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi) with Re-Feeding after Starvation.
Light influences the stress response to environmental stimuli and feeding behaviors of Siniperca chuatsi and, thus, is an important regulator of normal growth and development. In this study, we first explored the important role of light on the digestive and stress capacity of S. chuatsi by studying the changes in physiological and biochemical indicators of S. chuatsi, taking the re-feeding after starvation as the constant environmental stimulus and the light intensity as the adjustable environmental stimulus. The activity of protease and lipase was generally higher in the stomach tissues than in the intestinal tissues, especially lipase, which was higher in stomach tissues under all light conditions, and the protease and lipase activity peaked in the stomach tissues of S. chuatsi at a light intensity of 18.44 ± 3.00 lx and in intestinal tissues at 11.15 ± 2.01 lx, respectively, indicating that greater light intensity increased the digestive capacity of stomach tissues, whereas lower light intensity facilitated the digestive capacity of intestinal tissues. The tissues of the gill, stomach, and intestine had relatively high activity of stress-related enzymes, whereas the tissues of the brain, kidney, liver, and plasma samples had relatively low activity of enzymes. Collectively, the results show that light intensity at 11.15 ± 2.01 lx promoted digestive capacity in the intestine and enhanced the anti-stress ability of S. chuatsi in response to stress induced by re-feeding after starvation. These findings should prove useful for artificial breeding of S. chuatsi.


Abdominoperineal Tunnel Crafted with Alken's Telescopic Dilators: A Novel Technique!
Abdomino-perineal pull through procedure needs perineal dissection and for that swap of supine to prone may be necessary. To avoid that as well as to avoid neuro-muscular damage; we are describing a simple minimal invasive procedure with help of Alken's telescopic dilators. We created abdomino-perineal tunnel with Alken's telescopic dilators to bring down the lumen of intestine in perineum in eight patients. Operative time happened to be less and procedure found to be less traumatic. All the eight patients had satisfactory outcome. Actually, we have repurposed the Alken's dilator for creation of abdomino-perineal tunnel or track to get benefit of minimal dissection of perineum during pull-through procedure as well as to avoid neuro-muscular damage.


Effect of polarity reversal on floc formation and rheological properties of a sludge formed by the electrocoagulation process.
Anode fouling is one of the key limiting factors to the widespread application of electrocoagulation (EC) for treatment of different types of contaminated water. Promising mitigation strategy to fouling is to operate the process under polarity reversal (PR) instead of direct current (DC). However, the PR operation comes at the cost of process complexity due to the alternation of electrochemical and chemical reactions. In this study, we systematically investigated the link between evolving fouling layer during DC and PR close to iron and aluminum electrodes and morphological and rheological properties of the formed sludge. By operando visualization of EC process, we demonstrate that during PR operation, precipitation of the iron and aluminum species occurs close to the anode interface, resulting in flocs with higher porosity and lower density than those formed under DC conditions. However, rheological investigation revealed that the PR conditions resulted in a sludge with more pronounced solid-like signature, but this enhancement in its viscoelastic properties is closely related to a period of the current's polarity reversal. We attribute this unexpected result to higher shear rate and collision of particles during PR conditions.


Detection of active oxygen species in biological systems.
1. Cypridina luciferin analogues, 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7- dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (MCLD) and 2-methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one(CLA ), react with O2- or 1O2 to emit light in visible region. Such chemiluminescences were used for the detection of O2- or 1O2 in activated leukocyte systems and myeloperoxidase (granulocyte-extract) + Br- + H2O2 systems in vitro. 2. The mechanisms of MCLA (CLA)-dependent luminescence is described in detail. Superoxide generated from sinusoidal cells in acute ethanol intoxication of rats was detected by MCLA-dependent luminescence from the surface of perfused rat liver (organ luminescence). 3. Furthermore, with alive animals, O2- generated in the lung of rats with necrotized pancreatitis and that in the stomach of rats after ischemia/reperfusion were detected by their organ luminescences.


