Effects of COVID-19 specific body positive and diet culture related social media content on body image and mood among young women.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media content emerged that included explicit weight and shape pressure. In addition, however, body positive social media content that was pandemic-specific appeared. This study aimed to examine the effects of body positive and diet culture COVID-19 body-related social media content on the body image and mood of young women. A sample of 387 female identifying participants aged 18-25 were allocated to view one of three sets of social media images: body positive or diet related content specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, or a travel condition. Body image and mood before and after viewing the images were assessed. Trait level social media literacy and current social distancing and isolation restrictions were examined as moderators. Exposure to the body positive content was associated with improved body image and mood as compared to the diet culture content. No support was found for moderating effects although social media literacy was associated with improved body image after exposure. Findings suggest that even in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, body positive content may be helpful to body image. Further work examining inter-individual differences in the effects of social media on body image and mood are warranted.


Deleterious effects of shock in internal mammary artery anastomoses.
Internal mammary arteries (IMAs) are increasingly used for coronary artery revascularization. However, spastic reactions after IMA-coronary artery anastomoses have been reported. Internal mammary artery flow and the effects of sudden hypovolemia, gradual hypovolemia, papaverine hydrochloride, nitrates, and epinephrine were evaluated in a canine model (n = 10) (body weight, 19 +/- 5 kg) without interference from coronary artery resistance by dissecting the IMA as a pedicle, calibrating the flowmeter during free IMA flow, and anastomosing the IMA to the right atrium. Sudden hypovolemia (withdrawal of 20% of circulating blood volume over 90 seconds) caused significant modifications (p less than 0.01) of the following hemodynamic variables: heart rate (+12%), right atrial pressure (-17%), pulmonary artery pressure (-20%), wedge pressure (-30%), aortic pressure (-49%), cardiac output (-33%), distal IMA pressure (-54%), and IMA flow (-85%). During hypovolemia, IMA flow could not be increased with topical application of papaverine, but baseline values were achieved after retransfusion of the withdrawn blood volume. Gradual hypovolemia and application of large doses of nitrates showed less dramatic effects, and injection of an epinephrine bolus under normovolemic conditions increased aortic pressure and IMA flow. Under sever hypovolemia, however, administration of an epinephrine bolus provoked only a minimal increase in aortic pressure and a contrasting decrease in IMA flow. We conclude that sudden, severe hypovolemia can lead to disproportionate IMA flow reduction and that pharmacological interventions are delicate under these circumstances.


Cytology of benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma in peritoneal washings.
To describe the cytological aspect of peritoneal washings in benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM). Three peritoneal washing specimens stained by standard cytological and histological procedures and analysed by light microscopy. The specimens showed an abundance of monomorphous mesothelial cells devoid of atypia or mitoses. The mesothelial cells were calretinin positive. They also showed numerous squamous metaplastic cells arranged in flat sheets or isolated cells. The background contained some inflammatory cells. The combination of cytology of the peritoneal washing, histology (cell block and surgical specimen) and clinical history allow differentiation of BMPM from other cystic lesions (cystic lymphangioma and malignant mesothelioma).


[Why renal transplant from living donors gives better results than cadaver renal transplant?].
According to literature, patient and graft survival is better in living donor renal transplants (LRT) than in cadaver renal transplants (CRT). To study factors that determine the best results in LRT related to those of CRT, found in univariate studies. Renal transplants (RT) done in Catalonia during the 1990-2004 period, performed in patients over 17 years (135 LRT and 3.831 CRT), have been analyzed (retransplants were not included). The data come from the Renal Patients Transplant Registry (RMRC). Student's t-test and chi2 test have been used for mean and for proportions comparisons, respectively. To analyze univariate and multivariate survival, actuarial method and Cox regression have been used, respectively. Estimated creatinine clearance has been studied and its data have been showed through Selwood modified Analysis. As it happens with other great RT patients series, the RMRC analysis, globally and without any adjustment, shows that patient and graft survival in LRT is better than that obtained with CRT. When we studied which variables explain these results, we found that main factors were smaller recipient age and the short time on dialysis. The great influence of both factors has been published in a large number of papers, explaining the differences obtained on the transplanted renal patient survival. Once adjusted the analysis by the different factors that influence the survival of the patient and the graft, there are no differences in the obtained results, since the best outcomes of the TRV are due to factors like the smaller recipient age and the advanced TR.


Performance of the plant-based repellent TT-4302 against mosquitoes in the laboratory and field and comparative efficacy to 16 mosquito repellents against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).
Repellent efficacy of the plant-based repellent, TT-4302 (5% geraniol), was compared with 16 other products in laboratory arm-in-cage trials against Aedes aegypti (L). Eight repellents (Badger, BioUD, Burt's bees, California Baby, Cutter Natural, EcoSMART, Herbal Armor, and SkinSmart) exhibited a mean repellency below 90% to Ae. aegypti at 0.5 h after application. Three repellents (Buzz Away Extreme, Cutter Advanced, and OFF! Botanicals lotion) fell below 90% repellency 1.5 h after application. TT-4302 exhibited 94.7% repellency 5 h posttreatment, which was a longer duration than any of the other repellents tested. The positive control, 15% DEET (OFF! Active), was repellent for 3 h before activity dropped below 90%. Additional arm-in-cage trials comparing TT-4302 with 15% DEET were carried out against Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. At 6 h after treatment, TT-4302 provided 95.2% repellency while DEET exhibited 72.2%. In North Carolina field trials, TT-4302 provided 100% repellency 5 h after application against Aedes albopictus Skuse while DEET provided 77.6% repellency. These results demonstrate that TT-4302 is an efficacious plant-based repellent that provides an extended duration of protection compared with many other commercially available products.


Temporary pacemaker use during coronary arteriography.
The risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias complicating coronary angiography is reportedly increased in patients in whom temporary righ ventricular pacemakers are used. Placement of the temporary pacing electrode in the right atrium or vena cava during angiography theoretically removes from the vulnerable ventricle a source of mechanically or electrically induced ventricular arrhythmias. This hypothesis was evaluated in 7,648 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac catheterization with selective coronary angiography, including 103 with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmic complications. The prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias was 6.4 times greater in patients with temporary pacemakers than in those without (7% vs 1.1%, respectively, p less than 0.001). Analysis of 369 cardiac catheterizations concurrently using temporary pacemakers revealed a greater than 4-fold decrease in the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias when the pacing electrodes were located in the right atrium or vena cava rather than the right ventricle (2% vs 9%, respectively, p less than 0.01). No significant difference in indications for temporary pacing could be distinguished between the groups based on location of the pacing electrode or occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. These findings confirm that there is an increased risk of ionic contrast agent-induced ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic underlying conduction disturbances undergoing coronary angiography with concurrent right ventricular temporary pacemakers. This risk can be significantly decreased by placing the pacing electrode in the right atrium or vena cava.


Plants as biofactories.
Cell substrates are a key component of successful vaccine development and throughout the last several decades there has been a dramatic increase in the types of cells available for vaccine production. Nevertheless, there is a continued demand for new and innovative approaches for vaccine development and manufacturing. Recent developments involving cells of insect and plant origin are attracting considerable scientific interest. Here we review vaccine antigen production in plant-based systems as was presented by Dr. Vidadi Yusibov of Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology at the IABS International Scientific Workshop on NEW CELLS FOR NEW VACCINES II that was held in Wilmington, Delaware on September 17-19, 2007.


Psychophysical tuning curve and critical band determined by masking in the presence of FM sounds.
Frequency modulation (FM) sounds were used as simultaneous maskers to estimate the psychophysical tuning curve (PTC). Maskers (800 ms duration) were FM sounds sweeping upward (1.2-->2.8 kHz) in Experiment I and downward (2.8-->1.2 kHz) in Experiment II. The signal was a pure tone of 2 kHz and the signal levels were 15-, 20-, 30-, and 35-dB SL. Masked PTCs were obtained as a function of masker frequency. The results were as follows: (i) When an upward-sweeping FM sound is used for high signal level, the slope of the PTC is shallower on the low frequency side and steeper on the high frequency side, and the 10-dB bandwidth of PTC coincides with that of the restricted PTC. (ii) When a downward-sweeping FM sound is used for the high signal level, the above relation for the PTC slope is reversed, and the 10-dB bandwidth for PTC coincides with that of unrestricted PTC. (iii) PTCs determined by masking in the presence of FM sounds apparently restrict the subject to listening to off-frequency, and it is shown that the bandwidth of PTC properly reflects the critical band. (iv) The properties of these PTCs can be easily explained by a neural network model of lateral inhibition, so we can accept a hypothesis that the hierarchical processing mechanism is incorporated within the inferior colliculus for parallel signal processing. (v) We conclude that the frequency resolution and the critical band filtering are, therefore, realized in a psychophysically relevant way in the auditory midbrain level.


Maternal and infant characteristics associated with maternal opioid overdose in the year following delivery.
Opioid-related overdose is increasingly linked to pregnancy-associated deaths, but factors associated with postpartum overdose are unknown. We aimed to estimate the strength of the association between maternal and infant characteristics and postpartum opioid-related overdose. Retrospective cohort study using a linked, population-level data set. Massachusetts, United States. Among women who delivered live infants in Massachusetts, USA between 2012 and 2014, maternal diagnosis of OUD, prior non-fatal overdose, infant diagnosis of NAS and high unscheduled health-care utilization appeared to be positively associated with postpartum opioid overdose. However, more than half of postpartum overdoses in that period were to women without a diagnosis of OUD. Engagement in methadone or buprenorphine treatment in the month prior to delivery was not sufficient to reduce the odds of postpartum overdose. Women who delivered one or more live births from 2012 to 2014 (n = 174 517). The primary outcome was opioid-related overdose in the postpartum year. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore the independent associations of maternal (demographics, substance use, pregnancy) and infant [gestational age, birthweight, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)] characteristics with postpartum opioid overdose. Findings were stratified by maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis. There were 189 deliveries to women who experienced ≥ 1 opioid overdose in the first year postpartum (11 of 10 000 deliveries). Among women with postpartum opioid overdose, 46.6% had an OUD diagnosis within 12 months before delivery. In our adjusted model, maternal diagnosis of OUD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.73-7.51] and prior non-fatal overdose (aOR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.11-5.17) were most strongly associated with postpartum overdose. After stratifying by OUD status, infant diagnosis of NAS (OUD+ aOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.26-3.27; OUD- aOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.12-6.93) and high unscheduled health-care utilization (OUD+ aOR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.38-3.73; OUD- aOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.24-3.58) were positively associated with postpartum overdose in both groups.


