Sludge population optimisation: a new dimension for the control of biological wastewater treatment systems.
The activated sludge comprises a complex microbiological community. The structure (what types of microorganisms are present) and function (what can the organisms do and at what rates) of this community are determined by external physico-chemical features and by the influent to the sewage treatment plant. The external features we can manipulate but rarely the influent. Conventional control and operational strategies optimise activated sludge processes more as a chemical system than as a biological one. While optimising the process in a short time period, these strategies may deteriorate the long-term performance of the process due to their potentially adverse impact on the microbial properties. Through briefly reviewing the evidence available in the literature that plant design and operation affect both the structure and function of the microbial community in activated sludge, we propose to add sludge population optimisation as a new dimension to the control of biological wastewater treatment systems. We stress that optimising the microbial community structure and property should be an explicit aim for the design and operation of a treatment plant. The major limitations to sludge population optimisation revolve around inadequate microbiological data, specifically community structure, function and kinetic data. However, molecular microbiological methods that strive to provide that data are being developed rapidly. The combination of these methods with the conventional approaches for kinetic study is briefly discussed. The most pressing research questions pertaining to sludge population optimisation are outlined.


Pancreatic and renal function in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats administered combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement.
Diabetes mellitus, as a result of microvascular and macrovascular injury, causes organ dysfunction in a wide variety of tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement on renal and pancreatic integrity in type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6 per group). Type 2 diabetes was induced in three groups using high-fat diet combined with a single dose of streptozotocin (35mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Two of the diabetic groups were treated with combined IP6 and inositol or glibenclamide. Serum biochemical markers of kidney damage kidney, antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation were measured. Histomorphological and morphometric examinations of the H&E stained pancreas were also carried out. The administration of combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in 64% and 27% increase in CAT activities and GSH levels respectively and a 25% decrease in lipid peroxidation level compared to the diabetic control. Serum uric acid, creatinine and BUN levels in the combination treated group was comparable to the normal control. Examination of H&E stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase (107%) in the number of islets in the combined IP6 and inositol treated group compared to the untreated diabetic group. Overall, the treatment of type 2 diabetic rats with combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in the improvement of renal and pancreatic function.


Relevance of Objective Measures in Psychiatric Disorders-Rest-Activity Rhythm and Psychophysiological Measures.
We present a review of recent methods of objective measurement in psychiatry and psychology with a focus on home monitoring and its utility in guiding treatment. For individualized diagnostics and treatment of insomnia, actigraphy can generate clinically useful graphical presentations of sleep timing and patterns. Psychophysiological measures may complement psychometrics by tracking parallel changes in physiological responses and emotional functioning, especially during therapy for trauma symptoms and emotion regulation. It seems that rather than defining universal cut-offs, an individualised range of variability could characterize treatment response. Wearable actigraphy and psychophysiological sensors are promising devices to provide biofeedback and guide treatment. Use of feasible and reliable technology during experimental and clinical procedures may necessitate defining healthy and abnormal responses in different populations and pathological states. We present a "call for action" towards further collaborative work to enable large scale use of objective measures.


Aspects on the design of an automatic perimeter.
Since the first description (1976) of the computerized perimeter Competer, some small modifications and new routines have been introduced. An account of a new mode for presentation of the test results and a procedure for their storage is therefore provided. Some elementary technical facts are included to make the relations computer--computer language--perimeter comprehensible. The construction of efficient test logics is discussed and the meaning of "threshold level" explored.


[Cardiothyrotoxicosis in the young adult in Marrakech. A report of 36 cases].
Thyrotoxicosis is underdiagnosed because of its low occurrence in series from Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, the demographic data, and the etiological aspects of thyrotoxicosis among hyperthyroidy. Thirty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis (group I) gathered during a period of four years was analysed, as well as 180 hyperthyroidy cases (group II). Cardiothyrotoxicosis was observed with a frequency of 16.6%. The mean age was respectively of 44.5+/-13.3 versus 32.8+/-11.4 years (p<10(-6)). Cardiothyrotoxicosis was related to multinodular goitres (18 cases), a Basedow disease (14 cases), a toxic adenoma (four cases), while the principal cause of hyperthyroidy was toxic adenoma followed by the Basedow disease (72 cases, 40%). Different modes of presentation of cardiothyrotoxicosis were found: cardiac heart failure in 27 cases (75%), permanent atrial fibrillation in 22 cases (61.1%), atrial flutter in two cases, coronary insufficiency in four cases, ventricular extrasystoli (trigeminism) in two cases, second auriculoventricular block in two cases, dilated myocardiopathy in 10 cases (27.7%), ischemic myocardiopathy in four cases, severe mitral regurgitation in one case. This study confirms the relative frequency of cardiothyrotoxicosis, the proportionally weak place of Basedow disease among hyperthyroidy's causes, and role of associated cardiac disease to the hyperthyroid.


Cardiovascular risk and validation of cardiovascular risk prediction functions in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes followed for 10 years in Badajoz (SPAIN). AN observational study.
To analyse whether diabetes behaves as an equivalent of coronary risk and assess the performance of the original and REGICOR Framingham functions in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes observed for 10 years in primary care practices in Badajoz, Spain. Observational, longitudinal study. A total of 643 patients (mean age 64.0 years, 55.7% women), without evidence of cardiovascular disease were studied. We assessed the incidence of cardiovascular events and the patients' 10-year coronary risk predicted-values at the time of their recruitment. The actual incidence rate of coronary events was 14.5% (15.1% in women and 13.7% in men, p = 0.616). Patients who suffered coronary events were older (66.3 vs 63.6 years, p < 0.05), had higher total cholesterol (236.3 vs 219.5 mg/dl, p < 0.01), fasting plasma glucose levels (177.6 vs 159.8 mg/dl, p < 0.01), glycated haemoglobin (7.3 vs 6.7%, p < 0.05) and also higher prevalence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and chronic renal disease. The original Framingham equation overpredicted risk by 88%, whereas the REGICOR Framingham function underpredicted risk by 24%. Diabetes in our cohort does not behave as a coronary heart disease equivalent and both the original and REGICOR Framingham coronary risk functions have little utility in a diabetic population.


Reliability of total overnight salivary caffeine assessment (TOSCA) for liver function evaluation in compensated cirrhotic patients.
Systemic caffeine clearance is considered the gold standard for phenotyping cytochrome P450 1A2 in epidemiological studies, and has been recommended for the non-invasive assessment of liver function in chronic liver disease. Our aim was to find a valid, simple and reliable alternative to this method, and therefore focused our attention on the measurement of an unique salivary caffeine concentration, without drug exposure. Our evaluation included 36 healthy controls, 47 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis of viral origin, and 48 obese and diabetic patients with cryptogenetic (likely metabolic) cirrhosis. All shared the same caffeine consumption habits (regular daily use of caffeinated beverages, mainly coffee). The total overnight salivary caffeine assessment (TOSCA) was determined by using a single-point concentration of salivary caffeine, after an overnight period of abstinence. Daily routine caffeine intake of our population was adequate for studying the TOSCA. This single-point concentration correlated well with caffeine clearance, measured by salivary concentrations of caffeine. Mean TOSCA in cirrhotic patients was significantly higher than in controls (p<0.001; sensitivity (%) 84.2 and specificity (%) 97.2; negative likelihood ratio=0.16 and positive likelihood ratio=30.32). A cut-off set at 4.2 microg/ml (sensitivity (%) 95.8 and specificity (%) 68.1; negative likelihood ratio=0.06 and positive likelihood ratio=3.0) successfully differentiated the type of cirrhosis. Rapid (with higher metabolism of caffeine) metabolizers were more frequent in the group of patients with cirrhosis of metabolic origin (70.8%; p<0.0001), and the opposite was true for the group of patients with cirrhosis of viral origin, which comprised many poor metabolizers (85.1%; p<0.001). Serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 concentration, mirroring ongoing fibrosis, ranked high in poor metabolizers. The association between overnight assessment and homeostasis model assessment in rapid metabolizers could result from similar roles for cytochrome P450 1A2 and insulin resistance in determining metabolic liver cirrhosis. The TOSCA, although differential between the viral and metabolic etiologies, could be considered a good diagnostic use to verify the presence and eventually the type of compensated liver cirrhosis.


Novel feature of expression of the sarcotoxin IA gene in development of Sarcophaga peregrina.
The expressions of the sarcotoxin IA and IIA genes were investigated. Although both these antibacterial proteins were synthesized by the fat body and secreted into the hemolymph in the same way when the body wall of third instar larvae of Sarcophaga peregrina was injured, the expressions of their genes during development of this insect were different. The sarcotoxin IA gene was activated transiently in the embryonic and pupal stages, whereas the sarcotoxin IIA gene was totally inactive in these stages. These results suggest that sarcotoxin IA plays a role in the development as well as the defence mechanism of Sarcophaga.


[Radical prostatectomy in clinically localized prostate carcinoma. Contra laparoscopic approach].
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) offers an alternative to open prostatectomy in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. However, when considering this new approach, oncological and functional results must be comparable to those of open retropublic prostatectomy (RRP). Long-term follow-up data for LRP are still lacking. RRP shows biochemical-free survival rates of 80% after 5 and 10 years. When evaluating functional results, data for postoperative erectile function after LRP are unclear. The functional data of postoperative continence after LRP seemed to be comparable to those of RRP. Even when considering aspects of morbidity and economy, RRP remains the golden standard in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Oncological and functional results are still preliminary for LRP.