Spirochaetes dominate the microbial community associated with the red coral Corallium rubrum on a broad geographic scale.
Mass mortality events in populations of the iconic red coral Corallium rubrum have been related to seawater temperature anomalies that may have triggered microbial disease development. However, very little is known about the bacterial community associated with the red coral. We therefore aimed to provide insight into this species' bacterial assemblages using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons generated from samples collected at five locations distributed across the western Mediterranean Sea. Twelve bacterial species were found to be consistently associated with the red coral, forming a core microbiome that accounted for 94.6% of the overall bacterial community. This core microbiome was particularly dominated by bacteria of the orders Spirochaetales and Oceanospirillales, in particular the ME2 family. Bacteria belonging to these orders have been implicated in nutrient cycling, including nitrogen, carbon and sulfur. While Oceanospirillales are common symbionts of marine invertebrates, our results identify members of the Spirochaetales as other important dominant symbiotic bacterial associates within Anthozoans.


A putative mitochondrial fission gene from the ectomycorrhizal ascomycete Tuber borchii Vittad.: cloning, characterisation and phylogeny.
Mitochondrial binary division is a complex process occurring in multiple steps, mediated by several proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a mitochondrial membrane protein, Fis1p, is required for the proper assembly of the mitochondrial division apparatus. In this study, we report the cloning, characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of Tbfis1, a gene from the ectomycorrhizal ascomycetous truffle Tuber borchii, encoding for an orthologue of S. cerevisiae Fis1p. The Tbfis1 coding region consists of a 468-nucleotide open reading frame interrupted by four introns, which encodes for a polypeptide of 155 amino acids, having a predicted transmembrane domain structure typical of the Fis1p Family. Southern blot analysis revealed that Tbfis1 is a single-copy gene in the T. borchii genome. Tbfis1 is highly expressed during the first stages of T. borchii fruit body ripening, while its expression decreases during T. borchii mycelium ageing. Also, Virtual Northern blot analysis revealed Tbfis1 expression in the symbiotic phase of the fungus life cycle. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the identification of Tbfis1 orthologues in filamentous fungi, yeasts, plants, worms, flies and mammals, indicating that the function of the protein coded by this gene has been conserved during evolution.


Bone mineral density in sclerosteosis; affected individuals and gene carriers.
Sclerosteosis is an autosomal recessive sclerosing bone disorder due to deficiency of sclerostin, a protein secreted by the osteocytes that inhibits bone formation. In the present study we assessed the effect of variable expression of the genetic defect on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients and carriers of the determinant gene. We studied 25 individuals (seven patients and 18 phenotypically normal heterozygotes). BMD was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, total hip, and distal forearm, and lateral radiographs of the skull were obtained. Individuals with sclerosteosis had markedly increased BMD at all skeletal sites (Z-score ranges: lumbar spine, +7.73 to +14.43; total hip, +7.84 to +11.51; forearm, +4.44 to +9.53). In heterozygotes, BMD was above the mean value of healthy age-matched individuals at all skeletal sites and had a wide range of normal and clearly increased values. Skull radiographs showed the typical hyperostotic changes in affected individuals and mild or no changes in heterozygotes. Heterozygous carriers of sclerosteosis have BMD values consistently higher than the mean of healthy subjects without any of the bone complications encountered in homozygotes. This finding suggests that the production and/or activity of sclerostin can be titrated in vivo, leading to variable increases in bone mass without any unwanted skeletal effects, a hypothesis of obvious significance for the development of new therapeutics for osteoporosis.


Chronic liver iron overload in the baboon by ferric nitrilotriacetate. Morphologic and functional changes with special reference to collagen synthesis enzymes.
Two baboons receiving intramuscular injections of ferric nitrilotriacetate over a two-year period were compared with two control baboons. The results indicate that in iron-overloaded animals: liver iron excess was major (maximal liver iron concentration values of 42 mumol/100 mg dry weight for both animals vs 1.3 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD) in controls) and chronic (for 15 months liver iron concentrations were higher than 15); iron deposition, although less abundant than in sinusoidal cells, was pronounced within parenchymal cells; serum transaminase activities were markedly increased; rare foci of perisinusoidal fibrosis were observed in areas of massive iron overload; and a dramatic decrease in hepatic 4-prolyl-hydroxylase activity was found, in contrast with unchanged glucosyltransferase and galactosyltransferase activities. In conclusion these findings suggest that, in our model, chronic liver iron overload: exerts a marked biochemical cytolytic effect; and does not produce significant hepatic fibrosis, possibly related to an inhibiting effect of ferric nitrilotriacetate complex on 4-prolyl-hydroxylase activity.


