Evidence of a systemic predisposition to chondrocalcinosis and association between chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis at distant joints: a cross-sectional study.
To determine whether there is a systemic predisposition to chondrocalcinosis (CC) and to examine the association between CC and osteoarthritis (OA) at distant joints. We performed a cross-sectional study embedded in the Genetics of Osteoarthritis and Lifestyle (GOAL) database (n = 3,170). All GOAL participants have had radiographs of the knees, hands, and pelvis performed. These were scored for OA at the knee, hip, wrist, and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and for CC at the knee, hip, wrist, and symphysis pubis joints and for MCP joint calcification. Systemic predisposition to CC was established using cluster analysis. Odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were used to examine the association between CC at the index and distant joints, CC and OA at the same joint, and index joint OA and distant joint CC. We adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, and for distant joint OA, if required. Joints with CC clustered together. This was also observed when participants with OA were excluded from the analysis. CC at each joint was associated with CC at distant joints. Knee and wrist OA but not hip OA was associated with CC at the same joint. MCP joint OA was associated with MCP joint calcification. Knee OA was associated with CC at other joints, and this was independent of OA at the distant joint. There was no association between hip OA and distant joint CC. There is a systemic predisposition to the apparently sporadic CC. OA is associated with CC at the same joint and at distant joints, except hip OA, which is not associated with hip CC or with CC at distant joints.


Quality of life (QoL) and motivation for treatment: a female issue?
The Quality of Life (QoL) of overweight and obese subjects is a widely discussed topic. From numerous studies, it emerges that obese persons suffer significant damage as result of their overweight in terms of QoL with regard to their physical and psychosocial well-being, with greater incidence associated with the degree of obesity. Our study aims at evaluating the usefulness of specific psychometric tests on the "obese population" that may be effective for the overall evaluation of the patient and in identifying specific subgroups on the basis of psychometric characteristics relating to QoL and of motivation for treatment. The study was carried out on a sample of 150 obese subjects who approached the Section of Human Nutrition of the University of Pavia requesting treatment for weight loss. The persons in the selected sample were subjected to a specialized examination during which, as well as collecting all the anamnestic information on each individual patient, they were also asked to fill out the obesity-specific ORWELL 97 (Obesity Related Well- Being) questionnaire and the DBI (Decisional Balance Inventory) questionnaire. An analysis of the results indicates that the female group is strongly characterized by a lower QoL, as well as by a clearly larger number of failed dieting attempts and by a strong motivation to undergo treatment. The evaluation of QoL and motivation for treatment in overweight and obese individuals appears to be an effective tool for better identification of the subjects and for planning the most appropriate diagnostic approach.


Childbirth and criteria for traumatic events.
for some women childbirth is physically and psychologically traumatic and meets Criterion A1 (threat) and A2 (intense emotional response) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).This study differentiates Criterion A1 and A2 to explore their individual relationship to prevalence rates for posttraumatic stress, each other, and associated factors for childbirth trauma. women were recruited at three hospitals from October 2008 to October 2009. Questionnaires were completed at recruitment and at 14 days post partum. women in the third trimester of pregnancy (n=890) were recruited by a research midwife while waiting for their antenatal clinic appointment. Participants were over 17 years of age, expected to give birth to a live infant, not undergoing psychological treatment, and able to complete questionnaires in English. this study found 14.3% of women met criteria for a traumatic childbirth. When the condition of A2 was removed, the prevalence rate doubled to 29.4%. Approximately half the women who perceived threat in childbirth did not have an intense negative emotional response. Predictors of finding childbirth traumatic were pre-existing psychiatric morbidity, being a first time mother and experiencing an emergency caesarean section. the fear response is an important diagnostic criterion for assessing psychologically traumatic childbirth. The identification of risk factors may inform maternity service delivery to prevent traumatic birth and postpartum approaches to care to address long-term negative consequences. prevention and treatment of traumatic childbirth are improved through knowledge of potential risk factors and understanding the woman's subjective experience.


Clinical Balance Testing to Screen for Patients With Vestibular Disorders: A Retrospective Case-control Study.
Identify clinical screening tests to proficiently screen for patients with vestibular disorders. Retrospective case-control study. Tertiary referral center. 318 healthy individuals and 331 subjects with vestibular disorders. All subjects performed Romberg and Jendrassic maneuver with eyes closed (ROMJec), standing on foam with eyes open (SOFeo) and eyes closed (SOFec), Tandem Romberg with eyes open (TReo) and eyes closed (TRec), single leg stance with eyes open (SLSeo) and eyes closed (SLSec), Tandem gait (TG) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). Significant differences in performance on the balance tests. For the age-group <40 years, TUG >6 seconds (OR 102.4; p <0.0001) and SLSec <30 seconds (OR 48.0; p <0.0001) proved to be the most predictive combination of testing (AUC 0.9; LR+ 15.8; LR- 0.2), with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.4%. For the age-group 40-60, TUG >7 seconds (OR 4.0; p = 0.0107) and TRec <30 seconds (OR 63.1; p < 0.0001) was the most predictive combination of tests (AUC 0.9 LR+ 6.0; LR- 0.1), with a PPV of 93.8%. For the age-group >60 the combination of TUG >8 seconds (OR 17.4; p < 0.0001) and SOFec <30 seconds (OR 10.4; p < 0.0001) was the most predictive (AUC 0.9 LR+ 6.3; LR- 0.2), with a PPV of 84.8%. Combinations of clinical tests are proposed to promptly screen for vestibular disorders in specific age groups. To interpret the results for the individual patient, the physician must take the history and the general examination into consideration.


The molecular basis of EPCAM expression loss in Lynch syndrome-associated tumors.
Germline deletions affecting the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) gene lead to silencing of MSH2 and cause Lynch syndrome. We have recently reported that lack of EPCAM expression occurs in many, but not all tumors from Lynch syndrome patients with EPCAM germline deletions. The differences in EPCAM expression were not related to the localization of EPCAM germline deletions. We therefore hypothesized that the type of the second somatic hit, which leads to MSH2 inactivation during tumor development, determines EPCAM expression in the tumor cells. To test this hypothesis and to evaluate whether lack of EPCAM expression can already be detected in Lynch syndrome-associated adenomas, we analyzed four carcinomas and two adenomas from EPCAM germline deletion carriers for EPCAM protein expression and allelic deletion status of the EPCAM gene region by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. In four out of six tumors we observed lack of EPCAM expression accompanied by biallelic deletions affecting the EPCAM gene. In contrast, monoallelic retention of the EPCAM gene was observed in the remaining two tumors with retained EPCAM protein expression. These results demonstrate that EPCAM expression in tumors from EPCAM deletion carriers depends on the localization of the second somatic hit that inactivates MSH2. Moreover, we report lack of EPCAM protein expression in a colorectal adenoma, suggesting that EPCAM immunohistochemistry may detect EPCAM germline deletions already at a precancerous stage.


The use of a transport medium (L15M15) for bulk tissue storage and retention of viability.
Twenty-five human or mouse tissue samples, some up to 8×4×2 cm, were immersed in a special transport medium (TM), L15M15, up to 7 days before being processed or placed in tissue culture. To test the efficacy of this medium, we concurrently placed pieces of the same tissues in a sterile phosphate buffered solution (PBS). We also tested the preservative capabilities of TM and PBS at room temperature and with refrigeration. Differences between TM and PBS are demonstrated, which are more pronounced using room temperature up to 4 days time. The tissues stored in TM show fewer degenerative or autolytic changes than the same tissue stored in PBS under identical conditions. Using regrigeration further enhanced the preservative qualities of TM up to 4 days, but not PBS. There were no obvious differences between tissues stored in TM and PBS with refrigeration after 7 days. We conclude that transport medium L15M15 is a useful medium for preserving tissue viability, especially large tissue samples, up to 4 days, especially if refrigerated.


Barriers to and motivators for physical activity among people with Type 2 diabetes: patients' perspectives.
To explore barriers to and motivators for physical activity in a group of overweight and obese individuals with dysregulated Type 2 diabetes. Data were collected from the Steno Diabetes Center's outpatient clinic in Denmark. Four focus groups were conducted including 28 individuals with Type 2 diabetes aged 39-71 years. The facilitators used open-ended questions and probes such as images, statements and quotations about physical activity to foster active participation and interaction among participants. Focus groups were recorded on video and the discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. We identified four main themes: 1) the body as a barrier to physical activity because of functional limitations; 2) logistical challenges, including lack of time and awareness of where to exercise in the local area; 3) being physically active with others, providing a sense of mutual commitment and enjoyment; and 4) goal-setting and self-tracking, which was seen as an opportunity to track physical improvement over time. The findings suggest that, once people are active, a high level of social interaction may help maintain their activity levels. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of combining individually tailored exercise plans with the establishment of customized and locally based exercise communities that offer enjoyment and support. Additionally, it is relevant to explore experiences of using self-tracking technologies to review short- and long-term goals.


Electroencephalographic study of divers with histories of neurological decompression illness.
To determine whether divers with histories of neurological decompression illness are electroencephalographically distinguishable from non-divers. The electroencephalograms (EEGs) from 68 divers with histories of neurological decompression illness and 45 non-diver controls were examined independently by two clinical neurophysiologists. The diver and non-diver groups were electroencephalographically indistinguishable. There is no electroencephalographic evidence for the existence of cerebral dysfunction in divers with histories of decompression illness.


