Critical overlap concentration and intrinsic viscosity data of xanthan gum aqueous solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide.
This is the supplementary information of the research paper "Haemodynamics around confined microscopic cylinders" by Rodrigues et al. [1]. The critical overlap concentration of entanglement of polymer coils indicates whether a polymer solution is dilute or semidilute. Here, the reader will find the determination of c * for xanthan gum aqueous solutions in 52 wt.% of dimethyl sulfoxide, often used as non-particulate blood analogues. From the shear flow curves of a dilution series of the polymer the zero-shear viscosities η 0 were obtained, allowing us to estimate the intrinsic viscosity [ η ] based on the xanthan gum concentration of the fluids. Two methodologies for doing so are described: using information from multi-concentration measurements and from a single polymer solution (rough estimate). With the intrinsic viscosity the determination of c * is straightforward.


Tonic organization of the inferior colliculi in the cat in conditions of simulated sound source motion.
Simulation of the motion of a sound source using a series of clicks with variable interaural delays was used to study movement effects as changes in the amplitude of sequential focal evoked potentials (EP) in series of EP arising in response to the signal. These experiments showed that a) in 25% of cases the movement effect depended on the direction of the simulated motion; b) the movement effect was better represented on the wide ipsilateral to the site of EP recording; left- and right-sided movement effects were identically dependent on the rate of motion; c) the phenomenon of the movement effect was associated with the dominance of contralateral afferentation compared with ipsilateral afferentation; d) the movement effect was accompanied by inhibitory manifestations consisting of suppression of monaural afferentation in conditions of binaural stimulation; e) marked movement effects were seen mainly in the ventrocentral part of the central nucleus, located very close to the positions of large multipolar neurons, while mild and moderate movement effects were distributed quite uniformly though the volume of the nucleus, following the distribution of the "basic" neurons; it is suggested that movement effects of different strengths are associated with differences in the ratios of the effectivenesses of ipsi- and contralateral stimulation, which depend on the properties of multipolar and "basic" neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in relation to their responses to ipsi- and contralateral stimulation.


Aortic valve repair: 49 year follow-up.
This case report reveals an encouraging long-term follow-up of an aortic valve repair performed in 1962 by Sir Brian Barrett-Boyes. At last follow-up in 2011, 49 years after aortic valve repair, there was only trivial aortic regurgitation. This length of follow-up is considerably longer than that which currently exists in the literature for aortic valve repair.


CpG island shore methylation of ZFPM2 is identified in tetralogy of fallot samples.
ZFPM2 gene plays an important role in heart morphogenesis and development of coronary vessels from epicardium, however, little is known regarding its epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of tetralogy of fallot (TOF). The methylation levels of ZFPM2 gene were measured by MassArray (Sequenom, San Diego, CA) and bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (BSP). Real-time PCR was performed to analyze the mRNA levels for ZFPM2 gene in the myocardium of TOF. The methylation levels in the CpG island shore of ZFPM2 promoter were significantly higher in patients with TOF, with a median of 80.32% (interquartile range (IQR): 73.54-85.75%, N = 42), as compared to 59.63% in controls (IQR: 44.79-73.83%; P = 0.0186, N = 6). No significant difference was observed in the methylation status at the CpG island of ZFPM2 promoter. The ZFPM2 mRNA levels were significantly lower in patients with TOF compared to that in the controls (P < 0.05). The aberrant methylation values of ZFPM2 were negatively associated with significant changes in its mRNA level (r = -0.40, P = 0.008, N = 42). Aberrant methylation status at the promoter CpG island shore of ZFPM2 gene may be associated with its gene transcription regulation in the TOF patients.


CABA-V7: a prospective biomarker selected trial of cabazitaxel treatment in AR-V7 positive prostate cancer patients.
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with positive AR-V7 expression in their circulating tumour cells (CTCs) rarely derive benefit from abiraterone and enzalutamide. We performed a prospective, multicenter, single arm phase II clinical trial (CABA-V7) in mCRPC patients previously treated with docetaxel and androgen deprivation therapy. In this trial, we investigated whether cabazitaxel treatment resulted in clinically meaningful PSA response rates in patients with positive CTC-based AR-V7 expression and collected liquid biopsies for genomic profiling. Cabazitaxel was found to be modestly effective, with only 12% of these patients obtaining a PSA response. Genomic profiling revealed that CTC-based AR-V7 expression was not associated with other known mCRPC-associated alterations. CTC-based AR-V7 status and dichotomised CTC counts were observed as independent prognostic markers at baseline. AR-V7 positivity predicted poor overall survival (OS). However, cabazitaxel-treated AR-V7 positive patients and those lacking AR-V7 positivity, who received cabazitaxel as standard of care, appeared to have similar OS. Therefore, despite the low response rate, cabazitaxel may still be an effective treatment in this poor prognosis, AR-V7 positive patient population.


Nanocomposite hydrogel with NIR/magnet/enzyme multiple responsiveness to accurately manipulate local drugs for on-demand tumor therapy.
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly utilized approaches to treat malignant tumor. However, the well-controlled chemotherapy able to accurately manipulate local drugs for on-demand tumor treatment is still a challenge. Herein, a magnet and light dual-responsive hydrogel combining thermosensitive poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA), doxorubicin (DOX) loaded and polyester (PE) capped mesoporous silica nanocarriers (MSNs) as well as Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) grafted graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated to address above issue. The Fe3O4 NPs and GO respectively serve as magnetothermal agent and photothermal agent to perform hyperthermia, meanwhile to generate chain motion of PNAGA with varying degrees under different conditions of magnetic field and/or NIR irradiation. This strategy not only allowed the gel-sol transition of the hydrogel by prior heating for tumor injection, but performed controllable release routes of DOX-MSNs-PE (DMP for short) nanocarriers to meet various requirements from different patients and the changing states of tumor. Furthermore, these escaped DMP nanocarriers could be taken by surrounding tumor cells, and then deliver their drug to these cells after rapid hydrolysis of the PE cap triggered by esterase, resulting in accurate chemotherapy. Both in vitro and in vivo results indicated that the PNAGA-DMP-Fe3O4@GO hydrogel combining well-controllable chemotherapy and hyperthermia can eliminate more than 90% tumor cells and effectively inhibit the tumor growth in mice model, demonstrating the great candidate of our hydrogel for accurate tumor therapy.


Examining adverse childhood experiences among Native American persons in a nationally representative sample: Differences among racial/ethnic groups and race/ethnicity-sex dyads.
Existing research using nationally representative samples has provided valuable information regarding the prevalence and context of childhood adversity, but Native American persons have largely been absent from these studies. We examined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among persons identifying as White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American in the NESARC, a longitudinal study (Wave 1: 2001-2002; Wave 2: 2004-2005) using a nationally representative sample from the United States. Means tests and negative binomial regression were used to examine the prevalence and variety of ACEs across racial/ethnic groups and race/ethnicity-sex dyads. Native American persons reported the greatest average number and variety of ACEs than persons from any other racial/ethnic group, and reported the highest rates of physical abuse, sexual abuse, parental substance abuse, and witnessing violence than members of any other racial/ethnic category. Native American females reported the greatest rates of emotional abuse, while Native American males reported the greatest rates of physical neglect; the highest rates of parental substance use among the race/ethnicity-sex dyads were reported by both Native American females and males. Significantly higher rates of sexual violence were reported by Native American females compared to other groups; almost 1 in 4 Native American females reported sexual violence. Future research should make a concerted effort to broaden examinations of ACEs to include Native American respondents and to include measures of historical trauma and racial discrimination. Broader support for system change as well as increased development and use of culturally responsive prevention and intervention programming is likely necessary to reduce ACEs among Native American persons.


Exploring the association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene and Alzheimer disease.
Previous linkage studies have shown that chromosome 12 harbors susceptibility genes for late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). However, association studies of several candidate genes on this chromosome region have produced ambiguous results. A recent study reported the association between the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) gene on chromosome 12p and the risk of LOAD. The authors conducted family-based and case-control association studies in two independent LOAD data sets on 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GAPD gene and its paralogs. No association was found of the GAPD gene with LOAD in the family-based data set, but marginal evidence of association was seen in the later-onset subgroup when age at onset was stratified. The SNP rs2029721 in one GAPD pseudogene was also found to be associated with risk for LOAD in the unrelated case-control data set (p = 0.003). The GAPD gene and its pseudogene may play a role in the development of late-onset Alzheimer disease. However, the effect, if any, is likely to be limited.


Nitric oxide production from a macrophage cell line: interaction with autologous and allogeneic lymphocytes.
The indirect stimulation of macrophages to produce nitrite was examined by using the macrophage cell line J774.J774 spontaneously produced nitrite, when cultured at high concentration. J774 cultured in low concentration (< 10(4) cells in 100 microliters) barely produced nitrite. J774 cultured in low concentration produced a large amount of nitrite by the co-culture of nonadherent spleen cells or nonadherent peritoneal exudate cells, which were stimulated with con A, anti-CD3, or staphylococcal enterotoxin A. J774 (BALB/c derived: H-2d) cultured with either syngeneic (BALB/c) or allogeneic (B6; H-2b B10BR; H-2k) nonadherent lymphocytes, which were stimulated with conA or anti-CD3, produced nitric oxide. However, J774 produced nitric oxide by stimulation with SEA only when co-cultured with SEA-reactive T lymphocytes. Peritoneal exudate cells from mice, which did not proliferate by the stimulation of conA or anti-CD3, proliferated well by the addition of L-arginine homologue, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. The proliferation of nonadherent peritoneal exudate cells stimulated with conA or anti-CD3 was suppressed by the addition of peritoneal macrophages. This suppression was abolished by the addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine.


