A recyclable biotransformation system for L-2-aminobutyric acid production based on immobilized enzyme technology.
To make the previously developed biosynthesis of L-2-aminobutyric acid (L-ABA) more suitable for the industrial-scale production. A recyclable biotransformation system was developed based on immobilized enzyme technology. The conversion yield of L-threonine (at 90 g l(-1)) reached 99.9 % and the theoretical yield of L-ABA reached more than 90 % using the optimized biotransformation system by the individual immobilization of threonine deaminase and the co-immobilization of L leucine dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase. 90 g L-threonine l(-1) was converted to 73.9 g L-ABA l(-1) >95 % theoretical yield, within 120-145 min in 30 batch transformation experiments. The recyclable biotransformation system is promising to fulfill industrial requirements for L-ABA production.


Growth response to human growth hormone treatment in children with partial and total growth hormone deficiency.
The growth response during the first and second years of human growth hormone (hGH) treatment was studied in 14 prepubertal children with so-called "partial" GH deficiency (peak GH between 8 and 15 mU/l) and compared to 28 prepubertal children with "total" GH deficiency (peak GH less than 8 mU/l). There was no difference in growth acceleration between children with partial and total GH deficiency, when initial covariables were taken into account. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis initial stature, pre-treatment growth velocity and skinfold thickness were shown to be most related to growth response, but after exclusion of 3 children with a genetic form of total GH deficiency and partial TSH deficiency this relationship was lost. GH levels during provocation tests and auxological criteria have a poor predictive value for growth response to hGH therapy.


Socioeconomic factors, hazardous alcohol consumption, and smoking in patients with minor trauma in an inner-city emergency department.
Emergency Department (ED) patients show a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption and smoking. The objective of this study was to determine if socioeconomic factors and smoking status help to optimize screening for hazardous alcohol consumption (HAC) in patients with minor trauma. A survey was conducted in an ED in an inner-city university hospital. A total of 2562 patients with minor trauma were screened for HAC (≥ 8 points in men and ≥ 5 points in women on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. The median age of participants was 32 years, with 62.1% being male. A total of 84.2% of patients had an Injury Severity Score of 1, indicating minor trauma. Overall, 23.5% of patients showed a pattern of HAC, whereas 46.2% were current smokers. Compared to patients without HAC, those with HAC were characterized by lower incomes, no partnership, living in a single-household, and being unemployed. The strongest discriminative variable for HAC for patients aged ≤ 53 years was smoking status. Gender differences played a role only in patients older than 53 years. Although socioeconomic factors showed a non-equal distribution in patients with respectively without HAC, solely age, gender, and smoking status may provide a successful stratification for alcohol screening and intervention in these patients.


Influence of simulated microgravity on physiological reactions in healthy and virus infected wheat plants of different varieties.
The effects of clinorotation on the 3 varieties of the wheat plants were studied. The chlorophyll content, photochemical activity of the chloroplasts and changes in wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) were analysed. It is established that photosynthetic apparatus in wheat plants, particularly in bred Apogee variety, possesses considerable adaptation potential for the cultivation of plants under the spaceflight conditions.


Comparison of cross-sections of different femoral components for revision total knee replacement.
PURPOSE. To compare the inner contour of the femoral component of 10 total knee replacement (TKR) designs for possible exchange in use. Inner contours of the femoral components of 10 cemented, cruciate-retaining TKR designs (e.motion, Genesis, Genia, Innex, LCS, Multigen Plus, NexGen, PFC, Scorpio, Vanguard) were scanned and reconstructed to 2-dimensional contours. Their cross-sections were compared by superimposition and aligning at the distal and anterior cuts. The patellar notch and outer contour were not analysed. The maximum deviation was 5 mm in the posterior and posterior oblique cuts and 10 mm in the anterior oblique cut. Based on similarity of the inner contour, LCS and Innex was classified as group I, e.motion, Genesis, Scorpio, Vanguard, and Multigen Plus as group II, and Genia, NexGen, and PFC as group III. All 2 designs in group I were not compatible with the other 8 designs. Four of the 5 designs in group II showed good compatibility. All 3 designs in group III significantly differed in the posterior and oblique cuts. A standardised inner contour of the femoral component can increase compatibility of different TKR systems in revision surgery and reduces the extent of bone resection.


Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium isolates from patients in North India.
Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of diarrheal illness in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations. Cryptosporidium species infect a wide range of hosts including humans. Different species are morphologically indistinguishable, and molecular techniques have become the key to detection and source tracking. The present study was designed to study the genetic diversity of human Cryptosporidium isolates in North India. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in stool samples by special staining of fecal smears. DNA was extracted with a Qiagen kit and all samples were genotyped by small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA)-based nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) tool using enzymes SspI and VspI. Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolates were subtyped by sequence analysis of the nested PCR amplified gp60 gene. Fifty-three fecal samples were found to be positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. RFLP analysis revealed 39 isolates as C. hominis and 13 isolates of C. parvum; one sample failed amplification. gp60-based sequencing of C. hominis and C. parvum divided them into eight subgenotype families and 17 subtypes. gp60-based sequencing identified seven cases of mixed infection with C. hominis and C. parvum/Cryptosporidium meleagridis and showed the presence of C. meleagridis in six HIV-positive patients that were indistinguishable in RFLP. Cryptosporidium isolates obtained in the present study from patients in North India belonged to three species, eight subgenotype families, and 17 subtypes. The existence of many Cryptosporidium species, subgenotypes, and subtypes along with mixed infections reveals the complexity of Cryptosporidium transmission; this heterogeneity indicates stable cryptosporidiosis transmission in North India. The results may have further implications in understanding the epidemiology and control of this infection.


Bronchoscopy: Diagnostic and Therapeutic for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
The bronchoscope has gone through much advancement from its origin as a thin metal tube. It has become a highly sophisticated tool for clinicians. Both rigid and the flexible bronchoscopes are invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Treatment of this disease process hinges on accurate diagnosis and lymph node staging. Technologies, such as endobronchial ultrasound, navigational bronchoscopy, and autofluorescence, have improved efficacy of endobronchial diagnosis and sample collection. If a patient is not a candidate for surgery and has a complication from a centrally located mass, the bronchoscope has been used to deliver palliative therapies.


Complete Genome Sequence of a New Firmicutes Species Isolated from Anaerobic Biomass Hydrolysis.
A new Firmicutes isolate, strain HV4-6-A5C, was obtained from the hydrolysis stage of a mesophilic and anaerobic two-stage lab-scale leach-bed system for biomethanation of fresh grass. It is assumed that the bacterial isolate contributes to plant biomass degradation. Here, we report a draft annotated genome sequence of this organism.


Non-islet-cell tumor associated with hypoglycemia in a child: successful long-term therapy with growth hormone.
Hypoglycemia occurred in a 2-year-old girl with neuroblastoma. Initially, growth hormone secretion was suppressed, and she had low levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein-3, but elevated levels of large molecular weight IGF-II. We postulated that the pathogenesis of her hypoglycemia involved production of IGF-II by her neuroblastoma, leading to GH suppression and an abnormally elevated ratio of IGF to IGF binding protein. She was successfully treated with growth hormone; treatment was associated with normalization of the growth hormone-dependent growth factor levels and with euglycemia.


Dynamics of wood fall colonization in relation to sulfide concentration in a mangrove swamp.
Wood debris are an important component of mangrove marine environments. Current knowledge of the ecological role of wood falls is limited by the absence of information on metazoan colonization processes over time. The aim of this study was to provide insights to their temporal dynamics of wood eukaryotic colonization from a shallow water experiment in a mangrove swamp. Combined in situ chemical monitoring and biological surveys revealed that the succession of colonizers in the mangrove swamp relates with the rapid evolution of sulfide concentration on the wood surface. Sulfide-tolerant species are among the first colonizers and dominate over several weeks when the sulfide content is at its maximum, followed by less tolerant opportunistic species when sulfide decreases. This study supports the idea that woody debris can sustain chemosynthetic symbioses over short time-scale in tropical shallow waters.


Post-stress development and healing of supine-restraint induced stomach lesions in the rat.
In Experiment 1, rats were subjected to 3 hr of supine restraint and sacrificed either immediately, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 min following restraint. Rats sacrificed 90 min after restraint revealed significantly more stomach lesions as compared to other treatment conditions. The healing rate for supine-restraint ulcers was observed in Experiment 2 and comparisons with conventional restraint procedures, as reported in other publications, would suggest a slower healing rate for lesions induced with supine restraint. Experiment 3 indicated that cimetidine significantly accelerated the rate of healing for supine-restraint lesions.


Expression of ezrin in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Prognostic impact and clinicopathological correlations.
There have been few investigations into the effects of ezrin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of ezrin expression on the prognosis of patients with OSCC. Eighty patients were included in the retrospective study. Expression and localization of ezrin were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Associations were identified using χ² tests. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. Seventy-six (95%) patients showed ezrin expression. Ezrin expression had a significant impact on overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001). With increasing expression, the 5-year OS rate dropped from 100% for ezrin-negative patients to 47% for patients with high expression. Multivariate analysis confirmed the significant influence of ezrin expression on OS (p = 0.011). Cytoplasmic localization of ezrin led to a significantly lower survival rate in comparison with membranous expression. Ezrin may serve as a biomarker that predicts biologically aggressive behavior of OSCC and hence improves therapeutic techniques and the prognosis of patients affected with the disease.