Functional analysis of the binding model of microbial inulinases using docking and molecular dynamics simulation.
Recently inulinase has regained interest due to its usage in the production of fructooligosaccharides, biofuels, and in pharmaceutical industries. Inulinases properties are experimentally reported by nomerous studies but their characteristics are just partially explained by only a few computational investigations. In the present study we have investigated exoinulinase and endoinulinase from different microbial sources toward their catalytic activity. Docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation were carried out for microbial endoinulinase and exoinulinase docked with 1-kestose and fructose-6-phosphate respectively. Pseudomonas mucidolens (-7.42 kcal mol(-1) binding energy), docked with fructose-6-phosphate, was recorded as the most favorable binding energy, Pseudomonas mucidolens made hydrogen bonds with fructose-6-phosphate and the amino acids involved were arginine 286, tryptophan 158, and isoleucine 87. After the simulation only tryptophan 158 remained bonded and additionally valine 156 made hydrogen bonds with fructose-6-phosphate. Aspergillus niger docked with 1-kestose was bonded with the involvement of threonine 271, aspartate 285, threonine 288, and proline 283, after the simulation aspartate 285 was retained till the end of the simulation. The present study thus refers to the indication of depicting binding analysis of microbial inulinases.


Guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids from Alisma orientalis.
Two guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids named orientalol E (1) and orientalol F (3) were isolated from the rhizome of Alisma orientalis (SAM) JUZEP together with two known guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids alismol (2) and alismoxide (4). Their relative stereostructures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, whereas absolute stereostructures were determined on the basis of chemical correlation.


A Solution-Processable, Omnidirectionally Stretchable, and High-Pressure-Sensitive Piezoresistive Device.
The development of omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensors with high performance without stretching-induced interference has been hampered by many challenges. Herein, an omnidirectionally stretchable piezoresistive pressure-sensing device is demonstrated by combining an omniaxially stretchable substrate with a 3D micropattern array and solution-printing of electrode and piezoresistive materials. A unique substrate structural design and materials mean that devices that are highly sensitive are rendered, with a stable out-of-plane pressure response to both static (sensitivity of 0.5 kPa-1 and limit of detection of 28 Pa) and dynamic pressures and the minimized in-plane stretching responsiveness (a small strain gauge factor of 0.17), achieved through efficient strain absorption of the electrode and sensing materials. The device can detect human-body tremors, as well as measure the relative elastic properties of human skin. The omnidirectionally stretchable pressure sensor with a high pressure sensitivity and minimal stretch-responsiveness yields great potential to skin-attachable wearable electronics, human-machine interfaces, and soft robotics applications.


Repeated handling compromises the immune suppression and improves the disease resistance in overwintering channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).
In winter, fish have suppressed immune functions and are susceptible to bacteria or virus which may lead to a high mortality. It is necessary to improve the immune response and disease resistance for overwintering fish. A recent study suggested that repeated handling increased the innate immune mechanisms and disease resistance in Senegalese sole. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that appropriate repeated handling could compromise the immune depression and increase the disease resistance in channel catfish over winter. The experiment was carried out in field cages from Nov. 2012 to April 2013. Before the experiment, 35 fish with an average weight of 188.4 g were randomly assigned to one of six cages (2 m × 2 m × 2 m). Three cages were designed as the control group and did not receive any interfere. Fish in the other three cages received a weekly repeated handling of an air exposure for 5 min. Fish were not fed over winter. At the end of the trial, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila at a dose of 5.6 × 10(8) CFU ml(-1). The results showed that final body weight was not changed between groups. The spleen somatic index increased while the head kidney somatic index decreased in the unhandled fish after bacterial challenge, but these indices were not significantly changed in the repeated handled fish. Plasma cortisol levels in the control fish were induced at 6 h post challenge and then declined to the normal levels. However, plasma cortisol levels in the repeated handled fish did not show any significant change after bacteria challenge. The reduced inducement of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression by repeated handling was observed in fish post bacterial challenge. After overwintering, repeated handled fish exhibited increased catalase (CAT) activities and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of channel catfish were enhanced by repeated handling post bacterial challenge. The enhanced up-regulation of Interleukin 8 (IL8), IL1β-a, IL1β-b together with the immune related genes of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR3, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 by repeated handling was found in catfish after bacterial challenge. The present results indicated that a combination of signaling pathways through TLRs and NODs was involved in the innate immune response of the overwintering repeated handled channel catfish against invading bacteria.