Payment mechanism and hospital admission: New evidence from Thailand healthcare reform.
In 2007, Thailand's Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS), one of the three main public health insurers, adopted a new payment mechanism for hospital admission. There has been a shift from fee-for-service toward Diagnostic Related Group (DRG)-based payment that transfers financial risk from the government to health care providers. This study investigates the effects of this policy change on hospital admission, frequency of admission, length of stay (LOS), type of hospital admitted, and out-of-pocket (OOP) inpatient medical expenditure. By employing nationally representative micro-level data (Health and Welfare surveys) and difference-in-difference approach, this study finds a 1 percentage point decline in hospitalization, a 10% higher chance of admission at community hospitals (the lowest level inpatient public health care facility), and a 7% less chance of admission at higher level public health care facilities like general hospitals. No significant change was observed in LOS, frequency of admission, or OOP inpatient medical expenditure associated with the post-2007 payment mechanism change. Our results emphasize the effectiveness of a close-ended payment mechanism for health care in developing countries. This study also adds to the limited literature on using micro-level data to investigate payment mechanism change in the context of low- and middle-income countries.


Organochlorine residues and reproduction in the little brown bat, Laurel, Maryland--June 1976.
Twelve of 43 pregnant little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected at Montpelier Barn, Laurel, Maryland, gave birth to dead young. Eleven of these 12 dead neonates were abnormally small. Most of the stillbirths were attributable to unknown reproductive difficulties associated with first pregnancies, but four may have been due to high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the newborn. Residues of the PCB, DDE, and oxychlordane crossed the placenta at similar rates.


[Unusual pneumonia by Pasteurella multocida].
Pasteurellosis is an infection caused by inoculation usually through bites or scratches. Pasteurella multocida is involved in 50 to 60% of cases. Cats are the main vectors of the pathogen. Immunodepression increases the risk of systemic disease. We report a case of Pasteurella multocida pneumonia in an 81-year-old patient who had no cutaneous portal of entry. The patient had a past medical history of rectal neoplasia and prostate neoplasia treated with brachytherapy and hormonal therapy respectively. He had an environmental risk factor (the presence of a cat at home). The diagnosis was confirmed by repeated blood cultures. Antimicrobial therapy resulted in clinical, biological and radiological improvement. This case report raises the question of a possible pathogenesis different from the commonly described "inoculation".


The role of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) in thyroidectomy: where do we stand today?
Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) gains daily ground, being used during thyroidectomy to help the surgeon identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). But its value still remains debatable among endocrine surgeons. In this review article, we aim to present current knowledge on the subject. The MEDLINE/PubMed database was searched for publications with the medical subject heading "Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring (IONM)" and keywords "thyroidectomy," "recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)" or "vocal cord paresis or vocal cord paralysis (VCP)." The search was conducted both on basis of the MESH tree and as a text search. We restricted our search to English till July 2012. In this review, we only included 34 articles and abstracts that were available in English. RLN IONM adds a functional dimension to surgery that aids, but does not replace, visual identification. For the time being, intraoperative visual identification of the nerve and preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopic assessment of vocal cord function remain the gold standard of RLN management in thyroid surgery. Whether IONM will become a standard of care or not depends on the familiarization of each surgeon with this technique as well as on the publication of studies involving large series of thyroidectomies, where the evaluation of IONM will have significant statistical power.


Contributing factors to colorectal cancer and hepatitis B screening among Vietnamese Americans.
To identify factors associated with screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatitis B, because hepatitis B can increase the risk of liver cancer. MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and PsycINFO databases from January 1998 to April 2012. The 23 reviewed studies included 15 descriptive, 2 intervention, 3 qualitative, 2 chart or medical record review, and 1 mixed method. Most studies used an investigator-developed instrument with no reported reliability. Inconsistent operational definitions for contributing factors to screening made it challenging to make comparisons. CRC and hepatitis B screening are consistently low among Vietnamese Americans. Contributing factors included sociodemographics, knowledge, cultural beliefs, and external factors. External factors such as having a regular place of care and a healthcare provider were crucial because they influenced adherence to screening recommendations. Use of a public media education plus healthcare provider model and a culturally tailored intervention using Vietnamese lay advisors appeared to be promising for improving CRC screening. Additional intervention studies are needed to increase screening. Vietnamese is a fast-growing subgroup within the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) group that may require targeted approaches to screening for disease. Future studies should focus on immigrants or those who were born in the United States (men and women) as disaggregated subgroups. Such research can inform culturally sensitive and appropriate interventions that may improve cancer screening rates. Although Vietnamese is the fourth largest racial-ethnic subgroup within the AAPI group, the literature about contributing factors to CRC and hepatitis B screening is limited among this subgroup. CRC and hepatitis B screening are consistently low among Vietnamese Americans. Use of public media education plus a healthcare provider model and a culturally tailored intervention using Vietnamese lay advisors appears promising for improving CRC screening.


Convolutional neural network for discriminating nasopharyngeal carcinoma and benign hyperplasia on MRI.
A convolutional neural network (CNN) was adapted to automatically detect early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and discriminate it from benign hyperplasia on a non-contrast-enhanced MRI sequence for potential use in NPC screening programs. We retrospectively analyzed 412 patients who underwent T2-weighted MRI, 203 of whom had biopsy-proven primary NPC confined to the nasopharynx (stage T1) and 209 had benign hyperplasia without NPC. Thirteen patients were sampled randomly to monitor the training process. We applied the Residual Attention Network architecture, adapted for three-dimensional MR images, and incorporated a slice-attention mechanism, to produce a CNN score of 0-1 for NPC probability. Threefold cross-validation was performed in 399 patients. CNN scores between the NPC and benign hyperplasia groups were compared using Student's t test. Receiver operating characteristic with the area under the curve (AUC) was performed to identify the optimal CNN score threshold. In each fold, significant differences were observed in the CNN scores between the NPC and benign hyperplasia groups (p < .01). The AUCs ranged from 0.95 to 0.97 with no significant differences between the folds (p = .35 to .92). The combined AUC from all three folds (n = 399) was 0.96, with an optimal CNN score threshold of > 0.71, producing a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 92.4%, 90.6%, and 91.5%, respectively, for NPC detection. Our CNN method applied to T2-weighted MRI could discriminate between malignant and benign tissues in the nasopharynx, suggesting that it as a promising approach for the automated detection of early-stage NPC. • The convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithm could automatically discriminate between malignant and benign diseases using T2-weighted fat-suppressed MR images. • The CNN-based algorithm had an accuracy of 91.5% with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.96 for discriminating early-stage T1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma from benign hyperplasia. • The CNN-based algorithm had a sensitivity of 92.4% and specificity of 90.6% for detecting early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


Increased Bite Distance From the Edge Lowers Risk of Pullout of Simple Sutures from Acellular Dermal Allograft.
To investigate whether pullout strength in the acellular dermal allograft matrix (ADM) used for superior capsule reconstruction depends on the distance from the edge of the graft. ADM used for superior capsule reconstruction was obtained and cut into 30 squares. Two sutures were placed through the center of each graft by using a loaded Keith needle and forming a simple stitch. The grafts were divided into 3 groups of 10 grafts with a distance of 5 mm, 10 mm or 15 mm from the closest edge of the graft, respectively. The grafts were then preloaded to 5 N and pulled to failure at a rate of 12 mm/s on an MTS 858 MiniBionix servohydraulic mechanical test frame. The load to failure was recorded as well as the stiffness of each graft. The mean load to failure was 34.5 N (SD 7.89) for the 5 mm grafts, 31.7 N (SD 5.99) for the 10 mm grafts, and 66.2 N (SD 18.4) for the 15 mm grafts. There was a significant difference (< 0.0001) between the large grafts (15 mm) and the 2 smaller grafts (10 mm, 5 mm). There was no significant difference in stiffness between the groups of graft (P 0.40). Placing the suture at least 15 mm from the edge of the graft increases the graft's ultimate yield strength to suture pullout. The depths of the suture in ADM could improve pullout strength for constructs of superior capsular reconstructions.


An early investigation of ytterbium nanocolloids for selective and quantitative "multicolor" spectral CT imaging.
We report a novel molecular imaging agent based on ytterbium designed for use with spectral "multicolor" computed tomography (CT). Spectral CT or multicolored CT provides all of the benefits of traditional CT, such as rapid tomographic X-ray imaging, but in addition, it simultaneously discriminates metal-rich contrast agents based on the element's unique X-ray K-edge energy signature. Our synthetic approach involved the use of organically soluble Yb(III) complex to produce nanocolloids of Yb of noncrystalline nature incorporating a high density of Yb (>500K/nanoparticle) into a stable metal particle. The resultant particles are constrained to vasculature (∼200 nm) and are highly selective for binding fibrin in the ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. Nanoparticles exhibited excellent signal sensitivity, and the spectral CT technique uniquely discriminates the K-edge signal (60 keV) of Yb from calcium (bones). Bioelimination and preliminary biodistribution reflected the overall safety and defined clearance of these particles in a rodent model.


Long-term agro-management strategies shape soil bacterial community structure in dryland wheat systems.
Soil microbes play a crucial role in soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling and are influenced by management practices. Therefore, quantifying the impacts of various agricultural management practices on soil microbiomes and their activity is crucial for making informed management decisions. This study aimed to assess the impact of various management systems on soil bacterial abundance and diversity, soil enzyme activities and carbon mineralization potential in wheat-based systems. To accomplish this, soil samples from 0 to 15 cm depth were collected from ongoing long-term field trials in eastern Oregon region under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow (WF), WF with different tillage (WT), wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (WP), WF under different crop residue management (CR) and natural undisturbed/unmanaged grassland pasture (GP). These trials consisted of an array of treatments like tillage intensities, nitrogen rates, organic amendments, and seasonal residue burning. This study was a part of the Soil Health Institute's North American Project to Evaluate Soil Health measurements (NAPESHM). Bacterial community structure was determined using amplicon sequencing of the V4 region of 16SrRNA genes and followed the protocols of the Earth Microbiome Project. In addition, extracellular enzyme activities, and carbon mineralization potential (1d-CO2) were measured. Among different trials, 1d-CO2 in WT, WP, and CR studies averaged 53%, 51% and 87% lower than GP systems, respectively. Enzyme activities were significantly greater in GP compared to the other managements and followed similar trend as respiration. We observed higher evenness in GP and higher richness in spring residue burning treatment of CR study. Our results indicated that species evenness is perhaps a better indicator of soil health in comparison to other indices in dryland wheat systems.


