The relationship between the effect of hand visibility on visuotactile temporal resolution and autistic traits.
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have atypical sensory processing, particularly when sensory stimuli are delivered from different modalities with a temporal lag of subseconds. Previous studies have suggested that individuals with ASD require a longer temporal lag to judge temporal orders of successive audiovisual stimuli than neurotypical individuals; however, it remains unclear whether a lower temporal resolution in the visuotactile domain is associated with an individual's autistic traits. In addition, a previous study demonstrated that visuotactile temporal resolution degraded when the participants saw a hand image on a display. In this study, we investigated whether the temporal resolution of the visuotactile stimuli degrades when the participant's own hand or rubber hands are visible, and whether the effect of the hand's visibility on the temporal resolution decreases according to an individual's autistic traits. We used the temporal order judgment (TOJ) of the vibrotactile stimulus delivered to the participant's index finger and an LED attached above their own hand or rubber hand. Our findings suggest that when participants could not see their hand, temporal order judgment tended to be coarser in participants with higher autistic traits. However, this tendency was not observed when they could see both their own or the rubber hands. Moreover, temporal resolution degraded when the participants could see their own hands. These results indicate that autistic traits influence the temporal resolution of visuotactile stimuli if they are delivered as external signals in TOJ.


Examination of the anti-oxidative effect in renal tubular cells and apoptosis by oxidative stress.
The incidence of urolithiasis has increased in the industrialized nations. However, both the pathogenesis and methods for its prevention remain to be clarified. We demonstrate that the antioxidative effect of green tea decreases the formation of calcium oxalate stones, OPN (osteopontin) expression, and apoptosis, and increases SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity in rat kidney tissues. The inhibitory effect of green tea on calcium oxalate urolithiasis is most likely due to its antioxidative effects. Therefore, we examined oxidative stress in vivo applied to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, to which catechin, an antioxidant, was added. To evaluate the effects of oxidative stress on MDCK cells, we use a hypoxic condition because hypoxia is known to lead to oxidative stress. Confluent cultures of MDCK cells were exposed to (-)epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) (0, 0.1, 0.5, 5.0 mg/ml) for 2, 4, 8 or 16 h to determine changes in protein secretion and apoptosis. OPN protein expression was observed in MDCK cells of all 16 groups. The levels of expression of OPN protein were the same among all groups. In all groups, SOD protein expression was observed. In the groups exposed to EGCG 0.5, 5.0 mg/ml, SOD staining was more enhanced than in the EGCG 0 and 0.1 mg/ml groups. No deposits were detected in any of the 16 groups. RT-PCR was performed to detect sequences from OPN (979 bp) and SOD (447 bp). Quantitative analyses showed that SOD activity decreased gradually in all groups. Only in the EGCG 0 mg/ml 16 h group were TUNEL-positive cells observed. In the other groups, TUNEL-positive cells were not detected. EGCG used as an antioxidant protects renal tubular cell from cellular injury caused by oxidative stress through SOD protein expression.


Vitamin D kinetics in the acute phase of critical illness: A prospective observational study.
The objective of this study was to assess the vitamin D kinetics in critically ill patients by performing periodic serum vitamin D measurements in short time intervals in the initial phase of a critical illness. We performed vitamin D serum measurements: at admission and then in 12-hour time intervals. The minimum number of vitamin D measurements was 4, and the maximum was 8 per patient. A total of 363 patients were evaluated for participation, and 20 met the inclusion criteria. All patients had an initial serum vitamin D level between 10.6 and 39ng/mL. Nineteen patients had vitamin D levels between 10 and 30ng/mL, which means that they had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, and only one patient had a normal vitamin D serum plasma level. We observed that the median of the vitamin D level decreases until the fourth measurement then stabilizes around the 4th and 5th measurement and then appears to increase unevenly. The highest drop is at the very beginning. The vitamin D serum level is changeable in the initial phase of a critical illness. We hypothesize that the serum vitamin D concentration can mirror the severity of illness.


Structure of rhodopsin and the metarhodopsin I photointermediate.
The structure of the visual pigment rhodopsin in the dark state was first investigated by electron microscopy (EM). More recently, rhodopsin has been crystallised in two different space groups--a tetragonal P4(1) crystal form and a trigonal P3(1) packing arrangement. The structures of the pigment, determined by X-ray crystallography from these two crystal forms, show many similarities, but also significant differences. These differences are most extensive in the G-protein-binding region of the cytoplasmic surface, where the location of the loop between helices 5 and 6 is highly variable. A combination of EM and spin labelling suggests that this loop adopts the native conformation in the P3(1) crystal form. The X-ray structures also show the location of structural water molecules that are important for colour tuning, stabilisation of the ground state and receptor activation, and act as a template for modelling other G-protein-coupled receptors. A major current focus of structural work on rhodopsin is investigation of the activated state of the receptor. After careful spectroscopic characterisation of light activation in two-dimensional crystals, a map of the metarhodopsin I intermediate was obtained by EM from two-dimensional crystals. In addition, NMR studies are providing information about the structure of activated states of rhodopsin. In the future, structural information will show how rhodopsin becomes activated and how it couples to downstream signalling pathways.


Attributions, criticism and warmth in mothers of children with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour: a pilot study.
Associations between parental expressed emotion (EE) or parental attributions and the problem behaviours of children with intellectual disability (ID) have been explored in ID research. However, a more detailed examination of the attributional model of EE has not been reported. In the present study, we partially replicated and extended research focused on mothers of typically developing children with behaviour problems. Twenty-seven mothers of children with ID and behaviour problems aged 4-9 years were interviewed about their most problematic behaviours exhibited by their child, and completed a Five Minute Speech Sample. Interview transcripts and speech samples were coded for maternal EE and spontaneous causal attributions regarding the child's behaviour problems. Data were also collected on maternal well-being, and the child's behaviour problems. Mothers typically made attributions that were internal to the child, controllable by the child, personal to the child and stable for the child. Maternal attributions of being able to control the child's behaviour were associated with high maternal criticism and low warmth. Maternal depression was more strongly associated with the child's behaviour problems when mothers were coded as high in criticism or low in warmth. Patterns of maternal attributions about their child's behaviour problems and their consequences for maternal well-being and maternal-child relationships require more research attention. Implications for practice are discussed, including the potential for maternal attributions to be incompatible with the focus of positive behaviour supports offered to families.


[Dimethylpolysiloxane reinforced film in a membrane oxygenator].
With the purpose of diffuse membranous oxygenation of blood the possibility of employing a Soviet-made dimethylpolyxyloxane-reinforced film "Sigma" was investigated. The test-trials were carried out with a membranous oxygenator of the "Sandwich" type. In 15 acute tests on dogs a partial cardio-pulmonary pass-by shunting with oxygenation of the blood after the veno-venous or veno-arterial perfusion was performed. With the mass-exchange area of 1.15 m2 the oxygen transport in different tests varied within a range of 20-50 ml/min and depended upon the arterio-venous difference and the circulation rate. No disruptions in the elimination of carbon dioxide were in evidence. In the course of investigations the "Sigma" material was found to be strong, impermeable to liquids and is not subject to swelling following its long-term use.


Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in a pelvic kidney: a case report and review of the literature.
Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was performed in a pelvic kidney with a large renal pelvis calculus. Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy was successfully performed in a pelvic kidney with an operative time of 310 minutes. The use of intraoperative fluoroscopy and a semi-automatic suturing device greatly facilitated the procedure. The patient's operative pain was managed with 3 doses of ketorolac; she resumed a regular diet the day after surgery, and was discharged on the first postoperative day. For patients with a large stone in the renal pelvis of an ectopic kidney, laparoscopic pyelolithotomy provides an effective approach.


Collagen copolymer toric phakic intraocular lens for residual myopic astigmatism after intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation and corneal collagen crosslinking in a 3-stage procedure for keratoconus.
To evaluate staged combined treatment for keratoconus with intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation followed by corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) with riboflavin-ultraviolet-A (UVA) and then toric implantable collagen copolymer phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation. Large private ophthalmic hospital system. Case series. Eyes with progressive keratoconus had ICRS implantation, then CXL, and then pIOL implantation (minimum 6 months between procedures). The study enrolled 14 eyes (9 patients). After the combined treatments, the mean decimal uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and mean decimal corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were significantly improved from 0.01 and 0.14, respectively, preoperatively to 0.44 and 0.57, respectively (P<.0001). The mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent decreased from -16.40 diopters (D) ± 3.56 (SD) (range -11.50 to -22.50 D) to -0.80 ± 1.02 D (range -2.00 to +2.00 D) after the combined treatments (P<.0001). The mean refractive astigmatism decreased from -4.73 ± 1.32 D (range -3.00 to -7.00 D) to -0.96 ± 0.35 D (range -0.50 to -1.50 D) (P<.0001). The mean steep and mean flat keratometry values reduced from 60.57 D and 56.16 D, respectively, to 54.48 D and 53.57 D (P<.0001), respectively. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. A combined 3-stage-approach keratoconus treatment comprising ICRS implantation followed by CXL and then toric pIOL implantation was effective in improving functional vision and reducing disease progression. Longer term studies are required for further evaluation and comparison with other methods.


Prospects for axonal regrowth in spinal cord injury.
Some of the evidence relating to the possible cellular relationships in regenerating mammalian central nervous tissue is reviewed. From this review it is suggested that data do exist which reveal a potential for regeneration based upon the basic properties and behavior of axons and glial cells. Models of tissue injury which optimize these intrinsic capabilities may generate significant information about the regenerative possibilities of central nervous tissue.


