Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen for wheat through empirical modeling under semi-arid environment.
Nitrogen fertilizer availability to plants is strongly linked with water availability. Excessive or insufficient use of nitrogen can cause reduction in grain yield of wheat and environmental issues. The per capita per annum water availability in Pakistan has reduced to less than 1000 m3 and is expected to reach 800 m3 during 2025. Irrigating crops with 3 or more than 3 in. of depth without measuring volume of water is not a feasible option anymore. Water productivity and economic return of grain yield can be improved by efficient management of water and nitrogen fertilizer. A study was conducted at post-graduate agricultural research station, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to optimize volume of water per irrigation and nitrogen application. Split plot design with three replications was used to conduct experiment; four irrigation levels (I300 = 300 mm, I240 = 240 mm, I180 = 180 mm, I120 = 120 mm for whole growing season at critical growth stages) and four nitrogen levels (N60 = 60 kg ha-1, N120 = 120 kg ha-1, N180 = 180 kg ha-1, and N240 = 240 kg ha-1) were randomized as main and sub-plot factors, respectively. The recorded data on grain yield was used to develop empirical regression models. The results based on quadratic equations and economic analysis showed 164, 162, 158, and 107 kg ha-1 nitrogen as economic optimum with I300, I240, I180, and I120 mm water, respectively, during 2012-2013. During 2013-2014, quadratic equations and economic analysis showed 165, 162, 161, and 117 kg ha-1 nitrogen as economic optimum with I300, I240, I180, and I120 mm water, respectively. The optimum irrigation level was obtained by fitting economic optimum nitrogen as function of total water. Equations predicted 253 mm as optimum irrigation water for whole growing season during 2012-2013 and 256 mm water as optimum for 2013-2014. The results also revealed that reducing irrigation from I300 to I240 mm during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 did not reduce crop yield significantly (P < 0.01). The excessive nitrogen application ranged from 31.2 to 55.4% at N180 and N240 kg ha-1 for different levels of irrigation. It is concluded from study that irrigation and nitrogen relationship can be used for efficient management of irrigation and nitrogen and to reduce nitrogen losses. The empirical equations developed in this study can help farmers of semi-arid environment to calculate optimum level of irrigation and nitrogen for maximum economic return from wheat.


The emerging field of dynamic lysine methylation of non-histone proteins.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate protein structure and function. Lysine methylation abundantly decorates histone proteins and has recently been detected on non-histone proteins. In particular, the tumor suppressor and transcription factor p53 has provided a model for lysine methylation on a non-histone protein. As found for histones, lysine methylation is dynamic and can be reversed by demethylation. Lysine methylation regulates function via several distinct mechanisms. Methyl lysine provides docking sites for binding of effector proteins. Methylation can serve to inhibit alternate PTMs on the same lysine residue. In addition, lysine can be monomethylated, dimethylated, or trimethylated, and these levels of methylation correlate with distinct genomic locations and functions. Taking into account combinatorial activity with numerous other PTMs, lysine methylation provides enormous functional diversity and regulatory complexity.


Congenital hepatic cyst with antenatal diagnosis: a case report and literature review.
Congenital hepatic cysts are rare lesions of infancy. While operative management and outcomes have been extensively studied in adult patients with hepatic cysts, data in pediatric patients are limited. We discuss our experience in an infant and review relevant literature regarding operative technique and surgical outcomes.


Infectious complications in kidney transplant recipients: a single-center experience.
To determine the patterns of infectious complications in renal transplant recipients in our center, we evaluated 48 patients (29 men and 19 women) who were transplanted between 1994 and 2003. The average age of the patients was 29 years. Thirty (62.5%) and 18 (37.5%) transplants were from living related and cadaveric donors, respectively. Posttransplant immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), prednisone, antithymocyte globulin (ATG), and cyclosporine or tacrolimus. The acute rejection episodes were treated with pulse doses of methylprednisolone; steroid-resistant rejection was treated with ATG or muromonab (OKT3). All patients received prophylaxis with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine; none received prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Thirty-nine (81%) recipients developed 77 confirmed episodes of infection; 35 (46%) episodes occurred in the early postoperative period, 28 (36%) in the first month and 14 (18%) after 6 months. According to the type of infection, there were 24 urinary tract, 16 CMV, seven herpetic, nine general septic, six fungal, four pneumonia, one disseminated nocardial, and 10 miscellaneous episodes. All 26 (100%) patients who had acute rejection episodes developed infections compared with 13/22 (59%) who did not have rejection (P < .01). There was a significant correlation between CMV disease and acute rejection and/or tacrolimus or MMF use. CMV infection occurred after the additional immunosuppressive treatment for acute rejection in 10 patients or during the use of tacrolimus or MMF in six patients. We conclude that CMV infection was the most frequent opportunistic pathogen in our renal transplant population and related to the intensive antirejection therapy, followed by urinary tract infections within 3 months after surgery.


Chronic hypobaric hypoxia induces tolerance to acute hypoxia and up-regulation in alpha-2 adrenoceptor in rat locus coeruleus.
Hypoxia preconditioning has been shown to produce tolerance against brain injuries. The hypothesis of this study is that chronic hypobaric hypoxia may also induce acute hypoxia tolerance. We used intracellular recording in slices from rats exposed to chronic hypobaric hypoxia (exposed) and control to investigate the effects of chronic hypobaric hypoxia on the physiology of locus coeruleus (LC) including neuronal excitability. The results showed 35.7% reduced spontaneous firing rate and no change for membrane potential and input resistance in exposed neurons. In response to the alpha-2 adrenoceptor (A2R) agonist clonidine, both the hyperpolarizing potency and efficacy were increased indicated by a decreased EC(50) (control: 30.9 nM and exposed: 19.7 nM) and a 50.5% increase in maximum hyperpolarized potential, respectively. A2R binding sites were also increased 21% in exposed neurons measured by radioligand [(3)H]rauwolscine binding assay. When treated with acute N(2)-hypoxia, the cell survival time (ST) was longer in exposed neurons, suggesting that a tolerance was induced. In addition, the ST for both groups of LC neurons was decreased by the A2R antagonist yohimbine and increased by the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid but not by MK-801; the decreased percentage of ST by yohimbine was larger and the increased percentage by kynurenic acid was smaller in exposed neurons. The results suggested that up-regulation of A2R and altered non-NMDA glutamate receptor function induced by chronic hypobaric hypoxia may underlie, in part, the decreased LC neuronal excitability and acute hypoxia tolerance.


Genome-wide application of RNAi to the discovery of potential drug targets.
Progress is being made in the development of RNA interference-based (RNAi-based) strategies for the control of gene expression. It has been demonstrated that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can silence the expression of target genes in a sequence-specific manner in mammalian cells. Various groups, including our own, have developed systems for vector-mediated specific RNAi. Vector-based siRNA- (or shRNA) expression libraries directed against the entire human genome and siRNA libraries based on chemically synthesized oligonucleotides now allow the rapid identification of functional genes and potential drug targets. Use of such libraries will enhance our understanding of numerous biological phenomena and contribute to the rational design of drugs against heritable, infectious and malignant diseases.


Different roles of p53 between Epstein-Barr virus-positive and -negative gastric carcinomas of matched histology.
To clarify the role of p53 in the development of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma, we examined DNA-ploidy pattern, the immunoreactivity of p53, p21(WAF1) and Ki-67 and the incidence of mitosis and apoptosis in EBV-positive and -negative gastric carcinomas of similar histology: a lace pattern and/or gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma. There was no significant difference in DNA-ploidy pattern, Ki-67 index or frequencies of mitosis and apoptosis between the two groups. In deeply invasive tumours (involving the muscularis propria or deeper), p53-positive ones were rare in the EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER)-positive group and very common in the EBER-negative group, while in superficial tumours, around one-half of them were p53-positive in both groups. In p53-positive superficial tumours, p21(WAF1)-positive ones accounted for 80% in the EBER-positive group and were scarce in the EBER-negative group. It is thus possible that p53 immunoreactivity reflects the overexpression of wild-type p53 and the stabilization of mutant p53 in the EBER-positive and -negative groups, respectively. The role of p53 in tumour development seems to be smaller in EBER-positive than in -negative gastric carcinomas.


Measurement of local viscoelasticity and forces in living cells by magnetic tweezers.
We measured the viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasm of J774 macrophages with a recently developed microrheometer. Ferromagnetic beads (1.3 microm in diameter) were used to determine the local viscoelastic moduli. Step-force pulses were applied to the magnetic beads and the displacement was observed by single particle tracking. By analyzing the creep response curves in terms of a triphasic mechanical equivalent circuit, we measured the shear elastic modulus, the effective viscosities, and the strain relaxation time. The values of the shear modulus vary by more than an order of magnitude within the cell population (range, 20-735 Pa; average, 343 Pa) and by a factor of 2 within single cells. The effective viscosity of the cytoplasm exhibits a relatively sharp distribution about an average of eta = 210 Pa s (+/- 143 Pa s). We measured the displacement field generated by the local forces by observing the induced motion of nonmagnetic beads. Even at distances of the order of 1 microm, no induced motion was seen, suggesting that the cytoplasm is composed of clusters of densely packed and cross-linked filaments separated by soft regions. In another series of experiments we analyzed the magnetophoretic motion of the ferromagnetic beads at a constant magnetic force. Measuring the bead velocity parallel and perpendicular to the applied force showed that local active forces on the beads varied from 50 to 900 pN.


Effects of U-50488H, a selective kappa-analgesic, on the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of halothane in the rat.
The effects of U-50488H, a selective kappa-analgesic, on the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of an inhalational agent (halothane) were studied in the rat. U-50488H was given subcutaneously in doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg body weight. The maximal MAC reduction was about 60%. The potency ratio of U-50488H to morphine in this model was comparable with potency ratios in other analgesic assays. In separate experiments, the percent reduction in halothane MAC with U-50488H at 30 mg/kg was determined during the infusion of naloxone (5 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1 and 1 mg X kg-1 X min-1) at doses shown to have reversed a 70% reduction in MAC by 10 mg/kg of morphine. Only when naloxone was infused at 1 mg X kg-1 X min-1 was there a significant reversal of the U-50488H-induced reduction in halothane MAC. This observation suggests that the reduction in MAC of halothane with U-50488H was not mediated by a mu-receptor. In conclusion, through the use of a selective pharmacologic tool that stimulates kappa-receptors we have demonstrated potential utility of kappa-analgesics as supplements to general anesthesia.


