The role of the immune system in postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis is the most severe psychiatric disorder associated with childbirth. The risk is particularly high for women with a history of bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, or those who have suffered a previous episode of postpartum psychosis. However, the aetiology of the illness remains unclear. Pregnancy and the early postpartum are times of significant immunological change. Furthermore, alterations to the immune system have been implicated in the onset and course of various psychopathologies, both related and unrelated to childbirth. Emerging evidence, from studies on immune related disorders, immune cells and inflammatory markers, suggests that the immune system might also be involved in the pathophysiology of postpartum psychosis. Furthermore, recent research has also begun to explore the potential mechanisms underlying immune dysfunction in postpartum psychosis (e.g., disturbances in the Treg-CCN3 protein-(re)myelination axis). Nevertheless, more research is required to understand whether immune dysfunction is a cause or consequence of postpartum psychosis and to clarify the exact mechanisms involved. The aim of this short review is to present the current findings on immune system dysregulation in postpartum psychosis, discuss possible mechanisms underlying the association, highlight potential challenges and confounders and provide suggestions for future research.


A critical review of evidence on the sociocultural impacts of food marketing and policy implications.
Historically, responsible marketing policy development has drawn on a substantive research agenda regarding the micro level effects of marketing on food choice. In contrast there has been almost no research on macro level effects. To date public health has been the main disciplinary source of evidence. As a first step towards exploring the significance of this evidence gap, a critically interpretive review of evidence on the effects of food marketing on the sociocultural food environment was conducted. A review of reviews approach was used to search for evidence across a broad multi-disciplinary range of evidence sources. This was supplemented with snowball searches of the reference lists of the identified reviews and included studies. Ten reviews and 31 individual studies met review inclusion criteria. Evidence of impacts on dietary norms, population level shifts in food and drink category preferences and in the cultural values underpinning food behaviours were identified. The review also identified evidence for two mechanisms of effect. The findings represent preliminary evidence in support of the case for the responsible marketing policy research agenda to be expanded from its historical focus on micro level impacts to include research directly focused on its macro level impacts. Expanding research scope to include a much stronger focus on evidence regarding the impacts of for-profit food marketing on the sociocultural food environment would provide direct research support to the strategic policy aim of creating a food environment that encourages healthy food behaviours.


The application of solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) to the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
There are many established extraction techniques regularly used in the isolation and analysis of PAHs and similar organic compounds from various phases. These include Soxhlet or ultrasonic extractions from solids, and liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction from aqueous samples. However, these methods have some inherent disadvantages; most require large volumes of organic solvents, they can be time consuming and many involve multi-step processes that always present the risk of the loss of some analytes (Zhang et al., 1994). Solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) is a relatively new technique that has been used with much success in the analysis of a variety of compounds including PAHs. Experiments are being carried out to determine the optimum range of conditions for the extraction of a range of PAHs. Parameters under investigation include temperature, equilibration time, salinity and compound concentration. Presented here are some preliminary experiments into the applicability of SPME for PAH analysis. Further work will investigate the reproducibility of the technique, limits of detection and matrix effects. When an optimised method has been developed the technique will be used in investigations into PAH profiles in sediment cores.


Effects of Dietary Doum Palm Fruit Powder on Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.).
Application of herbal immune-stimulants for modulation of fish growth and immune response has received great interest during the past decades. With several pharmacological properties, Doum palm, Hyphaene thebaica (Mart.) is known to be a beneficial medicinal plant. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the dietary addition of doum palm fruit powder (DPFP) on growth performance, non-specific immune response, and antioxidant parameters of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.). A total of 120 fish (average initial weight 60.50 ± 0.04 g) were randomly allocated to four groups (three replicates/group, 10 fish/aquarium); a basal diet without DPFP supplementation was used as a control, and three other diets were prepared by supplementing 5, 10, or 15 g kg-1 DPFP for a ten-week feeding period. Following ten weeks of feeding, the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila (as an immune challenge test), and mortalities were recorded. In comparison to the control diet, dietary DPFP significantly improved growth parameters, including final body weight, body weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER), along with an increase in the content of dry matter of the whole body, in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the heights of intestinal villi, numbers of goblet cells, and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) exhibited marked escalation in all parts of the intestine by increasing the level of DPFP, except for numbers of IEL in the proximal part. The decline in serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels was prominent in DPFP10 and DPFP15 groups respective to the DPFP0 group. Furthermore, DPFP boosted the hepatic level of catalase (CAT) in the fish, in a dose-dependent manner; meanwhile, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content were also augmented in DPFP10 and DPFP15 groups respective to the DPFP0 group. Dietary DPFP (DPFP15 followed by DPFP10 then DPFP5) led to a pronounced enhancement in the innate immune response (phagocytic percent and index, lysozyme activity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and sialoglycans, namely α 2,3-sialyltransferase and α 2,6-sialyltransferase content); however, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was reduced. Significantly higher relative percentage survival (RPS, 88.56%) of the fish, following the A. hydrophila challenge, was observed for the DPFP15 group. We can suggest that DPFP can beneficially influence fish growth, intestinal histomorphology, hepatic levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) content, immune response, and disease resistance against A. hydrophila challenge.


The structure of radiation oncology practices in the continental United States.
The American College of Radiology periodically collects data on radiation oncology facilities with megavoltage equipment. The results of the 1986 survey are summarized, with specific reference to the substantial growth in free-standing facilities.


The average values of the nasal anthropometric measurements in 108 young Turkish males.
The aim of the study was to describe the average values of the nasal anthropometric measurements in young Turkish male population. Study group consisted of 108 volunteer young Turkish males whose age were 18-30 years (mean age 22.31 year). All subjects were students in Yasar Dogu School of Physical Education and Sport of University of Ondokuz Mayis. The means total length and nasal bridge length of the nose were 56.92 and 55.26 mm, respectively. The means of the nasal bridge width and morphologic nose width were 29.74 and 33.63 mm, respectively. The mean width of the anatomic nose was 23.14 mm. The mean width of the nostril floor was 11.00 mm. The means length and width of the ala were 19.93 and 4.81 mm, respectively. The means of length and width of the columella were 9.34 and 5.34 mm, respectively. The mean frontonasal angle was 134.96 degrees and the mean nasolabial angle was 90.32 degrees. The nose was the dominant feature in the facial region. Anthropometric measurements related with the nose measured were compared with the available literature. Average values of the nose in this population may be used as a landmark for guidance to plan corrective surgery of the nose.


[Current status and prospects of chemoprevention in oral squamous epithelial carcinomas and precancerous lesions].
Second primary tumors in initially cured patients remain the greatest challenge in therapy for oral squamous cell carcinomas. The concept of field concerization is the most accepted hypothesis for the cellular and subcellular damages resulting in neoplastic transformation in the upper aerodigestive tract by risk factors such as chronic alcohol and tobacco abuse. Recent studies investigated several agents and regimens with benefit for chemoprevention of oral squamous cell carcinomas. In our review, the results of the most promising agents were studied. Despite discouraging results from recent intervention trials, studies in oral squamous cell carcinomas reported response rates up to 92%. In our investigation, two groups of patients were treated daily with 100 mg alpha-tocopherol, 75 mg beta-carotene, and 1000 mg ascorbic acid per os. The first group consisted of 24 patients with leukoplakia of the oral cavity. The second group included 24 patients with premalignant lesions after R0-resection of primary oral squamous cell carcinoma. Biopsies were taken from both groups prior to therapy and after 12 weeks follow-up. Flow cytometry analyses were performed and nucleolar organizing regions (NOR) were examined. An overall histological response rate of nearly 98% was noticed. Additionally, the pretherapeutic regimen increased cell kinetic parameters, such as the S-phase portion, and the average number of NOR per cell nucleus decreased. These results indicate that the chosen combination has substantial activity in oral premalignant lesions. Nevertheless, basic research is required in investigating valid biomarkers for chemoprevention studies.


Melatonin ameliorates nickel induced autophagy in mouse brain: Diminution of oxidative stress.
Nickel (Ni) is a neurotoxic environmental pollutant. Oxidative stress is thought to be the main mechanism behind the development of Ni neurotoxicity. Melatonin (Mt) has significant efficacy as an antioxidant. In this paper, we investigated the damage that Ni causes to the autophagy of the nervous system. Furthermore, Mt has can intervene upon the damage caused by Ni, which can protect the nervous system. Herein, we randomly divided 80 8-week-old male wild-type C57BL/6 N mice into four groups, including the C group, Ni group, Mt group, and Mt+Ni group. Ni was gavaged at a concentration of 10 mg/kg, while was Mt was administered at a concentration of 2 mg/kg for 21 days at 0.1 ml/10 g body weight of the mice. Histopathological and ultrastructural observations demonstrated altered states, such as neuronal atrophy, as well as typical autophagic features in the Ni group. Mt was able to intervene effectively in Ni-induced neurotoxicity. The antioxidant capacity assay also demonstrated that Ni can lead to a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within the mouse brain. Furthermore, the same Mt was effective at reducing ROS production. In order to further illustrate this point, we added the broad-spectrum phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 to NS20Y cells. The presence of inhibitors effectively demonstrates that, within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, autophagy occurs. In conclusion, these data suggest that Ni causes oxidative stress damage and induces autophagy within the mouse brain by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and that Mt can effectively alleviate the oxidative stress caused by Ni, and reducing Ni induces autophagy in the mouse brain through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.


Regression of amyloid in Crohn's disease after bowel resection. A 19-year follow-up.
A 41-year-old man, who in 1969 had Crohn's disease and extensive hepatic and renal amyloidosis, has done well for 19 years after intestinal resection, with regression of massive proteinuria and maintenance of normal renal and hepatic function tests, although renal amyloidosis persists.