Association of genetic variants of the vitamin D receptor gene with vitiligo in a tertiary care center in a Saudi population: a case-control study.
Vitiligo is a common cutaneous disorder of the skin and hair caused by a systemic depigmentation disorder that affects 1% of the population or less due to its onset in early adulthood. Meta-analyses have documented a linkage between vitiligo and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Investigate the relationship between the ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI genetic variants in the VDR gene with vitiligo in a Saudi population. Case-control. Single tertiary care center. The case-control study was carried out between January 2015-December 2015 in Saudi vitiligo patients and healthy controls. VDR genetic variants or polymorphisms (ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length analysis followed by 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. Applicable statistical methods were used to assess relationships between vitiligo cases and controls. Effect of genotype distribution among four single nucleotide polymorphisms. 152 vitiligo (median [IQR] 23 [19] years) patients and 159 healthy controls (45 [28.5] years). We found an association of vitiligo with ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms (P<.05). However, a decreased risk was noted in vitiligo patients with FokI and TaqI polymorphisms and in the diplotype and haplotype analysis within males and females. A positive association with vitiligo was observed in ACAC and AC (adjusted by gender) haplotypes (P<.05). The strongest linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs79785232 (ApaI) and rs731236 (TaqI) polymorphisms (r2=.83), followed by rs2228570 (FokI) and rs1544410 (BsmI) polymorphisms (r2=.53). Our results confirm an association of vitiligo with ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms and fail to show an association in TaqI and FokI polymorphism with vitiligo. Additional studies need to be carried out in different Arab populations to determine whether the polymorphisms are present. Controls not age matched, small sample size, lack of biochemical parameters. None.


Approach to patients with symptoms of food allergy.
"Allergy" is a term often used by patients to describe symptoms that arise after eating. The term "adverse reaction to food" is preferred unless the event has an immunologic basis. True food allergy, primarily mediated by immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies to food proteins, is present in 3% to 4% of US adults. Symptoms range from mild mouth itching ("oral allergy syndrome") to anaphylaxis. The diagnosis is established by history and appropriately performed skin testing or in vitro assays for specific IgE antibodies to the suspected food. Because food-allergic reactions can be fatal, it is important to identify and avoid the causative food. Food-allergic reactions are treated by prompt use of intramuscular epinephrine. Patients may be referred to an allergy/immunology specialist when the diagnosis is uncertain or if avoidance measures are not successful. Investigational therapies may ultimately be preventative or curative.


Multi-modality management of chondrosarcoma of scapula: A case report and review of literature.
Chondrosarcoma are malignant tumours in which neoplastic cells produce cartilage. The most commonly affected sites are pelvis, femur, humerus and ribs. Scapula involvement is relatively rare. Surgery remains the primary modality of treatment for chondrosarcoma. Radiotherapy is used as an adjuvant therapy in high grade tumours and in cases of residual disease. Present study reports a rare case of scapular chondrosarcoma in a 37 year old male, managed with multimodality treatment and discusses briefly the prognostic parameters and treatment modalities. Only few studies have discussed about scapular chondrosarcoma and more studies with larger number of patients are needed to develop an evidence-based treatment and follow-up protocol for these patients.


Enhanced bacterial virulence through exploitation of host glycosaminoglycans.
Present in the extracellular matrix and membranes of virtually all animal cells, proteoglycans (PGs) are among the first host macromolecules encountered by infectious agents. Because of their wide distribution and direct accessibility, it is not surprising that pathogenic bacteria have evolved mechanisms to exploit PGs for their own purposes, including mediating attachment to target cells. This is achieved through the expression of adhesins that recognize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) linked to the core protein of PGs. Some pathogens, such as Bordetella pertussis and Chlamydia trachomatis, may express more than one GAG-binding adhesin. Bacterial interactions with PGs may also facilitate cell invasion or systemic dissemination, as observed for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis respectively. More-over, pathogenic bacteria can use PGs to enhance their virulence via a shedding of PGs that leads to there lease of effectors that weaken the host defences. The exploitation of PGs by pathogenic bacteria is thus a multifaceted mechanistic process directly related to the potential virulence of a number of microorganisms.


Zinc and disease of the brain.
Zinc is one of the most abundant transition metals in the brain. A substantial fraction (10-15%) of brain zinc is located inside presynaptic vesicles of certain glutamatergic terminals in a free or loosely bound state. This vesicle zinc is released with neuronal activity or depolarization, probably serving physiologic functions. However, with excess release, as may occur in a variety of pathologic conditions, zinc may translocate to and accumulate in postsynaptic neurons, events which may contribute to selective neuronal cell death. Intracellular mechanisms of zinc neurotoxicity may include disturbances in energy metabolism, increases in oxidative stress, and activation of apoptosis cascades. Zinc inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and depletes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). On the other hand, zinc activates protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk-1/2), and induces NADPH oxidase; these events result in oxidative neuronal injury. Zinc can also trigger caspase activation and apoptosis via the p75(NTR) pathway. Interestingly, the converse-depletion of intracellular zinc-also induces neuronal death, but in this case, exclusively via classical apoptosis. In addition to the neurotoxic effect, zinc may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative disease. For example, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), mature amyloid plaques, but not preamyloid deposits, are found to contain high levels of zinc, suggesting the role of zinc in the process of plaque maturation. Further insights into roles of zinc in brain diseases may help set a new direction toward the development of effective treatments.


Congenital agenesis of anterior leaflet of tricuspid valve.
Complete absence of anterior tricuspid valve leaflet is a rare anomaly. We report the case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with severe tricuspid regurgitation with annular dilatation and non-coapting leaflets. Intra-operatively, an incidental finding of complete agenesis of the anterior leaflet was observed. A tricuspid valve replacement was carried out; the patient made an uneventful recovery and remains well at follow-up.


Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics reveals short-chain chlorinated paraffin-induced hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rat.
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) used in various industrial applications have been listed as new POPs. Previous studies based on high-dose exposures indicate their hepatotoxicity. However, their mechanisms of toxicity or adverse outcome pathways and health risks remain largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate metabolic consequences of chronic dietary exposure to SCCPs at low doses and reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatotoxicity of SCCPs. A combination of transcriptomics and metabolomics, together with general pathophysiological tests were performed to assess the hepatic response of male rats exposed to SCCPs. Our results highlight two major modes of action: Inhibition of energy metabolism and activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Exposure to SCCPs suppressed oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and turnover of ATP-ADP-AMP and thus results in deficiencies of amino acids and nucleotides in liver of the rat. Exposure to SCCPs affected expression levels of 13 genes downstream of PPARα that encode proteins associated with metabolism of fatty acids. As a result, peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, microsomal fatty acid ω-oxidation, and lipogenesis were accelerated. Results of this work strongly support the conclusion that low-dose exposure to SCCPs can result in adverse outcomes in the rat model. Significant SCCP-induced inhibition of energy metabolism occurs at environmentally relevant dosages, which suggests that SCCPs exhibit metabolic toxicity. Interactions of SCCPs with PPARα signaling pathway can explain the disruption of lipids and amino acids metabolism.


Adiponectin, a unique adipocyte-derived factor beyond hormones.
Visceral fat accumulation has a marked impact on atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome clustering diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived circulating protein, is a representative adipocytokine and uniquely possesses two major properties: 1) its circulating concentration is approximately 3-6 orders of magnitude greater than ordinary hormones and cytokines; 2) its concentration inversely correlates with body fat mass despite its adipocyte-specific production. Low serum levels of adiponectin correlate with cardiometabolic diseases. Extensive experimental evidence has demonstrated that adiponectin possesses multiple properties, such as anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. It has been shown to play a central role against the development of metabolic syndrome and its complications. However, even approximately 25 years after its discovery, the properties of adiponectin, including how and why it exerts multiple beneficial effects on various tissues and/or organs, remain unclear. Furthermore, the mechanisms responsible for the very high circulating concentrations of adiponectin in the bloodstream have not been elucidated. Several adiponectin-binding partners, such as AdipoR1/2, have been identified, but do not fully explain the multi-functional and beneficial properties of adiponectin. Recent advances in adiponectin research may resolve these issues. Adiponectin binds to and covers cell surfaces with T-cadherin, a unique glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cadherin. The adiponectin/T-cadherin complex enhances exosomal production and release, excreting cell-toxic products from cells, particularly in the vasculature. In this review, we discuss adiponectin and the role of the adiponectin/T-cadherin system in the maintenance of whole body homeostasis and cardiovascular protection.


Coding of perineal lacerations and other complications of obstetric care in hospital discharge data.
To assess the validity of obstetric complications, including the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Core Measure on perineal lacerations, in the California Patient Discharge Data Set. We randomly sampled 1,611 deliveries from 52 of the 267 hospitals that performed more than 678 eligible deliveries in California in 1992-1993. We compared hospital-reported complications against our recoding of the same records. Third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations were reported accurately, with estimated sensitivities exceeding 90% and positive predictive values exceeding 65% (weighted to account for the stratified sampling design) or 85% (unweighted). Based on in-depth review of discrepant cases, we estimate the actual positive predictive value at over 90%. Most coding discrepancies were between no injury and first degree, or between first and second degree. Most postpartum complications, including urinary tract and wound infections, endometritis, anesthesia complications, and postpartum hemorrhage were reported with less than 70% sensitivity, but at least 80% positive predictive value. Composite measures from HealthGrades and Solucient, which include these complication codes, also suffer from high false-negative rates. Third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations are accurately reported on hospital discharge abstracts, confirming the validity of related quality indicators sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and JCAHO. Administrative data seem less useful for monitoring other in-hospital postpartum complications.


