Failure to obtain value enhancement by within-trial contrast in simultaneous and successive discriminations.
The present research tested the generality of the "work ethic" effect described by Clement, Feltus, Kaiser, and Zentall (2000). In Experiment 1, we trained 10 pigeons on a pair of either simultaneous or successive discriminations. One discrimination followed a high-effort requirement (20 pecks to the center key) and the other followed a low-effort requirement (1 peck). Contrary to Clement et al.'s results, we found that preferences between the S+ and S- stimuli in transfer tests depended on the event that initiated the trial: Pigeons preferred the stimulus from the baseline discrimination whose initiating event was most dissimilar from that preceding the test trial. Preferences were similar but less extreme in the successive condition. In Experiment 2, we investigated whether test preferences depended on the amount of training. A total of 12 pigeons were trained on a pair of simultaneous discriminations, except that test sessions were scheduled after every three baseline sessions. Preferences increased across test sessions but were similar to those in Experiment 1. Together with Vasconcelos, Urcuioli, and Lionello-DeNolf (2007a), our study represents a second failure to replicate Clement et al.'s work ethic effect. The finding that preference depends on the event that initiates the test trial suggests that choice probes may not provide unambiguous assessments of stimulus value.


Effects of methylmercury on the motor and sensory innervation of the rat extensor digitorum longus muscle.
This histochemical study examined the effects of chronic methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication on the motor and sensory innervation of extensor digitorum longus muscles. Light microscopic examination of silver-stained axons in the intramuscular nerve bundles of MeHg-treated rats showed Wallerian-like degeneration and a reduction in the number of nerve fibers. Disrupted axons were predominantly sensory because 22.2% of spindle afferents (Ia) and 90.0% of Golgi tendon organ (Ib) sensory fibers were completely degenerated whereas less than 1% of motor endings were totally destroyed. Partial disruption occurred in the cholinesterase and motor terminals of 13.7% of endplates. Our results demonstrated greater vulnerability of sensory nerves than of motor nerves to MeHg-induced degeneration. Thus, the abnormal reflexes, ataxia, and muscle weakness following MeHg poisoning appear related to reduction of proprioceptive feedback from muscles and tendons in addition to the documented lesions in the central nervous system.


Effects of the combined administration of the 5-HT3 antagonist MDL 72222 and ethanol on conditioning in the periadolescent and adult rat.
The effects of acute ethanol and treatment with the 5-HT3 antagonist MDL 72222 on conditioning of a visual pattern discrimination and an olfactory context were examined in periadolescent (35-38-day-old) and adult (60-70-day-old) rats. In Experiment 1, the effects of acute ethanol exposure on conditioning of a visual pattern discrimination (horizontal vs. vertical black and white stripes) and an olfactory context were investigated. The results indicated that a moderate dose of ethanol, 2 g/kg, disrupted conditioning at both ages to the visual stimulus but not to the olfactory context in which conditioning occurred. This may reflect differential susceptibility of target and contextual learning to the effects of ethanol, or might instead confirm previous suggestions that the visual system is more susceptible than the olfactory system to the effects of acute ethanol exposure. The effects of 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg MDL 72222 on the ethanol-induced impairment in pattern discrimination conditioning were examined in Experiment 2. Pretreatment with these doses of MDL 72222 did not reverse the cognitive impairments produced by acute ethanol exposure at either age. However, MDL 72222 pretreatment attenuated the hyperlocomotion evident in ethanol-treated male and female periadolescents and adult females, as indexed by the number of crossovers during the preference test. Thus, MDL 72222 does not appear to ameliorate the cognitive impairment induced by acute ethanol exposure, although the antagonist was observed to attenuate ethanol-induced hyperlocomotion in the same test situation.


PORP vs. TORP in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
To compare the mean pre-operative air-bone gaps (ABG), mean post-operative ABGs, and extrusion rates between pediatric recipients of partial ossicular reconstruction prostheses (PORPs) and pediatric recipients of total ossicular reconstruction prostheses (TORPs) via a systematic review and meta-analysis. A quantitative systematic review last updated on September 29, 2021 of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted for studies reporting mean post-operative ABGs or numbers of children with post-operative ABG ≤ 20 dB following PORP and TORP procedures in at least five children aged 0-18 years. Studies were excluded if they were review articles, conference abstracts, or not in English. Studies that primarily reported data on congenital aural atresia, stapedectomy/stapedotomy, congenital stapes fixation, or juvenile otosclerosis were also excluded. NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies was used to assess for risk of bias. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4.1 was used to perform the meta-analysis and generate forest plots. Out of 648 unique abstracts retrieved, 11 papers were included in this systematic review with meta-analysis. Data from 449 children (247 TORP recipients and 202 TORP recipients) are represented among the various analyses. Data from nine studies, representing 84.2 % of all children in the systematic review, demonstrated that PORP recipients presented with a pre-operative ABG 6.30 dB less than TORP recipients (mean difference: -6.30, 95 %CI: -7.4, -5.18, p < 0.01). Data from these same children demonstrated that PORP recipients had a 1.80 dB less post-operative ABG compared to TORP recipients (mean difference: -1.80 dB, 95 %CI: -2.84, -0.77, p < 0.001). Data from seven studies, representing 49.4 % of all children in the systematic review, demonstrated that PORP recipients were more likely to have a successful closure of the post-operative ABG to ≤20 dB (OR: 2.12, 95 %CI: 1.18, 3.79, p = 0.01). In these same children, 62.5 % of PORP recipients had a post-operative ABG ≤ 20 dB and 48.3 % of TORP recipients had a post-operative ABG ≤ 20 dB. There was no difference in extrusion rates between PORP recipients compared to TORP recipients (OR: 1.08, 95 %CI: 0.31, 3.78, p = 0.90) from five studies representing 45.9 % children in the systematic review. Children who receive a PORP have better pre-operative hearing baselines and post-operative hearing outcomes compared to those who receive TORP with similar rates of extrusion. More pediatric studies should report their mean pre- and post-operative ABGs stratifying by various material types, surgical indications, and surgical details to facilitate future meta-analyses.


Vitamin D Stored in Fat Tissue During a 5-Year Intervention Affects Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels the Following Year.
Vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] are stored in adipose tissue, but the clinical relevance is uncertain. To evaluate changes in serum 25(OH)D and adipose tissue vitamin D levels after stopping vitamin D supplementation. A prospective, double-blind cohort follow-up study. Clinical Research Unit at University Hospital of North Norway. Seventy-six subjects were included after participation in a 3- to 5-year prevention of type 2 diabetes study and were administered 20,000 IU of vitamin D or placebo per week. During the 12-month follow-up period, blood samples were drawn at the beginning and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Fat biopsies were taken at the start and end. Changes in 25(OH)D level in serum and 25(OH)D and vitamin D levels in adipose tissue. Forty-one of 42 subjects who were given vitamin D and 33 of 34 subjects who were given placebo completed the study. At the inclusion, mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 122 and 71 nmol/L in the vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher in the vitamin D group than in the placebo group throughout and were 84.5 and 73.1 nmol/L, respectively, after 12 months. In the vitamin D group, adipose tissue vitamin D levels decreased by 52% over 12 months. Vitamin D and 25(OH)D stored in adipose tissue after 3 to 5 years of vitamin D supplementation may have a clinically relevant effect on serum 25(OH)D level the following year.


[The content of phospholipids and free fatty acids in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes in the early stage of an x-ray radiation lesion].
One and 24 h following single X-irradiation (0.21 C/kg) of rabbit hind leg the content of free fatty acids and phospholipid lysoforms increased in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane of skeletal muscles. The results obtained are important in estimating the mechanisms of action of ionizing radiation on the structural and functional properties of SR.


Sustained attention in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and healthy controls: enhanced sensitivity with dual-task load.
Poor sustained attention or alertness is a common consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has a considerable impact on the recovery and adjustment of TBI patients. Here, we describe the development of a sensitive laboratory task in healthy subjects (Experiment 1) and its enhanced sensitivity to sustained attention errors in TBI patients (Experiment 2). The task involves withholding a key press to an infrequent no-go target embedded within a predictable sequence of numbers (primary goal) and detecting grey-coloured targets within the sequence (secondary goal). In Experiment 1, we report that neurologically healthy subjects are more likely to experience a lapse of attention and neglect the primary task goal, despite ceiling performance on the secondary task. Further, attentional lapses on the task correlated with everyday attentional failures and variability of response time. In Experiment 2, the task discriminates between TBI patients and controls with a large effect size. The dual-task yields more errors in both groups than a simple task involving only the primary goal that is commonly used to detect sustained attention deficits in neurologically impaired groups. TBI patients' errors also correlated with everyday cognitive failures and variability of response time. This was not the case in the simple version of the task. We conclude that the dual-task demand associated with this task enhances its sensitivity as a measure of sustained attention in TBI patients and neurologically healthy controls that relates to everyday slips of attention.


The changing face of migraine.
Migraine is a major source of pain-related disability. Despite the personal and societal impact of this disorder, migraine continues to be misdiagnosed and undertreated even though well-established diagnostic criteria and safe and effective treatments are available. The recent revision of diagnostic criteria for headache diagnosis and consensus guidelines for migraine treatment hopefully will promote better medical care for headache sufferers. Advancements in understanding the neurobiology of migraine will guide the development of new treatments.