Vitamin D attenuates pro-inflammatory TNF-α cytokine expression by inhibiting NF-кB/p65 signaling in hypertrophied rat hearts.
A growing body of evidence suggests that immune activation and inflammatory mediators may play a key role in the development and progression of left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the cardioprotective effect of cholecalciferol (Vit-D3) is mediated via the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group received normal saline (0.9 % NaCl) i.p. for 14 days; Vit-D3 group received Vit-D3 at a dose of 12 μg/kg/day by gavage for 14 days; ISO group received saline for 7 days, and at day 7, ISO (5 mg/kg/day) was injected i.p. for 7 consecutive days to induce cardiac hypertrophy; and Vit-D3 + ISO group was treated with Vit-D3 for 14 days, and at day 7, ISO was administered for 7 consecutive days. Heart/body weight ratio, troponin-T, creatine kinase-MB, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels of LV tissue were estimated. Levels of mRNA expression of NF-кB (NF-кB)/p65 and inhibitory kappa B (IкB)-α were determined by real-time PCR. Vit-D3 administration before and during induction of cardiac hypertrophy significantly reduced (P < 0.001) cardiac biomarkers. The histopathological examination further confirmed these results. In addition, Vit-D3 significantly decreased (P < 0.001) NF-кB-p65 mRNA expression and increased (P < 0.01) IкB-α mRNA expression in LV tissues compared to ISO group. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the administration of cholecalciferol markedly attenuated the development of ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy likely through downregulation of TNF-α /NF-кb/p65 signaling pathways. However, it should be pointed out that other signaling pathways may contribute to the cardioprotective effect of Vit-D3 which requires further investigation.


Regulatory aspects of the in vitro development of retinal Müller glial cells.
Utilizing immunochemical and biochemical methods we have examined the maturation of retinal Müller cells in vitro both in monolayer cultures of dissociated tissue as well as rotation-mediated suspension culture of reaggregated embryonic retina cells. We have manipulated heterotypic cell-cell interactions through the use of such cell surface probes as plant lectins and monoclonal antibodies. In this report we show that the succinylated derivative of Con-A is capable of blocking neuronal-glial interactions in reaggregation cultures resulting in neuronal-glial segregation and failure of glial maturation. Furthermore, we describe a new monoclonal antibody which also inhibits glial maturation in vitro. This antibody recognizes an antigen which is present on retinoblast cells in general early in development, but becomes gradually restricted to Müller cells and to a much lesser extent photoreceptor cells during tissue maturation. The results further substantiate the regulatory influence of heterotypic cell-cell interactions in the development of retinal Müller cells and establishes probes for the analysis of the molecular basis of this phenomenon.


Parietal projection of thalamocortical fibers from the ventroanterior-ventrolateral complex of the cat thalamus.
Anterograde labelling following focal injections of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin was used to identify the parietal distribution of thalamocortical (TC) fibers from the ventroanterior-ventrolateral (VA-VL) complex of the cat thalamus. In injections in the ventrolateral or the caudal part of the VA-VL complex, labelled TC fibers were distributed in layers I, III and IV of the parietal areas 5a and/or 5b, whereas in injections located more rostrally or dorsomedially, labelled TC fibers were almost confined to layer I.


A single acute hepatotoxic dose of CCl4 causes oxidative stress in the rat brain.
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a hepatotoxic agent is widely used to study the toxic mechanisms in experimental animals. We have investigated whether oxidative stress is induced in the brain at a single hepatotoxic dosage (1 ml/kg bw) of CCl4. Increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyls (PC) content and glutathione (GSH) depletion were observed in the brain regions of rats treated with CCl4 which was higher than that of liver. A drastic reduction in the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was seen in the brain regions which was higher than that of liver. Similarly, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), NADH- and NADPH-dehydrogenase were reduced in the brain regions similar to that of liver. Higher induction of oxidative stress in the brain compared to that of liver implies vulnerability of the brain for CCl4 neurotoxicity. Our study shows that a single hepatotoxic dose of CCl4 is equally neurotoxic to rats.


Glucose deprivation elicits neurofibrillary tangle-like antigenic changes in hippocampal neurons: prevention by NGF and bFGF.
A decrement in glucose utilization in brain was previously demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and this abnormality has been proposed to play a role in the process of neuronal degeneration. We now report that glucose deprivation in cultured hippocampal neurons can result in antigenic alterations similar to those seen in AD neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and, ultimately, cell death. Hypoglycemia caused an increase in neuronal immunoreactivity toward tau and ubiquitin antibodies. The antigenic alterations resulted from hypoglycemia-induced elevations in intracellular calcium levels as measured using the calcium indicator dye fura-2. The increased intraneuronal calcium levels, increased tau and ubiquitin immunoreactivities, and neuronal damage resulted from influx through the plasma membrane since they were not observed when cells were incubated in calcium-deficient medium. Neuronal damage and NFT-like antigenic changes were completely prevented by nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), but not by epidermal growth factor (EGF). NGF and bFGF, but not EGF, prevented the aberrant rise in intracellular calcium levels that normally resulted from glucose deprivation. These data are consistent with the possibility that reduced glucose availability to neurons may contribute to the neuronal degeneration that occurs in AD. They also suggest that growth factors may normally protect neurons against hypoglycemic damage.


Reaction pathways from single-molecule trajectories.
Signal-pair histograms map transitions between different states of a single molecule and open new opportunities for the reconstruction of kinetic pathways.


Relationship between UVB and erythemally weighted radiation.
We discuss the move from reporting damaging UV radiation in terms of UVB to the now widely accepted erythemally weighted UV radiation (UV(Ery)) and the UV Index (UVI). The relationship between these quantities is given: to a good approximation, it is found that UVB(280-315 nm)= 7.55 [times] UV(Ery). In terms of the UV Index, the estimated UVB(280-315 nm) in units of W m(-2) is 18.9 times the UVI. These approximations generally hold to within approximately 10% for all solar zenith angles (sza) less than 70 degrees. For most practical purposes, this is a sufficient range, since for larger sza, the intensity of UVB is less than 10% of that for overhead sun conditions. The simple relationship above is verified using spectral measurements. However, tables are provided to enable calculation of the conversion with greater accuracy under such conditions. Similar model calculations are provided to estimate UVB(280-320 nm). Correction tables to convert erythemally weighted UV to other biological weightings are also presented.


Experiences from an allergy prevention programme in schoolchildren in a Swedish community.
To evaluate an allergy prevention programme in a community. Allergy prevention programme initiated by a special community allergy prevention committee and evaluation of this programme by means of a questionnaire to schoolchildren on repeated occasions during the period 1980 to 1998. The community of Habo in Sweden with about 9500 inhabitants. Prevalence of allergy manifestations according to the questionnaire. In contrast to what is mostly reported, the prevalence of allergic manifestations seemed to decrease in the community of Habo during the observation period. The results indicate a benefit from an intensified allergy prevention programme on the local level, but additional observations from other communities are needed in order to draw safe conclusions about the effect of allergy prevention programmes.


Characterization of the role of TMEM175 in an in vitro lysosomal H+ fluxes model.
Lysosome acidification is a dynamic equilibrium of H+ influx and efflux across the membrane, which is crucial for cell physiology. The vacuolar H+ ATPase (V-ATPase) is responsible for the H+ influx or refilling of lysosomes. TMEM175 was identified as a novel H+ permeable channel on lysosomal membranes, and it plays a critical role in lysosome acidification. However, how TMEM175 participates in lysosomal acidification remains unknown. Here, we present evidence that TMEM175 regulates lysosomal H+ influx and efflux in enlarged lysosomes isolated from COS1 treated with vacuolin-1. By utilizing the whole-endolysosome patch-clamp recording technique, a series of integrated lysosomal H+ influx and efflux signals in a ten-of-second time scale under the physiological pH gradient (luminal pH 4.60, and cytosolic pH 7.20) was recorded from this in vitro system. Lysosomal H+ fluxes constitute both the lysosomal H+ refilling and releasing, and they are asymmetrical processes with distinct featured kinetics for each of the H+ fluxes. Lysosomal H+ fluxes are entirely abolished when TMEM175 losses of function in the F39V mutant and is blocked by the antagonist (2-GBI). Meanwhile, lysosomal H+ fluxes are modulated by the pH-buffering capacity of the lumen and the lysosomal glycosylated membrane proteins, lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1). We propose that the TMEM175-mediated lysosomal H+ fluxes model would provide novel thoughts for studying the pathology of Parkinson's disease and lysosome storage disorders.


Integration of metabolomics and proteomics to highlight altered neural development related pathways in the adult offspring after maternal folic acid supplement.
Maternal folic acid (FA) supplement (FolS) programs the early development of an offspring. The onset of complex diseases at a later stage of life has been evidently linked with maternal FA ingestion. However, little is known regarding the underlying molecule fingerprints of the offspring. Here, we analyze the influence of maternal FolS on the metabolism of the adult offspring rats using the integrated metabolomics-proteomics. Twenty pregnant female rats were randomly assigned to a FA supplement (FolS group) or control group which were fed AIN93G diet with 2 or 5 mg/kg FA, respectively. The blood samples from the offspring at 0, 3 and 7 weeks after birth were collected. The brain samples were obtained from the offspring at 7 weeks after birth. Serum and brain metabolite profiles were performed by UPLC-MS/MS and the brain proteomics analysis was obtained using iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics. The metabolic change of the offspring for the maternal FA supplement is characterized by the phospholipids, fatty acid and amino acids, which are involved in linoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, glycerophosphocholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, tryptophan, glycine, arachidonic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, and so on. Using iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis, 51 differential proteins in the brain are identified, which provides valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of the offspring after the maternal FolS. These results demonstrate neural development related metabolites and proteins, such as docosahexaenoic acid, glycine, tryptophan, γ-aminobutyric acid, dopaminergic synapse related proteins including G protein, PPP1R1B and CAMK2G, are significantly altered, which suggests that the active neural conduction occurs in the offspring after maternal FA supplement. The behavioral testing demonstrates that the high level of memory is observed in rats with FA supplement. We conceive that the alterations of metabolites and protein in the offspring are associated with the maternal FA supplement and these alterations are involved in the neural development, although such animal data are limited in their ability to mimic metabolic outcomes in humans.