Neuroprotective effects of statins: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
The benefits of statins for both primary and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke are clearly established. Evidence is accumulating that statin withdrawal after ischemic stroke may lead to worse outcome and that initiation of statins after ischemic stroke may reduce mortality and improve outcome. Current treatment guidelines recommend starting statins before discharge in patients with stroke related to atherosclerosis or who have elevated cholesterol. The primary treatment question then is not if to start statins in most ischemic stroke patients, but when. Our recommendation would be start a statin as soon as the patient passes a dysphagia screen and can safely take oral medication. Based on the results of the Heart Protection Study and the SPARCL trial, either simvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg are appropriate alternatives. Clinical trials are needed to demonstrate unequivocal efficacy of improved outcome and to determine if lower doses may have this effect. Additionally, improved outcome needs to be established in cardioembolic stroke patients before routine use of statins in this stroke subtype can be recommended.


Ionic liquid salt bridge with low solubility of water and stable liquid junction potential based on a mixture of a potential-determining salt and a highly hydrophobic ionic liquid.
A new type of ionic liquid salt bridge (ILSB) based on a mixture of pentyltripropylammonium bis(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)amide, [N(3335)(+)][C(2)C(2)N(-)], and heptadecafluorodecyltrioctylphosphonium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, [TOPH(+)][TFPB(-)], shows a stable phase-boundary potential (Δ(IL)(W)φ) between the ILSB and an aqueous solution of MCl (M = H(+), Li(+), Na(+), and K(+)) over the concentration range from 0.05 mM to 0.5 M with an averaged excursion in 1 h of ±0.3 mV. The reproducibility of Δ(IL)(W)φ is ±0.6 mV on average (95% confidence interval) in KCl solutions in this concentration range. The mixing of the two different types of salts not only increases the stability of the phase-boundary potential but provides us with more freedom in selecting potential-determining salts to design and customize ILSBs for different purposes.


Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies.
Rifles are often involved in violent deaths such as homicide and suicide. Consequently, expert knowledge and experimental forensic investigations are important to clarify the nature of ballistic trauma when applied to the human head and neurocranium. This study investigated differences in entrance wound morphology with Synbone® spheres which are described as being comparable to human flat bones. A series of ballistic experiments were conducted using two different rifle calibers (5.56 × 45 mm and 7.62 × 39 mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)). Synbone® spheres were used for close-range 0.3 m simulated executions as well as at 25 m and 35 m to simulate urban and military engagements. Results were compared with previously published experimental studies using similar military ammunition. In our study, entry wound morphology closely resembles real forensic cases compared to exit wound and overall shape morphology independently of the distance and the caliber. Circumferential delamination was clearly visible with full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, yielding similar damage pattern morphology to the human crania. This study documented the presence of hydraulic burst or shock in all ten rounds from all three distances. Krönlein shots were also observed in some cases. Synbone® spheres constitute an acceptable synthetic surrogate for ballistic experiments. The present study offers new initial data on the behavior of Synbone® proxies in ballistic testing of military ammunitions; FMJ gunshot injuries to the human head, for distances that have not previously been published, suggesting that efficient tests can take place under these conditions. Further research on experimental ballistics with a larger number of controlled factors and multiple repetitions is recommended to verify the results of this pilot study before applied in forensic simulations.


From Racemates to Single Enantiomers - Chiral Synthetic Drugs over the last 20 Years.
Before 1985, most chiral drugs newly introduced annually to the market were racemates and only three to five drugswere launched yearly as single enantiomers. Since then,the situation has changed dramatically, with racemates being introduced only rarely to the market. In 2004,all the new synthetic drugs (13 in the world) were launched as single enantiomers.This article summarizes the change of chiral drugs in the last two decades from racemates to singleenantiomers and outlines the structural features of these new drugs and the manufacturing technologies appliedto introduce chirality to them - chirality pool, various types of resolutions and asymmetric syntheses,of which the new technologies developed recently are highlighted.


Fungal Sterol Analyses by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Using Different Derivatives.
Sterols are the main components of the fungal membrane. Their study can be used to describe the chemical biodiversity among the strains and species or to work on antifungal treatment. Those molecules can be analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as free molecules or after derivation as acetate or trimethylsilyl ether (TMSi). Here we describe how to extract sterols from fungal biomass according to its physiological form and the culture conditions (liquid and solid media). The different methodologies that can be used to obtain free sterols, acetate, and/or TMSi derivatives are presented. Identification keys using the fragmentation at 70 eV are also described.


School functioning and disease severity in boys with hemophilia.
There have been few recent studies investigating the scholastic progress of children with hemophilia. The advent of PL94-142, which ensures an appropriate educational program based on a child's specific learning disabilities, and home Factor VIII therapy, which increases the hemophiliac's school attendance and sense of freedom and control, might have had a positive impact on the academic performance of these patients. We investigated past and current educational functioning of 26 boys with hemophilia, using both parental and teacher reports. Twenty-two of these children were administered reading and math achievement tests. Results indicate that school absenteeism is a continuing problem for these children, with the average hemophiliac missing 18 school days in an academic year (median = 11 school days missed); one child had missed 77% of the year. Although these boys had normal intelligence and made average grades in school, six of the 22 tested performed more than two grade levels below expectations in reading and 10 performed greater than two grade levels below expectations in math. School underachievement did not necessarily correlate with disease severity (as indicated by serum factor level), school absenteeism, or grade point average. Although eight parents indicated that their children had past or current school problems, and teachers reported that greater than 50% of the group received special tutoring or classes for learning disabled students, six out of 22 (27%) performed below expectations in either math or reading and yet had no current individual educational remediation plan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


RGBradford: Accurate measurement of protein concentration using a smartphone camera and the blue to green intensity ratio.
The color shift caused by the interaction between proteins and Coomassie Brilliant Blue in the Bradford assay can be recorded with a smartphone camera. Color data can then be extracted from pictures and processed as analytical signals. Here, I present a simple procedure to accurately measure protein levels using color data from pictures of microplates. Plotting the ratio of blue to green intensity (RGB scale) as a function of protein concentration results in a linear (R2 ≥ 0.99) relationship, from which protein levels in biological samples can be calculated with no significant difference from values obtained using absorbance data (RGB versus absorbance curves).


Changes in childhood growth after adenotonsillectomy: a population-based cohort study.
This study aimed to investigate the association between adenotonsillectomy (T&A) and serial changes in growth in children through a population-based nationwide study as well as the national health insurance service (NHIS) database. Propensity score (PS) matched children with and without T&A were selected in NHIS database, which includes all individuals born in Korea in 2008-2009. Serial changes of BMI and height were compared in children with and without T&A, and growth changes depending on the time of operation were also considered. The outcomes were differences in age-/sex-standardized BMI (BMI-z) and height (height-z) between the groups. Changes in BMI-z and height-z were further analyzed according to the timing of operation. Of 919,707 individuals born in Korea in 2008-2009, 3172 children were included in the operation group and 31,663 PS-matched children were included in the control group. T&A was related to increased weight and height in the operation group than in the control group. At 66-71 months of age, BMI-z and height-z were 0.41 (0.02) and 0.42 (0.02), respectively, in the operation group and 0.18 (0.01) and 0.35 (0.01), respectively, in the control group. On adjustment with preoperative BMI-z, more weight gain was noted in the operation group (p < 0.001). Shortly after T&A, BMI-z increased significantly in the operation group; a significant increase in height-z was observed more than 1 year after T&A. Children who underwent T&A tended to experience a growth spurt; when surgical intervention such as T&A is required, care should be taken to minimize or reverse the anticipated weight gain.


TGF-β uncouples glycolysis and inflammation in macrophages and controls survival during sepsis.
Changes in metabolism of macrophages are required to sustain macrophage activation in response to different stimuli. We showed that the cytokine TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) regulates glycolysis in macrophages independently of inflammatory cytokine production and affects survival in mouse models of sepsis. During macrophage activation, TGF-β increased the expression and activity of the glycolytic enzyme PFKL (phosphofructokinase-1 liver type) and promoted glycolysis but suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The increase in glycolysis was mediated by an mTOR-c-MYC-dependent pathway, whereas the inhibition of cytokine production was due to activation of the transcriptional coactivator SMAD3 and suppression of the activity of the proinflammatory transcription factors AP-1, NF-κB, and STAT1. In mice with LPS-induced endotoxemia and experimentally induced sepsis, the TGF-β-induced enhancement in macrophage glycolysis led to decreased survival, which was associated with increased blood coagulation. Analysis of septic patient cohorts revealed that the expression of PFKL, TGFBRI (which encodes a TGF-β receptor), and F13A1 (which encodes a coagulation factor) in myeloid cells positively correlated with COVID-19 disease. Thus, these results suggest that TGF-β is a critical regulator of macrophage metabolism and could be a therapeutic target in patients with sepsis.