In-tube solid-phase microextraction: Current trends and future perspectives.
In-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) was developed about 24 years ago as an effective sample preparation technique using an open tubular capillary column as an extraction device. IT-SPME is useful for micro-concentration, automated sample cleanup, and rapid online analysis, and can be used to determine the analytes in complex matrices simple sample processing methods such as direct sample injection or filtration. IT-SPME is usually performed in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography using an online column switching technology, in which the entire process from sample preparation to separation to data analysis is automated using the autosampler. Furthermore, IT-SPME minimizes the use of harmful organic solvents and is simple and labor-saving, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly green analytical technique. Various operating systems and new sorbent materials have been developed to improve its extraction efficiency by, for example, enhancing its sorption capacity and selectivity. In addition, IT-SPME methods have been widely applied in environmental analysis, food analysis and bioanalysis. This review describes the present state of IT-SPME technology and summarizes its current trends and future perspectives, including method development and strategies to improve extraction efficiency.


Mechanism of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase--an initial geometric perspective for the lyase of the C(17)-C(20) bond of C21 steroids.
Using the novel 'substrate-heme complex' approach, the mechanism of 17 alpha-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase (P-450(17) alpha), in particular the lyase of the C(17)-C(20) bond, is considered from a geometric perspective. The results of the study appear to suggest that the final oxidative step in the lyase of the C(17)-C(20) bond involves the use of a ferroxy attacking species as opposed to peroxy or a mixture of ferroxy and peroxy, an observation which is consistent with results previously obtained with Aromatase.


Recent range expansion of a terrestrial orchid corresponds with climate-driven variation in its population dynamics.
The population dynamics and distribution limits of plant species are predicted to change as the climate changes. However, it remains unclear to what extent climate variables affect population dynamics, which vital rates are most sensitive to climate change, and whether the same vital rates drive population dynamics in different populations. In this study, we used long-term demographic data from two populations of the terrestrial orchid Himantoglossum hircinum growing at the northern edge of their geographic range to quantify the influence of climate change on demographic vital rates. Integral projection models were constructed to study how climate conditions between 1991 and 2006 affected population dynamics and to assess how projected future climate change will affect the long-term viability of this species. Based on the parameterised vital rate functions and the observed climatic conditions, one of the studied populations had an average population growth rate above 1 (λ = 1.04), while the other was declining at ca. 3 % year(-1) (λ = 0.97). Variation in temperature and precipitation mainly affected population growth through their effect on survival and fecundity. Based on UK Climate Projection 2009 estimates of future climate conditions for three greenhouse gas emission scenarios, population growth rates are expected to increase in one of the studied populations. Overall, our results indicate that the observed changes in climatic conditions appeared to be beneficial to the long-term survival of the species in the UK and suggest that they may have been the driving force behind the current range expansion of H. hircinum in England.


Cryo-electron microscopy snapshots of the spliceosome: structural insights into a dynamic ribonucleoprotein machine.
The spliceosome excises introns from pre-messenger RNAs using an RNA-based active site that is cradled by a dynamic protein scaffold. A recent revolution in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has led to near-atomic-resolution structures of key spliceosome complexes that provide insight into the mechanism of activation, splice site positioning, catalysis, protein rearrangements and ATPase-mediated dynamics of the active site. The cryo-EM structures rationalize decades of observations from genetic and biochemical studies and provide a molecular framework for future functional studies.


Femoral vein occlusion and spontaneous collateral ectasia presenting as recurrent hernia of the groin: a case report.
Femoral vein occlusion is not a common complication even after repeated hernia repair. We describe a case of a 14-year-old boy with a visible and soft, yet irreducible, mass below the inguinal ligament after 3 previous inguinal hernia repairs and heart catheterization in infancy. Further examination showed dilated venous collaterals, bypassing an occluded common femoral vein via the testicular sheaths and across the pelvic floor. We discuss etiology, diagnostic pitfalls, therapeutic options, and possible future complications, with a literature review.


Lactose malabsorption and giardiasis in Basotho school children.
The prevalence of primary, adult-type, lactose malabsorption was assessed by means of the hydrogen breath test after intake of 360 ml of full cream milk (approximately 18 g lactose) in 96 randomly selected Basotho school children, aged 5-15 years. Of 86 children who did not have diarrhoea in the previous week 82 (85%) were lactose malabsorbers, while 4 (5%) could not be classified because of undetectable hydrogen excretion. Milk intolerance presenting as diarrhoea was significantly (p less than 0.01) more common in children who associated previous abdominal complaints with milk intake and/or did not like milk. A negative hydrogen breath test was significantly (p less than 0.05) more often observed in children who had diarrhoea in the previous week. Giardia was present in 18 (19%) of 93 children. The incidence of giardiasis did not correlate with the presence of lactose malabsorption in children without diarrhoea in the previous week. However, milk intolerance presenting as diarrhoea was significantly (p less than 0.05) more common in children with giardiasis. The findings support the use of physiological quantities of milk in Basotho school children.


Mismatch negativity evoked by the McGurk-MacDonald effect: a phonetic representation within short-term memory.
The McGurk-MacDonald illusory percept is obtained by dubbing an incongruent articulatory movement on an auditory phoneme. This type of audiovisual speech perception contributes to the assessment of theories of speech perception. The mismatch negativity (MMN) reflects the detection of a deviant stimulus within the auditory short-term memory and besides an acoustic component, possesses, under certain conditions, a phonetic one. The present study assessed the existence of an MMN evoked by McGurk-MacDonald percepts elicited by audiovisual stimuli with constant auditory components. Cortical evoked potentials were recorded using the oddball paradigm on 8 adults in 3 experimental conditions: auditory alone, visual alone and audiovisual stimulation. Obtaining illusory percepts was confirmed in an additional psychophysical condition. The auditory deviant syllables and the audiovisual incongruent syllables elicited a significant MMN at Fz. In the visual condition, no negativity was observed either at Fz, or at O(z). An MMN can be evoked by visual articulatory deviants, provided they are presented in a suitable auditory context leading to a phonetically significant interaction. The recording of an MMN elicited by illusory McGurk percepts suggests that audiovisual integration mechanisms in speech take place rather early during the perceptual processes.


Forest management practices change topsoil carbon pools and their stability.
Forest management may lead to changes in soil carbon and its stability, and the effects are variable owing to the differences in management methods. Our study aimed to determine the impacts of different forest management practices on soil carbon pools and their stability. We chose a natural oak forest, where different forest-management strategies have been practiced. Forest management strategies included cultivating target trees by removing interference trees (CNFM), optimizing the forest spatial structure by the structural parameters (SBFM), reducing the stand density by harvesting timber (SFCS), and using unmanaged forests as controls (NT). Topsoil (depth of 0-10 cm) was collected after eight years of forest management. Soil organic carbon (SOC), labile organic carbon components and the microbial community were determined, and SOC chemical compositions were assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance. The CNFM and SFCS strategies had smaller dissolved organic carbon contents than the NT and SBFM strategies, and the CNFM strategy increased the ratio of alkyl C and o-alkyl C, indicating that the SOC was more stable. Forest management strategies changed the SOC and its labile C pool by adjusting the soil total nitrogen,β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, fine-root carbon and fungal operational taxonomic units, and the SOC chemical compositions were influenced by the number of fungal species. These findings suggest that the soil organic carbon decreased, but its stability increased in the natural forest under the practice of cultivating target trees by removing interference trees. The SOC pools could be regulated by soil nitrogen, enzyme activity, fine roots, and fungi, while soil fungi could affect SOC stability.


Sequence analysis of Enterococcus faecalis aggregation substance encoded by the sex pheromone plasmid pAD1.
The location of the structural gene for aggregation substance on the sex pheromone plasmid pAD1 of Enterococcus faecalis was determined using an oligonucleotide deduced from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein. The nucleotide sequence was determined for the corresponding region and two open reading frames (ORFs) could be identified. ORF1 codes for a small (Mr 13,160) acidic protein of unknown function. The gene for aggregation substance (named asa1) was found to code for a protein of 1296 amino acids (Mr 142,248). The protein has a signal peptide of 43 amino acids (the resulting Mr for mature aggregation substance is 137,429) and contains in its C-terminal region a proline-rich sequence, previously characterized as being involved in cell wall association, which is followed by a membrane anchor. The membrane anchor showed significant similarity to that of other Gram-positive organisms, but no other similarities to surface proteins from Gram-positive bacteria were found. In particular, no repeats on the DNA or protein level could be detected for pAD1-specific aggregation substance. The protein contains the amino acid motifs Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser and Arg-Gly-Asp-Val (once each), which, it is proposed, play a crucial role in adherence to eukaryotic cells.


A randomized prospective trial of bowel preparation for colonoscopy with Fortrans compared with bisacodyl.
An empty and adequate clean colon is a prerequisite of diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy. Our aim is to assess the efficacy and tolerance of bowel preparation for colonoscopy with Fortrans (polyethylene glycols) versus oral bisacodyl. One hundred and four consecutive patients scheduled for colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled and allocated to Fortrans group or bisacodyl group by block randomization. Ninety-four patients were included for final analysis. Forty-five patients underwent preparation with Fortrans. The efficacy and tolerance of colon preparation were similar with both methods (p = 0.102, p = 0.202). The latency before the first bowel movement and total preparation time were shorter with Fortrans than with bisacodyl (p = 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). Statistically significant differences were noted in changes of body weight, serum levels of sodium and calcium in patients taking bisacodyl (p = 0.049, 0.015, and 0.038, respectively). The taste of Fortrans was rated significantly better than that of bisacodyl (p = 0.002). Patients experienced more abdominal discomfort completing preparation with bisacodyl (p = 0.002). Fortrans and bisacodyl are equally effective and well tolerated in preparation for colonoscopy. However, Fortrans preparation takes less time and provides a better taste with less abdominal discomfort and less change in body weight as well as serum levels of sodium and calcium than bisacodyl preparation.