Relationship between lipid peroxidation and rigidity in L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine-DPPC vesicles.
DPPC incorporation into egg-PC unilamellar vesicles reduces their oxidation rate beyond that expected from the unsaturated lipid dilution. Addition of the unsaturated lipids produces changes in the physical properties of the inner parts of the lipid bilayer, as sensed by fluorescence anisotropy of DPH, and in the hydrophilic/hydrophobic region, as sensed by the generalized polarization of laurdan. DPPC (30 mol%) incorporation into egg-PC vesicles produces a decrease in alkyl chain mobility in the inner part of the bilayer, evaluated by the increase of DPH fluorescence anisotropy, and a rise of the generalized polarization value of laurdan in the bilayer interface. It also leads to a decrease in the rate of water efflux promoted by a hypertonic shock. Oxidation of PC LUVs, promoted by AAPH, as sensed by oxygen uptake and MDA formation, leads to qualitatively similar results than DPPC addition: rigidification at the inner part and the surface of the liposomes, and a lower rate of water permeation. It is suggested that these changes could contribute to the observed decrease in oxidation rate with conversion.


Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is activated by nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor in PC12 cells.
The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase) activity were assessed in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Both NGF and EGF induced a rapid activation of PtdIns 3-kinase as assessed by a dramatic rise in growth factor-induced PtdIns 3-kinase activity found in antiphosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. The intracellular levels of two of the lipid products of PtdIns 3-kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2), also rose dramatically, exhibiting time courses very similar to the appearance of PtdIns 3-kinase in immunoprecipitates. The activation of PtdIns 3-kinase is, therefore, a common event in the signal transduction processes elicited by growth factors stimulating distinct cellular end points in PC12 cells, namely the NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and EGF-stimulated mitogenesis. Thus the intracellular products of this enzyme may function in early biochemical events that are common components of the pathways controlling both differentiation and proliferation.


Retinoblastoma in children older than 5 years of age.
Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the embryonic neural retina. About 80% of cases are diagnosed before age 4, with a median age at diagnosis of 2 years. To determine characteristics and prognosis of retinoblastoma in children older than 5 years. From 1986 to 2002, medical records of 16 patients out of 453 cases referred to Hospital do Câncer AC Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil. Median age at diagnosis was 73.7 months (range 65-144) and there was an equal gender distribution. Fifteen patients presented with unilateral disease. The mean time between first symptoms and diagnosis was 9.6 months (range 0-48). Most cases were diagnosed in advanced stages and 15 eyes were enucleated. Eleven patients presented with intraocular tumor (1 Reese II and 10 Reese V) and five presented with extraocular disease (one CCG II and four CCG III). Twelve patients are still alive with a median follow-up of 92 months (range 65-199). Because of its low incidence at this age, diagnosis of retinoblastoma is usually delayed due to low level of suspicion. Therefore, it is important that physicians are aware of this disease in order to perform an earlier diagnosis, and decrease treatment-related morbidity.


Assessment of renal function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy: A Japanese prospective, observational cohort study.
To investigate the utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate for assessing kidney function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy. A total of 101 donors underwent inulin clearance measurements before and 1 year after nephrectomy. The mean of three inulin clearance values was used as the measured glomerular filtration rate. Estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine and cystatin C levels was calculated using the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula and new full age spectrum equation. Age-adjusted chronic kidney disease was defined as glomerular filtration rate <75 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged <40 years, <60 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged 40-65 years and <45 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged >65 years. The postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rate were 36.0% and 27.0%, respectively. In younger donors (aged <50 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 5.3% and 26.3%, respectively. In older donors (aged >70 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 75.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Donor age and measured glomerular filtration rate were significant predictors of postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate. The Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine and cystatin C showed the strongest correlation with measured glomerular filtration rate. However, the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine overestimated the prevalence of measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 , whereas the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C underestimated it. Aged donors might have an increased risk of lower glomerular filtration rate after donor nephrectomy; post-surgery, long-term monitoring of renal function is recommended. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate should be carried out for donors, especially pre-surgery. A more precise glomerular filtration rate equation is required in the future.


Quorum sensing-mediated dynamic regulation of 4-hydroxyisoleucine biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum.
With the development of synthetic biology, some quorum sensing (QS) systems have been studied and applied to coordinate growth and production. Recently, a novel ComQXPA-PsrfA system with different response strengths was constructed in Corynebacterium glutamicum. However, the plasmid-harbored ComQXPA-PsrfA system lacks genetic stability, which restricts the application of this QS system. In this study, the comQXPA expression cassette was integrated into the chromosome of C. glutamicum SN01, resulting in QSc chassis strain. The green fluorescence protein (GFP) was expressed by the natural and mutant PsrfA promoters (PsrfAM) with various strengths in QSc. All the expressions of gfp were activated to the related level in a cell density-dependent manner. Therefore, ComQXPA-PsrfAM circuit was applied for modulating the dynamic biosynthesis of 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL). First, the expression of ido encoding α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent isoleucine dioxygenase was dynamically regulated by PsrfAM promoters, resulting in QSc/NI. The 4-HIL titer (125.18 ± 11.26 mM) increased by 45.1% compared to static ido expression strain. Then, to coordinate the α-KG supply between TCA cycle and 4-HIL synthesis, the activity of α-KG dehydrogenase complex (ODHC) was dynamically inhibited by regulating the expression of ODHC inhibitor gene odhI under QS-responsive PsrfAM promoters. The highest 4-HIL titer of QSc-11O/20I (145.20 ± 7.80 mM) increased by 23.2% compared to QSc/20I. This study modulated two critical genes expression in both cell growth and 4-HIL de novo synthesis pathways by the stable ComQXPA-PsrfAM system, and 4-HIL was produced responsively with the cell density. This strategy enhanced the 4-HIL biosynthesis efficiently without additional genetic regulation.


Environmental influences on DNA superhelicity. The effect of ionic strength on superhelix conformation in solution.
The techniques of small-angle X-ray scattering and analysis that have been developed by the authors are used to investigate the influence of ionic strength on the superhelical conformation of native COP608 plasmid DNA in solution. For salt concentrations below 0.1 M, the superhelicity is partitioned between twisting (Tw) and writhing (Wr) in the ratio delta Tw/Wr = 2. Near the physiological salt concentration, [Na+] = 0.2 M, a co-operative transition is observed in which the pitch angle of the toroidal superhelix is drastically decreased. This results in an almost complete relaxation of writhe. At salt concentrations in excess of the threshold for this transition, the superhelical partitioning occurs in the ratio delta Tw/Wr greater than 25. Energetic considerations support the suggestion that this transition results from co-operative, superhelical B to Z transconformation reactions at susceptible sites. A method is discussed that will enable the direct measurement of this secondary structural transition by means of X-ray scattering.


Accelerated time-course of inhibition of return in Huntington's disease.
A non-predictive peripheral cueing paradigm was used to evaluate visuospatial attentional deficits in symptomatic HD patients, employing spatially valid and invalid visual cues over a range of stimulus onset asynchronies (SOA) to elicit a saccadic response. Although both patients and controls demonstrated initial facilitation for valid versus invalid cues following the shortest SOA, and a performance decrement (inhibition of return), at the longest SOA, a clear differentiation between these groups was found for the intermediate SOAs. Unlike controls, where IOR manifested between 350 and 1000 ms, IOR was evident as early as 150 ms for HD patients. Further, the benefit of valid cueing correlated significantly with the level of impairment. Although patients exhibited poor fixation, principally attributable to saccadic intrusions, they were capable of appropriately suppressing a purely stimulus-driven response to the cue. A similar proportion of erroneous saccades to the cue were generated by both groups prior to stimulus onset, also correlating significantly with level of impairment. These results are discussed with respect to neural processes implicated in spatial cueing and within the context of reduced inhibitory activity of the BG in HD.


Viral infection and PBDE exposure interact on CYP gene expression and enzyme activities in the mouse liver.
In the present study coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) adapted to Balb/c mice was used to examine whether infection affects xenobiotic-metabolising CYP1A1 and CYP2B gene expression (measured by RT-PCR) and the corresponding enzyme activities of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin-O-depentylase (PROD), as observed on day 3 of infection. To study the simultaneous effects of xenobiotic exposure, mice were administered the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) compounds BDE-99 (single congener) and Bromkal 70-5 DE (commercial mixture). Serum thyroxine levels were also measured. High numbers of CVB3 were found in the livers of infected mice but no significant effects of PBDE on virus replication were observed. In infected mice gene expression and CYP activities were decreased in comparison with non-infected mice, especially for CYP2B. PBDE exposure in the non-infected mice was characterised by an increase in both CYP2B and PROD levels/activities, whereas CYP1A levels increased and EROD activity decreased. In general, PBDE exposure in the infected mice did not increase EROD and PROD activities to the same extent as in the non-infected exposed mice. Infected mice exposed to BDE-99 showed significantly higher CYP2B and PROD levels than both the infected non-exposed and Bromkal-exposed groups. T(4) levels were greatly decreased by infection and a tendency of reduced T(4) levels after PBDE exposure could be observed in non-infected mice. In conclusion, infection reduced the detoxifying capacity of the liver and the serum T(4) levels. PBDE exposure can modify these effects. Notably, in the infected mice differences between BDE-99 and Bromkal were observed on CYP2B gene expression and PROD activity.