Interactive effects of the electron acceptor sulphate and o-cresol on the methanogenic degradation of hexanoate.
A three-stage continuous culture system was used to segregate the component microbial groups of a methanogenic hexanoate-degrading association enriched from anaerobic refuse. The inhibitory effects of o-cresol concentrations (2-20 mM) on the fermentative, acetogenic, sulphate-reducing and methanogenic bacteria were then assessed in the presence of either 1.4 or 3.5 mM sulphate in the influent medium. The sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the 1.4 mM sulphate-supplemented systems were the most sensitive to o-cresol, with 29.3 and 56.6% inhibition on supplementation with 4 and 6 mM o-cresol, respectively. With 3.5mM supplementation, inhibition was 4.5 and 19.4%, respectively. Methanogenesis was not inhibited by concentrations < 10 mM o-cresol, and complete inhibition was recorded only at concentrations > or = 10 mM. Both fermentation and acetogenesis were affected by inhibition of the electron sinks. The increase in influent sulphate concentration promoted electron flow to sulphidogenesis, as predicted on thermodynamic criteria, but did not affect the relative sensitivity of the different physiological groups.


Inversal relationship between basal adenylcyclase activity and maximal degree of stimulation in membranes of red blood cells from rats.
The degree of stimulation of adenylcyclase activity, in membranes from immature red blood cells from rats, brought about by isoprenaline, guanylyl-imidodiphosphate and sodium fluoride is strongly dependent on the basal activity of the enzyme. The inversal relationship between basal activity and the maximal degree of stimulation by (--) isoprenaline, shows an apparent seasonal dependence.


Chronic treatment with morphine and ethanol, but not cocaine, attenuates IL-1 beta activation of FOS expression in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is a key mediator of immunological and pathological responses to stress, injury and disease and it has been suggested to have profound effects on neuroendocrine-immune functions. We have shown that central treatment with IL-I beta induces the expression of FOS proto-oncogene protein immunoreactivity (FOS-IR) in several hypothalamic nuclei including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Since FOS expression has been used as an anatomical marker of neuronal function, these results suggested that the involvement of IL-1 beta in the neuro-endocrine-immune axis may be mediated through the PVN. Treatment with several substances of abuse has been shown to modify immune function in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we compared the effects of morphine, ethanol and cocaine on IL-1 beta induction of FOS-IR in the rat hypothalamus. Acute treatment with morphine or ethanol induced FOS-IR in several nuclei including the PVN. Cocaine, which induced FOS-IR in the Caudate-Putamen (CPU), nucleus Accumbens (nAcc) and Locus Coeruleus (LC), however, did not induce FOS-IR in the PVN. Chronic treatment with morphine desensitized FOS responsiveness to morphine and IL-1 beta in the PVN since FOS-IR was no longer induced by IL-1 beta or morphine in the PVN after this treatment. Similarly, chronic ethanol treatment desensitized FOS responsiveness to ethanol and to IL-1 beta in the PVN. By contrast, chronic cocaine did not affect FOS responsiveness to IL-1 beta in the PVN even though the treatment was able to desensitize the FOS responsiveness to acute cocaine in the CPU, nAcc, and LC. These results suggest that the PVN may be a site where actions of IL-1 beta converge with those of morphine and ethanol, but not cocaine, to modulate neuro-endocrine-immune functions.


Primary carcinoid tumor of testis.
A case of pure, primary testicular carcinoid tumor in a forty-four-year-old male is reported. The patient presented with painless testicular enlargement, and testicular tumor was diagnosed. Orchiectomy was performed, and histology revealed a primary argentaffinoma. The patient is well and symptom free two years after diagnosis.


Peptidoglycan from the potentially pathogenic oral bacterium Actinomyces viscosus is a B-cell mitogen.
Cell walls and peptidoglycan from Actinomyces viscosus, strain M-100 were compared for their ability to act as mitogens with spleen cells from germ-free Fischer rats. The cell walls were prepared from trypticase soy broth grown whole cells using a French press, followed by two consecutive washes with 0.1 M tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0, 1 M NaCl and distilled water. Peptidoglycan was prepared from cell walls by three consecutive formamide extractions at 165 degrees C. On a dry-weight basis, the peptidoglycan was a significantly-better mitogen than cell walls, suggesting that the peptidoglycan is the major mitogenic component of A. viscosus cell walls. Mononuclear spleen cells were separated on a Nylon-wool column into a non-adherent subpopulation enriched for T lymphocytes and a weakly-adherent, plunger-removable subpopulation enriched for B lymphocytes. The non-adherent T-cell subpopulation responded strongly to the T-cell mitogen PHA, but was unresponsive to both the peptidoglycan and cell walls from A. viscosus. In contrast, the weakly-adherent enriched B-cell subpopulation was less responsive to PHA, but was strongly stimulated by A. viscosus peptidoglycan and cell walls. These results indicate that peptidoglycan and cell walls from A. viscosus are B-cell mitogens.


Phase II study of biweekly cetuximab in combination with irinotecan as second-line treatment in patients with platinum-resistant gastro-oesophageal cancer.
The purpose of this phase II trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab and irinotecan as second-line treatment in patients with gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients with failure to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy received cetuximab 500 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) every second week until disease progression. Toxicity was evaluated according to The Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) v. 3.0. Antitumour activity was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) v. 1.0. Sixty-three patients were enrolled, median age was 60 years, median performance status was 1 (0-1), 35 patients had two or more organs involved. The median number of courses was 5 (range 1-25). Response rate was 11% (6 partial response (PR)) and 37% had stable disease. Median progression free survival was 2.8 months and overall survival (OS) was 6.1 months. Grade 3-4 toxicity included: diarrhoea (6%), fatigue (5%), vomiting (5%) and neutropenia (16%). Two patients developed febrile neutropenia. Forty-six patients (73%) had developed grade 1-2 skin rash. Patients developing skin rash had a prolonged survival with an OS at 7.1 months. The combination of cetuximab and irinotecan is active as second-line therapy in patients with gastro-oesophageal cancer. Cetuximab induced skin rash was associated with prolonged survival.


Intermediate filaments: not just for structure anymore.
A recent paper has identified the tumor suppressor APC as a linker protein between intermediate filaments and microtubules. In the absence of APC, intermediate filaments collapse and the cells are no longer polarized and fail to migrate.


Monitoring tissue perfusion: a pilot clinical feasibility and safety study of a urethral photoplethysmography-derived perfusion device in high-risk patients.
Continuous monitoring of tissue perfusion in patients with hemodynamic instability remains challenging because of the lack of tools available. Through using urethral photoplethysmography, the urethral perfusion index (uPI) could allow tissue perfusion monitoring through a modified urinary catheter. The first objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the IKORUS UP (Advanced Perfusion Diagnostics, Villeurbanne, France), a new device in the field. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the performance (duration and signal quality) of the IKORUS UP probe and to assess the uPI variations during hemodynamic events during major abdominal surgery. "STEP UP" was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. The inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older with signed informed consent and admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with hemodynamic instability or high-risk surgical patient. Thirty patients were included in the study, 26 in the operating room, and four in the ICU. Of these patients, 28 were analyzed. For the primary outcome, six (21%) patients had pain scores assessed at insertion of and 22 (79%) at withdrawal of the catheter. The mean EVA score was 1.5 (IQ 1-2) and 0.7 (IQ 0-1), respectively, with the highest score being 3. One (4%) minor urethral bleeding and one (4%) catheter-associated urinary tract infection were reported. The IKORUS UP probe remained in the urethra for an average of 172 h (IQ40-328). The median signal measurement time was 33 h (IQ 5.2-46). The signal quality was recorded as good or excellent for 99% (IQ 82-100) of the insertion duration. The signal quality index was 93% (IQ 87-96) with a signal-to-noise ratio of 26 (IQ 21-36). We observed clinically relevant variations in the uPI over time during hemodynamic events or therapeutic interventions, with a strong cross-correlation with macrohemodynamic variables in some patients, while others did not display macrohemodynamic changes. The IKORUS UP probe was well tolerated and allowed urethral perfusion monitoring. Clinically relevant changes in tissue perfusion could be recorded during the observational period. Trial Registration: ( www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03410069) registered January 25, 2018.


Definitions of Sexual Dysfunctions in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement From the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015.
Definitions of sexual dysfunctions in women and men are critical in facilitating research and enabling clinicians to communicate accurately. To present the new set of definitions of all forms of sexual dysfunction in women and men adopted by the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) held in 2015. Classification systems, including the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and systems that focus on only specific types of sexual dysfunctions (e.g., the International Society for Sexual Medicine definition for premature ejaculation) were reviewed. Evidence-based definitions were retained, gaps in definitions were identified, and outdated definitions were updated or discarded. Where evidence was insufficient or absent, expert opinion was used. Some definitions were self-evident and termed clinical principles. The evidence to support the various classification systems was carefully evaluated. A more comprehensive analysis of this evidence can be found in two other articles in this journal that consider the incidence and prevalence and the risk factors for sexual dysfunction in men and women. These data were used to shape the definitions for sexual dysfunction that have been recommended by the 2015 ICSM. The definitions that have been adopted are those that are most strongly supported by the literature at this time or are considered clinical principles or consensus of experts' opinions. As more research and clinical studies are conducted, there likely will be modifications of at least some definitions.


Application of immunohistochemistry to thyroid neoplasms.
Thyroid lesions with nodular architecture and follicular pattern of growth often pose difficulties in accurate diagnosis during the assessment of cytologic and histologic specimens. The diagnosis of follicular neoplasm on cytology or of follicular tumor of uncertain malignant potential on histology is likely to cause confusion among clinicians and delay effective management of these lesions. Occasionally, thyroid tumors represent unusual or metastatic lesions and their accurate diagnosis requires immunohistochemical confirmation. To review the literature on the applications of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of thyroid tumors. Relevant articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) between 1976 and 2006. Our review supports the use of ancillary techniques involving a panel of antibodies suitable for immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis in the assessment of thyroid nodules. These tools can improve diagnostic accuracy when combined with standard morphologic criteria.