Association between HLA-DR2 and production of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 by mononuclear cells activated by lipopolysaccharide.
The production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) by lipopolysaccharide-activated mononuclear cells from 39 healthy donors was studied in vitro by bioassay and ELISA. The donors were typed for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DP antigens. There was no detectable production of TNF beta (lymphotoxin). The intracellular levels of bioactive TNF alpha were minimal or undetectable in all cases. Cells from HLA-DR2+ individuals secreted significantly lower amounts of TNF alpha than cells from HLA-DR2- donors [2 ng/ml (1.5-4.4) and 7.5 ng/ml (3.9-8.3) respectively (medians 25-75%); P less than 0.01]. The difference disappeared if the cells were preactivated for 2 days with 1000 U/ml of recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma). In some individuals, the TNF alpha response increased considerably after IFN-gamma priming, in particular in those possessing the HLA-DR2 antigen. In contrast, there was no detectable difference in the production of IL-1 beta between the donors, and the IL-1 beta response decreased significantly after rIFN-gamma priming in HLA-DR2+ individuals [2.3 ng/ml (1.1-8.4) versus 7.2 ng/ml (5-7.9); P less than 0.05] and in HLA-DR2- individuals [3 ng/ml (1.1-5.3) versus 5.7 ng/ml (3.9-7.5); P less than 0.01]. There was no correlation between the TNF alpha and IL-1 responses and any of the other HLA-DR, -DP, or -B antigens. There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of TNF alpha measured by ELISA and by cytotoxicity assay. However, the TNF alpha-containing supernatants from 9 out of 37 individuals appeared to contain inhibitor(s) of the biological activity of TNF alpha. The presence of inhibitor(s) was not associated with any HLA antigens.


Preliminary evaluation of diagnostic accuracy and precision of a competitive ELISA for detection of antibodies to Rift Valley fever virus in cattle and sheep sera.
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a mosquito-borne, zoonotic pathogen, is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and has spread beyond the continent to the Arabian Peninsula. The high likelihood of RVFV's spread to other non-endemic countries spurs the need for development and implementation of rapid diagnostic tests and surveillance programs. In this preliminary evaluation, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy and precision of a recombinant RVFV nucleoprotein based competitive ELISA (cELISA) assay to detect RVFV antibodies compared to a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT80), using sera of cattle and sheep that were experimentally infected with either the MP-12 RVFV vaccine or a wild-type RVFV strain, as well as using known RVFV negative sera. With the manufacturer recommended 60% inhibition for the cELISA and a 1:40 titer for the PRNT80, the sensitivity and specificity of the cELISA assay was determined to be 95.1% (95% CI = 83.5-99.4%) and 91.8% (95% CI = 85.0-96.2%), respectively. Antibodies to RVFV were first detected at 5 days post inoculation (dpi) in both species' sera. The prototype cELISA is an easy to implement, sensitive, specific, and safe test for the detection of antibodies to RVFV that can be used in surveillance programs.


Mutant avian erythroblastosis virus with restricted target cell specificity.
Avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) induces a fatal erythroblastosis within 2 weeks of intravenous injection in chicks in virtually 100% of cases. In chicks injected intramuscularly, sarcomas frequently develop at the site of injection before the animals die from erythroblastosis. In vitro, AEV transforms both erythroblasts, derived from bone marrow cultures, and fibroblasts. These effects have been shown to be a general property of AEV and not of separate leukaemia- and sarcoma-inducing forms of the virus. AEV is defective for replication and can be propagated only in the prewence of helper virus. Its transformation specificity is independent of the helper virus used. It is not clear whether AEV has two different genes controlling transformation of the two types of target cell or whether it has only one gene coding for both. To investigate this question, we looked for mutants of AEV unable to transform one of the two types of target cell. We now describe such a mutant, which is defective for erythroblast transformation but which can still transform fibroblasts.


A biomechanical comparison of a locking plate, a nail, and a 95° angled blade plate for fixation of subtrochanteric femoral fractures.
To compare the biomechanical performance of a cephalomedullary nail (CMN), a proximal femoral locking plate, and a 95° angled blade plate in a comminuted subtrochanteric fracture model. A comminuted subtrochanteric femoral fracture model was created with a 2-cm gap below the lesser trochanter in 15 pairs of human cadaveric femora confirmed to be nonosteoporotic. The femora were randomized to treatment with one of the previously mentioned 3 devices. Each was tested under incrementally increasing cyclic load up to 90,000 cycles from 50% to 250% of body weight to simulate progressive weight bearing during 3 months of an average 700-N (approximately, 70 kg or 150 lb) person. Force, number of cycles, and total load sustained to reach 10 mm of displacement were compared. Failure modes were also noted. The CMN construct withstood significantly more cycles, failed at a significantly higher force, and withstood a significantly greater load than either of the plate constructs (P < 0.001). Varus collapse was significantly lower in the CMN construct (P < 0.0001). Modes of failure differed among implant-bone constructs with damage to the femoral head through implant cutout in 5 of 10 blade plate specimens and 2 of 10 CMN specimens, whereas no damage to the femoral head bone was observed in any of the locking plate constructs. The CMN construct was biomechanically superior to either the locking plate or 95° blade plate constructs. The locking plate construct was biomechanically equivalent to the blade plate construct.


Asian Upper Blepharoplasty: A Comprehensive Approach.
Asian upper blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for Asians, but less optimal result is still common. The authors' comprehensive approach to Asian upper blepharoplasty includes (1) to determine both the height and length of the upper skin crease; (2) to create more ideal anatomy of the upper eyelid; (3) to reconstruct the desirable anatomic structure of the upper eyelid skin crease; and (4) to add a medial epicanthoplasty if needed to enhance cosmetic results.


Utility of preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in adult and pediatric cochlear implant candidates.
Determine the utility of preoperative imaging in adult and pediatric cochlear implant candidates. Retrospective chart review. Medical records of 101 consecutive adult and 20 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent 137 cochlear implantation (CI) procedures at a single institution were reviewed. Computed tomography (CT) was obtained preoperatively in 110 (90.9%) patients, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained in 102 (84.3%) patients, and both were obtained in 94 (77.7%) patients. MRI revealed one acoustic neuroma and two meningiomas, which affected surgical planning for three (2.2%) procedures. MRI identified enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) in 2.0% of adult patients. CT demonstrated middle ear disease in four (3.3%) patients. CT was useful in indicating round window and cochlear patency in three (2.2%) patients with cochlear otosclerosis. Twenty pediatric patients underwent 27 CI procedures. Preoperative CT in the pediatric cohort demonstrated five (25%) dysplastic cochleae, three (15%) dysplastic vestibules and/or semicircular canals, and three (15%) EVAs. In one patient, CT demonstrated a duplicated right internal auditory canal (IAC) and hypoplastic left IAC; MRI confirmed hypoplastic cochlear nerves. Preoperative MRI can demonstrate retrocochlear pathology, cochlear patency, and EVA in adults being evaluated for cochlear implantation. CT may provide additional information in patients with chronic otitis media or otosclerosis. However, in postlingually deafened adults without conductive or asymmetrical hearing loss, imaging is unlikely to affect surgical decision making. Both CT and MRI can identify anomalies in pediatric patients. MRI does not offer substantial benefit over CT for routine evaluation of pediatric inner ear and temporal bone anatomy. 4 Laryngoscope, 126:1440-1445, 2016.


Influence of CASP9 c.-1339A>G and CASP3 c.-1191A>G variants in outcome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Abnormalities in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, associated with single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in caspase (CASP) genes, alter head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) proliferation and progression. This prospective study aimed to evaluate whether CASP9 c.-1339A>G and CASP3 c.-1191A>G SNVs influence the outcome of patients with HNSCC. Two hundred sixty-two HNSCC patients were enrolled in the study. DNA and RNA of peripheral blood samples were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genotyping and quantitative PCR method for gene expression, respectively. Differences in CASP3 expressions were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox analyses. CASP3 c.-1191AG or GG genotype was associated with higher CASP3 expression when compared with AA genotype (0.50 arbitrary units (AUs) ± 0.29 standard deviation (SD) vs 0.28 AUs ± 0.12 SD; P = .02). Patients with CASP9 c.-1339GG genotype had 1.54 more chance of presenting disease progression or relapse than patients with CASP9 c.-1339AA or AG genotype. Patients with CASP9 c.-1339GG and CASP3 c.-1191GG combined genotype had 2.64 more chance of presenting progression or relapse of the disease and 2.84 more chance of evolving to death than those with the remaining combined genotypes. Our findings provide, for the first time, preliminary evidence that inherited abnormalities in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, related to CASP9 c.-1339A>G and CASP3 c.-1191A>G SNVs, act as predictors of HNSCC patients' survival.


The use of rapid diagnostic test of procalcitonin serum levels for the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis.
Because serum Procalcitonin is reported to be a valid postmortem marker of sepsis, this prospective study was carried out to determine whether the semi-quantitative PCT-Q((R))-Test (B.R.A.H.M.S., Germany) is a reliable indicator of postmortem Procalcitonin (PCT) serum levels, thus enabling a quick "tableside" diagnosis of sepsis. Postmortem PCT-levels of 70 forensic and 78 clinical-pathological autopsy cases (n=148) were examined using the B.R.A.H.M.S-PCT-Q-Test during autopsy. 27 cases were categorized as the cases of sepsis according to the ACCP/SCCM Consensus Conference criteria. 121 cases were assigned to the non-sepsis group. Among the 148 cases, 18 samples could not be analyzed by the reason of strong hemolysis. Using a cut-off point of 2 ng/ml, 20 cases of sepsis were identified (true positive) whereas 3 cases of sepsis were not detected (false negative). In the non-sepsis group (107 cases) 6 cases showed a positive testing (false positive). When applied within 48 h postmortem, the PCT-Q-Test showed a sensitivity of 86.96% and a specificity of 94.39% (at cut-off 2 ng/ml). Likelihood ratios and positive predictive values proved to be lower in the forensic autopsy group (PPV: 59.3% in forensic case vs. 85.1% in clinicopathological cases; NPV: 98.73% in forensic cases vs. 95.2% in clinicopathological cases). The PPVs using a cut-off point of 10 ng/ml were 100% in both groups independent of sepsis prevalences. The results show, that a high NPV for prevalences ranging from 3% to 30% can be reached using a 2 ng/ml cut-off point, whereas a cut-off of 10 ng/ml ensures a high PPV for the respective prevalences in the absence of exclusion criteria. The study provides strong evidence that the introduction of rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) of postmortem PCT serum levels may be useful in achieving rapid distinction between sepsis and non-sepsis-related causes of death, especially in conjunction with the medical case history and further autopsy results. In addition, the use of RDTs enables clinicians to conduct an evidence-based validation of clinical diagnosis, thus facilitating future clinical decision-making.