Synchronous gallbladder adenocarcinoma and gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Case report and literature review.
Synchronous occurrence of different types of neoplasms is not very frequent, representing around 6% of all cases of cancer. Usually there is a lack of information on how to treat these patients, especially when both types of cancers are also uncommon. No cases of synchronous gallbladder adenocarcinoma and gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor have been published before. We present the case, management and follow-up, of a 66-year-old female with incidental diagnosis of a pT2NxMx gallbladder adenocarcinoma after elective cholecystectomy that latter, during staging, was also diagnosed with GIST. Total gastrectomy, wedge resection of the liver and lymphadenectomy were performed due to the new findings. Adjuvant chemotherapy for 36 months was indicated. After 16 months of the treatment she has no signs of recurrence. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) had a turnaround in the end of the 20th century after the introduction tyrosine-kinase inhibitor to the adjuvant treatment and now the trend is to extend it up to 36 months in selected patients. Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is an uncommon cancer but the incidental diagnosis is increasing with the popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and, thus, specific management should be offered for these patients, what frequently includes a complementary surgery. Although, GISTs may be associated with another synchronous tumor in 20% of the cases, the simultaneous occurrence with gallbladder cancer is incredibly rare. Simultaneous occurrence of gastric GIST and gallbladder adenocarcinoma has not been reported before and, thus, any information about it may help in the management of those patients.


Developmental biology-inspired tissue engineering by combining organoids and 3D bioprinting.
Very few tissue-engineered constructs could achieve the desired results in human clinical trials. The main reason is their inability to recapitulate the cellular conformation, biological, and mechanical functions of the native tissue. Here, we highlight the future avenues of tissue regeneration combining developmental biology, organoids, and 3D bioprinting. A deep mechanistic insight into the embryonic level and recapitulating them would be the most promising strategy in next-generation tissue engineering. Rather than focusing on the adult tissue features, the latest developmental re-engineering strategies replicate the developmental phases of tissue development. Integrating developmental re-engineering with 3D bioprinting can regulate several signaling pathways. This would further help to fabricate mini-organ constructs for transplantation or in vitro screening of drugs using an organ-on-a-chip platform.


Application of oligo(dT)30-latex for rapid purification of poly(A)+ mRNA and for hybrid subtraction with the in situ reverse transcribed cDNA.
The carboxyl groups on the surface of latex beads were linked to amino moiety of cytidine residue of oligo(dC)10(dT)30. The resultant latex beads-(dC)10(dT)30 showed a very stable suspension and yet is precipitable to a small pellet by centrifugation. These properties merits the oligomer-linked beads to be applied for experiments in which poly(A)+ mRNAs are involved. An efficient (> 95%) hybridization to poly(A)+ mRNA occurred in a short reaction period (10 min), and more than 95% of bound mRNAs were recovered from the beads by heating (65 degrees C, 5 min) followed by centrifugation. Interestingly, the poly(A)+ mRNAs could be transcribed to cDNAs in situ by reverse transcriptase, with the covalently linked oligo(dT)30 as primers. These properties allowed the oligo(dT)30-latex to prepare the cDNA covalently bound to latex which was used for mRNA hybrid subtraction. In a model experiment with the mixture of vaccinia virus and HeLa mRNAs, about 200-fold enrichment of vaccinia mRNA species was obtained after four cycles of hybrid subtraction with HeLa cDNA-latex.


Complex spherical fuzzy Aczel Alsina aggregation operators and their application in assessment of electric cars.
The multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool is a robust decision-making technique utilized in several fields like networking, risk management, digital analysis, cybercrime investigation, artificial intelligence, waste management enterprises and many other selection criteria. Complex SFS (CSFS) is a new edition of the spherical fuzzy set (SFS) that offers substantial information about any item in terms of amplitude and phase terms in a wider range of real terms. Complex SFS (CSFS) can be an extension of the spherical fuzzy set (SFS). The Aczel-Alsina aggregation tools are more appropriate aggregation operators (AOs), and they are used to conquer the impact of inconsistent and uncertain data. In this paper, we reveal some new approaches based on Aczel-Alsina aggregation tools under consideration of Complex Spherical Fuzzy (CSF) information. These new approaches include the CSF Aczel-Alsina weighted average (CSFAWA) operator, and the CSF Aczel-Alsina ordered weighted average (CSFOWA) operator. In addition to this, we also introduce a list of novel techniques by making use of the theory of Aczel-Alsina aggregation tools such as CSF Aczel-Alsina weighted geometric (CSFAWG) and CSF Aczel-Alsina ordered weighted geometric (CSFOWG) operators. To demonstrate the resilience and efficacy of the approaches that have been mentioned, we will examine a few exceptional examples and remarkable properties of the methodology that we have devised. In addition, a characterization is provided for an approach to the MCDM issue using the CPF information system. We use the example of electric automobiles as a case study to illustrate the uniformity and dependability of the methodology that we have established. This example was chosen because of the high cost of fuel and the present economic challenges that are being encountered by families in the middle class. An empirical case study is also constructed to determine an electric car that is desirable based on the techniques that we have proposed. To evaluate the correctness and superiority of the established strategies, we compare the outcomes of previously used techniques with the AOs currently being provided.


STAGE-Diging in Proteomics.
Proteomics is nowadays a standard tool in life sciences for the analysis of protein abundance, modifications and interactions but has so far failed to enter the clinic for routine applications. New generation mass spectrometers and chromatographic systems are able to cover approximately an entire cell proteome in one run but sample preparation, in terms of time and sample recovery, is still a critical step. Here we describe a modification of the in-gel digestion method, called STAGE-diging, that reduces sample handling, decreases the analysis time and improves protein identification and quantification. This method is particularly useful for those research labs that manage different biological samples and have a limited access to MS instrumentation or are required to perform high-throughput analysis in short time like a clinical laboratory.


Ion competition in condensed DNA arrays in the attractive regime.
Physical origin of DNA condensation by multivalent cations remains unsettled. Here, we report quantitative studies of how one DNA-condensing ion (Cobalt(3+) Hexammine, or Co(3+)Hex) and one nonDNA-condensing ion (Mg(2+)) compete within the interstitial space in spontaneously condensed DNA arrays. As the ion concentrations in the bath solution are systematically varied, the ion contents and DNA-DNA spacings of the DNA arrays are determined by atomic emission spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, respectively. To gain quantitative insights, we first compare the experimentally determined ion contents with predictions from exact numerical calculations based on nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equations. Such calculations are shown to significantly underestimate the number of Co(3+)Hex ions, consistent with the deficiencies of nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann approaches in describing multivalent cations. Upon increasing the concentration of Mg(2+), the Co(3+)Hex-condensed DNA array expands and eventually redissolves as a result of ion competition weakening DNA-DNA attraction. Although the DNA-DNA spacing depends on both Mg(2+) and Co(3+)Hex concentrations in the bath solution, it is observed that the spacing is largely determined by a single parameter of the DNA array, the fraction of DNA charges neutralized by Co(3+)Hex. It is also observed that only ∼20% DNA charge neutralization by Co(3+)Hex is necessary for spontaneous DNA condensation. We then show that the bath ion conditions can be reduced to one variable with a simplistic ion binding model, which is able to describe the variations of both ion contents and DNA-DNA spacings reasonably well. Finally, we discuss the implications on the nature of interstitial ions and cation-mediated DNA-DNA interactions.


Smart HIV testing system.
The quick HIV testing method called "MiraWell Rapid HIV Test" uses a specialized testing kit to determine whether an individual's blood is contaminated with the HIV virus or not. When a drop of blood is placed on the center of the testing kit, a simple pattern will appear in the middle of the kit to indicate the test status, i.e., positive or negative. This HIV test should be done in a small clinic or in a lab and the test must be conducted by a trained technician. A smart HIV testing system was developed through this research to eliminate the human error that is associated with the use of the quick HIV testing kits. Also, the smart HIV system will improve the testing productivity in comparison to those achieved by the trained technicians. In this research, we have developed a cost-effective system that analyzes the image produced by the HIV kits. We have used a System-On-Chip (SOC) design approach based on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology and the Xilinx Virtex SOC chip in building the system's prototype. The system used a CMOS digital camera to capture the image and an FPGA chip to process the captured image and send the testing results to the display unit. The system can be used in small clinics and pharmacies and eliminates the need for trained technicians. The system has been tested successfully and 98% of the tests were correct.


Promoter activity of sea lamprey proopiocortin and proopiomelanotropin genes in AtT-20/D16v cells.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanophore-stimulating hormone (MSH) are produced in the pars distalis and pars intermedia, respectively, throughout vertebrates. These hormones together with beta-endorphin are encoded on a single gene proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in gnathostomes, but in the sea lamprey, an agnathan, ACTH and MSH are encoded on two separate genes, proopiocortin (POC) and proopiomelanotropin (POM), respectively. Moreover, the nucleotide sequences of 5'-flanking regions of the POC and POM genes are significantly different from each other. To investigate the potential promoter activities of the POC and POM genes, we constructed promoter reporter plasmids by fusing the 5' flanking sequences (nucleotides -1151 to +31 and -2510 to +51, respectively) to a firefly luciferase gene. Transient transfection studies in AtT-20/D16v cells, which derived from a mouse pituitary tumor cell line, revealed that the 5'-flanking sequence of the POC gene did not exhibit promoter activity, whereas that of the POM gene showed the activity at high levels nearly equivalent to SV40 promoter. Analysis of a series of the 5'-deleted reporter for the POM gene in the AtT-20/D16v cells demonstrated that the 422 bp 5'-flanking sequence was sufficient for promoter activity, while the sequence from -853 to -574 may contain negatively acting regulatory elements. Because the POC and POM genes are supposed to have differentiated from a common ancestor, during evolution, the POC gene may lack essential element(s) for expression in the AtT-20/D16v cells.