Multilevel predictors of smoking initiation among adolescents: findings from the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort (MACC) study.
To understand how factors at multiple levels of influence impact adolescent smoking initiation. Data from the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort, a population-based cohort, were analyzed. Adolescents were recruited from randomly selected geopolitical units (GPUs) in Minnesota at ages 12 to 13 (n=1953), and were surveyed every six months (2000-2006) until 18. The association between baseline social factors and smoking initiation was analyzed using logistic regression. Linear regression was used to analyze predictors and age of initiation among smokers (n=603). Higher proportion of 15-16 year-olds who smoke at the area-level (GPU) was associated with younger initiation (15.47 vs 15.87, p<.05). Higher proportion of the population employed and higher median household income were associated with older initiation (15.90 vs. 15.56 p<.05). Parent education, living with parents or siblings who smoke, living in homes that allow smoking, and having friends who smoke at baseline were associated with smoking initiation or younger initiation (p<.05). Participants whose parents had less than a high school education were 1.6 times more likely than those with college educated parents to have smoked at least a whole cigarette (CI=1.06, 2.26). Factors at multiple levels of influence effect adolescent smoking initiation. Smoking by older age peers and lower SES predicts earlier smoking.


A new level 1 oncoplastic technique for breast conserving surgery: rotation glandular flap.
When performing conservative surgery for breast cancer, breast reshaping can be a challenging procedure. Level 1 oncoplastic surgery (OPS) techniques, i.e., advancement or rotation of glandular flaps, should be performed when less than 20 per cent breast volume is excised. A new Level 1 OPS technique is described. A wide centro-lateral glandular flap is created after extensive undermining of the skin and nipple-areolar complex, and rotated into the cavity. This rotation glandular flap is a new technique for use following a wide excision, in glandular, not fatty, breasts, and when standard closure of the cavity would not leave a satisfactory cosmetic result.


Local anesthesia.
In summary, many surgical procedures may be safely and comfortably performed utilizing regional anesthesia if only a few guidelines are followed as to choice and usage of local anesthetics. The success of a regional block will always be dependent upon correct needle placement by an experienced physician with good technical skills. However, the safety of the patient is not solely a function of experience. Modern local anesthetic preparations are reliable enough and simple enough to use that all physicians should be capable of achieving optimal patient safety at all times. If placed in a position which seems to require unfamiliar knowledge or expertise, the practitioner need only seek a consultant anesthesiologist for assistance. Plastic surgery is recognized as a specialty that frequently utilizes local anesthetics for office and outpatient procedures. The manner in which these drugs are used or abused determines their clinical reputation as well as that of the physician. It is important to promote a correct understanding of local anesthetic compounds, not only among ourselves as physicians, but also among our patients, who are becoming ever more knowledgeable of medical practice as time goes on.


The IL-6 family cytokines, interleukin-6, interleukin-11, oncostatin M, and leukemia inhibitory factor, enhance mast cell growth through fibroblast-dependent pathway in mice.
Mast cell hyperplasia is observed in various inflammatory skin diseases. Although the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of these conditions remains largely uninvestigated, it is speculated that mediators produced in the lesional skin provide a favorable microenvironment for mast cell growth. Among the proinflammatory mediators, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), which shares a receptor component (gp130 subunit) with interleukin-6 (IL-6), has been identified as a mast cell growth-enhancing factor produced by cells of the keratinocyte-derived cell line (KCMH-1). In this study, we investigated the effect of four IL-6 family cytokines, IL-6, IL-11, oncostatin M (OSM) and LIF on mast cell growth in a mast cell/fibroblast co-culture system. When mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMMC) were maintained on a NIH/3T3 fibroblast monolayer, these cytokines induced proliferation of the mast cells, but none of the cytokines had any effect on mast cell proliferation in the absence of fibroblasts. mRNA for gp130 and receptors for the four IL-6 family cytokines were detected in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts by reverse transcriptase-mediated polymerase chain reaction. In contrast, only mRNA for the IL-11 receptor and gp130 were detected in BMMC. Tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130 was observed in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts after stimulation with all the cytokines. Some IL-6 family cytokines enhanced the production of stem cell factor (SCF), a potent mast cell growth factor, from NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, but the amount of SCF produced by NIH/3T3 fibroblasts was not paralleled by the mast cell growth-enhancement induced by the IL-6 family cytokines. When anti-SCF antibody was added with the IL-6 family cytokines in the BMMC/fibroblast coculture system, a significant effect of these cytokines remained, although the growth-enhancing activity was markedly reduced. A similar result was obtained when BMMC were prepared from W/W(V)-mice, which lack functional c-kit, in the BMMC/ fibroblast coculture system. These results suggest that IL-6 family cytokines stimulate mast cell growth by a fibroblast-dependent mechanism, and also suggest the existence of another pathway between BMMC and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts cooperating with the SCF/c-kit pathway. IL-6 family cytokines may thus contribute to mast cell hyperplasia in skin diseases.


Contributions of nursing students during their clinical practice in primary care: Adaptation and validation of a scale.
To adapt the 'Nursing Student Contributions to Clinical Settings' scale (CEEEC, Spanish acronym), designed for specialized care and to evaluate the validity and reliability of a measure in the primary health care setting. Additionally, a description of the contributions of nursing students to primary health care in Spain is presented, based on the perception of preceptor nurses. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain, involving a committee of nursing experts who participated in a Delphi panel (n = 5) and cognitive interviews (n = 5) and a sample of nursing preceptors (n = 300) from 57 primary health care centers (2019-2020). The CEEEC was reviewed by experts for the conceptual semantic adequacy of the 24 items for its application in primary health care. Nurse preceptors' responses to the CEEEC scale were used to study the validity and reliability of the measure, including factor analysis, convergent validity with the Health Sciences-Evidence Based Practice scale and a matched test-retest over a three-week interval. According to the consensus of experts, the CEEEC scale is valid for primary health care with minimal modifications (change "patient" to "user"). Based on the analysis of responses to the scale, the corrected item-total correlations of the 24 items were ≥ 0.40 and were grouped into a single factor, explaining 46.3% of the variance. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.95. Regarding convergent validity, there was a positive correlation between the CEEEC scale and the score of the Health Sciences-Evidence Based Practice scale (Pearson's coefficient= 0.33; p < 0.001). The overall intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91. Finally, the mean CEEEC score was 61.9 points (range 0-96). The two most positive contributions were 'Nursing students enable nursing professionals to perform their teaching role' and 'Nursing students become future professionals who know the healthcare facility'. The CEEEC scale provides a valid and reliable measure of nursing students' contributions to primary health care. Nursing students' contributions to Spanish primary health care were positive, especially towards the nursing profession and healthcare organizations.


[Urinary stones and urinary tract abnormalities. Is the stone composition independent of the anatomical abnormality?].
More than ten per cent of stones are associated with a urinary tract abnormality. To verify whether the malformation influences stone composition, we studied the composition of stones observed in fifteen urological abnormalities. This study is based on 1,461 stones associated with a clearly defined malformation analysed by infrared spectroscopy plus 402 bladder stones in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this series of 1,863 abnormalities, 732 (39.3%) involved the kidney, 561 (30.1%) involved the ureter and 570 (30.6%) involved the lower tract. Whewellite stones were predominant in all renal abnormalities with the exception of cysts, which were mainly associated with uric acid. The main differences concerned the second constituent: weddellite in horseshoe kidneys, carbapatite in Cacchi-Ricci disease and caliceal abnormalities. Struvite was uncommon (<10%). Whewellite was the main component in ureteric abnormalities except for megaureter and reflux in which carbapatite was predominant. Struvite was present in 10% to 30% of stones. Vesicourethral abnormalities were accompanied by calcium and magnesium phosphate stones (90% of cases), and struvite was present in 58% to 90% of cases. The exception to this general rule was bladder stones associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, in which the main component was uric acid. Significant differences in stone composition were observed as a function of anatomical abnormalities reflecting the fact that some abnormalities add infectious or metabolic risk factors to anatomical factors.


Microextraction and analysis of contaminants adsorbed on atmospheric fine particulate matter: A review.
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is made up of suspended microscopic solid or liquid materials. It is derived from natural or anthropogenic sources. PM encompasses inhalable coarse particles, with aerodynamic diameters of between 2.5 µm and 10 µm, fine particles (<2.5 µm), and ultrafine (<0.1 µm) particles. In addition to being directly inhalable, causing harm, PM can also exert adverse effects on human wellbeing and the environment by its impact on precipitation and climate. Moreover, chemical contaminants may also be found adsorbed on PM, adding another dimension to the hazardous aspects of these materials. PM is normally collected on filters or impactors. PM-adsorbed contaminants need to be taken into solution before they can be extracted. This review focuses on a discussion of solvent-minimized sample preparation procedures, originally developed for aqueous samples, for the extraction and preconcentration of primarily organic contaminants from fine and coarse PM.


Mercury removal from flue gas by a MoS2/H2O heterogeneous system based on its absorption kinetics.
An enhanced MoS2/C10TAB/H2O system was built and investigated for Hg0 removal based on strengthening the Hg0 gas-liquid mass transfer. The results showed that adding 7 mg/L C10TAB can improve the Hg0 removal efficiency from 76.5 to 88.7% as decrease of the solution surface tension. Keeping 2000 rpm of stirring rate accelerated the renewal rate of gas-liquid interface, thereby enhancing Hg0 removal. SO2 slightly promoted the Hg0 removal efficiency to 91% because of the absorption of SO2 causing a decrease in the solution pH from 6.9 to 4.3. NO participated in Hg0 removal reactions but not removed in this system which visibly enhanced the Hg0 removal efficiency to 94%. The Hg mass transfer kinetics were analyzed to determine how C10TAB promoted Hg0 removal. The Hg-TPD, Hg fate, and species results revealed that Hg0 was first oxidized to Hg2+, then bonded with S to generate HgS and enrich on the MoS2. Therefore, improving the Hg0 gas-liquid mass transfer can enhance Hg0 removal in MoS2/H2O system, which can provide reference for purification of other insoluble pollutants in absorption system.