Economic costs and Predictors of occupation-related Injuries in Ethiopian sugar industries from the Employer's perspective: top-down approach and friction method.
For many industrial workers, occupational injuries are a common health and safety concern. However, sufficient information on the economic costs and predictors of occupation-related injuries from the perspective of employers is lacking in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to close this gap by quantifying the economic costs and predictors of occupation-related injuries in Ethiopian manufacturing industries from the employer's perspective. A cross-sectional study was employed to estimate the employer-side economic cost of occupation-related injuries from December 2021 to March 2022. This study used a top-down approach to compute direct costs, while the friction method was used for indirect cost estimation. Injury data were obtained from the Bureau of Labour and Social Affairs and the industries, while cost data were from workers' compensation records. The insurance company's injury compensation record was triangulated with industries' data. The study collected primary data via an interview-administered, semi-structured questionnaire from 1136 randomly selected injured cases. Statistical analysis was carried out with STATA version 14 software. The study employed a generalized linear model to identify predictors of total cost by considering the non-normal distribution of the total cost. Exponentiate coefficients with a 95% confidence interval were used to express the direction and strength of the association. The survey participation rate was 100%. From the perspective of the employers, the total cost of occupation-related injury was 22,587,635.32 Ethiopian birr (537,800.84 $).Indirect and direct costs accounted for 65.86 and 34.14% of the overall expenses, respectively. Long-term absence from work (exp (b) = 0.85), having a sleeping disorder (exp (b) = 0.90), co-morbidity (exp (b) = 0.85), and severity (type) of injury (exp (b) = 1.11) were predictors significantly associated with the total cost variability in the fully adjusted model. Employers' toll of occupation-related injuries has severe economic implications. The influential factors that elevated the total cost variation were: long-term absence from work, unsafe acts of the workers, having a sleeping disorder, co-morbidity, and severity (type) of injury. Therefore, the identified modifiable factors are the areas of intervention to reduce the cost of occupation-related injuries.


Correction: Insight into the introduction of domestic cattle and the process of Neolithization to the Spanish region Galicia by genetic evidence.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249537.].


Nickel-Catalyzed Allylic Defluorinative Cross-Electrophile Coupling with Cycloalkyl Silyl Peroxides as the Alkyl Source.
Herein we demonstrate the first successful application of cycloalkyl silyl peroxides (CSP) as an electrophilic coupling partner in the cross-electrophile coupling reaction. Diverse CSP are efficiently cross-coupled with an array of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes under the catalysis of nickel with the assistance of zinc as the reducing agent. This method allows the use of unstrained CSP as the carbonyl-containing alkyl source in the allylic defluorinative reaction, to access a variety of gem-difluoroalkenes bearing a pendent ketone moiety with high functionality tolerance.


Effect of storage age and containers on the physicochemical degradation of guggul oleo-resin.
Guggul is a gum oleo-resin, tapped from a data deficient plant- Commiphora wightii (Arnott.) Bhandari in India. It is extensively used in ayurvedic drugs and formulations since ages. Natural plant-based products; especially aromatic ones like guggul gum oleo-resin deteriorates, qualitatively during its storage and transits before reaching the industry for its value addition. This economical and ecological loss can be avoided if it is stored in proper containers. Physico-chemical degradation of guggul samples stored were analysed by scanned electron microscopy, fourier transformed infra red, thermogravimatric, Powdered X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis for carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur. Physico-chemical degradation of guggul oleo-resin occurs with the age of storage and the type of storage containers used. Among the four storage containers (earthen pot, plastic jar, polythene bag, jute bag) evaluated, earthen pot was found to be the best in checking the qualitative loss of guggul even upto 24 months. The qualitative information generated in the study on guggul storage may be useful to the drug industry and guggul traders. It may encourage them practice storing guggul in earthen pots against current practice of using jute bags and polythene bags, to store it.


Use of an open-source electronic health record to establish a "virtual hospital": A tale of two curricula.
The electronic health record (EHR) is central to medical informatics. Its use is also recognized as an important skill for future clinicians. Typically, medical students' first exposure to an EHR is when they start their clinical internships, and medical informatics students may or may not get experience with an EHR before graduation. We describe the process of implementing an open-source EHR in two curricula: Medicine and Medical informatics. For medical students, the primary goals were to allow students to practice analyzing information from the EHR, creating therapeutic plans, and communicating with their colleagues via the EHR before they start their first clinical rotations. For medical informatics students, the primary goal was to give students hands-on experience with creating decision support in an EHR. We used the OpenMRS electronic health record with a custom decision support module based on Arden Syntax. Medical students needed a secure, stable environment to practice medical reasoning. Medical informatics students needed a more isolated system to experiment with the EHR's internal configuration. Both student groups needed synthetic patient cases that were realistic, but in different aspects. For medical students, it is essential that these cases are clinically consistent, and events unfold in a logical order. By contrast, synthetic data for medical informatics students should mimic the data quality problems found in real patient data. Medical informatics students show more mature reasoning about data quality issues and workflow integration than prior to using the EHR. Comments on both course evaluations have been positive, including comments on how working with a real-world EHR provides a realistic experience. The open-source EHR OpenMRS has proven to be a valuable addition to both the medicine and medical informatics curriculum. Both sets of students experience use of the EHR as giving them valuable, realistic learning experiences.


Insights on the Quest for the Structure-Function Relationship of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier.
The molecular identity of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) was presented in 2012, forty years after the active transport of cytosolic pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix was first demonstrated. An impressive amount of in vivo and in vitro studies has since revealed an unexpected interplay between one, two, or even three protein subunits defining different functional MPC assemblies in a metabolic-specific context. These have clear implications in cell homeostasis and disease, and on the development of future therapies. Despite intensive efforts by different research groups using state-of-the-art computational tools and experimental techniques, MPCs' structure-based mechanism remains elusive. Here, we review the current state of knowledge concerning MPCs' molecular structures by examining both earlier and recent studies and presenting novel data to identify the regulatory, structural, and core transport activities to each of the known MPC subunits. We also discuss the potential application of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies of MPC reconstituted into nanodiscs of synthetic copolymers for solving human MPC2.


[Use of the M.H.Q. test (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire) in the diagnosis of neuroses].
A psychological interview and the MHQ, Koch, Rorschach, TAT, Machover and family design psychological tests were conducted in pneumopathic patients. The results obtained with the MHQ were compared with those of the other tests with respect to the diagnosis of psychoneurosis. A perfect fit was observed.


Video feedback: is it worth the effort? A response to Borup et al.
It is easier than ever to provide video feedback. Research has shown that video feedback, among other things, can help increase conversational and affective communication. However, research also suggests that despite its benefits, instructors and students might prefer text-based feedback. The following paper responds to research by Borup, West, and Thomas (Educ Technol Res Dev 63(2): 161-184. 10.1007/s11423-015-9367-8, 2015), describes the value of their research, how it can be applied, some limitations, and future areas of research in a time where colleges are shifting to digital.


Comparison of D65/10° and A/10° illuminant/observer systems for colour measurement of raw pork.
In pork colour measurements, the value of each parameter depends on the type of illuminant used. The spectra of D65 and A illuminants show great differences, with illuminant A having greater emission in the red part of the visible spectrum. Therefore, its application in the colour measurements of the pork longissimus muscle should result in larger changes in redness (Δa*) and hue angle (Δh°) and higher correlation between Δa* and Δh° and pH48 and WHC. The purpose of this study was to compare the suitability of the illuminant/observer systems D65/10° and A/10° for colour measurements of pork longissimus muscle, using the CIELAB and CIELCh systems. The study involved 168 samples of longissimus lumborum muscle taken from 168 carcasses (mean weight 90.2 ±6.0 kg) of pigs slaughtered on an industrial processing line. The moisture content, crude protein, intramuscular fat content, WHC, and pH48 were determined. Colour measurements using CIELAB and CIELCh scales were carried out with both D65/10° and A/10° illuminant/observer systems and reflectance measurements. The chromatic absorbance value at 525 nm (A525p) and the relative amounts of MbO2, MetMb, and Mb were calculated according to methods proposed by Krzywicki (1979) and AMSA (2012). Meat samples were illuminated and differences in the values of colour parameters (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, ΔC*, Δh°), chromatic absorbance at 525 nm (ΔA525p), and in the relative amounts of chemical forms of myoglobin (ΔMbO2, ΔMetMb, ΔMb) were determined. In addition, hue difference (ΔH) and total difference (ΔE) were calculated. The values of correlation coefficients between moisture content (especially crude protein and intramuscular fat, and colour parameters) were low and often statistically insignificant. Higher and mostly significant values of correlation coefficients were found between colour parameters and WHC and pH48. The A/10° system resulted in higher values of correlation coefficients than D65/10° between (I) WHC, pH48 and (II) h°, Δa* and Δh°. At the same time, in the A/10° system the combined effect of the relative amounts of myoglobin chemical forms on the variation of h° values and the combined effect of changes (Δ) in their amounts on the variation of Δh° and ΔH and ΔE were greater than in D65/10°, with the greatest effect of these changes (Δ) in the amount of MetMb. Replacement of the illuminant/observer D65/10° system with the A/10° system in colour measurements of raw pork longissimus muscle changed the proportion of pigments and the relative number of chemical forms of myoglobin in influencing the values of colour parameters, primarily h°. Therefore, using the A/10° system for colour measurements allows us to better capture the differences (Δ) in redness Δa* and especially in hue angle (Δh°), as well as hue difference (ΔH) and total difference (ΔE), with an increase in the relative amount of MetMb becoming the main determinant of these differences (Δ). At the same time, measurements using the A/10° system increased the correlation coefficients between WHC and pH48 and changes in redness (Δa*) and hue angle (Δh°). Therefore, the A/10° system compared to the D65/10° system may be more useful for measuring the colour stability of raw pork, especially the determination of Δh° and ΔH and ΔE. >.