Borna disease virus-induced retinitis in Lewis rats--an immune-mediated retinopathy.
Borna disease virus (BDV) infection, naturally occurring in horses and sheep induces a mononuclear retinitis and meningoencephalitis in adult Lewis rats. In the pathogenesis a virus-specific cell mediated immune reaction presumably of delayed hypersensitivity type is operative. Corresponding to the encephalitic lesions a progressive retinitis with loss of the first and second retinal neuron develops. The inflammatory response is characterized by predominance of macrophages in the early phase of infection followed by distinct plasmacellular infiltration. Immunosuppressed and immuno-incompetent rats do not develop retinal lesions after intracerebral inoculation. Thus similar as in the brain probably virus specific immunopathological reactions play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of BDV-induced retinitis in Lewis rats.


A novel micro-ECoG recording method for recording multisensory neural activity from the parietal to temporal cortices in mice.
Characterization of inter-regional interactions in brain is essential for understanding the mechanism relevant to normal brain function and neurological disease. The recently developed flexible micro (μ)-electrocorticography (μECoG) device is one prominent method used to examine large-scale cortical activity across multiple regions. The sheet-shaped μECoG electrodes arrays can be placed on a relatively wide area of cortical surface beneath the skull by inserting the device into the space between skull and brain. Although rats and mice are useful tools for neuroscience, current μECoG recording methods in these animals are limited to the parietal region of cerebral cortex. Recording cortical activity from the temporal region of cortex in mice has proven difficult because of surgical barriers created by the skull and surrounding temporalis muscle anatomy. Here, we developed a sheet-shaped 64-channel μECoG device that allows access to the mouse temporal cortex, and we determined the factor determining the appropriate bending stiffness for the μECoG electrode array. We also established a surgical technique to implant the electrode arrays into the epidural space over a wide area of cerebral cortex covering from the barrel field to olfactory (piriform) cortex, which is the deepest region of the cerebral cortex. Using histology and computed tomography (CT) images, we confirmed that the tip of the μECoG device reached to the most ventral part of cerebral cortex without causing noticeable damage to the brain surface. Moreover, the device simultaneously recorded somatosensory and odor stimulus-evoked neural activity from dorsal and ventral parts of cerebral cortex in awake and anesthetized mice. These data indicate that our μECoG device and surgical techniques enable the recording of large-scale cortical activity from the parietal to temporal cortex in mice, including somatosensory and olfactory cortices. This system will provide more opportunities for the investigation of physiological functions from wider areas of the mouse cerebral cortex than those currently available with existing ECoG techniques.


From threat to challenge-Improving medical students' stress response and communication skills performance through the combination of stress arousal reappraisal and preparatory worked example-based learning when breaking bad news to simulated patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Breaking bad news (BBN; e.g., delivering a cancer diagnosis) is perceived as one of the most demanding communication tasks in the medical field and associated with high levels of stress. Physicians' increased stress in BBN encounters can negatively impact their communication performance, and in the long term, patient-related health outcomes. Although a growing body of literature acknowledges the stressful nature of BBN, little has been done to address this issue. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate tools to help physicians cope with their stress response, so that they can perform BBN at their best. In the present study, we implement the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat as theoretical framework. According to this model, the balance between perceived situational demands and perceived coping resources determines whether a stressful performance situation, such as BBN, is experienced as challenge (resources > demands) or threat (resources < demands). Using two interventions, we aim to support medical students in shifting towards challenge-oriented stress responses and improved communication performance: (1) stress arousal reappraisal (SAR), which guides individuals to reinterpret their stress arousal as an adaptive and beneficial response for task performance; (2) worked examples (WE), which demonstrate how to BBN in a step-by-step manner, offering structure and promoting skill acquisition. In a randomized controlled trial with a 2 (SAR vs. control) x 2 (WE vs. control) between-subjects design, we will determine the effects of both interventions on stress response and BBN skills performance in N = 200 third-year medical students during a simulated BBN encounter. To identify students' stress responses, we will assess their perceived coping resources and task demands, record their cardiovascular activity, and measure salivary parameters before, during, and after BBN encounters. Three trained raters will independently score students' BBN skills performances. Findings will provide unique insights into the psychophysiology of medical students who are tasked with BBN. Parameters can be understood more comprehensively from the challenge and threat perspective and linked to performance outcomes. If proven effective, the evaluated interventions could be incorporated into the curriculum of medical students and facilitate BBN skills acquisition. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05037318), September 8, 2021.


