Animal board invited review: Genomic-based improvement of cattle in response to climate change.
Climate change brings challenges to cattle production, such as the need to adapt to new climates and pressure to reduce greenhouse emissions (GHG). In general, the improvement of traits in current breeding goals is favourably correlated with the reduction of GHG. Current breeding goals and tools for increasing cattle production efficiency have reduced GHG. The same amount of production can be achieved by a much smaller number of animals. Genomic selection (GS) may offer a cost-effective way of using an efficient breeding approach, even in low- and middle-income countries. As climate change increases the intensity of heatwaves, adaptation to heat stress leads to lower efficiency of production and, thus, is unfavourable to the goal of reducing GHG. Furthermore, there is evidence that heat stress during cow pregnancy can have many generation-long lowering effects on milk production. Both adaptation and reduction of GHG are among the difficult-to-measure traits for which GS is more efficient and suitable than the traditional non-genomic breeding evaluation approach. Nevertheless, the commonly used within-breed selection may be insufficient to meet the new challenges; thus, cross-breeding based on selecting highly efficient and highly adaptive breeds may be needed. Genomic introgression offers an efficient approach for cross-breeding that is expected to provide high genetic progress with a low rate of inbreeding. However, well-adapted breeds may have a small number of animals, which is a source of concern from a genetic biodiversity point of view. Furthermore, low animal numbers also limit the efficiency of genomic introgression. Sustainable cattle production in countries that have already intensified production is likely to emphasise better health, reproduction, feed efficiency, heat stress and other adaptation traits instead of higher production. This may require the application of innovative technologies for phenotyping and further use of new big data techniques to extract information for breeding.


Aluminum Trichloride Inhibits the Rat Osteoblasts Mineralization In Vitro.
Aluminum (Al) is an accumulative toxic metal. Excessive Al accumulation inhibits osteoblasts mineralization and induces osteoporosis. However, the inhibition mechanism of Al on the mineralization is not fully understood. Thus, in this study, the rat osteoblasts were cultured and exposed to 0 mmol L-1 (control group, CG) and 0.52 mmol L-1 aluminum trichloride (AlCl3, treatment group, TG) for 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. We found that mineralized matrix nodules, the activity of bone alkaline phosphatase, the concentration of extracellular calcium, the mRNA expression of type-I collagen, the mRNA and protein expressions of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein were all decreased, while the concentration of extracellular phosphorus was increased in TG compared with CG with time prolonged. Taken together, these results indicated that AlCl3 inhibited osteoblasts mineralization in vitro.


Pembrolizumab-induced vitiligo in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma: A case report.
Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor designed to block the interaction between programmed cell death-1 and programmed cell death-ligands 1 and 2. It shows efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer, among others. Side effects may involve immune-related adverse events, including vitiligo. We hereby present a 63-year-old Caucasian female with metastatic nonsmall-cell lung cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed programmed death-ligand 1 expression on 100% of tumour cells. The patient was eligible for immunotherapy and received pembrolizumab every 3 weeks as the first-line treatment. Three months after initiation of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, depigmentation appeared on her upper right thoracic area of the skin overlying the affected lung lobe. Immunotherapy was generally well tolerated. Excellent response in our subject with complete remission during 16 months of follow-up potentially indicates that cutaneous immune-related adverse events, such as vitiligo, might be associated with increased efficacy of pembrolizumab in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.


Phenetic structure of two Bactrocera tau cryptic species (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting Momordica cochinchinensis (Cucurbitaceae) in Thailand and Laos.
Morphometric variation with respect to wing venation patterns was explored for 777 specimens of the Bactrocera tau complex collected in Thailand (nine provinces) and Laos (one locality). Cryptic species B. tau A and C were identified based on their wing shape similarity to published reference images. In Thailand, the B. tau A species was identified in four provinces and the B. tau C species in seven provinces, and both species in one locality of Laos. The objective of the study was to explain the geographic variation of size and shape in two cryptic species collected from the same host (Momordica cochinchinensis). Although collected from the same host, the two species did not show the same morphological variance: it was higher in the B. tau A species, which currently infests a wide range of different fruit species, than in the B. tau C species, which is specific to only one fruit (M. cochinchinensis). Moreover, the two species showed a different population structure. An isolation by distance model was apparent in both sexes of species C, while it was not detected in species A. Thus, the metric differences were in apparent accordance with the known behavior of these species, either as a generalist (species A) or as a specialist (species C), and for each species our data suggested different sources of shape diversity: genetic drift for species C, variety of host plants (and probably also pest-host-relationship) for species A. In addition to these distinctions, the larger species, B. tau C, showed less sexual size and shape dimorphism. The data presented here confirm the previously established wing shape differences between the two cryptic species. Character displacement has been discussed as a possible origin of this interspecific variation. The addition of previously published data on species A from other hosts allowed the testing of the character displacement hypothesis. The hypothesis was rejected for interspecific shape differences, but was maintained for size differences.


Contribution of heavy metals to toxicity of coal combustion related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Caenorhabditis elegans with wild-type or susceptible genetic background.
Contribution of chemical components in coal combustion related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to its toxicity is largely unclear. We focused on heavy metals in PM2.5 to investigate their contribution to toxicity formation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Among 8 heavy metals examined (Fe, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni), Pb, Cr, and Cu potentially contributed to PM2.5 toxicity in wild-type nematodes. Combinational exposure to any two of these three heavy metals caused higher toxicity than exposure to Pb, Cr, or Cu alone. Toxicity from the combinational exposure to Pb, Cr, and Cu at the examined concentrations was higher than exposure to PM2.5 (100 mg/L). Moreover, mutation of sod-2 or sod-3 gene encoding Mn-SOD increased susceptibility in nematodes exposed to Fe, Zn, or Ni, although Fe, Zn, or Ni at the examined concentration did not lead to toxicity in wild-type nematodes. Our results highlight the potential contribution of heavy metals to PM2.5 toxicity in environmental organisms.


NLRP3 inflammasome activation promotes the development of allergic rhinitis via epithelium pyroptosis.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a worldwide highly prevalent nasal inflammatory disease with elusive mechanisms about the regulation of innate immune response. The roles and mechanisms of NLRP3, a typical inflammasome, in AR development remain unclear. Here we investigate the roles of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the development and progression of AR and try to uncover its potential mechanisms underlying. Wildtype and NLRP3 knockout mice were applied to construct the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR model. Caspase-1 specific inhibitor Belnacasan and inflammasome activator ATP were used for adjuvant stimulation of AR-model mice respectively. We found that the production of IL-1β and the activation of inflammasome were increased in both patients and mice with AR. NLRP3 deficiency markedly suppressed AR progression with reduced inflammatory response and epithelium pyroptosis in mice with AR. Furthermore, Caspase-1 inhibitor treatment in vivo ameliorated the development and progression of AR with favorable outcomes. Mechanistically, inflammation augments and nasal mucosa injury during AR were partially due to ASC-specks accumulation and subsequent cell pyroptosis. Our study reveals the previously unknown roles of NLRP3 inflammasome in promoting the development and progression of AR via enhancing inflammatory response and epithelium pyroptosis and thus provides a potential clue for allergic disease interventions.


Does the combination of erythropoietin and tapered oral corticosteroids improve recovery following iatrogenic nerve injury?
The reported prognosis for recovery after peripheral nerve injury is remarkably poor. Deficits may persist for years, resulting in significant functional disability. Both corticosteroids and Erythropoietin have been investigated as neuroprotective agents; however, their efficacy in total hip and knee arthroplasty is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of systemically-administered Erythropoietin and tapered oral corticosteroids on the recovery of postoperative nerve palsies in the setting of total hip and knee arthroplasty. Eleven patients sustaining postoperative peripheral nerve injuries after total hip or knee arthroplasty were treated acutely with Erythropoietin and tapered oral steroids. Motor and sensory function was assessed clinically pre- and postoperatively until complete motor recovery or for a minimum of 1 year. Motor loss was complete in seven (64%) patients and partial in four (36%). Seven (64%) patients' symptoms affected the common peroneal nerve distribution and four (36%) had concomitant tibial nerve involvement. Eight (73%) patients experienced full motor recovery at an average of 39 days (range: 3-133 days), and three (27%) had near-complete motor recovery. At final follow up, no patient required assistive devices for ambulation. Administration of Erythropoietin coupled with oral tapered steroids for patients sustaining iatrogenic nerve injuries in total hip and knee arthroplasty demonstrated faster and more complete recovery of motor and sensory function compared to previous reports in the literature. This study highlights the importance of further investigation to define the role of each in the setting of acute postoperative nerve palsies. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


Adeno-associated virus vectorology, manufacturing, and clinical applications.
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as an attractive vector for gene therapy. The benefits of using AAV for gene therapy include long-term gene expression, the inability to autonomously replicate without a helper virus, transduction of dividing and nondividing cells, and the lack of pathogenicity from wild-type infections. A number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials utilizing AAV have been carried out worldwide (Aucoin et al., 2008; Mueller and Flotte, 2008). A number of challenges have been identified based upon data generated from these clinical trials. These challenges include (1) large scale manufacturing technologies in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), (2) tissue specific tropism of AAV vectors, (3) high-quality/high potency recombinant AAV vectors (rAAV), and (4) immune response to AAV capsids and transgene. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of AAV biology, AAV vectorology, rAAV manufacturing, and the current status on the latest rAAV clinical trials.


Modulation of cell-to-cell coupling between myometrial cells of the human uterus during pregnancy.
The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in cell-to-cell coupling of human myometrium during pregnancy to assess the presence and permeability of gap junctions. To evaluate the coupling, input resistance was measured and intercellular spread of Lucifer yellow was observed with microelectrode techniques in intact myometrial preparations from four nonpregnant women, 13 women not in labor, and three women in labor. Octanol, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were applied to the preparations to assess their effects on cell-to-cell coupling. Input resistance of myometrial cells was decreased (p less than 0.001) and intercellular spread of Lucifer yellow was increased during pregnancy. Octanol, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate rapidly and reversibly increased input resistance (p less than 0.001 for all these agents) and blocked Lucifer yellow spread in tissues from pregnant patients. Cell-to-cell coupling between human myometrial cells is spontaneously improved during pregnancy because of the presence of gap junctions. The coupling is rapidly and reversibly decreased by octanol, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate as a result of decreased permeability of gap junctions. These two methods of modulation of gap junctions are suggested to be major mechanisms for control of myometrial contractile activity in the human uterus during pregnancy.