Optimization of Chromium Removal by the Indigenous Bacterium Bacillus spp. REP02 Using the Response Surface Methodology.
An indigenous bacterium, Bacillus REP02, was isolated from locally sourced chromium electroplating industrial effluents. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the five critical medium parameters responsible for higher % Cr(2+) removal by the bacterium Bacillus REP02. A three-level Box-Behnken factorial design was used to optimize K2HPO4, yeast extract, MgSO4, NH4NO3, and dextrose for Cr(2+) removal. A coefficient of determination (R (2)) value (0.93), model F-value (3.92) and its low P-value (F < 0.0008) along with lower value of coefficient of variation (5.39) indicated the fitness of response surface quadratic model during the present study. At optimum parameters of K2HPO4 (0.6 g L(-1)), yeast extract (5.5 g L(-1)), MgSO4 (0.04 g L(-1)), NH4NO3 (0.20 g L(-1)), and dextrose (12.50 g L(-1)), the model predicted 98.86% Cr(2+) removal, and experimentally, 99.08% Cr(2+) removal was found.


Ankle impingement syndromes.
Impingement is a clinical syndrome of end-range joint pain or motion restriction caused by the direct mechanical abutment of bone or soft tissues. Impingement syndromes at the ankle may occur after acute macrotrauma or repetitive microtrauma. Modern imaging modalities can show underlying diseases and anatomic variations and assist with patient management. Implicit in the definition of impingement as a clinical syndrome is that the diagnosis remains clinical, because imaging changes alone do not reliably predict symptoms or clinical relevance. This article reviews the anatomy, pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis, imaging, and management of various impingement syndromes around the ankle.


Mettl3-mediated m6A modification plays a role in lipid metabolism disorders and progressive liver damage in mice by regulating lipid metabolism-related gene expression.
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant and conserved epigenetic modification of mRNA, participates in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the roles of m6A modification in liver lipid metabolism have yet to be understood entirely. We aimed to investigate the roles of the m6A "writer" protein methyltransferase-like 3 (Mettl3) in liver lipid metabolism and the underlying mechanisms. We assessed the expression of Mettl3 in liver tissues of diabetes (db/db) mice, obese (ob/ob) mice, high saturated fat-, cholesterol-, and fructose-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice, and alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) mice by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Hepatocyte-specific Mettl3 knockout mice were used to evaluate the effects of Mettl3 deficiency in mouse liver. The molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of Mettl3 deletion in liver lipid metabolism were explored by multi-omics joint analysis of public data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and further validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Significantly decreased Mettl3 expression was associated with NAFLD progression. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of Mettl3 resulted in significant lipid accumulation in the liver, increased serum total cholesterol levels, and progressive liver damage in mice. Mechanistically, loss of Mettl3 significantly downregulated the expression levels of multiple m6A-modified mRNAs related to lipid metabolism, including Adh7, Cpt1a, and Cyp7a1, further promoting lipid metabolism disorders and liver injury in mice. In summary, our findings demonstrate that the expression alteration of genes related to lipid metabolism by Mettl3-mediated m6A modification contributes to the development of NAFLD.


Comparison of simulation methods for electronic structure calculations with experimental electron energy-loss spectra.
The electronic structure of hexagonal GaN is studied using two simulation techniques in order to develop a method to interpret the fine-structure of an experimental nitrogen K-edge electron energy loss spectrum obtained using a scanning transmission electron microscope. The application of these simulation methods to the bulk spectrum is a necessary first step in developing a fundamental understanding of the effect of changes in the electronic structure on the properties of defects. It is found here that both of the techniques used, multiple scattering (MS) and density functional theory (DFT), produce excellent agreement with the experimental bulk spectrum. The MS method is limited in accuracy but efficient in time, while the DFT method is more accurate but time consuming. Through the combination of these methods, experimental energy loss spectra can be readily understood, and a means to unravel the complexities of the electronic structure can be determined.


Structural studies of immunomodulatory (1 → 3)-, (1 → 4)-α glucan from an edible mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus.
A water soluble polysaccharide (PGPS) with molecular weight ~ 1.4 × 105 Da was isolated by alkali treatment from an edible mushroom Polyporus grammocephalus and purified by gel chromatography using sepharose-6B column. Monosaccharide analysis revealed that PGPS was made up of glucose only. PGPS contained (1 → 3)-α-D-Glcp and (1 → 4)-α-D-Glcp moieties in a molar ratio of nearly 1:2. Through a series of chemical and spectroscopic (1D/2D NMR) investigations, the repeating unit of the glucan was established as: →3)-α-D-Glcp(1 → [4)-α-D-Glcp(1]2→ This α-glucan was observed to stimulate some prime components of immune system, namely, macrophages, splenocytes, and thymocytes.


Skin temperature in the extremities of healthy and neurologically impaired children.
Little emphasis has been accorded to peripheral skin temperature impairments in children with neurological disorders but attention has been paid to the significance of cold extremities (autonomic failure) for well-being and quality of life in adults stroke patients. Therefore, it seems important to investigate skin temperature in children with neurological disorder, especially when their communication is impaired. In the present study, we wanted to objectively verify any skin temperature differences between pre-school children with and without neurological disorders and also ascertain if any correlation existed between skin temperature and physical activity. Skin temperatures in 25 healthy children and 15 children with cerebral or spinal cord damages were assessed using infrared radiation. The temperatures were recorded on the palm and the dorsal surface of the hands and on the sole and dorsal surface of the feet three times at 15-minute intervals over 30min. A significant lower mean skin temperature in all measurement points was seen in non-walking children with cerebral damages compared to healthy controls. Also, the mean skin temperature was significantly lower in all foot measuring points in the children with cerebral damages that were unable to walk compared to those walking. In conclusion, as cold extremities may result in impaired well-being and hypothetically may be associated with other symptoms born by the child, further investigations of thermal dysfunction and autonomic function are of importance and treatment may be warranted.


Viral and non-viral induced fusion of pronase-digested human erythrocyte ghosts.
Human erythrocyte ghosts but was able to fuse only iso-human erythrocyte ghosts. Iso- and hypo-human erythrocyte ghosts were incubated with the proteolytic enzyme pronase under isotonic (iso-human erythrocyte ghosts) or hypotonic (hypo-human erythrocyte ghosts) conditions. Gel electrophoresis and electron microscope (freeze-etching) studies revealed that most of the erythrocyte membrane polypeptides were hydrolyzed by pronase under hypotonic conditions. Sendai virus readily agglutinated both pronase-digested iso-human erythrocyte ghosts and hypo-human erythrocyte ghosts were fused by the non-viral fusogenic agent glyceromonooleate. Freeze-etching studies revealed that during fusion the membranes of pronase-digested human erythrocyte ghosts are intermixed.


Lectin reactivity of PNPF, a polyornithine-binding neurite-promoting factor.
The fate of dissociated neurons from 8-day chick embryo ciliary ganglia, cultured in serum-containing media on polyornithine substrata, is influenced by two different macromolecular factors. The neurons will die within 24 h in the absence of CNTF, the eye-derived ciliary neuronotrophic factor. Even when supported by CNTF, however, ciliary neurons do not grow neurites unless the polyornithine substratum is coated with PNPF, a polyornithine-binding neurite-promoting factor. PNPF activity present in rat Schwannoma-conditioned medium has been shown to behave as a large, acidic, trypsin-sensitive molecule. In the experiments reported here the lectin reactivity of PNPF has been investigated. Using lectin affinity chromatography PNPF was found to bind to concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin from which it could be respectively eluted with the specific sugars alpha-methyl-D-mannoside and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. PNPF did not bind to Ulex europaeus or Dolichus biflorus agglutinins. Pretreatment of polyornithine-bound PNPF with concanavalin A before cell seeding prevented neurite outgrowth from ciliary neurons in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting neuronal survival. This inhibitory effect of concanavalin A could be removed with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. Wheat germ agglutinin failed to inhibit the neurite-promoting effects of polyornithine-bound PNPF.


Systemic sclerosis overlap and non-overlap syndromes share clinical characteristics but differ in prognosis and treatments.
To screen for concomitant autoimmune disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (overlap SSc) and to describe their clinical characteristics and prognosis. This was a two-center retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with SSc according to the 2013 ACR-EULAR scleroderma classification criteria were screened for concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren syndrome (SgS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patient characteristics were retrieved from the medical records and were compared to those of a non-overlap SSc cohort. Among the 534 SSc patients studied, thirty-four (6.4%) were identified as having overlap SSc. There were 21 (3.9%) patients with RA, 14 (2.6%) with SgS and 4 (0.7%) with SLE (5 patients had 2 AISD) . The disease phenotype of overlap SSc was similar to that of non-overlap SSc in terms of cutaneous phenotype, prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension, interstitial lung disease, digital ulcers and mortality. Using a multivariate Cox model, age (HR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.02-1.07]), the modified Rodnan skin score (HR = 1.08 per point, 95% CI [1.05-1.11]), and the presence of concomitant SgS (HR = 3.79, 95% CI [1.38-10.40]) were significantly associated with mortality. Overlap SSc were more likely to receive corticosteroids (85.3% vs. 45%, p < 0.001), immunosuppressive drugs (82.4% vs. 49.2%, p < 0.001) and biologics (52.9% vs. 3.8%, p < ZZ0.001). While overlap and non-overlap SSc shared common characteristics, patients with SgS/SSc had a higher risk of mortality, and those with RA/SSc received more corticosteroids, methotrexate and biologics. Screening for an associated AISD should be promoted since their co-occurrence with SSc may affect prognosis and treatments.


