Use of ancient copper slags in Portland cement and alkali activated cement matrices.
Some Chilean copper slag dumps from the nineteenth century still remain, without a proposed use that encourages recycling and reduces environmental impact. In this paper, the copper slag abandoned in landfills is proposed as a new building material. The slags studied were taken from Playa Negra and Púquios dumps, both located in the region of Atacama in northern Chile. Pozzolanic activity in lime and Portland cement systems, as well as the alkali activation in pastes with copper slag cured at different temperatures, was studied. The reactivity of the slag was measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical conductivity and pH in aqueous suspension and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, copper slag-Portland cement mortars with the substitution of 25% (by weight) of cement by copper slag and alkali-activated slag mortars cured at 20 and 65 °C were made, to determine the compressive strength. The results indicate that the ancient copper slags studied have interesting binding properties for the construction sector.


Decreased neuroendocrine responses to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) but normal responses to ipsapirone in marathon runners.
Several clinical studies suggest antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of regular aerobic exercise. To study the effects of exercise on central serotonergic receptor sensitivity, we performed neuroendocrine challenges using oral doses of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP, 0.4 mg/kg), ipsapirone (0.3 mg/kg) and placebo in 12 marathon runners and 12 healthy controls not practicing regular exercise. After administration of the nonselective serotonergic agonist m-CPP, which exerts a number of well-reproducible effects mainly by means of its action on 5-HT2C receptors, marathon runners showed a significantly reduced cortisol response in comparison to the control group. There was also a statistical trend toward a blunted prolactin response after m-CPP in the athlete group. In contrast, the increase of cortisol and the hypothermia observed after administration of the 5-HT1A agonist ipsapirone were of the same magnitude in both groups. The behavioral response to m-CPP or ipsapirone and the mean maximal increases of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline did not differ between the marathon and the control group. In conclusion, exercise-induced downregulation of 5-HT2C receptors could play an important role in mediating the anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of exercise.


Determination of molecular orientation of uniaxially stretched polyamide fibers by polarized infrared spectroscopy: comparison of X-ray diffraction and birefringence methods.
Polarized infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used to determine the crystalline and amorphous orientation of polyamide fibers. The transition moment angle of the band at 936 cm-1 of PA66 was determined to be 48 degrees using IR spectroscopy and birefringence measurement. The crystalline orientation of PA66 fibers was estimated from the band at 936 cm-1 while the amorphous orientation of PA66 fibers was obtained by an indirect method. The alpha crystalline orientation of PA6 has been obtained using the band at 930 cm-1 and the amorphous orientation of PA6 has been determined using the band at 1124 cm-1. Crystalline orientation increased rapidly at low draw ratios (DR<3) and increased slowly at higher draw ratios (DR>3) for both PA66 and PA6 fibers, while the amorphous orientation increased slowly throughout the whole extension range for PA66 fibers. A good correlation was found between the crystalline orientation values obtained by infrared spectroscopy and other methods such as X-ray diffraction for PA66 and PA6 fibers. On the basis of this observation, it has been concluded that polarized infrared spectroscopy can be used reliably to measure the orientation of polyamide fibers without combining with other techniques.


Cloning of the mouse Sef gene and comparative analysis of its expression with Fgf8 and Spry2 during embryogenesis.
We report the cloning and expression analysis of a mouse gene encoding a novel transmembrane protein. Expression of Sef is similar to that of Fgf8 and Spry2 during early embryogenesis, being prominent in the forebrain, mid-hindbrain boundary, branchial arches, somites, limb bud and tailbud of mouse embryos. These expression profiles indicate that Fgf8, Spry2 and Sef belong to a synexpression group and suggest that these genes may functionally interact during embryonic development. From E12.5 onwards, partially distinct patterns of expression of these genes are observed in the neuroepithelium, sense organs and endodermal-derived organs, that are known sites of expression of other Fgfs.


Drinking patterns of alcoholics differing in levels of perceived and experienced control.
In men alcoholics, control orientation appears to be related to perceived benefits of drinking, while the level of control experienced in social situations appears to be related to the consequences of drinking.


Phylogenetic analysis of alkaline proteinase producing fluorescent pseudomonads associated with green gram (Vigna radiata L.) rhizosphere.
Fifty fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from rhizospheric soil of green gram from nearby area of Kaziranga, Assam, India and assayed for their extracellular proteinase production. Out of these isolates, 20 were found to be prominent in proteinase production. Genetic diversity of the 20 isolates were analyzed through BOX-PCR fingerprinting and 16S rDNA-RFLP along with three reference strains, viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens (NCIM2099(T)), Pseudomonas aureofaciens (NCIM2026(T)), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC2582(T)). BOX-PCR produced two distinct clusters at 56% similarity coefficient and seven distinct BOX profiles. 16S rDNA-RFLP with three tetra-cutters restriction enzymes (HaeIII, AluI, and MspI) revealed two major clusters A and B; cluster A contained only single isolate FPS9 while the rest of 22 isolates belonged to the cluster B. Based on phenotypic characters and 16S rDNA sequence similarity, all the eight highly proteinase-producing strains were affiliated with P. aeruginosa. The proteinase was extracted from two most prominent strains (KFP1 and KFP2), purified by a three-step process involving (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme had an optimal pH of 8.0 and exhibit highest activity at 60°C and 37°C by KFP1 and KFP2 respectively. The specific activities were recorded as 75,050 (for KFP1) and 81,320 U/mg (for KFP2). The purified enzyme was migrated as a single band on native and SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 32 kDa. Zn(2+), Cu(2+), and Ni(2+) ion inhibited the enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was also inhibited by EDTA established as their metallo-proteinase nature.


Lithium-induced nephrotic syndrome in a young pediatric patient.
Lithium-induced nephrotic syndrome is a rare complication of lithium therapy and is even rarer in children. Most reported cases have been secondary to minimal change disease, which reverses within 1-4 weeks on discontinuation of lithium therapy. However, focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has occasionally been reported and is not always reversible with discontinuation of lithium. We report an 11-year-old child with lithium-induced FSGS nephrotic syndrome who went into full remission after lithium was discontinued.


7q-and loss of a polymorphism for the met oncogene in a patient with myelofibrosis.
The met oncogene is the normal counterpart of a chemically-induced transforming gene. The chromosomal localization of met is 7q21-31. In a patient with myelofibrosis and an interstitial deletion on 7q, we demonstrate that a Taq I polymorphism for the met oncogene is lost in the neoplastic cells, thus indicating that the deletion occuring in the long arm of chromosome 7 involves the met locus.


Mediterranean spotted fever as a non-endemic disease in the southeast of Iran: Diagnosis and treatment based on specific skin lesion.
Rickettsia spp. should be investigated if Tache Noire, as a dark plaque covering a superficial ulcer surrounded by scale, edema, and erythema, are observed, even in non-endemic areas of Rickettsia spp. A 31-year-old man with fever, dyspnea, abdominal pain, and jaundice has been admitted to the hospital in the southeast of Iran. Due to the presence of a pathognomonic skin lesion (Tache noire), the patient was diagnosed with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) and was treated with doxycycline, without waiting for PCR and IFA findings.


Some observations on the phosphatase cytochemistry of the submandibular gland of cat.
The localization of reaction product arising from incubation with thiamine pyrophosphate at pH 7.2 and beta-glycerophosphate or nitrophenylphosphate at pH 5 has been examined in central and demilunar acinar cells, myoepithelial cells, and cells of the striated ducts. Thiamine pyrophosphate reaction product was seen in the inner saccules of the Golgi apparatuses of the different types of cell. beta-Glycerophosphate and nitrophenylphosphate reaction products were seen in lysosomes, and in GERL-like structures in all except the cells of the striated ducts, in which the reaction products were observed in the Golgi apparatus. In central cells, the latter two reactions products were also seen in secretory granules and the cytosol.


A comparative study: conventional preparation and ThinPrep 2000 in respiratory cytology.
In order to compare and contrast conventional preparation (CP) with ThinPrep 2000 (TP) in respiratory cytology, 207 samples were divided equally and processed by the two different preparation methods, generating three CP and one TP slide per sample. No lesion identified by CP was missed by TP and there were no significant differences between TP and CP in the diagnostic categories. However, two cases of squamous cell carcinoma were detected on TP which had been classified as unsatisfactory and moderate squamous dyskaryosis, respectively, on CP. ThinPrep was found to be superior to CP in many respects as it provided standardized preparations in a greater proportion of cases and problems such as cell overlapping and background debris were markedly reduced. In several instances the diagnostic accuracy in CP was compromised by smears that were either too thick, too thin, or too scanty. Cell preservation was also better on TP when compared with CP, facilitating more accurate diagnosis and significantly reducing the primary screening and reporting time, especially of sputum samples. A major advantage of TP methodology is the fact that it facilitates optimal use of skilled cytotechnologists and streamlines the workflow in the laboratory.


Extrinsic obstruction of the Medtronic-Hall disk valve in the mitral position.
Three cases of acute extrinsic obstruction of the Medtronic-Hall prosthesis in the mitral position are described. In 2 cases papillary muscle and in 1 case suture overhang caused sticking of the tilting disk against the valve rim. The mechanisms of extrinsic obstruction of the tilting disk valve, its recognition, and its prevention are discussed with a review of the literature.


Determinants of healthy eating in children and youth.
This review outlines the state of knowledge and research gaps in the area of determinants of healthy eating among children and youth. The article is structured around individual and collective determinants that affect healthy eating in children and youth. We defined healthy eating as "eating practices and behaviours that are consistent with improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health." Relevant databases were searched for papers published between January 1992 and March 2003 that focussed on children or youth and reported at least one factor relevant to healthy eating. Among collective factors, familial factors and the nature of foods available in the physical environment, including at home, schools and in fast-food establishments, stand out as significant influences on healthy eating in children and youth. The media, particularly television, also have an enormous potential influence and can overshadow familial influences. Individual factors identified include knowledge, attitudes and food preferences; only the latter have been identified as a strong determinant of healthy eating in both children and adolescents. The results of the review identified a significant body of literature in the area of determinants of healthy eating in children and youth; however, very little of this research has taken place in Canada. Only a few determinants, such as economic factors and food security, the content of media nutritional messages, and the issue of flavours, neophobia and food preferences, have undergone some examination by Canadian researchers. Research priorities for Canada in the area of determinants of healthy eating and surveillance of eating behaviours are identified.