Complement pores in erythrocyte membranes. Analysis of C8/C9 binding required for functional membrane damage.
The number of membrane-bound terminal complement proteins (C5b-9) required to generate a functional pore in the human erythrocyte membrane ghost has been determined. Resealed erythrocyte ghost membranes (ghosts) were treated with human complement proteins C5b6, C7, 131I-C8, and 125I-C9 under non-lytic conditions. Following C5b-9 assembly, sucrose-permeant ghosts were separated from C5b-9 ghosts that remained impermeant to sucrose by centrifugation over density barriers formed of 43% (w/v) sucrose. Analysis of 131I-C8 and 125I-C9 bound to sucrose-permeant and sucrose-impermeant subpopulations of C5b-9 ghosts revealed: 1. Sucrose-permeant C5b-9 ghosts show increased uptake of both 131I-C8 and 125I-C9 as compared to ghosts that remain impermeant to sucrose. Ghosts with less than 300 molecules 131I-C8 bound remain impermeant to sucrose, irrespective of the total C9 input, or, the multiplicity of C9 uptake by membrane C5b-8. 2. In the presence of excess 125I-C9, the ratio of 125I-C9/131I-C8 bound to membrane C5b67 is 3.2 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- 2 S.D.), suggesting an average stoichiometry of 3 C9 per C5b-8. Under these conditions, the ratio of 125I-C9/131I-C8 bound to sucrose-permeant ghosts (3.3 +/- 0.7) does not significantly differ from the ratio bound to sucrose-impermeant ghosts (2.9 +/- 0.6). 3. With limiting C9 input, the threshold of total C5b-8 uptake required for sucrose permeability increases significantly above 300 per cell when the ratio of bound 125I-C9/131I-C8 is decreased below unity. In the complete absence of C9, 11 700 C5b-8 complexes are bound to sucrose-permeant ghosts. It is concluded that more than 300 C5b-9 complexes must bind to the human erythrocyte to form a sucrose-permeant lesion. Although the binding of one C9 per C5b-8 is critical to the pore-forming activity of these proteins, the binding of additional molecules of C9 to each complex (C9/C8 greater than 1) does not significantly alter the threshold of total C5b-9 uptake required for lesion formation.


Concealed atrial bigeminy: mechanisms of disappearance and reappearance of manifest extrasystoles.
ECGs taken from four patients with concealed atrial bigeminy were analyzed to find the mechanisms of disappearance and reappearance of extrasystoles. Observations in three patients showing the classic form of concealed bigeminy suggest that when the extrasystole disappeared, the first sinus impulse after the last manifest extrasystole and its subsequent alternate sinus impulses passed through the reentrant pathway and thereafter became concealed extrasystoles. The other alternate sinus impulses appear to have been blocked within the reentrant pathway but after concealed conduction. It is suggested that such concealed conduction prolonged the conduction time of the next sinus impulse in the reentrant pathway and favored reappearance of the extrasystole. On the contrary, observations in one patient showing the even-number variant suggest that the first sinus impulse after a manifest extrasystole and its subsequent alternate sinus impulses were blocked in the reentrant pathway without appreciable concealed conduction.


Effects of aerial spraying of insecticides on nontarget macrobenthos in a mountain stream.
The effects of aerial spraying of an insecticide were investigated in a mountain stream using a drift net. The concentration of fenitrothion (organophosphorus insecticide) in the river water increased to ca. 20 micrograms liter-1 3 hr after the spraying and decreased exponentially to half the peak value after 2 hr. A large number of aquatic insects were found drifting after the spraying. The total number of individuals which drifted in the daytime after spraying reached nine times the number found the previous night. The total number of species which drifted during the 24 hr following the spray increased to 43 from 17 on the previous day. Before the insecticide spraying, the drifting benthos were almost entirely made up of three species of Baetis (Ephemeroptera). However, many individuals of several species of Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera), Apsilochorema sutshanum (Trichoptera), and Chironomidae (Diptera) drifted in addition to Baetis after the spray. A large number of young Baetis, which had not been seen in the natural night drift samples, were found drifting due to the insecticide. Natural night drift almost disappeared from the day following insecticide spraying. At the second insecticide spraying, conducted 20 days after the first, the number of individuals which drifted during the 24 hr following spraying decreased to only 0.85% of that in the first spraying although changes in insecticide concentration showed a similar pattern. Several species of Ephemeroptera were dominant among the fauna in the studied stream, and the causal relationships of this are discussed.


From the Birth of Occupational Therapy and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to Randomized Controlled Trials: The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: A Centennial Review.
The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has entered its second century of publication. In this centennial review, we chronicle the evolution of the journal from its origin in 1922 as the Archives of Occupational Therapy to the present. In particular, we focus on the contributions to the journal and the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation by Founding Editor-in-Chief William Rush Dunton, Jr, MD, and the rise of publication of randomized controlled studies in the journal, thus fulfilling Dr Dunton's original vision and dream for the field and the journal.


High throughput selection of novel plant growth regulators: Assessing the translatability of small bioactive molecules from Arabidopsis to crops.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) have become an integral part of agricultural and horticultural practices. Accordingly, there is an increased demand for new and cost-effective products. Nevertheless, the market is limited by insufficient innovation. In this context chemical genomics has gained increasing attention as a powerful approach addressing specific traits. Here is described the successful implementation of a highly specific, sensitive and efficient high throughput screening approach using Arabidopsis as a model. Using a combination of techniques, 10,000 diverse compounds were screened and evaluated for several important plant growth traits including root and leaf growth. The phenotype-based selection allowed the compilation of a collection of putative Arabidopsis growth regulators with a broad range of activities and specificities. A subset was selected for evaluating their bioactivity in agronomically valuable plants. Their validation as growth regulators in commercial species such as tomato, lettuce, carrot, maize and turfgrasses reinforced the success of the screening in Arabidopsis and indicated that small molecules activity can be efficiently translated to commercial species. Therefore, the chemical genomics approach in Arabidopsis is a promising field that can be incorporated in PGR discovery programs and has a great potential to develop new products that can be efficiently used in crops.


Hyperglycinuria with nephrolithiasis.
The case of a seven and a half-year-old girl with hyperglycinuria, oxalate nephrolithiasis, and a normal plasma amino acid pattern is presented. Hyperglycinuria amounted to 400 mg of glycine in 24 h urine and the stone was composed of calcium oxalate dihydrate. The metabolic relationship between glycine and oxalate is discussed. It is possible that the association of nephrolithiasis and hyperglycinuria was coincidental, although the case of familial hyperglycinuria with nephrolithiasis reported by De Vries and collaborators and our case suggest the possibility of a relationship between the aforesaid compounds in vivo.


Oral and gastrointestinal candidosis: prophylaxis during immunosuppressive therapy.
Patients with acute leukaemia and malignant lymphomas often are severely affected by fungal infections. There is in particular growing concern about disseminated candidosis. Oral, gastrointestinal and systemic candidosis seem to be closely linked. Predisposing factors are damaged mucosal barriers due to chemotherapy, protracted periods of neutropenia, and prolonged use of antibiotics and steroids. Oropharyngeal candidosis is very frequent. This can be prevented or controlled by the application of topical antifungals such as nystatin. The systemic application of antifungals is an alternative for patients who do not respond. Both oral ketoconazole and intravenous amphotericin B have been proven effective. Candida oesophagitis is also an important problem. Oral nystatin suspension can be helpful in mild cases. In others oral ketoconazole and intravenous amphotericin B have to be used. A whole range of measures has to be taken to prevent spread of the disease, i.e. H2-antagonists should be used only if definitely needed. Specific antifungal prophylaxis has also been discussed. Oral amphotericin B seems to be helpful. The azole itraconazole might be especially promising.


Consumption of camel's milk by patients intolerant to lactose. A preliminary study.
To determine whether camel's milk can be consumed by patients intolerant to lactose without undesirable reactions. Twenty-five patients with clinical and laboratorial diagnosis of lactose intolerance underwent provocation tests with growing amounts of cow's milk and subsequently with camel's milk. Except for two patients, who had mild reactions to the maximum dosage of camel's milk (250 mL), the acceptance was excellent. Pasteurization of camel's milk did not affect tolerance. Also, most of the patients showed significant clinical reactions when drinking very low amounts of cow's milk. Camel's milk can be considered an option for the individuals intolerant to lactose who present symptoms when ingesting cow's milk.


[Current findings in the pathogenesis of the shock process in traumatology].
Traumatology deals with two different types of shock - the early hypovolemic-traumatic, and the late, so called septic shock, which is often associated with multi-organ failure. Both types of shock are triggered by several mediator systems of humoral and cellular origin, with numerous interactions between each other. In hypovolemic-traumatic shock central events are a perfusion deficit (ischemia with reperfusion injury via the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system) and activation of the humoral axis - of coagulation, of fibrinolysis, of the complement and kallikrein-kinin system by injured tissue. Coagulation and complement are responsible for the activation of platelets and granulocytes respectively. These cells further interact with each other e.g. via platelet activation factor, which finally causes tissue damage. Granulocytes play a central role because of their ability to release oxygen radicals and neutral proteinases, which can be monitored (elastase) and probably used to predict organ failure. The gut area is less resistant to the events of shock and therefore is a "locus minoris resistentiae" for further development of endotoxemia, bacteremia, septic shock and multi-organ failure without a typical septic focus. By this "septic challenge" further mediator systems get involved, especially those of macrophages like interleukin-1 or cachectin. Similar to the activation marker of PMN-elastase, we could demonstrate that it was possible to use neopterin for monitoring macrophage activation in sepsis and organ failure. By the action of these cellular elements in microcirculation at the endothelial and interstitial level tissue damage occurs, which finally leads to individual and multi-organ failure.