Efficacy of Obturator Nerve Block During Transurethral Resection on Non-muscle invasive Intermediate and High Risk Lateral Wall Bladder Tumours: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.
We aimed to investigate the effects of obturator nerve block (ONB) on obturator reflex, incomplete resection, perforation, progression and recurrence of tumor, presence of muscle tissue in the specimen, need for a second transurethral resection (TURBT) of bladder tumors, and postoperative complications in patients who underwent TURBT for intermediate-high risk lateral wall non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC). Patients were assigned to one of two groups by drawing lots: ONB or none ONB. Early and late recurrence, tumor progression, obturator reflex beat, incomplete resection, perforation, presence of muscle layer in pathology, second TURBT application, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were compared between the two groups. The median follow-up time of the study was32 (23-41) months. Interquartile range (IQR) was 9. Tumor recurrence at the 3rd month cystoscopy controls was observed in 5 (9.8%) patients in the ONB group, while it was observed in 11 (20.8%) patients in the nONB group (p=0.01). Late tumor recurrence was observed in 10 patients (19.6%) in the ONB group, and in 20 patients (37.7%) in the nONB group (p=0.041). The RFS rate at 12th month was 84% in the ONB group, 69% in the nONB group, 79% in the ONB group at 36th month, and 58% in the nONB group at 36 months, the PFS rate was 94% in the ONB group, while it was 85% in the nONB group (p=0.041). Our study showed that ONB decrease the early and late recurrence and increase recurrence free survival in patients with intermediate-high risk lateral wall bladder cancer.


Clinical performance of automatic closed-loop stimulation systems.
Inos pacemakers use contraction dynamics to regulate the pacing rate according to the Closed-Loop Stimulation (CLS) principle. The physician can program only the lower and upper rate limits, while the internal rate responsive parameters are continually adjusted to changing patient conditions. Seventy-two patients with sinus node disease were enrolled in the multicenter Rate Behavior of the Pacing System Inos (2) CLS during Daily Life (RAPID) study to evaluate the appropriateness of CLS rates during daily activities and the long-term stability of the system. The pacemakers clearly differentiated between climbing stairs, descending stairs, and slow walking, with the corresponding peak rates of 104 +/- 18, 95 +/- 15, and 88 +/- 11 beats/min, respectively (P < 0.001 for any pair of activities). The peak CLS rate during the color-word test was significantly higher than that at rest (80 +/- 8 vs 67 +/- 7 beats/min, P = 0.002). The 24-hour heart rate trends retrieved from the pacemaker memory at 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation appeared appropriate in all patients except for two whose pacing rates were occasionally too fast during the night. Mean diurnal and nocturnal rates determined at 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month examinations fluctuated only slightly, from 74.6-75.3 beats/min (diurnal,P = NS) and from 67.0-68.1 beats/min (nocturnal,P = NS), indicating a satisfactory long-term stability of the system. The incidence of atrial pacing events during the entire follow-up was 82 +/- 18%. A 6.5-8.3 beats/min difference, on average, between day and night (P < 0.001)and distinction between different daily activities seem to evidence sensitivity of the automatic CLS-driven pacemakers to physiological demands despite minimum programming requirements.


Fibroproliferative changes on high-resolution CT in the acute respiratory distress syndrome predict mortality and ventilator dependency: a prospective observational cohort study.
To examine whether the extent of fibroproliferative changes on high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan influences prognosis, ventilator dependency and the associated outcomes in patients with early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A prospective observational cohort study. Intensive care unit in a teaching hospital. 85 patients with ARDS who met American-European Consensus Conference Criteria and eligible criteria. HRCT scans were performed and prospectively evaluated by two independent observers on the day of diagnosis and graded into six findings according to the extent of fibroproliferation. An overall HRCT score was obtained by previously published method. The primary outcome was 60-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included the number of ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, the incidence of barotraumas and the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Higher HRCT scores were associated with statistically significant decreases in organ failure-free days as well as ventilator-free days. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that the HRCT score remained an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 1.20; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.36; p=0.005). Multivariate analysis also revealed that the CT score had predictive value for ventilator weaning within 28 days (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.82; p=0.0006) as well as for an incidence of barotraumas (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.38; p=0.018) and for an occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.89; p=0.004). A HRCT score <210 enabled prediction of 60-day survival with 71% sensitivity and 72% specificity and of ventilator-weaning within 28 days with 75% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Pulmonary fibroproliferation assessed by HRCT in patients with early ARDS predicts increased mortality with an increased susceptibility to multiple organ failure, including ventilator dependency and its associated outcomes.


MicroRNA-211-5p as a Biomarker in Early Detection of Uremic Vascular Calcification among Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Vascular calcification (VC) is a serious pathological manifestation of vascular terminals and is an important pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study explored the clinical value of serum microRNA-211-5p (miR-211-5p) in VC in patients with ESRD, this study was designed. The relative expression of miR-211-5p in the serum of the calcified group and the non-calcified group was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The clinical biochemical indexes and the expression differences in miR-211-5p expression in the serum of groups were compared by two independent samples t-test or nonparametric test or one-way analysis of variance test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC), Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analysis were carried out to analyze the predictive value of serum miR-211-5p in patients with ESRD. The relative quantification of serum miR-211-5p was lessened in calcified group and gradually decreased with the progression of VC. Serum miR-211-5p had a high diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of VC progression in ESRD patients. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods revealed that miR-211-5p might be an independent biomarker for prognosis of ESRD patients. MiR-211-5p is a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of VC in patients with ESRD.


Screening for testicular cancer: an evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men aged 15 to 34 years. Because treatment produces favorable outcomes even in advanced stages, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded in 2004 that screening asymptomatic men for testicular cancer is unlikely to produce additional benefits over clinical detection. To search for new evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for testicular cancer to assist the USPSTF in updating its 2004 recommendation. English-language articles indexed in PubMed and the Cochrane Library and published between 1 January 2001 and 11 November 2009. Randomized, controlled trials; meta-analyses; systematic reviews; cohort studies; and case-control studies were selected to determine the benefits of screening for testicular cancer. Randomized, controlled trials; meta-analyses; systematic reviews; cohort studies; case-control studies; and case series of large, multisite databases were selected to determine the harms of screening. Each author independently reviewed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles for possible inclusion. One author abstracted information on the benefits and harms of screening for testicular cancer. No studies met the inclusion criteria. Three studies were considered for inclusion at the full-text stage of review. These inconclusive studies addressed testicular microlithiasis, XIST gene testing, and testis-sparing surgery. The focused search strategy may have missed some smaller studies or studies published in languages other than English on the benefits or harms of testicular cancer screening. No new evidence was found on the benefits or harms of screening for testicular cancer that would affect the USPSTF's previous recommendation against screening.


Toxicity of the biocide polycarbamate, used for aquaculture nets, to some marine fish species.
We investigated toxic effects of the antifouling biocide polycarbamate (PC) on marine fish by conducting acute, early-life stage toxicity (ELS), and embryo toxicity tests. Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) 96-h LC50 values for hatched larvae (body weight about 2.0 mg) and juveniles (660 ± 36 mg) were about 12 and 630 μg/L, respectively. The ELS test using mummichog embryos yielded a lowest-observed-effect concentration of 3.9 μg/L and a no-observed-effect concentration of 2.1 μg/L with growth as the most sensitive endpoint. The embryo toxicity test for spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus) revealed a 10-d EC50 of 8.1 μg/L with abnormality as an endpoint. During the ELS and embryo toxicity tests, morphological abnormalities (notochord undulation) were induced in the embryos. Biochemical and gene-expression analysis suggest that PC-induced morphological abnormalities involve disruption of lysyl oxidase-mediated collagen fiber organization, essential for notochord formation, and inhibition of gene expression related to notochord formation.


Pituitary adenomas in childhood.
Pituitary adenomas are common tumors composed of adenohypophysial cells. Although they usually arise in the sella turcica, they may occasionally be ectopic. Pituitary adenomas are rarely diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but their mass effect and endocrine abnormalities can compromise both quality and length of life. Many signs or symptoms of pituitary adenoma, complained of in adulthood, not became evident during adolescence, suggesting true prevalence of this tumor in teenagers is higher than expected. Pititury adenoma occuring during adolescence are associated with features or therapeutic needs sometimes different from those occuring in adulthood. At the onset of disease, delay in growth was rarely observed in teenagers with pituitary adenomas. Many girls complain of oligoamenorrhoea and galactorrhoea, while headache and delay in pubertal development are the most commons features in boys. Hypopituitarism is occasionally encountered in adolescence. Early diagnosis and appropriate choice of therapy are necessary to avoid permanent endocrine complications of disease and its treatment.


The majority of cDNA clones with strong positive signals for the interferon-induction-specific sequences resemble mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes.
A complementary DNA library prepared from the 12S polyadenylated RNAs extracted from interferon-induced KG-1 cells, a human myeloblast cell line, was screened for the presence of induction-specific sequences. Clones that exhibited strong positive signals were separated by hybridization criteria into nine classes. Clones from classes I through IV consisted of about 78% of the total and unexpectedly were found to resemble human mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes.