Qingjin Huatan decoction protects mice against influenza a virus pneumonia via the chemokine signaling pathways.
Qingjin Huatan Decoction (QJHTT) consists of 11 herbal medicines: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC., Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl., Morus alba L., Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. As a traditional compound Chinese medicinal formula, QJHTT has been used for more than 400 years in China. Historically, it was used to treat respiratory diseases and had shown beneficial clinical results for diseases related to lung inflammation. To investigate the therapeutic effect of QJHTT on influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia in mice and explore its possible mechanism of action. The components in QJHTT were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and some antiviral active components reported in the literature were determined and quantified by HPLC. The protective effects of QJHTT were investigated using lethal and sublethal doses (2 LD50 or 0.8 LD50 viral suspension, separately) of H1N1-infected mice. Mortality and lung lesions in H1N1-infected mice were used to evaluate the efficacy of QJHTT. The potential mechanism of QJHTT in the treatment of viral pneumonia was determined at the gene level by RNA sequencing and validated by qRT-PCR. Following this, the changes in protein levels of JAK2/STAT3 were analyzed since it is a key downstream target of the chemokine signaling pathways. Preliminary elucidation of the mechanism of QJHTT to protect mice against IAV pneumonia through this pathway was conducted. In this study, 12 antiviral active constituents including baicalin, geniposide, and mangiferin were identified from QJHTT. In vivo treatment of QJHTT reduced the virus titers of lung tissue significantly and improved the survival rate, lung index, and pulmonary histopathological changes; additionally, a reduction in the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ inflammatory factors in H1N1-infected mice was observed. RNA-seq analysis and qRT-PCR showed that QJHTT primarily reversed the activities CCL2, CCL7, CCR1, and other chemokines and their reception-related genes, suggesting that QJHTT may produce disease-resistant pneumonia by inhibiting the downstream JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Western blot analysis confirmed that QJHTT effectively reduced the protein levels of JAK2, STAT3, and related phosphorylated products in the lung tissue of H1N1-infected mice. Our results indicated that QJHTT alleviated IAV pneumonia in mice by regulating related chemokines and their receptor-related genes in lung tissue, thereby inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway. This could pave way for the design of novel therapeutic strategies to treat viral pneumonia.


Preparation and diastereoselective ortho-metalation of chiral ferrocenyl imidazolines: remarkable influence of LDA as metalation additive.
[reaction: see text] The preparation of optically pure ferrocenyl imidazolines starting from ferrocenecarboxylic acid and the application to diastereoselective ortho-metalations is described highlighting the remarkable influence of lithium dialkylamides, especially LDA, as metalation additives (in combination with tert-butyllithium) on the diastereoselectivity.


IgA nephropathy, the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. A neglected disease in the United States?
Although its prevalence and clinical importance in the United States are stated to be low, we believe IgA nephropathy occurs as commonly in this country as in Western Europe. Initial reports suggested the disease was perhaps restricted to France and synonymous with "benign recurrent hematuria," but longer follow-up has proven both conclusions incorrect. Obviously, major gaps persist in our understanding of the immunopathogenesis and the natural history. The latency of the American investigative response calls for more intensive clinical and laboratory studies of the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide.


Role of therapeutic drug monitoring in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and end-stage liver disease undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation.
Pharmacological interactions between protease inhibitors and tacrolimus require careful monitoring to prevent toxicity in the posttransplantation period. A 42-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and end-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) received an orthotopic liver transplant. At the time of surgery the patient was on triple antiretroviral therapy (tenofovir, lamivudine, and lopinavir/ritonavir) with a stable CD4(+) count (>500 cells/mm(3)) and HIV-1 RNA (<50 copies/mL). Immunosuppression was maintained with tacrolimus (0.5 mg at a single dose once per week). One month after surgery HCV recurrence was documented. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of lopinavir/ritonavir showed a rapid increase in the area under the curve. Drug concentrations returned to normal levels, with reduction in liver enzymes. At the same time, tacrolimus dosages were reduced to a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg every 2 weeks. The patient, at 17 months postoperatively, is alive in good health with normal liver function and HCV RNA load levels. This is the first case in which a profound change in the pharmacokinetics of a protease inhibitor caused by a drug-drug interaction was observed during transient liver damage. Because this clinical event is particularly common in HIV-infected patients, our findings suggest that therapeutic drug monitoring should be performed to determine the impact of potential drug interactions in the early posttransplantation period, at the time of resumption of therapy or introduction of new anti-retroviral therapy and during HCV recurrence in order to optimize both tacrolimus and protease inhibitor treatment.


Implications of supportive and unsupportive behavior for couples with newly diagnosed diabetes.
To examine the relation between daily diary reports of diabetes-specific social interactions to patient and partner mood and patient self-care behaviors, and whether relations are moderated by unmitigated communion. Participants were 70 couples in which 1 person had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the past 3 years. They were interviewed in-person at baseline and completed daily diary reports on an iPad. Daily diary questionnaires measured support, mood, and self-care behavior (patients only). Unmitigated communion, a personality trait characterized by an overinvolvement in others to the exclusion of the self, was measured at baseline. Multilevel statistical modeling revealed that daily fluctuations in partner emotional support were related to daily fluctuations in happy mood, more exercise, and dietary compliance. Partner controlling behavior was related to poor mood but was unrelated to self-care. Relations of support and controlling behavior to mood were strongest for individuals high (vs. low) in unmitigated communion. Patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who felt understood and cared for by partners reported a better mood and were more likely to take care of themselves on a daily basis, whereas patients whose partners were controlling on a daily basis reported poorer mood. Patients characterized by unmitigated communion were most affected by partner supportive and unsupportive behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record


Investigation on the application of DNA forensic human identification techniques to detect homologous blood transfusions in doping control.
Homologous blood transfusion is an illicit practice used by athletes to improve the delivery of oxygen to tissues and, as such, it is banned in sports. The current method of detection is based on the flow cytofluorimetric phenotypic identification of red blood cells mismatch of minor blood group antigens between the donor and the recipient. The selectivity of this method to clearly identify transfused samples is related to the number of blood group antigens tested. Despite the fact that several different antigens are investigated, two individuals sharing the expression of the same minor blood group antigens pattern cannot be distinguished. We tested the possibility to use a different approach based on DNA forensic human identification techniques. Analysis of the DNA short tandem repeats (STRs) demonstrated its suitability in detecting mixed whole blood samples simulating homologous blood transfusion in 100% of the samples tested, ensuring the capability of clearly detecting mixed blood cell populations also on samples where the fraction of the minoritary population is as low as 2.5%.


Antioxidative and immunological effects of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharides on the spleen injury of diabetic rat.
To investigate the effects of Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus) polysaccharides on the spleen injury of diabetic rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups, including normal group, model group, control group, low-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment, middle-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment and high-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment. Histological analysis of spleen was analyzed using hematoxilin and eosin. Levels of biological parameters and anti-oxidative enzymes were determined by spectrophotometry. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with that of model group, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase level increased 78.63% (P < 0.05), 51.76% (P < 0.05), 2.95 times (P < 0.01) and 41.11% (P < 0.05) in the high-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment, respectively. IL-7 and IL-10 increase 1.66 (P < 0.01) and 1.21 times (P < 0.01) in the high-dose group of C. paliurus polysaccharides treatment, respectively. It is suggested that C. paliurus polysaccharides may play a protecting role for spleen injury of diabetic rats by enhancing the antioxidative ability and evaluating the immunity.


Reduced β-cell function in early preclinical type 1 diabetes.
We aimed to characterize insulin responses to i.v. glucose during the preclinical period of type 1 diabetes starting from the emergence of islet autoimmunity. A large population-based cohort of children with HLA-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes was observed from birth. During regular follow-up visits islet autoantibodies were analysed. We compared markers of glucose metabolism in sequential intravenous glucose tolerance tests between 210 children who were positive for multiple (≥2) islet autoantibodies and progressed to type 1 diabetes (progressors) and 192 children testing positive for classical islet-cell antibodies only and remained healthy (non-progressors). In the progressors, the first phase insulin response (FPIR) was decreased as early as 4-6 years before the diagnosis when compared to the non-progressors (P=0.001). The difference in FPIR between the progressors and non-progressors was significant (P<0.001) in all age groups, increasing with age (at 2 years: difference 50% (95% CI 28-75%) and at 10 years: difference 172% (95% CI 128-224%)). The area under the 10-min insulin curve showed a similar difference between the groups (P<0.001; at 2 years: difference 36% (95% CI 17-58%) and at 10 years: difference 186% (95% CI 143-237%)). Insulin sensitivity did not differ between the groups. FPIR is decreased several years before the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, implying an intrinsic defect in β-cell mass and/or function.


Use of Brånemark system implants for orthodontic anchorage: report of a case.
Brånemark System implants were used for orthodontic anchorage to correct a cross-occlusion relationship between a mandibular canine and a maxillary lateral incisor.