Inhibition of RNA polymerase and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity by 6-chloro-8-aza-9-cyclopentylpurine. Structure-activity relationships.
The structural requirements for inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase and rabbit liver formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity by a series of purine nucleoside analogs related to 6-chloro-8-aza-9-cyclopentylpurine (689) were investigated. To achieve an inhibitory effect, preincubation of the enzyme preparations with the purine analogs, prior to assay of enzyme activity, was required. The greatest inhibition was produced by analogs containing all three alterations of the purine nucleoside structure: the 6-halo, 8-aza, and 9-cyclopentyl groups. It is suggested that 689 inhibits the activity of enzymes involved in nucleic acid synthesis by a site-directed alkylation.


Transition from paediatric to adult care in young people with diabetes; A structured programme from a regional diabetes service, Auckland, New Zealand.
To assess participation with a structured transition programme for adolescents with diabetes. Data from a regional cohort aged less than 16 years of age with type 1 (T1) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Auckland, New Zealand (2006-2016). Participation was defined as opting into a structured transition programme. Five hundrend and twelve adolescents who were to be transferred to adult care (476 type 1 (T1D) and 36 type 2 (T2D)), overall participation rate of 83%, 86% (408/476) with T1D compared to 47% (17/36) with T2D. Within the cohort of T1D, participation rates for Māori and Pacific were lower (74% and 77%, respectively) than New Zealand Europeans (88%, p = 0.020 and p = 0.039, respectively). Lower socio-economic status was associated with reduced participation (77%) compared to higher socio-economic status (90%, p = 0.002). Of the 476 T1D who participated, 408 (96%) subsequently attended at least one adult service clinic ("capture"). 42% attended an adult clinic within the planned 3 months, 87% at 6 months and retention in adult clinics over 5 years of follow-up was 78%. By contrast, the 68 young people with T1D who did not participate in the structured transition had a capture rate of 78% (p < 0.001) and retention of 63% (p = 0.036). In adolescents with diabetes, a formal transition from a paediatric service was associated with high rates of adult capture and subsequent retention in adult care over a 5-year follow-up period. Low socio-economic status, Māori or Pacific ethnicity and T2D were associated with reduced participation in the structured transition programme.


Pathway analysis for family data using nested random-effects models.
Recently we proposed a novel two-step approach to test for pathway effects in disease progression. The goal of this approach is to study the joint effect of multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms that belong to certain genes. By using random effects, our approach acknowledges the correlations within and between genes when testing for pathway effects. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions can be included in the model. The method can be implemented with standard software, and the distribution of the test statistics under the null hypothesis can be approximated by using standard chi-square distributions. Hence no extensive permutations are needed for computations of the p-value. In this paper we adapt and apply the method to family data, and we study its performance for sequence data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 17. For the set of unrelated subjects, the performance of the new test was disappointing. We found a power of 6% for the binary outcome and of 18% for the quantitative trait Q1. For family data the new approach appears to perform well, especially for the quantitative outcome. We found a power of 39% for the binary outcome and a power of 89% for the quantitative trait Q1.


Genetic and environmental effects on wing polymorphisms in two tropical earwigs (Dermaptera: Labiidae).
The tropical earwigs Paralabella dorsalis and Pseudomarava prominensis are polymorphic for wings in both sexes. An individual's chances of being winged are influenced by whether its parents were winged, by its own sex, and by its nymphal nutrition (at least in P. dorsalis). Wingless females of P. dorsalis lived longer, started ovipositing ealier, and laid slightly larger clutches.


The effects of glibenclamide, a K(ATP) channel blocker, on the warm-up phenomenon.
The warm-up phenomenon observed after the second of two sequential exercise tests is characterized by an increased time to ischemia and ischemic threshold, and the latter is related to ischemic preconditioning. Previous studies have demonstrated that a single dose of glibenclamide, a cardiac ATP-sensitive K (K(ATP)) channel blocker, prevents ischemic preconditioning. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic treatment with glibenclamide during two sequential exercise tests. Forty patients with angina pectoris were divided into three groups: 20 nondiabetics (NDM), 10 patients with diabetes in treatment with glibenclamide (DMG) and 10 diabetic patients with other treatments (DMO). All patients underwent two consecutive exercise tests. Heart rate and rate-pressure product at 1.0 mm ST-segment depression significantly increased during the second exercise test in NDM group (121.3+/-16.5 vs 127.3+/-15.3 beats/min, P<0.001, and 216.7+43.1 vs 232.1+/-43.0 beats.min-1.mmHg.10(2), P<0.001), and in DMO group (114.1+/-19.6 vs 119.6+/-18.1 beats/min, P=0.001, and 199.8+/-36.6 vs 222.2+/-29.2 beats.min-1.mmHg.10(2), P=0.019), but it did not change in patients in DMG group (130.7+/-14.5 vs 132.1+/-4.7 beats/min, P=ns, and 251.7+/-47.2 vs 250.3+/-42.8 beats.min-1.mmHg.10(2), P=ns). In the three groups, NDM, DMO, and DMG, the time to 1.0 mm ST-segment depression during the second exercise test was greater than during the first (225.0+/-112.5 vs 267.0+/-122.3 seconds, P=0.006; 187.5+/-54.0 vs 226.5+/-74.6 seconds, P=0.029 and 150.0+/-78.7 vs 186.0+/-81.9 seconds, P<0.001). The chronic use of glibenclamide may have mediated the loss of preconditioning benefits in the warm-up phenomenon, probably through its KATP channel-blocker activity, but without acting upon the tolerance to exercise.


Effects of a new diuretic piretanide on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and 125I-insulin binding.
The effect of a new diuretic, piretanide, on glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and 125I-insulin binding to erythrocytes was studied in 12 male patients with mild essential hypertension. After a 4 week wash-out period with placebo, piretanide 6 mg b.i.d. was administered in a single-blind manner for 8 consecutive weeks. Although glucose tolerance deteriorated slightly in one patient, the diuretic treatment had no effect on the mean blood glucose concentrations during oral glucose tolerance tests or on glycohaemoglobin A1 measurements, both studies being done at 4 week intervals. Preservation of euglycemia was associated with increased insulin secretion. After 8 weeks of piretanide therapy the basal C-peptide concentration was 61% higher than the pretreatment level (0.44 vs 0.71 microU/ml; p less than 0.05). Glucagon - stimulated C-peptide concentrations were significantly elevated after 4 (1.67 vs 2.53 microU/ml, p less than 0.05) and after 8 weeks (1.67 vs. 2.90 microU/ml, p less than 0.01) of diuretic treatment. Fasting plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels were virtually unchanged by the drug therapy. The enhanced insulin secretion did not appear secondary to increased insulin resistance at the insulin receptor level, since the specific bound fraction of 125I-insulin remained unaffected by diuretic treatment. Although short-term loop diuretic treatment appears to have no effect on glucose tolerance, the very low density lipoprotein synthetic rate may be promoted by the increased insulin secretion.


Targeting delivery of partial VAR2CSA peptide guided N-2-Hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan nanoparticles for multiple cancer types.
To developing a multiple cancer types targeting drug delivery carrier system, a 28 amino acids from the VAR2CSA was synthesized as the placental CSA-binding peptide (plCSA-BP). Its specific binding ability to cancer cells was tested on cancer tissue array, and the results showed that plCSA-BP could bind to multiple cancer types. Then, the plCSA-BP was used as a guiding peptide to coat nanoparticles synthesized from N-2-HACC (CSA/HACC-NPs) which were loaded with prodigiosin (CSA/HACC-PNPs) or indocyanine green (CSA/HACC-INPs). The cancer cells specific targeting and efficacy of the CSA/HACC-PNPs were tested by different cancer cells in vitro and various cancer xenograft model in vivo. A scramble peptide (SCR) was used as control and synthesized SCR/HACC-PNPs and SCR/HACC-INPs. The results showed that the CSA/HACC-INPs could specifically uptake by JEG-3, PC3 and A594 cells, and the CSA/HACC-PNPs exhibited better anti-cancer activity and lower toxic effect in subcutaneous choriocarcinoma and prostatic tumor models compared with the free prodigiosin, HACC-PNPs and SCR/HACC-PNPs. So, the CSA/HACC-NPs could be used as a specific delivery carrier for multiple cancer types, and provided an alternate treatment option of various cancers with a single recipe.


Expression and regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in organotypic cultures of rat liver tissue.
The objective of the present study was to analyze the expression and regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in organotypic cultures of rat liver slices, which preserve the normal microenvironment of liver cells. Rat liver slices were maintained in culture for 15 min to 24 h and examined for ICAM-1 expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in basal conditions and after stimulation with 1000 IU/ml interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), 1000 IU/ml tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and 50 microg/ml endotoxin. Immunohistochemical results were evaluated using a semiquantitative scoring system. In uncultured slices, ICAM-1 was not detected on hepatocytes. In unstimulated liver slices maintained in organotypic culture, ICAM-1 was induced at the surface of scattered hepatocytes (score at 15 min, 0.33+/-0.47 and at 24 h, 1.17+/-0.69). After 4 h of stimulation, a significant increase in ICAM-1 expression by hepatocytes and adjacent sinusoidal cells, but not by intra-hepatic biliary epithelial cells, was observed for IFNgamma (score: 2.35+/-0.47) and endotoxin (score: 2.67+/-0.47), but not with TNF alpha (score: 0.66+/-0.47). After 24 h of stimulation, a further increase in the extent of ICAM-1 expression by hepatocytes was observed for IFNgamma (score: 3.67+/-0.47) and endotoxin (score: 4.0+/-0.0), and a significant overexpression of ICAM-1 by hepatocytes was detectable after treatment with TNF alpha (score: 3.67+/-0.47). In rat liver organotypic cultures, TNF alpha, IFNgamma and endotoxin induce the expression of ICAM-1 in hepatocytes and adjacent sinusoidal endothelial cells, but not in portal tracts.


Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic aortic valve.
Bacterial endocarditis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a rare disease. A 48-year-old man who had a Starr-Edwards aortic valve prosthesis inserted in 1972 was admitted for evaluation of confusion, headaches, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea and weakness. Six blood cultures yielded gram-negative organisms which were subsequently identified as A. actinomycetemcomitans. Treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin resulted in cure which has been maintained after an observation period of eleven months. This represents the second report of A. actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic valve.


Use of computed tomography in the localization of head-and-neck-space infections.
Three cases are reported in which results of CT scanning were of significant use in determining the presence and location of abscesses in the head and neck region. The authors believe CT should be employed as an adjunct to thorough physical examination in head and neck infections of a complex or chronic nature.


Endoscopic classification system of pars tensa retractions.
Previous classification systems of pars tensa retractions have not consistently incorporated ossicular erosion or the presence of cholesteatoma. This study aimed to illustrate our classification of pars tensa retractions, which is more precise than previous systems, with aided use of the endoscope. A retrospective study was carried out on 200 ears of 170 patients whose pars tensa retractions had been documented at a tertiary otological referral centre. A classification system was developed. Pars tensa retractions were divided into the following subcategories: grade 0, grade 1, grade 2a, grade 2b, grade 3a, grade 3b, grade 3c, grade 4a, grade 4b, grade 4c, grade 5a, grade 5b and grade 5c. This classification system was able to accommodate all pars tensa retractions. The distribution of grades of pars tensa retractions was based on ossicular status and the presence or absence of cholesteatoma. It is therefore a more applicable, and functionally based system than previous alternatives.


Domestic refrigerator temperatures in Spain: Assessment of its impact on the safety and shelf-life of cooked meat products.
Temperature is one of the main factors governing the growth of microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to provide temperature conditions representative of the food products stored in domestic refrigerators and to assess the impact of the temperature (fluctuation) on the shelf-life of refrigerated cooked meat products, from the safety and the spoilage point of view. The analysis of the time-temperature profiles recorded from 160 domestic refrigerators of households from small (28%) and large (72%) municipalities in Catalonia (Spain) showed that the 24 h-mean temperature could be described by a normal distribution (mean = 5.4 °C, standard deviation = 2.3 °C) with a mean value within the upper limit of the appropriate storage temperature of refrigerated products (i.e. ≤6 °C). The impact of door openings or day and night was not significant. Temperature distribution showed differences depending on the season, being higher in the cold season than in the warm one. Noteworthy, refrigerators of elderly (≥ 65 years old) households showed a higher percentage of time at temperatures >8 °C in comparison with those of the general population. Overall, the 75th percentile of the distribution of the 24 h-mean temperature values was 6.7 °C. This study can be used as a scientific evidence of the consumer storage stage when food business operators or laboratories conduct shelf-life studies. According to the simulation of the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria in cooked meat products, risk scenarios were identified in which the critical level of the pathogen could be reached before lactic acid bacteria achieved the spoilage level. The fluctuation of the refrigerator temperature ranged from 0.5 up to 12.2 °C within the 24 h-profile. The assessment of the safety of cooked meat products stored at constant temperature or under different time-temperature profiles showed that both the mean and the fluctuation of the profile had an impact on the shelf-life, which was higher at low temperatures. The improvement of the household refrigerated storage would be an effective way to increase food safety of refrigerated ready-to-eat food.


Vaginitis.
Vaginitis is one of the most common complaints of women in the United States today. About 90% of patients with this problem suffer from infection of the vagina caused by Candida, Gardnerella, or Trichomonas. The diagnosis and effective treatment of these common infections depend on accurate identification of the entity, effective specific therapy, and restoration of the normal ecosystem of the vagina. At the same time women should be made aware that not all discharge means infection and that any attempts at self-treatment may only worsen their condition. Proper hygiene habits, dietary control, and management of stress are all helpful factors in the control of recurrent vaginal infections.


Synthesis of 6-deoxy-5-thio-D-glucose.
Three routes were investigated for the conversion of D-glucose into the title compound. In the first approach, reduction of the 5,6-thiirane ring of 5,6-dideoxy-5, 6-epithio-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose (17) as well as that of its 3-O-allyl derivative (13) with lithium aluminium hydride was investigated; 17 afforded the corresponding 6-deoxy derivative besides di-, tri-, and poly-mers, whereas only polymers were formed from 13. In the second approach, the oxirane ring of 3-O-allyl-5,6-anhydro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-beta-L-idofuranose was reduced by sodium borohydride and the resulting 6-deoxy derivative was converted into the 5-thiobenzoate; the corresponding hex-4-enofuranose was formed as a byproduct. In the third approach partial mesylation of methyl 5-thio-alpha-D-glucopyranoside was attempted, but the 6-mesylate 27 could be isolated only in modest yield (28%) together with rearranged 2,5-thioanhydromannofuranoside derivatives. The mechanism of this rearrangement is discussed in detail. The 6-mesylate 27 was converted via the 6-iodo derivative into the title compound.


A dehydrotrimer of ferulic acid from maize bran.
A new phenolic acid trimer was detected by coupled liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy in alkali extracts of maize bran. The trimer was purified by preparative silica gel chromatography. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and corresponded to a 4-O-8', 5'-5" dehydrotriferulic acid.


The sulfhydryl content of L-threonine dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli K-12: relation to catalytic activity and Mn2+ activation.
When oxidized to cysteic acid by performic acid or converted to carboxymethylcysteine by alkylation of the reduced enzyme with iodoacetate, a total of six half-cystine residues/subunit are found in L-threonine dehydrogenase (L-threonine: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 184.108.40.206; L-threonine + NAD(+)----2-amino-3-oxobutyrate + NADH) from Escherichia coli K-12. Of this total, two exist in disulfide linkage, whereas four are titratable under denaturing conditions by dithiodipyridine, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), or p-mercuribenzoate. The kinetics of enzyme inactivation and of modification by the latter two reagents indicate that threonine dehydrogenase has no free thiols that selectively react with bulky compounds. While incubation of the enzyme with a large excess of iodoacetamide causes less than 10% loss of activity, the native dehydrogenase is uniquely reactive with and completely inactivated by iodoacetate. The rate of carboxymethylation by iodoacetate of one -SH group/subunit is identical with the rate of inactivation and the carboxymethylated enzyme is no longer able to bind Mn2+. NADH (0.5 mM) provides 40% protection against this inactivation; 60 to 70% protection is seen in the presence of saturating levels of NADH plus L-threonine. Such results coupled with an analysis of the kinetics of inactivation caused by iodoacetate are interpreted as indicating the inhibitor first forms a reversible complex with a positively charged moiety in or near the microenvironment of a reactive -SH group in the enzyme before irreversible alkylation occurs. Specific alkylation of one -SH group/enzyme subunit apparently causes protein conformational changes that entail a loss of catalytic activity and the ability to bind Mn2+.


Contribution of hydroxymethylbutenyl diphosphate synthase to carotenoid biosynthesis in bacteria and plants.
The methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway synthesizes the precursors of carotenoids and other isoprenoids in bacteria and plant plastids. Despite recent progress in the identification of rate-determining steps, the relative contribution of most pathway enzymes to flux control remains to be established. In this work we investigated whether upregulated levels of hydroxymethylbutenyl diphosphate synthase (HDS) could increase the metabolic flux through this pathway, as judged by endpoint (carotenoid) measurements. Unlike other MEP pathway enzymes, however, increasing the levels of an active HDS protein in carotenoid-producing Escherichia coli cells and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants did not result in an enhanced accumulation of MEP-derived isoprenoids. Our data suggest that enhanced flux through the MEP pathway for peak demand periods in bacteria and plastids does not require increased HDS activity.


Long-term survival, cardiovascular, and functional outcomes after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting in 566 patients.
Sternotomy has been the gold standard incision for surgical revascularization but may be associated with chronic pain and sternal malunion. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting allows for complete surgical revascularization through a small thoracotomy in selected patients. There is a paucity of long-term data, particularly functional outcomes, for patients who underwent minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients (N = 566) who underwent minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting at a single institution over a 17-year period were prospectively followed. The primary outcome was survival. At late follow-up, patients were contacted for a questionnaire on functional outcomes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard model identified correlates of the primary outcome. Clinical follow-up was complete for 100% of patients (mean 7.0 ± 4.4 years); a follow-up questionnaire was also completed for 83.9% (N = 427) of live patients. Fifty percent of patients (N = 283) had undergone multivessel grafting. At 12 years, survival for the entire cohort was 82.2% ± 2.6%. On late follow-up questionnaire, 12 patients (2.8%) had greater than Canadian Cardiovascular Score Class II angina and 19 patients (4.5%) had greater than New York Heart Association Class II symptoms. More than 98% of patients did not have pain related to the incision site. Cox proportional hazards analysis identified older age, peripheral vascular disease, prior myocardial infarction, left ventricular dysfunction, cancer in the past 5 years, intraoperative transfusion, and hybrid revascularization as correlates of mortality during follow-up. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting is a safe and durable alternative to sternotomy coronary artery bypass grafting in selected patients, with excellent short- and long-term outcomes, including for multivessel coronary disease. At long-term follow-up, the proportion of patients with significant symptoms and incisional pain was low.


Role of hematopoietic microenvironment in prolonged impairment of B cell regeneration in age-related stromal-cell-impaired SAMP1 mouse: effects of a single dose of 5-fluorouracil.
In this study, we examined the age-associated defect of stromal cells, which support B cell development, treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to induce severe perturbation of hematopoiesis, including B lymphocyte development, using SAMP1 mice exhibiting senescence-mimicking stromal-cell impairment after 30 weeks of age. Significant findings of this study are as follows: first, a marked and prolonged decrease in number of CFU-preB cells in non-SCI mice (58% of the steady-state level) associated with more markedly depressed number of CFU-preB cells in SCI mice (20% of the steady-state level), despite the absence of difference in the number of CFU-GMs during the period; second, in the non-SCI mice, a significant and prolonged up-regulation of GM-CSF and IL-6, positive regulators of myelopoiesis and suppressive factors of B lymphopoiesis, was observed. In SCI mice, greater and prolonged suppression of B lymphopoiesis was clearly demonstrated by the significant up-regulation of the negative regulator TNF-alpha associated with the concomitant marked down-regulation of the positive regulator SDF-1, although the increases of GM-CSF and IL-6 were limited. That is, 'negative complementation' makes preB recovery after 5-FU treatment impaired and prolonged. Principal component analysis clearly showed differences in the cytokine expression patterns in both early and later phases and the time course of the expression pattern of each cytokine between SCI and non-SCI mice without supervising information. An impaired regulation of the expressions of not only positive but also negative regulators after 5-FU treatment was, in part, the cause of the impaired regeneration of CFU-preB cells in SCI mice.