Self-expandable metal stent for malignant esophagorespiratory fistula: predictive factors associated with clinical failure.
Malignant esophagorespiratory fistulas (MERFs) usually are managed by the placement of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) but with conflicting results. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with clinical failure after SEMS placement for the treatment of MERFs. This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database used at a tertiary-care cancer hospital, with patients treated with SEMS placement for MERFs between January 2009 and February 2016. Logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors for clinical outcomes and to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and comparisons were made by using the log-rank test. A total of 71 patients (55 male, mean age 59 years) were included in the study, and 70 were considered for the final analysis (1 failed stent insertion). Clinical failure occurred in 44% of patients. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 3 or 4 and fistula development during esophageal cancer treatment were associated with an increased risk of clinical failure. ECOG status of 3 or 4, pulmonary infection at the time of SEMS placement, and prior radiation therapy were predictive factors associated with lower overall survival. Dysphagia scores improved significantly 15 days after stent insertion. The overall stent-related adverse event rate was 30%. Stent migration and occlusion caused by tumor overgrowth were the most common adverse events. SEMS placement is a reasonable treatment option for MERFs; however, ECOG status of 3 or 4 and fistula development during esophageal cancer treatment may be independent predictors of clinical failure after stent placement.


Anti-infectious properties of the complex of bivalent copper with 3-mercapto-2-hydroxypropyl ether of dextran (C-79).
The anti-infectious activity of the C-79 preparation was examined on mice intravenously infected with Shigella sonnei dysentery of phase I. The activity of the preparation was determined taking into account the number of bacteria cultured from the organs of the examined animals and the number of animals surviving the infection as compared with the control. C-79 preparation administered to the mice before the infection was observed to protect then from death almost in 100%. The activity of the preparation differed according to the strategy of administration.


Generalized motor inhibitory deficit in Parkinson's disease patients who freeze.
Freezing of gait is a disabling symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that involves failure to initiate and continue motor activity appropriately. PD disrupts fronto-basal ganglia circuitries that also implement the inhibition of responses, leading to the hypothesis that freezing of gait may involve fundamental changes in both initiation and inhibition of motor actions. We asked whether PD patients who show freezing of gait show selective deficits in their ability to inhibit upper and lower extremity reactions. We compared older healthy controls, older PD controls without freezing of gait, and older PD participants with freezing of gait, in stop-signal tasks that measured the initiation (go trials) and inhibition (stop trials) of both hand and foot responses. When only go trials were presented, all three groups showed similar initiation speeds across lower and upper extremity responses. When stop-signal trials were introduced, both PD groups slowed their reactions nearly twice as much as healthy controls. While this adjustment helped PD controls stop their actions as quickly as healthy controls, PD patients with freezing showed significantly delayed inhibitory control of both upper and lower extremities. When anticipating the need to stop their actions urgently, PD patients show greater adjustments (i.e., slowing) to reaction speed than healthy controls. Despite these proactive adjustments, PD patients who freeze show marked impairments in inhibiting both upper and lower extremity responses, suggesting that freezing may involve a fundamental disruption to the brain's inhibitory control system.


Testosterone analysis in prostate cancer patients.
Testosterone is an essential steroid hormone associated with a wide variety of biological processes in humans. In prostate cancer, androgen signaling is an important driver of tumor cell growth. Depletion of gonadal testosterone, achieved by surgical or chemical castration, prevents androgenic signaling and temporally reduces, stops or reverses tumor growth before inevitable progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer occurs. Additional treatment strategies targeting androgenic signaling have become available, although these are without curative intent. While circulating testosterone is also associated with disease risk and potential clinical utility, the main use in the clinical lab is monitoring adequate castration and subsequent resistance to therapy. Adequate castrate testosterone concentrations are currently based on over 50 year-old double-isotope derivative assays that are disputed in automated immunoassay (IA) analysis. The debate has been further fueled with the introduction of mass spectrometry-based assays for testosterone, offering a substantial increase in sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we discuss testosterone regulation and androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer. We provide an overview of the developments in testosterone analysis for monitoring adequate castration and resistance to therapy. Current clinical practice and future clinical utility will be discussed. Finally, clinical and research recommendations will be presented.


The edge out punch: An advancement that reduces transections in follicular unit excision hair transplantation.
The follicular unit excision (FUE) technique has become the preferred method for hair transplants over the traditional strip harvest technique due to low scar visibility and shorter recovery time for the patient. However, a limitation of the FUE technique is the potential for graft trauma due to the small diameter, sharp punches used to harvest individual follicular units. Here, we introduce the novel edge out FUE punch that is designed with a thicker wall and has an internal bevel. We describe how the dynamics of this punch reduces the risk of follicle transection. A review of the available literature and information on the edge out punch in comparison with other punch shapes, as well as the authors' experience in this area, is provided. The edge out punch is designed with thick walls and an internal bevel, placing the sharp cutting edge on the outer diameter. The dynamics of this punch aid in directing the graft into the center of the punch lumen and keeps the sharp cutting edge away from the hair follicles deeper in the dermis, reducing the risk of follicle transection. The dynamics of the forces generated by the edge out punch aid in minimizing follicular transections during graft harvesting. By understanding the dynamics behind this novel punch, hair restoration surgeons (HRSs) can optimize their surgical technique to obtain consistently high-quality grafts during FUE.


In vitro culture of mouse GV oocytes and preantral follicles isolated from ovarian tissues cryopreserved by vitrification.
Cryopreservation of ovarian tissues containing many immature oocytes occurs in both gamete/embryo research and clinical medicine. Using vitrification, we studied factors related to meiosis after cryopreservation using the COCs (cumulus oocyte complexes) and preantral follicles obtained from cryopreserved ovarian tissues. COCs were isolated and cultured for 17 approximately 19 hr. Thereafter, Metaphase II stage (MII stage) oocytes and fertilized oocytes after IVF were observed at a rate of 76.5% and 60.0%, respectively. Preantral follicles (100 approximately 130 microm in diameter) were isolated and cultured in alpha MEM containing hFSH, ITS, and FBS. HCG and EGF were added to the media to stimulate ovulation on the 12th day of culture. The survival rates of the follicles obtained from the frozen/thawed ovaries were 66.4%. After 12 days of culture, the diameter of the follicles isolated from fresh (620.2 +/- 11.3 microm) and frozen/thawed ovaries (518.7 +/- 15.1 microm) differed as did the estradiol concentrations (3474.2 +/- 159 pg/ml vs. 1508.2 +/- 134 pg/ml). After in vitro ovulation, MII stage oocytes were observed in 84.5% of the fresh group and 60.5% of the frozen/thawed group while the fertilization rate was 74.2% and 53.5%, respectively. These studies demonstrate that cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissues by vitrification did not affect the oocyte's ability to undergo meiosis. Thus, this technique may become a powerful tool for the preservation of the female gamete.


Effect of post-synthetic modifications of proteins on the binding of estrogen-receptor complex to uterine nuclei of aging rats.
The binding of estrogen-receptor (ER) complex to nuclei following post-synthetic modifications of proteins was examined in the uteri of young (18 weeks) and old (96 weeks) rats. Acetylation decreases the binding of ER complex to nuclei but methylation shows no effect on the extent of binding in both ages. On the other hand, phosphorylation enhances the binding of ER complex by two-fold in nuclei from young rats but reduces this to half in nuclei from old rats. The pattern of binding in salt-resistant nuclear fractions is similar to that in total nuclei except in methylation where old rats show about 20% higher binding as compared to the respective control. These findings suggest that post-synthetic modifications of proteins modulate the binding of ER complex to uterine nuclei in an age-specific manner.


Effects of an anti-thyroid drug, methimazole, administration to rat dams on the cerebellar cortex development in their pups.
In the present study, the effects of methimazole (a major anti-thyroid drug) administration to rat dams on the development of cerebellum of their pups were investigated with morphological, morphometrical and functional procedures. A motor performance in the pups was evaluated by a rota-rod test. Brains removed on 6, 9, 12, 15, 25, and 30 postnatal days were analyzed using the sagittal sections of the cerebellum. Results showed that orally administered methimazole to dams produced a congenital hypothyroid model accompanied with an impaired motor coordination assured by the reduced thyroid hormones. The prominent anomaly was found in the internal granular layer in that there were excess bulges or branching and formation of excess sublobules although the normal lobulation pattern was kept. Three dimensional reconstruction imaging revealed the complex morphological pattern of internal granular layer of the cerebellar hemispheres as well as of the vermis, in which bulges and branches were viewed stereoscopically as the smooth ridges rather than irregular or nodal. In addition, the external granular layer in hypothyroidism survived another several days than that in controls. It is suggested that the complex internal granular layer resulted from the overproduced internal granular cells, which originate in the prolonged external granular layer.


Theophylline, a new inducer of apoptosis in B-CLL: role of cyclic nucleotides.
We report a case of indolent B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) in a stage A patient, treated for 10 years only by theophylline for bronchial asthma. As suggested by the spontaneous apoptosis in the patient's blood (10%), theophylline at 50 micrograms/ml increased spontaneous apoptosis after 72 h in culture by a mean percentage of 90% (range 79-98%) in six B-CLL cases studied in vitro. This effect was partially reversed with Rp-cAMP, a cAMP antagonist, which implies a potent role for this second messenger. We describe a new property of theophylline, which might be an alternative treatment in B-CLL.


DNA damage and oxidative stress induced at low doses by the fungicide hexachlorobenzene in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), a persistent chlorinated organic chemical, could be detected in human tissues in several countries of the world. Human exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) occurring primarily through diet, HCB and its metabolites are therefore supposed to interact directly with intestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of low doses of HCB on DNA integrity, cellular viability, differentiation and oxidative status in vitro in human colonic carcinoma cell line Caco-2. Cells were exposed to increasing doses of HCB for 14 days to assess the cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative properties of this compound. The involvement of oxidative stress in the observed effects was evaluated by co exposure of Caco-2 cells with HCB and α-tocopherol. Exposure of Caco-2 cells to HCB resulted in a dose-dependent cytotoxicity, DNA damages and alterations of the cell layer integrity and the barrier function. Moreover, exposure of Caco-2 cells to HCB led to an enhancement of H(2)O(2) production and to an increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, Co exposure of Caco-2 cells to HCB and α-tocopherol reversed the effects observed in cells exposed to HCB alone. These results suggested that HCB effects on Caco-2 cells could be linked, at least in part, to its pro-oxidative potential.