Possible mechanism of action of SKF 64139 in vivo on rat adrenal and brain phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity.
SKF 64139, a specific inhibitor of the epinephrine-synthesizing enzyme, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), has been widely used as a pharmacological tool for studying the characteristics of epinephrine-containing neurons. However, the mechanism of action of this drug on PNMT in vivo has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we traced changes of PNMT activity in rat adrenal glands and medulla oblongata between 1 and 48 hr after intraperitoneal injection of SKF 64139 (50 mg/kg body wt). Within 1 hr, enzyme activity in both tissues decreased to 10% of the respective control value. However, starting at 4 hr, activity gradually recovered from the inhibition and completely returned to the respective control level by 48 hr. Removal of the inhibitor by dialysis substantially restored the adrenal enzyme activity in 1, 2 and 4 hr groups and completely returned it to control levels in 18 and 48 hr groups. A similar pattern also seemed to hold with brain extracts. The profiles of immunotitration curves, using dialyzed tissue extracts and specific antibodies to bovine adrenal PNMT, clearly indicate that, even after dialysis, a substantial amount of inactive enzyme was present in tissue extracts from 1, 2 and 4 hr groups. In contrast, by 18 hr a very small amount of inactive enzyme was present. Throughout the experimental periods there was no noticeable differences among the control and the experimental groups in the number or intensity of immunocytochemical stained neurons with PNMT antibodies of the C1 area of ventrolateral medulla. Judging from the data obtained by dialysis, immunochemical titration and immunocytochemical staining, recovery of PNMT activity following its inhibition by SKF 64139 was not due to irreversible inhibition of the enzyme followed by new enzyme synthesis. Instead, reversible binding of inhibitor to PNMT and its release were responsible for recovery. PNMT from the 1, 2 and 4 hr groups resisted further in vitro inhibition by SKF 64139 because the residual inhibitor was probably still bound to the enzyme.


Targeting androgen receptor versus targeting androgens to suppress castration resistant prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States and its progression is tightly associated with the androgen/androgen receptor (AR) signals. Men castrated before puberty (eunuchs) or men with inherited deficiency of type II 5α-reductase (with failure to convert testosterone to the more potent dihydrotestosterone) (DHT) do not develop PCa. To date, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with anti-androgen treatments to reduce or prevent androgens from binding to the AR remains the main therapeutic option for advanced PCa since its discovery by Huggins and Hodges in 1941. Multiple strategies related to surgical/chemical castration with combinations of various anti-androgens, including Cyproterone Acetate, Flutamide, Nilutamide, Bicalutamide (Casodex) and Enzalutamide, as well as some androgen synthesis blockers, including Abiraterone, have been used to control PCa progression. However, patients on ADT with anti-androgen treatment eventually develop resistance, which might be accompanied with the unwanted side effects of enhanced metastasis. New therapeutic approaches via directly targeting the AR with ASC-J9®, Cisplatin, EPI-001, Niclosamide, and VPC compounds as well as silencing AR with siRNAs or non-coding RNAs have been developed to further suppress PCa at the castration resistant stages.


Interactive, multi-modality image registrations for combined MRI/MRSI-planned HDR prostate brachytherapy.
This study presents the steps and criteria involved in the series of image registrations used clinically during the planning and dose delivery of focal high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy of the prostate. Three imaging modalities - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI), and Computed Tomography (CT) - were used at different steps during the process. MRSI is used for identification of dominant intraprosatic lesions (DIL). A series of rigid and nonrigid transformations were applied to the data to correct for endorectal-coil-induced deformations and for alignment with the planning CT. Mutual information was calculated as a morphing metric. An inverse planning optimization algorithm was applied to boost dose to the DIL while providing protection to the urethra, penile bulb, rectum, and bladder. Six prostate cancer patients were treated using this protocol. The morphing algorithm successfully modeled the probe-induced prostatic distortion. Mutual information calculated between the morphed images and images acquired without the endorectal probe showed a significant (p = 0.0071) increase to that calculated between the unmorphed images and images acquired without the endorectal probe. Both mutual information and visual inspection serve as effective diagnostics of image morphing. The entire procedure adds less than thirty minutes to the treatment planning. This work demonstrates the utility of image transformations and registrations to HDR brachytherapy of prostate cancer.


Management of stab wounds to the pregnant uterus: a case report and a review of the literature.
Only 18 cases of stab wounds to the pregnant uterus have been reported to date. This paper presents an additional case--a patient at 26 weeks' gestation with multiple voluntary stab wounds to the abdomen and lower chest resulting in fetal death. The literature is reviewed and management of abdominal stab wounds in pregnancy is discussed.


Chromosome mapping of the human RAS-related RAP1A, RAP1B, and RAP2 genes to chromosomes 1p12----p13, 12q14, and 13q34, respectively.
Three human cDNAs encoding new RAS-related cDNAs, designated RAP1A, RAP1B, and RAP2, have been isolated previously. The encoded proteins are highly related to RAS in the effector region and share an overall identity with RAS of approximately 50%. Using the complete cDNAs or parts thereof as probes, each RAP gene has been localized on human chromosomes by in situ hybridization. The three genes RAP1A, RAP1B, and RAP2 have been assigned to chromosome bands 1p12----p13, 12q14, and 13q34, respectively.


Sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling and biological activities in the cardiovascular system.
The plasma lysophospholipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is produced exclusively by sphingosine kinase (SPHK) 1 and SPHK2 in vivo, and plays diverse biological and pathophysiological roles by acting largely through three members of the G protein-coupled S1P receptors, S1P1, S1P2 and S1P3. S1P1 expressed on endothelial cells mediates embryonic vascular maturation and maintains vascular integrity by contributing to eNOS activation, inhibiting vascular permeability and inducing endothelial cell chemotaxis via Gi-coupled mechanisms. By contrast, S1P2, is expressed in high levels on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and certain types of tumor cells, inhibiting Rac and cell migration via a G(12/13)-and Rho-dependent mechanism. In rat neointimal VSMCs, S1P1 is upregulated to mediate local production of platelet-derived growth factor, which is a key player in vascular remodeling. S1P3 expressed on endothelial cells also mediates chemotaxis toward S1P and vasorelaxation via NO production in certain vascular bed, playing protective roles for vascular integrity. S1P3 expressed on VSMCs and cardiac sinoatrial node cells mediates vasopressor and negative chronotropic effect, respectively. In addition, S1P3, together with S1P2 and SPHK1, is suggested to play a protective role against acute myocardial ischemia. However, our recent work indicates that overexpressed SPHK1 is involved in cardiomyocyte degeneration and fibrosis in vivo, in part through S1P activation of the S1P3 signaling. We also demonstrated that exogenously administered S1P accelerates neovascularization and blood flow recovery in ischemic limbs, suggesting its usefulness for angiogenic therapy. These results provide evidence for S1P receptor subtype-specific pharmacological intervention as a novel therapeutic approach to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.


What general conclusions can we draw from kinase profiling data sets?
Understanding general selectivity trends across the kinome has implications ranging from target selection, compound prioritization, toxicity and patient tailoring. Several recent publications have described the characterization of kinase inhibitors via large assay panels, offering a range of generalizations that influenced kinase inhibitor research trends. Since a subset of profiled inhibitors overlap across reports, we evaluated the concordance of activity results for the same compound-kinase pairs across four data sources generated from different kinase biochemical assay technologies. Overall, 77% of all results are within 3 fold or qualitatively in agreement across sources. However, the agreement for active compounds is only 37%, indicating that different profiling panels are in better agreement to determine a compound's lack of activity rather than degree of activity. Low concordance is also found when comparing the promiscuity of kinase targets evaluated from different sources, and the pharmacological similarity of kinases. In contrast, the overall promiscuity of kinase inhibitors was consistent across sources. We highlight the difficulty of drawing general conclusions from such data by showing that no significant selectivity difference distinguishes type I vs. type II inhibitors, and limited kinase space similarity that is consistent across different sources. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).


New cholinesterase inhibiting bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Abuta grandifolia.
The phytochemical study of the stem bark and wood of Abuta grandifolia (Mart.) Sandwith led to the identification of four bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BBIQs), namely (R,S)-2 N-norberbamunine (1), (R,R)-isochondodendrine (2), (S-S)-O4″-methyl, Nb-nor-O6'-demethyl-(+)-curine (3), and (S-S)-O4″-methyl, O6'-demethyl-(+)-curine (4), together with the aporphine alkaloid R-nornuciferine (5), all obtained by countercurrent distribution separation (CCD) and identified on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Alkaloids 3 and 4 were new. All the isolated compounds were tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. 1 was the most active against AChE, whereas 3 and 4 were the most potent against BChE. Interestingly, all tested alkaloids are more potent against BChE than against AChE. This selectivity of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition could be important in order to speculate on their potential therapeutic relevance.


Descriptions of two new species of the Simulium (Simulium) striatum species-group (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Taiwan and Japan, and a revised description of S. (S.) quinquestriatum (Shiraki).
Species in the Simulium (Simulium) striatum species-group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Taiwan and Japan are morphologically reevaluated. Simulium (S.) yanpingense sp. nov. is described as the third member in this species-group from Taiwan and a revised description of S. (S.) quinquestriatum (Shiraki) is provided. The species previously regarded as S. (S.) quinquestriatum in Japan is described as a new species, S. (S.) tanegashimaense. Simulium (S.) yanpingense sp. nov. is similar to S. (S.) pingtungense Huang & Takaoka from Taiwan, in many characteristics including the haired basal portion of the female radius, dark leg color, and male scutum with brassy hairs, but it is distinguished from the latter species by the number of male upper-eye (large) facets, which are in 17 (rarely 18) vertical columns and 17 or 18 horizontal rows in this new species but in 19 vertical columns and 20 horizontal rows in S. (S.) pingtungense. Simulium (S.) tanegashimaense sp. nov. is similar to S. (S.) quinquestriatum originally described from Taiwan by having the male scutum with yellow fine hairs, but is distinguished from the latter species by the number of male upper-eye (large) facets, which are in 17 (rarely 16) vertical columns and 17 horizontal rows in this new species but in 19 or 20 vertical columns and 19 or 20 horizontal rows in S. (S.) quinquestriatum. The morphological differences between these two new species and their related species from India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are noted.


https://www.fungiofpakistan.com: a continuously updated online database of fungi in Pakistan.
The website fungiofpakistan.com is a collection of all the available data about macro- as well as micro-fungi collected from Pakistan. This website comprises reported fungal species with isolation source or host record, locality and updated classification. The data on this website is based on old literature (library data, personal data of specific authors or books that were not easily accessible to public) and recent publications. This website is an important potential platform for researchers, government officials, industries and other users. Users can provide their inputs related to missing taxa, new genera, the new record and new data. They also have the opportunity to express their opinions on valid names, invalid names and illegitimate names, with notes published in the 'Notes' section of webpage provided following review and editing by curators and fungal taxonomists. This website plays a significant contribution to our knowledge of the rich fungal diversity of Pakistan. However, much more sustained and detailed research is needed to fully evaluate fungal diversity in Pakistan. Undoubtedly, that many more fungi will be discovered and added in the future. https://fungiofpakistan.com/.


