Emerging Ideas Brief Report. How Do Low-Income Mothers Talk to Children About Weight and Body Shape?
Identify mothers' perceptions of how they talk about weight and body shape with their children and examine how approaches vary by mother and child characteristics. Youth who report that their parents talk with them about their weight experience poor health. However, very little is known about the content of these conversations. Mothers and their 6- to 11-year-old children (N = 188 dyads) participated in a mixed-methods study. Themes in mothers' responses to the interview question "How do you talk to your child about weight or body shape?" were identified, and latent class analysis was used to characterize patterns of weight and shape talk. Seven themes of weight and shape talk were identified, including talking about "Healthy Habits" (39.9%), "Avoids Weight and Body Talk" (21.8%), and tells "Cautionary Tales" (18.6%). Three patterns emerged from themes: talk to promote health, avoid talking about weight and shape, and talk to build children's self-esteem. Mothers of children with obesity were more likely to talk to promote health versus other patterns. The content of family conversations about weight and shape is diverse. Future research is needed to understand the impacts of specific ways parents talk about weight and shape.


Ca(2+)-dependent translocation of cytosolic proteins to isolated granule subpopulations and plasma membrane from human neutrophils.
In order to identify cytosolic proteins involved in control of granule exocytosis in human neutrophils, subcellular fractions enriched in each of the 3 major granule subsets were incubated with cytosol from neutrophils in the presence or absence of Ca2+. After washing, proteins were eluted from the organelles by EGTA. Annexins I, II, IV and VI were found to bind to all organelles studied. In addition, a 28-kDa protein was found to bind exclusively to plasma membranes and secretory vesicles, the most readily exocytosed organelle of neutrophils. Ca(2+)-dependent association of cytosolic proteins to different granule subsets may control differential exocytosis of granules.


The mechanism of cathode reduction of oxygen in a carbon carrier-laccase system.
The influence of temperature, oxygen pressure and inhibitors of laccase on the dioxygen electroreduction reaction has been examined at different solution pH. On the basis of obtained data, a reaction mechanism including electron transfer from the enzyme active site to the oxygen molecule is suggested as the slow step.


Immune Determinants of the Association between Tumor Mutational Burden and Immunotherapy Response across Cancer Types.
The FDA has recently approved a high tumor mutational burden (TMB-high) biomarker, defined by ≥10 mutations/Mb, for the treatment of solid tumors with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) that targets PD1. However, recent studies have shown that this TMB-high biomarker is only able to stratify ICI responders in a subset of cancer types, and the mechanisms underlying this observation have remained unknown. The tumor immune microenvironment (TME) may modulate the stratification power of TMB (termed TMB power), determining if it will be predictive of ICI response in a given cancer type. To systematically study this hypothesis, we inferred the levels of 31 immune-related factors characteristic of the TME of different cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Integration of this information with TMB and response data of 2,277 patients treated with anti-PD1 identified key immune factors that determine TMB power across 14 different cancer types. We find that high levels of M1 macrophages and low resting dendritic cells in the TME characterized cancer types with high TMB power. A model based on these two immune factors strongly predicted TMB power in a given cancer type during cross-validation and testing (Spearman Rho = 0.76 and 1, respectively). Using this model, we predicted the TMB power in nine additional cancer types, including rare cancers, for which TMB and ICI response data are not yet publicly available. Our analysis indicates that TMB-high may be highly predictive of ICI response in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting that such a study should be prioritized. This study uncovers immune-related factors that may modulate the relationship between high tumor mutational burden and ICI response, which can help prioritize cancer types for clinical trials.


Impacts of guar and xanthan gums on pasting and gel properties of high-amylose corn starches.
The effects of adding guar and xanthan gums on the pasting and gel properties of high-amylose corn starches, Hylon V (~50% amylose content) and NF-CG170 (~71% amylose content), were studied with waxy corn starch as a control, using an ultra-high temperature heating process (up to 130 °C) to gelatinize starches. Interaction between dispersed amylose and hydrocolloids contributed to the earlier onset of viscosity increase during pasting process (lower pasting temperatures) and strong synergistic effects in the peak, setback, and final viscosities with high-amylose starches, phenomena that were more pronounced when amylose content was higher. Conversely, addition of guar and xanthan gums to waxy corn starch resulted in higher pasting temperatures. After held at 5 °C for 2 h, the gelatinized high-amylose starch/hydrocolloid formed stronger and more elastic gels (higher G' and tanδ) with denser microstructure and thicker gel skeleton, compared to starch alone. Compared to xanthan gum, guar gum displayed a much stronger synergistic effect with Hylon V in gel strength, while their difference in synergistic effect was less pronounced with NF-CG170, indicating that amylose dominated gel properties when at a high content (i.e., ~ 71% in starch).


Tip-apex distance and other predictors of outcome in cephalomedullary nailing of unstable trochanteric fractures.
Cephalomedullary nails are presently the gold standard in management of unstable trochanteric fractures. The tip-apex distance (TAD) is one of the most important factors that determines success or failure of fixation, but was described originally in context of an extramedullary hip screw. Cephalomedullary nails use a different biomechanical approach to fixation; and it is hypothesized that the TAD rule may not apply similarly with these. The aim of this study is to assess whether a high TAD correlates with poor outcomes with cephalomedullary nails, and to elucidate other factors that may predict such outcome. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiographic records of patients with intertrochanteric fractures, treated at our institution over a 2-year period. Those with unstable fractures (31.A2 and 31.A3), and who were treated with cephalomedullary nails were included in the study. The TAD and the position of the device in the femoral head (Cleveland index) were assessed. Other factors that could influence outcome like age, gender, AO fracture type, restoration of neck-shaft angle and degree of osteoporosis were analysed. Radiographic records of up-to at-least 3 months post-operatively were assessed for complications. After applying the exclusion criteria, 75 patients were included in the analysis. The overall rate of complications was 12%. They occurred in two major patterns - varus collapse and cut-out occurred in 5 patients (6.67%), and device migration in 4 patients (5.33%). The average TAD of patients with cut-out was 28.78 mm, compared to 19.44 mm in those without cut-out (p = 0.002). Our data predicted a cut-off TAD >23.56 mm as most significant for cut-out with cephalomedullary nails. On univariate logistic regression, high TAD (p = 0.009), sub-optimal device positioning (p = 0.02) and poor restoration of neck-shaft angle (p = 0.04) were found to be significant for varus collapse and cut-out, but not for complications relating to device migration. On multivariate analysis, none of the above factors reached statistical significance in isolation. As with extramedullary devices, TAD, along with sub-optimal device positioning and poor restoration of neck-shaft angle is a useful predictor of cut-out even with cephalomedullary nails, negating the initial hypothesis. The above factors in combination have a more significant effect than any one factor in isolation to cause varus collapse and implant cut-out. However these do not affect Z effect, reverse Z effect or other types of device migration seen especially with dual-screw nails.


A novel targeted multi-functional fusion protein possesses inhibitory activities against bacteria, thrombin and platelet aggregation.
In the present study, we designed a novel targeted multi-functional fusion protein LHAD composed of LL-37, FXa recognition peptide, hirudin-12-residue, AAP, and RGD peptide. It was expressed in the Pichia pastoris GS115 strain and purified by affinity chromatography. The in vitro studies suggested that the novel designed protein exhibited antibacterial activity, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-thrombin activities. Moreover, the capability of anti-thrombin was significantly increased compared to that of natural hirudin. Our study may provide a potential approach to design multi-functional drugs for the prevention and management of thrombosis.


Extended total arch replacement for type B aortic dissection with ascending aneurysm following healed aortic dissection.
We describe a case of type B aortic dissection with large ascending aortic aneurysm occurring 12.8 years after aortic root replacement (Cabrol procedure) in a non-Marfan patient with cystic medial necrosis of the aorta. We have successfully performed an extended total aortic arch replacement using a four-branched graft through the "L-incision" approach (a combination of a left anterior thoracotomy and upper half median sternotomy). Of note, a histological specimen from the aneurysmal ascending aortic wall revealed "healed aortic dissection" with fibrous tissue replacing the media and intima in addition to multiple foci of cystic medial necrosis.


Association between quadriceps function, joint kinetics, and spatiotemporal gait parameters in young adults with and without obesity.
Individuals with obesity have impaired gait and muscle function that may contribute to reduced mobility and increased fall risk. (1) what is the difference in spatiotemporal gait parameters and joint kinetics between individuals with and without obesity; (2) what is the association between spatiotemporal gait parameters, joint kinetics, and quadriceps function? Forty-eight young adults with obesity (BMI = 33.0 ± 4.1 kg/m2) and 48 without obesity (BMI = 21.6 ± 1.7 kg/m2) completed assessments of quadriceps function (peak torque and early/late rate of torque development (RTD)) and walking biomechanics at self-selected speed. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (stance time, double support time, double support to stance ratio, step width, step length, cadence, and gait stability ratio (GSR)) and joint kinetics (total support moment, and relative contribution from extensor moments) were compared using one-way MANOVAs. Partial correlation examined the association between the total support moment and quadriceps function, and spatiotemporal gait parameters controlling for sex and speed. Individuals with obesity walked with longer stance (p = 0.01), longer double-limb support (p < 0.001), wider steps (p < 0.001), lower cadence (p = 0.03), and a greater absolute (p < 0.001) but lesser normalized total support moment (p = 0.03) compared with adults without obesity. In those with obesity, greater PT was associated with less double limb support (p = 0.011) and smaller double support to stance ratio (p = 0.006); greater early RTD was associated with less double limb support (r = -0.455, p = 0.0021), less stance time (r = -0.384, p = 0.008), and a smaller double support to stance ratio (r = -0.371, p = 0.011). In those without obesity, a larger total support moment was associated with longer step length (r = 0.512, p < 0.001), lesser cadence (r = -0.497, p < 0.001), and smaller GSR (-0.460, p = 0.001). Individuals with obesity walk with altered spatiotemporal gait parameters and joint kinetics that may compromise stability. Extended periods of support may be a strategy used by individuals with obesity to increase stability during gait and accomodate insufficient quadriceps function.