Detection, isolation and partial characterization of an immunostimulating glycoprotein from Rhodococcus fascians.
In a search for novel immunostimulating substances we detected that culture supernatants of the gram-positive phytopathogenic bacterium, Rhodococcus fascians, were able to induce cytokine release (TNF(alpha)) from mouse peritoneal macrophages. Monoclonal antibodies were generated against the active principle, and were employed for its isolation and partial characterization as a high molecular (MW>100 kDa) glycoprotein. In addition, methods practicable for its biotechnological preparation and several ELISA variants for its determination were developed.


Physical electro-thermal model of resistive switching in bi-layered resistance-change memory.
Tantalum-oxide-based bi-layered resistance-change memories (RRAMs) have recently improved greatly with regard to their memory performances. The formation and rupture of conductive filaments is generally known to be the mechanism that underlies resistive switching. The nature of the filament has been studied intensively and several phenomenological models have consistently predicted the resistance-change behavior. However, a physics-based model that describes a complete bi-layered RRAM structure has not yet been demonstrated. Here, a complete electro-thermal resistive switching model based on the finite element method is proposed. The migration of oxygen vacancies is simulated by the local temperature and electric field derived from carrier continuity and heat equations fully coupled in a 3-D geometry, which considers a complete bi-layered structure that includes the top and bottom electrodes. The proposed model accurately accounts for the set/reset characteristics, which provides an in-depth understanding of the nature of resistive switching.


Relationship Between Nurse Certification and Clinical Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review.
Certification of nurses has been identified as a strategy to improve health care quality. However, the impact nursing certification has on clinical patient outcomes remains unclear. The purpose was to examine the relationship between nursing certification and clinical outcomes. A systematic review of the literature was conducted through the search of relevant bibliographic databases (CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Collaboration). Nursing certification was found to have a significant inverse relationship to patient falls and health care-associated infections. Significant correlations were not established in outcomes such as pressure injuries and mortality. The validation of knowledge through nursing certification has an impact on specific outcomes such as patients falls and health care-associated infections.


Engineered B cells expressing an anti-HIV antibody enable memory retention, isotype switching and clonal expansion.
HIV viremia can be controlled by chronic antiretroviral therapy. As a potentially single-shot alternative, B cells engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 to express anti-HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are capable of secreting high antibody titers. Here, we show that, upon immunization of mice, adoptively transferred engineered B cells home to germinal centers (GC) where they predominate over the endogenous response and differentiate into memory and plasma cells while undergoing class switch recombination (CSR). Immunization with a high affinity antigen increases accumulation in GCs and CSR rates. Boost immunization increases the rate of engineered B cells in GCs and antibody secretion, indicating memory retention. Finally, antibody sequences of engineered B cells in the spleen show patterns of clonal selection. Therefore, B cells can be engineered into what could be a living and evolving drug.


Quality of phenobarbital solid-dosage forms in the urban community of Nouakchott (Mauritania).
Epilepsy is a major public-health problem in Africa. The quality of available drugs is a limiting factor for an adequate management. The aim of this study was to describe the proportion of poor-quality phenobarbital (PB) solid-dosage forms and evaluate the factors associated with its quality in Nouakchott (Mauritania). A cross-sectional study was carried out within pharmacies, hospitals, and on the parallel market in March 2003. PB samples were bought by a native person and then assayed by a liquid chromatography method. A package was considered to be of good quality if the active-substance average content was between 85 and 115% of the stated content printed on the packet. Forty-five pharmaceutical stores were visited, enabling us to collect 146 samples of PB. Three brand names were available in Nouakchott. They originated from France, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt. Results: A prevalence of 13.7%[95% confidence interval (CI), 8.8-20.0] of poor-quality PB was found. All samples from Morocco were underdosed. The generic active content was satisfactory, but saccharose, an excipient with a potential side effects, was identified. Two factors associated with the good quality of PB have been put forward: tablets manufactured in France and loose packaging as generics conditioned in such a way were of good quality. This study shows that the quality of antiepileptic drugs in Africa is still worrying. The setting up of medicine quality control in Mauritania is legitimate. Considering the good quality of generic PB and its lower cost, this type of medicine should be promoted in this region.


Attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals: a qualitative systematic review.
Older adults utilising healthcare may be vulnerable to systemic bias regarding ageing potentially affecting care. Primary aim is to systematically review the qualitative literature examining attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals (HCPs). Secondary aim is to describe and compare attitudes to ageing between different professional groups. Studies examining attitudes to ageing of HCPs were identified using four databases. Original qualitative research with HCPs was included, excluding studies examining students alone, reviews, and grey literature. Three authors undertook standardised data extraction and quality rating for each study and thematic synthesis, with a fourth senior author reviewing. Quality appraisal followed the Attree and Milton guidelines (2006), including studies rated A-C. Of 5869 citations, 13 met initial inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the 12 studies graded A-C followed (excluding one study rated-D). Nurses, doctors, and social workers were most frequently investigated. Identified themes included Attitudes towards older persons, The role of the older persons' family, Behaviour of HCPs towards older persons, Behaviour of older persons towards HCPs, and Definitions of an older person. An overarching theme emerged of the systemic context of attitudes to ageing. Common attitudes were found across disciplines, with doctors emphasising complexity and dependency and nurses the burden of care. HCP's attitudes to ageing vary and are shaped by professional experiences and systemic factors. HCP attitudes may affect responses to and care of the older person. Therefore, interprofessional research, and systemic and service changes across disciplines are required to foster real and sustainable attitudinal change to support older peoples' care.


Recruitment of bone marrow CD11b+Gr-1+ cells by polymeric nanoparticles for antigen cross-presentation.
The objective of this study was to investigate the function of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) on the activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses via the CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid subpopulations in murine bone marrow (BM). PLGA NPs containing ovalbumin (OVA) were fabricated by the double-emulsion method. The CD11b+Gr-1lowLy-6Chigh and CD11b+Gr-1highLy-6Clow subsets from mice bone marrow were sorted and treated with the PLGA/OVA NPs, followed by co-culture with the carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labelled OT-I CD8+ cells. Co-culture of OT-I CD8+ T cells with PLGA/OVA NPs-primed CD11b+Gr-1+ subsets upregulated the expression of IL-2, TNF-α, INF-γ, granzyme B, and perforin, resulting in proliferation of CD8+ T cells and differentiation into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In vivo proliferation of CFSE-labelled OT-I CD8+ cells in response to OVA was also obtained in the animals immunized with PLGA/OVA NPs. The results presented in this study demonstrate the ability of polymeric NPs to recruit two CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid subsets for effective presentation of exogenous antigen to OT-I CD8+ T cells in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, leading to an induction of antigen-specific cell proliferation and differentiation into effector cells.


Pharmacokinetic and phase I study of intravenous DON (6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine) in children.
DON (6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine), a glutamine antagonist, has been subjected to limited clinical trials since 1957. Use of the drug in adults has been curtailed due to sparse reports of effectiveness as well as its dose-limiting toxicities, i.e., severe nausea, vomiting and mucositis. In earlier studies, children given DON orally in combination with 6-mercaptopurine had significant prolongation of remission of acute leukemias during maintenance therapy. As DON is acid-labile and relatively unstable in solution, oral administration does not appear to be ideal for DON. In the trial described in this report, i.v. DON therapy was studied, using i.v. chlorpromazine to control vomiting, in 20 children, 17 of whom were evaluable following treatment at DON dose levels ranging from 150 mg/m2 to 520 mg/m2. Nausea and vomiting, the dose-limiting toxicity for adults, was controlled with chlorpromazine. Mucositis, which has also been observed in adults, did not occur in the children given DON i.v. A maximum tolerated dose was not defined; however, the projected maximum tolerated dose appears to be in excess of 450 mg/m2. DON was measured in plasma using a rapid-sampling HPLC procedure. The total body clearance, plasma t1/2, and area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) were calculated using a noncompartmental method. The drug is rapidly cleared from plasma (t 1/2 = 3 h), and its volume of distribution is approximately twice that of total body water in children. These pharmacokinetic data, differ from that of adults reported by others. Specifically, the plasma t 1/2 for children is longer: total body clearance (Cl), and volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) are greater. In addition, no dose dependency of t 1/2, Cl or Vss was observed in this study, and the DON pharmacokinetics were linear and predictable. Five of nine children with acute leukemia showed improvement, though insufficient for classification as partial response, and five of eight children with solid tumors also showed improvement. Further trials using DON in combination with thiopurines or other agents appear indicated.


Involvement of opioid receptors in the systemic and peripheral antinociceptive actions of montelukast in the animal models of pain.
This study aimed to investigate the involvement of opioid receptors in the systemic and peripheral antinociceptive activities of montelukast in different animal models of pain. Rats and mice were injected with montelukast to produce analgesia. The formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used to assess the nociceptive activity. The results showed that i.p. administration of montelukast (0.3-10mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced flinching behavior in both the first and second phases of formalin test with mean ED50 of 0.55 and 5.31mg/kg, respectively. Also, intraplantar administration of montelukast (3-30μg/paw) produced antinociception against the two phases of formalin assay in a dose-dependent way with mean ED30 of 2.92 and 8.11μg/paw, respectively. Furthermore, pre-treatment with naloxone (a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist) significantly inhibited both the systemic and also peripheral antinociceptive actions of montelukast in formalin test. In writhing test, the results showed that intraperitoneal administration of montelukast (3-10mg/kg) significantly reduced the writhe number induced by acetic acid in mice. Moreover, co-administration of non-effective doses of montelukast (0.3 and 1mg/kg; i.p.) and morphine (0.25mg/kg; i.p.) significantly decreased the writhes number induced by acetic acid. Also, this effect was naloxone-reversible. These findings suggest that the systemic and peripheral antinociception produced by montelukast were mediated through the opioid receptors in central and peripheral nervous systems. Moreover, combination of montelukast and morphine could be noted as a new strategy for pain relief.