Sleep and arousal, synchrony and independence, among mothers and infants sleeping apart and together (same bed): an experiment in evolutionary medicine.
Although solitary sleeping in infancy is a very recent custom, limited to Western industrialized societies, and most contemporary people practice parent-infant co-sleeping, virtually all laboratory research on sleep in human infants assumes that solitary infant sleep is the normal and desirable environment. We have used evolutionary and developmental data to challenge this view. We suggest that co-sleeping provides a sensory-rich environment which is the more appropriate environment in which to study infant sleep. In addition, two preliminary, in-laboratory, polygraphic investigations of mother-infant co-sleeping are reported in normal infants, within the peak age range for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Five mother-infant pairs co-slept one night in the first study; in the second, three additional pairs slept separately for two nights and co-slept the third consecutive night. The results suggest that co-sleeping is associated with enhanced infant arousals and striking temporal overlap (synchronicity) in infant and maternal arousals, and that, possibly as a result, co-sleeping mothers and infants spend more time in the same sleep stage or awake condition. The implications of the hypothesis and preliminary results for research on the normal development of infant sleep and on SIDS are discussed.


Polynuclear zinc(II) complexes of thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, X-ray structure and biological evaluation.
Two new dimeric Zn(II) ([{ZnL1(DMSO2)}2]·DMSO (1), [{ZnL2Cl}2] (2)) and a novel tetrameric Zn(II) complex ([(Zn2L3)2(μ-OAc)2(μ3-O)2] (3)), where H2L1 = 4-(p-methoxyphenyl) thiosemicarbazone of o-hydroxynapthaldehyde, HL2 = 4-(p-methoxyphenyl)thiosemicarbazone of benzoyl pyridine and H2L3 = 4-(p-chlorophenyl)thiosemicarbazone of o-vanillin are reported. Ligands and their complexes were characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In addition, the complexes exhibited good binding affinity towards HSA (1012 M-1), which is supported by their ability to quench the tryptophan fluorescence emission spectra of HSA. The complexes were also screened for their DNA binding propensity through UV-vis absorption titration, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectral studies. Results show that they effectively interact with CT-DNA through an intercalative mode of binding, with binding constants ranging from 103 to 104 M-1. Among the three complexes 1 has the highest binding affinity towards CT-DNA. Further, the phosphatase activity was evaluated using bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (BDNPP) as substrate, however, the complexes did not yield any measurable catalytic activity. Nevertheless the complexes showed significant cytotoxic potential against HeLa and HT-29 cancer cell lines that was assessed through MTT assay and DAPI staining. Remarkably, complex 1 showed better activity than cisplatin against HT-29 cell line.


Molecular and genetic evidence for a tetrapolar mating system in Sparassis latifolia.
Sparassis latifolia is a valuable edible fungus cultivated in East Asia that is rich in β-glucans. Understanding the mating system and sexual life cycle is important not only for breeding programs to improve strains but also for studies on speciation and population structures. In the present study, mating experiments using monokaryons derived from two different parental strains were performed. Chi-squared test indicated satisfied Mendel segregation, which supported a tetrapolar mating system. A search in the genome for homologs to the well-defined homeodomain and pheromone/receptors, as well as frequently found flanking genes, resulted in the identification of known mating-type loci previously identified in tetrapolar basidiomycetes, each represented by two idiomorphic alleles on separate contigs. Deficiency of the β-flanking protein in S. latifolia and S. crispa around the MAT-A locus may be explained by the locus being rich in transposable elements adjacent to HD genes. Monokaryotic mycelia are characterized by a slower growth rate and a relative lack of aerial mycelia compared with the parental strain. Chlamydospores can be produced in both monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelial stages. We provide genetic and molecular evidence for the mating system of S. latifolia, a finding that will be helpful for the cross-breeding of this mushroom.


The problem with an epidemiological index for dental erosion.
This article reviews and discusses the difficulties posed by the application of epidemiological indices for the measurement of dental erosion. It covers several aspects of index design.


Bronchial and Thymic Carcinoid Tumors.
Bronchial and thymic carcinoids are rare. We present epidemiologic data and potential risk factors. The approach to bronchial and thymic carcinoid patients is discussed, from the initial diagnosis and evaluations to treatment. These malignancies follow staging systems of their site of origin. Because bronchial and thymic carcinoids are rare, we use many treatment strategies that have been demonstrated in gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The lack of information regarding efficacy in bronchial and thymic carcinoids, as well as the scarcity of therapeutic options available, demands the importance of clinical trials that include these patients.


Efficacy of a fenbendazole-triclabendazole combination against Fasciola hepatica and gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep.
A fenbendazole and triclabendazole combination was tested against experimentally induced 6-and 14-week-old infections of Fasciola hepatica and naturally acquired infections of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Forty-eight sheep were divided randomly into six treatment groups of eight animals each. At 7.5 and 10.0 mg kg-1 body weight (BW) (3.75 and 5.0 mg kg-1 BW of each drug), the drug combination was 98.3 and 99.7% effective against 6-week-old F. hepatica infections, and 100 and 99.9% effective against 14-week-old infections. At the same drug dosages, the drug combination was effective against naturally acquired adult Ostertagia spp. (97.3-100%) and adult Nematodirus spp. (90.3-99.9%). No adverse effects associated with treatment were noted.


Induction of immunity in mice to the nematode parasite, Nematospiroides dubius.
The data presented in this paper show that mice may be immunised against re-infection with Nematospiroides dubius by giving live third-stage larvae orally, intravenously, intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. Immunity is directed not against the adult worm but against third-stage larvae following their penetration of the wall of the intestine.


Investigation of the Brill transition in nylon 6,6 by Raman, THz-Raman, and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy.
The Brill transition is a phase transition process in polyamides related with structural changes between the hydrogen bonds of the lateral functional groups (CO) and (NH). In this study, we have used the potential of Raman spectroscopy for exploring this phase transition in polyamide 6,6 (nylon 6,6), due to the sensitivity of this spectroscopic technique to small intermolecular changes affecting vibrational properties of relevant functional groups. During a step by step heating and cooling process of the sample we collected Raman spectra allowing us from two-dimensional Raman correlation spectroscopy to identify which spectral regions suffered the largest influence during the Brill transition, and from Terahertz Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy to obtain complementary information, e.g. on the temperature of the sample. This allowed us to grasp signatures of the Brill transition from peak parameters of vibrational modes associated with (CC) skeletal stretches and (CNH) bending, and to verify the Brill transition temperature at around 160°C, as well as the reversibility of this phase transition.


A-levels and university performance.
The principal factors which influence performance at the university and control 85 or 90 per cent of the variance of marks in the Part II examination are unrelated to A-level results.


Risk score for identifying adults with CSF pleocytosis and negative CSF Gram stain at low risk for an urgent treatable cause.
We aimed to derive and validate a risk score that identifies adults with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis and a negative CSF Gram stain at low risk for an urgent treatable cause. Patients with CSF pleocytosis and a negative CSF Gram stain were stratified into a prospective derivation (n = 193) and a retrospective validation (n = 567) cohort. Clinically related baseline characteristics were grouped into three composite variables, each independently associated with a set of predefined urgent treatable causes. We subsequently derived a risk score classifying patients into low (0 composite variables present) or high (≥ 1 composite variables present) risk for an urgent treatable cause. The sensitivity of the risk score was determined in the validation cohort and in a prospective case series of 214 adults with CSF-culture proven bacterial meningitis, CSF pleocytosis and a negative Gram stain. A total of 41 of 193 patients (21%) in the derivation cohort and 71 of 567 (13%) in the validation cohort had an urgent treatable cause. Sensitivity of the dichotomized risk score to detect an urgent treatable cause was 100.0% (95% CI 93.9-100.0%) in the validation cohort and 100.0% (95% CI 97.8-100.0%) in bacterial meningitis patients. The risk score can be used to identify adults with CSF pleocytosis and a negative CSF Gram stain at low risk for an urgent treatable cause.


Care of the surgical intensive care nursery graduate. The primary care pediatrician's perspective.
Care of the intensive care nursery graduate may be quite challenging. It is important that primary care pediatricians become familiar with the complications unique to surgical patients so that they may properly prepare and educate parents and provide appropriate long-term follow-up for these often complex patients. Maintenance of a close relationship with the pediatric surgeon with an open line of communication regarding the approach to various surgical problems facilitates the effective integration of the intensive care nursery graduate into the primary care pediatrician's practice and provides the foundation for a successful clinical outcome.