PRRT2 mutations cause benign familial infantile epilepsy and infantile convulsions with choreoathetosis syndrome.
Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE) is a self-limited seizure disorder that occurs in infancy and has autosomal-dominant inheritance. We have identified heterozygous mutations in PRRT2, which encodes proline-rich transmembrane protein 2, in 14 of 17 families (82%) affected by BFIE, indicating that PRRT2 mutations are the most frequent cause of this disorder. We also report PRRT2 mutations in five of six (83%) families affected by infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA) syndrome, a familial syndrome in which infantile seizures and an adolescent-onset movement disorder, paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC), co-occur. These findings show that mutations in PRRT2 cause both epilepsy and a movement disorder. Furthermore, PRRT2 mutations elicit pleiotropy in terms of both age of expression (infancy versus later childhood) and anatomical substrate (cortex versus basal ganglia).


Optical coherence tomography angiography metrics in different stages of diabetic macular edema.
To investigate the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) characteristics of diabetic macular edema (DME) at different stages. This study was a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with DME were recruited. DME was classified into early, advanced, and severe DME. The vessel density (VD) in the superficial vascular plexus (SVP), deep vascular plexus (DVP) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, including FAZ area, FAZ perimeter, acircularity index and foveal VD in a 300-μm-wide region around the FAZ (FD-300), were calculated by the AngioVue software. A multivariate generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the associations between visual acuity and OCTA metrics. Ninety-two eyes from 74 patients with DME were included in this study. Compared to early (P = 0.006) and advanced DME (P = 0.003), the acircularity index was higher in severe DME. Both whole and parafoveal VD in the DVP decreased in eyes with severe DME compared to early DME (P = 0.018, P = 0.005, respectively) and advanced DME (P = 0.035, P = 0.012, respectively). In the multivariate generalized estimating equation, DME severity, FAZ area and foveal thickness were positively associated with worse visual acuity (P = 0.001, P = 0.007 and P = 0.001, respectively). Compared to early and advanced DME, severe DME showed increased irregularity in the FAZ and more extensive vessel damage in the DVP. Greater severity level of DME, larger FAZ area, and increased foveal thickness could be risk factors for poor visual acuity. Trial registration The protocol was published in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033082).


Transport in serial spinful multiple-dot systems: The role of electron-electron interactions and coherences.
Quantum dots are nanoscopic systems, where carriers are confined in all three spatial directions. Such nanoscopic systems are suitable for fundamental studies of quantum mechanics and are candidates for applications such as quantum information processing. It was also proposed that linear arrangements of quantum dots could be used as quantum cascade laser. In this work we study the impact of electron-electron interactions on transport in a spinful serial triple quantum dot system weakly coupled to two leads. We find that due to electron-electron scattering processes the transport is enabled beyond the common single-particle transmission channels. This shows that the scenario in the serial quantum dots intrinsically deviates from layered structures such as quantum cascade lasers, where the presence of well-defined single-particle resonances between neighboring levels are crucial for device operation. Additionally, we check the validity of the Pauli master equation by comparing it with the first-order von Neumann approach. Here we demonstrate that coherences are of relevance if the energy spacing of the eigenstates is smaller than the lead transition rate multiplied by ħ.


Cysto-biliary communication in liver hydatidosis.
Liver hydatidosis is a severe health problem in endemic areas. Due to migration from these countries to other zones, now it is a worldwide problem. Liver hydatidosis can provoke many complications (abscess, fistula to adjacent organs, migration, etc.), but the most frequent and one of the most severe complication is the communication between the cyst and the biliary tree. The aim of this study is to perform a review on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic options to treat the communication between the cyst and the biliary tree. Due to the lack of randomized clinical trial or meta-analysis on this topic, we performed a classical review and included our personal algorithm. The communication between the cyst and the biliary tree varies from a small communication to a frank intrabiliary rupture. The percentage of patients with the communication between the cyst and the biliary tree is not well known because there is no accepted definition. The therapeutic options are multiple and related to the size of the communication, the location of the cyst, and the experience of the hepatobiliary surgeon. ERCP is now an important tool for the treatment of the communication between the cyst and the biliary tree.


