Systematic review of meaning in life assessment instruments.
The construct of "meaning in life" (MiL) has raised the interest of clinicians working in psycho-oncology and end-of-life care. It has become a topic of scientific investigation where diverse assessment approaches have been applied. We present a comprehensive systematic review of existing MiL assessment instruments. Electronic searches of articles published in English peer-reviewed journals were performed in Psycinfo, Medline, Embase and Cinahl. Instruments are appraised with regard to ten measurement properties. In total, 59 nomothetic and idiographic MiL instruments were identified. Most instruments were developed in North America and meet basic psychometric criteria. They assess presence of and search for MiL, crisis and sources of MiL, meaning making, meaningful activity, MiL in the context of illness, breadth, depth, and other structural indicators. These aspects are largely consistent with existing MiL definitions. Nine out of 59 instruments included cancer populations in test development. This overview of available instruments underscores the complexity of the construct and might assist researchers to select an appropriate instrument for their research needs. Finally, it points to the need for more integrative theorizing and research on MiL.


Association Between Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition and In-Hospital Outcomes in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated with Coronary Thrombus Aspiration: Findings from the CCC-ACS Project.
Thrombus aspiration in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with high thrombus burden did not improve clinical outcomes. The clinical efficacy of the bailout use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) in this clinical scenario remains unknown. We assessed associations between GPI use and in-hospital major bleeds, ischemic events, and mortality among STEMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and thrombus aspiration in a nationwide acute coronary syndrome registry (the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome project). A total of 5896 STEMI patients who received thrombus aspiration were identified, among which 56.3% received GPI therapy. In a 1-to-1 propensity-score-matched cohort, compared with STEMI patients not treated with GPI, GPI use was associated with a 69% increase in major in-hospital bleeds, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.69, a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.08 to 2.65, and a nonsignificant reduction in ischemic events (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.06), as well as a neutral effect on mortality (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.58). However, among patients aged < 60 years, GPI use was associated with a reduction in ischemic events (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.98), and no significant increase in major bleeds was observed. In a nationwide registry, routine use of GPI following thrombus aspiration was not associated with reduced in-hospital ischemic events and mortality but at the cost of increased major bleeding. However, for patients aged < 60 years, there may be a potential net benefit.


Inhibitory effect of quinidine on catecholamine release from adrenal medulla.
Quinidine was found to inhibit catecholamine release from the medulla of perfused adrenal glands induced by carbamylcholine. It also inhibited the release of catecholamine from adrenomedullary granules induced by ATP-Mg++.


Multiple viral infections in HIV-infected children with chronically-evolving hepatitis.
Hepatic involvement was investigated in 31 children with perinatal HIV-1 infection, who were followed for 2-82 months (mean 30.5). Liver disease, as revealed by increased aminotransferase levels, liver biopsy or necroscopy, was diagnosed in 18 children (58%), of which 7 (22.5%) had acute hepatitis and 11 (35.5%) showed chronic liver disease. Overall, 40 persistently active or recurrent viral infections, as demonstrated by positive culture and/or detection of serum DNA, specific IgM, IgA and high levels of IgG, were revealed in the children with liver disease, while 12 similar infections were detected in 13 children without liver disease (p < 0.001). In particular, the children with liver disease showed a significantly (p < 0.002) higher incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections than children without liver disease (13 versus 3). Moreover, hepatitis C and B virus infections were revealed only in children with liver disease (5 and 1 patients, respectively). Clinical outcome showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean survival in the children without liver disease than those with liver disease (47.5 versus 18.2 months). In fact, nine of the children with liver disease (50%) died, as opposed to only one of the children without liver disease (7.7%; p = 0.01). Based on these findings, liver disease is indicative of a poor prognosis in children with HIV infection, being related to the presence of multiple active viral infections.


Long-term Results of Maxillary Full-Arch Reconstruction Using Transitional Implants: A Case Report With 20-Year Follow-up.
Because of their documented long-term success rates, dental implants have become a predictable treatment option to replace hopeless or missing teeth. However, full-arc transition from a hopeless dentition to a prosthesis supported by dental implants remains a challenge. One treatment option for this process is the use of transitional implants, an approach that allows for the transitioning of full-arch reconstructions from teeth to implant-supported prostheses without immediate loading the permanent implants or the need for provisional removable partial dentures. This article, which presents a long-term clinical case report, describes the steps and sequence of therapy involved in transitioning from a hopeless dentition to a maxillary full-arch implant-supported fixed prosthetic rehabilitation with the use of transitional implants, avoiding removable provisional prostheses. An assessment of the 20-year follow-up, dental implant survival rates, and marginal bone loss is also presented.


Mitogens, superantigens, and nominal antigens elicit distinctive patterns of TCRB CDR3 diversity.
The third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) is the only nongermline-encoded hypervariable region of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) chain, and it is the region that has been predicted to confer fine specificity of the TCR for peptide-MHC complexes. For this reason analysis of TCRB CDR3 heterogeneity may provide insight into immune mechanisms operative in infectious and autoimmune diseases. PBMC stimulated with either mitogen (PHA), superantigen (TSST-1), or nominal antigen (tetanus toxoid) have been compared with unstimulated PBMC using a two-dimensional approach. Analysis of the expressed TCRBV gene repertoire CDR3 length profile coupled with SSCP methodology enabled the discrimination of sequences with the same CDR3 length. For both freshly isolated and PHA stimulated PBMC, a normally distributed spectrum of CDR3 lengths (five or more products) was observed. These products differed by 3 bp (1 amino acid) due to the strict requirement for in-frame rearrangements in the CDR3 region of TCR. By contrast, tetanus toxoid stimulated PBMC had restricted profiles for most TCRBV families after as few as 7 days of incubation. The oligoclonal nature of samples showing CDR3 length restriction was revealed by SSCP analysis and confirmed by sequence determination. Superantigen stimulation resulted in unique patterns of diversity, which included polyclonal expansion of specific TCRBV families as well as oligoclonal expansion of most other TCRBV families. These data reveal complex yet distinct patterns of TCR diversity in response to different T cell activation stimuli.


Positive Impact of Clinical Audit on Appropriateness of Laboratory Investigations for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase-Deficient Patients in the Emergency Department.
The authors aim to assess the use of investigations for patients with acute hemolytic anemia due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and to ensure guidelines application during practice to reduce the misuse of hospital resources in the emergency department (ED). A cross-sectional study was conducted at a pediatric tertiary hospital on children presenting to the ED with an acute hemolytic crisis due to G6PD deficiency. Initial investigations were collected from patients' records and compared to local hematology unit guidelines. After a period of basic training and guideline dissemination to the residents, a re-audit was conducted. Percentages of the requested investigations in each audit were calculated and compared using Chi-square test. Fifty-three acute hemolytic anemia patients were included in the initial audit and 58 patients in the re-audit. In the initial audit, the most commonly requested nonindicated investigations were the Coombs test and liver enzymes. The requested nonindicated chemistry labs dropped from 74% in the initial audit to 14% in the re-audit (p < 0.001), and Coombs test from 81% to 12% (p < 0.001). A large proportion of requested investigations for children presenting with G6PD acute hemolytic crisis are nonindicated. Education of medical staff about the guidelines and their continuous assessments through audits were effective at reducing unnecessary diagnostic tests.


Effect of a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT) on the external urethral sphincter activity in the rat.
This study examined the effects of a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT) on external urethral sphincter (EUS) activity in urethane-anesthetized rats. An EUS electromyogram (EMG) and intravesical pressure (IVP) were simultaneously recorded during continuous cystometrographic monitoring, to provide a quantitative evaluation of EUS activity and urethral urodynamics of voiding. When examining the EUS burst activity, durations of the active (AP) and silent periods (SP) as a function of the time axis, respectively, exhibited concave- and convex-shaped curves. The burst discharges of the EUS-EMG were divided into nonvoiding and voiding burst activities based on the oscillation waves of the IVP, which were located in Phases 1 and 2 of the IVP. After 8-OH-DPAT treatment, the entire burst period in Phases 1 to 2 of the IVP was significantly prolonged. The average SP in both Phases 1 and 2 significantly increased but the average APs were not affected. Urodynamic results showed decreases in the volume threshold, contraction amplitude, and residual volume as well as an increase in the contraction duration. In addition, the amplitude of bladder high-frequency oscillatory waves in the IVP and the average urethral flow rate were reduced, but the entire voiding efficiency increased. The influences of 8-OH-DPAT on EUS burst activity and urodynamics were exactly detected by the sophisticated EMG analytic design, and the results could be a reference for the pharmacological treatment of patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.


C-anaphases in lymphocyte cultures versus premature centromere division syndromes.
Different cases in which chromosomes obtained from short-term lymphocyte cultures appear with separated centromeres are reviewed. These include: (1) C-anaphases in the colchicine-resistance mutation, (2) C-anaphases as a common variant, (3) premature centromere division (PCD) in elderly women, (4) PCD in Alzheimer's disease, (5) early splitting and puffing of centromeres in Roberts' syndrome.


Assessment of public health workforce bioterrorism and emergency preparedness readiness among tribes in Washington State: a collaborative approach among the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, and the Washington State Department of Health.
This article examines the collaboration, methodology, results, and lessons learned stemming from the experience of a unique university, state, and tribal collaborative model for public health emergency preparedness assessment activities. This collaborative model may be applicable to other public health preparedness efforts, as well as the broader range of general public health or workforce development partnerships between state, local, and tribal health departments and academic institutions.