A pharmacological study with substance K: evidence for multiple types of tachykinin receptors.
The substance P antagonist [D-Arg,D-Pro,D-Trp,Leu]SP (RPTTL-SP) produced a simple competitive antagonism of the responses to substance K (SK) and substance P (SP) in a variety of tissues. In the guinea-pig ileum and field stimulated rat vas deferens the pKB values against SK were similar to those against SP indicating a single population of receptors. In the guinea-pig urinary bladder the pKB value against SK was significantly higher suggesting the existence of at least two subtypes of tachykinin receptor in this tissue. In the hamster urinary bladder no antagonism was observed with up to 30 microM RPTTL-SP indicating the possibility of a third type of receptor.


Reducing the stickiness of negative memory retrieval through positive memory training in adolescents.
Individuals at risk for depression exhibit a decreased ability to disengage from negative memory retrieval during times of mental distress, partly because they have difficulty retrieving positive memories to repair sad mood. In this study, we tested whether this persistent tendency for negative memory retrieval could be reduced in adolescents through repeated practice to retrieve positive autobiographical memories, namely Positive Memory Specificity Training (PMST). Further, we examined the impact of this intervention on secondary outcomes, including depressive symptoms, emotion regulation strategies, and fear of positive emotions. Adolescents (n = 68) between 16 and 18 years old were randomly allocated to either PMST or bogus control training. Persistent negative memory retrieval was assessed following the training using a behavioral decision-making task (Emotional Reversal Learning Task). Additionally, participants completed self-report measurements (e.g., depressive symptoms) before and two weeks after the training. We found preliminary supportive evidence for a significant training effect such that adolescents following PMST showed less persistence in negative memory retrieval compared to those in the control group. Only for anhedonia a significant training effect was found, indicating a possible adverse effect of the intervention. The primary outcome was assessed only at post-intervention to prevent a potential learning effect due to repeated measurements. We cannot exclude the possibility that baseline individual differences contaminated our results. To examine possible adverse effects of PMST, larger sample are needed. PMST may help to reduce persistent negative memory retrieval in adolescents. Recommendations for future studies are addressed.


Risk factors for unintentional injuries among the rural elderly: a county-based cross-sectional survey.
This study aimed to provide evidence for the prevention and reduction of unintentional injuries in the rural elderly by analysing epidemiological data of injuries among rural older adults (65+) and identifying the involved risk and protective factors. This study analysed all information, including the social demographic characteristics, chronic disease condition, lifestyle, living environment, mental health, activities of daily living and detailed information about the nature of the injuries. Chi-square tests, rank tests and a multivariate logistic regression were performed. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was 44.4%; according to the multivariate regression analysis, ten variables, including gender, floor tiles, cane use, sleeping duration, roughage intake frequency, mental health status, diabetes, arthritis and cataracts, were involved in the injury patterns. Low roughage intake (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.64-3.35), the use of a cane (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.31-2.41), a sleeping duration of five hours (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.27-2.42) and severe mental disorders (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.01-2.57) were the top 4 risk factors. In conclusion, we found that unintentional injuries among the rural elderly were closely related to chronic disease, mental health and residence environment. These findings could be beneficial for the prevention of unintentional injuries and for policy makers and health service managers.


Post-operative stereotactic Curie-therapy using the iridium-192 GammaMed contact irradiation apparatus combined with radio-sensitizers in treating multiform glioblastomas.
Experimental investigations on the dimethyl-amino-stilbous carcino-sarcoma of the rat have led to a modified interstitial post-operative Curie-therapy of gliomas in the brain hemispheres following treatment with radio sensitizers. After treatment with the thymine-analogous radio-sensitizers 5-brom-2-desoxyuridine (BUDR) and 5-brom-2-desoxycytidine (BCDR) and desoxyguanosine as well as the anti-metabolites 5-fluor-uracile (FU) and methotrexate (Mtx), there is greater incorporation of the thymine analogues in the DNS of the tumour cells. More than any other combination, BUDR and Mtx effectively sensibilizes the tumour cells. Syncavit and actinomycine-D are also effective. After radio-sensitizing the post-iridium-192 contact irradiation apparatus on 133 patients with gliomas. This treatment lengthened postoperative survival times.


The top 10 reasons children with autism deserve ABA.
We who advocate for applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism spectrum disorders often construct our arguments based on the scientific evidence. However, the audience that most needs to hear this argument, that is, the parents of children, especially very young children, diagnosed with autism, may not be convinced by the science alone. This essay attempts to make the case for the multiple benefits of ABA intervention through the use of humor and anecdotes couched in a "Top Ten List," and illustrating most points with stories of an engaging child with autism (my son, Ben).


The treatment of 100 consecutive patients with ureteral calculi in a British stone center.
Of all ureteral calculi 20 per cent will require removal. The use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has changed dramatically the treatment of ureteral stones requiring intervention. We reviewed 111 procedures for 108 stones in 100 consecutive patients. Primary techniques included extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy after retrograde manipulation (63 cases), percutaneous nephrolithotomy alone (1) and after retrograde manipulation (3), ureteroscopic removal (29), cystoscopic removal (2) and open ureterolithotomy (2). These techniques and the results are discussed. Of the patients 11 required a secondary procedure, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 3, ureterorenoscopy for failed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 2, an open operation for complications of ureterorenoscopy in 2 and correction of associated stricture in 2. All patients ultimately were free of stones. Our experience with in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is described. An open operation was done only when less invasive forms of treatment failed or electively to correct an associated anatomical abnormality.


Aqueous Co-Solvent in Zwitterionic-based Protic Ionic Liquids as Electrolytes in 2.0 V Supercapacitors.
High-performance energy-storage devices are receiving great interest in sustainable terms as a required complement to renewable energy sources to level out the imbalances between supply and demand. Besides electrode optimization, a primary objective is also the judicious design of high-performance electrolytes combining novel ionic liquids (ILs) and mixtures of aqueous solvents capable of offering "à la carte" properties. Herein, it is described the stoichiometric addition of a zwitterion such as betaine (BET) to protic ILs (PILs) such as those formed between methane sulfonic acid (MSAH) or p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSAH) with ethanolamine (EOA). This addition resulted in the formation of zwitterionic-based PILs (ZPILs) containing the original anion and cation as well as the zwitterion. The ZPILs prepared in this work ([EOAH]+ [BET][MSA]- and [EOAH]+ [BET][PTSA]- ) were liquid at room temperature even though the original PILs ([EOAH]+ [MSA]- and [EOAH]+ [PTSA]- ) were not. Moreover, ZPILs exhibited a wide electrochemical stability window, up to 3.7 V vs. Ag wire for [EOAH]+ [BET][MSA]- and 4.0 V vs. Ag wire for [EOAH]+ [BET][PTSA]- at room temperature, and a high miscibility with both water and aqueous co-solvent (WcS) mixtures. In particular, "WcS-in-ZPIL" mixtures of [EOAH]+ [BET][MSA]- in 2 H2 O/ACN/DMSO provided specific capacitances of approximately 83 F g-1 at current densities of 1 A g-1 , and capacity retentions of approximately 90 % after 6000 cycles when operating at a voltage of 2.0 V and a current density of 4 A g-1 .


The dexamethasone suppression test and thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n = 11), including 6 with concurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), were compared to veterans with MDD alone (n = 18) and to 28 controls in their response to the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests. We found higher levels of 4 PM serum cortisol and lower peak thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response to TRH in the MDD patients than in either the PTSD patients or controls, in spite of equivalent levels of depression for MDD and PTSD. DST suppression (cortisol less than 5 mg/dl) occurred in 90% of control, 90% of PTSD, and 78% of MDD subjects, whereas TRH blunting (dTSHmax less than 7 microU/ml) occurred in 28% of control, 27% of PTSD, and 67% of MDD subjects. Rather than blunting, four PTSD patients (36%) and only 10% of the control and MDD subjects had high TSH responses (13-24 microU/ml), which may be linked to high noradrenergic activity, since subclinical hypothyroidism seemed unlikely.


Structural studies of the O-specific polysaccharide(s) from the lipopolysaccharide of Azospirillum brasilense type strain Sp7.
Lipopolysaccharide was obtained by phenol-water extraction from dried bacterial cells of Azospirillum brasilense type strain Sp7. Mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide followed by GPC on Sephadex G-50 resulted in a polysaccharide mixture, which was studied by composition and methylation analyses, Smith degradation and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The following polysaccharide structures were established, where italics indicate a non-stoichiometric (∼40%) 2-O-methylation of l-rhamnose.


Resveratrol induces apoptosis via a Bak-mediated intrinsic pathway in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.
Our recent study have shown that resveratrol (RV), a natural plant polyphenol found in red grape skins as well as other food product, induced apoptosis via the downstream factors, caspase-independent AIF and to lesser extent caspase-9, of intrinsic apoptosis pathway in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1) cells. This report is designed to explore the roles of the upstream mediators of the intrinsic pathway, such as Bak/Bax, Bim, Puma and Noxa, during RV-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1 and A549) cell lines. RV treatment remarkably induced the activation of Bak but not Bax, and silencing Bak but not Bax by shRNA almost completely prevented RV-induced cell death, mitochondrial dysfunction and also largely prevented RV-induced AIF release, demonstrating the preferential engagement of Bak but not Bax during RV-induced apoptosis. In addition, although RV treatment induced a significant degradation of Mcl-1, knockdown of Mcl-1 by shRNA only modestly increased RV-induced Bak activation. Interestingly, silencing Bim but not Puma and Noxa remarkably attenuated RV-induced cell death, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and Bak activation, suggesting the important roles of Bim. Collectively, our findings for the first time demonstrate that RV induces apoptosis dominantly via a Bak- but not Bax-mediated AIF-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway in which Bim but not Puma and Noxa may supply the force to trigger Bak activation and subsequent apoptosis in both ASTC-a-1 and A549 cell lines.