Comparison of in vitro susceptibilities among gram-negative rods.
The activity of mezlocillin, azlocillin and piperacillin was compared using 100 clinical isolates of gram-negative rods. Overall piperacillin had the highest activity with 72 per cent sensitive strains; mezlocillin, 66 per cent, and azlocillin, 57 per cent. In the group of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however, mezlocillin showed distinctly lower activity than both piperacillin and azlocillin.


Proteome and Structural Organization of the Knob Complex on the Surface of the Plasmodium Infected Red Blood Cell.
The cell membrane of the erythrocytes infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes several changes during the course of parasite life cycle and forms protrusions known as 'knobs' on its surface during the mature trophozoite and schizont stages. The structural organization of knob components especially PfEMP1 on the iRBC surface is the main determinant for the cytoadhesive and rosetting capacity of the iRBC by binding to various host receptors as well as for the variable antigenicity, which is crucial for immunoevasion. Although several studies report individual interactions among knob constituents, a comprehensive identification of the knob proteome is lacking. The detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) rafts are isolated from the infected erythrocyte membrane and knob (KAHRP) positive fractions are subjected to proteomics analysis. In addition, structures of various knob components are modeled and assembled ab initio based on experimentally established protein interactions. Proteins of various functional classes are found to be present in the knobs including the newly identified knob constituents which include host Hsp70, elongation factor 1A, acyl CoA synthetase, and some hypothetical proteins. Ab initio structural prediction of PfEMP1, KHARP, PfEMP2, PfEMP3, and PHIST shows that these proteins are intrinsically disordered and can have varying number of protein-protein interactions depending on their lowest energy structure. Further in silico mathematical modeling of a single repeat unit of PfEMP1-PHIST is present 63-112 times along the periphery of a single knob. This study provides structural insight into the organization of the core knob components and uncovers novel proteins as knob components. This structural information can be used for the development of better vaccine design strategies or drug design to destabilize the knob structure, which is a major virulence determinant in P. falciparum malaria.


C(spn )-X (n=1-3) Bond Activation by Palladium.
We have studied the palladium-mediated activation of C(spn )-X bonds (n = 1-3 and X = H, CH3 , Cl) in archetypal model substrates H3 C-CH2 -X, H2 C=CH-X and HC≡C-X by catalysts PdLn with Ln = no ligand, Cl- , and (PH3 )2 , using relativistic density functional theory at ZORA-BLYP/TZ2P. The oxidative addition barrier decreases along this series, even though the strength of the bonds increases going from C(sp3 )-X, to C(sp2 )-X, to C(sp)-X. Activation strain and matching energy decomposition analyses reveal that the decreased oxidative addition barrier going from sp3 , to sp2 , to sp, originates from a reduction in the destabilizing steric (Pauli) repulsion between catalyst and substrate. This is the direct consequence of the decreasing coordination number of the carbon atom in C(spn )-X, which goes from four, to three, to two along this series. The associated net stabilization of the catalyst-substrate interaction dominates the trend in strain energy which indeed becomes more destabilizing along this same series as the bond becomes stronger from C(sp3 )-X to C(sp)-X.


Structural insight into Bacillus thuringiensis Sip1Ab reveals its similarity to ETX_MTX2 family beta-pore-forming toxin.
Microbially derived, protein-based biopesticides are an important approach for sustainable pest management. The secreted insecticidal proteins (Sips) produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis exhibit potent insecticidal activity against coleopteran pests and are, therefore, attractive as candidate biopesticides. However, the modes-of-action of Sips are unclear as comprehensive structural information for these proteins is lacking. Using X-ray crystallography, we elucidated the structure of monomeric Sip1Ab at 2.28 Å resolution. Structural analyses revealed that Sip1Ab has the three domains and conserved fold characteristic of other aerolysin-like beta-pore-forming toxins (β-PFTs). Based on the sequence and structural similarities between Sip1Ab and other ETX_MTX2 subfamily toxins, we suggested the mechanism of these proteins and proposed that it is common to them all. The atomic-level structural data for Sip1Ab generated by the present study could facilitate future structural and mechanistic research on Sips as well as their application in sustainable insect pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.


Incidence and predictors of MRI scan utilization in MRI-conditional pacemaker recipients: A multicenter experience.
Patient characteristics, higher device cost, and vendor contracts likely prevent use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-conditional pacemakers (MRC) in all pacemaker (PM)-eligible patients. We sought to identify the incidence and predictors of MRI scan utilization in MRC recipients. Patients receiving an MRC or non-MRI-conditional PM (NMRC) at four centers were included. Incidence of MRI scans following PM insertion was obtained from hospital records and patient phone calls. Of 1,244 patients (74 ± 12 years, 54.6% male), 927 had MRC and 317 had NMRC. At baseline, MRC recipients had a higher incidence of atrial tachycardia and MRI risk factors (syncope, recurrent falls, neurological disease, severe musculoskeletal disease, malignancy). In the MRC group, more patients had commercial health insurance (26% vs 15%, P < 0.001). Sixty MRC patients (6.5%) had an MRI during 21 ± 17 months' follow-up. Using the Weilbull parametric survival model, the projected percentage of MRC patients receiving an MRI scan at 7- and 11-year follow-up were 45% and 73%, respectively. By multivariate regression, a prior history of MRI (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-9.1, P < 0.001) and active smoking (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.1-6.7, P = 0.039) independently predicted the performance of an MRI following MRC implant. In this MRC cohort, MRI scan utilization during follow-up was low but projection analyses showed a higher incidence over the lifetime of the MRC. A history of prior MRI and active smoking independently predicted the performance of an MRI scan during follow-up.


Prevalence and prognosis of coronary stent gap detected by multi-detector CT: a follow-up study.
To evaluate the features of stent gap (SG) and the long-term impact of SG on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patent stents. A total of 347 consecutive patients with 781 stents who underwent MDCT were assessed for SG and ISR. Clinical and stent features were compared between the SG and non-SG groups. In the follow-up study, among 82 patients with 175 patent stents [26 assessed by conventional coronary angiography (CCA) including 6 contacted in a telephone survey, 46 assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) and 10 by both], the incidence of ISR was compared between stents with and without SG. Three patients and 13 stents were excluded. SG was observed in 12.5% of patients and 8.6% of stents. ISR detected by CTA was noted in 21.2% of SG, and SG accounted for 23.7% of ISR. Stent number, length, location, overlapping pattern, tortuosity and in-out angle were predisposing factors for SG. During a mean follow-up period of 15 months after detection of SG, the incidence of ISR was significantly higher in the SG group than in the non-SG group (43.8/14.9% by CCA, 33.3/10.1% by CTA and CCA). Patent stents with SG detected by CTA had a higher incidence of late restenosis, indicating that long-term follow-up or further intervention is necessary.


Physical Persistency across Game Quarters and during Consecutive Games in Elite Junior Basketball Players.
Given the intermittent nature of basketball and the different demands that occur during playing time that are specific to every level of competition, the ratio of accelerations/decelerations and the intensity level across quarters were evaluated in female elite junior basketball players (n = 48; age: 16.8 ± 0.7 years; height: 1.76 ± 0.07 cm; body mass: 67.2 ± 6.2 kg). The following variables were analyzed to determine physical persistency across game quarters:(a) total distance covered (m), (b) high-intensity running (HIR) (14-21 km·h-1) distance covered (m), (c) sprint (21-30 km·h-1) distance covered (m), (d) total accelerations (n), (e) total decelerations (n), (f) relative accelerations (n·min-1), (g) relative decelerations (n·min-1), (h) ratio of acceleration/deceleration (A/D), (i) total jumps (j) relative jumps (n·min-1) (k) player load (AU). using the WIMU PRO® system. Higher but shorter acceleration intensity occurred during the last quarters due to the tight results of the matches. The results suggest that high-intensity efforts such as sprints and HIR seem to increase the A/D ratio (guard and forward positions). Therefore, specific conditioning, as well as eccentric strength training, could be included by practitioners in training programs to improve the performance of these positions during competition, especially as a prior preparation to a game-congested event. Centers seem to have a more variable performance through quarters than do other positions, perhaps highlighting the need for specific conditioning strategies.


A jacalin-related lectin domain-containing lipase from chestnut (Castanea crenata): Purification, characterization, and protein identification.
A novel lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 126.96.36.199) was discovered from Korean chestnut (Castanea crenata). The lipase was isolated and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and a fast protein liquid chromatography system equipped with HiTrap DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow, HiTrap Q-Sepharose Fast Flow, and HiPrep Sephacryl S-100 Hi-Resolution columns. The purified C. crenata lipase showed a 15.8% yield, purification fold number of 465.8, and specific activity against triolein of 88.5 mU/mg. The enzyme exhibited hydrolytic activity toward tributyrin, trilaurin, and triolein, and was maximally active at pH 8.0 and 35 °C, with triolein used as the substrate. The activation energy (Ea) and deactivation energy (Ed) of triolein hydrolysis were 38.41 and 83.35 kJ/mol, respectively. In the enzyme kinetic study, Vmax, Km, and k cat were 110.58 mU/mg, 0.11 mM, and 0.221 min-1, respectively. The relatively low Km value indicated that the lipase has high affinity for its substrate. Moreover, Mg2+ and Ca2+ increased the lipase activity to 115.4% and 108.3%, respectively. The results of peptide fingerprinting revealed that the C. crenata lipase with a molecular weight of 33.3 kDa was structurally similar to the mannose-binding lectin of the jacalin-related lectin domain superfamily, implying that it has potential as a therapeutic agent for use in the biomedical industry.