Retinoblastoma Expression and Targeting by CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Small Cell Lung Cancer.
The canonical model of "small cell lung cancer" (SCLC) depicts tumors arising from dual inactivation of TP53 and RB1. However, many genomic studies have persistently identified tumors with no RB1 mutations. Here, we examined RB1 protein expression and function in SCLC. RB1 expression was examined by IHC analysis of 62 human SCLC tumors. These studies showed that ∼14% of SCLC tumors expressed abundant RB1 protein, which is associated with neuroendocrine gene expression and is enriched in YAP1 expression, but no other lineage proteins that stratify SCLC. SCLC cells and xenograft tumors with RB1 protein expression were sensitive to growth inhibition by the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, and this inhibition was shown to be dependent on RB1 expression by CRISPR knockout. Furthermore, a patient with biopsy-validated wild-type RB1 SCLC who received the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib demonstrated a dramatic decrease in mutant TP53 ctDNA allelic fraction from 62.1% to 0.4% and decreased tumor mass on CT scans. Importantly, IHC of the diagnostic biopsy specimen showed RB1 positivity. Finally, we identified a transcriptomics-based RB1 loss-of-function signature that discriminates between SCLC cells with or without RB1 protein expression and validated it in the patient who was responsive to abemaciclib, suggesting its potential use to predict CDK4/6 inhibitor response in patients with SCLC. Our study demonstrates that RB1 protein is an actionable target in a subgroup of SCLC, a cancer that exhibits no currently targetable mutations.


In vivo base editing rescues cone photoreceptors in a mouse model of early-onset inherited retinal degeneration.
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is the most common cause of inherited retinal degeneration in children. LCA patients with RPE65 mutations show accelerated cone photoreceptor dysfunction and death, resulting in early visual impairment. It is therefore crucial to develop a robust therapy that not only compensates for lost RPE65 function but also protects photoreceptors from further degeneration. Here, we show that in vivo correction of an Rpe65 mutation by adenine base editor (ABE) prolongs the survival of cones in an LCA mouse model. In vitro screening of ABEs and sgRNAs enables the identification of a variant that enhances in vivo correction efficiency. Subretinal delivery of ABE and sgRNA corrects up to 40% of Rpe65 transcripts, restores cone-mediated visual function, and preserves cones in LCA mice. Single-cell RNA-seq reveals upregulation of genes associated with cone phototransduction and survival. Our findings demonstrate base editing as a potential gene therapy that confers long-lasting retinal protection.


Review of spinal involvement in Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO): What radiologists need to know about CRMO and its imitators.
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a distinct disease entity of unknown etiology primarily affecting children and adolescents. It is an autoinflammatory process that typically affects multiple bones with a waxing and waning course. About one third of the patients diagnosed with CRMO have spinal involvement which can lead to long term morbidity. The clinical presentation and imaging features of CRMO involving the spine are nonspecific and can mimic other disease processes like infection or malignancy. Since imaging plays a very important role in the diagnosis and management of CRMO, we intend to highlight various imaging patterns of spinal CRMO alongside its clinical features and briefly discuss its imitators, management and outcomes.


Correction: mHealth Intervention to Improve Treatment Outcomes Among People With HIV Who Use Cocaine: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/28332.].


Urine caffeine metabolites and hearing threshold shifts in US adults: a cross-sectional study.
Previous studies have reported the relationship between effect of caffeine and many diseases. However, studies to evaluate the association between caffeine and hearing loss are contradictory. To examine the relationship of urinary caffeine metabolites with the hearing threshold in US adults, a total of 849 adults aged 20-69 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011-2012) were enrolled in this study. Urinary caffeine and its 14 metabolites were applied as biomarkers to assess caffeine exposure. Hearing loss was defined as mean pure tone averages > 25 dB HL at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in both ears (low frequency); and 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz in both ears (high frequency). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations of urinary caffeine metabolites with low- and high-frequency hearing thresholds, respectively. Low-frequency hearing loss were 5.08% and 6.10% in male and female participants, respectively; and high-frequency hearing loss were 31.81% and 15.14% in male and female participants, respectively. In the unadjusted model, the P value for trend shows that urinary caffeine metabolites 137X and AAMU were significantly associated with low-frequency PTA, and that 17X, 137X, AAMU were significantly associated with high-frequency PTA, but when the model was adjusted for sex, age, education level, firearm noise exposure, occupational noise exposure, recreational noise exposure, serum cotinine, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, these were no longer statistically significant. In conclusion, urinary caffeine metabolites were not associated with the hearing threshold shifts in US adults.


Ionic requirements for in vitro retrograde axonal transport of acetylcholinesterase.
The ionic requirements for retrograde axonal transport of acetylcholinesterase were studied in vitro in desheathed spinal nerves of the bullfrog; the accumulation of enzyme activity distal to a ligature served to evaluate the status of retrograde transport. After an 18 h incubation in control medium, the 2 mm segment of nerve immediately distal to the ligature contained approximately twice as much acetylcholinesterase activity as other more distal segment. Accumulation of acetylcholinesterase distal to the ligature was reduced during incubation in Ca2+-free medium plus 1 mM EGTA; retrograde transport was not diminished by the substitution of sucrose for the NaCl of the medium. In comparison with ionic requirements for orthograde fast axonal transport of protein, retrograde transport of acetylcholinesterase thus appears to share a Ca2+ requirement, but not a requirement for NaCl.


Quantifying the Evolving Contribution of HIV Interventions and Key Populations to the HIV Epidemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Key populations (KP) including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and their clients are disproportionately affected by HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. We estimated the evolving impact of past interventions and contribution of unmet HIV prevention/treatment needs of key populations and lower-risk groups to HIV transmission. Yaoundé, Cameroon. We parametrized and fitted a deterministic HIV transmission model to Yaoundé-specific demographic, behavioral, HIV, and intervention coverage data in a Bayesian framework. We estimated the fraction of incident HIV infections averted by condoms and antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the fraction of all infections over 10-year periods directly and indirectly attributable to sex within and between each risk group. Condom use and ART together may have averted 43% (95% uncertainty interval: 31-54) of incident infections over 1980-2018 and 72% (66-79) over 2009-2018. Most onward transmissions over 2009-2018 stemmed from sex between lower-risk individuals [47% (32-61)], clients [37% (23-51)], and MSM [35% (20-54)] with all their partners. The contribution of commercial sex decreased from 25% (8-49) over 1989-1998 to 8% (3-22) over 2009-2018, due to higher intervention coverage among FSW. Condom use and recent ART scale-up mitigated the HIV epidemic in Yaoundé and changed the contribution of different partnerships to onward transmission over time. Findings highlight the importance of prioritizing HIV prevention and treatment for MSM and clients of FSW whose unmet needs now contribute most to onward transmission, while maintaining services that successfully reduced transmissions in the context of commercial sex.


Electromagnetic convective cells in a nonuniform dusty plasma.
It is noticed that in the presence of a perturbed electron current parallel to an external magnetic field, the dispersion relation of the electrostatic convective cell and the magnetostatic modes are not modified, contrary to the result quoted in the literature. Instead, the electrostatic and magnetostatic modes are coupled if the propagation parallel to the magnetic field is taken into account in both dusty and electron-ion plasmas.


Patient Safety in Canadian Epilepsy Monitoring Units: A Survey of Current Practices.
Guidelines on epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) standards have been recently published. We aimed to survey Canadian EMUs to describe the landscape of safety practices and compare these to the recommendations from the new guidelines. A 34-item survey was created by compiling questions on EMU structure, patient monitoring, equipment, personnel, standardized protocol use, and use of injury prevention tools. The questionnaire was distributed online to 24 Canadian hospital centers performing video-EEG monitoring (VEM) in EMUs. Responses were tabulated and descriptively summarized. In total, 26 EMUs responded (100% response rate), 50% of which were adult EMUs. EMUs were on average active for 23.4 years and had on average 3.6 beds. About 81% of respondents reported having a dedicated area for VEM, and 65% reported having designated EMU beds. Although a video monitoring station was available in 96% of EMUs, only 48% of EMUs provided continuous observation of patients (video and/or physical). A total of 65% of EMUs employed continuous heart monitoring. The technologist-to-patient ratio was 1:1-2 in 52% of EMUs during the day. No technologist supervision was most often reported in the evening and at night. Nurse-to-EMU-patient ratio was mostly 1:1-4 independent of the time of day. Consent forms were required before admission in 27% of EMUs. Canadian EMUs performed decently in terms of there being dedicated space for VEM, continuous heart monitoring, and adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. Other practices were quite variable, and adjustments should be made on a case-by-case basis to adhere to the latest guidelines.


Two new 7-dehydroaporphine alkaloids and antiplatelet action aporphines from the leaves of Annona purpurea.
Bioactivity-directed fractionation led to the isolation of two new 7-dehydroaporphine alkaloids, 7-hydroxy-dehydrothalicsimidine (1) and 7-formyl-dehydrothalicsimidine (2), along with the five known alkaloids, thalicsimidine (3), norpurpureine (4), N-methyllaurotetanine (5), lirinidine (6) and N-methylasimilobine (7), from the leaves of Annona purpurea. Structural elucidation of these compounds was established by mass and spectroscopic analyses. Among them, 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 exhibited significant inhibition of collagen, arachidonic acid and platelet activating factor-induced platelet aggregation; 1 also showed inhibition against thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.