Experimental circular keratotomy for correction of corneal astigmatism.
To investigate the effect of circular keratotomy depth and diameter on corneal astigmatism. High astigmatism was induced in 25 human donor eyes by an anterior radial 7-0 silk suture across the corneoscleral limbus. With a 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, or 7.5 mm trephine, a 0.3 mm deep circular incision was made in 20 donor eyes. In 5 donor eyes 5 circular incisions were made with a diamond knife set at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mm depths. The reduction of astigmatism between the 4 groups in which different trephination diameters were used showed no statistically significant difference (P > .1). The relationship between incision depth and reduction of astigmatism was statistically significant (P < .001). Artificially induced corneal astigmatism was reduced by a circular keratotomy in this donor eye model. Deeper incisions showed a greater effect.


Myocardial infarction in the black population of South Africa: coronary arteriographic findings.
Thirteen Black patients who had classic electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction supported by changes in serum enzymes were investigated by coronary arteriography. Ten of these had occlusive atherosclerosis and in none of these did the associated risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes appear to be operative, and most were manual laborers. Their mean serum cholesterol measurement was found to be 222 mg. per cent, a value which is found in 25 per cent of the urban Black population. In the remaining three patients, the coronary arteries were found to be angiographically normal and two of these were associated with the billowing mitral leaflet syndrome; it is postulated that their myocardial infarction was a result of coronary spasm, or a consequence of fibrin emboli emanating from the redundant mitral leaflets. Based on statistics from our major referring hospital, it is estimated that the prevalence rate from myocardial infarction among general admissions to a medical ward is less than 0.05 per cent, a figure lower than previously reported by clinico-electrocardiographic studies. It would appear that the prevalence of this disease has not increased over the last two decades and the immunity of the Black population is unexplained.


Mycangia of ambrosia beetles host communities of bacteria.
The research field of animal and plant symbioses is advancing from studying interactions between two species to whole communities of associates. High-throughput sequencing of microbial communities supports multiplexed sampling for statistically robust tests of hypotheses about symbiotic associations. We focus on ambrosia beetles, the increasingly damaging insects primarily associated with fungal symbionts, which have also been reported to support bacteria. To analyze the diversity, composition, and specificity of the beetles' prokaryotic associates, we combine global sampling, insect anatomy, 454 sequencing of bacterial rDNA, and multivariate statistics to analyze prokaryotic communities in ambrosia beetle mycangia, organs mostly known for transporting symbiotic fungi. We analyze six beetle species that represent three types of mycangia and include several globally distributed species, some with major economic importance (Dendroctonus frontalis, Xyleborus affinis, Xyleborus bispinatus-ferrugineus, Xyleborus glabratus, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, and Xylosandrus germanus). Ninety-six beetle mycangia yielded 1,546 bacterial phylotypes. Several phylotypes appear to form the core microbiome of the mycangium. Three Mycoplasma (originally thought restricted to vertebrates), two Burkholderiales, and two Pseudomonadales are repeatedly present worldwide in multiple beetle species. However, no bacterial phylotypes were universally present, suggesting that ambrosia beetles are not obligately dependent on bacterial symbionts. The composition of bacterial communities is structured by the host beetle species more than by the locality of origin, which suggests that more bacteria are vertically transmitted than acquired from the environment. The invasive X. glabratus and the globally distributed X. crassiusculus have unique sets of bacteria, different from species native to North America. We conclude that the mycangium hosts in multiple vertically transmitted bacteria such as Mycoplasma, most of which are likely facultative commensals or parasites.


Surface smoothness and marginal fit with phosphate-bonded investments.
Two phosphate-bonded investments and one calcium sulfate investment were evaluated for the surface smoothness and marginal fit they impart to gold castings. A modified technique was also evaluated for each phosphate-bonded investment, where the silica sol was not diluted and the spatulation time was reduced. The results of this study lead to the following conclusions: 1. The marginal fits obtained with all four phosphate-bonded methods were comparable to each other and superior to that obtained with the calcium sulfate investment. 2. The presence of nodules on the surface of the castings was more prevalent with the phosphate-bonded investments. However, this effect was not statistically significant. 3. Clinical assessment of the roughness of the castings revealed that all the methods tested produced clinically acceptable castings. 4. Visual observation by five dentists revealed that both the recommended and modified techniques for one of the phosphate-bonded investments (Ceramigold) produced a smoother surface than any other investment tested. Rating of scanning electron microscope photographs (X600) revealed no difference in the surface roughness between any of the castings. Consequently, no definitive relation between investment type or technique and surface roughness was established. 5. No correlation was demonstrated between surface roughness, as evaluated by either clinical observation or scanning electron microscope photography, and marginal fit of the castings.


Cancer risk in the relatives of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma—a register-based cohort study in Sweden.
Little is known about cancer susceptibility among relatives of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in non-endemic areas. We conducted a register-based cohort study to assess the relative risks (RRs) of cancer in families of NPC probands in Sweden. By linking 11,602,616 Swedish-born individuals (defined as 'general population') identified from national censuses to the Swedish Cancer Register and Multi-Generation Register, we identified 9157 relatives (3645 first-degree and 5512 second-degree) of 1211 NPC probands. Cancer incidence during 1961-2009 was ascertained through the Cancer Register. Relative risks of cancer in the relatives of NPC probands, compared with the rest of the general population, were calculated from Poisson regression models. First-degree relatives had higher risks of NPC (N=2, RR=4.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07 to 17.17) and cancers of the larynx (N=5, RR=2.53, 95% CI=1.05 to 6.09), prostate (N=76, RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.07 to 1.68), and thyroid (N=10, RR=2.44, 95% CI=1.31 to 4.53) than the rest of the general population. In addition, a raised risk of cancer of the salivary glands was observed among first-degree relatives of probands with undifferentiated NPC (N=2, RR=6.64, 95% CI=1.66 to 26.57). In contrast, a decreased risk of colorectal cancer was observed in first- and second-degree relatives (N=43, RR=0.71, 95% CI=0.53 to 0.96). The increased risk of NPC and certain other cancers among first-degree relatives may be explained by shared genetic and environmental risk factors, the latter including Epstein-Barr virus infection and smoking or by increased diagnostic intensity.


Protection against lipid peroxidation by a microsomal glutathione-dependent labile factor.
Glutathione (GSH) protects rat liver microsomes against ascorbic acid (0.2 mM)/ferrous iron (10 microM)-induced lipid peroxidation for some time. The inhibitory effect of GSH is concentration-dependent (0.1-1.0 mM). Our data suggest that GSH acts by preventing initial radical formation rather than via radical scavenging or GSH--peroxidase activity. A labile GSH-dependent factor is involved in the inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation by GSH, inasmuch as heating the microsomes abolishes the GSH effect. We found that besides heating, lipid peroxidation also destroys the GSH-dependent factor. Consequently, continuous radical stress will produce lipid peroxidation, despite the presence of GSH. Moreover, a detrimental effect of in vivo-induced lipid peroxidation (CCl4-treatment) on the GSH-dependent factor was observed. The implications of the present data for the genesis of and the protection against peroxidative damage are discussed.


Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against bovine B lymphocyte surface antigens.
Two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs; BLMo-4 and BLMo-10) were prepared by immunizing with a cell line established from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) cattle. The specificities of these MoAbs were assayed using bovine PBMC. BLMo-4 reacted with all surface immunoglobulin-positive cells (SIg+ cells; B lymphocytes) and also recognized monocytes, but did not react with T lymphocytes. BLMo-10 recognized a majority, although not all, B lymphocytes, but did not react with either T lymphocytes or monocytes. The antigens recognized by BLMo-4 and BLMo-10 were not Ig, Fc or C3 receptors on the surface of B lymphocytes. The reactivity of the MoAbs with mononuclear cells from the lymphoid organs of adult cattle was studied. BLMo-4 and BLMo-10 did not react with any bone marrow cells. BLMo-10 reacted with 7.4% of thymocytes, and stained the medulla of the thymus in the immunoperoxidase assay. In the case of PBMC, spleen and lymph node cells, the percentage of cells positive for BLMo-4 was slightly higher than that of SIg+ cells, but BLMo-10 showed a slightly lower value.


Association between body mass index, missing data, and mortality risk among critically ill patients: the role of missing-data imputation.
We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 90-day mortality risk in complete-case datasets that ignore missing data as well as in datasets with multiple imputation for missing data. This retrospective study analysed the medical records of adult patients admitted to ICUs in a single tertiary academic hospital. For BMI analysis, data were classified into four groups: underweight (<20 kg/m2 ), normal (20-24.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2 ), and obese (≥30 kg/m2 ). A total of 24,928 patients were examined. Among them, 5,916 (23.7%) patients had missing BMI data at ICU admission, and the missing mechanism was not missing completely at random. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the 90-day mortality risk of underweight patients in the complete-case group increased by 1.49 times compared with that of normal BMI patients with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.49 (95% confidence interval: 1.34-1.66; P<0.001), whereas the 90-day mortality risk of underweight patients in the multiple imputation group increased by 1.36 times compared with that of normal BMI patients (HR: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-1.49; P<0.001). We showed that the occurrence of missing BMI data at ICU admission could affect the prediction of 90-day mortality in critically ill patients. Particularly, missing BMI data had the potential to slightly overestimate the 90-day mortality of underweight patients. Therefore, multiple imputation for missing BMI data can be an appropriate statistical option to reduce bias.


Pure trisomy 17q from a 17;21 translocation.
We present a female patient with a trisomy 17q23-->qter whose clinical picture clearly illustrates the pure trisomy 17q syndrome.