Modern Linear Accelerator-Based Radiotherapy Is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Secretory and Nonsecretory Pituitary Adenomas.
Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) can help achieve local control (LC) and reduce hormonal overexpression for pituitary adenomas (PAs). Prior reports involved Gamma Knife or older linear accelerator (LINAC) techniques. The aim of this study was to report long-term outcomes for modern LINAC RT. Institutional retrospective review of LINAC RT for PAs with minimum 3 years of magnetic resonance imaging follow-up was performed. Hormonal control was defined as biochemical remission in absence of medications targeting hormone excess. LC defined using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors on surveillance magnetic resonance imaging. Progression-free survival defined as time alive with LC without return of or worsening hormonal excess from secretory PA. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models used. From 2003 to 2017, 140 patients with PAs (94 nonsecretory, 46 secretory) were treated with LINAC RT (105 fractionated RT, 35 radiosurgery) with median follow-up of 5.35 years. Techniques included fixed gantry intensity-modulated radiotherapy (51.4%), dynamic conformal arcs (9.3%), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (39.3%). Progression-free survival at 5 years was 95.3% for secretory tumors and 94.8% for nonsecretory tumors. Worse progression-free survival was associated with larger planning target volume on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio 2.87, 95% confidence interval 1.01-8.21, P = 0.049). Hormonal control at 5 years was 50.0% and associated with higher dose to tumor (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.09, P = 0.005) and number of surgeries (hazard ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.89, P = 0.032). Patients requiring any pituitary hormone replacement increased from 57.9% to 70.0% after RT. Modern LINAC RT for patients with PAs was safe and effective for hormonal control and LC. No difference in LC was noted for functional versus nonfunctional tumors, possibly owing to higher total dose and daily image guidance.


Differential symptomatology and functioning in borderline personality disorder across age groups.
There is increasing research aimed at addressing whether patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may exhibit variations in symptomatology and functioning according to their chronological age. The current study consisted of 169 outpatients diagnosed with BPD, who were divided into four age groups as follows: 16-25 years (n = 41), 26-35 years (n = 43), 36-45 years (n = 45), and 46 and more years (n = 40). Age groups were compared for symptomatology, normal personality traits, psychiatric comorbidities, functioning, and treatment-related features. The younger group had significantly higher levels of physical/verbal aggression and suicide attempts relative to the older group. Conversely, the older group had significantly greater severity of somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms. In addition, the older group showed significantly greater functional impairment overall and across physical/psychological domains, specifically when compared to the younger group. Overall, these findings may suggest that age-related symptoms should be considered when diagnosing BPD. Also, functional impairments should be the target interventions for older BPD patients.


Outcomes of pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus.
To compare pregnancy outcomes between women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with low-risk pregnancies during implementation of the GDM practice guideline. In a retrospective study, data were compared between women with singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM and control women with singleton low-risk pregnancies who delivered at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand, between January 2002 and December 2012. All pregnant women were screened and managed for GDM as recommended by the National Diabetes Data Group. During the study period, 1350 pregnancies with GDM and 20421 low-risk pregnancies met the study criteria and were included in the GDM group and the control group, respectively. The incidence of fetal macrosomia-the main outcome-was significantly higher in the GDM group (n=270, 20.0%) than in the control group (n=2776, 3.6%; adjusted odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.71; P<0.001). The incidences of cesarean delivery, cephalopelvic disproportion, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and shoulder dystocia were also significantly higher in the GDM group (all P<0.05). Despite the practice guideline, adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal macrosomia, cesarean delivery, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, were significantly higher among women with GDM. The findings warrant an effective audit system or improved adherence to the guideline.


Fragmentation of a recombinant monoclonal antibody at various pH.
To determine the relative importance of direct hydrolysis and beta-elimination, two common mechanisms of antibody hinge region fragmentation, and the impact of the conserved N-linked oligosaccharides in affecting antibody fragmentation under various pH. A recombinant monoclonal antibody was incubated in buffers of various pH at 40 degrees C for 5 weeks. The level of fragmentation was measured using size-exclusion-chromatography (SEC). The specific sites of fragmentation were determined by analyzing SEC fractions using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Direct hydrolysis was accelerated by acidic and basic pH, while beta-elimination contributed to hinge region fragmentation at pH 7 and above. In addition, a shift of the major peptide bond hydrolysis sites in the hinge region towards the C-terminal direction with the decrease of sample pH from 9 to 5 was observed. At pH 4, the major cleavage site shifted outside the hinge region and was localized in the CH2 domain. Oligosaccharides did not affect hinge region fragmentation in the pH range of 5-9, however, at pH 4 oligosaccharides slowed down fragmentation in the CH2 domain. Antibody fragmentation level, sites and mechanisms were affected by pH. Oligosaccharides only affected the rate of fragmentation at pH 4.


Intracranial pressure, conductance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow, and cerebral blood flow in patients with benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri).
Intracranial pressure, conductance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow, and cerebral blood flow were investigated in 14 patients with benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). Intracranial pressure was increased in 9 patients (20 to 30 mm Hg), borderline in 4 patients (15 to 18 mm Hg), and normal in 1 patient (8 mm Hg). Six patients had plateau waves, and all had B waves in more than 50% of the monitored time. Conductance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow, measured by a lumbo-lumbar perfusion method, was significantly reduced: 0.042 ml X mm Hg-1 X min-1 (+/- 0.004 [SEM]; normal, more than 0.080 ml X mm Hg-1 X min-1). Cerebral blood flow was measured by xenon 133 inhalation and single photon emission computer tomography. Mean hemispheric flow was normal in all cases, averaging 59 +/- 9 ml X 100 gm-1 X min-1. Only 2 patients showed focal low-flow areas. Thus, a disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid circulation seems to be of pathogenetic significance in benign intracranial hypertension.


Association study between single-nucleotide variants rs12097821, rs2477686, and rs10842262 and idiopathic male infertility risk in Serbian population with meta-analysis.
A genome-wide association study conducted in the Han Chinese population identified three single nucleotide variants rs12097821, rs2477686, and rs10842262 as being significantly associated with non-obstructive azoospermia. Our aim was to evaluate the possible association between these susceptibility loci and idiopathic male infertility risk in the Serbian population. A case-control study was conducted on 431 male individuals from the Serbian population divided into two groups. The case group consisted of 208 males diagnosed with oligoasthenozoospermia or non-obstructive azoospermia, while the control group involved 223 fertile men who have fathered at least one child. According to codominant (Pcodom = 0.048, ORcodom = 0.57, 95%CI 0.35-0.92) and overdominant (Poverdom = 0.017, ORoverdom = 0.62, 95%CI 0.42-0.92) genetic models, rs10842262 was found to be associated with male infertility. Stratifying infertile men according to diagnosis yielded statistically significant results for non-obstructive azoospermia cases under multiple genetic models (Pcodom = 0.038, ORcodom = 0.47, 95%CI 0.26-0.85; Pdom = 0.031, ORdom = 0.53, 95%CI 0.30-0.94; Poverdom = 0.016, ORoverdom = 0.55, 95%CI 0.33-0.90). Minor allele C of rs2477686 genetic variant was shown to be associated with the reduced risk of oligoasthenozoospermia under the log-additive genetic model (P = 0.03, OR = 0.69, 95%CI 0.50-0.97). The results of the meta-analysis indicate both rs2477686 and rs10842262 to be associated with male infertility. Our results show variants rs2477686 and rs10842262 to be significantly associated with male infertility in the Serbian population. Nevertheless, case-control studies in other populations are needed to validate their association with infertility in males diagnosed with oligoasthenozoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia.


B-type natriuretic peptide as an alternative way of assessing total cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Cardiovascular risk scores are available but are often not calculated in busy clinics for numerous practical reasons. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be an alternative way of identifying subjects who have a high total cardiovascular risk score. We compared BNP level with Framingham 10-year Risk Scores for coronary heart disease and stroke and New Zealand Cardiovascular Risk Scores in 231 patients who had type 2 diabetes and no preexisting coronary heart disease or stroke. There was a significant correlation between log BNP and 10-year risk for coronary heart disease and stroke, and there were significantly higher BNP levels in those who had high cardiovascular risk as assessed by the New Zealand Risk Score. BNP may be a useful way of measuring total cardiovascular risk, thus having the potential to better target the most aggressive primary preventive therapies toward the most needy.


Enchytraeus albidus was fed with Fucus, green algae, Zostera marina and Delesseria. Judging from absorption of food, rate of reproduction and duration of life, the animals preferred the plants in the sequence given above.As the putrefaction of a Fucus substrate advances, more and more enchytraeids leave it. A changing salinity of the substrate also influences the number of emigrating worms, increasing it from 15-45‰, but decreasing it towards 60‰. Fed with Fucus E. albidus tolerates a salinity of 60-70‰ on sand for more than 4 weeks, on filter paper only 50‰ for about one week.Reproduction is possible at salinities up to 40‰. Cocoon production is most frequent at 5‰. The mortality of young worms within the cocoons is lowest at 15‰. The incubation period is significantly shorter at salinities of 0-15‰ than at 30 and 40‰.As a terrestrial immigrant to the seashore Enchytraeus albidus secondarily enlarged its range of poikilosmosis, tolerating a concentration of 72‰ in its coelomic fluid for some time. At low salinities it maintains a remarkable degree of hyperosmosis.


Single Administration of Bimatoprost Implant: Effects on 24-Hour Intraocular Pressure and 1-Year Outcomes.
To evaluate the effects of a single bimatoprost implant administration on 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering at 8 weeks, and 1-year IOP-lowering efficacy and safety outcomes. Multicenter, open-label, 12-month, phase 3b study (NCT04285580). Adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Participants (n = 31) received 10-μg bimatoprost implant in the study eye on day 1; IOP (sitting and/or supine) was measured with pneumatonometry every 2 hours throughout a 24-hour period at baseline and week 8. IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) at hour 0 (8 am ± 1 hour) at baseline, weeks 8 and 16, and months 6, 9, and 12. The primary endpoint was the week-8 hour-matched change from baseline in habitual position IOP over 24 hours assessed with pneumatonometry. Hour 0 IOP change from baseline measured with GAT in study eyes that received no additional (rescue) IOP-lowering treatment, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and central corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) were evaluated through 12 months. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) baseline IOP at hour 0 was 24.2 (2.70) mmHg and 25.3 (7.15) mmHg by GAT and pneumatonometry, respectively. Pneumatonometer measurements of IOP taken over 24 hours at week 8 with the participant in habitual position (sitting from 8 am to 10 pm, supine from 12 am to 6 am) showed consistent IOP lowering through the day and night and reduced fluctuation in IOP. The range in IOP measurements over 24 hours was reduced from baseline by a mean (SD) of -1.6 (2.98) mmHg. All 31 bimatoprost implant-treated participants completed the 12-month study; 23 (74%) required no rescue IOP-lowering treatment. The mean (SD) IOP reduction from baseline at month 12 in nonrescued eyes was -4.3 (3.35) mmHg. The most common TEAE was conjunctival hyperemia (incidence 35.5%, 11/31). No implant-treated eye had a ≥ 15% loss in CECD from baseline. A single intracameral administration of the bimatoprost implant lowered IOP in the habitual position consistently throughout the day and night at week 8. The majority of participants continued to have reduced IOP for 1 year without additional therapy. The 1-year safety profile was favorable. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.