Regiodivergent Hydration-Cyclization of Diynones under Gold Catalysis.
Skipped diynones, efficiently prepared from biomass-derived ethyl lactate, undergo a tandem hydration-oxacyclization reaction under gold(I) catalysis. Reaction conditions have been developed for a switchable process that allows selective access to 4-pyrones or 3(2H)-furanones from the same starting diynones. Further application of this methodology in the total synthesis of polyporapyranone B was demonstrated.


Evidence that a behavioral augmentation following repeated amphetamine administration does not involve peripheral mechanisms.
Repeated administration of amphetamine (AMPH) to rats results in an augmentation of the drug-induced locomotion and stereotypy. The studies reported below were directed at examining the potential role for some dispositional and peripheral sympathomimetic factors in mediating the enhanced stereotypy response. These included three factors associated with repeated AMPH administration: (1) the possible accumulation of AMPH in a peripheral mobilizable pool; (2) repeated sympathetic activation; and (3) AMPH metabolite-induced depletion of peripheral stores of norepinephrine. The approach utilized was to selectively reduce or mimic the peripheral actions of AMPH through the use of non-pharmacological or pharmacological manipulations which are relatively lacking in AMPH-like central stimulant effects. The results indicate that these factors cannot account for the augmentation of the behavioral response to AMPH and suggest that these behavioral alterations reflect changes in the responsiveness of brain mechanisms which mediate the behavioral effects of the drug.


Plaque Assessment in the Management of Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis.
The continued occurrence of stroke despite advances in medical therapy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) strongly indicates that individual response to medical therapy may vary widely. This article reviews the literature that identifies MR imaging and ultrasound plaque features which are seen in patients at increased risk of future cardiovascular events. Imaging can identify plaque phenotype that is the most amendable to intensive medical therapy. There is also good evidence that plaque imaging can measure the individual response to medical therapy and the lack of response identifies a high-risk group of ACS patients.


In silico genetic robustness analysis of secondary structural elements in the miRNA gene.
Genetic robustness, insensitivity of the phenotype facing genetic mutations, is a fundamental and ubiquitously observed property of biological systems. In this study, we investigate the genetic robustness of the structural elements within native miRNA genes on a genome-wide scale. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. We examine the neutrality of the structural element in 1082 native pre-miRNAs from six species and demonstrate that the structural elements in native pre-miRNAs exhibit a significantly higher level of genetic robustness in comparison with structural elements within random pseudo pre-miRNAs. Hence, this excess robustness of structural elements in pre-miRNAs goes beyond the intrinsic robustness of the stem-loop structure. Furthermore, we show that it is not a by-product of a base composition bias. Interestingly, our data also demonstrate a difference in increased levels of average neutrality between structural elements. Remarkably, differential genetic robustness between structural elements is observed in both native and pseudo pre-miRNAs. Our results are much in agreement with previous experimental observations, and suggest that the genetic robustness of secondary structural elements in native pre-miRNAs, under different evolutionary selection pressures, may evolve due to its own selective advantage.


Intrapartum hemorrhage.
Intrapartum hemorrhage is a serious and sometimes life-threatening event. Several etiologies are known and include placental abruption, uterine atony, placenta accreta, and genital tract lacerations. Prompt recognition of blood loss, identification of the source of the hemorrhage, volume resuscitation, including red blood cells and blood products when required, will result in excellent maternal outcomes.


The role of caspase activation and mitochondrial depolarisation in cultured human apoptotic eosinophils.
Caspases are key intracellular molecules in the control of apoptosis, but little is known concerning their relative contribution to the cascade of events leading to eosinophil apoptosis. We examined caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities in receptor ligation dependent apoptosis induction in the cultured eosinophils (CE). CE cultured alone for 48 hours exhibited constitutive apoptosis (12% ± 1.2). Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of eosinophil apoptosis was observed following monoclonal antibody (Mab) treatment with CD45 (40% ± 0.7), CD95 (36% ± 1.6), or CD69 (34% ± 0.2). Caspase activity was analysed using the novel CaspaTagTM technique and flow cytometry. CE ligated with CD45 (Bra55), CD95 (Fas) and CD69 Mab resulted in caspase-3 and -9 activation after 16 hours post-ligation. This trend in caspase-3 and -9 activation continued to increase significantly through to the 20 and 24 hours time points when compared to isotype control. Activated up-stream caspase-8 was detected 16 and 20 hours after treatment with CD45, CD95 and CD69 Mab followed by a trend toward basal levels at 24 hours. Ligation of CD95 was followed by mitochondrial permeabilization, as demonstrated by marked increase in mitochondrial transmembrane potential ([Formula: see text]) at all time points. However, ligation with CD45 and CD69 failed to induce a change in [Formula: see text] at 16 hours post-treatment compared to isotype control even though there was an alteration in mitochondrial downstream-caspase activity following ligation with these Mab(s) at this time point. At 20 and 24 hours post-ligation, CD45 or CD69 induce significantly altered levels of [Formula: see text]. Thus, the intrinsic and extrinsic caspase pathways are involved in controlling receptor ligation-mediated apoptosis induction in human eosinophils, findings that may aid the development of a more targeted, anti inflammatory therapy for asthma.


A principle of organization which facilitates broad Lamarckian-like adaptations by improvisation.
During the lifetime of an organism, every individual encounters many combinations of diverse changes in the somatic genome, epigenome and microbiome. This gives rise to many novel combinations of internal failures which are unique to each individual. How any individual can tolerate this high load of new, individual-specific scenarios of failure is not clear. While stress-induced plasticity and hidden variation have been proposed as potential mechanisms of tolerance, the main conceptual problem remains unaddressed, namely: how largely non-beneficial random variation can be rapidly and safely organized into net benefits to every individual. We propose an organizational principle which explains how every individual can alleviate a high load of novel stressful scenarios using many random variations in flexible and inherently less harmful traits. Random changes which happen to reduce stress, benefit the organism and decrease the drive for additional changes. This adaptation (termed 'Adaptive Improvisation') can be further enhanced, propagated, stabilized and memorized when beneficial changes reinforce themselves by auto-regulatory mechanisms. This principle implicates stress not only in driving diverse variations in cells tissues and organs, but also in organizing these variations into adaptive outcomes. Specific (but not exclusive) examples include stress reduction by rapid exchange of mobile genetic elements (or exosomes) in unicellular, and rapid changes in the symbiotic microorganisms of animals. In all cases, adaptive changes can be transmitted across generations, allowing rapid improvement and assimilation in a few generations. We provide testable predictions derived from the hypothesis. The hypothesis raises a critical, but thus far overlooked adaptation problem and explains how random variation can self-organize to confer a wide range of individual-specific adaptations beyond the existing outcomes of natural selection. It portrays gene regulation as an inseparable synergy between natural selection and adaptation by improvisation. The latter provides a basis for Lamarckian adaptation that is not limited to a specific mechanism and readily accounts for the remarkable resistance of tumors to treatment.


Erratum: Periodic Orbits of Active Particles Induced by Hydrodynamic Monopoles [Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 088003 (2020)].
This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.088003.


Cell Cycle Regulation by Berberine in Human Melanoma A375 Cells.
We studied the effects of berberine on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of skin melanoma A375 cells, as well as cell cycle-related miRNAs and their target genes, CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. The inhibitory effect of berberine on the growth of A375 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by trypan blue staining. Cell migration was assessed by the scratch test. Cell cycle phases were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-188-5, and mRNA of their target genes encoding CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A were measured by qRT-PCR. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins (CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A) was determined by Western blotting. Berberine inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly and dose-dependently enhanced cell apoptosis. Scratch assay showed an inhibitory effect of berberine on migration of A375 cells. Berberine in low concentrations (20 and 40 μM) caused cell cycle arrest in the S and G2/M phases, while treatment with high concentrations of berberine (60 and 80 μM) arrested cell-cycle in the G2/M phase. The increase in berberine concentration led to an increase in miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-188-5p expression and a decrease in the expression of mRNA for the corresponding target genes encoding CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. Western blotting also revealed reduced expression of CDK1, CDK2, and cyclins D1 and A. Thus, berberine suppressed the growth and migration of human melanoma cells and promoted their apoptosis. Berberine can increase the expression of cell cycle-related miRNAs and cause degradation of the corresponding target genes, thereby blocking the cell cycle progression and inhibiting the melanoma A375 cells.


[Nicardipine induced hypoxia: role of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction].
Nicardipine is a commonly used anti-hypertensive drug for acute situations. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with hypoxemic pneumonia, who presented a worsening of his hypoxia secondary to the injection of this calcium channel inhibitor (CCI). This side effect was probably caused by inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Effects of CCI on pulmonary vessels are well-known. They don't induce clinically relevant hypoxemia in patients without acute pulmonary pathology. This case report shows that nicardipine can severely worsen haematosis of patients with acute hypoxia. CCI should probably not be used in such patients.