Repair of complete atrioventricular canal defects: results with the two-patch technique.
Between 1983 and 1994, 115 infants and children underwent repair of a complete atrioventricular canal defect with the two-patch technique and routine mitral valve "cleft" closure. A retrospective review of these 115 patients was performed. Age at the time of repair ranged from 1 month to 108 months (mean age, 14.2 +/- 16.5 months; median age, 8 months). Preoperative cardiac catheterization in 113 patients revealed a mean pulmonary to systemic flow ratio of 3.37 +/- 1.8, a mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 71.1 +/- 15.7 mm Hg, and a mean pulmonary vascular resistance of 4.9 +/- 3.3 units. Associated anomalies included Down's syndrome (99 patients), patent ductus arteriosus (47), and coarctation of the aorta (4). Rastelli classification was A (76 patients), B (10), C (24), and unknown (5). Twenty-four patients had intraoperative epicardial or transesophageal echocardiography. Although there was a trend toward increasing mean preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance with age from 2.1 +/- 0.9 units (0 to 3 months) to 4.0 +/- 2.6 units (4 to 6 months) to 5.7 +/- 3.0 units (7 to 12 months), the mean pulmonary vascular resistance of each age group was not significantly different from that of the main group. The operative survival rate was 94% (seven early deaths) and the overall survival rate, 91% (three late deaths). Intraoperative echocardiography altered the surgical therapy for 1 patient. No patient has required reoperation for a residual ventricular septal defect. Four patients (3.5%) had heart block requiring permanent pacemakers. Eight patients (7%) required reoperation for mitral insufficiency; 6 of whom had successful repair of a residual cleft. For infants with complete atrioventricular canal defect, repair using the two-patch technique with routine mitral valve cleft closure at 4 to 6 months of age results in a low operative mortality, a low incidence of permanent heart block, and a low reoperation rate for mitral insufficiency.


Keeping adenovirus away from the liver.
While adenovirus holds many advantages as a vector for gene delivery, much of its full potential has been limited by the tendency of the most commonly used vectors to target the liver upon systemic delivery, resulting in unacceptable toxicity. Recently in Cell, Waddington et al. unmasked the virus-host interactions that lead to hepatic transduction. The results point a way toward avoiding this pathway during development of future generations of adenovirus vectors.


Chronic rhinitis in children.
Children are not small adults, and although many features of chronic rhinitis in children are similar to those in adults, there are significant differences in etiologic factors, manner of presentation, and therapy. The fact that children are growing and developing also has special therapeutic implications in the management of rhinitis.


Effects of a consumer driven health plan on pharmaceutical spending and utilization.
To compare pharmaceutical spending and utilization in a consumer driven health plan (CDHP) with a three-tier pharmacy benefit design, and to examine whether the CDHP creates incentives to reduce pharmaceutical spending and utilization for chronically ill patients, generic or brand name drugs, and mail-order drugs. Retrospective insurance claims analysis from a large employer that introduced a CDHP in 2001 in addition to a point of service (POS) plan and a preferred provider organization (PPO), both of which used a three-tier pharmacy benefit. Difference-in-differences regression models were estimated for drug spending and utilization. Control variables included the employee's income, age, and gender, number of covered lives per contract, election of flexible spending account, health status, concurrent health shock, cohort, and time trend. Results. CDHP pharmaceutical expenditures were lower than those in the POS cohort in 1 year without differences in the use of brand name drugs. We find limited evidence of less drug consumption by CDHP enrollees with chronic illnesses, and some evidence of less generic drug use and more mail-order drug use among CDHP members. The CDHP is cost-neutral or cost-saving to both the employer and the employee compared with three-tier benefits with no differences in brand name drug use.


Comparative analysis of a transposon-rich Brassica oleracea BAC clone with its corresponding sequence in A. thaliana.
We compared the sequence of a 96.7 Kb-long BAC clone (B 19 N 3) from Brassica oleracea (broccoli) with its corresponding regions in Arabidopsis thaliana. B 19 N 3 contains eight genes and 15 transposable elements (TEs). The first two genes in this clone, Bo 1 and Bo 2, have its corresponding region at the end of chromosome V of Arabidopsis (24 Mb). The third gene, Bo 3, corresponds to an ortholog at the opposite end (2.6 Mb) of the same chromosome. The other five genes, Bo 4 to Bo 8 also have a corresponding region on the same chromosome but at 7.7 Mb . These five genes are colinear with those found in the corresponding region of Arabidopsis, which contains, however, 15 genes. Therefore, a cluster of 10 genes is missing in B. oleracea clone (B 19 N 3). All five genes in common have the same order and orientation in the genomes of both species. Their 36 exons constituting the eight homologous genes have high conservation in size and sequence identity in both species. Among these, there is a major gene involved in aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis, Bo GSL-ELONG (Bo 4). Similar to A. thaliana, this gene, has a tandem duplicate, Bo 5. A contig for this region was constructed by primer walking and BAC-end-sequencing, revealing general gene colinearity between both species. During the 20 million years separating A. thaliana from B. oleracea from a common ancestor both genomes have diverged by chromosomal rearrangements and differential TE activity. These events, in addition to changes in chromosome number are responsible for the evolution of the genomes of both species. In spite of these changes, both species conserve general colinearity for their corresponding genes.


Occurrence of volatile nitrosamines in food samples collected in three high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Fifty-four samples of foods consumed frequently in Tunisia, southern China and Greenland, all high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), were analysed for the presence of volatile nitrosamines by gas chromatography (GC) combined with a thermal energy analyser (TEA). Relatively high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) were found in Tunisian stewing base (touklia) and dried mutton preserved in olive oil (qaddid). In one Chinese salted and dried fish sample, a high level of NDMA (133 micrograms/kg) was detected, but for the 14 others the levels ranged from undetectable to 14 micrograms/kg, with a mean of 3 micrograms/kg. Similarly high levels of NDMA, were found in Eskimo dried, unsalted fish samples. NDMA, NPIP and NPYR at various levels were present in Chinese vegetables fermented in brine. The possible role of nitrosamines in the etiology of NPC is discussed.


Nitrogen fixers in the rhizosphere of certain desert plants.
Six species of common desert range plants; Achillea sp., Aristida plumosa, Artemisia herba-alba, Haloxylon articulatum, and Heliotropium ramosissimum were colleted from Western Desert in Iraq. Counts of Azotobacter spp. and total bacteria were estimated in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. Biomass and total nitrogen content of the plants were determined. The R/N ratio (ratio between rhizosphere to non-rhizosphere) for Azotobacter sp. ranged between 1 to 19.5 with an average of 4.96. The number of Azotobacter in the rhizosphere ranged between 6.8 X 10(3) to 47 X 10(3) cells/g, while in the non-rhizosphere it ranged from 2 X 10(3) to 21 X 10(3). Aristida plumosa harboured the highest number, i.e., 47 X 10(3) cells/g, while Artemisia herba-alba showed the least, i.e., 6.8 X 10(3) cells/g. Total counts of bacteria in the rhizosphere ranged between 17.2 X 10(6) and 97 X 10(6) cells/g, that of the non-rhizosphere between 1.5 X 10(6) and 18 X 10(6) cells/g. The R/N ratio ranged between 2.03 X 22.5 with an average of 7.28. An appreciable gain of dry weight and total nitrogen was observed. Between 13 and 152 g with an average of 78.9 g dry weight and between 347 and 6684.0 mg with an average of 2452.0 mg nitrogen per plant were found. The possible contribution of Azotobacter to the nitrogen economy of the plants is discussed and further suggested.


Metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone: isotopic studies in the postabsorptive state and during total parenteral nutrition.
We have performed a series of isotopic studies in 25 adult patients with sepsis and/or trauma in order to determine the metabolic effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) administration. Twelve of the patients were receiving total parenteral nutrition, and 13 were eating a normal ward diet and were studied postabsorption. Energy and protein kinetics were quantified isotopically before rHGH administration and following a 3-day course of rHGH (20 units subcutaneously daily). In the total parenteral nutrition group the rate of net loss of protein decreased from 0.82(0.17) g kg-1 day-1 to 0.43(0.20) g kg-1 day-1 (P less than 0.02) following the administration of rHGH. The rate of appearance of leucine was not altered, suggesting that the improvement in nitrogen balance following rHGH was because of an increased rate of protein synthesis rather than reduced catabolism. In the postabsorptive group, rHGH treatment significantly increased the rate of appearance of free fatty acids (from 7.4(2.2) mumol kg-1 min-1 to 11.1(2.6) mumol kg-1 min-1, P less than 0.03) and free fatty oxidation (from 1.3(0.4) mumol kg-1 min-1 to 1.7(0.4) mumol kg-1 min-1, P less than 0.06), while the rate of leucine oxidation was reduced (from 0.44(0.05) mumol kg-1 min-1 to 0.26(0.03) mumol kg-1 min-1, P less than 0.005). Glucose appearance and oxidation remained unchanged. These results suggest that fat was being oxidized in preference to protein, which resulted in a reduction in the net rate of loss of protein of 0.3 g kg-1 day-1 (P less than 0.05). We conclude that rHGH administration is capable of significantly reducing net protein loss in septic or injured surgical patients. Recombinant HGH may be clinically useful in supporting critically ill surgical patients who require intensive nutritional support.