Plasma C18:0-ceramide is a novel potential biomarker for disease severity in myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder characterized by fluctuation of fatigue and weakness of muscle. Due to the heterogeneity of the course of MG, available biomarkers for prognostic prediction are urgently needed. Ceramide (Cer) was reported to participate in immune regulation and many autoimmune diseases, but its effects on MG remain undefined. This study aimed to investigate the ceramides expression levels in MG patients and their potential as novel biomarkers of disease severity. Levels of plasma ceramides were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Severity of disease was assessed by quantitative MG scores (QMGs), MG-specific activities of daily living scale (MG-ADLs) and 15-item MG quality of Life (MG-QOL15). The concentrations of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-21 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the proportions of circulating memory B cells and plasmablasts were detected by flow-cytometry assay. Four plasma ceramides levels we studied were detected higher in MG patients. And three of them (C16:0-Cer, C18:0-Cer, and C24:0-Cer) were positively associated with QMGs. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested that plasma ceramides have a good ability of differentiating MG from HCs. Importantly, only C18:0-Cer was shown to be positively associated with the concentration of serum IL and circulating memory B cells, and the decrease in plasma C18:0-Cer paralleled the clinical improvement of patients with MG. All together, our data suggest that ceramides may play an important role in the immunopathological mechanism of MG, and C18:0-Cer has the potential to be a novel biomarker for disease severity in MG.


Insight into the frequent occurrence of dura mater graft-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Japan.
More than 60% of patients worldwide with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) associated with dura mater graft (dCJD) have been diagnosed in Japan. The remarkable frequency of dura mater grafts in Japan may possibly contribute to the elevated incidence of dCJD, but reasons for the disproportionate use of this procedure in Japan remain unclear. We investigated differences between dCJD patients in Japan and those elsewhere to help explain the more frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the high incidence of dCJD in Japan. We obtained data on dCJD patients in Japan from the Japanese national CJD surveillance programme and on dCJD patients in other countries from the extant literature. We compared the demographic, clinical and pathological features of dCJD patients in Japan with those from other countries. Data were obtained for 142 dCJD patients in Japan and 53 dCJD patients elsewhere. The medical conditions preceding dura mater graft transplantation were significantly different between Japan and other countries (p<0.001); in Japan, there were more cases of cerebrovascular disease and hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with dCJD in Japan received dura mater graft more often for non-life-threatening conditions, such as meningioma, hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia, than in other countries. Differences in the medical conditions precipitating dura mater graft may contribute to the frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the higher incidence of dCJD in Japan.


Partitioning of ventilation between nose and mouth: the role of nasal resistance.
We have examined the relationship between nasal resistance (Rna) and the distribution of ventilation between the nose and mouth in 10 normal breathing children and 15 children who met clinical criteria of mouth breathing. We studied Rna by posterior rhinometry. We used a face mask divided into separate oral and nasal chambers to measure oral and nasal components of ventilation. Each chamber of the mask was connected to a separate pneumotachograph. We measured oral and nasal tidal volumes (VTna) by integration of the oral and nasal flow, and calculated the total tidal volume (VTtot) by summing the oral and nasal components. The nasal fraction of ventilation (F-VTna) was calculated by dividing VTna by VTtot. We found a weak inverse correlation between Rna and F-VTna, but eight of 25 children did not breathe as one might predict on the basis of Rna, and eight of 15 children who appeared to be mouth breathers actually breathed through the nose. We administered a vasoconstricting nasal spray and a placebo nasal spray to the children and, although Rna changed significantly, we observed no change in the distribution of flow between the nose and mouth. In summary we found that clinical criteria of mouth breathing do not accurately identify children who actually breathe mainly through the mouth. Moreover Rna is only a weak predictor of the pattern of breathing; hence other factors may be important determinants of the distribution of flow between the nose and mouth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Gamma-gamma directional correlation study of model membranes.
Measurements of the perturbed gamma-gamma directional correlation were made for the 173-247 keV cascade in 111Cd at the In ion site in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. A time-dependent electric quadrupole interaction was observed. Below the order in equilibrium fluid phase transition temperature the exponential damping coefficient was lambda 2 = 0.033 +/- 0.007 ns-1. Above the transition temperature the coefficient was lambda 2 = 0.015 +/- 0.006 ns-1 indicating a twofold increase in molecular mobility in the disordered phase. Absolute values for the motional correlation time, tau c, were estimated to be on the order of a few nanoseconds. The presence of cholesterol was found to cause no significant difference in the molecular mobility of the phosphatidylcholine head groups in the ordered and fluid states.


Which Amount of BMI-SDS Reduction Is Necessary to Improve Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight Children?
Knowing the changes of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in relation to weight loss would be helpful to advise overweight children and their parents and to decide whether drugs should be prescribed in addition to lifestyle intervention. The objective of the study was to determine the body mass index (BMI)-SD score (SDS) reduction to improve CRFs in overweight children. This was a prospective observation study. The study was conducted at a specialized outpatient obesity clinic. A total of 1388 overweight children (mean BMI 27.9 ± 0.1 kg/m(2), mean age 11.4 ± 0.1 y, 43.8% male, 45.5% prepubertal) participated in the study. The study included a 1-year lifestyle intervention. We studied changes of blood pressure (BP), fasting high-density lipoprotein- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance index. Change of weight status was determined by δBMI-SDS based on the recommended percentiles of the International Task Force of Obesity. BMI-SDS change was associated with a significant improvement of all CRFs except fasting glucose and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol after adjusting for multiple confounders such as baseline CRFs, age, gender, BMI, pubertal stage, and its changes. BMI-SDS reduction of 0.25-0.5 was related to a decrease of systolic blood pressure (BP) (-3.2 ± 1.4 mm Hg), diastolic BP (-2.2 ± 1.1 mm Hg), triglycerides (-6.9 ± 5.8 mg/dL), HOMA (-0.5 ± 0.3), and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (-0.3 ± 0.2), whereas high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol increased (+1.3 ± 1.2 mg/dL). A reduction of greater than 0.5 BMI-SDS led to more pronounced improvement (systolic BP -6.0± 1.3 mm Hg, diastolic BP -5.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, triglycerides -16.4 ± 7.1 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol +1.6 ± 1.5 mg/dL, HOMA -0.9 ± 0.3). Per 0.1 BMI-SDS reduction in systolic BP (-1.0 mm Hg), diastolic BP (-0.8 mm Hg), triglycerides (-2.3 mg/dL), HOMA (-0.2), and triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol (-0.5) decreased significantly, whereas HDL-cholesterol (0.2 mg/dL) increased significantly in linear regression analyses and accounted for multiple confounders. A BMI-SDS reduction of 0.25 or greater significantly improved hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterol, whereas a BMI-SDS greater than 0.5 doubled the effect.


Associations of anemia with death and major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study.
Anemia is a common comorbidity in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Reports on the association of anemia and adverse events in patients with AF, especially from Asia, are limited. Based on data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study (CAFR), a total of 18,106 AF patients enrolled between August 2011 and December 2018 had hemoglobin (Hb) values recorded at baseline. Patients were classified into three groups according to Hb levels: 15,606 patients (86.2%) into the no anemia group (male Hb≥130 g/L; female Hb≥120 g/L), 1800 (9.9%) with mild anemia (male 110≤Hb<129 g/L; female 110≤Hb<119 g/L), and 700 (3.9%) with moderate to severe anemia (Hb≤109 g/L). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine if anemia was independently associated with all-cause death, cardiovascular death, or major bleeding, after adjusting for confounders. Anemia was present in 13.8% of the population at baseline. During a median follow-up of 4.01 years, the incidences of all-cause death (1.8, 4.9, and 8.9 per 100 person-years), cardiovascular death (1.0, 2.9, and 4.5 per 100 person-years), and major bleeding (0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 per 100 person-years) were gradually accentuated in patients with no anemia, mild anemia, and moderate to severe anemia, respectively. Compared with patients with no anemia, those with anemia had higher risks for all-cause death (mild anemia; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.38; moderate to severe anemia; adjusted HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.31-1.77); and cardiovascular death (mild anemia; adjusted HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.10-1.52; moderate to severe anemia; adjusted HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03-1.57), but not for major bleeding. The association between anemia and all-cause death was similar among subgroups stratified by sex, kidney function, anticoagulant, or ablation therapy. Anemia was associated with increased risks of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, but no major bleeding in AF patients. The effect of anemia correction on the prognosis of patients with AF requires further study.


Intra- and extracellular β-amyloid overexpression via adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer impairs memory and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, is currently conceptualized as a disease of synaptic failure. Synaptic impairments are robust within the AD brain and better correlate with dementia severity when compared with other pathological features of the disease. Nevertheless, the series of events that promote synaptic failure still remain under debate, as potential triggers such as β-amyloid (Aβ) can vary in size, configuration and cellular location, challenging data interpretation in causation studies. Here we present data obtained using adeno-associated viral (AAV) constructs that drive the expression of oligomeric Aβ either intra or extracellularly. We observed that expression of Aβ in both cellular compartments affect learning and memory, reduce the number of synapses and the expression of synaptic-related proteins, and disrupt chemical long-term potentiation (cLTP). Together, these findings indicate that during the progression AD the early accumulation of Aβ inside neurons is sufficient to promote morphological and functional cellular toxicity, a phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the buildup of Aβ in the brain parenchyma. Moreover, our AAV constructs represent a valuable tool in the investigation of the pathological properties of Aβ oligomers both in vivo and in vitro.