Infertility revealing intratubular germinal cell neoplasia of the testis: Case report and review of the literature.
Testicular cancer is the most frequent solid tumor in young people. Most germ cell tumors of the testis, with the exception of vitelline tumors and teratomas in children, and spermatocytic seminoma in the elderly, derive from a common precursor. This precursor, initially described as carcinoma in situ (CIS), is now referred to as intratubular Germinal Cell Neoplasia (ITGCN). We report the case of a 37-year-old man with intratubular Germinal Cell Neoplasia (ITGCN) on a testis already treated for cryptorchidism in a context of infertility. We proposed active surveillance, but the patient preferred radiotherapy. The origin of ITGCN is still not fully understood. The detection of ITGN is often incidental since it typically does not present with noticeable symptoms, and clinical examination may appear normal. The standard treatment for ITGCN is scrotal radiotherapy. The standard treatment for ITGCN is scrotal radiotherapy. However, for patients who desire to preserve fertility, regular observation may be considered as an alternative.


Phage typing, PCR amplification for mecA gene, and antibiotic resistance patterns as epidemiologic markers in nosocomial outbreaks of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of community and hospital-acquired infections. Bacteriophage considered as a major risk factor acquires S. aureus new virulence genetic elements. A total number of 119 S. aureus isolated from different specimens obtained from (RKH) were distinguished by susceptibility to 19 antimicrobial agents, phage typing, and PCR amplification for mecA gene. All of MRSA isolates harbored mecA gene, except three unique isolates. The predominant phage group is belonging to the (mixed group). Phage group (II) considered as an epidemiological marker correlated to β-lactamase hyper producer isolates. MRSA isolates indicated high prevalence of phage group (II) with highly increase for phage types (Ø3A), which were correlated to the skin. Phage types (Ø80/Ø81) played an important roll in Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (CAMRSA). Three outpatients MRSA isolates had low multiresistance against Bacitracin (Ba) and Fusidic acid (FD), considered as CAMRSA isolates. It was detected that group I typed all FD-resistant MSSA isolates. Phage groups (M) and (II) were found almost to be integrated for Gentamycin (GN) resistance especially phage type (Ø95) which relatively increased up to 20% in MRSA. Tetracycline (TE) resistant isolates typed by groups (II) and (III) in MSSA. Only one isolate resistant to Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (SXT) was typed by (III/V) alone in MSSA. MRSA isolates resistant to Chloramphenicol (C) and Ba were typed by all groups except (V). It could be concluded that (PERSA) S. aureus isolates from the wound that originated and colonized, and started to build up multi-resistance against the topical treatment antibiotics. In this study, some unique sporadic isolates for both MRSA and MSSA could be used as biological, molecular and epidemiological markers such as prospective tools.


Localized states and quantum effect of photo-generated carriers in photovoltaic system.
We have fabricated the multiple nanolayers impuritied on silicon pillars for Si solar cells to pick up photons in ultraviolet and infrared region of solar spectra, in which the localized states originated from nanosilicon doped with oxygen are built to avoid Auger recombination, and some interesting quantum phenomena in the localized states have been observed. The quantum effect of photo-generated carriers has been observed in I-V curve measurement on the photovoltaic sample prepared in oxygen by using nanosecond pulsed laser. More interesting, the twin states of quantum vibration are measured in the localized states originated from the impuritied nanosilicon, which provides a stable reservoir for electrons in the photovaltaic system. It should be noted that the amplitude change of the quantum vibration occurs under magnetic field with 0.33T on the sample prepared in oxygen, owing to the electron spin in the localized states. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra measured from 300 nm to 1700 nm exhibit the localized states in various regions in the photovoltaic system, in which the electrons can stand in the localized states with longer lifetime to be uneasy into Auger recombination.


Feedback control of human alpha rhythm from the central area.
Twenty subjects, aged 17 to 25, were given from 5 to 10 sessions of training in controlling alpha. They were divided into three groups, respectively reinforced for increasing alpha from the central area, reinforced for decreasing alpha from the central area, and given noncontingent reinforcement. Compared with the initial baseline, the alpha of the noncontingent subjects did not change, while those reinforced for increases were reliably higher and those reinforced for decreases reliably lower than the noncontingent group. A slight trend toward improvement during successive sessions was not reliable. Since the experiment was conducted in the Soviet Union, the subjects had no expectations of an "alpha experience." Although tests showed a slight elevation in mood at the end of the sessions, there were no differences among the groups. There was an increase in reports of fatigue after the training sessions. There were no reports of using visual or somatomotor maneuvers as a means of controlling alpha. Furthermore, alpha rhythm control was not found to be consistently correlated with changes in heart rate, respiration, or mood, as determined by cross-correlation analysis.


Incidence of COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis in COVID-19 Patients after Discharge from the COVID-19 Hospital.
There are studies available on the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in hospitalized patients but not on the incidence of CAM in post-discharge patients. The aim of our study was to find the incidence of CAM in the patients discharged from a COVID hospital. Adult patients with COVID discharged between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 were contacted and enquired about sign and symptoms of CAM. Data of all included patients were collected from electronic records. A total of 850 patients responded, among which 59.4% were males, 66.4% patients had co-morbidities, and 24.2% had diabetes mellitus. Around 73% of patients had moderate to severe disease and were given steroids; however, only two patients developed CAM post discharge. The incidence of CAM post discharge was low in our study, which could be attributed to protocolized therapy and intensive monitoring.


Increasing the Visibility and Influence of Canadian Nurses within the United Nations System.
Founded in 1945, the United Nations (UN) system has become the place where countries come together to discuss complex and multifaceted issues that no one country can tackle alone. Civil society continues to be an integral part of the UN system, supporting the work of various entities and providing expertise on core pillars such as development, human rights and peace and security. Some global nursing leaders have made considerable progress in increasing nursing engagement and visibility across the system; however, representation remains small. Despite a strong appetite to be involved in global public policy, there is also a need to increase awareness and knowledge of how to engage with and navigate key global organizations. Numerous opportunities exist for civil society to participate in, learn from and influence the work of the UN. This article provides Canadian nursing leaders with examples of pathways to explore to become formally affiliated with entities within the UN system.


Inhibitory effect of zinc on glucose-stimulated zinc/insulin secretion in an insulin-secreting β-cell line.
Diminished or inappropriate secretion of insulin is associated with type II diabetes. The cellular/molecular mechanism coupled with the regulation of insulin secretion is still under intense investigation. Divalent ion zinc (Zn(2+)) is co-packaged and co-secreted with insulin and is intimately involved in the process of insulin biosynthesis and the maturation of insulin secretory granules. The study reported here investigated glucose-stimulated zinc secretion (GSZS) and the effect of zinc on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in the HIT-T15 pancreatic β-cell line. Zinc secretion was measured using a newly developed fluorescent zinc imaging approach, and the insulin secretion was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There was apparent granular-like zinc staining in β-cells. The application of glucose induced detectable zinc secretion or GSZS. Like GSIS, GSZS was dependent on the glucose concentration (5-20 mm) and the presence of extracellular calcium. The application of a zinc chelator enhanced GSZS. When brief paired-pulse glucose stimulations, which involve the initial glucose stimulation followed by a second round of glucose stimulation, were applied, zinc secretion or GSZS that followed the first pulse was inhibited. This inhibition was reversed by zinc chelation, suggesting a feedback mechanism on GSZS by zinc secreted from β-cells. Finally, the application of zinc (50 μm) strongly inhibited GSIS as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The present study suggests that insulin secretion is regulated by co-secreted zinc that may act as an autocrine inhibitory modulator.


Sensitization to epithelial antigens in chronic mucosal inflammatory disease. III. Serum factor modulates circulating and mucosal mononuclear-cell reactivity to epithelial cell-associated components of colon (ECAC-C).
A prior report indicated that sera together with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Crohn's disease were reactive with epithelial cell-associated components derived from small bowel (ECAC-SB). In the present study, we sought to determine whether similar components (designated ECAC-C) from everted, inflated loops of murine colon could be purified to homogeneity in aqueous soluble form and physiochemically characterized; if sera and/or peripheral mononuclear cells from patients with a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder of intestinal mucosa were specifically reactive with ECAC-C; whether immunoglobulin was the factor conferring specificity to the anti-ECAC-C response; and if this immunoglobulin was actively synthesized by human lamina propria B lymphocytes isolated from disease-involved intestinal mucosa. Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by elution of specific bands resulted in the isolation of three major proteins in homogeneous form. Each was a distinctive macromolecule by molecular weight (39,000, 63,000, 148,000), carbohydrate/protein content, and serologically detectable determinants as assessed by quantitative hemagglutination inhibition. By a 51Cr release microcytotoxicity assay, ECAC-C-labeled indicator cells were specifically lysed by sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with ulcerative colitis (8.0 +/- 6.8%) and Crohn's disease (13.2 +/- 4.7%), compared with age-/sex-matched controls (0.6 +/- 0.9 and 0.2 +/- 0.4%, respectively). That the factor conferring ECAC-C specificity was immunoglobulin was demonstrated by the retention of ECAC-C-specific reactivity of patient sera in the presence of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the ability of patient sera (without cells) to effect complement-mediated lysis against erythrocytes labeled with ECAC-C (8.0 +/- 6.7%) but not with control kidney antigen (0.7 +/- 0.7%), and the fact that purified immunoglobulin from patient sera could substitute for the latter in an ECAC-C-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay. Unique aspects of this ECAC-C reactivity included its absence from sera in other disorders with a known or presumed autoimmune basis (systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic active hepatitis) and the lack of simultaneous reactivity directed toward control antigens, isolated from kidney in a manner analogous to that used for ECAC-C. The importance of ECAC-C-specific immune responses at the mucosal level was also examined using mononuclear cells isolated from disease and control intestinal lamina propria (LPMC).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


The influence of structured visual backgrounds on smooth-pursuit initiation, steady-state pursuit and smooth-pursuit termination.
Smooth-pursuit eye movements were recorded in two rhesus monkeys in order to compare the influence of structured visual backgrounds on smooth-pursuit initiation, steady-state pursuit and pursuit termination. Different target trajectories were used in order to study smooth-pursuit initiation and termination. The influence of visual backgrounds on pursuit initiation was characterized by recording ocular responses elicited by step-ramp target displacements starting from straight ahead. Pursuit termination was characterized by analysing the transition from steady-state smooth-pursuit to fixation when a centripetally directed target ramp was terminated by a small target step in the direction of the ramp as soon as the target had come close to the straightahead position. The quantification of steady-state pursuit was based on ocular responses elicited by either paradigm. In accordance with previous work, we found that the onset of smooth-pursuit eye movements was delayed and initial eye acceleration reduced in the presence of a structured visual background. Likewise, mean eye velocity during steady-state pursuit was reduced by structured visual backgrounds. However, neither the latency nor the time course of smooth-pursuit termination was altered when the homogeneous background was replaced by a structured visual background. The lack of sensitivity of pursuit termination to the presence of visual structured backgrounds supports a previous contention that pursuit termination is mediated by a process which is different from the ones mediating smooth-pursuit initiation and steady-state pursuit. The absence of any noticeable effect of structured backgrounds on pursuit termination suggests that at least the fast component of the optokinetic reflex is suppressed during pursuit termination.