Evaluation of risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection and disease occurring within 1 year of liver transplantation in high-risk patients.
Recent studies have demonstrated that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease are associated with increased risk of graft loss and death in high-risk (donor CMV seropositive/recipient CMV seronegative) liver transplant recipients (LTR) despite effective antiviral chemoprophylaxis. Predictors of CMV infection and disease in this important population are incompletely defined. A retrospective cohort study of 227 high-risk first LTR who received primary anti-CMV chemoprophylaxis during the first 100 days after transplant was performed. A large number of patient, donor, operative, and post-transplant potential risk factors were collected. Associations of potential risk factors for CMV infection or disease that occurred during the first year after transplant were assessed using Cox regression models. After Bonferroni adjustment for multiple testing, P-values ≤0.00125 (associations with CMV infection) and ≤0.00122 (associations with CMV disease) were considered as statistically significant. CMV infection and disease occurred in 91 (40%) and 43 (19%) of LTR, respectively. In multivariable analysis, increased risk of CMV infection was observed for patients with lower model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (P = 0.025), lower total bilirubin (P = 0.014), and longer operative time (P = 0.038), whereas increased risk of CMV disease was seen in patients with lower MELD score (P = 0.026), lower total bilirubin (P = 0.044), and lower international normalized ratio (P = 0.043). However, after adjustment for multiple testing, none of these findings approached statistical significance. Our results suggest that interventions designed to prevent CMV infection and disease should be applied to all high-risk LTR until more definitive predictors of these complications are identified.


CRISPR-mediated genome editing in poplar issued by efficient transformation.
CRISPR has been increasingly used for plant genetic improvements because of its high efficiency and precision. Recently, the authors have reported the possibility of homology-directed repair (HDR) using CRISPR/Cas9 through woody plants such as poplar. HDR often replaces nucleotides with one donor DNA template (DDT), including homologous sequences. CRISPR-Cas9 was recruited, and three variables, Agrobacteria inoculator concentration, pDDT/pgRNA ratio, and homologous arm length, were designed to integrate nptII and 2XCamV 35S into the MKK2 promoter zone. Here, we showed that recovered poplars on kanamycin-supplemented media exhibited enhanced expression of MKK2 affected by the precise integration of 2XcamV 35S and nptII, improving biochemical and phenotypic properties. Our findings confirmed that Agrobacterium inoculator OD600 = 2.5, increased DDT numbers during cell division to 4:1 pDDT/pgRNA, and optimized homologous arms 700 bp caused efficient HDR and increased MKK2 expression. Efficient transformations resulted from optimized variables, directly affecting the HDR efficiency through woody plants such as poplar.


Two novel homozygous SACS mutations in unrelated patients including the first reported case of paternal UPD as an etiologic cause of ARSACS.
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay, more commonly known as ARSACS, is an early-onset cerebellar ataxia with spasticity, amyotrophy, nystagmus, dysarthria, and peripheral neuropathy. SACS is the only gene known to be associated with the ARSACS phenotype. To date, 55 mutations have been reported; of these, only five in Italian patients. We found two novel homozygous nonsense mutations in the giant exon of SACS gene in two unrelated patients with classical ARSACS phenotype. Characterization of the homozygous nature of the mutations through genotyping of the parents, quantitative DNA analysis and indirect STS studies permitted us to confirm in one of the cases that uniparental isodisomy of the paternal chromosome 13 carrying the mutated SACS gene played an etiologic role in the disease.


Evaluation of the Melbourne Rapid Fields Test Procedure.
Both the Melbourne Rapid Fields (MRF) tablet and home versions are easy-to-use, portable, and low-cost and accurate methods of evaluating visual fields. This study aimed to investigate the clinical capabilities of the MRF perimetry test by comparing it with the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA), determine MRF consistency, assess the influence of refractive error, ascertain ambient illumination effects, and evaluate the consistency between the tablet and Internet Web site versions of the MRF. Forty healthy young participants with normal visual function (33 female, 7 male; average age, 24 years) underwent two MRF office-based tablet, two HFA tests, and two MRF Web site-based tests, one in our laboratory and one at home on their own computer using the 24-2 test pattern each time. An additional six healthy participants with normal visual function performed the 24-2 test with varying amounts of blur. The average individual sensitivity values of MRF and HFA were within 4.02 dB (right eye) and 4.15 dB (left eye). The dynamic range of the MRF was smaller (30 dB) than that of the HFA. When sensitivity values greater than 30 dB were excluded, the sensitivity differences were within 2.2 dB (right eye) and 2.46 dB (left eye) of each other. Only a small number of cases produced reliability values (false positives, false negatives, fixation losses) that were outside of normal limits. There was a high correlation between test results obtained with the tablet version of the MRF test when compared with the Internet-based Web site version. Quantitative visual field testing and perimetric screening procedures can be performed effectively and can provide results that are comparable with bowl perimeter test results.


Radiation leukaemogenesis: is virus really necessary?
Generalized lymphosarcomatosis (leukaemia) of non-thymic type occurs in mice bearing 90Sr or 239Pu or 226Ra. Tumours passaged from such mice have been tested for tumour-associated transplantation antigens that could provoke a protective immunity which would be expected if such antigens were determined by virus activated by the irradiation. Sub-threshold doses of living syngeneic tumour, large doses of living allogeneic tumour and large doses of killed syngeneic tumour were without protective effect. This suggests that viruses observed electron micrographically in such tumours are passengers and not causative.


Glycolaldehyde induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in Schwann cells.
Schwann cell injury is caused by diabetic neuropathy. The apoptosis of Schwann cells plays a pivotal role in diabetic nerve dysfunction. Glycolaldehyde is a precursor of advanced glycation end products that contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. In this study, we examined whether glycolaldehyde induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in rat Schwann cells. Schwann cells treated with 500 μM glycolaldehyde showed morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis. Glycolaldehyde activated apoptotic signals, such as caspase-3 and caspase-8. Furthermore, it induced ER stress response involving RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring ER-to-nucleus signal kinase 1α (IRE1α), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). In addition, glycolaldehyde activated CCAAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein (CHOP), an ER stress response factor crucial to executing apoptosis. Knockdown of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is involved in the promotion of cell survival following ER stress, enhanced glycolaldehyde-induced cytotoxicity, indicating that Nrf2 plays a protective role in the cytotoxicity caused by glycolaldehyde. Taken together, these findings indicate that glycolaldehyde is capable of inducing apoptosis and ER stress in Schwann cells. The ER stress induced by glycolaldehyde may trigger the glycolaldehyde-induced apoptosis in Schwann cells. This study demonstrated for the first time that glycolaldehyde induced ER stress.


Segmentation of uterine fibroid ultrasound images using a dynamic statistical shape model in HIFU therapy.
Segmenting the lesion areas from ultrasound (US) images is an important step in the intra-operative planning of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). However, accurate segmentation remains a challenge due to intensity inhomogeneity, blurry boundaries in HIFU US images and the deformation of uterine fibroids caused by patient's breathing or external force. This paper presents a novel dynamic statistical shape model (SSM)-based segmentation method to accurately and efficiently segment the target region in HIFU US images of uterine fibroids. For accurately learning the prior shape information of lesion boundary fluctuations in the training set, the dynamic properties of stochastic differential equation and Fokker-Planck equation are incorporated into SSM (referred to as SF-SSM). Then, a new observation model of lesion areas (named to RPFM) in HIFU US images is developed to describe the features of the lesion areas and provide a likelihood probability to the prior shape given by SF-SSM. SF-SSM and RPFM are integrated into active contour model to improve the accuracy and robustness of segmentation in HIFU US images. We compare the proposed method with four well-known US segmentation methods to demonstrate its superiority. The experimental results in clinical HIFU US images validate the high accuracy and robustness of our approach, even when the quality of the images is unsatisfactory, indicating its potential for practical application in HIFU therapy.


Metabolism of pyrimidine bases and nucleosides by pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases in cultured human lymphoid cells.
The anabolism of pyrimidine ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides from uracil and thymine was investigated in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and in a Burkitt's lymphoma-derived cell line (Raji). We studied the ability of these cells to synthesize pyrimidine nucleosides by ribo- and deoxyribosyl transfer between pyrimidine bases or nucleosides and the purine nucleosides inosine and deoxyinosine as donors of ribose 1-phosphate and deoxyribose 1-phosphate, respectively: these reactions involve the activities of purine-nucleoside phosphorylase, and of the two pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases (uridine phosphorylase and thymidine phosphorylase). The ability of the cells to synthesize uridine was estimated from their ability to grow on uridine precursors in the presence of an inhibitor of pyrimidine de novo synthesis (pyrazofurin). Their ability to synthesize thymidine and deoxyuridine was estimated from the inhibition of the incorporation of radiolabelled thymidine in cells cultured in the presence of unlabelled precursors. In addition to these studies on intact cells, we determined the activities of purine- and pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases in cell extracts. Our results show that Raji cells efficiently metabolize preformed uridine, deoxyuridine and thymidine, are unable to salvage pyrimidine bases, and possess a low uridine phosphorylase activity and markedly decreased (about 1% of peripheral blood lymphocytes) thymidine phosphorylase activity. Lymphocytes have higher pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases activities, they can synthesize deoxyuridine and thymidine from bases, but at high an non-physiological concentrations of precursors. Neither type of cell is able to salvage uracil into uridine. These results suggest that pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases have a catabolic, rather than an anabolic, role in human lymphoid cells. The facts that, compared to peripheral blood lymphocytes, lymphoblasts possess decreased pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylases activities, and, on the other hand, more efficiently salvage pyrimidine nucleosides, are consistent with a greater need of these rapidly proliferating cells for pyrimidine nucleotides.