Prospective life cycle assessment of a bioprocess design for cultured meat production in hollow fiber bioreactors.
The aim of cellular agriculture is to use cell-culturing technologies to produce alternatives to agricultural products. Cultured meat is an example of a cellular agriculture product, made by using tissue engineering methods. This study aims to improve the understanding of the potential environmental impacts of cultured meat production by comparing between different bioprocess design scenarios. This was done by carrying out a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a bioprocess system using hollow fiber bioreactors, and utilizing bench-scale experimental data for C2C12 cell proliferation, differentiation and media metabolism. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were used to test the impact of changes in the system design, data sources, and LCA methods on the results to support process design decision making. We compared alternative scenarios to a baseline of C2C12 cells cultured in hollow fiber bioreactors using media consisting of DMEM with serum, for a 16-day proliferation stage and 7-day differentiation stage. The baseline LCA used the average UK electricity mix as the energy source, and heat treatment for wastewater sterilization. The greatest reduction in environmental impacts were achieved with the scenarios using CHO cell metabolism instead of C2C12 cell metabolisim (64-67 % reduction); achieving 128 % cell biomass increase during differentiation instead of no increase (42-56 % reduction); using wind electricity instead of average UK electricity (6-39 % reduction); and adjusting the amino acid use based on experimental data (16-27 % reduction). The use of chemical wastewater treatment instead of heat treatment increased all environmental impacts, except energy demand, by 1-16 %. This study provides valuable insights for the cultured meat field to understand the effects of different process design scenarios on environmental impacts, and therefore provides a framework for deciding where to focus development efforts for improving the environmental performance of the production system.


pH-sensitive deoxycholic acid dimer for improving doxorubicin delivery and antitumor activity in vivso.
To develop simple and effective nano-drug delivery systems remains a major challenge in cancer treatment. Herein, we synthesized an ortho ester-linked deoxycholic acid dimer (DCA-OE), which could effectively self-assemble with doxorubicin (DOX) to form stable nanoparticles (DCA-OE/DOX NPs) by a single emulsion method. DCA-based nanoparticles had a desirable size (∼200 nm), morphology (spherical shape), and high drug encapsulation (drug loading content of ∼18.0 %, drug loading efficiency of ∼77.6 %). DCA-OE could improve the stability and solubility of DOX in physiological environment, while pH-sensitive ortho ester linkage endowed the ability to release DOX quickly in cancer cells. In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis verified drug-loaded dimer nanoparticles had similar toxicity with free DOX. Besides, these particles could efficiently accumulate and penetrate into human liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) multicellular spheroids, thus resulting in enhanced antitumor effect. In vivo tests further exhibited that DCA-OE/DOX NPs had lower systemic toxicity and higher tumor inhibition effect, and its tumor inhibition rate was 84.1 %, which was far more than free DOX (49.3 %). Therefore, the strategy to link functional small molecules with ortho ester has great potentials in specific delivery of anticancer drugs.


Differential effect of guanethidine on dopamine and norepinephrine pools in urine, heart and superior cervical ganglion in the rat.
The time-related changes of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) pools were investigated in heart, superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and urine in rats treated chronically with guanethidine (50 mg/kg i.p. five days each week). The efficiency of sympathectomy was assessed by the great loss of NE in heart and superior cervical ganglion (SCG) (-96% and -76% respectively of control values on day 18) together with the ready reduction of NE and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in urine. The pattern of changes was quite different for DA, which was less readily affected and at a lesser extent than NE in heart and SCG thus suggesting the presence of norepinephrine-independent DA stores. Similarly the urinary excretion of free DA, free 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and free homovanillic acid (HVA) was slightly decreased only from the 9th day, whereas urinary conjugated DA remained unaltered. These results indicate that the greatest portion of urine free and conjugated DA, free DOPAC and free HVA derives from peripheral pools located outside noradrenergic neurons. Alternatively, the time-course of DA sensitivity to guanethidine suggests that a portion of urine DA may originate from DA stored independently from NE in noradrenergic neurons.


Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Japan during a COVID-19 outbreak.
The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater samples has been documented in several countries. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is potentially effective for early warning of a COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater samples was investigated and was compared with the number of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the study area during COVID-19 outbreak in Japan. In total, 45 influent wastewater samples were collected from five wastewater treatment plants in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures in Japan. During the study period, the numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in these prefectures increased from 0.3 and 0 to >20 per 100,000 people. SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the samples was detected using several PCR-based assays. Of the 45 samples, 21 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 according to at least one of the three quantitative RT-PCR assays. The detection frequency increased when the number of total confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in 100,000 people exceeded 10 in each prefecture; however, SARS-CoV-2 could also be detected at a low frequency even when the number was below 1.0. SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater could be detected in the early stage of the epidemic, even if the number of confirmed cases potentially underestimates the actual numbers of cases. This suggests that WBE approach can potentially act as an early warning of COVID-19 outbreaks in Japan.


CCETS Basic Science Lecture. Transplantation tolerance.
Two major factors currently limiting the field of transplantation are (1) treatment-related complications and (2) donor organ availability. This article reviews progress from our laboratory in research directed at solutions to both of these limitations. The induction of specific tolerance could eliminate many of the treatment-related complications currently attributable to nonspecific immunosuppressive drug therapy. The methodology being investigated involves use of mixed chimerism as an approach to transplantation tolerance. In this case, the presence of certain donor bone marrow-derived elements induces specific tolerance, whereas host-type antigen presenting cells confer normal immunocompetence. In addition, extension of this work toward tolerance across xenogeneic barriers could eliminate the limitation of organ donor availability. A nonmyeloablative preparative regimen capable of inducing mixed chimerism and tolerance has previously been described from our laboratory for both allogeneic murine systems and concordant xenogeneic rat-->mouse systems. Current studies attempting to extend this regimen to a discordant pig-->monkey xenograft model are reviewed. If successful, these studies could provide a virtually limitless source of xenogeneic donor organs.


The contributions of cardiac myosin binding protein C and troponin I phosphorylation to β-adrenergic enhancement of in vivo cardiac function.
β-adrenergic stimulation increases cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) and troponin I phosphorylation to accelerate pressure development and relaxation in vivo, although their relative contributions remain unknown. Using a novel mouse model lacking protein kinase A-phosphorylatable troponin I (TnI) and MyBP-C, we examined in vivo haemodynamic function before and after infusion of the β-agonist dobutamine. Mice expressing phospho-ablated MyBP-C displayed cardiac hypertrophy and prevented full acceleration of pressure development and relaxation in response to dobutamine, whereas expression of phosphor-ablated TnI alone had little effect on the acceleration of contractile function in response to dobutamine. Our data demonstrate that MyBP-C phosphorylation is the principal mediator of the contractile response to increased β-agonist stimulation in vivo. These results help us understand why MyBP-C dephosphorylation in the failing heart contributes to contractile dysfunction and decreased adrenergic reserve in response to acute stress. β-adrenergic stimulation plays a critical role in accelerating ventricular contraction and speeding relaxation to match cardiac output to changing circulatory demands. Two key myofilaments proteins, troponin I (TnI) and myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C), are phosphorylated following β-adrenergic stimulation; however, their relative contributions to the enhancement of in vivo cardiac contractility are unknown. To examine the roles of TnI and MyBP-C phosphorylation in β-adrenergic-mediated enhancement of cardiac function, transgenic (TG) mice expressing non-phosphorylatable TnI protein kinase A (PKA) residues (i.e. serine to alanine substitution at Ser23/24; TnI(PKA-)) were bred with mice expressing non-phosphorylatable MyBP-C PKA residues (i.e. serine to alanine substitution at Ser273, Ser282 and Ser302; MyBPC(PKA-)) to generate a novel mouse model expressing non-phosphorylatable PKA residues in TnI and MyBP-C (DBL(PKA-)). MyBP-C dephosphorylation produced cardiac hypertrophy and increased wall thickness in MyBPC(PKA-) and DBL(PKA-) mice, and in vivo echocardiography and pressure-volume catheterization studies revealed impaired systolic function and prolonged diastolic relaxation compared to wild-type and TnI(PKA-) mice. Infusion of the β-agonist dobutamine resulted in accelerated rates of pressure development and relaxation in all mice; however, MyBPC(PKA-) and DBL(PKA-) mice displayed a blunted contractile response compared to wild-type and TnI(PKA-) mice. Furthermore, unanaesthesized MyBPC(PKA-) and DBL(PKA-) mice displayed depressed maximum systolic pressure in response to dobutamine as measured using implantable telemetry devices. Taken together, our data show that MyBP-C phosphorylation is a critical modulator of the in vivo acceleration of pressure development and relaxation as a result of enhanced β-adrenergic stimulation, and reduced MyBP-C phosphorylation may underlie depressed adrenergic reserve in heart failure.


Palatability to a generalist herbivore, defence and growth of invasive and native Senecio species: testing the evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis.
This paper tests the prediction that introduced plants may become successful invaders because they experience evolutionary changes in growth and defence in their new range [evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis (EICA)]. Interspecific and intraspecific binary feeding choices were offered to the snail Helix aspersa. The choices were between: (1) plants of the invasive Senecio inaequidens and Senecio pterophorus derived from populations in the introduced range (Europe) and plants of three indigenous species (Senecio jacobea, Senecio vulgaris and Senecio malacitanus) from populations in Europe; (2) plants of the invasive S. inaequidens and S. pterophorus from populations in the introduced range (Europe) and from populations in the native range (South Africa). We did not find a clear pattern of preference for indigenous or alien species of Senecio. However, we found that European invasive populations of S. inaequidens and S. pterophorus were less palatable than South African native populations. Moreover, in contrast to the predictions of the EICA hypothesis, the invasive genotypes of both species also showed a higher total concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and in the case of S. inaequidens we also found higher growth than in native genotypes. Our results are discussed with respect to the refinement of the EICA hypothesis that takes into account the difference between specialist and generalist herbivores and between qualitative and quantitative defences. We conclude that invasive populations of S. inaequidens and S. pterophorus are less palatable than native populations, suggesting that genetic differentiation associated with founding may occur and contribute to the plants' invasion success by selecting the best-defended genotypes in the introduced range.