Resection of peritoneal implantation of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection: risk factors and prognostic analysis.
Peritoneal implantation from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection is infrequent, and information on risk factors and long-term survival of such patients is lacking. The clinicopathologic features and risk factors of 16 HCC patients after hepatic resection who developed peritoneal implantation from an HCC and the prognosis after surgical resection of these HCC implants were assessed. The clinical features of 16 HCC patients after hepatic resection undergoing resection of peritoneal HCC implants (P-HCC) from 1986 and 2000 were reviewed. The clinical features and outcomes of 195 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy without recurrence (NR-HCC) were used for comparison. During 1986 and 2000 a total of 749 HCC patients underwent hepatic resection. Of these 749 patients, 465 (62.1%) had HCC recurrence after hepatic resection during the follow-up period (median 26 months). Of the 465 patients, 26 (5.6%) developed peritoneal implants, and 16 of them underwent resection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and capsular invasion by the tumor cells may predispose posthepatectomy patients to peritoneal implantation from their HCCs. The overall survival of the P-HCC patients after peritoneal implant resection was similar to that of the NR-HCC patients. An elevated AFP level might be regarded as a significant prognostic factor for poor overall survival ( p = 0.0577) after resection of peritoneal implants from HCCs. Peritoneal implantation occurs infrequently in posthepatectomy patients with an HCC. Elevated AFP values and capsule invasion by tumor cells may predispose posthepatectomy patients to peritoneal implantation from HCCs. Surgical resection of peritoneal implants from HCCs may prolong survival in selected patients. Elevated AFP levels may be regarded as a possibly significant prognostic factor for poor overall survival after resection of peritoneal HCC implants.


Genetic diversity analysis for narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) by SSR markers.
Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is used as grain legumes, fodder for livestock and green manure in the world and has a great potential to be developed as a new crop in China. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity among a set of 109 newly introduced accessions of narrow-leafed lupin using 76 genomic SSR markers. Data analysis suggested that the average gene diversity index and average polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.4758 and 0.4328, respectively. The mean allele number per loci (Na) was 6.3816. The population structure analysis identified two subgroups based on delta K (ΔK) values. This result is in accordance with that of a PCA. The AMOVA analysis showed that most of molecular variance were within population. These results will be useful to guide the genetic improvement of the narrow-leafed lupin crop in China.


Diversity of C-linked neoglycopeptides for the exploration of subsite-assisted carbohydrate binding interactions.
Diversity of alpha-galactose based C-linked neoglycopeptides (1b, 2b, 3c, 4d, and 5d) has been developed to explore the importance of subsite-assisted carbohydrate binding interactions. Deprotected C-linked neoglycopeptides (1b, 2b, 3c, 4d, and 5d) were synthesized and tested in competitive inhibition assays using a model enzyme-linked lectin (e.g., Maclura pomifera). Compound 2b, with two alpha-galactoside units on the side chain of the lysine residue of the dipeptide backbone, exhibited a remarkable effect with a 2.82-fold increase in its inhibitory properties (IC50 1.48 mM) in comparison to 1b (IC50 4.18 mM).


Approaches to medical geography: an historical perspective.
This paper provides a brief account of the development of various approaches to medical geography through a tree diagram. It is possible to visually present six important aspects of medical geography through this diagram: various approaches to medical geography; the approximate time of their developments; the mother approaches from which they originated; their relationships with other approaches; scale; and extent of studies done in the past.


Physician assessments of patient compliance with medical treatment.
In a study of how physicians evaluate patient compliance, practitioner judgments were compared to the self-reports of 138 adult patients receiving treatment for pulmonary diseases at an outpatient clinic. The research found no significant relationship between physician evaluations of compliance and accounts given by the same patients. The conclusions of physicians regarding patient compliance proved to be influenced by their views on the seriousness of the condition and the effectiveness of treatments, but patient reports were different. Physicians clearly have difficulties in appraising the compliance behavior of their patients.


[Identification of interaction between BPHL and PML-C].
To explore the interaction between BPHL and PML-C by co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybird system. The recombination expression plasmids pGBKT7-PML-C and pACT2-BPHL were cotransformed into yeast AH109, to investigate their interaction in vivo. The expression vector of HA-tagged fusion protein (pCMV-HA-PML-C) and the expression vector of myc-tagged fusion protein (pCMV-myc-BPHL) were constructed and identified respectively, and cotransfected into human embryo kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. The interaction between PML-C and BPHL was investigated by co-immunoprecipitation in vitro. Blue clones were found in QDO/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-alpha-D-galactoside (X-alpha-gal) plate, eukaryotic expression vectors named as pCMV-HA-PML-C and pCMV-myc-BPHL were constructed and confirmed with double restriction enzyme digestion and co-transfected into HEK 293 cells successfully. After immunoprecipitation of HA-PML-C with anti-HA polyclonal antibody, expressed myc-BPHL protein was identified by Western blot with anti-c-myc monoclonal antibody from immunoprecipitated complex. The eukaryotic expression vector of PCMV-HA-PML-C and PCMV-myc-BPHL were constructed successfully. The interaction between PML-C and BPHL was identified by co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybird technique.


[Preoperative imaging/operation planning for liver surgery].
The currently established standard for planning liver surgery is multistage contrast media-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (CM-CT), which as a rule enables an appropriate resection planning, e.g. a precise identification and localization of primary and secondary liver tumors as well as the anatomical relation to extrahepatic and/or intrahepatic vascular and biliary structures. Furthermore, CM-CT enables the measurement of tumor volume, total liver volume and residual liver volume after resection. Under the condition of normal liver function a residual liver volume of 25 % is nowadays considered sufficient and safe. Recent studies in patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer showed a clear staging advantage of contrast media-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CM-MRI) versus CM-CT. In addition, most recent data showed that the use of liver-specific MRI contrast media further increases the sensitivity and specificity of detection of liver metastases. This imaging technology seems to lead closer to the ideal "one stop shopping" diagnostic tool in preoperative planning of liver resection.


Weaknesses in executive functioning predict the initiating of adolescents' alcohol use.
Recently, it has been suggested that impairments in executive functioning might be risk factors for the onset of alcohol use rather than a result of heavy alcohol use. In the present study, we examined whether two aspects of executive functioning, working memory and response inhibition, predicted the first alcoholic drink and first binge drinking episode in young adolescents using discrete survival analyses. Adolescents were selected from several Dutch secondary schools including both mainstream and special education (externalizing behavioral problems). Participants were 534 adolescents between 12 and 14 years at baseline. Executive functioning and alcohol use were assessed four times over a period of two years. Working memory uniquely predicted the onset of first drink (p=.01) and first binge drinking episode (p=.04) while response inhibition only uniquely predicted the initiating of the first drink (p=.01). These results suggest that the association of executive functioning and alcohol consumption found in former studies cannot simply be interpreted as an effect of alcohol consumption, as weaknesses in executive functioning, found in alcohol naïve adolescents, predict the initiating of (binge) drinking. Though, prolonged and heavy alcohol use might further weaken already existing deficiencies.


THE INCIDENCE OF HYPERGLYCAEMIA IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT PRETERM NEWBORNS. RESULTS OF A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING STUDY--PRELIMINARY REPORT.
To determine the incidence of hyperglycaemia in very low birth weight preterm newborns. To assess risk factors in hyperglycemia and outcome in groups of children with and without clinically significant hyperglycaemia. The prospective study included newborns with very low birth weight in whom the continuous glucose monitoring system was used for glucose measurements. A standardized hyperglycaemia treatment schedule was implemented and a uniform nutrition strategy introduced. The patients were divided into groups: group A--patients with under 5% of the readings over 150 mg/dL of glucose (control group), group B--patients with more than 5% of the readings over 150 mg/dL of glucose and under 5% of the readings over 180 mg/dL of glucose (mild hyperglycaemia), and group C--patients with over 5% of the readings > 180 mg/dL or on insulin treatment (moderate or severe hyperglycaemia). 63 patients were included in the study. Their mean gestational age was 27.7 weeks (SD:2.4), the mean birth weight was 1059g (SD: 262 g). Hyperglycaemia was detected in 27 (42.9%), including mild hyperglycaemia in 19 (30.2%), and moderate or severe hyperglycaemia in 8 (12.7%) neonates. Lower gestational age (p = 0.02) and higher CRIB IIscore (p < 0.01) were positively associated with hyperglycaemia. Early-onset sepsis (p < 0.01) was associated with higher glucose levels as well. A significantly higher mortality rate on the 28th day of life (p = 0.02), depending on the severity of hyperglycemia, was noted. No adverse effects related to the continuous glucose monitoring system were observed. The study confirmed the usefulness and safety of the continuous glucose monitoring system in VLBW neonates. A continuous glucose monitoring system should be used in neonatal intensive care units as a standard method.


Avian Soft Tissue Surgery.
Basic surgical instrumentation for avian soft tissue surgery includes soft tissue retractors, microsurgical instrumentation, surgical loupes, and head-mounted lights. Hemostasis is fundamental during the surgical procedures. The indications, approach, and complications associated with soft tissue surgeries of the integumentary (digit constriction repair, feather cyst excision, cranial wound repair, sternal wound repair, uropygial gland excision), gastrointestinal (ingluviotomy, crop biopsy, crop burn repair, celiotomy, coelomic hernia and pseudohernia repair, proventriculotomy, ventriculotomy, enterotomy, intestinal resection and anastomosis, cloacoplasty, cloacopexy), respiratory (rhinolith removal, sinusotomy, tracheotomy, tracheal resection and anastomosis, tracheostomy, pneumonectomy) and reproductive (ovocentesis, ovariectomy, salpingohysterectomy, cesarean section, orchidectomy, vasectomy, phallectomy) systems are reviewed.


Pimaric acid reduces vasoconstriction via BKCa channel activation and VDCC inhibition in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscles.
Pulmonary vessels play a pivotal role in oxygen circulation. We previously demonstrated that pimaric acid (PiMA) activated large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels and inhibited voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs). In the present study, PiMA attenuated vasoconstriction induced by high K+ or endothelin-1 in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscles (PASMs). PiMA also reduced high K+-induced cytosolic [Ca2+] increase in PASM cells. PiMA increased BKCa currents and decreased VDCC currents. BKCa channels and VDCCs were formed by the α/β1 and α1C/α1D/β2/β3 subunits, respectively. These results indicate that PiMA induces vasorelaxation through the dual effects of BKCa channel activation and VDCC inhibition in PASMs.


