Poly (I:C)-DOTAP cationic nanoliposome containing multi-epitope HER2-derived peptide promotes vaccine-elicited anti-tumor immunity in a murine model.
In the current study we aimed at developing a vaccine delivery/adjuvant system to enhance anti-tumor immunity against the natural multi-epitope HER2/Neu-derived P5 peptide. Polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)] is a strong immunoadjuvant able to enhance specific antitumor immunity induced by peptide-based vaccines. Nevertheless, delivering the peptide and adjuvant intracellularly into their target site remains a challenging issue. We hypothesized this barrier could be overcome through the use of a cationic nanoliposome carrier system which can carry and protect the antigen and adjuvant in the extracellular environment and augment the induction of antitumor immunity. P5 was encapsulated in cationic nanoliposomes composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP)-Cholesterol either alone or complexed with Poly (I:C). Immunocompetent BALB/c mice were immunized with the formulations 3 times in two-week intervals and the efficiency and type of immune response were then evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The groups immunized with Lip-P5+PIC (DOTAP-Cholestrol-P5+Poly (I:C)) and Lip+PIC (DOTAP-Cholestrol+Poly (I:C)) enhanced the release of Interferon (IFN)-γ in comparison with other groups. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Lip-P5+PIC formulation induced the highest level of IFN-γ in CD8(+) lymphocytes. Lip-P5+PIC, Lip+PIC and Lip-P5 (DOTAP-Cholestrol-P5) provided some extent of protection in terms of tumor regression in TUBO tumor mice model during the first 65days post tumor challenge but at the end only the tumors of mice immunized with Lip-P5+PIC were significantly smaller than all other groups. Furthermore, tumors of mice receiving Lip-P5+PIC grew at a significantly slower rate throughout the observation period. Our results showed that the combination of Poly (I:C) and DOTAP with the tumor antigen and without applying additional T-helper epitope induced strong antitumor responses. The observations presented here are of great interest for future vaccine studies.


Manual wheelchair skills capacity versus performance.
To test the hypotheses that self-reported manual wheelchair skills capacity and performance are highly correlated and that capacity significantly exceeds performance. Cross-sectional. Rehabilitation center. Manual wheelchair users (N=26) with a variety of diagnoses and an average of 10.8 years of wheelchair experience. None. We administered the questionnaire version of the Wheelchair Skills Test version 4.1 (WST-Q), recording the participants' capacity and performance scores on each of 32 skills. The mean total WST-Q capacity and performance scores ± SD were 72.5%±19.2% and 58.1%±21.2%. The Spearman rho correlation coefficient between total WST-Q capacity and performance scores was .853 (P=.000). The mean difference ± SD in total WST-Q scores (capacity minus performance) was 14.4%±9.5% with a median of 10.9% (P=.000 on a Wilcoxon signed-rank test). There were 9 (28%) of the 32 skills for which the participants' mean capacity success rates were ≥20% higher than the mean performance success rates. Of the reasons for not performing individual skills, 66% of the instances were because the participant lacked the capacity. A variety of other reasons were given by participants for not performing skills of which they were capable (eg, the situation was not encountered, it could be avoided, or assistance was usually available). Manual wheelchair skills capacity and performance are highly correlated but capacity exceeds performance, more so for some skills than others. Although further study is needed, these findings have implications for the assessment and training of wheelchair skills.


X-ray crystalographic data, absolute configuration, and anticholinesterase effect of dihydromyricitrin 3-O-rhamnoside.
Based on our continuous effort to investigate chemistry and biology of the plant secondary metabolites, we were able to isolate a glycosidal flavonoid 1 from the Wild Egyptian Artichoke. The activity of dihydromyricetin 3-O-rhamnoside (sin. dihydromyricitrin, ampelopsin 3-O-rhamnoside) (1) against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE); its absolute configuration using X-ray crystallography were determined for the first time. Inhibitory activity of 1 against AChE and BChE enzymes were determined using a slightly modified version of Ellman's method. Compound 1 was revealed to have a potent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC50 values of 0.070 ± 0.008 and 0.071 ± 0.004 mM, respectively, where IC50 values of the reference drug (galanthamine) were 0.023 ± 0.15 and 0.047 ± 0.91 mM. Compound 1 could be a promising molecule against Alzheimer's disease.


Alkynyl-Protected Bimetallic Nanoclusters with a Hybrid Mackay Icosahedral Ag42 Cu12 Cl Kernel and an Octahedral Ag22 Cu12 Kernel.
A facile strategy that directly reduces alkynyl-silver precursors and copper salts for the synthesis of bimetallic nanoclusters using the weak reducing agent Ph2 SiH2 is demonstrated. Two alkynyl-protected concentric-shell nanoclusters, (Ph4 P)2 [Ag22 Cu12 (C≡CR)28 ] and (Ph4 P)3 [Ag42 Cu12 Cl(C≡CR)36 ] (Ag22 Cu12 and Ag42 Cu12 Cl, R=bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), were successfully obtained and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electro-spray ionization mass spectrometry. For the first time, a hybrid 55-atom two-shell Mackay icosahedron was found in Ag42 Cu12 Cl, which is icosahedral M54 Cl instead of M55 . The incorporation of a chloride in the metal icosahedron contributes to the stability of the cluster from both electronic and geometric aspects. Alkynyl ligands show various binding-modes including linear "RC≡C-Cu-C≡CR" staple motifs.


Influence of the tolerability of vinegar as an oral source of short-chain fatty acids on appetite control and food intake.
Vinegar is promoted as a natural appetite suppressant, based on previous reports that vinegar ingestion significantly increases subsequent satiety. However there are concerns about the appropriateness and safety of this advice, and it is unclear if poor product palatability may explain previously published effects on appetite. To investigate if vinegar palatability and tolerability have a role in suppressing appetite and food intake in two sequential and related acute human feeding studies. Healthy, young, normal weight unrestrained eaters were recruited to Study 1 (n=16), an acute feeding study supplying vinegar within both palatable and unpalatable drinks alongside a mixed breakfast in comparison to a non-vinegar control; and to Study 2 (n=14), a modified sham feeding study (taste only without ingestion) comparing vinegar to a non-vinegar control following a milkshake preload. Both studies were a randomized crossover balanced design for the assessment of appetite, energy intake and glycaemic response. In Study 1, ingestion of vinegar significantly reduced quantitative and subjective measures of appetite, which were accompanied by significantly higher nausea ratings, with unpalatable treatment having the greatest effect. Significant correlations between palatability ratings and appetite measures were found. In Study 2, orosensory stimulation with vinegar did not influence subsequent subjective or quantitative measures of appetite compared with control. These studies indicate that vinegar ingestion enhances satiety whereas orosensory stimulation alone does not, and that these effects are largely due to poor tolerability following ingestion invoking feelings of nausea. On this basis the promotion of vinegar as a natural appetite suppressant does not seem appropriate.


Use of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention techniques for treating acute vessel closure.
Acute vessel closure due to dissection is a known complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and can be challenging to treat, especially if guidewire position is lost. Re-entering into the distal true lumen is commonly done during chronic total occlusion interventions, as part of antegrade dissection strategies. We report two cases of acute vessel closure and guidewire position loss in which the Stingray LP system was successfully used to advance a guidewire into the distal true lumen and recanalize the occluded vessel.


Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint disc: feasibility of novel quantitative magnetic resonance evaluation using histologic and biomechanical reference standards.
To use the ultrashort time-to-echo magnetic resonance imaging (UTE MRI) technique to quantify short T2* properties (obtained through gradient echo) of a disc from the human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to corroborate regional T2* values with biomechanical properties and histologic appearance of the discal tissues. A cadaveric human TMJ was sliced sagittally and imaged by conventional and UTE MRI techniques. The slices were then subjected to either biomechanical indentation testing or histologic evaluation, and linear regression was used for comparison to T2* maps obtained from UTE MRI data. Feasibility of in vivo UTE MRI was assessed in two human volunteers. The UTE MRI technique of the specimens provided images of the TMJ disc with greater signal-to-noise ratio (~3 fold) and contrast against surrounding tissues than conventional techniques. Higher T2* values correlated with lower indentation stiffness (softer) and less collagen organization as indicated by polarized light microscopy. T2* values were also obtained from the volunteers. UTE MRI facilitates quantitative characterization of TMJ discs, which may reflect structural and functional properties related to TMJ dysfunction.


A genetic polymorphism of the N-oxidation of trimethylamine in humans.
Trimethylamine (TMA) and its N-oxide (TMAO) are normal components of human urine. They are present in the diet and also derived from the enterobacterial metabolism of precursors such as choline. Dietary TMA is almost entirely metabolized to and excreted as TMAO. However, the extent to which TMA undergoes N-oxidation appears to be polymorphic in a British white population study (n = 169). Two propositi were identified with relative TMA N-oxidation deficiency that was further confirmed by oral challenge with TMA (600 mg). The study of the families of the two propositi, as well as those of two identified subjects with trimethylaminuria, under both normal dietary conditions and after oral TMA challenge strongly indicates that the conditions of impaired N-oxidation is inherited as a recessive trait. It is proposed that the N-oxidation of TMA in humans is polymorphic and under single gene diallelic control in which individuals who are homozygous for the variant allele exhibit marked N-oxidation deficiency and trimethylaminuria.