Stereophotogrammetric analysis of nasolabial morphology among Asian Malays: influence of age and sex.
It is clear that population-specific norms should be used when planning plastic and reconstructive surgery for selected patients. In this study, we aimed to generate nasal and labial reference values by applying a stereophotogrammetric technique. A further aim was to investigate the effect of sexual dimorphism, age-related changes, and the interrelation between nasal and labial morphology. Cross-sectional study. The data were collected from different locations on the Malaysian peninsula. A total of 276 Asian Malays (138 males and 138 females) were included in this study, and a three-dimensional system was used for capturing data. The sample was divided into three age groups: 13 to 14, 15 to 17, and 18 to 36 years. Twenty-five dimensions of the nose and lips were measured and analyzed separately in males and females. Significant differences between males and females were identified in 11 distances, and significant effects of age were found in most of the dimensions (p < .05). Significant correlations between the nasal and labial dimensions were recorded, particularly between lateral lip height and width of the ala insertion. A principal component analysis showed interrelationships between the nasal width distances and upper lip height. This study has provided a new three-dimensional database for nose and lip morphology in Malays and demonstrated patterns of variation that can be used by surgeons to make comparisons within and between different human populations and also to develop treatment plans for their patients.


Flood tolerance and the distribution of Iva frutescens across New England salt marshes.
Tidal flooding is widely believed to be an important determinant of marsh plant distributions but has rarely been tested in the field. In New England the marsh elder Iva frutescens often dominates the terrestrial border of salt marshes and we examined its flood tolerance and distribution patterns. Marsh elders only occur at elevations where their roots are not subject to prolonged water table flooding. Consequently they are found on the terrestrial border of marshes and at lower elevations associated with drainage ditches and locally elevated surfaces. Marsh elders transplanted to elevations lower than they normally occur died within a year with or without neighbors and greenhouse tests revealed that I. frutescens is much less tolerant of flooded soil conditions than plants found at lower marsh elevations. We also manipulated the water table level of field plots and found that increasing or decreasing water table drainage led to enhanced and diminished I. frutescens performance, respectively. Our results demonstrate the importance of water table dynamics in generating spatial patterns in marsh plant communities and provide further evidence that supports the hypothesis that the seaward distributional limits of marsh plant populations are generally dictated by physical processes.


A prospective, randomized trial of large- versus small-volume endoscopic injection of epinephrine for peptic ulcer bleeding.
Endoscopic injection of epinephrine in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer is considered highly effective, safe, inexpensive, and easy to use. However, bleeding recurs in 6% to 36% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dose of epinephrine for endoscopic injection in the treatment of patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. One hundred fifty-six patients with active bleeding or nonbleeding visible vessels were randomized to receive small- (5-10 mL) or large-volume (13-20 mL) injections of a 1:10,000 solution of epinephrine. The mean volume of epinephrine injected was 16.5 mL (95% CI [15.7, 17.3 mL]) in the large-volume group and 8.0 mL (95% CI [7.5, 8.4 mL]) in the small-volume group. Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients studied. The number of episodes of recurrent bleeding was smaller in the large-volume group (12/78, 15.4%) compared with the small-volume group (24/78, 30.8%, p = 0.037). The volume of blood transfused after entry into the study, duration of hospital stay, numbers of patients requiring urgent surgery, and mortality rates were not statistically different between the 2 groups. Injection of a large volume (>13 mL) of epinephrine can reduce the rate of recurrent bleeding in patients with high-risk peptic ulcer and is superior to injection of lesser volumes of epinephrine when used to achieve sustained hemostasis.


Detection in vitro and quantitative estimation of artificial microterritories which promote osteogenic differentiation and maturation of stromal stem cells.
Extracellular matrix can regulate multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSC) differentiation, with potential applications for tissue engineering. A relief of mineralized bone takes essential effect on MMSC fate. Nevertheless, delicate structure and a hierarchy of niches for stromal stem cells and its quantitative parameters are not practically known. Here, we describe the protocol to define the basic approach providing a guiding for in vitro identification of quantitative features of artificial calcium phosphate niches which promotes osteogenic differentiation and maturation of stromal stem cell.


Collagenase, procollagenase and bone resorption. Effects of heparin, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
1. The addition of heparin to the culture fluid of mouse tibiae or calvaria did not cause any significant resorption of bone collagen or mineral. However, heparin (or analogue sulfated polyanions), enhanced greatly the amount of latent, trypsin-activatable collagenase (i.e. procollagenase) released by the bones in the medium without influencing that of directly active collagenase which was always very low. Heparin appeared to act by increasing the production of the enzyme which is immediately excreted. Procollagenase and collagenase are not stored in bone tissue, even under conditions where it is in active resorption. 2. Parathyroid hormone induced in the explants a resorption of both mineral and collagen that was inhibited by calcitonin. These hormones, however, had no influence on the release of procollagenase or collagenase either in the presence or in the absence of heparin. 3. Once activated, bone collagenase digested the collagen of the bone explants, and more extensively after their demineralization. Thus the latent collagenase that accumulates around non-resorbing bones has to be considered as a precursor, (and not as a residue), of active enzyme. 4. Active collagenase added to incipient cultures of bones disappeared with a half-life of 24 h. The lost enzyme could, however, not be reactivated by trypsin and thus was not transformed into latent procollagenase.


Geometric description and electronic properties of the principal photosynthetic pigments of higher plants: a DFT study.
The geometric parameters, local and global chemical reactivity parameters (such as the ionization potential, electron affinity, electronegativity, hardness, softness, chemical potential, and electrophilicity index), as well as the energy levels (HOMO/LUMO) and HOMO-LUMO energy gaps have been determined for the principal carotenoids in higher plants. DFT calculations performed using the B3LYP functional in combination with the 6-31G(d,p) (for geometric parameters) and 6-31 + G(d,p) (for energy parameters) basis sets were carried out to study these structures. The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps obtained with the TPSSh functional were compared with the corresponding energy gaps obtained with B3LYP (when both functionals were used with the 6-31 + G(d,p) basis set). Upon analyzing all of the calculated parameters of the studied molecules, both carotenes were found to be the most reactive, followed by β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin, and finally neoxanthin, the least reactive molecule. The results reveal that all of the carotenoids show very high coplanarity in the photochemically active region, resulting in small HOMO-LUMO energy gaps. The calculated local and global chemical reactivity parameters indicate that all of the studied molecules may be classified as soft, as they are good electron donors/acceptors, making these molecules good candidates for use in artificial photosynthetic systems.


Fractional clearance of high molecular weight proteins in conscious rats using a continuous infusion method.
The purported existence of "large pores" in the glomerular capillary wall has been derived primarily from studies using dextrans and Ficolls. Systematic studies using high molecular weight proteins have not been performed. One of the difficulties is that recent studies have demonstrated that albumin and other proteins undergo degradation during renal passage. Our study took into account this renal degradation in measuring the fractional clearance of various high molecular weight proteins (the hydrodynamic radii range was between 48 to 70 A). Fractional clearances of tritium-labeled proteins were measured using ALZET osmotic pumps, which are designed to release a slow continuous infusion of tracer. Blood and urine collections were taken at 24-hour intervals over seven days and were counted for radioactivity, and glomerular filtration rate was measured by a creatinine assay. Steady-state levels of [3H]protein in plasma were obtained by day 6. The [3H]proteins in the plasma showed no degradation. The fractional clearances (mean +/- sd, N = 5) of the various proteins were albumin (radius = 36 A; 0.0023 +/- 0.0009), transferrin (48 A; 0.0046 +/- 0.0007), lactoperoxidase (58 A; 0. 0045 +/- 0.0005), immunoglobulin G (62 A; 0.0043 +/- 0.0009), lactate dehydrogenase (64 A; 0.0041 +/- 0.0009), and glucose oxidase (70 A; 0.0036 +/- 0.0011). These values suggest a weak dependence of fractional clearance on size-selective filtration, except for albumin, which undergoes a specific type of postglomerular processing. The fractional clearances were higher than expected from previous data on dextrans and Ficolls of equivalent hydrodynamic radius, and thus demonstrate that "large pores" may already exist in normal glomerular capillary walls.


Cryosurgery would be An Effective Option for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.
Cryosurgery (CS) has been used on patients with clinically localized PCa for more than 10 years. However, clinical studies evaluating its effectiveness and safety have reported conflicting results. This systematic assessment was performed to obtain comprehensive evidence regarding the potential benefits and safety of CS compared with those of radiotherapy (RT) and radical prostatectomy (RP), respectively. All controlled trials comparing CS with RT or RP and single-arm studies reporting results of CS therapy were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase. Ten publications from seven trials, with totally 1252 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, which revealed no significant differences in comparisons of CS vs RT and CS vs RP for overall survival and disease specific survival. However, a significantly lower disease-free survival could be observed for CS than RP. Moreover, a systematic review of literature focusing on comparative data of databases and materials of single-arm trials revealed satisfactory survival results in both primary and salvage CS. Our results showed that cryosurgery would be a relatively effective method for clinically localized prostate cancer with survival results comparable to radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy. However, the large percentage of complications caused by cryosurgery should be carefully monitored.


Rice bran extract: an inexpensive nitrogen source for the production of 2G ethanol from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate.
Selection of the raw material and its efficient utilization are the critical factors in economization of second generation (2G) ethanol production. Fermentation of the released sugars into ethanol by a suitable ethanol producing microorganism using cheap media ingredients is the cornerstone of the overall process. This study evaluated the potential of rice bran extract (RBE) as a cheap nitrogen source for the production of 2G ethanol by Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis NRRL Y-7124 using sugarcane bagasse (SB) hemicellulosic hydrolysate. Dilute acid hydrolysis of SB showed 12.45 g/l of xylose and 0.67 g/l of glucose along with inhibitors. It was concentrated by vacuum evaporation and submitted to sequential detoxification (neutralization by calcium hydroxide and charcoal adsorption). The detoxified hydrolysate revealed the removal of furfural (81 %) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (61 %) leading to the final concentration of glucose (1.69 g/l) and xylose (33.03 g/l). S. stipitis was grown in three different fermentation media composed of detoxified hydrolysate as carbon source supplemented with varying nitrogen sources i.e. medium #1 (RBE + ammonium sulfate + calcium chloride), medium #2 (yeast extract + peptone) and medium #3 (yeast extract + peptone + malt extract). Medium #1 showed maximum ethanol production (8.6 g/l, yield 0.22 g/g) followed by medium #2 (8.1 g/l, yield 0.19 g/g) and medium #3 (7.4 g/l, yield 0.18 g/g).