Polyadenylation of Histone H3.1 mRNA Promotes Cell Transformation by Displacing H3.3 from Gene Regulatory Elements.
Replication-dependent canonical histone messenger RNAs (mRNAs) do not terminate with a poly(A) tail at the 3' end. We previously demonstrated that exposure to arsenic, an environmental carcinogen, induces polyadenylation of canonical histone H3.1 mRNA, causing transformation of human cells in vitro. Here we report that polyadenylation of H3.1 mRNA increases H3.1 protein, resulting in displacement of histone variant H3.3 at active promoters, enhancers, and insulator regions, leading to transcriptional deregulation, G2/M cell-cycle arrest, chromosome aneuploidy, and aberrations. In support of these observations, knocking down the expression of H3.3 induced cell transformation, whereas ectopic expression of H3.3 attenuated arsenic-induced cell transformation. Notably, arsenic exposure also resulted in displacement of H3.3 from active promoters, enhancers, and insulator regions. These data suggest that H3.3 displacement might be central to carcinogenesis caused by polyadenylation of H3.1 mRNA upon arsenic exposure. Our findings illustrate the importance of proper histone stoichiometry in maintaining genome integrity.


Expression of a wool intermediate filament keratin transgene in sheep fibre alters structure.
Alteration of the protein composition of the wool fibre via transgenesis with sheep wool keratin and keratin associated protein (KAP) genes may lead to production of fibre types with improved processing and wearing qualities. Using this approach, we have demonstrated that high level cortical-specific expression of a wool type II intermediate filament (IF) keratin gene, K2.10, leads to marked alterations in both the microstructure and macrostructure of the wool fibres, which have higher lustre and reduced crimp. Analysis of mRNA found reduced levels of transcripts from endogenous cortical type I (p < 0.05) and type II (p < 0.01) keratin IF genes and from the KAP8 (p < 0.001) and KAP2 (p < 0.01) gene families. Examination of protein composition revealed an altered ratio in the keratin type II protein family of the wool fibre cortex. Whilst the over-expressed K2.10 transgene product constituted the majority of keratin type II IF protein, it appeared unable to form heterodimers with much of the expressed endogenous keratin type I IF. In comparison with non-transgenic sheep, fewer IF microfibrils were visible in the cortical cells of fibres from transgenics. The combined effect on fibre structure was disruption of the formation of orthocortical and paracortical cells in the fibre cortex, a factor which could account for the reduction in fibre crimp. No effects upon transcript or protein levels, or fibre microstructure or macrostructure were observed in transgenic sheep expressing the transgene at lower levels, indicating that subtle changes to the gene expression profile in sheep wool follicles can be tolerated. The data here also illustrate that control over endogenous transcript levels in the cortex results when factors acting on the endogenous keratin type I, keratin type II and KAP gene sequences are sequestered by the active K2.10 transgene locus. Moreover, interference to a transcriptional hierarchy shared by keratin and KAP genes may occur prior to establishment of the orthocortical and paracortical compartments of the follicle cortex, at the level of the chromatin.


Regulation and Function of Maternal Gene Products During the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition in Drosophila.
Drosophila late-stage oocytes and early embryos are transcriptionally silent. Thus, control of gene expression during these developmental periods is posttranscriptional and posttranslational. Global changes in the transcriptome and proteome occur during oocyte maturation, after egg activation and fertilization, and upon zygotic genome activation. We review the scale, content, and dynamics of these global changes; the factors that regulate these changes; and the mechanisms by which they are accomplished. We highlight the intimate relationship between the clearance of maternal gene products and the activation of the embryo's own genome, and discuss the fact that each of these complementary components of the maternal-to-zygotic transition can be subdivided into several phases that serve different biological roles and are regulated by distinct factors.


Expression pattern of the cannabinoid receptor genes in the frontal cortex of mood disorder patients and mice selectively bred for high and low fear.
Although the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been implicated in brain development and various psychiatric disorders, precise mechanisms of the ECS on mood and anxiety disorders remain unclear. Here, we have investigated developmental and disease-related expression pattern of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) genes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) of humans. Using mice selectively bred for high and low fear, we further investigated potential association between fear memory and the cannabinoid receptor expression in the brain. The CB1, not the CB2, mRNA levels in the PFC gradually decrease during postnatal development ranging in age from birth to 50 years (r2 > 0.6 & adj. p < 0.05). The CB1 levels in the PFC of major depression patients were higher when compared to the age-matched controls (adj. p < 0.05). In mice, the CB1, not the CB2, levels in the PFC were positively correlated with freezing behavior in classical fear conditioning (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the CB1 in the PFC may play a significant role in regulating mood and anxiety symptoms. Our study demonstrates the advantage of utilizing data from postmortem brain tissue and a mouse model of fear to enhance our understanding of the role of the cannabinoid receptors in mood and anxiety disorders.


Accuracy of three-dimensional echocardiography in patients with prior anteroseptal myocardial infarction.
Echocardiography is the most feasible modality for monitoring cardiac volume and function. However, conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is frequently not accurate in measuring cardiac performance in cases of abnormal left ventricular wall motion, because of the geometric assumptions. Quantitative gated scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging are reliable modalities, but are expensive and not feasible for repetitive use. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) has been proved to be applicable in daily practice. The purpose of this study was to confirm the superiority of RT3DE to 2DE in assessing cardiac volume and function in patients with abnormal wall motion. The subjects were 41 patients with old anteroseptal myocardial infarction who underwent left ventricular volume and functional measurement by RT3DE, 2DE, and left ventriculography (LVG). End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF) from RT3DE and 2DE were measured and compared with results from LVG. RT3DE correlated well with LVG in measurements of EDV, ESV, and EF (r = 0.815, 0.940, and 0.812, respectively; P < 0.001 each). Likewise, 2DE correlated with LVG, but underestimated left ventricular volume, particularly EDV (r = 0.652, 0.909, and 0.761, respectively; P < 0.001 each). Values derived from RT3DE were closer to those from LVG than were values derived from 2DE. RT3DE provides important information on cardiac function in patients with prior anteroseptal myocardial infarction.


An Investigation of Neural Stimulation Efficiency With Gaussian Waveforms.
Previous computational studies predict that Gaussian shaped waveforms use the least energy to activate nerves. The primary goal of this study was to examine the claimed potential of up to 60% energy savings with these waveforms over a range of phase widths (50- [Formula: see text]) in an animal model. The common peroneal nerve of anaesthetized rats was stimulated via monopolar and bipolar electrodes with single stimuli. The isometric peak twitch force of the extensor digitorum longus muscle was recorded to indicate the extent of neural activation. The energy consumption, charge injection and maximum instantaneous power values required to reach 50% neural activation were compared between Gaussian pulses and standard rectangular stimuli. Energy savings in the 50- [Formula: see text] range of phase widths did not exceed 17% and were accompanied by significant increases in maximum instantaneous power of 110-200%. Charge efficiency was found to be increased over the whole range of tested phase widths with Gaussian compared to rectangular pulses and reached up to 55% at 1ms phase width. These findings challenge the claims of up to 60% energy savings with Gaussian like stimulation waveforms. The moderate energy savings achieved with the novel waveform are accompanied with considerable increases in maximal instantaneous power. Larger power sources would therefore be required, and this opposes the trend for implant miniaturization. This is the first study to comprehensively investigate stimulation efficiency of Gaussian waveforms. It sheds new light on the practical potential of such stimulation waveforms.


Atypical transmural thoracic lipoma: CT diagnosis.
Two cases of transmural thoracic lipomas demonstrate a pattern of rib involvement that has not been previously reported. The lipomas presented with an otherwise characteristic appearance on plain radiography and CT.


Innervation of arteriovenous anastomoses in the brood patch of the domestic fowl.
The innervation of blood vessels in the brood patch (thoracic skin) of the domestic fowl was studied by use of the catecholamine fluorescence technique, acetylcholinesterase staining, and the immunoperoxidase technique for demonstration of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Large arteries and veins were sparsely innervated, whereas arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) were densely innervated by adrenergic, acetylcholinesterase-positive, and VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres. The rich supply of different vasomotor nerves to AVAs emphasizes the importance of these vascular shunts in regulating blood flow and, in turn, the transport of heat to the brood patch. Furthermore, the presence of VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the vasculature of the brood patch suggests that VIP might be the mediator of the previously reported cold-induced vasodilatation.


Bio-oil production for biodiesel industry by Yarrowia lipolytica from volatile fatty acids in two-stage batch culture.
Microbial lipids-derived biodiesel is garnering much attention owing to its potential to substitute diesel fuel. In this study, lipid accumulation by Yarrowia lipolytica from volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was studied in a lab-scale stirred tank bioreactor. In batch cultures, Y. lipolytica NCYC 2904 was able to grow in 18 g·L-1 of VFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), and the addition of a co-substrate (glucose) led to a fivefold improvement in lipid concentration. Furthermore, the two-stage batch culture (growth phase in glucose (1st stage) followed by a lipogenic phase in VFAs (2nd stage)) was the best strategy to obtain the highest lipid content in the cells (37%, w/w), with aeration conditions that kept dissolved oxygen concentration between 40% and 50% of saturation during the lipogenic phase. The estimated fuel properties of biodiesel produced from Y. lipolytica NCYC 2904 lipids are comparable with those of the biodiesel produced from vegetable oils and are in accordance with the international standards (EN 14214 and ASTM D6751). The cultivation strategies herein devised enable a sustainable, eco-friendly, and economical production of microbial lipids, based on feedstocks such as VFAs that can be derived from the acidogenic fermentation of organic wastes. KEY POINTS: • Addition of glucose to VFAs enhances lipids in Y. lipolytica in batch cultures • Two-stage batch culture - growth in glucose followed by VFAs pulse - rises lipids • Dissolved oxygen of 40-50% of saturation is crucial at the lipogenic phase.


Efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA with standardized physiotherapy for the treatment of pediatric lower limb spasticity: A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trial.
Spasticity is common in cerebral palsy and can result in pain and diminished health-related quality of life. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA for lower limb spasticity treatment in children with cerebral palsy. In this registrational phase 3, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT01603628), children (2-< 17 years) with cerebral palsy and ankle spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale-Bohannon [MAS] score≥2) were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to standardized physical therapy and onabotulinumtoxinA (4 or 8 U/kg), or placebo. Primary endpoint was average change from baseline at weeks 4 and 6 in MAS ankle score. Secondary endpoints included the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) and Global Attainment Scale (GAS). 381 participants were randomized. MAS scores averaged at weeks 4 and 6 were significantly reduced with both onabotulinumtoxinA doses (8 U/kg: -1.06, p = 0.010; 4 U/kg: -1.01, p = 0.033) versus placebo (-0.8). Significant improvements in average dynamic component of spasticity, measured by MTS, and in function, measured by GAS, were observed at several time points with both onabotulinumtoxinA doses versus placebo. Most adverse events were mild or moderate. OnabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated and effective in reducing lower limb spasticity and improving functional outcomes versus placebo in children.


Annulus fibrosus cells can induce mineralization: an in vitro study.
There is still no consensus as to whether the calcification observed in degenerate intervertebral discs (IVDs) is a cause or a consequence of disc degeneration. To investigate the mineralization potential of healthy (independent of other associated changes) annulus fibrosus (AF) cells under controlled in vitro conditions. In vitro study to investigate the mineralization potential of the AF cells. Annulus fibrosus cells, isolated from bovine IVDs, were grown in monolayer. The effect of cell density, culture time, age of cell source, and passage on the percentage of AF cells with alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPa) was evaluated. Gene expression of mineralization-associated markers was determined. Cells were immunostained for Type I, II, and X collagens. To study mineralization potential, AF cells and AF cells that were sorted into two populations, high (top 5% ± 1%) or low (bottom 5% ± 1%) ALPa expressors, were grown in the presence of β-glycerophosphate for 2 weeks. The percentage of AF cells that express ALPa changes with time in culture and seeding density for primary immature and mature cell sources but not for passaged cells. Gene expression of ALP, matrix metallopeptidase-13 (MMP-13), osteopontin, and runt-related transcription factor 2 was upregulated by Day 7. Under mineralization-inducing conditions, high ALPa expressors and unsorted AF cells formed von Kossa-positive nodules, composed of hydroxyapatite as determined by electron diffraction analysis. Low ALPa expressors had significantly fewer von Kossa-positive nodules (p<.01) compared with high ALPa expressors. Cells showed colocalization of Type I collagen and ALPa. No Type II collagen was detected suggesting that these were AF cells and not chondrocytes. Annulus fibrosus cells have mineralizing capability and form hydroxyapatite crystalline deposits when cultured under appropriate conditions. This system could be used to investigate mineralization mechanisms in the AF during pathological calcification and at the AF-bone interface in disc degeneration.


Plantar fascia thickness, a measure of tissue glycation, predicts the development of complications in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Direct measurement of collagen glycation requires skin biopsy, which is invasive. We hypothesized that measurement of plantar fascia thickness (PFT) by ultrasound is an alternative index of tissue glycation and a marker of microvascular disease. This was a prospective longitudinal study of microvascular complications in 344 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, whose PFT was assessed by ultrasound at baseline. Retinopathy was assessed by seven-field fundal photography, albumin excretion rate (AER) measured from three consecutive timed overnight urine specimens, autonomic neuropathy by pupillometry and cardiovascular tests, and peripheral neuropathy by vibration and thermal thresholds. Longitudinal analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations with baseline PFT, duration, and A1C as explanatory variables. At first assessment, median (interquartile range) age was 15.1 (13.5-17.2) years and diabetes duration was 8.5 (6.0-11.5) years. Median follow up was 3.2 (2.1-4.5) years with a median of 4 (2-13) complications assessments per patient. In multivariate analysis, baseline PFT (abnormal in 132 subjects, 38%) predicted subsequent development of retinopathy (odds ratio 2.4 [95% CI 1.1-5.0]), elevated AER (2.24 [1.05-5.11]), peripheral neuropathy (2.3 [1.2-4.41]), and autonomic neuropathy (4.94 [2.46-9.91]). Limited joint mobility was present in only 4%. PFT is a significant predictor of the subsequent development of complications in type 1 diabetes, suggesting that glycation and oxidation of collagen in soft tissues may be independent risk factors for microvascular complications.


Tree replacement in small canopy gaps of a Tsuga canadensis forest in the Southern Appalachians, Tennessee.
Tree species replacement was studied in 95 canopy gaps created by the fall of single trees in an undisturbed, old-growth forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. When large trees (dbh>70 cm) of the very shade tolerant species, Tsuga canadensis, die and fall, they are usually replaced by less tolerant species such as Betula alleghaniensis, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Magnolia fraseri. Species diversity of the replacement trees, measured by the index, 1/Σpi2, was 5.77 compared to a diversity of 1.66 for the fallen trees.


Osteonecrosis induced by standing in growing Wistar Kyoto rats.
Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats bred in ordinary rat cages rarely develop osteonecrosis of the epiphyseal nucleus of the femoral head (OENFH), a pathological condition with findings similar to those of early-stage Perthes' disease in humans. OENFH occurs frequently in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Interestingly, when rats are forced to stand upright on the hindlimbs at feeding time, OENFH is frequently encountered. Experiment I investigated the stage of growth development at which osteonecrosis might be generated. Forty male WKY rats 5 weeks of age were kept and fed in high (27 cm height) rat cages. Twenty femora from 10 WKYs per observation time were resected under deep ether anesthesia at 9, 12, 15, and 20 weeks. Histologic examination of the femoral head focused on OENFH and abnormalities of the growth plate. Experiment II defined the period after postnatal week 5 when OENFH was generated while standing upright. The standing posture was lessened up to postnatal weeks 9 and 12 using a low (10 cm height) rat cage and then reenforced at feeding time with a high rat cage until 15 weeks. Forty femora from the 20 WKYs were then resected as in experiment I. The onset of OENFH was observed only at 12 and 15 weeks of age in experiment I, revealing that OENFH occurred specifically during this growth period. In experiment II the osteonecrosis was minimal. Abnormalities in the growth plates of experiment II animals were less pronounced than those of rats killed 15 weeks after birth in experiment I. Repetitive mechanical stress on the femoral heads from 5 to 9 weeks of age played an important role in the etiology of osteonecrosis in WKYs. This etiological finding could provide a clue to the pathogenesis and prevention of Perthes' disease in humans.


Prognostic significance of the electrically elicited blink reflex in neonates.
The electrically elicited blink reflex was examined in ten normal neonates, 11 postasphyxial neonates, and 3 congenital hydrocephalus cases. The blink reflex was elicited in all cases. In normal neonates, the latencies and amplitudes were 10.9 +/- 0.7 msec and 159 +/- 62 microV at R1, 34.3 +/- 1.4 msec and 123 +/- 30 microV at R2, and 40.7 +/- 2.3 msec and 84 +/- 25 microV at R'2 respectively. Ischemic-hypoxic brain damage during the neonatal period mainly influenced the late components of the blink reflex. The blink reflex of the postasphyxial neonates showed significantly prolonged latencies of R2 and R'2. The amplitudes were increased in cases with a fair prognosis and decreased in cases with a poor prognosis. A case of congenital hydrocephalus with mental retardation also showed the prolonged latencies of R2 and R'2 in neonatal period. The blink reflex in neonates appears to be useful in predicting the outcome in cases of neonatal asphyxia and congenital hydrocephalus.


The schizoictal syndrome.
There are several common denominators of schizophrenia and epilepsy including models of pathogenesis as well as their clinical occurrence mainly referring to schizophrenia-like syndrome in epilepsy or similar clinical entities [1]. Up to now it has not been emphasized that a process of synchronization or desynchronization of neuronal cell structures within the context of neuronal plasticity might be a plausible pathogenetic mechanism of epilepsy as well as schizophrenia. Clinical as well as therapeutical implications of this hypothesis on the basis of scientific evidence are discussed.


Transjugular biopsy of an atypical focal nodular hyperplasia in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation.
The following is a report on one case of successful biopsy of a hepatic focal lesion incidentally found in an emergency computed tomography scan performed in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation. The presence of peri-hepatic ascites and severe coagulopathy contraindicated the percutaneous biopsy. The transjugular approach was used to perform a random liver biopsy to assess the amount of hepatic necrosis and to perform the focal lesion biopsy orienting the needle with sonography guidance. The specimen acquired was satisfactory to exclude the presence of malignant cells in the lesion; the diagnosis of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia was performed. The patient underwent successful liver transplantation the day after.


Cell-cell interaction can influence drug-induced differentiation of murine embryonal carcinoma cells.
When cultured in the presence of either retinoic acid (RA) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), aggregates of the P19 line of mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells differentiate and the spectrum of cell types formed depends on the drug dose. It is shown here the EC cells rapidly lose their colony-forming ability when cultured as aggregates in the presence of DMSO. This loss of plating efficiency (PE) also occurs rapidly following RA treatment. Loss of PE has been used as a quantitative procedure for assessing the rate of drug-induced differentiation. The relationship between drug dose and loss of PE is much steeper for DMSO than for RA, suggesting that these two drugs affect different stages of the differentiation decision-making apparatus. Mutant EC cell lines (D3 and RAC65) do not differentiate in the presence of drug-inducers (DMSO and RA, respectively). Neither differentiation-deficient mutant has an altered ability to form gap junctions. When D3 and P19 cells were mixed within the same DMSO-treated aggregates, the D3 cells remained undifferentiated and the P19 cells differentiated much less efficiently than if they were cultured in the absence of the D3 cells. When RAC65 and P19 cells were mixed in RA-treated aggregates, each cell responded to the drug as though the other were absent. Thus RA behaves as a cell-autonomous inducer of differentiation, whereas DMSO-induced differentiation seems to be mediated by interactions between neighboring cells.