Econ-assessments.org: Automated Assessment of Economics Skills.
Standard assessments can give instructors reliable objective measures of student skills at the beginning and end of a term. We describe seven standard assessments that we have developed for commonly taught economics courses, and introduce a new website, econ-assessments.org, that allows instructors worldwide to set up any of our assessments for their students. Instructors get a link to their chosen assessment that can be shared with students, and students take the timed assessment when they follow the link. At the end of the test-taking period, instructors receive a report that summarizes performance in aggregate and by learning goal.


Detection and clinical evaluation of antineutrophil antibodies in neonates who had a blood transfusion or exchange transfusion.
The aim of this study was to detect and investigate the clinical effects of antineutrophil antibodies in neonates who had received a blood transfusion or exchange transfusion. Venous blood samples were drawn from 34 neonates at pretransfusion (sample 0), immediately after transfusion (sample 1), 2-3 weeks (sample 2) and 8-12 weeks (sample 3) after transfusion. Ten healthy neonates were in the control group. Antineutrophil antibodies were detected using flow cytometric assay. Antineutrophil antibody was detected in the sera of 20 (58.8%) neonates in the study group. Of these 20 neonates, nine had antineutrophil antibodies in serum samples 0, 1 and 2, which were probably due to the passive transfer of maternal antibodies. Nine neonates had antineutrophil antibodies in serum samples 1 and 2, which were probably due to neutrophil antibodies being present in the donor's blood. In two neonates, antineutrophil antibodies were not detected in samples 0 and 1, but appeared in sample 2, which were probably actively produced by the neonates. All of the antineutrophil antibodies disappeared in the serum samples, except in one neonate. Only one preterm newborn developed neutropenia, which resolved spontaneously in a week. The presence of antineutrophil antibody in transfused neonates was significantly higher than in non-transfused neonates. The presence of neutrophil specific antibodies in transfused neonates is not rare and antineutrophil antibodies may be found more often in transfused neonates compared to non-transfused neonates. The clinical significance of those antibodies needs to be assessed since they are transient and their clinical effects are not evident.


Water tetramer, pentamer, and hexamer in inert matrices.
The infrared spectrum of water, isolated in inert matrices, has been studied in the interval from 60 to 4000 cm(-1). Experiments with partially deuterated water combined with DFT (density functional theory) calculations have been used to investigate the structure of matrix-isolated water tetramer. A few, strong intermolecular fundamentals of the water tetramer have been observed. Mid-infrared bands due to deuterated pentamers and hexamers have been observed and are used to discuss the assignments of these water clusters.


Impact of Radiation Oncology Research Grants Awarded by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Using the "Payback Framework".
Radiation Oncology (RO) societies which provide research grants from membership dues or charitable donations owe it to their funders to assess value for money, yet very little has been published on the outcomes of such grants. A previous Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) survey confirmed significant academic impact from their RO grants. The purpose of this work was to update and broaden the survey using, to our knowledge for the first time in the RO literature, the "Payback Framework", a model employed extensively elsewhere in health research. Between funding years 2010 and 2020, 58 grants were awarded to 41 individuals, median 1 per individual (range 1-4), median AUD $20,000 (US $14,000) per grant (range AUD $5,000-$26,000). Five recipients of failed projects were excluded. The remaining 36 individuals, receiving 51 grants totaling US $660,000, were eligible for a voluntary on-line survey (SurveyMonkey) assessing project outcomes. Data collection and checking extended to 31 January 2022. The survey response rate was 100% (36/36). Objective academic outcomes attributable, at least in part, to the grants included 103 conference presentations, 59 publications, 21 prizes and 18 higher degrees. 27 consequential grants totaled US $4.5M, a 6.8-fold return on investment. Broader impacts included perceived contributions to guideline development (53% of recipients), changes in clinical decision making (72%) or radiotherapy techniques (61%), enabling of subsequent research (56%), development of novel research tools (19%) and recruitment of research assistant(s) (19%). The three most important factors reported to contribute to project success were the RO grant (83%), networking (81%) and local infrastructure (81%). The grant program was rated very positively. This updated RANZCR survey has confirmed continuing significant academic output from its RO research grants but has also revealed broader benefits using the Payback Framework. We would encourage other RO societies to report their grant outcomes using a similar framework.


Glucuronides of unconjugated 6-hydroxylated bile acids in urine of a patient with malabsorption.
The excretion of bile acids in urine from a patient with chronic malabsorption was investigated. Bile acids were separated according to mode of conjugation using a lipophilic anion exchanger, diethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20. Following hydrolysis, individual bile acids were analyzed by computerized GC/MS. In addition, bile acid glucuronides were isolated and their methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether derivatives were directly analyzed by GC/MS. The patient had a normal or slightly increased excretion of bile acids in urine. Bile acids carrying a hydroxyl group at C-6 constituted about 40% of the total. Tetrahydroxylated bile acids were present which have not been found in healthy subjects. Glucuronides of otherwise unconjugated bile acids accounted for 20% of the total. About 90% of these conjugates were 6-hydroxylated, hyodeoxycholic acid being the major bile acid. It is suggested that a specific abnormality of bile acid metabolism is related to the disease in this patient.


Hydration and stability of sulfatide-containing phosphatidylethanolamine small unilamellar vesicles.
The effect of sulfatide on membrane hydration of 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) was investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The degree of hydration in the headgroup region of the bilayer lipids was assessed with the fluorescence lifetime of N-(5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)dipalmitoylphosphatidylethan olamine along with the ratio of its fluorescence intensities measured in samples prepared either in D2O- or in H2O-based buffers. Similarly, hydration of acyl chains near the headgroup region and that close to the bilayer center were studied using 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1-palmitoyl-2-[2-[4-(6-phenyl-trans-1,3, 5-hexatrienyl)phenyl]ethyl]carbonyl]-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine as probes. Increasing sulfatide concentration up to 30 mol% resulted in an increase in surface hydration and a decrease in interchain hydration. These were correlated with an increase in bilayer stability of the DOPE/sulfatide SUVs. Moreover, variation of pH was found to affect the hydration and stability of the bilayer vesicles. No further change in headgroup hydration and interchain hydration near the bilayer center was observed at sulfatide concentrations >/=30 mol%. At such high sulfatide concentrations, bilayer hydration and stability were no longer pH-sensitive. The effects of sulfatide on hydration and stability of DOPE bilayer vesicles are discussed by taking into account the electrostatic and geometrical properties of the sulfated galactosyl headgroups.


Value of subcutaneous drainage system in obese females undergoing cesarean section using pfannenstiel incision.
To determine whether closed subcutaneous drainage systems were efficacious in reducing the rate of wound breakdown of Pfannenstiel incision after cesarean section (CS) in obese females. Prospective controlled clinical trial. 118 obese pregnant females with a body mass index >32 undergoing CS were divided into two groups: group I (n = 78) with closed subcutaneous drainage system and group II (n = 40) without drainage system. Incision closure technique was standardized. Prophylactic antibiotics were given routinely to both groups. Primary outcomes were the incidence of wound breakdown in both groups together with rate of hematoma formation and occurrence of fever. Secondary outcomes were amount of fluid drained, need for redressing. Wound breakdown occurred in 9 cases in group I (11.5%), while it happened in 5 cases in group II (12.5%) (p > 0.05). Relative risk was 0.92 (95% CI 0.26-3.75). Hematoma formation was observed in only 1 case in the nondrainage group (group II). Fever was observed in 18 cases in group I (23.1%) in the first 24 h postoperative while in group II, 13 cases developed fever (32.5%) (p > 0.05). The need for redressing within the first 24 h was only in 2.5% of cases in group I while it was 17.9% in group II (p < 0.05). We found no significant benefit in using a subcutaneous drain as a prophylactic measure against wound breakdown in obese pregnant females undergoing CS as long as they received a prophylactic antibiotic.


Overcoming current challenges in commercial applications of fish protein isolates in food and feed systems: a review.
Over the past 2 decades, the number of scientific papers on properties of fish proteins recovered from various aquatic resources, including the rest raw materials obtained from seafood processing have grown dramatically. Whereas the fish protein isolate (FPI) is a new source of animal protein that can be used to develop value-added food products as well as animal feed enrichment. But to date, very few practical studies have been done on the application of FPI in food and feed systems, and it may have caused the lack of commercial development of this product. Therefore, in order to optimal utilization of aquatic and raw materials in addition to the fight against malnutrition and protein deficiency in poor countries more attention to this technology will be caused this product commercialized. However, for realizing this potential in FPI, several challenges have to be solved. Therefore, this article explores in depth the researches into the use of FPI in food systems and discusses the challenges that this protein source is faced in developing food products. The authors believe that in order to overcome the current challenges in commercial applications of protein isolates in food systems, the following issues should be paying attention and further researches being carried out based on them: industrial process scale-up, production costs, choosing the optimum pH for protein extraction, solubility of proteins, lipid and protein oxidation, the ratio of FPI in food systems, storage stability, sensory defects of FPI, marketing, and economic aspects and future trends of the use of FPI.


Theoretical and experimental study on the excited states of the X-, α- and β-forms of lithium phthalocyanine.
The electronic structures and absorption spectra for three different types (X, α and β) of model dimers of lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) were investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) and compared with a LiPc monomer. We quantitatively investigated the excited states of the three LiPc dimers using time-dependent DFT calculations. The differences and similarities of the observed absorption spectra in the solution and the polymorphic solids of LiPc were clearly interpreted by the calculated excited states of the monomer and dimers. The calculated results for the dimers presumed that the X-form showed a different electronic spectral pattern from the monomer and the other two forms, whereas the α- and β-forms presented similar electronic absorption profiles to each other and to the monomer. The calculated excited states also explained the differences in absorption profiles between LiPc and typical phthalocyanine compounds. These characteristic features of LiPc would be closely related to its molecular orbitals, especially those which originated from the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the LiPc monomer. It was shown that the next highest occupied π-type orbital to the SOMO of the monomer reduced the energy of the low-lying excited states, which corresponded to the Q- and B-bands of the dimers.