Desmoplastic fibroma of the ilium.
The desmoplastic fibroma is a rare locally invasive bone tumour. Surgical resection with minimal margins is recommended. A 15 year-old boy was referred with chronic left thigh pain. MRI revealed a bone lesion within the cavity of the inner table of the left iliac wing without invasion of the underlying bone marrow. A surgical biopsy revealed a desmoplastic bone fibroma. A partial resection of the inner table of the iliac wing sparing the outer table was performed. At the latest follow-up the initially spared iliac wing had needed further resection. The reason proposed for this is devascularisation by substantial periosteal stripping causing partial resorption initially, then necrosis and ultimately ulceration through the skin necessitating further surgical resection. The technique of resection of a pelvic desmoplastic fibroma sparing the outer table of the iliac wing has not previously been reported. The objective of a limited resection was to minimize the risk of a postsurgical limp caused by weakness of the gluteus medius muscle. However we report that this technique did not work in this case. A wider resection of the iliac wing as it is recommended for a malignant tumour would have yielded a similar final outcome. A partial resection of the iliac wing seemed an appealing technique for a benign tumour of the inner table of the iliac wing. However, considering the complications encountered, the authors advise a simple "en bloc" resection of the iliac wing for this type of tumour in this location.


Treatment of camptodactyly with a new progressive correction device.
The aim of this study was to introduce a new progressive correction device and present treatment results in camptodactyly patients. Eight patients (11 fingers) were treated for camptodactyly by an external fixator between February 2019 and April 2020. Mean follow-up was 28.7 ± 3.3 months (range, 24-35 months). Operative times and treatment complications were recorded. Pre- and post-operative flexion contracture, total active range of motion (TAM) and esthetic satisfaction were evaluated at final follow-up. Esthetic satisfaction was rated by the patient on a 1-5 point scale. Seven patients were male, and 1 female. Mean age was 21.6 ± 8.5 years (range, 15-42 years). Mean surgery time was 14.9 ± 2.4 min (range, 10-18 min). Mean preoperative flexion contracture was 85.9 ± 7° (range, 75-95°), and mean postoperative flexion contracture was 4 ± 3° (range, 0-10°). Transient proximal interphalangeal joint swelling was seen in 1 case and pin tract infection in 1. TAM was perfect in 5 fingers and good in 6. Patients were either very satisfied (n = 5) or satisfied (n = 3) with the esthetic appearance of each operated finger. Camptodactyly could be managed with a hinged external fixator simply and effectively with gratifying results in selected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.


Molecular characterization of three intestinal protozoans in hospitalized children with different disease backgrounds in Zhengzhou, central China.
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are major intestinal pathogens that can cause diarrheal diseases in humans, especially children. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is another parasite which can cause gastrointestinal tract disorders, with diarrhea being the main clinical symptom. However, few genetic studies of these parasites in pediatric inpatients in China have been published. To assess the genetic characteristics and epidemiological status of these parasites, a total of 2284 fecal samples were collected from children in the pediatric departments of three hospitals in Zhengzhou, central China, and screened for these protozoans with PCR, based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of E. bieneusi. Six (0.26%), 14 (0.61%), and 27 (1.18%) of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, respectively. Of the 12 successfully sequenced G. duodenalis isolates, four were identified as assemblage A and eight as assemblage B. In subtype and multilocus genotype (MLG) analyses, C. parvum IIdA19G1 (n = 4) and two novel G. duodenalis MLGs belonging to subassemblage AII (n = 3) and BIV (n = 5) were successfully identified. The E. bieneusi isolates included genotypes D (n = 17), J (n = 2), PigEBITS7 (n = 1), BEB6 (n = 1), and CM8 (n = 1). This is the first report of C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 in HIV-negative children and E. bieneusi genotype CM8 in humans. The dominance of zoonotic C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 indicates that this parasite is turning into zoonotic origin from human-to-human transmission. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed the zoonotic origins and anthroponotic transmission potential of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, suggesting more efforts must be made to minimize the threat these pathogens pose to public health.


Current Status of Urinary Biomarkers for Detection and Surveillance of Bladder Cancer.
The standard of care for detection and surveillance of bladder cancer consists of cytology and cystoscopy, but both examinations suffer from many limitations, including issues related to accuracy, invasiveness, and cost. Several noninvasive methods for detection and surveillance of bladder cancer have been developed and urine-based biomarkers seem the most promising. This nonsystematic review critically analyzes the commercially available biomarkers and highlights some upcoming investigational biomarkers. To date, none of these biomarkers has sufficient validation to serve as a reliable alternative to cystoscopy.


[Dependence of the nephrotoxic effect of kanamycin on its concentration in the blood (an experimental study)].
The kinetics of changes in the urea nitrogen level of the serum was studied experimentally on narcotized cats with constant blood levels of kanamycin. A relationship between the intensity of the nephrotoxic effect of kanamycin and its blood level was found. On the basis of this relationship lower nephrotoxicity of kanamycin as compared to that of gentamicin and streptomycin under conditions of their constant blood levels was shown. However, the concentrations of gentamicin and kanamycin provided in the blood by their use in therapeutic doses differeing 3--4 times allow a conclusion that the nephrotoxic effect of kanamycin and gentamicin to be practically the same.


Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of biocides induced biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
It is clear that biofilm formation causes many serious health-care problems. Interestingly, sub minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of some biocides can induce biofilm formation in bacteria. We investigated whether sub-MICs of Savlon, chlorhexidine and deconex®, as biocidal products, can induce biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To determine MICs and biofilm formation, we performed microtitre plate assays. All three biocides induced biofilm formation at sub-MICs; Savlon was the most successful antiseptic agent to induce biofilm formation among P. aeruginosa isolates. Deconex had the best inhibition effect on planktonic cultures of P. aeruginosa isolates. We concluded that sub-MICs of Savlon and deconex could significantly induce biofilm formation.


Sources of error in measurement of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The level of minimal residual disease (MRD) in marrow predicts outcome and guides treatment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but accurate prediction depends on accurate measurement. Forty-one children with ALL were studied at the end of induction. Two samples were obtained from each iliac spine and each sample was assayed twice. Assay, sample and side-to-side variation were quantified by analysis of variance and presumptively incorrect decisions related to high-risk disease were determined using the result from each MRD assay, the mean MRD in the patient as the measure of the true value, and each of 3 different MRD cut-off levels which have been used for making decisions on treatment. Variation between assays, samples and sides each differed significantly from zero and the overall standard deviation for a single MRD estimation was 0.60 logs. Multifocal residual disease seemed to be at least partly responsible for the variation between samples. Decision errors occurred at a frequency of 13-14% when the mean patient MRD was between 10-2 and 10-5. Decision errors were observed only for an MRD result within 1 log of the cut-off value used for assessing high risk. Depending on the cut-off used, 31-40% of MRD results were within 1 log of the cut-off value and 21-16% of such results would have resulted in a decision error. When the result obtained for the level of MRD is within 1 log of the cut-off value used for making decisions, variation in the assay and/or sampling may result in a misleading assessment of the true level of marrow MRD. This may lead to an incorrect decision on treatment.


Near UV light photo-degradation of histidine buffer: Mechanisms and role of Fe(III).
Pharmaceutical formulations are sensitive to light-induced degradation. Recent studies have attributed some of the light sensitivity to the presence of Fe(III), the most prevalent metal leachable from pharmaceutical containers. Histidine (His) can promote Fe(III) leaching from stainless steel, especially at elevated storage temperatures. Since there is the chance that combinations of His and Fe(III) are present in pharmaceutical formulations, we investigated the photo-degradation mechanisms of Fe(III)-containing His buffer during expsoure to near UV light. Our results indicate the formation of carbon dioxide radical anion (•CO2-), a powerful reductant, and other photoproducts such as aldehydes and His-derived radicals. The generation of •CO2- can be promoted by increasing concentrations of Fe(III) and inhibited by the addition of the Fe(III) chelator EDTA. Mechanistically, product formation can be rationalized by photo-induced ligand-to-metal-charge-transfer (LMCT), followed by a series of radical transformations of reaction intermediates.


Evaluating coagulation status with thromboelastography in a woman with antiphospholipid syndrome and sepsis: a case report.
This study presents the case of a pregnant woman with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who developed septic shock after labor induction. Prolonged coagulation times suggested a hypocoagulable state and contraindication to anticoagulation. Thromboelastography (TEG) similarly indicated hypocoagulation. To exclude the impact of lupus anticoagulant on the coagulation assays, a mixing test of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin times was conducted. The mixing test confirmed that prolongation of coagulation times in vitro was affected by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), such as lupus anticoagulant. The patient was administered human immunoglobulin and low-molecular weight heparin to neutralize antibodies and for anticoagulation, respectively. The patient's coagulation state significantly improved. Based on these findings, anesthesiologists and obstetricians should be aware that TEG might not be a reliable method of correcting coagulation parameters in patients with sepsis in the presence of aPL. If necessary, a mixing test can be performed to correctly define a patient's coagulation status.


Photoreceptor-specific efficiencies of beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein for photopigment formation deduced from receptor mutant Drosophila melanogaster.
Drosophila rearing media had only beta-carotene, zeaxanthin or lutein as precursors for photopigment chromophores. Zeaxanthin and lutein are potentially optimum sources of the 3-hydroxylated retinoids of visual and accessory photopigments. Mutants made the electroretinogram in white (w) eyes selective for compound eye photoreceptors R1-6, R7 and R8: R1-6 dominates w's electroretinogram; R7/8 generates w;ora's (ora = outer rhabdomeres absent); R8 generates w sev;- ora's (sev = sevenless). Microspectrophotometry revealed R1-6's visual pigment. In w, all 3 carotenoids yielded monotonic dose-responses for sensitivity or visual pigment. An ultraviolet sensitivity peak from R1-6's sensitizing pigment was present at high but not low doses. In w;ora, all 3 carotenoids gave similar spectra dominated by R7's high ultraviolet sensitivity. For w sev;ora, all spectra were the shape expected for R8, peaking around 510 nm. The sensitivity dose-response was at its ceiling except for low doses in w;ora and zero supplementation in w sev;ora. Hence, without R1-6, most of our dose range mediated maximal visual pigment formation. In Drosophila, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein mediate the formation of all major photopigments in R1-6, R7 and R8.