Effect of secondary structure of short double-stranded RNA on RNAi efficiency.
The dangling nucleotides are very important for the RNA interference (RNAi). We investigate the effect of the dangling end on both the thermodynamic property of the RNA helix and efficiency of gene regulation in RNAi pathway. The result indicates that the four dangling adenines, which are more stable than two or three dangling residues, is not suitable for the RNAi efficiency.


Refinement of strategies for the development of a human cytomegalovirus dense body vaccine.
Development of a vaccine against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been identified as a high priority goal in biomedical research, yet no vaccine has been licensed until now. Recombinant subviral dense bodies (recDB) are a promising basis for the establishment of such a vaccine. In this article, strategies for the generation of recDB, based on recombination-mediated genetic engineering of the 230 kb HCMV DNA genome in E. coli are outlined. Analysis of viral mutants that were constructed in this process provided the proof-of-principle that heterologous antigens can be packaged into recDB and that these particles prime CD8 T cell responses against the recombinant antigen upon their application to HLA-A2 transgenic mice.


Analytical verification of scaling laws for the Ising model with external field in fractal lattices.
We use an exact recursion procedure to verify analytically, without any intermediary numerical calculation, the validity of the hyperscaling (Josephson) law extended to fractals, the Rushbrooke and Griffiths scaling laws for the Ising ferromagnet with external magnetic field in the whole family of Migdal-Kadanoff-like hierarchical lattices.


Lung and general health effects of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-interacting SPA4 peptide.
A surfactant protein-A-derived peptide, which we call SPA4 peptide (amino acids: GDFRYSDGTPVNYTNWYRGE), alleviates lung infection and inflammation. This study investigated the effects of intratracheally administered SPA4 peptide on systemic, lung, and health parameters in an outbred mouse strain, and in an intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge model. The outbred CD-1 mice were intratracheally administered with incremental doses of SPA4 peptide (0.625-10 μg/g body weight) once every 24 h, for 3 days. Mice left untreated and those treated with vehicle were included as controls. Mice were euthanized after 24 h of last administration of SPA4 peptide. In order to assess the biological activity of SPA4 peptide, C57BL6 mice were intratracheally challenged with 5 μg LPS/g body weight and treated with 50 μg SPA4 peptide via intratracheal route 1 h post LPS-challenge. Mice were euthanized after 4 h of LPS challenge. Signs of sickness and body weights were regularly monitored. At the time of necropsy, blood and major organs were harvested. Blood gas and electrolytes, serum biochemical profiles and SPA4 peptide-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, and common lung injury markers (levels of total protein, albumin, and lactate, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and lung wet/dry weight ratios) were determined. Lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and intestine were examined histologically. Differences in measured parameters were analyzed among study groups by analysis of variance test. The results demonstrated no signs of sickness or changes in body weight over 3 days of treatment with various doses of SPA4 peptide. It did not induce any major toxicity or IgG antibody response to SPA4 peptide. The SPA4 peptide treatment also did not affect blood gas, electrolytes, or serum biochemistry. There was no evidence of injury to the tissues and organs. However, the SPA4 peptide suppressed the LPS-induced lung inflammation. These findings provide an initial toxicity profile of SPA4 peptide. Intratracheal administration of escalating doses of SPA4 peptide does not induce any significant toxicity at tissue and organ levels. However, treatment with a dose of 50 μg SPA4 peptide, comparable to 2.5 μg/g body weight, alleviates LPS-induced lung inflammation.


Anti-idiotypes against antiphospholipid antibodies are present in normal polyspecific immunoglobulins for therapeutic use.
In the present study we found that antiphospholipid activity in sera from patients with anticardiolipin antibodies was inhibited in vitro by therapeutic polyspecific normal immunoglobulins (IVIg). In fact, F(ab')2 fragments from IVIg (IVIg-F(ab')2) inhibited the binding of anticardiolipin antibodies to the corresponding antigen in a dose-dependent fashion, thus suggesting that the interaction between IVIg-F(ab')2 and anticardiolipin antibodies occurred within or near the antigen combining site. The maximal inhibition ranged from 35.25 +/- 5.56 to 64 +/- 5.48%. In addition, patients' IgG containing antiphospholipid activity specifically bound insolubilized IVIg-F(ab')2, as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These results indicate that IVIg obtained from a large pool of normal donors contain anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against idiotypes located on antiphospholipid antibodies. Moreover, our observations suggest that the reported favourable effect of high dose infusion of IVIg in patients with recurrent abortions due to antiphospholipid antibodies may depend, at least in part on inhibition of the binding of such autoantibodies to the corresponding antigens (s) and/or inactivation of idiotype bearing B cell clones.


[The implementation of polymerase chain reaction technique: the real time to reveal and differentiate the viruses of human papilloma of high carcinogenic risk].
The polymerase chain reaction technique was applied in "real time" format to evaluate the occurrence rate and infection ratio of various genotypes of human papilloma of high carcinogenic risk in virus-positive women and contact persons. The examination sampling consisted of 738 women aged of 17-50 years. The examination results permitted to establish high percentage of infection of 546 patients (74%) by carcinogenic papilloma viruses. The analysis of detection rate of various genotypes of human papilloma of high carcinogenic risk established that the 56th and 16th types of high carcinogenic risk are revealed more often than others--in 33% and 15.4% correspondingly. In males, first place in occurrence rate is for those types of virus of human papilloma: the 56th n = 10 (33.3%), 16th n = 3 (10%), 45th n = 3 (10%), 51th n = 3 (10%). The rest of genotypes are detected in 3-7% cases.


Antibiotic potentiating action of α-PINENE and borneol against EPEC and ETEC sorotypes.
Escherichia coli is considered the main cause of intestinal and extra-intestinal infections, they have virulence mechanisms in different pathotypes and the ability to receive or transmit antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this work was to investigate the antibacterial and antimicrobial modulating activity of α-pinene and borneol against E. coli and enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC) serotypes. The broth microdilution methodology with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, EPEC and ETEC was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and evaluation of the modulating activity of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and metronidazole) of α-pinene and borneol. It was concluded that α-pinene and borneol showed a low antimicrobial action against multi-resistant E. coli, however, this action was not observed against the EPEC and ETEC serotypes. A synergistic action of borneol associated with ciprofloxacin against ETEC was noted.


An evaluation of the current mentorship/preceptorship practices for newly qualified radiographers in Northern Ireland.
Mentorship/Preceptorship (M/P) has been utilised within the nursing profession since the early 1980's. Successful, structured M/P programmes can be hugely beneficial to Northern Ireland (NI) Trusts who recruit regularly and often rely on the fluidity of staff movement regionally. In the absence of standardised tools to accurately and universally measure the competency of newly qualified Radiographers (NQR) as they evolve, establishing the benchmark for effective practice within Radiology departments in NI is difficult and highly subjective at best. This study aimed to evaluate the current M/P strategies within NI as perceived by NQR and Radiology Managers (RM). A mix of both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained using questionnaires through a scoping exercise. Opinions were sought from a target audience of NQR, who began full-time employment following graduation in 2018, and RM involved in the delivery of current M/P programmes within the NI Trusts. Responses were gained from all five NI trusts to achieve a representative regional sample, with final opinions of RM (n = 8, 54%) and NQR (n = 30, 67%) received. With the exception of one response, all NQRs confirmed receiving some form of M/P support within their inaugural post. Significant variations were apparent in both the structure and delivery of Trust M/P induction programmes, calling into question the comparable competency of NQRs regionally. The disparity in approach towards M/P programmes across NI, and subsequent lack of comparability of NQR competence, endorses the development of a more robust and universal method for the regional assessment of NQRs, such as that of the 'Flying Start NHS®' programme utilised by National Health Service (NHS) Scotland, in combination with knowledge and skills framework (KSF) practices in supervision.


Mallet thumb: an unusual association.
A case of simultaneous mallet thumb and complete rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is described. This combination of injuries has not previously been reported.


Cholinergic dysfunction-induced insufficient activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor drives the development of rheumatoid arthritis through promoting protein citrullination via the SP3/PAD4 pathway.
Both cholinergic dysfunction and protein citrullination are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relationship between the two phenomena remains unclear. We explored whether and how cholinergic dysfunction accelerates protein citrullination and consequently drives the development of RA. Cholinergic function and protein citrullination levels in patients with RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were collected. In both neuron-macrophage coculture system and CIA mice, the effect of cholinergic dysfunction on protein citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) was assessed by immunofluorescence. The key transcription factors for PAD4 expression were predicted and validated. Cholinergic dysfunction in the patients with RA and CIA mice negatively correlated with the degree of protein citrullination in synovial tissues. The cholinergic or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) deactivation and activation resulted in the promotion and reduction of protein citrullination in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Especially, the activation deficiency of α7nAChR induced the earlier onset and aggravation of CIA. Furthermore, deactivation of α7nAChR increased the expression of PAD4 and specificity protein-3 (SP3) in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction-induced deficient α7nAChR activation, which induces the expression of SP3 and its downstream molecule PAD4, accelerating protein citrullination and the development of RA.


Systematic clinical methodology for validating bipolar-II disorder: data in mid-stream from a French national multi-site study (EPIDEP).
This paper presents the methodology and clinical data in mid-stream from a French multi-center study (EPIDEP) in progress on a national sample of patients with DSM-IV major depressive episode (MDE). The aim of EPIDEP is to show the feasibility of validating the spectrum of soft bipolar disorders by practising clinicians. In this report, we focus on bipolar II (BP-II). EPIDEP involves training 48 French psychiatrists in 15 sites; construction of a common protocol based on the criteria of DSM-IV and Akiskal (Soft Bipolarity), as well as criteria modified from the work of Angst (Hypomania Checklist), the Ahearn-Carroll Bipolarity Scale, HAM-D and Rosenthal Atypical Depression Scale; Semi-Structured Interview for Evaluation of Affective Temperaments (based on Akiskal-Mallya), self-rated Cyclothymia Scale (Akiskal), family history (Research Diagnostic Criteria); and prospective follow-up. Results are presented on 250 (of the 537) MDE patients studied thus far during the acute phase. The rate of BP-II disorder which was 22% at initial evaluation, nearly doubled (40%) by systematic evaluation. As expected from the selection of MDE by uniform criteria, inter-group comparison between BP-II vs unipolar showed no differences on the majority of socio-demographic parameters, clinical presentation and global intensity of depression. Despite such uniformity, key characteristics significantly differentiated BP-II from unipolar: younger age at onset of first depression, higher frequency of suicidal thoughts and hypersomnia during index episode, higher scores on Hypomania Checklist and cyclothymic and irritable temperaments, and higher switching rate under current treatment. Eighty-eight percent of cases assigned to cyclothymic temperament by clinicians (with a cut-off of 10/21 items on self-rated cyclothymia) were recognized as BP-II. Evaluation of this temperament by clinician and patient correlated at a highly significant level (r=0.73; p <0.0001). Cyclothymia and hypomania were also correlated significantly (r=0.51; p < 0.001). In a study conducted in diverse clinical settings, it was not possible to assure that clinicians making affective diagnoses were blind to the various temperamental measures. However, bias was minimized by the systematic and/or semi-structured nature of all evaluations. With a systematic search for hypomania, 40% of major depressive episodes were classified as BP-II, of which only half were known to the clinicians at study entry. Cyclothymic temperamental dysregulation emerged as a robust clinical marker of BP-II disorder. These data indicate that clinicians in diverse practice settings can be trained to recognize soft bipolarity, leading to changes in diagnostic practice at a national level.


Molecular docking.
Molecular docking is a key tool in structural molecular biology and computer-assisted drug design. The goal of ligand-protein docking is to predict the predominant binding mode(s) of a ligand with a protein of known three-dimensional structure. Successful docking methods search high-dimensional spaces effectively and use a scoring function that correctly ranks candidate dockings. Docking can be used to perform virtual screening on large libraries of compounds, rank the results, and propose structural hypotheses of how the ligands inhibit the target, which is invaluable in lead optimization. The setting up of the input structures for the docking is just as important as the docking itself, and analyzing the results of stochastic search methods can sometimes be unclear. This chapter discusses the background and theory of molecular docking software, and covers the usage of some of the most-cited docking software.


[The treatment of infection of superficial vascular prostheses. The role of myoplasty (author's transl)].
The authors introduce the concept of covering myoplasty in the treatment of infected cutaneous vascular prosthesis, either in the inguinal region or in the abdominal portion of an axillo-femoral graft. After describing their technique, they briefly review the main procedures described up to the present time and the potential role of myoplasty.


Normal immunosuppressive protein purification and quantitative estimation experiments.
An improved method for the preparation and purification of normal immunosuppressive protein (NIP) is described. The purified material has a molecular weight between 10,000 and 25,000. Its biological and serological activity is approximately 10--20 times higher than that of the crude fraction. An antibody to normal immunosuppressive protein prepared in rabbits made the quantitative estimation of NIP by a haemaggluination inhibition test possible. Similarly, a very sensitive assay for the quantitative determination of NIP by its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of EL-4 tumor cells is also described. Eluates prepared from polyacrylamide gels were active in inhibiting EL-4 tumor cell proliferation and neutralized the anti-NIP activity in the haemagglutination inhibition test.


Curcumin reversed chronic tobacco smoke exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of cancer stem cells properties via Wnt/β-catenin.
Tobacco smoke (TS) is the most important single risk factor for bladder cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process, involved in the initiation of TS-related cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an essential role in the progression of many tumors including TS-related cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of TS exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of CSCs properties remains undefined. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is critical for EMT and the maintenance of CSCs. The aim of our present study was to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chronic TS exposure induced urocystic EMT, stemness acquisition and the preventive effect of curcumin. Long time TS exposure induced EMT changes and the levels of CSCs' markers were significant upregulated. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulated TS-triggered EMT and stemness, as evidenced by the findings that TS elevated Wnt/β-catenin activation, and that TS-mediated EMT and stemness were attenuated by Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Treatment of curcumin reversed TS-elicited activation of Wnt/β-catenin, EMT and CSCs properties. Collectively, these data indicated the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin in TS-triggered urocystic EMT, acquisition of CSCs properties and the chemopreventive effect of curcumin.


Structural screening and descriptor exploration of black phosphorus carbide supported bifunctional catalysts for lithium-sulfur batteries.
Developing optimal catalysts, to suppress the shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and serving as bifunctional catalyst with fast discharge-charge reaction kinetics, are essential for the practical applications of Li-S batteries. Herein, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, single-atom catalysts formed by embedding 3d transition metals (TMs) into the nitrogen doped defective black phosphorus carbide (TM@N4-CP) are systematically explored toward fast kinetics in Li-S batteries. Remarkably, V@N4-CP, possessing excellent metallic features, outstanding structural stability, suitable binding and easy diffusion for LiPSs, eventually stands out as the promising bifunctional electrocatalyst. Our results unveil that d-p orbital hybridization between transition metal (TM) atom and sulfur species is accompanied by weakened surrounding Li-S bonds. Consequently, the formation of TM-S bonds not only ensures inhibition of LiPSs shuttling, but also promotes the dissociation of Li2S. With the analysis of correlation map of key parameters, the ICOHP values of TM-S bonds and adsorption energy of *Li2S are identified and proposed as descriptors for fast screening towards fast reaction kinetics. Our work shows a feasible strategy for the rational design and retrieval of the decisive feature of active catalysts for Li-S batteries.


The functional relevance of neurological recovery 20 years or more after lumbar discectomy.
The indications for lumbar discectomy are pain and neurological dysfunction. This paper considers the extent and timing of neurological recovery following spinal decompression.


Bioaccumulation of metal in liver tissue of fish in response to water toxicity of the Araguari-Amazon River, Brazil.
This study aimed to determine the concentration of metals in the water and in the liver tissue of fish (Anodus orinocensis, Hemiodus unimaculatus, Curimata vittata, and Plagioscion squamosissimus) in the lower Araguari River. Steps were also taken to estimate any difference in metal bioaccumulation in the liver of fish species at different trophic levels, determine any correlations between metals found in hepatic tissue of fish species relative to that found in river water, and evaluate the bioaccumulation factor. The metals analyzed in the water in the lower Araguari River (Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Cu, and Zn) exceeded the limits considered safe for aquatic life. We found a significant difference only in the bioaccumulation of Pb between A. orinocensis and C. vittata (F = 4.65, p = 0.005) and Cr between A. orinocensis and H. unimaculatus (F = 3.12, p = 0.03). Species of distinct trophic levels showed differences in metal concentration in liver. Cd and Cu showed bioaccumulation factor above 100, especially Cu with a relatively high value, for all fish species. The bioaccumulation of metals in the liver of fish species showed a positive correlation with the metals detected in the water of the Araguari River. In this sense, the lower course of the Araguari River is undergoing some type of environmental stress, making this study of additional valuable in diagnosing environmental quality pursuant to the development of environmental monitoring projects in order to guarantee the safety and maintenance of aquatic life.


[Glucocorticoids and the blood anticoagulation system under the effect of SHF-range electromagnetic waves].
With an increase in the strength of the ultrahigh frequency field the sensitivity of the hypophyseal-adrenal system increases and activity of the anticoagulatory blood system decreases. Functional changes in these systems repeatedly exposed to ultrahigh frequency effects can be considered as adaptive reactions with a delayed resistance at a flux density of 50--80 Mwt/cm2.


Electrostatically self-assembled filamentous sodium alginate/ε-polylysine fiber with antibacterial, bioadhesion and biocompatible in suturing wound.
In the work, a novel filamentou sodium alginate (SA) /ε-polylysine (PL) fiber with excellent mechanical properties and controllable sizes is prepared in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner via continuous pulling of an electrostatically assembled SA/PL composites at the contact interface of aqueous solutions of cationic polyelectrolyte ε-PL and anionic natural polysaccharide SA. The SA/PL fiber exhibits good antibacterial activity, low cytotoxicity, anti-hemolysis, bioadhesion, and environmental friendliness due to its natural raw materials and green preparation process. In vivo experiments have shown that the SA/PL fiber can promote the healing and repair of skin wounds on the backs of mice via resistance to pathogen infection, reduction of inflammation, and anti-allogeneic allergy of the wound. In summary, these results demonstrate that the SA/PL fiber is a green and biosafe multifunctional natural polymer material, with potential applications in suturing wound.


Metal accumulation, biochemical response and yield of Indian mustard grown in soil amended with rural roadside pond sediment.
This present study aims to discern the effect of roadside pond sediments on Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (cv. Rohini) by examining heavy metal uptake by different parts of the plant and its influence on biochemical properties, biomass, yield and oil content in plant. Although the treated soils were clearly contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) after application of pond sediments and chemical fertilizers, but the metal content in mustard leaves and seeds are below the permissible limit of consumable food. HMs accumulation was proportionally lesser in grains than in shoots and roots. All the biochemical characteristics were significantly (p<0.05) responded to the pond sediments application as compared to the control. Increase in photosynthetic pigment was also observed during growing period while pond sediment was used as amendment. This study revealed that Brassica juncea is well adapted to tolerate and accumulate high quantities of HMs due to increased level of antioxidants (cysteine and ascorbic acid) in roots, shoots and leaves. Multivariate techniques like principal component analysis and cluster analysis (CA) were used as classification techniques. On the basis of factor loadings and principal component scores, different parameters were grouped based on their similarity or closeness, separately in leaves, roots and seeds. A very similar grouping was also obtained using CA. However, pond sediment did not thwart the enhancement of mustard yield and oil content. Therefore, pond sediment would be a valuable resource for mustard as an alternative soil amendment for nutrients, but long-term use may require the cessation to restrict HMs contamination in soils.