Orbital-symmetry effects on magnetic exchange in open-shell nanographenes.
Open-shell nanographenes appear as promising candidates for future applications in spintronics and quantum technologies. A critical aspect to realize this potential is to design and control the magnetic exchange. Here, we reveal the effects of frontier orbital symmetries on the magnetic coupling in diradical nanographenes through scanning probe microscope measurements and different levels of theoretical calculations. In these open-shell nanographenes, the exchange energy exhibits a remarkable variation between 20 and 160 meV. Theoretical calculations reveal that frontier orbital symmetries play a key role in affecting the magnetic coupling on such a large scale. Moreover, a triradical nanographene is demonstrated for investigating the magnetic interaction among three unpaired electrons with unequal magnetic exchange, in agreement with Heisenberg spin model calculations. Our results provide insights into both theoretical design and experimental realization of nanographene materials with different exchange interactions through tuning the orbital symmetry, potentially useful for realizing magnetically operable graphene-based nanomaterials.


[When and how to report suspected child abuse to child protective services. Construction and evaluation of a specific support tool for primary care physicians].
The aim of this study was to create a specific tool and evaluate its impact on the knowledge of primary care physicians (PCPs) in reporting child abuse to child protective services (CPS). Prospective "before/after" study assessing the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) registered at the medical board in a French administrative area through anonymous questionnaires. The tool was adapted from the guidelines published in 2014 by the French Health authorities. The main criterion was the median score (/100) calculated for each questionnaire before (Q1) and after (Q2) the dissemination of the tool. These median scores were compared and associations between scores and some PCPs' characteristics were tested through multiple linear regression. A total of 279 GPs answered the first questionnaire (Q1) and 172 answered the second (Q2). PCPs who answered were mainly women (68% and 74%), were between 30 and 50 years old (61% and 66%), practiced in association with other physicians (82% and 84), and had 15-30% children in their patient population. For Q1, the general median was 65 [IQR: 40-81] versus 82 [IQR: 71-91] for Q2 (P<0.001). The PCPs' characteristics leading to significant variations in the scores for Q1 were age older than 50 years, being female, and having been trained in diagnosis and management of child abuse, with the β coefficient at -16.4 [95% CI: -31.1; -1.69], +8.93 [95% CI: 2.58; 15.27] and +12 [95% CI: 6.33; 17.73], respectively. This study confirms the significant impact of this new tool on PCPs' knowledge concerning reporting suspected child abuse to the CPS. Wider dissemination of this tool could increase PCPs' awareness and comprehension of when and how to make a report to the CPS.


Using systematic reviews to critically appraise the scientific information for the bovine veterinarian.
Bovine veterinarians need to base their clinical decisions on the best scientific evidence. Due to lack of time, the relevant information should be available in a structured and summarized publication, such as systematic reviews. The results and the discussion should be reported in a practical and useful way. A structured abstract helps the busy practitioner to have a quick look on the evidence gained by this approach. There is a lack of studies in many areas of ruminant health compared with human health. Although this can be perceived as a limitation, veterinarians and scientists should design strategies to develop more systematic reviews.


Assessing Physicians' Recall Bias of Work Hours With a Mobile App: Interview and App-Recorded Data Comparison.
Previous studies have shown inconsistencies in the accuracy of self-reported work hours. However, accurate documentation of work hours is fundamental for the formation of labor policies. Strict work-hour policies decrease medical errors, improve patient safety, and promote physicians' well-being. The aim of this study was to estimate physicians' recall bias of work hours with a mobile app, and to examine the association between the recall bias and physicians' work hours. We quantified recall bias by calculating the differences between the app-recorded and self-reported work hours of the previous week and the penultimate week. We recruited 18 physicians to install the "Staff Hours" app, which automatically recorded GPS-defined work hours for 2 months, contributing 1068 person-days. We examined the association between work hours and two recall bias indicators: (1) the difference between self-reported and app-recorded work hours and (2) the percentage of days for which work hours were not precisely recalled during interviews. App-recorded work hours highly correlated with self-reported counterparts (r=0.86-0.88, P<.001). Self-reported work hours were consistently significantly lower than app-recorded hours by -8.97 (SD 8.60) hours and -6.48 (SD 8.29) hours for the previous week and the penultimate week, respectively (both P<.001). The difference for the previous week was significantly correlated with work hours in the previous week (r=-0.410, P=.01), whereas the correlation of the difference with the hours in the penultimate week was not significant (r=-0.119, P=.48). The percentage of hours not recalled (38.6%) was significantly higher for the penultimate week (38.6%) than for the first week (16.0%), and the former was significantly correlated with work hours of the penultimate week (r=0.489, P=.002). Our study identified the existence of recall bias of work hours, the extent to which the recall was biased, and the influence of work hours on recall bias.


[Agroindustrial wastes methanization and bacterial composition in anaerobic digestion].
The tons of organic waste that are annually generated by agro-industry, can be used as raw material for methane production. For this reason, it is important to previously perform biodegradability tests to organic wastes for their full scale methanization. This paper addresses biodegradability, methane production and the behavior of populations of eubacteria and archaeabacteria during anaerobic digestion of banana, mango and papaya agroindustrial wastes. Mango and banana wastes had higher organic matter content than papaya in terms of their volatile solids and total solid rate (94 and 75% respectively). After 63 days of treatment, the highest methane production was observed in banana waste anaerobic digestion: 63.89ml CH4/per gram of chemical oxygen demand of the waste. In the PCR-DGGE molecular analysis, different genomic footprints with oligonucleotides for eubacteria and archeobacteria were found. Biochemical methane potential results proved that banana wastes have the best potential to be used as raw material for methane production. The result of a PCR- DGGE analysis using specific oligonucleotides enabled to identify the behavior of populations of eubacteria and archaeabacteria present during the anaerobic digestion of agroindustrial wastes throughout the process.


Factors contributing to routine immunization performance in Ethiopia, 2014.
An increasing trend of routine immunization performance has generally been observed over the past decade in Ethiopia. However, the improvement is irregular with wide disparity among and within regions. This study analyzes health facility characteristics contribution to immunization performance in Ethiopia. We conducted a cross-sectional study and compared characteristics of health facilities in good and poor performing zones. We used administrative coverage reports and Personal Digital Assisted (PDA) supervisory data collected by WHO EPI field officers using a standardized structured checklist. We selected 48 zones and 302 health facilities based on immunization performance data and supervisory data on potential variables. Logistics regression was used to identify independent contributors to good immunization performance. On logistics regression we found that: actions by higher levels in conducting supervision (Odds Ratio (OR) =4.15. 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.85, 9.32, p value <0.01] and providing written feedback (Odds Ratio (OR) =4.35. 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.27, 8.33, p value <0.01) , and provision of immunization services by the health facility itself for catchment population under each health unit (Odds Ratio (OR) =20.15. 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.24, 181.38, p value =0.01) and absence of stock out of vaccines (Odds Ratio (OR) =0.44. 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.23, 0.83, p value =0.01) are the likely significant factors contributing to good immunization performance in Ethiopia. Ensuring availability of immunization services in all health facilities, regular supervision and written feedback and improved stock management are essential factors contributing to good immunization performance.


High pressure inactivation of Salmonella on Jalapeño and Serrano peppers destined for direct consumption or as ingredients in Mexican salsa and guacamole.
In summer of 2008, the United States witnessed one of the largest multi-state salmonellosis outbreak linked to the consumption of Jalapeño and Serrano peppers tainted with Salmonella enterica serovar Saintpaul. The first objective of this study was to assess the application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) to decontaminate Jalapeño and Serrano peppers from this pathogen. Jalapeño and Serrano peppers were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of Salmonella to a final level of ca. ~6 log CFU/g and subsequently pressure-treated in the un-wetted, wetted (briefly dipped in water) or soaked (immersed in water for 30 min) state at 300-500 MPa for 2 min at 20°C. The extent of pressure inactivation increased as a function of the pressure level and in the order of soaked>wetted>un-wetted state achieving population reductions ranging from 1.1 to 6.6 log CFU/g. Overall, pressure treatment at 400-450 MPa (soaked) or 450-500 MPa (wetted) for 2 min at 20°C rendered Salmonella undetectable. Since salsa and guacamole are two examples of widely consumed Mexican dishes that incorporate raw Jalapeño and Serrano peppers, we subsequently investigated the pressure-inactivation of Salmonella in salsa and guacamole, originating from contaminated peppers used as ingredients. The storage time (0, 12 or 24 h) of the condiments prior to HHP as well as the pH (3.8-5.3) and the type of acidulants (vinegar and lemon juice) used all influenced the extent of Salmonella inactivation by HHP. This study demonstrates the dual efficacy of HHP to decontaminate fresh chile peppers destined for direct consumption and minimally process condiments possibly contaminated with raw peppers to enhance their microbiological safety.


Studies on the glycosidases of semen. Further purification and characterization of two hexosaminidases from bull seminal plasma.
Two isozymes of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside acetamidodeoxy glucohydrolase, EC 126.96.36.199) (A and B) from bull seminal plasma were purified to homogeneity by isoelectric focusing having pI values of 5.31 and 6.78. The two proteins were glycoproteins with very similar amino acid composition but isozyme A contained more sialic acid than isozyme B. The molecular weights of isozyme A and B were estimated at 200 000 and 190 000 by gel filtration. Two identical subunits corresponding to molecular weights of 53 000 and 13 400 were obtained from hexosaminidase A and B when subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Similar results were obtained when dissociation of the isozymes was effected with mercaptoethanol, guanidine hydrochloride and urea in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate and the subunits separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two isozymes were more stable in frozen conditions than at the refrigerated temperature. Of the divalent ion tested, glucosaminidase and galactosaminidase activities of isozymes A and B were strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and Ag+ thus suggesting the presence of thiol groups in the two proteins. The two isozymes were active on natural substrates; isozyme B being more active than isozyme A.