A common pathway for chemical-induced tissue injury and immune responses leading to hypersensitivity and/or carcinogenesis.
A common requirement for chemical-induced allergy, carcinogenesis and certain forms of liver injury appears to be the ability of the chemical to react with protein and/or nucleic acid to form covalent conjugates. Tests to detect immune responses to such conjugates can provide useful information concerning the propensity of an individual to convert normally innocuous chemicals to immuno-reactive forms under physiological conditions and may provide an indicator of the risk for developing one of the above disorders. They will enable offending substances and their active metabolites to be identified, the status of diseases which they induce determined, and the degree to which exposure has been avoided monitored. Very few studies have been published relating to this important problem. Implications of this approach are discussed.


Multifunctional microrobot with real-time visualization and magnetic resonance imaging for chemoembolization therapy of liver cancer.
Microrobots that can be precisely guided to target lesions have been studied for in vivo medical applications. However, existing microrobots have challenges in vivo such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, actuation module, and intra- and postoperative imaging. This study reports microrobots visualized with real-time x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that can be magnetically guided to tumor feeding vessels for transcatheter liver chemoembolization in vivo. The microrobots, composed of a hydrogel-enveloped porous structure and magnetic nanoparticles, enable targeted delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents via magnetic guidance from the actuation module under real-time x-ray imaging. In addition, the microrobots can be tracked using MRI as postoperative imaging and then slowly degrade over time. The in vivo validation of microrobot system-mediated chemoembolization was demonstrated in a rat liver with a tumor model. The proposed microrobot provides an advanced medical robotic platform that can overcome the limitations of existing microrobots and current liver chemoembolization.


Efficacy and safety of endovascular coiling vs surgical clipping for patients with ruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
Carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms are relatively rare, and represent 1% of all intracranial aneurysms. Generally, endovascular coiling and surgical clipping are the 2 most commonly used methods to treat ruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms, it provides the most favorable outcome for a patient. This study aims to assess the efficiency and safety of endovascular coiling vs surgical clipping for patients with a ruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm. A comprehensive systematic literature review was done in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang databases. Only randomized trials that compared endovascular coiling with surgical clipping in patients with ruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm was included. Data was extracted independently by 2 review authors. Moreover, the quality of study and bias risk was evaluated by utilizing an appropriate method. Triallists will be contacted to acquire missing information. The data is presented as risk ratio and mean difference, or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. The results from the present research shall be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The present study summarizes the direct and in-direct evidence to judge the efficiency and safety of these 2 methodologies to treat ruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms and attempt to find the most efficiency and safety therapeutical method. The present study is a meta-analysis based on published evidence. As a result, ethics approval and patient consent are not needed.


Comparative in vitro pediculicidal efficacy of treatments in a resistant head lice population in the United States.
To compare the pediculicidal activity of 5 head lice products available in the United States on head lice from south Florida. In vitro pediculicidal product comparison. Lice Source Services, Inc, located in Plantation, Fla, a clinic for the treatment and grooming of individuals with pediculosis capitis. Head lice were collected from healthy clients with Pediculus capitis that came to Lice Source Services, Inc, to seek their services. Within 2 to 6 hours of capture, lice were placed in continuous direct contact with the pediculicide products and observed at regular intervals. Results were compared with findings of a recent study of a treatment-sensitive population of head lice conducted in Panama. Percentage of lice dead at regular observation intervals between 5 minutes and 3 hours of continuous exposure to the pediculicides. Two prescription products, Ovide lotion (0.5% malathion) and 1% lindane shampoo, were ranked in the same order as in 2 previous studies (first and last, respectively). The order of effectiveness from most to least effective was as follows: Ovide lotion, A-200 shampoo (a natural pyrethrin product synergized with piperonyl butoxide), undiluted Nix (1% permethrin), diluted Nix, RID (a natural pyrethrin product synergized with piperonyl butoxide), and 1% lindane shampoo. There were statistically significant differences in the efficacy of all the products when compared with the results found in the recent study in Panama, except for Ovide lotion. Of those tested, Ovide was the only pediculicide in the United States that had not become less effective. The difference in efficacy of 1% lindane, Nix, and pyrethrins between the Panama and Florida studies supports the argument that some head lice in the United States have become resistant to these treatments.


The effects of pregnancy and lactation on the activities of trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin in the rat pancreas.
1. The food intake, pancreas weight and trypsin (EC 18.104.22.168) and alpha-chymotrypsin (EC 22.214.171.124) activities in the pancreas were measured in rats during pregnancy and lactation and after the young were weaned. 2. All the quantities measured increased significantly during lactation and had returned to their original values by 4 weeks after weaning. Food intake and pancreas weight were highest after the second week of lactation. Total trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin activity, and the activity per g tissue, fell during pregnancy and rose during lactation, reaching a maximum 1 week after weaning. 3. From these and other results it is suggested that the hypertrophy and hypersecretion of pregnancy and lactation are initiated by changes insulin secretion and mediated by the trophic effects of gut hormones, and that differences in the nature and timing of the response may be controlled by nutrient availability.


The effect of facial blood flow on ratings of blushing and negative affect during an embarrassing task: preliminary findings.
Expecting to blush is a common source of social anxiety, and is associated with heightened perceptions of blushing and embarrassment. To assess whether sensory cues associated with heightened facial blood flow are an additional source of anxiety, the vasodilator niacin (100mg) or placebo was administered double-blind to 33 participants, and facial blood flow was investigated when they sang a children's song. Vasodilatation during singing was greater in the niacin than placebo condition, and niacin-evoked flushing and increases in pulse rate were greater in participants with high than low fear of negative evaluation. Nevertheless, ratings of embarrassment, anxiety, blushing and facial heat were similar in both drug conditions. This dissociation implies that cognitive appraisals or negative affect overrode more subtle physiological cues of blushing during embarrassment. Clarifying how judgments about blushing are made could be crucial for correcting faulty assumptions about blushing in people who are frightened of this response.


Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in subjects at risk for schizophrenia.
We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to examine biochemical characteristics of the brain tissue in subjects at risk for schizophrenia. Nineteen participants fulfilling research criteria for an early (n=10) or a late (n=9) at-risk syndrome, 21 patients with full disease according to DSM IV and 31 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Single-voxel 1H MRS was performed in the left frontal lobe, the anterior cingulate gyrus and the left superior temporal lobe. Subjects were followed longitudinally to detect conversion to schizophrenia. We observed a significant reduction of the metabolic ratios NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho in the left frontal lobe and of NAA/Cr in the anterior cingulate gyrus in both at-risk groups and in the schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls. Those at-risk subjects, who converted to schizophrenia within the observation period, had a higher Cho/Cr and a lower NAA/Cho ratio in the anterior cingulate gyrus compared with non-converters. NAA/Cr did not differ between converters and non-converters. Six at-risk subjects were taking antidepressants, two were taking antipsychotics. There was no difference in any metabolic ratio in any region between at-risk subjects with and without medication. We conclude that the reduction of the neuronal marker NAA in the left prefrontal lobe and the anterior cingulate gyrus may represent a vulnerability indicator for schizophrenia in at-risk subjects, while elevated Cho in the anterior cingulate gyrus may be a predictor for conversion from the prodromal state to the full disease.


A mathematical model of the in vitro keratinocyte response to chromium and nickel exposure.
A mathematical model describing the main mechanistic processes involved in keratinocyte response to chromium and nickel has been developed and compared to experimental in vitro data. Accounting for the interactions between the metal ions and the keratinocytes, the law of mass action was used to generate ordinary differential equations which predict the time evolution and ion concentration dependency of keratinocyte viability, the amount of metal associated with the keratinocytes and the release of cytokines by the keratinocytes. Good agreement between model predictions and existing experimental data of these endpoints was observed, supporting the use of this model to explore physiochemical parameters that influence the toxicological response of keratinocytes to these two metals.


Prolapsed epiploica of the sigmoid colon after total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Prolapsed epiploica of the sigmoid colon through the vaginal cuff is a rare finding that has never been reported after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. We encountered a case of prolapsed epiploica of the sigmoid colon in a 40-year-old female, 4 months status after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrated prolapsed epiploica of the sigmoid colon through a dehisced vaginal cuff.


Homotaurine and muscimol mimic taurine and GABA effects on muscle tone and temperature regulation.
Taurine, homotaurine, GABA and muscimol, given intraventricularly to the conscious, unrestrained rabbit cause hypothermia and a reduction in skeletal muscle tone. Taurine and homotaurine desynchronize areas of the motor and limbic cortices, with GABA and muscimol synchronize both tracings and markedly depress the arousal reaction following external stimuli.


Key takeaways for knowledge expansion of early-career scientists conducting Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC): a report from the TREC Training Workshop 2022.
The overall goal of the annual Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop is to provide transdisciplinary training for scientists in energetics and cancer and clinical care. The 2022 Workshop included 27 early-to-mid career investigators (trainees) pursuing diverse TREC research areas in basic, clinical, and population sciences. The 2022 trainees participated in a gallery walk, an interactive qualitative program evaluation method, to summarize key takeaways related to program objectives. Writing groups were formed and collaborated on this summary of the 5 key takeaways from the TREC Workshop. The 2022 TREC Workshop provided a targeted and unique networking opportunity that facilitated meaningful collaborative work addressing research and clinical needs in energetics and cancer. This report summarizes the 2022 TREC Workshop's key takeaways and future directions for innovative transdisciplinary energetics and cancer research.


IntroStat: a hypertext-based design for an electronic textbook to introduce biomedical statistics.
A hypertext-based system called IntroStat has been developed to introduce fundamental methods of biomedical statistics. The system has been developed on a Macintosh II using HyperCard. It is written mainly in Hypertalk, a scripting language of HyperCard. Being an electronic textbook of probability and statistics, the system features computational capabilities. At the end of the sections describing basic methods of statistics, pages are provided where a user may enter data and try the methods right there. Some means for branching are provided for easy access to a page of interest, including branching by contents, by index, and by keyword reference. The system design is proposed as a model of an electronic textbook for biomedical statistics.


Total hip arthroplasty in patients 50 years or less: do we improve activity profiles?
The primary objective of this study was to use step activity monitoring to quantify activity changes after total hip arthroplasty in patients 50 years or less. Secondly, we investigated whether step activity measurements correlated with the Harris hip and UCLA scores. We prospectively analyzed 37 patients (age ≤ 50) treated with primary THA. Patient activity was recorded with a step activity monitor. Harris hip and UCLA scores were analyzed. Total daily stride counts increased by an average of 30.0%. Increases were noted in the percent of daily time spent at high, moderate and low activity. Increases in daily time spent at high activity moderately correlated with the UCLA activity score but did not correlate with the HHS. Both the UCLA score and the HHS did not correlate with mean daily strides. Following THA, patients ≤ 50 years of age increase their activity by taking more daily strides and improve their activity profile by spending more time at higher activity. Improvements in step activity moderately correlate with improvements in UCLA scores.


Complement C5a induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by myeloid-derived suppressor cells to promote metastasis.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a major role in cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which complement C5a increases the capacity of polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) to promote tumor growth and metastatic spread. Stimulation of PMN-MDSCs with C5a favored the invasion of cancer cells via a process dependent on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETosis was dependent on the production of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by cancer cells. Moreover, C5a induced the surface expression of the HMGB1 receptors TLR4 and RAGE in PMN-MDSCs. In a mouse lung metastasis model, inhibition of C5a, C5a receptor-1 (C5aR1) or NETosis reduced the number of circulating-tumor cells (CTCs) and the metastatic burden. In support of the translational relevance of these findings, C5a was able to stimulate migration and NETosis in PMN-MDSCs obtained from lung cancer patients. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes, as markers of NETosis, were elevated in lung cancer patients and significantly correlated with C5a levels. In conclusion, C5a induces the formation of NETs from PMN-MDSCs in the presence of cancer cells, which may facilitate cancer cell dissemination and metastasis.


Effects of CYP2C19 inhibitors on mavacamten pharmacokinetics in rats based on UPLC-MS/MS.
CYP2C19 is an important member of the human cytochrome P450 2C (CYP2C) family. Mavacamten is a novel treatment of patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) which was metabolized mainly by CYP2C19. In this study, we firstly reported and validated a quantitative analysis method of mavacamten in rat plasma based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), which was applied to the drug-drug interaction (DDI) study between mavacamten and CYP2C19 inhibitors (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine and fluconazole) in rats. Vericiguat was used as the internal standard (IS), and the analyte and IS were measured with electrospray ion (ESI) source in positive ion mode on a XEVO TQ-S triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In the scope of 1.0-100 ng/mL, this assay had excellent linearity. Both intra-day and inter-day accuracy of the analyte ranged from -2.4% to 9.1%, while the precision was ≤4.2%. Matrix effect, recovery, and stability were evaluated and validated to meet the requirements for the guidelines of bioanalytical assay. When compared with the control group, AUC0→∞ of mavacamten in fluconazole, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine were increased by 125.5%, 110.7% and 43.6%, respectively, which demonstrated that CYP2C19 inhibitors could inhibit mavacamten metabolism. The results showed that CYP2C19 inhibitors could significantly improve the bioavailability of mavacamten in rats, which indicated that we should pay more attention to the patient's condition to prevent the occurrence of side effects when used mavacamten in combination with CYP2C19 inhibitors.


Head lice infestation in schoolchildren and related factors in Mafraq governorate, Jordan.
Little is known about the effect of socioeconomic status on the infestation by head lice in schoolchildren in Jordan. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from December 2009 to February 2010. A list of all primary schools in Mafraq governorate was obtained (394 primary schools). Eight primary schools were randomly selected (four male schools and four female schools). Data were collected by five well-trained nurses. Hair was examined for head lice as well as for eggs/nits. Analysis of data was conducted by using SPSS software version 16. The chi-square test was used to assess statistical significance of subgroup differences in the prevalence of infestation, and multivariate logistic regression was used to control for potential confounding. Out of 1550 primary schoolchildren screened, 412 (26.6%) were infected with lice, 163 (19.6%) boys and 249 (34.7%) girls. The results showed significant variations in head lice infestation by factors such as gender, age, and socioeconomic variables (family income, father's education, mother's education, number of rooms, number of siblings younger than 15 years, frequency of hair washing per week, and bathing per week). There was no significant variation in lice infestation with parents' occupation (P > 0.05). Socioeconomic status is a major factor influencing the occurrence of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in both sexes. Improving standards of living and personal hygiene might significantly reduce pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren in Jordan.


Resistance to growth of the Moloney lymphoma YAC in semi-syngeneic graft recipients.
The growth of the Moloney-virus-induced lymphoma YAC was examined in its strain of origin, A, as well as in 6 AF1 hybrids, ALF1, AB6F1, ACBF1, AABYF1, AACAF1 and AASWF1. "Hybrid resistance", i.e., lower frequency of incidence of tumor takes compared to simultaneous A controls, was observed in all of the tested hybrids. The results with the H-2-congeneic hybrids AABYF1, AACAF1 and AASWF1 indicated that H-2 heterozygosity in itself was sufficient to exhibit hybrid resistance against YAC grafts. The A strain and its H-2 congeneic AABYF1, AACAF1 and AASWF1 hybrids all had similarly low activity in NK assays. Thus, the elevated resistance detected in these H-2 congeneic hybrids did not correlate with NK activity. The rejection capacity of the ALF1, AB6F1 and ACBF1 hybrids correlated to their relatively higher NK activity, when compared to the NK low AABYF1, AACAF1 and AASWF1 hybrids. However, consideration of quantitative differences in between the hybrids which expressed elevated NK activity (i.e., ALF1, AB6F1 and ACBF1) shows that the rejection capacity did not correlate with NK status. The hybrid with the strongest NK effect (ACBF1) was the least resistant to YAC growth (27% palpable tumors), and the hybrid with the weakest NK effect (ALF1) was the most resistant to YAC growth (7.2% palpable tumors).


Regional myocardial perfusion of cardioplegic solutions.
We compared the regional myocardial perfusion of blood cardioplegic solution (BCP) and crystalloid cardioplegic solution (CCP) in 14 mongrel dogs. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established at 28 degrees C, and a hydraulic occluder was placed around the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. In group 1 (N = 7) collateral coronary arteries were ligated; in group 2 (N = 7) collateral coronary arteries were left in situ. After the aorta was clamped, BCP and CCP were alternately perfused at 200 ml/min. The occluder was inflated to produce moderate, severe, and critical LAD stenosis, and regional perfusion was measured by xenon-133 washout with the Silicon Avalanche Radiation Detector. BCP infusion produced a consistently higher aortic pressure, but CCP flow was better than BCP flow under all conditions, particularly without coronary collaterals (p less than .05). Regional myocardial perfusion of CCP is superior to BCP.


Have rural background students been disadvantaged by the medical school admission process?
The proportion of rural background applicants to medical school does not reflect the proportion of the general population that resides in rural communities. It is also believed that rural background applicants are disadvantaged by the admission processes of urban-based medical schools. This study sought to examine how rural background applicants actually fare as they progress through the stages of admission. A 10-year cohort of Alberta applicants were tracked as they progressed through the interview and admittance stages. Background, grade point averages (GPAs) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores plus interview ratings were utilised in the analysis. Of the 4407 applicants, 1138 were interviewed. Significantly greater proportions of urban (26.8%) and rural (29.1%) background applicants than regional background (21.0%) applicants were interviewed, although the GPAs and MCAT scores of regional background applicants did not differ from those of the other applicant groups. Of those interviewed, 463 applicants were admitted. The proportions of urban (39.9%), regional (42.3%) and rural (46.3%) background applicants admitted were similar. Reviewers did not rate the files of urban, regional and rural background applicants differently. Only 6.7% of applicants admitted had rural backgrounds. Rural background applicants were not disadvantaged or discriminated against by the admission process. Although the backgrounds of applicants admitted reflect those of the original applicants, the proportion of rural background applicants is below the proportion of Albertans who reside in rural areas. Strategies to increase the number of applicants of rural origin are recommended.


Architecture of the photosynthetic complex from a green sulfur bacterium.
The photosynthetic apparatus of green sulfur bacteria (GSB) contains a peripheral antenna chlorosome, light-harvesting Fenna-Matthews-Olson proteins (FMO), and a reaction center (GsbRC). We used cryo-electron microscopy to determine a 2.7-angstrom structure of the FMO-GsbRC supercomplex from Chlorobaculum tepidum The GsbRC binds considerably fewer (bacterio)chlorophylls [(B)Chls] than other known type I RCs do, and the organization of (B)Chls is similar to that in photosystem II. Two BChl layers in GsbRC are not connected by Chls, as seen in other RCs, but associate with two carotenoid derivatives. Relatively long distances of 22 to 33 angstroms were observed between BChls of FMO and GsbRC, consistent with the inefficient energy transfer between these entities. The structure contains common features of both type I and type II RCs and provides insight into the evolution of photosynthetic RCs.


Enhanced molecular volume of conservatively pegylated Hb: (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA is non-hypertensive.
Recent studies have suggested that the "pressor effect" of acellular Hb is a consequence of perturbation of the macro-and microcirculatory system in multiple ways, and that PEGylation is an effective approach for controlling the same. In an attempt to confirm this concept, a new and simple thiolation mediated, maleimide chemistry-based conservative PEGylation protocol has been developed to conjugate multiple copies of PEG-chains to Hb. This approach combines the high reactivity of maleimides towards thiols with the propensity of iminothiolane to derivatize the epsilon-amino groups of proteins into reactive thiol groups, with conservation of their positive charge. One of the PEGylated products, namely (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA, that carries on an average six copies of PEG5000 chains per Hb, is non-hypertensive in hamster top load and in rat 50% exchange transfusion models. This hexa-PEGylated-Hb has (i) a hydrodynamic volume corresponding to that of an oligomerized Hb of 256kDa, (ii) a molecular radius of approximately 6.8 nm, (iii) high oxygen affinity, (iv) lowered Bohr effect, and (v) increased viscosity and colloidal osmotic pressure. These properties of (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA are consistent with the emerging new paradigms for the design of Hb based oxygen carriers and confirm the concept that the "pressor effect" of Hb is a multifactorial event. The thiolation mediated maleimide chemistry-based PEGylation protocol described here for the generation of (SP-PEG5K)6-Hb is simple, highly efficient, and is carried out under oxy conditions. The results demonstrate that a non-hypertensive PEG-Hb can be generated by conjugation of a lower number of PEG chains than previously reported.


The distribution of SNP marker effects for faecal worm egg count in sheep, and the feasibility of using these markers to predict genetic merit for resistance to worm infections.
SummaryGenetic resistance to gastrointestinal worms is a complex trait of great importance in both livestock and humans. In order to gain insights into the genetic architecture of this trait, a mixed breed population of sheep was artificially infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis (n=3326) and then Haemonchus contortus (n=2669) to measure faecal worm egg count (WEC). The population was genotyped with the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip and 48 640 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers passed the quality controls. An independent population of 316 sires of mixed breeds with accurate estimated breeding values for WEC were genotyped for the same SNP to assess the results obtained from the first population. We used principal components from the genomic relationship matrix among genotyped individuals to account for population stratification, and a novel approach to directly account for the sampling error associated with each SNP marker regression. The largest marker effects were estimated to explain an average of 0·48% (T. colubriformis) or 0·08% (H. contortus) of the phenotypic variance in WEC. These effects are small but consistent with results from other complex traits. We also demonstrated that methods which use all markers simultaneously can successfully predict genetic merit for resistance to worms, despite the small effects of individual markers. Correlations of genomic predictions with breeding values of the industry sires reached a maximum of 0·32. We estimate that effective across-breed predictions of genetic merit with multi-breed populations will require an average marker spacing of approximately 10 kbp.


Biguanide-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 silica as an efficient solid catalyst for interesterification of vegetable oils.
The biguanide-functionalized SBA-15 materials were fabricated by grafting of organic biguanide onto the SBA-15 silica through covalent attachments, and then this organic-inorganic hybrid material was employed as solid catalysts for the interesterification of triacylglycerols for the modification of vegetable oils. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and elemental analysis. The biguanide base was successfully tethered onto the SBA-15 silica with no damage to the ordered mesoporous structure of the silica after the organo-functionalization. The solid catalyst had stronger base strength and could catalyze the interesterification of triacylglycerols. The fatty acid compositions and triacylglycerol profiles of the interesterified products were noticeably varied following the interesterification. The reaction parameters, namely substrate ratio, reaction temperature, catalyst loading and reaction time, were investigated for the interesterification of soybean oil with methyl decanoate. The catalyst could be reused for at least four cycles without significant loss of activity.


Spatial competition among porifera: Solution by epizoism.
Sponges settling on solid substrates which are separated by sediment bottoms compete for the limited space. Some species have solved this problem by occurring as epizoans, thus avoiding the risk of being expelled from the habitat. The supporting species on the other hand, are specialized in that they possess skeletogenous ectosomal structures and aquiferous processes to maintain their integrity and to escape starvation or suffocation. Although specimens are sometimes intimately interwoven no chimaerid mixing of tissues was observed.


Trait Variation in Moths Mirrors Small-Scaled Ecological Gradients in A Tropical Forest Landscape.
Along environmental gradients, communities are expected to be filtered from the regional species pool by physical constraints, resource availability, and biotic interactions. This should be reflected in species trait composition. Using data on species-rich moth assemblages sampled by light traps in a lowland rainforest landscape in Costa Rica, we show that moths in two unrelated clades (Erebidae-Arctiinae; Geometridae) are much smaller-sized in oil palm plantations than in nearby old-growth forest, with intermediate values at disturbed forest sites. In old-growth forest, Arctiinae predominantly show aposematic coloration as a means of anti-predator defense, whereas this trait is much reduced in the prevalence in plantations. Similarly, participation in Müllerian mimicry rings with Hymenoptera and Lycidae beetles, respectively, is rare in plantations. Across three topographic types of old-growth forests, community-weighted means of moth traits showed little variation, but in creek forest, both types of mimicry were surprisingly rare. Our results emphasize that despite their mobility, moth assemblages are strongly shaped by local environmental conditions through the interplay of bottom-up and top-down processes. Assemblages in oil palm plantations are highly degraded not only in their biodiversity, but also in terms of trait expression.


Hippocampal acidity and volume are differentially associated with spatial navigation in older adults.
The hippocampus is negatively affected by aging and is critical for spatial navigation. While there is evidence that wayfinding navigation tasks are especially sensitive to preclinical hippocampal deterioration, these studies have primarily used volumetric hippocampal imaging without considering microstructural properties or anatomical variation within the hippocampus. T1ρ is an MRI measure sensitive to regional pH, with longer relaxation rates reflecting acidosis as a marker of metabolic dysfunction and neuropathological burden. For the first time, we investigate how measures of wayfinding including landmark location learning and delayed memory in cognitively normal older adults (N = 84) relate to both hippocampal volume and T1ρ in the anterior and posterior hippocampus. Regression analyses revealed hippocampal volume was bilaterally related to learning, while right lateralized T1ρ was related to delayed landmark location memory and bilateral T1ρ was related to the delayed use of a cognitive map. Overall, results suggest hippocampal volume and T1ρ relaxation rate tap into distinct mechanisms involved in preclinical cognitive decline as assessed by wayfinding navigation, and laterality influenced these relationships more than the anterior-posterior longitudinal axis of the hippocampus.


Risk factors for post-bronchoscopy pneumonia: a case-control study.
The bronchoscopy, though usually safe, is occasionally associated with complications, such as pneumonia. However, the use of prophylactic antibiotics is not recommended by the guidelines of the British Thoracic Society. Thus far there are few reports of the risk factors for post-bronchoscopy pneumonia; the purpose of this study was to evaluate these risk factors. We retrospectively collected data on patients in whom post-bronchoscopy pneumonia developed from the medical records of 2,265 patients who received 2666 diagnostic bronchoscopies at our institution between April 2006 and November 2011. Twice as many patients were enrolled in the control group as in the pneumonia group. The patients were matched for age and sex. In total, 37 patients (1.4%) had post-bronchoscopy pneumonia. Univariate analysis showed that a significantly larger proportion of patients in the pneumonia group had tracheobronchial stenosis (75.7% vs 18.9%, p < 0.01) and a final diagnosis of primary lung cancer (75.7% vs 43.2%, p < 0.01) than in the control group. The pneumonia group tended to have more patients with a history of smoking (83.8% vs 67.1%, p = 0.06) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (4.3% vs 14.9%, p = 0.14) than the control group. In multivariate analysis, we found that tracheobronchial stenosis remained an independent risk factor for post-bronchoscopy pneumonia (odds ratio: 7.8, 95%CI: 2.5-24.2). In conclusion, tracheobronchial stenosis was identified as an independent risk factor for post-bronchoscopy pneumonia by multivariate analysis in this age- and sex- matched case control study.


Impact of the staging method on the prognostic utility of the 8th AJCC staging system for non-small-cell lung cancer.
To assess the impact of the staging method on the utility of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system for non-small-cell lung cancer. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was accessed and cancer-specific survival analyses were conducted. For cancer-specific survival among pathologically staged patients, p-values for all pair wise comparisons were significant, except for stage IIIB versus IIIC; while among clinically staged patients, p-values for all pair wise comparisons were significant, except for stage IIA versus IIB. Among pathologically staged patients, AJCC eighth c-statistic was 0.705; while among clinically staged patients, AJCC eighth c-statistic was 0.687. The discriminatory power of eighth AJCC for non-small-cell lung cancer is lower for clinically staged compared with pathologically staged patients.