Effects of maternal employment on child malnutrition in South Asia: An instrumental variable approach.
Although the association between child malnutrition and maternal employment status has been widely studied in several developing countries, the causal effect of mothers' employment on their children's health remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the causal effect of maternal employment on child malnutrition in five South Asian countries. This study used a data set of >55 200 children ages 0 to 5 y by pooling the most recent Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) from Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan. An instrumental variable (IV) method was applied to measure the causal effect of the mother's employment status (working mother) on stunting and underweight among children. Results showed that of the children in South Asia, 37.9% and 33.6% were stunted and underweight, respectively. The IV estimates suggested that maternal employment significantly increased stunting and underweight in children. For example, the likelihood of stunting and underweight increased by about 9.5% and 6.3% points, respectively, in South Asia when mothers worked. The likelihoods in Bangladesh (39.9 and 26.6%) and Pakistan (28 and 33.4%) were high but were at moderate levels in India (5.3 and 4.2%) and Nepal (8 and 9%). In the present study, an adverse effect of maternal labor market participation on the nutritional status of under-five children in South Asian countries was found. These findings could be helpful for policymakers in South Asian countries to adopt suitable policies to reduce malnutrition among children, especially for the children of employed mothers.


Extensive pharyngo-oesophageal reconstruction using multiple jejunal loops.
Two patients underwent subtotal pharyngo-oesophageal reconstruction using jejunum transferred by means of microvascular anastomosis. In both cases, two sets of vascular anastomoses were required, one in the lower neck and the other at the mid-sternal level. In the first patient, a continuous length of jejunum was employed but this led to great redundancy of the bowel on account of coiling as a result of its mesenteric attachment. In the second case, two isolated loops were employed with minimal redundancy. An anatomical study on three fresh cadavers indicated that the maximum defect which can be bridged by a single loop of jejunum lies between 15 and 20 cm. No particular part of the jejunum or ileum seems particularly advantageous in terms of its ability to span large defects.


Acute, non-COVID related medical admissions during the first wave of COVID-19: A retrospective comparison of changing patterns of disease.
COVID-19 may have altered the case-mix of non-COVID acute medical admissions. Retrospective analysis of acute medical admissions to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, showed that medical admissions decreased in April 2020 compared to April 2019. The proportion of young adults, non-cardiac chest pain, musculoskeletal conditions and self-discharges decreased. The proportion of admissions due to alcohol misuse, psychiatric conditions, overdoses and falls increased. There were a higher number of patients admitted to ICU and greater inpatient mortality but not once COVID diagnoses were excluded. There was a significant change in hospitalised case-mix with conditions potentially reflecting social isolation increasing and diagnoses which rarely require hospital treatment, reducing. This analysis will help inform service planning.


Use of a disposable umbilical cord clamp in end colostomy.
A method is described in which a simple disposable plastic umbilical cord clamp replaces the traditional cumbersome instrument or expensive staples in the operation of end colostomy.


Dolichol-linked glycoprotein synthesis in G1 is necessary for DNA synthesis in synchronized primary cultures of cerebral glia.
Primary cultures of newborn rat cerebrum, which are composed of glial cells (principally astroglia), were used for examining the relationship between dolichol-linked glycoprotein synthesis and DNA synthesis in developing cerebral glia. The cells were synchronized by reducing the content of fetal calf serum in the culture medium from 10 to 0.1% (vol/vol) for 48 h between days 4 and 6 in culture. Reversal of the quiescent state by return of the cultures to 10% serum causes a marked increase in DNA synthesis 12-24 h later. A sharp increase in glycoprotein synthesis (incorporation of [3H]mannose) occurred in the first 12 h after serum repletion, preceding the increase in DNA synthesis. Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of the dolichol-linked pathway to glycoprotein synthesis at the first committed step in oligosaccharide formation, promptly and completely prevented the increase in glycoprotein synthesis and, in addition, the subsequent increase in DNA synthesis. The effects of tunicamycin on glycoprotein and DNA syntheses were reversible, and no comparable effect on total protein synthesis was observed. When tunicamycin was added only during a temporally circumscribed period in G1, i.e., from 3 to 9 h after serum repletion, the increase in DNA synthesis between 12 and 24 h after repletion was still markedly inhibited, i.e., to approximately 45% of the value in untreated cultures. The data thus show that there is a requirement for dolichol-linked glycoprotein synthesis for the subsequent occurrence of DNA synthesis and that this requirement is expressed late in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.


Sexual and topological differences in palmprint and ridge density in the caucasian Spanish population.
Despite the fact that variation in ridge breadth is of biological, medical, and genetic interest, it has not received as much attention as other dermatoglyphic characteristics. Recently, sex differences in mean epidermal ridge breadth have been proposed in the field of forensic identification in order to infer gender from fingerprints found at the scene of a crime left by an unknown donor. The aim of this research was to analyze sexual, bimanual, and topological variations in epidermal ridge breadth on palmprints taken from a Spanish population sample for subsequent application in inferring gender from the palm marks. The material used in the present study was obtained from the palmprints of 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) from the Caucasian Spanish. Since ridge breadth varies according to age, subjects of similar ages were recruited to ensure that growth had finished. Therefore, in order to assess topological variation in ridge density or number of ridges in a given space, the count was carried out for the five palmar areas: hypothenar, thenar/first interdigital, second interdigital, third interdigital, and fourth interdigital. This allowed the segmentation of 2000 ridge count areas for analysis. For this, two methods were used, one described by Cummins et al. (the ridge count was carried out along a 1cm line) and the other by Acree (the number of ridges per 25 mm(2) of surface area). The results obtained by the second method can be compared with those obtained for the ten fingers from this same sample and evaluated in a previous study. The results have demonstrated the existence of topological differences in ridge thickness on the epidermal palm surface; also females present a significantly higher ridge density than men and, therefore, have narrower ridges over the entire palmar surface. Those sexual differences found in the sample population can be used for inferring the gender from palm marks left by an unknown donor. The hypotheses that could explain the variability in ridge breadth are evaluated according to the obtained results.


Dynamics of equi-factor antibodies in sera of foals kept on farms with differing histories of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia.
The occurrence of equi-factor antibodies in sera of mares and their foals was studied on two horse breeding farms, one of which (Farm A) had a positive and the other (farm B) a negative history of R. equi infection of foals. The equi-factor neutralization (EFN) and the reverse Elek-Ouchterlony (REO) precipitation were used as assays. On Farm A, 25 mares positive in both tests (EFN+ REO+) and 25 mares negative in both tests (EFN- REO-) was chosen. On Farm B, a group of 25 EFN- REO+ mares and a group of 25 EFN- REO- mares were studied. The first serum samplings in mares were 1 week ante partum and the subsequent samplings in both mares and foals were in the first week after birth and at the end of every month of the foals' age up to 6 months, with further samplings at 8 and 12 months. A higher number of seropositive foals was found on Farm A, but the difference between Farms A and B was not significant. The smallest number, with the lowest titres, was among the foals of EFN- REO+ dams. The number of foals positive in the REO test was higher than in the EFN test. The onset of EFN positivity was found in foals on both farms in the first month of their age, always culminating in the third and fourth months in titres varying between 1:64 and 1:2048, after which time it fell until it disappeared altogether or reached values of 1:4. The results showed the widespread nature of subclinical infection with R. equi on horse farms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Retinal detachment associated with optic disc colobomas and morning glory syndrome.
We report the diagnosis and treatment of patients with retinal detachment and/or retinoschisis associated with optic nerve coloboma or morning glory syndrome. A retrospective review of patients with optic nerve coloboma or morning glory syndrome with associated retinal detachment or retinoschisis was conducted. For five patients (six eyes), we report the clinical findings, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, intraoperative findings, and treatment outcomes. OCT scans demonstrate a bilaminar structure of maculopathy, consisting of inner schisis-like changes and outer layer retinal detachment. In most cases, a retinal break was demonstrated within the optic disc defect with three-dimensional OCT imaging. Glial tissue was sometimes observed within the anomalous defect. Vitrectomy and resection of the tractional tissue in these cases produced good anatomical and visual outcomes. Retinal detachment spontaneously resolved in cases where traction was not present. Traction may contribute to the pathogenesis of retinal detachment associated with colobomatous optic disc anomalies, either directly or by creating a secondary retinal break. OCT imaging assists with understanding the contributing factors to retinal detachment in individual cases of colobomatous optic disc anomalies and can thereby assist with determining the most effective approach to management.


Resilience mediates the association between school bullying victimization and self-harm in Chinese adolescents.
The association between school bullying and self-harm (SH) in adolescents has been extensively discussed. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanism of this relationship, particularly the role of resilience. Our research aimed to explore and evaluate the potential moderation and mediation of resilience in the association between school bullying victimization and SH in a large sample of Chinese adolescents. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey of 3146 adolescents in southwest China. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic regression which incorporated the product term of bullying victimization and resilience was used to estimate the moderation of resilience. Mediation of resilience in bullying victimization and SH were evaluated by path model. The prevalence of bullying involvement and SH were 13.13% (95% CI:9.31%-18.00%) and 47.0% (95% CI: 36.3%-58.0%), respectively. School bullying victimization was positively associated with SH. Resilience was a prominent mediator which accounted for 27.7% of the total association. Among all five dimensions of resilience, emotion regulation (30.90%), interpersonal assistance (24.78%), and family support (22.16%) showed the strongest mediation. Nevertheless, the moderation of resilience in this association was not statistically significant. The findings of the present study suggest that resilience strengthening measures, particularly those aimed at improving emotion regulation ability and building social support could be effective in reducing school bullying victimization related SH behaviors among Chinese teenagers.