Current state of laboratory test utilization practices in the clinical laboratory.
Appropriate laboratory test utilization is of growing interest in the face of rising healthcare costs and documented evidence of over- and under-utilization. Building from published literature, laboratory organizations have recently published guidelines for establishing laboratory utilization management programs. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have consistently struggled to define rigorous evidence-based best practice recommendations due to the paucity of published data or the heterogeneity of available data. We sought to gain information about utilization practices and programs currently in use and which factors contribute to their success by distributing a survey among laboratory professionals. The survey received seventy-four eligible respondents. We observed a wide range in the duration of laboratory utilization programs and the number of stewardship initiatives. In addition, there was great variety in the utilization practices used and the tests or processes targeted by programs. There was similarity in how initiatives are evaluated and who is involved with utilization programs. Finally, respondents often credited a multidisciplinary committee, support from leadership, and strong IT support/data access as important factors for their program's perceived success. Many of these factors agree with previously published literature.


Morphology and distribution of neurons and glial cells expressing beta-adrenergic receptors in developing kitten visual cortex.
The morphology and distribution of cells expressing beta-adrenergic receptors has been studied in developing kitten visual cortex using a monoclonal antibody which recognizes both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. We found specific populations of neurons and glial cells which express beta-adrenergic receptor immunoreactivity in the kitten visual cortex. In adult animals, the receptors are most concentrated in the superficial and deep cortical layers (layers I, II, III and VI). About 50% of the stained neural cells in adult cat visual cortex are glial cells. Most of the immunoreactive neurons in layers III and V are pyramidal cells while those in layers II and IV are more likely to be nonpyramidal cells. In neonatal kittens, staining is weaker than that in adult cats and it appears to be concentrated in neurons of the deep cortical layers and in the subcortical plate and white matter. Only a few immunoreactive glial cells were found at this age. Receptor numbers increase after birth and by 24 days of age, the laminar distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors approaches that of adult animals. Immunoreactive glial cells in the white matter show a progressive increase in number throughout postnatal development.


Linking brain structure and activation in anterior insula cortex to explain the trait empathy for pain.
The ability to perceive, understand, and react to the feelings of others' pain is referred to as empathy for pain which is composed of two components, affective-perceptual empathy and cognitive-evaluative empathy. Recent reviews on the neural mechanisms of empathetic pain showed the anterior insula (AI) cortex as a core circuit for empathy. However, little is known about the modulation of brain anatomy and empathic responses by trait measures of empathy (trait empathy). Thus, we investigated whether individual variation in the personality trait of empathy is associated with individual variation in the structure of specific brain regions using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). We further investigated the relationship between the trait empathy and the activity of the same regions using state measures of empathy for pain in a trial-by-trial fashion in the given situation. VBM analysis indicated a small but significant negative relationship between trait empathy and gray matter volume in the bilateral AI. Functional MRI study further demonstrated that experimentally induced activity of the bilateral AI during state empathy for pain was also correlated with trait empathy. An asymmetry exists between the right and left AI between the affective and cognitive empathy. The right AI was found to be involved in the affective-perceptual form of empathy and the left AI was active in cognitive-evaluative forms of empathy. The interindividual differences in trait empathy may be reflected both in the state empathy and more stable brain structure difference.


Expression, purification, and characterization of a recombinant ribonuclease H from Thermus thermophilus HB8.
Thermus thermophilus ribonuclease H was overexpressed and purified from Escherichia coli. The determination of the complete amino acid sequence allowed modification of that predicted from the DNA sequence, and the enzyme was shown to be composed of 166 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 18,279. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 10.5, and the specific absorption coefficient A0.1%(280) was 1.69. The enzymatic and physicochemical properties as well as the thermal and conformational stabilities of the enzyme were compared with those of E. coli RNase HI, which shows 52% amino acid sequence identity. Comparison of the far and near UV circular dichroism spectra suggests that the two enzymes are similar in the main chain folding but different in the spatial environments of tyrosine and tryptophan residues. The enzymatic activities of T. thermophilus RNase H at 37 and 70 degrees C for the hydrolysis of either an M13 DNA/RNA hybrid or a nonanucleotide duplex were approximately 5-fold lower and 3-fold higher, respectively, as compared with E. coli RNase HI at 37 degrees C. The melting temperature, Tm, of T. thermophilus RNase H was 82.1 degrees C in the presence of 1.2 M guanidine hydrochloride, which was 33.9 degrees C higher than that observed for E. coli RNase HI. The free energy changes of unfolding in the absence of denaturant, delta G[H2O], of T. thermophilus RNase H increased by 11.79 kcal/mol at 25 degrees C and 14.07 kcal/mol at 50 degrees C, as compared with E. coli RNase HI.


Incidence, clinical outcome, and management of virus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in children and adolescents after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
We analyzed the incidence, etiology, risk factors, and clinical management of hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in 102 children who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation: 28 from matched siblings, 57 from unrelated donors, and 17 from mismatched relatives. Conditioning regimens consisted of high-dose chemotherapy (n=83) or total body irradiation (n=19). In all children, urine and plasma were prospectively screened for human polyomavirus (HPV; BK virus [BKV] and JC virus [JCV]) or adenovirus (AdV) DNA with a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. Viral DNA was detected in the urine of 56 children (54.9%): BKV in 48 (47%), JCV in 4 (3.9%), and AdV in 4 (3.9%). HC occurred in 26 children (25.5%), and viruria was detected in all of them: BKV in 21 (80.8%), AdV in 4 (14.4%), and JCV in 1 (3.8%). All patients with AdV viruria developed HC. The cumulative incidence of HC in patients with HPV viruria was 0.43. The only significant risk factor for HC in patients with HPV-positive urine was conditioning with high-dose chemotherapy. Twenty-two children were treated with cidofovir, with no significant toxicity. In all treated patients but 1, the clinical symptoms were moderate, and no HC-related death was observed. We conclude that virus-induced HC is a frequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Treatment with cidofovir is feasible, and further studies are warranted to evaluate its activity in HC mediated by BKV or JCV.


Challenges of evidence synthesis during the 2020 COVID pandemic: a scoping review.
The objectives of this scoping review are to identify the challenges to conducting evidence synthesis during the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose some recommendations addressing the identified gaps. A scoping review methodology was followed to map the literature published on the challenges and solutions of conducting evidence synthesis using the Joanna Briggs Methodology of performing scoping review. We searched several databases from the start of the Pandemic in December 2019 until 10th June 2021. A total of 28 publications was included in the review. The challenges cited in the included studies have been categorised into four distinct but interconnected themes including: upstream, Evidence synthesis, downstream and contextual challenges. These challenges have been further refined into issues with primary studies, databases, team capacity, process, resources, and context. Several proposals to improve the above challenges included: transparency in primary studies registration and reporting, establishment of online platforms that enables collaboration, data sharing and searching, the use of computable evidence and coordination of efforts at an international level. This review has highlighted the importance of including artificial intelligence, a framework for international collaboration and a sustained funding model to address many of the shortcomings and ensure we are ready for similar challenges in the future.


Impact of Screening Implementing HCV Screening of Persons Born 1945-1965: A Primary Care Case Study.
In August 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released recommendations to screen persons born from 1945 to 1965 for hepatitis C virus (HCV). In September 2012, Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center (WSHWC) initiated a quality improvement (QI) project to conduct HCV screening among all patients in this birth cohort. Screening rates were tracked using a nationally standardized HCV screening measure in the Indian Health Service. At the end of the project period, WSHWC staff took a brief survey to review the impact of the HCV QI Project. Screening for HCV among eligible patients at WSHWC increased from 5% (47/938) in September 2012 to 76% (593/785) in September 2014. Survey data indicated that clinicians felt increased screening for HCV had a positive impact on patient communication and care. Primary care clinics can successfully increase HCV screening in a relatively short time period. Age based screening recommendation may provide opportunities to increase communication with others at risk for HCV. As more patients are screened, it will be important to ensure appropriate linkage to care for HCV patients.


Whole metagenomic sequencing to characterize the sediment microbial community within the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and preliminary biosynthetic gene cluster screening of Streptomyces scabrisporus.
Understanding the marine sediment microbial community structure is of increasing importance to microbiologists since little is known of the diverse taxonomy that exists within this environment. Quantifying microbial species distribution patterns within marine sanctuaries is necessary to address conservation requirements. The objectives of this study were to characterize the relative abundance and biodiversity of metagenome samples of the sediment microbial community in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS). Related to the need for a comprehensive assessment of the microbial habitat within marine sanctuaries is the increased threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, coupled with multi-resistant bacterial strains. This has necessitated a renewed search for bioactive compounds in marine benthic habitat. An additional aim was to initiate quantification of biosynthetic gene clusters in species that have potential for natural product and drug discovery relevant to human health. Surficial sediment from 18 samples was collected in the summer and fall of 2017 from three benthic sites in the SBNMS. Microbial DNA was extracted from samples, and sequencing libraries were prepared for taxonomic analysis. Whole metagenome sequencing (WMGS) in combination with a bioinformatics pipeline was employed to delineate the taxa of bacteria present in each sample. Among all sampling sites, biodiversity was higher for summer compared to fall for class (p = 0.0013; F = 4.5) and genus (p = 0.0219; F = 4.4). Actinobacteria was the fifth most abundant class in both seasons (7.81%). Streptomyces was observed to be the fourth most abundant genus in both seasons with significantly higher prevalence in summer compared to fall samples. In summer, site 3 had the highest percentage of Streptomyces (1.71%) compared to sites 2 (1.62%) and 1 (1.37%). The results enabled preliminary quantification of the sequenced hits from the SBNMS sites with the highest potential for harboring secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters for Streptomyces scabrisporus strain (NF3) genomic regions. This study is one of the first to use a whole metagenomics approach to characterize sediment microbial biodiversity in partnership with the SBNMS and demonstrates the potential for future ecological and biomedical research.