Selenium-induced rhizosphere microorganisms endow salt-sensitive soybeans with salt tolerance.
Soil salinization is a prevalent abiotic stress that adversely affects soybean production. Rhizosphere microorganisms have been shown to modulate the rhizosphere microenvironment of plants, leading to improved stress resistance. Selenium is known to optimize the rhizosphere microbial community, however, it remains uncertain whether selenium-induced rhizosphere microorganisms can enhance plant salt tolerance. In this study, we selected two soybean varieties, including salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive, and conducted pot experiments to explore the impact of selenium application on the structure and composition of the rhizosphere microbial community of soybean plants under salt stress. Four salt-tolerant bacteria from salt-tolerant soybean rhizosphere soil fertilized with selenium under salt stress were isolated, and their effects on improving salt tolerance in salt-sensitive soybean were also investigated. Our results showed that selenium application enhanced soybean salt tolerance by optimizing the structure of the plant rhizosphere microbial community and improving soil enzyme activities in both salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive varieties. Moreover, compared with salt-only treatment, inoculation of the four bacteria led to a significant increase in the plant height (7.2%-19.8%), aboveground fresh weight (57.3%-73.5%), SPAD value (8.4%-30.3%), and K+ content (4.5%-12.1%) of salt-sensitive soybean, while reducing the content of proline (84.5%-94%), MDA (26.5%-49.3%), and Na+ (7.1%-21.3%). High-throughput sequencing of the 16 S ribosomal RNA gene indicated that the four bacteria played a crucial role in changing the community structure of salt-sensitive soybean and mitigating the effects of salt stress. This study highlighted the importance of selenium combined with beneficial microorganisms in the plant rhizosphere in alleviating salinity stress.


Post-conversion sialylation of prions in lymphoid tissues.
Sialylated glycans on the surface of mammalian cells act as part of a "self-associated molecular pattern," helping the immune system to recognize "self" from "altered self" or "nonself." To escape the host immune system, some bacterial pathogens have evolved biosynthetic pathways for host-like sialic acids, whereas others recruited host sialic acids for decorating their surfaces. Prions lack nucleic acids and are not conventional pathogens. Nevertheless, prions might use a similar strategy for invading and colonizing the lymphoreticular system. Here we show that the sialylation status of the infectious, disease-associated state of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) changes with colonization of secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). As a result, spleen-derived PrP(Sc) is more sialylated than brain-derived PrP(Sc). Enhanced sialylation of PrP(Sc) is recapitulated in vitro by incubating brain-derived PrP(Sc) with primary splenocytes or cultured macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. General inhibitors of sialyltranserases (STs), the enzymes that transfer sialic acid residues onto terminal positions of glycans, suppressed extrasialylation of PrP(Sc). A fluorescently labeled precursor of sialic acid revealed ST activity associated with RAW macrophages. This study illustrates that, upon colonization of SLOs, the sialylation status of prions changes by host STs. We propose that this mechanism is responsible for camouflaging prions in SLOs and has broad implications.


Hepatitis C viremia is associated with cytomegalovirus IgG antibody levels in HIV-infected women.
Individuals with HIV infection exhibit high cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG levels, but there are few data regarding the association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the immune response against CMV. Associations of HCV with CMV seropositivity and CMV IgG levels were studied in 635 HIV-infected women, 187 of whom were HCV-seropositive, with adjustment in multivariable models for age, race/ethnicity, and HIV disease characteristics. Eighty one percent of the women reported receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) prior to or at CMV testing. In adjusted models women with chronic HCV had higher CMV IgG levels than those without HCV RNA (β = 2.86, 95% CI:0.89 - 4.83; P = 0.004). The association of HCV RNA with CMV IgG differed by age (P(interaction) = 0.0007), with a strong association observed among women in the low and middle age tertiles (≤ 45.3 years of age; β = 6.21, 95% CI:3.30 - 9.11, P<0.0001) but not among women in the high age tertile. CMV IgG levels were not associated with non-invasive measures of liver disease, APRI and FIB-4, or with HCV RNA level and adjustment for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgG levels did not affect the association between HCV and CMV. CMV IgG levels are higher in HCV/HIV co-infected women than in HIV mono-infected women. Further research on the association of HCV with CMV IgG is indicated because prior studies have found CMV IgG to be associated with morbidity and mortality in the general population and subclinical carotid artery disease in HIV-infected patients.


Clinical and Functional Predictors of Response to a Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Severe Post-COVID-19 Patients.
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following severe and very severe COVID-19 infection is known to be effective, according to typical assessments. However, not all patients benefit from PR to the same extent. This analysis aimed to identify the impact of different factors on PR outcomes in post-COVID-19 patients. This prospective observational study included 184 post-COVID-19 patients. The achievement of the predicted reference walking distance (6 min walking distance (6-MWD)) served as a parameter with which to identify responders and non-responders to PR. Several parameters (e.g., Functional Independent Measurement (FIM); pulmonary function testing (Forced Vital Capacity, FVC); 6MWD) were assessed in order to estimate their impact on PR success. Logistic regression models and classification and regression trees were used for multivariate analysis. A total of 94 patients (51%) reached their reference 6MWD by the end of PR. FVC (0.95 (0.93-0.97)), 6MWD at admission (0.99 (0.99-1.00)), and FIM motoric (0.96 (0.93-0.99)) correlated with the risk not reaching the reference distance. The most important variable was the 6MWD at admission. Classification and regression tree identified 6MWD ≥ 130 m at admission and FVC predicted of >83% as the strongest predictor for reaching predicted 6-MWD. Post-COVID-19 patients with lower 6MWD, lower motoric FIM scores and lower FVC at admission have a high risk of not reaching their target values of physical performance despite intensive rehabilitation. As well as identifying them, it is of utmost importance to develop optimal PR concepts for these patients.


An application of monoclonal antibodies to identification of leptospires of serogroup icterohaemorrhagiae found in China.
For the purpose of improving the procedures of identification of leptospires, a set of 5 monoclonal antibodies with different serological reactivity against serovars of Leptospira interrogans Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup isolated in China was developed. One hundred and eight strains isolated from epidemic fields in 5 provinces in southern China were distinctly identified into 4 serovars of Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup by the monoclonal antibody procedure, i.e., 98 isolates were identified as serovar lai, 7 as icterohaemorrhagiae, 2 as copenhageni, and 1 as H2. Factor antiserum procedure was used at the same time as control for typing these strains and an identical result was obtained.


Simultaneous determination of enantiomeric and organic impurities of vildagliptin on a cellulose tris(3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate) column under revered-phase conditions.
A new, reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV-inhibitor antidiabetic drug vildagliptin (VIL) enantiomeric impurity and four other achiral related impurities. An initial screening was performed on five polysaccharide-type chiral stationary phases (Lux Amylose-1, Lux Amylose-2, Lux-Cellulose-1, Lux-Cellulose-2, Lux-Cellulose-3) in polar organic mode with methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, or acetonitrile containing 0,1% diethylamine as mobile phase to identify the best conditions for the separation of VIL enantiomers. Lux-Cellulose-2 column was found to provide the best chiral resolution for VIL enantiomers. Further experiments were conducted using different aqueous-organic mobile phases to achieve the simultaneous chiral-achiral separation of the selected compounds. Experimental design-based optimization was performed by using a face-centered central composite design. The optimal separation conditions (Lux Cellulose-2 stationary phase, 45 °C, mobile phase consisting of methanol/water/diethylamine 80:20:0.2 (v/v/v), and 0.45 mL/min flow rate) provided baseline separation for all 6 compounds. The optimized method was validated according to the ICH guideline and proved to be reliable, specific, linear, precise, and accurate for the determination of at least 0.1% for all impurities in VIL samples. The validated method was applied for determinations from a commercially available drug formulation and proved to be suitable for routine quality control of both enantiomeric and organic impurities of VIL.


Significance of cardiogenic mixing in dog lungs.
Single-breath washout of two inert gases (He and SF6) in anesthetized mechanically ventilated dogs in normal conditions with the heart beating and during reversible heart arrest revealed no effects attributable to the action of the beating heart. It is concluded that in the conditions of the experiments convective mixing by the cardiac action played an insignificant role in promoting intrapulmonary mixing and transport.


Peripheral chemoreflex and baroreflex interactions in cardiovascular regulation in humans.
We tested the hypothesis that activation of peripheral chemoreceptors with acute isocapnic hypoxia resets arterial baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow to higher pressures, resulting in increased heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity without changes in baroreflex sensitivity. We further hypothesized that this resetting would not occur during isocapnic hyperpnoea at the same breathing rate and depth as during isocapnic hypoxia. In 12 healthy, non-smoking, normotensive subjects (6 women, 6 men, 19-36 years), we assessed baroreflex control of heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity using the modified Oxford technique during normoxia, isocapnic hyperpnoea, and isocapnic hypoxia (85 % arterial O2 saturation). While isocapnic hyperpnoea did not alter heart rate, arterial pressure, or sympathetic outflow, hypoxia increased heart rate from 61.9 +/- 1.8 to 74.7 +/- 2.7 beats min-1 (P < 0.05), increased mean arterial pressure from 97.4 +/- 2.0 to 103.9 +/- 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.05), and increased sympathetic activity 22 +/- 13 % relative to normoxia and 72 +/- 21 % (P < 0.05) relative to hyperpnoea alone. The sensitivity for baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic activity was not altered by either hypoxia or hyperpnoea. Thus, it appears that acute activation of peripheral chemoreceptors with isocapnic hypoxia resets baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic activity to higher pressures without changes in baroreflex sensitivity. Furthermore, these effects appear largely independent of breathing rate and tidal volume.


[On the structure of rodent communities in tropical forests of Southern Vietnam].
The abundance, species diversity, and spatial distribution of small mammals were studied in two localities in southern Vietnam: the Cat Tien National Park and the Binh Chau Nature Reserve. Rodents were trapped on the ground and in the tropical forest canopy (2-12 m above the ground), marked, and released on the spot. Species diversity of small mammals in undisturbed tropical forest (9 species) was higher than in disturbed tropical forest (14 species). The rat Maxomys surifer and the squirrel Callosciurus flavimanus were dominant. In undisturbed forest, the frequencies of rodent occurrence on the ground and in the canopy were of the same order; in disturbed forest, rodents occurred in the canopy an order of magnitude less frequently than on the ground.