Effect of graded low-dose noradrenaline infusions on noradrenaline clearance in normals and essential hypertensives.
1. In normal subjects and essential hypertensives, plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels, and NA clearance (3H-NA constant infusion), were measured during graded infusion of NA. 2. Plasma levels of NA were similar in both groups, with parallel increases to levels approximately three times basal, but still in the upper normal range. 3. Clearance did not increase in either group with increasing plasma NA levels. There was no correlation between plasma NA achieved and NA clearance, which was similar in hypertensives and normotensives. 5. Insofar as plasma clearance reflects tissue clearance, these studies provide no support for the contention that altered NA metabolism might predispose to elevated NA levels in essential hypertension.


Specific silver staining of experimentally undercondensed chromosome regions.
Treatment of human and mouse cell cultures with DNA binding AT-specific compounds and with some base analogues induced distinct undercondensations in several heterochromatic chromosome regions. All those heterochromatic regions undercondensed by AT-specific DNA ligands (distamycin A, DAPI, Hoechst 33258) could be heavily labeled with the silver(Ag)-staining technique; but the heterochromatic regions undercondensed with the cytidine analogue 5-azacytidine were Ag-negative. In metaphase chromosomes from BrdU-treated human cell cultures, the bifilarly substituted chromatids, which show a slight undercondensation, were also Ag-negative. Cytochemical analyses of the Ag-stained undercondensed heterochromatic regions showed that the Ag-stainable material consisted of nonhistone proteins. The mechanism of Ag staining in the undercondensed heterochromatic regions was compared with Ag staining of the nucleolus organizer regions.


A single-shot hyperspectral phasor camera for fast, multi-color fluorescence microscopy.
Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging improves multiplexed observations of biological samples by utilizing multiple color channels across the spectral range to compensate for spectral overlap between labels. Typically, spectral resolution comes at a cost of decreased detection efficiency, which both hampers imaging speed and increases photo-toxicity to the samples. Here, we present a high-speed, high-efficiency snapshot spectral acquisition method, based on optical compression of the fluorescence spectra via Fourier transform, that overcomes the challenges of discrete spectral sampling: single-shot hyperspectral phasor camera (SHy-Cam). SHy-Cam captures fluorescence spatial and spectral information in a single exposure with a standard scientific CMOS camera, with photon efficiency of over 80%, easily and with acquisition rates exceeding 30 datasets per second, making it a powerful tool for multi-color in vivo imaging. Its simple design, using readily available optical components, and its easy integration provide a low-cost solution for multi-color fluorescence imaging with increased efficiency and speed.


NMR-based metabolomics reveals the metabolite profiles of Vibrio parahaemolyticus under blood agar stimulation.
Vibrio parahemolyticus is a halophilic bacterium which causes widespread seafood poisoning pathogenicity. Although the incidence of disease caused by V. parahemolyticus was stepwise increased, the pathogenic mechanism remained unclear. Herein, the difference of V. parahemolyticus's metabonomic which on blood agar and seawater beef extract peptone medium was detected via nuclear magnetic resonance and 55 metabolites were identified. Among them, 40 kinds of metabolites were upregulated in blood agar group, and 12 kinds were downregulated. Nine pathways were verified by enrichment analysis which were predicted involved in amino acids and protein synthesis, energy metabolism, DNA and RNA synthesis and DNA damage repair. We supposed that the metabolic pathway obtained from this study is related to V. parahemolyticus pathogenicity and our findings will aid in the identification of alternative targets or strategies to treat V. parahemolyticus-caused disease.


Coincidental or Causal? Concurrence of Colorectal Carcinoma with Primary Breast Cancer.
Multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMN) represent the occurrence of a second malignancy in the same patient within 6 months after the detection of first primary (synchronous) tumor, or > 6 months after primary detection (metachronous). We present a case of a patient treated for carcinoma of the breast who developed a metachronous primary malignancy in the colorectal tract. These tumors were histologically different with distinct immune-histochemical parameters. The association between breast and colon cancer is well documented in the literature with several studies reporting the coexistence of common extrinsic and genetic predisposing factors. Although rare, MPMN are becoming more common due to the increased number of elderly cancer survivors, improved diagnosis and enhanced awareness. The association between colorectal and breast cancer should not be dismissed merely as metastasis since there is good precedent for the co-occurrence of these primary tumors.


Simultaneous extraction of lignin and cellulose nanofibrils from waste jute bags using one pot pre-treatment.
Cellulose nanofibrils and lignin were simultaneously isolated from waste jute bags using soda cooking pretreatment method. Soda cooking resulted in reduction of recalcitrance of lignocellulose biomass leading to hydrolysis of hemicellulose into sugars, which was subsequently washed, leaving a residue of cellulose and lignin.The chemical composition, yield of lignin and cellulose were assessed using TAPPI method and ASTM standards, respectively. Yields of lignin and cellulose were 58 and 45%, respectively, calculated separately on the basis of their content in the jute bags. FTIR results confirmed the removal of lignin and hemicellulose from raw jute fibers during soda cooking process. HNMR results depicted the aromatic structure of lignin which was further confirmed by UV results which clearly indicated the presence of phenolic compounds. The thermal stability of cellulose nanofibrils and lignin was higher than raw jute fibers. SEM showed cylindrical cellulose nanofibrils and agglomerates of amorphous and crystalline region of lignin. Size of jute fibers decreased to 12-18nm whereas the crystallinity increased after chemical and mechanical treatments studied using TEM and XRD, respectively. The study confirmed the isolation of cellulose nanofibrils and lignin extraction discarding the hemicellulose using single pot treatment.


Serum lipids and lipoproteins in postmenopausal women receiving transdermal oestrogen in combination with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device.
To compare the effects of a non-oral combination of a transdermal oestradiol patch (50 micrograms daily) and an intrauterine device (IUD) releasing 20 micrograms of levonorgestrel daily on the serum pattern of lipids and lipoproteins with an established oral regimen of a daily dose of 2 mg of estradiol and 1 mg of noretisterone acetate. An open, randomized study comprised of 40 healthy, early postmenopausal women. During 1 year the concentration of total cholesterol decreased 5.0% in the LNg-IUD group and 10.6% in the oral therapy group; HDL cholesterol decreased 10.9% and 12.8%, respectively, and HDL2 cholesterol decreased 18.1% and 26.9%, respectively. LDL cholesterol values did not change in the LNg-IUD group, whereas a 10.3% decrease was observed in the oral therapy group. Triglyceride values did not change in either group. There were no significant differences in the serum lipoprotein changes between the groups during the treatment. The use of a non-oral regimen of hormone replacement therapy has been advocated to minimize the effect of steroids on the liver. Its effects on the serum pattern of lipids and lipoproteins, however, did not differ significantly from those induced by a continuous oral treatment regimen.


Pyogenic liver abscess in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni.
Schistosomiasis mansoni has been described as a predisposing factor for pyogenic liver abscess formation. Previous experimental studies have shown that acute schistosomiasis concurrent with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia favors the colonization of the liver by the bacteria, and subsequent pyogenic liver abscess formation. In addition, clinical studies and case reports have demonstrated the association of schistosomiasis mansoni with pyogenic liver abscesses. We describe a Brazilian patient with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni who developed recurrent pyogenic liver abscesses due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The authors review the clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of patients with schistosomiasis and pyogenic liver abscess reported in the medical literature.


'Low mileage bias' and related policy implications--a cautionary note.
This research examined a relationship asserted in recent literature in the field of traffic safety and injury prevention--that a significant indicator for elevated crash risk among older drivers, and potential trigger for individualized assessment at license renewal, is a low (<3000 km) annual driving distance. Sampling problems in earlier reports, in particular a reliance on self-report measures of both exposure and crash involvement, are highlighted. A pattern of misestimation for those who self-report an extremely low or extremely high number of miles driven is documented, that casts serious doubt upon the effect reported earlier. The present findings underscore the need for objective exposure measures for future analyses of this nature, and impact discussions about the feasibility of this suggested strategy to aid detection of at-risk older drivers by licensing officials.


Solubilization and refolding with simultaneous purification of recombinant human stem cell factor.
Recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) was solubilized and renatured from inclusion bodies expressed in Escherichia coli. The effect of both pH and urea on the solubilization of rhSCF inclusion bodies was investigated; the results indicate that the solubilization of rhSCF inclusion bodies was significantly influenced by the pH of the solution employed, and low concentration of urea can drastically improve the solubilization of rhSCF when solubilized by high pH solution. The solubilized rhSCF can be easily refolded with simultaneous purification by ion exchange chromatography (IEC), with a specific activity of 7.8 x 10(5) IU x mg(-1), a purity of 96.3%, and a mass recovery of 43.0%. The presented experimental results show that rhSCF solubilized by high pH solution containing low concentration of urea is easier to be renatured than that solubilized by high concentration of urea, and the IEC refolding method was more efficient than dilution refolding and dialysis refolding for rhSCF. It may have a great potential for large-scale production of rhSCF.


Hepatic steatosis depresses alpha-1-antitrypsin levels in human and rat acute pancreatitis.
Hepatic steatosis (HS) can exacerbate acute pancreatitis (AP). This study aimed to investigate the relation between α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and acute pancreatitis when patients have HS. Using proteomic profiling, we identified 18 differently expressed proteins pots in the serum of rats with or without HS after surgical establishment of AP. AAT was found to be one of the significantly down-regulated proteins. AAT levels were significantly lower in hepatic steatosis acute pancreatitis (HSAP) than in non-HSAP (NHSAP) (P < 0.001). To explore the clinical significance of these observations, we measured the levels of AAT in the serum of 240 patients with HSAP, NHSAP, fatty liver disease (FLD), or no disease. Compared with healthy controls, serum AAT levels in patients with NHSAP were significantly higher (P < 0.01), while in patients with HSAP serum AAT levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Further studies showed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE-II) scores were negatively correlated with serum AAT levels (r = -0.85, P < 0.01). In conclusion, low serum levels of AAT in patients with HSAP are correlated with disease severity and AAT may represent a potential target for therapies aiming to improve pancreatitis.