Effects of cicletanine on histamine-induced contractions of isolated rabbit mesenteric arteries.
The antagonism by cicletanine of contractile responses to histamine has been examined in vitro on ring preparations of rabbit mesenteric arteries. Cicletanine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) caused a parallel rightward shift of histamine concentration response curve, with a pA2 value of 7.48 (slope = 0.89 +/- 0.19, not significantly different from unity). Histamine-induced contractions were nifedipine-sensitive and associated with cicletanine-sensitive increased 45Ca uptake. Endothelium removal resulted in enhanced contractile responses to histamine, but did not significantly modify cicletanine-induced antagonism: KB (dissociation constant) values for cicletanine antagonism in the presence or absence of endothelium were: 3.7 (+/- 0.1) X 10(-8) M and 3.6 (+/- 0.3) X 10(-8) M, respectively. Cicletanine (greater than 10(-4) M) also significantly attenuated 10 mM caffeine-induced contractions in rings exposed to Ca-free 100 mM K+ depolarizing medium. The results suggest that cicletanine-induced antagonisms of histamine H1 receptor-mediated contractions of rabbit mesenteric arteries is associated with interference with calcium entry as well as at high concentrations, release from intracellular stores.


Social anxiety and coping strategies in the eating disorders.
Studies of social phobia in the eating disorders have demonstrated high comorbidity with both anorexia and bulimia nervosa. This study examined levels of social anxiety across different types of eating disorders, and determined the association of such anxiety with specific forms of emotional regulation. One hundred fourteen females who met DSM-IV criteria for an eating disorder and a comparison group of 50 nonclinical women completed three self-report questionnaires, which measured bulimic behaviours, dissociation, and social anxiety. The clinical groups reported higher levels of social anxiety than the nonclinical group. In both the nonclinical individuals and the bulimia nervosa patients, social anxiety was found to be associated with higher levels of bulimic psychopathology. By contrast, social anxiety in the restrictive anorexic group was linked to higher levels of dissociation. The present findings highlight the clinical importance of addressing social anxiety in eating-disordered individuals, and suggestions are made for the treatment of different forms of emotional regulation in such cases. Implications for future research are also discussed.


Aneuploidy in human lymphocytes: an extensive study of eight individuals of various ages.
Data on aneuploidy from a prospective study on a large number of lymphocyte metaphases (over 1000 in 72-h and 100 in 48-h cultures) per individual from eight healthy donors of various ages are reported. Chromosome losses were dependent on culture time, being significantly more frequent in 72-h than in 48-h cultures. All donors exhibited various degrees of aneuploidy which increased with age in women. This increase resulted essentially from X chromosome losses, as previously reported. Although the rate of aneuploidy limited to autosomes was similar in newborns and in adults, the distributions of the missing autosomes were different. In the two newborns studied, autosome aneuploidy was random. In the adults, a significant inverse correlation with autosome lengths was observed. The inverse correlation between chromosome lengths and losses may be explained by selective pressure against monosomic cells in the adults.


[Xenogenic transplantation of aortic segments. Korrelated serological and histological investigations of the rejection mechanism].
With CDF inbred strain rats and randomly bred guinea pigs one syngenic control group and two xenogenic experimental groups were examined. The two xenogenic groups had different transplantation sites of aortic segments, the first of which was orthotoply retroperitoneal, the second heterotoply subcutanous. The following results were obtained: 1. A xenogenic vessel graft induces a massive production of antibodies after the fifth day, reaching a maximum on the 42nd day, and slowly and continuously decreasing thereafter. The tissue of the graft becomes acellular within 12 to 24h p.op. After 5 to 6 days an infiltrate appears, firstly dominated by granulocyts and monocyts and later by lymphocyts and plasmacells. Following the continuous destruction of the elastic fibres aneurysms grow. 2. The two xenogenic groups show that these two transplantation sites have no significance for the humoral response. 3. Both the progress of the antibodytiters (strong increase after the fifth day) after transplantation of aortic segments and the acute and chronical histologic changes suggest an immunological mechanism of hyperacute rejection.


Amelioration of chilling injury and enhancement of quality maintenance in cold-stored guava fruit by melatonin treatment.
The influence of melatonin treatment on the quality and chilling injury of guavas during storage at 4 ± 1 °C were evaluated. Compared with control group, fruit of guava cv. Xiguahong exposed to various concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 μmol/L) of melatonin showed a significantly lower fruit respiration rate, weight loss, cell membrane permeability, and chilling injury index, but a higher commercially acceptable fruit rate, higher peel L*, h° value, and chlorophyll content. Melatonin treatment also delayed the decreases of fruit firmness, sucrose, total soluble sugar, vitamin C, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. These data indicate that melatonin treatment could increase chilling tolerance and retain quality of cold-stored guavas. Among various concentrations of melatonin treatment, 100 μmol/L melatonin-treated guavas showed the preferable quality properties and lowest chilling injury index. Thus, melatonin may be a novel method of postharvest handling to enhance cold resistance and extend storage-life of cold-stored guava fruit.


[Immunocytologic analysis, in rat hypothalamus, of neurons producing peptides related to endorphin, ACTH, MSH and beta-LPH. Comparison with other peptidergic and monoaminergic neurons].
In rat hypothalamus intraventricularly injected with colchicine, the same neurons of the ventral region are stained with I.S. against alpha and beta-endorphin, (1-24) and (17-39) ACTH, alpha and beta-MSH, and beta-LPH. They are distinct from those producing LH-RH, somatostatin, neurophysin, and dopamine. These results suggest that the same neurons elaborate peptides identical with or immunologically related to endorphins, ACTH, alpha-MSH and beta-LPH, probably issued from a common precursor.


Editorial: A Turning Point in Alzheimer's Research: Harmonized Research Strategies and Novel Investments in Public Health Infrastructure Are Reenergizing the Field, and Rekindling Hope for Those Affected by Alzheimer's and Related Dementias.


Factors associated with permanent hypothyroidism in infants with congenital hypothyroidism.
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common endocrine diseases in childhood. A significant proportion of CH cases are transient, but the risk factors for permanent CH (PCH) are not yet well established. The current guidelines suggest using levothyroxine until the age of 3 years, but some studies suggest the possibility of earlier discontinuation. However, few, if any, studies have followed up on the results of early discontinuation. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of transient CH among infants with CH. We also investigated the results in patients who underwent a trial of early discontinuation. We gathered data regarding infants diagnosed with CH between July 2005 and July 2015 by retrospective chart review. Those with aplastic, hypoplastic or ectopic glands on thyroid ultrasonography or scan were excluded. Among them, early discontinuation subgroup was defined as those who discontinued levothyroxine before 30 months of age. From the 80 infants (40 males, 40 females) enrolled in this study, 51 were preterm. Nine (11.3%) were diagnosed with PCH. Compared with transient cases, those with PCH were on higher levothyroxine dose at discontinuation (4.3 vs 2.9 μg/kg, P < 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of permanent cases between preterm and full-term groups. In preterm group,infants with PCH required higher levothyroxine dose at discontinuation than those with transient CH (3.8 vs 2.5 μg/kg, P = 0.018). Levothyroxine discontinuation at a dose of 2.86 μg/kg could suggest PCH (sensitivity, 88.9%; specificity, 71.0%). Among the 9 patients who underwent a trial of early discontinuation, 8 successfully discontinued levothyroxine. The majority of CH patients discontinued levothyroxine successfully, including those who underwent a trial of early discontinuation. Higher levothyroxine dose at the time of discontinuation was found to be a predictive factor for PCH.


Functional neuroimaging of inner fields-of-view with 2D-selective RF excitations.
Echo-planar imaging is widely used in functional neuroimaging but suffers from its pronounced sensitivity to field inhomogeneities that cause geometric distortions and image blurring which both limit the effective in-plane resolution achievable. In this work, it is shown how inner-field-of-view techniques based on 2D-selective RF excitations (2DRF) can be applied to reduce the field-of-view in the phase-encoding direction without aliasing and increase the in-plane resolution accordingly. Free-induction-decay (FID) EPI and echo-train-shifted (T2*-weighted) and standard (T2-weighted) spin-echo (SE) EPI with in-plane resolutions of up to 0.5×1.0mm(2) (slice thickness 5mm) were acquired at 3T. Unwanted signal contributions of 2DRF side excitations were shifted out of the object (FID-EPI) or of the refocusing plane by tilting the excitation plane (SE-EPI). Brain activation in healthy volunteers was investigated with checkerboard and finger-tapping block-design paradigms. Brain activation could be detected with all sequences and contrasts, most reliably with FID-EPI due to its higher signal amplitude and the longer 2DRF excitation that are more sensitive to magnetic field inhomogeneities. In conclusion, inner-FOV EPI based on 2DRF excitations could help to improve the spatial resolution of fMRI of focal target regions, e.g., for applications in the spinal cord.


[Comparison of Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment Between East and West Germany].
The socioecological model emphasize the relevance of political, cultural and economic socialization effects for the prevalence of childhood maltreatment, which are analyzed by comparing child maltreatment between East and West German subjects who came of age before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Using an online survey, a representative general population sample with respect to age, gender distribution and income was assessed regarding child maltreatment and current psychological distress using standardized self-report instruments. Of 507 study participants, 22,5% reported being born and socialized in East Germany. They reported significantly less emotional abuse than the 77,5% who grew up in the FRG. The East and West German subjects did not differ in any other form of abuse. Our findings underline the importance of socialization and enculturation effects on memory, which should be considered when interpreting the results.


The crucial role of wiping in decontamination of high-touch environmental surfaces: review of current status and directions for the future.
The testing and label claims of disinfectants to wipe high-touch environmental surfaces rarely reflect their field use where contact times are in seconds with only microliters of the disinfectant deposited on a unit surface area. Therefore, such products must be properly assessed with mechanical/chemical action combined. We critically review current wipe test methods and propose future approaches.