Tissue edema and loss of tracer microspheres in infarcted myocardium.
Microsphere loss from the ischemic myocardium was studied in a canine model after 2 and 7 days coronary occlusion. 10 million tracer microspheres (TM) of 7-10 micrograms diameter were injected into the left atrium before and 15 minutes after left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion. To determine the tissue water content, dried tissue weight was measured after desiccation. TM content in the nonoccluded left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) area was unchanged before and after coronary occlusion. In the infarcted area, microsphere loss was maximum at the low flow endocardial region averaging 27% and 42% in 2 and 7 days occlusion, respectively. An inverse linear correlation between TM loss and regional blood flow in 2 (r = -0.82, p less than 0.05) and 7 (r = -0.96, p less than 0.01) days coronary occlusion was noted. Water content was increased in the ischemic endocardium by 4.1 and 5.7% in 2 and 7 days occlusion, thus approximately 17% of TM loss was attributed to tissue edema. These results suggest that there is an ischemia-dependent reduction of TM in the ischemic myocardium and that microsphere migration participates in the major part of TM loss. Thus flow measurements by TM may be invalid when this compound is injected during the active phase of microsphere migration or during water content alterations.


A study of urban housing demolition as a source of lead in ambient dust on sidewalks, streets, and alleys.
We examined changes in ambient dust lead (Pb) levels associated with the demolition of older row houses containing lead paint in Baltimore, MD, USA. Our previous paper describes the three study sites, the demolition processes, and increases in the Pb dustfall rate during demolition (>40-fold) and debris removal (>6-fold) within 10 m of sites where wetting was of limited effectiveness. This paper presents the analysis of settled dust collected using a cyclone device from streets, sidewalks, and alleys within 100 m of study sites before, immediately after, and 1 month after demolition. We found acute increases in Pb loadings and dust loadings after demolition and debris removal that are of public health concern. Streets and alleys had the greatest increases in Pb loadings and the highest levels overall. At one site, geometric mean (GM) Pb loadings immediately after demolition increased 200% for streets to 8080 microg/ft(2), 138% for alleys to 6020 microg/ft(2), and 26% for sidewalks to 2170 microg/ft(2). One month after demolition, the GM Pb loadings for streets, alleys, and sidewalks were reduced on average by 41-67% from post-demolition levels and were below baseline levels for alleys and sidewalks. The other main site had smaller increases in GM Pb loadings immediately after demolition-18% for alleys to 1740 microg/ft(2) and 18% for sidewalks to 2050 microg/ft(2)-and a decrease of 29% for streets to 2730 microg/ft(2). Exterior dust is a public health concern because it is a pathway of ambient Pb exposure and a potential source of residential exposure via tracking and re-aerosolization and re-deposition. Our findings highlight the need to control demolition-related Pb deposition and to educate planners, contractors, and health and housing agencies. This is particularly important given the large numbers of aging US dwellings that will be razed as part of future urban redevelopment efforts.


Coxsackievirus in an infant chimpanzee.
Coxsackie B viruses may cause a severe, often fatal, illness in newborn and infant human subjects. As recorded in this case, infant chimpanzees respond similarly to Coxsackie B-5 virus.


Observed Hearing Loss and Incident Dementia in a Multiethnic Cohort.
To determine whether observed hearing loss (OHL) is associated with incident dementia in a multiethnic population. Prospective epidemiological cohort study. Community in northern Manhattan. Participants in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project, a longitudinal study on aging and dementia in an ethnically diverse community (n = 1,881). OHL was defined when the examiner observed it or according to self-reported hearing aid use. A consensus panel diagnosed dementia using standard research criteria. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the relationship between OHL at baseline and risk of incident dementia (mean 7.3 ± 4.4 years of longitudinal followup, range 0.9-20 years). OHL was associated with 1.69 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-2.3, P < .010) times the risk of incident dementia, adjusting for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, apolipoprotein E4 genotype, and stroke. When stratified according to race, the association between OHL and incident dementia was high in all groups but was statistically significant only in blacks (hazard ratio = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.5-4.5, P < .010). OHL was associated with greater risk of incident dementia in a multiethnic cohort. More study is needed to determine whether HL contributes to dementia and whether treating HL can reduce the risk of dementia.


Disproportionation of Sn(II){CH(SiMe3)2}2 to ˙Sn(III){CH(SiMe3)2}3 and ˙Sn(I){CH(SiMe3)2}: characterization of the Sn(I) product.
Half a century after the photolytic disproportionation of Lappert's dialkyl stannylene SnR2, R = CH(SiMe3)2 (1) gave the persistent trivalent radical [˙SnR3], the characterization of the corresponding Sn(I) product, ˙SnR is now described. It was isolated as the hexastannaprismane Sn6R6 (2), from the reduction of 1 by the Mg(I)-reagent, Mg(BDIDip)2 (BDI = (DipNCMe)2CH, Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl).


Antibacterial activity of the soy isoflavone genistein.
Genistein, a radioprotective soy isoflavone and protein kinase inhibitor, blocks the invasion of pathogenic bacteria in mammalian epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct effect of genistein on the survival and growth of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri and selected opportunistic bacteria in vitro as a prelude to in vivo use for managing postirradiation sepsis. We evaluated the opportunistic bacterial enteropathogens Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, and Staphylococcus aureus as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae and the non-pathogenic organism, Bacillus anthracis (Sterne). The latter two bacteria are found in the environment and may be of concern in irradiated individuals. A standard in vitro test was employed to evaluate the direct effect of genistein on the bacteria. This test involved determining bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) counts at a single concentration of genistein. In the CFU assays, significant reductions in CFUs were found for S. aureus and B. anthracis when cultured in the presence of 100 muM genistein. However, L. reuteri, E. coli, S. sonnei, and K. pneumoniae were not altered by in vitro culturing in the presence of 100 muM genistein. These results demonstrate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of genistein. Furthermore, the use of genistein in combination with probiotics may augment the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies currently used in the management of infections, including those induced by ionizing irradiation.


Realization of Both n- and p-Type GeTe Thermoelectrics: Electronic Structure Modulation by AgBiSe2 Alloying.
Successful applications of a thermoelectric material require simultaneous development of compatible n- and p-type counterparts. While the thermoelectric performance of p-type GeTe has been improved tremendously in recent years, it has been a challenge to find a compatible n-type GeTe counterpart due to the prevalence of intrinsic Ge vacancies. Herein, we have shown that alloying of AgBiSe2 with GeTe results in an intriguing evolution in its crystal and electronic structures, resulting in n-type thermoelectric properties. We have demonstrated that the ambient rhombohedral structure of pristine GeTe transforms into cubic phase in (GeTe)100-x(AgBiSe2)x for x ≥ 25, with concurrent change from its p-type electronic character to n-type character in electronic transport properties. Such change in structural and electronic properties is confirmed from the nonmonotonic variation of band gap, unit cell volume, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient, all of which show an inflection point around x ∼ 20, as well as from the temperature variations of synchrotron powder X-ray diffractions and differential scanning calorimetry. First-principles density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations explain that the shift toward n-type electronic character with increasing AgBiSe2 concentration arises due to increasing contribution of Bi p orbitals in the conduction band edge of (GeTe)100-x(AgBiSe2)x. This cubic n-type phase has promising thermoelectric properties with a band gap of ∼0.25 eV and ultralow lattice thermal conductivity that ranges between 0.3 and 0.6 W/mK. Further, we have shown that (GeTe)100-x(AgBiSe2)x has promising thermoelectric performance in the mid-temperature range (400-500 K) with maximum thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, reaching ∼1.3 in p-type (GeTe)80(AgBiSe2)20 at 467 K and ∼0.6 in n-type (GeTe)50(AgBiSe2)50 at 500 K.


Hip Capsular Reconstruction With Indirect Head of the Rectus Femoris Tendon.
Hip capsulotomy is performed during arthroscopic hip procedures to achieve adequate visualization of the joint and instrument access. The hip capsule, and in particular the iliofemoral ligament, is an important stabilizer of the hip joint, and patients who undergo capsulotomy without subsequent repair may experience hip pain and instability, with increased risk of requiring revision hip arthroscopy. Therefore, restoring watertight closure of the capsule is necessary to restore native biomechanics and achieve desired postoperative outcomes. Although primary repair or plication suffice in most cases, capsule reconstruction may instead be necessary when there is insufficient tissue, often due to capsular insufficiency following index surgery. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the authors' current technique for arthroscopic hip capsular reconstruction using the indirect head of the rectus femoris tendon in the setting of capsular iatrogenic hip instability, as well as its advantages and disadvantages and technical pearls and pitfalls.


Congenital feeding and swallowing disorders.
Although poorly recognized and studied, congenital sucking, swallowing, and/or feeding disorders are common. They can be the symptoms that reveal a neuromuscular disease, or that complicate a neuromuscular disease. It is essential to know feeding physiology during fetal and infant development in order to understand the variety of its disorders and to direct correctly diagnostic and therapeutic processes. A good semiological analysis will identify the symptoms. Several investigations help to determine the mechanism of the trouble (fiber endoscopy, videofluoroscopy, facial and swallowing electromyography, esophageal manometry, etc.). Other investigations, in addition to clinical assessments, help to identify the cause of the whole picture (peripheral electromyography, brain MRI, genetic or metabolic investigations, etc.). The main causes of sucking, swallowing, and feeding disorders are lesions of the brainstem (malformations of the posterior fossa, neonatal brainstem tumors, agenesis of cranial nerves, clastic lesion of the posterior brain, craniovertebral anomalies, syndromes that involve the rhombencephalic development such as Pierre Robin sequence, CHARGE syndrome, etc.). Suprabulbar lesions, neuromuscular disorders, peripheral esophageal, digestive, and laryngeal anomalies and dysfunctions can also be involved. The main principles of the management of congenital sucking, swallowing, and feeding disorders are the following: cure the cause if possible, facilitate the sucking reflex, preventing deleterious consequences of aspiration, preventing malnutrition, and preventing posttraumatic anorexia. Advice can be given to caregivers and physiotherapists who take charge of these children.