[The structure, shape, spectral characteristics and photochemical reaction of nano Eu : CaWO4].
The samples were pretreated by controlling PH in the process of Pechini, and after sintering and grind, the nano Eu-doped tungstate with different granularity was obtained in the result. The structure was characterized by XRD, and the diffuse scattering spectra and the crystal microstructure were characterized by HRTEM and spectrometer. It was found from high efficient decomposition of rhodamine that the nano-materials obtained have good catalytic effect of light.


Protective effect of butylated hydroxytoluene against induction of gastric cancer by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.
The effects of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the incidence and histology of gastric cancers induced by oral administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated in Wistar rats. Oral administration of 1.0% BHT in regular chow pellets during treatment with MNNG for 25 weeks significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers in experimental week 40. BHT had no influence on the histological type of adenocarcinomas induced in MNNG-treated rats. BHT alone induced slight glandular hyperplasia, but not moderate glandular hyperplasia or gastric cancer.


Is low cardiorespiratory fitness a feature of metabolic syndrome in children and adults?
Cardiorespiratory fitness has been inversely associated with risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, there are no studies comparing the independent associations of cardiorespiratory fitness scaled by body size and composition using different approaches with cardiometabolic risk factors between children and adults. We therefore investigated these associations in children and adults using same measures for cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors. Cross-sectional. A total of 352 children (47.2 % girls) and 572 men were included in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) was measured during a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and was scaled by total body mass, total fat free mass, and allometrically modelled body mass, fat free mass, and stature. Insulin, glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed from fasting blood samples and systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and continuous metabolic risk score were computed. V̇O2peak scaled by body mass was inversely associated with insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, the cardiometabolic risk score and the number of cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adults. However, these associations attenuated remarkably when V̇O2peak was scaled by total fat free mass or allometrically modelled body mass, fat free mass, or stature. V̇O2peak was consistently and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in children and adults irrespective of the scaling approach. The inverse associations of cardiorespiratory fitness with cardiometabolic risk factors among children and adults attenuated remarkably when body size and composition were appropriately controlled for. However, the positive association between cardiorespiratory fitness and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was consistent irrespective of the scaling approach.


Mitochondrial damage as a mechanism of cell injury in the killing of cultured hepatocytes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide.
The killing of cultured hepatocytes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) occurs by different mechanisms depending on the presence or absence of the antioxidant N,N'-diphenylphenylenediamine (DPPD). In either situation there is evidence of mitochondrial damage. The mitochondrial inner membrane potential is lost, a result determined by the release from the cells of the lipophilic cation [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP+). Deenergization of the mitochondria is accompanied by a loss of ATP. Oligomycin reduced ATP stores without release of TPMP+ or without effect on the viability of the hepatocytes over the same time course that TBHP killed the majority of the cells. Monensin, a H+/Na+ ionophore, potentiated the toxicity of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence or absence of DPPD. By contrast, extracellular acidosis reduced the toxicity of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence or absence of DPPD. Neither monensin nor extracellular acidosis affected the metabolism of tert-butyl hydroperoxide, the release of TPMP+, or the extent of the peroxidation of cellular lipids. These data document the presence of mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes intoxicated with TBHP in both the presence and absence of DPPD. Furthermore, the potentiation by monensin is readily explained by the proposal that mitochondrial deenergization is accompanied by an intracellular acidosis. Such acidosis tends to delay the development of lethal cell injury. The protective effect of extracellular acidosis supports this interpretation.


Antimicrobial activity of polyhexamethylene biguanide nanoparticles against mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus.
Postmilking teat disinfection is one of the main measures used to prevent mastitis caused by contagious pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and PHMB nanoparticles (NP) against mastitis-causing Staph. aureus using a microdilution assay methodology. A total of 20 mastitis-causing Staph. aureus isolates were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of PHMB and PHMB NP compared with 3 disinfectants commonly used for teat disinfection (chlorhexidine digluconate, povidone-iodine, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate). The MIC90 was defined at the concentrations required to inhibit the growth of 90% of Staph. aureus. Our results indicated that PHMB NP presented the lowest MIC value (<0.03 µg/mL) to inhibit 90% of Staph. aureus, followed by chlorhexidine digluconate (≥0.25 µg/mL) and PHMB (≥0.5 µg/mL). On the other hand, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (≥500 µg/mL) and povidone-iodine (≥8,000 µg/mL) presented the highest concentrations to inhibit the growth of most Staph. aureus. Our preliminary results suggested that both PHMB and PHMB NP have antimicrobial activity against mastitis-causing Staph. aureus, which indicates the potential for both to be used as a teat-dip disinfectant to prevent bovine mastitis.


Climate suitability of the Mediterranean Basin for citrus black spot disease (Phyllosticta citricarpa) based on a generic infection model.
Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, is associated with serious yield and quality losses. The climate suitability of the Mediterranean Basin for CBS development has been long debated. However, CBS has been described in Tunisia. In this study, a generic model was used to simulate potential infections by ascospores and pycnidiospores together with a degree-day model to predict the onset of ascospore release. High-resolution climatic data were retrieved from the ERA5-Land dataset for the citrus-growing regions in the Mediterranean Basin and other locations where CBS is present. In general, the onset of ascospore release was predicted to occur late in spring, but there is no agreement on the adequacy of this empirical model for extrapolation to the Mediterranean Basin. The generic model indicated that infections by ascospores and pycnidiospores would be concentrated mainly in autumn, as well as in spring for pycnidiospores. In contrast to previous studies, the percentage of hours suitable for infection was higher for pycnidiospores than for ascospores. The values obtained with the generic infection model for Tunisia and several CBS-affected locations worldwide were similar to those for other citrus-growing regions in Europe and Northern Africa. These results support previous work indicating that the climate of the Mediterranean Basin is suitable for CBS development.


The inside-out electrocardiographic stress test: a view from the left ventricular cavity.
A new method is described for measuring the unipolar left ventricular cavitary electrogram by means of a standard pigtail ventriculography catheter. Experiences with this technique in 30 patients are described with particular reference to changes in the S-T segment of the cavitary electrogram during cardiac stress by atrial pacing. This method allows convenient recording of His bundle potentials from the left ventricular outflow tract in most patients.


The effects of concurrent bilateral anodal tDCS of primary motor cortex and cerebellum on corticospinal excitability: a randomized, double-blind sham-controlled study.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the primary motor cortex (M1), and cerebellum (CB) can change the level of M1 corticospinal excitability (CSE). A randomized double-blinded crossover, the sham-controlled study design was used to investigate the effects of concurrent bilateral anodal tDCS of M1 and CB (concurrent bilateral a-tDCSM1+CB) on the CSE. Twenty-one healthy participants were recruited in this study. Each participant received anodal-tDCS (a-tDCS) of 2 mA, 20 min in four pseudo-randomized, counterbalanced sessions, separated by at least 7 days (7.11 days ± 0.65). These sessions were bilateral M1 stimulation (bilateral a-tDCSM1), bilateral cerebellar stimulation (bilateral a-tDCSCB), concurrent bilateral a-tDCSM1+CB, and sham stimulation (bilateral a-tDCSSham). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was delivered over the left M1, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of a contralateral hand muscle were recorded before and immediately after the intervention to measure CSE changes. Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and long interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) were assessed with paired-pulse TMS protocols. Anodal-tDCS significantly increased CSE after concurrent bilateral a-tDCSM1+CB and bilateral a-tDCSCB. Interestingly, CSE was decreased after bilateral a-tDCSM1. Respective alterations in SICI, LICI, and ICF were seen, including increased SICI and decreased ICF, which indicate the involvement of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in these effects. These results confirm that the concurrent bilateral a-tDCSM1+CB have a facilitatory effect on CSE, whereas bilateral a-tDCSM1 exert some inhibitory effects. Moreover, the effects of the 2 mA, 20 min a-tDCS on the CB were consistent with its effects on the M1.


Sympathetic nervous system activation in postextrasystolic potentiation: role of catecholamine release in enhancement of ventricular function.
The role of catecholamines in postextrasystolic potentiation was assessed in 30 patients during continuous coupled right ventricular pacing. Hemodynamic data were recorded in 15 patients (group 1); in the other 15 patients (group 2), coronary blood flow and metabolic variables, including catecholamines, were measured. Data were recorded in the control state and after 10 minutes of coupled pacing. Both groups had similar control pulse rates and mean aortic pressures: these variables decreased abruptly by 32 beats/min and 12 mm Hg, respectively, (p less than 0.001 for each) after the initiation of coupled pacing. In group 1, all indexes of left ventricular function and contractility increased during coupled pacing (p less than 0.001 for each), thus confirming postextrasystolic potentiation. In group 2, coupled pacing increased coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen consumption and free fatty acid uptake (p less than 0.001 for each) but not lactate extraction. Plasma epinephrine was unchanged, but norepinephrine levels increased in arterial (421 +/- 27 to 576 +/- 41 ng/liter) and coronary sinus plasma (611 +/- 46 to 836 +/- 46 ng/liter) (p less than 0.001 for both). Indirectly calculated norepinephrine release within the myocardium increased from 25.6 +/- 2.8 to 39.7 +/- 5.2 ng/min (SEM) (p less than 0.05), suggesting a sympathetic nervous system activation. It is argued that coupled pacing acutely lowered mean aortic pressure, leading to baroreflex sympathetic activation which may contribute to augmented cardiac contractility in postextrasystolic potentiation.


Radiation-induced skin changes after breast or chest wall irradiation in patients with breast cancer and skin of color: a systematic review.
The purpose of this study is to systematically review data pertaining to breast cancer and radiation-induced skin reactions in patients with skin of color (SOC), as well as data pertaining to objective measurements of skin pigmentation in the assessment of radiation dermatitis (RD). We conducted a systematic review utilizing MEDLINE electronic databases to identify published studies until August 2022. Key inclusion criteria included studies that described RD in breast cancer with data pertaining to skin of color and/or characterization of pigmentation changes after radiation. We identified 17 prospective cohort studies, 7 cross-sectional studies, 5 retrospective studies and 4 randomized controlled trials. Prospective cohort and retrospective series demonstrate worse RD in African American (AA) patients using subjective physician-graded scales. There is more limited data in patients representing other non-White racial subgroups with SOC. 2 studies utilize patient reported outcomes and 15 studies utilize objective methods to characterize pigmentation change after radiation. There are no prospective and randomized studies that objectively describe pigmentation changes with radiotherapy in SOC. AA patients appear to have worse RD outcomes, though this is not uniformly observed across all studies. There are no studies that describe objective measures of RD and include baseline skin pigmentation as a variable, limiting the ability to draw uniform conclusions on the rate and impact of RD in SOC. We highlight the importance of objectively characterizing SOC and pigmentation changes before, during and after radiotherapy to understand the incidence and severity of RD in SOC.


Voice Disorder and Burnout Syndrome in Teachers.
The objective of this study was to assess the association between burnout syndrome and the likely presence of voice disorders among teachers from a public elementary school in the country town of Sergipe. This is a cross-sectional study in which 208 teachers completed the following questionnaires: the Condition of Vocal Production-Teacher (CPV-P), the Screening Index for Voice Disorder (SIVD), and the Burnout Syndrome Evaluation Questionnaire (CESQT). Of the 208 teachers, 76.9% were women, 77.9% came from rural areas, and 64.4% were likely to have a voice disorder. Teachers with a career length of over 15 years were almost twice as likely to have a voice disorder. Of the symptoms listed in the SIVD, the following were most prevalent: dry throat (88.1%), hoarseness (84.4%), and fatigue when speaking (82.1%). Among the burnout subscales, psychic exhaustion was the most common (30.3%). Analyses revealed that probable voice disorder was associated with psychic exhaustion with an odds ratio of 1.78 (P < 0.001, χ2 = 84.1%). Teachers with positive scores on two to four burnout subscales had an odds ratio of 4.01 (P = 0.013, χ2 = 86.2%) for a probable voice disorder compared with those with positive scores on zero to one subscale. The present results confirmed that burnout syndrome was associated with the presence of a probable voice disorder.


Cardiovascular comorbidity and mortality in men with prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy-based radiation with or without hormonal therapy.
To assess the impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors and sequelae on the risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) in men treated for prostate cancer (PC). The study cohort comprised 5077 men with PC consecutively treated with curative intent between 1997 and 2006 at the Chicago Prostate Cancer Center. Cox and Fine and Gray's competing risks regression multivariable analyses were performed, assessing whether cardiovascular comorbidity impacted the risk of ACM and PC-specific mortality, respectively, adjusting for CAD risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertension) and sequelae (congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction), age, year and type of treatment, and known PC prognostic factors. When compared with men with no comorbidity there was a significantly increased risk of ACM in men with congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.96, P<.001) and in men with diabetes mellitus (AHR 1.60, P=.03) and hypertension (AHR 1.25, P=.04). In contrast, men with hypercholesterolemia had a similar risk of ACM (AHR 0.68, P=.17) when compared with men with no comorbidity. Other factors associated with a significantly increased risk of ACM included age (AHR 1.09, P<.001), prostate-specific antigen level (AHR 1.25, P=.008), and Gleason score 8-10 disease (AHR 1.71, P=.003). Cardiovascular comorbidity did not impact the risk of PC-specific mortality. In addition to age and unfavorable PC prognostic factors, select CAD risk factors and sequelae are associated with an increased risk of ACM in men treated for PC. These comorbidity prognostic factors predict time courses of mortality from competing causes, which may be factored into the decision-making process when considering management options for PC in a given individual.


Recent victimization and recidivism: the potential moderating effects of family support.
Although various research confirms an overlap between victims and offenders, much less is known about victimization and recidivism. Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative evaluation, this study measures the extent to which the frequency of recent victimization influences recidivism in the 15 months following release from prison. Buffering effects are also investigated by examining whether family support moderates the relationship between victimization and recidivism. After controlling for other known predictors of recidivism, logistic regression models using both listwise deletion and multiple imputation reveal that more frequent victimization significantly increases the likelihood of any self-reported recidivism and has a particularly large effect on violent recidivism for those previously convicted of serious and violent offenses. Even at higher levels of family support, victimization still increases the likelihood of reoffending.


Domino heart transplantation involving infants.
Domino heart transplantation has been well described in adults, but has not previously been reported in infant patients. We report the successful transplantation of a 'domino' heart from a 3-month-old infant with primary pulmonary hypertension undergoing heart-lung transplantation, into a 3-month-old infant with complex congenital heart disease. Both infants have survived past 1 year post-transplant, and neither infant has experienced any clinically significant allograft-related complications. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization of the domino heart have consistently demonstrated stable hypertrophy of the right ventricle (RV) and interventricular septum, but good right and left ventricular function. Domino heart transplant surgery may be an effective way to provide 'pre-conditioned' donor hearts to infants urgently in need of heart transplantation.


ZnS nanoparticles electrodeposited onto ITO electrode as a platform for fabrication of enzyme-based biosensors of glucose.
The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOD) and ZnS nanoparticles modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode were investigated. The ZnS nanoparticles were electrodeposited directly on the surface of ITO electrode. The enzyme was immobilized on ZnS/ITO electrode surface by sol-gel method to fabricate glucose biosensor. GOD could electrocatalyze the reduction of dissolved oxygen, which resulted in a great increase of the reduction peak current. The reduction peak current decreased linearly with the addition of glucose, which could be used for glucose detection. Moreover, ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO electrode surface showed good photocurrent response under illumination. A photoelectrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose was also developed by monitoring the decreases in the cathodic peak photocurrent. The results indicated that ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO substrate were a good candidate material for the immobilization of enzyme in glucose biosensor construction.


Lifetime stressors and recurrent depression: preliminary findings of the Adult Life Phase Interview (ALPHI).
The well-established association between stress and depression is explored in a lifespan context in relation to adverse childhood experience. A new retrospective interview instrument, the Adult Life Phase Interview (ALPHI) examined the number of chronic stressors (or 'adversities') experienced over the adult life course in relation to chronic or recurrent clinical depression. The role of such lifetime adversity in mediating the relationship between childhood neglect/ abuse and adult disorder was examined. The ALPHI uses an investigator-based, contextual approach suited to retrospective and time-linked enquiries. Reliability of the instrument was found to be satisfactory. Its association with both lifetime clinical depression and childhood neglect or abuse was examined in a community series of 198 women, consisting of 99 sister pairs, where one-half of the series was selected for having had adverse childhood experience and the other for comparison. Adult adversity, both at settled/fixed times and at times of major life change, was significantly higher among those with prior childhood neglect or abuse. Both a high adult adversity score and childhood neglect or abuse were related to chronic or recurrent episodes of clinical depression, with logistic regression indicating both indices contributed independently to disorder. The same results held when controls were made for sister status, given possible familial bias in experience, and for age, since women under age 25 had fewer adult phases and less adversity. Characteristics of adult life phases and change-points are described and the relevance of the measure for intensive survey work seeking to investigate relationships between lifespan experience and depression is discussed.


Management of vascular access in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: part 2: Vascular complications.
The interventional cardiologist must be able to recognize and manage potential vascular complications. Iliofemoral complications are the most frequent vascular complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Small vessel dimensions, moderate or severe calcification, and center experience are the major predictors. The traditional treatment for injured arteries has been surgical reconstruction, but endovascular techniques may allow for less invasive but effective management of arterial injuries. Dissection may be treated with prolonged balloon inflation or deployment of a self-expanding or balloon-expandable stent or a surgical graft. Iliofemoral rupture is a serious complication that may lead to retroperitoneal bleeding that can be unrecognized. Rapid insertion of a dilator or sheath or an occlusive balloon is used to achieve hemostasis. Prolonged balloon inflation or implantation of a covered stent or surgical repair should then be considered. Treatment options for failed percutaneous closure include prolonged manual compression, balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, and surgery. Aortic complications are rare, but serious complications are associated with a high mortality rate, even if emergent surgery is performed. There are specific vascular complications associated with alternative access routes such as transapical and transaxillary and direct aortic access.


Osteoarthritis year in review: genetics, genomics, epigenetics.
In this review, we have highlighted advances in genetics, genomics and epigenetics in the field of osteoarthritis (OA) over the past year. A literature search was performed using PubMed and the criteria: "osteoarthritis" and one of the following terms "genetic(s), genomic(s), epigenetic(s), epigenomic(s), noncoding RNA, microRNA, long noncoding RNA, lncRNA, circular RNA, RNA sequencing, single cell sequencing, or DNA methylation between April 1, 2019 and April 30, 2020. We identified 653 unique publications, many studies spanned multiple search terms. We summarized advances relating to evolutionary genetics, pain, ethnicity specific risk factors, functional studies of gene variants, and interactions between coding and non-coding RNAs in OA pathogenesis. Studies have identified variants contributing to OA susceptibility, candidate biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as promising therapeutic candidates. Validation in multiple cohorts, multi-omics strategies, and machine learning aided computational analyses have all contributed to the strength of published literature. Open access data-sets, greater sample sizes to capture broader populations and understanding disease mechanisms by investigating the interactions between multiple tissue types will further aid in progress towards understanding and curing OA.