MIB-1 (Ki-67) index and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) immunoreactivity are significant prognostic predictors for meningiomas.
Mitotic index > 6, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index > 5%, high tumour grade and absence of progesterone receptors (PR) are significant predictors for poor outcome in meningiomas. Since MIB-1 (Ki-67) is a more specific cell proliferation marker, and overexpression of TGF-alpha is also associated with tumour progression, we compared the prognostic significance of these factors with the other indices. Intracranial meningiomas from 21 men and 36 women (age 54.5 +/- 1.7, mean +/- SEM) were classified as 24 benign, 24 atypical and nine malignant. Twenty-one of the 57 tumours recurred (mean interval to recurrence was 57.3 +/- 13.1 months). The mean follow-up period for patients without tumour recurrence was 81.9 +/- 8.7 months. MIB-1 labelling index (LI) was expressed as percentage of labelled nuclei to total tumour nuclei counted in the most densely labelled areas. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between tumour grades for MIB-1 labelling indices (0.75 +/- 0.21 for benign, 3.2 +/- 0.57 for atypical 6.04 +/- 1.48 for malignant; P < or = 0.0066), and between malignant and non-malignant meningiomas for TGF alpha staining scores (P < or = 0.029). MIB-1 LI also correlated with mitotic and PCNA indices (P < or = 0.0001), but not with age of the patients. Male patients had higher tumour MIB-1 LI than females (P < or = 0.0128). Univariate analysis indicated that MIB-1 LI > 3%, TGF alpha score > 4 (scoring scale 0-5), mitotic index > 6, and negative PR status were significant factors for worse outcome. Higher MIB-1 LI, TGF alpha score and mitotic index as continuous variables were also significant negative predictors. With multivariate analysis, both MIB-1 LI and TGF alpha score remained significant factors when paired with all other variables: TGF alpha or MIB-1 LI, respectively, mitosis, PCNA, tumour grade, PR status, age, sex, postoperative radiation therapy. We conclude that MIB-1 LI and TGF alpha score are important independent prognostic indicators for patients with meningiomas.


Bent bone dysplasia (BBD)-FGFR2 type: the radiologic manifestations in early gestation.
Bent bone dysplasia-fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 type (BBD-FGFR2) is a recently identified skeletal dysplasia caused by specific FGFR2 mutations, characterized by craniosynostosis and prenatal bowing of the long bones. Only a few cases have been published. We report an affected fetus terminated at 21 weeks of gestation. The clinical and radiologic manifestations mostly recapitulate previous descriptions; however we suggest additional hallmarks of this disorder in early gestation. These hallmarks include distinctive short, thick clavicles and wavy ribs, as well as vertebral bodies that showed striking anteroposterior shortening. Femoral fractures were also present in our case. Although craniosynostosis is a hallmark of the disease, clinicians should be aware that craniosynostosis might not be readily apparent on plain films early in gestation.


Overview of familial syndromes with increased skin malignancies.
The vast majority of skin cancers can be classified into two main types: melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas. The most common keratinocyte carcinomas include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Multiple familial syndromes have been identified that can increase the risk of developing SCC, BCC, and/or melanoma. The major syndromes include oculocutaneous albinism for SCC, basal cell nevus syndrome for BCC, familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma syndrome, and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome for melanoma. In addition, familial syndromes that can predispose individuals to all three major skin cancers include xeroderma pigmentosum and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This review highlights the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and etiology of the major and minor syndromes to better identify and manage these conditions. Current investigational trials in genomic medicine are making their way in revolutionizing the clinical diagnosis of these familial syndromes for earlier preventative measures and improvement of long-term prognosis in these patients.


Histologic study of dermabrasion and chemical peel in an animal model after pretreatment with Retin-A.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histologic changes that occur after dermabrasion and chemical peel in an animal model that has been pretreated with topical Retin-A. Since human skin and guinea pig skin are very similar in architecture, pretreatment of the latter with Retin-A may reflect what would occur in human skin. Twelve nude Hartley white guinea pigs were used in our study. Six were pretreated with topical Retin-A and six were controls. Each guinea pig underwent chemical peel and dermabrasion. The wounded areas were watched for clinical progression of healing and biopsied. Both clinical observation and histology revealed that those animals pretreated with Retin-A healed much quicker than the control animals. This was found to be statistically significant with p = 0.05. This study implies that if patients are treated with Retin-A before undergoing chemical peel or dermabrasion, they will likely observe accelerated healing.


Stroke and meningitis in a case of SLE with anti-phospholipid antibodies.
Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are concerned with many central nervous system diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, no report has described the relationship between aseptic meningitis and aPL in SLE. We report a case of SLE with aPL, presenting cerebral infarction and aseptic meningitis. A 14 year old female with SLE with aPL experienced cerebral infarction and recurrent aseptic meningitis. Combination therapy with steroids and aspirin improved the condition and prevented relapses. The aPL are associated with cerebral infarction, even in young patients with SLE. In addition, aPL may induce aseptic meningitis in SLE.


Egg quality, fatty acid composition and immunoglobulin Y content in eggs from laying hens fed full fat camelina or flax seed.
The current study was conducted to evaluate egg quality and egg yolk fatty acids and immunoglobulin (IgY) content from laying hens fed full fat camelina or flax seed. A total of 75, 48-week-old Lohman brown hens were randomly allocated to 3 treatments, with 5 replicates containing 5 laying hens each replicate. The hens were fed corn-soybean basal diet (Control), or Control diet with 10 % of full fat camelina (Camelina) or flax seed (Flax) for a period of 16 wk. Hen production performance egg quality, egg yolk lipids, fatty acids and IgY were determined every 28 d during the experimental period. Egg production was higher in hens fed Camelina and Flax than in Control hens (P < 0.05). Egg weight and albumen weight was lowest in eggs from hens fed Camelina (P < 0.05). Shell weight relative to egg weight (shell weight %), and shell thickness was lowest in eggs from hens fed Flax (P < 0.05). No difference was noted in Haugh unit, yolk:albumen ratio, and yolk weight. Significant increase in α-linolenic (18:3 n-3), docosapentaenoic (22:5 n-3) and docoshexaenoic (22:6 n-3) acids were observed in egg yolk from hens fed Camelina and Flax. Total n-3 fatty acids constituted 1.19 % in Control eggs compared to 3.12 and 3.09 % in Camelina and Flax eggs, respectively (P < 0.05). Eggs from hens fed Camelina and Flax had the higher IgY concentration than those hens fed Control diet when expressed on a mg/g of yolk basis (P < 0.05). Although the egg weight was significantly lower in Camelina-fed hens, the total egg content of IgY was highest in eggs from hens fed Camelina (P < 0.05). The egg n-3 fatty acid and IgY enhancing effect of dietary camelina seed warrants further attention into the potential of using camelina as a functional feed ingredient in poultry feeding.


Role of aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4, aspirin, and salicylic acid in the modulation of the oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by plasma from women with pre-eclampsia.
Oxidative stress and inflammation are key events leading to pre-eclampsia, involved in several maternal deaths. Low doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are used in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia. The synthesis of aspirin-triggered lipoxin (ATL) by cyclooxygenase-2 acetylation is an alternative mechanism of ASA, which could explain the effectiveness of ASA treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ASA, salicylates, and ATL in the modulation of the oxidative and inflammatory responses induced by plasma from women with pre-eclampsia. Plasma from 14 women with pre-eclampsia and 17 normotensive pregnant women was probed for inducing oxidative and inflammatory responses on endothelial cells and U937 promonocytes. The role of ATL, ASA, and salicylic acid (SA) on these events was evaluated. Plasma from women with pre-eclampsia induced TBARS and nitrotyrosine production on endothelial and U937 cells. Pre-treatment with both ATL and ASA decreased the TBARS production, while ATL decreased the nitrotyrosine. Pre-eclamptic plasma augmented the translocation of NF-kB on U937 cells, which decreased by a high dose of ASA and SA. Finally, the pre-eclamptic plasma increased the adhesion of leukocytes-PMN and monocytes-to endothelium, and we were able to determine a state of resolution of inflammation, since ATL decreased the PMN adhesion, and conversely, it increased the monocytes adhesion to endothelium. Together, these results suggest that ATL could explain the beneficial actions of ASA and support further research on mechanisms, real efficacy, and rational use of ASA in pre-eclampsia.


Direct glutamate-mediated presynaptic inhibition of sensory afferents by the postsynaptic motor neurons.
An in vitro preparation of the crayfish central nervous system was used to study a negative feedback control exerted by the glutamatergic motor neurons (MNs) on to their presynaptic cholinergic sensory afferents. This negative control consists in small amplitude, slowly developing depolarizations of the primary afferents (sdPADs) strictly timed with MN bursts. They were not blocked by picrotoxin, but were sensitive to glutamate non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. Intracellular recordings were performed within thin branches of sensory terminals while electrical antidromic stimulation were applied to the motor nerves, or while glutamate (the MN neurotransmitter) was pressure-applied close to the recording site. Electrical motor nerve stimulations and glutamate pressure application had similar effects on to sensory terminals issued from the coxo-basipodite chordotonal organ (CBTs): like sdPADs, both stimulation-induced depolarizations were picrotoxin-resistant and were dramatically reduced by non-NMDA antagonist bath application. These results indicate that sdPADs are likely directly produced by MNs during locomotor activity. A functional scheme is proposed.