Lipid raft-mediated miR-3908 inhibition of migration of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 by regulating the interactions between AdipoR1 and Flotillin-1.
The mechanisms of lipid raft regulation by microRNAs in breast cancer are not fully understood. This work focused on the evaluation and identification of miR-3908, which may be a potential biomarker related to the migration of breast cancer cells, and elucidates lipid-raft-regulating cell migration in breast cancer. To confirm the prediction that miR-3908 is matched with AdipoR1, we used 3'-UTR luciferase activity of AdipoR1 to assess this. Then, human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was cultured in the absence or presence of the mimics or inhibitors of miR-3908, after which the biological functions of MCF-7 cells were analyzed. The protein expression of AdipoR1, AMPK, and SIRT-1 were examined. The interaction between AdipoR1 and Flotillin-1, or its effects on lipid rafts on regulating cell migration of MCF-7, was also investigated. AdipoR1 is a direct target of miR-3908. miR-3908 suppresses the expression of AdipoR1 and its downstream pathway genes, including AMPK, p-AMPK, and SIRT-1. miR-3908 enhances the process of breast cancer cell clonogenicity. miR-3908 exerts its effects on the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells, which are mediated by lipid rafts regulating AdipoR1's ability to bind Flotillin-1. miR-3908 is a crucial mediator of the migration process in breast cancer cells. Lipid rafts regulate the interactions between AdipoR1 and Flotillin-1 and then the migration process associated with miR-3908 in MCF-7 cells. Our findings suggest that targeting miR-3908 and the lipid raft, may be a promising strategy for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.


Characterization of a CYP153 alkane hydroxylase gene in a Gram-positive Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b and its "team role" with alkW1 in alkane degradation.
CYP153 and AlkB-like hydroxylases were recently discovered in Gram-positive alkane-degrading bacteria. However, it is unclear whether they cooperate with each other in alkane degradation as they do in Gram-negative bacteria. In this paper, we cloned the CYP153 gene from a representative Gram-positive alkane-degrading bacterium, Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b. The CYP153 gene transcription in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b and heterologous expression in alkB gene knockout mutant strain Pseudomonas fluorescens KOB2∆1 both confirmed the functions of CYP153 on C6-C10 n-alkanes degradation, but not on longer chain-length n-alkanes. In addition, substrate-binding analysis of the purified CYP153 protein revealed different substrate affinities to C6-C16 n-alkanes, confirming n-alkanes binding to CYP153 protein. Along with AlkW1, an AlkB-like alkane hydroxylase in Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b, a teamwork pattern was found in n-alkane degradation, i.e. CYP153 was responsible for hydroxylating n-alkanes shorter than C10 while AlkW1 was responsible for those longer than C14. Further sequence analysis suggested that the high horizontal gene transfer (HGT) potential of CYP153 genes may be universal in Gram-positive alkane-degrading actinomycetes that contain both alkB and CYP153 genes.


The binding of glucosylceramidase to glucosylceramide is promoted by its activator protein.
A protein activator of glucosylceramidase (EC 220.127.116.11) has been previously identified by us in human placenta [(1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 836, 157-166]. In the present paper we report that its function in vitro is to stimulate the binding of the enzyme to its substrate, glucosylceramide. After the purification step which frees the enzyme of most of its activator protein (octyl-Sepharose 4B chromatography), the capacity of glucosylceramidase to bind to the glucosylceramide micelles is dramatically decreased. The addition of the activator protein to the purified enzyme restores this binding.


Depression, stress and vascular function from childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal investigation.
Psychological distress is associated with risk markers for cardiovascular disease, including increased arterial stiffness and high blood pressure, but it's unclear when these first manifest. This study aims to investigate the effect of psychosocial stress and depression on arterial stiffness and blood pressure in a cohort study of Australian children followed through to adolescence. Depression and psychosocial stress in 520 young people (265 boys; M age = 11.6 y) were assessed via the Children's Depression Inventory and Children's Stress Questionnaire respectively. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was assessed using applanation tonometry, with further assessments of supine brachial blood pressure and percent body fat (dual x-ray absorptiometry). All measures were repeated four years later at age 16-years. We found no cross-sectional or longitudinal evidence that children self-reporting higher levels of psychosocial stress or depressive symptoms had greater arterial stiffness. Children reporting an increase in depressive symptoms had an increase in diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure over time. An effect was also evident for pulse pressure, where higher pulse pressure was found in children with lower psychosocial stress at baseline and in children self-reporting a decrease in stress between baseline and follow-up. Findings from the current study contribute to the scant paediatric literature but only provide limited support for any influence of psychological factors on blood pressure. Depressive symptoms in apparently healthy adolescents may exert some influence on later risk for cardiovascular disease via increases in diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, but these effects were small.


A confined-etching strategy for intrinsic anisotropic surface wetting patterning.
Anisotropic functional patterned surfaces have shown significant applications in microfluidics, biomedicine and optoelectronics. However, surface patterning relies heavily on high-end apparatuses and expensive moulds/masks and photoresists. Decomposition behaviors of polymers have been widely studied in material science, but as-created chemical and physical structural changes have been rarely considered as an opportunity for wettability manipulation. Here, a facile mask-free confined-etching strategy is reported for intrinsic wettable surface patterning. With printing technology, the surface wetting state is regulated, enabling the chemical etching of setting locations and efficient fabrication of complex patterns. Notably, the created anisotropic patterns can be used for realizing water-responsive information storage and encryption as well as fabricating flexible electrodes. Featuring advantages of simple operation and economic friendliness, this patterning approach brings a bright prospect in developing functional materials with versatile applications.


Effects of copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on intestinal microflora and morphology in weaned piglets.
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-Cu) on growth performance, intestinal microflora, and morphology in weaned piglets. A number of 90 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), weaned at 21 days with body weight of 7.2 ± 0.81 kg, were randomly divided into three groups by weight and sex, each treatment including three replicates of ten pigs. The piglets were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (the control group), 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu, and 100 mg/kg chlortetracycline (the positive group). The results showed that 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu significantly increased average daily gain and feed intake and decreased feed/gain ratio and diarrhea rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the amount of Escherichia coli in duodenum, jejunal, and caecum were significantly decreased by 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu; the number of lactobacillus in jejunal and caecum were increased (P < 0.05), and the amount of bifidobacterium in duodenum and caecum were also increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the villous height of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the crypt depth was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results indicated that CNP-Cu is beneficial to growth and intestinal microflora and morphology and could be a potential substitution of chlortetracycline in diets of weaned piglets.


Purification of diverse hemoglobins by metal salt precipitation.
Although donated blood is the preferred material for transfusion, its limited availability and stringent storage requirements have motivated the development of blood substitutes. The giant extracellular hemoglobin (aka erythrocruorin) of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (LtEc) has shown promise as a blood substitute, but an efficient purification method for LtEc must be developed to meet the potential large demand for blood substitutes. In this work, an optimized purification process that uses divalent and trivalent metal salts to selectively precipitate human, earthworm, and bloodworm hemoglobin (HbA, LtEc, and GdHb, respectively) from crude solutions was developed. Although several metal ions were able to selectively precipitate LtEc, Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) provided the lowest heme oxidation and highest overall yield of LtEc. In contrast, Zn(2+) was the only metal ion that completely precipitated HbA and GdHb. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis shows that metal precipitation removes several impurities to provide highly pure hemoglobin samples. Heme oxidation levels were relatively low for Zn(2+)-purified HbA and LtEc (2.4±1.3% and 5.3±2.1%, respectively), but slightly higher for Ni(2+)-purified LtEc (8.4±1.2%). The oxygen affinity and cooperativity of the precipitated samples are also identical to samples purified with tangential flow filtration (TFF) alone, indicating the metal precipitation does not significantly affect the function of the hemoglobins. Overall, these results show that hemoglobins from several different species can be highly purified using a combination of metal (Zn(2+)) precipitation and tangential flow filtration.


Sectoral analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and its association with visual field loss in homonymous hemianopia caused by post-geniculate lesions using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
To report a sectoral analysis of circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thinning and its association with visual field loss using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with homonymous hemianopia following acquired post-geniculate visual pathway damage. Seven patients with homonymous hemianopia due to unilateral acquired post-geniculate visual pathway lesions were studied. The average duration from the onset of brain lesions to the initial visit was 49.8 months. Forty-nine normal control subjects without visual field defects, as confirmed using a Humphrey visual field analyzer, were also enrolled. Measurement of the cpRNFL thickness was performed at the initial visit and 24 months using SD-OCT (RTVue-100® OCT). The cpRNFL thickness was divided into eight sectors (superior temporal: ST, temporal upper: TU, temporal lower: TI, inferior temporal: IT, inferior nasal: IN, nasal lower: NL, nasal upper: NU, superior nasal: SN). The eye on the same side as the occipital lobe lesions was defined as the ipsilateral eye, and the eye on the opposite side was defined as the contralateral eye. The average cpRNFL thickness in the homonymous hemianopic eyes was significantly reduced as compared with that seen in the normal controls, except for the ipsilateral eyes at the initial visit. Four of the eight sectors of the cpRNFL thickness in the homonymous hemianopic eyes were significantly reduced compared with that noted in the normal controls. In the ipsilateral eyes, the cpRNFL thickness in the ST, TU, TL, and IT sectors was significantly reduced at both the initial visit and 24 months. In the contralateral eyes, the cpRNFL thickness in the TU, TL, IT, and SN sectors was significantly reduced at both the initial visit and 24 months. The reduction of the quadrantic cpRNFL thickness significantly correlated with some of the visual field parameters, in accordance with the structure-function relationship. In the contralateral eyes, the T and I quadrant cpRNFL thickness correlated with the mean deviation and hemianopic field total deviation at 24 months. In the ipsilateral eyes, the S, T, and I quadrant cpRNFL thickness correlated with mean deviation. However, there were no correlations between the cpRNFL thickness and visual field parameters at the initial visit. A reduction of the cpRNFL thickness corresponding to the hemianopic visual field loss due to acquired post-geniculate visual pathway lesions was detected using SD-OCT, and the change was more evident at 24 months than at the initial visit. The latter finding suggests that this change is, at least partially, caused by transsynaptic retrograde degeneration.