Anorexia nervosa with comorbid psychosis and borderline mental retardation: a case report.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is often associated with comorbid depression or anxiety, but rarely with mental retardation or psychosis. The present report describes the case of a 22 year-old woman who met diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, borderline mental retardation, and schizoaffective disorder. The case highlights the difficulties in differential diagnosis with these seemingly incompatible disorders. It also provides some insights into the unclear relationship between anorexia nervosa and these comorbid conditions.


Genetic variation in the tau protein phosphatase-2A pathway is not associated with Alzheimer's disease risk.
Tau abnormal hyperphosphorylation and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD brain is the result of upregulation of tau kinases and downregulation of tau phosphatases. In a group of 729 Spanish late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 670 healthy controls, we examined variations into a set of candidate genes (PPP2CA, PPP2R2A, ANP32A, LCMT1, PPME1 and PIN1) in the tau protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) pathway, to address hypotheses of genetic variation that might influence AD risk. There were no differences in the genotypic, allelic or haplotypic distributions between cases and controls in the overall analysis or after stratification by age, gender or APOE ε4 allele. Our negative findings in the Spanish population argue against the hypothesis that genetic variation in the tau protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) pathway is causally related to AD risk.


Specific Localization of an Auto-inhibition Mechanism at Presynaptic Terminals of Identified Serotonergic Neurons.
Auto-regulation mechanisms in serotonergic neurons regulate their electrical activity and secretion. Since these neurons release serotonin from different structural compartments - including presynaptic terminals, soma, axons and dendrites - through different mechanisms, autoregulation mechanisms are also likely to be different at each compartment. Here we show that a chloride-mediated auto-inhibitory mechanism is exclusively localized at presynaptic terminals, but not at extrasynaptic release sites, in serotonergic Retzius neurons of the leech. An auto-inhibition response was observed immediately after intracellular stimulation with an electrode placed in the soma, in neurons that were isolated and cultured retaining an axonal stump, where presynaptic terminals are formed near the soma, but not in somata isolated without axon, where no synaptic terminals are formed, nor in neurons in the nerve ganglion, where terminals are electrotonically distant from the soma. Furthermore, no auto-inhibition response was detected in either condition during the longer time course of somatic secretion. This shows that the auto-inhibition effects are unique to nerve terminals. We further determined that serotonin released from peri-synaptic dense-core vesicles contributes to auto-inhibition in the terminals, since blockade of L-type calcium channels, which are required to stimulate extrasynaptic but not synaptic release, decreased the amplitude of the auto-inhibition response. Our results show that the auto-regulation mechanism at presynaptic terminals is unique and different from that described in the soma of these neurons, further highlighting the differences in the mechanisms regulating serotonin release from different neuronal compartments, which expand the possibilities of a single neuron to perform multiple functions in the nervous system.


Sensing temperature.
Temperature is an omnipresent physical variable reflecting the rotational, vibrational and translational motion of matter, what Richard Feynman called the "jiggling" of atoms. Temperature varies across space and time, and this variation has dramatic effects on the physiology of living cells. It changes the rate and nature of chemical reactions, and it alters the configuration of the atoms that make up nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and other biomolecules, significantly affecting their activity. While life may have started in a "warm little pond", as Charles Darwin mused, the organisms that surround us today have only made it this far by devising sophisticated systems for sensing and responding to variations in temperature, and by using these systems in ways that allow them to persist and thrive in the face of thermal fluctuation.


The regulation of HIV-1 transcription: molecular targets for chemotherapeutic intervention.
The regulation of transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a complex event that requires the cooperative action of both viral and cellular components. In latently infected resting CD4(+) T cells HIV-1 transcription seems to be repressed by deacetylation events mediated by histone deacetylases (HDACs). Upon reactivation of HIV-1 from latency, HDACs are displaced in response to the recruitment of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) by NF-kappaB or the viral transcriptional activator Tat and result in multiple acetylation events. Following chromatin remodeling of the viral promoter region, transcription is initiated and leads to the formation of the TAR element. The complex of Tat with p-TEFb then binds the loop structures of TAR RNA thereby positioning CDK9 to phosphorylate the cellular RNA polymerase II. The Tat-TAR-dependent phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II plays an important role in transcriptional elongation as well as in other post-transcriptional events. As such, targeting of Tat protein (and/or cellular cofactors) provide an interesting perspective for therapeutic intervention in the HIV replicative cycle and may afford lifetime control of the HIV infection.


Transformation of an AFP-positive yolk sac carcinoma into an AFP-negative neoplasm. Evidence for in vivo cloning of the human parietal yolk sac carcinoma.
An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive ovarian yolk sac carcinoma of typical histologic appearance was surgically removed from a 19-year-old woman. The AFP-positive tumor recurred and was treated with x-rays and cytotoxic drugs to full remission, i.e., until no clinical or biochemical signs of tumor were evident. The second recurrence, which proved to be fatal, was noticed approximately 1 year after the initial diagnosis, but was not associated with elevated levels of serum AFP. At autopsy, the widespread tumor had the histologic appearance reminiscent of murine parietal yolk sac (PYS) carcinoma. The tumor cells did not form the characteristic histologic features of the classical human yolk sac carcinoma, did not secrete AFP, and were surrounded by extensive hyalinous extracellular matrix rich in laminin and collagen. It is thus shown that recurrent human yolk sac carcinomas could change their histologic morphology due to selective outgrowth and cloning of the parietal yolk sac component. Clinical recognition of this cloning is important because the PYS carcinoma cells do not secrete AFP, and the tumor growth cannot be biochemically monitored with this classical tumor marker.


Comparative effects of naproxen and aspirin on fever in children.
The antipyretic effect of single doses of naproxen, 2.5 mg/kg or 7.5 mg/kg, was compared to that of aspirin, 15 mg/kg, and of a placebo in a double-blind study. Febrile children, hospitalized overnight, were randomly assigned to one of the treatment or placebo groups, and their temperatures were recorded hourly. Naproxen, 7.5 mg/kg, was at least as effective as aspirin in onset of action and reduction of fever, and had a longer duration of action. Each of the three treatments had a significant effect as compared to that of the placebo. There was no difference in the total incidence of side effects among the four groups, but mild gastrointestinal complaints were more common among the patients in the high-dose naproxen group, whereas CNS complaints were more prevalent among the patients in the placebo group.


Infantile hemangioendothelioma of the thymus with massive pleural effusion and Kasabach--Merritt syndrome: histopathological, flow cytometrical analysis of the tumor.
Infantile hemangioendothelioma of the thymus is a rare disease. We describe a patient who developed a large anterior mediastinal mass, severe thrombocytopenia and massive pleural effusion at 1 month of age. Glucocorticosteroid and irradiation therapy had no effect on either the tumor size or clinical symptoms and the tumor was resected subtotally. Three months after the subtotal resection, the remaining tumor had almost disappeared and the symptoms had resolved. The patient has now been well for 1 year after surgery without evidence of recurrence. The tumor tissue was characterized by prominent vascular endothelial proliferation intermixed with a normal thymic structure, producing a picture consistent with that of an infantile hemangioendothelioma in the thymus. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed positive staining for vimentin, factor VIII and CD34. The DNA stemline and proliferative activity were examined by flow cytometry, which revealed a diploid stemline with a low growth fraction. DNA content and cell cycle analyses of the tumor tissue may be useful for predicting the biological behavior of the tumor.


[Epidemiological study of intestinal helminthiasis in the island of Tortuga (Haiti). I. Prevalence of trichocephalosis, ascaridiasis and necatoriasis studied from elimination of eggs in the stools].
An epidemiological survey is conducted by spot-checks over about 10% of the population of Tortuga Island in order to estimate the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in that region of the Republic of Haïti, by researching the presence of eggs in faeces. Population sample is representative of the whole of the island's population excepting the 0-4 years old group whose faeces are difficult to obtain. Faeces are examined through the Kato method, a very simple, quick and remarkably accurate procedure. Trichuriasis and ascariasis, which are transmitted in the area around the house, affect mainly children, but also adults. Women seem to be more often infested than men by Ascaris lumbricoides. Necatoriasis, the farmer's disease, hits primarily young men and elderly women who spend most time in the fields. It is observed in inland villages where people are engaged in agricultural production, with a higher incidence if they are located in a not so sloping zone.


Comparison of the inhibitory effects of nifedipine, nitroglycerin, and nitroprusside sodium on different types of activation in canine coronary arteries, with comparative studies in human coronary arteries.
The mechanical activity of helical strips from canine coronary arteries was recorded. Vessels from normal hearts and from hearts with a collateral circulation after experimental occlusion were investigated. Two types of activation were studied: (a) activation induced by noradrenaline, 10(-5) M, after blockade of beta-adrenoceptors with propranolol (NA activation) and (b) activation induced by application of tetraethylammonium (TEA), 10(-2) M, after blockade of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin, 2 X 10(-6) M (TEA activation). TEA activation was more sensitive to nifedipine (ED50, 2 X 10(-8) M) than to nitroglycerin (ED50, 10(-7) M) or nitroprusside sodium (ED50, 3 X 10(-7) M). NA activation, on the other hand, was more sensitive to nitroglycerin (ED50, 10(-8) M) or nitroprusside sodium (ED50, 2 X 10(-8) M) than to nifedipine (ED50, 6 X 10(-8) M). In comparative studies with human coronary arteries excised postmortem, spontaneous rhythmic activity was often observed. This phasic activity was, as in TEA activation of canine coronary arteries, more sensitive to fedipine than to nitroglycerin. The differences between human and canine coronary smooth muscle are discussed.