Modeling of adsorption and ultrasonic desorption of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) on local bentonite.
The adsorption and ultrasonic desorption of toxic heavy metal cations (i.e., Cd(II) and Zn(II)) on natural bentonite have been modeled with the aid of a factorial design approach. The ability of untreated bentonite to remove Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous and acidic solutions at different pH values has been studied for different metal concentrations by varying the amount of adsorbent, temperature, stirring speed, and contact time. The same factors, except stirring speed and metal concentration, were applied in desorption study. Ultrasound power was used for desorption instead of stirring speed. A flame atomic absorption spectrometer was used to measure the cadmium and zinc concentration before and after both experimental study. The highest adsorption for Zn and Cd was 99.85 and 96.84%, respectively, and the highest desorption for Zn and Cd obtained was 66.57 and 51.37%, respectively. It is believed that the models obtained for adsorption and desorption may provide a background for detailed mechanism searches and pilot and industrial scale applications.


Serum insulin-like growth factor I in healthy older men in relation to physical activity.
The serum level of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is lower in old men than in young men. It has been theorized that this change may result in part from the lower level of physical activity in the elderly. The objective of the present study was to test this theory. Cross-sectional study. Community-dwelling healthy men. Twenty-nine young men aged 21-29 and 120 older men aged 58-98. A wide range of habitual physical activity was assured in the older men by recruiting them both in senior centers and in fitness centers. Serum IGF-I level was measured by radioimmunoassay. Physical activity was estimated as the sum of moderate, hard, and very hard activities in leisure and occupation during the previous week as determined by the interviewer-administered Seven Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire. IGF-I was significantly higher (363.7 +/- 16 ng/mL, avg +/- SEM) in the young men than in the senior center older men (219.6 +/- 5 ng/mL) or in the fitness center older men (168.3 +/- 11 ng/mL) (P < 0.01). The level of IGF-I in the senior center older men was higher than that in the fitness center older men (P = 0.05). The physical activity of the fitness center older men (128.5 +/- 15 Kcal/kg/wk, avg +/- SE) was statistically similar to that of the young men (101.3 +/- 19 Kcal/kg/wk). The physical activity levels of both of these groups were significantly higher than that of the senior center older men (33.6 +/- 3 Kcal/kg/wk) (P < 0.010). Within none of the three groups was there a significant correlation between IGF-I and physical activity. When the two groups of older men were combined, there was, in fact, an inverse correlation of IGF-I and physical activity (P = 0.001). The data do not support the hypothesis that lack of physical activity is responsible for the decline in serum IGF-I with advancing age.


International Day for the Evaluation of Abdominal Obesity (IDEA): a study of waist circumference, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus in 168,000 primary care patients in 63 countries.
Abdominal adiposity is a growing clinical and public health problem. It is not known whether it is similarly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus in different regions around the world, and thus whether measurement of waist circumference (WC) in addition to body mass index (BMI) is useful in primary care practice. Randomly chosen primary care physicians in 63 countries recruited consecutive patients aged 18 to 80 years on 2 prespecified half days. WC and BMI were measured and the presence of CVD and diabetes mellitus recorded. Of the patients who consulted the primary care physicians, 97% agreed to participate in the present study. Overall, 24% of 69,409 men and 27% of 98,750 women were obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2). A further 40% and 30% of men and women, respectively, were overweight (BMI 25 to 30 kg/m2). Increased WC (> 102 for men and > 88 cm for women) was recorded in 29% and 48%, CVD in 16% and 13%, and diabetes mellitus in 13% and 11% of men and women, respectively. A statistically significant graded increase existed in the frequency of CVD and diabetes mellitus with both BMI and WC, with a stronger relationship for WC than for BMI across regions for both genders. This relationship between WC, CVD, and particularly diabetes mellitus was seen even in lean patients (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Among men and women who consulted primary care physicians, BMI and particularly WC were both strongly linked to CVD and especially to diabetes mellitus. Strategies to address this global problem are required to prevent an epidemic of these major causes of morbidity and mortality.


Characteristics Associated with Smoking Among Patrons of Three Philadelphia Parks.
To create healthy public spaces, Philadelphia prohibits smoking in city-owned and operated parks. Identifying the prevalence and characteristics of smoking in Philadelphia Parks would be useful for monitoring purposes; yet no studies have collected this data. This study identified the prevalence and characteristics of smoking among adult patrons entering three Philadelphia Parks (Washington Square Park, Independence Square Park, and Louis Kahn Park). During May and June 2016, we observed patrons entering the parks on Thursday afternoons. We used handheld electronic devices to categorize patrons by smoking status, age, gender, and tobacco product. We used logistic regression to assess the association of these variables with smoking. We observed 4822 people, of which 10.6% were children. Smoking was noted among 2.6% of adults in Washington Square Park, 2.6% of adults in Independence Square Park, and 7.7% of adults in Louis Kahn Park. Patronizing Louis Kahn Park was associated with greater likelihood of smoking (OR 3.11, CI 1.77-5.46) compared to Washington Square. Males were more likely than females to smoke (OR 1.45, CI 1.01-2.09). Higher likelihood of smoking among males concurs with previous studies. Higher prevalence in Louis Kahn Park may be due to differences in park patron demographics compared to other parks. Results could be used as a baseline for periodic monitoring of smoking in parks in order to inform implementation of the smoke-free park policy in Philadelphia.


Structure and evolution of a human erythroid transcription factor.
Vertebrate erythroid cells contain a tissue-specific transcription factor referred to as Eryf 1 (ref. 1), GF-1 (ref. 2) or NF-E1 (ref. 3), for which binding sites are widely distributed in the promoters and enhancers of the globin gene family, and of other erythroid-specific genes. Aberrant binding of the human factor to a mutant site has been implicated in one form of hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH; ref. 2). The complementary DNAs for both the chicken cEryf 1 (ref. 11) and mouse mEryf 1 (ref. 12) encoding genes have recently been cloned. We report here the cloning of the cDNA for the human Eryf 1 encoding gene. The central third of the hEryf 1 cDNA, containing two 'finger' motifs, is almost identical to that of chicken or mouse. The amino-and carboxy-terminal thirds of the human protein are similar to those of mouse, but are strikingly different from the corresponding domains in chicken. The evidence indicates that these erythroid regulatory factors evolved from a common precursor composed of two distinct kinds of repeated domains, which subsequently evolved at greatly different rates.


Adrenal androgens and the menopausal transition.
The concept that adrenal androgen production gradually declines with age has changed after analysis of longitudinal data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). It is now recognized that 4 adrenal androgens rise during the menopausal transition in most women. Ethnic and individual differences in sex steroids are more apparent in circulating adrenal steroids than in either estradiol or cyclic ovarian steroid hormone profiles, particularly during the early and late perimenopause. Thus, adrenal steroid production may play a larger role in the occurrence of symptoms and the potential for healthier aging than previously recognized.


Morphology of mouse epidermal cells in vitro: a scanning electron microscopy study.
Scanning electron microscopy of isolated epidermal cells from newborn mice grown in vitro showed that the cultures consisted of several morphologically different types of cells. Young cultures had many smooth, round cells while older cultures contained more cells with rough or ruffled surface and a varying number of flat, irregular cells. Probably, the various cell types corresponded to different stages of differentation (keratinization). Cultures that were grown in the presence of retinyl acetate (12.5 microgram/ml) had more round and smooth cells after several days in vitro than the controls. This could indicate that retinyl acetate delayed or altered cell differentiation. Scanning electron microscopy of the cultures consistently showed that the cells were situated at different layers. The apparent monolayer seen by phase contrast microscopy therefore seems to be an optical phenomenon due to projection of the cells onto the same plane.


Clinical presentations on a facial pain clinic.
Introduction The complex nature of facial pain conditions creates a diagnostic challenge which may necessitate specialist referral.Aim To identify the case mix presenting to a specialist tertiary care facial pain clinic.Methods A retrospective review of 112 patient records was undertaken. Trends in provisional diagnoses from referrers and the correlation to diagnoses made following specialist consultation were reviewed.Results The most common provisional diagnoses recorded in referral letters were painful temporomandibular disorders, trigeminal neuralgia and persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP). Over a quarter of referrals did not include a provisional diagnosis. Following assessment, only one case was not given a definitive diagnosis and no patients were diagnosed with PIFP. A causative factor was identified in all the initially queried PIFP cases, and painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain was found in multiple patients.Conclusions Painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain should be considered if pain onset coincides with dental treatment or other traumatic events. PIFP is a rare facial pain diagnosis and may be over-diagnosed by dental and medical practitioners. It is important to systematically exclude other causes before reaching this diagnosis. This will facilitate effective treatment, manage patient expectations and potentially reduce unnecessary referrals.