The isolation of peste des petits ruminants virus from Nigerian sheep and goats.
Four isolates of peste des petits ruminants virus were obtained from sick Nigerian sheep and goats. One was identical antigenically with the prototype Senegalese strain. A cross relationship was found between peste des petits ruminants virus and rinderpest virus based on neutralisation in vitro.


Expression of PGK-A in the Australian brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr), consistent with paternal X inactivation.
An extensive survey of erythrocytes of marsupials other than kangaroos for electrophoretic variation if X-linked enzymes revealed two rare PGK-A phenotypes in the phalangerid Trichosurus vupecula and one in Trichosurus caninus. Four putatively heterozygous females expressed only the variant allelic isozyme in some tissues but expressed a trace of the normal isozyme in others. A putatively hemizygous male expressed only the variant isozyme in all tissues. The phenotypic patterns were consistent with those observed in kangaroos known to exhibit partial or complete parternal X inactivation in cells of females. Tow of the T. vulpecula were a mother and her female pouch young, further suggesting that paternal X inactivation occurs in T. vulpecula. This peculiar mechanism of dosage compensation may not be restricted to kangaroos.


Survival in marriage in the paraplegic couple: psychological study.
In the study of sexual functions and marital relations in 16 couples involving a normal female and a paraplegic male, married following the injury, it was found that a major source of dissatisfaction on the part of the wives was their inability to become pregnant and bear children. Sexual relations were surprisingly of secondary importance. Common in all 16 couples was the almost total lack of knowledge on the part of the woman about the man's sexual capabilities and the effect of his injury on fertility. Premarital counselling seems to be of primary importance in assuring the survival of such marriages. It may be useful to suggest they have premarital experience. Later, counselling should include the importance and advantages of artificial insemination donor treatment as a solution to infertility.


[Energy metabolism in skeletal muscles in experimental traumatic shock].
Content of ATP and adenylate nucleotides was not markedly altered in rats during a traumatic shock induced by Cannon's procedure involving an impairment of skeletal muscles. Energy potential and content of creatine phosphate were only slightly decreased in these tissues, while the level of lactate and the lactate/pyruvate ratio were increased at the terminal phase.


Single-molecule vibrational spectroscopy adds structural resolution to the optical trap.
The ability to apply forces on single molecules with an optical trap is combined with the endogenous structural resolution of Raman spectroscopy in an article in this issue, and applied to measure the Raman spectrum of ds-DNA during force-extension.


Imaging of protein molecules--towards atomic resolution.
This review discusses some of the recent developments in high resolution imaging of biological molecules. Electron micrographs of unstained biological molecules never show the resolution or contrast that would be predicted. Movements in the specimen caused by radiation damage, and possibly charging of the specimen are the most significant factors in the reduction of image contrast of these radiation-sensitive specimens. Until these limitations are overcome it is unlikely that the structures of biological molecules will be determined to the resolutions to which they are preserved. The causes of contrast loss in images are discussed in a quantitative manner and the use of crystalline paraffin as a model for radiation-sensitive specimens in general is described. Procedures for improving the contrast in images of biological molecules are described, including the new method of spot-scan imaging. Possible future developments, including high resolution imaging of single particles, are discussed.


Purple urine bag syndrome, a travel companion.
Purple urine bag syndrome is a rare entity that appears in elderly patients with long-term urinary catheters with chronic diseases. We describe the cases of two patients admitted to our service, who serve as example to illustrate this pathology and which process should be followed in its diagnosis and treatment. Purple urine bag syndrome is a rare entity that occurs more frequently in elderly patients, women, with long-term urinary catheters, whose main factors are debilitating diseases, prolonged immobility and chronic constipation. It should be treated by avoiding the triggering factors, adequate hydration of the patient, antibiotics directly antibiogram therapy and the change of urinary catheter can be evaluated.


Time preference, illness, and death.
This paper investigates the power of time preference to predict illness and premature mortality in adulthood. Using a unique Swedish cohort of 12,956 individuals born in 1953, interviewed in 1966, and followed with register data up to 2018, the paper reports that more patient adolescents are 17-21% less likely to die before the age of 65 years. More patient adolescents have fewer hospitalizations and diagnoses in their adult life and are less likely to be diagnosed with conditions associated with lifestyle risk factors. The investigated channels for the relationship between time preference and future health include lifestyle, education attainment, and future income. Controlling for education and income reduces the coefficient for time preference on premature mortality by one-fourth.


Comparison of different bonding materials for laser debonding.
The laser-aided removal of ceramic brackets from enamel surfaces was compared between two different adhesives. The selected bonding materials were Bis-GMA composite resin and 4-META MMA resin. Debonding forces were measured as the shear bond strength, perpendicular to the brackets. Debonding force, debonding time, total illuminated laser energy, and Modified Adhesive Remnant Index were discussed. Laser illumination was very effective for debonding in both resin groups. Enamel fracture was not observed in either laser illuminated groups, whereas two teeth were cracked in the Bis-GMA control group. For MMA resin, debonding force was sufficiently decreased at 3 watts output, whereas 7 watts output was needed for Bis-GMA resin samples. Total illuminated energies until the removal of the brackets were statistically lower in the MMA groups than in the Bis-GMA groups. Laser-focused adhesives tended to be removed with the brackets in the Bis-GMA groups, whereas they tended to remain on the tooth surface in the MMA groups. We concluded that debonding MMA resin with a laser is safer than debonding Bis-GMA resin with a laser.


Implant rehabilitation in patients with oral lichen planus: an overview.
Implant rehabilitation in oral lichen planus (OLP) is a major challenge for clinicians and patients. There is limited scientific evidence, primarily case reports and small case series. We conducted a literature review of data on the effectiveness and safety of implant rehabilitation in OLP patients. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles on implant placement in OLP patients (searches from 1980 to 2011). Eight studies (41 OLP patients rehabilitated with 135 implants) met the inclusion criteria. Survival rate of implants was 94.8% over a mean follow-up of 56.5 months. There is very limited evidence on the safety and benefits of implant placement in OLP patients. Implant loss appears not to be directly related to OLP, but linked to factors such as parafunctions, poor bone quality and marginal mandibular resection. The benefits and harms of using implants in people with OLP require thorough evaluation in properly designed randomised, controlled studies. OLP is not an absolute contraindication for implant insertion and there is no increased risk of failure. Implants should be positioned only if mucosal signs and symptoms are in the remission phase. A careful oral hygiene and frequent follow-up are the main recommendations in OLP patients rehabilitated with implants.


Specificity is rarely absolute in coral-algal symbiosis: implications for coral response to climate change.
Some reef-building corals have been shown to respond to environmental change by shifting the composition of their algal symbiont (genus Symbiodinium) communities. These shifts have been proposed as a potential mechanism by which corals might survive climate stressors, such as increased temperatures. Conventional molecular methods suggest this adaptive capacity may not be widespread because few (∼25%) coral species have been found to associate with multiple Symbiodinium clades. However, these methods can fail to detect low abundance symbionts (typically less than 10-20% of the total algal symbiont community). To determine whether additional Symbiodinium clades are present, but are not detected using conventional techniques, we applied a high-resolution, real-time PCR assay to survey Symbiodinium (in clades A-D) from 39 species of phylogenetically and geographically diverse scleractinian corals. This survey included 26 coral species thought to be restricted to hosting a single Symbiodinium clade ('symbiotic specialists'). We detected at least two Symbiodinium clades (C and D) in at least one sample of all 39 coral species tested; all four Symbiodinium clades were detected in over half (54%) of the 26 symbiotic specialist coral species. Furthermore, on average, 68 per cent of all sampled colonies within a given coral species hosted two or more symbiont clades. We conclude that the ability to associate with multiple symbiont clades is common in scleractinian (stony) corals, and that, in coral-algal symbiosis, 'specificity' and 'flexibility' are relative terms: specificity is rarely absolute. The potential for reef corals to adapt or acclimatize to environmental change via symbiont community shifts may therefore be more phylogenetically widespread than has previously been assumed.


Geriatrics: a selected up-to-date bibliography.
This is the second annual revision of the Geriatrics Bibliography. Approximately two thirds of the old references have been replaced by more current or more detailed articles. The bibliography has been expanded to include several additional topics and over 200 new references. Since the literature pertinent to geriatrics is growing ever more rapidly, it has been necessary to omit many informative articles from the bibliography. Almost all of the references date from the past four years. Preference is given to recent publications, since they provide a list of the important earlier articles. Some articles were selected to highlight current controversies or changes in viewpoint. An occasional review article is cited to amplify geriatric aspects of common diseases. Most of the references deal specifically with an elderly patient population, studies of which, it will be noted, are confounded by questions of "normal" aging as opposed to the concomitants of aging frequent in our society: inactivity, obesity, malnutrition, and psychosocial trauma. A few articles concern diseases remarkably common in the aged but for which no adequate study specifically from a geriatric viewpoint exists; e.g., monoclonal gammopathy, Paget's disease, pulmonary emboli. The references are divided into categories. The first (I) set deals with some possible causes of aging, the second (II) with physiologic decline accompanying aging, the third (III) with the atypical and nonspecific characteristics of illness among geriatric patients, and the fourth (IV) with non-physician services available to the elderly, including ethical quandaries. The remainder of the references are cited by pertinent medical specialty. Within each category, references are divided by disease process. Articles are further subgrouped by aspects of those diseases such as evaluation or therapy.