Identification of smokers, drinkers and risky drinkers by general practitioners.
Identification of risky substance users by general practitioners (GPs) is important for providing brief interventions or to refer cases to specialized care, but detection rates of risky users are low, with alcohol users being identified less frequently than smokers. We compared GPs' assessment and patient self-report concerning tobacco use, number of cigarettes smoked daily, alcohol use, alcohol use disorder, and different risky use definitions of 8476 primary care patients from six European countries. Further, we carried out a logistic regression predicting the GPs perception of the patients' alcohol problems. GPs identified 88.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 87.1-89.6%; κ=0.84, 95% CI: 0.83-0.86) of all self-reported smokers but only 64.6% (95% CI: 63.2-65.9%; κ=0.35, 95% CI: 0.33-0.37) of all current drinkers, while they were unable to judge the drinking status of every ninth patient. The GPs' estimation of number of cigarettes smoked daily was slightly lower than the self-report (Δ=0.23 cigarettes/day, p<.001) but both measures were correlated with each other. Of all risky drinkers, defined as having alcohol-related problems or showing risky drinking patterns, 28.7% (95% CI: 25.9-31.4%; κ=0.34, 95% CI: 0.31-0.37) were perceived as having problems with alcohol by the GPs. Patients' self-reported health and social consequences, as well as drinking patterns predicted the GPs' perception of alcohol problems. GPs were more accurate in identifying smokers than drinkers. Concerning risky drinkers, GPs failed to diagnose a sizeable proportion but were able to detect other drinkers whom common recognition approaches had not recognized.


Letter to the Editor Re: Diaz M., et al. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1481.
We have read with interest the article published by Diaz et al [...].


Characterization of a monoclonal antibody reacting with histone H3.
A hybridoma cell line, 1GB3, has been obtained from a fusion between SP/O-Ag 14 myeloma cells and lymphocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with rat liver nuclear proteins. This hybridoma secreted a monoclonal antibody of the IgG2b class which reacted specifically with histone H3 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as in immunoblotting and immunodot assays. Stringent test conditions were necessary to eliminate the presence of nonspecific or contaminating reactions with other histones than H3. The monoclonal antibody appears to recognize an epitope situated in the N-terminal residues 20-50 of histone H3; it recognizes this epitope in the octamer aggregate of core histones but not in the core particle.


Effect of random/aligned nylon-6/MWCNT fibers on dental resin composite reinforcement.
The aims of this study were (1) to synthesize and characterize random and aligned nanocomposite fibers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/nylon-6 and (2) to determine their reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite. Nylon-6 was dissolved in hexafluoropropanol (10 wt%), followed by the addition of MWCNT (hereafter referred to as nanotubes) at two distinct concentrations (i.e., 0.5 or 1.5 wt%). Neat nylon-6 fibers (without nanotubes) were also prepared. The solutions were electrospun using parameters under low- (120 rpm) or high-speed (6000 rpm) mandrel rotation to collect random and aligned fibers, respectively. The processed fiber mats were characterized by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies, as well as by uni-axial tensile testing. To determine the reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite, bar-shaped (20×2×2 mm(3)) resin composite specimens were prepared by first placing one increment of the composite, followed by one strip of the mat, and one last increment of composite. Non-reinforced composite specimens were used as the control. The specimens were then evaluated using flexural strength testing. SEM was done on the fractured surfaces. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey׳s test (α=5%). Nanotubes were successfully incorporated into the nylon-6 fibers. Aligned and random fibers were obtained using high- and low-speed electrospinning, respectively, where the former were significantly (p<0.001) stronger than the latter, regardless of the nanotubes׳ presence. Indeed, the dental resin composite tested was significantly reinforced when combined with nylon-6 fibrous mats composed of aligned fibers (with or without nanotubes) or random fibers incorporated with nanotubes at 0.5 wt%.


Visual simulation of retinal images through a decentered monofocal and a refractive multifocal intraocular lens.
To evaluate the effect of decentration of a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) and a refractive multifocal IOL on retinal image quality using a new visual simulation system. Using a new visual simulation system, we performed visual simulation of a monofocal and a multifocal IOL at 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.4 m with several decentered IOL positions from 0 to 1.0 mm through a 3- or 4-mm aperture using Landolt visual acuity (VA) charts. The VA was estimated under each condition from the simulated retinal image. With a monofocal IOL, the image was affected minimally by decentration at 4 and 5 m; at 2 and 3 m, the image contrast decreased slightly with increased decentration. With the multifocal IOL, some loss of image contrast developed at all distances compared with the monofocal IOL; however, the images of the Landolt's rings were still recognizable under all conditions. Our results suggest that up to 1.0 mm of decentration of a monofocal and multifocal IOL would not greatly affect the retinal image quality.


Inhibition of topoisomerase I by naphthoquinone derivatives.
Alkannin and shikonin are naturally occurring naphthoquinones. We have tested several derivatives of the title compounds and we have found that naphthoquinones bearing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group are potent inhibitors of topoisomerase I. The ability of the tested compounds to complex Zn++ parallels with a few exceptions their topoisomerase I inhibition properties while their intercalation and redox properties do not.


Carboxylated cellulose cryogel beads via a one-step ester crosslinking of maleic anhydride for copper ions removal.
In this study, we developed a one step protocol to prepare highly carboxylated and chemically crosslinked cellulose nanofibril (CNF) cryogel beads using maleic anhydride (MA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and conductometric-potentiometric titration results confirmed the presence of carboxyl groups and ester linkages produced simultaneously during the ring open reaction of MA, yielding a carboxylic content of up to 2.78 mmol/g. The effect of CNF concentration on the morphology and wet mechanical strength of the crosslinked cryogel beads were also investigated, and results suggested that higher CNF concentration yielded a compact network that displayed a maximum compressive stress of 2800 Pa at 60 % strain. In addition, the heavy metal ions (i.e., Cu (II)) removal capacity, kinetics, mechanism as well as the recyclability of the resulted CNF-MA cryogel beads were examined.


Age-related hair cell loss in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.
In the spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat, a hereditary form of hypertension and widespread vascular abnormalities develop. In the present study the inner ear degeneration pattern in SH and normotensive (N) rats not exposed to noise was investigated and correlated with frequency-specific auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds. Rats of both strains were found to have a spontaneous loss of apical hair cells, but this was slightly more pronounced in SH. In SH rats, but not in those of the N strain, there was an age-related progressive loss of outer hair cells in the region 3-5 mm from the stapes, and a slight additional loss at the most basal end. According to available frequency maps, the hair cell loss should correspond to hearing loss between 6 and 24 kHz. In the SH rats hearing loss was not observed in the whole of this range, only at 16 and 20 kHz. It cannot be determined to what extent the localized spontaneous loss of hair cells is caused by vascular factors and what other mechanisms are involved, but vascular factors probably only play a minor role.


Dual signaling and ligand selectivity of the human PTH/PTHrP receptor.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) activates PTH/PTH-related peptide-related receptors (PTHRs) to stimulate both adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC). How these parallel signals mediate specific cellular and tissue responses to PTH, such as the complex anabolic versus catabolic actions of PTH on bone, remains unsettled. Previous studies of PTHR signaling and function employed mainly rodent or other cell lines that express endogenous PTHRs and, possibly, alternate species of PTH receptors. To preclude confounding effects of such receptors, we stably expressed recombinant human PTHRs (hPTHRs) at different levels of surface density in LLC-PK1 porcine renal epithelial cells that lack endogenous PTH responsiveness. hPTH(1-34) induced concentration-dependent activation of both AC and PLC via transfected hPTHRs. Maximal intensity of each signal increased with receptor density, but more hPTHRs were required for PLC than for AC activation. Coupling to AC was saturated at receptor densities too low to detect sustained PLC activation. hPTH(3-34), found by others to be a PLC/protein kinase C (PKC)-selective peptide in rat cells, did not activate PLC via human (or rat) PTHRs under conditions (1 microM peptide, 106 hPTHRs/cell) where hPTH(1-34) stimulated PLC severalfold. Other cellular responses that require PKC activation in these cells, such as sodium-dependent phosphate transport and cAMP-independent secretion of plasminogen activator, were induced by PTH(1-34) but not by hPTH(3-34) or hPTH(7-34). We conclude that amino-truncated PTH analogs reported to activate PKC cannot directly activate phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC via the human or rat PTHR and therefore that PTH receptors may access alternate, PLC-independent pathways of PKC activation in some target cells. The relative intensity of AC and PLC signaling via the hPTHR may be strongly regulated by changes in its surface expression.


Negatively charged nanoporous membrane for a dendrite-free alkaline zinc-based flow battery with long cycle life.
Alkaline zinc-based flow batteries are regarded to be among the best choices for electric energy storage. Nevertheless, application is challenged by the issue of zinc dendrite/accumulation. Here, we report a negatively charged nanoporous membrane for a dendrite-free alkaline zinc-based flow battery with long cycle life. Free of zinc dendrite/accumulation, stable performance is afforded for ∼240 cycles at current densities ranging from 80 to 160 mA cm-2 using the negatively charged nanoporous membrane. Furthermore, 8 h and 7 h plating/stripping processes at 40 mA cm-2 yield an average energy efficiency of 91.92% and an areal discharge capacity above 130 mAh cm-2. A peak power density of 1056 mW cm-2 is achieved at 1040 mA cm-2. This study may provide an effective way to address the issue of zinc dendrite/accumulation for zinc-based batteries and accelerate the advancement of these batteries.


Prevalence of Malocclusions and Associated Factors inBrazilian Children and Adolescents with CerebralPalsy: A Multi-Institutional Study.
To assess the prevalence and factors associated with malocclusions in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). The study included 134 subjects with CP aged 2-18 years enrolled in six rehabilitation institutions and their caregivers, which provided demographic, systemic, and behavioral data. A calibrated researcher held oral examinations with record of the following malocclusion indexes, DAI and DMFT. Poisson regression analysis was used (α < 0.05). About 85.8% (n = 115) of patients had malocclusion. In deciduous and mixed dentition (n = 99), increased overjet (75.8%), open bite (51.5%), posterior cross bite (19.2%), and anterior cross bite (3.0%) were identified. Increased overjet was associated with the age group of 2-5 years and mild communication impairment. Anterior open bite was more common in children who underwent tongue interposition, lip interposition, and pacifier sucking. Communication skills, mouth breathing, and tongue interposition were associated with posterior cross bite. Severe malocclusions (DAI > 30) were observed in 88.6% of patients with permanent dentition (n = 35) and were associated with liquid diet consistency and finger sucking. The prevalence of malocclusion in individuals with CP was high and associated with demographic, behavioral, and systemic factors.


Inhibition of the initiation of leukemic transcription by N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-O-hemiadipate in vitro. Impaired formation of RNA polymerase-DNA complex.
The effect of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-O-hemiadipate (AD 143), a new derivative of adriamycin, on various steps of the enzymic reaction catalyzed by chicken myeloblastosis RNA polymerase II was studied. AD 143 inhibition of RNA synthesis, which was evident at the beginning of the reaction, could not be reversed by increasing the concentrations of any one of the four nucleoside triphosphate substrates of the reaction. Furthermore, the RNA synthesis inhibition was not affected by varying the concentrations of template DNA. The AD 143-induced inhibition caused a reduction of the frequency of RNA chain initiation, whereas the average chain length of RNA synthesized at the end of the reaction remained unaltered. The susceptible step in the initiation process was found to be the formation of stable complexes between RNA polymerase and the DNA template. While AD 143 causes no inhibition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase activity, it was found not to affect the E. coli RNA polymerase-template DNA complex formation.


A CAN-induced cyclodimerization-Ritter trapping strategy for the one-pot synthesis of 1-amino-4-aryltetralins from styrenes.
[reaction: see text]. A facile one-pot synthesis of 1-amino-4-aryl-tetralin derivatives by the CAN-induced cyclodimerization of various styrenes in acetonitrile and acrylonitrile is described.


Selecting therapy for maintaining sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
In the first of these mini-reviews the selection of therapy for the maintenance of sexual function in patients with BPH is outlined, along with an explanation of how altered regulation of neurotransmitters, especially noradrenaline, may underlie the syndrome of LUTS and sexual dysfunction. Other mini-reviews outline the current status of robotic surgery to treat renal and adrenal disorders, and its future applications, and the potential use of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway as a potential target to treat BOO associated with benign prostatic enlargement. Finally, the capacity to be creative in academic departments is extolled as a core property of academicians, and its surfacing described as having the potential to revitalize individuals and departments.


Occurrence of pancreatic lipase-related protein-2 in various species and its relationship with herbivore diet.
The occurrence of classical pancreatic lipase (PL) and pancreatic lipase-related proteins 1 and 2 (PLRP1s and 2) in the pancreas of ten mammalian species (humans, pig, rat, guinea pig, coypu, rabbit, horse, ox, goat and sheep) and two bird species (ostrich and turkey) was investigated. The lipases were purified from delipidated pancreas and identified based on the results of Western blotting analysis with anti-human PLRP2 serum, the catalytic properties and N-terminal microsequencing data. PLRP2s were detected in the pancreas of monogastric herbivorous animals (guinea pig, coypu, rabbit and horse) but not in that of ruminant herbivorous animals (ox, goat and sheep). The pancreas of carnivorous animals (dogs and cats) does not have any detectable PLRP2, but contains high levels of PL and PLRP1. By contrast, the pancreas of omnivorous animals (humans and rats) contains PL, PLRP1 and PLRP2, with the exception of porcine pancreas, where no PLRP2 was detected. In the case of bird (ostrich and turkey) pancreases, only classical PL was detected. The substrate specificity of PLRP2s was investigated using phospholipid micelles and synthetic monomolecular galactolipid films. Like human PLRP2, rabbit and horse PLRP2s are galactolipases. In polygastric herbivorous animals (ruminants), however, galactolipids are hydrolyzed via microbial enzymatic processes (involving galactolipases). The absence of galactolipids in carnivorous animals' diet may explain why no PLRP2s were detected here in the pancreas of these species.


[Diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease induced by antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer: A French expert opinion paper].
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been reported with many cancer drugs including some recent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The mechanisms of ILD induced by many chemotherapy drugs, other drug classes and ADCs used in cancer, including breast cancer, are not clearly elucidated. In the absence of specific clinical or radiological signs, the diagnosis of drug-induced ILD is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When present, the most frequent symptoms are respiratory signs (cough, dyspnea, chest pain) and general signs (fatigue, fever). Any suspicion of ILD should be evaluated by imaging and, if in doubt, the CT scan should be evaluated by a pulmonologist and a radiologist. A network of multidisciplinary experts for proactive early management of ILD is important, including oncologist, radiologist, pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist and nurses. Patient education is essential to report new or exacerbated lung symptoms and prevent high-grade ILD. Study drug is discontinued temporarily or permanently according to ILD severity and type of ADC. For asymptomatic cases (Grade 1), the efficacy of corticosteroids is not clearly established; for higher grades, the benefit/risk balance of long-term corticosteroid therapy should be considered for the dose and treatment duration. Hospitalization and oxygen supplementation are required for severe cases (Grades 3-4). For patient follow-up, the expertise of a pulmonologist is necessary with repeated chest scans, spirometry and DLCO. Preventing ADC-induced ILDs and evolution to high grade rests on a network of multidisciplinary experts for assessment of individual risk factors, early management, close follow-up and patient education.


Multiple metabolic risk factors and total and cardiovascular mortality in men with low prevalence of obesity.
We investigated the association between the multiple metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular and overall mortality among Korean men, a population with a low prevalence of obesity. This prospective cohort study involved 682,597 Korean men, aged 30-69 years at baseline (1992), who were initially without cancer or debilitating diseases. Death due to ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and any cause among men relative to metabolic risk factors, including overweight, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose, and high total cholesterol was analyzed. There were 17,785 deaths during the 8.5-year follow-up, of which 874 were due to IHD, 1644 to stroke, and 3306 to CVD. As a function of the number of metabolic risk factors, the relative risk of death from CVD was 2.0 (1.7-2.2), 2.9 (2.5-3.3), 3.5 (3.0-4.1), and 5.0 (3.9-6.4) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 risk factors, respectively, whereas the relative risk of death from all causes was 1.3 (1.2-1.4), 1.5 (1.4-1.6), 1.6 (1.5-1.7), and 1.9 (1.6-2.2) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 risk factors, respectively. The relative risk of IHD, stroke, CVD and all-cause mortality increased linearly with the number of metabolic risk factors. Early identification and strict management of metabolic risk factors should be reinforced in Koreans, even though there is a low prevalence of obesity among this population.


Functional outcome after lower limb periprosthetic fractures.
Periprosthetic fractures (PPFx) occur more and more often following joint replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional outcome of patients treated with lower limb periprosthetic fractures in our institution. Between 2007 and 2016 75 patients were managed with 13 intraoperative and 62 postoperative fractures. Fifty-nine fractures occurred around THR and 16 around TKR. Fractures were classified according to Unified Classification System (UCS) and the treatment was according to this algorithm. Functional outcome was assessed with the Harris Hip Scores and the Knee Society Score (KSS). Follow up time was 52.9 months (range 12-100 m.). The mean age of patients was 75.1 years (range 54-87 years), there were 6 males and 69 females. Harris Hip Scores were available for 42 patients and the average score was 82 (range 68-96). The KSS was available in nine patients and the average score was 124 (range 102-141). Eventually, radiographic union was observed in all cases. In this series of patients, fixation of lower limb periprosthetic fractures was found to be associated with good results despite the different fracture patterns studied. Larger studies with subgroup analysis of different fracture patterns are desirable to throw more light in this complex group of patients.


Introduction: On brain and crime.
Crime is a complex phenomenon involving many factors, among which are situational and societal factors. What counts as a crime may also vary across space and time. Often, it is the interplay of several factors that may lead to criminal behavior. Scientifically, brain function is important to consider, first of all because the brain is central to behavior as such, including criminal behavior. Second, because there is increasing evidence for the relevance of specific brain dysfunctions in some criminal behavior, particularly developmental findings related to nonadaptive behavior. Many of our behavioral tendencies are rooted in our childhood (experiences), and this, it appears, is also, at least to some extent, true for nonadaptive behavior. This chapter considers several overarching issues regarding the relationship between-and the science of-brain and crime, some from a conceptual, some from a legal, and others from a developmental perspective.


Prevalence of monogenic diabetes in the population-based Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry.
Monogenic diabetes (MD) might be misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of MD among children with apparent type 1 diabetes has not been established. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of common forms of MD in childhood diabetes. We investigated 2,756 children aged 0-14 years with newly diagnosed diabetes who had been recruited to the nationwide population-based Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry (NCDR), from July 2002 to March 2012. Completeness of ascertainment was 91%. Children diagnosed with diabetes who were under12 months of age were screened for mutations in KCNJ11, ABCC8 and INS. Children without GAD and protein tyrosine phosphatase-like protein antibodies were screened in two ways. Those who had a parent with diabetes were screened for mutations in HNF1A, HNF4A, INS and MT-TL1. Children with HbA1c <7.5% (<58 mmol/mol) and no insulin requirement were screened for mutations in GCK. Finally, we searched the Norwegian MODY Registry for children with genetically verified MD. We identified 15 children harbouring a mutation in HNF1A, nine with one in GCK, four with one in KCNJ11, one child with a mutation in INS and none with a mutation in MT-TL1. The minimum prevalence of MD in the NCDR was therefore 1.1%. By searching the Norwegian MODY Registry, we found 24 children with glucokinase-MODY, 15 of whom were not present in the NCDR. We estimated the minimum prevalence of MD among Norwegian children to be 3.1/100,000. This is the first prevalence study of the common forms of MD in a nationwide, population-based registry of childhood diabetes. We found that 1.1% of patients in the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry had MD.