Encapsulation and stabilization of lactoferrin in polyelectrolyte ternary complexes.
Effective delivery of the bioactive protein, lactoferrin (LF), remains a challenge as it is sensitive to environmental changes and easily denatured during heating, restricting its application in functional food products. To overcome these challenges, we formulated novel polyelectrolyte ternary complexes of LF with gelatin (G) and negatively charged polysaccharides, to improve the thermal stability of LF with retained antibacterial activity. Linear, highly charged polysaccharides were able to form interpolymeric complexes with LF and G, while coacervates were formed with branched polysaccharides. A unique multiphase coacervate was observed in the gum Arabic GA-LF-G complex, where a special coacervate-in-coacervate structure was found. The ternary complexes made with GA, soy soluble polysaccharide (SSP), or high methoxyl pectin (HMP) preserved the protein structures and demonstrated enhanced thermal stability of LF. The GA-LF-G complex was especially stable with >90% retention of the native LF after treatment at 90 °C for 2 min in a water bath or at 145 °C for 30 s, while the LF control had only ~ 7% undenatured LF under both conditions. In comparison to untreated LF, LF in ternary complex retained significant antibacterial activity on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, even after heat treatment. These ternary complexes of LF maintain the desired functionality of LF, thermal stability and antibacterial activity, in the final products. The ternary complex structure, particularly the multiphase coacervate, may serve as a template for the encapsulation and stabilization of other bioactives and peptides.


Os capitatotrapezoid: a case report.
A case of fused capitate and trapezoid, the os capitatotrapezoid (OCT), was found in an articulated right hand of a male skeleton. Fusion was almost complete except for shallow grooves demarcating the line of fusion on the proximal and distal aspects. Radiology revealed a normal trabecular pattern and no joint cavity within these fused bones. The styloid process of the third metacarpal was absent.


Pepsin output after disruption of the human gastric mucosal barrier by taurocholic acid.
Test solutions containing 10 mM taurocholic acid in 160 mM HCl were instilled into the stomachs of healthy volunteers to disrupt the gastric mucosal barrier. Although significant back diffusion of hydrogen ions and exsorption of sodium ions occurred, there was no significant increase in pepsin output compared to control studies with 160 mm HCl alone. Our data suggest that 160 mM HCl produces a many-fold increase in basal pepsin output. In the innervated stomach of man disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier by taurocholic acid in acid solution is not accompanied by increased pepsin secretion compared to that produced by 160 mM HCl alone.


Colonization dynamics and life history traits of seven Daphnia pulex genotypes.
A series of experiments revealed significant differences in the potential ability of seven Daphnia pulex genotypes to colonize two lakes in which this species does not naturally reside. Life table experiments, in which individuals from each genotype were raised separately on water and natural phytoplankton from the two lakes, revealed several significant differences among genotypes in life history traits, including age and size at first reproduction, clutch size and offspring body size. Significant differences among genotypes were also found in mean genotype fitness and rate of population increase, although all genotypes were able to increase in absolute numbers. Significant genotypexlake interaction was found for several life history traits and mean fitness, indicating that the relative success of invading genotypes may depend on habitat characteristics. Enclosure experiments, in which all seven genotypes were introduced together into enclosures in both lakes, revealed that some genotypes increased greatly while others declined in relative abundance, and that the most successful genotypes differed between lakes. In addition, the most successful genotypes in the enclosures were not necessarily the genotypes that displayed the highest fitness in the life table experiments, possibly because individuals in the enclosures competed for food resources, leading to exclusion of certain genotypes.


Effects of molecule size and resin structure on protein adsorption on multimodal anion exchange chromatography media.
The effect of bead and ligand structure on protein adsorption was investigated for multimodal anion exchangers combining a quaternary ammonium ion group with hydrophobic moieties: Nuvia aPrime 1 and aPrime 2, based on a 54 μm diameter polymeric bead, and Capto Adhere ImpRes and Capto Adhere, based on agarose beads 51 and 78 μm diameter, respectively. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) monomer, BSA dimer, and thyroglobulin (Tg) were used as model proteins. Based on TEM imaging and iSEC, the Nuvia resins have a microgranular structure and large pores (110 nm radius), while the Capto resins have a fibrous structure and smaller pores (32-36 nm radius). Comparable binding capacities (80-110 mg/mL), decreasing as salt is added, are observed for all three proteins on the Nuvia resins. Higher capacities (110-130 mg/mL), also decreasing as salt is added, are observed for BSA monomer and dimer on the Capto resins. However, the Tg binding capacity is very low in this case and increases as salt is added. Confocal laser scanning microscopy show that the kinetics are controlled by pore diffusion for all four resins, but with diffusivities that decrease as the protein size increases especially for the Capto resins. For Tg at low salt, binding is restricted to a thin shell close to the bead surface for both Capto resins. The ratio of effective and free diffusivity is about 0.30, 0.18, and 0.08 for BSA monomer, BSA dimer, and Tg, respectively, on the Nuvia resin. These values decrease to about 0.11, 0.04, and 0.01, respectively, for the Capto resins as a result of diffusional hindrance. Dynamic binding capacities are consistent with the equilibrium and rate behaviors.


Endometrial stromal sarcoma with intracaval extension at initial presentation.
Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare uterine neoplasm. Tumor involvement of the large vessels is extremely rare. This is a case report of ESS with tumor invasion of the inferior vena cava at initial presentation.


Radiative effects of absorbing aerosol types over South Asia.
A comprehensive study on classifying the aerosol types and absorbing aerosol types, and quantifying the effect of absorbing aerosols on aerosol optical and radiative properties using four years (2015-2016, 2018-2019) of high-quality Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) datasets over Kanpur (urban) and Gandhi College (rural) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region is conducted on a seasonal scale, for the first time. Biomass burning (BB), urban-industrial, and mixed aerosol types are always present, whereas dust aerosol and mostly dust absorbing aerosol types are only present in pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. During winter and post-monsoon seasons, BB aerosols and mostly black carbon (MBC) absorbing aerosols dominate, and the contribution of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and single scattering albedo (SSA) corresponding to MBC to total AOD and SSA are higher. SSA for MBC varies over a broader range due to mixing of BC with water-soluble aerosols. During pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, mixing of dust with anthropogenic aerosols increases the amount of mixed aerosol type. Surface cooling and atmospheric heating efficiency for mixed aerosols are higher than MBC and dust aerosols due to enhancement in aerosol absorption over both locations. Seasonal analysis of aerosol radiative properties showed that during winter and post-monsoon, MBC absorbing aerosols are the major contributor in controlling/influencing the total aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) and heating rate (HR). During the other seasons, each absorbing aerosol type significantly influences ARF depending on their AOD and SSA values. In addition to Kanpur and Gandhi College, data from seven other AERONET sites located at Karachi, Lahore, Jaipur, Lumbini, Pokhara, Bhola, and Dhaka in South Asia are analysed to conduct a regional-scale examination of aerosol optical parameters and radiative effects due to different absorbing aerosol types. As the aerosol characteristics and trends are similar over these sites, the findings from such a regional-scale analysis can be an appropriate representative for the South Asian region. The regional analysis revealed that the annual mean atmospheric ARF (ARFATM) and ARF efficiency (ARFEATM), and HR are higher for MBC, followed by mixed and MD aerosols over South Asia due to higher AOD, and higher absorbing efficiency of MBC aerosols. In comparison, mixed aerosols exhibit higher ARFATM over East Asia. This quantification of absorbing aerosol types over a global aerosol hotspot will be useful for an accurate quantification of climate impacts of aerosols.


[The effect of noise trauma on speech discrimination in silence and under influence of party noise (author's transl)].
Speech audiometry investigations were carried out in silence and under action of cocktail party noise in 44 soldiers. The testing subjects were grouped according to age and degree of noise lesion. The statistical evaluation of discrimination losses measured in silence and under acting party noise indicated that noise lesions induced considerable discrimination losses even in young subjects particularly under cocktail party noise conditions. Discrimination decreases significantly as the degree of noise trauma increases. In order to assess the real effect of the hearing loss caused by noise trauma upon speech discrimination, the tests of speech audiometry should be performed under noise conditions.


Physique traits of lightweight rowers and their relationship to competitive success.
Physique traits and their relationship to competitive success were assessed amongst lightweight rowers competing at the 2003 Australian Rowing Championships. Full anthropometric profiles were collected from 107 lightweight rowers (n = 65 males, n = 45 females) competing in the Under 23 and Open age categories. Performance assessments were obtained for 66 of these rowers based on results in the single sculls events. The relationship between physique traits and competitive success was then determined. Lower body fat (heat time estimate -8.4 s kg(-1), p<0.01), greater total body mass (heat time estimate -4.4 s kg(-1), p = 0.03), and muscle mass (heat time estimate -10.2 s kg(-1), p<0.01) were associated with faster 2000 m heat times. The more successful lightweight rowers were those who had lower body fat and greater total muscle mass.


[Peculiar features of diagnosing and treatment of nodular thyroid pathology in women of childbearing age].
The authors made an analysis of results of preoperative morphological diagnosis and treatment of 239 women. It was shown that a two-needle morphological exploration allowed avoidance of non-diagnostic cytological smears and had a diagnostic advantage over traditional fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The functional activity of the thyroid gland after operation depends on the volume of the organ tissue left. The occurrence of postoperative hypothyroidism adversely affects the genital function.


A single molecular light-up sensor for quantification of Hg2+ and Ag+ in aqueous medium: high selectivity toward Hg2+ over Ag+ in a mixture.
A bis-heteroleptic Ru(II) complex (1) is presented that acts as a single molecular dual analyte sensor and quantifies Hg(2+) and Ag(+) by luminescence at two different wavelengths. The sensor has stronger binding to Hg(2+) than to its likely competitor Ag(+) allowing quantification of Hg(2+) in a sample with Ag(+) without a masking agent. 1 also selectively senses Ag(+) in the absence of Hg(2+) by enhancing the PL intensity at a different wavelength.