Development of a modified independent parallel reactions kinetic model and comparison with the distributed activation energy model for the pyrolysis of a wide variety of biomass fuels.
The pyrolysis of six waste biomass samples was studied and the fuels were kinetically evaluated. A modified independent parallel reactions scheme (IPR) and a distributed activation energy model (DAEM) were developed and their validity was assessed and compared by checking their accuracy of fitting the experimental results, as well as their prediction capability in different experimental conditions. The pyrolysis experiments were carried out in a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fitting procedure, based on least squares minimization, was performed simultaneously at different experimental conditions. A modification of the IPR model, considering dependence of the pre-exponential factor on heating rate, was proved to give better fit results for the same number of tuned kinetic parameters, comparing to the known IPR model and very good prediction results for stepwise experiments. Fit of calculated data to the experimental ones using the developed DAEM model was also proved to be very good.


Language and publication in "Cardiovascular Research" articles.
The acceptance rate of non-mother English tongue authors is generally a lot lower than for native English tongue authors. Obviously the scientific quality of an article is the principal reason for publication. However, is editorial rejection purely on scientific grounds? English mother tongue writers publish more than non mother-tongue writers--so are editors discriminating linguistically? We therefore decided to survey language errors in manuscripts submitted for publication to Cardiovascular Research (CVR). We surveyed language errors in 120 medical articles which had been submitted for publication in 1999 and 2000. The language "error" categories were divided into three principal groups: grammatical, structural and lexical which were then further sub-divided into key areas. The articles were corrected without any knowledge of the author's nationality or the corrections made by other language researchers. After an initial correction, a sample of the papers were cross-checked to verify reliability. The control groups of US and UK authors had an almost identical acceptance rate and overall "error" rate indicating that the language categories were objective categories also for the other nationalities. Although there was not a direct relationship between the acceptance rate and the amount of language errors, there was a clear indication that badly written articles correlated with a high rejection rate. The US/UK acceptance rate of 30.4% was higher than for all the other countries. The lowest acceptance rate of 9% (Italian) also had the highest error rate. Many factors could influence the rejection of an article. However, we found clear indications that carelessly written articles could often have either a direct or subliminal influence on whether a paper was accepted or rejected. On equal scientific merit, a badly written article will have less chance of being accepted. This is even if the editor involved in rejecting a paper does not necessarily identify language problems as a motive for rejection. A more detailed look at the types and categories of language errors is needed. Furthermore we suggest the introduction of standardised guidelines in scientific writing.


Effects of the histamine H2-receptor blocking drugs burimamide and cimetidine on noradrenergic transmission in the isolated aorta of the rabbit and atria of the guinea-pig.
1 In rabbit aortic strips, concentration-response curves to noradrenaline (NA) were shifted to the right in a parallel and concentration-dependent manner by the alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drug, phentolamine and also by the histamine H(2)-receptor blocking drugs, burimamide and cimetidine. Responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine were not affected by these drugs.2 Burimamide had the properties of a competitive antagonist of noradrenaline, possessing about one-hundredth the potency of phentolamine. Cimetidine was weaker than burimamide and did not fulfil the requirements for competitive antagonism of noradrenaline.3 In guinea-pig isolated atria, in which noradrenergic transmitter stores were labelled with [(3)H]-noradrenaline, phentolamine (3 muM), burimamide (30 muM) and cimetidine (30 muM), in decreasing order of effectiveness, each enhanced stimulation-induced efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline, indicating that their blocking effects on prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in this tissue are in the same order of relative potency as on postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in rabbit aortic strips.4 In the concentrations used (30 muM), neither burimamide nor cimetidine interfered with the neuronal uptake of noradrenaline. Burimamide, and to a much lesser extent, cimetidine, increased the resting efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline from guinea-pig atria.5 The effect of clonidine, a partial agonist on prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig atria, in increasing stimulation-induced efflux of [(3)H]-noradrenaline when stimulated with 150 pulses at 5 Hz was blocked by cimetidine (30 muM) and reversed by phentolamine (3 muM) and burimamide (30 muM).


[Detection of DNA variation after space flight in Datura innoxia by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers].
To substantiate the effect of space environment on medicinal plants, the seeds of Datura innoxia were set up in retrievable satellites. After returning to earth, the DNA variation of different groups was detected by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. From a pre-screening of 65 primers with 20 oligonucleotide lengths, 15 primers that produced distinct profiles for each DNA sample were selected. In contrast with the earth controlled group, 39 polymorphic bands were produced in weightless group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 23.1%; 45 polymophic bands were produced in hit group, and its degree of gene polymorphism was 24.4%. The polymorphic bands ranged approximately from 200 to 1990 bp. These results indicate that weightlessness induce DNA variation to some extents in Datura innoxia, while the compound effect of weightlessness and high energy heavy ions is more notable than the effect of single weightlessness.


Genito-urinary polyps: summary of the 10-year experiences of a single institute.
We present a large series of polyps situated in various parts of the urinary tract in adults, including 12 cases of fibroepithelial polyps, four cases of eosinophilic cystitis, three cases of benign prostatic epithelial polyp, and one case of transitional cell carcinoma presenting as a bladder polyp. Data on 23 patients with polyps in the urinary tract treated in our department from December 1995 to December 2005 were reviewed. The characteristics of the patients, disease, and treatment modalities were recorded. Of the 23 patients treated in our institute during the study period, seven had polyps in the ureter, eight had polyps in the bladder, and eight had polyps in the urethra. Twenty-one patients underwent endoscopic resection of the polyps, and two patients were managed conservatively with medical therapy. Twenty-two polyps were benign (fibroepithelial polyps, benign prostatic epithelial proliferations, eosinophilic cystitis), and in one patient transitional cell carcinoma presented as a bladder polyp. Postoperative recovery was excellent. Mild hematuria manifested in two patients during the perioperative period, but there was no recurrence in the follow-up period. Two patients with a urethral polyp managed with endoscopic resection developed urethral stricture during the postoperative period and required repeated urethral dilatations during the follow-up period. The presence of polyps in the urinary tract is rare. The treatment of choice is endoscopic resection, and the prognosis of these patients is excellent.


Prevalence and genotypes identification of human papillomavirus infection in a population of South Italy.
A limited number of human papillomavirus (HPV) types account for the majority of invasive cervical cancer cases. To assess, in a southern Italian region, where HPV infection had not yet been investigated, the prevalence of type-specific HPV infection. Multiplex PCR was used to test cervical specimens from 871 asymptomatic women. The HPV infection rate was 23.1%, with the highest prevalence being observed in women aged 20-30 years (32.6%). Type 16 was the most frequent HPV type detected either in mono-infected (39.8%) or in multi-infected (46.3%) women. The HPV infection rate was higher than reported from other Italian areas. Our results further emphasise the importance of vaccinations to immunize females before they acquire HPV infection.


A 12-lipoxygenase-Gpr31 signaling axis is required for pancreatic organogenesis in the zebrafish.
12-Lipoxygenase (12-LOX) is a key enzyme in arachidonic acid metabolism, and alongside its major product, 12-HETE, plays a key role in promoting inflammatory signaling during diabetes pathogenesis. Although 12-LOX is a proposed therapeutic target to protect pancreatic islets in the setting of diabetes, little is known about the consequences of blocking its enzymatic activity during embryonic development. Here, we have leveraged the strengths of the zebrafish-genetic manipulation and pharmacologic inhibition-to interrogate the role of 12-LOX in pancreatic development. Lipidomics analysis during zebrafish development demonstrated that 12-LOX-generated metabolites of arachidonic acid increase sharply during organogenesis stages, and that this increase is blocked by morpholino-directed depletion of 12-LOX. Furthermore, we found that either depletion or inhibition of 12-LOX impairs both exocrine pancreas growth and unexpectedly, the generation of insulin-producing β cells. We demonstrate that morpholino-mediated knockdown of GPR31, a purported G-protein-coupled receptor for 12-HETE, largely phenocopies both the depletion and the inhibition of 12-LOX. Moreover, we show that loss of GPR31 impairs pancreatic bud fusion and pancreatic duct morphogenesis. Together, these data provide new insight into the requirement of 12-LOX in pancreatic organogenesis and islet formation, and additionally provide evidence that its effects are mediated via a signaling axis that includes the 12-HETE receptor GPR31.


Constrained computationally efficient nonlinear predictive control of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Tuning, feasibility and performance.
Control of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is a challenging task since they are nonlinear dynamic systems and it is essential to precisely satisfy the existing technological constraints which must be imposed on the manipulated variable (the fuel flow) and on fuel utilisation. This paper details a constrained computationally efficient nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for the SOFC process. The predicted voltage and fuel utilisation trajectories are successively linearised on-line which leads to a simple to solve quadratic optimisation MPC problem. The emphasis is put on three aspects: (a) selection of tuning parameters, (b) feasibility of the constrained MPC optimisation problem, (c) good control quality and low computational burden. At first, tuning is thoroughly described. It is demonstrated that soft fuel utilisation constraints lead to feasible MPC optimisation. It is shown that control accuracy and constraints' satisfaction ability of the algorithm are very similar to those of the "ideal" MPC strategy with nonlinear on-line optimisation, but its computational burden is much lower. Finally, it is shown that the algorithm is much more precise than the simple MPC algorithm with successive on-line model linearisation and the classical MPC algorithm based on a parameter-constant linear model.