Natural products are an important source for proteasome regulating agents.
Natural medicines have a long history in the prevention and treatment of various diseases in East Asian region, especially in China. Modern research has proved that the pharmacological effects of numerous natural medicines involve the participation of ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). UPS can degrade the unwanted and damaged proteins widely distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of various eukaryotes. The objective of the present study was to review and discuss the regulatory effects of natural products and extracts on proteasome components, which may help to find new proteasome regulators for drug development and clinical applications. The related information was compiled using the major scientific databases, such as CNKI, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Wiley Online, and GeenMedical. The keywords "natural product" and "proteasome" were applied to extract the literature. Nature derived extracts, compounds and their derivatives involved in proteasome regulation were included, and the publications related to synthetic proteasome agents were excluded. The pharmacological effects of more than 80 natural products and extracts derived from phytomedicines related to the proteasome regulation were reviewed. These natural products were classified according to their chemical properties. We also summarized some laws of action of natural products as proteasome regulators in the treatment of diseases, and listed the action characteristics of the typical natural products. Natural products derived from nature can induce the degradation of damaged proteins through UPS or act as regulators to directly regulate the activity of proteasome. But few proteasome modulators are applied clinically. Summary of known rules for proteasome modulators will contribute to discover, modify and synthesize more proteasome modulators for clinical applications.


Falling as a strategy to decrease knee loading during landings: Implications for ACL injury prevention.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur when individuals land primarily on a single leg. Falling has been proposed as a potential strategy to decrease knee loading during landings. The purpose of this study was to compare impact forces, knee angles, and knee moments during natural landings, soft landings, and landings followed by falling after forward and vertical jumps, each under single or double-leg conditions. Sixteen male and sixteen female participants (age: 22.0 ± 2.9 years) completed each landing condition while kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected. In the natural landing condition, participants landed as they would in a sport setting. In the soft landing condition, participants landed as softly as possible with increased knee and hip flexion. In the falling condition, participants landed softly and then fell forward or backward onto a mat after forward and vertical jumps, respectively. The falling condition demonstrated the greatest initial and peak knee flexion angles, the least peak vertical ground reaction forces, and the least peak knee extension and adduction moments compared to the natural landing and soft landing conditions. The soft landing condition resulted in similar changes in landing mechanics compared to the natural landing, but the effect was limited for single-leg landings compared to double-leg landings. When the sports environment allows, falling appears to be a potential strategy to decrease knee loading when individuals must land on a single leg with sub-optimal body postures. Future studies are needed to develop progressive training of effective and safe falling techniques.


Prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma based on CD79A, DKK1 and VEGFC.
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is crucial for tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis; however, its relationship with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unknown. Traditional predictive models screen for biomarkers that are too general and infrequently associated with immune genes. RNA sequencing data of LUAD patients and immune-related gene sets were retrieved from public databases. Using the common genes shared by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Immunology Database and Analysis Portal (ImmPort), differential gene expression analysis, survival analysis, Lasso regression analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to generate a novel risk score model. LUAD cohort in International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), GSE68465 cohort in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and an immunohistochemical assay were used to validate the key genes constructed risk score. The LUAD-related prognosis, clinical indicators, immune infiltrate characteristics, response to immunotherapy, and response to chemotherapeutic agents in different risk groups were evaluated by CIBERSORT, ImmuCellAI, pRRophetic and other tools. The risk score model was constructed using CD79a molecule (CD79A), Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (DKK1), and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC). High risk score was identified as a negative predictor for overall survival (OS) in subgroup analyses with tumor stage, TNM classification, therapy outcome, and ESTIMATE scores (P < 0.05). Low risk score was positively associated with plasma cells, memory B cells, CD8 T cells, regulatory T cells and γδT cells (P < 0.05). In low-risk group, programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4), and lymphocyte activating 3 (LAG3) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were more robustly expressed (P < 0.05). The treatment responses of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy and chemotherapy were likewise superior in low-risk group (P < 0.05). In immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor group had significantly higher levels of CD79A, DKK1, and VEGFC than the adjacent normal group (P < 0.01). CD79A, DKK1 and VEGFC are important differential genes related to LUAD, risk score could reliably predict prognosis, composition of TIME and immunotherapy responses in LUAD patients. The excellent performance of the risk model shows its strong and broad application potential.


Correlation between direct and maternal genetic effects on body weight in mice.
A new method to estimate the correlation between additive direct genetic effects (Ao) and additive maternal genetic effects (Pm) on body weight was devised to apply to crossfostering data in mice. The correlation between Ao on body weight at 42 days (adult age) and Am on body weight at 12 days (preweaning age) was estimated as 0.561. The nature of this correlation was defined genetically.


Twenty years of functional MRI: the science and the stories.
Since its inception over twenty years ago, the field of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has grown in usage, sophistication, range of applications, and impact. After twenty years, it's useful to briefly look back as well as forward - to size up just how far we have come and speculate just how far we may go. This is an introduction to the special issue of "Twenty years of fMRI: the science and the stories." The one-hundred and three papers in this special issue highlight the major methodological developments and controversies of fMRI from a first person perspective over the past twenty years. The growth of this field is not just fascinating from a science and technology perspective, but also from a human perspective. Most who were fortunate enough to be part of this effort at the beginning, as well as those who jumped in along the way have their fair share of interesting stories consisting of top rate science as well as intense thought and effort, good or bad fortune, and some claim to a contribution. These stories are in the following papers, written by the current leaders in the field and the innovators throughout the twenty year history. The categories, designed to cover every aspect of the emergence and development of fMRI, include: pre-fMRI; the first BOLD brain activation results; developments in pulse sequences, imaging methods, and hardware for fMRI; methodological developments, issues, and mechanisms; new paradigm designs; education; and the future. Within this issue, we have a collage of overlapping, complementary, yet sometimes contradictory accounts of what happened during the breathtakingly diverse and intense development of this still growing field over the past twenty years.


High-throughput knock-in coupling gene targeting with the HPRT minigene and Cre-mediated recombination.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence protein function possibly contributing to phenotype; yet, for most SNPs their potential influence is unknown. Here, we present a technique in mouse embryonic stem cells that enables high-throughput knock-in (the placement of coding sequences adjacent to a specific endogenous promoter). Our methodology utilizes gene targeting with a combination of two selection cassettes (SAbetageo and the HPRT minigene) along with site-specific recombinases (Cre/loxP and FLP/FRT) to efficiently introduce multiple DNA sequences, including enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), adjacent to the DNA topoisomerase 3beta (Top3beta) promoter. This technology enables rapid and efficient introduction of DNA sequences to a specific location and advances high-throughput analysis of many SNPs with control for expression and genetic background.


Medaka as a model for seasonal plasticity: Photoperiod-mediated changes in behaviour, cognition, and hormones.
Teleosts display the highest level of brain plasticity of all vertebrates. Yet we still know little about how seasonality affects fish behaviour and the underlying cognitive mechanisms since the common neurobehavioral fish models are native to tropical environments where seasonal variation is absent or reduced. The medaka, Oryzias latipes, which inhabits temperate zone habitats, represents a promising model in this context given its large phenotypic changes associated with seasonality and the possibility to induce seasonal plasticity by only manipulating photoperiod. Here, we report the first extended investigation of seasonal plasticity in medaka behaviour and cognition, as well as the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. We compared medaka exposed to summer photoperiod (16 h light:8 h dark) with medaka exposed to winter photoperiod (8 h light:16 h dark), and detected substantial differences. Medaka were more active and less social in summer photoperiod conditions, two effects that emerged in the second half of an open-field and a sociability test, respectively, and might be at least in part related to habituation to the testing apparatus. Moreover, the cognitive phenotype was significantly affected: in the early response to a social stimulus, brain functional lateralisation shifted between the two hemispheres under the two photoperiod conditions, and inhibitory and discrimination learning performance were reduced in summer conditions. Finally, the expression of genes encoding key pituitary hormones, tshß and gh, and of the tshß regulatory transcription factor tef in the brain was increased in summer photoperiod conditions. This work reveals remarkable behavioural and cognitive phenotypic plasticity in response to photoperiod in medaka, and suggests a potential regulatory role for the same hormones involved in seasonal plasticity of other vertebrates.


Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of macroglossia in the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome.
We report the ultrasound prenatal diagnosis at the 30th week of macroglossia in two sibs with the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome; the syndrome was also present in their mother. A study of high resolution chromosomes did not show any anomaly.


Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in left versus right middle cerebral artery stroke: effects of laterality.
Prolonged dysphagia after middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory strokes may require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding. We examined the predictors of PEG placement among patients with MCA stroke. It was hypothesized that stroke laterality was a predictor. A retrospective cohort study of existing data from Hartford Hospital Stroke Database was done. A total of 157 patients with acute ischemic MCA stroke were included. Patients were divided into the "PEG" group (n = 24) and "no PEG" group (n = 133). Existing demographic, clinical and swallowing data were compared between the 2 groups. Demographic data were similar between the groups. The "PEG" group had a higher admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, higher proportion of patients who had thrombolytic administration, in- hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to be assessed on first swallow evaluation. Multivariate analysis revealed that all, except thrombolytic administration may predict PEG placement. Admission NIHSS score, in-hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to undergo first swallow evaluation may predict PEG placement in patients with acute MCA stroke. Stroke laterality was not associated. This knowledge facilitates early identification of patients that may require PEG tube placement for early nutrition provision and discharge to rehabilitation.