Hen vitellogenin genes: a study of the distribution of phosvitin phosphoprotein coding sequences using mRNA hybridization with synthetic complementary oligonucleotide probes.
Pentadecamer DNA probes were synthesized, having complementary codons for selected unique pentapeptide sequences of low codon degeneracy present in hen phosvitin minor phosphoprotein, hen phosvitin major phosphoprotein, both phosvitin phosphoproteins. These probes were 5'-32P-labelled. Vitellogenin mRNA was isolated from estrogenized chick liver, fractionated by electrophoresis using formaldehyde/agarose gels and blot transferred to nitrocellulose paper. Relative yields of the two vitellogenin mRNAs differed with the extraction method used. The minor phosphoprotein DNA probe formed a hybrid with a 1.6 megadalton component. The remaining two probes hybridized to a 2.3 megadalton component, this being the expected size of a full-length message. The smallest polyadenylated fragment to which the major phosphoprotein DNA probe hybridized was 1.0 megadalton. The remaining two probes hybridized to fragments of 0.7 megadalton and possibly smaller. Phosvitin major phosphoprotein is concluded to be coded for by part of the larger vitellogenin mRNA, while the minor phosphoprotein is coded for by part of the smaller vitellogenin mRNA. Estimates of the distances of the hybridization sites from polyadenylated tails are also given.


The abdominojugular reflux sign.
The abdominojugular reflux sign is useful in diagnosing right ventricular failure, but is often performed and interpreted incorrectly. Our objective was to review the history, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of the abdominojugular reflux sign. We conducted a MEDLINE search of the English language reports published between 1966 and 1999 and a manual search of bibliographies of relevant papers. A positive abdominojugular reflux sign is defined by an increase in the jugular venous pressure of greater than 3 cm, sustained for greater than 15 seconds. In the absence of left heart failure, a positive abdominojugular reflux sign should prompt consideration of impaired right ventricular preload, a decrease in right ventricular compliance, a decrease in right ventricular systolic function or an elevation in right ventricular afterload. In patients presenting with dyspnea, the abdominojugular reflux is useful in predicting congestive heart failure (LR+ 6.0 (95% CI; 0.8-51); LR- 0.78; (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.98)) and suggests pulmonary capillary wedge pressures of greater than 15 mm Hg (LR+ 6. 7 (95% CI: 3.3 to 13.4); LR- 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.52)). The abdominojugular reflux is not specific to any one disorder, but rather is a reflection of a right ventricle that cannot accommodate augmented venous return. Constrictive pericarditis, right ventricular infarction, and restrictive cardiomyopathy are common causes of a positive finding. Left ventricular failure may also induce the sign, but only when the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is greater than 15. The one diagnosis not seen with abdominojugular reflux is cardiac tamponade.


Pathogenic effect of entomopathogenic nematode-bacterium complexes on terrestrial isopods.
In this study, we evaluated the effect of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, symbiotically associated with bacteria of the genera Xenorhabdus or Photorhabdus, on the survival of eight terrestrial isopod species. The EPN species S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora reduced the survival of six isopod species while S. feltiae reduced survival for two species. Two terrestrial isopod species tested (Armadillidium vulgare and Armadillo officinalis) were found not to be affected by treatment with EPNs while the six other isopod species showed survival reduction with at least one EPN species. By using aposymbiotic S. carpocapsae (i.e. without Xenorhabdus symbionts), we showed that nematodes can be isopod pathogens on their own. Nevertheless, symbiotic nematodes were more pathogenic for isopods than aposymbiotic ones showing that bacteria acted synergistically with their nematodes to kill isopods. By direct injection of entomopathogenic bacteria into isopod hemolymph, we showed that bacteria had a pathogenic effect on terrestrial isopods even if they appeared unable to multiply within isopod hemolymphs. A developmental study of EPNs in isopods showed that two of them (S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora) were able to develop while S. feltiae could not. No EPN species were able to produce offspring emerging from isopods. We conclude that EPN and their bacteria can be pathogens for terrestrial isopods but that such hosts represent a reproductive dead-end for them. Thus, terrestrial isopods appear not to be alternative hosts for EPN populations maintained in the absence of insects.


Orthostatic hypotension in elderly women with congestive heart failure.
Orthostatic hypotension is common in the elderly and could be the cause of impaired vision, dizziness, fainting spells and falls. To date, studies on orthostatic hypotension have chiefly concentrated on elderly patients in nursing homes, outpatients or healthy subjects. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common causes of hospitalization and pharmacotherapy in the elderly, but little is known about the orthostatic hypotension in patients with CHF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension and associated symptoms in elderly females hospitalized for CHF. The study group included 36 women aged 70-100 years (mean 82.2), admitted to hospital for congestive heart failure. The control group consisted of 15 women aged 71-95 years (mean 82.5) with no symptoms of heart failure or other diseases, who underwent earlier epidemiological studies on Cracow's elderly population. In all subjects a tilt test was performed (60 degree tilt for 10 minutes) under standardized conditions (fasting patients, 12 hours after the last administration of medications, between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.). Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decline of 20 mmHg or more in systolic blood pressure, or 10 mmHg or more in diastolic blood pressure on assumption of the upright position. Orthostatic hypotension was detected in 83.3% of CHF women, and 43.3% of them manifested clinical symptoms associated with it. In the control group, orthostatic hypotension was noted in 53.3% of women, but none was symptomatic. In particular, the CHF patients showed a decreased ability to develop compensatory tachycardia during hypotension. Moreover, reduction in systolic blood pressure was more pronounced in CHF patients, and diastolic blood pressure increase was less significant as compared with the control group.


Antibacterial flexible triboelectric nanogenerator via capillary force lithography.
Increasing the surface contact area (SCA) between active materials of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) can effectively enhance energy harvesting performance. In the meantime, owing to potential intimate contacts between skin and wearables, hygienic aspects of TENG devices with high SCA become important. Herein, we present a robust route to fabricate flexible TENGs with antimicrobial capability realized by nano-patterning thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) thin films. Without involving sophisticated equipment and time-consuming technique, simply tuning curing conditions of capillary force lithography could precisely control the nanostructure geometry. Our topographically designed TENGs could promote higher power generation while preventing biofilm formation without adding any chemical additives. Analysis of pattern amplitude and wavelength correlation to output power is uniquely provided for a deeper understanding of how patterns enable peak performance of TENGs. Furthermore, a prototype TENG was innovatively applied to a smart device as a transparent screen sensor. Specific finger trajectories could be recognized by different electric responses, and as-generated electricity can be directly charged into comercial capacitors. Our proposed TENGs with critical hygienic advancements are expected to open avenues for TENG-incorporated wearables in the post-pandemic era.


The use of fluorescence for detecting MeHg-induced ROS in cell cultures.
The effect of methylmercury (MeHg) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction in neural cell lines was measured by the fluorescent probe, chloro methyl derivative of di-chloro di-hydro fluoresceindiacetate (CMH2DCFDA). Three different MeHg concentrations (5, 10 and 25 microM) and time periods (30, 50 and 90 min) were studied in C6-glial and B35-neuronal cell lines. In addition, the relationship between MeHg-induced ROS and cell density (day 3 vs. day 4) was also explored. The 14C-labelled MeHg measurements were done to determine the cell associated-MeHg content. At 30 and 50 min exposure, a significant increase (p<0.05) in MeHg-induced ROS was observed at 10 and 25 microM MeHg for C6 cells and at 25 microM MeHg for B35 cells. However, the amount of ROS produced with 25 microM MeHg varied significantly (p<0.001) at different time periods. For both the cell lines, significant cell density dependent differences (p<0.05) were observed at 10 microM MeHg treatment for 50 min. MeHg treatments were associated with a concentration as well as cell-density dependent increase in cell associated-MeHg. These findings provide experimental evidence that special attention should be focused upon concentration, exposure time and cell density when assessing MeHg-induced ROS via fluorescence.


Button-Hole Disco-Osteotomy Drainage-A Novel Approach for High-Risk Patients with Cervical Abscess.
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a very serious infection of the central nervous system (CNS). It is of very low incidence with a peak age in the geriatric age group. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to SEA. It can present with significant neurological deficits, which can be permanent if not identified and treated promptly. In this case report, a 75-year-old immunocompromised patient presented with progressive spastic quadriparesis and septicemia. He was diagnosed with a case of cervical spinal epidural abscess with underlying cord compression. Anterior retropharyngeal approach and button-hole disco-osteotomy of C5-C6 was performed and the cervical SEA was drained, followed by antibiotic saline irrigation (cranially and caudally) was done, total duration of surgery was 70 min. At the time of discharge (7th postoperative day), the patient improved neurologically and sepsis had resolved.


Cost-effectiveness of stroke care in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients: an observational cohort study in the Northern Territory of Australia.
To assess cost-effectiveness of stroke care for Aboriginal compared with non-Aboriginal patients in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a cohort-based follow-up study of stroke incidents. Public hospitals in the NT from 1992 to 2013. Individual patient data were extracted and linked from the hospital inpatient and primary care information systems. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated and assessed graphically. Survival time was used to measure effectiveness of stroke care, in comparison with the net costs per life-year gained, from a healthcare perspective, by applying multivariable models to account for time-dependent confounding. 2158 patients with incident stroke were included (1171 males, 1178 aged <65 years and 966 from remote areas). 992 patients were of Aboriginal origin (46.0%, disproportionately higher than the population proportion of 27%). Of all cases, 42.6% were ischaemic and 29.8% haemorrhagic stroke. Average age of stroke onset was 51 years in Aboriginal, compared with 65 years in non-Aboriginal patients (p<0.001). Aboriginal patients had 71.4% more hospital bed-days, and 7.4% fewer procedures than non-Aboriginal patients. Observed health costs averaged $A50 400 per Aboriginal compared with $A33 700 per non-Aboriginal patient (p<0.001). The differential costs and effects for each population were distributed evenly across the incremental cost-effectiveness plane threshold line, indicating no difference in cost-effectiveness between populations. After further adjustment for confounding and censoring, cost-effectiveness appeared greater for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal patients, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.25). Stroke care for the NT Aboriginal population is at least as cost-effective as the non-Aboriginal population. Stroke care presents worthwhile and equitable survival benefits for Aboriginal patients in remote communities, notwithstanding their higher level burden of disease. These findings are relevant for healthcare planning and policy development regarding equal access to stroke care for Aboriginal patients.