Partial Gland Ablation for Prostate Cancer: Report of a Food and Drug Administration, American Urological Association, and Society of Urologic Oncology Public Workshop.
To summarize the discussion that took place at a public workshop, co-sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Urological Association, and Society of Urologic Oncology reviewing the current state of the art for partial gland ablation (PGA) for the management of patients with prostate cancer. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss potential indications, current available evidence, and designs for future trials to provide the evidence needed by patients and providers to decide how and when to use PGA. A workshop evaluating PGA for prostate cancer was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 2015. Invited experts representing all stakeholders and attendees discussed the regulatory development of medical products, technology available, potential indications, and designs of trials to evaluate this modality of therapy. The panel presented the current information on the technologies available to perform PGA, the potential indications, and results of prior consensus conferences. Use of magnetic resonance imaging for patient selection, guide therapy, and follow-up was discussed. Designs of trials to assess PGA outcomes were discussed. The general consensus was that currently available technologies are capable of selective ablation with reasonable accuracy, but that criteria for patient selection remain debatable, and long-term cancer control remains to be established in properly designed and well-performed prospective clinical trials. Concerns include the potential for excessive, unnecessary use in patients with low-risk cancer and, conversely, that current diagnostic techniques may underestimate the extent and aggressiveness of some cancers, leading to inadequate treatment.


Reemergence of Dengue Virus Serotype 3, Brazil, 2023.
We characterized 3 autochthonous dengue virus serotype 3 cases and 1 imported case from 2 states in the North and South Regions of Brazil, 15 years after Brazil's last outbreak involving this serotype. We also identified a new Asian lineage recently introduced into the Americas, raising concerns about future outbreaks.


Neuronal activity in primate parietal cortex area 5 varies with intended movement direction during an instructed-delay period.
A monkey was trained to make arm movements to visual targets immediately after presentation of a GO signal, either in a visual reaction-time paradigm (CONTROL task), or after an instructed-delay period of variable duration, during which a CUE stimulus signalled the direction of the impending movement (DELAY task). The activity of 98 area 5 cells recorded in 2 hemispheres varied with movement direction in the CONTROL task. This included 60 "early" cells which showed directional activity changes prior to movement onset. In the DELAY task, 54/98 cells (55%) showed activity changes during the instructed-delay period which varied with the direction of the impending movement. Most of these (45/54, 83%) were "early" cells. Forty proximal arm-related cells were recorded in adjacent area 2. In contrast to area 5, only 2/40 area 2 cells showed any evidence of changes in activity varying with intended movement direction during the instructed-delay period. The origin of area 5 activity changes during an instructed-delay period which are related to intended direction of a delayed movement is uncertain, but its presence is consistent with a number of proposed roles for area 5.


Isolation and characterization of an anticoagulant present in the salivary glands of the bont-legged tick, Hyalomma truncatum.
A low molecular mass anticoagulant (17 kDa) was isolated from the salivary glands of prefed female Hyalomma truncatum ticks by means of reverse phase and anion-exchange HPLC. Trypsin digestion and amino acid analysis confirmed the protein nature of the anticoagulant. The inhibitor appears to be uncompetitive with a Ki of 6.9 x 10(-10)M. The target of the anticoagulant is factor Xa at the junction of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. This may be crucial for the survival of the tick, making it feasible to investigate the possibility of vaccination with this antihaemostatic against tick feeding. In addition, tick anticoagulants may possibly have therapeutic application in controlling thrombosis.


Preoperative MRI features for characterization of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters and microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.
This study aimed to analyze imaging features based on preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the identification of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC)-microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), VM-HCC pattern. Patients who underwent hepatectomy and preoperative DCE-MRI between January 2015 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and imaging features related to VM-HCC (VETC + /MVI-, VETC-/MVI +, VETC + /MVI +) and Non-VM-HCC (VETC-/MVI-) were determined by multivariable logistic regression analyses. Early and overall recurrence were determined using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Indicators of early and overall recurrence were identified using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. In total, 221 patients (177 men, 44 women; median age, 60 years; interquartile range, 52-66 years) were evaluated. The multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07, 4.41, p = 0.033), intratumor vascularity (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.07, 4.31, p = 0.031), and enhancement pattern (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.17, 6.03, p = 0.019) as independent predictors of VM-HCC. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, intratumor vascularity was associated with early and overall recurrence (p < 0.05). Based on DCE-MRI, intratumor vascularity can be used to characterize VM-HCC and is of prognostic significance for recurrence in patients with HCC.


A simple method for preparation of lignin/TiO2 nanocomposites by sulfonation degree regulation and their application in polyurethane films.
The waterborne polyurethane (WPU) exposed to outdoor environment for a long time are more likely to reduce their mechanical performance and service life. This work describes a simple and effective method to obtain the homogeneous lignin/TiO2 nanocomposite as the anti-UV additive to improve the applicability of WPU. The SKLs/TiO2 were prepared by the gradient sulfonation kraft lignin (SKLs) and tetrabutyl titanate. The particle morphology and hybrid structure of SKLs/TiO2 are characterized by FT-IR, zeta potential analysis, XPS, TG and SEM. Interestingly, it was found that the change of π-π interactions and electrostatic repulsion between SKL molecules effected the forming of SKLs/TiO2 nanocomposite. The lignin content and morphology of SKLs/TiO2 nanocomposite could be controlled by regulating the sulfonate group content on lignin molecular. Furthermore, the SKLs/TiO2 nanocomposites was successfully applied on water polyurethane film as the additive, when SKLs/TiO2 content increased from 0 wt% to 5.0 wt%, the tensile strength increased 43%, the elongation at break increased from 240.0% to 352.0% and the UV transmittance reduced from 87% to 1.7% below 400 nm, which greatly improved the UV resistance and mechanical properties. The results of this study are of significant and practical importance to the high-value-added utilization of lignin.


The Neuro Radialist.
Trans-radial approach (TRA) has been used in cardiac and peripheral interventional radiology practices for decades, because of safety and patient comfort. There is interest in TRA in the cerebrovascular field, with potential to replicate benefits over trans-femoral approach. TRA is technically more challenging and has a learning curve, which hinders its use as the first-line approach; however, as more neuro-interventionalists embrace TRA, techniques are being optimized simultaneously for supra-aortic vessel catheterization. This article describes advantages, patient selection, conventional and distal radial access, and detailed techniques of trans-radial catheterization for diagnostic angiography, as well as cerebrovascular interventions and its current limitations.


Biodegradable lysine diisocyanate-based poly(glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone)-urethane network in artificial skin.
A biodegradable lysine diisocyanate-based poly(glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone)urethane network has been evaluated as a material for the construction of a macroporous bottom layer (dermal analogue) in a two-layer artificial skin. High rates of in vitro degradation were observed; degradation of the porous poly(glycolide-co-epsilon-caprolactone)urethane networks was faster in vivo than in vitro. Subcutaneous implantation in guinea pigs showed that the porous polyurethane networks allowed rapid cell ingrowth, degraded almost completely 4-8 wk after implantation and evoked no adverse tissue reaction.


Reinfarction after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction followed by conservative management: incidence and effect of smoking.
A group of 456 consecutive patients seen less than or equal to 6 h after the onset of acute myocardial infarction associated with ST segment elevation received thrombolytic therapy and were followed up for 12 months. Intravenous streptokinase was given to 315 patients and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) to 141 patients. Reinfarction rate and risk factors for reinfarction were assessed. Management after thrombolysis was conservative; revascularization procedures were reserved for patients with symptoms refractory to medical therapy or for those with left main coronary artery stenosis. Coronary artery surgery or angioplasty was performed in only 3.7% of patients during the first 30 days after thrombolysis and in only 8.6% by 1 year. Most patients (79%) underwent coronary arteriography. Twenty-six patients (5.7%) exhibited signs of threatened reinfarction at 1 month after thrombolytic therapy as did 43 patients (9.4%) by 1 year. Reinfarction was prevented in four of these patients by early readministration of thrombolytic therapy. Multivariate analysis of possible risk factors for reinfarction identified at the time of initial infarction showed current cigarette smoking to be the only predictive factor (reinfarction occurred in 12.5% of smokers versus 6.3% of nonsmokers, p = 0.04). A second analysis of risk factors identified 3 weeks after initial infarction, including the severity of residual stenosis at coronary arteriography and exercise test variables, again showed continued cigarette smoking to be the only factor predictive of reinfarction. Twenty percent of patients who continued to smoke developed reinfarction compared with 5.1% of those who stopped (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Reproducibility of sagittal pelvic tilt measurements in normal subjects using digital inclinometry.
Standing sagittal pelvic tilt posture is widely assessed qualitatively, yet no efficient non-invasive quantitatively method is available for measuring pelvic tilt position or its amplitude. The main objective of the current study was to assess the intra- and inter-tester reproducibility of digital inclinometry-based (DI) measurements of pelvic tilt in healthy subjects. Pelvic inclination was measured while standing in neutral position (NP), maximal anterior pelvic tilt (APT) and maximal posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) which served for calculating the total pelvic tilt (TPT) range of motion (TPT=PPT-APT). On two separate test occasions two convenience samples of healthy women and men (N=15 in each) were each measured by two different testers. In both groups the intra-tester reproducibility indices of NP, APT, PPT and TPT were acceptable as revealed by high and significant ICCs and low standard error of measurements (SEM). In women the inter-tester reproducibility indices, of the same variables, were high as distinguished by no significant differences between testers and high and significant ICCs. In men, significant differences were found in APT and PPT but the between-testers TPT scores were similar. Collectively these findings indicate that pelvic inclinometry yields acceptable reproducibility which in the light of the facility of the method may render it an efficient clinical tool.