Removal of inorganic and organic mercurials by immobilized bacteria having mer-ppk fusion plasmids.
Feasibility of biological mercury removal from wastewater was examined by using alginate-immobilized cells of Escherichia coli carrying mer-ppk fusion plasmid pMKB18. Immobilized cells engineered to express mercury-transport system, organomercurial lyase and polyphosphate efficiently removed organic and inorganic mercury from contaminated wastewater over a wide concentration range of mercurials, probably via intracellular accumulation mediated by ppk-specified polyphosphate. Bioaccumulation of mercury was selective compared to other metals such as Cd(2+), Pb(2+) and Cr(6+). The immobilized cells could be used repeatedly (at least three times) without large loss of mercury removal activity. From these results, it is concluded that the mer-ppk fusion plasmid and the immobilized cells are useful for simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic mercury from contaminated wastewater.


Identification, cloning, and characterization of the bacteriophage N4 gene encoding the single-stranded DNA-binding protein. A protein required for phage replication, recombination, and late transcription.
The coliphage N4-coded single-stranded DNA-binding protein (N4SSB) is essential for phage replication and for expression of the phage late genes, which are transcribed by the Escherichia coli sigma 70 RNA polymerase. As a first step in investigating the role of N4SSB in replication and transcriptional activation, we have identified and sequenced the N4SSB gene. The gene encodes a 265-amino acid protein with no apparent sequence homology to other single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. We present data indicating that N4SSB is also essential for phage recombination. Mutational analysis of the carboxyl terminus of the protein indicates that this region is required for protein-protein interactions with the N4 replication, N4 recombination, and E. coli transcriptional machineries, while the rest of the protein contains the determinants for single-stranded DNA binding.


Comparison of inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in the Cynomolgus monkey IAS and rectum: special emphasis on differences in purinergic transmission.
Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with high gene sequence identity to humans. Nitrergic NMT was present in both muscles while purinergic NMT was limited to the rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile for monkey IAS more closely resembles humans than rodents. In both muscles, SK3 channels were localized to PDGFRα+ cells that were closely associated with nNOS+ /VIP+ nerves. Gene expression levels of P2RY subtypes were the same in IAS and rectum while KCNN expression levels were very similar. SK3 channel activation and inhibition caused faster/greater changes in contractile activity in rectum than IAS. P2Y1 receptor activation inhibited contraction in rectum while increasing contraction in IAS. The absence of purinergic NMT in the IAS may be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells. Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with a high gene sequence identity to humans. Electrical field stimulation produced nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent contractile inhibition in both muscles whereas P2Y1-dependent purinergic NMT was restricted to rectum. An additional NOS-independent, α-chymotrypsin-sensitive component was identified in the IAS consistent with vasoactive intestinal peptide-ergic (VIPergic) NMT. Microelectrode recordings revealed slow NOS-dependent inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in both muscles and fast P2Y1-dependent IJPs in rectum. The basis for the difference in purinergic NMT was investigated. PDGFRα+ /SK3+ cells were closely aligned with nNOS+ /VIP+ neurons in both muscles. Gene expression of P2RY was the same in IAS and rectum (P2RY1>>P2RY2-14) while KCNN3 expression was 32% greater in rectum. The SK channel inhibitor apamin doubled contractile activity in rectum while having minimal effect in the IAS. Contractile inhibition elicited with the SK channel agonist CyPPA was five times faster in rectum than in the IAS. The P2Y1 receptor agonist MRS2365 inhibited contraction in rectum but increased contraction in the IAS. In conclusion, both the IAS and the rectum have nitrergic NMT whereas purinergic NMT is limited to rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile in monkey IAS more closely resembles that of humans than rodents. The lack of purinergic NMT in the IAS cannot be attributed to the absence of PDGFRα+ cells, P2Y1 receptors or SK3 channels. Rather, it appears to be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells.


Synthetic signal peptide and analogs display different activities in mammalian and plant in vitro secretion systems.
The biological properties of four chemically synthesized signal peptides were compared in mammalian (rabbit reticulocyte) and plant (wheat germ) cell-free protein secretion systems. The precursor-specific region of bovine pre-proparathyroid hormone (preproPTH), [D-Tyr-(+1)]preproPTH-(-29-+1)amide, and a sulfur-free analog, [Nle-(-25), Nle-(-21), Nle-(-18), Ala-(-14), D-Tyr-(+1)]preproPTH-(-29-+1)amide, inhibit the processing of an unrelated precursor protein (pre-prolactin) to its mature secreted form (prolactin) in the mammalian system. In the plant system supplemented with signal recognition particle, the signal peptides arrest translation of both secretory (preprolactin) and cytoplasmic (globin) proteins. One analog, [Nle-(-25), Nle-(-21), Asp-(-18), Ala-(-14), D-Tyr-(+1)]preproPTH-(-29-+1)amide, inhibits preprotein processing in the mammalian system but fails to induce translation arrest in the plant system. A truncated peptide, [N alpha-AcLeu-(-17), Ala-(-14), D-Tyr-(+1)]preproPTH-(-17-+1)amide, lacking the N-terminal (positively charged) region and a portion of the hydrophobic core region, is inactive in both systems. These studies demonstrate that the chemically synthesized signal region of a precursor protein interacts directly with signal recognition particle and functionally mimics the proposed properties of a native signal sequence linked to a nascent protein as it emerges from the ribosome during biosynthesis, and an analog of the signal peptide reveals fundamental differences between the components involved in the protein secretion apparatus in mammals and plants.


Remodeled right colon: an alternative urinary reservoir.
A total of 11 patients underwent bladder substitution or continent supravesical diversion with a remodeled right colonic segment as a urinary reservoir. Of the patients 1 woman and 2 men had bladder substitution: in 2 the bladder neck and urethra were preserved, and in 1 man radical cystoprostatectomy with preservation of the distal sphincteric mechanism was performed. All 3 patients currently are continent. In the 8 diversion patients an anti-incontinence mechanism was reconstructed with a segment of plicated ileum sutured to the abdominal wall. Six patients are completely dry between catheterizations every 4 to 6 hours, 1 man requires more frequent catheterizations, and the woman has refused self-catheterization and wears an external appliance. There were 18 ureterointestinal reimplantations performed successfully for upper tract protection, and 1 ureterocolonic reimplantation became partially obstructed and required percutaneous dilation. Reflux did not occur. This remodeled right colonic segment, reconstructed with interruption of the intestinal circular fibers, allows for storage of large urine volumes at reasonable pressures and it is a suitable alternative bladder substitution procedure. Plicated ileum has allowed for easy catheterization and it has been an adequate anti-incontinence mechanism when associated with this colonic reservoir.


Complex Patients and Quality of Care in Medicare Advantage.
New federal policies aim to focus Medicare Advantage (MA) plans on the needs of individuals with complex health conditions. Our objective was to examine enrollment patterns of MA beneficiaries with complex needs and the association of enrollment patterns with MA plan performance. Cross-sectional study. The 2015 Medicare Health Outcome Survey baseline survey. A total of 273 336 MA beneficiaries enrolled in 467 MA plans who lived in the community. Complex patients included individuals 65 years and older with multiple self-reported chronic conditions and functional limitations and all patients with disabilities younger than 65 years. Outcomes included 27 performance measures reported under the 5-Star Part C Star Rating. Linear probability regression was used to examine the association of concentration of complex patients and performance measures. Most complex patients were enrolled in general MA plans. Concentration of complex patients ranged from 25.9% in MA contracts in the lowest quintile to 68.9% in the top quintile. MA contract performance scores generally decreased as the concentration of complex patients increased. After adjusting for contract and enrollee characteristics, MA contracts with more complex patients performed less well on half of the Part C performance measures including patient experience, preventive care, and chronic care measures. MA contracts with a high concentration of complex patients have lower performance scores on more than half of Part C measures. Further study is needed to understand whether these performance measures are capturing the delivery of poor care, deficiencies in the health plan's care systems, or whether some measures may not be appropriate for complex patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:395-402, 2020.


Pain, nausea and anxiety during intra-uterine brachytherapy of cervical carcinomas.
The aim of this quality-assurance study was to assess how patients with cancer of the uterine cervix experience different aspects of care during brachytherapy treatment. Twenty patients scheduled for intrauterine brachytherapy using an afterloading technique and 20 controls with other gynaecological malignancies, undergoing a gynaecological palpation under anaesthesia, were given a questionnaire to complete. The questionnaire consisted of ten items related to information received, pain, sleep, nausea and food intake. Each item was constructed as a statement to be answered on a five-point Likert-like scale, with alternatives ranging from very positive to very negative. Among the results, 17 of the 20 brachytheraphy patients reported that they experienced great anxiety before admission. The corresponding figure for the control group was 9/20 (P < 0.01). As regards pain, 13/20 and 0/20, respectively, suffered from moderate or severe pain (P = 0.0000), despite standard analgesic medication. Twelve of the brachytherapy patients praised the ordinary hospital liquid foods, whereas 8/20 would clearly have preferred alternative menus. In the control group 18/20 approved of the food and 2/20 did not (P < 0.05). The results clearly underline the importance of quality-assurance studies that focus on the side-effects of treatment. This study has resulted in a new care programme with intensified prophylactic treatment of pain and nausea and a novel form of "picking food", i.e. pieces of vegetables, meat and chips that are easy to eat in a supine position.


Colony‑stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibition blocks macrophage infiltration and endometrial cancer cell proliferation.
Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) promote the progression of endometrial cancer (EC), but the mechanism of TAM in EC cell proliferation remains unclear. It was found that colony stimulating factor (CSF)‑1 and CSF‑1 receptor (CSF‑1R) were highly expressed in EC tissues of patients and two EC cell lines (ECC‑1 and HEC‑1A). Using wound‑healing and chemotactic migration assays to evaluate the role of EC cells in the induction of macrophage migration, it was found that the supernatant of EC cells promoted macrophage cell line (U937) migration; however, the migration capacity of U937 weakened when CSF‑1R was blocked. Subsequently, inhibition of CSF‑1 expression in EC cells also restrained U937 migration. Additionally, blocking CSF‑1R by PLX3397 treatment in U937 cells inhibited EC cell proliferation in a co‑culture system by inhibiting the expression of proliferation‑associated proteins (Janus kinase‑1, phosphoinositide 3‑kinase, AKT, cyclin kinase 2, 4 and retinoblastoma‑associated protein). Together, these results demonstrated that CSF‑1 secreted by EC cells promoted macrophage migration; similarly, CSF‑1‑stimulated macrophages promoted EC cell proliferation. These results suggested that the interaction between CSF‑1 and its receptor served an important role in promoting macrophage infiltration and progression of EC.


Hazard report. Internal wire breakage in reusable electrosurgical active electrode cables may cause sparking and surgical fires.
Breaks in the internal wires of reusable electrosurgical active electrode cables can increase the risk of injuries and surgical fires. Careful visual and manual inspection during reprocessing and immediately before use, coupled with periodic replacement, can help limit the risk.


Identification of miRNAs involved in fruit ripening in Cavendish bananas by deep sequencing.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding small RNAs that play an important regulatory role in various biological processes. Previous studies have reported that miRNAs are closely related to the ripening process in model plants. However, the miRNAs that are closely involved in the banana fruit ripening process remain unknown. Here, we investigated the miRNA populations from banana fruits in response to ethylene or 1-MCP treatment using a deep sequencing approach and bioinformatics analysis combined with quantitative RT-PCR validation. A total of 125 known miRNAs and 26 novel miRNAs were identified from three libraries. MiRNA profiling of bananas in response to ethylene treatment compared with 1-MCP treatment showed differential expression of 82 miRNAs. Furthermore, the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted to target a total of 815 target genes. Interestingly, some targets were annotated as transcription factors and other functional proteins closely involved in the development and the ripening process in other plant species. Analysis by qRT-PCR validated the contrasting expression patterns between several miRNAs and their target genes. The miRNAome of the banana fruit in response to ethylene or 1-MCP treatment were identified by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 82 differentially expressed miRNAs were found to be closely associated with the ripening process. The miRNA target genes encode transcription factors and other functional proteins, including SPL, APETALA2, EIN3, E3 ubiquitin ligase, β-galactosidase, and β-glucosidase. These findings provide valuable information for further functional research of the miRNAs involved in banana fruit ripening.


Profitable versus unprofitable expansion of trauma and critical care surgery.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma has proposed that the specialty of trauma and critical care include emergency surgery. We assessed whether this change will have an impact on the financial challenges that this specialty confronts, including inadequate reimbursement for efforts exerted. Over a 2-year period, we collected financial data on 6 trauma and critical care surgeons. Three included emergency surgery as part of their practice, but no private elective component. The other 3 included both emergency surgery and a private elective component. Trauma and critical care surgeons who had included emergency surgery but no private elective component had significantly lower charges (5,941,482 US dollars vs 9,209,535 US dollars), collections (1,439,913 US dollars vs 2,973,319 US dollars), generated relative value units (50,440 vs 80,327), generated reimbursement per relative value units (28.55 US dollars vs 37.02 US dollars), and margins (0.20 US dollars vs 1.48 US dollars) than their counterparts who had an elective surgery component. The addition of emergency surgery did not improve the financial viability of trauma and critical care as a specialty. Without significant hospital or governmental financial support, the only viable financial option is to develop a substantial private practice that cross-subsidizes the practice of trauma and critical care. The appropriate professional bodies should incorporate changes in work processes that will allow the specialty to survive professionally but also financially.


Non-invasive organization variation assessment in the onset and termination of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Recently, it has been suggested that AF is partially organized on its onset and termination, thus being more suitable for antiarrhythmia and to avoid unnecessary therapy. Although several invasive and non-invasive AF organization estimators have been proposed, the organization time course in the first and last minutes of AF has not been quantified yet. The aim of this work is to study non-invasively the organization variation within the first and last minutes of paroxysmal AF. The organization was evaluated making use of sample entropy, which can robustly estimate electrical atrial activity organization from surface ECG recordings. This work proves an organization decrease in the first minutes of AF onset and an increase within the last minute before spontaneous AF termination. These results are in agreement with the conclusions reported by other authors who made use of invasive recordings.


Association studies indicate that protein disulfide isomerase is a risk factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) plays an important role in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by facilitating the exchange of disulfide bonds and, together with other ER stress proteins, is induced in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, genetic polymorphisms in the P4HB gene, which encodes PDI, have not been thoroughly investigated in ALS cases. In this study, we determined whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the P4HB gene were associated with familial ALS (FALS) and sporadic ALS (SALS). We report significant genotypic associations for two SNPs in P4HB with FALS, rs876016 (P=0.0198) and rs2070872 (P=0.0046), all values being FDR corrected. Significant allelic associations were also obtained for rs876016 with FALS (P=0.0155) and ALS (FALS and SALS) (P=0.0148). Four SNP haplotypes, which included two additional flanking SNPs, rs876017 and rs8324, were examined and rare haplotypes were found to be more common in ALS cases compared to controls. Seven haplotypes were significantly associated with FALS and one haplotype was significantly associated with SALS. One rare haplotype, which was present in controls, was overrepresented in a group of SOD1-positive FALS cases. Reduced survival was observed in FALS cases possessing at least one copy of the minor allele of rs2070872 (P=0.0059) and rs8324 (P=0.0167) and in individuals lacking the homozygous AAAC/AAAC diplotype (P=0.011). The results suggest that P4HB is a modifier gene in ALS susceptibility and may represent a potential therapeutic target for ALS.


Red-cell trapping in the rat renal microcirculation induced by low-osmolar contrast media and mannitol.
In acute renal failure after ischemia, intravascular obstruction by trapped red blood cells in the microvasculature of the renal outer medulla is a consistent finding. The influence of intravenously injected contrast media (CM) on such obstruction was investigated. Anesthetized rats were subjected to 45 minutes of unilateral renal ischemia. Red-cell trapping in ischemically injured kidneys and in the contralateral uninjured kidneys was estimated from the intrarenal distribution of 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes after injection of ioxaglate or iopamidol in a dose of 1,600 mg I/kg body weight. As an osmolar control substance, mannitol (950 mOsm/kg) was given to a third group and isotonic Ringer's solution was administered to a fourth group. In the uninjured kidneys, treatment with ioxaglate or mannitol resulted in no red-cell trapping, while the iopamidol-treated group showed red-cell trapping in the inner stripe of the outer medulla in a dose-dependent manner. In the ischemically injured kidneys, both CM and mannitol enhanced the red-cell trapping in the inner stripe of the renal medulla. The results indicate that intravenously administered ioxaglate and iopamidol enhance the microvascular obstructions evoked by ischemic injury and that iopamidol may induce local impairment in renal medullary microcirculation in a normal kidney.


Selective uptake by Purkinje neurons of antibodies to S-100 protein.
Forty-eight hours after intraventricular injection, affinity-purified antibodies to S-100 protein localized in Purkinje cells whereas affinity-purified antibodies to goat immunoglobulin or to bovine serum albumin did not. This selective up-take may account for the susceptibility of some neurons to immunologic insult, and may provide further evidence to support hypotheses which invoke autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of central nervous system disorders.


Relativistic calculations using Monte Carlo methods: one-electron systems.
Variance minimization and Monte Carlo integration are used to evaluate the four-component Dirac equation for a number of one-electron atomic and diatomic systems. This combination produces accurate energies, is relatively simple to implement, and exhibits few of the problems associated with traditional techniques.


Beneficial effects of C36, a novel breaker of advanced glycation endproducts cross-links, on the cardiovascular system of diabetic rats.
Advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including diabetic cardiovascular dysfunctions. 3-benzyloxycarbonylmethyl-4-methyl-thiazol-3-ium bromide (C36), a novel AGE breaker, was investigated for its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system of diabetic rats. The in vitro breaking abilities of C36 on AGE cross-links formed in vitro and in vivo were assessed. After 4 weeks' treatment with C36, cardiovascular and left ventricular functions in diabetic (streptozotocin-induced) rats were evaluated by haemodynamic studies. Effects of C36 on AGE accumulation, collagen distribution, and fibrosis-associated gene expression were also investigated by biochemical and morphological methods and reverse transcription-PCR, respectively. In vitro, C36 released bovine serum albumin (BSA) from preformed AGE-BSA-collagen complexes and decreased the IgG cross-linked to red blood cell surface (RBC-IgG). In vivo, C36 treatment of diabetic rats resulted in a significant increase in left ventricular systolic pressure and the maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise and pressure fall, induction in cardiac output and systemic arterial compliance, decrease of total peripheral resistance, reduction of diabetes-induced RBC-IgG content, increase of myocardial and tail tendon collagen solubility, and normalization of collagen type III/I ratio in diabetic rats. In addition, C36 treatment attenuated mRNA levels of diabetes-induced genes, including receptors for AGE, transforming growth factor beta1, connective tissue growth factor, and collagen III. C36 was an effective breaker of AGE cross-links and had beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system of diabetic rats.