The influence of light on the beat rate variability of murine embryonic stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.
The human heart rhythm can be quantified by analyzing the heart rate variability (HRV). A major influencing factor of the HRV is the circadian rhythm. The ocular light and the hormone melatonin play decisive roles in the circadian rhythm. The beat rate variability (BRV) is considered to be the in vitro equivalent of the HRV. Previous studies have demonstrated the influence of melatonin on cardiomyocytes. Also, the influence of light on cardiomyocytes has been described before. Nevertheless, the effect of light on the BRV of cardiomyocytes has not yet been examined. The BRV of spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes was measured with microelectrode arrays over a time period of 30 min. The experiments were either performed with light exposure (with and without an infrared filter) or in complete darkness. The BRV was higher and the beating frequency was lower when the cardiomyocytes were exposed to the full spectrum of light, compared to the measurements in darkness as well as to the measurements with an infrared filter. In contrast, the differences of BRV between the measurements in darkness and the measurements with an infrared filter were not as distinct. This is the first study demonstrating the influence of light on the beating rhythm of heart tissue in vitro. The results indicate that especially the infrared spectrum of light alters the BRV. These findings could be of interest for clinical applications such as the field of optical pacing as well as in neonatal patient care.


Aneurysm of the inferior vena cava: case report and review of the literature.
Aneurysms of the inferior vena cava (IVC) include a diverse group of anomalies with distinct anatomic and clinical characteristics. We report a diverticular aneurysm of the suprarenal IVC in a 45-year-old man who presented with extensive IVC and unilateral lower extremity thrombosis. A CT scan revealed an 8 cm smooth-walled mass containing thrombus to the right of the IVC and behind the second portion of the duodenum. At laparotomy a connection between the mass and the suprarenal IVC was established. Biopsy of the wall of the mass revealed vascular smooth muscle, thus establishing the diagnosis of a diverticular IVC aneurysm. MR angiography further disclosed interruption of the infrahepatic vena cava and return of renal vein flow via the azygous and hemiazygous veins. Twelve additional cases of IVC aneurysm are reviewed. A proposed classification of these aneurysms into four types consistent with their anatomic and embryologic characteristics is presented.


Anti-F-Actin Antibody Positivity on Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Following Chinese and Alternative Medicine Therapy: A Case Report.
Immunofluorescence on human epithelial type 2 cells is the standard screening assay for the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Cytoplasmic speckled patterns are a common finding. However, the less commonly reported ones include the cytoplasmic fibrillar patterns on indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT). The cytoplasmic fibrillar patterns include the cytoplasmic linear (AC-15), cytoplasmic filamentous (AC-16), and cytoplasmic segmental (AC-17). We report a case of cytoplasmic linear (F-actin) detected through IIFT during ANA screening in a 77-year-old man and later reconfirmed on liver mosaic biochip through IIFT on vascular smooth muscle substrate (VSM-47) without features suggestive of anti-smooth muscle antibody involvement post-complementary and alternative medicine therapy initiation.


Influence of antipseudomonal agents on Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and acquisition of resistance in critically ill medical patients.
To assess the role of antipseudomonal agents on Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and acquisition of resistance. Prospective cohort study. Two medical intensive care units. 346 patients admitted for >or= 48 h. Analysis of data from an 8-month study comparing a mixing versus a cycling strategy of antibiotic use. Surveillance cultures from nares, pharynx, rectum, and respiratory secretions were obtained thrice weekly. Acquisition of resistance was defined as the isolation, after 48 h of ICU stay, of an isolate resistant to a given antibiotic if culture of admission samples were either negative or positive for a susceptible isolate. Emergence of resistance refers to the conversion of a defined pulsotype from susceptible to non-susceptible. Forty-four (13%) patients acquired 52 strains of P. aeruginosa. Administration of piperacillin-tazobactam for >or= 3 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.09-6.27) and use of amikacin for >or= 3 days (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.04-6.7) were positively associated with acquisition of P. aeruginosa, whereas use of quinolones (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.1-0.7) and antipseudomonal cephalosporins (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.9) was protective. Exposure to quinolones and cephalosporins was not associated with the acquisition of resistance, whereas it was linked with usage of all other agents. Neither quinolones nor cephalosporins were a major determinant on the emergence of resistance to themselves, as resistance to these antibiotics developed at a similar frequency in non-exposed patients. In critically ill patients, quinolones and antipseudomonal cephalosporins may prevent the acquisition of P. aeruginosa and may have a negligible influence on the acquisition and emergence of resistance.


Sex, food and threat: startling changes after subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson's disease.
Changes in motivational processing may play a role in weight gain and other non-motor side effects in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. We aimed to assess changes in aversive and appetitive motivational activation using modulation of the acoustic blink reflex (ABR) by rewarding and aversive stimuli. ABR elicited during the viewing of erotic, food, aversive and neutral pictures was recorded in 11 off-medicated patients with the subthalamic stimulation switched ON and OFF, and in 11 control subjects. ABR to erotic stimuli was larger in patients in the ON compared to the OFF condition and controls (P < 0.01). Aversive stimuli caused a larger increase in the ABR in patients with the ON condition than in controls (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found a negative correlation of the ABR magnitude to food pictures in the ON condition with weight gain following subthalamic stimulation (P < 0.01, after adjustment to OFF condition). Our results suggest that subthalamic stimulation affects motivational processing. Subthalamic stimulation may disturb appetitive engagement by erotic cues and increase aversive activation in PD patients. Additionally, postoperative weight gain may be related to changes in the processing of food cues due to subthalamic stimulation.


The accuracy and difference of scoring rules and methods to score respiratory event-related leg movements in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
To compare manual scoring: 1) to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) auto-scoring rules. 2) to the AASM and World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) rules, and evaluate the accuracy of the AASM and WASM for respiratory event-related limb movements (RRLM) in diagnostic and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration polysomnography (PSG). We retrospectively, re-scored diagnostic and CPAP titration PSGs of 16 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using manual re-scoring by the AASM (mAASM) and WASM (mWASM) criteria for RRLM, periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), and limb movements (LM), which were compared to auto-scoring by the AASM (aAASM). In diagnostic PSG, significant differences were found in LMs (p < 0.05), RRLM (p = 0.009) and the mean duration of PLMS sequences (p = 0.013). In CPAP titration PSG, there was a significant difference in RRLM (p = 0.008) and PLMS with arousal index (p = 0.036). aAASM underestimated LM and RRLM, especially in severe OSA. Changes in RRLM and PLMS with arousal index between diagnostic and titration PSG were significantly different between aAASM and mAASM, but there was no significant difference between scoring by mAASM and mWASM. The ratio of PLMS and RRLM changes between diagnostic and CPAP titration PSG was 0.257 in mAASM and 0.293 in mWASM. In addition to the overestimation of RRLM by mAASM compared to aAASM, mAASM may also be more sensitive than aAASM in detecting RRLM changes in the titration PSG. Despite intuitive differences in the definition of RRLM between AASM and WASM rules, RRLM results between mAASM and mWASM were not significant and about 30% of RRLMs might be scored as PLMS by both scoring rules.


Comparison of typical nitrite oxidizing bacteria suppression strategies and the effect on nitrous oxide emissions in a biofilm reactor.
In mainstream partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A), suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and mitigation of N2O emissions are two essential operational goals. The N2O emissions linked to three typical NOB suppression strategies were tested in a covered rotating biological contactor (RBC) biofilm system at 21 °C: (i) low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, and treatments with (ii) free ammonia (FA), and (iii) free nitrous acids (FNA). Low emerged DO levels effectively minimized NOB activity and decreased N2O emissions, but NOB adaptation appeared after 200 days of operation. Further NOB suppression was successfully achieved by periodic (3 h per week) treatments with FA (29.3 ± 2.6 mg NH3-N L-1) or FNA (3.1 ± 0.3 mg HNO2-N L-1). FA treatment, however, promoted N2O emissions, while FNA did not affect these. Hence, biofilm PN/A should be operated at relatively low DO levels with periodic FNA treatment to maximize nitrogen removal efficiency while avoiding high greenhouse gas emissions.


Further characterization of the protein kinase activity mediated by interferon in mouse and human cells.
Interferon-treated mouse and human cells show enhanced levels of a protein kinase activity which is manifested by the phosphorylation of endogenous Mr = 67,000 and 72,000 proteins, respectively. Such kinase activity can be assayed after its partial purification on poly(I) X poly(C)-Sepharose. Under these experimental conditions, the apparent km of the kinase for ATP is 1.0 X 10(-6) M and 2.5 X 10(-6) M in enzyme fractions from mouse L-929 and human HeLa cells, respectively. The Mr = 67,000 and 72,000 proteins are phosphorylated by their serine and threonine residues, the ratio of which is modified in preparations from interferon-treated cells. Both of these phosphoproteins are composed of several subspecies with similar isoelectric points (pIs) in the range of 7.2 to 8.2. This heterogeneity is due to the number of phosphate groups per molecule of protein. Accordingly, the pIs of highly phosphorylated proteins are at a less basic pH (7.2 to 7.5). Furthermore, highly phosphorylated proteins show an increase in their apparent molecular weights compared to partially phosphorylated ones. This corresponds to an increase of Mr = 1,500. Partial proteolysis of the 32P-labeled Mr = 67,000 and 72,000 proteins by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, alpha-chymotrypsin and thrombin, indicated that these phosphoproteins differ in their polypeptide structure. Phosphorylation of the Mr = 67,000 and 72,000 proteins in enzyme fractions from control L-929 and HeLa cells is enhanced by mixing with extracts from interferon-treated heterologous cells. Proteins, Mr = 67,000 and 72,000, therefore, may serve as suitable substrates for an exogenous kinase, thus indicating that the substrate in enzyme fractions from control cells is less phosphorylated because of a low level of kinase activity.