MCA/MR syndrome with features of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome and 4q deficiency/14q duplication.
In this report we present the clinical history and findings in a female newborn with 4q deficiency/14q duplication, the unbalanced product of a paternal t(4;14)(q33;q32). The clinical symptoms and signs observed in this child up to the age of 14 months were most compatible with the diagnosis of Hallermann-Streiff syndrome.


Acceleration of tetramer formation by the binding of inositol hexaphosphate to hemoglobin dimers.
The aggregation of deoxyhemoglobin dimers was studied by dropping the pH of a dilute solution of deoxyhemoglobin originally at high pH. In the presence of inositol hexaphosphate, a sharp increase in the rate of dimer association was observed. At higher concentrations of the phosphate, the rate decreased to a value close to that seen in the absence of phosphate. These observations require that inositol hexaphosphate binds to deoxyhemoglobin dimers. The dependence of the aggregation rate on phosphate concentration occurs because the reaction of a dimer containing bound phosphate with a phosphate-free dimer is 30 to 50 times faster than either the association of phosphate-free dimers or the association of dimers both containing bound phosphate.


Implementation and Initial Analysis of a Laboratory-Based Weekly Biosurveillance System, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
We describe the implementation of an automated infectious disease surveillance system that uses data collected from 210 microbiologic laboratories throughout the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. Each week, these facilities report bacterial species that have been isolated from patients in their area. An alarm is triggered whenever the case count for a bacterial species infection exceeds 2 SDs of the historical mean for that species at the participating laboratory. At its inception in July 2013, the system monitored 611 bacterial species. During July 1, 2013-March 20, 2016, weekly analyses of incoming surveillance data generated 34 alarms signaling possible infectious disease outbreaks; after investigation, 14 (41%) of these alarms resulted in health alerts declared by the regional health authority. We are currently improving the system by developing an Internet-based surveillance platform and extending our surveillance to include more laboratories in the region.


CircGNB1 drives osteoarthritis pathogenesis by inducing oxidative stress in chondrocytes.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have risen to prominence as important regulators of biological processes. This study investigated whether circGNB1 functions as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate the pathological process of oxidative stress in age-related osteoarthritis (OA). The relationship between circGNB1 expression and oxidative stress/OA severity was determined in cartilages from OA patients at different ages. The biological roles of circGNB1 in oxidative stress and OA progression, and its downstream targets were determined using gain- and loss-of-function experiments in various biochemical assays in human chondrocytes (HCs). The in vivo effects of circGNB1 overexpression and knockdown were also determined using a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Increased circGNB1 expression was detected in HCs under oxidative and inflammatory stress and in the cartilage of older individuals. Mechanistically, circGNB1 sponged miR-152-3p and thus blocked its interaction with its downstream mRNA target, ring finger protein 219 (RNF219), which in turn stabilized caveolin-1 (CAV1) by preventing its ubiquitination at the K47 residue. CircGNB1 inhibited IL-10 signalling by antagonizing miR-152-3p-mediated RNF219 and CAV1 inhibition. Consequently, circGNB1 overexpression promoted OA progression by enhancing catabolic factor expression and oxidative stress and by suppressing anabolic genes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, circGNB1 knockdown alleviated the severity of OA, whereas circGNB1 overexpression had the opposite effect in a DMM mouse model of OA. CircGNB1 regulated oxidative stress and OA progression via the miR-152-3p/RNF219/CAV1 axis. Modulating circGNB1 could be an effective strategy for treating OA.


Expression and distribution patterns of Mas-related gene receptor subtypes A-H in the mouse intestine: inflammation-induced changes.
Mas-related gene (Mrg) receptors constitute a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors that are implicated in nociception, and are as such considered potential targets for pain therapies. Furthermore, some Mrgs have been suggested to play roles in the regulation of inflammatory responses to non-immunological activation of mast cells and in mast cell-neuron communication. Except for MrgD, E and F, whose changed expression has been revealed during inflammation in the mouse intestine in our earlier studies, information concerning the remaining cloned mouse Mrg subtypes in the gastrointestinal tract during (patho) physiological conditions is lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed at identifying the presence and putative function of these remaining cloned Mrg subtypes (n = 19) in the (inflamed) mouse intestine. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR, quantitative-PCR and multiple immunofluorescence staining with commercial and newly custom-developed antibodies, we compared the ileum and the related dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of non-inflamed mice with those of two models of intestinal inflammation, i.e., intestinal schistosomiasis and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced ileitis. In the non-inflamed ileum and DRG, the majority of the Mrg subtypes examined were sparsely expressed, showing a neuron-specific expression pattern. However, significant changes in the expression patterns of multiple Mrg subtypes were observed in the inflamed ileum; for instance, MrgA4, MrgB2and MrgB8 were expressed in a clearly increased number of enteric sensory neurons and in nerve fibers in the lamina propria, while de novo expression of MrgB10 was observed in enteric sensory neurons and in newly recruited mucosal mast cells (MMCs). The MrgB10 expressing MMCs were found to be in close contact with nerve fibers in the lamina propria. This is the first report on the expression of all cloned Mrg receptor subtypes in the (inflamed) mouse intestine. The observed changes in the expression and cellular localization of the Mrg subtypes suggest that these receptors are involved in the mediation of primary afferent responses, mast cell responses, and in neuroimmune communication during intestinal inflammation.


Insulin treatment, time-zones and air travel: a survey of current advice from British diabetic clinics.
To investigate current advice given to insulin-treated diabetic patients undertaking international flights crossing time-zones, we have conducted a survey of UK physicians running diabetic clinics. Consultants were asked to give the general advice they would give to travellers on twice-daily short- and intermediate-acting insulins in four different flight situations: westward London to New York (morning and evening departures) and eastward Manchester to Singapore (morning and evening departures). Response rate was poor (37%). Six percent of replies were unhelpful (e.g. 'ring the BDA', 'carry on as usual'), and 14% liable to cause hypoglycaemia. Thirteen percent advocated change to a 'basal-bolus' system of insulin administration. The rest used variants of additional insulin for westward flights and reduced flights eastward. There was great variation in advice, and many regimens were excessively complicated. We recommend simple individualized advice, without attempts at over-zealous glycaemic control during travel. Local arrival and departure times may fit in easily with insulin and meals at standard times before and after flying, and little or no dosage alteration may be needed.


Information seeking in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).
Many animals will seek information when they do not know the answer to a problem, suggesting that they monitor their knowledge state. In the classic "tubes task," subjects are presented with a set of opaque tubes and either see (visible trials) or do not see (hidden trials) which tube holds a food reward on a given trial. Chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and human children show information-seeking behavior on this task, looking into the tubes to find the reward more on hidden than on visible trials. However, evidence for information-seeking behavior in gorillas is limited. In Experiment 1, gorillas that were presented with a classic information-seeking tubes task showed performance patterns consistent with metacognitive behavior; they looked down tubes more on hidden than on visible trials, their accuracy on hidden trials on which they looked was higher than on hidden trials on which they did not look, and they primarily employed an appropriate search strategy when looking down the tubes. In Experiment 2, we decreased or increased the amount of effort required to look down the tubes by increasing or decreasing the height of the tubes, respectively. Gorillas were less likely to look in tubes on trials that required high effort, but continued to look more on hidden than on visible trials, indicating that their tendency to look was affected by both knowledge state and effort. Together these results provide strong evidence for logical, controlled information-seeking behavior by gorillas.


Impact of aflatoxin B1 on the pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin in broiler chickens.
The potential impact of subchronic exposure of aflatoxin B1 was investigated on the pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin in broiler chickens. Broiler chickens given either normal or aflatoxin B1 (750μg/kg diet) supplemented diet for 6 weeks received a single oral dose of enrofloxacin (10mg/kg body wt). Blood samples were drawn from the brachial vein at predetermined time intervals after drug administration. Enrofloxacin plasma concentrations analyzed by RP-HPLC were significantly lower in aflatoxin B1-exposed broiler chickens at 0.167, 0.5 and 1.0h after drug administration. In aflatoxin B1-exposed broiler chickens, the absorption rate constant (ka) of enrofloxacin (0.20±0.05h(-1)) was significantly decreased as compared to the unexposed birds (0.98±0.31h(-1)). The values of [Formula: see text] , tmax and AUC0-∞ of enrofloxacin were nonsignificantly increased by 17%, 26% and 17% in aflatoxin-exposed broiler chickens, respectively. Subchronic aflatoxin B1 exposure markedly decreased the initial absorption of enrofloxacin without significantly influencing other pharmacokinetic parameters in broiler chickens.


Lipiodol avidity of hepatic breast carcinoma metastases.
Lipiodol is taken up by hepatocellular carcinomas and is used for diagnosis and therapy. This is the first report of lipiodol uptake by liver metastases from breast cancer.


Use and effectiveness of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter retrospective study in Taiwan.
To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who initiated dapagliflozin in real-world practice in Taiwan. In this multicenter retrospective study, adult patients with T2DM who initiated dapagliflozin after May 1st 2016 either as add-on or switch therapy were included. Changes in clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Baseline factors associated with dapagliflozin response in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 1,960 patients were eligible. At 6 months, significant changes were observed: HbA1c by -0.73% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.80, -0.67), body weight was -1.61 kg (95% CI -1.79, -1.42), and systolic/diastolic blood pressure by -3.6/-1.4 mmHg. Add-on dapagliflozin showed significantly greater HbA1c reduction (-0.82%) than switched therapy (-0.66%) (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7% target increased from 6% at baseline to 19% at Month 6. Almost 80% of patients experienced at least 1% reduction in HbA1c, and 65% of patients showed both weight loss and reduction in HbA1c. Around 37% of patients had at least 3% weight loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated patients with higher baseline HbA1c and those who initiated dapagliflozin as add-on therapy were associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c. In this real-world study with the highest patient number of Chinese population to date, the use of dapagliflozin was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure in patients with T2DM. Initiating dapagliflozin as add-on therapy showed better glycemic control than as switch therapy.