Genotoxicity of waterpipe smoking in young adults from Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Waterpipe, also known as a hookah or narghile, is a type of tobacco products consumption device. Recently it has been increasingly popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. Waterpipe consumers are predominantly adolescents and young adults. Many of them believe in slighter harmful effects of waterpipes, compared to cigarettes. We aimed to determine the DNA damage in oral leukocytes and buccal cells of young individuals who have smoked a waterpipe for more than one year. The study group consisted of 40 cigarette non-smokers who regularly smoked a waterpipe on average of once per week. As a control, 40 non-smoking individuals were selected to match smokers for age. All participants in the study were healthy male and female adults from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18-30 years of age. Before sampling, detailed survey and informed consent have been provided by each participant. Comet assay in oral leukocytes and buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay in exfoliated buccal cells were applied. Almost half of waterpipe smokers (WPS) tasted waterpipe at 15-16 years of age. Comet assay analysis showed increased tail intensity, tail length, and tail moment values among WPS compared to non-smokers (NS) (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0067, and p = 0.0001, respectively). Frequencies of the micronucleated (p = 0.0004), binucleated (p = 0.01), karyorrhectic, (p = 0.0036), and pycnotic cells (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in WPS compared to NS group. Genotoxicity and DNA damage biomarkers were increased in oral leukocytes and exfoliated buccal cells of young waterpipe smokers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, compared to NS group.


Do quality-adjusted life years take account of lost income? Evidence from an Australian survey.
The procedures used in cost utility analysis for eliciting quality of life weights have generally omitted any instruction concerning the level of consumption in a health state, despite the fact that some health states preclude the possibility of normal employment. This introduces ambiguity into the interpretation of quality of life (QoL) scores, and project ranking is sensitive to the subsequent treatment of consumption in the analysis. This article reports the results of a study that questioned 131 respondents to a time trade-off (TTO) interview about their assumptions concerning consumption and the amount of thought given to consumption. Results indicate that, without prompting, most assumed unchanged consumption, implying little bias in existing studies.


Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) appearance of hepatic myelolipoma.
The case report is a description of a single case of hepatic myelolipoma, a very rare benign hepatic tumor, evaluated with contrast sonography, in a 72-year-old female. It was previously reported as hyperechoic lesions at sonography. CEUS features of the lesion were: homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and a slight hyperenhancement in the portal venous phase typical of benign tumors. The case report shows CEUS may help in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions, but only the biopsy of the tumor and the pathological evaluation allows the diagnosis.


Residency Surgical Training at an Independent Academic Medical Center.
Independent academic medical centers have been training surgeons for more than a century; this environment is distinct from university or military programs. There are several advantages to training at a community program, including a supportive learning environment with camaraderie between residents and faculty, early and broad operative experience, and improved graduate confidence. Community programs also face challenges, such as resident recruitment and faculty engagement. With the workforce needs for general surgeons, independent training programs will continue to play an integral role.


In vitro Oscillation Patterns Throughout the Hippocampal Formation in a Rodent Model of Epilepsy.
Specific oscillatory patterns are considered biomarkers of pathological neuronal network in brain diseases, such as epilepsy. However, the dynamics of underlying oscillations during the epileptogenesis throughout the hippocampal formation in the temporal lobe epilepsy is not clear. Here, we characterized in vitro oscillatory patterns within the hippocampal formation of epileptic rats, under 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced hyperexcitability and during the spontaneous network activity, at two periods of epileptogenesis. First, at the beginning of epileptic chronic phase, 30 days post-pilocarpine-induced Status Epilepticus (SE). Second, at the established epilepsy, 60 days post-SE. The 4-AP-bathed slices from epileptic rats had increased susceptibility to ictogenesis in CA1 at 30 days post-SE, and in entorhinal cortex and dentate gyrus at 60 days post-SE. Higher power and phase coherence were detected mainly for gamma and/or high frequency oscillations (HFOs), in a region- and stage-specific manner. Interestingly, under spontaneous network activity, even without 4-AP-induced hyperexcitability, slices from epileptic animals already exhibited higher power of gamma and HFOs in different areas of hippocampal formation at both periods of epileptogenesis, and higher phase coherence in fast ripples at 60 days post-SE. These findings reinforce the critical role of gamma and HFOs in each one of the hippocampal formation areas during ongoing neuropathological processes, tuning the neuronal network to epilepsy.


Surgical complications and outcome of paediatric liver transplantation: the Singapore experience.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the early and late results of paediatric liver transplantation (LT), with particular reference to complications that required surgical intervention. The charts of all children who underwent LT between 1990 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Results were analysed with a minimum follow up of 9 months. Thirty-five children have undergone 38 LTs; 22 received grafts from their parents, 16 received cadaveric organs and three children had retransplantation. The ages of the children ranged from 12 to 168 months. Biliary atresia was the most frequent indication for transplant (n=27). Twenty-seven children had complications that required surgical or radiological interventional procedures. Vascular complications included hepatic artery thrombosis (n=2), hepatic vein (HV) thrombosis (n=1), and the majority being portal vein thrombosis (n=6). Bile leaks were observed in eight children. Other complications included intestinal perforation (n=2), intra-abdominal abscesses (n=1), wound dehiscence (n=2), post-operative bleed (n=2), intestinal obstruction (n=2), ventral hernia (n=1), and multiple abdominal wound sinuses (n=1). Three children underwent retransplantation, two for hepatic artery thrombosis with multiple episodes of cholangitis and intrahepatic biliomas and the third was done for hepatic vein thrombosis. Patient and graft survival at 1 year is 81.5 and 74.2%, respectively. Paediatric LT is associated with significant morbidity, the main complications being vascular and biliary.


Identification and quantification of p-hydroxyethylamphetamine as a novel metabolite of ethylamphetamine in rat by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Ethylamphetamine and two major metabolites in urine, obtained after intraperitoneal administration of the drug to rats, have been isolated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We have also synthesized an authentic sample of p-hydroxy-N-ethylamphetamine by a simple method. In rat, the metabolic pathway of ethylamphetamine is similar to that of amphetamine and methylamphetamine according to quantitative analysis of the major metabolites using a selected ion monitoring (SIM) method.


Preparation and characterization of 3D porous ceramic scaffolds based on portland cement for bone tissue engineering.
There is a constant need for bone substitutes. This work was focused on developing a porous substrate based on Portland cement with air-voids introduced by outgassing reaction product from lime and aluminum powder. The structures were obtained through two routes of raw-materials and processing. Water absorption and compressive strength measurements and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy assays were conducted in order to characterize the porous substrates. The substrates have shown pore size structure compatible with bone tissue colonization. Also, the mechanical strength exhibited by the scaffolds fall in the normal ranges for trabecular bone. These characteristics indicate potential use of the developed porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering which was endorsed by in vitro experiments via cell culture.


Analysis of demographic and clinical factors affecting the outcome of radioiodine therapy in patients with hyperthyroidism.
The influence of demographic and clinical factors on the outcome of (131)I therapy in hyperthyroid patients has been examined, based on a retrospective evaluation of results obtained in patients submitted to (131)I treatment at the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Oncological Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz (Province Hospital, Zgierz). The goal of the study was to analyse such factors as the age and sex of patients, disease duration, as well as the hormonal status before (131)I application, which could have an influence on the effects of therapy with radioiodine (131)I. The study involved 500 randomly selected patients with hyperthyroidism, treated with (131)I radioiodine. The following 3 groups were defined: group 1 - patients with multinodular goitre (MNG), n = 200; group 2 - patients with a single autonomous nodule of the thyroid (AFTN), n = 100; group 3 - patients with Graves' disease (GD), n = 200. The local ethics committee (in the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Lodz) approved the study. The obtained results indicate that the efficacy of therapy with (131)I applied in patients with MNG, AFTN and GD does not depend on either patient sex or patient age. The length of antithyroid treatment before (131)I therapy onset does not appear to have any effect on the therapy outcome, and the baseline thyrotropin concentration seems to be significant only in the case of GD. The analysed demographic factors do not affect the outcome of (131)I therapy in hyperthyroidism.


Determination of the positional relationship of the second Houston valve and peritoneal reflection using computed tomographic colonography and magnetic resonance imaging.
The second Houston valve is used as a surrogate for estimating the position of the peritoneal reflection; however, the concordance between the positions of the valve and peritoneal reflection has not been investigated. This study aimed to clarify this positional relationship. The second Houston valve and peritoneal reflection positions were assessed using tomographic colonography and magnetic resonance imaging. In total, 117 patients were enrolled in this study. The positions of the second Houston valve and peritoneal reflection were nearly concordant, although the space between them ranged from - 20.7 to 33.9 mm. A peritoneal reflection located further from the anal verge than the second Houston valve was defined as a shallow peritoneal reflection. Male sex, high body weight, and a high body mass index were significantly correlated with a shallower peritoneal reflection, as determined by a univariate analysis (sex: P = 0.0138, weight: P = 0.0097, body mass index: P = 0.0311). A multivariate analysis revealed a significantly shallower peritoneal reflection in males than in females (odds ratio: 2.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-6.56, P = 0.023). The second Houston valve located near the peritoneal reflection can be a useful surrogate marker for estimating its position. In relatively heavy males, the peritoneal reflection is located more cranially than the second Houston valve.


An RNAi Screen Reveals an Essential Role for HIPK4 in Human Skin Epithelial Differentiation from iPSCs.
Molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of human skin epithelial cells are incompletely understood. As a consequence, the efficiency to establish a pure skin epithelial cell population from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) remains poor. Using an approach including RNAi and high-throughput imaging of early epithelial cells, we identified candidate kinases involved in their differentiation from hiPSCs. Among these, we found HIPK4 to be an important inhibitor of this process. Indeed, its silencing increased the amount of generated skin epithelial precursors at an early time point, increased the amount of generated keratinocytes at a later time point, and improved growth and differentiation of organotypic cultures, allowing for the formation of a denser basal layer and stratification with the expression of several keratins. Our data bring substantial input regarding regulation of human skin epithelial differentiation and for improving differentiation protocols from pluripotent stem cells.