Functional analysis of dicer-2 missense mutations in the siRNA pathway of Drosophila.
The Drosophila RNase III enzyme Dicer-2 processes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) precursors into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). It also interacts with the siRNA product and R2D2 protein to facilitate the assembly of an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) that mediates RNA interference. Here, we characterized six independent missense mutations in the dicer-2 gene. Four mutations (P8S, L188F, R269W, and P365L) in the DExH helicase domain reduced dsRNA processing activity. Two mutations were located within an RNase III domain. P1496L caused a loss of dsRNA processing activity comparable to a null dicer-2 mutation. A1453T strongly reduced both dsRNA processing and RISC activity, and decreased the levels of Dicer-2 and R2D2 proteins, suggesting that this mutation destabilizes Dicer-2. We also found that the carboxyl-terminal region of R2D2 is essential for Dicer-2 binding. These results provide further insight into the structure-function relationship of Dicer, which plays a critical role in the siRNA pathway.


Discrepancies in youth self-report and case file report of maltreatment and association with internalizing and externalizing symptoms.
Childhood maltreatment is a potential risk factor for the later development of psychopathology (Jaffee, 2017). However, there is no gold standard for identifying victims of child maltreatment, and when multiple informants - such as case files and youth self-report - are used, these sources often disagree (Cooley & Jackson, 2022). The current study aimed to explore discrepancies between youth self-report and case file report of maltreatment and examine how these discrepancies related to internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Participants were 470 youth living in foster care between the ages of 8 and 18 and their caregivers. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to create novel groups based on informant discrepancies. Agreement between informants was in the poor-to-fair agreement range for all types of maltreatment. Latent class analysis identified a 3-class solution with significant group differences on both externalizing (Χ2 (2, N = 470) = 6.16, p = 0.05) and internalizing symptoms (Χ2 (2, N = 470) = 6.10, p = 0.05). Specifically, those in the "self-report only" class had significantly higher symptoms than those in the "neither informant/case file only" class for both internalizing and externalizing behavior. Case files and youth self-report of maltreatment are discrepant. Youth self-report of maltreatment history may be more closely linked to psychopathology than case file report of maltreatment. Researchers and practitioners should look to youth self-report rather than relying solely on case files when determining risk for psychopathology.


Reverse transcriptase activity and particles of retroviral density in cultured canine lymphosarcoma supernatants.
Lymphoid tissue from 43 cases of canine lymphosarcoma and from 40 clinically normal dogs have been examined for markers of retrovirus infection. From 69-76% of culture supernatants from lymphosarcomas were shown to contain particles of retroviral density and to possess poly rC-oligo dG templated polymerase (reverse transcriptase) activity compared with 17-24% of culture supernatants from normal canine lymphoid cells. In 6 culture supernatants from cases of lymphosarcoma, high molecular weight 60-70S RNA was detected and shown to be found in association with this particulate reverse transcriptase activity. No such RNA was detected in 6 culture supernatants from normal canine lymphoid cells.


Quality of life in pancreatic cancer: analysis by stage and treatment.
In pancreatic cancer patients, survival and palliation of symptoms should be balanced with social and functional impairment, and for this reason, health-related quality of life measurements could play an important role in the decision-making process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of life and survival in 92 patients with different stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical and/or medical interventions. Patients were evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaires at diagnosis and follow-up (3 and 6 months). At diagnosis, 28 patients (30.5%) had localized disease (group 1) and underwent surgical resection, 34 (37%) had locally advanced (group 2), and 30 (32.5%) metastatic disease (Group 3). Improvement in quality of life was found in group 1, while in group 3, it decreased at follow-up (p=0.03). No changes in quality of life in group 2 were found. Chemotherapy/chemoradiation seems not to significantly modify quality of life in groups 2 and 3. Median survival time for the entire cohort was 9.8 months (range, 1-24). One-year survival was 74%, 30%, and 16% for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (p=0.001). Pancreatic cancer prognosis is still dismal. In addition to long-term survival benefits, surgery impacts favorably quality of life.


High CD4⁺ T cell density is associated with poor prognosis in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of CD4(+) T cells in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) tissues in situ. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the distribution of CD4(+) T cells in 131 NMIBC tissues. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to estimate overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). NMIBC patients were divided into two groups based on the median frequency of CD4(+) T cells (median, 1/×400 high resolution). On univariate analysis, CD4(+) T cell density was inversely associated with overall survival (P = 0.01). In those patients with high CD4(+) T density, 5-year OS rates was only 77%, compared with 86% in those with low density, respectively. Although CD4(+) T cell density showed no prognostic significance for RFS (P = 0.36), 5-year RFS rates of patients with high CD4(+) T density (58%) was lower than those of patients with low CD4(+) T density (65%, respectively). By multivariate analysis, tumor infiltrating CD4(+) T cell density emerged as an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR, 2.75; P = 0.004). In addition, no association was found between CD4(+) T cell density and any clinicopathological variables (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that CD4(+) T cells could potentially serve as a poor prognostic marker for patients with NMIBC.


PIK3CA C-terminal frameshift mutations are novel oncogenic events that sensitize tumors to PI3K-α inhibition.
PIK3CA hotspot mutation is well established as an oncogenic driver event in cancer and its durable and efficacious inhibition is a focus in the development and testing of clinical cancer therapeutics. However, hundreds of cancer-associated PIK3CA mutations remain uncharacterized, their sensitivity to PI3K inhibitors unknown. Here, we describe a series of PIK3CA C-terminal mutations, primarily nucleotide insertions, that produce a frame-shifted protein product with an extended C terminus. We report that these mutations occur at a low frequency across multiple cancer subtypes, including breast, and are sufficient to drive oncogenic transformation in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that the oncogenicity of these mutant p110α proteins is dependent on p85 but not Ras association. P110α-selective pharmacologic inhibition blocks transformation in cells and mammary tumors characterized by PIK3CA C-terminal mutation. Taken together, these results suggest patients with breast and other tumors characterized by PIK3CA C-terminal frameshift mutations may derive benefit from p110α-selective inhibitors, including the recently FDA-approved alpelisib.


Treatment duration and factors associated with the surgery-first approach: a two-center study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment duration and number of appointments in orthognathic surgery using the surgery-first approach (SFA) and to evaluate the factors associated to these outcomes. This was a retrospective chart review of consecutively treated patients with SFA at a University clinic and a private practice setting. Treatment duration, number of appointment, and factors associated to this duration such as patient demographics, type of surgery, use of 3D planning, and treatment center among others were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the simultaneous association between all predictor variables and outcomes. Median treatment duration for patients undergoing SFA was 9.6 months [6.1 (25 % percentile); 13.4 (75 % percentile)] with a median number of 13.8 appointments [9 (25 % percentile); 17 (75 % percentile)]. Transverse maxillary expansion was associated with longer treatment duration and number of appointments. There was also a significant difference in number of appointments between the two treatment centers. SFA significantly reduces treatment duration in orthognathic surgery. Transverse expansion is associated with longer treatment duration and number of appointments.


Direct binding between two PDZ domain proteins Canoe and ZO-1 and their roles in regulation of the jun N-terminal kinase pathway in Drosophila morphogenesis.
During Drosophila embryogenesis, the ventral epidermis dorsally expands and the left and right epithelial sheets meet and fuse along the dorsal midline. For this dorsal closure to occur, two PDZ domain proteins, Cno and ZO-1, are required. The dorsal epidermis remains open when the expression of ZO-1 and Cno are reduced simultaneously by hypomorphic mutations in the relevant loci. ZO-1 and Cno colocalize at adherens junctions in embryonic epithelia, and form a protein complex upon binding to each other. Genetic analysis showed that Cno is involved in the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway for dorsal closure, as a modulator acting upstream of, or in parallel with, the small GTPase Drac1. The ZO-1-Cno complex may be involved in dynamic changes in cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion during morphogenetic events associated with dorsal closure in the Drosophila embryo.


[Biphosphonates and intraocular inflammation].
PURPOSE/MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 67 year old woman had been taking oral alendronate in a single weekly dose of 70 mg. She developed panuveitis in her right eye and anterior uveitis in the left. The uveitis was resolved with steroids and discontinuation of alendronate. Three weeks later alendronate was reinstituted and this produced a recurrence. Her past medical history revealed that she had a temporal arteritis but her past ocular history was unremarkable. Disodium alendronate can cause intraocular inflammation (panuveitis and anterior uveitis), which requires discontinuing the treatment.


Synthesis of linear, branched, and cyclic peptide chimera.
Chimeric peptides are unnatural constructs consisting of bioactive compounds from at least two different peptide(s) and/or protein(s) or two sequences from different parts of the same protein. Such multifunctional peptide combinations are prepared to enhance the biological activity or selectivity of their components. New biological effects can also be achieved with the chimera. In this chapter the synthesis of three different types of chimeric peptides will be described. In a linear chimera, two peptide epitopes from different parts of glycoprotein D (gD) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) are combined. A branched chimera, built from linear peptides, consists of tuftsin oligomers with immunostimulatory activity and an epitope peptide of HSV gD. The third compound is a cyclic chimeric molecule, where alpha-conotoxin GI as a host peptide is modified by the incorporation of a core epitope from HSV gD as a guest sequence.


Prognostic significance of GPC5 expression in patients with prostate cancer.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein level of glypican-5 (GPC5) and its relationship with clinicopathologic significance in prostate cancer. The protein level of GPC5 in 160 prostate cancer tissues and 60 adjacent normal samples was examined by immunohistochemistry analysis, and the results were correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. The level of GPC5 in prostate cancer tissues was markedly lower than that in normal cases, especially in high-risk prostate cancer. Additionally, the low expression of GPC5 was closely associated with increased serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), higher Gleason scores, advanced tumor stage (T3), positive lymph node metastasis, and biochemical recurrence. Moreover, GPC5 low expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of patients with prostate cancer. GPC5 protein expression showed a close correlation with the tumorigenesis and tumor progression of prostate cancer, and that might be applied as a novel biomarker for the prediction of diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.