Canadian Headache Society Guideline: acute drug therapy for migraine headache.
The primary objective of this guideline is to assist the practitioner in choosing an appropriate acute medication for an individual with migraine, based on current evidence in the medical literature and expert consensus. It is focused on patients with episodic migraine ( headache on ≤ 14 days a month). A detailed search strategy was used to find a relevant meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomized double-blind controlled trials. Recommendations were graded with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group, using a consensus group. In addition, a general literature review and expert consensus were used for aspects of acute therapy for which randomized controlled trials were not available. Twelve acute medications received a strong recommendation for use in acute migraine therapy (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zomitriptan, ASA, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, diclofenac potassium, and acetaminophen). Four received a weak recommendation for use (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, codeine-containing combination analgesics, and tramadol- containing medications). Three of these were NOT recommended for routine use (ergotamine and codeine- and tramadol- containing medications). Strong recommendations were made to avoid use of butorphanol and butalbital- containing medications. Metoclopramide and domperidone were strongly recommended for use when necessary. Our analysis also resulted in the formulation of eight general acute migraine management strategies. These were grouped into: 1) two mild-moderate attack strategies, 2) two moderate-severe attack or NSAID failure strategies, 3) three refractory migraine strategies, and 4) a vasoconstrictor unresponsive-contraindicated strategy. Additional were developed for menstrual migraine during pregnancy, and migraine during lactation. This guideline provides evidence-based advice on acute pharmacological migraine therapy, and should be helpful to both health professionals and patients, The available medications have been organized into a series of strategies based on patient clinical features. These strategies may help practitioners make appropriate acute medication choices for patients with migraine.


Lipid in T-cell receptor transmembrane signaling.
T-cell receptor (TCR) is a key receptor in the immune system that can recognize antigen and initiate adaptive immune response. TCR activity needs to be regulated in a precise manner to trigger sufficient response to foreign pathogens but avoid unnecessary harm to the host. Despite of its importance, the molecular mechanism of TCR transmembrane signaling still remains elusive. Emerging studies show that lipid can play sophisticated roles in regulating the structure and function of TCR. This review mainly discusses how acidic phospholipids regulate TCR signaling through ionic protein-lipid interaction.


Biofilm formation by Candida albicans is inhibited by photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT), using chlorin e6: increase in both ROS production and membrane permeability.
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal producing both superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, it has been described an increase in the frequency of infections which have become refractory to standard antifungal therapy. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) is a potential antimicrobial therapy that combines visible light and a nontoxic dye, known as a photosensitizer, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can kill the treated cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PACT, using chlorin e6, as a photosensitizer on C. albicans. In this work, we studied the effect of PACT on both cell growth and biofilm formation by C. albicans. In addition, both ROS production and cell permeability were determined after PACT. PACT inhibited both growth and biofilm formation by C. albicans. We have also observed that PACT increased both ROS production (six times) and cell membrane permeability (five times) in C. albicans. PACT decreased both cell growth and biofilm development. The effect of PACT using chlorin e6 on C. albicans could be associated with an increase in ROS production, which could increase cell permeability, producing permanent damage to the cell membranes, leading to the cell death.


Synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation and QSAR studies of 11-p-substituted phenyl-12-phenyl-11a,12-dihydro-11H-indeno[2,1-c][1,5]benzothiazepines as potential antimicrobial agents.
A novel series of 11-p-substituted phenyl-12-phenyl-11a,12-dihydro-11H-indeno[2,1-c][1,5]benzothiazepines (3) has been synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and fungi (Aspergillus fumigates and Candida albicans). The antimicrobial evaluation data indicated that the compounds, 3d, 3g, 3h, 3k-3p exhibited very promising antibacterial activity and the derivatives 3k, 3l, 3o and 3p exhibited high antifungal activity. The QSAR studies carried out to find out the correlation between the antimicrobial activity and physicochemical properties of synthesized benzothiazepines (3) indicated the predominance of electronic parameters in describing their antimicrobial activity.


Mapping and expression studies of the mir17-92 cluster on pig chromosome 11.
We have identified the first porcine microRNA (miRNA) cluster (the mir17-92 cluster) and localized it to the q-arm of pig Chromosome 11. The miRNA cluster was found by sequence similarity search with human miRNA sequences against the pig genomic data generated within the Sino-Danish pig genome project. The resulting data contained three complete and two incomplete miRNA precursors of seven miRNAs from the human mir17-92 cluster. Because there is a 100% sequence identity between the four pig miRNAs and the corresponding human miRNAs, the sequences of three unavailable pig miRNAs were derived from the human data. The expression profiles of seven studied miRNAs were analyzed by hybridization to Northern blots containing five porcine tissues: cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, kidney, and liver. In order to determine the localization of the mir17-92 cluster in the pig genome, we mapped it by PCR in the porcine somatic cell hybrid (SCH) panel and in the INRA-University of Minnesota (INRA-UMN) porcine radiation hybrid (IMpRH) panel. The PCR results enabled us to localize this cluster to the q-arm of pig Chromosome 11 and map it in relation to two microsatellites. Our study presents the first expression analyses of miRNAs in pig and adds information for further functional studies in this species.


Effect of an enteral amino acid blend on muscle and gut functionality in critically ill patients: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial.
A defining feature of prolonged critical illness is muscle wasting, leading to impaired recovery. Supplementation with a tailored blend of amino acids may bolster the innate gut defence, promote intestinal mucosa repair and limit muscle loss. This was a monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that included patients with sepsis or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients received a specific combination of five amino acids or placebo mixed with enteral feeding for 21 days. Markers of renal function, gut barrier structure and functionality were collected at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 8 weeks after randomization. Muscle structure and function were assessed through MRI measurements of the anterior quadriceps volume and by twitch airway pressure. Data were compared between groups relative to the baseline. Thirty-five critically ill patients were randomized. The amino acid blend did not impair urine output, blood creatinine levels or creatinine clearance. Plasma citrulline levels increased significantly along the treatment period in the amino acid group (difference in means [95% CI] 5.86 [1.72; 10.00] nmol/mL P = 0.007). Alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were lower in the amino acid group than in the placebo group at one week (ratio of means 0.5 [0.29; 0.86] (P = 0.015) and 0.73 [0.57; 0.94] (P = 0.015), respectively). Twitch airway pressure and volume of the anterior quadriceps were greater in the amino acid group than in the placebo group 3 weeks after randomization (difference in means 10.6 [0.99; 20.20] cmH20 (P = 0.035) and 3.12 [0.5; 5.73] cm3/kg (P = 0.022), respectively). Amino acid supplementation increased plasma citrulline levels, reduced alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and improved twitch airway pressure and anterior quadriceps volume. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02968836. Registered November 21, 2016.


Immunohistochemical localization of glycated protein in diabetic rat kidney.
The localization of glycated protein in the kidney of diabetic rats was examined immunohistochemically with antiserum against glucitol-lysine. In diabetic rats the brush border and basement membrane of the proximal convoluted tubules were strongly immunoreactive with the antiserum but in control rats, only the brush border was weakly reactive. The immunoreactive tubules were more abundant in diabetic rats. No immunoreaction was found in any other structures in the kidney. Glycation of the proximal convoluted tubules may be an alteration in diabetic nephropathy.


Cognitive changes following antidepressant or antipsychotic treatment in adolescents at clinical risk for psychosis.
Improving neurocognitive abilities is a treatment priority in schizophrenia, however, pharmacological efforts to enhance deficits after illness onset have resulted in quite modest results that are of questionable clinical meaningfulness. Individuals at clinical risk for psychosis demonstrate neurocognitive impairments intermediate to the level of deficits observed in schizophrenia and normative performance, suggesting that a similar magnitude of improvement might result in more clinically meaningful change. In this study, we examined neurocognitive changes after six months of treatment in adolescents with clinical signs of risk for psychosis. Adolescents who were referred to the Recognition and Prevention program, which is focused on treatment and research for individuals at a clinical high risk for psychosis, were followed in a naturalistic treatment design. At study entry and approximately six months after starting treatment, we examined neuropsychological functioning and clinical symptoms for patients who remained off medications (OFF; N=27), started selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant medication (AD; N=15), or started a second-generation antipsychotic medication (AP; N=11) within three months of study entry. We also included a locally recruited healthy comparison group (HC; N=17). The clinical groups were not significantly different on baseline demographic, neurocognitive, or clinical symptom measures. Linear mixed models were used to examine cognitive changes, with time between assessments, depressive symptom severity, and attenuated positive symptom severity as random effects. Group by time effects were observed in sustained attention and verbal learning, with the AD group showing a more favorable response than the AP group. The AD group's improvements were not significantly different from the HC or OFF group. Early intervention for those at clinical high risk for psychosis may result in neurocognitive improvements. These improvements were observed for those prescribed antidepressant, but not antipsychotic medications even though the groups did not differ in clinical symptom severity or treatment response.


A contrast between children and adolescents with excellent and poor control: the T1D Exchange clinic registry experience.
Optimizing glycemic control in pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D) is essential to minimizing long-term risk of complications. We used the T1D Exchange database from 58 US diabetes clinics to identify differences in diabetes management characteristics among children categorized as having excellent vs. poor glycemic control. Among registry participants 6-17 yr old with diabetes duration ≥ 2 yr, those with excellent control [(A1c <7%)(53 mmol/mol) (N = 588)] were compared with those with poor control [(A1c ≥ 9% )(75 mmol/mol) (N = 2684)] using logistic regression. The excellent and poor control groups differed substantially in diabetes management (p < 0.001 for all) with more of the excellent control group using insulin pumps, performing blood glucose monitoring ≥ 5 ×/d, missing fewer boluses, bolusing before meals rather than at the time of or after a meal, using meal-specific insulin:carbohydrate ratios, checking their blood glucose prior to giving meal time insulin, giving insulin for daytime snacks, giving more bolus insulin, and using a lower mean total daily insulin dose than those in poor control. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, diabetes management characteristics were still strongly associated with good vs. poor control. Notably, frequency of severe hypoglycemia was similar between the groups while DKA was more common in the poorly controlled group. Children with excellent glycemic control tend to exhibit markedly different diabetes self-management techniques than those with poor control. This knowledge may further inform diabetes care providers and patients about specific characteristics and behaviors that can be augmented to potentially improve glycemic control.


Central hypoventilation syndrome after Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis and herpes infection.
A case of central hypoventilation syndrome was identified in a child with brainstem and cervical cord injury following Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis and extensive herpes simplex infection. This process resulted in a spastic tetraplegia, and the child continues to require respiratory support. Possible mechanisms of causation are discussed including an evolving, progressive inflammatory or vasculitic process in the setting of transient immunosuppression.


Dietary administration of silk microparticles improves the epidermal and dermal regeneration after a skin wounding in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.).
The impact of dietary supplementation with silk fibroin (SF) microparticles on the wound healing process in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) skin was studied. A control diet was enriched with different SF levels: 0 (control), 50 (SF50 diet), and 100 (SF100 diet) mg Kg-1 to form three experimental diets and was fed to seabream for 30 days. Experimental wounds were performed and after 7 days post-wounding (dpw) skin mucus immunity, macroscopic wound closure, and skin regeneration were studied at a microscopic and genetic level. Results indicated that fish fed SF100 did not suffer the decreases in protease and IgM levels observed in the skin mucus of wounded fish fed with the control diet. Macroscopic findings illustrated that dietary SF100 significantly improved the wound closure ratio compared to those reared in the control group. At a microscopic level, changes in the shape of keratocyte cells were evident in the wounded fish. In addition, the intercellular spaces present between epidermal cells and their proliferation in the epidermis, as well as the presence of blood vessels in the dermis were significantly statistically higher in the skin of fish fed the SF100 diet and sampled at 7 dpw compared to those observed in the skin of fish fed the control or SF50 diets. Moreover, regarding the RNA: DNA ratio, statistically significant increases and decreases were observed in fish fed the control and SF100 diet, respectively, in non-wounded and wounded fish. Interestingly, dietary SF100 supplementation improved skin cell proliferation, enhanced the inflammatory phase, and increased the expression of important genes involved in tissue repair and extracellular matrix formation. In conclusion, the SF100 diet can be considered as an appropriate feed additive to improve wound healing in gilthead seabream.


Prevalence and severity of asymptomatic coronary and carotid artery disease in patients with lower limbs arterial disease.
Lower limbs arterial disease (LLAD) portends high risk of cardiovascular events. Yet, the prevalence of significant occult coronary artery (CAD) and cerebrovascular (CVD) disease in patients without CAD and CVD has not been widely investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of CAD and CVD in patients with LLAD of the lower extremities. From January 2008 through December 2011 we studied 200 consecutive patients admitted for symptomatic LLAD, with normal global and regional systolic function, no symptoms of angina or dyspnea. During hospital admission all patients underwent carotid Doppler study and invasive angiography. Significant CAD was observed in 110 of 200 (55%) patients. Fifty-eight (53%) patients with significant CAD showed either left main (n = 7), 3 vessels (n = 35) or proximal left anterior descending (n = 16) CAD, corresponding to 29% of total cohort. CVD was detected in 86(43%) patients (69% with concomitant CAD), including 30(35%) with severe and 15(17%) with significant disease. In thirty-two (37%) patients with CVD either left main (n = 4), 3 vessels (n = 18) or proximal left anterior descending (n = 10) CAD was observed. The percent of patients with left main, 3 vessel or proximal left anterior descending stenosis among those with CVD was significantly higher (37%; p = 0.03) compared to those without CVD. Severe asymptomatic CAD and CVD are quite prevalent in LLAD, and 29% of patients fulfill indications for coronary revascularization. Cost-effective strategies to detect occult CAD or CVD in LLAD patients need to be investigated in large multicenter studies.


Force Sensing in Nanoscale: Integration of Virtual Spring for Sensing the Interactions of β-Amyloid Grabbed by Prefoldin.
Analysis of atomic forces in molecular scale including the reciprocal internal force directions, quantity, and Young's modulus, and more detailed analysis via diagrams, is one of the most current research topics. This research aims to analyze the bilateral forces applied between a nano-actuator and a cargo from a new perspective. While virtual springs have been used as a tool to convey forces in the previous steered molecular dynamics simulations, this study uses the spring as a sensor for measuring the internal forces. This study introduces atomic sensing via the steered molecular dynamics method. Following the previous studies, the protein employed in this study is the mutated Archetype Prefoldin being used to control the pathogenic cargo beta-amyloid (Alzheimer's). The powerful Gromacs software carries out the simulations for the calculation of the total force and force for each branch. The simulation results illustrate the total force between the cargo and nano-actuator is ~ 2.8 nN, while each branch needs a force of ~ 1.2-1.5 nN to release the cargo. The results demonstrate the validity of the method and applicability of the virtual sensor for assessing the microscopic forces. This investigation is a pioneer study for the advent of the sensor as an assessment tool for the mechanical analysis and precise atomic force studies.


Validating the VS-5 Score for Predicting Outcomes After Vestibular Schwannoma Resection in an Institutional Cohort.
The VS-5 index was recently proposed to predict complications, nonroutine discharge, length of stay (LOS), and cost after vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. The VS-5 ranges from 0-17.86, and a score ≥2 was proposed as being predictive of postoperative adverse events. We sought to determine whether the VS-5 is predictive of nonroutine discharge and length of stay in an institutional cohort. This is a retrospective study of 100 patients undergoing VS resection. For each patient, a VS-5 score was calculated. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine differences in postoperative outcomes between high- and low-risk subgroups. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve sensitivity/specificity analysis using Youden's Index was conducted to evaluate the optimal cutoff. Fifty-one (51%) patients were classified as high risk (VS-5 ≥ 2). Patients with VS-5 ≥ 2 had higher frequency of nonroutine discharge (22% vs. 4%, P = 0.0150) and no significant difference in postoperative LOS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting nonroutine discharge was 0.78 ± 0.15 (P < 0.0001). The optimal cutoff for nonroutine discharge was ≥6, higher than the published cutoff of ≥ 2. The new cutoff was predictive of nonroutine discharge (47% vs. 6%, P = 0 < 0.0001) and LOS (6 [3-11] days vs. 3 [1-28] days, P = 0.0001). The VS-5 frailty index predicted nonroutine discharge but not LOS. Youden's index indicates that a cutoff of 6, not 2, is optimal for predicting nonroutine discharge and LOS.


Cultural formulation interview: Awareness and attitudes of South African psychiatrists and psychiatry registrars.
The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) includes a set of 16 questions formulated for clinicians to obtain information about cultural influences on an individual's clinical presentation during a mental health assessment. The CFI is a newly formulated interview that has been evaluated in various localities, but not in South Africa. We assessed the awareness and attitudes of South African psychiatrists and psychiatrists in training towards the CFI and its use in their patient care. Participants were recruited via the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) database and were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Certain demographic aspects of psychiatrists and psychiatrists in training were compared with regard to their awareness of and attitudes towards the CFI. Of the 75 participants who completed the questionnaire, only 46.7% (n = 35) were aware of the CFI, and of these, only 5.3% (n = 4) used the CFI. There was generally a positive attitude towards the CFI with the majority of the participants agreeing that the CFI is easy to understand and relevant in clinical practice; however, none of the results showed statistical significance. Most participants who were aware of the CFI (89%, n = 31) were of the opinion that the CFI would prolong their patient assessment time. Most participants had a positive attitude towards the CFI. The negative response regarding the CFI prolonging patient assessment time could be a potential barrier in its clinical application. This study is an essential first step for further research into the CFI and its use in SA and contributed towards improving awareness of the CFI.


Sudden Death and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all heart failure (HF) cases. The prevalence of HFpEF is increasing due to an aging population with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. HFpEF remains a challenging clinical entity due to a lack of effective treatment options. Traditional HF medications have not been shown to reduce mortality of patients with HFpEF, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is not indicated due to normal ejection fraction. Sudden death is the most common mode of death in patients with HFpEF; however, the underlying mechanisms of sudden death are not fully elucidated. Although ventricular arrhythmias are responsible for the majority of sudden deaths in general, their contribution to sudden deaths in HFpEF patients is likely less significant. The mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in HFpEF are 1) reduced conduction velocity due to ventricular hypertrophy, 2) delayed repolarization due to potassium current down-regulation, 3) calcium leakage due to altered excitation-contraction coupling, and 4) increased ventricular fibrosis caused by systemic inflammation. Hypertension and subsequent ventricular hypertrophy reduce the conduction velocity in HFpEF hearts via heterogeneous distribution of connexin 43. Delayed repolarization caused by potassium current down-regulation in HFpEF hearts provides a window for early afterdepolarization to trigger ventricular arrhythmias. Altered excitation-contraction coupling in HFpEF can cause calcium to leak and trigger delayed afterdepolarization. Increased systemic inflammation and subsequent ventricular fibrosis provide substrates for re-entry. Further research is warranted to investigate the detailed mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in HFpEF.


Three-dimensional isotropic fast spin-echo MR lymphangiography of T1-weighted and intermediate-weighted pulse sequences in patients with lymphoedema.
To evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) lymphangiography acquired using three-dimensional (3D) isotropic T1-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) and 3D isotropic intermediate-weighted FSE sequences, as the new method of MR lymphangiography, and to compare the results of these two methods in patients with lymphoedema. Thirty-three extremities of 27 patients with primary or secondary lymphoedema and who had undergone radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy and MR lymphangiography with 3D isotropic T1-weighted FSE and 3D isotropic intermediate-weighted FSE were included in the study. The results of both imaging techniques were independently reviewed by two readers in consensus who rated the lymphatic drainage pattern, the quality of the depiction of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, and the level of lymph vessel enhancement. The assessment scores of each imaging sequence were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results were expressed as means with standard deviations. More lymphatic vessels were visualised on T1-weighted FSE than on intermediate-weighted FSE (p<0.001). As more lymphatic vessels were detected on T1-weighted FSE, the per-extremity grade of the lymphatic drainage pattern was higher (p=0.046) and the visible levels of lymph-vessel enhancement were also significantly higher (p=0.004) on the T1-weighted FSE sequence, whereas the conspicuity of lymph nodes was superior on intermediate-weighted FSE (p=0.004). MR lymphangiography using the 3D FSE pulse sequence is a feasible and noticeable new technique of MR lymphangiography. Between the two applicable protocols used, T1-weighted FSE provided better information regarding lymphatic vessels and their drainage, whereas intermediate-weighted FSE has the advantage of depicting lymph nodes in lymphoedematous extremities.


Measurement repeatability of the dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer.
To evaluate the repeatability of corneal deformation parameters measured using a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer and the impact of baseline clinical factors on the repeatability of each parameter. Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Forty-eight eyes (48 healthy subjects; mean age, 49.0 ± 19.5 years) underwent repeated examinations with the Scheimpflug analyzer to evaluate the test-retest variability. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and repeatability coefficient as indicators of variability were computed for 35 parameters measured with the Scheimpflug analyzer. The associations between the magnitude of the test-retest variability and baseline factors, such as age, axial length (AL), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT), were analyzed. The test-retest repeatability was excellent for 22 (62.9%) of 35 parameters (ICC ≥ 0.75), good for seven (20%), (ICC ≥ 0.6), fair for four (11.4%), (ICC ≥ 0.4), and poor for two (5.7%) parameters (ICC < 0.4). Age was associated positively with the magnitude of variability in 13 (37.1%) parameters; measurement variability was affected significantly by AL (5 parameters, 14.3%) and CCT (7 parameters, 20%) but, except for one parameter not by IOP. Most parameters of the dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer showed favorable measurement reliability in healthy subjects. However, six parameters showed poor-to-fair repeatability. Age, AL, and CCT significantly affected the repeatability of several parameters. These results should be considered when clinicians use this device in clinical practice.


Charge Carrier Dynamics and Broad Wavelength Tunable Amplified Spontaneous Emission in ZnxCd1-xSe Nanowires.
ZnxCd1-xSe is regarded as a promising semiconducting material for optoelectronic devices. However, the tunable amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties and corresponding charge carrier recombination dynamics in ZnxCd1-xSe (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanowires (NWs) remain poorly understood. Herein, the charge carrier dynamics and ASE properties in ZnxCd1-xSe NWs were systematically investigated. In these NWs, the one/two-photon pumped ASE wavelength across the entire visible spectrum (480-725 nm) can be easily tuned via compositional engineering. The ASE threshold is closely related to the absorption coefficient and PL lifetime. At room temperature, free-carrier recombination is dominated in the low fluence pumped PL process. The ASE behavior is determined by exciton recombination in the high pump fluence (>1018 cm-3) region. These findings uncover the origin of the tunable PL/ASE properties in ZnxCd1-xSe NWs and establish them as having practical application as a series of lasing gain materials.


Randomized trial of cesarean vs vaginal delivery for effects on the pelvic floor in squirrel monkeys.
Vaginal delivery is a risk factor in pelvic floor disorders. We previously described changes in the pelvic floor associated with pregnancy and parturition in the squirrel monkey, a species with a humanlike pattern of spontaneous age- and parity-associated pelvic organ prolapse. The potential to prevent or diminish these changes with scheduled cesarean delivery (CD) has not been evaluated. In a randomized, controlled trial, we compared female squirrel monkeys undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery with those undergoing scheduled primary CD for pelvic floor muscle volumes, muscle contrast changes, and dynamic effects on bladder neck position. Levator ani, obturator internus, and coccygeus (COC) muscle volumes and contrast uptake were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in 20 nulliparous females examined prior to pregnancy, a few days after delivery, and 3 months postpartum. The position of bladder neck relative to bony reference line also was assessed with abdominal pressure using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. Baseline measurements of 10 females randomly assigned to scheduled primary CD were not different from those of 10 females assigned to spontaneous vaginal delivery. Levator ani and obturator internus muscle volumes did not differ between groups, while volumes were reduced (P < .05) in the observation immediately after pregnancy. The COC muscles increased (P < .05) immediately after delivery for females in the spontaneous vaginal delivery group, but not for females in the scheduled CD group. Position of the bladder neck descended (P < .05) by 3 months postpartum in both groups. Scheduled CD diminishes changes in COC muscle volume and contrast reported to be associated with spontaneous vaginal delivery in squirrel monkeys. However, pelvic support of the bladder was not protected by this intervention suggesting that effects of pregnancy and delivery are not uniformly prevented by this procedure.


Comments by ABCT's first female president on overcoming the glass ceiling.
At the annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in New York City in November 2009, a most interesting panel discussion occurred: Overcoming the Glass Ceiling: A Conversation With the Trailblazers. This article is a written version of my oral presentation at this panel discussion in my role as ABCT's first female president.


Foya Hospital, Liberia; medicine in a post conflict setting.
I worked with Médecins Sans Frontières in the second half of 2006 as a medical doctor in a remote hospital in the West African nation of Liberia. I had just completed my physician specialist examinations in internal medicine but was required to draw on basic skills in many other areas including paediatrics, obstetrics and surgery. In the months prior I worked in remote Aboriginal communities in northern Australia, an experience which sadly, prepared me well for work in a third world setting.


Group mentorship programme for graduating nursing students to facilitate their transition: A pilot study.
The present study aims to describe and evaluate a group mentorship programme for graduating nursing students following the first pilot testing. A mentoring relationship has been found to be beneficial in easing the challenging transition from nursing student to nurse. However, very few mentoring programmes have been formally developed to pair students with clinical nurses before graduation. A group mentoring programme for graduating nursing students was developed where clinical nurse mentors met with student mentees twice before graduation and once shortly after graduation to address relevant challenges. Mentees and mentors completed a survey after the last session. Eighteen mentees and 12 mentors completed the survey. Results suggest a high level of satisfaction with the programme from both mentees and mentors, as well as a positive impact on mentees' transition into the workplace and levels of stress and self-confidence. The pilot testing of the group mentorship programme is believed to have been successful. This pilot project highlights the value to nursing leadership of group mentoring partnerships between academic and clinical settings, which can improve the integration of new nurses in the workplace and increase mentors' awareness of the needs of these nurses.


Surgical separation of shared liver with cotton tourniquets in conjoined twins: simple and effective hemostasis.
Surgical separation of the fused liver is extremely risky and sometimes life-threatening in conjoined twins because of the potential risks of hypovolemia and hemorrhagic shock. Three pairs of symmetrical conjoined twins sharing fused livers were successfully separated by using a simple but effective local blockade measure without disturbing the portal circulation. The volume of intraoperative blood loss was minimal, and no major complications occurred. All the separated babies survived the procedure and remained healthy, both physically and mentally, after discharge. Two babies died of pneumonia associated with their preexisting cardiac defects. Cotton tourniquets temporally and securely blocked the local blood supply to the narrow gap dissecting interface with minimal interference with the remaining segments, in addition to orienting the transection of the fused liver and minimizing blood loss from the liver dissection.


Amber codon-mediated expanded saturation mutagenesis of proteins using a cell-free translation system.
Saturation mutagenesis of proteins, in which an amino acid at a specific site is substituted with each of the other 19 amino acids, is a powerful method for protein analysis and engineering. However, 19 mutated genes have to be prepared to express all possible amino acid-substituted proteins at one site. We previously reported a four-base codon-mediated saturation mutagenesis method for the expression of all 20 amino acid-substituted proteins from one four-base codon-containing gene using 20 types of chemically aminoacylated tRNAs corresponding to the four-base codon. In this study, an improved method for saturation mutagenesis using an amber codon was developed. By combining the use of Escherichia coli-derived amber suppressor tRNAs and chemically aminoacylated Mycoplasma-derived tRNAs, all 20 mutated proteins were successfully expressed from one amber mutant gene in a cell-free translation system. The use of E. coli-derived amber suppressor tRNAs simplified the preparation of the tRNA reagents required for saturation mutagenesis, and also improved the expression of some of the mutated proteins. The expressed mutant proteins were used to evaluate the effect of the amino acid substitutions on the ligand-binding activity. To further expand the possibilities of saturation mutagenesis, a series of nonnatural amino acids analogous to a naturally occurring amino acid was added to the amino acid repertoire. The expanded saturation mutagenesis was utilized to evaluate the effect of a series of atomic-level side chain substitutions on the protein activity.


Impact of vaccine cost and information about complications of varicella on parental decision regarding varicella vaccine.
The influence of providing information about complications of disease and vaccine cost on parental decision to vaccinate against varicella was assessed. During telephone interviews of 330 parents of infants aged 9 months, parents were asked if they would agree to have their child vaccinated and were presented information first about varicella complications and then about cost of the vaccine. When complications were explained but information about cost was not, 94% of parents were favourable toward having their child vaccinated. When complications were not explained but cost was presented, this percentage was only 34%. When both cost and complications were presented, 60% of parents were favourable toward the vaccine. In improving receptivity towards varicella vaccine, parents should always be presented data regarding varicella complications by their health care provider.