How the Shift Toward Working From Home Has Impacted People's Work and Private Life.
In this study, we aimed to describe the effect of working from home on work conditions and private life by analyzing reported changes in different work-related factors. We used descriptive analyses on cross-sectional data of 4985 people aged 20 to 67 years from Stockholm, Sweden collected in 2021. The prevalence of reported changes for factors related to work and private life was analyzed by degree of work from home and stratified by age, sex, and educational level. Participants who worked from home reported increased opportunities to structure the workday and combine work and private life, while at the same time experiencing increased isolation from the workplace. More females reported increased workload, whereas younger adults reported more changes overall. Working from home was related to experiencing both positive and negative changes in work conditions and private life.


Critical care management of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Successful critical care management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage requires a thorough understanding of the disease and its complications and a familiarity with modern multimodality neuromonitoring technology. This article reviews the natural history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and strategies for disease management in the acute setting. Available tools for monitoring brain function are discussed.


A rapid and simplified extraction of haloperidol from plasma or serum with bond elut C18 cartridge for analysis by high performance liquid chromatography.
This method for the determination of haloperidol (HAL) in plasma is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a reversed-phase column, ODS-C18. HAL is rapidly extracted from human plasma by using Bond Elut C18 cartridge and its recovery is over 90%. The mobile phase is a mixture of 1% acetate/acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran/triethylamine (69.5: 28.2:1.9:0.4, by vol.). The method is rapid, simple and free from intereferences and gives good precision.


[Cytogenetic changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of oncology patients].
Analysis of home and foreign literature underlies the discussion of the significance of cytogenetic variations (frequency of aberrant cells and SCE-heteromorphism of C-chromatin and brittleness of chromosomes as indices of chromosome instability in oncological patients.


Retinopathy of Prematurity in a rural Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South India--a prospective study.
To report the incidence, spectrum and treatment outcome of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in a rural neonatal nursery. This Prospective, observational, non-randomized study was conducted in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at district headquarters in South India. 118 babies with birth weight ≤2000 g and/or period of gestation (POG) ≤34 wk were included in the study. Eligible infants were screened with indirect ophthalmoscopy and wide-field digital imaging (Retcam) until retinal vascularization was complete or disease regressed. Early Treatment Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP) guidelines were followed for laser. The overall incidence of ROP was 41.5% and treatable ROP was 26.4% (24/91) of eyes diagnosed with ROP and 10.2% (24/236) of the overall eyes screened. The mean birth weights and periods of gestation with and without ROP were 1555.9 vs. 1672.5 g (P 0.005) and 32.2 vs. 34.6 wk, respectively (P<0.001). Half of the treated eyes had aggressive posterior ROP in Zone 1. All treated eyes had a favorable outcome. Respiratory distress syndrome, oxygen therapy, neonatal Jaundice and sepsis were higher in the ROP group but was not statistically significant. Of the overall infants screened, 68 (57.6%) were heavier and older than the American screening cut-off. Of these, 36.8% had some stage ROP and 8% required treatment. This is the first prospective ROP study from a district NICU in India and compares with previously published urban data. If Western-screening guidelines are used in the rural scenario, we risk a significant proportion of infants being missed who may require treatment.


Compound 48/80 blocks transmission and increases the excitability of ganglion neurons.
Compound 48/80 (5.0-50 micrograms/ml) significantly and reversibly decreased (1) the amplitude, but not the shape of the compound action potential, (2) the amplitude and duration of the acetylcholine potential and (3) the residual fast excitatory postsynaptic potential recorded from neurons of the 9th and 10th paravertebral ganglia of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. The excitability of B-type ganglion neurons in the presence of nicotinic and muscarinic receptor antagonists was increased by compound 48/80 without altering the input resistance or membrane potential. In addition, compound 48/80 (10-50 micrograms/ml) significantly decreased the duration of the spike afterhyperpolarization (AHP). The amplitude but not the decay rate of the current underlying the slow component of the spike AHP was decreased by compound 48/80. Compound 48/80 did not, however, alter either the amplitude or the duration of calcium-dependent spikes. Intracellular recordings from dissociated sympathetic neurons also demonstrated a compound 48/80-induced increase in neuronal excitability. These results suggest that compound 48/80 interacts with the nicotinic receptor/channel complex to decrease ganglionic transmission, and also has a direct action to increase neuronal excitability by blocking potassium channels mediating the duration of the spike AHP.