The activation of G-protein gated inwardly rectifying K+ channels by a cloned Drosophila melanogaster neuropeptide F-like receptor.
A Drosophila melanogaster G-protein-coupled receptor (NPFR76F) that is activated by neuropeptide F-like peptides has been expressed in Xenopus oocytes to determine its ability to regulate heterologously expressed G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels. The activated receptor produced inwardly rectifying potassium currents by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-mediated pathway and the effects were reduced in the presence of proteins, such as the betaARK 1 carboxy-tail fragment and alpha-transducin, which bind G-protein betagamma-subunits. Short Drosophila NPF-like peptides were more potent than long NPF-like peptides at coupling the receptor to the activation of inwardly rectifying potassium channels. The putative endogenous short Drosophila NPF-like peptides showed agonist-specific coupling depending on whether their actions were assessed as the activation of the inwardly rectifying potassium channels or as the activation of endogenous inward chloride channels through a co-expressed promiscuous G-protein, Galpha16. As inwardly rectifying potassium channels are known to be encoded in the Drosophila genome and the NPFR76F receptor is widely expressed in the Drosophila nervous system, the receptor could function to control neuronal excitability or slow wave potential generation in the Drosophila nervous system.


Effects of antennal segments defects on blood-sucking behavior in Aedes albopictus.
After mating, female mosquitoes need a blood meal to promote the reproductive process. When mosquitoes bite infected people and animals, they become infected with germs such as viruses and parasites. Mosquitoes rely on many cues for host selection and localization, among which the trace chemical cues emitted by the host into the environment are considered to be the most important, and the sense of smell is the main way to perceive these trace chemical cues. However, the current understanding of the olfactory mechanism is not enough to meet the needs of mosquito control. Unlike previous studies that focused on the olfactory receptor recognition spectrum to reveal the olfactory mechanism of mosquito host localization. In this paper, based on the observation that mosquitoes with incomplete antennae still can locate the host and complete blood feeding in the laboratory, we proposed that there may be some protection or compensation mechanism in the 13 segments of antennae flagella, and only when the antennae are missing to a certain threshold will it affect the mosquito's ability to locate the host. Through rational-designed behavioral experiments, we found that the 6th and 7th flagellomeres on the Aedes albopictus antenna are important in the olfactory detection of host searching. This study preliminarily screened antennal segments important for host localization of Ae. albopictus, and provided a reference for subsequent cell biology and molecular biology studies on these segments. Meanwhile, the morphology and distribution of sensilla on each antenna flagellomere were also analyzed and discussed in this paper.


Non-identical distribution pattern of epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor in the mouse uterus during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy.
In the present study, we examined by immunohistochemistry the cell-specific distribution of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the mouse uterus during the oestrous cycle and throughout the first 7 days of pregnancy. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were immunostained using the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique and then examined by light microscopy. Our results showed that immunostaining for EGF was detected in the stroma but not in the luminal or glandular epithelium. A high concentration of EGF was detected in the stroma around the time of embryo implantation at days 3, 4 and 5 of pregnancy. The implanted embryo at day 7 of gestation showed immunostaining for EGF between the ectoderm and endoderm layers. The cell distribution pattern for PDGF was found to be different from that observed with EGF. Luminal and glandular epithelia displayed PDGF immunostaining throughout the first 7 days of pregnancy, with the highest intensity at days 4 and 5 of gestation. In contrast, no immunostaining was observed in the luminal and glandular epithelia at post-oestrus, dioestrus and pro-oestrus stages. However, a weak reaction started to appear at oestrus. The embryo at the blastocyst stage displayed a strong immunoreaction for antibody against PDGF. In addition, the decidual boundary zone surrounding the implanted embryo at days 5, 6 and 7 of gestation also showed an immunostaining for PDGF. The present observations demonstrate clearly the presence of EGF and PDGF in the mouse uterus in high concentrations at the peri-implantation period. Thus, our results, together with what is known about the effect of EGF and PDGF in controlling the growth, differentiation and activation of a variety of cell types, suggest a possible role for these growth factors during the preparation of the endometrium for implantation in controlling the proliferation activity of stromal and/or epithelial cells.


Radiofrequency ablation or stripping of large-diameter incompetent great saphenous varicose veins with C2 or C3 disease.
The objectives of this study were to compare the results of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and stripping for large-diameter varicose target veins for the period of 1 year, based on a composite end point; to analyze the pain severity on a digital rating scale for 7 days after RFA and stripping; and to detect the factors affecting the level of postoperative pain using the cluster analysis. This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Two groups, stripping ≥14 mm and RFA ≥14 mm, of 129 varicose vein disease patients underwent surgical treatment in three specialized clinics. We eliminated symptomatic pathologic reflux with RFA in 64 patients and with stripping in 65 patients. In the postoperative phase, we evaluated the pain level, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and paresthesia. A composite end point with four components was used to analyze the results. These were three clinical adverse effects of the intervention (pain, hemorrhage, and paresthesia) and the technical outcome 1 year after the surgical intervention. The frequency of favorable outcomes was 20 (30.8%) in the stripping ≥14 mm group and 61 (95.3%) in the RFA ≥14 mm group (P < .0001). The odds ratio for a favorable outcome between the RFA and the stripping groups was 45.8 (95% confidence interval, 44.5-47.0). The pain clusters that were moderate were created by patients after stripping. These clusters show a link between the pain level on the one hand and an increased body mass index and large vein diameter on the other hand. For large-diameter veins, RFA is superior to stripping in terms of favorable outcomes according to the composite end point chosen. Significant pain after stripping was linked to a large vein diameter and excess weight or adiposis.


Interviews with the dead. Using meta-life qualitative analysis to validate Hippocrates' theory of humours.
Hippocrates devised his theory of the 4 humours (blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile) 24 centuries ago. Since then, medicine has evolved into a complex body of confusing and sometimes contradictory facts. The authors, seeing a need to determine the validity of his theory, hired a psychic. The psychic interviewed 4 eminent ancient physicians, including Hippocrates. A randomized double-blind cross-over design was used for this meta-life qualitative analysis. All of the interviewees agreed that the theory of humours is an accurate model to explain disease and personality. Hiring a psychic to conduct after-death interviews with key informants is a useful way to validate scientific theories.


A novel deep learning model to detect COVID-19 based on wavelet features extracted from Mel-scale spectrogram of patients' cough and breathing sounds.
The goal of this paper is to classify the various cough and breath sounds of COVID-19 artefacts in the signals from dynamic real-life environments. The main reason for choosing cough and breath sounds than other common symptoms to detect COVID-19 patients from the comfort of their homes, so that they do not overload the Medicare system and therefore do not unwittingly spread the disease by regularly monitoring themselves. The presented model includes two main phases. The first phase is the sound-to-image transformation, which is improved by the Mel-scale spectrogram approach. The second phase consists of extraction of features and classification using nine deep transfer models (ResNet18/34/50/100/101, GoogLeNet, SqueezeNet, MobileNetv2, and NasNetmobile). The dataset contains information data from almost 1600 people (1185 Male and 415 Female) from all over the world. Our classification model is the most accurate, its accuracy is 99.2% according to the SGDM optimizer. The accuracy is good enough that a large set of labelled cough and breath data may be used to check the possibility for generalization. The results demonstrate that ResNet18 is the best stable model for classifying cough and breath tones from a restricted dataset, with a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 97.8%. Finally, the presented model is shown to be more trustworthy and accurate than any other present model. Cough and breath study accuracy is promising enough to put extrapolation and generalization to the test.


Late effect of atomic bomb radiation on myeloid disorders: leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Leukemia was the first malignancy linked to radiation exposure in atomic bomb survivors. Clear evidence of the dose-dependent excess risk of three major types of leukemia (acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia [AML], and chronic myeloid leukemia) was found, especially in people exposed at young ages. Such leukemia risks were at their highest in the late 1950s, and declined gradually thereafter over the past 50 years. Findings from recent risk analyses, however, suggest the persistence of AML risk even after 1990, and evidence of increased risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) due to atomic bomb radiation has recently been shown. High-risk MDS and forms involving complex chromosomal aberrations were found to be much more frequent in people exposed to higher radiation doses. These lines of epidemiological evidence suggest that the risk of radiation-induced hematological malignancies has persisted for six decades since the initial exposure.


Gamma-amino-butyric acid immunoreactivity in intramucosal colonic tumors.
The level of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) is reported to be increased in colon cancer. Moreover, data suggests that GABA plays a role in the proliferation or maturation of some types of cells. We examined the expression of GABA in intramucosal colonic tumors to clarify the relation between GABA and the degree of atypia. Paraffin sections were prepared from 56 protruded-type colonic neoplasms, which were classified as intramucosal adenocarcinoma (AC), adenoma with severe atypia (ASA), or adenoma with mild to moderate atypia (AMA). Expression of GABA was investigated immunohistochemically, and GABA immunoreactivity was compared to the staining patterns of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer-associated antigen (CA19-9) which were classified into three categories. Intense GABA immunoreactivity was observed in 73.7%, 54.6%, 13.3%, and 5.4% of AC, ASA, AMA, and normal mucosa specimens, respectively. Kendall's correlation coefficient between GABA immunoreactivity and the degree of atypia was 0.447. Strong, positive CEA staining (pattern 3) was observed in 57.9%, 36.3%, and 13.3% of AC, ASA, and AMA specimens, respectively. Strong, positive CA19-9 staining was observed: 26.3%, 9.1% and 0%, respectively. In AC and ASA, the proportion of glands with strong GABA immunoreactivity was greater than the proportion of glands that were strongly positive for CA19-9. GABA may be useful as a tumor marker in combination with other tumor markers such as CEA and CA19-9.