Healon as intravitreal substitute in retinal detachment surgery in 40 patients.
Forty patients with hypotony during retinal detachment surgery were treated with intravitreal Healon. Healon was very well tolerated, except for a transient rise in the intra-ocular pressure in 19 out of 40 patients. A relationship between the rise in intra-ocular pressure and the mount of Healon used was not found. Temporal corneal decompensation occurred in two patients. Early cases of proliferative vitreo-retinopathy with retinal detachment were treated successfully with external retinal-detachment surgery and intravitreal Healon.


In vivo chemotaxis of rat leucocytes to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP).
FMLP was potently chemotactic in vivo to rat leucocytes. Doses of 1 microgram attracted net leucocytes into experimental cotton pellets in 6 h. Maximal chemotactic activity occurred at 0.01 mg. Doses greater or less than 0.01 mg attracted less net leucocytes into experimental pellets. The effect of time on chemotaxis of 0.05 mg FMLP showed that between 3 and 36 h, chemotactic index remained above unity and rose maximally to over 1.5. Maximal chemotactic index occurred at 6 h followed by maximal leucocytic infiltration. FMLP showed early chemoattraction in vivo to rat leucocytes. Leucocytic migration into control pellets rose from 3 h, reached maximum levels at 24 h and remained almost at this level at 36 h. L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (MLP), studied as a negative control, showed a chemotactic index and chemotactic differential that rose and fell together between 3 and 36 h. The kinetics of migrating leucocyte populations in response to FMLP showed absolute polymorphonuclear leucocytes at 3 h and over 90% mononuclear leucocytes at 36 h.


Association of integrin-β2 polymorphism and expression with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in Egyptian patients.
The genetic architecture of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are still unclear. Although RA and OA have quite different causes, they share synovial inflammation, risk factors, and some disease-associated genes, including the integrin subunit β2 (ITGB2)/CD18 gene involved in extracellular matrix interactions and immune cell signaling. However, the functional role of ITGB2 genetic variants, its circulating expression pattern, and their clinical usefulness in RA and OA remain unexplored. Our study appraised the association of ITGB2 rs2070946 single nucleotide polymorphism with the vulnerability to RA and OA and its influence on ITGB2 mRNA expression, along with the potential of serum ITGB2 expression in RA and OA diagnosis. This study included 70 RA patients, 70 primary OA patients, and 60 healthy volunteers. Genotyping and gene expression analysis were performed using qPCR. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of ITGB2. Serum ITGB2 mRNA expression was upregulated in both RA and OA compared to healthy controls. ITGB2 rs2070946 was associated with escalating risk of both diseases. RA patients harboring the rs2070946 CC or TC + CC genotypes had higher serum ITGB2 expression than the TT genotype carriers. Likewise, OA patients having the minor homozygote CC genotype had higher serum ITGB2 expression than those carrying the TT, TC or TT + TC genotypes. Serum ITGB2 expression showed profound diagnostic potential for RA and OA in receiver-operating characteristic analysis. In RA, serum ITGB2 expression positively correlated with rheumatoid factor and disease activity score 28 (DAS28). The ITGB2-PPI network enriched in cell-cell adhesion, ICAM-3 receptor activity, T-cell activation, leukocyte adhesion, complement binding, and NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin signaling pathways. These findings embrace the impact of ITGB2 rs2070946 as a novel genetic biomarker of both RA and OA, which could alter the ITGB2 expression. Serum ITGB2 expression could aid in timely diagnosis of RA and OA.


Biocompatibility and biofilm inhibition of N,N-hexyl,methyl-polyethylenimine bonded to Boston Keratoprosthesis materials.
The biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of N,N-hexyl,methyl-polyethylenimine (HMPEI) covalently attached to the Boston Keratoprosthesis (B-KPro) materials was evaluated. By means of confocal and electron microscopies, we observed that HMPEI-derivatized materials exert an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates, as compared to the parent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and titanium. There was no additional corneal epithelial cell cytotoxicity of HMPEI-coated PMMA compared to that of control PMMA in tissue cultures in vitro. Likewise, no toxicity or adverse reactivity was detected with HMPEI-derivatized PMMA or titanium compared to those of the control materials after intrastromal or anterior chamber implantation in rabbits in vivo.


Answering questions on a hospice foundation web site: the first five years.
The "ask a question" feature of the web site maintained by the Hospice Foundation of America is described. Sample questions are presented. The initial and current perspective son this feature are provided by the hospice medical consultant who replies to questions sent to the web site.


Fluorometric calcium measurement.
Measuring the fluorescence of dyes specific for calcium and other cations allows the elucidation of cellular mechanisms such as neurotransmission, muscle contraction and cardiovascular regulation.


The cerebellum communicates with the basal ganglia.
The cerebral cortex is interconnected with two major subcortical structures: the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. How and where cerebellar circuits interact with basal ganglia circuits has been a longstanding question. Using transneuronal transport of rabies virus in macaques, we found that a disynaptic pathway links an output stage of cerebellar processing, the dentate nucleus, with an input stage of basal ganglia processing, the striatum.


Dog bite-induced necrosis of lymph nodes: A case report and literature review.
Dog bite is a common skin injury, which mainly causes structural damage, infection, and psychological trauma. Among these complications, infection by oral flora from animals has a major effect on later treatment. Each animal has a relatively unique oral microbial flora, which has a potential risk of infection and affects the formulation of treatment plans. Although lymph node necrosis is a common disease in the medical field, distant metastatic abscess and lymph node necrosis caused by dog bite are still worthy of early clinical suspicion after a patient presents with a dog bite disease. A high index of suspicion is greatly significant in shortening the patient's hospital stay, promoting wound healing, and reducing psychological trauma of patients.


[Experimental studies on the castration osteoporosis in the rat. II. Behavior of bone minerals].
In Wistar rats the bone mineral content of calcium magnesium, phosphor, sodium and potassium was investigated 10 months after complete ovarectomy. 20 of ovarectomized animals obtained in this time 0,65 mg ethinyloestradiolsulfonate/kg/month orally. The ovarectomy decreased significantly the content of calcium and magnesium of femur, humerus, vertebra thoracis and lumbalis. After therapy with the oestrogen these minerals were increased, but not significantly. These results did not correlate with the degree of histomorphometrically established osteoporosis. Phosphor, sodium and potassium were not changed significantly. The role of oestrogen dosis was discussed.


Functional dyspepsia: past, present, and future.
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms originating from the gastroduodenal region in the absence of underlying organic disease that readily explains the symptoms. The Rome II consensus, which defined FD as the presence of unexplained pain or discomfort in the epigastrium, had a number of drawbacks, including an unjustified focus on pain, inclusion of a large number of nonspecific symptoms, and an unclear position on overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Rome III consensus redefined FD as the presence of epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness or early satiation in the absence of underlying organic disease. Frequent overlap with GERD and IBS is acknowledged but does not exclude a diagnosis of FD. A subgroup classification into postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome was proposed. Ongoing studies will clarify the impact of this subdivision on clinical management and treatment outcomes.


Accelerating problem-solving capacities of sub-national public health professionals: an evaluation of a digital immunization training intervention.
This article reports an evaluation of the Immunization Training Challenge Hackathons (ITCH), invented by The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) for national and sub-national immunization staff who strive to develop the knowledge and capacity of others to improve immunization program performance. ITCH, a fully-digital program focused on networked collaborative problem-solving between peers, provided an "opt-in" activity for learners in the Teach to Reach (T2R) Accelerator Program designed to improve training effectiveness in the immunization sphere. Conducted by a team from the University of Georgia, this mixed method evaluation consisted of thematic analysis of recorded sessions and open-ended comments; and statistical analyses of application and follow-up survey data. The evaluation focused on what was learned and how ITCH participants implemented what they learned. Key stakeholder interviews provided supplemental data about program intent and results. ITCH consisted of 17 30-min sessions held in 2020, in English and French, with 581 participating at least once out of 1,454 enrolled in the overall program. Challenge owners and respondents came from 15 African and Asian countries and spanned different roles with differing scope. Over 85% [n = 154] of survey respondents [n = 181, a 31% response rate] indicated they were able to implement what they learned from the ITCH sessions. A majority [n = 139, 76.7%] reported finding the sessions useful. Issues with poor connectivity and the timing of the live meetings impeded some in their ability to participate, a problem compounded by consequences of the pandemic. The ITCH process constituted of learning or coming to consciousness simultaneously of four types of learning - participants realizing how much they could learn from each other (peer learning), experiencing the power of defying distance to solve problems together (remote learning), and feeling a growing sense of belonging to a community (social learning), emergent across country borders and health system levels (networked learning). Based on evaluation findings, it was concluded that ITCH demonstrated an effective scalable, informal, non-didactic, experience-led, fast-paced, peer learning design. A focus on community engagement and developing brokering skills was recommended.


Fast autofocus method for piezoelectric microscopy system for high interaction scenes.
Piezoelectric objective driver positioners are increasingly used in the field of microscopy. They have the advantages of high dynamic and fast response. This paper presents a fast autofocus algorithm for highly interactive microscope system. First, the Tenengrad gradient of the down-sampled image is used to calculate the image sharpness, and Brent search method is adopted to quickly converge to the correct focal length. At the same time, the input shaping method is used to eliminate the displacement vibration of the piezoelectric objective lens driver and further accelerate the image acquisition speed. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme can improve the speed of the automatic focusing task of the piezoelectric objective driver and improve the real-time focus of the automatic microscopic system. HIGHLIGHTS: A high real-time autofocus strategy. A vibration control method suitable for a piezoelectric objective driver.