Seasonal variation in serum T3 and T4 levels in man.
In a group of 13 healthy male adults in the Netherlands, a seasonal variation in circulating serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels was found, inversely correlating with the seasonally altering environmental temperature. Lowest serum T4 and T3 levels were found in the summer.


The effects of intensive care unit staffing on patient outcomes following microvascular free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: a pilot study.
To determine if the implementation of the closed intensive care unit (ICU) at our institution altered clinical outcomes in patients who had undergone microvascular free flap reconstruction of the head and neck by the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service. Retrospective medical chart review. A single tertiary medical center. The open ICU cohort had 52 flaps performed on 50 patients, and the closed ICU cohort had 52 flaps performed on 52 patients. Fifty-two free flap reconstructions of head and neck defects were performed on 50 patients who were admitted to an open ICU. The length of stay (LOS) in the ICU and hospital and incidence of complications were compared with those of 52 patients who underwent 52 free flap reconstructions and were admitted to a closed ICU over a separate period. The mean length of stay in the ICU was 44 and 45 hours in the open and closed ICU cohorts, respectively (P = .90). The incidence of surgical and medical complications was similar in the open and closed ICU cohorts (P > .05). There does not appear to be a significant difference in patient outcome between open and closed ICU care in our study.


Temporal dynamics of explicit and implicit moral evaluations.
Explicit moral evaluation is often accompanied with active attention and explicit responses to moral information, while implicit moral evaluation happens in passive attention and implicit response to moral information. Previous studies have pointed out the differences in the neural mechanisms underlying explicit and implicit moral processing on the spatial dimension, however, the temporal differences between these two processes have not been clear. This study aimed at comparing the temporal dynamics between explicit and implicit moral evaluation of harm/care-related moral scenarios with high/low emotional arousal by using event-related potentials (ERP) technique. The behavioral results showed that the accuracy of the explicit task is higher than that of the implicit task, especially for high-arousal moral actions. The ERP results mainly revealed that regardless of the task type, the brain responses to moral evaluations can be divided into early emotional arousal processing indexed by the frontal N1, moral intuition indexed by the frontal N2, and middle/late stages of processing integration of emotional arousal and moral cognition which involve elaborative processing and cognitive control, reflected by the frontal P2, parietal P3, parietal LPP, and FSW. Moreover, explicit and implicit moral evaluations mainly differed in the late stage of moral processing indexed by the P3, LPP and FSW. Our findings provide robust evidence for the "hybrid" model supposed by Huebner, which suggested that both explicit and implicit moral evaluations involved a complex interaction between emotional processes and moral cognition, and the later ERP results strongly supported that explicit and implicit moral evaluations represented two relatively independent processes, fitting the multinomial model supposed by Cameron.


Intrinsic nitric oxide-stimulatory activity of lipoteichoic acids from different Gram-positive bacteria.
Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a structural component of the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. Similar to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is expressed in Gram-negative bacteria, LTA exhibits immunostimulatory properties. Frequently observed positive response of LTA in the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay has been interpreted as a sign of LPS contamination, raising doubts about the intrinsic immune activities of LTA. Regarding many similarities in immunobiological and physicochemical properties of LTA and LPS, we hypothesized that similar to LPS, the LAL reactivity of LTA might be due to its ability to bind to LAL. Our data confirm the positivity of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes LTAs in the LAL test. The estimates of suspected LPS content were 605, 10.3, 6.2 and 127 pg/μg LTA, respectively. The effectiveness of LTAs to induce the NO production in rat peritoneal cells was remarkably higher than that of equivalent concentrations of reference LPS (Escherichia coli). The LPS-induced NO was inhibited by polymyxin B (PMX), the IC(50) of PMX:LPS concentration ratio (pg:pg) being 1050:1. Many fold higher concentrations of PMX were needed to partially suppress the NO-augmenting effects of LTAs, applied at concentrations representing the equivalents of LPS. Transposed to the concentrations of LTAs per se, the IC(50)s of the PMX:LTA ratios (μg:μg) ranged from 0.3:1 (S. aureus) to 7.5:1 (B. subtilis). It is concluded that LTA is not necessarily contaminated with LPS. The results prove the intrinsic immunostimulatory properties of LTAs of Gram-positive bacteria. The positive response of LTA in the LAL assay results from its capacity to bind to LAL. In addition, LTA binds with high affinity to PMX.