Cloning and characterization of the rpoE gene encoding an RNA polymerase sigmaE factor from the deep-sea piezophilic Shewanella violacea strain DSS12.
The rpoE gene encoding an RNA polymerase sigmaE subunit was isolated from a gamma-phage library of the deep-sea piezophilic and psychrophilic bacterium Shewanella violacea strain DSS12. Structual analysis showed that the gene organization of the fragment containing S. violacearpoE was the l-aspartate oxidase-coding gene, rpoE, rseA, rseB and rseC in that order, the same as in the case of Photobacterium profundum SS9 and Escherichia coli K-12. The cloned gene, 576 bp in length, was found to encode a protein consisting of 192 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 21,806 Da. Amino acid alignment of the RpoE protein showed that the functional domains responsible for DNA recognition, DNA melting, core binding, and RseA interaction were highly conserved. We purified hexahistidine-fused RpoE protein by constructing an overexpression plasmid. Core-binding analysis revealed that the cloned RpoE protein has the ability to bind with core RNA polymerase as a sigma factor.


Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on depressive symptoms among people with mental disorders: a meta-analysis.
Depression, a common mental health problem, is projected to be the second leading cause of disability for adults by year 2020. Mindfulness-based interventions (MFIs) have been integrated into therapeutic work on depression, but limited systematic reviews reported their efficacy on heterogeneous groups of mental disorders. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the efficacy of the MFIs on depressive symptoms in people with various mental disorders. A meta-analysis of experimental and quasi-experimental studies was undertaken. Multiple search strategies were undertaken to identify published and unpublished studies conducted between 1995 and 2011. Electronic databases used were Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsyINFO, Dissertation Abstract International, Web of Science Index, Controlled-trial.com, and clinicaltrials.gov. Data were extracted and appraised by two reviewers. For each study, the Quality Rating Index (QRI) and Code Sheet for Randomized Controlled Trials (CS-RCT) were used to assess methodological quality and extract relevant data respectively. Data were analysed and synthesized using PASW statistic 17.0 and Comprehensive Meta Analyses Software 2.0. Thirty-nine studies conducted in ten countries were included and 105 effect sizes were calculated. Most studies utilised single group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, convenience sampling, and self-reported questionnaires. Between-group comparisons indicated that MFIs are superior to standard care in reducing depressive symptoms and preventing relapse with effect sizes ranging from 0.11 to 1.65. Exposure-based cognitive therapy (d=2.09) appeared to be the most efficacious intervention, followed by mindfulness-based stress reduction programme (d=1.92), acceptance-based behaviour therapy (d=1.33), and stress less with mindfulness (d=1.31). Effect sizes were significantly associated with the length of intervention sessions but not related to methodological quality of studies. The mindfulness-based interventions are efficacious for alleviating depressive symptoms in adults with mental disorders. The interventions could be used in conjunction with other treatments in clinical settings.


Longitudinal relationship of asymptomatic hypoglycemia to cognitive function in IDDM.
Early-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is linked to subsequent learning deficits. To investigate the relationship of learning deficits to metabolic control, 23 children with IDDM (age at testing 71 +/- 21 mo, age at diagnosis 35 +/- 15 mo) diagnosed before 5 yr of age were followed for periods of 6-78 mo. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), episodes of severe hypoglycemia, and frequency of self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) measurements less than 2.8 mM (50 mg/dl, asymptomatic hypoglycemia) were recorded every 3 mo. Six subjects entered the study 12.3 +/- 6.7 mo after diagnosis, and only severe hypoglycemia was present before entry. For the remaining 17 subjects, HbA1 and severe and asymptomatic hypoglycemia were present from the time of diagnosis of diabetes. Mean HbA1 level was 10.1 +/- 1.0%, and mean severe hypoglycemic episodes per patient was 2.9, but the frequency was highly skewed; one patient had 37 episodes, and 14 had none. The mean percentage of SMBG readings less than 2.8 mM was 2.4 +/- 2.1. On the revised Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale there was no correlation between any subscale and severe hypoglycemia. However, the relative frequency of asymptomatic hypoglycemia correlated with scores on the abstract/visual reasoning scale (r = -.39, P = .037). This relationship was primarily accounted for by the relationship of asymptomatic hypoglycemia to performance on the copying subscale (r = -.42, P = .022). Children with frequent asymptomatic hypoglycemic episodes had lower mean copying scores and abstract reasoning scores than those with infrequent episodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Femicide and forensic pathology: Proposal for a shared medico-legal methodology.
In a previous work, authors have proposed a medico-legal definition of femicide as the murder due to the failure to recognize the right of self-determination of women. The aim of this paper was to apply the proposed definition to a cohort of cases to characterise femicides and female homicides and assess whether femicides can be considered a distinct entity or not. A comparison between female and male homicides was performed to assess common and distinctive features. Femicides were identified and compared to the cohort of non-femicide female murder. Results were compared to those reported in published forensic studies. Significant associations between female and male homicides were found for sex and partner/ex-partner offender, sex and indoor homicide and sex and asphyxia as dynamic of death emerged. A higher prevalence of indoor homicides and asphyxiation and of partner relationships were documented in female homicides. Gunshot, blunt injuries and cut wounds are well represented in both types of homicides. Most affected sites are back and chest in male homicides, and head, breasts, pubis, and limbs in female homicides. When comparing femicides and female homicides, a positive association between strangulation as harmful mean and a negative one between femicides and indoor homicides were found. Male and female homicides can be considered as two distinct victimological phenomena. Focusing on femicide allows to establish injuries and circumstantial patterns, that could represent evidence of a specific murder. More studies with a standardized data collection are needed to corroborate the theory of this paper.


'Psychosis of civilization': a colonial-situated diagnosis.
In the late 1930s, when colonial psychiatry was well established in the Maghreb, the diagnosis 'psychosis of civilization' appeared in some psychiatrists' writings. Through the clinical case of a Libyan woman treated by the Italian psychiatrist Angelo Bravi in Tripoli, this article explores its emergence and its specificity in a differential approach, and highlights its main characteristics. The term applied to subjects poised between two worlds: incapable of becoming 'like' Europeans - a goal to which they seem to aspire - but too far from their 'ancestral habits' to revert for a quiet life. The visits of these subjects to colonial psychiatric institutions, provided valuable new material for psychiatrists: to see how colonization impacted inner life and to raise awareness of the long-term socio-political dangers.


Evaluation of a new linker system cleaved using samarium(II) iodide. Application in the solid phase synthesis of carbonyl compounds.
A new linker design for solid phase synthesis has been developed that is cleaved under mild, neutral conditions using samarium(II) iodide. The feasibility of the linker approach has been illustrated in the solid phase synthesis of ketones and amides using an oxygen linker. Insights into the mechanism of the samarium(II) iodide cleavage reaction are described and the potential of a sequential cleavage carbon-carbon bond forming process is assessed.


[Implant-retained overdentures. Part 1. Clinical findings from an evaluation study].
A total of 429 patients who had received implant overdenture treatment, were clinically investigated by two dentists. Implant survival was high, especially for implants placed in the mandible. Results for the maxilla appeared far less promising. Complications that were observed predominantly concerned inflammation of the peri-implant tissues and poor oral hygiene. No statistically significant correlation could be found between patient and treatment characteristics at baseline and the clinical treatment outcome.


Early seizure termination in ictal asystole.
To evaluate the association between cerebral hypoperfusion and seizure termination, we compared seizure duration in seven patients with syncopal ictal asystole (IA), seven with non-syncopal ictal bradycardia, and ten with non-bradycardic seizures. Mean seizure duration was 34.4±13 s in IA, 67±28.9 s in ictal bradycardia, and 82.1±31.1 in non-bradycardic seizures. These were significantly different (ANOVA, p<0.02). This suggests cerebral hypoxia-ischemia favors seizure termination.


SERS Activity of Semiconductors: Crystalline and Amorphous Nanomaterials.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy on semiconductors has attracted increasing attention due to its high spectral reproducibility and unique selectively to target molecules. Recently, endeavors have been made in fabricating novel SERS-active semiconductor substrates and exploring new enhancement mechanisms to improve the sensitivity of semiconductor substrates. This Minireview explains the enhancement mechanism of the semiconductor SERS effect in a brief tutorial and summarize recent developments of novel semiconductor substrates, in particular with regard to the remarkable SERS activity of amorphous semiconductor nanomaterials. Potential applications of semiconductor SERS are also a key issue of concern. We discuss a variety of promising applications of semiconductor SERS in the fields of in situ analytical chemistry, spectroelectrochemical analysis, biological sensing, and trace detection.


Connecting in distance mentoring: communication practices that work.
As nursing and healthcare become more global, supported by technology, the opportunities for distance mentoring increase. Mentorship is critical to nurse educator recruitment and retention. The purpose of this study was to identify communication practices of nurse educators involved in mentoring at a distance. A qualitative design, utilizing in-person or telephone interviews was used. Participants were twenty-three protégés or mentors who were part of a yearlong distance mentoring program. An iterative process of hermeneutic analysis identified three themes; this paper focuses on the theme of connectedness. Participant narratives illuminate practices of connecting at a distance: meeting face-to-face, sharing personal information, experiencing reciprocity, journaling, being vulnerable, establishing one's presence, and appreciating different perspectives. Distance does not appear to limit the connecting potential leading to a meaningful mentoring relationship; rather, it offers possibilities that local mentoring relationships may not. Nurse educators in under-resourced countries, those in small programs without a cadre of senior faculty, and students in distance programs are among those who stand to benefit from distance mentoring relationships.


Cholinergic receptor-Wnt pathway controls immune activation by sensing intestinal dysfunction.
Alterations in the intestinal physiology caused by pathogen colonization result in immune activation. To provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the control of immune activation by changes in intestinal homeostasis, we conducted a forward genetic screen for suppressors of immune activation by intestinal distension in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results indicate that C. elegans ACC-4, a member of a family of acetylcholine receptors, is required in immune activation by defects in the defecation motor program or by pathogen infection. ACC-4 acts postsynaptically in non-cholinergic RIM neurons to regulate several immune genes and a Wnt-mediated host immune response. These findings uncover a gut-brain-microbial axis that uses neural cholinergic signaling and the Wnt pathway to control immune activation in response to alterations in intestinal homeostasis.


Emergency department versus community screening on hepatitis C follow-up care.
Emergency department (ED) hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening programs are proliferating, and it is unknown whether EDs are more effective than traditional community screening at promoting HCV follow-up care. The objective of this study was to investigate whether patients screened HCV seropositive (HCV+) in the ED are linked to care and retained in treatment more successfully than patients screened HCV+ in the community. A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients screened HCV+ at twelve screening facilities in New Orleans, LA from March 1, 2015 to July 31, 2017. Treatment outcomes, including retention and time to follow-up care, were assessed using the HCV continuum of care model. ED patients (n = 3008) were significantly more likely to achieve RNA confirmation (aRR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.54-2.37), initiate HCV therapy (aRR = 2.23 [1.76-2.83]), complete HCV therapy (aRR = 1.77 [1.40-2.24]), and achieve HCV functional cure (aRR = 2.80 [1.09-7.23]) compared to community-screened patients (n = 322). ED screening was associated with decreased likelihood of fibrosis staging (aRR = 0.65 [0.51-0.82]) and no difference in linkage to specialty care (aRR = 1.03 [0.69-1.53]). In time to follow up, RNA confirmation occurred at faster rates in the ED (aHR = 2.26 [1.86-2.72]), although these patients completed fibrosis staging at slower rates (aHR = 0.49 [0.38-0.63]) than community patients. Compared to community screening, HCV screening in the ED was associated with higher rates of disease confirmation, treatment initiation/completion, and cure. Our findings provide new evidence that EDs may be the most effective setting to screen patients for HCV to promote follow-up care.


Developmental change of EEG in rat from 4th to 16th week.
The development of EEG in 8 male rats from 4 to 16 weeks age were studied chronically. Theta band had the highest power at 5--16 weeks. Especially after 11 weeks, theta band presented a significantly higher peak than that of 4-week-old. In contrast to this, delta band, which had the highest power at 4 weeks, was markedly decreased.


LDL uptake by Leishmania amazonensis: involvement of membrane lipid microdomains.
Leishmania amazonensis lacks a de novo mechanism for cholesterol synthesis and therefore must scavenge this lipid from the host environment. In this study we show that the L. amazonensis takes up and metabolizes human LDL(1) particles in both a time and dose-dependent manner. This mechanism implies the presence of a true LDL receptor because the uptake is blocked by both low temperature and by the excess of non-labelled LDL. This receptor is probably associated with specific microdomains in the membrane of the parasite, such as rafts, because this process is blocked by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCBD). Cholesteryl ester fluorescently-labeled LDL (BODIPY-cholesteryl-LDL) was used to follow the intracellular distribution of this lipid. After uptake it was localized in large compartments along the parasite body. The accumulation of LDL was analyzed by flow cytometry using FITC-labeled LDL particles. Together these data show for the first time that L. amazonensis is able to compensate for its lack of lipid synthesis through the use of a lipid importing machinery largely based on the uptake of LDL particles from the host. Understanding the details of the molecular events involved in this mechanism may lead to the identification of novel targets to block Leishmania infection in human hosts.


Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the urinary bladder: a case report and literature review.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) arising in the urinary bladder is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of primary PNET of the urinary bladder in an aged Asian man that showed an aggressive clinical course. A 74-year-old man presented with frequency, dysuria, and gross hematuria. Pelvic computed tomography showed a mass in the urinary bladder. Microscopically, the tumor revealed sheets of uniform, small, round, blue cells, and immunohistochemical examination demonstrated primary PNET of the urinary bladder. Palliative chemotherapy was administered. After three courses of chemotherapy, his disease progressed and he died 4 months after diagnosis.


2009 national practice benchmark: report on 2008 data.
Many oncology practices have responded to rising supply costs and decreasing reimbursements by examining their operational processes and working to reduce costs and enhance practice efficiency.


Diagnosis and management of headache attributed to airplane travel.
The headache attributed to airplane travel, also named "airplane headache", is characterized by the sudden onset of a severe head pain exclusively in relation to airplane flights, mainly during the landing phase. Secondary causes, such as upper respiratory tract infections or acute sinusitis, must be ruled out. Although its cause is not thoroughly understood, sinus barotrauma should be reasonably involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms. Furthermore, in the current International Classification of Headache Disorders, rapid descent from high altitude is not considered as a possible cause of headache, although the onset of such pain in airplane travellers or aviators has been well known since the beginning of the aviation era. On the basis of a survey we conducted with the courteous cooperation of people who had experienced this type of headache, we proposed diagnostic criteria to be added to the forthcoming revision of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Their formal validation would favour further studies aimed at improving knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and at implementing preventative measures.


[Rhinorrhea of parotid origin. Apropos of a case].
The authors report a case of a post-traumatic salivary fistula originating in the parotid gland, evacuating into the maxillary sinus and revealed by rhinorrhea. The mechanism and treatment of the fistula were analyzed.


A Comprehensive Surgical Curriculum Reduced Intra-operative Complication Rates of Resident-performed Cataract Surgeries.
To evaluate the impact of a comprehensive cataract surgery curriculum on the incidence of intraoperative complications. We retrospectively compared the total number of cataract surgeries that the residents performed in all of the teaching sites, and the incidences of intraoperative complications (anterior capsule tear, posterior capsule rent, vitreous loss, anterior vitrectomy, zonular dialysis, iris trauma, hemorrhage, dropped lens fragment, corneal wound burn, incorrect intraocular lens) for the surgeries performed at Massachusetts Eye & Ear by residents in the pre-intervention group (residents graduating in 2004 and 2005), before the implementation of a surgical curriculum, and the residents in the post-intervention group (residents graduating in 2014 and 2015). Ophthalmology residency program at a major academic institution. Residents graduating in 2004, 2005, 2014, and 2015. We reviewed 4373 charts. 2086 of those surgeries were performed at Massachusetts Eye & Ear. The incidence of posterior capsule rent/vitreous loss/anterior vitrectomy was lower in the post-intervention group (1.4% versus 7.7%, p < 0.0001). Other complications were also lower in the post-intervention group. Implementation of a comprehensive cataract surgery curriculum focusing on pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative interventions, with an emphasis on patient outcomes resulted in a decrease in the rate of intraoperative complications.


Cloning, structure, and expression of a rat binding protein for polychlorinated biphenyls. Homology to the hormonally regulated progesterone-binding protein uteroglobin.
Certain metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are retained in the Clara cells and in the airway lumen of rodent lung due to their interaction with a secretory 13-kDa protein. Here, we report the isolation of a cDNA encoding the rat lung PCB-binding protein. The identity of the PCB-binding protein is supported by expression of the cDNA in Cos-1 cells where the homogenates from transfected cells show specific binding of 4,4'-bis([ 3H]methylsulfonyl)-2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, a high affinity ligand for the PCB-binding protein. Also a monospecific antiserum to the PCB-binding protein recognizes a 13-kDa protein in the homogenates of transfected cells but not in the corresponding fraction of mock-transfected cells. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from different rat tissues demonstrates that the cDNA detects a approximately 600-base pair mRNA which appears to be solely expressed in lung. Interestingly, DNA sequence analysis and prediction of the amino acid sequence reveals that the PCB-binding protein shares 53% positional amino acid identity with uteroglobin, a progesterone-binding protein found in rabbit uterus and lung. Furthermore, amino acids shown by x-ray crystallography to delineate the central cavity of uteroglobin, which fits progesterone, are highly conserved in the two proteins.


The Impact of Phosphorus Management Today on Quality of Life: Patient Perspectives.
Patients with kidney failure and early stages of chronic kidney disease often develop hyperphosphatemia, which is associated with negative outcomes. The reduction of phosphate levels is the established clinical practice. However, achieving and maintaining target phosphate levels is challenging, and the current methods of phosphate management lead to poor quality of life (QoL) in patients receiving dialysis, particularly because patients might not receive adequate education on phosphate control. Patients receiving dialysis are advised to maintain stringent dietary restrictions and might experience anxiety and depression due to the constant burden of dietary self-management. The lack of nutritional information on food labels makes adhering to dietary restrictions even more confusing and difficult. Phosphate binders are the only pharmacologic treatment currently indicated for hyperphosphatemia. However, phosphate binders have a limited binding capacity and are difficult to incorporate into patients' daily routines. Because of the suboptimal efficacy of phosphate binders and the negative impact of dietary restrictions on patient QoL, novel therapies for more effective phosphate control are needed. New treatment options that control phosphate levels would enable patients to eat a more normal, healthy diet and potentially improve their QoL.


Equilibrium kinetics of the new experimental anti-tumour compound SK&F 104864-A in aqueous solution.
The equilibrium kinetics of lactone ring hydrolysis in the new experimental anti-tumour compound SK&F 104864-A. (S)-dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin hydrochloride, have been studied. Only one product is formed, SK&F 105992. A stability-indicating HPLC method has been optimized to perform the analysis. The pH is the main factor influencing equilibrium; at pH greater than or equal to 10 the lactone ring is quantitatively opened while at pH values less than or equal to 4 the lactone form is exclusively present. Other parameters, such as buffer ions and ionic strength, do not influence equilibrium. Complexation with dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin stabilizes the lactone form. Other cyclodextrins do not show this stabilization.


Psychometric development of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Questionnaire (GSRQ) demonstrated good validity.
To develop and validate a gastrointestinal (GI) symptom rating questionnaire for patients with luminal GI symptoms including where no diagnosis has been made. We developed and validated the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Questionnaire (GSRQ) in three stages: (1) item generation to identify the relevant items for scale inclusion; (2) development and piloting on patients with a known GI disorder; and (3) testing in a sample of trial patients. We examined the underlying dimensions of the scale, internal consistency, validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness. We identified four interpretable factors on the GSRQ. The GSRQ had good internal consistency (corrected item-subscale correlations between 0.4 and 0.8) and Cronbach's alpha greater than 0.7 for each subscale. Construct validity was demonstrated by modest but significant correlations with the Short Form 36 and the EQ5D index value. We demonstrated good reproducibility with intraclass correlations for test-retest scores between 0.71 and 0.77, and significant responsiveness ratios for all subscales in patients who had improved, and in two of the subscales in patients who had deteriorated. The GSRQ could be a useful tool to monitor quality of life in various luminal GI conditions and where a formal diagnosis has not been made.


Effects of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, on 24-h glucose variability assessed by continuous glucose monitoring in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of luseogliflozin on 24-h glucose levels, assessed by continuous glucose monitoring, and on pharmacodynamic variables measured throughout the day. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 37 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise were randomized into two groups. Patients in each group first received luseogliflozin then placebo for 7 days each, or vice versa. After 7 days of treatment, the mean 24-h glucose level was significantly lower with luseogliflozin than with placebo [mean (95% confidence interval) 145.9 (134.4-157.5) mg/dl vs 168.5 (156.9-180.0) mg/dl; p < 0.001]. The proportion of time spent with glucose levels ≥70 to ≤180 mg/dl was significantly greater with luseogliflozin than with placebo [median (interquartile range) 83.2 (67.7-96.5)% vs 71.9 (46.9-83.3)%; p < 0.001] without inducing hypoglycaemia. The decrease in glucose levels was accompanied by reductions in serum insulin levels throughout the day.


Growth, root colonization and nutrient status of Helianthemum sessiliflorum Desf. inoculated with a desert truffle Terfezia boudieri Chatin.
This study aims to investigate the effects of inoculation using Terfezia boudieri Chatin ascospores (ectomycorrhizal fungus) on growth, root colonization and nutrient status of Helianthemum sessiliflorum Desf. seedlings grown in pots on two-soil types (gypseous and sandy loam). Mycorrhizal seedlings had significantly increased their height and leaf number compared to non-mycorrhizal ones. Regardless of mycorrhizal inoculation treatments, the plants growing on gypseous soil showed higher growth as compared to sandy loam one. It appears that inoculation with T. boudieri changed root morphology, increasing branching of first-order lateral roots of H. sessiliflorum seedlings. The highest root mycorrhizal colonization was recorded in inoculated seedlings on sandy loam soil (89%) when compared to gypseous one (52%). N, P and K concentrations in mycorrhizal seedlings were significantly improved by fungal inoculation. It can be concluded that inoculation of H. sessiliflorum with T. boudieri increased growth attributes and improved plant nutritional status.


[Early results of pleural decortication for empyema: an African series of 51 cases].
To evaluate the short term outcome of patients who underwent pleuro-pulmonary decortication. This is a retrospective study of 174 patients treated for thoracic empyema in Point G Hospital, Bamako/Mali, between 2004 and 2007. Perioperative data of 51 patients who underwent pleuro-pulmonary decortication had been recorded. Of the 174 patients treated, 51 (29.3%) underwent pleuro-pulmonary decortication. 84.5% were male and 70.6% were less than 45 years old. A recent history of tuberculosis was found in 59%. Among the four patients selected for a thoracoscopic procedure, only two were treated successfully. A conventional postero-lateral thoracotomy was used in the remaining 49 patients. The lung expansion, estimated intraoperatively, was complete in 43 cases and incomplete in eight cases. Among these eight patients with incomplete lung expansion, four developed a secondary empyema and required a thoracoplasty. The postoperative mortality was 6% (three patients). In our hospital, one third of patients with thoracic empyema required a pleuro-pulmonary decortication. Incomplete lung expansion is a potential risk factor of postoperative infection necessitating re-operation or more extensive surgical procedures.


BIM-based digital platform and risk management system for mountain tunnel construction.
During the construction of mountain tunnels, there are often various intricate and mutable potential hazards, the management and control of which are crucial to ensuring the safety of such construction. With the rapid advancement of engineering information technologies, including Building Information Model (BIM), the internet, big data, and cloud computing, dynamic management of mountain tunnel construction will inevitably become a prevailing trend. This paper proposes a new digital approach to realize the informatization and visualization of risk management in mountain tunnel construction, by combining monitoring measurement with advanced geological prediction based on BIM technology. The proposed approach suggests a BIM-based digital platform architecture for mountain tunnel construction, which is comprised of five layers-basic, model, data, application, and user. The integration of these five layers can realize risk management information during the construction of mountain tunnels. In addition, a set of dynamic risk management systems, including risk monitoring, identification, and assessment, can be established based on the digital platform. The digital platform and dynamic risk management system proposed in this paper have certain advantages in the construction of mountain tunnels, providing a new and significant way for the management of safety risks in such construction projects.


Analysis of the relationship between landscape fragmentation and ecosystem service value in northern Shaanxi, China.
Landscape fragmentation affected the structure and function of the ecosystem, resulting in an impact on ecosystem service value (ESV). This paper analyzed the correlation between landscape fragmentation and ESV using land-use data from northern Shaanxi covering three periods from 2000 to 2020. The paper employed the granularity deduction method, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and value equivalent method to study the fragmentation characteristics of the regional landscape and the spatial-temporal evolution of ESV. The research findings indicated that the optimal granularity was 150 m, and the amplitude was 5 km × 5 km. The study found that the degree of landscape fragmentation was positively correlated with patch density (PD), division index (DIVISION), and Shannon's diversity index (SHDI), while negatively correlated with the largest patch index (LPI), patch cohesion index (COHESION), and effective mesh size (MESH). Moreover, the total ESV in the study area showed a decreasing trend, with grass, forest, and cultivated land being the three land-use types that contributed the most value. The analysis indicated that there was a negative correlation between the degree of landscape fragmentation and ESV. As the degree of landscape fragmentation increased, ESV decreased. The correlation between landscape fragmentation and ESV discussed in this paper provided valuable insights into the optimal utilization and sustainable development of regional land resources.


Exposure to ambient fine particles causes abnormal energy metabolism and ATP decrease in lung tissues.
Airborne fine particles, generating from human activities, have drawn increasing attention due to their potential lung health hazards. The currently available toxicological data on fine particles is still not sufficient to explain their cause-and-effect. Based on well reported critical role of ATP on maintaining lung structure and function, the alterations of ATP production and energy metabolism in lungs of rats exposed to different dosages of seasonal PM2.5 were investigated. Haze dosage PM2.5 exposure was demonstrated to reduce the ATP production. Activity of critical enzymes in TCA cycle, such as malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and citrate synthase (CS), and expression of mitochondrial respiration chain genes were attenuated in groups exposed to haze dosage PM2.5. In contrast, there was prominent augment of glycolytic markers at haze dosage PM2.5, including metabolite contents (pyruvate and lactic acid), enzyme activities (hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PKM)), along with mRNA levels of PKM and LDH. Consequently, sub-chronic exposure to seasonal haze PM2.5 caused reduction in ATP generation and metabolic rewiring from TCA cycle to glycolysis. Our findings can help better understand the toxicological mechanism of lung disease caused by particulate air pollution.


Genetic analysis of DNA-damage tolerance pathways in Arabidopsis.
Genetic analysis revealed a two-branch DNA-damage tolerance mechanism in Arabidopsis, namely translesion DNA synthesis and error-free lesion bypass, represented by Rev3 and Rad5a-Uev1C/D, respectively. DNA-damage tolerance (DDT) is a mechanism by which cells complete replication in the presence of replication-blocking lesions. In budding yeast, DDT is achieved through Rad6-Rad18-mediated monoubiquitination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which promotes translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) and is followed by Ubc13-Mms2-Rad5 mediated K63-linked PCNA polyubiquitination that promotes error-free lesion bypass. Arabidopsis and other known plant genomes contain all of the above homologous genes except RAD18, and whether plants possess an intact DDT mechanism is unclear. In this study, we created Arabidopsis UEV1 (homologous to yeast MMS2) gene mutations and obtained two sets of double mutant lines Atuev1ab and Atuev1cd. It turned out that the Atuev1cd, but not the Atuev1ab mutant, was sensitive to DNA damage. Genetic analyses revealed that AtUEV1C/D and AtRAD5a function in the same pathway, while TLS represented by AtREV3 functions in a separate pathway in response to replication-blocking lesions. Furthermore, unlike budding yeast RAD5 that also functions in the TLS pathway, AtRAD5a is not required for TLS. Observations in this study collectively establish a two-branch DDT model in plants with similarity to and difference from the yeast DDT.


Fast-scanning fluorescence spectroscopy as a detection system in liquid chromatography for confirmatory analysis of flumequine and oxolinic acid.
Oxolinic acid and flumequine were analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography after extraction from the sample matrix with dichloromethane and partitioning with NaOH. The detection system consisted of a fast-scanning fluorescence detector, which provides the full spectra of the eluting peaks and can thus be used to confirm the identity of analytes. Determination was performed by partial least squares (PLS) and three-way PLS over the three-dimensional data, i.e. fluorescence intensity versus retention time and excitation wavelength. In both cases, similar results, with prediction errors around 4%, were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of salmon, pork and chicken muscle spiked up to 300 ng g(-1).


Responses of anterior hypothalamic-preoptic neurons to direct thermal stimulation during wakefulness and sleep.
The responses of anterior hypothalamic-preoptic units to direct thermal stimulation were studied during wakefulness and sleep in cats. Seventy-nine percent of the selected units showed changes in firing rate in relation to wakefulness and sleep stages. Forty-nine percent of the units characterized by activity related to EEG patterns were found to be responsive to thermal stimulation in wakefulness and synchronized sleep. Unit responses to thermal stimulation were either absent or inconsistent in desynchronized sleep.


The effects of antibiotics on in vitro biofilm model of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is considered to be a bio?film infectious disease. The effects of macrolide and tetracycline on biofilm were examined in in vitro biofilm model made of periodontal disease-associated bacteria. Biofilms were made on salivary pellicle by adding Streptococcus gordonii for 2 days, followed by Porphyromonas gingivalis inoculation for 2, 5, or 12 days. Biofilms were treated with macrolide antibiotics; erythromycin (EM), azithromycin (AZM) and josamycin (JOM) and tetracycline antibiotic, minocycline (MINO). The effects of these antibiotics on biofilms were examined using colorimetric quantification method, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). When antibiotics were added to the biofilm 2 days after inoculation of Porphyromonas gingivalis (biofilm inhibition model), all four antibiotics decreased the number of bacteria by both colorimetric method and SEM observation. When antibiotics were added to biofilms 5 or 12 days after inoculation (biofilm destruction model), those in biofilms were decreased by EM and AZM compared with JOM and MINO. Moreover, CLSM observation demonstrated that EM and AZM killed bacteria in biofilm more deeply than JOM and MINO. These results suggest the feasibility of EM and AZM for the treatment of periodontal disease as a biofilm infectious disease.


H+ extrusion by an apical vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase in rat renal proximal tubules.
The activity of Na+/H(+)-exchange and H(+)-ATPase was measured in the absence of CO2/HCO3 by microfluorometry at the single cell level in rat proximal tubules (superficial S1/S2 segments) loaded with BCECF [2'7'-bis(carboxyethyl)5-6-carboxyfluorescein- acetoxymethylester]. Intracellular pH (pHi) was lowered by a NH4Cl-prepulse technique. In the absence of Na+ in the superfusion solutions, pHi recovered from the acid load by a mechanism inhibited by 0.1 microM bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of a vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase. Readdition of Na+ in the presence of bafilomycin A1 produced an immediate recovery of pHi by a mechanism sensitive to the addition of 10 microM EIPA (ethylisopropylamiloride), a specific inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange. The transport rate of the H(+)-ATPase is about 40% of Na+/H(+)-exchange activity at a similar pHi (0.218 +/- 0.028 vs. 0.507 +/- 0.056 pH unit/min. Pre-exposure of the tubules to 30 mM fructose, 0.5 mM iodoacetate and 1 mM KCN (to deplete intracellular ATP) prevented a pHi recovery in Na(+)-free media; readdition of Na+ led to an immediate pHi recovery. Tubules pre-exposed to Cl(-)-free media for 2 hr also reduced the rate of Na(+)-independent pHi recovery. In free-flow electrophoretic separations of brush border membranes and basolateral membranes, a bafilomycin A1-sensitive ATPase activity was found to be associated with the brush border membrane fraction; half maximal inhibition is at 6 x 10(-10) M bafilomycin A1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Bibliometric analysis of the Vogt‒Koyanagi‒Harada disease literature.
As an autoimmune disease, Vogt‒Koyanagi‒Harada disease (VKHD) is a main type of uveitis in many countries and regions, significantly impacting patient vision. At present, information regarding VKHD is still limited, and further research is needed. We conducted a bibliometric analysis to characterize the overall status, current trends, and current focus of VKHD research. Literature published from 1975 to 2022 was obtained from the Web of Science core collection and analysed with the R-language packages Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software. A total of 1050 papers on VKHD were retrieved from 261 journals, and 16,084 references were obtained from the papers in the original search. The average annual number of published articles was approximately 21.9, and the number of publications rapidly increased after 2004. The journal Ocular Immunology and Inflammation published the most papers on VKHD, while the American Journal of Ophthalmology has the highest citation frequency. The leading countries were Japan, China (PRC), and the United States of America (USA). Yang PZ from Chongqing Medical University was the most prolific and cited author. The most frequently cited study discussed revision of VKHD diagnostic criteria. An analysis of the highest frequency keywords showed that most research focused on the treatment, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of VKHD and its relationship with other related diseases. At present, the most urgent research direction is in the relationship between COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines and VKHD and the corresponding mechanisms underlying it. Utilizing dynamic and visualization tools, bibliometrics provides a clear depiction of the research history, development trends, and research hotspots in VKHD It serves as a valuable tool for identifying research gaps and areas that necessitate further exploration. Our study revealed potential directions for future VKHD research, including investigating specific molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, exploring the clinical utility of optical coherence tomography angiography and other diagnostic techniques, and conducting clinical research on novel therapeutic drugs.


Determinants of quality of life related to lower limb lymphedema in women with gynecological cancer surgery.
This study aimed to identify the predictors of quality of life (QoL) related to lower limb lymphedema among women who had undergone gynecological cancer surgery. Additionally, the association between fatigue and the QoL was examined. A cross-sectional design with a convenience sample was adopted. Participants included 200 women with lymphadenectomy following gynecological cancer surgery. Demographic data, QoL related to lower limb lymphedema, and fatigue symptoms were collected. Of the 200 participants, 60 percent (n = 120) reported a mild to severe impact on QoL related to lower limb lymphedema, with the main impact on the function of mobility and physical symptoms. Age less than 55 years (β = 0.706, OR = 2.027, P = 0.017), a diagnosis of ovarian cancer (β = 0.804, OR = 2.235, P = 0.048), undergoing chemotherapy (β = 0.616, OR = 1.854, P = 0.046), time after surgery (β = -0.833, OR = 0.435, P = 0.05), and fatigue (β = 0.055, OR = 1.06, P < 0.001) were independently associated with QoL related to lower limb lymphedema. Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that fatigue was significantly associated with QoL related to lower limb lymphedema after controlling for age, types of cancer, time after surgery, and chemotherapy. Fatigue explained 11% of the variance in the QoL. More than half of the women with gynecological cancer requiring lymphadenectomy experienced an impact on QoL related to lower limb lymphedema. Effective interventions are warranted to improve the QoL related to lower limb lymphedema among women with gynecological cancer, particularly those who present with fatigue.


Ultrasound-guided clavipectoral fascia plane block for middle third clavicular fracture: A case series.
Clavipectoral fascia plane block has been described as an anaesthetic and analgesic strategy for osteosynthesis of midclavicular fractures. However, to date, only isolated cases have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaesthetic and analgesic efficacy of this new approach in midclavicular fracture surgery in a large case series. Descriptive, observational study of 50 patients undergoing osteosynthesis of middle third clavicular fracture who received CPB block associated with supraclavicular nerve block. The primary objective was to assess pain on a VAS scale in the immediate postoperative period, and at 6, 12 and 24h. Secondary objectives were to determine the degree of intraoperative sedation, perioperative morphine consumption, need for rescue analgesia, unplanned general anaesthesia, presence of motor and sensory blockade, and diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis. Postoperative pain was 1.04 (SD=1.26) in the immediate postoperative period; 1.24 (SD=1.42) at 6h; 1.34 (SD=1.92) at 12h; and 0.96 (SD=1.29) at 24h. Mean total intraoperative fentanyl dose was 0.88μg/kg. Postoperatively, nine patients (18%) requested rescue analgesia. There were no conversions to general anaesthesia, no motor or sensory blockade of upper extremities, and no hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Our series supports the anaesthetic and analgesic efficacy of CPB block for osteosynthesis of midclavicular fractures.


Indoleamine accumulation by retinal neurons exposed to blood.
Exposing rabbit retinas for one minute to an incubation medium containing 10 microliters of blood diluted in 20 ml of medium was sufficient to produce serotonin-like immunoreactivity in some of the retinal indoleamine-accumulating neurons. Retinas from rabbits that had been perfused before the eyes were removed had no detectable immunoreactivity. Our results support the conjecture that the serotonin sometimes detected in the retina originates in the blood. Why the cells have a carrier for a molecule that they do not normally contain remains unclear.


[Short-term treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis and moniliasis. Clinical trial of a soluble complex of mepartricin].
The efficacy and tolerance of mepartricin sodium lauryl sulphate (SPA-S-222) was evaluated in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis and/or moniliasis. One group received 4 tablets/day for 3 days (group "A"), and the other (group "B") 1 tablet/8 hr for 4 days. A lasting microbiological cure was obtained in all cases. Tolerance was better in group "B" and it is felt that this protocol should be preferred.


Building a transitional care checklist in rheumatology: A Delphi-like survey.
To design a transitional care checklist to be used by and facilitate the work of health professionals in providing transitional care for children with a chronic rheumatologic disease and their families. A Delphi-like study among an international expert panel was carried out in four steps: (1) a working group of 6 specialists established a draft; (2) a web-survey among a panel of international experts evaluated it; (3) a 2-day consensus conference with an expert panel discussed items not reaching agreement; (4) a web-survey among the panel of international experts with the list of reformulated items. The first draft of the checklist included 38 items in 3 phases of transition and 5 age groups. Thirty-three international experts evaluated the checklist reaching≥80% agreement for 26 items and ≤80% for 12. The consensus conference of 12 experts discussed and redefined the 12 items. Twenty-five international experts filled out the web-survey and all items reached a minimum of 80% agreement except one. The final checklist was reached. This Delphi-like study defined what themes should be included and at what age they need to be addressed with patients with a chronic rheumatology disease and their families during transition. This checklist reached a strong international and interdisciplinary consensus while examining transition in a broad way. It should now be spread widely to health professionals to be used by all those who care for adolescents aged≥12 years at times of transition. It could be transposed to most chronic conditions. Recommendations for further research are given.


The Benefits of Strength Training on Musculoskeletal System Health: Practical Applications for Interdisciplinary Care.
Global health organizations have provided recommendations regarding exercise for the general population. Strength training has been included in several position statements due to its multi-systemic benefits. In this narrative review, we examine the available literature, first explaining how specific mechanical loading is converted into positive cellular responses. Secondly, benefits related to specific musculoskeletal tissues are discussed, with practical applications and training programmes clearly outlined for both common musculoskeletal disorders and primary prevention strategies.


Local and systemic immune responses to intratracheal instillation of antigen and DNA vaccines in mice.
The purpose of this study was to determine the immunization efficacy of antigen and DNA vaccines after delivery to the lung, to assess the integrity of the pulmonary tissue after vaccination, and to elucidate mechanisms involved in the induction of immunity. Ovalbumin, the plasmid encoding ovalbumin, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), or plasmid encoding HBsAg were intratracheally instilled or injected in quadriceps in mice. The immune response and its Th polarization were analyzed over time. Markers of inflammation were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung histology was performed. The fate of ovalbumin following intratracheal instillation was studied. According to the vaccine, the pulmonary route produced stronger or equivalent humoral and cellular responses systemically and locally in the lung as compared to injection. The IgG subclasses and cytokine pattern indicate that the immunity was preferentially polarized toward the Th2 and Th1 type for antigen and DNA immunization, respectively. Ovalbumin penetrated the respiratory tissue and blood poorly after intratracheal instillation, suggesting that the immune response was triggered at airway surfaces. Overall, vaccines delivered to the lung did not induce any local sign of inflammation. Pulmonary administration of vaccines might be a promising alternative to conventional vaccination by injection.


Exploring effectiveness and effective components of self-management interventions for young people with chronic physical conditions: A systematic review.
To systematically explore the effectiveness and effective components of self-management interventions. Study selection criteria were: Original articles in English published between 2003 and 2015; focusing on youth with chronic conditions; describing self-management interventions; with clear outcome measures; using RCT design. The random effects analysis was applied in which standardized mean differences per study were calculated. 42 RCTs were included. Interventions focused on medical management, provided individually in clinical settings or at home by mono-disciplinary teams showed a trend in improving adherence. Interventions delivered individually at home by mono-disciplinary teams showed a trend in improving dealing with a chronic condition. Adherence could be improved through interventions focused on medical management, provided individually in a clinical or home setting by a mono-disciplinary team. Interventions focused on dealing with a chronic condition might be provided individually, through telemedicine programs facilitating peer-support. These intervention elements seemed effective irrespective of diagnosis, and may therefore act as good starting points for further research into and for improvement of self-management support for youth with chronic conditions in pediatric care. Results underlined the need to systematically develop and evaluate self-management interventions, since this may provide more evidence for effectiveness and effective intervention components.


Maternal health needs and interest in screening for depression and health behaviors during pediatric visits.
Our aims were to assess postpartum health care barriers; health status (including depression and health behaviors); missed opportunities to discuss maternal health at health visits; acceptability of maternal screening in pediatric settings; and association of these variables with income level and race/ethnicity. A mail survey was used with names randomly drawn from birth files and balanced for race/ethnicity and income level. The adjusted response rate was 27.6%, with 41% reporting one or more health care barrier(s), 22% screening positive for depression, and 30% screening positive for alcohol abuse. Women of lower income were eight times more likely than those of higher income to have health care barriers (adjusted odds ratio = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 3.60, 18.44). Missed discussions of postpartum depression or behavioral health during pediatric or other health care visits ranged from 26% to 79%. Acceptability of discussing topics, including depression, smoking, and alcohol use at pediatric care visits generally exceeded 85%. Postpartum women experienced income-associated barriers to health care and generally had favorable views about maternal screening in pediatric settings.


Combined use of serum gamma glutamyl transferase level and ultrasonography improves prediction of perinatal outcomes associated with preeclamptic pregnancy.
Serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), produced and released mostly from the liver and bile duct, is an enzyme involved in response to oxidative stress, and has been used as a maker for prediction of cardiovascular events. Umbilical artery blood flow resistance index, e.g., the systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D ratio) as determined by ultrasound, has been used to assess the fetal intrauterine conditions. While changes of GGT and S/D ratio in preeclampsia are found to be associated with the risk for adverse perinatal outcome, the potential value of combined use of the two measurements for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome has not been determined. This study included severe preeclampsia patients in late pregnancy and determined their serum GGT levels and ultrasonic flow resistance index of umbilical artery within a week before delivery. Demographic data and perinatal outcomes including perinatal death, five-minute Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, respiratory distress syndrome, and intrauterine growth restriction, are documented and analyzed. It was found that serum GGT combined with umbilical artery S/D ratio predicted perinatal adverse outcomes in severe preeclampsia patients with a sensitivity of 94.30% and a specificity of 80.00%. Moreover, absent or reversed UA diastolic blood flow was found to be an independent risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction. GGT in combination with umbilical artery S/D ratio is a potentially useful marker for the prediction of adverse outcome in severe preeclampsia patients. Future studies in a larger cohort of patients should be performed to verify the efficacy of the strategy. Early and accurate prediction of adverse perinatal events can facilitate the efforts to improve the perinatal outcomes of neonates associated with preeclamptic pregnancies.


[Interdisciplinary teleconsultation: first practical experiences with 100 patients].
PROBLEM DEFINITION: Increasing specialization can be observed in the various medical fields and as a consequence there is little professional exchange between ear nose and throat (ENT) specialists and general practitioners. At the same time there has been significant technological development in telemedicine over the last 5 years; however, this potential is not being sufficiently exploited. The objective of this project is to implement a practicable solution for teleconsulation between ENT specialists and general practitioners. The connection is based on a secure broadband internet connection, the corresponding server structure and a video endoscopic system. In the period from 01 January 2011 to 30 June 2012 (18 months) a total of 102 patients were included in the study in which 4 general practitioners and 5 ENT specialists participated. The protocol comprised the following parameters: indications and typical questions, number of patients presenting to the ENT specialist due to the available teleconsultation service (CBO), number of patients referred to the ENT specialist after teleconsultation (CIO), assessment of the quality of the additional expert opinion (LOQ GP), assessment of the accuracy of the specialist physician tele-diagnosis (TDS-FA) and assessment of the impact of the expert physician diagnosis on the general medical treatment (COS). Teleconsultation was most frequently used for diagnostics on tonsils (37% of the presented cases), the external auditory canal (32%) and the inner nose (15%). Of the patients analyzed were 53.9% presented to the ENT specialist only because the teleconsultation service provided an effortless opportunity and after teleconsultation 40.1% of the patients were referred to the ENT specialist. General practitioners assessed the benefit from the specialist opinion with 64 points. Diagnostic certainty of the specialist opinion, i.e. the validity scale of the diagnosis made, was on average 2.0. In approximately 35.3% of the cases (36 out of 102 patients) participating general practitioners documented a considerable impact of teleconsultation on the diagnosis and/or therapy. Teleconsultation between general practitioners and ENT specialists can provide an advantage in treatment quality and patient comfort. According to the experience gained there is a very low risk of diminishing the professional competency of ENT medicine and the involvement of the expert group in the early project stage allows a greater leeway in project implementation. This could also have an impact on future medical performance specifications. According to the ENT experts involved in the project further applications of teleconsultation are very conceivable.


Gestational age at intrauterine myelomeningocele repair does not influence the risk of prematurity.
To determine the effect of gestational age at the time of intrauterine myelomeningocele repair on the duration of pregnancy and the gestational age at the time of delivery. This study is a retrospective chart review of the maternal and neonatal medical records of all infants undergoing intrauterine myelomeningocele repair at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Birth weight, gestational age at the time of surgery and gestational age at the time of delivery were recorded. Infants were divided into 2 groups depending on gestational age at the time of surgery, either > or = 25 weeks' gestation (group 1) or < 25 weeks (group 2). Results were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges. Statistical analysis was done using the unpaired (2-sample) t test; p values < or = 0.05 were considered significant. Ninety-five infants were studied. Fifty-one infants were repaired after 25 weeks' gestation (group 1) at a median gestational age of 26.3 weeks (range 25.6-27.6). Their median gestational age at delivery was 34.4 weeks (range 32.6-35.3). Forty-four infants were repaired before 25 weeks' gestation (group 2). Surgery was done at a median gestational age of 23.6 weeks (range 22.4-24.5). The median gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks (range 31.6-35.3; p = 0.88). Early intrauterine myelomeningocele repair before 25 week's gestation does not decrease the gestational age at delivery when compared with repair after 25 weeks.


The effect of captopril on renal function in patients during the first cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II infusion.
On the assumption that hemodynamic changes in renal blood flow are the initial expression of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)-related nephrotoxicity, we treated patients with metastatic non-seminomatous testicular carcinoma during CDDP infusion with captopril. This angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor significantly attenuated the initial decrease in effective renal plasma flow and can probably be used to protect the kidneys against CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity.


Comparison of the effect of two sugar-substituted chewing gums on different caries- and gingivitis-related variables: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two sugar-substituted chewing gums besides toothbrushing on different clinical, microbiological, and biochemical caries- and gingivitis-related variables. The study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with three parallel arms. A total of 130 dental students, who volunteered after signing an informed consent, were randomly allocated to receive one of the following interventions: hexitol-sweetened gum containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), pentitol-sweetened gum containing no CPP-ACP, and control group with no gum. Subjects within the experimental groups chewed two gum pellets for 20 min three times a day after meals. The daily consumption level of both polyols was 6.0 g. Clinical examinations and salivary samplings were conducted at baseline and after 30 days of gum use. Pre- and post-intervention stimulated whole saliva samples were quantified for calcium/phosphate ionic concentration, total facultative bacterial load, Streptococcus mutans/Lactobacillus spp. counts, and Gram-negative percentage. A statistically significant reduction in visible plaque score was displayed in the hexitol/CPP-ACP gum group after the intervention when compared with baseline, but the order of the effect was in the same order as the differences between the groups at baseline. A similar tendency was seen in both the pentitol/non-CPP-ACP gum and control groups regarding total salivary facultative bacterial load and S. mutans count, but median values of these parameters were more significantly reduced in the pentitol/non-CPP-ACP gum group in comparison with those of the control group. Alterations of salivary Lactobacillus spp. were demonstrated only in the pentitol/non-CPP-ACP gum group. Although these findings might indicate that a 30-day protocol of daily chewing of pentitol-sweetened gum containing no CPP-ACP might have some a reducing effect on the salivary levels of facultative bacteria, S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp., there was only a marginal, if any, benefit from the chewing gums under study on some microbiological caries- and gingivitis-related variables. Taking into account that for transferring results into clinically relevant conclusions the findings need to be strong and consistent, adhering to single significant differences appears not appropriate. Hence, the clinical significance of chewing gums as an adjunctive tool for daily oral care remained questionable.


Transmembrane redox in control of cell growth. Stimulation of HeLa cell growth by ferricyanide and insulin.
The impermeable electron acceptor ferricyanide stimulates the growth of HeLa cells in the absence of serum and increases cell replication with limiting amounts of serum (0.75%). Maximum growth stimulation occurs at low ferricyanide concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mM. Higher ferricyanide concentrations inhibit growth on serum. Addition of insulin enhances the stimulating effect of ferricyanide. Increase in the transplasmalemma electron transport activity in the presence of insulin is also observed by measuring the rate of ferricyanide reduction by cells. There is a close correlation between insulin stimulation of ferricyanide reduction and insulin induction of cell proliferation and attachment. In addition to ferricyanide, the growth response is observed with other impermeable oxidants, such as indigotetrasulfonate and hexaamine ruthenium III, which are reduced by the transplasma membrane electron transport system. Inactive oxidants such as cytochrome c do not stimulate cell growth. Ferrocyanide does not stimulate growth. We propose that electron flow through the transplasma membrane electron transport system stimulates growth and that insulin acts to increase that flow.


Placental hormones and maternal glucose metabolism. A study of fetal growth in normal pregnancy.
The interrelations between three placental hormones (oestradiol, progesterone and hPL), maternal glucose metabolism, maternal anthropometry and fetal growth were studied in a sample of 52 carefully selected pregnant women. A relation was found between infant birthweight and both fasting blood glucose and t1/2 of glucose of an intravenous glucose tolerance test at week 37 of pregnancy. The serum concentrations of the placental hormones were not significantly related to the glucose variables. The correlation between birthweight and the maternal levels of hPL in late pregnancy (r = 0.60) persisted when fasting blood glucose and t1/2 of glucose were taken into account. Maternal fat mass was found to explain more of the variation in basal insulin levels around week 37 than did the placental hormones.


Augmented platelet aggregation as predictor of reocclusion after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction.
Reocclusion after thrombolysis diminishes the benefits of early reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). No clinical or laboratory variables have been identified as predictors for reocclusion yet. To evaluate hemostatic variables as potential risk determinants platelet aggregation (PA, representing platelet activity), thrombin/antithrombin complexes (TAT, representing thrombin generation), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1, representing endogenous fibrinolysis) were determined in 31 patients with AMI at 0, 1, 2. and 12 h after the start of thrombolysis as well as at hospital discharge. Reocclusion (defined as reinfarction or angiographically confirmed, clinically silent coronary reocclusion) occurred in 5 patients within 5-14 days and in 8 patients within 1 year. TAT plasma concentrations were lower in patients with reocclusion than in those without (9.9+/-5.7 vs. 22.9+/-22.2 ng/ml at 2 h, 6.5+/-3.1 vs. 1 1.2+/-6.4 ng/ml at 12 h, means+/-SD, p <0.05 each). Neither concentration nor activity of PAI-1 in plasma differed between both patient groups. However, both slope and maximum of PA (induced by 2 micromol/l ADP) were augmented in patients with reocclusion (slope: 39.4+/-1.7 vs. 32.5+/-7.4 at 2 h, p <0.001; 42.6+/-2.6 vs. 36.6+/-8.9 at 12 h, p <0.01). Results were independent of the thrombolytic agent used (alteplase or reteplase). A PA slope at 2 h higher than the average slope before thrombolysis (37.2+/-5.7) could be identified as best predictor for early (within 5-14 d, p=0.017, sensitivity 1.00, specificity 0.69) and late reocclusion (within 1 y, p=0.009, 0.88 and 0.74, respectively). Increased PA following coronary thrombolysis appears to be associated with early and late reocclusion. This marker could be useful in identifying patients who may benefit from more aggressive antiplatelet (such as GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists), interventional, or both strategies.


Strengthen forensic entomology in court--the need for data exploration and the validation of a generalised additive mixed model.
Developmental data of juvenile blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are typically used to calculate the age of immature stages found on or around a corpse and thus to estimate a minimum post-mortem interval (PMI(min)). However, many of those data sets don't take into account that immature blow flies grow in a non-linear fashion. Linear models do not supply a sufficient reliability on age estimates and may even lead to an erroneous determination of the PMI(min). According to the Daubert standard and the need for improvements in forensic science, new statistic tools like smoothing methods and mixed models allow the modelling of non-linear relationships and expand the field of statistical analyses. The present study introduces into the background and application of these statistical techniques by analysing a model which describes the development of the forensically important blow fly Calliphora vicina at different temperatures. The comparison of three statistical methods (linear regression, generalised additive modelling and generalised additive mixed modelling) clearly demonstrates that only the latter provided regression parameters that reflect the data adequately. We focus explicitly on both the exploration of the data--to assure their quality and to show the importance of checking it carefully prior to conducting the statistical tests--and the validation of the resulting models. Hence, we present a common method for evaluating and testing forensic entomological data sets by using for the first time generalised additive mixed models.


Preliminary psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the structured interview of personality organization (STIPO-CH).
Kernberg originally proposed the psychoanalytic concept of personality organization (PO), which measures personality pathology from a dimensional approach with multiple scales and can be evaluated using the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO) from six domains: identity, object relations, primitive defenses, coping vs. rigidity, aggression, and moral values. The present study translated the original version into the Chinese STIPO (STIPO-CH) version and evaluated its reliability and validity. The STIPO-CH was administered to 49 non-clinical subjects. They also completed the Chinese version of the Inventory of Personality Organization and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory to evaluate criterion-related reliability. Interrater reliability was assessed with intraclass correlations. An item analysis was carried out to explore the structure and internal consistency. Interrater reliability (intraclass correlations) ranged from 0.98 to 0.99. Results suggested acceptable internal consistency for identity and moral values. The correlations between STIPO-CH domains and self-report questionnaires indicated that construct validity and criterion-related validity were acceptable to good. Overall, this study presents preliminary psychometric properties of STIPO-CH. Limitations regarding the sample, interviewers, and cultural differences are discussed. Future research is highly recommended.


Stoichiometry of the NADH-oxidoreductase reaction for dehydrogenase determinations.
The NADH oxidoreductase reaction with resazurin was most rapid at pH 6.5. FMN (10 mumol/l) markedly stimulated the reaction, and the optimal concentration of resazurin was 50 mumol/l. The oxidation of NADH by NADH oxidoreductase with resaruzin as electron acceptor gave a variable yield of fluorescent product, resorufin. The yield was pH dependent and was greatest at pH 6.5. Measurements of oxygen consumption in the reaction mixture demonstrated that dissolved O2 was an alternative electron acceptor. The increased yield of resorufin at pH 6.5 was due to more rapid reduction of resazurin rather than oxygen. In contrast, at pH 9.0 oxygen was the preferred electron acceptor. The sensitivity of assays utilizing this indicator reaction can be improved by these optimized conditions.


MoMuLV-derived self-inactivating retroviral vectors possessing multiple cloning sites and expressing the resistance to either G418 or hygromycin B.
To facilitate cloning procedures in recombinant murine leukemia virus-derived retroviruses, we have constructed vectors that both carry a polylinker with multiple restriction sites and express resistance to either G418 or hygromycin B. Our vectors are self-inactivating retroviruses that suppress interferences between LTR enhancers and internal promoters and avoid transcriptional stimulation of host cell genes. They can also be used as expression vectors in direct transfection assays, since no translation initiation codon lies between the 5' LTR and the cloning polylinker.


Luminescent 'On-Off' CdSe/ZnS quantum dot chemodosimeter for hydroxide based on photoinduced electron transfer from a carboxylate moiety.
A CdSe-ZnS quantum dot (QD) has been surface functionalised by a place exchange reaction with p-mercaptomethyl benzoate synthesized by a three-step procedure. The resulting lumophore-spacer-receptor QD-conjugate was characterized by IR, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The emission profile of the QD reveals a narrow emission peak centred at 542 nm. Addition of hydroxide to the solution containing the QD-conjugate results in quenching of the original fluorescence, which is attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer reaction from the electron-rich benzoate moiety to the QD valence band. This is the first reported example of fluorescent quenching of a CdSe-ZnS QD luminescence by an aryl carboxylate moiety.


Antigen-specific human T-lymphocyte clones. Genetic restriction of influenza virus-specific responses to HLA-D region genes.
Human T lymphocytes, primed in vitro to influenza virus, were cloned by limiting dilution and expanded using medium containing interleukin 2 and feeder cells. A detailed analysis of the genetic requirements for induction of T-cell proliferation was conducted using a panel of cells from unrelated donors and two families who had previously been extensively phenotyped for HLA region antigens. Clones obtained from a Dw1, Dw3 individual required Dw1,DR1 histocompatibility for successful presentation of viral antigens by antigen-presenting cells. The antigen-presenting ability segregated with HLA-B,D,DR in an informative HLA-A/B recombinant individual. In contrast, some TLCs responded to antigen presented by cells that did not share known HLA antigens, and in one informative family, reactivity did not segregate with HLA. None of the T-cell clones reacted to allogeneic cells in the absence of antigen, suggesting that the TLCs do not bear receptors that recognize both influenza virus and alloantigen. In antibody-blocking studies, Dw1, DR1-restricted clones were blocked by all monoclonal anti-DR framework antibodies. The non-HLA-restricted TLCs were blocked by some, but not all, of the anti-DR framework monoclonal antibodies. These results confirm and extend the role of HLA-D region gene products in antigen presentation and also provide evidence that yet undefined cell interaction products, which may include hybrid structure, are able to participate in antigen-specific proliferative responses by human T cells.