Discovering reliable protein interactions from high-throughput experimental data using network topology.
Current protein-protein interaction (PPI) detection via high-throughput experimental methods, such as yeast-two-hybrid has been reported to be highly erroneous, leading to potentially costly spurious discoveries. This work introduces a novel measure called IRAP, i.e. "interaction reliability by alternative path", for assessing the reliability of protein interactions based on the underlying topology of the PPI network. A candidate PPI is considered to be reliable if it is involved in a closed loop in which the alternative path of interactions between the two interacting proteins is strong. We devise an algorithm called AlternativePathFinder to compute the IRAP value for each interaction in a complex PPI network. Validation of the IRAP as a measure for assessing the reliability of PPIs is performed with extensive experiments on yeast PPI data. All the data used in our experiments can be downloaded from our supplementary data web site at . Results show consistently that IRAP measure is an effective way for discovering reliable PPIs in large datasets of error-prone experimentally-derived PPIs. Results also indicate that IRAP is better than IG2, and markedly better than the more simplistic IG1 measure. Experimental results demonstrate that a global, system-wide approach-such as IRAP that considers the entire interaction network instead of merely local neighbors-is a much more promising approach for assessing the reliability of PPIs.


A Novel Biocontainment Strategy Makes Bacterial Growth and Survival Dependent on Phosphite.
There is a growing demand to develop biocontainment strategies that prevent unintended proliferation of genetically modified organisms in the open environment. We found that the hypophosphite (H3PO2, HPt) transporter HtxBCDE from Pseudomonas stutzeri WM88 was also capable of transporting phosphite (H3PO3, Pt) but not phosphate (H3PO4, Pi), suggesting the potential for engineering a Pt/HPt-dependent bacterial strain as a biocontainment strategy. We disrupted all Pi and organic Pi transporters in an Escherichia coli strain expressing HtxABCDE and a Pt dehydrogenase, leaving Pt/HPt uptake and oxidation as the only means to obtain Pi. Challenge on non-permissive growth medium revealed that no escape mutants appeared for at least 21 days with a detection limit of 1.94 × 10-13 per colony forming unit. This represents, to the best of our knowledge, the lowest escape frequency among reported strategies. Since Pt/HPt are ecologically rare and not available in amounts sufficient for the growth of the Pt/HPt-dependent bacteria, this strategy offers a reliable and practical method for biocontainment.


Executive processes in Parkinson's disease--random number generation and response suppression.
In producing random numbers, subjects typically deviate systematically from statistical randomness. It is considered that these biases reflect constraints imposed by underlying structures and processes, rather than a deficient concept of randomness. Random number generation (RNG) places considerable demands on executive processes, and provides a possibly useful tool for their investigation. A group of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and a group of controls were tested on a RNG task, both alone and with a concurrent attention-demanding task (manual tracking). Both groups showed the biases in RNG described previously, including a strong counting tendency and repetition avoidance. Overall RNG performance did not differ between the groups, although differences were found in the counting biases in the patient and control groups, with the controls showing a bias towards counting in twos, and the patients a bias towards counting in ones. The secondary task reversed the bias shown by controls and exacerbated the bias in the patients. A network modulation model may help explain many of the features of RNG. We suggest that naturally biased output from an associative network must be actively suppressed by an attention-demanding, limited-capacity process. This suppression may be disrupted by the pathophysiology of PD and by concurrent tasks. Convergent evidence from various sources is discussed which supports a role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in this process.


Experimental intravitreal application of ciprofloxacin in rabbits.
Ciprofloxacin (CFLX) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with a broad antimicrobial spectrum. This study was performed to examine the retinal toxicity of free and liposome-incorporated CFLX in rabbit eyes after intravitreal injection. Free CFLX in doses of 100, 250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 microg was injected into the midvitreous of rabbit eyes (n = 28). To prolong the intravitreal antibacterial level, CFLX was incorporated into multilamellar liposomes: 0.1 ml of this suspension ( wedge 273.6 microg CFLX) was injected into the midvitreous of a second group of rabbit eyes (n = 6). The other eye served as a control and received normal saline solution or empty liposomes, respectively. Before injection and at the end of follow-up an electroretinogram (ERG) was obtained. After a follow-up of 1, 14 and 28 days the animals were perfused with glutaraldehyde and the eyes were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Significant reduction of the ERG was observed after 2,000 microg free CFLX in 4 out of 6 eyes after 14 days. Fourteen days after injection of 2,000 microg CFLX the central retina showed pigmentary changes in 4 out of 6 eyes. In the second group the ERG as well as the histologic studies did not reveal any pathologic changes after injection of liposome-incorporated CFLX compared to the control eyes. In therapeutic doses of 100-500 microg, free CFLX does not have retinal toxicity in rabbit eyes. No retinal toxicity was observed after intravitreal injection of liposome-incorporated CFLX.


Robust semi-automated quantification of cardiac MR perfusion using level set: Application to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patient data.
Recently there have been several clinical MR perfusion studies in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who may suffer from myocardial ischemia due to coronary microvascular dysfunction. In these studies, data analysis relied on a manual procedure of tracing epicardial and endocardial borders. The goal of this work is to develop and validate a robust semi-automated analysis method for myocardial perfusion quantification in clinical HCM data. Dynamic multi-slice stress perfusion MRI data were acquired from 18 HCM patients. The proposed semi-automated method required user input of two landmark selections: LV center point and RV insertion point. Automated segmentations of the endocardial and epicardial borders were performed in three short-axis slices using distance regularized level set evolution on RV, LV, and myocardial enhancement frames. The proposed automated epicardial border detection method resulted in average radial distance errors of 7.5%, 9.5%, and 11.6% in basal, mid, and apical slices, respectively, when compared to manual tracing of the borders as a reference. In linear regression analysis, the highest correlation of myocardial upslope measurements was observed between the manual method and the proposed method in the anterolateral section (r=0.964), and the lowest correlation was observed in the inferoseptal section (r=0.866). The proposed semi-automated method for myocardial MR perfusion quantification is feasible in HCM patients who typically show (1) irregular myocardial shape and (2) low image contrast between the myocardium and its surrounding regions due to coronary microvascular disease.


[Effect of agents that act in the area of cholinergic synapses on the glycolysis process in an ischemic extremity].
Glycolysis intensity in an intact and ischemized muscle of a limb was decreased by prozerin and carbacholine in experiments on 230 noninbred rats with 2 models of acute ischemia. A less pronounced decrease was caused by benzohexonium, cholinesterase and dipyroxim. Meanwhile atropine blocked the glycolysis.


Mapping the region of the alpha-type phospholipase A2 inhibitor responsible for its inhibitory activity.
alpha-Type phospholipase A(2) inhibitory protein (PLIalpha) from the serum of the venomous snake Gloydius brevicaudus, GbPLIalpha,isone of the protective endogenous proteins that neutralizes its own venom phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), and it is a homotrimer of subunits having a C-type lectin-like domain. The nonvenomous snake Elaphe quadrivirgata has a homologous serum protein, EqPLIalpha-LP, that does not show any inhibitory activity against various snake venom PLA(2)s (Okumura, K., Inoue, S., Ikeda, K., and Hayashi, K. (2003) IUBMB Life 55, 539-545). By constructing GbPLIalpha-Eq- PLIalpha-LP chimeric proteins, we have mapped the residues important in conferring GbPLIalpha inhibitory activity on region 13-36 in the primary structure of GbPLIalpha. Noninhibitory EqPLIalpha-LP showed comparable inhibitory activity only when this region was replaced with that of GbPLIalpha. Further, mutational analysis of the candidate residues revealed that the individual GbPLIalpha to EqPLIalpha-LP residue substitutions N26K, K28E, D29N, and Y144S each produced a mutant GbPLIalpha protein with reduced inhibitory activity, with the single N26K substitution having the most significant effect. Residues 13-36 were suspected to be located in the helical neck region of the GbPLIalpha trimer. Therefore, the region of GbPLIalpha responsible for PLA(2) inhibition was distinct from the carbohydrate-binding site of the homologous C-type lectin.


[Contact behavior of elderly females living alone from the social psychologic viewpoint--an exploratory study. I: Theoretical and methodologic principles].
The authors specify the theoretical and methodical fundamentals of an exploratory study on the contact behaviour of older women living alone. As the method of examination they chose the fully standardized interview, by which all variables to be examined were covered. The sample consisted of 100 fit women aged 62 to 77 years not working any more and living alone, 80 of whom living in a residential district and 20 in an old-age home (in a city of the GDR).


Maxillary antral lavage--infiltration and surface anaesthesia compared.
A prospective study on 210 patients was conducted to determine the relative efficacy of infiltration anaesthesia as against surface anaesthesia for antral lavage. The patients were categorized into three groups and comparisons were made on patient response and our observations. This study confirms that infiltration technique is superior to surface anaesthesia and is, also, less time consuming.


Pulsatile dysesthesia and an axillary artery pseudoaneurysm associated with a penetrating axillary artery injury.
A patient is presented in whom an uncommon subjective complaint of pulsatile dysesthesia (periodic dysesthesias following a radicular pattern and occurring simultaneously with the transmitted pulse) occurred following a gunshot wound to the axilla. The patient's symptoms were relieved by the surgical obliteration of a pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery.


[The pharmacokinetics of nalidixic acid administered parenterally. Towards rational use in severe infections (author's transl)].
Nalidixic acid is effective toward Gram negative infections but its short half-life and potential neurological toxicity explain that its parenteral use is hazardous. Interindividual variations of its pharmacokinetic parameters explain also the absolute necessity of a careful drug monitoring adapted to each patient. The study of plasma kinetics of a single dose of nalidixic acid injected by intravenous route, shows these metabolic variations. With this results, the predicted plasma drug concentrations show that classical dosage regimens are adapted only to a little number of patients. Advantages and inadequacies of a single daily intravenous infusion of nalidixic acid are next analysed.


Assessment of simultaneous addition of sucrose and xanthan effects on the thermal, pasting, and rheological behavior of corn starch.
Thermal, pasting, and rheological properties of starch-based systems are the key characteristics for its processing. This study aimed to investigate the main and interactive effects of sucrose and xanthan on the thermal, pasting, and rheological behavior of corn starch. A central composite design (CCD) was used to evaluate the effect of simultaneous addition of sucrose and xanthan on some processing properties of starch-based systems. The results showed that besides the xanthan and sucrose effects (p < .001), the interactions played a significant role in all considered properties of corn starch except the flow behavior index (p < .05). Adding xanthan and sucrose increased the transition temperatures and the enthalpy change (ΔH) of the starch gelatinization, while they increased all pasting properties except setback viscosity. Statistical analysis results revealed the synergistic effects due to adding xanthan and sucrose on the thermal and pasting properties of starch. These were ascribed to the first- and second-order interaction effects (p < .05). Regression models proposed for prediction of all considered properties of the starch-based mixtures in the range of selected factors (R2 > 0.88). The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed an increase in hydrogen bonding by increasing xanthan and sucrose. Since the formation of hydrogen bonds between mixture components could be affected the considered properties of the starch pastes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Starch-based foods are the most frequently consumed kind of foods in the developing countries, which provide a great deal of energy, and nutrients in a healthy diet. Therefore, the production of these kinds of food products is of great importance. The gelatinization, pasting, and rheological properties of starch-based foods are imperative aspects in its processing. These properties show differences according to the presence of other ingredients such as hydrocolloids and sweeteners. Since the addition of xanthan as hydrocolloid and sugar as a common sweetener in starch-based foods, affect optimal processing condition. Knowing the effects of the hydrocolloid and sweetener addition on thermal, pasting, and rheological properties of starch systems, help to improve the process and finding optimal process conditions for the production of sauces, baby foods, bread, confectionery, etc.


Effects of recovery time on phosphocreatine kinetics during repeated bouts of heavy-intensity exercise.
The purpose of this study was to examine the kinetics of phosphocreatine (PCr) breakdown in repeated bouts of heavy-intensity exercise separated by three different durations of resting recovery. Healthy young adult male subjects (n = 7) performed three protocols involving two identical bouts of heavy-intensity dynamic plantar flexion exercise separated by 3, 6, and 15 min of rest. Muscle high-energy phosphates and intracellular acid-base status were measured using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, the change in concentration of total haemoglobin (Delta[Hb(tot)]) and deoxy-haemoglobin (Delta[HHb]) were monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. Prior exercise resulted in an elevated (P < 0.05) intracellular hydrogen ion ([H(+)](i)) after 3 min (182 +/- 72 (SD) nM; pH 6.73) and 6 min (112 +/- 19 nM; pH 6.95) but not after 15 min (93 +/- 8 nM; pH 7.03) compared to pre-exercise in Con (90 +/- 3 nM; pHi 7.05). The on-transient time constant (tau) of the PCr primary component was not different amongst the exercise bouts. However, in each of the subsequent bouts the amplitude of the PCr slow component, total PCr breakdown, and rise in [H(+)](i) were reduced (P < 0.05). At exercise onset, Delta[Hb(tot)] was increased (P < 0.05) and the Delta[HHb] kinetic response was slowed (P < 0.05) in the exercise after 3 min, consistent with improved muscle perfusion. In summary, neither the level of acidosis or muscle perfusion at the onset of exercise appeared to be directly related to the time course of the on-transient PCr primary component or the magnitude of the PCr slow component during subsequent bouts of exercise.


Effectiveness of compacted soil liner as a gas barrier layer in the landfill final cover system.
A compacted soil liner (CSL) has been widely used as a single barrier layer or a part of composite barrier layer in the landfill final cover system to prevent water infiltration into solid wastes for its acceptable hydraulic permeability. This study was conducted to test whether the CSL was also effective in prohibiting landfill gas emissions. For this purpose, three different compaction methods (i.e., reduced, standard, and modified Proctor methods) were used to prepare the soil specimens, with nitrogen as gas, and with water and heptane as liquid permeants. Measured gas permeability ranged from 2.03 x 10(-10) to 4.96 x 10(-9) cm(2), which was a magnitude of two or three orders greater than hydraulic permeability (9.60 x 10(-13) to 1.05 x 10(-11) cm(2)). The difference between gas and hydraulic permeabilities can be explained by gas slippage, which makes gas more permeable, and by soil-water interaction, which impedes water flow and then makes water less permeable. This explanation was also supported by the result that a liquid permeability measured with heptane as a non-polar liquid was similar to the intrinsic gas permeability. The data demonstrate that hydraulic requirement for the CSL is not enough to control the gas emissions from a landfill.


Manifold regularization for sparse unmixing of hyperspectral images.
Recently, sparse unmixing has been successfully applied to spectral mixture analysis of remotely sensed hyperspectral images. Based on the assumption that the observed image signatures can be expressed in the form of linear combinations of a number of pure spectral signatures known in advance, unmixing of each mixed pixel in the scene is to find an optimal subset of signatures in a very large spectral library, which is cast into the framework of sparse regression. However, traditional sparse regression models, such as collaborative sparse regression, ignore the intrinsic geometric structure in the hyperspectral data. In this paper, we propose a novel model, called manifold regularized collaborative sparse regression, by introducing a manifold regularization to the collaborative sparse regression model. The manifold regularization utilizes a graph Laplacian to incorporate the locally geometrical structure of the hyperspectral data. An algorithm based on alternating direction method of multipliers has been developed for the manifold regularized collaborative sparse regression model. Experimental results on both the simulated and real hyperspectral data sets have demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed model.


High Hydrostatic Pressure as a Tool to Reduce Formation of Biogenic Amines in Artisanal Spanish Cheeses.
Two artisanal varieties of cheese made in Spain, one made of ewes' raw milk and the other of goats' raw milk were selected to evaluate the effect of a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at 400 MPa during 10 min at 2 °C on the formation of biogenic amines (BA). These conditions were applied at the beginning of the ripening (before the 5th day; HHP1) and in the case of ewes' milk cheeses also after 15th days (HHP15). BA formation was greatly influenced by HHP treatments in both types of cheese. HHP1 treatments significantly reduced the amounts of BA after ripening, being tyramine and putrescine the most affected BA in goats' milk cheeses and tyramine and cadaverine in ewes' milk cheeses. The BA reduction in the HHP1 samples could be explained by the significant decrease in microbiological counts, especially in the LAB, enteroccocci and enterobacteria groups at the beginning of ripening. The proteolysis in these samples was also affected reducing the amount of free amino acids. Although proteolysis in ewes' milk cheeses HHP15 was similar than in control samples a reduction of BA was observed probably because the decrease caused on microbial counts.


Radioimmunoassay of digoxin employing charcoal entrapped in magnetic polyacrylamide particles.
Charcoal and magnetisable ferric oxide were entrapped in a polyacrylamide gel and, after lyophilisation and micronisation, empolyed for the uptake of free antigen in a radioimmunoassay for digoxin. The results obtained were similar to those using a conventional charcoal separation method.


Differential alkali-extraction of hemicellulose and hydroxyproline from non-delignified cell walls of lupin hypocotyls.
The extraction by alkali of hemicellulose polysaccharides and polymer hydroxyproline from non-delignified, primary cell-walls of lupin hypocotyls has been studied, using sequential extractions at 0 degrees and 18-22 degrees. 10% Aqueous potassium hydroxide at 0 degrees rapidly removed about two-thirds of the hemicellulose normally extracted in 10% KOH at 18-22 degrees and including nearly all of the hemicellulose-A. Little hydroxyproline was released at 0 degrees. When the temperature was subsequently raised to 18-22 degrees, the remaining 10% KOH-soluble hemicellulose, along with most of the hydroxyproline, was released. The monosaccharide composition of these fractions changed markedly with the time of extraction. Arabinose increased from 35% of the polysaccharide extracted during the first hour at 18-22 degrees to similar to 65% of the polysaccharide extracted between 16 and 20 h at 18-22 degrees. Hydroxyproline changed similarly as a proportion of polymer. The implications of these and other results are discussed in relation to polysaccharide and polymer extraction without prior delignification and to models of the primary cell-wall.


Untangling the network effects of productivity and prominence among scientists.
While inequalities in science are common, most efforts to understand them treat scientists as isolated individuals, ignoring the network effects of collaboration. Here, we develop models that untangle the network effects of productivity defined as paper counts, and prominence referring to high-impact publications, of individual scientists from their collaboration networks. We find that gendered differences in the productivity and prominence of mid-career researchers can be largely explained by differences in their coauthorship networks. Hence, collaboration networks act as a form of social capital, and we find evidence of their transferability from senior to junior collaborators, with benefits that decay as researchers age. Collaboration network effects can also explain a large proportion of the productivity and prominence advantages held by researchers at prestigious institutions. These results highlight a substantial role of social networks in driving inequalities in science, and suggest that collaboration networks represent an important form of unequally distributed social capital that shapes who makes what scientific discoveries.


A Pilot Study of Dose-Dense Paclitaxel With Trastuzumab and Lapatinib for Node-negative HER2-Overexpressed Breast Cancer.
Dual anti-HER2 therapy is effective for HER2-amplified breast cancer. Weekly paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and full-dose lapatinib (PTL) is not feasible because of grade 3 diarrhea. We conducted a phase II feasibility study of dose-dense (DD; every other week) PTL (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01827163). Eligible patients had HER2-positive breast cancer, tumor size ≤ 3 cm, and negative nodes. Treatment included paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) × 4, every 2 weeks with pegfilgrastim), trastuzumab (4 mg/kg load and then 2 mg/kg weekly), and lapatinib (1000 mg daily). After paclitaxel × 4, trastuzumab (6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) plus lapatinib were continued for 1 year. The primary endpoint was feasibility, defined as (1) > 80% of patients completing PTL without a dose delay or reduction, (2) grade 3 diarrhea rate < 20%, and (3) cardiac event rate < 4%. From May 2013 to November 2013, we enrolled 20 of 55 planned patients. The median age was 49 years (range, 34-74 years). One patient had immediate paclitaxel hypersensitivity and was deemed inevaluable. Only 13 of 19 evaluable patients (68%) completed PTL without a dose delay or reduction or unacceptable toxicities. Only 3 of 19 (16%) had grade 3 diarrhea. Rash was frequent, with all grades in 18 of 19 (95%) and grade 3 in 2 of 19 (11%). The study was stopped early because of excess toxicity. The discontinuation rate during DD PTL was high, owing, in part, to an unexpectedly high incidence of rash. The trial was halted, because the initial discontinuation rate from overall toxicity made it unlikely that full accrual would demonstrate feasibility.


A refractory liver metastatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm pancreas harbored CTNNB1 mutation showed good response to celecoxib: A case report.
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is rare relatively low-grade malignant neoplasm and metastasis rarely. Surgical resection is the primary treatment option for primary and metastatic lesions of SPN, and chemotherapy is often ineffective in non-operable SPNs. SPNs are characterized by the presence of somatic CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations, leading to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin/Cox-2 signal pathway. Here, we firstly report that a refractory liver metastatic pancreatic SPN patient after the failure of multi-line chemotherapies benefited from the Cox-2 selective inhibitor (Celecoxib) based on CTNNB1 D32V mutation detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS), achieving a more than 22-month progression-free survival without any adverse events. Our case provides a potential treatment option for liver metastatic SPN patients with CTNNB1 mutations and highlights the application of NGS for the better treatment decision making.


Transvenous sclerotherapy for huge oesophagogastric varices using open injection sclerotherapy.
The optimum procedure for long-term management of oesophagogastric varices when endoscopic sclerotherapy or ligation fails is yet to be established. This report describes a new procedure for treating huge oesophagogastric varices by open injection sclerotherapy. Twenty-three patients with huge oesophagogastric varices underwent laparotomy and devascularization of the upper stomach with splenectomy. The left gastric vein was catheterized for repeated injection of 5 per cent ethanolamine oleate during the postoperative period. In all patients, the varices were eradicated after a mean of 3 sessions of sclerotherapy. There were no deaths or major complications during the mean follow-up period of 41 months. Small recurring varices in two patients were treated successfully by endoscopic sclerotherapy and interventional radiology. Open injection sclerotherapy is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of huge oesophagogastric varices.


Mesencephalic multiple-unit activity during acquisition of conditioned pupillary dilation.
Multiple-unit recordings were obtained from the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, nucleus of Darkschewitsch and the superior colliculus of the cat during acquisition of classically conditioned pupillary dilation. Multiple-unit responses in all regions were enhanced by conditioning procedures. However, only the acquisition functions for the accessory oculomotor nuclei, i.e., interstitial nucleus of Cajal and nucleus of Darkschewitsch, were significantly correlated with the acquisition of conditioned pupillary dilation. These results were discussed in relation to the mechanism of autonomic control of conditioned pupillary dilation. It was concluded that inhibition of parasympathetic pupillomotor efferents via the accessory oculomotor nuclei may play a role in the acquisition of conditioned pupillary dilation.


Mode of death effect on rat liver iodothyronine 5' deiodinase activity: role of adenosine 3',5' monophosphate.
Liver thyronine 5'-deiodinase activity assayed in crude homogenates in the absence of dithiothreitol (DTT) is increased in rats killed by asphyxia when compared to that of animals killed by phenobarbital injection or decapitation. The addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate leads to a consistent decrease in observed deiodinase activity, suggesting the possible involvement of this nucleotide in the regulation of this enzyme. The addition of DTT eliminates this effect and suggest a dual regulation of the enzyme by cAMP and physiological sulfhydryl compounds.


Comparison of overall survival of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma components with gastric adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matching study.
Gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) components are rare malignancies with highly aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis and include pure NEC and mixed tumors containing NEC components. We aimed to investigate whether there is a distinct difference in overall survival (OS) between gastric neoplasms containing NEC components and gastric adenocarcinoma. Surgically resected gastric neoplasms containing NEC components (n = 180) and gastric adenocarcinomas (n = 785) from January 2013 to December 2019 at Peking University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorized into a surgical group and a neoadjuvant group and adjusted using propensity score matching. In the two groups, gastric neoplasms containing NEC components were divided into pure NEC and mixed tumors with less than 30% (< 30% G-HMiNEN), between 30 and 70% (G-HMiNEN) and more than 70% (> 70% G-HMiNEN) neuroendocrine carcinoma components. OS was compared between these groups and the gastric adenocarcinoma group. The OS of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine NEC components was poorer than that of gastric adenocarcinomas in the surgical group, regardless of whether the percentage of neuroendocrine cancer components was less than 30%, between 30 and 70%, more than 70% or 100%. Cox multivariable regression analysis suggested that tumor category (neoplasms containing NEC components or gastric adenocarcinoma) was an independent risk factor for prognosis. Interestingly, among patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference was not significant. Gastric neoplasms containing any proportion of NEC components had poorer overall survival than gastric adenocarcinoma in patients treated with surgery directly, indicating that these neoplasms are more malignant than gastric adenocarcinoma. Among the patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference in overall survival was not significant, which was in sharp contrast with the results of the surgery group, suggesting that neoadjuvant therapy may have a good effect in the treatment of these neoplasms.


Intracerebroventricular administration of apelin-13 inhibits distal colonic transit in mice.
Apelin is a novel bioactive peptide as the endogenous ligand for the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), APJ, a receptor distributed in various tissues such as the hypothalamus and the gastrointestinal tract. Recent reports showed that apelin regulated many biological functions, including blood pressure, neuroendocrine, drinking behavior and food intake. However, the role of apelin in regulating gastrointestinal motility remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the actions of intracerebroventricularly administered apelin-13 on colonic transit as well as the actions of apelin-13 on the contraction of isolated distal colon in vitro. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of apelin-13 (0.3, 0.5, 1 and 3 μg/mouse) dose-dependently inhibited fecal pellet output and bead expulsion. This effect was significantly antagonized by the APJ receptor antagonist apelin-13(F13A), indicating an APJ receptor-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, naloxone could also reverse the inhibitory effect of apelin-13 on fecal pellet output and bead expulsion, suggesting the involvement of opioid receptors in the suppressive effect of apelin-13 on distal colon transit. However, apelin-13 (10⁻⁸-10⁻⁶ M) did not affect distal colonic contractions in vitro.


Evaluation of outcomes after EMS-witnessed traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by traffic collisions.
The survival rate of patients with traumatic cardiac arrest is 3% or lower. Cardiac arrest witnessed by emergency medical services (EMS) accounts for approximately 16% of prehospital traumatic cardiac arrests, but the prognosis is unknown. We aimed to compare the 1-month survival rate of cardiac arrest witnessed by EMS with that of cardiac arrest witnessed by bystanders and unwitnessed cardiac arrest in traffic trauma victims; further, the time from injury to cardiac arrest was assessed. This analysis used the Utstein Registry in Japan and included data of 3883 patients with traumatic cardiac arrest caused by traffic collisions registered between 2014 and 2019 in Japan. The 1-month survival rate was 10.9% in the EMS-witnessed cardiac arrest group; this was significantly higher than that in the bystander-witnessed (7.2%) and unwitnessed (5.6%) cardiac arrest groups (P < 0.01). The median time from injury to cardiac arrest was 18 min (25% quartile: 12, 75% quartile: 26). The 1-month survival rate was significantly higher in the EMS-witnessed cardiac arrest group than in the bystander-witnessed and unwitnessed cardiac arrest groups. It is important to prevent progression to cardiac arrest in trauma patients with intact respiratory function and pulse rate at the time of contact with EMS. A system for early recognition of severe trauma is needed, and a doctor's car or helicopter can be requested as needed. We believe that early recognition and prompt intervention will improve the prognosis of prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest.


Selective extraction of sulfonamides, macrolides and other pharmaceuticals from sewage sludge by pressurized liquid extraction.
A method for the quantitative determination of three macrolides, five sulfonamides, ranitidine, omeprazole and trimethoprim in sewage sludge samples was developed by using pressurized liquid extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The extraction solvent and such operational parameters as temperature, pressure, extraction time and purge time were optimized in pressurized liquid extraction. The experimental conditions were: an extraction solvent of water (pH 3):methanol (1:1, v/v), a temperature of 80 degrees C, a pressure of 1500 psi, a sample weight of 5 g, an extraction time of 5 min, one cycle, a flush volume of 60% and a purge time of 120 s. All recoveries were over 74%, except those for ranitidine whose value was 54%. The repeatability and reproducibility between days expressed as relative standard deviation (n = 3) were lower than 11% and 15%, respectively. The limit of detection values ranged from 2 to 11 microg/kg dry weight (d.w.). The method was applied to determine the pharmaceuticals in sewage sludge from two domestic sewage treatment plants. Roxithromycin and tylosin were determined in the samples and tylosin showed the highest value (4.0 mg/kg d.w.).


Changes of activity of cortical neurons induced by acetylcholine in adult and young rats.
Acetylcholine was applied microiontophoretically by means of multibarrel electrodes to neurons in the sensorimotor cortex of adult, 18-, 15-, 12-, and 9-day-old rats anesthetized with urethane. A total of 229 neurons was recorded; only 22 of them were in 18- and 15-day-old rats because of similarity of results with those from adult as well as 12-day-old animals. In adult rats 43 of 58 neurons recorded in infragranular layers responded to acetylcholine with a marked increase in their firing. In 12-day-old rats the incidence of excitatory responses to acetylcholine was also high: 59 of 86 cells again were localized predominantly in deep cortical layers (V and VI). A marked difference was observed in 9-day-old rats: only 15 of 63 neurons were excited by acetylcholine. A majority of cells did not respond at all--including units localized in infragranular layers. Two cells in layer V responded to acetylcholine by an inhibition. Our results indicate that there is a marked increase in cholinoceptivity of cortical neurons between postnatal days 9 and 12. This finding is in agreement with the finding that local application of acetylcholine can elicit an epileptogenic focus in 12-day but not in 9-day-old rat pups.


Superspreaders and lockdown timing explain the power-law dynamics of COVID-19.
Infectious disease outbreaks are expected to grow exponentially in time when left unchecked. Containment measures such as lockdown and social distancing can drastically alter the growth dynamics of the outbreak. This is the case for the 2019-2020 COVID-19 outbreak, which is characterized by a power-law growth. Strikingly however, the power-law exponent is different across countries. Here I illustrate the relationship between these two extreme scenarios, exponential and power-law growth, based on the impact of superspreaders and lockdown strategies to contain the outbreak. The theory predicts a relationship between the power- law exponent and the time interval between the first case and lockdown that is validated by the observed COVID-19 data across different countries.


The modified lumbotomy versus the oblique loin incision for renal surgery.
The time to full mobility and total analgesic requirements have been assessed in 40 patients undergoing renal surgery by the oblique loin incision or the posterior lumbotomy approach. By these criteria the lumbotomy group fared better than patients who had oblique incisions. We consider lumbotomy to be a valuable incision which should be in the repertoire of every urologist.


N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced teratogenesis of brain in the rat. A cellular and cytoarchitectural analysis of the neocortex.
N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) was administered intravenously to pregnant Wistar-albino rats on days 14--21 of gestation in order to study the teratological effects of the carcinogen on the developing brain. Offspring were killed 60 days postnatally, and the brains examined histologically by cresyl violet staining and Golgi-Cox preparations. Macroscopic examination of the brains revealed a graded pattern of microcephaly. Injection of ENU on day 14 of gestation gave the most severe effects and injection on day 21 the least effects. Microscopic examination of the neocortex revealed a graded reduction in the lateral and sagittal lengths, thickness, and the number of cells in a sample slab of the cortex. In the Golgi-Cox preparations the pyramidal neurons of cortical layers III and V, as well as neurons of other layers, were seen to have fewer secondary and tertiary dendrites, and the length of their dendrites appeared stunted. These characteristics also were graded in relation to the day of injection of ENU. Altered cytology and cytoarchitecture of the neocortex and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.


Determination and identification of plumbagin from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) is an herbal ingredient which is isolated from the root of Plumbago zeylanica L. This herb is a semi-climbing subshrub distributed in thickets or grassland at low elevations of Taiwan. The crushed roots of P. zeylanica L. were ground from lumps to powder and boiled with H2O, 50% EtOH, or 95% EtOH. Chromatographic separation of plumbagin from the herb was carried out using a ZORBAX Extend-C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm I.D.; 5 microm) that was eluted with the mobile phase of water-methanol (10:90, v/v). Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to monitor the transition of the deprotonated molecule m/z 187 [M-H]- to the product ion m/z 159 [M-H-CO]- for plumbagin analysis. The limit of quantification was determined to and accuracy of 1 ng/ml. Furthermore, the mass fractions of plumbagin in P. zeylanica L. for H2O, 50% EtOH and 95% EtOH were 0.24 +/- 0.04, 3.92 +/- 0.87 and 13.4 +/- 1.59 g/kg, respectively. These results present a reliable liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of plumbagin form herbal medicines.


[Cervical giant lipoma. Clinical report of a case and differential diagnosis].
Lipomas represent one of the most common benign tumours in any location. However, the giant variants are relatively uncommon and cause diagnostic problems with other neoplasm benign and malign. We are reporting the case of a 69 years-old male who presented a neck mass which size was more than 12 cm of diameter and corresponded to lipoma after its removal and anatomopathologic exam. Histologically it is necessary to distinguish this pathology from liposarcoma because of treatment, prognosis and long-term follow-up is different.


mRNA expression levels of tight junction protein genes in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells highly purified by magnetic cell sorting.
Tight junctions (TJs) are an important component of the blood-brain barrier, and claudin-1, -3, -5 and -12 have been reported to be localized at the TJs of brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs). To understand the contribution of each claudin subtype to TJ formation, we have measured the mRNA expression levels of claudin subtypes (claudin-1 to -23) and other relevant proteins in highly purified mouse BCECs. Mouse BCECs were labeled with anti-platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule-1 antibody and 2.3 x 10(6) cells were isolated from 15 mice by magnetic cell sorting. Expression of Tie-2, Mdr1a and GLUT1 mRNAs was concentrated in the isolated fraction, and contamination with neurons and astrocytes was substantially less than in the brain capillary fraction prepared by the standard glass-beads column method. Expression of occludin, junctional adhesion molecule and endothelial-specific adhesion molecule mRNAs was concentrated in the isolated fraction, suggesting that the corresponding proteins are selectively expressed in mouse BCECs. Among claudin subtypes, claudin-5 was most highly expressed, at a level which was at least 593-fold greater that that of claudin-1, -3 or -12. Expression of mRNAs of claudin-8, -10, -15, -17, -19, -20, -22 or -23 was also concentrated in the isolated fraction, suggesting these subtypes are expressed in mouse BCECs. The levels of claudin-10 and -22 mRNAs were comparable with that of occludin mRNA. These results indicate that claudin-5 is the most abundant claudin subtype in mouse BCECs, and are consistent with the idea that claudin-10 and -22 are involved in TJ formation at the blood-brain barrier in cooperation with claudin-5.


Moniliformin, deoxynivalenol, 3Acetyldeoxynivalenol and zearalenone - Mycotoxins associated with corn cob fusariosis in Poland.
Naturally infected ears of corn were examined for presence of mycotoxins and colonizingFusaria. In kernels of cobs with symptoms of pink fusariosis /pink ear rot/ which stated about 95% cobs naturally infected was present moniliformin in amount 30-530 mg/kg.Fusarium suhglutinans /W&R/N,T&M was dominating species in this type of ear fusariosis. In handly selected kermels of cobs with symptoms of red fusariosis /red ear rot/ which stated only about 5% of infected cobs, were present: zearalenone up 20 mg/kg, deoxynivalenol /vomitoxin/ up 170 mg/kg and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol up 40 mg/kg. In axial stems the amount of mycotoxins was 1.5-8 times higer than in kernels.


Delays in Treatment Initiation and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic: Are There Differences between Migrants and Non-Migrants?
Migrants are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) and have poor treatment outcomes. The National TB program (NTP) of the Kyrgyz Republic recognizes two types of migrants: internal (intra-country) and external (inter-country) migrants. This cohort study compared the characteristics, timeliness of diagnosis and treatment initiation, and treatment outcomes of TB patients (internal migrant vs. external migrant vs. non-migrant) identified during treatment in the country in 2021. The TB treatment register and treatment cards of 5114 patients (156 internal, 430 external, and 4528 non-migrants) were reviewed. Risk factors (unemployment, smoking, alcohol use, and homelessness) were higher (p-value < 0.001) in internal (84%) than in external migrants (66%) and non-migrants (43%). The median delay in seeking care post-symptom onset was longer (p-value= 0.03) in external (30 days) than in internal migrants (21 days) and non-migrants (25 days). Successful treatment outcomes for drug-sensitive TB were higher in internal (89%, p-value = 0.012) and external migrants (86%, p-value = 0.001) than in non-migrants (78%). Internal and external migrants should be separately considered with respect to TB care and monitoring under the NTP. Success rates seem to be high in migrants, but our findings may be biased, as migrants with poor healthcare access may remain undetected and untreated and have undocumented poor outcomes.


Vitiligo Pathogenesis and Emerging Treatments.
The pathogenesis of vitiligo involves interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic melanocyte defects, innate immune inflammation, and T-cell-mediated melanocyte destruction. The goal of treatment is to not only halt disease progression but also promote repigmentation through melanocyte regeneration, proliferation, and migration. Treatment strategies that address all aspects of disease pathogenesis and repigmentation are likely to have greatest efficacy, a strategy that may require combination therapies. Current treatments generally involve nontargeted suppression of autoimmunity, whereas emerging treatments are likely to use a more targeted approach based on in-depth understanding of disease pathogenesis, which may provide higher efficacy with a good safety profile.


Motor activity and trajectory control during escape jumping in the locust Locusta migratoria.
We investigated the escape jumps that locusts produce in response to approaching objects. Hindleg muscular activity during an escape jump is similar to that during a defensive kick. Locusts can direct their escape jumps up to 50 degrees either side of the direction of their long axis at the time of hindleg flexion, allowing them to consistently jump away from the side towards which an object is approaching. Variation in jump trajectory is achieved by rolling and yawing movements of the body that are controlled by the fore- and mesothoracic legs. During hindleg flexion, a locust flexes the foreleg ipsilateral to its eventual jump trajectory and then extends the contralateral foreleg. These foreleg movements continue throughout co-contraction of the hindleg tibial muscles, pivoting the locust's long axis towards its eventual jump trajectory. However, there are no bilateral differences in the motor programs of the left and right hindlegs that correlate with jump trajectory. Foreleg movements enable a locust to control its jump trajectory independent of the hindleg motor program, allowing a decision on jump trajectory to be made after the hindlegs have been cocked in preparation for a jump.


Effects of substance P on fluid and amylase secretion in exocrine pancreas of rat and mouse.
The effects of substance P on fluid and amylase secretion were examined in the exocrine pancreas of the rat and the mouse in vivo and in vitro. In the anaesthetised rat, a single intravenous injection of substance P caused an atropine resistant increase in both the basal and caerulein stimulated flow of pancreatic juice and amylase output, but reduced the secretin stimulated pancreatic juice flow. In vitro experiments using superfused mouse pancreatic fragments supported the in vivo result showing that substance P enhanced caerulein stimulated amylase output.


Annotating regulatory elements by heterogeneous network embedding.
Regulatory elements (REs), such as enhancers and promoters, are known as regulatory sequences functional in a heterogeneous regulatory network to control gene expression by recruiting transcription regulators and carrying genetic variants in a context specific way. Annotating those REs relies on costly and labor-intensive next-generation sequencing and RNA-guided editing technologies in many cellular contexts. We propose a systematic Gene Ontology Annotation method for Regulatory Elements (RE-GOA) by leveraging the powerful word embedding in natural language processing. We first assemble a heterogeneous network by integrating context specific regulations, protein-protein interactions and gene ontology (GO) terms. Then we perform network embedding and associate regulatory elements with GO terms by assessing their similarity in a low dimensional vector space. With three applications, we show that RE-GOA outperforms existing methods in annotating TFs' binding sites from ChIP-seq data, in functional enrichment analysis of differentially accessible peaks from ATAC-seq data, and in revealing genetic correlation among phenotypes from their GWAS summary statistics data. The source code and the systematic RE annotation for human and mouse are available at https://github.com/AMSSwanglab/RE-GOA. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


Expression of anchorin CII, a collagen-binding protein of the annexin family, in the developing chick embryo.
Expression of anchorin CII, a collagen-binding protein of the annexin family, was followed in the developing chick embryo using Northern and in situ hybridization and Western blotting. During chick somite development, anchorin CII mRNA was detected by Northern blotting as early as stage 11. At stage 24, anchorin mRNA accumulated in the anterior part of the somite sclerotome near the resegmentation line, as shown by in situ hybridization. The presence of anchorin CII protein during stages 11 to 20 was confirmed by Western blotting. In situ hybridization identified anchorin CII also in the otic vesicle adjacent to the site of contact with the statoacoustic ganglion and in the mandibular mesenchyme. The level of anchorin CII mRNA in differentiated hyaline cartilage, exemplified by sternal cartilage, was lower than that in differentiating somites or cultured chondrocytes. These findings are consistent with our notion that anchorin CII may be involved in cell-matrix interactions preceding chondrogenic differentiation events in the chick embryo. A significant level of anchorin CII mRNA and protein synthesis was also found in cultured myoblasts, but less than that in chondroblasts. This distribution pattern is different from that reported for a related protein, p34, or calpactin, the major protein substrate for tyrosine kinase phosphorylation in chick chondrocytes and fibroblasts. The results confirm suggestions from previous sequencing studies that anchorin CII and p34 are different proteins of the annexin/calpactin family.


Effects of a virtual simulation-based interprofessional education activity for rehabilitation nursing using shared resources: A quasi-experimental study.
Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for effective clinical practice but remains challenging to be implemented. The IPE activity using virtual simulation (VS) may potentially solve the time and space challenges of in-person interprofessional simulations. Using shared VS resources may increase the popularity of virtual teaching in conditions of limited resources. Using shared resources, this study aimed to design and implement a VS-based IPE activity for undergraduate healthcare students, exploring the effects. A quasi-experimental design was used, with assessments conducted before and after the activity. One university and its affiliated hospitals in south China. Forty-two undergraduate students majoring in nursing, clinical medicine, and rehabilitation therapy participated in this study. A test composed of ten questions was used to evaluate knowledge of rehabilitation. The Chinese version of Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI-CV) and the Chinese version of Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration in Student Learning Scale (AITCS-II (Student)-CV) were used to evaluate critical thinking and interprofessional collaboration. Participants' opinions about the activity were assessed, considering satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, the ease of shared VS platform use, and suggestions about the activity. Significant improvements were shown in pre- and post-test total scores on knowledge of rehabilitation, mean scores for overall critical thinking disposition, and mean item scores on overall interprofessional team collaboration. The study provides a reference for designing and implementing VS-based IPE but the effects of this innovative pedagogy on students' rehabilitation knowledge, critical thinking, and interprofessional collaboration ability still need to be further confirmed. Most of the students gave positive feedback on the activity. Technical issues should be addressed to decrease their impacts on the VS practice experience.


Anicteric Leptospirosis-Associated Meningitis in a Tropical Urban Environment, Brazil.
While studying aseptic meningitis in Salvador, Brazil, we diagnosed anicteric leptospirosis in 1.7% (5/295) of patients hospitalized for aseptic meningitis. Leptospirosis-associated meningitis patients had lower mean cerebrospinal fluid cell counts and protein than other-cause aseptic meningitis (p<0.05). Clinicians must consider leptospirosis-associated meningitis in appropriate clinical-epidemiologic contexts.


"Intersex" Does not Violate the Sex Binary.
This article supplements Julio Tuleda, Enrique Burguete, and Justo Aznar's "The Vatican opinion on gender theory" (Linacre). It supplements their article by providing a stronger argument for the thesis that "intersex" does not violate binary sex in human beings. In their response to Timothy F. Murphy's criticism of "the Vatican's" (rightfully corrected as the Magisterium of the Catholic Church's) position on the sex binary, they argue subsidiarily that "intersex" does not violate the sex binary. However, their argument against Murphy as stated is implausible; however, I provide a much stronger argument for their conclusion that intersex does not violate the sex binary. I intend to perform this supplementation in two stages, assuming the reader's familiarity with "The Vatican opinion on gender theory." First, I provide a broader background than Murphy's to the challenge that "intersex" conditions violate the sex binary, showing both how Murphy's criticism is unoriginal and how "intersex" both has been, and continues to be, misunderstood. Second, I problematize Tuleda's argument, and offer the strongest argument for the conclusion that "intersex" does not violate the sex binary on purely secular/nonreligious grounds (addressing Murphy's complaint). I conclude that the Magisterium of the Catholic Church remains correct that sex is binary. Julio Tuleda, Enrique Burguete, and Justo Aznar's "The Vatican opinion on gender theory" challenges Timothy Murphy's criticism of sex binarism as endorsed by the Catholic Church. This article strengthens their criticism by focusing on "intersex" conditions.


Sulfatide reduces leucocyte accumulation and reverts vascular failure in splanchnic artery occlusion shock.
Selectin-mediated leucocyte accumulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of splanchnic artery occlusion. Sulfatide is recognized by P-selectin and blocks this adhesion molecule. We investigated the effects of sulfatide in rats subjected to splanchnic artery occlusion shock. Anaesthetized rats, subjected to total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and the coeliac trunk for 45 min developed severe shock resulting in death within 85-90 min after the release of occlusion. Sham operated animals were used as controls. Splanchnic artery occlusion shocked rats had marked hypotension, enhanced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum and macrophages, leucopenia and increased ileal leucocyte accumulation, studied by the means of myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, aortae from shocked rats showed marked hyporeactivity to phenylephrine (1 nM-10 microM), reduced responsiveness to acetylcholine (10 nM-10 microM) and an increased staining for P-selectin in the vasculature. In vivo administration of sulfatide (10 mg/kg, i.v., 5 min after occlusion of the splanchnic arteries) increased survival rate (90%, 4 h after splanchnic artery occlusion shock), enhanced mean arterial blood pressure, reduced serum TNF-alpha (37 +/- 11 U/ml vs. 398 +/- 18 U/ml), ameliorated leucopenia and reduced ileal myeloproxidase activity (1.2 +/- 0.4 U/g tissue vs. 8.2 +/- 0.8 U/g tissue). Aortae from splanchnic artery occlusion shocked rats treated with sulfatide exhibited a greater contractile response to phenylephrine and improved responsiveness to acetylcholine. Moreover sulfatide-treated rats showed a reduced staining for P-selectin in the aorta and in the superior mesenteric artery. Finally, passive immunization with specific monoclonal antibodies raised against P-selectin significantly protected from the lethality induced by splanchnic artery occlusion shock. Our results suggest that sulfatide protects against splanchnic artery occlusion shock.


UBR5 over-expression contributes to poor prognosis and tamoxifen resistance of ERa+ breast cancer by stabilizing β-catenin.
Tamoxifen (TAM) resistance is a critical clinical challenge in the treatment of ERa+ breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in TAM-resistance are not fully understood. Here we study the efficacy of UBR5 in predicting TAM-resistance in ERa+ breast cancer. Western blot RT-PCR and IHC staining were used to evaluate UBR5 protein and mRNA levels in ERa+ breast cancer cell and tissues. MTT assays and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. The xeno-graft tumor model was used for in vivo study. We performed protein stability assay and ubiquitin assay to detect β-catenin protein degradation. Immuno-precipitation assay was used to detect the interaction between UBR5 and β-catenin. The ubiquitin-based immuno-precipitation based assay was used to detect the ubiquitination of β-catenin. High UBR5 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in ER+ breast cancer. Importantly, UBR5 expression was remarkably upregulated in TAM-refractory breast cancer tissues compared with their primary paired TAM-untreated tissues. Additionally, UBR5 overexpression caused tamoxifen-resistance in vitro, whereas UBR5 knockdown increased TAM sensitivity. Mechanistic investigations revealed that UBR5 overexpression, through its ubiquitin ligase catalyzing activity, led to up-regulation of β-catenin expression and activity. Finally, our results confirmed that TAM-resistance promoting effects by UBR5 in ERa+ breast cancer cells was at least partly due to β-catenin stabilization, and inhibition of the UBR5/β-catenin signaling re-sensitizing the resistant breast cancer cells to tamoxifen in vivo. These findings suggested that UBR5/β-catenin signaling might be a potential therapeutic target for TAM-resistant ERa+ breast cancer.


Relation between lung function and RBC distribution width in a population-based study.
Pulmonary function is dependent not only on smoking, but also on nutritional status. Since an increased RBC distribution width (RDW) has been associated with nutritional deficiencies, we postulated that RDW has an inverse relation to pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis. A cross-sectional study was conducted of a random sample of the general population in western New York. A total of 1,616 subjects of both genders who were aged 35 to 79 years and were free of respiratory disease. None. Pulmonary function was assessed from FEV(1), FVC, height, body weight, total pack-years of smoking, smoking status, hemoglobin concentration, and hematologic indexes, eosinophil count, education, and blood levels of retinol, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin E. We found a direct relation between RDW and the number of pack-years of smoking and smoking status, and an inverse relation between FEV(1) and FVC with RDW, even when potentially confounding variables such as smoking were taken into account. When the variability of FEV(1) due to smoking was used for comparison, an additional 27% of that variability in FEV(1) was explained by variations in antioxidant vitamin levels, and another 24% by RDW. The results confirmed our hypothesis that there is an inverse relation between RDW and pulmonary function, and raise the possibility that RDW may be a biomarker for as-yet unidentified nutrients that affect pulmonary function.


Pediatric urology fellowship training: are we teaching what they need to learn?
Pediatric urology training has traditionally been based on an apprenticeship model. As part of our curriculum re-development, we surveyed recent graduates (2007-2009) regarding the teaching of clinical/surgical skills and medical knowledge during their training. 44 pediatric urologists who completed 2 years of ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)-accredited programs and had been practicing for at least 18 months were anonymously surveyed. An IRB-approved survey was developed by a team of educators at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. 31 of 44 responded to 100% of the questions; 90% of the respondents felt their fellowship successfully prepared them for discussing surgical options and performing the procedures that they are now doing; 74% felt well trained to manage perioperative complications and 65% felt well trained to manage non-surgical problems. Faculty feedback/supervision, independent reading, and conferences were rated as a very effective method of teaching (87%). Top three procedures they wished they had learned: laparoscopic/robotic surgery, hypospadias repair, and augmentation/Mitrofanoff. Top three non-surgical topics: urinary tract infection, voiding dysfunction, and billing/coding. It is reassuring that ACGME fellowship-trained pediatric urologists feel prepared in commonly performed procedures and perioperative care. Faculty supervision/feedback is highly valued.


A novel 3D covalent organic framework membrane grown on a porous α-Al2O3 substrate under solvothermal conditions.
A novel approach to grow a 3D COF-320 membrane on a surface-modified porous α-Al2O3 substrate is developed. A compact and uniform COF-320 membrane with a layer thickness of ∼4 μm is obtained. This is the first reported 3D COF functional membrane fabricated successfully on a common porous α-Al2O3 ceramic support. The gas permeation results indicate that the gas transport behavior is mainly governed by the predicted Knudsen diffusion process due to the large nanopores of 3D COF-320.


Eating attitudes and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and exercise among male and female adolescents.
To determine the differences between male and female adolescents in the associations of disturbed eating attitudes with the use of smoking, alcohol, and exercise. Nonclinical adolescents-174 males and 157 females-completed the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and a measure of engagement in the use of smoking, alcohol, and exercise. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the impact of Gender x Use of the behaviour upon eating and related attitudes. Gender and use of smoking and alcohol were each related to eating attitudes. However, in the case of exercise, there were strong interactions of the behaviour and gender. Women who exercised regularly had higher levels of restriction, body dissatisfaction, and interoceptive awareness, whereas men did not. It appears that men and women exercise for different reasons, in relation to their eating and related attitudes. It is possible that men exercise for positive goals (e.g., fitness), whereas women exercise to escape perceived negative consequences (e.g., weight gain). This is not the case for alcohol and tobacco use. These findings are discussed, and further research is proposed.


Inhibition of mTORC2 improves brain injury in epileptic rats by promoting chaperone-mediated autophagy.
Epilepsy can seriously affect children's cognitive and behavioral development. The mechanistic target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway plays an important role in neurodevelopment and epilepsy, but the mechanism of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) in epilepsy is still unclear. Here, we compared the similarities and differences of the mechanisms of action of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2 complex in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Our research results show that the levels of apoptosis in cortical and hippocampal neurons were upregulated in epileptic rats (F = 32.15, 30.96; both P < 0.01), and epilepsy caused neuronal damage (F = 8.13, 9.43; both P < 0.01). The mTORC2-Akt pathway was activated in the cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats. Inhibition of mTORC2 resulted in decreased levels of apoptosis and reduced neuronal damage in the cortex and hippocampus of epileptic rats. In the hippocampus, selective inhibition of mTORC2 increased lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 A (LAMP2A) protein expression compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (F = 3.02, P < 0.05). Finally, we concluded that in the hippocampus, selective inhibition of mTORC2 can improve epileptic brain injury in rats by increasing chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) levels.


Affinities of Phylacia and the daldinoid Xylariaceae, inferred from chemotypes of cultures and ribosomal DNA sequences.
A chemotaxonomic evaluation using hplc profiling was undertaken to resolve the infrageneric and intergeneric affinities of over 150 strains of Xylariaceae. Daldinia placentiformis, Hypoxylon nicaraguense, H. polyporus, and Phylacia sagrana were found to contain 8-methoxy-1-naphthol, which is apparently absent in Annulohypoxylon, Hypoxylon, and related genera with bipartite stromata. D. placentiformis and other species of Daldinia and Entonaema produced this naphthol, 5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone, isosclerone derivatives, and 'AB-5046' phytotoxins. Phylacia sagrana differed from most Daldinia spp., except for D. caldariorum, by producing eutypine derivatives in addition to the above compounds. Indolylquinones were observed in H. nicaraguense and H. polyporus. Isosclerones were also identified in the A. multiforme complex, but Hypoxylon and other Annulohypoxylon and most Hypoxylon spp. studied Annulohypoxylon spp. contained 5-methylmellein as the major metabolite of their cultures. Based on the occurrence of the above metabolites, further mellein-type dihydroisocoumarins, teleomorphic and anamorphic Xylariaceae with Nodulisporium-like anamorphs ('Hypoxyloideae') were divided into various chemotypes. A comparison of their 5.8S/ITS nuc-rDNA sequences agreed in some important aspects with the above results: H. nicaraguense and H. polyporus appeared basal to a clade comprising Daldinia, Entonaema, and Ph. sagrana. The latter species appeared allied to D. caldariorum, but was distantly related to Pyrenomyxa morganii and Hypoxylon s. str.


Quetiapine and other antipsychotic medications during pregnancy: a 15-year follow-up of a university hospital birth register.
To survey trends of antipsychotic use during pregnancy and examine the associations between the use of quetiapine or any antipsychotic and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Birth register study of 36,083 women who gave birth at Kuopio University Hospital, Finland, between 2002 and 2016. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes between women using quetiapine (N = 152) or any antipsychotic (N = 227) were compared to controls (N = 35,133). Altogether 246 (0.7%) women used antipsychotic medications during pregnancy and 153 (62,2%) of these women used quetiapine. Antipsychotic usage increased from 0.4% to 1.0% during the 15-year follow-up. Women using antipsychotics were more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use illicit drugs, use other psychotropic medications, and have higher pre-pregnancy body mass index. Quetiapine use was associated with higher risk of increased postpartum bleeding in vaginal delivery (aOR 1.65; 95%CI 1.13-2.42), prolonged neonatal hospitalization (≥5 days) (aOR 1.54; 95%CI 1.10-2.15), and higher placental to birth weight ratio (PBW ratio) (aB 0.009; 95%CI 0.002-0.016). Use of any antipsychotic was associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR 1.64; 95%CI 1.19-2.27), increased postpartum bleeding in vaginal delivery (aOR 1.50; 95%CI 1.09-2.07), prolonged neonatal hospitalization (≥5 days) (aOR 2.07; 95%CI 1.57-2.73), and higher PBW ratio (aB 0.007; 95%CI 0.001-0.012). The use of antipsychotic medications increased among Finnish pregnant women from 2002 to 2016. Pregnant women using antipsychotics appear to have a higher risk for some adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and may benefit from more frequent maternity care follow-ups.


Increasing the coverage of the N-terminome with LysN amino terminal enrichment (LATE).
The field of N-terminomics has been advancing with the development of novel methods that provide a comprehensive and unbiased view of the N-terminome. Negative selection N-terminomics enables the identification of free and naturally modified protein N-termini. Here, we present a streamlined protocol that combines two negative selection N-terminomics methods, LATE and HYTANE, to increase N-terminome coverage by 1.5-fold compared to using a single methodology. Our protocol includes sample preparation and data analysis of both methods and can be applied to studying the N-terminome of diverse samples. The suggested approach enables researchers to achieve a more detailed and accurate understanding of the N-terminome.


Deoxyribonucleic acid flow cytometry in predicting response to radical radiotherapy of bladder cancer.
Using flow cytometry tumors can be classified according to their deoxyribonucleic acid content as diploid or aneuploid with 1 or several cell lines and to the ploidy level of the aneuploid cell lines, as well as to the proportion of proliferating cells. We used this technique in 73 patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who received radical radiation therapy with followup of surviving patients for at least 5 years. The effects of therapy were related to the deoxyribonucleic acid patterns before irradiation. All diploid tumors disappeared, while aneuploid tumors with 1 cell line disappeared in 55% and those with several cell lines in 30% of the patients. Aneuploid tumors with cell lines exceeding 4c appeared to be more radiosensitive than those in the triploid region. Thus, tumors unresponsive to therapy as well as those that recurred after irradiation were mostly triploid. Since most of the tumors had high proliferation rates the proportion of S-phase cells was of only limited value for further classification of the various tumors. In the choice between radical radiotherapy, in which bladder function is maintained, and cystectomy an analysis of tumor ploidy provides at least some basis on which radiation response can be predicted. In the choice of therapy we must also consider the fact that almost 20% of the patients who failed to respond to therapy revealed aneuploidy only in bladder washings after irradiation, indicating existence of concomitant carcinoma in situ.


Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy: A meta-analysis.
Adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (AATH) adversely affects cardiovascular function, leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH). This meta-analysis of observational studies aimed to estimate the prevalence of PH in children with AATH. A meta-analysis was performed by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from their inception to 1 July 2021, for all studies that extracted data about PH prevalence in children with AATH. PH prevalence was calculated for each included study and as a pooled estimate with a 95% confidence interval. A total of eight studies were included in this analysis. The pooled prevalence of PH in children with AATH was 35.0% (95% CI [18.0%, 52.0%]). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the prevalence of PH in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy was higher than that with adenoid hypertrophy with or without tonsillar hypertrophy (39.0%, 95% CI [14.0%, 65.0%] vs. 22.0%, 95% CI [17.0%, 28.0%], respectively). The prevalence derived from the prospective and cross-sectional studies were 45.0% (95% CI [13.0%, 76.0%]) and 20.0% (95% CI [14.0%, 25.0%]), respectively. America and Africa had lower prevalence rates than Asia (24.0%, 95% CI [1.0%, 46.0%], 27.0%, 95% CI [17.0%, 38.0%], and 48.0%, 95% CI [-2.0%, 98.0%]), respectively. The prevalence of studies with diagnostic criterion (a mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 20 mmHg) was 50.0% (95% CI [6.0%, 94.0%]). The pooled prevalence of studies with diagnostic criterion (a mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 25 mmHg) was 25.0% (95% CI [13.0%, 36.0%]). The meta-analysis showed a prevalence of PH in children with AATH of 35.0%, demonstrating that this condition is a frequent complication of AATH. To better understand its clinical impact, more prospective evaluations are urgently needed.