Fenfluramine anorexia: a peripheral locus of action.
In a series of feeding pattern studies, amphetamine was shown to produce a period of complete anorexia often followed by a broken nibbling pattern of eating. Fenfluramine produced a regular feeding pattern in which a depressed meal size was not compensated for by an increase in meal frequency. The disproportionate lengthening of the post-meal interval relative to meal size was accompanied by a decrease in the rate of gastric emptying. Fenfluramine was most effective in lengthening post-meal interval when administered immediately after a meal, and was progressively less effective when the injection was delayed, allowing time for gastric emptying to occur. Amphetamine was shown to have similar but less pronounced effects, corresponding to its weaker effects on gastric emptying. Midbrain raphe lesions that abolished the fenfluramine effect on short-term intake of food-deprived rats did not attenuate fenfluramine's effect on gastric emptying, nor did the lesions attenuate the anorectic effect of fenfluramine on ad lib food intake. Lateral intracerebroventricular administration of fenfluramine not reduce feeding. These results suggest that fenfluramine controls feeding primarily by short-term signals related to food in the upper gastro-intestinal tract.


Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in children, adolescents, and young adults: Treatment results of five Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that present as large, invasive tumors. Our aim was to assess outcomes, identify prognostic factors, and analyze treatment strategies in a prospectively collected pediatric cohort. Patients less than 21 years with MPNST treated in the consecutive prospective European Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS)-trials (1981-2009) and the CWS-SoTiSaR registry (2009-2015) were analyzed. A total of 159 patients were analyzed. Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) was reported in thirty-eight patients (24%). Most were adolescents (67%) with large (>10 cm, 65%) tumors located at extremities (42%). Nodal involvement was documented in 15 (9%) and distant metastases in 15 (9%) upon diagnosis. Overall, event-free survival (EFS) was 40.5% at 5 and 36.3% at 10 years, and overall survival (OS) was 54.6% at 5 and 47.1% at 10 years. Age, NF1 status, tumor site, tumor size, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) group, metastatic disease, and achieving first complete remission (CR1) were identified as prognostic factors for EFS and/or OS in the univariate analysis. Prognostic factors were identified and research questions for future clinical trials were addressed.


Photothermal sensitizers: possible use in tumor therapy.
Photothermal damage of tissues or endotissular compartments may be induced by pulsed irradiation of either endogenous chromophores (e.g. hemoglobin, melanin) or externally added dyes; the latter should have short triplet lifetimes and mainly decay from electronically excited states by nonradiative pathways. Potential photothermal sensitizers are some metallo derivatives of porphyrins and porphyrinoid compounds, azo dyes and triphenylmethane derivatives. These dyes have the additional property of significant absorbance at wavelengths longer than 600 nm, which can penetrate deep into biological tissues. Spatial confinement of the photothermal process depends on the absorption coefficient of the photoexcited chromophore and its thermal relaxation time. Present evidence indicates that the selective photothermal damage of macromolecules or subcellular organelles requires pulsed excitation at picosecond or nanosecond regimes, while microsecond or millisecond domains are effective in the case of cells or similar structures. The possible use of photothermal sensitization in the treatment of tumors is briefly discussed.


Design and synthesis of a fluorescent probe to develop a fluorescence polarization assay for the E3 ligase FEM1C.
A proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a bivalent molecule consisting of an E3 ligase ligand and a protein of interest ligand, which promotes the degradation of specific proteins by recruiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Although VHL and CRBN ligands have been extensively used in PROTAC development, the availability of small molecule E3 ligase ligands remains limited. Therefore, identifying novel E3 ligase ligands would expand the repertoire for PROTAC development. FEM1C, an E3 ligase that recognizes proteins with an R/K-X-R or R/K-X-X-R motif at the C-terminus, is a promising candidate for this purpose. In this study, we present the design and synthesis of a fluorescent probe ES148, exhibiting a Ki value of 1.6 ± 0.1 µM for FEM1C. Utilizing this fluorescent probe, we have established a robust fluorescence polarization (FP) based competition assay to characterize FEM1C ligands, with a Z' factor of 0.80 and a S/N ratio > 20 in a high-throughput format. Furthermore, we have validated binding affinities of FEM1C ligands using isothermal titration calorimetry, consistently corroborating the results from our FP assay. Thus, we anticipate that our FP competition assay will expedite the discovery of FEM1C ligands, offering new tools for PROTAC development.


Feasibility and Usefulness of Intra-Cavitary Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Percutaneous Nephrostomy.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and utility of intra-cavitary contrast enhanced ultrasound (ICCEUS) in guiding percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and assessing complications. Forty-five ultrasound-guided PCNs were performed in 35 patients with hydronephrosis resulting from urinary tract obstruction. Ultrasound contrast agent (0.1 mL diluted in 20-30 mL saline) was injected through the puncture needle and the drainage tube to precisely locate the device and obstruction, with the fluoroscopy results considered the gold standard. ICCEUS was performed again the next day to assess complications. All 45 PCNs were successfully performed under the guidance of ultrasound. With ICCEUS, we could confirm the correct insertion of needle and catheter and locate the obstruction in all 35 patients, with fluoroscopic results as the gold standard. Catheter dislodgement was diagnosed by administration of ultrasound contrast agent in 5 patients. Hematoma (1 patient) and urine leakage (1 patient) were also observed. With the advantages of lack of exposure to radiation, performance in real time and bedside availability, ICCEUS has the potential to become a new modality to guide PCN and assess catheter-related complications.


The effect of dexmedetomidine on arterial-cardiac baroreflex function assessed by spectral and transfer function analysis.
The α(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine reportedly weakens heart rate (HR) responses to 'rapid' (during a few seconds) reduction in arterial pressure, but does not affect HR responses to 'gradual' (during 60 s) reduction in arterial pressure. As the speed of neurotransmission along the parasympathetic nerve is relatively rapid, alteration of parasympathetic-mediated arterial-cardiac baroreflex function plays a more important role in HR responses to 'rapid' changes in arterial pressure. We therefore hypothesized that dexmedetomidine attenuates parasympathetic-mediated arterial-cardiac baroreflex function. Twelve healthy men received placebo, low-dose (loading, 3 μg/kg/h for 10 min; maintenance, 0.2 μg/kg/h for 60 min) (low-DEX), or moderate-dose (loading, 6 μg/kg/h for 10 min; maintenance, 0.4 μg/kg/h for 60 min) (moderate-DEX) dexmedetomidine infusions in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Before and after 70 min of infusion, arterial-cardiac baroreflex function was assessed by spectral and transfer function analysis between arterial pressure variability and HR variability. The high-frequency power of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability increased significantly with low-DEX and moderate-DEX infusions (significant interaction effects, P = 0.005), whereas the high-frequency power of R-wave-R-wave interval (RRI) variability (as an index of cardiac parasympathetic activity) did not change significantly at any dose infusions. Then, transfer function gain in the high-frequency range (as an index of parasympathetic arterial-cardiac baroreflex) decreased significantly with low-DEX and moderate-DEX infusions (significant interaction effects, P = 0.007). The present results suggest that dexmedetomidine attenuates parasympathetic-mediated arterial-cardiac baroreflex function, implying weakened HR response to 'rapid' reduction in arterial pressure.


Use of serum drug concentrations in surgical patients.
Surgical patients frequently require drug treatments that can be assessed with serum drug concentrations. Of the agents for which serum drug concentrations are routinely available, the aminoglycosides theophylline, vancomycin, digoxin, and phenytoin are used most frequently in surgical patients. When using serum drug concentrations, the clinician should have an understanding of the relationships (or lack of) between drug concentrations and therapeutic or toxic effects. When blood is collected for serum concentration determinations, the exact timing of the sample in relation to the dose must be considered. For some drugs, (such as the aminoglycosides, it is necessary to determine peak and trough concentrations, whereas for other agents, like theophylline, the average or mid-dose level may be more important to consider. There are many factors that affect serum drug concentrations. Among these are various disease states, obesity, fluid imbalances, the drug dosage form used, and concurrent drug use. Not all patients require serum drug concentration monitoring; however, with each drug there are high-risk patients who may benefit. When used properly, serum drug concentrations may be helpful in maximizing therapeutic benefits, minimizing or diagnosing drug toxicity, and assessing patient compliance with drug regimens.


A Cross-sectional Survey of Growth and Nutritional Status in Children With Cerebral Palsy in West China.
We describe the growth and nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (2 to 18 years old) in West China and to explore the correlation between the nutritional status and age, gender, and gross and fine motor function. We performed a cross-sectional survey of children registered as having cerebral palsy in the China Disabled Persons' Federation branch in Chengdu. Growth (height and weight) and nutritional (body mass index) status were recorded. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to determine gross and fine motor function, respectively. The association between nutritional status and age, GMFCS and MACS levels was evaluated. We enrolled 377 children (53.6% male), among whom 160 (42.4%) were stunting, 48 (12.7%) underweight, 81 (21.5%) thin, and 70 (18.5%) overweight and obese. Thinness was the main nutritional problem in older patients (12 to 18 years), whereas overweight and obesity were the major issues in younger patients (2 to 12 years). Growth deviation and malnutrition were significantly more prevalent in patients with severe motor impairments. A significant negative correlation was found between nutritional status and age, GMFCS and MACS levels, and between growth and GMFCS and MACS levels. Growth abnormality is common in children with cerebral palsy. Malnutrition and overnutrition both exist in children with cerebral palsy. Characteristics at different age stages and motor functional levels should be taken into consideration in the management of growth and nutrition in this population.


Personality from a controlled processing perspective: an fMRI study of neuroticism, extraversion, and self-consciousness.
Although neuroticism has been central to most theories of personality, self-reported neuroticism has had limited success in predicting expected behavioral outcomes. The reason for this may be due, in part, to the imprecision of self-reports. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between neural correlates of control systems and neuroticism, extraversion, and self-consciousness. In response to an oddball task, neuroticism was associated with increased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) reactivity, typically associated with discrepancy detection, whereas extraversion and self-consciousness were associated with lateral and medial frontoparietal networks, respectively, typically associated with task-focused (lateral) or self-focused (medial) controlled processes. We also examined whether the neural measure of neuroticism would predict a relevant behavioral outcome better than self-reports would. Interoceptive accuracy, an outcome associated with neuroticism, was better accounted for by dACC reactivity (r2 = .74) than by self-reported neuroticism (r2 = .16), suggesting that neural reactivities may provide a more direct measure of personality than self-reports do.