Circulation paths of 134Cs in seawater southwest of Japan in 2018 and 2019.
The spatial variations of low-level 134Cs concentrations (activities) in seawater off the Japanese Archipelago, particularly in the eastern East China Sea (ECS), in 2018 and 2019 were examined. The 134Cs concentrations, decay-corrected to the date of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, in seawaters were 0.5-2.0 mBq/L. High 134Cs concentrations (1.1-2.0 mBq/L) of the Kuroshio Current subsurface water (densities of 25-26σθ) in the eastern ECS could indicated the contribution of the subtropical mode water from the Pacific Ocean side, and total column inventories were 330-426 Bq/m2. In contrast, as indicated by the same 134Cs concentration level at the surface of the eastern ECS and Sea of Japan, larger portions of the subsurface waters remained in the ECS and Yellow Sea side in response to the existence of the shallow Tsushima Strait.


Ongoing twin pregnancy after rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection of unfertilized abnormal oocytes.
To report a case of an ongoing twin pregnancy resulting from rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after failed fertilization of morphologically abnormal oocytes. Case report. Tertiary center for assisted reproductive technology (ART). A 28-year-old woman with primary infertility due to tubal obstruction. Rescue ICSI after failed IVF insemination. Clinical pregnancy. Successful ongoing twin pregnancy. With failed fertilization of oocytes with abnormal morphology after IVF, early rescue ICSI may increase the fertilization rates and result in an ongoing pregnancy.


Inability of regenerating mouse motor axons to innervate a denervated target.
We used the triangularis sterni muscle of the adult mouse to study the influence of the connective sheaths that surround a nerve on the regeneration of its crushed axons. Our data indicate that regenerating axons: invade all the branches of a denervated pathway, independent of the presence of endplates; but are unable to escape from the perineurium even when vacant endplate sites are present in the immediate vicinity. Although regenerating axons do not share the first feature with intact sprouting axons, the second feature is common to both.


Management of adults with PTSD part II: drugs and other interventions.
Exposure to traumatic events is common, and many people experience some symptoms following such exposure. In most people, these symptoms subside within a few weeks, but for others, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops and may be long-lasting. Part I of this article (DTB 2014; 52: 33-6) discussed the recognition of PTSD and evidence for trauma-focused psychological treatment (generally considered to be first-line treatment). Here in part II of the article, we discuss other possible second-line options: pharmacological treatments and other therapies.


Iron-doped cobalt oxide nanoarray for efficient electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is an attractive alternative to NH3 production under ambient conditions. Although noble metal-based catalysts exhibit decent NO3RR performance to NH3, the high cost and insufficient supply obstruct its large-scale application. In this work, we report that Fe-doped Co3O4 nanoarray efficiently catalyzes NO3RR for NH3 production in neutral conditions. It achieves a large NH3 yield of 0.624 mg mgcat.-1h-1 and high Faradaic efficiency of 95.5% at -0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Besides, this catalyst exhibits good NO3RR stability. Density functional theory calculations reveal favorable adsorption of NO3- on Fe-doped Co3O4, which is conducive to NH3 production in the NO3RR process.


Influence of CO(2) incubation on quinolone activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Quinolone activity can be influenced by the pH change that occurs during CO(2) incubation when testing capnophilic organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. This study compares the activity of ciprofloxacin, clinafloxacin, enrofloxacin, fleroxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, and the glycopeptide vancomycin, under ambient air and supplemental CO(2) incubation conditions. Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) was used to determine the MIC values of 30 S. pneumoniae strains including S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and 6030; and 29 H. influenzae strains including H. influenzae ATCC 49247 and 49766, incubated with and without 5% CO(2.) Reference broth microdilution and agar dilution tests were performed under similar conditions. Results determined that MIC values of all quinolones agreed (> or = 95%) within +/- one log(2) dilution for the three test methods tested under identical incubation conditions. Quinolone MICs for S. pneumoniae were minimally influenced by CO(2,) while MIC values for H. influenzae ranged from 0.5 to two log(2) dilutions higher when incubated in the CO(2) environment. The differences in quinolone activity against H. influenzae may be due to a combination of pH effects and enhanced growth in the CO(2) test conditions. Quality control and interpretative criteria, especially for H. influenzae and quinolones published by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, may not be fully applicable to results obtained under CO(2) incubation. This may generate potential therapeutic interpretive dilemmas in the susceptibility testing of H. influenzae, where clinical isolates require CO(2) to sustain acceptable growth.


Improved mRNA in situ hybridization on formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue using signal amplification with different haptenized tyramides.
We report an optimized in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol with a rapid signal amplification procedure based on catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD) to increase the sensitivity of non-isotopic mRNA ISH on formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue. The CARD method is based on the deposition of haptenized tyramide molecules in the vicinity of hybridized probes catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase. Commercially available and newly synthesized haptenized tyramides, including digoxigenin-, biotin-, di- and trinitrophenyl- as well as fluorescein-tyramide, were compared. The haptenized tyramides were visualized using peroxidase conjugated anti-hapten antibodies followed by the diaminobenzidine reaction. As a test system, we applied digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides to detect insulin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide mRNA in pancreatic endocrine tumors and liver metastases. Our results indicate that specificity, sensitivity, and applicability of oligonucleotide mRNA ISH can be significantly improved by using chemically digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes and signal amplification by CARD. Furthermore, all tested tyramides provided approximately equal amplification efficiency. In conclusion, CARD signal amplification should further promote mRNA ISH studies on paraffin-embedded tissues and allow for multiple-target nucleic acid detection in situ.


Early stages of ciliogenesis in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity of rabbit embryos.
Previous studies have shown that ciliogenesis in the epithelial cells of various species exhibits similarities as well as differences. In an attempt to establish whether this process is identical in epithelial cells of a single species, early stages of centriole formation not previously described were encountered. Ciliogenesis was investigated in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity of 18 to 23-day-old rabbit embryos. The appearance of groups of deuterosomes and fibrous granules is followed by the radial formation of procentrioles around the deuterosomes and parent centrioles. The majority of the procentrioles, forming acentriolarly, occur in pairs, with their distal ends facing each other, between the deuterosomes. Subsequent growth of these procentrioles between deuterosomes in a group results in separating the deuterosomes from one another. The deuterosomes, however, still remain interconnected by means of the growing procentrioles. Accordingly, long chains and networks consisting of the above-mentioned structures are formed. After the procentrioles have attained a certain length, the chains and networks split into separate deuterosome-procentriole complexes. During these earlier stages of ciliogenesis fibrous granules are present, however, their function is yet to be determined.


Management of Intraoperative Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms: Agony and Ecstasy.
Intraoperative rupture (IOR) of an intracranial aneurysm is a serious complication, often with catastrophic consequences that are difficult to manage even by the best hands. Like most surgical complications, this one is better to avoid than to treat, but any vascular neurosurgeon should know how to deal with IOR of an aneurysm, because it is bound to occur. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence and factors associated with IOR during clipping of intracranial aneurysms, to analyze strategies for controlling hemorrhage in such cases, and to assess outcomes. Overall, 911 cases of intracranial aneurysms, which were treated surgically by the author during 26 years of his professional career, were reviewed. IOR was never noted during clipping of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (65 cases) but was encountered in 49 of 846 cases (5.8%) presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage. This complication occurred most often in cases of internal carotid artery aneurysms (22 cases; 45%), followed by anterior communicating artery aneurysms (12 cases; 24%), distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (6 cases; 12%), middle cerebral artery aneurysms (6 cases; 12%), and posterior circulation aneurysms (3 cases; 6%). IOR was mostly encountered during early surgery (within 3 days) after the ictus (26 cases; 53%) and most frequently occurred during dissection of the aneurysm (26 cases; 53%). Overall, 22 patients (45%) had good outcome, 18 (37%) had variable morbidity, and 9 (18%) died. Fatal consequences of IOR were noted only in cases of big or multilobulated internal carotid artery aneurysms. Detailed planning of the surgical procedure, application of meticulous microdissection techniques, and anticipation of possible intraoperative incidents during intervention aimed at clipping of an intracranial aneurysm can reduce the risk of IOR, as well as the associated morbidity and mortality.


It's the who not the when: An investigation of safety behavior fading in exposure to contamination.
The judicious use of safety behavior may enhance the acceptability of exposure. However, practical questions concerning safety behavior fading remain. The current study compared the efficacy and acceptability of participant- and experimenter-initiated fading of safety behavior during exposure. Undergraduate students (N=100) with subclinical contamination fear were assigned to complete an exposure session under one of three fading conditions: (1) participant-initiated (PI); (2) experimenter-initiated time (ET), in which the timing of safety behavior fading was yoked to the timing observed in PI; or (3) experimenter-initiated distress (ED), in which fading was based on subjective distress ratings. Compared to ET, PI demonstrated greater reductions in obsessive beliefs and peak fear, comparable changes in anticipatory fear and behavioral approach, and marginally higher expectancy ratings. PI and ED did not differ in outcome or acceptability. Results are discussed in terms of self-efficacy theory and the potential utility of safety behavior in exposure.