Pharmacokinetic implications of different oil vehicles used in depot neuroleptic treatment.
On separate occasions two male schizophrenic inpatients were given intramuscular injections of equal amounts of perphenazine decanoate dissolved in sesame oil and Viscoleo, respectively. Substantially more even, but also lower perphenazine plasma concentrations were found within the dose intervals following the injections of perphenazine decanoate dissolved in sesame oil compared to the intervals following the Viscoleo-preparation. The occurrence of extrapyramidal side effects were consistent with the magnitude of the perphenazine plasma concentrations. The results support the importance of selecting an appropriate oil vehicle in a depot neuroleptic.


Fatty acids-carotenoid complex: An effective anti-TB agent from the chlorella growth factor-extracted spent biomass of Chlorella vulgaris.
The multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, still remains as one of the major threat to mankind, despite the availability of a live attenuated vaccine and effective antibiotics. Marine microalgae, at all times, act as a key resource for valuable therapeutic compounds with limited side effects. The present explorative attempt is to isolate the biomolecules of pharmacological importance from the marine microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, and to evaluate its effect on the ever dreadful disease, Tuberculosis. The study is also aimed to develop an economically feasible methodology for by-products extraction from microalgae. Fatty acids-carotenoid complexes (FACC), namely, FACC-1 (red oil) and FACC-2 (brown oil) were isolated, in addition to lipid and lutein from the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF, a protein fraction enriched with vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates)-extracted spent biomass through column chromatography. FACC-1 is a complex of fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids, and carotenoids such as canthaxanthin and neoxanthin. FACC-2 is a complex of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids and carotenoids (cryptoxanthin and echinenone). Initial screening for evaluation of minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of FACC-1 and -2 was performed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains such as H37Rv, SHRE sensitive clinical isolate and SHRE resistant clinical isolate. MBC was noted at 10 μg/mL by FACC-1 and at 5 μg/mL by FACC-2, determined using colony forming and Lucipherase Reporter Mycobacteriophages (LRP) assay. Testing in the PAN sensitive isolates indicated that the MBC was noted at 5 μg/mL by FACC-1 and at 2.5 μg/mL by FACC-2. Complete inhibition (100%) was observed at 100 μg/mL by FACC-1 and at 50 μg/mL by FACC-2. Testing of FACC-1 and FACC-2 individually as well as in combination on two different types of MDR strains confirmed the efficacy of the algal oils, wherein in MDR-strain 1, FACC-1 revealed 50% inhibition at 10 μg/mL, while FACC-2 exhibited the same at 5 μg/mL. Conversely, in the case of MDR strain-2, MBC of FACC-1 was at 500 μg/mL and MBCof FACC-2 to be at 250 μg/mL. No significant synergistic effect was observed on combining both the oils. The study signifies the development of a potent therapeutic agent comprising of a complex of anti-TB agent (fatty acids) and antioxidants (carotenoids) from the CGF-extracted spent biomass of C. vulgaris.


Changes in wind pattern alter albatross distribution and life-history traits.
Westerly winds in the Southern Ocean have increased in intensity and moved poleward. Using long-term demographic and foraging records, we show that foraging range in wandering albatrosses has shifted poleward in conjunction with these changes in wind pattern, while their rates of travel and flight speeds have increased. Consequently, the duration of foraging trips has decreased, breeding success has improved, and birds have increased in mass by more than 1 kilogram. These positive consequences of climate change may be temporary if patterns of wind in the southern westerlies follow predicted climate change scenarios. This study stresses the importance of foraging performance as the key link between environmental changes and population processes.


Transplacental passage of isoniazid (INH) and its interaction with fetal tissues of mice.
When INH was administered orally or intraperitoneally to pregnant female mice, the concentrations of acetyl INH and acetyl hydrazines did not vary significantly in circulating blood and in amniotic fluid. However, the concentration of INH in the amniotic fluid was significantly higher than that observed in the serum. Autoradiographic studies using 14C-labelled INH revealed that INH crosses the placental barrier and grains can be observed in lung and liver tissues of the fetus. Studies on interaction of 14C-labelled INH with nucleic acids clearly demonstrated that significant amounts of radioactivity were present in all the macromolecules of the whole embryo as well as in those isolated from fetal lung and liver tissues.


A highly specific chalcone derivative grafted ethylcellulose fluorescent probe for rapid and sensitive detection of Al3+ in actual environmental and food samples.
Al3+ is commonly utilized in daily life, however, the excessive accumulation of Al3+ within organisms can result in severe health problems. Herein, a highly efficient fluorescent probe EC-HTC for Al3+ was synthesized through chemical modification of ethyl cellulose. This probe exhibited a significant fluorescence enhancement response to Al3+, and it interestingly also possessed an obvious aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. The detection limit of probe EC-HTC for Al3+ was as low as 0.23 μM, and its pH usage range was as wide as 5-10. The complexation ratio of EC-HTC with Al3+ was determined to be 1:1 based on Job's plot, which was further confirmed by 1H NMR titration and HRMS analysis. Moreover, the probe EC-HTC was successfully employed for the determination of Al3+ in environmental and food samples. In addition, the probe EC-HTC compositing PS (polystyrene) electrostatic spun fiber membranes EHP with high specific surface area were prepared to achieve the rapid and portable detection of Al3+.


Thoracoscopic surgery.
Video-assisted thorascopic surgery has evolved rapidly and has demonstrated utility in the diagnosis and management of a variety of chest disorders. An historical perspective, considerations on patient selection, anesthetic and operative management, and a summary of the Ochsner Clinic institutional experience with this procedure are presented. Special emphasis is given to the treatment of disorders of the autonomic nervous system, esophageal achalasia, and a rare symptomatic congenital pericardial defect. Video-assisted thorascopy provides a promising alternative to many of the more invasive open thoracic surgical procedures.


Ontogeny of the lymphoid organs in an Antarctic teleost, Harpagifer antarcticus (Notothenioidei: Perciformes).
The effect of an evolutionary adaptation to low environmental temperature on the development of lymphoid organs was examined in Harpagifer antarcticus from Signy Island (South Orkney Islands; 60 degrees 43'S, 45 degrees 38'W). Thymus, pronephric kidney and spleen were typical, both in position and structural development, of those observed in warmer-water teleosts. The pronephric kidney was the first organ to be infiltrated by leucocytes, at 1 h post-hatch, though the infiltration of the thymic epithelia and the development of the splenic anlage were not observed until 4 weeks post-hatch. Full development of the lymphoid organs was not achieved until the juvenile stage. Although an increased infiltration of the thymus, by subepithelial connective tissues and epithelial mucous cells, occurred in the juvenile and adult stages, there was no evidence of an advanced stage of thymic regression or involution in the adult Harpagifer. Thus, a suppressive influence of the low temperature environment, on the onset and degree of lymphoid organ development and thymic involution, was indicated in this species.


NF-kappaB in cardiovascular disease: diverse and specific effects of a "general" transcription factor?
The transcription factor NF-kappaB regulates a wide variety of biological effects in diverse cell types and organs, particularly stress and adaptive responses. Recently, it has become recognized that NF-kappaB and its upstream regulator tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha regulate specific antithetical effects. For instance, in the heart, NF-kappaB has been found to be required for development of late preconditioning against myocardial infarction and yet is critically involved in mediating cell death after ischemia/reperfusion injury. There remains a bias that NF-kappaB is a "general" transcription factor that is activated by a plethora of stimuli, including neurohormonal, pathophysiological, and stress stimuli, and affects regulation of numerous downstream genes. The question has become, how can such a "general" transcription factor be critically involved in mediating specific effects? An emerging hypothesis is that NF-kappaB is part of a complicated signaling network or web, and that different combinatorial interactions between various activated signaling pathway components produce specific outcomes. This idea is supported by the large number of interactions discovered in the past 14 years between NF-kappaB and other signaling pathways at multiple levels. Notwithstanding the complexities of signal-induced activation of NF-kappaB, since it is a transcription factor, specific effects of NF-kappaB activation must be underlain by the activation and/or suppression of distinct subsets of NF-kappaB-dependent genes. At this level, selectivity is conferred by the expression of specific NF-kappaB subunits, their post translational modifications, and by combinatorial interactions between NF-kappaB and other transcription factors and coactivators that form specific enhanceosome complexes in association with particular promoters. These enhanceosome complexes represent another level of signaling integration whereby the activities of multiple upstream pathways converge to impress a distinct pattern of gene expression upon the NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional network. Understanding how the overall cellular signaling network translates NF-kappaB activation into the regulation of specific subsets of NF-kappaB-dependent genes will lead to a mechanistic understanding of how NF-kappaB mediates diverse and paradoxical biological effects.


On the possibility of simultaneously recording from two cells with a single microelectrode in the hippocampal slice.
Unusual cellular elements have been recorded intracellularly in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice. The elements appear, by all electrophysiological criteria except one, to be glia. However, unlike glia, they can fire action potentials. We suggests that these recordings represent cases of artifactual coupling of two cells by a recording microelectrode. The results have implications for the interpretation of dye injection experiments in the hippocampal CA1 region.


Psychometric Properties of the Work Ability Index in Health Centre Workers in Spain.
The aim of the present study is to analyse the psychometric properties of the work ability index (WAI) within a sample of Spanish health centre workers. The WAI was translated into Spanish using transcultural and forward-backward translation processes and administered to 1184 Spanish health centre workers. Internal consistency, predictive validity, and discriminative ability were examined. Exploratory factor analysis, via principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, determined the most appropriate questionnaire structure. All indices in relation to predictive validity and reliability were acceptable. Exploratory factor analysis supported validity of the one-factor structure, however, confirmatory factor analysis suggested better properties in relation to a two-factor structure (χ2 = 59.52; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.06). Items 3, 4, and 5 loaded onto factor one, and items 1, 2, 6, and 7 loaded onto factor two. The two factors could be broadly described as "subjectively estimated work ability" and "ill-health-related ability". The WAI is valid and reliable when administered to health centre workers in Spain. In contrast to that suggested by studies conducted in other countries, future research and practical application with similar respondents and settings should proceed using the two-factor structure.