Microvascular Fragments in Microcirculation Research and Regenerative Medicine.
Adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (MVF) are functional vessel segments, which rapidly reassemble into new microvasculatures under experimental in vitro and in vivo conditions. Accordingly, they have been used for many years in microcirculation research to study basic mechanisms of endothelial cell function, angiogenesis, and microvascular network formation in two- and three-dimensional environments. Moreover, they serve as vascularization units for musculoskeletal regeneration and implanted biomaterials as well as for the treatment of myocardial infarction and the generation of prevascularized tissue organoids. Besides, multiple factors determining the vascularization capacity of MVF have been identified, including their tissue origin and cellular composition, the conditions for their short- and long-term storage, as well as their implantation site and the general health status and medication of the recipient. The next challenging step is now the successful translation of all these promising experimental findings into clinical practice. If this succeeds, a multitude of future therapeutic applications may significantly benefit from the remarkable properties of MVF. Impact Statement The present review provides a complete overview of the broad application spectrum of adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (MVF) in angiogenesis research and regenerative medicine. Moreover, it systematically describes factors determining their vascularization capacity. These factors may be used to further improve the remarkable properties of MVF in personalized medicine and to promote their rapid introduction as vascularization units into clinical practice.


Differences in pacemaker programming between electrophysiology specialists and other physicians.
Appropriate programming of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) is essential to ensure adequate function and avoid harmful effects. In underdeveloped countries, CIED monitoring and programming are often performed by physicians involved in their implantation. However, many of them often do not have sufficient training in CIED programming. We aimed to assess the differences in pacemaker programming between electrophysiology (EP) specialists and other physicians. We retrospectively reviewed changes in pacemaker programming performed by an EP specialist in patients who attended for pacemaker evaluation and reported previous follow-ups by a non-EP specialist. Among 58 patients (26 males), 41 patients (71%) had programming errors and required setting modifications. The rate adaptative pacing function (R-mode) was incorrectly deactivated in 9 patients (15%) and improperly activated in 2 patients (3%). Unnecessary ventricular stimulation was detected in 23 patients (40%) with a pacing burden of 60% (32-95%). The lower rate limit was unnecessarily high in 12 patients (21%). Atrial or ventricular pacing output was inappropriate in 15 patients (26%) and was consequently modified (4 patients unnecessarily high, 9 patients below requirements). The auto-adapted pacing output was switched off in 17 of 18 patients (16 due to physician's preference, and 1 due to algorithm inaccuracy). The programmed sensitivity was inaccurate in 2 patients (3%). In 2 patients (3%) switching from DDDR to VVIR mode was required. We found a high prevalence of errors in pacemaker programming by non-EP specialists. An EP specialist should always be responsible for CIED follow-up.


Characterization of ependymal cells in hypothalamic and choroidal primary cultures.
Long-term primary cultures derived from fetal mouse or rat hypothalamus and choroid plexus were obtained in serum-supplemented and chemically defined media. In order to identify and characterize cell types growing in our cultures, we used morphological features provided by phase-contrast, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Immunological criteria were recognized, using antibodies against intermediate filament proteins (vimentin, gliofibrillar acid protein, cytokeratin, desmin, neurofilament proteins), actin, myosin, ciliary rootlets, laminin and fibronectin in single or double immunostaining, and monoclonal antibodies known to detect epitopes of ependymal or endothelial cells. Minor cell types such as astrocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells were distinguished. Ependymal cells, which exceeded 75% of the cultured cells, were identified by their cell shape and epithelial organization revealed by phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy, by their apical differentiation evidenced by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and by certain molecular markers (e.g. gliofibrillar acid or ciliary rootlet proteins) detected by immunofluorescence. Four ependymal cell types were recognized: choroidal ependymocytes, ciliated and unciliated ependymal cells, and tanycytes. All these cultured ependymal cell types showed a remarkable resemblance to in vivo ependymocytes, in terms of marker expression and ultrastructural features.


Carcinoma of the tail of the pancreas presenting as acute abdomen.
Large bowel obstruction with perforation is an anomalous presentation of pancreatic tail carcinoma. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose clinically and is especially furtive when it is located in the tail of the pancreas. We describe a patient who presented with large bowel obstruction due to splenic flexure mass which proved to be due to pancreatic mucinous adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma can rarely have the same presentation as colon cancer, and should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of large bowel obstruction.


Residential greenness and risk of incident dementia: A prospective study of 375,342 participants.
Incorporation of greenspace may be a novel environmental policy that might result in positive health effects; hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between residential greenness and dementia incidence. The effects of particulate air pollution on mediating dementia were also determined. A prospective cohort study involving 375,342 UK biobank participants was conducted, in which Cox regression models were used to determine the association of greenspace exposure with the risks of all-cause dementia (ACD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Sociodemographic variables, lifestyle or dietary characteristics and apolipoprotein E4 status were controlled using two levels of adjusted models. Mediation analyses were performed to determine the mediation effects of PMs. The results indicated that there were 4929 ACD, 2132 AD, and 1184 VD incidents throughout the 8-year study. In the multi-adjusted model, each interquartile increment in greenspace (buffer 300m) conferred the lower risks of ACD (HR = 0.968, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.938-1.000]) and VD (HR = 0.926, 95% CI: 0.867-0.989). The fourth greenspace quartile conferred also reduced risks of ACD (HR = 0.891, 95% CI: 0.804-0.989) and VD (HR = 0.778, 95% CI: 0.630-0.960) in reference to the first quartile. With regard to 1000m catchment, each interquartile increment conferred a 5.0% (95% CI: 1.8-8.1) lower risk of ACD, and the fourth greenspace quartile conferred a 10.9% (95% CI: 0.9-19.8) lower risk of ACD compared to the first quartile. The protective effect of greenness might be mediated based on the reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 (Pindirect effect<0.05). Increasing greenness reduces the risk of dementia. This study suggests that greenspace is an environmental strategy that helps prevent dementia.


Nanoscale zero-valent iron functionalized Posidonia oceanica marine biomass for heavy metal removal from water.
Because of the excellent reducing capacity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI), it can be used as alternative materials for the removal of a variety of reducible water contaminants including toxic metals. The current paper reports the research results obtained for self-prepared biosorbent, Posidonia oceanica biomass, activated in alkaline medium and functionalized with NZVI particles. The structural characteristics, surface morphology, and binding properties of the resulting nanobiosorbent are presented. Batch comparative adsorption trials including adsorption kinetics and isothermals onto raw Posidonia, Posidonia-OH and Posidonia-OH-NZVI were investigated on three heavy metal ions: Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II). The nanobiosorbent showed better properties, such as high reactivity and high uptake rate through the sorption process. The toxic metal removal has been monitored in terms of pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetics, and both Langmuir- and Freundlich-type isotherm models have been used to describe the sorption mechanism. The experimental data of all studied systems showed that the uptake kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the equilibrium uptake can adopt the Langmuir-type isotherm model which assumes a monolayer coverage as the adsorption saturates and no further adsorption occurs. The thermodynamic results confirm that all sorption processes were feasible, spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. Zeta potential data displayed that Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) tend to be reduced after exposure on the Posidonia-OH-NZVI surface. Furthermore, sorption competitions of the metals from binary and ternary systems were carried out onto Posidonia-OH-NZVI in order to gain further insight into the sorption efficiency of this material. Therefore, as a result, the proposed new nanobiosorbent could offer potential benefits in remediation of heavy metal-contaminated water as a green and environmentally friendly bionanocomposite.


Elevated expression of CD93 promotes angiogenesis and tumor growth in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
CD93, also known as the complement component C1q receptor (C1qRp), has been reported to promote the progression of some cancer types. However, the expression and physiological significance of CD93 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain largely elusive. In this study, we first examined the expression of CD93 in NPC and experimentally manipulated its expression. We observed that vascular CD93 expression is elevated in NPC and is correlated with T classification, N classification, distant metastasis, clinical stage and poor prognosis (all P < 0.05). In addition, overexpression of CD93 promoted angiogenesis in vitro. What's more, we found that CD93 was highly expressed in NPC tissues and cells, and the regulation of CD93 on cell proliferation was determined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay and cell cycle analyses. Our findings provide unique insight into the pathogenesis of NPC and underscore the need to explore novel therapeutic targets such as CD93 to improve NPC treatment.


Ovine craniofacial malformation: a morphometrical study.
Craniofacial malformation in 64 sheep was phenotypically described as mandibular distoclusion. Digital radiographs were examined in order to determine the degree of morphological changes in certain bones of the skull. Therefore, laterolateral standardised digital radiographs were used to determine anatomic reference points. Subsequently, five reference lines were defined and 16 linear and seven angular measurements were determined to describe malformations in the bones of the skull. Statistical analysis revealed a significant shortening of the rostral part of the corpus mandibulae and of the ramus mandibulae. However, the molar part of the mandible remained unchanged. These morphological changes caused premolar and molar malocclusion. No further craniofacial abnormalities, such as an elongation of the maxilla or of the incisive bone, were identified. In conclusion, the phenotypically observed mandibular distoclusion is caused by a shortening of specific parts of the mandible. This form of ovine craniofacial malformation is therefore best described as brachygnathia inferior.


Sunburn risk factors for beachgoing children.
Sunburn prevention in children and the early establishment of sun protective behavior is predicted to result in a decreased future incidence of skin cancer. A survey of beachgoing families was conducted to evaluate the parental/guardian role in the use of sun protection for their minor children. Ethnicity and Fitzpatrick Skin Type of children and their parents were the best predictors for sunburn. White, non-Hispanic children were 7.8 times more likely to have a history of sunburn than children whose parents identified them as Hispanic when controlled for the same Fitzpatrick Skin Types.