Physiologic and Perceptual Responses to Cold-Shower Cooling After Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia.
Exercise conducted in hot, humid environments increases the risk for exertional heat stroke (EHS). The current recommended treatment of EHS is cold-water immersion; however, limitations may require the use of alternative resources such as a cold shower (CS) or dousing with a hose to cool EHS patients. To investigate the cooling effectiveness of a CS after exercise-induced hyperthermia. Randomized, crossover controlled study. Environmental chamber (temperature = 33.4°C ± 2.1°C; relative humidity = 27.1% ± 1.4%). Seventeen participants (10 male, 7 female; height = 1.75 ± 0.07 m, body mass = 70.4 ± 8.7 kg, body surface area = 1.85 ± 0.13 m(2), age range = 19-35 years) volunteered. On 2 occasions, participants completed matched-intensity volitional exercise on an ergometer or treadmill to elevate rectal temperature to ≥39°C or until participant fatigue prevented continuation (reaching at least 38.5°C). They were then either treated with a CS (20.8°C ± 0.80°C) or seated in the chamber (control [CON] condition) for 15 minutes. Rectal temperature, calculated cooling rate, heart rate, and perceptual measures (thermal sensation and perceived muscle pain). The rectal temperature (P = .98), heart rate (P = .85), thermal sensation (P = .69), and muscle pain (P = .31) were not different during exercise for the CS and CON trials (P > .05). Overall, the cooling rate was faster during CS (0.07°C/min ± 0.03°C/min) than during CON (0.04°C/min ± 0.03°C/min; t16 = 2.77, P = .01). Heart-rate changes were greater during CS (45 ± 20 beats per minute) compared with CON (27 ± 10 beats per minute; t16 = 3.32, P = .004). Thermal sensation was reduced to a greater extent with CS than with CON (F3,45 = 41.12, P < .001). Although the CS facilitated cooling rates faster than no treatment, clinicians should continue to advocate for accepted cooling modalities and use CS only if no other validated means of cooling are available.


Identification of Conserved Epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Protein.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus that first occurred in Wuhan in December 2019. The spike glycoproteins and nucleocapsid proteins are the most common targets for the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. We herein analyze the rate of evolution along with the sequences of spike and nucleocapsid proteins in relation to the spatial locations of their epitopes, previously suggested to contribute to the immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infections. We compare homologous proteins of seven human coronaviruses: HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. We then focus on the local, structural order-disorder propensity of the protein regions where the SARS-CoV-2 epitopes are located. We show that most of nucleocapsid protein epitopes overlap the RNA-binding and dimerization domains, and some of them are characterized by a low rate of evolutions. Similarly, spike protein epitopes are preferentially located in regions that are predicted to be ordered and well- conserved, in correspondence of the heptad repeats 1 and 2. Interestingly, both the receptor-binding motif to ACE2 and the fusion peptide of spike protein are characterized by a high rate of evolution. Our results provide evidence for conserved epitopes that might help develop broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.


Roles of Ear Injury, Infestation, and Vector Activity by Ostrinia furnacalis (Asian Corn Borer) and Conogethes punctiferalis (Yellow Peach Moth) in Fusarium verticillioides Infection and Kernel Fumonisin Level.
Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the roles of two corn borers, Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis and yellow peach moth (YPM), Conogethes punctiferalis, in Fusarium verticillioides infection using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a marker. Effects of insect injury, manual injury, and insecticide application on fumonisin production also were assessed. In this study, third instars of ACB and YPM significantly increased GFP-tagged F. verticillioides infection compared with the control, regardless of the fungal inoculation method. Besides acquiring F. verticillioides spores from leaf surfaces and transmitting them to ears, larvae of the ACB and YPM also injure maize ears, which allows F. verticillioides from leaves or silk to infect ears more easily. This suggests that ACB and YPM larvae are vectors of F. verticillioides, which can increase the occurrence of ear rot. Manual injuries significantly increased GFP-tagged F. verticillioides infection of ears, while effective insect control significantly reduced F. verticillioides infection of ears. Insecticide control of borers also significantly reduced fumonisin content in kernels. Larval infestations significantly increased fumonisins in kernels to levels higher than or very close to the European Union threshold (4,000 μg kg-1). Significant and high correlations among corn borer attack, F. verticillioides severity, and kernel fumonisin levels were discovered, confirming the important role of ACB and YPM activity in F. verticillioides infection and kernel fumonisin production.


Development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for the quantification of carbamazepine in rabbit plasma.
An isocratic simple rapid assay has been developed and validated for the determination of carbamazepine (CBZ) in both solution form and rabbit plasma using propylparaben as an internal standard. The assay was performed using a μ-Bondapak C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (50:50), the flow rate was 1 ml/min and UV detection at 285 nm. The method was found to be specific for CBZ, no interfering peaks were observed with an overall analytical run time of 15 min. Accuracy reported as % recovery were found to be 98.37-100.45% and 97.53-103.58% for inter-day and intra-day accuracies, respectively. Inter-day precision (reproducibility) was found to be 0.53-2.75% RSD, while intra-day precision (repeatability) was found to be 1.06-3.7% RSD for the samples studied. The calibration curve was found to be linear with the equation y = 0.2847x + 0.0138, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 (R (2)) over a concentration range of 0.5-40 μg/ml. The limit of quantitation was the lowest concentration. The method is simple and rapid and does not require any preliminary treatment of the sample. The method was fully validated.


[Long-term studies of children following therapy of brain tumors using nuclear magnetic resonance tomography and ultrasound].
Within two and a half years 82 magnetic resonance imaging and 155 ultrasound examinations were performed in 46 children after treatment for brain tumors. In 42 cases the primary tumors were located in the posterior cranial fossa. Magnetic resonance imaging required sedation in 14 and anesthesia in 3 children. In 6 cases ultrasound was insufficient due to partial closure of the calvarian defect. In the remaining cases ultrasound was falsely negative in two cases, and falsely positive in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging was falsely negative in one case. Sequelae of chemo- and radiotherapy were only depicted by magnetic resonance imaging. For follow-up of tumors of the posterior cranial fossa after surgical treatment ultrasound is the method of choice.


Comparison of surgical completeness in patients operated on conventional open total thyroidectomy (OT) or trans-axillary robot-assisted total thyroidectomy (RATT) by a single axillary approach.
Trans-axillary robot-assisted total thyroidectomy (RATT) is nowadays worldwide accepted but the completeness obtained by RATT is still debated. The Aim of this study was to compare the completeness and safety of RATT with conventional open thyroidectomy (OT). We enrolled patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter, cytologically indeterminate nodules and well differentiated thyroid cancer without local and/or distant metastasis. In all cases the biggest nodule should be < 6 cm. The surgical completeness was evaluated by means of serum thyroglobulin (hs-Tg) and neck ultrasound (nUS) performed three months postoperatively. 100 patients underwent either RATT or OT. The type of surgical procedure was chosen by patients. They were then divided in two subgroups based on benign or malignant histology. There were no significant differences in the postoperatively values of hs-Tg in patients operated with RATT or OT, both in benign and malignant subgroups. The post-operative thyroid remnant volume estimated by nUS was not significantly different between the two groups, both in benign and malignant subgroups. We also analyzed the difference of the volume of the thyroid remnant ipsilateral to the axillary access vs that of the remnant on the contralateral side and there was not significantly difference in both subgroups. RATT was demonstrated to determine a comparable surgical completeness as OT, both in benign and malignant thyroid diseases, with no differences in the prevalence of surgical complications. In our hands the surgical completeness of RATT by a single trans-axillary was satisfying.


Successive Kinesin-5 Microtubule Crosslinking and Sliding Promote Fast, Irreversible Formation of a Stereotyped Bipolar Spindle.
Separation of duplicated spindle poles is the first step in forming the mitotic spindle. Kinesin-5 crosslinks and slides anti-parallel microtubules (MTs), but it is unclear how these two activities contribute to the first steps in spindle formation. In this study, we report that in monopolar spindles, the duplicated spindle poles snap apart in a fast and irreversible step that produces a nascent bipolar spindle. Using mutations in Kinesin-5 that inhibit microtubule sliding, we show that the fast, irreversible pole separation is primarily driven by microtubule crosslinking. Electron tomography revealed microtubule pairs in monopolar spindles have short overlaps that intersect at high angles and are unsuited for ensemble Kinesin-5 sliding. However, maximal extension of a subset of anti-parallel microtubule pairs approaches the length of nascent bipolar spindles and is consistent with a Kinesin-5 crosslinking-driven transition. Nonetheless, microtubule sliding by Kinesin-5 contributes to stabilizing the nascent spindle and setting its stereotyped equilibrium length.


Diagnosis and treatment of lymphomas in the era of epigenetics.
Lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of cancers characterized by clonal lymphoproliferation. Over the past decades, frequent epigenetic dysregulations have been identified in hematologic malignancies including lymphomas. Many of these impairments occur in genes with established roles and well-known functions in the regulation and maintenance of the epigenome. In hematopoietic cells, these dysfunctions can result in abnormal DNA methylation, erroneous chromatin state and/or altered miRNA expression, affecting many different cellular functions. Nowadays, it is evident that epigenetic dysregulations in lymphoid neoplasms are mainly caused by genetic alterations in genes encoding for enzymes responsible for histone or chromatin modifications. We summarize herein the recent epigenetic modifiers findings in lymphomas. We focus also on the most commonly mutated epigenetic regulators and emphasize on actual epigenetic therapies.


Ex-vivo human pancreatic specimen evaluation by 7 Tesla MRI: a prospective radiological-pathological correlation study.
To compare the characteristics detected by 7Tesla (7 T) MR and the histological composition of ex-vivo specimens from lesions diagnosed at preoperative CT scan as Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Ten pancreatic specimens were examined. The 7 T imaging protocol included both morphologic and quantitative sequences; the latter was acquired by conventional methods and a novel multiparametric method, the magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) sequence. Two radiologists reviewed the images to: (1) evaluate the quality of the morphological and quantitative sequences by assigning an "image consistency score" on a 4-point scale; (2) identify the lesion, recording its characteristics; (3) perform the quantitative analysis on "target lesion" and "non target tissue". Finally, the specimen was analysed by two pathologists. Seven out of 10 lesions were PDAC, 2/10 were biliary carcinomas, whereas one lesion was an ampullary adenocarcinoma. The quality of the morphological sequences was judged "excellent". The "image consistency score" for the conventional quantitative sequences and MRF were 2.8 ± 0.42 and 2.9 ± 0.57; the "overall MR examination score" was 3.5 ± 0.53. A statistical correlation was found between the relaxation time values of conventional and MRF T1-weighted sequences (p < 0.0001), as well as between conventional and MRF fat- and water-fraction maps (p < 0.05). The "target lesion" and "non target tissue" relaxation time values were statistically different according to conventional T1-, T2-weighted, and MRF T1-weighted sequences. Conventional T1-, T2-weighted sequences and MRF derived relaxometries may be useful in differentiating between tumour and non-target pancreatic tissue. Moreover, the MRF sequence can be used to obtain reliable relaxation time data.


Characteristics of abusive parents: a look at self-esteem.
Low self-esteem has often been cited in the child abuse literature as a characteristic of abusive parents. However, most of these references have been based on individual case studies and practitioner reports rather than explicitly designed inquiries that attempt to control bias associated with clinical observations. Data for this study were derived from a broader exploratory research project conducted within the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. As part of the project, a total of 111 abusive parents were administered the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS). The TSCS score profiles for this group are examined along with a discussion of the implications of the findings for intervention services. The profiles permit a comparison between abusive parents' self-concepts, a group of normal self-concepts, and a group drawn from a mental hospital population. The departure of the abusive parents' self-concepts from the normal group and the apparent greater similarity to self-concepts of mental patients suggest a lengthier and more involved treatment than may have been formerly thought.


Sleep disturbances associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence.
Sleep disturbances commonly appear in the context of both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders. Sleep symptoms typically reported among clinical populations include delayed sleep onset, poor sleep continuity, early morning awakening, and disturbed sleep architecture. The aim of the present study was to examine multiple forms of sleep disturbances among individuals with comorbid PTSD and alcohol dependence, PTSD only, alcohol dependence only, and a control group. Both PTSD and alcohol dependence diagnoses were associated with multiple forms of sleep disturbance, but comorbidity of the two disorders did not appear to increase the risk over and above either single disorder for reporting any of the sleep difficulties examined. As PTSD symptom severity increased, so did sleep latency, mid-sleep wakening, and early morning wakening. However, contrary to our hypothesis, no significant direct relationship between severity of alcohol use and sleep disturbances was revealed. These findings suggest a need for thorough assessment of sleep symptoms in patients presenting with PTSD or alcohol dependence.


Harnessing rAAV-retro for gene manipulations in multiple pathways that are interrupted after spinal cord injury.
This paper explores the potential of rAAV2-retro to deliver gene modifying cargoes to the cells of origin of multiple pathways that are interrupted by spinal cord injury (SCI), summarizing data from previous studies and new data from additional experiments. rAAV-retro exhibits uniquely robust and reliable long-distance retrograde transport from pre-terminal axons and synapses back to neuronal bodies. Previous studies have documented that various AAV-based genetic modifications can enable axon regeneration after SCI, but these have targeted the cells of origin of one pathway at a time. In contrast, rAAV-retro can simultaneously transduce large numbers of neurons of origin of multiple spinal pathways with single injections into the spinal cord. Our initial studies use RosatdTomato and double transgenic PTENf/f; RosatdTomato mice in which transfection with rAAV-retro/Cre deletes PTEN and activates tdT expression in the same neurons. Injections of rAAV-retro/Cre into the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord led to topographically specific retrograde transduction in cortical motoneurons and neurons in subcortical regions that give rise to different spinal pathways. Our results confirm and extend previous studies indicating selective transduction of neurons that terminate at the level of the injection with minimal retrograde transduction of axons in transit to lower levels. We document feasibility of using rAAV-retro expressing shRNA against PTEN along with a GFP reporter (rAAV-retro-shPTEN/GFP) to effectively knock down PTEN in multiple populations of neurons, which can be used in any species. Some limitations and caveats of currently available rAAV-retros are discussed. Together, our results support the potential applications of rAAV-retro for AAV-based gene-modifications for SCI.


Preservation of human limbal epithelial progenitor cells on carbodiimide cross-linked amniotic membrane via integrin-linked kinase-mediated Wnt activation.
The Wnt pathway is a major signaling pathway that regulates corneal epithelial stem cells. However, little is known about how the ultrastructure of the limbal epithelial basement membrane (EBM) affects Wnt activity. Due to its enhanced matrix stability, the cross-linked amniotic membrane (AM) has gained increasing interest in the field of regenerative medicine. For the first time, we used EDC/NHS cross-linked denuded AM (CLDAM) as a simulated EBM substrate to investigate this mechanism. Human limbal epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured on dishes (HLE/dish), denuded AM (HLE/DAM) or CLDAM (HLE/CLDAM). Compared with HLE/dish or HLE/DAM cultures, HLE/CLDAM cultures showed greater BrdU retention and colony formation efficiency and expressed higher levels of p63, ABCG2, integrin β1, and integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Nuclear β-catenin and TCF-4 levels were higher in HLE/CLDAM cultures compared with HLE cells cultured on collagen IV, laminin, Matrigel, or DAM. Silencing of ILK in HLE/CLDAM cultures resulted in decreased levels of nuclear β-catenin, TCF-4 and deltaNp63α, whereas cytokeratin 12 expression increased. Over-expression of ILK in HLE/dish cultures had the opposite effects. Accordingly, we proposed that the CLDAM matrix, with its higher rigidity and rougher ultrastructure, better preserved HLE progenitor cells in vitro, possibly by activating integrin β1/ILK, which indirectly activated Wnt/β-catenin and subsequently deltaNp63α. Crosstalk between the integrin β1/ILK and Wnt/β-catenin pathways appears to play a crucial role in limbal progenitor cell survival on EBM. We demonstrated the superior capability of carbodiimide cross-linked denuded amniotic membrane (CLDAM) than natural DAM to preserve limbo-corneal epithelial progenitor cells in vitro, then we used CLDAM as a simulated epithelial basement membrane (EBM) to study how EBM maintains limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). We found that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is an important mediator that transfers survival signals detected by integrin β1 to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which in turn up-regulates deltaNp63α, a master gene that regulates LESC function. The rougher surface of the limbal EBM suggests that the surface complexity of the LESC niche may be important in regulating LESC function, which is triggered by the recognition of topographic cues by integrin β1, followed by activation of the ILK/Wnt/β-catenin/p63 cascade.


Genome-wide profiling reveals pervasive transcriptional alterations in fibroblasts derived from lesional skin in vitiligo including a reduced potential to proliferate.
Fibroblasts interact with keratinocytes and melanocytes to maintain skin homeostasis. However, the impact of selective melanocyte loss on the transcriptome of fibroblasts is not fully understood. Thus, we sought to understand the genome-wide transcriptome of fibroblasts derived from non-lesional (NL) and lesional (L) dermis in patients with non-segmental vitiligo. Transcriptional profiling of NL and L fibroblasts was performed on three individuals with vitiligo using next-generation-sequencing. Functional protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed for the significantly upregulated and downregulated genes, as well as for a common set of genes that were downregulated in both fibroblasts and epidermis in L skin (identified previously). Proliferation potential of NL and L fibroblasts was assessed experimentally. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 414 (282, downregulated; 132, upregulated) differentially expressed (DE)-transcripts in L as compared to NL fibroblasts. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of DE-transcripts segregated L and NL fibroblasts into two distinct clades, despite the apparent heterogeneity in lesions of different vitiligo patients. Gene Ontology analysis of downregulated genes revealed enrichment of keratinocyte-specific biological processes such as cornification and keratinization. PPI networks constructed for the downregulated and upregulated genes revealed deregulation of several hub genes associated with cell cycle regulation and cAMP metabolism respectively. Similarly, the PPI networks constructed for 67 genes downregulated in both fibroblasts as well as epidermis of L skin revealed downregulation of hub genes including stratifin, PIK3CG and CDH1. Analysis of the in vitro proliferation potential of L fibroblasts revealed a decrease in the expression of proliferation markers Ki67, MCM6, pERK and pCDK2, a decreased S phase population and an increase in alpha-SMA and collagen expression, corroborating the downregulation of hub genes associated with proliferation identified by PPI network analysis. Our study revealed pervasive transcriptional alterations in L compared to NL fibroblasts in vitiligo. The PPI analysis suggested a reduced potential to proliferate in melanocyte-deprived lesional fibroblasts, which was validated experimentally as well.


Endogenous nitrosation in relation to nitrate exposure from drinking water and diet in a Danish rural population.
Increasing levels of nitrate in drinking water is of concern due to the possibility of an associated increase in long-term exposure to endogenously formed carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Excretion of N-nitrosoproline in 12-h overnight urine after intake of 500-mg L-proline was used to quantify the rate of endogenous nitrosation in 285 individuals in an area in northern Denmark with large variation in nitrate concentration of the drinking water. Nitrate intake was measured in a 24-h duplicate diet sample. The crude association between nitrate concentration in drinking water and rate of endogenous nitrosation in individuals is only weakly positive and not quite statistically significant (P = 0.08). The risk of having detectable nitrosation increases significantly with total nitrate intake and tobacco smoking. In nonsmokers, nitrosation is determined by nitrate intake. Smokers have increased nitrosation which does not depend on nitrate intake. Effect modification through dietary factors was evaluated and indicated a protective effect of tea consumption, while the effect of eating vegetables was not clear-cut. The experimental design (12-h urine sample; proline dose taken in the evening) is likely to underestimate the effect of nitrate in drinking water relatively to nitrate in the diet.


Influence of thiamin supplements on furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy in turkey poults.
Furazolidone (700 ppm) was fed to turkey poults from 2 to 5 weeks of age. The drug produced a cardiomyopathy and reduced the feed intake and growth of the birds. Thiamin was concurrently injected into the furazolidone-fed poults to determine whether the vitamin would prevent or reduce the severity of the cardiotoxic effect of the drug. Supplemental injections of thiamin had no significant effect on feed consumption or growth of the birds nor did they protect the heart against the cardiotoxicity. The conclusion is that furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy is not caused by a thiamin deficiency.


The effect of pericardial incision on right ventricular systolic function: a prospective observational study.
Echocardiographic longitudinal markers of right ventricular (RV) systolic function are commonly depressed after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) despite an uncomplicated course and good clinical recovery. The exact timing and cause of these changes is unknown. The aim of this observational study was to monitor echocardiographic markers of RV systolic function intraoperatively during CABG. We used angle-independent speckle tracking to measure the primary endpoints of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S') before and after pericardiotomy. Twenty-four patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG were enrolled in the study. Speckle tracking-derived TAPSE, S', free wall systolic strain, RV outflow tract strain, colour tissue Doppler-derived isovolumic acceleration (IVA) and two-dimensional RV dimensions and fractional area change (FAC) were measured at three intraoperative time points: 1) after sternotomy immediately prior to pericardiotomy; 2) after pericardiotomy and placement of pericardial retraction sutures; and 3) following cardiopulmonary bypass after chest closure. Adequate image quality to perform speckle tracking measurements was obtained in twenty-one patients. We found that there were no significant changes to echocardiographic parameters of RV systolic function between pre- and post-pericardiotomy. The mean (SD) of the primary endpoints were: TAPSE [28.1 (5.1) mm vs 27.7 (7.4) mm, respectively; mean difference, -0.4 mm; 97.5% confidence interval (CI), -4.0 to 3.1; P = 0.76] and S' [10.4 (2.1) cm·sec-1 vs 10.8 (1.9) cm·sec-1, respectively; mean difference, 0.4 cm·sec-1; 97.5% CI, -0.9 to 1.7; P = 0.48]. Significant reductions in the parameters of RV systolic function were found only after cardiopulmonary bypass and chest closure. Pericardial opening and suspension had no significant effect on the indices of RV systolic function derived from speckle tracking or colour tissue Doppler.


Evidence for two separate vasoconstriction-mediating nucleotide receptors, both distinct from the P2x-receptor, in rabbit basilar artery: a receptor for pyrimidine nucleotides and a receptor for purine nucleotides.
Uridine 5'-triphosphate- (UTP-) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate- (ATP) induced vasoconstriction was studied in the rabbit basilar artery. The arteries were incubated and perfused at a constant rate of flow. Vasoconstriction was measured as an increase in perfusion pressure. Serotonin, histamine and noradrenaline caused concentration-dependent vasoconstriction, with potency decreasing in that order. Of the nucleotides tested, UTP, UDP, UMP, CTP, ATP, ADP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thio)-triphosphate (ATP gamma S), and beta,gamma-imido adenosine 5'-triphosphate (AMP-PNP) elicited concentration-dependent vasoconstriction, whereas AMP, 2-methylthio-ATP, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP and beta,gamma-methylene-ATP up to 10(-3) mol/l caused no or only a very small increase in perfusion pressure. The order of potency of the pyrimidine nucleotides was: UTP = UDP much greater than UMP = CTP; that of the purine nucleotides was: ATP gamma S greater than AMP-PNP greater than ATP greater than ADP greater than 2-methylthio-ATP = alpha,beta-methylene-ATP = beta,gamma-methylene-ATP. The vasoconstrictor effects of UTP and ATP were not or only to a minor degree influenced by: phentolamine; a mixture of atropine, diphenhydramine and methysergide; indomethacin; nordihydroguaiaretic acid; denervation by 6-hydroxydopamine; or mechanical removal of endothelium. Prolonged exposure to alpha,beta-methylene-ATP elicited only a very small vasoconstriction and did not change the constrictor effects of UTP or ATP. Prolonged exposure to ATP gamma S elicited marked vasoconstriction; subsequently, responses to ATP were reduced whereas those to UTP were, if anything, slightly enhanced. Reactive blue 2 reduced neither the UTP- nor the ATP-induced vasoconstriction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Spectral analysis of changes in electroencephalographic activity after the chewing of gum.
The present study aimed to examine the psychosomatic effect in the chewing of marketed gum using electroencephalogram (EEG) as an index. The EEG were taken in two sets: (i) a resting period before chewing (control recording) and a resting record (post-resting recording) for examining reproducibility; and (ii) a control recording and resting period after gum-chewing for 3 min (post-chewing recording). The ratio of each frequency band to the total frequency power, the mean frequency of the alpha band and laterality of the frequency power was calculated. In the examination of the reproducibility, no statistically significant differences were observed between control recording and post-resting recording in all indices. In the reflection of EEG after gum-chewing, there were no significant differences between control recording and the post-chewing recording. However, a significant interaction was observed among these indices by analysis of variance. In addition, the alpha power in the post-chewing recording was significantly higher than that in the control recording at almost all the positions. In conclusion, the intra-individual reproducibility of EEG was confirmed in the recording method. Furthermore, it was suggested that a significant interaction and a rising trend of the mean frequency of the alpha band after gum-chewing reflected 'arousal' psychosomatic responses by the chewing of marketed gum.


Analysis of health overseas development aid for internally displaced persons in low- and middle-income countries.
There are an estimated 55 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally. IDPs commonly have worse health outcomes than host populations and other forcibly displaced populations such as refugees. Official development assistance (ODA) is a major source of the global financial response for health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including for populations affected by armed conflict and forced displacement. Analysis of ODA supports efforts to improve donor accountability, transparency and the equitable use of ODA. The aim of this study is to examine international donor support and responsiveness to IDP health needs through analysis of ODA disbursements to LMICs between 2010 and 2019. ODA disbursement data to LMICs from 2010 to 2019 were extracted from the Creditor Reporting System (CRS) database and analysed with Stata software using a combination of: (i) text searching for IDP and refugee related terms; and (ii) relevant health and humanitarian CRS purpose codes. Descriptive analysis was used to examine patterns of ODA disbursement, and nonlinear least squared regression analysis was used to examine responsiveness of ODA disbursement to recipient country IDP population size and health system capacity and health characteristics. The study highlighted declining per IDP capita health ODA from USD 5.34 in 2010 to USD 3.72 in 2019 (with annual average decline of -38% from the 2010 baseline). In contrast, health ODA for refugees in LMICs increased from USD 18.55 in 2010 to USD 23.31 in 2019 (with an annual average increase of +14%). Certain health topics for IDPs received very low ODA, with only 0.44% of IDP health ODA disbursed for non-communicable diseases (including mental health). There was also weak evidence of IDP health ODA being related to recipient country IDP population size, and health system capacity and health characteristics. The paper highlights the need for increased investment by donors in IDP health ODA and to ensure that it is responsive to their health needs.


Advanced imaging modalities provide new insights into coronary artery calcification.
Coronary calcification plays a major role as a key surrogate measure of plaque burden, providing powerful risk stratification and influencing preventive therapy. Depending on its location and density, microcalcifications may directly result in plaque rupture and adverse clinical events. Although macroscopic calcifications are frequently linked to advanced and stable plaques, the fact that a small number of thrombotic events are caused by plaques that possess a substantial amount of calcification should not be overlooked. Early and accurate assessment of calcium content in atherosclerotic plaques potentially enhances the identification of high-risk patients requiring preventive treatments. Non-invasive imaging allows for the visualization, detection, and quantification of calcific lesions, whereas intravascular imaging has the unique advantage of providing real-time and accurate information during calcium modification interventions. Simultaneously, emerging molecular imaging modalities aid in the investigation of calcification activity. This review summarizes advanced techniques for coronary artery calcification imaging, including their merits and limitations, in addition to their potential applications in both experimental and clinical settings.


The Retinoblastoma-related gene RBL901 can trigger drought response actions in potato.
This study provided new insights into response of potato to drought stress.


Transitory hCG-like activity in the urine of some IUD users.
Using an antiserum (H-93) specific to the COOH-terminal peptide of hCG beta and gel chromatography, we found the transitory (1-2 days) presence of a gonadotropin having immunological, biological, and physical similarity to hCG, but not typical hLH, in the late luteal phase (days 24-29) urine of some (5 of 26) IUD users. We did not detect hCG in sera from any of the women. Although the source of the hCG-like gonadotropin is unknown, the data suggest that late luteal phase implantation may have occurred transiently.


Localization of particulate guanylate cyclase in plasma membranes and microsomes of rat liver.
The subcellular localization of guanylate cyclase was examined in rat liver. About 80% of the enzyme activity of homogenates was found in the soluble fraction. Particulate guanylate cyclase was localized in plasma membranes and microsomes. Crude nuclear and microsomal fractions were applied to discontinuous sucrose gradients, and the resulting fractions were examined for guanylate cyclase, various enzyme markers of cell components, and electron microscopy. Purified plasma membrane fractions obtained from either preparation had the highest specific activity of guanylate cyclase, 30 to 80 pmol/min/mg of protein, and the recovery and relative specific activity of guanylate cyclase paralleled that of 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate cyclase in these fractions. Significant amounts of guanylate cyclase, adenylate cyclase, 5'-nucleotidase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were recovered in purified preparation of microsomes. We cannot exclude the presence of guanylate cyclase in other cell components such as Golgi. The electron microscopic studies of fractions supported the biochemical studies with enzyme markers. Soluble guanylate cyclase had typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to GTP and had an apparent Km for GTP of 35 muM. Ca-2+ stimulated the soluble activity in the presence of low concentrations of Mn-2+. The properties of guanylate cyclase in plasma membranes and microsomes were similar except that Ca-2+ inhibited the activity associated with plasma membranes and had no effect on that of microsomes. Both particulate enzymes were allosteric in nature; double reciprocal plots of velocity versus GTP were not linear, and Hill coefficients for preparations of plasma membranes and microsomes were calculated to be 1.60 and 1.58, respectively. The soluble and particulate enzymes were inhibited by ATP, and inhibition of the soluble enzyme was slightly greater. While Mg-2+ was less effective than Mn-2+ as a sole cation, all enzyme fractions were markedly stimulated with Mg-2+ in the presence of a low concentration of Mn-2+. Triton X-100 increased the activity of particulate fractions about 3- to 10-fold and increased the soluble activity 50 to 100%.


Intra-tumoral ligation and the injection of sclerosant in the treatment of lingual cavernous haemangioma.
Haemangiomas are developmental vascular abnormalities and more than 50% of these lesions occur in the head and neck region, with the tongue, buccal mucosa, lips and palate most commonly involve. They are considered as harmatomas rather than true neoplasms Factors such as patient's age, size and site of lesion and the proximity of lesion to vital structure are paramount in the determination of the therapeutic approach 7 surgical excision, cryotherapy, injection of feeder vessels with sclerosants and embolization of the blood vessels. We report the management of cavernous haemangioma of the tongue in a 38 year old man using intra-tumoral ligation (The Popescu Procedure) and injection of sclerosant under general anaesthesia. The efficacy of this method lies in the fact that it obstructs the vascular channels to and from the entire tumour mass leading to progressive atrophy of the vascular endothelia, fibrous hyperplasia and the substitution of the angiomatous tissues by a fibroconnective tissue mass which initially appears excessive but remodels and produces an acceptable appearance which can be further improved by plastic surgery. The procedure was well tolerated and the patient made excellent recovery. It is recommended in our centre where facilities for technologically demanding methods are not available.


Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of a New Generation of Active Middle Ear Implant: A Clinically Relevant Temporal Bone Laboratory Study.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an essential tool of modern medical imaging and disease diagnosis. In November 2014, a new MRI-conditional (up to 1.5 T) generation of an active middle ear implant (AMEI) was released to the market.The aim of the study was to test the MRI compatibility of the new implant system in a clinical-anatomical study. Experimental cadaver head model. Temporal bone laboratory. AMEIs were implanted in 28 fixed temporal bones at three different floating mass transducer (FMT)-coupling positions (N = 8 short process of the incus, N = 16 long process of the incus, N = 4 round window). The position of the FMT and the integrity of the ossicular chain was monitored through microscopy, microendoscopy, and computed tomography (CT) scans before and after the MRI (1.5 T) was conducted. Proper function of the implant was tested with reverse transfer function (RTF) measurements. Neither positional nor functional changes after MRI were observed. The new generation of the AMEI is a MRI-compatible system, which features an easier and quicker implant fixation method. The option of MRI in patients with AMEI should be taken into consideration during the preoperative discussion with potential candidates.


The impact of COVID-19 induced panic on stock market returns: A two-year experience.
This paper explores the relationship between the stock markets of emerging and developed economies and the fear triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in a period that spans from mid-January 2020 to mid-February 2022. The potential relations are analyzed in terms of Granger causality and dynamic correlation, both from the view of raw undecomposed returns and different time-frequency decompositions derived from a previous wavelet transform screening approach. Overall, our Granger and dynamic correlation results suggest that changes in panic indexes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic do not have a significant relation with the raw stock market returns, but the reverse occurs in terms of time-frequency decompositions. Correlation analysis also indicates that all countries have a quite similar pattern of phase transitions, with certain stages preceded by a hump and others by a valley, i.e., they exhibit both positive and negative correlations. Despite a gradual reduction in media coverage, both causal relationships and correlations between financial markets and panic indexes held in 2021 and early 2022.


Chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy in Barrett's esophagus.
Chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy appear to be a valuable adjuncts for the detection and classification of BE. These techniques may also prove to be useful aids in surveillance protocols for identifying dysplastic epithelium or early cancer within a segment of BE. Ideally, the use of these techniques would enable the endoscopist to rule in or out the presence of IM and of dysplastic or cancerous epithelium by obtaining only a minimal number of targeted biopsy specimens, or potentially performing no biopsies at all. This could transform upper endoscopy into a much more effective screening and surveillance tool for BE. Several problems currently exist for the use of chromoendoscopy for BE. Results of studies reporting the accuracy of chromoendoscopy remain mixed,and are likely explained by the wide range of techniques and materials used in the investigations. Staining adds several steps, and likely several minutes, to an upper endoscopy. Staining within the esophagus is often patchy and uneven. In addition, poor spraying technique exaggerates the irregular uptake by the mucosa. There is a high false-positive rate when staining gastric-type epithelium and denuded epithelium. Areas of dysplasia or cancer may take up stain in an irregular manner, or may not stain at all. Chromoendoscopy is a relatively new technique in the management of BE and depends on the skill and experience of the endoscopist. Magnification, however, only allows the endoscopist to observe small areas of mucosa at a time, increasing the overall complexity and length of the procedure. The learning curve for this procedure is relatively short, however, and endoscopists can usually become proficient in the technique quickly. Currently, the greatest body of literature exists concerning the use of methylene blue for diagnosing BE. At the present time, chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy appear to be most beneficial in detecting IM in short segments of esophageal columnar-appearing mucosa. If used consistently by practicing physicians, the accuracy of biopsies for IM could be improved. If endoscopic ablative therapy for HGD and early adenocarcinoma becomes accepted, sensitive methods of detecting residual BE after ablation will be needed to help guide additional endoscopic therapy. Chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy could prove helpful in this setting. Further research in this field remains to be performed. As a first step, a uniform classification system for staining and magnification patterns should be devised. If investigators can reach a consensus, and validate classification, terminology, and pattern-types, future studies could be performed using "common and similar language." More controlled investigations with larger numbers of patients must be performed before tissue staining and magnification endoscopy become a part of the practicing endoscopist's armamentarium. The ultimate aims of chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy in the setting of BE are to show improved outcomes--namely, early detection of cancer and improved survival rates. These goals have not yet been realized and meeting them will require well-designed studies in the future.


The Immediacy of Illness and Existential Crisis: Patients' lived experience of under-going allogeneic stem cell transplantation for haematological malignancy. A phenomenological study.
This paper reports a study exploring the lived experience of fifteen men and women treated with allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) for haematological malignancy. The study followed an interpretive phenomenological methodology using semi-structured interviews. Participants aged between 22 and 68 years were purposively recruited from two specialist treatment centres and were interviewed within three months to one year post SCT between April and September 2013. Data were then analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. An overarching theme that emerged from the data was: The Immediacy of Illness and Existential Crisis. The Immediacy of Illness and Existential Crisis developed from participants' experiences of critical events accompanied by enduring uncertainty continuing into the recovery period. Participants suffer major disruption to their lives physically, psychosocially and emotionally, including facing their own mortality, without a sense of when they may resume the normality of their former lives. Ambiguity and uncertainty characterise the experiences of those with haematological malignancy. Whilst participants have access to specialist teams, there are opportunities for health and social care professionals to provide more support for individuals to come to terms with the critical events they have faced and to prepare them for their return home and to continue former lives and aspirations following prolonged hospitalisation.


Correlation of blood biomarkers with early-onset seizures after an acute stroke event.
Blood biomarkers have not been widely studied in stroke-related seizures. In this study, we aimed to describe clinical factors and biomarkers present during acute stroke and to analyze their association with early-onset seizures. We retrospectively evaluated a panel of 14 blood biomarkers in 1115 patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Biomarkers were normalized and standardized using Z scores. We also recorded stroke and epilepsy-related variables, including stroke severity (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] scores), type, and causes, time from onset of stroke to occurrence of early seizures, and type of seizure. Adjusted logistic regression models were built to identify clinical variables and biomarkers independently associated with early seizures. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 72.3 ± 13.2 years, and 56.8% of the patients were men. Thirty-eight patients (3.9%) developed early seizures with a median time to onset of 1 day (interquartile range (IQR), 0-4). A higher NIHSS score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.046; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.094; p = 0.044) and hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 2.133; 95% CI: 1.010-4.504; p = 0.047) were independently associated with a greater risk of early seizures. Independent blood biomarkers predictive of early seizures were lower levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) (<0.013) (p = 0.006; OR = 3.334; 95% CI: 1.414-7.864) and higher levels of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) (>0.326) (p = 0.009; OR = 2.625; 95% CI: 1.271-5.420). The predictive power of the regression model was greater when clinical variables were combined with blood biomarkers (73.5%; 95% CI: 65.1%-81.9%) than when used alone (64%; 95% CI: 55%-72.9%). Higher NCAM and lower TNF-R1 levels may help predict the occurrence of early seizures. The combined use of these biomarkers and clinical variables could be useful for identifying patients at risk of seizures. This article is part of the Special Issue "Seizures & Stroke".


Treatment of atherosclerosis by traditional Chinese medicine: Questions and quandaries.
Atherosclerosis and its complications, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, are the major causes of morbidity and mortality, and development of effective therapies for both prevention and treatment of this disease is critically important. Currently, there are many drugs available for atherosclerotic disease, but the lipid-lowering drugs statins are still the first-choice for treatment of hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. On the other hand, traditional Chinese medicines, mainly Chinese herbal medicines (CHM), have been widely used in China and in other Asian countries for the treatment of atherosclerotic diseases. Although many CHMs have been reported to be effective for treating atherosclerotic diseases for more than two thousand years, there are still many difficulties for their use, such as lack of scientific evidence assessed by rigorous clinical trials, complicated components and unclear pharmacological mechanisms, which often hamper the widespread use of CHMs in Western countries. Due to these concerns, CHMs are usually considered as complimentary or alternative treatment for atherosclerotic diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis viewed by Western and traditional Chinese medicine, summarize pros and cons on the efficacy of CHMs for atherosclerosis and discuss what is necessary for CHM use to spread to Western societies.


Racial and ethnic differences in vaccine hesitancy Among registered nurses in New Jersey: A cross-sectional survey.
Nurses play an important role in the vaccine readiness process and high vaccination rates among nurses are essential to ensuring successful vaccination programs. This study sought to examine whether the intention to get vaccinated varied by race and/or ethnicity among a large sample of registered nurses in New Jersey.


Parents' experiences of an e-health intervention implemented in pediatric healthcare: a qualitative study.
The growing field of participation in healthcare has the potential to provide a number of benefits for children, patients, healthcare professionals and also the healthcare systems. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children have the right to participate in their own healthcare and make their voice heard. Children's opportunities for understanding their conditions, sharing their views and participating in decisions regarding their care depend on healthcare professionals but also on parents' ability to communicate and include children. E-health solutions can remove barriers to children's communication with healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore parents' perspectives on the outcomes of an e-health solution, Sisom, used by children during healthcare appointments. The empirical data is based on interviews with 16 parents. In the present study constructivist, grounded theory was chosen as the method. The theory of enhancing participation, by orientating communication about healthcare towards the voice of the child instead of the parents, summarizes the process of how the outcome of Sisom for children lead to enhanced participation, by making the child the main actor and an agent in his/her own healthcare. The facilitators for achieving participation in Sisom were four interrelated outcomes; engaging, voice-guarding, raising awareness and integrity preserving. In addition to generating increased participation, it emerged that the use of Sisom also initiated a process, which was evident in all four subcategories that facilitated the child in coping with the experience of having an illness. We conclude, that Sisom orientated communication about healthcare towards the voice of the child instead of the parents as well as including the child in the dialogue with the healthcare professional and thus increasing the child's participation and human rights.


Investigating the candidacy of the serotype specific rhamnan polysaccharide based glycoconjugates to prevent disease caused by the dental pathogen Streptococcus mutans.
Dental caries remains a major health issue and the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus mutans is considered as the major pathogen causing caries. More recently, S. mutans has been recognised as a cause of endocarditis, ulcerative colitis and fatty acid liver disease along with the likelihood of increased cerebral hemorrhage following a stroke if S. mutans is present systemically. We initiated this study to examine the vaccine candidacy of the serotype specific polysaccharides elaborated by S. mutans. We have confirmed the carbohydrate structures for the serotype specific rhamnan containing polysaccharides from serotypes c, f and k. We have prepared glycoconjugate vaccines using the rhamnan containing polymers from serotypes f and k and immunised mice and rabbits. We consistently obtained a robust immune response to the glycoconjugates with cross-reactivity consistent with the structural similarities of the polymers from the different serotypes. We developed an opsonophagocytic assay which illustrated the ability of the post-immune sera to facilitate opsonophagocytic killing of the homologous and heterologous serotypes at titers consistent with the structural homologies. We conclude that glycoconjugates of the rhamnan polymers of S. mutans are a potential vaccine candidate to target dental caries and other sequelae following the escape of S. mutans from the oral cavity.


Peanut-allergic subjects and their peanut-tolerant siblings have large differences in peanut-specific IgG that are independent of HLA class II.
We enrolled 53 peanut-allergic subjects and 64 peanut-tolerant full siblings, measured peanut-specific IgG and IgE, determined HLA class II at high resolution, and analyzed DRB1 alleles by supertypes. Peanut-specific IgG and IgE were elevated in the peanut-allergic subjects (p<0.0001) but did not stratify with HLA alleles, haplotypes, or supertypes. There were no significant differences in HLA class II between the peanut-allergic and peanut-tolerant siblings but there was an increased frequency of DRB1*0803 in both sets of siblings compared to unrelated controls (p(c)=4.5×10⁻⁹). Furthermore, we identified 14 sibling pairs in which the peanut-allergic and the peanut-tolerant siblings have identical HLA class II and again found an elevation of anti-peanut IgG in the peanut-allergic subjects (p<0.0001). In conclusion, although DRB1*0803 may identify a subset of families with increased risk of peanut allergy, differences in peanut-specific immunoglobulin production between peanut-allergic subjects and their peanut-tolerant siblings are independent of HLA class II.


Recurrence of squamous cell lung carcinoma is associated with the co-presence of reactive lesions in tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelium.
Recurrences occur in 30 % of lung cancer patients after radical therapy; however, known prognostic factors are not always effective. In this study, we investigated whether the frequency of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recurrence depends on the presence of reactive lesions in tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelium. Specimens of adjacent lung tissue from 104 patients with squamous NSCLC were used for the determination of basal cell hyperplasia (BCH) and squamous metaplasia (SM) and for the analysis of the expression of Ki-67, p53, Bcl-2, and CD138. We found that recurrence was observed in 36.7 % of patients with BCH combined with SM (BCH + SM+) in the same bronchus, compared with 1.8 % in patients with isolated BCH (BCH + SM-; odds ratio (OR) 31.26, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.77-258.60; p = 0.00002). The percentage of Ki-67-positive cells was significantly higher in BCH + SM+ than in BCH + SM- (34.9 vs. 18.3 %; effect size 2.86, 95 % CI 2.23-3.47; p = 0.003). P53 expression was also more significant in BCH + SM+ than in BCH + SM- (14.4 vs. 9.6 %; effect size 1.22, 95 % CI 0.69-1.76; p = 0.0008). In contrast, CD138 expression was lower in BCH + SM+ than in BCH + SM- (21.8 vs. 38.5 %; effect size -6.26, 95 % CI -7.31 to -5.22; p = 0.003). Based on our results, we concluded that the co-presence of reactive bronchial lesions is associated with the development of recurrent squamous NSCLC and may be a negative prognostic indicator. In addition, significant differences in Ki-67, p53, and CD138 expression exist between isolated BCH and BCH combined with SM that probably reflect part of biological differences, which could relate to the mechanism of lung cancer recurrence.


Antithrombotic management of stroke patients before colonoscopy.
Uncertainty exists regarding the management of antithrombotic medications in ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients around the time of colonoscopy. We sought to evaluate whether there was a difference in adverse events among patients who continued medications and those who had temporary discontinuation. Using a hospital administrative database, electronic charts of patients with a diagnostic code for stroke or TIA and a procedural code for colonoscopy were reviewed. Information collected included baseline demographics, medical history, and antithrombotic medications. Outcome measures were stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, and major systemic bleeding (i.e., requiring transfusion) up to 4 weeks after the procedure among patients who had medications continued versus temporarily discontinued. One hundred seventy-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Antithrombotic medication was temporarily discontinued in 42 patients and continued in 135 patients. Comparing patients who had medications held to those who had medications continued, stroke occurred in 1 (2.4%) versus 0 (0%; P = .237) patients; myocardial infarction in no patients in either group; venous thromboembolism in 0 (0%) versus 1 (0.7%; P > .99) patients; and major system bleeding in 2 (4.8%) versus 4 (3.0%; P = .628) patients. In this retrospective analysis, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, and major bleeding between patients who had medications continued around the time of colonoscopy versus those who had temporary discontinuation. A prospective, randomized controlled study is warranted to further elucidate this issue.


What's in a Name? Exploring the Nomenclature of Science Communication in the UK.
This study, via a consideration of the literature, and a survey of science communicators, presents concise and workable definitions for science outreach, public engagement, widening participation, and knowledge exchange, in a UK context. Sixty-six per cent of participants agreed that their definitions of outreach, public engagement, and widening participation aligned with those of their colleagues, whilst 64% felt that their personal definitions matched those of their institute. However, closer inspection of the open-ended questions found the respondents often differed in the use of the nomenclature. In particular, the respondents found it difficult to define knowledge exchange in this context.


Two major components of synaptonemal complexes are specific for meiotic prophase nuclei.
Monoclonal antibody II52F10 was elicited against purified synaptonemal complexes (SCs); it recognizes two major components of the lateral elements of SCs, namely an Mr = 30,000 and an Mr = 33,000 protein. We studied the distribution of the antigens of II52F10 within tissues and cells of the male rat by immunoblot analysis and immunocytochemical techniques. Nuclear proteins from various cell types, including spermatogonia and spermatids, did not react with antibody II52F10 on immunoblots; the same holds for proteins from isolated mitotic chromosomes. As expected, an Mr = 30,000 and an Mr = 33,000 protein from spermatocyte nuclei did react with the antibody. In cryostat sections of liver, brain, muscle and gut we could not detect any reaction with II52F10. In the testis the reaction was confined to SCs or SC fragments. Partly on the basis of indirect evidence we identified the antigen-containing cells as zygotene up to and including post-diffuse diplotene spermatocytes. The persistence of some antigen-containing fragments in the earliest stages of spermatids could not be excluded. We conclude that the lateral elements (LEs) of SCs are not assembled by rearrangement of pre-existing components of the nucleus: at least two of their major components are newly synthesized, presumably during zygotene. Furthermore we conclude partly from indirect evidence that the major components of the LEs of SCs are not involved in the chromosome condensation processes that take place during the earliest stages of meiotic prophase.


Modular reactivation of Mexico City after COVID-19 lockdown.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the slope of the epidemic curve in Mexico City has been quite unstable. Changes in human activity led to changes in epidemic activity, hampering attempts at economic and general reactivation of the city. We have predicted that where a fraction of the population above a certain threshold returns to the public space, the negative tendency of the epidemic curve will revert. Such predictions were based on modeling the reactivation of economic activity after lockdown using an epidemiological model resting upon a contact network of Mexico City derived from mobile device co-localization. We modeled scenarios with different proportions of the population returning to normalcy. Null models were built using the Jornada Nacional de Sana Distancia (the Mexican model of elective lockdown). There was a mobility reduction of 75% and no mandatory mobility restrictions. We found that a new peak of cases in the epidemic curve was very likely for scenarios in which more than 5% of the population rejoined the public space. The return of more than 50% of the population synchronously will unleash a magnitude similar to the one predicted with no mitigation strategies. By evaluating the tendencies of the epidemic dynamics, the number of new cases registered, hospitalizations, and recent deaths, we consider that reactivation following only elective measures may not be optimal under this scenario. Given the need to resume economic activities, we suggest alternative measures that minimize unnecessary contacts among people returning to the public space. We evaluated that "encapsulating" reactivated workers (that is, using measures to reduce the number of contacts beyond their influential community in the contact network) may allow reactivation of a more significant fraction of the population without compromising the desired tendency in the epidemic curve.


Effects of prenatal hypoxia on placental glucocorticoid barrier: Mechanistic insight from experiments in rats.
Prenatal hypoxia is the most common stress in mid-late gestation that usually arise from maternal, placental and/or fetal factors. As a multifunctional organ enabling optimal fetal growth, placenta must adapt to diverse environmental stressors. Excessive glucocorticoids exposure is known to have adverse effects on fetal growth. The fetus is shielded by a placental glucocorticoid barrier by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2). However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of intrauterine hypoxia on placental glucocorticoid barrier are largely unknown. This study was the first to determine the effects and its mechanisms. Pregnant rats were exposed to hypoxia (10.5% O2) from gestational day (GD)10-20. At GD20, expression of 11-βHSD2 were determined in placenta, and corticosterone levels were measured in maternal and fetal plasma. Prenatal hypoxia disrupted the placental glucocorticoid barrier by suppressing 11-βHSD2 expression. Meanwhile, the decreased 11-βHSD2 was correlated with an increased DNA methylation within its gene promoter. Together, these results indicated that prenatal hypoxia impair placental glucocorticoid barrier, was strongly associated with reprogrammed 11-βHSD2 expression via a DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic mechanism.


Inadequate dietary diversity practices and associated factors among postpartum mothers in Gambella town, Southwest Ethiopia.
The shortage of diversified diets in lactating postpartum mothers is a severe problem in developing countries. The promotion of diverse diets is important to improving micronutrient nourishment and adequate energy intake for lactating mothers. To date, there is limited evidence regarding inadequate dietary diversity practices among lactating postpartum mothers in Gambella region. The study is aimed to determine inadequate dietary diversity practice and associated factors among lactating postpartum mothers in Gambella city, southwest Ethiopia. Mixed methods were employed on 407 randomly selected lactating postpartum mothers and 15 purposively selected key informants from February 28 to March 24, 2021. A pre-tested questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21 software. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the associated factors of dietary diversity. Qualitative data were analyzed manually through a thematic approach. The prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity practice was 60.2%. Having no education (AOR = 3.74, 95% CI: 1.18, 11.88), employed women(AOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.75), meal frequency < 3 meals (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.04, 8.71), time taken to market > 30 min (AOR = 4.20, 95% CI: 2.01, 8.76), not received nutrition education (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI:1.09, 3.68), having home gardening (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.57) and having big animals (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.29) were significant factors of inadequate dietary diversity practice. Diet habits, food taboos, low social status of women in ownership of household assets, low family support, order of feeding, child preference for resource distribution in a polygamous family, and health care provider's advice were the main mentioned reasons for inadequate dietary diversity practices. The prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity practices were high compared to previous studies. Having no education, employed women, meal frequency < 3 meals, time taken to market > 30 min, not receiving nutrition education, having a home garden, and having big animals were significant factors of inadequate dietary diversity practice. Nutrition intervention focused on nutrition education to increase meal frequency should be provided for lactating postpartum mothers to improve inadequate dietary diversity practices.


Mechanism of allyl formate-induced hepatotoxicity in rainbow trout.
Hepatotoxicity of allyl formate (AF) was studied in trout, to characterize the response of the teleost liver to a mammalian periportal hepatotoxicant. A dose-dependent decrease in liver nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) concentration was observed at 3, 6, and 24 hr following 9.5, 28, and 95 mg/kg) AF with maximal depression seen at 6 hr (51, 40, and 29% control, respectively). Further evidence for glutathione (GSH) protection against AF toxicity was seen when diethylmaleate, a GSH depleting agent (0.6 ml/kg ip), administered 30 min prior to AF (9.5 and 28 mg/kg), increased AF hepatotoxicity (10-fold shift in the dose-response effect on SGPT). Also, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (150 mg/kg ip), a GSH precursor, protected liver against AF toxicity when injected 5 min prior to and 1, 5, and 9 hr after AF (28 and 95 mg/kg). Pyrazole (375 mg/kg ip), an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, given 4 hr before AF (95 mg/kg), attenuated the histopathological effect of AF. These results indicate that AF, once bioactivated by alcohol dehydrogenase, causes significant toxicity in trout liver. GSH protects against AF-induced effects since greater than 50% decreases in liver GSH are required before toxicity is expressed.


Sedimentation by gravity stabilizes plasma glucose for up to 60 minutes.
Glucose levels decrease in whole blood in vitro, but there are several methods that minimize the loss, including special tubes and ice. This study evaluated whether sedimentation by gravity in an upright position was a viable alternative. Lithium heparinized blood was collected from 20 individuals without a diagnosis of diabetes. The samples were allowed to sediment at ambient temperature and were tested in quadruplicate at 30 minute intervals. A Repeated Measures ANOVA compared the means of each time-point. Plasma glucose results were not statistically different between 30 minutes and 60 minutes after collection (p = 0.156). At 90 minutes after collection, glucose was significantly different than the initial glucose readings (p <0.001). Each reading thereafter also showed a statistically significant difference from the initial reading. Samples for glucose measurement are stable in lithium heparin for no longer than 60 minutes when held in an upright position prior to centrifugation.


Effects of magnetic seizure therapy on anterograde and retrograde amnesia in treatment-resistant depression.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the gold standard for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, cognitive side effects, mainly anterograde and retrograde amnesia, frequently occur. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is tested using more focal seizure induction. However, the suggestion MST may be more beneficial than ECT because it causes fewer amnesia have not yet been comprehensively investigated using common neuropsychological testing specifically for ECT. We aimed to examine whether MST causes anterograde and retrograde amnesia. Ten patients with TRD were treated with MST (8.9 [2] treatments) at 100% machine output, a frequency of 100 Hz and 657.4 (62) pulses per train. The short form of the Autobiographical Memory Inventory was administered to test retrograde amnesia. Furthermore, an extended neuropsychological test battery, including verbal and nonverbal recall as well as recognition tasks, was used. We observed changes in retrograde amnesia, although they were not clinically relevant (mean: -0.42 ± 0.14). Furthermore, no anterograde amnesia as well as no effects on global cognitive status, attention, language, and executive functions after MST were measured. The cognitive safety and efficacy of MST in patients with TRD were indicated. However, the main limitations of the present study were the small sample and as a consequence, the low statistical power to detect changes after treatment. Therefore, our findings require replication in further studies. In addition, a direct comparison between MST and ECT in a larger sample should be performed before MST can be discussed as an alternative treatment approach to ECT in clinical practice.


Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion as a marker of right ventricular dysfunction in pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) is a predictor of outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in adults, but little is known in children. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) has emerged as a reliable tool to assess RVSD. We sought to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of RVSD using TAPSE in children with DCM. The first echocardiogram at the time of diagnosis with DCM was analyzed to obtain left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 2D TAPSE. RVSD was defined as TAPSE age-based z-score ≤-2. The association of a composite primary endpoint including death, mechanical support, or transplantation with RVSD was analyzed using LVEF and TAPSE. Of the 96 patients, RVSD was noted in 84 (88%). During a median follow-up of 17.5 months (IQR 1.4, 76.2), the primary endpoints were reached in 59%. There was a lower LVEF in patients with RVSD (P=.016). Moderate or severe RVSD showed a significant association with the composite primary endpoint (unadjusted OR 2.7 [95% CI: 1.15-6.33], P=.023). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the event-free survival was significantly lower in patients with LVEF ≤30% and TAPSE z-score ≤-4. Children with DCM have a high prevalence of RVSD based on reduced TAPSE, and those with moderate or severe RVSD have worse clinical outcomes.


Antidiabetic and Antidyslipidemic Effects of Artemisia mesatlantica, an Endemic Plant from Morocco.
The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activities of Artemisia mesatlantica. Artemisia mesatlantica is an endemic plant of Morocco used in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment for diabetes. The study was designed to examine the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemicability of aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (AMAE) in experimental animal models. The effect of the single and repeated oral administration (7 days of treatment) of AMAE (60 mg/kg) on blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, to confirm the antidyslipidemic effect of Artemisia mesatlantica, a model of hyperlipidemia induced by tyloxapol (Triton WR-1339) in rats was used. The AMAE (60 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce glycaemia, improve lipid profile and increase hepatic glycogen content in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In addition, pretreatment of rats for 7 consecutive days with an aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (600 mg/kg) prior to tyloxapol injection prevented increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c. From these observed results, it can be deduced that Artemisia mesatlantica possesses remarkable antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties.


Head trauma in the child.
Head injury, either alone or in combination with multiple injuries, is common in children. Its pattern is different in children compared to adults, with diffuse cerebral swelling rather than localized hematoma being most common. The pathophysiology of pediatric head trauma is not yet clearly elucidated, but may be closely related to changes in the regulation of cerebral blood flow. The initial management and subsequent care of the child with severe brain injury are discussed from a multisystem viewpoint. The prognosis for children with severe head injury seems brighter than for adults, but there are not yet enough data to allow prediction of outcome in any individual case. Efforts to prevent, rather than treat, head injury in childhood are more likely to be beneficial.


Pathological and radiological correlation of endobronchial neoplasms: Part I, Benign tumors.
Benign endobronchial lung neoplasms are extremely rare. Most such neoplasms are of mesenchymal origin; however, neoplasms of submucosal gland origin and surface epithelial origin also occur. The symptomatology and radiographic features of these tumors are often indistinguishable from those of malignant lung tumors. However, recognition and early diagnosis of these lesions may allow for conservative treatment and excellent patient outcome. The clinicopathologic and radiological features of these pulmonary neoplasms are discussed.