Comparison of technetium-99mC and phytate aerosol in ventilation studies.
The image quality obtained with technetium-99mC aerosol (Technegas) was evaluated and compared with that obtained with 99mTc-phytate aerosol generated by a jet nebulizer. Fifty patients underwent ventilation scanning after inhalation of each aerosol (mean interval of 3 days). Four views (anterior, posterior, left and right posterior oblique) were recorded with 200 k precounts. Both sets of images were blindly compared for (i) qualitative evaluation of images, (ii) quantitation of penetration (PI) and heterogeneity (HI) indices and (iii) assessment of ventilation state. Peripheral penetration was the same in 64% of cases, greater with 99mTc-C in 27% and greater with 99mTc-phytate in 9%. The use of 99mTc-C led to fewer and less intense foci of bronchial or gastric activity. The differences for 99mTc-C and 99mTc-phytate, respectively, between mean PI (0.78 vs. 0.70) and HI (15 vs. 18) were not significant. Consideration of all the parameters indicates the overall superiority of 99mTc-C. The final interpretation of the lung ventilation scans was, however, similar with both tracers.


Proximal and distal gastric distension in normal subjects and H. pylori-positive and -negative dyspeptic patients and correlation with symptoms.
Aim of the study was to analyze gastric distension with water in H. pylori-positive and -negative dyspeptic patients and normal subjects and the correlation with symptoms. Twenty dyspeptic patients and 19 normal subjects were studied. H. pylori was determined in each dyspeptic patient with the rapid urea test at endoscopy. Gastric distension was evaluated by real-time ultrasonography with the ingestion of stepwise-increasing amounts of water up to a total of 600 ml. During distension, the symptom score was evaluated as well. The proximal stomach was significantly smaller in dyspeptic patients than in healthy controls, at 100-600 ml water (P<0.01). A larger distal stomach was observed at 500 and 600 ml of water (P<0.01). The score of bloating and fullness was greater in dyspeptics than in controls at 300 and 600 ml of water distension. The symptoms score was linearly correlated with proximal and distal gastric measurements in dyspeptic patients and in controls. No significant difference was found in dyspeptic patients regarding the H. pylori status. In conclusion, dyspeptic patients show a defective adaptation of the whole stomach to water distension and an increased symptom perception score as compared to controls. H. pylori infection does not seem to be a determining factor in these observed findings.


Deterministic generation of single photons from one atom trapped in a cavity.
A single cesium atom trapped within the mode of an optical cavity is used to generate single photons on demand. The photon wave packets are emitted as a Gaussian beam with temporal profile and repetition rate controlled by external driving fields. Each generation attempt is inferred to succeed with a probability near unity, whereas the efficiency for creating an unpolarized photon in the total cavity output is 0.69 +/- 0.10, as limited by passive cavity losses. An average of 1.4 x 10(4) photons are produced by each trapped atom. These results constitute an important step in quantum information science, for example, toward the realization of distributed quantum networking.


Comparison of non-electrophoresis grade with electrophoresis grade BIS in NIPAM polymer gel preparation.
The main objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of replacing electrophoresis cross-linker with non-electrophoresis N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) in N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) polymer gel and its possible effect on dose response. NIPAM polymer gel was prepared from non-electrophoresis grade BIS and the relaxation rate (R2) was measured by MR imaging after exposing the gel to gamma radiation from Co-60 source. To compare the response of this gel with the one that contains electrophoresis grade BIS, two sets of NIPAM gel were prepared using electrophoresis and non-electrophoresis BIS and irradiated to different gamma doses. It was found that the dose-response of NIPAM gel made from the non-electrophoresis grade BIS is coincident with that of electrophoresis grade BIS. Taken all, it can be concluded that the non-electrophoresis grade BIS not only is a suitable alternative for the electrophoresis grade BIS but also reduces the cost of gel due to its lower price.


Pharmaceutical potential of a fucoidan-like sulphated polysaccharide isolated from Halodule pinifolia.
In continuation with the screening of biological properties of seagrasses, we isolated sulphated polysaccharides from Halodule pinifolia. This is the first report that indicates the presence of fucoidan-like H. pinifolia crude sulphated polysaccharide (HPCSP) that are commonly found in brown algae being present in marine angiosperms. Fucoidan-like structures such as β-mannuronic acid residues and sulphate groups were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. There was a high content of uronic acid. The isolated HPCSP consisted mainly of total sugar (54.17%), protein (11.06%), carbon (18.25%), nitrogen (1.77%), hydrogen (3.62%), C/N ratio (2.04%) and uronic acid (2.61%). This isolated HPCSP was further investigated to determine anticoagulant and antioxidant activity. The HPCSP had high activity in the total antioxidant assay (125.86 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g), DPPH radical scavenging rate (IC50 value 2.024 ± 0.12 μg/mL), deoxyribose radical scavenging rate (51.82% at 1000 μg/mL) and H2O2 radical scavenging rate (IC50 value 6.904 ± 0.34 μg/mL). In the anticoagulant assay, prolonged clotting time was observed with application of HPCSP with increasing concentrations. Further purification and characterization process is underway to confirm the structures of HPCSP. From the observed results, this fucoidan-like HPCSP could be developed as a new natural source of potential antioxidants in the functional food industry.


[The distal spleno-renal anastomosis of Warren (author's transl)].
This is a report on 28 Warren-Shunts, 17 of these patients had undergone clinical, hematological and angiographic controls 2--46 (mean 10) months after the operation. The critical evaluation of the results shows that the Warren derivation, which is selective at the moment of operation, develops in the following time some hepatofugal circulation. This is a more radical effect than the intended drainage of the gastro-esophageal venous bed alone.


Results of the Chimney Technique in a Community Hospital.
The chimney technique, fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair are endovascular options in patients with a juxtarenal, suprarenal or type IV thoraco-abdominal aneurysm. The chimney technique has specific advantages and disadvantages. A retrospective single center study was performed to describe the results. All consecutive patients in whom the chimney technique was used between 1th January 2011 and 31th December 2020 were included. We excluded patients who needed a revision of an existing EVAR and patients with a para-anastomotic aneurysm. Outcomes were reported in accordance with the reporting standards. 38 Patients were included in the study, a total of 59 chimney grafts were deployed. At a median follow-up duration of 26.6 months, there were 9 patients with occlusion of the chimney graft. In 1 patient an iliac renal bypass was performed. In the other patients the renal function stabilized and no further therapy was necessary. All chimneys in the mesenteric arteries remained patent. Gutter endoleak was seen in 5 patients, 3 patients were successfully treated and in the other 2 patients the gutter endoleak disappeared spontaneously. Conclusions should be drawn carefully as this is a retrospective non-comparative study. Results from 38 patients treated with the chimney technique are presented. Chimney graft occlusion rate was 15.3% at the end of follow-up. However, the majority (77.8%) of the occluded stents were self-expandable stents, stressing the importance of selecting the right devices.


Novel approaches to link apicobasal polarity to cell fate specification.
Understanding the development of apicobasal polarity (ABP) is a long-standing problem in biology. The molecular components involved in the development and maintenance of APB have been largely identified and are known to have ubiquitous roles across organisms. Our knowledge of the functional consequences of ABP establishment and maintenance is far less comprehensive. Recent studies using novel experimental approaches and cellular models have revealed a growing link between ABP and the genetic program of cell lineage. This mini-review describes some of the most recent advances in this new field, highlighting examples from Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse embryos, human pluripotent stem cells, and epithelial cells. We also speculate on the most interesting and challenging avenues that can be explored.


Stable spiro-endoperoxides by sunlight-mediated photooxygenation of 1,2-O-alkylidene-5(E)-eno-5,6,8-trideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-oct-1,4-furano-7-uloses.
Sunlight-mediated photooxygenation of 3-O-acetyl and 3-O-methyl derivatives of 1,2-O-alkylidene-5(E)-eno-5,6,8-trideoxy-alpha-D-xylo-oct-1,4-furano-7-uloses (1a-e) in carbon tetrachloride solution gave stable 4,7-epidioxy derivatives in 4R (2a-e) and 4S (3a-e) configurations. The presence of an endo alkyl, on the 1,2-O-alkylidene group and its size, resulted in an increase of the yield of the 4S isomers. 3-O-acetyl derivatives yielded products as a mixture of C-7 anomers, whereas 3-O-methyl derivatives gave pure single stereoisomers.


Minimally invasive colectomy for Crohn's colitis: a single institution experience.
Minimally invasive surgery for Crohn's ileocolitis is well established but few data exist regarding laparoscopic techniques for Crohn's colitis. We aimed to describe outcomes associated with minimally invasive surgery for Crohn's colitis, including predictors of conversion to laparotomy and postoperative complications. We identified all Crohn's patients who underwent minimal invasive colectomy at our institution from 1997-2008. Data represent frequency (proportion) or median (interquartile range). Multivariate regression identified factors associated with conversion and 30-day complications (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]). Over 11 years we identified 92 patients, median age 40 (26-51) years, body mass index (BMI) 22.9 (19.3-26.4) kg/m(2); 61% were women. Median Crohn's duration was 6.5 (4-15) years, 11% had prior intestinal resection; medications included immunomodulators (62%), corticosteroids (54%), infliximab (35%). Forty-three cases (47%) were total colectomy, 17 (18%) subtotal colectomy, 32 (35%) were segmental. Straight laparoscopy was used in 57%; 43% were hand-assisted. Median operative time was 248 (190-292) minutes. There were 15 (16%) conversions; only small bowel disease predicted conversion (OR 7 [1.6-35]). Conversion was not associated with increased length of stay or with postoperative complications. Overall postoperative length of stay was 5 (4-7) days. Short-term complications occurred in 34% with reoperation in 5: obstruction n = 3, anastomotic leak n = 2. Only perianal disease predicted complications (2.6 [1.0-6.6]). There was no 30-day mortality. Minimally invasive colectomy in patients with Crohn's colitis can be safely accomplished with reasonable operative times, conversion rates, and excellent postoperative outcomes.


A method for identification of vaginal epithelial microflora by the analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene.
Analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene was carried out in 2 DNA samples isolated from vaginal epithelial smears from women suffering from bacterial vaginosis. The composition of vaginal epithelial microbiocenosis in bacterial vaginosis was determined and its significant difference from normocenosis was shown. A laboratory protocol for identification of vaginal epithelial microflora was developed on the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis.